Prepared Blessings.... Raise Your Hands & Rejoice... Expect & Embrace... (1.31.19)

My Child,
Look up and let your heart rejoice!! 
Because ahead of you lies a season of blessings.
Have I not said it and will I not do it?!?!

You waited in faith, and patiently endured
     the testing times. 
You didn’t become weary in well doing.
You waited for Me to work things out. 

Now, you will see the former and the latter rain come upon you and overtake you. I will drench you with My Goodness and you will eat only the best fruits.  For I will cause these blessings to come upon you and overtake you in abundance.

Not because you are righteous or because of the works that you’ve done, but by My Power and My Grace.

Therefore, look up to the sky as Elijah did, and see the cloud forming in the distance. Look up and see how it is forming even now.  For what started out as a small cloud turned out to be a torrent of rain to soak the dry land.

It will be the same with you.
It is coming and it will not be
     because of what you have done,
     but it will be because of what I
     have done.  

Yes, the blessings I’ve prepared are coming upon you. So, stand now and believe, as you receive the works of My Hands.

Come and take hold of the blessings that have been prepared for you; and with these blessings, every work of the enemy will be destroyed. 

Raise your hands up high and rejoice.
Expect it and embrace it.

I want you to praise Me now for
     what you are about to receive.

These blessings were prepared for you
     before you were born.....

 

 

READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD
Num. 23:19  GOD is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Gal. 6:9  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 

Heb.  6:15  And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

Joel 2:23  Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your GOD: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain

Deu. 28:12  The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. 

Deu.  26:9  And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey.

Eph 1:3-5  Blessed be the GOD and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: even as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him. In love He predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.

Look Up & Set Your Sights on What is Ahead..... (1.30.19)

My Child,
I know the enemy has been trying to wear you down and make you feel stressed about things beyond your control. However, things are not beyond My Control.

So, be encouraged for the enemy cannot stop My Hand; and your healing and deliverance will come forth.  However, you must first let go of the past and everything that’s reminding you of the pain and failures. 

Don’t you know that the way has been prepared for you to move forward? 

Therefore, refuse to allow minor disappointments to crush your spirit or to keep you from moving forward......

My Child, there is nothing you can do about the things that devastated you -- except give them to Me and allow Me to wipe your tears and bring healing to your soul.

So, I say to you, ARISE!

Look up and set your sights on what is
     ahead, once again.
Look up in faith and see the blessing I
     have in store for you.
Trust that I have your welfare in My Hand
     and that you are ordained to be blessed. 

I speak blessings over you right now! 

It is time to look to the hills; for all the
     help you need is waiting for you.

  

 

Read and Meditate on God's Word

Deuteronomy 2:2-3 - And the LORD spake unto me, saying, Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.
 
Isaiah 52:2 - Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion. 
 
Isaiah 60:1 - Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. 
 
Psalm 121:1-2 - I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. 
 
Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 
 
Philippians 3:13-14 - Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of GOD in Christ Jesus.

 

 

 

#ScriptureReflection - Titus 3 (NIV) (1.29.19)

Saved in Order to Do Good

3 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, ² to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

³ At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. ⁸ This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
⁹ But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. ¹⁰ Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. ¹¹ You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

Final Remarks

¹² As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. ¹³ Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. ¹⁴ Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.
¹⁵ Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all.

Count On Me (1.28.19)

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people - Ephesians 6:18

Faith Believers,
Even though prayer originates with GOD, GOD still counts on us and our prayers.  We are part of the prayer cycle by which He accomplishes His Work in the world.

Sometimes when I receive an e-mail asking for prayer, I hit “reply” and say “Count on me!” When I say “count on me,” I do not take that lightly. I always make a note of the prayer request and add it to my list of daily prayer prompts.

It occurs to me now, that I have never said “count on me” to the Father. But I think that I should. I realize that this is an awfully big promise to make.

But I can do it and you can do it too, because of the intercessory work of His enthroned Son, Jesus, and the work of His indwelling Holy Spirit.

GOD the Father is seeking intercessors He can count on.

What do you think?
Would you join me in saying
     to the Father, “Count on me”?

 -  Marilyn

~ Prayer ~
Righteous Father,

Forgive me for the times I have told others I would pray for them, but have forgotten! 

Prompt me by Your Spirit to develop a holy habit of praying for a person or situation as soon as possible, even immediately in the presence of the one who asks!

May I boldly trust You to give me Your words to speak into every life and situation.  Keep my mind from moving on to the busyness of my day until I have sought Your Face on behalf of the one who has asked!

Count on me, Father, to do the work of an intercessor,
     releasing Your power into the lives of others.

Amen

 

 

 

Go In and Possess Your Promises (1.27.19)

My Child,

I do not change, and I Am faithful.
As I promised, it shall be. 

However, did you expect your blessings to be handed to you on a silver platter? You believed in your spirit that you were close to your blessing. You felt it so strong, you could almost reach out and touch it.  So, why did you stop fighting when the battle became intense? Why did you cease claiming the victory? Who told you that you couldn’t win?

You must continue to press
     your way through.  
Go in and possess the land.

I led the children of Israel to the promised land, but they had to go in and possess it, and so must you.

Don’t allow the size of the battle to make you believe that you can’t possess your promises. You are ordained for victory; therefore, do not back down from the battle. There is a great victory waiting for you, but you must press on to obtain it. 

You can possess the fullness of all the promises that I made to you, but it will not come cheaply for I will involve you in the process of obtaining them.  

Go in and possess your promises.

Yes, I will require you to fight to possess your promises. You can’t just sit back and expect it to fall into your lap. You cannot be a bystander.  You must rise up and go after your promises. However, do not be disheartened and do not despair, for I Will fight with you and I Will give you the victory.

Remember, faith without works is dead.
Your promises are not dead, they are alive
     and waiting for you to possess them,
     so don’t stop short of the victory.

The promise land belonged to Israel, but they had to fight to possess it. I could have sent an angel to destroy the inhabitants of the land and allow the children of Israel to merely walk in and possess it. However, I wanted them to be involved in the process of taking their land.

I wanted them to understand and appreciate
     the value of their inheritance.
I wanted them to understand the cost of
     their victory and not take it for granted.
My child, this same rule applies to you.
I change not. 
Go in and possess your promises.

You are an over comer. I have put My Spirit within you to help you and to strengthen you. I will not turn My back on you, nor are My ears deaf to your cries. You can have all that I have promised you. However, I want you to understand that this type of victory comes only through battle.

You must fight the good fight of faith
     to possess your promised blessings.

Now, I have prepared a table for you in the presence of your enemies, but you must go and possess this table.  The enemy will do all he can to stop you from partaking of the table because he knows this table will fill you up to overflowing with My Power. The table is prepared, and your promised blessings are upon it, but you must possess the table. 

Be not slothful about it, because the enemy is watching your table - and he too wants to possess it.

This is the time to fight for the promises that I have made to you, so go in and possess the land.

Read and Meditate on God's Word:

Numbers 13:30 - And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.

Deuteronomy 1:21 - Behold, the LORD thy GOD hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged.

Joshua 18:3 - And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD GOD of your fathers hath given you?

Judges 18:9 - And they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we have seen the land, and, behold, it is very good: and are ye still? be not slothful to go, and to enter to possess the land.

Psalm 23:5 - Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:

#ScriptureReflection - Philippians 3:7-16 (NIV) (1.26.19)

⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. ¹⁰ I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Following Paul’s Example

¹⁵ All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. ¹⁶ Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

When You Come Through This.... Your LATTER will be GREATER... (1.25.19)

My Child,
I know you may feel like I have overlooked or forgotten about you; however, I assure you I have not.

I understand the pressure you’ve been under.
I see that you’re stirred up and want to scream,
     because you think you aren’t accomplishing
     anything or going anywhere.

However, what you don’t understand is that I Am still working in your life.  I Am destroying the obstacles within you that hindered you from entering into the New Things that I have for you.

Yes, dear one, I Am right there with you. 
I Am equipping you and giving you the tools
      needed in order to fulfill the calling
      upon your life.

I want you to have the best - that’s why I have you in the very place you are in.  I know it may not feel wonderful right now; nevertheless, soon it will be revealed to you why I chose to work things out this way. 

 

Meanwhile, allow Me to comfort you in this tough time. Allow Me to remind you that after something is broken, the Master Potter will bring about a beautiful resurrection.

Remember, My Son was wounded, bruised, and put to death. However, nothing could ever compare to the glorious resurrection that came after His suffering. So, the suffering you are enduring now will not compare to the glory soon to come.  

 

Therefore, do not be discouraged - for all things are working for your good.  And Precious One, I want you to know that this road you’re traveling is accomplishing things in your life that will bring forth pure gold...  Causing your latter to be greater than your former.  

 

 

 

READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD
Job 8:7 - Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase. 

Joel 2:25 - And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

Haggai 2:9 - The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.

Romans 8:17-18 - And if children, then heirs; heirs of GOD, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 

Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love GOD, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 - For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

 

 

 

Seek The Lord for Direction (1.24.19)

   

My Child,
The voice of the enemy is trying to lead you down a wide path.

Do not heed his voice anymore, for he will lead you to a path of destruction. My Paths are straight and narrow, and you won’t have any difficulty finding them -- if you listen to My Voice and follow in My Footsteps. 

 

Do not look to man for directions. I Will guide thee and I Will direct your steps.  For it is written, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord."  Let your steps be ordered by Me, not by man. 

All you must do is trust Me to guide you
     and be patient. 
Allow Me to do it in My Own Time.

Do not be hasty, and do not lean unto your own understanding.  Be patient and let patience have her perfect work, so everything will be perfect and entire, lacking nothing.

Rest in Me and I Shall
     bring it to pass. 
Trust in Me.

Wait for My Directions and I Will deliver you from your troubles. I Will lead you in a more excellent way, and bring you out to a better place.  

I say to you, seek Me for direction, wait for My guidance and you shall receive that which you have desired.

 

 

 

READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD

Psalm 37:23-24 - The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 

1 Corinthians 12:31 - But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. 

Psalm 118:5 - I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place

Matthew 7:13-14 - Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

James 1:4 - But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 

#ScriptureReflction - Mark 3:1-6 (1.23.19)

Jesus entered the synagogue.
There was a man there who had a withered hand.

They watched Jesus closely
to see if he would cure him on the sabbath
so that they might accuse him.

He said to the man with the withered hand,
"Come up here before us."

Then he said to the Pharisees,
"Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil,
to save life rather than to destroy it?"

But they remained silent.
Looking around at them with anger
and grieved at their hardness of heart,
Jesus said to the man, "Stretch out your hand."

He stretched it out and his hand was restored.

The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel
with the Herodians against him to put him to death.

#Shifting - God's Dwelling Place (1.22.19)

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from GOD? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor GOD with your bodies - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Faith Believers,
The temple was the physical place Isaiah referred to when he said that God’s House would be called "a house of prayer for all nations." And, though it had been destroyed and rebuilt - this was the place Jesus referred to as well. The house Isaiah and Jesus referred to was this special, physical place where God’s Manifest Presence was very evident. This was the place where people from all nations, who had a heart to be with this living and loving GOD, would be able to come and enjoy deeper relationship with Him through prayer.

GOD not only dwelt in the tabernacle and the temple, He also dwelt in people. Even in the Old Testament, GOD said, I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones - Isaiah 57:15. People have always been GOD’s most desired dwelling place.

In fact, in the New Testament, believers are referred to as being "the temple of GOD," the place where His Spirit lives today. Paul, understanding the significant role of the tabernacle and the temple, said that we (individually and collectively) are the dwelling place of GOD today.

A shift has taken place.
GOD’s primary dwelling place is people.

So now, when we think of the comments from both Isaiah and Jesus, about GOD’s house being a "house of prayer" for all; we no longer need to look for a special place, nor are we to point people to a special place. As GOD's people, whether we are gathered or scattered - we are to be that place.

We are to be His house.
We are to be the place where
     a relationship with GOD flows
     very naturally through prayer.

  -  Marilyn

~ Prayer ~
Father,

You have created me to be Your dwelling place.
May I be worthy of such an awesome calling!

Create a spirit of humility and holiness within my heart so that every action, every thought and every word from my mouth reflects Your Son.

Thank You for choosing to dwell within me and help me to be continually mindful of Your Presence.

My deepest desire is to keep company with You forever!

Amen

#ScriptureReflection - Isaiah 63 (NIV) (1.21.19)

God’s Day of Vengeance and Redemption

63 Who is this coming from Edom,
    from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson?
Who is this, robed in splendor,
    striding forward in the greatness of his strength?

“It is I, proclaiming victory,
    mighty to save.”

² Why are your garments red,
    like those of one treading the winepress?

³ “I have trodden the winepress alone;
    from the nations no one was with me.
I trampled them in my anger
    and trod them down in my wrath;
their blood spattered my garments,
    and I stained all my clothing.
⁴ It was for me the day of vengeance;
    the year for me to redeem had come.
⁵ I looked, but there was no one to help,
    I was appalled that no one gave support;
so my own arm achieved salvation for me,
    and my own wrath sustained me.
⁶ I trampled the nations in my anger;
    in my wrath I made them drunk
    and poured their blood on the ground.”

Praise and Prayer

⁷ I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord,
    the deeds for which he is to be praised,
    according to all the Lord has done for us—
yes, the many good things
    he has done for Israel,
    according to his compassion and many kindnesses.
⁸ He said, “Surely they are my people,
    children who will be true to me”;
    and so he became their Savior.
⁹ In all their distress he too was distressed,
    and the angel of his presence saved them.
In his love and mercy he redeemed them;
    he lifted them up and carried them
    all the days of old.
¹⁰ Yet they rebelled
    and grieved his Holy Spirit.
So he turned and became their enemy
    and he himself fought against them.

¹¹ Then his people recalled the days of old,
    the days of Moses and his people—
where is he who brought them through the sea,
    with the shepherd of his flock?
Where is he who set
    his Holy Spirit among them,
¹² who sent his glorious arm of power
    to be at Moses’ right hand,
who divided the waters before them,
    to gain for himself everlasting renown,
¹³ who led them through the depths?
Like a horse in open country,
    they did not stumble;
¹⁴ like cattle that go down to the plain,
    they were given rest by the Spirit of the Lord.
This is how you guided your people
    to make for yourself a glorious name.

¹⁵ Look down from heaven and see,
    from your lofty throne, holy and glorious.
Where are your zeal and your might?
    Your tenderness and compassion are withheld from us.
¹⁶ But you are our Father,
    though Abraham does not know us
    or Israel acknowledge us;
you, Lord, are our Father,
    our Redeemer from of old is your name.
¹⁷ Why, Lord, do you make us wander from your ways
    and harden our hearts so we do not revere you?
Return for the sake of your servants,
    the tribes that are your inheritance.
¹⁸ For a little while your people possessed your holy place,
    but now our enemies have trampled down your sanctuary.
¹⁹ We are yours from of old;
    but you have not ruled over them,
    they have not been called by your name.

Stand Strong, Hold Fast & Move in Forward Momentum (1.20.19)

Beloved, 
Look beyond the discouragement you’re facing, and do not worry; because there is nothing the enemy can do to you.  

he may threaten, he may try to disturb your peace; but all his efforts will be in vain. YOU are a Child of the King, and no weapon formed against you shall prosper. Keep your Spiritual Eyes open, and you will be able to see beyond what is happening. With Eyes of Your Understanding being opened, you will know what you’re going through is only a temporary condition.
 
It’s only with the Eyes of Faith that you will be able to move past your circumstances, to obtain the victory. the enemy will do all he can to put stumbling blocks in your way - so that you will give up.

Refuse to allow anything to stop
     your forward momentum.
Getting through this obstacle will give you
     the courage and strength for the next challenge
     and bring you closer to victory.
 
Stand strong, hold fast, and you will experience many great and wondrous things. Soon and very soon, My Plans will unfold before your eyes. Therefore, continue to look beyond your circumstances and trust Me to bring to completion everything in your life.

 

 

 

 

Read and Meditate on God's Word:

Psalm 71:16 - I will go in the strength of the Lord Jehovah; I will speak of Your righteousness, of Yours alone. 
 
Isaiah 54:17 - No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
 
Romans 8:18 - For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 
 
2 Corinthians 4:18 - While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 
 
2 Corinthians 5:7 - (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 
 
Hebrews 10:23 - Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;)