Jesus is the Reason for the Season!! Preparing for & Celebrating Advent.... (11.30.19)

Advent Devotional Guide:
Preparing for the Coming of Christ

by Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts *

Copyright © 2011 by Mark D. Roberts and Patheos.com

Go to the Advent Devotional Guide, in it's entirety

* This version has been shortened & slightly
edited from the original version.

Introduction

Advent is a season of waiting, expecting, and hoping. Beginning four Sundays prior to Christmas and ending on Christmas Eve, Advent helps us prepare for the coming, or “advent” of the Christ child at Christmas. (The word “advent” comes from the Latin word that means “coming.”)

For hundreds of years, Christians have used an Advent wreath to inspire their hopes for the coming of Christ. By lighting candles and reading Bible verses, we are reminded about the meaning of Christ’s birth and become more excited about his coming in the past, in the future, and in our own lives. Some profess that the wreath itself, with it's perfect circular shape, has no beginning and no end - reminding us of Christ's eternal presence. The evergreen of the wreath symbolizes life.  The evergreen stays alive & green - all year round.  In more modern times, wreaths are not always evergreen.

There is no set meaning for the candles of the Advent wreath (except for the middle candle, which always signifies the birth of Jesus the Christ and is often called the Christ Candle). Some Christian faiths symbolize the candles to represent hope (week one), peace (week two), joy (week 3), and love (week four). In other houses of worship, the candles are identified with key figures in the stories of the birth of Jesus, such as the shepherds, the angels, Joseph, and Mary.  And some denominations represent the purple candles to represent "prayer, penance and preparatory sacrifice"and the pink candle to represent "rejoicing."  In this article, the main theme of waiting is used to give structure and meaning to the Advent candles, with each candle focused on different aspects of our waiting.

Advent wreath candles, depending on your denomination and/or world location, can come in a variety of colors, and typically there are 2 types of Advent wreaths.  Most wreaths will use 3 purple and one pink candle; or 3 purple, one pink and one white candle.  Some wreaths use all white candles; others may use blue candles (instead of purple); and others may even use red candles.   Sharing an understanding of the Advent wreath with many U.S. Christians, for whom the purple candles remind us of how serious and solemn God’s people have been in waiting for the Messiah. The pink signifies the joy of our waiting. The white (sometimes used) is triumphant and celebratory because Christ is born. (If your wreath has blue candles, then when “Light a purple candle” is mentioned, light your blue candle.)  Learn more about the Advent Wreath.

Finally, as we light each candle on the wreath - the light symbolizes "The Light of the World" also known as Jesus Christ.  What follows is a helpful guide that lends to a deeper understanding of the season of Advent, Advent traditions & symbolism for your faith communities, family and especially children - who may be "caught up" and focused on Christmas, but have very little understanding or knowledge of the season of Advent.

Speaking of children, they have great expectations and hopes during Advent – usually associated with Christmas presents, Santa Claus, holiday celebrations, and so forth. Rather than discouraging these hopes, this guide offers explanation, instruction, exposure and understanding that parents can share with their children.  Helping their children get the “feel” of Advent by relating their hopes to biblical Advent themes.

Lastly, some prefer to bless their Advent wreaths on the first Sunday of Advent or to have their church minister bless the wreath.   Some even have a the Blessing of the Wreath ceremony immediately prior to the lighting of the first candle.  There are many resources available, for a variety of denominations, including The Family Advent Wreath: Blessings & Prayers, The Book of Household Blessings, and more.

The Lighting of the First Candle: Waiting for the Shepherd

The First Sunday of Advent

We Remember the Meaning of Advent

Advent is a word that means “coming” or “visit”. In the Christian season of Advent, we prepare for the “advent” of Christ at Christmas. Our preparation includes many things:

• We remember Israel’s hope for the coming of God’s Messiah to save, to forgive, and to restore.

• We remember our hope for the second coming of Jesus.

• We remember our need for a Savior to save us from our sins.

• We prepare to welcome Christ at Christmas into our world . . . and into our hearts.

By lighting one candle each week of Advent, we help ourselves get ready for the birth of Jesus. The candles have different meanings, each based upon the Bible. These meanings help us understand how special the birth of Jesus is for us.

Today we focus on the coming of Christ as our Shepherd.

Prayer for God’s Help **

Dear God,
Thank You for this season of Advent that helps us prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas. As we read the Bible and light a candle, may excitement for Christ’s coming burn in our hearts.
Amen

Scripture Readings

• Psalm 80:1-7 -In this Psalm, we join the people of Israel as they invite God their Shepherd to save and to restore them.
• Isaiah 40:1-11 - This passage looks ahead to the coming of the Lord, who will care for his people like a shepherd.
• Revelation 7:9-17 - Like God’s people before the coming of Christ, we also look ahead to the time when Christ, who is both the Lamb and our Shepherd, will finish his work and “God will wipe away every tear” from our eyes.

Lighting of the Candle **

We light this candle - Light the first (purple) candle - because, like God’s people centuries ago, we also look forward with hope to the coming of the Shepherd. The purple color of the candle reminds us of the seriousness of our hope. 

Prayer of Hope **

Dear God,
As we light this candle, we hope for Your coming as our Good Shepherd. Please gather us in Your arms, feed us with spiritual food, wipe away every tear from our eyes, and “let Your face shine, that we may be saved.”
Come, our Shepherd!
Amen

Closing Song

[To be sung to the tune of “O come let us adore him” from “O Come All Ye Faithful.”]
O come to us, our Shepherd,
O come to us, our Shepherd,
O come to us, our Shepherd,
Christ the Lord!

** These recitations may be paraphrased.  Your church may have alternative prayers, as well.

The Lighting of the Second Candle: Waiting for Forgiveness

The Second Sunday of Advent
Action: Re-light the first candle.

We Remember the Meaning of Advent

Advent is a word that means “coming” or “visit.” In the Christian season of Advent we prepare for the “advent” of Christ at Christmas. Our preparation includes many things:

• We remember Israel’s hope for the coming of God’s Messiah to save, to forgive, and to restore.

• We remember our hope for the second coming of Jesus.

• We remember our need for a Savior to save us from our sins.

• We prepare to welcome Christ at Christmas into our world . . . and into our hearts.

By lighting one candle each week of Advent, we help ourselves to get ready for the birth of Jesus. Last week we lit a candle that signified our waiting for God our Shepherd.

Today, as we light the second candle, we focus on the coming of Christ who brings forgiveness from our sins.

Prayer for God’s Help **

Dear God,
Thank You for this season of Advent that helps us to prepare for the coming of Your Son, Jesus Christ at Christmas. As we read the Bible and light a candle, may excitement for Christ’s coming burn in our hearts.
Amen.

Scripture Readings

• Psalm 130:1-8 -In this psalm, we join the psalmist in crying out for God’s forgiveness.
• Jeremiah 31:31-34 - God promises to make a new covenant with us, in which our sins will be forgiven and forgotten.
• Luke 1:68-79 - When an angel appears to Zechariah in the temple and tells him that his wife will give birth to a son, the old man doesn’t believe the angel. As a result, Zechariah is unable to speak for many months, until immediately after the birth of his son John (the Baptist). Right after the birth, Zechariah is filled with the Holy Spirit and speaks the prophecy that we will read.

Lighting of the Candle **

We light this candle - Light the second (purple) candle - because, like God’s people centuries ago, we also need a Savior who will forgive our sins. The purple color reminds us of the seriousness of our sin and our great need for God’s forgiveness.  

Prayer of Hope **

Dear God,
As we light this candle, we recognize our sin and our need for a savior. We wait for your forgiveness in Christ. We long to be purified so that we might present ourselves to you in righteousness.
Come, Our Savior!
Amen!

Closing Song

[To be sung to the tune of “O come let us adore him” from “O Come All Ye Faithful.”]
O come to us, forgive us,
O come to us, forgive us,
O come to us, forgive us,
Christ the Lord!

** These recitations may be paraphrased.  Your church may have alternative prayers, as well.

The Lighting of the Third Candle: Waiting with Joy

The Third Sunday of Advent (known as Gaudate Sunday)
Action: Re-light the first two purple candles.

We Remember the Meaning of Advent

Advent is a word that means “coming” or “visit”.
In the Christian season of Advent we prepare for the “advent” of Christ at Christmas. Our preparation includes many things:

• We remember Israel's hope for the coming of God's Messiah to save, to forgive, and to restore.
• We remember our hope for the second coming of Jesus.

• We remember our need for a Savior to save us from our sins.

• We prepare to welcome Christ at Christmas into our world . . . and into our hearts.

By lighting one candle each week of Advent, we help ourselves to get ready for the birth of Jesus. So far we have lit two candles. The first helped us to hope for God our Shepherd; with the second we asked God to come and forgive our sins.

Today we remember the joy of waiting, because we know how the story ends!

Prayer for God’s Help **

Dear God,
Thank You for this season of Advent that helps us to prepare for the coming of Your Son, Jesus Christ at Christmas. As we read the Bible and light a candle, may excitement for Christ’s coming burn in our hearts.
Amen

Scripture Readings

• Psalm 126:1-6 - This psalm celebrates God’s restoration of Israel — and it cries out to God for future restoration.
• Zephaniah 3:14-20 - Through the prophet Zephaniah God looks ahead to the time when he will renew and heal his people. It will be a day of great rejoicing, both for them and for God!
• Philippians 4:4-7 - We also rejoice in the Lord, in part because we know that “the Lord is near.” This means, not only that God is with us right now, but that Christ is coming soon.

Lighting of the Candle **

We light this candle - Light the third (pink) candle - because, like God’s people centuries ago, we know that God has come in Christ and that Christ will come again. We rejoice in God’s work in history and in the future. The pink color means joy!  

Prayer of Hope **

Dear God,
As we light this candle, we rejoice. We know how the first act of the story ended – with the birth of Your Son, Jesus the Messiah. And we know that he will come again in glory. So even though the story isn’t over, we rejoice in our hope.
We wait for you, rejoicing!
Amen!

Closing Song

[To be sung to the tune of “O come let us adore him” from “O Come All Ye Faithful.”]
We wait for you, rejoicing,
We wait for you, rejoicing,
We wait for you, rejoicing,
Christ the Lord!

** These recitations may be paraphrased.  Your church may have alternative prayers, as well.

The Lighting of the Fourth Candle: Waiting for the Son

The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Action: Re-light the first two purple & pink candles.

We Remember the Meaning of Advent

Advent is a word that means “coming” or “visit.”

In the Christian season of Advent we prepare for the “advent” of Christ at Christmas. Our preparation includes many things:

• We remember Israel’s hope for the coming of God’s Messiah to save, to forgive, and to restore.

• We remember our hope for the second coming of Jesus.

• We remember our need for a Savior to save us from our sins.

• We prepare to welcome Christ at Christmas into our world . . . and into our hearts.

By lighting one candle each week of Advent, we help ourselves to get ready for the birth of Jesus. So far we have lit three candles. The first reminded us to wait for God our Shepherd. With the second we asked the Lord to come and forgive our sins. The third, pink, candle signified our joy as we wait.

Today we focus on the coming of the Son – the son of Mary, the Son of God!

Prayer for God’s Help **

Dear God,
Thank You for this season of Advent that helps us to prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas. As we read the Bible and light a candle, may excitement for Christ’s coming burn in our hearts.
Amen

Scripture Readings

• Psalm 89:1-4, 19-37, 46-52 - This psalm celebrates God’s covenant with David and with the descendants of David. He even calls God “my Father” (vs. 26). But the psalmist composed this psalm at a time when God’s blessing upon Israel seemed very far away. He calls upon the Lord to remember his covenant to David. 
• Isaiah 9:1-7 -Deliverance will come for God’s people through the “son” who is given to them. He will sit on the throne of David and his kingdom will last forever.
• Luke 1:26-38 - The angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she is pregnant and will give birth to a son. Her son will also be “the Son of the Most High” and will sit on the throne of David. He will be the reigning Son of David and the divine Son of God!

Lighting of the Candle **

We light this candle - Light the fourth (final purple) candle - because we look forward with eagerness to the birth of a child, the son of Mary and the Son of God! The purple color reminds us of how serious we are in looking forward to the Son’s birth. 

Prayer of Hope **

Dear God,
As we light this candle, we look ahead with hope to the birth of your Son — the Son of David, the son of Mary. May we be prepared to welcome him with open arms and open hearts. O come now, Son of David!
Amen!

Closing Song

[To be sung to the tune of “O come let us adore him” from “O Come All Ye Faithful.”]
O come now, Son of David,
O come now, Son of David,
O come now, Son of David,
Christ the Lord!

** These recitations may be paraphrased.  Your church may have alternative prayers, as well.

The Lighting of the Christ Candle: Our Waiting is Over!

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day
Action: Re-light all the purple & pink candles.  Note: Some Advent wreath's will not have a 5th center white candle.  If your wreath does not have a 5th candle, simply light all the candles and proceed below.

We Celebrate the Birth of Christ

In the season of Advent we have used the Advent wreath and its candles to help us get ready for this great celebration of the birth of Christ.

When we lit the first purple candle, we asked God to come and be our Good Shepherd. God our Shepherd has come in Jesus Christ!

When we lit the second purple candle, we asked God to come and forgive our sins. God has come in Jesus Christ to take our sins and die upon the cross so that we might be forgiven!

When we lit the third, pink candle, we felt joyful even in our longing for Christ to come. Christ, who has been born in a manger, will come again in glory to wipe away every tear from our eyes!

When we lit the fourth candle, we remembered that Christ would come as a son – the son of Mary, the Son of David, and the Son of God! This Son has been born! He is Immanuel – God with us!

Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus the Christ, Jesus the Good Shepherd, Jesus who forgives our sins, Jesus who will come again, Jesus the son of Mary, the Son of David, and the very Son of God!

Prayer for God’s Help **

Dear God,
As we light the center candle today, may we celebrate with full joy the birth of your Son, Jesus the Christ.
Amen!

Scripture Readings

• Micah 5:1-5 - God promises through the prophet Micah that his future rule will come from Bethlehem, even though this town is, indeed, a “little town” and quite insignificant.
• Luke 2:1-20 - Jesus the Messiah is born in Bethlehem!
• Psalm 145 - Let us join the psalmist in offering praise to God for his mighty works!

Lighting of the Candle **

We light this candle - Light the fifth, white candle (if your wreath has one) - with great joy and celebration, because Christ is born in Bethlehem. God’s Son has come into the world to be our Savior! And He will come again in glory.

Prayer of Joy and Adoration **

Dear God,
As we light this candle, we rejoice in the birth of your Son. May we worship him, welcome him, and make room for him in our hearts. O come, let us adore him!
Amen!

Closing Song

O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him,
Christ the Lord!

** These recitations may be paraphrased.  Your church may have alternative prayers, as well.

Merry Christmas!

*See below for additional pictures of various Advent wreaths
and a link for more ideas/information.

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Download awesome Advent ideas (including the children's paper advent wreath above) on Pintrest. - https://www.pinterest.com/pin/381117187201029840

Have a Blessed Advent
& a
Merry Christmas!

#ScriptureReflection - 3 John (11.30.19)

¹ The Presbyter to the beloved Gaius whom I love in truth.

² Beloved, I hope you are prospering in every respect and are in good health, just as your soul is prospering. ³ I rejoiced greatly when some of the brothers came and testified to how truly you walk in the truth. ⁴ Nothing gives me greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

⁵ Beloved, you are faithful in all you do for the brothers, especially for strangers; ⁶ they have testified to your love before the church. Please help them in a way worthy of God to continue their journey. ⁷ For they have set out for the sake of the Name and are accepting nothing from the pagans. ⁸ Therefore, we ought to support such persons, so that we may be co-workers in the truth.

⁹ I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to dominate, does not acknowledge us. ¹⁰ Therefore, if I come, I will draw attention to what he is doing, spreading evil nonsense about us. And not content with that, he will not receive the brothers, hindering those who wish to do so and expelling them from the church.

¹¹ Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does what is good is of God; whoever does what is evil has never seen God. ¹² Demetrius receives a good report from all, even from the truth itself. We give our testimonial as well, and you know our testimony is true.

¹³ I have much to write to you, but I do not wish to write with pen and ink. ¹⁴ Instead, I hope to see you soon, when we can talk face to face. ¹⁵ Peace be with you. The friends greet you; greet the friends there each by name.


Source: NABRE (New American Bible - Revised Edition)

 

It's Never too Late to Begin Again (11.29.19)

My Child,
I Speak to those who have been in the pit so long that you've accepted your position as normal living. 

It is not normal. 

Therefore, stop sinking into the mire
       of self-pity and condemnation. 
Today is a new day.
A fresh start has begun.
Refuse to allow stress to rule your life. 

So, leave all fear, failure, and disappointment behind you.

And begin again.

Come into peace and rest, knowing that I Will cause you to progress according to My Will; as you yield to My Purposes.  Do not now rethink what you started. Do not look back, or wonder if the timing was right. Do not look to the right nor the left, to see if anyone else is doing what you’re doing.  And do not worry about your enemies. Keep your eyes on the path before you.

Look not to your circumstances as any measure of your worth or ability. 

Look up and behold My Face, for I Will draw you up and set your feet in a broad place.  You are precious in My Sight. Trust Me, let Me lead you and remember - it is never too late to begin again.



READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD
Isaiah 43:18-19 - Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert

Psalm 118:24 - This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Proverbs 4:25-27 - Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.  Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.

Psalm 31:8 - And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.

Reflecting on 2 Corinthians 9:11 this Thanksgiving (11.28.19)

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to GOD. - 2 Corinthians 9:11


Happy Thanksgiving!


Faith Family,
Today, many will gather around tables filled with much food. But will they be thankful? Or will they be exhausted from cooking all day, anxious to watch the football game coming on TV, or worried about the calories they will intake? Maybe they want to avoid a certain person sitting across the table from them. Others are wondering when the stores offering Black Friday sales will open and what excuse can they give to leave the table early.

What do all of these “ungrateful” folks have in common? They are thinking mostly of themselves. We humans are wired with that tendency.

Paul tells the Corinthians, and us, today to instead be generous; which requires us to not think of ourselves, but to be considerate of others. Like people who don’t have a family, or a warm home, or even food.

When we learn to be generous, it is easier to be thankful; because we realize everything comes through the generosity of GOD. Blessings are given to us so that we could then bless others, trusting that Jehovah will continue to provide for us, no matter what.

That was the original meaning of Thanksgiving for the Pilgrims. They had been through famines, storms, and hardships in this new land. But GOD came through. So they shared the things they had and gave thanks to GOD for providing help when they needed it the most. Praise GOD and give thanks to Him this day and everyday for His Blessings and His Goodness that He has bestowed upon us.
  - Marilyn

 ~ Prayer ~
Father GOD,
As we enjoy this Thanksgiving with our loved ones, I just want to say thank you for everything.
You are a gracious and giving GOD; and because of you we will all partake of this wonderful meal prepared by the hands you have blessed.
Keep us, and be with us this Thanksgiving day.

In the name of Jesus I pray this prayer.
Amen

Share the Word of God with Those Who Hate You & Pray for Those the enemy is Using (11.27.19)

My Child,
Do not worry about what others are saying about you and what they are trying to do behind your back.

My Word says "no weapon formed against you shall prosper." the enemy is using so many people to make them think they have the power to harm you or control your future. Do not worry, but stand on My Word. Speak My Word when you come under attack and the enemy must flee. Whatever is planned in the darkness, I Will surely bring to the light; and then disperse all things that were planned to bring harm to you.

You are My Child, and I Do not let anyone hurt My Children.

Beloved, when they shut those office doors scheming for your demise, I Will be behind those doors with them, undoing every scheme they plan; but the key is that you must trust Me and believe I Will not allow them to hurt you. Whom shall you be afraid of and whom shall you fear?  No one!!!

My Word says, who is man that you should be mindful of him? I Will undo all schemes and make them work out for your good. I Will prepare a table for you in the midst of your enemies. Your enemy will stand there trying to figure out why everything they tried backfired and worked out for your good. Declare My Name!! Share the Word of GOD with those who hate you and pray for those the enemy is using.

Be encouraged, and regardless of what you see with your natural eyes, trust and know I Am with you always. Sometimes you might feel that I Am far away; but I Am standing right beside you, and with you.

Faith Believers,
Fear no man and what they think they have
     the power to do.
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and
     lean not unto thine own understanding.
May the blessings of the Lord overtake you today!
   -   Marilyn

Take a Stand & Use My Word (11.26.19)

My Child,
Refuse to allow yourself to become weary while standing in faith, in prayer, or in warfare.

Rise up in faith to know that no weapon formed against you will prosper.  It does not matter what the enemy brings against you, you belong to Me.  But you must take a stand and resist his maneuvers. I Have already given you the Power to defeat him soundly.

My Word, use My Word to defeat him.

Refuse to allow his tactics to overwhelm you or bring discouragement. There is no time to become discouraged.

Do not give up! You are at the point of a significant breakthrough, if you will just continue to press your way through the opposition. Be strong and resolute; and know that I Am with you.  It is My Will that you obtain and maintain the victory.  Then seek My Face and come into My Presence; where you can be refreshed and renewed from this battle.




 Read and Meditate on God's Word
Numbers 11:23 - And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.

Isaiah 54:17 - No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me.

Isaiah 55:11 - So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Jeremiah 23:29 - Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

Galatians 6:9 - And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

James.4:7 - Submit yourselves therefore to GOD. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

#ScriptureReflection - Lamentations 3 (11.25.19)

The Voice of a Suffering Individual

¹ I am one who has known affliction
    under the rod of God’s anger,
² One whom he has driven and forced to walk
    in darkness, not in light;
³ Against me alone he turns his hand—
    again and again all day long.

⁴ He has worn away my flesh and my skin,
    he has broken my bones;
⁵ He has besieged me all around
    with poverty and hardship;
⁶ He has left me to dwell in dark places
    like those long dead.

⁷ He has hemmed me in with no escape,
    weighed me down with chains;
⁸ Even when I cry for help,
    he stops my prayer;
⁹ He has hemmed in my ways with fitted stones,
    and made my paths crooked.

¹⁰ He has been a bear lying in wait for me,
    a lion in hiding!
¹¹ He turned me aside and tore me apart,
    leaving me ravaged.
¹² He bent his bow, and set me up
    as a target for his arrow.

¹³ He pierced my kidneys
    with shafts from his quiver.
¹⁴ I have become a laughingstock to all my people,
    their taunt all day long;
¹⁵ He has sated me with bitterness,
    filled me with wormwood.

¹⁶ He has made me eat gravel,
    trampled me into the dust;
¹⁷ My life is deprived of peace,
    I have forgotten what happiness is;
¹⁸ My enduring hope, I said,
    has perished before the Lord.

¹⁹ The thought of my wretched homelessness
    is wormwood and poison;
²⁰ Remembering it over and over,
    my soul is downcast.
²¹ But this I will call to mind;
    therefore I will hope:

²² The Lord’s acts of mercy are not exhausted,
    his compassion is not spent;
²³ They are renewed each morning—
    great is your faithfulness!
²⁴ The Lord is my portion, I tell myself,
    therefore I will hope in him.

²⁵ The Lord is good to those who trust in him,
    to the one that seeks him;
²⁶ It is good to hope in silence
    for the Lord’s deliverance.
²⁷ It is good for a person, when young,
    to bear the yoke,

²⁸ To sit alone and in silence,
    when its weight lies heavy,
²⁹ To put one’s mouth in the dust—
    there may yet be hope—
³⁰ To offer one’s cheek to be struck,
    to be filled with disgrace.

³¹ For the Lord does not
    reject forever;
³² Though he brings grief, he takes pity,
    according to the abundance of his mercy;
³³ He does not willingly afflict
    or bring grief to human beings.

³⁴ That someone tramples underfoot
    all the prisoners in the land,
³⁵ Or denies justice to anyone
    in the very sight of the Most High,
³⁶ Or subverts a person’s lawsuit—
    does the Lord not see?

³⁷ Who speaks so that it comes to pass,
    unless the Lord commands it?
³⁸ Is it not at the word of the Most High
    that both good and bad take place?
³⁹ What should the living complain about?
    about their sins!

⁴⁰ Let us search and examine our ways,
    and return to the Lord!
⁴¹ Let us lift up our hearts as well as our hands
    toward God in heaven!
⁴² We have rebelled and been obstinate;
    you have not forgiven us.

⁴³ You wrapped yourself in wrath and pursued us,
    killing without pity;
⁴⁴ You wrapped yourself in a cloud,
    which no prayer could pierce.
⁴⁵ You have made us filth and rubbish
    among the peoples.

⁴⁶ They have opened their mouths against us,
    all our enemies;
⁴⁷ Panic and the pit have been our lot,
    desolation and destruction;
⁴⁸ My eyes stream with tears over the destruction
    of the daughter of my people.

⁴⁹ My eyes will flow without ceasing,
    without rest,
⁵⁰ Until the Lord from heaven
    looks down and sees.
⁵¹ I am tormented by the sight
    of all the daughters of my city.

⁵² Without cause, my enemies snared me
    as though I were a bird;
⁵³ They tried to end my life in the pit,
    pelting me with stones.
⁵⁴ The waters flowed over my head:
    and I said, “I am lost!”

⁵⁵ I have called upon your name, O Lord,
    from the bottom of the pit;
⁵⁶ You heard me call, “Do not let your ear be deaf
    to my cry for help.”
⁵⁷ You drew near on the day I called you;
    you said, “Do not fear!”

⁵⁸ You pleaded my case, Lord,
    you redeemed my life.
⁵⁹ You see, Lord, how I am wronged;
    do me justice!
⁶⁰ You see all their vindictiveness,
    all their plots against me.

⁶¹ You hear their reproach, Lord,
    all their plots against me,
⁶² The whispered murmurings of my adversaries,
    against me all day long;
⁶³ Look! Whether they sit or stand,
    I am the butt of their taunt.

⁶⁴ Give them what they deserve, Lord,
    according to their deeds;
⁶⁵ Give them hardness of heart;
    your curse be upon them;
⁶⁶ Pursue them in wrath and destroy them
    from under the Lord’s heaven!

 Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)

Keep The Faith (11.24.19)

My Child,
I Know the obstacles you are facing. They seem insurmountable. It's good to look and assess the difficulties which are there. However, it’s not good if you stay there and become overly influenced by what you see.

I Have given you another way.
I Gave you eyes of hope and faith,
     when you put your life in My Hands.

My Child, I Know you have had a setback, and you're presently going through a hard time; but do not give up hope nor faith. Persevere and have hope in Me and the promises that I Have spoken to you and over you.

I Will get you through this time, just like the times before. Therefore, stay close to Me and do not neglect your times of intimacy with Me, for that is where your strength lies.

By faith, remove the mountain(s) standing in your way; then rise up in new hope and confidence, proclaiming that you are more than a conqueror. Set your face like flint and allow nothing to deter you from your desired and sought-after goal(s). 

I Am your hope.
I Am your strength.
I Am your very present help
     in times of trouble. 
I Won’t leave you.  Just have faith in Me.

Today is a new day. 

It is a day when you can move forward with a new lease on life. Rise up in faith and refuse to allow the enemy to take you off course.  It will be through faith and perseverance that you will achieve what I Have shown you. So, keep the faith and trust in Me to guide you through this new time in your life.

I Won't fail you.



READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD:
Romans 4:20-21 - He staggered not at the promise of GOD through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to GOD; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Ephesians 6:16 - Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

1 Timothy 6:12 - Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Hebrews 6:12 - That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 10:23 - Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Hebrews 10:38 - Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

1 Peter 1:7 - That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Let God Take Away Your Pain (11.23.19)

Beloved,
I Feel your pain, and I Know you are hurting.
You are not made of stone, you are a person.

It is not wrong to hurt or cry. My Father and I Felt pain, hurt and sadness when I Walked this earth. If you remember, I too wept. If you didn’t feel pain, that would be abnormal. Feeling pain and being hurt, does not reflect a lack of faith. So, stop being so hard on yourself.

Do not stress over it.
Learn how to release things
     and rest in Our Father's Arms.

Allow Me to work in you, and take away your pain. Just lean on Me.  I Won’t allow the hurt to overwhelm you.

Dwell in My Presence.
I Am here to comfort you.

Allow Me to protect your mind, body, and emotions. Now, be quiet and dwell in the shelter of My Arms. Allow My Peace to overtake your soul. 

Be at peace, Beloved.



Read and Meditate on God's Word:

Psalm 91:1-2 - He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my GOD; in him will I trust.

John 11:35 - Jesus wept.

1 Peter 5:7 - Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

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.

Faith Believers,
I pray the peace of Jesus will flood your soul
and destroy any fears holding you back so the
vision He has given you will come to pass.
  -   Marilyn

You've Come too Far to Give Up Now (11.22.19)

My Child,
You have come to this point in your walk with Me many times; but have always stopped short of the fullness of what I Have prepared for you.

This time, be strong and stay steady as you cross the "Red Sea" that I Have placed before you. I Did not promise that it would be easy; but I Did promise that I Would be with you and not forsake you.

This is very much like crossing the river
     into the Promised Land.
The land has already been given to you,
     but you must take it. 

I Promise you, it will be worth the effort; and it will be worth the fight to overcome the enemy.  Do not be afraid, but trust that I Will strengthen you for the journey and that I Will be with you in the fight.

Beloved, you've come too far to give up now.



 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.

Jomes 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?

1 Corinthians 15:58 - Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 - For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

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

Be at Peace, Be Anxious for Nothing, Have Faith & Persevere.... (11.21.19)

My Child,
Do not look at the circumstances surrounding your situation, look to Me - the Author and Finisher of your faith.

Do not judge your situation as if you are losing the battle and do not judge it by how you feel. Because right now you are feeling as if you won’t overcome. However, I Created you to be more than a conqueror through Me.

Things aren't always what they appear to be.
Remember, you must walk by faith, not by sight.

I Know it may not seem like it right now, but all things are working together for your good; and they are working because you belong to Me. 

I Have ordered your steps, and I Will not allow your steps to slide. Be at peace and do not allow what you see, to worry you.  Be anxious for nothing, in all things ask of Me, and I Will reply graciously.  However, remember that all things are done according to My Timing. 

Have faith and persevere, and
     you will see the answers to
     your prayers.

My Child, refrain from murmuring and complaining and start counting your blessings.

Do not allow the enemy to rob you of your joy, by focusing on the negative circumstances. Count your blessings and be grateful.

I Am your loving Father, and I Will supply all your needs. Look to Me and not to your own strength to endure; for I Am stretching you and preparing you.  Keep My Word in your heart and stay before Me in prayer always.

Do not let the enemy, or your feelings, convince you that you aren’t overcoming.  Do not look at the circumstances, because things are not what they appear to be. Remember Who I Am, and let Me be in control. I Keep My Promises, and I Will always cause you to triumph over the enemy.  Now, look to Me, be obedient to My Word, and the blessings will come to pass.



READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD
Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love GOD, to them who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:37 - Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

2 Corinthians 5:7 - (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Psalm 119:133 - Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

Psalm 18:36 - Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.

Philippians 4:19 - But my GOD shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Deuteronomy 28:2 - And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy GOD.

2 Corinthians 2:14 - Now thanks be unto GOD, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

Rising to a New Level of Faith (11.20.19)

Beloved,
I Want you to renew your faith and confidence in Me.

Disappointment and discouragement will undermine the blessings that I Want to place in your life. You know within your heart that you can trust Me; however, your emotional reaction to circumstances has created a double-minded position that will prevent you from succeeding.

Do not believe the enemy’s lies, and refuse to allow the spirit of fear to undermine your faith.  Fear and doubt will create unbelief, and keep you from receiving what I Know you need.

Now is the time to rise to a new level of faith. 

Refuse to allow your faith to be diminished by circumstances.  Renew yourself in My Word and let your faith soar; so that you can access what I have already provided.

My child, remember that My Promises are true.  Remember that My Promises are "Yes & Amen."  Have 'blind faith' in Me and My Word. 

Believe in Me completely, and you
     shall see My Spoken Word
     come to pass.

 

  

READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD:
Mark 5:36 - As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

2 Corinthians 1:20 - For all the promises of GOD in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of GOD by us.

Ephesians 4:23 - And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

James 1:6-8 - But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

1 John 5:14-15 - And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 

#ScriptureReflection - Malachi 1 (11.19.19)

God’s Love for Jacob

1 The oracle (burdensome message) of the word of the Lord to Israel through [My messenger] Malachi.

² “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How and in what way have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I loved Jacob (Israel); ³ but [in comparison with My love for Jacob] I have hated Esau (Edom), and I have made his mountains a wasteland, and have given his inheritance to the jackals of the wilderness.” ⁴ Though [impoverished] Edom says, “We have been beaten down, but we will return and build up the ruins.” Thus says the Lord of hosts, “They may build, but I will tear down; and men will call them the Wicked Territory, the people against whom the Lord is indignant forever.” ⁵ Your own eyes will see this and you will say, “The Lord is great and shall be magnified beyond the border of Israel!”

Sin of the Priests

⁶ “‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is the [reverent] fear and respect due Me?’ says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise My name. But you say, ‘How and in what way have we despised Your name?’ ⁷ You are presenting defiled food upon My altar. But you say, ‘How have we defiled You?’ By thinking that the table of the Lord is contemptible and may be despised. ⁸ When you [priests] present the blind [animals] for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and the sick, is it not evil? Offer such a thing [as a blind or lame or sick animal] to your governor [as a gift or as payment for your taxes]. Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you graciously?” says the Lord of hosts. ⁹ “But now will you not entreat God’s favor, that He may be gracious to us? With such an offering from your hand [as an imperfect animal for sacrifice], will He show favor to any of you?” says the Lord of hosts. ¹⁰ “Oh, that there were even one among you [whose duty it is to minister to Me] who would shut the gates, so that you would not kindle fire on My altar uselessly [with an empty, worthless pretense]! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord of hosts, “nor will I accept an offering from your hand. ¹¹ For from the rising of the sun, even to its setting, My name shall be great among the nations. In every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure; for My name shall be great among the nations,” says the Lord of hosts. ¹² “But you [priests] profane it when you say, ‘The table of the Lord is defiled, and as for its fruit, its food is to be despised.’ ¹³ You also say, ‘How tiresome this is!’ And you disdainfully sniff at it,” says the Lord of hosts, “and you bring what was taken by robbery, and the lame or the sick [animals]; this you bring as an offering! Should I receive it with pleasure from your hand?” says the Lord. ¹⁴ “But cursed is the swindler who has a male in his flock and vows [to offer] it, but sacrifices to the Lord a blemished or diseased thing! For I am a great King,” says the Lord of hosts, “and My name is to be [reverently and greatly] feared among the nations.”


Source: AMP (Amplified Bible)

 

Simple Faith & Trust (11.18.19)

My Child,
Although some of you cannot clearly see your way right now; that does not mean that I Am not in control.

Just as a seed is hidden in the soil and takes time to manifest, there are times that My Blessings won’t manifest overnight. Do not be discouraged when things don’t happen on your time, that doesn’t mean they aren’t on the way.

Have simple faith and trust.
Believe it will be there when you need it.

Trust that I Am continuing to prepare the way for you. Even in your unfaithful moments, I Continue to keep My Word. Have simple faith and see with your spiritual eyes. Have simple faith and trust, like My servant Abraham, and you will see miracles happen in your life.

Simple trust and faith are the keys to opening the doors. Have faith and trust in Me once again, for soon the daylight will breakthrough in every dark area in your life, and all My Promises will manifest in your life.



READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD
Psalm 91:2 - I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my GOD; in him will I trust.

Mark 11:22 - And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in GOD.

John 20:29 - Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Romans 4:20-21 - He staggered not at the promise of GOD through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to GOD; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Just for a Moment.... (11.17.19)

My Child,
When a dark cloud gathers, it typically casts a shadow - and everything seems dark, just for a moment. However, that dark cloud cannot remain forever.  A time must come when it opens up and reveals the sun, which was always there.  My Child, the enemy often sends dark clouds in your life to try to block out what I Am doing; but that does not mean that I Have forsaken you. 

Just like the sun is behind the cloud, I Am always there.

the enemy will cast his cloud to bring darkness into your life.  To try to make you feel as if I Have forsaken you.  And for a moment you might feel distant from Me, but do not be afraid when this happens.  Do not give the enemy any glory, just hold on to hope and trust in Me.  Because just as a dark cloud only last for so long and then it dissipates, so will the enemy.

the enemy has very few resources, and they are resources that you give him access to.  So, when you start speaking faith over your life and decreeing My Word, you cut off his resources, causing him to flee.  he cannot stay around when you speak My Word and lift up My Name.

My Child, hold on to Me, this day.  Hold on to your faith and press on with hope, knowing that I Am right there with you. And soon you will see that dark cloud disappear and the sun will shine again.

You will feel the warmth of My Presence, and your peace will return.  Hold on to your hope and you will see that the darkness and trials that you are enduring only lasts but for a moment; but My Love and My Mercy are yours forever.



Read and Meditate on God's Word:
Isaiah 54:7-8 - For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.  In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.

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 4:17-18 - 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.
 
1 Chronicles 16:34 - O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever.

Faith Believers,
I pray the peace of Jesus will flood your soul
and destroy any fears holding you back; so
the vision He has given you will come to pass.

  -  Marilyn

#ScriptureReflection - Esther 2 (11.16.19)

Esther Becomes Queen

2 After these things, when the wrath of King Ahasuerus subsided, he remembered Vashti, what she had done, and what had been decreed against her. ² Then the king’s servants who attended him said: “Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king; ³ and let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather all the beautiful young virgins to Shushan the citadel, into the women’s quarters, under the custody of Hegai the king’s eunuch, custodian of the women. And let beauty preparations be given them. ⁴ Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.”

This thing pleased the king, and he did so.

⁵ In Shushan the citadel there was a certain Jew whose name was Mordecai the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite. ⁶ Kish had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives who had been captured with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. ⁷ And Mordecai had brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman was lovely and beautiful. When her father and mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.

⁸ So it was, when the king’s command and decree were heard, and when many young women were gathered at Shushan the citadel, under the custody of Hegai, that Esther also was taken to the king’s palace, into the care of Hegai the custodian of the women. ⁹ Now the young woman pleased him, and she obtained his favor; so he readily gave beauty preparations to her, besides her allowance. Then seven choice maidservants were provided for her from the king’s palace, and he moved her and her maidservants to the best place in the house of the women.

¹⁰ Esther had not revealed her people or family, for Mordecai had charged her not to reveal it. ¹¹ And every day Mordecai paced in front of the court of the women’s quarters, to learn of Esther’s welfare and what was happening to her.

¹² Each young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after she had completed twelve months’ preparation, according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of their preparation apportioned: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women. ¹³ Thus prepared, each young woman went to the king, and she was given whatever she desired to take with her from the women’s quarters to the king’s palace. ¹⁴ In the evening she went, and in the morning she returned to the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who kept the concubines. She would not go in to the king again unless the king delighted in her and called for her by name.

¹⁵ Now when the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his daughter, to go in to the king, she requested nothing but what Hegai the king’s eunuch, the custodian of the women, advised. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her. ¹⁶ So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. ¹⁷ The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. ¹⁸ Then the king made a great feast, the Feast of Esther, for all his officials and servants; and he proclaimed a holiday in the provinces and gave gifts according to the generosity of a king.

Mordecai Discovers a Plot

¹⁹ When virgins were gathered together a second time, Mordecai sat within the king’s gate. ²⁰ Now Esther had not revealed her family and her people, just as Mordecai had charged her, for Esther obeyed the command of Mordecai as when she was brought up by him.

²¹ In those days, while Mordecai sat within the king’s gate, two of the king’s eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, doorkeepers, became furious and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. ²² So the matter became known to Mordecai, who told Queen Esther, and Esther informed the king in Mordecai’s name. ²³ And when an inquiry was made into the matter, it was confirmed, and both were hanged on a gallows; and it was written in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king.


Source: NKJV (New King James Version)

 

#ScriptureReflection - Ruth 1 (11.15.19)

Naomi Loses Her Husband and Sons

1 In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. ² The man’s name was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.

³ Now Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. ⁴ They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, ⁵ both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.

Naomi and Ruth Return to Bethlehem

⁶ When Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. ⁷ With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah.

⁸ Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. ⁹ May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.”

Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept aloud ¹⁰ and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.”

¹¹ But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? ¹² Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— ¹³ would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord’s hand has turned against me!”

¹⁴ At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.

¹⁵ “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”

¹⁶ But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. ¹⁷ Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” ¹⁸ When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

¹⁹ So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?”
²⁰ “Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. ²¹ I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”

²² So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning.


Source: NIV (New International Version)

 

The Promises & Visions that God has Placed in You (11.14.19)

My Child,
You are beginning to feel like you are being choked by the circumstances of this world.

Come unto Me, My Child, and I Will give you everything you need to make it through this storm. Do not be afraid of the circumstances that surround you; but hold on to the promises that I Have given you.

Remember, you are in this world, but
     not of this world.
My Son has overcome this world and so
     will you, because of Me.

the enemy wants you to give up on the Promises and the Visions that I Placed within you. However, you must protect them and deliver My Word to My People - to set them free. For the enemy does not want these Visions & Promises to come to pass. Do not be afraid of his terror, be it night or day. Do not worry about his arrows, his pestilence, or his destruction that lingers. Nothing that he has shall come near you.

I Have given My Angels charge over you, to keep you, in all your ways.

Call upon Me during your time of need and I Will answer you, and I Will deliver you, from all your troubles. I Have Blessed you with eternal life. I Have also given you My Strength and the ability to overcome the enemy.

Open your heart to My Holy Spirit, receive what I Have for you and you will be lifted up higher. When you call to Me, I Will answer you and I Will show you Great and Mighty Things.  Things which you currently do not know. 

I Want you to be ready to receive all the abundant blessings I Have in store for you.

I Am The Lord.
I Am your Strength.
I Am your Joy.

In Me, you can Trust.

READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD

Habakkuk 2:2-3 - And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.  For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Jeremiah 33:3 - Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Luke 4:10- 11 - For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone