Come Into God's Presence..... and Wait (1.31.22)

The Lord want us to spend time with Him and to spend time
with The Words He has given us to live by.
The Lord's message below is powerful!!

~  Marilyn

 

My Child,

Come sit at My Feet, and learn of Me.
 
Come and wait in My Courtyard, that you might be called into a deeper experience of My Presence.

I Desire to draw you closer.
I Desire to see you go deeper
     in your walk with Me.
Child of Mine, I Desire to draw you into new depths of intimacy.

But we must spend time together, in order for you to be able to come with Me.

I Want you to spend more time with Me.  Just you and I.

For some of you have seem to have forgotten what it means to wait upon your Lord. My People now live in an age of instant gratification and immediacy, where things come to you quickly and easily.  And some of you seem to have forgotten what it is to wait. Some of you, too many of you, have come to equate any delay at all as being equivalent to a "No;" and this mindset is weakening your faith.

• Have you forgotten how My Presence used to 'saturate your senses,' as you waited before Me AND for Me?
  
  
• Have you forgotten how I Used to show you things from My Word as you prayerfully pondered it?
  
  
• Have you forgotten how My Joy used to fill your heart, as you meditated on Me and My Word?

I Still want all of those good things for many of you, Dear Child.  Especially those who have been wavering in their faith, questioning if My Promises are still 'Yes & Amen,' feeling like their are constantly struggling, not realizing that they have already won - they are already victorious.

I Have not withdrawn anything from you. One of the main reasons that some of you lack these things is that too many of you are not willing to come before Me, and wait upon Me.  For some, like you used to do.  For others, you have never done it.  The time to start is now.  #rightNow

Have I not said, in My Word, that if you wait before Me, I Will strengthen you and cause you to mount up on wings like an eagle? Have I not promised you the endurance to run and not be weary and to walk and not faint?

Where do you think that endurance comes from?
It comes from resting in My Presence. 
It comes from spending time with Me.

Child of Mine, I Want you to pursue Me; and I Promise that if you do, you shall surely find Me. But you cannot do that in your spare few minutes of each day. I do not want your leftover time. I Want to be a priority in your life. You spend your time on the things that you value. Therefore, show Me that you value Me, by giving Me a priority piece of your time. Seek after Me.  Pursue Me. Spend time in My Word.  Spend time in worship.  Spend time in prayer.

Spend time with Me and learn of My Priorities. Allow Me to speak to you; and to reveal Myself to you. Come to know Me better, that I Might be able to call you friend, for I desire friendship with you. It is out of that place of intimacy that your prayers will be answered.  It is out of the depth of relationship that I Will give you the desires of your heart - that your joy might be full.

Child, I Want good and perfect things for you.
I Want to saturate your senses with My Nearness.
I Want to fill you with My Anointing; as you linger
     in My presence.
I Want to strengthen you, and fully equip you, for
     all the things that lay before you.

That is why it is so important for you to make Me a priority and to spend time with Me.

Come into My Presence Dear One; and humble yourself before Me. Allow Me to reveal more of Myself to you. Allow Me to fill you with Myself. Learn to wait on Me, then watch and see what amazing things I Will, I Can and I Want to do in your life.

 

Read and Meditate on God's Word

1 Chronicles 16:27 - Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. 

Isaiah 30:18 - And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

Isaiah 40:31 - But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint. 

Psalm 37:34 - Wait on the LORD and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. 

God Knows.... (1.30.22)

My Child,
I Know
       that some of you are tired and weary. 
I Know
       that some of  you feel like there is no more strength or faith left
       in you right now.
I Know
       that some of you are having trouble or are unable to believe again
       in the words or the vision that I Spoke to you.  And it may seem
       like I Spoke those Words and Visions so long ago.
I Know
     that some of you have seen (what you perceive) as many false starts,
     and then what little came to pass seem to disappear right before your
     disappointed eyes. 

I Know.

And I Know that all of this has left many of you discouraged and despondent; and now you find yourself asking yourself, trying, but thinking (or feeling) like you are too weak to stand up one more time.  Because "one more time" seems like it's every time - never "the last time." 

I Know.

But I Want YOU to know that even now, during what you may perceive as "your period of trials and tribulations;" that even now you will see that I Am still able to breathe new life into the Vision(s) that I Have given you. 

I Understand that there have been times you have felt like Joseph - waiting alone in loneliness and isolation.  I Have heard some of you even whisper, "What's the use of all this?  It always just comes to nothing or a stressful mess.  Ending up with me asking Why Lord Why.” However, I Tell you, this day, that I Have Breathed My New Life into you. My Power and My Words can and will take you from the "prison" in which some of you may "feel like" you’ve been in; to the palace, to the head of the table, to a very powerful, elevated place - in just a day. 

I Call upon you, right now, to trust in Who I Am, because The Love I Have for you is so very great.

I Am the same GOD that sought you out, and - saved - you.
I Am the same GOD that filled you with My Holy Spirit.
I Am the same GOD that set you before My People to
     minister My Words to them.
I Am the same GOD, Who Promised to never leave you
     nor forsake you. 

I Have kept that promise.
  
I Have never left your side, not even for a second during this long period of purification and transformation.

That's right.  You have gone through a season of purification and transformation.  Rejoice Child, Rejoice.  For you are among My Few Chosen Ones.  My Plan for you is so mighty.  And at times you had an inkling, you saw a glimmer, you captured a "glance" of My Vision.  It was in those moments, that you kept going.  It was in those moments, that you praised Me and thought to yourself, "I must trust God.  He's got me.  He Will not leave me nor forsake me."

I had to prune you down to the roots. 
So you could be healed at the root level.

I had to prune you down to the roots. 
So you could be healed at the root level.

I had to prune you down to the roots.
So you could be healed at the root level.

I Needed every area of your heart and life examined, pruned, bandaged, healed and revitalized.  So there would not be any hint, inkling or opportunity of an open door for the enemy to use against you, once I Begin to move you forward in My Greatest Power and My Greatest Anointing.

I Am more than able to bring new life into that which seems as though it is utterly dead.  And you know this fact, Child.  Do not look at the desolation of what was lost, but rather look at all I Have Changed and Healed in you.  For none of that would have sustained.  And look at it not as desolation, but as a tilling of your "spiritual earth."  To prepare "the ground" (you) for a "more fertile season, a more abundant harvest" (your #rightNow season). 

I had to prune you down to the roots.
So you could be healed at the root level.

My Child, you were not aware of it - all the "trials, tribulations, challenges, being knocked down, getting back up - again and again and again."  My Angelic Heir, some of you never knew it, some of you realized it, but dismissed it or did not focus on it - but you are My Secret Weapon.

You.
Are.
My.
Secret.
Weapon.

You are My Secret Weapon - hidden for this day.
You are My Secret Weapon - for this hour.
You are My Secret Weapon - to destroy the works of the enemy.

My Precious Child, trust in Who I Am.

My Precious Child, believe that I Am Able to breathe new life into all that I have spoken to - and promised you - so long ago.

I Know.
I Am.
I Have.

I Had to.
Prepare you.....

Remember..... You. Are. My. Secret. Weapon.

 

 

Read and Meditate on God's Word

Deuteronomy 7:9 - Know therefore that the LORD thy GOD, He is GOD, the faithful GOD, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; 

Habakkuk 2:3 - 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. 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 

1 Thessalonians 5:21 - Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Hebrews 3:6 - But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

Hebrews 4:14 - Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of GOD, let us hold fast our profession.

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

REJOICE in the Lord, ALWAYS! (1.29.22)

My Child,
There are times when all goes well, and you rejoice and are exceedingly glad. It is My Desire that you experience more of those times; because I Delight to give you good gifts.  However, I Also desire for you to know My Joy; and to be able to rejoice, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. 

My Joy is unchanging. 
My Joy is constant. 
My Joy is consistent, no matter
     what is happening. 

My Joy is intended to be independent of your circumstances, not because of them.  My Joy comes from an assurance that I Am with you.  My Joy comes from an understanding and an acceptance (a confidence and trust) that I Have all things under control; and that My Plans for you are good. 

I Am asking you, no, I Am trying to show you how to see beyond your circumstances.  To see My Hand and My Glory in all that you experience.

When you are surrounded by things, people or circumstances that you may, at first, perceive as difficulties - you should be full of joy.  Let Me Say that again.  When you are surrounded by things, people or circumstances that you may, at first, perceive as difficulties - you should be full of joy.  You should be rejoicing with anticipation at what I Will do on your behalf.

Oh Child, look to Me, trust in Me and know that I Will work My Glory in all things in your life. 

Look not in the natural; but see - stretch, activate and exercise your spiritual eyes - and try to see what I Am doing in the spirit.  And rejoice greatly. Yes, rejoice, and do not let anything take your joy away from you.

Let nothing.  Absolutely nothing, take your Joy.
The Joy I have given you.
My Joy.
Operate, in all things in your life, in My Joy.
My Joy is My Gift to you.
Keep My Joy always.
Do not give it away.
Always remember, no matter the circumstance,
    that you have (that I Have given you) My Joy.

 

My Child, there is nothing too hard for Me.  And there is nothing that can prevent Me from bringing My Glory into your situation. Rejoice and be glad.  Rejoice and be glad.  Rejoice and be glad!!!  For there is no power in this universe great enough to prevent Me from blessing you and accomplishing My Good Pleasure and My Great Purpose(s) in your life. 

Oh, rejoice in Me always. 
And I Will always give you
      cause to rejoice. 

For I love You, My Child.
My Hand is upon you, for your good. 

Rejoice, I say, rejoice!

 

Read and Meditate on God's Word

Psalm 98:4 - Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. 

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

Habakkuk 3:18-19 - Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the GOD of my salvation. The LORD GOD is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments. 

Joel 2:21 - Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things. 

Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. 

#ScriptureReflection - 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 (1.28.22)

Rules of Order.

²⁶  So what is to be done, brothers? When you assemble, one has a psalm, another an instruction, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Everything should be done for building up. ²⁷  If anyone speaks in a tongue, let it be two or at most three, and each in turn, and one should interpret. ²⁸  But if there is no interpreter, the person should keep silent in the church and speak to himself and to God.

²⁹  Two or three prophets should speak, and the others discern. ³⁰  But if a revelation is given to another person sitting there, the first one should be silent. ³¹  For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged. ³²  Indeed, the spirits of prophets are under the prophets’ control, ³³  since he is not the God of disorder but of peace.

As in all the churches of the holy ones, ³⁴  women should keep silent in the churches, for they are not allowed to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says. ³⁵  But if they want to learn anything, they should ask their husbands at home. For it is improper for a woman to speak in the church. ³⁶  Did the word of God go forth from you? Or has it come to you alone?

³⁷  If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or a spiritual person, he should recognize that what I am writing to you is a commandment of the Lord. ³⁸  If anyone does not acknowledge this, he is not acknowledged. ³⁹  So, [my] brothers, strive eagerly to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues, ⁴⁰  but everything must be done properly and in order.

Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition) 

#ScriptureReflection: 1 Corinthians 14:20-25 * (1.27.22)

 Functions of These Gifts.
²⁰  Brothers, stop being childish in your thinking.

In respect to evil be like infants, but in your thinking be mature. ²¹  It is written in the law:

“By people speaking strange tongues
    and by the lips of foreigners
I will speak to this people,
    and even so they will not listen to me,

says the Lord.” ²²  Thus, tongues are a sign not for those who believe but for unbelievers, whereas prophecy is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.

²³  So if the whole church meets in one place and everyone speaks in tongues, and then uninstructed people or unbelievers should come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds? ²⁴  But if everyone is prophesying, and an unbeliever or uninstructed person should come in, he will be convinced by everyone and judged by everyone, ²⁵  and the secrets of his heart will be disclosed, and so he will fall down and worship God, declaring, “God is really in your midst.”

Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)     

#ScriptureReflection - 1 Corinthians 14:13-19 (1.26.22)

 Need for Interpretation.

 ¹³  Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray to be able to interpret.

¹⁴  [For] if I pray in a tongue, my spirit is at prayer but my mind is unproductive.

¹⁵  So what is to be done? I will pray with the spirit, but I will also pray with the mind. I will sing praise with the spirit, but I will also sing praise with the mind. ¹⁶  Otherwise, if you pronounce a blessing [with] the spirit, how shall one who holds the place of the uninstructed say the “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? ¹⁷  For you may be giving thanks very well, but the other is not built up.

¹⁸  I give thanks to God that I speak in tongues more than any of you, ¹⁹  but in the church I would rather speak five words with my mind, so as to instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.


Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)  

#ScriptureReflection - 1 Corinthians 14:6-12 (1.25.22)

 ⁶  Now, brothers, if I should come to you speaking in tongues, what good will I do you if I do not speak to you by way of revelation, or knowledge, or prophecy, or instruction?

⁷  Likewise, if inanimate things that produce sound, such as flute or harp, do not give out the tones distinctly, how will what is being played on flute or harp be recognized? ⁸  And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? ⁹  Similarly, if you, because of speaking in tongues, do not utter intelligible speech, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be talking to the air.

¹⁰  It happens that there are many different languages in the world, and none is meaningless; ¹¹  but if I do not know the meaning of a language, I shall be a foreigner to one who speaks it, and one who speaks it a foreigner to me.

¹²  So with yourselves: since you strive eagerly for spirits, seek to have an abundance of them for building up the church.

Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)     

#ScriptureReflection - 1 Corinthians 14:1-5 * (1.24.22)

 Prophecy Greater than Tongues.

 ¹  Pursue love, but strive eagerly for the spiritual gifts, above all that you may prophesy. ²  For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to human beings but to God, for no one listens; he utters mysteries in spirit. ³  On the other hand, one who prophesies does speak to human beings, for their building up, encouragement, and solace. ⁴  Whoever speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but whoever prophesies builds up the church. ⁵  Now I should like all of you to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. One who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be built up.

Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)  

Jesus is the Vine, and We are the Branches (1.23.22)

Remain in me, and I will remain in you.

No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.

Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
 - John 15:4

 
Fellow Faith Believers,
What do you suppose it means to remain in Jesus? The King James Version of the Bible uses the word “abide,” which according to Dictionary.com means “to remain; continue” and “to have one’s abode.” It includes the idea of sustaining, withstanding, accepting without opposition or question, and even suffering for and submitting to. All those ideas seem to fit a right relationship with Christ.
 
Maybe the best way to understand what Jesus is asking of us, is to consider how He used the word “remain.” We are to relate to Him as a branch relates to a vine. He said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:5–8).
 
This means that abiding in Christ, maintaining a life-giving connection to Him - like a branch to a vine - is absolutely essential if we are to be productive Christians.

Christ offers to live in us, and invites us to live in Him!  To make our abode in Him, and remain there.  To accept Him without question.  To submit to Him.  And to be willing to suffer for Him. Abiding not only enables us to bear fruit, but if His Word also abides in us, we can ask for what we want and it shall be done for us. What a generous promise and benefit, a promise He repeats in John 16:24 - Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
 
Jesus speaks more fully about His intent as we remain in Him: As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete - John 15:9–11. Jesus tells us that remaining in Him also means to remain in His Love. By obeying His Commands, we remain within the love of Jesus, which results in the joy of Jesus being made complete in us.
 
As important as it is to abide in Him, it is equally devastating to disobey this command. We are not only unproductive and ineffective in trying to bear fruit for Him when we attempt to operate in our own strength; but we wither, and are cast aside like a dead branch that is thrown into the fire.

If you are a Christian who is out of fellowship with Christ, I urge you to come back to a close relationship with Him by confession and repentance. Then commune with Him daily by prayer and Bible reading (two vital and important ways to remain in Him).

He longs to welcome you back.
Jesus longs to welcome you back.
Our Wonderful Counselor, the Prince of
     Peace (Isaiah 9:6) longs to welcome you back.

 

~ Let Us Pray ~

Lord,
How encouraging it is to hear Your Words of invitation to abide in You. I accept!
With all my heart, I long to abide in You, to dwell always with You and in You.

Thank You for the picture of the Vine and the Branch. Through Your Precious Holy Spirit, I choose to stay attached; and to allow Your Life and Your Power to flow in me and through me.

Produce fruit in me that is lasting and attributable only to Your Holy Spirit at work.

Amen

~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~

   ** This was written by Norval Hadley

#ScriptureReflection - 1 Corinthians 7:25-40 (1.22.22)

 Advice to Virgins and Widows.

²⁵  Now in regard to virgins I have no commandment from the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. ²⁶  So this is what I think best because of the present distress: that it is a good thing for a person to remain as he is. ²⁷  Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek a separation. Are you free of a wife? Then do not look for a wife. ²⁸  If you marry, however, you do not sin, nor does an unmarried woman sin if she marries; but such people will experience affliction in their earthly life, and I would like to spare you that.

²⁹  I tell you, brothers, the time is running out. From now on, let those having wives act as not having them, ³⁰  those weeping as not weeping, those rejoicing as not rejoicing, those buying as not owning, ³¹  those using the world as not using it fully. For the world in its present form is passing away.

³²  I should like you to be free of anxieties. An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. ³³  But a married man is anxious about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, ³⁴  and he is divided. An unmarried woman or a virgin is anxious about the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy in both body and spirit. A married woman, on the other hand, is anxious about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. ³⁵  I am telling you this for your own benefit, not to impose a restraint upon you, but for the sake of propriety and adherence to the Lord without distraction.

³⁶  If anyone thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, and if a critical moment has come and so it has to be, let him do as he wishes. He is committing no sin; let them get married. ³⁷  The one who stands firm in his resolve, however, who is not under compulsion but has power over his own will, and has made up his mind to keep his virgin, will be doing well. ³⁸  So then, the one who marries his virgin does well; the one who does not marry her will do better.

³⁹  A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whomever she wishes, provided that it be in the Lord. ⁴⁰  She is more blessed, though, in my opinion, if she remains as she is, and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)     

Believe..... and See Your Mountain Move (1.21.22)

 Children, some of you feel like there is an immovable mountain in front of you, and that there is no way around it.

My Child,
You do not have to go around that mountain.
Do you remember what I told you to do
     with mountains in your life?
I Said, whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith.

 

If you want to see your situations change; then you must speak, in faith, to your situations.

Speak, and believe, with all your heart, that what you said shall come to pass.

It is time to take authority over that which troubles you.
It is time to take authority and see your every need supplied.
It is time to stand on My Word.
It is time to speak to the mountains in your life.
It is time to stand, to speak, and to truly believe that the
     troubles are ALREADY cast into the sea.

 

And if your mind, the people in your life or the enemy tries to convince you it will not come to pass....  Just stand on My Word.  And confess it aloud.  And your mind, the people, the enemy will stop and flee.

This is what you must do to resist all "resistance, distraction, 'false or set-up interaction' attempts" in your life. This is how you will see your mountains cast into the sea.  By speaking faith-filled words, My Word, aloud will change the atmosphere. Speak My Word, aloud.  Allow My Word to rise up within you, as you speak My Word, aloud. Then, My Word will empower you.  My Word will catapult you.  My Word will elevate you.  My Word will give you the confidence to believe in Me for the impossible.

 

Believe that you are more than a conqueror. Know that you are more than a conqueror. Confess with your mouth that you are more than a conqueror.  Profess with your ACTION that you are more than a conqueror. 

Believe that you are blessed with all spiritual blessings in My Son, Christ Jesus.  Know that you are blessed with all spiritual blessings because of My Son, Christ Jesus. Confess with you mouth that you are blessed with all spiritual blessings through My Son, Christ Jesus. Profess with your ACTION that you are blessed with all spiritual blessings and align with My Son, Christ Jesus. 

Believe that I Have done exceeding abundantly above what you have asked.  Know.  Confess with you mouth.  Profess with your ACTION.

I Tell you, My Beautiful, Brilliant, Creative Child, to have faith and believe that you HAVE RECEIVED the answer to your prayers. 

Believe - Believe.  Know.  Confess with you mouth.  Profess with your ACTION. - and SEE; BELIEVE A-N-D SEE your mountains move.

 

 

Read and Meditate on God's Word

Mark 11:22-24 - And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in GOD. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore, I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 

Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed be the GOD and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 

Ephesians 3:20 - Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 

 

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

#ScriptureReflection - 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 (1.20.22)

The Life That the Lord Has Assigned.
¹⁷  Only, everyone should live as the Lord has assigned, just as God called each one. I give this order in all the churches. ¹⁸  Was someone called after he had been circumcised? He should not try to undo his circumcision. Was an uncircumcised person called? He should not be circumcised. ¹⁹  Circumcision means nothing, and uncircumcision means nothing; what matters is keeping God’s commandments. ²⁰  Everyone should remain in the state in which he was called.

²¹  Were you a slave when you were called? Do not be concerned but, even if you can gain your freedom, make the most of it. ²²  For the slave called in the Lord is a freed person in the Lord, just as the free person who has been called is a slave of Christ. ²³  You have been purchased at a price. Do not become slaves to human beings. ²⁴  Brothers, everyone should continue before God in the state in which he was called.

Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition) 

A "Help Me Father - Reflecting on Psalm 46:10" Prayer (1.19.22)

 Quiet your heart before you begin.
Be still and know that He is GOD
 - Psalm 46:10

 
Father,
Thank You for the promise of Your Word.   
That as I come near to You, You Will come near to me.

Thank You Father GOD for the blessing that is mine, as I 'seek hard' after You. But I come to You, Heavenly Father, confessing that I have allowed other 'loves' to stand in the way of my relationship with You.  There have been times when I have come near to You with my mouth, and have said the right words; and yet my heart has remained distant from You.  Hard and untouched by Your Holy Spirit.

Help me Father!
 
Please be merciful to me, for I long to be the type of person who seeks You with all of my heart, and finds You. May I not draw near to You and then retreat again to 'lesser loves.' Save me from myself, I pray.  Save me from my self-righteousness, my self-provision, and my selfishness. Strengthen me to remain in You; strengthen me to learn to abide in You, so that I can bear spiritual fruit.  For I know that I can do nothing, unless I am abiding in You and Your Son, Christ Jesus.

Help me Father!
 
Empower me by Your Holy Spirit to earnestly seek You. May my longing to draw near to You, be reflected in my thought life.  May my longing, my desire, my decision be reflected in what I allow myself to read and see; the music I listen to; the conversations I engage in; how I conduct myself in my home, neighborhood, or work; and how I act 'when I think no one is watching.'

In all of these things (and so many more) teach me what it means to live and move and have my very being in You Alone.

Help me Father!

I invite You, Holy Spirit, to break up the unplowed ground of my heart, that my heart may become a fertile field in which GOD's Holy Word can grow.

Help me Father!

Soften my heart again, I pray, that I might more clearly hear Your Voice, and walk in the ways of Your Son, with the assistance of your Holy Spirit.

In the Mighty Name of Your Son, Jesus,

Amen
 
********

Reflecting on GOD's Word:

James 4:8     ;   Psalm 34:10   ;   Isaiah 29:13  ;  Jeremiah 29:13;
John 15:4-5  ;  Hebrews 11:6  ;   Acts 17:28     ;  Jeremiah 4:3;
Matthew 13:18-23

#ScriptureReflection - 1 Corinthians 7:1-16 (1.18.22)

 III. Answers to the Corinthians’ Questions

A. Marriage and Virginity

Advice to the Married.
¹  Now in regard to the matters about which you wrote: “It is a good thing for a man not to touch a woman,” ²  but because of cases of immorality every man should have his own wife, and every woman her own husband. ³  The husband should fulfill his duty toward his wife, and likewise the wife toward her husband. ⁴  A wife does not have authority over her own body, but rather her husband, and similarly a husband does not have authority over his own body, but rather his wife. ⁵  Do not deprive each other, except perhaps by mutual consent for a time, to be free for prayer, but then return to one another, so that Satan may not tempt you through your lack of self-control. ⁶  This I say by way of concession, however, not as a command. ⁷  Indeed, I wish everyone to be as I am, but each has a particular gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.

⁸  Now to the unmarried and to widows I say: it is a good thing for them to remain as they are, as I do, ⁹  but if they cannot exercise self-control they should marry, for it is better to marry than to be on fire. ¹⁰  To the married, however, I give this instruction (not I, but the Lord): A wife should not separate from her husband ¹¹  —and if she does separate she must either remain single or become reconciled to her husband—and a husband should not divorce his wife.

¹²  To the rest I say (not the Lord): if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she is willing to go on living with him, he should not divorce her; ¹³  and if any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he is willing to go on living with her, she should not divorce her husband. ¹⁴  For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through the brother. Otherwise your children would be unclean, whereas in fact they are holy.

¹⁵  If the unbeliever separates, however, let him separate. The brother or sister is not bound in such cases; God has called you to peace. ¹⁶  For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband; or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)

Climb the Mountain..... (1.17.22)

My Child,
When a mountain comes into your life, and it feels like you cannot seem to get it to move out of your way - do not become discouraged. 

Not all mountains are meant to be moved. 

Some mountains are meant to be climbed.

That is why it is important that you seek Me for wisdom in everything you do.  Even more so when you are faced with a mountain that you cannot seem to move.

Mountains are in your life for a reason.  And the mountains I Have Allowed in your life are there to bless you, not destroy you.

There are multitude of types of Mountains.
There are Faith Mountains - these types of mountains, when you speak to them "by faith," "in My Name," they will move. 
There are Trust Mountains - these types of mountains, I Want you to climb; because they will draw you nearer to Me.

 

When you climb a trust mountain, it will teach you to lean and depend upon Me for everything.  The trust mountain will teach you that it is better to put your trust in Me, than to trust in man, to supply your needs. The trust mountain will also strengthen and reveal to you where your strength lies (and your  weaknesses); and will empower you to do things that you could not do before. Climb the trust mountain, and believe that no matter what comes your way, you will trust Me AND NOT GIVE UP!

And as you get closer to the top, you will begin to see things.  Things that were impossible to see when you were standing at the base of the mountain.  Closer to the top of the mountain, you will see and understand My Purpose and My Plan of asking you to climb this mountain.  And know this My Child, if you persevere, you can, you will, you shall, YOU ARE GUARANTEED to have the Victory.

Let Me Say that again - IF you persevere,
     Victory you shall have.
Guaranteed.

You will know that you are more than a conqueror through My Son, Christ Jesus; and that with Me, the Lord your God, all things are possible. Climbing this mountain will teach you where your strength lies.  Climbing this mountain will reveal to you that there is nothing that I Won’t do for you, with you, and  through you - if you trust in Me completely.
 
Child.  My Precious, Beautiful, Brilliant, Extraordinary Child.  
You MUST trust in Me.

Completely.

Trust Me.
Close your eyes and count to ten.
Trust Me.
Now.  Now.  #RightNow.
NOW - open your eyes and look at this mountain again.

This time, when you look at the mountain, let a new determination come into your heart. This time, when you look at the mountain, see this mountain in a new light. Look at it differently; and see that this mountain represents every good thing that I Want to do in your life..... and climb this mountain. 

Climb this mountain.
Climb this mountain.
CLIMB.

THIS.

MOUNTAIN!!!!

Climb this mountain.  And know that with every step you take, it is bringing you closer and closer to Me.  Closer and closer to your elevation.  Closer and closer to the desires of your heart.  Closer and closer to My Mighty Plan for your life. 

Climb this mountain and recognize that every time (EVERY TIME) you reach up, My Hand will be there to lift you over the next obstacle in your way.  #climbChildClimb

Climb this mountain and know that with every step you take, strongholds are falling away, and your burdens are getting lighter and lighter.  Lighter and lighter.

Climb this mountain and know that as you persevere; that I Am taking you higher and higher in Me.  And I Am bringing you closer to your destiny.  Your perseverance and your persistence will be EVERYTHING. #climbChildClimb

 

My Child, never forget, not for one moment - NEVER FORGET - that I Am here to help you.

No longer, never again, this is a new day - so no longer are you to look at this mountain (nor any future mountains) and get discouraged.  Look at each and every mountain and look at it differently.  Realize that there may be moment when it is I Who may have placed that mountain in your path, for a reason.

So, do not try to move every mountain out of your way.  Seek Me First.  Then discern.  Ask Me for My Wisdom.  Then ask, “Lord, Father God, what would you have me to do with this mountain?” 

Now, get suited up for the climb.
Now, get ready to overcome every obstacle
Now, get ready to elevate in your walk with Me.
Now, get ready to shut DOWN anything the enemy
     attempts to put in your path.
Now, get ready to WIN.
Now, start to climb.

Climb Child, CLIMB!

 

 

Read and Meditate on God's Word

Isaiah 2:3 - And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the GOD of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Job 13:15 - Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:

Psalm 118:8 - It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Psalm 40:3 - And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our GOD: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. 

Doubt & Unbelief (1.16.22)

All,

This message was sent out some time ago [Feed Your Faith, Trust in God & Your Doubts Will Starve to Death  (12.23.20)] but the message still stands.  Ringing as true today as it did a little over a year ago.  Trust in the Lord, regardless of what happens. Jesus Christ said it is impossible to please Him when you do not believe He can help you. Your mouth cannot speak one thing, when your heart does not believe that God can (and will) bring the thing into existence.

Trust in the Lord always; and know that He holds all power in His Hands. 

Do not doubt but believe the Word of GOD!!!

***********************

 

And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.  And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.  -  Matthew 9:27-29 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DO YOU BELIEVE GOD IS ABLE
TO DO THE SAME
FOR YOU?

 

Faith Believers,

What are two of the biggest hindrances in our lives that keep us from living the supernatural life that GOD desires for us to live? DOUBT AND UNBELIEF!

What keeps faith from operating in our lives? Our wavering trust in the Lord. James 1:6-7  (⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  [NIV]) says that we must operate in faith with no wavering, no hesitating, no doubting, and no unbelief. A person who wavers, hesitates, doubts, or has unbelief is like a wave out at sea that is tossed hither and thither by the wind.  James 1:6-7 goes on to say, "Does such a person believe that he will receive anything from the Lord?"   If you can't fully trust the Lord, then why would you fully expect to Him to bless you?

DOUBT AND UNBELIEF are our greatest enemies to a victorious life! Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them in His Hands. If the enemy tries (and most times he will) to convince you to pick your burdens back up, immediately repent of such a thought, and give your burdens back to the Lord.

Leave your burdens there, and trust The Lord to fight your battle(s).

Do not doubt The Lord!
The Lord does not need your help!
The Lord simply wants you to Trust Him.

To trust Him to fight and win this battle for you. You must take your thoughts captive and turn them around by trusting in The Lord our GOD. You must conquer DOUBT AND UNBELIEF. 

This trial you are going through is only your training ground.
Which will not destroy you.
But this trial will strengthen you.

TRUST HIM!

  -  Marilyn

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HEAR WHAT THE LORD OUR GOD IS SAYING

My Child,
How can some of you, even now, doubt Me? How can some of you not trust in My Word? How can some of you doubt that I Am your source, I Am your supply? How can some of you not believe in My Divine Healing? How can some of you not think 'all is well?'

All is well.
All is well.
All is well.

Trust Me and be not afraid.  Be not afraid.  You know that I Will keep you. You know this.  No matter what the storms, the enemy, your friends and/or family may say, I Have you.  Even when it may not feel like it. Even when it may not look like it.  I Am keeping you.  Have I Failed you? Have I Not Cared for you and your family? Have I Not Kept you strong?  I Told you I Would never leave you, never forsake you; so do not doubt Me now. 

Do not doubt Me when things look tough.  Do not doubt Me when the going gets rough.  Simply Trust in Me.  Through ALL things, trust in Me.  My Child, you MUST trust in Me.

And once you 'Trust in Me Always and through All Things,' you will receive the power to take My Authority over the enemy, in the Mighty Name of My Son, Jesus Christ!

Command things to line up according to My Perfect Plan. Do not give place to the devil in any area of your life!  Fill yourself up to the point that you are overflowing with My Word. Your flesh and your reasonings must die!  And you must die to self.  And how you reason must be steeped in My Word and what I Say, not based on what you see or how you feel. 

Remember 'faith and trust' cannot exist with 'doubt and unbelief.'  If doubt has a place in your life, faith cannot (and will not) operate. Faith cannot (and will not) operate in the midst of 'human reasoning.'  Faith operates with a simple, complete trust in Me; and who I AM....  Faith is believing when common, human sense tells you not to.

YOU MUST BELIEVE!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Faith Believers,

It is time that we rise up and take our rightful place as a Child of GOD and say 'I will trust Him and I will NOT doubt!

We need to declare these statements, out loud, daily.
We need to declare them as often as we can!!!!

Like taking medicine, you may need to repeat, once every 4 hours, or as often as needed. YOU MUST TRUST GOD!

Remember, the devil was defeated when Jesus Christ died for us, and rose on the third day.   satan absolutely has no power over you. NO POWER over you....   he was defeated and he will remain defeated, even when the return of Christ comes, the enemy will always be defeated. 

the enemy can only operate when we let him!
the enemy can only operate when we let him!
the enemy can only operate when we let him!

Therefore, Arise!
Arise, Right NOW!
Arise, right now; above the things which have held you captive!

Arise.
Arise now.
Arise now and take authority.
Arise now and be victorious.
Arise now, and be victorious - in Jesus' Mighty Name - over all the enemies of your soul!

Rebuke the thoughts of DOUBT AND UNBELIEF.
Declare and decree that you will trust GOD, no matter what.
Even if you feel like your back is against the wall....
Declare and decree your trust in GOD!

There is nothing that you will face today,
     that the Lord cannot see you through.

 - Marilyn

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

 

 Read and Meditate on God's Word

Matthew 21:21 - Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

Mark 11:23 - For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

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.

Luke 8:50 - But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

 

Do Not Hold On To the Past - #LetItGo (1.15.22)

My Child,
If you hold on to yesterday,
      it will spoil your tomorrow.
There are lessons that had to be learned from the past.
But do not let the pain of yesterday, hinder your tomorrow. 

If you don’t release all past offenses, a root of bitterness will spring forth, and destroy the blessings of tomorrow. 

Release the hurt. 
Release past disappointments. 
Release it all. 
Release them. 

For I Am doing a new thing. 
A new thing shall spring forth. 
I Intend that you be a part of My Amazing Plan. 

 

My Child, release the past. 
Look forward to the blessings
     which I Have Ordained for your life.

Seek Me for divine guidance on where to go, what to say, and what to do.

Talk to Me. Yes, talk to Me; but then I Want you to listen, and be still before Me, as well. Wait upon Me so that you can hear what My Holy Spirit is saying to you. And as you wait in My Presence, you will be changed and transformed. I Will Work in your spirit to remove and heal the pain of the past.  I Will Work in your spirit to restore and build up all that has been eroded.

 

It is My Desire to replace your ashes of yesterday with beauty; and to replace the heaviness of the past with a garment of praise.

Therefore, do not hold on to yesterday.
Release the troubles of yesterday.
Give them to Me.
Yes, give Me your yesterdays.
And I Will give you a new beginning.  

I Will give you a greater and brighter tomorrow.

So, let go of yesterday.
Trust in the Words that I Have spoken to you.
That the best has yet to come, in your life.

Spend time with Me in prayer; and I Will speak to your heart and reveal to you the path that you shall follow.

 

 

 

Read and Meditate on God's Word

Isaiah 42:9 - Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. 

Isaiah 43:18 - Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. 

Isaiah 65:16 - That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the GOD of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the GOD of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes. 

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. 

It Will Be, As YOU Believe...... (1.14.22)

My Child,
Some of you are believing and trusting Me, for what you know - in your human mind - is impossible. Some of you even wonder if you have the timing right.  However, most, if not all of you know one thing for certain, and two things for sure.  Ultimately, what you desire is according to and to do My Will.  This is so very important Child, that you want, that you desire to do My Will. 

So, listen to Me, hear Me Child - do not start doubting My Word now.  For it was I, Who put these impossible things into your heart to do, in the first place. For if it came from your own flesh, it would have surely died by now.  It would have never materialize.

However, it came from Me.
And with Me, nothing is impossible.  

 

I Say to you, just as you allowed Me to put what you see as an impossibility in your heart, and you did not resist.  Allow Me to work through you, to bring it to pass.  Do not allow your fleshly concerns and desires to get in Our way. 

You need to decrease;
     so that I Can increase. 
This - you - must - do. 
You must decrease. 
And when you do,
     I Will Increase.

Simply, wait, pray and be obedient to My Word.
Do this over and over again, 
At each 'stumbling block' that tries to hinder you. 
For it is the only way you will cross the goal line.

Yes, I said "cross the goal line."
Because you will.  
 

Abide in Me, Child.
For you cannot do this without Me.

I Have poured so much into you.
The fruit that I Have planted in you is still there.
It remains in you.
And it has the ability to bring forth an abundant amount of fruit. 

Therefore, lay what you think is impossible, upon Me.
Yes, bring Me your impossibilities.
For with Me, all things are possible.  

Now.
Right now.
Now, have confidence in Who I AM. 

Have faith in My Word.
Believe that you have already received,
    what you desired.
And it will be as you believe.

Read and Meditate on God's Word

Matthew 9:28-29 - And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

Mark 10:27 - And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with GOD: for with GOD all things are possible.

John 15:4-5 - Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

John 15:16 - Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

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 - 1 Corinthians 3:1-15 (1.13.22)

 The Church and Its Leaders

¹  Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. ²  I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. ³  You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? ⁴  For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?

⁵  What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. ⁶  I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. ⁷  So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. ⁸  The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. ⁹  For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

¹⁰  By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. ¹¹  For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹²  If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³  their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. ¹⁴  If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵  If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

Source: NIV (New International Version)