Seasons of Difficult Growth, Discomfort & Dark Valleys (3.12.14)

My Child,

There are times I will take you through a short season of difficult growth. 

I will open your eyes for you to see things that are within you, 

but that are not of me or of the character that you’ve been ignoring.

Character that you don’t want to acknowledge. 

Then, I will also cause you to face the hurt or pain from your past, 

so that I can break the power it has over your life. 

I must allow these things to happen 

to set you free from the things that are holding you back, 

so that you can enjoy all the blessings I have in store for you.

Yes, I allow seasons of discomfort and dark valley experiences. 

However, I do not leave you while you are going through them, 

nor do I leave you to try and figure things out on your own. 

I am always with you, guiding you away from dangers seen and unseen. 

For it is not My will that you should live the rest of your life in dark valleys. 

I want to bring you to the mountain top, so that you can be in my presence; 

that is where I want you to be. 

My will for you is to bless you with abundant life. 

I want you to expect Me to really bless you in the coming weeks. 

You have been believing Me to answer a certain thing 

you have been praying for and I am going to do just that, real soon. 

This year is your year of abundance!!
_______________

Lamentations 3:31-33 - For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love. For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.

Watering Seeds of Faith (3.11.14)

Beloved, 

I have planted seeds of faith in your heart. 

Do not be discouraged if you do not see it's fruit instantly. 

Seeds start small.  The initial growth is underground.  

And for a while you can’t see any apparent signs of life, 

but that does not mean the seed has died. 

It means that the roots are growing downward, 

the seed is being established so that it's stem may sprout. 

This is what’s happening in your life right now, so do not lose hope.

Child of Mine, I have seen your discouragement and I am with you. 

I know it has been hard for you, but do not lose hope. 

Just like with the seed; I am with you and I am working behind the scenes on your behalf. 

And in time you will see My glory manifest in your situation. 

Do not lose hope when it seems as though I am not quick to respond to your prayers, 

just keep your faith in Me and soon My work will become apparent to you.

And if things do not turn out the way you think they should, 

this is where you must trust Me.  

Beloved, I see everything from the beginning to the end. 

I understand the big picture. I know all the factors in your situation. 

I see the hidden dangers that you are unaware of, 

and I am actively working on your behalf by setting up roadblocks 

so that nothing by any means will hurt you.

So, have hope and faith in Me and you will not be disappointed. 

Be patient and hang on a little longer and by doing this you will see 

that I am faithful to you.

You will receive the victory in everything the enemy meant for your harm.

Now, water your seeds of faith and allow them to grow. 

Remember, My plans for you are good. 

Trust in Me always and you will not be disappointed.
______
Psalm 71:14 - But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.

Psalm 31:24 - Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Psalm 39:7 - And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

Lamentations 3:24 - The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

Romans 8:25 - But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

With Your Mind Set on God, You Will Break the Mold (3.10.14)

My Child,

Watch out for distractions that will divert your attention from what I have called you to do. 

Do not assume that your current trial is beyond My ability to bring you through to victory. The tests that you are now facing can either become a stepping stone or a tombstone.

Now is not the time to give up! 

Now is the time to establish yourself in faith and obedience to My leading. These trials will bring great insight and discernment to know the difference between spiritual reality and soulful fantasy. 

The lessons of that you are facing are of great value and will produce eternal fruit; but you must rise above the point of your own victimization and yield to My work in you.

I shall call upon you to do what you believe you cannot do.

So that I can demonstrate to you that without Me you can do nothing; but with Me and through Me all things are possible. So do not be limited by what your eyes see, what your ears hear or what your mind perceives or knows. 

With your mind set on Me, you will break the mold. 

And the destiny I have planned for you will draw you into uncharted waters. 

Now, I say unto you; arise and don’t be distracted by the enemy. 

Go forth in blind faith, but with a heart determined to obey every word I have spoken to you.

______

Isaiah 26:3 - Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee

Matthew 19:26 - But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with GOD all things are possible

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

Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of GOD 

Place Your Situations & Concerns in God's Hands (3.9.14)

My Child, 

Some of My own do not trust Me nearly as much as they say they do. 

They receive salvation and then they put some measure of their trust in Me. 

They say with their lips that they trust me with all of their heart.
Until a problem arises. 

When the problem comes, I am seldom the first person they run to for help. 

They seek Me after all their attempts to solve the problem have failed.

My child, please don’t be like them. 

Train yourself to seek Me first in all things, no matter how big or how small it is. 

Begin right now to turn to Me for help, 

for that is the only way you will really learn just how faithful and trustworthy I am.

Trust Me now. 

Place your current situations and concerns in My hands; 

and trust that I am more than able to help you. 

Look to Me, listen to Me and have faith in Me.

Then watch and see how I will come through for you. 

I want you to experience My faithfulness first hand.

Remember this the next time there is a problem in your life 

and you need to turn to someone for help.

Let Me be the first One you run to. 

Let My name be the first name you call to supply your needs. 

Yes, turn to Me, put your trust in Me and you will not be disappointed.
________

Mathew 6:33 - But seek ye first the kingdom of GOD, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

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

Hebrews 4:16 - Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Does Busy Mean "Being Under satan's Yoke"? (3.8.14)

Good Morning!

I apologize for the length of this message but it truly is a 'must read'.
Let me know your thoughts on today's message.  

Feel free to post comments or start a discussion here on the blog.

Be blessed,

- Marilyn 

_________

satan called a worldwide convention of demons. In his opening address he said, "We can't keep Christians from going to church.  We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth.  We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their Savior.  Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken."

"So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners....But steal their time.  So they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ."

"This is what I want you to do," said the devil. "Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"  'How shall we do this,' his demons shouted.  "Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds,"  he answered.  "Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow.  Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles.  Keep them from spending time with their children.  As their families fragment, soon their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!"

"Then, over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice," the devil continued. "Entice them to play the radio or DVD player whenever they drive... to keep the TV, DVD, CD's and their PC's going constantly in their home.  And see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly.  This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ."

"But don't stop there.  Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers.  Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day.  Invade their driving moments with billboards.  Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes."

"Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazine covers and TV, so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night. Give them headaches too!  If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere," the devil instructed.  "That will fragment their families quickly!"

"Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas. Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about His resurrection and power over sin and death. Even in their recreation, let them be excessive...  Have them return from their recreation exhausted.  Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead!"

"Keep them busy, busy, busy!  And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences. Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus. Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and their family for the good of the cause."

"It will work! It will work!"

It was quite a plan! The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to become more busy and more rushed, going here and there and everywhere.  Having little time for GOD or their families. Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.

I guess the question is, has the devil been successful at his scheme?

You be the judge! Does "busy" mean:

B-eing

U-nder

S-atan's

Y-oke?

No Matter Where the Road Leads, God is Always With Us (3.5.14)

When bad things happen we may never understand why. 

GOD tells us, For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.  As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts - Isaiah 55:8-9

Trying to analyze GOD's omnipotence is simply not possible. But there is one thing we can be sure of, All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful - Psalm 25:10,  whether we understand them or not.

When we encounter difficulties, it is easy to jump to conclusions. 

We sometimes think GOD is mad at us or He is punishing us. 

We wonder if GOD is not blessing us 

because we've disappointed Him in some way. 

But all through the Bible we see that some of GOD's closest believers

experienced the darkest nights.

Joseph suffered. David suffered. The disciples suffered. 

Elizabeth suffered. Mary Magdalene suffered. Martha suffered. 

Mary (Jesus' mother) suffered. Paul suffered. Jesus suffered. 

And each one of these men and women 

followed GOD's will for their life. 

Looking at the scripture, you will see that some of the most Godly men and women suffered. The abundant life that Jesus came to give does not come without struggle, any more than a butterfly can soar without a struggle from its cocoon. We could never open a cocoon and expect to find a butterfly ready to fly. Without the cocoon (struggle), the butterfly would not be strong enough to fly.

Jesus warned us that we would have struggles in this life, and yet for some reason struggles always seem to catch us by surprise. Consider it all joy, James said, when you encounter various trials…-  James 1:2 (NASB). Notice James said when and not if.

Jesus prayed the following prayer, My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will, - Matthew 26:39. There was no other way. GOD's will would have to be done for Jesus and so it is for us as well.

Take a look at the names given to the Holy Spirit: Intercessor, Helper, Counselor, and Comforter. The very nature of those names lets us know that we are going to go through difficulties, but thankfully GOD did not leave us to struggle alone. 

Jesus wept. The Holy Spirit groans. And GOD's heart aches. 

In one beautiful sentence, we catch a glimpse into the heart of GOD as we go through tough times, In all their distress he too was distressed, - Isaiah 63:9. We may not see GOD's face during the difficult days of pain, but you can be sure He is there, and many times His face is streaked with tears also.

As we practice Acts 17:28 - In Him we live and move and have our being, it does not mean that we will walk down a path void of treacherous twists and turns. 

It does mean that no matter where the road may lead, 

we are not alone.

Because GOD is with us.

Walk by Faith & Not by Sight. So Dry Your Eyes, for I have not Forsaken You (3.4.14)

My Child, 

There is nothing that you are going through, that I am not aware of. 

I see your trials and I see your pain.  

Please know that I have not forsaken you, I have not left you, I have not turned away. 

Please stop fretting about what you see, for what you see is not of Me. 

Remember what I told you, walk by faith and not by sight.

So dry your eyes, for I have not forsaken you.

Yes, I know your road has been rough 

and you are beginning to feel like all hope is gone. 

You don't want to feel that way, but you do. 

My Child, that is exactly what the enemy wants you to feel. 

Remember, I told you to call Me when he comes. 

You can't fight him with your strength; you need Me for this battle. 

Don't forget what I said, the battle is not yours it's the Lord's. 

Call Me, I have not forsaken you

My child, I see you going over reports. Yes, I know what the reports say. 

Why are you allowing the reports to intimidate you? 

You are allowing the reports to become your God. 

You are allowing your faith in those reports to cancel out My promises. 

I AM THE REPORT for your life; trust Me, I have not forsaken you.

Do you still feel forsaken? 

Then let Me remind you about the night We prayed. 

Yes, that night; the night before My Son died, the night He prayed for you. 

Death was near, yet He was on His knees interceding for you. 

Why would He pray for you, why would My Son die for you, and then I forsake you? 

You are My joy, You are My child, You are the heir to the Kingdom, 

so remember the Father will never forsake His children
____

Psalm 9:10 - And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

** Today's Ten Most Popular Messages (3.3.14) **

1. Today is A New Day, The Time is Now - Prepare Yourself, Rejoice and Do Not Delay (1.4.14)
2. Perfect Timing: Excerpts from "Timely Gifts" by Lynn Cowell (2.18.14)
3. There is Strength in Focusing on Things of Spiritual Substance (7.10.13)
4. Delays are Tools to Perfect our Faith (7.4.13)
5. Look not to Your Circumstances, Look to the Lord (10.30.13)
6. Lay Down the Burdens of Your Heart & the Brokenness of Yesterday (2.1.14)
7. A Repentant Heart (6.9.13)
8. I Just Want to Thank You Lord (1.19.14)
9. Learning to Wait on God (2.14.14)
10. Stand on My Word & Watch Your Blessings Come To Pass (2.24.14)

The top ten most popular messages are always on the right hand side.
Feel free to comment & let us know your favorite message.

#Enjoy     #BlessAndBeBlessed

Quiet Your Spirit, Be Still and You Will Hear My Voice (3.3.14)

Psalm 84:4 - Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah

My Child,

Don’t you know I have chosen and called you, 

and I will protect you every step of the way? 

Even when you walk through the fire and the rain,

I will be with you. 

So what causes you to fear this storm that is upon you now?

Quiet your spirit. 

Yes, you must quiet your spirit right now. 

And as you seek My face - remain still, silent, and wait upon Me. 

I will speak to your heart My will for your life. 

Yes, be still and wait for Me, 

and I will fill you with the wisdom and knowledge you will need 

for what lies ahead of you. 

Do not fear this storm, or any storm, for I Am in control.

Be still and oh so quiet; and you will hear My voice. 

If you remain in My secret place, I will keep you safe from the storm. 

I AM your refuge, your strength, a very present help in the time of trouble. 

My Child, draw near to Me, and never turn away. 

Be still and watch what I will do on your behalf, 

for I have placed you safely in the palm of My hand. 

I am your shelter from the storm.

Even though you can’t see a clear way 

out of these adverse circumstances, I can. 

The enemy wants you to believe all hope is gone. 

However, you must stand on My Word 

and know that I AM faithful to deliver you through every trial and tribulation. 

What the enemy meant for evil and what he meant to destroy you, 

will backfire on him and work out for your good, 

which is for My GLORY.

Oh be still My Child, for the winds and the waves
have been prepared to strengthen your faith

for the journey which lies ahead.

Trust in Me.  

When you don't understand what is going on in your life, 

trust that I do. 

Know that everything is part of My perfect plan and timing, 

for I AM stretching you in your faithfulness, 

so that you will trust Me, no matter what you see in the natural. 

So I encourage you to be still and quiet before Me, 

no matter what you hear or see. 

I AM in control. 

I will keep you safe from the storm.

Now be quiet. 

Shhhhh…. 

Yes, be still and quiet. 

Trust Me, I WILL DELIVER YOU THROUGH THIS STORM
______

 - A Prayer Confession -

 Heavenly Father, 

I thank you for delivering me through the storms of life. 

I know this won’t be the last storm that I will go through, 

but You have taught me how to stand on Your word 

and fight the good fight of faith.

You have taught me to wait for Your promises. 

I know You are my Deliverer 

and You will be with me in the midst of my storms. 

I know You will keep me Lord, 

and I thank you. 

Amen

Trust in God & Know, That He Will, Move Mountains (3.1.14)

My Child,
I am still GOD.

The same yesterday, today and forever;
and I have a divine plan and purpose for you. 

I see you have great faith, believing in My power, the miracles 

and the work that I do in the lives of others. 

However, I do not see the faith that you have 

in believing that I will do the same for you. 

Beloved, I am no respecter of persons. 

I did not die and suffer the pain of the cross, 

and then rise again for a chosen few. 

I died for whosoever shall call upon My name. 

And I want you to have faith that what I am doing for others, I will do for you. 

I want you to trust in Me and know that I will move your mountains as well.

The enemy is at work and will do anything he can to knock you down 

and make you believe that My promises aren’t for you. 

If you allow him to do that, he will think he has won the battle. 

It is up to you to believe in My goodness for yourself, 

and to show him that he cannot win.  And that the victory is yours. 

I have given you power and authority over the enemy, 

and nothing, shall by any means, hurt you. 

Now, with your feet planted deeply in My Word, 

you have the authority to tread over the enemy’s plans, bind up his weapons 

and loose My promises onto your life.

So this day, call upon Me! 

Believe Me for that which you know I have promised you. 

Don’t give up the fight! 

Remember, that I am for you and not against you. 

Remember that I have not brought you this far for you to quit.

Remember that I want you to be victorious. 

For My promises to you will surely come to pass, 

so rejoice, for the victory is Ours.
______

Acts 10:34 - Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that GOD is no respecter of persons:

Luke 10:19 - Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

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.