#ScriptureReflection - Isaiah 40:1-11 (12.12.18)

Comfort, give comfort to my people,
says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her
that her service is at an end,
her guilt is expiated;
Indeed, she has received from the hand of the LORD
double for all her sins.

A voice cries out:
In the desert prepare the way of the LORD!
Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!
Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill shall be made low;
The rugged land shall be made a plain,
the rough country, a broad valley.
Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all people shall see it together;
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

A voice says, "Cry out!"
I answer, "What shall I cry out?"
"All flesh is grass,
and all their glory like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower wilts,
when the breath of the LORD blows upon it.
So then, the people is the grass.
Though the grass withers and the flower wilts,
the word of our God stands forever."

Go up onto a high mountain,
Zion, herald of glad tidings;
Cry out at the top of your voice,
Jerusalem, herald of good news!
Fear not to cry out
and say to the cities of Judah:
Here is your God!
Here comes with power
the Lord GOD,
who rules by his strong arm;
Here is his reward with him,
his recompense before him.
Like a shepherd he feeds his flock;
in his arms he gathers the lambs,
Carrying them in his bosom,
and leading the ewes with care.

Everything That You Go Through, Has a Purpose (12.11.18)

My Child,

Have you ever wondered why I Allow My own to go through difficulties that force them to put their faith and trust in Me?  Have you ever wondered why I don't just make it easy for you?  At times, you will experience bad situations and difficulties.  However, you must trust and know that I Already have a plan in place to deliver you; and to bring much glory to My Name, in the process.

 

Everything you go through has a purpose. 
My child, I want you to experience
     My Faithfulness, personally. 

I Want you to see My Mighty Deliverance in your life, first-hand, so that you know deep within yourself that I Am faithful. This will cause your faith to grow when you experience My Faithfulness in your own difficult situations.

I want your faith to grow strong, so that I Can
     begin to send you to do the impossible
     with Me. 

 

I desire to work mighty wonders through you.
I desire to glorify My Name in your life. 
I desire to do the same works through you,
     that My Son did through His Disciples when
     they walked on this earth.
 
I want you to know My Faithfulness, so that you can step out into My Glory, see My Power and watch My Anointing operate in your life.

You can trust Me, Child of Mine, for I Will not abandon during your difficulty.  I Will bring you through your trials and tribulations, and I Will work My Glory in your life.

I Am faithful. 
So, look to Me with eyes that are
     open to My Truth. 
Have faith in Me, and know that
     I Am faithful. 

I Will deliver you from your bondage,
     just as I Delivered Israel from Egypt.

 

 

Read and Meditate on God's Word

Ecclesiastics 3:1 - To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Romans 8:16-18 - The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of GOD: And if children, then heirs; heirs of GOD, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

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

2 Corinthians 4:17 - For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

God has Called You to Be His Victorious & Overcoming One.... (12.10.18)

My Child,
I Have given you the power and authority to speak to the storm coming against you, so use your faith to still the storm. 

 

Do not fear when the wind pushes against you so strongly; for I Am with you, and I Am holding you securely in place. Do not panic when the rage of the storm blows fiercely on your face, and you find it hard to speak My Words of peace over its roar. Stand - knowing that I have sent My Angels before you, and I Am covering and protecting you.

If you look to Me and put your trust in Me,
     I Will empower you to still the storm
     that is besetting you.

I Know that sometimes it’s hard to breathe, as the fierceness of the storm comes upon you; but never forget that I Am stronger than any storm. I will not abandon you, nor will I leave you alone to face it on your own. 

 

Trust in Me.... Rise up in faith and confidence; and use the authority that I have given you to still the storm. 

 

Yes, it would be easy for Me to still the storm; but if I do, how will your faith grow?  And how will you ever learn to use what I have given you to defeat the enemy? It is My Desire for you to stand and be victorious over the enemy; and to do that, you must have faith to speak to the storm yourself.

the enemy is like a roaring lion, waiting to devour you. Do not fear the enemy, for I have not called you to be his prey. I have called you to be My Victorious and Overcoming One. I have already defeated the enemy, and he only has the power to overcome you when you choose not to use what I have given you. 

 

Therefore, you must learn to use your authority,
     and have faith to still the storm raging against you.

My Child, stand your ground and do not abandon your tasks to run for cover. Remind yourself that I Won back all authority when My Son rose from the dead, and I have given that Authority to you. Do not be afraid to use it, for the enemy stands as a defeated foe before that Authority.

Rise up, stand your ground, and
     do not cower in fear before
     the enemy of your soul.

Learn to use the Authority that I have given you, and you will be able to still every storm that the enemy sends to rage against you.  For I have ordained you for victory.

 

 
 

 

 

 

Read and Meditate on God's Word

Exodus 14:15 - And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:

1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Matthew 8:24-26 - Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke Him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

Matthew 28:18 - And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

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. 

A "God's Light & Glory" Prayer (12.9.18)

Father GOD,

How I long for Your Presence in my life!

For too long, many of us have been content with little commitment, little faith, and little joy. No longer!

Lord, we need You!
We will never be content with anything
     other than Your Presence.

I want to be like Moses who said he wasn’t going anywhere unless You went with him.

Forgive me, Lord, for going places in my own strength and for my own purposes. Lord, I ask for Your Light and Your Glory to come upon us, Your people. 

 

May we shine like stars in the universe because of Your Presence!

I long to see Your Light shining through believers in a way that will attract those living in darkness. Awaken Your people, O Lord, that the nations may see You, living in us.

Amen

#ScriptureReflection - Baruch 5 (12.8.18)

Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery;
put on the splendor of glory from God forever:
wrapped in the cloak of justice from God,
bear on your head the mitre
that displays the glory of the eternal name.
For God will show all the earth your splendor:
you will be named by God forever
the peace of justice, the glory of God’s worship.

Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights;
look to the east and see your children
gathered from the east and the west
at the word of the Holy One,
rejoicing that they are remembered by God.
Led away on foot by their enemies they left you:
but God will bring them back to you
borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones.
For God has commanded
that every lofty mountain be made low,
and that the age-old depths and gorges
be filled to level ground,
that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God.
The forests and every fragrant kind of tree
have overshadowed Israel at God’s command;
for God is leading Israel in joy
by the light of his glory,
with his mercy and justice for company..

 

 

 

 

Don't Be Discouraged (12.7.18)

Beloved,
You cannot lose hope now.

You have come too far to give up.

What has happened in your life to make you think that I cannot bring you out of this situation? I Can and I Will bring you out of this. I Will take what seems like an impossible situation - and cause you to say, “Only Jesus could have worked this out.”

You do not have time to be discouraged and give up hope.
I Am going before you right now, putting things in order.

Nothing will be able to touch you or throw you off guard, for I Am doing a complete work within you.

I See your struggles.
I See what you are going through,
     please do not lose hope. 

Do not believe the lies of the enemy. 

 

Instead, cling to the promises I Have given to you. Then, when the storms are over - you will get up changed, made new, and walk into the fullness of your calling.

Do not back down.  "Suit up" in the armor I Have provided for you, and move forward.

Those who try to slow you down will not be successful.
No longer will they be a hindrance in your walk.

I want you to set your sights on things above, and do not be thrown off guard by the so-called successes of men trying to deceive you; for they are in My Hands. I Want you to stay focused on Me, with your whole being.

So, please do not give up.

Others are depending on you.
Be faithful to the call.

And you shall be rewarded with blessings untold.

Trust Me to provide for your every need.
Trust Me to lift you up, out of despair,
     and into heavenly blessings.

Therefore, I say unto you, do not be discouraged.
I have not forsaken you.

 

 

 

 

 

READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD

Deuteronomy 31:8 - And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Galatians 6:9 - But we should not lose heart in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we do not faint.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NLT) - We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down but never abandoned by GOD. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NLT) - That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Ephesians 6:12-13 - For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Hebrews 12:3 - For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your mind. 

The Sword of the Spirit (12.6.18)

For the word of GOD is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart - Hebrews 4:12

Faith Believers,
Jesus has given His disciples one piece of equipment that is powerful for tearing down the strongholds of the enemy: the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of GOD. This sword can pierce the most hardened heart and bring liberty and freedom from the bondage of sin.

There is one important fact, however, that believers must never forget. The Word of GOD is the Sword of the Spirit. It is not the sword of human flesh and effort. It can only be properly used in battle by the Holy Spirit. Many have been turned further away from the Gospel by someone who tried to browbeat them into the Kingdom with their Bible. Others have been gently led to receive eternal life by properly using the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of GOD.

Only the Holy Spirit can properly utilize Scripture. The Holy Spirit knows the deep needs of every captive. The only question to be resolved is this: How do believers place their lives under the control of the Holy Spirit so that GOD can use them effectively in the offensive battle?

We are told what to do in Ephesians 6:18 once we are clothed with our armor and hold the sword in our hands - With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.

Prayer places us at GOD’s disposal. The greatest power that we have in this battle is made available to us through prayer.
  -  Marilyn

~ Prayer ~
Holy Spirit,

I desire to place myself completely in Your Power as You use my prayers for the purposes of GOD. You alone can teach me how to understand and effectively utilize the Word. Show me how to use it in such a way that the Body of Christ is edified, and that those who are not yet believers are convicted and convinced of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. 

 

Help me to become more like Jesus as I begin to fully obey His Word, as it is applied to my life. 

 

I want to live continually at the disposal of GOD, properly wielding His Sword of the Spirit, through you, through a life of prayer. 

 

Amen

Surrender All..... (12.5.18)

My Child,
If you do not seek Me concerning the situation you are in, you will fail.

You are troubled.
I see your tears.
I see your heartaches.
I see your heavy burdens. 

I Am the only one that can uphold you.

Lo, I Am with you always even unto the end.
Give Me your burdens.
Give Me your cares.
For I care for you.
 
You are concerned about so much. You are concerned about loved ones, your finances, healing, being successful - all of these things; but the only thing you have to do is surrender all to Me. It is too overwhelming for you to try to figure it out on your own, you must bring all to Me.

Trust in Me.
Come unto Me and I will help you.

You can rely on Me always.
Lean on the Lord your God, your Rock.
For I Am the solid rock in your storm. 
  
I Am here for you My Precious One.
I Am very close to the brokenhearted.

I can restore all that is troubling you and give you peace like you have never known. Allow Me to bear your burdens. Surrender all. Surrender all. Without Me you can do nothing. Rely on My Strength each step of the way.

I Am more than worthy to deliver you.
I Am the author and finisher of your faith.
 Be of good courage and read My Word daily for strength and direction. Allow My Word to fill your heart; for it will lift you up, refresh your soul and give you the determination to keep living for Christ. All you have to do is surrender all to Me.

  

 

READ AND MEDITATE ON HIS WORD
Psalm 34:17-19 - The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

Psalm 37:5 - Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass.

Matthew 11:28-30 - Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

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

#ScriptureReflection - Luke 10:21-24 (12.4.18)

Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said,
"I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows who the Son is except the Father,
and who the Father is except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him."

Turning to the disciples in private he said,
"Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
For I say to you,
many prophets and kings desired to see what you see,
but did not see it,
and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it."

 

 

 

#ScriptureReflection - Isaiah 11:1-10 (12.3.18)

On that day,
A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,
and from his roots a bud shall blossom.
The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:
a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
A Spirit of counsel and of strength,
a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD,
and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.

Not by appearance shall he judge,
nor by hearsay shall he decide,
But he shall judge the poor with justice,
and decide aright for the land's afflicted.
He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
Justice shall be the band around his waist,
and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.

Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
The calf and the young lion shall browse together,
with a little child to guide them.

The cow and the bear shall be neighbors,
together their young shall rest;
the lion shall eat hay like the ox.
The baby shall play by the cobra's den,
and the child lay his hand on the adder's lair.
There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD,
as water covers the sea.

On that day,
The root of Jesse,
set up as a signal for the nations,
The Gentiles shall seek out,
for his dwelling shall be glorious.