January Cover Photo (2019)

Turn to God First (12.31.18)

My Child,
You don’t trust Me nearly as much as you proclaim. You say with your lips that you’ve given Me your full and complete trust until there is a problem. When the problem comes, I Am seldom the first person you run to for help. You seek Me only after you’ve exhausted all your attempts to solve the problem.

My child, please don’t be that way anymore. 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 how faithful and trustworthy I Am. 

Try Me now. Place your current situation in My hand, and trust that I Am more than able to help you.

Look to Me, 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.

READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD:
Matthew 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. 

A Season of Learning & Growing (12.30.18)

Beloved, 
At times you will go through trials and struggles in your life, so do not be surprised when they come. 

Remember, I said “In this world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world."  These trials are a part of life and they will help you to grow and mature.  The only way for you to become more like Me is for you to experience some of the things that I went through.

The trials that you’re facing will help to shape and mold you into My Image.

I want to see "Me in you" and that means you must go through a growth process. You must face difficulties and trials; for they will help you to become more like Me.  I was obedient with the things I suffered; and I accepted the instruction of My Father. 

I want you to learn to be victorious and to overcome in the midst of these struggles.
I want you to be able to encourage others that are going through the fire.

Beloved, you cannot help others
     if you have not experienced trials.
Therefore, you must go through a
     season of learning and growing. 

As you go through this time of growth and maturing, don’t assume I have lifted My Hand of Protection off of you; or that I Am far from you. 

Dear one, when you're in the fire, I draw even closer to you; for it’s My Desire to see your faith grow and be perfected in Me.  Therefore, do not mistake the times of trials and struggles as a punishment or a season of My Displeasure of you. 

These are seasons of learning, growing and maturing in Me & the Father.

Have faith in Me.
And I Will lead you to victory.

 

 

Read and Meditate on God's Word

John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 - For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 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.

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

Hebrews 5:8 - Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

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

#ScriptureReflection - Numbers 6:22-27 (12.29.18)

The LORD said to Moses:
"Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and
give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites,
and I will bless them."

Forgive & Be Renewed (12.28.18)

My Dear Child,
In order for you to find that joy again and see the road ahead of you clearly, you must break through the walls that you've built around your heart.  This is a new season, and it is My Desire for you to let the pain of the past go. 

I know most of it was not fair. 
However, it happened. 
And now....  It.  Is.  Over.

I was there when you were hurt. 
I was there when you were rejected, but most importantly.....
I was there to bring you through it. 

Now, I’m asking you to release those painful memories, they are only stumbling blocks in your way, and they are holding you back from the blessings ahead.

Do not allow the words or deeds of others to
     destroy you or hinder your walk with Me.
Do not hold onto the pain and hurt. 
Do not bring what cannot bless you into your future. 
Do not let the enemy keep you bound behind those walls. 

Break free of them right now.

Let go of the hurt and forgive.  Yes, I want you to forgive those who have not cared for you.

Forgive those who have left you alone
      in your time of need. 
Forgive so you can be released from
      the stronghold they've held over your life. 
Forgive and allow Me to reach in and heal those
      wounds and let Me do a new work in you. 

Allow Me to wipe away your tears and open your eyes so that you can see clearly the new road ahead of you.  This road ahead is filled with excitement it’s filled with passion and it’s filled with My Joy.

Now trust in Me, 
     believe in Me 
     and pick up your sword afresh.  

Lift your head up, shake off the ashes that cover you, break down those walls that bind you and enter into this New Season renewed.  For it’s My Desire that you live peacefully with everyone.

READ AND MEDITATE ON HIS WORD

Mark 11:25-26 - And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Ephesians 4:31-32 - Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as GOD for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Colossians 3:10 - And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Colossians 3:12-13 - Put on therefore, as the elect of GOD, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you also do ye. 

Living Under "Holy Spirit Leadership" (12.27.18)

And no wonder, for satan himself masquerades as an angel of light - 2 Corinthians 11:14

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour - 1 Peter 5:8

Faith Believers,
satan is like an angel of light. his method is compromise and complacency. I find it more difficult to deal with an angel of light than to deal with a roaring lion. At least you know who the enemy is when it comes as a roaring lion. However, one must really have the leadership of the Holy Spirit when  dealing with an angel of light.

Some people will come into your life portraying themselves as Christians, but if you have GOD's Spirit, the Father will send the Holy Spirit to show you that this person is of satan. You will discern this in your spirit.

I have met many people who claim to be of Christ, however my spirit will sense that this person is one of satans children. I don't let this person know I know who they are, but I pray silently when I am in their presence - rebuking this spirit from satan. A person that truly has the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of them will detect the presence of the enemy immediately.

It is a dangerous thing to mock the Lord.
It is a dangerous thing to stand in church, and
     in front of the Lord, proclaiming to be of GOD;
     when you know your heart is dark and full of evil
     as you speak evil about and to others.

Lord help us because we all have fallen short of the glory of GOD!!!  We know that Your Word says you will destroy the enemy and You Will expose his work, every time.

As followers of Jesus, if we are to live under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, we must remove every hindrance to GOD’s leading. For example, we cannot pray “Lead me not into the temptation of lust” and watch sexually provocative movies. We cannot pray “Lead me away from impure thoughts” and read literature that is profane and/or impure.

One cannot submit to the leadership of GOD and retain habits that grieve the Holy Spirit.

GOD is ready to lead when the Christian is ready to follow.

Lastly, prayer is not a plea for the absence of trials, but it is supplication for GOD’s leadership, in the midst of trials.

  -  Marilyn

~ Prayer ~
Holy Spirit,

I submit to Your leadership!
Help me to quickly recognize the work of satan.

Help me to see the double-mindedness in my actions, especially when my actions contradict what I say I believe.

Lead me far away from anything that grieves You, Lord.

Cleanse me and purify me.
 
Prepare me for battle, as I cry out to You for deliverance from the temptations that the enemy sets up against me.

Lead me into the way of holiness, for I am ready to follow You with my whole heart.

Amen

Every Knee Will Bow & Every Tongue Confess (12.26.18)

All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations - Psalm 22:27-28

Faith Believers,
For some of us, it can be pretty frustrating to watch the news and see how the world regularly ignores the Lord. Governments operate as though there is no GOD in Heaven, Who is the Maker of all things and Ruler of all nations. Because of this rebellious attitude, mankind finds itself increasingly mired in unsolvable situations, that threaten our very human existence.

It would be easy to lose hope if we did not have GOD’s eternal Word as a sure promise.

The day will come when nations will: 1) remember, 2) turn and 3) bow down. Those who love GOD and already bow before Him in worship are to continue to live in ways that honor the Lord and lead people to Him.

The Word of GOD says that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. It does not matter if you believe in GOD or not, in the end, you will bow and confess.

Jesus is the answer to all that is going on in this world today.

Nations are being disobedient to GOD, confessing they want nothing to do with him. When GOD steps aside, the enemy will move right in immediately - because he came to steal, kill and destroy.

GOD is waiting for the nations to repent and worship Him.
  -   Marilyn

~ Prayer ~
Father,

Many nations are in an uproar because they have turned their back on You.

Forgive us for looking to men for answers when the only answer is in You.

Lord, I am eager for the day when all the ends of the earth will remember and turn to You. What a time of magnificent worship that will be! 

I pray for the leaders of nations today, that they will remember You, and turn to You.

You and You alone are the only answer to everything that's going on in this world and you are the only one that can fix it.

Help us Father, we need You.

In the name of Your Son Jesus Christ
     of Nazareth I pray this prayer!

Amen

JESUS is the Reason for Christmas- Give the One True Gift - the Gift of Love (12.25.18)

Faith Believers,
We have a saying during this time of the year; we say, “Jesus is the reason for the season,” and we demonstrate this by the giving of gifts. However, wouldn’t it be nice if we could find a way to live continuously in the season of giving?
 
How many of us can say that our children know the real meaning of Christmas?  How many of us have shared with our children that Christ was born in a manger? Oh yes, they see the displays of the manger and think how beautiful it looks.  But have you really told them the surroundings of the manger? Have you told them about the animals that were there, and what it actually looked and may have smelled like?  Do they really know about His birth?  It’s time we teach them to know the full story of our Saviour’s birth. It’s time we teach them the true meaning of giving and getting a gift.

Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be
called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty GOD, The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.

When the Lord gave us His only‐begotten Son, His birth signified a new beginning and reflected what true love should look like. Our Father wanted us to see real love and to understand that saying, “I love you " isn’t enough. The Father demonstrated to us that “love” is an action word when He gave us Jesus; and Jesus imitated that same love when He suffered and died for us all, so that we would have eternal life. Everything Jesus did for us was based upon His commandment for us to love one another. 

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another,
as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”

 
The Lord has commanded that we follow His example of love. He expects us to love every day of our lives, not just during holiday seasons. Therefore, during this holiday season, and every season of your life, start reflecting on the One to whom this season and every season should reverence.

Showing love to someone every day is the greatest gift you can give.

This year give a gift that will not cost you a dime. Do not worry if you don’t have money to buy gifts for your family and friends. Do not worry what people are going to say about what you have or don’t have. None of that matters.

Give a gift that’s been brought at a price that we can never repay.

Give them what Jesus gave us.

His greatest gift of all . . . LOVE.
Give the gift of love.
After all, we wouldn’t be celebrating this season
      if the Lord hadn’t given us His Son.
 
I cannot imagine the pain the Lord endured as He sent His only Son to save us. So, let us honor the Lord with our love and show Him how grateful we are for His sacrifice. Let’s keep His new commandment and love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and give this same love to those we meet.

Let’s celebrate the birth of Jesus in a way that will please our Father as we humble ourselves so that we are obedient to His Word.
  -  Marilyn

  

Read and Meditate on God's Word

Mark 12:30-31 - And thou shalt love the Lord thy GOD with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. 

 
John 3:16 - For GOD so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 
 
John 13:34 - A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

"The Listening Side of Prayer" - First We Must Listen to God, Then We Pray... (12.24.18)

I keep asking that the GOD of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better - Ephesians 1:17

Faith Believers,
Elijah and Daniel both listened to GOD first, and then they prayed.

They based their prayers on what they “heard.” Elijah heard GOD speak directly to him. Daniel heard GOD speak through the scripture.

They took GOD’s Revelation seriously.
They took their prayer responsibility seriously.
They understood the listening side of prayer.

Listening prayer is simply this,
     first we listen and then we pray.

There are several different ways we can listen. First, we can hear directly from GOD. When GOD the Father speaks, it is always through His Son and His  Holy Spirit. Jesus said, My sheep hear my voice - John 10:27, NIV. Paul calls the Holy Spirit the “Spirit of Revelation” (Ephesians 1:17). The Spirit of Revelation dwells within us and is able to reveal what GOD wants to say directly to our hearts and minds. What is revealed to us from GOD should shape our prayers so that we know what to pray.

By listening we may even learn when not to pray for something.

At a time when the spirit of unrighteousness reigned in Israel, GOD said to Jeremiah, “Do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them: do not plead with me for I will not listen to you” (Jeremiah 7:16).

The link between our prayers and GOD’s Will is so intertwined, that GOD doesn’t want us praying for things that are not His Will.

A while the Father may not speak to you as directly as He did to Jeremiah or David; He may, at times, nudge your spirit when you start praying for someone or something that does not line up with His Will.  Always listen for God's still small voice and pray for discernment.

  -  Marilyn

~ Prayer ~
Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation,
Speak to my heart as I listen for You through God's Word. 
In my circumstances, through others, or in whatever way
     You choose to communicate with me!
May God's Words shape my prayers and guide my life
     into the midst of Your divine activity!
Help me to be attentive to God's voice, never doubting
     Your ability to share God's heart with my own.
Amen

God's Love & Mercy (12.23.18)

My Child,
I know the season you are in, and although you may see little evidence of anything wonderful happening, never forget the good things I have done. Forget not My Tender Mercies.

Haven’t I always been there in your time of need? How soon you forget My Love when your way seems dark. However, in your darkest hour, don’t you know that I Am with you?

I Am shining a light on the blessings
     you may have overlooked.
I Am always there.

Please reflect upon My Mercy and Goodness, they will lead you through the valley into a bright new day. Remember that My Mercy and My Love are unending towards you, so be at peace and know that this difficulty will pass.

Never stop praying and believing for the impossible
     to happen in your life.
Keep your hope in Me alive, and constantly remember
     My loving kindness and mercy towards you.

 

 

 

Read and Meditate on God's Word:

Psalm 86:13 - For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. 

Psalm 86:15 - But thou, O Lord, art a GOD full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
 

Isaiah 63:7 - I will mention the loving kindness of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses

Lamentations 3:21-26 - This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Hebrews 13:15 - By him therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to GOD continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.