#ScriptureReflection - 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (2.9.20)

When I came to you, brothers and sisters,
proclaiming the mystery of God,
I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom.

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you
except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
 

I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling,
and my message and my proclamation
were not with persuasive words of wisdom,
but with a demonstration of Spirit and power,
so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom
but on the power of God.

 

 

 

#ScriptureReflection - Revelations 7 (2.8.20)

God’s People Will Be Preserved

7 Then I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds so they did not blow on the earth or the sea, or even on any tree. ² And I saw another angel coming up from the east, carrying the seal of the living God. And he shouted to those four angels, who had been given power to harm land and sea, ³ “Wait! Don’t harm the land or the sea or the trees until we have placed the seal of God on the foreheads of his servants.”

⁴ And I heard how many were marked with the seal of God—144,000 were sealed from all the tribes of Israel:

5 from Judah	12,000
from Reuben	12,000
from Gad	12,000
6 from Asher	12,000
from Naphtali	12,000
from Manasseh	12,000
7 from Simeon	12,000
from Levi	12,000
from Issachar	12,000
8 from Zebulun	12,000
from Joseph	12,000
from Benjamin	12,000

 

Praise from the Great Crowd

⁹ After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. ¹⁰ And they were shouting with a great roar,

“Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne
    and from the Lamb!”

¹¹ And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. ¹² They sang,

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
    and thanksgiving and honor
and power and strength belong to our God
    forever and ever! Amen.”

¹³ Then one of the twenty-four elders asked me, “Who are these who are clothed in white? Where did they come from?”

¹⁴ And I said to him, “Sir, you are the one who knows.”
Then he said to me, “These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white.

¹⁵ “That is why they stand in front of God’s throne
    and serve him day and night in his Temple.
And he who sits on the throne
    will give them shelter.

¹⁶ They will never again be hungry or thirsty;
    they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun.
¹⁷ For the Lamb on the throne
    will be their Shepherd.

He will lead them to springs of life-giving water.
    And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

Source: NLT (New Living Translation)

At the Appointed Time (2.7.20)

My Child,
There is nothing I Cannot do. 
I Am the Great Creator. 
I Am the One who created something out of nothing. 

When you feel you have gone as far as you can, and you don’t have the will to go on, I Will be there to strengthen and encourage you.  There is nothing too difficult for Me, and you must believe My Word is true.

I Will break through the clouds on stormy days, just to have the sun shine on your situation. 

Nothing can stop My Word. 
Nothing can stop My Promises
     from coming forth in your life. 

Therefore, when I Speak a Word into your life, and you don’t see any signs of it happening, you can be assured that I Am working it out.  I Will not stop until all that I’ve promised, comes to pass.

All I Require from you is your faith to believe in what I Have Said. 

Trust in My Word. 
Trust in My Proven Faithfulness. 
Haven’t I Always been faithful to you? 

Do not allow the enemy to cause you
     to doubt any of My Promises. 
Do not allow him to whisper in your ear. 
Do not allow him to bring discouragement
      into your life. 
Do not let the enemy talk you out of your
     promises.

Remember that satan is a deceiver and a thief; and he will try to steal your Promise. he is out to destroy everything about you, because he knows who you are.

You are destined for greater things, and you must hold fast to your confession of faith - regardless of how the circumstances may appear.

Trust Me to bring everything forth, and trust Me to bring it forth in My Appointed Time.

So remember, it does not matter how
     impossible it may seem.
I Am the GOD of possibilities. 
Believe it and stand on My Word. 
It will come to pass at My Appointed time.

Yes and Amen.




Read and Meditate on God's Word:
Jeremiah 32:17 - Ah Sovereign Lord! Behold, You have made  the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arms. Nothing is too difficult for Thee.

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

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

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.

John 10:10 - The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.

#ScriptureReflection - Mark 6:7-13 (2.6.20)

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two
and gave them authority over unclean spirits.

He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick
–no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.

He said to them,
“Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there.
Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,
leave there and shake the dust off your feet
in testimony against them.”

So they went off and preached repentance.
The Twelve drove out many demons,
and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.


Source:  NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)

 

 

God has Called You, Chosen You, Endowed You & Delivered You (2.5.20)

My Child,
I Have Called you for a divine purpose.
I Have Anointed you from on high.
You have My Holy Spirit.
Take authority in My Name.
I Called you. I Chose you.

I Have Endowed you with My Power.
You have My Holy Spirit.
Everything must flee, in My Name.
Stay focused Me and My Kingdom.

You have come a long way, and now you are looking back at how much you have grown. You are beginning to feel comfortable with where you are, as you venture out. There is a place that I Have Delivered you from, and you should not go back there.

That place is the world.

You are in this world, but not of the world. You do not belong there. You belong with Me, in the Holy Spirit. the enemy cannot touch you, as long as you abide with Me. the enemy is watching and waiting for you to leave home without Me, so he can attack you.

I Will not allow the enemy to hurt you, but you must believe - with all of your being - that I Am with you. You must put on My full armor - the full armor of GOD - which is the Word of GOD. You must call on the name of My Son, Jesus, which is a powerful Name.  When you do this, all of satans' entities must flee. the enemy is watching and waiting for you to let your guard down. the enemy is studying your every move, and as soon as he sees an opening, he will attack.

You must not let My Word depart from your heart and mind. Meditate day and night on My Word, and in everything you do, do it in the name of My Son, Jesus Christ Of Nazareth!!

My Son's Name is All Powerful! 
Strongholds and attacks are broken
     in His Name. 
the enemy must flee in My Name.

And when, not if, when you come under attack by the enemy - quote the Scriptures I Have placed in your heart; and let the enemy know "It is written."  Then he must flee, for My Word, the Word of GOD, is the only thing the enemy will respect.



Read and Meditate on God's Word:
Deuteronomy 7:6 - For you are a holy people to Jehovah your GOD. Jehovah your GOD has chosen you to be a special people to Himself above all people that are upon the face of the earth.

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.

John 15:19 - If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

1 Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for possession so that you might speak of the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

~ Prayer ~
I pray that the peace of Jesus will flood your soul
     and destroy any fears holding you back.
So that the vision God has given you,
     will come to pass.
Amen

 

#ScriptureReflection - Psalm 139:1-16 (2.4.20)

The All-knowing and Ever-present God

¹ For the leader. A psalm of David.

I

Lord, you have probed me, you know me:
²     you know when I sit and stand;
    you understand my thoughts from afar.
³ You sift through my travels and my rest;
    with all my ways you are familiar.

 
⁴ Even before a word is on my tongue,
    Lord, you know it all.
⁵ Behind and before you encircle me
    and rest your hand upon me.

 
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    far too lofty for me to reach.

⁷ Where can I go from your spirit?
    From your presence, where can I flee?

 
⁸ If I ascend to the heavens, you are there;
    if I lie down in Sheol, there you are.

 
⁹ If I take the wings of dawn
    and dwell beyond the sea,
¹⁰ Even there your hand guides me,
    your right hand holds me fast.

 
¹¹ If I say, “Surely darkness shall hide me,
    and night shall be my light” —
¹² Darkness is not dark for you,
    and night shines as the day.
    Darkness and light are but one.

II

¹³ You formed my inmost being;
    you knit me in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you, because I am wonderfully made;
    wonderful are your works!
    My very self you know.

 
¹⁵ My bones are not hidden from you,
When I was being made in secret,
    fashioned in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw me unformed;
    in your book all are written down;
    my days were shaped, before one came to be.

Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)

 

There is Power in God's Word (2.3.20)

My Child,
In your eyes, things might look as if nothing is happening; however, I Am forever moving and working things out on your behalf.

Many times, what I Am doing is unseen and unknown until it is time to unveil it to you. If I let you see too much, too soon; you would try to touch it, or help Me out. And, we all know what happens when My People try to help Me out...  Therefore, I Work in the background, making things according to My Will.

Even at this hour, I Am working.
I Know some of you cannot tell it, but I Am.

 

As I Am speaking, many things are coming forth; and you do not even recognize them. You would not believe some of the things that have just happened around you. Little things you take for granted, but important still. All that I Do is for you, and for your destiny. 

 

Never doubt My Ability to work things out.

Do not waver,
     do not doubt,
     just be patient
     and wait upon Me.

Take a break from your day and sit at My Feet. As you do, you will know My Plan and My Heart for the days to come.

 

Take no thought for your course, as it is set.
I Have your life worked out, so fear not.

Never underestimate your time spent with Me.
Many think they can come, drive through,
     put their order in, and then drive out.

You cannot drive through My Throne Room, make a deposit, and then leave.

Oh no, you must soak in My Presence for a while, and do not leave until I Have Spoken and Ministered to you. You need My Touch for the days to come. You will not survive without a daily meeting with Me.

I Am your refuge and your strength.
I Am your portion and your inheritance.

Start today with the power of My Word,
     and come closer to Me.

Choose who you will spend your time with,
     choose whom you will serve,
     it will determine your future.

 

Read and Meditate on God's Word:

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

Psalm 18:30 - As for GOD, His way is perfect; the Word of Jehovah is tried; He is a shield to all those who trust in Him.

Psalm 33:4 - For the Word of Jehovah is right, and all His works are in truth.

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

Luke 11:28 - But He said, No; rather, blessed are they who hear the Word of GOD and keep it.

Hebrews 4:12 - For the Word of GOD is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing apart of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

 

 

 

 

 

This Battle is God's. Do not Try to Fight This Battle. It is God's Battle, not Yours.... (2.2.20)

This battle is Mine, Beloved!

Do not try to fight this battle.
It is My Battle, not yours.

I Say unto you, do not take this conflict onto yourself - as if you are the Commander-in-Chief.  I Will take you by the hand and lead you out of this deep pit.

Deep inside you know that only I Can deliver you.  If you will hear My Voice, and obey My Commandments; I Will give you such a Great Victory, that you will be testifying about it for the rest of your life. Even generations to follow will hear of how this battle was won by Me, on your behalf.

I Know you are 'battle weary.'
These trying times have been difficult. 
Come now, and let Me remove these troubles
      from your heart. 
I Will dry those tears.  Those tears you don't
     want anyone else to see. 
I Will hold you close, as your troubles fade away.

Allow your love for Me to dissolve into blind trust. 

When you trust in Me, all kind of doors will swing open; and the very ones - the very people - that placed those stones in your path, will stand there wondering how these things have come about. 

I Know you have not walked this way before, but My Son has, and now is the time for you to follow Him more closely, more intentionally and more consistently.  Surrender to My Son's Leading, Beloved.

I Am going to turn this thing - and EVERY thing - around, as I Win this battle, for you.

Stand up!
And square your shoulders!
As you put on the Full Armor I Have given
     you.....My Word, The Word, of GOD.



READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD:
Exodus 14:13-14 - And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Deuteronomy 20:4 - For the LORD your GOD is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

2 Chronicles 20:17 - Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

Deuteronomy 31:8 - And Jehovah is He who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not fail you nor forsake you. Do not fear; nor be dismayed.

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

A Thankful, Grateful, Endurance, Rejoicing, Victory Prayer (2.1.20)

~ Prayer ~ 

Father,
I confess that I do not know what to do,
     but my eyes are upon You.

How thankful I am for the promises of Your Word; that when I grieve, You Give me a crown of beauty, that even when I mourn, there is gladness found in You.

And when I despair, and feel hopeless in my circumstances; as I look to You, You Will cloak me in a Garment of Praise.

My desire, Father, is to always praise You.  But I confess that often, like Peter, I look away from the Face of Jesus.  I see the fierceness of the storm around me, and sometimes I sink into my circumstances, and thus, lose all ability to believe that You will fight my battles.

Why is my faith so small?
Why do I doubt?

Forgive me Father, and have mercy on me.
Help me, I pray!

Destroy doubt in my life and make it true of me that though the fig tree does not bud (my dreams do not come to fruition . . .) and there are no grapes on the vines (my burdens seem endless . . .); though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food (my financial resources are sadly lacking . . .); though there are no sheep in the pen or cattle in the stalls (my worldly possessions are minimal at best . . .) - may I still be joyful and praise Your Name, for You are my GOD and my Savior (I have Jesus!).

You are my strength, and You enable me to rise above the circumstances of my life and the cares of this world.

May I follow the example of King Jehoshaphat and the army of Israel, by singing and praising Your Name, and leave the battles of my life in Your Hands. Even in the most overwhelming situations, may I choose to give thanks to You, rejoice in You, knowing that Your Love endures forever.

I choose, this day, to praise You - regardless of what I see with my earthly eyes, and I rejoice that my name is written in Heaven; because of the finished work of Your Son, Jesus, on the Cross.

Thank You that The Victory is sure.

In Your Son Jesus’ Name.

Amen

Scripture Reflections:
 ~  2 Chronicles 20:12  ;;;   Isaiah 61:3  ;;;   Matthew 14:25-33
 ~  Habakkuk 3:17  ;;;   2 Chronicles 20:21, 22  ;;;   Psalm 5:11
 ~  Luke 10:20

February Cover Photo (2020)