#ScriptureReflection - Hebrews 12:1-4 (8.14.22)

Brothers and sisters:
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us
and persevere in running the race that lies before us
while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus,
the leader and perfecter of faith.
For the sake of the joy that lay before him
he endured the cross, despising its shame,
and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.
Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners,
in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart.
In your struggle against sin
you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.

#ScriptureReflection - Esther (1):16-22 (8.13.22)

¹⁶  In the presence of the king and of the officials, Memucan answered: “Queen Vashti has not wronged the king alone, but all the officials and the populace throughout the provinces of King Ahasuerus. ¹⁷  For the queen’s conduct will become known to all the women, and they will look with disdain upon their husbands when it is reported, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded that Queen Vashti be ushered into his presence, but she would not come.’ ¹⁸  This very day the Persian and Median noblewomen who hear of the queen’s conduct will recount it to all the royal officials, and disdain and rancor will abound. ¹⁹  If it please the king, let an irrevocable royal decree be issued by him and inscribed among the laws of the Persians and Medes, forbidding Vashti to come into the presence of King Ahasuerus and authorizing the king to give her royal dignity to one more worthy than she. ²⁰  Thus, when the decree that the king will issue is published throughout his realm, vast as it is, all wives will honor their husbands, from the greatest to the least.”

²¹  This proposal pleased the king and the officials, and the king acted on the advice of Memucan. ²²  He sent letters to all the royal provinces, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, to the effect that every man should be lord in his own home.

Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)     

Take a Second Look - for that 'Perceived Delay' is Actually Patience, Doing a 'Perfect Work.' #TrustGod (8.12.22)

My Child,
I Understand what some of you are going through,
     and how hard it is for many of you to wait. 

Some of you want Me to move 'right now' upon your situation. Just because you may not 'see' any results, which may lead you to believe that nothing has changed and that may lead you to think that I have not heard your prayer. From the moment you prayed and set your face like a flint to receive from Me, your prayers were answered.

What you think is a delay, is patience doing 'a Perfect Work' in your life.  While patience is working, do not take matters into your own hands, and try to force things to happen. Just begin to Praise Me, be patience, and you will see that which you have asked for, will come to pass in your life. 

You may not understand what you are going through or why it is happening to you.  My Precious Child, it is not for you to understand.  However, it is for you to trust Me and take your eyes off the situation.

See Me - in the midst of your fiery furnace. 
See Me - doing the impossible, right where you are.
See Me - and the Love that I Have for you.  I got you, Child.

Focus on Me - and believe that I Will not allow this trial to overtake you.

I Will make a way of escape, and it will be right on time.

Praise Me - and do not allow the delays to cause you to think that I have not answered your prayers.  
Praise Me - and know that Patience is at work in your life, until the work is complete.

Decree VICTORY, in the face of what is happening; and turn a deaf ear to anything but My Word. Be of good courage.  And choose to believe My word regardless of the circumstances.  

I Will be on time, in your situation.
I Am never late.
I Ask you to praise Me now, for My Goodness.

While you are waiting, sing songs in the midnight hour.  
Sing until you receive a breakthrough. 
Celebrate My Loving‐kindness.
Rejoice in the face of the adversary.
Receive healing in your body.
Receive deliverance in your family.
And see doors open, to greater opportunities.

My Child, I Do not want you, to want for anything.
So will you, 'get out of the way,' and let My Patience do her work?

Read and Meditate on God's Word

Psalm 27:13 -14 - I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.  

Isaiah 43:2 - When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 
 
1 Thessalonians 5:18 - In everything give thanks: for this is the will of GOD in Christ Jesus concerning you. 
 
1 Corinthians 10:13 - There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but GOD is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.  

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

James 1:2-4 - My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 

#ScriptureReflection - Esther (1):10-15 (8.11.22)

Refusal of Vashti.

¹⁰  On the seventh day, when the king was merry with wine, he instructed Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who attended King Ahasuerus, ¹¹  to bring Queen Vashti into his presence wearing the royal crown, that he might display her beauty to the populace and the officials, for she was lovely to behold. ¹²  But Queen Vashti refused to come at the royal order issued through the eunuchs. At this the king’s wrath flared up, and he burned with fury.

  ¹³  He conferred with the sages who understood the times, because the king’s business was conducted in general consultation with lawyers and jurists. ¹⁴  He summoned Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven Persian and Median officials who were in the king’s personal service and held first rank in the realm, ¹⁵  and asked them, “What is to be done by law with Queen Vashti for disobeying the order of King Ahasuerus issued through the eunuchs?”

Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)     

#ScriptureReflection - Esther (1):1-9 (8.10.22)

II. ESTHER BECOMES QUEEN

The Banquet of Ahasuerus.

 ¹  During the reign of Ahasuerus—the same Ahasuerus who ruled over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces from India to Ethiopia— ²  while he was occupying the royal throne in the royal precinct of Susa, ³  in the third year of his reign, he gave a feast for all his officials and ministers: the Persian and Median army officers, the nobles, and the governors of the provinces. ⁴  For as many as a hundred and eighty days, he displayed the glorious riches of his kingdom and the resplendent wealth of his royal estate.

⁵  At the end of this time the king gave a feast of seven days in the garden court of the royal palace for all the people, great and small, who were in the royal precinct of Susa. ⁶  There were white cotton draperies and violet hangings, held by cords of fine crimson linen from silver rings on marble pillars. Gold and silver couches were on a mosaic pavement, which was of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and colored stones. ⁷  Drinks were served in a variety of golden cups, and the royal wine flowed freely, as befitted the king’s liberality. ⁸  By ordinance of the king the drinking was unstinted, for he had instructed all the stewards of his household to comply with the good pleasure of everyone. ⁹  Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women in the royal palace of King Ahasuerus.

Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)     

#ScriptureReflection - Isaiah 54:11-17 (8.9.22)

¹¹  O afflicted one, storm-battered and unconsoled,
    I lay your pavements in carnelians,
    your foundations in sapphires;
¹²  I will make your battlements of rubies,
    your gates of jewels,
    and all your walls of precious stones.
¹³  All your children shall be taught by the Lord;
    great shall be the peace of your children.
¹⁴  In justice shall you be established,
    far from oppression, you shall not fear,
    from destruction, it cannot come near.
¹⁵  If there be an attack, it is not my doing;
    whoever attacks shall fall before you.

¹⁶  See, I have created the smith
    who blows on the burning coals
    and forges weapons as his work;
It is I also who have created
    the destroyer to work havoc.
¹⁷  Every weapon fashioned against you shall fail;
    every tongue that brings you to trial
    you shall prove false.

This is the lot of the servants of the Lord,
    their vindication from me—oracle of the Lord.

Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)

Yield Everything to God (8.8.22)

My Child, 
It is time.
Right now.

It is time to press into Me, with full trust and unwavering belief, in My Plan and My Wisdom, in all situations. I Call you to worship, through the "problems," which may be troubling some of your minds. Do not allow your mind to linger upon circumstances.  Do not allow yourself to become overwhelmed by what you "see" with your physical eyes; or what you may believe is happening. When you do this, you are judging things based on what is temporary and not eternal. 

When you interpret circumstances with your natural eyes, you are not able to understand the eternal purpose of what you are going through. And there is always a purpose for the things I Allow to happen in your life.

I Assure you, that even in your current situation, I Have a plan to deliver to you. And My Plans for you are always for good, and not for evil.

For some of you (not all of you) your feelings may tell you that I Have stepped away from you; and that I Am too busy or do not care.  For those of you that may be feeling that way, I Say, strengthen your faith, Child.  For you must not allow your feelings to control your faith in Me.  For those who know at the core of your being that I Am with you, always, continue to place your trust in Me, continue to pray and listen for My still small voice.  And to all My Children, no matter where your faith lies, continue to look to Me (not others) for guidance.  I Am with you always and I Know you best.  

I Also Want to assure you that I Have never moved away from you; and I Will never leave you. I Am concerned about all that you are going through. Yield everything to Me.  Pray.  Have faith.  Trust and believe that I 've Already answered your prayer.

Yes, I Am asking you to yield everything to Me; and trust in Me.  

Walk the course I Have outlined for you, with confidence, knowing that I Am in control; for even in this situation, there is eternal meaning.

There are times that I Will work My Plan, for your life; through adverse circumstances. These circumstances are needed, to take you through the fire, so that I Can work out My Perfect Will and Perfect Plan for your life.  Therefore, trust and yield everything to Me; for I Am working things out for your good.

Now, will you surrender all, and work with Me; so that I can accomplish My Full Purpose for you?

Child, you’ve done all that you can do. Please cast it all upon Me. Please trust Me.  I Won’t fail you.  

I Won’t let go of your hand, and don’t you let go of Mine. From the beginning of time, I Made Plans for you, and it is My Desire to bring them to pass.

Let My will be done in your life.
My Child, I Have not forgotten you.
Therefore, do not fear what your eyes see. 

Offer a sacrifice of praise to Me.

And yield everything to Me.

READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD

2 Corinthians 5:7 - (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 - For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Jeremiah 29:11-12 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

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

1 Peter 1:6-7 - Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

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

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.

#ScriptureReflection - Isaiah 54:6-10 (8.7.22)

⁶  The Lord calls you back,
    like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit,
A wife married in youth and then cast off,
    says your God.
⁷  For a brief moment I abandoned you,
    but with great tenderness I will take you back.
⁸  In an outburst of wrath, for a moment
    I hid my face from you;
But with enduring love I take pity on you,
    says the Lord, your redeemer.

⁹  This is for me like the days of Noah:
As I swore then that the waters of Noah
    should never again flood the earth,
So I have sworn now not to be angry with you,
    or to rebuke you.
¹⁰  Though the mountains fall away
    and the hills be shaken,
My love shall never fall away from you
    nor my covenant of peace be shaken,
    says the Lord, who has mercy on you.

Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)

Developing a Deeper Intimacy with God (8.6.22)

My Child,
Choose to put aside some of the stressful things you've been doing and dealing with; and linger in My Presence today. Seek My Face and come into My Presence, where you can be refreshed and renewed.

It does not matter what the enemy attempts to
       brings against you.
You belong to Me.
 
I Want you to know more about Me, so that you can experience a deeper intimacy with Me. Have you forgotten how much I Enjoy spending time with you? Oh, I Love it so much.  And I Miss our time together.

When you spend time with Me, you will be able to hear My Voice; and in turn, the things that I Want you to do, will be revealed. Come into My Presence, Dear One; and bow before Me.

Allow Me to reveal more of Myself to you. 
 
In that special place of intimacy, you will be able to move into a deeper depth of worship. The more you press into Me, the more I Will reveal Myself to you. I Want you to know more of Me, and for that to happen, you must dwell in a secret place of intimacy.
 
Deeper intimacy with Me will cause you to experience My Supernatural Power.  Developing a deeper intimacy with Me will elevate you to a higher level. Precious One, it is in that secret place of intimacy that all of your questions will be answered. Oh, how I delight to show up and do wonderful things for those who seek after Me.  For those who long to spend precious time in My Presence.  Learning from Me.  Listening to Me.  Gleaning from My Wisdom.  Basking in My Love. 
 
I Love you, Child.  Won’t you come into My Presence today, and allow Me to reveal Heavenly secrets and earthly clarity to you?

Come, My Child, come.
I Am Waiting to fellowship with you.
I Am Waiting to share the deep things
      of My Heart.
I Am Waiting for you to spend more
      time with Me.

I Am Waiting for you to learn more
     about the you I Created you to be.
I Am Waiting for you to pull down
     Your Anointing.
I Am Waiting for you to walk in 
     Your Miracle, Signs and Wonders.
I Am Waiting for you to shake the nations.

Come, My Child, come.
Come, My Child, come.
Come, My Child, come.

I Am Here.

Read and Meditate on God's Word
Proverbs 8:17 - I love them that love me, and those that seek me early shall find me.

Psalm 65:4 - Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
 
Psalm 132:14 - This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
 
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. 
 
1 John 4:13 - Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 
 
Daniel 2:22 - He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

#ScriptureReflection - Isaiah 54:1-5 (8.5.22)

The New Zion

¹  Raise a glad cry, you barren one who never bore a child,
    break forth in jubilant song, you who have never been in labor,
For more numerous are the children of the deserted wife
    than the children of her who has a husband,
    says the Lord.
²  Enlarge the space for your tent,
    spread out your tent cloths unsparingly;
    lengthen your ropes and make firm your pegs.
³  For you shall spread abroad to the right and left;
    your descendants shall dispossess the nations
    and shall people the deserted cities.

⁴  Do not fear, you shall not be put to shame;
    do not be discouraged, you shall not be disgraced.
For the shame of your youth you shall forget,
    the reproach of your widowhood no longer remember.
⁵  For your husband is your Maker;
    the Lord of hosts is his name,
Your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel,
    called God of all the earth.

Source: NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)