Author: daughtersofz

Called, appointed and anointed by God, Pastor Debra Lowe has been called to the forefront to pastor along side her husband, Michael Lowe at Hesed Ministries. Pastor Debra has served the Lord for 39 years. Called as a Prophet to the nation she also walks in the office of teacher and is an intercessor. Pastor Debra has used these gifts to minister to the body of Christ, teaching men, women and children to enter into His presence causing them to mature and be changed by His Word. As a servant of the Most High God she brings forth a word in due season to the body of Christ.

Ears to Hear

Good morning,

During my prayer time, the Lord spoke this word to me:

I have been testing your faith, your faith which must be tried and proven to be genuine and strong. The trials have been the proving ground to cause your faith to improve. It must be mettle and tempered with love, not yielding to sin and selfishness. Until now I have tried to get you to move and elevate your faith beyond selfish desires, and gain, to be grown to the level of believing me for the impossible and the miraculous. It was never meant for just temporary things where moth and rust corrupts, and thieves break through to steal, kill, and destroy. Your faith which is more precious than gold is far more valuable than anything this world has to offer. You were made for something much more greater than the accumulation of materials things and storing them in bigger and better barns. Your faith is made for you to be able to speak into existence everything needed from the spiritual realm for the supply of all those who I have ordained for your faith to maintain and teach by example.

For the calamities and future trials that are coming upon the face of the earth will try every natural resource. These resources will be tried until they are sparse and limited, yet, your faith once matured will be able to show you My unlimited hidden riches and resources that few will be able to see or hear. Continue to grow in grace from one level of faith to another. See, I Am calling for a Moses and Joshua generation, those who meditate on My Word day and night, they will find good success and make their way prosperous then. Relying on My Word, these warriors of faith will be sensitive to My spirit and know which way to go even in the midst of uncharted storms of life. They will be able to lead those who are yielded and submissive to My will. I will stop the hardhearted and stiff-necks from linking with My willing ones, there will be a separation, to make their labor for the Kingdom easier. Some of the leaders that I Am calling from the midst have been in little known areas, yet that is where they have let the purifying work of My Spirit set them apart. The time of the great delusion, where many will believe a lie has intensified. My warning and the alarm cry has gone forth throughout the land, and has been repeated for all that have ears to hear. I will have a remnant of believers that have been tried and proven to be gold, pure gold. My Word is the only thing that can not change, under any and every condition, it remains the same. I will most certainly deliver My own who cry night and day as they stand on My Word. When I come will I find faith on the earth?

[You should] be exceedingly glad on this account, though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations, so that [the genuineness] of your faith may be tested, [your faith] which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire. [This proving of your faith is intended] to redound to [your] praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) is revealed. (1 Peter 1:6-7)

Love,

Pastor D.

Scripture References: Matt.6:19-20; Luke 18:7-8; 2 Thess. 2:10-11

Ears to Hear

Good morning,

Today, I would just like to talk a little about not allowing the cares of the world to choke the Word of God. "Then the cares and anxieties of the world and distractions of the age, and the pleasure and delight and false glamour and deceitfulness of riches, and the craving and passionate desire for other things creep in and choke and suffocate the Word, and it becomes fruitless." (Mark 4:19) Then again in Luke 21:30-36,"But take heed to yourselves and be on your guard, lest your hearts be overburdened and depressed (weighed down) with the giddiness and headache and nausea of self-indulgence, drunkenness, and worldly worries and cares pertaining to [the business of] this life, and [lest] that day come upon you suddenly like a trap or a noose; For it will come upon all who live upon the face of the entire earth. Keep awake then and watch at all times [be discreet, attentive, and ready], praying that you may have the full strength and ability and be accounted worthy to escape all these things [taken together] that will take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man." Watch is to keep awake; to stay vigilant, don't quit or become lethargic; to stay alert, not slothful; strict attention; to look attentively and observe as to see what comes, is done, or happens; to be careful or cautious. The Holy Spirit is a genius of course, and He gives us inside information, making us wise if we will only listen and do. Father has been preparing us for the troubles that are coming as well as keeping us growing stronger. That is the process, a little more added weight to build up your endurance and strength, so that you don't give up at the first sign of trouble. He is telling us to stay alert and observe, so that you may not be caught off guard anything, especially the season of His coming. Discreet means wise and judicious in your affairs; showing good judgment in your conduct. Attentive means regarding with care; heedful and observant; consideration with a view to action; to be cautious and apply oneself. Ready means to prepared for something about to be done or experienced; equipped and supplied with what is needed; not hesitant and not reluctant; prepared to be immediately available or at hand. Father God has given to us everything necessary to see to it that we make it all the way to the finish line and that we are victorious as we run. "For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue)." (2 Peter1:3)

We are entering the last leg of the race, so here we must pay strict attention to Paul, "Fight the good fight of the faith; lay hold of the eternal life to which you were summoned and [for which] you confessed the good confession [of faith] before many witnesses."(1 Tim. 6:12) Fight here means to struggle with difficulties and dangers; to compete for a prize; to contend (with an adversary) to endeavor with strenuous zeal in order to obtain something; to accomplish; labor fervently; to strive. Eternity is what should be our focus and goal, it should be what we are aiming and running for, not the earthly. Souls for the eternal Kingdom is our business. Don't lose your focus, stay alert, be discreet, attentive, and ready." If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth". (Col. 3:1-3) The Lord is encouraging us to keep our eyes on the prize and push with zeal to to accomplish it!

Love,

Pastor D.

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,

I have called many of you to step out into the deep and for many the door is opened wide through worshiping Me. For you have never truly searched the depth of Me. That is why, you must keep dipping into the Well of Life. There is more to Me than you could ever understand or even begin to see. Even as you dig into My Word, the depths that are there can not be searched out through your one time of trying, through your one time of stretching out, it is by your continual pursuant. So, I say to you this day, step out into the deep. Let go of your inhibitions, let go of all your thought processes and the reasonings of your mind, for they are contrary to the things of the Spirit. If you would just begin to let go of yourself, your own ideas about who you are, and die more, daily to yourself, you would begin to see how unfathomable I Am, yes the lengths and the breadth and the heights of Me. I Am more than your mind and your eyes can perceive, or comprehend, yet I have given you My Spirit, to start your search. So, I say unto you this morning, let go, for as you do you will begin to get a hold of Me. As you begin to grasp more of Me, you will begin to walk into the deep, unsearchable riches of the realm of My Spirit, insights and abilities that I have ordained before the foundations of the world. There are many that are letting go of 'self', and they are beginning to see more of Me, see me as I really am. I Am God, that is more than enough, a Father that will stick with you through the thick and through the thin, a God that is sufficient for all your needs. I Am He, and if you will begin to let go, you will find that everything that you need has already been provided in Me. So let go this day and wake up and see who I really am.

Do not be deceived by looking around and measuring yourself by others and gauging the depth of who you are by others. Neither think just because you have memorized my Word that you have a claim to something in this life, more is needed than just memorizing my Word, it is walking it out by doing My Word. It must be your lifestyle, it is going through the valley and finding Me there, it is climbing the mountains and knowing that you would not be able to make it, except for the fact that I Am there. It is realizing that every thing that you have, and, even every thing that you think you got by your great strength, came through Me.

Now, if you would abandon every thing that hinders or ensnares you, I will see to it, says the Spirit of grace and mercy, that you will walk free from it this day. There is no chain, there is no bondage, there is no problem, and there is no curse that is too dense for My grace and My mercy. If you would lay it down you will find out that there is a liberty in Me that you have never experienced. I stand at the altar, I stand as the God who will accept all sacrifices that you offer. As you lay your life down afresh and anew, the weight and the sin, the very thing that so easily besets you, that entangles your mind and heart and impedes your steps, that I have ordered, I will come beside you, aid you and assist you and see to it that you will not fail. I will see to it that every step you take will be enlarged and you will grow stronger. This is the day of liberty for My children. This is the day that My children will be bold, and they will say, "Who can be against me?" So there is nothing says the Spirit of grace and mercy that can contend with My power that I have placed on the inside of you. So be free in Me and you will see that there is nothing to hard for Me, and you in Me.

Love,

Pastor D.

Scripture References: "Yet to us God has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit, for the [Holy] Spirit searches diligently, exploring and examining everything, even sounding the profound and bottomless things of God [the divine counsels and things hidden and beyond man's scrutiny]. For what person perceives (knows and understands) what passes through a man's thoughts except the man's own spirit within him? Just so no one discerns (comes to know and comprehend) the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God." (1 Corin. 2:10-11); Hebrews 12:1; Psalms 18:33-36

Ears to Hear

Good morning,

"Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. Behold, all they who are enraged and inflamed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; they who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. You shall seek those who contend with you but shall not find them; they who war against you shall be as nothing, as nothing at all. For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you! Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I will help you, says the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. Behold, I will make you to be a new, sharp, threshing instrument which has teeth; you shall thresh the mountains and beat them small, and shall make the hills like chaff." (Is. 41:10-15) Well, this is our destiny, we will be strengthen [to be strong, alert, courageous, brave, stout, bold, solid, hard, to be strong, brave, secure (for oneself), harden (heart), make firm, make obstinate, assure, to be determined, to make oneself alert, strengthen oneself, confirm oneself, persist in, prove superior to; to exhibit strength, be strong, feel strong]. Harden means to toughen by degrees to what generally causes pain or discomfort; to make slowly tough against what affects our feelings. So, through times of testing we are being proven to be superior, and confirmed and for being made alert in the days ahead of us! Through it all as we hold on to His Word, we are being made into a new, sharp threshing instrument [an instrument used to separate the grains or seed from the ear or the plant made with four wooden cylinders armed with stones or iron, and joined together as a sledge]. We are then being made ready to multiply again, because we have brought forth fruit through the toughest season. Since we have been made strong and courageous, we are now a little tougher and not so easily moved by our feelings, and more obstinate to difficulties [trouble, hard things that cause effort; unusual and laborious effort, things that causes pain and or embarrassment]. "He will not be afraid of evil tidings, his heart is fixed trusting in the Lord." "What time I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God I will praise His Word, in God I have put my trust, I will not fear what flesh can do to me." (Ps. 112:7-8; Ps. 56:3-4) Remember we are made to be the victors, so there is no weapon formed against us that shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]; this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me [this is that which I impart to them as their justification], says the Lord. (Is. 54:17) Get up and keep advancing, going forward, for we are the champions of the Lord and He is the Captain of the army. We get better through testing and trials, not weaker, we are a new, never before seen or known threshing instrument, as we keep pressing on!

Love,

Pastor D.

Ears to Hear

Good morning,
This is a prophetic word that was given to our church two Sundays ago.
I have called aside a mighty, mighty army into preparation, and I Am seeing to it that everything necessary is being given unto them. For I’ve already given them everything that pertains to life and godliness, but now there is an awakening to it. There is an acknowledging of all that I have laid at their disposal and they will pick it up and they will march whole-heartily, every one in single file. They will see to it saith the Spirit of grace and mercy, that they begin to snatch the souls from hell’s fire. This is their commission for this final hour. It’s not about dress, it’s not about the love of things, but it’s about the Kingdom. Now every man and woman of God will begin to recognize My heart,and the longings of their heart will line up with Mine and then saith the Lord, great and mighty exploits shall they do. They will march over the territory that the enemy tried to take, and they’re taking it back for the Kingdom. They are taking souls back and leading some back home, they are doing the work in this hour. This is the Kingdom and this is the people of the Kingdom. They are mighty warriors and they are unafraid of the enemy!

Where the devil thought he had you afraid, all of a sudden such power and boldness will arise from the Spirit of God on the inside of you. You will begin to do the greater works, and acts and wonders that you never thought you were able to do. It is because you are surrendered and have submitted you heart, wholly to me. Now I can move through you, now I can do through you what needs to be done in this season. All glory, praise, and adoration will come unto Me from all My children, all My holy bride will turn to me in adoration and say, “Father to you be the glory!" This is the season, saith the Spirit of grace and mercy, that My children are lining up with Me and many mighty works shall we do. Many shall come because of the works, but many shall be lost but it will not be because you were not faithful. It will be because they chose the way of this world. Because of your faithfulness there are rewards laid up for you and many of your rewards will be known and seen in this time, while on this earth. Greater rewards shall come to you as you take your place in glory. So get ready, says the Spirit of grace and mercy. Get ready for the time anticipated, what We have waited for! It’s coming! Get ready, for the closing of the curtain. For this is that time, so prepare yourself, and stay prepared and stay ready, saith the Lord. For this is our finest hour!
"And I will shake all nations and the desire and the precious things of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with splendor, says the Lord of hosts. The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine, says the Lord of hosts. The latter glory of this house [with its successor, to which Jesus came] shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts; and in this place will I give peace and prosperity, says the Lord of hosts". (Hagg.2:7-9) "Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come".(Ps. 102:13)

Love,

Pastor D.

Scripture References: John 14:12; 2 Tim. 2:3-4

Ears to Hear

Good morning,

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down." (Ps. 37:23-24) Ordered means to set up; established "prepared" sure, certain, confirmed, directed; it carries the idea of provision being made and made right. Every one of us have made some slips or missteps as we continue on our walk with the Lord. We can be devoted to living upright and still miss it, but here the Lord has already made provision for us as we are following His steps. Steps means to advance or make movements, going on with companionship. It doesn't matter when or how we fall, as long as we are advancing toward God and the Kingdom, we are not down for the last count. Remember, "Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise. When I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be light unto me." (Micah 7:8) We are never completely cast down so that we can't get back up again. Even our darkest places God's light can reveal and uncover the next step that we have to take. The Lord upholds us (bear us up; sustain us; support and defends; and keeps us from sinking), as we make advancement in the Kingdom. Fall is to drop suddenly and involuntarily; to enter unawares into a dangerous or undesirable state or situation; to be cast down. None of us planned to enter into trials, tests, tribulations, or troubles, they happen unawares, but God has already prepared a way for us to bear up under it and He sustains us as well. "The Lord upholds all those (of His own) who are falling and raises up all those who are bowed down." (Ps. 145:14) God brings us through, we will penetrates our passage into and across from the beginning to the end of it. Raise up to move to a higher position; to lift up; to elevate; to set upright; to cause to stand up, to build up. For all of us that have believed and continue to walk on, making advances with the Lord, there is a "lifting" coming, a move to a higher position, God has been building us up for His elevation.

Our relationship and our faith has been tested but that's good because "gold" has been discovered in us. "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined." (Job 23:10) Tried; to examine, scrutinize, to test, prove, try. As long as we are committed to taking the steps, the movements, that God has planned and purposed for us, we will succeed. No matter how far we fall, it is not impossible for our God to uphold us. With our hearts fully persuaded then, let's say what God says about us, "when I fall I shall arise!" As we stay on His step – plans, God is trying, examining, testing, and proving us, making our faith become gold. So, encourage yourself with this, every step that we take in the Master's plan is going to be for our lifting and for us being moved up to a higher position!

Love,

Pastor D.

Ears to Hear

Good morning,

The Spirit of the Lord says;

Know that as the judgment comes upon the world at this time, many of my children who have believed me will have a blanket of my glory over them. They will walk in a new realm one that is not familiar to them, but it is familiar to Me, and Holy Spirit. You will have to lean your whole human personality on Me, waiting for My voice to direct your steps. I know the way, and I Am bringing you into a large place, but remember that the enemy will pull out everything to try and discourage and tie you up from seeing and hearing My ways. You must also be aware that many who have not followed me whole- heartily will begin to despise My ways and My Word. This is the process that begins as wheat will be set apart from tares and the sheep will be separated from the goats. Take courage My dear ones, I will strengthen you and will protect your heart from being torn apart. To keep you from being deceived. It is coming closer than when you first believed, so all things are being set in proper order. Know that the remnant has been crying out, "even so come quickly!" My glory will keep you and preserve you at this time. It will be the reason that you will experience a season of ease concerning prosperity, while those on the outside in the land of Goshen where judgment will rain down, will experience confusion. Because all of their gods will abandon them. It will be the signpost that shows where their hearts have been all along. So, you, my beloved, should be the kind of people that are drawing closer and being holy. All who truly believe will keep walking and requiring of Me and they will experience the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, and the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. This generation will break off the shackles of years of religion and will refuse to come under the seducing spirit of slumber, that has caused the majority of the church to be cold and callous concerning the call and their fist love, Me. These are the ones who at one time led the way to My house and now they stagger in under the weight of the world and the giddiness of their active lives, that they live separated from My glory. Once again, stay alert and shake yourself from the haze of the end-times, while I shake the nations and all precious things will come into My house under My glory!

"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee". (Is.60:1-2)

Love,

Pastor D.

Scripture References: Is. 11:1-2; Matt.13:24-30; Rev.22:17-20

Ears to Hear

Good morning,

"Thus says the Lord, Who makes a way through the sea and a path through the mighty waters,Who brings forth chariot and horse, army and mighty warrior. They lie down together, they cannot rise; they are extinguished, they are quenched like a lampwick: Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The beasts of the field honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen." (Is. 43:16-20) God will make a way through and a path through the deep and strong places of our times of testings. Through indicates penetration of or a passage within, along, or across an object, substance, or space; from one side to the opposite one; passage into or out of, from beginning to end. We will make it to the other side, God will see to it that there is a penetration across the waters of troubles. A way means a road, distance, journey, manner, road, way, path, journey, direction, manner, habit, a course of life. Path means a trodden way, a traveled a way beaten or formed, or trodden by feet, a course of conduct or procedure. "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you; when you walk through the fire; you shall not be burnt; neither shall the flame kindle upon you. (Is.43:2) Pass means to cause or allow to go through or beyond a barrier or gate etc.,. Walk is to carry, to make go; to lead forth; to move onward; to bring to a specified condition; to go on without hesitation.

Once again we need to encourage ourselves in the Lord. When it looks like there is no way out, remind yourself that God has already made a road, a course for your life, as long as you continue to move onward, you will break or penetrate the barrier and walk into your promised-land. Also as you meditate on these verses, the most important "noun" in these sentences is "I". I, representing the great "I Am". He will be there, to see to it that you receive the victory and the reward. "Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me." (Ps.23:4) He is with you all the way through, you are never alone, but you have the Mighty Deliverer, Who will do a "new thing"! Encourage yourself with the Word of the Lord!!

Love,

Pastor D.

Ears to Hear

Good morning,

Today I would like to share an exciting Word from the Lord. It will help us as we begin this new year.

The Spirit of the Lord says;

Keep your eyes open, I Am doing things suddenly. This is a new cycle of my glory and everyone who has sought me will see Me in extraordinary ways. This is the time where the plowman shall overtake the reaper. Every seed that you have sown will come forth unto harvest. It will be for some 30, 60, for others it will be a hundredfold return. It will be as upon waves, one wave will roll in, and another will prepare to come in. You will receive the very best from your seeds sown. Many will rise up to give into your bosom. For your faithfulness and your dedication has not gone unnoticed. I am the Lord of the harvest, I never forget. You have watched others bring in their harvest and you have rejoiced with them for the good that I have given them. Because of the purity of your heart and the intents and motives of your soul, I will press down and shake together and pour you out a blessing that you will in turn sow into others field's that will set you up for the storms that will blow up ahead. Your giving, even in times of famine has come up to Me as a memorial. Your sweet fragrance of obedience has captured My heart. The seeds of obedience have put you ahead of the times that will soon come over the whole earth, a time when all creation will travail under the weight and heaviness of sin. You have been in the place of preparation, not only by your consistent giving, and, of all that has been put in your charge, but also by your desire to know Me in a more personal and committed way. Because of this longing of your heart and the pursuit of that longing, you have found the place of My power. Miracles, signs, wonders, and demonstrations of Holy Spirit will be evident in your life. When the enemy comes in, like a flood, I will lift up a standard of My power, by the creativity of My glory that will surround you as unto a shield. There will be many sudden changes in the atmosphere and in your personal life as well. Opportunities to give up or push forward will be presented to you, stay with My Word and you will see the right hand of My power is very demonstrative. My immeasurable favor will shine upon you now! You will shine forth in the darkest areas of life that I have placed you in, to raise others who have let 'things' dictate their outcome. You are My voice to all who 'wills' to be saved. Do not fear anything that man tries at this time to try and silence My goodness. I will not let one Word fall to the ground, it will accomplish a quick reward. I will frustrate the plans and dismantle them before the eyes of all who stand and come against you. Every devious and crafty plan of the wicked one will be aborted and exposed, because you have given Me the supremacy in your life. You always acknowledge that it is not by your might, or by your power, or any other, only by My Spirit!

Love,

Pastor D.

Scripture References; "So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever." (Is.59:19-21) "For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield." (Ps.5:12)

Ears to Hear

Good morning,

God is good. No matter what is going on in your life right now the truth is that God is good. His end plan is for your good. Now that I have said that, I must also say that according to the Word, no matter who we are we will have some form of tribulations, tests, or trials. "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]" (John 16:33) So as you walk in God's goodness, know that the enemy is always trying to get us to take our eyes off of what God is bringing to pass in our lives. I have gone through several diabolical attacks from the enemy. The attacks where one after the other, but {except for the fact) the Lord kept and preserved me. We must understand that God does have a turn-around for us. We will all come to the end of that chapter [of testings], and we always win. So, we have to meditate on the Word of God in the midst of all circumstances, tests, trials, and tribulations, our help is on hand! "To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion–to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit–that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. And they shall rebuild the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former desolations and renew the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. Aliens shall stand [ready] and feed your flocks, and foreigners shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. But you shall be called the priests of the Lord; people will speak of you as the ministers of our God. You shall eat the wealth of the nations, and the glory [once that of your captors] shall be yours. Instead of your [former] shame you shall have a twofold recompense; instead of dishonor and reproach [your people] shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double [what they had forfeited]; everlasting joy shall be theirs. For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong with violence or a burnt offering. And I will faithfully give them their recompense in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant or league with them." (Isaiah 61: 3-8) This is the good news! Read and meditate on these verses, your spirit will soar high above all of the troubles that the enemy is trying to get you to place your eyes and mind on. But we've been told to look not at what we see. Listen: "For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!], Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting." (2 Corin.4:17-18) Everything that is going on in your life as a Christian, is being turned around to bring you to a higher place in Christ. In fact it is producing, abundantly preparing, and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory. We will be receive a permanent recompense as we go through a momentary affliction, troubles, testing, and trials. Those things that we encounter, we endure only for awhile, only for a season, they are brief and fleeting. You will get a good harvest as you keep sowing to the Spirit and not to the flesh!

Anyway we look at it, we win as long as we stay in Him. "We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair; We are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but not deserted to stand alone; we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed."(2 Corin. 4:8-9) Sounds like no matter what happens in our life we will be still standing, if we keep ourselves hidden in Christ. The preceding verse sheds more light on how we are able to stand; "However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves." (2 Corin.4:7) So I encourage you as the Lord encourages me; "Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but [only] one receives the prize? So run [your race] that you may lay hold [of the prize] and make it yours."(1 Corinthians 9:24)

Love,

Pastor D.