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,
     This morning I was awakened with a shout in a song, this is what was being song over me; "Run with patience, run with patience the race that is set before you."  Sometimes I am awakened with songs about His eternal love or faithfulness, but this was an urgent cry!  So you know what we do next, we go to the Word and look into the verse.  We are reminded in Zephaniah 3:17, "The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."  Usually I get the,'quieting with His love', part of this verse, but this time it was as if it belong to a war tune.  "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us…" (Hebrews 12:1)  We must be alert soldiers of God, the enemy's tactic is to keep us so weighted down with cares and worries, [no matter how legitimate these things may be] that we can barely walk, forget about run.  Weight means an oppressive heavy burden; an encumbrance of mass that is prominent.  All of us at one time or another have allowed ourselves to carry burdens that we are not suppose to carry, let alone try to run the race with them.  The Word tells us, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5:7) and "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."  Care and careful means to be troubled with cares, to be anxious; anxiety that distracts.  Well, we can see how it would be possible to run and be distracted by cares that come from being burdened down with a mass that is prominent.  In other words other things that have our attention other than our race, which causes us to stumble while trying to run!
     Run means to move with haste; to act quickly; to spend ones strength to attain something; to require the exertion of all of ones effort to overcome.  "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?  So run, that ye may obtain.  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.  Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:" (1 Corin. 9:24-26) Now, we must learn to separate what is precious to our race from the things that have the heart of God verses the vile things that hinder us or causes us to stall.  We must keep our minds focused on the Kingdom matters, not the things of earth.  The crown [the royal prize given to victors; an honor; the reward of the righteous], we run to receive is not of this world.  So let us cast down every vain imagination, every thought that tries to weigh us down with earthly cares, and stay focused on the goal.  Remember, that with each new level, the weights may try to appear easier, or more worthy to carry.  Don't be fooled, let us cast our cares, those weights on God, for He cares for us!
 
Love,

Pastor D.

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,
 
     "I will be glad and rejoice in your mercy; for you have considered my trouble; you have known my soul in adversities.  And you have not given me into the hand of the enemy.  You have set my feet in a broad place." (Ps. 31:7-8) I have been thinking on 'God knowing my soul in adversities'.  Quite often it is not only the troubles that touch our lives personally, but also those that we are connected too, that cause us anguish.  Such as, family members, loved ones, church family, and close friends, sometimes even those that you don't know personally, like the people in Japan that are going through a time of extreme life-shaking troubles.  We have empathy for them and can identify somewhat with them, we feel their hurt and loss.  Everything is more relative when it is your own sphere of circumstances, it may seem like the earth is quaking and hurricane force winds are devastating your gardens of life.   It seems, when you are engulfed by trouble that people seem to vacate the premises, and leave you there alone to deal with the aftermath.  Sometimes your friends may become as Job's friends, council that bring you guilt and condemnation, then you wish they would leave you alone!  There are a few genuine people who have learned to comfort others with the comfort that they received from God or God-sent ones, when they were going through difficult times.  I like what the psalmist says here, that you (God) have known my soul in adversities.  Known means to be acquainted with; to perceive and discern; understands and differentiate, and realizes.  Soul is the seat of emotions and appetite; self, mind, desire, emotions, passion; it is the activity of mind, will, and character.  Adversities denotes troubles, distresses, afflictions, anguish, and tribulations.  Putting it together then it means that God understands, and makes a difference when I am distressed, or going through troubles and afflictions and He differentiates and understands my emotions, desires, and my mind.  That is why He is so merciful to His children and He is not so hard on us as we are sometimes on ourselves, when we miss it with our emotions, as we are going through troubles.  Of course, this knowledge is not an excuse to act ungodly or have a spiritual 'baby tantrum', because you are having a tough day.  Yet, we can see as long as we don't curse God or Holy Spirit, that God is so compassionate and longsuffering toward us, especially during times of trouble or anguish.  We should be so thankful that He doesn't give us over into the hand of the enemy, right.  "My times are in Your hands; deliver me from the hands of my foes and those who pursue me and persecute me" (Ps.31:15).  Remember hands indicates power, means and directions.  We are in God's power, His means, and His ability not the enemy's.  He is aiming us for the target, and He never misses.
     That brings me to the other verse that I have been meditating on.  "I'll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I've swallowed.  I remember it all—oh, how well I remember —  the feeling of hitting the bottom.  But there's one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope: God's loyal love couldn't have run out his merciful love couldn't have dried up.  They're created new every morning.  How great your faithfulness!  I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over) He's all I've got left.  God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks.  It's a good thing to quietly hope for help from God.  It's a good thing when you're young to stick it out through the hard times.  When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself.  Enter the silence.  Bow in prayer.  Don't ask questions: Wait for hope to appear.  Don't run from trouble.  Take it full-face.  The "worst" is never the worst.  Why?  Because the Master won't ever walk out and fail to return."  (Lam.3:19-31) Think on that, especially the bold words.  The worst is never the worst, we have God on our side, so God is really protecting us from the worst.   God's mercy is new for you every morning, that is the only reason we are here to walk in victory another day.  Waiting doesn't diminish us, no we are enlarged in the waiting!  The longer we wait, the larger we become and the more joyful our expectancy!
 
Love,
Pastor D.

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,
The Spirit of the Lord says;
     My dear children, your dependence must be on Me now more than ever before. You can no longer walk carelessly nor be brazen enough to continue to travel on your own path.  You have never known what tomorrow holds but I do, I have always known, nothing takes Me unawares.  As you walk closely, I will make you more sensitive to your tomorrows.  Now those who are spiritually mature will need to lean upon Me for support as well as spiritual infants, recognizing that it is My proving grounds to bring the quality of a sharper walk with Me.  Your growth is connected to these testing and proving grounds.  Always remember that I have gone ahead of you to assure that your steps are sure, and also that I shadow you, I am your rear guard, to protect you from any onslaught.  I Am perfecting you.
     Nothing is more needful in this hour as watchmen than to pray in harmony with Me, with what I Am doing now.  Lift up your voice watchmen, don't be caught wasting time on old traditional prayers, Holy Spirit is the guide, He knows what We are up to and how to bring you there.  We are one!  Here is where the enemy can not interfere with your assault nor comprehend the power that is available to all believers that pray in faith.  But what the enemy wants to do is silence your voice in prayer, for he knows fully well that there is the ability to destroy his schemes and traps.  He tries to discourage you from lifting your voice to Me in prayer, do not be deceived.  Under the direction of Holy Spirit you begin to call forth the mysteries and connect with all of My aid and assistance that is needed to bring you out.  As you pray, you are being built up, not staying under the pressure of testings, bur pressing against the force.  You must not allow any human experience of adversity, tests, trials, no matter how it comes, change your divine relationship with Me.  Don't just talk about prayer, or even think prayer, do pray, passionately and zealously!  Remember My Word, those who sow in tears will reap in joy, and weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.  Know that your harvest will come in the morning.  I have your times in My hands, and I never forget what you have done in My name.  Keep your eyes on My eternal promises, there is a harvest of joy that awaits you, do not faint or relax your hold!
 
Love,

Pastor D.
Scripture References: Ps.30:4; Ps.126:5; Is. 52:8; Gal. 6:9; James 5:15-16; Jude 20

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,
     Once again we are at the season that we as Christians celebrate the Passover.  Passover denotes liberation from slavery as God forgives our past and looks at the blood that is applied over the door (our heart).  The state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical  restraint, exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc. the power to determine action without restraint.  It is also the time where we recognize our Lord's resurrection, and the resurrection that He made available to all who would believe.  Resurrection is to raise from the dead and restore to life; to bring to view again something that has been forgotten or hidden; to bring to the surface; a rising again from disuse or decay; a revival.  Can you see where I'm heading with this?  We must apply the blood afresh and anew as we arise to some things that have been hidden and bring to the surface the restored gifts and anointings that have been in disuse or decaying.  It is time for a revival from confinements, restraints, and interference from the enemy.  When we line our thoughts up with God we can experience a season of open doors to heaven.  Revelation and insight to the times and the seasons that we are in.  The death angel passed over the Hebrews that had the blood over the lintel of their doors, read Exodus 12:1-13.  Verse 13 says, "And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where you are and when I see the blood, I will pass over you and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt."  This represents an open heaven where they were spared and protected because of the blood and the passover lamb.  Jesus was raised from the dead so He fulfills our 'passover lamb' that was eaten during the passover.  The unleavened bread represents our hearts being free from sin.  We are now the house and our hearts are the doors.  "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened.  For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." ( 1 Corin. 5:7-8)
     As we prepare our hearts for this passover to a new level of resurrection, let's keep our hearts purged from the old leaven, and let's walk in sincerity and truth.  Remember that a blessing is always attached to the 'passover to resurrection'.  On the day of Pentecost the saints were celebrating the passover in the upper room, when they experienced an open heavens.
     "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2: 1-4)  Here is another supernatural encounter of an open heaven.  As you gather to celebrate this "Passover to Resurrection" you must believe to see the heaven's open over your life.  In Exodus chapter 23 there are blessings that accompany keeping the Passover.  "Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared; if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries; and He shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee; None shall lose by miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days;" (Exodus 23: 20,22, 25, 26)  This is only a few of the promises as we celebrate Passover-Resurrection with hope, expectation, and obedience.  We need everyone of these blessings to open up over our families, our churches, our individual lives, as well as with our surrounding territories.  Let's bring to view again some things in our lives that has been forgotten or hidden and experience new liberties in our walk with Christ! Revival!
 
Love,

Pastor D.

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,
The Spirit of the Lord says;
     I am calling my children to a higher place in Me, far above all principalities and all powers of this world.  This place can only be attained by pure worship, a heart that is focused on Me.  As you worship in Spirit and in Truth, you will begin to be enlightened concerning the times and seasons.  Information, ideas, strategies and plans that will catapult you into My purposes, will be revealed only as you become more intimate through My Spirit.  That is why I have brought My Church, My true Church to the place where change is necessary to step into the higher places with Me.  My people must put a stop to all ungodliness, all religion, all low life earthiness, living by the dictates of the flesh.  I have heard and Am hearkening to the sincere cry of My children to really know Me.  Just know that this fresh encounter with Me requires a change of course in you.  This will be accomplished as you are surrendered.  It will not only come from what you say with your mouth or through much crying, but through a brokenness of your heart.  There is arising within an insatiable desire to be pleasing to Me by simple obedience.  Then as the world around you experiences a series of convulsions and shakings, you too will experience from within yourselves, the same degree of shaking and convulsions in order to rearrange your life according to My purpose.  I Am shaking out of you all strongholds of the flesh, religion, and all ungodliness.
     Once again, My Church will be known as the House of Prayer, and My children will no longer be ashamed to be called holy.  You will be proud to be My royal priests, My holy nation, My chosen generation, and a peculiar people that are called apart and separated.  No longer will you try to assimilate in order to be acceptable to this world.  With joy and gladness you will speak of Our great assignment, to seek and to save those who are lost.  Rejoice in your uniqueness, to finish Our purpose.  I Am coming, no matter what others think, I Am coming!
 
Love,

Pastor D.
Scripture References: Mark 11:17; Rom.8:38-39; 1 Corin. 2:1-5; 1 Corin. 2:9-10; Ephes. 3:9-10; 1 Peter 2:9

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,
     God is always an on time Deliverer for us.  We have to believe that, since God's plans for us, His children, is the best.  "For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome." (Jer. 29:11)
      Our Father's thoughts and plans for us is to give us hope in our final outcome.  Maybe you are in the middle of transitioning and you are not able to see clearly now.  Maybe circumstances and situations have clouded your view.  That is why we must lean on God's Word in troubled times as much as we do when all is going well.  "But I trusted in, relied on, and was confident in You, O Lord; I said, You are my God.  My times are in Your hands; deliver me from the hands of my foes and those who pursue me and persecute me." (Psalm 31:14-15)  God as our Deliverer means that He is our defender, rescuer, preserver, and savior.  He snatches me away from, rids me of my enemies, He plucks me out and causes me to escape from adversities, calamities, distresses, displeasures, grief, harm, trouble, sorrows, pressures, burdens, frustrations, and persecutions.  Throughout the Word the character of God remains unchangeable by times, and, or circumstances of the lives of individuals that we see as our examples.  God is stable and His character can be depended upon, because there is no shifting and changing in Him.  The psalmist said that he was confident that God would bring him to his outcome of good, because his times were in God's hands.  Times here denotes, 'my whens, my nows, and my due seasons'; it means your own private, appointed, and fixed moment; a period set apart in some specific way from others.  Your whens, nows and due seasons are in the Father's hand.  Hand here specifically refers to an 'open hand' which indicates power, means, and directions.  Power is God's force, strength, ability, energy and influence.  Means is God's ability to set us up; thrust us forward; to help us achieve and reach and extend beyond ourselves.  He has the tools, devices, measures, and plans for accomplishing and furthering His purpose for us.  Directions here is God's ability to aim us to the course of His purpose; to guide and order specific steps and instructions to progress and develop us. 
    As long as we stay in His hands, we are progressing toward His purpose for us, as we work along with Him, by trusting and having confidence in Him.  Sometimes we prolong the thoughts and plans that God has for us by jumping in and out of His hand.  One day we trust Him and the next day we want Him to step aside, in order to do it our way.  We end up in a vicious cycle, because we are not consistently trusting.  But since we know His plans are good, it would be foolish for us to keep altering our time by meddling.  "He has made everything beautiful in His time, but though God has planted eternity in the hearts of men, even so man cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end." (Eccles. 3:11) It sounds like trust has to be the main component here since we cannot see the whole scope of God's work in our lives.  We may know the end is good, but we are unaware of what it will look like as we encounter the middle of it.  That is why the Word encourages us to build our trust in God's Word by looking at His faithful and dependable character.  "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. 4:18)  So don't be too worked up over the things that have transpired up to today, for as long as you are in His hands your days are being tailored into the final outcome that will give you hope and good.  Because God is faithful to turn all things to your good.  "We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose." (Rom. 8:28)
 
Love,

Pastor D.

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,
The Spirit of the Lord says;
       
     I come quickly, so you must hold fast to what you have in Me.  Let no one and nothing rob you or deprive you of your crown.  For My Church must be overcoming and My Bride is heavenly.  I have not chosen a bride from Egypt, but one risen from the ashes of the old and now is a new resurrected Bride.  One that has decided to make My home hers.  This is a called apart and set apart nation.  A holy and royal priesthood that continues to look beyond the temporal and keep their mind on the eternal.  In that day when I gather My own, all that you have done in My Name and all that I have recorded in your name shall unfold.  Your faithfulness shall be rewarded greatly, and it shall be your testimony.  But, dear ones this is not the season for looking at the temporal, the circumstances that presently surround you.  For your suddenly shall come in a moment and all that you see now will be in your history.  The only thing that is stable during all seasons is My Word, it never changes.  It is your compass and guide during transitions, changes, storms and times of trouble.
     As I prepare My Bride, I will purge her with My prophetic rain of power in teachings and in  demonstrations with peculiar signs and wonders.  This will be My Wonder, as you begin to move in new realms of manifestations of faith, as you come out of lethargic and inactive ways.  Those who spend time in the secret place with Me I will give to them a new sense of perspective.  In order that your future will be as clear in view as the past.  You will see these fleeting things from My point of view.  You will know that I Am not only preserving you but I Am also perfecting you.  I know that you live within the confines of time, yet I Am.  I Am neither limited or bound by time, I Am infinite and eternal.  I Am using this season to reorganize thoughts of confusion and fortify what I have built in you.  You must have a 'different spirit', a different attitude of mind in order to posses the territory at this time.  You can not conquer with the old mindset.  You must remember that the 'giants' in the land are nothing but grasshoppers to Me, and that I Am a Warrior.  I will fulfill My good Word to My true Bride in due time.  I Am your Lord and I change not!
 
Love,

Pastor D. 
Scripture References: Num. 14:1-24; Psalm 24:8; Psalm 138:8; 1 Peter 2:7-9; Rev.3:11; Rev.19:7

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,
     For all of us that have decided that we will be doers of the Word, we realize that the Word is really our sword in this war.  We cannot afford to let our sword hang down because of weights and cares that try to make us bend and bow.  We must be persuaded that there is nothing in this world that can take our joy of loving God and doing his Word from us.  We must have the same heart attitude that Paul had.  Listen: "That's why I don't think there's any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times.  The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next.   Everything in creation is being more or less held back.  God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead.  Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.  All around us we observe a pregnant creation.  The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs.  But it's not only around us; it's within us.  The Spirit of God is arousing us within.  We're also feeling the birth pangs.  These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance.  That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother.  We are enlarged in the waiting.  We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us.  But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.  Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along." (Rom. 8:22-26; The Message Bible) Waiting means to stay, to abide and remain, to expect and anticipate, to look forward to, and to watch.  We must not let our confidence be stolen from us because of the birth pangs of the world.  They are mile markers that let us know that we are approaching our long awaited destination.  You and I who are disciples of Christ know that in our heart that God is setting us up for a breakthrough into another level of our destinies.  God is working with us to bring His Word to pass.
     "Do not, therefore, fling away your fearless confidence, for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward.  For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised.  For still a little while (a very little while), and the Coming One will come and He will not delay.. " (Heb. 10:35-37)  So my dear ones keep your eyes on the prize, do the Word in order that the promises that you hold onto may be fulfilled.  Yet, the greatest promise that we will enjoy to the full is the coming of the Lord!  Do not draw back and don't shrink in fear, God takes no pleasure in that.  "We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are fitting into a plan for good to and for those who love God and are called according to His purpose." (Rom. 8:28) God is making it all fit together for GOOD, for all who love Him.  Good denotes acceptable, agreeable, excellent, exceptional, first-class, gratifying, splendid, wonderful, and worthy.  No matter what we face, we will do the Word, for our compensation is a great reward!
 
Love,
Pastor D.

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,
The Spirit of the Lord says;
     It is now the time of an intensified fruit-bearing, or when the seeds you have sown will be easily seen in your lives.  All who have sown seeds of righteousness, love, and faith will be able to reap a good harvest.  Also, those who have sown seeds of selfishness, disobedience, and unrighteousness will eat the fruit faster than ever before.  The plowman is about to overtake the reaper.  So, be diligent to tend your field and mind what you are sowing in it.  For I desire gardens that overflow with My right doing.   Many have detoured from doing what is right because they have become weary and discouraged, because of not seeing instant results.  To everything there is a season and a purpose and a time.  My time has come for rapid growth.
     I have allowed the wheat and the tares to grow together.  Look and see for yourself, and ask, 'how much wheat have I produced and how much is wild weeds?'  It is time for you to repent of those seeds sown from your own way and your own mind, and clear your garden of the tares.  Sow only wheat that comes from My Word, for that is what will endure.  It is only true wheat that will be gathered to My heart, while all else will be burned.  Remember it is the enemy that sneaks in unawares, and sow tares in the midst of the wheat.   Lies and deception among My Truth.  While you may think that everything growing in you is acceptable wheat, the deceiver knows that this kind of leaven will make the whole lump undesirable for Kingdom purposes.  Deception has come into My people's heart and by believing a lie it causes even the elect to be swayed, because of veering from the Truth.   Your hope must be founded on My Word, which is the only genuine light to reveal the web of deceit.  My good has been evilly spoken of and many of My children can not discern between good and evil any longer.  Do not be dull of hearing!  Lies and deception are trying to intermingle with My Word and bringing forth heresy of the darkest kind.  Be warned, but not alarmed, just turn up the light.
     Magnify your ability to look right on.  Do not look to the right or to the left, keep your eyes on Our goal.  Soldiers that once marched with the righteous on the narrow way have defected.  Perverting their way and encouraging others that have become weak-minded to follow them.  This is when the prayers of the righteous avails much, for you will be snatching some from the fire.  Keep a single-vision, you will see that My light will brighten your steps.  There will be few that will find it and choose to stay there, but you will never be alone there.  Your steps will be brighter and brighter as you walk towards Our greatest days.  Stay deeply rooted in My Word and in your garden you will produce only wheat.
 
Love,

Pastor D.
Scripture references: Prov. 4 :20-27; Amos 9:13; Matt. 13:24-30; Rom. 1:18-25; Gal. 6:7-9; 1 John 3:7-10; (please read these verses)

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,
     As we move deeper into the plan of God for our lives, we must not forget to pray for Japan.  Remember the families and lives that have been devastated by disaster there.  As we pray for them, let us be thankful.
     More than ever before we must be about living our lives for God.  This is no time to be back-sliding, standing still, or looking back.  "And my righteous ones will live by faith.  But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.  But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction.  We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved." (Heb. 10:38-39; NLT) We need to run towards God, by simply obeying His Word.  Being where God is, is imperative.  Being where God leads and where His Spirit is, must be our primary goal.  It brings to mind during the time of 9-11, when America experienced terrorist attacks on our soil.  Afterward there was a heightened sensitivity to hear from God, and to be led by Him.  We all seemed to understand the significance of being where He leads.  That lasted for maybe a year, and then it was back to being our own god, directing our own steps.  Only asking God what he thought concerning what we choose to do, when we mess up, or when we suffer some bad consequences of our choices.  We as children of God must be led by the Spirit.  "Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." (Romans 8:12-14) Many times, people of God desire to hear a 'prophetic' or a personal word from the Lord, and that is fine, but we must be doers of the written word as well.  It is like a parent who tells their children the same thing over and over again, and they don't obey.  Yet, you have one child who obeys you, that child will end up with more.  Now is it the parent, that is guilty of showing partiality, or is because the child that obeys receives the blessing that comes from obedience.  Let's be obedient children!
     This is the verse that for two nights I have awaken with on my heart.  "Many a man proclaims his own loving-kindness and goodness, but a faithful man who can find?" (Proverbs 20:6)  I desire to be faithful to God, by being obedient to His written Word as well as any personal word that I have received.  Faithful here means dependable, reliable, loyal, constant, firm, dutiful, ardent, and obedient.  Proverbs 28:20; "A faithful man shall abound with blessings…" All of us want the blessing of God, for we need peace, spiritual blessing, bodily blessing, blessings on our relationships, financial blessings, among many others.  Then here we see if we are obedient, dependable, reliable, constant, firm, to God's Word and to our calling, then blessings will abound.  We can be found by God as faithful.  Just as the enemy seeks whom he may devour, God is seeking the faithful to bless.  Many of us proclaim (announce, herald, broadcast and profess) our own loving-kindness and goodness, but God sees and knows the faithful by their acts of obedience.  So in order to be a faithful obedient child, "Trust in the L ord with all your heart do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.  Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.  Instead, fear the L ord and turn away from evil." (NLT; Prov. 3:5-7)  "Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self–distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). (Phil. 2:12) Remember, what trusting in our own mindset, (our own understanding) have gotten us in the past, fleshly results.  No more flesh, we desire results from being faithful!
 
Love,

Pastor D.