Daily Word – Page 23 – Daughters of Z

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,

I am constantly being reminded of Matthew 24:10-13; "And many will turn away from Me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and deceive (cause to err; cause to roam from safety truth or virtue; to seduce one to wander; to be out of the right way)
many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere and the love of many will
grow cold. But the one who endures to the end shall be saved."
I have talked once before, how vitally important it is for us as
Christians to keep our godly love lives stirred up. Also, the 'love'
word in that verse can only be referring to those who have been
born-again. For the word is is actually, agape which is the god type of love, which is His love that was shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 5:5) Romans 12:10; says for us to be, "devoted to one another in brotherly love; (which is phileo-love) give
preference to one another in love." Ephesians 4;2 says, "Living as
becomes you with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness
(unselfishness, gentleness, mildness) with patience bearing with one
another and making allowance because you love one another." Why, is she still talking about this 'love thing', I can hear you asking? Great, that you asked, now I'd like to explain it the way it was given to me.

The Lord said that we are all believing for something in our
lives. The great distractions and cares of this world and all the
recent troubles have caused most to become self- concerned. Our energy
is being used just getting through the day, because of so many
transitions and shiftings that have taken place in our lives in such a
short period. Adjusting takes a lot of our efforts. The enemy uses this
time to try to get us to chip away at our foundation of our faith,
which is the love of God. (I Corin. 13:13; Mtt. 22:35-40) Not walking in the love of God, especially toward the household of faith will affect our believing or our faith. "For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh (our faith is activated; energized and expressed) by love." (Gal.5:6) We must keep sowing seeds of love in order to get our faith operative. We cannot be selfish, we must prefer one another.
"For he who sows to his flesh (lower nature) will from the flesh will
reap (harvest) decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the
Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness,gentleness and meekness) will from the Spirit reap eternal
life. And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting
nobly and doing right; for in due time and at the appointed season we
shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint." (Gal.
6:8-9)

We do have help from on high. Jesus, who is our high priest ever liveth to make intercession for us. (Heb.7:25) Listen to this account that the Lord said to Peter. Luke
22: 31-32; "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has asked excessively that [all
of] you be given up to him [out of the power and keeping of God], that
he might sift [all of] you like grain. But I have prayed especially for
you, that your own faith may not fail; and when you yourself have
turned again, strengthen and establish your brethren."
In order to have effective faith, we must keep our foundation of love
secured. Don't let the 'little foxes' of bitterness, unforgiveness,
anger, hatred, etc., that are trying to destroy or damage our garden of love
run rampant. Deal with them quickly. Forgive others, let them go, let
it drop. Don't step in the trap that is set to stop you from advancing
in the Kingdom. Catch those 'little foxes' and throw them out of your
garden! Remember the great intercessor is praying for us that our faith
will not fail. If our faith doesn't fail then our love will not grow
cold.

Love,

Pastor D.

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,

As we continue to stay on target, we all need an encouraging word from time to time. When I was a baby in Christ, almost 32 years ago, I loved to be carried by Abba
Father. I thought that I was so mighty in Christ, standing on His Word
and seeing almost instant results. Until I grew up a little and
realized I was in His shadow, and it was His wind that I was feeling on
my face. He was doing it for His baby, but we all have to grow up
eventually. How would it look in the natural, for a daddy to be
carrying his 32 year old child around in his arms all the time. Now
don't get me wrong, I still enjoy moments where Daddy God carries me in
His arms. Times, where life has dealt me an 'exceptionally' hard blow,
and I need to catch my breath in order to stand again. Our Father will
pick me up in His strong arms and breathe His life in me and heal all brokenness and put me on my feet and allow me to lean on Him, until I could
get a grip. I
Corinthians 10:13; says, "There has no temptation [no matter how it
comes or where it leads] that has overtaken you and laid hold on you
that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to
you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and
adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear].
But God is faithful to His Word and to His compassionate nature, and He
can be trusted not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond
your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with
the temptation He will always also provide the way out (the
means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong
and powerful to bear up under it patiently."

God always, always provides a way of
escape. That escape to a landing place, doesn't mean you won't go
through it, but He will cause you to be able to endure it and at the
right time you will come through, more powerful, stronger and wiser
than you were when you entered it. Any trials, tests, tribulations and
even temptations (temptations are the ones that you are drawn into
because of your own lust), God will bring you out if you trust Him to
do so. Hebrews 12:3-4; "Just think of Him Who endured from sinners
such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon
up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may
not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in
your minds. You have not struggled and fought agonizingly against sin,
nor have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out
your own blood." When was the last time
that you actually, considered and compared the trials, tests and
tribulations that Jesus endured, and placed them up against your tests,
trials and tribulations?
So we must refocus our eyes and our hearts. Put our gaze upon Jesus and
all that He has done to bring us to His glorious salvation. Jesus is
our greatest example on overcoming and enduring struggles, He did it
victoriously!

I know that you are fighting the good
fight of faith, yea, you are still standing! Our Father is proud to
call us His very own! Let us do it the way Jesus did it.
"Looking away from all that will distract (the current tests, trials,
tribulations,are distractions) look to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the
Source of our faith, and is also its Finisher {bringing it to maturity
and perfection}. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
We must keep our sights on the prize, this will help us to keep our
joy. We will reign with Christ and receive an incorruptible crown!

I hear this Word, "Because you have guarded and kept My Word of patient endurance [have held fast the lesson of My patience with the expectant endurance that I give you], I also will keep you safe from the hour of trial (testing) which is coming on the whole world to try those who live upon the earth. I Am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one may rob you and deprive you of your crown." (Rev 3:10-11). Consider Jesus!!

Love,

Pastor D.

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,

Here is a Word from the Lord;

I Am calling to the forefront My true
prophets, those who will speak My heart and My word truly. They are not
moved by the seasons, whether things are good or bad, whether the
opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable. They are preachers of My
Word, rebuking, correcting, warning, urging and encouraging the lost.
They are not moved by whether they are received with joy or cast aside.
They are on a mission for the Kingdom. They do not preach a message for
those who have itching ears, they are not trying to gain approval of
man, their desire is to only please Me. This group of holy prophets
have come from My presence, from being totally immersed in Me and
dedicated to My purpose alone. They will not say what is popular, but
what is profitable for the Kingdom. Many voices are saying only what
they hear others saying and have not sought My counsel. I Am
persistently sending you My prophets, so hear the ones that I Am
placing in your midst. In order to hear and obey the true prophets with
My Word, you must be able to discern between the true and the false,
between the wheat and the tare. The only way for you to hear and know
is for you to decide to know Me, in and through My Word. I have
revealed Myself to you in My Word. For you to make a proper shift and
change and be in My time, you can not be slothful or ignorant, because
of deception. Now is the time for you to understand that My purpose and
plans for you are unchangeable, but I need you to line yourself up with
Me. It is through faith and patience that you inherit the promises. I
and My Word, We are One. Listen to the ones that come with My Word.

    Read with me the message in Jeremiah
23:9 &11; "Concerning the prophets: My heart is broken within me,
all my bones shaken; I am like a drunken man, a man whom wine has
overcome, because of the Lord and because of His holy Words…..For
both [false] prophets and priest are ungodly and profane; even in My
house have I found their wickedness, says the Lord. "Verses 16-18;
"Thus says the Lord of Hosts; Do not listen to the words of the [false]
prophets who prophesy to you. They teach you vanity (emptiness, falsity
and futility) and fill you with vain hopes; they speak a vision of
their own minds and not from the mouth of the Lord. They are
continually saying to those who despise Me and the Word of the Lord,
the Lord has said: You shall have peace; and they say to everyone who
walks after the stubbornness of his own mind and heart, No evil shall
come upon you. For who among them has stood in the council of the Lord,
that he should perceive and hear His Word? Who has marked His Word [noticing and observing and giving attention to it] and has actually
heard it?" Verses 21-22: "I did not send these [false] prophets , yet
they ran; I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had
stood in My council, then they would have caused My people to hear My
Words, then they would have turned them [My people] from their evil
way and from the evil of their doings."
    God makes a distinction between the true and the false prophets,
and we must discern also. True prophets are always directing God's
people toward holy character and conduct. Making 'soul prosperity' the
main goal. "Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even [like unto; to the same degree] as your soul prosper." (III John verse 2)

Read the rest of Jeremiah chapter 23. "Is not My Word like fire [that consumes all that endure the test]? says
the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks in pieces the rock [of most
stubborn resistance]? Therefore behold, I Am against the [false]
prophets, says the Lord, [I Am even now descending upon them with
punishment, these prophets] who steal My Words from one another [imitating the phrases of the true prophets]. Behold I Am against the
prophets, says the Lord, who use their [own deceitful] tongues and say,
Thus says the Lord."

All of us are prophets in the small sense of the word and we need to speak the unadulterated Word of God. We must meditate in the promises and stay true to God's Word. The Bible says that in the last days that many false prophets shall arise. We must be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Know the true and living God and develop ears to hear!

Love,

Pastor D.

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,

Have you ever tried to put together a puzzle with several missing pieces? It is a complicated, if not impossible task. Quite often, that is how it
is when we try to connect things spiritually. We have missing pieces,
they are there but we need to find each piece and connect them
together. It is important to remember that we are in dire need of one
another in the body of Christ. To each one God has given a part so that we would be interdependent,
and never become independent of one another. Keeping us spiritually
connected for the purpose of His completed purpose and design being
perfected. Together we make a picture of a whole body. Gifts that are
different so that each can soar in the element that God has gifted them
with for the full and effective operation of each member. The board or
the foundation of the puzzle is most important, for without it the
pieces you do have could be easily misplaced or even lost. (Even as I
am talking to you now, I am asking you to connect to what I am saying
spiritually.) The foundation, the board to our pieces that we do have
must be the 'love of God.' Love causes all of our pieces to fit and work to the highest degree.

For instance, we get so excited about our financial
prosperity, (and we should), and then we start putting all of our focus
on getting our 'things', that we lose sight of walking in love towards
others. In order to keep the pieces of our finances together and work
for us, we must keep our foundation in love. Giving to others is an act of love.
"For you, brethren, were indeed called to liberty; only do not let your
liberty be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse {for
selfishness}, but through love serve one another. For the whole
law concerning human relationships is complied with the one precept,
You shall love your neighbor as you love yourself." (Gal. 5:13-14) So
sowing seed, financial and every other seed should be with this
thought, "how will I use this to serve my other members?" That word precept which governs all things that concern our relationships, especially with the body of Christ; means law, an appointed mandate, a commandment, a statue. So it is not up to our discretion, whether or not we serve one another in love, we have God's Word on it! Loving our brothers and sisters in Christ is the 'royal law, it is regal; belonging to or befitting the sovereign, preeminent; to noblemen. James 2:8; says, "If you [really] fulfill the royal law according to
the scripture, You shall love your neighbor as you love yourself."

Love should be our foundation for all things spiritual. ''We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him that has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.'' (I Peter 2:9) If you are believing God for your healing, your mate, your family's salvation, your finances, you must walk in love. Mark
11:24-26: "For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in
prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and
you will get it. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything
against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in
order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your own
failings and shortcomings and let them drop." If
you find that what you are believing for has not manifested yet. You
are giving, confessing, praising, worshiping and all that you see in
the Word, but you have unforgiveness in your heart towards others, let
it drop, release it now! It could be the only piece of the
puzzle holding up your breakthrough. Love really is the royal law for
the royal priesthood.

Love,

Pastor D.

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,

As we wait to see the salvation of the Lord, there can be great
pressure applied to see what manner of man we really are. The most
important requirement for us is to walk in the love of God.
The enemy will try to get us so self-engrossed with our life
situations, that we become easily offended, impatient, unkind, self-seeking and plain rude. That is exactly what is being addressed in the
book of Matthew.

Matthew 24:10&12; – "And many will be offended, and shall betray and shall hate one another. …And because iniquity (wickedness; lawlessness; unrighteousness) shall abound, the love (God-kind of love; which is agape-affection; benevolence; love-feast) shall wax cold. The word, 'wax cold' which means a reduction of temperature by evaporation; to chill. In essence; many, a large and abundant amount will be ensnared,
enticed and trapped into sin and displeasure. So, it would seem that we
need to major on the most important foundation of the Word of God,
and that is love, His love. If we don't we would end up allowing the
love of God to chill to the lowest, coldest degree, towards the
household of faith.

Matthew 24:13; "But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved." Endure here means to bear trials; to undergo trials; have fortitude, persevere-to suffer patiently. We must have fortitude, and bear trials patiently while we continue to love fervently, not chill out in our God-kind of love." Quick, catch all the foxes, the little foxes before they ruin the vineyard of our love, for our vineyard are blossoming." (S.O.S.2:15) Foxes are burrowers that go down deep and conceal themselves to try and outwit in order to destroy a garden. There
are many 'foxes', that try to eat away at our love-walk. We must become
aware of these tactics that the enemy uses and stop him in his tracks. Definitely don't step into his trap! Love, let your love abound,
more and more. How much time are you giving to your confessions on the
love of God? How much of your faith are you exercising in this area?

"For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision count for anything, but faith which is activated and energized and expressed and working through love." (Gal. 5:6) Let's be major lovers! Let's do it again.

Love,

Pastor D.

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,

The Spirit of the Lord says:

Expect the suddenlies, they come by
waiting. I love to do good, I Am always looking for a way to bring good
into your life. As the pressure squeezes you, all of those things that
are dead in you will be pushed out. Just like a wine press
that leaves the waste behind and processes the wine for drinking. Life,
new wine of life will burst forth from you. This wine of new life will
anesthetize you to any forms of attack, you will press right through
it. The enemy does not know the resurrected you, he can not perceive
the power in this new wine. You are a new wineskin now, full and
overflowing with the best wine. Yes, I have saved the best for last.
You are always drinking from the springs of life that provide fresh and
new strength everyday. In this wine, it gives you wisdom, revelation,
insight, along with being fully inebriated, laughing at the ploys and
strategies of the enemy. Using every trial, test, tribulations, as a
stepping stool, to lift you up higher into my heavenly realms to hear
and know the great and masterful plans that I have for you. I have
ordered steps for you. Though it seems like time has passed you by,
take a look and see, it has brought you to your suddenly. You have come
through the floods and the fires, and you are still ready to fight. You
have grown up, through the very things that you thought would destroy
you. Hold your head up high, you are an ambassador from My kingdom, a
winning warrior.

Suddenly
means to occur with brief notice; not foreseen; characterized by swift
action, fast moving. Sooner than was expected; not seen in the manner
or time in which it came. There is a suddenly in the Word of God, that we will look at: Acts 2:1-2; "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…" As we examine this scripture we see that this, 'suddenly', came by a season of waiting. Jesus speaking to His disciples was telling them of the Kingdom of heaven. Acts 1:4-5: "And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem,
but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, you have heard Me speak of. For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days from now." They had no idea how long they would have to wait, but they prepared by
waiting. We can learn how to wait, by looking at their example. Acts 1:13-14; "And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room,
where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and
Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon
Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one
accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother
of Jesus, and with his brethren."

Here we see their 'suddenly', came as they waited with anticipation and expectation by being in one accord, prayer and worship. We must do likewise! Wait
means to stay in the state of readiness as a watchman who expects to
serve or execute orders. Hopefully and actively; remaining and
continuing to abide.

Is. 40:31; "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall
mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, and
they shall walk and not faint." Here are the benefits of waiting for your 'suddenly'. Renewed strength– to spring up with change; to grow up in vigor, force, capacity, means ability, might, power, wealth, substance, fruit and produce. Mount up with wings as eagles–
to ascend, to arise, bring up, carry up, climb up, stir up, to set up:
to soar with long wing span; gliding easier; not as tedious. Run and not be weary–
hit the runner's high; to stretch, to rush speedily and hastily like a
footman; never tire or become exhausted, or gasping for breath. Walk and not faint– to carry away; to depart, to march, prosper and pursue; not be
fatigued; not weakened.

Our suddenlies are based upon our promise from God's Word. Promise is a divine assurance of good; self committed by God. God keeps His promises to us so wait your suddenly is on it's way.
"The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He
promises, according to some people's conception of slowness, but He is
long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you…"

Love,

Pastor D.

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,

As spring clearly manifest itself, you
see new life cropping up in vast arrays of colors and sizes. Long
before the first bud was seen, the seed that was there, was dying to
bring forth life. I will venture to say that at the same time, most of
us, who have been yielding to God, have been 'dying to self' so that
the life that is in you can burst forth and produce more. I know that
you may be going through a 'wine press' or a 'threshing floor'. Perhaps even the fire, a process that brings forth gold. I can tell you
I have felt that I have not missed one of the great ways to bring about
transition and alignment in my life.
(

) God has spared no expense to get His treasure out of me. Now, I know
that as long as we live on this earth we will be candidates for God's
improvement/construction plan. Yet, sometimes you feel like your
personal trainer is working you extra hard, and you want to say, enough
already! Here are a few scriptures that the Lord laid on my weight
bench to press. They are not in our handy-favorites, by that I mean,
we are probably not trying to confess them everyday or memorize them.
Nevertheless, they are in the Word of God. Are you ready for this?

James 1:2; "Consider it wholly joyful, my
brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort
or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the
trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness
and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have
full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly
and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing." Joy does not mean that you walk around with a silly grin painted on your face, we are not called to be clowns. Joy is a fruit of the spirit, that grows in the soil of trials. It is not based upon good conditions that surround us, but is rooted in believing God's Word for you and that it will come to pass, no matter what the outward
conditions are like. We plant seeds in a dark ground, and place stinky
manure all around it. We water it, give it sun, and give it time,
patience. One day, it will bud. The same is true of us! God is the
greatest Gardener and He will cause us to grow with no defects, and
become valuable trees in His garden. It will take endurance, steadfastness and patience to grow into transition and alignment.

Psalms 126:5-6; "They that sow in tears
shall reap in joy. He that goes forth weeping, bearing precious seed,
shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with
him." Right here we see a person that is sowing while crying. Sowing is outstretched arm; it is force to spread out or disperse; to strew or winnow.
As we encounter trials and various temptations, we must continue to
spread out or disperse, giving of our time, our lives, our finances,
our talents. Many of us have allowed God to make our lives a flowing
river and not cisterns that only hold water. We have cried when others
were in pain and tears, we rejoiced with others, (while having horrific
trials in our lives). We have given of our time, while neglecting our
own things. Visited others who were sick and prayed for them, while you
were fighting sickness and disease. I could go on, but I will not. God
will turn our tears that are mixed with our sowing and multiply it back
to us with rejoicing. Our 'dying' is going to bring us more of the real
life we should be living. There are buds breaking forth even now, the
production of great spreading trees with long reaching roots.

Psalms 56:8; "You keep track of all my
sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have
recorded each one in your book." God is
concerned about everything that has anything to do with you. He is
intimately aware of all things with His children. So, don't be afraid. God will take care of you to see that you are aligned and transition
properly, if you are yielded. Listen to His tender care. "And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid…" (Luke 12:7)

Bottling your tears, numbering your sorrows, numbering the hairs on your head, I think a God with these infinitesimal
details can order our steps aright. It doesn't matter what the outside
conditions are, God is working to bring His purpose for you to pass.
Please, quit interfering. Some of you have been trying to help God fix
it. This is His expertise, hands off. Stand and see the salvation of our
God, His work is wondrous to behold!

Love,

Pastor D.

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,

The Spirit of the Lord says:

In this season of change, I am releasing
the anointings that have rested upon My servants in times past, yet
double. The anointings that now come upon My servants today as the
gifts of the Spirit, that sometimes drip as a steady rain, shall
seem as powerful as the Niagara or the Victoria falls that no man can
quench it or still it. The anointing of wisdom, revelation, miracles, healings, prophetic utterances, knowledge and insight, supernatural faith, discerning of spirits
and diverse kinds of tongues shall be like living-fire in My house. All
of the living temples that abide in Me and allow Me to truly abide in
them will walk this out in every sphere and avenues of life. This
strong release shall be upon the housewife, the market place, the
poor and the rich, the young and the old, female and male, every race
and nation of people that belong to Me. Living examples of My living
power. The diversities of My gifts and their use is as diverse as My
people are. This end time army shall be a devastation and a violent
assault against the kingdom of darkness. Powerful force for the enemy
to reckon with, for My people have arisen. Alive in their true identity!! Sons and daughters
of the Most High God, imitating and demonstrating the love and
character of their Father. Bringing the greatest treasures of this
world into My Kingdom, and that treasure is souls. Fill My treasury
with those gems that bring Me delight! My people have become
home-sick, so now their focus has shifted, now they long to be with Me
forever. Busy, busy, but not about many things as in days gone by,
now they are busy for the Kingdom. Now a
single-vision has taken hold of them and I Am now the apple of their
eye. Their will has now turned into Mine. So look and see, those who
are yearning for Me, will let Me flow the anointings through them to
bring many souls home to Me. They have set their faces like a flint.
Their concern is not about building their own microscopic kingdoms.
They are about their Father's business. I Am about seeing that they
have everything necessary to fulfill Our destiny.

We, the children of God are waking up and walking in our inherited rights. Romans
8:19-23; "For even the whole creation (all nature) waits expectantly
and longs earnestly for God's sons to be made known [waits for the
revealing, the disclosing of their sonship]. We have God's DNA, His greatness is in us. The power is waiting for us to stir it up within us. Open our eyes to see clearly who we really are. "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He
wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His
own right hand in the heavenly places, far above principality, and
power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only
in this world, but also in that which is to come; and has put all
things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to
the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him that fills all in all." (Ephesians 1:17-23) Everything underlined refers to us and our place, part, and position in Christ. That last part of the verse in the Amplified Bible says it like
this; "He has put all things under His feet ….and made Him supreme Head
of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church]. Which is
His body, the fullness of Him, Who fills all in all [for in that body
lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who
fills everything everywhere with Himself]." Did you get it? In that body, [that is you and I], lives the full
measure of God and Christ. Wow, what God has placed in a brick house!
We are more than dirt, with eyes and a mouth. We are an expression of
the image of our God. Pause and calmly think on that today. Rise up,
for we have a firm foundation. He will keep you stable as you take
steps to do your part of filling the measure of Him.

Love,

Pastor D.

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,

This week, I was reminded of this verse, "..In the world you will 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) This week, I
was physically attacked with sudden and strange symptoms for two nights
in a row. It was horrific pain that permeated up my back and neck,
causing chills, then sweating and nausea. It subsided after about three
hours, both nights. I prayed and confessed the Word of God
concerning my healing and divine health (along with intermittent
moaning and groaning). My husband, daughter and friend stood in
agreement with me. I realize that this is usually how the enemy comes
against us, with sudden, unknown and unexpected assaults and attacks. That is why the Word tells us to, "Stay
alert!, be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours,
the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger],
seeking someone to seize upon and devour." (I Peter 5:7)
Sometimes we become lazy or less-alert in our faith, yes, all of us,
and then some 'strange trial', comes along and gives us a wake-up call.
Get back in the "gym of the Word," you have become soft and flabby! At
least that is what I was reminded to do! The rest of this verse tells
us what we must do when that stinking devil comes around with his load
of lying garbage. "Withstand him; be firm in faith (pay attention, stay alert) against his onset——[be
rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same identical sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world." (I Peter 5:8-9)

God has made
provisions for the 'whole' of man; spiritually, physically, mentally,
socially, and financially. As long as we live in this world, we will
have tribulations, trials, distresses and frustrations. We must always
under all circumstances depend on God's Word. "Casting the whole of your care [all your
anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on
Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you
watchfully." ( I Peter 5:7) Now, my sisters and brothers the word that I am about to use is not a curse word, nor is it taboo in the Word, it was mentioned earlier, but I want to highlight it for a moment. The word is 'suffering.' It is not a word that we should fear or treat as if it is a word of doubt and unbelief.
Suffer means as a result of outside forces or outside circumstances,
you are caused pain or discomfort; it could be physical suffering due
to persecution; mental suffering due to outside pressures; financial
suffering due to economic hardships; or any inconvenience that stems
from something outside of oneself or outside of one's control. The purpose is to try and take the Word out of your heart, so that it won't produce. We know better than that, huh? "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessings and favor], Who has called you to His own eternal glory
in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to
be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen and settle you. "
( I Peter 5:10) It seems that we win no matter what happens around us and even against us. Our Lord turns our suffering around to work for us and not against us, to make us what we ought to be!! If we don't allow roots of bitterness to
set in our garden (our heart), because of the things we have
suffered. We must let or allow God to make us complete, causing us to
become securely grounded and settle us in Him. We will come out
stronger and more mature, as we kill the weeds in our garden with the
Word of God.

So, today I am a little stronger and more settled in my faith
for healing, more than I was before this unknown sickness attacked my
body. I trust My Father with my whole life. He has deprived the world
of it's power to harm us. He cares for me and you affectionately and
watchfully, so let's cast all of our worries, cares and anxieties on
Him. Thank you Daddy, for caring so much!

Love,

Pastor D.

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 with My victorious right hand of rightness and justice." (Isaiah 41:10)

This promise
is as good for us as it is for Israel. God will help us. With all of
this world's future seemly headed on a roller coaster of troubles, we
are encouraged to look to our God for His faithfulness to His own. We
are told, there is nothing to fear. It doesn't matter what happens in
this world system, our foundation will not be shaken. "God is our Refuge and Strength (mighty and impenetrable), a very present (well-proved) help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth be changed and removed and though the mountains be
shaken into the midst of the sea." (Psalms 46:1-2) God is in the midst
of her, (that's us) she shall not be moved: God will help her right
early [at the dawn of the morning].

In the book of Isaiah God tells us not to fear and not look around in terror or be dismayed. Dismayed
means to look around or gaze about, to inspect or consider; to be
nonplussed [cause to be at a loss as to what to say, think or do;
reduce to a state of total incapacity to act or decide: perplex,
baffle, stump]; looking around in amazement or bewilderment. God wants us to have no respect as to what is going on now and what
will happen in our near future. Now is our time to keep a steady gaze
on God, Who cannot be shaken! Whatever produces fear in you, cannot be
producing faith too. Separate those messages and then fix your gaze on
God and you will not fear or become dismayed. You will always have a
reply to terror and dismay, it will be "thus says the Lord." We will
think only on those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely,
good report, and things that are virtuous and praiseworthy. We will
only do at all times what the Word says.

We have God's Word on His present and mighty help at all times and He cannot lie. "You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose
mind [both character and inclination] is stayed on You, leans on You
and hopes confidently in You. So trust in the Lord.." ( Isaiah 26:30) "They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed but abideth forever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about His people from this time forth and forever. We need only keep our mind fixed on His promises and trust that He will do what He says.

God has always taken good care of His children, even as the rest of the world was shaken by His righteous judgment. We must trust [be confident in; to be sure and bold; secure as an anchor of hope; to flee to for protection and refuge; dependent upon] in
the Lord at all times. It brings all of His nurturing, Fatherly care
and divine protection and provision. Do not be shaken, but firm and
stable, for our God is our impenetrable, unshakable foundation. He will harden
[make us firm, solid; to reduce friction and pressure being applied; to
decrease the swelling and raise the melting point; to reinforce; to
strengthen or confirm in disposition and feelings] us to
difficulties, we will become tougher and stronger instead of weaker! We will become less likely moved by our feelings, not as easily moved
by the swelling up of our emotions and attitudes. God will reinforce us
and raise our melting points, even as the fires of testing rises. Yea,
God and us!!!

Love,

Pastor D.