Tag: promise

April 29, 2022 – Ears to Hear/Hearts to Obey

 I have kept you in the palm of My hand through many attempts from the enemy to try and kill, steal, and destroy your life.

 
Good morning,
 
    I have kept you in the palm of My hand through many attempts from the enemy to try and kill, steal, and destroy your life.  I know that some of My little ones have become discouraged and frustrated by the assaults and the war that seems as if it never ceases.  I have hidden you from the strong assignment to take you out before your time, and Mine.  I have planned for you a good and expected hope, something that you have longed for.  You have tried to accomplish the promise, by gritting your teeth and working in the flesh, by trying to reason out the plan I have.  Now, I encourage you once again to remember that My yoke is easy and My burden is light.  It is not to cause your hope to be deferred, so that your heart becomes weary and sick, no, it has always been to get you to put your trust in Me.  I do not want you to be looking in some distant future for a faraway promise, but being thankful for My everyday supply and care for you, the promises I have fulfilled!  It is because of My fathering heart that you wake up with the strength to arise and take the steps necessary to move toward your destiny, day by day, moment by moment.  I just want to be loved for Who I Am, not for what I can give you.  I want to be appreciated for what I Am doing, yet those gifts and tokens of My love, usually go unnoticed.  My desire is for My children to long to be with Me where I Am, so much so that night and day their cry is for Me to come and receive My beloved.  I desire your longing for the things of this world to become faint and barely noticeable compared to your longing for My Presence.  I wait and long for your whole heart to be like Mine.  There is no need or want that I will not fulfill for those who love Me, just because I Am worthy of your love.  My countenance towards you is one of longing for you to come closer.  I Am not angry or disappointed, I just want your wholehearted love from a pure heart, not one that is full of stipulations.  As if you can only believe My love for you is based upon the things I give and do for you.  I love unconditionally, that is how I must be loved too!   
     Do not worry about what you eat, or wear, your possessions, or, even your desires, for I Am your provider.  This is where the enemy launches his violent attack, when you are weak, tired, angry, discouraged, lonely, these are some of the open doors, for the devil is an opportunist.  He is looking for you to feel that I have neglected to watch over my Word concerning you.  That is why I beckon you to keep your mind stayed on Me, the place of peace and rest.  My Word is governed by the foundation of My love.  I want you to base everything that you do on the foundation of love as well.  This makes you an obedient lover, who does My word in love.  This is surely changing you from the inside and making you more effective outwardly.  So that you then become My poem of love, easily read by a dying and hurting world!
 
    "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matt. 11:28-30)  
 
    "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." (Jer. 29:11)  
 
    "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (1 John 2:15-17)  
 
    "Come!" say the Spirit and the Bride.  Whoever hears, echo, "Come!" Is anyone thirsty?  Come!  All who will, come and drink, Drink freely of the Water of Life." (Rev. 22:17)

Love,

Pastor D.

April 1, 2022 – Ears to Hear/Hearts to Obey

 I Am your helper, the great defender of your soul.  I have a plan that will come to pass for you as long as you keep yourself hidden in My arms of protection.

 
Good morning,
 
    I apologize for being missing in action concerning the Word.  Please forgive me.  Thank you.  Here is the Word from the Spirit:
 
    I Am your helper, the great defender of your soul.  I have a plan that will come to pass for you as long as you keep yourself hidden in My arms of protection.  There is nothing devised by the enemy that can stop, defeat or hinder My plan.  I Am always greater than anything seen or felt on this side.  You will see and know that as a Father I carry My own to safety.  I establish everything and therefore nothing that comes shakes Me from My settled promise.  The winds will blow, everything depended upon will crumble, do not fear!  Though the earth be removed and the mountains are carried away into the sea, I will not be moved.  I Am the river that makes glad.  The steady immovable rock.  Your constant Father, I change not.  I can be depended on to do exactly as I have spoken to you.  I Am.
 
    I will bring you through a way that you do not know.  Through the wilderness, I walk by your side and carry you through.  I Am the way through the wilderness as well.  Unknown paths and unfamiliar ways are not new to Me, that is why you must learn to trust and lean on My strong arms!  This is where faith in Me and My Word comes in, while you look not at the things you see.  All of those distractions and loud voices that are sent by the wicked one to draw your attention away from what I Am doing and saying through the wilderness.  Know My dear ones that as you allow Me to do the great work in you as we travel through the wilderness, I remain the same, constant loving kind Father.  I Am supplying you with My water of great strength.  My life-sustaining food I give to strengthen you too.  Trust Me, you can trust Me.  I Am consistent in My plans for you, they are still for your good.  I Am bringing you to the place of peace.  I Am.
 
    "How precious is Your steadfast love, O God!  The children of men take refuge and put their trust under the shadow of Your wings." (Ps. 36:7)
 
    "Lord, You will ordain peace (God’s favor and blessings, both temporal and spiritual) for us, for You have also wrought in us and for us all our works." (Is. 26:12)
 
    "God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God will help her right early [at the dawn of the morning]." (Ps. 46:5)
 
Love,
 
Pastor D.

October 15, 2021 – Ears to Hear/Hearts to Obey

This is the season that I will turn things around for you My children.  Those who have not bowed their knee to Baal.

123582
 
Good morning,
 
    This is the season that I will turn things around for you My children.  Those who have not bowed their knee to Baal.  They will experience such an encounter with Me they have never known.  You have longed to come into Me and know My secrets, to know My thoughts, to know My heart and because you did not bow when others bowed before Baal, when other gave up their lives to Baal, when others gave up their walk to Baal, you have vowed not to and because you have been faithful, I remain faithful.  I will see to it that every promise that I have given you shall come to pass before you come to meet Me at the end.  I will do those things that I have promised you for I Am faithful, and as a token of My love and affection towards you and to you, I will be strong in the midst of you and you will know that I Am your Father.  I have heard every prayer and every request that you made known to Me.  I have already sent My angel out, understand, on your behalf to see to it.  This is the time of reaping for those who have sown in My kingdom.  The whole world is crying out, moaning, groaning, and travailing for the sons and daughters of the Most High God to be revealed and you have made up in your heart and mind to be revealed, and because you have done so I will do so. I look throughout the whole earth seeking some who are faithful to Me and I have found some, and I Am faithful to you.  I have not forgotten one thing that you have done in My name, those are the seeds that I Am causing to multiply in your life.  The rest of the non-productive seeds I have cursed to the ground, because of My mercy on your life, but from this moment on only declare those things that I declare for I Am watching over My Word now.  I Am watching over My Word now and that is what I will perform, My Word.  Mercy, I have given mercy, I Am giving more mercy now to you, to those who do not deserve mercy.  But I Am watchful and mindful of everything that you do.  From this moment on, says the Lord, you will walk wholeheartedly.
 
    "But what was the revelation God spoke to him in response?  “You are not alone.  For I have preserved a remnant for myself—seven thousand others who are faithful and have refused to worship Baal.” (Rom. 11:4)
 
    "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose]. (1 Corin. 15:58)
 
    "Then said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it." (Jer. 1:12)
 
Love,
 
Pastor D.

December 11, 2020 – Ears to Hear/Hearts to Obey

 My grace shall be upon your life like never before.  My power and ability to meet every one of your inabilities.  My grace will cover you as a shield. 

BlogGrace-400x225
 
Good morning,
 
     My grace shall be upon your life like never before.  My power and ability to meet every one of your inabilities.  My grace will cover you as a shield.  You will see My grace in the best of times and yes, even the worst.  My grace, my power and ability will fuel your faith causing you to walk in an extraordinary faith when all seems lost.  Through it all your commitment to worship and your dedication to seeking My face will keep you increasingly growing in this great grace.  I will hear you from heaven and those who seek Me, they will find Me.  You will know Me in the places of comfort, and you will be like Me in the places of adversity, you will not weaken, but receive greater power.  You will know My grace because of the quiet times with Me, living and experiencing Me in every circumstance of life.  You will know Me as I am truly Am.  You will know Me as a God of great good.  For even when I made myself known to Moses, I said, I allowed My goodness to pass before him.  Knowing that everything, yes everything else is wrapped up in my goodness.  And I know that there are many of you who feel that of late, that you have only experienced the bad, but now comes your turnaround.  See, there is no way that you can continue to experience only troubles if you have sown good seed, for I Am faithful to My Word and he who sows shall reap of the same kind.  So get ready to experience the greatness, and the goodness of your God and you will say even as it is written in My Psalms, "the Lord is good, yes, the Lord is good."  Yes, you will speak of My grace and goodness to one another, encouraging and building up one another.  Some of you I have been only good to and you did not even see My goodness.  Every time I answered, you attributed it to someone else or some other thing trusted in, but I have been faithfully good to you.  Count the blessings, count your blessings, count your blessings and see how much they outweigh the bad.  I Am your God, and I Am faithful to My Word and My promise to you.  I will never forsake you, no never.  I care not what the enemy has lied to you about.  He is a liar first and foremost, truth never passes through his mouth.  I Am true!  Every word I say is true and I Am about to reveal Myself and make Myself known to those who seek Me.  You will know Me as your Abba.  No longer just God, but your Abba, your endearing Father.  Your merciful Father, your gracious and compassionate Father, your supplying Father.  Your Father who will now give you great, great grace.  During this year you will know Me as Abba, the great and powerful Father of all grace.  You will demonstrate My grace in your life!
 
     "For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift." (John 1:16) 
     "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:" (2 Corin. 9:8) 
     "Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you. Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." (Jer. 29: 12-13)
 
Love,
 
Pastor D.

August 7, 2020 – Ears to Hear/Hearts to Obey

I have brought you to this place, a place where there does not seem a way to cross over.

Sunrise-pier
 
Good Morning,
 
     I have brought you to this place, a place where there does not seem a way to cross over.  I brought you to this place so that you could look back at the wilderness and see where I brought you from.  Look over into the promise places that I Am taking you to and realize that your ability, might, strength,or your ingenuity cannot take you over.  It is by you yielding to Me, it is completely surrendering your all to Me.  By recognizing that there is nothing in you that can cause you to cross over, only your complete surrender and trust to me.  That is what empowers you to follow the course of My Spirit.  For I am well able to bring you over into that promised place.  It is that place where you lift up your hands out of complete surrender realizing that everything that you have done, all that you have mustered up in your own strength has not brought you to the desired place.  Only those moments where you yielded to Me where you able to walk in My highest for you.  It is that place where I will cause you to cross over on My wings.  Only on My wings, on My strength, and My ability will you cross over.  And I say unto you this is a good place, it is a place that I have brought you to, so that you would really know what it is to walk by faith, really know what it is to trust Me, really know what it is to lean over on the arms of your mighty God.  It is then says the Lord,that I will bring you out with a strong hand, I will bring you out with a mighty hand.  I will show you what it is like to walk in the promised land, to receive what belongs to you.  I will cause you by the Spirit of the living God to slay every Hittite, every Jebusite, every "ite" in your life and you will walk completely free in this land, says the Lord.  They are the enemies that have been sent on assignment to steal, kill, and destroy your destiny.  As you embrace the peace that surrender brings, you will obtain the blessings of the promises given.  It has been all the while because of My mercy and My grace.  Here you will know that My grace is sufficient enough to take you in, says the Lord.  My grace is sufficient enough to bring you into the wide open spaces of your destiny. 
     For the rains of change have brought you in to the place where a sweet fragrance is coming forth, and it is coming forth because of your obedience to yielding to My Word, you are going to step over into a new land.  Just about the time that you are ready to give up and quit, My Spirit will awaken you, will revive you and will make all things bright for you.  This is upon your horizon, so hold your head up high.  Realize we are going into a new land, a new territory, to do new things and it will no longer be by your strength or your might, this you will see.  You will understand who you really are and that I cover you, and you will walk into that land whole and complete.  You will walk into this land recognizing now, once and for all that you are Christ like, that you are God like, and you will begin to do war against the forces of darkness that have hindered you and kept you standing still.   Be not afraid, be not afraid of what you are about to step into because I Am with you and for you and I Am your rear guard and I will lead you into that place.  So total surrender is needed in this day and in this hour to step into the summer of your life, the highest freedom, rest, and relaxation of your life.
     "Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard." (Is. 58:8)
     "The trees will yield their fruit and the ground will yield its crops; the people will be secure in their land.  They will know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke and rescue them from the hands of those who enslaved them." (Ezek. 34:27)
     "The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust." (Ruth 2:12)
 
Love,
 
Pastor D.

February 14, 2020 – Ears to Hear/Hearts to Obey

 I Am not a waster or a destroyer, I fulfill and complete everything that I start.  I will fulfill in the lives of My children all that I have promised, and all that you have stood and believed for. 

 
 
Good morning,
 
     I Am not a waster or a destroyer, I fulfill and complete everything that I start.  I will fulfill in the lives of My children all that I have promised, and all that you have stood and believed for.  This past year will be used as a launching pad for the most powerful encounters, and the greatest advancements for your present and future.  Those things that you thought were failures and missed opportunities will be used to turn the crooked places straight.  The bronze and iron will be made pliable to you.  In order for you to hear Me this season, you must make a practice of being still.  The busyness of living will try to preoccupy your mind and your thoughts, making it hard for you to hear directions and instructions.  You must choose to be still and know.  For many of you I will speak divine secrets and council in the night season, so listen intently, for I will speak as you are walking by the wayside.  I desire your attention, so that you may be above only and not behind.  My purpose is to cause this world to seek out those who have inside information, so that some may come to know Me as Lord.  I will announce to My obedient ones deep wisdom that is known only in the Kingdom.  Searchers and seekers of My ways will find this "well of wisdom" that has always been available to the diligent.  This will lead you out and bring you into the promised place.  My children will not only be preserved but you will advance in a time when the world is failing.  It will depend on your devotion to hearing Me, stop all activities that demand your undivided attention and give it to Me.  Many people will run here and there, seeking for wisdom, and only the wise in Me will truly understand and discern the times and the season. They have learned Me, by sitting daily in My chambers, becoming familiar to My voice, a stranger's voice no longer hold their attention.  These are the ones who will fulfill their purpose and My design for their lives.
 
     "Look carefully then how you walk!  Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is." (Ephes. 5:15-17)
     "Through skillful and godly Wisdom is a house (a life, a home, a family) built, and by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation], And by knowledge shall its chambers [of every area] be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.  A wise man is strong and is better than a strong man, and a man of and strengthens his power; a wise man is strong and is better than a strong man, and a man of knowledge increases and strengthens his power." (Pro. 24:3-5)
     "I will go before you and level the mountains [to make the crooked places straight]; I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut asunder the bars of iron." (Is. 45:2)
 
Love,
 
Pastor D.

February 7, 2019 – Ears to Hear/Hearts to Obey

 This is the season where My warriors will be able to do more harm to the kingdom of darkness, than ever before.  As they have gone through the valleys, they have come out trusting Me, their great Warrior.  

Warrior-quotes
 
Good morning,
 
     This is the season where My warriors will be able to do more harm to the kingdom of darkness, than ever before.  As they have gone through the valleys, they have come out trusting Me, their great Warrior.  Many for the first time in their walk with Me, have experienced Me as their personal bravery.  They have awakened from the slumber that this world system lulled them into.  Now they truly begin to see My Word work in their affairs.  I have been a Father, a Provider, a Counselor, a Healer, a Friend and a Lover to them.  They have stretched themselves during the difficulties that they were challenged by, and found out that the Greater One keeps every promise.  I have overshadowed them, so that the darts of the wicked one did not destroy them.  They arose and soared higher than they thought was possible, acquiring new levels of faith and more sensitivity to My presence.  They chose to stay disciplined as they went through the fire and the flood.  My warriors have come out, delivered, set free, loosed and changed.  Stronger and braver still, against all of the forces of the enemy.  They do not fear, or run from adversities, but use the storms of life to cause them to mount up higher.  For I, the Lord have strengthened them and hardened them to difficulties, and with each one, it has become easier for my warriors to face the next battles.  This bravery and strength was born out of those hard places as they trusted in El-Gibbor.  Oh, I have taken such delight in these warriors!  They have learned to do My Word at all times, yes, even when it isn't easy.  Joy, is found in My house at all times, and my warriors have found deeper joy in Me.  Trusting Me has brought a calm assurance and great joy.  Now they know Me, truly know Me as the Faithful One.  The enemy is shaken by this revelation.  My people humbled themselves and depended on Me, not in their own ability or in their strength.  This season is a great spiritual battle and they are not neglecting their full armor.  They have stood face to face against the forces of darkness and withstood them by My grace.  They must not turn in retreat, for cowards will perish.

     Every warrior that is truly Mine, can not love this world, nor his own personal comforts more than their obligations to this great armed forces that they have enlisted in.  Truly, the arm of flesh will disappoint and let down every time.  This is a serious season for serious warriors.  I have given them a brave and courageous spirit and a persistent heart.  They are determined to keep faithful to the end.  With this kind of heart, an increase of revelations will flow into their lives.  For this committed remnant of believers shall come forth, a greater degree of the miraculous in their personal lives.  The enemy thought he would have you on the run, yet, after all of the smoke clears, there you stand.  Standing in the power of your God and His personal bravery.  My brave courageous warriors who walk in the fear of their God and in the revelation that there is no weapon formed against them that will prosper.  They boldly declare and decree it and the wicked one flees, yes, he runs from them.  For great is the army that carries out My Word. 

     
     "Take [with me] your share of the hardships and suffering [which you are called to endure] as a good (first-class) soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier when in service gets entangled in the enterprises of [civilian] life; his aim is to satisfy and please the one who enlisted him." (2 Tim. 2:3-4)
     "Through God we shall do valiantly, for He it is Who shall tread down our adversaries." (Ps. 60:12)
     "But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.  When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. (Is. 43:1-2)
 
Love,
 
Pastor D.

January 10, 2020 – Ears to Hear/Hearts to Obey

 Prepare to see Me do exactly what I promised to do and that is to cover you.  Not only as a canopy of security but I will cover you with My favor.

Trees
 
Good morning,
 
     Prepare to see Me do exactly what I promised to do and that is to cover you.  Not only as a canopy of security but I will cover you with My favor.  A shield of favor shall surround you, and in My favor there is life, and in My favor I will cause your mountain to stand.  That thing that I have increased in your life is your mountain.  That thing that I have spoken to you over and over again about blessing you, that is your mountain.  That thing that looms up big on the inside of you as a gift, that is your mountain and I will cause your mountain to stand strong.  You will not be moved this year in your prosperity.  You will see and know that I Am the God of prosperity for the whole man, so you experience nothing missing, nothing broken.  Healing shall come speedily, prosperity in your finances shall come speedily, they will come from unknown avenues and unknown sources by you, but they have already been familiar to Me says the Lord.  I will speak and call forth, they shall run to your aid and your assistance.  Everything that you have been believing and standing for, everything that you would not let go of in past years.  Everything that you speak to and consistently speak to, and that you have not backed down from, it shall increase in your life.  Watch and see says the Lord, for the season of crying has come to a close for you have watered the seed of blessing, and now says the Lord, joy shall arise.  This is your morning time, this is your morning season so joy shall rise.  Rejoice in the joy that I Am placing upon you says the Lord.  You shall laugh at those things that others see as the devastation for you know and see that I Am creating something good out of it.  You shall laugh when circumstances turn awry in your midst for you know that I Am still working on something better than that.  You shall laugh knowing that My promises are to you, yes and amen and you will rejoice forever in all that I Am doing says the Lord.  I am doing mighty exploits in the midst of My people, and in them says the Lord, in their midst as they walk with Me and keep confident and hold fast to My word.  They will see a new dawn, a new horizon, a new sunset, a new sunrise, it shall be the dawning of My people.
 
     "For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.  And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.  Lord, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled." (Ps. 30:5-7)
     "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers." (3 John 1:2)
     "They who sow in tears shall reap in joy and singing.  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." (Ps.126:5-6)
 
Love,
 
Pastor D.

Ears to Hear/Hearts to Obey

 Do not fret over the transitions and changes that I have allowed in your life.  Most of the things that have been removed; whether people, familiar situations or circumstances, would have obstructed you from reaching the ultimate goal or position that I Am bringing you to. 

2
 
Good morning,
  
     Do not fret over the transitions and changes that I have allowed in your life.  Most of the things that have been removed; whether people, familiar situations or circumstances, would have obstructed you from reaching the ultimate goal or position that I Am bringing you to.  Some familiarities would have been an obstacle, while others would have been a deterrent to keep you from running unhindered.  Others would have caused you to be snared by the enemy of your soul and stopped completely.  Let them go!  These obstructions in your life have hindered you from the clarity of great revelation.  These revelations are necessary in order for these times of transition.  These changes have all been about bringing My people up to a higher level, changing how you see and what you see as being genuine and real.  Now you must release the load of weights that have caused your run to become sluggish and tiresome to you.  Your flight will be glorious, as you and I shake from you all that would detain you from reaching your proper place and position in Me.    

     I have already spoken to you that the way would be narrow and not many will choose that way.  The way is made so that your eyes should only look forward and stay focused on Me and all that is vital to the Kingdom and its advancement.  This narrow, constricted passageway will lead you to the wide open spaces of living in the realms of My Spirit.  My Holy Spirit has been directing your course, you may have struggled on this course, yet you did not fight against Holy Spirit.  Because you chose to yield to Holy Spirit, you will reach your destination with more power, more glory, more anointing, more wisdom and more understanding of Me and My ways.  You have now entered into a new position and place of authority, because of your endurance during times of transition.  New keys are now placed in your hands for the opening of doors that you thought were locked to you.  You will enter boldly now without fear or shame.  You will walk into your promised territory, holding your head high, for you have kept the faith and stayed true to Me and My Word.  Your focus remained on Me and the Kingdom, even through the darkest times of change.  For your faithfulness you will abound with blessings and rewards.  You were not lead astray by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life.  These three have slain many strong men of faith, yet, your love for Me remained strong.  I Am well pleased with you, My children.  Keep moving on the path of holiness and your destination will always be glorious!  Stay focused and My light will forever brighten your steps into the right position of holiness. 
 
     "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work." (Heb. 12:1-2)
     "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run [their very best to win], but only one receives the prize? Run [your race] in such a way that you may seize the prize and make it yours!  Now every athlete who [goes into training and] competes in the games is disciplined and exercises self-control in all things. They do it to win a crown that withers, but we [do it to receive] an imperishable [crown that cannot wither].  Therefore I do not run without a definite goal; I do not flail around like one beating the air [just shadow boxing].  But [like a boxer] I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached [the gospel] to others, I myself will not somehow be disqualified [as unfit for service]." (1 Corin. 9:24-27)
     “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it." (Matt. 7:13-14)
 
Love,
 
Pastor D.