The Call

Every child that is born is intentional, has purpose and has destiny in God.  The circumstances surrounding the child's birth may or may not be ideal.  Some children are born out of wedlock, born and abandoned, born out of rape, and born desperately poor and/or sick.  Still God has a purpose for their life.  The Call upon our lives has been reduced to no more than a pulpit ministry.  The pastor or evangelist with the largest congregation, largest book tour, largest radio or television program, largest choir or most successful in the secular market through CDs, DVDs, and etc. wins.  Anything less is considered unimportant or failure.  We do not understand that the Call upon our life is so much more important, but so much more simple.  We are to go out with the message that the Kingdom of God is here and in Believers.  We are to compel the lost to come in to the Kingdom.  We are to lift up the wounded soldiers and restore them to useful in the Kingdom.


The Lie of the Enemy

Satan is a ingenious deceiver.  He will turn and twist truth so that is appears real.  He is able to go to the deep parts of men and reveal their heart.  Our hearts are constantly being healed from life, and in transformation as the Spirit of God continues to do surgery and circumcise the unhealthy places.  Believers do not know their heart until it is shown to them.  We have a desire to be used, to have value and worth.  The perversion is how and what determines our value as a Believer.  Everyone does not have a five fold ministry position.  If you are not walking as a prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher or apostle, Christian society would have you believe that you do not have an important role in the Kingdom.  Those who are walking in helps, healing, intercessory, or any less public ministry has been made to feel less or unimportant.  Some even feel that God does not and cannot use them.  Leaders have bought this lie as well.  Believers have lost the real meaning of positions in the body of Christ and have become useless.  We spend days, weeks, months, and years in circles.  We build huge social clubs, our resume and our bank accounts.  But, we do not build or train soldiers for the Kingdom.


The Truth

Jesus says in the book of John that we will know the truth and that the truth will cause us to be free.  What is the truth?  How does it set us free?  Jesus is the truth.  He came to redeem man back to God.  Man who is not saved is in bondage to Satan,  He blinds him, uses him and directs him to death.  We as soldiers in the army of God are to carry the message of the Kingdom and when asked how do I enter the Kingdom, give Jesus as the answer.  But, we can no longer stay behind church walls.  God is moving through the Marketplace Minister.  Who are Marketplace Ministers?  We are.  We should not and cannot leave our faith at home, in the church, in the Bible or just in our heart.  We must proclaim our faith at every opportunity.  We must proclaim truth at every opportunity.  It will not always be convenient or prosperous or politically correct or popular.  God is looking for those who are willing to give their all to declare His word in the earth.  He is looking for the bold, the courageous, the humbled and the obedient.  Marketplace Ministers are those that share and show the love of God at the bus stop, in school, in the grocery store, the dentist office, and in their neighborhood.  Marketplace Ministers cannot just be full of scriptures and sermons.  Marketplace Ministers must be love in demonstration.  This is not an easy task.  Marketplace Ministers must give out of their need as well as their abundance.  Give car rides to bus riders, and  they may live out of your way.  Clean someone's home who may not be able.  Cook something for a neighbor that has been unkind and difficult.  Go to a nursing home to read to a resident.  Invite neighborhood kids into your home and show them movies or provide a meal.  Yes, you are taking a chance. Yes, at first you may find resistance, but keep pressing for the Kingdom.


The Call

Can you hear the sound of Heaven calling you to minister?  You feel and sense God calling, but you know it is not to the pulpit.  You are struggling and question how can you answer the call.  You are called to declare the Kingdom in the marketplace.  The Spirit of God is moving in our communities, He is moving on the school bus, in the grocery store, the hair salon and on the playground.  He is awakening the prophetic voice, the word of knowledge and the word of wisdom.  But, you do not have to be called to the office of prophet to participate.  We will speak life giving words to those in a dying and perverse world.  Yahweh is raising up a voice in the wilderness.  Will you be one?  You must become radical, it is no longer church as usual.  You must move from your comfort zone and become very uncomfortable.  You must fine tune your heart and hear from the throne room of God.  It will cost you everything to become a soldier in the end time army.  Yeshua will wake you at uncommon hours to meet with Him or to intercede for someone you may never meet.  You will cry out for people in far distant countries.  You will be at work and go to the bathroom to pray.  You will not eat lunch, but read and pray.  You may not be rich, you may be an outcast on your job and go through persecution, you may not live in the best neighborhood or drive the newest model of car, but your reward is snatching another from the jaws of hell and pleasing your King.  For those who are called to five fold ministry positions in the Kingdom, you must change your thinking.  You cannot not stay within the church walls either.  You are called as drill sergeants, captains, coaches, trainers, and builders of faith to the Kingdom.  Build up the end time army.  Direct them and fight with them on the front line.  Come out of your traditions that are dead and dry.  Go to the throne room for new orders and do not be afraid to follow them.  Listen for and sing the cadence of Heaven.  His church is without borders and is found in uncommon places.  Fresh leadership is emerging from uncommon places.  They will look and act like everyday people.  But, they will lead others by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. 


Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.   Daniel 11:32 NKJV

 

Words

I have always been a person who loved words.  I love how they sound.  I love to learn new words and their appropriate meaning(s).  My mother was an English teacher and did not permit slang language to be spoken in my home.  I learned at an early age to appreciate speech and to use words correctly.  Each word means something different.  Although words are often similar in meaning and sound, they are still individual and have different meanings in some way.  Our words should be intentional and really express our heart.  Does not the word of God declare that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks?  The word also declares to allow our yes to be yes and our no to be no.  Consequently, we live in an era where words have little to no meaning or the meaning is changed; yet, God is still intentional about what He says and what He wants us to declare in the earth.

Many Believers speak "churchese".  Often we use words that only those with a church background will know.  Unfortunately, we do not understand what they mean and have difficulty providing understanding to those outside the walls of a church building.  Still, Yahweh is intentional.  His words are not arbitrary and are used specifically.  Many teachers will provide the Greek or Hebrew definition of a word, but when it is time to apply the word in their lives, it is used improperly if at all.  We attempt to apply secular understanding to a spiritual impartation.  The Holy Spirit is called the Paraclete because He was sent to teach us ALL things.  He is the power and authority of God.  He is our intercessor and comforter.  He provides understanding, insight and revelation to the scriptures.  He also provides power and might to walk out the word in our individual lives.  Our use of a word(s) should be intentional, accurate and with authority and power.  We are the expressed impartation of, from and with God to men.

If Believers are life to those seeking life and death to those dead, then it is important that we understand and properly walk out the heart of God.  The Great Commission is to tell a dying world that the Kingdom of God has come!  The Kingdom is here, now! It is in each Believer and it comes to provide life.  The blind must ask how to enter the Kingdom of God.  Jesus is the way, the truth and the light and you enter the Kingdom through Him!   Our field is the marketplace.  There is a generation of people who have NEVER set foot in a church.  They are not familiar with "churchese".  They can't play by our rules.  They do not know nor understand our lingo.  But, the blind are looking for sight.  They are looking for truth, understanding and love.  Nothing artificial or self serving will satisfy their hunger and thirst.

What you don't know can hurt you and others as well.  Believers must stop using our own technical language.  We must come from behind tall and impenetrable church walls and go into the marketplace.  A church grows by compelling the lost to answer the cry of the Kingdom and rightly aligning themselves to the mandate from God.  His mandate is to be fruitful and multiply.  Let our lives be filled with godly fruit and multiply after our own kind.  God's heart is to seek out the blind and provide illumination. 

So, Believers must learn and understand words.  We must receive clarity from the source, the Holy Spirit, the word of God, prayer and training.  Our leaders must learn first to understand the word that God is imparting to their spirit and in turn, impart to those under their authority.  We must understand the season and how God is moving.  God is a dichotomy.  He is always the same; yet,  He is different.  He is spontaneous and always changing the way He does things.  You cannot live on old manna.  We must go before Him daily to receive our bread.  We understand the word for this season.   Most importantly, we impart life to those who are dying.  We invite them to become a part of the Kingdom and receive Jesus as savior!

“For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Matthew 12:37 NKJV

 

Captivated 2013

How Did You Get Your Limp?

I love to view Youtube.com especially late at night.  I just search for worship music to reflect how I am feeling at the time.  Oh, the jewels you find!  I stumbled upon a dance to Shana Wilson and Tasha Cobbs singing "Never Be the Same".  After placing it on repeat for 500 times, it dawned upon me that the song reflects the encounter Jacob had with the angel.  I began to meditate and reflect upon Jacob's life.

Genesis chapters 25-32 tells of the early life of Jacob and his family.  Born as the youngest twin, Jacob was destined for greatness from the womb.  While Esau was 1st born, Jacob at birth, established that the blessing of the 1st born would be his by grasping the heel of his older brother.  Many refer to Jacob as a trickster because of the many encounters he had in obtaining his blessings.  Yet, if all good and perfect gifts come from God, Jacob tricked no one into obtaining his blessing.  Jacob had a burning in his soul that reflected God's ultimate desire to use him for greatness.  The problem lay in the fact that Jacob did not understand nor even acknowledge the heart of God the Father until he came to the end of all his efforts that night.  Rebekah knew there was greatness in her son just as Moses' mother knew he was a goodly child.  She would not stop until she knew that Moses was safe from the wrath and brutality of Pharaoh.  She was willing to allow another woman to raise her child in order that the ultimate destiny would come forth.  But, Rebekah did not know Yahweh herself.  She was thrust into a family of destiny by marriage.  She determined to help Jacob obtain the blessing even if it meant sabotaging her other son.  From the beginning she and Isaac caused division between Jacob and Esau.  Isaac loved Esau and Rebekah loved Jacob.  Carnality surrounded them.  Esau marries the Canaan women and causes his parents to live in a nightmare.  Jacob is sent to live with and find a wife from his mother's brother.  She is a Hebrew.

Jacob's journey is partly to find a bride, but also to escape the wrath of his brother Esau.  Jacob perfectly executed the plan of his mother to receive from Isaac his father the blessing of the 1st born.  Esau is enraged and has purposed in his heart to kill his brother.  While on the run, Jacob stops to rest and begins to dream.  In the dream God speaks to him and reveals his true purpose and destiny.  He reveals why there is the burning in his heart.  Jacob doesn't understand and ultimately prays to God that if He will bless him materially, he will serve God.  He thinks his destiny is to be rich.  Jacob works ultimately 14 years for his uncle in order to marry his true love Rachel.  Jacob himself is duped and ultimately has two wives.  They are sisters who also will walk in division all their lives because they will fight for the love of one man.  Between Rachel and Leah, Jacob would become the father of 13 children.  In addition, during the 14 years of work for his uncle Laban, Jacob would become very rich.  He would move his family.  It is in the moving that Jacob encounters the Great I am.

Jacob's encounters his past first.  He will meet his brother Esau.  He will need to deal with his deeds.  In fear, Jacob sends all his possessions including wives and children across the Jordan.  He sends gifts to Esau in an attempt to abate his anger.  But, Jacob spends the night alone still on this side of the river.  Jacob could not cross.  He begins to pray and this time, he prays with humility.  He prays for God's protection and gives thanks for the many blessings God has provided.  He prays that destiny will be fulfilled in his life.  Jacob begins to wrestle with a man.  They wrestle during the night and just as day is beginning to break forth, the man is willing to concede.  Jacob will not release him until he is blessed and it is then that Jacob is broken to the point that his name is changed to Israel.  It is the birth of a nation.  For Jacob's twelve sons have now become the twelve tribes of Israel.  Jacob is no longer a spoiler but he is a prince of God.  But, before the angel leaves Israel, he touches his hip.  Israel will forever walk with a limp.

Many are wrestling with destiny inside of them.  They have tried to bring forth destiny on their own and have failed miserably.  For God is processing us.  Every child is born with a purpose and destiny in God.  Many or the majority will NEVER fulfill the purpose.  The reason is the same problem Jacob had.  They do not know God nor understand the destiny that lies within them.  They will try to quench the desire through money, relationships, drugs, sex and power.  None of these will lead to destiny but frustration.  It is only at the breaking of self and the pouring forth of humility that God can reveal true destiny and purpose.  But it will cost you everything and you will walk with a limp.  How did you get your limp is the new phrase we will ask each other.  We will respond,  I got my limp win I lost my job after 14 years.  I got my limp when my wife and I divorced after 25 years of marriage.  I got my limp when my child committed suicide.  I got my limp when I was diagnosed with cancer.  I got my limp when I declared bankruptcy and lost my car and home.  I got my limp when I went to jail.  I got my limp when I tried to commit suicide.  Did you get your limp when you were struggling to attend and stay in school?  Did you get your limp when you had an abortion?  The testimonies go on and on.  But, the song says today's your day.  You've changed my name.  I might limp away, but I'll never be the same.  You have prevailed and God will release you into destiny and purpose because you have wrestled with yourself and won.  What are you birthing?  Hold on.  Don't let go.  At the dawning of a new day the miraculous will break forth and you will walk with a limp but you will walk in destiny.  How did you get your limp?

 

Bless Me

We all want to be blessed by God the Father.  We want what we believe to be a life of ease.  We want peace and prosperity.  What we really want is the favor of Yahweh.  We believe we are entitled to all the pleasant gifts from God.  When those perceived blessings are withheld, we question our faith in God.  Some Believers feel that if you are not prosperous, God is not with you or blessing you.  Is it a sin to want or be blessed?  The answer is simply no.  As always, the sin lies in the motives of one's heart.  It is easy to have false modesty and humility.  We feel someone of wealth is to be avoided.  They cannot be walking in total surrender.  We believe that Christians should take a vow of poverty.  None of these motives or philosophies are godly.

1 Timothy 6:10 teaches that the love of money is the root of all evil.  Avarice of the heart causes  wrong thinking, wrong actions and destructive behavior.  Avarice is defined as an insatiable greed for wealth and riches.  The desire is to be miserly and hoard wealth.  In other words, if the desire to be blessed is to satisfy your base and evil urges, it is wrong.  But, the word of God teaches in Psalm 67 the correct way of thinking.  David begins by asking for God's mercy.  He acknowledges the need in his life and the lives of others for the mercy of God.  For we have all sinned and fallen short of God's glory. He understands that where there should be judgment and death, hold back your anger God and give us another opportunity to get it together.  But, he doesn't stay there.  He asks the Lord to bless him.  He asks God to bless him in order that God will be glorified.  Salvation will be known among the nations.  God's character will be known to everyone.  We will be His witness of His unfailing love and kindness.  David asks to be blessed that he might be a blessing and bring glory to God.

Ministry requires wealth.  Television stations cost money.  Mission trips cost money.  Food pantries require the purchase of food.  Ministries do not function on good intentions.  Yet, can God trust you with wealth?  Can He place large sums of money in your hand with the expectation that you not only will give the tithe which is holy, but you will give offerings.  Will you give from His heart?  Will you give out of your abundance and your need?  Will you give as He leads?  Will you open your home to the homeless?  Will you provide rides to those without cars or bus fare?  Will you feed the hungry, the sick and the suffering?  Will your hands be His hands and your heart His heart?  But you say I need money to live.  Yes, we need money to live in this world.  Believers are in this world, not of this world.  Our desire should always be to bring the Kingdom of God to those who do not know our Father.  If your hand is closed, you cannot give or receive. If you open your hand, God can bless you as you are a blessing.

Come up from wrong thinking.  Understand He is able to provide for you.  Begin to trust Him.  Begin to trust Him in your finances and resources.  Trust Him to provide enough that you will have some to share with those not under His umbrella of provision.  Bless those who are standing in line at the supermarket.  Don't let them pay with bill money or stamps.  Give a car to a single mother.  Buy clothes and school supplies for an entire family. Give a ride to that person standing at the bus stop.  Pay someone's bill who cannot imagine how it will be paid.  Give liberally to ministries that are breaking ground and planting seeds of mercy.  As you begin to bless others, tell them Yahweh loves you.  Tell them they are not forgotten.  Tell them the Kingdom of God has come to them this day.

For the choir director: A song. A psalm, to be accompanied by stringed instruments. May God be merciful and bless us. May his face smile with favor on us. Interlude May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere. May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you. Let the whole world sing for joy, because you govern the nations with justice and guide the people of the whole world. Interlude    May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you.  Then the earth will yield its harvests, and God, our God, will richly bless us. Yes, God will bless us, and people all over the world will fear him.  Psalm 67

- Determined Focus
 

Deep Cries Out to Deep

Another special poem by the anointed and appointed Vanessa D. Battle.  Do you feel the tug?  Is your heart crying for more?  The Deep places in God cries out to the deep of your soul.  He is calling, but will you respond?

The depths of my soul and all that is within me cries out for the depths of my Lord.  Reveal yourself to me.  All that's within me longs for more of you.  Bid me come upon the waters, keeping only you in view.  There is a thirst in my being that only you can satisfy.  Draw me closer to thee O Lord.  Bid me to come nigh.

You are my heart's desire.  You are all I need.  You are my who I long for, only you indeed.  Fill me with your love like only you can do.  All I want is you O Lord, nothing else will do.  How I want to know you, to touch your very heart, to go deeper into you Lord.  Show me where to start.  Teach me how to love you the way you want me to.  Teach me how to be your bride.  Show me what to do.

I will pursue you from the depths of my soul.  I will surrender myself to you and give you complete control.  How much I really want you, words cannot express.  But, I know without you my soul can find no rest.  The depth of my soul and all that is within me cries out for the depths of my Lord.  This is my desperate plea.

 

Clutter

I am a fan of the show Hoarders.  I am especially drawn to the shows where the hoarding is greatest and the home is the worst.  It is amazing to be surrounded with what is trash and filth and be comfortable.  It is just an appearance, because the person really is not comfortable.  They have learned to adapt and to become content in their circumstances. After watching the program, I have an immediate yearning to de-clutter and clean my home. But, in reality all of the people who have fallen victim to the hoarding mindset have experienced major trauma in their lives.  For some, it is divorce while others have experienced death of loved ones.  More have grown up in crippling poverty, and some were abused physically, emotionally, and mentally as children.  They walk in shame and guilt.  They no longer realize their living situation and do not believe they deserve better.  The hoarding mindset not only affects the person, but it hurts their family and friends. 

The Spirit of God has whispered to me, time to remove the clutter in my mind and heart.  Normally your response is, I need to change my thinking.  I must rid myself of fear, doubt and unbelief.  That is true, but the Spirit seeks to go into the forgotten areas to clean.  Bitterness has been swept under the rug.  Anger is behind the refrigerator.  Unforgiveness is stuck in the cobwebs that are in the attic.  Disappointment is under the bed and disillusionment is wrapped up in the dirty clothes hamper with the musty socks.  We have learned to clean what is obvious to ourselves and others and leave behind the residue that causes the most destruction.  Termites left unchecked will destroy the most sturdiest of homes.  These emotions, mindsets and heart issues are the termites of our soul.

Just like the counselors, therapists, hoarding experts and cleaners attempt to help hoarders clean their homes and change their thinking, so the Holy Spirit is changing ours.  Paul says in Philippians that he is being "poured out as a drink offering" to the body. His life has been broken and crushed to release God's spirit that is inside of him.  The libation is his sacrifice to God and to us.  The prophet Malachi describes the secret sins and unworthy offerings of the priests.  The Lord through Malachi exposes the unclean and unkept areas. We have been offering to God our blindness, the sickness of our soul and our crippled walk as sacrifices.  God requires our best.  The priest is to be the instrument of God to bless nations.  The Spirit of God cannot minister through us until He first ministers in and to us.  But, we must be willing to yield to the process of cleansing.  It is difficult.  We have adapted to our circumstances.  We have declared that we cleaned already; yet, we have neglected the dirtiest of areas.  With the passing of time, we have become ineffective as priests and compromised our walk.  The lost no longer seek our counsel and unity among believers is gone.  There is no power and anointing. 

This is the season when the Lord seeks to pour out His spirit upon us, and for us to pour out that same spirit to the lost and to the body.  We must make our temple ready to receive the outpouring.  He cannot and will not use us broke, busted and disgusted.  Nor, will He accept our junk as a sacrifice to Him.  We must begin to allow the Holy Spirit access to the crooks and crevices of our heart.  The process is painful.  We will have to deal with our heart issues and acknowledge our shortcomings and sin.  But, the benefit, like the clean house of a hoarder, is a life free of the effects of the past.  You will have freedom and be used to free others. 

"The LORD of Heaven’s Armies says, “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed—roots, branches, and all. But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings.  And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. 

On the day when I act, you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your feet,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies."

 

Malachi 4:1-3  NLT

 

The Lighthouse

Lighthouse – A structure (as a tower) with a powerful light that gives a continuous or intermittent signal to navigators.

In the 14^th chapter of the book of Matthew, we find the story of Jesus feeding five thousand people.  After this time of ministering in word and the miraculous, Jesus sends the twelve over to the next town by boat and He goes away to pray.  The twelve are in a boat already rocked by the wind and waves, but do not even realize it or they are asleep.  At the fourth watch of the night or around 3:00 AM, Jesus begins to walk on the water to them and, suddenly they wake and are frightened not by the rocking of the boat, but by the sight of Jesus walking on the water to them.  They are not sure who or what it is that comes to them.  How can you walk intimately with the Christ and not know Him?  He tells them to not be afraid and Peter responds by requesting to come to Jesus on the water and Jesus simply says “come”.  Peter jumps out of the boat.  He starts out strong walking on the water, but he soon notices the wind and the waves and begins to sink.  Jesus reaches out his hand of strength and lifts Peter from the water and puts him back in the boat.

 

A lighthouse is a lonely structure that has one purpose.  It is there to guide those far from the shore to safety.  It is always emitting the same light regardless of the weather or the time of day.  Its beacon is always strong and bright.  It shines in the fog; it shines in the hurricane, as well as in the calm.  How many times have Believers cried out to God in song that we want more of Him?  How many times have we said, we want more of your anointing, more of your presence oh Lord?  In order to have more of Him, we must leave our safety net, our boat.  Yet, we are so like the twelve.  We are asleep to the peril that lies around us daily, hourly and every minute.  Trouble comes in the night while we are sleeping, still Jesus is on guard.  He is watching and interceding for us and those we love.  Jesus is our lighthouse.  He stands strong and tall.  He bids us to come to Him but the journey is full of trial and tribulation.  We must be willing like Peter to get out of the boat of ordinary and worldly safety and begin to walk toward our lover on the water.  It will be treacherous for water is unstable and not solid.  It will feel uncomfortable and He will beckon at the late hour.  It is an hour of stillness all around.  It will be when natural work has ceased.  But, it is also a time of the miraculous.  The fourth watch of the night is a time of the Kingdom of Heaven coming to earth.  It is a time of the release of deliverance and the manifestation of the Word.  Jesus is the living Word!  He comes to break into your world and leave Himself, His light.  Come away with me my love.  Heaven comes to you tonight.  You have been tossed to and fro.  You are scared of the day and uncertain of what happens next.  But, I stand as a beacon of light.  I will guide you safely to me.  I will provide a refreshing.  I will restore.  I will rebuild areas torn down by life and make something beautiful out of you. 

 

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!  He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.  The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.  The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.  The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.  The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.  Psalm 121  NLT

Come Away with Me

Relationships are not so easily maintained. As we grow older and our views and desires change, we often leave people we have loved behind. Some people are only in our lives for a season; consequently, there will be an ending to some relationships. Yet, there are some that will last a lifetime. Those relationships will be tested and tried, but will endure. Today I will share an insight into one of my sisters, Vanessa Battle. Every so often she will share her heart through poetry. Her heart has been to spend intimate, close, and personal time with the love of her life, Yeshua. Listen closely as He bids her to "Come Away with Me".



Come Away with Me My Beloved, into My dwelling place.

Enter into My bed chambers where we can be face to face.


I long for your presence - to commune with you.

I long for your passion to ignite - for you to love me anew


O how I desire you - you are the apple of My eye.

Come away with Me My Beloved, this is My deepest cry.


You are My Bride, the one I adore.

Step into the waters of the deep - step out and leave the shore.


Come away with Me My Beloved.

Trust Me with your heart.


Come away with Me My Beloved.

Let Me show you where to start.


I have so much I want to share with you.

If you would but come to Me.


Not only will I share my heart with you.

I will also set you free.


Free from old mindsets - Free from old desires

Free to be who I've called you to be - Let Me ignite the fire.


A fire that will purge you and make you O so clean.

A fire that will remove the dross so that your value can be seen.


A fire that will create a passion and make you long for Me.

Come away with Me My Beloved.

Come away with Me.



Vanessa D. Battle

Stepping into the Fiery Furnace

I now understand the expression "out of the frying pan and into the fire".  There are times when you feel the heat and you think it is very hot until you fall directly into the fire.  When you fall into the fire, you understand that you did not fully understand what hot was.  You never fully realized what happens when the heat is turned up in your life.

Mishael, Azariah and Hananiah quickly come to mind.  We normally refer to them as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  The young men who were friends of Daniel.  They were Jewish captives taken by King Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon.  It was not enough that they had become slaves taken from their family and other friends.  But, they thought there was joy in the midst of their pain when they are chosen to be servants of King Nebuchadnezzar.  They were soon thrust into the second major trial of their lives because in order to work for the king, they would be required to defile themselves through food.  God would show favor to them and Daniel through the king's eunuch.  They are allowed to eat vegetables, grains, beans and water.  We commonly refer to this as a Daniel fast.  They passed the test and are able to work for the king.  The king becomes angry because his current staff cannot interpret his dream.  Not only does he become angry with his staff but he decrees that ALL wise men, magicians and etc. will be killed because they cannot tell him what he dreamt and then provide an interpretation.  Daniel and his friends did not even know anything about the king and his dream.  But, they were told quickly once soldiers came to take them captive.  Imagine, captives being held captive while still being held for another reason.  Have you ever inherited someone else's mess?  Mishael, Azariah, Hananiah and Daniel seek the heart of the Lord and are provided the dream and the interpretation.  They are promoted and the king declares there is no god like their god.

Just when they thought they were safe and starting to come out of this season of darkness, it gets darker.  Nebuchadnezzar has a pride and self righteousness problem.  He builds a statute 90 feet tall and puts music to it.  He declares everyone must bow and worship his statute when the music plays or risk being thrown into a blazing hot furnace.  Mishael, Azariah and Hananiah are spotted not bowing and  the king is quickly told.  The same king who had sang praises earlier is now angry that they will not bow to his statute.  He already knew they served a different god.  Remember the dream interpretation?  Now, he is so beside himself that he decides to throw them into a fiery furnace that he heats seven times hotter than normal.   It is already hell, now he wants it hotter than hell.  It is so hot that the guards who throw them in are instantly killed.  Notice, they are not delivered before being thrown into the fire.  While they have stood for righteousness, deliverance does not come before the fire.  They are throw in with all clothes, shoes, hats and etc.  While in the midst of the fire, Jesus joins them and protects them from the flames.  Nebuchadnezzar cannot believe that they are not burning and tells them to come out.  He now declares that there is no other God and death to anyone who would deny that their God is the one true God. 

 "Our Father" by Bethel Church is such a special worship song.  We are calling for the Kingdom of God to come to earth.  The anointing upon this song is simply amazing.  But, there is a cost to declare the Kingdom of God to come and be housed in us.  It requires a house fit for the presence of God to dwell.  How do you prepare for the glory of God to emanate from you?  You are thrown into the fiery furnace with all your clothes on.  Your clothes are unemployment, strife at home, relationships breaking down and ending, health problems, child problems and even questioning your spirituality.  Am I really hearing from God.  People you have trusted no longer trust your judgment; therefore, you begin to second guess yourself.  Am I as mature as I thought?  The decisions I have made and continue to make, are they godly and did I really hear God?  Heat, heat and more heat.  Where are you God?  He is in the fire with you.  Your bands of bondage will burn away and though every part of your clothing is thrown in with you, it will not burn.  When Mishael, Hananiah and Azariah came out of the fire, not one hair, not one piece of clothing or anything about their person was burned or even smelled like fire.  Deliverance comes IN the fire.  When you step out of your furnace, only the aroma of the anointing of the Father is upon you.  Allow the furnace to burn up the things that hold you captive.  Allow depression, poverty, doubt, unbelief, rejection, sickness, shame, guilt, death and all the things you are struggling with be consumed by the fire.  Come out with joy, love, peace, kindness, gentleness and compassion and true deliverance.

Many are struggling.  What you thought you could trust is on shaky ground.  Your cry has been that you want to be used of God.  You feel dry and so far away from Him.  You are isolated and alone.  There is no one nor nothing to trust.  Your tears have become your pillow.  No one understands you or can provide answers for you.  Yet, there is this yearning in your heart for more and more of God.  You push although you don't know how.  Although there is chaos all around, there is still a small spark in your belly.  You experience inner pain on a level you have not felt before.  It is almost too much to bear.  You are in your furnace.  But, Yeshua is with you.  For there is deliverance in the fire.  Stay in the fire.  Do not be afraid.  Only your bands of bondage will be burned.  The Kingdom of God has come to earth.  It is in you, and works through you and it sets the captives free.  It is painful, but stay in the fire.  When you feel overwhelmed, stay in the fire, but remember He is there with you.  Worship in the fire.  Jesus is using the fire.  Jesus is in the fire.  Stay in the fire.

You keep track of all my sorrows.* You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side! I praise God for what he has promised; yes, I praise the LORD for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? I will fulfill my vows to you, O God, and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help. For you have rescued me from death; you have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light.

Psalm 56:8 -13NLT

A Letter to the Churches: Know Christ - Know God

I had the opportunity to visit with one of my spiritual fathers recently, Bill Magnusen, a true prophet in this age.  As he often does, he extols the virtues of our Lord Jesus and brings light to me.  I always enjoy the fellowship, but more importantly, I love the insight this true man and patriarch of God reveals regarding the nature and character of Christ.  The Father is still speaking through his prophets.  I have shared Mr.  Magnusen's latest writing with you today.  Be blessed!

- KK Roberts

Jesus said, "I am the way, the Truth, and the Life."  When observing the corporate body of Christ, it seems Christ has been put on the "back burner" instead of the front.  Jesus said that we should live for Him and if necessary die for Him.  This level of commitment is not reflected in the average congregation.  Since Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, we should see a greater commitment to Him than is presently demonstrated.  It seems that we preach a gospel that is on whatever level is comfortable.

To state the case simply, deception has come into the body of Christ.  The battle that is raging is so subtle that we have not received the warning.  The Bible reveals this warning; "And they all drank the same supernaturally given drink.  For they drank from a spiritual Rock which followed them-produced by the sole power of God Himself without natural instrumentality and the Rock was Christ." (1 Corin. 10:4 amp)  Nevertheless, God was not pleased with the great majority of them.  These are examples for us.  This Word says we are all partakers of the one common Bread.  The one for whom the common bread represents-Jesus Christ and drink from the same supernatural Rock.

In the Book of Revelations we are further warned, "The dragon was furious (enraged) at the woman and he went away to wage war on the remainder (overcomers) of her descendants, those who obey God's commandments, and who have the testimony of Jesus Christ, and who adhere to it and bear witness to Him.  The Word says, "And they overcame Him by the blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony and they loved not their lives unto death".

To restate, Christ has left us His plan lived out through Him.  Jesus empowered the apostles to go out to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons, open the eyes of the blind, set the captives free, and preach the Kingdom of God.  Now because Christ is not preeminent, the Body has reverted to other means - mainly a watered down gospel of comfort and lip service.  May the Lord open our eyes to the potential of "Christ in you the hope of glory"; "No longer I that live but Christ lives in me"; "I in the Father, the Father in me, and I in you."  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Life.  Jesus said, "Have I been so long with you and you still do not know me?"

Prophet Billy Magnusen

The Measure of Your Faith

Is the measure of your faith determined by great exploits?  Is our faith determined by how long we can wait or how spiritual we are in defeat?  How does one measure one's own faith?  How large or how much faith do you have?  Jesus said to each is given a measure of faith, but He does not say what the measure is.  Faith can be as small as a mustard seed; yet, it can move literal mountains.  But, we should grow in faith and our faith should know no depth or height because we should be able to believe for the impossible.  Still, the question remains.  How do we measure our faith?  I submit our faith is at different points in our journey.  For the journey is not easy.  It is full of obstacles and full of circling.  Sometimes we have to cross the same river, walk through the same valley, climb the same mountain, believe for the same deliverance.  But, is it really the same?  It feels the same, it looks the same, all around me says its the same, but something is different.  It doesn't smell the same.  How can that be?  Because this time you smell the aroma, the incense of worship.  My faith is not measured by how much I say or praise but it is dependent upon my worship.  Worship is deeper than an emotion.  Worship is higher than just an encounter or an experience.  Worship is wider than our circumstances.  Worship is all of this and more for it reaches into your soul.  It is all of who you are making a decision to press into the presence of Yahweh and being able to bless Him and thank Him for your trial.

The Anointing of Suffering

The word of God says we are to rejoice in our sufferings.  We are to deem it a privilege to suffer as our Lord Jesus suffered.  We are to walk in the fellowship of His suffering. "...for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering...Philippians 3:10 nasb" Maturity is measured by your ability to walk through the concrete places with your hands lifted high and your mouth full of praise for the one you love most.  Can you believe and trust that light will come from absolute darkness?  The measure of your faith must exceed the measure of your doubt.  Your measure of faith grows only in the dark.  It can only be seen by the illumination of God's power and might through you.  It can only grow in your dark, silent, tight secret and frightful place.  When you are NOT seen, then He IS seen through you and in you.  But, one thing that cannot be mistaken is the aroma left on your life.  Like a person experiencing second-hand smoke from a dedicated nicotine fiend, so is the thick smoke that is left from the presence of the King.  Your clothes, your hair, your skin, your breath smells like Him.  For, the deeper the hole, the tighter the fit, the darker the dark and the lonelier the time, the greater the worship.  The greater the worship, the greater your faith grows!

Indoctrination into the End Time Army

How does someone in the military increase in rank?  The person in battle shines the brightest.  He gains rank faster and greater than those not in battle.  For the one in battle that fights and braves the circumstances and the enemy and can still fight some more is the one that is worthy of praise.  So, Christian soldier, your measure of faith is determined on your knees crawling when you feel as if you can't stand up.  The measure of your faith is determined with your hands lifted high when you feel the lowest.  The measure of your faith is when you praise and press; when you have been counted out of the game and the battle all together.  The measure of your faith is your worship meter.  Though he slay me; yet, I will praise with all that is within me.

 "Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? *Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.  Psalm 43:5 nasb"

 

 

The Press

How I love you Lord.  How I long to live in your presence, but sometimes it is so hard.  There are days when I feel you so near; yet, there are days when you seem so far away.  I can't touch you or feel your love.  I feel abandoned.  I know these are the times when you are looking to see me press.  I know some days we don't feel saved.  Some days the weights are about our neck, legs and arms.  In your word Jesus says to take his yoke upon us for his burden is light and the yoke is easy.  But, it is in the press that I must reach out into the darkness to grasp your lifeline.  You promised to be with me, you promised to uphold me, you promised to never leave nor forsake me.  So, I must trust you Lord when it seems so futile.  I must believe although my flesh hurts and my heart aches.  I must grasp hold of the horns of the altar and press.  I must press into destiny and purpose.  I must press and allow the weight of your glory to consume me and to break me.  Break me Lord.  Crush me Lord.  Cause me to be still and allow you to pour me out as a drink offering fit to bring you glory.  Cause me to allow others to see me press even when I don't feel like it and it hurts.  Cause me to be a witness to the faithfulness, mercy and love of Yeshua.  So, I will press.  I will press in the hard times.  I will press and reach for destiny.  I reach out to you and I forget the things of the past and press toward the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus.  I will press on my knees.  I will press with my plate turned down.  I will press with my hands lifted toward heaven and my eyes on you oh God.  I will press.  I will press.  I will press.  I will press until deliverance comes.  I declare your righteousness in the earth and I declare your glory in my life!  I press!

 

Shift

Shift, to move from one place, position, direction, etc., to another. (Dictionary.com) I hear a sound.  It is like shh.  Hear it?  Something is moving in your life.  Problems are still there, but I hear shh.  I find myself praising more, it's a shh.  There it goes again.  Frustration still there but, shh.  Sometimes depression shows up and chaos is all around.  I feel alone, but I keep hearing shh.  There is a shift.  I keep bowing, I keep lifting hands, I keep crying but something is different this time.  I hear shift.  Instead of feeling drained and tired, I feel energized because there is a shift.  It is not as hard as before.  Trouble does not hurt as bad.  There is a shift.  I bow, I lift holy hands, I need more of you.  There is a hunger in my heart and a burning passion.  There is a shift.  Worship, worship is more passionate, more desperate and I feel compelled to just glorify your name.  I'm afraid of tomorrow, but not as much.  There is a shift.  I am learning to trust you more.  The clouds are starting to part.  Shift, shift, shift in the atmosphere.  Deliverance is near.  Rest is near.  Peace is at hand, because there is a shift in the atmosphere.  So, I will bow.  I will bow to your will.  I can stand confident in your grace, in your love, your mercy and your peace.  I am a conqueror.  I am a worshipper.  I declare that there is a shift, a shift in the atmosphere.  Hope has been deferred and I have cried so long for change.  It seemed to never come, but there is a breaking, there is a shift in the atmosphere.  Thank you Lord for pouring out your presence over me.  There is still so much I don't understand, but I realize that with every trial, every concern, every disappointment, there comes a shift.  I am moving from my old place to a new place in you.  My old home was built out of fear and uncertainty.  This new home is built upon trust, compassion, love and your grace with a foundation laid in worship.  For each time I bow to adversity and allow the aroma of anointing to come forth, it causes a shift in the atmosphere and a passion to ignite in my heart and soul!  I need you more and cannot have enough of you.  So, I hear shift.  There is a shift in the atmosphere.  Shift, shift, shift in the atmosphere.  Shift in my life, Shift in my heart, shift in my circumstances, shift in God!  Shift...

Maturity

Often maturity is determined by age.  We hit the magic numbers like 18 or 21 or even 40 and poof, maturity should instantly be downloaded into the microchip embedded in our brains.  We should now be able to make right choices for our life and live happily ever after.  But, maturity does not come so easily nor are we instantly able to make right choices.

Being mature is defined by three things:  1) the ability to be brave enough to make a choice and not be frozen in place because of fear; and  2) the ability to understand the consequences of our choices and to walk through those consequences regardless of what they may be;  3) the ability to make God centered choices.  This ability does not come easily.  Many believe maturity comes with life experiences.  The problem with this theory is that often we repeatedly make the same poor choices over and over again with the same disastrous results because it was never a God centered choice.  We make decisions without ever consulting God; yet, we want and crave His blessing over it regardless of the choice.  Please God bless this marriage although I know this person is not saved and does not walk with you.  I want this job because it really is a great paying position.  It's all about who you know or who knows you.  Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result.  Others feel maturity is determined by where you will find yourself in your career.  I am mature because I am now considered an executive or I have achieved a certain level of success in my business.  Still others believe it is determined by the amount of stuff we have accumulated.  If I have the size or number of home(s), or a specific type of car, then I have arrived.  I achieved these things because I am mature.

Maturity is not determined by any of those things.  Maturity is wisdom from God.  Wisdom is God given knowledge guided by God given understanding.  Maturity is defined in the book of James 1:2-5 and 12 " Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials,  knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.  Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him...A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." HCSB    How is maturity achieved?  It is achieved through the testing and trials of our faith.  When we are able to respond correctly while walking through the trial, we are mature sons.  In other words, when we are willing and obedient, then we will live in and under the blessings of God.

How do you know you have grown up?  The ability to choose correctly.  The ability to respond rightly in the midst of your trial.  The ability to see God's purpose and destiny for your life and to walk in it.  Hmm, I think I might like growing up after all.

- Determined Focus

 

Wade in the Water Children

Wow! I see the dawning of a new season and a new day in my life and the lives of those who love His appearing.  We live in such uncertain times and we are surrounded by fear.  We often attribute to God things that were never His intention.  We are afraid to say how fearful we are.  We do not want to seem nonspiritual or immature; therefore, we pretend to be fine,  but deep down we are afraid to leave the shore.  But God is calling us out into the deep.  He is saying that destiny lies far far from shore.  We must go into uncharted waters.  We must obey the voice of our lover and launch the vessel of our heart.  I hear him.  My heart knows how much and how deep he loves me, but my head which holds all fear will not allow my feet to move.  I seem so stuck.

But, praise be to God, that today He does a new thing.  It is still a thing, because we do not know what to call it.  Fear has been such a part of our life for so long.  How can I exist without it?  But, today God calls it His rest.  Rest in the knowledge of knowing that He will not leave you at the shoreline.  Today He prompts you to follow and be brave and leap into the deep water where you will find rest for your soul.  You may wonder how can I rest when I do not know where I am going?  You will rest because whatever or wherever the destination is or may be called by man, it is called destiny by God, His perfect will.  You will rest in His will for your life.  Deep cries out unto deep.  Fear has a companion called restlessness.  Restlessness sometimes appears to be confusion, or chaos or lack of trust. It says God has abandoned His children.  Consequently, your eyes are upon the waves.  He speaks peace to me and says peace, be still to the waves of this world.  Yet, more of Him, more of His presence, more of His love lives far from shore.  It lives out there.  When you are in waters of uncertainty and you can no longer hold onto the bottom, it is in that moment that ALL TRUST and all of who you are has to be given over to Yeshua.  Only He can save.  All that you have trusted in before is no longer in your grasp and you can not hold onto anything of the past because it simply no longer exists.  Selah

New day, new dawning, new season, life begins, destiny is fulfilled and I am at rest.  Selah


Determined Focus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgfLsXcb9IE&feature=share&list=PLEAD68AF73C84C8FB

What Do You Believe - Hope Deferred 2

The prophet Habakkuk lived in a time much like our own.  The ravages of evil were abundant and it seemed as if God's people were forgotten.  The vision was one of devastation for the enemy, but deliverance for Israel.  Habakkuk wanted to know how long would we be forgotten.  He laid his concerns before the Lord and then he said I will stand on my watch and look to see how the Lord will answer.  Does this sound familiar?

If we have any type of prayer life at all, unfortunately much of it is spent telling God about our life and asking in some form or another why doesn't he do anything about it.  How long do we have to endure these trials?  Sometimes we get spiritual about our dissatisfaction and state that we are not being a good example to the world while we are suffering and aren't we supposed to be worry free anyway because we are God's children and so forth.  We can quote prosperity scriptures!  It's the other ones that tend to go fuzzy.  But, Habakkuk says that he will continue to be on watch and he will continue to look for God's response (Hope).  He does not say he will listen for a response regarding his prayer.  Instead, God is now, in the present and His word is alive and active.  His word is always moving and it is shown in action.  Are we standing in the midst of our trial?  Are we still in position?  Have we grown weary in well doing?  But, God does not disappoint Habakkuk, because he advises although the vision is late (deferred) continue to wait for it will surely come.  Furthermore, the just, righteous, saints will continue to live based upon their faithfulness to God.  Wait, we are to live not just based upon God's promise of the vision, but go deeper and live by our own faithfulness to the things of God.  The wicked live by faith in themselves and their own ability, but we will live by obedience to God's word and the promise of his Kingdom.  So, I will continue to pray though there be 5 in attendance or 1.  I will live a fasted lifestyle to keep my flesh under subjection to my spirit man.  I will be careful concerning speaking empty, vain and profane words.  I will speak life to my situation.  I will read and study the word of God.  I will be vulnerable and kind and subject to hurts and mistakes by others.  I will speak the truth in love in season and out of season.  I will be careful to listen to life giving words, words of love and encouragement and the praises of God.  I will be slow to anger and speak but quick to forgive and love again.  I will be who God has called me to be and I will walk worthy of that which he has called me to do and be.

I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost.  It is in this secret place that I will wait patiently and with expectation for my love.  For my love will come, if he is late in coming continue to wait.  For he began the work in me and he is the one that will be faithful to complete the work he has begun.  He has promised to make something beautiful out of me.  Then, I will write the answer upon my heart and carry the testimony to others.  I will declare the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  I will declare liberty to the captives and declare freedom to rejoice in the God of all heaven and earth.  The Lord has anointed me, set me apart for his glory and honor and I will continue to run this race. 

Have you never heard?
Have you never understood?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of his understanding

He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.

Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.

 

Isaiah 40:28-31 NLT

What Do You Believe - Hope Deferred

The word of God says in the book of Proverbs that hope deferred makes the heart sick.  We hope for things we cannot see.  We look for a brighter day and when we think that the brighter day will not come it makes us sick to our inner most being.  But what is our hope?  Look deeper into deferred.  When our faith cannot look toward deliverance we are sick to the core.  For is not faith that which makes no sense to believe; yet, all that is within us says believe. 

It is so easy to look at non-believers and shake our heads.  Poor things, they just don't know the truth.  They struggle because they are not Christians and they commit sins against God and His word.  But, what about the believer who finds himself in the struggle for his life.  You have dropped so far, that for the first time you find yourself doubting.  You tell no one because you don't want to look unspiritual or immature.  What has happened when that person who has been always taught the truth suddenly begins to back away or runaway if you will from God?  How many christian marriages are struggling or the husband and wife have called it a day because it is just too hard?  Where is your hope?  Is it deferred?  Oh soul, why are you cast down?  Hope in the Lord! 

I have come to realize that it is dangerous to say and pray change me Lord.  Make me a vessel fit for your use.  I want to be a true worshipper who will worship you in spirit and the truth of who you are.  I want to know you Lord and the fellowship of your suffering.  For if you mean these things, God will show you your heart and try the motives of your heart.  It is His will that we come closer.  He wants to whisper secrets to us and tell us all about His heart.  But, do we really understand the cost of being used in the last day?  God is testing our foundation.  He cannot build a house upon shaky ground.  For we are seeing more and more and more the winds of change.  Change and sin is all around us and it is a war on the Kingdom of God.  Leaders are falling to the left and the right.  Things and institutions we have trusted in are now falling apart.  Many in the faith are falling away or compromising the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We can pray to an unknown or unnamed god, but dare we pray in the name of Jesus to Yahweh?  Our government is backing away from foundational truths.  The ten commandments, prayer, integrity, honesty, loyalty, and righteousness almost a thing of the past.  He tells us in Habakkuk that the just shall live by faith.  Faith is that which we hope in although it makes no sense.  In our inner man, we know that God is faithful and He is a sustainer and He is able!  He is able to be whatever we need today! He is able to keep and change our mind.  Although the vision, the promise is late or deferred, wait on it.  I will wait on you oh God.  There is none other that can keep me or take care of me in time of peril or heartache.  I will look unto the hills where comes my help.  My help comes from the Lord.  He is the maker of heaven and earth, the Lord strong and mighty!

You may find yourself in the struggle of your life.  Around you is destruction, loss, poverty and famine.  But out of His holy mountain comes a deliverer.  He sees you in all the mess.  He has not forgotten His promise to you and although it looks as if the promise will never be fulfilled, do not give up hope.  He has not given up on you.  You are being processed and it is a new day regardless of where you find yourself at this moment.  He makes all things new.  It is time to move forward, to press forward into destiny.  No longer hope deferred, now it is hope realized!

Determined Focus

What Do You Believe - In the Darkness

There are days that we feel the abundance of the latter rain and it overwhelms us.  Then there are days that all we see and feel is the abundance of darkness.  We have heard the term "latter rain" often.  It refers to a second soaking rain that helps to produce the harvest.  We often marvel at prophetic words that announce or confirm our calling in God.  Our heart leaps because truthfully those types of words seem to affirm us and give us value.  But, it is in the trying of the word that darkness consumes us.  What do you do when those you love the most seem to reject you?  Paul basically was alone.  He never married.  He had those in his life that he referred to as sons and so forth.  But, there were times when those same people he walked with seemingly didn't know him and they eventually parted ways.  Some of the time Paul was remiss in his assessment of character as in the case of John Mark.  But, there were times when there was no reconciliation.  Can two walk together unless they be agreed.  Oh, the tearing!

John the Baptist lived in the wilderness and ate honey and wild locusts.  He had disciples, but was alone.  Yet, the word of God says that God places the solitary, the lonely in families.  Such an oxymoron!  For it is in the darkest moment of our lives that we are alone and misunderstood.  The immature believer wants to cover their head or even worse walk away from the faith.  It's too hard and it hurts too bad; therefore, I will self-medicate.  I will "enjoy" feeding my flesh and attempting to numb my pain.

But, for those who are or strive to be a mature son, there is no going back.  You press toward the mark although at times your steps feel like cement about your feet and legs.  The time has come that the Father seeks those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth.  What is the truth?  The truth is His grace is enough.  For in our weakness, God is at His strongest in our lives.  It hurts and the knife cuts deep, oh so deep.  Chaos is all around and you cry out, Lord do you not care for me!  You said you loved me, so why does it hurt so bad?  Be of good cheer for He is faithful!  He has begun this work in you and I and He will be faithful to complete it.  Just as operations are needful and necessary to begin the healing, so is the cutting by the spirit necessary.  The circumcision of the heart is always the most painful because it cuts the wounds and the ucky things we have held the closest to our heart.  It is truly cutting the flesh, the things that do not produce the life of God in us.  In those times of darkness God is near and He is creating in you and I a longing that can only be satisfied by the soaking of the latter rain.  It is painful worship.

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait

I will move ahead bold and confident,
Taking every step in obedience

While I'm Waiting
I will serve You
While I'm Waiting
I will Worship
While I'm Waiting
I will not faint
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

John Waller - While I'm Waiting

What Do You Believe?

As Americans, we are taught about free speech and free will and that our opinion counts.  We are taught tolerance (at times) and that it is about what the majority wants.  Unfortunately, we have taken this attitude into the Church.  We each have an opinion for God and we get extremely upset when He has the nerve NOT to follow our heart.  But, what if you had to defend your beliefs before God?  Why are you so attached to YOUR principles?  Do your principles line up with the word of God, His heart and His destiny for you and us as believers? 

 

This is the question of the hour, the day, the year, my life.  There is so much chaos among believers.  Let's not deal with non-believers yet.  Consequently,  the term believer is defined as a person who has accepted Jesus as lord and savior.  This person has decided that they will follow Him and that He is God's most holy son. He died for our sins and now sits on the right hand side of the Father interceding on the behalf of believers.  This is important to define for many people deem themselves to be a christian simply because they believe in a god or a higher power.  To many, all roads lead to god.  First and foremost this is a lie.  The word of God states in Hebrews that without faith, it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God because you must first believe that He is and that He is a rewarder to the one that will diligently seek Him.  You have the choice to seek whomever you please, but just know that that entity is not the one true God and there is no reward.

 

Why is this so important?  Because, now more than ever before we are being challenged in our faith.  How do you trust God when your health, finances, relationships, mental state and your ministry is in jeopardy like never before?  People that we once trusted have betrayed our trust.  Things that we trusted in before can no longer bear weight.  There is discord, violence and out right hatred at almost every turn.  Schools are no longer safe for our children, we can no longer attend a movie without keeping an eye out for snipers, airplanes are falling from the sky, gas prices are sky high and affecting everything!  What is stable and what can you still place your trust in?  The answer lies in Hebrews.  He is and will continue to reward those who choose to seek the one true God, the great I am. 

 

So, the question becomes what do you believe?  If I have tried things my way for so long and it appears not to be working, is it time to try God's way for awhile?  What is my faith based upon.  Faith is the ability to believe when everything around you says it is foolish to continue to wait; yet, your heart knows to continue to hope and trust.  We've launched out into the deep whether we wanted to or not.  The shoreline is not even visible, but we know it's there.  Deep calls out unto deep.  We call out to you Lord Jesus and we are going after you.     - Determined Focus

I Choose to Believe

It's been a minute since last I posted.  Normally, I have no inclination to journal or note my thoughts.  But, then there are times I feel the need to empty my head of pondering and eternal thoughts.  I walk by faith each day.  Not super spiritual or someone who is a deep thinker.  I have just grown weary and bored with so much.  I am tired of church, business, life as usual.  I am looking for not an emotional enema but I am looking for another level.  I must come up from here, from this place, from this mountain.  I am looking for another home.  I no longer wish to live in this house made of fears, unbelief, doubt, disillusionment and waiting without hope.  God is strengthing my calf muscles to run the marathon not the sprint.  I am learning to believe when it seems foolish to continue to believe.  Faith is made of that which you can't see but yet your heart still continues to know to believe.  I choose to believe although all events in my life call me foolish.  I declare today Lord God that I do and will continue to believe that you can and will deliver and that your grace is truly sufficient to keep me even in this dark and dreary place.  I give it all to you Yeshua my comfort, my heart, my life, my love!   - Determined Focus