Good Morning Holy Spirit—
You have awakened me with your voice; “Come away, come away!”


Open my ears to hear your truth. Open my heart to more understanding.


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I have a gift for you today. It is the gift of absolution. You have held on for too long. Let go of the obligation that you have felt; to hold things together. Release it all to me. The past obligations, the present obligations and the ones in the future need to be released to me. Your healing will quickly appear.
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Wow! Holy Spirit is amazing. I love my kingdom life!

I feel I should give a little background at this point in writing of this sweet encounter. I have been experiencing a condition called gastritis. It is an inflammation of the stomach lining. I have had this condition for about 5 years, but it has become acute in the past few months. I experience nausea and burning in my stomach, and my appetite is very poor. I recently underwent tests and they concurred with a previous diagnosis of gastritis. I have been seeking the LORD for my healing and have felt very strongly that it was coming, as there is not a significant way to get relief from this.

So, after a not so great night of nausea and the like, I am awakened by a familiar voice beckoning me to come away.

He said, “A gift of absolution.“ My first thought is, “What could you mean?’ So, I grab the Webster’s dictionary and look the word up. I was raised Catholic and had some understanding of what it means to be absolved.

Absolution: To loosen from. a formal freeing from guilt or obligation.

Immediately, I have understanding into what is being said to me by Holy Spirit. To be absolved from something implies a setting free from responsibilities or obligations. I am a peacemaker. I have always been active in conflict resolution. I have been this way from the time I was old enough to speak. I take on things I have no business taking on. One of those things was not my doing though. It was spoken over me at conception and was repeated time and time again.

I was born to middle aged parents in 1959. They were not excited about a sixth child. But of course being Catholic they would go through with the pregnancy. My mom went to her priest to discuss her unenthusiastic discovery. She was with child at the age of thirty-nine. The Priest told her, “She may be the very one who takes care of you in your old age.” That statement in itself isn’t damaging, and I wouldn’t say it was a curse, but it became a chain around my neck. It was spoken over me many times over the years. I think it is called manipulation. So, unknowingly I took this obligation to heart. I carried it for many years. My husband and I even moved in with my parents in their elderly years and cared for them. I am not saying that caring for your aging parents is a bad thing. It is good as long as you are doing it from a heart of love. I loved my parents, but I think I was operating from an obligation spoken over me.

So, getting back to this morning and the encounter with Holy Spirit; I began to pray. I released any preconceived, self-imposed obligations from my past; releasing all guilt for falling short in loving from a pure heart and a pure motive. I broke free from those words spoken over me many years ago. I did all of this in the authority given in Jesus Name. I also dealt with the present, because unhealthy lifestyles are repeated and repeated for generations. I don’t want this to go any further. I submitted all future dealings with people to Holy Spirit. He is able to teach me how to love without being obliged in any area.

I love the people of God and do not in any way think it’s a burden to serve. Please hear my heart on this subject. There is healthy service, bearing one another’s burdens, being Christ to them. This is good! What Holy Spirit was addressing in me was something I unknowingly took upon myself. This was not good. I was in bondage. This was slavery!

Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Wow! I am so thankful for Jesus! He is faithful to his children, and will not let us stay in our old mindsets. I spent a few hours this morning listening, releasing, and appropriating. The result is freedom in Christ.

John 8:31-36
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

We are sons and daughters of the King if we have believed in Jesus. I no longer want to live in any form of slavery! Some forms of slavery I have willingly walked in to; others I have unknowingly found myself in. Holy Spirit knows all things and is our advocate. He promises to lead us into all truth! I am so thankful!

Psalm 107:1-2
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say this, those he redeemed from the hand of the foe!

So, after appropriating what Holy Spirit was saying to me; I remembered he said, “My healing would quickly appear.”

Isaiah 58:6-9
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen; to loose the chains of the injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter, when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away form your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer.

The above passage of scripture says it all. This is the heart of our Father and because I am made in his image and I desire to do what He says, it is likewise my heart!

I am excited about walking in good health! Presently, I am feeling none of the symptoms of gastritis! I plan on walking in this healing.

Good Morning Father!

I am thinking about all the different times you have spoken to me, and that started me thinking about how you spoke to some of the Patriarchs of the Bible. You are so relational, wanting to communicate to us your love, your affirmation, and your desires for our lives!

Abraham was a great man of God. We all know that. Let us look at how God began speaking to him. In the beginning he was called Abram. Later because of his faith in God his name was changed to Abraham signifying that he would be the father of many nations.

Abram was the son of Terah. They were from the land of Ur. I believe this is present day Iraq. We are not told why, but Terah set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to take his family to live in Canaan. I believe Terah was being directed by the unseen God, because God had a plan that was to be orchestrated through Terah’s son Abram. This reminds me of a scripture in Proverbs.

Proverbs 20:1
The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.

When they came to Haran, they settled there.

Genesis 12:1-4
The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” So, Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him.

The LORD singled Abram out and began speaking to him of his purpose in life. He was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. When God speaks to his children, faith is imparted in a remarkable way. Abram left all that was familiar to him. His country and culture, his people, and its pagan worship.

Why?

To follow the One true God who had given him incredible hope for his future!

Hebrews 11:8-10
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the Promised Land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

God always speaks with an end in mind and it involves his purposes and plans for our lives.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

These plans are prepared in advance! Our part in following these plans is to seek the Father, listen to what he tells us and then to be obedient.

God had such an amazing plan for Abraham’s life that would stretch throughout generations! Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.
It is because of Abraham trusting and believing God that I and many other people have come into the kingdom.

Ruth is another person in our Judeo-Christian heritage. She was grafted into the vine in an interesting way. Ruth was from the country of Moab. Moab was one of the sons of Lot. The Moabites were a pagan people involved in idolatry and worshiped many gods. Elimelech and Naomi moved from Judah with their two sons to live in Moab because of a famine in their land. Elimelech died and Naomi was left with her two sons to live in Moab. They married Moabite women. Ten years later both of these sons died. Naomi decided to return to Judah once the famine was over. She encouraged both of her daughters-in-law to stay with their people in Moab. Orpah listened to her mother-in-law and stayed in her homeland, but Ruth would not give up. Ruth made a declaration to her mother-in-law found in the book of Ruth.

Ruth 1:16-17
But Ruth replied; don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”

I love this passage of scripture! A portion of it is engraved in my wedding band. Ruth is making a declaration of commitment to Naomi, yes, but also to her LORD. I believe Ruth was converted during her marriage to Naomi’s son. God made himself known to her. She renounced her pagan upbringing turning to the God of Israel. In the above passage of scripture she declares him as LORD. Ruth knew him! Faith rose in her heart, and she was filled with faith and declared,” Your people will be my people and your God will be my God.” Ruth found great favor in Judah and went on to marry into what would be the lineage of our Savior Jesus Christ! Wouldn’t you say that God had an amazing plan for this little Moabite girl? He singled her out and began to speak destiny to her. It is through Ruth’s faith and testimony that I believe today.

As I think about all the men and women in the Bible, I am smiling on the inside and out. They delight my heart because of their faith and trust in this unseen God.

• Moses with his awkward low self-esteem was really a Deliverer.
• Gideon hid in the winepress to thresh the wheat in fear of the Midianites, when God saw him as a mighty warrior.
• God singled out Esther, an insignificant Hebrew girl, living in a time of great persecution to deliver her people.

Then there are my favorites such as Nehemiah, Isaiah, Hosea, and Zerubbabel. All were average men who took the time to listen to God and obey Him! What amazing exploits they all did because they stepped out in what they knew God was planning for them. His purposes took precedence over their own thoughts, ambitions, and desires. When God begins to share his heart for humanity with us; we become passionate to do what he is asking us to do. There is a burning in our hearts; we are compelled to do it.

John 16:13-15
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

We are no different than these men and women of God. Seemingly insignificant but filled with the same Holy Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. God is speaking and sometimes whispering in our ears. Go this way-

Isaiah 30:21
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, this is the way, walk in it.

The LORD longs to be gracious to us. Father, Son and Holy Spirit are so relational. Their desires run deep, for their children. We desire good things for our natural and spiritual children. In the same way God longs for us to be fulfilled in Him, but so much more.
He has specific purpose for each of us individually. So, if we have an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying to us, He will enlarge our thinking. Go here….and do this…..

This is a word I received in my quiet time on September 20 of this year.
I have captured your heart as you have sought after mine. Steady yourself and learn from me. I have so much to share with you. Be steadfast in all that you do. Learn from me. I only followed the Father and did what he told me to do. Follow this example.

Jesus is the Son of God and yet He always met His Father early and received His directives from Him. We should do likewise!

Colossians 2:2-3

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.





Holy Spirit….. I am asking for all of these things!

• The full riches of complete understanding
• To know the mystery of God, whom is Christ
• Reveal the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge in Christ

I know that all the promises are yes and amen to all who believe!
I have expectation of more revelation!
You are giving me a more complete understanding of who Christ is and, I am determined to do my part by digging these nuggets out of your precious Word!

A word from the Lord after my prayer above:

It’s yours! When you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you. It is my good pleasure to reveal Christ to you in ever increasing fullness. There are many facets to God Almighty! If you lived to be very old you would only scratch the service of his complete goodness. Seek after the Many-faceted One as if you were seeking after a lost treasure. You will not be disappointed or turned away!

Let’s look at the word complete as it pertains to understanding in the preceding verse.
One definition of complete is, thorough or perfect, lacking none of the parts; full; whole; entire.
I want that kind of perfect understanding! Don’t you? I can think of at least ten things right now that I need better. No, not better, I want perfect, complete understanding. The Lord says in the above scripture that he wants us to have the full riches of complete understanding!

Psalm 147:5
Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.

This understanding that is available to all of us who are His children, well it’s limitless!
I can keep asking, and asking, and asking. He does not grow weary of our questions. He delights in us coming to him.

Matthew 7:7-8 Amplified version
Keep on asking and it will be given to you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking and the door will be opened. For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, the door will be opened.

Sometimes I feel less than equipped to write these cassia offerings. I quip, “I am not educated enough.” I don’t entertain that thought, and other thoughts we won’t mention in this blog. I have this “knowing” that it is not me entirely. It is not just me. Holy Spirit inspires me when I sit down for my quiet times with Him. He imparts understanding of the scriptures and then I write!

Psalm 119:130-131
The entrance of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands.

He…the Lord, the Holy One, the Many-faceted One, gives understanding of the scriptures and then I write. You may not enjoy writing like I do, but we all need understanding of so many things pertaining to life.

This understanding in the above scripture was given so that we would know the mystery of God, namely Christ.

How do we know Christ?
To know someone implies intimacy. In Biblical history to know someone meant you had sexual relations with that person. One of the definitions of the word know, simply means to be acquainted or familiar with.

Some ways of getting to know Christ is by spending time with him. Communication is essential to building a strong relationship. The Apostle Paul compared Christ’s relationship with the Church to the marriage relationship, in Ephesians chapter five. Include him in your decision making, hence ask and keep on asking.

And, of course studying the scriptures is essential to knowing him; it also shows us how he lived his life. Jesus said that He sent the Holy Spirit to help us. Fellowship with the Holy Spirit is vital to knowing Christ. In 1 Corinthians Chapter two the author talks about how the Holy Spirit searches the deep things of God and reveals them to us.

My favorite part of this scripture is the final sentence. Let’s look at it. “In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” We can rephrase that. In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

This is where we get to dig for the hidden treasure that is available to all of us who believe.

God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him. Who? In Christ all the fullness of God Almighty dwells. Oh my goodness! This is exciting, because we have access to all that fullness through Christ! I love wisdom, I ask for it always. When I think of all the things I need, wisdom is at the top of my list.Wisdom is the power to judge rightly and following the soundest course of action, based on knowledge, experience, understanding, etc. It is having good judgment. I am so thankful that I had access to this hidden treasure as I was raising my children! We can’t go it alone and be successful in life. I am very dependent on Jesus!

I am going to close this rather lengthy cassia offering with two short parables Jesus told to his followers.

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

I believe this with all my heart. And I live in expectancy of incredible hidden treasures in my life. This amazing walk we have with Jesus in his kingdom of love is full to overflowing with surprises and discoveries for us.

To name just a few:

• Special encounters with people…including salvations, walking them through physical and emotional healings,
• Speaking words of encouragement at just the right time.
• Blessing someone financially or preparing a meal for a family.
• Finding incredible revelation in the scriptures
• Connecting with the heart of Jesus during worship.
• Having the knowledge to solve difficult problems
• Knowing the cure for cancers of all kinds.
• Creativity of all kinds, including painting, writing, singing, song writing, playing an instrument, dances.
• For me, having the Holy Spirit download a children’s story in my dreams.

Last year my husband and I went to a writer’s conference in California. A large church hosted it and the keynote speaker was the author of “The Shack”, William P. Younge. He was truly a humble man. After he spoke to an audience of probably a thousand people, he came down into the audience to pray with people. I witnessed him embracing someone as he prayed on their behalf. He was given that incredible book by the Holy Spirit. Yes, it was based on a true life tragedy that would have broken most people but God turned this tragedy into a treasure for him.

That same week during the conference Holy Spirit gave me back a beautiful memory that I had blocked out for many years. My husband and I are co-authoring this little memory that has been turned into an amazing story of redemption! I believe with all my heart that God has given me a treasure in this book. I am so excited and looking forward to its completion.

That is the amazing God Almighty that we serve!
Seek him and keep on seeking him! He will be found by you!

I was listening to a worship song on the way to work, and several scriptures were kicking around in my mind. I began pondering, meditating on the goodness of our God. His Sovereignty was the theme that was at the forefront and as always was bringing peace and joy to my heart.

Psalm 29:10-11
The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; The LORD is enthroned as King forever. The LORD gives strength to his people; The LORD blesses his people with peace.

I love the fellowship I have with Holy Spirit! He is forever my friend, my ally. All I have to do is begin talking to him and he typically responds. There is a familiarity that is comfortable. Like my husband or close friend, he is my companion.

When I read a scripture like the one in Psalm 29, I am taken aback by it. I stop and reread it and say to myself, “whoa” I am not familiar with this!

Who is this, that sits above natural disaster? Who is this, who is King forever?

This is a healthy Fear of the LORD! I believe we need a good steady dose of it! Why? Knowing who God is, and what He is capable of doing, puts our lives in proper perspective. This doesn’t negate who we are in Christ or our authority as co-laborers. It actually works together beautifully.

I operate in this kingdom of love by faith, as Holy Spirit leads me into all kinds of kingdom stuff.
I rest knowing my Father God is sovereign, and has the best in mind for others and me.

Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you, when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

How many of you in recent times have felt the waters of life were overtaking you? Issues of life have been rather difficult in this season, and I have cried out, “save me!” This is an amazing promise of deliverance. I believe God is there lifting me up and saying to those waters of circumstance, abate! Abate!

Mark 4:38-39
Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

Jesus said to me recently as I was crying out to him. “I will take care of you and I will see you through this situation; just know who I am. I am everything you need me to be at any given time in your life.”

Then he said these words, “ Still yourself child.”

Psalm 37:7
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him

Psalm 46:10
Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

I can trust that God is over all circumstances in life! I don’t have to be in fear of our government, any foreign government, bad decisions, good decisions, and the earth quaking in many regions, floods, famines, and pestilences, nuclear, and biological warfare.
I need to know my God; and then I need to still myself before him. Rest comes when faith is put into action.

Isaiah 30:15
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength

Again the LORD says to me, “Quiet yourself and trust me. Think upon my character. I am the warrior you need. I am the gentle shepherd directing you “this way,” I am the roar of the lion when the enemy gets too close.

In the quietness and trust of your heart rests you salvation. Salvation is many things including our eternal security when we put our trust in him. It is also, deliverance from strongholds of addiction, incessant doubt and fear. Really it encompasses anything we have need of regarding life.

Jesus has set us above and not beneath the issues of life, all we need to do is to know him, trust him and still ourselves. He is faithful and will come through for us!