Cassia Offerings

2011-12-04T22:22:00.000-08:00

Psalm 37:4 [NAS]
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart?

What desires are in your heart?

John 15:7-8
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

If we are abiding in the LORD, living in fellowship with him, and making him a part of our decisions, He puts His godly desires into our hearts. It’s a beautiful cycle of abiding, thinking the very thoughts of God, faith being released in our hearts to do the very things the LORD has put in our hearts and minds to do.

I Corinthians 2:16 [NAS]
For who has known the mind of the LORD that he will instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

So as I have made Jesus a part of my life, He continues to show me his heart for people. My thoughts begin to take on a measure of selflessness and I desire to serve humanity. In Nate’s life and mine this is going to involve going to various parts of the world, but also serving where we are for now.

What are the thoughts that are whirling around in your head? I would say, “If they are good, pure, and if they are peaceable they are being put there by the LORD.” Ask Him what you are to do with what he is showing you. I believe He is always showing us something that is good and selfless. It is his great pleasure to give to us what we ask for.

Proverbs 16:3 [Amplified Version]
Roll your works upon the LORD commit and trust them wholly to HIM; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and so shall your plans be established and succeed.

This is a beautiful scripture stating that as we commit our works to the LORD, He in return begins to put his thoughts inside us. We begin thinking the very thoughts of God. Our thoughts are becoming agreeable to His will for us. This brings me such comfort in knowing that I am not going to make a wrong move as long as I include the LORD in my decisions.

I encourage you to listen, and then to step out and do what He asks you to do.

2011-10-29T17:36:00.000-07:00

I heard His voice as clearly as my own, saying; “I will walk you through this” Jesus knew the month of October would be a difficult one for me, so He spoke this to me at the beginning of the month before it all began. He was giving me a simple word of encouragement to hold on to. Believe me, I have held on to it through much physical suffering and weakness of body like I have never experienced before. So, I have been meditating as much as my brain would allow on suffering and why God allows it. He does allow it, that I am certain! He is altogether good, loving and wants the best for me, this I am also certain. Wow! They seem to contradict each other. How could God who loves me and wants the best for me allow me to suffer?

I know I have to tread lightly here, because many of us who are part of the Body of Christ would never say,” God caused or gave me this illness.” We would even choke on the words, “God has allowed this illness.” I know having been a cancer survivor of almost 8 years now; you have to be very careful how you testify about God “getting” me through that time.

I studied the Greek meaning of suffering in many of the New Testament passages we are so familiar with.

Romans 8:18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

II Corinthians 1:5
For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.

Philippians 3:10-11
That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings being conformed to His death in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead

I Peter 4:12-13
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.

These all are from the Greek word pathema meaning, something undergone for example a hardship or pain.
It really focuses on the passion of Christ.

Hebrews 12:2
Who for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

It also addresses the fellowship of sharing in these sufferings as the disciples of the New Testament often endured. They experienced many afflictions and persecutions for being associated with Christ and proclaiming Him as Lord. Many people throughout the world are enduring painful persecutions, hardships and afflictions for no other reason than because of being a Christian.

So, I have been mulling over all of these scriptures within their contexts. It seems to me we do not suffer the same kinds of persecutions as Jesus or his disciples did, nevertheless we suffer!
Can we make the jump here? I think we can, we do suffer persecutions, and afflictions to some degree here in America.

They are no less troubling and distressing and Jesus doesn’t minimize them in any way! He uses them! He allows these hardships and afflictions so that we will rely on Him and we are strengthened in the end. We will have much more compassion for our friends, family and acquaintances who are suffering.

Hebrews 12:11
All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

We are being trained by Jesus through various trials and testings and this is also to produce in us more of His nature. Yes, I want to be more like Jesus, but do I have to endure this suffering? Jesus, please deliver me from this weakness and suffering. He responds, “Be strengthened in me my child, for when you are weak my strength is being perfected in you.”

This is a word from Jesus that I received last night. I was listening to Mike Bickle and forerunner worship out of Missouri last evening and during the worship Jesus spoke so sweetly to me.

I am so near to you.

I am training you in patient endurance. I am equipping you for service in my Kingdom. Take courage, take heart! You are strong and I am teaching you how to patiently endure to the end. I am giving you joy, in the midst of the pain and weakness. Cultivate these, patience in suffering, endurance in the midst of the testing, and joy! Rejoice always, Joy always!

Matthew 10:22
And you will be hated by all on account of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.

This is such an amazing scripture in its Greek meaning.

To endure means to suffer, to be long suffering, to persevere, to abide, to stay under, to put up with.

To endure to the end is an interesting phrase. The end actually means the conclusion of an act or state, the sum total, the end the final purpose, a limit, a boundary.

Will be saved actually means to make whole, to preserve or deliver out of physical death, to heal, to restore to health, to be healed, to recover.

How many of you in the American church are suffering because of the Name of Jesus? Maybe a few, but many are suffering discouragement, just hanging on for a better day, living below the poverty line, struggling to put food on your table, stuck in a job you hate, working below your ability and having to submit to someone less qualified, working a job that is demoralizing because it pays better than the burger joint, suffering with fatigue and maladies of all sorts?

There are testing’s that come our way as believers and they have come to strengthen our reliance on Jesus. He is committed to help you through these difficult times. I believe we are to commit these situations whatever they may truly be to Jesus. He says,” There is an appointed time for this to cease.” There is a boundary, a limit to the testing. In the end the word says you will be saved. He will deliver you out of the situation, change the circumstances so they are more agreeable. He is able to make all grace abound to you in your testing.

You know we live in a fallen world with moral decay all around us, but we are here to be a light reflecting the glory of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:10-12
Finally be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God that you may be able to stand firm against then schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

So, we live in a fallen world and have an enemy the devil who is out to steal, kill and destroy us. What is the good news here?

Jesus of course is the answer! He is more than able to defeat the enemy harassing you. He is able to strengthen you through the battle, to give you hope for you and your families future. He is your provider. He is your glory and the lifter of your head! He also has the ability at any given time to miraculously heal and deliver you instantly. I am not saying that we should not pray in faith believing for this. We always do this and continue to believe for our miracle or deliverance. In the times He chooses to wait, He has a purpose, an end result which is always motivated by a love that is so perfect and good!

A word to you from Jesus:

I am with you my child. I am very near to you. Can you feel me strengthening you? I am near, blowing my life into you. I will be for you exactly what you need. Grace to you my child, a strengthening grace is covering you, making provision for you. Don’t fret, I will provide all you need. Take time to rest and recover completely. It will be good in the end. Grace, grace is all you need right now. It will see you through to the end result. Take any worrisome thoughts captive in Jesus Name. Do not meditate on them. Release love and peace to those who have not quite understood what you are going through. Do not take up offense! I will see you through this time. I am forever with you, Jesus

You are loved and cherished by Jesus!

2011-08-28T14:41:00.000-07:00

Good Morning! It is Sunday, August 28, 2011. Nate is at our Vineyard church and I am at home today; recovering from a road trip and a virus. I was quieting myself before the Lord and He spoke this to me.

Rest assured that you and Nate will be together a long time, till death parts you. I want you to rest in knowing that he loves you and prefers you to all others. Don’t struggle, rest, and rest. Find your place of complete peace and assurance in Me. Life is sweet for you and Nate. I have made it this way as a reward to you both. You both are so faithful, to the cause of the Kingdom and to each other. My blessings are on you, and you will serve with joy. My boundaries for you have fallen in pleasant places. Rejoice, rejoice, this is all very good!

Wow! This was completely unexpected and so sweet! I wasn’t praying about Nate and me although this has been on my heart for quite some time. Holy Spirit zeroed in on my vulnerability and spoke truth to it. The scripture reference for, “My boundaries for you have fallen in pleasant places” is found in Psalm 16.

Psalm 16:6
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.

These boundary lines are representative of our lot in life. I know you have probably heard people say, “This is my lot in life” typically in a negative connotation. The believer, one who has put their trust in Jesus has a different “lot” in life!

These boundary lines, or our lot in life, have fallen in pleasant places. In the Hebrew lexicon it describes the word pleasant as being, delightful, sweet, lovely, and agreeable.

I had to smile when Holy Spirit spoke to me that, “life is sweet for you and Nate” I typically use the word sweet to describe something I like. So, it is not uncommon to hear Holy Spirit speak to me in my common language, but when I was doing the search in the Hebrew on pleasant places and saw the word sweet it made me so happy.

Life is amazingly sweet when you are sharing it with someone who loves and cares for you. Kingdom living is so much fun; it is filled with delights as you follow the paths the Lord has for you. I am not discounting “real life” if you have read my past Cassias you know that I have been brutally honest about life. It is difficult at times, but is always manageable with Jesus! He makes it delightful even when we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death.

So, let me tell you how this Kingdom living is coming forth in our lives. Recently, Nate and I have prayed and received clearer direction on what will be our next step in serving in missions. We know we are called to the nations of the world, to go and share our joy in Christ, to disciple and to love.

We are currently part of a Vineyard Church here in Albuquerque. We are helping this new church plant by leading worship. We are learning from our pastor how to build a church. He is a church planter and has successfully planted a vineyard church, which he and his wife pastored for ten years before coming to Albuquerque. We indeed have a lot to learn and it is a joy to be part of this new plant.

In January, Nate and I will be flying to The Netherlands to spend a month with our daughter Rebekah, Martijn her husband and Isa our granddaughter. Our purpose is two-fold as there is a Vineyard church in Amsterdam. We are very interested in helping with this church on a long term basis. We do not know whether this will eventually be an opportunity for Nate and I to church plant also in Amsterdam or in another part of Europe. We are going to scout things out in January, with the hope of returning later that year to live there. Nate and I are learning the Dutch language through internet studies, CDs and computer programs.

This is quite the adventure at our age … yet, Jesus! He says, “Go and help, go and be about building my Kingdom in Amsterdam.” We are so excited to be able to do this. The Dutch language is actually coming pretty easy to Nate and me, for which I know is God enabling us.

Psalm 2:8
Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Thy inheritance and the very ends of the earth as Thy possession.

I love this psalm. God is speaking through David about the coming Messiah, who before going to the cross for the redemption of the world was filled with joy in his heart because he knew many would receive this great salvation!

I also believe this is my spiritual inheritance, to see many come to know Jesus as their Lord! We asked God for the nations and He has responded by leading us to The Netherlands to be part of sharing our hope in Jesus and serving the Body of Christ there. This is His boundary lines falling for us in pleasant places. We do have a delightful inheritance.

2011-07-09T18:10:00.000-07:00

Holy Spirit, I am seeking you today. Speak to me of your great love.

I loved you long before you knew my Name or my character. I fashioned you to be the person you are today. I made you and desired that you would love me in return, but I gave you the choice. Love is only love when given freely without coercion. I loved you while you were still in your sin. I was hoping that one day you would see the emptiness in your soul that could only be filled with me. That’s my hope, my strong desire for all mankind; to love and fill the void inside of them. Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life, no man can come to the Father except he goes through the Son, Jesus Christ.

There is a story in the gospel of Luke that tells the story of a Father with two sons. The younger one asked his Father to give him his share of the estate. The Father divided his estate between the brothers. Not long after the younger son left home for a far distant land, he squandered his inheritance on wild living. There was a famine in that part of the country and he fell on very hard times. He found work tending pigs for a citizen of that country. He was starving and desired even to fill his stomach with the pig’s food.

The word of God says that he came to his senses, and said to himself, “My father’s hired men have more than enough to eat. I will go back to my father and repent saying, “I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be your son, make me one of your hired men.” So, he got up and went to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him. He ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son repented to his father just as he said he would do. The father quickly called the servants to bring the best robe and put it on him, put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. He said, “Let’s have a feast and celebrate! For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost but now is found!” So, they began to celebrate!

What a beautiful picture of our Father’s unconditional love for his children. In the parable the son chose to leave the family and go out into the world. The father allowed him to go, even though it grieved his heart. The father would not force the son to stay for that would not have been love. Love does not demand its way, even though it may be the right way. Repentance is turning from sin and turning to the One who has the power to forgive. The father was ready, waiting, and able to receive back the repentant son. The father restored the son back to his original position. The enemy of our souls would keep us in the pigpen eating slop; but our Father says, “You are a son.” and honors us with an embrace, a kiss, a royal robe, a ring, and a celebratory feast!

Hosea 2: 14-16
Therefore, I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will sing as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt.

This is one of my favorite scriptures and one of my most favorite books of the Bible. It is about an unfaithful Israel who prostituted herself with other nations; and a very faithful God who is betrothed to her. God loves and woos Israel back to himself. The allegory is concerning the Prophet Hosea and his unfaithful wife Gomer. Some believe this is factual and that God actually spoke to Hosea to marry Gomer who was a prostitute, others believe it is strictly allegorical; nevertheless it is filled with so much hope for us! We can insert ourselves in the place of Israel and or Gomer in this story. We have all from time to time run after other gods, and have committed spiritual adultery with the things of the world. God does not give up on us; he continues to draw us back to himself through his unconditional love and mercy. He quickly forgives as we come with truly repentant hearts. He longs to show us compassion. He leads us to a place where we hunger and thirst for him; where nothing else can fill the emptiness.

A desert place is where we come to the end of ourselves; our self sufficiency falling miserably short. Then our Father speaks tenderly to us; we listen now because we are at a place of humility. We are holding fast to every word spoken. Our damaged souls are raw from harsh words spoken, people using us and tossing us aside. This is where our Father applies ointment to our wounds and says to us as He did many thousands of years ago to Israel and Gomer, “I will give you back your vineyards.” He restores back to us what is rightfully ours and that my friends is sonship. The enemy of our souls has torn at us and tried to destroy our identities. He wants to strip us of all honor and dignity. God says, “Enough! No more!”

The Valley of Achor means the Valley of trouble. How many of us can say, “Yes, I have seen some trouble in my life!” I surely can say that! Some of the trouble has come to me by my own volition. I have chosen to walk away from the precepts of God and walk into sin. Other times it has come my way by no choice of my own. I have an enemy called the devil who would love to see me destroyed. The very least he wants to steal from me my peace, my joy, my sanity, and my reputation. He ultimately wants me dead to God, to lose my passion for the Kingdom of God, and then physically kill me.

I will make the Valley of Achor (trouble) a door of hope!

God himself will do this for the child of God. He loves us more than we can ever imagine. He is the Restorer of your soul; your mind, your will, and your emotions. He is the One who speaks tenderly to you of your amazing future!

Isaiah 42:3
A bruised reed he will not break a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.

He is a gentle and loving Father who knows each of us intimately. He has a tailor made plan for each of our futures.

Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

Many in the Body of Christ suffer with depression because of disappointments over and again. Many times it is of our own making, because we put unattainable goals on ourselves. These are goals that God has not and will not ever yoke us with. Disappointments often lead to feelings of hopelessness and giving up. We give up on God as we say to ourselves, “What’s the use in trying anymore?” This kind of negative self talk leads to depression or oppression. We must take negative self talk captive and make it obedient to what Christ says about us. His desire for us is the latter part to that verse.

A longing fulfilled is a tree of life!

Our Father does put godly passions inside of us, those desires we all have to do great things in our lives. The aspiration to do great things in His Kingdom and in your life is an obtainable goal. Those dreams in your heart that only you and God know about are good. When they come to pass, it brings life to your spirit man, to your soul and to your body! When we walk out our God given destinies we are full of life and the people around us take notice.

What will be the fruit of our lives yielded completely to our Father? We will sing as in the days of our youth. Joy will fill us to overflowing as in the early days of our salvation. Do you remember how sweet those early days were after coming into Christ? I remember feeling so peaceful and contented. My life had great hope because of Jesus living inside of me by the Holy Spirit. We will have renewed passion for God and His Kingdom as we walk with a repentant and humble heart.

The last sentence within this scripture says, as in the day she came up out of Egypt. This also speaks of the day of your salvation. Egypt represents “the old man” or “the sin nature.”

Coming up out of Egypt speaks of the day we said yes to our God and came out of our sin. This is a continual process of yielding to our Father. Our salvation is guaranteed through the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross. We are not working in any way for it. We must however keep ourselves from spiritual adultery, flirting with the world and its systems can be very dangerous. This can strip you of your energy, your joy, your peace and can ultimately cause you to lose all your passion for life and for Jesus!

2011-05-18T16:12:00.000-07:00

As I was seeking the LORD during a prayer time with our daughter Stephanie’s house church, I heard Holy Spirit say,” The strength of your church is the unity amongst those who attend. There is community and a sense of family. This is pleasing to me. My blessing is on your fellowship.”

Psalm 133:1-3
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like the precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard down the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mt. Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing even life forevermore.

God is saying very clearly here, He blesses his children when they walk in unity with one another. He is not speaking here of the world, he is addressing “brothers” or the church. We are instructed to live at peace with one another, to live in community with each other. If you are part of the body of Christ then you should be actively in fellowship with one another; this involves sharing meals, caring for one another, worshipping together, helping each other as help is needed, bearing one another’s burdens as we are all part of the same body.

Psalm 68:5-6A
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families

God is relational. He enjoys having fellowship with his children. He loves community and all which that includes. The beautiful thing about the Kingdom of God is there is an open invitation for “all” to come in. No one needs to be excluded from the family of God. He sets the lonely in families; that is having a sense of belonging. It means people take notice of you. They care. I am not speaking of control or what we referred to as “shepherding” years ago. The community of the church body should not be meddlesome or dictating. It is a genuine love and concern for each other.

Exodus 1:21
Because the midwives feared God, He established households for them.

This is in response to the Egyptian King giving a mandate to the midwives helping the Hebrew women to give birth. He told them if it is a boy child to put him to death. The midwives feared God and did not do as the King of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live. So, God was good to the midwives and multiplied the people and they became mighty. He also established households for the midwives for they walked in the fear of the LORD. One of the Hebrew meanings of this word household is family.

God loves and takes great delight in family. Our biological and adopted families are important to Him. It was his purpose from the beginning of time to “Go forth and multiply!” He loves having children.

I was thinking about the many homeless in our city recently. They are out on the streets without shelter, without a community who really cares for them. I began thinking of the scripture in Psalm 37:25 which says, I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread.

There is so much truth in this scripture. When you become born into the family of God through believing in Jesus Christ, you are in a family. There are countless churches to become connected with. I am not ignorant of the plight of the homeless. I realize many are suffering from mental illness, drug and alcohol addictions. Yet, it is God’s will and His good pleasure to see his children in relationships within the Body of Christ; to see them prospering in community and in a family.

Going back to the original scripture in Psalm 133

There is blessing from the LORD when his children live in unity and harmony with each other. The oil was used to anoint the priests for service; to consecrate them and make them holy. God is saying that when we live in harmony with one another it also makes us holy, set apart.

The dew of Hermon speaks of watering the land. In a well watered area it produces fruit. Likewise in a community of believers living in unity there is much fruit. God commands his blessing! Life forevermore!

2 Chronicles 30:1-2, 12
Now Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover to the LORD God of Israel. For the King and his princes and all the assembly in Jerusalem had decided to celebrate the Passover in the second month. The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and princes commanded by the word of the LORD.

Hezekiah was a righteous king who took the reign after a very unrighteous king. This King Ahaz promoted idol worship in Jerusalem. So, when Hezekiah took the reign he reinstated temple worship and the Passover feast. Hezekiah sent out letters to invite all to the Passover feast. Many mocked and scorned the couriers. Nevertheless, some men came to Jerusalem for the feast. It says the hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and princes commanded by the word of the LORD.

God gave them unity of heart and mind. It is possible to live in peace and like-mindedness with our brother and sisters in the LORD. Prayer, humility, and walking in the fear of the LORD bring unity to the Body of Christ. We can accomplish a great deal and bear much fruit as we walk in unity. God will command his blessing and life forevermore!

To walk in the fear of the LORD is to hate what is evil. Stirring up discord and disunity among the brethren is evil; it is sin! God hates it, and it grieves his heart!

2011-04-05T18:52:00.000-07:00

A word from the LORD in my quiet time on February 24, 2011

I am imparting more grace to you; Jan. Grace and peace are yours. Seasonal changes are coming. I will make provision for you in every way. Don’t fret or worry; I have more than enough to sustain you and Nate. Continue to seek me with all of your heart. You will find me and hear my heart. Jan, you won’t be care giving for the elderly any longer. This will be your last client. I have a new season for you. Doors will open to you and Nate. Watch for them to begin right away; this will include a season of fasting your evening meals. In doing this it will open up more kingdom mysteries to you, and will also defeat your insecurities and fear. Step into this and I promise to meet you. I will sustain you through this season.

So, a week went by and I received a phone call in regards to a very good care giving job. I didn’t turn it down right away; as I was battling this decision. I was thinking about all the medical bills that were pouring in from my husbands nine day hospital stay. I really need to do my part in caring for our family. There was much turmoil in my spirit and my soul during this time; as they were battling each other. An interview was set up and I had planned on going, somehow justifying my thoughts. Four hours prior to going I still had little peace and could no longer rationalize going. I knew I would be in disobedience. So, I called the client and backed out gracefully. Wow, immediately my peace and joy returned.

The Holy Sprit asked me a question during my quiet time.

Who do you see yourself as? Then He answered it Himself.
A caregiver
A person who cleans houses
A child care provider
These are all honorable professions, but no longer for you.

Then He spoke this to me.

I have your times in my hands. I will provide for you. I will open the right doors very soon. These things were all the things you were pondering as possibilities for employment. I don’t want you doing any of these. I have so much more confidence in you. I see your grand potential. You are a writer, a speaker; you carry the weightiness of my glory. My glory resonates from you and will touch many. Step into these things I have for you, Jan.

Jeremiah 29:11-13
For I know the thoughts and plans I have for you, says the LORD, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Then you will call upon Me, inquire for, and require Me (as a vital necessity) and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

March 16, 2011
I awoke around 2:30 AM
Praying in the Spirit, and interceding for Japan. I heard Holy Spirit ask me this question.
Will you go?
My response without hesitation was, “Yes Lord, yes Lord.
Then He said, “Go feed my sheep; you and Nate will go as my ambassadors of love, the provision has already been made.”

Nate and I have always known we would do foreign missions. We have been yielded to Holy Spirit over the years; and were willing to go. We spent many years doing urban missions and other kingdom work. We knew it would be when our children were grown and out of the house. Our first trip was to Amsterdam, The Netherlands in 2008. We were there for two months serving as mission builders with Youth With A Mission.

I can tell you that I know very little in regards to our plans. I would like a detailed agenda, but as of now we do not have one. We are seeking the Lord daily as to the next steps to take. We are waiting for the right connection. We are using wisdom as to going to Japan because of the radiation leaks. If this door opens to us and we have a yes from the Lord, then we will go. We are also looking into going to India. This appears to be a more likely trip for us; although we are only going where Holy Spirit leads us. We are excited about our future in missions. We desire to impart the things we have learned over the years. The things we are passionate for are; seeing God’s people whole, we love the Body of Christ. We would love the opportunity to share on repentance, forgiveness, intimacy with God, and emotional healing.

Our son Micah, is in the process of creating a web page for the ministry updates. The web address is PerfectLoveofGod.com. This page will also have a link to my cassia offerings and our Cedars of God intercessory page. We have spoken with our pastor and his wife in regards to our vision for missions. We will be under the umbrella of our church, Global Destiny. They are very supportive and have encouraged us to pursue this. So, in the near future we hope, we will be going on a short term mission trip. We think we will stay for one or two months and then return to Albuquerque, New Mexico where we are presently living. Again, we are not sure of the length of time until we are connected and partnering with a ministry.

We are also developing a young adult group in our church. We will begin meeting with them on a weekly basis starting in May. We hope to raise up a group of young adults passionate for Jesus and the Nations. Our desire is to lead teams of young people to do kingdom work wherever Holy Spirit leads us.

Jeremiah 33:3
Call to Me, and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

I began reading in Jeremiah 33 and ended up in Jeremiah 35, which is the story of the Recabites. It is an amazing story about the importance of Obedience! I will not take the time to type it in completion, but please go to Jeremiah 35 and read this amazing account of the Recabites.

Jeremiah was prompted by the Lord to invite the Recabite family to one of the side rooms of the house of the LORD. The LORD specifically said to give them wine to drink. So, Jeremiah did just that. He brought the whole family to the house of the LORD. He set bowls full of wine and cups before them. He then told them to drink the wine. But, they replied, “we do not drink wine, because our forefather Jonadab son of Recab gave us this command; neither you nor your descendants must ever drink wine. Also you must never build houses, sow seed or plant vineyards; you must never have any of these things, but must always live in tents. Then you will live a long time in the land where you are nomads. WE HAVE OBEYED EVERYTHING!

This was an example to the Israelites to do as the Recabites had done for many years, walk in obedience! Jeremiah made a distinction between the Israelites and the Recabites. One has walked in obedience since receiving the command, and the other Nation has rebelled against the God of Israel.

The LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel says: Listen! I am going to bring on Judah and on everyone living in Jerusalem every disaster I pronounced against them. I spoke to them, but they did not listen; I called to them but they did not answer. This is a very strong rebuke to Israel.

The LORD made a declaration to the Recabites that they would never fail to have a man to serve Him. God takes obedience very seriously!

There is a blessing on all who are obedient.

I will close this cassia with a word from the LORD regarding obedience.

As the Recabites were obedient to their forefathers command; you have been obedient to Me. I will bless your life with goodness, with honor and wealth. Your children and your children’s children will always serve Me the God of Abraham. It is their spiritual heritage. Great peace will be found in their homes; they will be delightful dwellings. So, when people ask you, “How is it that all your children serve the LORD?” Tell them, it is because of our obedience to God. Always remember the story of the Recabites.

2011-03-31T23:24:00.000-07:00

The Lord is our banner. He is Jehovah Nissi. His banner is an identifying flag that represents His LOVE. God is Love! His very nature is love. God lives, moves and has his being in love. He responds to his children through a heart of love.

A word of the LORD came to me a few days prior to writing this cassia.

I have set my banner of love over you. For I say the Victory is yours. I say today, I am the Victor! The battle has been one! Open your eyes! Look up; look up, your redemption is drawing close. Do not fear what is going on in the world, walk only in the Fear of the LORD.

Exodus 17:15-16
Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner. He said, “For hands were lifted up to the Throne of the LORD. The LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.”

The Amalekites were a nomadic people who came against the Israelites to destroy them. Moses called for Joshua and told him to choose some men and go out and fight the Amelkites. Moses would stand on top of the hill with his staff raised to God. As long as Moses kept his hands raised the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered them the Amalekites were winning. So, when Moses tired he sat on a rock and Aaron and Hur held his arms up. Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

The battle and the victory is the LORD’s. He shows us through this amazing story of His plan to defeat the enemy in our life. We do not fight with swords as they did. Our battles are against the enemy of our soul, the devil.

Ephesians 6:12
For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Our battle is against the evil one. The earth was handed over to his control and dominion at the fall of man. He was defeated through the cross, but we still struggle against him in this world. So, we have an adversary much like Israel’s enemy the Amalekites. He wants to destroy our lives. Jesus is Jehovah Nissi. The LORD is our banner. We fight under that banner. It is recognized by our enemy and he hates it. It represents “For God so loved the world that He gave his Son to atone for our sin.” We overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony.

God defeated the enemy through giving his Son, because He deeply loved His creation. We are not to walk in fear of the enemy. We are only to walk in a holy reverence or the fear of the LORD. God has called his children to walk in this same kind of selfless love we see being poured out by our Father in giving Jesus Christ as our atonement. We are to love the world into relationship with Jesus.

We walk under this banner of love. We personify the love of Christ!

Song of Songs 2:3-6
Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my lover among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste. He has taken me to his banquet hall and his banner over me is love. Strengthen me with raisins; refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love. His left arm is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.

The above reference is a beautiful picture of Christ and His bride, the church. Jesus stands out among all created. He is above every name. He is beautiful and I love to sit at his feet and learn from him. The revelation we receive and the words he speaks over us in our quiet times is sweet to our taste. A banquet was a formal meal held in honor of a person or a special occasion. So, when we see Christ taking his bride to his banquet hall, it signifies a celebration in her honor. Jesus loves his church so much he wants to lavish on her finery. He has prepared this special meal with meat and wine in her honor. To make this gathering even more special, He says, His banner over us is his love. He has not only set us apart to honor us, He declares His love for us! It is his pleasure to raise high the banner, the flag declaring, “My love is over my church, my bride.” He upholds us with His righteousness! He will not let us fall. He embraces us as a gesture of his everlasting love.

Isaiah 25:6-7
On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine- the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations.

The LORD himself will prepare the feast for his bride. The best meats and wines will be served to his beloved. All people are invited to this banquet. He is the manna from Heaven; he is the Bread of life, he satisfies the hunger and thirst within all people. This is an invitation to the Nations to come and feast. He will remove the veil that has hidden the mysteries of the times; Christ in you the hope of glory. Jesus will be LORD over the Nations. He is the Desire of the Nations.

Haggai 2:7
I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord Almighty

Mankind is created and formed in God’s image; we have an innate desire to be like him. We hunger for love but can only be satisfied with God’s perfect love. Men thirst for greatness, purpose and destiny but even with the very best the world can offer they still feel empty. God wants to come into our lives and take up residence. When this happens we become the temple or house for Holy Spirit. He says,” I will fill this house with my glory! “

Glory in this passage actually means to, honor, glorious, abundance,riches, splendor, dignity, reputation. I would like to be filled with all of those amazing things. To be honored for whom you are. To be so God filled that we radiate glory and splendor. We are transformed by the renewing of our minds. The fruit of this is honor, dignity and good reputation. The abundance of riches comes in many ways; monetarily, spiritually, relationally, and emotionally. In all aspects of my life, I feel blessed!

This past Sunday as Nate and I led worship; I looked out at the congregation and I saw many flags waving as the people worshiped. It was so beautiful. It actually imparted courage to me. I know what those flags represent. They are banners of love, and freedom in Christ. They are being waved before their King. His banner over us is love!

2011-03-22T21:50:00.000-07:00

Quieting myself before the Lord:

Pray against a spirit of intimidation that has infiltrated my body, my church. This spirit is in the church to keep destinies from being birthed. There are many men and women who are amazingly gifted and you are not aware of it. You are missing out on their gifts that bring impartation to my body.

I would like to share an encounter I had recently. I was speaking with an acquaintance who is quickly becoming a dear friend. While praying at our intercessory prayer meeting she received a scripture that she felt was from the Lord. She didn’t share it because of a lack of confidence. Later that evening the same scripture was prayed over and declared by someone else. She felt like she had missed her opportunity to share. I searched my heart right away, because I never want to make anyone feel unqualified. At our intercession group we try to walk in humility, love and acceptance. I discerned a spirit of intimidation from the evil one.

I John 3:8B The Son of God appeared for this purpose to destroy the works of the devil.

Jesus defeated the evil one through the cross! He has come to bring us life more abundantly, and freedom!

If you are a child of God, born again through the shed blood of Jesus, you are given authority to come against the evil one!

You can stop the harassment now, by taking authority over those spirits that keep you from walking in your complete destiny.

I believe that when we are in a situation like my friend found herself in, we presume to think, this is not from the Lord, or my gifting is small and insignificant. Both of these are wrong thinking. I am not being critical of my friend. I am speaking experientially! I have been there recently and continue to stand against this erroneous thinking. To presume something is typically wrong because we filter our thoughts through our soul. We are not perfected yet, many of us are filtering our thoughts through rejection, insecurities, and wounds from our past.

Let’s look at the definition of presume.

Presume means to take for granted, assume, or suppose.

Do you see how dangerous this kind of thinking can be to us? The evil one does not want us to prosper in any way. He wants to destroy our destinies. At the very least he wants to make us feel inferior to our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a lie that your gifting is not important, or that it is a lesser gift. There is victory for the born again believer. We can stand against these wrong mind sets. I already said that we have authority as joint-heirs with Christ. We must take the initiative to rebuke, bind, and cast down evil imaginations as we are led by Holy Spirit. He will show you the way to rid yourselves of these tormenting spirits.

Now to the Body of Christ who are confident in their gifting. I commend you in Christ! We need a stronger measure of assurance. So be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might! I would add to this a spirit of humility, love and acceptance. This will bring a unity to the Body of Christ that will be an unstoppable force!

This is a word from the Lord I received today as I was interceding for the Body of Christ:

Yes, this spirit will be put to flight as you stand in unity! The unified church will defeat it! There is strength in numbers and even more strength, multiplied strength in a unified people.

Leviticus 26: 3, 6-13
If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments so as to carry them out, then…. I shall also grant peace in the land, so that you may lie down with no one making you tremble. I shall also eliminate harmful beasts from the land, and no sword will pass through your land. But you will chase your enemies and they will fall before you by the sword; five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall before you by the sword. So, I will turn toward you and make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will confirm My covenant with you. You will eat the old supply and clear out the old because of the new. Moreover, I will make My dwelling among you and my soul will not reject you. I will also walk among you and you shall be my people. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt so that you would not be their slaves, and I broke the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect.

This scripture is incredibly informative! I love the word of God. It is as relevant for us in the twenty first century as it was for the children of Israel. God was giving a word to the children of Israel then and at the same time His present day Church. He commands a blessing over us if we walk in obedience to Him.

Peace in the land
Lack of fear
Peaceful sleep
Eliminating harmful beasts. The Hebrew translation for beast is age, alive, and appetite. Therefore we can say God will eliminate any living creature or thing that is harmful to us, God will eliminate our appetites for harmful things or fleshly lusts, God will eliminate any harmful thing of this present age that is coming against us.
No violence
Unity in coming against the evil one. There is strength in numbers and unity!
Strength to defeat the enemy of our souls.
Presumptions and poor mindsets are going. Destinies are being fulfilled!
We will run to the battle!
You will bear fruit and our numbers in the church will multiply.
God will confirm His covenant with his children through: the bearing of fruit, people coming to Christ, signs and wonders, workings of miracles, healings and deliverances.
We will leave the old wine skins behind. We are not satisfied with the way things used to be done. We are tired of religious formulas and regulations taught by man.
We will take hold of the new wine, being led only by the Spirit of God. Jesus only did what He saw His Father do. He was led completely through his prayer and fellowship with His Father. We must do the same!
We are the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us. He made His dwelling among men.
He calls us His own. We are the children of God. He is our Father.
God brought us out of Egypt (a representation of sin and slavery).
He set us free, never again to be yoked with sin and bondage. Jesus’ yoke is easy and delightful.
We now walk upright! We walk in righteousness, as joint-heirs with Jesus Christ.

I want to reiterate a few things in closing. Jesus is calling His Body to a spirit of humility, love and acceptance! We are not to judge. We are about to witness the largest outpouring of Holy Spirit that we have ever seen. We must be ready to receive the world into our churches. They are going to come in like a flood, and they will not be clean and polished. We must gently lead, instruct, and allow Holy Spirit to do His work in them. He is more than able to do this.

Unity in the Body is a necessity if we want to see the power of God in our midst. We must honor one another above ourselves; clothing ourselves daily in a spirit of humility. Above all else Church, put on love! Love covers a multitude of sin. Love enables others to be themselves without fear of rejection. Love makes room for another’s gifting. My heart is passionate about releasing these; love, humility, acceptance and unity!

2011-03-13T21:31:00.000-07:00

John 5:17
Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too, am working.

It may not seem that way as we turn on the news, or pull up the news via the internet. The news is screaming to us disaster, war, human suffering as horrific as we have ever seen or heard. My heart aches for the precious people of Japan and New Zealand, as they have suffered greatly. Next month it will be another nation affected by the throes of what seems to be great injustice. But, who is really behind these natural disasters and wars spinning out of control? Let me say emphatically it is not God. I do believe that because of the fallen world that we live in, we are subject to these intense groanings.

Romans 8:20-22
For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

I believe this passage of scripture is referring to the fall of man recorded in Genesis chapter three. God said to Adam, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’, Cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; and you will eat the plants of the field; by the sweat of your face you will eat bread, till you return to the ground, because from it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

2 Peter 2:13
But according to his promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells

So, the earth is subjected to futility, which to clarify means the earth is useless, vain, and ineffective. Now, I know that sounds ridiculous, but in a fallen world apart from God our labor is useless, vain and ineffective. Now, that makes perfect sense. The earth will be liberated in the end and will be made new, but until then it suffers! We, who are in Christ, suffer also because we live on earth. Our spirits are redeemed and we live a joy filled, blessed life. Yet, we groan in travail waiting for the redemption of our bodies. This too will occur at the second coming of Jesus Christ, for which we have great hope and expectation!

So, how do we handle such tragedy such suffering as we have witnessed this past month. We pray! We diligently bring these precious people before the LORD. I know the heart of the Father is grieved for them. You say, then why doesn’t he do something to prevent it? This also goes back to the fall of man, Adam relinquished the rights of mankind and the earth was turned over to satan.

Luke 4:5-7
The devil led him (Jesus) up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world, and he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So, if you worship me, it will all be yours.”

Let there be no question here of the omniscience and omnipotence of our God, Jesus Christ. He knows the beginning to the end of what is taking place in our World. He is more than able to change the course of history, and I know that he has through the intercessions of the saints. We have many examples of this through the lives of the Prophets, Disciples and Apostles. I believe armies can be re-routed through the prayers being offered up to God. So, our grief and distress over the things happening on a daily basis are best funneled through prayers of intercession. It relieves and brings comfort knowing that God is hearing us and Jesus is also interceding on their behalf.

Isaiah 60:1-5
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up you eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the arm. Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come.

The past few months have been truly amazing times spent in the presence of the LORD. He is visiting His church, the body of Christ. I am not just speaking of the church I attend. He is visiting His church globally and doing several things.

Purifying her through revelation of hidden sin. Bringing what has been in the darkness into the light. He is not exposing publicly, but as we are before Him in prayer, he is bringing conviction of sin.

Clothing her with a spirit of humility, and compassion. He is increasing our passion to pray for the church and for the lost nations.

He is filling us with His Glory! God’s glory is manifested to us through the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes for the LORD, who is the Spirit.

He is filling us with his glory which is changing us into the likeness of Jesus. We are becoming more filled with love, humility, compassion, gentleness, goodness, faith. The word says in Isaiah that darkness, thick darkness is covering the earth, but the glory is rising upon us! The Nations will stream to us because of this glory. We have the good news! Jesus is still the answer! Jesus in his church is the answer! Prepare yourself church for the great end-time harvest. People are desperate and fearful because of all the shakings going on in the world. Be ready to receive these who will be coming in. Prepare your heart! That is the word I keep hearing the Spirit saying. These are indeed sorrowful times and wonderful times. Sorrow for the world apart from Christ, wonderful for His church doing the kingdom work!

So, the Father and Jesus are at work to this very day and we also should be about our Father’s work!

2011-02-26T21:53:00.000-08:00

My grace is covering you completely. You are clothed in my glory. Everything that concerns you my daughter is covered with my goodness. Favor, favor, favor; you walk in great favor and honor. Queen Esther walked in my favor, because I clothed her in my glory. She stood out among the other virgins, because I clothed her. I was her radiance and I am yours. You are filled with grace, and honor will be bestowed on you. Walk with strength and dignity my daughter.

Proverbs 31:25-31
Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future. She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness she will not eat. Her children rise up and call her blessed and her husband boasts of and praises her. Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly and well with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness, but you excel them all. Charm and grace are deceptive and beauty is vain, because it is not lasting, but the woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the LORD, she shall be praised! Giver her of the fruit of her own works, praise her in the gates of the city!

My heart is grieved for your daughters my Father. They struggle to fit into what society says is beautiful. They clothe themselves to allure; to find the affirming words their souls desire. They are taking it beyond their clothing as they are still not satisfied with how they look; they are permanently changing their bodies and faces with surgery. They are saying to God, “I do not like the way you created and fashioned me, so I am going to make it better.” Where are these girls’ identities after all of this surgery? I know, they are broken and pieced together, having altered not just their physical bodies but their souls as well. They are modeling themselves after a perfect look that is hollow and empty. The enemy of our souls, the devil is behind this façade. He is lying not only to our young but to the mothers and grandmothers as well. He is saying the perfect face and the perfect body will bring you happiness and fulfillment. To be young and beautiful is the answer to your yearnings, to your emptiness. He is the Enemy of you soul! He is not speaking truth to you. He is the father of all lies. There will always be someone who is more beautiful, younger, and more energetic. Your yearnings for fulfillment will never be satisfied with how you look or how you dress. Only in Christ can you be truly satisfied and fulfilled.

Father God desires to clothe you permanently with his beauty. Let’s take a look at the above scripture and we will see the beautiful plan our Father has for his daughters. He wants to clothe you in strength and dignity; to give you vitality and power. To walk with poise and distinction is to walk with self confidence and peculiarity. You see, God has made you distinct; you were not made with a cookie cutter. You are you. I struggled for years with the size of my nose, thinking it was just too large. In the 90’s I began to accept who I was and how God fashioned me for his pleasure. He loved my nose. I truly began to thank the Lord for my ethnic heritage and embraced it completely.

Father God gives us hope for our future. We should not be preoccupied with the way we look. This is vanity. I can look to my future and rejoice, because I know it will be fulfilling and rewarding. The enemy would like to preoccupy us with many things. He is out to destroy our destinies. He will do this in many ways, but in this discussion I have only focused on the obsession with beauty and a quest for youthfulness.

Jesus says to you, “Your beauty dwells in me.”
Jesus says to you, “Your glory dwells in me.”

Isaiah 61:10
I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

He has clothed us with garments of deliverance, and has brought us into covenant relationship with Jesus. He has brought morality to us, and equipped us to do good works. He has clothed us with virtue, justice, and honesty. He sees us as priests and as the very Bride of Christ adorned with beautiful jewels. We need this perspective of ourselves. We would walk a little differently I suspect if we saw ourselves as He sees us. This is walking in the knowledge of who we really are. Wow! Can you see yourself clothed in regal attire as beautiful as Queen Esther? You are the apple of God’s eye.

Godly Wisdom comes forth out of our mouths; because we are spending time in the presence of the King. We are leaning in and tuning our ears to hear what he says. He imparts wisdom through Holy Spirit to us his daughters. We then walk in the wisdom of the Lord. We are motivated to do good. This is moving away from an inward, self serving mindset to being filled with the goodness of God. This is the true beauty that comes from within and radiates strength.

You are not idle in your home life. You are busy keeping your house in order. Another way the enemy waylays us, is by laziness and disorder in our homes. It is hard to focus and be efficient when we live in chaos. Strengthen yourself in the Lord and get busy! He will give you the strength and plan to get your house in order.

Our children, the ones we bore naturally, and the ones we have labored for in the faith, will take notice of our lives. They will take the initiative and call us blessed. There is an amazing beauty in godliness. It comes forth like pure gold. People will be attracted to the glory that resides in you. The scientific community may scorn this notion but I am certain that the Glory of God keeps us looking good. To be youthful, peaceful and fulfilled is the fruit of His presence abiding in you. In the past few years we have experienced the fruit of our children rising up and calling us blessed. It is an amazing feeling to be honored by your children.

Our husbands have full confidence in us. They are in no doubt of our character. How are they certain we are strong, godly, beautiful women? They have witnessed our ins and outs, and the fruit of our lives speak volumes. They are more in love with us than when we first took our vows, because godly character breeds more love and passion. I am not in any way giving license to “let your physical self go.” We are responsible before God and our spouses to keep our temple in good order. I desire to be as beautiful for my husband as possible. I want him to look my way and be pleased I am his. The more I spend time with the lover of my soul the more my lover notices. I reflect God’s glory in many ways. Some of those ways are intimate and just for my husband. Probably King Xerxes was not taken by Esther’s godliness; it was her outward beauty that attracted his attention. Even so God directs the paths of kings and rulers. There is definitely a perfect balance here. You are the only one who can determine that for yourself.

I want to close with this last portion of scripture.

Proverbs 31:30
Charm and grace is deceptive, and beauty is vain, because it is not lasting, but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

Charisma and attractiveness can be deceptive in women as in men, but typically women use these traits more. The enemy has loosed a seducing spirit into the world in a much greater degree since the advent of the internet and in advertising. We are bombarded with seductive commercials and billboards. This is dangerous to many who do not guard their eyes and their hearts. Women are being pressured to look like models, and men are being snared through the lust of their flesh. It is all a trap of the enemy, the devil. He wants to steal, kill, and destroy you and your God given destinies. It is all a façade; it is not what it appears to be. Guard your hearts for it is the wellspring of life.

Proverbs 8:13
To fear the LORD is to hate evil

Women of God, I invoke you to walk in godly fear. To walk in such a holy reverence in all you do. Let’s be aware of how we dress, and how we carry ourselves. Let’s be cautious in the way we speak. We should always have a word mixed with wisdom and prudence. Be beautiful in your appearance and amazingly godly in your actions and speech. I am not presuming to tell you how you should appropriate this; this is between you and Holy Spirit. Blessings and glory to God

2011-02-16T13:22:00.000-08:00

We are called to act locally as part of the Body of Christ, but we are to think globally! I am asking the LORD for an expanded vision and heart for the world. Why? It is the Father’s heart that all come to repentance and share in the inheritance bought and paid for by the blood of His Son Jesus Christ.

This is God’s beautiful plan for his church worldwide.

Isaiah 58:6-7
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of 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 from your own flesh and blood?

God hates injustice! He brings judgment upon those who oppress the poor, the widow the orphan.

Matthew 18:6
But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

We are to advocate for the least of these. We are being shaken out of our complacent mindsets and world views. It is Holy Spirit doing this shaking. Wake up church! Wake up! It is time to call sin and injustice what it is - evil! God our Father will not stand for this attitude in his church. His people who are called by his Name should have his heart!

We are to take up the causes of the poor and needy, to provide for the widows and those who are without parents; this would include those who have an orphaned spirit. This comes through the neglect of their biological parents. When we quiet ourselves before God Almighty he begins sharing his heart for the world. We have the option of turning a deaf ear to these calls or acting.

Micah 6:8
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

The Lord requires this of us. It is not an option for God’s people. We are required to be just in our actions towards all people. We are required to be merciful towards all people. We are to walk in humility towards all people. Clothe yourselves in the humility that comes from walking in intimate fellowship with Christ. We are to bear one another’s burdens. Let’s open our eyes to the world’s plight. It is not going to get any better and we the church will be required to do something to lessen the burden of others.

Holy Spirit is shaking us out of our selfishness. My house, my possessions, my car, mine, mine, mine! Stop it! You probably have an abundance of things that could bless someone else. There should be a definitive distinction between the world and God’s people. We should be carriers of the light, the promise of a better life with Christ.

Isaiah 1:10-11
Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah! The multitude of your sacrifices- what are they to me? Says the Lord, I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.

God is saying in this passage above, that he is tired of our sacrifices. You come with your tithe and offering but you are overlooking your neighbor who is addicted. You offer praise and worship to Him, but you haven’t spent yourselves on behalf of the poor man who is unemployed struggling to make ends meet for his family. Tithing, offerings, praise and worship are all good but don’t forsake the other things as well. Jesus spoke of this to the Pharisees in the book of Luke.

Luke 11:39-42
Then the Lord said to him, Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But give what is inside the dish to the poor and everything will be clean for you. Woe to you Pharisees because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue, and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.

Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.

It is recorded in the Old Testament and the New Testament; a common theme, God defends the least of these, and we should be doing the same!

God our Father loves his children so very much. He is love and His very character exudes love. He knows that by expressing love we will be perfected more in love. When we withhold and become selfish we become more inward and self serving. His desires are for us to become more and more like Jesus. Let’s become more aware of our surroundings and begin to act on what we see. Be led of Holy Spirit in which areas you should spend your time and resources. Do not become overburdened. There is enough oppression and plight to consume us. Be wise and be led always by Holy Spirit in everything you do.

2011-01-17T16:29:00.000-08:00

I am beginning an intercessory prayer time beginning on January 24, 2011. I would say a lot of prayer has gone into this decision. This is a culmination of many years seeking the Lord and praying what he tells me to. I have never stepped out to actually lead a prayer group, so in that sense it is new and quite malleable. I am not going into this with a set agenda or formula. I will say that my only agenda is to be led of Holy Spirit into prayer. He searches the deep things of God and reveals them to us his children.

Romans 8:26-27
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.

We are in a great position in regards to prayer. We only need to train ourselves to wait quietly before the Lord. He gives the objective for that particular time. It could be our city, our Nation, or a people group. I have an anticipation of impacting and changing history. We will do this as we humble ourselves and pray according to the Father’s will! In 2011 there seems to be a prayer initiative going forth in the United States. I know in our city of Albuquerque there is a new thrust of seeking the Lord for our city and our churches. Our cry is the same, “Bring unity and love to the Body of Christ, and then it will spread into our city streets.” How will they know of the love of Jesus unless we love one another?

I John 3:1
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God!

Heavenly Father has a vast love for his humanity! He created us, we are his dear children; created in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit’s image. He wants to pour out salvation. He has a plan of complete restoration of our spirit, soul, and body. The soul includes the mind, will and emotions. He created each one of us with a uniqueness; we have distinct personalities that become evident at birth and even in the womb. I know Father’s desire is to see us mature into sons and daughters of the King. He knows each of our destinies and it is his great pleasure to see us begin to walk in them.

So, can you imagine how he feels about people that have never known him? They are created in his image just like you and I, but have never stepped into their God given destinies. This must grieve his heart. There is much intercession coming forth from Heaven.

Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I, send me!”

This has been a favorite verse of mine for twenty years. Each time I read it or heard it read it has gone into the depths of my heart. It is a plea from our Father, “Who can I send?” “Who will go for us? The Father’s heart was crying out for someone to stand in the gap. In this context it was for Israel. We are his voice here on the earth. He needs us to show and speak his love and his plan for humanity. I also like the Father saying, “Who will go for us?” God has a father’s heart for his children. Jesus the Son is always interceding for us to know him. Holy Spirit is actively bringing the Kingdom of God into our midst. He abides in the born again believer prompting him to go into all the world and preach the good news of the Kingdom. Holy Spirit also empowers, and emboldens us to do the work of the Kingdom.

Ephesians 1:17
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

Let’s ask God to give us greater vision, greater perspective for our city and state, our Nation and all other Nations as well. I want a global perspective of the Body of Christ and a global burden to pray. This I believe is the Kingdom of God inside of us praying, “Come in! Come in!” Our Father through the Holy Spirit wants to bring more and more wisdom and revelation if we would just take the time to quiet ourselves, listen and pray what we hear.

I want to close this article out with a word from the Lord on December 30, 2010

You will shake the mountains, (strongholds, principalities) and the atmosphere of your city will change. Step out and pray my will over your city, over your nation and over the nations. I re-route armies as my people pray. You were called for such a time; to bring my Kingdom to the earth. I will do great exploits through this group. My blessing is on this. Go in the confidence the Lord, and in the power of the Holy Ghost!

Cedars of God Intercessory Prayer
Monday evenings at 7 P.M.

Humbling ourselves through repentance
Worship
Holy Communion
Quieting ourselves and waiting
Listening to Holy Spirit
Praying His thoughts
Obeying His directives

2011-01-04T12:26:00.000-08:00

All my fountains are in you

That was my prayer today, as I am in the process of learning how to depend completely and wholly on the LORD. He holds my world in his hands is a lyric from a song that has ministered to me the past few weeks. It is amazing to me how Holy Spirit uses one line from one song to prompt heart change in me. I gladly surrender to His Lordship. Jesus is everything I need!

So, I began pondering the cry of my heart, “all my fountains are in you.” I asked Holy Spirit to give me understanding of this statement. This is His response to me.

Everything that pertains to life is flowing from the spring of life, who is Jesus. All of your comings and goings, all of your desires, all of your writings, prayers, intercessions come from this well of living water. Jesus is your source of everything. As you have humbled yourself, submitting completely to his Lordship you are walking in the fountain more and more. There is an unceasing supply of living, clear water flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb. It is always available to you. It is when you make decisions on your own, stepping into things I have yet to ordain, then you have made for yourself your own cistern. You fill these vessels with your own waters of good deeds, decisions and plans. The word of God says they are broken cisterns, unable to hold what you have put into them.

Revelation 22:1
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb

Can you imagine the purity of this water flowing from Jesus himself? Purity of heart comes to those who look to God; and infusion of the water of life. I know there are medicinal properties in these waters. There are trees that line this river with leaves for the healing of the nations. It is a nourishing flow straight from the Father’s heart available to all who will call on him; imagine being completely satisfied! I think of the Strength we gain by wading into this river. It begins in our feet and then into our calves and up to our thighs. I believe we can scale a mountain and take on an army!

Colossians 1:19
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him.

Colossians 2:9-10
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

This is where we go to receive fountains of living water. We have access to Jesus who is filled to overflowing with everything we have need of. He has all the love, the forgiveness, the strength, the humility, the power. What is it you are lacking today? Jesus has the provision. I am beginning to see myself through the character of Jesus. I have only the strength he gives to me. I wake up in the morning breathing only because he has blown his breath into my lungs. I have desire to be the best companion to my husband only because of Jesus perfecting his love in me. He makes me a better person. I am solely dependent on him.

John 7:37-38
If a man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me as the Scriptures has said, steams of living water will flow from within him. By this he meant the Spirit

I remember how thirsty I was prior to coming into Christ in fullness. I was hungry for so many things, only to not be satisfied. We as humans have insatiable appetites if left unchecked by Holy Spirit. I longed to be loved and yet, I found myself yearning for more. This desire was never met in me until I came into the fullness of knowing Jesus! I wanted so badly to have a life that was good and productive, but was so dissatisfied with college, and being a waitress. I was living in Pensacola at the time; this was very close to the beaches. I walked off my college campus knowing I would not return. I drove to the beach and set out on the sand writing. I didn’t have a clue what I was supposed to do. I felt alone in my confusion. I knew what my parents wanted for me, but what was this desire stirring inside of me? I had a God hole that was gaping. I met my husband shortly after leaving college. He was filled with the Spirit and full of life! I felt as if I was breathing in fresh air when I was around him. He offered me living water that I had never experienced before. It was only when I was introduced to Jesus, that I was filled and no longer thirsty for the waters of the world. I certainly am not saying that college is evil; my husband has a degree and is in school right now. It was not the will of the Lord for me, even though I had access to a free education. So, the cistern that I had tried to fill was replaced with a beautiful river flowing through me. I am a channel of God’s blessings flowing out to the world. No longer do I house stagnant waters.

John 4:13-14
Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

The water Jesus was speaking about to the Samaritan woman would give her eternal life. She knew of God by her statement to Jesus that she and her people were waiting for the Messiah; she did not have him living in her, infusing life into her. She was so thirsty for love, as she had been married many times and was presently living with a man. Jesus didn’t condemn her, he accepted and loved her. He revealed himself to her as the Messiah, he led her in the truth that quickly set her free and filled her to overflowing. We have eternity set in our hearts. His name is Jesus. He is offering to us an unfathomable gift of eternal life with Him. This includes great gifts right now. Complete wholeness in your spirit, soul and body. Peace that flows in and through us. He has given us a sweet relationship with himself, and he placed us in a beautiful body of believers that we call the family of God.

Jeremiah 2:13
My people have committed two sins; they have forsaken me the spring of living water and have dug their own cisterns that cannot hold water.

I was like the Samaritan woman many years ago. I did not know that I had access to the spring of living water. I believed in Jesus, but did not know he was my source of living water. I did not know he held the key to my future. I was seeking what to do in my life without allowing him to direct me. Oh, how things could have been different. Yet, I have no regrets. I embrace the hard times of my past, because it is partly who I am. I have better understanding of people in their search for life. Jesus makes all things beautiful in time; and he has made me beautiful in him. That day so many years ago when I was confused and searching, he was there silently directing me. I can imagine him saying to me, “Don’t give up Jan, I have an amazing plan for your life. It involves a handsome young man who will love you as I have loved my church.” Wow! I have no use for broken cisterns. I want Jesus in his fullness!

2010-12-29T23:22:00.000-08:00

Philippians 3:3
For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh.

Good Morning Holy Spirit-
I love you and thank you for all the wonderful encounters recently. My heart is stirred to seek you more, and to walk in complete deliverance and physical healing.

I delight in you. You bring joy to the Father’s heart. Hard lessons came and you have learned well. Take captive every thought that does not line up with your healing and make it obedient to what the Word (Jesus) says about you. A new level of faith has been established in your heart.

The Saturday before Thanksgiving I came down with a common cold. It quickly turned into pneumonia that lasted for approximately 4 weeks. On a Sunday 2 weeks after the diagnosis of pneumonia, I began experiencing urinary tract problems. I ended up in the Emergency room with pain in the bladder off the 1-10 scale. I began seeking the LORD that Sunday as to what was going on with me. He quickly told me it was a spirit of infirmity and to take authority in Jesus name over it. My husband had been napping that day and as he awoke he told me of a dream he had. He was praying for a woman and received a word of knowledge to evict the spirit at work in her. I immediately received that word and he prayed over me. We battled this for no less than 9 hours and finally relented and went to the ER. This was a difficult time, as I knew the LORD had spoken so specifically to me that Sunday. In the midst of the intense pain I began praising Him; not for the infirmity but in the midst of it. I continued to take the antibiotics and eventually recovered completely. I also continued to seek Him and press into the understanding of why the healing didn’t quickly appear.

We were in Tyler, Texas visiting our children recently for Christmas Holiday. It was an amazing time spent with all of our family. I experienced another attack, but this time it was a fear and insecurity that suddenly came on me. It was a tormenting spirit. I battled this in the ways I have always battled when under an attack. The word of God was given to me by the Spirit. I took authority over it in Jesus name. It still remained.

In all of these attacks this month there was a common denominator associated with the battle. I knew in my heart that Jesus was battling with me. He was interceding for me. He also was giving me knowledge of what I was battling; but was not delivering me out of it. He was allowing it for a deeper purpose.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10
To keep me form becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the LORD to take it away from me. But, he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I was healed in 2004 of an aggressive cancer that characteristically does not respond to chemo therapy or radiation treatment. I received a creative miracle in 1985, that there was no medical explanation for. Many times he has intervened in my life and the life of my husband and children. We always pray in faith knowing it is the Father’s will to heal. When you pray and the healing is delayed or never happens, it is perplexing. I began to press in more, to praise him more, to seek him more. More revelation came as to why this happens in my life and in so many believers.

I Corinthians 10:33
For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

On December 27th and 28th, I was seeking the LORD specifically about the attacks that I had encountered recently and He began shedding some light on it all.

Jan, the weakness you are feeling is actually my strength being perfected in you. I want you to walk in supernatural confidence in me. My character is being shaped in you. You should have no confidence in the flesh. I am shaping you for service, service to others, to the least of these. This takes being clothed in humility. This process is not comfortable. You recognized early on that I was at work in you. You were crying out for deliverance from your physical and emotional torment and I was right there with you walking you through it all. Character building comes through walking it out, not being delivered from it.

Philippians 2:3-11
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus; Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father

I believe these delays in healing are for a deeper purpose, if we allow the LORD to work good in them. He is working on clothing us in humility, shaping us in compassion. I have better understanding of walking in His authority, of walking in his power. I have no confidence in myself, but I am completely dependant on Jesus. He sees the bigger picture of our lives. Unless you have suffered how can you have compassion for the suffering of the world? Unless you have been tormented how can you press in for deliverance for the tormented? I want to fellowship in Christ’s sufferings. I want more compassion for the world, and for the Body of Christ.

For many years now, my husband Nate and I have known we were called to the least of these. We had an intercity ministry for several years and look forward to foreign missions in our future. In July of 2011, we are planning a trip to India to minister the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What does that entail?

Complete deliverance from sin that has them bound.
Eternal life with Jesus.
Deliverance from tormenting spirits
Physical and emotional healing
Joy, Peace and Rest

I was one of the least of these when Jesus saved me gloriously. I have passion to share his love with all people. To those who have been forgiven much, love much. I would gladly fellowship in Christ’s sufferings to have a part in the blessing of the gospel. To God be the Glory!

Philippians 4:14
Yet, it was good of you to share in my troubles

2010-12-08T23:58:00.000-08:00

Philippians 3:10-11
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Holy Spirit what does it mean to fellowship in Christ’s sufferings?

Holy Spirit asked me, “What did Jesus take on himself when he died for humanity”
My response to Him was. “Jesus took all pain, physical, emotional and mental.”
Holy Spirit replied, “Everything that happened to humanity because of the fall, Christ took on himself to redeem mankind.”

As you become more transformed into his image, the image of Christ, you begin to think his thoughts. You love more complete. What breaks the heart of the Father begins to break your heart. You fellowship in his sufferings, so that you can help mankind, through your prayers of intercession and through your physical actions. You are Jesus to them.

John 15:15
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

Jesus refers to us as friends, even close friends. He is intimately acquainted with our lives and we are becoming intimately acquainted with his. At least that is his desire for us. He wants us involved in what he is thinking and doing. He wants to share with us everything the Father shares with him!

We have to set a pause button on our lives. By this I mean we need to settle ourselves and center our thoughts on him. Take time, set aside time to just listen, quieting ourselves to receive a download from our Father through the Holy Spirit.

Two and a half years ago, Nate and I were taking time to listen. We were praying about going to The Netherlands for our youngest daughter’s wedding. We were planning on staying about two weeks. That was our plan! We began quieting ourselves and listening to the Holy Spirit, He asked us this question. “Would you consider staying two months?” That was how Holy Spirit phrased it to us, “Would you consider?” He is such a gentleman in the way he speaks to his children. We responded, “Of course we will.”

We had no idea how this would all play out. Where would we stay for two months? We both had fulltime jobs in the states. Were we to quit these jobs? How would we finance such a trip on our retirement salary? There was an excitement, an energy we had not felt in many years. I will not go into all the details, but needless to say, it was amazing! God orchestrated this trip. All of it was taken care of by the time we arrived in The Netherlands. It definitely stretched our faith, but oh it needed to be stretched a little! There were many ministry opportunities for Nate and myself. God ordained appointments with people from all over the world. In fact the young Indian Pastor that has invited us to India in July 2011 was one of those God appointments we encountered in The Netherlands at the YWAM base.

Wow! What if we had not taken the time to listen? I once again stand in awe of God and I am humbled by this thought. I would like to encourage you to take time to quiet yourself and listen for the voice of God. Take time to find out what is on his heart. That is a great starting place, “What is on your heart today, LORD.” I am listening and willing to do your bidding.

There are God opportunities everywhere each and every day. I am not talking about busying yourself with good things to do. That typically results in burnout and a lack of passion. It is a form of legalism that has the appearance of good works. Seeking guidance through Holy Spirit, who searches God’s heart and reveals direction to you, is a better way. This way produces lasting fruit and much joy in the giving and serving. I love this Kingdom walk so much. God’s progressive will for me keeps me full of anticipation and unspeakable joy. I have confidence that what he is leading me into is a perfect fit for my life. It will deepen my walk with him and will bless the people he leads me to.

I Chronicles 4:10b
Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me.

There is HOPE

2010-12-02T16:52:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 60:22
The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the LORD; in its time I will do this swiftly.

This is just one scripture that gives us hope for His Kingdom coming to earth through nations turning to Him. I have been giving a lot of thought to intercession for the nations lately. I know that this is by the Holy Spirit’s prompting. The LORD has a plan that all nations will come to acknowledge who He is. I believe we, as current believers, can play an active role in this coming to pass. It is through intercession for the nations

Mark 4:30-32
Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants with such big branches that the birds of the air perch in its shade.”

God’s kingdom is coming to the earth, you can count on it! The word of God is going forth daily all over the world, and it is bringing forth fruit. Many people are coming to the LORD through personal witness and also through supernatural visitations. Don’t ever underestimate the power of God’s word going forth. It will not return void, but will accomplish that which it was sent to do. (Isaiah 55:11)

Several years ago, Nate and I were leading an urban church. We were not seeing a lot of lasting fruit coming from the young people we were serving; even though we were consistent in our love towards them and also in delivering the word of God several times a week. I remember seeking the LORD as to what we should do. His answer remained the same for several years. It was to keep on loving them and speaking the word of God over them. We may not have seen the lasting fruit, but there is not any doubt in my mind that we were obedient. God will bring the increase! I am sure many of those young people are serving the LORD today because of what was sown into them! We have since heard from several of them giving testimony of just that. Praise God! He is faithful to perform what his word says! Do not ever despise small works! God can take what you have and multiply it.

Isaiah 61:11
For as the soil makes the sprout come up, and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.

I declare this to be true! Jesus will cause righteousness and praise to spring up in all people, in all nations!

How can we be apart of this move of God? We can partner with God through intercession for the nations, for all people. I have been in intercessory prayer where I know that I have touched the heart of the Father with my prayers.

This is how it works:
You ask Holy Spirit what is important to Him.
You listen to what He tells you.
You pray to Father God what was revealed by His Spirit.
This is praying in accordance to His will, thus we are partnering with Him on behalf of many different people groups.

Jeremiah 33:3
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

As we intercede revelation accompanies these times of praying. Holy Spirit searches the deep things of God and reveals them to us. He does this so that we pray more effectively.
There is such joy in reaching the heart of the Father. I have said many times, “I feel most alive when I am interceding.”

I have a young Navajo friend who has been with Youth With A Mission for several years, and is now serving at IHOP. She sent an update today via email. She gave testimony of praying for her family to come into the Kingdom. They are all presently serving the LORD. I cannot go into detail, but this was not an ordinary family. There was definitely baggage of many years of addiction and being torn by the enemy. She is giving glory to God, and rightly so. I will say that she played an incredible part in their redemption. She cooperated with God and is now seeing her family changed by the power of prayer.

Wow! Let’s get excited about what God is going to do through our times of intercession. He has extravagant plans that we do not know about yet. North America come in, South America come in, Europe come in, Asia come in, North, South, East and West come into the Kingdom. It is your destiny, your created purpose to serve the LORD!

My husband has had more than one dream about calling out to the peoples of the earth to come to the LORD. One of them, he saw so many people responding that in his dream he called our sons to come and help him with the needs of the people! This is going to happen and I say it is already begun. Expect it, ready yourself for it. God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all nations!

In January of 2011, I plan to begin a prophetic intercessory meeting at Global Destiny ministry house. It will be for the purpose of praying God’s heart over our nation and the nations. We will also pray specifically for our church and the other churches in Albuquerque as the LORD leads us.

2010-11-21T07:49:00.000-08:00

Deuteronomy 10:12
And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all of his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul.

I have been thinking about the fear of the LORD. I am wondering how I learned it and how I imparted it to our four children. It’s funny how we walk into some truths without struggling and with only very little knowledge of how to do it. I recently recalled a childhood memory that included walking in the fear of the LORD. I think in the beginning it was strictly a reverence for his house which was drilled into me through the nuns in our parish school. I didn’t exactly know why I was to be quiet, still and reverent but I was quick to obey! It turns out that this was a great discipline learned early on. Later in my life as I came into a sweet relationship with Jesus it was a natural response to the King of Kings. I had understanding of how much I had been delivered from; and I was in awe of the One who did this for me. Those who have been forgiven much love much. There is a reckoning of how things could have been so different had He not saved my soul and made me whole again!

Deuteronomy 11:18-21
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.

April 25, 1986 the above scripture was given to me by the Holy Spirit. He said to me, this is a new ministry that I am calling you to. It is to your children. Teach them. I took Him seriously even though they were toddlers at the time. I began reading to them the Bible stories and telling them about Jesus. I would pray with them and teach them Bible verses. They were like little sponges taking it all in. I know that when God gave this command through Moses to the Israelites, they took it literally. They would wear the scriptures in little pouches attached to their foreheads! They were definitely walking in the fear of the LORD. They wanted to obey whatever the cost! I believe that as we learn the scriptures, and are obedient to them, we develop a healthy desire not to disappoint the LORD. God is creating a conscience in us; this makes us socially and morally good people. Thus, we live a long prosperous life here on earth.

When I hear that another young person has murdered or has lost his own life due to drugs and gang activity, I know he has been cut off due to disobedience. Many days are promised to those who fear the LORD. This is an incredible truth that needs to be taught from an early age.

Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools (morally deficient persons) despise wisdom and discipline.

Another way of learning the fear of the LORD is through retelling our God stories to our children, grand children and spiritual children.

Joshua 4:21-24
He said to the Israelites,”In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The LORD your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God.”

Wow, these are great stories, to tell and retell, to build our faith and also increase our awe of God. Then as we begin to have our own God stories, we tell and retell them to our children, grand children and spiritual children. Also, encouraging them to step out in faith and see God’s hand move on their behalf. We are now telling some of our children’s stories, because they are powerful and show a powerful awesome God!

Of course first and foremost to have a fear of the LORD you should be in relationship with Him. Now what does that look like? Well for me at age seven it was knowledge of God without relationship. It was a good beginning. God does welcome us at any stage of faith. We should encourage relationship with God at an early age. Little children have the ability to hear from God early on. We would pray openly with our children, but we encouraged them to pray and hear from God personally at a young age. This also develops a good healthy fear of God. A reverence of someone that is much bigger than themselves and their parents!

So, let’s be diligent to teach our children. This includes those coming into the Kingdom. There are many people who walk justly and rightly in the schools, marketplace and everyday life without knowing it is a fear of the LORD. They just know they are to obey authority and treat others as they would want to be treated. Even though we call it conscience, it really is walking in the fear of the LORD. It is doing what is right because we have that inner voice telling us it is right. God’s awareness keeps us from many evils.

You know we are made in the image of Almighty God and bear his characteristics; so therefore we have a predisposition to do good. I know that we are born in sin and have a sinful nature, but we also have the DNA of our Father God. We desire someone bigger than ourselves to lead and direct us; God fits perfectly!

2010-11-16T00:49:00.000-08:00

Holy Spirit, I am tuning my ears to hear from you. There is not anything any better than connecting with the one who created me and knows me better than anyone. I experience divinity infused into my situations, into my mindsets when I take time to just listen. Holy Spirit is yearning to meet with each of us to share the Father’s heart and the love of Jesus!

I was meditating on this concept of listening and also remembering some very important milestones in my Kingdom walk recently; as I was remembering I became aware that I could have missed some very important assignments had I not quieted and settled myself to listen. This brought the fear of the LORD instantly to me. Now, this is a good response, for it keeps me seeking and desiring to hear everything he has for me! I do not want to miss one thing!

So, tune your ear to hear what the Spirit is saying to you his church! It is critical in this day as it was in every past generation and generations to come. We do not want to miss our day of visitation which I think can be everyday. God’s grace is beyond limitation; he is patient and is intimately aware of the different seasons of our lives, so there is no condemnation being put out here! He is faithful to woo us back into rhythm! What an amazing Father we have.

Yesterday, I was listening and Holy Spirit began speaking to me about going to India.

My grace is covering your family and yes, my blessings are abounding. More increase and power will overflow into service. Continue to be yielded in obedience to what I am saying to you. The plans are great and encompasses many things; deliverance from oppression, healing for their broken hearts, salvation for many who do not know me yet. I will stand and partner with you and Nate. I have great plans. Prepare your hearts for harvest; the fields in India are ready. They are ready for harvesting. The fields are likewise plowed, furrowed and ready for planting. Turn your ear to me. Listen to what I want you to do and where I want you to go. I have great plans. They are beginning to unfold; you are catching a glimpse of the future.

Wow! What an amazing word to hear from the LORD. His plans are always bigger than our expectations, always bigger than our resources. They stretch us in our faith!

We have been invited by a young Indian pastor to go next July to India. He is getting married then and would like for us to be there. He also has connections for ministry while we are there. We began praying about the possibility of going to India two years ago. The plans are becoming clearer to us lately. So, we press into the LORD for wisdom and direction about making this trip, and he is speaking Kingdom thoughts back to us.

Isaiah 42:5-9
This is what God the LORD says- He who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people and life to those who walk on it. I the LORD, have called you in righteousness, I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the gentiles to open eyes that are blind to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. I am the LORD that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols. See the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being, I announce them to you.

This is a prophecy of the coming King of Kings and LORD of LORDs Jesus Christ by the prophet Isaiah. This was being proclaimed to bring hope to the people of Israel. The nation of Israel would suffer great persecution and captivity in their future. They would need a God that would sustain them through these very awful times. Isaiah was declaring God as their Creator and affirming his supremacy. He encourages Israel that they are not alone in their captivity, that He will take them by the hand. He who covenanted with their forefathers will also hold to this everlasting covenant with them. Many thousands of years later the same God is speaking this promise to us. Encouraging us to take what he has invested into our lives and give it away. I love being stretched, I love that his will is progressive and ever changing. Enlarging us as we say yes, we will go.

Isaiah 54:2-3
Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.

2010-10-31T22:10:00.000-07:00

Holy Spirit would you show me areas in my life that reflect pride and idolatry?

(He affirmed me saying) “There is no stronghold of pride or idolatry but you should always be on guard against these evils. Attitudes of your heart will spring up and test the waters. Will you take them captive through confession and repentance; submitting yourself once again to our Lordship? Do not for a minute entertain these thoughts or dismiss them as a weak moment. You will know when something is said or done in pride. Little foxes spoil the vineyard!”

Song of Songs 2:14-15
My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places on the mountainside, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely. Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.

What an incredible passage of scripture! This is a depiction of a love relationship that has been separated by sin. Christ is the lover portrayed in this passage calling out to his Beloved, the church. You have hidden yourself from me in the mountainside, in the cleft of the rock. Today he would say; you have hidden yourself in your work, with addictions to food and alcohol, in the busyness of your day. Please, my beloved, come out! Show me your face; I desire to hear your sweet voice! Do not let sin separate you from me any longer.

Look at this beautiful picture of Christ our Lord. He is so tender, so gentle towards you and me. This reminds me of the Garden of Eden and what took place there between Father God, Adam and Eve.

Genesis 3: 6-10
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

Wow! I love the scriptures! They are so appropriate for twenty-first century believers. They are timeless in wisdom. Let’s take a closer look at this passage. Adam and Eve were conscious for the first time in their lives that they were naked. The glory of God that had been their covering had departed from them. God had given them free reign in the garden except for eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. When they made the decision to eat from this tree; that is when sin entered and separated them from God.

Look at what they did immediately upon eating the forbidden fruit and discovering they were naked. They came up with a remedy for their nakedness. They sewed fig leaves together and made clothes for themselves. Can we all say yes and amen! I have been there and done that! We sin and there are always consequences to our actions; so we begin thinking of ways to remedy the problem. Sometimes it is lying to try and cover it up; other times it is going deeper into debt to try and fix the first mistake. All the time avoiding the very One who says, “come to me!” “I have the remedy.”

Let’s look at God’s remedy for Adam and Eve’s sinfulness.

Genesis 3:21
The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.

God slaughtered an animal and covered their nakedness or sin with a bloody hide. In Hebrews 9:22 it reads, 'for without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin." God was not only making provision for their sin, but he was instituting a new sacrament called Atonement. He is a good example of how we are to discipline our own children in patience and love. He basically said, “Yes, you messed up royally but I have made provision for your mistake.”

The bloody hide applied to them reinstated their position with the Father. They again had access to him. This is of course a type and shadow of what was to come in the New Covenant between Christ and his church. God set a precedent of what we are to do when we sin. Sin separates us from God. The Old Covenant given to Moses by God instructed him to appoint priests who would, on a yearly basis, make atonement for the people’s sin through sacrificing animals. The blood of Jesus in the New Covenant restores relationship between man and God. Going back to the original text in Song of Songs; Christ our Lover is saying to his Beloved in verse fifteen.

Catch for us the foxes the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards in bloom.

He is passionately saying to his Beloved the church - Do not let sin take root! The sins you consider to be little are those that chip away at your steadfastness, the attitudes of your heart, your actions in secret. These will spoil and taint our relationship. He is saying that you have fruit-filled lives that are so precious to him. Don’t leave sin unchecked. There has been given to us a remedy for sin. His name is Jesus and he shed his blood on the cross at Calvary to atone for our sins. Seek the Lord, repent, confess, and acknowledge your sin. He will apply the blood and restore you completely. You have never gone too far for his blood to cleanse you and restore you back to fellowship.

2010-10-26T17:54:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 55:1-3
Come all you who are thirsty, come to the water; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come; buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me that your soul may live.

The above scripture reference out of Isaiah is a call to humanity from the LORD through the prophet Isaiah. He is declaring, very clearly I might add, that He is the better way! Come, come; He is beseeching us to draw near to him and accept what he has to give to us! A value cannot be placed on it. It cannot be purchased with money. Why? Because Jesus Christ has already purchased it for us! It is a gift of unprecedented proportion! He says come and eat and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. I have only been in a few venues where I would consider it the richest of fare. My spirit, soul and body will delight; I will be filled with joy beyond words to describe! To top it all off; my soul will live! In fact, I will live forever and ever with my beloved LORD!

The year was 1986. We were living in the beautiful state of New Hampshire. At the time, Nate was working for the FAA as an air traffic control specialist. We had moved there a year earlier in our big blue van. The government was not paying for this move so we traveled with only those things that were absolutely necessary for a family of five. We were young and excited about a new adventure, a new beginning!

For the first month we lived in a motel as we were searching for appropriate housing. God soon provided the perfect large house for our expanding family. We were living in a small town called, Cornish. It set right on the Connecticut River that divided New Hampshire from Vermont. It was the most picturesque place we had ever lived. The seasons were distinct and quite amazing for a Florida girl. We settled right in, making friends and becoming part of this rural community. Our children were ages four, two and a half, and 14 months. I was a stay at home mom with plenty to keep me busy! I loved my husband, my children and my life.

Within a year of moving to New Hampshire; we were tested in our faith like we had never been tested before. We also had many encounters with Jesus that strengthened our faith. I began with the scripture in Isaiah because had I not been in relationship with Jesus, I would have been emotionally distraught and without hope.

In September of 1986, I became pregnant with our fourth child. We were excited about a new addition to our family. I remember in one of my quiet times the LORD speaking to me about this child. He told me that she was a girl and to name her, Ruth. Things progressed quite well throughout the next few months. In my sixteenth week of pregnancy I began to show signs that something might be wrong with the pregnancy. I wasn’t feeling any life. I had been pregnant three other times and knew what it should be feeling like. I then began having pain; and went directly to see my doctor. They could not pick up any heartbeat and decided to do an ultrasound. He came back with the results no pregnant woman wants to hear, “this is no longer a viable pregnancy.”

We lost our little baby girl twenty-four hours later. It was very difficult for Nate and me; as we had already grown to love this little one. A few days later, I was putting our children to bed and still grieving terribly. I remember thinking that; I needed to get a handle on my emotions. I just couldn’t continue on with the sorrow I was feeling. I still had to be strong for my children. They were so small and didn’t really comprehend what had taken place.

That night, Nate was working a midnight to eight in the morning shift. I went into my bedroom after putting the kids down for the night. I took my medicine that had been prescribed for me, and laid down in my bed. I was crying and also praying to my Father to help me through this tough time. I specifically asked him to take my grief and also to wake me up at three a.m. to take my medicine again. I fell almost immediately into a sound sleep. The next thing I know; I am awakened by what sounded like a mighty rushing wind. Keep in mind; it was in the middle of January in New Hampshire. The windows were tightly shut! I leapt from my bed because I was so startled. I looked at the clock and it read two forty-five. I thought to myself and may have even verbalized out loud, “You are early!” I took my pills and lay back down. I sensed a strong presence; it was sweet and completely filling my room.

The LORD then spoke to me saying, “Do not grieve for Ruth anymore, she is with me and she is glorious! Blessed is the fruit of your womb, you will conceive again.” I accepted his words and fell back into a deep, peaceful sleep. I awoke the next morning completely changed. I no longer felt the pain in my heart that had become a constant companion for days after the miscarriage. I shared what had taken place that evening with my husband, Nate. We both were comforted by the sweetness and sensitivity of our Savior. We experienced Jesus in a new facet as our comforter.We did conceive only two months later; and God gave us our beautiful daughter Rebekah Victoria. In preparing for this today; I was seeking Holy Spirit’s guidance as I always do when writing. This is what He shared with me.

My ways are far above your ways. I have plans that cannot be explained or understood by you. You need to trust me. I mark your days and your nights. They are numbered. My strength is being perfected in you while you are here on earth. This is only a shadow of what’s to come. A momentary blink in eternity is what you are experiencing in your life. You taste my glory while you are here on earth; but when you pass to the other side you will be immersed continually in my goodness and my presence. That is why, I said to you, “Do not grieve for Ruth anymore. She is glorious.”

The LORD was telling me, “She is completely immersed in my goodness!” I could not mourn for her anymore. I look forward to being reacquainted with Ruth in eternity; but I know she is experiencing in fullness the glory of our LORD. I am forever thankful for the trials of life; for without them I would not have the assurance or faith that I have today!

Psalm 90:4
For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by or like a watch in the night.

2010-10-21T21:54:00.000-07:00

There is a story in the book of Genesis that captures the gentleness and compassion of a father. This is a beautiful depiction of Jesus our Shepherd gently leading his flock who is the church. I would like to give some background to this story.

It is the narrative of two brothers, Jacob and Esau born to Isaac and Rebekah. Esau was the elder brother and rightfully should have received the father’s blessing from Isaac. However Jacob deceived his father and stole the blessing from Esau. So, for a number of years Jacob traveled about in fear of his brother Esau. Jacob looks up and sees Esau approaching him with four hundred men. Jacob quickly has his wives Rachel and Leah gather the children to protect them. He feared the worse case scenario, for he had treated his brother so poorly in robbing him of his inheritance. Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. Not exactly the reception Jacob was expecting. Jacob offers his brother Esau a substantial gift of livestock as a peace offering; yet Esau declines the gift saying that he already has plenty. Jacob insisted that he receive his gift and Esau concedes and accepts the gift.

The scripture that I am about to share with you is part of the dialogue between brothers.

Genesis 33:12-17
Then Esau said, “Let us be on our way; I’ll accompany you.”But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are tender and that I must care for the ewes and cows that are nursing their young. If they are driven hard just one day, all the animals will die. So, let my lord go on ahead of his servant, while I move along slowly at the pace of the droves before me and that of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.”Esau said, “Then let me leave some of my men with you.”“But why do that?” Jacob asked. “Just let me find favor in the eyes of my lord.”So that day Esau started on his way back to Seir. Jacob, however, went to Succoth, where he built a place for himself and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place is called Succoth.

This is a great story of forgiveness and humility between Jacob and Esau. The point that Holy Spirit highlighted for me in 1995 and again today is the shepherd’s heart for his sheep, represented in Jacob’s concern for his flock and his own children.

Isaiah 40:11
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

This is a picture of Jesus our Shepherd and how he leads his children. He is faithful to walk with us through all the stages of our life. When I first received this picture in my quiet time, it was 1995. I was in the middle of raising our four children, caring for our home and being a wife to my husband. I enjoyed this so very much, but it was not without trial. I needed the Lord to build a shelter, to cover and protect me. There are times that we experience a delay to our prayers being answered or he causes us to be sidelined for a while in order to give us rest or to fulfill another purpose we are not aware of yet. I believe those times are indicative of Jesus our Shepherd providing these protective shelters. We are not absent from life. In the midst of adversity we are covered by his grace and endued with wisdom and power. I needed wisdom on how to nurture and prepare these precious children for life. I was very dependent on Holy Spirit; but not anymore dependent than I was when all four of those children left the nest between 2004 and 2006; or when I was diagnosed with a rare cancer that should have taken my life in 2004; or when my husband almost had a heart attack and had to take an early medical retirement in 2004; or when we moved to Florida to become caregivers for my elderly parents. Wow! That is just a portion of my life. I want to repeat, He is a shepherd through all stages of life. He gently leads and yes, at times carries us.

This is a word from the LORD that came to me in my quiet time that September day in 1995.

I hear your cry; I have not turned a deaf ear to you. You are mine. I know the ones that belong to me. Call after me and I will hear you. You are dear to my heart. Jacob did not want to push the animals and the children hard. Likewise, I will not drive you hard. I will walk with you, show you the right paths; and I will build shelters along the way as Jacob did at Succoth. I am your shelter so run into me. I will shelter you through storms of many kinds. I am you peace and your shelter. I love you. You are mine.

2 Timothy 2:19
Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription. “The LORD knows those who are his.”

He knows who you are and is intimately acquainted with the details of your life! I remember twenty-eight years ago now; I was consumed with a new baby and at the time wanted so badly to be a part of the ministry of the Women’s Aglow. The Lord specifically spoke to me about this season of my life. He said, “This is a very important season and it will be over before you know it.” Another time, He said, “I have a new ministry for you, it is to your children; teach them.” Seasons are interesting in that they are certain to change. We are to flow with them and of course with the directives we are receiving from the Lord.

I was obedient to the Lord’s directives for my life and such fulfillment came through our precious children. There wasn’t a ministry that compared to it in my estimation. I loved every minute of their growing up. The way the Lord orchestrates things are beyond what we could imagine. In 1996 Nate and I started a youth group in our home that expanded into an urban ministry with a couple of hundred kids. Our children were our worship team and they were an integral part of the ministry. Our children went on to be missionaries with Youth With A Mission. God’s plan is always superior to our own. He foresees what will be the best for us. It is our place to listen and do what he says; then watch the amazing plan unfold as he directs us, for his glory and praise!

Deuteronomy 33:12
Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long and the one the LORD loves rests secure between his shoulders.

2010-10-13T19:55:00.000-07:00

Seeking wisdom from Holy Spirit today; and He never disappoints me!

Abstain from all that defiles you. I am calling you to live a life set apart unto me; a life worthy of my name. You represent me, the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords. Be holy as I am holy.

You have heard the old adage; birds of a feather flock together. Let’s look at this through our kingdom eyes. You become like the one you spend the most time with. You take on his or her characteristics and mannerisms. Likewise as we are ever before the Lord of grace we become more like him.

A few days ago before going to church the Lord spoke these words to me:

You are a reflection of my glory. As you gaze at me, you become more like me.

2 Corinthians 3:16-18
But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

When we come into the knowledge of knowing Christ as our Lord and Savior; a spiritual veil is taken down. So that we have better understanding of whom he is. We see clearly what was hidden before our conversion. The Holy Spirit makes this possible as he is the one that leads us into all truth. He directs us to Jesus, always.

So, as we are led into this truth, faith rises in our hearts. Once our hearts were shut up and dead to the things of God. We are now alive and transforming daily as we sit before him. Our acquaintances begin to see a difference in us. You may even hear that you look more rested, you are taking on a youthful glow! This is reflecting his glory! His ever-increasing glory!

Psalm 34:5
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

Many years ago Nate and I were leading worship in our church. I had struggled with being obedient to doing this, because I felt it was such an intimate act to worship. I did it reluctantly, but soon understood why Holy Spirit had asked us to do it. Holy Spirit told me:

You are an example of worship to these people. As you enter in to worship before me; you are reflecting my glory.

I heard more than once that my face was glowing. I tell you this was not outward beauty as much as it was the glory of the Lord manifesting as we honored and lifted him up. The people in this church lacked understanding of what worship really was. They didn’t know how to enter in. Holy Spirit used Nate and I as an example to them. I tell you the more time you spend in the presence of the Lord the more you will look like him. This in turn will cause hunger in the people you come in contact with. I hear questions like, “Are you always so peaceful?” “Do you never become impatient?” This opens doors of opportunity to minister Jesus to them.

Zechariah 4:6
This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel; Not by might nor by power but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.

When the LORD requires a new level of holiness from you and me; it is not to be obtained by our own strengths and merit. It is only through humbling ourselves before him and relying on his strength and power to achieve what he has asked of you. When I heard him speak to me this morning about being more set apart; it did not cause alarm or dread. I can’t possibly accomplish holy living on my own. I believe that’s how we get over into wrong thinking; it is called legalism in the church. I do not begin putting restrictions on myself or my diet. I submit to Holy Spirit and wait and see how he prompts me. It may be as simple as attitudes of my heart or actions towards my friends. It is Holy Spirit’s job to lead me into all truth. It is not for me to put regulations and rules on myself and certainly not on others.

2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Grace has the power to change every circumstance. You only need to appropriate it. Apply this amazing grace to your present circumstance; and watch what God will do with it. He is able and willing to change that which concerns you. Holy Spirit will begin to show you and me what needs to be tweaked in our lives. We submit to his leading and apply grace to the area of need; then wait and see the beautiful transformation take place. I don’t know how long this process will take. There is no formula or timetable; so be patient and wait. You will see the deliverance and salvation of the LORD in your life!

2010-10-07T18:26:00.000-07:00

Holy Spirit, I welcome you. Speak to my heart; treasures from Heaven.

*
I am opening up beautiful pathways into the heavenly realms. Still yourself once again and listen

I am singing, I am singing
singing for the King of Kings.
I am singing, I am singing
singing for the King of Kings

Bring forth shouts of joy
Bring forth shouts of joy

For the Great King
For the Great King
He has defeated our foe!

Psalm 20:1-8 Amplified Version
May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob set you up on high (and defend you); Send your help from the sanctuary and support, refresh, and strengthen you from Zion; Remember all your offerings and accept your burnt sacrifice. (Selah) pause and think of that! May He grant you according to your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans. We will (shout in) triumph at your salvation and victory, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the Lord fulfill all your petitions. Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; He will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in and boast of chariots and some of horses, but we trust in and boast of the name of the Lord our God. They are bowed down and fallen, but we are risen and stand upright. O Lord, give victory; let the King answer us when we call.

This is an amazing declaration from King David. It speaks volumes of his relationship with God. He had been anointed King of Israel, but the present King named Saul would not step aside from his throne. To make matters worse, Saul was relentlessly pursuing David to kill him. So, we can safely say David needed to be encouraged in the LORD. There are times when we are going to have to press in and declare as David did in Psalm 20; the Lord is my strength! Life is difficult and there are many assaults on it, but we can walk in strength and in the favor of the Lord!

2 Samuel 22:50-51 Amplified Version
For this I will give thanks and extol You, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing praises to Your name. He is a Tower of salvation and great deliverance to His king, and shows loving-kindness to His anointed, to David and his offspring forever.

I read this entire chapter in 2 Samuel, and I would recommend that you take some time to study it in completion. It is again a declaration of victory by David when the Lord delivered him from the hands of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. We are included in this blessing as we are David’s offspring; we are accepted in Christ at salvation!

Thank you Father: For your great examples of strength put forth on behalf of your servant David and also us! I delight in you; I rejoice in you, I will extol your name forever! Your praise will continually be in my mouth. Who is God that He thinks of me? He is great and powerful; Awesome in his deeds for man!

*
I will bestow honor and favor where it is due~
Rejoice~ be filled with joy!
I have overtaken the plow and the one sowing the seed.
A great harvest is coming!
A great expansion is coming!
Sowing the word of the Lord brings great fruit and bounty.

Amos 9:13-15
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “When the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills. I will bring back my exiled people Israel; they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them,” says the Lord your God.

I know that this is a promise to the nation of Israel, but I receive it also! I say to you the days are coming that you will see your petitions, your intercessions being answered by the Lord. The cries of your heart for a broken humanity satisfied with God’s heart manifested in them. New wine represents being filled to overflowing with the sweet presence of the Holy Spirit. The broken people torn by the enemy will be whole again. Once they were alienated from God; but now they are being brought back into relationship with Him. These precious people made in the image of their Creator will once again have hope! They will begin to rebuild what has been destroyed by the enemy. The outcome of all of these beautiful promises is fruit. We were all created in God for good works! I can speak from experience; having been very torn and broken. I am restored completely! This is God’s heart’s desire for his creation. He wants us whole, complete and fruit bearing. In response to his word, God says to our enemy, “Never again to be uprooted!”

2010-09-29T23:29:00.000-07:00

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.

*
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.
*

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.

2010-09-23T21:51:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-09-13T22:57:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-09-06T09:13:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-04-15T09:41:00.000-07:00

Psalm 5:11-12 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

As the armies of nations came against Jerusalem and are still threatening her, I stand mighty and strong to deliver! I declare that I will deliver her! I am faithful to the covenant I have made with Israel. I will also be faithful to you and your descendants. You do not have nations assaulting you, but you have demonic and soulish forces pressing in on you. I say to you that I will be strong and mighty on your behalf. Cry out to me as Isaiah and King Hezekiah did so many years ago. I will send my angels to have charge over you. You will come forth victorious!

I Chronicles 16:15
He remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded, for a thousand generations.

I was struggling this week with attitudes of my heart that were not pleasing to me or to my Father. I began by confessing known and unknown sin. Holy Spirit is able to search my heart and reveal what is known and what is hidden from me. I found great solace in His Presence and His word. I love searching the Old Testament for real life situations that tell of a surrendered heart and a willing God. I found such as that this week. I studied the life of Moses, but who really caught my attention was King Hezekiah! I would like to share out of 2 Chronicles Chapters 29-32.

King Ahaz was Hezekiah’s father and preceded him as King of Judah. Ahaz did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD. He was an idolater and engaged in many evil practices during his reign. Ahaz did away with the furnishings of the Temple and shut it’s doors.

Hezekiah became King of Judah, after the death of Ahaz his father. Hezekiah did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. The scripture tells us that in the first month of his reign, King Hezekiah reopened the temple doors and repaired them. It is always interesting to see what our President does the first few days of his presidency. I believe it says a lot about his morals, his character, and his agenda that has been mostly hidden through out his campaign. King Hezekiah did not waste any time. This was priority to him! He had lots of wisdom for a man of twenty-five. I believe he had to have had a godly mother who taught him how his father David loved and served the God of Israel.

Hezekiah knows of the many regulations of getting the temple reopened. He calls for the priests and the Levites to consecrate themselves. He gives orders to refurnish the temple.

2 Chronicles 29:10-11
Now I intend to make a covenant with the LORD, the God of Israel, so that his fierce anger will turn away from us. My sons do not be negligent now, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before him and serve him, to minister before him and to burn incense.

He knows how to get in right standing with God. He desires peace in his kingdom. He has lived in chaos and oppression for too long. His father openly welcomed spiritual darkness by his evil practices. He states I am going to make a covenant with God. He knows God’s character is good and just. He wants his favor! He is beseeching the priests, and the Levites to do their jobs.

The priests and the Levites were obedient to the King’s requests. They did everything according to the Law. They slaughtered goats and presented the blood as atonement for the sins of Israel. The Levites sang and worshipped the LORD. This was part of consecrating themselves, and then it was time to bring thank offerings to the LORD.

2 Chronicles 29:35-36
So the service of the temple of the LORD was reestablished. Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced at what God had brought about for his people, because it was done so quickly.

Look at this beautiful picture of redemption. Let’s bring this into New Covenant for a better understanding. We come before the LORD soiled with sin; we apply the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. We are forgiven. We worship Him because he is so worthy to be loved and praised. He inhabits our praises and we experience more release of our bondage. We are overflowing with gratitude because of his mercy and sweet deliverance. This is readily available to all of us who call on his Name!

The LORD spoke this to me in my quiet time before him:
Quiet yourself with love. Love covers a multitude of sin. Love covers.

2 Chronicles 31:20-21
This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God. In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.

This hit me hard as I read Hezekiah’s story this week. He did everything he knew to do that pleased God. The word says, “and so he prospered.”

2 Chronicles 32:1
After all that Hezekiah had so faithfully done, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah.

Wow! What on earth could this mean? God saw Hezekiah’s faithfulness and his wholehearted worship. He prospered him. He allowed the King of Assyria to invade Judah. That doesn’t seem to fit in the flow of this sentence. Yet, it is there in 2 Chronicles as big as you please. This is such an amazing testimony of how Hezekiah was definitely tested and how he did not waver. I believe with all my heart that God is more concerned about perfecting our faith than making life easy for us.

I Peter 1:6-7
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith- of which perishes even though refined by fire- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Can we all agree with this scripture? Well, it’s not always easy when you are suffering grief in all kinds of trials. I believe it’s hard to say thank you LORD for perfecting my faith during the process, but oh how sweet when we come out on the other side. I can honestly say thank you for all that I have been through. I would not be the woman I am today apart from the hardships, trials, sorrows, and disappointments of my life.

Let’s get back to Hezekiah’s story for just a bit longer.

2 Chronicles 32:7-8
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of the flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles. And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.

This is such a proclamation of faith! He encouraged or imparted courage to his people. He stated so profoundly, the king of Assyria was coming against them with the arm of the flesh but the nation of Israel had the LORD God to help them.

I John 4:4
You dear children are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

The king of Assyria taunted them by saying, “How then can your god deliver you from my hand?” “Just as the gods of the peoples of the other lands did not rescue their people from my hand, so the god of Hezekiah will not rescue his people from my hand.”

The enemy is ruthless and he will taunt you the same way as the king of Assyria taunted the children of Israel. It happens in our mind. He comes against us with fear foremost but also with doubt and unbelief. We have to stand our ground as Hezekiah and Isaiah do.

2 Chronicles 32:20-21
King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to heaven about this. And the LORD sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the leaders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he went into the temple of his god, some of his sons cut him down with the sword.

This is exactly what we are to do. We need to cry out to the LORD! He will send his angels with a charge to fulfill His own desires concerning us. The LORD wants us to step out in faith, trusting him to save us. He will in turn send forth help. What a sweet victory this was for Hezekiah, Isaiah and the Israelites! What a sweet victory it is for us also! The enemy will be cut down by the power of the Holy Spirit in us and through the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God!

Hezekiah’s story is told also in Isaiah chapters 37 and 38. I enjoyed reading it in both 2 Chronicles and Isaiah. I discovered both of these books were being written about the same time in Israel’s history. Some of my favorite scriptures are found in Isaiah chapters 40 and 41. It makes more sense to me now that I have studied Hezekiah’s story in Chronicles. These chapters in Isaiah are proclaiming God’s strength and our victory in relying steadfastly on Him!

2010-03-25T10:57:00.000-07:00

It is through humility and self-giving that we are truly satisfied. It is when we pour ourselves out that we in turn are filled to overflowing. Filled with grace upon grace.

Matthew 16:25
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

This is what I call upside down thinking or Kingdom thinking. Jesus was speaking the heart of the Father and it would be to our advantage to understand this. In giving of ourselves in abandonment to the Father firstly and then secondly to one another an amazing thing happens. We are filled with a love so big that we would lay our lives down for the sake of our Savior and his kingdom. We are invited to share in this amazing kingdom experience, as we selflessly give the love we receive away. Destructive self-centered living results in you and I becoming very shallow and cold hearted. Kingdom living is all-inclusive. It is for everyone to accept and enjoy. The Spirit inside of us compels us to share this good news with everyone.

Matthew 18:4
Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

I have been thinking about “going low” - abasement, humility, bearing one another’s burdens. My goal is to listen to Holy Spirit’s leading, being obedient to what he says to do, and then being quiet. Love covers. Love bears all.

My question to the Holy Spirit this day is, “Why is this the right way?”

“Open my heart to this secret wisdom.”

As I began studying this truth out, I began to see a common theme throughout the old and new testaments. Humility is an attribute of my Father’s character and he mixes it with mercy, mercy, and more mercy!

Micah 6:8
He has showed you, O man, what is good, and what does the LORD require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

THE LORD IS A JUST GOD.

The LORD is fair in his dealings with people. I think one of the best ways to understand the word justice is to take a look at its opposite, injustice. Injustice simply means to be unfair or wrong in your judgment of something or someone. I can tell you from experience injustice is a bitter pill to swallow. I probably hate injustice more than most bad deeds. It is so unfair. Typically you cannot fix the issue, because it is coming from a tainted character. So, when I see a God who’s actions are so just, so fair, so unbiased, it makes me smile. I love the character of our Father.

God also deals with us in a spirit of grace. He sees our past hurts and our present struggles. He is actively at work molding our future. This is who God is. He is a just God. He requires us to operate in the same spirit of grace.

Zephaniah 3:5
The LORD within her (Jerusalem) is righteous; he does no wrong. Morning by morning he dispenses his justice and every new day he does not fail; yet the unrighteous know no shame.

Pride and arrogance are attitudes of a cold heart and the fruit of these are injustice. Our God is the opposite. As we walk clothed in the humility of Christ, we walk in love and dispense justice to our fellow man as it is due him.

Proverbs 21:3
To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

This is such a simple principle. He is not yearning for sacrificial giving. He wants you to do what is right and just. This is pleasing to the LORD.

THE LORD IS A GOD OF MERCY.

Psalm 103:17
But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children.

Every act of God is coming from a place of amazing love! This is his character. He is justice expressing itself through love. He is righteousness being given to a people who are really undeserving. He is forgiveness being poured out to sinners. He is extraordinary compassion shed abroad in our hearts.

Joel 2:13
Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

God is not after sacrifice, but a heart that is contrite. He is not looking for an outward demonstration of circumcision, but one of the heart. Humble yourself before him and he will run to you. He is full of grace and love. He is fair in his judgments.

THE LORD IS FULL OF HUMILITY.

I Peter 5:5
Clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Another way of saying, “clothe yourselves” is cover yourselves. Put on grace as you would a dress or shirt. I think we can do this simply by declaring it. “I put on humility today. I choose to walk with a humble heart, filled with mercy and justice.” In doing this, God responds with more grace. Grace is a supernatural, tangible source of power from the Holy Spirit. I do not want to oppose or to be opposed by my Father. Let’s commit to pleasing the Father in our actions.

Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the LORD forgave you, and over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

I continue to enjoy reading Hannah Hurnard’s book Hines Feet on High Places. It seems to be a book I go back to for that secret wisdom from the Spirit. I would like to share two excerpts from this beloved book.

For it is only up on the High Places of Love that anyone can receive power to pour themselves down in utter abandonment of self-giving.

This is the law by which we live, it so sweet to give and give.

2010-02-23T20:53:00.000-08:00

I inhabit your praises! I am the One who enables you to say, “Jesus is LORD.” I prompt you to raise your voice in praise and gratitude. I give you the words to spirit songs.

Your praise will breakthrough iron bars and gates of steel! It lifts up your soul and your countenance is changed. The gloom and despair disappears in my Presence, for you cannot magnify Me and remain introspective.

Praise is a selfless act of looking to someone bigger than you and your circumstance. A spirit of praise and thanksgiving should be the fruit of a life completely abandoned to me. It is my nature to exhibit praise and gratitude and it will be yours also because you are made in my image!

The LORD was with Jehoshaphat king of Judah, because in his early years he walked in the ways of his father David. He sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel. The LORD established the kingdom under his control. His heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD, and he prospered greatly! I love the story that is recorded in chapter 20 of 2 Chronicles. Lets look at how King Jehoshaphat walked out a very perilous situation by seeking the LORD, obeying and praising through to victory!

2 Chronicles 20:2-3
Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar (that is the En Gedi).”Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.

King Jehoshaphat inquired of the LORD! There is wisdom we can gather from this righteous man of God. He was king but did not assume he had the wisdom on his own to stand against these armies. How many times have I stepped out in my own wisdom just to fail miserably? Let me answer that, too many times. If we are in Christ, we are not our own.

I Corinthians 6:20
You are not your own; you were bought at a price.

The price is the shed blood of Jesus! I am not my own person. I am connected to Jesus my Savior. He is very interested in my life and has the wisdom I need. He also foresees my future, and totally has my best interest at heart. I can trust Him implicitly!

2 Chronicles 20:5-9
Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the LORD in the front of the new courtyard and said: “O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us."

Jehoshaphat begins his heartfelt prayer by declaring who God is:
You are the God of the Heavens.
You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations.
Power and might are in your hand and no one can withstand you.

This reminds me of the Lord’s Prayer that Jesus taught all of his disciples, which begins with recognizing our Father is the God of Heaven.

A great model prayer, as we should pray likewise. Father in Heaven we declare your power and might! This is making a declaration of His strength and power not only to Him but to the powers of darkness as well. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. When we pray out loud we also are hearing our declaration of who God is! This will increase our faith!

Jehoshaphat then recounts how God was faithful to Abraham and his descendents. It is good to remember and speak of how God has been faithful to our families and to us. Retell your “God” stories. We all have them if we have been in Christ for any length of time. If you have children they need to hear these stories.

Deuteronomy 11:19
Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

These remembrances are packed full of faith. When they are retold faith is again released, which equips us for future battles. Tell your stories!

Jehoshaphat then declares that even if calamity comes against them, whether by sword or judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before the temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.

This statement made God smile! To hear that assurance and confidence coming from one of his children, he would surely want to come to their aide. This reminds me of the three Hebrew children just before being thrown into the fiery furnace made a similar statement.

Daniel 3:17-18
If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.

2 Chronicles 20:12
“O our God, will you not judge them? (Speaking of the nations coming against them) For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.”

This statement by King Jehoshaphat is both filled with humility and a declaration of dependence on God. He is in a great position even though it appears in the natural to be a disastrous situation. His position is one of faith, not self-reliance! I love Jehoshaphat’s heart in this troubling circumstance. We can learn so much from him. I am confident that we have all seen troubling situations come our way. I am equally confident in the God I love and serve! He is able to deliver. He responds to his children and to their heartfelt cries of, “LORD, I need you!”

God responds quickly to Jehoshaphat’s plea for help. He speaks through the prophet Jahaziel to Jehoshaphat and all the men of Judah, their wives and children.

2 Chronicles 20:15-17
This is what the LORD says to you: “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them, they will be climbing up by the pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle, Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow and the LORD will be with you.”

This is such an awesome word from God and builds the confidence of its hearers. The Prophet gives them information on the geographic location of the enemy and declares that they will not have to fight this battle. This one battle was God’s to fight. We need the Wisdom of God, as they did many thousands of years ago. Think about what could have been their response to armies coming against them. It would have been to gather their own armies and fight them. Wow! We have to learn to seek the LORD firstly and not to respond on impulse.

2 Chronicles 20:18-19
Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD. Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

Praise, worship and thanksgiving are always an appropriate response to the LORD!

2 Chronicles 20:20-22
Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful. After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the LORD, For his love endures forever.”

As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.

The LORD caused confusion to come on these armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir and they slaughtered themselves. These armies were defeated by singing praises to the LORD! This was a specific charge given to the men of Israel by the Prophet of God. They responded in faith and obedience and God defeated their enemies.

What can we glean from this story? We will always benefit from inquiring of the LORD. His wisdom cannot compare to our ways of thinking. Listen and obey what He tells us to do. This could be as in this story through the Prophet of the LORD. It more than likely will be through the scriptures and through listening to his still small voice. We are to be a praise filled, worshipping people, over flowing with thanksgiving! One word of caution, I have never liked using formulas in praying for people or seeking the LORD. Even though this was the word for Jehoshaphat and the people of Israel it is not necessarily the word of the LORD for us in every battle. The key here is to always seek the LORD for the word in season for your situation.

One last scripture and thought:

2 Chronicles 20:29-30
The fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard how the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel, and the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.

The people of God who walk in faith are also given rest! There is a knowing inside your head and your heart when you are walking out obedience in a difficult situation. The knowing is that God is in complete control and will work it out for our good!

Yes, and God gives you peace and rest in the midst of it.

2010-02-05T15:22:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 21:1
The King's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.

Open my ears so that I can hear your word today. Father give me ears to hear you today.

Have you ever felt like you are not presently doing what you were created to do? That's where I am at right now! I know there is greatness in me that has not reached its mark! I am presently working a job that can be trying and humiliating, and yet the LORD is saying, “ You can do this.” I am able to hold on because the Father spoke to me. He said, " Status quo Jan, Don’t change anything for now. Just work like you have been doing. I will open doors and give new direction."

My heart took on new courage from those simple phrases! Why? Because they come from the one I trust and love. I know that I could stay in that job till the end of time if He says to. My response this day is, "Father, thank you so much for speaking to me. I can hold on. I know your purposes for me are greater than what I am doing at the present. I trust you during this time even when I don't see your greatness fully in me."

I began thinking about people in the Bible who had similar struggles. I love that we have these amazing examples of the very things we are going through. Holy Spirit is so faithful to direct, because He knows exactly what we need to read!

Joseph was a character that sought after the LORD and began hearing and seeing his future. God was imparting greatness to him. I believe you know his story. After sharing some of his visions with his own brothers they have him tossed into a pit. They debate killing him and instead decide to sell him into slavery. Traveling Midianites take him into Egypt. Wow! Those were some crazy brothers! They could not recognize the greatness of God expressing itself through their little brother. Joseph's story continues in the house of one of Pharaoh’s officials named Potiphar. The Word says that the LORD was with Joseph and he prospered the house of Potiphar. The Word continues to say the official recognized the favor of the LORD on Joseph because everyone prospered under his influence. He became his personal attendant caring for his household. There was a fly in the ointment. Potiphar's wife found Joseph appealing and made a play for him. Because Joseph walked in the fear of the LORD he rejected her advances. You know what they say about a woman being scorned? She yelled for Potiphar and blamed Joseph for attacking her. He was taken to prison where the king's prisoners were held. Again, the word says the LORD was with him. Joseph found favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So, as the story continues Pharaoh has some disturbing dreams. The wise men and sorcerers cannot help him. In a twist of fate an ex-con suggests they contact Joseph. The lost son of Jacob consults the Lord of heaven who shows him how to interpret the dream. He finds great favor again this time in Pharaoh’s own household. He was given a huge promotion. Pharaoh’s words to Joseph went like this: "Since God has made all this known to you, You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you. I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt." Wow! What a story! The beautiful ending to Joseph's story is that during the famine where food was so scarce, he was able to help many people with the wisdom and foreknowledge that God had given him. Yes, also his brothers and father!

Genuine relationship formed between Joseph and God, and He made it possible for him to walk in great wisdom. God had an amazing plan for Joseph to be a type of redeemer for many people. God is sovereign, which means His plans will come to pass! There was greatness in Joseph at an early age though his family grossly misunderstood him. He trusted that the words and visions given to him would actually come to pass even though they were delayed and he suffered much. Joseph's story in completion is found in Genesis chapters 37 through 50. Joseph is a type and shadow of our savior Jesus Christ.

Now let’s look at Jesus and we will see that Joseph was a type and shadow of our Redeemer.

The Father spoke to Jesus and gave him a mission to do. He left his kingship and became a man. Emanuel is God with us! He was human in all aspects and fully God.

Jesus had one mission and that was to redeem mankind. He also was misunderstood by many. The Pharisees wanted him dead. Why? They felt threatened by him, because they saw that he spoke with authority, walked in great wisdom and was compassionate. Jesus was a friend of the sinner, the publicans, and the tax collectors. He was not religious. The Pharisees missed their time of visitation. Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it!

Many of the Israelites were looking for the Messiah, but expected him to come and take the Kingdom back from the Romans. They wanted a great politician, a king not a savior. They were tired of being under the rule and authority of the Romans. Jesus did come to save them from the tyranny of government, but it was not going to be through that type of dominion. He was after their hearts, to change them. You can be imprisoned under foreign occupation and still be free in your soul. That can never be taken from you! The Israelites missed their time of visitation.

Many of his disciples turned away from following him because some of his teachings were too hard. Jesus says, “ Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.” His own family did not understand what he was doing and struggled to believe in him (as stated in John 7:1-5).

Jesus did not let this thwart the mission the Father had sent him to accomplish. He pressed on and we should also. Jesus is our example and we should follow his lead. Jesus and Joseph were misunderstood and suffered much. They both trusted God and were faithful to the word He spoke to them. It took years of walking in the revelation of God and trusting it to come to pass. God’s plan did come to pass and generations are reaping the benefits of intimacy with the Father and eternal life!

We are no different than Joseph and Jesus in that we are following the voice of our Father. We are led by His Spirit to do great things in the Kingdom. We have relationship with the Father, and He begins to share his heart for humanity with us. Greatness is birthed in us. We have incredible vision of what we are to do. This is all a process of walking with the Father in the Kingdom. We do great things for God. We work. We do the mundane things of life. We wait on God and listen to his voice. We hear him speak his heart, and again we are filled with greatness and vision.
It continues....

I am in one of those mundane places in my life. It is necessary to do what I do. I go to work and care for the elderly. I come home and cook dinner and clean my house. I am not unhappy with where I am at, but I know what God has spoken to me. I have vision that my Father has imparted to me. I know there is greatness in me, and I am compelled to do great things in the Kingdom. So, I wait and trust that what He has spoken will come to pass.

I hope this brings some encouragement to you my friends. I know that I am amongst many in the Body of Christ that he is compelling to keep doing the stuff of the Kingdom. He is also speaking in our ears, You are created for greatness! Why? Because we are created in His image.

Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

A tribute to my mom and dad

2010-01-06T23:22:00.000-08:00

It will soon be three years that our lives were suddenly changed with the death of our mother. She was the glue that held our family tight as a family should be. We were not without dysfunction that is for sure. I have fond memories mixed with hard, chaotic ones. Our family was characterized by our love for each other. We were a loud, demonstrative family and there was always something going on in our lives. You never knew when something was going to arise out of the blue and then explode with accusations and fears. Quickly as these episodes would arise they would subside and calm would resume without a mention of the transgression or transgressor. Consequently, most things were swept under the carpet and very few issues were ever resolved. Nevertheless, we were a family that loved one another. My parents were married sixty-seven years at the time of mom’s death. What a legacy! We all know that their marriage was not perfect; it had flaws like most marriages do. They were committed to each other and also to their family. I always knew that I was loved and that I had a place in Pensacola I called home. It is still difficult years later to acknowledge that she is gone. I often want to pick up the phone and call her to let her know about some milestone in my life. Dad just never seemed to enjoy hearing things about our family like mom did. I truly miss her so much. My husband Nate and I had the privilege of living with mom and dad a few years ago. They were in need of caregivers and we spent a year and a half with them. I will always cherish those memories. There were good ones and believe me there were those times that were extremely challenging. Anyone who knew my momma would understand she was not easy to live with. She was loving, yes, but also very opinionated. Dad was always easy going and went along with what everyone else wanted. I am glad for that season with them. I have no regrets in my relationship with mom or dad.

Dad lived thirty-one months longer than momma. I think we all expected him to pass away a lot sooner than he did. He was lost without her, but he valued his life until the end. He had such a sweet heart and I loved being with him. I have such fond memories of my daddy. When I was a child he would always take me upon his lap and give me lots of hugs. I felt very safe in his arms. He would pretend to chew on my toes and fingers saying, “Mm good chicken.” I also remember him bringing snowballs (chocolate cake covered with marshmallow) home from work for me. He would smell of mint (doublemint gum was the culprit) and government buildings. He worked in civil service for thirty-five years. These are some of my early childhood memories that put a smile on my face even today.

Dad was lovingly cared for by my brother and his wife until he became too feeble to live without assistance. He then went into an assisted living facility where he was still cared for by my brothers, my sister and my cousins. He was loved and cared for and never lacked provisions, even down to his fruit basket. You all truly exemplified the love of God to our dad. Thank you!

Our dad passed away November 27th, 2009 just two days after his ninety-first birthday. He lived a long and honorable life. My heart mourns for him because he is not here anymore. I have peace even though he is with the LORD and with momma. That gives me peace and makes me smile. His eyes are dark brown again and he can see! His body is no longer feeble and wracked with pain. I rejoice with him! I still sorrow though, not just for him but for our family. I have come to realize that the family is no longer there in Pensacola. That era has ended. I am learning how to allow myself to grieve. I have no regrets, but I am letting the process of grief have its way for a season. I think that this is one method of dealing with my grief. To write out my feelings brings some kind of closure that is healthy. In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon writes that there is a time to mourn. So, I am taking this to time to remember our family. Obra William Solice and Anna Catherine Channell who in part made our lives what they are today. You are remembered and missed sorely.

2009-12-31T17:35:00.000-08:00

Good Morning Holy Spirit! Let your presence fill this place as you grace me with your sweetness.

Only one thing is profitable and that my friend is sitting at the feet of Jesus. He brings so much life to you and he refocuses your eyes on things that are important.

My heart is stirred to know you better.

Keep yourself still and know me as God. Settle your thoughts, your desires, and your fears for the future.

Think about my character, my unchangeable goodness. You keep me in perfect peace because my thoughts are stayed on you. At this moment, at this time there is no doubt only complete trust.

I Peter 5:5-10

Vs5

Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

To clothe yourself speaks of action. I think it is a decision to walk in humility, of course with the Holy Spirit’s help. The very thought of God opposing me is frightening. Think about that for a moment. That puts a little fear of the LORD into being proud or it should anyway. I like the part where it says He gives grace to the humble. Grace here is defined as being an empowerment from the Holy Spirit to meet this evil tendency (pride) and all others fully.

Vs 6

Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you

This is what we are to do. We are to be meek and unassuming thinking more highly of others than we do of ourselves. This is not being unhealthy and it is not having low self-esteem. It is walking in gentleness and meekness the way Jesus did. He is our great example of humility. He walked in perfect love towards people even though he was God in the flesh.

He will exalt or lift us up in due season. What does that look like? I think it is working things out for us in every situation; causing all things to work together for good. Also, it feels good to honor one another, showing respect and gratitude.

Vs7

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you

I can hear the Father saying, “Child, throw it to me. It’s much too heavy for you to bear.”

You were not equipped to carry this load of anxiety, worry and cares. Our Father cares for us! I was thinking today about the crazy love we have for our new granddaughters. It’s very similar to the love we feel for our own children. I guess I never thought I could love so deeply. Recently as I was pondering my relationship with God, He broke into my thoughts. “I love you more than what you feel for your children and grandchildren. I know you perfectly inside and out. I want to meet you early and just spend time with you the same way you did with them.”

WOW! Doesn’t it feel really good when you know you are held in special esteem by someone?

He cares! What a great Father we have.

Vs 8

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

We are told by Peter in this passage of scripture to be self-controlled and alert. This says to me to not let my guard down.

Be conscious of your actions, staying completely submitted to God.

What makes our minds fuzzy and confused?

Different things to each of us, I am sure.

For me it is:

• Watching too much television.
• Spending too much time in soulish conversation.
• Computer time

I think anything that preoccupies our time and our thinking can cause our minds to become spiritually dull.

Balance is the key word here as well as moderation.

You do not want to be taken off guard. For me it manifests in impatience with my husband. Also doubt, fear, and unbelief are big ones that I have to guard against.

Why are we admonished to be self-controlled and alert?

We absolutely do not want the enemy to get a foothold into our thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

We are warned over and over in scripture to guard our hearts and our eyes.

Vs 9

Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

We have been given amazing and effective tools to defeat the enemy:

• Holy Spirit living inside of us
• Powerful Name of JESUS
• Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God
• Grace which is an enabling power from the Holy Spirit

We are not alone in our battles! We are part of the beautiful Body of Christ! We are living in the Kingdom of God with great Kingdom benefits!

Vs 10

And the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself establish, strengthen, settle and perfect you.

He has all the grace, as much as we need, when we need it.

Start asking him for it when you are struggling with attitudes or when you are tempted.

Grace is real and tangible! I can literally feel its power covering me when I need it. It is peaceful and has a sense of well being. It is being covered with a blanket of strength in the midst of chaos and stress.

The 10th verse goes on to say we are called to his eternal glory in Christ.

What on earth does that mean?

We are called to experience Christ’s power and goodness forever. We are partaking of this heavenly goodness now and forever.

That even though we suffer through various trials and afflictions we are called to greatness in Christ!

Jesus Himself will:

• Establish us
• Strengthen us
• Settle us
• Perfect us

Beginning now and continuing forever and ever!

I have incredible hope for my future and for yours!

2009-12-12T15:06:00.000-08:00

An excerpt from my journal and a quiet time with the LORD:

My desire, my great hope is for you to need me desperately. I want interaction with you. My heart is stirred within me when I hear you say, “Father I need you!” “I can’t do this on my own!”

II Chronicles 20:12, 15, 17
O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you. He said: Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.

Our position is abiding in Jesus, and entering the rest of God!

There is an authority that Christ has given to us as believers a few examples of this is:

Matthew 16:19
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

John 20:23
If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.

Luke 9:1
When Jesus had called the twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Christ said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, Go and make disciples of all nations.”

I believe the church has become too independent of Christ. Yes, I strongly believe in knowing who we are in Christ. In fact my husband and I are teaching a Bible study on this very topic. It is necessary for the converted believer to renew their minds and become transformed in their thinking. This brings us great stability and balance to our lives. But, even as I was pondering these truths I looked up the great commission and found that I was misquoting it. I was thinking, all authority was given to me meaning the church. In truth Jesus was saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth was given to me, now go and make disciples of all nations.”

John 17:20-22
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one.

We also walk in this shared authority because we are one with the Father and with Jesus. Keep in mind it is shared, not autonomous.

There are times when we are definitely called to intercessory prayer. I had a few days this week where I needed to pray in the Spirit and also was praying the word of God out loud. It was a battle coming against my mind. I am usually very stable in my thoughts, but beginning on Sunday my mind was racing with thoughts. Suspicion, doubt and fear were coming against me furiously. I began praying against it in the authority that I share with Jesus. I then had a good friend and my husband pray for me. Sometimes, I can battle and see results this time I needed help.

There are also times when we are to stand in what we know to be true, and let the LORD battle for us. This is entering the rest of the LORD.

Exodus 14:14
The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still
Oh my goodness! How many of us can receive this word from the LORD?
This truly requires an incredible amount of trust. You need to know and become very familiar with the LORD. When you really know his character you are able to rest and let him take care of you.

II Chronicles 32:8
With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us fight our battles. And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the King of Judah said.

Let me say this again. Our position is abiding in Jesus and entering the rest of God!

In the past three years I have had two very difficult jobs. I was persecuted terribly by co-workers to the point where I heard the LORD say, “Enough” The situations had to do with gross injustices in the work place. The first job the LORD suddenly removed me from it, and the second job He removed the person who was causing the hostile work environment. She had been with the company for eight years, but was removed because she was so hostile towards me. Amazing, how we do not have to battle in the natural. God is a mighty warrior.

Isaiah 30:15-18
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. You said, ‘No, we will flee on horses.’ Therefore you will flee! You said, ‘We will ride off on swift horses,’ Therefore your pursuers will be swift! A thousand will flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you will all flee away, till you are left like a flagstaff on a mountaintop, like a banner on a hill.” Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

Psalm 147:10-11
His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Let us repent this day of being independent of the LORD. We cannot live in this world without abiding in Him! Let us repent of our spiritual arrogance. Apart from Christ I can do nothing!

Let us enter the rest of the LORD…ceasing from our own labors and being co-laborers with Him!

2009-11-15T23:49:00.000-08:00

On November 7th in my quiet time, I heard the Spirit of the LORD say to me:

I have gifts for you today!

· Gift of discernment stronger than you have ever had
· Gift of wisdom so that you will have specific insights into what people have need of
· Gift of love, the ability to love without conditions attached….a perfect love

Discernment comes by the Spirit of the LORD. It usually is a strong impression about someone, something or a geographical area that will not be shaken. It is not a fleeting thought or observation. Impression is defined as what stays in somebody’s mind. Impression is a lasting effect, opinion, or mental image of somebody of something. I think the key word in that definition is stays; it is not a random thought that is quickly forgotten. What comes next is a question, “Holy Spirit what is this”? “What do you want me to do with this information you have given to me”? I have learned recently that it can come through our five senses. I have known discernment through the Holy Spirit opening my eyes to see and opening my ears to hear, but it wasn’t until recently that I have had my sense of smell opened to discern the Presence of the LORD and the presence of an evil spirit.

Last year I experienced this in a very powerful way. I was having a quiet time with the LORD when I began to see a moving picture, a vision. I was fully awake and experiencing a very intimate time with Jesus. I saw him in His priestly robes of the purest white with a velveteen rope sashed around his waist. I then saw myself as a small child running to him. I ran right into him grabbing handfuls of this beautiful robe and pressing my little face into the fabric. It had such an amazing smell of incense. I said out loud in my living room, “It smells of cassia”! This I researched later was the oil Moses was instructed by God to use to anoint Aaron as High Priest. What a beautiful picture God gave to me of my High Priest!

This was a connection to the spirit realm that had I not been discerning could have alarmed me. The Spirit of the LORD gave me discernment during the beginning of this vision and I knew it was good, holy, and precious. Why was it given to me? To increase my faith mostly is why it was given. It also increased my desires and love for Jesus. There is always purpose in discerning something. The Holy Spirit’s job is to give me a strong impression in some way, our response is to say “what do you want me to do with this”?

Discernment is given always for us to pray. Hands down that is its main purpose.

Recently I experienced the other side of discerning an evil presence through my sense of smell.

I was in a public place checking out at the register and I began smelling a very foul odor. There was the lady at the register and myself. I knew it was not coming from me, and the lady did not appear to be sick or in distress. Never the less it was coming from her. I discerned an unclean spirit. There is a difference between familiar common odors and spirits that give off offensive odors. What was I to do with this information? Pray for her once I get to a private area such as my car, always asking Holy Spirit what was that? If you are bold enough which I confess I am not, you could quietly ask if you can pray for her. I personally think it wasn’t the time or the place for such as that. I will say that I am being trained in this by the Holy Spirit. I am certainly not comfortable or perfected in this gifting. I am a student and am learning how to use this gift properly.

Several months after that encounter I did have another one. I was in church and began smelling a similar offensive odor. It was extremely pungent so I put my face down into the fabric of my sleeve to breathe fresh air. I began asking God again, “What is this”. He immediately said an unclean spirit. I knew the smell was coming from someone behind me. I did not know the person, but had shaken hands with him prior to the service. Also, no one else seemed to smell it. My husband was sitting beside me and did not smell anything. That is definitely a sign that it is discernment of spirits. If it is a natural odor other people would smell it as well.

So, again I am learning what to do with this gift. I did not step out and pray for him. He did go to the altar during the invitation and was prayed for. I have continued to pray for him also. In the future when this happens I will ask more specifically whether I should approach and pray for them. This brings me to the next gift which is so tied to discernment and that is wisdom.

Wisdom is a gift of the Spirit available like discernment for those who seek after it. It is the very gift I seek after the most as of late. When I say that I mean I seek earnestly after Jesus, because He has become for me wisdom.

I Corinthians 1:30
It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.

I desire the gift of wisdom because I know it will be an instrument in my life to liberate many people from the bondage that they are in. I know if I had been walking in the fear of the LORD which is the beginning of wisdom I would not have bruised myself so in my pre Christian days.

Wisdom says:

I am pure, then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you.

We are in such need of wisdom in the body of Christ! As we walk in a hostile world we need to be led by Wisdom’s cry. The voice of Wisdom brings us peace and clear guidance. A sure foothold is wisdom’s path. A peg fastened in a sure place is the fruit of wisdom.

Discernment mixed with wisdom is freedom! It’s all of the above! Discernment without wisdom is laying a wound wide open and then not knowing how to suture it. You must seek wisdom’s leading as you minister to the body of Christ. Jesus has become for me wisdom. Everything that I need is encompassed in Him. How do we receive this wisdom? Ask!

Love, love, love, there is nothing better! God is love. Simply and profoundly He is complete and perfect love. I have been a student of the word for about 29 years, and it has been my earnest prayer to be perfected in love. I have probably prayed that prayer more than I have prayed for my husband, which is saying a lot! One of my passions is to rescue the broken and show them the Father’s unconditional love! The only way that I can successfully do this is to be perfected wholly in love. When I didn’t know there was a kingdom of love, I sought after love from people who were as broken and deficient in love as me to no avail. I was trying to fill a place inside my soul that only God could ever satisfy. So, when I met a beautiful man of God and he shared the good news of the Kingdom with me I finally found the love I so needed! From that moment forward I sought God and His Kingdom with all my heart.

Luke 7:47
Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven- for she loved much, but he who has been forgiven little loves little.

Maybe that is why I have taken hold of Jesus with all my strength, because I have never experienced a love as pure and true as with him! The more we seek after Him the more we become like Him. I am taking on his nature of pure love. I have my Heavenly Father’s DNA. I think the thoughts of Jesus because I spend time listening to Him. He then shares what He hears from the Father with me.

I Corinthians 2:9-10
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him, but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

Having said all of that in regards to love, I want to tie it all together with the gift of discernment and wisdom.

It all flows so beautifully together!

We can not successfully bring Jesus to people without it being done completely in love. There cannot be any other motivating factors otherwise it will cause more hurt and pain to these precious people. When Holy Spirit gives discernment about a particular issue in a person it is for healing, deliverance, comfort, restoration, or exhortation. We then as ministers of this love need to ask Holy Spirit for complete wisdom on how to proceed in praying for this person. If I did this apart from doing it in love I am amiss, and will injure instead of bringing life.

Love covers over a multitude of sin, love also remembers no wrong, love lays its life down, love always protects, love always trusts, love always hopes, love perseveres, and love never fails!

So, go forth and bless the people of God with your gifts. They need a touch from Jesus, and you are His connection to them.

2009-10-13T09:35:00.000-07:00

I John 4:19
We love because he first loved us.

What brings the deepest satisfaction to a man or woman?

To know that they are loved in return.

It is one thing to love, and to give love, but to have that love returned brings great contentment. We share great joy with the newly engaged couple that is bursting forth with shared love. It is time to celebrate! The bride exclaims, “I have found the one who loves me in return!” The groom proclaims, “I have found the one who has deemed me honorable and trustworthy. She has chosen me above all other men, and her love is singularly towards me!”

I am reminded of a child’s game. You send a note to the one you like the best. They are to check the appropriate box, Yes or No. Do you like me in return? We are so programmed to love and to be loved. Our Heavenly Father made us in His image and He exudes LOVE.

I had a dream last week of a very handsome couple with two children. They had come to me for help concerning their marriage. She was sullen and withdrawn. He was concerned, and inquisitive as to why she was not responding to him as she once had. The children seemed to be on the peripheral of it all. They were not really apart of what was going on, sort of on autopilot. The husband had loved and she had loved in return in the beginning, but this had waned over the course of seven years of marriage and two children. He still loved her but his efforts were not what they were as during their courtship. He didn’t woo her anymore.

There is a remedy for this problem that sometimes arises in marriage. It is found within the guidelines of scripture.

Ephesians 4:22-33
Wives submit to your husbands as to the LORD. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his on body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church- for we are members of his body. For this reason a man, will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery, but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

A woman and a man will respond with a reckless abandoned love when truly one is loved and loved in return. It is a safe place within the marriage covenant and the marriage bed is undefiled. Your children also recognize and feel the security and sense the peace that comes from this beautiful union between their parents.

Nate and I had been married about seven years when I began thinking about this passage of scripture. I remember being naïve concerning the power in this passage. I was thinking why is it that the woman has to submit and the husband has so little to do? I will never forget saying this to my sister-in-law Becky. She gently set my thinking straight. She said, oh Jan, the husband has a great deal more of the responsibility. He is to love as Christ loves us. Laying his life down for his bride as Christ did for his beloved church. It became an understood word to me. It had become a rhema word or revealed word. When the husband freely gives of himself to his wife she openly gives herself in return. He does not lord over her in a demanding way. On the contrary he serves her. The wives response is to give in submission as to the LORD. It is a beautiful mystery, a beautiful symphony of giving and receiving. I said this statement recently about my husband.” I know that he would literally lay his life down for me.” There is no question of his covering me with his love.

What does this holy union do for me? It washes me clean, makes me holy, and presents me radiant, without stain or blemish. How many times do we make the statement about the newly married bride, She is radiant! That is because she is! It is a beautiful mystery of the holy union between a man and a woman.

Submission brings beauty to the woman of God.
I Peter 3:5-6
For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham, following his guidance and acknowledging his leadership over her by calling him lord, master, leader, and authority.
In conclusion to the dream, I remember dancing a waltz with the handsome gentleman. I shared the wisdom of love for his marriage and it gave him great hope. He kissed either side of my cheeks and I embraced his beautiful bride of seven years and kissed her cheeks. They left as a family reunited with hope for their future. They would follow the way of wisdom and His perfect love.

In the dream, I remember seeing a large sketchpad with a breathtaking portrait of a bride adorned for her husband, but with splotches on her gown. This I believe is a depiction of humanity. Desiring relationship and so desperate to be loved in return, but settling for less.

(Post Script: Tomorrow 10-14-09 Nate and I will have been married 31 years.)

2009-09-22T20:52:00.000-07:00

Hosea 6:6-7
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings, like Adam they have broken covenant- they were unfaithful to me there.

We were created for noble purposes. Foremost, to love and serve an incredible faithful God! We were not made in the image of this God to be less than powerfully creative and full of His love. I am convinced that our potential is beyond our human thinking, but that’s just it! We need to be thinking and acting upon the thoughts of God! I believe we are seated positionally in Heavenly places. Christ bought this position for us on the cross. Lets begin walking in our greatest potential possible here on earth.

The conflict arises as we walk here on earth. We are in a human body but we house a supernatural God, who is continually at work in us. People who do not acknowledge our God surround us everyday of our lives. Unholy media everywhere bombards us. Hence, the conflict I spoke of in the beginning of this paragraph. A supernatural, holy God housed in a human body living on earth. Wow!

How do we stay faithful to God? God was telling them how through the prophet, but
I wonder if the children of Israel ever really listened to his Father’s heart. They certainly were having issues with being faithful. I would like to look at some of the dialogue out of Hosea. It is so apropos for this generation.

Hosea 4:1 Hear the word of the LORD, you Israelites, because the LORD has a charge against you who live in the land; there is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgement of God in the land.

Hosea continues with the account of the Israelites wrong doings, their unfaithful deeds. He then says in verse 6 that my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Now lets keep in mind that this is Father God speaking his heart through the prophet Hosea. Do you hear the Father’s concern for as He puts it “my people”.

There is much more dialogue of God’s rejection of the priests and the judgments against Israel. I believe that even through these judgments God was acting in love. He cannot go against His nature. He is love. Comparatively we discipline our children for their good and well-being, God had to bring a stop to the chaos that was going on in that day. A spirit of prostitution was leading them astray; they were unfaithful to their God. A people without understanding will come to ruin and God loved them and us too much to allow this to continue.

When you continue to read on in Hosea you will see again and again the Father’s heart of love. He is so relational that He calls us over and over to come back to our first love. This love is beautiful, holy, perfect and fulfills us completely. We were not created to prostitute ourselves and carry the shame of unfaithfulness!

Hosea 6:1-3
Come, let us return to the LORD.
He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; He has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us that we may live in his presence.
Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.

His plea to unfaithful man is simply to return to Him. He will then bind up our wounds that we received through joining ourselves with the enemy. You see the enemy of our souls leads us astray. The enemy lures us into situations, habits, and relationships that appear harmless on the surface. This could be a slightly unethical business deal or just spending too much time on the computer. Anything that distracts, preoccupies you and takes away your interests in the lover of your soul has the potential to become spiritual adultery. We are left feeling empty and discontent. Our Father who created us in His image knows exactly how to restore us and bind up our wounds.

God loves us so much and this book (Hosea) beautifully portrays His heart for us. He speaks of fathering Israel and Ephraim. He says that He took Ephraim by the arms and taught them to walk. He says I healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. I lifted the yoke from their necks and bent down to feed them.

Hosea 11:8
How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over Israel? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused.

He is faithful Father! He will not give up on his children!

In the beginning of this dissertation I wrote that Israel had broken covenant like Adam. I say not just Israel, but mankind has broken covenant with God. We were in need of a mediator who would go before God and plead our case. This came through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. This brought us into fellowship once again with God and into a new and better covenant.

Hebrews 9:15
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance- now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

So, the invitation is the same under the old or new covenant.
Return to the LORD!

2009-09-10T21:25:00.000-07:00

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning.

LOVE is the greatest gift!

It cannot be extinguished when once given by the Father of lights. He gives perfect gifts. The love of the Father once experienced cannot be satisfied from any other source fully. His love is complete. It is completely good! It fills every crevice of your heart and soul. It leaves you feeling very satisfied, but also desiring more of His encounters.

In my humanity I do my best to love my husband, children, grandchildren, parents and friends, but I guarantee you I fall short. Why? My love is imperfect apart from Christ mingling his love with mine.

I struggle to love unconditionally. I believe knowing how to love is a learned behavior. Our parents modeled for us how to give and receive love. This may have been a good model or a poor one. Unfortunately we cannot choose who parents us. This is where problems arise especially in a marriage relationship. One person may come from a very loving and giving home whereas the other one may have been raised with little or no outward affection. I am not a psychologist, but I can sure see where that would cause issues.

When we come into the Kingdom of Love, we have a new model to follow. It is a perfect one. We learn how to love by reading about Jesus’ relationship with his Father. We also observe his interaction with his disciples and with sinners as a guide. He always operated from the position of complete and perfect love.

When we were children we modeled our parents love. Now as children of God we model our Father’s and our Savior’s love. So, how do we do this? Simply stated, we practice what we see happening in the word of God. Also, we have the Holy Spirit living in us giving us divine help. We are not alone.

John 16:7
Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send him to you.

John 16:13
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth, for He will not speak on His own (authority) but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

Jesus does not leave us alone with only his good example to follow. We have the very spirit of Jesus living inside of us. So, how do we utilize this power of the Holy Spirit?
I believe the very first step is to completely surrender to Him. We do this upon our conversion, but it is an ongoing process.

Lets look at these examples. I might say:

“I cannot do this on my own anymore, I need your help Holy Spirit. I surrender my will to your beautiful plan for me.”

“I cannot love my co-worker because she is constantly nit-picking and badgering me. I surrender this to you and ask for your divine intervention.”

“I cannot love my husband because he is constantly doubting me and questioning my ability to run our household. I surrender my bad feelings towards him, and I ask Holy Spirit for you to give me your heart for my husband.”

We need the Father’s way of loving people. The Father’s love is perfect and His love strengthens those who encounter it. This love is never fake or dishonest. It is true, right, and always good. It will change you as you surrender your will to His. My prayer for many years has been to be perfected in His love. I ask for this, because I am so deficient in perfect love. There is an amazing thing that happens as we begin to surrender, and also as we pray for that person we are struggling to love. Father begins to show us this person through His eyes of complete and perfect love. It changes your heart. Father may give you insight into why this person is so hard to love. When you experience this kind of encounter you go away a little more perfected in His love.

This is such a beautiful process of exchanging our humanity with his divine nature!

I said earlier that it is not a fake expression of love. Why? Because we have been supernaturally touched and our heart is made more tender towards the one who has offended us. Something truly has changed and we know it deep inside. If only the whole world could love this way, how different things would be. The love of the Father satisfies us deep within. As we are continually filled with his love our strivings cease. I am no longer demanding selfishly. I no longer desire things that I cannot have.

The bible makes a clear distinction between the acts of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control

I would very much prefer the fruit of the Spirit operating in and through me. This is not a pie in the sky doctrine or dream. This can be your life surrendered to Jesus. He wants to meet you and fill you completely with His love!

2009-08-31T13:37:00.000-07:00

Romans 5:5
The Love of God has been shed abroad in my heart.

This gives me an inner strength. I am filled to overflowing with your immeasurable love and power to finish all that has been ordained for me to do. I walk in incredible peace and assurance because of who I am in Christ. This assurance comes through love and grace. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. It’s His strength that compels me to greatness. I have pondered over the years, and remain somewhat perplexed over the mystery of Christ’s strength being perfected in me despite my humanness. Yes, it is the Holy Spirit inside of me giving me that nudge to push on a little more. He does not let me stay in my frailty of mind for long. He says to me, “You can do better than this” “Don’t you want more”? He compels me to greatness. I am being perfected day by day. I haven’t attained perfection, but it’s the greatness of God inside of me that will not let me settle for just “ok”. I am so glad of that! We are made in the image of GOD! Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all part of who I am. Wow! That would explain the insatiable desire to be someone, to make my mark in this life, to leave a legacy of the greatness of God in all that I do.

There will be amazing adventures in our lives and we will truly shine. We will see people touched by the power of God through repentance and a glorious salvation. We will see people miraculously healed and restored to life through the power of the Holy Spirit. I love this kind of display of the Kingdom of God! This power and potential is in every child of God whether it’s actively at work or not.

There are the mundane acts of life that make up the majority of our time here on earth. I believe we are to shine in these as well.

I remember the twenty-five years of raising our beautiful children. The innumerable meals that were planned and prepared, and the endless piles of laundry! There were always many tasks to do in a day. I also recall having children in all three levels of school at the same time. So much fun! I am not being sarcastic when I say that. It was a delight to serve them! That was great kingdom stuff! How fast those days came and went. I could have never successfully managed a household, loved my husband unconditionally and trained and modeled Christ’s love apart from the strength that only comes through the grace of God.

Our perfectly good, loving heavenly Father equips us with everything we need for this great life. He does not require of us what we do not have, but empowers us with his grace to do the extraordinary and mundane things of life. He is faithful Father in all areas of our lives.
There are some things you just can’t explain. I think grace is one of those mysteries. I can’t explain to you how it works, but I know from experience that it is so real!

2009-08-09T13:37:00.000-07:00

The Little Jesus in the Tabernacle is the vivid picture I had of my Savior when I was a child.

I was raised in a Catholic family who were very dedicated to their beliefs. It was not just a religion to them; it was their strong beliefs in a true God. This was passed on to me at a very early age, and I will forever be thankful to my parents for this upbringing. We were always in church on Sundays, no excuses unless of course we were sick. I also attended parochial school and had the added benefits of mass on Fridays.

I loved the quiet, peaceful times in our beautiful sanctuary. We would enter very quietly, there was not any talking being done unless in a very low tone. This was a place of holiness and worship and we knew it very early on in our lives. This brought great comfort and peace to me as a child. I remember it so vividly and even today it floods me with a sense of all is well. There was a holiness that emanated from the sanctuary and also the grounds of the church. This was the beginning of an amazing truth; it’s called the fear of the LORD. I would say that this is probably the one priceless lesson you can learn and teach your own children.

Proverbs 1:7-9
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Hear, my son, your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching; indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head and ornaments about your neck.

Somehow I knew this truth at a very early age. I was a compliant child who desired to please all who were in authority over me. This included wanting to please this God that I sensed in that holy place of his sanctuary. I just didn’t know how to get to him. He was there but somehow out of my reach. I was drawn to this incense saturated peaceful place, because it brought solace to me. My spirit was being drawn by a gracious; sweet Father who loved me before I ever knew how to love him back.

There was a portion of the mass that intrigued me so. The priest would walk over to the tabernacle to retrieve the communion elements. The tabernacle is an ornate cabinet that held the communion wafers and the chalice of wine. The priest is the only one who goes into this holy tabernacle. This was definitely a mystery to my young mind and imagination

I vividly imagined a little Jesus sitting inside of this tabernacle. He looked frail and all alone. Sitting with his back to the Tabernacle with his legs drawn up to his chest. I knew He wanted so badly to interact with someone. My child’s heart ached to catch a glimpse of this little Jesus and to talk to him.

Revelation 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them

This little Jesus has chosen to tabernacle with me!

Many years later I learned how to talk to Jesus directly. It was an amazing revelation to me that brought much freedom and joy! This was the genesis of my getting to know Jesus personally. It took many years for that little child to accept the grace of God. Now I walk in this amazing grace and feel completely accepted in the Beloved. This little Jesus has chosen to tabernacle with me! He wants to abide and make his home inside of me. I appreciate my Catholic heritage. It will always hold a precious place in my heart, because it was the foundation of all I believe today.

I know that this little Jesus was at work in my childhood imaginations drawing me to him!

2009-07-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

Acts 27:25
So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.

Praying, Petitioning, and Intercession:
Last week was filled with all three of these! You pray, petition, and intercede when you need a situation changed. It is not those times of status quo, when your life is going along without hindrance. It is when you are desperate for breakthrough! There will be times in your lives where intense prayer is warranted.

Praying is talking to God plain and simply. I do this on a daily basis; it is a privilege of the child of God to have this resource. For me it is an on going conversation, including him in my everyday activities. I want to know what he thinks of the many things that I am doing. It is what the Apostle Paul referred to as “praying without ceasing” This is completely relational. Talking to God.

Petitioning, Yes, I do this often! We petition for all kinds of things. There are always pressing issues, for instance provisions of all kinds, employment needs, healing, relational issues, etc. I am certain we could all come up with at least ten items to petition the Father about right now. This again is a great privilege of the child of God. I am reminded in Philippians to put away anxiety and to bring all our prayers and petitions with thanksgiving before God.

Intercession is quite different. It is a passionate cry to God on behalf of someone else.
There typically is a sense of urgency in this prayer. It is deep crying unto deep; a fervent cry for divine intervention.

Romans 8:26-27
In the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.

We can’t mess this one up. We are interceding and the very Spirit of God is interceding on our behalf in agreement with the will of God! What a perfect prayer!

There is what we older saints call having a burden. You feel a particular situation is pressing in on you. It’s not an oppressive feeling, but a strong call to pray. Soon after I was born again we began attending a very small Four Square church in Tucumcari New Mexico. The older ladies in the church could really pray. I went to a couple of these prayer meetings. I was so young and having been raised Catholic, I was very eager to learn how to pray.

They had a term praying through. They would pray until the release came, or the burden lifted. This didn’t mean the situation was resolved in the natural, but they were certain they had resolved it in the spiritual realm.
I have definitely experienced this in intercession. I know when I breakthrough in intercession because a release happens and you know something profound is going to happen in regards to what you just prayed.
God gives the assurance it is done!

So, what do you do now?
You rest knowing it is done. I call it “the knowing” It is a supernatural place of peace and complete trust. That is such an amazing feeling. The one thing I can compare it to is being in intense physical pain and then being given a drug that completely nullifies your pain. It is euphoric and intensely gratifying to know that you have gone to bat for someone and have pressed through.

Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus said, “ Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

It is very simple:
We talk to God about our lives and the people in our lives.
We ask for specific things.
We at times become very burdened for someone, something, a people group, an injustice in the world etc.
We selflessly pray until we feel God’s presence and his peace.
We enter the rest of God, which is complete trust and faith that God says, “It is done!”

2009-05-09T14:51:00.000-07:00

A beautiful morning Holy Spirit spend it with me

I repent for spending far too much time watching chick flicks. When in my quiet time all I can meditate on, or all that comes to mind for meditation is lines from “You’ve got mail.” I have a serious problem, but not to serious for the LORD to straighten out.
So, on this beautiful spring Albuquerque morning Holy Spirit and I worked it out. He washed over me with the word of God that cleanses my conscience. He filled me with his favor and acceptance and I go on.

I asked Holy Spirit to speak the mysteries of the Kingdom to me. I yearn to know them.

Romans 14:17-18
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

I set there pondering what this scripture actually means. I don’t know about you, but the Kingdom of God fascinates me and I am equally perplexed by it. Whenever I read the parables that Jesus taught on the Kingdom, I always am left going what? What is he really saying? Yet, I can’t seem to get away from them lately. I am convinced they have valuable undisclosed instructions for all of us.

So, I am going to try and break this down. The Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking. Paul was dealing with the food restrictions written in the Law of Moses. He was trying to clarify that these restrictions and laws are not applicable in the New Covenant. He goes on to say clearly what the Kingdom is in relation to: righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Romans 14:17
The Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit

Righteousness comes only through relationship with Jesus Christ. We all know the definition as it pertains to being born again. We come into right standing with God through the blood sacrifice of Jesus his Son.

Lets look at how it applies to us being righteous. I think it simply means for us to do the right thing. Daniel had a specific word for King Nebuchadnezzar about righteousness. I really liked how he phrased it.

Daniel 4:27
Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.

We who are part of the Body of Christ should be regularly aware of the needs of others in the Kingdom and also in the world. This will come easily to us as we are in Christ and are taking on more of the LORD’s character daily. The additional time we spend in His Presence will produce more acts of kindness. The fruit of His Spirit will begin to manifest in our actions toward others.

Romans 14:17
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit

The kingdom is about peace. I treasure this particular fruit more than any other one. To live without peace is a life filled with turmoil, and unrest. I was unsettled and filled with confusion before Christ filled me with his peace.

Luke 1:78-79
Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.

I was one of those people living in darkness and in the shadow of death! God came with tenderness and mercy and guided my feet into the path of peace! To live without yelling and strife is so amazing. After I came into Christ it took me several years to develop a peaceful and quiet spirit. I voiced this prayer frequently to God to give me a gentle and quiet spirit. Most often now people remark that our house is a house of peace. To live in the Kingdom of God is to live a life filled with peace!

Romans 14:17
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit

The Kingdom of God is Joy in the Holy Spirit. To have joy is pleasant, and agreeable, delighting in something or someone. Joy is an overall sentiment that all is well. Where do we derive our joy?

Psalm 16:11
You will make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your Presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Spending quality time with the LORD brings many benefits to the child of God. Joy is one of them. We discover the pathway of life. God’s plan and desires for us. We begin to see ourselves as God sees us! This my friend brings great inexplicable joy. We are filled to overflowing with his Presence, his purposes, and his JOY!

Luke 2:10
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

2009-04-12T20:20:00.000-07:00

Father I welcome Holy Spirit to lead me to the living word that is relevant for me today.

Hosea 6:3
Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the spring rains, Like the spring rains that water the earth.

This is what I heard the Spirit whisper to me. Think on this; do not leave it so quickly. Ponder and consider what I am saying to you.

What does it mean to acknowledge the LORD? The definitions of acknowledge are: to admit the existence, reality or truth of, to recognize as being valid or having force or power.

I admit there is a God. I am acquainted with his reality and power in my life. Holy Spirit was urging me to press into God’s existence. I recognize that He is at work in and through me. The beautiful promise to me, if I choose to do this, is that He will appear. He will come to me and refresh me like the rains in spring. The sun raises everyday that is a certainty. Likewise the LORD’s daily communion with me is assured. The word also says that the LORD’s presence is as predictable as the seasons.

We can always count on Him. Do not fret lean into his Presence. Make yourself available to Him. I have asked the LORD at night before I go to sleep, “Wake me up later, so that we can talk.” One other thing I have begun asking him for is dreams and visions. He will not disappoint you.

Hosea 10:12-14
Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.
But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception. Because you have depended on your own strength and on your many warriors, the roar of battle will rise against your people so that all your fortresses will be devastated.

God is calling us to righteousness, to actually sow righteousness. Plainly put, He is telling us to live morally. Upholding His standards that are found in His Word. By analogy God is teaching us to live relationally with Him. He is saying, “Don’t harden your hearts. Allow yourselves to be cultivated.” A heart that is soft is teachable and open to hear. When we humble ourselves through repentance, we also are breaking up the fallow ground.

I hear urgency in this cry it is time to seek the LORD! Don’t lay it aside for something to do later in life. He is waiting with mysteries and wisdom to impart to you! We are under New Covenant law. God does not respond to us in the same way He did to unfaithful Israel.

Yea Jesus!

We are living in an age of grace, but this is not a license to forsake our first love and do as we please. There is a cost for doing as we please. One of the first things I notice, is my strength is gone. Strength is linked to faith. When I forsake my quiet times I am weakened considerably in how I stand. Secondly, my quietness of mind and heart are altered. When I am troubled over many things, my mind seems to be pulled in many directions. This is the perfect ground for deception as it reads in the above verse.

We cannot walk this walk alone! God made us relational. We were created for fellowship with our Creator!

John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

That is a strong statement and narrow in its application. But I believe it!

God created us with a free will, but He likewise created us to be dependent on Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He wants to be a vital part of your life. Consider who He is: Creator God, the God of the Universe. He brings with him love that abounds, fullness of riches, all wisdom and understanding, and the mysteries of Christ revealed! Wow! These are good things.

2009-04-04T12:34:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 31:25
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
These were the words Jesus spoke to me that Saturday night a few weeks ago.

John 15:7
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.

This speaks of an intimate relationship. Knowing one another as a husband knows his wife.
This does not speak of a casual association. Nor does it speak of a Santa Claus giving gifts based on how good you have been.

Abiding simply means to stay or remain. You are not coming and going out of this relationship.
Staying committed permanently in a relationship is linked to giving and receiving, and also bearing fruit.

In giving of ourselves, we are sharing our personal thoughts and our dreams for the future with the one we intimately love.

The receiving comes through this relationship of oneness. Our beloved speaks courage to us and affirms us in our dreams and desires.

On a personal note; my husband has always done this for me. He was encouraging me over fifteen years ago to begin writing the things God was speaking to me. I did not see this in myself. In fact I was surprised to hear this from him. I said to him, “I can’t write professionally, I don’t have any training.” He saw the gifts the Father had deposited inside of me. He is truly my beloved, who knows me intimately.

Ask whatever you wish and I will do it. Just to look at this statement alone is so unbelievably, WOW! Lets look at this in terms of relationship. When we are intimate with our spouse, we truly know his dreams and his desires. They become ours because we are one with him. This is abiding. I know the heartbeat of my beloved. It has become my heartbeat. So, my asking is always good and pertains to kingdom living.

I do not fret over the concept, “Is this God’s will?”

I am abiding in Him, I have overheard his heart and desires. They have become my own.
It gives the Father great joy to answer, “Yes you can!” “Yes, I will partner with you in this great endeavor!”

John 15:8
My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

Simply put, when our lives are fruitful this brings honor to our Father.
This is also a true sign of a disciple of Christ. You bear fruit!

John 15:11
These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

Our desire fulfilled brings great life to us. It gives us joy that is unspeakable.

Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
So, the LORD has clothed me with strength and dignity and I can laugh at the days to come.
Why? Because I have great hope and I am filled with expectation and joy!

2009-03-29T18:49:00.000-07:00

This is an excerpt from my journal written March 21, 1994

As I interceded today, the LORD showed me a vision of myself at age 15. I saw myself in an old dirty store across the street from my high school. I had skipped a few classes and was hanging out with friends from school. This was a popular place to skip classes. This particular day the dean of the school had come over to search for wayward students. I remember very clearly running into the girl’s restroom and crouching in the corner. I was discovered and taken back to school to face the consequences of my actions.

The LORD showed me that this was the root, or the beginning of my rebellion. I confessed the sin of rebellion and was forgiven. The next thing I remember seeing is the blood of Jesus covering me and washing me whiter than snow. I felt clean, and pure in heart. I saw myself walking out of that store with Jesus. I was changed. I was radiant.
Praise God for his deliverance and inner healing.

Psalm 51:7
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow.

Jesus spoke these words to me:

I have washed you whiter than snow. You are clean before me. Now that this rebellion has been uprooted from your heart you will be able to serve me with an undivided heart. You can walk in purity and uprightness of heart, free from any manipulation. I desire more from you, more praise, worship, intercession, waiting in my presence,and a greater sense of who I am in your life. You have been set free from bondage, a spiritual bondage. Rejoice your chains have been broken off. You are free. You are lighter in heart. Rejoice before me with singing and with dance. You will be healed, as you are obedient to this word. Shout and rejoice you were a prisoner in the darkest of gloom, but my word and my blood have set you free.

I remember spending over an hour dancing, shouting, weeping and interceding after this visitation with the LORD. He is my Deliverer!

I have so much to be thankful for in my life. This is a piece of my life that was miraculously put back together by the grace of my LORD.

The one thing I remember about that day was the shame I felt. That is a terrible thing to live with. That was a period of about twenty years from high school to the time of this visitation. That is too long to live under the weight of shame. The enemy of my soul would have loved to see me stay in the bondage that I was under. He will do whatever it takes to thwart the plan that God has for his children. You see, as long as I am crippled emotionally, I cannot minister the grace and freedom to other people.

I was born again in 1981, thirteen years before this visitation. I was forgiven of all my sins that day in 1981, so why did I need more restoration?

I think sin fragments our soul. It wounds us deeply. I was forgiven yes, but not completely restored in my mind and emotions. The LORD is so faithful to do this work. I could have continued on the way I was, but not as effective.

Psalm 23:1-3
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.

It is only the LORD who can do this internal restoration. I am not the same person I was thirty years ago, or even last year. The beauty of living in the kingdom of God is that He is always at work in my life.

The fruit of this is more passion to see the body of Christ completely whole.

2009-03-09T12:27:00.000-07:00

Father,
I give myself over to your Lordship. I submit to you and what you want accomplished in my life. I acknowledge I have no answers for seemingly a list of problems. I trust you. I look to you. Purify my heart and my mind with the washing of the word. Let my thinking become clearer and right. I thank you for this time that has been set apart. (No work, school or duties) This is a blessed time. I praise you and honor you!

Psalm 42:5-8
Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him. For the help of His presence. O my God, my soul is in despair within me; therefore I remember You from the land of the Jordan, and the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep at the sound of the Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me. The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; and his song will be with me in the night, a prayer to the God of my life.

My mind, will, and emotions have been disturbed. I have sought the peace of God, only to go away more confused in my mind. My thoughts have been like a whirlwind. I have not been able to settle them. I have cried out to the LORD. I have heard very little to bring comfort to my mind.
This began upon returning to the states from Amsterdam. I have called it a darkness of the soul.
Have you ever been there? Probably. If you have walked with the LORD for any length of time, you have probably experienced some of what I am describing.
So, what do we do, when we feel we are spiraling out of touch with the LORD?

Continue to seek Him
I know He hears the cries of his children.
Psalm 55:22
Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken

Continue to meditate on the word of God
It brings life and clarity to you mind, will and emotions
Hebrews 10:22
Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 4:12
The word of God is active and living and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

I Peter 5:10
After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

Trust in God’s word and His power more than you trust you own feelings and experiences. Remember, your Rock is Christ, and it is the sea that ebbs and flows with the tides, not Him.
(Samuel Rutherford)

Good feelings come and go, but God is steadfast.
He is requiring you and I to walk by faith. That means when circumstances never change, we still believe and hope in the midst of them. I encouraged myself in the LORD today. As the psalmist wrote in the beautiful psalm 42, “my soul is in despair, therefore, I will remember you”

Remember what God has promised, what he will do, and the character of God. I don’t know if this is the end of my darkness of soul, but even if it isn’t I will yet praise Him!

2009-02-02T22:49:00.000-08:00

Allow Christ to break it down and rebuild it

Isaiah 61:4
They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

This past weekend I was dramatically healed of what I believe was an autoimmune disease. I was never medically diagnosed, but I had all the symptoms. I had chronic pain, and stiffness in my upper extremities. I was beginning to experience limited mobility in my shoulders and arms. I was taking an anti-inflammatory drug, and a muscle relaxer to just sleep through the night. I would consistently awake around four in the morning with pain. The drugs would help, but they were terribly upsetting to my stomach. So, I would take a small dose and then wait a couple of days before taking another. I would have a span of several days that were not good.

This is all in the past, as I have not had any pain or stiffness for several days!!

Psalm 16:6
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places surely I have a delightful inheritance.
I was invited to a women’s encounter weekend at my church. It was amazing! I had time to soak in the LORD’s Presence. This brought so much life to me. There were several sessions that we could choose to sit in on. The one that made a huge impact on me was the one on generational curses being broken. I thought that I was completely healed emotionally. The LORD’s Presence has a beautiful way of gently bringing things buried to the surface. So, the Holy Spirit said to me “abandonment” I just heard that one word. I was reminded of a time and place in my childhood where I really felt abandoned. My small group leader was with me and I told her what I heard. She walked me through releasing and forgiving my family for falling short in my young life. I am not blaming my family. I love them dearly. None of us operate in perfect love. We fall short. The good news is I totally released them and love them. I am free!

The Scriptures for this blog entry are all from that class. The power of the word of God is so amazing that it totally delivered me from a chronic illness!! The day ended with my pastor praying over me and releasing the Father’s love for me. The lady that was leading the encounter weekend prayed over me also. It was interesting what the Holy Spirit showed her. She said that the enemy had an assignment against me and that it was broken. I believe that assignment came at a very early age and was intended to destroy me. The Father had a great plan and would not allow the enemy to have his way. I cannot put into words how much I love him.

As the teacher of that one class said to all of us:
Allow Christ to break it down and rebuild it.

Only the LORD can do this because He is our Creator. He made us and has witnessed our entire life from beginning in the womb till our present age. He has our past, our present and our future!

2009-01-22T22:05:00.000-08:00

Raleigh was a bitter place

The year was 2004, and we had hoped to be living in Albuquerque by that time. We found ourselves living in Raleigh, NC.

In 2003 our lives were turned upside down. We had received many prophetic words that we would be moving to Albuquerque. We had applied for a transfer, and it looked like we had it. Then, a loophole prevented the transfer. It was so disappointing.

A few months later I was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. This time we did get the transfer, but not to Albuquerque. We moved to Raleigh, NC so that I could be treated at Duke University Hospital.

When you are expecting the LORD to do what He has spoken and it does not happen something happens inside your heart. You wonder in the quietness of your soul, “Did I really hear the voice of the LORD?” You may not even voice the question out loud, but its there. You begin to turn your ear away from the voice you know as the LORD’s because you don’t want to miss it again.

Exodus 15:22-25
Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. So the people grumbled against Moses saying, “What are we to drink?” Then Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became sweet.

An excerpt from my journal during this time:
My purposes are being played out in your life. Raleigh will ever be a picture of your humanness, of your inadequacies. Impurities come forth during the refining process. Don’t lose hope during this time of refining; pure gold is coming to you.

I said earlier that we had received many prophetic words about Albuquerque. They weren’t just concerning the geographical move. Several of them were about gold coming to us. I knew that this did not refer to prosperity coming to us, but a refining process.
I am certain that the LORD is very interested in perfecting our faith.

I will never forget the day in Raleigh that I relinquished my rights. I laid them down, and accepted what the LORD had dealt to me. I received much peace that day. I was healed of my doubts and bitterness. I released my desires for living in Albuquerque. Trusting that the Good Shepherd had led us to that place for a season.

Exodus 15:25-26
There the LORD made a decree and a law for them, and there he tested them. He said, “If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD who heals you.”
This is an interesting passage of scripture. I think we can glean much from this test the LORD himself put the Israelites through.

We trust the LORD as he leads our families. We at times are led in difficult paths, bitter paths. We do not give up, and we continue to trust that our loving Father is leading us. I think that piece of wood that Moses threw into Marah was representative of the cross. When Jesus enters our lives he definitely brings the water of life to us.

I Peter 2:24
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

I did partake of Living Water that day in Raleigh, as I surrendered my rights. I was not disappointed. I was healed completely from that potentially deadly cancer. I grew so much in my trust and faith in the LORD.

I am now living in Albuquerque.

2009-01-13T11:46:00.000-08:00

But God remembered Noah

That’s what it says in Genesis 8:1.
Who would think that one little line of scripture could bring so much life to me? It did!
I was awakened the other morning to these words, “ Jan, I have loved you with an everlasting love.”

It was coming from the lover of my soul, my Beloved calling to me to come away with Him. He is altogether lovely, and my love is toward Him. My ear is attentive to his voice.

I had been talking to the LORD about my life. I have really been struggling to trust Him lately. It seems Nate and I are in a waiting time. There is no doubt that the LORD is orchestrating this time. It is still a very difficult place to be. I don’t want to be vague, so I will explain.

Over a year ago, we received a mandate that we would do foreign missions. We prayed and it was confirmed. We did our first trip to Amsterdam in September. We knew this was only the beginning, and received clearer direction for the future. We came back to New Mexico with plans to go out again in September of 2009. We plan on doing a DTS (Discipleship Training School) in Kona, Hawaii. We chose this YWAM base because of their emphasis on Asian outreach.

Since being back in the states, we have had a difficult time finding employment. Nate has been looking and nothing has come through for him as of yet. We are thinking we need to settle some financial matters before going in September. I know the LORD is aware of our plans because He gave them to us. So the morning that I awoke to the LORD calling me, I was eager to hear from Him.

I had also been meditating on Noah’s life. He had such a beautiful relationship with the LORD. He trusted him completely.

Genesis 6:9
Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.

Genesis 6:13-14
God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. So, make yourself an ark of cypress wood.

Genesis 6:22
Noah did everything just as God commanded him.

I love that passage of scripture. I began to think, have I done everything the LORD has commanded me to do in regards to leaving in September. It seems pretty cut and dry. The LORD gives the mandate and we obey it. Why do I go through so many pathways?
It certainly is a trust issue.
Do I trust that I have heard correctly?
Do I trust Him to open doors and settle things, so that we can do what he has asked us to do?

We can learn a lot from these passages of scripture. Noah was an amazing man of God. I was thinking about how long it took from the time Noah received the command from the LORD to build the ark and when the floodwaters actually began. I am not a Bible scholar, but I believe it was close to one hundred years. That is waiting and trusting that you really did hear from the LORD. We know that it really did flood and the waters destroyed all mankind. We also know that God preserved the lives of Noah and his family.

Genesis 8:1
But God remembered Noah.

This passage of scripture really spoke to me of God’s faithfulness. God is faithful to do what he promises you. It may seem that nothing in the natural is happening to further your life’s call or mission. God is at work. He will complete what He has begun in you. Our job is to rest in his faithfulness. We know the character of God, so we rest. Noah walked with God. He knew Him, and that is why Noah could obey him so beautifully.

The other night we had a friend over for dinner. We typically pray together after our meal. This night as he prayed for Nate and I, he said that he saw a dove with an olive branch in his mouth. He had no idea that I had been meditating on Noah’s life.

Genesis 8:10-11
He waited seven more days and again sent out the dove from the ark. When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth.
This is an excerpt from my journal:
“I have not forgotten you. Do not feel that way. This is being played out to My liking. Take this time to rest, being shut up in the Ark, till you send out the dove and it returns with an olive leaf in its mouth.”

God truly meets us where we are at in our faith. He is a good Father. Sometimes, I have faith to move mountains, and other times I am like a scared little child who needs the comfort of her Father.

He understands me completely. Sigh

So, I rest and wait.

God loves Israel. He will not forget His word to her.

2009-01-07T20:04:00.000-08:00

Jeremiah 31:3-4
The LORD appeared to us in the past saying:
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with loving-kindness.
I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt,
O Virgin Israel.
Again you will take up your tambourines and
Go out to dance with the joyful.

God is patiently waiting for Israel to acknowledge Him. He spoke through many prophets to his beloved Israel. Jeremiah spoke with such passion about the everlasting love of God. God wants Israel to turn to him wholeheartedly. It grieves the heart of God to see nations coming against her to do evil. There is coming a day, when Israel will be liberated. She will acknowledge the One who loves her. I would like to share from two prophets that had a vision of this day.

Nahum was sent by God to prophesy against Nineveh, which is present day Iraq.

Nahum spoke of the destruction of Nineveh.

Nahum 1:11
From you, O Nineveh, has one come forth who plots evil against the LORD and counsels wickedness.

Nahum 1:15
Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your festivals, O Judah, and fulfill your vows. No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed.

Zephaniah was sent by God to prophesy against several nations: Philistia which is present day Gaza, Moab and Ammon which is present day Jordan, Cush which is present day Ethiopia, and Assyria which is present day Iraq.

Moab and Amnon who insulted my people and made threats against their land will become a wasteland forever.

Gaza will be abandoned, at the same time the cities Ashkelon left in ruins, Ashdod emptied, and Ekron uprooted (cities in Israel that border the Gaza strip).

Cush will be slain by the sword.

Assyria will be left utterly desolate and dry as the desert.

God observes and waits patiently to carry out his promises to Israel. His covenant with her will stand, because it is His word.

Jeremiah 31:33
This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel. After that time, declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people.”

Zephaniah 3:14-17
Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away your punishment; he has turned back your enemy. The LORD the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. On that day they will say to Jerusalem, Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing.

You can see the heart of our Father toward Israel. He longs to show her his love. Israel again is in the heart of a battle. Nations continue to rise up against her. Let us stand with her during this time. Pray for her deliverance and please pray that we as a nation will not cease to support her.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

2009-01-07T19:59:00.000-08:00

I would like to share this link to a Hillsong video.

Our God is Mighty to Save!

2008-12-30T12:32:00.000-08:00

God is Sovereign in my life

Proverbs 21:1
The King’s heart is in the hand of the LORD: he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.

It reads in 2 Chronicles that God’s wrath was aroused against Israel because they despised his words, mocked and did not heed the voice of his messengers.
So he caused the king of Babylon to come against his people Israel. This resulted in Israel being in captivity for seventy years in Babylon.

God once again displayed his sovereign control at the end of these seventy years as was prophesied by Jeremiah the prophet. He then moved sovereignly on Cyrus the king of Persia to do an amazing thing.

2 Chronicles 36:22
God moved on the heart of Cyrus king of Persia.
“The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Anyone of his people among you- may the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.”

Isaiah 45:4-6
For the sake of Jacob my servant, of Israel my chosen, I call you (Cyrus) by name and bestow on you a title of honor, though you do not acknowledge me.
I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me, I am the Lord and there is no other.

I think this is an amazing account of how God is our Sovereign King. God needed the Israelites delivered, and the temple rebuilt. He causes the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to do it for him.
The text reads that even though Cyrus did not acknowledge him, he bestowed honor on him.
Why?
” For the sake of Jacob my servant of Israel my chosen.”
And so that men may know that “I am the LORD and there is no other”
God will move whatever it takes to accomplish his will.
Mountains…Yes!

The sovereignty of God has always brought me great comfort. Knowing that the omnipotent, omniscient God has all things in his hands.
I’m reminded of the children's song
He’s got the whole world in his hands
This is true.

What does this do for you?
You can rest in his sovereignty
You can trust that he is causing all things to work together for your good.
This is what pleases the LORD, to acknowledge Him, and to trust him completely.
To rest and cease from our own striving.

Isaiah 45 was a scripture impressed on me in a quiet time with the LORD in August 2008. We were stepping out in faith as the LORD had asked us to serve for a short time in Amsterdam.

Yesterday a son in the LORD from India emailed me this same text for the New Year.

I began meditating on these passages of scripture, and faith rose in my heart.
Why, because I can rest in His Sovereignty, knowing that God is in control.

In that quiet time in August 2008 the LORD spoke this to me:

“You have come a long way.
I am so honored to call you my daughter.
The faith in your heart pleases me.
It sets things in motion and it will not stop until my purposes are fulfilled.
Rejoice, your deliverance has come.
Rejoice, the way has been provided.
Rejoice, for you will see my hand.
Rejoice, for your God reigns.”

Faith moves the hand of God in your life. He will sovereignly move on the hearts of Kings in your behalf.

2008-12-23T15:30:00.000-08:00

I Peter 1:6-7
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

The LORD is very interested in perfecting our faith. It comes through various ways. We call them trials in Christian circles. We have all had them from time to time. I have been a Christian for 27 years and it has been a very interesting journey going from trial to trial. It has consisted of dealing with people, dealing with family, becoming one flesh with my husband, being a not so perfect mom, financial difficulties, church politics, being diagnosed with cancer, facing disappointments time after time. This is definitely not an exhaustive list, but just a few that come to mind. Can you relate? Probably.

1 Peter 4:12
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

I am convinced that the LORD is more interested in perfecting our faith than making sure we are comfortable. Don’t get me wrong, I know that the LORD cares for me and looks out for my well being. He has been everything I need, and I absolutely do not doubt his love for me. Saying that, I am allowed to pass through some difficult places in life. Why? He is teaching me to trust. He is perfecting my character. My faith is 100 times greater than it was even five years ago. I can say that in all honesty and humility. It is to his praise, glory, and honor that I can make that statement.

It is through these places of hurt, disappointment, and challenges that we turn to Jesus. He is the only One who can walk us safely through them. In the process we become much better humans. We actually develop compassion for others.

Numbers 14:24
But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.

Caleb was one of the twelve spies that went into Canaan to check out the land. He and Joshua were the only two that came back with a good report. They knew God was bigger and they had no doubt they could go in and subdue this land. Why? God had promised it to them years before. They simply believed God would do what he promised. This is the kind of faith and trust God wants us to have. A wholehearted trust, an undivided heart. This is pleasing to the LORD.

God simply wants our wholehearted devotion to him. To trust him with our lives completely, even when it hurts or does not make sense.

Be of good courage.

Jesus Emmanuel loves you so much that He came to give you an amazing life here and for eternity!

2008-12-16T13:53:00.000-08:00

I Kings 17:14
You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there.

In 2000 Nate and I were pastoring an unruley bunch of inner-city kids. This was our 3rd year, and with very little support of any kind. We were discouraged. I am taking this entry directly from my journal on April 29, 2000.

Nate and I were cleaning the church today. I was vacuuming and praying at the same time. "LORD I am feeling very uncertain about everything. We need to hear from you. As I was vacuuming I came across a pile of hulls on the floor from sunflower seeds. I remember a group of girls sitting there last Sunday. They show little regard for our church building or for us. It saddens my heart, and I feel defeated. Please LORD speak to Nate and I about this ministry."
Nate and I prayed after we cleaned. As we were praying we heard something hit the window of the church. We looked over to the window that reached from ceiling to floor, and a very large black bird was sitting at the window looking in. (Nate remembered how the Lord had fed his prophet by the ravens). He immediately got up and said that he was going to call an older couple that in the past had given us much encouragement in the LORD. He said that they would be God's provision for the ministry at that time. We went to see them two days later, and they received us as their own children. They spoke into our lives courage, we were being refreshed so that we could continue in the work God had called us to do. We were so weary, but the LORD made it very clear we were not finished with these children. This couple also sowed $200.00 into helping with the cost of transporting and feeding many children twice weekly.

God is so faithful to his children! He does require things of us that will stretch us to our max, but He never leaves us alone. We have found He has many resources, usually through his body of believers. His Kingdom is the best!

I wonder what God has asked of you. Is it to stay home and pour His love into little ones? Is it to go into the marketplace and be his witness there? It could be to change an attitude of your heart that is not pleasing to him. Whatever it is, He gives much grace to walk it out with joy and peace. I hope that I did not give the wrong impression of the ministry being a burden. We loved those children unconditionally. It was a joy to serve them, but the kingdom does not come without oppostion.

So... stand firm in what God has asked of you to do. He is faithful to complete the work in you and through you.

2008-12-09T13:29:00.000-08:00

Psalm 37:4 NAS
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart?

What desires are in your heart?

John 15:7-8
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

If we are abiding in the LORD, that is living in fellowship with him, and making him apart of our decision making। He in return puts His godly desires into our hearts. Its a beautiful cycle of abiding, thinking the very thoughts of God, faith being released in our hearts to do the very things the LORD has put in our hearts and minds to do.

I Corinthians 2:16 NAS
For who has known the mind of the LORD that he will instruct him?

But we have the mind of Christ.

So as I have made Jesus apart of my life, He continues to show me his heart for people. My thoughts begin to take on a measure of selflessness and I desire to serve humanity. In Nate’s and my life this is going to involve going to various parts of the world, but also serving where we are for now.

What are the thoughts that are whirling around in your head? If they are good, pure, and if they are peaceable (I would say) they are being put there by the LORD. Ask Him what you are to do with what he is showing you. I believe He is always showing us something that is good and selfless. It is his great pleasure to give to us what we ask for.

Proverbs 16:3 Amplified version
Roll your works upon the LORD (commit and trust them wholly to HIM; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and) so shall your plans be established and succeed.

This is another beautiful scripture stating that as we commit our works to the LORD, He in return begins to put his thoughts inside us. We begin thinking the very thoughts of God. Our thoughts becoming agreeable to His will for us. This brings me such comfort in knowing that I am not going to make a wrong move as long as I include the LORD in my decisions.

I encourage you to listen, and then to step out and do what He asks you to do.

Blessings my friends, Jan

2008-12-03T16:42:00.000-08:00

I am beginning this blog per the LORD's prompting. Many of you know that Nate and I have just returned from spending 2 months in Amsterdam,Holland. We served as mission builders, a volunteer position. I helped in the kitchen and Nate worked in a new wing of the building installing wire for an alarm system.

I would like to share with you how that came about, as the first of many Cassia offerings. We were going to Amsterdam because of our daughter Rebekah's wedding to Martijn Mosselman. Attending the wedding was certain in our minds, but as we began to pray about it the LORD began to speak to our hearts about staying a little longer in Amsterdam.

In a quiet time with him he said:
" I see your hunger and willingness to go wherever I say go.
I see you both hungry to do my will.
When I say go to Thailand you say, Yes LORD.
When I say go to China your willingness to go pleases me.
When I say go to India you say when LORD?
When I say go and stay 2 months in Europe and feed those who
are starving, you jump to do my will."

So many things happened after this to confirm to us that we were doing the right thing. It was confirmed in our quiet times with the LORD, but through our pastors also. I had many beautiful times with the LORD before we left. One of those times was a vision, I would like to share with you.

I saw Jesus in a white robe, something like what a priest would wear. It had many folds of material and was cinched around his waist with a velveteen rope. I saw myself as a child running to him and I grabbed handfuls of his robe and buried my face into the garment. It smelled of cassia. During this vision, I said out loud, "It smells of cassia." That was the end of the vision. I looked up cassia in the bible.

Psalm 45:8
All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad.

I also know that Moses was told of the LORD to use cassia in the anointing of Aaron the high priest. This was a beautiful picture of Jesus our great High Priest, but also a picture of the kind of faith he wants us to have. Child-like faith.

After having this vision he spoke to me, "I would like you to begin a blog".
So... Here is my first Cassia Offering to you my friends.

I will enter new text on a weekly basis. I will share my heart and what Jesus has given to me. I will also be sharing the journey Nate and I are about to begin in world missions. This is a step of faith and we are wanting to please the Father with child-like faith.

Yes, LORD we will go!

This is definitely a work in progress. We will eventually have other links that will give you more information about Nate and I.
Blessings my friends,
Jan