On Their Way!

Sometimes, when an army is sent out to march into an enemy's country, but is not advancing, the question is asked 'why'. The answer will often be 'waiting for supplies'. All the stores of provisions, clothing, vehicles, ammunitions, have not yet arrived. Without these it dare not proceed. Something has held them up. It is like that in our Christian life, day by day, at every step, we need our supplies from above. And it is necessary to cultivate that spirit of dependance on God, and the confidence that refuses to go on without the needed supply of grace and strength.
We sometimes cry out to God "I haven't got what it takes!" But the necessary supplies will arrive! They have been sent. They are on their way. Wait for them before you proceed. Be it, strength, faith, wisdom, grace, finance, whatever is needed for your advancement is coming to you. But wait in confidence.
'My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus'. Phill 4:19

Running over!

Your needs are vessels provided by God for the Holy Spirit to fill. They are opportunities for receiving new blessings and deliverances which you can get in no other way. God loves to fill empty things!
Bring these vessels to Him, and hold them steadily before Him in faith and prayer. Keep still, and stop your own restless working until He begins to work. Do nothing that He does not Himself tell you to do. Give Him a chance to work and He will surely do so. The very trials that threatened to overcome you with discouragement, will become God's opportunity for revealing His grace in a way you have not known before. Draw upon the endless source of His riches. Enter His treasury and discover they are unsearchable and available to you. Once you have received by faith you will never want to lean on another prop!

My Cup Runs Over

There is always something over,

When we trust our gracious Lord;

Every cup He fills o'erfloweth,

His great rivers all are broad.

Nothing narrow, nothing stinted,

Ever issues from His store;

To His own He gives full measure,

Running over, evermore.

M E Barber

'How can He but, in giving Him,lavish on us all things' Rom 8:32

Picture of Freedom

I saw a picture of someone in a narrow one seater rowing skiff. The boat was skimming over the surface of the water so easily. The person rowing was in a steady stride, pulling on the oars with ease. It was not a race. It was a picture of freedom. But the freedom was ordered not haphazard. Muscles and experience were being built into the rower. And they were enjoying it.
The Lord says that your efforts are not in vain. They will become exhilarating as you continue to pull forward in a disciplined manner. And you will gain much ground through the momentum of spiritual excercise. With your oars of faith and trust working together nothing will hinder your progress!
'Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak'. 1 Corin 8:9

Time of Recovery

You have lost some things along the way. These will be returned to you. You are in a time of recovery. Your mind is being restored and sharpened. The scriptures that you have studied over the years will become new again and very relevant to your daily living. Listen for the reminders because you will need to act on them. They will give you guidance in the new direction you are taking. The small still voice will suddenly penetrate into your mind, then you will know that it is the Holy Spirit speaking.
This is all for a purpose. There is a work for you to do and you need spiritual tools to accomplish it. You have also lost some of your physical strength. That also is being renewed. When God moves He touches the whole person. With the recovery of mind and body will come a new zeal and vision.You will have the spiritual capabilities to bring into being things that were not there before. This will happen in its due order, so rest in His love. You will not become overwhelmed because I have prepared you for this time through the things you have suffered. You are ready!
'As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. "Oh, my lord," he cried out,"it was borrowed!" The man of God asked, "Where did it fall?" When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float'. 2 Kings 5,6.

Take the Spoils!

Your days will lengthen. The Lord will do this thing for you. He is aware that you have been restricted, due to your circumstances. There will be more space in your life, because you will not be frustrated at every turn. The battle has been long and continueous. That is because the ground you have gained is a special prize! There are now spoils to be taken and they are yours to use in the Kingdom for increase. Now you will be able to take steps forward because the hedge around you has been moved. This is a time of gain, not loss, of becoming the head, not the tail.
'But all who devour you will be devoured: all your enemies will go into exile. Those who plundered you will be plundered: all who make spoil of you I will despoil. But I will restore your health and heal your wounds'. Jer 30:16,17.

A New Creativity.

This new flow of creativity that you have rediscovered will gather momentum. You will find that you have a new ability to tackle tasks that have seemed impossible to you before. This will happen gently. Just be careful not to take on too many responsibilities at one time. So don't spread yourself too thinly. This is a time for you to focus on essential things I am calling you to do. Watch out that you do not try to do too much in one go, just because you are eager to enter into the new flow. And reject any unfruitful things for you won't have the time to sustain them in the coming months.
Start that which you can continue. You can always add other things as you go along. This is a time of meaningful friendships, relationships, and ministry for you. So don't be afraid that it will fade away after a while. Be aware that some people will want to start with you but are not totally committed.
You are about to gain much ground for the kingdom of God. Your inner circle needs to be in unity and clear in purpose. Don't link closely with those who have their own hidden agenda. They will try to drag you down and feed negative thoughts into your mind Ask God for wisdom.
'For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones'. Prov 2:6-8

Little by Little!

We do not understand what God is doing in our lives and sometimes it makes us feel that He is doing nothing! But He is at work, little by little. He says "I will put My laws (My will) into your heart and write it in your minds. I will make you understand all that is needful to settle all the questions that need to be settled. As time passes and the days follow on, and the years roll by, and you see no settled future, I am present to unfold it all, bit by bit. You will understand, today, tomorrow, and the next day".
He will not unfold ALL the future at the present time, because it will throw you into distraction by the flood of thoughts. It would make your brain reel, you would be overwhelmed, and your life would crumble under the pressure. He will come and speak little by little, just as you can bear it, just as you need it, day by day.
Jesus said,"What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this". John 13:7

I Am Gentle.

The Lord says " Come to Me and sink into My love. There is a refreshing that will gently wash over you as you linger in My presence. Just as a child snuggles into its bed at night and relaxes in the warmth of the blankets, so you come and nestle in My love for you. Sink down, relax and let me take control. Do not be in a hurry to move from this position for you will find the healing there that you need. Let your soul be at rest and abide (stay put) in the experience. Don't be hasty over decisions, or plans, allow the waters to flow over you and soften your heart and motives. Your spiritual eyes have become weary with trying to see through the fog of many emotions. Now is the time to let all that go and rest in My love. I will show you the new pathway you must tread as you awake from your rest. Do not fear complacency. This is ordained of Me. There will be new vigour and direction, but wait for it to come from my Spirit".
'Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.' Matt 11:28

Great or Small!

God does not look at the amount of work we accomplish for Him. He is after quality. A pint jar can be as perfectly filled as a gallon vessel. We may have little, but it is what we do with our little that counts with God. If we surrender all we are and have to God it is as acceptable as if we had ten times that amount in capacity, ability or strength. We make a great mistake if we estimate the value of service to God by the amount accomplished. We put people in the world on a pedestal if they give a lot, or do a lot, or are in the public eye alot, doing more than we could ever do.
God's eye is upon the one who renders a small but perfect service, in honesty and love. It is on the same level and of the same value to God as a great serrvice rendered. Likewise, a great service for God is of the same value as the small service. All things are on the same level to Him. He looks at every task accomplished and sees if the person has done it for the Glory of God. We are all different, some have a greater ability, capacity, to accomplish things in this life. But all we need to do is use our time, gifts, talents, to the full. If you are a pint jar, be filled to the brim! If you are a gallon vessel, be filled to the brim! use what you have!
'Be filled with the Spirit' Eph 5:18

How Long Will You Waver?

We are now living in days where complacency, apathy, backsliding will not do! Choose today who you will serve, and serve with all your heart. Come and confess your luke warm heart. God needs you to be hot on His side. Totally with Him in all His ways. Don't be fickle, deciding to follow if He will do this or that thing for you. Be totally transparent and admit your secret murmerings against His will for your life. He is altogether lovely! You will not be turned away for any reason as long as you admit your need and confess your fault and receive His forgiveness. Nothing is too big or too small for God to cover.
How He yearns over you, and beckons to you to come. Come and take His yoke upon you, it is easy and light. You will find rest for your soul. Have you lost your peace? Do you need His presence? Then come. He is waiting for you. Don't sit on the fence.
' Elijah went before the people and said "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him: but if Baal is God follow Him." But the people said nothing.' 1 Kings 18:21

Prevailing Prayer.

Something is bound to give eventually. If you don't give up and keep persevering. Make a nuisance of yourself! God won't mind! He loves to see determination in His children. Too many people expect God to work 'magic'. He loves to see you pursuing Him and desiring to know His presence each day.
Get moving, and praying as you have never done before. Being passive in this situation will not achieve much. Storm the gates of heaven. Shout down the walls. Decide what you need and go for it! Don't sit back and expect anything from God if you are double minded. Be sure of what you are asking and be specific. Being vague about your praying will not bring you into the place of prevailing with God. Lift up your weak hands and offer your surrender. Lift up your heavy hands and admit your desperation.
'And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed' Ex 17:11

Give God a Chance

Two disciples were walking along a road going towards a village. They were busy discussing events that were on their minds. They were confused, despondant, disappointed, and doubting because all their hopes were dashed. Jesus was walking that same road. He saw that they were sad and downcast. He asked them all about it Lk 24:13-17. They poured it all out to Him, just thinking He was a stranger.
Jesus has walked through everything we walk through in life. He has been there before us, and even knows what we think and feel beforehand. The two people said 'we had hoped' but now all is lost. To them all their dreams had come to an end; there was no future hope. Looking at it the way they saw it all, nothing made sense.
But it was only half the truth! There was more to come that turned out to be 'the best'. Jesus was with them, when they thought He was dead. Jesus explained the scriptures to them when they could not understand. Jesus came and ate with them and revealed His presence. Sorrow was suddenly turned to joy!
Often we jump to conclusions in our lives. We don't give God a chance to finish what He was saying to us; we pre-judge the outcome insted of waiting for Him to unfold new things and bring light. We want to 'know the end before the beginning'! When you pour your heart out to Him you can be sure that there is another chapter to come in your life that will put things in a new light.

Feed Your Faith!

Imagine that you were pushing twins in a buggy. Both were screaming for your attention. They needed feeding. One was called faith and the other was called fear. You cannot feed them both at the same time as you only have one bottle of milk. Which one are you going to feed? The one that you feed will thrive and the other will weaken because it has no food!
Do you get the message? You have to keep your faith alive. Sing spiritual songs to yourself. Read the scriptures regularly. Choose to read books full of faith. Don't dwell on the confusion of the world you live in. Pray with other Christians.
Fear leads to darkness, despair, discouragement, despondancy, spiritual death. Fear always says 'no'. Fear finds excuses. Fear brings weakness. Fear hides!
Come out into the open. Risk your faith. God will be there to catch you. He won't let you fall if you totally trust Him. Take a step and He will meet you. Stretch your faith. Reach out, enlarge your tent (faith). Another word for growth is risk. Another word for faith is risk. Risk your all on the Lord. He is faithful.
'Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith' Heb 12:2

Crowned!!

The testing of our faith produces perseverance James 1:3. And the one who has stood the test will receive the crown of life God has promised to those who love Him James 1:12. What is this 'crown of life'? A crown is given as a mark of honour, it denotes kingship, authority, and it sets apart the wearer investing then with royal dignity . Jesus said that He had come that we might have abundant life. This life is a crown that we wear daily as a sign of our royalty.
I don't think that this crown will be given to us in heaven. I think that it is available for us now. We need it like a soldier wears a helmet, or a policeman, or a fireman, or a builder! It graces us with significance in the spiritual realm. Satan recognises our crown of life and is wary of it. Our crown states that we are ALIVE with the same power that Jesus was resurrected by. And we gain it by enduring the tests, temptations, and trials that we pass through, if we stand in faith. Our faith has to be proved to be genuine. We are kept by the power of God through faith. As we believe and endure our crown of life becomes weightier. Our authority is increased. Through the things we endure and persevere in for Jesus we gain! Through sharing the fellowship of His sufferings, we gain the power of His resurrection resting on our lives. We are crowned with the crown of life!
'Though now for a season, ( for a little while) if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations. That the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found ( proved genuine) unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.'
1 Pet 1:6,7

Ask God!

When things do not go acording to plan, and doors shut before you. Do not despair. God has other purposes that you do not know. He will reveal in His time. But if you are in the dark about a situation trust that God knows all.
Often doors shut in preparation for change. And change with God is always for the better. We tend to like the status quo. We do not want things to be disrupted around us. Most of us want peace at all costs! But then something that appears haphazard happens and we panic. People we could depend on go their own way; suddenly they are not there anymore. Familiar surroundings that brought us comfort disappear; we can't rely on them anymore. We lose our job; our friends forget us; no one wants to listen to our problems, everyone is too busy with their own.
We can feel that we are falling apart and do not know what to do, how to go about things, or make decisions. The things that we thought were jogging along ok cannot give us the sense of security we need. Where do we go? what do we do?
We look to the Lord, who has been our help in the past. We stand firm in faith, trusting that He will uphold us, and be our strength for each day, each circumstance, each problem. We remember how He came to our aid. He will do it again. He will carry us through. Because He is faithful. Ask Him again. Come with your petitions again! He is able to do more abundantly than we can ask or even think.
'If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it WILL be given him' James 1:5

First Things First!

Jesus tells us not to take anxious thought about tomorrow. He does not say that we are not to think about tomorrow, make plans, or to pray about the future. But we are not to worry as it is fruitless and unprofitable. None of us can control our circumstances, or add anything to our lives by worrying. It is a habit pattern of thinking that can cause us great distress and halt our progress in life. We are really saying that our heavenly Father does not care about every detail of our lives, when we worry! Has He not said that even the hairs on our head are numbered?
Most of our troubles are imaginary. Our forebodings about the future, our forecasts about what will or might happen are just predictions and unfounded fears. The Lord can, and does deliver from them. So if you are burdened today, bring it all to Jesus, with thanksgiving, because He cares about you. As you discipline yourself to lay the weights down at His feet, so you will experience release and deliverance from the scourge of worry. The thing to concentrate on each day is to put God first in every thing and live righteously in our relationship with Him and with others. As we seek His kingdom first everything else falls into place. Our heavenly Father knows what we need, and will take care of the practical things in our lives. Our job is to seek Him and feed our souls on the spiritual things available to us. What does it profit us to gain the whole world , yet lose our own soul?
'Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will begiven to you as well.Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own' Matthew 6:33,34.

Lost Dreams

I have not forgotten your hearts cries to Me over many years. You were once a dreamer, vibrant with ideas and hopes. But now so many dreams have been lost, and even died, and been buried. You think that they are gone forever. You lost them because you listened to others who dampened your zeal, and mocked your hopes. You lost some because you could not wait for the time of their fruition. You lost some because you forgot them. You lost some because you thought they were of no value.
But I am saying to you that they can be raised and realised in new ways. Speak to your dreams, bring them back to your remembrance, call them out of the ground where they have lain forgotten. IS ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR THE LORD? IF YOU DO NOT ASK ME TO FULFIL THOSE DREAMS, THEN WHO WILL FULFIL THEM? THEY WILL LAY THERE FORGOTTEN FOREVER.
Do not think that I have run out of resources for you, that others are more worthy of fulfillment rather than you. I need your dreams. I want to make them reality. They can live again! I gave them to you. You are saying "can these bones live again?" I am saying to you  I will raise up your dreams. You will know that I am the Lord. Speak out! prophesy again. Speak life to yourself. Speak hope and blessing upon yourself. Speak to your dreams. Rise up and cry out in faith for your dreams will become a mighty force in this earth.
' This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life'. Ez 37:5

Try Thanksgiving!

Spurgeon, a wonderful teacher and preacher once wrote the following:
'Can you answer this believer? Can you find any reason why you are so often mourning instead of rejoicing? Why yield to gloomy anticipations? Who told you that the night would never end in day? Who told you that the winter of your discontent would go from frost to frost, from snow to ice, and hail, and deeper snow, and even more heaviness of despair? Do you not know that day follows night, that flood comes after ebb, that spring and summer come after winter? Hope then! Ever hope? For God will not fail you'.
Multitudes have gone through what you are going through, and they have come out into morning sunshine. Saints have travelled the way before us and we can take courage that they have overcome. You are not alone. We need the encouragement of other Christians to help us on our journey. And we need to encourage others and help them through their trials.
The secret of victory is a thankful heart! try thanking God for all He has done for you and all He is doing, and all He will do. God is always working on your behalf, always moving. He is on your side. thanksgiving will lift the depression, it will raise the spirit, and will put a new song in your mouth. When you don't feel like it, do it! Just give thanks!
'Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning' Ps 30:5

Don't Meddle!

Cease trying to get out of your hard, dark place in your own way. You will marr the work God is doing within you. Everything comes in God's time and way. You can't force His hand by 'doing things' to try to precipitate change. The right words, or actions, or prayers will not hurry things along. Just commit the whole situation to Him and be willing to abide in the darkness as long as you have His presence. You can move the hands of a clock to suit you but you do not change the time. You can open a rosebud but you spoil the flower. A lady once watched a butterfly trying to get out of a chrysilis, and as it was struggling she tried to help it out by tearing the opening. It came out and could not fly. The pressure exerted on the wings helps them to be strengthened for flight. The lady had taken away the pressure and the butterfly died. Leave it all to Him. He will appear and bring your deliverance in his time. It is more imortant for you now to yield to His will so that He can strengthen your wings for greater flight.
'You do not realise now what I am doing, but later you will understand' John 13:7

Use Your Gifts!

You have become slack in listening to my words. You used to speak out My words from within you. They would flow easily and peacefully. And you expected Me to speak from within you. But because you have not used that gift of prophesy for some while, it has become dormant. Speak again My words. Pray forth My words. I will give more to you as you excercise the gift within you. Do not fear others. Do not doubt My word to you. You do not need to speak 'thus saith the Lord' in forced situations. But rather relax and LET Me speak through you, even to you, through this gift.
You can bring this gift of speaking forth to others around you. Just where you are is the right place to speak. A word that encourages, exhorts, brings knowledge, can all be used to benefit the people around you. But do it in LOVE.
Expect Me to speak again. Listen to the still small voice within you. It will open up a new world of adventure and life for you. And you will be a blessing to those around you.
'Follow the way of love and eagerly desire the spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophesy'
1 Corinth 14:1

Tree Within The Seed

This is an exciting time for you. You may not think it is a wonder. But I am saying to you, this is a new beginning and the heralding in of many answers to your prayers. Have you not said that you want to know ME?
Most of the processes of life are about unlearning natural things in order to learn spiritual things. My way.All around you is a teaching school if you will look for it. All this is very stretching for you and seems haphazard. But I am ordering the events of your daily life in such a way that you can get maximum teaching. To learn you have to be taught. I have provided your Teacher who will lead you into all Truth.
Children out grow their clothes, and shoes. They have to be replaced by new things to wear. Even some creatures outgrow their skins and emerge with new bodies. So likewise you will push out of the dimension you are now living in and be birthed again. Can you receive this?
There is no end. Only new beginnings that carry you forward in the process of eternal life. Love never ends, and My love has planned for you before the world was fashioned. I had you in My heart. Can you conceive how much I have wanted you with Me? Dwell on this fact. I love you and want you to be with Me where I am. To fulfill your destiny you have to grow. You have to develop. You have to change. Eventually you will become as I AM. For I AM the firstborn of many brethren. The potential is within you. As the tree is within the seed.
'Behold I make all things new' Rev 21:5

Take Heart

Every child of God experiences at one time or another His discipline. When we are saved we then enter into the plans the Father has for us. To fulfil those plans we need to be trained and disciplined. Just like a child needs the example, teaching and training of parents, school, and family. In the Holy Spirit's School we are taught to perfection! Every trial, test, and affliction can bring us into the place of surrender and humility as we become more like Jesus. Because the purpose of this training is that we will be 'like Him', and our lives will shine in the world as a light, just as He is the Light of the world.
There is no other way for us to become like Him. We have to go through many waters, but are not overwhelmed; through the fires of testing, but are not burned; through darkness, but are not stopped; through disasters, but are not killed. In prison, but delivered! sick, but healed! Yes, we pass through many trials on this earth as we make our way to heaven. And at the time they are not pleasant. We wonder why a loving God can let us experience these things; we sometimes lose hope, and feel that He has forgotten us; we wonder what we have done wrong, if we have brought this upon ourselves, or if we have strayed away.
But it is all for a purpose! Take heart. Lift up your feeble hands and rejoice! God is dealing with the flaws in your character. He is making a vessel of honour out of you. You will see the harvest and reap it. This time is not in vain.
'No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however,it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees'. Heb 12:11,12.

Do What You Can!

These are days in which you need to put your roots deeply into God. The winds of change in the world will try to force you in their direction. But you have help to keep you firm in your purpose. The Holy Spirit is there to be your advocate, counseller, teacher and friend. Keep your heart humble before God and ask for His help and leading. At the right time He will exalt you and your feet will stand upon a rock, and then He will establish your goings.
It is important to stay the course when all around you crumbles. The pressures come to try to cause you to deviate on your set pathway, or to give up . But as you continue you will be a help to those in distress, and lead them into faith. Just stay steady until the right time comes for you to gain ground again. Continue to feed on God's word each day, pray in faith, and help others when you can. These things will keep you firm in His ways. The Lord WILL do His part, make sure you remain faithful in your part.
'Having done everything stand. Stand firm then..............and pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests' Eph 6:13,18

The Bread Of Life

Every day there is provision from God. He is the basic sustainance of all things. It is the 'nitty gritty' of the mundane daily routine that can get us down. But there is SO much to learn about God; so much to experience daily of His providential care, and personal input into our lives. We need to discover again the wonder that we experienced as children waking each morning and entering each new day.
People matter, and yet we so often overlook them, dismiss them, trample on them. Do not seperate yourself from humanity. As we treat others, we are doing it to Him. God is very much at work in the world around us. He is intensely interested in the people around you. Your neighbour, your doctor, your friend. God is meek and lowly of heart and He resists the proud. Those who are not willing to bend, to share, to be' human'. Sometimes we have to confess our need to others. We have to let go of our self suffiency and admit we need help in one way or another. God is our Father in heaven, and He wants His kingdom to come on earth just like it is in heaven. And we are to bring that kingdom into every area of our lives and show it to others. God is Love. You can see His love in the beauty of creation, in the laughter of a child, in the sweeping skies. Sometimes it is in a fleeting moment, in a passing happening that you can see His Love. But it is always there, always reaching out to mankind, always available to the hungry soul. It is available to the whole of mankind.
It always amazes me to read about the way God provided the Manna in the wilderness for the Children of Israel. The grainlike flakes appeared each morning with the dew for six days. They collected as much as was needed and enough for two days on the sixth day as nothing fell on the seventh. It was there for them without fail. When the camp moved on to a new place, so the Manna fell in that place too. Quietly, silently, it fell, making no big show about it. I'm sure they took it for granted, and they complained about the simplicity of the diet. It was not their choice. But it was God's provision that gave them strength for each day, kept them healthy, and they travelled many miles on that Manna! Jesus said ' I am the Bread of Life' Jn 6:35. He is there for us every day, has planned our provision, never fails, gives us extra when we need it, and is sufficient for all of our life come what may! All we have to do is come and collect His blessing each day, let the dew of His Spirit wash us, and be lovingly obedient to His words.