Victory!

Don't think that the work you do for the Lord is insignificant. It may seem small at the moment, but seeds grow, if they are properly watered. God who started the work will bring it to completion. He is watching over it and protecting His interests, even though you feel He is leaving you to struggle on your own. Keep praying about these things, because your prayer accomplishes much. Pray until you are assured of breakthrough! The breakthrough always comes first in the spiritual realm, then manifests in the physical. This takes time, because the enemy will try to hinder on every side. But he has lost the battle; you just need to wait for the victory to be revealed. Be in an attitude of praise!

 'The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; and his hands will also complete it' Zechariah 4:9 Don't despise the day of small things 4:10.

Be Encouraged!

David had a lot of trouble on every side. Trouble with the Philistines; trouble with the Amalekites; trouble with his own people and trouble with his friends. When David and his men came to Ziglag they found the city burned, their wives, sons, and daughters taken captive. They all wept until they could weep no more 1 Sam 30:4. David had lost his wives, and was greatly distressed. His own people had also lost their wives and wanted vengeance. They turned on David and wanted to stone him because of their grief.
David had lost everything. Even his friends were not standing with him in his distress. So David encouraged himself in the Lord his God 1 Sam 30:7. He was strengthened and pursued the Amalekites and recovered all that they had taken 'there was nothing lacking to them, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor anything that they had taken; David recovered all'. 1 Sam 30:19
If no one else encourages you, encourage yourself in the Lord. Sing hymns, spiritual songs, believe God's word, shout it aloud in the face of the enemy. The devil wants to bring discouragement, but be encouraged for you shall take the spoil from your enemies if you hold fast to the Lord God Almighty. He will give you the victory.

Step Forward!

Wait for new vision and motivation to come to you from the presence of the Lord. As you worship, read His word, and bring your requests to Him, He will empower you with a new perspective and new thoughts. The vision will bring direction and clarity to your path and the things that seemed difficult and wearysome will suddenly become easy. The fresh wind is gently blowing and will gather momentum to take you forward. Keep stepping forward, even though you think the steps are small, they are significant. Your efforts are not in vain.

 'Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour is not in vain' 1Cor 15:58.

I Hear You!

Don't allow yourself to become despondant over the needs that you see in my work on earth. I have visited my people and assessed their situations. Many lack because they do not call to me, and are not willing to give themselves sacrificially. They must love me with all their heart, and cleave to me in all their ways. But I am gracious and overlook their mistakes when they reach out to me with honest hearts. I am not just there to provide things, I desire to give Myself. Pray for them to focus on Me and Who I am.
I hear the cries of my people. I see them struggling with heavy burdens. Just as I delivered the Israelites from Egypt, so will I intervene again for them. I am raising up 'Deliverers' who will deeply care, intercede with tears and groanings, and they will lead my people to their destination.
Stand in the gap for them. Pray to your heavenly Father for them. He is good, and will supply in unexpected ways. Take your eyes off your own problems which keep you looking inward, but look upward and outward. There is still much you can accomplish. In fact you will achieve more for me in the coming years than you ever did in those that have passed. You are on earth for My kingdom purposes and will see the fulfillment and fruition of your labours. They are not in vain. Don't get bogged down by it all! Rejoice! I hear and answer.

 'I am the Lord, and will bring you out from the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you of their bondage, and I will redeem you with outstretched arm, and with great judgements: And I will take you to me for a people, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God' Exodus 6:6,7

Water of Life.

For the water to flow there has to come a breaking. Moses struck the rock for the children of Israel to have water. Jesus side was pierced with a spear, and both blood and water issued forth. For the child to be born, the waters in the womb have to break.
A person who has been broken, chastened and disciplined, by the Lord is someone He can use. The person who has had nail prints in their hands, and experienced the cross in their lives, who has suffered as part of His sufferings, is pliable and compassionate in a way that others are not. This kind of person easily forgives, because they know in their hearts that they also have been forgiven much. They reach out with a hand of friendship and understanding, giving kindness to others. Because they know Him who has loved them beyond knowing.
This kind of person does not seek gain for themselves, they do not quickly judge another, they do not always want the best seat, the best clothes, the recognition of others. Instead they bless, and seek the promotion of those around them and delight when others are blessed.
This person has suffered setbacks, disillusionment, disappointment, discouragement until they have been bled dry of it all. Yet still something within them keeps going. Something within them issues forth life. Death works in them that life might come forth in others. This is a spiritual principle hard to understand. Pure waters come forth from their innermost being. They are like Jesus.

 'For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So that death worketh in us, but life in you' Rom 7:11,12

Let Go!!

Moses was having trouble caused by the very people who should have been supporting him, Miriam and Aaron, his sister and brother. Miriam's name means 'bitter' or 'defiant', and she was probably the instigator in that she did not like the Ethiopian wife that Moses had. So they spoke against him. And lifted up their hearts in pride saying  'has the Lord inded spoken only by Moses? has He not also spoken by us?' Num12:2
But God heard everything and acted on behalf of His friend Moses. It says in the Bible that Moses was the meekest man on earth. He was humble and he left it to God to sort things out. God challenges the two relatives and asks why they were not afraid to speak against Moses who was faithful and obedient. As a result Miriam became leprous. There were bitter consequencies for herself through her trouble making.
Often the most difficult people are those we are close to. The very ones we are trying to help can turn and murmer against us. Leave the matter with the Lord and let Him step in to take the action needed, He can turn every situation to profit if we will give Him the responsibility and don't try to sort it all out on our own.

 ' the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price' 1 Peter 3:4

Be Patient!

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

Are You Willing!

Naaman was an important man. His name means 'pleasantness'. He was in favour with the king of Syria and was the commander of the army. Everyone respected him. But he was a leper. On one of the raids into Israel they captured a little servant girl, who became a maid to the Queen. She is not named in the Bible, but must have been well liked, and also liked Naaman. In passing she mentions that there was aprophet in Israel who could heal Naaman of his leprousy. The king gets to hear of it. Amazing how a snippet of news can travel to the right ears, isn't it? And without any requests from Naaman himself, a letter is written to the king of Israel, with gifts for him. So off he goes, to meet with the important dignitaries the country. Almighty God can pull a few strings when needed!
He did not like it when Elisha sent his servant with instructions to Naaman telling him to go to the River Jordan and wash in it seven times. Naaman expected some great happening with the Prophet calling on the name of the Lord and waving his hand over the leprousy. What he really wanted was some great display of magic! Not to be told to dip in the muddy Jordan. But he had good servants who told him that he should do what the prophet said. So he went to the Jordon and dipped in it seven times as instructed 2 Kings 5:13. No more, no less! And he was made clean.
It is so easy to think that God would have us do some great thing to accomplish the purpose at hand. However, He is looking for humble hearts that will obey. He often calls us to do things we don't want to do, or be with people we secretely despise, as a test of our willingness. God does not measure in small or great, He just measures in our obedience. Obedience can open a wide door! What are you putting off doing because it seems so small and insignificant?

 'Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another because, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.'
1 Peter 5:5,6

Confidently Wait!!

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

Praise Him!

The most important time to praise God is when we don't feel like it! Give thanks to Him for He is GOOD. He never fails. He is always merciful and kind. He washes away our sin and heals our wounded souls. Praise Him for the wonder of His creation. Praise Him for the new day; the trees and flowers; the birds and animals. Bless His name today! Bless His handiwork; your friends and family; your health and strength. Praise Him that you can breathe; Praise Him for the sunshine and light. Praise Him for loving you, just as you are!
As you give thanks, absorb His love into your being, just as you soak up the sunshine on a beautiful day. Even if your day is not beautiful, still praise Him, it will change, for all things change. There is an old chorus that says 'count your blessings, name them one by one, count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done!'

 'This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it'. Ps 118:24

Shadows!

Allow God to weave the pattern of your life. Let Him choose the colours of your days. He is a Master Artist and knows exactly how to arrange the right mix. You see, days of pleasantness and blue skies will not make you an overcomer. Shades of ease and sweet roses will not shape your character in the way he needs it to be. For you to count in the Kingdom of God you have to pay a price. And that price is displayed in the kind of crown you wear.
Your God wants you to reign with Him as a King on this earth. He wants you to have authority and power, and to wield it on His behalf. So you have to earn the right to make decrees and administer in His kingdom. He has to be able to trust that you won't leave the ship at the last minute in case it sinks! When you up against it, and all around you seems chaos, He needs you to be there as His ambassader and trust you won't crumble too.
So you have to pass through the fire, and through the waters, and through the valleys, so that you become seasoned and mature, and trustworthy. God does not give His tasks to people with no backbone! If you really want to know His glory then you have to suffer with Him over His world, and be willing to 'muck in' by taking on His burdens of prayer and His assignments.
Sometimes the shadows are long, and the colours of your days dark. But shadows are needed to give depth to the landscape. Everything would be flat without the darker things in this life throwing the highlights into view. So if your days that He has chosen for you seem tinged with sadness and pain, know that He is allowing it all for a purpose. Your life will count. You are paying a price. That is if you have asked Him to use you and made yourself available for His purposes.

 'And He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt' Mark 14:36.

Faith!

It takes patience to wait on the Lord. Being still takes practice and perseverance. But as we get into that place of stillness our strength is renewed by God. He gives us His strength Is 40:31. Then we need to flap our 'wings' of faith and trust. We can rise above our circumstances that worry us daily if we put our trust in God who is Almighty, the Everlasting one, who never faints or grows weary. But it is not 'magic', we actually have to DO something, that is put our trust, by choice, in God mercy and goodness towards us. And not in anything else!
Faith is the currency of heaven. We receive everything from God by faith. By believing in His absolute goodness and power toward us. When I go into a shop to purchase something I use money, and expect to get the goods I have paid for. So likewise when I go to God I use my faith in Him, to receive all that I need for that day. Just a day at a time!! not the whole of my life in one lump! Just for each day. It is easier that way because life can get very complicated if I am worrying too far ahead!
So TODAY use your wings of faith and trust and see what God will do for you, and who He will BE to you. Having a close, loving relationship with someone wonderful is what we all need. And that someone is the all loving, all powerful, kind and gentle Jesus. He does care, He does want things to change in your life, He is able to help you, so flap your wings

I Am Able!

Two blind men followed Jesus. In the hustle and bustle of the crowd they kept calling out "Have mercy on us Son of David!" They kept following and kept calling. They were determined to get an answer. Jesus went into a house and the blind men went in after Him. They came up to Jesus and He asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?". "Yes, Lord," they replied. So He touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you", and their sight was restored. Matt 9:27-30.
The question today is "Do you believe I am able to do what you ask?". What is your answer? can you simply say "Yes Lord". If we do not have the faith in our hearts we can ask God to give us the gift of faith. To receive we just put our faith in God. It may be small but we have a great God who always shows mercy to His children. Sometimes our perseverance is tested to its limits. The blind men showed their faith by their perseverance, not by their feelings. The important thing is to keep trusting that the Lord has heard our requests and in due time He will answer! Your circumstances can change because of your faith and petitions to God.

'Jesus Christ is the same Yesterday and today and forever' Heb 13:8

Try This!!

Obedience opens opportunities for much blessing. The windows of heaven are opened to those who Tithe. If God seems remote from you at this time, think about your giving! Malachi 3:8 speaks about God being robbed. The people were not giving Him what they were commanded to. He says they were cursed because they had robbed Him. It was like a blight upon their lives, mildew on their crops.
God's work needs the blessing of our finances. We are to provide meat for His house; finance for the kingdom to be increased and the Good News to be preached. It all costs money! God challenges us to prove Him through our giving. He says that He will open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing that we cannot contain? Mal 3:10 That is an amazing statement!
He also promised to rebuke the devourer. Their land would yield good crops. The pests and diseases would not cause the harvest to fail. They would have plenty in their barns if they put food into God's barn. It was in His interests to bless them, because as they had increase so also His house had increase, because they gave to Him.

'Bring ALL the tithes into the storehouse, and prove me now, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven, and pour you out so much blessing, that you will not have room enough for it.  And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground'. Malachi 3:10,11

Hang in There!

You have come so far and done well in the school of faith. I know that this stage is a great effort for you, but hang in there!  Stay steady.You are thinking that your stand has been all for nothing and was wasted effort on your part. But I say to you that you are attaining a great weight of glory. It is kept for you until the day of outpouring. Soon you will receive what you have long waited for and you will rejoice with singing. indeed laughter will come from your lips and understanding will envelope you. You will understand what I have been doing. This will bring you great relief.  Be encouraged for your brethren are also passing through the refiner's fire, just as you are. Your reward will be great strength of spirit. This will give you the right to encourage others so that they also come out without even the smell of smoke on them.

'Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised' Heb 10:35,36

It's Your Choice!

Choose today who you will follow. Will you follow your feelings? The depression that has pushed you down is only a shadow! it is not real. It will pass like a lone cloud, a mist that is dispersed by the warmth of the rising sun. So don't give it too much thought. Just carry on! You have the freedom of choice. Choose to trust. Choose to believe. Choose to walk with Me. See if I will pour out blessings upon you as you press through the darkness. There is light at the end of the tunnel you are in.

'Choose life' Deut 30:19

Great Gain!

Rest content in your daily walk with me. Do not strive to attain, but yield in obedience. Often the small things that you attend to bring the greatest blessings. Everything will come to pass in its time. So be at peace and do not rush through things. The thing you dread will turn out to be something small that is easily sorted out. So do not fuss!

'Godliness with contentment is great gain' 1 Tim 6:6

Decide Today!

I have heard it said that God gives grace as we overcome. We have to determine to overcome through His help, and He does help us. But we have to take the first step, out in the cold, as it were, almost as if God was not there! And that can be painful, but when we know what we have to do, then we have to get on and do it. We may not feel like it, it may seem almost impossible, but no one can do it for us. However, as we take one little step towards victory and decide to overcome, then God steps in with all the power of heaven for us!
The battle may be hard, but the victory is assured with God on our side! God is for us, not against us. He wants to work things out for the very best, but we have to go along with Him in it all. Even if we draw back, there is help available for us to start over again! It is our very circumstances, afflictions, difficulties, that are an opportunity for God to work a godly character within us. How we would love to be blessed without any effort involved! let us co-operate with the Holy Spirit at work in our lives, and as we overcome, be partakers of the peaceable fruit of righteousness.

'To him who overcomes I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God'
Rev 2:7

God is Alive!

It is exciting to see answers to prayer! It makes us realise that God is alive, interested in our pleas, and able to keep His promises. In fact, prayer is vital. Sometimes the answers come in surprising ways. Other times the answers come softly and slowly. But one thing is sure, praying for others involves compassion, and self abasement. It can be hard work praying for other people day by day when we don't get any feedback, or even thanks. But when we do pray we join Jesus in His great high priestly ministry of intercession. To know the power of His resurrection we have to enter into the fellowship of His sufferings. And we can do that through prayer. One day we will see the result of our sacrificial prayer and be amazed! Wherever you are, whatever your circumstances, you can pray. And prayer does change things. Someone has said that prayer is the Christian's vital breath. Jesus brought all His petitions to His father. He spent nights on the mountainside because His work in the day was dependent on His life of prayer. His life was one long prayer poured out to God for the world and those around Him. True prayer brings 'action', it calls forth the power of God upon the earth and into the lives of those we pray for. Through prayer we become the answer to others. We become His heart, His hands and His feet, that others might find Life. Through prayer we become Jesus on this earth giving ourselves that others might see what God is like.

'And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends' Job42:10

God's Wisdom

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

Be Determined!

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

God's Opportunity!

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

He will Sustain You!

You can keep going because He will sustain you! He did not bring you to this time just to heal you, then abandon you. He who made, will bear, and carry the work through to completion. So rest content that He who flung the stars into space, and holds the Sun and Moon in their orbit, will hold you in your ordained course. The plans that He has for your life will be brought to completion as you look to Him, trust in Him, and worship Him.

'Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God , our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.' Jude 1:24

Speak Out!

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

Be Confident!

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, ammunition, 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 dependence 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

Perfect Time!

You are trying to rush yourself. You are running hard as if you have missed the train. You have not missed anything. Nothing is ever wasted, there are always crumbs left over. Remember the loaves and fishes. My timing is perfect, and always on schedule. Do not think 'there is little time left to get everything accomplished' for I can do in a moment what you think will take a life time.

'Beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day'. 2 Pet 3:8

Disappointed?

Two disciples were walking along a road going towards a village. They were busy discussing events that were on their minds. They were confused, despondent, 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 instead 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.

Adventure Together!

I saw in my minds' eye a child sitting on a metal tray in party clothes. It was winter with snow all around. The child was sliding down hills and slopes laughing with arms in the air having a wonderful time.
The Lord is saying that you have entered a season of discovering fun again. It is the best adventure yet! The metal tray speaks of ordinary things. It was not a big sledge. It was something easy to acquire and did the job adequately. You will experience the wonder of each day as a child does. Simple things will become a delight. Just the exhilaration of being alive is being returned to you as a gift. You have known this before, but your life has become clouded with the burdens and cares of the world. He says that He also is enjoying the fun with you. Take Him along with you into every opportunity and relationship and see what He will do as you adventure together! The child on the tray was oblivious of the risk of falling off! Don't look at the risk factor! Everything involves some kind of risk, especially adventure!

' Don't trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy' 1 Tim 6:1

Much Fruit!

The Vine is a plant that is not grown for its ornamental shape, shade, fragrant blossoms, or its wood! It is grown soley for the fruit it produces. It only produces fruit in abundance as it is trained, shaped, and pruned. If not pruned it can run away with itself, and grow straggly, and become unfruitful! The world loves the fruit of the Vine! The wine produced from it is sampled with relish, drunk in abundance, discussed with fervour! It is no wonder that Christ used the illustration of  the Vine to teach us to 'Abide in Him'. Not one Vine is planted without the owner thinking only of the fruit. So our 'Husbandmen' looks at our lives and desires fruit, more fruit, much fruit from us. And this is accomplished through pruning.
We do not like the idea of pruning, it speaks of loss and some pain. But when we suffer the Spirit of God and glory rests on us. When we are afflicted, God shows us His tenderness and that leads us to understand and sympathise with the misery of others. Left to ourselves we would become self centred, and become straggling branches on the Vine. The things we learn whilst we go through the pruning process, teach us to pray for the blessing of others, not just ourselves. Our times of affliction, sorrow, suffering, can become times of the greatest blessings in life. The secret is to'Abide in the Vine'. Rest in Jesus love, stay put in His presence, believe that He is using this time for your profit not for your punishment. You are in a process that will lead to you bearing much fruit.

'I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing..............This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples'. John 15: 5,

Precious Seed!

You will reap! Just be patient. You have sown many seeds over the years. Different seeds take varied amounts of time before they germinate. Usually the ones that germinate quickly also fade quickly! if you are after long term fruitfulness go for sowing the larger seeds that take more time to grow. Some Cactus in the desert can take over twenty years to grow, but see how they tower above the scenery and how they store water!
Be careful where you plant your seed. Test the ground first. Do not waste your time sowing into poor soil. Not everyone wants to be saved. Not everyone wants to honour the Lord and live a righteous life. Not everyone wants to do good. Make sure that you are praying about the things God wants you to pray about. Some people will not respond to your prayers, so don't pray for them. Ask God who and what you should be praying for.
Treat everyone with grace and respect, even the girl at the supermarket till! But be wise in who you open your heart to, and who you trust. Trust the Lord only.

'Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces' Matt7:6

Abundant Life!

Yes! the best is really yet to come! Do not think that the days of laughter, freedom, pleasure are over, and you are to languish in mediocrity, just fulfilling the routine's of each day. No! there is joy untold prepared for you. There are adventures in My kingdom planned for your life. Do you want them? There is no age in my kingdom, only growth. There are things I have to say to you if you will still your heart to hear My voice. Position yourself to receive my teaching each day through the still small voice of  scripture, circumstances and daily contacts.
I have come that you may have Life in abundance regardless of your circumstances. I am able to fill you to overflowing so that out of your being will flow rivers of water. LET Me give you laughter today and joy in abundance so that others will see the light on your face and hope in your eyes. Stop looking at the impossible and start over again, trusting, believing, and receiving. I am here for YOU!

'So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, "After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?" Then the Lord said to Abram, "Why did Sarah laugh and say "Will I really have a child, now that I am old?" Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Gen 18:12

New Life!

For the water to flow there has to come a breaking. Moses struck the rock for the children of Israel to have water. Jesus side was pierced with a spear, and both blood and water issued forth. For the child to be born, the waters in the womb have to break.
A person who has been broken, chastened and disciplined, by the Lord is someone He can use. The person who has had nail prints in their hands, and experienced the cross in their lives, who has suffered as part of His sufferings, is pliable and compassionate in a way that others are not. This kind of person easily forgives, because they know in their hearts that they also have been forgiven much. They reach out with a hand of friendship and understanding, giving kindness to others. Because they know Him who has loved them beyond knowing.
This kind of person does not seek gain for themselves, they do not quickly judge another, they do not always want the best seat, the best clothes, the recognition of others. Instead they bless, and seek the promotion of those around them and delight when others are blessed.
This person has suffered setbacks, disillusionment, disappointment, discouragement until they have been bled dry of it all. Yet still something within them keeps going. Something within them issues forth life. Death works in them that life might come forth in others. This is a spiritual principle hard to understand. Pure waters come forth from their innermost being. They are like Jesus.

'For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So that death worketh in us, but life in you' Rom 7:11,12

Humble Yourself!

Give God ALL your worries. Because He cares about you. Carrying them around with you will wear you out. It is like taking huge amounts of luggage,hoisting them on your shoulders, stretching your arms around them, and making such slow progress! You were not made to carry all that burden.
The Bible speaks about 'casting' our care on the Lord. It is like a fisherman with a rod flinging the line high and purposefully into the deep. Fling everthing on the Lord, deliberately, decisively, desperately! in an act of abandonment and surrender. Don't hold back anything. Give it all to God as soon as you feel concerned, heavy, even depressed..
In that way you are humbling yourself before the Lord. You are saying 'I can't manage this thing, but YOU can'.You are handing over the control, and He will take the strain. Surrender yourself again today. He will not let you down. If you continue to hold onto it you will be saying that you are better than Him at managing your affairs, that He can't cope with it, and that amounts to pride.

'Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast ALL your anxiety on him because he cares for you' 1Pet 5:7.

Begin Again!

It is painful to resist God. To pull against Him cause exhaustion and grief. Sometimes we are foolish! We think we know best and chaff against His leading. We pull one way and God is leading us another. We allow our natural mind, our own desires, our Christian ideas, to influence us. Human nature is strong, especially when we feel that we are right in any given situation. We may be right to our own mind, but not to God's. The simplest way to resolve the situation of aimlessly wandering around with no sense of purpose is to get right back to where you took the wrong turning.
Ask the Lord to show where you ignorantly went astray in your thinking or actions. You might need to change your plans, or take back something you said, or face in another direction. The gifts and calling of God in your life stay the same Rom 11:29 He has not changed His mind. He is merciful and you can return to the pathway intended for you.
I saw picture of someone walking down a road that led to a 'dead end' with a wall in front of them. They tried to get out by climbing over the wall but just wearied themselves. They had to turn around and go back the way they had come until they were out of it. And then begin again.

 'Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you' Ps 32:9

Thirsty?

Today I will give you water. Water in abundance. Everlasting water that will quench your thirst and flood your dry soul. Are you thirsty for Me? Then sing! You may not feel like it. It may seem strange to you, but do it. Sing! Allow your innermost being to rise up and petition Me for streams to flow out of you. You do not need people to bless you. You have Me. I will bless and restore your soul.
Where there is no water, where you are in spiritually dry conditions, and all those around you are in unbelief, you can call to Me. I will refresh YOU. Dig your own well. Sing! sing! to it. The water will begin to bubble and rise and then you can move on in the refreshing that will come to you.

 'They continued on to Beer, the well where the Lord said to Moses, "gather the people together and I will give them water." Then Israel sang this song: "Spring up O well! Sing about it." Num 21:17 Beer was a place that had involved weeping and mourning for the Israelites. It was there that they sang the song of the well!

Delight in the Lord!

I only ask of you that you abide with Me. I delight in your friendship and presence. Let us be together as one. I am meek and lowly of heart and do not put heavy demands upon you. Let us enjoy the friendship we have and rest in it. I will not dissapoint you, or change in My attitude of pure love towards you. All I ask is that you return to Me and don't run away. Be sure that I am always available to you and will not for one moment forsake you. Share your heart with Me and I will open my heart to you. Look above the wind and the waves around you and walk on the water! I am reality. I am here. I am constant in my love and purpose towards you. I enjoy your friendship. Let us laugh and cry together. I feel your hurts and pains and come to help you. You can be 'care free' as you let Me shoulder your burdens. Try it!

 'Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart'. Ps 37:4

Stay Close!

Do not think that I have abdicated responsibility for your life and circumstances because you cannot 'see' the changes that you want. I am at work 'behind the scenes', in the depths of your soul. This time is necessary for a deeper relationship with me to become 'real', not superficial, but a bonding with me to the very core of your being. The reality of something is proved by it standing the test of time and circumstances.
You have heard the phrase 'a fair weather friend', someone who walks with you, desires to know you, when it suits them. They don't stick with you through thick and thin, as they say, when things get tough, the tough get going!
I am one who sticks closer than a brother! Please stick to me in that same way. I will bring you through, and truly this season WILL change and you will have much light at the end of it.

 'For with God nothing shall be impossible' Luke 1:37

Sifted and Sorted!

I woke up this morning with these words on my mind, "I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not: and when you are converted, strengthen your brethren " Luke 22:32 where Jesus speaks to Peter about Satan desiring to have him and sift him like wheat.
Jesus did not tell Peter that he would avoid being 'sifted' but rather that Jesus Himself had prayed personally for Peter that his faith would not fail. And Peter experienced the answer to that prayer, though he had to pass through deep waters as when he denied Christ.
Because it was the first thing I thought of when I awoke, I felt God was telling me that Jesus himself, personally, had prayed for me. And that though I was being sifted my faith would not fail. I felt loved, secure, and strengthened. When God speaks to us, whether it be within as a still small voice, or through the scriptures, or by some other means, we are always encouraged and helped. There is never any condemnation, only LOVE.
God was telling me that though the sifting, wrought through the actions of Satan, was heavy and dark. That I was being tossed one way then the other, and the instruments used were sharp causing pain, the outcome was for the strengthening of the Brethren. There was a purpose in it all. I was becoming stronger than ever, my faith was unfailing because He had prayed for me!
How does He pray for us? Through His brethren all over the world who are in tune with the Spirit of God. He is not confined to one place, or in one person. He is in all who believe, and they pray His prayers for Him.

He Needs You!

Allow God to weave the pattern of your life. Let Him choose the colours of your days. He is a Master Artist and knows exactly how to arrange the right mix. You see, days of pleasantness and blue skies will not make you an overcomer. Shades of ease and sweet roses will not shape your character in the way He needs it to be. For you to count in the Kingdom of God you have to pay a price. And that price is displayed in the kind of crown you wear.
Your God wants you to reign with Him as a King on this earth. He wants you to have authority and power, and to wield it on His behalf. So you have to earn the right to make decrees and administer in His kingdom. He has to be able to trust that you won't leave the ship at the last minute in case it sinks! When you up against it, and all around you seems chaos, He needs you to be there as His ambassader and trust you won't crumble too.
So you have to pass through the fire, and through the waters, and through the valleys, so that you become seasoned and mature, and trustworthy. God does not give His tasks to people with no backbone! If you really want to know His glory then you have to suffer with Him over His world, and be willing to 'muck in' by taking on His burdens of prayer and His assignments.
Sometimes the shadows are long, and the colours of your days dark. But shadows are needed to give depth to the landscape. Everything would be flat without the darker things in this life throwing the highlights into view. So if your days that He has chosen for you seem tinged with sadness and pain, know that He is allowing it all for a purpose. Your life will count. You are paying a price. That is if you have asked Him to use you and made yourself available for His purposes.

 'And He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt' Mark 14:36.

Greater Flight!

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

Vessels of Honour!

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.

He is Here!

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.

New Things!

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

Hold up Your Hand!

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

Continue On!

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

Day by Day!

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

Just Rest!

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

Restoration!

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.

New Blessings!

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

Don't Resist Him!

It is painful to resist God. To pull against Him cause exhaustion and grief. Sometimes we are foolish! We think we know best and chaff against His leading. We pull one way and God is leading us another. We allow our natural mind, our own desires, our Christian ideas, to influence us. Human nature is strong, especially when we feel that we are right in any given situation. We may be right to our own mind, but not to God's. The simplest way to resolve the situation of aimlessly wandering around with no sense of purpose is to get right back to where you took the wrong turning.
Ask the Lord to show where you ignorantly went astray in your thinking or actions. You might need to change your plans, or take back something you said, or face in another direction. The gifts and calling of God in your life stay the same Rom 11:29 He has not changed His mind. He is merciful and you can return to the pathway intended for you.
I saw picture of someone walking down a road that led to a 'dead end' with a wall in front of them. They tried to get out by climbing over the wall but just wearied themselves. They had to turn around and go back the way they had come until they were out of it. And then begin again.

 'Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you' Ps 32:9

Restoration!

Do not keep thinking about things in the past. If you do you will give them power over you and it will keep you in bondage. Christ died so that you might be free! You cannot change yesterday. Thinking unduly about it keeps those things alive in your mind. No good will come of that! you just inflict suffering upon yourself. To keep going down the same road, or round the same mountain will get you nowhere. Bring it all to God in prayer and ask His help for you to discipline your mind. You have the mind of Christ, but you have to let that mind control your thoughts. You need to renew your mind with the Christ mind. Let it take precedence. You can choose what or who you listen to! if you choose to dwell on unhelpful things, then your attitude in life is tinged with darkness. A shadow is cast over your thinking and it affects how you live. You can be free! Face the fact that part of you is dwelling on seperation, hurt, unforgiveness. Do not relive the pain. Start by forgiving yourself for not thinking wholesome thoughts and then ask God to cleanse and restore the mind of Christ again in you. THEN LET THEM GO!

 'Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and don't be entangled again with the yoke of bondage' Gal 5:1

Stand in Faith!

Jesus told His disciples that in Him they would have peace, but in this world they would have trouble. "But", He says " Take heart", cheer up, do not be afraid, "I have overcome the world" Jn 16:33. He is telling them that because He has done it, they can do it too! There is a WAY through it all, there is an end to it. We cannot overcome by running away. There comes a time when we have to face all that is against us, and STAND in faith, trusting that He who has overcome will give us the strength to overcome too! Like father, like son! We have the same family trait as Jesus, if we believe in Him and have His Spirit within us. He leads us in triumph, and we are more than conquerers. We are able to do all that He requires of us through faith in Him. Feed your soul on His word. It brings a boldness and tenacity that can come no other way. Multitudes have gone before, experiencing all that you go through, and have prevailed because of their undying love for Jesus.

 'Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivers him out of them all' Psalm 34:19.
Not just a few afflictions, or 90% of afflictions, but the Lord delivers the righteous out of ALL his afflictions!

It Will Come!

Life is full of day to day routine. The mundane can become dull with no excitement. Yet this is the world that Jesus came to. He came to make ordinary living full of God and His love! He is there right in your midst. Look for Him. He is the One who took a towel and washed the disciples feet. He made the mundane glorious. Prove Him today. Put out your jars to collect the oil; put out the bowls to collect the rain! dig some ditches so that God can fill them. EXPECT and be encouraged. He knows what you are going through! The Lord says; Lift up your weary hands to Me. I have not forgotten you and will not neglect My promise to you. Be patient and endure each day that seems so dark and drear. Surely the sun will break through the cloud. I am teaching you things that you could not learn any other way. So wait for the shining. It will come! There shall be a fulfilment of all that I have promised you.

'Your hope will not be cut off' Prov 23:18

He Never Fails!

Who are we trusting to help us today? In what are we putting our faith? some trust in chariots! They put their hope in winning the Lottery, making good investments, buying larger houses, and bigger cars. Some put their trust in horses, the company they work for, their boss who might give them promotion, the friends who will help them get to where they want to go in life! But trusting in these things can bring your downfall. Just as the Egyptians chased the Israelites across the red sea and got stuck in the mud, thinking they were powerful because of the iron and flesh they had, so putting confidence in wordly things can bog us down. Eventually they rust and die away!
God knows that we need help, things, finances, and advancement. But His way for us is that we seek His kingdom and righteousness first. Our trust must be in the Lord He is the only unchanging One, faithful One, honest One and all powerful One. He never fails.

 'Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God' Ps 20:7.

Reign With Him!

Allow God to weave the pattern of your life. Let Him choose the colours of your days. He is a Master Artist and knows exactly how to arrange the right mix. You see, days of pleasantness and blue skies will not make you an overcomer. Shades of ease and sweet roses will not shape your character in the way he needs it to be. For you to count in the Kingdom of God you have to pay a price. And that price is displayed in the kind of crown you wear.
Your God wants you to reign with Him as a King on this earth. He wants you to have authority and power, and to wield it on His behalf. So you have to earn the right to make decrees and administer in His kingdom. He has to be able to trust that you won't leave the ship at the last minute in case it sinks! When you up against it, and all around you seems chaos, He needs you to be there as His ambassader and trust you won't crumble too.
So you have to pass through the fire, and through the waters, and through the valleys, so that you become seasoned and mature, and trustworthy. God does not give His tasks to people with no backbone! If you really want to know His glory then you have to suffer with Him over His world, and be willing to 'muck in' by taking on His burdens of prayer and His assignments.
Sometimes the shadows are long, and the colours of your days dark. But shadows are needed to give depth to the landscape. Everything would be flat without the darker things in this life throwing the highlights into view. So if your days that He has chosen for you seem tinged with sadness and pain, know that He is allowing it all for a purpose. Your life will count. You are paying a price. That is if you have asked Him to use you and made yourself available for His purposes.

 'And He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt' Mark 14:36.

See it Through!

Jesus said that the gate to life is very narrow Matt 7:13. As Christians we lead limited, yet unlimited lives, with only one choice that brings abundance! The choice is to let go of your own life and follow Jesus in obedience which leads to receiving His life. His life is abundant. Our love for Him and others has to be genuine. Our commitment to Him and His work has to be total. We can't be half hearted and expect to receive anything from God. Make up your mind, don't change it, then you will receive great benefits that far outweigh any losses. God often tests our commitment to Him and His kingdom. He watches to see if we will press forward and see things through. Pass the test! Don't give up! Keep following each day, you will reap! Life will not always be like it is now. Things can suddenly change with Jesus in control. He is preparing you for good works now and in Eternity Eph 2:10.

Restoration!

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.

Much Fruit!

The Vine is a plant that is not grown for its ornamental shape, shade, fragrant blossoms, or its wood! It is grown soley for the fruit it produces. It only produces fruit in abundance as it is trained, shaped, and pruned. If not pruned it can run away with itself, and grow straggly, and become unfruitful! The world loves the fruit of the Vine! The wine produced from it is sampled with relish, drunk in abundance, discussed with fervour! It is no wonder that Christ used the illustration of  the Vine to teach us to 'Abide in Him'. Not one Vine is planted without the owner thinking only of the fruit. So our 'Husbandmen' looks at our lives and desires fruit, more fruit, much fruit from us. And this is accomplished through pruning.
We do not like the idea of pruning, it speaks of loss and some pain. But when we suffer the Spirit of God and glory rests on us. When we are afflicted, God shows us His tenderness and that leads us to understand and sympathise with the misery of others. Left to ourselves we would become self centred, and become straggling branches on the Vine. The things we learn whilst we go through the pruning process, teach us to pray for the blessing of others, not just ourselves. Our times of affliction, sorrow, suffering, can become times of the greatest blessings in life. The secret is to'Abide in the Vine'. Rest in Jesus love, stay put in His presence, believe that He is using this time for your profit not for your punishment. You are in a process that will lead to you bearing much fruit.

 'I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing..............This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples'. John 15: 5,8.

Perfect Love!

I saw a child happily skipping along a straight road. When asked why it was on it's own, yet so happy, the reply was " I'm on my way home and nearer than when I started. I am not afraid because my Father has just been along this way and made it safe for me".
Everything in our lives, things that happen to us, choices we make, all prepare us for Eternity. Even the bad things He can turn and use for good. We can go along with a happy heart in God's Way, or we can struggle and trudge along our own way. Every day that passes brings us nearer to our heavenly home. Our Father is waiting for us with a welcome beyond our dreaming. Even if the clouds are dark and dreary around us, we can have a warmth in our hearts knowing we are on our way home.
I was fortunate to have a mother that loved her children. When I ran home from school each day, she was always there with hot tea for me. I felt welcomed, warm and loved. At Christmas time we had presents waiting in their bright paper to be unwrapped. It was only Birthdays and Christmas that brought gifts. There was nothing else for children throughout the year, not like today! We always had an apple and an orange in our stockings and relished eating them at midnight, when we were supposed to be asleep!
But Oh! my heart was so warm at the thought of surprises at Christmastime. Often I would have a new dress that my mother had made. Wearing it gave me a sense of belonging and pride. Mother had made it 'for me'!
A whole new world is waiting for us. Heaven is a place prepared for you. There are lovely surprises planned by our Father for each loved child. There is a welcome beyond words, beyond any good thing experienced on this earth. There are no more bad things, no more sorrow or pain or sickness. No more loneliness or rejection or hatred. Just Perfect LOVE.

'I will go before you, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut through bars of iron'. Isaiah 45:2

Press In!

You are nearer your goal than when you started, so give it your best and keep going. The seeds that you have planted will come to fruition at the right time. Ok! it seems that nothing is happening and no one is looking, or seeing the amount of effort you are putting in. But God watches and says that a reaping is guaranteed. Your life touches many others and the quality of your faith shows endurance. It is your gaining ground each day, bit by bit, that speaks of a righteous life in the sight of God. And it is Him that you are doing it for. He is looking! You shall reap what you have sown, and more than you have sown, because all will multiply. That which you have done in secret will be rewarded
openly and God will be honoured because of it.

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

Think It Through!

The enemy of your soul has set a trap for you. Be careful of getting too involved in areas that will drain you emotionally and then physically. Do not take on too much at this time. You will feel that you are doing the Lord's will, but wait for confirmation. Those that wait on the Lord have their strength renewed. Just because the involment seems harmless and even godly, it does not mean that it is right for you at this time. If you are drained mentally you cannot function with right judgement. Do not spread yourself too thinly, use wisdom. If you start, can you sustain what you do, and where will it lead? It is not wise to make a hurried decision, or be moved by emotion. Think this thing through! Is this God's will? If in doubt, don't move!

 'Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like aroaring lion lookingfor someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith'. 1 Peter 5:8,9

Endure!

Temptations will come! If you want to live a godly, righteous life, obedient to the Lord, then you will be tempted. Often a season of temptation precedes a season of great blessing. Just as Jesus was led into the wilderness, after His baptism, to be tempted of the devil. So we are often led by God through a time of testing. But God never tempts us, though He allows us to pass through sometimes dire and unusual temptations.
After Jesus had been tempted He returned from the wilderness experience in the power of the Holy Spirit and was anointed for His work on earth. And likewise, we receive a new anointing of the Holy Spirit when we resist the lies and temptations of the devil.
Temptation is NOT sin. Though the temptations can be so subtle that we think that we are sinning because sometimes they are so awful, and they come in a form that mimics our own thoughts. Sometimes they come in the form of a throw back from our past. Something that once was sin in our lives, but has been cleansed and forgiven through the Blood of Jesus, can seem to return and we think we have fallen. It is then that Scripure is so helpful. Soaking the mind, and heart in the word of God keeps us from slipping into the devil's trap. He will use anything to try to seperate us from God and His Word and lead us into unbelief.
The whole process is allowed by God to strengthen us, to increase our faith, and to show the devil that we are truly, in word and deed children of Righteousness. Our faith has to be tested and tried! Endure what you pass through, as a soldier of Christ. Be strong, stand firm in the faith, and surely in due time, it will pass, when the purpose has been accomplished. Do not give way to it, because then it becomes sin because we have acted on it. Then you can go and strengthen your brethren, for we all pass through tseasons of temptation.

 ' There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able to; but will with the temptation also make a way to eascape, that you may be able to bear it'. 1 Corinth 10:13

Surrender!

When the angel came to Mary and announced that she was highly favoured by God and would give birth to Jesus, she was 'greatly troubled.' She wondered, and replied "how will this be?" because she was a virgin. It is easy to look at the 'how' when God speaks to us, either through our convictions, or through His word, or through His servants. It was a natural question that Mary needed answered, and she got her answer to it.
The angel said that "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you." That is how God does His works. And all we need to do is submit to His word, believe what He says to us, and receive the Holy Spirit. The angel told her that nothing is impossible with God. And she believed it!
We could think that if an angel came and spoke to us concerning God's will for our lives, then we would know it was true and then believe! But we are in the Church era, where we walk by faith, not by sight. Maybe He will send an angel, but more likely He is asking us to trust His word, and believe it. Even Mary had to surrender to the word of God for her. She said " may it be as you have said". Her hearts attitude was one of submission, and she said "yes" to what God was asking of her. God did the work, He performed His will in her life, she just had to accept it.

'Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished'. Luke 1:45

Listen!

I have many things to share with you about My Love and the Eternal Kingdom, that you are a vital part of. Do not think that I have forgotten to include you in My plans. Everything is being made ready and I am preparing you also. You are not insignificant, or cast aside. Wait and look for My revealing. Seek out these truths.Walking with Me is an adventure and the things that I share with you are unsearchable with the natural eye. Silence yourself and listen to the still small voice. Just as two friends share secrets and the pleasure of conversation, so I share with you. I love to hear your requests and have not forgotten even one. The very hairs on your head are numbered, so how can I forget more important things! Off load your cares onto Me. I will carry them and give you freedom from the burden. Trials are allowed in your life to show forth My power and might within you. How else would you know that I am the Lord if you do not experience my deliverance and upholding power? You actually have to pass through life, not watch a video of it! The treasures of hidden places become yours as you passage through this earthly life, and you have them stored in heaven for you to claim when you arrive. You receive a down payment now as you deposit your life, bit by bit, day by day, into my bank. The full payment, with interest, is waiting for you!

 ' Call to me, and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know'
Jer 33:3

All Things New!!

It is God's nature to heal. Do not be in any doubt about that! He created the human body with a built in ability to renew itself. Why does a broken bone, normally, mend itself over time and grow new bone to bind the parts together? How does a cut or scratch nit together and renew with skin?
When He says that He makes all things new, He means it, for He cannot lie. One day your body will be redeemed and you will have a new one to house you in the new heaven and earth. Just as this earthly body has been suitable for you to live on this earth, so your new spiritual body will be just right for your new life in heavenly realms.
When Jesus was walking this earth He went about healing the sick. It was a foretaste of heaven. He showed that He was the Resurrection and the Life. He did not just 'say' things, He manifested, and showed forth God's power. He wants to touch you today!
Let Him start inside you. Healing works from the inside, outwards. You need spiritual renewal, and healing of your soul. Ask Him to start this work. He wants you to get better in every way. Renounce any bitterness and unforgiveness. These things cause you pain and tear you apart. They cripple you inside. And then let God do His work, when you have done yours!

'He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul'
Psalm 23:2,3

He Will Not Fail!

Those that come to me I will not turn away empty. There will always be the power, help, and the comfort that you need. Just make sure that you still your heart and listen to my whispers of love. My motives towards you are always kind, and I never drive or force you in any way. Yours is always a free will choice and there is no fear attached to my commands. Perfect Love has come and cast out fear. In your relationship with Me, in the new covenant I have made in My blood, there is no room for fear. All is LOVE. You can approach Me at any time, I am always waiting for you, and open to your pleas. You have a friend in me. I will support you and help you to stand when your heart and flesh fail. They will fail! But I never fail! I will not fail you or forsake you.
Fill your hungry soul with My word and through it you will be strengthened for each step of your journey. Feed on Me. There is more for you to have, much more. You will not be disappointed. If you feed continually on Me you shall live because of Me. You will possess eternal life now, and forever.

 'I Am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world' Jn 6:51

Have Cheerful Heart!

He is able to meet your need. He is able to change your circumstances. He is able to heal and save. He is able to deliver. He 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 2 Corinth 9:8. Praise Him continually that He is ABLE, and WILL do through you what is needed. He desires to pour through you to others.
But remember this:Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 9:6.
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion. 2 Corinth 9:10,11. Don't store seed just for yourself. Sow generously, sow with a cheerful heart.

 GIVE AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN TO YOU! OVERFLOW IN EXPRESSIONS OF THANKS TO GOD. HE IS ABLE TO MAKE ALL GRACE ABOUND TOWARDS YOU

You Will Reap!

You will reap! Just be patient. You have sown many seeds over the years. Different seeds take varied amounts of time before they germinate. Usually the ones that germinate quickly also fade quickly! if you are after long term fruitfulness go for sowing the larger seeds that take more time to grow. Some Cactus in the desert can take over twenty years to grow, but see how they tower above the scenery and how they store water!
Be careful where you plant your seed. Test the ground first. Do not waste your time sowing into poor soil. Not everyone wants to be saved. Not everyone wants to honour the Lord and live a righteous life. Not everyone wants to do good. Make sure that you are praying about the things God wants you to pray about. Some people will not respond to your prayers, so don't pray for them. Ask God who and what you should be praying for.
Treat everyone with grace and respect, even the girl at the supermarket till! But be wise in who you open your heart to, and who you trust. Trust the Lord only.

'Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces' Matt7:6

Clear Skies!

If you are in perplexity, trials and unusual difficulties, shut up to the right and left, what do you do? God's word to you is  STAND STILL! But you need to listen carefully to the Lord at this time. Despair would whisper in your ear, telling you that you may as well lie down and die, give up. But God would have you take courage and wait, for the victory will come. Don't wish ot die before your time, thinking it better to be with Christ. There is more for you to do, so finish your course.
Cowardice will come and whine to you telling you to retreat, and that it is too difficult being a Christian. That you seem to have more troubles that when you did not know God. But don't listen, stand still for a while and gather new strength, because this season will pass and you need what you have gained for the next season.
Another voice is one that urges you to precipitate something, do something, and that it is a waste of time, or idleness, to stand still. You feel an urge to get something moving to make a way for yourself out of your predicament. But don't act. Wait for the Lord who will open the way and do everything for you.
Presumption boasts and tells you that you should expect a miracle and march straight into the sea because it will open up! it tells you to believe God's word, and get on with it, don't just stand there.
But God is looking for your faith in Him alone. He says, 'stand still', wait in expectancy for further action, new orders will come. Wait patiently for the still small voice, for it will come, and then you will move forward at His time.
God who made the clouds that can cover the sky with ominous darkness, and the storm that stirs up unwanted debris in your life, this God can change the scene in a moment. There are clear skies after the rain and in the clarity you will hear Him say 'go forward'.

 'Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord' Ex 14:13

Good Works!

Jesus said that the gate to life is very narrow Matt 7:13. As Christians we lead limited, yet unlimited lives, with only one choice that brings abundance! The choice is to let go of your own life and follow Jesus in obedience which leads to receiving His life. His life is abundant. Our love for Him and others has to be genuine. Our commitment to Him and His work has to be total. We can't be half hearted and expect to receive anything from God. Make up your mind, don't change it, then you will receive great benefits that far outweigh any losses. God often tests our commitment to Him and His kingdom. He watches to see if we will press forward and see things through. Pass the test! Don't give up! Keep following each day, you will reap! Life will not always be like it is now. Things can suddenly change with Jesus in control. He is preparing you for good works now and in Eternity. You are not just going to sit around playing a harp in Eternity! You are being made ready for when the real work starts. This earthly life is just the kindergarten, nursey school stage, from which you will emerge, as the butterfly from the chrysilis, into your new resurrected life, with a new resurrected body. Our minds cannot conceive what God has prepared for us to be a part of. We would be totally mind blown! It would be like giving a one year old child a computer and asking it to design a skyscraper, or even a whole universe. Well of course it could not! nor can we have any idea what plans we will realise as creators in the great eons of Eternity.

'It is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do'. Eph 2:8-10

Deliverance Will Come!

The Egyptians were pursuing the Israelites and thought they had them cornered at the Red Sea. They were trapped and there was no way forward. It was a dark night of fear and uncertainty. But God in His mercy came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. The Angel of the Lord which had gone before in the form of a cloud moved from before them to behind them, and the cloud appeared as darkness to the Egyptians, but was light to the Israelites Ex 14:20. At the same time God was preparing a way of escape for His people. A strong east wind blew all that night and made the sea dry land. The children of Israel crossed the Red Sea on dry land because the waters were like walls on either side of them. When the Egyptians tried to pursue the waters covered them and every one was drowned in the sight of the Israelites Ex 14:29 they saw them dead on the sea shore.
We so often think that we have to work the miracle needed for our deliverance. But God has provided the means whether practical or spiritual to come to our aid. He takes care of His own and has provided for every eventuality. Our problem is that we believe He can do it, but question 'how'. No one would have guessed that the Red Sea would be parted by a strong wind and the people would pass over dry shod. They also saw with their eyes their enemies, who had kept them as slaves for four hundred years, gone before their eyes! Our Moses stretched out His hand on the cross so that we could escape the enemy!
You time of deliverance will come. Do not fear because of the delay. God is working out a better plan for you than had you been delivered sooner. You will see your enemies sinking before you and covered from your sight to trouble you no more. You will have a more powerful testimony because of this. Many will hear it and find the strength to trust through their dark night.

Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.”  Isaiah 35:4

In Your Hands!

I trust in You, O Lord; I say, "You are my God" My times are in Your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. Let Your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love'.Psalm 31: 14-16. Let us rest content in knowing that our times are in His hands......and He never drops anything! His hands are kind hands. They are for blessing. His hands were laid on the sick for healing. His hands were nailed to the cross for our redemption. And no-one can snatch us out of our Father's hands Jn 10:28.

Sifting and Sorting!

I woke up this morning with these words on my mind, "I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not: and when you are converted, strengthen your brethren " Luke 22:32 where Jesus speaks to Peter about Satan desiring to have him and sift him like wheat.
Jesus did not tell Peter that he would avoid being 'sifted' but rather that Jesus Himself had prayed personally for Peter that his faith would not fail. And Peter experienced the answer to that prayer, though he had to pass through deep waters as when he denied Christ.
Because it was the first thing I thought of when I awoke, I felt God was telling me that Jesus himself, personally, had prayed for me. And that though I was being sifted my faith would not fail. I felt loved, secure, and strengthened. When God speaks to us, whether it be within as a still small voice, or through the scriptures, or by some other means, we are always encouraged and helped. There is never any condemnation, only LOVE.
God was telling me that though the sifting, wrought through the actions of Satan, was heavy and dark, He was allowing it. That I was being tossed one way then the other, and the instruments used were sharp causing pain, but the outcome was for the strengthening of the Brethren. There was a purpose in it all. I was becoming stronger than ever, my faith was unfailing because He had prayed for me!
How does He pray for us? Through the Holy Spirit who intercedes with prayers and groanings, and is in His brethren all over the world who are in tune with the Spirit of God. He is not confined to one place, or in one person. He is in all who believe, and they pray His prayers for Him. God can even give a worm teeth!! He can radically change a situation. He will not fail you, nor will your faith fail.

' Do not be afraid O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I Myself will help YOU..........See I will make YOU into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them and reduce the hills to chaff. YOU will winnow them, the wind will pick them up, and agale will blow them away. But YOU will rejoice in the Lord and glory in the Holy One of Israel'. Isaiah 41:14,15

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. 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