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 important for you now to yield to His will so that He can strengthen your wings for greater flight.

 'You do not realise now what I am doing, but later you will understand' John 13:7

Use Your Gift!

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

 'Follow the way of love and eagerly desire the spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophesy'
1 Corinth 14:1

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

Stand Firm!

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

He IS Sufficient!

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.

Speak Life!

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 Persistent!

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

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.

Do it Now!

Now is the time to turn your faith into action! Just take small steps towards your goal. If you sit back and keep deliberating on things your motivation will die. This is not a time to think things over, you have done that. Now move forward with purpose and wisdom. Plans mean nothing unless you do something. Thoughts are useful ,but need to bear fruit. Let your fear and hesitation go!I will lead you each step of the way. Do not fear disaster, or keep changing your mind. I am able to step in if you make a wrong decision. Signs and wonders follow those that believe. Trust Me.

 'I will instruct and teach you in the way which you should go. I will guide you with my eye'. Ps 32:8

Vessels to Fill!

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! come before Him, wait for Him to speak, then, wait for Him to fulfil His word to you.
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

Persevere!

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, "Acording 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

Plans for You!

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

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". Jer 29:11

All Sufficient God!

I am sufficient for the coming days and will provide the strength that you need. But you will not have it in one great lump! Moment by moment My grace will infiltrate your being, spirit, soul, and body. If you allow your thoughts to wander over possibilities, hopes, aspirations or even fears, you will become overwhelmed. There is a way of gliding through the problems and challenges that arise. That way lies in total trust and abandonment to My will. I will smooth the way, but you must LET GO! We work together, and you can come to Me with great or small problems. But I will not join Myself to confusion so off load your worries regularly! Travel light along this journey. It is all about our relationship. It is a working relationship. Your Father is watching, lovingly, your progress. When you feel unable to cope and your strength is failing, take time, come to Me. I will address the situation and re-order your days bringing light into the darkness, and order into the chaos. I AM ABLE!

'So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand' Isaiah 41:10

Small Steps!

Your obedience is tested by the things you can do. Don't waste your time thinking about things you would do if you had opportunity! Just take the next step on your agenda. Be kind to those who come your way. Your life is a witness even though you cannot see it. Most people are trapped in their own world of sorrow, grief, hopelessness, and unbelief. But your presence brings a light into their lives, and even a smile from you can unlock the pain in someone else and cause them to think on God.
Small steps of obedience, taken by love, lead to much greater fruitfulness. I am looking, watching, and caring for you in ways you do not comprehend. It only takes one small match to start a roaring fire. The match burns out, but the fire remains! You can be that person, just like the Hebrew servant girl. She spoke the right word, because she cared, to the wife of Naaman, about there being a prophet in Israel who would heal him of his leprousy. So keep on being yourself, and LET My Spirit flow through you unhindered. LEAN on Me. Things will not be accomplished YOUR way, but they will flourish MY way!

'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding'. Prov 3:5

Out of Bondage!

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

I Am With You!

You learn far more about Me by watching Me work and staying alongside. Things are not always retained in your mind through gathering many words, but rather through the experience of seeing my hand moving. Watch each day for signs of My presence. There are small things that happen in your day that speak of Me and are designed to strengthen your faith as you observe. My Spirit is all around you, there is no place you can go where I am not. I am the Bread of life, therefore see me in each day as your basic need. And take me in simplicity as your next meal. You do not have to up to heaven to bring Me down, or over the sea to know Me. I am here. I am with you. I am weaving My purposes through your response to that which I send your way. You can accept or reject the simplicity of it. If you are looking for greater things in your life, come lower. You can gather my blessing with an outstretched hand that takes what is closest. I am near you, even in your breathing, for I am your life. Be faithful in the little things, the hidden things, the insignificant things and you will find Me.

'I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty' Jn 6:35

A Small Thing?

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 of 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

Stand Fast!

An old sea captain once said that when the storms get severe and they are threatened with disaster, that they turn the ship into a certain position and fix it there. Then they weather out the gales, holding fast. There is a time to hold onto the Lord with all your might. Prayer does not seem to work, for all has been prayed. Faith seems to fail and the heavens are as brass. Then stand fast! wait for the storm to abait. Hold onto God, lash your self to the mast, for you will come through. The black clouds will lift and the thrashing winds will wear themselves out with their fury. You can't do anything but wait for this attack to pass, for it will pass. Nothing can move a child of God who has fixed their heart on His mercy and might. God will prevail for you, He is on your side, working behind the scenes, and bringing new strength through it all. You have to pass through this, there is no going round, but you will come out stronger than when you went in!

'My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise' Ps 57:7

Don't Be Impatient!

Listen to the words of someone who was deeply tried 'I waited patiently for the Lord: He turned to me, and heard my cry' Ps 40:1. Hear what he passed through 'He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire'. Have you seen an animal stuck in a muddy, marshy place, crying out in distress? It was looking for water but got trapped in a bog instead. The more the animal struggles to get free the more it sinks into the mire. Finally through exhaustion it waits patiently, unable to help itself, waiting for someone to lift it out.
The psalmist who wrote these words knew what it was to suffer patiently with no natural way out. The word patience suggests the thought of being under the constraint of some power from which we would gladly be free. We submit to our circumstances against our will knowing it is vain to resist, like the animal in the slimy pit. The only way out is for the Lord to come and rescue us as we cry out to Him.
It says in Psalm 40: 2,3 that David was lifted out, had his feet set upon a rock, and God put a new song in his mouth! What a testimony! O soul, do not be impatient, because patient waiting on God brings a rich reward; the deliverance is sure.

I Will Lead You!

Now is the time to turn your faith into action! Just take small steps towards your goal. If you sit back and keep deliberating on things your motivation will die. This is not a time to think things over, you have done that. Now move forward with purpose and wisdom. Plans mean nothing unless you do something. Thoughts are useful, but they need to bear fruit. Let your fear and hesitation go!I will lead you each step of the way. Do not fear disaster, or keep changing your mind. I am able to step in if you make a wrong decision. Signs and wonders follow those that believe. Trust Me. I always lead in Peace.

'I will instruct and teach you in the way which you should go. I will guide you with my eye'. Ps 32:8

Time to Grow Up!

There comes a time when you have to accept that you are no longer a child in your walk with God. If He treats you like an adult, trusts you with authority, then you have to behave accordingly. When things seem unsure to you, and you do not know what is happening, running to Him and crying for comfort does not work.
If you cry 'daddy' daddy' everytime the milk is spilt, you will not get a response. That is if you are moving into maturity. You have to trust your Father that He knows best and is removing you from creature comforts to strengthen, harden your faith. A plant that has been grown under artificial conditions, in a greenhouse say, needs to be hardened off before it is put out into position in it's place. God cannot do much with 'soft' people, those who wimper and whine at every adverse circumstance. He wants trained soldiers, those whom He can use in battles and will stand their ground.
So He is training you and treats you according to your spiritual experience. That is why He will withdraw His conscious presence for a while. Not because you have grieved Him, but because He is teaching you to stand on your own two feet. Your will is crucial to your usefulness in Kingdom work. You have to 'CHOOSE' His ways whether you like what is happening or not, feel Him close or not. He will not always explain the 'why' of a situation. He just wants you to trust.

'Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child'. Ps 131:2