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.