Hope Always

Take time to love

2009-07-25T05:56:00.000-07:00

Someone doesn’t have to be perfect in order to deserve your love. They don’t have to be a perfect winning team member. They don’t have to be faultless, or always cheerful, or always humble, or always loving, or a tireless worker, or have a personality that makes them easy to like or get along with. In fact, I’m sure none of us are all of these things all the time, because no one is perfect. And yet, as representatives of Jesus, our job is to love. It’s what we do. Love is what our mission is all about. Love is the trademark of the Family—or it should be! “By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one for another” (John 13:35).

Jesus has called and chosen you as His representative of love. He has faith that you can be that for Him. Whenever you feel lacking in love, remember that our Husband has more to give you, and His love never runs out.

2009-07-18T05:56:00.000-07:00

When things look dark, you should rejoice, for it is a precursor to a miracle or breakthrough. Darkest hours should be enjoyed and reveled in. Take the darkness out of the darkest hour by turning it into a praise session for the dawn. Worship the Lord’s bright dawn through the darkest nights, and it will become your most looked-forward-to time in any situation.—Ishton

Beyond Duty

2009-03-27T05:48:00.000-07:00

Jesus:
It’s the daily conquest of the Enemy and the daily rising above your own flesh into the realms of the spirit that helps you to fulfill one of your many purposes on Earth.

If there was no battle, there would be no reward, and this battle to enter My realm and feed your spirit is one of the most consistent and ongoing battles there is. No one, no matter how experienced, motivated, or dedicated they are to their time in My presence, is free of the continual fight against the Enemy’s devices and the pulls and tugs of their own lethargic flesh. That’s what you are up against and have to defeat in order to gain that pearl of spiritual feeding from Me. There’s never a time that the Enemy will lay off and not bother you in this way anymore.

2009-03-13T05:59:00.000-07:00

(Jesus:) Don’t be one that is quick to throw in the towel when things aren’t going well. Don’t run from the battle every time the Enemy shows his ugly head. Stand there and grab ahold of the spiritual weapons I have given you, and sock it to him! Sock it to him with everything you’ve got, and then some. See difficulty as a chance to overcome. See problems as a chance to find solutions. See battles as a chance to win great victories. (ML #3662:79)

2009-03-03T11:22:00.001-08:00

When people lose their innocence they don't feel they are as close to the Lord as before. That's because they don't really realize what God's righteousness IS. THEIR idea of righteousness is so different from GOD'S! When you FEEL so righteous & good, it's because you are SELF-righteous & NOT closer to God, but closer to yourSELF!

Do you feel defeated & at wits' end corner?--TURN to GOD! Are you at the END of your ROPE?--LET GO & LET GOD!--Just CAN'T COPE? Take GOD'S DOPE! YOUR EXTREMITY IS GOD'S OPPORTUNITY! You've tried everything else?--Why not try GOD? He LOVES you!

Breaking the silence with one of my all time favorites

2009-01-25T05:06:00.000-08:00

...through the tests I'm bringing you to the place of full faith—that place where you continue to try when you don't feel like trying; when you keep walking forward even though you feel like collapsing; when you refuse to quit even though you don't have an ounce of strength left in you; when you praise Me with your last breath. This is the place where each of you must be in order for Me to do the impossible through you in this new era of action. When you get to this state where you truly know and accept that without Me you can do nothing, then I am able to come in and take over, and this is when the imposs¬ible becomes possible. Then there are no limits to what you can do, because it's not you, it's Me working through you, and all things are possible for Me! (ML3316)

Prayer ...

2008-10-21T14:27:00.000-07:00

"Our prayers will be answered. Some are answered just as we wish; some are answered in other ways. Some are answered by a change in us; some by a change in others. Some are answered when we are given greater strength to bear our trials; some by the lifting of the trials. Some prayers are
answered immediately, some in years to come, and some will wait till Heaven—but all will be
answered."

Encouragement in Battles ...

2008-09-26T04:57:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered why life has so many battles and why you have to fight them? It’s because that is the purpose of life: to grow, to change, and to move forward! It’s the battles that keep you from becoming a prisoner to lethargy and complacency. It’s when you stop moving and growing that you die spiritually.

Battles are often won at the very last second, through one final decision to not give up or give in regardless of what happens! Just like you have to hold on in a race until the last lap, and then give it all you’ve got as you’re coming down the last stretch, so it is with a battle. When you feel like you can’t hold on for one more second, that’s when you must give it all you’ve got and praise Me with your whole heart as you sock it to the Enemy—and you will win! I guarantee it.

2008-09-11T13:06:00.000-07:00

85. Good morning! I hope you slept well, because it's going to be a wonderful day. Not because of anything particularly outstanding that's going to happen, but because I'm inviting you to spend the day with Me. Come on up and we'll go through the day together. Should anything happen that would normally make you feel upset or stressed, it won't bother you one bit, because you'll be here beside Me. This is rising above. You'll still be down there in the flesh, of course, but you will be completely above it all in spirit.

86. I want you here with Me because I love you so much, and I miss you terribly when you're gone. You're often so busy with the cares of the day that you only have time to sit and talk with Me a moment here and a moment there. So today I want you here with Me for the entire day. Forget everything that's bothering you or worrying you; let it all slip back down to Earth, to the carnal world where it belongs, and you come be with Me, where you belong.

Perfect

2008-09-10T19:23:00.000-07:00

This life will never be perfect. You'll never be perfect while you're in this life. The only things that can be perfect are the things I give: perfect peace as you let go of concerns about yourself and hang onto Me; perfect fulfillment as you stop trying to do it all and let Me do through you whatever I know is best; and perfect faith that even though you falter and fail, you trust fully in My unconditional love that will never fail to hold you close and turn everything for good.

(Words Of Wisdom, Part 2 [#3629])

...making him more like Jesus...

2008-09-10T19:17:00.000-07:00

I got the phrase, "Man of sorrow, acquainted with grief." Sometimes you think when somebody is going through it so bad that the Lord is dealing with them, but apparently, in this case He is just making him more like Jesus.

(Personal Letters! No.2 [#2944])

Living in faith means ...

2008-07-18T04:23:00.000-07:00

Living in faith means living My Word. You take My Word and you apply it to your life in every situation.
When you pray for your work, you expect Me to answer. When you go about your day‚ you exhibit an attitude of praise and trust in Me. When little problems come up, you respond with praise. When needs arise‚ you always consider My ability first. Even when you don't feel loving, you act loving anyway. You live as you believe I want you to live. You react as you believe I would react. You do all things as unto Me. You fight the spiritual battles and trials even when you feel it's not working or when you wonder if it's worth it.

Greater Faith

2008-07-17T04:22:00.000-07:00

(Jesus: ) The purpose of this time, these present days, is to help you grow to possess pure, white, unshakable faith—faith that will not be daunted; faith that will not flinch, nor tremble, nor waver, nor even consider the possibility of giving up; faith that doesn't consider the prospect of surrender.

In these days I wish to stretch your faith to limits which not only you have never experienced, but that no other humans who have ever lived have experienced! This is the destiny of the children of David of the Time of the End—to exercise greater faith than the world has ever seen. I want more than to enrich your faith; I want your faith to reach the outer limits! I want your faith to break all records, for it must, My loves.

This is the only type of faith that will overcome the world. This is the faith that I have carefully‚ lovingly, and wisely cultivated in you, My chosen ones of the Time of the End. (ML #3316:5-7, GN 920)

Changing Deeply Ingrained Habits and Mindsets - Part 1

2008-07-08T07:49:00.000-07:00

I have given change to all My children through the ages as a special gift. You don't have to accept your circumstances. You don't have to be satisfied with the way you are, the way you think, or the way you feel. You can change things! You can change anything, with My help! Your weaknesses can be strengthened, your faith can grow, your spirit can soar, your endurance can be prolonged—anything you wish is possible with the gift of change. And this gift is given to all. There's not one person on this Earth, saved or unsaved, who can't take ahold of the gift of change and change something in their life or world for the better.

However, for you, My children, change takes on an even greater power, because not only do you have the physical and natural power of change at your disposal, but you also have the supernatural and spiritual power of change available to you. This leaves you holding a raw power that has no limits! Do you see what this means? It's a tremendous gift, yet many of My children cringe at the thought of change. This is because they see through a glass darkly and do not have the Heavenly vision—perfect faith and trust in Me that anything I do and any change that I effect will be for their good.

Those who are able to rest their lives in My hands see more change than those who try to hold on to themselves, to keep themselves safe and secure and free from change. Those who let go and who fling their arms wide open in wild abandonment of self are the ones who see great change—mental change, emotional change, physical change—changes manifested in many physical ways, through healing, happiness, health, love, natural enjoyment, trust, confidence, assurance, peace, delight, joy, laughter, company of friends, fulfillment, satisfaction, and on the list goes!

The true benefits of godly change are always good. The fruits of change make up a list longer than the fruits of the Spirit, and these are gifts and blessings that each of My children wants and sincerely desires and seeks. So often My children pray for these gifts that come as a result of change, but they don't want the change itself. They don't see that the two are interlocked, that the change comes before the gifts and blessings. They want the cart before the horse, but they won't get anywhere that way. In order to receive the personal blessings of change, you have to let go of self and fear and worry, and entrust your life to My hands.

Timothy's testimony ...

2008-06-29T09:14:00.000-07:00

"If you want to be truly successful and be able to partake of the greatest joy, freedom, and fulfillment, choose God's will for you‚ not your own. It's in denying yourself and following Jesus that you bring forth the most fruit possible--fruit that remains, a life that benefits more people than you can possibly imagine, and an eternal legacy that will follow you and be a testimony that there's no better way to go than God's way."

2008-06-28T04:34:00.000-07:00

Don't forget that your time on Earth is very short compared to eternity, and that above all it is a testing ground, a school, and a demonstration to the entire universe. Life is not guaranteed to be easy. Life is full of tests and battles, and someone who endures through long or seemingly endless battles and tests of faith is a powerful testimony to all the watching hosts of Heaven. It's a testimony of the kind of faith that truly pleases God-the kind of "but if not" faith that endures endless difficulties because it believes in My promises and in My goodness and faithfulness to deliver‚ no matter what the circumstances look like.

(Art Of War, The, Part 2 [#3533])

2008-06-10T04:44:00.000-07:00

(Jesus:) It's as simple as that. Whenever I put anything in front of you, that's what I expect: your best. I define your best as giving it all that you can give it, while also remembering that you haven't done your best until you've involved Me. Involving Me and relying on My strength, while still being willing to put forth whatever effort I ask of you and making the sacrifices required, is doing your best. If you do this—no matter what the task or obligation—I will never be disappointed.

From "Surviving and Succeeding"

2008-06-08T04:31:00.000-07:00

Remember that you only have one chance for this Earth life. This is it‚ so enjoy it while it lasts. Enjoy your service to Me while you are here. Enjoy the company of those you live and work with‚ or the Home you fellowship with, because it won't last forever. Enjoy your present circumstances, because this is the only time you'll be here like this‚ in this place, with these loved ones. Enjoy time!
Enjoy the moment, because in a moment this present moment will be past.

Ride'm Cowboy!

2008-06-03T06:20:00.001-07:00

66. Sometimes your best-laid plans go awry. They really mess up, or so it seems. Most of the time you have your plans, your orderliness. You have grand ideas of what you are going to do and accomplish, and everything goes up in the air when some unexpected event occurs. To some of you more orderly types, that can drive you crazy. But it is a bit like "chaos theory," when some very small initial change leads to really unexpected results.

67. You had planned to go from A to B, but somehow you ended up at Z. Don't fret. Enjoy the journey. If you have prayed and committed things to Me, then expect Me to be keeping My end of the bargain and more. Sometimes you don't count on the "more," but the "more" is what you get when you are in business with Me. I've got a lot of plans, and sometimes I like to spring things on you, and suddenly everything seems to be going bananas.

68. When that happens, let go and let Me. I'm in the driver's seat and I'm taking you on the scenic tour. How do you know it is My doing and not the Enemy's? By the fruit in the long run‚ but you can also know by asking while you are in the middle of it. If it is My doing, you'll hear Me shouting, "Ride'm, cowboy! Enjoy the ride, it's gonna get wild!"

Faith - Now and Forever!

2008-05-30T04:36:00.000-07:00

Real faith isn't contingent on results. You don't strengthen your faith by the events around you; you strengthen your faith through trusting Me despite the events around you. You strengthen your faith by belief in Me and taking Me at My Word despite the results, not because of them. Anything else is proof or confirmation of faith, not faith itself.
Things go wrong and you love Me anyway—that's faith. You claim the keys and things don't turn out as you wanted, but you still go on for Me—that's faith. You have been disappointed before‚ but you try again next time—that's faith. You don't quit, no matter what things look like and no matter what does or doesn't happen—that's faith.

Faith is the victory!

2008-05-26T04:59:00.000-07:00

Faith is the victory; there's no other way. There's no proof that will satisfy the carnal mind, there's no test that I can be put to that will put to rest these questions once and for all. There's nothing that can supersede the role of faith. Faith is the invisible bridge between what you see and what you can't see. Faith spans the gap and obtains miracles. Even if you die in faith without receiving the fulfillment of the promise, you are more than a conqueror, because you walked by faith and not by sight, and you did what you were supposed to do and you finished the course.

Malachi 3:3

2008-05-25T18:39:00.001-07:00

(This is an interesting story that someone sent to me ...)

Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'

He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy --when I see my image in it.'

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire , rememberthat God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

'Life is a coin. You can spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once.'

"Move in with Me!"

2008-05-21T04:42:00.001-07:00

(Jesus:) The secret is not to keep battling with your old problems; the secret is to pack your bags and move in with Me. Move out of your old life, your old habits, your old problems, your old ways of trying to do it yourself, trying to figure it out, trying to work it out, trying to hang on. You'll never make it that way! I'm the only One Who made it, and can help you make it! I have a free ticket for you all the way to eternity and eternal happiness in the Kingdom of Heaven with Me.-If you'll just pack your bags, move out of yourself, and move in with Me!

Our connection with the Lord ...

2008-05-19T04:25:00.000-07:00

(Mama:) It's one of the greatest tests of our life on Earth—how much emphasis we will put on connecting with Him, pleasing Him‚ loving Him above all. It's something we all want, but sometimes don't make enough effort in. But when you really stop and think about it, it's our connection with our Husband that makes all good things possible. And the more we connect with Him‚ the more like Him we will become‚ thus the more people will see Jesus in us—and that's what it's all about.

2008-05-12T01:03:00.000-07:00

The gift of eternal strength: I want to renew your strength. I want to renew your faith. I want to prove to you how much I can do with a vessel who feels so weak and incapable. I want to remind you that it's in the overwhelming workload, the problems you face, the times of sickness and trouble, and the times when the Enemy is fighting you on all sides, that you will find eternal strength. My eternal strength is not given to those who are not in need, or to those who have an easy existence. It's given to those who are fighting and who need it, those who are enduring and not giving up! That's what you have to do. You have to see the tests and battles as My compliment to you, as a gift to you.-Not because I want to overload your life and make you feel like there's no rest or reprieve from the battles, but because I know that you're so incapable on your own; incapable enough that you know you have to call on Me to see you through to victory each and every time.

...When you come to Me, when you wait on Me, then I can renew your strength. I give you wings of an eagle and help you soar up and over the problems and obstacles, flying higher than you could ever go in your own strength. When you come to Me to be renewed daily, then you can run the race without being weary; then you can walk forward for Me no matter how difficult the path and not faint; then you can be renewed and empowered with My eternal strength.

2008-05-11T05:54:00.001-07:00

(Mama:) Being confident in how much Jesus loves you won’t just make you happier; it will be a stabilizing force in your life. When you are regularly assured of His love for you, and when you trust and believe in it, then that peace and knowledge in your heart will steady you, even when you face disappointments, heartbreaks, difficulties, or anything else that the river of life sends your way. His love is strong enough to see you through anything!
It’s durable, dependable, and forever! (ML #3636:8)

2008-05-07T08:22:00.000-07:00

Too many look at their personalities, qualities, and characteristics as either good or bad‚ but the truth is that they are simply what you make of them.

Every Day is a Happy Day!

2008-05-03T06:10:00.000-07:00

If you want My joy, ask for it, and ask Me to help you to see the things that are worth smiling about, and that can help to make you feel more carefree. If you base it on how you feel, well, you may not feel very joyful, because the Enemy is sure to bring obstacles and worries and condemnation and guilt trips and stress and many other joy-killing tactics so you won't have that special strength that comes from My joy.

Only in Suffering...

2008-04-27T15:46:00.000-07:00

"When life is rosy, we may slide by without knowing Jesus, with imitating Him and quoting Him and speaking about Him. But only in suffering will we know Jesus." -Joni Earekson Tada

2008-04-25T08:04:00.000-07:00

The problem is not with the detailed messages, or that you desire to receive all the details from Me. That's a good thing; it's a strength to be able to receive the specifics. But then, once you receive the message, you need to go back over it and ask Me where to start, and be willing to start with just one small thing, one small step of obedience. Otherwise, the details overwhelm you, and in the end you wind up putting it all on the shelf and not doing any of it.

More on the Keys - What the Future Holds

2008-04-25T04:42:00.000-07:00

The basic criterion to keep in mind when you face these things is: Anything which holds you back or even threatens to hinder you from fulfilling what I've told you is My highest will is an obstacle to be overcome!

Each test that you pass, your faith will increase tenfold in that area. Each time you stretch your faith in obedience, in trust, in stepping out to do, to believe, your capacity will increase, your anointing will shine brighter, and you'll be walking in the power of the activated gift that is within you.

The "Power" state of evangelism

2008-04-19T19:28:00.000-07:00

It is the realization that God is using us as part of a plan much greater than our lives that moves us into the power stage of evangelism. Of course, God's plan for us is always bigger than our lives. But when we finally take hold of that purpose, experience God's power, and allow ourselves to be used to preserve life or build up the church or influence the policies of a corporation or a country, then we will have truly accepted His charge over our lives.

How will we feel in this "power" stage of evangelism? We will probably experience a sense of smallness, of inadequacy, of relying completely on God's power because we have none of our own. That is exactly as it should be, and it is the only way in which we will be truly effective. And because the situation we were first called to has now changed, we are brought back to step one, where we listen for God's prophetic Word all over again. He may be calling us to a new situation or to a different aspect of our current one. But we will now have a fresh opportunity to travel through these steps with deeper faith and confidence.

--"For Love of My Brothers" by Brother Andrew

Here's what you're supposed to do...

2008-04-17T05:47:00.000-07:00

Mama: Here's what you're supposed to do: Just do the best you can each day. Commit to the Lord what you can't get done‚ and if you're doing your best, going to the Word and seeking the Lord for His counsel and guidance and then obeying what you read or hear, you're doing all you can. As Jesus said of the woman of old, "She hath done what she could" (Mk.14:8). Do what you can, and that's all you can do. Pretty simple, isn't it? (Leadership Lessons, Pt2, ML3385: 61)

New quotes (for the sake of a new post)

2008-03-26T05:53:00.000-07:00

Everybody's influencing somebody—even when you seem to be all alone! Sometimes just a word or a glance or a smile can make a big difference—how you look or sound or seem! If it's not cheerful and victorious and uplifting‚ it's bound to hurt somebody and pull them down with you! (ML #33:9)

The Devil always tries to find the weak spot in your strongest point, and strike at that!" (ML #74:22)

Classic, yet true ...

2008-03-07T04:42:00.000-08:00

When I give you a new challenge, I am in essence asking you to take on a new challenge together with Me. When I bring you to a new battlefront, I am holding your hand and asking you to fight alongside Me. When I bring you the gift of change, I am asking you to unwrap and experience this present with Me. And when I bring you a new yoke to bear, a new burden to lift, a new cross to carry, I am merely asking you to come and lift the load with Me, to come under the yoke with Me, to come lock arms with Me beneath the cross.

(Art of Dependence)

Tired of no posts

2008-03-02T09:04:00.000-08:00

Happiness is neither within us only, or without us; it is the union of ourselves with God.—Blaise Pascal

Keep true, never be ashamed of doing right. Decite what you think is right and stick to it. - George Elliot

The best portion of a good man's life is the little nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love. -William Wordsworth

If you believe you can, you probably can. If you believe you won't, you most assuradly wont. Belief is the ignition switch that gets you off the launching pad. - Denis Waitley

Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Do not run though life so fast that you forget not only where you have been but also where you are going.

Nobody rises to low expectations.

Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile. -Albert Einstein.

The most meaningful gifts are the fits of love - time, friendship, company, giving, forgiveness, and understanding.

Faith is permitting ourselves to be seized by the things we do not see. -Martin Luther

A kind and compassionate act is often its own reward. - William J. Bennett

The more you love, the more love you are given to love with. -Lucian Price.

What you love and what you hate reveal what you are. - Dr. Bob Jones, Sr

When hope dies, what else lives? - Ama Ata Aidoo

A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.

I think this life is special. Live and savor every moment. This is not dress rehersal.

2008-02-20T17:47:00.000-08:00

Don't aim for perfection, because you won't hit it. Aim for My will, and your plan will be a good one. Do your best, learn from your mistakes as you go, keep things simple, enjoy the process, and leave room for Me to work. That's what I expect. Perfection doesn't enter the equation. (--"Got Strategy?")

U.N.I.T.Y.

2008-02-19T06:30:00.000-08:00

I'm talking about a bond between us that is so strong that nothing will be able to separate us! I'm talking about a love that is so personal that it weeps, it aches, it feels when your loved one is in need or in trouble or being tested and tempted by the Enemy. I'm talking about a desire for another's happiness that is so real that you're willing to sacrifice your own personal preferences or desires or privacy because you want to see your brethren, your family, your loved one, happy. I'm talking about a love that is so rich and warm, so alive, that you who have personal, private relationships are moved to open your arms, your hearts, and your lives to others.
The kind of unity that brings the blessings of God is hot, vibrant, moving! It's not complacent or lethargic, just taking things as they come, ho-hum. It's going on the attack to reach out; to feel what the other person is feeling; to dry their tears; to bear their burdens; to feel their afflictions; to minister to those who are sick and nurse them back to health; to listen with a loving, open ear to those who need to pour out; to be a caring and understanding friend to those who need a friend; to pray for those in need; to let their heartaches be your heartaches; to make their hopes and dreams your hopes and dreams.

Happy Valentine's Day

2008-02-14T10:57:00.000-08:00

(Jesus:) It's Valentine's Day. Let Me be your Lover‚ the object of your passion, and then I will fill you with My love for others. Your love is human and can be dry, cold, or selfish at times. But My love is always warm, passionate‚ giving, and attuned to the needs of others. Unselfish love, never-failing love, impartial love, generous and caring love‚ outgoing love--you have longed for this, and I am the only One Who can give it to you. So let's love today, and My love will overflow from your cup to the cup of others.
(Prophecy Vitamins, Part 4)

He knows I'm not super-human...

2008-02-05T13:10:00.000-08:00

...yet He still loves me. Whew!

Jesus: You've been faithful. You've been loyal. You've been through the fire of afflictions and battles, and yet you fight on. You've had your doubts, your times of seeming defeat, your times of discouragement, yet through all of these times you've remained under the shadow of My wings. You've stood by My side when others disowned Me. You've given your all when some others would only have given a part. You've trusted Me with your life, your marriage, your love, your happiness, and your children—this is why I'm proud of you.

I designed and created your body, your heart, your mind and your spirit to be weak, to be fallible, and to be incomplete and insufficient without Me. I created you in a human form, with a body that makes mistakes and isn't always perfect, so I don't expect perfection.

Even when you have My strength and My power within you, I can't allow you to be perfect, for this would only minister to your pride. Even when you're close to Me, loving Me intimately, abiding in the center of My will and serving Me to the best of your ability, I allow you to be weak, to lack in faith, to have feelings of uncertainty, so that you will always remember that it's My Spirit that sustains you and causes you to prosper.

I use your failings, your times of uncertainty, your times of trial, the times when you feel you're lacking in faith, the times when you don't fully yield to Me, to humble you and draw you closer to Me. My loves, I don't require perfection; all that I desire is your love and your dependence on Me. I know that you're human, that you're weak, that you get tired, and that the Enemy buffets you with his lies and doubts. If I'd given you a supernatural body, then perhaps I could expect perfection from you; but I never expect perfection from you, as that is never possible. I only desire your love and your desperation.

2008-02-02T18:08:00.001-08:00

"Too long have we been waiting for one another to begin! The time of waiting is past! The hour of God has struck! War is declared! In God's Holy Name let us arise and build! 'The God of Heaven, He will fight for us', as we for Him. We will not build on the sand, but on the bedrock of the sayings of Christ, and the gates and minions of hell shall not prevail against us. Should such men as we fear? Before the world, aye, before the sleepy, lukewarm, faithless, namby-pamby Christian world, we will dare to trust our God, we will venture our all for Him, we will live and we will die for Him, and we will do it with His joy unspeakable singing aloud in our hearts. We will a thousand times sooner die trusting only our God, than live trusting in man. And when we come to this position the battle is already won, and the end of the glorious campaign in sight. We will have the real Holiness of God, not the sickly stuff of talk and dainty words and pretty thoughts; we will have a Masculine Holiness, one of daring faith and works for Jesus Christ."

2008-02-02T18:05:00.000-08:00

"Funds are low again, hallelujah! That means God trusts us and is willing to leave His reputation in our hands."—C.T. Studd

January Prayer Drive

2008-01-07T10:42:00.000-08:00

You can make it, dear one. How can I say that you can make it? Because I know. I created you, and I created the world. I understand the entire Earth and all that is going on in it, and all that is going on in the hearts of every single person, including you. And I have put within your heart and within the hearts of all the children of David, both those present and those yet to come, the power and ability to make it!
That was one of My prime ingredients when I made you‚ to be sure that you had the ability to make it. You make it by hanging on to Me‚ by trusting with all your heart, by not leaning to your own understanding and view of how things look in the natural. I am going to make it, and as long as you keep your arms clasped tightly around My neck, I will help you to make it.
Even in the times when you loosen your grip a bit, I'll still remain faithful and hold on to you, because you are Mine. I not only love you dearly, but I need you, and so I will keep you. I will complete what I've begun with you. I will not let you go. There are great victories ahead for us, My faithful soldier.

The Challenge ...

2007-12-27T16:41:00.000-08:00

My Heart Belongs to You

2007-12-21T21:24:00.001-08:00

So special and unique is My Love, so overwhelming, that I could not bear the thought of being apart. I knew you would have to go and fulfill your mission, your purpose, the plan for which you were created, and yet the thought of not having you close by My side was almost too much to comprehend. The thought of missing you even for a short while was breaking My heart.

I sought for a way to ensure your safe return, for I could not bear to lose so great a treasure, so great a love. It was then, with great precision, slowly, gently and ever so lovingly, that I placed My mark within your heart. With the utmost skill, I gently stroked your heart, fixing My tender, special spot in place upon your heart -- creating a vacuum, a void that could only be filled by Me.

Can you feel it deep inside? It's there in you, that it may be proof of My great Love for you, just you. This is My token, this is My Love, that you may know that I love you in such a personal, close, intimate way. This is My mark of Love, a special spot in your heart made only for Me -- My special spot, that only I can fill, placed so lovingly and tenderly in the core of your heart.

2007-12-19T21:57:00.000-08:00

The Lord has promised that He will never give us more than we are able to bear. But sometimes it does seem as though He gives us more than we can take. Our Husband has said before that we should look at such times as a compliment—that if He's asking the seemingly impossible of us, He knows we can make it, that we're strong enough, that we have what it takes.

2007-12-14T03:27:00.000-08:00

The commission of champions...

2007-12-06T11:56:00.000-08:00

A champion doesn't become a champion because of luck, natural talent, or favorable circumstances. A champion may have some or all of those things in their favor, but those things, alone or combined, do not make a champion. What makes a champion is strength that makes up their being from the inside out, from a will of iron to a fit, formed, and fast physique.
A champion must be tough and trained in both body and mind, and a spiritual champion must also be tough in spirit.
The things you have gone through and are going through are training you to be My champions. Think about "training" and what it means to be a physical champion. It means working out, running, pressing, pushing, enduring‚ practicing—not just to the point of physical fitness, but going beyond that to the point of pain, even of physical torment and torture. It means submitting to every demand of the trainer, who is exacting and even merciless.
(From "Carry the Flame of Revolution--Will You?")

Joshua 1:8, given in prophecy for today

2007-11-30T12:18:00.000-08:00

The training that I have ordained for this year should become an integral part of you - like the food that you eat and then digest. When you wake up, remind yourself that today is the day to be trained and strengthened. When you go to sleep, as yourself how you were strengthened that day. This will keep you focused on all that I have instructed you to do this year, either by participating in training programs, or progression in your schooling, or strengthening the board pillars in your Home, or whatever else I have shown you. This is ho you will be strengthened each day. And this is how you and your Home will be ready for the offensive, and ensure that it will be a success!

There's just nothing like it ....

2007-11-21T13:43:00.000-08:00

I'm not going to pretend that the life of a disciple is easy. I'm not going to deceive you. I'm going to sock it to you as it really is. Life as a disciple is hard work, sacrifice, pain, suffering, and you're going to have to give up a lot. But life as a disciple is the most thrilling life there is! The pain you may feel at having your mindset realigned is nothing compared to the thrills and overwhelming joy of serving Jesus with all you're worth. There's just nothing like it. (From "Shooting Straight, Part 3," ML #3501:154, GN 1088).

fight for your faith

2007-11-11T20:51:00.001-08:00

Warriors

2007-11-11T20:46:00.000-08:00

One of the images from a screen saver I made with quotes pulled from "Fight for Your Faith".

Nakedness? That's me! - Naked for Jesus! :D

2007-11-10T18:12:00.000-08:00

I need you who are willing to crawl across the finish line of this year on your hands and knees if necessary, because of your belief and faith in Me and in the calling and destiny I have promised you as part of David's band. Some of you will be moving ahead by naked faith alone, but in this nakedness you will win. In this nakedness and dependence you will possess My full power!

This is what gets me out of bed every morning.

2007-11-06T07:57:00.000-08:00

(except from personal pnp)

Jesus: There is no magic potion. Some things just have to be fought out and endured. Sometimes you just have to buckle under and bite the bullet, so to speak.

You know how you are very adamant about being on time for things and appointments in the physical. You should be doubly so for appointments with Me in the spirit. I expect you to be there every morning at 6 am, ready to spend time with Me. I wait for you. When you don’t show up, it’s like snubbing Me. Puts a little more meat on when you think of it that way, doesn’t it?

That’s how it is. I am your Husband, waiting for you to come spend time with Me. And every morning continually you shrug it off. ...

So just fight the Enemy, get up, and meet your appointments. I’m looking forward to you tomorrow.

Nothing is Too Hard for Jesus!

2007-11-04T13:43:00.000-08:00

First, you believe that I have victory over the Enemy in any and all situations, no matter what. There is victory for you, period. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.

Second‚ you accept that the promises in My Word are for you, personally. In spite of your weaknesses, sins or shortcomings, My promises are for you. I died for you‚ as if you were the only one‚ and I gave My promises for you, as if you were the only one. These specific promises will give you faith for whatever situation you personally face, because I have given promises to match any and all circumstances.

Third, you fight any inclination toward self-righteousness or negativity that would talk you out of having faith to apply those promises to whatever battle or challenge you're facing. Don't make yourself an exception and explain away My power by thinking you're not good enough, that you don't deserve My power, victory or deliverance. Don't let your knowledge of the requirements and the intricacies of how things work in the spirit world take away your faith, because when you do that, you're looking at your lacks instead of My power and awesome greatness.

Last of all, protect, nurture and feed your faith. Know that faith is the "meanest and baddest" of your weapons and that's the starting place to great miracles. With faith, you can use all the weapons, and there's plenty there to defeat any demon from Hell, no matter how persistent or powerful he may be. He's not and never will be and never can be as powerful as Me!

2007-10-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

A life of yieldedness and a heart that's willing to do My will is always useful to Me, no matter where you are or what I call on you to do. As long as you're willing and yielded to do My bidding and obey My will in your life, you'll always be used by Me to the fullest.

2007-10-28T05:48:00.001-07:00

"You are born anew this night. My wonderful wife, the last petal of your rose fell and then I created you again, but of different materials tonight. This has been the most significant night of your life. There will be many more nights and days of new anointing and new strengthening, of promises passed between you and Me, but tonight is the most momentous one that you've had up till this time.
For as I consecrated you, I recreated you. I transformed your soft petals into a tremendous, magical jewel--a jeweled, magic rose, so you may be a rose that can endure what a normal rose could not. This night I transformed you so that you are now stronger and more robust for the times ahead.
Receive the gifts of My Spirit upon you.
Receive the love that I wish to give you, that you may pour forth more love upon others.
Receive the wisdom that I wish to give you in greater measure, that your decisions may be wise and led of Me.
Receive the gift of hearing from Me that I wish to make available to you in greater measure, that you may learn to hear from Me more at every step of your life, in all that you do.
Receive the gift of praise that I pour upon you, that My praises may find themselves more often on your lips and tongue, so that others may know of the love that you have for Me.
Receive the gift of understanding that I pour upon you, that you may discern the hearts of others and better understand the situations that are before you.
Receive the gift of tenderness that I give you, of gentleness with those I have placed in your care, of meekness of heart and body, of simplicity and love.
Receive the gift of humility that I will give you with this new anointing." (#3289)

2007-10-27T17:29:00.001-07:00

One day you will sit upon a throne (Rev.20:4). One day you will be able to wish for whatever you desire, and it will become reality. One day you will revel in unimaginable wealth. One day you will be perfectly formed and beautiful‚ perfectly strong and fit. One day you will luxuriate in every good pleasure that appeals to you. One day you will know a love and happiness so complete, so all-encompassing, so perfect that it is unimaginable to you at this time.

2007-10-24T07:07:00.000-07:00

The most costly battles yield the greatest results, and the rewards match up to the cost of the fight.

2007-10-17T08:10:00.000-07:00

We are going to be STRICT, expect EVERYTHING, COMPLETE FORSAKING, 100% DEDICATION, ABSOLUTE LOYALTY & FULLTIME SERVICE. We are the HARD CORE, the SPEARHEAD, the AVANTE GARDE of this last great spiritual Revolution. We are the CADRE, the OFFICERS & the LEADERS of it!—And that requires 100% dedication!—DO or DIE!—Amen?

Endurance ...

2007-10-13T05:30:00.000-07:00

Endurance is the ultimate in faith. Endurance is saying to Me that although you don't see My answer yet‚ you know that it is coming and you will last as long as needed until I finally deliver you.

----

Life is not guaranteed to be easy. Life is full of tests and battles, and someone who endures through long or seemingly endless battles and tests of faith is a powerful testimony to all the watching hosts of Heaven. It's a testimony of the kind of faith that truly pleases God—the kind of "but if not" faith that endures endless difficulties because it believes in My promises and in My goodness and faithfulness to deliver, no matter what the circumstances look like.

2007-10-09T07:08:00.000-07:00

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve;

I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health, that I might do greater things;

I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy;

I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men;

I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life;

I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I had hoped for.

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am among all men most richly blessed.

—By an unknown Confederate soldier during the American Civil War (1861–1865)

2007-10-08T08:54:00.001-07:00

When you can truly let go of all that you hold dear—whatever it is that you're desiring or wanting Me to do for you—and you place it in My hands and give it freely to Me, then I in turn will fill you with the true riches and desires that you have only dreamed of!

Hope begins in the dark...

2007-10-02T21:13:00.000-07:00

"Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: You don't give up."--Anne Lamott

Not afraid to appear less than perfectly polished

2007-10-02T21:12:00.000-07:00

"Often we can achieve an even better result when we stumble yet are willing to start over, when we don't give up after a mistake, when something doesn't come easily but we throw ourselves into trying, when we're not afraid to appear less than perfectly polished."--Sharon Salzberg

Every day you may make progress...

2007-10-02T21:10:00.000-07:00

"Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb."--Sir Winston Churchill

From a personal PNP, 2005

2007-10-02T21:05:00.000-07:00

(Jesus:) I know how you feel right now, but you can rest assured that you are learning, you are growing, you are making the progress I want you to make. This feeling of discouragement at the slow progress you seem to be making, and the seemingly impossible situation of overcoming your habits is a part of your training. This is your trial; these are the weights that gird your legs. You are being trained to run, and although you may feel like you are walking so slowly, soon these weights will be removed and you will fly.
I know there are others who are running alongside you right now who seem to be passing you up with ease, but they're not you, and they're not going through the same training.
Hang in there. That is the message--hold on! I don't expect nearly as much from you as you expect from yourself--all I want is for you to put your arm in mine and come on a stroll with Me, through the garden of blessings, tribulations, joy, and trails--all of which are part of this same garden that is so beautiful. I know where we're going, and I just want you to come with me, one step at a time. I wouldn't be teaching you how to take this a step at a time if I expected you to take leaps and bounds.

"Being re-created"...(My all time favorite!)

2007-10-01T07:27:00.000-07:00

If you don't stay close to Me, you'll get weaker. You'll experience discouragement and frustration. You'll make mistakes that you could easily have avoided. You'll wear thin in your ability to tolerate problems; you'll react with impatience when confronted with problems. You'll snap at people; you'll deal with others self-righteously. People will seek to distance themselves from you, as they will be discouraged and experience battles when around you. You won't be happy; you'll know something is wrong, but you won't have the strength to make the changes you need to make to overcome. You'll gradually get weaker and be less effective in your shepherding and your ability to inspire and lift up others. You'll experience periods of anxiety, of being distraught and confused about life and what you're doing with yours. The world and what it has to offer will look more attractive. You'll look at things more in the flesh and less in the Spirit. You'll be tired and downcast. You'll be sad. 100. I don't tell you these things to scare you or intimidate you, My love. I tell you this because I don't want you to have to experience any of this, even in the slightest degree. I want you to live a life that is full of My love and My Spirit; that's what I died for! I died to save you for eternity, yes, but I also died to give you a better life while you're alive--that no matter what your physical condition, whatever problems life brings your way, My Spirit in you will cause you to overcome, because you'll have your eyes on Heavenly things and your heart more full of My love.

2007-09-30T16:20:00.001-07:00

(Jesus:) The deep difficulties and struggles of daily life break you. But the more pieces I have to work with, the more I can do with you. The more you are broken in My hands, the more useful you become to Me.

You need these shattered pieces, My love, for this is what I wish to create your life with; this is the material I need to create My masterpiece.

2007-09-27T15:04:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you're facing something very difficult and you think you just have to endure it, but I know that a simple change, or a forsaking, or some change in mindset would bring you relief. Sometimes you're struggling because you're not willing to yield to Me in something‚ but as soon as you do, I am able to punch through with the victory, and what sweet relief that is! So ask Me to define the battle and tell you what's behind it. Then you can know how to fight, and what you're fighting for, and if there's something you can do to change the direction of the battle so that you're using your strength most efficiently.

2007-09-24T20:47:00.001-07:00

I ordained for you a life of brokenness, but not a life of sadness—Jesus.

2007-09-23T11:04:00.000-07:00

When you show love and consideration to people you don't feel particularly drawn to or think deserve it, you're giving them My love, which goes beyond human love. In fact, this is an even greater manifestation of My love than when you show love to someone you feel close to. This is not being hypocritical or false. To the contrary, it's fulfilling My commandment to love your neighbor as yourself. You're acting on My Word, and you're letting My love move you to do something good.

Something I found in my files...

2007-09-21T11:12:00.000-07:00

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break … anything. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace … We cannot change our past; we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The one thing that we can do is play on the string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it."

-- Charles Swindoll

Want one

2007-09-20T09:18:00.000-07:00

Go here: www.thewittleone.com

Spiritual courses of life

2007-09-16T08:11:00.000-07:00

Going through the wringer of life is absolutely key to being effective in almost every important ministry in the Family—whether you're a leader‚ parent‚ witnesser, shepherd, pillar in your Home—or all of the above.

Going through these things is like your rite of passage to becoming the pillars that will bear the weight of the Family and enable the Family to fulfill its destiny. It's these terrible‚ hard, trying experiences that make you into good parents, good spouses, good leaders‚ strong Christians; these things give you the love and the understanding and humility to be a good person.

Mama and I want to encourage you to hang on, to embrace these difficulties you're going through, to not fear them or try to avoid them, because they're making you what you are. They're the spiritual courses that are going to give you a master's degree or a doctorate. These things that you're going through are what will qualify you to be a wise shepherd, parent, leader‚ pillar, and to do it right.

2007-09-11T11:27:00.000-07:00

I created women with soft hearts, with tears that flow easily and with everything just a bit softer than the other species. Mothers are the most heralded women of all, and do you know why? it’s because they are the softest, they are the ones who hurt the most, yes, but they are the ones who also care the most and love completely. You are meant to hurt, you are meant to cry, you’re meant to be weak, you’re not meant to be “the man” and take care of everything and make sure that things are working out. You’re supposed to humbly take your place and cry when it’s time to cry, love even though it hurts and be a manifestation of my perfect love that goes on loving even when it seems futile to do so.

Truth

2007-09-11T11:04:00.000-07:00

Don’t be afraid of discovering that I am enough. Many people have this fear because they think that they will lose everything that they hold dear. But in reality, anything that you hold close to your heart except for Me, will at some point disappoint you. Only I will never change. Only I will endure and always meet your expectations. Only I can keep things together.

2007-09-10T16:42:00.000-07:00

Many people think they are unhappy because of conditions and circumstances around them, but that isn't it, it's because of what's wrong in the heart! When the heart is wrong, all is wrong. They are at war with themselves because they are out of harmony with God.

This prophecy was written for me!

2007-09-10T16:14:00.001-07:00

Even though you're giving all, doing all that you can, fighting with everything you've got, and it's extremely difficult‚ the beautiful thing is that you're in the center of My will and you're free. It's tough. It's hard work. It's constant. It's sometimes grueling and fatiguing, but I'm so proud of you because you're doing it all for Me. Everything that you're giving, everything that you're sacrificing, it's all for Me and for the sake of reaching lost souls, and I will not let you suffer more than you can bear as you give your life for the truth.

Don't give up‚ My darling love, no matter how tough the battles are, because I will always give you the anointing you need‚ and your spiritual weapons will work for you every single day, and every hour of every day. Put your full weight on them and let them bear the weight of you and My work—the whole thing. You might still feel the weight, but ultimately you won't be carrying the weight as long as you keep giving it to Me and keep using your spiritual weapons. I will carry the weight. I will sustain you through any battle, through any workload, through every responsibility. I have not changed. I'm still your center. Just keep coming back to Me, the center of your strength and anointing.

(From Apples of Gold, Part 2, "Today, Tomorrow and Forever")

First Place ...

2007-09-08T05:20:00.001-07:00

If you will not neglect this vital time with Me, if you will not neglect the proper diet that I put at your disposal, you will find in the long run that I am able to help you be more efficient in the tasks I call you to do. You'll make fewer mistakes, be able to avoid pitfalls, and things will run far more smoothly as you put first things first. (ML 3184:32)

2007-09-04T15:08:00.000-07:00

If you are lovingly striving to make progress, helping up the brother next to you, sharing the load, and working as a winning team bonded together with the superglue of My Spirit, then you will have done a job worthy of accolades and rewards.

2007-09-03T07:54:00.000-07:00

(Jesus:) To make things clear to you as to what standard you should be living, ask yourself, "What does Jesus want me to be known for?" I want you to be known as someone who loves Me and others. I want the words kind, generous, unselfish, thoughtful, helpful, and cheery to spring to mind when people look at you.

Jewel from this morning's devotions...

2007-08-24T06:39:00.000-07:00

Each one must learn that their faith must rest in My ability, in My strength‚ in My love for them and others, in My total control of every situation. If they cannot trust Me that far, then they will not be able to find the path I have for them, and they will at best be ineffective in whatever they do, and at worst, will cause others to suffer.
I know each situation. I created each situation individually for each one of My chosen vessels. I planned every detail that comes into each one's life for a reason. Nothing is left to chance. If something goes wrong or seems wrong, it's for a reason.

2007-08-20T18:10:00.001-07:00

Things just don't happen to children of God,
They're part of a wonderful plan.
The troubles, reverses, the sorrows, the rod,
Are strokes of the great Sculptor's hand.

Persecution, tribulation come down like a storm,
Friends disappoint and withstand.
At last alone, bewildered, forlorn,
You look and He smiles, "This is planned!"

Things don't just happen to children of God,
The blueprint was made by His hand.
He designed all the details to conform to His Son,
So all things that happen are planned.

No matter what happens to those called His Own,
Events that are awful or grand,
Every trial of your life He sends from His Throne,
Things just don't happen, they're planned.

2007-08-18T10:26:00.000-07:00

There are times when, after something really big has happened in our lives, we've gone through a very difficult time, or had to forsake something very dear to us, we reach a point through yieldedness and submission to the Lord's will in our lives where we realize that Jesus is truly enough.—Where our lives are relatively uncomplicated because we're not so worried about things, or so intensely hoping for them to turn out a certain way; the place where we count everything else "but loss" (Phil.3:8), worthless in comparison to our relationship with Jesus and our desire to solely fulfill His will for our lives.

Have you read the new GN???!!! Soooo wonderful!

2007-08-07T16:52:00.000-07:00

It might be a long fight and you might seem to be getting pretty beat up, but don't worry or fear. Your armor is good and it will hold. If you continue to call out to Me, I will strengthen you and keep you alive and help you to stand up again each time you get knocked down. And then, as I have promised, I will whisper instruction in your ears and point out the paths to victory. It might not look like there is an opening in Satan's attacks, or a weak spot that you can exploit, but trust Me, there is always a way.

~~

There may be weaknesses in your fighting style or things you've forgotten about. There may well be parts of your heart that aren't clean enough before Me yet, or aspects of your life that aren't fully captive to My humility. There could be many deficiencies in your strategy. But there will never be weaknesses or deficiencies in Me. Don't ever allow yourself to wonder whether a battle is actually winnable. I am always enough, and My weapons and power can always pull you through.

2007-08-04T14:23:00.001-07:00

The Lord has promised that He will never give us more than we are able to bear. But sometimes it does seem as though He gives us more than we can take. Our Husband has said before that we should look at such times as a compliment—that if He's asking the seemingly impossible of us, He knows we can make it, that we're strong enough, that we have what it takes. But that's very different than the way we carnally view such times, often feeling instead that the Lord doesn't really know what He's doing, that He doesn't love us very much, or else He wouldn't ask so much of us.

Soooo convicting!!

2007-08-03T11:12:00.000-07:00

Whenever you begin feeling overburdened and stressed, in one way or another it's always because you haven't been obeying Me as you should; either you're not looking at the challenges and tests of life in the right way, or you're not handling them the right way. You're gradually becoming your own worst enemy, and believe it or not, unless you learn to operate differently and do things My way, you'll eventually get to the point that you feel so negative about things‚ you'll find yourself resenting your job and your calling in life, your circumstances, and even your very life for Me. You'll end up blaming Me or your shepherds and overseers for something that wasn't our fault in the first place.

2007-07-30T15:43:00.001-07:00

"I will not speak evil of you. I will only speak that which is in love and that which raises up the standard of the Word. If I see you falling in this area, I will do my best to help you up. I will be my brother's keeper. I will not talk badly of others with you, but will always try to speak in love, and love my neighbor as myself, and speak of my neighbor as I would want him to speak of me. With the Lord's help, I will break this habit that I've had. I will fight to turn all my thoughts of others and of you into prayers. Instead of maliciousness, instead of tearing you down and tearing others down, I will lift you up and lift others up in prayer to the Lord, knowing that He will take care of you and He will help you through whatever you're going through, and that He will unite us as a team and make us into the Endtime soldiers that He wants us to be. By the grace of God, I commit this now."

This is sooo convicting!

2007-07-30T07:49:00.000-07:00

Real love has a long, hard, frustrating day where nothing seems to have gone right, yet doesn't get snappy and short-tempered with others. Real love stays sweet for the sake of others no matter what—just because it's the loving thing to do. Real love doesn't mind when someone else gets a better room, or gets to go to a party, fellowship, or meeting that you didn't, simply because real love is glad that the other person is happy. Real love actively fights pride, and actively embraces opportunities to do the humble thing.

Wow! Just wow.

2007-07-28T11:26:00.000-07:00

The best way to go about making any changes is to come to Me. Dependence on Me is the key. Get Me involved from the beginning and keep Me involved all the way through. Ask Me how to go about changing. Tell Me what areas you came up short in and ask Me for My recommendations as to how you can improve.

I can give you focused counsel on not only what needs to be done, but how to do it.

Just remember that I want to help, I want to see you make it, and so there is no counsel or details that I'll withhold from you. It's practically a given that if you want to make it, you can.

I'm up for it! I'm ready to work, and what I want to see from you right now is two things: That you're hopeful—that you know that it can be done and you're resisting any voices which tell you the opposite; and that you're determined—that you have the motivation to not just talk about change, or dream about it, think about it, or wish for it, but are determined enough to put some elbow grease into achieving your goals and make them realities.

If you can bring those two qualities to the table—hopefulness and determination—I'll bring the rest. That's a promise, and those with faith enough to take Me up on it will experience tremendous results beyond their dreams.

2007-07-28T08:51:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when you're in the midst of a trying time, the battle can seem like an impenetrable wall blocking your way, and all your efforts to break through seem to have no effect. But if you keep forging ahead no matter what, if you keep going and progressing, this wall of resistance will vanish, and you will come through stronger than ever!

My goal

2007-07-24T09:47:00.001-07:00

(Jesus:) Other important fields of training are education and teaching and professional childcare. The Family—and the world‚ for that matter—is in dire need of dedicated teachers and caregivers. You may feel that, because you grew up in a Family Home and have helped take care of your younger brothers and sisters for as long as you can remember‚ that you are already trained in childcare. But I would encourage you to study all that you can about motivational teaching methods and become an expert in this very fulfilling and challenging field.

2007-07-24T08:28:00.000-07:00

What do I mean by "My joy"? There are many things that contribute to it or are a part of it:

* Peace in your heart is one of them—the stability that comes from knowing I'm in control.
* Expectancy is part of it—expecting that I will fulfill My promises, anticipating what I will do, looking for the signs of My miracle-working power and rejoicing when you see the fulfillment.
* Faith is part of it—faith in My Word, faith in My promises, faith in My love for you, faith in your calling as My disciple, faith in My ability to turn all things for your good because you love Me.
* Hope is part of it—remembering that no matter how bad things might get around you, you're just a stranger and a pilgrim here, destined for a better place, and the more you have to endure on Earth, the sweeter and more rewarding Heaven will be when you get there!
* Trust in Me is a part of it—that rest and comfort and security you feel in My arms, when you know that I'm going to take care of you.
* Happiness is a part of it. Although sometimes you naturally feel happier than at other times, your lives for Me should be happy. That doesn't mean they'll be smooth, but they should be happy. The more you learn to look at things the way I do, the happier you will be!
* Love is a part of it—experiencing My love, noticing My love, feeling secure in My love, and giving My love to others. That is a great part of joy.
* Thankfulness is a part of it. Learning to be thankful for what I bring into your life, and praising Me no matter how hard it gets.
The Enemy tries so many things to steal away your joy: weariness with the battle; stress; trying to get you to take the problems on your own shoulders; trying to get you to look at things in the negative and keep you from seeing the positive; trying to destroy and distort the way I want you to see things and instead getting you to look at what's around you and let circumstances dictate your happiness But, My loves, it doesn't have to be that way. You don't have to let him warp your mindset. You can choose to retain your joy and just not let go of it.

'Tis painful to be precious!

2007-07-13T11:06:00.001-07:00

(Jesus:) You feel that you are weakening, that your ministries are wasting away, that your talents are useless and that there is no place for you in the Kingdom. You feel that your only calling is to be tested and purged, to battle again and again and again. It seems to you that the battles are without end. You wonder if this is all that there is to your life of serving Me. You wonder why it is that you must be so tested and tried and purged, time and time again. So many questions!
It is because I am creating you to be a special tool in My hand. It is as if I am chipping away at a precious stone, like those who tool the stones for royalty. They are tooled so delicately, so carefully. Much time and energy is placed into tooling these special jewels for royalty. Much care and much counseling, much study and much precision is put into the tooling of these jewels, because they will be placed in the crown. Many will look upon these jewels and marvel, for the light will be reflected so beautifully and so magnificently. So even though a lot of time is spent in the hand of the Master Jeweler, in the end it is worthwhile, because the jewel reflects the light so brilliantly and so clearly.
You, My dear child, My precious one, are this jewel in My hand, the jewel that I am tooling and fashioning, chipping away the rough edges and polishing every facet. I am fashioning you as a jewel for royalty, precious and valuable in My sight--brilliant and gorgeous as it sparkles and reflects My light and My love!
Yes, it is a long, hard road, and you must endure the tapping here and the tapping there of the Jeweler's knives. It is painful. You feel the loss, and you feel that your life is useless, that this chiseling and tooling will go on forever, that there will be no end to it. But fear not, My precious one, for I have you in My hands; I hold you in My arms. This tooling and this chiseling is straight from My hand. It is My plan to create of you My special precision tool, rare in quality, beautiful and magnificent.

2007-07-11T08:55:00.000-07:00

When you're asking the Lord and getting His directions and obeying them, you don't miss the mark out of human error, and even when things seem to go "wrong" you're within His perfect will, and thus can have full faith that He's taking care of things and working them out to His glory.

2007-07-09T08:11:00.000-07:00

Yes‚ there will be times when the load is very heavy, but you just have to keep throwing it on Me. Yes, there will be times when you're stretched thin‚ but you just have to determine to be faithful with your time with Me‚ do the best you can, and know that I will help you to stretch without breaking. Yes, there will be times when you wish you had more help. But in those times, cry out to Me and your spirit helpers, and you'll feel us right there. Yes, there will be times when it seems impossible—but that is when My miracle-working power will come through

2007-07-02T05:34:00.001-07:00

We’ve all got to fight for our crowns! It’s dying daily and the continual choosing to take
up our crosses to follow Jesus that translates into “that crown”! We may never see our crowns
in a tangible form, so it doesn’t just take fight, but faith as well, to hang on and not give up.
But it’s more than worth it! As Dad said: “There’s no crown without a cross, no testimony
without a test, no triumph without a trial, no victory without a battle, no rose without a
thorn! Praise God, that’s what you joined the army for—to fight and to win! It’s worth it! It’s
worth every fight, every battle, every test, every trial! It’s worth it all!” (ML #551:133-134).
(“Crowns on the Ice!” ML #3465:5–7)

This one is for me..Pray for me?

2007-07-01T11:58:00.000-07:00

Forgiveness is "selective remembering" --A consciuos decision to focus on love and let the rest go!

Habits

2007-06-28T16:48:00.000-07:00

Chained Eagle
An eagle had been chained so long to a stick in the ground that he’d worn a rut in the ground going round and round it. Finally the bird was getting old, and his master felt sorry for him. And thought, “I’ m going to liberate him and set him free!” So took the metal ring off of his foot and he took the eagle out and tossed it into the air. And what do you supposed happened? The bird sort of fluttered around, but he had forgotten how to fly! He flip-flopped right back down to the ground, than he went back over to the stake and the security of his rut and he started walking around the rut again! No chain! No bird band! Just the habit!

Ruts are dangerous. When you’re stuck in a rut in any area, you may feel you’re moving forward and gaining ground, but more often than not the truth is that you’re going in circle, boring deep grooves in your life.
It’s possible to get stuck in a rut (habit) in almost any area of your life. Our bad habits don’t only affect us, but they affect also those whom we live and work with, our loved ones!