Again He Says, Do Not Give Up in Testing Times – Part 3
February 16, 2012 – [02.16.2012] – 9:22 pm
We all go through testing times, the trying of our faith because without faith it is impossible to please God, but when we come to God, we must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. [Heb 11:6] To those going through fiery trials, please keep the faith.
No matter what, don’t look at the circumstances because the natural opposes the spiritual, the flesh opposes the spirit. Looking at the natural and listening to negative words (bad reports) will cause us to doubt. Doubt breeds unbelief and unbelief opposes faith!
A few years ago (mid-2008), the Lord told me to take a trip to the Appalachians, which was a couple hours drive away from me. When I asked why, He said: I want you to face your fears. It is time to face the giants. The Lord had given me a promise, a vision, but before it would come to be, I had to die to self. I had to cross the Jordan, in order to go into the ‘promised land’.
I have to admit that when He asked me to go, fear came upon me. Ugh! Why do I have to go to the mountains? Why do I have to go alone, a woman? I hadn’t even pitched a tent before. My mind began to fill with doubtful questions. The Holy Spirit made me aware of my thoughts and I began to arrest those thoughts by casting down all the imaginations.
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ [2Cor 10:5]
I prayed over the next couple of days. The Lord wanted me to trust Him. If we are hoping that the Lord will use us in the great tribulation that is coming upon this earth, then we better expect the trials to come, to prepare us. Most of us are not ready. The Bride is being prepared for the coming of the Bridegroom, who is on His way.
We have to be dead to the flesh, purified, sanctified and filled with the Holy Spirit, with Christ Y’shua/Jesus reigning on the throne of our heart. So, I went out and got all the supplies that I needed. Off to the Appalachians I headed.
The Lord gave me a sign for my promise; butterflies! The Lord compared ‘walking in the flesh’ to the caterpillar, the first stage of the butterfly’s life. He likened the crossing the Jordan to the cocoon stage, where we ‘die to self’. He likened entering into the Promised Land to the butterfly. It is resurrected from the cocoon, a new ‘man’, a new creation that flies with complete freedom.
What follows is an excerpt from the journal I kept on the camping trip in the Appalachian Mountains, so it will be informal. You will see how I was thinking, how God used the experience to teach me and how very faithful He is when it comes to every detail of our lives. We all have giants to face; things that too big for us to handle. However, when we step out in faith, we see that God is faithful to watch over us.
You also will see how the enemy will do whatever he can do to stop you when you choose to die to self. He will come against us in unexpected ways, which he thinks will stop us from doing what we must do; to cause us to be disobedient and full of unbelief – to refuse the cross. Yet if we continue on, the Lord Himself will strengthen us.
For those going through fires and trials at this time, be strengthened; be encouraged and do not give up in testing times! Keep the faith. Believe God/Yhvh and hold fast to Him! Keep going; God is with you!
My journal is informal, in fact, it is downright casual and at times I use slang, or rather, improper English and spelling. I will present it, as is. I will begin with the part of my journey where I am very close to the campsite, approximately seven miles. I began journaling after I got to the campsite, which was not in a park. It was completely out in the woods, in the Appalachian Mountains, where there are trails here and there.
When I was driving along the highway, I saw a home-made sign tacked up in one of the trees, partly hidden by branches. It was a two foot wide sign by about six inches high. In off-white letters, someone had painted: GOD IS ABLE
Facing the Giants
Excerpt from my journal:
Friday, June 6th, 2008
Here I go… pilgrimage of one of the children of the Most High, true living God of Israel. Going out into the wilderness…
Went thru a town – stopped at an out of way store, all by itself. I was just up the road from where I planned to camp. The man introduced me to his daughter and gave me a stone cross. Took me in his store. He had Pakistan and Japanese chessboards, art from Africa, trinkets from Bejing in China and stuff from around the world.
He said he used to be a biker in a gang, but now he was a soldier for Christ. His wife of 35 years left him a year ago (and their daughter) becuz he drew closer to Christ. I prayed with them – 3 of us held hands – a three-fold cord.
He wept (the Lord was there); his daughter looked surprised. He gave me three more little crosses. Drove and saw a faded sign, barely made out the word, ‘Wilderness’. Found a place off the highway to park where no one would bother the van and hiked in. Took about 20 minutes…chose my site by the river. Pitched tent – no problem. Gathered some wood. Sat on log to rest and there, stuck in the wood was a gold coin from Costa Rica – 100 Colonies – don’t expect it’s worth much, but to me, it’s a sign.
The Lord is my treasure – 100 fold, or maybe I’m His treasure? (smiles) Amazing!
Went to get my white shirt cuz I had more stuff to hike back for to get from the van and on my shirt was a black butterfly with yellow dots!
I AM IN THE FATHER’S WILL. I’m not afraid – well, I’m a little tired, maybe a little afraid. Hear the lovely running water and some crackling (smile), but I’m ok, praise God – think I will sleep soon. Thank you for strength to come… (writing on leg, flashlight in hand)
Warfare Begins
OK – I’m not asleep yet. I heard loud voices of men and a branch crack…sounded like someone coming through the woods – more voices. Then it sounded like someone trying to cut the nylon of the tent or undo the fly on the door – I began to pray.
Then a strange sound – like a soft buzzing and scratching on the nylon walls of tent; I was so afraid. I listened. At this time, there were no voices, just this strange low buzzing sound and scratching at the tent. It moved from one side to the next, as if trying to find a way in.
Finally, the Lord let me know that it was an animal, not people. The voices I heard were from people up the hill on a trail, passed by and are gone. This thing finally moved to the side, where the tent door is, and was making noises.
My imagination went wild. Finally I said, You are a creature of the most High God. In Jesus’ name, GO! Silence…for about 40 seconds – then, it made a noise again. I asked the Father to loose angels to protect me - it was gone!
OK – not sleep – I’m scared, ok, heart pounding! Don’t know if it’s my over-tired imagination or what? Dark shadows round and round – cracking noises, like branches breaking underfoot. I’m afraid. Face your fear! Face your giants! Ok, I pray.
Hear nothing – Just three big shadows, changing shape – blink my eyes a lot, nope, still there – demons! I rebuke you Satan and loose holy warrior angels to protect me. The Lord rebuke you!
Shadows GONE! Thank you Father. It was the enemy! Going to sleep…
OK – not asleep!
Tree roots on the ground under tent – hard to sleep. I moved sleeping bag. Suddenly, Charlie horse – right calf! Hurt like hell! I knew I had to move leg to release muscle…really, really hurt. It goes away. Lie down. Bang! Left foot – Charlie horse. This is crazy! Now my head is pounding too! What the heck! I work pain out in foot now. Don’t know what I did with headache tabs.
Lie down – Charlie horse, again, right calf – work it out. Bam! It hits again, this time, left foot. Now right calf, left foot – both ceased… great pain. Head feels pounding like its gonna explode. Something’s wrong with my eyes, they’re burning, can hardly see!
I weep. FATHER!!
I sense satan and his army again. I sense evil. I pray… I loose the spirit of infirmity! Go from me, in Jesus’ name (meanwhile, rubbing foot, working out pain). This is crazy – right calf, left foot, head pounding, eyes burning. Now left calf, right foot… I cry out: “I know what you’re doing satan. I rebuke you. The Lord rebuke you! I’m crying cuz of pain and I’m mad! I’m tired! Pain subsides in both legs, both feet and headache dulls some, but still there. Not bad; I can handle it. Lie down to sleep, I’m tired… DANG!
Nature call and I can’t hold it. Don’t want to leave the tent. FACE YOUR FEAR! FACE YOUR GIANTS! Big sigh, little shaking… Grab flashlight. Shine light around through tent door. Nothing! Sigh of relief…don’t go far from tent door. OK. That was the fastest long pee ever!! But I saw nothing… lie down.
It’s morning. I survived! Went to check time…watch is dead; new battery isn’t working. Start singing praise with tears…try to get a fire going, need a hot beverage. Legs and feet are ok, eyes still sting, headache’s gone. Butterflies! Everywhere there is butterflies! HalleluYah!
I almost forgot! Last night, after Charlie horse attacks and poundin’ head, I saw two lights flash inside the tent. Then I heard, ‘The Lord’s angels protect you!’ That’s when I fell asleep and slept till morning…
9th June, 2008
Learned that I can start a fire… Ok, I cheated. Bought 20 small logs of wood for $10, instead of cutting up logs in the woods with my axe… Bought a cool chess set from Pakistan… onyx. Pieces made from the stone and board is wood and stone. Way cool! Talked to the man and his daughter again about the Lord. May God show mercy to him and his daughter.
Geez, then he had to tell me about the rattlesnakes, copperheads and black bears here in the mountains. Lord, do I have to stay out here two weeks?! Decide to call a friend whilst I was at the country store.
My friend asked me if I heard about the serial killer. What serial killer, I asked. ‘Some guy who has been killing hikers and campers in the Appalachians…’ “What?!! Please tell me this is a bad joke!” My friend says, ‘No, he killed a bunch of people, but don’t worry…they caught him. He’s in jail. Sorry if I scared you…’
Back at camp! Great! Just great! Copperheads, black bears, serial killer who may or may not be in jail… did he get out on bail? I grumble to the Lord…this is too many giants! I’m alone Lord; I’m a woman… not even any weapons! Am I supposed to be here or did I make a mistake? The Lord is quiet! I cry a bit, but I know that I cannot leave. I have to stay and face my fears, face the giants!
Quiet day! Prayed, read scripture, felt sorry for myself… Night came. Those moving shadows, three of them, dark, grossly dark; they returned. I knew what it was. I rebuked satan and said, The Lord rebuke you! I asked the Lord to loose holy warrior angels to bind these demons and haul them off to wherever He saw fit…the abyss sounds good, in Jesus’ name. They were gone! Slept till morning; quiet all nite. Praise to my GLORY, my shield, my Rock – God of Israel. Praise to Jesus, my Y’shua.
June, 2008
The Lord told me to write…
Face Your Giants
Face your giants, knowing I AM with you. Do not die in the wilderness as My fearful, unbelieving children (Israelites) that I brought forth out of Egypt. They catered to their flesh and to idols.
Be as Joshua and Caleb who walked by faith, knowing that I AM was with them, as I AM with you! I believe in you. Can you believe in Me?
Believe Me for all that I tell you. Trust Me, knowing that I will give you victory over your giants, or die in the wilderness that I have brought you to. Choose this day, My beloved! Die to self to gain life – choose life!
It is already done in the spiritual, cross over – do it in the physical. You have come into the kingdom for such a time as this. I have heard your prayers. I alone see the heart. As I told you, now is the time. Now do! Selah
I AM He who restores. I AM He who re-creates. I AM He who orders the time and the seasons. I AM God of all flesh. Nothing is impossible or too hard for Me! Overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony.
(end of Lord’s message)
Found a piece of paper with a note scratched on it from my friend. It says:
The cross demands discipline, trust and great responsibility. This takes courage that only comes from God. In Jesus’ name, VICTORY is now by Your holy power, Father. May Your will be done. Please finish the work you began in us. Please heal and restore us with Your mighty Spirit, holy Father, in Jesus name.
We have to be willing to give it all up to get it back. Write these words in your heart. Give thanks as if it were already! Is God not a God who can do all things?
(end of friend’s note)
Words of Encouragement
Wow! Where did that note come from? My friend must have tucked it in my backpack when I was saying goodbye. Wow! This is amazing.
Good day… I think I’m starting to like it here. Butterflies! Everywhere I look, butterflies. Black ones with yellow, little blue ones, yellow ones…so pretty. Butterflies! How great is our God!
Slept good, no demons, no shadows, no buzzing little creature; just the creek water running over the rocks… and the odd cracking sound as some little squirrel or something moves around.
June, 2008 (it’s my 6th day here)
After I warmed up by a fire, I’m sitting down on a fallen tree. The Lord wants me to write…
I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions. Rise up! I cover you! Be still! Let My light fill you, for I watch over you. I formed you. Drink of the living water and rest in Me. The waters will not overcome you.
Every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall make it [go thru the fire], and it shall be clean: Nevertheless, it shall be purified with the [water of separation]: and all that abides not the fire, ye shall make [go thru the water]. (Num 31:23)
It is time to separate wheat from tares… great storms are brewing, fast approaching. Many are partying: ‘This is the Lord’, they say, but it is not. Pour out your life as a drink offering. Do not waste the precious water. I carry you. I, Christ, AM your strength.
Come full circle and let your fruit be evident. See beyond the natural. Walk by faith and not by sight. Embrace My will with the faith that moves mountains. Be rid of all idols. Let the dead bury the dead. For My resurrection power is about to fall upon you, as it did Lazarus: as it did the dead bones lying in the valley.
You are not barren; you are full-term. Now is the time to travail…birth your vision; die to self. Think on purity by the blood of the Lamb. Have I not brought you into the valley of the mountains?
Yea, though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, ye shall fear no evil, for I AM with you. Go thru! Pass over and your dead bones shall rise, new man, new wine. Rise up! I heal and restore!
The Lion of Judah is watching. He watches over you. Receive of Me. Stand strong and I shall pour out a blessing upon you as you give it all to Me. You are not alone! The time is now. You are My special possession. I AM gathering My flock; the eagles are gathering. I AM the Good Shepherd. Wait upon Me and you shall rise up with wings as eagles; you shall run and not be weary, you shall walk and not faint.
Now is the time to run by faith, for I AM preparing My people. There were five wise virgins. See the intricate beauty, for I have molded you. I created you for such a time as this. Prepare now! I shall have a holy people!
Overcome, for you are rooted in the True vine, Jesus Christ [Y’shua ha Mashiach – Hebrew; Eshoa M’sheeka – Aramaic]. Go forth, warrior! I guide your steps for My righteous anger shall be released in a whirlwind of judgment. Discern the time and the season.
Go thru the wilderness end and cross the Jordan to higher ground – your promised land. The raging waters will back up and flood Adam, so you may pass over.
Pass over Hebrew!
It is a time of aloneness and solitude. Look up! Break off from the crowd and come alone with Me, for again I say, they that wait upon the Lord shall rise up with wings as eagles. Travail, travail, for your hour has come!
Do not be as the people in the days of Noah. Know that I AM perfecting you. See My Son; kiss the Son, lest He be angry. Come before Me naked, covering up nothing (no secret sin) and I shall clothe you in My righteousness. Do not try to hide for I see the heart deep within. I see all the secret chambers; I know the number of hairs upon your head. Nothing can be hidden from Me.
My holy angels guard over you. You are not alone. I AM with you. I have pruned. I AM purging. Drink of the living water, eagle, and you shall rise up. Look beyond the natural. It is your faith that pleases Me. Do not be blown away by the giants, for chaff is blown away.
Fear not, for I AM your hiding place – your refuge. Do you hear sound of the war trumpet? Do you hear the hooves of the approaching horses? Come into the holy of holies and bow down, for you are a holy priesthood, a peculiar people, a chosen generation. Have faith!
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God: how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out. [Rom 11:33]
Look to the finished work of the cross. It is the blood of the Lamb that saves! As My child, I try you with fire to purify; to try the reins of the heart. Humble yourself son, for I have prepared you for war. Does a soldier entangle himself with the affairs of civilization (the world)? No, he focuses on preparation and discipline and duty. He seeks to please the one who chose him.
Stand strong. Let all lusts, passions and appetites of the flesh die. Let My Light penetrate deeply. Sing and dance before me, as you walk thru the valley: for great war is soon upon the great nation and its people. Many shall die; many of My people, many that are lost… I will take the few (who die to self and walk in obedience) to a place of safety.
Rise up in this time of aloneness. Do not seek a crowd… I AM separating. Lo, I come – I shall come to you when you least expect it. Just do, for it is already done.
Who lays the beams of His chambers in the waters: who makes the clouds His chariot: who walks upon the wings of the wind? [Ps 104:3]
Feel the wind as I move over the tops of the trees. Which path do you take? Listen for I have told you. Can two walk together unless they are agreed? Pray one for another in the purity of love! Walk in the authority given to you thru Christ in you.
If ye obey My voice indeed; and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people. [Ex 19:5]
The oath which He swore to our father Abraham, that He would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. [Lk1: 73-75]
Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness… He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established; he shall not be afraid. [Ps 112: 4, 7, 8]
And He shall judge the world in righteousness… The Lord also will be a refuge to the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for You Lord, have not forsaken them that seek thee. [Ps 9:8-10]
Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise up against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple; for in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me: He shall set me upon a rock. [Ps 27: 3-5]
There is no resurrection power without death. Your life is hid in Christ.
Set your face like flint towards the Lord your God. Seek Him by prayer and supplications and fasting, with sackcloth (humility) and ashes (lowliness, meekness)
Be still and know that I AM God. Listen and do; have faith and obey! Selah
(End of letter for the day)
June 2008
Every day butterflies! (smiles) Yesterday, when I went to bathe and to wash clothes in the river, I saw 6 butterflies. The Lord assures me every night that He has made this holy ground and that His holy angels stand guard to protect me. It is true; resist the devil and he will flee. Glory to Yahweh and Y’shua forever!
The first two nights of my trip were horrific, with physical attacks and manifestation of demons. They never returned after the second night, nor did any more pain come to my body. God is faithful…
Today I read the bible a couple of hours. Then I began hearing shots fired. Someone is very near here with a gun, practicing shooting. Lord, I am in your hands. Shots continue… 20 minutes has passed. Someone is obviously doing target practice.
In all the time of the shooting, nary a soul on the trail and the sun hid behind clouds – overcast. Is this more testing? I’m not afraid. When the shots stopped, after about half hour, three groups of people have now walked by and the sun has come back out. Surely, He tries my heart and tests me. Thy will be done for your glory, Father.
It is getting late… I have nothing to do. I’m at peace, just one more day. Then the Lord releases me. Whoa, the Lord says that I can go home now…one day early! Woohoo! I passed!
I spent 13 full days by myself in the Appalachian Mountains. I even took
down the tent to change campsites on the 3rd day, cuz of those big ole tree roots under the tent floor. Wow! I did it. I faced my giants! – the glory to God who protected and strengthened me.!
(end of journal excerpt)
Endure to the End
To those who are going through great trials right now, I encourage you to endure to the end. Our Lord is a kind, loving Father, full of mercy and grace, but the truth is that we must all die to self. We pick up our cross daily and follow Y’shua/ Jesus. He has a unique way of making each one of us feel special; He’s a good Father, a holy and almighty God.
This rebellious generation cringes at the words: cross, holiness, obedience, dying to self. Y’shua warned us that it would be as in the days of Noah and so it is. As the Body of Christ, we must walk in one spirit, one mind and one accord, doing the Father’s will obediently. Let us continue preparing because of the times we are in. Be strengthened!
Again He says, Do not give up in testing times!
Behold, the Lord has proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation comes; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him. [Is 62:11]
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I AM with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen [Mat 28:20]
for His glory
Awinta (Bonita) Chenoa dovesofthevalleys4@gmail.com
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