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Saturday, April 26, 2014

First the Bad News, Then the Good...



Let's get the bad news out of the way first, although there are multitudes who believe it is good news.


Not being American, but having been sent here by the Lord, He obviously expects me to be aware of what is going on not only globally, but particularly in the country to which He sent me.  

Words of Wisdom


Akita mani yo” is a Lakota proverb that I not only speak often, but have also used several times in articles over the past seven years – as a reminder to tread carefully. 

 Akita mani yo (pronounced ah kee tah ma nee yo) means: “Observe everything as you walk”.   
 
Jesus (my Y’shua) warned: Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”  

Behold – the original word is idou in Greek and hinneh in Hebrew

Cognate: 2400 idoú (a demonstrative particle, used chiefly in the LXX for hinnēh; "properly, the imperative, the aorist middle of eidon/horáō, to see," Abbott-Smith, BAGD) – behold, which especially calls attention to what follows from it; pay careful attention; take notice.

The serpent protects its head, perceives danger quickly (discernment, prudent) and escapes it with rapidity. Discernment detects with the eyes, as well as with the other senses, yet to discern is not only visual, but also perceives or detects motives and character. Snakes are not typically prone to attack or aggressive, unless threatened. They are shrewd or wary, staying very still in the face of danger and prefer to escape among rocks or surrounding vegetation. 

Doves are known for their gentleness and are considered harmless, inoffensive or innocent. They do not provoke nor do they inflict injury.  They are calm, sweet and peaceful. Unlike snakes, they do not bite in defense, but flee. They are not considered wise (ever watch them build a nest? Last year, a dove built a nest in a nearby tree on my property, but it was not secure. The first strong wind that blew knocked the nest to the ground and destroyed the eggs.)

So, we are to perceive or detect danger and avoid it, whilst at the same time, we are not to provoke, inflict injury or attack in defense. We are to be wise (prudent) and harmless (innocent). Behold means to pay attention, to see. Some synonyms for ‘see’ are: detect, identify, view, watch, witness, notice and observe.

Behold, I send you out as sheep amidst wolves.  Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.  [Akita mani yo (observe everything as you walk)].

State of Georgia’s Newest Law


Last Wednesday, April 23rd, 2014 at noon in the ETC Pavilion on the Coosawattee River, Georgia, during a special ceremony, Governor Nathan Deal signed one of the most permissive legislation into law. It is the most tolerant and expanded state gun law in the nation. House Bill 60 was passed, with Georgia Carry, a gun rights group, being the first to post the news online before the event.  


A licensed gun owner can now carry a gun into bars, churches, schools and government buildings (if no certain security measures). Of course, the churches and schools are allowed certain liberties. Leaders in churches can decide if they permit a licensed person to bring a gun into the building, and school districts can choose to allow employees to carry a firearm. 
 
Some establishments that serve alcoholic beverages do not think it is good for patrons to carry weapons, as alcohol and guns ‘don’t mix well’; however, it is almost unanimous that owners or managers should be allowed to carry weapons, as well as decide if patrons can.

Buddy Lichty, the Chief Operating Officer and owner of Shooters Indoor Range and Gun Shop in Augusta made the following public statements about licensed gun owners to carry weapons into churches, schools, bars and government establishments (prior to the signing of Bill 60). 
 

 "I think it's a good idea; however, just like any business they have the right to opt out, so just because this may become law doesn't mean that all of those facilities are all of the sudden eligible to carry in those buildings. For the public buildings like that, it's a deterrent, where you have concealed carry crime rates are down, that's a proven statistic."

The Safe Carry Protection Act (HB 60) passed the Georgia house with votes coming in at 119 to 56, and the measure was passed by the State Senate in March.  
Sources:  Breitbart and Atlanta Report

According to a NBC News report, congresswoman Gabby Giffords of Arizona and Frank Rotondo, the executive director of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police made the following statements regarding the legislation.

“Americans for Responsible Solutions, the group co-founded by former Arizona congresswoman Gabby Giffords, has called the legislation “the most extreme gun bill in America,” and mounted an aggressive campaign against it. So have other gun-control organizations, including Mayors Against Illegal Guns, the group started by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Frank Rotondo, the executive director of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, has blasted the law. "Police officers do not want more people carrying guns on the street,” said Rotondo, “particularly police officers in inner city areas." 

click on any picture to enlarge

But Georgia state Rep. Rick Jasperse (R.-Jasper), who introduced the bill, insisted that it was not “extreme,” adding that it was simply about restoring Second Amendment rights and allowing licensed gun owners to carry their weapons in more places.

"When we limit a Georgian's ability to carry a weapon -- to defend themselves -- we're empowering the bad guys," Jasperse said.
(end quotes from NBC News)

The law takes effect on the first of July, 2014.

Reverse Psychology? 


Even before the Sandy Hook school incident, the United States has been inundated with a push to take guns away from the American people.  Now, at least in the state of Georgia, the governor Nathan Deal has gone in the other direction.  How long will it take for other states to follow suit?

Since when does any government relent and say, “Well, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em?”  This new gun law, which takes effect in a little more than nine (9) weeks, opposes all that President Obama has been endeavoring to accomplish since his takeover in office. Is Gov. Deal opposing Obama or is he simply the first to agree to try a different strategy against the American people?  One has to wonder…

Shootings

Since 1980, there have been 137 fatal shootings that have taken place in the United States.  The most notorious incidents have been Columbine High in Littleton, Colorado 1999, with 13 killed, followed by Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia 2007, with 32 killed and Sandy Hook Elementary, Newton, Connecticut 2012, with 27 being reported murdered, which included the perpetrator.  

The last shooting (Sandy Hook) is the first and only shooting where great debate still carries on over whether anyone was actually killed or not. It is also the shooting that brought about the most insistence and media coverage on gun control from the President.

Amish Shooting


The shooting that took place in a one-room schoolhouse in the Amish Community on October 2, 2006 made history as people around the world were stunned by the immediate forgiveness that was extended by the Amish toward not only the deceased shooter (suicide), but also to his widow and children.

                             

Ten children were shot, with five succumbing to their injuries.  Two (ages 7 and 13) died on the scene; one (age 12) was announced dead on arrival and two (ages 7 and 8) died the next day.  The remaining five, ages 6-13 were all hospitalized.


The old school was torn down, with the new one being located a short distance away. Details here


Church Shootings

From 1999 until December 2013 (14 year period), there were 768 DFI’s (Deadly Force Incidents) record, with 472 killed, and 769 aggressors.  The denomination with the most deaths was Baptist, with 170 deaths, followed by Non-denominational accounting for 158 of the deaths. For a detailed breakdown, see Ministry Violence Statistics.  The statistics also include suspicious deaths at churches or ministries in the United States.

There is no breakdown of statistics for shootings in bars/nightclubs or other government building sites, but it is well-known that it has been a problem for decades, which brings me to my point.

Is this new bill (which includes Stand Your Ground for felons) to further bring a divide amongst the people? The internet is sizzling with angry rhetoric and commentary from both sides of the fence – those who oppose the new law versus those who condone and welcome it. 

Back in March, 2014, a New York Times editorial by ‘The Editorial Board’ on their Opinion Pages wrote a heavy-handed article regarding the Stand Your Ground law in Florida.

“In Georgia, for instance, a pernicious bill approved by the House authorizes an array of dangerous laissez-faire gun provisions. One would allow convicted felons who kill someone with an illegally possessed gun to seek justification under the state’s Stand Your Ground law. A second would allow concealed guns on college campuses, despite the opposition of 78 percent of polled Georgians.

In Florida, meanwhile, despite mounting incidents of vigilante justice, the Legislature not only defends the Stand Your Ground provision that was involved in the notorious shooting of the unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin, but it is actively considering other risky measures.

One would allow schoolteachers to pack firearms in class. Another, an amendment to the Stand Your Ground law, would give legal protection to Floridians who fire warning shots in the name of self-defense — a reaction to a domestic-dispute case in which a wife faces heavy prison time for firing at, and missing, her husband. The latter is just the latest in Florida’s steady stream of aberrational gun cases that have surfaced since the law was enacted in 2005, leading 21 other states to do the same.”    NYTimes article

Those who live in or near College Park in Fulton County (Atlanta metropolitan area) are rejoicing about the new law, with many claiming to be victims (some more than once) who live in the crime-infested area. Others are claiming that the ‘Stand Your Ground’ will endanger police whilst others critically state that it will give the police further liberty in their ‘shoot first and ask questions later’ modus operandi.


Even without the politics, the anger and disgruntled state of the people has become increasingly evident. No matter which side one takes, there is a ‘great divide’ in the country.

The Lord is Faithful to Forewarn Always

On November 7, 2012, after the re-election of President Obama, the Lord warned of great trouble coming and how it would increase.  The Lord said: 

Now it begins…brace yourselves for great evil. Nothing happens that I do not allow. I set kings up, I build and I pluck down.”  

    Then said Pilate unto Him, Speak You not unto me? know You not that I have power to crucify You, and have power to release You?

Jesus answered, You could have no power at all against Me, except it were given you from above: therefore he that delivers Me unto you has the greater sin.  [Jn 19:10, 11]


The Sandy Hook incident was five weeks and two days later.  The Lord further stated: “There is a great divide amongst the people and anger and rebellion is stirred up as a troubled hornet’s nest. The divide shall also be upon the land - it will be a great divide. 

There are plots against the ‘king’ to 'take him down', for many see his disloyalty to Israel, and many feel he has betrayed their country (United States). Plans to take him down will seemingly be successful, but shall be overturned when least expected.”

In my spirit, which I recorded in the same post, I wrote: Yesterday morning, I awoke and heard, “The west shall be in great pain; they will be greatly hurt. The backbone of America is broken; it is severely fractured."

I asked a friend what the ‘backbone of America’ was, since I am not American. (I never said in the original post, but they did not know. It is unimaginable to them since USA is such a great country. BP)

In the post, I toss around what the ‘backbone of America’ could be, such as economy, but also I had wondered if the ‘great divide’ could pertain “to the Continental Divide, which involves the watersheds of Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, or whether the divide (backbone) is the New Madrid, which would split the country basically in half.” 

Then I wondered if it was the Union (uniting of all the states) and if it was the backbone (United States) and if it meant civil war. I still believe civil war (resistance or revolution) is brewing – the Bundy Ranch scenario has many watching and has involved militias and other devoted patriots.

My people have been pressing in and abiding. I have heard your prayers. Do not walk in fear, walk in confidence knowing that I AM God. I am the Creator of all the earth. Despite the doubts of many, My Sovereignty (power, authority) rules over all the earth.

Now come the days of great woes, great sorrow, yet also come the great blessings that many have patiently waited for. O America, America…O Jerusalem, Jerusalem… I would have gathered you under My wing, but you would not.  Original post  (sadly, the original post from 2012 is lost)

One thing I have tried to explain to people, or perhaps remind them of (and yes, sometimes I need the same reminding) that the Lord is amazing in how He forewarns. Yet, in today’s ‘instantaneous’ society, we tend to think prophetic words we read speak of ‘immediately’ (or within that month or year). 
I know at one time I did, until the Lord explained to me that His 'soon' is not 'my soon' (just as His thoughts and ways are not as our thoughts and ways [Is 55:8,9])

The Lord always gives fair warning. We, as believers, still await certain prophecies to manifest that are in the Holy Scriptures, do we not? The Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever. [Heb 13:8] We must keep these things in mind.

It is So

Just as the Lord said, there already is a great divide in the land, but it is deepening as we come closer and closer to the great tribulation, which will affect all nations, all peoples, all tongues upon this earth. However, this continent has been given over to idolatry and every abomination spoken of in the Word of God. 

All great kingdoms in the past have been shaken, fallen and some completely destroyed.  All is in the hands of our Sovereign God.  Hold fast to our King, the Author and Finisher of our faith.  And we continue to pray and do His will…

Now the Good News

Remember the scripture I quoted some days back?

I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.  [Ps 118:17]

It seems that a nasty flu has been/is circulating in this part of Georgia and in other states also, according to reports. The other day, my ride [taxi driver] stated that he and his wife were both very sick and had to get hydrocortisone and antibiotics. 

[Note*: Much to my embarrassment, it was NOT "hydrocortisone" that the driver was treated with, along with antibiotics. It was "hydroxychloroquine" - shake my head. Feeling a tad like a doofus: ("foolish person" is one of the 'kinder' definitions) lol. My apologies. [End note - BP2023Feb])

He described it perfectly (he is Arabic, from Iraq – a kind gentleman; simply stating a fact).  He said it is like a snake grabs the throat and squeezes. It does not hurt, but the passageway seems restricted, causing one to gasp for breath. Also the heaviness on the chest is as though someone had a heavy foot upon it. 

Strange type of flu, but it does also include fever, chills, body aches, nausea, dry cough and fatigue. My landlord stated that he had the same bug last week and also corrected it with antibiotics.

Last week, I sent out a prayer request to two brothers in Christ, as I just wanted the enemy to have to face the male warriors. Both prayed.  Several hours after one brother prayed, I awoke feeling fantastic.  Breathing seemed fine, chills and fever dissipated, aches were gone.  Only a runny nose and dry cough remained.

As stated in my last post, it did not last long and it returned in full force.  When I went to lay down the day before yesterday, I had to immediately sit back up, gasping for breath.  

I began to speak the Word, but even that was laborious, and a cry of ‘Jesus!...’  No sooner was the name above all names out of my mouth than the grip on my throat seemed released and I was able to lay down, quickly falling asleep. What confusion the enemy brings and what nasty things he has released into the atmosphere.

The devil is playing for keeps.


But our Sovereign God does not play games.  He is the victor!   


A sister in Christ (thank you Sue) had antibiotics mailed to me and they arrived yesterday.  The Lord had already begun to break up the phlegm, which results in constantly emptying the nasal passages and coughing and ridding the body of what comes up. Whether it is pneumonia or the flu, only God knows, but the chest/breathing restrictions were similar to past experience with pneumonia.

I am believing for the healing of my lungs from years of smoking, but also from scar tissue from years of chronic bronchitis/asthma, bouts of pneumonia and double pneumonia is something that is a reality with me. God is doing a healing and further testimony will follow later, but for now, I must go through this storm.

There are times healing is instantaneous and other times, it is progressive. This came right after the Lord brought me out from a month of hopelessness and shaky faith in who I am in Him. Do you see the beauty of how the Lord performs Romans 8:28?

For we know that all things work together for good, to those who are the called, according to His purpose.

You see, this illness brought me to a place where I would either go through with the faith He had given me (and stretched), or I could go back into that pit of hopelessness, giving into the devil’s ploys and strikes.  Never underestimate or try to figure out God's ways. He is far above us in His ways and wisdom and far beyond our scope of comprehension.


We pray for increased faith, but are we ready to receive it any way the Lord sees fit as the most beneficial and long-lasting? We ask for strength to endure. Are we willing to face any and all testing? God is awesome and worthy of all blessing, honor, praise and glory! He continues to amaze me. The more I get to know Him, the more I realize that I barely know Him at all. He is just so vast! I love Him, truly love Him because He first loved me.

I still cannot walk far before I am winded, and I still tire and need to rest, as my full strength is not returned, but what an improvement!  Hallelujah!  Hallelujah!  Glory to the Great Spirit Chief! Worthy, worthy, worthy!


Prayers of the righteous are liquid gold and I truly thank all of you who stood in the gap and who are still praying. Thank you from the deepest chambers of my heart! Oh, how the Father honored your sacrificial prayers – truly I am grateful! Faithful is our Creator. We need not fear, even in our suffering, He is with us and will see us through. We can trust Him – He is trustworthy.

I lift the name of Jesus Christ high, for by His stripes, I am healed. I believe; therefore, I speak. Behold the glorious King! Worthy – holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty!

We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; [2Cor4:13]

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.  [Ps 29:2]

Upcoming Program on Warriors of Endurance

BTRadio – Warriors of Endurance presents ‘Having Faith that Will Endure the Trials and Tribulations’

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 – 7:00 pm EDT (6:00 pm Central – 4:00 pm Pacific)

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ (Note* I no longer do the BlogTalk radio program BP2015)

Special guest, sister Sue, will be sharing a message that has been burning in her heart for years about faith.  She will also be giving testimony to the faithfulness of God in her own life.


We all believe we have the kind of faith that will move mountains, if we have to – then the testing comes. Can we truly be as the forerunners of faith such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Samson, Daniel, David and other warriors of faith?
We have faith in Jesus, but oh, to have the faith of Jesus/Y'shua!

Lord willing, this program will proceed as scheduled. Sue would like to accept calls from listeners if you have any questions or would like prayer, during the last half hour of the program, which would be 8:30 pm EDT, 7:30 pm Central or 5:30 Pacific.

The call-in number for the Warriors of Endurance radio program is:
 (347) 945-6708

You will be asked if you want to speak to the host (some people just call in to listen live). To be put in the queue, and so that we know in the studio that you wish to speak on air, just hit the number 1 (one) when prompted to do so. You will be informed that you are now holding or waiting for the host.

Calls will only be taken during the last half of the second hour, but please, do call in if you have questions or would like prayer. We all need prayer and our Lord hears us. Looking forward to hearing from you.  Come expecting…

for His glory
Bonita            dovesofthevalleys4@gmail.com

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

This Warrior Says - Just Have Faith; Fight the Good Fight to God's Glory



Two brothers in Christ received emails from me with an urgent prayer request regarding my health. One wrote back promising to pray and the other actually prayed publicly for me, which I didn't expect. I just thought it would be private prayer. Now, I did not know the brother prayed publicly until I woke up after a long sleep (maybe 6-8 hrs later).

When I awoke, I felt so good. The heaviness was lifted from my chest, breathing seemed normal, chills and fever seemed to have dissipated.  So great was my gratitude that I immediately wrote a praise report; however, it was premature.

A sister wrote to me to explain how she went through similar symptoms and mentioned a psalm which speaks of chastening. She did not directly state that it was chastening, but indirectly, it was suggested as a possibility. Sister, if you read this, I do believe your heart was in the right place and I love you. Be assured that I did inquire of the Lord.

JFS is common amongst believers. JFS is what I invented and call the 'Job's Friends Syndrome'.  "Confess your sin and you will be healed..."  Not every single thing that happens to us comes from the hand of God.

And His disciples asked Him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither has this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.  [Jn 9:2,3]

There is a correlation between sickness and sin because we know the wages of sin is death. So there are times an illness or other event is definitely the chastening of the Lord, and other times, it is an attack of the adversary. 
It also could be from living in a fallen, polluted world. This is an entire topic in itself, but we truly should seek God and inquire about our situation. He grants wisdom, discernment, direction. If we are to repent of something, He will let us know - and in all things, He is worthy of praise (in good and bad times).

When a child gets sick, no one ever says that it is something the child has done or has not done, but when we are adults, it seems to be one of the first things we wonder. The Lord led me to Matthew 8. There in that chapter are two people that were sick. Let's take a look at it, even though most of you are likely familiar with the two events.


And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto Him a centurion, beseeching Him, And saying, Lord, my servant lies at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus said unto him, I will come and heal him.

The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it.


When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 

But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go your way; and as you have believed, so be it done unto you. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
 


And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.  [Mat 8:5-13]

Jesus/Y'shua did not tell the centurion that his servant did something that put him in that sickly condition. Instead, He was amazed (marveled) at the faith of the centurion. Some might argue that the centurion was not saved, so neither would his servant be and that God only chastens His own.


Well, nothing was said to Peter's mother-in-law by Christ either. He simply healed her and she got up and began to take care of their needs.  We have become a people who lay everything in God's lap...whatever happens to us or someone else, if it happens, it must be God's will (fault) because after all, God is Sovereign.  

We live in a world where our food, water, soil and air have been corrupted from their pure state. A majority of products, including fresh vegetables and fruit, contain GMOs (genetically modified organisms), cereals with mercury, arsenic, lead and cadmium (Natural News), meat with steroids and antibiotics (cattle, chicken, pigs) and fish contaminated
by both the oil spills and radiation (not just from Fukushima, but from the countless testing of nuclear missiles into the ocean).

Town/city water is tainted with fluoride, and bleach, and lakes, rivers etc. contaminated by the toxins from chemtrails (geo-engineering), industry spillage and polluting, plastic throwaways and other garbage.  We are affected by all of these things, no matter how much caution we take. Even growing our own crops is becoming increasingly challenging due to the Monsanto seeds, depleted soil and contaminated water. Yet, we do have a Sovereign God that provides.  

Before we eat or drink, we bless Him and give thanks to Him who has provided, and ask Him to bless the meal. He takes care of the rest.  Jesus first blessed the Father and gave thanks, then He passed out food (bread, fish).  Give God the glory with thanksgiving first...

The Crusades, the Dark Ages, the Holocaust, murders, suicides, accidents, sicknesses, diseases - people lay it all in God's lap. Why?  He is Sovereign, so people immediately say that no matter what "He allowed it".  Yes, He is Sovereign, but did He stop Abraham from lying about who Sarah was, or Moses from striking the rock twice in anger?

Did He stop Joseph's brothers from selling him into slavery or Potiphar's wife from falsely accusing Joseph of trying to seduce her (attempted rape)?  Did He stop David with Bathsheba or stop David from successfully having Uriah (her husband) killed?

Did He stop the killing of the prophets or the apostles and multitudes of other believers?  Timothy had a stomach problem which Paul suggested he take a little wine for. Was Timothy being chastened by the Lord or was he doing something wrong to bring stomach issues upon himself?

My point is that God is indeed Sovereign, but we live in a fallen world and we have sinful, carnal [fallen] natures. Everything has been defiled. Our Great Spirit Chief has been and always is there for us, even when we are in the midst of our worst times.

As I write this, I am weak and weary because I am truly not well. Constantly I seem to get flues or breathing issues. Yet, today as I lay in bed, I thanked God - for all He has done, for all He brought me through. There was a moment, before I went into thanksgiving that the pain and struggle to get my breath made me voice a statement that shocked me.

I said, "Why am I so cursed?"  No sooner had the words come out of my mouth than I rebuked them. Whether they came from flesh or whether the devil spoke through my own mouth, I know not (remember Peter), but I immediately rebuked any enemy, and in case it was my flesh having a pity party, I also asked the Lord to forgive me. THEN, I went into thanksgiving and I meant it.  

When we are sick, it is easy to fall into the trap of murmuring or complaining. I do not believe there is one person alive who at some time has not fallen into that very trap themselves; I speak of the trap of self-pity, or murmuring - even if it is brief and private (no one else hears or knows - except Jesus). Without our health, all seems dismal and we acknowledge our vulnerabilities.

The Lord has stuck it out with me thru many, many trials and incredulous, dramatic times. He has been forever faithful and I truly have so much to thank Him for. 
Remember - it was July 2001 that I died and He allowed me to come back. If it was now my time to go, should I dare complain? No. The Great Spirit Chief IS a good God, no matter what comes our way - He IS good and His mercy does endure forever.  Bless the Lord. 

Thank You


What would I want to say if this were my last post? What if this time is my appointed time to leave the earth? None of us knows for sure, yet we all hope (at least these days) to see the Lord return with His heavenly hosts, His armies of departed saints and holy angels.  What would I really want to say, if this was the last time? ...

I would say, hold fast to faith and hope (trust) in Jesus/Y'shua, and walk in love! Never give up.

FAITH

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;) 
But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. [Heb10:23;11:6]

HOPE

Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD. 
Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disquieted within me? hope you in God: for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. 
I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, and in His word do I hope [Ps 31:24 - 42:11; 130:5]

LOVE

And you shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, You shall love thy neighbour as yourself. There is none other commandment greater than these.  [Mat 12:30,31]

And now abides faith, hope, love (charity), these three; but the greatest of these is love (charity).  [1Cor 13:13]

First I would want to say thank you, to all of you, for being part of my life. To my friends, thank you so much for your emails, your encouragements, your exhortations and rebukes (lol oh yeah), your prayers, your support.  

To my foes, thank you for taking me to my cross and for teaching me invaluable lessons. It hurt. It was hard, but... You also helped me in ways to discover my strengths, as well as my weaknesses. 

My prayers have covered both - friends and foes. I actually learned that from someone named David Eells. He wrote an article about the benefit of enemies somewhere on his website at Unleavened Bread Ministries that someone gave me a link to at some point.  

Thank you for the valuable lesson, Mr. David. But it was through the Word of God that I learned to pray for my enemies or foes (those that come against me). The Holy Spirit continually helped (and helps) me.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Jesus' words) [Mat 5:44]

Another brother, David Wilkerson, whom I always highly respected, was killed in a tragic accident in 2011. I remember being utterly shocked when someone said that if he had truly been in God's will, he would not have died such a death; that God would have protected him. How tragic that someone would even consider to speak such words. 

Some Christians are always so quick to cut down a saint further. They are instruments in the hands of our adversary.

He was a man with shortcomings and imperfections, the same as all of us, I am sure. Yet, I respected him so much. I think I looked to him like the father I never had, or wished I had. I don't know. 

Unfortunately, I only became familiar with his sermons and work shortly before he passed, even though I had read a book of his decades earlier (The Cross and the Switchblade). I was unsaved and would remain so for over a decade, but that book did make an impact upon me.  

From all I ever read about the man, he walked the walk. He loved the Lord God first with all his heart. He practiced what he preached; he had good fruit. He also stayed loyal to his wife all his life, loved his family. (That meant a lot to me and gained great respect from me as a result.)

For as long as I can remember, I've prayed for marriages. To me, it typifies the Body of Christ and Y'shua/Jesus (the Bride and the King united). It is how it is meant to be, but nowadays, everything seems so disposable, doesn't it? - marriages, pregnancies, friendships, equipment, cars - everything.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: [Heb 9:27]

How the Lord sees fit to have us leave this earth is up to Him and there is no right or wrong way to die (I do not include murder or suicide in that statement; I speak of natural deaths). 

Most of us would like to go peacefully in our sleep, but that is not typically the way. It wasn't that way for the prophets, or the apostles, or for Jesus the Messiah, or for countless others. This world is not our home and these bodies are only temporal...

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. [1Cor 15:54]

Faith Sees Us Through


Some Christians seem to go thru more than others, but does that make one more or less holy than another? Perish the thought! Who can explain it? God knows what will perfect us, and for all of it, we ought to give thanks. David Wilkerson's wife, Gwen, suffered much before she went home to be with the Lord in 2012 (a little over a year after her dear, beloved David passed).

An article from July, 2012 wrote the following:

Mrs. Wilkerson's death comes just over a year after a car crash claimed the life of her husband. The April 2011 accident left her temporarily wheelchair-bound.

The devastating crash and resulting death of her husband was latest of several challenges Mrs. Wilkerson faced in her life, including several battles with cancer. Her family said she faced each tragedy with steadfast faith.

"She had an amazing resolve and unshakeable faith, exemplified throughout her life in her numerous battles with cancer," they said.  Source: CBN

Numerous battles with cancer, which would indicate many years and trials and much suffering; a tragic head-on car crash which killed her beloved husband and being bound temporarily to a wheelchair.  

I am sure there were many tears, many prayers, even struggles, yet faith remained strong. Was Gwen Wilkerson out of God's will or being chastened for some reason? No; we all face our own hardships and trials in this life, some to a greater extent than others, but we all suffer nonetheless in this lifetime. If there were seasons of chastening, He would let her know and it would be between her and God - but all of us ought to pray one for another!

Yet, what saw her through each battle? Faith! She trusted in God! 

 I Shall Not Die, but Live


Since I was about 14, I have had chronic bronchitis/asthma (I guess being surrounded by smokers once I came out of the orphanage), so I've always had a cough. It became worse naturally when I myself took up smoking. There were several bouts of bronchitis, pneumonia three times and double-pneumonia twice - the last time being early 2007, where it was not known if I would make it or not, as it was so serious there was blood in my urine, stools and sputum. But God! He saw me through.

It was during a spell of difficult breathing today that the words came out about being cursed, as explained above, but immediately that got turned around. Glory to the Lord for His precious and Holy Spirit. Jesus did and does so much for us. I do believe that it is not the flu I have, but pneumonia. 

If I could go to a doctor, I would, but I can neither afford a doctor or transportation. Then even if I could, I could not afford medicine. It's not a complaint, just a reality. I am in a foreign country. Some believers say we don't need doctors; we are to just have faith. Yes, we are to have faith, but God does use doctors also. How many would so quickly believe someone has been healed of a deadly disease, such as cancer, if there are no doctors' reports?

How do we know whether or not the Lord wants us to go to a doctor, so that the doctor himself might not witness a miracle? Or perhaps we are to be an example of faith and trust in God, or maybe we are just to plant seeds. What if there is a lesson we must learn? We don't know, but God will lead us. He helps me again, not to mention coming back from the dead, even if I was dead only for a very short time. God is good, no matter what trials come our way.

So, yes, in weak moments, I weep because of pain and being weary physically. It is also frightening when you can barely breathe. Our instincts are to survive. Yet, I find myself saying over and over again, "I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the LORD."  That is Psalms 118, verse 17.

If any reader is so led, please pray for me. We all need prayers and I don't think any of us should ever be too proud to ask. Ending this segment of the post, I say that this warrior is one who was taught by the Lord. In the physical realm, I may be a wimp when it comes to fighting - but in the spiritual realm, you don't wanna mess with me. Why?  Because I learned from the best!  All glory to the Creator!


Blessed be the LORD my strength, who teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: [Ps 144:1]


When I was looking up the date that Gwen Wilkerson died, I feel as if the Lord led me to an article written by her son, Gary Wilkerson.  

It fits perfectly with what I've been trying to express.  It is also where the title of this post came from.  No, his article is not called "This Warrior Says -Just Have Faith...etc", that's the title I chose, however, it was inspired by brother Wilkerson's article.  

I can only post part of the article here because the copyright notice requests that it is not posted in its entirety on another website and I must respect that request. Please go to the link posted underneath the excerpt to read the entire article. May it bless each of you as much as it did me. To God the glory alone!
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Gary Wilkerson
April 14, 2014

Jesus Can Still Do This

Are you facing a crisis that has driven you to your knees? Maybe you need physical healing. Perhaps you’re in financial turmoil. Your marriage might be on the brink. Has your trial continued for so long that your spirit has sunk into despondency? 

Multitudes of Christians face excruciating situations beyond their control and now things seem hopeless. They’ve exhausted all their resources and emotions trying to remedy their crisis to no avail. They’ve pressed forward believing God will meet their need, but their situation has gone from bad to worse. The more they pray, the further away God seems. Now they no longer think he cares.

If this describes you, I want to encourage you: Do not give up — Jesus is near to you. He desires not only to meet your need but to give you a breakthrough of faith. No matter how desperate your circumstance, he wants to infuse your spirit with this truth: “Jesus can still do this.”

A scene in Mark’s gospel addresses four types of fires that can confront our faith. The first is when sudden calamity falls on us. The second is when our trial has lasted a long time with no end in sight. The third is when our circumstances grow continually worse. And the fourth is when we stop believing altogether.

To read more:  


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I'm exhausted now, so I will be resting.  Lord bless you all.

for His glory
Bonita            dovesofthevalleys4@gmail.com