Not Alone

Before I present “Not Alone”, I would like to say to those who are waiting for an answer to your email, please be patient a little longer. I am backlogged, but your emails are important and I will reply as soon as I am able, without rushing a reply.

The article below was first written in mid-2007, but somewhere along the line, I revised parts of it. When, I do not know, but I did. There are two copies on my external hard drive, which is how I even know at all.

When I first began posting on the internet, it seemed to me that if I wanted to revise something, I could just go ahead and do it. After all, it was my work and was not a published book, but simply an article on a blog - kind of like a public journal, mine to add to or subtract from.

Well, down through the years, I have learned and continue to learn. Some folks like certain articles and they keep a copy in a file on their computers, along with numerous other papers that they may want to read again. So when something is reposted, they may look at the original and grunt, “Hmmph, she changed that. What’s up with that?”

No agenda, truly, but I do have to laugh at my own naiveté, in that I figured (in times not so far in the past) that since something is not published in a book, I can revise it as I grow and learn. It seems that it is not the case on the internet. Most people often see it is as published, even if it is not printed in a book. Perhaps they use it as a reference or to share, since it is out in the public domain.

The articles I have polished up over the years (there are over 500, perhaps 600 articles) are likely too numerous to count, and if I did not keep a copy but simply revised the original, then I have no way of knowing or remembering. I removed about five years worth of work from this blog and put it on an external drive.

I have another website that I planned to transfer everything to, and categorize it for easy selection. That still has not happened. Going through the articles is time-consuming, as some of the older pieces have dead links, as other sites went defunct or were moved to a new site. I am also looking for a less expensive host.

I could not even begin to guess which articles or papers were revised. Indeed, I stand as one corrected. Now I know better. If I revise something, I will say so, but it will still come from my heart, revised or not.

Ah yes, dear people, I too have learned along the way, knowing that messing up is still a possibility as I continue to grow and learn, just as you do, but hopefully, I have honed my skills now to a finer degree. If I am in error, I will admit to that (if I am aware of such) and hopefully not repeat the same mistakes, as surely as any of us hope the same.

That being said, I would like to say that for the past two weeks (give or take), I have been taking great pains writing this paper, waiting on the Lord and keeping in prayer about the matter, which I hope to post by tomorrow night at the latest.

A Warning Shall Sound

It all began with a “prophetic word” that was forwarded to me in an email a couple of weeks ago. As I read it, alarms went off and my heart grieved. You had best believe that I took the matter to the Lord because if I was wrong in hearing those alarms, the Lord Himself had to let me know.

Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows [Mat10:31]

That is what He expects all of us to do. Be assured that if He cares for one fallen sparrow that He indeed cares for each of His people and will honour our sincere inquiries, especially when we seek Him about and for truth.

I prayed, read scripture, listened to the Lord and began to write. As with most of my articles, I began researching, not only on the net, but in books and further searching and cross-referencing in the Word of God, and even more prayer.

In the days of Elijah, there were many false prophets (Jezebel’s prophets), as well as the prophets of Baal – there were hundreds of them.

Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.  [1 Kings 18:19]

The scripture reveals at least 850 false prophets – 450 being prophets of the Baal, whose name means ‘lord’ (a false), indeed a false god’, linked to Satan himself (previously known as Lucifer, before his rebellion against God), who can transform himself as he so sees fit.

Think upon Moloch and other false gods and goddesses (Diana, Ishtar, Isis et al). Remember, his deception began in the Garden of Eden, where he appeared as a serpent.  When God told him that one would come (Jesus/Yeshua) who would bruise his head and he (Satan) would bruise his heel, Satan’s deception increased.

He began introducing all the false religions, the false gods and goddesses, to bring confusion, so that the people of the world would doubt and reject the Messiah (the Saviour Christ Jesus/Yeshua) when He did come.

So, in Elijah’s day alone, there were hundreds of false prophets, not only Baal’s, but also 400 of Jezebel’s prophets, who ate at her table and did her bidding. Yet, it was the prophets of Baal that Elijah ended up slaying.

Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.  [1 Kings 18:22; 40]

The false prophets kept presenting themselves, generation after generation, continuing on all throughout the days of the holy, ancient prophets of God. Scripture reveals this. 

In the days of the apostles, after the ascension of the Messiah, false brethren, false teachers, false prophets and false apostles were making themselves popular, troubling the true disciples of Christ Jesus/Yeshua.

Warnings came from Jesus whilst He was still alive, as well as His apostles after Christ ascension.  For starters, one can read the words of Jesus the Messiah in Matthew 24, or Peter’s warnings in 2 Peter, chapter two.

False prophets, apostles and teachers are still amongst us today. In fact, Jesus warned that they would come and their influence would worsen. He warned that deception (with false christs and false prophets) would be so rampant, with them showing great signs and wonders, that if [it were] possible, the very elect would be deceived. That is written in Matthew 24:24 and spoken by Christ Himself. Now, that is serious! We best take heed!

“Prophetic” words are going forth today that sound right, have many of the right words, but it reeks of the stench of Satan’s deception.  Of course, there must be truth in the ‘prophecy’, or else no one would likely listen.

It is like Kent Horvind (scientist, lecturer/teacher and creationist, a Christian) once stated, (when speaking about the words of false teachers), “…are like rat poison. It is 99% good food and 1% poison…and it’s the 1% that kills.” How true! 

Yet, their words are sugar-coated, but laced with poison. Lucifer, who became known as Satan, which means adversary, is a master illusionist, the father of lies and a murderer from the beginning – since the Garden of Eden. He still has his ‘prophets’, teachers etc.

It is not that I know it all because I surely do not. I know little on the grand scale of thing, but what I do know, I know (glory to the King alone). I must sound a warning, as led by the Lord. It is true that I am not the only messenger.  Others have sounded warnings before me, but I am His servant and willing to do as asked, even when the task may be considered a hard one.

Where these [self-proclaimed] ‘prophets’ are in their standing with God, I cannot pretend to know; only God knows. Whether they are wolves in sheep’s clothing, or whether they are ones who have been deceived and now are deceiving others, believing they have come across some “new revelation”, again, I cannot pretend to know.

However, I come against the message of deception (and always will -- as one who watches and loves my neighbour as myself). I know I want to be warned because Satan deceives the whole world Jesus said.

A spirit of error is running amok.  False prophets, false christs presenting themselves with false humility; false teachers speaking forth doctrines of devils, just as God’s prophets, Jesus/Yeshua the Christ and His apostles forewarned, right throughout the Holy Scriptures. We must stay alert! We must be sober, vigilant and pray!

That is all I shall say about it at this time. Again, I have prayerfully been working on this upcoming paper approximately two weeks, and hope it is up by tomorrow night. The article will not cover every single aspect, angle or viewpoint of the matter. That would require a book(s), but there will be enough to sound the warning alarm, giving a heads up.

It is lengthy (I am still working on it), but my prayer is that all that the Lord would have me say is said, that the warning is heeded and that the reader take the matter to the Lord for him or herself. 

Dark, ever dark, are the days. So great is the darkness upon all the lands of the earth that even the unbelievers and the skeptics are now saying so. The world senses the great foreboding. Hold fast to your faith, but especially, to those who believe, cleave to God; abide in Jesus/Yeshua our Messiah and King. With that said, let us move onward.

May 22, 2007

Not Alone

At times the road seems longer than we can bear; at times we feel so alone. There are times we are walking as obediently as we know how, being careful to do all that we are asked of the Father.  

Other times, we are overwhelmed, hanging on for dear life, praying for God to reach down His mighty hand, revealing His power and love.

Satan and the enemies of the cross would have us believe that God will forsake us, that we are without hope, if we mess up. Yes we may fall short, but humble and godly repentance will bring forgiveness and restoration. [Read 2 Chron 7: 14, 15]

Some may say, “Hey, you gave scripture from the Old Testament. That’s old school…that was then, this is now.”  And I would answer, “Ah, but God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Nevertheless, the New Testament also says so. And, keep in mind that the New Testament and the Old are linked; you cannot have one without the other. Period.”

Below is one such scripture (and it is only one example), regarding repentance and confessing our sins to God through Jesus (Yeshua). [Emphasis mine]

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.  [1Jn:8-10]

This does not give us excuse to purposely continue on sinning, but when we repent, He is indeed faithful and just in all His ways. So great is His love! Repentance is not merely a change of mind, saying what we think God wants to hear so that we can have a clear conscious. It is a turnaround, a change in actions.

Forgive Others – Forgive Yourself

Rather, genuine repentance is a change of heart, a determination to change (overcoming, and more oft than not, accomplished only by the grace and mercy of God; the help of His precious and Holy Spirit!)  First, we need to forgive others (which includes forgiving ourselves - yes, tough call that last one).

Forgiveness can be difficult if a person has done a great injustice to you, whether abuse, violence, infidelity, betrayal and the list of wrongs (sins) goes on. However, hatred for them will not affect them, nor does it define them. It festers and poisons us, doing them no harm at all. It is a slow death. The suffering seems endless.

But, it is written that if our desire is for God to forgive us, then we must forgive. It is what Jesus said.

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.  [Mat 6:14, 15]

Forgiving those who did us wrong does not mean that you have to carry on friendship or a relationship with them, unless the Lord moves on you to do so. It means they know they are forgiven; you hold no animosity.

If they are deceased, then tell the Lord in prayer that you forgive them. Ask Him not to hold the sins they committed with you against them. If you are very sincere, ask Him to remove all offenses they did against you from the heavenly books [records]. Ask Him to show mercy toward them, as He has shown you mercy. That is true forgiveness.

Go forward in Christ Jesus and let God deal with them on judgment day. He may also deal with them in a way that draws them to repentance even before Judgment Day. He is a fair and just God. 

And if they are already deceased? Who knows but God if they repented before they passed away. Do not consider it any longer. Let it go into God’s most competent hands.

Remember, He is God and knows full well the heart of every person. He will handle matters in His way and in His time. We do well to remember that He is faithful and just. Nothing escapes Him. We can rest in that and let the past go, shutting the door gently (without hatred or anger) behind us.

Then, there is another thing that must be done. We must accept and receive His forgiveness to such a degree that we come to understand that if He has forgiven us, then we must also forgive ourselves.

For most, forgiving ourselves is often the hardest thing for us to do, seemingly impossible or extremely difficult. We often have no problem forgiving others (or we do eventually get to that point if we sincerely want to be molded into Christ's image), but when it comes to forgiving ourselves, it seems as a hard and perilous mountain to climb. 

However, it can and must be done. Ask God to help you see through His eyes. Ask for His strength to overcome that mountain.  He will.

One time when I struggled with forgiving myself over some of my past sins (some not so distant), the Holy Spirit moved in me and I heard in that still, small voice, “Are you greater than I am?” 

What a question! In great humility, I murmured (gasp and whisper), “No, Lord. Why would you even ask such a thing?"  Then, I heard, “If I have forgiven you, shall you then withhold forgiveness, even from yourself? Are you greater than I am?”  

He did not have to ask a third time, I understood.  Scripture backs this up. If you doubt the Lord’s forgiveness, I dare you to read the following.

He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. [Micah 7:19]

Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. [Isa 1:18]

For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him.  As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Like as a father pities his children, so the LORD pities them that fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. [Ps103:11-14]

 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. [1Jn 1:7]

When we examine our hearts and ask Father to bring conviction if we are out of His will, and after such prayer, if something is indeed revealed, we repent. Our hearts are pierced with godly sorrow and change occurs in our heart.

Fear Not

However, even if we are in right standing with our Lord, circumstances, situations, people and words can come against us, but not only from outside sources, or strangers, or the devil, or all enemies of the cross.

Hard and almost unbearable things can come even from our acquaintances, friends, family or brethren.  (Remember Peter when Jesus had to rebuke the spirit speaking through him (Satan), at the time? See Matthew 16:21-23)

Sometimes the burdens of life are so heavy, the frustration and helplessness so real, that the heaviness wants us to throw in the proverbial towel and abandon our faith, for the tribulation or trial seems so overwhelming, almost more than we can bear.  

At times, we may see the hand of the enemy; other times, we see the hand of ‘flesh’.  We cry out, “Where are You, God? Where is Your love now? Why, Lord, why? I don’t understand…it’s not just or right. Do you not care?” Sometimes we sound like little children. Other times, our faith appears small because emotions override our logic (all physical/flesh).

There are times that we blame ourselves; at times, we blame others or even blame Satan or some demon. At times, it may well be that our own sins or those of another have put us under great duress or great harm. Other times, tragedy strikes or illness (sudden, halting) takes its toll.

And yes, there are times that Satan or any one of his minions (demons) can come against us. We were warned that we would have tribulation and great trials. But are there times when God may actually be trying our faith. The trials the Lord chooses to try us are never ones we would choose.

He may be bringing us through the fire and through the water out of His love, in order to purify and cleanse us. I know that sometimes it does not make sense, but who can comprehend or know the mind of God? He sees far beyond; He sees a greater purpose. And yes, we must also consider another possibility, that being that obedience is learned.

Though He were a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered; And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him. [Heb 5:8, 9]

All things that were written aforetime were written for our learning. They are meant to be profitable to us in many ways, but also, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Hope in God through Jesus

Yeshua / Jesus is still…

● the bread of life

● the God of power, love and sound mind

● the Lord who makes a way where there is no way

● the God that will cause you to run through a troop and to scale a wall

● the same God who can cause those walls to fall as the walls of Jericho

● the same God who will walk with you in the fire, so that when you come out, you won’t even smell of smoke or find a hair singed, just as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. 

Yet, you still must go through, as frightening, uncomfortable and lengthy as it is and may be. (May God strengthen us all in such an hour, for all of His people will and do go through great trials and tribulations.)

●  the same who will put forth His hand to you and says to the raging storm in your life, “Peace, be still.” 

Remember, the apostles thought Jesus took too long to intervene in a turbulent storm they found themselves in. In fact, He was sleeping whilst all hell broke out in that tempest, that furious and violent storm.

These fishermen knew the waters and were no strangers to storms. That particular storm was a frightful one, with horrific winds and relentless waves coming at the boat so fiercely that even though they were knowledgeable and skilled fishermen and seafarers, they feared for their very lives.

Jesus slept. With great angst and trepidation, the apostles woke him up, asking him with all seriousness if He even cared that they were about to die! I do not imagine that when they awoke Him that they were whispering. They were likely yelling to be heard above the winds and waves, full of fear, surprise, and perhaps even disguised anger.  They were afraid for their lives, after all!

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And He (Jesus/Yeshua) was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, Master, care You not that we perish?

And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?  [Mar 4:37-40]

God is our Help

Do not be discouraged; do not listen to the lies of the enemy. Oh, he will speak to you in the first person. You will think that his words are ‘your thoughts’. Do not take ownership over negative thoughts. With all your strength, refuse them.

And when and if you feel the onslaught (of thoughts) is too great, or that you are too weak to fight them alone, cry out to the Lord. If Satan can get us to accept the his lies, his seeds of doubt (the kind of doubt that leads to unbelief - not the good kind), or his condemnation. He can tempt us and lead us into acting out, to lead us into sin and into the laying down of our faith and trust in God.

Some doubt is good. It is linked to discernment. If something seems 'off', or troubles us, we can pray and ask God to shine His light upon our understanding, and reveal the matter to us. He will because He tells us to test the spirit to see if it is of God, so it is obedience to do such. However, the seeds of doubt Satan plants grow fast and strong, and the harvest is 'unbelief'. 

I never saw the difference until a brother [D.S.] in Christ pointed out that not all doubt leads to unbelief. For instance, if a false teacher is speaking about something, and a silent alarm of doubt goes off, it causes us to check things out more. If we do, it will save us from falsehood, from deception. In my heart I knew that, but I was not putting it forth in my writing. 

I am ever grateful to that brother. Iron sharpens iron - deep calls out to deep.

The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. [Jn 10:10]

Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. [1Pet 5:7-9]

For He said, I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord; thoughts of peace and not of evil to give you an expected end. [Jer29:11]

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. [Is55:8, 9]

He called us – He draws us. He is kind, yet firm. He is love, full of grace and mercy, but He is not mocked, He is also a God of justice and judgment. He tells us to be separate and touch no unclean thing and to seek Him – to meet Him in the secret place in the holy of holies.

For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.  [Is 30:12]

Ah, let it not be said of us that we would not seek Him, that we would not return to Him and rest in Him. We must allow that quietness (the peace that passes all understanding) to envelope us. 

For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; in returning and rest shall you be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and you would not. [Is 30:15]

We do it by holding fast our confidence in Him by resting in HIM. Do not lay down your shield of faith (it guards the heart). We do it by faith, confidently seeking Him (in prayer, in spirit and in truth, a heart full of worship), and humbly abiding in the presence of His glory.

Keep on the full armour of God. It will be His strength that keeps us safe in Him, that will keep us from falling away from the faith in Jesus/Yeshua, if we will but seek Him and cleave to Him.

Be assured, every one of us are more than capable of praying our own words. He honours the prayer that comes from a humble and sincere heart. The truth in that is so simple -- even a child can pray.

Why Did You Doubt?

Below is an example of how I have prayed at times. The words are likely not exact, but the gist of what I felt at the time is expressed.  It is not a case of: “Hey, pray this prayer. It’s so cool that God will hear it.”  No, no and (an emphatic) no! 

It is placed here merely as an example to reveal how simplistic, how child-like prayer can be, sincere and unrehearsed. It must come from the heart – your heart, your prayer (not my heart, my prayer).Your own words will be treasured by our Lord, Jesus.

Do you understand? He created us all with different personalities, different ways of expressing ourselves, but let it be real (sincere, authentic, factual), and above all, be humble. We are praying to a holy, pure and magnificent God, our Creator. That is all I am demonstrating.

Father, I have much to thank You for and I am grateful for all You have done for Me. Your goodness has been so real to me; Your mercies and grace undeserved, but how I thank You for them. 

Father, right now, I’m weak.  I struggle to keep my eyes on You because so much is happening around me, distracting me, demanding my attention. Sometimes when I wake up, I am instantly doing other things and not a thought of You…

I’m sorry, Father. Everything is so busy anymore…and I admit, I get caught up in it all, habitually... but You are my life, Jesus…I do love You, nothing means anything without You. Please know that, Father.

Sometimes, I think I might go crazy and other times, I wonder if I’m not already there. Crazy people don’t think they’re crazy, right, or do they? But Lord, You said that You did not give me a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.

Lord, sometimes thoughts race so fast… sometimes I start to pray about personal things on my mind (and heart), but then scripture pops into my head: ‘Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bring into captivity every thought …” 

Immediately, I’m wrestling with myself, Lord, trying to figure out if the thought that I’m thinking is exalting itself above You. Then I wonder, am I talking too much about me…too much “I”?  Craziness! I lack confidence, Father... I sometimes still have that orphan mentality.

By Your precious and Holy Spirit, Lord, please help me to trust You more; that you won't abandon or desert me, or leave me -- orphaned.

Please help me to stay in Your will Father…lead me not into temptation. Help me to be strong, a vessel unto honour so that You alone are glorified…

Lord, sometimes I try to speak my heart to You Father, but find myself contemplating, ‘The heart is deceitful above all things, who can know it?’  But you circumcised my heart, didn’t you Lord? You changed me and are still changing me. You said you give us a new heart, and that we are a new creation. Help me to see and understand these things, Lord...

Ah, Lord, purge me of any uncleanness. I need You every step of the way. Where would I be without You? Please Jesus, don’t leave me; don’t take Your Holy Spirit from me...”

There is much to thank You for - thank You for life, for breath, for saving me, for your patience with me, for your great love toward all of Your creation, for family, brother and sisters in Christ - such a gift family is.

You are high and lifted up. I exalt You, O King of the heavens, the earth and all that is contained therein. Magnificent Creator, glorious King of kings and Lord of lords, I gladly bow my knee to you. Be glorified in all things - honour, majesty and praise belong to You. 

Thank you for hearing this awkward, but sincere prayer Lord.

Amen

That is not a ‘word for word’ example, but at times, I’ve prayed these things. Sometimes I do not know if I pray too long, whilst other times I wonder if I pray long enough. 

One time, when I was grieved over things I had done and afraid the Lord may have left me, I heard His still, small voice say, “O ye of little faith, why did you doubt?” [Mat 14:31]

He will hear your prayer. You have your own personality, your own way of expressing - just be yourself. After all, He created you. He knows us better than we know ourselves. Just speak to Him from the heart. Even if you do not hear Him speak at any time you speak of your deep regret and repentance, be assured, He hears you and forgives.

I have often said, and I truly mean it, the Lord God (Abba), has a unique way of making each one of us feel like an only child. Amazing! Incomprehensible!

Jesus Will Not Forsake Us

However, the sobering side is a reality to this faith walk as well. We too must drink the bitter cup of suffering. We too must pick up our own cross [daily] and bear it, dying to self [flesh]. That means not allowing our carnal nature to have its sinful way, but overcome our fleshly desires, appetites and 'needs'. We too must learn obedience through what we suffer.

We hate the thought of dying to self. We long to escape, just like the apostles who ran during Christ’s arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane.  We long to run. Has the cost been counted, the worth considered?

If we desire to be holy as He is holy and if we desire to reflect Christ in us, then, let the fires come that consume the flesh, but He will walk with us through it all. 

Let the Lord circumcise our heart, cutting away unnecessary flesh. I have learned that to "be holy" means to "be separate" and all this is done in Christ Jesus. HE is the HEAD; He is fully in control and helps us (the body) function as we should. We REST in Him.

We may not even be aware of His presence. We may feel that the heavens are as brass, and that it is “Ichabod” for us.

Ichabod: “the glory has departed from Israel” – (without glory, abundance, honour) - because the ark of God was taken. 

Read 1 Sam 4:21 

Just quickly (from above scripture): The Israelites went to battle against the Philistines and lost a battle. Not understanding, the Israelites decided to bring the Ark of the Covenant into the camp, thinking that in doing so, they would win against the Philistines, but God had not given any such instruction to the Israelites (Hebrews).

The next battle was also won by the Philistines, where 30,000 soldiers (footmen) of Israel fell.  Eli, high priest in Israel and Samuel’s tutor had two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who were accompanying the Ark.

They both were slain and the Ark was captured by the Philistines. When the bad news was told to Eli about Israel’s defeat and the death of his two sons, he fell over backwards and died. He was ninety-eight years old. He was also very heavy and his eyes dim (poor eyesight). 

With the additional weight, his head possibly hit the ground with such force it broke his neck, and he died. [vs 18] The combination of his weight and great age killed him. 

Phinehas’ wife was about to give birth. When she heard of the capture of the Ark, along with the news of the deaths of both her husband and her father-in-law (Eli), she immediately went into labour (travailed).

She named the child (a son) Ichabod, saying, “The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.”  She died also, after the child was delivered.

If we are cleaving to God, abiding in Christ, following His commandments as our Lord instructed, our God will not forsake His people. It will not be “Ichabod” for us. Jesus Christ IS the Ark of the covenant, the new blood covenant. It is also a promise repeated to us in both the Old and the New Testament.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.  [Ps 46:1-3]

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, He it is that does go with you; He will not fail you, nor forsake you. [Deu31:6]

See also Deuteronomy 8, where God repeats what He has said, adding, “…fear not, neither be dismayed.” Also, Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He has said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. [Heb 13:5]

Great is His Love

We can rest assured that if the living God sees fit to repeat a thing three times at the least, there is no room for doubt. We will share in Christ Jesus’ suffering. The love He had within Him that led Him to the cross and kept Him upon it for our sins, is the same love and compassion that will consume and embrace us, as we walk in His will for us, obeying His commandments.

We can refuse to carry our own cross and walk away (falling away, leaving our faith behind), or we can pick it up and walk that narrow road, cleaving to God, allowing Him to lead us. Or we can begin on the narrow path, but wander away, taking wrong turns and go astray. Ah, but does God desert us? Will He forsake His sheep?

How think ye? if a man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, does he not leave the ninety and nine, and goes into the mountains, and seeks that which is gone astray?

And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoices more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. [Mat 18:12, 13]

It is true that we are to trust God with a child-like faith, but I believe that it will be the true, the courageous that will endure to the end, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

It is as Jesus/Yeshua said, narrow is the path and strait is the gate. We must hold fast to Him, clinging to the Vine (our Saviour) as grapes, cleaving to our God.

If we mess up (make mistakes), repent. We humble ourselves, and filled with godly sorrow, we repent. God will help us, if we will only believe and trust that He will.

Or despise you the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? [Rom 2:4]

Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion, until the day of Christ Jesus. [Phil 1:6]

If we pick up our cross, remember – just as one came along (was ordered by the Romans) to help Jesus carry the cross, He will come and help lift the burden from us also, as we endeavour to carry our own cross. He will help us. At times, He will even carry us when we are too weak. We may not even be aware that He is doing so, until much further up the road.

You can expect the snarling wolves (some in sheep’s clothing) and hissing serpents, and every fowl of the air (demons/devils) to come close to the true believer, ready to devour us, especially when we are dying to self (laying down our lives to submit to God).

These ravenous predators smell the dying flesh, and the vultures circle around. Both seek to devour. Satan, that serpent, will spew forth his venom. You may feel helpless to resist, as voices (sometimes through others, in the flesh; sometimes voices from the enemy/enemies of the cross) mock, jeer, criticize and accuse you. 

God’s arm is not shortened that it cannot save, or His ear deaf that He cannot hear (when we call out to Him), but be sure that our iniquities do not separate us from Him, or that our sins cause His silence (to hide his face from us), so that He will not hear (until we repent). [Is 59:1, 2] 

Purified and Cleansed

You are not alone. Jesus is with you, whether you 'feel' Him there or not. If you are born-again, Spirit-filled, He promised to never leave or forsake you. He holds you close without physical arms, although He could do that too - God can do the impossible; He can do all things.

He will see us through when we humbly cry out to Him, tired, ever tired of our sins, the sins of others, the evil in the world...and longing, not only longing, but needing to be changed.  He will shield us from death, as we walk through the fire (that cleans) and the raging waters (that purify). And even if our time to depart this world comes, guaranteed, Jesus will be there.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.  [Ps 116:15]

When we are poured out, when sin has pierced us through, if we submit to our King, then the flesh will be consumed in His glory. He will fill us with His precious and Holy Spirit. It truly is a daily effort, as we are instructed to ‘pick up your cross daily and die to self.”  

And He (Jesus/Yeshua) said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it. [Lk 9:23, 24]

Yes, there will be days, times, moments that we fail (I surely have), but we rise up again and press on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [Phil 3:14]

Yshua / Jesus said, ‘Come unto Me all you who labour and are heavy burdened. Take My yoke upon you and I will give you rest.’  Jesus bids us to 'come'. See? You (we) are "not alone". He wants us to take His yoke (be yoked WITH Him), and receive the REST He is offering in and with Him. So great is His love... 

Wisdom comes with understanding. To rest, we must be still and know that He is God. 

For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before Your eyes: nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. O love the LORD, all you His saints: for the LORD preserves the faithful, and plentifully rewards the proud doer.

Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you that hope in the LORD.  [Ps 31:22-24]

When the flesh is humbled, God will lift you up. He will shut the mouth of the adversary, who goes around as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Cleave to God; abide in Christ Jesus/Yeshua.

The Son of righteousness will bring healing in His wings. Fear flees as love encompasses, bringing the peace that passes all understanding.  Dying to self is never easy. Flesh does not want to die; it will kick into ‘survival mode’.

But each time we succeed, when we die to self daily, then in due time, the hardened stone of our heart is rolled away and Christ arises in us.  The Lord is glorified. We will never arrive, in a manner of speaking, in this flesh, but by the grace and mercy of God, we shall overcome. 

Let the Judas’ of this day and age betray us. We are not alone. 

Let the doubting Thomas’ approach. We are not alone.

Let the Pharisees (religious) rage and insist we bend to their legalism.

We are NOT alone, AND our God shall be glorified!

The Lord says:

When you walk through the fire, I walk with you.  When you go through the waters, they will not overwhelm you. I AM with you.

Victory, victory! You shall overcome him (Satan) by My blood and by the word of your testimony, when you love not your life unto death. [Rev 12:11]

If you will come after Me, deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow Me.  [Mat 16:24]

[And said] O man, greatly loved, fear not. Peace be unto you. Be strong, yea, be strong.  And when he had spoken to me, I was strengthened and said, Let my Lord for you have strengthened me. [Dan 10:19]

Arise, be strong.  For His anger endures but for a moment; in His favour is life: weeping endures for a night, but joy comes in the morning. [Ps 30:5] 

He uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise and the weak things to abase the mighty. [1Cor1:27] Trust Jesus! It is only when we trust Him and what He says (He is the WORD come in the flesh) that we can truly obey Him.

We must believe the Word of God. It assures us that God is rich in mercy and that great is His love in which He loved (and loves) us. See Ephesians 2:4

Remember, He is ever with us. You are not alone! Fear not, be strong and of a good courage.   

Selah and shalom in Yeshua.

for His glory alone

Bonita                       dovesofthevalleys4@gmail.com