Saturday, January 28, 2017

I Do Things Suddenly

Obedience leads you along the right path and strengthens you to endure to the end. Did I not tell you that things often appear in the exact opposite of what one believes for?

If I have brought you this far, be assured, I will be with you the rest of the way, as you abide in Me.  All I ask is that you trust and obey. I instruct you that this is My battle, as surely as it was when Daniel fasted and prayed three (3) weeks.

Keep obeying. Keep praying. Praise and sing, even as tears roll down your cheeks. I know how hard it is not to look at the circumstances, as opposition (to what you believe Me for) increases.  

I know the frailties of the flesh. When the storm rages, fear will rise up in front of you, taunting you. 

The adversary and his minions fight furiously against mankind, but especially the children of obedience. When the apostles saw My Son upon the water, fear rose up because they thought they were seeing a ghost. 
Out of twelve men, only Peter dared to believe he heard Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) instruction (to come to Him). He was the only man there that believed it was indeed Jesus and had the courage, daring to step out of the boat in faith, defying both the circumstances and logic. 

Oh yes, it is a fight of the flesh versus the spirit not to look at the circumstances. It is not an easy task.  It is one of the battles in this war.

Satan knows how to come against mankind.  When Peter changed his focus from Jesus and toward the very real circumstances, his logic and understanding (mind/flesh) brought doubts that overcame his willing spirit - the reality of it all!

Has God said…? the serpent (the devil) whispered to Eve long ago, and still whispers to believers repeatedly to this day. [Gen 3:1] Jesus (Yeshua) quickly grabbed Peter by the arm as soon as he cried out to the Lord, saving Peter from the threatening, turbulent waters.  

Jesus said, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?  [Mat 8:26]

My Son was not angry at Peter, only disappointed because He was right there with Peter and Peter had witnessed miracles (the impossible, the unexplained) that defied reality before. 

Jesus knew this was an important lesson for the men in the boat (and for all who would follow after Him futuristically).

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you; […] [Is 42:2]

When a woman is in heavy labour, she may tell everyone to leave her alone.  She may tell the doctor to forget about waiting for the child to pass through the birth canal naturally, but just cut her open (cesarean) to take the baby out.
She means none of those words, but she desperately desires the relief from the pain and anguish. She longs for the travailing to end.  She knows she must go through, pushing hard to bring forth the baby.  She does her best to follow instructions and to put into practice everything she may have learned about birthing.

Upon delivery, she is glad that the doctor (or anyone else) did not heed her hasty, foolish words spoken under great duress and pain, nor abandon her in her hour of need.  The one in charge ignored her request for the “easy way out”.

Instead, he encourages and guides her to go through, to bring forth that which she has patiently and emotionally waited for.  He never leaves her side. He helps her in every way, although she is in too much pain to acknowledge at the time.

Then her tears cease once she sees her miracle, and joy replaces her pain, anguish and sorrow. The long yet patient wait, followed by the great travailing suddenly ends, and that which was so long hoped for, finally arrives.

I hear the words spoken and the desperate cries to relieve the hurt and pain of the heart and the fatigue of the spirit.  Push through, for I am helping you.  Follow My instructions.

All is in My competent hands.  This battle is Mine.  Hold fast to your faith, trusting Me, despite the circumstances and labour of the spirit.

Stand back in faith and trust, as surely as Daniel did, as My angels fought against the adversary. Daniel prayed long and hard, waiting: O Lord, hear: O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for Your own sake. O my God […] [Dan 9:19]

(Gabriel spoke) At the beginning of your supplications the commandment came forth and I am come to show you, for you are greatly loved: therefore understand the matter and consider the vision [9:23]

In those days, I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. [Dan10:2]

And he said unto me, Daniel, from the first day you did set your heart to understand, and to chasten yourself before your God your words were heard, and I am come for your words. 

But the prince (adversary) of the kingdom of Persia withstood one and twenty days, but lo, Michael, one of the chief princes came to help and I remained there with the kings of Persia. [Dan10:11]

And behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth and spoke, and said to him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength. [vs 16]

And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto you, be strong, yea, be strong.[vs 19]

My angels go forth at My command. I AM the Lord of the battle.


For we wrestle (fight) not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. [Eph6:12]

Walk circumspectly and wisely, not as fools, because the days are evil[Eph 5:15,16]

And whatever you do in words and deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him. (Yeshua/Jesus)  [Col 3:17]

I do move suddenly.  Be patient. Be strong and of good courage!

Rise up, LORD, and let Your enemies be scattered; and let them that hate You flee before You. [Num 10:35]

I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of My mouth, and I showed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass.

They are created now, and not from the beginning; even before the day when you heard them not; lest you should say, Behold, I knew them.  [Is 48:3, 7]

I, the Lord your God, have gone before you.  All I have spoken to you shall be so, if you continue in faith and obedience. 

Lazarus, come forth!

You are the God that does wonders (miracles): You have declared Your strength (power) among the people.  [Ps 77:14]

for His glory alone

penned by Bonita                           dovesofthevalleys4@gmail.com

(Note** - I would just like to add that our Lord knows how hard it is to praise and sing, and sometimes, even to find the words to pray when we are in the heat, the intensity and the pain of a battle.

It is a battle of the flesh versus the spirit. That is truth!  I cannot tell you how many times in my walk, I found it hard to pray or find the words. There are moments or times that I pray in tongues (the Holy Spirit speaks when I cannot).

Yet many other times, I go to the Bible and pray the beautiful prayers of those who went before us; those who went through their own great trials and tribulation. The Word of God has many beautiful prayers.

The same goes for praise, worship and singing.  There are times I do not want to sing and I don't "feel" like praising.  That is when I've learned to put into practice "overcoming" the flesh; part of learning obedience, as spoken in the Bible. 

That's where I come to understand not to go by emotions or feelings. I have shared before in several writings that when I am stuck in a rut about praising God, I begin by thanking Him for all that He has done...even my next breath that He allows.

It may start out slow, but soon it begins to flow (if we are truly are grateful, it will come out of the depths of our heart).  I have always found that thanking God somehow automatically flows into praise...amazing how it works!

To thank Him for His Sovereignty, His goodness, wisdom, patience, His understanding, His lessons and His Word, for Jesus and God's precious Holy Spirit, and so much more to thank Him for. You will find your own words!

See?  I promise, if you are grateful, it will flow out of your heart too.

Yes, there is much we can praise Him for.  That's how I came to understand the scripture: 

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him and bless His name. For the Lord is good and His mercy is everlasting.  [Ps 100:4]

And also:

God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.  [Jn 4:24]

One more thing - I pondered the word "circumspectly".  The Bible tells us in Ephesians 5 to: "walk circumspectly and wisely, not as fools, for the days are evil."

circumspectly: careful to consider all circumstances and consequences; think carefully before doing or saying; watchful; cautious, discreet

Sure makes sense since the days are evil, and of a truth, I would not want to and could not imagine going through these days without God, without Jesus, without the Holy Spirit...the Godhead. How wise our Creator is!

I hope this helps any who are weary, just plain tired, and have been hoping, praying and waiting for God's promise for a long time. He is like that doctor, encouraging us and instructing us, in the various and marvelous ways that He sees best. 

It is true that He never leaves or forsakes us in our hour of need.  We may be just in too much pain, anguish, confusion, fatigue...to acknowledge it at the time.  And the hardest thing to do at a time like this is to get 'self' off the throne, pick up the cross and follow Jesus. 

And undoubtedly, I too need the reminders, the encouragement and the instruction, and the prayers.  We all do; we are all in this together. Lord bless all who read this and may He cement hope and faith deeply in your heart.  BP)






Thursday, January 26, 2017

Appointed Time Comes to Pass Suddenly

Fear not! I have heard your prayers. I shall turn your sorrow into joy and clothe you in robes of righteousness. You shall be as a tree planted by the waters...if you will but hold fast to your faith, despite all the outward circumstances. Search My Word and see all who had to wait upon Me for their prayers to be answered.

To appoint unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified.  [Is 61:3]

How often have I told you that My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are My ways as your ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.  [Is 55:8, 9]

I am not a God who is afar off nor have My ears been deaf unto your cries. I have gathered your precious tears into a vial.  I drew you close to My bosom when you were too afraid and numb to feel it.  

I gathered you as a hen does with her chicks, yet you wondered if I had abandoned you, or was angry and punishing you for something.  You even thought it was cruel to make you wait…and wait…and wait.
How long did Noah wait before he saw My words come to pass? How long did Abraham and Sarah wait for their son of promise? How long did Joseph wait before he ruled over his family, or before David became king?

What of My promises to the widow woman, to Rebekah, to Rachel, to Hannah, Rahab, Elizabeth and her cousin Mary, the virgin who would bear the Christ child?  

Circumstances got worse for many of My people, yet they held fast to faith, even if it was as a grain of mustard seed, they did NOT let go of their faith and hope.  They were real people living in a real world, just as you are. 

They talked amongst themselves; they silently fought doubts, frustrations and impatient moments.  How long, O Lord?  Yet they believed what I said. They learned patience, and their faith was built up and strengthened.
Do not listen to the enemies of the cross who lay snares for you. Fear not. Remember that your adversary, the devil walks around as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. [1Pet 5:8] Hold fast to and lift up your shield of faith.  Keep on your armour.

Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us a prey to their teeth.  Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made the heaven and earth. 
[Ps 124:6-8]

I am He who walks upon the wings of the wind; I am He who calls things that are not as though they were.  So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth; it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing where I sent it. [Is 55:11]
Yea, I am He that is Sovereign. My hand is upon all that concerns you.  Do not look around in terror or dismay.  My greatest work is salvation thru My Son, the Christ of Nazareth. Yea, but I keep all My promises.  Eye has not seen nor ear heard all that is about to be revealed. 

I hear the cries of My people.  I am not a God afar off; I am at hand.  [My] anger endures but a moment; in My favour is life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. [Ps 30:5]

Believe Me for the promises I have spoken quietly deep within your spirit.  Believe Me that I lead those who trust Me, not leaning on their own understanding. [Prov 3] Yea, I AM still the same yesterday, today and forever.

I shall turn your sorrow into joy and clothe you in robes of righteousness. You shall be as a tree planted by the waters...if you will but hold fast to your faith, despite all the outward circumstances.

Yet God speaks once, yea, twice, but man perceives it not.  [Job 33:14]

And for that, the dream was doubled to Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God shall shortly bring it to pass.  [Gen 41:32]

Shut not your eyes as one blind, nor harden your heart against Me in your dark hour, for I will yet come and bless you.  Keep hope; stand strong in faith trust and wait upon Me. Maintain proper focus...the cross and My Son the Christ.

For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither has the eye seen, O God, beside You, what He has prepared for him that waits for Him. [Is 64:4]

Set your face as a flint. Wait as your (ancient) forerunners (brethren) did, both male and female; each awaiting their individual promises…waiting for the time appointed.

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.  [Hab 2:3]

Do not go by your feelings or emotions; they can betray you. Do not go by outward appearances, for in the twinkling of the eye, it can all change. Hold fast to your shield of faith, for I AM your shield, your strong tower, your refuge.

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:  [Ecc 3:1]

Patience, patience; not much longer! I am known to move and do things suddenly; none can stay My hand.  Rise up with new hope and faith.  Rise up in confidence. Know I am for you and not against.
Forgive and pray! I have shown you, O [man], what is good, and what do I require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Me.  [Micah 6:8]

And the Lord turned the captivity of Job when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.  [Job 42:10]

Selah

for His glory alone                
penned by Bonita                       dovesofthevalleys4@gmail.com