Just One Stone - Prt 4-Dont Give Up Just Before Finish Line

Gratitude

I would like to thank those who write just to touch base, share testimonies, articles, news and prayer requests. As mentioned above, I am working on answering. Please be patient a little longer. There are some questions asked that I will address, but not in this article. It seems there are some things that should be clarified, and I will do that in the next post. Thank you all for taking time to write me with concerns or questions.

Mail Bag

It should be mentioned that if you have written and have not received a reply yet, please be patient a little longer. Correspondence by mail is behind. I read all letters sent, but I also prioritize. 

In times past, some mail has slipped through the cracks, which is never intentional. As a result, perhaps offenses took place which should not be. For that I offer my apologies and would ask that if you think that is what may have happened with your letter, then perhaps you might consider writing again, if so led, even if briefly, to let me know I have overlooked an email. 

All letters are important (except spam/advertising), so it is likely oversight or forgetfulness on my part. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

Winds Changing

“Winds Changing – Great Darkness” is an article that I wrote in 2007 and stumbled across it on my desktop tucked away in a folder. In 2014, articles that were posted on the blog from 2008 - 2012 were put on an external hard drive. Countless were lost when the external somehow became corrupted with a virus, so any older articles that are saved (to me) are God's doing.

As I re-read it, I believe it pertains to this time we are in, and I am strongly led to share it for your discernment. Remember, when we take all things to the Lord, He will honour that because we are instructed to do so in his word.  

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.  [1Jn 4:1]

With that, I repost the article here, “for such a time as this” (yes, I know, an oft-overused portion of scripture, but I do believe it is applicable now). It was Mordecai’s message to queen Esther and can be read in Esther 4 verse 14.

Received September 27, 2007 (first posted October 3, 2007)

Winds are Changing - Great Darkness 

NOW is the TIME! We are to press in like never before; be obedient to what He asks, no matter how foolish it looks to the world or to man. Be prepared. It may cost you everything. 

Correction: It “will” cost us everything (picking up the cross to die to self, daily). You know this though, don't you?

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; [1Cor 1:27]

Winds are Changing

 
The winds are indeed changing and greater darkness is soon upon us...

The darkness of great evil is encompassing the world; its foreboding shadow is cast. Believers and unbelievers alike sense evil coming.  We are already witnessing the chaos that comes from sin, but also from God's judgment.

Beginning of Sorrows

The beginning of sorrows already has started and many, many there are that do know this, but many of My people are becoming confused, frustrated, beaten down. Walking in love and faith are challenged like never before.

This is happening in all nations and its people these days, including My people. Countless numbers are experiencing things coming at them in every direction - onslaughts increasing - they bear heavy burdens which weaken them, taking their inner strength. 

They feel beaten down, desperately alone, grossly misunderstood, grievously torn - the strength of their heart poured out - in a dry place [drylands] - a wilderness. People are becoming impatient with each other and many relationships are being destroyed. The work of flesh and the enemy increases.

Hear this carefully. The adversary is roaming as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, for the beasts are arising... the dragon is near.
He counterfeits every good work I do but the fruit of his work leads to corruption, division, destruction and chaos.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: [1Pet5:8]

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast. [Jer 31:27]

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. [Rev 12:9,17]

A Time of Training and Preparation

My people, be strengthened, for these trials are necessary as part of your training.  This is a time of training and of preparation.

This preparation must be done for soon great troubles shall be upon all nations and all people. This is the time to seek Me.  This is the time to give thanks, to praise Me, to worship Me.

This is a time to obey My instructions. I am a God of order and surely I shall direct the steps of those who put their trust in Me and do My will.

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. [1Cor14: 33]

There are events coming that will cause many to fall into complete and utter confusion IF they are not abiding and being obedient to Me. Controlling, mocking, seducing and tormenting spirits are being sent out by the enemy, the prince of the power of the air. 

Witchcraft is increasing; the enemy is becoming bolder. Great fear and unbelief will abound. Love is waxing cold, people lying to each other and deceiving one another and many shall fall away from their faith in Me.

Do not fear as you hear this.

(Note* - The Lord is faithful to warn people fairly before any judgment or terror comes. Search His word, take it down into your heart and see that this is true. His name is Faithful and True.)

Judgment has Begun

Countless people have been enduring onslaughts like never before, and in all the nations of the world. The onslaughts are effecting every area of their lives, such as personal relationships, (amongst family, friends and associates) finances and health. Even amongst believers, division is being seen. For judgment has begun in My house...

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? [1Pet 4:17]

A testing time is going on for some; for others it is a time of training. Stand strong and put your faith and all that you have learned into action. For without faith, it is impossible to please Me. Do you understand? Have you not discerned? Faith simply trusts Me. Faith simply obeys. Faith simply loves.

Daniel forewarned that one will raise himself up, that is different from the rest. He will speak against the Most High and will WEAR DOWN THE SAINTS of the Most High Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 

To those who are holding fast to their faith, trusting God for personal promises and impossible miracles for healing, deliverance, salvation and even full restoration are hearing in their inner man, 'Has God said?' 

Trust and Obey

Know your enemy, who is Satan the adversary and his evil army, and know all their wicked schemes and devises. In Christ Jesus, you are more than conquerors. Take My strength for when you are weak, I am strong. Rest in My love.

Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who has declared this from ancient time? who has told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside Me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside Me. [Is 45:21]

Fiery darts are penetrating the minds of people, seeking to steal their peace, destroy their faith, kill their love, hope and trust in Me. Those who abide in Me and know My word will quench the fiery darts of the enemy. 

Stand fast. Do not flinch or give up. Look to Me, focus on Me for I AM and in Me is your strength to endure to the end.

Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has but a short time. [Rev 12:12]

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. [2Cor 2:11]

As a loving parent, I the Lord tell you, to take time alone with Me. Listen carefully and you will hear My instructions well. Abide in Me and simply obey.

Seek the LORD and His strength, seek His face continually. [1Chr 16]

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it ABIDE in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. [Jn 15:4]

Then shall I arise in My righteousness; to establish you.

In righteousness shall you be established: you shall be far from oppression; for you shall not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near you. [Is 54:24]

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

Why, o why, o why do you think I try the heart and the reins, to see if you love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your mind, and all your strength, to see if you will trust Me and obey Me in all things? 

For the days come, when just like Abraham, just as Jacob, just as Joshua, just as David, just as Joseph (with Mary), I will tell you to, 'Arise, go!'... [exodus] to leave everything.

You will not have time to question and delay, you will have to simply trust and obey, forsaking all to cling to Me. Do not try to understand and know everything. 

Believe My Word, believe My power, believe My love just as a child would do. Believe My promises in My Word, but also believe My personal promises to you. My sheep know My voice and another they will not follow.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He shall direct your steps.

 Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him. [Prov3:5,6 - Prov30:5]

Do not trust in the things you see, for the things you see are temporal. The adversary works in the realm of the flesh. Often things are not what they appear to be, for Satan is the master of illusion, the father of lies, one who can appear as an angel of light.

On one hand, he is presenting great signs and wonders, as I foretold in My word. On the other hand, he is stirring up confusion, fear and unbelief by presenting circumstances that defy My word and personal promises to those who are trusting Me for answers to their prayers.

I allow what I allow to purge, to purify and even to try the hearts of My people so that they will walk holy, by faith with love, despite all outward appearances. Remember, you are in training, warrior.

Abide in Me and allow My perfect love to cast out all fear, for I have not given you a spirit of fear, but power, love and a sound mind. [2Tim 1:7] A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. Be single minded, be sober, be vigilant. Trust in your Savior and Redeemer, Christ Jesus (Yeshua Ha’Maschiach).

Temptation and the Cross

In all things, give thanks. Offer up the sacrifice of praise. The father of lies and all of his evil army will seek to tempt you to draw you back into the world (Babylon) with all its lusts; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. 

NOW is the time to seek Me. Now is the time to trust Me. Now is the time to pick up the cross and die to self. Now is the time of purifying.  Now is the time of testing and of training.  Now is the time to simply trust and obey.

For just as My beloved Son Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, in all things and in every way, so shall you be. Think it not a strange thing when fiery trials befall you, for such is happening amongst all the brethren.

All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee. 

[Ps 145:10]

Winds are Changing

Come to Me...

You have heard of reports and testimonies of trial and tribulations and of great evil. Do not fear, but discern the hour and the day that you are in. Time is short.  Winds are changing; greater darkness is coming and shall increase.

Come... Come to Me and let us sup together.

In humility, pray, pour out your heart in brokenness, for I AM still the God who binds up the brokenhearted. I AM still He that comforts those with a broken and contrite spirit. 

[End message]

Repentance, turning away from sin (change your mind and ways) and turning back to the Lord God has ALWAYS been what it is all about. Now through the Christ Jesus, the Messiah [Yeshua], we can go to the Father.

If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. [2Chr 7:14 -see also 15]

-- (in verse 13, the Lord God spoke to Solomon that if there were no rain, and He sent devouring locusts, and pestilence (in other words, if He sent forth his judgments upon his people), then in vs 15, He promises He will be attentive to the prayers of His people if they do what he says in verse 14)]

Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me. [Jn 14:6]

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; [Is 61:1]

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit. [Ps 34:18]

Come unto me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [Mat 11:28]

For as the shadow of great evil has cast itself over the land, as the wicked one arises, NOW is the TIME to abide, clinging to the Vine (Jesus); for we are at the end of the age.

Read Prayerfully

And then shall that Wicked One be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the breath of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

 
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,  And with all deception of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. [2Thes 2:8-10]

The Lord tells his Bride: Come, My beloved. I bid thee come...


Psalm 91
He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. 

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings shall you trust: His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 

You shall not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flies by day; Nor for the pestilence that walks in darkness; nor for the destruction that wastes at noonday. 

A thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come nigh you. Only with your eyes shall you behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, your habitation; There shall no evil befall you, neither shall any plague come nigh your dwelling. 

For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. 
They shall bear you up in their hands, least you dash your foot against a stone. 
You shall tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shall you trample under feet. 

Because he has set His love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
With long life will I satisfy him, and show him My salvation. [Ps 91:1-15]

[Message continued below]

To the true, who daily seek My face, who abide and cling to Me, the great darkness will not frighten them. They have had eyes to see its approach. They are being prepared and lay down their lives to follow Me.

They are being taken to depths of intimacy so intensified that they do not desire to leave My presence. They have and are entering into new levels that are beyond anything they have experienced.  

Continually they learn that I AM the unsearchable Father and Creator. Deeper and deeper and closer and closer, they come unto Me, knowing Me in an increased intimacy that strengthens them and increases their faith.

They despise religious spirits and pride. They are humble before Me, ever eager to learn; ever searching their hearts, ever willing to be chastened if they are wrong, ever repentant if they fall short in word, deed or thought, ever pressing on to the mark (goal) for the prize of the high calling [in Christ Jesus], ever obedient, desiring My will and not their own will.

Their praise for Me is continually upon their lips as thanksgiving pours forth from the secret chambers of their heart. They worship Me in Spirit and in truth. 

They pray instantly, bearing each other’s burdens and crying out, with My passion for a lost and dying world. They do not consider themselves better than another, but are meek and humble, having often had a broken and contrite spirit. 

They have allowed Me to put within them a pure (clean) heart and I have given them clean hands. This is a process; be patient.  The purifying fires have been removing every spot and blemish, for I will have a holy Bride. These are My precious sons and daughters, in whom I delight.

For the Lord takes pleasure (delights) in his people: he will beautify the meek (humble) with salvation.  [Ps 149:4]

These are they who look to Me; daily picking up their cross, considering the cost and choose to live holy as I am holy. They understand the difference between being imperfect and walking in perfection (maturity, whole, complete). They know Me and I know them. They are Mine for they were bought with a price.

(End of word Lord gave me to share)

Greater Works

There are those who have been in training and being prepared for years, so that they will go through the tribulation in the power, and might and glory of their King, performing the very miracles of Him who went before them, for Yeshua, Christ Jesus, declared that those who believe in Him, shall do greater works than these because he goes to his Father...We must keep things in context within scripture. We wait on his timing, for events to happen as declared, as it is written in his word.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believes on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father. [Jn 14:12]

Their heart is to do the Father's will. They walk by faith and not by sight. They fear neither man nor death; they do not seek to be pleasers of man but to please God [Yhvh, Jehovah, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel).

They desire to only be obedient to the Lord's will and not their own. They continually search their own hearts and are in constant communion with their King and Lord [Creator, Great Spirit], for they understand full well, that apart from Jesus/Yeshua, they can do nothing. They seek the Lord God's face continually, clinging to Him. They walk humbly, doing justly, in love and obeying the commandments.

Though it is written that the Lord is no respecter of persons, there are those whom He has prepared and plans to use for such a time as this. A remnant [within all nations of the world] shall be protected in the days that fast approach, for just as Jesus the Christ (Messiah), they have learned and are learning obedience through what they have suffered.

They walk upright and in holiness (by the power of the Holy Spirit, step by step). There will also be many martyred for their faith in Jesus/Yeshua, yet their reward awaits them.

Winds are Changing, Listen...

Just as events will occur that have never occurred before nor shall ever occur again, so shall the remnant [scattered globally throughout all nations of the world] move in the Lord's power performing greater works, as the prophets of old, as the apostles, as Christ Jesus, on whom they believe, for the word has thus been written, declaring that it shall be so. 

They overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. All that they do, in Jesus' name and for Living Lord God's [Creator] glory, will declare to the world, that there is only ONE God and there is no other. 

Remember that His ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts as our thoughts. Simple trust, faith and obedience…
We serve a mighty, faithful and true King and Lord, our Savior, Messiah, Redeemer.

(End of Winds are Changing)

Continuing on, there is something that the Holy Spirit quickened in me during prayer about three weeks ago.

Just One Stone

All God’s people will face their own giants. I have one of my own to face and am facing him now. One can have faith to believe for miracles for others, but can fall short believing the same for themselves. Fear and unbelief go hand in hand, a foreboding giant that taunts (mocks, ridicules, insults, sneers) to keep one in bondage, from victory and the destiny God has planned.

When praying, I began to consider David and Goliath (which I think was the prompting of the Holy Spirit). I reflected upon the 5 stones, the sling and one stone, and a brute giant, a strongman, the choice warrior of the Philistine army. 

We know Goliath ridiculed the Israelites for sending out a healthy, comely youth instead of a warrior. He was filled with contempt as he faced what he considered an unworthy opponent, who was armed with nothing but a shepherd’s staff, as if he (Goliath) were a dog. [1Sam 17:42, 43]

Then said David to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

This day will the LORD deliver you into my hand; and I will smite you, and take your head from you; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.  

[1Sam 17:45-47]

With that in mind, a lesson followed. My heart was aching over what I considered failure in overcoming my giant, my strongman. Who wants to walk in hypocrisy? My very blog heads up with the verse from Revelation 12:11 about overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. 

The Lord assures us that he does a good work in us [Phil 1:6], and his Word is true, but we have our part to do as well. That is a whole other topic, and I am sure many solid believers have written on it.

Back to my giant that stands before me. The Holy Spirit brought the famous story of David and Goliath before me and then created a profound lesson. I was to consider the “sling” as my “will”; the one “stone” as my “obedience”. 

I was to take hold of my will and choose to obey and by faith take down my  giant (overcome, victory), and with the sword of the giant (lies of Satan, fear, doubt, unbelief) cut off the giant’s (strongman/stronghold) head with his own sword.

Face your giant in the name of Jesus and trust in God. Line your will up with God’s will and obey. Faith will carry you through to victory.

Stand before Goliath (Satan/ strongman) in the name of the Lord Jesus/Yeshua. Take hold of the sling (your will) and with just one stone (obedience), you shall slay the giant and those who are behind him (demons). Satan’s efforts will be dead, cut off the very weapon(s) he planned to take you down with, to keep you from victory (and your destiny).

Take the sling (your will) and place just one stone within it (obedience), and faith will carry the stone to hit the target (dead-center) that takes down Goliath (strongman) and the Philistines (other giants and army with them) will flee.

And David put his hand in his bag, and took from there a stone, and slung it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead; that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but no sword was in the hand of David.  [1Sam 17:49, 50]

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee. [Jam 4:7]

I understood the lesson. I have to face my giant, take hold of my sling and place just one stone in it and let go, faith in Christ Jesus and God’s promises will carry the stone to bring victory and overcome the enemy.

Choose (will) to obey (just one stone; obedience is all it takes) and faith in Jesus Christ (trusting God) will bring victory. To overcome requires the name of the Lord (the blood of the Lamb) and the word (God’s word) of our testimony.

When God corrects us, he then instructs us and leads us in the way to go to victory. He does his part and we do our part. There are many visions, personal promises that are conditional. It requires faith, obedience and waiting on God’s timing for it to come to fruition. The battle is the Lord’s; the outcome is his, but we must do our part by obeying what the Holy Spirit tells us.

The lesson is simple. Faith and trust in God defeats fear and unbelief. Obedience brings victory. David and Goliath is only one example of how faith, trust and obedience will bring victory and fulfillment of God’s promise. In this case, God’s personal promise to David (to be king) would be fulfilled in God’s time. There was still much David had to go through to reach their destiny.

It was the same for Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Mary, Christ Jesus, and the list goes on. It is the same for us.

Final Words

It was brought to my attention that many believers sensed that a false flag might occur on Thanksgiving/Black Friday in the United States. Multitudes of Christians (the number only God himself knows) prayed.

I told a friend that I heard the word “thwarted” (prevent from accomplishing) in my spirit, followed up with that word coming before my eyes in the random places. God answers the prayers of those who trust in Him. I firmly believe that God ‘thwarted’ an event due to the prayers of the saints.

The Holy Spirit repeated the words “be sober, be vigilant” several times in the past couple of weeks. A couple of days ago when I was lying in bed and praying, I had a brief vision of a roaring lion with open mouth of long fangs and angry, hateful eyes. It was like a snapshot. I understood it was the enemy.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:  [1Pet 5:8]

Perhaps what was ‘thwarted’ was the ‘storm on the horizon’, but the Lord said recently, “The storm is intensifying on the horizon.” That is all I know. He may piece it together through other messengers, but we can be assured that He is faithful in warning his people.  He will speak to you through his word, through the Holy Spirit and whatever way he so chooses, but He does speak to people.

And you said, Behold, the Lord our God has shown us his glory and his greatness, and we heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God does talk with man, and he lives.  [Deut 5:24]

Two other things that came to the forefront: highway of holiness [and the] way of the cross (die to self daily).

I believe the brief vision of a (very real looking) roaring lion is a warning that is not just personal but corporate. Keep alert, be prayerful. God is fully in control (Sovereign).

The Final Words of David Wilkerson

On April 27, 2011, David Wilkerson posted his final words. He was killed later that day in a fatal car crash in Texas, and his beloved wife Gwen, was severely injured.  She passed away a little over a year later.

To those going through the valley and shadow of death, hear this word: Weeping will last through some dark, awful nights – and in that darkness you will soon hear the Father whisper,

‘I am with you. I cannot tell you why right now, but one day it will all make sense. You will see it was all part of My plan. It was no accident. It was no failure on your part. Hold fast. Let me embrace you in your hour of pain.”

Beloved, God has never failed to act but in goodness and love.

(End)

Below is the link to the final part of: Don't Give Up

Don’t Give Up – Part FIVE (5) Trial Like Never Before – Don’t Give Up

for His glory alone,

penned by 

Bonita                    dovesofthevalleys4@gmail.com