(NOTE*: Updated May 8, 2025 - BP)
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| If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. [1Jn 1:9] |
GRACE - amazing grace of our wise Creator
What were the consequences? I will explain more fully in another article, but for now, let me say this. Take a look at King David. Did he not go through a season of consequences after sinning? He did - yet we think "that was different; I'm not him"... Our confidence rises, especially if we did not do what David did. There was ONE area -- ONE area that deception had to serve out its time -- all because of a choice I made.
Is that why I did not fully "see" when I allowed the prosperity gospel teaching on the radio (although the prosperity part was not taught or mentioned). Is that why apostles and prophets were mentioned in the "To the Weary" article?
I do have an article prepared, but it's needs more organizing, editing and prayer - particularly the latter. Prayer. I just couldn't get to it. This article has been getting down later at night when everyone is asleep, and no one texts or calls, or knocks on the door. No strange aches or pains or oddities happening in my body...
-- for this I give God the glory...
When a post is popular, the increase in traffic to it is recorded by ‘Blogger’ or ‘Blogspot’ (this website, owned by Google). The article I speak of is called, To The Weary, posted July 14, 2012.
An address to it was quickly written a day or two after I
noticed it on my blog [four days ago]; however, my plan was to follow
that up with an important, more in-depth article. The distractions and
hindrances that I have had to confront ever since I began writing an
explanation AND correction have been unbelievable – surreal.
The opposing forces were so recognizable that I realized it
was spiritual, yet even so, it got to the point where I thought I had lost my
sanity. I am one person and this last battle has been long, with mere days here
and there as reprieve. Thank God for my beloved friends and brethren that
literally “held up my spiritual arms”, and allowed the Lord to fight the battle.
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| click any picture to enlarge |
A fiery dart was aimed and hit my Achille's heel [direct hit in the weak areas]. The enemy was hitting all my areas of sensitivity (aka weak spots), and he was using my treasured family members to bring me to my wit’s end. Pain in the body also increased.
It seemed like one thing would be addressed, leave, and something else would pop up. For example, I awoke one morning to what felt like a broken wrist. The pain was surreal.
So sudden and so strong was the pain that I even went to a
walk-in clinic, who sent me elsewhere for an X-ray. Naturally, this happened on
a Saturday, so the walk-in clinic closed early (before the X-ray results were
back).
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| NOT my X-ray - this is an example only |
Yet even come Monday morning, no word from the doctor. I had wrapped the wrist in a tensor bandage (my son and daughter took turns wrapping it). To cut to the quick, it took a week of calling around, asking if I could find out if it was a sprain, a hairline fracture, or what, because something was wrong.
Finally, on the seventh or eighth day after the X-ray, the pharmacist got a hold of the doctor and I received a doctor’s phone call, who told me it was osteoarthritis. No warning signs, just sudden pain like a broken bone? I asked.
Apparently yes, it happens sometimes; mine is severe. I could barely believe it, but these are the kind of “hindrances” and distractions I speak of. Ever since I prayed about healing, I would constantly run into articles, scriptures, videos, etc. about healing. I believe Jesus has been showing me so that I would not doubt or walk in unbelief, because the reality is that not everyone receives healing.
We all know that. None of us can explain why. Yes, children of light understand about faith and unbelief, but nothing irks me more than people who look at those who are suffering and say, "you just have to have enough faith".
Tell that to a newborn, or a seven-year old child with a terminal illness. We do NOT have all the answers, nor all the explanations. The prosperity preachers are notorious for talking about "faith". I have heard some pound it home about faith, then obviously they have done some reading, and will backtrack - suddenly admitting not everyone is healed...but (and smooth, people-pleasing talk follows).
Some have removed videos that reveal their double-speak, but suffice it to say, God has heard them. Jesus is working with them -- but we must call out wolves. Trouble is, many sheep love wolves because they cannot see past the fake "sheep clothing". I will leave it there for now.
Yes, we have to run things by the Lord. He will let us know. I believe that. He revealed Himself to Stephen, so that the saint knew he was going to die. He saw Jesus/Yeshua by the side of the Father's throne.
Peter knew he would be crucified; Paul knew he would not see certain people again because his time had come. God will lead us by His Spirit. That being said, I personally believe the Lord has been showing me that my healing is coming (and NOT just mine).
Ever hear of miracles? Grace? Mercy?
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| God of wonders -- wonder of God |
Hallelujah! He is moving across this world...He IS moving! Yes, great trouble is coming, but let God be God. Sovereignty - providence - benevolence.
I know I heard that I have need of patience, but the promise will come. [I did acknowledge the Lord, knowing He was right...then (without thinking, like a doofus...I asked, "how long do I have to wait, Lord?")
Ack... sigh...yes, I have need of patience...
However, there are also those who are struggling with some unbelief that are around me, but they "hope for the best" without 'saying what they think'. They want to believe. May God help us all!
It is okay because such are the skirmishes and battles one faces in spiritual warfare. Satan has made a mess by entangling the truth of God's Word with false doctrines. I trust the Lord - I pray for strength to endure until the appointed time. Just as those who have gone before me have had to wait...they stood strong even when everything appeared as the exact opposite.
The prosperity gospel is one false doctrine that Satan used and USES to mess up the healing of God's people. All these things have been thrown against me by the enemy. He has used my loved ones, as well as strangers.
WHO will hold His own [people] steady? WHO gives His own [people] strength?
Jesus (Yeshua) -- How? How does Messiah do it when we are flesh and He is not [flesh] at this time in history? Well, in case some forgot (and for others) who do not yet know, Jesus came in the flesh.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His [Jesus/Yeshua] glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth. [Jn 1:14]
He DID come in the flesh when He had His ministry for three years upon the earth, and He comes in the flesh when we believe and receive Him by faith, when we are born-again. He instructs us to abide in Him as He abides in us.
I typically use the imagery of grapes clinging to a healthy, nurturing vine. Jesus is the Vine, we are the grapes. We cling to Him for He said:
I AM the way, the truth, and the LIFE; no on come to the Father but by [through] Me. [Jn 14:6] (emphasis mine)
Jesus promised the disciples that He would ask the Father to send a Helper (after Jesus was resurrected from the dead and then ascended into heaven to sit on the right-hand side of the Father). The "Helper/Comforter" is the Holy Spirit. He will teach and guide us into all truth, and tell us what He hears, and what is yet to come. [Jn16:13]
Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, said the Lord of hosts. [Zech 4:6]
When I began looking up phone numbers for counsellors, it
was not easy. There seemed to be few who are Christian. Was there not any ‘free
counseling’? In days gone by, a pastor might take time out of his schedule
to help a hurting, confused sheep, but where are they now?
Even those who work on a sliding scale begin at a rather
high percentage per hour. Yes, I know …”the labourer is worthy of his wage.”
[1Tim 5:18] “[…] …worthy of his hire.” [Lk 10:7] So it is written, so it
is true.
Ah Lord – looks like
You are stuck with me. Since I now need a walker and a cane, I have not been
attending a church physically. I listen to sermons and services for shut-ins
online, and I am not the only one. It is difficult for me to sit, stand, or
walk for long periods of time.
I can only go by the
guidance of the Lord, not by the opinions of people. We all have an opinion,
and the funny thing is how often we change our opinions (self included).
It all depends on the information we have on hand, and what develops.
Counselors. Yet with all the variances and diverse beliefs,
especially ones that stray from the true gospel, how do I find a counselor of
like mind? I searched and tried – dead end. Finances and availability…
If any were available but who had different beliefs, and I
refused to go as a result, would I be a hypocrite? Did I not just repent from
posting and endorsing a false doctrine, in fact, a doctrine that led me astray
when I put it into practice a long time ago; one that taught me a hard lesson?
I would be a hypocrite if I said I repented but then took up counseling with someone who represented a church that taught false doctrines, or who practiced those teachings themselves.
The problem with false doctrines
is that they do contain truth, which confuses people, especially new believers or
people who do not know their bibles or walk close to God. But they turn people away from the true Christ and the true gospel.
It was said once: “False teaching is like food laced with poison. It is 98% good food and 2% poison, and it is the 2% that kills.” Back in the late 90s, someone brought over an 8-track (must have taken that old thing out of the back of the Flintstone-car they drove [dinosaur days] lol).
It was a tape
with Kent Hovind, a young Earth creationist. It is the only thing I remember
from the video. I was not saved yet, and it was the only tape I saw. That was
just shy of thirty (30) years ago.
I have an article written about the prosperity gospel, and
what I posted left some things flapping in the wind. For example, the friend (acquaintance)
that drove me back over the border into Canada is a woman I liked very much.
She has a prophetic gifting, but I did not hear any of her prophetic words.
I never called her a prophetess but she has advertised (in
posters) herself with that title, and her husband as an apostle. I do not
remember her discussing it with me, but I will say that I remember Tish
(Latshia) as a kind, warm-hearted person who did not pull any punches.
Being a straight-shooter myself, I respected that quality in
her personality. How deep she was or is into the prosperity gospel I do not
know. She believed in decreeing and declaring things, that is for sure.
Seed-faith and the rest, I do not know. As stated, we were more acquaintances than
friends. Our commonality was our love for Jesus the Christ.
But I do thank the Lord for bringing her across my path because she did help me by driving me over the US/Canada border when I was returning to Canada September 17, 2014. Her offer to drive me was an exponential help.
It was wonderful the way I was given the “go-ahead” at
the border when I was so concerned. Deep within the Lord had placed a quiet
word that I would make it back over – not to fear. I fought fear – it had been
almost seven years I was in the US.
“Years?” the border patrol guard laughed as he repeated my
answer to his question. “How long were you in the States, ma’m? Do you have
anything to declare?” I answered, “Years…likely everything I have has to be
declared as bought in the States.”
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| Peace Bridge - US/Canada border |
When he realized I was serious, he laughed again. (NOT the reaction I was expecting.) We had prayed before we got in the car. The Lord must have assigned an angel to be at the border crossing.
I not only got across the border; I was waved through like I was royalty. What a high! On the other hand, Tish had a hard time getting back over because she brought her little boy (he
was young, maybe four or five), but his ID [identification] was in a little
folder and it had dropped somewhere.
What a horrific feeling! Tish was beside herself trying to
find it, and of course, the border patrol likely had their doubts. But praise
God, eventually she was able to find it and return home. The trip took me much
longer than expected (three and a half days longer). When I arrived in BC, I
had $21 to my name.
It cost $20 exactly to get me to a homeless shelter, where I
ended up staying for four months, sick the whole time with pneumonia. Well, at
least I could say that I arrived with cash in my pocket – even if it was only
$1.00.
The “up side” is that I had exactly what I needed to arrive
at my destination from the States. Once I arrived, I had food and shelter and a
dollar. I began the process of renewing my driver’s license, and other
documentation that I needed to begin life again in my home country.
The shelter kept cell phones in lockup, but gave them to
people when they went outside the shelter. I did not go out much, barely at
all, since I was sick. Twice I ended up in the hospital. When I did go out, it
was to the Internet Café to look up housing.
BC was so expensive and the available housing was minimal. I
managed to speak with Tish a couple of times, but weeks and months passed.
Eventually, as acquaintances, we lost touch. We have not heard from each other
for over a decade now.
I will always be grateful to Latshia (Tish) for her kind act
of taking me over the border. I also slept on her couch for a few hours (not
sure exactly how long) – I was exhausted because I barely slept in 36
hours. She fed me a spaghetti dinner before taking me to the bus depot to begin
the long hike across Canada (a 6-day journey from Niagara Falls to Kelowna, BC).
I accidentally purchased a ticket for a Greyhound Courier
Express bus, meaning they doubled as couriers for mail and parcel delivery,
which meant stopping in nearly every little town along the way, rural areas {called
a postbus).
I did not know, but I reckon it is because before I
purchased the ticket, I had asked if they had any “specials” for going
across Canada. I was going from Atlanta, Georgia to Buffalo, New York. My
friend took me from Buffalo NY, US/Canada border crossing from Niagara Falls
[Peace Bridge]. Hallelujah, I made it back safely!
May the Lord bless and keep the Smith family, guiding them
into all truth, for their sake, but for the glory of Jesus.
Whether it was the little contact from me during my stay in
the shelter, or whether we were only meant to cross paths for a short time, I
will not know until heaven. I will always
remember Tish as a fine person, with a loving husband and father, and children –
a beautiful family – I am ever grateful to both of them, a team for sure.
They opened up their home to me, a Christian, yet still, practically
a stranger, and even so…they truly blessed me with a warm and sincere welcome. Very
nice people…Lord bless the entire family, in the name above all names.
A Message
March 22, 2025
Wait upon Me and I answer. You have need of patience. I
spoke to you, and humbly you received it. Now you sense within, the time has
come. It is the season. Listen carefully as I lead. The corruption goes deep.
Many innocent ones
are ensnared if they look away momentarily, for the enemies of the cross are
moving swiftly these days. You are witnessing the wisdom of the false ones
whose first concern are their riches.
They concern themselves with what people are saying about
them, instead of coming to Me with their concerns. They love the admiration of
the people who reward them with loyalty, flattery and plenty of gifts, both
monetary and material gain.
Trust Me in all that is coming.
Trust Me with it all. Yes, I AM protecting all of you. It is
your season. Your time to blossom is nearly here. Health and wealth are not
something to fear. However, be wise. These things are not to be idolized, and
sadly, [these things] truthfully, are not for all.
Remember this world
is not your home. Stay instant in prayer. Forgive friends All the things that
concern you will be addressed. Vengeance is Mine. Pray for mercy for those who
come against (who came and come against), and I will show mercy. Seventy times
seven keeps your heart in a pure place.
There was no intention to post this, but I am led to. This prophetic message comes from "To the Weary" - July 17, 2013
How heavy is your heart, My child, for the battle has been hard and long. Hold fast to Me, for awhile longer and you shall see the victory. The time of sealing, the test of endurance belongs to the remnant who are Mine and shall endure to the end, coming through victoriously, having been well-trained by previous tests and tribulations, having been purged and purified, in the fires and through the waters.
Yea, hold fast to Me, for I AM your refuge and your strong tower. Yea, the cross is heavy when it is being carried, and excruciatingly hard to the flesh to stay upon, dying to self and all that is in the world.
Yet only after death can My resurrection power go forth to raise you up to a place where the enemy cannot touch you. Healing and restoration are in My hand. Look up, look up for your redemption draws nigh.
Chaos and destruction are coming upon mankind and the world, yet I AM the one who shall create the new when all is said and done.
Keep on your armor; pray without ceasing, abide in Me and do that which I ask of you to do. (*Note* 0bedience is the word that came to mind as I wrote this, and keeping a repentant heart. BP
Great blessing is about to fall upon My obedient children; but great judgment also is falling upon all nations and all peoples of the earth. Yes, and the wrath of the devil, the prince of this world is coming, but he has nothing on Me.
His wrath has been loosed for a time, yea, but he knows that his time is short. [Rev 12:12] Look to Me and abide, for I AM your strength, your wisdom, your discernment, your all in all.
My peace I give you, not as the world gives, but the peace I give passes all understanding. [Phil 4:7] Let not your heart be troubled [Jn 14:1]; neither be afraid.
[End
Message]
for His glory alone
Bonita dovesofthevalleys4@gmail.com
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Thanks for sharing this Bonita. Good encouragement for those waiting on the Lord for His promises of healing and restoration to manifest. Lord please give us the grace to endure to the end of our trials, and to walk in obedience. Praise your Holy Name King Jesus.
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