(NOTE*: Updates made - additional text near the end of addendum ( the addendum was added for yesterday's post; it was not in the original article - link to the original is provided) also, a couple more pictures were added BPMar21.25)
This is a repost from seven years ago. May it minister and draw hearts closer to Jesus/Yeshua - in His name above all names, I pray.
Posted in the shalom and love of Yeshua the Messiah - our Jesus the Christ. To El Shaddai [God Almighty] be the glory, honour, reverence, praise and love. Amen!
A Time to Be Silent
Sometimes we have to be silent and wait upon God’s timing.
Sometimes we have to go through things to give testimony (no trial or tribulation; no testimony).
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. [1Pet 1:7]
Sometimes the refiner is a work. When He is, the dross must be removed; and the purity will be tested severely.
And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on My name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God. [Zech 13:9]
Behold, I have refined you, but not with silver; I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction.
He must increase, but I must decrease. [Jn 3:30]
Moses vs. Jesus - old covenant vs. new covenant - law vs. grace
In other words, it is CHRIST [Messiah] that must be seen in us (HE increases) but the law must decrease (for the law, in which mankind failed [we could not measure up to perfectly obey the law]: law = the old covenant).
That does not mean the law is null and void and we can live lawlessly.
It means:
Yeshua (our Jesus) was the 'perfect' Lamb, without spot, blemish, or wrinkle. In other words, He never sinned. He willingly offered up His life (for this reason, He came) as a sacrifice to satisfy the penalty of sin [disobedience to God equals separation from God which is spiritual death]. His death fulfilled the demands of the law.
That is why Yeshua (Jesus the Christ) is the ONLY way to be reconciled back to the holy, living God, spiritually 'born-again' (never to be separated from God again)
Indeed, He (Yeshua/Jesus) must increase [new covenant - grace]; I must decrease [old covenant, the 'old man' who disobeyed the law]
Yeshua compared John the Baptist [prophet] to the spirit of Elijah. John represented the old covenant. The prophet was a voice crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare ye the way of the Lord; make His paths straight." [Is 40:3; Lk 3:4]
(By that John the Baptist meant to 'prepare for Jesus, the Messiah and Saviour, by repentance and changing the heart, turning away from sin.)
• Moses • Jesus
• old covenant • new covenant
• law • grace
• blood (animal sacrifice, heifer) • blood of [unblemished] Lamb = Jesus/Yeshua ram for forgiveness of sins Saviour whose death and resurrection made a way to be forgiven; reconciled back to God
Judging Between Sheep and Sheep
During these past four months, I had thought that perhaps I was one of the ones that the Lord was telling to “stand down”, that perhaps somehow I had failed or was weighed in the balances and found wanting. O, how I searched my heart; how I prayed [with the Holy Spirit's help]!
Back in 2012 (when I was still in USA, and when Obama was elected again, second term), the instruction came to write: Now It Begins
It was multi-faceted, and I intend to touch on it in another chapter, but not now; not here in this portion of my writing.
This much only I will say. It is the beginning of a downward slope where things will start slowly but build momentum. It will be fast-moving and overwhelming by the time the great tribulation Jesus/Yeshua spoke of will begin.
It is all written out for anyone to read in the Word of God. And for what we do not understand, there are still some godly men preachers/teachers who do not stray from the truth of scriptures, or twist them. They can explain.
I know there is much I do not yet clearly understand, but as I learn, I share. And the plain truth is that there will be gaps and things that none of us will know until it happens, or until God Almighty reveals it to us, whichever comes first.
Then, in 2013, the Lord kept putting in my spirit about separating, a dividing; not only in exposing tares (though it was not time for removal) and the wheat (his doing), but division in relationships – family, brethren, work; marriages, friendships (enemy’s doing).
Then, in late 2013 or early 2014, the Holy Spirit led me to scripture in Ezekiel, where the Lord spoke through the prophet about judging between cattle and cattle. In my spirit man, I understood that the Lord was judging those who call themselves by His name. (Judgment had begun.)
For the time has come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begins with us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God. [1Pet 4:17]
He was angered at the shepherds fleecing the flock, the witchcraft in many of the churches, unholy prayers that tried to manipulate God (instead of willingly doing His will), praying in a way that He would be convinced to do “their will”, and certain Christians whose prayers were more like curses (witchcraft). The python spirit (spirit of divination) is rampant. This greatly displeased the Lord.
Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus says the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
You eat the fat, and you clothe yourself with the wool, you kill them that are fed: but you feed not the flock.
The diseased have you not strengthened, neither have you healed that which was sick, neither have you bound up that which was broken, neither have you brought again that which was driven away, neither have you sought that which was lost; but with force and cruelty have you ruled them. [Ezek 34:2-4]
Serious Separation
So, in 2013, the Lord warned of a 'separating', judgment, and also division. In 2015, 2016, and 2017, He continued to warn the people (self included).
A couple of days before the end of last year, on December 29, the Lord placed ideas for an article upon my heart. On New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2017, He led me to post it.
Here is an excerpt from that writing:
“A grieving is heard in the heavenlies, and hot tears are seen upon the faces of many of My people, for I am answering prayers for truth to be revealed, to protect them from deception. Therefore, there is a witnessing of sheep being separated from sheep. It is true, for it is written that the goats shall be separated from the sheep and the tares from the wheat. I am judging between sheep and sheep.”
And as for you, O my flock, thus says the Lord God; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle (sheep and sheep), between the rams and the he-goats. [Ezek 34:17]
Yea, I tell you that sheep are being separated from sheep, for it is a necessity in these latter times. This is happening globally.
Her priests have violated My law, and have profaned My holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shown difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from My Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. [Ezek 22:26]
He goes on to speak against greedy shepherds, false prophets, lazy watchmen, and some of the sheep in the flocks that love to have their ears tickled, and are moved about by every wind of doctrine and every false prophesy that is comfortable to hear.
He spoke of the striking [certain] shepherd(s) and the flock would scatter. He also foretold of church buildings whose doors would close, never to reopen. He reminds us that we have the power to “choose”. He warned of false brethren, unforgiveness, pride, bitterness, and anger, justifying sins and no desire to repent, despite the warnings. He led me to write:
“Yes, a division is happening. Not only are unbelievers divided against believers/disciples of Christ, but also a dividing [division] happening among the sheep as well.”
And further along:
“I have risen from My throne. The shaking increases – judgment falls, and has been falling for some time. It shall increase. It is moving over the lands as surely as death moved over Egypt at the time that the firstborn of both man and beast were slain [Ex 11:5], when Pharaoh’s hard heart had no fear of the Creator of all things.”
The article is called: On the Verge of the Great and Terrible
The Lord made it very clear that many Christians have "no fear of the Lord". There was a time I had no fear of the Lord. The very thought now appalls me.
Time of Revealing
Since that prophetic writing on New Year’s Eve last year (2017), so much has gone down, not just globally but in the personal lives of multitudes, self included. In fact, in the past four months, since the last post, I had more than once thought that I was one of the ones the Lord was having “stand down”; and that the separating of the sheep had passed over me, and I was found on the side that was not the remnant, like the 10,000 in Gideon’s army that returned home because fear ruled in their heart.
Satan is the father of lies. He works with the fallen flesh of mankind, hoping to trap us with some temptation (we all vary in our strengths and weaknesses - your strength may be my weakness, and vice versa).
We must be keen in discerning Satan's voice, our flesh, or the Shepherd's. Satan/Lucifer is the master deceiver; there is no truth in him. He may borrow a truth but twist it to deceive you. He is the author of confusion, and confusion is rampant in the fog of war, but trust the Spirit of God in every battle because for this reason (salvation) Messiah came. [Is 9:5]
Although I previously mentioned the part above, it is important to understand that if you are keeping a repentant heart and cleaving to the Lord, He will let you know. It is good if we do not think more highly of ourselves than we ought, but do not let Satan rob you of your right standing with God...never, because he will try.
Together, the Holy Spirit and you have come a long way on a narrow path. There have been obstacles, traps, and rugged terrain where knees got skinned, and egos got bruised, perhaps even crushed. It is good to let pride go - we all struggle with it, some much more than others.
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The Lord is faithful always to help us. He never leaves or forsakes. Do not fall for the lies of Satan, his demonic legions, or any enemy of the cross and of Christ.
In the upcoming articles, this will be expounded upon, but not here, not now. I simply want to say that many have been going through fire and storms (trials and tribulations), but for many, it was the trying of our faith to see what is in our hearts. It is a process. It was not the first (for the majority) - it won't be the last.
Remember, on the last day of last year (2017), He forewarned His people about greedy shepherds, false prophets, lazy watchmen, false brethren, and more. However, in the months following, beginning the first day of January 2018, of which we are now in the sixth month, the Lord has been trying (testing) us to see whether we love God with all our heart, mind, and soul; to see what is in our heart.
And you shall remember all the way which the Lord your God led you these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you, and to prove (test) you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments, or no. [Deut 8:2]
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. [Jer 17:10]
Remember how Adam had been given one commandment to test him and to see what was in his heart (whether obedience or not) and if he would obey the Word of God? We too can expect this test, though it will not be the commandment to not eat the fruit of a particular tree (though God could command that) but to see if we will obey His Word (Bible).
Yes, I had thought that after all my years of writing and warning people, and urging people to repent and walk holy and circumspectly, I thought these past four months were a trial in which I had failed. What a frightening and horrifying thought, a heart-wrenching possibility! Not just to fail a loving God, and the rescuer of my soul as well as my very salvation, but to fail and be a hypocrite to boot!
Humility and Repentance
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you.
Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, says the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
And they went out and preached that men should repent. [Ezek 18:30; Mk6:12]
But we also have an adversary who is often used in the testing of our faith and obedience. He is the strong and cruel accuser of the brethren!
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 5:6-9]
Within the next couple of days, I will post the next article. For those who feel like giving up; the name of the series should come as both an exhortation and an encouragement: You are not alone; the Lord Jesus/Yeshua is always with you. We CAN NOT go by feelings - they will fail us. We cannot go by our thoughts - they are fickle and often dependent on our surroundings and other factors.
Jesus never fails. We may not understand or like what God allows to happen, or allows what we must go through, but He sees so much more than we do. We have to learn, to come to a place where we trust God/Jesus no matter what. It is not always easy. That is the truth.
Don’t Quit Just Before the Finish Line
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| A fall is not necessarily a sin. Cry out to Jesus - Let humility answer and grab hold of the cross. |
Addendum [March 20.2025]
Two preachers I had great respect for, likely because they seemed like men who were good fathers, but more importantly, men who loved the true, living God, YHWH, and exalted Jesus/Yeshua above all, both spoke about never giving up.
I did not follow either one when they were alive. Derek Prince was a new name to me about 2009/10, and even then I did not respond immediately to checking him out. His sermon about not giving up was the one that caught my attention.
David Wilkerson wrote a book called "The Cross and the Switchblade", which was lent to me in my 30s. It was a book that left a lasting impression upon me because after I was returned from kidnapping, my first drug of choice was heroin, but I did not know it was addictive. I never got addicted to it, and when I stopped about six months later (I never did it daily or anything), but I never returned to it. (THAT alone had to be Jesus, not me!)
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| I would rather walk in the humility of correction than in the error of pride. BP2014 |
Don't give up was his message to the lost. But it was how David had such compassion and understanding for the street kids, the gangs, the drug addicts and prostitutes that captured my heart. I had wondered, what kind of love is that?
I received some of his newsletters before he passed, and watched a few videos of Pastor Wilkerson's, but had only been committed about six years before he passed. [I was a slow conversion; I really do not know how to explain it. I hear some who were so changed almost immediately - I took super-long)
His tragic and untimely death left me deeply saddened when I heard. He had my utmost respect. He loved his wife, was faithful, loved his children, and was a good father. Was he perfect? Only Jesus was...only Jesus.
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| David and Gwendolyn Wilkerson |
An equally great depth of sorrow swept over me when his beloved wife, Gwendolyn, passed about a year later...She too was a faithful spouse, and held my respect as well.
My heart also went out to their children and grandchildren. They went through a lot of trials and hardships, as I read up about them over the years. Gwen battled cancer, a brave woman. She had her moments too - because she suffered much, was in great pain, and the battles were sometimes long.
We all have our 'moments', if the truth is told. All it takes is the right set of circumstances that wear a soul down. We all have limits. David Wilkerson also said something profound about 'giving up' that I still remember to this day, although it's been several years since I heard it. Mention of it has been in my writings before.
For me, giving up is NOT an option, but yes, as stated, I have had my moments and may have moments again when I think I cannot possibly make it. It is definitely not about giving up on the Lord, or my faith, but just myself (but that is usually lies from myself (carnal thinking/flesh) or the enemy, trying to get to me - bring about a spirit of heaviness, depression).
I get discouraged about what seems like a small 'crop' of fruit, or that I could do more, but what, how? I put my heart into my writing, praying for the Spirit of the Lord to be in the writing to minister to a hurting, lost or hopeless soul...to bring glory to God through Jesus.
Jesus is forever a treasure - I desperately need Him and desire Him forever. Every single soul needs the Saviour, the Messiah. He is the best - the greatest that ever could happen to us. He is my life.
It is the pain medication and long battle with it all that gets to me sometimes, but prayer and rest, pressing into Jesus is always the answer. He is so good, so faithful. My discouragement does not last long.
Jesus said, Come unto Me all who are weary and heavy-laden [heavily burdened], and I will give you REST. [Mat 11:28]
I do miss fellowship - going to church, but it is too difficult to get out at this time - but my miracle is coming!
I do not allow guilt or shame to consume me. Jesus (Yeshua) took all that; He washed it all away with His precious blood. Everyone goes through weak times, and times of discouragement. Anyone who says they never do is either lying, high on something, or visiting here from a fantasyland.
Jesus wept. [Jn 11:35]
This well-known verse is understood as the shortest sentence contained in the Bible. Even knowing that He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, the Messiah wept as He had compassion on all who were grieving for Lazarus, including Lazarus' two sisters, close friends of Jesus, Martha and Mary.
Fully God and fully man - Jesus understands our frailties; He understands that we are but dust. He is true to His Word, and I bear witness to the fact that He never does leave or forsake us. He may be quiet, but He is ever-present, yes, but not just in trouble - always.
It is written: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not 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. Selah [Ps 46:1-3]
He is a "very present help" ALWAYS, not just in trouble. But the wisdom of God, it was written because God knows that people often only turn to Him when we ARE in trouble. He has been calling His people to come closer and deeper for years now, but many say they read the Bible, and pray daily, but the deeper intimacy is not there.
I do walk with the Lord as close as I know how, but there are times that I do wish that He would put on skin and come and sit awhile with Me. But here's the beauty of it all. He did put on skin once (the Word became flesh and dwelt among us)...full of grace and truth [Jn 1:14 for the full verse]
I am striving to go deeper and closer - sometimes I am not sure how, except to spend that quality time praying and speaking with Him. I keep pressing in, but I still have moments...
Jesus is the King, Lord and Saviour of the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom whose beauty, value/worth which is likened to that of a great pearl, and how a soul should 'treasure' such a find. The Lord is soon returning - we all wait with bated breath...but meanwhile, we reach out to others
The Importance of Trust
When I was young, I trusted everyone who smiled and spoke kindly or in a non-threatening way. After I was kidnapped on my 16th birthday, I trusted very few. After marrying an abusive, alcoholic man (which was rebellion since God let me know beforehand that I was not to marry him), who even trespassed against his own children, I trusted no one.
Through time, repentance, testing, godly sorrow and brokenness, forgiving, and more, the Lord helped me to build up trust in Him, step by step, from glory to glory - the very one who deserved automatic trust was the very one most patient in understanding and in waiting. The Lord balances all things if we let Him do His work in us, and work with Him.
God is patient and kind, but He is no fool. I had no real guidance in my faith (it's a long story - another time), although I wanted to understand. He really picked from the bottom of the pile when He pulled me out of my stench - I am so grateful. Few others would stoop so low, but God /Jesus is like no other - NONE!
The two men, Derek Prince and David Wilkerson (alphabetical order) both had thought-provoking, faith-cementing statements regarding "giving up". Let's put it in simplistic and paraphrased order here, if I may.
(Of course I may - the privilege of having my own blog lol)
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| Derek Prince |
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| Run the race, and endure to the end -- even if you have to cross the finish line on your knees. Praise God! |
We have to wait, NOT knowing how long a trial (test) or tribulation will be, and endure to the end. Many give up. Some fall, determined that it is enough, but then chose to rise again. Good.
If You Fall, Rest and Rise Again
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| We all need help sometimes, whether physically or spiritually. Don't let pride hinder it... Rise up for Jesus |
It is not the falling down that defines you, it is what you do when you RISE back UP. Go forward, friend, more determined to HOLD FAST to Christ, STANDING FIRMLY upon the Rock, a sure and solid foundation, ENDURING to the end.
Submit to God (sweet surrender - so many despise that, pride says, 'You're no slave, do not surrender) - they lack understanding.
What if Abraham gave up after 24 years, 11 months, and 23 hours, not knowing there was only ONE hour left? [as Derek Prince taught] What if Joseph gave up after he interpreted the dreams of the Pharaoh's wine taster and his baker, instead of waiting the two years out?
Year after year passed. Finally, Sarai offered her Egyptian handmaiden Hagar as a wife to Abraham so that the handmaiden would conceive and bear the son [heir] God promised Abraham. Hagar did conceive and bore Ishmael. It did not mean that Abraham or Sarai [Sarah] 'gave up' on God's promise. They believed Yahweh.
Impatience is not to be mistaken for giving up, or for unbelief. They believed, but God was taking too long [that seems to be the thought behind the action] Abraham and Sarah believed God but in their minds (looking at their outward appearance, their old age and Sarai's barrenness), they were no longer young, and it had already been ten years [a decade] since the promise.
Derek Prince had the right idea. God does not tell us how long a test or a tribulation will be. He knows we are impatient creatures. I believe that is why the time of our departure from these earthen vessels is kept from us also. How could we enjoy life doing a "count-down" to our time -- and the pressure! The Lord is wise in all His ways.
The closer we walk with Jesus (abiding, clinging to the Vine), and the more determined we are to walk by faith as well as in obedience to God's Word and to His will, the tests and trials get harder. The difference is like a grade two spelling test versus a university final exam.
It can get so hard that there is often a tendency to think we are being punished, but we are not. That is either our fleshly (carnal) thoughts or a fiery dart (lie/deception) from the adversary. It is like pressing the oil out of olives. We cry out for relief, for furlough, for an end - be encouraged, it will come - and other brethren go through it as well.
Our faith is tried. Our hearts are tried. YHWH speaks to us through His Word.
Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he [Joseph] was laid in iron: Until the time that his word came: the Word of the Lord tried him. [Ps105:18-19]
And His Word will try us (both the rhema and logos) The Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth when we put Jesus first.
Seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. [Mat 6:33] (emphasis mine)
So, Prince encourages us not to give up because we could be on the last day, and what a shame to call it 'quits' then, when we were so close.
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| David Wilkerson |
But he explains it.
How many of us cry out saying, 'The harder I try (to do things properly or as instructed), the worse it gets. Or, "The closer I walk with Jesus, the more everything comes against me."
Because of your closeness, your 'pressing in', your abiding, your cleaving, for these things, you are a target - you are a threat to the adversary's kingdom!
"But I can't give up either - it's not an option." Tears of frustration fall, along with repentance - that is the very time I have learned to praise. The Lord is compassionate, and full of understanding and wisdom. When we have a healthy fear of the Lord and love for Him, we need not get caught up in worry. The Holy Spirit in us helps us to guard our words, and attitude (keep gratitude close).
It may feel awkward or surreal praising Jesus in the battle, yet, at the same time, it is the right thing to do. The Lord taught me that in the hospital when I was literally in a spiritual warzone being acted out in the physical realm. I posted about it a few times (it was 2023, not sure right now where...but I have written about it more than once, to the glory of God. Amazing!)
The Lord led me to [2Chron 20]. Incredible story about Israel surrounded by an evil army that far outnumbered them. The Holy Spirit highlighted verse :21 where Jehoshaphat sent musicians out ahead of the army to praise God.
When I timidly copied what the Holy Spirit was showing me (singing songs of praise about the "beauty of holiness" and how "the Lord's mercy endures forever" - I was making songs up as I went along, very quietly...in my hospital bed that they had placed in a storage room that staff had cleared out to put my bed in. I was being 'disciplined' aka 'punished' lol - long story, short time).
It was mind-boggling, and powerful, how everything had completely changed only hours later. It was a profound lesson that I will never forget, and such proof of the sovereignty and providence of El Shaddai, so much so that I have shared it several times since it happened (2023), both in person and on the blog. Trust God's word; cause your faith have action and watch God move!
Satan is the author of confusion, and his intent is to cause your faith to be destroyed [if he can], and then have unbelief give way to a reprobate mind. Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Christ came to give us life, and that more abundantly. [Jn 10:10]
The Good Shepherd gives us life abundantly, NOT meant as the false "prosperity doctrine" states, but a 'rich life' of peace (that passes all understanding), love, joy -- basically, the 'fruit' of the Holy Spirit provides. [Gal 5:22-23] At least, that is my understanding of it, but I am no preacher. There are still godly men teaching. God will always make sure of that, despite the desires of Satan and the world.
Brother Wilkerson reminds us that there could only be a half-hour left, that is all, but the intensity of the test or the tribulation can weary us, leaving us at the place where we say we have had enough, just as Job, Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah, and other men of God did.
Believing, faith, trust, prayer, sweat, pain, tears, perseverance - this is the investment that is placed in things that we believe God for, holding fast to Messiah in faith [clinging like grapes to the Vine - Christ being the Vine], trusting His promises, both corporate (for all believers) and personal (between Yahweh and any one of His own).
The prayers of the saints envelope all these things - all the tear-soaked praise, all the sweat of perseverance, fueled by the pain of endless hope that has kept the weary during the turbulent storms in the spiritual realm; storms that continue to beat against a house, threatening to bring it down with its violent winds and stinging pellets of rain.
It is dramatized by thunderous outbursts [the angry rhetoric of the opposition] and blinding flashes of lightning [unexpected clashes from the enemies of darkness against the children of light].
The spiritual war is constant; the battles have been planned from long ago and are being carried out strategically. Yet, the book of Revelation unveils the victory that Yeshua and all who are His gain as spoil in the end. God's kingdom wins. There should be no doubt, and all will bow to Christ Jesus in the end.
Wilkerson's warning about the hardest part of the test (tribulation/trial or battle) being the LAST half hour [where most give up from weariness because it has gone on too long, and no end is in sight] is godly wisdom to stand upon. As emphasized, it [hardest part] is always just before the victory. Most people give up in the last half hour.
Hold fast, beloved soul, hold tight to God Almighty through Jesus Christ, even though it is the hardest part of the test, the trial, or the battle, persevering [enduring] needs to be earnestly obeyed. I cannot remember who said it but it is akin "the strongest onslaught is just before the victory!"
And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me, See you do it not: I am your fellow-servant, and of your brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. [Rev 19:19]
We can do all things through Jesus Christ [Yeshua Mashiach], and cleaving to Him in the last half hour of a very difficult, heart-wrenching time, there is our STRENGTH to finish - for our good, but to the glory of God alone through His beloved Son.
Guaranteed that this repost has been shared not only to help others know that they are not alone, and to say, "You've got this - through Jesus (Yeshua), you can do this!"
Not a Super-Christian!
In fact, at one point, I had actually said that if healing does not come, and if the battles do not subside, I would fail the Lord - and for all the goodness, mercy and grace that He has poured out upon me (and so many others), I cannot bear the thought of letting Abba (my heavenly Father) and Saviour down.
And what does the Lord do? He strengthens us - David encouraged [strengthened] himself in the Lord. [1Sam 30:6] Joshua was encouraged [strengthened] in [by, through] the Lord. [Josh 1:9]
Sometimes we 'fall' or 'stumble' spiritually. A fall does NOT necessarily mean one has sinned. Some people hear someone say they 'fell' and automatically assume that they mean they fell into sin.
It can simply mean that they have run a long time, have grown weary, and in that fatigue, sat down and with head resting on the arms, a sigh goes forth, "I can't do this anymore..."
What that person needs is REST, and that much-needed rest will only come through and in quality time with Christ Jesus. Some folks have been going months, years, decade or more (remember Abraham, Joseph, Moses - prime examples on waiting over a decade, sometimes two, sometimes four!)
Yes, people lived longer back then. Do you think our Creator, the Great Potter, is not aware of that? He knows what we are capable of. We often have to discover it. Some think too highly of themselves, others too lowly. Only our Maker can put things into proper perspective.
Have you ever been running when suddenly you stumble and 'fall'? If you quit and stay down, it's over. But wait, what if it is only a temporary setback? Jesus travailed in the Garden of Gethsemane. His flesh did not want to go through what He had to go through.
Twice He went out to see His faithful inner circle, John, James and Peter, only to find them sleeping instead of praying for Him. He had returned to the inner garden to pray to His Abba [Father], but in the end, an angel came and ministered to Him. He was strengthened to endure all the horror ahead of Him.
He was strengthened to go forth, out of the inner garden to where His apostles were sleeping - there to meet Judas and go on to run His own race and finish the mission, the very purpose and reason why He came - to willingly lay down His life for sinful mankind.
He travailed - He anguished - He sorrowed - it seemed like more than His flesh could bear. Yet, He spent time with His Father, the living God, and was strengthened to endure to the end. Now, He wants us to come to Him, to be strengthened, and to rise up again to endure to the end of our race.
The devil will lie, to keep you down. Do not listen to the flesh that demands pleasure and comfort. Do not listen to the adversary (Satan/Lucifer) or any of his minions that are seeking to steal, kill and destroy you and our destiny with Christ Jesus.
A seasoned runner falls once, perhaps twice on a long-distance run. What if the second time they fall, they stay down? It seems as though they have quit but there were things going on inside their spirit man - a wrestling, a war within.
Suddenly, the runner gets back up [even if it is only "on their
knees" - hallelujah!, and with all their might, they press
on, maybe not with swiftness or outer strength, but with determination and
inner strength.
They overcome the flesh and decided they will finish
the rest of the race. Even if they did not win some ribbon or a shiny trophy,
they won in the sense that they found the strength to continue on.
The one who falls and stays down is the casualty. They did not press in; nor abide - they 'chose' to fall away. They 'chose' by deciding God could not be trusted. They decided God does not care or else they would not have to suffer so much, or run an endless race. They forego embrace unbelief. Be strong in faith, my friends, like Abraham.
He believed God's promise for twenty-five years [two and a half decades]! It is written that Abraham did not stagger at the promise of God through unbelief, but was STRONG in faith - doing what? - giving glory to GOD Almighty! El Shaddai
How long have you been waiting? Fear tried to come upon me whilst I watched my physical condition worsen. Fear actually affects the Immune system, did you know that? I did not. For the longest time, I was unaware of that fact. We are not taught these things by the world, but we are not of the world, and the Holy Spirit is a faithful teacher.
Could that be another reason that the Lord God or any one of His holy angels often said, "Do not fear", or "Fear not"? I am not speaking of the 'healthy' kind of fear that warns you if you go too close to a dangerous precipice, or if you put your weight on that badly cracked step on the wooden ladder, you could fall and get hurt. That is a healthy fear warning you of danger - to tread carefully.
I speak of the 'unhealthy' fear that causes toxins to develop in the immune system, as well as inflammation. We are told to put on a garment of praise for a 'spirit of fear'. Fear can paralyze us. I remember the first time I saw a demon, I was petrified and literally could not speak or move.
I was not saved, but Jesus - the name above all names - I am sure that is what caused him [demon] to begin to move away from me. That omnipotent name kept going before (in my mind) like rapid-fire. God is everywhere and all-powerful indeed.
(I wrote about that here: >> War in the Air – Witchcraft in the Fog )
However, Satan never quits trying to make us quit, either by some physical sin, or the sin of unbelief, or worse. We must TRUST Jesus, which will override fear.
We overcome
him (Satan/Lucifer) by the blood of the Lamb and the
Word of our testimony, and love not our lives unto death. [Rev 12:11]
Do not give
up or give in. Many of us are going through this together. It is the times we
are in, but whether a test or preparation, the motive is to draw nearer the
heart of our King and Lord. Our magnificent Saviour is soon returning. Keep
looking up, praying and reaching out to others, -- for their sake, but for the
glory of God through Christ.
for His glory alone
Bonita
dovesofthevalleys4@gmail.com
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