One Act of Obedience

(NOTE: Update Added - August 26/26:

I overlooked the part about the "tapestry" in my notes. The story has been added under 'Obedience - A Fruit of Love'. Also, three pictures have been added - BP)

ONE Act of Obedience

Around 2005, in a night vision (I dare not call it a dream since I was not asleep, but merely resting with closed eyes), I saw the word OBEDIENCE. The capital letters highlighted the importance of the word. And the warm, glimmering gold emphasized the purity and holiness in the act of obedience.

As I gazed upon the word in my spirit, Christ Jesus immediately came to mind. Because of the precious Holy Spirit, I was very aware of Messiah’s presence. The sense of great peace enveloped me. I wondered what the Lord was trying to show me.

My peace shattered abruptly as I witnessed a darkness moving downward from the top of the letters of ‘OBEDIENCE’. There was a wrestling with the fear of the unknown. What was that darkness? Jesus is the light of this world. [Jn 8:12]

It was all happening very quickly, and soon the entire word ‘obedience’ was covered in the dark fluid. Before confusion could consume me, a scripture came to mind. I could not recall it verbatim, but it had to do with Jesus stating that He is the light of the world, and when we follow Him, we will not walk in darkness, but have light (life). [Jn 8:12]

It all happened faster than I can even type. It was an open vision, so it was like watching a short movie. No sooner had the scripture come to mind than everything brightened, as a light revealed what the ‘darkness’ was that covered the word ‘obedience’ in its entirety.

BLOOD! Immediately, I understood that the precious blood was that of “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world”. [Rev 13:8] Indeed, the precious blood of Jesus/Yeshua the Christ.

The next day John saw Jesus coming to him and said, Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. [Jn 1:29]

Once seen and understood, fear fled.

The obedience of Christ Jesus was completely soaked (drenched) in the precious blood of the Lamb that was poured out for us when the Messiah was upon the cross. [Phil 2:8]

And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Obedience was a fruit [one of the fruits] of His love for His Father [Jn 14:31] and for us (humankind), as He willingly sacrificed His life, spilling His precious blood to redeem us from the penalty of death (the wages of sin is death) [Rom 6:23] and to break the power of sin.

For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. [Rom 5:19]

And said to them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: [Lk 24:46]

One act of obedience brings forth the greatest miracle of all – salvation!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ [Yeshua Mashiach], which according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. [1Pet 1:3]

Obedience – A Fruit of Love

Right now, it is very important to practice obedience. Many of God’s people are being tested right now, and obedience will be part of that testing. Could our suffering be to bring up the dross? To challenge our faith? To test our heart?

Think upon it. We are in the beginning of sorrows…this is the time to do all the Lord asks.

If He instructs you to fast, prayerfully ask how long and what kind of fast – please be sure it is the Lord’s direction, especially if you are elderly or have limitations due to any physical reasons, such as diabetes or some other limitation. The Lord will lead you properly and according to your situation. There may be something else He requires of you instead.

Perhaps He has moved on you to pray earnestly. He gives instructions. Stay in the Word, pray.

This was to be posted by last Sunday [three days ago, the 23rd Aug], but it has been a great difficulty due to interruptions and distractions. Yet, all things are in God’s timing. Nothing takes Him by surprise... us, yes, the Lord - no.

For we know that all things work together for good to those who love God and are the called, according to His purpose. [Rom 8:28]

As often stated with this verse, it is not suggested that everything that happens is good, but rather Almighty God [El Shaddai], in His wisdom, works everything together to bring forth the good that He has purposed.

It is like the metaphor of the tapestry, which comes from a poem written by Grant Colfax Tullar [1869-1950] (an American hymn writer), but made famous/popular by Corrie Ten Boom.

Tullar wrote the poem after a dark season of despair, hopelessness, and discouragement. Corrie Ten Boom had many speaking engagements as a survivor of the Holocaust, a survivor of Ravensbruck Nazi concentration camp.

She used to carry the poem on a piece of paper, along with a piece of embroidery with knotted, messy threads on one side and a lovely golden crown on the upside. She would read the poem and then demonstrate the meaning with the piece of embroidered material she carried with her.

She explained the knotted side represented our perspective of life, which can be confusing, tangled, chaotic and random. The flip side represented God's master plan and the crown of eternal life.

Tullar had originally named the poem "The Weaver". Corrie Ten Boom simply renamed it "Life is But a Weaving" (The Tapestry Poem). Her famous quote was: "Although the threads of my life have often seemed knotted, I know, by faith, that on the other side of the embroidery is a crown."

Although Grant Tullar wrote the poem, it is famously, howbeit erroneously, credited to Corrie Ten Boom.

click any picture to enlarge
pic credit_TenBoom.org

My life is but a weaving
Between my God and me.
I cannot choose the colors -
He weaveth steadily.

Oft' times He weaveth sorrow;
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.

Now 'til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas
And reveal the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the weaver's skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

He knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing this truth can dim
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice to Him.

Does Your Character Pass the Litmus Test?

About four months ago, I mentioned that hearts are being tested (tried) right now. If someone questioned that God would not do such a thing, I will repost the scripture that I used then.

Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character. [Ps 105:19] NLT (New Living Translation)

Today, during prayer this morning, before I opened the Bible, I mentioned a few things to the Lord. Then I asked Him to lead me to what He wanted me to know. Again, I was led to [Psalm 105:19]. 

I trust the Lord when we pray sincerely to Him, humbling ourselves the best way we know how, and then trusting Jesus to lead us by His Spirit and answer our prayer request.

We pray with thanksgiving. That is another lesson that has kept coming before my eyes, either in Scripture or in some of my writings from days gone by. The testing has not been easy at times. In fact, there are times I have broken down into tears. Pain has a way of wearing us down.

There is no desire in my heart to complain, but I do tell the Lord that I am at my wit’s end. Year after year rolls by. I listen to what is happening with brethren. So many are suffering in different ways.

Situations are arising that test the character, integrity, sincerity, and genuineness of each individual. It has always been said that a person’s true character is proven in times of adversity. I have seen people who are thought to be so macho, so brave, yet cower instead of protecting a woman or child when startled by a sudden loud noise at night, out in the country.

I have seen so-called ‘good men’ kick a helpless puppy for not ‘behaving’ right when no one could see them except ‘family’. Yet to their friends and business associates, they are the epitome of ‘charm’.

smiling charmer hides the truth
image credit_dreamstime.com
1 of 15 free images - trial

The same charming person can be someone we would never suspect. They could turn out to be a thief, a liar, an adulterer, a murderer or a humanoid. How often has someone been found guilty of something, and people could not believe it? It seemed completely out of character. That is how charming someone can present themselves – a most convincing mask.

Yet, I have seen a person who was always mocked and ridiculed as being a ‘wimp’ due to their quiet or laid-back nature, turn out to be a real trooper in times of need. God knows exactly what kind of litmus test will prove the character of each individual.

Many of us have been going through one situation after another. Has it felt like everything is a battle, and everyone is at odds with you? I went through a time like that recently. Many times, I would end up in tears, wondering why the onslaught would not stop.

More times than I can count, asking Jesus for help, I searched my heart to see what I could be doing wrong to bring all of it upon myself. It seems that there is this unspoken expectation that Christians are never supposed to be depressed, or get angry, or be stressed, or have negative days. Just smile the perpetual Joel Osteen smile and give thanks to God…

“I failed You, Lord…” I often found myself lamenting, but the Holy Spirit corrected me, especially when a wave of melancholy swept over the flesh, or I spoke forth the devil’s lies. The expectation to be positive and unmoved by even stressful and/or pressing situations is both exhausting and unrealistic. Even those who disagree with the false doctrines of the prosperity gospel can be affected by some teacher’s influence, without realizing it.

The Leftover Sting of the False Prosperity Doctrine

Many believers are stuck in the rut that faith heals everything and that it quietly subdues all kinds of suffering, whether physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual pain, financial distress, marital problems, or wayward children. If not, then it must be the result of some hidden sin.

I remember being told that people who held bitterness inside suffered from arthritis, or that if anyone had cancer it was due to unforgiveness, and on and on and on it went. This is not true. Not only is it harmful, but it is unbiblical. It is the “hidden sin” mentality.

One time the disciples of Jesus asked him if a certain man was blind because of his parents’ sin or his own sin, to which Jesus responded with an adamant no. He stated that the condition was not caused by sin but that God’s love, power and work would be manifested through his healing, which would ultimately glorify God [Yahweh]. [Jn 9:2-3]

This has been something I have written about many times over the years because the first church I chose to attend after the orphanage happened to be a Word of Faith, prosperity-preaching church.

I was twenty-five years old and needed a job. An apartment building a few blocks from me was looking for a manager. I went in to apply for the job. The duties were simple enough. I would be responsible for cleaning all the apartments before and after occupancy, cleaning halls, lobby, and the laundry and mail rooms. I was to collect rent, deposit monies, and screen potential renters. The then-manager assured me that I practically had the job, but I would have to meet with the building owner after the weekend to make it official.

Going by the prosperity teaching that I had heard over the couple of months at the church, I gave notice to the manager at the apartment I had. The new job provided a furnished one-bedroom apartment and a small salary each month. 

I named-it-and-claimed-it (claimed the job and apartment as done in the spiritual; it will manifest in the natural). That is the teaching in a nutshell. I would have gotten the job too, but I had no husband. The job required a couple. The man would be responsible for maintenance for the building, something I could not do.

Desperately, I went back to the manager of the apartment where I had given notice, but sadly, he had already rented the place out. A woman at the church allowed me to stay at her place (on the couch) in exchange for light housework and babysitting her two school-aged boys.

That was my hard lesson with the “name-it-and-claim-it” prosperity doctrine. It was a rude and harsh awakening, but the Lord allowed me to find out very quickly after I had started at the church. I only went a few more times before I left it. Something happened that caused me to leave the church for the next 13 years, but I have spoken of that in past articles – not for now.

I have to admit that despite knowing that the doctrine is false and unrealistic, there have been times that the teaching has affected me, and I did not immediately recognize it. The Lord is truly so faithful. That is not just a Christian cliché; it is a beautiful reality.

If you have been going through interruptions, distractions, and opposition to the point that it has worn you down, be encouraged. You are most likely being tested. I asked the Lord about what was happening. Yet once again, He led me to a Scripture that I posted a couple of months back. It was confirmation of what I sensed, but I was not 100% sure about.

Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested (tried) Joseph’s character. [Ps 105:19]

Worship God Through Jesus

But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. [Jn4:23-24]

This song beats any AI song, although there actually are some good AI songs. Still, I hesitate and will not be promoting them often. Steve McWhirter put out a song that I only recently stumbled upon, but it was actually put out online in 2020.

It is called “Come Jesus Come” – it is our heart’s cry, especially as we see the evil that is flooding this world and knowing, as the Great Tribulation fast approaches, that according to the Word of God, it is only going to get worse. But thank God for Jesus and the Holy Spirit!

May it bless you as much as it does me. To God be the glory.

Click the link at the bottom of the lyrics to take you to McWhirter’s official YouTube channel.

Come Jesus Come

Sometimes I fall
To my knees and pray
Come Jesus come
Let today be the day

Sometimes I feel
Like I'm gonna break
But I'm holding on
To a hope that won't fade

Come Jesus come

We've been waiting so long
For the day You return
To heal every hurt
And right every wrong

We need You right now
Come and turn this around
Deep down I know
This world isn't home

Come Jesus come
Come Jesus come

There'll be no war
And there'll be no chains
When Jesus comes
Let today be the day

He'll come for the weak
And the strong just the same
And all will believe
In the power of His name

Come Jesus come

We've been waiting so long
For the day You return
To heal every hurt
And right every wrong

We need you right now
Come and turn this around
Deep down I know 
This world isn't home

Come Jesus come
Come Jesus come

One day He'll come
And you'll stand face to face
Come and lay it all down
'Cause it might be today

The time is right now
There's no need to wait
Your past will be washed
By rivers of grace

Come Jesus come

We've been waiting so long
...so long
For the day You return
To heal every hurt
And right every wrong

We need you right now
Come and turn this around
Deep down I know
This world isn't home

Come Jesus come
Come Jesus come
Come Jesus come

 Come Jesus Come - Stephen McWhirter (Official YT Channel)

for His glory alone
Bonita                     dovesofthevalleys4@gmail.com

Paradigm Shift-Part Two-- Every Believer Goes Thru Dark Seasons

If you missed the first part, it is here:

Paradigm Shift: A Message When Least Expected

Now to what the Lord led me to write…

Garden of Gethsemane

then Jesus said to His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow Me.

For whosever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it. [Mat 16:24, 25]

As in the processes of dying and birthing, a paradigm shift is occurring, from that which was, to that which must be. It begins in your own garden of Gethsemane. Here is where great darkness falls upon the soul and spirit and the travailing begins. The flesh cries out, not desiring to suffer and die.  

This is the point where many give up; they will only go so far, for as the rich man who could not part with his riches, so there are things that many of My people refuse to surrender. Therefore, in love and mercy, I send forth chastisement, to see if they will endure correction. Yet again, I shall purge My people and prune away many branches, to see if fruit will come forth in a new season.

This is where everything and everyone will seem to be against you; and things only seem to get worse – and darker; like a horrible pit full of miry (swampy) clay. This is where you will either cry out to Me, or turn away. Press in, endure, keep in the race, cling to Me, for I AM with you.

Immovable Faith

You will feel shaken, horribly shaken, but fear not. Have I not said that all that can be shaken will be shaken? Yes, you have heard this and you have read it in My word. 

And this word, Yet once more, signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.  [Heb 12:27] 

This is a good work, if you understand the purpose. The dross must be shaken loose, so it will surface, for dross is skimmed as it surfaces. Your faith must be immovable. Labor and travail, for it shall not be in vain.  Let your labor be done in fear and trembling. Trust Me. 

 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.  [Pro 25:4]

To those whose house is built upon the rock, though the winds blow and the house is shaken, it shall not fall. Remain steadfast and unmovable in faith.  Lo, I AM doing a good work.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. [1Cor 15:58]

 

Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  [Phil 2:28]

Who has not gone through these dark times? All My people have gone through great darkness; yet in great travailing, weeping and praying, they persevere and go through. In the shaking, your eyes shall be opened and you shall see all that is not of Me. Will you trust Me through it all?

All that is not of Me shall surface and nothing shall remain secret. Let it go in repentance and believe in Me. Submit yourself to Me, resist the enemy who seeks to keep you in bondage and he must flee.[Jam 4:7] I have chosen this furnace of affliction for you, yet it is for good, as you cling to Me and follow the leading of My holy Spirit in you. Submit My child to the work I AM doing and fear not.

2012-sex and drug scandal
Ted Haggard

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.  [Eccl 12:14]

For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. [Mk 4:22]

Behold, I have refined you, but not with silver; I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction.  [Is 48:10]

Cry out to Me and I hear you. My hand is not shortened that it cannot save, nor is My ear heavy that it cannot hear. [Is 59:1]

Who is among you that fears the LORD, that obeys the voice of his servant, that walks in darkness, and has no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God. [Is 50:10]

Forgiveness is Crucial

Let no bitterness, no strife, no hatred, no anger, no jealousy, no envying, let nothing that is not of Me be found in you. Let forgiveness pour out from your heart, for it shall be a healing balm to you. 

Think upon Saul and David. Even when David knew he was anointed to be king and Saul sought to kill David, did My servant David rise up in pride? Did he kill Saul when he had the chance?

No, he cut a piece of Saul’s robe one time, to let Saul know that he had the opportunity to kill him, but did not. He submitted himself to Saul, who was still king and trusted Me to work things out.

Behold, this day your eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered you today into my hand in the cave: and some bade (told) me kill you: but my eye spared you; and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he is the LORD'S anointed.  [1Sam 24:10]

 

     And he (Saul) said to David, You are more righteous than I: for you have rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded you evil.

And you have shown this day how that you have dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into your hand, you killed me not.  [1Sam 24: 17,18]

Though he spoke fair words and understood the mercy David showed him, Saul did not genuinely repent. Therefore, I say unto you, do not be as Saul. Genuinely repent and believe, forgive and die to self; then shall you be raised up and become the new man. I shall have a holy people, without spot or blemish. Yea and if you fall, I say rise up, rise up again, and cry out to Me.

For a just man falls seven times, and rises up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. [Pro24: 16]

Do Not Fear the Darkness

When the darkness comes upon you, as you go through the dark season, I shall shine My light upon your heart and reveal the secret things that you have not known are there. 

Fear not; neither be dismayed or confounded. Be strong and of good courage. I work in the darkness; I work in ways you cannot see.

Your emotional condition is not necessarily your heart condition. Allow this piercing of the heart, for out of the wound shall pour forth all that festers and infects you. 

Surrender it into My hands with genuine repentance, believe and I shall heal you; you shall have a new heart. I shall shine My light into the darkness, and shall shine light upon your heart.  Then shall you see clearly; then shall you know my glory in the face of My Son.

                                     

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. [1Cor 4:6]

For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon you, and his glory shall be seen upon you. [Is 60:2]

My people must go through these dark times. Many have despaired, been troubled, perplexed, cast down and cried out to Me. Those whom I have raised up mightily went through the darkness that came upon them. 

They cried out to Me, yet felt so helpless, alone and abandoned, not understanding the times of My silence. If you fall, rise back up again. Repent and believe and let your faith hold fast to Me.

Think upon My friend Abraham, after I told him about the son that he would have, and that he would be the father of many nations. What happened?

                                  

And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, a horror of great darkness fell upon him.  [Gen 15:12]

 Did Moses fear the darkness or did he know that even in the darkness, he would find Me?

And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. [Ex 20:21]

 And you came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness

Think upon the apple of My eye, David. Did he not travail in times of the darkness that came upon his soul? Did he not feel so alone?

O LORD, why do you cast my soul away?  Why do you hide your face from me? Afflicted and close to death from my youth up, I suffer your terrors; I am helpless [Psalm 88:14,15]

You have laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps. Lover and friend have you put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness  [Ps 88:6, 18]

 Two godly men who feared and obeyed God wrote about their dark time - their dark night of the soul. Oswald Chambers wrote a poem called, ‘Dark Night of the Soul’, in his book, ‘Abandoned to God’.

[NOTE*: Title corrected. I had mistakenly put "by" instead of "to". It read "Abandoned BY God", instead of 'Abandoned TO God'.  [Words highlighted to show correction] - Hearty 'shout-out' and a sincere 'thank you' to Donna L. for noticing my mistake. Great catch, Donna! Heads up appreciated. Salute - BP2025]

Cut it off. My heart is bleeding,

And my spirit’s wrung in pain,

Yet I hear my Jesus pleading,

Cut it off or all is vain.

So I’ve stopped my ears in terror

Lest self-pity make me quail,

Lest at last I take the error

And God’s purpose thwart and fail.

I am bowed to death in sadness,

For the pain is all too great,

But the dear Lord must find pleasure

In the way He maketh straight.

In the late 1600s, François de Salignac de la Mothe-Fénelon (please do not ask me to pronounce that), often called Francois Fenelon [that's better, easier] was a French Catholic archbishop, theologian, poet and writer.  

He wrote: His [God’s] transformation is done on the cross in darkness, poverty and death.

godly men

Think upon Elijah, Job, Moses and Paul. Have you felt as they did? Have you wanted Me to take you away from the earth? Have you despaired desperately? Yes, you have. Lo, I AM with you.

But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. [1Kings 19: 4]

 

What happened? A paradigm shift… An angel came, touched him and Elijah went on his journey with new strength (new hope) after eating ‘meat’ that I sent.

And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.

And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. [1Kings19: 7, 8] 

Depression is a reality
-
Job, Moses, Elijah, Saul, David, 
all suffered bouts of depression.
It is not always due to sin.

Moses, who was faithful and meek, despaired over the constant complaining and bitterness of the people. Now the Israelites were not satisfied with manna anymore; they wanted meat. It seemed more than Moses could bear because the people never seemed satisfied and were angry with him. He wanted to die.

I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. And if you deal thus with me, kill me, I pray You, out of hand, if I have found favour in Your sight; and let me not see my wretchedness. [Num11: 14,15]

What happened? A paradigm shift… I commanded Moses to gather seventy men of the elders of Israel, and I put the spirit that had been upon Moses upon them, so that Moses should not bear the burden of the people alone, and the seventy prophesied throughout the camp. Then I answered his prayer and sent meat to the people, but the lust of their flesh did anger me. [Num 11:25, 31-33]

Even the apostles despaired at times and desired to leave this life.

For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: [2Cor 1:8]

   We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; [2Cor4:8,9]

Yet again, a paradigm shift took place, as once again My people were strengthened…

But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  [2Cor 15: 57]

So shall it be with My people who persevere, who go through the dark seasons, who cry out in repentance, if there be need in any area for repentance. Yea, cry out to Me and I shall strengthen you as you go through purging and purification. 

End of Part 2 - Paradigm Shift

Tomorrow will conclude with Part 3

for His glory

Bonita                        dovesofthevalleys4@gmail.com