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

Discern the Hour

a loving parent
corrects and disciplines

(NOTE: Updated April 3, 2026 - I was asked the meaning of something today, so I have added a few paragraphs explaining the best I can about [Jezebel's] "lying prophetesses". Scroll down to the "violence - hearts waxing cold" picture - BP)

For whom the Lord loves He corrects, and disciplines those in whom He delights. [Heb 12:6] NLT

It is time. Now that I have corrected you and you received it, it is [also now] the time to rise up for I have given you strength. I have reached out My hand and pulled you up spiritually. You are no victim of Satan. You are a well-trained warrior. All My warriors go through intense training, hardships and testing that is double compared to others.[Is 40:2] The harder the training, the higher the purpose.

I AM the Lord of the battle, and I have sent forth holy angels to guard you and to keep you. They obey My commands. These are those who chose to remain when Satan rebelled. I AM the Lord of all creation.

My people have been travailing; many weeping over the condition of the world, the abundance of evil, and sins. Many have cried out for forgiveness, having repented with godly sorrow, as they continue their walk of faith with a ready and repentant heart. Multitudes have cried out for help to become all that I intended for them to be.

Forgive the Greatest Hurts

Forgiveness is something few offer when the offense has been most painful. To forgive is not always easy, but it is necessary. Yet Stephen the martyr forgave with his dying breath. He understood the Messiah's words upon the cross and he echoed them..."Father, forgive them."

Who has done you the most hurt? Will you forgive? 

For if you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if you refuse to forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your sins.  [Mat 6:14-15] NLT

The genuine believers have interceded faithfully, standing in the gap for multitudes. The prayers for the persecuted have been heart-felt and earnest. The days are here where persecution will increase globally. So it is written, so it shall be.

The weeping has been mingled with moaning and groaning for the lost, the prodigals, the deceived, for loved ones, for government leaders as well as for others in high places of influence and power.

My people pick up their cross daily, repenting when the flesh is weak and rebellious. They continue labouring to daily die to self, striving to overcome. It is a lifelong battle, but the joy comes when each sin is overcome, step by step, stumble, fall, arise…press on.  

The godly [righteous] may trip (fall) seven times, but they will get up [arise] again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked. [Prov 24:16]

They continue to rely on Me for strength in their weaknesses. We are one, I in them, and they in Me. These are My people.

[NOTE: This next part is a message from 2019 – 'only' God knows all things--BP]

I warned of a storm coming; it is intensifying. I warned that things are escalating. Great is the evil and wickedness of these days. It is indeed as in the days of Noah, and of Sodom, and of Gomorrah. 

violence-hearts waxing cold

Violence is global. Hearts are waxing cold and desensitized. The gift of life is taken by evil ones without thought. Abominations are accepted under the false banner of love.

The spirit of Jezebel has seduced the masses and they embrace her false prophets (of Ba’al) with open arms. They listen to her lying prophetesses and false teachers spewing forth doctrines of demons. Blasphemies and heresies against Me are accepted, even encouraged. There is no fear of God amongst the multitudes.

[NOTE: Someone asked about this, so this is what I understand. [Jezebel] 
"her lying prophetesses": 

It is understood that these are those who call themselves 'prophetesses'. Although with the aid of the internet, and to prove they are NOT false, these people will say, "I don't call myself a prophet", but if you listen carefully, in their testimony or in one of their 'teachings'. they do believe they are called to the "office of a prophet (prophetess) of God. Either that or something happened when they were young or unsaved that caused them to realize God had chosen them. 

Please understand - I am not discrediting true ones with such a history, but the false ones, the infiltrators: those with failed prophecies and false teaching (even if it's only partially false because remember, it has to contain truth or else few  would listen. That is what is so heart-breaking about deception.

It brings confusion; it is destructive. Unless one is grounded in the Word, or filled with the Holy Spirit and following His lead, they can be deceived. I have been deceived in my life, and sadly, I did not know I was until Jesus delivered me. It is when one comes out of the deception that then the blind eyes see and the deaf ears hear!  Praise Jesus.

If we are sinning, it is the main open door for deception, but Satan also goes for the unsaved, or the new converts. He is a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. He comes to steal, kill and destroy, but Christ came to give us abundant life (in and through Him). [Jn 10:10]

However, their doctrine is either completely false or a mixture. There is enough truth in these teachings to seduce the people, but lies are mixed in. (It is like rat poison: 98% good food and 2% poison, and it is the little bit, the 2% that kills). People, for the most part, love truth and it is because of the 'truth' that these types, these false ones are convincing. 

Truth attracts, but it is the crafty, subtle manipulation or twisting of the doctrine that deceives people. It is the same seducing spirit that caused Eve to doubt and fall into temptation, being deceived.

Many lean towards [1] prosperity (charismatic/evangelical), OR [2] prosperity/Word of Faith [<=most popular today]-very political/ NAR mixture, OR  3] New Age / occult - these are main ones, but there are others.

But the self-proclaimed prophetesses (note that in the Bible, Jezebel did not call herself a prophetess in a strict sense) today are compared to Jezebel for a few reasons (see book of Revelation) 

The biblical Jezebel promoted foreign 'gods' [Ba'al and Asherah] and used her high place in society (position) to promote false prophets. We see many 'prophetesses' placed in the "high places" in the Christian arena today, often promoting (other) mostly male, false prophets. They are countless.

Many have hundreds, if not thousands, of followers who snap at anyone who says anything negative against their "prophet" or "teacher" (such as mentioning failed prophesies, or how in just a few years they became millionaires, or false doctrine thrown in). Yet, people INSIST they are not into idolatry, but they must get their 'daily dose' of prophecy.

I remember when the holy Spirit spoke deep within me stating that many have replaced daily horoscopes with a "daily prophetic word". This grieves the Lord when people seek out the "prophets" or "prophetic" to know what is going on, rather than seeking God. If we are not bowing before a statue, we do not see "idolatry" in its many forms - anything that comes before God. 

The typical line from the prophets (who do not 'claim' to be prophets), as well as their followers is "touch not God's anointed and do their prophets no harm". That is taken out of context because it is clearly speaking about Israel (the nation) and the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 

The people in other nations, and other kingdoms had a warning. Adonai reproved kings, and wanted no man to do His people harm. It was for then. Israel had many prophets, including Abraham, who were anointed. [1Chron 16:15-22]

Yet people use it to "protect" either themselves or their idols -- (err, that is the folks they support because they insist they do not have idols), to halt negative speech against them.

Nevertheless:...

The Jezebel spirit is a reality I believe [Rev 2:20], just like Jesus spoke about the spirit of John the Baptist, or the spirit of Elijah. Those mentioned were NOT John the Baptist or Elijah because there is no such thing as reincarnation in Christianity, but what is mentioned is that they are a "type" or "shadow" of the original.

It is possible that at the time John wrote Revelation that another "Jezebel" was around, but I tend to think it is a "type" of Jezebel (same evil spirit). The original taught people things, and murdered prophets. She was wicked, even having a godly man, Naboth, killed for his vineyard to satisfy Ahab's covetousness. 

However, unlike the original, there are those who infiltrate the church, and call themselves "prophetess" (only it is mostly in an underhanded way as opposed to flat out announcing it). There are countless false prophets and teachers who are worshipped by hundreds, some even thousands, EVEN IF they have had several failed prophecies or teach false doctrines, some even teaching heresy (Rev. 2:20).

There are many today who have scrubbed old videos with false prophecies (thank God for the people who downloaded the originals) and doctored old articles. Many have have two, three or more websites, not to mention being on nearly every available social media platform. 

People will be directed to the site that has the 'corrected' articles or scrubbed videos. They have 'staff' or a 'team' that helps. People have caught this action and proved it by posting older stuff. I do believe the part about "Jezebel has her lying prophetesses" to be speaking specifically about the charismatic, popular, prophetic types, who branch off into teaching. Failed prophecies and doctrines with error, and some that are doctrines of demons, as it is written (foretold). 

Idolatry (seducing spirits in the churches), fornication (seducing spirits; unclean spirits) and eating food offered to false gods (unclean spirits; foul spirits) is happening today, and it is not just in the Hindu religion, or Moon cult religions. End note BP]

Idolatry

Idols (false gods and goddesses) are worshipped and cults are welcomed. Witchcraft is exalted, embraced, and glorified around the world. These are indeed the days where good is called evil and evil is called good.  Moral decline is now out of control as laws are changed to appease the people. Satan has deceived the entire world, but those who seek Me, abiding, will hear My instructions and will have the discernment required to avoid deception.

Dangerous days! Dark days! Many cry out, “Why Lord, why do You allow this?” “How long will You stand afar off, doing nothing Jesus (Yeshua)?” “When, Lord, when? My timing is not as mankind’s, for I AM the Creator of it; therefore, I AM not contained by or in it.

The prophets of old forewarned of these days. I answered the question of the apostles who asked what would be the sign of the end times and the sign of My return. [Matthew 24] Although much is not understood about how this will all pan out, be at peace knowing that I AM fully aware and fully in control.

Evil has its day of rejoicing [Rev 12:12], but the time comes when it will no longer be so. Indeed, I have spoken to many about the earth splitting open violently (earthquakes) in different places. Warnings of great waters covering the lands, bringing death and destruction, have also been trumpeted.

Greece 2020

Sicily, Italy
late January 2026

Those which have occurred are nothing compared to that which is coming (fast approaching). Pray for those in Washington and New York. Woe to those on coastal lands. Woe to those in Damascus and Gaza. Woe to My people in the land of Israel who are preparing to welcome the false Messiah. Pray for Israel. Pray for one another. Pray for your own country and all that I place upon your heart by My Spirit.

Do you hear the thunderous sound of troops marching? Do you hear the sound of the trumpet? Fast and pray in these tumultuous, violent days.

(Note: I understand there are many different kinds of fasts. The Bible shows a few, but it is between the individual and the Lord. People want to fast something that has nothing to do with diet, but fasting (scripturally) always has to do with diet.

Read the scriptures if you doubt it. Whether you give up sweets, meats, and wine like Daniel, or do like Jesus [no food], allow the Lord, through His Holy Spirit to guide you individually. Medical conditions, physical abilities; there are factors to consider. It should always be between an individual and the Lord.  

Keep in mind that this next ‘part’ of the message was March 25, 2019 – six years ago almost to the day. As one can see, part has come to pass. This messenger is just that – the bringer of a message. ONLY Yahweh, through Christ Jesus, knows all things, not me – End note BP)     

Seek Me while there is yet peace in your land, for the time comes when the focus shall shift to the horrors of the West, as well as the Middle East.

Pray for those in dangerous lands. Pray for one another, particularly the lost and the prodigals. Time is of the essence. Search My Word and see that it is true.

You did not choose Me, it is I who chose you. Before the foundation of the earth, I knew all things. Before you were in the womb, I knew you. I called you forth and ordained My plan for you.  All is in My competent hands, for I love My creation.

All who are Mine are awakening and have awakened. Those who are awake have heard My voice. I have tried and am trying the hearts. Rise up. Stand strong, fully armoured and prepared. Wait upon Me.  Be sober. Be vigilant for your adversary, as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

When Satan stood before Me challenging Job’s faith, integrity and his uprightness, Satan declared that he had just come from walking to and fro, and up and down upon the earth. Satan comes not but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy, but I have come to give life, and that more abundant.

Rise up. Prepare. All is coming into alignment. Those who worship the dark side have tampered with opening portals and vortexes as they spiritually knock upon the door of the demonic kingdom, in order to receive guidance (divination) from the demonic realm (Satan’s kingdom). AI assists with rituals and information for those seeking to practice.

Satan counterfeits. As I instruct people to seek Me, Satan tells people to come to him.  He brings the python spirit, a spirit of divination. Greater am I in My people, than Satan who is in the world. Again I say, I did not give you a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.    

It is now. The positioning is perfect, steps shall be ordered by Me through My Spirit and My Word. Each one is important and necessary –all is honorable.  You have learned (and still duly practice) to walk by faith and not by sight.

How difficult it is not to base faith on the circumstances during the severe trials, but you have risen to the level of counting on My strength, not yours; to overcome – to not look upon the raging seas, the forceful winds, or the stinging waters, but to look to Me.

Coming to Me, leaning on My strength, there is safety. When I speak, the calm returns, the peace that passes all understanding, the peace that the world cannot give.

Be patient just a little longer. Discern the hour.

for His glory alone

Bonita                       dovesofthevalleys4@gmail.com

Strong Ones

  

Strong Ones

[Update: ADDENDEM added---Jan. 31, 2026 - BP]

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. [1Cor 16:13] ESV

To those who have been standing strong, with silent cries, wailing silently [literally], holding back all sound so no one hears but God. Silent tears flowing down your face as if a leak had sprung somewhere in that invisible connection between the heart and the eyes.

It is written that Yahweh collects our tears in a bottle. (That is how precious our tears are to Him.) Does He send forth a holy angel to collect them? Does He command another holy one to mark that precious time in a book of records, for the day comes when you will be given a crown for it? 

credit_GoodSalt.com

You have kept count of my tossing [restlessness]; and put my tears in your bottle: are they not in Your book? When I cry to You, then shall my enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me. [Ps 56:8-9]

Trials upon earth always end, even when they seem to be endless. The remnant of the Lord have groaned like Job, like Abraham, like Joseph, like Elijah, like so many of the remnant that have gone before you - groaning at what seems like a most difficult season that will never end.

Waiting and trust are two of the hardest lessons God's people must learn. Now is the time the enemy is doing all he can to make the true believers give up, to fall away. Ask Abraham. God is 'always' right on time. We are the impatient ones. Yes, waiting has always been a hard lesson. You are doing well.

Trusting anyone that we can see in a world such as this seems an impossibility, yet God is a profound teacher. He knows precisely how to teach us to trust Him, whom we cannot see. There are different levels of trust. Can you trust Yahweh that He will provide your next meal? 

Indeed, He fed the multitudes with two fish and five loaves of bread [miracle of the 5000] [Jn 6:13] with twelve baskets left over. When the godly widow of Zaraphath gathered up her mustard seed of faith, along with every ounce of trust in God she could muster, to selflessly make a little cake for Elijah the prophet, what happened?

She took the last of her oil and flour (which were to be the last meal for her son and her before they die in the famine). What was she thinking as it baked over the open fire and she glanced over at her young son? Yet, her faith and trust was rewarded. Indeed, Jehovah Jireh [the Lord will provide] came through.

He provided for the widow, making sure she had enough oil and flour to feed both her and her son for the duration of the famine. Yet, there are different levels of trust. How so? It is one thing to trust God for your next meal.

However, can you trust the same God if you have been given a diagnosis of a terminal illness? Leprosy in ancient times, and even in times not so long ago (late 1800s), was a death sentence.

Yet Jesus healed lepers. Can you trust God for healing? That is the different levels of trust. It is one thing to trust for your next meal and another to trust for something that has no cure. Whether you are healed on earth or when you meet the Lord, will you trust Him?

God will lead you. He will let you know. He speaks through His written Word (the Word is active, alive and speaks into today's situations). And even if you beg to be taken home, like Elijah, like Moses did, like many others who said, "It's enough!", you too will come through this time victoriously. 

You are already doing it; it just has not been easy, but you have not given up. You are still hoping, still trusting, still waiting. 

As everything in the world aligns for the prophetic time of the lawless one, so it is aligning for the promises many have been LONG waiting for...and never gave up, though it felt like it at times. You never let go when others did.

You hung in there with a mustard seed of faith [Mat 17:20], as small as it is, you held fast. That is why the opposition has been so strong, so chaotic, so confusing, so difficult. It is not punishment; it is a sure sign that you are about to enter into your promises.

When it was Stephen's time, or Paul's time, or Peter's time to leave this earth because of the hour of their persecution was upon them, as was their appointed time, God will give supernatural strength in that hour. They also 'knew' it was their time. They were not deceived. Fear not.

Whether you are walking into your promises or into eternity with the living God through Jesus Christ, His shalom covers - you will know. Give glory to a good and just God who watches over His own in this sinful, corrupted, defiled world.

Standing on the Word of God, speaking any one of the precious names or titles of our Creator, Yahweh, El Shaddai, running to Jesus, abiding  that is, clinging to Him like healthy grapes cling to a strong vine. You are a strong one.

The name above all names is like a strong tower, surrounding you with walls of strength and comfort – you sense the safety that lies in Him. You are a strong one for the joy of the Lord is your strength. [Neh 8:10]

                             

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous run into it, and is safe. [Prov 18:10]

In God will I praise His Word: in the Lord will I praise His Word. In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do to me. [Ps 56:10-11]

The reality of the spiritual warfare you are involved in even stings your nose and eyes as you hold back emotional tears. You are not afraid; you are tired. You are not giving up; you need rest. You have asked Father to send forth holy angels and assign them to keep your arms lifted up in prayer much like Aaron and Hur kept up the arms of Moses. You are a strong one.

Our divine Creator will do something even more profound to remind you of His love and that no person, no demon, not even the devil himself can interfere and stop Yahweh’s love for you. The God of providence finds profound ways to assure you He is with you, such as stumbling across a random post out of billions on the internet – like this one.

For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, [nothing] shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. [Rom 8:38-39]

Hold up your shield of faith, strong one; hold fast to trust.

Yea, before the day was, I AM He; and there is none that can deliver out of My hand: I will work, and who can turn it back? [Is 44:13] ESV

Hold up your shield of faith, strong one; hold fast to trust.

For God [Yahweh] speaks once, yea twice, yet man perceives it not. [Job 33:14]

Yea, before the day was I AM He; and there is none that can deliver out of My hand: I will work, and who can turn it back? [Is 44:13]  KJV

For I AM the LORD, your Holy one, the Creator of Israel, your King. Thus says the Lord, which makes a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters; 

Who brings forth the chariot and horse, the army and warrior [power]; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinguished, they are quenched like a wick. [Is 43:15-16]

He tells us to forget the past. It can serve no purpose. Do not let it define you. Allow Abba  to mold you into a vessel unto honour through which He will be glorified. You did not allow the long wait to make you bitter. Instead you cut the bitter root to the quick with forgiving love [forgiveness].

Forgiveness is the fragrance that the rose sheds upon the heel of the one that has crushed it. [attributed most often to Mark Twain, although some challenge that as not factual.]

Remember not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall you not perceive [know] it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.  [Is 43:15-19]  KJV                 

Hope for the hopeless; courage for the discouraged; strength for the weak; truth for those once deceived.

Yeshua/Jesus is the way the truth and the life, and no one goes to the Father but through (by) Him. [Jn 14:6] NSAB

for His glory alone

Bonita                                   dovesoftehvalleys4@gmail.com

Addendum:

Many Voices

In 1997 - 1998, during a custody battle (now called “parenting arrangement orders”), I was deeply discouraged. It was a season of learning to seek the Lord out of sheer desperation. 

Earnest prayer went up to the Lord because many different voices spoke fear.

"The courts don't like moving kids around.”

“They've already been with him for five years.”

“Times have changed. Courts want to give fathers more of a chance at custody. Children used to automatically go to the mother unless she was proven unfit.”

At the same time, I was also struggling under a serious misdiagnosis that left me heavily medicated and unwell. Even a well-meaning pastor spoke words without hope. I don’t fault him.

It likely did not help that he overheard someone say, “You ‘know’ it was a good sermon if Bonita stays awake.” It seemed that some saw me as the ‘sermon barometer’.  (Reality check: due to heavy medication)          

What mattered to me in that dark night of the soul was what Jesus had to say. It was during those years that the Holy Scriptures first came alive to me in a way they never had before.

The scriptures the Holy Spirit led me to pertained to Israel, yet the Lord used them to speak to me personally, as only He can do. This was not habitual, or some formula. 

It was a peaceful, calm assurance which I needed. Through His Word, Yahweh showed me He saw and understood my situation.

Abba was making promises through His Word: that is how He does it for all of us. The Holy spirit quickened the Word within my spirit.

His Word Speaks

Your children shall make haste; your destroyers and they that made you waste shall go forth from you. [Is 49:17]

I understood this was about Israel and her enemies, but the Lord was sending a message to me, letting me know that the adversary, who had wreaked havoc with lies, and had destroyed our marriage through alcohol, violence, and infidelity.

Then you shall say in your heart, Who has begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who has brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where had they been?   [Is49:21]                      

Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up My hand to the Gentiles, and set up My standard to the people: and they shall bring your sons in their arms, and your daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. 

And kings shall be your nursing fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers: they shall bow down to you with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of your feet; and you shall know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me. [Is 49:22, 23]

In my newness, I understood things simply. I took those words and held them close to my heart. What I understood with those scriptures was this.

The standard (His banner over) meant a covering, His protection. He would direct my steps. Kings and queens: meant those who rule over me respond in caring ways as those who ‘nurse’ do. I could not predict how.

My sons and daughters being carried by them in their arms or on their shoulders meant my children are included. And as I wait, it would not end in shame.

By the seventh year, the circumstances could not look any worse. Even my Christian lawyer had lost confidence in the outcome. Then, suddenly, everything shifted!

The Call that Brought the Paradigm Shift

the shift

I received a phone call from this same lawyer telling me to pick the children up at a police station. There the children were returned to me. I went from temporary-temporary custody, to temporary custody, to full custody within a two-and-a-half-week period.

Two months after their return, a police officer came bearing gifts for the children. We did not know any of the police before this. Nor did we have any relatives working for them. 

The two girls received Olympic pro mountain bikes, and my son got professional skateboard. A small basket of goodies was given to me. Tucked inside was a wooden magnet that read: “The Lord is the strength of my life.”

Only God knows the end
from the beginning

I had never heard of the police doing such a thing before. That magnet is 27 years old now.

Only God knows the end from the beginning.

All glory, praise and honour belong to the Lord. Trust Him in what He promises. God knows that waiting upon Him, trusting, and never giving up is difficult. Yet, He also knows that if you persevere, you become one of the strong ones.

The scriptures the Lord gave me back when I was seeking Him, when everything was a frightening mess, were from the book of Isaiah. A couple of decades later, while I was living in another province, my son became a father for the first time.

My grandson is named Isaiah. That too is God! I keep the magnet on the side of my desktop tower, along with a picture of my grandson!

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