While We Were Distracted_P.3_Fear Not Their Fear

If you missed it, please read this first part. Everything will be sensible, as it all falls into place.

[NOTE: Updated: Nov. 2026 - Added scripture and pictures - BP]

vessels of honour
in the making

The Great Hindrance

[Of David] The Lord is my light and my salvation, so why should I be afraid? Adonai [the LORD] is my fortress, protecting me from danger. Why should I tremble? [Ps 27:1] NLT [New Living Translation]

It is still a serious consideration to create a YouTube channel (likely faceless – no camera) to share whatever the Lord places upon my heart. He has countless voices. I do get that, and am well aware that I am but a drop in the bucket…an old dependable cliché.

I had a thought: allow me to express it this way.

If all of God’s messengers were water in a bucket and I were but a tablespoon of that water, my removal would scarcely be noticed. The remaining water would immediately flow in and fill the space I left behind. The reality is humbling, but the Lord is so worth it. People are desperate for truth, even though many refuse [reject] the truth when they hear it.

For two decades, I have strived to share the gospel of Jesus Christ [the Great Commission] [Mk 16:15; Mat 28:19-20] as all born-again believers, as salt and light, are instructed to do. I have done my best to never touch the glory of God or think more highly of myself than I ought, yet I do realize that my absence from the internet would not shake things up.

That is what it is all about because the work is the Lord’s; it is all His doing. As it has always been from the beginning, others will continue sharing the Good News.

Pride can be subtle (not always obvious). I have to guard against pride in myself: this flesh cannot be trusted, and my own heart can deceive me. [Jer 17:9] But Jesus! I can still mess up (hopefully less as we mature in Christ), yet Abba has done an amazing work in me compared to what I once was, just as He promised.

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: [Phil 1:6]

It’s imperative to me that people know that Jesus does this for everyone who sincerely hungers and thirsts for Him. He is Living Water; the Bread of Life. [Jn 4:10; 6:35] He is the Potter; we are the clay. [Is 64:8] He is the Good Shepherd; we are the sheep who can easily stray. [Jn 10:11] The same transformation and grace are available to all.

click any pic to enlarge

He is not looking for perfect vessels, but rather, He is looking for vessels to perfect. 

[inspired by the precious Holy Spirit - BP2026]

As much as I have tried to keep up with daily writing, I am slower these days for many reasons. Years back, I began mentioning “distractions” in my writing, and ‘hindrances’ (such as the apostle Paul spoke of being ‘hindered’ by the adversary [Satan] [1Thes2:18].

Recently, I overheard my nine-year-old grandson warning a friend during a game to watch out for the “distraction box”, designed to lay false clues that would send ‘rogue agents’ down the wrong trail. Sounds like Satan and his minions, does it not?

Teachers confiscate cells
October 2021
photo-Dispatch.News-SCOTUSblog

“Distraction box”. That phrase stuck with me.

Friends, every generation has faced distractions in different ways. Solomon had a point when he wrote that nothing is new under the sun. [Eccl 1:9] We have been contending with that since Eden; it is part of the fallen human nature.

However, Solomon was not exposed to the technologies or AI that we have today. Jesus did say that things that are coming are things that have never been before, and shall never be repeated.

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. [Mat 24:21]

The adversary and his minions, alongside the world, continually work to shape our thinking, influence our emotions, and direct our reactions, conditioning us to accept what should never be accepted. Some call it conditioning; I call it programming.

For now, I would appreciate your prayers as I consider starting a YouTube channel. I do not know whether I can continue keeping pace through writing alone. Things are moving quickly in this world, and 2030 is almost upon us. (Another topic, another day).

If you think time is going fast now, wait until the great tribulation begins. Things will move so quickly, hardly anyone will be able to keep up – except in one way. Jesus (Yeshua)! We all need Him, and that need will only increase!

What About Conspiracies?

A conspiracy is a plot or plan by two or more people involving a dangerous act or event that causes evil or harm to befall others.

Jesus is the Way to Stay Balanced

Jesus is our steady ground...
our foundation.
He will keep us balanced
if we let Him - we seek Him

The Assyrians were treacherous enemies of the Israelites, and the people were terrified when they heard the armies had gathered for an impending attack, thus denying the power of the living God. Even Isaiah was tempted to walk in fear, but the Lord strongly counselled the prophet.

For the LORD spoke thus to me with a strong hand, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: Do not say, A conspiracy to all this people call a conspiracy, and do not fear their fear, nor be in dread. But the LORD of hosts himself is the one to fear; He is the one you are to dread. [Is 8:11-13] ESV

 

He was not to call conspiracy what the people called conspiracy, and he was not to fear their fear. It was not whether the threats or political realities were real or not. The issue was the fear of the Assyrians’ power overwhelming them instead of placing their trust in the ‘Lord of hosts’ and remembering HIS power. Their fear was the dread of the conspiracy being acted out.

Fast-forward hundreds of years to the words of Jesus.

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. [Mat 10:28]

The Lord does not want us to be so fixated on the evil in this world that we are in constant dread. Violence, rebellion, corruption, and deception have been around from the beginning, as in the days of Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah. 

Ever since the flood, the lesson has remained the same. Believers in the living God are not to walk in fear and constant dread of the world’s darkness, but to stay balanced and anchored in God’s providence and sovereignty. Trust is the key.

We are instructed to watch and pray, which we are to do calmly, not as one consumed by the uncertainties and the wickedness all around. There are obvious imbalances, which many simply call division. Extremes on both sides are what are causing the dynamic equilibrium of the scales.

It seems that conspiracies and demons share a commonality. Some see them everywhere and in everything, whilst others deny their very existence, even when it is plainly visible. Whether one walks in paranoia driven by obsessive fear or in dismissal due to naivety, believers are called to neither because both avoid trust in God.

Deception, evil, and conspiracies all exist, and so does the adversary and his invisible armies. Our confidence is not found in uncovering the plots, but in finding our strength in Jesus, gaining more discernment through the Holy Spirit, and remaining steadfast in faith by keeping Jesus as our first love. Deception exists, but it is not the final word.

Time Speeds Up and Slows Down

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; Lk 8:17]

Hopefully, all that has been written is kept in mind because now I continue with part two of the previous article posted a few days ago. In the last article, I spoke about time and CERN experiments regarding time. 

What I shared were conspiracy facts, not theories.  It is no secret that the shutdown of CERN is a reality. The video at that link was posted three months ago. The reason I brought CERN up was that I am constantly hearing people talk about how fast the days are going and time itself.

It is mentioned casually, but these comments are heard from strangers, or people I know (family, friends, neighbours), in articles, on podcasts, from young people to the elderly. People are noticing something wrong with time. 

CERN actually gave a reason scientifically (bringing up Einstein and this theory of relativity). The first part explains the theory of time. Scroll to CERN.

My thoughts go toward Jesus, who stated that unless He shortened the time in the coming days, no flesh would be saved alive. That is how serious the destruction of the world will be. If left up to us, humankind will destroy the world and everything alive in it. [Mat 24:22]

Increased Discernment Only Comes from Jesus

Like many others, I have been praying to Jesus that I would not be deceived, and if my discernment is lacking in some area, that He would reveal it. Most believers are praying for increased discernment, given the words of Jesus in Matthew 24:24, but also given the increase of things that are being exposed these past years.

Deception abounds.

 

Prayers are not always answered instantaneously, but they are answered. That has always been my experience. At times, there are things we must learn before an answer comes. Other times, the Lord must take care of things in the background before He reveals a matter, particularly if exposure involves people.

I do not pretend to have all the answers or all the understanding of God’s ways; none of us do. In fact, I know very little when it comes to the deep well of knowledge, especially when I discovered that the well is consistently being filled up from an ocean of knowledge.

That insight and understanding caused me to adopt the adage: “The more I learn, the less I know.”

And the Word of God causes me to walk more humbly as it confirms the truth.

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. [Is 55:8-9]

 

Overcoming our old nature is a process as we learn to avoid temptations and the devil when we proclaim the Word of God, and walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. We lay down our lives daily by picking up the cross and nailing our fleshly lusts [passions], desires, and cravings to it.[Rev 12:11]

This walk is not easy, but I can promise you that the longer we abide in Jesus, the easier it gets.

Jesus helps us, but He will not force us to do His will. Most of us are astounded at the chaos, corruption, and deception that are in the church and in the world today. The infiltration began back in the days of the apostles.

One final point should be emphasized. We must distinguish between discernment and suspicion, as they are not the same thing. There were times I confused the two, but the Holy Spirit was gracious and pointed out my error.

I would rather walk in the humility of correction than in the error of pride. (An expression the Holy Spirit gave me approximately nine years ago – to God alone be the glory.)

Although deception abounds, truth is more powerful. God is truth, and all things are under His control and sovereign authority.

We guard against being cynical, suspicious, and fearful by seeking God. In doing so, we will be seeking the truth. If we fear anything, let us fear God, for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. [Prov 9:10]

If we submit wholly to Jesus and walk humbly with Him by the power of the Holy Spirit, our discernment grows. The more we are aware of Yahweh’s holiness and perfection, the less we are overtaken by fear. We will then be guided by truth, for Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. [Jn 14:6]

Sounding the Alarm to Warn of Danger

Before I finished the previous article on ticks (first part), it was important to say the above to keep the focus on Jesus. Everything the Lord does is done decently and in order, and I intend to follow in His footsteps.

In this concluding second part, I will separate fact from fiction so that readers can pray effectively and specifically.

Thirty-three is a number that means much to me because it immediately brings to mind Ezekiel chapter 33. The Lord instructs the prophet to be a watchman, warning of impending judgment and any approaching danger he sees coming.

If he sounds the alarm and warns the people, yet they refuse to listen, their blood is upon their own heads. [33:4] However, if he sees a sword coming upon the land [God’s judgment] and fails to warn the people, then the Lord will hold the watchman accountable for his negligence. [33:6] For example, consider the prophet Jonah.

This is not about ticks being God’s judgment. Rather, this is about fulfilling the role of a watchman. When we see danger approaching, we are obligated to warn others. Whether they listen or not is ultimately between them and the Lord.

Some people teach that we are not under the law, but under grace. That is true; however, we are not lawless people. The adversary and his antichrist will be lawless.

Jesus summarized the law in two commandments: We are to love God with all our heart, all our soul, and all our being, and to love others as ourselves. [Mat 22:37-40] All ten commandments are fulfilled if we faithfully keep these two.

 

When we warn others of impending danger, whether they are believers or not, we are obeying the Lord by carrying out the second commandment. Our obedience is motivated first by our love for Christ and then by our love for others.

 

Ticks and Red Meat Allergy

There is a growing concern with ticks that goes beyond Lyme disease. Although that is concerning enough, tick bites have now also been linked to the Alpha-gal syndrome, which is an allergic reaction to red meat, and for some folks, dairy products as well.

 

needs a little help to grow

I have never liked ticks (who does?), but almost two months ago, when it was still cold here in Ontario, my son removed a crawling tick from the arm of his eight-year-old son, and three more from the dog. Ironically, of all things, our dog is a Bluetick coonhound mix! (He has been mentioned in previous articles – beautiful dog)

The snow had melted, but it was still too cold outside for ticks (at least, that is what I thought). But apparently, some species of ticks become active even in somewhat cooler temperatures. Good to know!

After I personally observed evidence of what I believed to be unusual tick behaviour, I decided to dig a little deeper. There was a reason the number “33” kept showing up, and no, I am not the sort to look for signs and wonders.

 

However, my Creator knows me. He knows that this number signals me to be on the watch [watchman], to pay attention and pray for His leading. He is ever faithful. Just as He instructed Isaiah, Yahweh does not want us walking in fear.

The Lord did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and a sound mind. [2Tim1:7]

 

Jesus does not want us to walk in ignorance and be caught off-guard either. He wants us to be aware of our surroundings, just as He was during His time upon this earth, but not to allow fear to halt or hinder us.

We understand that there are many conspiracies out there, announced agendas and plans in the world today, but we really need to stay anchored to Jesus, the Bible, prayer, and His will [plan].

That is why Jesus calls us to abide in Him and to hold fast to faith. We are to fear only God, which is to understand and trust in His sovereignty and providence.

 

Official Sites with Helpful Information about Ticks

Now I am coming to a section that most assuredly needs the Lord’s guidance. I have done my best to stick to trustworthy sources, but this is where the Lord’s wisdom and knowledge, along with discernment, must be sought through prayer.

My digging brought a bit more information from some well-known sources, such as government sites, universities, CDC, videos, et al. The majority warn of the blacklegged tick, known as a deer tick, which is notorious for transmitting

 Lyme disease, Powassan virus and other infectious diseases.

•  Canada – Official government site: offers an in-depth explanation of what symptoms, treatment, and links for the 10 provinces and 3 territories

• Ontario – Official government site: Separate link for Canada Health Services

• United States – Official: CDC [Center for Disease Control and Prevention]

• United Kingdom – Official UK site: for ticks and disease, mgmt. and prevention

• South Korea – Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency

• Southeast Asia, Singapore – Ministry of Health Government site

• European – Official agency of the European Union

 

Hopefully, this helps inform others with information about bites of ticks, diseases, prevention and protective measures. It is a global problem.

In the previous article, I had mentioned two countries that used ticks as a biological weapon: Japan and the United States. There are no official documents, declassified or otherwise, that prove a CIA “black ops” unequivocally that ticks were covertly dropped on the population in Cuba.

Operation Mongoose was a secret code name for a project in January 1962. It had to do with the release of ticks, used as a bioweapon by the US military against Cuba and Fidel Castro. It was around the same time as the failure of the Bay of Pigs invasion.

This was one of several conspiracy items I stumbled across in my research about ticks. It is not the heart or core of this particle, but if you are interested, it can be read about here.

 

I first heard it mentioned on the ‘Redacted’ YouTube channel, with Clayton Morris and his wife, Natalie. Going to @28:45 on the video at the above link, the couple share a page from an article written by John Brhel, Binghamton University, posted Jan 6, 2026, that farmers have reported an increase in tick encounters (70 tick encounters over a period of six months) on their farms. [screenshot is from their video]

Then, the Lone Star tick is brought up @28.50. They report that this tick can lower your tolerance for eating red meat if you are bitten by one. Morris complains about how crazy it sounds that if one of the Lone Star ticks bite you, you develop a red meat allergy.

It is @29:20 where Clayton mentions that the US government, in declassified CIA documents, used ticks as a bioweapon to drop on Cuba [in 2016] and other places to spread Lyme disease.

He follows up the statement by asking if an investigation will ever be done to look into it. He states that members of Congress have tried, but it has been stonewalled.

However, according to the Spectator (an online news magazine), Donald Trump has signed an order into law to: “review and report on biological weapon(s) experiments on an in relation to ticks [and] tick-borne diseases.”

The Spectator writes: A growing body of evidence shows that during the Cold War, ticks were tinkered with and used as delivery mechanisms for biological warfare agents. And these weaponized ticks may have been released both intentionally and unintentionally on an unsuspecting public by the US military.

The article goes on to mention record numbers of tick bites have been reported in New York (in 2024), Maine (in 2024), and Wisconsin (in 2023). The full article is not available for public viewing unless you pay to join them. There is a paywall. I provide a link so you can see that what I have posted is indeed what was reported, but a heads up about the Paywall. All kinds of websites are forcing people to become members (including the Spectator, where this article originates) to finish reading it.

You spoke by the [precious] and Holy Spirit through the mouth of Your servant, our father David: Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain [imagine vain things]? [Acts 4:25] BSV - ESV [Berean (and) English Standard Versions] 

S. Matthew Liao

click any pic to enlarge

Redacted points to a bioethicist named Matthew Liao, who is a professor in the Dept. of Philosophy and the director of NYU’s Center for Bioethics. Back in 2014, Liao stated that we could solve climate change by shrinking people down and making them averse to eating meat. He says, “People eat too much meat.”

 

Excerpt:

Once he has shrunken us, Dr. Liao suggests: "...giving the tiny people medications to  make averse [sic] to eating meat. ”We can artificially induce intolerance to red meat by stimulating the immune system against common bovine proteins,” he told the BBC.

SOURCE: Grist

In 2016, at the World Economic Forum, Matthew Liao says that:

 “Possibly, we can use human engineering to make it the case that we’re intolerant to certain kinds of meat, to certain kinds of bovine – bovine proteins. And there are actually analogs of this in life.

There’s this thing called the Lone Star tick, where if it bites you, you’ll become allergic to meat. I can sort of describe the mechanism. So that’s something that we can do through human engineering. We can possibly address really big world problems through human engineering.” – Matthew Liao

[End Excerpt]

Bill Gates is involved with his fake meat. @31:00 Dr. Robert Malone: Declassified Documents Link U.S. Bioweapons Program to Lyme Disease Outbreak – Exclusive: In March 4, 2026 posted that declassified documents link U.S. bioweapons program linked to radioactive ticks; information that has been suppressed for 40 years. 

@31:05 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmgAUdkY3yA  Redacted:

Bill Gates funded research into genetically-engineered cattle ticks. A lengthy write-u at American Faith News. He is into plant or lab-grown meat. Then we have a tick that brings Lyme diThis tick is known to cause AGS, as verified by a publication in the ImmunoTargets and Therapy journal found in the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM).sease, and now they are pushing a Lyme disease vaccine.

Conclusion

I have provided enough links and information for the reader to search out and draw their own conclusions. I am grateful to the Lord for making me aware of the tick situation, starting with the four found in our home, on the dog and a young child, three months ago.

Although I was aware of the need to be on guard against ticks, as well as the reality of Lyme disease, I was unaware of other diseases that can also be carried by a tick.

The reality of a meat allergy and the fact that people are working on human engineering, genetic engineering, tissue engineering, bioprocess design, cell culture media, and 3D cell culture platforms (the latter four used to create lab-grown meat) reveal that man is playing God, creating and manipulating that which is already created.

At the above link, the original article, which was posted July 28, 2023 (almost three years ago), reports that 450,000 Americans have ‘red meat allergies’ from Alpha-Gal Syndrome, caused by tick bites.

AGS (Alpha-Gal Syndrome), which is a tick-borne disease, was first reported back in 2008. A grant of $1,469,352 was awarded for research into the “Asian blue” tick. American Faith News: “ This tick is known to cause AGS, as verified by a publication in the ImmunoTargets and Therapy journal found in the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM).”

 

Whether what I presented is connected or merely a series of parallel trends is for readers to examine for themselves. I am not suggesting that everyone mentioned is working jointly to achieve a shared goal. Rather, my heart desires to give you enough information for you to investigate (research) further, draw your own conclusions, and seek the Lord for discernment and wisdom.

 

Jesus said that things would be as never before and never shall be again, and this is not even the great tribulation yet. We are in the birth pangs; the whole earth is travailing. More can be read at: American Faith News

I hope I have provided evidence that ticks pose a real danger and that we need to be alert (aware), learn prevention, and discern as needed. This is where we must pray, and seek wisdom, and trust Yahweh’s guidance.

for His glory alone

Bonita                               dovesofthevalleys4@gmail.com

This Warrior Says - Just Have Faith; Fight the Good Fight to God's Glory

Two brothers in Christ received emails from me with an urgent prayer request regarding my health. One wrote back promising to pray and the other actually prayed publicly for me, which I didn't expect. I just thought it would be private prayer. Now, I did not know the brother prayed publicly until I woke up after a long sleep (maybe 6-8 hrs later).

When I awoke, I felt so good. The heaviness was lifted from my chest, breathing seemed normal, chills and fever seemed to have dissipated.  So great was my gratitude that I immediately wrote a praise report; however, it was premature.

A sister wrote to me to explain how she went through similar symptoms and mentioned a psalm which speaks of chastening. She did not directly state that it was chastening, but indirectly, it was suggested as a possibility. Sister, if you read this, I do believe your heart was in the right place and I love you. Be assured that I did inquire of the Lord.

JFS is common amongst believers. JFS is what I invented and call the 'Job's Friends Syndrome'.  "Confess your sin and you will be healed..."  Not every single thing that happens to us comes from the hand of God.

And His disciples asked Him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither has this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.  [Jn 9:2,3]

There is a correlation between sickness and sin because we know the wages of sin is death. So there are times an illness or other event is definitely the chastening of the Lord, and other times, it is an attack of the adversary. 

It also could be from living in a fallen, polluted world. This is an entire topic in itself, but we truly should seek God and inquire about our situation. He grants wisdom, discernment, direction. If we are to repent of something, He will let us know - and in all things, He is worthy of praise (in good and bad times).

When a child gets sick, no one ever says that it is something the child has done or has not done, but when we are adults, it seems to be one of the first things we wonder. The Lord led me to Matthew 8. There in that chapter are two people that were sick. Let's take a look at it, even though most of you are likely familiar with the two events.

And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto Him a centurion, beseeching Him, And saying, Lord, my servant lies at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus said unto him, I will come and heal him.

The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it.

When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 

But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go your way; and as you have believed, so be it done unto you. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
 

And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.  [Mat 8:5-13]

Jesus/Y'shua did not tell the centurion that his servant did something that put him in that sickly condition. Instead, He was amazed (marveled) at the faith of the centurion. Some might argue that the centurion was not saved, so neither would his servant be and that God only chastens His own.

Well, nothing was said to Peter's mother-in-law by Christ either. He simply healed her and she got up and began to take care of their needs.  We have become a people who lay everything in God's lap...whatever happens to us or someone else, if it happens, it must be God's will (fault) because after all, God is Sovereign.  

We live in a world where our food, water, soil and air have been corrupted from their pure state. A majority of products, including fresh vegetables and fruit, contain GMOs (genetically modified organisms), cereals with mercury, arsenic, lead and cadmium (Natural News), meat with steroids and antibiotics (cattle, chicken, pigs) and fish contaminated
by both the oil spills and radiation (not just from Fukushima, but from the countless testing of nuclear missiles into the ocean).

Town/city water is tainted with fluoride, and bleach, and lakes, rivers etc. contaminated by the toxins from chemtrails (geo-engineering), industry spillage and polluting, plastic throwaways and other garbage.  We are affected by all of these things, no matter how much caution we take. Even growing our own crops is becoming increasingly challenging due to the Monsanto seeds, depleted soil and contaminated water. Yet, we do have a Sovereign God that provides.  

Before we eat or drink, we bless Him and give thanks to Him who has provided, and ask Him to bless the meal. He takes care of the rest.  Jesus first blessed the Father and gave thanks, then He passed out food (bread, fish).  Give God the glory with thanksgiving first...

The Crusades, the Dark Ages, the Holocaust, murders, suicides, accidents, sicknesses, diseases - people lay it all in God's lap. Why?  He is Sovereign, so people immediately say that no matter what "He allowed it".  Yes, He is Sovereign, but did He stop Abraham from lying about who Sarah was, or Moses from striking the rock twice in anger?

Did He stop Joseph's brothers from selling him into slavery or Potiphar's wife from falsely accusing Joseph of trying to seduce her (attempted rape)?  Did He stop David with Bathsheba or stop David from successfully having Uriah (her husband) killed?

Did He stop the killing of the prophets or the apostles and multitudes of other believers?  Timothy had a stomach problem which Paul suggested he take a little wine for. Was Timothy being chastened by the Lord or was he doing something wrong to bring stomach issues upon himself?

My point is that God is indeed Sovereign, but we live in a fallen world and we have sinful, carnal [fallen] natures. Everything has been defiled. Our Great Spirit Chief has been and always is there for us, even when we are in the midst of our worst times.

As I write this, I am weak and weary because I am truly not well. Constantly I seem to get flues or breathing issues. Yet, today as I lay in bed, I thanked God - for all He has done, for all He brought me through. There was a moment, before I went into thanksgiving that the pain and struggle to get my breath made me voice a statement that shocked me.

I said, "Why am I so cursed?"  No sooner had the words come out of my mouth than I rebuked them. Whether they came from flesh or whether the devil spoke through my own mouth, I know not (remember Peter), but I immediately rebuked any enemy, and in case it was my flesh having a pity party, I also asked the Lord to forgive me. THEN, I went into thanksgiving and I meant it.  

When we are sick, it is easy to fall into the trap of murmuring or complaining. I do not believe there is one person alive who at some time has not fallen into that very trap themselves; I speak of the trap of self-pity, or murmuring - even if it is brief and private (no one else hears or knows - except Jesus). Without our health, all seems dismal and we acknowledge our vulnerabilities.

The Lord has stuck it out with me thru many, many trials and incredulous, dramatic times. He has been forever faithful and I truly have so much to thank Him for. 

Remember - it was July 2001 that I died and He allowed me to come back. If it was now my time to go, should I dare complain? No. The Great Spirit Chief IS a good God, no matter what comes our way - He IS good and His mercy does endure forever.  Bless the Lord. 

Thank You

What would I want to say if this were my last post? What if this time is my appointed time to leave the earth? None of us knows for sure, yet we all hope (at least these days) to see the Lord return with His heavenly hosts, His armies of departed saints and holy angels.  What would I really want to say, if this was the last time? ...

I would say, hold fast to faith and hope (trust) in Jesus/Y'shua, and walk in love! Never give up.

FAITH

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;) 

But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. [Heb10:23;11:6]

HOPE

Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD. 
Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disquieted within me? hope you in God: for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. 

I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, and in His word do I hope.  [Ps 31:24 - 42:11; 130:5]

LOVE

And you shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, You shall love thy neighbour as yourself. There is none other commandment greater than these.  [Mat 12:30,31]

And now abides faith, hope, love (charity), these three; but the greatest of these is love (charity).  [1Cor 13:13]

First I would want to say thank you, to all of you, for being part of my life. To my friends, thank you so much for your emails, your encouragements, your exhortations and rebukes (lol oh yeah), your prayers, your support.  

To my foes, thank you for taking me to my cross and for teaching me invaluable lessons. It hurt. It was hard, but... You also helped me in ways to discover my strengths, as well as my weaknesses. 

My prayers have covered both - friends and foes. I actually learned that from someone named David Eells. He wrote an article about the benefit of enemies somewhere on his website at Unleavened Bread Ministries that someone gave me a link to at some point.  

Thank you for the valuable lesson, Mr. David. But it was through the Word of God that I learned to pray for my enemies or foes (those that come against me). The Holy Spirit continually helped (and helps) me.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Jesus' words) [Mat 5:44]

Another brother, David Wilkerson, whom I always highly respected, was killed in a tragic accident in 2011. I remember being utterly shocked when someone said that if he had truly been in God's will, he would not have died such a death; that God would have protected him. How tragic that someone would even consider to speak such words. 

Some Christians are always so quick to cut down a saint further. They are instruments in the hands of our adversary.

He was a man with shortcomings and imperfections, the same as all of us, I am sure. Yet, I respected him so much. I think I looked to him like the father I never had, or wished I had. I don't know. 

Unfortunately, I only became familiar with his sermons and work shortly before he passed, even though I had read a book of his decades earlier (The Cross and the Switchblade). I was unsaved and would remain so for over a decade, but that book did make an impact upon me.  

From all I ever read about the man, he walked the walk. He loved the Lord God first with all his heart. He practiced what he preached; he had good fruit. He also stayed loyal to his wife all his life, loved his family. (That meant a lot to me and gained great respect from me as a result.)

For as long as I can remember, I've prayed for marriages. To me, it typifies the Body of Christ and Y'shua/Jesus (the Bride and the King united). It is how it is meant to be, but nowadays, everything seems so disposable, doesn't it? - marriages, pregnancies, friendships, equipment, cars - everything.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: [Heb 9:27]

How the Lord sees fit to have us leave this earth is up to Him and there is no right or wrong way to die (I do not include murder or suicide in that statement; I speak of natural deaths). 

Most of us would like to go peacefully in our sleep, but that is not typically the way. It wasn't that way for the prophets, or the apostles, or for Jesus the Messiah, or for countless others. This world is not our home and these bodies are only temporal...

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. [1Cor 15:54]

Faith Sees Us Through

Some Christians seem to go thru more than others, but does that make one more or less holy than another? Perish the thought! Who can explain it? God knows what will perfect us, and for all of it, we ought to give thanks. David Wilkerson's wife, Gwen, suffered much before she went home to be with the Lord in 2012 (a little over a year after her dear, beloved David passed).

An article from July, 2012 wrote the following:

Mrs. Wilkerson's death comes just over a year after a car crash claimed the life of her husband. The April 2011 accident left her temporarily wheelchair-bound.

The devastating crash and resulting death of her husband was latest of several challenges Mrs. Wilkerson faced in her life, including several battles with cancer. Her family said she faced each tragedy with steadfast faith.

"She had an amazing resolve and unshakeable faith, exemplified throughout her life in her numerous battles with cancer," they said.  Source: CBN

Numerous battles with cancer, which would indicate many years and trials and much suffering; a tragic head-on car crash which killed her beloved husband and being bound temporarily to a wheelchair.  

I am sure there were many tears, many prayers, even struggles, yet faith remained strong. Was Gwen Wilkerson out of God's will or being chastened for some reason? No; we all face our own hardships and trials in this life, some to a greater extent than others, but we all suffer nonetheless in this lifetime. If there were seasons of chastening, He would let her know and it would be between her and God - but all of us ought to pray one for another!

Yet, what saw her through each battle? Faith! She trusted in God! 

 I Shall Not Die, but Live

Since I was about 14, I have had chronic bronchitis/asthma (I guess being surrounded by smokers once I came out of the orphanage), so I've always had a cough. It became worse naturally when I myself took up smoking. There were several bouts of bronchitis, pneumonia three times and double-pneumonia twice - the last time being early 2007, where it was not known if I would make it or not, as it was so serious there was blood in my urine, stools and sputum. But God! He saw me through.

It was during a spell of difficult breathing today that the words came out about being cursed, as explained above, but immediately that got turned around. Glory to the Lord for His precious and Holy Spirit. Jesus did and does so much for us. I do believe that it is not the flu I have, but pneumonia. 

If I could go to a doctor, I would, but I can neither afford a doctor or transportation. Then even if I could, I could not afford medicine. It's not a complaint, just a reality. I am in a foreign country. Some believers say we don't need doctors; we are to just have faith. Yes, we are to have faith, but God does use doctors also. How many would so quickly believe someone has been healed of a deadly disease, such as cancer, if there are no doctors' reports?

How do we know whether or not the Lord wants us to go to a doctor, so that the doctor himself might not witness a miracle? Or perhaps we are to be an example of faith and trust in God, or maybe we are just to plant seeds. What if there is a lesson we must learn? We don't know, but God will lead us. He helps me again, not to mention coming back from the dead, even if I was dead only for a very short time. God is good, no matter what trials come our way.

So, yes, in weak moments, I weep because of pain and being weary physically. It is also frightening when you can barely breathe. Our instincts are to survive. Yet, I find myself saying over and over again, "I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the LORD."  That is Psalms 118, verse 17.

If any reader is so led, please pray for me. We all need prayers and I don't think any of us should ever be too proud to ask. Ending this segment of the post, I say that this warrior is one who was taught by the Lord. In the physical realm, I may be a wimp when it comes to fighting - but in the spiritual realm, you don't wanna mess with me. Why?  Because I learned from the best!  All glory to the Creator!


Blessed be the LORD my strength, who teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: [Ps 144:1]

When I was looking up the date that Gwen Wilkerson died, I feel as if the Lord led me to an article written by her son, Gary Wilkerson.  

It fits perfectly with what I've been trying to express.  It is also where the title of this post came from.  No, his article is not called "This Warrior Says -Just Have Faith...etc", that's the title I chose, however, it was inspired by brother Wilkerson's article.  

I can only post part of the article here because the copyright notice requests that it is not posted in its entirety on another website and I must respect that request. Please go to the link posted underneath the excerpt to read the entire article. May it bless each of you as much as it did me. To God the glory alone!

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Gary Wilkerson
April 14, 2014

Jesus Can Still Do This

Are you facing a crisis that has driven you to your knees? Maybe you need physical healing. Perhaps you’re in financial turmoil. Your marriage might be on the brink. Has your trial continued for so long that your spirit has sunk into despondency? 

Multitudes of Christians face excruciating situations beyond their control and now things seem hopeless. They’ve exhausted all their resources and emotions trying to remedy their crisis to no avail. They’ve pressed forward believing God will meet their need, but their situation has gone from bad to worse. The more they pray, the further away God seems. Now they no longer think he cares.

If this describes you, I want to encourage you: Do not give up — Jesus is near to you. He desires not only to meet your need but to give you a breakthrough of faith. No matter how desperate your circumstance, he wants to infuse your spirit with this truth: “Jesus can still do this.”

A scene in Mark’s gospel addresses four types of fires that can confront our faith. The first is when sudden calamity falls on us. The second is when our trial has lasted a long time with no end in sight. The third is when our circumstances grow continually worse. And the fourth is when we stop believing altogether.

To read more:  

http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/newsletters/gary-wilkerson/jesus-can-still-do-this

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I'm exhausted now, so I will be resting.  Lord bless you all.

for His glory

Bonita            dovesofthevalleys4@gmail.com