While You Are Waiting - Rise Up and Praise Him

April 19, 2016 at 11:44 am

While You Are Waiting – Rise Up and Praise Him

My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer, my shield, and He in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.  [Ps 144:2]

Purging Impurities

Hallelujah to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world! [Jn 1:29]  Have you ever been in the midst of a storm?  Are you going through a storm now?  Rejoice!  Give God the praise right now, right in the midst of the storm!

Now if you had seen me only a week ago, you would have seen what looked like a broken and hopeless-looking disciple of Christ…a defeated Christian.

Over and over, I was endeavouring to overcome that which the Lord had pointed out to me, which was an outward manifestation of fear, unbelief (Yes! Little did I know, or see, for that matter) and rebellion.

What?!  Yes, it came as a shock to me too. When we read in the Word about God purging us of impurities, most of us have no idea of what has been hidden deep inside for only God knows how long.

We gladly read or hear and say, “Yes Lord, purge me – purify me!”  We may have a certain addiction to overcome or a certain attitude that plagues us in ‘certain’ situations or triggered by ‘certain’ people, or a root of bitterness – a long list continues with various impurities in each individual.

And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

Many shall be purified (purged), and made white, and tried (tested, proven); but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. [Dan 12:8-10] Glory to God alone!

And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. [Mal 3:3]

The process will not be as one expects.  It will be painful, the breaking loose from fixed foundations, and ofttimes, the tearing up of thick roots. Such disturbance! Utter confusion as the rapid and forceful shaking begins! 

We may have been in a furnace of fire, a hard testing of our faith or a painful tribulation in our lives before, but there will come a fire that is seven times hotter.  It will be even more intense than any previous fire.

We may feel that we will not be able to bear it. Never forget – God is with you through it all, even if it feels as though He has abandoned you, or left you to endure it on your own.

Consequences

There are times that we may think that we have gotten away with things (sins). Over time, we have forgotten what we did or rarely consider it, especially if we have become born-again and believe it is behind us, forgiven and under the blood of Jesus.

Yes, once we truly repent (change of heart and attitude) and confess our sins to Jesus (Yeshua), He IS faithful to forgive. He remembers it no more. There are times we escape the consequences of sins by the mercy and grace of God – outwardly.

When Samuel went to Jesse to find the future king of Israel and anoint him, in obedience to the Lord, Jesse’s sons stood before the prophet. Seven passed by the prophet and Samuel knew that not one of them was the one chosen of God.

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart. [1Sam 16:7]

Samuel wondered if there was another. There was. David, the eighth and youngest son was out in the fields tending sheep.  Interestingly, numbers have always held significant meanings. Eight is the number for “new beginnings” or “new order or new creation”. 

People say that 1 Chronicles 2 states David as the seventh son. This is not a contradiction with the first book of Samuel, though atheists and others who are against the written Word of God insist that it proves errancy in the Bible, to plant seeds of doubt about scriptures being written by men who were so led of the Holy Spirit.

There are a couple of websites that explain this supposed contradiction, where those whose gift it is to search deep into history, record-keeping etc have taken time to explain this. Apologetics  and Contradicting Bible Contradictions   are two sites that have addressed this particular discrepancy quite nicely.

God is interested in all of us, our complete self, but particularly the inner man, molding us into the image of Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son. He is interested in removing the heart of stone, and replacing it with a heart of flesh (pliable, soft, full of good things).  [Ezek 36:26]

Then, if that is not enough, He will take that heart and circumcise any excess, unnecessary flesh from that heart, leaving a pure heart, separated unto God. [Rom 2:29] So, if you (as I myself) have prayed to be purified, purged – prepare yourself for the unexpected but the necessary work of a wise and loving Creator.

Though sins are forgiven, is the ‘root’ cause of that sin dealt with? Are there hidden impurities that the adversary Satan is aware of that may very well cause us to fall into temptation if they are not dealt with?

In His mercy and in the wisdom of His timing, God will begin to reveal truths, even hard truths. We may not have to reap the consequences of our sins in the natural (though more often than not we do), yet Abba in His goodness will have us reap the consequences in the spiritual as He purges us!

He will prune us, cutting us down to where it seems there is even no stalk and where no hint of a bud appears, no fruit is evident. During that time, it will seem that everything is against us, even strangers will seem to eat us up.

At times, it is our sins that the Lord is visiting to draw us to repentance. Other times, He is exposing the root cause of what brought us into rebellion and sinful choices in the first place (individually). If you have ever prayed to be purged, expect a great fire!

But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. 

[Jn 3:21]

The Whirlwind

For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it has no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up. [Hos 8:7]

When we sin, we will reap the consequences.  God’s timing is not our timing, but He is always right on time. How I had to learn that! Back in May last year (2015), I wrote about a strange occurrence that happened to me a couple of weeks previously, at the end of April.

It had to do with a small dust tornado or a mini-whirlwind. It is odd how sometimes we think we understand a thing, especially if something occurs shortly after that, which seems to line up with what seems to be a spiritual experience.

Yet that is the prophetic – like our Lord, a word or an experience speaks to many and not just one. It can be for the present, but also for the future, though we know it not.  When the Holy Spirit brought it back to remembrance today, I was astounded. The Lord’s ways are so far above our ways. Only God knows all things.

To save time and space, I provide the link to that article. At the readers’ leisure, you can check it out to see how profound the Lord truly is, every detail covered.  I am certain that it was a prophetic vision, though in real time and happenstance, which explains what many are going through now or have gone through.

Flesh and Spirit Wrestle

It felt like the bottom had fallen out of my world (to use an old adage), and trying with all my might to overcome and walk in obedience.  Try and fail, try and fail, rise and fall, rise and fall, and rise again.

The battle between flesh and the spirit was as though all the previous battles were blended together into one bloody war. It did not look good for my spirit man. Is it not strange how things intensify the further and the longer we walk with the Lord?

Yesterday, I sought God with every part of my being, running through a gamut of emotions, even anger.  It matters not all I said to the Lord, but it truly felt like a bipolar or schizophrenic time – such was the battle between flesh and spirit. God can handle all we could possibly dish out and His wisdom and goodness are beyond measure.

“Why not just kill me? Why let Satan laugh and have victory? It’s enough…I’ve had enough! Have you not seen my life? I’m so done!” [Enter the blah blah’s] (Who knows what other foolishness I uttered, but God?)

When I was spent emotionally, it was with great humility that I asked Him if He knew what He was doing when He chose to make a personal covenant with me. There are so many other vessels that would not require near the work that He had done, was doing and still had to do in me.

It was not meant as a complaint and it wasn’t a ‘poor me’ question (although I surely 'did' have moments of 'self'-pity). It was more a reality check, the realization that God (Abba) had done so much for me; that He had guided me and helped me all my life, even before I knew Him, even when I had no clue that He was doing so (helping). His goodness is astounding and undeserved.

If ever I was broken and contrite, yesterday was the most extreme of all other times. Finally (much to my chagrin), I admitted that I did not know what to do or how to do it. Truth came forth when, with bitter tears, my pride shattered into a million fragments as I confessed that I had tried everything I knew how and had failed every time. 

Pride shattered even further, being smashed now into tiny slivers. Then the humble confession came forth that if Jesus did not help me, I was going to keep failing Him because I had tried repeatedly to overcome without success. The thought of failing such a good Father and patient Creator crushed me even more so. 

I had to admit I could do nothing without Him and I was desperate. That goes against the grain, against pride itself to admit. Some would call it a weakness. I call it the molding of the clay by the Potter, when the clay (if clay thinks) realizes it is helpless against the potter and his thoughts and plans.

Drawn to Repentance

I must have sobbed myself to sleep, fully aware of His silence. When I awoke, I was led to 2 Chronicles.  Then my eyes were opened and understanding came.

If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Now Mine eyes shall be open, and Mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever: and Mine eyes and Mine heart shall be there perpetually.  [2Chron 7:14-16]

I heard the Lord speak through His word and obeyed. How often do we say that God is love and that God loves us, yet deep down in the hidden chambers of our heart, we discover that we have not fully received or believed it? 

How often do we say “trust God” or “I trust God”, yet deep down, we try to take care of some impossible situation, with the natural tendency to be in control – just in case, you know, just in case God is slow in coming through or seemingly not doing anything? (Apparently I had 'trust' issues in 'certain' areas - shudders at the thought.)

God is no tyrant nor one who condemns. He is a loving Creator, who sees the flaws brought on through heredity, experiences, sin and a fallen nature/world. He is an ever-present help in trouble and sin has gotten us all in trouble, for all have fallen short of the glory of God. [Rom 3:23]

We are not alone in this. Look at Abraham and Sarah, for a prime example. They received a promise from God, a personal covenant. Though they were both old, they had been promised a son.

At first, they were shocked and both laughed. Then they believed the word of God and they waited, and waited, and waited. Finally, still believing God, but impatient when it came to His timing, they decided to help God out.

Most of us know the story. Sarah told Abraham to take her maid servant (bondwoman) and she would bear a son for them. Ishmael was the result, but he was not the “son of promise”. 

The promise was originally made (given by God) and they waited ten years. Nothing happened. God renewed His promise, and the anticipating couple had to wait another fifteen years before Isaac was born. 

Who would not have had doubts, or who would not have at least tried to 'assist' God? That is a very long test of patience and trust by anyone's standards. Ishmael was the result of Abraham and Sarah’s impatience to wait on God’s timing. Ah, God's timing - that is a hard one for all of us.

Part of the pressure of me overcoming has to do with a personal covenant between God and I also (as He does with many of us). Impatience?  Oh yes! Years have passed, but the last seven and a half months have been something else!

I repented, having my eyes opened to the fact that somehow the enemy had convinced me that God’s love is limited. In other words, I’ve failed one too many times, messed up as no believer should and had ultimately crossed the line to the point of no return.

These are lies from the enemy. I had been trying with all my might to obey God in every area, but there were areas that my strength could do nothing, it could not budge the thing I wanted to be rid of (my impurities).

Repentance also had to come forth regarding trust. It is true that I have always trusted God from my point of view, but again, when God gives us a promise of something that seems surreal or defies logic, seemingly impossible, doubt can find a root if entertained or allowed to settle in. Trust can be shaky. We think God needs our help, yea, it is us who need His help and intervention. Only pride and/or self-righteousness would deny such.

The realization of shortcomings in regards to fully receiving and believing His love, as well as not trusting Him completely when it comes to impossible situations was yet further humbling.

I do not know anyone who enjoys being wrong, much less being brought to a place where if one is genuinely repentant, having to admit it. Pride can be so subtle.  We can be walking in pride and think we are walking in humility, albeit false humility.

Now I am glad to embrace the correction of the Lord, now that I understand. He truly is a loving Father. I would rather walk in the humility of correction than in the pride of error – for the glory of God alone!

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made. [Is 57:15, 16]

Jesus then led me to read and hear and understand His great love and how trusting Him is simple surrender, a letting go of the desire to control things or do it by ourselves. We can lean on Him, resting, truly resting confidently in His love.

Battle is the Lord’s

The Holy Spirit led me to the second book of Chronicles; yes, back to 2 Chronicles, but this time I was led to chapter twenty. Our Saviour, Jesus Christ (Yeshua) is most assuredly faithful and true.

He heals the broken-hearted; He restores our confidence in His love and proves His vast understanding. He will establish within us the peace that passes all understanding. He teaches us how to trust and we learn obedience through our suffering. 

As stated, I had been broken to the point of desperation, where I confessed that I did not know what to do in the battle I was in, in overcoming the enemy and my flesh, and walk in obedience. [Heb 5:8]

The Lord was about to reveal to me that this is not an unusual thing. All His people most likely go through it (broken, contrite) at some point. He created us to be involved in our lives. There are no adequate words that I know to describe the Lord’s goodness or His qualities.

Jehoshaphat, king of Judah came up against an impossible situation. He received reports that they were surrounded by enemies, too vast in number for Israel to possibly overcome, unless God intervened.

The king called a fast. The people assembled and Jehoshaphat stood before the congregation and sought God with humble prayer. He reminded God of how Israel had obeyed Him when He told them not to fight against the Ammonites and Moabites when they came out of the land of Egypt.

Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which You have given us to inherit. O our God, will You not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that come against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.  [2Chron 20:11, 12]

The Spirit of the Lord came upon one man named Jahaziel, who was the son of Zechariah. The Word of the Lord was spoken through him.

And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.

Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you. [2Chron 20: 15 and 17]

Powerful Weapons – Believe and Praise

How many times do we read a chapter in the Bible, but one day it seems as if the verses jump off the page?  The heart skips a beat. It’s not a new revelation per say, but to you, it is as if the words are illuminated. Understanding cloaks you.

And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.  And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.

[…]Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endures forever.

And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.  [2Chron 20:18-22]

When Jehoshaphat and all the people heard that the Lord would take care of the battle and that they would not have to fight, they knew to worship Him. Look how it is recorded that when they “began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments…”  (He is the LORD of the battle.)

Oftentimes, God will direct our steps through His Word. He will repeat His instructions in various ways (such as a random website like this) to confirm what He has revealed to you.

If you are waiting for the manifestation of a promise, or for God to move in your situation and on your behalf; if you have sought Him, prayed and heard from Him (regarding a promise), be encouraged, breakthrough is coming.  Praise God and keep thanking Him, no matter what. 

Do not fear His silence. We all have experienced it. It causes us to come to truly know His voice. Every lamb must learn the voice of their shepherd...every single lamb. He is with His sheep, watching over. There are times He speaks and times He is silent. Every child of God who has walked with Him awhile knows this, and if you do not, please be at peace, for it is true. Hold fast faith

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing. [Phil 4:6; Ps 107:22]

Not Much Longer

Keep praising and thanking God (no matter what things look like or sound like). What do you think faith is?  Faith is the substance of things HOPED FOR, the evidence of things NOT SEEN. We do not need faith for that which we can clearly see, but for that which we cannot see. 

Think of Abraham and Sarah (waited 25 years), Joseph (waited 13 years), Moses (waited 40 years) and onward the examples go. Think it not strange when we too are taught patience; we too have our faith stretched to the max; we too learn to trust and learn obedience. It is a process, which God is speeding up in these end times, I do believe.

The waiting is almost over. Did you feel a raindrop?  Hold fast, hold fast, hold fast to your faith – keep praising with thanksgiving. Promises are about to be fulfilled. It has been a long haul, just as Abraham, Joseph, Moses and countless others.  Now do you see the hand of the Lord upon you?

Do you now understand how your faith was tried and you came through it? Do you see? By the grace and mercy of God, you are coming through it, with Jesus.  Do you now understand the great shaking, the fires, the brokenness, the pruning, the purging, what it means to be sifted like wheat?

Do you now believe and receive God’s great love for you? Will you now rest in trust and gladly obey His leading? Ah indeed, in His silence, He was and is working!  He is Spirit and Truth - enter faith. Hold fast. Not much longer – not much further. Obey, give thanks and praise.

God is working in the background, where we cannot see what He is doing. that is where trust comes in.  Faith in action. Great trouble is coming and it shall worsen, but God is greater and amazing things (from GOD alone) are about to come forth, and no false prophet will be able to touch God’s glory. For all will know that only God can do the impossible.

Breakthroughs are coming. The vision is not tarrying. It shall be right on time.

Hallelujah! Thank You Lord! God is good and His mercy endures forever!

Remember Elijah, a man of God, a true prophet, a man of faith. Even he was shaken and said, "It's enough!"  

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 (Elijah) 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]

Jesus (Yeshua) knew Peter's faith would be shaken. He interceded on Peter's behalf.

But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not: and when you are onverted, strengthen your brethren.  [Lk 22:32]

So, be encouraged. While we are waiting, rise up and praise God. Be still.

for His glory alone

Bonita                      dovesofthevalleys4@gmail.com

He is Faithful-Obedience is Key to Promise

He is Faithful – Obedience is Key to Promise

February 2012

Arise Bride of Christ; arise sons of God, for all is in My hands.  Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust Me, trust Me, trust Me, for I AM your Father, your Creator.  Peace, be still.  Do not be afraid.  Rest in Me for I draw you close to My bosom.

Believe Me when you cannot see a way out, for you walk by faith and not by sight.  [2Cor 5:7]

Let patience have its perfect way.  Have you considered that I find you worthy to go through all that you are going through?  As I have told you, there are leaders that are going to have to step down; although they were first sent by Me.

The harlot and the world have lured them and seduced them, promising to fulfill their desires.  Falling into compromise, they have taken on their own agendas to satisfy the lusts and pride, seeking to please the people, rather than seeking to please Me.

My people must choose to lay down sin; without excuse, without compromise.  The adversary continues in his agenda, to blindside My people, to cause them to stumble and fall into sin.  This strategy is to keep you far from Me upon the broad highway.  Confusion is his mastery.  

Yea, although I allow him to prove (test) you for a season, I bid you to endure.  As you trust in Me, it is I who shall draw a line of confusion around all enemies of the cross and their way shall be paved with stones of emptiness.  It shall be as nothing and you will not turn aside to the right or the left, as you cleave to Me.

My glory shall cover your armor and the brilliance of it shall blind the enemies of the cross and send them into confusion, for you are more than conquerors through My Christ, who loves you.  

My holy angels go forth at My command.  As you cry out for discernment and walk in My commandments, My Spirit shall cause your eyes to see all illusion, all grandeur of the adversary, all deception.  

The flesh of your ears and heart shall be circumcised, so that you will hear and receive truth, if you do not resist My Spirit.  Do not be as the Pharisees.  I shall cut away all excess flesh so that your heart will be clean and pure, yet you must not resist.  Before his own people stoned him, Stephen cried out:

Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. [Acts 7:51]

Travail to Bring Forth

If you shall suffer the death of the flesh gladly (fleshly desires, appetites, lusts/sinful nature), and travail to bring forth, then shall I bless your going out and coming in, your rising up and your laying down.  

You shall be the head and not the tail.  You shall witness My blessing and not a curse.  For this reason, My Son became a curse upon that tree, taking upon Himself the sins of the world as a living sacrifice, to become the only way for sinful man to reconcile with Me.

No greater love has no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends. [Jn 15:13]

This hardship has been allowed to bring you to your cross.  This call to holiness and obedience is absolute.  Shall the love of fleshly passions outshine your love for Me?  My LOVE is the foundation of your faith; be rooted in My love, for then shall you go forth boldly.

I allow Satan to bring you to your cross.  Embrace the cross, knowing that as you bow before Me in obedience, whatever you ask of Me in My Son’s name, that shall I do, for then you shall know My will and not ask amiss.

Come unto Me and abide, so that your joy may be full.  Hardships, trials and tribulation shall be in this life, yet in abiding in Me, you shall know what to do.  I shall strengthen you to obey, if that is your earnest desire.  Will you obey Me? 

Will you follow My lead?  Am I truly your first love?  Do you trust Me in all things?  Do you love others as you love yourself?  Walk in love; walk in holiness; walk in obedience.  Wait upon Me.  Walk in faith, for without faith it is impossible to please Me.     

                                            †

(So beloved brethren, I encourage you to embrace the cross. Embrace the trials and the tests, and give God the glory. It is Jesus/Yeshua who intercedes on our behalf, praying that our faith not fail us.  We can trust Him.  Endure this hardship, brave one, brethren of mine… the victory is nigh us! – BP)

O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. [Is 54:11, 12]

Step Out in Faith

Watch and see what I shall do, as you step out in faith, overcoming all flesh, a complete dying to self.  You have longed to do the greater works in the miracles that are coming, running parallel to great tribulation upon all nations.  There is a cost.  

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You: because he trusted in You.  [Is 26:3]

The above is from February 2012 from a post called – Again He Says, Do Not Give Up in Testing Times (Part 2).  However, this is further what the Lord said to me.  I had been fasting, praying.  I will continue, as led.  First, I present this further word:

Yea, you have given up much; it has cost you greatly to walk the narrow path.  Now I ask this one last thing of you.  

Shall you be like the rich man who walked away sorrowfully because he simply could not let go of that which he had clung to for so long?  To surrender all, his comfort, his peace, his love and passion, his very life... the cost was too great.  He could not trust My Son, Yeshua/Jesus enough to surrender all. 

What would become of him then?  This had been his one comfort, his one surety, his pleasure.  It is what he clung to, to keep him going through all of life's disappointments, trials and tribulation.  He had to walk away from Jesus/Yeshua, in great sorrow.  He chose to keep his life and thereby lost it.  Shall this be your sad ending?

Do your part and I shall surely do Mine.  You know deep within what it is you are to do, that which you are to surrender.  Yea, though it be hard, watch what I shall do as you step out in faith.  Though the flesh will rise up against you, and though the adversary will seek to draw you back, to cause you to come down off of your cross, I urge you to persevere.  

Lo!  I AM with you.  Even if I AM silent, I AM with you.  Even Jesus agonized upon His cross:  Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?  (My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?)  Yea, He had to fulfill scripture, even Psalm 22.

 I knew My Son would go through, even though He had power to come down off the cross.  You also have the power to lay down your cross.  You can refuse to do this thing I ask of you, but I who created you tell you that you can go through.  You can do this.  And when you do this, the glory of the latter house shall be greater than the former.  

God’s Remnant Armies

I AM positioning My people; from the generals to the foot soldiers.  You have been through gruesome trials and testing.  Those who are to be generals and top commanders in My armies must be dependable, submissive to their King and obedient.  Likewise, all other members, right down to foot soldiers must be dependable, submissive and obedient.

This is how good armies operate.  This is how a body of believers must function.  The Body of My Christ (Y'shua/Jesus) is composed of members from generals to foot soldiers.  Are all the hands, or are all the feet?  Are all the eyes, or are all the ears?  Every part is crucial and necessary to function as a whole and healthy body.  

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.  [Is 9:6, 7]

This one thing has been a stronghold on you, yet you cry out to be all that I created you to be.  My people, My disciples, let go of that which has hindered, yet comforted you.

This last thing that I ask of you (letting all go into My hands), is for you the most difficult part of dying to self.  Do not fear, as the rich man did.  His fear turned him away from Y'shua/Jesus.  He could not let go; he simply could not imagine life any other way than the way he had always known.  Think upon this one last thing before you make your final decision.

The Disobedient Prophet

There was a prophet that I had given a personal commandment to.  He was not to eat bread or drink in a certain place.  Yet, he was tested by Me through none other than another prophet of Mine, one of his own kind.  

The test was to see if the prophet would continue on in obedience to Me, no matter who told him otherwise.  This prophet should have continued on in obedience, and sought Me on the matter, but he did not.  All things previous have been for an example.

And the man of God said unto the king, If you will give me half your house, I will not go in with you, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place: For so was it charged me by the word of the LORD, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that you came. 

 So he went another way, and returned not by the way that he came to Bethel. Now there dwelt an old prophet in Bethel; and his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Bethel: the words which he had spoken unto the king, them they told also to their father. And their father said unto them, What way went he? For his sons had seen what way the man of God went, which came from Judah. 

 And he said unto his sons, Saddle me the ass. So they saddled him the ass: and he rode thereon, And went after the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak: and he said unto him, Are you the man of God that came from Judah? And he said, I am. 

Then he said unto him, Come home with me, and eat bread. And he said, I may not return with you, nor go in with you: neither will I eat bread nor drink water with you in this place: For it was said to me by the word of the LORD, You shall eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that you came. 

 He said unto him, I am a prophet also as you are; and an angel spoke to me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with you into your house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him. So he went back with him, and did eat bread in his house, and drank water. And it came to pass, as they sat at the table that the word of the LORD came unto the prophet that brought him back: 

 And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as you have disobeyed the mouth of the LORD, and have not kept the commandment which the LORD your God commanded you, But came back, and have eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which the LORD did say to you, Eat no bread, and drink no water; your carcass shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers. 

 And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled for him the ass, to wit, for the prophet whom he had brought back. And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcass was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcass. 

And, behold, men passed by, and saw the carcass cast in the way, and the lion standing by the carcass: and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt. 

 And when the prophet that brought him back from the way heard thereof, he said, It is the man of God, who was disobedient unto the word of the LORD: therefore the LORD has delivered him to the lion, which has torn him, and slain him, according to the word of the LORD, which He spoke unto him. 

And he spoke to his sons, saying, Saddle me the ass. And they saddled him. And he went and found his carcass cast in the way, and the ass and the lion standing by the carcass: the lion had not eaten the carcass, nor torn the ass. 

And the prophet took up the carcass of the man of God, and laid it upon the ass, and brought it back: and the old prophet came to the city, to mourn and to bury him. And he laid his carcass in his own grave; and they mourned over him, saying, Alas, my brother!  [1King 13:8-30]

Obedience

Yea indeed, obedience is important to Me, for even Jesus, My Son learned obedience by the things which He suffered [Heb 5:8].  He willingly and obediently went to the cross.  Will you willingly and obediently lay all down now, your life, upon your cross and trust Me for victory?  

There are those whom I have warned that if they do not lay down the one thing that holds them back, they shall die and not fulfill their destiny.  They shall be taken out before their time or die in the wilderness, with unfulfilled promises – all due to fear, unbelief and disobedience.

Think upon the disobedient prophet.  Who is the lion that walks about seeking whom he may devour?  Think upon the man in the Corinth church who was fornicating with his father's wife (his own mother).  What were the people told to do?

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. [1Cor 5:4, 5]

Think upon those in the flood, who rebelled against Me and would not repent.

Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflowed with a flood: [Job 22:16]

American Standard Version (ASV) - Who were snatched away before their time, Whose foundation was poured out as a stream

I ask you once again to let go of your life and lay it all down upon the cross.  You have been obedient in all areas, yet this one, this one thing holds you. 

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  [1Jn 2:16]

I have been longsuffering with you, for I know all that you have faced in life.  I AM your Creator.  Remember the lion; remember Satan; remember the flood.  Remember My word!

Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but He reveals His secret unto His servants the prophets. The lion has roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD has spoken, who can but prophesy? [Amos 3:7, 8]

How My heart grieves, as a Father with a wayward child, who meets an untimely death because the child rebelled and would not heed the words and instructions of a loving Father!  Let My heart rejoice in your love for Me!  Prove your love by your obedience, for I long to bless you.  It is the time many, including you, have waited for.  Obedience is the key!

The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts. [Hag 2:9]

for His glory alone

penned by

Bonita                                dovesofthevalleys4@gmail.com