REST

Now that most of the activities of this season are over, you can finally rest in your easy chair and enjoy many memories of past years and look forward to the new year.  There is a rest that I always want you to enjoy.  The children of Israel failed to enter that rest because of their unbelief.  That rest is My Sabbath rest that I offer to everyone who believes in Me. 

Whenever you have periods of doubt, you leave that rest I created for you to enjoy and enter into a time of worry and fear.  This year I want you to remain in My rest and enjoy My presence with you moment by moment.  Trust Me both to fulfill My will in your life in the moment you are experiencing and also in future moments.

Stop leaning on your own understanding and release every care to Me.  I am faithful to work My will out in your life, As long as you have the desire to please Me, you will accomplish with My strength every work that I have designed for you to bring Me glory in this next year and in all eternity.

HEBREWS 3:13-19, 4:1-11

LOVE

You probably hear the "Love Chapter" in the Bible quoted at weddings by the minister.  Many of my beloved feel like what My friend Paul wrote to the church at Corinth about love is impossible to achieve.  It is true that if believers try to acheive in their own strength the goal of love that is described by Paul in his letter, they will always fail.  Love suffers long and takes no account of suffered wrong.  Love is not jealous.  It is kind.  Love never rejoices in inquity and it is never proud or behaves itself unseemly.  Love does not even think of evil.  Love bears all things and believes and hopes all things.  Love is enduring.  This chapter in the Bible is all about My love. 

As you yield to My Spirit daily and ask Me to help  you love like I love, My Spirit will be able to give you the grace to accomplish this goal that is impossible in your flesh.  Ask Me today to help you love like I love and watch what will happen.

1 CORINTHIANS 13

SNOW

This is the season for snow and even though you do not see much snow in your area, people in many lands are experiencing snow.  It seems impossible to you, but I have created every snow flake with a special design.  I also created you with a special design.  You have a designated design, and it is lovely.  I trust that you will always know how beautiful you are to Me.  You have a unique design that is destined to glorify Me in ways that no other human being can.

My Word is like snow that gives moisture to your Spirit.  As you read My Word, relax and receive the truths My Spirit relays to you and allow your thirst for righteousness and truth to be quenched.
My beloved David, the psalmist, asked Me to wash him with hyssop and he knew that I would make him whiter than snow.  He wrote this just after he committed murder and adultery.  There is no sin that I cannot wash clean when My blood is applied with the hyssop of My Word.

If you experience a snowy day this winter, meditate on these truths and the purity of My presence with you will be greater than any sin you committed in the past that My enemy would bring to your remembrance.  I have forgiven all of your sins - past, presence, and future.

PSALM 51:7

TIME

When you were young, you thought that you would never be a teenager.  The minutes in your pre-teen years seemed to pass so slowly.  Now when you are older, time seems to just fly by.  The clocks have not changed, but your view of time has changed.

When I was born on earth, I enjoyed times with My family.  Then it was time to begin the ministry My Father assigned to Me.  Those days of ministry were both filled and fulfilling.  I did and said only what I saw My Father do and what I heard My Father say.  Those three and one half years seemed to pass quickly.  Then when I hung on the tree to bear the sins of the world, time stood still for Me.
However, it was the joy that was set before Me that caused Me to willingly face the agony of My crucifixion.

When you accepted Me as your Lord and Savior, you entered the realm of eternity where there is no time or space.  It is a temptation for you to count minutes and hours, but I want you to keep your focus on Me, not the clock.  Every minute you are alive on earth is precious to Me because during those moments in time, I will use you for My glory as you yield to Me moment by moment.  Always remember that each moment you breath is a moment for ministry.  I only had three and a half years to fulfill the ministry My Father gave Me on earth, but you have many more years to minister.  Whoever you are face to face with or whoever you talk with by phone or write is your ministry.  People are the ministry.  Enjoy your moments and enjoy the ministry of the moment.

HEBREWS 12:2

AWARDS

Everyone likes to win awards that are more than just blue ribbons.  People really are blessed when they receive awards that involve a monetary or material prize.  I have already awarded you with a prize that far exceeds anything material or monetary.  That prize is your high calling (to be conformed to My image).

So many people are unaware of their purpose in life.  Some feel that life is all about monetary gain or promotion.  Others think that their highest goal is to have many educational degrees.  I created you for one purpose - to glorify Me.  You glorify Me when you allow My light and love to shine through you to others. 

My friend Paul wrote that he pressed forward to the goal for the prize of the high calling in Me.   In this season of giving, remember that you have already received the most precious gift of all.  That gift is more valuable than any prize or award that you could obtain.  That gift is knowing the breadth, the length,  the depth, and the height of My love.  No one will ever be able to take that gift from you.  Know that you are a priceless prize to Me.

PHILIPPIANS 3:14; EPHESIANS 3:

DEFENSE

You live in an age when people are thinking of ways they can defend themselves against evil men.  What so many forget is that you are fighting a spiritual battle.  The spirit of jealousy is what causes murder.  The first murder was committed because of jealousy.  Cain was jealous of Abel because God accepted Abel's sacrifice and did not accept Cain's offering.  Nothing has changed since that first murder.

Understand that behind every evil act, there is an evil spirit.  You have weapons of spiritual warfare, not carnal warfare, that will be successful as a defense against evil.  I have given you My name, the power of My blood, and the right to bind demonic spirits.  The fight against evil will never cease on earth because evil will always exist until there is a new world.  However, you can do your part by binding evil spirits when you see them operative in someone.  Then release My Spirit to be your defense.

GENESIS 4; 2 CORINTHIANS 10:4-7

WEALTH

I know that at this time of the year you wish you had more wealth so that you could purchase more gifts for those you love.  You forget that you are the wealthiest person on earth.  My total inheritance is yours because you are a joint heir with Me.  Money is a mere means of exchange.

When I died to forgive you of your sins, I accomplished something that money cannot buy.  I exchanged the filthy rags of your own self-righteousness and sin for My garment of righteousness.  That garment cost more than any clothing you could buy as a gift.  On the day you believed in Me, the kingdom of darkness that you experienced before you believed was exchanged for My Kingdom of Light.  My Kingdom of Light includes the priceless gifts of My righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. 

Meditate on these truths and begin to praise Me for the everlasting wealth I have given you.

ROMANS 14:17; ROMANS 8:17

RELINQUISH/REPLENISH

Whatever you relinquish to Me, I can replenish.  Think of Hannah and how she relinquished her first born son to Me.  I replenished her with many more children. Think about Abraham and how he was willing to relinquish his first born son to Me as a sacrifice.  I replenished him by blessing him with so many offspring that they were more than the number of the sands of the sea and the stars in the sky. 

Think about Job and the many trials that he experienced.  He gave his children to me daily in prayer and all of his belongings.  When tragedy struck at the hand of satan, it looked like the end for him.  Then the rest of his story is all about replenishing.  I gave him double for everything he lost.  You may say, but I did not give him double for the children he lost.  He lost seven children and I gave him seven more instead of fourteen.  The reason why I only gave him seven was because the seven who he lost were with Me in heaven.  He already had fourteen children - seven in heaven and seven on earth.

When you hold lightly to everything that you consider precious and give it to Me, I can give you a double blessing.  When you hold tightly to what you consider precious, My blessings will not flow in your life.  Release all to Me and see how I will open the windows of heaven to bless you.

1 SAMUEL 1:26-28; JOB 42:12-17

CALM

When your days are so filled with things that you feel you have to do, commit your works to Me and I will establish your thoughts.  Pray for Me to put you in the right place at the right time.  Yield yourself to My Spirit and ask Him to speak to you clearly about the next thing to do.  I sent My Spirit to you to be your helper and My inheritance to you is My peace.  When you are intentional to hear My voice during the day, you will complete what I want you to complete that day.

Calm always comes when you take a few minutes to center yourself on My presence with you throughout the day.  The moment you feel agitated, hurried, or worried, sit down, be quiet, and begin to thank Me for My help.  My Spirit then will be able to transfer My peace to you.  He will lead you to do the next thing and you will be confident in My strength as you live in My presence moment by moment.  In quietness and confidence will be your strength.

ISAIAH 30:15

REPLENISH

My Father gave specific instructions to Adam and Eve in the garden.  He told them to be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth and subdue it.  Replenish means to make full or complete again or to furnish a new supply.  The earth had been under the dominion of Satan, but God had a plan to redeem the earth.  That plan was excelerated when Iwas was born, ministered for 3 and 1/2 years, died to forgive the world of their sins, and rose again.  That plan even gained more momentum when My followers received the power of My Spirit at Pentecost.

When I, the second Adam, came to earth, I followed My Father's plan to replenish the earth.  I won the victory over Satan when I rose again from the dead and I have already been fruitful and multiplied.  My Spirit on earth is bringing many sons to glory.  Those who believe in Me are taking authority over Satan, binding demonic spirits in My blood, and they are subduing his domain by the power of My Spirit, My blood, and My name.

Never forget that your assignment now as a believer in Me is the same as My Father gave to Adam and Eve.  You are to be fruitful and multiply by sharing My good news with many.  You are to replenish the earth with the fresh supply of the anointing of My Spirit.  You are to subdue the enemy by using the spiritual weapons I gave you.  My Spirit will enable to complete your assignment as you yield to Him.

GENESIS 1:28

RESPECT

I am no respecter of persons, and this is the way I want you to be.  I do not look on outer appearances.  I look on the heart.  You will meet many people in your lifetime that are hard to love, but you can love them when you yield to Me.  When you allow My love to flow through your heart, you will not take things personally.  Often people are rude and even angry because you have My Spirit within you.  People who are in darkness do not like to be confronted with My light that shines through you.When you meet such people, do not be offended by the way they react to you.  Instead, pray for them.

Love is not easily offended and it takes no thought of suffered wrong.  Only My love within you can reach this lofty goal, but it is possible when you yield to Me.  Be careful to show everyone respect no matter who they are.  I exhorted you even to pray for and bless your enemies.

Today as you meet people during this busy season, understand the pressure they are experiencing and allow Me to help you love them like I love them.

ACTS 10:34; MATTHEW 5:44

DEATH

I know it is difficult for you to understand the tragedies that happen in this world.  You may even have the thought that I do not care.  The truth is that you live in a fallen world where evil still exists and tragic things happen to people. 

My disciples were not excluded from being persecuted, and most all of them were martyred.  You might ask, "Why did I not intervene for their sake so that they could die of old age?"  You forget that I know the future.  Many die to be spared future hurt.  My servant Isaiah wrote that  many do not consider that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.

ISAIAH 57:1

RECONCILE

I have given you the ministry of reconciliation.  When I died to forgive the sins of the world, I opened the way for mankind to be reconciled to My Father.  From that moment on the way was also made for you to be reconciled to others.  It is My enemy who causes friction, strife, anger, jealousy, and pride between people.  Pride is the source of all contention.  Jealousy also causes even sibblings to be at odds with one another.

Because you have a relationship with Me, you now have the power to be reconciled to all those who have caused hurt in your life or all those you have caused hurt in their lives.  This does not mean that you have to establish a relationship once again with those you have hurt or those who have hurt you. 

Because you have established a relationship with Me, you will be able to with My power to forgive and love others as I forgive and love others.  I did not establish a relationship with the whole world when I died on the cross for their sins.  I paved the way for such a relationship, and you also through My power can pave the way for those you have been at odds with to come to you.  You are only required to forgive and bless those who have cursed you and as much as possible do good to them.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:18-21; MATTHEW 5:44

COMFORT

I came to comfort those who mourn.  I came to give them beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for mourning.  I came to dress those who have a spirit of heaviness with the garment of praise.  So many of My beloved run to worldly things to find comfort.  They might run to food or drink to comfort them.  Others may go shopping and buy things to comfort them.

There is only one place that you will find solid comfort.  That place is in My arms.  I know you cannot see Me, but My arms are always outstretched to comfort you when you need comfort.  I sent My comforter, the Holy Spirit, to comfort you.  When you come to Me and allow Me to heal your broken heart and to bind up wounds that may have been caused by harsh words or harsh trauma in your life, you will find rest for your soul.

ISAIAH 61:1-3

GIFTS

Children are so excited about opening their gifts during this holiday season.  Jewish children enjoy eight days to open one gift each day and children in every nation enjoy that exciting Christmas morning when they can open their gifts.

The gift that I enjoy opening most is the gift of  a heart that is surrendered to Me.  When you give Me your heart every morning, My Holy Spirit can fill your heart with My love.  When your heart is filled with My love, you then can give to others the gift they most need - My love.

Give Me your heart at the beginning of each day and you will be amazed at how My Spirit will enable you to love like I love. 

ROMANS 5:5

PRESS

Men who want to gain strength usually pride themselves on how much weight they can lift.  It takes a lot of muscle strength to lift many pounds of weight.  However, in My Kingdom you do not gain spiritual strength when you try to carry the heavy weights of unconfessed sin and worldly cares. 

My Word exhorts believers to lay aside the sins that so easily beset them.  I urged you also to cast every care upon Me.  When you do these two things, you will be able to press into Me with a heart that is unhindered by the daily things that weigh you down.

Daily have a heart to heart talk with Me and give Me every burden and care.  I perfect those things that are a concern to you.  Also ask My Holy Spirit to search your heart to reveal anything you need to confess to Me.  Remember that confession is simply agreeing with Me about some area of sin in your life.  I have already forgiven you for all of your sins past, present, and future.  However, when you are honest with Me about your sins, I am able to strengthen you to resist Satan when he tempts you in those areas.

MATTHEW 11:28-30; HEBREWS 12:1; PSALM 138:8

STAR

During this season, you are reminded of the star that led the wise men to the place of My birth.  There are many scriptures in My Word that mention stars.  I am the bright and morning star.  When you get out of bed and spend your quiet time with Me just before dawn, you can see the morning star.  I love it when you spend those first moments with Me as you look out your window at the morning star.  This is a time that just the two of us can talk without interruption. 

I always talked with My Father when I walked on earth during those moments before dawn.  In fact, I got up several hours before dawn to spend those moments of communion with My Father.  I knew the day would soon be upon Me and the throngs of crowds would press against Me.

I am delighted, however, with whatever time you choose to have communion with Me.  I understand that many of My beloved are slow to get started in the morning with their days and they feel they do not have time to spend with Me. If those who are slow starters could spend just five minutes with Me as soon as their feet hit the floor as they get out of bed, they will discover that I can redeem their time the rest of the day.

MATTHEW 2:2; REVELATION 22:16; MARK 1:35

COMPLETE

I know how you love to complete projects quickly so that you can behold the finished project.  There is a saying in your day that goes, "Have patience with me; God is not finished with Me yet!"  You are not a project that I cannot wait to complete.  You are My beloved and Father sees you already complete in Me.  When He sees you, He sees Me.  You are clothed in My righteousness. 

It is true that My Holy Spirit has the assignment to conform you to My image, and He is undertaking that right now.  However, I do not want you to be under any pressure at all to try to finish what I have begun in your life.  I am the author and finisher of your faith.  All I require of you is that you offer your body daily to Me as a living sacrifice and listen carefully to the still voice of My Spirit within you moment by moment.  When you have the strong desire to seek Me and My Kingdom first, I will add to you all that you need to be more like Me.

When Peter exhorted believers to add to their faith knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience, and to patience, kindness, and to brotherly kindness, love, you might get the feeling that you must struggle to add these things to your character.  You forget that I am in you and you are in Me.  You already have My mind and My character.  All I require of you is that you daily yield to My Spirit and He will do the rest.     

RUNNING

I know that during this season, you feel like you are running all over town to purchase gifts for those you love.  It is so easy for you to forget to seek Me first and then everything else will be added to you.  There is really only one race that is important to Me.  That is the race I have designed for you to cross the finish line with great reward.

My friend Paul wrote that he had finished the race and that he had pressed to the goal of his high calling in Me.  Always remember that as you run the race I have set before you that I am the One Who does the work through you.  All you have to do is run to Me daily.  Run to Me when you are tempted.  Run to Me when you are burdened with the cares of this world.  Run to Me and allow Me to fill you with My joy, love, peace, and strength.   I will be faithful to complete that good work that I began in you.

I CORNITHIANS 9:24-27; HEBREWS 13:21

ELEVATE

You live in a world that has been on a downward trend since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden.  That downward trend Is accelerating as the day draws nigh to My coming.  My enemy loves to give you negative thoughts.  My servant Paul exhorted the Corinthian church to take their negative thoughts captive and give them to Me.

You may ask, "Just how do I do this?"  It is simple.  The moment you have a negative thought say: "I refuse that thought in the name of Jesus."  Then ask Me to send you a righteous thought to replace the negative thought.

Instead of emersing yourself in the negative news of the day that is delivered by the media, emerse yourself in My Word.  Study My promises and receive them as truths.  Speak those promises out loud.  Faith comes by hearing and hearing by My Word.  All My promises are yes and amen through Me and you partake of My very nature when you emerse yourself in My promises instead of allowing the enemy to drown you in the sea of negativity.

2 CORINTHIANS 10:4-7; 2 PETER 1:3-4

REACH

Sometimes you feel that things are beyond your reach.  You simply do not think that the impossible can happen in your life.  You look at the circumstances and say, "THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE!"  The truth is that all things are possible with Me and without Me you can do nothing.  Things may seem to be beyond your reach, but nothing is beyond My reach.  My Father is able to span the heavens with the outstretched palm of His hand.  I am His right hand and I daily reach out to intercede for you and to help you when you encounter impossible situations.

You live in a world and an age when darkness will try to encroach upon My light, but this is impossible.  I am the light of the world, but at the same time I dwell in the midst of darkness.  You may feel like you are in a dark time in your life, but understand that I will shed light on the darkness when you cast all of your cares upon Me.  Remember always that My burden is LIGHT and it is My deLIGHT to give you inSIGHT into the darkness.

MATTHEW 11:28-30; PSALM 107:10; ISAIAH 58:10

ENTITLED

There is much discussion in your government about entitlements.  Many desire to reduce the expenditures on entitlements and others want to increase them.  Politics plays a great part in the discussion of entitlements.  Do not allow yourself to be overcome with anxiety or fear as you look at the confusion that is going on in your government. 

Release all into My care.  The government is not your care-taker.  I am your care-taker.  Pray for your government, but at the same time recognize the truth that I am in control of all things and your government is not.  My friend Paul exhorted Timothy to pray for all those in authority over him.  Follow this exhortation daily.

Also recognize that you are a citizen of heaven and that you live in My Kingdom. As a resident in My Kingdom, you are entitled to everything that I have.  You are a joint heir with Me.  You are entitled to every blessing that comes from My Father as you stay faithful to Me and seek first My Kingdom.

GALATIANS 4:7; MATTHEW 6:33

DETERMINED

An important virtue of being My disciple is determination.  Your destiny to become like Me was determined from the foundation of the earth.  My Holy Spirit has the job of conforming you to My image.  You may think this is an impossible task, but it is not.  My grace is sufficient to strengthen  you in your weak areas.  Nothing is too hard for Me.  Always remember that it is not you, but My Spirit within you Who is determined to finish the assignment He has to transform and conform you to be like Me.

You may ask then, "What part do I play in this molding and making me like You, Lord?  The answer is: "Be determined to love like I love."  Everyday ask Me to help you to love like I love, and My Spirit will actively see that this is possible in your life.  My love is shed abroad in your heart by My Spirit.  Simply open your heart to My Spirit every day and receive the fresh anointing of My love.

ROMANS 5:5,8:29, 12:1-2; 2 CORINTHIANS 12:9

DELIGHTED

If you only knew how delighted I am with you, you would leap for joy.  So many of My beloved do not relaize how deep, how wide, how long, and how high My love for them is.  They think that they have to constantly try to please Me when I am already pleased with them.  How I long for My body on earth to comprehend My love.  My servant Paul prayed that the church at Ephesus would know the length, the breadth, the height and the depth of My love.

The length of My love is My mercy because it extends to all generations.  The breadth of My love is My truth because once people know that I am the Truth, they are set free. They can enter into the great spanse of My Kingdom that is filled with righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit.  Where My Spirit is there is liberty.  The height of My love is My grace that pours continually upon you and others.  Grace is the super natural ability for you to do what seems impossible in the natural.  The only thing that blocks you from receiving My grace is your own pride. The depth of My love is My forgiveness.   I have already forgiven all your sins (past, present and future).

Share My great love with others today.

EPHESIANS 1:5-6, 3:16-19

TRANSITION

There will be many transitions in your lifetime.  The transition from a dependency upon your parents for provision and protection to adulthood when you are responsible for the protection and provision of yourself and your children.  I am always with you when you make these transitions, and I have sent My Spirit to help you when changes happen in your life.  I am the "Never Changing God," Who you can depend upon even when those transitions seem difficult.

Remember always that I am your provision and I am your  protection.  When you depend upon yourself during these transitions instead of Me, you will most likely become insecure, worried, and even fearful. 

Rest in the truth that I am your "Good Shepherd" Who provides, protects, and lifts you up when you feel cast down.  When you made the decision to make Me Lord and Savior of your life, you trnsitioned from the kingdom of darkness to the My kingdom of light, peace, righteousness, and joy.  No matter what changes take place in this world, you are secure in My Kingdom.

PSALM 23; ROMANS 14:17

WONDERS

When Moses and the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea, he wrote: "Who is like unto thee, O LORD among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?" When Joshua was about to cross the Jordan into the "Promised Land," Joshua said to the  children of Israel: "Sanctify yourself: for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you."

The enemies of Israel had chased them to what they thought was the point of no return.  They had lost all hope, when My Father opened the Red Sea for them to cross on dry land.  Then the Egyptians were swalowed by the sea when the sea waters rolled over them.

You may feel like your enemy, the devil, is winning a victory over you, but tomorrow you will see wonders.  Hold fast to your confidence in Me.  I am your shield and defender.  I am your high tower and you can run to Me in times of trouble.  Trust Me to do wonders for you as you set yourself apart to worship and praise Me in faith believing that I have a great plan of victory for you.

EXODUS 15:11-12; JOSHUA 3:5; HEBREWS 3:6

POSITIVE

Whenever you see things through a negative filter, you need to take those thoughts captive to Me.  Negative thoughts come from My enemy who desires to keep you weighted down with worry, anxiety, and fear.  My friend Paul knew how to battle negativity.  He exhorted the church in Corinth to take captive vain imaginations and thoughts that exalted self above Me by giving those thoughts to Me.  He also exhorted the Colossian church to set their affection on the things above rather than the things on this earth.  These two exhortations reveal the secret to thinking the positive thoughts that I give you rather than the negative thoughts My enemy gives you.

The moment you are in the negative mode of thinking, give every anxious, worry, and fearful thought to Me.  Then ask Me to replace those thoughts with My righteous, positive thoughts of peace, joy, and love.  My Kingdom includes righteous thinking.  You have My mind.  Submit your mind to Me daily and ask for My anointing of wisdom and understanding, might and council, knowledge and the fear of the Lord.  When  you do this you will not fall into My enemy's snare of negativity.

2 CORINTHIANS 10:4-7; COLOSSIANS 3:2; ISAIAH 11:2

THOUGHTS

My servant Paul wrote: Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 

Every day can be a day filled with thanksgiving when you think on the things Paul exhorted believers to think about.  When you think on the things that are listed in this exhortation, you will guard your mind against negative thoughts that will open your mins to a spirit of heaviness.

Keep your mind stayed upon Me because I am all truth; I am just; I am pure; I am lovely; I am virtuous; and My gospel is a good report.  You will remain in continuous joy and peace when you keep your thoughts centered upon Me.

PHILIPPIANS 4:8

NEXT?

When I walked around the Galilee, I was completely dependent upon the Holy Spirit.  I only did what I saw My Father do and I only said what I heard My Father speak to Me.  The Holy Spirit revealed to me the next thing to do.

I have designed you to be completely dependent upon the Holy Spirit.  His duty now is to take the things that I spoke and that I did and bring those things to your remembrance.  His duty is to lead you into all all truth.  He is your guide for the day. 

I know there are many things that you plan to do today.  However, your day will go the direction I desire it to go when you are completely dependent upon My Spirit to lead and guide you.  He can redeem your time and He can put you in the right place at the right time.  Ask Him to help you today and at the end of the day you will thank Me for a fruitful day.

JOHN 14:16-18. 26

DELIGHT

It is My delight to take your burdens.  If you are worried, anxious, or fearful about anything, give those concerns to Me.  I said that My burdens are light.  When you give your burdens to Me, I can shine My light on those things that are a concern to you and I then can perfect them.

You are the sheep in My pasture and there is no way that a sheep can right itself once it is cast down because the wool on it is so heavy.  Burdens weight you down. I am your "Good Shepherd"  Who longs to set you upright when you are cast down and weighed down with worldly cares.

I am your "Good Shepherd" Who cannot wait to lead you in paths of righteousness once you have released every care to Me.  The cares that you give Me are like gifts that I receive with joy.  This morning release every care to Me and then ask Me for wisdom.  I can then lead you in the way you should go with every every decision you have to make.

MATTHEW 11:28-30; PSALM 138:8

POSTPONE

Many of My beloved postpone things until tomorrow or sometime in the future.  When you are in the mode of putting off things until another day, month, or year, you will miss the opportunities I have for you now.  I urged My disciples to work while it was day because night was coming soon.

The age you are living in right now is the midnight hour.  I am coming soon.  You are living in the last great harvest, and this is why you cannot be in the postponing mode of operation.  Faith can only work in the now.  More than ever, you need to listen carefully to My Holy Spirit as He directs your day. 

Some people say that one day they will work full time for Me when they do not have other obligations.  You are a laborer in My vineyard right now.  The ministry I have for you is in the moment.  Whoever you are face to face with today or whoever you encounter through other avenues is the ministry I have given you.  You are to be a light to all you encounter today.  Pray that your light will so shine before all you meet today so that those you meet will glorify My Father in heaven.

JOHN 9:4; MATTHEW 5:16

RELENTLESS

I am relentless when I deal with your enemies.  I am your protector and I will always take care of you.  It is My joy to do battle for you.  Every day you face three enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil.  I have already won the victory over these enemies, but now it is up to you to enforce My victory.

You enforce My victory over the world and the flesh when you stay filled with My Spirit.  You stay filled with My Spirit by staying in My Word, singing and praying in the Spirit, singing hymns and psalms and submitting to others in love.  The battle is in the mind, so you must also take captive every vain imagination and thought that causes you to not believe in Me.  Pull down the strongholds of pride and replace those prideful thoughts with thoughts that exalt Me instead of yourself.  You enforce My victory over the devil when you take up your weapons of warfare that are not carnal.  Speak My Word out loud and pray with all kinds of prayer out loud. 

When you do your part in the battle against these three enemies, you will always be victorious.  No weapon that is formed against you will prosper.  Remember to hide yourself in Me.  I am your full armor.  Do not forget to put on the breastplate of righteousness daily. Whenever condemining thoughts come your way, say out loud, "My righteousness is of Jesus Christ!"

1 CORINTHIANS 10:4-6; EPHESIANS 6; ISAIAH 54:17

PARTAKE

Everything in the age you live in is on high speed.  People want things to be done instantly.  The attention span of people has been reduced because people have lost the art of waiting.

Walking with Me is not an instant walk.  Walking with Me daily takes longsuffering and forbearance, and these fruits cannot be developed instantly. The fruit of longsuffering is developed when you are willing to receive trials with a heart that stays close to Me during the waiting period before the trial has ended.  Forbearnace develops in you when you are willing to accept people even with all of their pecularities.

My disciples sometimes became annoyed with Me because I was willing to take time with people who they considered to be unclean.  They also could not understand why I was not disturbed when we were in stormy seas.  This is why you have to partake of My nature in order to develop longsuffering and forbearance.  Depend upon Me to help you cultivate these fruits of the Spirit in your life.  You partake of My nature when you believe and receive My promises.

2 PETER 1:4

TRANSFORMATION

I know there are days when you wish that you could be transformed and conformed more to My image.  It is the duty of My Holy Spirit to conform you day by day to be more like Me.  As a man thinks in his heart so is he.  You have My mind, but you are distracted from depending upon My mind within you to make wise decisions.  Daily you can renew your mind by reading My Word.
The renewal of your mind is a process that takes discipline and your willingness to allow My Holy Spirit to teach you as you read My Word.

Today give your thoughts to Me.  Pull down every vain thought that draws you into worldly thinking.  Give your heart to Me and I then will be able to make the transformation process more than a discipline.  It will become a delight.  I told My disciples to abide in My Word because I knew if they were faithful to abide in My Word, their joy would be full and My joy would remain in them.
Look forward to the times when My Holy Spirit will teach you as you study My Word.  Soon your thinking will be centered upon My Kingdom instead of your own plans in life.

JOHN 15; ROMANS 12:1-2

DISAPPOINTMENT

I know that there are many times when you experience great disappointment.  Things just did not turn out like you hoped they would.  A person who you believed in betrayed your trust.  You sometimes are disappointed in yourself when you fail a test or when you act out in the flesh instead of reponding in the right Spirit.

When disappointments come, I desire for you to immediately think of how much I love you.  Think about how I will never fail you and how I have taken you through diappointing times in the past.  Turn your negative thinking into positive thinking by thanking Me for My faithfulness to you over the years.

Sometimes disappointments can become divine appointments that will cause you to develop in one or more of the fruits of My Spirit.  Never forget that I can cause every disappointment to become an appointment for you to draw closer to Me.  In My presence is fulness of joy and I taught My disciples how to remain in My joy.  Read My teaching to them in John 13-16.

JOHN 13-16

FOUNDATIONS

If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?  You are in a time period when it looks like everything that people have trusted in is either not functioning or is being destroyed.  When you look at My Word, you see a pattern throughout history.  When men trust in the arm of flesh, My Father moves to remove those things in which they trusted, so that once again they will trust in Him.

Take heart when you see things crumbling all around you.  Nations will be failing economically.  People will be suffering because of hard times.  The world will seem like it is on a colision course with disaster.  You will be able to take heart when you set your affections on the things that are above and not on this earth.

Understand that you are in a kingdom that cannot be shaken.  When everything else is shaking, you do not have to fear.  Draw near to Me.  Keep loving one another and abiding in My Word, and you will stand out as a light that is shining in the darkest hour. Those who walk in righteousness will see My glory.

PSALM 11:3;COLOSSIANS 3:2

INTENTIONAL

Realize in these last days that you have to be intentional in your walk with Me.  You live in an age when darkness is increasing, but at the same time My light within you is shining brighter and brighter.  My enemy will do everything he can to keep you from being fruitful in your walk with Me.  I gave the secret to My disciples of how they could bear much fruit.  They were about to face a very dark hour, but they got through that hour because they remembered My words to them.

I told them on that Passover evening to abide in Me, abide in My Word, and abide in My love.  I gave them those three exhortations because I knew if they did those three things, they would experience My joy and My peace in the future when I would no longer be physically with them.

In the dark days ahead, be intentional to follow those three exhortations.  When you do, you will keep shining for Me even when the darkness increases day by day.

PROVERBS 4:18; JOHN 15

KEEPER

I hear you sigh and exclaim sometimes, "I need a keeper."  You feel like you need a keeper when you lose your keys or you turn in the wrong direction and feel hopelessly lost. Do you forget that you do have a keeper?  I am your keeper.  I prayed to My Father just before I gave My life to forgive you of your sins, "Father, keep them from the evil one."  I prayed this not only for those who followed Me when I was on earth, but also for all those who would believe in Me later.

Not only am I able to keep you, but I have also assigned special angels towatch over you and keep you. Knowing these truths will help you face whatever comes your way this day.  I go before you to prepare your way.  All you have to do is surrender yourself to Me in the morning and I will carry you safely and peacefully through the day.

There are many who do not know My keeping power.  Share this good news with others today.

JOHN 17:15,20

LEARNING

You spend your life learning.  From the time you were born, you began to learn what would satisfy your physical and emotional needs.  When you were an infant, you learned that by crying loudly, you would get the attention of your mother.  When you were two, you learned that whining sometimes helped you get your way.  When you started school, you began to learn all about reading, writing, and arithmetic.  The one thing, however, that I want you to learn is to fear Me.

Many of My beloved have failed to teach their children to fear Me.  You fear Me when you stand in awe of My might and power and reverence and honor Me with an obedient heart that desires to do My will.

When you learn to fear Me, you will receive many benefits.  One of the greatest benefits you will receive is that you will no longer cry like a baby to have your needs met.  You will live a life of continual thanksgiving and I will see to it that you will have all you need.

PROVERBS 16:6, 19:23, 22:4 

EVENTS

I know how you look forward to events in your life when you can get away from the routines of life and just have time to relax and receive inspiration from My Word and joy as you spend more time in My presence.  In My presence is fulness of joy. 

You do not have to wait for those special events in your life to enjoy My presence with you.  I am with you always.  Every morning can be a blessed event in My presence.  Acknowledging My presence in the morning as you spend a few minutes worshipping, praising, and thanking Me will set the stage for you to face every event of the day.  So many of My beloved put off their precious moments with Me because they feel they do not have the time.  However, just five minutes of focusing on Me and My presence will strengthen you for the day ahead.

Remember that with Me there is no time or space.  I can infuse you with My love, joy, and peace in just one minute.  Take that minute with this morning and every morning.  You will then experience My leading and guiding you throughout the day.

PSALM 16:11

WHY?

So many ask the question, "Why?," when unexpected tragedy occurs.  The truth is that the question, "Why?" may never be answered in a lifetime.  When tragedy strikes, the question that can be answered is, "What?"  What can a person who has experienced great loss of the life of loved ones, possessions, or health do as a response to such loss?  This is a question that can be answered.  Solomon answered this question when he wrote:

Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.

The path after tragedy strikes is not an easy path, but when you put your trust in Me, I will guide you and comfort you in the days that follow loss.  You live in a fallen world that is poplulated with many rebellious people who disobey the law.  There will be more lawlessness as the days approach My return.  You also live in a world that is on a downward spin.  This downward spin began when sin entered the world.  During these end days more than ever, I want you to put your full trust in Me.
You may not have the answer to the question, "Why?," but I am the answer to life eternal.  I can carry you through every trial until that day when you spend eternity with Me.

PROVERBS 3:5-6

PACKING

I know how you get a little frustrated when you are trying to remember everything to pack when you are going on a trip.  I never had to concern Myself with packing.  I traveled the Galilee and into Jerusalem with just the clothes on My back.  The more stuff you have on earth, the more you have to concern youself about things.

The one thing that I want you to be concerned about is the main thing.  The main thing is Me.  Keep Me uppermost in your mind all the day long, and My Holy Spirit will help you remember what to pack and the next thing I want you to do.  I sent My Helper to help you.  Call upon Him moment by moment and the frustration of the little things in life will fade in the presence of His comfort and peace.

JOHN 14:18

REFUGE

The world you live in is on a downhill spiral.  It has been on a downhill spiral ever since sin entered the world.  Decay, corrosion, polution, and coruption did not exist in the garden that My Father prepared for Adam and Eve.  The moment Eve gave in to Satan's temptation,  life on earth became tainted.  The moral decay you see in the world today is nothing new.  If you just looked at the way the world is going right now, you would have little hope.
This is why My servant Paul exhorted you to set your affection on the things that are above and not on the things of this earth.

As the time draws near to My second coming, I want you to know things will not get better.  However, keep looking up.  Your redemption is drawing nigh.  There will be a new heaven and a new earth that will be sustained by My life.  There will be no impurity and no sin in the new earth.  Look forward to that day.  Until that day hide yourself in Me.  I am your refuge and your ever present help in the troubled days that you are now experiencing.

PSALM 9:9; COLOSSIANS 3:2

FEAR

I know that there are times when fear will invade My peace.  The enemy's frontal attack is to get you in fear - fear of the future, fear of man, fear for your finances, and all kinds of fear.  Those invasions will occur from time to time, but do not ever allow the enemy to overwhelm you with fear.  If he is successful, you will be paralyzed and unable to move ahead in the Spirit.  Fear is the anesthesia that My enemy uses to paralyze you so that he can send other spirits to oppress you.

There is only one weapon that will always conquer fear.  That weapon is My perfect love.  Perfect love casts out all fear.  Daily ask My Holy Spirit to fill your heart with My love.  When you do this, you will be guarding your heart against giving in to fear when the enemy trys to attack you. 

Ask Me daily to help you love like I love.  You cannot walk in love and fear at the same time.  There are over 365 "fear nots" in My Word.  Memorize some of those "fear nots" and use them as a sword against the enemy when he tries to put fear on you.  Today you can say as David said many times, "What times I am afraid, I will trust in the Lord."  David probably had to verbalize this phrase often since his life was one of fight and flight.  Use those words today and fear will not have its way with you.

1 JOHN 4:18; PSALM 56:3

SUPPORT

People long for support from others in their lives.  So many feel that they have to face life's problems without support.  Many have no family and only a few friends, and they feel all alone.  I see their needs and desire desperately to help those who feel they have no support.  My arms are always outstretched to embrace them and to lift them up when they feel down.

You have experienced My support for years.  You have the good news to share with others that they are never alone.  Those who do not believe in Me look at your faith in Me as a crutch to lean on when times are difficult.  After all they say, "You are self-sufficient and should pull yourself up by your own bootstraps."  The truth is that I am the magnificent life-support system for everyone who is born on this earth.  No one can take another breath without My support.

Share how I have supported you with My everlasting arms through the years with others.  They need to know that I am not a crutch.  I am "LIFE," and without My support no person can do anything.

JOHN 6:63, 10:10

FORGETTING

My servant Paul wrote: "forgetting those things that are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press forward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
You may have made the decision to forgive someone, but I know it is hard for you to forget.  One of the tricks of My enemy is to keep you frozen in the past so that you cannot make spiritual progress in the future. 

The only thing that can help you forget those things in the past is My love.  Only My love can thaw out the frozen bad memories of the past that keep you blocked from moving ahead in faith.  My Holy Spirit has the assignment to fill your heart with My love, but He cannot do this when you keep rehearsing the past in your mind.  Take the thoughts of past hurts and give them to Me.  The truth is that rehearsing the past gives you vain imaginations (imaginations that are centered on you and your hurt). 

When ever you have a thought of past hurt, come to Me quickly and allow My Spirit to replace that hurtful thought with My love.  Even though the one who hurt you deeply is insensitive to your hurt, I am never insensitive to your hurt.  I came to heal the brokenhearted and to bind up the wounds of your past.  Today, the moment you have a memory that causes you to feel hurt, take a moment to receive My love that can heal every hurt from your past.   Take a moment to feel My embrace and the warmth of My love, then move on through the day with a fresh anointing that comes from My throne room.

PHILIPPIANS 3:13B-14; 2 CORINTHIANS 10:4-6; ROMANS 5:5

TESTS

Some of My beloved ask this question: " Does God test the hearts of people.  I do test the hearts of people even though I already know their hearts.  When you go through trials, I test your heart to see if you will depend only upon Me during the trial rather than trusting in the arm of flesh.

My Holy Spirit can conform you to My image when you go thru trials only when you ask Him to give you wisdom and then obey My Word as He leads you to the truths that will help you in your trial.  Many of My beloved do not go to My Word when they are experiencing trials.  You will pass every test I give you when you seek My help and obey the truths in My Word.

JAMES 1

CORRECTION

It is a temptation for you to try to correct others when you know that they are about to make what you think is a wrong decision.  My Word is given to you to correct you, instruct you, and even reprove you.  As you submit and yield to My Holy Spirit, He will give you wise instruction and correction as you daily read My Word.

Instead of attempting to correct someone or instruct them, pray that My Holy Spirit will give you the words to say to that person who you want to correct.  You can speak My Word to them in a way that will not be preaching or prideful.  My Spirit can give you a word in season that will help lead them to make  wise  decision.   2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17                                                                                                                                 

PROMISE

I told My disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they received the Promise of My Father.  I told them that John baptized with water, but soon they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit.  When they were gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem, the Promise of My Father was delivered to them.  My Holy Spirit came upon them in power and they all began to speak in tongues.

Much more was delivered to them that day besides the gift of speaking in a new prayer language.  They received the seven-fold power of My Spirit.  They received wisdom and understanding, might and counsel, knowledge and the fear of the Lord and of course, My very own spirit.  The empowerment they received that day enabled them to evangelize the world.

You can receive that same power today.  I am the One Who baptizes you with My Spirit.  Simply ask and I will give this power to you so that you can be a more effective witness of My glory on earth.
It is My Father's pleasure to give this wonderful promise to you.

ACTS 1: 4-5; ISAIAH 11:2; LUKE 11:11-13

WAIT

"Wait just one minute!"  This is an expression that often conveys frustration.  People use this expression when another person is disagreeing or debating with them.  Waiting in waiting rooms, waiting for a medical report, waiting to get a grade on a term paper, and waiting to finally get married.  All of these waiting times can be times when a person could become anxious and frustrated.
You live in a instant society where people have lost the art of waiting.

I want all of My beloved to spend time waiting upon Me.  However, so few do give Me time to minister to them.  I exhort you to wait for just a few minutes after you pray to Me.  There are things that I want to tell you.  There are songs that I want to sing to you.  There are portions in My Word that I long for you to read.  You will hear Me speak those passages to you, when you spend time in silence as you wait to hear My voice within you.  I have given you My Spirit and He dwells within you.  He is your Teacher and He desires greatly to lead you into all truth, but so often you do not give Him the time He needs to do this.

When you are willing to wait upon Me, I will be able to strengthen you for the day.  This morning is a good time to start waiting in silence after you have worshipped, praised, and presented your petitions to Me.  I do not get frustrated when you do not spend waiting times with Me, but I do long for those waiting opportunities to minister to you.

ISAIAH 40:28-31

THANKSGIVING/FORGIVING

My Word says to give thanks in all things and for all things.  A life of thanksgiving is a forgiving life.
When you are grateful even for the small blessings in life, you will not have a problem forgiving others.  It is only when you are disatisfied with yourself or with others that you open yourself to give in to the ugly temptation not to forgive.

"Thanksgiving" and "Forgiving" both end in the word, "giving."  My Father so loved the world that He gave Me to purchase forgiveness with My own shed blood for you and all those who believe on Me.  A selfish life is an dissatisfied life and a life of bitterness.  When you are unwilling to forgive another, you are saying that you are more important than the person I want you to forgive. 

I exhort you to be thankful today for everyone who is in your life.  When you have a grateful heart, you will have a forgiving heart.

EPHESIANS 5:20; 1 THESSALONIANS 5:18

CAREFUL CARING

I do care for you and for all those you love.  I do use people to meet the needs in My body.  However, I want to give you a word of caution.  Ask for wisdom when someone asks you to help them.  If you help people without My wisdom, quite often you will interfere with My best for them.  My best for those who believe in Me is that they ask Me first when they are in need.  I have promised to meet all believers' needs according to the riches of the glory of My Father through Me.  My shed blood has purchased you the right to go boldly into My throne room of grace when you have need of anything.

When you jump immediately to meet someone's need, you may be standing in the way of someonelse who will receive a great blessing by giving.  There is an order to giving that is written clearly in My Word.  Paul cautioned Timothy to be careful to help widows when they were widows indeed who had no families to take care of them. 

I know it is a hard thing for you to say "No," when someone asks you to bail them out of a financial crisis.  However, sometimes when you say, "No, I cannot help you at this time," those in the family then will meet their responsbilities to help their own.

PHILIPPIANS 4:19; 1 TIMOTHY 5:3-4

COMPLACENCY/ COMPLAINTS

It is so easy to become complacent when you are always complaining.  Ungratefulness is the very first sin that leads to the downward cycle of sin.  Paul spoke of this cycle and warned that when a person is ungrateful and does not give God the glory for his life, God can release such a person to a reprobate mind. 

Many in My body today are complacent.  They complain about everything that does not satisfy them and they are self-satisfied with where they are in their walk with Me.  Such people have no idea of the danger that awaits them if they continue in an attitude of ungratitude.

Be careful to remain in an attitude of gratitude.  The gateways to intimacy with Me are thanksgiving, praise, and worship. When you are intimate with Me, you will never become complacent and you will have no complaints.

ROMANS 1

EVERLASTING

My mercies are new every morning and they are also everlasting.  My mercies endure forever.  One of the strategies of My enemy is to tempt you to believe that I am not merciful.  Whenever you experience tragedy or great trials, he will come to you and tempt you to lose your faith in Me.  He says, "If God is such a good god, then why did he allow this to happen?" 

The truth is that I am a good God and My mercy endures forever.  The nature of My goodness and mercy is everlasting.  My love for you is unfailing, unchanging, and everlasting.  There are many things that will occur in your life that may cause you to doubt My love or My mercy, but understand that you live in a fallen world. 

Lawlessness abounds in the world you live in today.  You live in a world filled with people who are disobedient and sinful.  Many in this world are under the indfluence of demonic spirits that spur them to do evil things.  My Word says that many are the afflictions of the righteous, but I deliver them out of them all.  My heart is always a heart that seeks to deliver you from evil.  This is why I instructed My disciples to pray, "Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil."  Daily pray this prayer and I will go before you to set a guard around you to keep you from the evil one.

PSALM 34:19;LUKE 11:1



 

BALANCE

This is an age when believers talk a great deal about balance.  So many feel that if you are so heavenly minded you are no earthly good.  However, this is not what My Word says.  My Word exhorts believers to set their affections on the things that are above and not on this earth.  My Word says that believers are not to become entangled with the lusts of the world (the lust of the flesh - seeking immediate gratification of physical senses; the lust of the eyes -covetousness and vain imaginations; and the pride of life - trusting in yourself more than you trust in Me.

Instead of concentrating on being balanced, focus on Me.  When you keep your focus on Me, you will not worry or be anxious about the current events that you hear about daily.  You will be able to put your full trust in Me instead of depending upon your own resources and abilities.  Never forget that I am the One Who works through you both to will and to do of My Father's good pleasure.  It is His good pleasure to give you His Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.  You can experience these blessings daily as you keep your mind stayed upon Me.

ISAIAH 26:3; 1 JOHN 2 :15-16; PHILIPPIANS 2:13; COLOSSIANS 3:2

GENUINE

When you receive an inheritance, you want to make sure that what you receive is genuine.  My enemy seeks to copy what I have to offer to you as My inheritance.  I offer My peace to those who believe in Me.  My peace is part of your rightful inheritance as a joint heir with Me.  My enemy offers worldly peace that is only temporary.  My peace is eternal.

When you receive My gift of righteousness, you also receive the inheritance of My joy that comes from living a life without condemnation.  Your inheritance is that no weapon formed against you will prosper and that you have the right as My saint to condemn every word of judgment.  My enemy offers worldly joy that will lead to condemnation.

Today rejoice because you have a genuine inheritance.   ISAIAH 54:17                                                                                                                                              

REVERENCE

I am your friend.  I told My disciples that I would no longer call them servants, but I would call them My friends.   The danger of just seeing Me as your friend is that you may forget that I am LORD of Lords and King of kings.  I want you to daily see Me as both your friend and your LORD.

I want you to walk in the fear of the LORD.  You walk in the fear of Me when you reverence and honor Me by having an obedient heart.  Daily I desire for you to stand in awe of My majesty and greatness.  When you acknowledge My greatness, you will then have the faith to believe that without Me you can do nothing.  I am the author and finisher of your faith.  Reverence Me and you will tap into My abundant grace (the supernatural ability to do what is impossible in the natural).

MATTHEW 10:28; PROVERBS 9:10-11; HEBREWS 12:2

RIGHT

Most everyone wants to be on the right side.  People want to be supporting and cheering for the right team - the winning team.  We want to have the right professor in college - the one who is tough, but fair.  We want to have the right mate - the one that is best suited for us.  Most of us want to have the right knowledge so that we can prove our point.  Being right is a great blessing. 

There is a way that you can be right all the time.  When I died to forgive you of all of your sins - past, present, and future, I gave the whole world the gift of being right with My Father.  Sadly, many do not even know about this gift and others have rejected this gift.  The gift of righteousness is an eternal gift that guarantees that you are right in the sight of My Father.

When I ascended into heaven, I was seated on the right hand of My Father and now I make intercession for you continually.  Because of My shed blood, you have access to our throne room continually.  You can praise Me today because you are on My right side seated with Me in this heavenly place.

MATTHEW 26:24; HEBREWS 7:25

WALKING

My servant Paul said that he had run his race well.  Walking in the power of My Spirit, however, does not require running.  In fact, I desire for you to be intentional in your walk with Me.  I desire for you to be aware that I am with you and that I am also within you as you take steps of faith.  I do not require that you take leaps of faith.  Instead, I want you to have a steady pace with Me.  When people run with one another, it is hard for them to communicate because they are breathless and their bodies are under a great deal of stress. The walk of faith requires constant communication with Me.

Do not allow anything to hinder you as you walk with Me throughout the day.  Stress is one of your worst enemies.  Whenever you feel stressed out, come back with Me.  You have tried to go ahead of Me.  You are thinking about what tomorrow might bring, and I told you not to think about tomorrow.

The walk of faith is a steady paced walk that is aware of My presence moment by moment.  The walk of faith is one of total dependence upon My faith that operates within you.  I said to My disciples that if they had faith as a grain of mustard seed, they could speak to the mountain and it would be removed.  When I said this I wanted them to understand the impossibility of having such faith without depending completely upon My faith within them.  Today allow Me to strengthen your faith even as I strengthened the faith of Peter.  I prayed that his faith would not fail him.  His own faith failed momentarily so that he could transfer his dependence upon all the faith he could muster up to My faith that he received at Pentecost.

MATTHEW 17:20; GALATIANS 2:20 (KJV) - We live by the faith of Jesus Christ.

ENTITLED

Many today believe that they are entitled to certain rights.  Your declaration of independence says that you are entitled to rights, and it lists those rights.  I also have a declaration to make to you today.  My declaration is not one of independence.  Instead, My declaration is one of dependence upon Me.  Some feel that faith in Me is a crutch that gets you through life.  Faith in Me and dependence upon Me entitles you to rights that no government can guarantee.

When you have faith in Me, you are entitled fo My total inheritance.  You are a joint heir with Me.  You are entitled to My My Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy.  When you trust Me with all of your heart, you will enjoy everything that I am entitled to enjoy. 

I purchased these precious rights of total forgiveness, righteousness, joy, peace, and love with My precious blood.  Thank Me today for granting to you these eternal rights.

ROMANS 8:17

PERMANENT

When something is permanent, it lasts indefinitely without change.  There is nothing permanent in this world.  This earth is constantly changing.  Even the cells in your body change every seven years.  The earth has been spinning in a corruption course ever since mankind chose to disobey My Father.  This is why I have translated you out of this earthly realm into the realm of My Kingdom.  When you accepted Me as your Lord and Savior, you entered the realm of eternal permanency.

I am the never changing God, and My love for you is permanent and unchanging.  My mercy endures forever to every generation.  My forgiveness is permanent.  My righteousness is permanent.  You are the very righteousness of My Father in Me.  This will never change.  You have a permanet position in Me. You are seated with Me in heavenly places far above all principalities and powers and rulers of darkness in this world.  You can rejoice today because you know that My relationship with you is permanent.

PSALM 136; COLOSSIANS 3:3; EPHESIANS 2:6

INTROSPECTIVE

Many of My beloved spend too much time judging themselves and comparing their spiritual growth with others.  This is not My desire for them.  I long for My beloved to see themselves as I see them.  True humility is seeing yourself as I see you.  I see My beloved dressed in My robes of righteousness, walking My paths of righteousness, and glorifying Me.  Remember when Peter looked at his circumstances and saw that he was sinking into the water, he lost his ability to walk on water.

I want you to walk on water, and this will not happen if you constantly take your eyes off of Me and put them on yourself.  You become like Me as you behold My glory.  This takes time every day.  When you miss those one on one times with Me, you will easily fall into Satan's trap of self-condemnation.  I do not condemn you when you miss your quiet times with Me.  I never condemn you.

If you have missed several mornings spent in My presence, just make it your goal to meet with Me this morning.  Faith only works in the now.  Peter had faith that worked for a little while, but he did not have sustaining faith.  This is why I prayed that his faith fail not.  Through his experience of denying Me, he finally realized that he had to depend totally upon Me to give him sustaining faith.  He finally got this message after Pentecost and from that point on he operated in My faith, not his own.

LUKE 22:32; GALATIANS 2:20 (KJV)

FULFILLED

So many are looking for fulfillment in life.  They search for fulfillment in pleasure, travel, entertainment, success in business, and other ventures.  However, there is only one thing that will give total fulfillment in this life.  That one thing is to glorify Me moment by moment.  You are My glory created to make My presence known to all you meet.

You may ask, "How can I meet this great challenge of glorifying Me moment by moment?"  The answer to that question is that you cannot meet this challenge.  However, as you depend only on Me to be the One Who both gives you the will and the ways to glorify Me, you will be fulfilled and you will fulfill this challenge.

Yield yourself daily to Me.  Ask Me for a fresh anointing daily and stay filled with My Spirit all the day long by speaking to one another in psalms, singing spiritual songs, hymns, giving thank always for all things, making melody in your heart and above all loving others with My love.  When you stay filled with the Spirit, at the end of the day you will say, "This was a fruitful, fulfilling day."

PHILIPPIANS 2:13; EPHESIANS 5:18-19

SUSTAINER

As you look at nature, you see My perfect design.  The stars make beautiful designs in the heavens.
People throughout history have studied designs to see their scientific significance.  For example, the design of the atom has been studied for years, but scientists have not discovered the invisible substance that sustains the parts of the atom.  I am that substance.  In fact, I am the One Who keeps the earth from going off course. 

When you know that I do hold the whole world in My hands, you should never doubt that I also hold you in My hands.  Right now you may feel like the whole world is falling apart or even that your life is falling apart.  However, I am sustaining you moment by moment.  Without Me you would not be able to take the next breath.  I designed your body to sustain itself.  However, since the Fall, illness can now invade My perfect design.

When I died on the tree, I reversed all curses.  Look to what I did for you when I was crucified, and you will see how I provided sustaining power in every area of your life.   My shed blood is the sustaining power that can give you victory in your life right now.

HEBREWS 4:16

ACTIVATED

When you surrender your body to Me as a living sacrifice, your actions will be activated by Me.  Daily offer the members of your body as instruments of My righteousness, peace, joy and love.
Daily pray: "Let the meditations of My heart and the words of My mouth be acceptable in Your sight."  When you meditate on My Word day and night, your mind will be transformed to think like Me.

Yielding yourself to Me daily is the secret to walking in My Spirit. Your physical body cannot move unless your head tells it to move.  So it is with walking in the Spirit.  This is why the full armor of God begins with the Helmet of Salvation.  When you know without a doubt that I have forgiven you of all of your sins, you have liberty then to hear My voice that activates you to walk in the Spirit.  In Me you live and move and have your being.

I am the head of My spiritual body on earth.  I long to activate you and all those who know Me to walk continually in My Spirit.  Surrender your whole being to Me and meditate on My Word this morning and every morning.  When you faithfully do this, I will become your motivation (what moves you) throughout the day.

ACTS 17:28

SOUNDS

The sounds in heaven do not compare to the sounds you experience on earth.  The music that is heard in heaven is more beautiful than anything that you have ever experienced.  Sound is so important. 

One of the sounds that is more beautiful to Me than the worship music that surrounds My throne is the sound of your voice.  I love to hear you sing songs to Me every morning.  I want to encourage you to wait for a moment after you sing a song to Me because I want to respond with My own song to you. Try this in the morning during your prayer time and you will be edified and strengthened for the day.

You just celebrated the Feast of Trumpets and the day will come soon when you will hear the sound of the trumpet that will signal My return.  In the meantime, continue to sing to Me and allow Me to sing to you. 

PSALM 150 

WINDOW

An expression that many use in the age you live in is "Now is the window of opportunity."  There are several "now's" in My Word.  One is "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of the things not seen." Faith is now.  Faith is not in the future and it is not in the past. 

You can only exercise faith in the present moment. Your window of opportunity to exercise your faith is right now.  Do not wait until tomorrow.  Tomorrow will be too late.  Today is the day of salvation. 

Take every opportunity today to exercise your faith.  I have only given you the ministry of the moment. Whoever you are talking to is the one who I have chosen to put in front of you for a reason.  Ask Me to speak through you while you are in the presence of that person and you will see miracles. NOW IS YOUR WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY.

HEBREWS 11:1

DETERMINATION

Just before I was betrayed I said to My disciples, "And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed."  My Father determined the events that would take place in My life.  He determined that I should take upon My body the sins of the world.  Nothing could stop His will from being performed in My life.  The same is true about your life.

I and My Father have determined that you be a light shining in the midst of these dark days.  It is My Holy Spirit Who gives you the words the say and the way to go to share My good news with many.  All that is required of you is your determination to do My Father's will.

When I was in the garden of agony, I had to surrender My will to My Father.  When you are determined to surrender your will to My Father no matter what you may face,  you will be given the power to both will and to do My Father's good pleasure.

LUKE 22:22; PHILIPPIANS 2:13

LIBERTY

Once you accept Me as your Lord and Savior, old things are passed away and all things become new.
All of your sins in the past are forgiven.  All you sins in the future are forgiven.  All your sins right now are forgiven.  My righteousness that was freely given to you when I died for your sins causes your sins to become white as snow.  When you know this truth, your life will be one of excitement and meaningfulness.  The liberty I purchased for you when I died to forgive you of all of your sins is a gift that many do not have.  Do not take this liberty for granted.  Do not go back to trying to change your behavior or trying to be better disciplined in your spiritual life.  You cannot do this.  I am your life.

Take time every morning to recognize that without Me you can do nothing.  I am your everything.  I am your hope, your peace, your joy, your righteousness, your power, your grace, your truth, your healing. I am your all and all.

I came to set mankind free from the curse of the law, free from the condemnation that sin brings, and free to live as I live.  As I am in the world, so are you in this world.  Praise Me today for the complete libertion I have given you.

GALATIANS 3:13-14

EXCEPT/ ACCEPT

I accept you just as you are without any exceptions.  Many try to earn My love, but My love was freely given to them when I died on the tree to forgive you of all of your sins.  When you received My gifts of righteousness and grace, you positioned yourself to be in My eternal realm of acceptance.  My Father accepts you, not because of what you do for Him, but because of what I did for you.  You are now accepted in the beloved.  When My Father sees you, He sees Me, and I am His beloved, and you are My beloved. 

People are always striving to be accepted by others.  In fact, often they do things that are not wise to be accepted by their friends.  You do not have to prove yourself to anyone.  I have commissioned you to love as I love.  This is impossible without My Holy Spirit.  I have called you to forbear with others.  This means that you are willing to put up with the peculiarties of others and accept them as I accept them.  Just remember that you also have peculiarities.

Ask Me today to help you see others as I see them.  Your day will be much brighter if you do this.

EPHESIANS 1:6

RELENTLESS

I am relentless in My love for you.  I am persistant and constant in My love for you.  Nothing in heaven are under the earth can separate you from My love.  I know that some teach that when you sin this causes a separation between Me and you.  The truth is just the opposite.  When You sin I want to come to your aid quickly to help you.  I want to tell you to not be under condemnation, but instead to come to Me with a repentant heart. 

I am your Savior and I came to save you from sin with all of its consequences.  It grieves Me when you sin, but recognize that I have already forgiven you.  I have forgiven you for your past, present, and future sins.  When you come to Me with a repentant heart, I can strengthen you not to commit that sin again.

JOHN 3:16-17

STUMBLE

You have a responsibility not to cause fellow believers and non believers to stumble.  How can you know what could cause them to stumble in their faith or what would keep non believers from comint to faith in Me?  The answer is simple.  I sent My Holy Spirit to give you keen discernment.  Whenever you are with someone and you desire to be a witness that glorifies Me to that person, ask My Holy Spirit to help  you discern what would draw that person closer to Me rather than further away from Me.

On the day of Pentecost, the one hundred twenty of My followers gathered in the upper room received the baptism of My Holy Spirit.  One of the evidences of that baptism was their ability to speak in tongues.  However, much more happened to them that day.  They received My supernatural anointing that included the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of might and counsel, and the Spirit of knowledge and the the fear of Me.  Those gathered were empowered to be effective witnesses of the gospel from that day forward.

You have that anointing within you already.  However, stir up that anointing within you daily by praying in the Spirit, praying with your understanding, and by reading and heeding My Word.  Ask Me to freshen that anointing within you so that you can go into the market place and be the witness I have called you to be.

ROMANS 14:13; ISAIAH 11:2

BLESS

David wrote, "Bless the LORD oh My soul, and all that is within Me bless His Holy name.  I know that sometimes you wonder why you need to bless Me because I am always blessed.  I do not need you to bless Me, but you need to bless Me.  As you bless and praise My name, you will receive blessings.  As you bless Me, you can recall all My benefits.  David listed these benefits:

The LORD forgives all of our iniquities; heals all of our diseases; redeems our life from destruction; crowns us with lovingkindness and tender mercies; satisfies our mouths with good things; renews our youth; executes righteousness and gives justice to the oppressed; makes known His ways to us;  is slow to anger and abounds in mercy; does not deal with us according to our sins or punish us according to our iniquities; shows great mercy towards the lowly; removes our transgressions as far as the east is from the west.  He also  pities His children and remembers that we are dust and continually gives us His enduring mercy.  He gives His righteousness to us because we fear.Him and also to our children and their children. He keeps covenant and He sends His angels to do His pleasure and to minister to us when we voice His Word.

Bless Me today by speaking these benefits that I freely give you.  I love to hear you rehearse My Word.

PSALM 103

REND

Joel describes the spiritual battle that will take place at the end of this age when the mighty army of saints will fight with Jesus in the last great battle.  He desribes the day of the Lord and how great and terrible it will be.  He asks the question, "Who can endure." 

As you read this passage, know with an assurance that you will endure because I am the enduring One Who lives within you.  The battle is Mine and the victory is yours.  Joel gives the call for people in these end days to turn to Me with all of their hearts with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.  He exhorts them rend their hearts, and not their garments.  Then he gives a beautiful description of Me and My character.  Listen to His words:

Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm.

Pray for those in these last days who have not rendered their hearts to Me.  Part of the word "surrender," is "render."  You can surrender many things to Me, but I am after your heart to be totally surrendered to Me.  When you surrender your heart to Me, I will give you the power to endure until the end.

JOEL 2

FRIEND

There was a time when I told My disciples that I no longer called them My servants, but I called them My friends because I had shared with them everything that I heard from My Father,  I shared how I chose them and appointed them to bear much fruit and that their fruit should remain.  I said that whatever they asked the Father in My name that He would grant their requests.

I say the same thing to you today.  You are My friend.  It is My joy to share with you everything that My Father ever told Me.  You can daily read what Father told Me as you read My Word.  I commanded My disciples to love one another. 

A true friend is one with whom you can share all that is on your heart and the deeper things of life.  I am your true friend, and I have the words of life.  Meditate on the words that I spoke when I walked on Earth and your friendship with Me will grow deeper and deeper.  Talk to Me daily just as you talk to the friends you trust. It is My delight to hear your heart spoken to Me in honesty and sincerity.  I also rejoice when I hear the requests you make to My Father in My name.

JOHN 15:15-16

EXTRA

People usually are pleased when they receive more than they expected.  That extra is always a blessing.   My desire is to give you extra blessings, not just blessings.  I came that you might have life and have it more abundantly. This does not mean that you will suddenly become wealthy financially.  The wealth of My Kingdom is so different than worldly wealth.  The wealth that I can give you is eternal, not just temporal.

I can give you extra peace on days when you are struggling.  I can give you extra joy when you are discouraged or depressed.  I can give you extra grace (the supernatural power to do the impossible in the natural) when you do not think you have enough strength to do the next thing.

You have not because you ask not.  Today come to Me and ask for the extra.  I am able to give you exceedingly abundantly above all that you could ask or think, according to My power that works within you.

JOHN 10:10; EPHESIANS 3:20

BRIGHT

I have called you to be a light that shines extremely bright in these last days.  The path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day (the day of My return).  When I appeared to Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration, My countenance was so bright that it looked like My clothesI had been washed in supernatural laundry soap.  I was shining so bright that My brightness exceeded the brighteness of the glistening snow on the mountain.  Peter wanted to build three tabernacles to as a memorial to this occasion when Moses and Elijah appeared with Me on the Mountain.  Then My Father said, "This is My beloved Son, "hear Him!"

On that dramatic day, My Father revealed the secret to your being a shining light in these last days.  Listen carefully to My voice every day and then obey what I say.  When you do this, you will live a blessed life and your countenance will shine with the light of My glory.  Let My light within you so shine before men that they will see the good work that I do through you and glorify My Father in heaven.  Always remember that it is I Who works within you both to will and to do of My Father's pleasure.  You are My tabernacle who contains My glory. Shine brightly today.

PROVERBS 4:18; MARK 9:2-8

CONTRACT

I am in the covenant business, not the contract business.  When you sign a contract, you have no assurance that the person you had an agreement with will meet the provisions listed in the contract.  Today, more than ever, people are not honoring the contracts that they have signed.

I am a covenant keeping God.  I kept My covenant with Abraham, Moses, David, and I now am keeping My new covenant with you.  I covenanted that the day would come when I would write the law on your heart and give you a new heart.  That day came when I died for your sins.  I told My disciples just before I died that My blood was the new covenant.  The covenant of My blood guarantees that all who believe in Me will receive the three gifts I died to give them.  Those three gifts were My grace, My truth, and My righteousness.

Daily remind yourself that the law is now written upon your heart.  Remind yourself that only I, the obedient One, can keep the law through you.  Remind yourself that because you believe in My atoning blood, you now are the very righteousness of God in Me.  All the promises in My Word are yours through Me.  Rejoice today because My Father sees you dressed in My robe of righteousness.

LUKE 22:20; MATTHEW 26:27-28

TIRED

You are tride when you are weak and tired.  A good way to remember this is to rearrange the letters in the word, "tired," and you have the word, "tried."  You will be tried by My enemy at the times when you are weary and worn out.  TRY not to ever push your body to the point of exhaustion. 

I have provided a way that you can refresh your soul during those moments when you are weary.  Pray in the Spirit during those times.  When you pray in the Spirit you will build yourself up in your most holy faith and your inner man will be refreshed.

When you have seasons of praying in the Spirit throughout your day, you will find that you will be much more productive, and you will also have your spiritual ears tuned to hear My voice.  Try this today and you will experience a more fruitful day.

JUDE 20

RIVERS

You have rivers of living water within you.  On the last great day of the Feast of Tabernacles, I gave an invitation to all those who were present.  I was standing on the Temple stairs just after the priests poured water upon the public area where everyone was viewing.  I cried out, "If any man thrists, let him come to Me and drink.  He who believes in Me as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."  I spoke this concerning the Spirit Who would soon come and dwell within those who believed in Me.

Value the gift of My Spirit within you, and pray in the Spirit often.  My Spirit will help you interecede for others and He will teach you as you read My Word.  He is able to bring to your remembrance everything that I ever said. 

Today tap into the rivers of living waters within you.  Drink from the wells of salvation within you.  Too many of My beloved are looking for My glory to revealed to them when they contain My glory within them.  They often feel dry because they forget that they contain living water that can quench their thirst.  Come to the waters and drink.

JOHN 7:37-39

TRANSFERENCE

Transference is a psychological term that is used when one person transfers the emotions and character flaws he/she experiences to another person.  It is a way of getting the focus off yourself and your own weakness by putting the same weakness, (emotional or character flaws) upon another.  Few understand that transference is the technique demonic spirits use.  For example, a lying spirit that oppresses one person will accuse another person of having the same spirit.  When you know this truth about how things opperate in the spirit realm, you will be able to identify quickly those spirits that are oppressing a person who you may be ministering to. 

Everything that is manifested on earth has a spiritual basis.  When you know this, you understand that you do not fight against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and wickedness in heavenly places.  Satan's realm is the air around you.  Like it or not, demonic spirits watch you daily to try to pinpoint your weak areas.

Do not let these truths strke fear in your heart.  Understand that I have 2/3 of the heavenly hosts at My disposal to come to your aid whenever you declare My name or My Word.  It is extremely important that in these last days that you have your senses exercised to discern good and evil. I exhorted My disciples to "watch and pray" just before I left Earth.  Watch out for the devil because he wants you to take things personally.  Instead, come against the spirits that have an assignment against you and bind them in My blood.  Command them to go in My name to My footstool where I will deal with them.  I have given you the keys to the kingdom to bind and loose.  Use them today.

MATTHEW 16:19; EPHESIANS 6

TRANSFORMATION

You are being conformed to My image day by day.  My Spirit has the assignment to make you more like Me each day of your life.  How does He do this?  As you behold Me in My Word, you begin to have revealtion knowledge of Who I am and what I did for you when I died for your sins.  My Word is like a mirror that unveils My glory to you.  You are changed from glory to glory as you behold Me.

Few of My saints just sit still in My presence.  They are so busy with all of their plans and they hope that day by day they are becoming more like Me.  However, you become like the person who you spend the most time with during each day.  You begin to have the same expressions and the same character as you live close to someone.  You can see evidence of this as you look at couples who have been married for years.  As they pray together and seek My face together, they become one with each other and one with Me.

This morning and every morning, I ask you just to take a few minutes to sit still in My presence.  Allow Me to speak to you from My Word.  Ask Me if there is a scripture I want you to read, and then wait to hear My voice.  I have fresh manna for you daily.  My Word gives this exhortation, "Seek My face."  How do you do this?  You seek My face daily as you acknowledge My presence with you moment by moment throughout the day.  Keep your focus on Me today, and you will be conformed to My image as you behold My face.

2 CORINTHIANS 3:18

STORY

History is My story (His story).  People can deny My existence, but it is written in history that I walked the earth in the flesh.  When you look into My Word, you will discover the character of My Father.  The story of My life is your story.  You are a history maker.  Why?  Your life is no longer your own, but it was bought with the high price of My own blood.

Today is not your day.  Today is My day to make history through you.  You are My glory.  Since I no longer am in the flesh on Earth, you are the one who can reveal My glory to others.  Father commanded the light to shine into your heart to give you the knowledge of Him in My face.  You contain My very life.

Never feel like that you are not sufficient.  I am the all sufficient One Who dwells within you by the power of My Holy Spirit.  If you need faith, you have My faith.  If you need joy, you have My joy.  If you need peace, you have My peace.  If you need security, you have My security.  Today draw from the wells of salvation within you with joy.  Salvation is an all inclusive word that means, wholeness in every way.  My blood has made you whole.  Today take this message to others.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:6-7