RETREATS

Spring time is a beautiful time for retreats.  Winter by then is thawed and the fruit trees are beginning to bloom.  When I walked on Earth, we had constant retreats all year round.

Fishing on the Galilee was our constant retreat.  Those fishing excursions gave us all an escape temporarily from the crowds.  However, the crowds often would overwhelm us and I had to teach in one of our fishing boats while the crowds sat on the hillsides of the Galilee.

Retreats give people an escape from their busy work days.  Retreats are a time to be fed spiritually and a time to be refreshed physically.  You can work retreats into every day with Me.  You just have to be intentional to draw aside for a few minutes from the routines of life and spend some time in My presence.  In My presence is fulness of joy and pleasures forevermore.

PSALM 16:11

DISCOVERY

A new discovery is found in My homeland, Israel, almost daily.  As geologists dig deeper into the layers of buried civilizations in Israel, they are discovering more and more evidence that proves that My Word is true.

Historically, one cannot deny My existence, nor can they deny the many prophetic words that are written about Me in My Word.

You do not have to look far to discover new treasures hidden in My Word that not only confirm My existence when I walked on Earth, but also My presence with you right now.  Dig into those hidden treasures today and you will draw near to Me.  When you draw near to Me, I will draw near to you.

JAMES 4:8

LIBERTY

Where My Spirit is there is liberty.  The Pharisees and the Sadducees in My day were bound by religious tradition and man made laws.  I came against their traditions and the laws they added to My Father's laws that put  heavy burdens on people.

There are many things that can cause a person to be bound and taken captive by My enemy.  A person has to be bound physically before they can be taken captive.  The same is true about being captured by My enemy spiritually.

I have called you to loose the bands of wickedness that bind people spiritually, to undo their heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and to brake every yoke of bondage. I have called you to speak liberty to those who My enemy has bound and taken captive. Pray in the Spirit for those you know who are bound.

ISAIAH 58:6

INSPIRATION

I am the only One Who can inspire you to meet every challenge in life.  There are all kinds of self-help seminars and books that you can attend or read, but My power is not mentioned in most of these self-help tools.

I am able to do more than you could ever think, hope, or imagine according to the power that works within you.  That power is able to dispel all fears.  I have not given you a spirit of fear, but I have given you My Spirit of power, love, and a sound mind.

Release yourself to Me today and expect Me to work through you to inspire you to do and say things that are beyond anything you would normally do when you depend upon your own strength.  Ask Me today to fill you afresh with My power, My love, and My sound mind, and you will say and do things that are beyond your own ability.

EPHESIANS 3:20; 2 TIMOTHY 1:7

SABBATH

The sun has gone down and you have just finished experiencing another Sabbath.  I designed the seventh day to be a day of rest and a day for communication with Me.  However, many in your age never rest.  They are busy working or doing things to entertain themselves.

You do live in a restless society where people feel like they are not fruitful when they just spend one day doing nothing but resting. Your body and mind need times of refreshing and rest in order to function at your peak the rest of the week.

I created Sabbath for you. I encourage you to rest your mind and your body next Sabbath.  Put your "To Do" lists away, and allow Me to refresh you as you take time in My presence and in My Word.  You will be surprised at the energy you will have the rest of your work week.

EXODUS 20:10-11

SEEING

I have heard people say, "Seeing is believing."  However, faith is believing when you do not see anything.  " Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1)."

You have probably read that scripture in Hebrews many times, but have you applied it to your life?  When you pray and pray and see no results of your prayers, it is so easy for you to begin to doubt that I hear you when you pray.

I always hear you when you pray.  The only time that I do not hear you is when you regard iniquity in your heart.  That happens when you continue to disobey My voice and My Word. You can have confidence that when you pray anything according to My will, I hear you.  I not only hear you, but I also will grant you the requests that you require of Me.  Always ask Me to help you pray My will when you pray.

HEBREWS 11:1; 1 JOHN 5:14

SEPARATION

Nothing is more painful than a separation from a person you love.  A separation can happen because of death or because of some incident in a relationship that has caused both parties to be apart from one another for a season.

When two people you love have had a rift because of a misunderstanding or miscommunication, pray for Me, the Master of Reconciliation, to heal whatever hurts have occurred because of that incident.

I came to heal those who have been wounded by words.  Words are containers that can contain bitter words or pleasant words.  Pray for the healing of wounds in hearts that you know have received bitter words.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:18; ISAIAH 61:1

ERRANDS

Some days you have to go out to do errands.  The age in which you live is much more complicated than when I walked on Earth.  When we were hungry, we just went fishing and built a fire to cook our meal on the shores of the lake.

Twice I fed the multitudes.  I can also supply what you need as you do your errands.  Ask My Holy Spirit to help you remember those things you need to purchase in order to prepare meals.  Ask for My Spirit to lead and guide you to where you can get the best bargains.

Many believers do not want to ask Me for such simple things as directing their paths,  but it is My joy to help you.  I am never too busy to go before you to prepare your way today and every day..  Commit your way to Me today.

PSALM 37:5

There are days when you wished you had not gotten out of bed.  You did not have any horrific trial or any crisis, but you just muddled through the day.  When you look back on your day, you sigh and say, "Lord, this day was not very fruitful!"

Fruitful days will only happen in your life when you commit your works to Me and ask My Spirit to guide and lead you to do the next thing.  My Spirit is like a physical trainer who knows just how much weight you can bear.  He will not overwork you. I never want you to feel heavy in spirit when you think that you have not done anything worthwhile all the day long.

Commit your works to Me today, and allow your "Great Helper," My Spirit within you, to organize your day.  At the end of the day, you will be amazed at how much you have accomplished.

PROVERBS 16:3

FASTING

I told My disciples not to appear that they were fasting.  The hypocrites in My day always had a sad countenance and even disfigured their faces when they fasted. I told My disciples to anoint their heads and wash their faces because I wanted them to fast unto My Father, not unto men.

There are times when you are called to fast.  There are many ways to fast, but I do want you to employ fasting as a weapon against My enemy.

Whenever you fast, spend more time in My Word and in My presence in prayer.  Fasting is never a means to get My Father to do something for you.  It is designed to make you more discerning because your spiritual ears will be sharpened to hear My voice as I lead you to pray effectively about those matters that concern you. Remember I am able to perfect those things that concern you.

MATTHEW 6:17-18; PSALM 138:8

MEMORIAL

I know in most faiths that it is tradition to have a memorial service when people testify to what the person who has departed this Earth meant to them.  I had no such service.

As I died on the tree, those gathered around Me spit on Me, they blasphemed Me, they taunted Me. Mary and John were the only ones at My feet who loved Me with a motherly love and a brotherly love.

Do not feel badly that I did not have a memorial service to hear those give testimony of what I meant to them.  Every time you have communion, you take the elements to remember Me.  At that time, you hear once again that your sins are forgiven and that you are clean.  I am living in your heart now, so every time you testify about what I mean to you today, you are entering a celebration, not a memorial.

MATTHEW 23:32-43

EXCITING

There if nothing more exciting than living daily in My Kingdom.  You daily have a choice to go your own way for the day or to go My way for the day.  I am the Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God is not meat or drink.  It is right standing with My heavenly Father because of the blood I shed when I died on the tree to forgive your sins..  The Kingdom of God is also peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

I went about preaching the Kingdom of God when I was on Earth.  You are definitely in My Kingdom, but to prosper in that Kingdom, I call you today and everyday to surrender your whole being to Me, yield to My Spirit, and trust Me to take you through this day with My joy and My peace.

ROMANS 14:17

TEMPLE

I have chosen you to house My glory.  This morning you woke up with the song based on My Word.  The words are significant.  You heard, "He is high and lifted up and His train fills the Temple.  He is high and lifted up and His train fills the Temple.  The angels cry 'Holy,' the angels cry 'Holy' the angels cry 'Holy is the Lord.'"

I am high and lifted up, and My train not only fills the Temple in heaven, but My glorious train fills you.  Your thoughts go back to the wedding of Princess Dianne and how her wedding train flowed outside the doors of the church where she was married.

I want to fill you afresh everyday with My glory, and I want My glory to extend from your physical being which is My Holy Temple to everyone you meet today.

ISAIAH 6:1; 1 C0RINTHIANS 3:16-17

SEARCH

It is always a challenge to search for the exact address of a person who you have had no contact with for several months or even years.  You try to reach them by phone, but that phone number does not work.

When I walked on Earth there were no cell phones or emails or search engines that could assist you as you search for a friend who you have lost touch with for a season.

I am the One Person Who you will always find when you search for Me with all your heart.  I am a friend forever. I look forward to hearing your voice daily when you pray.   My Word says to continue in prayer, so I want you to keep in touch with Me, not just in the morning, but throughout your day.

JEREMIAH 29:13; COLOSSIANS 4:2

FORMULAS

It seems that there is a formula for most everything in life.  Of course, you have mathematical and chemical formulas, but preachers often give spiritual formulas for life.

I gave the formula for a joyful, fruitful life to my disciples when I enjoyed My last Passover with them.   The formula was simple:  Abide in Me, abide in My Word, and Abide in My love.

After I gave these three exhortations, I told them that if they followed those exhortations, their joy would be full and that My joy would remain in them.  Try this formula today and everyday, and you will have great joy.

JOHN 15

VIEW

My view of things is unlimited.  When I observe Earth, I first see the hearts of people.  Then I can even count the number of hairs on their heads.  I attend the funeral of every sparrow who falls and dies.

When you know My view of things, and you know that I am your PROVIDER, HEALER, RESTORER, HIGH TOWER, WARRIOR, REDEEMER, and on an on, you should not have anything to worry about.

My eyes are continually on you.  Never doubt this even for one minute.  You are never alone and it is My great joy and pleasure to take care of all of your needs.

MATTHEW 10:29-31

PREPARATION, PRESENTATION

Delightful, delicious meals will only occur when excellent preparation and beautiful presentation exist.  I do not cook up trials for you to go through, but I do allow them to occur.  How you get through a trial depends on one thing: your dependency upon Me.

When you daily spend time with Me and you desire with all your heart to walk in My ways and to talk with My words, you will get through every trial with My grace. You will also be able to present My glory (My manifest presence) to others.

You will fall into trials and you will experience fiery trials, but rest assured that I will prepare you ahead of time to face those trials by depending upon My faith within you. Share with others today how I helped you get through various trials, and you will present truths that will help their spiritual digestion.

JAMES 1:1-3; 1 PETER 1:3-8, 4:12-13

COMPLETE

Many of My beloved have difficulty finishing projects.  It is so easy to be distracted in the world you live in today.  Distraction is one of the major ways My enemy will block you from being fruitful.

I am the author and finisher of your faith.  Paul prayed this prayer for the faithful in Thessalonica: "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." After Paul prayed this prayer, he said this, "Faithful is He that calls  you, Who also will do it (1 Thessalonians 5: 23-24)."

Today I want you to recognize that you can do nothing without Me.  I sent My Helper to help you throughout this day to complete the tasks that you have today.  I have works that are written down in your Book of Life that I want you to complete.  Simply ask My Holy Spirit to help you be on the same page that I have written and then trust Me to work through you to complete everything.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:23-24; HEBREWS 12:2

WELLS

I was standing in the shadows at of the Temple as the priests were performing the libation service on the Temple steps.  I cried out, "If any man thirst, let him come to Me, and drink.  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart (belly) will flow rivers of living water."

I spoke this about the Spirit that the disciples soon would receive at Pentecost.  As disciples of Mine, you not only have rivers of living water flowing through you, but you also have wells within you.

The wells you have are like fresh, spring water that you can draw from on the days you feel dry spiritually. On those dry days, I want you to say or sing out loud with faith, "Spring up, O well."  You will feel refreshed because you will receive a fresh anointing from My Spirit.

JOHN 7:37-38; NUMBERS 21:16-17

POTENTIAL

I chose simple fishermen and a tax collector to be My disciples.  This definitely was not the way the world would choose today.  Employers are looking for the best qualified, the most experienced future employees, but I am not of this world.

After prayer with My Father, the names of My disciples were given to Me.  What did He see in these men?  He saw their potential.  He sees the end from the beginning, and He saw how the Holy Spirit could transform them.

When you look at the individuals who you meet today and everyday, I want you to see them as I see them.  My love will help you accept them unconditionally as they are, but at the same time I want you to take every opportunity to encourage them to yield to My Spirit daily so that they can reach the full potential that I see in them.

LUKE 6:12-15

WINTER

When I walked the Galilee and traveled to Jerusalem to share the kingdom of God with people, the weather was usually good.  We did not have cold, snowy winters.  Every now and then it would snow in Jerusalem because of its high elevation.

You may live in a place where there are severe winters or you might be blessed to live in a place that has no winter at all.  I never want your temperament or emotions to be controlled by the weather.  I see the long dark winters that people experience in Alaska, and I know those people are challenged to keep their spirits up.

There is a way to keep your spirits up no matter what the weather is like. I am the light of the world. On dark, cold winter days, spend time in My presence.  In My presence is fulness of joy and pleasures forever more.  When you spend time in My Word and prayer, My light will envelope you and I can clothe you with the warmth of my love.

JOHN 12:46; PSALM 16:11

STEPS

People in your age have technical ways of keeping track of how many steps they take daily. Most have the goal of 10,000 steps daily to keep in good shape physically.

It is important to stay in good physical condition because all of My beloved are vessels, filled with My Spirit, who are My ambassadors on Earth.  However, I desire for you to keep in step with Me.

There is no way you can keep up with Me unless you become totally dependent upon Me.  I am like a father who bends down with his arms outstretched to catch his one year old as that little one takes steps toward him. Daily, I encourage you to walk in the Spirit. I am always near you to catch you if you start to fall.  Keep that picture in mind today as you take steps of faith.

PSALM 37:23

LIFT

Weight lifters try to increase their muscle mass by lifting heavy weights.  Sometimes you can experience heavy weights (burdens) that affect your life spiritually.

Paul wrote: "For bodily exercise profits little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and that is to come."

When you have a heavy heart, I have a spiritual exercise that will lift the spirit of heaviness away.  Lift one hand up to Me in surrender and say, "I surrender my day and my life to You today, Jesus.  Then lift the other hand up to Me and say, "I trust You,with this day and with my life. .While both hands are lifted up say, "I dress myself with the garment of praise that lifts the spirit of heaviness away from me.  Do this every morning, and your steps will be lighter and your mind will no longer be in a fog.

1 TIMOTHY 4:8; ISAIAH 61:3

PRESS

After the celebration of Christmas and the New Year, I know many feel pressed as they return to work.  It seems like everyone is on a time schedule that is so accelerated that it often seems impossible to keep up with all the things that need to get done in a day's time.

My life on Earth was very simple.  I walked around the Galilee, fished, and taught in the synagogues on Shabbot.  Whenever you feel pushed and pressed, take a few minutes to talk with Me about the work you have to finish.  Solomon wrote, "Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established."  

After you have committed your works to Me, then listen to the still, quiet voice of My Spirit, and you will hear the next thing to do.  My enemy wants to push and press you so that you will feel overwhelmed.

PROVERBS 16:3

FAMILY

I know how you love to remember the Christmas times spent with family over the many years.  I am a family God.  Think about this.  I am the beloved Son of My heavenly Father.  My Father sent Me to Earth, and the best way to put My life on Earth is to say that My Father put on an Earth suit and came to dwell among those who were created also to have families.

I and the Father are One.  I did only what I saw My Father do, and I only said what I heard My Father say.  My Father is a Spirit, but now I was made the perfect intercessor for mankind because while I was on Earth in the flesh, I was tempted in all points just like you, yet I had no sin.

Where does My Holy Spirit fit in with this "First Family."  Think about this.  My Holy Spirit is the comforter and the teacher Who leads you into all truth.  In a way, My Holy Spirit fulfills the role of a mother.  Next Christmas remember the "First Family," and your family will have great joy.

JOHN 1:18, 5:19, 30; HEBREWS 4:15

GUARDIAN

Sometimes when you go through trials, you feel like you need a guardian (someone who will watch over you and keep you from making wrong decisions or being in the wrong place at the wrong time). The good news is that I assign guardians over you every day..

When I walked on Earth, My Father assigned two guardian angels to watch over Me.  Those angels were present at My resurrection. Of course, I could have called down a legion of angels to help Me and deliver Me when I was dying on the tree. You also have at least two guardian angels.

I went to My Father after the resurrection and sent the Holy Spirit to  be a guardian over My beloved on Earth.  His assignment was to lead and guide you into all truth.  He is your helper and also your comforter.  Praise Me today because you are never alone.  You have these guardians.

LUKE 24:1-5; JOHN 16:7-8

PRINCE OF PEACE

The announcement that the angels made to the shepherds in the field on the night I was born was: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will."  The only way to have peace while you live on Earth is to enter My Kingdom on Earth.

My Kingdom on Earth is not meat or drink.  It is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.  These three gifts are My gifts to you at this Christmas time.  It surprises Me that many refuse My  offer to enter My Kingdom.  They refuse because they want to do their own will, not Mine.

People in the age you live more than ever need My peace.  The gift of peace is not as the world gives. The peace I offer mankind as a gift is the peace within that passes earthly understanding.  My peace will guard your heart and mind daily from wounds that come from accusations and judgments.
When you know that your righteousness is of Me, no weapon My enemy forms against you will prosper, and you will have great joy.

ISAIAH 9:6; LUKE 2:14; ROMANS 14:17; PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7; ISAIAH 54:17