SUFFERING

When you look at My life, you will see that I am the Son of Man as well as the Son of God.  I identified with many of the sufferings that you have experienced..

You will never suffer as I did on the cross to redeem mankind from sin, but you will suffer in this life.  When the suffering of trials come your way, know that those trials are working a greater weight of glory than the heaviness you might experience during a trial.

The suffering you experience in this life will cause you to be changed more into My likeness if you will depend upon My Spirit and keep your faith in Me during those times.  I am able to change you from glory to glory even during the suffering you experience. 

ROMANS 8:17; 2 CORINTHIANS 4:17

TURN

My cousin John was able to turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.  He was able to do this because John had the anointing that Elijah had.  His message to the children of Israel was repentance.

The anointing that was on My cousin will be released once again before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.

You are living in the day when the Spirit of Elijah is upon the earth once again to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers.  This Spirit will again prepare the way for My return.  Before I return, however, their will be a great harvest of souls. Pray for more laborers for this harvest.

MALACHI 4:5-6; LUKE 1:17; MATTHEW 9:38

LESSONS

You probably have often heard this phrase from your parents: "I hope you have learned your lesson." There are so many lessons to learn in life, but many people never know where to study those lessons.

My Word is like a "Life Manual."  The stories in My Word, the principles, the songs, and the proverbs in My Word all have life lessons that you can learn.  Those lessons will keep you from making many mistakes in life.

My desire for you and for everyone is that they see the importance of daily reading My Word.  However, just reading My Word will not guarantee that you will live a wise and blessed life.  You must heed (obey) My Word.  I challenge you as you enter the new year not to miss a day reading and heeding My Word.

PSALM 19:7-11

BRUISED

Isaiah prophesied that I was wounded for all transgressions and bruised for all iniquities.  Iniquities can be inherited from generation to generation.  The bruises that occurred through traumatic experiences in the past can affect future generations.

The good news is that I suffered the bruises in my body when I was crucified to purchase through My shed blood liberty from every bruise of the past.  Paul understood what I accomplished on the cross and was able to appropriate My finished work.  

You also can appropriate the joy that I had when I laid down My life to redeem mankind. My chastisement purchased you the peace that passes your own understanding and My stripes purchased healing for you.  I gave all for you so that you can experience all the fulness of My kingdom which is righteousness, peace, and joy in My Spirit.

ISAIAH 53:5; ROMANS 14:17

DEFENSE

When I was asked what the sign of the end of the world would be, I know what I said troubled those who heard. I told them that they would hear of wars and rumors of wars and that they would be delivered up to be afflicted and some would be killed.  I told them that they would be hated by all nations.

All of the things I told them were just the beginning of sorrows that would come before the end came. Then I told them that the end would not come until the gospel of the kingdom would be preached in every nation.

Right now, you are experiencing the beginning of sorrows, but I do not want you to be troubled or afraid. I am your sure defense when trouble comes. My beloved David wrote: "Because of His strength will I wait upon You,  for God is my defense (PSALM 59:9)" Depend upon My strength in the days that await you.

MATTHEW 24; PSALM 59:9

DEFEND

You will see in My Word that people who tried to justify themselves after their sins were uncovered did not do well.  When Samuel uncovered the fact that Saul had not fully obeyed the Lord by wiping out all the Amalekites, Saul tried to justify himself by saying that he had obeyed the Lord. 

Samuel then rejected Saul as king of Israel. David's sin with Bathsheba was uncovered by Nathan the prophet.  However, David repented.

Whenever sin is uncovered in your life, never try to justify yourself.  Simply repent.  I have promised that if you confess your sins, I will always be faithful and just to forgive you of your sins.  Your confession will also open the door for Me to cleanse you of that sin.

1 SAMUEL 15:7-26; 1 JOHN 1:6-9

 

CEASE

My servant Paul, exhorted the church to pray without ceasing.  This is the labor that I am calling My beloved Church to fulfill.  I want you to understand that prayer is your spiritual exercise, but I do not want you to pray without the anointing of My Spirit.

Before you even begin to pray,  ask My Holy Spirit to pray though you the prayers that need to be prayed.  I sent My Spirit to dwell within  you to help you pray.  He can intercede through you in the Spirit when you do not have the words in English to pray.

Prayer is a labor, but I want you to cease from your own works when you pray.  I want you to enter the Sabbath rest when you completely rely on My Holy Spirit to pray through you.  Your prayers will always be effective then.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:17; ROMANS 8:26; HEBREWS 4:10

TRANSLATED

The word, "translate," means to change from one place to another.  When I walked with Adam and Eve in the garden before they disobeyed Me, the world was filled with light.  The moment they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, darkness entered the world because Satan is the prince of darkness.

Satan's goal from that point on was to keep the whole world in a dark place.  However, when I died, was resurrected, and ascended into heaven, I made it possible for every person born on Earth to walk in the light even though the world is still dark.  

Pray for those who are still walking in darkness.  Pray for My Holy Spirit to enlighten their understanding to know Me, the light of the world. I came to translate them from darkness into the kingdom of My light. Your prayers will help to enlighten their understanding of Who I am and what I have done for them.

COLOSSIANS 1:13

WEAK

My servant Paul said that he took pleasure in his infirmities because he knew that whenever he was weak, My strength would would come upon Him.  I told Paul that My strength is made perfect in weakness.

So many in the world are experiencing weakness because of the circumstances in their lives.  Many of those circumstances have developed because of the pandemic that has enveloped the world.  The pandemic has caused many to depend upon Me more than ever.  Sadly, many others have not turned to Me for help.

I want you to know with great confidence that My grace is always sufficient for you because at your weakest time in life, My strength will flow through you with power as you cry out to Me for help. My grace will enable you to do in the Spirit what would be impossible to do in your own flesh.

2 CORINTHIANS 12:2-10

RESOLVE

The word, "resolve," means to decide or to make up one's mind to do something.  Such was the case of the wise steward parable that I shared with My listeners.  The steward had wasted his master's goods, and his master decided to fire him. When this happened, the steward resolved what he should do.

The steward decided to go to his master's debtors and ask each one how much they owed.  If they said that they owed 100 measures of wheat, the steward asked that debtor to write down that they only owed 50 measures. This is how the steward won the hearts of his master's debtors.

The master commended the unjust steward because he was worldly wise.  I said that the children of this generation are wiser than the children of light.  I made the point that no man can serve two maters. I want you to resolve to operate in the wisdom that comes from above instead of operating in worldly wisdom.

LUKE 16:1-13; JAMES 3:13-18

CHAINS

When Peter was in prison, he was bound by two chains. He was chained to two prison guards and was sleeping between them.  Suddenly an angel entered and a light shined in the prison.  When the angel raised Peter up and told him to arise up quickly, the chains fell off of his hands. 

There are many bound in chains in the world.  They have been bound with strongholds in their minds for years.  While Peter was in prison the disciples and others were praying without ceasing for him to be freed.

Their prayers were heard, and Peter was freed.  Your prayers have the same power that the saints had who prayed for Peter to be freed.  Pray without ceasing for those you know who are bound. Pray that the chains Satan placed on them will fall off and and that they would be free at last.

ACTS 12:5-17

PACE

You live in a culture where people get impatient when their computers and even microwaves are slow.  You live in an instant culture that is so different from the times when I walked on Earth. Life was at a slow pace in my day.

I had to walk everywhere. Think about how much time I spent walking and visiting synagogues around the Galilee.  I walked the Jericho Road to Jerusalem three times a year to celebrate the Feasts. 

The slow pace I experienced gave me hours to spend listening for My Father's directions and instructions. So many of My beloved have such fast paced lives that they seldom take time to hear My voice.  Make it your goal this week to slow your pace, and be intentional to hear My voice.

JOHN 10:3

ZEALOUS

The word, "zealous," means ardently devoted to a purpose. Many people have not discovered their purpose in life.  Gaining promotions, completing educational requirements to guarantee a good job, being good parents are just a few purposes people seek.

All such purposes are temporary.  Once a purpose is completed, then it is time to find another purpose in life.  There is only one purpose that is not temporal.  That purpose is why you were created.  You were created to glorify Me on Earth.

Great satisfaction comes when you allow Me to work through you by My Holy Spirit to accomplish this purpose.  I want you to be zealous to do good works on Earth.  However, I desire above all else that you glorify Me which means to make My presence known to others by your actions and your words. The good news is that I am changing you from glory to glory.

2 CORINTHIANS 3:18; TITUS 2:14 

ADVANCE

The marching orders for an army can be either to advance or to retreat.  When you were born again, you became a part of the army of God.  You entered a war that is unseen, but it is truly real.

Lately, it seems the warfare in the spiritual realm has been more intense than ever before.  Some warriors may even be getting weak of warring.  However, true soldiers keep advancing against the enemy no matter how they feel.

I want My army on Earth which is My true church to know that they are not alone.  Fresh troops have been sent in to help win the battle.  Angel armies are helping you not to give up.  Instead, you are being strengthened by My hosts of angel armies to keep advancing.  Together we are winning the battle.

2 KINGS 6:15-17

ASSURANCE

Is there any hope for this world?  Many are asking this question, and some seem to have lost all hope because of the darkness that has invaded nations world wide.

The good news is that you can have complete assurance that there is hope for this world.  I am your hope of glory.  The fact that I dwell within you is your assurance.  The substance of this hope is found in My Word.

Hope is the expectation of good.  Stand on this promise, "But as truly as I live all the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord." Thank Me today for the assurance of hope that I can give you and that My Word can give you.

NUMBERS 14:21; HEBREWS 6:11

BLESS

I gave instructions to My disciples to love their enemies, and bless those who cursed them, and to do good to those who hated them, and pray for those who despitefully used them, and persecuted them.

My disciples did not understand the principle I was trying to communicate to them.  I wanted them to understand that people were not their enemies.  Those who came against them were inspired by Satan.  

I want you to understand this also.  I know that there are many in your government who are coming against Me and My body on Earth.  However, I have given you the keys to My kingdom to bind and to loose those demonic spirits that are behind their actions.  You can pray that I will bless these people and deliver them from the kingdom of darkness.

MATTHEW 5:44

STOP

 I know so many are praying for this plague to stop.  As you look at how I went about doing good the whole time I was on Earth, you have a better picture of the character of My Father.

You sing the song, "You are a good, good father." I do not ever want you to doubt that I am good and I want for your good. I grieve when I look at the world's conditions and the suffering, but as you know tribulation came into the world because mankind made the choice not to obey Me.

Your mother always told you to stop, look and listen before you crossed the street. Take time tomorrow to stop your activities for a few minutes, seek My face, and listen for My voice. When you do this, I will give you My joy to strengthen you and My peace which the world can never give you.

PHILIPPIANS 4:7

ISSUES

There are so many issues that you face daily.  How you respond to these issues depends upon the condition of your heart.  Solomon wrote this wise saying: "Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23).

I want you to ask Me daily to help you guard your heart.  I sent My Holy Spirit to be your helper, and He will always respond to a sincere request for help.

You live in a culture now that is so dark that you must be intentional in guarding your heart.  My Holy Spirit can shed abroad My love in your heart, and staying filled with My love is one of the best ways to guard your heart.

ROMANS 5:5

COMMUNION

Every time you take communion, you are remembering My death until I return.  You also are remembering My resurrection.  On that Passover night with My disciples, I lifted the cup of wine and said, "For this is My blood of the new testament, that is shed for many for the remission of sins.

I told My disciples that  I would not drink the fruit of the vine again with them until that day when I drink it new in My Father's kingdom.

When you have communion, you are having union with Me, and you are recognizing that it is My blood shed for you that guarantees your total redemption from sin.  Recently after studying what a covenant truly is, you made the decision to take communion daily.  Know that I am present with you, and I look forward to sharing the fruit of the vine with you when we are face to face.

MATTHEW 26:28-29

PUSH

It seems that your government is trying to push its agenda through quickly, but most of the decisions that are being made lack wisdom.  Most of the mistakes people made throughout the history of My Word were made because they failed to ask Me for wisdom.

Pray that some in the high positions in the world will come to Me for wisdom.  I am all wisdom, and only I can give understanding to enable people in high places to make wise decisions.

I also want you to ask Me for wisdom daily.  Whenever you feel pushed and pressed, this is usually a strategy of My enemy to get you to move and make decisions hastily.  Ask Me for wisdom, and then wait as I unveil more understanding to you about the world's condition now.  I want you to be an effective intercessor, and asking daily for wisdom will help your prayers to avail much.

JAMES 1:5

GATHER

I am in the gathering process right now in this point in history.  I am gathering My remnant together to pray in this last glorious harvest.  This must happen before I come again.  This is your time to intercede as never before for souls who do not know Me yet.

It is your intercession that will prepare a platform for My Holy Spirit to send many laborers into the fields.  The fields were white for harvesting when I was on Earth, but now it is time for My prayer laborers to cry out in supplication for souls.

I am thoroughly purging My floor, and I am gathering  My wheat into the garner; but I will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.  This is a hard word, but you need to recognize why you are still on this earth.  I have called you to be a laborer in this last harvest.  Prepare yourself and pray, pray, pray.

JOHN 4:35; MATTHEW 3:12

RENDER

The word, "render," means to restore back, surrender, present or submit.  The Pharisees were always looking for a way to entangle Me.  After they tried to flatter Me, they asked Me this question: "Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?"

I asked them to show me the tribute money, and then I asked them whose image and superscription was on the coin.  They exclaimed, "Caesar's." I then responded, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's."

They failed to see the point.  Caesar owns nothing because everything that has been created was created by Me and for Me.  So many in the world do not understand this truth.  Because you understand this truth, hold everything I have loaned you lightly in your open hands, and be willing to let go and give.

MATTHEW 22:16-21; COLOSSIANS 1:16

GRANT

 I am a God Who generously grants.  Someone who grants does the following: Such a person assures, yields, and promises. This definition of the word, "grant," describes My character completely.

I am a promise keeping God.  All the promises in Me are "yes" and "amen."  From the beginning of time, I made it clear that I am a covenant keeping God Who keeps His promises.  There is no shadow of turning in Me.  However, I yield to your prayers.  Just as I yielded to the prayer of Hezekiah to heal him and to give him more years to live, I do yield to the prayers for mercy from My people and I always have.

I want you to always be assured of My love for you, and to have ultimate assurance that I not only hear your prayers, but I also answer your prayers. Sleep well tonight because you know how much I love to grant my love and mercy to you and the world.

2 CORINTHIANS 1:20: 2 KINGS 20:1-6

DIRECT

Many are wandering what this new year will bring.  What direction will your nation take?  What direction will your lives take? What direction will the world take?

Look no further for direction because I am the director of Your life.  Yes, all your days are written in your Book of Life.  Rather than look far into this next year, I want you just to look and Me and also allow Me to direct your heart closer to Me than it has ever been.

This will be a year when you and I can have many heart to heart talks.  It is also a year that will bring great change in the hearts of many.  Pray for those you know who have yet to have intimacy with Me. Ask My Father to direct their hearts by the Holy Spirit into My love.

2 THESSALONIANS 3:5

DAY

One day is as a thousand years on My calendar.  You will spend eternity with Me, and each day will be so precious.  There is no time or space with Me.  Remember that.

I know it seems like forever before you will see your beloved son who died of COVID this year.  You are 81 now so it will not be long.  You also so miss your older sister who died this year and your husband who died in 2018.  

Pray for those you know who have had loved ones who have passed during this COVID CRISIS.  I know how many feel like it will be so long before they will see their loved ones again.  However, remind them that one day in My sight is as one thousand years.  It will not be one thousand years before they will see their loved ones. They will be able to spend thousands and thousands of years with them when they do see them and Me face to face.

JOHN 17:3

RAISE

When I raised up Lazarus from the dead, I told Martha beforehand that I was the RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE.  DO NOT TAKE THIS LIGHTLY.  I AM YOUR RESURRECTION AND I AM YOUR LIFE. DO YOU KNOW THIS IN YOUR HEART?

Receive this truth in your heart today.  The same power that raised Lazarus from the dead dwells within you.  I want all My believers to know this, not just in their minds, but to know this in their hearts.  When they understand this truth and receive this truth, you will see the true body of Christ rise up with authority.

Pray for many of My believers to have these truths sealed by My Holy Spirit in their hearts.  My church has played church too long.  It is time for them to be raised to a level of warfare that displays both My authority and the power of My resurrection and the power of My blood.

JOHN 11:21-26; ROMANS 8:11

SUFFICIENT

Self sufficient people do not recognize Who gives them sufficiency.  My servant Paul certainly had reason to be proud of all the things he had accomplished in the flesh.  However, he knew very well that I was the "all sufficient One."

He wrote to the Corinthian church that he and his followers were certainly not sufficient in themselves to think anything of themselves.  He quickly said that he and those who believe in Me know that their sufficiency comes from God.

Self-sufficiency is a huge stronghold that stands in the way of a person's salvation.  Pray for those who do not know Me, to recognize that without Me they can do nothing.  

2 CORINTHIANS 3:5: JOHN 15:5

LIKE

So many have gone astray because they have been pursuing pleasure instead of Me.  They like having their way, and are not willing to submit themselves to go My Way.

I have said, however, that I am the way, the truth, and the life.  I am calling for those who have gone astray to come back.  Quit going your own way.  Do you realize that there is none like Me?  I am the God of the impossible, and I have the power to help you return to Me.

I want you to turn just for a moment and seek My face.  Oh yes, when you see My face, you will repent because what the fisherman saw on that day by the sea, was My unconditional, uncompromising love that was willing to embrace poor fisherman and transform them into a force that turned the world to seek Me.

JOHN 14:6; MATTHEW 4:19

PRESS

Zacchaeus could not see when I was approaching because of the press of the crowds around Me, so he climbed up a tree to get a better view of Me. When I saw him in the tree, I exclaimed, "Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at your house."

Zacchaeus did not waste one second.  He immediately climbed down from the tree, and we went together to his home. So many people today are depressed because of what they see happening in your nation and the world. I pray that they will climb up higher than the circumstances so that they can see Me.

This is My invitation to you in this New Year.  Do not look at the circumstances.  Instead, come up higher so you can view Me.  I want to abide in your home in a greater way than ever this year.  I desire to spend quality time with you daily, and when you do this My joy will lift all heaviness away from you.

LUKE 19:1-6; PSALM 16:11