“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” 

Mark 4:23 (NKJV)

God’s guidance is of no value if we will not listen. He is speaking to us in many ways, personally, or through another individual who may have said something, or been through a certain situation that applies to your life.  That’s “speaking” to us…

Listen…

The primary way of speaking with us is through “HIS WORD” the Holy Bible.  It is the biggest aspect in which and of which we are to live.  He speaks to us through His Word as we read it becomes very clear.  As we pray, we need to “listen.”  Really listen.  If we’re talking all the time, let me ask you this, how then can we “hear Him?”

Listen…

Before we start talking or complaining, take time to sit quietly and “listen.”  Or ask Him to give you the ability to sit and be attentive to Him.  “Dear Father, help me to understand Your plan for my life, fully and completely, speak to me my LORD so that I can “hear” and follow plans according to Your desire for my life, in Jesus name, Amen.”

Listen…

He wants to guide us in all aspects of our life, each and every moment of our life.  Sometimes, we can “hear” but might not want to go forward with what we’re hearing.   Our flesh might clash with the Spirit and we avoid doing what we “hear.”  But, to avoid what we’re “hearing” from Him, is to miss out on the difference between a ‘blessing’ for our life versus the lack of a blessing… or the difference between peace and chaos.

Listen…

We need to be positive about what we’re “hearing” but when we ask God to open our “ears” and “listen“ —- just as Jesus instructed us to do, we will undoubtedly “hear” because the LORD wants us to be fruitful and obedient, and what better way but to “hear” and “listen.”

Listen…

He has a perfect plan for us.  He is a God of love, unconditional love. He loves us irrespective of whether we listen or not.  However when we “listen” and we become “quiet” we are in for a way of life that will be productive, indestructible, and immeasurable in joy and tranquility.

Are you “listening” to the Father? 

Shush…can you hear Him?

Be quiet and watch what happens to your spirit and life, Amen!

“Father, thank You for speaking to us and guiding us, we know you help us to jump over the hurdles in our life, and we pray that we always “hear” and “listen” to You and Your Word, in Jesus name, Amen.”

“…be still and know that I am God.”  Psalm 46:10

For where two or three are gathered together in my name,

there am I in the midst of them.

Matthew 18:20 (KJV)

Being part of a fellowship that shares the love of Christ is not only satisfying in a spiritual and unifying sense, but also in alignment with following Jesus’ commandments to go and spread the good news.  It not only brings a cohesive movement of the body of Christ into our realm of existence, it also breathes life into all who are part of it.  Speaking the Word, and bringing the Word, brings life to both those that speak and hear it.

Life!

In chapter 18 of the book of the Prophet Ezekiel, there was the vision of “dry bones“ (Ezekiel 18) The reviving of the dry bones signified God’s plan for Israel’s future national restoration. The vision  showed Israel’s new life depended on God’s power and not the circumstances of the people. Putting “breath” by God’s Spirit into the dry bones showed that God would not only restore them physically, but more important, spiritually.

And today, spiritually there are a vast amount of “dead bones” that need restoration, and the breath of God to bring many to “life” — by His Word and by His power.

Last evening I spoke with a dear and beloved Christian friend, a true sister in Christ.  She and I were fellowshipping, and speaking the Word, encouraging each other with scriptural verses, and praise for the LORD.  While doing so, we knew that the LORD was with us as we prayed, and glorified Him, and spoke the Word.

My friend has limited  physical capacity in her daily life. Due to these medical issues , she’s virtually a recluse, due to her inability to “walk and get around” — so in a sense, she’s a “prisoner” in a beautiful house in Maine—in the middle of nowhere.  She hasn’t been out in months, can’t even get to the doctor, and truly is “chained to her house” due to her physical maladies.  She’s a widow  living alone, which makes her feel more isolated and desolate, but her strong faith keeps her motivated.

The LORD continuously sends laborers to her door for her care;  doctors that make house calls, people to meet her needs, and so of course, Glory be to God as He provides ongoing care to His beloved child.

During prayers she travailed in the spirit due to her circumstances; crying, “I wish I could get to a church I’d say, ‘here I am God’. ”   I reminded her gently, that Jesus said, “wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there will I be.”    

The message of my post...Jesus promises He is with us always.

So, no matter the circumstances, where you pray, where you speak to Him, He “hears and sees” and “He is with you.”   So for those who are unable to attend a church,  or unable to get out, or are hurting physically, please know that He is with you, no matter what the circumstances may be.  And, He fully understands.

He sees your heart, knows your heart, and loves you with a capacity that far exceeds our human mind of comprehension.

The LORD breathes life into His followers— uplifts—restores, and gives strength, to get us through our storms.

The LORD never leaves us…never forsakes us…and while we’re in the valley, or experiencing an unrelenting dark period—He is there extending His hand to pull us out, offering us His peace and a safe sanctuary,  therefore making us even stronger than before the trial we have just endured.

Breathe

Live

Love

And remember…speaking His Word, hearing His Word, living His word will not only fortify and allow for our spiritual growth,  but His Sovereign magnificent power will electrify us into delivering someone, ultimately bringing “new life” into their bones in Jesus name!

” For Dee — God loves you and so do I!  To God be the Glory!”

“Father God, thank You for being with us always and breathing life into us through Your power and Your word, in Jesus name, Amen.”

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go: I will guide you with My eye. 

Psalm 32:8 (NKJV)

God who knows us perfectly is saying, “I will guide you” 

God who knows us perfectly is saying, “I will instruct you”

God who knows us perfectly is saying, “I will teach you”

He is going to counsel us wisely, we would have to be complete fools to reject all of what He is promising us. Well, wouldn’t we have to be? 

To think we could go the course in this wayward world without His guidance, protection, instruction, and forbearance, is akin to walking blindfold on a tightrope that extends across the Grand Canyon.  Most would say they wouldn’t do that because we know ultimately the outcome would be devastating…it would be final.

With God in our life, and our will and surrender to Him, He is our safety net for life!

He leads us, guides us, and brings us sure footed into roads and paths that are best for us. Amen!

Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him. Psalm 32:10 (NKJV)   

Even when we falter, and fail in the flesh, “His promises are kept” and all the more powerful due to His forgiving nature and unconditional love. He doesn’t break promises, we do!  He stands waiting for us to amend our ways, do penance and move back to the path of which we should walk.

David’s confession, (Psalm 32)  of sin with Bathsheba was written after his encounter with the prophet Nathan, and more appropriately, after he spent time alone with God in prayer, and heart felt repentance.

Sin blocks our connection and stops our intimacy with the LORD, our fellowship cannot be fully compassed with it in our way. Psalm 32 is entitled, “The Joy of Forgiveness”  — which comes from David’s heart.  He had a true heart for the LORD, and admitted His error in “not listening” when God was telling Him to choose another path concerning Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband.  We all know the story, Uriah died, Bathsheba’s child with David died…but David repented, and continued on to be one of our greatest kings, and ruled for many years.  All of which was in following the path God had for him.

We will all have ups and downs in life.

We will all have moments when we “think” we know what’s best and might “ignore” God’s warnings, but we have to push that aside and “listen” to God.  He knows what’s best for us.

God loves us.

He knows the paths we should walk.

There are two paths, one is wide and open and worldly, which ultimately leads to destruction.

One is “narrow” and spiritual and peaceful and  leads to Him.

Question: “Which path have you chosen?”

“Father, I love You and choose Your path for my life, in all that I do, in all that I say, I trust You with my life, and know that You will always guide me, instruct me, and lead me, Glory be to God in Jesus name, Amen.”

“…And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:13 (NKJV)

Have any of you ever felt tempted to “give up?”

Perhaps some of you right now might feel forgotten, lonely, overlooked or disregarded; and feeling like “what’s the sense?”  I might as well just “quit.”

Well, the enemy and his goal is to get you to do just that. He waits and salivates at the prospect of you throwing the towel in and listening to his lies. Discouragement is one of his favorite pastimes, he loves bringing you down.  In fact, the lower the better.

However, and I say this emphatically in fact, “Jesus reigns Victorious” and He defeated death, and is the Author of peace, and He encourages us, and builds us up…and always has our back! Amen!

Disappointments are a great piece of life, we all have ups and downs, we all walk through the valleys, and shadow of death…but as the 23rd Psalm says, “Your rod and staff are with me, they comfort me...” so do not fear, nor give up.

God often uses such days, trials, or tribulations to bring us to greater blessings.

He always has our best in mind. He desires we see Him as our sole source of salvation, and blessing.

When you get discouraged, or anxious, go to the LORD is prayer. Speak to Him directly, from the heart, and ask for His help.

For God is the only one that knows the direction your life “should” and “will” take with each and every circumstance you face.  And although we differ vastly in size, shape, background and such—we are ALL God’s creations, therefore, His children, and so…He wants what’s best for all of us.

He wants us to focus on Him, relying fully on His Sovereign nature, and power, after all we live in a “fallen world” that is creeping with evil and turmoil.  But, we can overcome it, by going to the LORD earnestly, with all of our heart, and soul.

If you’re battling something in your life, at this very moment, maybe it’s health issues for you, or a loved one, or anxiety and emotional angst, or uncertainty, at what’s happening in the world, I encourage you, dear brothers and sisters, to turn to the ONE, that can help. Ask Him, to reveal the will and plan for your life, and then fully commit to Him, and pray to obey, whatever His will may be.

If you go this route, and approach God with a contrite and true heart, then God will provide for you in ways that will truly far exceed all human understanding.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope..”   Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

Remember God is always near, He will never leave nor forsake us.  He loves us!

“Am I a God near at hand,” says the LORD, “and not a God afar off? Can anyone hide himself in secret place; So I shall not see him?” says the LORD; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the LORD.   Jeremiah 23:23-24 (NKJV)

Did you seek the LORD today? 

If so, isn’t it wonderful to “find Him?” 

If not, may I ask “what are you waiting for?”

“Dear Father, thank You for loving me, and protecting me, during times of strife, stress, and mayhem, thank You, for the joy of loving You, each and every moment of my life; knowing You are with me, always brings comfort, and love , that supersedes all else, in Jesus name, Amen.”

“…these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me…”

Isaiah 29:13 (NKJV)

God isn’t impressed with lengthy words or passionless prayers and ritualistic overtures.  He doesn’t like them, for to Him it is “dead devotion” and has no interest in “outward” appearances.  He wants full compliance with inward desire and heart, that is what pleases Him; not empty words, deeds or possessions.

God instructs us and brings us into accountability because He wants to bring us higher into the realm of Spiritual growth, in others words to grow closer to Him.

“…In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15 (NKJV)  God expects us to work hard and dilligently for His Kingdom, and He doesn’t want us to give in to anything that might take us from Him, or apart from Him, and from teh empowering of His Spirit.  He encourages full “surrender” and “dependence upon Him” which leads to a quiet and confident spirit.

Trust in Him now and always, and go to Him with a heart filled with love and honor, and all else will precede in the fashion in which God intends.

Love Him with all of your heart and might and mind and body and soul, and then wait for all great paths to be opened for you.

Are you ready for the love of a lifetime?

“Dear Father, I love You fully, totally and completely, my heart belongs to You, may I never lose sight of You and Your ways, please guide me, lead me, touch me, in Jesus Christ’ name, Amen.”

“…but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.” Daniel 11:32 (NKJV)

Our amazing and loving Father above, has the power and wisdom and resolve to equip each of us, fully, for whatever we tackle, or whatever task we take on; we will never fail in a God-given task, because God deems it so.

Godly obedience begins with an absolute commitment to honoring the LORD above everything, and everyone; and when we pursue all else, with hearts for Him; which means putting Him first… no temptation, or challenge, is too daunting, or insurmountable, for us to handle.  Why? Because God has us in His vision, and for us to prosper, in all we do.

How we live, and what we do, has to be according to His plans, and purpose for us.  It has to be in full blown obedience to Him. It has to be a fully and inherent trust that goes deeper than Words, it has to be a complete, and utter submission, and surrender to Him, and His doctrine. It has to be a contrite heart that  yields to Him, and a heart that loves Him without any doubt.

Daniel did all of that and more.

He is the subject of many Children’s books, but those accounts of what Daniel’s life, and ministry, was over the entire seventy years, of the Babylonian captivity, is too important, and relevant, to leave it exclusively to Children’s books.

The book of Daniel, was important then, and it is as important today, and tomorrow.

Our intimacy with God, is our highest priority, and what we do, or don’t do…determines the impact of what happens here, tomorrow and for all eternity.

Once we decide to obey Him, we can probably expect challenges along the way, and it takes an overwhelming type of strength, and courage,to do that in the face of adversity; and the courage to give up what we have to, in order to achieve what we have in line of our vision, that comes from above.

Strength through Christ.

Courage through Christ.

Steadfastness through Christ.

Love through Christ.

When God becomes our priority in life…rest assured, that we’ll be able to take on the “lions” in our life, because God, has us in His hands, always and forever.  Amen!

So, what are your priorities?

“Father God, thank You for Your strength, Your wisdom, and Your peace and rewards, that can only come to me because of You and Your grace; in Jesus name, Amen.”

God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Daniel 1:17 (NKJV)

For every house is builded by some man; but He that built all things is God. 

Hebrews 3:4 (KJV)

My couch, my bed, my house, my clothes, my life…all have something in common, they were made by the LORD.

How is it you say, that my bed, house and clothes…were made by the LORD?  Yes, you might say, “I was created” by the LORD, but everything else?  YES…everything else.

You see, the materials for the couch were gathered by things that the LORD created, same as my bed, home, and so on and so forth.

The earth, soil, rocks, sea, sky, compliments of the “Master Himself.”

So, too is life.

He created us for His purpose and pleasure (Rev 4) and the question is, “are we doing things to please Him?”  Do we recognize all that we do as unto Him and give Him the glory in the process?

No matter the circumstances, and regardless of the scenario, we need to please Him in our choices, our thoughts, our actions, and our ways.  The example of which should be a “reflected image” of Christ.  After all, He dwells within, and He “died for us” — an act that is still spoken about to this very day, a altruistic and overwhelming act of unconditional love, and an act that saved us from sin and eternal damnation.  An act that freed us from “death.”  He after all defeated death, He is victorious over it.

So, today…wherever you go, whatever you may be doing, please remember your Creator, the One that created ALL things, and the One that loves you more than words can ever begin to define.

Glorify Him, give Him thanks and praise at every thing you do.

And, most important of all…Trust and love Him with all of your heart, body and soul.

And, finally, “Listen to His voice and follow” — because, we all want to be living in His pastures forever and always, Amen.

“Father, God…thank You for all of which You created, may I always give you all the glory and honor, and may I always seek Your face, and please You in all I do, in Jesus name, Amen.”

Numbers 14:11 (KJV)

And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for the signs which I have shewed among them?

One of the best gifts in life from the LORD (among many) is the gift of our faith. For without faith, we can suffer consequences that are so dire, and so bleak, which invariably could be harmful and toxic to our very existence.

When we read Numbers, especially passages, 13:1 – 33 –we see that God promised them all a “land of milk and honey” and told them to go up and possess the land.  Did they obey?  Did they believe?  No, they came back and said there is “a land of Giants and we are mere grasshoppers in their sight” — a false report from “the men” who went up to spy the land.

After the endless miracles seen, time and time again, “Pharaoh’s army defeated, swallowed up by the parting of the red sea; manna falling from heaven to feed His children; a pillar of fire by night to warm them; a cloud by day to shield them from the desert sun and heat; and quail to eat...” they still weren’t convinced, and still chose to believe “man” and therefore, suffered the consequences of their actions.  So as a direct result of their actions; the generation was “killed off”  leaving only Joshua, and the younger generation, that were allowed to partake, and see the “land of milk and honey”  — the rest, due to their disbelief, and lack of trust in the LORD and His Word, were not allowed to go any further.  And, so they died after all the years (40 years) of being in the desert, without reward.(Numbers 14:26-39) 

Faithlessness, is a serious offense in the spiritual realm of our life. Listening to the wrong “voice” and fear of failure, at times can paralyze our thinking, along with our spiritual growth, which can be stunted,  if not, stopped altogether.  Faithlessness, sometimes can be the “fear of failure” and fear, has no place in a Christian’s heart. ( 2 Tim 1:7)  But, being human it is a characteristic of flesh, it’s up to us, to listen to the Spirit dwelling in us, to overcome the battle we face.  Remember, Jesus defeated death and conquered the world, and Greater is He that is in us, than the one in the world!  (1 John 4:4)

Believing in the LORD, and His Sovereign power, and unsurpassed and unconditional love, to provide for all our needs, no matter the circumstances in our life, is vital to life.   Going forward, knowing God, is in control, is a matter of discipline, but most important, it’s a matter of “faith,” given to us by the Almighty God Himself.  It’s a gift!

God, will supply all of our needs, based on our relationship with Him. He will supply eternal rewards, and provisions, based on our relationship with Jesus. And, our obedience to Him and His Word.  Our trust, and our surrender.

Keep your eyes on Jesus, because in not looking to Jesus, we can get into all kinds of trouble, and the enemy may start whispering lies to our ears, not “to believe or trust” in Him. Be strong in Christ!

We must do all things through Christ, that strengthens us, each and every one of us! (Philippians  4:13)

Embrace the LORD, even when it doesn’t make sense to us and when we can’t grasp the understanding of what He wants us to do, TRUST Him fully and completely. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Don’t miss out on your rewards, and living the way the LORD wishes us to live, He has nothing but great plans for us, and for our eternity.

Remember this is the same God since the beginning of time. The same God that placed you in your mom’s womb, the same God with us at birth, with us when we turned 21, and with us when we turn 81, and with us as we take our last breath.  He is always the same, yesterday, today, tomorrow, always!

Listen! 

Do you hear His voice and His alone?  

Have no fear, God is always near, and remember...HE IS IN CONTROL!

“Father, God, thank You for being the foundation of my life, and for the gift of faith, for opening eyes, opening ears, and for never leaving me, or forsaking me, it is to You and You alone, I listen, obey, and walk in confidence, all the days of my life, in Jesus name, Amen.”