LET MY PEOPLE GO

For some time now, actually since the beginning of the recent "pandemic", the phrase, "Let my people go" has been coming to my mind periodically. I believe, now that our American Independence Day Celebration is at hand, the Lord is bringing some clarification. 

Studying the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt in the Book of Exodus, there were several points that grabbed the attention of my spirit. Without writing a book at this point, I will try to bring the focus down to what I believe the Lord would have me convey to you.

First of all, with this "pandemic" has come what some of us would describe as an infringement on our freedoms. To say the least, we have not felt like the free Americans we are supposed to be. We looked for deliverance to arise from any quarter. When it did not, many gave in and settled for the new rules set before them. Others did not. Now, for some, there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel. I know in my state most of the mandates have been lifted and at the moment, things feel a bit more like the old days. I know I am enjoying being able to view the smiling faces of those I have missed. 

The situation surrounding the "virus" is only a small part of what many are wanting deliverance from. When people begin to see that right and wrong have switched places and justice seems to be on the sideline, discouragement can begin to set in. A feeling of hopelessness and helplessness can become all consuming. That is what happened to the Israelites in captivity.

Many of us, as Christians felt the Lord speaking to us of deliverance; that he was making a way out. When it did not happen the way we thought through prayer, prophecies, the election, the medical field, etc. some became disheartened. We did not believe the word of the Lord. The Lord always delivers his people. Even if we die, our hope in Christ for Eternity brings us deliverance. "To live is Christ, to die is gain." Yes, it is a win, win situation no matter what. 

In Exodus Chapter 5 and 6, we read about some of the interaction between God and Moses. Moses asked the Lord why he had done evil against the people (he presumed such). He told God that Pharaoh had done evil against the people and that He (God) had not delivered them. Have we had those thoughts toward God regarding the current state of our country, the world, or even our own family members? How about our own personal burdens we deal with on a daily basis. Have we become discouraged and even broken because we feel we have not and will not be delivered? Exodus 6:9 tells us that Moses actually spoke to the people the promise of the Lord to deliver and  to bless them "but they did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery." However, when God says he is going to do something, he is going to do it!

When God makes a promise, he keeps it. It doesn't depend on our faith or lack of it. It doesn't depend upon our own ability or righteousness as Moses thought when he told God he couldn't do the job because he wasn't good enough. God's word does not depend on what we think or what the enemy thinks or what any circumstances seem to dictate. God is God! He is the I AM! He is on the Throne of all Creation! He had and has a plan for ALL who come to Him and actually all who do not. 

The Israelites were IN Egypt during all the plagues. Think about it. By the time God got through with the Egyptians, Pharaoh pretty much told the people of God to get out! Not only did he do that, he asked God to bless HIM as well. See Chapter 12, verse 32. The Israelites saw the power of God to save and deliver and keep his promises. The Egyptians saw that they were dealing with MIGHT and STRENGTH and POWER and TRUTH they had never encountered before. Their own magicians and priests could not rival such an AWESOME GOD!

What promises has God given to America? What promises has he given to His People? Not only Israel, but to His whole Body... the Body of Christ which is the Church of the Living God? What does he require? What did he require of Moses and Aaron the leaders of the Exodus? 

God gives a charge to Moses and Aaron, which we read in verse 26, "Bring out the people of Israel from the land of Egypt..." What charge has he given us? On what does the outcome depend? 

The charge is: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land", 2 Chronicles 7:14. It is called OBEDIENCE to BELIEVE and let GOD do the rest. Jesus told the crowds, John 6:29, "This is the work of God, that you BELIEVE in him whom he has sent."

You can say, "I have done all that and I don't see any results". How many plagues happened before the Israelites were delivered from Egypt? Even while in Egypt were not the people delivered even from death by the blood on the doorposts. We celebrate it as the Passover because the death angel passed over the homes that had the Blood! 

We are in this world and it is yet to be seen what is to come before the END. However, we can be sure that our God WILL deliver. He WILL keep his promises. He WILL be faithful to His own Word. 

While we wait in anticipation for His eternal plan to unfold let us follow Jude and build ourselves up in the Faith... pray in the Spirit... keep ourselves in the love of God... wait on His mercy that leads to eternal life... have mercy... snatch others from the fire... hate evil! And GLORIFY GOD!

"Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. AMEN!" Jude 24.

By the time some of you receive this writing, the 4th of July will have passed. However, as Americans we can still strive for, pray for and exercise the freedoms that are ours and walk in wisdom and humility. As Believers we can "Know the Truth and the Truth will set us free", John 8:32. "Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, he will surely do it", 1 Thessalonians 5:23 & 24.

I am excited to watch God's plan unfold in all His Creation! It is and will be PERFECT! God bless you all!

ARE YOU DWELLING AND ABIDING?

Recently I had some questions come to mind regarding Psalm 91. The first verse particularly sought my attention. "He who dwells in the shelter (or secret place) of the Most High will abide in (or under) the shadow of the Almighty."

The two words I became interested in were "dwell" and "abide". One could think they had pretty much the same meaning. In doing some digging into the original language, I discovered they do, in fact, have somewhat different emphasis. Dwelling on the one hand has the meaning in the Hebrew, in which the Old Testament is written, that to dwell is a permanent state. Some of the words used in the definition are: sit down; remain; marry; endure; establish; habitation; make to keep; seat; set; tarry. Abiding, on the other hand, has a similar meaning yet connotes the possibility of a less permanent situation, if chosen. Words like: Stop overnight; to stay; lie all night; remain; tarry. Some words you do not see in the definition of dwelling are: be obstinate; make to murmur; grudge. 

Let me clarify my thinking a little more. When you "dwell" in the Lord, it means you come under the Lordship of  Christ as God designed and completely trust in his salvation. You receive all his promises and walk with joy in the Kingdom of God. You remain in his blessings. You worship. You praise. You bask in his presence. You are established by the Blood of Christ. You are saved! Your name is in the Lamb's Book of Life! Then comes "abiding". Are you choosing to stay  positioned under the shadow of the Almighty no matter what. Are you "setting your face like flint" as in Isaiah 50 to continue under his Lordship. You may be murmuring and complaining some, but by choice, you are remaining.

It is easy to dwell when everything is going smoothly and you are flying high or floating around on a cloud without a worry or a care. However, that is not where our Heavenly Father wants to leave us. We have to come down to earth; get off our cloud. We have to fully surrender to the discipline of the Lord to grow and mature as we await his return. Hebrews 12:3-12 tells us that we struggle against sin and need the discipline of a loving Father. He disciplines us because he loves us. We are disciplined through trials. James 1:12 gives a promise for those who endure: "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."

I am reminded of instances where teenagers who begin to receive stricter discipline and training will go beyond expressing mild complaints and choose to rebel and run away from the discomfort they are experiencing. They have left their dwelling place and chosen not to "abide" any longer under their parents authority. That type of decision only brings heartache and pain. It separates us from the promises so freely extended to us as children. We see this in the account of the prodigal son. But when he returns to dwell with his father, fully abiding, he is completely restored to wholeness and position. 

We need to "dwell", be positioned by the Cross, having believed in our heart and confessed with our mouth the Lord Jesus, and at the same time "abide" in him admitting that "...all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant..." (Hebrews 12:11) but the fruit of righteousness it produces is so worth it! So rather than running away or taking ourselves out from under the shadow of the Almighty, we can remain and receive the deliverance and the protection and authority and long life that is promised to us through abiding. You can read about it in Psalm 91.

So, if you are having a difficult time enduring the "abiding", you can "Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed." (Hebrews 12:12) Don't become weary in the trials but know they are perfecting you and making you perfect and complete so you will lack nothing to keep you strong and victorious in this life until He appears and then we will be like Him and "dwell" with Him forevermore.

Throughout history, life has been difficult for God's People with them choosing at times to run away, and throughout history, when they would return to dwell and abide in the only Habitation that can protect, provide, bless, empower, produce fruit, bring joy, bring lasting peace, ensure eternal life with unbroken fellowship, they would be restored. As we choose to come into that Glorious Habitation of the Secret Place of the Most High, the Most High will give us the desire, strength and  ability to "Abide" and receive his great and precious promises and through them as 2 Peter1:3&4 tells us, we become partakers of the Divine Nature as He in turn dwells and abides in us by His Spirit. He has provided. What shall we choose?

God Bless you ALL richly!

BarbaraJean

TODAY

Speaking for Today, because tomorrow things may be different. Struggling most of the day just to accomplish the usual mundane tasks at hand, all the while meditating on the Lord and talking to him about life in general at this time in history. Words and terms like covid, masks, shutdowns, vaccines, school closures, the government, the economy, suicide, depression, hospitalizations, you name it, seem to swirl about in the very atmosphere. The whole world has changed in such a short time. I believe it effects our overall mood without our even being aware.

I must admit I have been waiting to be "inspired" to write amidst the ever changing tide. Today I determined it was time to just dive in. We need to hear from one another. We need to hear what the voice of the Holy Spirit is saying to those of us who are seeking Him. He reminded me for the umpteenth time... He never changes! His Truth is crucial for Life. He IS the Way, the Truth and the Life! Having that in the forefront, we are told in 1 Peter 3:15 to be ready to give an answer for the hope we have in us to anyone who asks. 

We do not need to wait for a special, Heaven sent "inspiration" to spread the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ. We do not need to wait for someone to come up to us randomly and ask, "Where do you get hope in these days in which we are living?" We should be "shouting it from the rooftops" at any opportunity, any open door, any hint of need. Many, many are hurting and searching for some kind of light in the darkness. We have that light if we have Christ Jesus!

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16). That is the Truth that will lift one up out of the muck and mire of the things of this world. He not only lifts one out, he stands them up; he cleanses them from the filth; he turns their direction away from the hole into which they fell; he gives them hope and a future as we are told in Jeremiah 29:11. As long as there is something we can do on this earth, he will direct our paths if we acknowledge him in all our ways (Proverbs 3:6). And after that, eternal life.

Let's look at a couple of words from John 3:16. Believe: means to trust in, adhere to, rely on, be fully persuaded. In the case of Jesus, to place your complete spiritual and physical well being in His hands. Just believing He exists doesn't cut it. The demons believe that much. No, the hope that we share with others has eternal, life-filled substance. Solid, immoveable, irreversible as we place our trust in Him alone. The other word is: perish. This verse says if we "believe" as the above teaches, we will not "perish". We will not die the second death. We will not be deprived of eternal life. No one can take it away from us. It is "in the bank" as they say. 

Therefore, as the old song encourages: "Rescue the perishing..." Don't allow the things of this present world to stifle you. Don't allow them to sap you of your strength and energy. Wait upon the Lord and renew your strength daily. Rejoice in the Lord at all times. These are the mandates of Scripture. These should be lifted high above any mandate thrown at us by the world's system or even spiritual wickedness in high places as the case may be. Be different, be above it all so that you can be a light in the darkness, a beacon of hope. Take someone's hand and show them the way. Pray for discernment to hear the silent voices that are crying out. Seek the Lord for direction as to His leading. Speak, sing, write, pray, make meaningful eye contact, smile. "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4. 

Thank you for allowing me to share with you some words of truth that we all need to hear and take hold of. Be strong. If you are feeling weak or discouraged, pray. Call a friend. You may find out you are both experiencing the same struggles. Don't isolate. The enemy of our souls likes to get us alone either physically or in our thinking. "Confess your faults one to another and pray for one another that you may be healed..." James 5:16. I don't mind admitting that it is a fault or shortcoming when I allow the cares of this world to take up more time than they ought of my attention. Let's agree to once again and every day, "FIX OUR EYES ON JESUS THE AUTHOR AND PERFECTOR OF OUR FAITH".

God bless you all as we look forward to His Return!

Mind Set

 I was listening to an interview this morning as a news commentator was speaking with a doctor regarding the health of the people of our nation. His greatest concern was not the "virus" but the depression, fear and suicide that is running rampant. The statement he made that really struck me was something to this effect, "fear and anxiety reside in a portion of our psyche that is without God." Wow! Hmmm. That got me to thinking that we can have God in our lives, however, we may not be allowing his Lordship in every area. Philippians 4:6 says, "do not be anxious about anything..." Sometimes that is easier said than done. This is not the first time I have written on this subject, but today I have some added thoughts. That is because his Word is active and alive and new every day! 

To continue in the Philippians 4 chapter, we are instructed to pray with thanksgiving, as we are "not worrying" and the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds through Jesus. 

Easier said than done you agree? Well, after I listened to this doctor, it caused me to realize that we need to surrender to the Lordship of Jesus with our entire being. We may confess with our mouth that we believe he is Lord, but not allow him to infiltrate our minds with his Truth.

When we truly trust Him with every fiber of our being, giving our every thought, desire, need and concern to him, thanking him and praising him for who he is, his character, his being, his sovereignty, faith will grow within us. His Word will make it's home in us. "And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.", verse 7 of  Chapter 4, Philippians.

This is a process. We ladies at our church have a bible study, as some of you men do as well at your churches. We have a time that is called an "ice breaker". I used to lack appreciation for these pre-ambles because they weren't "spiritual" enough. (Sometimes you can be too spiritual for your own earthly good so to speak.) As I grew into the realization that we are all human and need those times of communication regarding our everyday lives, I also grew to appreciate them. During those times we might talk about the things that are important to us, things we enjoy, family stories, dreams, desires, etc. We are getting to know one another and getting to trust one another more and more because we see that we can relate on many points. We begin to understand one another more and begin to love one another as the Bible tells us. 

Trusting Jesus and inviting His presence into every facet of our lives, hearts, minds comes from getting to know him through his Word and his Holy Spirit... believing what he says. I am one that takes things at face value with other Believers. If they tell me something, perhaps expressing their affection or appreciation, I believe them. If they give me a gift, I believe it is from their heart and genuine. So, why not believe the one who embodies truth, power, might, strength, justice, righteousness, love, empathy, sympathy and more than that, the ONE who can meet your every need! The very ONE who created, yes, created, out of nothing, all you see. All of Creation are His! You are His! Bought with a Price... the Blood of Christ! (He proved His Love on the Cross at Calvary once and for all.)

He wants you to walk out of fear and anxiety. The guarding of your heart is as a military garrison around it, verse 7. By applying the many principles of his Word to your life through personal relationship with him, spending time with him through prayer, praise and worship, you are allowing that spiritual army of peace so to speak, to stand at it's post. 

Get to know him better and better this year. Let your two-way communication be the ice breaker you need to realize that he loves you more than his own life and cries out to be all that you need in these days so full of turmoil. Though the days be full of turmoil, our inner being needn't be.

Love the Lord your God. Love one another deeply. Pray for one another. Encourage one another. Know that God loves you and is not idle. Know that He has a Plan and will fulfill it. Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven! Blessings to you all! Be strong in the Power of His Might, Grace and Peace!

THE STAIRWAY

Upon awakening this morning, I pictured myself ascending a very old and marred wooden staircase. It was quite wide and had a strip of tattered carpet down the center. The rails were thick and rounded and well supported. My clothing was dingy white, resembling a robe of some sort and it appeared I had been toiling hard for many days or perhaps years.

I labored as I climbed toward the top but I knew I must keep going. I had confidence I was going to make it. As I approached the top, I turned to look back and as I did, the stairway had turned to the most brilliant gold I had ever seen. The carpet was no longer worn but became plush with colors of purple and red. 

As I watched myself from a distance in this envisionment, my clothing, from the bottom up, began to turn to a dazzling white, adorned with gold. As I continued to climb, the once isolated stairway was surrounded by light and soft white clouds swirled about. I had yet to see the top when I realized I was climbing toward Heaven.

All my labors, all my trials, all the pain, all the suffering was turning to gold. All the perseverance and struggle and contending had obtained for me a Robe of Righteousness. Not that I had clothed myself but that the King of Glory was changing what once was in this world to match the Heavenly. Each step was from one degree of Glory to another. 

As I looked back I was amazed at how far I had come. I was not able to see the bottom or the top. The Spirit of the Lord within me spoke to remind me that all my work, all my labor, all my pressing on, was not in vain. I Corinthians 15:58: "Therefore my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord, our labor is not in vain." 

I had truly been laying up treasures in Heaven. He had changed my own efforts at righteousness into His Glorious Robe of Righteousness. He had changed my path to something of eternal value.

He opened my eyes to see from the earthly into the Heavenly and that in and through Him I AM obtaining the Crown of Life. James 1:12: "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial for when he has stood the test he will receive the Crown of Life which God has promised to those who love him."

I may not be able to see the landing at the top of the stairway this day. However, by faith and one day taking on substance, I will reach my destination and have that eternal Crown placed upon my head as I step into Glory... then I will cast my Crown... all that I am... all I ever was... all that I have... at the feet of my Lord and King, Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Read Revelation 4:10&11.

Prophetic Word 11-14-20

 

After spending quite a bit of time before the Throne in Worship and Intercession, I received this from the Lord. I have been struggling with what to post here for a couple of months. I believe this is the post He designed for this day:

 

There’s a deep rumbling about to arise from the very depth of the Nations. A deep rumbling as of an earthquake from the deepest of the deep. It is a cry from those who have come before, of voices once thought dead. They are not dead. They cry forth from eternity past. Crying out for freedom. Voices that have known and walked in the truth and thought that in vain they spoke words that were passed through the generations. Voices silenced through physical death. These voices spoke truth… the truth of the ages. Some were ignored, some were heeded. These voices can never be silenced because the truth they speak is the Truth of the Living, Breathing, on fire Word of the Living God. His voice blows through like a mighty wind that destroys everything in its path that is not held down by the anchor of Truth. All that is not of truth shall be blown away and destroyed. These voices knew this and cried out and still cry out from the grave. Hear! Hear! Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church… the Church of the living God. The Church of the Living God holds the answers to Life and Eternity. There is a huge gulf forming between good and evil, light and dark, truth and fiction, power and weakness. Be strong in the Lord and the Power of His might. The tug of war will be won on the side of right. Be founded and grounded on that side lest you be pulled into the gulf and be swallowed up by the abyss. Wait on the Lord, listen to His voice. Let it ring loudly as the shofar, the trumpet of God that will soon sound. This is real… not a story passed through generations or folklore. This is real…. Life as we know it is about to end. The Heavens are about to open and all Glory to descend. The liars will flee in 7 directions as the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. This entire earth will see the Glory of the Lord and fall on their faces either in worship or in shame. What the rumblings have been saying for ages eternal are going to be shown to be true. Those who have heeded the call will be shown to be right. There will be no middle ground. Eternity is on the Horizon as the Bride joins her Groom. Those in agony will cry out with a sincere cry, not just lip service. Their very hearts will feel as if they would explode within them, but the keeper of the hearts will hold them together. There will be no human words to describe the magnitude of the event. Yes the Lord will soon descend from Heaven with that shout! That voice of the archangel! With that loud trumpet blast! The sound of Praise will deafen the ears of the enemy as he crouches defeated before the King of all Ages! Freedom will ring! Banners will wave! The Throne of the Universe will be revealed and the mouths of the liars will be shut! The End!

 

BarbaraJean

LED BY THE SPIRIT

 As I sit down to write today, there are so many things on my mind. Many, many voices vie for my attention. However, what is the Spirit saying? To be led by the Spirit of God means just that, "Be led by the Spirit." Galatians chapter 5 talks about being led by the Spirit or walking in the Spirit. Being led by the Spirit brings freedom. It takes us away from focusing on the law... the do's and don'ts. The Spirit takes us away from the things of the flesh which cause us to sin. As we are led into the realm of the Spirit, the Fruit of the Spirit begins to develop in our lives. When you are "led", you "follow". 

In this world and in this time particularly, there are so many things crying out, including facts that are true regarding happenings in this season. It is easy to let them take preeminence in our minds. Preeminence has such synonyms as: supremacy; greatness; prominence. When the things of this world begin to set up a place of prominence in your mind and then take over your heart where you are being led by them, you are in danger of pushing Christ off the throne of your Being. He, of course, can never be dethroned, but we can enthrone something else in his place in our own lives and not recognize it if we are not being led by the Spirit. Mark 4:19 talks about the cares or worries of this world coming in and choking out the Word in our lives. We can say, "Oh, that would never happen to me!" There is a Scripture, 1 Corinthians 10:12 warning us to take heed when we think we are standing lest we fall. When the Word of God takes the back seat of our attention, something or someone else is doing the driving and we are heading toward a head on collision with destruction. 

It is crucial that we fight to keep our Faith focused on Christ and not be led astray to the worries and cares of this world. Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing and perfect will of God." Without letting His Spirit lead you, by the Word of God, your head can become so full of "voices", it can create ringing in your ears such as tinnitus and you become deaf to any life giving source. 

One aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit is "Peace". Being led by the Spirit brings unbelievable, indescribable Peace and Calm. Anxiety and worry and agitation don't fit that scenario. Jesus wants, actually commands His Lordship be seated upon the Throne of our lives. Our Body's are the Temple of the Holy Spirit unless we refuse that Lordship. 

One thing that can happen when we are being engulfed with so many distractions, is that we become weary and tired. It can even lead to depression and leave us wanting to cover our heads up and hide from it all. When we take hold of the Spirit's leading, we can proclaim Philippians 4:13, "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me." We can take one foot and put it in front of the other and take baby steps that can soon turn to an all out run "toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" free from encumbrances. As our mind is uncluttered, our eyes clear, our ears open and our footing firm, we put everything into its proper place according to the Will of God through the enthroned Lord of Eternity as we turn and follow the Spirit's leading. 

Oh, my! What a joyous, peaceful, life-filled, worry free, enthusiastic, prize centered Life we can live. That is what matters most! "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and all these things will be added unto you." Matthew 6:33. I invite you to follow along with me and let's see where this Adventure of Life in Christ will take us! God Bless you ALL!