Matthew 10: Do Not Be Afraid of Those...

Matthew 10:26-28 

So have no fear of them; for nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, or kept secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim upon the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Gehenna).

I am a dreamer.

Throughout my life, there have been seasons where dreaming was very lucid and active.  In other seasons, dreams remained hidden in the recesses of my asleep brain. However,  I do believe that God sometimes chooses to communicate through dreams, therefore, when I remember one, I ask Him about it.

Last week, I had a brief but terrifying dream in which a large man was attacking women and then attempted to attack me.  I woke myself up with loud shrieking.  Poor hubby.

This dream reminded me of a dream I had years ago when I was in a season of extreme emotional turmoil.  I believe the man represents the spirit of fear who attempts to control its victims by stimulating fear, terror, anxiety.  As I told my husband about the dream, he revealed that that night prior to my dream, he was praying for me in a very specific way.  His disclosure confirmed my suspicion.  Immediately, I began to pray against this spiritual attack.

Then Jesus steps in...

This past Sunday during the worship service, the images from the dream flooded my mind's eye, but this time Jesus was with me.  His eyes locked with mine as he stepped between me and the man.  Jesus reached behind His back and pushed the man away.  Jesus did this, never breaking His loving gaze directed towards me.  Then Jesus hugged me, and I could feel the perfect love that drives out all fear.

Gratitude fills my heart, that the King of the Universe would encourage me in such an intimate way.

Friends, do not be afraid of those who talk behind your back.  Do not be even be afraid of those who can kill your body, because the Keeper of Souls, Jesus, is Your Protector.  He's got you!  Receive His perfect love which casts out ALL fear.  In the great and awesome name of Jesus!  AMEN!!!

Matthew 9: Thrust Out the Laborers

Matthew 9:36-38
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

³⁶ When He saw the throngs, He was moved with pity and sympathy for them, because they were bewildered (harassed and distressed and dejected and helpless), like sheep without a shepherd.^(A)

³⁷ Then He said to His disciples, The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few.

³⁸ So pray to the Lord of the harvest to ^[a]force out and thrust laborers into His harvest.

 

There is a note written in my Bible, "what does this mean?" under verse 38.  Heartache, disillusionment, deception, depression, anger, evil abounds in the world.  If we remain tucked away inside the four walls of our homes or churches, how will the sheep ever know the Shepherd? 

 

How can we sequester ourselves in the comfort of our homes and churches, while Jesus Himself prays to "force and thrust laborers into His harvest?"  Intense.  But the people around us desperately require our help.

 

Brothers and sisters, it is the beginning of your ministry to touch the world around you (your neighbor) with kindness and love (Jesus).  We are the only contact some of these dear ones will ever have with the One Who loves them the most and best.  What I mean is that as we go into the world, Jesus, Who lives and loves through us, is manifested by what we say and do.  The attitude we have as laborers toward the harvest can mean eternity and should be overflowing with compassion for the lost. 

 

When I gave my heart to the Lord, it was His Love that drew me, not other Christians condemning me, telling me that I would go to Hell.  Love is Light, His Light, and that Light shines bright in a world full of darkness.  And although Hell is a very real place, many lost sheep are experiencing a Hellish foretaste right now, here on earth.  Where is our loving compassion?

 

Do not be surprised when things don't work out the way you thought within the comfort of the four walls.  Could it be that YOU have be chosen to be forced and thrust out into the harvest?  The laborers are few.  Maybe You have been called to go into the world, overflowing the with kindness and love which saves!

Mark 4 & 5: Accustomed to the Darkness?

 While reading these chapters in Mark, I keep thinking about the "demoniac" who lived among the tombs, broke the shackles meant to subdue him, and ran around screaming while cutting himself with stones. Mark 5:1-20

This poor man was possessed by Legion (many demons).  With great compassion and authority, Jesus commanded the demons to leave him.  Miraculously, the man was set free, yet the people living in the area urged Jesus to leave.

Why would the people want Jesus to leave? 

Could it be that they had become accustomed to the darkness around them?

Where they afraid that Jesus would remove the darkness within them that they held on to?

There is darkness in this world and sadly darkness within some of us.  Are we so accustomed to the darkness around us that once it is removed, we become fearful?  And, is our fear rooted in the fact that darkness lives within us? Is fear stimulated because the darkness has become a comfort for our tormented souls?

May truth and love fill us and displace any darkness in and around us.  May His Grace empower us to see and understand and let it go.  In the great and awesome Name of Jesus, AMEN!!!
 

2017: Backflow, Tidal Wave

"Backflow, Tidal Wave."  When I asked the Lord about 2017 a few weeks ago, this is what I felt He said.  For many years, I have asked the Lord about the upcoming year, but this is the first time it has stirred a sense of foreboding.  For this reason, I am evaluating whether this is truly from the Lord or from the source that uses fear to control. 

The Holy Spirit has been gracious to reveal the meaning of His symbolic communication over the years.  In faith, I speak the part I understand.

1 Corinthians 13:12

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) 

¹² For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood by God].

According to Webster's online dictionary, backflow is defined as "a flowing back or returning especially toward a source."  The Lord is calling us to return to Him, doing the things we know He has commanded and steering clear of the things we know He has denied.  The only way to determine the difference between right and wrong is to consult the Source, God.  Intimate, one on One communication is the key. 

The second part, "Tidal Wave" is well known in the physical.  I remember the horrible tidal wave (tsunami) which swept over coastal Japan in 2011, causing widespread death and destruction.  The "Tidal Wave" that the Lord is referring to also has devastating destructive power.  Those of us who refuse to return to the Source and/or who hold onto things which we know are sinful or not permissible, may incur the destructive force of this spiritual Tidal Wave.  The consequence of sin is painful.  God allows us to choose, choose wisely.

I really don't know if this "Tidal Wave" will affect people simultaneously on a large scale or if each of us will experience our own unique Wave, but what I do know is clear...

stop holding onto sinful activities, impure thoughts, coarse talk!  Love your neighbor as you love yourself.  Don't get caught up in the twisted reports inspired by the evil one to induce us to fear those who are not like us!  Realize, that we are not our own, but that we have been bought with a price.  Jesus gave Himself for us.  God, made man, His Spirit is in control.  To stand against Him is a futile pursuit.  His fierce love will draw our hearts back to Him. 

Holy Spirit, empower us in Your Grace.  Cause us to hear You.  Empower us to obey You.  Give us courage in the midst of trials and Peace in the midst of storms.  Be our Helper as You have in the past.  You are our refuge and our strength, a present help in times of trouble.  Cause us to come back to You, our Source, to release our grasp in things which ultimately harm us.  Let our gaze be shifted to eternal things, which places the appropriate value on temporal things.  All for the glory of One, Who was and is and is to come, Jesus!  AMEN!