Burning Down The House

It's late.. or later than I want to be up anyway. I went to bed reflecting on the day... and the LORD showed me a picture of Smokey The Bear while going to sleep and I knew it was time to get back up and write what He's dropping into my spirit.

Earlier He said.. " No one can drop a lit match in the Corner of My House and expect it NOT to burn down the Whole House"... It goes back to His Words.. "A House divided cannot stand" and "One day we will all come to the knowledge of the Truth."

He's right you know.. as usual. It's hard for even the children of God to communicate because of the places in each of us that are broken and because of the sin that still lay in the part of us yet.. undone.

It should be the heart of all of us in the Body to build up the Body of Christ. What does that look like? Well.. I think it means to focus on the gifts and strengths of one another and to call them out.. to be the cane that each of us needs to support the other... to take up another's cross as the man in the crowd did for Jesus. It means to love one another and serve one another... and sometimes it means to wound... but not for any reason but faithfulness and as if 'snatching their white robes from the flame'.

I have a few friends that do this for me.. and they ARE my friends. One is here on Facebook and He always faces me head on and calls it like he sees it. He is spirit filled and led.. not perfect and sometimes he doesn't get it right.. but I know his heart and it is good! I have another friend in New England whom I see whenever I  go home. It always seems we are learning the same 'lessons' but in different circumstances. She is always face to face with me too.. nothing flowery.. nothing covert.. She loves me and sometimes it's all sunshine and flowers and sometimes she's just straight.. but as the Word of God states.. she "is pouring HOT COALS" on my wound.

Sounds terrible.. doesn't it? Hot Coals on a hurting and painful area of a person's life... I thought so too when a pastor told me that.. I got so upset with him I was almost standing beside myself! lol.. but.. he explained it. The woman with an issue of Blood for 12 years knows ALL about this stuff.. because she hurt... and no physician could cure her..But Jesus DID. Heaven's power flowed from Him to her and cauterized that wound.. that is what HOT COALS do. We can mistake them for cruelty and for pride.. but if we know the heart of a true friend .. we let them be the Hand of the Great Physician who comes only to HEAL.. and you and I know that it 'Dunt feel so good' sometimes...

The boys on the Emaeus Road.. talked together about all they saw and heard.. the disciples in the Upper Room did as well.. they talked among themselves.. some saw things from one 'angle' and some from another..

The KEY is to throw things out there and share the angles..keeping Love and Unity and Peace in mind.. the Oneness of the Body. To BUILD up the Body of Christ. None of us are perfect.. but we need to be about the work of Living the Unity in the bond of peace part at all times. We have to keep watch on the Atmosphere.. even in the rooms here.. when it begins to change we need to escort that unclean spirit OUT.

Patience.. toleration, love.. bearing with.. long-suffering.. and at times when there are Sparks that can FLY into the corner of a House.. being able to get in there and put the Fires out  before they catch and wound and/ or destroy the children living there. We have to know the hearts of one another and that we are Family.. Safe.. and that our hearts are Good! That we have each others backs!

We have His Heart.

Jesus said.."offenses will come" and to "forgive  the trespasses of another we are forgiven ours.. We ALL stumble in many things. It is discretion to over look a matter.. blessed are the peacemakers."  ( He's downloading..lol..) We are Poor in Spirit but He love us and we ought to Love one another.. <3

Remember.. Phoenix.. and Friends.. ONLY WE CAN PREVENT A FIRE. <3

The Wrong Use Of A Right Thing

I cannot think of anything that is Evil in and of itself. I can only think of the Author of Evil and those who follow him. Satan, the fallen Angels or Demons, and people. NOT that these were MADE that way.. this is a FREE-WILL CHOICE made to 'Give themselves over to a WRONG USE or PURPOSE.' GOD did not make them this way.

So.. what happened?

Well.. my best guess is you have this B E A U T I F U L Archangel that was GOD's right hand.. so to speak.. If you read his description in Isaiah.. oh my... He WAS perfect in Beauty...WOW! And Lucifer was MADE for a GOOD PURPOSE.. For right Relationship and to be used by GOD in Mighty ways.. He displayed GOD's Glory!

The thing was.. and this happens to ALL of us.. is that Lucifer had what could have been a moment of temporary INsanity... He saw in the spirit.. 'his own beauty'. Uh oh. The thing we have to focus on is this: Lucifer HAD NO BEAUTY OF HIS OWN. Nada.. none. zip. But, in his insanity he forgot that part and acted as if HE had made himself who he was. Oops. We do that too. Now his temporary FIX on himself became PERMANENT.. Could that happen to US? You betcha!!!

The Anointing of GOD can come on us SO strong at times that we look and see in the spirit what we think... is.. 'our OWN beauty too." PRIDE comes in faster than waters from a Dam Break... and we are OVERCOME with Self-Admiration.. the number one ticket to a FALL.  Lucifer..  (now AKA Satan)..his FALL was and is Permanent.. I guess because he never could 'get over himself' and SEE the TRUTH.. that without the Spirit of the Living GOD on his life.. he was just a Glove with no HAND inside. He lied to himself and has remained IN THAT Deception ever since! Satan.. now known as Adversary of GOD!

Not a title I would want.. but it is true that anytime I am out of Sync with GOD and His Word I am.. just that.. an Adversary... and am SUNK!

To become and remain IN SYNC with GOD we have to know.. not only the TOOL of GOD.. (HIS WORD).. but the PERSON of GOD.. (HIS HOLY SPIRIT). To have both is to have the right tools for relationship and to minister.. any time we have one or think we have the other.. we open ourselves up to LEGALISM, LAW, become a Henchman and develop the wrong use of the right Tool. 

Anytime we spend more time with whom we may think is the Holy Spirit but we neglect the WORD of GOD.. we can be deceived and may be dealing with evil spirits having a hey-day with us and those around us.. THROUGH us. Look at all of those who in the past have named Christ and have led others into awful deeds or death.

Let's look at this Wrong use of a Right Thing in other aspects of life... A gun. A gun is NOT an evil thing. It helps those who living in remote places hunt for food when they are hungry.. or maybe they use a Bow. None the less it is a right use for a right purpose.

How about anger? Anger has a good purpose to it.. GOD has it as an emotion and He gave it to us. It tells us when something is WRONG or a boundary line has been crossed.. it is a SIGNAL to us that there is a problem. The right use of it is to 'recognize' what the problem truly is and to deal with it in a GODLY manner. That is the right use of a right thing. When it goes HAYWIRE is when the person responsible for their emotions uses a RIGHT thing in a WRONG WAY.. like beating a child.. or a wife or husband.. or taking the gun and using it to maim or kill.

Are you getting this?

My late husband was a sheet metal mechanic.. he built engine cylinders for planes. He had some of his tools in the garage and well... I was a bit younger than he. One day I am outside working in the yard and I wanted to trim a branch off a tree.. prune it... I went into his toolbox and got out a tool of his Box.(GOOD TOOL and WRONG PURPOSE)... lol.. oops. It worked.. (lucky I didn't break it.. that's another thing that can happen).. but I listened to him tell me most of the afternoon about how there can be Wrong Uses of Right Things. (Blush).

Now..let's drive this puppy home....

The Word of GOD is a TOOL. A GOOD TOOL for a GOOD PURPOSE and USE.. but it CAN and HAS been used for the WRONG THINGS.

Case in point: The Pharisees and their buddies. I don't even have to expound here... we know what they did (Used HIS WORD for WRONG PURPOSES and BROKE PEOPLE) and we KNOW exactly how JESUS felt about their words and actions! 

I have a friend who studies the Word of GOD. I admire that. But the fact is this person does not attend services at Church on a regular basis, does not seem to spend time with the LORD and does not live much at all what is read. When this person wants to debate .. because that seems to be why they read.. to gain knowledge.. I leave. Sometimes they get upset with me and I have tried to explain that to me.. it is the RIGHT TOOL put to the WRONG USE. If they end up cultivating their relationship with JESUS as well.... WATCH OUT! This person will be an amazing tool for GOD to minister.

If we study 'to show ourselves approved, a workman unto GOD' to bring LOVE, Salvation, Deliverance, healing and LIFE to all who seek HIM that is the RIGHT USE of a RIGHT THING or TOOL. But if we gain knowledge for the sake of SEEING OUR OWN BEAUTY.. that makes Christ Nauseated.. we can hurt and wound people.. and our hearts are not right toward them.

OK.. so.. we need to be IN the RIGHT RELATIONSHIP.. and KNOW the PERSON of JESUS CHRIST by HIS SPIRIT and KNOW HIS WORD to have the CORRECT BALANCE so that we can have the RIGHT TOOLS for the RIGHT PURPOSE and MOTIVES to MINISTER. 

If we don't do this the right way.. we BREAK HEARTS instead of healing them.

How do I know this.. because I, in the past, have done ALL MY OWN STUNTS...AND crashed and Burned.. Not only I.. but the people around me. The wrong use of the Word can stick, hammer, punch, deflate, and wound... and no good comes from it. The right use can sever off the old, cauterize a wound, give LIFE, lift up, encourage, inspire, teach, and the like!

Today.. I am a GLOVE. That's it. Lifeless without my Best Friend Jesus and HIS SPIRIT that enters this SKIN. He brings me to LIFE! And I spend time with Him in His Word.. so I can know His Mind and His Person.

Sure.. there are days when I get into the Flesh.. and can wound.. but more and more those days are getting behind me. I've seen what my 'Seeing my own beauty can do... BARF!' so, I'd rather do HIS EXPLOITS than pull anymore stunts on my own.

RIGHT USE OF THE RIGHT TOOLS in the RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST. Ahh.. <3

The Whole Idea

Well... last week it was announced by the government that the "Recession is now over!" Wow.. I got so excited to think that bologna could actually be true.. I know it isn't in my house or neighborhood.

Don't you just love it this last year? Our government leaders seem to have this idea that if they SAY it.. and we BELIEVE it.. it must be true?!!

Ok.. so yesterday.. someone on the news said... "Guess what? The economy is plateauing and joblessness is still a problem." 

Don't quote me word for word on these statements, but I think I got them both pretty close! Sheesh. Do they think we are THAT dumb?

I think our government is missing a BIG piece of 'Calling something into existence.'.. that being that is HAS to ORIGINATE from GOD's Spirit through His Word.. I think, instead what they are doing is WITCHCRAFT. How clearly we can see that man's ideas and powers are well.. impotent.

They are casting FALSE HOPE.. the ONLY HOPE we have is in GOD!!! AMEN!!!

But the thing that is on my heart to speak about this morning is from 2 Thessalonians 3. It's time for us to get to back to work!!!

During this economy there are many in ministry that are JUST in ministry... NOW.. wait a second! IF you are busy in this full time and have a full plate.. if your congregation or 'flock' is NOT strained by supporting you.. then.. by ALL means.. continue in this so that you may have the freedom to work hard in the LORD's service and minister to these FAITHFULLY!

But.. if you are taking support from a group that is heavily burdened in trying to meet your needs... either cut your needs to a minimum.. or get a job to offset the need... we should not take advantage of people at all ... especially in times like these.

NOW.. IF you fall into circumstances that are difficult.. it is not for me to say to you..' to do this or that'.. it is YOUR responsibility to go before the LORD and seek His Face and will in the matter for you and your people. Just do the praying so the LORD is not spoken against by those you wish to bring aid. We are models of His Love.. not spoiled children. We all pretty much would just love to be in ministry 24/7.. but the times are calling for us to be faithful to God and to every penny for His use.

And for those of you who have large ministries.. pray about taking these and asking the LORD how best to operate in this economy.. if you cut back.. ask the LORD how to use the money to help those who are struggling without or with little food and clothing.. utilities, etc. The cold winter months are upon us and we ALL need to share whatever it is we have and can GIVE to help those in NEED and to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Just like at home.. we have to ask the LORD.. "is this a NEED or a WANT in the HOUSE OF GOD?" Right now the most important things aside from the Gospel and critical ministry tools for health are physical supplies for survival! 

What's that saying? " NO ONE cares how much you know.. till they know how much you care?!" It is TRUTH! How can we buy a BIGGER and BETTER sound system when bellies are without food.. children are without needed winter clothing and shoes and there is no electric? DUH!"

The programs can come later on... maybe. But if not.. get over it.. a pick and a guitar works just as well all by itself.. and Acapella has it's beauty too! You get it....

"1 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance." Amen.

GOD is Patient, GOD is Kind, GOD is Long-Suffering.. but there IS a Limit.

"Before them fire devours, behind them a flame blazes. Before them the land is like the garden of Eden, behind them, a desert waste--nothing escapes them." Joel 2:3

Are you one of those who takes advantage of GOD's Grace? C'mon... be honest. Sometimes.. I find myself pushing His limits... I think.

To tell you the Truth.. GOD is very patient, very kind, and oh so long-suffering.. and who knows truly when He is at His end.. but.. why go that far?

I can honestly say in 25 years there have been a handful of times to my knowledge.. if that.. that I have felt GOD's limits getting pushed. In His Presence with me... through the Word He has given me... and through the response or lack of from His Spirit. In those times.. I had become a bit unruly. My own anger ignited and powerful emotions spewing forth. When GOD has responded in these particular times that I have walked on the edge.. His Word and demeanor made me tremble!

Yesterday S.O.S Christian Radio was finishing up there Share-A-Thon and they had taken a poll of about 1500 people across the USA so far. It seems that about 75 percent of these people thought GOD was an ANGRY GOD.. distant, harsh, critical, judgmental, and just waiting to ZAP them! SAD.

The LORD asked me as I drove along... "What do you say about ME after all of these years?" 

The question took me by surprise.

"Well..." I said... "You ARE tough... When you make up your mind about something.. there is usually no changing it.. lol.. but then.. YOU are GOD.. You KNOW everything, and You are everywhere.. so who can argue with You?! But, GOD.. You are also SO  tender and compassionate. There are times when I melt in your abiding Presence and love... You comfort, counsel, You're my Best Friend,.. just so amazing!... I guess you are both... Tough.. and Tender... A perfect balance."

Then what came to mind was the words of a song... "A thundering-velvet Hand." 

This morning... Father took me to Joel 2:3..."Before them fire devours, behind them a flame blazes. Before them the land is like the garden of Eden, behind them, a desert waste--nothing escapes them."

GOD's anger is a FIRE... when ignited it will go our before Him and devour His enemies and ours.

DO WE have a healthy Fear of the LORD as yet? 

OR.. has time with Him.. dulled that?

 "Have you suffered so much for nothing — if it really was for nothing?" Galatians 3:4

Is it possible to start out right in our walk with GOD having a reverent and healthy Fear and then after we become somewhat Familiar with Him in our lives.. we can begin to LOSE that? 

I believe that if and when this happens we can begin to RELAPSE into sin.

It's good to feel comfortable in GOD's Presence.. but if we get TOO comfortable.. TOO familiar... and we lose sight of the Fear of GOD.. we are in BIG trouble.. and His FIRE ALARM can begin to ring on the edge of our lives!

My earthly Dad.. when growing up.. had these eyes. Eyes.. that when he had ENOUGH would turn a STEEL GRAY to match his facial expression toward me. It always made me re-think things and get back in line.. IMMEDIATELY.

I always 'got the message' when he shot me that LOOK.. because it was 'his' FIRE ALARM beginning to ring! All I had to do was humble myself and get back in line.

It is the same with GOD.

If this morning.. you find.. like me..  you have gotten TOO comfortable in the Presence of GOD.. and you are tottering on the EDGE.. HUMBLE YOURSELF and GET BACK IN LINE. Don't wait until you hear the FIRE ALARM go off in Heaven. We have suffered enough to get this far.. needless suffering is something we can control with making right choices.

The only FIRE we want in our lives is that of His Spirit to Work Holiness into us.. and the FIRE POWER that brings Holy Conviction and A reverence for GOD into the lives of those who need to know Him when we are near!

Blessings! 

Not A Checker Game - Ezekiel 14

My Gram was a Checker Professional! Ok... that from a 6 year old's view.

She had great mercy in playing Checkers with me. She hated to put her skills to use and so she would feign weakness, and lose so that I could win. I could smell it even then.. a mile away! 

I hated it!

So.. one day.. I got the courage to ask her NOT to let me win anymore. 

Big mistake.

She trounced me... over and over.. and I choking back the tears and smiling.. still would have it NO other way! If I was going to win.. I wanted it to be FAIR and SQUARE because I 'went for it'! 

After some time passed, I got to be good at Checkers and on occasion would truly win. I WANTED IT and gave it all I had and did not Cheat.

I was thinking about this today because it is how I am with GOD many times.

God sits on one side the my heart, and I on the other. We seem to be competing for WHO will be KING of my Heart at times. I hate that too.

There are many things I ask Him for over and over and over again and I call it persistence.. right? 

He calls it a Heart problem.. a "Heart of Idols."

He knows my Heart truly that deep down I love Him and there is nothing that I won't give up.. even if hard.. with His help.. because there is no one and nothing I desire more than Him. But.. there is still work to do in there.

I don't think it is the things that I ask for that are the problem... they are GOOD things.

But He tells me this morning that while I think I am being persistent.. I am asking for what I desire in the wrong LIGHT.. if you get my drift.

I am a focused human being, determined, set like flint when I desire something.. a Bulldog.. I guess. Maybe that is not a bad trait.. but if it desires something amiss it can be. Kind of like my heart cries out..."KING ME. I WIN."...but... there is NO doubt that persistence about good things in a not good light... is really being a LOSER.

As I sit here and write this.. I am going through my 'House' with a checklist and GOD. I'm renovating this part of my heart.. RIGHT NOW.

There can ONLY be ONE KING and in this case... If I LOSE... because HE WINS... then I WIN too.

KING HIM! That's my desire now!

"LORD..no more detestable practices... no more Heart Idols.. and no more persistence toward Good things in a wrong light.

Help me ONLY to want the things you want for me... now and forever more!

You told me in Psalm 15 what my walk should look like and the heart I really  need to have to be with You. In Psalm 17 You hear my CRY and you come to my aid. Change my heart O GOD... I offer it to YOU.. EMPTY... fill it with YOUR SPIRIT and what you desire. And.. make me HOLY."

Forgive Us Our Trespasses as we.....?

Forgiveness.. let's walk on some new and scary ground. When I was growing up.. I was taught to forgive everyone for everything and relationships were meant to be restored after the person was truly sorry for what they had said and or done. When I was young most of the time people WERE sorry when they had hurt you in some way. The world has changed! Today.. people are SO into themselves that really.. they could care less about you more times than not and if you even mention the fact that they have hurt or offended you.. they will tell you where to go.. how to get there... and even give you specific details! I feel badly for my parents who are in their golden years and both see and hear a very different kind of world.

Today the LORD made some things very clear in the classes He had me facilitate with Him and I want to share them with you too. Maybe you will also find something to glean like I did from Him. We are going to look at 2 types of heart attitudes here from those who may have caused you hurt.

Let's say the first person says or does something.. or maybe they withhold saying or doing something.. and it offends, trespasses against you, or wounds you and even deeply. The LORD says that while we have to choose what to take issue with and when..there are many things we don'e even need to let trouble us. But.. when it IS necessary.. we NEED to face things HEAD ON. 

DENIAL is one of the WORST enemies we have. We tend to DENY what we DON'T want to deal with. DENIAL after a wound.. only HOLDS OPEN the wound for the DIRT to get in.. if you are hearing the LORD in this.

FACE your problems. In LOVE and TRUTH... and with a humble, gentle, and quiet spirit.. with a soft answer.... Speak to your 'friend' about the problem and how it affected you.

Once you do this... Listen to them.

If they put up a SMOKE SCREEN of JUNK.. don't engage them any further. Take your situation and hurt to the LORD and LEAVE IT there. CHOOSE to FORGIVE the Offense... even if you have to do it moment by moment until it loses it's sting. Intercede for them and PURPOSEFULLY DO GOOD TO THEM. 

When you do GOOD on purpose to another after and offense.. that good deed acts as a SHIELD to PROTECT YOU from DIRT and BACTERIA getting INTO the wound and causing an INFECTION. Leaving the person and the matter in the Hands of GOD, interceding for them and doing good, frees you to move on. There is no magic or instant cure.. and if and when the matter comes back to you in thought you must take it captive and remind yourself it is dealt with. The Devil will love it if you begin to nurse the hurt all over again and he will surely capitalize on it to your hurt and the hurt of the other. The Devil REPLAYS a matter... GOD throws it away as far as East is from West.

Let's say this person is convicted by the way you respond to the offense.. and they are TRULY broken over it, and desire to repent in truth. The Word of GOD says... 70 x 7 you must forgive.. that is not a literal number.. just that as long as a person is trying to do the work of change you are obligated to show grace, mercy and forgivenness over and over again as GOD has done for you.

Remember the story of the KING who forgave the man his overwhelming debt in the Bible? Jesus told us that though he was forgiven,.. he did NOT forgive one who owed him. So.. the KING called back the man he forgave and made him pay his debt until it was complete.. now.. you and I both know that we CANNOT repay what we owe Christ.. but since He has forgiven us and showed us abundant Grace in this DAY of Grace.. We best not withhold it from others!

In this case we work to restore the relationship.

2nd Person: We do exactly the same as we did with the first.. only.. in this case this particular person is NOT TRULY repentant. NO godly sorrow...no brokenness, no tears, no grief over their sin or the hurt they caused you. Their body language says.. "eh.. get over it." Their words may echo that sentiment as well.. or.. they may tell you off.. and do it all again to hurt you just to show you they can do as they please and who are you to tell them otherwise??!!!!  Or.. they may.. with their LIPS only.. say.. 'I'm sorry and I promise to change."..BUT they NEVER even attempt to do the WORK of change with GOD.

So.. here is where the difference begins.. You STILL turn them over to GOD and release them.. you forgive them.. and you get on your face and ask the LORD the way you should take because every circumstance is different. But.. if you are in an abusive relationship.. verbal, emotional, sexual, and or physical.. and this person is not going to do what it takes to change.. here is the action. LEAVE.

The LORD says that we are to love Him with all of our soul, heart, mind and strength and we are to love Others AS OURSELVES. If I love myself and am doing everything with GOD to work things out.. that is ALL I can do. I CANNOT DO another's part in the relationship FOR THEM. If we are married.. it IS a Covenant relationship and the LORD says we are not to leave except for adultery.. but here is the 'clause' He put in as well.. "You are to live in peace with all men as best you are able, IF you leave you are NOT to remarry." In other words... if you are giving your all.. if you are doing ALL you can.. and your relation, friend, etc.. will not do their part.. you do NOT have to stay in the abuse. You can leave. You cannot remarry or even see anyone else. You made a covenant and you have to keep it until they get help and you return to them.. or they die. This way you honor the vow and Covenant you made before GOD... and you honor your mate, and yourself. 

IF you are not married.. but it is a friend, neighbor, co-worker, etc.. you do NOT have to restore the destructive relationship or at least restore it in full. You decide.

Forgiveness and restoration are 2 different things.. and while full restoration is always the goal.. it cannot happen if the person proves over and over during the course of time that they will not allow GOD to help them change. 

Abuse in short can be defined as anything that is not used for it's PURPOSE. In a relationship it is NO different. If you abuse a tool it BREAKS and how much more a PERSON? If you are in a relationship and not loved, honored and respected, nor valued... if you are being abused and immediate HARM is at hand.. leave right away. GO and get help. If you feel that you cannot ASK GOD for wisdom and "DO whatever HE tells you."

The Interest of Others 2

Last night I experienced the biggest breakthrough I have ever had. About a month or so ago, my world changed,.. with notice from above, immensely.. even more so than after our recent move from the east coast to Las Vegas. 

The dark clouds came looming over and I was braced for a hurricane under.. I said.. under... the waters.

Have you ever read the account of Jesus walking on the water toward the disciples in the rocking boat on the stormy seas? 

Ha.. I never thought of this until the LORD had someone teach it. These men were not on seas they were unfamiliar with. As a matter of fact THEY were SEASONED fisherman.. so.. what would make them quake at THIS particular Storm?

It was because the words in the text tell us there was something like an EARTHQUAKE under the waters!

Now.. I have never..only in a dream..(and felt it.. lol..) been in an Earthquake.. but .. there can be no experience like it when your world that SEEMS stable like a rock under you is MOVED! Correct?

My world experienced and Earthquake!..and though I felt calmer because Jesus was in my boat (and has been for 25 years..( instead of 3 like theirs).. I was still not thrilled with the whole experience! I felt I should have done better! :)

You know.. GOD does not send us the details.. usually.. of things that are coming at us.. except for the very generic, need to know.. information. I was told.. "By September 24th you will experience pivotal or critical change in your life." 

That was enough to let me know that I needed to make sure what needed buttoning down on my boat.. was done.. and quickly. The things that were NOT going to remain.. I tried to save.. I guess.. but ultimately.. what was not needed was taken overboard by the waves!

Today... this day of my writing.. my boat is pretty bare. No fancy sailboat... no stock or furniture to admire. It's sleek, lite, and has only what is needed to meet whatever else lay ahead... Funny thing is? I'm glad!!!

After the initial "heads up" from GOD... the storm really kicked in! Rains, waves, rocking, loss, in I went into survival mode as things were washed away. I got seasick, tired (you know that weighty kind of lead tired), gave up trying to 'save stuff' and just surrendered. The pressure on all sides was great.. and got to the point where the UGLY stuff in me started to rise up! I hate that part!

It isn't fun to go through a tight place and get your character squeezed.. to the point where you want to start anesthetizing yourself so you won't feel the hard brunt of anything.

I began to COMPLAIN. Let me tell you something.. GOD will listen to your complaints, and to a point He will sympathize.. but I don't think He is happy with it and He does not get honored in that.

When I began instead to 'CRY OUT' for help.. then humility came and HE went into action. It WAS the FOURTH WATCH and don't think that because you CRY OUT in the first one He'll come running. This sister was getting tested... sorely!

I'm glad now.. AFTER.. because I get to see where I was REALLY at. God came to the rescue just before I went south too much... He knew.. "ENOUGH".

Now.. let me tell you how I understood all of this today.

I was at the GYM. I am on a program called Activetrax. A computer generates my workout's like a personal trainer and I can even keep track online.

When I first started.. a month ago.. I was not feeling in the best of shape. I asked the LORD to be my "Coach" and He as done so.. not only in life.. but at the gym well. 

I realized that I have been taught a lot in and through my workouts...So much about 'Resistance' and all of it's BENEFITS in EVERY area of our lives. 

If you want to be a STRONG ATHLETIC kind of KID that belongs to the LORD.. you have to PAY your DUE. Get up early or at least set a time to be with Him EVERY SINGLE DAY. Your day is nothing like it could be unless you are meeting with Jesus Christ.. your Life Coach!

Let Him take you into the WORD and give you your DAILY BREAD. Savor what you have been given to eat.. because it is your marching order for THE DAY.

Let HIM take you on a tour of your day. He will "lead, guide and direct you into ALL TRUTH" and into your steps toward your destiny. YOu will have ALL you need IF you FOLLOW HIS PLAN.

Remember it is HIS GYM and HE is the only COACH worth listening to.. and HE WILL make you  work for it.. as you REST in HIM!

In one month's time.. I have felt the pressure of the workouts. But.. today.. my clothes are looser, my frame is already getting stronger and toned.. and my endurance increasing. I worship while I workout... It is my time with HIM. 

Today.. after 2 days off.. my weights were.. LITE. I got the message loud and clear..

We NEED to go through these kinds of GOD ordained TESTS to see where we are really at. GOD will not let us go beyond what we can endure.. but we WILL see who we and what are really like.. and in the meantime our Spiritual Muscles are being developed through resistance, hard work, sweat and YEP.. tears... just about the time these grueling workouts are hitting us at maximum levels.. He stops it.

We are so weary we cannot lift the weight once more... and HE comes to SPOT US.. (give assistance).

In lifting weights.. every athlete knows the increase comes when you reach the point where your muscles begin to BURN. It is not in the first 15 reps that you experience GREAT benefit.. that is 'conditioning what one already has'.. it is in those LAST FEW LIFTS when your muscles are saying.. "Hey man.. I don't have much more oxygen here!".. that when you continue.. if safe.. to finish those last five without HARM.. that your muscles receive the INCREASE.. and after a short season.. these weights become LITE... your muscles now need more WEIGHT to challenge them!

Isn't THAT like our Spiritual Growth???

Yes.

The thing and the reason for writing all of this is that MANY.. even CHRISTIANS are taking the BROAD and EASY ROAD... S T O P!

TURN AROUND!

The TRUTH is.. YOU were made for the HARD ROAD... for the ATHLETIC BUILD in CHRIST.. to be a GOOD SOLDIER! How many of you are thankful that in the USA our BOYS are Fighting for our FREEDOM? My question though is ARE YOU FIGHTING FOR THE FREEDOM OF THOSE THAT ARE LOST???

WE ALL HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO FIGHT FOR OUR OWN LIVES..YES.. BUT ALSO FOR THOSE AROUND US!!

IF YOU TAKE THE 'EASY ROAD' YOU ARE DITCHING YOUR OWN SPIRITUAL GROWTH FOR COMFORT NOW.. AND PAIN LATER!

ALSO.. YOU ARE TAKING THOSE WHO WERE ASSIGNED TO YOUR LIFE AND MINISTRY WITH YOU. NOTHING IN THIS LIFE EVER ONLY AFFECTS YOU.

IF YOU  FACE THE PAIN NOW OF GETTING IN SHAPE SPIRITUALLY AND WHOLE HEARTEDLY FOLLOW CHRIST TO THE DEATH OF YOURSELF.. YOU WILL GAIN LIFE FOR YOU AND O T H E R S!

PLUS.. YOU GIVE THEM THE COURAGE TO DO THE SAME THING!

THE PAIN GOD ALLOWS IS FOR YOUR GROWTH... AND NO GROWTH OCCURS WITHOUT IT!

C'MON... 'FIGHT LIKE A GIRL! " :)