Put Your Trust in Me

Put Your Trust in Me

As a child depends on his mother and father to feed and protect him, so should you lean and depend on me. You do not need to fear that you will step out and be devoured or forgotten.  I will be there to help you.
I am a jealous God and I will not allow my Bride to be trampled upon or put to shame. She is my glory and my beauty in the earth. I will not let my beauty be swept underneath a rug and done away with.
As you put your trust in me, I will fight on your behalf and I will guard you with my right hand. You will know that I am your God and that there is no one or no bondage that I cannot reach through to deliver you, says the Lord.

You Are My Diamond

You Are My Diamond

Look at a diamond when you put it in the light. It gleams and it shines as the light hits it. It has so many dimensions within it. So it is with you my child. As my light hits you, I should shine through and come out the other side. As every ray hits you, so my glory should do the same in you.
But if you find that my light does not shine through when life hits you at a certain angle, my love, it is these angles that I want to buff and make smooth. For you are the light and the salt of the earth – in you is the hope that the world is looking for. So when you have desired and prayed in your heart to be more like me and be used of me, do not be amazed when the pressures come. For where my glory does not shine through you, there I will buff you and shape you into the diamond that I see you as.
Instead of being ashamed and feeling picked on my child, know that I intend to shine my glory through you and so do not hide away, but overcome and rise up in my image instead. Then as I lift you up as that diamond in my hand, my glory will shine through you, no matter what angle the light hits you from.
My child, allow me to shape and mold you and know that with every part that you yield to me, you will take on my image and be that shining light for all to see. Amen.

The Winding Road

The Winding Road

If you take a road trip up the mountains, you will see that the roads are not straight, but they are winding and they are narrow. The road does not leave much room for error, but it weaves its way around every hill and around every bend - you cannot see what is just around the corner.
And so it is with the road that you are on my child. For it may seem that I am taking you the long way, but the truth is that the winding road is indeed, the shortest path – for it takes into consideration the trees and the wilderness that surrounds the mountains. In the same way, my child, I know the way that I am taking you. I avoid the steep paths and I take you around the bend, so that the climb is not too steep for you.
I make you slow down around the corner so that you do not lose control ahead. I build a bridge across the waters that you cannot cross on your own and I guide you along the best of scenery. For indeed, when you have reached the top, you would have enjoyed an adventure and a journey of many beautiful moments. So sit back and enjoy the trip that I have you on. Trust in giving me control and allow me to drive you along this journey. Amen.

It Takes Practice

It Takes Practice

When a child first learns how to walk, it stumbles and falls a few times. His legs are weak as it tries to find balance. So it is with you as you learn something new.

Falling and stumbling does not mean that you cannot do it, it is simply part of the process. So learn to embrace the falls instead of allowing it to deter you. No child gets up for the first time and just knows how to walk. No, it takes practice.

So do not be discouraged at the first fall or the stumble in your walk. Get back up again, knowing that you will be able to do more than even walk, but jump and leap and sprint on those two legs. Stand up again and go at it again. You can do it and indeed, you will do it, says the Lord.

Breathe in my peace and take my hand. Remember that I am with you, even in the middle of the city. I can help you carry every load and be there to support you. I am your anchor my child. I am your helper, so use Me. Listen to my gentle voice and you will see that you are not alone. You will see that I am closer than your next breath. Amen.

Try, Try Again

 

Try, Try Again

My child, I am the God of grace. If you have failed a 104 times over, I will give you another chance, as I know that in the 105th time, you will get it right. So do not be discouraged and do not lose hope. Instead get back up again, knowing that I am on your side and I will not give up on you.

When you are down and have failed, the enemy will come in and whisper lies to you. He will remind you of how many times you failed before. But do not listen to him, but know that he is speaking his lies because he knows that you are getting closer to success. He knows that 'try number 105' is coming up around the corner. He knows that if you keep going down this road, you will succeed. He knows his days are numbered and so he will come to discourage you and try to get you off track.

So look up at me and see the truth that I see. The truth is that you are nearing victory more and more every day. To overcome his lies, my child, you must keep your eyes on Me and keep them focused on the goal, then you will see that you are closer than you realize. Amen.

 

Planted By the River

Planted By the River

Look at the tree that is rooted by the river, it does not wither or fade away, its leaves are fruitful and it does not lack for water. It yields green leaves in its season and gives shade to those that walk by.

So will you be when you stay feeding on my living waters. Sink your roots down deep in Me and feed on me… let me always be near to you, child. When your mind and your heart is stayed on me, life will flow through you, just like the tree planted by the waters.

Whatever you touch will prosper and you will not wither away. By me you will not have to experience drought and desert land. By Me there is life. Stick close then, child and experience abundant life. Amen. 

Everybody Gets a Turn

Everybody Gets a Turn

Feb 11, 2015 05:01 pm | Katie

In November of last year, I made the decision to move my mom to Nashville. I say I made it, because I did. She didn’t agree with my decision. She still doesn’t. She will tell you today I kidnapped her and she’s looking for someone to take her back to Huntsville.

After successful surgery and radiation treatment for an acoustic neuroma, it became obvious to me that I needed her closer to me so I could take better care of her. It wasn’t as obvious to mom.

She told me she had been taking care of herself for her entire life and she didn’t need any help now.

But she did.

We all need help from time to time. Nobody can make it on his or her own. I haven’t. I grew up in a very loving, Christian home. Mom and dad were always there for me. I can’t tell you the number of friends I’ve had step up for me over the years. Sooner or later, everybody needs help. In this life, everybody gets a turn.

For the last 2 years of my dad’s life, Mom took care of him around the clock. I’m not exaggerating. I don’t know how much she was able to sleep in those 24 months or so, but it wasn’t much and frankly, it took a toll on her. I will always love her for the way she loved my dad. Now, she wouldn’t change anything she did. In fact, she would have given more if there had been a way to do it. She paid a high price for her choices.

So, now, she needs me. We’ve moved her into a new apartment and gradually she’s adjusting to her new realities. For the longest time, she wouldn’t let me bring any furniture in because she wasn’t staying. Now, we at least have few pieces moved in. We have coffee most mornings and talk about things. She still doesn’t like me wearing jeans to the office. She still resents I have to make some decisions for her. The other day she told me to go to the doctor myself since I had made the appointment. Most days, however, we get along.

In our visits, I’ve noticed something new. When we’re talking about something, she’ll ask my opinion. Here’s why that’s interesting. My mother has never asked me for my opinion. Never. Why should she? She gave me my opinions in the first place. Why would she ask for things that she herself had given to me? My mom’s strong—really strong. Now, she just isn’t so sure. She’s lost a little confidence. She’s a little more hesitant to decide. She waits for me to respond. In her own way, she’s asking for help.

She needs me. That’s fine. I’m glad to be here for her. She’s always been there for me. Now, it’s my turn to be there for her.

And I am.

It’s her turn.
It’s my turn.

In this life, everybody gets a turn.

Pick up Your Weapons of Warfare

Pick up Your Weapons of Warfare

I have armed you with my word and with my spirit, says the Lord. Although the enemy might come against you one way, I have given you the weapons to cause him to flee before you seven ways! So stand strong in your convictions today and do not be afraid to take the land that I have given you, says the Lord. For I have put my word on your tongue and my fire in your belly. All it takes is for you to open your mouth and to speak forth my word.

All it takes is for you to stand up and to declare the truth that I have given to you. Do not believe the lies that the enemy would like to use. Do not believe the lie of circumstances or of what others say. Rather believe the truth of my Word and my promise. For when you do this and open your mouth to declare the truth, you will surely overcome.

So do not be afraid to tell the enemy to leave your circumstances alone says the Lord. Do not be afraid to be bold in your faith and to stand on the land that I have given to you. Do not be afraid to declare the truth as I have given it to you. For as you declare that truth and stand on my Word, you will cause your very circumstances to come into line! You will see change in your circumstances in your life.

So do not be content with the small portion that you have today my child. Believe more. Speak forth my will more. Stand strong and realize that I have called you to be the head and not the tail. I have called you to be a fire in the darkness and to draw men unto me. You can only do this if you have the boldness to stand in what you believe and in what I have promised you! So rise up and be bold. Pick up the weapons of your warfare and take the land says the Lord. Amen.
 

Hot Sun and Cold Water

Hot Sun and Cold Water

Just as a plant needs water and sunlight equally to grow tall and strong, so do you need both my presence and a bit of pressure to grow tall and strong my child.

The pressure is like the sunlight. It sometimes burns down on you quite strongly but as you surrender to me and allow me to accomplish that which I sent the pressure for, you will grow so strong. My presence is like that cold water that gets poured on the roots of the plant. Without my presence you will run dry and will buckle under the pressure. This is why you need both.

You need to run to my presence and drink from me, so that you can grow strong when the pressure comes. As you balance this and allow me to do what I have set out to do in your life, you will indeed move forward in your call, my child.

For I have called you and I want to use you mightily. So run into my presence and be watered. Then, allow my pressure to mold and shape you so that you can flourish, says the Lord.

 

You are Not Alone

You are Not Alone

My child I have not left your side and I never will. Even when the storms are raging round about you or you feel as if your feet no longer touch the ground, know that I remain by your side. When others turn against you and you feel alone, know that you are never alone.

For it is the enemy that tries to make you think that you have been separated from me in those times. It is the enemy who desires to trick you into losing your faith. But know this day my child that I have never let you go. I still hold tightly on to your hand. When the storms are at their worst, I hold on even tighter.

So put aside your fears in these times. Put aside the words of the enemy and bind his work in your life. Then turn your eyes to me again. Allow your faith to be in me and not in the storms. Turn your heart to me, knowing that I love and adore you. I am right here - run to my arms today my child. Trust my strong arms rather than the winds that are blowing. Rather trust in me and look into my eyes than believe the lies of the enemy. For when you do this, the skies will open and your heart will come to peace. In that moment, you will see that I have carried you and will never leave you says the Lord. Amen.

 

Time to Run

Time to Run

Just as Elijah saw but a fist of cloud in the sky and began to run, so also do I call to your mind the small signs I have given to you child. For it is time to run and to take hold of the promises that I have given to you. For even though you see only a small sign, begin to run!

Trust in me and believe that what I have said, I will surely do. For what looks like a small opportunity and a small blessing, will indeed turn around to become a torrent that will wash away the drought in your life. Lift your face up to me then and see that I am right by you to lift you up and to cause your way to flourish. See that I am right by your side and that I have heard every sigh and every moment that you were alone in the wilderness.

Your time is at hand now my child. The wait is over and it is surely time to run says the Lord. Amen 

 

Ten Moves Ahead

Ten Moves Ahead

Consider a champion chess player and how every move is deliberate. They think of many steps ahead and so are not taken by surprise by their opponent. In the same way, I am not taken by surprise by any work of the enemy in this world. I have thought many steps ahead of him and I have already countered the moves that he has made.

So trust in me my child and know that I will work everything together for good. That I see the times you have fallen - the times that the enemy has tripped you up. I have already made concessions for these mistakes and even now I am directing your path in a new direction. So do not look at the mistakes and the moves that the enemy has made, but rather look to me and realize that I have thought many steps ahead.

Realize that I hold the world in my hands and that I know the end from the beginning. Have faith in my wisdom and ability. Have more faith in my strength than what you can see the enemy do. Have more faith in my ability, than you do in your own weaknesses.

Then as you cling to me, I will lift you up out of the mire and show you the perfect plan that I had for you all along. Then you will see that I had destined you for blessing and not for cursing! You will see that I had planned to put your feet on a high place and not for it to slip. Cling to me and I will show you the next move I have in store for you says the Lord. Amen