A RESPONSE TO: Change of Scenery

Amen to that my friend.  I was just telling a pastor the other day that i need to change my choice of friends because they are gossipers and liars, and that will bring me to the same.  Not all of them are like that, but it is hard to get good christian friends if you are not part of a big christian god loving church.  Your message really hit home, thanks, Amy

A Change of Scenery

Hebrews 12:1 NLT

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.

 

Have you ever worked on a project for a long time and felt you were not being successful? The work was hard and tedious and you found the harder you worked the behinder you got? When life becomes complex, I change the scenery and my mind become refreshed. Then the work is easy and problems are solved! Keep this in mind as you read the following.

 

Our biggest potential enemy in life (besides our own wrong thinking and the devil himself) is the environment in which we live. For instance, if we constantly live in an atmosphere of doubt and unbelief, it is just a fact that we will have a much more difficult time maintaining a strong walk of faith. That doubt-filled environment will try to rub off on us!

 

It is just a fact that our environment tends to affect the way we think. For example, if you used to smoke or if you used to have a drinking problem, it is obviously not a smart idea for you to hang around smokers or drinkers — unless, that is, you want to return to your old habits. Hanging around people who still do these things may lure you to pick up a cigarette to take a smoke or to allow yourself one more small drink? However, those little allowances may possibly be the very hook the devil uses to drag you back into the bondage from which Jesus Christ already delivered you. That is why it is vital for you to understand that the environment surrounding you is very important! AMOS 3:3 Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction? Can two walk who together disagree?

 

With this in mind, think about what kind of sin this verse is talking about.. The old nature of sin so comfortably surrounds and gives us a comfy feeling; a comfortable environment of sin? No, it a familiar spirit of sin.

 

Sometimes in order to make necessary changes in our life, we must physically remove ourselves from an unprofitable situation. If we are not strong enough in our faith to stay there without being affected, we need to get up and get out of that unbelieving, negative environment — the one you may have been comfortably living in for a long, long time. If you are not strong enough to overcome it, it will unquestionably try to reach out and drag you back into your old behavior. We need to change our environment and change our associations.

 

If the Spirit is prompting you to lay aside every weight, then obey Him and make a break from that unhealthy environment! Perhaps old friends, old places, or wrong believing are trying to exert bad influences on you and you're not resisting that influence well. If that is the case, get out of there! For you, that environment is sin if it keeps you from fulfilling your potential in Jesus Christ.

 

Be honest as you consider your workplace, your friends, and your living conditions. Ask yourself, is this environment conducive to my walk in Christ, or is it dragging me back down into the mire from which I was delivered? Do not let your environment destroy your spiritual life.

 

A change of scenery is in your future. The pain of change will be challenging to you. The mind of your old ways and your old friends will question your new high and mighty attitude. They might say that sarcastically. Nevertheless, you do have a higher standard of living. It is Kingdom bound, and full of His might! You might even find it difficult to be with God loving, Christ minded people on regular bases. Your mind might question their "religious" way of life. As the old man remains in this new environment of loving Word living people you will become more like HIM! I can tell you this it is worth it..

Your Christian life is serious business. Do not let your environment fill you with doubt and knock you out of your spiritual race! If you cannot handle your environment victoriously, initiate a plan of action to change the scenery!

 

RESPONSE TO: Sunday morning Vision

One could interpret this vision to include the fact that there is a skillet hot and waiting for the egg to drop upon it. Ready to cook and feed someone who was hungry.

But the egg was hard and already cooked. The holy Fire... Flame of Jesus melted the yoke the fact it oozed like honey made it sweet and nourishing to your soul and it evaporated ...didn't touch the hot skillet which could represent our current circumstance.

The skillet to me is The Hell Fire that surrounds us trials and tribulations. So that what we expect to happen isn't always God's way. But the Lord sees to our needs and nourishes us through our soul and relationship with him regardless of our current situation. Our ways are not His ways.

Cool vision. Love you.Jan

RESPONSE TO: Sunday Vision

One could interpret this vision to include the fact that there is a skillet hot and waiting for the egg to drop upon it. Ready to cook and feed someone who was hungry.

But the egg was hard and already cooked. The holy Fire... Flame of Jesus melted the yoke the fact it oozed like honey made it sweet and nourishing to your soul and it evaporated ...didn't touch the hot skillet which could represent our current circumstance.

The skillet to me is The Hell Fire that surrounds us trials and tribulations. So that what we expect to happen isn't always God's way. But the Lord sees to our needs and nourishes us through our soul and relationship with him regardless of our current situation. Our ways are not His ways.

Cool vision.

Love you.

Jan

RESPONSE TO; Sunday morning Vission

Thank you for your Godly counsel.  I was thinking that the yoke was mostly for healing hardened hearts,  and hidden hurts, also taking down walls, but now I see the other explanation is for me.  Thank you Jesus!!! God bless Marilyn

RESPONSE TO: Sunday Morning Vision

Paul, it has been some time since we have heard from you.  You are continually in our prayers! I took the liberty to post your response..

 

Dear Dianne,

                        Your message about the yokes is a big help to me.           Mans yoke on me here in my job is almost unbearable.  But, because of Jesus and what He says about giving it over to Him, I am able to continue day by day serving God and man here.

Thanks for the inspiration, Paul Hartje

RESPONCE TO Sunday morning vision

Hi Dianne:
It is 2:30 in the morning, and I got up to go to the bathroom and came back to bed and immediately started praying for my friend once again.  The thought about your vision could be many people who need to have their hard hearts softened by the Lord.  God bless, Marilyn

RESPONSE TO: Sunday Morning Vision

 

One thing I am learning in this season that serving "freely and easily" can often be a process.  At first some of the things the Lord has lead me to do did not feel easy.  But, as I just keep walking in obedience ah, the intended lightness of the yoke becomes more evident.  I make things hard initially because I often try to do too much in my own strength...you know "figure things out" rationally.... UGH and YUCK!    There is a stride to come to even in walking in the natural.  So, I am feeling a little more like I am learning the stride in HIM in the things He has me doing in this season.  God knows none of these things would have been my natural pick....Luncheons with the elderly of mostly Traditional Church backgrounds....But, I am learning some deeper lessons about unity of the heart. the Father's Heart.    Love ya, Marie

Sunday Morning Vision

As I awoke this Sunday morning, I saw an egg hovering over a skillet that was upon a blue white flame. Suddenly it cracked open, and I was expecting it to ooze out and fold onto the pan..

Surprise!  The egg was hard boiled with a very solid dark orange yellow yoke. Instantly, a flame shot up like a finger and touched the yoke.  The yoke began to liquefy and change color from orange-yellow to mellow yellow to honey..  Then it began to trickle down. Before it reached the skillet, as it oozed like honey, and then like water, it dissipated into the air like a vapor.

May this vision give you revelation into your own walk with God.

Since this vision I have had two interpretations:

1.       The interpretation for the heathen with hardness of heart to a believer living his life for Christ. The yoke being his/her heart of stone turning into a heart of flesh.

2.       This interpretation is more complex.  It is about the believer carrying man's yoke. A yoke of his expectation of what many want him to do and even what he thinks he must to for God.  Man's yoke is heavy and His yoke is light.  I believe the Lord is beginning to place His finger on the yoke of man and turn it into His yoke. For My burden is easy and My yoke is light!

I pray for all of us now, that the Lord will place us in His diving purpose and place the flame of His finger on our hearts turning from our own ways to His and allowing us to serve Him freely and easily as the Sprit leads and guides.

A Time to Forcefully Speak the Truth in Love

Snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. (Jude 1:23 NIV)

 

What does the Bible say about how we should respond to believers who continue to practice sin? If you are personally aware of individuals like this, what steps or action should you take to rescue him or her?

·         What attitude does God expect you to have regarding these people's sin?

·         What kind of action does God expect you to take to see them delivered?

·         What approach should you take regarding the sin they are living in?

·         What is the proper outlook for you to have concerning their situation?

 

First of all, I believe we are commissioned to give the testimony of Jesus, the savior to all people. Giving them the testimony of why God our Father sent His son so we could have a relationship with them forever will snatch them from the fire of eternity and bring them toward everlasting love.

 

Show mercy mixed with fear! What is that all about? To me, we are to give people the benefit of the doubt, give them a break or another chance to make things right between themselves and God. This is for the believer as well as the heathen! Fear in this context is like the "fear of God". It is to have respect for them as people and respect them for the person in Christ they really are!

It suggests a fear or a strong dose of respect for something that is life-threatening, dangerous, or alarming. The attitude we should have regarding sin is dangerous, alarming, and even life threatening to a person's spiritual life. Therefore, sin must not be tolerated, nor should the effects of sin be watered down. In short, we should have no stomach for sin. At the same time, love the sinner compassionately.

Our action should be spontaneous. We must act fast to "snatch" them out of the fire. This is an extremely strong and aggressive position that presents the picture of seizing someone out of a dangerous situation.

In Colossians 1:13 Paul writes, "He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son." This portrays that moment when Jesus Christ broke Satan's power over our lives and snatched us out of the kingdom of darkness. He grabbed us by the back of our necks and snatched us out of danger, just in the nick of time.

Our action should be wrapped in an emotion of passion, fervency, and urgency.

Because of the alarmingly dangerous state that some believers are in, I urge you to take immediate and fast-acting measures to see them delivered and rescued. And if they don't quickly respond, do not stop! Out of love for them keep up your sense of urgency until you are convinced they are rescued and snatched out of the fires of destruction. If you must, go all the way to grab them by the back of their necks and jerk them out of those flames.

I must warn you that sometimes people are so deceived about what they are doing, they do not want to change. Even if you tell them they are headed for trouble, they may not believe it! In these cases, your sweet words and tender pleading with them may not work. That means you may have to get forceful in the way you tell these people the truth. Your words must reach out and seize their hearts.

Think back for a minute to Lot, the nephew of Abraham. Lot was so caught up in the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah that when the angels told him the two cities were about to be destroyed, he wanted to stay anyway! The angels had to take him by the hand and make him leave! They had to forcibly remove him from that situation. Otherwise, he would have been destroyed. The angels literally dragged Lot out of the city against his will (Genesis 19:16).

Likewise, we must do everything within our power to snatch people from spiritually dangerous predicaments. Although they may not feel the heat of the fire at the moment or realize the seriousness of their spiritual condition, we must speak forcefully and truthfully to them in order to seize their hearts and set them free. Sometimes a sharp tone like a quick jab will jolt them from a dangerous situation.

However, we are not in the business of kidnapping people or taking them out of situations against their will. But we are to pray for fellow believers who are caught in sin and don't realize the dangerous nature of their situation. We must also go to them and do all we can to "pull them out of the fires" of destruction they are about to release into their lives.

If you know someone who is drifting away from their relationship with the Lord, pray for a door to open that will allow you to speak the truth in love and pull him out of impending destruction. Just think about it. If you were the one about to make a major spiritual error, wouldn't you want your true friends to speak the truth in love to you? So believe God for an open door. He will show you how and when to

Get Creative in 'Doing the Word'

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 (NLT).   James is telling us that if we cannot easily think of a way to do what has been preached to us, we must get creative! We must find ways to do the Word. Paul writes in Ephesians 2:10, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works." This tells us that when we were saved God put forth His best efforts and creative powers to marvelously fashion and create us in Jesus Christ. We were not just mildly saved. Rather, God took us into His hands and marvelously made us new in Jesus Christ as He released His most powerful creative forces and made us a workmanship worthy to bear His name. If you cannot easily think of ways to do what you've heard preached, it is time for you to get creative! Put all your heart and soul into finding a way to act on what you have heard You might be thinking that it is impossible to do the WORD in a new creative way! WRONG. Do not worry — the Lord is not short on creativity! If you will listen, the Holy Spirit will say, "Here's an opportunity to apply what you've been hearing. Do it!" If you have a heart to truly act on the Word of God, the Holy Spirit will show you ways to do it. When Dick and I hold healing workshops, we tell people to get creative in ways you release the Holy Spirit. Lay hands on gifts and articles you give to others. Release the Holy Spirits witnessing power, healing power, and encouraging power so others may turn their ways to His way!                             Seek the Lord and allow Him to show you how: To pray for the sick—listen to others and watch for the open door of opportunity. To share Jesus with your lost friends—hear the bewilderment and emptiness in their life and give them the fullness of Christ. To bake a cake and take it to the person next door—how about a sick friend or relative; make some soup. To help your neighbor repair his car, screen, computer—whatever your skill is offer it to those around you. Remodeling your home—give those unwanted pieces of furniture away. Give them and release the Power of the Holy One as they go. Spiritual maturity is not measured by the number of meetings you have attended, how many speakers you have heard, how many books you have read, or how many podcasts you have listened to in the past year. You have to take the Word you have heard and find a way to make it work in your life. God is looking for people who actually do what they have heard preached, and what they have read! God is looking for the transformed believer who is living a transformed life and releasing His Power in new creative ways! So if you cannot seem to think of practical ways to apply the Word to your life, ask the Holy Spirit to help you. Here is one thing you can be sure of: The Holy Spirit is never short on ideas about how you can become a "doer" of the Word!

Response to THE UMPIRE

Thank you so much for sending this to me.  It really hit home to me.  Last night I was laying in bed watching TV and suddenly it was like I had been there before and then tight fist of pure fear closed around my chest and I immediately said the Our Father and asked God to shorten this episode for me.  Well it was shortened in length.  I have had these happenings before but of a longer duration.  I have no idea what is happening except to say they are an intense feeling of fear that causes me actual physical tightening pain in my chest.  That is the only way I can describe them to you as words are hard put to give a definition.  But after reading what you sent I will turn to God each time it happens and pray also for some reasoning for the episodes.
 
Tell Dick I look forward to his lessons each day.

Love,
Rose

Rejoice in These Times

Isaiah 6:1-9

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty." Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" He said, "Go and tell this people: " (NIV)

Isaiah is one of my favorite prophets. It contains the foretelling of Jesus' birth, our cornerstone and protector to come. As we read the Old Testament, we come to realize that only a few men and women heard from God and only at specific times or seasons. They were the prophets of old. They were the aids to the Kings of those times and protectors of God's chosen people.

There are many lessons to glean from the lives of the prophets. One thing I have noted is that they normally did not speak the Word of God to anyone unless they had that right of relationship. Either they were in the position to speak to the Kings and summoned by their king to do so or God made it very plain that they were to deliver a message to a dyeing people in person. By that, I mean that the people were at the end of their ropes and were desperate to hear a message!

Today, we are often too eager to give people a word (small "w" meaning our opinion) or a Word from God at the wrong time or in the wrong circumstances. We really get ourselves in trouble with thinking that we are someone's Holy Spirit. Over time, I have learned to do more listening and more praying before I open my mouth with a Word or word. This is especially true when dealing with fragile relationships amongst believers, remembering that they too hear from the Holy One. Anyone saved has the Spirit within. It is up to all to hear for themselves. We no longer live in the days of OLD where the only ones who heard were prophets. We all live with the Holy Spirit within us. Oh, yea, it does not matter if they are tongue-talking Christians either. ALL Christians hear if they have ears to hear.

Back to Isaiah-- Chapter 6:

King Uzziah was a good king. He reigned for fifty-two years in Judah and followed God fairly well for most of time of the throne. Under Uzziah, the nation prospered and was very strong economically and militarily. Now, he was dead, and Isaiah was concerned to say the least. What changes were going to take place now that a new king was assuming the throne? What was going to happen spiritually, economically, and militarily? Some of us may have these same concerns now.

When Isaiah finally got his eyes off the situation and off the King, he was able to see the Lord Himself! That certainly applies to us as well. How often we have our eyes focused on man and not on God. We think we can fix it, or we have the right advice! After all, it is our job, our family, our prestige, or our ingenuity that will pull us through. Or perhaps it is the doctor, the lawyer, the pill, and so forth that is the answer. Wrong! God is the only One with the answer! So take your eyes off self, off man and get them fixed on God.

God gave Isaiah a vision to calm his fears and concerns. Let's take a look at Isaiah's vision. Isaiah saw the Lord. You and I need to see Him too. The Lord is the real King. He sat as King at the flood, and He sits as King forever (Psalm 29:10). He is in charge of everything. His greatness and power knows no limit.

Regardless of who is President, God is the everlasting King who answers prayer (sometimes not in the way we want, but He still answers) and promises to take care of His children. Keep looking to Him, and keep putting Him first in your life.

Wait on God for a mission is at hand. If our motives are pure, the mission is there. Motives motivate the mind. Our mind in turn stimulates and energizes our body to action. Isaiah saw the Lord as great, powerful, and HOLY, HOLY, HOLY. WOW! He is Holy like a perfect diamond, in color blue-white, a flawless stone with each facet perfect and unique. Holy refers to the character of God. He is totally flawless.

When Isaiah saw God's holiness, he saw his own sinfulness, his imperfections. He cried out, "Woe is me, for I am ruined, undone, worthless!" And God took away His sin. God brought forgiveness and cleansing and sent Isaiah on a mission to "go and tell" the people about the Lord. God has given His children today the same mission.

You and I must go and tell people about the One who died and rose again. We are not to Bible bash people or tell them their sin. We must tell people about the Savior who is both holy and ready to forgive. Tell them about the Father's love for them and the power of the Holy Spirit within. We need to be a witness for Christ through our life ("you shall be holy for I am holy") and through our lips..

May we come undone in the presence of the Almighty. May we cry out "take the coal, burn my lips Here I am."

Get excited about the times we are in. Ask for a mission! Tell the Lord you want to be faithful to Him, His Call, and His purpose!

Pray

Pray for the nation and its leaders, regardless of party affiliation or core beliefs. Pray for yourself and God's people to get right, stay right, and stand up for righteousness, in spite of persecution and ridicule.

Witness

People desperately need to hear the truth: "I [Jesus] am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me" (John 14:6).

Trust Him

God does His greatest work in the worst of situations. The greatest miracle in the New Testament, apart from the resurrection of Christ, was the resurrection of Lazarus. Lazarus was four days dead. He was "stinking" dead and already buried. All hope was gone. It appeared to everyone that Jesus had not come through as Mary and Martha had hoped and prayed. Yet the Lord used these circumstances to bring about an even more amazing miracle that caused MANY to believe in Him.

I am believing God for His greatest work to come out of these difficult circumstances we are facing today. He is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all we ask or think.

Will you choose to rejoice and believe with me? The Spirit of God calls out to you and me, to all believers alike!

Truly, Dianne

The Umpire

Colossians 3:15 .Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (NIV)

Have you ever had one of those days when there was so much confusion whirling around your head that you felt like screaming, "STOP, SHUT UP, I can't hear myself think!"

Everyone has that kind of a day every once in a while, and when I do, I am tempted to get in the flesh and react to someone in an ugly way or to get depressed, go to bed, and forget about it all. However, I know neither choice will help solve the problems I face—or you for that matter!

Rather than throw in the towel and give way to these emotions that want to get the best of us, why not stop right now and make a decision to let the Word of God rule? When I say "rule" I'm talking about God's supernatural peace dominating and governing every emotion and situation that confronts us. If we do not make this decision and follow through with it, worry, fear, insecurity, doubt, and a whole host of other emotions will assuredly try to take control. And there is no worse rollercoaster ride than when you are being knocked all over the place by out of control emotions!

Instead, let the peace of God rule in your heart, in Colossians 3:15, Paul said, Let the peace of God rule. A friend of mine has been reminding me of late of the Holy Spirit being an umpire in her life. The word rule in this case refers to that position, umpire. An umpire is the one who calls the shots in baseball! What kind of pitch was thrown. He is the that judges the strikes, balls, and if the player is safe on base or has really made that home run or not!

Paul uses the word rule to tell us that the peace of God can work like an umpire in our hearts, minds, and emotions. When circumstances cause our emotions to flare and attempt to exert control over us or try to throw us into an emotional frenzy, we can stop it from happening by making the choice to let God's peace rise up from deep inside us like an umpire to moderate our emotions. As we do, we will be kept under the control of that divine peace as it rules in our hearts. When this divine umpire called "peace" steps into the game, it suddenly begins to call the shots and make all the decisions instead of fear, anxiety, and worry—or anger.

So let the peace of God call the shots in your life. Let the peace of God be the umpire in your life and over your actions. Let the peace of God be the umpire of your emotions and your decisions. In the midst of turmoil, we can be at peace within.

Even though it is true that everyone has had days and difficult weeks, we do not have to surrender to those emotions that try to steal our joy, disturb our relationships, and rob us of our victory. When we are feeling overwhelmed by problems that are hitting from every direction, we should just stop a moment and deliberately set our heart and mind on Jesus and the Word of God. As we do this, the wonderful, conquering, dominating, supernatural peace of God will rise up from our spirit and take control!

Our peace will rise up like a mighty umpire in our hearts, minds, and emotions. Lord let us recognize those moments when unhelpful emotions try to sneak up.

Here are some questions to ask yourself, and some interjections!

1. Do you recognize moments when your emotions try to throw you into an emotional tizzy and steal your peace and joy?
**When the contractor leaves you high and dry with a hole in the addition roof?
**When you prepare a great meal and no one shows up!
**When you are really hurting inside and no one seems to want to listen?

2. Have you asked God to help you overcome these moments?
**No, I am too busy feeling mean and rotten to ask God. Leave me alone and allow me to suffer!
**Yea but I do not know what to do!

3. What steps can you take to quiet yourself so you can focus on God's Word and allow the peace of God to rise up and be the umpire over what is going on inside your heart, mind, and emotions?
**I love music. It can create a new atmosphere for me. So there I go. How about you?
**Take a drive, go fishing, go out with a friend and laugh, get the Bible or other good book that leads you to the WORD

If you have others questions or suggestions, post them on the blog or let me know and I will post them for others to read! We can encourage each other on the road to peace of mind, letting the Holy Spirit be our guide!

Let God's Peace Serve as the Umpire For Your Mind and Emotions!

Fear has No Place in us!

For God did not give us the spirit of fear (timidity); but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (self-discipline). 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

 

But right in the midst of all this, events have occurred throughout the earth that have shaken the nations of the world and filled men's' hearts with fear. I am convinced that part of this worldwide assault has been the devil's attempt to put believers in fear so they will retreat from this worldwide Gospel advance. Although we need to be wise and do what we can to protect ourselves in times such as these, we do not need to react in fear. Fear is never the answer, for it results in blurred thinking and bad decisions.

God's Word promises us a sound mind if we will claim it. When Timothy was facing hard times, Paul told him, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV.

Our mind is saved and protected by the blood of the lamb. A sound mind is just the opposite of a mind given to fear, panic, or unfounded and unreasonable thinking.

Because God has given us a sound mind, we can think correctly about how to live in these last days — a time that 2 Timothy 3:1 predicts will be "perilous." No matter how difficult, dangerous, or filled with risk our life may be we shall have a sound mind..No matter what difficulty, danger, or risk the future may have in store, we will be victorious.

Living in the last days requires that we have a greater sensitivity to the Spirit of God. Romans 8:14 declares that one of the privileges of being a son of God is that the Spirit of God leads us. That is the hand of God is being extended to us to gently lead us on. With the confident assurance of the Faith we may go.

In these last days, we must be led by the Holy Spirit. However, the Holy Spirit will lead us only if we give Him this right. Oh, how many times the Spirit of God has wanted to be our Leader, but we went our own way and ultimately suffered the consequences! He knew exactly how to lead us past every attack. He knew how to avoid each strategy of the devil.

Jesus said (John 16:13) that the Holy Spirit would show us things to come and He would guide us through the safest route. This scripture comes to mind: He will tap us on the shoulder and say "Go ye this way and walk in it"

The Holy Spirit knows the future and wants to enlighten us with all the information we need in every situation. This is part of His ministry to you and me.

If the Holy Spirit speaks to you and tells you to do something specific, then obey Him! Do you remember when the death angel passed through Egypt and took the firstborn of all the Egyptians? The reason Israel was unaffected was that the Israelites obeyed the instructions God gave them to put blood on the doorposts of their houses. They brushed that lamb's blood on the doors of their homes just as God had ordered. Later when the death angel came, he passed by every home where he saw blood on the doorposts. In the end, not one of the Israelites was touched! They found protection in their obedience to the Word of God.

As we obey the Word of God and listen to the Holy Spirit's leading, we will have wisdom to know every step we need to take in the days ahead. All we have to do is obey God's instructions, and He guarantees us blessing and provision even in difficult times. But if we try to take another approach, there is no guarantee for us to claim. We must do what God says if we want to be assured of His divine blessing and protection.

 I want to encourage you to increase your level of faith, especially if you are facing challenging times. Stand on the Word of God; exercise your faith; listen to the Holy Spirit; and obey what He tells you to do. As you do these things, God's supernatural blessings will kick into action, and you will soon find a river of supernatural provision flowing to you. Don't wait on man's direction for your life. Listen to that still small voice within, and follow His Lead.

There is no doubt that we are living in some of the most challenging days the world has ever seen. But you can face these times victoriously because God has given you a sound mind. He has given you the promises of His Word and He has given you the leadership of His Spirit. Never has there been a more crucial time for you to operate in faith rather than fear and to believe for a mighty move of God to take place on this earth!

Get into that quiet place. Rest in His peace and be led by His Spirit, which dwells within. May the Lord lead and guide you into all truth!

2009 will be like a fine, fine wine