Failure

It is always frustrating when you want to be a better person, but you fail.
I tend to be very hard on myself when I don't live up to my own standards. I withdraw, pull away, and internalize my failures. If left there too long, I will spiral downwards into a state of self pity - which is never good.

Climbing out of that pit of darkness is difficult. Admitting that I am in a pit is sometimes very difficult.

I would like to think that I am strong. 'I can overcome all that is thrown at me!' 
{feet solidly planted, hands on hips, shoulders thrown back, chin up, standing on top of a mountain, wind blowing back my long hair, despite raging storm all around}

...Yeah.  ...Not so true...nice image though.

I think of Christ. I think of scripture:  ...when I am weak, then I am strong...my Grace is sufficient...

I really don't feel like praying when I am stewing in my pit of darkness. Of course, the enemy of my soul, I am sure, is loving every moment of my agony in this state.

I think of the enemy of my soul.

I picture creatures of darkness attacking, mocking, terrorizing me from all sides.

But the picture becomes broader, I also see soldiers, angels of God battling some of these dark creatures.

All of a sudden, I am in a movie. A battle, intense and fierce. I am lying, seemingly defeated, on the ground with this war going on all around me...And I am the one they are battling for...one side seeking to destroy me, the other side defending me!

Then, the realization hits me...By lying in the mud of this movie, I am actually helping the enemy! 

I need to get up! Where's my sword?! Get up! Get in the battle! 

I rise up. 
Declare my battle cry. 

JESUS!
.
.
.
There is power in the name of Jesus. Power that I really don't understand. What I do understand is that there is power. I also understand that when I chose to believe Jesus is who He said He is, and asked forgiveness for my sins, when I asked Jesus to come into my heart and fill me with His Holy Spirit, I received this power. 

I think of scripture again...
 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Take every thought captive.

I am not perfect. I fail - often. I constantly need to remind myself that though I fail, God still loves me and does not write me off...and I shouldn't write myself off. Some days it is harder than others to remember who I am in Christ, but those days, my God, finds a way to draw me out, to remind me of who I am. He reminds me of how much He loves me and how His plans for me are plans to prosper me, not to harm me, to give me a hope and a future...


...Perhaps I should review my standards for myself. 

A Season of Trials

I have been reading over some of my blog posts of past and I am struck with some surprise at what I have written. Everything I write, I write for myself as much as I write for anyone else. I write what I write to serve as a reminder and encouragement in my own walk, and I need reminding these days of God's unfailing love, hesed, grace, mercy, strength, ...of perseverance...

One area that I know I need to sharpen my sword in is in the battlefield of the mind. My mind. Taking back what was stolen from me and not allowing the enemy of my soul drain me of all hope by assulting my mind needs to be a priority. I have found that I am in a new place of trials, testing, strengthening...Where is my faith in this season? Do I long after the King as I did? More so? Less so? How do I reconcile what I am going through with what I know of God and His Word? Do I really know God like I thought I did? And why am I allowing others to mandate my existence? My walk. Am I strong enough? Do I need to be? Do I really trust Him?

This time, for me, has been one of deeper soul searching. Rhyming off scripture to answer the questions of my heart and mind doesn't cut it. My spirit longs for better understanding.
Right now, I feel as though I am being led through another side of life that in the past I had so arrogantly pushed aside as being "unfortunate circumstances", "weaker or lesser faith", "rebellion", or just plain "they don't get it" attitudes. Situations that I had always figured were other people's problems, not anything I would have to deal with personally. (Yeah right. Never ask God for true understanding if you don't mean it.)
...I often wonder how this season will glorify God?

That being said, I must turn to the Word and prayer, and listen, especially when I don't feel like it, and keep going. Keep persevering. Keep hope. Trust Him to guide me through. ...It is not an easy season to say the least. But, then again, we were never promised "easy" were we?


Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.~Hebrews 10:23

My Struggle today...

allowed anymore apathy apparently astray bitterness break circles conforms control decide decisive depends dream encroaching fighter free freedom give god going hope jesus law led live mind oh perspective resentment root spirit taking thought tired towards unless wait wanted wrong

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Personal Collage

Oh look! A collage of my life in the past # of years!

Do you ever feel like this?

 Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between two vineyards, with walls on both sides. ~Numbers 22:24

War

from the left

from the right

up and down

corner and curve

in my mind

in my body

at my soul

•  
•  
•  
•  
•  
•  
•  

Release me!

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

~Eph.6:10-15

Embrace the Season

It is a new day and there is a familiar tugging at my heart. It is a rising of the warrior within. For this warrior has been away from the battle for a while. Healing time for wounds, learning and building character, growing. But, in this time away from the heat of the battle, the techniques of warfare have been neglected. Neglected because the sabbatical was so needed that I wanted to put away my sword for a while and just rest...just be. I was weary...oh so weary. God knew this and He provided for me in this time, but now, I sense the time has once again come to engage. Slowly, I have been regaining strength, which is immersing myself in the Word of God, praying more strategically, and standing with my being alert to the Holy Spirit.

Some would argue that you should always be "on". However, sometimes for whatever reason, you aren't and it is during this time that, I believe, God surrounds you and guides you into a different season of being...He never leaves - you never give up on Him - things just change. Your post has rotated...it is a good thing. For me, this has been an intensive time of self-discovery and bonding with Jesus outside the traditional (church, bible studies, retreats, etc.).

Intensifying...
Strength...
Self-Discipline...
Focus...
New View...
New way of being...

If you find yourself in a similar season of existence, my word to you is to embrace it; focus on God and your relationship with Him, and let Him do in you and through you all that He wants to accomplish...to His glory. You will not be in this season forever, you are being trained - take from it all you can and give God all of you...it is part of the learning curve. Don't become discouraged, but do not deny how you feel. Let the Holy Spirit minister to your needs...let Him...hide nothing from Him or rather, do not try to deny the truth of your heart from yourself. God knows you better than you know yourself - You can hide nothing from Him, you can only prolong (and for only so long) letting Him minister to your needs. He loves you and will deal with you gently and lovingly...mercifully.

Mark 6:30-32    

Ode to Fly

The spirit of life still courses though the fragile creature
a gentle presence seems to envelop us in a blanket of warmth
under the multitude of stars on this chilly night the cry of despair is heard
all of nature hears the groan of mourning


Past images pulse through the mind as the sleepless night relentlessly continues, seemingly unending
The joy of these images are held brief in the heart as reality slashes through them...mercilessly
Tears flow forth and in a steady stream without shame

Only earlier all was well
Now, all is changed
Mourning is not denied.
Life goes on.
Life must go on...changed, but moving forward.

~

Never in my life have I been so attached to an animal. Nor have I been so impacted by death (except for when my Poppa passed on). Death seems to be all around me right now, as my cat and three acquaintances have passed on in the past few days. It is heart wrenching to feel the impact of these deaths and to see the effect it has had on others(...which breaks my heart just as much.)

Comfort came directly from God for me. Though there were moments when I wanted to seek out comfort elsewhere, it would have been a fruitless endeavor. He knew my heart better than anybody does and thus, I allow Him to tend to it. I am too weary to do anything else.

It is reminding myself of His Word, His promises that provides some comfort, but more than that. God is present with me in a way that is meaningful to me, completing all that I need in this moment. I am very thankful for that.

Now, as I continue on my day, reflecting of the death of our kitten, friends, family, and soldiers unknown...I give thanks to God for being there for me and all others who seek Him out in our time of need.

Thank you Father.

Spiritual Warfare

This morning I am feeling very "je ne sais quoi"...free...lightened...optimistic. I am only a little surprised by this because lately I have been burdened, so burdened, yet last night I engaged in spiritual warfare that has proven effective and successful. Spiritual warfare that I had been disregarding for weeks.

So many times, it can be so easy to brush off spiritual warfare as only for someone else to engage in, like your pastor or that great saint of a lady who God seems to favour ('God is always coming through for her'...); however, the reality is that we are all call to engage in spiritual warfare and we are all equipped to do so. (Book of 1 Timothy Book of 2 Timothy Book of 2 Corinthians Book of Ephesians ...)

Ephesians 6:10-18 (New International Version)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Everyday we are faced with battles, some days we might feel like fighting, some days we are too oppressed to even consider raising words and resolve of victory, but we must, we must persevere. And when we can't find the words, let the Holy Spirit - just allow and let the Holy Spirit. Ask other Christians to pray for you, sometimes it is necessary that we include our brothers and sisters to engage in warfare on our behalf, this is something that we should not be ashamed of, we are called to relationship with God and with others. We look out for one another in sincerity and in Godly affection.

Be encouraged this day knowing He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[j] who[k] have been called according to his purpose.
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
As it is written:"For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."[l]
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[m] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8 (Whole Chapter)

Only God Knows...

Out of the dark and silence, the world begins to stir as it awakens to a new day. What will this day hold? Only God knows...
For I saw before me a dream
Deep within a burning spread through my core
The battle began in my mind
It will come to pass, it won't come to pass
Hearing the truth is lost in the ruckus of sparring
The tornado of denial shouts louder muffling out the wind of hope
And in borderline despair I sit
Weighing the use of my armour
I sit afraid to move lest the tornado carries me away
In this desert people pass by carrying water from their oasis
My jug is near empty
Only a cup of water remains
Will it be enough?
Some say there is an eternity in but one drop
My dream so wonderful it seems...
Perhaps it is nightmare in disguise
Or truly a dream of unimaginable significance
Water, I must have water to quench my thirst
The rushing wind is drying my soul
The dream is armed
Is that armour to hurt or to help?
I cannot look for fear that the burning within is indignation and the warrior within...
The warrior within
She will know what to do
I will sit no longer
This dream will not master me
Dream or nightmare
It will come along side me as friend or foe
I will not go
It will come to me
I will be waiting and ready.

The Unseen War

The Unseen War.

It exists.

It is happening in and around you and to you.

You may not see it or sense it, but you are in a war.

David Kortje writes about this war, how it affects you, and what you can do about it.

Here, read this excerpt:

"I find it interesting that in the midst of a great battle-field such as Gettysburg or Normandy, no one would dream of finding all of the warriors escaping unscathed. Nor would one think him less of a soldier for his scars. Yest somehow, we in Christendom have adopted these strange beliefs about our fight.

I wonder if it is because of threat oft-spoken phrase that if you will just"give your life to Jesus, everything will be OK." Or maybe it is that "Jesus has already won the victory," or that "we are more than conquerors." We have already discussed the strength and intent of our enemy. I am hoping that by now you are coming to a deeper understanding of just what this battlefield that we call the Christian walk is really all about. I trust that you are recognizing the flaming arrows of the evil one being shot at your hearts of faith day and night. I know that you have been hit."

David presents his experiences, the moving of the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God in such a way that, after reading this book, you walk away strengthened, encouraged, and determined to fight the good fight, finish the race, and kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4

Check it out for yourself - The Unseen War - Winning the Fight for Life

Prepare Your Minds...

13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."[a]
17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.
18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers,
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.
21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.[b]
23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
24 For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25 but the word of the Lord stands forever."[c] And this is the word that was preached to you.

1 Peter 1:13 caught my eye this morning. I included the rest of the passage for context, but it was this particular verse that stood out to me as I pondered God's Word. "Prepare your minds for action..." Not your body. Your mind. We know that the battlefield for our salvation is in our mind. It is constantly under attack from the enemy of our soul. If the enemy can control your mind, then the battle becomes easy for him and near non-existent for us, except that God will not let us go. Something draws us closer and nearer to something wonderful, satisfying, liberating...something that we come to realize is God. As we draw nearer to God, the enemy (the devil - Satan) works harder to distract us and delude us from believing the Truth. The distractions and assaults on our mind are sometimes subtle and sometimes not-so-subtle...work, sex, self, legalism, pride...the list goes on...Anything that takes our focus off of God - Jesus Christ - the Holy Spirit, the Truth of our salvation in Him and the assurance of eternal Life with Him.

We believe in the Truth. The enemy of our souls assaults our belief. We must be vigilant - our minds prepared for action to battle against the assault. And to do this, we must read the Word, breathe the Word, live the Word - exercise the Word of God to be ready, and stand firm in the Truth.

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. ~1 Peter 1:13

My Heart is Broken

This beautiful child - who are you? where did you go? will you not see the truth? You are fading away......
Yes, you are human, you are not a monster. You have so much potential - you must want help, you must ask...

Dear little one, you are so precious.

Will you work with us, let us help you?

My heart is broken to see you this way. Your perception is skewed - a refracted sight.

Oh dear one, if you could hear my heart cry...the sound of mournful weeping and wailing would haunt your day.

Hear me, precious child...Oh Dear God, let her hear. Save her from this life-sucking-demon...please...

Beautiful child, my prayers for you will continue - your image haunts my mind.

Don't give up...please keep trying...

Belt of Truth...

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

Ephesians 6:13-15 (in Context) Ephesians 6 (Whole Chapter)

Jesus is Lord Over All!

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

~1 Peter 5:7-9 (in Context) 1 Peter 5 (Whole Chapter)

In the wee hours of this morning, my dreams were many and vivid. I was boldly declaring Jesus as Lord, yet fear gripped my being. The enemy of my soul roared voraciously and avoided looking at me as I declared Jesus as Lord...

The battle intensifies.

I remind myself to commit to being humble before our God. Pride wants a foot in and I can have no part of it. Pride, fear, doubt...I recognize them as tactics to bring me down. And, I know myself enough to know that I am not immune to these and others.

Standing on guard, keeping my focus on Jesus...sometimes, this is easier said than done, but the stakes are great - My best option, my calling, my true desire - Jesus. I know He will never leave me or forsake me, yet I also know how easy it is for me to forsake Him and how hellish it is when I do so.

I am reminded of the lyrics written by Helen Lemmel, "Turn you eyes upon Jesus - Look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His Glory and Grace."

He truly is a wonderful God and though my dreams may disturb me, I will seek out my King and let the shadow of His wing cool the scorching abrasion that was intended to sear my soul with poison.

Psalm 17

And again, I declare: Jesus is Lord over all!

A Taste of Warfare...

shut down. locked out. where do I go from here?
closed off. blacked out. who has the answer?

Just when confusion and chaos, deceit and fear step forward to cross the threshold of my heart, I raise my shoulders...steady my stance with my arms outstretched...lift my face to the heavens and sing praises to my King!

"The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.
Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity.
The seas have lifted up, O LORD, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.
Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea—the LORD on high is mighty.
Your statutes stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days, O LORD."
~Psalm 93

~

"...Dare you come at me - a child of the living God?!
Name yourself! For I am in no mood tonight to be badgered by the likes of you!"

Carefully following the movement of the spectre, the child spoke confidently.

"Though you circle me with growling, I will walk right through you. Be assured."

The royal child gave no opportunity for a response and carried on forward - for the mission would not be compromised for anything or anyone. The spectre slowly drifted aside, its hollow face never turning from the sight of the child.

"Leave me and do not return! I speak by the authority of Jesus, the King!"

With that final command, the spectre instantaneously disappeared and the royal child continued on her way, gratefully acknowledging the protective power the King had bestowed upon her. The same power bestowed upon all His children...The power of His name.

I Persevere...

Well, the hordes of hell were let loose on me today...left, right, and center...I liken it to a plague of locusts infiltrating every space available to swarm around your person and nip at your being - foul creatures! (Just to clarify, I have never been swarmed by locusts, I just imagine it would be like what I wrote...probably worse.) Of course, I immediately engaged in a spiritual battle, but it was like I was speaking forth sparks that only added to the fiery coals that were singeing me. On days like this, I long for a prayer partner. I have not had a prayer partner for about 6 years now and I miss it.

That aside, I persevere.

The interesting thing about this attack is that it is a familiar one.

Have you ever had one of those? You have conquered a mountain and days, weeks, months later (maybe even years later) the enemy of your soul rears his ugly head as if to just remind you of his presence. Perhaps I have let my guard down. Perhaps the Lord is trying to get my attention. Or...perhaps it is both ...or something else.

Right now, if you are still reading, I am letting you into an area of wounding and weakness in my heart.

...I have a fire inside (don't we all???) and this fire cannot be quelled. Now, it would seem that I am appropriately named..."Misti Pearl", a hidden gem, an obscured treasure, a treasure formed by irritation - surrounded by fog...Well, I am in a fog right now - gem or no gem - and I want this fire within to burn its way through the fog so that the gem can be revealed, so to speak. Perhaps I should lose the name "Misti". Anyhow, this attack that weighs on me like a huge wet, wool blanket is smothering the life out of me and I want to be released. Set free. It is a frustrating place of existence to be...like standing on the edge of a desert, looking across a chasm to something, somewhere, and hearing your name called - but you can't get there, you can't return the call, sadly, at this point, you are barely able to stand where you are...

On that somewhat distressing and gloomy note, I will assure you that I haven't given up completely. I persevere. I hold on to my King and gratefully acknowledge that the fringe of His robe covers me. It is enough. I wait. I persevere. God is faithful. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-11

Beautiful Cold

Beautiful cold
numbs the soul
bringing peace
~
White hot refining fire
removing the impure
bringing discomfort
~
Which do I desire?
the cold or the hot?
~
{Where do I stand?}
{What obstacles impose their presence?}
{Where do I desire to be?}
{Who do I desire to serve?}
~
Focus on the light beyond the darkness...
~
Beautiful cold, alluring and sleek
White hot fire, uncontainable and free

Free...
Set me free.

~mp

The Word of God is Alive and Powerful

The Word of God is alive and powerful. I cannot help but think that when we minister to others, we are also ministering to ourselves. Power is released. I would like to suggest that the Lord speaks to our hearts with the same words that we speak forth to others. Which would explain why when you hear one message at a gathering, say at Church on Sunday, that same single message speaks powerfully to many people, yet with each person being impacted differently by it.

The Word of God is alive and powerful. When it is released, power is also released, the spiritual world is active and we see the results of that as the manifestation of transformation in a person or situation. The Word of God goes forth and does not return void. For the person ministering to another has perhaps already gone through and learned lessons from the hardship that another is currently enduring. As they speak encouragement and love and Truth into the hurting person's situation, they are also releasing the Spirit of God in their own lives and their own situation.

Now, I am not a theologist, and someone else could probably explain this phenomenon in a more scholastic manner; however, what I read about the disciples - how they grow in faith, in love, and how they prosper in ways that are not necessarily financial - I see a "strength", a "power" about their 'person' that is reflected by a steadfastness, a steadiness in their walk with God. It is beautiful to read and I have got to think it would have been beautiful to observe first hand. Even today, we see the Holy Spirit working through individuals and how people are transformed into something that is, well...steadfastly beautiful. The Word of God is alive and powerful.

Every opportunity we have to minister to another, releases power to bless the 'minister' and the 'receiver'...this is why community is so important. It is also why the enemy of our souls would try to isolate each of us in our own world of misery. The enemy of our souls knows that the Word of God is alive and powerful and he doesn't want us anywhere near the Word...to read it, to hear it, let alone to speak it, so he attempts to isolate us. We fall into the trap of lies that "no one cares about me" or "no one would understand" or "I don't need anyone". Satan knows that by discussing the Word, incorporating the Word into our everyday situations, learning how to apply the Word in our everyday lives, we release power. Life power. Power for good...power for transformation. The Word of God is alive and powerful.

We are encouraged to "make disciples of all nations", to "preach the Word, in season and out of season", to "speak Your Word with great boldness"...The Word of God is alive and powerful. Incorporate the Word of God into your conversations throughout the day and you will see God's power manifest Itself in the people to talk with and in yourself. The Word of God goes forth and does not come back void....The Word of God is alive and powerful!

A 'Revelationary' Moment

Well, I'll be...Did you ever have one of those 'revelationary' moments that strike you not only between the eyes, but straight to the core of your heart?? I just did. Oi! I have been sitting here for months (and months) trying to figure something out and then out of the blue, rather out of a rather painful moment of submission to God, it revealed itself.

If you are wondering what "it" is, I cannot - will not say, except that I had gone over every angle of my understanding, even stretching into the realm of absurd to bring sense to things. Though this 'revelationary' moment does not bring me complete understanding, it does, once again, reinforce to me, the absolute truth of the scripture that states, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55

How often do we look at a situation with our limited capacity to understand and presume to have it all figured out? We even go to esteemed others in our lives asking their opinion/interpretation of the matter and they spit out the same things you also have concluded...I mean, it makes sense right?! Others have done it this way and why would I be an exception, right? ...And then the Lord goes and opens our eyes such that we can see a bit clearer, a little further - and WHAM - revelation!

However, with this new insight also comes a new level of trust. There is assurance that God is indeed at work and that He still has your best interest at hand; there is also a renewed realization that He is bringing you closer and deeper into His heart - and that thought is exciting and terrifying all in the same breath! This means that I must steadfastly commit to Him, His Purpose for me, His Will for my life without compromise....This means self-discipline. (And in my mind, I am muttering to myself that 'procrastination' is now one of my enemies in the front lines of my battle, among others...) I need to trust Him wholeheartedly.

Am I up for the challenge? Am I battle ready?

Its time to consult with my King...the battle continues, my walk with God takes on a new stride, and my love for Him grows deeper and deeper...He really cares about me and He does have His Best intended for me...

Thank you Abba.

Revelation 13:1-10

Revelation 13:1-10 (The Message)

1-2 And the Dragon stood on the shore of the sea. I saw a Beast rising from the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads—on each horn a crown, and each head inscribed with a blasphemous name. The Beast I saw looked like a leopard with bear paws and a lion's mouth. The Dragon turned over its power to it, its throne and great authority.

3-4 One of the Beast's heads looked as if it had been struck a deathblow, and then healed. The whole earth was agog, gaping at the Beast. They worshiped the Dragon who gave the Beast authority, and they worshiped the Beast, exclaiming, "There's never been anything like the Beast! No one would dare go to war with the Beast!"

5-8 The Beast had a loud mouth, boastful and blasphemous. It could do anything it wanted for forty-two months. It yelled blasphemies against God, blasphemed his Name, blasphemed his Church, especially those already dwelling with God in Heaven. It was permitted to make war on God's holy people and conquer them. It held absolute sway over all tribes and peoples, tongues and races. Everyone on earth whose name was not written from the world's foundation in the slaughtered Lamb's Book of Life will worship the Beast.

9-10 Are you listening to this? They've made their bed; now they must lie in it. Anyone marked for prison goes straight to prison; anyone pulling a sword goes down by the sword. Meanwhile, God's holy people passionately and faithfully stand their ground.