face down with walls down.

this.
because when He speaks,, it's to edify, exhort and comfort.
and we all know that sometimes that comes in the form of a word of discipline.
the perfect Father,, who corrects and disciplines out of one hundred percent pure love and tenderness. He is firm and unshakeable, and His holiness ought to cause us to tremble,
but even when He cuts to the heart, the love and comfort of Holy Spirit just draws us even closer into the arms of the Father.

so if this is for you. (like it is for me)
be encouraged.
He disciplines those whom He loves.

The need and tendency to always be strong,
is actually a weakness.

It's not what He intends for us,
and He desires to break this spirit of pride off of His Bride.

the reality of the Gospel begins and ends with utter and complete, on your face, humility.weakness. need.
both on this side of eternity when we see what we are and what we need and the hope of what He intends us to be.. and with the tax collector we cry out "God, have mercy on me, a sinner!"
and on the other side when we're bowed low,
with the only the utterance "Jesus is Lord" escaping our lips, as the echoes of Holy Holy Holy surround us on every side.
this.
this is where we find victory and strength and power.
this is where we find community, both serving and being able to served.
this is where we find identity, as completely righteous sons and daughters.
this is how we enter the Kingdom of God, and this is how we bring the Kingdom of God to earth,
[as little children],
because that's who He says it belongs to.
and this is where we find freedom.

and for some this may be easy..
to bow down low before your Maker.
recognize your need.
but when it comes to taking down those walls with the flesh and blood body of Christ that sits next to us, it's a whole different story. 

because if you're like me,
you want to focus only on the areas of growth.
the areas where you excel.
the ways you've been completely transformed.
and would rather just avoid the places of current toil and struggle and battle.
but it's in this place of humility,
bringing our weakness to the table,  not only our strengths,
that we're going to find true unity.
because we'll finally see each member and each gifting as truly necessary,
on a corporate and individual level.
i'll see that i need you, and you'll see that you need me to fully advance the Kingdom,
both in our own lives and the lives of those around us.

so allow Him to break off the pride.
and break down the walls.

so He can be strong and seen and glorified
through our weakness and our need.



[just to clarify.. please don't hear what i'm not saying.. this is not a call to a false humility Christianity, with the "woe is me, i'm just a sinner and will always be a sinner mentality".. it's actually the opposite. if you've been redeemed, you're just that. completely new, set free and totally righteous in His sight, with all the grace you need to obey His commands and fulfill the destiny He has for you. and that's exactly what you need and what causes you to overcome-- His grace!

and obviously, when it comes to sharing specific areas of weakness.. use discernment.pray about what to share, when to share and with whom to share. ]

begin.

There's a pressing on my heart to share what I feel like He's speaking to me, and desiring to speak to someone else, today.


"you have to start some where.
beloved, do not be discouraged or deterred because you have not yet attained that which is on your heart, that which you aspire to.

>>your goal, your vision, your hope
should not be a source of condemnation<<.
[that's what the enemy tries to twist it into].

rather, let it be your driving force in keeping your eyes on Him as you begin. and as you continue.

it's foolish to not begin because you think you should be or you desire to be further down the road.

you have to start some where.

one foot in front of the other.


there is no stagnation in Christianity.
the soul is always in motion.
and the enemy is constantly stealing.

if we're not taking ground,
we're losing it.
if we're not moving forward,
we're moving backwards.
so now is the time, beloved.
He is glorified in your weakness.
and He is propelled by your hunger.
"do not despise these small beginnings" [zechariah 4:10],
for the Lord is so pleased. "

fan the flame. do not grow dim.

Sunday.
The end of the week.  A week that I’m almost having trouble wrapping my head and heart around.
and I feel like I can finally pause. And take a breath.
try to process. Try to decompress.
to rest.
and just shut out the news.
and quiet the chaos that surrounds and increases.
to just take a moment.
a moment of somber silence.
for the blood of the 21 poured out on that beach,,
because they refused to renounce the One whose blood was poured out for them first.
and I can’t help but tremble within as I read of their heartfelt songs of worship that left their lips as they loved not their lives unto death. And it’s in the bleakness of their death that we see what it truly means to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.
and their testimony speaks a thousand words, a ripple across the nations. 
the call of Isaiah 60.

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.
And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.
Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you.

it’s time to arise.
to shine in these days.
when the beheading of the 21 is called a “message signed with blood to the nation of the Cross”.
when one of American’s so-called most popular and influential pastors calls the very Word of God irrelevant.
when darkness and confusion seems to overwhelm the Light and Truth.
this is when we need to shine, Church.

and yet,
so many lamps are flickering.
so many lights growing dim.
barely there.

and it’s as I read the words of those very “letters from 2000 years ago” that are being claimed as “irrelevant”,
that I’m reminded that He already said that all of this would happen.
the very days we’re living in.
the very week we just had.
is all laid out in Matthew 24.

[[“As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. But he responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”

Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?^”

Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.

“Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.
 >>But the one who endures to the end will be saved<<. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.”]]

and so I’m comforted.
and I’m exhorted.

[to not let my love, or the love of any in my reach, to grow cold.
to not let my light, or the light of any around me, to grow dim.
but to burn.
to burn with such passionate, radiant heat
that it melts the icy hearts around me.]

because we’re called to shine.
and the hour is quickly coming when our lamps must be trimmed and ready. Full of oil.

and I hear the Bridegroom calling out,

[Stir up your affection.
stir up your passion.
now is not the time to grow dim.
now is not the time to wax cold.
stir it up.
and the wind of my Spirit will blow.
and fan the flame within you.

because you have all of My affection.
and I am deeply passionate about you.

My eye has never left you.
My gaze is set.

Even if your light is just a flicker,
My love has never changed.
there is no condemnation.
there is no shame.
My anger is far from you.

for a bruised reed I will not break,
and a faintly burning wick I will not quench.]


so arise, Church.
and shine.

because when the enemy thinks he’s snuffed out 21 torches,,
he’s really just fanned the flame of the Church,
and set a match to the nations.





 

writings of these pilgrim days. [prepare].

the nations rage.
the people plot in vain.
the kings and rulers of this world set themselves against the Lord and His Anointed [[Jesus]].
Seeking to remove Him from their midst completely.

[Psalm 2]'s perfect description of the crisis of our day.


and so,
these words.
given to me on December 13th.
i don't say them lightly. they have intense weight in my heart and in this season.
and so i share out of obedience. out of burning love. out of a hunger for righteousness and a desire for His glory-- in my life and in yours.


Beloved,,
[[it's time to prepare]].
purging.
priorities.
pursuit.

what are you going after?
what are you running towards?

I AM beckoning you.
come close.
draw near.

[[there is a shaking coming]].

be awake. be firm.

a rumbling from the mountains.

>>know where your strength lies<<




and so,
i ask you to do what He's asked me to do..
>>prayerfully seek how He would have you prepare for the season that's ahead and the days that we're walking into<<.
the cry of His heart in this hour is to [draw near]. we NEED to know His voice in this hour like never before.


We were made for such a time as this.
let us walk in destiny.
and as the writer of Hebrews encourages us,
[[let us be grateful for receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken,
and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.]]
For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.

of slowing and thanking,, because busyness breaks.

here is the link to my newest post. :)

of burden bearing and casting cares.

a little encouragement for your thursday morning.

So, how does the Spirit work in us in the midst of our hard times?
[His power is released only as we receive Him as our burden bearer].

The Holy Spirit is abiding in us, waiting to take control of every situation in our lives. If we continue in fear[anxiety, stress, discouragement], we have not received Him as our Comforter, Helper, Guide, Rescuer and Strength. Our witness to the lost world is, first, to cast our every burden on the Holy Spirit.

Have you done this?

                



             -David Wilkerson "God is Faithful".

capacity

[ca·pac·i·ty]-

-the maximum amount that something can contain.

-the ability or power to do, experience, or understand something.

we all have one.

our own natural and finite limitations.

that certain "storehouse" with a little bit of overflow room that slowly but surely, or seemingly quickly reaches its max.

and these bones they just grow weary.

and the physical lists and lists in my mind are filling up way too much space.

and it feels like i'm just running out.

of strength.
and space.
and patience.

and a way to get it all done,

but more importantly,
a way get it all done right, and beautifully, and whole-hardheartedly.

and there's a place for prioritizing.

and budgeting our time and obligations.

but sometimes with the season comes the demand that just cannot be altered,

and the supply just doesn't seem to cut it.

and just like the hard drive that I'm writing this on,

my personal hard drive is. just. full.

and it feels just nearly impossible some days.

especially when all i look at is my lack.

lack of time,

and space,

and energy.

and sleep.

and moments to just sit back and breathe a little bit.

and of course.

He whispers loud to the soul.

and it's not just the words, but the way that He says them.

[[your capacity in Me is far greater than you realize]].

and the realization comes.

i'm no longer marked, stunted, held back by and defined by

my own natural ability and power.

because the truth is,

"in [Jesus] the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and [i] have been filled in Him, who is the head of all rule and authority' (colossians 2:9-10).

and when i realize and remember that i contain the One who cannot be contained, inside of me,

His infinite, limitless capacity becomes my own,

and i tap into something completely outside myself.

and suddenly i'm living 2 Corinthians 12:8-10. seeing the fleshing out of the word because the Word become flesh now takes up residence in me.

And what better hope do we have?

than the reality that His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

and it crushes the lie that He sees my weakness as failure.

when really He says,

here. in this place of desperation. inability.
this is where your victory lies.

because this is where the proud are humbled and humble are exalted.
and He takes His rightful place in our hearts, and minds and souls.


and so i come back to the place of living this REST.
with the Lord of the Sabbath living in me.

with His burden and His yoke upon me, amazed at how light and easy it really is.


because knowing the reality of His presence and Spirit within me,
and owning it are two totally different things.

and i breathe deep.
for what feels like the first time since who knows when.

walking in the Spirit.

[be encouraged].

"don't focus on getting direction now-- that's all settled. There is something more important at hand. you must get to know God's heart, eternal purposes.

if you really want My anointing--you need to seek more than direction from Me. you need to come into My presence and get to know My heart, My desires. you see, I want to anoint you--to use you in My Kingdom".

beloved, forget direction-- in fact, forget everything else for now. Allow the Holy Spirit to teach you the deep hidden things of God. Stand still in His presence, and let Him show you the very heart of the Lord. That is the walk of the Spirit in the highest form.

                                                                  from God is Faithful by david wilkerson

my Banner.

amidst the trials.
the strain.
the weariness.
the sifting.
amidst the unknowns.
the waiting.
the silence.
amidst the longings.
the unfulfilled words and dreams.
the "not yets".
and the "soons".
amidst the perseverance.
the patience.
the pressing on.
and pressing in.

there is a banner hung high.
and it covers me.

because the Upholder of my life,
His name is Jehovah Nissi--  [the Lord is my Banner].


and i soak in Exodus 17.
because when all looked like fail.
like loss.
like impossible.
God shattered the doubt, the fear, the dismay.
He promised.
He--- [[promised]].
He promised >>this will not end in defeat<<.and Moses believed.
and God came through.
and the people prevailed.
"And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi"

and i hoist it up high.
never to be lowered. 
because when the Lord is your banner.
victory is always certain.

and right here.
amidst it all.
before full breakthrough is seen.
like Moses,
I build an altar.
an altar of praise.
with my banner lifted high and myself pressed low.
"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name" Hewbrews 13:15.

and isn't that just it?
this place where praise actually means sacrifice.
with the weight of it all causing us to bend.
and break.
because that covering, that shell, that self-protecting amniotic sac,
it has to break
for something to be birthed.
for newness to come forth.
for Him to do a new thing.


and so,
as you're bending and breaking.
brought low.
let your praise lift your Banner high.
and "may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope" (Romans 15:13).
because our victory is certain.
and He's ushering a new thing forth.
taking our weak, broken, empty places
and birthing life through them.
beautiful, new, abundant life.

word of encouragement[fear not, little flock].

the word He's laid on my heart tonight,
to share.
to encourage.
to strengthen.

[[ I am El Roi-- the God who sees.
nothing is hidden from My sight.

I see you.

now consider the ravens.

they neither sow nor reap,
they have neither storehouse nor barn,

and yet I feed them.

>> of how much more value are you than the birds!<<

do not be anxious.
do not turn to fleshly wisdom.
do not give over to the spirit of doubt.

I am Your Father.
and I know what you have need of.

do not fear.
let My perfect love cast it out.

walk in faith.
because it's there that your hope becomes expectation.
and you will have eyes to spiritually see
that which hasn't come to fruition yet,
and authority to speak of things that aren't
as if they are.

seek first My Kingdom,
which is not a matter of eating and drinking,
but of righteousness
and peace
and joy
in the Holy Spirit.

keep your eyes on ME.
because I am El Roi-- the God who sees.]].