Mary Lindow ~ The Messenger Podcast

RE-EVALUATE OUR MERCY

Episodes

Friday Feb 09, 2024


By Mary Lindow
This  podcast is going to be directed towards the question that many people are asking, (and of course a lot of times believers don’t “ask the question” because they fear that they are going to be judged for asking such a question!) 
But if we don’t ask, we don’t get answers, and so today’s podcast is addressing “What is the Holy Spirit doing during this season”.
 
I have spent time praying and seeking the Lord well for a good month now  and it’s been an interesting time since the last time we were together, and of course, the assignments God puts or put us into, IN different season of life, they never come without challenges and also without redemptive opportunities! And so, that’s what I’m going to be addressing! 
 
I’ve heard from the Spirit of God about what I’m to share. 
I am cautious about giving a word for a specific year because it begins to be kind of a measuring stick for some people to then either compete with or, that’s all they go by. “What the Lord said for 2024, 2023”, whatever, and they don’t listen for themselves, because sometimes it’s not about the year, it’s about the season, and a season can be more than one year! It can be more than a week, it can be a month or two!
 
Wherever we are in the Presence of God in our lives, walking with Jesus, we are in a season, and that season that we’re in right now is a very different time.  That’s where we’re heading today and I encourage you to share this word with those who are crying out to God for answers.
 
The things that are coming up in this next time and in life for all of us, 
They’re going to be challenging! 
 
In order to have the times of refreshing we are crying out for and, 
Are desperate for as believers,
We must learn to rule and reign with grace.
 
Refreshing rains will not fall, and cannot fall in full glory, when we refuse to lay down judgments, manipulations, and self invented “spiritual rules” that do not run parallel with the King of grace who is the ULTIMATE Mercy bringer in this present season. The conviction of God will be strong to cleanse the heart of falsity, the  fear of man and the passivity of half repentance for works of the flesh. 
 
We can get all the people that we know around the globe to pray for us and to pray over us, but we cannot force out the devil and the darkness of our own unforgiveness and intentional blame-shifting. 
 
We give the enemy consistent access to our churches and our lives as long as we “lord it over others”, hiding our own sin, pretending that God does not see.
 
To operate or flow in Mercy means to perform out of a desire to relieve suffering, and is motivated by compassion. The action of forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within   one's power to punish or harm. Mercy shown, prevents something unpleasant or provides relief from suffering.
 
IN THIS SEASON, 
THE SPIRIT OF GOD DESIRES EVERY BELIEVER 
TO DO THEMSELVES AN ETERNAL FAVOR. 
 
TELL THE TRUTH.
 
God will protect you more for doing this than any self-invented cover-up ever could. And, you just might regain relationships with those you have used as stepping-stones to your own deviant self-empowerment.
 
THE HEAVENLY KING OF GLORY  
IS ALWAYS AND FOREVER CREATING NEWNESS OF LIFE!
 
If we are indeed man or a woman of prayer, the test will come of that deep prayer life when your enemies surround you, accuse you, and often attempt to execute and silence you. 
 
Some will manifest in this next year as false friends who use and abuse your friendships and contacts, in order to gain access to notoriety and power over all of the things you are supposed be preparing for yourself. 
 
They will exhaust and weaken you until you once and for all put upon the altar of surrender, any need for someone else to carry you or promote you.  
 
A man or a woman of prayer in these days, right now, will learn to sweep out iniquity, falseness, slander, and “hierarchical pecking orders” through goodness and humility.
 
This is a time to trust, to depend upon, to lean upon, the goodness of the Lord. 
This is a time to trust in His sovereignty more than ever before.
It is His right to define what grace is. 
It is not man’s right. 
 
Prophetic Exhortation 
“And so says the Lord, the Spirit of Grace,
the Voice of Wisdom, and the only Almighty One. 
As you cry out for times of refreshing, for a change in the hearts of men, for a move of my Spirit across the lands of Earth, my command to you is that you begin to create an atmosphere where I may speak My plans, according to My Word and according to My prerogatives.
 
I will lead you and guide you with enough light each day, as you come to that narrow place with me. 
 
I will strengthen your weakened emotions and spiritual discernment as you dialogue in honesty with me. 
 
Some of you must quickly repent of foolish choices and foolish actions that have caused many to be shattered and shamed because you spoke out of a title or calling, rather than out of following my voice.
 
Begin to dig wells in prayer. 
Become entrenched and immersed in it, never ceasing. 
Prepare places where my rain may fall and cause a fresh drinking place for those yet to taste of my goodness, as well as for those who are thirsty within my Body.
 
Begin to dig wells in prayer in dry places, with humility and goodness. 
Lean upon me, trust in me, do not lean upon your own understanding, for you have well seen that having done this in the past you have missed many opportunities to prepare a way of salvation for others.
“I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction.” (Isaiah 48:10)
 
So comfort yourself, weary and tried believer with this thought. Does not the word come like a soft shower, quieting the fury of the flame? Is it not a fireproof armor against the heat, which will then have no power? 
 
Whatever happens to you in this valley of weeping, know that I have chosen it for you.
If you still require an even greater comfort, remember that you have the Son of man with you in the valley, in that “secret place” with you.  There He sits by your side, One whom you have not seen but whom you love and whether you know it or not, this is the true friend who sticks closely by you.
I will never leave one whom I have chosen as my own.
 
Great grace. Great mercy. Great promise. 
All these are yours, extended from my hand, and for you to extend, from your hand. 
 
NOW IS THE SEASON…
…To live out the heart and life of the servant as I lead you with the little light that you have at this time. It is all you need as long as it comes from me. 
It is a time to learn to march forward, to dig wells, to prepare, so that others may also drink freely with no restraints.
When I come and speak to you and move among you, I express everything that is pure and lovely and has a good report and sin and uncleanliness depart.
Peace also rains when I move with humble power. Gentleness will be the result of my transforming power. 
Harmlessness will follow, for hearts that are touched by me are never exhibiting any feelings of superiority, self-assertiveness, or showiness.
My grace is sufficient for you, and you will find it if you will seek it, and above all if you will express it!
“Be strong in the grace that is in me.” (2 Timothy 2:1)
As a reservoir empties itself into pipes, so have I emptied out my grace for my people in this Next Wave of My Heart. 
From my fullness you have received “Grace for Grace”. Grace is always available from me, without price.
“Keep yourselves then, from overconfident, arrogant sins.” (Psalm 19:13) 
You will certainly stumble if you look away from the One who is able to keep you from falling. 
 
Be very cautious about pushing yourself into the forefront of public gatherings and among the more visible. If you are to be used in higher visibility, let it be Me who promotes you there. 
Some who drive themselves to the forefront will also have greater scrutiny and unfortunate exposure of hidden agendas and unholy transactions in this season, and sadly will be brought low again because of their self presumption of importance. 
 
If your love is fervent, your faith constant, and your hope bright, continue 
nonetheless to be on your guard and cry out, “Keep us from temptation!”
 
The seasons revolve according to my Divine appointment and man cannot change their schedule. 
In the spiritual as in the natural realm, man’s power is limited.
I alone can remove the winter of spiritual death from an individual or from a church.
Let me hear you say, “Not my will, but as you will oh Lord!” 
As you yield to me my people, I will yield in return and bring the sweetness of my Holy Presence into your very homes, your gatherings, whether modest or larger numbers are attending. 
I look for honest, wisdom-filled, and humble people to move among and to move through.  
 
Let it be, as I desire! 
As I will!  
Allow me to determine what is the best for you. 
Be content to leave your prayer and your petitions in my hands.
I know when to give, how to give, what to give, and what to withhold.
 
As you visit me in the secret place of repentance and brokenness, as the path becomes narrower, seeking me earnestly and often times pleading with humility and resignation, you shall surely prevail!
I am the light on your pathway. And, I AM all you need.” 
 
This Was A Strong Word From The Lord! 
I encourage you to listen to it and read it and meditate over it, several times, allowing the Holy Spirit to do a deeper work in your heart. 
When the Spirit of God speaks to us about a Season that we are in, or about things that are to come, we need to cleanse our hearts from being impatient, and allow Him to do that work that gets down deep inside and pushes out anything that we are running from, or, He begins to deal with the things that we have been asking questions about, and now he’s bringing the answers. 
I bless you today and encourage you to dedicate yourselves to rich and set apart time in prayer and fellowship with the King of heaven. 
I encourage you to dig wells in prayer. 
It’s not glamorous! 
But, I can tell you this we’ve been having prayer gatherings every Thursday evening now for well over two years now, actually, three now, and I can tell you that there have been nights where it seems like two hours went by and it felt like 15 minutes.
The presence of the Holy Spirit is so sweet and thick, and you know the scripture talks about “the weight of his glory” (2 Corinthians 16-18) there is a presence of weight, a thickness of the presence of God, a rich atmosphere.  
We have seen the impossible take place in prayer!  We have seen lives changed,  we have seen court cases reversed, we have seen sick bodies be recovered and restored and miracles take place in families. 
We are grateful to the Lord that when we come together in his name, he is there with us, and that scripture that says whenever two or more gather in  my name there I am in the midst of them, (Matthew 18:20), that can correspond with the scripture verse that talks about a threefold cord is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12), and that’s like three strands of a braid. 
 
When we are braided together, that’s a strong bond with the Lord and He is like a cord that’s bound to us whenever we gather and it’s not easily broken and cannot be broken by any other force,
We live in the presence of a Sovereign, Mighty Force, 
and that is the Savior, Jesus Christ. 
 
 
Duplication and sharing of this message is welcomed, provided that the complete message or article and website and podcast link information for Mary Lindow is included. 
 
Thank You!
Copyright © 2024 " THE MESSENGER "~ Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
www.marylindow.podbean.com
 
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Saturday Mar 23, 2019


By Mary Lindow
 
"He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To do justly, to love kindness and mercy,
To humble yourself and walk humbly with your God."
-Micah 6:8
 
ALTHOUGH I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A FRESH EXPRESSION OF THE HEART OF THE FATHER STIRRING IN THE EARTH, I also see that there is a lot of "bashing" regularly occurring due to the abuse that others have exhibited in their places of calling, aimed at those who have been true to what the Lord has asked them to do in His name, and this has caused not just a little sorrow.
WE MUST CLEARLY SEE THAT CORRUPTION CAN RAPIDLY OCCUR IN ANY PERSON OR ANY GROUP, ORGANIZED, RELAXED, OR OTHERWISE, when the tendency to think that they have arrived at a new or deeper revelation about something more so than others who perhaps express the Lord's voice differently.
ARROGANCE IS THE ASSUMPTION THAT I, INDIVIDUALLY,
OR SOME GROUP THAT I AM A PART OF, COLLECTIVELY,
IS SOMEHOW SUPERIOR TO SOMEONE ELSE OR
SOME OTHER GROUP OF PEOPLE.
 
AT THE HEART OF ARROGANCE IS SELF-CENTEREDNESS. And self-centeredness is the foundation of human sin. I believe any serious attempt at self-examination by an honest person will reveal that we humans are sinful and flawed beyond measure.
 
MARK TWAIN ONCE SAID, “MAN IS THE ONLY ANIMAL THAT BLUSHES—
OR [FOR THAT MATTER] NEEDS TO.”
 
Paul writes,
“So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand…Wretched man that I am! Who will save me from this body of death?”
WE ARE CONSUMED BY SELF. And every time we arrogantly place our own needs before others we are enslaved by sin.
WHAT SHOULD WE DO? HOW SHOULD WE LIVE INSTEAD OF IN THAT ARROGANT MODE? WHAT IS THE ANTIDOTE?
How about the words of Jesus? What did he say?
"Everyone who exalts himself (for example, "Aren't I great? Aren't I right? Don't I always have the best opinion?") will be humbled.
But he who humbles himself (for example, "This is my opinion but it may not be right. I don't have a corner on the market of truth") will be exalted."
 
THE LORD IS NOT SPEEDING UP THE DELIVERY OF ANY "FRESH THING" IN THE EARTH IN ORDER TO GET US TO HIS PURPOSES QUICKLY. No. He is testing the hearts of men and women everywhere, looking for humility, selflessness, and honor, for those who although not perfect, have also served and pointed the way to salvation for many years previously.
THE LORD IS NOT GOING TO HONOR THE INDIVIDUAL WHO SHOUTS THAT "CHANGE IS NEEDED" OR THAT "CHANGE IS COMING" AND THEN SLASHES AND BURNS ANYTHING THAT DOESN'T EMBRACE THEIR VERSION OF IT.
 
THE LORD IS INTERESTED IN THE SOUND OF HUMILITY,
THE HAND OF MERCY,
AND...
...THE VOICE OF GRACE.
These key character issues attract the pure and simple Presence of the Lord. Blessed are the PURE in heart...for they shall see God.
Until the Body of Christ that has been through many difficult and shattering events, rids itself of bitter and venomous words against one another and accepts that each one like sheep have gone astray and turned to what pleased them at the moment, there will be little evidence of much harvest .
THE LOST AND CONFUSED WORLD OUT THERE WATCHES CHRISTIANS TEAR EACH OTHER TO SHREDS DAILY AND WONDERS WHY WE ARE ASKING THEM TO JOIN US! Remember Christ’s two great commandments—love God with all your being, and love your neighbor as yourself.
SELF-CENTEREDNESS IS THE REVERSAL OF THE GREAT COMMANDMENT. Self-centeredness means to place ourselves first, in effect proclaiming our own form of self-government (not needing or wanting the advice or insight of others), therefore our neighbors become an afterthought, and God becomes simply a convenience to be considered only when it’s helpful to us.
It is evident even in our language that self-centeredness is woven into the fabric of the human experience.
 
THE ONE TRUE SACRIFICIAL MODEL TOLD US THAT HE WOULD SEND THE VERY SPIRIT OF GOD IN ORDER TO CONVICT ALL PEOPLE OF SIN, TO COMFORT, TO GUIDE, AND TO SET THEM FREE. Indeed. The very evidence of a redemptive type of life, is in one who washes the feet of his/her brothers and his/her enemies in an act of cleansing the dirt from the road of life off of the pathway to the Truth.
May we truly hear the sound of the unmistakable heartbeat of a redemptive model rising up in clear resounding purity, personal transparency, and in the covering of the multitude of sins by speaking and meditating only on those things that are noble, just, pure, and of a good report.
AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS NATIONS, THE ANTIDOTE TO ARROGANCE AND SELF-CENTEREDNESS IS A HEAVY DOSE OF HUMILITY. That is; a profound willingness to recognize the value and respect the dignity of every human life. And, furthermore, a humble heart calls us to seek and serve Christ in ALL persons by giving of ourselves willingly for the welfare of other people.
THE LORD SAYS,
"Do not let a wise man brag about how wise he is. Do not let a strong man boast about how strong he is. Do not let  a rich person brag about how rich he is.
But here is what the one who brags should boast about. He should brag that he has understanding and knows me. I want him to know that I am the Lord.
No matter what I do on earth, I am always kind, fair and right. And I take delight in that".  -JEREMIAH 9:23-24 (NIV) 
 
Duplication and sharing of this message is welcomed provided
that complete article, podcast link and website information
for Mary Lindow is included.
www.marylindow.com
www.globalprayerrooms.com
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Sunday May 28, 2017


 
Then he  (Jesus) added,
"Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture:
'I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.'
For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous,
But those who know they are sinners."
Matthew 9:13
 
It has been said that after the French Revolution, a certain convict that was released on parole traveled the countryside in search of a new beginning. Being an ex-con, as you would expect, led to complications in this search, and he wound up at the gates of a clergyman who agreed to host him for the night.
The convict, as is well known, takes advantage of the bishop’s generosity: getting up early before dawn, he takes off with the bishop’s silver; his escape however is hindered by the local Police Inspector, who after seemingly catching him presents the presumed thief to the bishop for identification. The bishop, without missing a beat, covers for his sneaky guest and speaks such words of kindness over the convict’s past present and future, through releasing him even though caught red handed and deserving of further punishment.
His words? They were profound and dripped of Mercy.
 
"My friend, you forgot to take the candlesticks as well."
 
For those of you who are perhaps not familiar with the story about the convict/man and the priest I just spoke of, I am referring to Victor Hugo’s book “ Les Miserables.”
I think Victor Hugo shows something of the challenge of today’s Message of the Gospel that Jesus would want us each to hear and to act upon.
"Be merciful, as your Father is merciful." -Luke 6:36
 
NOBODY LIKES A BULLY OR TO BE TALKED DOWN TO.
Maybe it is easy for us to be merciful when we have the upper hand.  If someone comes begging for forgiveness, it becomes a show–of generosity of spirit, but a show nonetheless–that we are in some way better than that person. Picture elegant royals, who, moments before the execution of a criminal would decree their royal pardon, leaving a lasting impression of compassion upon those pleading for another chance.
 
THIS IS NOT THE WAY GODLY MERCY WORKS.
Oh how merciful is our Father! It’s not that our faults are not important to an immeasurable God. We have without a doubt deeply wounded the ties that bind us to him.
Yet he still holds out his hand, bloodied and deformed holes in them, created by the nails put in, even to his enemies.
 
TODAY JESUS INVITES US TO RE-EVALUATE OUR MERCY:
How deeply do I forgive those who offend me?
Do I pray for them, or allow my forgiveness to become a show of winning the upper hand?  (Another way of showing false humility.)
The forgiving priest not only forgave Jean Valjean’s theft, he created an excuse for him, and even gave away the last of his own treasure, in the hopes that Valjean would be able to start a new life, knowing that he was shown the purest of love and authentic mercy.
 
MERCY MEANS…
Empathy, pity, sympathy, understanding; favor, grace; benevolence, care, compassion, gentleness, goodness, goodwill, humaneness, kindliness, meekness, mildness, niceness, softness, tenderness; generosity, affection, devotion, love, worship
 
IT ALSO MEANS…
…Letting go of harshness, accusation, presuming you know better what others need in order for them to better serve God. When we act out like this, we become much like Javert the Police Inspector hounding and lording it over Jean Valjean, bent on making sure all deeds that do not measure up to our way of justice are fully dealt with.
He felt sure that God wanted him to be the individual who would measure out justice and harsh terms of punishment in order to break John Valejan, thus having him pay the price of his wickedness and perchance if once finally shattered and broken, he may perhaps have God look his way .
 
"DON'T GET MAD -- GET EVEN?”
This seems to be the usual way people view the world nowadays. We should be thankful that God takes a different view of things. Although the Bible makes it clear that God is the Great Judge who hates all evil doing, he is also the Merciful One, who forgives and accepts people who turn to him.
Occasionally God chooses not to grant us mercy; for the purpose of judgment, rebuke, discipline, or testing. Fortunately, for most of us, this is the exception, not the rule.  For the time being, God has shown incredible patience and mercy by withholding most of the effects of our sins.
I will have mercy, on whom I will have mercy,
And I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."
Rom 9:15
 
 
GOD IS NOT ALWAYS SCOLDING US!
"He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger forever."
Psalm 103:9
Could God find reasons to scold His children all the time? Indeed, He could! None of us are perfect. We could all do better.
However, as justified as scolding us would be, God realizes that we would easily be discouraged if all we ever heard was scolding.
When He scolds us He is correcting us so that we confess our sins and do better.
"The Lord All-Powerful says, “They belong to me; on that day they will be my very own.
As a parent shows mercy to his child who serves him, I will show mercy to my people."
Malachi 3:17
 
ASK GOD FOR THE HELP YOU NEED TO OVERCOME SIN.
Face the reality that much of the suffering in our fallen world is caused by human sin.   But count on the fact that God is merciful toward all sinners. Whenever you recognize a situation in which some of your own sin has contributed to your suffering, pray for help, and God will give you the strength you need to overcome sin. Stop holding onto any sinful secrets that have been causing guilt, shame and bitterness in your soul. Confess your sins specifically, repent of them, accept the forgiveness that God offers you, and embrace the power that God gives you to move forward into a better life.
 
LISTEN FOR GOD SPEAKING IN THE SILENCE.
When your suffering becomes so painful that you can’t make any sense of it or figure out how to endure it, you may feel as if you’re trapped in silence, since nothing that other people say or do to try to help actually breaks through to you. But when you’re at the point where you don’t hear anything else, you can actually hear God best, since you’re less likely to get distracted by the world’s noise around you. In the silence, pour out your thoughts and feelings to God in prayer, and then listen to what He has to say to you. God won’t shout, but He will whisper, to encourage you to keep drawing closer to Him.
 
SUFFERING IS ALL AROUND YOU IN THIS FALLEN WORLD.
Sometimes it’s so tragic that it’s heartbreaking. Yet, God promises that He is loving and merciful. How can you reconcile these two realities that seem like they compete against each other?
The key is to look for God’s mercy, even when it seems like it can’t exist with the suffering you encounter. God’s mercy is a stronger force than even the worst suffering, and when you look for it, you’ll find it.
The spirit, which he sent to live in us, wants us for him alone.
James 4:5
 
WE ARE GOD’S OWN.
LET US NOT BE AFRAID TO BE LIKE OUR FATHER.
 
Let our hearts be conduits of God’s mercy, knowing that we ourselves have been forgiven so very much.
Let us communicate our thanks to Him by being overflowing vessels of kind and tender expression, showing God’s mercy to all.
 
The Lord is kind and shows mercy.
He does not become angry quickly
But is full of love.
Psalm 145:8
 
*****************************************
Duplication and re-transmission of this writing is welcomed provided
that complete source, and website information for Mary Lindow is included.
Thank You
Copyright © 2017 " THE MESSENGER " ~ Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
www.globalprayerrooms.com

Wednesday May 29, 2013



Mary Lindow
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"He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To do justly,
and to love kindness and mercy,
and to humble yourself
and walk humbly with your God."
(Micah 6:8)

ALTHOUGH I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A FRESH EXPRESSION OF THE HEART OF THE FATHER STIRRING IN THE EARTH, I also see that there is a lot of "bashing" regularly occurring due to the abuse others have exhibited in their places of calling, aimed at those who have been true to what the Lord has asked them to do in His name, and this has caused not just a little sorrow.

WE MUST CLEARLY SEE THAT CORRUPTION CAN RAPIDLY OCCUR IN ANY PERSON OR ANY GROUP, ORGANIZED, RELAXED, OR OTHERWISE, when the tendency to think that they have arrived at a new or deeper revelation about something more so than others who perhaps express the Lord's voice differently.

ARROGANCE IS THE ASSUMPTION THAT I, INDIVIDUALLY, OR SOME GROUP THAT I AM A PART OF, COLLECTIVELY, IS SOMEHOW SUPERIOR TO SOMEONE ELSE OR SOME OTHER GROUP OF PEOPLE.
At the heart of arrogance is self-centeredness. And self-centeredness is the foundation of human sin. I believe any serious attempt at self-examination by an honest person will reveal that we humans are sinful and flawed beyond measure.
MARK TWAIN ONCE SAID,
“MAN IS THE ONLY ANIMAL THAT BLUSHES—
OR [FOR THAT MATTER] NEEDS TO.”
Paul writes, “So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand…Wretched man that I am! Who will save me from this body of death?”
Self consumes us. And every time we arrogantly place our own needs before others we are enslaved by sin.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO?
HOW SHOULD WE LIVE INSTEAD OF IN THAT ARROGANT MODE?
How about the words of Jesus?
What did he say?
"Everyone who exalts himself (for example, "Aren't I great? Aren't I right? Don't I always have the best opinion?") will be humbled.
But he who humbles himself (for example, "This is my opinion but it may not be right. I don't have a corner on the market of truth.") will be exalted."

THE LORD IS NOT SPEEDING UP THE DELIVERY OF ANY "FRESH THING" IN THE EARTH IN ORDER TO GET US TO HIS PURPOSES QUICKLY.
No. He is testing the hearts of men and women everywhere, looking for humility, selflessness, and honor, for those who although not perfect, have also served and pointed the way to salvation for many years previously.
THE LORD IS NOT GOING TO HONOR THE INDIVIDUAL WHO SHOUTS THAT "CHANGE IS NEEDED" OR THAT "CHANGE IS COMING" AND THEN SLASHES AND BURNS ANYTHING THAT DOESN'T EMBRACE THEIR VERSION OF IT.

THE LORD IS INTERESTED IN THE SOUND OF HUMILITY, THE HAND OF MERCY, AND THE VOICE OF GRACE.
These key character issues attract the pure and simple Presence of the Lord. Blessed are the PURE in heart...for they shall see God.
Until the Body of Christ that has been through many difficult and Shattering events and rids it of bitter and venomous words against one another and accepts that each one like sheep have gone astray and turned to what pleased them at the moment, there will be little evidence of much harvest.

THE LOST AND CONFUSED WORLD OUT THERE WATCHES CHRISTIANS TEAR EACH OTHER TO SHREDS DAILY AND WONDERS WHY WE ARE ASKING THEM TO JOIN US!
Remember Christ’s two great commandments—love God with all your being and love your neighbor as yourself.
Self-centeredness is the reversal of the great commandment.
Self-centeredness means to place ourselves first, in effect proclaiming our own form of self-government (not needing or wanting the advice or insight of others), therefore our neighbors become an afterthought, and God becomes simply a convenience to be considered only when it’s helpful to us. It is evident even in our language that self-centeredness is woven into the fabric of the human experience.

THE ONE TRUE SACRIFICIAL MODEL TOLD US THAT HE WOULD SEND THE VERY SPIRIT OF GOD IN ORDER TO CONVICT ALL PEOPLE OF SIN, TO COMFORT, TO GUIDE, AND TO SET THEM FREE.
Indeed. The very evidence of a redemptive type of life is in one who washes the feet of his/her brothers and his/her enemies in an act of cleansing the dirt from the road of life off of the pathway to the Truth.
May we truly hear the sound of the unmistakable heartbeat of a redemptive model rising up in clear resounding purity, personal
transparency, and in the covering of the multitude of sins by speaking and meditating only on those things that are noble, just, pure, and of a good report.

AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS NATIONS, THE ANTIDOTE TO ARROGANCE AND SELF-CENTEREDNESS IS A HEAVY DOSE OF HUMILITY.
That is; a profound willingness to recognize the value and respect the dignity of every human life. And, furthermore, a humble heart calls us to seek and serve Christ in ALL persons by giving of ourselves willingly for the welfare of other people.

THE LORD SAYS,
"Do not let a wise man brag about how wise he is.
Do not let a strong man boast about how strong he is.
Do not let a rich person brag about how rich he is.
But here is what the one who brags should boast about.
He should brag that he has understanding and knows me.
I want him to know that I am the Lord.
No matter what I do on earth, I am always kind, fair and right.
And I take delight in that," announces the Lord.
JEREMIAH 9:23-24 (New International Reader's Version)

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