"DISCERNMENT vs. SUSPICION" - Telling The Truth About Abuse and Wolves In Leadership Positions

 
By Mary Lindow 
 
I’m going to make a few statements about this podcast before I begin.
I hope I am not required by Lord to make many podcasts like this one, but I will obey him if he does ask me to do so!  To even things out a little bit, my next few podcasts are going to be sharing about some magnificent and overwhelming experiences that I have had in meeting First Native Chiefs throughout the United States and Canada.
All of these events were orchestrated by the Lord in order for us to meet. The things that I learned from these godly individuals who love Jesus, but understand the strongholds in our cities, our nations and upon our lands, has been absolutely Life-changing. I hope to share at least two podcasts telling you these stories and experiences that glorify Jesus, and show the power of his supernatural ability to get us to the places we need to go without ever having to push our way in or manipulate anything.
 
Now let’s begin today’s crucial podcast.
We are in a time when many people are seeing much evil take place, not only in our nation, not only in large and small corporations, but in church organizations and organizations that claim to bear the name of Christ on their letterheads.
 
One of the greatest deceptions taking place is that people are being told to NOT “discuss”/not to tell the truth about the abuses that are taking place in some of these organizations.
With the multitude of public exposures that is taking place right now all over social media regarding unconscionable and difficult happenings, I have been agonizingly yet strongly prompted by the Holy Spirit, to share my thoughts and the experiences that I have had in walking other people out of dark places, because of the harm done to them in some of these institutions.
 
I do this with a heavy heart, and yet I must take courage and be obedient in order to be an “Advocate of Hope” for those who feel that they cannot speak out for fear of being threatened or ridiculed, letting them know that there are others who will champion and stand with  them by calling “wolfish abuse” what it is, instead of sweeping it under any kind of Church Carpet, Corporate Carpet, or Institutional Carpet.
 
I am by far, not the perfect believer by any means!
I’ve had some wonderful mentors and training from others in ministry as well as in the counseling arena who have been strong and good people of discernment.
When something inside of you is alerted or feels really uncomfortable, or even just the thought of, “there’s something not right about that” pops in, that’s a built-in radar God gives us.
Now, if someone’s judging someone because they don’t like that they’re loud, or seem to be "too meek, obese, skinny, or speak a truth that they aren’t comfortable with or don’t have wisdom about", then that’s where all the speculating and suspicion move in.
 
Being set free from critical behavior and suspicion takes a willingness to admit that we don’t trust anybody, or, that we think we have an exclusive lead on how God speaks all the time.
 
I certainly need the accountability friends in my life
who speak truth to me firmly and regularly!
 
The soul loves to put itself in its own place of authority and override discernment, humility,and often the need to prove that our opinion matters. Honestly, keeping a heart pure and clean before the Lord every day, (and that’s truly not just an easy thing), but pursuing him with the right heart, keeps that place where we hear from him very sharpened and aware!
Studying his word, digging into what it really means, provides a depth and place of resource to go to, to check whether our heart is in accordance with his word or if we’re making up our own ideas about things.
It’s so easy to let other people think or speak for us, or their opinions, being strong, driving a message to us that says we should probably do what they say. This is where we get into trouble!
 
We are supposed to question or “test” things
and not just take everything hook, line, and sinker!
 
In 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 it tells us,
“Do not quench the Spirit.  Do not despise prophecies,
BUT, test everything; hold fast to what is good.
Abstain from every form of evil.”
 
Friends! Evil can be deceptive and cunning!
The word of God has an omnipotent power that cuts through all of the fog of self-deception and definitely pontificating! Many people quote the scripture and use it to their benefit when they want to self promote or appear to be somewhat spiritual. This is where discernment has to come in!!!
 
If something feels wrong, if something is spiritually off key, is not in alignment with what Jesus said or what the scriptures speak, then discernment has to come in to play.
 
The road gets narrower as you walk your Christian journey with Jesus, and you absolutely will be called many names because of the stance of wanting to be more like him, and more detached from the volumes of worldly knowledge.
Wisdom isn’t easily gained!  But, it’s so worth it when you get a little nugget that lasts for eternity.
 
Suspicion vs. Discernment.
I’ve seen this destroy and have been painfully more than a few times, a recipient of ugly and ruthless “suspicious” judgments.
Suspicion destroys relationships.
It destroys lives.
It listens to hearsay rather than God’s inward warnings.
Suspicion can feed a self satisfaction (which is actually pride) when our choices to put others in a lesser and suspicious light, even sabotaging them, justifies our own agendas.
 
When we are constantly suspicious of the motives of others, we drive people away that could be a great blessings to us. (They may even walk with a bit of a limp due to the battles and hard fought victories they’ve fought throughout their lives.)
Check your life today.
Are you discerning, or merely suspicious?
The problem is, sometimes we label suspicion with the pious name of “discernment” and think we're being super spiritual.
It’s so important to learn the difference between discernment and suspicion!  
 
The difference is quite simple.
Discernment comes from God and will recognize evil for what it is.
Suspicion come from or soul and will imagine evil when there is none.
If you see genuine compassion, kindness, mercy, accountability, humility and a forgiving nature in someone, you are seeing a surrendered soul.  
 
Not many want to talk about how hard spiritual growth and dying to ourselves, our opinions our interpretations is.
It's not a one time thing, it's every day.
It's remaining quiet when we want to speak.
It's trusting God's timing when we would, rather control.
It's doing it God's way when it doesn't make sense to us.
It’s quietly walking away from what might “appear to be a lucrative or more publicly promoting opportunity” when you know there are political or spiritually abusive environments involved.
 
We don’t get a lot of accolades or crowns here on earth for that kind of brave but necessary decision. But in heaven, when we do behold the face of the one who literally bled out for us, and he says, “Well done, so well done my good and faithful servant! Enter into my rest!” Oh my goodness, how absolutely all of the hardship and persecution will melt away in that moment, and the joy that is unspeakable and has yet to be fully understood, will be complete in our lives.
 
It is necessary in life to learn from those
who have more wisdom and experience,
because they can help us see things that we don't notice.
 
Even though modern culture tells us that we should “live our own truth and do whatever we think is best”, it’s this type of thinking that leads us into trouble. This is why Scripture tells us not to be wise in our own eyes.
 
True wisdom comes from fearing God. This means we should have a high regard for God's Word and His instructions to us. He knows all things, including, what is best for us.
We can also gain wisdom from other people. When we can learn from the mistakes and experiences of others, we're better equipped to not make the same mistakes. However, if you think you're the only one who knows best, you are bound to repeat the same errors.
 
There’s a huge amount of exposure taking place in pulpits, Ministry organizations, Christian Media Corporations, Governments, Christian Universities and Bible Schools...
...Right now.
 
Of course, we all know the Lord is doing a lot of the exposing and dealing with painful and shocking events that have or, are currently occurring, or are being investigated.
 
Why is he doing this? Because he will not allow these kinds of charades, criminal acts or hiding of sexual misconductsto NOT be caught.
Sadly many individuals who are sitting in church pulpits or are serving in ministry environments such as youth ministries, children’s church, Young adult groups and more, are often made uncomfortable by things they see taking place with some of the staff members.
The big question now is do you dare say anything?
 
If you see a male individual in a place of authority as a teacher, a pastor, any kind of youth worker anywhere, being over familiar with females, and by that I mean, resting their hand on their back too often with letting it linger, standing too closely to them in their personal space, spending time alone with them in their office etc. with doors shut and no visible way to see anything taking place. These are red flags!
A little bit of investigating and watching and taking notes is appropriate. Always document things that you see that make you feel there is something wrong going on and always date it. But be honest, not suspicious and don’t exaggerate or embellish. If necessary, take pictures. These are now used as evidence in court cases.
 
Another example!
If you would happen to know that there was a youth minister who sexually approached or interfered with a child or a young adult, and it was hidden and “dealt with” in an internal investigation among elders or leaders of a church or youth organization, club or scouting group, but was never reported, and this individual was then packed up and sent off to another state to minister or workelsewhere, they have basically turned this person into a repeat offender. These things must be reported to the police!
 
Here’s the hard thing.
We sure hope that we could go to people like elders or other leaders in the church if we see something taking place and know that deception is involvedand that others are covering it up.
If there has ever been a question that you have seen or a child has reported to you, that a young adult has reported to you or a teenager has reported to you that something inappropriate, whether it was conversation, whether it was physical touch, whether it was a threat that took place, you must go to the police.
 
Taking it to the pastor or taking it to the leadership "feels" like a good idea. But when there’s a wolf in the crowd, when there are wolves in leadership positions, we don’t take time to try to defend ourselves against wolves or predators. 
 
If you know, for a fact that these things have taken place, you must document and you must protect the children. You must protect the young developing adults. And, you must protect the future generations that would be affected if this perpetrator is permitted to be allowed to continue to remain in any organization, and not have appropriate legal consequences take place.
 
There are many who are holding positions in churches that are hiding inappropriate events of their own, within their own staff, or within their own organization, who value their building, their notoriety and their income, more than they value protecting the sheep or telling the truth.
 
Some people do not believe this is true! They think that surely the Holy Spirit would be exposing these things if they were really happening!
Well, my friends, the Holy Spirit uses practical human beings who are aware and have cultivated discernment and see that there is something very wrong and very out of order going on, and these human beings must be bold, courageous, and speak out like the prophet Nathan spoke to King David when he was having a long-term affair with Bathsheba and murdered his own military leader in order to cover his own manipulative and adulterous behavior.
There were terrible, painful consequences that took place because of what David did. Yet God in his mercy when David repented, restored David’s relationship back to himself.
But if forever changed David, and there were things that he was no longer permitted to partake in because of his wickedness.
But God did not shun him.
God corrected him.
 
Here are a few basic recommendations I’d like to share as a Pastoral counselor (and as a minister myself), with those who are in some form of ministry.
It’s not wise for men to counsel Women alone, but if necessary they must have a glass window where another safe office or staff member can see into the room. I have seen too many people get enmeshed emotionally with intimate counseling and I have historical documents that sadly indicate where several ministers who fantasized or planned or, actually have run off with people they were counseling for marriage difficulties! They have devastated marriages, families and churches because they crossed a line and blew clear past healthy boundaries, and safety protocols for counseling.
 
I also strongly recommend that men are not often alone in an office setting or ministry facility with women, especially if single, because they’re vulnerable women, because the table can turn two ways. The woman can become needy or manipulative and play on the affections or the emotions of a tender, kind hearted man, and then turn around and accuse them of some kind of inappropriate actions.
Men in buildings alone with women who are married and it’s late at night with a woman who is beautiful and lovely, or even sweet and precious, can create a sense of desire in a man whois tired of the grind of life, maybe hard work, might be having some strain at home, and in a few moments of weakness, begins to pursue an emotional affair, talking too openly, sharing too openly, and it can quickly lead to other kinds of affection, emotional bonding and inappropriate touching.
 
I know some of this sounds pretty heavy, and we as believers just don’t want to have to hear about the horrible, dark things that could possibly take place! We so want to believe the best in everyone and we want to be merciful and forgiving!
But, with the recent rash and exposure of well-known names, seemingly appearing holy and virtuous, many well protected individuals are now being exposed in multiple areas and in multiple environments, for hiding harm done to children, harm done to staff, and then using spiritual gifts or “spiritual pedigrees” to justify that they were just “tired or weak in the moment” and that they thought they’d handle it in house privately!
 
Well, to speak bluntly and boldly,
this fakery and denial is just all hogwash
when the gaslighting and lying starts!
 
 
We have to call it what it is!
It’s called spiritual abuse (SA) or clergy sexual abuse. (CSA) .
 
Returning to my original introduction regarding the need for discernment versus suspicion, we have to be very wise and make sure that our hearts are right as we begin to walk out these very difficult times of exposure as well as needing to be vocal.
 
There are victims among us who have not said anything for years about the things that took place in back rooms or offices or church buildings, camps or cars. For some reason, people run to suspicion and say, “Why are you now just beginning to talk about this? Why did you wait so long? What do you want out of this?”  
 
In legal terms when someone speaks out immediately about sexual abuse or harm done,the term is called “Outcry”.
They “cry out”, they “tell”.
 
When someone takes awhile to be able to process abuse, especially children (male, and female!) or young vulnerable teenagers or women who have been abused in the past, and have been threatened to remain silent or paid off to be quiet, and are easily preyed upon by those who are able to spot vulnerability, it takes them longer, and healthy unpacking and dialog frees them to tell. This must be tenderly and wisely handled with a skilled CHRISTIAN trauma counselor who works in these areas of sexual, church or cult abuse, or child abuse.
 
The term for this, when someone takes so long or doesn’t remember everything that happened (because they’ve been threatened and they have shut it out), this is called “Delayed Outcry.”
 
With the proper counseling and the proper police reporting involved, then there becomes an investigation or a forensic investigation that listens to and  reviews documents, the stories or events, does the investigating, looks at any kind of proof which could be documents, notes, texts, emails, pictures, clothing, the location or rooms these things happened in. Then, they begin to question and cross examine those who are being accused.
 
Yes! There have been people who have lied and set others up for something they never did. Or, they lured people into getting them to be involved in nefarious behaviors, use of drugs, alcohol, inappropriate touching, looking at unsafe objects, videos or pictures, and then turn around and use it to project onto that individual in order to hide their own very Addictive sicknesses.
 
Here’s the Honest Deal.
When there are wolves operating the pulpits, we don’t say, “well they were once a really nice sheep so we have to be nice to them!” A wolf is a wolf! A wolf puts on a mask like a sheep and can appear saintly and beautiful and tell sad, well oiled stories about themselves to make themselves look like they’re repentant over something “small” that they may struggle over and then everyone feels like, “what a lovely, humble soul!”
They can con, they can cry, they can preach, they can look compassionate. They can talk a good line, they can be very convincing.
But, if they have been predators, touching children, often touching women, touching men, plagiarizing, mishandling funds for their own purposes and lavish living...
…These are wolves.
 
We have to call them for what they are. They thrive on building their egos and are very convincing in order build their own empires, claiming that it was the Lord giving them all the blessings.  
 
2 Corinthians 11:13-14 addresses this so strongly!
“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light!”
 
Friends, Discernment is at an all-time low
and the Lord is bringing it to the forefront.
 
The Spirit of God is saying to you and saying to me, “cultivate develop and train yourself to be discerning and to test everything!”
This means school boards, politicians, those in the pulpit, those in other ministries and any other position of authority.
Some of the slickest and most well promoted people are often those of who have charming, manipulative narcissistic traits and harm many in their wake.
 
The posture of power, inflated titles, fake tears, swiftly changing of trends and movements that claim it’s “THE thing” God is doing, are lures to draw crowds, train people to trust the speakers to hear from God for them ( but not fully train the audience to discern and judge.)
 
Oh the wretched and unbelievably twisted things I have heard behind the doors of Pastoral counseling!
Oh the ugly and extremely uncomfortable things I’ve witnessed in Green rooms before live “Christian” broadcasts.
Oh the unbelievably huge complex and disgusting competition that goes on among ministries and Christian organizations, when monetary policies are used as a way to enrich those at the top.
 
If There’s Anything I’d Scream From the Rooftops Today
It Would Be,
“Cultivate and Learn Discernment!”  
Be sober! Be wise!
Be accountable!”  
Oh Lord Jesus! Mature your people. Teach them to hear your voice. 
 
I would like to share a statement from a wonderful man of God who is a seasoned Husband, Father, Pastor, Speaker, and Author.
His name is Tim Challies.
He shares these very potent and deep words.
 
“With discernment comes division.  
A person who seeks to be discerning must be willing to suffer the effects of this division.
It will divide not only the believer from the unbeliever, but it may even divide a discerning believer from one who is undiscerning.
It will separate the mature from the immature and the naïve from the prudent.”
 
SO well said!
 
In my closing out of this podcast today, I would like to share a few potent words from Dr. Diane Langberg who has worked in multicultural and many international settings were abuse and tragedy of every kind, (those imagined and those that you cannot imagine that have taken place).
She works as a specialist among those who have been traumatized by Church abuse in its many forms. She is a wise Senior woman who I greatly admire and have learned much from.
As I share her statements in closing, allow them to speak to the deeper part of you where the Lord is developing discernment and greater awareness.
 
Diane says,
“Many of us have confused the church system with Jesus Christ; they are not the same.
There are wolves among the sheep, tares among the wheat.
Jesus called humans that looked good on the outside, white-washed tombs full of stink. My work has taught me that many poor sheep have followed a blind guide, a gifted wolf, and landed in a pit.
No so-called Christian system is truly God’s work unless it “fleshes out” his character. Toleration of sin, pretense, and crookedness do not reveal the character of God, even if they bear his name.
Arrogance is never godly.
Covering up sin is never godly.
Abuse of power is never godly.
Shepherds who feed on sheep are abusive.
Leadership that preserves and protects the system, rather than the people, turns the house of God into a safe place for predators.
Those who come to feed on God himself then find themselves being the main course instead.
 
We have failed to protect leaders from their own bondage to self-deception and sin. Exposure brings hope, for it brings the cancer to the light.
To hide sin by cover-up or silent complicity is spiritual abuse.
It is a failure to love the perpetrator. Demise of a system—even a spiritual system—is not the worst that can happen!
We must acknowledge and tell the truth about these things.
Great damage is being done to God’s sheep, in his name.
He weeps over such leaders and the sheep they harm.
Be watchful.
Recognize coercive and manipulative behavior.
Call it by its right name when someone in power uses spiritual words and ideas to silence, control, and intimidate.
Be discerning about those who hold power—including yourself.
Do not be deceived. 
May we, with Daniel, call out to God: “O Lord, hear! O Lord forgive. O Lord listen and act. For your own sake do not delay, because your church and your people are called by your name.”(Dan. 9:19).
Source:  https://erlc.com/resource/when-the-sheep-are-preyed-upon/
 
Finally, I would like to say these words.
Trauma can leave people feeling shattered and alone.
But through our faith, we discover that God’s love is unwavering and His healing touch can mend even the deepest wounds.
 
Let’s remember that we are not defined by our pain,
But by the Grace that lifts us up,
and leads us toward restoration.
 
If you find yourself carrying the weight of trauma, know that you are not alone on this journey.
For those of you who may be trembling with fear or who have experienced any kind of abuse.
For those of you, how are trembling and fear, because you know you have done something and have hidden it from others or have protected others who you know have done harmful, evil things, the word of God says to confess your faults to one another to confess your sins so that you may be clean, freed, and that you may be forgiven.
To those of you who have been abused, don’t be afraid to find a safe, godly, skilled trauma counselor who will be able to help you be freed from the prisons of shame, control, and intimidation within, so that you can walk in the light of grace and freedom and know that your Father in heaven has rescued you from those that harm.
To help you in your journey, I have included a link where you can quickly locate or begin to research a Christian counselor who is skilled and able to help you with whatever specific area that you may need to have help with.
https://tinyurl.com/5h4zfc9u
 
Let's pray together before we end this time together.
Heavenly Father,
May everyone who knows your mercy keep putting their trust in you, for they can count on you for help no matter what.
O Lord, you will never, no, never, neglect those who come to you."
-Psalms 9:10
Heavenly Father, in the face of fear and uncertainty, I call upon your strength to fill those who are listening to, or who are reading this message, fill them with courage.
When the wounds of traumatic experiences seem too deep to overcome, remind them that you are the ever-present help in times of trouble.
Grant them the bravery to face their fears head-on, knowing that you go in front of them, leading them into a future, free from the shackles of the past.
Thank you for being our fortress and our deliverer. With you by their side, They will not be afraid. Amen.
 
Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed,
as long as the complete message, Website, podcast link
and information for Mary Lindow is included.
Thank You!
"2025"
"THE MESSENGER"  -  Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
www.marylindow.podbean.com
 
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A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE - When God Says "GO"!

 
A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE – When God Says “GO”!
By Mary Lindow
 
This Podcast is going to be focusing on what I would call
“A Miracle on Christmas Eve!”
 
Steve And I Had Just About Been Married About A Year and had been through a complete reorganization of his business due to a partner, having not reported properly on the business financial books. Shortly after we were married, we found this all out and we were saddled with the debt of the business and the business was shuttered and the friendship was shattered.  
 
STEVE REOPENED HIS OWN INTERIOR DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY BUSINESS ON A LITERAL SHOESTRING. I was teaching piano and voice lessons and directing a church choir.
 
In October Steve had been asked to totally remodel a local restaurant as well as create matching themed Christmas decor. I had worked in a floral shop for years as a young high school girl and had done many wreaths as well as large swags of things for commercial decorations. I helped Steve begin to build and construct the pieces that went together for all of the items we were going to install. Once it was all prepared and ready, the owner was so grateful and so in love with all the work, she asked us to also do Christmas swags and decor for the Bar and eating area in the bar. This was a few days before Christmas and she had decided she wanted more festive decor in the bar since many parties were to take place for Christmas and up to New Years Day.
So, we gathered materials and created that and installed it.
 
WE WERE NOT ANTICIPATING THAT EXTRA BLESSING FINANCIALLY and we received a $400 check, (which was a lot at that time.) As we began to pray about a Christmas offering, we wanted to do something to honor the Lord at Christmas and help others. A friend of ours whom we had met and had had wonderful prayer meetings with two other schoolteachers in East St. Louis, Missouri, had shared in a prayer meeting about a family in need. At that time, the Bloods and the Crips gangs were very heavily active and there was a tremendous amount of racial tension in East Saint Louis. We were always very careful when driving through the area to not get off on the wrong ramp because often there was a lot of car theft and harm done to people who didn’t know or belong to that area. But, there were times that we would travel down with a group of our friends, both black and white, to a house where a woman by the name of sister Lucy, who had a Doctorate in education, would hold ladies teas and prayer gatherings. We would worship and pray, and intercede and study the word fervently among both black-and-white women who were either highly educated or women who cleaned homes for a living. It didn’t matter! We loved being with each other, and we loved the presence of the Lord. So, when sister Margaret Wren our friend from East St. Louis, who was also a teacher, told us there was a family in desperate need of clothing and food that she knew of and that the mother who was in her early 60s had been holding all of the children and grandchildren together in her home.
 
THIS DEAR WOMAN WAS SCHEDULED TO GO IN FOR OPEN-HEART SURGERY ON CHRISTMAS EVE. Margaret told us there was going to be limited food and of course they weren’t expecting anything for Christmas. Steve and I knew that we were going to end up making what we considered a very significant personal sacrifice instead of doing things we needed to do to broaden our business and also to take care of a few things we needed to handle as well in our home. Yet, the Holy Spirit was persistent. The extra job came in unexpectedly. We knew that $400 was to be used specifically to help this family.
 
WE BEGAN TO TELL OUR SISTER AND BROTHER-IN-LAW WHO LIVED NEXT-DOOR TO US AND A FEW OTHER FAMILIES BEGAN TO GET EXCITED TO HELP. Steve and I went to the local grocery store and filled carts with warm blankets, hams, cereals, fruits, vegetables, different kinds of meat and canned goods, and had the joy of a lifetime like we had won the “Supermarket Sweepstakes!”
 
WE WERE GOING TO GO DELIVER ALL OF THIS ON CHRISTMAS EVE AFTERNOON BEFORE THE DEAR SISTER WAS GOING TO GO AND HAVE HER SURGERY THAT EVENING. Everyone congregated at our little cottage home and we could not believe how many people put together beautiful things for this family! My sister-in-law Judi had put together stacks of beautiful clothing and little outfits for children that her children were no longer fitting into because we had said there were children needing clothing. They also found a giant 6-foot long stocking and filled it with candy, fruit, and nuts.
Another lovely couple had a giant Christmas turkey on a platter with all kinds of onions and celery and carrots with the stuffing ready to go so they could put it in the oven when we got there.
 
THERE WERE BOXES OF DIAPERS, FORMULA, AND SACKS OF GROCERIES FROM SO MANY PEOPLE! Many who also had large families! We really didn’t know how many we were going to be helping! We just knew that there was a large family in need, and there were children were involved. Several married couples lived in the same house with the mother and the poverty was substantial.
 
WE MADE A CARAVAN OF FOUR CARS TO TRAVEL INTO EAST ST. LOUIS and Margaret Wren met us on a side street as we entered to go towards this family‘s house. We parked the cars outside, and there was a young man standing outside who did live in the home, who told us he would watch our cars for us. We told him that we didn’t think it would be a problem and he smiled at us shyly and he’s told us it was very important to have someone from the neighborhood watching your cars. We thanked him and went up the steps to a house that was sturdy but in much needed repair.
 
WE STOOD ON THE PORCH AND RANG THE DOORBELL. The door opened and there was the most precious older woman standing there in her coat and hat with a purse on her arm. She told us she was waiting for us to come before she made her journey to the hospital. As we began to walk in with box after box, package after package, grocery sack after grocery sack of items, the room began to fill with people coming from upstairs just standing there, staring at us in wonder and shock.
 
AS I LOOKED INTO THE KITCHEN AREA, THE ONLY HEAT IN THE HOUSE WAS THE GAS STOVE WITH ALL FOUR BURNERS FLAMING AND THE OVEN DOOR WAS OPEN. Lying over on a vinyl couch was a little infant, beautiful, baby boy dressed only in a T-shirt and a diaper, and the house was chilly.
 
Our hearts were breaking to see how little they had, and yet the love among them was evident and of course, the mother/ grandmother was introducing us all with great pride to her children and their spouses. Two of the little boys saw the big fluffy blankets that we bought. We had stacked things over on a makeshift couch that was really just a twin bed with a covering over it, and these little boys grabbed the blankets and ran upstairs to their rooms.
 
TO SAY IT WAS HUMBLING IS MINIMIZING HOW LITTLE THESE DEAR PEOPLE HAD. We were not there to give out of any sense of benevolence, but out of love.
 
We Began To Talk To Their Children And Coo Over The Babies,
And The Tension In The Room Began To Melt As They Began To See,
That We Were Just People Who Came To Love And Bless Them.
 
Because they knew Margaret Wren, they knew we were safe people and that we were kind people. We knew they were safe people and kind people.
 
NOW HERE’S WHERE THE BEAUTIFUL MIRACLE PART BEGINS TO TAKE PLACE! Steve asked if we might be able to pray for this dear woman heading into surgery that night. She was the one holding the family together and I think pretty much financially as well. She was covering what it cost to pay for the house and just basic comforts. Although several other others did have jobs, it just was not going to be enough with her being incapacitated.
 
SHE SMILED BROADLY, AND SHE SAID, “I AM BELIEVING THAT GOD WILL HEAL ME AND THAT I WILL COME OUT OF THIS WITH A NEW HEART. That I will mend quickly! I trust in Jesus!” Some of her older children were rolling their eyes at her or had an attitude of just accepting that “this was the way their mother always was”, but there was not necessarily disrespect, just a lot of disbelief. Yet, they all joined the large circle we formed to pray.
 
STEVE BEGAN TO PRAY.
He prayed and blessed the family and thanked the Lord for the privilege of meeting every one of them. He asked the Heavenly Father if he would come and show himself to be kind and real to each and every one of them and provide for them and open up new jobs for them. He then laid hands on this dear lady, as did several others who were with us, and he anointed her with oil and prayed that the Lord would touch her body and astound the doctors, asking that there would not nearly be as much damage done to her heart as originally thought.
 
We All Felt This Unusual Warm Presence Gently Surround
All Of Us As We Were Standing There.
Everyone Was Aware Of The Sweetness Of God’s Presence.
 
WHEN STEVE GOT DONE PRAYING, WE ALL HUGGED EVERYONE.
Some of it was awkward, some of it was genuine and warm, and the dear lady said, "I need to be on my way, they’ll be waiting for me at the hospital." We said Merry Christmas to everyone and went outside where the young man was still watching our cars and of course, he had seen us take in all of the items. He was smiling a big smile and gave each of us a hug and said, “Thank you all so much. You have no idea how much this means to our children.” Many of us smiled and said, “We do understand because some of us came from big families and have been through hard times in the past, so we’re so glad to be able to share!”
 
ON OUR WAY HOME STEVE AND I JUST SAT THERE QUIETLY basking in the joy of knowing that God sent us to a difficult place and a potentially dangerous place, and that the enemy would want us to think that we were doing something foolish or dangerous, but instead, we were sent to love people who were in need. We were given the privilege of watching joy take place in their home, as well as seeing their beautiful children, and then praying for the dear lady who was going to have the heart surgery.
 
WE WENT TO STEVE’S PARENTS HOUSE and sat there with Christmas music playing and good food everywhere and said, “we’ve already had our Christmas” We just had the most beautiful moment and it just seemed like everything else paled compared to what we had had the honor of partaking in. It was about a 35-minute drive from Steve’s parents house to ours and we went home and prepared for bed.
 
CHRISTMAS MORNING, (THE NEXT MORNING), WE HAD GOTTEN UP AND WE WERE PREPARING SOME COFFEE AND WERE GOING TO OPEN OUR SMALL GIFTS TO EACH OTHER WHEN THE PHONE RANG. When we answered it, Margaret Wren was on the phone and she was laughing and praising God. We said, “What’s going on Margaret? What’s got you so fired up on Christmas morning to call us! Aren’t you with your family?”
Margaret said, “WELL!! I WAS getting ready to celebrate with my family, but I got a phone call from our dear sister who went into surgery last night …
…And as they were examining her last evening and did a final scan, the doctor was extremely puzzled. They decided to do some exploratory surgery before fully opening her up to make sure that everything was necessary.
Upon further examination with laparoscopy, the doctor was absolutely stunned and flummoxed that this woman’s heart was in perfect condition! There was no scar tissue. There was no evidence of heart attack or stroke anywhere in her body. Her blood pressure had gone into a normal rhythm and she was breathing with ease. They ran more tests and didn’t know what to do with her so they sent her home. 
 
WE WERE STUNNED, JOYFULLY PRAISING GOD AND LAUGHING AT THE FACT THE DOCTOR’S DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH HER! We told Margaret we would split calling everybody up with her to let everyone know, and each time we called and told someone the rejoicing increased!
 
After the phone calls, Steve and I sat and talked about what an absolute moment it must’ve been for her children to have her walk through that door and smile at them and say, “Look what the Lord has done. He gave me the best Christmas ever! He gave me a new heart!” All of those young adults and grandchildren who stood in that room, doubtful that God cared about them very much, but knew that their grandmother or their mother loved them and gave everything for them in order for them to have comfort and shelter. Yet, she stood there bravely and courageously saying she was believing God for a new heart. (I think the Lord gave a few other people a new heart that day as well!)
 
WATCHING PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT FROM YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD or even from your own culture, praying for your mother, bringing gifts and treasures much like the Wiseman brought, filled with abundance because of Jesus to celebrate Christmas, created an open door for God to work a miracle and change an entire family’s focus to see that he not only cares for them, but that he loves them.
 
NO CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, NO TINSEL,
NO BEAUTIFULLY WRAPPED GIFT HELD INTEREST FOR STEVE AND I THAT CHRISTMAS. We sat on our little couch and held hands and wept and praised God for the extra income that we had been given through the unexpected extra job. Even though we had suffered great losses and had been saddled with the business debt, we knew that we had obeyed the Lord being a part of the blessing of watching God unite many people who gave their little bits, which created a tremendous amount to bless another family in need. To see joy on those dear faces and learn of the miracle that took place was more than we could handle!
 
Every Christmas we recount the story. We remember the years where there was hardship and yet God always came through. That dear woman lived into her late 80s and although we never saw her or the family again, we occasionally would hear from sister Margaret about the advances that had taken a place in the family. How the grandchildren were doing. We knew that we had been a small, tiny part of validating that they were worthy of love and care.
 
WHAT IS IT RIGHT NOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH IN ABUNDANCE?
What is it that you have in your home?
Maybe you have a box of new tennis shoes that you don’t really like or a pair of dress shoes.
Maybe you have jeans or clothing that you can’t fit into, or, they’re too big and they’re just hanging in your closet.
Maybe you have an extra $20 or $50 where you could go buy bags of fruit loaves of bread, a few blocks of cheese.
 
When you put these things together and you ask around, you will find a family in need. A family worthy of love, going through a difficult time.
In that moment when you choose to go and be the hands of Christ extended, not only will he empower you with his Holy Spirit, but he gives you the opportunity to offer prayer for the deeper needs that they may have.
 
Perhaps In The Next Few Days You Will Be Called Upon
To Do Something That Starts Out As Simply A Loving Act Of
Giving Of Sustenance And Warmth That Will Turn Into
A Miraculous And Beautiful Testimony.
 
We live in a world in a time we’re hoarding has become something others applaud, holding our “earthly stuff” close to us, and becoming cynical when others suffer or others are going through difficult times.
 
IF YOU HAVE WEALTH, IF YOU HAVE ABUNDANCE OR IF YOU ARE COMFORTABLE,  and there is even the slightest hint of condescension or looking down on anyone else who suffers or seems to have cycles of loss, Check your heart!
You have been blessed in abundance, to help others in abundance.
That is the biblical approach to wealth.
 
We don’t store up and hoard for ourselves in order to impress others as believers.
We don’t flaunt and act extravagant in front of others in order to appear superior.
We humble ourselves, we give sacrificially, and we go to hard places, we go to difficult places, perhaps to families who have no interest in Christ, but we become light in their darkness and plant seeds.
 
THERE ARE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS NEARBY WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW, THAT NEED TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE SEEN AND LOVED. Even the smallest thing, a plate of cookies or a basket of fruit taken to a woman who has been recently widowed, can cause her loneliness and fears to be calmed.
 
ALWAYS REMEMBER TO PRAY WITH THOSE THAT YOU GO TO CHECK IN ON. They may say no, they don’t want to be prayed for, and you can lovingly say, “that’s fine. I will pray quietly for you at home.” But never be afraid to offer to pray for them in the moment.
This Is What Jesus Would Do.
 
Ask the Holy Spirit right now what is it that you have been blessed with.
Ask if you are supposed to share a part of that blessing.
Ask if there’s something sacrificial that you can do to help bless others who serve. Those who bless others who care take.
 Bless others who seem to be givers and others think they have an endless supply, when in fact; they too need to be loved and seen.
 
THE COMING OF CHRIST WAS A GIFT OF IMMEASURABLE GRACE.
God gave his entire wealth to mankind so that this gift would give us back access to the Father himself. He gave the very best that heaven could offer. That is why Christmas is such a potent time, because it is to be about the giving, the light, and the celebrating of this immeasurable gift.
 
When We Step Out Into Difficult And Hard Places And Sacrifice,
Remember,
God Is With Us! Emmanuel!
 
Matthew 1:23 Tells us
“BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN WILL CONCEIVE AND GIVE BIRTH TO A SON, AND THEY SHALL NAME HIM IMMANUEL,” which translated, means, “GOD WITH US.”
 
THE NAME OF JESUS THE MESSIAH, “GOD WITH US”
MANIFESTS IN NOT ONLY THE MIRACULOUS,
BUT HE HEALS AND BREAKS DOWN BARRIERS. 
 
May your celebration of the King of Kings who was sent to earth as a tiny, vulnerable baby, be filled with a deeper understanding of the price that was paid for our lives.
 
Of course we know this is not actually the accurate date or celebration for Jesus’ birthday, but we must never minimize the fact that the world is aware of what we are celebrating! Something of great power and a great comfort. It has a depth and a meaning that many are still seeking to understand.
 
Let us use every opportunity to its fullest to tell of the wonders of his love!
 
Have A Miraculous And Beautiful Christmas Season My Friends!
God Is With Us.
We Are Not Alone!
 
I will say goodbye for now until my next podcast!
I bless you all in the mighty name of the Savior of mankind, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, GOD WITH US.
 
 
Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed, as long as the complete message, Website, podcast link and information for Mary Lindow is included.
Thank You! 2024
"THE MESSENGER"  - Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
www.marylindow.podbean.com
 
If you would be so kind and assist Mary helping her to meet other administrative needs such as website and podcast costs, or desire to bless her service in ministry with Spirit-led Love gifts or regular support:
 
Please JOYFULLY send your gift in the form of: 
► Personal Checks ► Business Checks
► Money Orders ► Cashiers Checks
To: 
 
His Beloved Ministries Inc. 
PO Box 1253
Denver, Colorado 80614
 USA 
 
Or feel free to use our send a tax-deductible gift with
Pay Pal   paypal.me/mlindow 
Under the name of - His Beloved Ministries Inc. 
 
ALL gifts are tax-deductible under
His Beloved Ministries 5013c non-profit status.
 
We are financially accountable and have been in
full compliance since
1985
THANK YOU!
 

VIDEOS AND INSPIRATION FOR TOUGH TIMES

 
Hello dear friends and those of you that listen to my podcast! 
This is a new presentation that I have created and the podcast is going to send you over to links that you can see there in the site that are going to introduce you to four (4) new, small, video presentations that I have been working on producing in order to use these as ways to encourage those who have an interest in the Lord, or those who are fearful, those who need to pray for our nation and more! 
 
These are just enough to get people to relax, calm down, and listen and pray! And! They are there to encourage YOU! 
 
They are there to share. 
They are there to bring visual context and audio context to things that people are struggling with right now, so if you want to head on over to those and just click the pictures below, click any picture for something that you have interest or,  listen to each of these! 
 
Of course you can watch and listen, and you can copy the links and embed them. 
Send them in emails and share them! 
That’s what this is about! 
 
The Lord said to go out into all of the world and preach the good news, the Gospel, and that means the good news of Jesus Christ, that he is here to help us and to keep us from being afraid!
 
If we are afraid we can come to him. 
He teaches us how to pray and how not to be anxious, and teaches us how to stand strong under the shadow of his wing!
 
You know, I have four consistent supporters, and I bless you! 
I’ve told you that if things would begin to increase just a little bit I would be able to create some videos, and so I had another $150 come in an offering and of course, I have to pay to park these projects somewhere. You can’t just create them. You have to park them on a site that processes, stores and compresses video. 
So! THANK YOU to that individual (you know who you are) for helping me, because this is also preaching the gospel!
 
Now folks!
Just ⬇️SCROLL DOWN ⬇️
and CLICK one or two of those different videos 
and enjoy the beautiful music, the beautiful graphics, 
the words, the voiceover 
and 
I hope they encourage you today!
 
Have a wonderful, wonderful, day
and be blessed in knowing that YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
 
➡️ My website also is available to watch and listen to these videos 
if you just prefer to go watch them all in one location! ⬅️
 
You can go to 
www.marylindow.com 
Click the word VIDEO in the menu bar! 
 
What To Do In A World Filled With Fear?
⬆️ (CLICK PICTURE TO WATCH VIDEO)
Be encouraged and be fired up with this 1 min 50 second video about standing strong in a sea of lies and deception! Most people are feeling the shift and tension of world events increasing daily and lies are becoming a national phenomenon! Standing for truth doesn’t come easy. People might consider us hopelessly old-school, blind, or call us fools. But in reality, to stand on and advocate for truth is one of the most loving things we can do—because it actually calls people to live in line with reality, and to warn them away from building on falsehoods that sooner or later, will crumble beneath them.
 
PRAYER: It’s More Than Words
⬆️(CLICK PICTURE TO WATCH VIDEO)
The Spirit of God desires not only that we seek Him but that we actually find Him! The humbling of our soul and learning to pray - these are not simply spiritual disciplines or mechanical things we do for the sake of revival. They are heart preparations. The invitation from the Lord to seek His face is not to be taken lightly;  in fact, it is a lifestyle!
 
Prayer For God’s Defense
⬆️(CLICK PICTURE TO WATCH VIDEO)
When you feel the pressures of life and injustice surrounding you,
where do you turn for help, for comfort, for hope?
 
⬆️(CLICK PICTURE TO WATCH VIDEO)
Anxiety And Fear Have An Antidote
Whether we are mourning, or fearful, at a loss or are experiencing grief,
HOPE has a name…
 
Thank you, and I’ll talk to you soon!
Goodbye for now.
Mary Lindow 
 
Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed, as long as the complete message, Website, podcast link and information for Mary Lindow is included.
Thank You! 2024
"THE MESSENGER"  - Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
www.marylindow.podbean.com
 
If you would be so kind and assist Mary helping her to meet other administrative needs such as website, podcast, and Video production costs,
or desire to bless her service in ministry with
Spirit-led Love gifts or regular support:
 
Please JOYFULLY send your gift in the form of: 
► Personal Checks ► Business Checks
► Money Orders ► Cashiers Checks
To: 
 
His Beloved Ministries Inc. 
PO Box 1253
Denver, Colorado 80614
 USA 
 
Or feel free to use our send a tax-deductible gift with
 
Pay Pal   paypal.me/mlindow 
Under the name of - His Beloved Ministries Inc. 
 
ALL gifts are tax-deductible under
His Beloved Ministries 5013c non-profit status.
We are financially accountable
and have been in full compliance since 1985.
Thank You!
 

"TRAUMATIC TIMES AND TRUTH TELLERS"

By Mary Lindow
 
Today’s podcast is going to be discussing a subject that a lot of people avoid because they honestly just don’t know how to approach it or, they are afraid to approach it.
Somehow people think that people like myself who have been serving in ministry to the Body of Christ for many, many years, and who are called by the Lord to operate or flow in a prophetic ministry as well, do this 40 hours a week. And, of course, people do expect you to be on call and ready to deliver a clear and concise word from the Lord, without considering the fact that you are not just simply a prophet or a teacher/minister, but you are also a human being who lives and breathes and moves and feels.
 
BEING IN MINISTRY ON ANY LEVEL IS NOT FOR THE WEAK OF HEART and truly should not be something to be considered or pursued by those who are looking for a platform for fame or to hold power over others. It is a call to hear the voice of the Lord, to study his word and to always be ready to give a good report of what he has promised or what he is requiring of his people.
So having said that, I am echoing the words and most likely also the thoughts of many disappointed and disillusioned believers right now.
I read a wonderful devotional last week from the Bible app. and it so resonated with where things are right now in our world.
It said, 
“If we are paying attention, we will see a lot of “off” around us. I bet you have noticed things that appeared unjust. Cracks in the façade that show injustice is real.
People hurt. Bullies winning.
The right action is left undone or the wrong action brings harm.
When we pay attention, we have to acknowledge this world is gut-wrenchingly broken.”
 
Many of us will read a description of mistreatment and nod along from experience, memories bringing a fire to our chest. Others hear words about injustice, and it all feels distant. The deep desire to downplay evil stirs, perhaps even subconsciously.
Reading Habakkuk beckons us to acknowledge a foundational principle God reveals through Old Testament prophets—you have to see the evil. We must look around at what is happening in the world and see it for what it is.”
 
THE BIBLE PAINTS THE PROPHETS AS THOSE WHO JOLT US AWAKE AND FORCE US TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING AND WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT SUCH THINGS.
 
They are the watchmen signaling with waving arms, often to people wanting to look away.
“Look up and see the evil done against others”, the prophets said.
See the impact of your own choices on the vulnerable.
See the disobedience of God’s people.
 
GOD SEES THE WAYS WE’VE GOTTEN THINGS SUPER WRONG FRIENDS, and he’s coming to do something about it.
Get ready. We might not be paying attention, but he is.
 
It would be easy for some of us—and beneficial at times—to look away from the wrong done around us. We much prefer the aesthetics that way. Yet, there are consequences to indifference. We should not be surprised by discipline from the Lord if we choose not to pay attention to the discrepancy between our community’s actions and God’s righteous standard, just as the prophets warned in Israel.
 
FOR OVER 16 YEARS STEVE AND I HAVE ALSO BEEN INVOLVED AS PASTORAL COUNSELORS. Now, some individuals say that all pastors can give pastoral counseling to people. It’s a little different than that. Some people go to school and study psychology, which is the study of the mind, and how to understand the psyche of people and help them. This is a secular approach, and there have been good results and helping people resolve conflicts and often mental illness issues as well as addressing dementia and Alzheimer’s problems and more.
 
Pastoral counseling is where the Bible is the foundation, the Scriptures are the foundation of what you use as a basis to advise and counsel and hopefully help restore people. You also do have to take study courses and apply different techniques in counseling that assist you in being able to assess and discern, as well as understand some issues of mental health in order to be integral in your approach. Steve and I were supervised for over 15 years by a doctor of psychology, who was a strong believer, and we both took courses from different Christian counseling associations and college courses in order to broaden our ability to help people. We also had a brick-and-mortar counseling group with a dear friend, our friend who was the doctor of psychology and the practice supervisor for three years in our local area.
 
WE SAW THE LORD TRANSFORM, marriages, families, young people, and drug addicts, as well as dealing with many abused believers who had come out of almost cult-like, churches, or who were involved in environments and churches where they could not talk about abuse going on with the staff. Many in ministry callings came to us to share their hearts and gained helpful counsel as well.
 
LITERALLY A FEW WEEKS BEFORE COVID LOCKDOWNS BEGAN, our landlord who was also a believer let us know that he was going to sell his portion of the medical unit building that we were renting from him, and the Lord had begun to speak to Steve and I about the timing of where we were supposed to head into more private work as pastoral counselors and as mentors within that same timeframe. The state of Colorado had begun to dictate what licensed counselors were permitted to address, absolutely mandating that they were not permitted to talk about any kind of therapy, that assisted those with “different sexual lifestyles” if they wanted to be transformed or helped.
 
Steve and I strictly operate as Ordained ministers so we do not have to bow our knee to the dictates of a corrupt government licensure program.  We still have to follow confidentiality laws as well as report any kind of devastating child abuse that we may hear in our counseling sessions, but it is all done ethically and legally, and with grace. When the lockdowns began the majority of our work took place over the phone or occasional zoom sessions. With great sadness our dear sister and friend and Counseling Center Supervisor Dr. Muskie, passed into heaven, due to complications with WuhanCovid19.
 
When You Counsel People, The Number One Thing
That Needs To Be Absolutely Evident Is That You Are Willing
To NOT Look At Everyone From A Lens Of What YOU Know,
But Rather From The Lens Of God’s Compassion, As Well As
Leaning In To The Discernment Of The Holy Spirit.
 
The majority of the people I work with are women who have been in abusive environments with either husbands, abusive parents or/siblings and with people in ministry environments (and I’m telling you there are many sexual predators who prey upon women right in church buildings!) as well as working with professional women who are pressured by men and women in their work environments.
 
There are also a lot of women who are very sensual, who get attention by teasing men hoping to cause them to fall. It’s a real deal! And they don’t just go after pastors. They will go after any man in a local body or church or work environment to get the attention that they hunger for when they missed out on being parented properly, or if they feel that something sensual makes them get the attention they need to feel loved. This often happens when there has been sexual abuse in their lives.
 
Pastoral counseling is based on getting to the root of the problem according to what the word of God says, and for a believer the importance of it is that we are willing to face the root cause of what causes us to be traumatized, bitter, secretive, or lie.
 
ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS TO COUNSEL IS A PERSON WITH AN EXTREMELY HARD, WOUNDED HEART, OR WHO IS EMBITTERED. No matter how much you try to show them the way and soften the pathway for them with the grace of God, there is often a back lash that always has a reason to explain why they are hurt, why they are hard, and why they choose to stay stuck in a hard place.
In Matthew 13:15 Jesus says:
“For the heart of this people has become hard,
With their ears they scarcely hear,
And they have closed their eyes,
Otherwise they would see with their eyes,
Hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart and return,
And I would heal them.”
 
It is a humbling thing to admit that you are stuck or that you are in a hard place, or that you are dominant and mean and cruel to people because you are bitter over tough life circumstances that have happened to you, and so you put up a wall to protect yourself.
 
I have met Christians who justify the fact that they can bully and name call and yes, often swear at other people when they think they are trying to help them or advise them. They often get angry when they are confronted about their bad bullying behavior towards their children. If you ever hear a believer say something like “my child is a jerk”, or “you’re a little brat”, or “stop whining and get up or I’m going to give you something to cry about”, you can tell that there’s verbal abuse going on in their home.
 
Verbal abuse isn’t just cussing at someone although it is verbal abuse for sure! Verbal abuse is considered shaming, humiliating, paralyzing, and dominating over someone else verbally to the point that they are caused to emotionally shut down in fear. Unfortunately, I hear in the confines and confidential pouring out of hearts in my counseling sessions many who have been yelled at with scripture verses and shamed over not being perfect and obedient to God.  This is called spiritual abuse.
 
Picking out specific Bible verses, and using them as a battering ram, or a knife that stabs into the heart of someone to get them to “obey" or to get them to “submit”, is absolutely vicious behavior and it is abusive. There’s no godly virtue in posturing to be a big shot, or to appear to be the person who can control a room with snarky snide remarks or a bunch of advice that everyone is forced to listen to.
 
This is called "insolent pride" in the Bible, and we always take that biblical view, but in the natural if you were studying a psychological viewpoint, this is called narcissism.
 
Proverbs 21:24 states
“Proud,” “Haughty,” “Scoffer,” are his names, 

He who acts with insolent pride
 
 
INSOLENT PRIDE CREATES A SCOFFING, ARROGANT “KNOW IT ALL” ENVIRONMENT, where there is no ability to ever address the deep-rooted issue of control and abuse in a human being and how they use it towards others to posture. The need for power and control becomes “out of control”! But underneath that simmering rage there is someone who needs to keep everything tightly organized and under their thumb in order that no one finds about out the secret part of them that is either weak, wounded, or has done something they should not do to harm others.
 
WHY AM I SHARING THIS?
Well, we are living in a time where narcissism is actually applauded and stroked as a point of near genius! Insolent pride and verbal domination have become the way of communication in most social media groups.  And, unfortunately it takes place in a lot of texting where people can say cruel or snarky things behind the protection of a telephone screen and slander others in one mass social media post or text! But to say it face-to-face and see the pain in someone’s face by the words they’ve spoken is a different thing isn’t it? And the other party suddenly being painted as a “rotten person” never gets a chance to tell the side of their story that may actually be the truth.
 
Every day we come across people who need to hear a kind word, who need to be lead to a place where they can get help or truth, or just simply be treated with a level of empathy.  And, every day we come across people who may be predators, verbal abusers, spiritual abusers, and have no conscience about how they treat people.
 
IT IS ABSOLUTELY TIME FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST AGAIN TO READDRESS THE ISSUE, FOR THE NEED FOR EXTREME DISCERNMENT. Everything that the enemy could throw at us and our children is on full display right now, and if we dumb down safety and sexuality, safety and what our children watch on television or other tech devices, safety and what WE as adults watch, we simply embrace the narrative of the world, and we move away from scriptural goodness into a place that pollutes the ability to have good discernment.
 
When we don’t allow accountability to come into our lives, whether it be with a good and wise counselor, or with a group of trusted friends who are not going to take your information and spread it far and wide, we leave ourselves open to a secretive fantasy world, or a secret world of torment.
 
What do you do when you’re anxious or sad or depressed or fearful over the way your husband treats you or the way your wife beats you down verbally?
 
What do you do when you are at a stalemate because a spouse refuses to forgive or move forward into hearing the truth about some of the things they have done to get locked into bad behavior and resentment?
 
What do you do when you have a child that suddenly has become addicted to video games and it’s moved up into their adult life and they have no friends because their world is all in front of a screen?
 
What do you do when you know that a minister or a member of a staff in a church or a CEO of your corporation is secretly sexually preying upon individuals in their offices, and you could lose your job, because you know?
 
THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE HARD TO ADDRESS,
BUT MUST BE ADDRESSED!
 
The world is feeling a tremendous amount of being unsettled right now by the great upset of realizing how easy it is to be controlled by a few tyrants, and yet people will cower and go about in denial, instead of learning how to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
 
I have worked with many brave women, who have prayed and fasted and done everything they possibly can to help work on their marriages, but their spouses have chosen to hunker down and gaslight and punish. No matter what approach is taken they become more verbally violent and are determined to blame everyone else.
 
Is this easy to talk about? Absolutely not!
But when you are scripturally based not only as a minister, but also as a pastoral counselor, you must bring truth into the light and help people become free from abusive environments and often “self abusive” environments.  You must above all have confidentiality and trust level that they know will not be breached. Most pastoral counselors work on a sliding scale fee in order to keep their rates low for those who are working hard, sometimes two and three jobs, or a wife who has limited income because her husband tightly holds the reins of the finances.
 
WHEN YOU’RE A PASTORAL COUNSELOR, IT IS DONE OUT OF THE PASSION FOR CHRIST and therefore money and income are not the foremost driving purpose for your work. But, there must be an investment and a fee from those who are in counseling, or people tend to not take it seriously.
It needs to be considered per individual and what they are capable of handling. I often tell people their counseling is much more important than the two or three times weekly custom cup of coffee at their local coffee shop, or perhaps snacks in their afternoon candy bar routine. It really isn’t a sacrifice when you start doing the work to get yourself whole and healthy.
It becomes a lifetime investment.
 
Pastoral counseling is definitely a calling and not to be simply a moneymaker. However, many individuals still expect hours and hours of free counseling time, and rarely invest much into changing their lives if there isn’t some kind of financial accountability for them. Of course if you attend a local church and there is a counseling pastor on staff, that’s what they are there for! If you regularly go to that fellowship and support them, usually there is an option or opportunity for you to see a counselor on staff for no fee. But having experienced some of this in the past, I also know that people tend to jump from counselor to counselor or, Pastor to Pastor if they don’t want to deal with the root cause of their problems, and it can cause friction in a local body if there’s not respect for the position and the role the pastoral counselor is assigned to, by the Lord. Basically they want someone to justify what they are doing, and their bad behaviors.
 
I URGE YOU TO ASK THE LORD TO WALK THE CORRIDORS OF YOUR HEART. Are there things in your life that you dominate and hold over others as scriptural and “legalistic absolutes” and they have become nearly abusive because you refuse to listen to someone else’s heart on the matter?
 
One thing that I have often observed is that people become very hard and hardened because they want to win an argument, or something that has helped and changed them, becomes a law for them to use against others.
 
Now, before others think I’m going to lighten my approach to the Bible, understand this. The word of God is perfect and enlightens the soul. It brings truth to a matter and it does not waver.
 
Of course, there are absolutes in the Scriptures that God will not deviate from no matter how many people try to dilute or maneuver around them. But if we use a hammer and verbal abuse and shame and scripture to “scorch people” in order to prove a point, or to advise them then we are also biblically unsound and abusive.
 
FIRST CORINTHIANS INSTRUCTS US SO CLEARLY THAT LOVE IS WHAT?
It is patient.
It is kind.
It is not boastful, it is not arrogant, and it is not self-serving.
 
When the Lord said, come to me, all of you who are heavy, laden, weighed down and burdened, and I will give you rest, he meant that, because he knows we get heavy laden and burdened and weighed down, either by our own destructive behaviors and sins, or by the destructive behaviors and actions and sins of others.
 
There is also nothing more painful than when someone is in pain or sorrowful or going through a great loss or trauma, and another individual shouts, “get over it, move on”, or cracks jokes about the person in pain.
 
Yes, you will be around people who are chronically in pain or depressed, and it takes patience. It takes guidance, and it takes kindness to either help direct them to help, or gently tell them that you are not the person that is able to help them at this time, but that you will stop and pray for them right now. 
You see, it takes humility.
 
Although there is a lot of reading material produced that uses the term “tough love” and a lot of books about boundaries that we can study, remember, if you’re coming from a scriptural perspective the ultimate goal of God is a Redemptive moment or a restoration if possible.
 
BOUNDARIES ARE NOT TO BE HUGE CEMENT WALLS WITH BARBED WIRE AT THE TOP BLOCKING OUT EVEN THE SUN.
 
Boundaries as a believer are there for when there is a conflict or a disagreement or a different viewpoint with another person. It’s a  "time out" to go and think about it, to pray about it, check your own heart and see if there’s something that would bring about a form of reconciliation.  And then, you try to come together and discuss the issue.
You can agree to disagree and not banish people!
 
Imagine how much Jesus disagrees with a lot of how we behave and yet he doesn’t banish us! He continues to wait for us to come out of our corners of hiding or corners of denial, and meet him again in dialogue until light comes and hope and help, bring a different perspective on our pathway of life.
 
I have worked with people through phone counseling sessions from many different places in the United States, and I have seen them grieve and open up and trust me with the deepest of their painful sorrows and things that are unbelievably sometimes even unbearable to mention. Slowly, but surely, a foundation of nurture and truth combined begins to chip away at the lie that they have believed and feel viewed as something no longer valuable or useful, or that they are worthy of value and are not to be abused!
 
For instance, if a young girl has been used and trafficked by a parent for most of their childhood and up into their high school years, once they awaken to this later in life, there is no way that anyone can accuse them of “choosing” to not face it!
 
There comes a time where the light of God shines brightly on the pain and the sorrow, and they need to be led out into a place where they can express the grief, the anguish and the huge loss of childhood innocence, and yet be brought to a safe place before the face of God, through strategic dialog, planning, or behavioral changes. Gently addressing the people that they affiliate, with until they see the light and the kindness of God. Until they can see themselves as the original creation God had planned them to be.
 
NOW, DON’T GET ME WRONG.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE WHEN THE LORD OPENS DOORS FOR ME TO SPEAK AND MINISTER, and if so called to, I to do operate in the word of knowledge and the word of wisdom when I am involved in these environments.  It is hard work to study and prepare in prayer for when you are assigned these opportunities to speak and minister publicly. But, this behind-the-scenes work of mentoring and pastorally, biblically guide people with counsel, is one of the hardest things that I think I’ve ever done, and yet the most joyful and rewarding when you see the lights come on and the light enter and the chains of the enemy become literal paper and fall away. The person finds the joy and laughter and finds that God has a glorious plan for them.
 
Sometimes it can be a rather rapid process, but the majority of times it is a steady, consistent work, until they find their wings and fly. Every time I work with someone I think about how long it takes for Jesus to help us to find our way, and he often narrows the path of our relationships and friendships in order for us to not only be safe, but to also be on a pathway that is not crowded by those who choose to not do the work that God is asking them to do, in order to be transformed.
 
If we look at the parable where the seed falls on the ground, there are those who will stay stony hearted and will not take in water. They will not receive nourishment. They choose not to grow, and the sad thing is that their seed is pecked up on my other predators.
 
I CAN TELL YOU HONESTLY THAT ALL OF THE PROPHETIC WORDS SPOKEN OVER YOUR LIFE DO NOT CHANGE
THE HARD WORK IT TAKES TO GET YOUR LIFE ON A PATH WHERE THEY CAN COME TO PASS.
 
The Lord is so good to give us future promises, but with those there’s a requirement for action.
Don’t wait until things are so bad and you have a minefield of heartache and debris left in your wake that you have to now clean up.
Don’t be afraid to ask for the help that you need, and find someone whom you can work with and feel safe with, and get on with allowing God to create a new clean heart and renew a right spirit within you.
 
If you have addictions to pornography or addictions to drugs or any other thing that causes you to feel driven towards it, the Lord wants to offer you freedom and restore you to a place of peace and no longer walking in fear.
 
The greatest counselor that we can have is the Holy Spirit; the scripture says the Holy Spirit is a counselor.
Now, many people say, “Well!  I can hear from the Lord for myself, and I will let the Holy Spirit counsel me!”
The problem with that statement is that if we are already in trouble, or we are hiding something, or we have been abused and beat down, we can often dismiss the deep inner voice of the Lord telling us that we need to talk to others and be accountable and get help. Often the Holy Spirit will gently say to someone,  “Go talk to so-and-so or go talk to your pastor or go talk to a counselor or a close friend, who is wise”. Yet pride or fear keeps us paralyzed and afraid to move forward.
 
EVERYONE SOMEWHERE IN THEIR FAMILY OR IN THEIR LIFE EXPERIENCES HURT, AND PAIN AND TRAUMA. Unfortunately, this is the nature of fallen man and the Earth is riddled with devastation because of it. But in John 10:10, Jesus himself said, “I have come that you might have life to the fullest!” He said that you MIGHT have life to the fullest! And the first part of that verse is, “but Satan comes to rob to steal to kill and destroy”. This is what happens to people in life when they are abused and traumatized! 
 
Jesus offers a hand to us saying come to me all of you, who are very weary and heavy laden, heavy burdened, and I will give you rest so that you might have life to the fullest.
 
One of the simplest ways you can find help is to simply look in your area for a Christian counselor, and you can even ask for specifics and details. Those who are really dedicated to the call of God as pastoral counselors spend as much time in prayer and preparation before there counseling session, as they do IN the counseling session.
 
The word of God ultimately has the answers that we need, and the pathway that will guide us out of darkness into the light.
 
I AM IMPRESSED TO SHARE THIS PODCAST SPECIFICALLY
BECAUSE I KNOW THERE ARE THOSE OF YOU
THAT ARE LISTENING WHO ARE CRYING OUT FOR GOD
TO SHOW YOU WHERE TO GO OR WHAT TO DO ABOUT
SOME OF THE SITUATIONS YOU FIND YOURSELF IN.
 
He wants you to know it is not wrong to seek help and that counseling is not of the devil!
 
After all the scripture in Isaiah calls, Jesus, The Mighty Counselor! And again he speaks of the Holy Spirit as being our advocate, or one of our counselors, because they are in themselves three in one with the Father. But, the Lord gives the spirit of counsel and wisdom, and insight to those who are called to help others out of dark places.
 
Don’t hesitate!
Call someone, research someone in your area, or if you have a pastor or individual who is skilled in your church to help you deal with the specific kind of trauma upset you are dealing with, make an appointment and step forward. Not all pastors are skilled or qualified to help people who have been through traumatic sexual abuse issues, or who are dealing with parents who have dementia and Alzheimer’s. But, they can certainly pray with you and help also to direct you to the proper resource.
 
JESUS WANTS US TO FIND A PLACE OF PEACE AND REST IN HIM. His ultimate is to bring us peace and to draw us close to him.
 
If there’s anyone who has ever shamed you by telling you that, seeing a counselor is weak or shows that you don’t trust the Lord, just understand that that individual is also hiding something, or is extremely bound up in the fear of being led astray.
 
Some counselors are not a good fit and so you go to a different one! There have been times when I have worked with individuals and I have to lovingly let them know that I am not a good fit for their situation, or it becomes overlapped into situations where there needs to be another specialist who can better help them walk out an area where they’re stuck, and they need a Focused, Skilled individual to help them unpack, and unburden the deep pain that they are in.
 
THE SCRIPTURE SAYS HE WHOM THE SON SETS FREE IS FREE INDEED.
My prayer for those that are listening today is that you will open your heart to the Lord in prayer and ask him to help you to take the steps forward that you might need to deal with whatever it is that you are suffering over.
 
If you have been verbally abused by bullies in the church or those that may even say that they have some form of counseling skill, but they verbally abuse or shame or use harsh language in order to shock you, this was not the way God planned it. Try again!
 
Step forward one more time and ask the Lord to open the door for you to the right counselor. He will do it, and he will help you be free from pain, the hiding of abuse as a child, the difficulty of dealing with addicted or angry adult children, and those that are prodigal parents, or prodigal children.
 
Jesus has a plan and helping us to hand things over to him in his care when we’ve done all that we know we can possibly do, and we have apologized or repented for actions on our part.
 
Remember, nothing is impossible with God.
I have seen him turn situations around that seemed absolutely impossible! He can help us to stand firm in our faith and not hide in order to be people pleasers, or to cower under the pressure of abusive treatment.
 
OUR NATURAL HUMAN RESPONSE TO SHAME IS TO HIDE.
We hide from each other and hide from God.
This has been the case since Creation. The Bible describes how the first human beings responded to God when they had sinned and were ashamed:  “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden” (Genesis 3:8).
 
FRIENDS, HIDING KEEPS US FROM HEALING.
Let’s all aim to be a compassionate, courageous community of believers. A community in which we support each other as we choose healing over hiding.
Let’s support each other as we ask God to grow, to change and heal us.
 
Let Me Lift You Up To The Father In Prayer Right Now:
Father, I thank you for those that are listening to this podcast today. I know it’s not an easy one and certainly not as stimulating and supernatural or as exciting as some, but it IS a supernatural work that you do when you bring us to a place of releasing pain and telling the truth about what has happened to us, or where we have done something to harm someone else.
 
Lord, I know you’re doing a great cleansing work and that you are starting with the body of Christ, bringing your judgment and your truth, and your light.
 
Lord, you said the days are coming when we will worship you in spirit and in truth. Lord, we can’t fully worship you when we’re not truthful with you, if we’re hiding and if we’re cloaking, so I pray that anyone listening today. Father anyone who is afraid. I pray that you tell them that fear is holding them back and that you would guide them literally by the hand and direct them to the proper counselor, to someone who has the wisdom to help unlock the pain, the history, the stories and the trauma that has happened to them, in war, in family, in abuse in school or a job. With an abusive Pastor, with an abusive Sunday school teacher.
 
The list goes on and on and you know every one of these events.
So Father I ask that those that are hearing this message will take courage. You will GIVE them the courage to step out and ask for help and I know you will do it.
 
You will help them if they will simply step out, and I thank you for hearing this prayer from my heart for them, in Jesus name.
 
 
Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed, as long as the complete message, Website, podcast link and information for Mary Lindow is included.
Thank You! 2024
"THE MESSENGER"  - Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
www.marylindow.podbean.com
 
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THE MIGHTY POWER OF GOD WILL BE DEMONSTRATED WHEN WE WALK AND PRAY

By Mary Lindow
In this podcast I am going to share two interesting supernatural events that took place in regards to “prayer walking” in two different locations.
If you will remember the story of the battle at Jericho, Joshua and the people who marched around that fortified city, you will know that prayer walking and praise have a potent affect!
We would often have groups of people walk among our community near where our church facility was and they would simply pray quietly for the neighborhoods they were walking in. Often there would be people out in their yards or sitting on their front porches, and they would stop to visit with them, simply asking if there were something they could pray about with them, and would state that they had no agenda other than just a walk through the neighborhood and to pray. 
Out of that came great moments where peoples live were being touched, and changed! These individuals would often end up coming to church where they could be loved on, discipled and find family in Christ to help them grow, or to help them through difficult times.
We knew one pastor who had everybody gather one Sunday during the service, and then he gave packets of scripture verses and candy bars to groups of them or whoever was there, and said, “Today’s service is concluded! Here’s a block map for you to go walk and pray and greet your neighbors around the church!”
Imagine the shock of the people that they had to leave their comfortable church building and go out and actually be praying for their neighbors physically, and look for opportunities to help them!
The next Sunday, the building was so packed the people couldn’t believe it! People had asked for help and asked for prayer, because someone dared to reach out to them.
THERE ARE TIMES WHEN GOD WILL STRATEGICALLY
SEND GROUPS OF PEOPLE
TO PRAY THROUGHOUT
THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS, THEIR CITIES,
AND, THEIR STATES.
It’s during these times when we focus on praying that the God brings about not only a change in our hearts, but he also begins to see that the land is being blessed by his people, rather than being cursed by the wicked.
 
WE ARE IN A TIME WHERE GOD IS CALLING HIS BODY TO BE ACTIVE, and he is literally thrusting them out of the upper room experiences that they’ve been dwelling in for a long time, and sending them out into the streets to preach the gospel in love and act in kindness and in listening.
 
Hey! The world is frightened right now!
People are terrified at what they see
coming against them from the
encroaching communist regimes.
They don’t know what to do!
 
AND SO, HUGE PRAYER INITIATIVES
ARE EXPLODING EVERYWHERE!
 
But the one thing that we must not be afraid of is this to go out of the church building and walk our neighborhoods and pray, because this is us in action out in the highways and byways, compelling people to come in, simply by being available.
There are times you may meet no one while you’re walking and praying but you continue to listen to the Holy Spirit! He may have you stop gently in front of someone’s home and then show you something that you need to pray about for that individual or that family.
You just quietly pray as you walk and bless, or pray however the Holy Spirit leads you for that home.
This is faith in action, and it is above all, love in action!
 
SO NOW, FOR THE TWO SPECIFIC INTERESTING
PRAYER WAKING EXPERIENCES THAT I HAVE HAD
THAT I’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU!
Here we go!
Steve and I took a team of women from across the United States, to Mundolsheim, France a city not far from well-known Strasbourg, France. We were working with another wonderful French ministry team, “Le Olivier” called, “The Olive Branch” in English, and we were preparing to have a multi-national women’s conference. We had built a wonderful relationship with the key leaders, Christine and Michele and we had arrived with the team of women who came from all across the United States and who paid their own way to come. Many of them were Pastoral, Counselors, Ministers, intercessors, missionaries, and also strong Christian businesswomen.
 
AS WE MET AND BEGAN TO PRAY AND PREPARE for the days ahead when the conference would take place, we had a map of the city the conference was being held in on a poster board and pointed out to individual different places we would like to have everyone go walk and pray, in the community where we were going to be having the conference.
AT THE TIME, FRANCE HAD
MORE RESTRICTIVE RULES ABOUT
RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS AND CHURCH PRACTICES THAN CHINA.
 
WE HAD FAVOR WITH THE CITY MAYOR.
He was a strong Lutheran who had a love for Jesus, so he did everything he could to secure the large meeting hall for us, and the team that helped us from the City Hall were lovely people.
As we assigned different city location areas for groups of people participating in the conference as leaders or helpers, we asked them to take their Bibles and to go in groups of three or four, to begin to walk and pray for the village of Mundolshiem.
 
This region is a very difficult place to plow in, especially when it comes to anything that might have the power of the Holy Spirit flowing.
We had women coming in from Brussels, France, Germany, Romania, Croatia, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, and we also found out we had individuals who were led by the Lord to the conference who were from Iraq. This all was a result of the Lord having everyone prepare in prayer for months ahead.
 
THE TEAMS OF THREE AND FOUR INDIVIDUALS BEGAN TO SPREAD OUT throughout the village/city of Mundolsheim. Everyone knew that because there was a language barrier, we would not be able to talk with very many people since we did not have enough French interpreters. So, people went with the intent simply to pray and to bless this city.
We asked the Lord to use us to bring peace and joy, and also to discern, how to pray.
 
During the prayer walk, one group was specifically really feeling strong to pray and intercede for salvation among the young people, and asked the Lord to please show them how to pray, and to please give them an indicator that they were on the right track into what they felt they were being called to pray about. 
 
SUDDENLY THEY BEGAN TO HEAR MUSIC DOWN THE STREET ABOUT A BLOCK AWAY. (In France they still do open the shutters in the upper level of their homes to let air pass through!)
The closer they got, they recognized the worship song that was very popular during that time. As they approached where they could hear the music more clearly, there in the window, with his back to the window was a young man playing the guitar and worshiping the Lord in French, singing, “I will glorify the King of Kings! I will glorify the Lamb!”
 He had no idea that this group of individuals was now standing down in the front of his house lifting their hands and praising God with him!  When he finished his song, they began to clap and he turned around!
 
HE SAW THEM PRAISING GOD AND HE JOINED IN WITH THEM, clapping his hands and rejoicing, that even though none of them could understand each other, the common bond was, that they knew they belonged to each other because of Jesus!
Everyone tried to sign language with him and he spoke a little bit of English so they told him about the conference. He was so excited to hear about it! Even though the conference was for women during the day, night sessions were opened to men.
 
THIS WAS A CLEAR INDICATOR THAT THE LORD HAD DIRECTED
THESE INDIVIDUALS TO PRAY FOR THE YOUTH IN THAT CITY!
 
And, as they walked the streets and interceded, the Lord gave them a prophetic indicator that there were those in the city that were young people, called to impact that city through worship!
EVERY GROUP THAT WENT OUT TO WALK
HAD SOME KIND OF INTERESTING EVENT TAKE PLACE
OR AN INDICATION OF HOW TO PRAY.
 
God wastes nothing when we dedicate ourselves to his purposes! Not every time you prayer walk will there be something supernatural or spectacular take place in the natural, but what will take place in our heart, is that we shed fear and what we think people will think about us and we simply and quietly go serve our communities. Above all of that we serve the Lord by praying for those around us, as the word of God tells to us to do.
THE SCRIPTURE TELLS US TO PRAY
FOR THOSE IN AUTHORITY AND TO PRAY
FOR OUR CITIES, AND FOR THOSE
THAT ARE OUR LEADERS.
 
I know of groups of people who have taken time to go walk around their local city buildings very quietly without fanfare or trying to draw attention and simply prayed for all the leaders, the police force, the fire department and all those others who serve in their city communities.
 
NOW, MY NEXT STORY ABOUT PRAYER WALKING IS VERY RELEVANT
FOR WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.
 
I urge you to listen carefully,
because I believe that there will be another attempt
to put a complete lockdown on the United States
with another forced pandemic or a “forced fear” about a pandemic.
 
I urge you to be very wise and discerning about listening to the encroaching fear mongering, and continual threats against your freedoms.
 
IT IS FOR THIS THAT CHRIST DIED TO SET US FREE, AND NOT TO TREMBLE UNDER THE HAND OF TYRANNY. We are never to hide our faith under a bushel basket, or hide what we believe in order to protect ourselves from opinion.
 
IT IS WHEN WE OBEY THE LORD IN THE DARKEST TIMES,
THAT THE GREATEST POWER,
AND THE GREATEST STRENGTH COMES.
 
IN MARCH 2020, WE WERE AT PEAK LOCKDOWNS HERE IN COLORADO. People were so afraid of each other that even neighbors would mask and rush to their cars and not even wave at each other as if perhaps this diabolical biological weapon, would somehow be further released in a wave or in a friendly greeting.
 
OUR TEMPERATURES WERE IN THE MID TO LOW 50S ON A MONDAY THAT SEEMED TO BE EXTREMELY BLEAK. Everywhere we turned people were in fear, and the newscasts were nonstop bombardment of fear, control, and banter.
I was in our guest room, which is also my prayer room, just pondering everything and quite weary of the noise, knowing that this was not going to get better quickly.
I was looking over a bunch of scriptures that I was going to pray over my city as well as pray for our neighbors, and I was strongly urged by the Holy Spirit to put on a warm coat, warm clothing and gloves, and take a walk around my neighborhood.
I was to take those scripture verses with me on my piece of paper and simply and quietly walk all of the blocks and pray those scriptures and speak peace over my neighborhood. So, I got bundled up and I told my husband Steve that I was going to go prayer walk.
I did not put a mask on.
I was not going to walk in fear.
 
Block after block, I was simply walking and praying and, listening closely to the Holy Spirit as to how I was to pray the scripture verses I read that were spoken out quietly.
As I was coming down one street there was also a looped, small cul-de-sac, and so I took a left-hand turn and began to walk around the cul-de-sac.
As I was coming around the edge of the cul-de-sac, coming back towards the street just being quiet, reading my prayers and scriptures, I noticed that there were three young women standing outside the front of their house on the lawn drinking large cans of beer, and being generally rowdy and laughing.
I didn’t pay much attention to it because I was busy praying.
 
SUDDENLY THEY STOPPED, AND ALL OF THEM CAME TO THE EDGE OF THE SIDEWALK AND STARED AT ME as I was approaching to go down the other side of the street across the street from them!
ALL AT ONCE THEY BEGAN CUSSING AND SWEARING AT ME, laughing maniacally, and then one woman in a very guttural maniacal voice began to yell,
“We’re going to spit on you!
We’re going to give you Covid!
What are you doing out here?
We’re going to spit on you we’re going to breathe on you.
Cooooooooviiiiid is coming for you!”
 
THEY WERE LAUGHING AND SCREECHING AND SPITTING OUT INTO THE STREET!  At this point, I had stopped just to stare at them and realized that I was seeing a full force of mocking and harassing spirits coming my direction, in complete demonic manifestation!
Hmm…  Apparently quiet prayer walking for your neighborhood really upsets the Demonic strongholds!
 
I did not give them any attention and as I was walking forward, and I looked up into the sky above the house where they were, the day was overcast and had gloomy pockets of clouds so the sun was not showing for the majority the time I was walking.
 
SUDDENLY, UP OVER THE TOP OF THE HOUSE THE SUN BROKE FORTH and I was just beginning to pray in tongues asking the Lord to please keep me safe as I passed by them, because I really didn’t want them coming over to the street to engage with me if they were either drunk or fully manifesting demonic activity!
Again, as I looked up over the top of the house, suddenly the sun burst forth behind this formation in the sky, and there in the sky was a giant cloud, CLEARLY shaped like an eagle.
It’s pretty obvious from the picture in my introduction, since I did have my phone with me and I was able to snap it.
I had just gotten done praying for the United States of America when I was coming around the cul-de-sac, asking the Lord to protect our nation, and was led by the Spirit of God to pray regarding a need for protection in the skies, and protection over our nation.
In Isaiah 40:31, God compares His care for His people, to that of a mother eagle who spreads her wings to cover her young and carry them away from danger.
I was crying out in prayer for our nation like a Mother would for a child in grave danger!
AS I SAW THAT HUGE CLOUD ABOVE ME, I STOPPED AND STARED, AND OF COURSE GOT MY PHONE OUT AND TOOK THE PICTURE. I think the women thought i was getting ready to take a picture of them, because they began to really act up!
But as I stood there and stared in the sky, they too turn around and looked. I continued on my way and did not engage with them so I can’t honestly tell you what they thought of that formation in the sky, but I can tell you it was so obvious that no one could’ve missed it.
I went around the corner and passed where they were, and they seemed to withdraw and go back into the lawn area as if something was subduing them.
As I turned down another block, and was pondering what I had just seen, the sun then went back behind the clouds and the shape was gone.
 
I BEGAN TO PRAY IN TONGUES, PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT AS THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDED ME.
Several times I was praying, I would speak out in English the word, “It’s a coup it’s a coup! Pray against the coup!” So then I would I began to speak scriptures about God exposing every evil thing that is hidden in the darkness and to bring it into the light.
I was praying so intensely in the spirit for the next 15 minutes I vaguely remember walking a couple blocks and I was at this point, walking pretty quickly and purposefully.
 
AS I CAME AROUND ANOTHER BLOCK, THERE WAS A YOUNG MAN AND HIS WIFE GETTING OUT OF THEIR PICK UP TRUCK WITH A BABY, and they had masks on. I was walking more down the middle of the street because it was a quiet neighborhood street, and as I walked by them I smiled at them and waved and I said, “I hope you’re OK! Have a peaceful afternoon, don’t be afraid.”  The young man turned around and stopped and looked at me like a deer in the headlights. And then he said, “Thank you so much. I appreciate that so much!”
All it took was one kind word, one risk to engage,
and someone stopped and felt that love
and felt that connection.
 
I HAVE COME TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE PRESENCE OF GOD FLOWS OUT OF US like the virtue flowed out of Jesus for the woman who had the issue of blood. He said he felt virtue leave him when she touched the hem of his garment.
 
WHEN WE ARE BUSY OUT AND ABOUT PRAYER WALKING,
BEING CARRIERS OF THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST,
BRINGING PRAYER INTO DARK PLACES,
WE ARE EMANATING A LIGHT THAT WE MAY NOT SEE,
BUT IT IMPACTS THOSE AROUND US.
 
Obviously the demonic forces in my neighborhood didn’t like that I was out praying and breaking strongholds of fear and critical judgment against each other in our neighborhood!
So what did the evil darkness tried to do try turn around and threaten me,actually it gave itself away! The enemy let me know exactly that he knew I was out praying for my neighborhood and that he was going to threaten me with spit or Covid!
Needless to say, I knew I was on to something!
You do not need to have some large ministry or some affiliation with a group to go prayer walk! You as a single, individual believer can walk in all the authority you need to go walk in the power of Christ and pray for your neighborhood!
 
MANY PEOPLE SAY, “I DON’T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN!”
So, I’m going to give you some simple, easy guidelines.
Don’t make it difficult!
As you walk and pray, the Holy Spirit will guide you!
Here are a few instructions and guidelines on how to prayer walk and, WHY to prayer walk!
 
WHAT IS PRAYER WALKING?
First of all it’s following the example that Jesus gave us in Luke 10 try to go out in twos if possible.
In Ezekiel 22 verses 30 through 31 it shows us that we are we’re standing in the gap for people by praying for people! Standing there in prayer for them between heaven and their lives.
Then in Luke 10:19 it says, Jesus gave us authority over the enemy, so as we pray, we begin to stand firm against the strongholds in our neighborhoods or cities. In Matthew 18:14 it states that we have to seek God‘s guidance in whom we approach when we are prayer walking.
WHEN YOU GET READY TO PRAYER WALK,
THE FIRST THING TO DO IS TO SET
AN INTENTION FOR YOUR WALK.
 
There are multiple possibilities as to why you’re going to take a walk and pray.
 
First of all think about praying for your community.
Pay attention to the details around you.
What do you see that needs your prayer?
There may be a home on the street that looks impoverished or perhaps it looks like it might even possibly be a location where there is crime taking place.
Explore a question situation with God!
Ask God to help you discover truth!
 
ASK THE LORD WHAT IS HE WANTING YOU TO SEE, then if you’re meditating on a passage or a verse of scripture like psalms, as you walk keep referring to the piece of scripture that helps you meditate on the word, and speak the word as you’re praying. That’s why I take notes with me. Just a little piece of paper with scriptures so I know that I am praying the word of God over my neighborhood.
 
Simply enjoy being in the presence of God and in nature. It’s wonderful! Enjoy the beauty around you and the Divine presence of God.
I would recommend to pray before you start walking and also be open to God’s leading in this time of walking. If you see people on your walk, you can say hi! If you happen to strike up a conversation, feel free to ask them if they have anything you could pray for.
 
WHEN YOU FINISH YOUR WALK just as you’re coming home, give thanks to God for this time that you’ve had praying for your city and tell him how much you love your neighborhood and that you want these people to feel the love of God.
I call this “Prayer walking made easy”.
 
When Steve and I were pastoring or when we knew that there was a situation going on in our community we looked to partner with God, or in a new area, we’d start by prayer walking the streets to prepare our hearts for the harvest.
We see throughout the Bible that God calls people to walk the land and as we do, this physical act becomes a spiritual one!
 
In Genesis 3:17 it says,
“Go walk through the length and breadth of the land for I am giving it to you!”
 
WOW! I like that one!
 
Joshua 13 says,
“I will give you every place that your foot touches as promised to Moses”, so prayer walking helps is to really see the area and its people through God‘s eyes.
 
WE CAN HEAR WHAT GOD IS SAYING, and get an understanding of how the Holy Spirit might want to engage the people who live there, and when we pray or walk, all our senses become part of our prayer as sights, smells and sounds prompts our discussion with God.
Understand that prayer walking is not about standing on a street corner praying out loud and preaching! It’s a time of learning, listening. and importantly, intercession on behalf of the people that we want to reach. It’s very important that we know how to pray when we’re prayer walking, so ideally if you can find a friend to walk with you. It’s nice to have someone to be in agreement with while you’re walking.
Each of you can pray and take turns to just walk the streets of your neighborhood silently. praying for each person, each house, and praying for specific needs if you know them or, just pray for God‘s truth and blessings for each person.
 
PRAYER WALKING SHOULD BE LOW PROFILE. You don’t need to carry a huge Bible, pray out loud, or tell everybody what you’re doing.
Just quietly pray as you walk.
THERE ARE TIMES WHEN PEOPLE ARE REALLY FORGETTING
THAT WE CAN PRAYER WALK FOR THE SCHOOLS
THAT CHILDREN ARE GOING TO!
 
What do we pray for?  We pray for the coaches and teachers, the bus drivers, the traffic directors, the cafeteria staff, front office staff, the school nurse, security personnel, especially pray for the superintendents of the schools right now!
We definitely need to see a move of God among school boards!
 
We need to pray for arts teachers and school counselors who need wisdom in assessing the needs of children and pray that they are not forcing harmful narratives on them.
We need to pray for classroom teachers that they use efficient time management and creative planning and love the children and teach them well, not indoctrinate them!
Special education teachers need prayers so very much, and we need to pray for new students.
 
The big thing to pray for in schools is for bullies.
When I taught school, the bullies would even bully the teachers! This is a stronghold that comes against teachers! It comes against tenderhearted students or young students coming into the schools.
BULLIES USE A STRONGHOLD
OF CONTROL AND SHAME!
 
We need prayer for specific care above all during this time where we have so much child abduction, taking place, definitely praying for children who walk to school, that they would make wise decisions and be alert to cars and people and Safety.
I encourage you to pray specifically with the names of teachers if you know them and be sure to include prayers of thanks.
 
WE BEGIN TO PRAISE GOD
AS WE SEE CHANGE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS
TAKING PLACE DUE TO PRAYER.
 
 
Now!
I WILL GIVE YOU A SPECIFIC STORY AS I FINISH THIS PODCAST.
We had a family that lived across the street in one of the homes near us who lived there many years and they had one young daughter. I’ll say her name is “J” because I don’t want to give her name away. She was a darling little girl, but there was tension between Mom and Dad.
Eventually, Mom and Dad moved out and the house became a rental to some lovely people that lived there.
Now understand, every now and then this couple would come over to check on their house/property, and their little girl would be there. As she grew up she always came across the street to talk to us because she enjoyed visiting with Steve and I and our boys, and then as our boys got older and left home, she would still come over and we would always visit with her.
She knew that we were ministers or pastors at one time, but we never pushed anything on her. We simply showed her love and always gave her cookies at Christmas.
 
FAST-FORWARD, 15 YEARS.
Suddenly her dad and mom have been divorced for years and her dad has decided to let her live in the home by herself as a single adult. Who are the first people that she decides to come over and talk to?  You guessed it! Steve and I!
More and more she would come across the street or we would meet her at the edge of the sidewalk and just chat about lawn mowing, the weather, and, she got a new puppy.
 
ON A SPRING EVENING THIS YEAR, I invited her to come over for coffee and sit on the front porch to enjoy the beautiful evening. We were going to come inside, but her new puppy wanted to run around out in the front yard area so we sat on the area instead.
Slowly, but surely she began to tell me her story.
What heartache she had experience through her parents divorce. What she had just recently gone through with the Covid pandemic, and having to bury both of her grandparents, because her mother had a complete breakdown.
 
This young woman is just now 21 years old.
We sat there and I talked and laughed with her and let her share her deep, innermost sorrows and fears. I held her in my arms as she began to weep and cry out of despair and feeling so lost knowing that her Dad was going to soon remarry, and she was being rejected and belittled by the new woman in his life and her daughters.
This lead me to be able to gently task her is she had ever thought about asking God to show himself to her? Have you ever said, “If you’re real, please let me know who you are.” She has had plenty of counseling from a secular counselor, she has relatives who come from a cultish spiritual background, and have tried to force it on her.
So, when I told her that she can ask God to show himself to her, that he loves her and that he can handle her anger, that he could handle her asking him this, it was like an entire new world for her!
She went home, smiling and happy and hugged me again, and again.
 
We have waved as she drives by. She’s come over and talks on the lawn.
A few times we’ve given her some baked goods or fresh vegetables from our garden, and we’ve left it alone.
 
BUT, SHE CONTINUES TO GRAVITATE BACK TOWARDS OUR HOME BECAUSE SHE FEELS SOMETHING. She had told me she felt so safe and calm when she was around me. I told her that’s the kindness of God that you’re feeling, and his peace. (She wasn’t sure about that. She thought maybe it was just because we were nice people!)
I’m looking forward to the next time that I can have Miss “J” over to our home and love her, and continue to plant seeds into her heart. Every Thursday night when we have our prayer gathering we pray for Miss “J”.
Sometimes I’ll just stretch my hand out towards her house when I’m looking through the window blinds and pray for her.
Maybe you’ll join me in praying for Miss “J” as well?
 
I feel the Holy Spirit would have me to say to many of you
who are reading or listening to this and have been asking the Lord,
“What part can I do?
What can I do to change anything?
Everything is so dark and frightening
and I’m at my wits end!”
 
I CAN TELL YOU THIS!
There are people tonight who will lose their homes due to the mounting cost of living.
There are people tonight who have their children who will not talk to them, because they are Christians and the children despise their parents.
I can tell you tonight that there are many people who are weeping and crying, because they have no one to tell about how close they are to losing everything.
I can tell you in my life it’s become very tight on many levels. Being a pastoral counselor we keep our fees low so that we CAN help people, but when people are choosing between groceries and gasoline and a house payment that everything is skyrocketing in expense, the first thing they tend to do, is just stop coming for counseling. So, that drastically affects my way of living too!
 
Churches are feeling the pinch because people are not able to give as freely or as generously. This then shuts down opportunities and the opportunities of other to go and speak and minister in different places because the church needs to pay their utilities before they pay for a guest minister! Yes! I’m feeling it just like everybody else is!
 
IF you’re NOT feeling it.
If you have everything in a good place in your life and you have plenty of financial security, then be a blessing to someone who isn’t.
 
HELP OTHERS! PRAY FOR THEM!
Pray for those in your neighborhood who look worn down, those who have yards that perhaps are not as well tended to anymore because they’re working two and three jobs. You may even volunteer to mow their lawn just to show love and compassion!
 
BELIEVERS! DEAR ONES!
Let us not love merely in theory with words or with giving lip service to compassion, but in action and in truth, in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words.  - I John 3:18
 
One of the greatest things that we  can possibly ever do,
is to go and walk and pray for our neighbors, our cities,
our states, our nations.
 
GOD HAS CALLED US TO BE A PEOPLE OF PRAYER and I encourage you to go march around your city and speak against the strongholds that are trying to destroy your children’s education, destroy your freedoms, and to take away your ability to function!
THE LORD WANTS THE WALLS OF JERICHO
AROUND YOUR NATION TO COME DOWN,
BUT HE CALLS UPON HIS PEOPLE
TO OBEY HIM AND DO THAT KIND OF
LABOR OF LOVE BY PRAYING.
 
In fact, let’s pray right now!
Heavenly Father!
I come to you in the name of Jesus and I thank you Lord Jesus that prayer walking is a desire of your heart. Not only is it good for our spiritual health, but it’s also good for our heart muscle as we walk!
I thank you that you will use this message to stir people to realize that sitting around and just waiting for something to happen isn’t fruitful.
Lord as we get up and move, I ask that you help us to be discerning and open to the things of your spirit, and Lord if a manifestation takes place or an opportunity to pray for someone happens, help us to record it and write it down to remember the things that you have done!
Lord I am so grateful that someone recorded the story of the road to Emmaus when you walked with the two disciples. You were walking and talking and sharing with them, and out of that came the great amazement that they realized it was you speaking to them!
Father, I bless every person listening to me today, and I speak peace over their storm, in the name of Jesus.
I see that your word says no weapon that is being formed against them will utterly prosper against them, that you will come and rescue the desperate and the destitute, and the fearful.
Father break off any shame, or any sense of great humiliation for being in struggles or difficulty right now.
Break off the shame of being embarrassed because things are tight or uncomfortable financially for many Lord!
I ask that you show each individual that you are a loving God and that you provide even at the very last moment. Lord I ask that you would open up generosity in the hearts of people in your body to care for one another like they did in the book of Acts.
Train your people to be people of battle, train their feet to walk and to march in prayer and prepare us Lord Jesus for the harvest that will come across the globe.
We ask for your loving face and mercy to flow throughout our neighborhoods and we ask this because we love you Father.
I ask this in the mighty, glorious name, the name of Jesus Christ the Messiah, the Great Redeemer, Yeshua.
AMEN.
 
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS PODCAST !
I would sure love to hear from some of you if you decide to go out and do some prayer walking and perhaps have some exciting events take place!
I’m convinced that this will happen for you, because I’ve seen it happen over and over again!
 
I Bless You Today in the Name of Jesus!
I want to thank those of you who have been so gracious to help in assisting me produce, publishing and storing these podcasts! 
I thank you all for your kindness and your notes and emails that come to me as well as your prayer requests. I don’t just look past them!
I’d like to let you that know I can’t comment on some of your comments posted on my podcast site or blog, because in order to comment I have to pay for an extended premium account and I’m not going to do that just to be able to make comments!
Please know that I read and see everything you say and it so encourages me!
I want to thank you for today’s time spent together
and I look forward to our next podcast.
 
Please visit my website at www.marylindow.com to listen to more podcasts and read about all the Lord is doing! 
Goodbye for now!
 
Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed, as long as the complete message, Website, podcast link and information for Mary Lindow is included.
 
Thank You! 2023
"THE MESSENGER"  - Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
www.marylindow.podbean.com
 
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“HANGING ON FOR DEAR LIFE” - The Lord Is The Friend Of Those Who Are In Despair - A Prophetic Teaching

FOR THOSE USING A COMPUTER PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO ACCESS THE AUDIO PLAYER 
AN IMPORTANT NOTE FROM
MARY:
Dear Readers,
Again, I would
lovingly encourage you to please choose to listen to this message in the free
audio/podcast form since it was taught and shared in a conference where the
Holy Spirit enhanced the message, as well as giving a prophetic dream to one of
the Pastors the night before this service.
 A supernatural confirmation about what the
Lord was about to have me teach was expressed in the dream and the Lord gave
the Pastor a song to sing in the dream as well which further confirmed the message!You will be
tremendously blessed when you hear him (risk) and sing this song at the
beginning of this conference session.
 
A Prophetic
Teaching
“HANGING ON FOR DEAR LIFE”
The Lord Is The Friend Of Those Who Are In Despair
 
By Mary LindowSo, I went with
him,
And when we were
climbing the rocky steps up the cliffs…
…My beloved
shepherd said to me,
"Oh my dove, while you are there
in
the seclusion of the clefts in the solid rock,
in
the sheltered and secret place of the cliff.
 
Let
me see your face. Let me hear your voice.
For your voice is
sweet. And your face is
lovely.”
 ~Song of Solomon 2:
14 
I
am starting this message with a few references from portions of the book,  
“Free To Be You:
Living From Your God-Given Design”
This was written by a precious, humble and brilliant woman by the name of Sylvia Gunther. You can
find more reading and devotionals on her website,
The Father’s Business
 
ALL
OF US HAVE DREAMS IN OUR HEARTS that
seem too wild or unachievable. To pursue them could mean great gain, but it
could mean great loss and pain.
So.
Much
like a rushing river whose power cannot be fully harnessed, we build walls to
contain it, often without even knowing we are building them. We go through life
bumping up against things, like the expectations of others, fear, and rejection
that lead us to quietly start laying
bricks, just a few at time, until one day we wake up and realize we have walled
ourselves off from our own heart. We are no longer living out of our true
selves.
But
like all walls built by man to contain what they cannot control, the levee
breaks. The wall crumbles.
 
The Creator, the
loving Artist who was so intricately involved in knitting you together in your mother's womb, is longing for you to discover
the masterpiece of you.
 
He
desires for you to discover the joy of living out of everything he has put in
you for life and godliness. This journey requires you to take the time to take
an honest look at your story. It will require peeling back some layers to get
beyond what you do to why you do what you do.
 
TRUE
FREEDOM IS WAITING when
you cease striving to fit into everyone else's box or stop trying to make
everyone fit into your box for them, and become exactly who God designed you to
be — a one-of-a-kind masterpiece of art.
 
THE
PEOPLE AROUND US SHAPE US ALL.
How
has that affected you? How would you be different if you
were assured of complete freedom and affirmation to be who you really are?
To
answer these questions we have to look at a few levels, such as family,
friends, church, and community — levels of expectations, behaviors that we have
learned either by force or in order to please others, and what we’ve been
taught to value.
Under
all these layers of expectation, there lays the true you.The Master Artist
knew the precise colors, tones, and brush strokes he wanted to use when he
painted the canvas of you.
Some
of us have allowed others to paint over that creation with their own agenda of
who they need us to be. Vivid colors have been dampened and hidden.
Here
is the glorious news!
The
original canvas is still there, and God delights to strip away all that was
not in his plan and wants to restore the beauty of you.
 
THE
MASTER ARTIST SMILED ON THE DAY YOU WERE CREATED.He
dances and rejoices over you with singing, wooing you to join him on a wild voyage
of discovery.
Will
you accept his invitation? Are you ready to take an honest look at your own
life to discover your true heart?
IMAGINE
THIS!
There
you are, struggling and hanging on for dear life, trying to find a toehold or
finger hold to grip and hang onto on a steep climb. The sun is beating down on
you and your ropes are fraying.
 
LIFE
IS SEEMINGLY GETTING HARDER,
the
world around you is swirling and shouting out bad news about terrorist plots
and Ebola outbreaks, your job is not producing any sense of delight, there are
fights in the family, fights in the church, you are tired, thirsty, beat down
and afraid…
…
And you don’t dare look down for fear of falling, failing or perhaps giving in
to gravitational pull and just letting go.
You
are sweaty; you are exhausted, and feel as if you have little to offer.
 
AND
THEN THE VOICE OF THE ONE...
...Climbing
not too far away from you, dares to say:
“Oh my dear! While
you are hanging there in the clefts and toeholds of these rocks, let me give
you a bit of shade, a shelter here under a cliff.
Let me see your
face! LET ME LOOK AT YOU!
Let me hear your
voice, I WANT YOU TO TALK TO ME!  For
your voice is sweet to ME and your face is so lovely right now.”
 
As
you hang there…
…Stunned
at these words coming at you during this desperate attempt to climb to higher
ground and to find rest and safety, you are shocked, doubtful and almost angry!
 
“YOU
HAVE GOT TO BE JOKING LORD!
NOW?
HERE?
“I
am a desperate, weary, exhausted mess!”
This
is the HONEST cry of a person who is in the midst of adversity that threatens
to sweep them away.  
The
reasons for broken heartedness are more numerous than I have time or space
to address.
My
intention is to show you that the Lord is the friend of those in despair.
 
THE
LORD IS YOUR REFUGE DURING THIS TIME.
Do not be mislead into believing another human
can address the healing needs of your soul, for only THE LORD can see the
extent of the damage that has been done to you, and only He can truly heal your
broken heart.
Continue
to SPEAK OUT-LOUD to this companion on the CLIFF! Bring Him your wailings and
suffering. I suggest you do so verbally, in the privacy of your room or a place
you go to pray.
Many
people are fearful of letting God see all that is going on within them as they
wrestle and hurt. They think that God does not want to hear their moaning and
that God will not understand their pain. 
They
fear that to allow God to see all the emotions churning within them would cause
God to be angry with them. They might look UGLY in their current desperate
state. THAT THEY ARE WRETCHED UNBELIEVERS!
 
HE
SAYS THIS TO YOU AND I TODAY!
“Be not afraid to let
me see you.
To let me hear your
voice — Your prayers and praises.
Your hopes, your
sorrows.
 For sweet is your voice to ME.
You are Perfection in My Eyes.”
 
And
then at the hardest place, where you are sweaty, barely able to hold on much
longer Jesus relieves us from such discouraging thoughts.
In
the holes of craggy and broken rocks, which resemble stairs, He, the one climbing
alone with us speaks.
 
LET
ME SEE YOU! FACE TO FACE!
Don’t be afraid or
ashamed to look at me! Come boldly into my presence, and LET ME KNOW YOU, AND
YOU – ME!
Sweet is YOUR
voice, and YOUR face is comely; (no – It does not say HOMELY)!  Your face is lovely! YOU as an individual person
are accepted by me, and are pleasant in my sight.
I
know that we don't see Him as He really is all the time. There are times we’d
rather run from Him rather than run “to” Him.
I
think there are times I see Him as pointing fingers at me for my sins, rather
than standing with open arms in love.
If
we saw Jesus as He really is, I think we would be more likely to run to Him.
 
I
ALSO WONDER IF WE ARE JUST SOMETIMES AFRAID TO BE DESPERATE FOR JESUS.
To
be desperate for Him means that we would have to face our brokenness.
To
see and admit our need for healing.
We
would have to admit we are in need.
That
we got off course.
That
we are hanging on a rocky place and we are getting scared and weary of the
exhaustion.
And
we are all often, these things! We
do need Jesus!
Of
course we will be reminded, often by others who are masking pain and doubt, that
desperation isn't attractive.
 DESPERATE
PEOPLE AREN'T PRETTY.
But
this is who Jesus came for. He came for those who could acknowledge that they can't
do life well on their own and for those who are empty and want the fullness
that Jesus offers.
We
must relinquish our unattractiveness and ugliness and be willing to run to
Jesus!
It
doesn't come easy either! Accepting the fact that we have bought the lies others
have spoken over us is not easy!
 
DO
YOU KNOW WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE WHEN GOD CALLS YOUR NAME? 
Can
you hear the tone in which He says your name?
Do
you know what it feels like? 
Do
you feel the brush of heaven’s breath coming near your very soul? 
Do
you feel the warmth of it all?
 
AS
HE CALLS EACH OF OUR NAMES, HE MAY SAY SOMETHING DIFFERENT. 
Sometimes,
many times - as a matter of fact, He reminds me, “Let go of the past.  There is nothing there for you.  Go
forward.  Do not pause in the road I’ve laid before you and look back for
onemoment!”
 
Close
your eyes today and “hear” his voice as He speaks softly.  Listen with
your heart.  Close out all the sounds.  The ticking time, the
screaming laundry or dishes, the buzz of your phone demanding that you respond. 
Climb
up under a shaded spot  - under his
shadow, Right at His feet and soak in His presence on purpose.  Not by
accident. 
 
LOOK
AT HIM FACE TO FACE ON PURPOSE TODAY AND HE WILL MEET YOU THERE.
Listen
to what He tells us in His word - at this very moment.Isaiah 43:1-3 Read
it out loud.   Insert your name
But
now,  _____(insert your name)
The
LORD who created and formed you says:
“Do
not be afraid, for I have rescued you.
I
have called you by name; you are mine. 
When
you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you.
When
you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown!
When
you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up.
The
flames will not consume you. 
For
I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One,
Your
Savior.
LOOK
AT HIM! LET HIM HEAR YOUR VOICE!
HE
LOVES TO BE WITH US!
HE
LOVES TO SPEND TIME WITH US!
As
you do this openly and humbly, your own heart and life will be restored. 
But
you must listen when He calls your name…
…
And ANSWER.
Duplication and sharing of this message is welcomed as long as the complete message and website information for Mary Lindow is included. Thank You! Copyright © 2015 "The Messenger " ~ Mary Lindow www.marylindow.comwww.globalprayerrooms.com