By Mary Lindow

The words, “The Harsh Winds of Life”

have been playing themselves over and over in my mind.

As I have pondered them and have allowed the Voice of the Holy Spirit to instruct me as to why I have been impressed with this statement, I sense the Lord addressing many deeper issues that are well anchored and maintained within our souls as believers.

 

HARSH WINDS

These blustery currents in the natural can be devastating to property, trees, and all living-breathing creatures. We have all seen what the devastation of hurricanes and tornadoes can do in a very short amount of time.

Often when listening to the traumatic stories of those who have lived through a nightmarish storm, the realities of what they hold near and dear have been laid bear and brought to the surface. Many weep over the loss of family photographs or tender things like Grandma’s old chipped china and are unconcerned about larger material items, but are deeply thankful for the safety of family members after a traumatic event. Others, are shaking fists at the sky and are enraged that they have been infringed upon during a difficult time, and want somebody else to pay for it!

 

THE HARSH WINDS OF LIFE BLOW UPON THE GODLY AND THE UNGODLY.  NO ONE IS EXEMPT.

There are some of life's storms that threaten to blow away everything we've depended on as well.

Friendships are tested, relationships are strained, and the Lord uses these harsh winds blowing against our lives to remove the crusty chaff that can form and harden around the seed of our lives.

Those who are independent in nature find a bitterness creeping into their attitudes and heart. They feel infringed upon when things are not easily controlled or maneuvered in their favor. And so, the Holy Spirit allows the winds to blow until a conviction penetrates the self centered soul, and exposes the fleshy comfort zone of, ‘My Way, My World, My Rights”!

No man has power over the wind to contain it; 

So no one has power over the day of his death.

And no one is discharged in time of war,

So wickedness will not release those who practice it.

Ecclesiastes 8:8

 

HOW LONG WILL THE HARSH WINDS BLOW?

As long as we practice wicked behavior in the eyes of the Lord, and no matter how hard we try, we cannot stop it! He is winnowing us, allowing us to be caught up into the refining wind of the Holy Spirit's conviction so that the chaff and waste places in our souls are removed.

And trust me my friends, anything that you may be hiding or pretending wasn’t “that bad”, that harmed someone else, well God will allow it to come to the light to be either judged or to be cleansed and yes, there may be consequences that you don’t like.

 

WE CAN’T HARM OTHER PEOPLE, OR ABUSE THEM, SEXUALLY PREY UPON THEM, SPIRITUALLY ABUSE AND DOMINATE OR SLANDER, and then pretend that it wasn’t “that big of a deal”! It’s a huge deal to God and he will continue to pursue us in order to cleanse us if we will allow him access.

(Yes you can say "ouch" right about now!)

 

CHAFF MUST BE REMOVED.  BUT WHY?

Chaff is a waste material plowed into the soil or burned.

Chaff, as a waste product from grain processing, shows us a symbolic use of the idea that refers to something seen as worthless.

Now, this is where we read, "to separate the wheat from the chaff" from

Matthew 3. It means to separate things of value from things of no value.

Another example is in Psalm 1 which says: "Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away".

 

WE CHRISTIANS OFTEN PRESUME THAT BECAUSE WE ARE REDEEMED THROUGH THE BEAUTIFUL SACRIFICE OF CHRIST FOR OUR LIVES, THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR AN EASIER AND MORE PRIVILEGED LIFE.

This is simply not so!

We are given a shield and a holy stamina to withstand the wiles of this world, but no free passes to a life of ease.

 

THE LORD LOVES ALL OF MANKIND.

He longs for ALL of mankind, (that includes you and I) to come to a place of trust in His way, not “our way”. Fully stripped of self-will, self-gratification, self- justification, and self-focus.

Matthew 5:45 says~

 “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good,

And sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

 

I KNOW! I KNOW! THIS STINGS!

But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. James 3:14

 

About now, I can hear a few righteous folks saying, "I would never boast about envy! "

Well! Selfish ambition is well hidden in our personal behaviors.

We offer gifts or opportunities for others to be blessed or helped as long as we are feeling in control and benevolent at the time of the offer or good intention.

But when the winds of life shift and the Lord allows the chaff of "waste materials" in our soul to be Tornadoed —bitterness and exclusive rights abound! Huffiness, abrupt harshness and passive aggression (which means getting even) will manifest and expose the soul's clinging nature, which does not want the hand of God striping away any safety veneer that we use to protect our approach to life.

 

A CHANGE IN THE SPIRITUAL CLIMATE HAS OCCURRED!

John 6:18 says, “A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.”

Jesus allowed the wind to be a teaching point for his disciples. They had walked with Him, talked with Him and served alongside Him. But trusting Him when the Storms and Harsh winds blew revealed a weakness that we all must look at, and often.

We trust the Lord when things are going our way, but when the Harshness of a storm blows us off the course that we set, many times we run to our own devices or “Plan B”.

 

SO MANY AT THIS TIME IN THIS DIFFICULT AGE ARE SCREAMING,

“Lord! Don’t you care about me? The winds are blowing, and I am fearful for my life! If you Love me, why are you allowing this horrid event to occur?”

Even Peter in his zeal to get out of the boat and see if it was indeed Jesus calling to him to come, once he was out of the safety of his own control and the winds blew against him, he focused on the wind, and not upon Jesus, who was there the whole time. Peter cries out, "LORD I am perishing! SAVE ME!”

 

CONTROL IS A DEEP, DEEP NEED.

Perhaps THE deepest need people have, is for control.

When we feel out of control, we experience a powerful and uncomfortable tension between the need for control and the evidence of “inadequate control”.

Without the Presence of God in our lives, we will attempt to control everything, every event, and every person around us in order to attain the sense of order and “identity power” that we crave.

 

DRAWING NEAR TO GOD

It was James, the brother of Jesus, who wrote to the believers in Jerusalem, "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double- minded people!" (James 4:8).

If we draw near to God, he will respond and draw near to us.

Drawing near to God is spending time with Him, worshiping Him, praying and talking to Him, inviting Him into every aspect of our lives.

EVERY.  PART.  OF.  OUR.  LIFE.

 

BRING YOUR HEART UNDER HIS LORDSHIP

James gives us the blueprint for drawing near or “right up close” to the Lord. 

If you've committed sin, confess it, get rid of it.

Next, ask the Lord to examine your heart, your motives, and the things that make you do what you do.

 

Bring your heart under His Lordship as well.

May our actions be manifestations of a clean heart and conscience.

Allow HIM to remove the Chaff, the wasted time controlling things, and TRUST Him to align your life.

Notice that when he writes about this he says,

"Purify your hearts, double-minded people."

 

WHAT DOES HE MEAN BY "DOUBLE-MINDED"?

Well, a person who is double-minded is drawn in two completely different directions. And so he or she will get nowhere fast because loyalty is divided.

They will vacillate between faith and unbelief.

And, a double-minded person is unstable in all his/her ways and his/her spiritual walk is inconsistent because he/she tries to serve God and his/her own interests, and gamble their life against the Harsh Winds.

We've all learned that this kind of living never works.

 

YOU CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS.

Friends again I say this under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the master that you serve whether it be hiding something that is a secret sin or offense to The Lord, or things that you are aware of that have dishonored others, they will be brought into the light one way or the other.

If you think you can hide it, if you think you can gloss it over, God will eventually bring it into the light and have you exposed for deception.

Or, you choose to get the help you need and you can humble yourself! Yes, there may be consequences you don’t like, because of your actions and choices. But repentance and accountability will save your soul. It may not save your marriage, it may not save your ministry, and it may not save your job or your relationships. But it will save your soul, because humility enters, and God can re-create what has been destroyed and damaged.

 

GOD DOESN'T PLAY GAMES!

No one is going to get very far with God by playing spiritual games.

It will soon be discovered that the only people playing the game with you will be you, yourself, and again, YOU.  It's just like people thinking that they can "ride the fence" into the kingdom.

There is no riding the fence; there is no lukewarm support group.

You’re either in or out.

If we really want to know Him, we are going to have to get serious about our relationship with Him.

 

WE DON’T WANT DIFFICULT!

I will tell you right now, that even as I write and speak these words, I can feel the resistance to pruning and more change in my gut!  

Are you in a pruning, shocking, "getting trimmed back" difficult season right now?

Most everyone is!

Feeling like your wings have been clipped?

Are you seeing a pattern of lethargy and a dullness of joy maybe in your daily life? 

Don’t waste those struggles friends! Know that God is very... VERY... intentional. And, He has a good plan for all of it. 

Every challenge is an opportunity to practice walking one day at a time, with really clear thinking and gratitude, and He is right there, inside you, to help you.

 

LIKE I SAID BEFORE! WE DON’T WANT DIFFICULT! 

But my oh my, I do want to be like Him!

So I’m in surrender-mode now, friends.

I’m saying, “Cut away, Lord. Go deep.” 

WHY? Because I want ALL that He has for me. 

I want the fruit.

I want all that abundance, and I know it’s waiting for me when this weird and awkward season changes.

 

THERE IS ANOTHER PHENOMENON I FIND THAT HAPPENS DURING THE PROCESS, WHEN THE HARSH WINDS OF LIFE ARE BEARING DOWN.

And, one that I find that is unhealthy to ignore.

The enemy of our soul is observing and is feverishly “taking notes” about this difficult process, and I believe he finds it quite enjoyable; he laughs and ridicules and flings missiles of insults that shout that, "only a loser needs this kind of difficult adjustment ”. 

This of course, is a lie but, one which we can tend to believed on a bad day! Listening to the wrong voice can tempt us to believe the blowing away of chaff in our lives is punishment, and comes from God being mad at us. 

It can cause us to pull back from deeper fellowship or social engagements (social distancing tools too, like Face Time, ZOOM, integral) these paralyze honesty, transparency and humility.

It can lead to self-hatred, self-protection, denial about how we hurt others with half-truths, and so on!

 

I AM TRULY BECOMING MORE AWARE IN MY SPIRIT THAT GOD CAN ONLY USE ME—OR “BEST USE ME”, THROUGH THE PARTNERSHIP OF HIS POWER AND MY WEAKNESS. 

 

A wise and well-tested man by the name of Alan Hood must have had a few pruning clippers dig into his life at time or two and learned this lesson. He stated,

“To Be Pruned Is To Lose The Resources, Whether Monies or Physical Strengths Upon Which Everyone Around You Measures You As Successful.”

LET’S READ THAT AGAIN…     

…S  L  O  W  L  Y ! 

“To Be Pruned Is To Lose The Resources, Whether Monies or Physical Strengths Upon Which Everyone Around You Measures You As Successful.”

 

TRYING TO USE OLD THINGS WHEN GOD IS TRYING TO GIVE US NEW THINGS IS REALLY SUCH FOOLISHNESS!

Psalm 85 talks about Restoration, Re-tooling and Revival.

Verse 8 says, 

“I will listen to what God the Lord says;

He promises peace to his people, His saints

—but let them not return to folly.”

 

I’M TRUSTING THE LORD’S GOOD AND GRACIOUS HAND IN THE PROCESS THAT THE WORLD IS EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW.

I know God does not intend to leave even a healthy fruit-bearing branch how it is, but He is always after a more abundant harvest for His people.

I don’t get it, I don’t like or want difficult!

But I also don’t want a puny little sick looking basket of bitter, green, unusable fruit out of life! 

He will “give the increase” when I reach the end of this seeming devastation of stymied ideas and “put on hold” plans, and let me tell you something crazy, I feel it coming!  The increase!

I’m learning to WALK in harmony, in tune with the truth that, “He is dwelling like healthy sap, in me, and will keep sin and despair from having dominion over my life”. (Romans 6:14) YOUR LIFE TOO! 

 

A MOMENT IN HIS ANGER - A LIFETIME IN HIS FAVOR.

God disciplines for a moment when He wishes to get our attention and our lives may indeed become painful for a period, but then comes His favor.

God doesn't delight in either our depression or our damage.

And, when He begins to deal with the chaff in our lives, it is for our advantage, that we may be conformed to His likeness and reflect His holiness.

When we sense God’s disapproval, when it appears He has withdrawn from us, it is only so that we see our utter need of Him.

 

WHEN LIFE SEEMS TO BE SO SOUR, WHEN EVERYTHING CRUMBLES, then we must remember what we “say we believe”, that God’s favor is with us, because of Christ’s worthiness given to us, because we are adopted and are His - which means, that His favor always wins out over His disapproval.

 

THIS PICTURE IS PAINTED WELL BY THE WORDS "WEEPING REMAINS FOR A NIGHT."

Weeping and sorrow are pictured as a traveler who comes to stay for a night. The pain and sorrow we feel may seem as though it has moved in with us like an unwelcome guest, who decides to stay for a very long time.

 

REJOICING THOUGH, COMES IN THE MORNING.

Your “mourning”, will dissipate in the morning”.

Your winter, will melt into summer.

God will replace your sighing, with singing.

Grief, will give way to gladness.

What was once bitter, will be made sweet.

And, what was once a desolate wilderness, will be transformed into a paradise.

 

LIKE THE FIRST RAYS OF THE SUNRISE WHICH DISPEL THE HARSH WINDS AND GLOOM OF NIGHT, GOD GIVES US JOY WHEN THE DARKNESS OF OUR PROBLEMS SEEM AS THOUGH THEY’LL NEVER LEAVE.

 

YOUR CROSS IS HIS GLORY

What is so crucial to understand is that as a Christian, your life will be filled with times of weakness and strength, with want and wealth, with disgrace and honor, with crosses and comforts, miseries and mercies, joys and sorrows, delight and mourning.

As this cycle of separating “Chaff” from our lives reoccurs many times in our lives, and it moves us from the cross to glory.

For your own health and so that you find all your satisfaction in Christ alone, God will send you times of great growth and other times of emptiness.

When the harsh winds blow, know that God desires that you find your hope and comfort by His own fire.

When the balmy breezes come, give Him praise and thanksgiving for the warmth He provides.

Psalm 57:1 says,

"Have mercy on me, O God,

Have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge.

I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.”

(PROPHETIC EXHORTATION AND WORDS OF KNOWLEDGE NOT INCLUDED IN WRITTEN MESSAGE CONTINUE IN THE AUDIO MESSAGE FORMAT BEGINING AT AUDIO PLAYER TIME MARKER 21:38)

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By Mary Lindow

THE WORDS “HELP ME!” ARE THE DEEPEST CRY OF EVERY HUMAN HEART. It perfectly describes the anguish of the soul, that agony in need to hear God lovingly respond with redemptive help.

He answers as the very person and the very place of help through His son Jesus Christ, providing help for the helpless, a Father to the fatherless, and Hope for the hopeless.

One of the most amazing things about of God and so very precious to the humble needs of we humans is that he is actually the very BEING, the very exact place, where we find help.

Nothing and no one else is so truly and so really, THE place and person from who help comes like he is.

Our need for help is more accurately termed “rescue” when it’s expressed in the fullest sense, and only Jesus himself can provide it!

He rescues us from our daily “sneaky and self gratifying” sins and he rescues us from our falling and our faults, and he rescues us from our helplessness and hopelessness!

 

JESUS ALONE IS THE PLACE OF RESCUE.

He is the ultimate single person of help and we can find no one else to fill that break in the bridge of life! There is no one else, and when we come to this place we realize we need no other fixer!

Now, this doesn’t mean that we don’t need one another as brothers and sisters in Christ and as friends. But unless those brothers and sisters and friends are walking in the light and brokenness of the Lord, they really aren’t much help anyway.

 

SOME PEOPLE RESIST AND PROLONG THE INEVITABLE, and will resist you when you are going through times of struggle and difficulty. There is a certain “ugly distain” in an individual who does not want to admit that they are infallible.

These individuals still feel that they can control the environment around them through their education, their income, and their attitude.

 

OFTEN, THESE KINDS OF INDIVIDUALS CAN CREATE PAINFUL DARKNESS in the lives of others, because instead of extending mercy and compassion, they have a lot of advice that comes out of simple textbook reading, rather than out of any real experience in dealing with their own darkness and personal places of being stuck in dysfunction.

 

SAD AS IT MAY SEEM, MANY PEOPLE APPLAUD THEIR OWN DYSFUNCTIONS, claiming that they are actually “just fine”, and they will pretty much verbally “whack anyone else in the head” that dares to challenge them!

 

THESE ARE THE FRIENDS THAT JOB HAD, AND THESE ARE NOT REAL FRIENDS. They will never understand the life of the disciple of dear Jesus, being refined in the fire, in order to come out of that fire more radiant, and expressing the hope and light of Christ without a lot of pompous preaching or fanfare.

 

The way to the fulfillment of all of life‘s highest peaks and deepest longings is in knowing the depths of the love of the Rescuer,

Lord Jesus Christ himself.

It’s not a quick process by the way!

 

 

HOW MUCH LIGHT DOES A PERSON NEED WHEN PRESSED UNDER by evil pressures, nightmarish reoccurring losses and disjointed, painful relationships? 

Only a very tiny pinhole of light, if it is the Light that comes from God.

 

ONE PINHOLE OF GODLY LIGHT

IS STRONGER THAN A UNIVERSE OF DARKNESS. 

 

It is enough for a surrendered and determined believer to cling to and depend on when all else has failed.

 

Psalm 89:15 says,

“Blessed are those who have learned to give praise and honor to you,

Who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.”

 

When we focus upon the Light of God's enduring and endearing Presence, all darkness will eventually be swallowed up into the Light of His Fountain of light. His Light is victorious over the darkness. ALL OF IT.

 

Psalm 36:9 says,

“For with you is the fountain of life; In your light we see light.”

 

WE ALONE CANNOT BATTLE THE DARKNESS.

Our strength is not enough.

Accept that and know that God’s light comes to dispel darkness.

His strength and Righteous arm smashes dark deeds, enemies, and deceivers and He will bring out into the light the things men think that they have hidden or have justified away.

 

Psalm 90:8 says,

You spread out our sins before you—our secret sins—and see them all.

 

WHAT IS HAPPENING WHEN YOU FEEL BLIND AND LOST IN A DARKENED SEASON? Just as a caterpillar in a cocoon must experience a time of confinement and seeming darkness, there comes a time when it is lead out of darkness into light to stretch its newly found wings of liberty and gracefulness to soar and express Resurrection power, to those who gaze upon its beauty.

Few will fully understand the pain of this difficult process, unless they too pass through it.

 

Isaiah 42:16 says,

Along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; 

I will turn the darkness into light before them

And make the rough places smooth.

These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.

 

 

SO! WHO ARE THE GENUINE WORKERS OF GOOD AND HONEST DEEDS?

Now, there are those who do acts of benevolence and kindness whose aim is to only gain personal gratification and a sense of power when they “stoop to help others” in times of distress and sorrow.  

Often times, folks with this fleshly and condescending behavior, (although claiming to have some spiritual godliness) will test those whom they share with. This can be either in monetary gifts, acts of service, spiritual gifts, or in counsel.

 

In basic terms, it’s set up.

You better perform up to the standard they expect!

Because it’s their reputation on the line if you fail!

(Imagine if Jesus held us all accountable to the acts of His goodness towards us!)

This is NOT a Worker of A Righteous or Good and Honest deed.

This is a form of selfish ambition, entrapment and control.

 

A RIGHTEOUS DEED OR ACT OF GOODNESS IS DONE WITH THE

INTENT OF IMITATING THE NATURE OF GOD’S MERCY AND KINDESS.

It does not expect performance or groveling in return.

It never holds others over the fire with a critical eye, expecting perfection.

 

Often we have failed and disrespected His grace.

Yet He continues in love, and Redemptive acts towards us.

Because He has, no insecurities whatsoever.

 

TO BE RIGHTEOUS OR “DOING WHAT IS RIGHT IN THE EYES OF GOD” MEANS TO BE:

VIRTUOUS  - MORAL - GOOD  - JUSTICE LOVING

HONORABLE  - HONEST - RESPECTABLE - DECENT

 

I HAVE PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED IN THE PAST AND EVEN AS RECENTLY AS THE PAST FEW WEEKS, OVERWHELMING ACTS OF KINDNESS AND PATIENCE FROM THOSE WHOM I KNOW, GOD MUST CALL HIS WORKERS OF HONORABLE AND KIND DEEDS.

 

THE COMMON THREAD I SEE AMONG ALL OF THESE BELOVED GIVERS OF GRACE and care is that they have all experienced a time of great loss, depravation, near death, or sorrow.

 A Ray of Hope.

A beam of light that draws you out of the darkness that attempts to tow you under in despair or fear.

 

I JUST LOST ONE OF MY SEVEN BROTHERS.

Sudden liver failure and organ failure. He was 63.

He was brilliant, funny and kind.

 

I LOST ANOTHER FRIEND A WEEK LATER. 

One moment a successful surgery, moments later a clot was formed and a stroke took place.

Gone in a moment. She was 62.

A giver, an artist and lover of God.

 

I HAD A VERY DEAR FAMILY MEMBER THAT I LOVE, TURN ON ME SUDDENLY and share privileged information with others who are not considered safe or wise people.

Trust was shattered!

 

ALL THREE OF THESE EVENTS WERE AND ARE PAINFUL!

All three events were and are out of my ability to control!

And friends, grief and loss and betrayal are very, very real, and they are very painful events in our lives.

 

YET, GOD SEND US OTHERS INTO OUR SPIRAL OF PAIN AND LOSS, who "get it", because not only have they been through similar events, they learned that hard won growth can come out of pain and loss, or, you can choose to grow isolated, insulated, and bitter.

 

Jeremiah 9:24 says,

But let him who boasts- boast about this: 

That he understands and knows Me,

That I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,

justice and righteousness on earth,

for in these I delight," declares the LORD.

 

WHEN TORMENT AND LYING SPIRITS DECEIVE OTHERS  and they foolishly accuse you; know that there are others whom God will place in your life that will bring sober and Godly counsel, as well as loving kindness and help.

 

Proverbs 27:9 says,

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend, springs from his earnest counsel.

 

DO NOT STOP IN YOUR KINDNESS AND IN YOUR CARE FOR OTHERS!

The testing in this hour of the hearts of men and women will only grow more intense as the Lord examines the intentions of the hearts of those who call Him Lord.

 

The hoarding of comfort and help can’t ever be allowed  

in the life of a follower of Jesus.

 

Your comfort, is not number one!

 

SOMETIMES, WE PUT ASIDE OUR OWN NEEDS AND COMFORTS AND SECURITY, AND FORGE THROUGH THE DARKNESS TO BRING HOPE AND RELIEF TO THOSE BEING BATTERED BY A RELENTLESS STORM!

We speak peace to them IN the storm.

Jesus did it! So He gives us the courage and strength to do the same!

 

IF YOU HAVE PERSONALLY CAUSED TRAGEDY, DESTRUCTION OR SHAME to fall upon any of your Family in Christ, and have yet to openly apologize and make the situation you were a part of “right”, know that the risk of a deep darkness of the soul is reserved for those who choose to walk in self-deception and who cloak their denial in passivity.

 

QUICKLY WHILE YOU STILL HAVE TIME, HUMBLE YOURSELF in the sight and the light of the Lord and HE will lift you out of your darkness.

Be humble enough to apologize specifically, for the harm you have done to someone.

Own it, apologize, and ask for their forgiveness.

 

Then, Light will come again into your soul, and so will a flooding peace that cleanses you from shame and the claw of bitterness that demons use to torment and immobilize you with.

 

Philippians 2:3 says,

Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others.

Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself.

 

DEAR BELIEVER!

THERE IS THE OPEN OFFER OF AN ABUNDANCE OF JOY FOR

WORKERS OF RIGHTEOUS AND HUMBLE, HONORABLE DEEDS!

 

Psalm 45:7 says,

You love righteousness and hate wickedness;

therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions

by anointing you with the oil of joy.

 

Psalm 33:1 says,

Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous

it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

 

NOW, I’M GOING TO SHARE A PROPHETIC WORD FROM THE LORD THAT DOES ADDRESS SOME OF THIS AND IT’S IN AN ACTIVE AND VOCAL WAY THAT THE LORD WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO US, TO PUT A TYPE OF SEAL ON THIS MESSAGE.

 

“HOLD ON! HOLD FAST! REACH OUT!”

 - A PROPHETIC WORD -

 

"I the Redeemer of those who cry out to Me day and night, compel you to hold on to My hand of Faithfulness and Light.

Keep your eyes on the light I provide for you in the darkness. 

Hold fast to it and I will stir the hearts of the Righteous and faithful in me, to reach out a hand of compassion and they will obey Me with acts of blessing, restoration, and supply.

They will do this willingly, for they have tasted of sorrow and know the secret of My abundant Joy!

They have gone out weeping themselves, sowing seeds when they didn’t understand, all now growing up in compassion, only to produce a harvest, abundant in Joy.

Psalm 126:6 says,

Those who weep as they walk and plant with sighs

Will return singing with joy, when they bring home the harvest.

 

I the Lord have tasted sorrow, loss, torment, and death.

Yet in one Redemptive act, mankind was brought the opportunity for the fullness of Joy and the open door from darkness into light, when they too, choose to call upon My salvation, cleansing, and light.

Quickly. Cleanse your hearts of any act of unkindness, false humility, and the use of a heavy hand over your brothers or sisters, or your children.

The pinhole of light...

...My Light, Is drawing you into a New Day.

 

For Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,

for the gracious and compassionate

and for those in right standing with God.

Psalm 112:4

 

 

Dear Believer! I encourage you to chew on this message.

Let us all bow before the Lord. Get low and sit at the feet of Jesus.

Ask Him to wash you clean of fear and weariness and feeling displaced.

 

This is a different type of warfare that we are experiencing right now!

It’s not one that a lot of us have experienced on this level of pressure.

Ask the Lord to show you that single pinhole of light.

From that light, God shows us He is there with us.

 

Be strong in the Lord

And in the POWER of His Might.

 

Duplication and sharing of this message is welcomed

Provided that complete article, podcast link and website information for

Mary Lindow is included. Thank You.

Copyright 2022 " THE MESSENGER " ~ Mary Lindow

www.marylindow.com 

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THIS MESSAGE IN PODCAST FORM IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT ADDRESSES WHAT IS WEIGHING HEAVILY ON MOST OF OUR HEARTS, AND IS MOST LIKELY ABOUT THE THINGS THAT WE ARE ALL PROBABLY QUESTIONING AND PONDERING AT THIS TIME.

 

By Mary Lindow through the Holy Spirit

THIS MESSAGE IN PODCAST FORM IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT ADDRESSES WHAT IS WEIGHING HEAVILY ON MOST OF OUR HEARTS, AND IS MOST LIKELY ABOUT THE THINGS THAT WE ARE ALL

PROBABLY QUESTIONING AND PONDERING AT THIS TIME.

 

There is going to be a time of ministering prophetic words at the end of this message, but the message itself is a prophetic “now timing” word that is burning in my heart.

I will share that with you that it is prophetic and has warnings from the Lord as well as encouraging words and insights regarding what we need to be preparing for at this time.

  

WHAT THE LORD IMPRESSED ME WITH THROUGH THIS PROPHETIC INSIGHT/TEACHING IS THIS,

Whenever there is a fresh wave or move of God’s Plan in the earth in regard to the redeeming of souls, there is also a counter movement at work among the "religious" and also the prideful “elite” intellectuals of the day.

These situations are brought on through the influence of evil spirits who have been assigned to try and destroy the future generations of passionate and unspoiled servants of grace that God would plan to use in the earth. The “Sons and Daughters" of the King. 

 

AS WE BEGIN TO SEE THE DAWNING OF THE PROMISED WAVE OF GOD’S GREATEST HARVEST EVENT EVER KNOWN TO MAN SINCE THE BIRTH OF CHRIST JESUS, THE LORD IS GOING TO ALLOW THE "HEROD TYPE OF ATTITUDES" TO BE JUSTLY ADDRESSED.

There are those who were once deeply a part of what God was doing and have “lost" that so called advantage to either the aging process, transition in ministry, or through focusing strictly on their own ministry advancement and the love for “public applause” and popularity.

 

HONESTLY! YOU WOULD THINK THAT AS WE ARE SEEING BIOLOGICAL GLOBAL WAR AND INFILTRATION TAKING PLACE,that the Body of Christ would stop all programs and plans, and be sober!

Sober, Repenting for Passivity and Indifference to God’s warning voice, and then be literally having every meeting or gathering focused on strong prayer, strong worship, lifted up to the God of all creation, which is a massive weapon of warfare against the evil shroud attempting to suffocate the planet.  

 

HOW CAN WE EXPLAIN THIS WAVE OF THE LOSS OF SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT AND POWER? 

HOW DOES THE DEVIL STEAL THE VERY HEART OUT OF THE CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE?

 

One thing is certain.

It doesn't happen suddenly or overnight.

 

PEOPLE LOSE THEIR LOVE FOR THE TRUTH BY DEGREES. Little by little, they lower their standards and compromise their faith, until nothing remains except a dead, empty, angry and bitter form.

 

SOME, LIKE LOT'S WIFE, will be so married to the world, so enmeshed in its delicious intellectual and sociological "one-upmanship" that they cannot let go in time.

They will have to suffer with terrible and shocking consequences over the things that they loved more than they loved God.

 

OTHERS LIKE LOT, will awaken just in time to choose very quickly and decisively. Without taking a backward glance, they will move out in complete obedience to the will of God.

My friends. This is the choice everyone faces.

 

LOT'S WIFE SUFFERED TERRIBLE CONSEQUENCES WHEN SHE PLAYED WITH THE WORD OF A HOLY GOD.

She was dragging her feet and resented having to leave the life she had grown to adore in every way.

The offense of looking back upon the luxury, sensual and "modernized" lifestyle that she had grown to love, exposed her divided will.

It also revealed the fact that her heart was still bound up with the affairs of a corrupt and condemned social order.

 

TWO VOICES WERE COMPETING FOR HER FAITHFULNESS AND STEADFASTNESS IN THE FACE OF TEMPTATION. 

 The Voice of heaven – the Voice of God, calling her to liberty, purity, and salvation.

And the other voice?

The voice of the darkness – the voice of popularity and pleasure, the voice of Sodom.

Slowly the voice from beneath gained a foothold in a badly bent conscience…

… and Lot's wife stands as a tragic example of a divided heart.

 

JESUS SAID, "REMEMBER LOT'S WIFE," AND HE SAID IT TO THOSE WHO WOULD LIVE THROUGH THE FINAL TRAUMATIC MOMENTS OF EARTH'S HISTORY.

He is saying it to the believer right now–"Remember Lot's wife."

We need to hear it again and again.

The message that says,

"Obedience is better than anything else in revealing our love."

Jesus said so. "If you love me, keep my commandments."

 

FRIENDS.

DISOBEDIENCE IS WORSE THAN ANYTHING

BECAUSE IT IS AN ACT OF DISLOYALTY IN ITS VERY NATURE.

 

THERE IS A STATEMENT I ONCE HEARD THAT SAID,

“PEOPLE BECOME LIKE THE GOD THEY SERVE.”

Now think about that statement.

And then think about the current world system and those attempting to encroach upon every human being until they are worn down.

 

Science without the Supreme Being God Almighty, the Creator, worships the counterfeit god. Lucifer.

 

God:  He is a Super Dynamic Creative.

He Created Colors, Light, Air, Weather Systems of perfection, Land, Minerals, Water (salt and not salty), plants of all sorts/ medicinal, edible, sheltering, and some simply for beauty.

God Delighted in the creation and nurturing of perfectly formed humans, whom He loves.

 

Lucifer:  The counter fitter, is super destructive, destroys colors, loves grey and darkness, thrives on destroying land, Minerals, waters, abusing plants and delights in torturing and confusing humans for revenge against God Almighty.  He loves false power and graft.

 

Do you see those or know those who laugh at or who don’t believe in a living active God? Well, they are trapped in a bitter heart narrative by the limited god of only this world.

Lucifer.

They have become like him.

Bitter, abusive, angry that they can’t dictate to God and change his plans, and they are filled with doubts and rage.

Because that’s what Lucifer does to humans.

He lies to them and traps their minds, and weakens them to keep them from encountering and embracing the Father of their very own, forever.

 

“And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”

-2 Corinthians 11:14

 

“In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God the Father.”

-2 Corinthians 4:4

 

SOME OF THE EVIL SPIRITS LUCIFER USES,

COME AND TAUNT THOSE WITH OLD RELIGIOUS RESIDUAL MINDSETS. 

Those who feel that there is a "deserved" spiritual hierarchy, in the ranks of the King.

Many have assumed that because they have labored and have paved the pathway with their life's blood for the next wave of the King, that they “deserve a place of special recognition” and a form of "holding onto the leash" of those they have coming up “underneath” them. 

If this is not humbly acknowledged and repented of, this can cause what the scripture calls, “exasperating your children" to occur.

Colossians. 3:21 says,

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children, 

That they may not lose heart.” 

This creates an atmosphere of shame and pushes many into a place of frustration in not wanting to dishonor their mentors, but feel that they will be watched in their every move and smugly, with an “accusing raising of the eyebrows" be "discussed" in demeaning terms, as they too try to reach their destinies and calling in the Way of the Lord. 

 

THE LORD HAS RECENTLY BEEN IMPRESSING ME ABOUT WHAT GOES ON IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO NOT ALLOW OTHERS TO BE PROMOTED OR TO RISE ABOVE THEM IN ANY AREA THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE EITHER AT ONE TIME HELD INFLUENCE IN OR WHO ARE AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME, THE LEAD OR MAIN VOICE OR AN ORGANIZATION, A MINISTRY, OR INSTITUTION.

 

This can occur in a business situation, or in ministry settings where only after you have jumped through certain hoops of performance or other "tests” you will possibly then be esteemed of “useful” value and perhaps be allowed a place of input or respect among the “hierarchy of the day”.

  

THE LORD IS LOVINGLY ALLOWING PAINFUL TRAVAIL TO OCCUR, in order for the current generation of Fathers and Mothers in the faith to see that through releasing and affirming the sons and daughters in their care, or… who are now, (due to the season) moving past them in influence or in special anointing, that they too WILL once again, run hard and multiply themselves through Imparting and sending out the new wave of the King’s regiments! 

  

ARE WE OR HINDERING OR HARVESTING?

The hidden prophetic and travailing element of individuals who are being shaped into the fabric of God's own weaving are currently being made ready for a swift and dynamic change of pace.

What was once long and hard will become shortened and filled with rest. Release of God’s grace and abundant mercy is coming into fulfillment as you end your course of instructions for this season. But you are not done running the race by a long stretch!

 

MANY OF YOU ARE IN YOUR LATE 40'S TO YOUR MID 60'S.

You have not had the pleasure of faithful mentoring.

So. With some of you, the Lord has instead, made your life one of mentoring and preparing others.

Look now at the pathway the Lord has allowed you to pave, and one that others might walk upon when they too experience times of darkness and difficulty.

Your lives have a Divine Radiance that has prepared a “footing" for them in Christ, so that they may not stumble and fail.

Lay down the insecure need to control anything that you are afraid might not go the way that YOU think God should be moving.

It’s really not up to us to maneuver or manipulate how God will choose to break out in power in conviction and in exposing the darkness in men’s hearts.

Let’s begin with letting Him create clean hearts in us first.

 

THE FATHER IN HEAVEN INTENTIONALLY STRIPPED HIMSELF OF HIS GREATEST GLORY. HIS SON, in order that the wave of redemption needed in the earth might be brought forth through the Son.

In doing so, the Father was glorified, exalted, and further honored by allowing this Son to fulfill His part of the Triune plan. 

Why is this not modeled by more of those who are calling themselves, Leaders, “Bishops”  - Apostles, or even now the newly developed term, “Super Apostles”?

 

THIS IS A SPIRIT ON THE LOOSE FROM HELL! 

It is nothing more than a "mimic" of the spirit of pride that Lucifer operated in, and it operates in many others now.

It has been working hard to invade the minds of many who at one time were in the forefront of specific moves of God or who were key leaders in areas of ministry building in the past.

 

THIS SPIRIT OPERATES MUCH LIKE HOW HEROD THE GREAT DID DURING THE TIME WHEN THE SAVIOR WAS ABOUT TO BE BORN IN THE EARTH. Herod was so terribly afraid that someone would "snuff him out" or would "out do" him that he lived in paranoia, and he constantly manipulated and curried favor in order to gain influence or access to whatever he needed to keep his stronghold of power intact.

 

THIS IS OCCURRING ON NATURAL WORLD GOVERNMENTAL STAGES AND PARALLELED IN THE SPIRITUAL WORLD AS WELL.

Let's read in the Word about this first. In Matthew 2:1-6 is says,

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked,

"Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." 

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.

"In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:  

“But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel. “

 

HEROD WAS A MAN WHO EXPECTED OTHERS TO UNDERSTAND THAT HE WAS THE ONE WHO HELD ALL COMMAND. 

There was no room at the table for those who would not sway his way!

He used smooth talk with other "Kings" and influential leaders to obtain information and tasty morsels of gossip to plan his next move in order to keep his position intact.

As the Chief Priest and keepers of the law were called together, (they walked on eggshells around Herod,) the WORD of God spoke about this humble little town where a new ruler was to be “raised up"  (NOTE THIS STATEMENT) —> and would care for the people, causing a wave of Spiritual “Sonic Booms” that would forever shake and change the world!

 

HEROD DIDN'T CARE FOR PEOPLE! 

They were supposed to care for him and fear him! And grovel!

He had worked hard and had jousted and manipulated constantly to gain all of this power and honor!

Matthew Ch. 2: 7-8  says,

"Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.  

He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child.  As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

 

NOTICE THAT HEROD GATHERED THE 3 KINGS INTO HIS CHAMBERS “SECRETLY”… 

...To hide his plan from the Priests and lawmakers and with a "slimy" oozing, well-cultivated and deceptive tongue, tried to appear ever so interested in the new "child" that was in his way. He acted out in false humility, and used it to try to obtain information as to where his "upstart enemy" might be located.

He wanted to "at least" honor him and worship him too! 

In all reality, Herod wanted to go and scope out where this new king might live, and see what he had to compete with…

… and then, KILL HIM.

 

But! God had planned that the next wave of his power on the earth must come through a childlike and poor son.

One who would not get stuck in traditional posturing or in the trends of the era.

One who would not manipulate with intellect, cunningness, or through lofty ambition.

 

GOD HAD GIVEN OF HIS SEED…

…HIS living prepared pathway. 

He gave it ALL into the next "generation of His Presence" and the move of His glory in the earth. 

Into a SON… 

…Who had lived in the very Presence of God and was one with Him.

 

Now! About Those, ”THREE WISE MEN."

"After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was." -Matthew 2:9 

 

These three Kings had "heard the true intentions" of King Herod's "heart".

They were discerning men, and realized that after having been "hauled off" by Herod to a very secretive meeting to inquire about this new "ministry" and possible challenger of Herod's rule, something was a little off beat!

Herod had left a very "Saccharine" aftertaste in the mouths of the Wise men and, wisely, they still stayed on the course that God had led them on and met the TRUE KING OF GLORY.

He was lowly,

He was innocent and pure,

and

He radiated the pure light and presence of God Himself. 

 

THESE MEN DIDN’T NEED POMP OR STRONG-ARMED, PRIDEFUL LEADERSHIP to cause them to bow down and give honor to this tiny King!

No! The simple humility of the "Promise to come" was enough to cause them to bow their knees and worship the King of heaven.

Their reward was to have a visitation in their dreams to not return, nor to converse with Herod about the new wave of glory that would be coming through this child.

Matthew 2:12

“And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.” 

 

I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU A PROPHETIC WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT NOW.

SOMETHING THAT I FEEL THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS GIVEN TO ME AS A PROPHETIC WORD OR UTTERANCE.

  

“For I the Lord have prodded, whispered, shouted, and commanded many to assist you in paving the way.

If you are weary of waiting for releases and the fulfilled promise, take what you now have and in reckless abandonment cast it upon the water.

I will see to it that you will not be left with empty hands.  

I bless what is little if it is given in humility and obedience, rather than much given in false humility and personal safety.

Come to the place of safety! Under My shadowed wing.  

Anguish has been your companion too long as well as the gaping ache for friends that stick closer than a brother.

 I have begun building relationships among you that stem from brokenness in each of you, and also where you have learned the value of discretion.

See Me fulfill and direct your path. 

Watch the answers dawn upon your list of asked, and yet unanswered questions. 

 

I see the cunning liars in the world, laying in wait to trap and break the hearts of humanity!

But I have called you to be bold and brave and filled with courage.

I call you to stand again and stand against the raging seas of evil and watch me open up a way that leads you into safety and my very purposes for the world needing healing and deliverance.

Stop all you can in the natural way of achievements and moving forward with your own way and plans.

Call for days and nights of prayer. Father, Mother, Youth, Children! Older and Younger!  

Intercede for those mocking the very Jesus they once loved.

Intercede for the ignorant that are being chained to systems of great fear and bondage.

Weep and pray and trust!

Your bond to me will either hold you safe, or your resistance to me will feed fear and resentment.

See ME as the One who can move upon the hearts of those who quickly obey when I touch their inner-man with compassion and spiritual insights. 

I have a few in the earth who live...  

...To obey Me, Promptly." 

 

I also sense in the Spirit that there are those in ministry who are listening, who have had “secret - almost affairs", in their office with other women, and some who have, and you have hidden it from your wife and have banished these people from your fellowship.

The Lord sees it and the Lord knows about it.

There are some who have been “absconding with money” and some that have been gambling with cash. They have a gambling addiction and the Father is saying that He is giving them a chance to come clean and to tell the truth now, because everything in your life that can be shaken, will be shaken.

There are also those who are mocking and making fun of the Spirit of God, saying that it has become “an old thing” and they are ashamed of the gifts of the Spirit. They no longer allow the flowing of the gifts of the Spirit unless it comes through one person.

The Father wants you to know that when you restrain the Spirit of God, when you restrain His voice, that he will scatter the sheep and send them where there is freedom.

The Lord is encouraging me to share that there are some at this point who are seeking money instead of the goodness of the people in their fellowship.

They are more concerned about money and power and keeping their own bank account stoked rather that taking care of the Orphans and Widows and those who are in distress around them.

The Lord wants you to know that this funding that you have in your pocket can get a hole in it just as quickly as it has come in, but, as you cast your bread, as you share, that you must humble yourself and release the spirit of fear in you that thinks that God will not financially provide in another way, or you are going to mess it up, you will bring tragedy on the call of God on your life. 

I want to speak to those Mothers who are suffering right now and Fathers with children who seem to have gone AWOL from the Lord.

That they have become literally “verbal activists” for darkness. 

 

As parents, you have been questioning,

“What did we do? What did we say?

Were we too stern? Were we too soft?

Were we too “spiritual” or were we not spiritual enough?

Were we blind?”

 

The Lord wants you to know that if you have repented of everything that you know to do, and have attempted to talk these things out with your children, that He does not hold you accountable for their sins or for their disobedience.

Your job is to stand and pray, and stand and pray, and stand and pray some more and watch God do the work.

You cannot project what you think that He is going to do.

Your job is to PRAY.

His job is to do what He sees best to keep them from giving in, to the total darkness that is trying to suck them in.

  

I KNOW THAT THIS WAS A STRONG TEACHING AND HAD WORDS THAT WERE UNCOMFORTABLE,

BUT WE ARE LIVING IN TREACHEROUS AND DIFFICULT TIMES.

However, we need to be integral with what the Lord shares with us whether people like us, or not.

 

Father we take these words and we ponder and chew on them.

We discern them and go over them with your word.

We pray about them. And, we will obey the Spirit promptly and make things right with those we need to, in order to not deflect these warnings and words and be trapped by the enemy. Satan is good at betrayal and slandering and will find a way to expose mankind and point a finger and mock the sons of God.

Lord! We need you more than we have ever needed you before!

 

Duplication and sharing of this message is welcomed provided that

complete message, Podcast and website information

for Mary Lindow is included.

Thank you.

Copyright © 2021 THE MESSENGER " - Mary Lindow

www.marylindow.com

www.globalprayerooms.com

 

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By Mary Lindow through the Holy Spirit

 

Truth is slippery.

A lot more slippery than any of us want to admit.

And we do have to, in a sense, choose what to believe.

 

Pontius Pilate seemed quite comfortable with that. Jesus was "talking truth" and Pilate lived in a place of work where “truth” was meaningless. All that his employer cared about was results!

 

The world’s vision of truth is attractive.

It allowed Pilate go back to his home at the end of the day…it allowed the Priests to deal with that "problematic man Jesus" while still being able to eat the Passover. 

It sends the crowds home from the protest hoping that the rebellion will start soon and be successful. (That sure sounds familiar doesn’t it!) 

 

Pilate was dealing with those "pesky" Hebrews.

The poor guy is the governor and he can’t even get the latest group of complainers to come into his house because it’s Passover, that would make them “unclean,” and they wouldn’t be able to eat the sacred meal.

Now Imagine that!! 

Being the governor, and having to go outside to hear the complaints of your subjects? Your subjects whose "truth" meant that your palace was unclean? You can understand why the guy got maybe a bit sour.

 

His employer just wanted the people under Pilate to behave!

That was a pretty tall order among a people as fiercely independent as the Israelites. The Romans didn’t care all that much how order was maintained; they just wanted Pilate to "make it happen"! 

Israel after all, was a center of commerce, and disturbances, and rioting there were inconvenient and they were expensive.

All of this left very little time for Pilate to talk philosophy with this troublesome Jesus fellow. He needed results! 

"Truth" for Pilate meant keeping order, keeping peace, keeping his job. That’s what he chooses to believe in. Even so…he tried to give Jesus a fighting chance.

But the crowds? 

Well, they don’t cry out, "What is truth?"

But, they did CHOOSE what to believe.

 

Jesus has proclaimed a kingdom of truth.

THE truth that God’s will is realized

when we live lives of compassion and healing. 

 

A truth that we are all loved by God and called to live this love out for one another. It’s a truth that has stood the world on end…

...But the crowd decides instead to believe in the old standby.

The sword.

 

Barabbas the thief, who was a violent man, the kind of guy who is useful to a revolution, is the one they cry out for.

They want what they want…

..and so, aren’t really all that different from Rome or Pilate in their way of dealing.

They’ll trade truth for the hope of what they’ll see in terms of "results." 

 

And, we all too often...

…We choose on our own, what to believe as well. 

 

Repentance means "to turn" in the scriptures, to "turn away from.

But it’s not easy! 

And it doesn’t help that the words of our Master—(who stands in passive protest against the established powers of the world as he answers Pilate), has had his words mangled and misinterpreted over and over again by those who frankly, wanted Jesus to sound a little more like "them."

 

The world teaches us its version of truth.

The world teaches us to think: "It’s mine, I earned it."

Jesus says, "It’s a gift, share."

 

We learn to think, 

“They need to follow my rules." 

Jesus says, "The greatest rule is love."

 

We learn to think, "I’ll give when my needs are met." 

Jesus says, “Think that way and you’ll always need more.”

 

We learn to think, "me first."

Jesus says, "be last."

 

The world’s truth keeps you from ending up like Jesus. 

It gets you to resist taking a cross for what IS truth.

 

Believing in something means acting and sacrificing for something, and what Jesus wants from us is not our dying, but rather that we live a life dying to our own selfish ambition which most are VERY proud of. (They will tell you exactly how proud they are of their achievements and skills often, or, live secret lives of self gratification because THEY deserve the rewards!) 

 

The cry of God’s heart is that we would understand that,

the “way of God” is way beyond "our way". 

The way of God IS our call,

and that the way of God is the path to freedom.

 

In the end, we have to choose what to believe in. 

Fortunately for us, faith is also a gift, a gift God gives us.

But that doesn’t mean living it doesn’t take some effort. 

We are called to be light to this world.

We are called to care.

We are called to make the effort! 

 

Let's walk with our Master. 

Let's take the path of sacrifice, and let our lives reveal and radiate the joy of "living out God’s love" for others.

Perhaps then, the world will see that "what is truth"...

...Is truth.

Duplication and sharing of this message is welcomed as long as the complete message, podcast and website information for Mary Lindow is included.
 Thank You! Copyright © 2021

"THE MESSENGER" ~ Mary Lindow


www.marylindow.com

www.globalprayerrooms.com

www.marylindow.podbean.com

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By Mary Lindow

 

"He has showed you, O man, what is good.

And what does the Lord require of you?

To do justly, to love kindness and mercy,

To humble yourself and walk humbly with your God."

-Micah 6:8

 

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

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

ARROGANCE IS THE ASSUMPTION THAT I, INDIVIDUALLY,

OR SOME GROUP THAT I AM A PART OF, COLLECTIVELY,

IS SOMEHOW SUPERIOR TO SOMEONE ELSE OR

SOME OTHER GROUP OF PEOPLE.

 

AT THE HEART OF ARROGANCE IS SELF-CENTEREDNESS. And self-centeredness is the foundation of human sin. I believe any serious attempt at self-examination by an honest person will reveal that we humans are sinful and flawed beyond measure.

 

MARK TWAIN ONCE SAID, “MAN IS THE ONLY ANIMAL THAT BLUSHES—

OR [FOR THAT MATTER] NEEDS TO.”

 

Paul writes,

“So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand…Wretched man that I am! Who will save me from this body of death?”

WE ARE CONSUMED BY SELF. And every time we arrogantly place our own needs before others we are enslaved by sin.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO? HOW SHOULD WE LIVE INSTEAD OF IN THAT ARROGANT MODE? WHAT IS THE ANTIDOTE?

How about the words of Jesus? What did he say?

"Everyone who exalts himself (for example, "Aren't I great? Aren't I right? Don't I always have the best opinion?") will be humbled.

But he who humbles himself (for example, "This is my opinion but it may not be right. I don't have a corner on the market of truth") will be exalted."

 

THE LORD IS NOT SPEEDING UP THE DELIVERY OF ANY "FRESH THING" IN THE EARTH IN ORDER TO GET US TO HIS PURPOSES QUICKLY. No. He is testing the hearts of men and women everywhere, looking for humility, selflessness, and honor, for those who although not perfect, have also served and pointed the way to salvation for many years previously.

THE LORD IS NOT GOING TO HONOR THE INDIVIDUAL WHO SHOUTS THAT "CHANGE IS NEEDED" OR THAT "CHANGE IS COMING" AND THEN SLASHES AND BURNS ANYTHING THAT DOESN'T EMBRACE THEIR VERSION OF IT.

 

THE LORD IS INTERESTED IN THE SOUND OF HUMILITY,

THE HAND OF MERCY,

AND...

...THE VOICE OF GRACE.

These key character issues attract the pure and simple Presence of the Lord. Blessed are the PURE in heart...for they shall see God.

Until the Body of Christ that has been through many difficult and shattering events, rids itself of bitter and venomous words against one another and accepts that each one like sheep have gone astray and turned to what pleased them at the moment, there will be little evidence of much harvest .

THE LOST AND CONFUSED WORLD OUT THERE WATCHES CHRISTIANS TEAR EACH OTHER TO SHREDS DAILY AND WONDERS WHY WE ARE ASKING THEM TO JOIN US! Remember Christ’s two great commandments—love God with all your being, and love your neighbor as yourself.

SELF-CENTEREDNESS IS THE REVERSAL OF THE GREAT COMMANDMENT. Self-centeredness means to place ourselves first, in effect proclaiming our own form of self-government (not needing or wanting the advice or insight of others), therefore our neighbors become an afterthought, and God becomes simply a convenience to be considered only when it’s helpful to us.

It is evident even in our language that self-centeredness is woven into the fabric of the human experience.

 

THE ONE TRUE SACRIFICIAL MODEL TOLD US THAT HE WOULD SEND THE VERY SPIRIT OF GOD IN ORDER TO CONVICT ALL PEOPLE OF SIN, TO COMFORT, TO GUIDE, AND TO SET THEM FREE. Indeed. The very evidence of a redemptive type of life, is in one who washes the feet of his/her brothers and his/her enemies in an act of cleansing the dirt from the road of life off of the pathway to the Truth.

May we truly hear the sound of the unmistakable heartbeat of a redemptive model rising up in clear resounding purity, personal transparency, and in the covering of the multitude of sins by speaking and meditating only on those things that are noble, just, pure, and of a good report.

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

THE LORD SAYS,

"Do not let a wise man brag about how wise he is. Do not let a strong man boast about how strong he is. Do not let  a rich person brag about how rich he is.

But here is what the one who brags should boast about. He should brag that he has understanding and knows me. I want him to know that I am the Lord.

No matter what I do on earth, I am always kind, fair and right. And I take delight in that".  -JEREMIAH 9:23-24 (NIV) 

 

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“I praise you because I am fearfully 

and wonderfully made;

Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Psalm 139:14

WE ARE STRANGE AND EXQUISITE CREATURES.

We can ache for God tremendously; yet find ourselves getting nervous if God gets too close!  After all, the closer God gets, the more we hear the call to be “unpolluted”.

It is both exciting and frightening to hear that call!

 A SHORT STORY

 “Once upon a time there was a little plant that was small and whose growth was stunted, for it lived under the shade of a giant oak tree.

The little plant valued the shade that covered it and highly enjoyed and relished the quiet rest that it’s majestic friend provided. Yet there was a greater blessing prepared for this little plant.

One day a lumberjack entered the forest with a sharp ax and cut down the giant oak! The little plant began to weep, crying out, “My shelter has been taken away”. Now every fierce wind will blow on me, and every storm will seek to uproot me!”

The guardian angel of the little plant responded, “NO! Now the sun will shine and showers will fall on you more abundantly than ever before! Now your stunted form will spring up into loveliness, and your flowers, which could never have grown to full perfection in the shade, will laugh in the sunshine. Many will say, "Look how that plant has grown. How gloriously beautiful it has become by removing that which was it’s shade and comfort!"

THE TRAINING OF THE SPIRITUAL COMRADE

We need to see that the Lord wisely trains his soldiers by calling them into difficult travels and service. He strengthens them through wildernesses and mountains. God knows that spiritually armed Soldiers can only be developed in battle and are not developed in times of calm. 

We can only become true seasoned soldiers of Christ when we train and serve in the preparation time of the uninviting, and at times "unfriendly"  surroundings.

TRUST FOR A SEASON!

It's all about trusting God in the end. Oh yes it is!

We often ask in the heat of difficult battles whether they are mental battles, spiritual battles, and financial battles…”Will He REALLY refresh us in this time of struggle?” 

His Loving Word says so.

 "For I satisfy the weary ones

And refresh everyone who languishes."

Jer. 31:25

 

 THE LORD IS PRODUCING STAMINA…

 …WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT!

"Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial;

For once he has been approved,

He will receive the crown of life,

Which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."

James 1:12

  

THE FATHER IS URGING US TO RUN TO HIM, TO CRY TO HIM!

He is there! Even in this fog of struggle, loss, anxiety, or even seeming success! He wants us to be desperate for Him and is training us to rely on His voice. To make our decisions based on His plan for the whole earth!

 

 TIE YOURSELF TO THE HAND OF GOD!

 Get a "rope of expectation" (the word of God) and tie yourself to it.

Hold on! The boding evil is nearly over!

 

"The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.

So let us put aside the deeds of darkness

And put on the armor of light."

Romans 13:12

 

INTIMATE PLACE OF COMMUNICATION

It would be a powerful opportunity for all of us to get on our knees in an “intimate place of communication” with the Lord, and refresh our commitment to purity and with a willing heart to yield to the bidding of the Father.

 

"They charge like warriors; 

they scale walls like soldiers.

They all march in line, 

not swerving from their course."

Joel 2:7

 

 LET OUR HEARTS WILLINGLY...

…Give Him Room to Move Freely in our daily action in this Life.

We do this by clearing away or removing anything that feeds and pampers our flesh and our own concepts of the Kingdom.

 "No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—

He wants to please his commanding officer."

2 Timothy 2:4

 

WE PREPARE HIM A PLACE

A throne in our hearts, from which He can reign and activate His anointing.

" As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. 

But as HIS anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, 

Remain in him."

1 John 2:27

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 Duplication and re-transmission of this writing is welcomed provided that complete source, podcast and website information for Mary Lindow is included. Thank You Copyright © 2015 " THE MESSENGER " ~Mary Lindow

 www.marylindow.com

www.globalprayerrooms.com

 

 

 

 

 

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