"Creation Groans - We Groan - The Holy Spirit Groans" - Why Waiting Is Sometimes Painful

Creation Groans – We Groan – The Holy Spirit Groans 
“Why Waiting Is Sometimes Painful”
 
By Mary Lindow
 
WELCOME TO THIS PODCAST EPISODE! 
As I promised, I had told you I was going to share a few podcasts and share a few wonderful stories and experiences that I have had where the Lord has divinely protected, orchestrated and guided my life and my husband Steve’s life. 
It’s been a very interesting and intriguing journey, and at times very perilous and not at all fun when it comes to the persecution side of things. 
 
For some reason, there are individuals who preach a gospel that say to the masses that follow them, “Everything is going to be rosy! Everything is going to be fully prosperous financially, and you’re going to be perfectly healthy every day of your life. Every single day of your life is one big, happy party!”
Well, for sure, this is not biblical foundational truth when you hear these things. 
 
If you examine the scriptures, you will see that there was a tremendous amount of persecution and much sorrow for strong believers, even some having to be driven into living into caves due to persecution! The apostle Paul speaks about learning how to abase and to abound, meaning, he learned how to function and adjust whether he had plenty or whether he had little. But, he continued to serve Christ and continued no matter how difficult the persecution became, to get back up, even after he was stoned one time and they left him for dead. He got back up and marched back into the city, met up with some dear friends, went to the next city and preached again! 
(Acts 14:19-21)
 
This Podcast Is Going To Discuss The Current Groaning Of Creation, 
Our Own Groaning And The Longing For God To Finally Complete 
The Fullness Of Things So That Christ Can Return, And Of Course 
The Holy Spirit Makes Groaning And Utterances Too Deep 
For Our Own Words, Travailing Through Us As We Pray.
 
Romans 8:26-27 tells us this! 
It says:
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  
27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
 
ALL THREE OF THESE TYPES OF GROANING ARE TAKING PLACE RIGHT NOW.  It’s no secret if you know Steve and I that we have gone through a very difficult season starting a few months before the COVID-19 virus swept our world. With that taking place, we had the loss of our counseling Offices, our dear friend and team counselor/colleague and key supervisor, who carried the doctoral licensure for our Counseling Center died from Covid19. 
Adding to the difficulty, ministry invitations to teach and speak also came to a screeching standstill because people couldn’t travel and churches were suffering financially or were uncomfortable holding services.
 
WHAT IS ONE TO DO WHEN IT FEELS LIKE YOU’RE EXPERIENCING THE LIFE OF JOB OR JOSEPH OF THE OLD TESTAMENT? Certainly it’s not wise to pretend that everything is “perky and wonderful” and then lie to people when they too were suffering. 
No! We groaned and we wept and we encouraged and we prayed and prayed!  And then prayed some more with others who were suffering and going through the groanings of trauma and loss.
For the most part (and I’m truthfully speaking), I’m telling the partial story because the long version of the personal costs and deeper details would take entirely too long to share. I’m sharing openly and a bit vulnerably for a reason though! 
 
We personally had parents locked down in nursing homes over a thousand miles away that we could not get to and one of them died after being abused in that nursing home. Oh yes, we had police and investigators and detectives and even the state of Illinois health board investigating, but by the time they caught up with the perpetrators and those that had dropped my precious 90+ year-old mother-in-law on the front-side of her head, onto a hard wooden bedside table, and then onto the floor where they had stopped using fall mats (because no one was permitted to come into the nursing home to check during lockdowns), her bones were fractured as well as previously from another fall we didn’t know about, until the x-ray team was sent in, garbed up, to run a scan on her. She was also suffering from dementia so it was frantic and frightening for her. 
 
Deep Anguish. Deep Groaning!  The damage had been done and shortly after all of the fees and fines were placed upon this nursing facility, they placed her in a Covid-19 wing, and she died. 
Alone. 
We couldn’t bury her. 
We had one hour to make a decision what to do with her tired little body.  
 
The Glimmer Of Good News was that my father-in-law, who was in an assisted living facility a few blocks away, lived a little longer. He only got to see his wife one time in 18 months and that was through an acrylic panel. No hugging, no touching. 
When he became more frail and tired, Covid restrictions were just then being lifted. 
 
STEVE WAS PROMPTED BY THE LORD to fly to Illinois to see his father because he knew his time to go to heaven was near.  A very dear friend that is like a close family member, graciously offered to cover Steve’s flight expenses and partial hotel stay.
Steve had two days of being at the hospital with Steve’s father while he was being refitted with a new pacemaker, and being treated for an infection from sitting too long and alone in his assisted living apartment. He had been moved to a new, fresh, clean, assisted living facility, where one of our nieces was the new head administrator. Everything seemed so peaceful and wonderful! Steve’s dad was delighted to be getting such wonderful attention and care. 
Steve hugged him good night and said; “I’ll see you in the morning for breakfast Dad! Sleep well.” 
 
At 8:30 the next morning, Steve received a phone call…
… From our niece, and his Dad had fallen into her arms when she went to check on him that morning. He had told her he felt a little dizzy, and then passed into heaven. 
 
God’s Timing Was In The Details. 
There was joy that Steve could go see his Father, there was joy in the new accommodations and “sense of safety” with the Covid restrictions being lifted, and then there was sudden sorrow, groaning, grief, and loss. Steve’s parents had made plans to be buried next to each other, but it was impossible, since Steve‘s mother had to be cremated due to burial restrictions during the thick darkness of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 
A BEAUTIFUL THING TOOK PLACE AMIDST THE DEEPEST SORROW. 
Our United States military allows you to place the urn of a deceased spouse into the arms of the other deceased family member, if they were former military.  Steve’s dad was a World War II veteran. Steve’s Mother’s urn was placed in the arms of Steve’s dad, her husband, and they were buried together. An additional blessing was that because Steve was there, he was able to officiate his father’s funeral. It was a full honors military funeral.
 
The Majority Of People Don’t Like To Hear About Hardship From Other People. Especially people in ministry, missionary work, prison ministries, those who rescue trafficked children or those in care giving careers.  There is a “subtle suspicion” that suddenly causes people to pull back and pretend they don’t see the struggle or suffering taking place when they’re used to someone “appearing to look like they have it all together” or who have been some kind of a bright shining hope to them at one time in their lives, or are a ministry, or helper that they once looked up to. 
 
YOU SEE, THE PROBLEM WITH MOST OF US IS,
WE DON’T KNOW HOW TO HANDLE PAIN, SUFFERING,
AND THE GRIEF OF OTHERS.
 
We Don’t Like To Face The Reality
That We May Be Called Upon 
To Help Those That Are Groaning.
 
 
Just Recently, Steve And I Were Again Facing A Bit Of Difficulty because he had an injury take place when he was working at a local Home Depot in a part-time job where everybody in each department take turns working at the customer services register. Steve being the kind of guy that he is, never slacks off in his work. He leaned over into a shopping cart because there was no one else younger or stronger nearby to help, and lifted out a 60-pound bag of dry cement to scan the price. Steve is 76years old. He is very healthy, very strong, but the lifting of the heavy object caused bulging discs in his lower back and he was in absolutely excruciating pain, thus, started a long recovery. 
 
He Is Actually Doing Really Well Now, and we are so grateful for the prayers and the wonderful chiropractor and doctor that we have, who are both Christians and are 100% committed to working towards better health without surgeries. During this time of Steve having to be home and not working and going to physical therapy, we were both also still doing part-time counseling. Steve gradually had the strength to work on installing and fixing a small appliance in our home. 
 
STEVE ALWAYS, WEARS HIS WEDDING BAND ON HIS LEFT HAND. 
He loves that wedding band! 
Sometimes we set our wedding bands on our kitchen windowsill close to each other so that we can see them next to each other and feel the “cozy joy and love” of knowing we are forever each other’s true love. 
When we were first married, we had picked out our wedding bands, and Steve’s was white gold with a gold center band running through it, with a few lovely diamonds embedded in it. It’s a very special lifetime treasure, which we hope to pass on to one of our grandchildren one day. 
 
Steve Had Taken His Ring Off And He Set It In A Strange, Not Normal Place. 
I had been cleaning house and I noticed his ring sitting in an unusual place. 
I thought to myself that I had better leave it there because he might remember where he put it and might want to put it back on. 
About three days later, he told me he could not find his ring. He couldn’t remember where he put it and I went to look for it in the location that I had last seen it. 
It was gone. 
 
Now Here’s Where It Gets Interesting! 
Steve had a little tin up on his bookcase in his office area. It was an old Altoid mint tin. In it, he keeps a cloth tape measure, rolled up very tightly, a couple coins, and I think he has some paper clips in there. But that’s where he usually takes his ring off and usually puts it in the tin, or next to it every night. He had gone in and looked and took that bookcase apart, and yet, the ring was not to be seen. 
I had gone in and looked from top to bottom as well, looked behind his desk with a flashlight, you name it, and I was searching everywhere! I even looked in his sock drawer to see if the ring had somehow fallen in there, but we could not find it. 
 
WE WERE GREATLY DISCOURAGED, HEARTSICK, SADDENED. 
Yes, it was another time groaning, another disappointment another loss, and although it may seem to be materialistic to some, this was something emotional. It was a bond between us both, that when we took our vows we put those rings on each other‘s hands looking firmly in each other’s eyes saying, “till death do us part”. 
 
You don’t want to replace something like that.
It has history. 
It has memories. 
It has weight to it. 
 
One week passed. 
Two weeks passed. 
Three weeks passed. 
We still could not find it. 
 
I Even Took My Vacuum Cleaner Bag Out And Put A Mask On and poked through it’s contents with a pencil into every single dusty section to see if maybe it had gotten suctioned up into the bag. Nope, it wasn’t in there.
I finally decided I was going to share it in the Kingdom Prayer rooms on Faith United Network’s Christian media site. I’m part of a team of prayer warriors there that pray for people from everywhere, and we fervently pray for, “everything”. Several people decided they were going to get busy praying with us and I basically said that our hearts are broken. 
It’s been something that we just were in anguish over.
 
ONE AFTERNOON I WENT TO LAY DOWN ON OUR BED TO REST. 
The next day was Father’s Day. 
As I lay there I asked the Lord if he would please by his grace, by his mercy, guide me to that ring, show me where it was. I spoke to the Lord saying to him that it would be such an indicator of great love for Steve to find that ring for Father’s Day. It would mean so much to know that the Father cared about even the slightest detail of our lives. 
I Just Could Not Sleep During That Nap After Praying And Crying A Little Bit. So, I got up and something prompted me to go back into Steve‘s office and look in that mint tin, one more time. 
 
Now remember…
Steve had looked in there and I had looked in there thoroughly.  
As I took the tin down and held it closer to my line of sight, at first I couldn’t believe what I was seeing!  Right there, perfectly placed like an egg in the middle of a nest, right in the middle of the wound up cloth measuring tape, perfectly wrapped around it, was Steve’s ring, sitting in the center of it. If we missed seeing it, then we missed it! But I know, and Steve knows that we both had looked in that location several times to no avail.  If the Lord in his kindness and his goodness decided to make sure that the ring was put in a place and then prompted me to go look one more time, I’m going to receive it in childlike faith that he cared so much that let us know. 
 
THE HEAVENLY FATHER CARES ABOUT THE VERY SMALLEST OF THINGS!
Now, some may say, “This is foolishness! Why would God care so much about a ring, and why would he possibly move it or have you see it in a different way?” 
 
There’s Another Interesting Happening In The Scripture.
The floating ax head is a story from 2 Kings 6:1-7, where the prophet Elisha helps a man who lost a borrowed ax head in the water. Elisha performs a miracle by making the iron ax head, float to the surface, demonstrating God's care for even small concerns in our lives.
 
There’s Also A Story Of The Woman Who Had Lost One Of Her Ten Silver Coins.  When she swept her house and looked everywhere for it and when she found it, she went outside and all of her neighbors rejoiced with her. (Luke 15:8-10)   
I WAS SO EXCITED that I’d been prompted to go look specifically in the location of Steve’s ring!  I put it on my finger and walked out and smiled at Steve and I said, “Guess what? Happy Father’s Day!”  He was so delighted and we both cried a little bit, then and then stopped and gave God huge thanks, and then of course I immediately went and shared with the prayer group that the ring had been found! Yippee! There was genuine delight and genuine rejoicing!
 
Dear Believer! 
God IS In The Smallest Of Details. 
He’s In The Little Things That Matter. 
 
RIGHT NOW WE ARE EXPERIENCING UNPRECEDENTED DEVASTATIONS, HATRED, AND TURMOIL IN THE WORLD. Some say that things may be getting better, but maybe in another location it’s becoming more difficult. 
 
THE EARTH IS GROANING!
We are aching and groaning and questioning! 
We are crying out to God saying, 
“What is going on? What more can we do? How can we pray? 
Why are so many suffering? 
Why are the answers not coming? 
Why is it taking so long? 
Why do I have to wait for the answer?”
 
Friends, Inside Of All Of Us, The Holy Spirit Is Groaning. 
That is the urging for us to pray, to cry out and weep before God with groaning too deep for even our own words.
The needs of God‘s people, and the cry for God’s intervention is as urgent in our days as it was in the time of Isaiah. I’m concerned that we may have forgotten the proper concept of what the so-called Christian life is in the sight of God.
Honestly, unless God comes down as “when the melting fire burns to make his name known to his adversaries”, our efforts to stop these unrelenting attacks are pretty much fruitless. That’s from Isaiah 64:2 
 
LOOK AT THE PICTURE OF MANY IN PUBLIC MINISTRY RIGHT NOW! 
How much of it presented in the wisdom of man, applauding the talent, the charisma and the physical appearance? And yet how little of the demonstration of the Holy Spirit’s genuine power.
THE BIBLE DOESN’T HIDE BROKENNESS. 
It doesn’t tie up pain up in a neat little package. What it does is, it shows us the kind of hope that enters into our suffering. 
A hope that weeps, a hope that groans.  
Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” 
 
The Hebrew Word For “Near” Doesn’t Mean Help Is On Its Way. 
No! It’s a much more in its potent meaning! It means “present” -right now. Close enough for you to feel God’s breath while he speaks in your ear that. He is there. 
The Word “Crushed” Is Also Strong Word.  
When you’re crushed, you feel ground down, shattered, and at times you cannot lift your head. 
Friends! God doesn’t despise you or ignore you when you’re crushed. 
Actually, he moves TOWARDS you. 
He definitely doesn’t say, “get up and stop your sniveling”, first! 
Instead he says, “I will reach down and help you.” He did this through sharing, sending his son Jesus Christ. 
Love came down to us… 
 
DC Robertson In His 30 Day Devotional Book Titled “Hope For The Broken” Made Very Powerful Statements. I Will Share A Few With You. 
 “Hope doesn’t start when the storm passes. It starts when you realize you are not alone in the storm.  This is a place where the real journey of Hope begins, not in the removal or the resolution of our pain, but in the nearness of God TO us while we are IN pain. 
That’s what sets biblical hope apart from motivational thinking. 
It’s not about finding the silver lining. It’s about finding the savior in the dark.”
 
FRIENDS. THE CHURCH IN A BROADER SENSE, 
IS SUFFERING GREATLY BY HER OWN HANDS. 
Self harm, whether it’s by individuals or institutions, without a doubt involves defective thinking that is a side effect of self-deception. 
 
Many Of Us Are Grieved And Groan At The Devastation In The Church That Happens When Victims Are Silenced And When Abusers Are Protected. So often, Power is abused and truth is hidden from those considered by the deceivers as “the less powerful” in the body of Christ. His bride is still struggling with being unwell and too often is found to be “unsafe”. 
 
DR. DIANE LANGBERG HAS SO MANY GOOD STATEMENTS TO SAY ABOUT THESE THINGS. 
RECENTLY, I READ THIS EXCERPT FROM ONE OF HER POSTS. 
“It’s extremely important to remember that all power is given to us. The power that is operating in someone’s position, they’re gifting, their knowledge or verbal ability, or their spiritual authority has one source. All of that power comes from Christ. He said to us all power is given to ME in heaven and on earth, it’s not ours! It’s his and it’s to be used in humility and in alignment with his word and his character. 
He who had all power never used it to feed off of a vulnerable person or to increase his stature or to protect himself. Any power that we have is his and is to be used to bless others with his grace and truth.”
Christian psychologist Diane Langberg is a deeply intelligent and humble woman who has arbitrated among war torn countries, advocating for healing and preaching Christ through loving actions and helping reconciliation take place. She makes very potent yet honest assessments regarding the condition of many of the houses of worship being exposed today. 
 
I’D ABSOLUTELY SAY FRIENDS
THAT THERE’S A WHOLE LOT OF GROANING GOING ON
AND THE HOLY SPIRIT GROANS AS HE SEES
THE DECEPTION AND THE HARM BEING DONE!
 
Here are Diane’s words;
“Where do we who serve a holy God, full of grace and truth, find justification for protecting a place where he desires to dwell, when that place is full of sin and harm done to his lambs? When this is done, we have failed to meet even the requirements of the law of the land, which calls the abuse of children and spouses criminal.
Jesus cleansed the temple twice. His people did not listen. The spiritual leaders of the people failed to obey him. The desecration of God‘s house and his people were scathingly denounced by both Jeremiah and Jesus. 
We who are the people of God, who worship in his sanctuary, need to pay heed and listen! 
Our God would have his refuge be holy, like he is holy. And in Matthew, after Jesus cleansed the temple the second time, he gave us a clear view of his ability to restore God‘s house to its true calling, giving us a picture of what that restoration looks like! 
After the cleansing, the wounded and the sick came in and he healed them. And the little ones came into the temple and sang praises to our God.
When the people of God expose deeds of darkness and the wolves in our midst that commit them, the wounded are healed, and the children sing. It is then that we will know the sanctuary of our God is indeed a holy dwelling for our Lord’s Holy Spirit and a safe harbor for his lambs. 
One of the measurements of our faithfulness to God is in the way that we conduct ourselves in relationship to our fellow humans.
A second measure of our faithfulness to God is in the stamping out and the calling out of sins that harm humanity. 
When these conditions are met, we as his people then live out the character of a holy and loving God and do this in front of the afflicted and needy while a watching world observes. 
It’s when we chase out the darkness and we address the corruption and provide a true sanctuary of safety, that we once again become a holy and a safe place.”
 (Excerpt From the Book “In Our Lives First” - Meditations For Counselors. Volume 2) 
 
DIANE’S WORDS HAVE A DEEP CONVICTING MESSAGE! 
Holy Spirit groaning most definitely takes place as you digest and pray over her words. 
The truth can cut deep into our denial of things.  The Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus, and he told his disciples that he would send another, which would be the Holy Spirit who would convict the world of sin.
 
Conviction Causes Us To Groan As The Holy Spirit Groans,
Seeing The Condition Our Own Souls And The Souls
Of The Present Day Deceivers Of Our Current Day.
 
CREATION GROANS!
Romans 8:22-23 so deeply expresses this “groaning of all creation and longing” as we wait upon God, waiting for him to transform every aspect of our lives as individual temples of the Holy Spirit and to transform his church, making his bride spotless and without blemishes or malice.
22 “For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together as if in the pains of childbirth until now. 
23 And not only this, but we too, who have the first fruits of the Spirit [a joyful indication of the blessings to come], even we groan inwardly, as we wait eagerly for [the sign of] our adoption as sons—the redemption and transformation of our body at the resurrection].”
 
FRIENDS, THE WAITING IS SOMETIMES PAINFUL.
The groaning of the whole of creation describes the state of suffering and dissatisfaction with everything we have today! 
Look at how the earthquakes and the tragic floods and heartbreak of their aftermath, the fires burning in the West and the winds are groaning in the Earth right now!
We know - we feel - deep down inside that something is wrong!  Our anxiety and frustration is our inward groaning.
 
SO WHAT’S TO BE DONE? 
THERE’S ONLY ONE THING.
We wait upon God.  
We must cry with a cry that never rests! We say to him, “Oh that you would open the heavens and come down, that the mountains might flow down with your presence!” That’s Isaiah 64 verse 1. 
We must desire, groan in prayer and believe, and we must ask and expect that God would show us Unseen, Unknown things. 
 
Jeremiah 33:3 says,
“Call to me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.”
 
IF HE CAN SHOW ME IN MY SIMPLE MINDED HEART CRY, exactly where my husband‘s wedding ring had been misplaced, or where it had been lost and he had in fact, placed it where I could find it, can he not show us great and mighty things that we know nothing about?
 
Oh Weary Listener!  
We must put our trust in a God who men absolutely don’t know exactly how he goes about preparing acts of great grace and compassion for them! 
 
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE 
WAITING FOR HIM TO FREE YOU, 
TO VINDICATE YOU AND OTHERS 
FROM GROSS LOSSES AND HARM, 
KNOW THAT THIS WONDER WORKING, 
MIRACLE DOING GOD, 
CAN SURPASS ALL OF OUR EXPECTATIONS.  
 
It Must Be The Only One True God Who We Put Our Trust In. 
Yes! Let us as God’s people prepare him room in our hearts to wait on a God who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above, what any of us could ask or think. 
That’s Ephesians chapter 3 vs. 20.
 
Let’s join ourselves together as his chosen ones who cry day and night to him for things that men have not seen! He is able to arise and to make his people a name filled with praise and humble adoration in the Earth!
 
Isaiah 38 verse 18 says, 
“The Lord will wait, that he may be gracious to you, 
Blessed are all those that wait for him.”
 
 
In Closing Out This Podcast, 
I’d Like To Say Lovingly But Clearly,  
We Must Take Time To Develop 
This Much Needed Element Of Our Christian Walk. 
 
 
I Echo Andrew Murray, Who Often Talks About How Little We Wait Upon God. We get too much secondhand teaching and spiritual information from the teachings of men. Now, that teaching may have great value, even like the spiritual information, John the Baptist sent his disciples away with, but he sent them to the living Christ. If the teaching leads us to God himself, then it’s good teaching. But what our lives need is more of God. 
Anyone who wants to learn the beauty of waiting on God would do himself or herself a great favor to remember the lesson from Isaiah chapter 7 verse 4. It says to take heed and be quiet. “It’s good that a man quietly waits.” 
 
Friends, Take Time To Be Separated From All Of Your Friends, All Your Duties And Cares, And Even Your Joys. Take Time To Be Still And Quiet Before God. It’s when we look to the Lord and we wait for the God of our salvation that God will hear us and answer us in the most perfect and loving way.  
Micah 7:7. 
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,
I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
 
LET’S PRAY TOGETHER 
Loving Father, I pray that You would teach me how to prayerfully and patiently wait on You, and to come to a true understanding of what it really means to wait on the Lord. Help us to be still before you, to listen to Your voice through Your Word and to abide in You.
Keep us from fretting and worry, but rather let us learn more of You. 
Draw us closer to Yourself and keep us from presumptuous thoughts, but rather teach us humility of heart, knowing that Your desire for all Your children is that we do justly, love mercy and walk humbly before You.
And in all things, I pray that as we learn to wait on You and go deeper into Your Word of truth, that in all things we would bring glory to Your name. 
In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen.
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HEARING THE VOICE OF GOD IN DAYS OF CHAOS AND DECEIT

By Mary Lindow
Hello to all of you who are listening via podcast today or who are reading this message!
I just finished being a part of our weekly prayer gathering this evening, and I have to tell you, the presence of the Father was so absolutely strong and evident in our time together! I am literally to the point that I anticipate all day long on Thursday evenings, getting together with the group that we pray with. 
 
We have been blessed week after week, month after month with the sweet and strong presence of God as we intercede for our nation, for the globe, and for so many other things that the Lord lays on our hearts to pray about.
 
I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE PODCAST THAT I HAD TALKED ABOUT EARLIER. I am still trying to get it to compile and come together and I know that if I rush this, I will not share it in the light of how the Lord wants it to be presented properly.
 
BUT, I HAVE BEEN HAVING ANOTHER MESSAGE AND WORD FROM THE LORD STIRRING DEEP WITHIN MY SPIRIT, AND SO THAT IS WHAT I’M GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU TODAY.
Hearing God accurately in the mess and chaos that the world is in right now, is of huge importance!
 May the Lord continue to use you all to proclaim and speak truth, no matter what the cost. It is so worth being called a servant of the Lord during hard and challenging times.
 
TODAY, I’M GOING TO TALK WITH YOU ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE IN A PLACE OF SAFETY, A PLACE, OR A “HAVEN” OF BEING SHELTERED BY THE LORD. Especially during very, very difficult and hard times.
I’ll share how to discern and hear His voice in the chaos of the nonstop noise the dark world bombards us all with. It’s ratcheted up to crazy levels, and shouts loudly to attempt to distract us from discerning the times, and hopes to discourage us and knock us off balance with fear, and then rob our peace.
 
IT’S OBVIOUS THAT THE EARTH IS IN ONE MASSIVE UPHEAVAL, AND NO MATTER WHERE YOU TURN RIGHT NOW, THE CRISES CONTINUE TO MOUNT AND BOIL! And so, people begin to put aside spending time in the word of God, and certainly in his presence, to spend time with the love of the Internet and scrolling through their telephones through social network information and high charged doomsday podcasts and videos.
This can absolutely create stress and anxiety, and it also creates a terrible problem with comparing ourselves to other people and where we are at in life.
 
PRAYER IS NOT A BORING HARD THING WHEN YOU REALIZE 
THAT YOU ARE FACE-TO-FACE, OR LITERALLY, 
“PRESENCE TO PRESENCE” WITH THE FATHER.
 
A tremendous man who walked daily in the Presence of God, Andrew Murray, said in a book that he wrote, 
“It’s one of the terrible marks of the diseased state of the Christian life in these days that there are so many that are content, and remain passive and content, without the distinct occasion of having experienced answered prayer. They pray daily, but know very little of direct, definite answers to prayer as the rule of their daily life.” 
 
Psalm Thirty verse four says,
“I sought the Lord and he answered me.”
 
We must understand that it’s the Father’s will that WE SEEK HIM OUT to daily have dialogue with his will, and it’s his will to have his children to listen to him and then, he listens to his children and agrees to their requests.
It’s his will that we should come to him day by day, with specific requests, and he will every day, do for us great and wonderful things!
What we ask sometimes might be a case where the specific answer is that he refuses our request, but our Father lets us know when and why he can’t give us what we request. It’s like his Son Jesus, and so we will withdraw our petition or our request.
 
When did Jesus do that?
Jesus said in the Garden of Gethsemane, “If this cup could pass from me, but not my will, but your will be done.”  He said this to the Father.
 
WHETHER OUR REQUEST IS ACCORDING TO GOD’S WILL OR NOT, GOD WILL BY HIS WORD AND BY HIS SPIRIT, TEACH THOSE OF US WHO ARE TEACHABLE, and he will give us time to withdraw our requests if they’re not according to God‘s mind or purposes.
 
LET’S PRESS IN.
LET’S JUST STAND FIRM UNTIL THE ANSWER COMES! PRAYER IS GIVEN TO US TO OBTAIN AN ANSWER!
It’s in prayer and its answer, that the exchange of love between the Father and we his children takes place.
 
MY QUESTION IS, “ARE YOUR  PRAYERS BEING ANSWERED?”
During the last hours of the age that we’re in, there will be two opposing groups or alliances in the world. 
 
The First group are those whose hearts are absolutely overwrought with bitterness, resentment and hatred.
 
The Second group is those whose love has actually increased, and are experiencing the power of the Kingdom of God, now!
 
Jesus told us about this in Matthew in chapter 4:10-13.
He said, “At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
And then in Matthew 24:14 he added,
“This gospel (good news) of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations and then the end shall come.”
 
SO, THE BIG QUESTION IS...
...“WHAT IS THIS GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM?” 
It’s the whole truth Jesus came to bring, not only that part that saves us from our sins, but also that part which creates us in his image!
It’s the full message, the full good news with all its requirements and all of its rewards! 
It’s is the full price for the full power!
It’s the most glorious pearl that a person can possess. The presence of God in His glory, revealed, made known within and among us!
 
IF WE WANT TO GAIN THIS GREAT LOVE, WE WILL CONTINUALLY BE FORCED TO MAKE CHOICES TOWARD MERCY, OR, TOWARD UNFORGIVENESS, and if we don’t walk in a forgiving attitude, we will certainly become prey to an embittered spirit, if it’s in fact, God‘s plan to allow wickedness and holiness at the same time,  so they grow to full maturity.
 
We must guard our hearts ahead of time from reacting in bitterness or unforgiveness because the increasing anarchy will certainly give us occasions to lose love, with the attempt to make us hard so we can survive in this cruel world.
 
WE OFTEN WITHDRAW FROM THE GENUINENESS OF PURE LOVE!
We can’t choose cautious, selective love, and also walk in the power of God’s kingdom, my friends! To defy pain, we sometimes unconsciously shut down our love, because after all, its love that makes us vulnerable.
 
GOD WANTS US TO BE A PEOPLE WHOSE LOVE IS GROWING HOT, NOT COLD. Jesus didn’t say that we had to trust our enemies, but he did say that we had to love them anyhow. You might be asking why! 
One reason God allows difficulties is to test us!
( I know! I know! We don’t want to hear that! )
He wants to see if our Christianity is just an intellectual pursuit or just thoughts and feelings of the mind, or if following him is truly the highest passion of our hearts. So, he tells us in Matthew 5:44, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Wow! 
 
SOME OF YOU HAVE GONE THROUGH REJECTION AND BETRAYAL MOST LIKELY.
The Lord says to you today,
“You did not fail, you have continued to love, and although you went through great pain, yet you have forgiven, those who have hurt you.” 
My friends you have passed the test.
 
THERE ARE HOWEVER, SOME OF YOU LISTENING OR READING THAT STILL HAVE CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS IN YOUR LIVES THAT YOU HAVE NOT FORGIVEN, AND WHOM YOU DO NOT LOVE.  Maybe you’re right, they don’t deserve your forgiveness, but what you don’t realize is the consequence of your anger.
You see, as long as we refuse to forgive, a part of this is trapped in the past where you will always be reminded of your pain, and until we forgive, we will not be fully released to go on with our life.
Even the time of year in which you were hurt will bring depression.
 
THERE’S ONLY ONE WAY WE CAN HAVE TRUE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD AND THAT IS IN THE HERE AND NOW, RIGHT NOW, LIVING IN THE PRESENT. But if our mind is in conflict with others, we’re neither here nor in the present. When we live in the past, we are cut off from God! What people did to us to hurt us is over! It’s done; it doesn’t have any real existence or life of its own, except in your mind.
 
SO THERE WITHIN US, THE DEED CONTINUES TO LIVE AND FESTER AND AS LONG AS IT LIVES, WE’RE STILL BEING HURT BY IT. The person or the people who wounded you may have long since died. They can’t be blamed because it’s us who keeps our wounds alive. Not only is the quality of our spiritual life affected, but often our physical health pays a price as well!
 
As long as we keep holding onto the burden of what someone has done to us, every time we think about it or think about that person, the stomach acids start to churn and anxiety increases, and then of course our body is continually put under stress.
 
If we don’t forgive those who have hurt us, we lose a measure of our capacity to love and whether they deserve forgiveness or not, we deserve a better life!
God wants to give you a better life but you can’t enjoy abundant life and carry unforgiveness, because we’re shackled to something that was hurting us.
Did you know that our own unforgiveness tortures us?
 
SO HOW DO YOU GET OUT OF THAT PRISON? 
HOW DO YOU FIND THE PROTECTION OF GOD FOR YOUR SOUL? 
 
Well, God calls us to forgive. You have to see the hands of God reaching to you in the midst of your pain.
He wants to redeem that conflict using that specific crisis or hardship to develop and perfect character in you. It will be this experience that he will use to make you like Jesus. To become like Jesus is to dwell, to live, in the place of rest and the safety of God.
Every time we say, “Father, I choose to love. I choose to forgive. I choose to forget and not hold it against this person”, we are taking on the nature of Jesus. Friends, rejoice that Jesus is taking over your heart. You are entering into the strong, safe haven of God’s shelter.
 
I DO MANY THINGS THAT THE LORD HAS ASSIGNED ME TO DO IN LIFE NOT ONLY AS A MINISTER, BUT ALSO AS A PASTORAL COUNSELOR.
I also host and facilitate a group called “The international Prophetic Women’s Mentoring Council.” This is a group of women from all walks of life several cultural groups and different backgrounds. We meet through zoom video sessions and individually.
The thing that is “the glue that bonds us” is the fact that each of us have been called into ministry, and each of these women flows in a different expression of the prophetic gift.
This past week we had a zoom session and our conversation and subject matter was regarding, the power of intercession and what it takes to approach the Face of God, in a right attitude.
 
One of the things that stood out so strongly in our time of dialogue and accountability to one another was the fact that in order to hear clearly from the Spirit of God, we need to have the inward witness, or the “inside part of us that communicates with God”, clearly in a place of submission and humility before him, and, that we first come into a place where we have asked the Lord to cleanse us. That means cleanse our hearts before we try to come to Him in prayer.
 
MANY PEOPLE DON’T KNOW HOW TO HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD. They seek it through quick daily devotionals, or they seek the voice of God through other people every day, instead of seeking the Lord himself.
The scripture tells us clearly in John 10:4-5, “His sheep know his voice, and strange voices, they will not follow.”
 
SO WHAT ARE THE STRANGE VOICES?
The voices from the external world that are constantly pumping us full of data, fear, rhetoric and forced compliance to social conditioning. If we choose to listen to the voice of strangers, then we move further away from being sheep in the pasture of the Lord.
 
SO HOW DO WE KNOW HIS VOICE?
How do we discern that it’s him? The number one thing, is that God always speaks life. He always speaks truth. And when God speaks, it brings peace, even in the midst of hard difficulties or hard decisions. An absolute solid peace comes and says, “This is the way, and this is what you have to do!”
Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say,
"This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.
That’s Isaiah 30:21.
 
THE HOLY SPIRIT LIVES IN YOU.
God absolutely wants to direct your life through your decision-making. The Holy Spirit guides us in our spirits (not through our physical body). The Number One way The Holy Spirit leads and guides us is through what the Bible calls, the “Inward Witness.”
Proverbs 3:6 says,  “Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.”
 
WHAT IS AN INNER OR INWARD WITNESS?
An inner witness is an impression, or a sense or perception on the inside of you.
Romans 8:16 tells us,
“For his Spirit joins with our spirit, to affirm, to confirm, that we are God’s children.”
Jeremiah 7:23-24 says this to us, 
“But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you shall walk entirely in the way which I command you, so that it may go well for you.’ 
Yet, they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked by their own advice and in the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and they went backward and not forward.
 
AS KINGDOM PEOPLE, WE’RE NOT LED BY OUR SENSES.
We’re not led by our ears or our eyes. We’re led by our spirit.
When we talk about hearing God, we’re not talking about hearing God with our physical ears. We’re talking about hearing Him in our spirit. 
Here’s a great example: 
The Apostle Paul had been arrested and he was headed to his trial. Before he took the journey he sensed something in his spirit. He wasn’t the captain of the ship, but he sensed something in his spirit. 
In Acts 27:10, Apostle Paul said,
"Men, I perceive we're going to face a disaster and heavy losses on this voyage. This disaster will cause damage to the cargo and the ship, and it will affect our lives."
It wasn’t long before the ship hit a cyclone, but an angel appeared and guaranteed Paul that everyone would make it, and they did!
What was it that what Paul said in the beginning? “I perceive".  
This is what we’re looking at right now.
We’re talking about being led by the Spirit of God, no matter what circumstance or difficulty we might encounter.
 
BEING A PERSON WHO IS CALLED TO A PROPHETIC MINISTRY, I AM CLEARLY AWARE OF THE FACT THAT 90% OF WHAT I DO, ALSO COMES FROM TEACHING PEOPLE FROM THE WORD OF GOD REGARDING HOW TO  “HEAR” THE VOICE OF GOD.
 
My job is not to be a telephone for people to connect to God with, nor simply through prophesying. This is not going to change lives long term if the word of God is not taught and also if people don’t act on it and obey it.
 
I HAVE HAD SOME STRANGE ENCOUNTERS WITH PEOPLE WHO THINK THAT I HAVE SOME KIND OF HOTLINE OR SATELLITE CONNECTION TO GOD TO HELP THEM GET ANSWERS. They need something or want to hear what the Lord has for them by asking me for a prophetic word. My friends this is not how the prophetic word of knowledge or word of wisdom works! 
I had a lady when we were Pastoring a local fellowship come up to me after the service and she asked me if I would please, “do whatever I do, do that thing that I do”, and see if God would show me where she had put her wedding ring. She had lost it.
I remember feeling very uncomfortable and a cold chill went through my body! My thought process was, “this woman wants me to be like a palm reader, or a magic eight ball! She wants me to use divination to find her wedding ring!“
Very kindly but firmly I told the woman, “You can ask the Lord to show you where it is yourself, or just simply go on looking for it. Pray that the Lord would lead you to it, but to ask me to ask the Holy Spirit to show me where it is, is basically trying to use another voice to speak to God for you when you can speak on your own to him.”
 
THERE ARE TIMES, WHEN GOD WILL SPEAK A WORD, AND IT IS DONE THROUGH A PROPHETIC UTTERANCE, and it gives us a word of knowledge about something or a word of wisdom about a specific event where we need to have insight, but it will always confirm with the Spirit of God what he has already put down on the inside of us that we can’t seem to quite untangle, until the prophetic word comes and brings a clarity to it.
 
SOMETIMES THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL HAVE SOMEONE BRING A PROPHETIC WORD THAT COMES IN THE FORM OF LOVING CORRECTION, BUT IT IS STILL CORRECTION, AND PEOPLE GET ANGRY AND SHOUT, “HOW DARE YOU JUDGE ME! Who are you to judge me?!”  
Of course what this is a reaction to being caught out in bad behavior or hidden sin, and the Lord gently, lovingly, brings a word of warning.
 
ALL OF US KNOW WHEN WE SLIP AWAY FROM SPENDING TIME IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD. We know when we slack off from reading the scripture and from meditating on it, letting the Holy Spirit speak through the word to us. This is where the areas of bitterness and lack of purity in our walk with the Lord get all tangled up.
 
FRIENDS. 
ASK THE HOLY SPIRIT TO TEACH YOU HOW TO BE LED BY HIM.
(By the way, you might need a refreshing of your commitment to only follow his voice.)
You don’t need a prophet to hear from God for you, or have a constant prophetic word to make decisions.
Simply say these words.
“Holy Spirit, teach me how to be led by you.”
Then, before you make any major decisions, acknowledge God.
Say, “God, this is what the situation is,  >  insert your situation  <. 
What are your thoughts about this?” 
Or
“God, this is what is happening right now, and this is what I’m thinking about doing. What do you think?”
From this point, you begin to look on the inside. Practice looking on the inside.
 
DO YOU HAVE PEACE ON THE INSIDE?
Or do you have discomfort on the inside?
Proverbs 20:27 says,
“The spirit of man is the candle or lamp of the Lord.”
This verse lets us know that God guides us through our spirit.
 
MUCH TOO OFTEN, WE SEEK GUIDANCE IN OTHER WAYS.
We judge by our physical senses, but nowhere does God say He will guide us by our senses. Or we look at a situation from a mental standpoint. But God guides us through our spirit, or our inward man.
 
THE INWARD MAN HAS A “VOICE.”
We call it our conscience, intuition, or an inward witness. As born-again believers train and develop their spirit, this voice becomes clearer.
One thing that has held us back is that we are more body-conscious and mental-conscious than spirit-conscious. We have developed the body and soul but have so often, ignored our spirit.
 
WAITING ON GOD IS SO IMPORTANT
Sometimes people don’t want to take their part of responsibility to engage with the Lord. It’s easier to put it off on God and say, “Lord, if you want me to do something or do that, then open the door. If You don’t, then shut it.”
It takes patience to wait on God  until you know the answer on the inside. 
Sometimes it takes times of waiting, quietly, patiently, to hear this inward witness.
 
WE GET SO BUSY PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY THAT SPIRITUAL THINGS BECOME INDISTINCT TO US.
It’s easier to get quiet with your body than with your mind. Sometimes when you try to sleep, your body is relaxed, but your mind is still churning with the day’s activities, ideas and plans, or, with worries and anxieties.
 
HERE IS WHERE PRAYING IN TONGUES IS A GREAT ADVANTAGE.
Paul said,
“For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, 
but my understanding is unfruitful.” (1 Cor. 14:14).
 
I have found the best way to quiet my mind is to pray in tongues. When you pray in tongues, your mind grows quiet. Once it’s quiet, you become more conscious of your spirit and spiritual things.
 
WHEN CHRISTIANS SEEK TO KNOW GOD’S WILL FOR THEIR LIVES,
HE WILL MAKE HIS PERFECT WILL CLEAR TO THEM THROUGH AMAZING WAYS OF COMMUNICATING.
 
Whether it be through a calm, small voice speaking to their heart, or through a supernatural manifestation. God will guide those whose hearts are open to Him along the pathway of peace.
 
HERE IS A HELPFUL HEART PREPARATION
FOR LISTENING TO AND HEARING GOD
When Samuel was a very young child he went to live with Eli the priest, where he sleeps in the temple.   Samuel is sleeping when he is awakened by the Lord calling his name: "Samuel!" (He thinks Eli is calling him.) This happens twice. Finally, Eli realizes that God is calling the boy!
"So Eli told Samuel,
'Go and lie down, and if he calls to you, say, 
"Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening."'
So Samuel went and lay down in his bed.
The LORD came and stood there, calling just like the
Other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!'
Then Samuel said,
'Speak, for your servant is listening.' (1 Samuel 3:9-10)
 
THIS IS THE HEART NEEDED FOR THOSE WHO TRULY WANT TO CLEARLY HEAR GOD:
"Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening."
Humility is required.
 
GOD DOESN'T TALK TO US NON-STOP LIKE A 24-HOUR RADIO STATION. But he will speak to us or nudge us occasionally -even often, if we're listening for his voice.
God sees the whole picture, like a scouting pilot who watches the battle from a spotter plane high above the action, then radios down to others, the instructions for battle.
God speaks to us about this through David in Psalm 32:8-9
The LORD says,
“I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. 
I will advise you and watch over you.
Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”
 
GOD IS OUR INSTRUCTOR AND TEACHER ON WHAT DIRECTION OR PATH TO TAKE.
From his vantage point -seeing the past, present, and future, God sees what we can’t see, and "counsels us, directs us, shows us with his eye, focused upon us.”
 
IF WE WILL LISTEN, GOD IS OUR WISE COUNSELOR. 
God doesn't want to force us to obey like some animals that won't obey unless you put a bit and bridle or a leash on them. Instead, he seeks to speak to us in counsel.
 
AS WE HAVE GROWN AND LEARN TO HONESTLY TRUST IN HIM, WE BEGIN TO OBEY. He desires a more mature relationship based on trust rather than on being forced. If we fight him, we can't serve him.
Speak the same words that Samuel did.
“Lord! Here I am! Your servant is listening!”
Then, be still, and listen to what the Lord has to say to you!
He’s waiting to speak to you right now!
 
LET’S PRAY TOGETHER RIGHT NOW!
Whenever I lift my voice to pray for discernment and Your guidance Lord, I am reminded that You are a good shepherd. 
Forgive me for the times I have gone behind or ahead of Your plans. Forgive me for being demanding and trying to rush my time hearing from you. 
Father, I ask for Your Holy Spirit to lead me to Your perfect ways. I thank You that I don’t have to rely on my own wisdom, but I can depend on Your guidance. 
Thank You Holy Spirit. 
In the precious name of Jesus I say, “Here I am Lord. Speak to me. I am your servant and I am listening.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
 
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"THE MESSENGER"  - "THE ADVOCATE OF HOPE"
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IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR STORMS ”IMMANUEL” IS WITH US! - We Are Not Alone!

The World Is Whirling In Many Storms Right Now!
It’s Crazy Out There, And Dark!
And yet, we all have those things that we are personally raging war against as well.
Maybe You’re In A Storm Right Now.
Maybe it’s a storm named divorce.
Maybe it’s a storm called money, or loss of a career.
Maybe it’s friendship. Maybe loneliness.
Maybe grief or addictions. Kids, in-laws, friends.
Maybe it’s a storm called cancer.
 
Sometimes We Wonder Where Is God In The Midst Of Our Struggles.
Why is God allowing this to happen? We usually don’t understand, (even if we’re the culprit, it still doesn’t seem fair or right.) Yet God is there. His name “Immanuel” means, God WITH us.
In Matthew: 1:23 it says,
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel” (which means, God with us.”
That’s our theme.
It’s really believing and trusting that God is with us.
With that in mind, I want to look at a passage from Acts 27.
 
As Paul Was Being Transported To Rome,
The Focus Was On A Storm On The Ship Paul Was On.
 
There was this massive storm at sea. The storm went on and on and on.
The crew was so terrified that they threw cargo overboard, believing they were about to die.
In Acts 27:20, Luke tells us;
“When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days,
and no small tempest lay on us,
all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.”
 
When We Read, No Small Tempest Lay On Us;
Luke Is Telling Us This Was A Massive, Raging Storm!
It wasn’t just a rainstorm, the wind was blowing, the skies were dark day and night; they couldn’t even see the sky.
The storm was raging, and I wonder how many of us would use that phrase for what we’ve been going through?
The storm - won’t - stop.
 
Do you see the end of that verse?
It said, “All hope of being saved was abandoned”.
They gave up all hope of being saved! That’s terrible!
 
Have You Been There? Have You Given Up All Hope?
It’s the finances that are killing you and you see no hope.
Maybe there’s a wedge between you and your spouse and you can’t see any hope.
Maybe it was the diagnosis.
Maybe you can’t see yourself with a mate.
Maybe it’s a job, it’s the kids, it’s getting older and more dependent.
Whatever it is . . . and just like those sailors, you’ve given up all hope!
 
The storm continues to rage and in verse 21 we read,
“Since they had been without food for a long time,
Paul stood up among them and said,
“Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete
and incurred this injury and loss.”
 
I love Paul!
But right here, I don’t think I would want to hear what he said!
Kind of an “I told you so!”
“You should have taken my advice. You wouldn’t have lost all of this property.
If you had just listened to my advice, you wouldn't be in the middle of this storm.
 
Why Were They In The Storm?
They were in the storm because it was their fault.
They made a decision to go out when it’s not the best time to sail.
It was risky from the start.
Spiritual warfare is real and sometimes, yes, it is Satan.
But this situation was on them; they couldn’t blame Satan as much as they may have wanted to.
 
We Don’t Like To Admit It, But Sometimes It's Our Own Fault.
Sometimes you over-indulged and you spent too much money, or you said something you shouldn’t have said and now you’re in the middle of the storm.
You procrastinated and now you’re paying for it.
You said yes, when you knew you should have said no!
You dated someone everyone said not to date, and now there’s lots of hurt and you’re in the middle of the storm and you can’t blame anyone else.
 
Maybe That's Why They Gave Up Hope - - - They Knew It Was Their Fault.
I think we may find it easier to believe God can get us out of a storm He called us to, than it is for God to get me out of a storm we created.
Does that make sense?
 
Maybe It’s The Captain’s Fault.
You’re just a sailor and you didn’t have a say in it. You heard Paul, but you believed the captain and now through no fault of your own, you’re in the middle of the storm.
 
Have You Have Ever Been In The Middle Of A Storm And It Wasn't Your Fault?
Your parents divorced and you thought it was about you.
The company made poor business decisions, which impacted you.
Someone gave you their word and you believed them.
Whatever it was, you were the victim.
You’re in the middle of the storm and you’re giving up hope!
Now, Paul says in verse 22 - -
“Yet now I urge you to take heart,
 for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.”
 
Literally, Paul is calling them to have a positive spirit, to have good courage.
He is reassuring them there will be no loss of life.
 
How Many Of Us Need To Hear That?
Be Of Good Courage.
That’s a theme throughout the Bible. Remember what God told Joshua in chapter 1 verse 9;
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous!
Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed,
for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
 
Be of good courage! Be courageous.
Don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged.
Don’t be defeated. Don’t give up hope!
WHY?
 
Because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go!
That’s news we need to hold onto! It’s great news when we’re giving up hope!!
 
Then in verse 23 Paul said - - -
“For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God
to whom I belong and whom I worship.”
 
Talk About A Powerful Statement From Paul!
You're in the boat in a raging storm and an angel stands beside you! I wonder what some were thinking.
 
I Truly Believe There Are Angels All Around Us.
There are angels where you are right now ministering to you.
I really do believe that. I believe the spiritual world, when we get there some day, is going to totally blow us away with what’s going on.
 
Imagine That You're In The Middle Of A Storm And The Presence Of God Is With You In This Moment. You have no idea all the different ways God is with you. He could be with you as an angel. His Spirit is with you. Jesus is with you! God is not bound by time; He’s with you yesterday, today and forever. He is listening to your prayers. He’s interceding on your behalf to the Father!
 
We Have No Idea How God Is With Us At All Times, Even In The Storms.
It’s what Paul told Timothy - - -
“At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me,
But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me.” - 2 Timothy 4
 
Isn’t that great? The Lord stood by me and strengthened me.
The Lord didn’t leave me; the Lord didn’t fail me nor forsake me.
He’s with me, at my side, and He is with you at your side, and He's giving you strength.
 
NEVER LET THE PRESENCE OF A STORM
CAUSE YOU TO DOUBT THE PRESENCE OF GOD.
 
Following Jesus doesn't mean bad days won't happen.
That's bad theology to think that it does.
Jesus said that in John 16:33,
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
 
You will have trouble, but Jesus promises us He will be with us and on top of that, He has overcome the world.
That means Jesus is the victor!
We have our victory in Jesus.
 
We Can't Control What People Do To Us.
But, we can control what we believe and where we put our faith, put our trust. 
My faith is in the One who created the wind and the waves. I have faith in God that what He says will come to pass. What He says will happen - - - will happen.
 
Who Is God?
In Psalm 46:1-3, the psalmist tells us,
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
(That means right now!)
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”
 
Don’t You Love That?
In the midst of our storms, God is our hiding place.
He is our refuge and our strength.
He is always ready, willing and able to help us in times of trouble.
 
Why? Because He is with us.
 
Who is He?
He is Immanuel.
He is God with us.
Because He is with us, we will not be afraid, even if the earth is shaken, (it’s sure shaking right now!) and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, even though the seas roar and rage, and the mountains tremble.
If we lose our job, if the relationship falls apart, if the economy gets shaky,
I still will not be afraid.
Why? Because He is with me.
Because He will never leave us. Because He will never forsake us.
Because He is what we need.
Because He is our safety. He is our strength. He is our comforter.
He is our redeemer. He is our righteousness. He is our friend.
Because He is a rock. He is the living bread, the bread of life.
He is the living water that satisfies our souls.
He is the gate through which we can enter.
He is the good shepherd.
He is our comforter and peace.
 
PEACE IS NOT FOUND IN THE ABSENCE OF A STORM.
PEACE IS FOUND IN THE PRESENCE OF JESUS, AND HE IS WITH US.
 
That’s why you never let the presence of a storm cause you to doubt the presence of God.
True peace is not found in the absence of trials and storms.
That's a part of life.
 
True peace is found in the Presence of Immanuel.
God WITH us.
 
Let’s pray,
Heavenly Father, we see the world in turmoil, we see the storms on the horizon. Wherever we turn, it seems as if darkness is attempting to encroach and suffocate the goodness in the earth.
But Lord, you have people filled with your Spirit, you have your own set apart and called and planned for this very storm and time.
Lord, those that are listening to me, many of them like myself are asking questions like, “what more can I do”?
It seems as a governmental policies are thrown aside and treachery wins the day. It seems as if there are family members who refuse to speak to one another because of either different political views, or they’ve been forced into doing things that they didn’t want to do and they said “no”. Father we know all these things are being heard from you in our prayers and we ask that you help us to be like Paul, that we wait upon the strengthening of your angels that come around us.  You yourself were sent a strengthening angel in the garden of Gethsemane that ministered to you so that you could fulfill the ultimate call upon your life, to spare us from damnation and a place of great darkness for eternity.
Teach us your way oh God!
Teach us to trust you with all of our heart.  
Those places that have become weak or frightened, or perhaps presumptuous, Father, we want to be on an equal plain of humility before your throne, that you can call upon us, call us up at any time, that we might stand and face the storm in the courage of knowing that every place in which our foot has tread, you have given it to us.
We will be strong and courageous, and we will not be afraid.
We thank you Jesus so much for being there, we thank you, Father for the presence of your Holy Spirit. We can lift our hands and close our eyes and lift our hands and begin to call upon your name, and peace falls on us, and that thick Presence, knowing that you are in the midst of us. The world does not have that! The wicked never taste that kind of full belonging and peace, and we thank you for it.
Father I ask those that are listening today, if there’s anyone who’s afraid, if there’s anyone going through a really hard thing, Father I ask that your Presence would reassure them, that your grace your mercy would overshadow them right now and carry them to the place they need to be whatever it would be Father, relationships, finances, harm in family situations, physical abuse, perhaps a difficult medical diagnoses. I would ask that you would show them, let them know beyond any doubt there you are there and that you are not leaving them, that you will get them though the storm. 
Thank you Father for hearing my prayer in Jesus' loving, mighty and glorious name.
 
I Hope You Enjoyed Today’s Podcast!  I enjoyed sharing it with you.
My next podcasts are going to be in regard  to some things that I’ve been sitting on, now maybe two or, two and a half years. Sometimes you must wait until you have a peace and full release to share specific supernatural things you have experienced and that you have proof of.  
One thing I will be sharing is in regard to the State of Colorado.
Things that are now beginning to take place and I believe the word is to address this, but I believe it also is a national word. I have several things that the Lord has given me to share now as we are presently in a different time.
I encourage you to listen and then pray about it and pray for your nation.
We are in a difficult time. This is nothing but repeat of history over and over again, but I do know that when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Lord himself will raise a standare up against him.
I say goodbye to you for now and thank you for listening!
Rest Child, Rest in my Peace, Rest in my Peace, Child. Rest.
 
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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"Can God Spread A Table In The Desert?"

By Mary Lindow through the Holy SpiritIf you ask the true "heart determined" believers in Christ today just what it is that they need now more than ever, it would be totally answered by the very raw words; “I am in a state of real Desperation For God's Help!”HERE IS THE SPIRITUAL INSIGHT THAT THE LORD WOULD HAVE ME SHARE WITH YOU.In the past few years many have seemingly "gotten" all that they thought they wanted. Lots of new stuff, bigger houses, hefty stock increases, and for some, that "greatly awaited moment" of climbing the mountain to the top of the heap to be "up there with the big dogs." Their inner thoughts exclaimed, "I am now someone that folks finally appreciate and take notice of!"AND NOW... SUDDENLY! THE BOTTOM HAS FALLEN OUT OF MANY OF THESE EXCITING MOMENTS!Friends are scattering, you struggle to get your bearings. Telephones and emails and fax machines fall silent. NOBODY wants to identify with YOUR pain or loss. It just MIGHT rub off on them! Or better yet, it might even expose their slippery slope at the moment!
WE ARE IN THE HOTTEST REFINERS FIRE TO DATE!People are winding up in anger, disbelief and frustration over this "unfair" season the Bride of Christ is in! It just isn't fair! We have been so good! We have laid down everything! 
Why oh why are WE being singled out? I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched; My eyes fail while I wait for my God. ~ Psalm. 69:3 I am weary with my sighing; every night I make my bed swim, 
I dissolve my couch with my tears. 
~ Psalm. 6:6Does this sound like you right now?EVERYONE IS GOING TO BE TESTED SOMETIME!The strongest impression I have received from the Father about the condition of His Bride is this. When things are going "fabulously" for her, when all of heaven is blessing, she wants to keep it that way! If she is not in a place of great humility and thankfulness for what the Lord is doing, she tends to assume that, "It’s about time folks knew just how long I've been waiting for them to see just how great this church, or ministry or intellectual skill I've been soooo blessed with is!"Then comes the attitude that we have to keep it allotted to only a few "real winners" like ourselves, and we become exclusive and look for only high rollers to run with. And then. AGAIN comes the TEST. Persecution comes, mug slinging, attacks on personal integrity, character assassination, and again the fiery trial.........of our soul.TO REMOVE IMPURITIES - GOD USES A HOT FURNACE!These trials as if by fire are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, 
it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day 
when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. ~ I Peter chapter 1: 7HOW ARE YOU DOING?The Lord is working the Bride overtime right now to deal with selfish ambition, personal comfort, and any other areas of personal agenda or presumption. Some of the pain you are experiencing is due to the disobedience of those in the Body of Christ around you! They resist the hand of God and react against you in retaliation toward God bringing correction or exposure to their secret lifestyle of personal gain or need for power!WE ARE NOT ALONE!For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, 
so that you may not grow weary and lose heart. Heb. 12:3 Admit it! It is hard to not lose heart right now! 
The world is in a tailspin and lukewarm Christians are showing their true colors! It's time to deal with this! It is NOT going to go away!AGONY IS MORE SEVERE WHEN IT IS "ENHANCED" BY TREACHERY!Jesus went thorough it. Stephen went through it and so did hundreds of others! 
AND it hurts, and disillusions, and causes us to be so very, very weary!THE MOVE FROM WEAK TO STRONG IS COMING!"When?" ...You may ask. “Can God spread a table in the desert?” Psalm 78.19Here are a few things the Lord would require: 1. To gain strength we must relinquish our power or control over what we think of others. 
We will be judged by the way we judge others when they struggle. Pious and lofty lectures are not the Kingdom language of healing and restoration. Loving-kindness and Mercy reveal the heart of godly maturity in a believer when dealing with the sorrows and anguish of others.“Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, Or like vinegar poured on soda, is one who sings songs To a heavy heart.”Proverbs 25:202. Reach out in kindness to those under fire. Encourage them to stand. Encourage them to seek the Lord. Bless them and don't talk about them when they struggle! "The Lord God has given me the tongue of disciples, That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens me morning by morning, He awakens my ear to listen as a disciple." Isaiah 50:4 3 3. Get still. Stop organizing, planning, and pushing ahead into oblivion! 
    God really does have a plan! 
“Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the Lord, Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become cynical. “Is. 40:30 -31 4. TRUST FOR A MOMENT!It's all about trusting God in the end. Oh yes it is! 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 5 The Lord is producing endurance 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 1:12THE FATHER IS URGING US TO RUN TO HIM, TO CLING TO HIM!He is there! Even in the fog of struggle, loss, anxiety, and also in seeming success. He wants us to be desperate for Him and rely wholly on His voice. To make all of our decisions based on His plan for the whole earth! Seek Him. Lean into His Voice. Elevate grace and mercy……And lower your own opinion of yourself and your abilities to “lecture” others into healing or restoration. WALK SOBERLY IF YOU ARE LIVING IN ABUNDANCE AT THIS TIME, ON ANY LEVEL. Keep the vigil of prayer you are keeping for others well lit by the reflecting memories of past times, when you yourself needed the Merciful Hand of God to lift you from agony and redeem your life from the pit.Let us be so devoted to the “One” who lavished and spilled out all He had, that we might repeat His actions, and in so doing, bring His Glory to it’s fullest measure and depth.Mercy…. Endures.Forever.“Then will the lame leap like a deer, And the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness And streams in the desert.”Isaiah 35:6***************************************** Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed provided that complete source, podcast link  and website information for Mary Lindow is included. Thank You Copyright © 2020 " THE MESSENGER " ~ Mary Lindow www.marylindow.comwww.globalprayerrooms.com  
http://marylindow.podbean.com/mobile/