​August 13, 2023
This week I want to share another post from Dutch Sheets. Dutch is a well-respected, trusted teacher for this season of time we are in. He is a prayer warrior and believes in prayer in a mighty way. For years I have learned so much from his truth and wisdom. He writes and posts devotionals 5 days a week. With everything that is going on around us, Dutch gives great insight, thoughts on what to be praying for, and words to decree over our country. Hope you are as encouraged as I am that together we are and will make a difference in and for our country!
 
August 11, 2023 – Dutch Sheets – Give Him 15
I want to begin today’s post by praying for the tragic situation in Hawaii. Lahaina (and all of Maui) is one of our favorite places on earth. My heart breaks for them:
Father, we ask for much grace to be given to the people of Hawaii. The devastation there is truly heartbreaking. Comfort the families that have lost loved ones, and bring hope to those who have lost possessions. Give wisdom and understanding to leaders there, words that will bring peace, ward off bitterness, and produce hope; give them messages that will inspire the hearts of the Hawaiian people to turn to You and overcome in this devastating situation. We ask for this in Yeshua’s name, amen.
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The Necessary Partnership
“In this manner, therefore, pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’” (Matthew 6:9-13 NKJV)
 
It is difficult for some people to believe God needs our cooperation, that He works on earth through humans, not independently of them. Their concept of God’s sovereignty simply cannot allow them to believe He would limit Himself in any way to the actions of people. But He has.
Regarding the need for prayer, the great E. M. Bounds said:
“God shapes the world by prayer. The more praying there is in the world, the better the world will be, the mightier the forces against evil . . . The prayers of God’s saints are the capital stock of heaven by which God carries on His great work upon the earth. God conditions the very life and prosperity of His cause on prayer.”(1)
 
The belief that God does not need our involvement to accomplish His will is a great hindrance to heaven’s cause. I once heard the late great pastor/teacher, Jack Hayford, say, “The quest of Jesus Christ on the earth is greatly crippled by wrong notions of the sovereignty of God.”
The Scriptures are filled with examples of God needing the obedience, faith, prayers, decrees, and actions of people in order to accomplish His will (1 Kings 18; Ezekiel 22:30-31; Luke 19:41-44; and others). The Father’s desire and plan from the beginning was to partner with His family to establish His Kingdom principles on earth - as they are in heaven. Jesus restored us to the family and redeemed the plan, giving to the church the keys or authority of His Kingdom (Matthew 16:18-19).
 
He taught us to pray: “Thy Kingdom, come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Many of you are aware that the Greek verbiage of this verse actually tells us to command these things. We are told to ask and command. We are NOT commanding God, of course, but we ARE commanding for Him - as His representatives, and as He leads. We ask or petition FROM our Father; we command FOR Him in order to release His Kingdom will. We appeal TO heaven; we command FOR heaven.
 
Now, for a short biblical word study. The above phrase, “Thy will be done,” is important. The two words “be done” come from one Greek word: ginomai.(2) This word comes from the Greek words genos(3)/gen(4) and is linked to the concept of creating, reproducing, or birthing. We derive many of our English “gen” words from this Greek word, which can be easily seen in their spellings: generate, gene, genetic, generation, and so on. Again, the concept is creating, procreating, birthing, generating, etc. This meaning or concept is why the words “born” (gennao - John 3:3)(5) and “born again” (anagennao - 1 Peter 1:23)(6) are also formed from this same Greek word, gen. Don’t be overwhelmed by all the Greek. The point is that Christ’s phrase, “be done,” is linked to the concept of birthing or creating. He was saying: “Use My authority and command My will to be done, to become, to be generated, to be birthed/born in the earth, as it is in heaven.” Incredimazing! (Sometimes, one just has to make up a word!) When we declare God’s will and words, they carry His power to perform, create, accomplish, and give birth.
 
Consider these examples:

• We preach the gospel, declaring God’s words, and He uses them to cause individuals to be born again: “For you have been born again (anagennao) not of seed which is perishable, but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God” (1 Peter 1:23 NASB).
• We meditate on the “seeds”(7) of God’s Word, which includes saying them, and they produce their fruit in us. (Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23)
• We issue decrees for God, and the matters are established. (Job 22:28)
• With Christ’s authority, released through commands, we open and close doors, bind and loose demonic activity. (Isaiah 22:22; Matthew 16:18-19)
• At times, we are even led by Holy Spirit to command the dead to live, and they come alive! (Acts 9:40)

 
We, the church, ARE the voice of God here on earth! This is why He instructed us to “command the foreword.” We have been doing so, releasing His words which He said are never without power (Luke 1:37, literal translation), and always accomplish what He assigns them to do (Isaiah 55:11). We will continue to do so.
 
Our decree:
Let’s decree that Christ’s Kingdom authority “come,” and His “will be done” regarding the following:

• America’s foreword, live!
• Cape Henry’s well of covenant, flow to America!
• Bell of liberty, sound forth Christ’s salvation to all the earth!
• America, a nation “under God,” you will remain there!
• Evil in America, be shaken down!
• [Taken from the ,Charlie Shamp prophecy in yesterday’s post] Evil uprising in America, be uprooted! Wicked one in the courts, be silenced! God has said, “For what they attempt to do, I will turn around upon them, and they will fall upon their face in disgrace. Where they will attempt to prosecute, I will overturn and throw it out. The scales of justice will tip in your favor, and the bowls of judgment will tip over upon the wicked.” We agree with and declare this.
• Demonic destruction of America’s roots, we bind you! You will fail! The tamarisk staff of covenant will destroy your efforts. America SHALL be saved!
• Revival, come to America and the earth!
• Wind of God, blow! Dry bones, live!
• Children and youth, be rescued, delivered, saved!
• Campuses, receive your heavenly visitation! Prodigals, come home! Jesus Revolution, come!

To see the references he is noting you can go to his website <ministryinfo@dutchsheets.org. You will also find his past devotionals there. 

July 9, 2023
“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
The last couple of years I have been very transparent in the trials of our life but also showing you how the Lord was leading us through these times. For us, it’s been a year like nothing we have ever experienced but we knew the Lord was with us all the way.  I have grown more in courage and boldness than at any other time of my life. The situations I used to think were important and needed my attention I now see as distractions that slowed me down. The trials of this past couple years were so hard but my experience with my Lord and Savior during those hard times was so precious and real. He met me right where I was and every day, He held me close and told me I was loved, healed and more than a conqueror. Most days I would stumble and fall before the day was through but He never stopped reaching down to pull me up and hug me. He never condemned me, scolded me, rejected me.  “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up;” Ecclesiastes 3:1-3
 
The Lord has been telling me it’s time! I looked up the definition of time and the best definition I found for what the Lord is telling me is “kairos time, meaning ―season, opportune time, or time of accomplishment. Kairos is a time that requires a conversion from people. Kairos time is here. It calls for action, conversion and transformation—a change of life. Kairos is not just crisis but opportunity and favour. God assists us in discerning the kairos—a moment of grace. In a world full of confusion, strife and evil there is no time to waste in selfishness and strife. It’s time for to laugh. It’s time to love. It’s time to have joy unspeakable and full of glory! It’s definitely time for healing. There is no greater distraction to His Kairos moments than sickness! Sickness and health issues are an attack from the enemy!
 
Another truth I realized lately was that as He created, He knew what He was doing and that each of us were created and born now not 100 years before or 100 years later. We were born for this time – for such a time as this.  “For if you remain silent at this time, liberation and rescue will arise for the Jews from another place, and you and your father’s house will perish [since you did not help when you had the chance]. And who knows whether you have attained royalty for such a time as this [and for this very purpose]?” Esther 4:14
 
Esther had a chance to save her people and her Uncle encouraged her to stand up against the enemy. She was the queen and he asked how do you not know that you were born for this time and for this purpose? She did go to the King and she did save her people. Right now, in 2023 if you are alive – you were born for such a time as this. It is useless to fear, hide, become a victim, complain, coward away from what is happening. You are here to make a difference. You were created as a unique person for this time and this situation in life. You know what that means? It means we can make it. It means we can persevere. It means that we have a say and a reason to live. It means we don’t have to cry out for the Lord to come quickly. We are here and individually and together we are to make a difference.
 
We need to embrace the truth of who we are in Him. Glorious, is what the Word says! We are vessels of the highest honor and the glory of God dwells within us. We are not victims but victors. We can do all things through Him. The SAME Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives inside of us. We were created to shine in this dark world- to brighten every dark room we walk in to. To sparkle, shine with glorious praise that the enemy cannot shut down. We are alive today to speak words of life that change the world. You are radiant, the light of the Holy Spirit. We need to believe and remember how glorious we are. His creativity is mind blowing and everything is different. We also create. Don’t hold back or be in fear to use your gifts and be unique in your gifts of creativity. You create life or death with your words. Let’s come together and create the miracles of Him through our words. This is not a time to hesitate in our response to the Lord. He is giving us opportunity to see that there is more to come! He is calling us and telling us it is time to position ourselves in such a way that regardless of how things may appear to us, His voice and the path He has shown us are more real than anything else. Real faith takes real courage. This is a time of “real faith and real courage”. Realm faith comes from focusing ion God. It is time to carry out His Kingdom purposes not be reacting to the enemy’s attempt to stop His Kingdom from going forward. “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”” Esther 4:14 ESV
 
“Then I heard the Lord saying, “Whom should I send to my people? Who will go to represent us?” I spoke up and said, “I will be the one. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8
This should be our response to the Lord when He calls us. No prophet answered as quickly as Isaiah did. That’s my heart. To quickly answer His voice when He calls especially in this season and time. We are here for a purpose and to make a difference in this time set before us.  We are here for such a time as this. Let Him flow through you. Listen carefully and let’s go together making a difference and helping others know that they are here for a purpose and the enemy cannot win when we are standing firm in the Lord!
 
“How could I be silent when it’s time to praise you? Now my heart sings out, bursting with joy— a bliss inside that keeps me singing, “I can never thank you enough!”” Psalm 30:12
“It’s time to sing and shout for joy! Go ahead, all you redeemed ones, do it! Praise him with all you have, for praise looks lovely on the lips of God’s devoted lovers.”
Psalm 33:1
 
“Can you not discern this new day of destiny breaking forth around you? The early signs of my purposes and plans are bursting forth. The budding vines of new life are now blooming everywhere. The fragrance of their flowers whispers, “There is change in the air.” Arise, my love, my beautiful companion, and run with me to the higher place. For now is the time to arise and come away with me.” Song of songs 2:13
 
“His message was this: “At last the fulfillment of the age has come! It is time for God’s kingdom to be experienced in its fullness! Turn your lives back to God and put your trust in the hope-filled gospel!” Mark 1:15
 
“To live like this is all the more urgent, for time is running out and you know it is a strategic hour in human history. It is time for us to wake up! For our full salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” Romans 13:11

“This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing. In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning.”
Hebrews 10:25
 
“Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15-17

​July 2, 2023
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!! What a blessing and privilege we have to celebrate our freedom in Jesus and our country. Since our country was founded on the freedom that Christ brings, freedom because of Jesus in our country is what we are celebrating today.
“So may the words of my mouth, my meditation-thoughts, and every movement of my heart be always pure and pleasing, acceptable before your eyes, my only Redeemer, my Protector-God.”  Psalm 19:14 TPT
The verse above, Psalm 19:14, has been one of my favorite verses for years. I have learned, and continue to grow in His wisdom, that our words bring life or death. The words of my mouth need to be words that bring Him glory! Then the next part is the mediation of my thoughts. That’s a big thing. People hear my words but only He and I know my thoughts. Thoughts are easy to get going on and we end up meditating for hours, days, years on good or bad thoughts. When we are focused on the Lord, we will have thoughts that are all about Him and His love. When our thoughts are not on Him, we get to thinking about all that is wrong or messed up in our lives. Our words and thoughts affect our heart. How vital it is to keep on our heart on Him. Now more than ever we need to keep our thoughts and heart on Him. What is in our hearts affects our every issue of our life. What’s in our hearts comes out through our words, actions or attitude. We want all that is in us to glorify Him!
 
The world is in a turmoil. Daily things are changing for the worse and also for the better. There’s more pressure put on those standing firm for what they believe to give in for the betterment of others. There is persecution when you stand on what the Lord has said, when you stand on His Word. BUT more people are deciding to stand firm and not give in. The “fruit” of the events of this last few years are rotten and people are smelling the stench. This is not an easy time but it’s a time to see His victorious works in everything around us. Many issues in our country and the world are raising their ugly heads and the enemy is doing all he can to bring division and strife. As I pray, I continue to hear the Lord say that we must stand strong and we must encourage one another.
 
Standing strong. I’ve had people ask what does that mean? There are many ways we have to stand strong right now and the most important area is to stand strong and firm in Him. This means that you know that you know the Lord is your Rock and Salvation and that He will guide and direct you in all you do, never leave you or forsake you, love you unconditionally and that He is not causing this mess to happen to judge or punish the world because of sin. You must know in your heart that you are righteous in Him no matter what, He is your Healer, your Provider, your Savior, your everything. You must know and believe that His Word is true and that He is Truth. If you have doubts about any of this, you will find yourself being tossed too and fro and not able to stand strong.  “And if anyone longs to be wise, ask God for wisdom and he will give it! He won’t see your lack of wisdom as an opportunity to scold you over your failures but he will overwhelm your failures with his generous grace. Just make sure you ask empowered by confident faith without doubting that you will receive. For the ambivalent person believes one minute and doubts the next. Being undecided makes you become like the rough seas driven and tossed by the wind. You’re up one minute and tossed down the next. When you are half-hearted and wavering it leaves you unstable. Can you really expect to receive anything from the Lord when you’re in that condition?” James 1:5-8
 
When it says Can you really expect to receive anything from the Lord when you’re in that condition?”, it is not saying the Lord will withhold anything from you if you doubt. What it says is you are not able to hear Him clearly when you are in this frame of mind. To stand strong you must believe something beyond a shadow of a doubt and not be willing to give into it any other ways. To stand strong in the Lord is simply surrendering your thoughts and ideas to Him, letting go and taking a step of faith. This doesn’t happen with every belief all at once, usually, but you persuade your heart one truth at a time. The most important truth to know first is that Jesus died for you, rose again to give you His life if you receive it. Once you know that you know how much He loves you no matter what then you have an open heart that the other truths can be built on.
 
Standing strong and firm in Him takes courage and His strength. To not give in when the enemy comes to tell you some lies about who you are not in Jesus can cause you to face criticism and judgment. “But those who wait for Yahweh’s grace will experience divine strength. They will rise up on soaring wings and fly like eagles, run their race without growing weary, and walk through life without giving up.” Isaiah 40:31 TPT
Awesome verse of truth! Notice you soar and fly like eagles but you also run your race without getting weary. That’s because He is your strength and you are standing on a truth that is firm in your heart. Then you are walking through life without giving up. Extremely important to know your life is in Him and you can never fail or give up in Him. “Here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting—for he will never disappoint you!” Psalm 27:14 TPT This powerful verse says:
“This is what I have learned through it all.” –
#1 - Don’t give up;
#2 - Don’t be impatient;
#3 – Do be entwined as one with the Lord.
#4 - Be brave and courageous,
#5 - Never lose hope.
#6 - Yes, keep on waiting—for he will never disappoint you!”
We may ask “How can I do this?” I think the key thing of this verse is: Be entwined as one with the Lord. There is no way you can stand strong without giving up and losing hope if you don’t know what you are believing. The ONLY way to know who Jesus is in your life is to have a relationship with Him. The only way to build a strong foundation is spend time in His word – hearing and listening to what He is saying and spending time talking to Him through prayer and times of meditation. “Do not yield to fear, for I am always near. Never turn your gaze from me, for I am your faithful God. I will infuse you with my strength and help you in every situation. I will hold you firmly with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 TPT
 
Wow! What a life verse for this season of our lives! Yielding to fear is doubting, giving in, giving up, and losing hope. It can happen every day in some area of our lives but we must quickly get our gaze – our eyes back on Him and His love. He will infuse you with His strength and help you in every situation! Can you believe and receive that? That is such a powerful truth. Sometimes I just sit and meditate on these verses that give me hope and promises. I let these words sink deep into my hearts. I meditate until the verse is hidden in my heart. “Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart, That I may not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11
 
There will be times of not seeing and hearing things clearly. But we have an answer and can quickly come back to His truths and promises. We must come back to the first verse I shared, “So may the words of my mouth, my meditation-thoughts, and every movement of my heart be always pure and pleasing, acceptable before your eyes, my only Redeemer, my Protector-God.”  When you start to doubt, give in, give up - stop and check out what your words have been and what you been meditating on. Take those thoughts captive and surrender them to Him. This is a daily surrender and prayer. Problems happen daily, daily we take them and surrender them to Him. This is the truth on how to stand strong and firm in Him. It’s His strength, not ours, because we have surrendered our heart and let go of the issues of life that hold us back we are able to walk in His strength. He’s made a way for us and now we must believe and take that step forward in faith knowing we have it all in Him!! Praying for you all and knowing we are standing strong together in Him!!
 

​June 25, 2023
It’s impossible to not be thankful for the beauty all around us. The moisture, yes, sometimes downpour, has created a green world. I love to sit outside and soak it all in. I am so thankful for these beautiful days, for summertime, but sometimes the season brings lots of activity and stress. We long to enjoy the long days, the sunshine, the outdoors. We can fill every moment of daylight with activities. There are picnics, family times, weddings, camping, rodeos, county fairs, hiking paths to conquer, gardening and yard work to do, animals to take of, baby chicks, BBQ’s and then sometimes weariness when we go too much.
 
Our summer is full of many of the above events and activities. I love it all and look forward to each opportunity to enjoy summer. Yet, with all the fun stuff life is still happening and there are still many, many cares of this world that seek to overwhelm us. For me, the last couple of weeks have been like a roller coaster with ups and downs, sharp turns, unexpected drops. We had a full rodeo week that was lots of fun with many activities, lunches and dinners. At the same time our 19-year-old granddaughter was in a car accident that could have easily killed her. She went off a steep embankment on a country road in Tennessee and her car caught fire. We praise Jesus she was not knocked unconscious when the car hit a tree, or she would not be with us today. It happened on the 2-year anniversary of her brother’s, our grandson, memorial service. Her lung was deflated, and she spent 4 days in the hospital. It was so emotional for me. To see her car and know the Lord was with her brings overwhelming joy to my heart that is at the same time still hurting from the loss of Caleb. Sometimes I don’t know how to explain the emotions that get going inside me, but I know I must stay surrendered to Him to keep them from getting out of control.
 
 This week Josh went in for his heart flutter repair. Emotional? Definitely and I did not do too well at times that day. I tried to stay busy with gardening and outside work as I prayed, cried and sang to the Lord. I was probably too emotional as I was in peace that he was okay, but I just let circumstances overwhelm my weary soul. That weary soul came from being so busy that I didn’t spend the time I usually do with the Lord. There were too many early morning commitments the last few weeks. I ended up impatient with Mom and Ed, then condemning myself for my actions and words and just struggling. As I finally took a bit more time to talk to the Lord, He told me that I had let the cares of the world creep in. The “cares of the world” are distractions that shift our focus from the things of God and get us worrying about all the stuff around us. The cares cause us to skip or shorten our time with Him because our minds are somewhere else and the cares and lies the enemy is trying to slip in.
 
Life gets so consuming at times that we really don’t know if we are coming or going. This isn’t how it is supposed to be. When so many things are coming at us we should be taking extra time with Him, but for me lately I know the answer and continue to let myself be distracted by stuff and I let my responsibilities here at home wear me down. Do we all know what’s best? If we have Jesus in our hearts, yes, we do. Do we heed His Word in these times? For me, not until I came to the place of losing my cool and acting in ways that I know are not Him. I’m sure we all get to this point once in a while when the situations hit our lives just right but I sure don’t like it myself. These are the verses He put on my heart this week that helped me keep back in focus.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” Galatians 5:22-26
 
“The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”” Mark 4:18-20 NLT
 
I know the “soil” of my heart is not full of thorns but with the attitudes I was having I was letting the thorns, the lies of the enemy, start to grow instead of getting them by the root and burning them. I was being consumed with selfish thoughts and weariness that wanted get me down and discouraged. It can sometimes happen pretty fast when circumstances and cares of life hit just at the time when your soul - your mind, will and emotions – gets distracted or out of focus of who I am in Christ and Who He is in me.
 
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
 
This is a powerful verse in my life. How easy it is for me to lean on my own understanding. This week I was talking to my brother, and he gave me a strong word. We are in the process of selling my mom’s place and the renters were giving us a bit of a hassle. They don’t want to move out. They are my mom’s friends, so we are trying to be considerate without being taken advantage of also. I got into a bunch of concerns☹. Since the house still has most of mom’s stuff in it I didn’t want them to take things or destroy her things out of revenge. I wanted to go be there when they move to protect it all. There isn’t time in my life for going there and it is another distraction but it distracted me for a few days. My brother said we are going to have to trust the Lord with mom’s stuff. Dah! I was leaving Him out of that part of the equation. I trusted Him to help the friends find a new place, an even better place (and we got word the other day that He did!), but trust Him to care for mom’s stuff without my help? That’s part of my issues sometimes. I take on responsibilities that are not mine but His. I have that tendency as a caregiver for Mom. I take it so seriously that I am sometimes trying to do for her what only He can do. She is His and I am caring for His child for a season. I must keep that in perspective, which is very hard at times. When I don’t I end up walking in the flesh instead of the Spirit and the fruit is not as pleasant.
 
Our culture is only getting more and more consumed with offense, hate, evil, selfishness. It is all around us. I know from experience, if I give an inch the enemy is going to try to take over. I MUST keep my focus on Him and His Word. I cannot allow a single day to go by without spending intimate time with Him and getting into His Word and promises. I can’t let the cares of this world, the finances, the situations, the aches and pains, the offenses, the confusion, the unknown, the lack in many areas overtake my heart. The devil will try with all of us but we must submit to God and resist the devil. “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
 
Now for the praises of this week, I am so thankful for His grace. He loves me and is guiding me through all this and not condemning me for my lack of love, joy, peace, longsuffering and patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. They’re in me but I didn’t walk in the Spirit a couple times this week. Then Josh wasn’t doing too well and had to go back to the hospital and is better now. I had 2 wonderful friends that helped me by being with Mom 3 different times this week so I could go minister. What a wonderful blessing that was. Thank you.
Then to top it off, yesterday our 2nd great granddaughter was born😊. She was 4 weeks early but everything went well and she and mommy are doing well. The enemy is not going to win over this Mom, grandma and great grandma’s family. That is off limits to the enemy! I’m so thankful for all the Lord has done. Just know, we will have trials, temptations and tribulations but He has overcome the world. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 What a beautiful promise to each of us!
 

May 28, 2023
What a beautiful week it has been. The leaves are popping out at our place, I have some flowers planted, there have been some nice rain showers and everything is so green. These are the perfect setting for enjoying my time with my Lord on the front porch. I treasure my God, Jesus and Holy Ghost time. In this season of my life, I cannot afford to skip one morning of intimate time in His presence. There are too many distractions in life and I must guard my heart of confusing thoughts.
 
This is Memorial Day weekend. The children have been learning about the Armor of God and I thought it was something important to look at today. Just as those serving our country have been trained in battle and were taught the right equipment to protect their lives, the Lord has given us a plan that protects us against the wiles of our enemy, the devil. In the last couple years, the Lord has enlightened my eyes to see these verses different than I ever did before. They are about my identity and knowing who I am in Him. I am sharing these verses in Ephesians 6: 10-20 from the Passion Translation… You can also look them up in other translations. These verses are so vital right now as the enemy is doing his best to destroy but how awesome that our Father gave us a plan 2000 years ago!
 
“Now my beloved ones, I have saved these most important truths for last: Be supernaturally infused with strength through your life-union with the Lord Jesus. Stand victorious with the force of his explosive power flowing in and through you.
Just these verses alone can change your whole life!
 
Put on God’s complete set of armor provided for us, so that you will be protected as you fight against the evil strategies of the accuser!  Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms.  For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage. Because of this, you must wear all the armor that God provides so you’re protected as you confront the slanderer, for you are destined for all things and will rise victorious.
 
Put on truth as a belt to strengthen you to stand in triumph. Put on holiness as the protective armor that covers your heart. Stand on your feet alert, then you’ll always be ready to share the blessings of peace.
 
In every battle, take faith as your wrap-around shield, for it is able to extinguish the blazing arrows coming at you from the evil one!  Embrace the power of salvation’s full deliverance, like a helmet to protect your thoughts from lies. And take the mighty razor-sharp Spirit-sword of the spoken Word of God.”
 
Pray passionately in the Spirit, (vitally important part that gets ignored a lot) as you constantly intercede with every form of prayer at all times. Pray the blessings of God upon all his believers. And pray also that God’s revelation would be released through me every time I preach the wonderful mystery of the hope-filled gospel. Yes, pray that I may preach the wonderful news of God’s kingdom with bold freedom at every opportunity. Even though I am chained as a prisoner, I am his ambassador.”
 
The belt of truth isn’t as much about not being a liar and not being truthful even though that is vital, it’s about speaking the truth of who I am in Him. Speaking words of life and not choosing to speak words of death, hopelessness, condemnation, quitting, discouraged, depressed and being useless. What has He said about me – you? These are the words I am to speak. “Your words are so powerful that they will kill or give life..” Proverbs 18:21 – Passion
 
The Breastplate of Righteousness protects my heart from those words and feelings of condemnation, pain, confusion that I speak, think and own at times. When I know I am righteous in Him I can do all things in Him and be who He has called me to be. I don’t have to protect my own heart with a wall that shuts His Life out but I can guard my heart and minister His love. “So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23
 
Then there is having your feet shod with the Gospel of peace. When I walk in conflict and stress in my life, in my mind and heart there is no peace. His peace is not ruling my life. I have chosen to choose peace over stress. It’s a daily choice and sometimes minute by minute but the greatest choice I can make every day. I can share His love with others going through hard times and they don’t know He is the answer. “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:15
 
The Shield of Faith saves our lives. I can get exhausted from trying to fight through deception, lies, offenses, hurts and cares of this world on my own. When I let down my shield of faith things can seem almost impossible. Walking in His faith protects my heart from the lies of the evil one and I go forward knowing who I am in Him and knowing in His faith I am “able to extinguish the blazing arrows coming at you from the evil one! “ 
 
Put on the Helmet of salvation. This isn’t just receiving the Lord as your Savior but we have to protect our thoughts and remember who we became when He became our Lord and Savior. “So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always.” Philippians 4:8
 
The Sword of the Spirit is His Word. My intimate time with Him and in His Word is one of the most powerful times of my day. His Word is alive and Truth. As I hide His Word in my heart, I am able to go forward in what He has called me to do knowing I am everything He says I am.
 
I don’t have time to drop my guard. There are too many lives that need to know Him and His love. I am thankful He never leaves me but keeps whispering, keeps loving, keeps showing me the way. I’m praying the Lord will show us ways to minister to other hurting people that are sometimes harder to reach. The time is crucial to go forward preaching His Love and Good News. The enemy wants to keep us disillusioned and wavering. There is no time for that! 
 
Be supernaturally infused with strength through your life-union with the Lord Jesus. Stand victorious with the force of his explosive power flowing in and through you. AMEN