Heart For The Cross Blog

Jehovah Adonai's Covenant's in 2023!

Sat, 05 Aug 2023 19:51:48 GMT

Originally posted on January 1, 2023

A rainbow, such a covenant, and God’s loving presence!

The entire time I ran a few days before the New Year, a rainbow stayed in the sky for over an hour! I immediately felt this was a sign of renewed joy, peace, love, and a fresh start with God‘s covenantal grace in 2023! Creator God wanted His beautiful rainbow, His covenant with humankind, to be noticed once again! God, our Father, never takes His covenant away from His people. “The Lord delights in His people; He crowns the humble with victory.” (Ps. 149:4-5)

A covenant is a promise, a pledge, or a pact. The rainbow first appeared in Genesis 9 after the great scripture that said, this is my covenant for all generations and living creatures to come. I will see the rainbow and remember my everlasting covenant.

And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between you and me and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth, and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between you and me and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” (Genesis 9:12-16)

God made a covenant with Abram in Genesis 15. “When the sun had set, and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. On that day, the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt, to the great river, the Euphrates.” God, the Father, is depicted by the smoking pot which is symbolic of sin and judgment. The Holy Spirit is the blazing torch, a symbol of truth. Jesus is the sacrificial lamb and our shield against eternal death. As God made His covenant with Abram, Jesus blood flowed as a covenantal covering. His blood sealed the covenant. Jesus, by His sacrifice on the cross and shedding His blood, covers us and washes our sins clean. His blood made a way when there was no way for mankind to be with God in eternity. His blood protects us from the evil schemes of the enemy. His powerful blood gives us hope, healing, and peace as we are connected covenantly to Him and His life. God made the covenantal promise to Abram and passed through the pieces of the sacrificed animals. And, God, the Father made the most awesome covenant with us by Jesus’ sacrifice.

Who doesn’t need fresh hope, joy, healing, and peace in our crazy world? Get ready, for I sense the Lord God Almighty, our Jehovah Adonai, (the Sovereign Lord, and the Resurrection Life) will do something fresh and new in your life in 2023! New assignments, new anointings, plans, and paths to walk or run! I feel in my spirit a renewed hope and joy are returning to God’s remnant. I also sense God wants to remind His remnant about His covenant with them. God and Abram had a covenant based on God’s goodness, where God had made a promise and a pledge to him. God is faithful to His Word. What He says, He does. God’s promises are not a maybe, but a sure certainty. God enters into a covenantal relationship with us.

God told Abraham, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” (Gen. 15:1) And, the Lord wants to be your shield and very great reward too! Seek Him today. God wants you to know that you can know for sure that He has bound Himself to you in a covenant relationship (as a beloved believer of Christ), just as Jehovah bound Himself to Abram. God is with you, and He is still for you, despite what life looks like in the natural. Jehovah Adonai has not forsaken you. He is for you! You can trust God as Father, just as a child willingly trusts his parents. Ask Him what He has in store for you in 2023. Believe as Abram did. Gen. 15:6 says, “Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.”

Let me repeat this: Jesus, our holy Savior’s blood moved in between the covenant between God and Abram. He is the sacrificial lamb, and His blood covers our covenant with God. The blood of the lamb is over you. Praise Jesus! His blood covers you and surrounds you because of Jesus’ work on the cross. The enemy cannot come against Jesus’ blood! The accuser cannot come against the covenant completed by the Trinity! These facts are a powerful arsenal against the fiery darts shot against your mind today and always!

The rainbow of covenant reminds us…

When I am fearful, He is faithful.

When I feel unloved and unlovely, He shows me His love and shares His beauty all around me.

When I feel insecure and insignificant, He reminds me to look up at the precious cost of Jesus’ Cross, who disregarded its shame.

When I sense the death of a job, relationship, ministry, or something special to me, God says He can bring dead things back to life!

When I do not know which path to take, He will be a voice behind me, guiding me forward.

When I feel lackluster and lost, He tells me I am beautiful and truly found in Him!

When I am faithless, He is as sure as my very next breath.

The rainbow reminds me, He IS the Alpha and the Omega-the beginning and the end.

I am safe and sound because He knew me before I was formed in my mother’s womb, and He will guide me safely home to paradise someday. What a sweet ending and a beginning all wrapped up together!

This is the covenant of the rainbow God made with you and I. God made the covenant with Abram, and it is also made for you and me. We can make covenants with God, also. Genesis 17:2-4 shows God made a covenant with Abram, and Abram made one with God.

“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.” Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.”

God responds to Abram by changing his name to Abraham. He changed Abraham’s identity of being a father to many nations. Abraham’s requirement was to walk before God blamelessly and faithfully. God credited to Abraham righteousness because he BELIEVED GOD! He believed God at His Word to give him many descendants through many nations and bring him and Sarah a baby boy-Isaac!

Abraham responded with reverential fear and respect and I’m sure, a great sense of awe and astonishment! God said He would increase Abraham’s numbers and his descendants… and He did!

In this beginning, the New Year on 1-1-23, I sense that God is making a covenant with His people. Will we make a covenant with Him?

Covenants such as:

Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and strength. (Matt. 22:36)

Serve no one before me. Make no idols. Worship Jesus alone. (Lev. 19:4)

Consecrate yourself. (Joshua 3:5)

Give me your YES, with radical obedience. (Deut. 30:16)

Have a reverential fear, a healthy respect for Creator God of our universe, asking for forgiveness. (2 Chronicles 6:30-32)

Daily get in the secret place with Him, seeking His plans for your life, praying, worshipping, and reading the Word. (Proverbs 25:2)

Love your neighbor as thy self. (Matthew 22:39)

Happy New Year as you make your covenants with God, the Author, and Perfector of your faith and very life! Remember the covenants He has made with you!

Joy and blessings! Holly ��

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Jesus Responds to Faith with Revival, Restoration and “12×12 Moments!”

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 22:05:33 GMT

Blog originally written on 2/22/23 by Holly

No doubt you have probably already heard or witnessed the glory of God invading many college campuses and businesses in the US and parts of the world! Today, I read about a revival and outpouring of Holy Spirit in India with Sean Feucht, his family, and founder of “Let Us Worship” gatherings! The glory of the Lord is occupying, and people are responding! Praise Him! A few years ago, I was on a forest trail run. I started running up a steep hill and came to an opening that had been clear-cut of all the towering pine trees and brush. This old, historic mining area had suffered through several fires, and so the area needed to be cleared out. Suddenly, I heard the Lord’s voice thundering in my Spirit. “The glory of the Lord is coming! Clear the way for the glory of the Lord! My glory is coming!” I have since run this area and hear His exact words each time. I have thought about this many times, and I sense Holy Spirit was talking about revival and the manifest presence of God suddenly showing up!

In Mark 5:21-23 we read, “Jesus got into the boat again and went back to the other side of the lake, where a large crowd gathered around him on the shore. Then a leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, arrived. When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet, pleading fervently with him. “My little daughter is dying,” he said. ‘”Please come and lay your hands on her; heal her so she can live.”

It’s interesting to note the man of the dying daughter was the leader of a local synagogue. He recognized the healing power of Jesus! This leader had the faith to ask Jesus for help, even requesting Him to lay hands on her! Even though the Pharisees and religious leaders questioned Jesus’ deity, this man dared to ask for a healing miracle.

“Jesus went with him, and all the people followed, crowding around him. A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. She had suffered greatly from many doctors; over the years, she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed. Immediately, the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition.” (Mark 5:24-29)

Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?” (Mark 5:30)

His disciples said to him, “Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask, ‘Who touched me?'” (Mark 5:31)

But he kept on looking around to see who had done it. Then the frightened woman, trembling at realizing what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of him and told him what she had done. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over .” Let’s reread verse 34! “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.” (Mark 5:32-34)

What beautiful words were spoken by Jesus, the Healer. Our Healer! This woman had suffered so much under the care of many doctors and charlatans. This woman had audacious faith, which dared her to reach out and touch the hem of Jesus’ robe! This woman received her healing and was told to live her life in total peace, with no more suffering!

What are you suffering from today? What area in your life do you need to reach out to Jesus and touch Him, and He, in turn, is reaching back to you?

Who doesn’t need to touch the fringe of Jesus’ robe? I know we need to today. We need a touch of Holy Spirit’s presence. We need revival and repentance in our hearts, desiring Jesus above all else.

Let’s pause and pray before we read about more healing and revival. Abba Father, I need to walk in your peace. There are so many decisions to make every day. There are many pressing issues to pray about. It’s making me weary. The world is filled with bad news and evil reports. I choose instead to look up and give your good report! Lord, I do not want to be a grumbling and complaining person. I want to act like I truly believe I am your beloved, fully chosen, fully loved, and watched over. So, Jesus, I am reaching for you, your love and Spirit. Guide me, show me what to do, please. For I do not know what to do, but my eyes are upon you alone! Let me have a love that is on fire for you, looking into your eyes of love, joy, and acceptance. I must have a love that will not burn out but will keep stoking the embers of my heart! This is where we, as the remnant, must keep our focus in these tumultuous times. This is where our hope is, in Jesus Christ alone. Come, Jesus, and create a revival in our hearts. We repent, Lord. Amen.

Jesus paused long enough on the way to Jairus’ house to find out who touched His robe and received healing and His genuine peace. He paused long enough, and Jairus’ 12 year old daughter died. We are not privy to what illness this girl had. We are not told why she died. The messengers arrived at that very moment and said there was no use troubling the Teacher now that she had died. (Mark 5:35-43) But Jairus saw what Jesus had done for the woman with the blood disorder. Perhaps Jesus lingered just long enough to build Jairus’ faith some more.

Mark 5:36 is for us, too. “But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, ‘”Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”’

Do you think Jairus’ faith had increased from when he fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading to heal his daughter, to when Jesus realized healing power had gone out of Him and healed the woman? I do! And I just wonder if this pause was similar to the pause Jesus took before going to heal Lazarus. (Although Jesus waited four days in total before going to Lazarus). (John 11:38)

John 11:4 (EHV), Jesus was told the message Lazarus’ sisters had sent. He said, “This sickness is not going to result in death, but it is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

So much of Jesus’ healing ministry was accomplished to help the family of believers and the community of onlookers grow faith and receive Him and His miracles! And, as we read in John 11:4 above, the sicknesses here did not end in death, but in glory of God, and so that Jesus would be glorified through it! I’m reminded of Numbers 14:21, where the Lord says, “But I vow by my own name that just as it is true that all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.”

We read on and see in verse 37, “Jesus stopped the crowd and wouldn’t let anyone go with him except Peter, James, and John (the brother of James). 39 He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.”

The crowd laughed at him. (Just as the world today laughs and mocks believers and Jesus). But he made them all leave, and he took the girl’s father and mother and his three disciples into the room where the girl was lying. 41 Holding her hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means “Little girl, get up!” 42 And the girl, who was twelve years old, immediately stood up and walked around! They were overwhelmed and totally amazed. Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell anyone what had happened, and then he told them to give her something to eat.” (Mark 5:40-43)

I hear the Spirit of the Lord telling His believers, “Little Girl! Little Boy! Get up!” Rise up out of your ruins! Little Girl, Little Boy, let’s get past this mess you are in! Stand tall in faith in the only God who can save, help, and rescue you!” Jesus whispers to your weary heart, “I’m holding your hand! And you’re holding the mighty miracle worker’s hand! I’ve got beauty for ashes for you! I’m here to bind up the brokenhearted and to proclaim freedom for the captives. I will give you the oil of joy instead of mourning! Come to me, and I will help you!” (Isaiah 61:1-3)

“The Power of 12×12”

I believe we are in a “12×12” turning point moment in history! People of all ages throughout the US and the world are experiencing revival, repentance, reformation, and restoration as the deep presence of Holy Spirit is moving in their midst! Jesus, the Resurrection, and the Life is showing up! Will you bow before Jesus and let His revival and restoration into your heart and mind? Will you pray and ask Him what He wants to do in and through you during this “12×12” moment in history?

12 means “turning point.”
12×12=144 (multiple of 12) This indicates the highest emphasis on God ruling through human agency: (religion, education, media, arts, entertainment, government, economics) I sense we will witness revival, restoration and reformation in all 7 Mountains of Influence!
The little girl, Jairus’ daughter, was 12 years old.
The woman suffered for 12 years with a blood disorder.
12 disciples were being shown the healing grace, victory and power of Jesus.
Jesus taught in the synagogue at age 12.
12 means perfect government or rule, apostolic fullness.
12 hours of light symbolizes doing the work and purposes of God, the Father. John 11:8-10 explained the disciple’s fear when they and Jesus were going back to Bethany to see Lazarus and his sisters. “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”
Many other references to 12 throughout the Bible.

The Result of the your Work as a Servant of Christ

“Then they will rebuild ancient ruins. They will raise up what was formerly devastated, and they will renew ruined cities, which have been devastated for generations.” (Isaiah 61:4)

Your life, prayers, and adoration of King Jesus create a “turning point” that matters for this generation and many to come! Generations speak to our children, grandchildren, and their children! So, keep pressing into Jesus! He has refreshment, revival, and restoration for your weary soul and heart!

These two scriptures have been reverberating in my Spirit lately and are fitting for the closing of this Blog.

“Return to the stronghold, (fortress, security) you prisoners who have hope. This very day I declare that I will restore double to you.” (Zechariah 9:12, EHV) I see this word being prayed over all the universities, churches, and businesses where outpourings and revivals of God’s presence are being felt and seen! Hallelujah! May revival and reformation continue to cover the land and the world, creating a huge turning point in history!

“In place of your shame, you will receive a double portion. Instead of dishonor, they will rejoice in their share of the land. In fact, in their land they will inherit a double portion. Everlasting joy will be theirs.” (Isaiah 61:7 EHV) Bible scripture: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+61%3A7&version=EHV

So, beloved, we must not grow weary! We are here for such a time as this! We must fight on with the armor of God, helping the next generation of children and grandchildren and beyond! Keep fighting the good fight, pressing on to the glorious day of Jesus’ return…all glory to Him!

Love & God bless you!

Holly

#BibleGateway Blogger

#theBibleSpeaks #BibleGateway #LoveMyBible

Photo by Sandro Gonzalez on Unsplash

Three Things About Today

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 03:53:27 GMT

Don't Despise the Day of Small Things

1. Don’t despise the day of small things. God is working out something good and amazing for you in the quiet, ordinary, slower days. Those seven eyes are the eyes that range to and fro throughout the earth, looking for hearts that are fully devoted to the Lord, looking to do His will, even in the small and seemingly unimportant days. All the days and moments are important to God!

“Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel?” Zechariah 2:8 (NASB)

For thus says the Lord of hosts, “After glory He has sent me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.”

2. “You are the apple of my eye and I love you,” says God, The Almighty One. Whoever messes with you, has to answer to me! In God, you are a treasured possession–highly valued and cherished. Do you know this? Do you believe it? It is true! Once we know how much we are loved and cared for by Jesus and have a personal relationship with Him, then we can go and be His ambassadors, spreading His Good News and love.

Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)

3. “Not by might, nor power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty.

I guess, I need to get out-of-the-way and Let God be God! I am going to cooperate with what He (Holy Spirit) asks me to do and then, I’m going to let Him make it happen. Do I have to do my part?

Absolutely. But, I can relax right in this moment, ask for His help, guidance and direction. Next, I actually do my part! Then, I let go of the outcome, leaving it up to God to bless my efforts, give me

favor, without me looking for accolades outside of myself. Blessedness occurs when God gives me a divine hug and a kiss with a willingness to give Him all the praise, honor and glory. Amen to that.

Photo by Kaleb Lovell on Unsplash

A Heart That Stirs

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 03:35:59 GMT

A Heart That Stirs

Exodus 35:21 (NKJV)
“Then everyone came whose heart was stirred , and everyone whose spirit was willing , and they brought the Lord’s offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments.”

Is your heart being stirred? Is God creating something new in your life? Or is He asking you to bring an offering to Him? He could be asking for a tithe, but my thought is He also asks for us to give an offering of something else– our hearts. Our heart is where our decisions are made, because we decide out of our affections what we love and what we want to do.

Our beliefs create our emotions. Our emotions then create our reactions and our responses. If I am reacting in ways which are explosive, violative or snide and snarky, fearful and doubting, there is something about my core belief that needs to be explored. In God, I can ask Him to examine my heart, my will, my affections, my mood. I can pray to have Him point out what is the root of my belief. My identity is formed around these beliefs. Instead, I need to let God help me form my identity in Him. God is love and He loves you and I perfectly and unconditionally.

When we allow God into our hearts, we can make space for Him to fill us up. Now, we will start to make decisions happily based on His desires for us. And our identity is based upon His love for us and not upon what the world or what others feel about us or even the look on their face! (You know what I am saying here...the look of disapproval, mockery, ridicule, or unbelief) Then, we can go about doing God’s work, touching other's with His precious love and grace. As a parent, spouse, grand parent, or a friend we need to pay attention to these divine stirrings in our hearts! Jesus is teaching you something priceless and amazing! What a divine treasure and jewel when His presence is felt and noticed!

So, rise up! Listen to the stirrings in your heart. Make some positive Holy Spirit inspired changes and throw off the garments of old beliefs! Then go confidently in Him. Jornal what you are sensing so you will remember what Holy Spirit is sharing with you.

Thank you, Lord for your loving touch upon my life today. I will listen to your stirrings, empty myself and make space for you to move fully in my heart and life.

Have your complete way in me. Amen.

The True Mirror, Mirror on The Wall!

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 03:39:12 GMT

The True Mirror, Mirror on The Wall!

At times, my false identity gets in the way of God improving my situation. I am looking at myself through a faulty mirror and not listening to the truths He says about me. I believe the lies the enemy throws at me since I am already low in my spirit. I get stuck and confused in my trials. I listen to the committee in my head, and I am condemned. I need God’s spirit to speak to mine.

Did you know there is such a thing as a True Mirror? When you look in a mirror, who do you see? Not the person other people see, since our reflection in the mirror is backwards. The True Mirror enables us to see ourselves as others see us, which is better than we see ourselves! First patented in 1887, the True Mirror uses a combination of two mirrors, placed at right angles. In order to avoid an obvious line down the middle, the True Mirror uses front silvered mirrors, which have been made to fit together very precisely. There is a small adjustment button at the side, which you can turn to make sure the mirrors are perfectly aligned, and the join down the middle is all but invisible.

Seeing ourselves as others see us is unusual enough. Hold up a piece of writing to the mirror, and you can still read it – it is not reversed. Hold your left hand up to the mirror and you see in the reflection a left hand, not a right hand as you would see in a normal mirror. If you look in the mirror and lean to your left, the reflected person leans to their left, the other way! If you rotate the mirror by 90 degrees, you will now see yourself upside down…

People have different reactions to seeing themselves for the first time in a True Mirror. Some prefer the image they see, others do not. Some find it quite disconcerting. Check it out on: www.truemirror.com

God does this for us as well. He shows us what we have been placing our values in and basing our identity upon. Usually it is other people’s opinions, thoughts and reactions that shape our identity. We worry what about what they think if they knew our real problems and our real selves. We can believe it is our possessions, achievements, successes that define us, too. These are lies from the enemy, attempting to keep you in bondage, in a prison of worthlessness, shame and contempt. Do not buy into his lies. God tells you who you are, really. You are a son or daughter of El Elyon, the Most High God!

Most people express surprise when they first see their true image when looking into the True Mirror, mainly because we all are so familiar with the backwards image. After all, we have seen ourselves backwards our whole lives, from infancy! There are key differences in the True Mirror image from the image you’re used to, due in part to natural asymmetries that are on our faces, or from how we part our hair, or single earrings, etc.

A lot of first time viewers have difficulties with their new true image. This discomfort is directly related to having our faces represented in a direction opposite to what we’ve always expected to see. For example, any asymmetry in your face seems exaggerated the first time we look into the mirror — if a facial feature tilts 1 degree to the right, now it appears 1 degree in the other direction, a distance of 2 degrees from what is expected. On top of that, we tilt our heads naturally, especially when we communicate to others. This causes our eyes to not to line up as we are used to seeing them in a mirror — which gives one a sense of lopsidedness.

Oh my! I can have low self-esteem if my hair doesn’t look good or I do not like my outfit for that day! If someone’s opinion of me is poor, than I feel badly. Some days, we feel we can see it on someone’s face; we just don’t quite measure up. It can really send our day into a downward spiral. Consequently, I start to feel inadequate. Therefore, I will try to perform or give a better performance in my work, my family life and my ministry. Instead, I need to experience God and share with Him how I am feeling. My worth in God is always stable; it never changes, because God never changes. He loves unconditionally no matter how much I do, work or make myself behave. I need to listen to His gentle voice of love and not the condemning voice in my head.

My self-worth is always true in Jesus and only received in relationship with the Triune God. I find the concept of the True Mirror fascinating. We do not truly see our real selves when we look into a regular mirror. We need to see and learn our true identity is found in Christ, because our true identity is rooted in Love—which is God, who is Divine, Absolute love. He is our true mirror, reflecting a beautiful person who is worth dying for and worth listening to. You are worth being known. Your opinion matters to Jesus. He will gently correct you as necessary.1 Corinthians 13:11-13 (NKJV) says, “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” We long to be truly known by our friends, family and associates. Verse 13 is awesome! “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

We are conformed into the image of Christ as we share in His sufferings. The scriptures tell us in Phil. 1:29, “For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for Him.” It is a privilege to suffer for Him! I had not thought of suffering like this before. Synonyms for privilege are fitting, honor, treat, pleasure, and joy, source of pride, freedom and opportunity. Jesus is our source of pride. We honor Him as we suffer joyfully as the Apostle Paul did. Is this one way, God conforms us into the image of Jesus? So, we can honor Him with our attitudes while in the opportunity of suffering? Yes. We also have the opportunity to see and know our true self in knowing Him as He knows us in the suffering times. I believe this is true. There can be joy knowing God is with you, for you, loving you. His presence is precious and sweet. God is also transforming us unto the image of Christ to the original intent He had planned for us, even before we were born.

If You Give A Mouse A Cookie...

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 22:12:27 GMT

“If you give a mouse a cookie…the children’s story begins on a rather positive note.
Suddenly, the mouse also wants a cup of milk then a book read to him and so on and on! When I taught Kindergarten, this was an annual Fall read. We would watercolor chocolate chip cookies and then make and finally eat our warm, gooey treats. The kids loved this story. The repetitive nature of the prose helped them memorize the story. Memorization along with rhyming are the keys to learning to read.

This mouse’s desires are never ending. Reminds me of the task of staining our decks, which we are doing right now. My husband and I thought one day process, no problem. Noooo! First of all, he realizes he MUST power wash the deck I am taping off with pretty sky blue painters tape. He sprays most of the tape (accidentally, I’m sure) and it rolls off the side of the stairs. It’s a blazing hot day, so my plastic gloved hands are dripping with sweat and Russet acrylic stain. Thank goodness, it’s a water based stain. How many slats and railings do we have? It is amazing I haven’t noticed the 500 plus railings before! Well, (oh darn!) I’ve run out of paint. I have all the railings inside and out stained. Looking pretty nice, if I do say so myself. I’ll get more paint tomorrow after I teach at the gym and get the biggest latte I can find. I’m going to need it to finish this “one day project.”

2nd day: The hardware store has ran out of stain base. It’s on SALE, after all! ( Woo-hoo ! I get a break from the blistering heat!) “It will be in tomorrow,” the hardware man tells me. Too bad. I’m getting out of town to ride my bike somewhere cooler. The decks will wait for me, I’m sure.

3rd day: Darn. They have the stain base in so I buy another gallon, more sponge brushes and rubber gloves so I can sweat some more. Hey! I finished the floors of two decks. Looking nice. Pretty blue tape everywhere.

Still 3rd day. Onto the small office deck since I have some stain left. My husband frantically tries to tape off the stairs before I leave little polk a dots of Russet stain everywhere. He is on the front porch blasting it with the water compression thingy. He’s off to the hardware store, again. He needs deck cleaner and some new brushes. Hubby comes back with all the above, plus a new American flag and headlight cleaner for my car. Boy, these decks are getting expensive!

Now, I’m out of stain. Quick, back to the hardware store for more stain and two pieces of redwood board to fix the super warped stairs. Oh, by the way: power outage at the hardware store. Just a slight “delay.”

On the front deck, the deck cleaner has worked amazingly well. Pick out new oil based Sequoia stain. Going to be beautiful. Must buy new oil based brushes, cannot use the water based brushes. What?!

4th day: We are finishing today, come heck or high water! I’m going on a run first and looking for the largest iced coffee I can find. Maybe I’ll add a shot or two of espresso. I’m going to need it. FYI…Training for a 1/2 Marathon is easier than staining your decks.

Well, we are all finished now. Whew! A one day project turned into four days, a couple hundred $ doll hairs and seriously seven trips to the hardware store. Our decks look beautiful. The really good thing is I have had a lot of time to reflect and be grateful.

Grateful for decks to sit and reflect on God ‘s beauty in nature. Our Sierra mountain view is amazing! The hummingbirds that hurriedly come to our decks for nourishment are a stunning iridescent green and glittery ruby red. Our two dogs come and lay at our feet as we drink our morning coffee. Our kitty sits on my lap, just for a moment. A neighbor whistles nearby. I rest and reflect on God’s love and presence on these decks. They look great. The time (and sweat) were well worth it. Now, I have peace and joy. I muse, I’m like this mouse with the cookie. If I start with one project, I might as well complete the rest of the projects while we’re at it. And so, I persevere, rather hilariously at times.

“We rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance,
perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit , whom He has given us.” Romans 5:3-5 NIV

(Photo credit: https://unsplash.com/@arianassz)

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Mon, 16 May 2022 03:36:01 GMT

Day 1! “52 Days of Prayers To Rebuild America!” This Blog o riginally published Aug. 14, 2022 and on www.ifapray.org

Nehemiah 5:14-7:73a tells us the Israelites rebuilt the broken down walls of Jerusalem in an astounding 52 days! We are in this window of time as well! August 14-October 4 is 52 days. Yom Kippur begins on October 4, which will be the fifty-second day! This meaningful Jewish holiday is a time to atone for our transgressions and become cleansed and purified from our sins. It is also a time to fast and put God back on the throne of your heart, making Him your number one desire. It is interesting to note that Yom Kippur is later this year, as well as five other major Jewish holidays.

I trust that God is never late, and neither are these holidays. Could it be, God is giving us a little more time and one more chance to repent, turn from our wicked ways so He will cleanse our land of evil, and give America, and the Ecclesia the fortitude and courage to rise to her original God-graced position? The Lord is coming back for His remnant, His bride! She will not only be spotless, dressed in fine linen, but also full of courage, gratitude, and thanksgiving for her bridegroom, Jesus Christ! (Rev. 19:7-8, 21:2) The massive harvest of souls needs to take place as well! Wake up, sleeper! We have work to do!

Revelation 3:1-3 to the church of Sardis is sobering, "I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. 3 Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don't wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief."

I hear the Father telling America to get down on her knees, to pray, and repent. I sense the Lord is asking us to fast according to God's will and way. I believe we are to be fervently interceding for the USA for the next 52 days. As we pray, fast, and intercede, God will rebuild the walls of our hearts, our earthly bodies, renewing a right relationship with Him as we diligently and earnestly pray to Him. Here's some encouragement: as we pray, remember what the number 52 means spiritually. It means liberty, liberation, release, freedom, deliverance, rest, reward, multiplication, and association or agreement.

Walls spiritually in the Bible have many meanings, including protection, strength, restoring our relationship with God, hardened hearts (Rev. 3:1-3), and a call to introspection. (1 Cor. 11:28)

We can fortify our walls; we must strengthen the walls of our hearts and rededicate ourselves to His ways and His life. As we do so, God, the Lord Almighty, will create a "burst through!" 1 Chronicles 14:11, "David and his troops went up to Baal-perazim and defeated the Philistines there. "God did it!" David exclaimed. "He used me to burst through my enemies like a raging flood!" God creates amazing breakthrough and burst throughs as we pray, seek His face and fast.

Nehemiah had to handle continued opposition against rebuilding the walls.

Nehemiah 6:1-2a "Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies found out that I had finished rebuilding the wall and that no gaps remained-though we had not yet set up the doors in the gates. The doors not yet set up indicates prophetically what God opens; no one can shut. And, what He shuts, no one can open. ( Rev. 3:7-8)

(Nehemiah catches onto their scheme to harm him, but he stays focused). "But I realized they were plotting to harm me, so I replied by sending this message to them: "I am engaged in a great work, so I can't come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?"

Verse 4 Four times, they sent the same message, and each time I gave the same reply. 5 The fifth time, Sanballat's servant came with an open letter in his hand."

(We see more threats, bullying, and intimidation by the enemy, which is the same for us today).

Verse 9 They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination." Nehemiah poured on the perseverance and focus!

Verse 11 "But I replied, "Should someone in my position run from danger? Should someone in my position enter the Temple to save his life? No, I won't do it!" Nehemiah realized they were lying to him again. Then they would be able to accuse and discredit him.

Verse 15 The wall was finished—just fifty-two days after we had begun. 16 When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated. They realized this work had been done with the help of our God.

The Lord has given you a specific task, a calling, your destiny to be proactive with! Every believer has a part to play in these last days. We will not back down when the enemy tries to stop or detour us! We can all pray, praise, and worship Jesus! As Tim Sheets says, "Spend your influence!" Use what is in your hands to further the kingdom of God here on earth! Your labor will make a difference!

As a believer, your decrees and declarations have great power in them because of Jesus' resurrection power living within you! Your decrees have an invisible force that will hit a divine target. When you say your decree out loud, there is a shift or a move in the spiritual realm. Whether you can see this shift or not doesn't matter, continue to believe Him as you speak God's promises over America. Like Nehemiah and the Israelites, we continue to do His work of decreeing, praying, and believing God can!

So, remnant! Please join me! I will be praying, fasting, and interceding for America diligently and faithfully over the next 52 days and beyond! I'll be posting daily on my Instagram page. (which I did :)

Psalm 33:20-22.

I decree safety, peace, and hope in you, God!

You are our help and our shield.

In you, our hearts rejoice,

for we trust in your holy name.

Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,

for our hope is in you alone."

I hear Holy Spirit say, Ecclesia, "It's Go Time!" It's time to be a prayer warrior! "Let's Roll!"

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Hello@maisey.co — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 03:36:02 GMT

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Hello@maisey.co — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 11:38:31 GMT

The True Mirror, Mirror on The Wall!

At times, my false identity gets in the way of God improving my situation. I am looking at myself through a faulty mirror and not listening to the truths He says about me. I believe the lies the enemy throws at me since I am already low in my spirit. I get stuck and confused in my trials. I listen to the committee in my head and I am condemned. I need God’s spirit to speak to mine.

Did you know there is such a thing as a True Mirror? When you look in a mirror, who do you see? Not the person other people see, since our reflection in the mirror is backwards. The True Mirror, enables us to see ourselves as others see us, which is better than we see ourselves! First patented in 1887, the True Mirror uses a combination of two mirrors, placed at right angles. In order to avoid an obvious line down the middle, the True Mirror uses front silvered mirrors, which have been made to fit together very precisely. There is a small adjustment button at the side, which you can turn to make sure the mirrors are perfectly aligned, and the join down the middle is all but invisible.

The True Mirror, Mirror On the Wall.

At times, my false identity gets in the way of God improving my situation. I am looking at myself through a faulty mirror and not listening to the truths He says about me. I believe the lies the enemy throws at me since I am already low in my spirit. I get stuck and confused in my trials. I listen to the committee in my head and I am condemned. I need God’s spirit to speak to mine.

Did you know there is such a thing as a True Mirror? When you look in a mirror, who do you see? Not the person other people see, since our reflection in the mirror is backwards. The True Mirror, enables us to see ourselves as others see us, which is better than we see ourselves! First patented in 1887, the True Mirror uses a combination of two mirrors, placed at right angles. In order to avoid an obvious line down the middle, the True Mirror uses front silvered mirrors, which have been made to fit together very precisely. There is a small adjustment button at the side, which you can turn to make sure the mirrors are perfectly aligned, and the join down the middle is all but invisible.

We are conformed into the image of Christ as we share in His sufferings. The scriptures tell us in Phil. 1:29, “For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for Him.” It is a privilege to suffer for Him! I had not thought of suffering like this before. Synonyms for privilege are: fitting, honor, treat, pleasure, and joy, source of pride, freedom and opportunity. Jesus is our source of pride. We honor Him as we suffer joyfully as the Apostle Paul did. Is this one way, God conforms us into the image of Jesus? So, we can honor Him with our attitudes while in the opportunity of suffering? Yes. We also have the opportunity to see and know our true self in knowing Him as He knows us in the suffering times. I believe this is true. There can be joy knowing God is with you, for you, loving you. His presence is precious and sweet. God is also transforming us unto the image of Christ to the original intent He had planned for us, even before we were born.

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Hello@maisey.co — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 11:37:25 GMT

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Hello@maisey.co — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 12:41:17 GMT