Is the Lord Among Us, or Not?
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
What Do I Need to Do to Get Ready For 2023?
Recently I attended a Christian Retreat in southeastern Spain organized by the Family International. Some 27 people attended. As a result of the recent Pandemic and lock-downs and almost mandatory vaccines, a sense of desperation could be felt among the attendees.
The first evening of the retreat was the welcoming. On the second day we were to have communion in the early evening. We were, therefore, asked to make sure we had our hearts right with the Lord and one another. “Please take time to apologize to anyone you may have offended before the evening service.” Before we could take our gift to the altar, we needed to first make things right with one another. “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there remember that thy brother has aught against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”[Matthew 5:23-24]
The Lord also said it was time to forget the things which are behind and reach forward for the things which are before.“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”[Philippines 3:13-14] In the evening we had communion. As we prayed for one another’s needs, we laid hands on the person beside us and prayed for an infilling of the Holy Spirit in their lives. We had a love feast and a beautiful evening of singing. After the singing, I was able to share our experiences in Portugal with everyone and the attendees were happy to hear how the Lord was working and bringing us closer together.
The next day started with a class on the Time of the End. After reading Matthew 24 together, the floor was opened and we discussed the different signs that were being fulfilled. Everyone was responding with all the recent events that had taken place. At the end of the class, we were asked to get alone with the Lord and ask Him: “Am I ready?” “What do I need to do to get ready?” I will share the prophecy I received.
“Let him that thinks He stands take heed lest he fall. Being ready is a state of mind. Being ready is a way of life. Being ready is learning to be instant, in season and out of season, in listening to My still small voice. It’s learning to keep Me in first place in your heart, soul, mind, and body. Being ready means daily improving your relationship with Me in word and in deed. Being ready requires faith, but faith comes by hearing the word of God. Yesterday’s word does not serve you today. Everyday you need to hear My word and let its pure clean waters refresh your heart, soul, and mind.
“I have said that surely I will do nothing unless I reveal it to My servants the prophets. So fear not. Don’t be discouraged. Don’t be dismayed. Come unto Me daily, and I will lift you up and guide you and provide for you just like I did for the early church. Who is it that loves Me? He that hears My voice and follows Me. He that hears the voice of the Word and follows it. To whom shall I teach and reveal the things that must shortly come to pass? To those who have maintained true to Me, to those who have taken My words into their bosoms because they believed them to be true. My disciples are those that hear My word and obey it.
“Abide in Me and I in you and ye shall be ready for whatever I allow or whatever the enemy may bring or throw at you.
“Pray as though everything depended on prayer, because it does. Live and obey My word as if everything depended on it, because it does. Serve one another in love as if everything depended upon it, because it does. Allow Me to continue to remake you and remold you according to My will.
“I have said in My word, In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence and His children shall have a place of refuge. [Proverbs 14:26] For the name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and are safe. [Proverbs 18:10] Trust in the Lord at all times ye people, pour out your heart before Him. God is a refuge for us. [Psalms 62:8] Thou art my hiding place and shield: I hope in Thy word. [Psalms 119:114]
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried to the midst of the sea. [Psalms 46:1-2] When thou passes through the waters; I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overthrow thee: when thou walk through the fire, thou shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. [Isaiah 43:2]
“These are My promises unto you. Abide in Me and My word in you and I will take care of My own and no one will be able to pluck you out of my hand. “These things says he that is Holy and True… I know thy works for thou has had little strength and has not denied My name… Because thou has kept my word, I will also keep thee from the hour of temptation that shall fall upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Fear none of those things that shall come upon you. Behold I come quickly, hold that fast which thou has, that no man take thy crown.” [Revelation 3:7-11]
“God is calling each one to reconnect and rededicate our lives to Him. The only way we will be ready for the days ahead will depend on our relationship with Jesus and on our relationship with one another. Now is the time to put aside the things that are distracting us from the Lord and hindering our fellowship with Him and each other.
“I am calling you all back up unto the wall of My service in any way you are able. The harvest is still plenteous, but the laborers are few. Choose to be a laborer and labor in whatever manner that I show you. Whatever you give to Me, I will multiply and increase. In humility serve one another. One of the last lessons I shared with My disciples was to wash one another’s feet. In My kingdom, he that is greatest among you must be serving His brethren.
“Apply 1 Cor. 13: 4-8a to your lives: “Love suffers long, and is kind; love envies not; love vaunts not itself, is not puffed up. Does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” I will bless those who love and serve one another. These are the attributes that reflect my nature. For greater love has no man than this than a man lay down his life for his friends.”[John 15:13]
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Monday, December 26, 2022
Embracing the New Year
Words from Jesus
Audio length: 12:07
Download Audio (11.1MB)
I open a door before you at the start of the new year. As you walk through that door, you will receive the faith and anointing for the year ahead to walk in My will and plan for you. As you come to Me in faith and trust, listening to My voice speaking in your heart, I will continue to guide you in your service to Me and others.
This year is closing, and as you enter into a new year, you can expect changes and new challenges. Yet I am the same today as I have always been. I change not. My love will remain with you, never leaving you for a second, not even for the blink of an eye. I will never depart from you. As you enter this new year, I will be near to you.
Receive the love that I wish to give you, so that you can pour forth My love on others. Receive the wisdom of My Spirit that your decisions may be wise and led of Me. Stay close to Me in the coming year.
My presence will give you light in the midst of darkness and protection in times of trouble and enable you to be a witness to others. Trust Me that I will never fail you or forsake you. I will be with you each step of the way. You can lean on Me and find the strength and reassurance that you need to carry on.
As you put Me and My kingdom first in your life, I promise I will supply your needs. So step with faith into this new year that’s dawning, and trust that I will be with you every step of the way. I love you and you are Mine forever.
A year of growth
Continue to grow in coming to Me and committing everything to Me. Be open to what I have for you and to ask deep, soul-searching questions, such as: “Is there anything more You have to show me or teach me? What more can I do for You? What more can I do for others? How can I lay down my life for You and others?”
Commit all your ways to Me and trust in Me to help you (Psalm 37:5). Lean on Me and rest in Me. Have faith and believe that My Word is true. Don’t worry about how you’re going to fare in the year ahead. Keep your focus on seeking Me and My kingdom first and you will find the strength and courage you need. In your weakness, I can manifest My strength.
I have brought you through much this past year. In the past you have had certain mindsets for how things should be, what you wanted, what you thought was best, and how you would be happiest. Yet over time and through breakings and siftings you’ve come to believe the simple truth that I know best and My plans for your life are for your ultimate good.
You’ve come to see life as the great learning experience that it is and have realized how much is yet ahead of you, and how much farther you have to go. Always keep this mindset, and resist feelings of complacency, of having all that you want or need, of being satisfied with the way things are. Be content with what you have, yet always seek to grow in your faith.
Continue to look for ways you can be a help and a blessing to others. Reach out to others. Be a support to those who are struggling. Give a helping hand to those in need.
On the right path
I know at times you feel insignificant, small, and unneeded, but that’s not how I see you. You have chosen the pathway of My will. And although it seems dark to you right now, the way ahead will grow brighter until that perfect day (Proverbs 4:18).
The most important thing for you to remember is that you are on the right path that leads to eternal life. You’ve not only found the right path, but you’ve been willing to walk on this path and continue to follow Me.
I’ve allowed this temporary time of darkness upon your path, this time of testing, for a good purpose. I know exactly where you are on the pathway of My will and I know that it will lead to the brightness of peace and trust and faith. The tests and trials are for a purpose and will work together for your good and will bring forth the good fruits of My Spirit as you allow Me to work in your life.
I know it’s not an easy process, but if you’re willing to endure this for a season and cling to Me, you’ll reap the beautiful fruits of a closer walk with Me. My Word is steadfast and true and will never fail. All that I’ve promised in My Word will come to pass.
Remember that there’s no testimony without a test and no triumph without a trial. That means you have to be willing to go through the tests and trials in order to obtain the victory. But it’s worth every bit of sacrifice. It’s worth the fight. As you hold on to Me and keep going, you’ll go from strength to strength.
There is victory at the end of this dark patch of the road, and I’ll help you to walk it one step at a time. I’m always with you, right beside you, whispering My comfort and guidance in your ear. I’m your strength, and I will not fail to help you through this time.
Trust in My love for you. Trust that I will never leave you comfortless. You may have hardships, like the disciples of old who suffered many things and of whom this world was not worthy (Hebrews 11:37–38). But you will be rewarded in My kingdom, and you’ll know that it was worth it all! You will see Me come through in majesty, glory, and triumph, and you will understand how these earthly trials are but a flash in the pan, an instant compared to eternity, as a fleck of sand on the wide expanse of the beach.
You have so much to look forward to. There will be times of tribulation, but these are but steppingstones to the wonderful future I have prepared for all who love Me!
Faith for the future
I’ve worked out every detail in your life up to this point, and you can have confidence that I will continue to do so. It will still be by faith. You’ll need to step out by faith and do that which I have for you to do. You’ll need to seek Me and look to Me to know which steps to take and when. I will faithfully lead you and guide you as long as you continue to look to Me.
Have no fear of what’s ahead. My love and Spirit can and will cast out all fear as you place your trust in Me. Remember that I am always with you to the end of the world and beyond. I will never leave you or forsake you. You never need to fear, for I will never leave you without My Spirit and presence.
My love for you stretches out through eternity. As you draw close to Me, you will know that I drew up the plans for every aspect of your life, and I have not made any mistakes in My plan for you. I have kept and preserved you throughout your life, and I will not forsake you now.
Fear not, for you are Mine and I will keep you. You will always have a place in My kingdom. Don’t be fearful or worried about what this coming year may bring, but trust that whatever challenges you face, I will work all things together for your good. Look to Me each step of the way and let it be a year of an ever-closer walk with Me.
Originally published January 2000. Adapted and republished December 2022.
https://anchor.tfionline.com/post/embracing-the-new-year/
