Day 32 - Valley of Baca

Valley of Baca

image source

Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,

Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.

As they pass through the Valley of Baca,

They make it a spring;

The rain also covers it with pools,

They go from strength to strength;

Each one appears before God in Zion.

O LORD of Hosts,
Blessed is the man who trusts in You!

- Psalm 84: 5-7, 12

This is my assurance for this year that is ending, and the year about to begin:

God is my safe place as I go through the Valley of Baca.

I have set my heart on this pilgrimage, this sacred journey.

There is no getting around this valley, and many other valleys like it.

The Valley of Baca is a place of weeping, yet it has become a place of springs for many others before me. In the strength provided by Abba Father, I can do the same.

There is another valley I go through, the Valley of Achor, a place of trouble. Yet God promises that in that valley is a door of hope -- a way out.

And as I go through that door, it opens up to the place of restoration. I get back my vineyards where I can sing again as in the days of my youth.

There's no going around valleys as I go on this pilgrimage to the heart of my Father.

I plod on, tired and weary at many times... the journey seems too long. I yearn to be home, to see my Father's face. To be refreshed, and feast at His table.

But the journey is part of the refining process, the building of strength inside of me needed for the rest of the journey.

I am grateful for the inner light guiding me. There is never a day that I feel abandoned.

Amazing but true.

There is something that keeps hope alive, keeps me holding on to the promise, Abba Father will never leave me or forsake me.

There are times when I need to stop. Get my bearings. Get some rest to regain strength.

My thirst drives me to search and dig for water.

Because in the valley of Baca, it has been said there's underground water to be found. If I am thirsty enough, nothing will stop me from digging until I find that spring.

And so I dig deeper. Until I find the water... 

This valley is also called, "The Thirsty Valley." It is for thirsty wayfarers like me... who will not stop until the source of refreshing is discovered.

Then God grants favor... my digging is rewarded. Didn't He promise, If You seek Me you will find Me?

There are others with me in this journey who are also digging. Together we sit, and drink to our hearts' delight.

The spring is deep and there is more than enough water for all of us, and others to come.

It bubbles up with fresh, clear, sweet, life-giving water.

Joy wells up with the discovery... and the greatest joy comes from knowing I am not alone in the journey.

Abba Father gives more favor... the autumn rains come, and soon the spring of water become pools of water.

Because water attracts water.

God comes to us like the rains... and showers us to refresh us, and strengthen us. and fill our hearts with joy.

That we may not give up when the going gets too difficult, or the road ahead gets too lonely.

He gives water to the thirsty... food to the hungry... opens up for us streams in the desert.

It is not a journey for the weak, or the faint of heart.

These are the ones who "go from strength to strength..."

Blessed is the man whose strength is in You.

Blessed is the man who trusts in You.

It's all about trust... I trust You with all that I am because I know that the journey is not in vain.

The Message Bible puts it this way: 

"These roads curve up the mountain, and at the last turn -- Zion! God in full view!"

Abba Fatther, I hold on to you as the year ends... 

I put my trust in You.

Thank you for the spring of living water, the times of refreshing, the encouragement, the fresh supply of joy and gladness. 

The joy of the Lord is my Strength!

You supply me with the needed strength... until the day when I see you in full view. That is the encouragement for this journey - the amazing eternal reward of You, Abba Father.

Day 31 - You Are For Me

Our Refuge and Strength

by Morgan Weistling

image source

Be strong and of good courage,

do not fear nor be afraid of them;

for the Lord your God,

He is the One Who goes with you.

He will not leave you nor forsake you.

- Deuteronomy 31:6

Abide in Me.

Trust in Me.

The Father is calling me to intimacy... to closeness.

To know from experience that He is trustworthy.

He is allowing me to understand the cycle of the seasons.

My season of fruitfulness is followed by a season of pruning. Autumn follows summer.

Then comes the winter season of waiting... a seeming season of inactivity and fruitlessness.

Then newness of life bursts forth... the season of productivity.

Abba Father never abandons the branches in the Vine. He gives personal attention to the details of my life.  He is aware of the smallest detail.

Nothing gets ignored or overlooked.

Day 30 - Believing is Receiving

The Touch

by Connie Baten

image source

For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes,

I shall be made well.

Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up,

and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.

- Mark 5:28, 29

From Joseph Prince's Devotional Reading for today:

God's ways are not like the ways of the world. The world says, "If I can't feel it or see it, I cannot believe the miracle is here." God says, "If you believe it before you feel it or see it, you will see your miracle."

Believing first before seeing the evidence of what we are believing for is called faith. Faith is like a spark and Jesus is the dynamite powder...

When the woman came to Him and touched Him in faith, He felt power leave His body, and it sparked off an explosion of healing in the woman's body!

Did she experience her healing first before she believed? No, she believed first in Jesus' goodness and power, acted in faith and only then felt the healing in her body.

In the same way, God wants you to believe in His goodness and love toward you. He wants you to know how willing He is to act on your behalf to bless you, and how with Christ He will freely give you every good thing.

He wants you to declare by faith that all is and shall be well with you, and to expect to see just that. And then, no matter how long you have had the problem no matter how bad the experts say it is, an explosion of healing and restoration will take place, and you will receive what you are believing for."

Day 22 - Internal Reality

Daybreak

photo taken at 7:24 a.m.

December 17, 2013

Central Virginia, USA

Now to Him who is able to do

exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think,

according to the power that works in us,

to Him be the glory in the church

by Christ Jesus to all generations,

forever and ever. Amen.

- Ephesians 3:20, 21

In his book, Culture of Honor, Danny Silk writes:

"The first mistake so many believers make when someone mentions wealth is to equate it to riches. But the idea that money makes someone wealthy is like suggesting that holding a football makes you an NFL quarterback. Riches or money are external conditions and wealth is an internal reality. Our insides will always manifest on our outsides."

This is another beautiful confirmation of what I have long believed in. As daughter of the King of Kings, wealth and abundance is my birthright. The enemy has made it his business to make me think otherwise, but Abba Father has continually spoken His truth to me.

Day 21 - Morning Dew

Morning Dew

photo source

It's a cold, early morning here in Central Virginia. And I just finished lifting up my dawn watch prayers before my Abba Father. This passage of Scripture is very much on my heart this morning:

Now these are the last words of David.

Thus says David the son of Jesse;

Thus says the man raised up on high,

The anointed of the God of Jacob,

And the sweet psalmist of Israel:

The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me,

And His word was on my tongue.

The God of Israel said,

The Rock of Israel spoke to me:

"He who rules over men must be just,

Ruling in the dear of God,

And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises,

A morning without clouds,

Like the tender grass springing out of the earth,

By clear shining after the rain."

Painfully beautiful... these words of Scripture tug at my heart.

Raise up leaders like this for us, Abba Father... for our nation, and for our churches. Protect us from self-centered leaders who desire only to build their own kingdoms. How it must grieve Your heart. Raise up men and women like King David, men and women after Your heart. 

May our church truly be a House of Prayer... giving glory, honor, and pleasure to You alone ... lifting up a sweet aroma of prayer incense... from true worshipers... of humble and pure speech... bridal intercessors seeking Your face... longing to draw near... hungry for intimacy and communion... seeking Your kingdom and Your righteousness. 

Day 17 - A Beautiful Dream

Desert Flowers HD wallpaper
by Thomas Muler

photo source

Last night I had a very special dream.

I was in a room with a group of people. The details are hazy now, so I do not even recall who these people were. All I remember is that I was asked to share a Bible passage with them. I reached for my Bible and in my spirit, I heard this clear instruction:

"Read Isaiah 35 to them."

So I opened my Bible and began to read.

There were other events in my dream that I no longer remember.

But when I woke up this morning, that part of my dream was still very clear.

How happy it made me feel to awaken to a direct, fresh word from my Abba Father for me:

Isaiah 35

The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them,

And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose;

It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice,

Even with joy and singing.

The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,

The excellence of Carmel and Sharon.

They shall see the glory of the LORD,

The excellency of our God.

Strengthen the weak hands,

And make firm the feeble knees.

Say to those who are fearful-hearted,

"Be strong, do not fear!

Behold, your God will come with vengeance,

With the recompense of God;

He will come and save you.

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped,
Then the lame shall leap like a deer,
And the tongue of the dumb sing.
For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness,
And streams in the desert.
The parched ground shall become a pool,
And the thirsty land springs of water;
In the habitation of jackals, where each lay,
There shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

A highway shall be there, and a road,
And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.
The unclean shall not pass over it,
But it shall be for others.
Whoever walks the road, although a fool,
Shall not go astray.
No lion shall be there,
Nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it;
It shall not be found there.
And the ransomed of the LORD shall return,
And come to Zion with singing,
With everlasting joy on their heads.
They shall obtain joy and gladness,
And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Day 10 - The Father Rejoices Over Me

Welcome Home!

image source

In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:

Do not fear:

Zion, let not your hands be weak,

The Lord your God in your midst

The Mighty One, will save;

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.

- Zephaniah 3:17

Day 9 - Rooted

Rooted

Abide in Me, and I in you.

As the branches cannot bear fruit of itself,

unless it abides in the vine,

neither can you,

unless you abide in Me.

- John 15:4

My Father says:

"My child, abide in Me. Remain in MY love. Stay connected to Me. Fruit grows in you when you continue to let My life flow in you.

Abiding in Me means that you are always depending on Me for everything. Solutions to Your problems are not at all difficult for Me to do. I have the perfect solution for every difficulty you are encountering.

Let complete trust fill your heart -- know that I am completely trustworthy.

Flow with Me, believe that I know what is best for you.

Let my life-giving sap always be flowing in you.

Live in My joy.

Abide in My joy.

My joy will provide the environment for your healing."

Day 8: When a Gift Becomes a Burden...

...God can still turn it into a blessing!

Beautiful trees at autumn

Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford, Virginia

October 21, 2013

"No weapon formed against you shall prosper,

And every tongue which rises against you in judgment

You shall condemn.

This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,

And their righteousness is from Me,"

says the Lord.

- Isaiah 54:17

gift
/gift/

noun     a thing given willingly to someone without payment, a present





A gift is not really a gift unless it is given from a genuine, generous heart, without strings attached, without conditions. 

A gift is such a blessing if it is given with pure motives. 

So wise was the Lord when He said,

So when you give to the needy, no not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. - Matthew 6:2


But there are times when the gift turns out not to be a blessing... but a curse.

when a heavy burden is imposed... 

and attached to the gift is a price tag... 

a sense of obligation... 

a debt of gratitude that can never seem to be repaid.

I want to quote these words from Eugene's blog:

"Boaz recognized the favor that Ruth has extended to Naomi (Ruth 2:16, Ruth 1:16), his response was "May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge" (Ruth 2:12).

"This means that:

1. God will be the one to repay us when we are compelled to give. Boaz extended favor toward Ruth out of a heart of generosity.

2. It is God whom we must depend on for trust, security, hope, and for our future and refuge. Boaz gave to Ruth without expecting anything in return."


How beautiful and how refreshing the gift when it comes with no heavy sense of being indebted to the giver.

It is a gift that can be freely received and accepted. It is a gift with so much joy and blessing.

A true gift is never, ever taken back. Never.

A "gift" that comes with a heavy expectation of having to pay the giver back removes the true value of a gift.

Then it comes not with a sense of blessing, but with a deep sense of sorrow to the heart of the receiver.


 I take comfort in these words this morning:

The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it. - Proverbs 10:22

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. - James 1:17


This is a timely teaching from Graham Cooke, and has reminded me that instead of being oppressed by the words of cursing and dishonor that someone speaks to us, we can stand on our authority and fight the battle against the enemy. For the victory has been won... we just need to view my circumstances from the standpoint of victory, not defeat.

Excerpts:

"... In your favor, there is a place of authority for you.

"You have to go to the limit of your favor to discover what the promise is, what your inheritance is, and therefore what you have permission for against the enemy.

"You step over that line, you're into presumption, but if you stay within the line of your favor, you have authority to speak and say things [into existence].

"The more you press out your favor, the more you press out yourself to the limit of your current prophetic word, the more territory God is going to give you,the more authority He opens up for you.

"That is why you simply must work with prophecy.

"Implications to change is that you get power over situations that come against you, you get power over the enemy.

"In Christ you are condemned to victory. You have to be an idiot not to win. God always commits us to a good fight, and a good fight is one where you win...

"You have to sit down in the word. You have to relax before God in it. You have to make your prophetic word part of your devotional routine.

"The you get to walk in the word before God and before people.

"The word gives you power to expect and to anticipate. Use it!

"You walk into situations carrying your favor.

"And you can donate your favor to somebody else. Whether they're saved, or a Christian, or a pre-Christian is irrelevant. You get to donate the favor that you have into somebody else's life...

"And you have to learn how to stand on the word before the enemy.

"Declare your favor.

"This guy starts cursing me, but you have to understand this is how it works for me:

"'No weapon fashioned against me can prosper, because I know the limit of my current authority right now, and I can declare to you within the rhema of my current authority that God can take this curse and turn it into a blessing...'

"And I'm going to see what the opposite of those things are, and that's what I'm going to take on board. That's why I wrote down the opposite [of all the cursing words that were spoken to me] straightaway... I wrote out the opposite of all of that, and I asked the Lord, 'Lord is that enough?'

"And He said, 'No, write something else,' so I started again. And when I had something that the Lord was satisfied with, I could bind the curse and loose what God had told me was gonna be mine.

"Then I could burn that piece of paper, and that's over, it has no power anymore.

"And now I'm expecting this: I have a whole new level of expectation in God, and what I am about to come into.

"It's like a reverse prophetic word. What the enemy meant to kill you, God uses for you.

"David used Goliath's sword to take off his head. The very thing the enemy was going to use against him he used on the enemy. This is our authority in the spirit.

"You stand on the word against the enemy everyday... I told that piece of paper where I'd written all the blessings, and I began to declare everyday, "This is the word of the Lord to me."

"I start to press out, what would that look like in my life... If I come into this today what's it gonna look like... what's it gonna change for me...

"If I meditated a few days on the implications of me believing...[these things]   then I start stepping into it... and to press it through, and to declare it against the enemy... I start to declare my protection... my favor... and I ended up with a double portion."

Day 7 - An Accelerated Lifestyle

sunset over Lake Canandaigua

upstate NY

October 10, 2013

"Behold, the days are coming," declares the LORD, 

"when the plowman shall overtake the reaper

and the treader of grapes him who sows the seed,

the mountains shall drip sweet wine,

and all the hills shall flow with it."

- Amos 9:13

I have always loved the idea of the plowman overtaking the reaper, and the treader of grapes him who is sowing the seed.

It's such a wonderful picture of the accelerated life.

I desire to live not in the realm of the seen, but the unseen. In that way, I am not annoyed, or irritated, or disappointed, by the shortcomings and inconsistencies of others, or even the plans that don't turn out as expected.

Living the accelerated life is so freeing... and gives me a compassionate perspective when things go wrong.

Living the accelerated life, is living in the spirit realm... and that is really how I want to live.

Sharing these beautiful words spoken by the Father to Graham Cooke in Rise Up A Warrior:

I will teach you how to make the future incredible by living in a present that is beautiful.

When the present state of your heart is so enriched by my glory your current identity will run to meet your emerging destiny, and you will live in the power of an accelerated lifestyle.

Do you see now, dear heart, why you need the power of a renewed mind?

Earthbound logic cannot comprehend the true nature of life in the spirit. Only a heavenly mindset can do that. And that is, the mind of Christ.

Day 6 - Cleansing Word

Waterfall

image source

You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

- John 15:3

My Father says:

"I want you to understand just how powerful My spoken word is. It was My son who spoke the word to His disciples -- a word of acceptance and a word of cleansing over them, cleansing them from a foggy understanding of eternal realities. 

That same word applies to you this very moment. You have received that Word, that Living Word, into your life.

It has cleansed you from the guilt and the eternal consequences of sin.

That same spoken word continues to cleanse you from faulty mindsets, continues to purify your heart of what will not last for eternity. That spoken word has already made you clean. 

You are accepted in My sight...

That spoken Word will continue to give you a hunger for righteousness, and a desire to be restored to a place of intimacy with Me.

Trust that Word. Never let it go unheeded.

It will bring you to higher ground."

Day 5 - Pruning

Vinedresser

image source

Every branch in  Me that doesn't bear fruit

He takes away;

And every branch that bears fruit He prunes, 

that it may bear more fruit.

- John 15:2

I hear Abba Father saying:

"Every branch in the Vine of my Son Jesus is precious to Me. I do not easily give up, I am not easily disappointed. My heart is full of hope for my children who are not bearing fruit. I continue to believe in the best they can be. I lift them up, I give them help, I do not leave them alone to fend for themselves...

I want to bring them to an environment of growth so that someday - soon! - I will begin to see the fruit I am longing for.

And when I see the fruit, I begin to prune so that more fruit will come. I am thrilled when I see my children bearing fruit despite the difficult circumstances they are in...

A tiny seed of faith...

A small step of obedience...

A glimmer of hope...

That is fruit to Me.

I do not despise the small steps you take to draw near. I welcome your attempts with open arms.

You are a delight to me. I value you, and I believe in the best that you can be."

Day 4 - The Power of Name-calling

"Serenity"

photo taken at the Yorktown Riverwalk Landing, Yorktown, VA

September 22, 2013

... God, who gives life to the dead,

and calls those things which do not exist

as though they did.

- Romans 4:17

The passage above is one of my favorite passages in the Bible.

It speaks of the immense creative power of words. God gives life to the dead and causes things to exist as He calls them forth into existence.

Last Sunday my friend Melanie and I took a walk at the Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, VA. It was dusk, and a beautiful sailboat was about to dock. The boat was named "Serenity."

And somehow, as my friend and I watched that boat come to shore, we felt such a serene presence all around us. I stood there, transfixed by the beauty of that moment. It was as if the word on the boat commanded the spirit of serenity to surround all of us.

"What you are is what you see." This was a comment someone gave at Sunday School that morning. And indeed he is right. We see the world around us through the spectacles that we have on. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

The names we attach to our circumstances, the perspective from which we view our life... it matters so much. 

We create our own reality. This is not to deny the circumstances we find ourselves in. But I truly believe that God gave us the authority to change our circumstances as a weapon against the enemy who seeks to imprison us and steal our hope.

When in truth, God wants us to live in an environment of hope. Whatever it is that we are going through, there is no such thing as a hopeless situation. 

Day 3 - The Vinedresser

Pruning

image source

I am the true vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser.

- John 15:1

Abba Father says:

"My Son Jesus is the True Vine -- and you My daughter, are one of the many branches. I am the Vinedresser, the Husbandman, the Gardener.

I am also the fertile ground on which the Vine grows. I make the conditions right and perfect for optimum growth.

I pour in nourishment, send enough rain and sunlight.

Protect the Vine from harsh elements.

Shield it, till, and cultivate the soil.

The Vine, Jesus is the True Vine. I take care of the Vine because my ultimate aim is good fruit."


My response:

"I desire to remain connected to You Father through Your Son Jesus. You are my Life Source."

Day 2 - A Merciful God

Miranda Beach

Pontevedra, Negros Occidental

photo by Lidia, taken on August 10, 2013

The LORD is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
- Psalm 103:8

Mercy is the monumental character of God.

As August comes to an end, I welcome September with the assurance that the road ahead of me is beautiful.

A merciful Father walks with me.  I am never alone.

I am entering a season of rebuilding, redeeming, and receiving back whatever the enemy has stolen from me and my family.

Hope is the air I breathe.

Forty Days of Journeying Deeper Into the Father's Heart: Day 1

Red Grapes

image source

Abide in Me, and I in you. 

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, 

unless it abides in the vine, 

neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

- John 15:4

I start today with a forty day journey of going deeper into the Father's heart.

The main theme of this 40-day journey is abiding. I start it as I am about to embark on an unplanned trip to the USA... 

In just a few days I will be leaving, and I want to make it a simultaneous spiritual journey during which I am seeking God to reveal His plans and purposes for me at a higher level. I want to be spiritually alert and aware of what God is doing.

And... I do want this trip to be a milestone in my 60th year.

I woke up this morning from a dream where I was listening to a powerful message on my laptop -- but I don't recall the message. In the dream I was also speaking to a group, and my friend Miriam was one of them. In another segment of the dream, I was being followed by people I had mentored through the years - a long line of people!

Fruit of character, and fruit of influence. These are the kinds of fruit I want to have in my life. Once again, it all boils down to ABIDING. Dwelling in the secret place of the Most High.

Thank You Abba Father for speaking so specifically to me this morning.

For the Record

This morning, I received a text message from someone.

A message that filled my heart with dread, and yet my spirit held on tenaciously to my miracle working Father.

I do not know how my situation will be resolved - but I do believe in my Abba Father who holds the circumstances of my life in His hands.

A few minutes ago, I visited Patrina's Pencil, one of my favorite blogs. I was amazed by what I read.

I copied some of the words she had written on her latest post.

Just for the record...

God's Grace - Grace that is GREATER than all our sin

from Patrina's Pencil

June 23, 2013

Patrina writes:

I am trusting that someone

needs to hear this word 

from Kim Clement.

It brought the following song to mind.

I sing the refrain over and over

when it comes up in my spirit.

Grace, grace, God's grace,

grace that will pardon

and cleanse within;

grace, grace, God's grace,

grace that is greater

than all our sin!

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,

grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!

Yonder on Calvary';s mount outpoured,

there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

Refrain:

Grace, grace, God's grace,

grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

grace, grace, God's grace,

grace that is greater than all our sin!

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,

threaten the soul with infinite loss;

grace that is greater, yes grace untold,

points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

(Refrain)

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide,

What can avail to wash it away?

Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,

brighter than snow you may be today.

(Refrain)

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,

freely bestowed on all who believe!

You that are longing to see his face,

will you this moment his grace receive?

(Refrain)

Text: Julia H. Johnston

Music: Daniel B. Towner

GOD's GRACE!

The following is the Word that blessed my heart...

Do not treat prophecies with contempt.

Test everything. Hold on to the good.

1 Thessalonians 5:20-21

Follow the way of love

and eagerly desire spiritual gifts,

especially the gift of prophecy.

1 Corinthians 14:1

For we know in part

and we prophesy in part.

1 Corinthians 13:9

But I would rather have you prophesy.

He who prophesies is greater

than one who speaks in tongues.

1 Corinthians 14:3

The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Revelation 19:10

  

The Lord can and does

use anything He needs to...

to accomplish His will.

He even uses the enemy!

If this word speaks to you...as it did to me

then receive it. Bathe it in prayer.

Ask the Holy Spirit what the Lord

wants to speak to you concerning this word.

I believe the Lord wants to lay

His 'healing hands'

on some specific soul...

as He did mine today.

I Give all Glory and Praise

to my ONE and ONLY ...

JESUS!

He who has ears to HEAR

Let him HEAR

May 25, 2013 - From The Den

Kim Clement

Please hear me.

I heard this word this morning, clearly,

"I will restore today that which has been taken illegally, 

and even if My people have made mistakes."

Listen to what the word is – hear it now, please.

Abraham lied about his wife;

said  she was his sister for his fear of death,

and so the king took Abraham's wife

and God visited the king

early that morning in a dream,

"Should you touch this woman, 

I will kill you. 

That man is a man of God."

The king came to Abraham

and the king said to him,

"Why did you lie to me? 

I could have died 

because I took into my hands your wife."

 And he came with offerings

to Abraham and said,

"Here is your wife back.

 It's your mistake, Abraham,

but along with your wife,

I'm giving you offerings 

of goats and bulls and sheep and stock 

for I want you to be totally restored" 

(see Genesis 20).

It was a mistake that Abraham made.

It wasn't the king's mistake,

but even though it was Abraham's mistake,

God restored that mistake;

God restored him, not only with his wife back,

but with much in blessing.

Even If It's Your Mistake

That Caused Your Loss

Today, this is what God tells me to tell you.

Even if it's your mistake;

even if you're the one

who made the mistake

and you've lost it,

God said, "I will restore it to you today

 but I will pay back twice the amount,

four times the amount,

five times the amount,

100-fold – if you would come to Me

in faith today,

I will do it," says the Lord.

 prayerfully submitted

patrina

An Offering

I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem;

they will never be silent day or night.

You who call on the LORD,

give yourselves no rest,

and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem

and makes her the praise of the earth.

- Isaiah 62:6, 7

Father, I never ever want to let my guard down, or become complacent, even presumptuous. 

Thank you for giving me another opportunity to be encouraged... to keep holding on... to remain steadfast and unwavering in my commitment.

I praise You for the time of breakthrough and healing during the time of ministry in this city... many opportunities to make new friends, and also to see You at work in the lives of the seminar participants.

My Father... I completely dedicate and offer my life to You in this new season of my life.