A New Precedent

Beloved, there is a battle raging - refuse to give up hard-won ground! When you done all you can do, stand! Fix your eyes on Me - get your eyes off your pain and onto Me. This is part of the process of Me breaking the power of fear off your life! In pain, you react out of fear - all you can think about is escaping the pain!

Beloved, I have a higher way. I want to reach through your pain and lift your eyes to Me. I want you to be so transfixed by My beauty and glory that you no longer notice your pain! I want My voice to be louder to you than the screaming of your pain! Refuse to give attention to your pain and focus all your concentration on gazing on My face and listening to My voice. Here I will unfold the mysteries that you have been longing to understand! 

 Take the issue of "on earth as it is in heaven" - the reality is, sin and sickness are on earth, and I delight in robbing the enemy of his tools and using them for My purposes! They make good teachers. You are learning deep abiding through this sickness, and conquering your feelings (not letting them boss you around), that you would not have learned this week if you had received miraculous healing. 

You are learning to contend - not necessarily for miracles at this stage - but for mastery over sin, which is more important by far at this stage of the journey. The lessons you are learning in taking and holding ground will serve you well when we move into miracles. Stand firm and refuse to give an inch of ground to fear, self-pity, discouragement, disappointment or bitterness. 

Thank and praise Me for all I am doing in you at this time. Let My joy rise in your spirit throughout this day. Your cheerful heart will be good medicine to your infected body (Prov 17:22)! Believe it, Beloved! 

You are setting a new precendent, My Precious One! A whole new approach to sickness in your home - one that leads you deeper into joy and victory in Me! While you will not look forward to sickness in the future, you will not fear and dread it like you previously did! "We know the secrets of the fireswamp...we can live there quite happily for some time, so whenever you feel like dying, feel free to visit!" (The Princess Bride movie)

via GIPHY

A Son's Obedience

Rest into wellness today, Beloved - rest and rejoice, even before you feel well. Sing and declare healing over yourself and your family. Embrace the lovely rest day in My Presence. Refuse to be disappointed or discouraged - just rest in Me and enjoy My Presence. 

You are moving into friendship wtih Me, but you are also My Beloved Child. Just as there is an element of friendship between grown child and parent, yet there is still a parental relationship. As you grow up in Me, there are times I need to discipline you, yet there are also times of genuine sharing heart-to-heart. 

As you grow in revelation of who you are in Me, you will see just how much I love you - your personality, likes, dislikes, preferences, talents, hobbies, pursuits and your will. Yes, I will share secrets with you and allow you to influence Me. We parter together - I gave you your unique personality and I love it! I do not want you to give that up - just to give up all expressions of sin nature that is already dead. That is the pruning of the branch - as you give yourself up to the process, I can activate aspects of your personality that have lain dormant. You can discover whole new personality traits that you never knew you had! This is Me giving you a new name and calling out things I see in you that you cannot see yourself. There would be no space for these aspects to grow if I was not pruning you. 

My obedience to My Father is not a slave's obedience, but a son's obedience, flowing from Love and intimacy. My Father does not threaten Me or intimidate Me into obedience - it gives Me joy to humble Myself and do what He wills. The greater your level of intimacy with Me, the more I can share My reasons behind what I ask of you. In coming to earth, I knew what the Father wanted Me to do...but I also knew why. It was this that enabled Me to suffer immense pain adn torture - for the joy set before Me! I understood why My Father asked this "impossible" task, and yielded Myself to His will out of Love for Him and Love for you! 

As you can see, it's all about Love! Growing in Love for Me, as you spend time soaking in My Word and in My Presence, and gazing on Me throughout the day...this Love will naturally overflow to others. The more you gaze on Me, the less you gaze on yourself. I want to release you into new levels of freedom and power, but this comes with less thinking about yourself, not more! These changes began in earnest as you let Me show you how I see you - perfectly loved and perfectly righteous! The beauty of this new identity is that it is founded entirely upon grace - how I see you, through no goodness or work of your own! Yet it is so much more amazing than you could dream up or believe on your own. As you really believe all I say about you, you are released to live more freely and fruitfully than ever before. Self-promotion is not an issue, as you know you are what you are entirely by God's grace.

 

Weapons of Warfare

There is no need to be covered before Me, as you are no longer bound by shame. I have removed your shame. Here in our secret garden, you can walk with Me like Adam and Eve before the fall. Walk and talk, face to face, completely unhindered by shame. 

You are fed directly by My hand - the Bread of Life and the Living Water! This is our private place of intimacy, you are perfectly safe to be yourself here. 

When you go about your day, you need protected. I clothe you in robes of righteousness, in strength and dignity, in the garment of praise and in your armour. You are a warrior-princess! Your dance is your weapon of warfare, as is your song of praise. You have your sandals of readiness of the gospel of peace, your shield of faith, sword of the Spirit, helmet of salvation, belt of Truth and breastplate of righteousness.

As you survey the scene before you, you see everything with the gaze of Love, for you have been staring into My eyes. When you see your children fighting, you see them in the spiritual realm. Instead of seeing them as an inconvenience and an annoyance to deal with, you see them beset within and without by the enemy. In your warrior dance, you attack their enemy with your sword and tend to your children's wounds with loving tenderness. You teach them how to use their weapons too. 

When you need to take flight, you have the Holy Spirit dove to climb onto and soar up high above your circumstances. Then you can survey the scene from above!

Free From Fear of Man!

Beloved, during My time on earth as a man, I did not have to work at being free from fear of man - I just kept My eyes fixed on My Father. As long as you are in right relationship with Me and know who you are, you will care less and less about pleasing man, and more and more about loving them as I do. For as long as fear of man motivates you, you will be held back from truly loving others the way I do. 

Fear of man causes you to break the royal law of Love (James 2:8). This is your highest law. 

As you let Me live My Life through you, you will continue to discover greater freedom in this realm. Freedom from fear of man, freedom to love others extravagantly as you love Me. It will come pouring out of you naturally as you abide in Me, constantly yielding up your own selfish desires and reactions. This is how I change you fr4om the inside out!

Through Eyes of Love

Rest in My Presence is as important as nourishing yourself on My Word. There must be both in your day for you to be in balance. 

In physical training, the muscles are worked hard and then rested. The rest helps to allow muscles to grow. The rest period is just as important as the work period - it is what makes the work effective. 

Do not be quick to rush from the place of rest, even into reading Truth. This place of rest is where your heart and mind can make space for all you are learning, without becoming overwhelmed! 

Embrace the rest with patience and joy! Let My Love wash over you, soothing any ache or pain, carrying your questions and concerns away - they are safe with Me, Beloved. We will address them when you are ready. You can trust them to Me! 

Let us slow dance for a while, My Dear. I'll carry you, let Me carry your whole weight. You are weightless in My arms as we sway back and forth. Not a care in the world! Weariness gone! Perfectly loved and safely held! 

I love how you LOVE this time with Me above all else! It thrills My heart how you desire Me and My Ways! How willing your heart is to say, "Behold, I am your handmaiden - Acceptance with Joy!

Let's get your eyes off the ways you are falling short, and back on My Face. You long to see everyone through eyes of Love, but you are fretting about the bad habits you have that keep tripping you up in this area. Beloved, gaze deep into My eyes of Love as we dance. The more you gaze into My eyes of Love, the transformation takes place! I transfer My sight to your eyes through the gaze of Love! So stare into My eyes and be transfixed, held in this place as long as you can bear it. It burns, Beloved! My gaze of Love burns away the milky film over your eyes. I am healing the cataracts of impatience, disdain, uncaring, superiority...they belong to the flesh that is DEAD! You were made to see with eyes of Love. My gaze is restoring your true vision as I intended it to be!

"The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness." (Matthew 6:22-23)

"Your revelation eyes are pure, like pools of refreshing - sparkling light for a multitude." (Song of Songs 7:4, TPT)

"But God has taught me that no love is real love until it is WILLINGNESS TO LOVE ALL with no exceptions; and that the more sinful, blemished, and unlovely a person is, the more he needs love. More love - not less - toward those who are obviously spoiled and marred and sin-sick - that's God's way. Then I was shown that love does not begin in the feelings at all - it begins in the will. To be willing at last to love all, individual by individual, as we are brought into contact with them, is to be ABLE to love all. We must begin quite deliberately to act toward them as though we really do love them and are willing to bear everything unlovely about them just because we want to love them. Then love comes, first as a trickle, then as a stream, then as a flood, till, like the river of life in Ezekiel, the waters which at first came only to the ankles, then to the knees, then higher still, became at last "waters to swim in."

Love is light, and when love has opened our inner eyes we see things in their true light - a whole new landscape of reality and truth is spread out before us and we see beauties and wonders of the realm of God which we never before even glimpsed, nor suspected to exist." ("Walking Among the Unseen", by Hannah Hurnard)

Fancy Footwork

Keep dancing with Me, Beloved. With Me leading, you can avoid the self-pity bogs, the fear traps and the worry pits. 

Breathe deep of My Spirit Breath and keep your eyes fixed on My Face. 

I will show you the steps. I will teach you fancy footwork. I will dip you under high obstacles and spin you over low obstacles. 

I've got this! Trust Me with this day, too.

Keep Dancing

Remember that revelation that I gave you last year, how dancing with Me could carry colour and joy into every activity of your life. The enemy has tried to steal that revelation from you with all the hard circumstances you have faced in the past six months. 

Consider this: if you do not want to lose that connection with Me through a day, do not choose activities that I would not wish to dance through. Sometimes your choices of entertainment are not "harmless" because they distance Me. Keep dancing with Me, through each moment of each day. When you are feeling stressed and when you are letting your natural man rule, close your eyes and picture us dancing again. Let your spirit man be in the forefront. Let My Spirit guide you. 

There is no circumstance that you face that cannot be danced through. When you lose the connection and find yourself in beggar's rags, sulking and tantrumming, wallowing in the pit of self-pity, just look to Me and I will take your hand, pull you out, clean you and dress you again in Strength and Dignity, and begin the dance where we left off.

A Surrendered Mess

I see your sorrow, your disappointment in yourself, your body, your emotions. I see your weariness. Hating yourself does no good! It does not help your family. It does not help you function! 

Look to Me and see the grace I offer. Come stand under the shower of Grace. Let it wash away self-reproach and self-hatred. My Grace is sufficient for you! My Power is made perfect in weakness. This is how I can best use you, Beloved! Weak, barely able to stand, but surrendered!

I don't want you to do, I want you to be. Be a surrendered mess for Me. I will use you without your awareness to minister to others. I will minister through you. It is My Spirit who works, not you. Just be, My beautiful mess. Let Me do the rest. 

You will move forward through one surrendered step at a time. Many are the plans of a person's heart, but the Lord directs her steps. Keep your eyes fixed on Me, Beloved. Surrender your body, spirit, soul, mind to Me every day and watch Me guide your steps. Even in the chaos, confusion and brain fog, I help you make the right decisions. Stop second-guessing, and just trust Me. I can break through your brain fog. I can redeem your tears.

My Handiwork

Tune your ear to My voice, Beloved. When your soul is downcast, turn your eyes to Me. See how My Truth lifts your spirit to dance and soar in its beauty? 

Things look bleak to your eyes, but that is because you are looking at your circumstances with your natural eyes, not your faith eyes. Remember, I am the God who calls things that are not as though they are; I am the God who raises the dead!!

I am doing a new thing, and I have a special place for you here. I have chosen you before you have chosen Me. I am calling you to be a listener. A prophet. Not for your own glory, but for Mine. Do not try to rush Me. Trust Me. 

Oh Beloved, your heart is weary and troubled about many things. Rest your head on My bosom and be comforted. I have chosen you for this journey, not for any punishment, but because I LOVE and DELIGHT in you! Can you believe this? Dare you believe this? It is My joy to see you grow as an overcomer! 

The joy that you experience in taking a discarded article of clothing and making it into something new, something beautiful - this is just a taste of the joy I have in taking your broken and ugly circumstances and creating something beautiful in you. You are My HANDIWORK, Beloved! My joy and My delight!

A Different Path

1 Samuel 13-14

See how quickly Saul slipped into "D.I.Y. mode"! As soon as there was some question about My representative being true to his word, Saul took matters into his own hands. His pride in the position that I gave him caused him to let his eyes slip from My Face to himself - and the consequences were disastrous for him. Saul sacrificed the future of his kingdom. 

Beloved, there is always a consequence to "D.I.Y. mode". It is not a safe place to be. Your judgement will always be compromised, as you cannot see the big picture the way that I can. The only safe place to be is with your eyes fixed on Me. Saul's judgement was compromised, and he made a rash vow that almost cost him his son's life. Living in "D.I.Y. mode" has cost you your health. It's not a punishment, dear one, but a natural consequence of choosing to carry the weight of your world on your shoulders instead of surrendering it to Me. 

Hear Me, Beloved. This is not intended to make you feel guilty. This is news of HOPE. I am showing you a different path. A path of moment-by-moment surrender to Me. I am searching for people after my own heart. I can do so much more through you when you live surrendered. Come with Me on this adventure!

 

Hijacking Your Agenda

1 Samuel 8-10

Saul had a plan, an agenda for his journey - to search for his father's lost animals. But I hijacked his agenda. Saul was obedient, and went along with My plan. I want you to live in this way each day - don't stop making plans, but make them loosely, knowing that I may hijack them at any time. Do not be put out when your plans are "thwarted", but turn to Me in expectant trust, saying, "Okay Father, what do YOU have for me instead?"

So much of the stress you live with is of your own making. My perfect Peace banishes stress. You have a direct supply line of My perfect Peace, but you must keep it switched on by fixing your eyes on Me. Keep Me ever before you, through the ups and downs, and through the monotonous moments of this day. 

My perfect Peace is not only good for your soul and mind, it is also good for your body. "Remove stress from your life" you are told. The best way to do that is to lean into Me. To learn to walk each step of each day with Me. To trust Me with the details of your life, over and over and over again.

Consistency and Constancy

Discontent. A telltale sign that your eyes have slipped from My Face to your surroundings. Your salvation is not in how clean you keep your house! you are already saved by My sacrifice, Beloved. 

When your eyes slip from My Face, you all-too-easily start believing the enemy's lies: "You will be happy if you can just...keep your house clean/ run a successful business/ raise obedient and charming children/ be fit and healthy..." All of these are lovely, but will not satisfy your heart's longing. 

This is not a new message, My dear. But I will repeat it until it sinks in. Until a habit is formed. And then, I will repeat it again because there will always be distractions. Fix your eyes on Me!

You long for consistency and constancy in your good habits. Remember the adage, "Live with them, get like them"? Well, the more time you spend in My Presence, the more you take on My characteristics. It's that simple! I am the one Constant of the universe. Spend time with Me and you will grow in constancy. Not through striving, not through your own strength, but by the power of My Presence.

Truly Fix

In every challenge you face, the solution is the same...fix your eyes on Me! Don't just give Me a passing glance. Truly fix your eyes on Me. 

You need Me every moment. The sooner you truly comprehend this with your mind AND your heart, the sooner you will experience a greater degree of freedom. 

Let every frustration, irritation and inconvenience that you face today be a reminder to fix your eyes on Me. Face the small, everyday trials in the same manner as you face the giant, life-changing trials - for they are no different in My eyes.

Turn Your Eyes

"Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. " Psalm 119 : 37

Beloved, there are some things you fix your eyes on that are just not helpful.  This "I just want her home!" cry of your heart is, of course a legitimate desire. But to fix your eyes on this desire is worthless. Pining after something that cannot be in the here and now is futile and even harmful to your heart.

I long to be your heart's foremost desire! Pining after Me is never harmful to you! I always make myself available to be found by you.

Chase after Me with the intensity and passion you feel towards your newborn daughter.

Fix your eyes on Me, dear one.  The more desperate you feel, the more helpless, the more your heart aches - focus your whole heart on turning towards Me.  Focus your longing on Me. Focus your desperation on Me.  Fix your eyes on Me.

Life is found here in My Presence.  As precious as cuddles with your newborn are, they cannot compare to cuddles with your Daddy God!! My Embrace soothes your aching heart. My Embrace imparts abundant life. Rest here in My Embrace.  Don't rush away.

Because I AM

"It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes... Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: The Lord's right hand has done mighty things! The Lord's right hand is lifted high; the Lord's right hand has done mighty things!" Psalm 118:8-9,15-16

In this society where science is highly regarded, the "princes" are the scientific minds; the doctors and surgeons being amongst them.

Although I use them, the doctors should not take My place. Your hope does not rest in them. Which is just as well when they give you different, even opposite opinions of what is best for your girl.  Remember: your trust is in Me, your Refuge. Not in the doctors. Rest in this Truth - I AM Jehovah-Rapha, God your Healer. I AM the Divine Physician. I hold your tiny girl in the palm of My hand. I love her even more than you do - and you know how much that is!

As you take refuge in Me, you are agreeing with the higher Truth that I AM. Circumstances must bend to My Will. Things are not as they seem. Keep your eyes fixed on My Face, and My Reality will be MORE REAL to you than the appearance of your circumstances. You will have no fear of bad news, your heart will be steadfast, trusting in Me. Your heart is secure, you will have NO FEAR! (Psalm 112:7-8) Bad news cannot shake you when you cling to the Rock who is higher than you.  (Psalm 61:2)

Keeping your eyes fixed on Me, you can see beyond the circumstances.  Not to see a desired outcome, but to see the eternal Truth that I AM! Then you will burst forth with shouts of joy and victory! Get this, Beloved...You are not celebrating because things are going your way.  You are celebrating because I AM. You are not willing things into being, but you are rejoicing because I AM. Every step of the way, I AM. Regardless of what happens, I AM. You cannot be shaken, because I AM.

You Need Me

"Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness...You who fear him, trust in the Lord - he is their help and shield...he will bless those who fear the Lord - small and great alike. It is we who extol the Lord, both now and forevermore. Praise the Lord." Psalm 115:1,11,13,18

Come to Me, Beloved. Come spend time in My Arms. You cannot face this alone, nor in just remembering My Presence. You need Me. Time in My Presence. Rest for your weary soul. Refreshment for your aching heart. I AM all you need! I AM the supplier of ALL your needs, dear one. I AM your strength - apart from Me, you would collapse in a heap. This burden would be too much for you to bear. But I AM here to carry it for you, dear one!

Keep your eyes locked on My Face. Remember, My gaze imparts so much to you - Hope, Strength, Peace, Patience in the waiting. Don't let your eyes slip from My Face, even for a moment. For then you may see the waves and believe their power to be greater than Mine. Keep your eyes glued to My Face, and I will cause your feet to walk on the water. I will not let you slip and be overcome by the waves. I will not let you drown.  

Control

You are grasping for control again, Beloved. That is why you feel so very put out when things don't go your way. Let go of your attempts to control - even your own domain. Everything is about to be thrown into what seems like chaos to you. Things in your home will not be "your way". This is okay. This is right. 

Turn your desire for control to your own behaviour! You can control how often you turn your face to Me; how often you lean into My Presence; how you respond to changes in your plans. You are going to need to be flexible in the days and weeks to come. The only thing worth clinging to is the Rock that is higher than you. I AM the unchanging, the unchangeable. I AM steadfast in the uncertainty you face. Cling to Me for dear life. 

Remember that this is not chaos to Me. It is not uncertain to Me. I see all, I know the outcome already. I see the bigger picture, and this all fits together so beautifully. Put your hand in Mine, and step forward with Me, dear one. Trust Me with your whole heart. 

Eyes Off Circumstances

"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always." Psalm 105:1-4

Circumstances appear bleak. They are demanding your attention, like a storm raging around you. You feel like your shelter will come tumbling down around you at any minute. Nothing is sure except for Me. I AM the Rock that is higher. Cling to Me, Beloved. Lift your eyes from your circumstances, and fix them firmly on My Face. Over and over, as often as you can during this day. Every time your circumstances appear bigger than Me, remember: EYES OFF CIRCUMSTANCES, EYES ON JESUS! Look to Me and My Strength, seek My Face always. 

Fear can only cripple and drown you so long as your eyes are on your circumstances. When your eyes are fixed on Me, you can walk on the waves. Be absolutely doggedly persistent and resolute in keeping your eyes fixed on Me. This is your most important task today. Eyes off circumstances, eyes on Jesus!

Lamp to Your Feet

When darkness clouds your mind, you MUST draw near to Me. Fix your eyes on My Face, for I AM the source of all true Light. Keep your eyes fixed on My Face, and the darkness cannot terrify you. The enemy would strike fear in your heart, but My perfect Love covers and protects you. 

Beloved, you are desperately grasping for control...with mountains looming in front of you, covered by the mist of confusion and the unknown, you are urgently trying to map your course by micromanaging the details of the steps along the way that you can see. 

Stop obsessing over details, my dear one, and remember: My Word is a lamp to your feet, and a light to your path (Psalm 119:105). Dwell in My Presence, speaking out My Word, and you will stay on track regardless of how much or how little you have planned. 

I Am the God Who Gives Life

I gave you that word yesterday to prepare you to face today. So you already know how to face this news you received today...by pressing in to My Presence and praising Me! Praise Me for all that I am going to do here. Fix your eyes on Me, the great Unseen; rather than on the doctor's predictions, and the images of the heart that is not functioning as it should - this is just what is seen, and it is temporary. I am ETERNAL! 

 I am the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were! Be like Abraham, who against all hope, in hope believed in the Promise I had given him. He did not waver through unbelief regarding My Promise, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to Me, being fully persuaded that I had the power to do what I had promised. (Romans 4:17-21)

 Keep on placing your Hope securely in the Truth of who I AM. I AM the God who performs miracles! (Psalm 77:14)