God is so amazing in that everything He does is so wonderful. Long before you even have any idea what He has in mind, His plan is simply for our good. Oh, if we would truly grasp this truth in our hearts. Grab ahold of it so tightly that it would literally be imprinted there. God is only good and all His plans for me are only good too! Even when it doesn't feel good and even when it doesn't look good. He never changes and He is only good.

​​​​For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting. His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations. Psalm 100:5 AMPC

​I want to share something through this month's blog about how wonderful it is to be in God's will for your life. Yes, He has an intricately designed plan for your life, your family, and the dreams He placed in you. He also knows the exact due time for it all to happen​​​ and more than we even know, our God is the one in control. Think that is too far out there to be true for everyone of His children?

​​For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Jeremiah 29:11 AMPC
​
​For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]

​​We can't argue with that truth. God has a plan and that plan is for our utmost good. We miss out on so much of what our lives were meant to be by not knowing the truths hidden in His word. You see, this was so much of what I longed for in my life before I came to Christ and I am so thankful to know the truth today. There are some amazing benefits to walking in the truth of God's word. Let me give you a couple examples.

1. There is peace and joy in God's will. Jesus alone is called the Prince of peace and walking with the Lord is living in His peace. The scriptures tell us that there is the fullness of joy in His presence. When  we are walking intimately with the Lord we will experience both peace and joy that He alone can give us.

​2. There is Provision in His will. The Bible tells us in 2 Peter 1:3 that His divine power has bestowed upon us ​all things that [are requisite and suited to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). Everything we need for this life is given to us through knowing Jesus Christ! There are many other scriptures that state all God's provision and I encourage you to study that out for yourself if you are lacking any of his provision in your own life. He has taken care of it all!

3. There is confirmation and encouragement in His will.  Did you know that more than you want to live out God's purpose for your life that He wants you to?  It is true precious child of His. He wants you to have His very best and will guide you every moment of everyday that you don't miss out on one wonderful thing He has planned for you. I'll share a quite amazing story about God's right on time confirmation.  After my family and I were moved here a little over a month ago, the Lord began to impress upon my heart that it was time to begin the Women's ministry. We had an unorganized home, just started homeschool, and needless to say my life was in a bit of chaos. How in the world could this be the time Lord? Shouldn't I wait until things calm down or at least get organized? Nope. God said go and my response should have been yes Lord. Well, one night my husband and I are sitting on the couch and the Lord said "Gideon" to me. So, Frankie opens up the Bible and starts reading Gideon chapter 6 to me after I told him what the Lord had said. If you don't know that chapter it is about Gideon and the fleece.
​God had told Gideon what to do and Gideon had asked for a sign. And of course God in His loving kindness did what Gideon had asked him to do. Twice. I got it at that point that I was fearful of the timing, and needed more assurance about being in His will. Then, the very next morning I'm talking to my Pastor Robin through texting, when suddenly the Lord told her to go to Gideon and she began to read the exact same place! It was an amazing moment that God revealed it was Him. That He would be with us and that He had called us. We were both in awe of our good good Father who even understood our hesitations, questions, and at times doubts. He will assure you and encourage you in His will.

​So how do we walk in this place with Him where there is peace, joy, provision, confirmation, and encouragement? The Bible talks about it being His good and perfect will, and it is available to all His children. Let's look at the scripture that describes this truth.

​Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God TRANSFORM you into a new person by CHANGING the way you THINK. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLV

​I'm often surprised by the number of people I meet that desire to know God's will for there lives and yet do not spend time in the word for themselves. You are cheating yourself out of God's very best plan for your life by not spending time in the truth of His word. I would even say, how much of God's goodness have you missed out on by not investing in yourself?  We know we need natural food three times a day and never miss a meal but I wonder how often do we neglect our spiritual selves from feasting in His word? This is not to be harsh or condemn but rather to uplift and encourage you that now is the time to get in His word like never before. There are such amazing things ahead for the Body of Christ and we had better have our swords sharpened for seizing our promises and occupying our lands!!!

​There is no other place I would rather be than with the Lord. And whether that journey leads me to sell my home and move into an apartment with my family on the third floor or rather take steps into the unknown, I know that being with Him is what I desire more than anything. Being in His will can't be explained to the natural senses but you will know His peace and you will have His joy and there is nothing like that. There is no place like being home, and home is with the Lord. The disciples were home with Him on there journey with the Lord Jesus. They didn't have homes and some didn't even have families. Quite often the Lord had told them not to bring anything on their journey with Him. I wonder how much we hold onto at times, when the life that God has for us is so amazing on the other side of our letting go. We have to truly understand that success is a life spent with Him, wherever He may lead us. There is peace, joy, provision, and the greatest fulfillment we could ever have in walking with Him. I hope that you are encouraged to let go and go where He is going in this season of your life. Trust me when I say there is no place like home. There is no place like being with the Lord.

​I would love to hear from you. How is the Lord stretching you in this season to trust more or go where only He knows? Share any comments or testimonies!

No one that I have ever met really enjoys a waiting room. Not one bit. In a world where everything can be instant, like instant coffee and instant mashed potatoes, there are still somethings that cannot be done instantly. You cannot force purpose and you cannot force growth. You can try and go ahead of God, but that didn't work out too well for Abraham who gave way to Ishmael, and it won't work out well for you either. Just like you don't want to get ahead of Him you don't want to fall behind either. You could talk to both David and Jonah who would tell you that whatever He says to do, just do it. Trust me. You would be wise to avoid the many storms, mistakes, and not so successful endeavors they both had to walk through. There journey's recorded in the scriptures are not to shame them but to teach us to follow after Him in every moment of our lives. Something that at times we will all fail to do. Thank you Jesus for His grace and His mercy! 

For those who stayed the course when they didn't want to wait. For those who didn't jump ahead through the difficult places. For those who desired to walk with Him more than there own comfort are now being called forward. Picture yourself if you will sitting in a waiting room. Maybe it's a doctor's appointment, a meeting with someone, or a really important interview. Which one you imagine doesn't really matter. Your sitting there, patiently waiting for your name to be called, maybe you are reading a magazine when all of a sudden the door swings wide open. You see a man standing there with a clipboard and then he calls out your name. The moment you had been waiting for is finally here! Your name is being called and the waiting is over!!

The time of waiting, preparing, and getting everything ready is almost over. A mother who is expecting her child doesn't get ready when the due date arrives, no she prepares in advance for the joy of her baby's arrival. We, just like that mother, must be ready for the coming days ahead! It will be too late to prepare for abundance when the abundance is here, it will be too late to learn time management when the overflow has come, and it will be too late to prepare a place for the baby when the baby arrives. You must prepare now! Make plans for the Harvest you see with your spiritual eyes! Seek the Lord and make the plans! Then do them!

We must get ready now, be ready, and stay ready.

Listen to the words of truth in 1 Peter 3:15 (NLT)

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. 2 Timothy 4:2 NLT

Another version says whether in season or not, be ready.

If we waste the preparation time with idleness we will not be ready to seize our moment when the moment arrives. I must say it is coming fast! The church's greatest hours and days are just ahead. As I write this I sense a strong urgency in my heart and spirit that acceleration is now here! The things you have been putting off, not taking seriously, or even at times delaying must be done. The distractions that have kept you down are being cleared! What obstacles that have hindered and even delayed your progress are being completely removed!! Yes, there is still time on His calendar in this Jubilee year for releasing you into His greatest plans and purposes! 

The word for this season is Finish! Time to finish what was started days, weeks, and even years ago for some of us! Do not put off the things in your heart anymore! Seek God for the first steps into it and take them! Take them in the face of fear, take them in the confrontation with your weaknesses, and take them when the enemy is screaming doubt and failure! The Lord says faith and success be yours! Remember, that what the enemy speaks is only lies, so realize the truth is the opposite of what he is saying! If the enemy is screaming defeat then declare your victory! If he is intimidating you with failure then declare your success and the victory that has been won for you and for all of us!

Many will begin to declare and reveal the season we are heading into this Hebrew year of 5777!! With seven being the number of divine completion, it is no wonder why I hear so strongly that we must finish, finish, finish. The projects and assignments the Lord gave you must be finished! Pick up your dreams and visions and wipe the dust from them! You haven't missed Him or wasted time,  because it's all on time with His time and heaven's calendar. Nothing that you faced, endured, or went through will be wasted! He will use it all because His purposes are perfect. Who can fathom His amazing and intricate plans?

Just like I heard the Lord say to me recently, I am saying to you...Are you ready? 

If you are ready then what are you waiting for? The Lord has granted you favor, equipped you for the call, and anointed you for His assignments. If you would say I am not quite ready or I''m not ready! Then, now is the time to get ready!!

God is redeeming our years, our lives, and our purposes! Nothing has been lost that will not see much gain in the years ahead...He has only multiplied it in ways you couldn't imagine! Are you ready? Are you ready Church? The call has been made loud and clear, and the answer is in you! It is in us, the Bride of Christ, the Living and breathing Body of Christ, and the all powerful Kingdom of God!!

The waiting room of purpose is no more and the call has been made! Hear Him calling your name forward because He is calling for His bride to meet with Him and to join Him in His labor of love. What does He see? What is on His heart for this time? That none, not one shall perish...that is a mission that will require every one of us living out our uniquely designed, God given role. Are you ready?

In light of the next Feast Day that is upon us, I felt impressed of the Lord to share about the glorious season. It is time to get our hopes up and let discouragement and disappointments fall away, our season is changing and what is next will be glorious. The Lord gave me glimpse of it last Sunday morning during worship. First, I fell prostrate in awe of seeing the Glory of God pouring into the streets and then I began to laugh from my inner most being.

Get everything ready for His visitation and habitation with His Church that bust out into the streets, cities, and communities worldwide! The climate and atmosphere has changed and the climate is ripe with Harvest!!! Bountiful, glorious, and fruitfulness is the new climate!! Another name for this feast Shavuot we are entering is also called Feast of Harvest!!!

Why visitations and habitation? Because on Sivan 5, Saturday June 11 we celebrate our betrothal with God. In Jewish history this was the time that God took His new nation Israel as His beloved people and they in turn received Him as their one and only true God. What does this have to do with you and I? Everything! We were grafted in and are a new nation, a Holy Nation and His Royal Bride!! The beautiful bride that He will we'd upon His return for us, the wedding feast that we will partake with the Lord for all eternity.

You have already received His engagement and promise of this glorious day through the receiving of the Holy Spirit. When we begin to understand this, we take His name as our name and all He has is ours. Not because we deserve but because of His love and the gift we have received. All that is His is yours and all that He gave we give back in service to Him because He first loved us. What a beautiful season to celebrate! What a moment of intimacy between our God who gave everything for us. I pray you spend this weekend setting apart time to be with your Beloved King. He is waiting to meet with you, fill you, and pour at more of His love as you refresh your love and devotion to Him.

I want to share a moment with the Lord prior to our new Hebrew year that began in April. It was a vision that I waited to hear the Lord say now my daughter. I believe the time is now.

I was standing and there were flames of fire everywhere. I watched as I and many others began to pick up the fire, it didn't burn us. We then began to throw the fire as if it were balls a fire out to the many people as far as my eyes could see. I watched as the fire would hit the people's hearts and then the flames engulfed them. As their entire selves were consumed, they were transformed into fiery lions. I watched as they took off running. They then ran and joined other fire lions. I watched as they each combined and grew with every fiery lion.

The Lord then showed me a perspective of the world and I could see sparks of light all over. The Lord said to me..."She is ignited" The Lord then showed me His throne...I watched as the United, huge, and fiery lion transform into the most beautiful bride...her dress glistened, her eyes bright blue, her hair long locks of dark colored hair. The Lord reached for her hand and she in turn reached for him...I watched as the Lord placed a ring of a diamond heart upon her left hand ring finger. Jesus stepped out to embrace her, He took her hand and began to dance with her. I then saw Him lean close to her ear and He spoke these words...I love you. I will protect you from this hour. You will now arise for my glory. I have CALLED, DRESSED, and ANOINTED you for this time. No more fear beloved, no more delay, it's time to take your place, and my strength, my might, my power, and glory will be displayed. Now go and I'll be waiting to receive as my own for all eternity. I watched as he kissed her cheek. She then turned to go and transformed into the lion of fire, commissioned by her Lord whom she loved.

I opened my eyes to record everything as it was fresh in my heart and mind. The Lord then told me..when I say when. What is exciting is He said now!!

There is so much more to come!! The season of dancing, reaping, and fulfilled promises is come!! It's here, it's now!! Let your hearts be revived and let your hopes arise!! No more delay...it is YOUR new day and brand new season!! Let your heart be ignited as a refreshing begins to pour out upon the dry and barren soils of our hearts and lands!

Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of Glory shall come in. Who is this King of Glory?

The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of Glory shall come in.

Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.

(Psalms 24:7-10 NKJV)

What I want to share is not an easy task. I have learned that these moments are usually the ones that help someone the most. It's in the times that we bare our broken hearts or we reveal our own inner struggles that we are able to help others. What if in our transparency someone else's heart is mended or better yet, what if they receive hope in the feeling of not being alone in their struggle. A friend of mine recently reminded me of a real raw truth, one I needed to remember. We cannot feel sorry for ourselves because we are all in the struggle and we all have the same enemy. What truth were those words! 

Recently my struggle came up from the deepest parts of my heart, a place I didn't want to visit  but the Lord was putting his finger right on that place in my heart. I could feel the pull. The tension. The real emotion. I could feel it and yet I didn't understand why I was still struggling. Haven't I healed in this place Lord? How many times must I confront this.. "As many as it takes" He whispered. Whole. Healed. That is His desire for us. For you. For me.

To understand my struggle I want to share how it came about..and yes this does have a good ending.

Almost 6 months ago the Lord spoke to my husband and I to sale our home and move to Ft Worth. We have had a season of hardships since he first spoke those words. Promotion loss, financial struggles, difficulties with my vehicle and the list could go on. Not understanding the process or knowing our next steps we continued on and the Lord, in His grace, and through His many children helped us to just keep going. We prayed, we cried, we wanted to go back at times but yet He encouraged us to press on with wonderful promises continually on this journey. Finally, at the end of a two week period alone I wept on my bedroom floor. I wept like I hadn't in a long long time. But why? I trusted His word. I could see Him at work in my life but yet I still struggled. I struggled that God would actually do what He said. I knew that He could but I struggled that He would...for me. There it was so clearly. I had heard the lies but rather than hold to the truth I remained numb. I had felt I could take no more. I could feel it no more and oh how it hurt. It was right there in that broken hearted state that I cried out to Him and He answered me. The Lord spoke to me and said the words I had waited to hear break through the silence. What was going on? We had obeyed. We had done all that He asked. Every step. Every thing He said we listened and responded. We went and desired to know that we could trust Him even when we could not see.

That's when He spoke, in what appeared to be a dark night, was actually a moment of deeper still. More wholeness. More healing. More trust. More closeness. So much more.

"Daughter this isn't about whether I will take care of you or provide all that you need. You know my word. You know that truth. This is about you knowing me as your Daddy who truly wants the best for you. To trust me as your Daddy is to trust my plan as the best for you even when you can't see it. Even when you do not understand. Trust your Daddy." And then the tears. The pain of not having a Daddy to care for me or to protect me. I cried and cried. I bawled in my husbands arms as I told him that I still struggle. When will I not struggle? Then I allowed all the feelings to surface from this season, all the tears were indeed healing this place in my heart even more. I began to laugh as I realized this is good. This is good! This feels good! This is healing tears!! My husband jokingly said to me, "so we have happy tears, sad tears I know and now healing tears!" I said yes, apparently so because I feel much better.

We then prayed through that time together. I released bitterness I still felt deep down. I hated the fact that I don't have a Daddy who truly cares and that my children may not ever have him as a grandfather. It still hurts. It hurts when I least expect it to. It hurts in those moments I want to avoid.. I had to be completely honest with God, that at times I want what my daughters and son have. A daddy who loves them so much. But oh I do!! I have my Daddy God and I was seeing it so much clearer than before, deeper than before. More Lord. More. 

Let me share how He showed me in a very personal moment.  I had recently gone to donate blood for my family even though the needle hurt and my bruised arm was very sore. I tried to anyway, but couldn't follow through because of the weakness in my arm since being injured in a fall. I started to panic as I sat in the chair and silently prayed, I could feel my eyes starting to water from the pain. "ok Lord, just get me out of this." This was not a good idea at all. Trying to take care of yourself doesn't work out when God wants to take care of you. All of sudden my chair's system broke down and the alarm starts going off. They come over to tell me I couldn't continue today but that they would still pay me for the day. God saved me!! Well later that week as the Lord was talking to me about knowing Him as my daddy, He said this to me "You love your family so much that you would go and give your own blood to help them,even when it hurts. I love you more than that. I love you so much that I did give my own blood for you through my Son Jesus. In an unbearable way I poured out my life for you. If I love you that much, just know and trust that I have the best for you. I will take care of you always." Always. Yes He loves me and Yes He will. Not just that He can but that He will! I get it Lord, you are the Daddy I always wanted. The Daddy I always needed. The Daddy I always had. I don't have to struggle, I just have to be still and know that You are God. And that amazing, faithful, strong, and loving God is also my Daddy. One who loves me so much that there is nothing He wouldn't do for me. After all He already did it all. Yes Daddy you will, because you already did. Yes Daddy you will, because you love me. Thank you Daddy. I want to know you even more.Thank you for the truth in the struggle. I love you so much. 

You see, you and I have a Daddy that loves us so much. Whether you had a loving earthly father or not makes no difference. There is no comparison to Him and there is no comparison to His love. Rest knowing that yes He can and yes He will, do all He said He would,simply because He loves you that much.

So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how MUCH MORE will your Heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. Matthew 7:11 NLT.

Our FATHER in heaven may your name be kept holy. Matthew 6:9 NLT

"Shall I bring to the time of birth, and not cause delivery?" says the Lord.

"Shall I who cause delivery shut up the womb?" Says your God.

"Rejoice with Jerusalem,

And be glad with her, all you who love her;

Rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn for her; that you may feed and be satisfied with the consolation of her bosom, that you may drink deeply and be delighted with the abundance of her glory." (Isaiah 66:9-11)




I was praying with a friend recently and as we were praying the Lord began to remind me of something He told me. He spoke of how we would be birthing soon ( read blog on Esther from January to understand) He then spoke that our next season would be all about Breathing and pushing because it is time to deliver the promise. It was that moment during prayer that the scripture above came forth as well. He spoke over and over to "Breathe and Push".




If you are a mother you can completely understand all that happens during the amazing moment of birth. The stages, all the feelings and all the myriad of emotions one will go through during the miracle of birth. Before I share what God has put in my heart for September I want to ask you some questions that will help you discover and identify if you are in your birthing moment!




Ask yourself:

Is there unusual warfare in many different areas of my life right now?




Do you feel you are being stretched in different ways...opportunities that seem bigger than you, stretched in your beliefs, abilities, skills, faith, and/or resources? Is God stretching you beyond where you have currently been, are now, or have known?




This next one is important, are you wrestling with being full of faith and confidence one moment to confronting fears, doubts, discouragement and uncertainty the next? 




You are in a moment of birthing the promises of God and are contending face to face with fear, doubt, and intimidation. There is a giant sitting right on your promise! If you do NOT give up you will be walking in Gods promises to you and those with you!!




So let's talk about what is going on by understanding it in the natural and applying it to the spiritual. Did you know the most difficult stage of labor and delivery of a baby is actually called transition? It's true!! It is the moment the mother transitions from being 7cm dilated to a full 10!! She is then told you are ready to push, to deliver and bring forth your baby. Listen to what transition is all about from a midwife and think about the circumstances and situations you are presently going through.




TRANSITION: The most intense phase of labor




Transition is the storm before the calm of the pushing stage. It is the hardest part of birthing but also the shortest part. It is here that the mothers focus might falter. This is also the stage that women may doubt their ability to birth the baby and will request relief from pain. They may worry about how long labor will last and how much more intense it will become. It is at this time that the birth companion must be vigilant to her emotional needs and be her voice of soothing comfort and reason. They must help her to remain focused. She will feel intense peaking contractions, intense pressure, irritability, uncontrollable shaking from pain. There are also many more things she may or may not experience.




Did you feel the intensity of the moment or did you recall your own birthing pain experience? Let's get the full picture of what happens during transition and believe me I know.  I gave birth naturally with three of my children at a birthing center with a midwife I trust and love dearly. ( Yes it was crazy but in my heart I wanted to experience it and the quick natural recovery was wonderful). So if you have ever taken a birthing class you will remember them taking about how important your focus will be and how breathing during this moment is very important.. They told you that if you focus on the pain it will intensify the pain. It actually causes more tension thus more pain. The breathing they teach you to do I n the class's I'll help keep you and your body calm and at peace so to speak. This is the stage of birth most mothers are faced with doubts and fear of being able to finish the intense work of what is required of them. 




The notorious " I can't" or "I can't do this" and feelings of overwhelming doubt are faced and fought through. I was discussing this when a dear friend reminded me how she recalled there being a moment the mother reaches, where she knows with absolute certainty that this baby is coming no matter what!! It's almost like she wakes up or receives a second wind to push through every bit of the pain. The coach will usually remind her "it's almost time to push and then you'll be holding your precious baby soon" this helps to encourage her to keep on going when she wants to quit. The baby she has carried, nurtured, and allowed to develop for nine very long months! Nothing will stop this Mama from bringing forth her precious baby now! Nothing. 




Do you now see and understand what the Lord was saying and how our next season we will need to breathe and push? What is He saying? Thi season will be intense with much difficulty, painful circumstances, stretching, and uncomfortable situations at the same time it is glorious because you are birthing your promises!! You will either focus on the pain of the promise or the beauty of holding your miracle right in your hands!! Glory to God!!! It is so much bigger than you and me!! This birth is the birth of a corporate baby, the beautiful, glimmering, and glorious Body of Christ!! She is at this time awakening and about to receive her second wind in which nothing and I mean nothing will stop this Mother from delivering her baby!! Have you heard a lot about the roar of the lion or the sound of the lion? This is the intense emotion of this mama at her delivery moment!! Her baby is coming!! The Lord's baby is coming forth!!




Beloved sons and daughters of His the only way through this transition is through! Get in His word like never before, pray as you have never before prayed, gather with your brothers and sisters in one accord, and get ready because our time of delivery is coming and has come!! Study The feasts and Jubilee the year we are entering, know what time it is, and realize that Christ in you is the hope the world needs and needs desperately. You and I have a responsibility for the truth we know that has set us free and ultimately has set all mankind free!! Breathe with your coach the Holy Spirit and push in the power of the Holy Spirit!! Nothing is or will be impossible for us with God who is leading us forward!!



Our Focus: Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.



Our Strength: Zechariah 4:6 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts.



Our Prize: Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the heavenly prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.



Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.



Until next time forward ADVANCE, knowing all of Heaven is on our side to bring forth His plans, purpose, and every promise. It is our time of delivery!!

Last night as I lay wide awake in my bed after midnight The Lord began to speak to me about the current Hebrew month we are in. The name of the month is Av which means "Father" in Hebrew. The symbol of this month is the lion. Who is this Lion? The Lion of the tribe of Judah!

I believe that many of us in the body are in the midst of major transitions and changes. We are in the midst of having left how it was and not yet in what will be. This can be very uncomfortable and at times frustrating unless you continue to lean upon the Father and His everlasting arms of love. What we know for sure is we cannot go back. We cannot return to what was, we cannot go back to the bondages He has freed us from, we cannot shrink back in fear, and we must press on. Think of the prophet who burned the plows to follow. It's time to burn the plows of no return. The only way to go is forward!

This scripture has been burning in my heart lately and I love the amplified version;

And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by FORCE ( as a precious prize-a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and INTENSE exertion). Matthew 11:12

The highlighted words were what was emphasized as I was reading these verses. The Lion is roaring within against injustice, against the wrongs in the world around us, and in our lives. You see when you know the truth of heaven on earth you cannot accept what is not as it should be. You will begin to sense that trembling within you even now roaring against pain, poverty, abuse, injustice, and corruption. Let the sound come forth! This month allow the Lord to show you the wrongs that He created you to solve. A key in finding this is in your righteous anger. What moves you? What changes do you long to see? What makes you angry?

I will share some of mine in hopes that you find yours. I cannot accept human trafficking. It bothers me that kids go to sleep everywhere with no food. I cannot accept the reality of statistics of broken families in and out of the church are close to the same. This should not be! It cannot!!

The Lion within you is awakening and roaring! He will not accept this! Oh how our current condition grieves His heart.

In Av the month of the two temples destruction and a time of mourning, we must mourn for our current condition and no longer accept this. It's time to draw a line in the sand of no more. No more complacency, no more lack of prayer, no more lukewarm, and no more the way it has been!

Stand bold and courageous as lions declaring as Joshua did;

As for me and my house we WILL serve The Lord. Joshua 24:15

Rest in the arms of the loving Father. If you are anything like me and didn't grow up with a father to protect and provide for you, know that in this month of Av, God is going deep into that place to bring healing. Your Daddy will protect you, will provide for you, and wrap you in His arms. Your Daddy will take care of you because He loves you so much. I am resting in His love and may you also rest in His love.

I look up to the mountains does my help come from there? My help comes from The Lord, who made heaven and earth! Psalm 121:1,2

I want to close with a beautiful reminder of our responsibility to follow Christ no matter the cost. May this all be our confession as we go forward in what may seem unknown to us,but The Father knows what He plans to do. Our Daddy can fix this, Our Daddy is able, and Our Daddy loves us too much to leave us the same.

I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; no turning back, no turning back.

Though none go with me, I will still follow; though none go with me, I will still follow; though none go with me, I will still follow; no turning back, no turning back.

My cross I'll carry, till I see Jesus; my cross I'll carry, till I see Jesus; my cross I'll carry, till I see Jesus; no turning back, no turning back.

The world behind me, the cross before me; the world behind me, the cross before me; the world behind me, the cross before me; no turning back, no turning back.

4But now the Lord says: Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you,says the Lord of Heaven's Armies. 5 My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid.'6 "For this is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the oceans and the dry land. 7 I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will be brought to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the Lord of Heaven's Armies. 8 The silver is mine and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Heaven's Armies. 9 The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the Lord of Heaven's Armies. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the Lord of Heaven's Armies, have spoken!"

As I was praying and seeking the Lord this week He began to show me two things. The first was a vision that was repeated again this week and the next was a physical manifestation of trembling in my body. As I prayed my body began to shake and tremble and the words shaking all things, I'm shaking My Church, and the Eternal will remain was uttered. The Lord began to show me a vision of Himself sweeping through the Churches and flipping the tables over. I watched as many of the tables were turned over and continued to spin from the force of the Lord. He then turned to look deeply into my eyes and He spoke these words "because I love her" I was so touched by the Lords love for His beloved Bride. Please hear His heart for us, It is His love for us that will compel us to move, that's calling us higher, that's beckoning us to go deeper still.

In the scripture above two things stood out to me like the Lord put a highlighter to the words. The first was get to work and the second was be strong. This shaking is coming to remove the complacency of our comfortable, stable, and lukewarm lives. The Lord would rather you be hot or cold but not lukewarm! I know it's not easy to hear but it is needed. Don't you remember the moment you first encountered His love and freedom? Don't you remember the dreams you and Him dreamed up together! Don't you remember your zeal for Him? How that He was the first one you said good morning to and then the last one you said goodnight to!! He misses you and your passion for Him, just as much as you miss Him. You let the dreams fade and have settled for good enough! But the greatness He is calling you to is not about you!! Get up and go! You hear Him calling you, you see what He is showing you but yet you stay. Why? The risk, the sacrifice, the work required? Oh Lord come shake us from our selfish, self sufficient, and self centered lives! I have seen it in my own life and the Lord shook me up and left a limp in my heart that cannot be removed. Go the easy way, trust me on that.

I'm not wrestling this time. Let me invite you into some personal shaking of my own. Four months ago the Lord spoke to my husband and I saying "Go to Ft Worth and give me your house, this is an old dream,and I have new dreams for you now. First of all let me just say, I did not plan on spending my Summer getting my house ready for sale or the soon coming packing process. I did not plan on moving from my home after being here for 8 years! This was a brand new home when we bought it, a dream fulfilled, and a place full of memories. Hear me now? Oh but the call of His voice and the love in His gentle words penetrating my heart" Come and follow me." And so we Go because we love Him so.

Where are we going Lord? How will we get there Lord? When will we get there Lord?

I will show you the way. For I know the plans I have for you...

Be strong Bride of Christ and get up and Go where He is calling, where He is leading, wherever He may go. And remember that His word to us is unchanging in that He still says and means that according to Hebrews 10:38 And my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back."

It's time to be shaken from complacency, to be strong in the Lord and His might, and get to work!

As I spent some time with the Lord today on the first day of the month of June the Lord began to share something that I knew I needed to share as well. First I want to share with you my Pentecost evening, which was amazing to say the least! And if you aren't tuned into our Sunday Soak gatherings, you are truly missing out! Ok, so after a six week corporate fast, our group were to gather together on the eve of Pentecost to pray and end our fast. The Lord had instructed me that this was the evening that He wanted me to share an open vision I had on March of 2004! I won't be sharing that on here today but rather giving you some background for what this blog will be about. I will however be sharing the message of the vision as He leads me. We as a group ended that evening with a word from the Lord. We were to say good bye to our last seven years and usher in our next seven years on an altar of remembrance. Here is what we did; we wrote out on paper our last seven years of struggles, hardships, trials, and pains. We then took the papers and burned them. We watched them become a pile of ashes. We all in this moment felt a cleansing, a healing taken place in our hearts and minds. It was a Beautiful moment. I want to encourage you to do this with your family or with friends. Today is the first day of the month of June, a mid year month. This is a perfect time to begin again.

It was for me personally a moment of gratitude as I reflected upon His love and faithfulness despite the heartaches. My last seven years were some of the most difficult times in my life. From financial struggles, depression, knee pain from injury, pain, and storms of all kinds mentally and emotionally. I was very happy to say good bye but also very thankful to be standing full of hope. Nothing I had gone through had taken my hope for brighter days!! That is something to be thankful for.

The next day was Memorial Day and the Lord wanted me to continue reading in Joshua. He wanted to show me that what had happened was a symbolic and prophetic act. I love how detailed and amazing our God is! In Joshua 4 the Lord had led the children of Israel to make a memorial of the crossing of the Jordan. If you have been reading my blog you already know that we as a body have crossed over too! Let's read this together.

Then you shall let your children know, saying, "Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land; for the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever. " (Joshua 4:22-24 NKJV)

Just prior to the nation of Israel going into their promise land, the Lord had them to build a memorial of twelve stones. This was to be to them an altar of remembrance. A moment to stop and reflect on God's goodness and faithfulness in their journey. This is what we as a group were doing on the Memorial Day weekend!

The next thing the Lord wanted to show me was found through studying the life of David. In 2 Samuel we see how David sinned greatly in taking a census and was to offer sacrifices to the Lord. He did this in hopes that the Lord might turn His judgment pronounced upon the nation of Israel through David's sin. David then purchases the threshing floor in which He may offer costly sacrifices to the Lord.

That day Gad came to David and said to him, " Go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite." So David went up to do what the Lord has commanded him...David built an altar to the Lord and sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings. And the Lord answered his prayer for the land, and the plague on Israel wa stopped. (2 Samuel 24:18-25 NLT)

After there is a burning up of sacrifices there are ashes. I tell you this to bring you to the next point. The foundation of the temple of God was built upon the ashes of Davids sacrifices. Let's read this!

Now Solomon began to build the house of The Lord at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to His father David, at the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, the site that David had selected. (2 Chronicles 3:1 NLT)

Did you see it? The construction of the temple of God was built upon the ashes of David's sacrifices to the Lord! The very foundation of the temple of God, the place of His residing presence and Glory was upon the pile of David's ashes of sacrifice.

And so My dear Beloved it will be spoken of you. You are the temple of God today, the place of His residing and indwelling Presence. The glory of God will be seen upon the ashes of your sacrifice. What are your ashes? The burning up of your old life, your self life, your plans, your desires, and your way to take up your cross daily in following Him. God is about to take from every place of pain and sacrifice and bring forth much fruit!! Oh hear my heart, His heart! Every place of struggle, every place of heartache is about to be fruitful and blossoming!! Yes, there are about to be tears of Joy!! Justice for the children of God! Long awaited promises fulfilled!! Get ready to dance upon the ashes!! This scripture is burning in my heart for the people of God who have crossed over.

To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them BEAUTY FOR ASHES, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of Praise for the Spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that HE may be GLORIFIED." ( Is. 61:3 NKJV)

What does your next seven years look like? Glorious, bountiful, fruitful, and abundant!! More on that next time.