SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND

ARCHIVES

December 31, 2004:  Be silent, all flesh, in the presence of the Living God.  Quiet your soul and seek to enter the glory by way of the Cross.  You cannot get beyond the Cross into resurrection life without first laying down your life in the flesh.  Resurrection only comes after the death and burial.  The carnal life must fall like a seed to the earth and die before it can produce a spiritual harvest.  Now is the time to seek life in the Spirit and to move beyond life in the flesh. 

December 30, 2004:  Move ahead with great confidence in My ability to give you the courage and wisdom to face every challenge.  Your experiences will forge you into a mighty weapon of war.  Certainly you are My battle ax, and with you I will tear down strongholds and destroy kingdoms of darkness.  Be strong and very courageous.  I will cause you to wield the sword of My word with sharp accuracy and great power.  Be ready at all times, says the Lord, for the battle will intensify.  But, you are well able to gain the victory. 

December 29, 2004:  Rise up above the troubles of the past and leave behind those things that have been  incapacitating to you.  Refuse to allow anything to disable you emotionally.  It is time to redirect your energies and re-establish your spiritual goals.  I am with you to bring healing to your soul and hope to your spirit, but you must release those things that have crippled you or caused you to falter in your walk with Me, says the Lord.  Mount up by faith on wings like eagles, rise above the things of the earth, and catch a fresh vision of My purposes for you.  Isaiah 40:31  "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."

December 28, 2004:  Beloved, the days have been hectic and the distractions numerous.  Take time now to come into My rest and be strengthened, restored, and renewed.  Cast your cares upon Me, and trust that I will bring those things that have been troubling to you to a conclusion.  Do not be afraid, and do not worry about the days ahead.  Just seek My face today and be at peace.  I will certainly give you wisdom and direct your steps.  Stop striving and rest!  Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

December 27, 2004:  You have been in the fire.  You have been tested.  You have been tried, but I say that you have been found faithful.  I have found you to be strong, and you have come through the fire.  I will encourage you in the days ahead and strengthen you further.  You will be victorious in all that you set your hand to do, says the Lord, for I am with you.

December 24, 2004:  Stand in awe of the great plan of redemption and be reminded of your great salvation, for this is the bedrock of your faith.  Your life and purpose are established on the solid rock of the revelation of Jesus Christ.  Refuse to be distracted from this firm foundation of your  citizenship in the kingdom of God.  Keep your heart pure and your focus clear.  Life will spring forth in miraculous ways as you embrace the King and His word.  Believe and proclaim His promises, says the Spirit of the Lord.

December 23, 2004:  The circumstances that you face at this time seem totally out of your control, but take comfort in knowing that even though these things seem out of your reach, I am still in control, says the Lord.  Nothing that is happening is a surprise to Me, nor do I fear the outcome.  Let your faith be stretched to trust Me in the midst of this trial.  Do not be afraid.  This too shall pass, and when you finally look back at this time, you will recognize that these challenges were necessary to bring maturity and strength where insecurity had been your accepted norm.

December 22, 2004:  Your transitional time is ending.  Prepare yourself  spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically to move into the next phase of your life.  Go forth with an open mind and heart, ready to face everything that comes your way with a firm and foundational trust in Me, says the Lord.  There is no way to fix or resurrect elements of your past; you must release your failures and disappointments before you move ahead.  I tell you the truth, I am calling you to higher ground spiritually, and if you yield to My influence, you will be delighted with the liberty and joy that follows.

December 21, 2004:  Set a watch for a lying spirit that comes in the guise of fantasy.  Be aware that fantasy always produces disappointment.  Take your stand on the rock of kingdom truth, and let that eternal truth permeate every facet of your being.  When you allow either optimism or pessimism to rule your attitude you will find yourself on a roller-coaster ride emotionally.  Do what you can to remain calm and stay steady as you maintain eternal perspective.  Isaiah 58:11  "The LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail."

December 20, 2004:  Freely you have received; freely give, says the Lord.  Just as freely and readily as you have received all that I have prepared and given to you, you must also give with great joy and generosity.  Beloved, I want you to develop the same attitude in giving as you do in receiving.  Remember that everything that you have, I own; it is all Mine.  Become a vessel through which My resources can flow into and out of freely and without hindrance.  Let the blessings flow!

December 17, 2004:  I call to you, My people, to come up higher.  Rise up and seek My face.  Do not put your trust in men, money, or methods.  Put your hope and trust in Me alone, says the Lord, for I will not disappoint you.  I have laid up  a crown a righteousness for those who endure in faith and put their trust in Me.  Walk in the way of truth, and do not be distracted with trivial pursuits.  Refocus your energies and regain eternal perspective.  These are matters of life and death.  Deuteronomy 30:19 "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live."

December 16, 2004:  Issues of the soul must be dealt with before you can progress any further.  I speak to many who have pinned their hope on false expectations.  Part of what you thought you heard in the spirit was from Me, says the Lord, but it got distorted by your own desires and motivations.  Your foundation, therefore, was built partly on the rock of revelation and partly on the sand of presumption.  It will now become abundantly clear which was which, and you must release those things that have been swept away by the recent storms and begin again.  Part of the process of releasing is to recognize your error, repent, and let go of your disappointments and discouragement.  Do not stubbornly cling to the false hopes which have been dashed, for they will only produce sorrow. 

December 15, 2004:  This is the beginning of a new era, and you will look back at this important time as being very memorable and pivotal to your spiritual growth and understanding.  The days behind you  will seem as though you had been looking at everything through a filter as compared to the clarity with which you will see, understand, and discern in the days that are before you.   Life in the flesh has been like trying to walk through molasses, but this is a time of spiritual awakening and a time when you will experience greater hunger to live and walk in the Spirit.  Colossians 3:2 "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."

December 14, 2004:  Do not be afraid!  You do not know what tomorrow brings, but you can know that I will unfold your days and give you the wisdom to walk through them.  I will keep you as the apple of My eye and hide you under the shadow of My wings.  Trust Me to direct your steps and give you the strength to overcome every obstacle.  More than ever this is a time to make Me your partner in life, says the Lord.

December 13, 2004:  Beloved, you have taken some bold steps in the direction of liberty in spite of your instinct to try to stay hidden and covered.  And, it was good.  I encourage you to continue in this new momentum that will continue to bring freedom as you fling off the old attitudes that have kept you bound and self-conscious.  This new boldness will produce anointing and victory where insecurity once reigned. 

December 10, 2004:  Prepare for a sudden parting of the clouds of doom and despair, for surely I will show you the way through an open door that brings light and peace.  Put your faith in My ability and willingness to bring you through your trouble.  And, rejoice in the lessons learned in the Valley of Baca (weeping), for they will serve you well in the days before you.  Rejoice in My wisdom, provision, healing and blessing, but remember Matthew 6:33 "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you."

December 9, 2004:  Behold, I am bringing you to a higher level of spiritual perception if you are willing.  I am about to reveal mysteries that have been hidden from your understanding.  But, in order to receive the revelation I have for you, you must separate yourself to Me and seek My wisdom.  You are on the threshold of greater effectiveness in My kingdom, says the Lord.  Get ready to take a giant leap forward, but also be prepared to overcome the works of the flesh and to fight against the powers of darkness that will try to hinder your progress.  But, I say to you, you are well able to rise to this new level of experience.  Come up by faith and expect great things.

December 8, 2004:  The Lord reminded me today of the following prayer:  "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."  Psalm 138:8  "The Lord will perfect that which concerns me.  Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands."  I will indeed work out My plan for your life and deal with everything behind you, beneath you, above you, before you, in you, around you and through you.  As you release your entire being to My care, I will direct your steps and give you the courage to obey My word.  Trust Me, says the Lord.

December 7, 2004:  You have become aware in the past few months of things that need to be changed, and you felt that you have been weighed in the balances and been found lacking.  So, you  set out to accomplish these changes by the strong arm of your own flesh.  You have taken matters into your own hands and have determined to make the necessary corrections, but in so doing you have gone to the extreme and now find yourself feeling disconnected.  What now?  Come back to a place of safety in Me.  Stop striving, and trust Me to bring instruction and adjustment where necessary.  Rest in the assurance that I have begun a good work in you, and I will bring it to completion.  Your part is to trust and obey.

December 6, 2004:  I speak the word "Achor" to you, beloved.  For, many of you have been in the valley of trouble, but I am making that valley of trouble a door of hope.  And, I say, not only a door of hope, but of faith and confidence.  You will go forth boldly.  The things that you have experienced will no longer be a liability to you, but will become an asset to you in the kingdom.  I am using those things to bring strength and wholeness, and you will walk in peace, says the Lord.

December 3, 2004:  The call has gone forth and conviction released to draw everyone who is willing to come into My kingdom.  Your number-one priority is to be established as a citizen of the Kingdom and secondly to do the work of the Kingdom in unity with your fellow citizens.  You do this by making the choice and following through with your allegiance to Me on every level.  Now is the time to establish yourself in devotion and complete loyalty to My purposes, says the Lord, for My kingdom is eternal and shall not pass away.  Time is short and your decisions are now crucial. 

December 2, 2004:  Keep a steady pace and a positive attitude.  Refuse to allow your emotions to disrupt your progress, and do not allow discouragement to derail you.  This is a critical time in transition to the next phase of your life and ministry.  Pray without ceasing, and be sensitive to My leading and instruction.  Your entire life will suddenly take on a new mood as you stay focused on My purposes.  Your atmosphere will become almost radiant as you are quickened by My Spirit, says the Lord.  You are in the season of resurrection power, which will bring renewed life, energy and excitement.  You won't want to miss this for the world!

December 1, 2004:  You can't walk in broken shoes, or ride a bike with a flat tire, or drive a car with a broken radiator.  You can't move ahead in relationships with offenses, or get ahead in a job without integrity, or pay bills without income.  You can't know wisdom without prayer, or have sweet communion with your Lord without consecration, or live in the Spirit apart from the blood of Christ.  Now is the time to fix what's broken.

November 30, 2004:  Position yourself by faith to receive all that I have promised and provided.  This is no time to allow negativity and discouragement to rule.  Get settled in your firm expectation of success.  Rise up against all odds and adversity.  Do not allow the enemy of your soul to keep you from a favorable outcome.  Do not forget that I am with you and for you.  Seek Me, and I will give you the strength and courage to forge ahead.   Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." 

November 29, 2004:  I speak to those who have been in the pit so long that you accept your position as normal living.  But, I say, stop sinking into the mire of self-pity and condemnation.  Look not to your circumstances as any measure of your worth or ability.  Look up and behold My face, for I will draw you up and set your feet on a level path and give you new hope.  Your worth is far above rubies, and you are precious in My sight.  Trust Me, and I will deliver you from the enemy's hand that is stretched out against you, says the Lord.  Exodus 14:13 "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord."

November 26, 2004:  Set a watch for a spirit of fear, which will produce a general sense of anxiety as you face situations that are unfamiliar.  You are entering territory that is unknown to you, but the enemy will do all he can to terrorize and paralyze you.  Remind yourself that I am with you, and I will enable you to do all that I have set you to do.  All things will indeed work together for good because of your love for Me and your submission to My purposes, says the Lord.

November 25, 2004:  This is the year of release, a time to be released from all fear and bondage.  Rejoice in this special season of Jubilee when you can come again to your inheritance and have a fresh start.  But, this is also a time when you must release those who have been held captive by your selfish motivations and manipulation.  My people, you must not enslave anyone through possessiveness and jealousy.  Relinquish control and liberate those who have been bound and oppressed.  This is the year of My favor, and it is My desire that My people be set free, says the Lord.

November 24, 2004:  Continue to move forward spiritually and be aware of the enemy's tactics and devices to hinder your progress.   You are in the process of breaking through barriers that have long hindered your success, but you must persevere and not lose hope.  It is important that you evaluate your progress in accurate terms so that discouragement doesn't force you into giving up.  Hebrews 10:36  "For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise."

November 23, 2004:  Beloved, I am giving opportunities, opening heavenly windows, where you can rise above those things that keep you bound and blinded.  Move into this place of blessing where you can receive revelation, discernment and insight that will give hope and vision for the future.  But, this is not going to happen without the effort on your part to seek My wisdom.  Your consciousness must turn to the things above and not be taken captive by your earthly situations and circumstances.  Rise up; I say, rise up and see, says the Lord.  Colossians 3:2  "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."

November 22, 2004:  Prepare for a stretch, for certainly you will have opportunities to expand your horizons.  Now is the time to press on.  I am determined to bless you as you endeavor to reach greater heights in My Spirit and explore the depths of My love and My covenant promises.  Enter this season with faith and anticipation of the great goodness awaiting those whose hearts are totally yielded to Me, says the Lord.  Philippians 3:12-14 "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.  Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

November 19, 2004:  Come let us take sweet communion together, and remember Me when you partake of My Word and apply the blood of the covenant.  Do not relegate your relationship to Me to a secondary position.  Dedicate yourself in holy consecration to the kingdom of God, to that which is righteous and eternal.  Sow seeds of righteousness, and you will reap a good and bountiful reward.  1 Corinthians 11:24-25  "When He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.'  In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood.  This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.'"

November 18, 2004:  Beloved, I already know what you need before you ask, but you must exercise faith in your request.  You must believe that I will meet your needs and not just hope that I have heard you.  Repent of asking from a position of fear or doubt.  Come boldly into My presence without reticence.  Come with confidence and present your request spirit to Spirit so that your petition is not motivated by the lust of your flesh.  Pray according to My will and purposes, and I will  hear and answer your prayer, says the Lord.

November 17, 2004:  Be strong and of good courage.  Do not fear nor be afraid, for I am your God, and I go with you.  I will not leave you nor forsake you.  I am not a figment of your imagination.  Behold, I live!  Your faith is in the reality of My existence and presence.  Have I not said that if you seek Me with all of your heart, you will find Me?   Now is the time to confront and push through your fears and move from bondage to absolute freedom.  Refuse to allow the spirit of fear to dictate to your emotions.  Be free.  Rest in the security that I am with you!

November 16, 2004:  Today is a new day.  Leave all fear, failure, and disappointment behind you and begin again.  Refuse to allow stress to rule your life.  Come into peace and rest knowing that I will cause you to progress according to My will as you yield to My purposes.  Let Me lead you, says the Lord.  Philippians 2:13, "For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."

November 15, 2004:  Regret will be replaced by rejoicing.   If you will release your past completely, I will break the curse of regret against you and bring you into the place of rejoicing.  There is a war raging within you manifesting as a desire to go forward into the work of the kingdom that will bring forth a bountiful harvest, and yet realizing that the enemy is doing all he can to keep you bound and unfruitful.  Now is the time to turn back the battle at the gate of your own heart.  Rise up in the faith and assurance that I have begun a good work in you, and I will bring it to completion, says the Lord.  Cooperate with My word and work in you, for I have given you the power to tread on all the power of the enemy, but you must release that power against all that would keep you bound and ineffective.  I will strengthen you and equip you to enjoy good success and benefit, but you must believe.  Trust and obey!

November 12, 2004:  I am clearing away the fog of confusion and compromise.  I will bring amazing clarity if you will only rise above the emotional intensity of your circumstances into spiritual reality of My plans and purposes, says the Lord.  Do not be afraid of the changes that are coming forth at this time.  Have you forgotten that all things work together for good for those who love Me and are called according to My purposes?   I will reveal absolute truth and light that will cause darkness to flee.  Watch and stand amazed at the work that I am doing among My people to bring forth the liberty of the Spirit. 

November 11, 2004:  Beloved, I have brought you to a place of renewed life and excellent possibilities.  It is up to you to choose the optimum benefits along the way.  Establish your priorities and seek first the kingdom of God by making your relationship with Me your primary focus. Make decisions based on the truth  of My word, righteousness, integrity and love.  Stand your watch, and guard against everything that would bring darkness instead of light, deception instead of truth, bondage instead of freedom.  Ask, and I will give you wisdom for every dilemma and direction for every choice.  Be brave, be strong, be holy, says the Lord.

November 10, 2004:  The power of My word has brought the judgment of the sickle, the fire and the wind.  That which could be cut off has been cut off; that which was dedicated to the fire has been burned; that which could be scattered has been thrown to the wind.  The threshing floor has been thoroughly cleansed.  It is time once again to break up the fallow ground of your hearts and to sow in righteousness, for a new harvest cycle is beginning.  Take heed how you sow; be deliberate and generous in planting, and your harvest will be bountiful indeed. 

November 9, 2004:  Move forward in the freedom of My Spirit, says the Lord.  I have made a way for your progress to be well-established and absolute.  Use your increased liberty to move more effectively in the power of  the Spirit.  Exercise your freedom to strengthen those around you by establishing the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  Do not use this opportunity to exert the power of your will to rebel against My standards, for that would bring certain disaster.  The earmark of this season will be purity and holiness for those whose hearts are yielded in submission to My authority.  Those who are not yielded will be cut off.  Galatians 5:13 "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

November 8, 2004:  Sanctify!  I say, sanctify!  I will have a people set apart for My purposes alone, consecrated and dedicated without reserve.  Have I not said that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?  Purify the temple, and come before Me with thanksgiving.  I will make you a sanctuary, a place of holy worship, and there I will dwell among you, says the Lord.  2 Corinthians 7:1 "Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

November 5, 2004:  The new season is under way.  Step into each new day with expectation and confidence.  Release yourself from the past, and release those who have disappointed or offended you.  The earmark of the season before you is mercy, favor, and grace.  Be diligent to forgive, pray for, and bless those who have judged you and pronounced your guilt.  The difficulties of these past months can be a fading memory instead of a source of pain if you will determine to move forward with the plans and purposes that I have established for you, says the Lord.

November 4, 2004:   Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Make a concerted effort to establish yourself in strength of character and purpose.  The enemy will bring confusion as to what is right and good by perverting values through emotional attachments and issues.  Now is not the time to take yourself and your emotions seriously.  Let My Word settle every issue.  Side with My truth regardless of how you feel.  James 1:18-20 "Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures.  Therefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God."

November 3, 2004:  Take time to be quiet, shut out the outside and inside noises, and allow your heart to settle on the firm foundation of My Word.  Put away all fear, rejection, and confusion.  Let Me bring peace to your soul and healing to every part of your being.  Insulate yourself from all the clamor that has become a distraction that would separate you from Me.  Be established again on eternal value and purpose, and let nothing steal your peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  Come!  Let us have sweet communion together, says the Lord.

November 2, 2004:  Beloved, be aware of the attack against you to bring you under a cloud of despair and discouragement.  Refuse to give any place to making long-term decisions based on short-term difficulties.  I tell you the truth that this too shall pass.  Be still and wait for the spiritual weather to change.  Hasty reactions could reap results that you are not equipped to deal with.  Philippians 4:6 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."

November 1, 2004:  2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 "Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letters, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.  Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition."   Beloved, these are days of great apostasy when many will turn from serving the Living God to fulfill their own lusts and desires.  Do not allow this to trouble you or bring you down to sorrow, for they have the gift of freedom to choose their course of action.  They have heard the truth and yet have turned back as a dog returns to its vomit.  Now is the time to examine your own heart and be diligent in following divine purpose.  Continue on the course of righteousness that you might be light in the darkness, a pillar in the kingdom of your God, says the Lord.

October 29, 2004:  I remind you to ask, seek, knock.  Come for answers to your questions and for revelation of  the work of the enemy against you and of My direction and guidance that will bring you through to victory.  Long-standing hindrances and bondages will now be cast down and destroyed if you are diligent to seek My face, says the Lord.  Do not be afraid to push through and move through the barriers that have been erected as protection against what you have feared.  Face your fears for what they are, and you will find they have no substance and are based on assumptions instead of the truth.

October 28, 2004:  Clear the air.  Let the wind of My Spirit blow away the spiritual debris that has filled the atmosphere.  Let the peace of My presence bring light where darkness has ruled.  Words of bitterness and deception have polluted and defiled the land.  Allow a fresh breeze to blow and sweep away offenses, hatred and division.  Stand still, My people, and see My salvation, for I will rule in justice and vindicate the innocent. 

October 27, 2004:  Look up!  Stop and listen, for I am doing a new thing.  I am preparing you, My people, to engage in warfare that will bring a change in areas where you have experienced repeated and consistent defeat.  Now is the time when you can wage an effective war and win.  But you say, "I have no confidence."  Yet, I tell you truthfully that I will enable you to strengthen the hands that hang down and the feeble knees.  I will lead you in this spiritual battle, and you will see the victory.  Be bold; be strong, for I am with you, says the Lord.

October 26, 2004:  Hear the word of the Lord, you who have ears.  Prophesy to your circumstances and surroundings.  Prophesy abundance and multiplication.  Speak to the dead, dry bones of forgotten promises unfulfilled, and call forth life and strength.  Do not be timid or conservative in commanding resurrection life, for I will loose the breath of My Spirit so that you will no longer be desolate and hopeless, says the Lord.  Ezekiel 37:14 "I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land.  then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it," says the Lord.

October 25, 2004:  Regardless of the disappointments you have faced and the rejection you have endured this is not a time to give up.  Stand strong in the face of adversity knowing that I am with you, says the Lord.  These challenges will not last forever, but My mercy endures forever.  My love and care for you will not fail.  I will never leave you nor forsake you.  I will strengthen you in times of weakness and give wisdom in times of consternation.  Trust Me to bring you through.

October 22, 2004:  Beloved, you have expected and anticipated breakthrough on various levels, but have encountered delays.  Do not become discouraged.  Take this time to be rooted in faith and to exercise patience, for surely you have established your plans, but I will direct your steps.  There is work behind the scenes that you have no knowledge of.  And, this work is for your benefit.  Trust Me that you will come through this time with greater faith and strength.  Rejoice in this hidden work, and do not give up hope.  Ephesians 6:10 "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might."

October 21, 2004:  Do not lose heart or grow weary.  I speak to those who have faced upheaval and been forced to accept change that you did not initiate.  This is no time to give up, but rather a time to shift your focus so that you are looking ahead with hope rather than looking behind with regret.  Put your trust in Me, says the Lord, for I will bring you through this difficult time and establish you in greater peace and strength.  Psalm 27:13 "I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."

October 20, 2004:  John 8:32 "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."  This is a critical time when you must get to the root of oppression and affliction, and make a careful examination of  how you opened the door to allow the enemy to have access to your soul.  Search diligently, and you will find that you believed a lie.  Satan himself comes as an angel of light, but he is a liar and the father of lies.  Close that door through your disagreement with his devices and lies, and replace that lie with the truth of the Word.  Do not allow the lies to stand as a witness against you, says the Lord.

October 19, 2004:  Be still and know that I am God.  Beloved, it is vital at this time that you be led by My Spirit and not allow your flesh to rule in any situation.  This is no time to get reckless.  Pay attention to details and be sensitive to My leading.  Deception abounds, but you must not fear, for I will bring to light everything that is hidden in darkness.  Watch as I even reveal the long-forgotten roots of bitterness in your own heart that have opened the door to spiritual bondage.  I am setting My people free, says the Lord.  All you must do is cooperate with the work of My Spirit.

October 18, 2004:  Beloved, pick yourself up from the last round of attacks from the enemy against you.  Those assaults were designed to demoralize you and create doubt and discouragement.  And, yes, during this same time I also was bringing correction that will ultimately release you from burdens that I did not give you to carry.  And, as you wonder about how to tell the difference between what the enemy is doing and what I am doing, says the Lord, look at the result of your dilemma.  That which unburdens you and sets you free is of Me, says God, but that which brings guilt, darkness, and further bondage is of the devil.  There is a vast difference in the work of light and that of darkness.  Step back and discern the difference.   Resist the darkness and yield to the light.

October 15, 2004:  I am bringing you through a time of modification and transformation that will result in more effective ministry.  Yield to this process, for I will remove those things from your lives that are not valid expressions of who you are in Me nor I in you.  I will narrow down and define more exactly your gifting and your arenas of activity so that your energy is spent more efficiently in the kingdom.  Do not be afraid to undergo this process.  I tell you honestly that when I call you to labor in My kingdom it will not be a burden to you or anyone else.  For,  My yoke is easy and My burden is light, says the Lord.

October 14, 2004:  Prepare for change.  I am about to bring you to higher understanding of your authority and effectiveness in fighting the good fight of faith and gaining the victory.  Be on the alert for revelation that will teach your fingers to make war and strengthen your arms to pull the bronze bow.  The days of fighting the enemy from a position of fear and intimidation are ending.  Your days of threshing wheat in a winepress are over!  No need to hide.  I will transform you into a mighty army that will indeed run through a troop and leap over a wall.  Take your position by faith and expect to gain the victory as I lead you through every battle.  Be strong and courageous.

October 13, 2004:  Beloved, I want you to be free of the fear of man so that you can serve Me in absolute liberty and obedience.  Watch for opportunities that will present themselves and demand a choice.  Will you be a hypocrite and a manpleaser in an effort to avoid rejection?  Or, will you yield only to the working of My Spirit?  My desire is that you not be in bondage to your need for man's approval, but that you are free to follow your conscience.  Let your heart be true.

October 12, 2004:  This is a time of special training that will prepare you for what will be required of you in the days ahead.  The situations that you face now and overcome have particular value in developing your discernment and awareness.  Pay attention to the details of the conditions and circumstances you encounter, for  there will be important examples of spiritual  truth that will equip you for the next leg of your journey.

October 11, 2004:  I have placed before you an open door, but some feel as though it is more a knothole that you are looking through.  Even if I have to pull you through a knothole backwards, I will pull you through because I will not leave any of My own behind.  You will go out with joy and be led forth in peace, and the mountains and the hills will burst forth into song before you.  I am bringing you into a time of joy, says the Lord. 

You believe that you have heard My word and  received My direction, but you are still afraid.  Beloved, it is My word!!  You must not fear.   Do not be afraid of making a mistake.  Can I not direct your steps?  I say, you made a plan, but I will direct your steps.  Relax and enjoy the journey, for I am with you, says the Lord.  Be bold; be strong.  Go forth in faith and courage.  Victory is assured.

October 8, 2004:  Break through!  Break through the darkness and distractions that keep you from the strength of peace.  Rise up on the wings of thanksgiving and praise for the blessings of living in My kingdom, says the Lord.  I speak to those who have looked at life from a negative vantage point, which can only bring hopelessness.  I see your distress and the grief of your soul, but this is no time to give up or give in to the temptations of depression and despair.  Take the time to change your view and to encourage yourself, says the Lord, for I am with you to lift you up into the realm of glory. 

October 7, 2004:  Colossians 3:2  "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."  It is critical that you stay focused on spiritual reality.  The enemy will do what he can to get you distracted by drawing your attention to issues that have no spiritual relevance.  Be diligent to maintain eternal perspective in the midst of chaos and perversion.  Let My word bring clarity, hope and strength in the face of opposition.  Philippians 2:14-16a "Do all things without murmuring and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life."

October 6, 2004:  I have called you higher, says the Lord, to a position of greater wisdom and understanding, which will produce more decisive victories.  But, you must release yourself from everything that would restrict your freedom or keep you in bondage.  Release yourself from the wounds of past rejection, from disappointments, injustice,  and aborted dreams.  The operative word for this season is "release."  Let go of all that would keep you from progression.  You must also release those who have been a source of pain before you yourself can be free.

October 5, 2004:  Now is the time to conclude issues from both the recent past and the distant past.  Those issues that still have not been resolved in your own heart must come to some resolution at this time, or they will force you into a darkness that will be more difficult to overcome in the future.  What you do at this juncture about difficult situations and attitudes of the heart will determine your ability to either walk in greater light and freedom or be restricted in your spiritual progress.  These are pivotal times.  Choose wisely.

October 4, 2004:  Beloved, you are on the verge of greater freedom than you've known, but liberty will not come without a fight.  The enemy will do everything possible to keep you in bondage.  Watch for him to activate discouragement, depression, rejection, fear, and health issues.  Be ready to resist these attacks.  You can arise to a new level of victory, but you will have to fight to obtain it.  No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against you in judgment  you will condemn.  This is your heritage.  Believe it and arise to greater heights.

October 1, 2004:  Be strong and of good courage, moving steadily forward to gain the victory in every situation and circumstance.  It is written that you can do all things through Christ.  Believe it and pursue, overtake, and overcome the work of the enemy against you.  Refuse to become a victim in any way.  I have made a way and designed you to be victorious in achieving My plans and will for your life.  Now, step out and move ahead in your kingdom position and purpose.  Do not be afraid; I am with you, says the Lord.

September 30, 2004:  You are beginning to press through to higher spiritual ground.  This is no time to pull back or shy away from the barriers that represent the last bastion of bondage.  Rise up!  Be strong and courageous.  The enemy has kept you from victory long enough.  I am your fortress, your high tower, you place of safety, says the Lord.   The way has been made for your complete freedom.  Now is the time for you to access by faith this great grace.  Do not shrink from the challenges to your success.  Go forward in confidence, and only believe.

September 29, 2004:  Be alert and stay aware, for the enemy has come in by stealth to spy out your liberty and take you captive.  Be mindful of his tactics and know that he is a gate crasher.  He will try to force his way in by catching you off guard.  But, I tell you the truth, you must turn back the battle at the gate.  Do not submit to his authority for even a moment.  Rise up and overcome by the blood of the Lamb. 

September 28, 2004: I speak to many who have come to a crossroads in your service to the Lord. You don't know whether to forge ahead or pull back. What you envisioned when you began this leg of your journey has not been what you expected, and your vision has become blurred and divided. Take time to seek Me for direction, but know that your primary focus cannot be on what you do. Your eye must be single in seeking to have vital, intimate relationship with Me. Your ministry and service in the kingdom can only be an overflow of your life in Me, says the Lord.

September 27, 2004: Beloved, be silent. Watch and listen, for you have not yet acclimated to the changes in spiritual season. The unsettled feeling that you are experiencing is a result of unfamiliar spiritual territory. Be careful not to charge ahead without discerning your position in relationship to your surroundings. You will have to stop and re-evaluate, and you will need to proceed with caution. Be deliberate in your choices as you build on the solid foundation of your faith in Christ, says the Lord. Romans 13:14 "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts."

September 24, 2004: 3 John 2 "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." Before you move ahead into the season of building up, you must deal with your fear of lack. I speak to those who, through fear, have entertained a spirit of poverty that has caused you to hoard. My economy is established in giving with joy and generosity, says the Lord, and not on keeping and protecting. Your faith for abundant supply becomes ineffective when you trust in what you have instead of trusting Me for provision. You must sow to reap. Now is the time to deal with the fear that keeps you from the cycle of plenty. Luke 6:38 "Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down. shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

September 23, 2004: Make a thorough examination to see if you are puffed up or in pride. Haven't I said that pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall? I speak particularly to those who are gifted and are ministering according to those gifts. You can no longer deem yourselves superior, for I am tearing down idols in My Church, says the Lord, and those who set themselves above others or allow themselves to be set up will come down. Set a watch at the portals of your heart, for if you do not repent of this pride your gift will be relegated to the realm of the flesh instead of operating by the power of My Spirit. I am calling those who are humble to come up higher, and I will not tolerate condescension. Luke 14:7-11 So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: "When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and him come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. For whoever exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

September 22, 2004: Luke 16:10-11 "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?" I call you to a position of integrity in that which is least. Pay attention to your heart attitude in things that seem small and insignificant. If you will be faithful, honest, and diligent in those things then you can be trusted with the things of great spiritual value in My kingdom. Now is the time to examine your heart of stewardship and make adjustments where necessary, for if you can be trusted with worldly things I will make you My ambassador and give you great authority in the everlasting kingdom.

September 21, 2004: Luke 17:20 The kingdom of God does not come with observation. Beloved, you cannot see with natural eyes what will transpire in the coming season. You must move forward in the faith that I will direct your steps and unfold your future one step at a time. Do not despise these days of small new beginnings. I have given you an outline, but the details will develop and be revealed in the course of time Trust Me, and refuse the temptation to entertain presumption as a method of establishing yourself in a position of security In so doing, you will yield to the work of a lying spirit. Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You

September 20, 2004: I had a vision of a roaring fire in a fireplace. Then, there was nothing left but ash because the fuel had burned. Suddenly the vision of the hearth became an open door into the heavenlies. And, I heard the Lord say that the first vision represented the past season when the fires of purification burned the flesh, but now there is an open door that invites us to come up higher spiritually. We could not take this step until the flesh that hindered our progress was offered and consumed.

September 17, 2004: You are entering a year of building up, and you are surrounded with favor, as I have encompassed you and have built a hedge around you. You will build much like the days of Nehemiah when you bear a tool in one hand and a sword in the other. So, you will build the kingdom of God by My gifts and grace on one hand and use the Word against your enemy on the other. The enemy will come against you to stop your progress and bring false accusations against you, but do not allow his threats to distract you from the good work that I have set your hands to do. Do not be afraid, for I will bring his counsel to nothing. Rally to Me, and I will fight on your behalf, says the Lord.

September 16, 2004: Go forth and build on the firm foundation of faith. Refuse to be thwarted by allowing intimidation and fear to rule over your faith. Now is the time to move through your disappointments and frustrations. Truly this too shall pass, and you will once again taste the sweetness of victory. But, you must stand firm on the Word of Truth and not allow the lies of the enemy to attack and overtake your emotions and defeat your hopes and aspirations. Be strong.

September 15, 2004: Be awake and stay alert, My people, for there is about to be a superabundant outpouring of revelation upon you. Stir up the hunger in your hearts to receive all that I am making available to you. This is the season of provision and blessing both spiritually and physically. Get ready to reap a harvest, for certainly you have sown seeds, which will produce a manifold blessing. These are days of great favor, so position yourselves by faith to receive full benefit, says the Lord.

September 14, 2004: There is a fresh wind blowing in the land. Hear the sound of the trumpet as it announces a new season. Put the past behind you, and forsake all regrets and disappointments. Now is the time to put your house in order and move forward with renewed strength and hope. Learn from your mistakes, but do not allow them to hold you in the bondage of condemnation. Deal quickly with those things that require your attention so that you can proceed unencumbered into the hope of the future. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and hope.

September 13, 2004: Haven't I spoken to you to fight a good fight and wage a good warfare? Then, I say to you, beloved, now is the time to rise to the occasion and meet the enemy on his own turf and take back what he has stolen. This is no time to depend on others to pray or fight on your behalf. This is the day that you must flex your own spiritual muscles and exercise the spiritual authority that has been given to you. Refuse to allow the enemy to get the upper hand in any situation. 1 Corinthians 15:57 Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

September 10, 2004: Beloved, I have spoken to you of promises, hope, open doors, opportunities, expansion, increase and blessing. These are all now available to you, but these benefits will not come to you unopposed by the enemy. Be prepared to fight the forces of darkness that would hinder your progress and bring discouragement. Be brave; be stong and go forth to do battle and gain the victory. I am with you to encourage and strengthen you, says the Lord.

September 9, 2004: Expect the unexpected. Be flexible and go with the flow, for I will allow circumstances that will bring change in unexpected ways. Do not be afraid to explore unfamiliar territory; I am expanding your horizons and enlarging your vision. Isaiah 54:2-3 "Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your habitations; do not spare; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes, for you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities inhabited."

September 8, 2004: Rise up in the hope that I have set before you. For, surely, I have not left you without hope and a promise. I will lift you up in ways that you never thought possible, says the Lord, for you are precious in My sight. I have reserved for you an abundant portion. Come to the banqueting table and partake of the generosity of My love and blessings. I will withhold nothing from those who love Me and seek My face. You are My chosen, My beloved. Come and dine!

September 7, 2004: You are standing on the threshold. Step through the door. Do not look back. This is a new day; old things are past. Now is the time to step into newness of life with confidence and boldness. Do not be afraid of what is ahead. I will guide you, says the Lord, and give you wisdom. These are the days of expansion and increase, but you must continue to set your heart on the kingdom in order to keep from being distracted with natural events. Make a determination even now to keep your priorities in order, for that will be prerequisite to maximizing the benefits of the season.

September 6, 2004: There is a foundational work going on. Your foundation has already been laid, but some of what was built on it has been and is still being destroyed, burned up. Your foundation has been laid bare and what you build now will be stronger than anything before this time. It has not been fun to be in the fire and have your foundation purified, but this has been a work that will bring strength and solidity in the season ahead. Rejoice!

September 3, 2004: James 1:5-8 "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." Yes, beloved, this is a familiar scripture, but you still waver and have not stood on the solid ground of faith. You believe My word, yet you also believe your circumstances and negative reports. This double-minded position will hinder your progress and will nullify answers to prayer. You must make up your mind and set your will to believe in all that I have made available to you. Otherwise, fear and indecision will keep you from receiving. Now is the time to deal with doubt and irresolution.

September 1, 2004: I hear some of you, even many of you, proclaiming negativity over yourselves. I hear you scolding, reprimanding, even calling yourself "stupid." Do you not know that this is a curse? And, this is an open door for the enemy to attack you with fear of failure, heaviness and even death. Your spirit man cannot flourish and grow under this curse of condemnation. Turn from this mindset and be reminded that I have accepted you and that I see you as precious, says the Lord. You have been too hard on yourself. Take a break!

August 31, 2004:  Beloved, do not discount the strength of the advance in your life. Some of you are still awaiting the breakthrough that you have focused on, but have overlooked some of the other areas where you have already made great progress. If you will recognize the places of victory and give thanks, your faith will be quickened, and you will be able to press through remaining hindrances that have kept you from obtaining your objective. Take time to reflect and rejoice.

August 30, 2004: You must quiet yourself at this time to regain stability. Your environment is filled with a crosscurrent of ideas, opinions and desires. You must not react emotionally to the conflicting spiritual climate. The enemy is doing all he can to jam the signals. Rise above the confusion and uncertainty, and come into My presence where the voice of the enemy and of the flesh become dim and unintelligible. Let My voice be heard above all else. Be silent and listen for My still, small voice, says the Lord, and I will bring clarity and peace.

August 29, 2004: To those who have been in the stone quarry being chisled and shaped, do not view what is happening to you by the works of the flesh or according to the flesh. If you do that you will find yourself in condemnation. I do not bring condemnation to My people; I bring conviction to which you will answer, "Yes and amen!" Be thankful for the work that is being done in you. Do not allow the enemy to come into this place to make you feel condemned. Rise up in the Spirit and see what I am doing, says the Lord, for I am doing a marvelous work. I am shaping you like you have never been shaped before. When this work is done you will look back and rejoice and dance and give praise to the Lord.

I am bringing you to a new level, a new height. It is not and will not be comfortable. You will feel different and even feel weird, but I have released My grace, My ability in you to do what I have called and chosen for you to do and be. You will come into that new place. I will tell you beforehand what I am going to do. Then, I will do it. And, finally, I will tell you that I have done it. My grace will be abundant.

August 27, 2004: I hear the cry for vindication, for you have certainly been unjustly accused by the deceitful and ungodly. Not only have I already paid the price for your vindication, but I will vindicate you by My own righteousness because you have trusted in Me. I will not allow the enemy to rejoice over your defeat. However, you must release those who have cursed you, and you must not be vindictive or seek revenge. Then, I will come speedily and justify you, says the Lord. Romans 12:18-21 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Therefore, "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

August 26, 2004: Be aware that you are moving into new spiritual space, but know that each individual will make this transition differently. For some it will be with ease, a sweet slide. For others it will be a fight. It all depends on attitude. Any ground of fear or insecurity that needs to be dealt with will hinder and make the transition more difficult. Face those things in yourself that create fear or rejection. It is now time to measure your temple according to the strength of your foundation and the plumbline. Anything that is not level and straightforward will cause trouble.

August 25, 2004: Beloved, I am pulling you like a magnet towards your place of freedom in the Spirit. This is going to feel awkward to you because you have become so accustomed to living within the confines of familiar boundaries. Trust Me to bring you through to higher ground and greater liberty. Do not be afraid to let go of things and places that represent comfortable bondage. You are beginning to enter a new season that holds great promise. Release yourself to the hope of newness of life. Do not hold back. Be bold, says the Lord.

August 24, 2004: Be strong, My people. Unite and prepare for battle. Join together in kingdom purpose to achieve the victory. Take a good look at your enemy; know him and know his tactics. Remember that your battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness. This is not a battle of wills or a battle of the flesh; this is a spiritual battle, which must be waged in the heavenlies. The devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. His job is to kill, steal and destroy. Look to see the one who is behind the attack against you, and do not confuse the object of your warfare. Rise up, mighty warrior, and do battle against the enemy of your soul.

August 23, 2004: I have brought you through the Valley of Baca, for it has been a place of sorrow and weeping, but you have indeed made it a well. The waters that flow forth from your innermost being will not be springs of bitterness, but springs of compassion for those who also endure pain and suffering. Come to Me, and allow Me to heal the wounds of the past, for now is the time to put these things behind you.

You have endured grave disappointments, the pain of rejection, and you have seen difficult days. You have even questioned your purpose, and some of you have even disdained your very existence at times. You have had the pins knocked out from under you and have spun out of balance, but you will regain your balance, and you will be restored and released to greater expectation and fulfillment. Hope is looming on the horizon of the dawn of a new day, and the days of futility are ending. The days ahead will yield the fruit of your labors.

Be released into great freedom. Let Me heal your broken heart and bend your shattered dreams. Dare to believe. Do not be afraid to go forward with renewed faith and hope. The best is yet to come!

August 20, 2004: Come to Me, says the Lord. Press in to hear My heart. I want My love to flow to you and through you. My desire is that you extend boundless generosity towards those around you. Let your attitudes build up and encourage. Be motivated to strengthen those around you. Give the enemy no quarter when he tempts you to judge and criticize, or tear down and destroy. Be aware of how much you affect your environment and reflect My light.

August 19, 2004: I speak to you who have had great hope and vision, yet your expectations have been met with disappointment. You have been in a long season of testing, which has brought strength and maturity. Your dreams have been sifted and sorted; some have been found to be presumptuous and must be discarded. But, your heart is still yielded to My will and purposes, and you are not only willing but ready to move forward with My plans. This time you will not step out to accomplish My purposes by your own volition and determination, but you will only follow My leading and know the value of waiting for My timing. Rest assured that I will move you forward, but now you will seek the good of My kingdom instead of trying to satisfy your selfish desires. Rise to this place of greater maturity and blessing, says the Lord.

August 18, 2004: Prepare to begin a process of healing that seems long overdue. Your healing was prepared even the moment you first prayed, but you were not totally dependent upon Me, trusting Me. You have now come to the end of yourself, knowing that you cannot do this. I speak not only of physical healing, but emotional healing as well. In fact, much of your physical destruction has its roots in rejection when you first became a victim. Now is the time to return to the place where you were first devastated and release and forgive all who were involved in your desolation and grief. Rise up in the truth of My desire, intentions and purpose for you. Let all that has hindered your restoration fall from you like an old beggars garment, and be clothed with the newness of life. It is time for you to be free, says the Lord.

August 17, 2004: I speak to many who feel like your life has come to a standstill. Nothing has turned out the way you had hoped or envisioned. And, now you have no clear direction or leading. You find yourself asking, "What next?" You have entered a short season of rest. Do not fret about what is coming. Take this time to draw close to Me, says the Lord, so that I can prepare you for the next leg of your journey, for surely in these times of quiet waiting I will instruct you and strengthen your heart for the days ahead. Steady yourself on the firm foundation of My love and grace.

August 16, 2004: Beloved, you have had many and varied opportunities to grow and learn the lessons of My kingdom. These challenges have been very difficult and even grievous at times, but they have strengthened your spirit whether you realize it or not. You are being purified by the fire of your circumstances. You have been like molten metal, and surely the impurities have put away like dross from silver. Now is a time to reflect on what you have endured and to be grateful for the value of correction that will last for eternity. Now is a time when you can enjoy a brief respite, but make sure you don't become complacent during this reprieve. Rest with your eyes wide open.

August 13, 2004: I heard the Lord say, "Prepare for an epic battle." And, I saw in a vision the army of the Lord in extreme disarray. There were individuals who were sexually immoral and in great deception, a man cheating on his wife, business partners defrauding one another, a woman with a spirit of infirmity who had settled into her sickness to gain attention and escape responsibility. I saw a couple of women, who had once made a decision to serve God, getting drunk and laughing; one said to the other, "If my pastor could see me now!" There were people who were angry and offended, barely able to speak to one another, seeped in unforgiveness and bitterness. I saw hypocrites who pretended one thing while doing the opposite, insincere and unholy in their attitudes and motivations.

Although I observed only a few individuals in this vast army, I knew it was riddled with all manner of debauchery. Many of the people were wearing only pieces of their armor, and some were asleep. And, I thought to myself, "How are we going to fight this battle at all, let alone win?"

Then, the Commander in Chief called us to attention and asked us to prepare for the greatest battle of humanity. He talked to us about renewing our minds to understand the seriousness of the times and to renew our hope of salvation and be reminded of the price that has already been paid for our redemption. He called us to rise up in faith, to put off all unrighteousness, and to be cleansed and sanctified for this holy battle. He admonished us to be done with all deceit and to walk in absolute truth. He told us to rise up and proclaim His Word and to prophesy and proclaim victory over the land. He said, "Do these things in preparation, and you will win the battle without a fight!"

August 12, 2004: Be strong. I am bringing you a way that you have not known before, and even though the path seems uncertain, you must not be afraid. I am with you, and you will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Make no mistake; the enemy will try to stop you from achieving My purposes and doing the work that I have gifted you to do, but he will not win as long as you trust Me and walk in obedience to My Word. Deuteronomy 33:27 "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, and will say, 'Destroy!'"

August 11, 2004: 1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." Be at peace. The things that you must face and deal with at this time will tend to overwhelm you. But, I will strengthen you and give you the grace to rise up and meet the challenges before you. You will not have to deal with them all at once, so take it step by step and believe Me for the grace to endure and overcome, says the Lord, for surely I am with you to give you the courage to succeed. And, in the process of time when this too comes to pass, you will know that your God was with you.

August 10, 2004: Be alert and set a watch for deception. The enemy will bring very convincing arguments that could produce great distraction and delusion, says the Lord. Exercise discernment and measure everything by the truth of My word. What you hear may sound correct, but do nothing unless you have the witness of my Spirit. Also be aware that the enemy is very adept at confirming his own deceit. Let the peace that passes understanding lead you.

August 9, 2004: Oh, beloved, I see your burden. I see that you are carrying a load. That load is your own unrighteousness, and you abhor your own flesh. And, yes, you should, but you must bring that burden to Me, says the Lord. I am the One that will change you into My image from glory to glory. You will not do the work that I have called you to by the strong arm of your own flesh. You will accomplish this work as you rise up in the Spirit and concentrate on Me and have fellowship with Me. It is not good that you whip yourself daily because of your failures. Let me remove the burden. Be yoked together with Me so that we can work together. I am with you. I have not left you, nor am I angry with you. I see the weakness of your flesh, and I say, come to Me and bring this burden to Me. Your righteousness is of Me, says the Lord.

August 6, 2004: Isaiah 31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord!
Beloved, this is no time to trust in the things the world has to offer. Certainly, you will not gain strength from the world as your source of provision. Have you not heard and do you not know that I am your source? It is written that you must seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and then all these things will be added to you. Now is the time to get your priorities in order and re-examine the basis of your faith. If you are to prosper, you must look to Me, says the Lord, and trust Me to answer your prayers and bring forth provision for every need.

August 5, 2004: You have heard it said that it is always darkest before the dawn, and I tell you that you are about to experience the first rays of the morning light. The enemy has unleashed his power against you to discourage you before your breakthrough. And, yes, breakthrough is imminent, but in the meantime there will be sudden and unexplained attacks against you that will violate your personal boundaries, accost your senses, and steal your peace. Do not buckle under the pressure of these attacks, but rise up knowing that this is momentary light affliction. Be strong, for I am with you to bring you through to victory, says the Lord.

August 4, 2004: I speak to the hearts of those who feel as though you have been scattered to the winds and blown about by every prevailing breeze. I know your frustration and your sense of instability, but I tell you honestly that you are still tethered to Me, says the Lord. I have not released you or let you go, and I have not forsaken you. I am your anchor in the storms of life, and I will bring order out of chaos. You will triumph over this time of upheaval and disorder. You will again find peace and serenity. Rest in this hope. I am your refuge, upholding you with My everlasting arms.

August 3, 2004: The enemy is trying to disorient you and bring confusion by causing you to lose your sense of time, position and identity. His purpose is to create a basic fear and insecurity that would render you useless in your battle against him. Take the time to set yourself right again by re-examining the principles of your faith and re-establishing yourself in your kingdom position. Refuse to allow your mind to drift or to entertain fear on any level. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

August 2, 2004: Stir up! I say, stir up the gift that is in you. It is the gift of life in the kingdom of God. It is the most precious gift and yet (I speak to many) you have been distracted from that which is most important. For, you have allowed the issues of life to take precedence. Stop where you are and renew yourself in faith and hope in the Spirit instead of allowing hopelessness in your circumstances to cause you to spiral down in despair. Have I not given you a hope and a future? But, you must look again to your Source and trust Me, says the Lord.
Jeremiah 29:11-14a For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity.

July 30, 2004: Beloved, you have come through a time of change when many issues have been resolved, but there are yet a few things that need to be cleared up and settled. Do not allow these disputes to cause you to forget your true value and purpose. Your life is not predicated on the facts of your human existence, but on the truth of My existence, says the Lord. There is a difference between fact and truth. The facts of your trials and tribulations do not reflect eternal truth. Now is the time to make that distinction and rise up to obtain and embrace eternal truth. Your afflictions are momentary, but your redemption is eternal. Be renewed in the joy of your salvation. Let faith arise!

July 29, 2004: I speak to those who have gotten caught in the cycle of beginning again with a fresh resolve to overcome the flesh only to be overcome with temptation resulting in failure ... again. I say to you that you cannot destroy the works of the flesh by the flesh. Your efforts will only result in obsession, disappointment and self-condemnation. You must walk in the Spirit to overcome the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). Release this concern to Me, says the Lord, and ask for strength to be an overcomer. I will indeed give you the strength and determination you need to gain the victory, but you must resolve this issue first in your will and deal with double-mindedness. You cannot resist and partake at the same time. Set yourself to walk in the Spirit, and the flesh will yield.
Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

July 28, 2004: Come and dine. I am the living bread, the word. Come, beloved, and sup with Me. Come and receive your sustenance. Let us have sweet fellowship together. Be filled and satisfied, for you need Me more than your necessary food. I support and sustain your spiritual life, which is everlasting. Yet, your flesh cries out to be fed more than your spirit, and you do not neglect that need. Why, then, have you neglected your need to maintain life in the spirit? Come away from your diversions and distractions and seek My face. Certainly, I will be found by you. Come.
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

July 27, 2004: So, you feel like you have been in a far country? I speak to those who do not have a clear sense of the direction your life should take at this point. Rest assured that I will direct your steps. This feeling of being in no-man's land is the result of this transitory time. The things and people that no longer fill your life have left a void. Do not scramble to fill that void with more people and more activities, but rather fill that space with developing a deeper relationship with Me, says the Lord. Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things, including divine connections and relationships with other people, will be added to you. Put first things first, and keep your priorities in order. Otherwise you will become a people-pleaser and develop a fear of man instead of abiding in the eternal presence of your God.

July 26, 2004: Yo, Watchmen! Your eyes have become heavy with sleep. The enemy has entered in to steal, but you have not awakened. I call you to awaken at this moment. I say, stand up! Shake the slumber from your eyes. Stand up and look. Stand up and listen. Remove the enemy; remove the thief from