Christ

In The Pit – Shelia Burrier

Whirlwind Devotional, Hearing the voice of the Lord , , , , , , , , ,

If, lately, it feels like you’re trying to climb out of a pit while getting knocked back down, here’s what you need to know.
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Though you’re at a point of desperation, you are in a position to know your surroundings. So, look around.
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Examine everything. Look for the claw marks on the sides of the wall from your attempts to escape, the puddles of tears you’ve released during this hard + holy process, the hole of freedom at the top of the pit taunting you with all of what could be.
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But more than anything, when you look down, may you find the imprint of your knees in the dirt ground. It’s where you’ll remember that “His arm is not too short or weak to save, nor his ear too dull to hear”. I pray you’ll recall the faithful hand of a Father who doesn’t abandon His children. He’s been good for a long time, friend. He’s right here with you.
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As you find yourself disoriented and absolutely exhausted, I pray you’ll muster up enough strength not for an attempted escape, but to lean into these surroundings and kneel. Get familiar with this place and disarm the enemy with the posture of surrender + prayer. Kneel.
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And kneel again.
And again.
And again.
And again.
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If you’re gonna be in the pit, it might as well be for His glory. And at just the right time, He will place your feet on solid ground again. You WILL come out of this.

Jesus Is Our Rest – Sheila Burrier

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Matthew 11:28-30 New Living Translation

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

May we bow to nothing and no one, but the Father Himself.
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Not to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, depression, or addiction.
Not to the opinions or approval of others.
Not to the ways or the weight of this world.
Not to the stagnant or victim mindset.
Not to toxic generational behavior.
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Nothing.
Let all that we are be a posture of complete surrender to the One who is truly worthy.
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If you’re feeling weak these days, check your posture. You might be bowing to the wrong things and our shoulders aren’t big enough to carry the burdens that God has asked us to lay down.

The Consistency of God – Karen Austin

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Life is filled with so many twists and turns. Even those who love to plan believe things will go on as they are if they remain diligent in our efforts. But things happen we never imagine happening…the job ending, a spouse wanting a divorce after many years of marriage, family moving, unexpected illness, Covid. Each of us can all fill in the ____ of life events you did not expect.

None of us know how many “new beginnings” we will have in our lives. We can reason, pray, plan or be stubborn and try to hold onto what was. Although, if we do this, we may very well miss the next step in this journey called life.

One thing I have found in life, the only thing that is consistent is God. His love for us never changes no matter what we do. There is nothing you can do that would make Him love you any less. His Word is always true. When people failed me, when jobs transitioned out, when a health crisis in our family lingered on, when my child and my father passed within twenty-two months, when I didn’t know how I could make it…through every one, He was faithful. That is who He is, faithful.

When you have relationship with Him, you know He will be there for you, even when others are not. He will make a way when there seems to be none. If we choose to yield our lives to Him, He will orchestrate all things to the counsel of His will. Which is always better (even though it may not look like at the time). There is not one thing, not one thing that has happened or will happen that He is now aware of and has a way for you to come out on the other side. Things may not look the same as they did, but you will see a stronger, more resilient you facing your next “new beginning”.

Isaiah 40:2-3 “When you pass through the deep, stormy sea, you can count on me to be there with you.When you pass through raging rivers,You will not drown. When you walk through persecution like fiery flames, you will not be burned; the flames will not harm you, for I am your Savior, Yahweh, your mighty God, the Holy One of Israel!”

Living In the Fullness of the Kingdom – Barbara Potts

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In a sentence, God’s Kingdom is where His government rules and His supernatural life is manifested. 

     In Matthew 13:11, Jesus said: “It has been given to you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom.”  Jesus personified the Kingdom. He spoke the Kingdom, He lived the Kingdom, and He demonstrated what life in the Kingdom should be like: Jesus commanded the elements, walked on water, exercised authority over demons and sickness, made Himself invisible and walked through crowds, saw inside of people’s hearts, accelerated time, turned water into wine, multiplied bread and fish, and raised the dead!  This was the Kingdom manifesting on earth.  

     For a number of years now I have been on a journey of discovery about who we are and what we have in Christ and how we are to manifest and proclaim the Kingdom as Jesus did. The truth is: because the cross defeated the curse that came as a result of Adam’s sin, we are opened to a whole new realm of living! Galatians 3:22 tells us: 

“Jesus is the Savior who brings the Kingdom realm to all who believe.”

     I would like to share a little Kingdom analogy that has flowed out of my experience of walking in and declaring Kingdom realities: 

My husband and I love to hike. When you are hiking in mountain country, sometimes there is a long hike just to get to the foot of a mountain. This hike along the trail to the mountain affords you a beautiful, yet limited, view. Then, as you are making the ascent, you are so focused on where to place your foot that you only see what is directly ahead of you. When you finally reach the summit and turn around to see from whence you have come, it takes your breath away. A whole new vista is opened up to you that was there all the time, but you just couldn’t see it from your earthbound vantage point. This is life in the Spirit that reveals the Kingdom!

 I feel like most of my life I have been hiking along the valley, and now I am climbing the mountain. I am not talking about having a “mountain-top” experience in the traditional sense. I am talking about gaining a Kingdom perspective that lifts you out of the natural and into the supernatural, out of time and into eternity, out of limitation and      into “nothing is impossible.”

      This is how Jesus lived on earth. And since Jesus, the Creator of all that is, lives inside of us, should we expect anything less? 

     As Paul reminds us in the letter to the Colossians: 

Christ’s resurrection from the dead is your resurrection too. This is why we are to yearn for all that is above, for that’s where Christ sits enthroned at the place of all power; honor; and authority! Yes, feast on all the treasures of the heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm. Your crucifixion with Christ has severed the tie to this life, and now your true life is hidden away in God as you live within the Anointed One … . And every time Christ Himself is seen for Who He really is, who you really are will also be revealed, for you are now one with Him in His glory!   Colossians 3:1-5, The Passion Translation 

      Seated with Christ in heavenly places, at one with Him in His Glory, declaring HIS KINGDOM COME AND HIS WILL BE DONE. This is to be our life in the Spirit!

     This is how we proclaim Heaven to Earth prayers. This is how we are going to demonstrate the Kingdom of Power and Light against the increasing darkness that is coming upon the world in these last days. Only a supernaturally-living and speaking people can accurately reflect the image of a supernatural God and bring the reality of the life of His eternal Kingdom here on earth — now — as it is in Heaven!

My Hidden Ones Revealed – Karen Austin

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“I will have My praise in the earth. I will have My worship in the earth. I will have My song released by the mouth of My people. They will declare My glory in the earth. On earth as it is in heaven, this is how it transpires, building Me a place to rest, a place to set My feet and release My authority as My manifest Presence inhabits the praises of My people.

“Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me?  Says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things?” (Acts 7:49,50)

“Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?” “Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.” (Isaiah 66:1-2)

There are new sounds, new songs being released in this move of My Spirit. I am fine tuning your ears to hear the sounds of Heaven. There are songs of love to woo My lost and discouraged ones. There are songs of war to release the shout of My victory! There are songs of desire to stir the hearts of My Beloved.

Know there is a mighty shifting taking place even now. The wind of My Spirit is rearranging, relocating and reformatting many things upon the earth.

“A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. Every valley shall be lifted up,and every mountain and hill made low;the uneven ground will become smooth,and the rugged land a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all humanity together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”… [Isaiah 40:3-5]

There are places and bodies of people whom you have never heard of; those who have cried out to Me behind closed doors…those I am bringing to the forefront in this hour for they have caught My heart. They have allowed themselves to be placed upon the Potter’s wheel. They have had times of being set aside upon the shelf. But even during those times I was molding their hearts and their character. These are ones who shall shine forth My image upon the earth. These are My end-time mighty ones who shall shake the nations and release My voice upon the waters [Psalm 29:3].“

Stability in the Lord – Karen Austin

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Today, I am going to speak from my heart regarding uncertainties. As I was spending time with the Lord today, the word “stability” came to me and I began contemplating its meaning especially in regard to what the world is facing right now. One definition of stability is the strength to stand or endure. The opposite is instability which means “the quality or state of being unstable; lack of stability or firmness. The tendency to behave in an unpredictable, changeable, or erratic manner: emotional instability” as per Merriam-Webster dictionary.

Times of this pandemic has caused many things to become unstable. Things we took for granted are no longer there for us. Jobs were shut down. We can no longer gather at our house of worship. Some have been faced with empty shelves at the grocery store. The ability to visit loved ones or friends is not permitted in many areas. Watching our children/grandchildren play their favorite sport is something we hope to do soon, but the timing of that is also uncertain. So many uncertainties have cause many to become unstable in their emotions when in times past they were as solid as a rock. It is like the floor beneath us is being shaken and what we once depended upon is no longer something we can depend upon.

I feel this is especially true for the Western church. Our brothers and sisters in Christ that live in other areas of the world have faced much persecution and even death for their faith. Others live in areas of deep poverty and have to believe God for every meal to feed their families. I don’t think the Western church and nation has understood just how blessed we are. I sense the greatest enemy we are facing is fear in these times of uncertainty. Afraid a loved one may contact the virus, and if they do, will they live. The lack of employment enabling us to provide an income for our families is another great cause of fear.

I cannot imagine facing what we are facing without having a knowledge of the Father’s love for me and having history of His faithfulness. Over my lifetime, I have seen My Father’s hand provide financially when I did not know how we were going to make it. I have witnessed His healing touch upon those whom I love and even raise them multiple times from their death bed. I have experienced His calming voice speak to my heart in times where there was absolutely no reason for me to experience peace. He has put me back together when I had nothing left inside of me to continue on. You see, I have known Him in the good times and I have experienced His tender care in the hard times. One thing I can tell you is this, He is faithful. The Word says He is close to the brokenhearted. This too, I have experienced.

I encourage you to get to know Him in His Word. Maybe begin reading the Book of Psalms until you find what you are feeling. King David wrote of his ups and downs, but always ends with praising God for His faithfulness. Spend time just talking to the One who loves you more than anyone else on this earth. He is waiting for you to come to Him no matter how unstable you feel…no matter how many times you have failed. No matter how unworthy you may feel. He has answers for those things in your life that seem to have no remedy. He has such peace to give you that you cannot even begin to imagine. Allow Him to bring stability to you in times of uncertainty.

“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Hear My Call – Karen Austin

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“Prepare the way for Me with your worship. Draw Me near with your spirit and truth worship, for that is what I desire. Oh, how I long to dwell with My people in a greater way than you have experienced. I desire to rest upon My people. I desire to dwell with you, not visit, as in days of the past.

I long for My people to carry My fragrance into the deep, dark places of the earth – to allow the light of My glory to shine brightly. In order to carry My fragrance, you must be so near to Me. You know how when you are close to someone in the natural and they are wearing a manufactured fragrance, when you walk away, you can even smell their fragrance upon you. You smell it even after you have left their presence. So it is with Me. I desire to draw you so close to My heart that you may not only partake of My fragrance, but when you walk away from that secret place with Me, you will carry My fragrance upon you that others may taste of Me and My goodness towards them. “For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” 2 Corinthians 2:15

Are you willing to pay the price? For to walk in what I am pouring out upon the earth is costly. It will cost you to give of your time. It may cost you your reputation. It will cost you to remove the idols in your heart. Sometimes it will even be an inconvenience to you when I call you to come be with Me, as when I called the Shulamite woman [Song of Solomon 5:3].Your hearts must be burning with passion for one thing….I am your One thing!

There will be places that I will send you that will grip your heart because of the destruction of the evil one in their lives. But know that I have sent you there to bring hope and to be dispensers of My love. For there have been social programs that have gone to these same places and have given material things, but I say it is not material things that they truly need – but spiritual truth of My love for them and My desire to heal and set free. Open your eyes! Look with My eyes and not what you see in the natural, for truly the fields are white for harvest!

So I say, worship Me. Worship Me. Worship Me, so that I may impart my heart desires into yours…that I may send you out with My love flowing wherever and to whomever I send you as messengers of My burning love for mankind. Build a place in your heart that I may dwell, for where I am, there is everything that you have need of [Matthew 6:8].”

Atmosphere of Heaven (Part 3) – Karen Austin

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In order to have the intensity of the Atmosphere of Heaven that the Father desires to manifest upon the earth will require sacrifice. It will require us lying down rote traditions, a dying of self-promotion and our preferences.

In order for us to walk in the “power of the age to come” spoken of in Hebrews 6:5, it will require a dying to self. Apostle Paul said he died daily. I do not believe that meant that he died by saying “No” to a Hershey bar. He said “No” to his right to be right. He said “No” to his own opinions. He died daily by putting the will of the Father above his own will.

This may mean if someone has come against you, Holy Spirit may direct you to bless them. He has had me do this by sending flowers to two friends who betrayed me. Was it easy? It was not, but I knew that I knew that I was instructed to do it. The Lord said when they reached out their hand to take the flowers from the delivery, Holy Spirit would convict them so as to restore relationship. At that time, they would be given grace to reconcile and if they did not, I was released from trying to reconcile the relationships. The Father always desires reconciliation. Sadly, they did not happen.

Another way we die to self is being a servant. Not being a servant to one who can give you a leg up, but being a servant to those who cannot give you anything in return. The Father is looking at heart motives!

You see, Heaven must have us before we can have Heaven! Jesus said the devil had nothing in Him. Can we say the same? I know I’m not there yet, but I am pressing in daily for Him to reveal to me what is in my heart that is not like Him. It is Christ in us – possessing us – which is the hope of glory.

It will not be getting the man of the hour to preach and release their anointing. Although that has been good, we have entered a new era. It is where we will experience the anointing and the glory! This is where it is all God – all Him moving in our midst. I do not desire to have meetings where people walk away saying “Wasn’t the worship good? Wasn’t the preacher on fire?” NO, I want us to walk away from a meeting with the fire upon each of us that we become as living burning beings where the world turns aside to ask “What is it about you?” Where there will be a glow about us to the extent where even our shadow will heal those who are sick as we walk by. This is the Atmosphere of Heaven that I am after. This is where God’s Kingdom rules and the deaf will speak; lame will walk and the blind shall see!

Atmosphere of Heaven (Part 2)- Karen Austin

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We talked last week about one aspect of the Atmosphere of Heaven is the atmosphere created by spirit and truth worship. It is where He alone is lifted up and the glory of the Lord fills the temple.

Another aspect of the Atmosphere of Heaven is an atmosphere where you are accepted. His amazing love prepared the way that you can come boldly to His throne of grace and mercy [Hebrews 4:16]. It is only because of His precious blood that speaks. “…in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in Heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all men, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if the people did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns us from Heaven?” Hebrews 12:23-25

Through the shedding of His blood, you are cleansed, if you have accepted Him as your Lord and Savior. You are accepted in the Beloved. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” Ephesians 1:7

So the atmosphere of Heaven is one of acceptance, not of rejection. It is not because I am supposed to love you because I am a Christian, but because I have His love within me. I become so consumed by His all-consuming love for me, which I cannot help but love those whom I come in contact with. His love within me is then free to flow out to those around me. Have you ever had someone say “I love you with the love of the Lord?” Sometimes that means “I really can’t stand you, but He says I must love you.” That is not what I am talking about.

Religion has portrayed our Father in Heaven as one waiting to hammer you when you sin. Of course, Holy Spirit convicts you of sin so you will repent and your relationship with your Heavenly Father will not be hindered or that a door for the enemy in your life would open. You have been adopted into the family of the Creator of all things. “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.”

The word “Father” in Aramaic actually means “Daddy”. So He is your Heavenly Daddy! Being His child is the safest place to be. His love is unconditional and His love is constant…so unlike the kind of love in the world. The atmosphere of Heaven is a place of safety and love.

“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15

A Wedding of a Bride – Frank Work

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Many years ago I performed my first wedding since being ordained more than a year and half. This isn’t earth shattering in the grand scheme of things, pastors, ministers of the gospel, keepers of the 4th flower, twice removed to the east honeysuckle humming bird church of the passionate No. 2 pencil, marry people everyday. So why does this particular wedding hold so dear to my heart? Glad you asked.

The young lady who asked me to do this most honorable occasion is someone who I have literally known since she was born. She was born in the same year as my son, in the same state, on the same island of Oahu. Her and her future husband are both teachers who I believe are striving to make a true difference in the heart and minds of those they teach. I only know a few teachers personally. All of whom are passionate about the children they have taught or will continue to teach. So I am very blessed to have been asked to be the one who will marry this young couple, especially as my first wedding.

There is something else that God has spoken to me about concerning this wedding. There is a movie called “Four weddings and a Funeral“, and I honestly have never seen this movie, but it caused me to reflect on my own time as a minster of the gospel. My first 3 duties after being ordained was to preside over 3 funerals. The first funeral was for my daughter -inlaws grandfather. My second funeral was for a 10 month old child. My third funeral was for the babies mother who committed suicide. First let me say that I was very honored to be asked to do these services and be a part of honoring them. It’s no small thing I believe when you are asked to oversee a funeral, especially from family and friends. I bless those families who have lost loved one, yet can be assured that their loved ones are seated securely with the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

So I was doing my first wedding, watching the bride who will be dressed in all her regal attire, preparing herself for the moment when she will say “I do” to her bridegroom. I have only seen a small part of the preparation period of this bride to this point. It is now a frantic time period as the wedding draws closer, that the “details” of the wedding are starting to stack up. “Did we do this? Do you want this and that? What’s your thoughts on this part of the wedding?” And the questions continue to stack up as the moment draws closer.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus was crucified, buried and rose on the third day committing himself to be sin on that cross, so that we as God’s children would be able to come to the Father in Heaven through the sacrifice and blood of Jesus. It’s only because of that blood, that life giving blood, are we saved from the fires of hell that we honestly deserve. So get to your point Frank. Alright I will. I believe that God was showing me through this time,  that death has to occur so that life, the life of Jesus can come fully through you and I. That we must have a mindset that Jesus wants to kill the carnal nature of who we are so that our spirit man can rise up and take hold of the destiny that has been placed within each one of us, since the time of our conception.

Side note: I believe that the Holy Spirit is implanting and speaking destiny to us as we are conceived in our mother’s womb. That we as infants in the womb are truly fellow shipping with our Lord and Savior so closely that our spirit man remembers that, and yearns to be in that state of relationship again. Hence the reason our flesh is never satisfied.

Seeing the process of the bride’s preparations helps me to understand in a small way, the way the bride of Christ should be preparing for the bridegrooms return, who is Jesus. Details. Matthew 25: 1-13 gives us a great picture of those who were concerned about the details those who were not. Preparation is essential and required of the bride to prepare for the coming of the bridegroom, whether down the isle or Jesus coming, both to me require preparation and effort in order that the bride is presented without spot or wrinkle. “He will love me regardless of what I look like.” This is true, the bridegroom will love the bride, but the bride must honor the bridegroom by preparing herself for his coming, and not take advantage selfishly, of His love for her.

This young lady, whom I had the most dubious honor in presiding over her wedding, is preparing to present herself as a bride whom her bridegroom will eagerly say the words, “I will”.

I am reminded that I the three funerals I was a part of is symbolic of the days of death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus and that we must die to ourselves in order that He may live fully in us. I pray the power of the Holy Spirit and the life giving love of the blood of Christ will bless this couple as they begin their journey.

I believe that prophetically the time of preparation is upon us. We are not to assume anything in our time on this earth. That we prepare for His coming as though it was going to happen tomorrow, today or within the next few seconds. That the time of morning who we were is past and the time of embracing who we are is upon us. I believe that we will start to see the remnant of the bride of Christ start to make herself manifest in power and understanding in the days to come. That no longer will the bride be satisfied with average, but that there will be a an excellence in spirit to prepare herself for the bridegrooms coming. Come to the wedding feast and adorn yourselves in the finery of the blood of Christ. The time of the light that will shine through His bride is upon us. In the coming days we will see the manifest presences of the Lord Jesus in our midst. We will see the power of the Holy Spirit releasing the captives from addiction, sickness and pain. We will see the love of the Father welling up in the hearts of the bride. I believe that we will see the power of God in such a way that it will change towns, cities, regions and countries. I know that God is looking upon His son’s bride and sending forth the angels of the Lord to carry out the missions that have been set before them in preparing the bride. Children of God will be crying out not in pain, but in victory as the angels are giving their marching orders concerning the bride. I believe that we will see a physical manifestation of the power and glory of our Lord Jesus in such a way, that there will be no way in denying it. That in the coming months we will be seeing and living

Matt 6:25-34

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

I know that I personally fall short in many area’s of my own life, but I also know that I have to keep trusting in Jesus and realize that He loves me and believes in me because of the blood that covers me. Blessings