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I have gently stirred, and quietly spoken urging my people; but now I am shaking and shouting AWAKE and ARISE daughter of Zion, my remnant.

As Samson shook himself free from the restrictions of the enemy, he destroyed and tore down the idols of the Philistines and so am I calling you to do!

Arise and Awaken! Arouse yourself from an inactive state my people. NOW is the time to let your voices be heard.  Now is the time to put away everything that has hindered you.  To cast aside those things that have caused you to delay; things that have interrupted you or caused you to say it is too difficult. Put away those things that have prevented you from doing what I have spoken to you, things that have impeded on your life. Cast aside those things that have distracted you, and have held you captive.  Hear me now!  I am bringing you into a new dimension by my Spirit; therefore walk in my Spirit and  heed my voice! I will bring you into new territories; and there will be no boundaries to hold you back.

I have gently cradled you in my hand.  I have nourished you with my Word and promises; but now I am breathing my power into you, and placing your feet on solid ground.  I am sounding the alarm to AWAKE and ARISE, and to shake yourselves;  I am calling you to be bold and courageous.  My Word that you have hid in your hearts will resound to the Nations.  Lift up your voices and be heard!

Truly as Samson was blinded by his enemy and brought into captivity my Spirit was with him still.   When the fullness of time had come, he remembered who he was in Me, and his end was greater than his beginning.  So it is with my people.  Too long they have been held captive and blinded by this world. I am shaking and I am calling them to awake and arise.   My Spirit is blowing over the earth, shifting and moving the atmosphere.  Greater will this latter church be than the former.  Truly it will be as the days of my prophet Joel prophesied. My Spirit will move in the earth on your sons and on your daughters, on the old and the young alike.  A visitation of holiness and reverence for my presence will manifest in my house and you will be changed in that presence.  A new song will spring forth in the hearts of my people, a song of deliverance, a song of healing, a song of praise, a song of worship, and the whole earth will be affected.

So awake, be aware and recognize your position. Arise, and take action!   Move forward ! Don’t stay in your current state, but move toward your position and release and relinquish every confinement, bondage, obligation, and pain to Me.  Then  the power  of My presence will be released  in your life, and in others  when you  have taken your appointed position and are operating in My power.

It is time, indeed it is time to shake free from and dislodge the strongholds that have held you back from stepping out and forward in faith.   Fear of man will no longer restrain you; no longer hold you back from action or keep you under control. Hear me now and delay not, no longer putting off to another time! Know and become aware, understand whatit is I am doing.  Grasp the significance and implication, the power and the importance of it.   This is My day, and My hour  that I have set aside for purpose and destiny in your lives and for man on the earth.  How I love you and desire you to embrace all that I have for you.  Awake…Arise become cognizant and aware of your position as the bride of Christ. 

There is a rumble and a roar in the atmosphere.  The cry of the Lion of Judah resonates in the heavens and the earth.  I am strategically placing sentries, my soldiers around the four corners of the earth.  They will assume their proper position, preventing unauthorized entry through the gates of this opportunity. I will achieve the plans I have purposed in my heart.  Who will defy that I am God?  Who will challenge my authority? Though darkness seems to be overtaking the world, My Light will illuminate right choices, right thinking, and right actions.  The shadow of grim and depressing circumstances cannot stay hidden in the shining light of who I am.  I will expose the evil agendas of political and social influences.   I am beginning to separate the sheep from the goats, I am beginning to separate the wheat from the tares.  My people will begin to take position throughout the world, my army is rising up in power, wisdom, and influence.  They will begin to exercise their authority by my Spirit, and a divine ability to discern the right course of actions in any given circumstance will become prevalent. The world will be amazed at the capacity of wisdom of those who are called by My Name. 

I am shaking and rousing many who have been sleeping, I am stirring and moving those who have set aside their mission.  No longer will they be satisfied with a dormant position.  An intense excitement will begin to be birthed in their spirit, and an intense emotional response will cause them to take their place in the assignment I have purposed for them to do.  My voice will be heard, my power, my control and authority will be witnessed, and the evidence of my wisdom will prevail.

I am shutting the mouth of dissention; I will no longer tolerate the contentious quarreling among my people; I am silencing the voice of confusion.   My prophets will begin to be heard by the nations, my evangelists will be released among the lost, and my pastors will begin restoring the kingdom.

Can you see the move of my hand?  Do you understand what is happening before your eyes? Can you grasp the meaning of all these things?   Even as nation rises against nation, I have a remnant, a surviving group, those who have separated themselves from the lust of this world.  They have clearly made a distinction between good and evil, who do not idly accept, nor embrace the mindset of the common social and political agendas.   I have those who listen for my voice, who pay close attention to what I have to say. My sovereign power will be demonstrated.  I will exercise my supreme authority and control.

I am removing obstacles that have hindered the race towards the mark of my calling.  I am releasing my anointing to destroy the yoke of bondages. As it is written in Isaiah 10:27 “And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from your shoulder, and his yoke from my neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.”   Bondages of drugs and alcohol, bondages of perversion, bondages of rebellion, my anointing will drench, completely saturate my people, and these things will disintegrate, completely break away from them before their very eyes. Who will be able to deny the power of my arm?  Is there one who will then challenge my authority and control?

My Spirit will move across the earth, mankind will not be the same.  For who can stop the Lord Almighty?  I am extending my hand of forgiveness, offering to forgive your debt.  I am offering peace and safety, freedom from disquieting and oppressive thoughts to disturb your emotional state.   I am the refuge and shelter for those who are exposed to attack.  I am your protector from danger or distress. Who will run to me? 

There will become a clear distinction of who is MINE, that which belongs to Me. Who will hide from the King of kings?  I will cause nations to recognize and formally acknowledge that they have no power when faced with the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. At the confrontation of Jesus, every knew will bow, and every tongue confess, I AM LORD.

Now let me sing to my Well-beloved
A song of my Beloved regarding His vineyard:

My Well-beloved has a vineyard
On a very fruitful hill.
He dug it up and cleared out its stones,
And planted it with the choicest vine.
He built a tower in its midst,
And also made a winepress in it;
So He expected it to bring forth good grapes,
But it brought forth wild grapes.

 “And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah,
Judge, please, between Me and My vineyard.
What more could have been done to My vineyard
That I have not done in it?
Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes,
Did it bring forth wild grapes?
And now, please let Me tell you what I will do to My vineyard:
I will take away its hedge, and it shall be burned;
And break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down.

Isaiah 5:1-5

God is speaking to His Son Jesus regarding the church.  The church of God is referenced as a vineyard because of its symbolic significance.

Just as a vineyard is a chosen plot of ground, separated from common field and pasture to be improved with such cultivation as the vines and grapes it produces may supply the owner with generous wines; so, does God’s church consist of a people chosen by Him separated from the world, so that they may worship Him.  Throughout history God has distinguished His people from all other people by His peculiar laws, statutes, and observances.  Not only in religion, but even in their physical diet and conversation.  Thus, making it impossible for His chosen to remain in His grace and accompany or partake off the sins of the world.

Therefore His “Chosen” must also “choose” to obey and follow His guidance and His laws.

By giving us His Son, Jesus Christ as a living sacrifice He provided us with that “choice vine”.

For by repenting of our sins and receiving Jesus as our Savior, He abides in and with us.  All sin and shame has been dug up and rooted out leaving only that choice vine to grow and bring forth fruit.  Building within us by the Holy Spirit the power a strength to see and protect each other from our enemies.  Thus, the gifts of the Spirit operating within the church.

What more could God do to produce within us good fruit?  Yet the vineyard produces “wild grapes”.

Somehow a bitter seed is sown within the vineyard, resulting in the spoil of the fruit.

That seed, I believe is judging between God and His vineyard(church).  All of us judge one another knowingly and unknowingly.  We often opinionate the events of time and interpret the Bible failing to recognize we (speaking personally) are so busy “preaching” what so and so should say, think, or do we fail to walk and live in the true grace and Spirit of God.

This is not pleasing to God.  For God created us all in His image, and though we may not agree upon everything we are that image of God.  Therefore, we should walk cautiously in our judgements.

¹⁰ But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. ¹¹ For it is written:

“As I live, says the Lord,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God.”

¹² So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. ¹³ Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.  Romans 14:10-13

If we would walk according to His teaching in the love and example of our Lord Jesus, the church could not help but unify and prosper; bearing that good fruit of the Spirit of God.

But because of the divisions and strife among us we produce bad fruit (wild grapes), which displeases God.  So, to set His vineyard in order He must plow up and root out the good with the bad and replant anew.

Scarcely shall they be planted,
Scarcely shall they be sown,
Scarcely shall their stock take root in the earth,
When He will also blow on them,
And they will wither,
And the whirlwind will take them away like stubble.   Isaiah 40:24

The heat of his displeasure will sear our hearts with conviction as the Holy Spirit woos us back to right-standing with God.  But, if in our arrogance and self-willed pride, we harden our hearts and continue to mock His grace by showing contempt to our brother and placing ourselves on a pedestal believing we are more holy or righteous than most, God will surely judge us according to our own cold and ruthless judgements.

God has not set us above our fellow mankind, He has set us apart.  God has not us up as judge of the earth, Jesus is that Judge; but He has set us up as examples of His love to be living testimonies of His mercy and grace.

If we cannot love our fellow brother in Christ, how can we proclaim that we love those who are lost?  If we cannot edify and exhort one another, the body of Christ, how can we testify love and mercy to the stranger?

But, sadly to say we have set ourselves up in our own kingdoms of self-righteousness, not seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness.  We have built walls of division among our brethren.  Casting out first this denomination, and that.  We have set up walls of bitterness and envy around each other, defying one another in open dispute.

What great shame and destruction the Church will have if we do not repent and set ourselves in order.

It is not our place to judge one another by our own opinions and interpretation of God’s word.  But it is our place to be that beloved vineyard, separated from all sin and carnal desires; to bring forth from that choice vine in the abundant and good fruit of the Spirit of God.

In this way the church grows from childhood into the Betrothed; His Bride.  Clothed in garments white as snow, without spot or wrinkle.  For love covers a multitude of sin and the blood of Jesus covers the Bride.

^“that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”  Ephesians 5:27

“For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.”   Ephesians 5:30

So beloved brethren let us not face the terrible wrath of our God, but let us turn from the hardness of our hearts.  Let love abound one to another.  Let us be as the children of Israel were as they moved forward in faith to destroy the city of Jericho. Silent in their judgements, for God had already judged that city.  Still in their plans of destruction, and obeying only the direction of God’s purpose.  For they only obeyed as, in silence they marched around those walls.  And because of their obedience the walls came tumbling to the ground, their victory complete because they trusted God, and allowed Him to do the work.

“Now Joshua had commanded the people, saying, “You shall not shout or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you, ‘Shout!’ Then you shall shout. So, he had the ark of the Lord circle the city, going around it once. Then they came into the camp and lodged in the camp.

¹² And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the Lord. ¹³ Then seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord went on continually and blew with the trumpets. And the armed men went before them. But the rear guard came after the ark of the Lord, while the priests continued blowing the trumpets. ¹⁴ And the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. So, they did six days.

¹⁵ But it came to pass on the seventh day that they rose early, about the dawning of the day, and marched around the city seven times in the same manner. On that day only, they marched around the city seven times. ¹⁶ And the seventh time it happened, when the priests blew the trumpets, that Joshua said to the people: “Shout, for the Lord has given you the city! ¹⁷ Now the city shall be doomed by the Lord to destruction, it and all who are in it. Only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent. ¹⁸ And you, abstain from the accursed things, lest you become accursed when you take of the accursed things, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. ¹⁹ But all the silver and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are consecrated to the Lord; they shall come into the treasury of the Lord.”

²⁰ So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. ²¹ And they destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword. – Joshua 6:10-20

When we see and hear of sin in the vineyard, or one of our brethren in a fault, and he repents after a time, it is our responsibility to welcome him, to comfort him.  Careful to treat him as God’s chosen, with our judgements silent, and the love of Jesus abounding.

If he does not repent we also must not judge him according to our judgements but in silence walk around that wall, and with shouts of victory in our mouth.  For Jesus will judge the righteous and the unrighteous.  The righteous shall live rejoicing in the inheritance of God’s kingdom.  But the unrighteous shall be that wall of Jericho, tumbling flat to the ground in utter destruction.

So, let us love and edify each other, careful to examine ourselves.  Keeping silent the harshness of judging, and shouting victory to the world.  For the world we have overcome, the world has not overcome us.

For if God does not spare even his choicest vineyard, which He loves and cares for, how much more dreadful will be the judgement upon the lost?

For the time has come and now is that the Lord will not allow wild grapes to grow deep in His vineyard, but will root out, and replant.  But in our obedience and faithfulness He will restore to us the blessings of His promise.

The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness
And speak no lies,
Nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth;
For they shall feed their flocks and lie down,
And no one shall make them afraid.”

¹⁴ Sing, O daughter of Zion!
Shout, O Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem!
¹⁵ The Lord has taken away your judgments,
He has cast out your enemy.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
You shall see disaster no more.

¹⁶ In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
“Do not fear;
Zion, let not your hands be weak.
¹⁷ The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”

¹⁸ “I will gather those who sorrow over the appointed assembly,
Who are among you,
To whom its reproach is a burden.
¹⁹ Behold, at that time
I will deal with all who afflict you;
I will save the lame,
And gather those who were driven out;
I will appoint them for praise and fame
In every land where they were put to shame.
²⁰ At that time I will bring you back,
Even at the time I gather you;
For I will give you fame and praise
Among all the peoples of the earth,
When I return your captives before your eyes,”
Says the Lord.   Zephaniah 3:13-20

Why we still can’t get Change Management Programs to run correctly

How many of us have ever gone out to purchase a used car and drove it off the lot right away?  It’s most likely we drove the car initially but then raised the hood to check if there was anything out of order.   At that point, we had to decide if work was required, how it would be done.  But we knew that ignoring it was not an option.  Even if the car drove well initially, anything missing under the hood, our cruising would run into challenges.  

Somehow, this philosophy doesn’t get carried over to how we handle business transformation or Change Management Programs. Change Management, Journey Management, Workforce Transformation, a few of the new terms we are starting to use these days to describe the same activity.  Despite the terminology we decide to use, we seem to still have challenges figuring out how to execute them with success consistently.

The concept of managing change or helping the workforce transition from the current to a future state is not new.  Indeed, we change its character, dress it up, put on new fancy terms, but nothing really changes under the hood on how the programs are executed. Consequently, so many Change Management initiatives still fall short of expectations.  

Perhaps it’s because we are trying to make something complex that is simple.  How often have we seen Change Management approached as merely a process by which we follow a standard Project Plan and produce the same deliverables.  During the last ten years, most of the business world has changed its approach or operations, yet we still have the same Change Management deliverables.  Communications Plan, Stakeholder Strategy, Training Plan, Training materials – you get my point.

I believe this view is the problem of why Change Management programs keep coming up short and missing the mark for our clients.  Most Change Management programs are very narrow in approach and thinking.  I have heard it said, “It’s a soft skill, and it’s just about the people and delivering training and communications.” Right? No, wrong!

For example, I joined a Change Management program for a global ERP implementation after it had been launched for several months.  By the time I entered the scene, the client was on the brink of frustration and angry at how things were going.  Evidently, a majority of their staff had been scheduled for training, but no one bothered discussing with the managers about the team’s availability to attend this mandatory training session. The employees worked multiple shifts covering a 24-hour period, no overtime could be incurred, and each group was required to have proper coverage for safety reasons.  Which meant, the appropriate scheduling of these mandatory training sessions was essential. However, no one on the Change Management team had bothered taking these variables into full consideration when planning out the training schedules for participants. Nor did anyone bother considering all the other business priorities that were impacting this particular site during the same time period.  The team just entered with their standard Change Management Project Plan and focused on meeting the go-live for the ERP global implementation.  We all understand the challenges that arise when a team enters a project wearing blinders.  

One point often overlooked and helpful to understand; organizations do not make money by implementing an ERP system, outsourcing their transactions, or changing their business processes.  These events are simply something that must be done to support or enhance the core business.  Which means it’s an interruption to everyone trying to run the core business and keep the lights on.  So, when a Project/Program team hits the ground with a single focus and doesn’t consider everything impacting the client’s priorities nor the ecosystem of their business, challenges are sure to arise. 

I took a step back to take a closer look at what was happening within the organization. I began connecting with leaders at the various levels of the organization to understand their needs and partner to plan out the strategies for their teams.  When users attended the training sessions, I listened to side conversations to understand how the organization was operating.  This insight provided a better understanding of the challenges hitting all levels of the organization (a skill I learned as a Pharma Rep hanging out in Physician offices and hospitals waiting to speak with the doctors).  This led to a partnership with these leaders to understand their business and problems, then design and execute strategies that resolved their issues while meeting my project objectives.    As a result of these actions, I made adjustments where they could be made, brought the Change Management program back on track.  Plus, I was now viewed as a valued resource to the client, and managers were able to achieve their respective business goals. 

Nothing in business is ever one-sided.  It’s all connected; the entire ecosystem of business is interconnected and getting more connected every day.  A decision made in one area/department almost immediately affects one or more departments across the organization.  The business processes and the people involved are all connected and dependent on one another.  Therefore, it’s imperative to have at least a high-level understanding of an organization’s business process and priorities, no matter your role or responsibilities, including leading the Change Management program.   

It seems simple enough on paper, and most of us would probably agree this makes good sense.  But something falls through the cracks or off the table when we begin to execute the Program as it relates to Change Management.  We get narrow-focused and forget there is more going on beyond the margins of our Change Management Project Plans that are essential to the overall success for the users – the people.  We have to learn to understand how organizations are interconnected and how it impacts the execution of the Change Management Program.  

Ironically, my most successful projects did not include any deliverables, which probably throws off a few of you.  Then how did the client and leadership rate the success of the Change Management Program? Glad you asked.  By the impact on the people and how they felt once they got to the other side of the business change (future state).  When is the last time you had several people tell you they could not have gotten through a particular business transformation if it were not for you being there and all the things you did to help them through the change? When have you seen the business operations improve because you were able to identify the threatening challenges and put actions in place to address them?  In the situation I mentioned above, I simply raised the hood of the organization, noticed what was out of order, or required adjustments and fixed it.

  When you implement your Change Management program, check under the hood and ensure all the right components are adequately identified, properly engaged, and operating in sync.  It may alter the way you define success when it comes to the execution of your Change Management Program.

‘Living holy’ is both a heart and an action matter (remember…faith without works is dead). ‘Living holy’ is a lifestyle. I think we sometimes forget that it is a lifestyle and too often move into a “Do or Don’t Do” situation. Quite frankly, because it is a Bible-based lifestyle, we must go to the Bible for the answer. If we define the ‘living holy’ lifestyle outside of the Bible, we are left only using our life experiences to explain it and justify it while asking others to abide by it. That’s not going to work because that makes it subject to the condition of our hearts (good or bad) and not God’s Word.

One of the most frequently quoted verses about being holy is what God said, “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” Now, there is nothing wrong with that. However, it still makes you say, “what does that mean?” 😉

Now, this is where the heart and action come in…1 Peter 1:13-16, radically lays out an invitation to be holy in all areas of our lives. One of the Bible translations puts it this way, “Roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.”

It’s also good to remember that everything about God is holy. True holiness includes justice, mercy, truth, and righteousness. To be holy is to be absolutely devoted to God in all that we do, demonstrating who He is to the world. Grace has sealed holiness into our lives, yet we are to make the right choices and to yield to Christ and God’s Word as the Holy Spirit lives in us. Holiness is not merely actions we perform nor is it a dress code, but it’s what we take to heart and act upon as we live our lives in God’s presence.

‘Living Holy’ is a lifestyle lived through a heart changed by the knowledge and acceptance of Jesus Christ as it is reflected in their actions toward God and others.

Great question! We can dive deeper into this if you’d like, just let me know: www.pearlpatch.com

#HopeThisHelps

The hurting, broken and disappointed heart often defines us as irreparable to ourselves and to others.  It is inevitable that at some point in time we will be hurt by someone, or by circumstances.  It is even more damaging to be hurt by someone we have trusted or loved.  It is a natural reflex to try to alleviate pain, to repair the damage done to us.  For example, some of us console ourselves with food, some with relationships, still others turn to alcohol and drugs to numb the pain that surrounds our heart and mind. We are resourceful beings; there are countless ways we can and will try to ease our pain, and disappointments.

To be “broken” is a state of being separated into parts; shattered, damaged.  We have been altered in some way, our lives have been interrupted and filled with obstacles by something or someone. We have been violated by a transgression committed by ourselves, or committed against us.  We become weakened, subdued and completely crushed.   Our self-evaluation is reduced, disconnected, and incomplete.    It is not surprising that we rush to alleviate these feelings, this hopelessness, helplessness, and agony that we suffer.  We become like a person who has broken a bone and have not allowed it to mend correctly.  A broken bone that is not set back into its proper place will cause the person to be deformed, lame and impeded from normal activity.   Just so it is with us.   When we do not heal properly the hurts we have suffered we become crippled with bitterness, jealousy, anger, disillusionment, and isolation.  A broken bone that has been left unattended and allowed to “heal itself’ will have to be broken again and set straight so that it will heal properly.  When left unattended, our pain will seem to dissipate.  We won’t seem to notice or be as aware of it, however something or someone will trigger the brokenness once again and you are left trying to deal with the crushing pain and despair.

Just as a physical doctor knows the correct procedures to bring healing to a broken bone, our Heavenly Father, the Great Physician knows how to bring healing to everyone.

Psalms 147:3

 “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (curing their pains and their sorrows’.

So often we run to others first, searching for help, but in all honesty no matter how close the relationship they have with you they are truly helpless to fully bring the complete healing you need.  No one truly knows or understands you more than our Heavenly Father.  Sure, other people can help you, give you advise, love you, and that can begin the healing process, but only God can complete the work. 

If we realize that God is able, willing and longs to heal us of our broken hearts, why do we struggle with running to Him first?  Why is God our last resort, and not our first solution?

Psalms 34:17-18

 “When the righteous cry out for help, the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their distress and troubles.  The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as are crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent”.

I believe there are three things that separate us from our true healing.

1. Fear of Rejection
2. Shame of Wrong Doing
3. Pride

How do we pull down the walls that we ourselves have built around us, a false and unstable form of protection?  How do we make those first steps into the Father’s arms to receive the healing that we need?

1. FEAR OF REJECTION

First, we must recognize what is separating us from seeking the Father.  Is it rejection?

When someone hurts us either intentionally or unintentionally we begin to erect a wall in our heart and mind as a reflexive action to protect ourselves.  We make the decision that no one will hurt or make us vulnerable in this area again; doing this will prohibit and impede you from becoming the person that God intends you to be.  If you remain in a state of isolation you will never fulfill your purpose or destiny, God never intends a person to be an island, separated and alone.  This wall becomes so high and fortified we often cannot penetrate past it ourselves.

We all seek acceptance, we often try to please everyone around us, yet fail to recognize there is One who accepts us just as we are, and in fact knows our true inner being like no one else ever will.   We forget that God accepts us WHERE we are, that in any place or situation we find ourselves in He can and will meet us there.  We have the concept that we must first become perfect before we can approach Him.  We will never in ourselves obtain perfection, it is impossible.  But God wants us to call on Him, to rely on Him, and to trust Him with every innermost part of us.  He knows every secret part of us, the identity that He gave us individually even before we were born.  In our weakest state, He will show Himself strong in us!  He is always waiting for us to reach out to Him, and when we do our Heavenly Father will gather us in to His arms of love and hope, to encourage, to strengthen and to heal us completely.  He does not set us up for failure, but he is faithful to walk every step alongside us, but to do this we must reach out for Him, allow him to do His work in us.  We alone make the decision to submit our being into His care, no one else can do it for us.  You need not fear that He will reject your steps toward Him, he is always waiting with outstretched arms.

Jeremiah 29: 11-13

“For I know the thoughts and plans I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you.  The you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me (as a vital necessity) and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart”.

If we build a wall around our heart to protect us from rejection how will we ever feel the beauty and power of a love that surpasses even our wildest imagination?  God commands us to love one another, not because someone deserves our love, not because someone has earned our love, but because God loves us and knows that love covers a multitude of wrongs.  Not only the wrongs someone may have subjected you to, but the wrongs you may have inflicted on others yourself, intentionally or unintentionally.  None of us are without faults, but if love reigns in us, we will react differently, we will offer forgiveness and in so doing will obtain the mercy of God in our own life.  

There are many injustices in this world.  There are many evil people who set out to do harm to others, who have no love in them.  Revenge will never eradicate suffered wrong, instead it will only escalate more damage not only to the person that revenge is being acted upon, but to yourself as well.  God is clear on this, he claims revenge to be His, so it is not our place or position to take it; instead he commands us to love one another.

I think we can all agree that there has not been a person ever that suffered more wrong than Jesus in his life here on earth.

He was ridiculed, betrayed, abandoned even by His own friends.  He suffered extreme and brutal physical pain, and in all this he endured with love, because of His love for not only the people of His generation, but for the past generations, and for the future ones as well.  He foresaw YOU when he allowed himself to be subjected to the ultimate sacrifice in order that you could be made whole, and liberated from the death of sin.  He obtained an eternal position with Him for you, if you but receive it.

John 13:34-35

“I give you a new commandment:  that you should love one another.  Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another.  By this shall all (men) know that you are My disciples, if you have love one another (if you keep on showing love among yourselves)”.

Jesus is often referred to as the “Balm of Gilead”.    The region of Gilead was noted for this ointment, a secretion of the balsam tree. The territory where this salve came from (an area north of the Salt (Dead) Sea in the land of Israel) was originally given by God to Manasseh as an inheritance when the children of Israel entered the Promised Land. It was used in various healing mixtures and sold to various countries like Egypt.  To reap the benefits of the ointment however, it had to be applied to the infliction.  Allow Jesus to soothe, to heal and to restore you by applying His life to yours and receiving the acceptance and healing He so longs to give in the areas that you are trying to hide from.  Allow the balm of Gilead to melt away the stony wall that has been erected in your heart.  He will restore, mend and soothe your wounded soul.

To Be Continued…‘The Repaired of the Lord (Part 2)‘

Four Walls
Walking from room-to-room
                  How do I get out?
                 Where can I go?
Front Door
Back Door
Balcony
                How do I get out?
                Where can I go?
Windows everywhere; limited views
Kitchen
Bedroom
Bathroom
                How do I get out?
                Where can I go?
Thoughts
Perceptions
Words racing through my mind
                How do I get out?
                Where can I go?
Breathe
In
Out
                How do I get out?
                Where can I go?
Looking up and looking out
There….is….a….LIGHT
Coming from the outside
Rising up within me
What can it be?
It’s coming for ME?
                How do I get out?
                Where can I go?
Something familiar about the LIGHT
It penetrates
YES, it’s the ONE
                The ONE who knows
               WHO I am
              WHERE I am
              WHAT I desire
…..that seems so far away

NEARER HE COMES

My heart is getting lighter and brighter
I hear HIS heartbeat matching mine
To reach me where I am
My heart skips a beat to catch up with HIS
Bum-bum, bum-bum, bum-bum…..bum-bum (rhythm of a heart beating)

Live-life, Live-life, Live-life, Live-life, GO live-life….IN ME
HE WHOM THE SON SETS FREE IS FREE INDEED!!!!

LIVE, LIVE, LIVE, LIVE, LIVE, LIVE, LIVE, LIVE, LIVE

LIVE!

Today I am reminded of Elijah; how he so was bold and confident in the Lord. In his boldness, he challenged the “prophets” of Baal to call upon their “god”, and he would call upon his God; and whoever answered by fire would be the true God!

It is almost laughable to imagine the scenario as these so called prophets entreated, yelled, cut themselves, pleading to their “god” to cause their sacrifice to be consumed by fire.   I imagine a  picture of amused disdain Elijah had as he watched them.

Then after all these theatrics, Elijah came to his altar.  He soaked it with water, and called upon the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  Fire came down from heaven, consumed Elijah’s sacrifice, and the sacrifice of the others, and killed all those false prophets.

But where was Elijah’s boldness, and confidence, when shortly after all this transpired, Jezebel threatened that she would kill him?  Upon hearing her threats Elijah  took flight and hid in a cave.

 So many times we start out bold and strong in the Lord; and God does mighty things in our behalf. But often we lose sight and our faith when something else comes along we hadn’t foreseen.

We become like Elijah, and we waver and doubt, losing our confidence.   We feel like we are alone in our stand for the Lord. God allowed Elijah to wallow in self-pity for a time; but then he rebuked him.  He instructed Elijah to prepare another person to take his place, because God was going to take Elijah home to be with Him. 

Elijah had forgotten the promises of God, he had forgotten all that God had done for him, and through him. God wants to remind us that He is always faithful. He is always on track, and He never loses sight of us, or His plan for us. His Word is true, and His promises will come to pass. Our faith must not waver, and our trust must be complete!

It is impossible to please God without faith, faith moves His hand! We must remind ourselves of His faithfulness, recalling the things God has done. This is the purpose of the Church, to build one another up, encourage, exhort, strengthen one another so that we are a unified body, strong, and confident in our faith, drawing the lost to God, and doing exploits for His kingdom. It is of vital importance to be plugged in to a body of believers that believe and act according to His WORD, becoming like a triple bonded cord, not easily broken!  We are all individuals, but we are ONE body.  Not one person is less, or more than the other.   It takes the whole body to be healthy, effective, and strong working together to fulfill the purposes God has called us to. Father, help us to be bold and confident in You, not tossed back and forth in our opinions, or doubt Your ability to fulfill all that You have destined for Your people.  Let us be bold, and diligent, working together for the Kingdom of God.

Reflection, more than a State of Mind
 Reflection, a companion of Time 
When you look in the Mirror who do you see?
 Time or the memory of someone you used to be.
 Bold, Sassy, and True, Yes, that was you! 

Is it the Mirror, your Mind or Time
 that stops you in your tracks?
 It is still a choice, you see. 

The Mirror reflects what it beholds 
Your Mind reflects what it beholds and is told
 Time reflects eternity put on hold 
Your reflection is where the Mirror & Time collide
 Demanding that your Mind decide….
Choose life. 

(c) copyright 2018 – LaDonna Slade

First of all, you preheat the oven to a specific degree.  What does this mean?  Well, even before we start on our journey with God, there is a certain amount of fire or heat that begins in our hearts to prepare us to be the vessels He has purposed us to be.  The fire (or heat) is specific for each person (cake), the degree of the fire determines the length it takes to produce the desired result. Sometimes the fire is so hot, and so long you begin to wonder if the cake will even turn out right, or will it be ruined?  But each recipe (person) has been created with the correct and essential ingredients to withstand all the methods it takes to create it.

Jeremiah 1:5  “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

Next,  you gather together and measure all the ingredients that will prepare the “recipe” you are following, or creating. 

Basic Ingredients for a cake recipe:

• Flour – Flour is the ingredient on which most baked products are based.  Flour provides structure, and holds the ingredients together.  Jesus is the structure of the Church.  By providing himself as the living sacrifice, he offered himself to be the way for redemption from sin and death; the way to repentance and life.  Without our confession of sin, and acceptance of Christ we have no structure, no stability, or existence in the Kingdom of God.  Just as in a recipe for a cake, without flour it has no substance.  Just as without Christ, there is no substance with God.
• Sugar – Sugar affects texture; it keeps baked goods soft and moist.  The bond between sugar and water(milk) allows sugar to lock in moisture so that items such as cakes don’t dry out too quickly.  Soft and moist implies to me a tender and contrite heart.  When we walk in love and compassion, with humbleness we appear appealing, and draw others to us.  The purpose of this is to draw others to Christ by living and walking in love and forgiveness, and not behaving proudly, or arrogantly.  In Ezekiel 11:19-20 “ I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them.  I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them.  And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.”
• Salt – The main function of salt in cake recipes is to enhance the flavor of the other ingredients.  Salt is usually added in very small amounts to baked products, but it has a noticeable effect on the flavor of other ingredients.  It strengthens gluten and improves the consistency of the dough. Its appearance perks up the depth and complexity of other flavors as the ingredients meld.  Salt also provides a balance of the sweetness of cake batters, but a salty flavor should not be discernible.  This illustrates that “salt” is an integral part, but does not assert itself to be noticed.(humbleness). To me this ingredient resembles the five- fold ministry, or the gifts of the Spirit in the life of the believer.  Everyone has gifts and abilities, everyone has a purpose in the body of Christ.  Each one of us should be used to enhance each other, build each other up in the Holy faith, admonishing, teaching, edifying each other, allowing the Holy Spirit to demonstrate the love, power and strength of God in us.  We should be careful not to ‘over salt’ ourselves, too much salt destroys the flavor of the cake, just as showing too much of “ME” destroys the message and flavor of the body of Christ.  We should walk humbly before God and man, but allowing ourselves to enhance each other without taking the credit for what God is doing.  Without salt, the cake tastes bland, but too much salt destroys the flavor, without you allowing God to use you will take from the body the purpose you were created for, but walking in pride will destroy not only yourself, but the work God longs to do.
• Baking Powder – Like baking soda and yeast is a leavening agent that causes batter to rise.  Baking powder lightens the texture of cakes by enlarging air bubbles within the batter.  The correct use of baking powder makes the difference between a light and fluffy cake, or brick.  These by products of yeast also contribute to the color, and aroma of the product. The Word of God is the leavening agent in our lives.  When we read the Word, study it, live it, our faith grows.  We live our lives according to the measure of faith in us.  To have greater faith we must add more hearing, studying the Word of God. Living the life of a Christian comes with a requirement, to spread the gospel, resulting in growth to the kingdom of God.  The spread of the kingdom is taking place wherever the Word of God is being sown.  Just like the measure of faith as a small mustard seed, will become a great tree, that which began in a small portion will eventually influence the whole body.  Growth and influence come when you are grounded in God’s Word, and obeying the direction He is calling you in. 
• Vanilla – The role of vanilla in sweet baked goods is like the role of salt on the savory side.  It enhances all the other flavors in the recipe.  Without it, cookies, cakes, etc., taste flat and bland.  Like salt (the five fold ministry) vanilla gives flavor.  However, vanilla has a fragrance; much  like when the Spiritual Gifts, and the Fruit of the Spirit working together.  Spiritual gifts are awesome, and to be desired, but the fruit of the Spirit, with the fruit of Love as the ultimate fruit, causes the body of Christ to be very flavorful, and outsiders are attracted to the scent.  As we grow spiritually and gain greater levels of maturity, we find that Scripture calls us to abound or excel in Christian character, especially in the various ways we can express love to one another.  Spiritual maturity is a quest for character for which there will be little progress without the pursuit of excellence.  1 Thessalonians 3:12-13  “And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound (excel) in love for one another and for all, just as we do for you, so that your hearts are strengthened in holiness to be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.”
• Oil – All oils function the same in baking, as they are 100% fat.  The main function of liquid fats (oils) is to add richness and tenderness, and because they do not solidify when cooled, they create baked goods that are more tender than baked goods made with solid fats. Oil is widely understood as a symbol of the Holy Spirit.  The function of the Oil Spirit is to lead and guide us in truth. The Holy Spirit, much like oil is to baking, provides a tenderness in our hearts, He enriches our lives with knowledge, and wisdom, a  liquid and fluid entity, poured out on the Lord’s people, covering them with holiness, and power.  With-out oil (the anointing of the Holy Spirit) we become dry, losing our flavor and appeal. We are robbed of the true power we have by not embracing what the Holy Spirit offers us.  We are the temple of the Holy Spirit, He resides in us when we accept Christ.  However; if we fail to recognize the significance and gift that this is, we become weakened, and stale.  By not utilizing this “ingredient” in our lives, we create a sub-standard existence, never reaching the potential that God has planned for us.
• Eggs – In addition to their nutritional value, eggs can provide structure, leavening, richness, color and flavor to baked products.  The height and texture of baked goods is determined by the balance between eggs and flour which provide strength, and sugar and fat which add tenderness.    Balance is crucial to the Christian in the personal sense,  and corporately as the Body of Christ.  The fruits of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit should be evident and working together to produce the desired result, a wholesome, powerful Church resulting in the salvation of the world.  Without the fruit of the spirit, and especially love , the gifts seem to  puff up the person  with pride, or arrogance, and they becomes more like a theatrical show than a movement of God.  For example, if a person is gifted with the gift of prophesy, and speaks marvelous things from the Lord, speaking prophecy after prophecy, but treat others with contempt, or are easilyprovoked, their spiritual giftedness is nullified.  However, in the same way, if one is merciful, always speaking kind words to others, gentle in spirit, etc., but doesn’t have the demonstration of the spirit of power, then their Godly character is weakened.  If a person doesn’t believe in the spiritual gifts, or reduce them to intellectual gifts, then how can the Holy Spirit be loosed in our lives?  How can there be healings?  How can miracles occur?  How can one see the resurrection power of Christ as He was raised from the dead?  Then those gifts, whatever they may be, become natural gifts,, and they become greatly reduced in effectiveness.  We must strive to be like Jesus.  He exhibited both great character and spiritual gifts in his ministry.  He was balanced in his life.   He spoke wisdom from the spirt, he prophesied of what was to come, he discerned the thoughts and intents of the human heart.  Yet, he had little children come to him, he offered forgiveness, he knew what to say at any given moment, and spoke in mercy when it was needed, and judgement when it was called for.  How we balance our lives crucially affects the ministry of the Church.  As the body of Christ ,we need to walk boldly demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit, but  also walk in love, peace, and humility demonstrating the love of the Father.
• Milk  – is used in baked products to improve texture and mouthfeel.  The protein in milk also gives a soft crumb structure in cakes, and contributes to moisture, color and flavor of baked products.  Cakes that contain milk also tend to have a longer shelf life.  Milk is like our spiritual growth. 

1 Peter 2:1  “Desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.”

  But before Peter gets there, he tells the reader to lay aside those things that hinder  us. We are to lay aside:

• All malice
• All deceit
• Hypocrisy
• Envy
• All evil speaking

All these sins aim at harming other people, whereas love seeks the good of others.

We are to hunger for God’s Word like a baby craves milk.  Just as milk provides physical nourishment, God’s Word provides spiritual nourishment.  As we grow spiritually, we become an asset to the body of Christ, we add to the texture, or feel how the world perceives us.  As we grow in Christ, we become flavorful, attractive, and able to stand against evil, and persevere in our faith, causing others to grow also.

Now all the ingredients are gathered for the “Cake”, measured precisely for the desired result.  Next, the ingredients are combined together, and mixed up or beaten together producing the “batter” which it will be baked in the oven for the cake to be produced. 

All of these ingredients are crucial for the cake to be perfect.  Even though some seem to be alike in their purpose, they each bring something extra to the recipe.  Just like each of us as believers all have the same purpose, we each bring something extra and necessary to the body. 

We are all “different” ingredients needed to work together in the body of Christ; to spread the good news of the gift of salvation to a lost and dying world.  As we become the perfect bride preparing herself for the Bridegroom, we become more and more appealing to others, just as the aroma of a cake baking in the oven, brings anticipation for others to partake of it.  Let us be willing to be measured, stirred up, and put in the fire to become that attractive “cake” so that others may eat of Him.

Romans 12:1-13

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.   Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.  Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.6In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.  If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.  Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.  Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.  Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.  When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.