He's actually making you!

So you think this is hard? The heat is turned up; The pressure is too great; They say they hear you, but really, they don't get you; The task is bigger than you; The ones you love rebuke you for the sake of shifting you back to their normal; The word God gave you has never been heard of before by them; You are tired of fighting; You seem to lose way more than you give...

Yeah...maybe it is...so you run away & give up.. that's easier...

But, trust me, you standing in the midst of these things it's the very thing that's making you!
Isaiah 48:10

God's Got You!!

In Job 23, Job speaks of the bitter trials, internal conflicts and woes that he is going through, looking for God in every place and in every way, wanting to prepare a complaint to take to Him and receive answers: but not being able to find or hear Him. However, even in the midst of Job's trial, his strange reply is that, "Though I can't find Him...He knows exactly where I'm at..He knows which street I'm on..He will justify me and bring me forth as pure Gold" (vs 10 paraphrased). Job continues that he does not understand God's Mind in the matters for which he is being concerned, but He continually affirms that, "God will perform the thing He has planned and appointed for ME, and He is mindful of all matters (vs 14)." What trust!!!!!! He's slaying me, but I am trusting Him...Not matter what! Job knew God. He knew that God would straighten everything and everyone out (which God does for those well-intentioned friends of Job later in Chapter 42). Job knew God would reveal His purpose in time to come, and God will always pay you for your time & trouble.

David later writes: "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me. The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; thy mercy, O LORD, endures forever: forsake not the works of thine own hands."
-Ps. 138:7-8. I'm saying here that David knew God! The Psalms, I & II Samuel, I & II Kings, and I & II Chronicles give testimony to God's faithfulness to David in all the trials and circumstances he endured. Therefore, David was able to speak of knowing that God will be him and straighten everything out. David understood that God always has a purpose in what He does. He knew that he would be delivered. He knew God would bless & honor him for what he had to endure.

God says to Joshua, "As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee" (Josh 1:5).

I wrote all of this to say that God has you!! You may not understand all that is going on, but God knows exactly what is going on! God has a plan for what you are going through. He is working on you and for you in your situations that you are enduring. He making you into what He created you to be. He is proving His Sovereignty & Eternal Purpose. God will get the glory. Isn't that what we all want..or what we all say we want..that God would get the glory out of our lives? This may be easy to say/hear, but I understand that your trials are not easy to endure. The press seems so unbearable. But I pray you stay the course. Endure the moment. And be thankful during it. God is faithful. What He promised, He will perform. You and others will see it! He has not lied to you. And He will not lie to you. He will not fail you. He will not forsake you. God is mindful of you!! God's Got This!!!

Much More Than a Meal

BONDING MOMENTS: One of the reasons why families should dine together is because there is so much more than a meal being shared.. Both the body and the soul is nourished.

It's a place where the family (or the friends) can be further knit together in love, community, and spirit. There's an unbreakable bond being forged.. a communion of sorts. It's where you can be celebrated or corrected for all conversations are in openness, and shared without fear, shame, or blame..not many masks as the table..and no need to hide..at the table, you'll know that someone has your back even if they don't agree - because they love your who and not necessarily your do! Even though there may be correction or adjustments, it's normally in a firm but gentle manner that produces the right results..breeds togetherness and intimacy.

Many covenants are formed over a meal, or sealed a covenant with a meal following the ceremony. Consider a wedding ceremony. It's normally followed by a reception. The Lord Jesus established the new covenant at the Passover meal. In one of the businesses I was a part of, they had a saying... "Business is done at the kitchen table." Because of this reason, they are one of the most successful business on the planet. If business execs know how to get to your table to grow their business, then how much more can you grow your family and add to the value of your life?

I, therefore, encourage each family, in this time of busy-ness and on the go, to make time to share all or a meal together. 15 to 20 minutes. You may not say anything at all, but after a while, you'll find things to talk about and growth will begin!!
If you have the opportunity to share a lunch with a friend, do so from time to time! Some people are just looking for someone to talk to.

I'd like to end this as a waiter or waitress that just delivered the food the to table: "Enjoy your meal!"

(By the way, I am a servant!)

...As You Love Yourself...

Grace to you! I saw this poster from an unidentified author on a page of one of my facebook friends and just had to share it with you all today.

In the Bible, our Lord Jesus said these most awesome and often overlooked words. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." MATTHEW 22:37-40.

It's the second commandment that comes to mind when I read this poster. I believe one of the reasons why many don't treat others well, or aren't treat nicely, is because of the lack of love we have for ourselves. According to verse 39 in the above mentioned passage, we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. We do so much for others, that we don't take time to do for ourselves. We must learn to love our unique selves. We deserve the best. We need rest, forgiveness, love, acceptance, blessings, treats, and the ability to express ourselves without fear of repercussions. We can take care of our bodies, dress them well, and participate in godly, holy, and FUN fellowship. We need exercise. We should mindful of what we put in them. We should be careful of our associations and protect our spirits, as well as our hearts. Ask yourself, "Is this good for me? Are they good for me?" There is much to consider in making you better.

However, there is also a purpose for why we would want to do this. It is so that we can have an example of how well someone else-our neighbor-deserves to be treated. Today, a good friend and I were sharing about value. When we value someone or something, we tend to take really good care of them or it. We respect our associates and their time, accomplishments, and lives. Therefore, let us learn to love ourselves better and treat ourselves better. This will lead to an increase of love for others. Besides, Jesus also said that they world would know that we in the His Body were Christians by the love we have for one another!! That's a good thang!

The poster title says...Be Good to You! You are truly worth it! I truly believe God's glory will shine through you as you take the time to do for you all that you can to make you happy. Be the best and the blest to youself!

Warfare Strategies: WORSHIP

God is revealing strategies to effectively fight in this warfare. We often look for the deep things, but there are things we do all the time that can and will defeat the enemy. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.  2 Corinthians 10:4.
On last night, in a service that I was visiting, the Lord began to impart a word in my spirit. He said, “The GREATEST WARFARE strategy in this hour will be worship.” Really? He gave this Word while the minister was preaching. He wasn’t preaching this, but I was taken some place else for a quick moment.
Some warfare strategies include: clapping, dancing, hand movements, prayer, praise, worship, order, His Name and the Name of Jesus.
Worship draws us into the place where we commune with the Father and give Him the glory due His Name. He inhabits the praises of His people. Where is the enemy when God shows up? He doesn’t come around too much right now, but He is getting bolder. Worship brings you into the Father & God’s holy presence and should He so desire…He shares His heart, love, rebuke, correction, instruction and intimacy. He shows you what was, what is, and what’s to come. It’s a blessed place…and a surefire way to put the enemy to silence. Let's overcome the enemy. Let's come to the place of love, mercy and grace. Let us...
Worship Him.
PS: Follow me as I follow Christ on Twitter. www.twitter.com/ProphtssMiriam

Prayer is a Dialogue, not a Monologue

When people say that they prayed about something or sought the Lord in prayer, and the decision comes back as something against the written word, can they really say they sought the Lord? The Lord will not alter His covenant or retract what went out of His Lips. What was, will be. If He didn't like it then, He will not like it now.

Prayer is a two-way dialogue with the Father. It is not only you talking to Him, but He also speaking with and to you. Most times, His answer will be found in the scriptures He leads you to. That is why is so important to have an understanding of the Word. It needs to be memorized and then learned in the paths of life and study. How can you understand a Rhema without the Logos? Truly, what's spoken will never undo what's written.

Most times, when prayers are made, the petitioner comes to the Father with His requests and desires. After they made their litany, they say "Amen" and get up and go their way. But truly, one should w ait and listen for His answer. Practice in waiting (& the study) will help train you to know His voice. The Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth...not just your desires. -Submitted in Love

My prayer for my trip

A ticket was booked for me to the mountain of God.
Yep, I'm taking the express train Mt. Sinai. Gonna hike the trails that lead to the cave of Adullum where David ran for refuge & became the leader & king. Gonna stop by the broom tree for bed and breakfast: I will eat what the angels provide. Yes, strength for my journey. Finally, I'll position myself in the the cave on Mt. Horeb where Elijah sought God. I know that God is not in the wind. I know He is not in the earthquake. I know He is not in this fire. But when it's all over, in the quiet of my soul, I will hear His voice speak His plans and strategies until He says, "Go, return on your way to..." wherever He leads.
LORD only knows what will I learn there, but the tablet of my heart is ready to receive...

Dear Father, I trust You. Fill me over and over with Your Holy Spirit. Give me fresh oil for my lamps. Give me the never ending supply. I will to walk in the light as You are in the light. We have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, Your son cleanses me from all sin. Let my light so shine that ships are ever mindful of the shoreline. Let my life and light be ever seen that all ships never run aground. Let your word clean me. Let your blood continually purge my conscious from dead works. And Dear Lord, bless my family, my special friend, and the blessed ones reading this prayer. This I ask in the Name of Jesus.
***Mt. Sinai & Mt. Horeb are the same mountain and often referred to as Holy Mountain of God.

1 Samuel 22:1-5 Adullum means refuge.                 1 Kings 19:3-15
1 John 1:5                                                                  Matthew 5:14
John 15:3                                                                   Hebrews 9:14

Joy

Joy - the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires: delight; the expression or exhibition of such emotion: Gaiety; a state of happiness or felicity: bliss; a source or cause of delight. To experience great pleasure or delight: rejoice.
(Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th Edition)

There is great joy ahead!
There are great blessings ahead!
Promises are going to be fulfilled today, tomorrow and the next!
Blessings await!!
Draw nigh to the Father! Delight in Him and Him alone!
Access Him and Look to Him!
Look to Him and be enlightened!
The oil of Joy comes to replace the mourning that has been present!

Do You Know Jesus

Do You KNOW Jesus?

I am not asking if you know "of" Jesus. I am not asking if you have heard of Jesus.
But, and consider carefully, Do You KNOW Jesus?

Have you accepted Him as the gift of salvation the Father provides? Have you placed faith, trust, & belief in Him as your Lord? Are you growing to learn more of Him? Do you spend more than 5 minutes a day with Him? 10? 15? 20? Have you been filled with His promise and seal (Eph1:13-14), the Holy Spirit?

In a Greek Lexicon, to know is translated from about 5 words, but I will use 2 here:

I. Epiginosko- to become thoroughly acquainted with, to know thoroughly to know accurately, know well to know to recognise by sight, hearing, of certain signs, to perceive who a person is to know i.e. to perceive to know i.e. to find out, ascertain to know i.e. to understand know fully1, known2, knows1, learned3, perceiving1, realized1, recognize5, recognized6, recognizing1, take note1, taking note1, understand3, understood1, well-known1.

II.Ginosko- to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, feel to become known to know, understand, perceive, have knowledge of to understand to know Jewish idiom for sexual intercourse between a man and a woman to become acquainted with, to know know how1, knowing3, known25, knows14, learn1, learned1, perceived1, perceiving2, put1, realize3, recognize7, recognized1, recognizing1, sure4, take notice1, unaware*2, understand11, understood6, virgin*1.

In light of these thorough definitions, consider how well you know Jesus. For I say unto you that you want to not only know Jesus, but to also be known of Jesus (see Matthew 7:23).

Today my heart just wants to make you sure. For out of all that you do and become for Jesus, and all that you gain from Jesus, it is most important that you learn of Christ (Matthew 11:29) and grow in grace and knowledge of Him (2Cor3:18).

Consider my words today and take time to get to know Him. He wants to get to know you and you learn of and know Him!

The War of Confessions: Positve vs Negative

Do not allow your frustrations to cause you to speak against your confessions of faith.

Your negative doubtful confessions can, and often will, undo your positive faithful ones. And you will find that you waiver and don't receive what God is promising you! Stay in faith! Don't be moved by what you see!

Negative and positives don't mix. They bounce off of each other which is why you bless those that curse you instead of joining in with your own choice cusses and curses. It says when you bless them that curse you, you are heaping coals of fire on their heads. Why? because they are spewing coals of fire towards you, but you are blessing them. Those negative confessions and curses will return upon their heads, while your positive are being sown to you!

Stay in faith! Stay in agreement with God. Let Him be True. Set your face like flint and do like David, who asked the Lord to set a guard over his mouth and keep watch at the door of his lips. He was so serious about what came out of his mouth. God says that he will not alter the things that have come out of his lips concerning his covenant with us. Even Jesus held his peace when he was on trial. He would not let any false or frustrated confession alter the plan and purpose of God. He even told his disciples (us) when they would be tried to possess their souls in patience! Let patience keep your soul! Harness your soul-mind will intellect emotions personality-with your patience. Don't run off at the mouth based on what you see and feel and hear.

No....this is not easy. Faith is a fight. But the apos Paul says Fight the good fight of faith! The enemy does not want you to possess the plan of God! But he's a liar. Jesus calls him the father of lies. Consider Ps 103:20 that says the angels hearken to the voice of the word. They hearken, meaning they listen with intent to obey. They are not hearers only. So if the angels listen to the "voice" of the word, then fallen angels listen as well. But they try to stop the word. They try to make the word of no effect. This is where we come in with our attitude towards our confessions of faith! The apos John says that we overcome the world with faith. So our faith causes us to win and be in rightstanding with God. There's so much peace there!

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus! Allow yourself to do what he did and say what he said. Let Him live big in you! The greater one lives inside of you! He wouldn't tell you to do these things if He didn't know what he put inside of you. Cast away your frustrations. Pick up your promises, speak those things and, though it tarry, wait!

God has never lied and He will not start! -

Prophetess Miriam aka Lighthouse loves you too much!

Stay the course!

It's of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed...
Not consumed by what? The complexities and perplexities of life. The despair that attempts to drown you in doubt and unbelief. The words of the naysayers and dream killers and those that attempt to darken your eyes. The loneliness (but you're not alone). The rejections and misunderstandings. Your own dark reasonings. Your own lack of vision. Your own way of thinking. Your own weights and sins.
What do we do? We cast those things aside. We believe anyway. We walk by faith and not sight. We keep believing to the saving of our soul. We cry but we say...I will believe the report of the Lord! I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
(Lam 3:22)

God's Eyes Are Not On The Sparrow - They Are On You!

(Oops, don't throw your favorite song away...Just wanting to shift your consciousness today!)

I know that many are enduring the times the apostle Paul told us to prepare for. In 2 Timothy 3, the chapter begins with him telling us that "perilous times shall come." One translation says that there will be times hard to deal with and hard to bear. Over the span of my salvation, I have heard preachers, ministers, praying mothers and concerned friends tell me that hard times will come. Paul goes on to explain to Timothy the signs of the times that will be evident in the people around us (vs. 1-9). Even our Lord Jesus said that we will have tribulation in the world. Tribulation is more than persecution. It's hard times. It's stress! It's Misunderstandings. It's hurt feelings. It's covenant breakers! It's broken promises! It's disappointments! It's Closed Doors (but truly they are open). In some situations, the stress will be so great that many will go to where it's wrong, but easy. I've heard the Caravans sing that some will "give up the right for the wrong." Times got so rough for Naomi that she told the people not to call her by her name anymore, which had a positive meaning: "blessed and full". She told people that the Lord had dealt bitterly with her, so call her Mara. (Ruth 1:20-21). And we all know of Jeremiah who was so pressed with the rejections and abuses of the people that he was sent to warn and prophecy to. He was put in prison. He was put in pits. He even told God, I'm not going to preach another thing! Don't give me any word to say to them. I'm trying to help them and they are treating me like this? Oh no, here am I, but I’m not prophesying another thing. But it says that the Word is burning in his bones. God's word is like fire that burns up the chaff. It separates the real from the false. And it can't help but come to pass!

My Dear Friends, Hold on! (I really feel like singing...Hold On Just a Little While Longer...Everything is gonna be alright!)

Psalms 34 is our place of encouragement today, friends. I see that the one who sought was delivered from all their fears (vs 4). I see that the poor man who cried was saved from all his troubles (vs 6). I see that the righteous cry and are delivered from all their troubles (vs 17). I see that ANGELS surrounded the camps of those who stayed in the fear of the LORD and they were delivered by the Angel of the LORD (vs7). I see that the righteous WILL ENDURE MANY AFFLICATIONS! (vs 19) (I hear Paul speaking to Timothy again.). But the Lord delivers the righteous out of every single one of them. Really? What's left out of All? Not some.. Not a couple.. Not a few.. It may be here a little and there a little, but it will be ALL!

And why will He deliver you? Because God loves righteousness. In fact the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy! However, not your own self-righteousness. But the righteousness that is based on Jesus’ sinless sacrifice. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says that we are made the righteousness of God in him. Hallelujah!

Ok, about the sparrow. Jesus demonstrated how God is so aware of everything that is going on in the world. He is Omniscient. Omni Science. Knowing ALL things. So, you are not out there by yourself. You are not there not being heard. Your tears are bottled up into a vial. Your prayers are heard before the Throne. Jesus and the Holy Spirit are interceding for you. Jesus said that the not one sparrow falls to ground without God knowing about it. But he says we are worth more than they. Yes, they are cute and precious and sing a sweet song. However, the price on us is of greater value. We are purchased with the precious blood of the Lamb. We are redeemed to be a part of the family of God. So Psalms 34 is letting us know that God's eyes are on you! You are who He's listening to! You are who He's watching! You are His very own! You are the one that He will deliver. The sparrow will fall to the ground, but you will be delivered! You will be delivered from every fear, every trouble, every affliction. Hallelujah!

Psalm 34 closes with a blessing to those who trust Him. I've heard many times before that we have to trust Him when we can't trace Him. 2 Timothy 3:5-7 speaks of those who are always learning about God, but not allowing His word to take root. They don't allow themselves to anchor in the promise and just believe. They hear for a moment, but then the circumstance overwhelms them and the word becomes unfruitful. (See Mark 4 about the process of the seed of the Word of God as it enters the heart of man. Sometimes the seed is immediately snatched by the enemy so it's ineffective. Sometimes the seed is graciously received, but the heat of the moment rises up and they forget the promise in the word. Quite often the seed is planted but the cares of this life, etc., choke the word so that it can’t produce the intent. Then there are those, who keep hearing, and listening and cleaning their hearts outs and correcting their thinking concerning the faithfulness of God that begin to manifest the fruit of the Word!) I encourage you to keep believing and trust. This Psalm is so full of God's promises. He hasn't changed His mind. He hasn't forgotten His promise. He hasn't turned His ear or His eyes away. He says those who trust Him will not be desolate (vs 22).

So rise up, rebuke the enemy of your souls and set yourself in agreement with God (Job 22:21). Good is coming. Begin to decree that you are the righteousness of God. Begin to sound that you will be delivered. Magnify His Word in your hearts and minds. Don't be moved or overcome by what you see and experience. I know it’s hard! Sing a victory song in the time of war! God is going to deliver you! God is going to trouble your troubles! Read Psalm 34 again. Pay attention to the places of deliverance. Don't stop crying out! Jeremiah 30:18-21...The Lord is waiting to hear your cry! He is waiting to be gracious to the faithful. Your deliverance is coming! We have to magnify the faithfulness of God. He is not a liar. Your circumstances may be hard. Your trials may be great. But...Your faithful God is Greater! Your deliverance will come!

God's Credit Rating: EXCELLENT/God's faithfulness towards YOU!!

Dear Family, Be encouraged in this season for blessings are springing forth! The Lord is not slack concerning His Promises. He is faithful to perform whatever He said. In fact, He watches over His Word to perform it. Though the vision tarries, wait for it... wait for it... wait for it! Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him. Fret not thyself. The Lord is thy strength and thy shield. Let your heart trust in Him. And allow the help that comes from His presence and the people He sends to be of comfort to you in your affliction. God is faithful. He will perform all His counsel. For that which He declared concerning you will come to pass.

My heart prays today for the weariness that is manifest among the saints. I see their tiredness. I know their pain. I know their astonishment. For even the kingdom of heaven is like a man going into a far country to return again at an appointed hour. Luke 12 warns us to stay in the place of preparation...don't say in your hearts that the master delays His coming and then go and begin to beat on the servants the Lord entrusted you with. But be in faith. Be in faith! Be in readiness. Be in position.

Cast not away your confidence for it hath great recompense of reward. What does this mean? It means to hold on to the promises you began to hope in. It means stand when all looks hopeless and helpless. It means, trust God when you can’t trace Him. It means to lean not to your own understanding. Don’t be wise in your conceits. Don’t view God and consider Him as man. God is not a man that He should lie; Neither the son of man that He should repent. It means to pray without ceasing and let your heart always be trusting Him.

One of the things God always counseled the children of Israel, was to remember and not forget. Remember and not forget. If you remember the account, they would get in a pickle, cry out to God, get delivered in a miraculous way that blew everybody's mind, and rejoice. However, the next time they got in a pickle, they would murmur and complain. They would forget what He did for them only the time before. This would displease the Lord because when God sets His love on you, to deliver you and keep you alive in famine, He is going to do this for you EVERY TIME. No matter how long it takes. However, He looks to build up confidence in you. He looks to build up hope, faith, and trust in you. That you would always think the truth concerning Him. And that you would speak these things concerning Him. So never forget what He has done or is doing. Because, the fact is…He’ll do it again.

God wants to get glory and honor. He is worthy of the glory and honor. And when He gets the glory and honor in your situation, it draws others to Him. God is looking to draw His creation to Him as sons and daughters, that they would receive the inheritance He’s promised from the foundation of the world. So this brings me back to how I started…

God has not forgotten the promise He made because they are promises He will keep! Be encouraged! God’s credit record is EXCELLENT! Never missed a payment! Therefore we are assured and rest in what’s He’s promised to us. Be encouraged!

Scripture references: 2 Peter 3:9, Jeremiah 1:12, Habakkuk 2:3, Psalm 37:7, 28:7, Ephesians 1:11, Matthew 25, Hebrews 10:35, Proverbs 3:5-9, Numbers 23:19, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Deuteronomy 8:1-18.

The Power of Asking... You get what you're asking for!

I look forward to these moments with you today. Today, I would like to encourage those who have been hearing more "No's" than "Yes'." I want to encourage those who are doing all they know to do and still without the result they were expecting. I want to hold the hands of those that have had doors closed in their faces. I want you to know, I understand how you feel, and I give lavish hugs to the soul burdened by such trials.

In the Gospel of Matthew 6:7-11, these words are recorded:
   Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives..and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened...
Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?...If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Brothers and sisters, the main is issue here is the asking? In order to receive something, you have to ask God for it. Asking is receiving! God is not like man! God is His Word and His Word is God! God is not like man! He is always faithful! Always giving! Always working! Always moving! Always there! Always with you! I encourage you to take a moment right now, look over and acknowledge His Present Help! I must say again, God is always faithful. Yes! Continue asking, seeking, and knocking. That need will be met. That which you seek for you will find. If you ring the door bell, Someone from within will answer that door!

What are you saying, prophetess? Somebody has your Yes! God will perform His Word to you! Amen! So as I close today, keep this nugget way down deep in your heart and spirit. Trust God. He won't fail you. In Habakkuk, the prophet said, "For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry." (2:3) Be encouraged my friends. Enjoy your day!

The Blessing of Honor and Integrity

The Blessing of Silence...sometimes its best not to say anything at all. Even telling the truth or being honorable can have the opposite effect and place you in a position you never intended to be. However, in time, truth & honor always wins out.. Though they can bring you low and humiliate you, truth and honor set you up for the higher & better life... These are the things that promote you..For God has said the promotion comes neither from the East, West or South, but it comes from the LORD.. Mercy, humility, truth & honor are taken quite seriously by our Father, Who sees all and knows all.

Consider the story of Joseph. Gen 37 - 39. To his family and brothers, he told dreams of being in authority. He was just sharing a dream, not a desire of his heart, but a dream, and that him got kicked out the tribe and sold into slavery (Whose he going to rule over now?). But God was with him and gave him favor..

Joseph was lusted for by Potiphar's wife, but stayed in honor to His God and His master. His honor was doubted and a lie was believed that cast him into prison. But God was with him and gave him favor...

Joseph now doesn't tell his dreams but interprets those of others. His talents and honor are remembered even to the head of the state: Pharoah himself needs his troubling dreams interpreted and God magnified Joseph's integrity, wisdom and administration to him. He saved an entire nation from death by famine and was promoted to #2 because Joseph stayed in the administration of the Spirit. He kept his integrity before God. He stayed truthful.

So sometimes, your being truthful may bring you into negative circumstances, but God is faithful. He is not like man. He will always remember and recognize your love for Him in being truthful and honorable. He will always promote!

God hears you!

Ye that fear the LORD, praise Him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify Him; and fear Him, all ye the seed of Israel. For He hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath He hid His face from him; but when he cried unto Him, He heard.-Ps 22:23-24

I didn't purposefully find this scripture this morning, but as I looked towards Ps 23, my eyes fell upon this portion. I read it several times. What an awesome promise! The psalmist commands us to praise God and glorify God if we fear Him. Truly God is worthy of our praise! He is worthy to receive glory! In fact, the word tells us to give unto Him the glory that is due to His name!

Check this out... These verses are connected by the coordinating conjuction "for." This suggests that we should not allow afflictions to close our mouths to His praise and giving Him glory. Time and time again, the New Testament books include information on how to carry yourself through afflictions because they will surely come. In fact, Jesus closes His classic Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 - 7) with the importance of grounding yourself in the Word of God. How do you ground? You hear and do what Jesus said! Many of us only give mental assent to the Word they are hearing, but in order to have a strong foundation that will withstand anything, you must read it over and over, listen over and over, and lastly, do it over and over! These are the things that moves you from mustard seed to great faith. Hearinng and doing the Word of God causes your roots to anchor and grow deep. Deep roots is similar to concrete foundations that anchor large and tall buildings. The Word of God calls you Trees of Righteousness! And not just any kind of trees, but Oaks! Oaks are known for being strong & lofty & beautiful! Look at God! Don't you feel better just hearing that? Praise God!

So praise God! Glorify God! No matter what you're going through. The verse continues that God deos not hid His face from the afflicted person. He hears the cry of the afflicted! When you praise through affliction and trial, those praises are special to God! Those praises and offerings of glory tell God you trust Him no matter what you're experiencing! You see, God knows what those praises are. He knows where they come from. He knows the depth of the affliction. He knows how strong it is on you. He knows what it took for you to open your mouth and give Him glory in the strange land. In the hard place. Those praises and offerings of glory are actually sacrifices that come from the broken spirit and contrite heart. Afflictions attempt to close our mouths to praise and open them to release complaint, offense, and speak the situation. However...we will not do that! We are going to praise the Lord at all times.* In every circumstance. For every reason, and no reason at all! So, your praise in the place of affliction is speaking something to the LORD God that opens His ears. Know that your deliverance is on the way! Our afflictions are working on us, in us and for us! Hallelujah!

May this be light for you!

A Heart That Rejoices

Psalms 105:3, 4 says for us to Glory in the Holy Name of the Lord. Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD and His strength. Seek His face evermore!

I notice that there is a joy in the hearts of those that seek the Lord in the midst of great seasons of difficulty. You can see it in their eyes. You can hear it in their voices. They have moved from the place of complaint to the place of quiet belief. They know that God will do what He said He would do and are assured of it. They move from unsettledness, doubt, and anxiety to trust.

When your heart trusts God, God releases a joy into your life. The apostle Paul said that we which have believed do enter into rest.* He wrote in another location that we have joy and peace in believing.* The Lord Jesus taught that those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, would be filled.* What's in the hunger? What's in the thirst? There's a seek! When someone is hungry, they seek for food. When someone is thirsty, they seek for drink. They are satisfied and contented when that desire is accomplished.*

Today, I want to encourage you to seek the LORD. Seek His face and His strength! As you seek Him, begin to experience the Joy of the LORD's presence. His number ONE desire is spending time with you. When you seek for Him with all your heart, He begins to share His heart, His wonderful plan, with you.* When you begin to realize the awesome destiny He has designed for you, your own heart begins to rejoice! As He shares His heart with you, an image of what He is saying to you begins to develop in your mind. You begin to see yourself in what He shows you. You begin to place yourself in that image and begin to speak what He's speaking. Proverbs tells us that the word of God is life for us. It's health and healing to all our flesh.* As we spend time in His presence and meditate on what He's speaking, the word of God goes to work in our hearts and heals our brokeness.* The word stirs us and improves our outlook, our inlook, and our looks. We are renewed day by day!

When your heart is happy, you are happy! Your mind an spirit is lifted! Your energy is renewed! Your vitality restored! So...embrace the Presence of God. Press into that place where it's just you and God. Seek the LORD! Let your heart rejoice! And, again I say..Rejoice!*

*Scriptural references. Hebrews 4:3, Romans 15:13, Matthew 5:6, Prov 13:12, Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 4:22, Psalm 107:20, 2 Corinthians 4:16, Philippians 4:4

Welcome to The Lighthouse

 We have a wonderful journey ahead of us! As we seek first the King (Our Lord Jesus Christ) and His Kingdom, He is sure to reveal some awesome things that will be most beneficial to our lives and destiny!