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!