the FireCarrier

April is the cruelest month, breeding Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing Memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain. Excerpt from The Wasteland by TS Eliot (1922) The month is concluding, yet never ending. Many will remember this April, despite wishing to push aside the memories it has bred. ““In the distant future, when you are suffering all these things, you will finally return to the Lord your God and listen to what he tells you. For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the solemn covenant he made with your ancestors.”  Deuteronomy 4:30-31 (NLT) We see He never forgets us, despite what we sense or how far we may stray. He has created us and has plans for our future. He is the only one God.  We need call out in repentance to Him. This month He has had us gathered together, granting us time for inspection and repentance. The fire on His alter must not go out. We’ve been given time to realize what i...

“When they reached the edge of town, Samuel told Saul to send his servant on ahead. After the servant was gone, Samuel said, “Stay here, for I have received a special message for you from God.”” 1 Samuel 9:27 (NLT) “So they asked the Lord, “Where is he?” And the Lord replied, “He is hiding among the baggage.” So they found him and brought him out, and he stood head and shoulders above anyone else.” 1 Samuel 10:22-23 (NLT) Whom do you believe? Has not Father-God spoken His life into you? Did He not say it was completed. Stand again. Draw closer to Him in boldness.  His word remains true. He is truth and light. He has created you for His purposes. Awaken, stop hiding and come into His light.   Father-God Help us.  Grant us renewed vision of what you have spoken to us. We call to you and ask to draw nearer to you. Speak life into our past dreams from you. Grant us fresh vision to reach out and touch where we should be moving. Help us mature into what you see ...

““I am the seer!” Samuel replied. “Go up to the place of worship ahead of me. We will eat there together, and in the morning I’ll tell you what you want to know and send you on your way.” 1 Samuel 9:19 (NLT) For what are you searching? Be prepared to receive my answer. Ask of me. Reach out for what I have already shown you. Grasp it, it is yours. Wish for more of me and my ways, then move forward in what you have already received.

“Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.” Jeremiah 33:3 (NLT) Wake-up. Look about. I am all around you. I am calling out to you. Awaken to what I have planted within you. Open the ways for me to work. Trust me. I have great things for you. Just trust in what I show and speak to you. “Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.”  Proverbs 29:18 (NIV)

“Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift,”   Genesis 4:4 (NLT)

1. Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. 2 Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. 3 For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. 4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. 5 For I was born a sinner— yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. 6 But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there. 7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me— now let me rejoice. 9 Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. 11 Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the j...

Come closer. Draw nearer. All I have is available. Come and worship the lamb. He sits on the throne. I have paid the price so you might have life; fulness in me. Soak in what I have for you. Worship me. Cast aside your ideas. Learn my ways and acceptance. I speak wholes into your circumstances. I breathe wholeness into your life. Share me with those I place in your life, With those I place in your daily path. I have made all things new. I speak healing into your situation; share it with others. I speak acceptance, for you to give to those in need. They are my children. Come closer and sit at my feet and be bless ed.

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.  For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. If you make the Lord your refuge,  if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.  For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up ...

“Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’  For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all cross, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.”” Joshua 4:21-24 (NLT) Pause, and think back. Remember again the promises I have given you; Write down those dreams and visions for a life. I have not forgotten what I have said regarding your life and future. They remained unchanged; ready to be fulfilled. Stand firm and battle for what I have said is your legacy.  Recall them, let them resurrect within your life. Fulfill the promises of my greatness.

Do not miss the opportunities I have for you this very morning.  You are my special creation, like no others you have been trained and molded for this very day. I am not grading you, comparing you to others. You are significant and unique.  Relax in me. Speak the words I give you. Be my reflection to the world.

Do not believe the deceiving ways of the enemy. What does the written word say?   Speak life, you are his. Believe the truth he has spoken.. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged.  For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9 (NLT) ““What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”” Mark 9:23 (NLT)

I am what you have been seeking after. In all you do seek me and I will answer you.  Do not fear the circumstances. I am ever-lasting eternal. I hold the answers you are seeking. Draw nearer, soak in my word. Hide yourself in my ways. Draw peace from my presence. Don’t be afraid to Speak my words. Believe in what I whisper to you  or show you in the dreams. Reach out. I am yet with you. I am drawing you closer to me. IAM the answer.

Draw yourself into me and I will show you things. Allow my vision to become your pathway. I will guide you in your journey, I am your protection. I AM all you need. Open your heart so I might speak to you. Allow my words to penetrate the structures surrounding your life. Be sure in me. I AM for you. I am your protection and provision. “Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;  but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.” Proverbs 29:18 (NIV)

Think back. I want you to remember what I have spoken to you in the past.  Re-examine the words and dreams placed before you. Have you forgotten them?   Ask me again. I have taken you places and shown you things, so you might grow in my ways.  Continue to listen for me, as I am still speaking to you.  Do not become discouraged by what you see in the natural. Speak the words  of healing I will give you.  Pray for those I place in you remind and pathways. Feed upon my written word and you will grow in my likeness.

Do not be discouraged. Take your eyes away from the waves the enemy has sent to overcome you. Focus upon me. I speak your prosperity and health. I declare the enemy a liar and you are whole. Your safety is with me despite what you may now see. I declare you whole. Call my name. I am awaiting you. Experience my love again and again.

Again this morning, I have awoken with a song active in my "mind". This morning it was an older song I knew, about the "power in the blood". This should be a reminder to me about the importance of communion  and the time we spend alone with Him. In the garden there was no sin. We do not age, but have communion with God, our creator and protector. “As the crowd pressed in on Jesus, he said, “This evil generation keeps asking  me to show them a miraculous sign. But the only sign I will give them is the sign of Jonah. What happened to him was a sign to the people of Nineveh that God had sent him.  What happens to the Son of Man will be a sign to these people that he was sent by God.” Luke 11:29-30 (NLT) Father, I ask for forgiveness of wanting signs from you.  Help me to have that need to be with you, in a continual manner.  Open me to be aware of your reaching out to me for others.

Father,  I wanted to say thank you for all your ways and what you have done for me. Help me to grow in the ways I should be growing. Open me to what I should be and how I can become more like Jesus and part of your over-all plan.

“Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:28-30 (NLT) He completed his earthly ministry by dying for you and for me. There was no anger or regret. He gave his life without natural fleshly reaction. Now it is our part to respond to what he taught, and modelled. 

Throughout our lives, we all have a common enemy. One of his methods used is common to all peoples. We lose track of our vision. We focus on many things besides God and fear again raises its ugly head. Each day He is saying to us “Fear not, but draw closer to me. Fear not and trust in him. He is in control. As you read this, take a moment and thank Him. Tell Him your fears and ask for his help.  Know He is in control, and you are important to Him.  Fear not, for you are mine. " After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Genesis 15:1 Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged. Deuteronomy 1:21  "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee...

Do not stop looking for me. I have not withdrawn myself. I am trying to get your attention. I am drawing you to be near me, and to sit in my presence. Stop feeding in the cues of the enemy, but seek after my ways. Relax in my presence and receive healing from the anxieties. I am whispering my instructions to those whom will listen. I am feeding my ways and words to those who will listen; consume them. Come beneath my banner. Be changed: Align yourself with my ways. Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner. 1 He said, "Because hands were lifted up against the throne of the LORD, the LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation." Exodus 17:15-16

from March 2010 passover Tonight the cool wind does pass over around and through my dreams as an angel of death searching high blue brown skies envelop the trees like the scenery in an old movie; lips out of synch with words, searching for blood stained door-posts. I hear the voices crying out angry for the deaths of sons; those firstborn, meant to receive the blessing now receive the promise of their forefathers; a bondage none can break. it is strange that I should be allowed to pass over death into life unlike those before me that dark egyptian night

Like the Israelites, we too are about to cross over into the unknown. Leave the past behind you and move forward. Align yourself. Come into my order. Follow carefully and  listen for me because I will be aligning your steps. You’ve not been this way before, but fear not, as you are with me. I will give you clear direction. You will be doing my amazing things. “Early the next morning Joshua and all the Israelites left Acacia Grove and arrived at the banks of the Jordan River, where they camped before crossing. Three days later the Israelite officers went through the camp, giving these instructions to the people: When you see the Levitical priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord your God, move out from your positions and follow them. Since you have never traveled this way before, they will guide you. Stay about half a mile behind them, keeping a clear distance between you and the Ark.  Make sure you don’t come any closer.” Then Joshua told the people...

““Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there,  the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind.  After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.  And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.  When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.  And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”” 1 Kings 19:11-13 (NLT) Take the time to do what you feel you hear the LORD directing you to be doing. He is whispering direction to you/ He is speaking your name. Go out and stand at the entrance of your cave. He will meet with you.

“The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it. Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!” The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked.” Matthew 21:6-10 (NLT) The question still remains, Who is this?" Over two thousand years have now passed, yet the question has not.  Can you answer His question?

“When Moses had finished giving these instructions to all the people of Israel, he said, “I am now 120 years old, and I am no longer able to lead you.  The Lord has told me, ‘You will not cross the Jordan River.’  But the Lord your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy the nations living there, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua will lead you across the river, just as the Lord promised.” Deuteronomy 31:1-3 (NLT) Yield to his instructions and direction: Jesus still goes before us. 

Ever wish that God would speak more clearly to you? With the recent turn of nicer weather, dog walking, or should I say, puppy walking, has become a more important activity. One of our two dogs feels she need to go out for a walk nearly every other hour.  Now I enjoy dog-walking, but not always the constant pulling and darting around as she tracks birds or looks for snacks. We were on our way back home from a mid-morning walk and something caught my eyes.  I saw the chalk handiwork on a driveway. We stopped and I looked at the multi-colored items. There were pictures and writing filling the area. As I took the time to read what I saw, I had to smile, and hear the voice of God in this.  The handiwork was from Galatians, bringing me a reminder, of what has been so evident. “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, and self-control.  There is no law ag...

Is it time for examination? Do I judge myself as I judge others or is there a bias, as an undeserved self-leniency? There are many "you" references to rummage thru, and place on His scales. ““Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you.  Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. ”” Luke 6:37-38 (NLT) Father I ask for eyes to see what you would have me see. Continue to change me into one of your sons.

Reach out and weigh in. “Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said, “God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours. God blesses you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied.  God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh. What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy!  Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.”  Luke 6:20-23 (NLT) Where do you stand? How do you weigh into this paradigm?