the FireCarrier

When he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. He said to them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those outside, everything is in parables, so that although they look they may look but not see, and although they hear they may hear but not understand, so they may not repent and be forgiven.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭4:10-12‬ ‭(NET)‬‬ Come and sit with me. Listen for my voice as I whisper direction and encouragement into your future. Sit with me. Shhhh. There is no need for you to explain. Be forgiven and secure in the aura of my smile. I will teach you the lessons you need to know. My love covers over the insecurities. My love brings healing and wholeness. Come and sit with me. Allow me to heal you.

Then Jesus got up early in the morning when it was still very dark, departed, and went out to a deserted place, and there he spent time in prayer.   Simon and his companions searched for him. When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”  He replied, “Let us go elsewhere, into the surrounding villages, so that I can preach there too. For that is what I came out here to do.” So he went into all of Galilee preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭1:35-39‬ ‭(NET‬‬)

Therefore if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:1‬ (‭AMP)‬‬ Experience me. Learn to expect me to come and fill you. Ask me into your everyday life and see if I will not show myself. Look about and see my handiwork. Inhale the breath of my Sprit. He will take you into places where you can grow. He will cleanse you from the grime of this world. Come expectantly and receive what I have for you.

But the Lord said to Samuel, Don’t be impressed by his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. God does not view things the way men do. People look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭16:7‬ ‭(NET‬‬) It was now about the sixth hour (noon), and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.), because the sun was obscured; and the veil [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was torn in two [from top to bottom]. And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit!” Having said this, He breathed His last.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭23:44-46‬ ‭(AMP‬‬) It's time to ask, Where do you stand? Don't use words in giving your answer, but in demonstration. Toss aside the covering of vague answers. Dress in the holiness of my Word and cover yourself with my blood. I am yet looking at your heart.

The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” And I said, “I see the branch of an almond tree.” Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am [actively] watching over My word to fulfill it.”” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭1:11-12‬ ‭(AMP‬‬) Allow me to teach you beyond what you think you know. I will show you places and people. I will take you into new realms. I will cover you in oil and gold dust, but mostly I will reveal myself to you. Allow my love for people embrace your actions.

My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them from my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can snatch them from my Father’s hand. The Father and I are one. ‭‭John‬ ‭10:27-30‬ ‭(NET‬‬) Come sit with me. Allow me to bring healing to your heart. Keep your focus upon Me and my ways and not what the enemy broadcasts. Listen for my voice as I guide you into the pathway. I am the way you should go. When needed I will give specific direction, but you will need to listen and respond else the enemy will distract you. Know my voice and respond to my correction.

Gideon said to him, If you really are pleased with me, then give me a sign as proof that it is really you speaking with me. ‭‭Judges‬ ‭6:17‬ ‭(NET‬‬) Guard against self-deception, each of you. If someone among you thinks he is wise in this age, let him become foolish so that he can become wise. For the wisdom of this age is foolishness with God. As it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”” 1 Corinthians 3:18-20 (NET)

He also said to them, A lamp isn’t brought to be put under a basket or under a bed, is it? Isn’t it to be placed on a lampstand? For nothing is hidden except to be revealed, and nothing concealed except to be brought to light. If anyone has ears to hear, he had better listen! And he said to them, Take care about what you hear. The measure you use will be the measure you receive, and more will be added to you. For whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. ‭‭Mark‬ ‭4:21-25‬ ‭(NET‬‬) Now is not the time to give up. Continue to look for me, expecting me to answer. I will whisper my secrets to you. I will come to you in dreams and visions. I will wrap you in my cloak of protection. Watch for me and I will be found.

Citizens of Zion, rejoice! Be glad because of what the Lord your God has done! For he has given to you the early rains as vindication. He has sent to you the rains – both the early and the late rains as formerly. The threshing floors are full of grain; the vats overflow with fresh wine and olive oil. I will make up for the years that the ‘arbeh-locust consumed your crops – the yeleq-locust, the hasil-locust, and the gazam-locust – my great army that I sent against you. You will have plenty to eat, and your hunger will be fully satisfied; you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has acted wondrously in your behalf. My people will never again be put to shame. You will be convinced that I am in the midst of Israel. I am the Lord your God; there is no other. My people will never again be put to shame. After all of this I will pour out my Spirit on all kinds of people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your elderly will have revelatory dreams; your young men will see propheti

Look up and out the window before you. See my nature as it opens and continues. Release the mess which clouds over you. See if I will not answer. I will swoop in and be your covering. I will yet be your protector and provider. Yes. I stand before you to show you the way. Be open and subtle and you will hear my whispering to you.

The Lord reigns! He is robed in majesty, the Lord is robed, he wears strength around his waist. Indeed, the world is established, it cannot be moved. Your throne has been secure from ancient times; you have always been king. The waves roar, O Lord, the waves roar, the waves roar and crash. Above the sound of the surging water, and the mighty waves of the sea, Lord sits enthroned in majesty. The rules you set down are completely reliable. Holiness aptly adorns your house, O Lord, forever. ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭93:1-5‬ ‭(NET‬‬)

After all this Joshua son of Nun, the Lord’s servant, died at the age of one hundred ten. They buried him in his allotted territory in Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. Israel worshiped the Lord throughout Joshua’s lifetime and as long as the elderly men who outlived him remained alive. These men had experienced firsthand everything the Lord had done for Israel. The bones of Joseph, which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the part of the field that Jacob bought from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem, for one hundred pieces of money. So it became the inheritance of the tribe of Joseph. Eleazar son of Aaron died, and they buried him in Gibeah in the hill country of Ephraim, where his son Phinehas had been assigned land. ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭24:29-33‬ (‭NET‬‬) It's ok to look back, but do not get caught there. Bury the bones of your past in the past. I am leading you to where you are to be now. I am ever-revealing your d

Why do you say you don’t hear me and yet I hear you talk with me. Expect me to communicate with you. Speak my voice with confidence. Reflect my ways. I am hoovering over you. Look beyond what you see. I am everywhere you walk each day. I am your covering.

Now obey the Lord and worship him with integrity and loyalty. Put aside the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt and worship the Lord. If you have no desire to worship the Lord, choose today whom you will worship, whether it be the gods whom your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. But I and my family will worship the Lord! Joshua 24:14-15 (NET)

Again the next day John was standing there with two of his disciples. Gazing at Jesus as he walked by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”” ‭‭John‬ ‭1:35-36‬ (‭NET‬‬) Recognize me. Apply my ways to your life. Wrap your heart not only in truth, but with my compassion. Let my peace flow from wherever you are travelling. Bring them to me.

But God,  being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even though we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you are saved! – and he raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, to demonstrate in the coming ages the surpassing wealth of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:4-8‬ ‭(NET‬‬)

My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 (NET) Don’t be confused, but follow me. Soak in my presence and absorb my ways. Allow me to wash you. My cleansing removes past stains. Be found fruitful in the small things of life. Take the step into something new and see if I am not already there, awaiting you.

Don’t wait. Let there be no hesitation in doing what I speak to you. Reach out. Walk among the waters and bring them to me. Let forgiveness and restoration abound. My Word is true and pure. Be washed in it.

It’s time to set aside the fear the enemy has placed before you. but keep your eyes upon my ways and my Word. Your victory lies with me. Don’t listen to the lies he brings, but stay focused in Me. Devour my word. Let it guide you and become your protection and sword. It’s time to stop being reactive, but follow what I’ve set forth. I tell you again, but fear not the lying ways of my enemy. It’s time to stand firm in me.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the sky displays his handiwork. Day after day it speaks out; night after night it reveals his greatness. There is no actual speech or word, nor is its voice literally heard. Yet its voice echoes throughout the earth; its words carry to the distant horizon. In the sky he has pitched a tent for the sun. Like a bridegroom it emerges from its chamber; like a strong man it enjoys running its course. It emerges from the distant horizon, and goes from one end of the sky to the other; nothing can escape its heat. The law of the Lord is perfect and preserves one’s life. The rules set down by the Lord are reliable and impart wisdom to the inexperienced. The Lord’s precepts are fair and make one joyful. The Lord’s commands are pure and give insight for life. The commands to fear the Lord are right and endure forever. The judgments given by the Lord are trustworthy and absolutely just. Psalms 19:1-9 (NET)

He is not here, for he has been raised, just as he said. Come and see the place where he was lying. ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:6‬ ‭(NET‬‬)

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised, just as he said. Come and see the place where he was lying. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. He is going ahead of you into Galilee. You will see him there.’ Listen, I have told you!” So they left the tomb quickly, with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. But Jesus met them, saying, “Greetings!” They came to him, held on to his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee. They will see me there. ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:5-10‬ ‭(NET‬‬)

How lovely is the place where you live, O Lord who rules over all! I desperately want to be in the courts of the Lord’s temple. My heart and my entire being shout for joy to the living God. Even the birds find a home there, and the swallow builds a nest, where she can protect her young near your altars, O Lord who rules over all, my king and my God. How blessed are those who live in your temple and praise you continually! (Selah) How blessed are those who find their strength in you, and long to travel the roads that lead to your temple! As they pass through the Baca Valley, he provides a spring for them. The rain even covers it with pools of water. They are sustained as they travel along; each one appears before God in Zion. O Lord, sovereign God, hear my prayer! Listen, O God of Jacob! (Selah) O God, take notice of our shield! Show concern for your chosen king! Certainly spending just one day in your temple courts is better than spending a thousand elsewhere. I would rather stand at

As for you, the one who lives in the shelter of the sovereign One, and resides in the protective shadow of the mighty king – I say this about the Lord, my shelter and my stronghold, my God in whom I trust – he will certainly rescue you from the snare of the hunter and from the destructive plague. He will shelter you with his wings; you will find safety under his wings. His faithfulness is like a shield or a protective wall. Psalms 91:1-4 (NET) You are carriers of my light. My life shines through you onto the world. I am the truth for you to share. I am hope for the hopeless. Share me.

In that day,” says the sovereign Lord, “I will make the sun set at noon, and make the earth dark in the middle of the day. I will turn your festivals into funerals, and all your songs into funeral dirges. I will make everyone wear funeral clothes and cause every head to be shaved bald. I will make you mourn as if you had lost your only son; when it ends it will indeed have been a bitter day.” ‭‭Amos‬ ‭8:9-10‬ ‭(NET‬‬)

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” So the Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this black mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled out by the roots and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭17:5-6‬ ‭(NET‬‬) Look about you for I am there. Be found faithful and follow what I’ve placed in your heart. Do not be discouraged, but grow in my Word. Consume it.

By faith we understand that the worlds were set in order at God’s command, so that the visible has its origin in the invisible. Hebrews 11:3 (NET) Look out your window and you will see me. I am outside, awaiting you to follow after me. I am whispering your name, filling you. I have set clues for you to find, to draw you into what I have for you. Close yourself from the distractions and seek me. Toss aside the traps of fear the enemy would set before you. Learn to recognize me. Look out and you will find me. Soak in my Word and grow deeper into my reality.

Just before the Passover feast, Jesus knew that his time had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now loved them to the very end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, that he should betray Jesus. Because Jesus knew that the Father had handed all things over to him, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, he got up from the meal, removed his outer clothes, took a towel and tied it around himself. He poured water into the washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel he had wrapped around himself. ‭‭John‬ ‭13:1-5‬ ‭(NET‬‬)

God stands in the assembly of El; in the midst of the gods he renders judgment. He says, How long will you make unjust legal decisions and show favoritism to the wicked? (Selah) Defend the cause of the poor and the fatherless! Vindicate the oppressed and suffering! Rescue the poor and needy! Deliver them from the power of the wicked! ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭82:1-4‬ ‭(NET‬‬)

Learn to hear me and respond. I hear you calling out to me, but too often it stops there. Talk with me. Hear me whisper your name. Do not fear but stand in my name. I will give you clear direction. My presence will hoover over you. Fear not, for I am not done. I am yet with you as you journey. Listen for me and I will answer.

So the Israelites camped in Gilgal and celebrated the Passover in the evening of the fourteenth day of the month on the plains of Jericho. They ate some of the produce of the land the day after the Passover, including unleavened bread and roasted grain. The manna stopped appearing the day they ate some of the produce of the land; the Israelites never ate manna again. When Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him holding a drawn sword. Joshua approached him and asked him, Are you on our side or allied with our enemies? He answered, Truly I am the commander of the Lord’s army. Now I have arrived! Joshua bowed down with his face to the ground and asked, What does my master want to say to his servant? The commander of the Lord’s army answered Joshua, Remove your sandals from your feet, because the place where you stand is holy. Joshua did so. ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭5:10-15‬ ‭(NET‬‬)

Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain and there was no rain on the land for three years and six months! Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land sprouted with a harvest. James 5:17-18 (NET) Be hidden in me, away from the lies which kill. My blood covers all sin. My life offers what you need. I have already paid the price so you might know me. Reflect the light I show you. Let it be seen by those in the darkness; draw them closer. In me is the light and life you seek.

This morning I was sitting in my usual upstairs space when I heard the sound of a rain. I looked outside to see it, but saw nothing, but a sunny sky. And yet the “rain” persisted. Then Elijah told Ahab, “Go on up and eat and drink, for the sound of a heavy rainstorm can be heard.” So Ahab went on up to eat and drink, while Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel. He bent down toward the ground and put his face between his knees. He told his servant, “Go on up and look in the direction of the sea.” So he went on up, looked, and reported, “There is nothing.” Seven times Elijah sent him to look. The seventh time the servant said, “Look, a small cloud, the size of the palm of a man’s hand, is rising up from the sea. Elijah then said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up the chariots and go down, so that the rain won’t overtake you. ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭18:41-44‬ ‭(NET‬‬) Listen for the sound of my rain. It refreshes your heart. It is cleaning away the debris and spatter of everyday grime. Hold your arms out a

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage. John 14:27 (NET)

The Lord bless you and protect you; The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26 (NET) Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all. ‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭(NET‬‬) Cast away the fear the enemy sets before you. Do not allow it to entangle you or cause confusion. When you receive me, you receive all that I am and all that I have. My peace covers you. Fix your heart upon me and come where I am calling you.

May Reuben live and not die, and may his people multiply. And this is the blessing to Judah. He said, Listen, O Lord, to Judah’s voice, and bring him to his people. May his power be great, and may you help him against his foes. Of Levi he said: Your Thummim and Urim belong to your godly one, whose authority you challenged at Massah, and with whom you argued at the waters of Meribah. He said to his father and mother, “I have not seen him,” and he did not acknowledge his own brothers or know his own children, for they kept your word, and guarded your covenant. They will teach Jacob your ordinances and Israel your law; they will offer incense as a pleasant odor, and a whole offering on your altar. Bless, O Lord, his goods, and be pleased with his efforts; undercut the legs of any who attack him, and of those who hate him, so that they cannot stand. Of Benjamin he said: The beloved of the Lord will live safely by him; he protects him all the time, and the Lord places him on his chest. Of J

Enlarge the place of your tent; Stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, spare not; Lengthen your cords and strengthen your pegs. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left. And your descendants will possess nations and will resettle the desolate cities. Isaiah 54:2-3 (NASB) I am with you. Become aware of my presence in new ways and new things. I am awaiting for you to seek after me in all your day and situations. I am there before you. Speak to me and see if I will not answer.

When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, Silence! Be still! Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith? ‭‭Mark‬ ‭4:39-40‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT) Continually seek after me and you will find me. Do not allow discouragement to hold you but shed it. It seeks to draw the life from you. In me you will grow as I have created you. Learn patience and receive my reward.

Enlarge the place of your tent; Stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, spare not; Lengthen your cords and strengthen your pegs. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left. And your descendants will possess nations And will resettle the desolate cities. ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭54:2-3‬ ‭(NASB1995‬‬) I am here. Wherever you go am with you. I have gone ahead and created a destination. I have prepared a place for you to grow stronger in me. A place for you to prosper. In me you will find what is needed. You will discover a new satisfaction.

Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me. Luke 11:23 (NLT) No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house. Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is unhealthy, your body is filled with darkness. Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light. Luke 11:33-36 (NLT)

Once more the king sent a third captain with fifty men. But this time the captain went up the hill and fell to his knees before Elijah. He pleaded with him, “O man of God, please spare my life and the lives of these, your fifty servants. See how the fire from heaven came down and destroyed the first two groups. But now please spare my life! Then the angel of the Lord said to Elijah, Go down with him, and don’t be afraid of him. So Elijah got up and went with him to the king. 2 Kings 1:13-15 (NLT) Look for my ways and come participate in what I am doing. Watch and I will share my heart. I will show you how to share my love through your actions and reaction. Watch and I will show myself. Act, and I will show myself thru you. But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem. When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up? But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Luke 9:53-55 (NLT)

Put away your expectations and come sit with me. Quiet the noise of self-accusation and let my ways to wash over you. Allow my healing to flow through you.

At sundown he arrived at a good place to set up camp and stopped there for the night. Jacob found a stone to rest his head against and lay down to sleep. As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from the earth up to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down the stairway. At the top of the stairway stood the Lord, and he said, I am the Lord, the God of your grandfather Abraham, and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I am giving it to you and your descendants. ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭28:11-13‬ (‭NLT‬‬) Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, Surely the Lord is in this place,  and I wasn’t even aware of it! ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭28:16‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

In 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. 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. ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:6-8‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12:7-11‬ (‭NLT‬‬)

Your answer is “Yes”. It is a new day of a new month of the start of the new season. Don’t hesitate but step forth. I am with you. I will protect and guide you. My wisdom and strength are available. Walk forward into this new day.