the FireCarrier

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9 (NIV) I

““The Spirit of the Lord speaks through me; his words are upon my tongue. The God of Israel spoke. The Rock of Israel said to me: ‘The one who rules righteously, who rules in the fear of God, is like the light of morning at sunrise, like a morning without clouds, like the gleaming of the sun on new grass after rain.’”  ‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭23:2-4‬ ‭(NLT ‬‬)

Last Sunday morning I had a short dream.  Within this dream, I was having a dream. In the inner dream I was hearing a sound, so awoke myself to see what was happening. I pushed back the curtain to look and saw two small lambs.  They were clearly small, unsteady on their feet. They were typically with dirty wool. I saw them for a few seconds and then awoke from both dreams. This morning at church, I felt prodded to share the dream and give a short word, then sat down.  It was very short time when a lady got from her seat, came to the back where I was sitting and began sharing. (She and her husband were relatively new to the church). She shared that during the past week she had a short dream snippet.  I had followed her to their home. She felt safe, as if I was sent to help and protect her.

Despite your circumstances or how you feel about yourself, know this: God remains unchanged. His love for you has not changed. He is for you. Know without doubt He remains steadfast in His love for you.

I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest till He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.   Isaiah 62:6-7

It is a night to be observed for the Lord for having brought them out from the land of Egypt; this night is for the Lord, be observed by all the sons of Israel throughout their generations.  Exodus 12:42 (NASB)

The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.  ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭3:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.”  ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.   Psalm 91:1 (NIV)

Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, sa ying, I called out to the Lord , out of my distress,      and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. For you cast me into the deep,      into the heart of the seas,      and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows      passed over me. Then I said, ‘I am driven away      from your sight; yet I shall again look      upon your holy temple.’ Jonah 2: 1-3 (ESV)

I want you to grow in me. Rise above the common and speak when I direct you. Not only speak what I give you, but in the very way I deliver it to you. Rise above and sit with me. I have much more to show you. I will open your eyes to experience all that I have.  I need you to trust me, for in me is life.

When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false." "How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you." Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that." He then added, "I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."   John 1:47-51 (NIV)

This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break.   When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket.   Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!”  But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”   “What is your name?” the man asked.  He replied, “Jacob.”   “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.”

One day the group of prophets came to Elisha and told him, “As you can see, this place where we meet with you is too small. Let’s go down to the Jordan River, where there are plenty of logs. There we can build a new place for us to meet.” “All right,” he told them, “go ahead.” “Please come with us,” someone suggested.  “I will,” he said. So he went with them.   When they arrived at the Jordan, they began cutting down trees. But as one of them was cutting a tree, his ax head fell into the river. “Oh, sir!” he cried. “It was a borrowed ax!”   “Where did it fall?” the man of God asked. When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it into the water at that spot. Then the ax head floated to the surface.   “Grab it,” Elisha said. And the man reached out and grabbed it. 2 Kings 6:1-6 (NLT)

‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’  Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)

Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins      and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,      Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. Isaiah 58:12 (NIV)

The voice of the LORD echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The LORD thunders over the mighty sea. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic. The voice of the LORD splits the mighty cedars; the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon’s mountains skip like a calf; he makes Mount Hermon leap like a young wild ox. Psalm 29:6 Psalm 29:6

Thus says the Lord , “Stand by the roads and look; ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is; then walk in it, And you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16a (Amplified) Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29 (NIV)

This morning at the start of our foggy walk, we heard the honking of geese. I stopped to try to visualize their coming. It was a few minutes before I could actually see their approach. As they came towards us, they broke into three groups. The smaller group went their own direction away from the two main groups.  They both had their separate formation as they flew overhead of us.   I watched them fly north until again, the two groups merged again into a single unit, their voices still honking the encouragement.     Richard, I am well-pleased. Your heart and expression anchor what I have placed within you. Continue to seek me in this coming period and I will show you more.   Within you is far more than your past or what you see/imagine for your future. Hold onto me. As you continue to walk out and shepherd my flock, I will grant you more. Yet it comes at a cost, and it has been paid in full.   Continue to be open to...