Happy New Year 1999, Part 3.—By Maria

Maria #465 CM/FM 3219 11/98

Note: Some sentences or para­graphs in this GN have been underlined for emphasis, to highlight some of the key points.

In this issue:

Dear Family,

1. God bless you! I love you so! I pray the first two parts of this series have been an encouragement to you and have given you the boost in the spirit that you needed! The Lord's Words are a stream that never runs dry. In fact, not only does His stream not run dry, but it's a wide wonderful river of water, and we have the blessed opportunity to swim in it, play in it, and drink His abundant cool clear living waters daily! Praise the Lord!

2. This GN contains more of the messages given to the dear ones in our Home when they asked the Lord for personal counsel regarding their NWOs, their progress in the spirit and with the new weapons, how they could improve in their walk with the Lord‚ and how they could be better prepared for the End. I know this is a lot of material on this subject, but within these mess­ages the Lord touches on important principles from many different angles, and although these are not brand-new subjects, they're crucial foundation principles for the new day. It behooves each of us to continue to pay close attention to the Lord's explanations so we can progress, improve and become more what He wants us to be. For this reason, in spite of the fact that this is a rather long series, I have chosen to share as much of this counsel with you as possible. When the Lord pours out such precious jewels, such helpful word pictures and detailed instruction, how could I not give it forth to you who need and deserve it so much?!

Attacking Initiative Is

What Wins the War!

3. (Jesus speaking:) Yes, you need to work on ­areas in your life, but it's the position of your heart that seals your victory, the humble surrender that opens the door for Me to work the work that you can't do yourself.

4. Everyone needs to continually work and strive not to be proud and lifted up, not to be resentful. This isn't something that is accomplished once and then forgotten, but rather is an ongoing process. As you must keep forsaking all every day of your life, so must everyone forsake their pride daily. You must forsake twinges and temptations to resentfulness each and every day when they would try to enter and spring up in your heart. It's a daily process, a daily forsaking, a daily yielding, a daily obedience, day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute.

5. You've done well in your fight‚ but you can still do better, for all can do better. The moment you arrive at the place where you think you can't do better, this is the beginning of the long, slow death. The moment you arrive at the place where you think there's no room for improvement, this is the beginning, the entrance down the road to disaster.

6. Those who would fight courageously, valiantly and bravely must allow Me to do the fighting for them. Therefore‚ My love, you have only to lean hard, lean heavy, and lean strong on Me, continually seeking Me and calling out to Me that I might fight the battles for you, for this is the key to victory! Those who give the battle to My hand are those who win the war. For I am your strong tower, your strong arm, your might, your strength, and your force. I, and I alone, am the One Who can keep you strong‚ keep you in line, and keep you faithful.

7. Faithfulness is a gift from My hand, a work of My Spirit given to those who depend on Me. It's not something you can work up, but only a gift you can pray down. I am faithful, and the only One Who can keep you from falling as you commit your thoughts, your time‚ your works, your heart, your body, your spirit‚ your way, your life to Me. I will keep you. For I am able to keep you against the great and terrible day.

8. Those who have stumbled are those who would try to work up their own salvation in their own strength, wanting to perform My works themselves rather than allowing Me to do the work through them. Those who get on board with the new weapons are those who allow Me to do the work through them. Those who refuse to fully embrace the new tactics of warfare are those who try to fight the war on their own, in their own strength‚ their own power, their own wisdom, and by their own works.

9. So often My children stumble and fall and get waylaid and lag behind when Satan tempts them with the wile of "Why not wait awhile?" As your Father David so often taught you‚ it's the attacking initiative that wins the war. I am attacking the Enemy in a different way than before and using My children in a different manner.

10. Yes, My love, this is a key, for I am attacking! I wish to go on the attack, and I wish for you to go on the attack. Not only must you fight back when the Enemy is hitting you, but you must always be launching the attack. Take the initiative and go on the attack!

11. So often My children only fight back when they feel the battle strong, when they are amidst the battle. When the Enemy would try to ambush them or corner them, then they fight back, for the need is plain. When the Enemy comes in like a flood, when he is obviously pulling out both barrels, then it wakes you up and you know you must fight back.

12. But the key, My love‚ in this day when the war rages and battles are strong, is that you must never take your armor off. You must pray and take the attacking initiative at all times. Go on the attack before the Enemy attacks you. Don't wait until he strikes and tries to ambush you, but preempt him.

13. This is how you can fight these pitfalls of pride and familiarity that may lead to bitterness—by always staying on the attack. In the times when you feel that you're in the victory and that the battle subsides for a while, in those times when you're happy, these are the times when you must stay on the attack. These are the times when the Enemy will try to come in and strike you a mortal blow. Therefore, you must always be on guard‚ always on the attack!

14. Everyone, no matter what their situation or how ideal the circumstances, must stay on guard against pride and familiarity, resentment and criticism, which lead to bitterness. The Enemy is always looking for a way to make you criticize, murmur or compare‚ which leads to resentment and bitterness, and even doubting My love for you. The Enemy often exaggerates or blows things out of proportion, or even tells you outright lies to cause you to look at things incorrectly. It is the snake in the garden with which he tries to spoil even the most happy, ideal and beautiful of situations.

15. You need not fear that pride will overcome you, but face it! Go on the attack! You've done so in asking for help and for prayer‚ and now you must continue attacking. Keep attacking the Enemy every day before he has a chance to attack you. Even when you feel things are go­ing pretty okay, that's the time to go on the attack!

16. All My children who would fight through and win in this day must take the attacking initiative! Keep hitting him with the new weapons of praise and prayer and hearing from Me. Keep alive and active by hearing My fresh instruction for you personally every day. In this way I am able to guide you and keep you moving and changing from day to day, so that the Enemy will never know what you're going to do next.

17. This is how you can keep the Enemy and his little agitators on the run. For as you keep listening and pulling down My instruction for you personally‚ I will lead you on how to attack that day. I will show you where to launch the attack that day, in that moment, for I know the position of Satan. I know his plans and how he will try to fight you, and I am able to guide you around his traps. I'll show you when and where and what is needed—what method to use, where you need to hit him back that day—and this will keep you leaps and bounds ahead of Satan and all his imps.

18. Use variety in your times with Me‚ util­izing many means to pray and praise and listen to Me, so that the Devil will never know what you're going to do next, or what you're going to do to put him on the defensive! Keep launching an attack and hit him where it hurts so he doesn't have time or opportunity to counter­attack.

19. As I have made you in the physical, My love, so is the spiritual—you grow weak from sitting still. If you miss your exercise‚ you grow weak and tired and on edge. Even so, if you settle down and fail to stay active and on the move in the spirit, you will grow weak and tired in spirit, and this opens the door for the Enemy to attack you.

20. As the war escalates‚ it is imperative that you stay constantly on guard. You must not take your armor off. Where once it was a good idea to always take the attacking initiative, in this day it has become more than a good idea—it's a matter of life or death! Therefore you must stay on the attack if you want to overpower the Enemy instead of him overpowering you.

21. One of the best ways to attack the ­Enemy is through your use of the new weapons I have given you—by praising Me, even aloud, loving Me intimately, and hearing My Words of help, guidance, strength and comfort! These weapons leave no room for the Devil's lies and evil devices! One way to hit him head-on when you are hit with a negative thought‚ with a criticism, with a doubt, is to immediately take that thought to Me and either turn it into a praise—by ­praising Me for My goodness and My deliverance and My overcoming power—or immediately ask Me about it‚ and let Me expose what a lie it is! Taking the offensive like this with the new ­weapons not only defeats the Devil but strengthens you tremendously!

22. Take the attacking initiative before the Enemy attacks you! Preempt the Devil and set him back on his heels. Constantly rock him and sock him and send him spinning, punch by punch, blow by blow, blast after blast! This is why I give My children these new weapons of war, that they may launch out, always on the offense—that they may strike first‚ wielding devastating blows to the Enemy through surprise attacks! Hit him hard! Hit him head-on! Hit him high! Hit him low! And most of all, hit him constantly! (End of message from Jesus.)

You Must Use the New Weapons to

Survive on the Front Lines!

23. (Jesus speaking:) Looking back on all the past good times and remembering some folks who chose to leave, it's heartbreaking to see that they gave up their crown. The battle is fierce and heavy and takes a great toll, and I will greatly reward all those who battled long and hard and gave so much to help My children and My Kingdom.

24. But as in any war, those that refuse to use the new weapons of warfare are less able to wage the real warfare and strike the Enemy devastating blows through surprise attacks. The old weapons don't have the firepower of the new and are no match for the weapons that the Devil is pulling out in these Last Days. The war is getting hot and heavy, and only those who are willing to move forward and employ the new weapons will be able to survive on the front lines.

25. You allow yourselves to become weaken­ed when you allow bitterness, resentment, and strong pride to hinder you. I ask that you be willing to humble yourselves to employ the new weapons for the new day—for the new weapons glorify only Me and show My power, and not the power of My vessels. In these Last Days of battle, all the glory and all the praise must be given to Me, or else My children will be lifted up in pride and fall under the condemnation of the Devil. That's why it is the day for the weak to lead My Family into victory—they that have nothing‚ no strength of their own, and seek no glory of their own; who look not for the praise of man, but for the praise of God.

26. You do well when you keep your eyes on Me, when you are weak in your own sight, when you are desperate for My help and My direction, when you stay humble, simple and believing, trusting in Me and your leadership. But if you begin to look to yourselves and your own works, you begin to lose power. If, through pride, you begin to allow resentment and bitterness to enter your lives, you become weak. If you begin to question the source of My Words and the methods I choose to use in these Last Days‚ you become weak. If you begin to look to man instead of to Me, you become weak. If you begin to doubt your shepherds' love, you begin to doubt My love, and you become weak. If you observe lying vanities‚ you forsake your own mercy.

27. I dearly love all of you, My children‚ whatever your position of service for Me. But if you allow the Enemy to cloud your minds and hearts with these things, you will become very weakened. In this weakened state, doubt, fear, jealousy, resent­ment, envy and bitterness can enter your lives, and weaken you to the point that you can no longer fight on the front lines.

28. You do not just become weak overnight. You are not once strong and then all of a sudden weak; it's a gradual process, a slow weakening through many different avenues. Pride is a key factor in the weakening process, because you must be humble enough to accept that you have been wrong. You must be humble enough to turn around and have a complete metanoia. You must have the humility to call out for My help and for the help of others when you are in a weakened state.

29. Pray that all of My children will be able to seek Me to take away the resentment and the bitterness. Pray that they will let go of their strong pride and let Me humble and break them, that I may bring them the happiness and joy that they seek. Pray that they will let Me lead them into a place of service‚ usefulness and fulfillment.

30. The way of greatest fulfillment, useful­ness and happiness for each of you will only come as you fully embrace the new weapons and the new methods that I have given you. There is nothing wrong with these new methods and new ways which I have given you for the Last Days, but many hesitate for one reason or another—often because of pride—and are thus held back from the greatest fulfillment and happi­ness.

31. Only those of you that are strong in faith and weak in yourselves can enter into the promised land of victory and overcoming the fierce attacks of the Enemy in the Last Days. It's the day of the weak, and those of yielded spirits and gentle, trusting, believing hearts win the race and take the prey.

32. Those of you who have entered into this new day are no longer satisfied with the ways and methods and weapons of the past, for you've learned that they're not sufficient for the battle that is at hand. You've learned that you must come to Me at every turn and seek My voice of guidance and counsel. You've learned that you must love Me intimately to get My seeds. You've learned that you must praise Me to keep a thankful and a humble heart. You've learned that you must follow My Word and guidance exactly and day by day if you are to be successful in overcoming and outsmarting the Devil in these days.

33. So continue to pray for those who have left, but let this not dissuade you from your mission. For in war there are always casualties and there are always those who can't keep up with the main fighting force for one reason or another; nevertheless, the army must continue to move forward. I've given you many strong leaders and bellwethers to follow, so keep your eyes on Me as I work through them. And though they may look weak, lacking in charisma, knowledge and experience, trust Me that they indeed are My anointed and the leaders I have chosen for these Last Days. For they are the ones that are desperate and know that they need My guidance and My power to make progress in the battle against the Enemy as he prepares his mighty onslaught against My children.

34. Take in the New Wine and employ the new methods and tactics that I am constantly pouring forth. As in the days of Moses‚ only those that believe may enter into the promised land—those that are young in spirit, those that drink in and accept the New Wine and live it and put it into practice and employ My weapons for today. These are the faithful and true and strong that will lead the army to victory.

35. So do not allow pride into your life, My children, for it leads to jealousy, envy, resentment and bitterness, and these things can destroy your usefulness and make you ineffective in the battle. As I have told you, you must be as a little child to enter into the Kingdom. And once in, you make progress by being childlike—by loving and trusting Me as your Heavenly ­Father, by asking questions as a little child would, by receiving by faith as a little child would.

36. So be simple and childlike in your believing and trusting in Me and in My Words and in the leaders that I have anointed and appointed over you, through the prayerful leading of My queen and king, for they care for your souls and they will guide you in the way that you should go. And trust that any that do not, I will remove and replace with another who is in tune with Me and walking humbly by My side. (End of message from Jesus.)

All You Need Is Faith for Today!

37. (Jesus speaking: ) If you are tempted with thoughts of failure, of future defeat, of future back­sliding and wondering how you'll make it, the main reason is because the Enemy is on the job and he's using this opportunity to speak his fears and lies to your mind. It doesn't mean that it will happen‚ and it doesn't make it so.

38. To those of you who feel weak and in­capable and who worry if there is hope for you to continue to make it, I say unto you: You are the very ones who will continue to progress and make it, if you continue to desperately need Me, love Me most of all, praise Me, give Me the credit and the glory for all that you do, acknowledge Me at every turn, and cling to Me and My Words.

39. You don't have to have any big gifts or talents to make it. You don't have to be super spiritual giants of faith or glorious leaders to make it. All you need to make it is exactly what you have right now—faith as a grain of mustard seed, Me as your first love, and a love for My sheep. The same things that led you to join the Family in the first place—your love for Me, My Word, and My sheep, your faith in Me and your willingness to follow Me wherever I lead, your yieldedness to do My will—are the same things that will continue to be your strengths in the days ahead and will keep you close to Me.

40. You need not worry about the days ahead and whether you'll have what it takes; all you need is faith for today, faith to follow Me today‚ one day at a time. You don't have to know the whole battle plan of the future right now; all you need is faith to obey My Word for today, to fight the battles today, to grow and progress step by step today in the areas that I'm leading you, and trust Me for tomorrow.

41. I promise you that as you manifest faith for today‚ faith in Me and My Words‚ even if it's just a mustard seed of faith, that it will be enough. I will use it to help you to grow and pro­gress for the next day and the next day, until you have finished the race! (End of message from Jesus)

Don't Be Disillusioned

42. (Jesus speaking:) I love to dwell with the humble and with them that are of a contrite heart. Thank you that you have allowed Me to humble you through the years, and that you have accepted the demotions and the grades that you had to take again. Thank you for allow­ing Me to take away your own strength‚ your own wisdom, and the resultant pride that goes with those things, that you were willing to be contrite and to walk with Me. My sweet lover, how I love you! I cherish you!

43. Thank you for being My ardent bride, for continuing to suck My seeds and take the new things, the radical things, the revolutionary things that I continue to send down the pipes. Thank you for being excited with great joy over My Words, My command­ments. Thank you for being excited about each new venture, each new step that I ask the Family to make.

44. Thank you for continuing to be just and upright, unashamed of your lifestyle‚ and for being ready to uphold the standard of My Word so that you might live the life of faith and walk by faith. For have I not said that the just shall walk by faith? So continue to stay loving and impartial, ministering My justice righteously and with a pure and humble and contrite heart.

45. I have promised you that I have given you rest, and therefore there remains a rest for you. For he that has entered into My rest has ceased from his own works. Continue to labor to enter into My rest, and you will never fall due to unbelief. (End of message from Jesus.)

We All Have Freedom of Choice

46. (Jesus speaking:) Does it really matter to you that others do not believe the truths of the Spirit? You cannot bear that weight; that is theirs to bear and that is their choice to make.

47. I value every Family member, and all are My children. All are given the same valuable freedom of choice, and all are given the freedom to do My will. I give them choices and do not make them feel that they are being cornered into doing something they don't want to do. They make the choices from their own heart and it is clear between Me and them. (End of message from Jesus)

Keep Yielding in the Little Things!

48. (Dad speaking:) You treasure your place in the Family. When you look around you and see such love‚ such a haven of Heaven in the Family, it makes you weep for those who have forsaken these days of Heaven.

49. Sure, times are rough now and then, and things go wrong and there are lots of problems, but the Spirit more than compensates for that. There are just as many, if not more‚ problems in the System. You feel so blessed that you can remain within the gates of loving fellow­ship and the care of loving shepherds, rather than hav­ing to be outside of the fold‚ braving the weather on your own like those who have left, who are often struggling, dejected, bitter and sad.

50. I love all our folks dearly and I weep for those who leave us, for their troubles and sorrows. I know their heartbreaks. Pray for those in our Family who have gotten weary and let go. Love them and remember to keep them in your prayers.

51. One of your main lessons is staying open to the Lord by being fully yielded to His will in your life, and you can apply that in not only your shepherding but in your personal life. I know you some­times wonder why you're not having more battles‚ and it's that very thought that keeps you open to them, to the testings. The Lord has been touching your life regularly, little by little, but if you keep yielding in the little things, then He doesn't have to hit you with such big things. Besides‚ you're keeping real busy with the problems and tests of others, and this in turn is your safeguard that keeps you from getting off track. Because how can you preach the Word if you're not living it? Having to give the Word to others keeps your own life in check‚ and that's one reason you're not experiencing so many trials, thank the Lord!

52. I really don't have any chidings or warnings for you. So just take all of the lessons to heart and you'll have them when the Enemy comes to try to tempt you with these things—for he will! He's always on the job. He may not be hitting right now, but he makes his rounds. Then you'll need these lessons and you can remember them, and it will give you the strong ammo needed to fight him, rebuke him, and kick him the hell out of your life.

53. I love you! Keep fighting, keep loving Mama and Peter, and keep being faithful to shepherd their flock. As long as you keep realizing it's not you but it's only the Lord‚ you'll keep on doing just fine. I love you! XXXXXXX Dad. (End of message from Dad.)

The More You Let Me Help,

The Easier the Path Becomes!

54. (Jesus speaking:) Only those who are desperately clinging to Me, letting Me hold their hand and draw them near‚ letting Me be their guide and light—only these can make it all the way.

55. What is very important at this time is to use the new weapons, for they are designed for this type of warfare. The Enemy is attacking with a vengeance, but My weapons are mightier, for I have ordained them, and I have empowered them, and it is by My might that the Enemy will be defeated, not by your own.

56. Continue to stand firm upon My foundation, for it is this foundation that will weather the storm. No matter how fierce the wind blows, how strong the rain falls, or how near the lightning strikes, those that stand firmly upon the Rock will be able to weather all. Stay grounded in the Word. Keep drinking in the new. Take up the challenges presented in the Word. Take them to heart. Put them into practice in your life‚ and you will do well. You will succeed. Obey My Word and you will have good success.

57. This is the message that I have made clear throughout My Word, in My old Word and in My new Word, for I am always changing in the Spirit. The Spirit is full of change. The Spirit flows on, and those that flow with it stay renewed, stay in the forefront, and are able to overcome the obstacles. For if you ride the wave, then you're not overcome and smashed and beaten down by the wave. You're empowered by it. You're propelled forward. You're given a ride that is free and exhilarating and thrilling and exciting and moving!

58. But to catch the wave you must swim hard. You must put forth effort, and then the wave takes you and holds you and moves you and lifts you and keeps you. So do your part, putting forth the effort, and I will do My part of upholding and moving you towards the new horizons, the new goals, the moves of My Spirit.

59. Hold that fast which thou hast‚ that no man take thy crown‚ and no man will as long as you cling to it‚ as long as you keep it for your own. The choice is always yours whether to give up the crown or to hold on to it.

60. That's why I've given visions of the future, so that you can keep your eyes on that and walk towards that goal and be an overcomer. And one day I will be able to say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." But even now those joys are there for you, if you won't let the Evil One pluck them from you, for I give them in abundance. I give you joy and happiness‚ now and here­after. You can have it now, if you have the faith, and if you trust in what I give to you. If you live and obey My Word, you will see the rewards, you will reap the benefits, and you will know that it was worth it all! (End of message from Jesus.)

Press Forward to

The High Calling of God!

61. (Jesus speaking:) Any one of you, no matter how strong you may seem in the spirit, can fall by the wayside if you do not continue to seek My face, stay close to Me, and tap in to the power that I have. The pressures, the cares of this world, the strains of it all, the attacks of the Enemy from every side will get to you after a while if you don't spend the time with Me that you need—the daily washing of regeneration and renewing of My Holy Ghost.

62. Never think that you can do it in the arm of your flesh, for you will fall and miss the highest calling that I have for you if you do not learn these lessons. Learn that just like in the oil lamp, the wick must be immersed in the oil. If it is not, the wick will burn, and it will burn black, and it will soon burn out. I wish for you to burn bright and beautiful, but I do not wish for you, the wick, to burn. I wish for you to burn the oil of My Spirit, and that's what I want people to see.

63. You can't do it of your own self, your own power; it's just not enough. It won't cut it, especially not in this time. The power that you have must come from Me. I wish for you to die to your own self so that you will not live anymore, but that it will be Me living and working through you. That's how you will be most effective, and that's how you will stay alive spiritually and be able to help others as well.

64. No one can save themselves, so it's no use even trying. You have to call on Me for your help and your salvation lest you sink deeper and deeper into the lies and doubts of the Enemy. I know it's hard.

65. No one can rest on their past laurels. You can't say, "Well, I fought hard before, so maybe that's enough." I require a type of dying daily in spirit, dying to yourself; a daily remolding and reshaping lest your bottle become old and brittle and then break when the New Wine of My Spirit is poured into it.

66. In Heaven I will greatly reward those who stood strong for so long. I will reward them for their past accomplishments and past battles and their love for Me and their willingness to do anything to be in My highest and best will—that goes without saying. But the past is not enough to keep anyone in My highest will today. What has been accomplished in the past won't give you the power that you need for today.

67. You must learn that you cannot rest on the past. You cannot go by the past. You cannot look to the past. You must look forward! You must press forward to the high calling of God in Me. As long as you continue to look at My face and seek Me for the guidance‚ direction, and strength that you desperately need, you can't go wrong.

68. Like that song says, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of Earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace." If you continue to keep your eyes fixed on Me, then all the things of this life will diminish. All the press­ures that you feel, all the problems that surround you‚ all the attacks of the Enemy, things that the Devil tries to throw at you to hinder you will grow dim. And eventually they won't even be an issue because you know you can look to Me for the answers. You can look to Me for the strength that you need, the courage‚ the patience, or whatever you need to overcome these different obstacles. It will all be right there for you, and you'll know it. You won't worry and feel under pressure, because you know that you can take those burdens and pressures to Me and I will sustain you and give you the strength that you need. (End of message from Jesus)

How to Stay Hot and Not Cool Off!

69. (Jesus speaking:) I can only use those who choose to be used, who open themselves up to Me and who put their whole hearts into the work that I have given them to do. These are the ones who accomplish My will. These are the ones that I can pour My inspiration through.

70. As you abide in the Word, as you imbibe My Spirit, as you commune with Me, as you hear My voice, as you make love to Me, so do you receive the inspiration, the strength, the power‚ and the ideas. So do you have life. But if you do not do these things, then you die a slow death. For instead of being white-hot, you ­begin to cool, and the cooling soon turns into freezing and into death.

71. That's why it's so important to stay in the forefront, to receive, to believe, and to act upon My Words, the New Wine, the new day, so that you can move forward with the white-hot fire of My Spirit! (End of message from Jesus.)

Understanding Why!

72. (Jesus speaking: ) My sheep now know and understand that this is a day for the weak and the meek. They are grasping the new day and embracing it with all their hearts. They're thrilled and excited that finally they can understand why they are weak, and why I have put them through many‚ many trials and battles over the years to make them so. For now they see that it has given them a clear and pure channel to Me; that in their desperation they have learned to hear My voice clearly and have an open and a clear channel. (End of message from Jesus.)

I Seek for the Weak!

73. (Jesus speaking:) I seek after those who are weak in their own eyes, who are broken‚ humble, and honest; those who confess their faults, who even let themselves appear weak before others that My strength might be seen. (End of message from Jesus.)

Breakings Are Good for Us!

74. (Jesus speaking:) If only My children could see in the spirit more clearly‚ they would realize that they have not found disfavor in My eyes, but that these lessons and deep things of the spirit are to help them to be more what they pray every day to be. My children need to learn not to look so much on the correction and chastisement, on being humbled and broken as something so bad, but to see that it is Me working in their lives, helping them to grow and be closer to Me, stronger soldiers and lovers, more in tune with My heart and My every bidding.

75. As has been said, "Why can't I have more and stronger laborers?" The answer is that I can't break them fast enough, because My children resist and fear these breakings, these changes, these revolutions, these remakings, the remolding of their lives. (End of message from Jesus)

The Path of Yieldedness Is

The Path of Humility

76. (Jesus speaking:) Today is the day of the weak. It's the day of those who have nothing of themselves, and who simply move along with the flow of My Spirit; who sail contentedly down the river of My will and My doing.

77. This is what I wish for you to do—­simply stay in your boat, and contentedly and leisurely sail down the river of My will and Word. Don't try to adjust the sails and handle the rudder. Let Me take control of those things. All you have to do is be willing to stay in the boat. All you have to do is sit back and relax and enjoy the ride. Cuddle up with Me in the back of the boat, content to let Me guide.

78. I've given you many strengths and talents, and I use these for My glory. But these can also be a handicap to you in that they sometimes cause you to lean upon yourself when you should lean upon Me. They're both a blessing and a burden. I wish to bless you with these gifts, since they are needed for My Kingdom and to accomplish My will. But such gifts are also a burden to carry, and therefore you must stay close to Me so that you don't stumble and fall.

79. In the past, you've seen the fruits of some who thought they were sufficient in themselves and who tried to take control of the rudder and guide the boat their own way. This could be you, or any of My children‚ if you don't remain close to Me, yielding to Me at every turn. Yieldedness is the key. I've taught you much about yieldedness in your life over the last couple of years, and I will continue to do so. You've made progress because you've let Me work through you and you've yielded to the things that I've required of you, but you must not stop there. You must continue to yield with each test that I bring along your path.

80. You must continue to say yes to Me. You must continue to humble yourself before Me and say‚ "Not my will, but Thine be done." You must continue to drink of the cup that I give you, even as I drank of the cup that My Father gave Me.

81. Don't be saddened or disheartened, for My will is not an evil thing that has befallen you. The path that I lead you in, though difficult at times, is not a grievous one. There are sometimes steep climbs when you feel that you're not going to make it, or that you have to forsake too much and leave too much behind to make it, but I will help you up those steep climbs if you will only trust Me and continue to put your hand in Mine and let Me lead you where I will. I know the way, and I'll also bring you to pleasant pastures where you may rest and be refreshed to your heart's content, where there is no sorrow or worry, and where you can find joy in your life and labors. So trust Me, because I know best.

82. Continue to follow My Word and My queen. Don't try to analyze everything with your mind. It's helpful many times to be able to under­stand the reasoning behind things, as it gives you more conviction to follow, and it ­strengthens your ability to fight against the Enemy's doubts in that particular area. But sometimes there are things that you can't understand. There are things about My spirit world and My communication with you through prophecy that you can't understand. You don't need to understand it all‚ but just have faith and trust. Know that I am in control, and that I will not lead you astray. I will not lead your king and queen astray, even as I did not lead your Father David astray. I have made this pledge and promise, and I will keep it.

83. The path of yieldedness, of acceptance by faith and trust, is also the path of humility. They go hand in hand. The proud cannot yield or trust in others, for they trust too much in themselves. Therefore strive for humility. Accept those things that I bring along in your life which humble you and cause you to know that you are nothing without Me. Do not dread them. I know that these things are not pleasant in the flesh and that they're difficult‚ but they're for your good and they strengthen you. Do not shun weakness‚ but embrace it, for in doing so, you allow Me to be stronger through you.

84. It's not that I want you to be so weak that you're incapable of doing your job, nor do I wish to take away from you the gifts and abilities and strengths that I've given you, for they are needed. I've given them to you for a ­purpose and because I want to use them for My glory. But they can only be useful as long as they are completely yielded to Me, and as long as My strength is coming through above all. They're only useful as long as you're giving Me the glory.

85. So take heart. I don't wish to strip you of the gifts and talents I've given you. After all, I was the One Who gave them to you in the first place, and for good reason. You must simply yield them to Me at every turn.

86. Follow and obey that which I give you to do through your king and queen, for in yielding to them you're yielding to Me. I know it's easier for you to see things in the physical than in the spiritual. I understand this, for My children are limited by their carnal mind and understanding. Some people are more this way than others‚ so that's why I give you earthly shepherds and leaders, so that you can follow them, and in following them you will be following Me. It's a manifestation of My Spirit that is easier to understand because it's in the flesh, on the plane of your carnal understanding.

87. So yield to what they ask of you, the counsel they give you, and the Word that they pour out from Me. Know that it is of Me and that they are being led of Me. Then will you have peace, security and contentment, knowing that you are in the center of My will. (End of message from Jesus.)

The Very Gifted in the Physical

Need Strong Spiritual Shepherding

88. (Jesus speaking:) I have changed the direction of the battle, and I'm attacking the Enemy from a different direction. I'm using My children in a vastly different way than I used to‚ to accomplish My purpose. As I have said many times and will continue to admonish My children: It is the day of the weak—those that are weak in themselves and strong only in Me, those that are yielded and submitted to My guidance, My leading in the Spirit, and are willing to follow whithersoever I lead, those who are willing to forsake and give up the past and their old ways, and move forward into the new day.

89. One reason some go back is because they are very carnal in their thinking and very lazy in the spirit. Because of this, they need strong shepherding. But because of their own intelligence and experience, they begin to drift away from this shepherding and become proud. This makes it very difficult for their shepherds to continue to help them and show them the spiritual interpretation of things that happen in theirs and others' lives.

90. This is a grave danger for those who I have gifted with special intelligence and gifts in the physical. For unless they are willing to stay humble and admit that they need spiritual leaders and shepherds over them, they will surely fall. Some may ask, "Why then, Lord‚ do You give them these gifts?" The reason is simply that these gifts are needed in My Kingdom. Those I've gifted with greater intelligence or talents can be used greatly to help My children if they will only admit that they need spiritual guidance and submit to shepherding in the areas where I have made them weak. These I make weaker spiritually to help them resist the pride that comes from these other gifts that I give them.

91. It's rare that I can gift My children with greater intelligence and talents and still make them stronger spiritually, for the tendency then is spiritual pride and lifting themselves above others, and leading people in the wrong direction. But if they will examine their hearts and their strengths and weaknesses and humbly yield to the way I have made them, then they can be very, very fruitful in My Kingdom and a great help to My children.

92. I have admonished My children many, many times about the importance of getting in the Word and spending more time in spiritual matters. But some do not resist the temptation of their mind, and want more and more worldly knowledge and the intelligence that comes as a result of this knowledge. Although there is nothing inherently wrong with having knowledge and being intelligent, the danger comes when you seek after these worldly attributes more fervently than you desire the things of the spirit. This incessant desire for worldly knowledge and intelligence then becomes a detriment to your spiritual life, as you'll become weaker day by day, month by month, year by year, until it will be too late and you'll be too weak and no longer able to climb back up the steep mountains of the spirit.

93. Some, because of their spiritual laziness‚ turn to other things that they like more in the physical, and stop fighting in the spirit. Therefore, the Enemy is able to come in and attack them on a carnal plane and get them to doubt the importance of staying spiritually minded, and they leave themselves open to the attacks of the Enemy on their spirit.

94. All My children have weaknesses which I have given them to help keep them close to Me. Some have obvious weaknesses, and for them it is very important to keep Me as the ­center focal point of their lives and remember that the physical talents and abilities are not the most important things, but rather their closeness to Me, their love for Me and for others. These are spiritual qualities which, even though they be weaker physically or less gifted in the natural, they can possess in great abundance.

95. There are others who seem to be much stronger in the physical or much more naturally talented, but these have the handicap of natural ability and must stay very desperate with Me so that they are not tempted to run in their own strength, according to their own pride or their own understanding. They also have weak­­nesses, and these weaknesses and natural tendencies of thinking they know what to do should also keep them very close to Me and remembering that it is the spirit which is most important and which will bear the most fruit—not what they accomplish in the flesh. (End of message from Jesus)

On-the-Spot Direction on

How to Blast the Devil!

96. (Jesus speaking:) You've made progress, My love‚ in singing to Me and praising Me and claiming My Word when the Enemy comes in like a flood. You've progressed in turning every thought into a prayer. If it weren't for your ­doing this, these attacks would be stronger still. You've done this in the times that you're alone, and I would that you continue to give the ­Enemy these blasts.

97. Continue to throw him those hand gren­ades of great magnitude by praising Me openly and outwardly. This you do, but I would that you do it more. There's always room to do more, so keep on praising‚ keep on singing, keep on shooting up prayers to Me. Keep on claiming My Word when the Enemy would try to come in like a flood—and this you must do instantly, My love, on the spot, spontaneously, without hesitation.

98. Another way that you can blast the ­Enemy more is by coming to Me and getting My definite word of instruction—explicit, direct guidance on how to fight these attacks on the spot when they happen, and then, most import­antly, by following through on what I show you to do. Throughout the day I will give you quick, on-the-spot instruction, no matter where you are, on how to avoid these pitfalls and land mines and traps set by the Evil One. Ask Me right on the spot and get an instant answer of what to do right in that moment, and I will lead you.

99. This is an occupational hazard for many of My channels who spend much time in prayer and supplication for others, that it's easy to put their own need for instruction on the back burner. Yet I would not have you do one and leave the other undone. This is a way the ­Enemy hits many of My children who help to pull down My seeds to nourish others. For though you help to pray for many timely and important matters concerning the Kingdom, yet it's easy to neglect to seek Me for yourself‚ to let your own battles and trials slide by unnoticed as you shove them to the back burner.

100. Yet, My love, My workers are My work. Therefore you must not neglect to call on Me instantly when you need help, so that I can send down instructions on what to do. Often­times a quick solution will suffice as I quicken a verse or a song, or inspire a praise or prayer so that the Enemy will have to turn tail and run. There will be other times when it's necessary that I give you more detailed instruction‚ when it will be necessary to go into your closet and pray and receive a more thorough discourse and ­specifics.

101. But much is missed throughout the day in not receiving these short, quick ­directives on how to nip a potential problem in the bud, by cutting the Devil's nose off right when he first tries to poke it into your life to cause you trouble.

102. When the Devil flies overhead, you must not brush aside or neglect his seemingly small temptations. If allowed to go unattended, they will not go unnoticed, for they will become as festering sores if not nipped in the bud. Therefore at the first signs‚ when the Enemy flies overhead looking to make a nest in your hair, do not think that you can shoo him away on your own, but stop, praise Me, hear from Me right on the spot, and then take action.

103. This on-the-spot instruction is not meant to be a big ordeal. I will oftentimes speak to you in sound bites or a few short lines. The instruction I give will often be practical tips and advice or commands to help you in fighting back. As the Enemy tries to attack anywhere, anytime, so will I ring out instruction anywhere‚ anytime as you call on Me—as you're walking down the hall, going to a meal, hanging up the laundry, run­ning an errand‚ sitting on the toilet, ­preparing a cup of tea, and so on. Yes, My love, if you would blast the Enemy continually, you must pay prayerful attention to all the little in–between times throughout the day and call on Me for help.

104. To keep blasting the Enemy you must come to Me on the spot in these times when he tries to raid you with his flood of lies and ill feelings or thoughts. So keep tuning in, My love, in the midst of the raid, and receive My explicit commands. The key to success is not only to hear My commands, but to follow through on My instructions, to take action, to obey orders instantly and explicitly. The only way to do this is to stay tuned in to My Heavenly hotline, the walkie-talkie of prayer and prophecy, and get My on-the-spot direction and orders on how to blast the Devil. (End of message from Jesus.)

Fight for Time with the Lord!

105. (Jesus speaking: ) If you stay filled with Me‚ you can't be filled with yourself. You must fight and strive harder to spend the time that you need with Me. Though you do take some time with Me and you see the need for it, you're not as fully dependent on Me as you ought to be—as I would have you to be and as I need you to be—in order for Me to use you in all that I have for you.

106. Pray for a greater hunger and a greater desire for My Spirit and the things of My Spirit. For though you do embrace the New Wine and have taken up the new weapons of loving Me intimately, praising Me, and hearing My Words in prophecy, I would that these things become a greater part of your life and more prominent in your activities and actions.

107. Ask for prayer from those you work with and live with‚ to help and strengthen and propel you forward in this area, and then fight to take the time. Fight to not only accept these things and accept that they are truly the ways of My Spirit, but go beyond that and actively bring them into your life.

108. If it would help you, you could even make a schedule, that every day you will take some time with Me. You can even divide it up, to have times when you just speak words of love to Me, other times when you read My written Words, and other times when you hear from Me in prophecy personally. Set yourself goals and then make that your priority. I've spoken to all My Family about the need for more time with Me in My arms to be strengthened, and I have spoken to you personally about it as well.

109. Vigilantly guard against pride. Although many times you think you're not tempted with this, because you don't see yourself as anything great or special, your pride is manifested in other ways. It's manifested in self–righteousness or looking critically at others, expecting too much from them; expecting them to be better than they are, while not expecting as much from yourself. This is a form of pride, of lifting yourself up, of making exceptions for yourself, and of not walking humbly before Me. You must fight against this.

110. I know that you see yourself as having many weaknesses and lacks, but you also know‚ for it is obvious enough, that I have gifted you in certain areas. I've given you a quick mind and sharp intellect, and various talents. Therefore you must not get confident in any of these things, or think that because you're good at this or that, it means you don't have to pray as you do it, or seek Me before doing it, or stop, look and listen to receive My checks or confirmations on what you're doing.

111. Even though much of your work is mechanical, and in most cases you know what to do, still you must remember that even these gifts, and even the wisdom you do have‚ you would not have and do not have without Me and without staying in tune with Me.

Beware of Familiarity

112. There is also the area of familiarity. You've seen this as a weakness in your life before with the different ones you've worked with or been close to who have been in leadership. You've lived and worked with leadership for many years, and you need reminders from time to time to continue to see Me and My anointing in those you work with.

113. It can become easy for you to criticize or see the faults of those you work closely with. Indeed, there are weaknesses and faults as well as day-to-day mistakes, and in some cases I let you see these things so that you can understand and learn from them, or even so that you can help somehow. This should in no way under­mine your respect for the anointing that I have put on them as My ministers in the Kingdom.

114. Pray and ask Me to help you see with the eyes of the Spirit, and to love and respect and admire each one that you work with, as I do. Also, look not only upon the outward appear­ance or titles, look not at some as more worthy of love and attention and respect than others. See all as I see them—as My loving and yielded brides, My princes and princesses of My Kingdom‚ those who support the king and queen. Each of you is important to Me, and you must look at each one through the eyes of love and acceptance, esteeming others better than yourself; not esteeming one person above another‚ but seeing My Spirit in all.

Strengths and Weaknesses

—Everything Balances Out

115. I have not made you exceptionally strong or exceptionally weak in either area (physically or spiritually), but in both areas I have given you some strengths and some weaknesses. In some areas you are strong spiri­tually, such as the area of understanding My Words and believing in them. You have a strong faith in My Words, and a firm conviction in your calling to live for Me and serve Me. But in other areas you are weak spiritually‚ such as in your mind‚ and in fighting off the questions and doubts and negative thoughts of the Enemy.

116. Part of this weakness comes from a weakness of faith in some of the new weapons of My Spirit. For though you are solid in the Word and in your beliefs and devotion and dedication to Me and to the Family‚ in your commitment to serving Me, yet your practical application of some of the truths of My Spirit and your putting them into effect is a weakness in some areas.

117. Part of this is simply because of a lack of experience. You've not had to face so many strong spiritual battles‚ therefore you're not as well versed as you could be in how to wield the weapon of My Word—My written Words and My new living Words. But I'm teaching you and training you, and I'm making this weakness into a strength, and will continue to do so as long as you look to Me and My Word and My voice when you are attacked.

118. The areas in which you are strong physically are ones in which you are weak spiritually. Because I have given you a measure of intelligence, an understanding of words and meanings and ideas which can be a strength in your work, this is a weakness when it comes to your personally receiving from My Word and the things of My Spirit, for you examine some of these things too closely rather than seeing the full picture. You analyze the details and allow this to keep you from just drinking in the ­concept.

119. Other areas where physically or mentally you are not very strong are areas where you tend to be stronger spiritually—such as knowing that you don't understand many things about business and administration, about people's complex personal problems, and knowing that you don't know how to counsel or help people regarding many of the difficulties they face. This lack of confidence or natural wisdom is a spiritual strength, because then when you're asked to hear from Me about things or are asked for your opinion, because you don't know and because you're afraid to even have an opinion or attempt to give any advice yourself‚ then you look to Me and simply take what I give you and accept it as My Words.

120. So you see, everything balances out, and even the weak areas can become your strong areas—though you will always have to battle some of these weaknesses to a certain extent. I've not made you exceptionally gifted physically nor exceptionally gifted spiritually, so that you might not become lifted up in pride; but I have also given you enough strengths and skills, spiritually and physically, so that I can use you for what I need you to do.

121. I've also given you these gifts so that you may be encouraged, and not look at yourself and think‚ "I have no talents" or "I am not use­ful." Though the Enemy still lies to you in this way, if you will only look at things in the spirit, or even look at them realistically and sensibly in the physical, you will see that this is not so.

122. Yet even this physical and spiritual weakness of being somewhat unhappy with your­self and discouraged with your lacks is a weakness on the one hand and a strength on the other. It's a weakness in that it causes you to murmur and to doubt, if you yield to the negativity; but if you will turn it around positively and use it to see that you need Me and you need to depend on Me, it can become a strength.

123. Don't spend too much time worrying about or analyzing what are your strengths and what are your weaknesses‚ wondering if you're weaker physically or weaker spiritually. Just trust Me and believe Me that I have balanced it accordingly. In the areas that you know you're weak, physically or spiritually, strive to continue to grow—in all cases by leaning and depending on Me‚ and by feeding and receiving and drinking in My Words that will make you strong and help you overcome and gain greater vic­tories. (End of message from Jesus.)

Implement My Counsel and Word

One Battle at a Time!

124. (Jesus speaking:) It's good to examine your heart and see where your commitment lies. It's good to take stock of your life and see how you're serving Me. In coming before Me and making love to Me and kissing Me, you have pleased Me, and I long now to give you My counsel.

125. You've asked if you're getting too fam­iliar with others. Yes, you must guard against this, because this can hinder your work with them. If you're reluctant to take on a task, or you feel you can keep putting off a task when someone may need it soon, this is familiarity. Treat others with respect and honor them, esteeming them even better than yourself, as My Word admonishes.

126. About your Word time: It's very, very important that you find the time to hear from Me and from My messengers. It's imperative that you take time at My feet daily. It's of utmost importance that you lay aside your plans for the day, and that you sit and hear from Me for the morning. Don't be afraid that others will think that you're slacking off or not getting your job done, because you're doing what's most import­ant, and hearing from Me is part of your work. Hearing My Words from Heaven is a part of your service to Me, so don't neglect this time.

127. Just put your "do not disturb" sign up, let others know you won't be available for a little while‚ and spend that time with Me. It can be both in personal prayer and prophecy‚ or in prayer and prophecy requests and situations you've been asked to pray about—but take that time. So after you finish devotions, run to your room and sit down with Me and take that time hearing from Me. This is what will keep you on track and following closely.

128. You've also asked if you are practicing the "Loving Jesus" revelation enough. I say that I am pleased with the way you love Me privately‚ with the way you say sweet love words to Me and come before Me with loving praises. This is pleasing in My sight, but I would that you also share this with others. It's an encouragement to their faith when they hear another saying sexy things to Me, and it helps them counter the lies of the Enemy that would try to hold them back.

129. Although it's a bit difficult and humbling, it's good for you, and it will bring wonderful fruit both in your life and in the lives of those you love. So don't be afraid to practice it and say the words you feel deep inside of you. It will be a real turn–on for the girl you're with too. So don't be afraid, okay? Will you promise Me that you will try to do that?

130. One other thing: You spend time on the Internet, gleaning, researching, looking for material for your pubs and layout work. This is fine, and I'm pleased with the way you have eschewed the evil and been on guard. But because of the potential dangers, I would that you would take good Word before and after. It doesn't have to be long, just a couple of pages, or take praise time and earnestly seek Me to cleanse your mind of those things which you have seen.

131. The Internet is a trap, and you have to walk circumspectly in order to avoid falling into the snares and time-wasters of the Evil One. But if you partake of the Word before and after, this will help ensure that you don't walk away thinking and meditating upon the things of the world. This will wash and cleanse you of the things you've had to wade through.

132. Also beware of too much news on the Net. This can also be a device of the Enemy to block out your time with Me. This is a tool the Enemy often uses: He gets My children so busy reading other material that they have no time to hear My voice or read My love letters. Don't let him get ahold of your time. Do what you have to do and get off-line.

133. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth. So don't stuff your head with knowledge and stop your heart from loving. Love, that you may gain the knowledge of My Kingdom. Give, that you may be given to by My hand. Sacrificial giving will also ensure that you are staying in tune with Me, because you will have to ask Me for the strength to make the sacrifice.

134. You have also asked about your battles and trials and if you are standing still because they are less intense. No, My beloved, you are still progressing as long as you are fighting and gaining victories daily. You continue to fight and press forward daily‚ moment by moment, and this ensures that you are moving forward. If you were to accept that these trials would always be there and you just yielded to them, then you would be standing still. But even if you don't see a whole lot of progress, yet you're still fighting, then know that you are progressing.

135. Remember how I promised you that the second part of this year would be one of consolidating your gains and being strengthened after the battle? This is the reason your battles are subsiding. This is the reason you don't struggle as much—because you have now won the victory and the main force of the ­Enemy has been defeated. You only have to fight little pockets of resistance here and there.

136. There are still enemies in your land and you have to keep seeking them out and killing them off one group at a time. So if you wonder why sometimes the battle is more fierce than at other times, it's because you're just getting hit on more fronts, so the group of enemies is larger. When it's just one, it's easy to conquer him; but when there's a group, it takes more effort and more of My power and strength to overcome. This is why some battles are light and some are heavy.

137. Well, My dear, this time spent talking heart to heart has been good‚ and I know you will really take this counsel and act upon it. It's sometimes hard to enact it all at once, so start small, one commitment at a time, one victory at a time, and soon, before you know it, you will have won! When you fight a battle, you don't fight the whole battle at once, do you? No, you fight one enemy at a time, and when he falls, you move on to another and then to another. As you go‚ you will realize that you have won the battle, one enemy at a time.

138. This is how it is with trials and tests. You just have to implement My counsel and Words one battle at a time. As you do, My Words will become a part of you, fully integrated into your attack. You will have been converted so totally to using the new weapons that you'll wonder what it was like before to fight without them. (End of message from Jesus)

The Path of Humility!

139. (Jesus speaking:) I'm bringing you along the path that I wish for you to go. Because you have followed closely in hearing My voice and receiving My personal guidance for you, you need not fear that you will be overtaken by the devices of the Evil One. I'm bringing you along the path of humility, the path of taking the lower seat, the path of accepting the breakings and difficult experiences of life and love without pride or resentment or bitterness.

140. I'm teaching you that I always know what's best for you, and that even if you don't see a logical reason for some experience, that there must be a very good reason‚ simply because I‚ your Husband‚ have chosen each experience for you personally.

141. You're just beginning on the path of service for Me in comparison to My children of the first generation. I ask you now to be vigil­ant in the area of giving Me the glory for anything that you accomplish. Pride is a subtle weakness that begins in small ways, taking credit to yourself for things it would only seem natural to, until the amount of credit and glory you think you deserve grows and grows. Through this open door of pride, the Enemy brings in sundry devices to make your downfall easier. So give Me the credit for every little thing‚ and I will not fail to keep you and to prosper you.

142. You have seen others fall and you fear that you will not be able to stand. But as you strive to remain little in your own eyes, I will shield and protect you. I will personally keep your heart and life from the power of the Evil One.

143. I ask you also to diligently guard the garden of your heart from the weeds of resent­ment toward circumstances and toward others. As you continue to seek and manifest the fruits of My Spirit and to stay close to Me in prayer and praise and hearing My voice, I will continue to clothe you in the garment of humility, and teach you how to better wear this garment.

144. Seek to do the humble thing whenever a decision lies before you. For as you exercise yourself in humility, I will keep your heart warm and moist so that the resentment you're tempted with will not be able to stick. As you continually strive to accept that all things truly work together for good to you who love Me, this will strengthen your muscles of faith and trust‚ and in turn will help you to resist the temptations of the Enemy to become resentful toward any situation or person.

145. Stay stirred up in your use of the new weapons, for your only guarantee of success and staying close to Me is continually saying yes to whatever I ask of you, and whatever means and methods I suggest that you use. As you seek My will and the needs of others above your own, I will greatly bless you and keep you. I love you always, My precious bride. (End of message from Jesus.)

Delve into the Word for

Personal Feeding and Enjoyment!

146. (Dad speaking:) The Lord knows you like to hear the short modern version rather than the more poetic Biblical-style one, so He sent me to give you a little counsel here, Son.

147. Well, you've done pretty well at learning how to use the new gifts, God bless you. I'm proud of you for that. But you need to remember to make more use of them in your personal life too, not just in your work. The Lord has lots of things that He can speak to you about other than your work, and you need His counsel to keep growing and changing.

148. Be sure to take your Word time too. I know you read the Word a lot in your work, but you also need some time to just delve into the Word for personal feeding and enjoyment. It's like the difference between swimming for exercise and doing laps, versus paddling around in the pool and just enjoying yourself and having fun. You get exercise both ways, but if you don't have the paddling–around times, after a while the laps start to get to be a bit of a chore and a bore. The water is the Word, and you need to enjoy it as well as do laps in it.

149. You also need to be careful that you seek the Lord throughout the day and throughout each job. I know you do it a lot, and the Lord helps you. I'm just reminding you that it's important. Like the Lord said, one of the hazards is to pat yourself on the back for how much you're accomplishing. You'd do well to resist that.

150. I know you generally balance whatever work you do against all your faults and failings and find yourself wanting‚ but you have to beware of that too. You can look at yourself realistically, but you don't want to look at yourself too negatively. There's that fine line between knowing what a mess you are and dwelling on it, because after a while you can fall prey to discouragement, doubt and despair that way. Like I said, when you think think think, you sink sink sink, because you stink stink stink!

151. Sorry to bring out a few problems‚ Son. It doesn't mean that you're a problem case, just that you're human. Everyone has lots of faults and failings, and it's encouraging that the Lord loves us in spite of them.

152. Okay, is that enough? God bless you! Don't worry about these things, all right? Just commit them to the Lord, ask Him to help you do your best, and keep forging ahead with Him. The Lord knows, He loves, He cares, and He's the author and finisher of your faith. I love you! (End of message from Dad.)

Be Born Anew Each Day!

153. (Jesus speaking:) What I want is just you‚ your heart, with nothing in it of self or personal desires. I just want your yieldedness. You can't let anything of the past still be in your heart. You have to have a change and be born anew and fresh each and every day! Isn't this what I have taught you over and over again?—To let go of the old and reach for the new fresh gifts of the Spirit?

154. My Spirit is ever fresh and new and moving‚ and to be part of Me you have to daily take off your old garments, cast them aside, and put on the new fresh robe of My ever–changing Spirit. I long to clothe you and fill you with My life and newness. But if you resist and let anything of the old hang on to you, I have no room, no opportunity to do the work in you of making you My brand-new tool.

155. So don't let anything move you or hinder My work in you of keeping you fresh and alive and born of My Spirit. Stay close to Me, having no will of your own, and just be ­willing to let Me do My work in you. I have exciting things in store for you that you won't want to miss, so let's go forward! (End of mess­age from Jesus.)

With Your Suffering Has Come

The Beauty of Your Spirit

—My Spirit Shining Through!

156. (Jesus speaking:) For years I have fashioned you‚ molded you, and sculpted your very features. I've been grooming you, chiseling off the rough spots‚ adding just the right touches to you, so that you could be just what I want you to be. In My love for you, I have denied you much. But you've loved Me regardless of what I gave you or what I denied you, and the depth of your love for Me is known to Me.

157. Yours is a great reward, for it is the reward of faith. Such joy awaits you, not only in the Heavenly realm, but also here in this earthly one. My heart pains with yours, for when you are lonely, you reach for Me, and you are My faith­­ful, loyal, loving bride. This brings Me such ecstasy, to know of your deep, deep love for Me.

158. I wish to ease your suffering, but with your suffering has come the beauty of your spirit—of My Spirit shining through you. For it has been the breakings, the afflictions, the trials of your past that have made you such a yielded and soft piece of clay in My hands. Because of this, I can use you. I use you mightily. You may feel like you accomplish little, but in My eyes it is much, for you are My lover, My bride who is not ashamed of Me. You are one who loves Me openly‚ who professes your love for Me, a bride of high esteem.

159. Despite your many afflictions, My son, you have accomplished more by shining forth with your trust in Me, your faith in Me and your love for Me, than you would have had you come in your own strength and done great works. Instead‚ you have proclaimed My glory. You have manifested such great love for Me that I could draw all men unto Me, not unto you. You have lifted Me up. You have brought forth My praises, and this is where I dwell—in the praises of My children. Your heart has not drawn away from Me simply because you were in times of affliction or suffering, but you have drawn ever closer to Me‚ and thus I have come closer still to you.

160. As you have done this, you have testified of My power, My presence, My glory and praise, and have become an instrument of My love and praises! You have become a jewel of rare price, for such a fine instrument is only fashioned by much time, many breakings, and much sacrifice. Yet you have loved Me enough to be willing to suffer all things, as I did in love for My Father, and you have come through as gold. You shine with your afflictions‚ with your in­capability, with your utter dependence upon Me.

161. This is your greatest accomplishment—to come to the utter end of yourself.—To be unable to produce for Me‚ and then to totally give yourself to Me, feeling you have little or nothing to give, and to let Me take your life and let it shine forth with My praise and love!

162. This is your crowning accomplish­ment—to let Me shine—that others may know it is only Me, and nothing of you. This is triumph! This is joy! This is what you're doing by letting Me work thus in your life. I have been accomplishing My greater purpose in your life, but it has not been along the path of accomplish­ments of yours. What I have accomplished has been solely My doing. All have seen this and it has greatly glorified Me. So rejoice that you've been so used and able to be so exalted as one who can give all the glory to Me.

163. I love you, My dear one. I take you in My arms right now to soothe your weary body. You have fought valiantly in spirit and have not let go of the blessing, but have clung to My Words, to My promises. You've held on in spite of all hell breaking loose in your many afflictions and in attacks against you by the Enemy. You've stood your ground firmly upon My Word, and your reward will come. It's even now on the hor­izon and about to pour down upon you. But first I have brought you to the depths, that you might glorify Me, and you have come forth with the golden shine of one who has fought a good fight.

164. Now I lift some of your burdens and I give you back some of your strength, that you may continue to glorify Me in all that you do and say and are. I love you, My precious one. (End of message from Jesus)

Outpouring of

Potent New Wine Ahead!

165. (Jesus speaking:) After this falling away will come such a strengthening and such an outpouring of even more New Wine from My Heavenly chambers that will be even more potent than that which was served thus far! It will be as the Elixir from Heaven—calming, soothing, healing, and giving great strength and courage to all who imbibe its potent juice.

166. As your Father David still says, "Let the chips fall where they may!" For though it seems as if there's been a purging throughout the ranks over the past years‚ and though it seems as if the Jordans have been long and hard for many, yet there will be a time of great reaping coming‚ and a time of the fruit of our loving coming to pass.

167. Hold fast, therefore, and let no man steal thy crown! (End of message from Jesus.)

Lots More Excitement to Come!

168. (Dad speaking:) Thanks for continuing to be so loving and caring, and for continuing to be believing and trusting, accepting the Lord's Words, and moving forward with every revolution that He brings about. These are keys to the Family's success. Thank the Lord that He's put us through so many revolutions and made us so revolutionary, so that we're ready now for the big ones that are coming in the End!

169. So hold on to your hats, folks, there's a lot more excitement to come! You're going to be a strong army that's made up of weak soldiers who are strong in Jesus. Praise the Lord! (End of message from Dad)

170. (Mama:) That's right! There's so much to come, so many new experiences, challenges, battles and victories on the near ­horizon. If you're looking for excitement, you've come to the right place. What could be more fascinating than serving the Lord at this time, in this way, with the Family! The Lord has ensured our success by equipping us with super high-tech spiritual weaponry which everyone can have and operate—unbeatable battle plans, knowl­edge of the Enemy's tactics which makes his defeat inevitable, and a promised reward that makes the spoils of war of this world look like a measly consolation prize!

171. What a way to go! What a battle, but what a victory! I don't know about you, but I'm rarin' to go! I'm flipped about what the Lord is doing, and can hardly wait to get on with the battle! This year will be a year to remember! So let's go on the attack! Let's fight! Let's sock it to the Enemy's strongholds! The victory is ours! Praise the Lord!

172. Peter and I are so proud of each of you. Keep holding on to the Lord‚ He's expecting great things of you! You can make it!

Lovingly, and with great faith for you and for the future‚ Mama

173. P.S. Now that you've read this series, if you haven't already, please take some quiet time with the Lord to ask Him to speak to you personally. Ask Him to answer any questions that you've had on your heart, lighten any burdens, strengthen your commitment, and guide you as you apply these messages to your life. I know His Words will encourage and lift your hearts, so please do try to take this time. n