My Gift of Creativity

...... The creative spirit I have put in you, I have doubled since you retired to make up for all the years that you gave your time to the Church. I was always aware that this gift I gave you was somewhat frustrated, and I am happy now for you to create away. I always loved creating. I spent the equivalent of eons of time, although I hadn't created time at that point, planning how all things would fit together and the variations of light and sound I could use. Every atom and molecule I planned and know about, and every one has its number in my book. Nothing I have ever made has passed into oblivion. It is all remembered. Every soul who has ever lived, I created, and though man may not remember them, I remember every one in detail. Did you know that every leaf I have made is unique? Even the grains of sand on the sea shore, every one is different, and I know each one. Yes, I delight in variation and creativity, and I love it when my children also delight, not only in what I have made, but in beginning to create their own beauty too. ......

The Shield of Faith

Me:    Good morning Lord. Thank you for waking me this morning and for this new day you have made. I love you Lord.

Lord:   The Shield of Faith
One of the great pieces of equipment for the Christian walk that comes from love, is faith. Faith is a greatly misused word. It has come to mean 'religion'. Mankind talks about people of 'different faiths', but what he really means is different religions. It would be more accurate to say, 'people who put their faith in different things'. I said that faith comes out of love, and that is what I mean. Faith comes through knowing me and beginning to trust me. It is one of the gifts I gave at Pentecost to equip the church for the mission ahead. Faith is the ability to believe in me and hold on to me even though the final outcome is not visible to human eyes. I highly prize faith in a believer and will honour the faithful.

Faith is not blind as some would have you believe! Faith many not yet have seen with physical eyes the outcome, but it is very much a part of using your spiritual eyes and seeing the thing I show you, so it has to do with living prophecy in your life. I speak the word and you hold on to the word until you see it fulfilled.

Faith is like the shield carried by a soldier. Just as a shield is a very practical tool used to protect and deflect, so faith is far from passive. Faith turns to counter the darts of doubt and scorn. Faith grows strong when when it is covered with trust in me. Faith also grows strong with spiritual understanding, so it is reinforced by a good relationship with me.

Many see faith as an individual thing and say, 'my faith is personal'. That is true only as far as faith is built upon your love and encounter with me. However faith is also a corporate thing. Sharing your faith, 'telling your story', why you believe, how you came to know me, and what I have done for you, encourages others who also tell their story. Combine these stories and you have a community of faith. To continue the soldier and his shield analogy, Roman soldiers would stand together in a tight group. Those on the edge of the group would stand with their shields together on the ground forming a wall of protection all round. Those in the middle raise their shields above their heads to form a roof. Thus the protection is complete against missiles arrows and even javelins.

I want my Church to be a community of faith, actively using their faith as shields to protect themselves and each other from the darts and arrows of doubt, unbelief and lies. Do not let you faith be aimless and 'blind', but rooted and grounded in love and trust in me. Be a faithful people for me. I love you.

Love Casts Out Fear

Me:    Good morning Lord. Thank you for waking me this morning and for this new and beautiful morning. Thank you for the birds that sing and the rabbits as they play, for the trees swaying in the breeze and for the constant buzz if bees and other insects. Thank you for all the beautiful gardens around with the roses and flowers in all their full regalia. Everything is so beautiful Lord, and it is all the work of your hands. I love you Lord.

Lord:    Thank you son. Yes, I did have fun getting the colour of that red rose just right for you to enjoy this morning, and those rabbits are getting used to you passing by early in the morning, so I have taken their fear of you away.

Love Casts Out Fear
Many of mankind's problems arise out of fear. Fear is not of me. Fear blinds the eyes to truth and distorts vision. I do not want my children to fear. Fear firsts arises from lack of love. It may be a child growing up without the close love and affection of a parent, or of being smothered by an over doting parent and never enjoying the company of children of the same age. It may be that as a young adult a person was subject to bullying or abuse, and had no one to turn to or support them. Or they may have been subject to mental abuse in the form of lies and half truths perpetrated by others who want to control their lives for them. This sort of abuse can start very young, with stories of dire punishments for minor errors. Religious dogma and false teaching about me, can lead to young people being turned away from the truth and it making them a captive to fear, rather than setting them free. Whatever the fear it brings darkness. I want my children to be free of fear. I want them to walk in the light and to be filled with, and surrounded by, love.

Another great source of fear is the myth that I do not exist. The lie, that it is through science that you will find the meaning of life the universe and everything. It is not science that give the meaning of life, it is me. I am the meaning, just as I am the beginning and the end. I have brought all things into existence from nothing. It is by my spoken word that all things came into being and it is through the breath of my Spirit that all things have life.

I spend the early morning painting the sunrise, and in the evening, I paint the sunset. No two are the same and they are happening all over the world all the time. Many a sunrise or sunset is not seen by man, but I still take great care with each one. If I take such care over something that is unseen by man how much more do I care for him, who I made in my likeness.

As you stood in awe and looked upon my handiwork this morning, so I want all men and women everywhere to behold what I have placed before them to enjoy. I want you to wonder and ask questions. I want you to use the reasoning and calculating skills I placed within you to explore the wonders of my creation and learn about them. But as you gaze at the painting, remember it didn't create itself. Every painting has an artist, and every story has an author. I am the artist and the story teller. I am the beginning and the end. To know me is to love me. To love me is perfection and perfect love casts out all fear. I want you all to live in perfect love with me and therefore to live without fear. Oh how I love you!

GRACE

Me:    Good morning Lord. Thank you for waking me this morning and for this new day, Thank you for our walk this morning and for the most beautiful of dawns. I love you Lord.

Lord:  Good morning son. Thank you for your company and your love. I love you too.

Don't be upset the silver jubilee of your priesting should pass un-noticed, and unmarked. I notice these things and it was I who brought it to your attention. It is not important that man should notice these things, only that I, who knows the heart of man, and the pain that those 25 years brought, should mark them. I have noted them in the annals of life!

There is no deed of man that goes un-noted, whether it is an act of kindness or a deed of hate, and in the long term every deed is rewarded by me with the reward it deserves. Sometimes the reward is seen inside the earthly lifespan of the individual, but often, very often, the rewards come later before my Father in heaven. Many times David, and others, bemoaned the fact that the wicked seem to go unpunished. This certainly appears to be the case from the human perspective, but from the heavenly viewpoint things look very different. I always give the sinner an opportunity to repent and the victim a chance to forgive. Don't question that, for only I know what goes on in the heart of man, and what an eternity can pass in a microsecond of time. The evil one would like to have all mankind die in sin, unforgiven and full of hatred. If he could achieve that he would deem that I have failed and that the creation of man was a disaster. However he does not succeed, and countless thousands give their hearts to me, and repent of the evil they have done.

The work of the Christian is to destroy the works of Satan, and that is best done by using My name, the name of Jesus, to set the captives free, to heal the sick and the oppressed, and to proclaim the liberty and freedom I offer. Sin locks people in a dark bubble that isolates and depresses them. Forgiveness bursts that bubble and sets them free and back into the light of love. Forgive those who sin against you and pray for those who are locked in the chains of sin and wickedness. The really good news is that my forgiveness has no conditions attached and is available to anyone who dares to call upon my name. It is by grace, and grace alone that mankind is saved. No organisation or individual has any right whatsoever to put either charge or conditions upon forgiveness. It is my free gift. God's Riches At Christ's Expense.

Repentance and Forgiveness

Me:    Good morning Lord. Thank you for waking me this morning and for forgiving me my sins, which I confess before you. Lord I love you and I don't want to sin, so thank you for always being there for me, to forgive me. I love you Lord.

Lord:    Good morning son. Stay close to me and let my forgiveness envelope you. The only answer to sin is Jesus. Walk with him and be always seeking to be like him and leave the sin to me.

It's sin and forgiveness I want to talk about with you today. All of mankind is born into, and steeped in, sin. It is a fact of life that none can escape. For a long time in history mankind did what seemed good to him, without reference to me, including the people I had chosen for my own. As you read their history you see how they oscillated between those who did what was right, and those who did what was evil. While I did notice and deal with individuals, both good and bad, I dealt mainly with 'the nation', the wider group. Unfortunately the people did not listen to me and interpreted their selection as a nation wrongly and put themselves above the Law I had laid down. This putting yourself above the law soon means that even the law maker is put aside, and the people forgot me, and all I had done for them.

The only way to bring them back was to knock their feet from under them, so they fell. For generations they had been a wandering people with no land to call their own. I gave them their land on condition they followed me. When they went their own way and refused to heed my call through the prophets, I took away their land and once again they were a landless people, first of all living on the land that I had given them, but paying from their produce to foreign kings and rulers, then being taken from the land and planted in a strange place. It took them nearly 80 years to turn back to me and cry out in their distress. The problem was now that they were so paranoid about turning away again and losing what they had regained, that they cloaked the law I gave them, which should have given them freedom, with petty rules and regulation that bound the people in a new kind of bondage. But all this did not deal with man's tendency to sin. What could I do?

I had long planned to send my Son, and this is what I did; Jesus came and turned the hearts of ordinary individuals back to me. He was not dealing with nations or even tribes, but with the individual. The great appeal of the Good News was that it offered a once-for-all-time solution to the age-old problem of sin. For the first time in their history, the people were not dependent on their kings and leaders or even the religious leaders to repent on their behalf. Every man, woman and child could come to Jesus and receive forgiveness, know the love of God for themselves and be set free. No wonder the early believers were full of joy!

This was once again spoilt by institutionalising the Church, making it the religion of the empire and forcing its laws, most of which were totally man made and nothing to do with me, upon a people who just wanted to choose Jesus for themselves and live their lives without interference from others. Once again the 'Way to God' had been hijacked and the people who wanted to walk the way had been enslaved. Sin abounds under these conditions.

I continued to work among my people, setting many free. I even worked through institutions at times, until the leaders or godless men realised that congregations were being set free. In every generation I have provided revivals, renewals and have raised up prophets and teachers, many of whom were persecuted and even killed, just like the prophets of old. However, even through the worst times of persecution I have kept the truth alive and have kept a remnant. Because I am dealing with individuals and not whole nations' I have often been tempted to abandon nations to their own sin. But in your day I am calling my Church, the individuals I have saved through My Son Jesus, to pray for the nations. Yes, to come before me and confess the sins of kings, governments and nations, because I have already made a promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14, that:

'If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.'(NIV)

That is a two-part promise, a covenant. The first part is yours:

'If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways...'

The second part is mine:

'...then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.'

I am now calling my people, the Church, those who know and love the Lord Jesus Christ, to 'humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways...' I am also asking them to pray for their leaders and the nations, because their leaders and the nations are not yet ready to humble themselves before me. Pray, believing that as you pray, I will work in your land. I promise that I will hear your prayer and I will forgive their sins and heal their land, your sins and your land.

The authority I have given to Jesus as My beloved Son, is still very firmly in His hands. No man, or ruler, or nation, can take that away from Him. All mankind is answerable to Him. Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, and all in the other religions, even the atheist and the pagan are answerable to Him, because I have declared it so.

So, let all the individuals that are saved by the blood of Jesus stand together and pray for their leaders and their nations. Let them confess, and turn their backs to sin and wickedness, and I will forgive them and heal their land.

A New Boldness

Lord:    Over the coming months you will witness an increase in the manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially the lesser used gifts. Some of these manifestations will have a high public profile, and there will be attempts to ridicule them. However my work is my own responsibility, and no one will need to defend me. I shall confound the so called 'wise' of this age, and reveal my wisdom in a way which will make the wisdom of the world look as small and insignificant, as indeed it is. Watch out for my Spirit working and rejoice when you see it. Pray for those who you see being used by me, and bless them.

Boldness
At this time I require my Church to recover the boldness it enjoyed in the first days after Pentecost. The boldness to speak about me, without embarrassment. The boldness to call upon my name as you pray for healing, deliverance and guidance. The boldness to use the higher gifts of prophecy, knowledge and discernment. Boldness to preach and teach the true good news in its completeness. The boldness to believe me and trust me, even when the odds seem stacked against you.

Without being argumentative, I want my Church to speak out for the truth and to hold on to my higher standards. Do not compromise the truth. If you are in doubt about what is truth, then know this: My Word always stands.

Encourage the regular reading of My Word. The Bible must be read with an open mind. By that I mean open to Me. There is a lot in the Bible that seems like a mystery, some of it even offends  modern delicate western sensitivity. Read it with simple acceptance and pray for understanding. Do not struggle with truth. I long to tell my people what they want to know but they either don't ask me, or they don't accept what I am telling them. Be open to my spoken word to you. Yes, I do speak directly to all my children who are open to hear my voice. Encourage them to listen and show them how to hear my voice.

I said that you would be seeing an increase in the manifestation of spiritual gifts. Be prepared also to receive and use the many gifts I have given you. Yes all of you! All who receive my Son as their saviour, are able to receive my Spirit, and therefore to be equipped with all the gifts they need. Remember the gifts of the Spirit are not some sort of status symbol; they are articles of equipment for the soldier to use as he goes about his business. I delight in pouring out my Spirit on all who will be open channels. However, I cannot flow through channels that are blocked by unbelief, sin and prejudice. These need to be dealt with, so bring them to me in prayer.

Watch Out for those I am Raising Up

Lord: At this time my Spirit is about seeking those I have chosen to be my witnesses in this generation. As I reveal them, do not be surprised at their youth. When my Spirit fills a man, the wisdom He gives confounds the wise of this age, these young men and women need your support. The support of  you who have grown up through the last great revival. Pray for them and uphold them in my work. Speak my word to them, as Jethro spoke to Moses. Watch out for them, for they are called and work outside of established groups and will not be recognised by the main churches.

My Spirit is also calling and anointing many who are still within the mainstream structures. They will, however, need to move out in time, as the religious systems will seek to cramp them, and make them conform to their ways. This will cause pain and heart ache in the early days of separation. However those who remain faithful to me will find great joy and release, and their ministry will blossom.

I am building my church anew and calling its members together to love, witness, pray, watch, wait and listen to me. Those who seek organisations and religious systems will not be able to find my rebuilt church, but those who love one another and are seeking me will find what their heart is longing for.

My desire is that when you meet together I shall be there in the middle of you, able to speak to you all clearly in a voice you will all hear. When I talked with my disciples we shared together. We laughed and joked. We discussed earnestly, and I told them of the Father's love, and of our vision for the future. We talked about people and their needs and how we could meet those needs. We talked about teaching people to pray, draw close to God, and be the people He wants them to be. We talked a lot about the Kingdom of God, because they were all living the Kingdom. That is what I desire of my people today, that you become one, part of the family of God. You do not need priests in this family, for I the Lord am the only priest you need. Stay close to me and listen to my voice as I teach you and guide you. Love one another as I have loved you. Bless and pray for those who do not yet understand.

I do not want my church engaging in a war of words with other systems of belief or ritual. Just get on with building a sure and firm foundation of love with me and with other members of my kingdom. Act upon the Word I give you, and do not be distracted by the good ideas of the worldly, and remember, that can include the 'religious'. If you are not sure what I am saying to you, ask me to confirm what I say.

Not everyone is called to the same ministry, and I rarely do anything the same way twice. Each of you is to be a lens that can focus my love into a particular part of my world. I want my love to burst out on the world like a fire bursts from focused sunlight. I want all men, women and children, everywhere to know that I am the Lord, and I love them. So be my witnesses in the world, act on my command, and stay in touch with me.