We all know that time is valuable and is something people never seem to have enough of these days. We have a stigma that busyness equals fruitfulness but I believe that is a conformity to the worlds ways that is counterintuitive to Gods.

I heard a pastor say once that busy is an acronym B=being U=under S=satans Y=yoke. This really spoke to me years ago. Of course religion will say we need to be busy about Gods business not realizing that unless we have a relationship with the Lord in the secret place(quiet time) we can be working without the Lords leading.

Jesus never did anything except what the Father told Him to do. We need to sit on that and look at the life of Jesus. There is always need but God doesn’t always need us to get involved. God has many vessels and everything in Gods heart is not our part! I heard James Robinson say this once and it was very liberating for me.

I used to think it was my job to find solutions to the worlds problems. A little arrogant of me to think, since I am 1 person. I had to figure out that if I sat down to rest that the world would go on without me. lol. I think we need to make time in our schedules for God. Not to work for God, but to get to know God.

This is personal devotion in His word and being quiet and listening. If the creator of the universe wants to commune with us it might be a good idea to listen to His ideas rather than giving Him all of ours. Of course He loves listening to us because He loves us so much and desires that fellowship.

I saw a vision of us as soldiers coming up to Jesus and then He would give us a piece of paper with our instructions. It comes with sitting at His feet and waiting on our daily bread. It may look like, praying for a neighbor or just getting on your knees and praying for the president. I suggest we ask the Lord what He wants to accomplish and see if we get to play a little part in His BIG plans. It might say REST! Yes it might be a day that all you need to do is rest! This is scriptural also, its called a sabbath day!

If we make room in our schedule for the Lord we will make room for Him to move in our lives. A lot of times people are doing things for God that He never asked them to do therefore they are exhausted doing it in their own strength. Gods promptings will always line up with His word. For instance, if you are married with kids then your first job according to the will of God lined out in scripture is to be a keeper at home. Go study Titus chapter 2 to see this.

Proverbs 29:15 tells us a child left to himself will bring his mother shame. This is one that has always spoke to me loud and clear. So aside from the obvious will of God lined out by scripture these are things we don’t need to pray about but just obey. Spending time with God will direct us to anything more than that. If you feel you are receiving some instructions whether directly from God or a person giving you a word I would always ask for confirmation. This does not offend the Lord, it is scriptural to do so. I have moved out on promptings and totally missed it(a little embarrassing). Now I always ask the Lord to confirm and if it is really from Him it won’t leave me.

11 Corinthians 13:1 “This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses my word shall be established. We are inundated with so much information in the day we live in we are processing lots of information. In fact it is an information overload. The more things you are watching and listening to the more deciphering you will have to do.

Those like me that talk a lot and are very social may have to purposely turn everything off to get still for a while. I will turn my phone off and take time off from social media, because that is a weakness for me to look at that too often. I feel the Lords prompting for more rest and less stress. Make room for God and remove take off your schedule whatever you need to to have time with the Lord.

I am a work in progress and the Lord is always teaching me as He speaks to me and through me simultaneously. I share my weaknesses in hopes to encourage you and help you. God bless and keep all who reads this. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you friends!

Proverbs 4:23 “ Keep or guard your heart with all diligence; for out of it flows the issues of life”.  As I woke up this morning I heard this in my Spirit, Keep your heart with all diligence. I knew the Lord was speaking so I looked up this scripture. This is an area we all need to pay attention to in our Christian walk.

It is so easy to get offended these days, as offence and strife is rampant even in the church. After all, the enemy wants to steal, kill, and destroy according to John 10:10, so division in the body is a great tactic.

I don’t want to fall into this trap and be a tool in the enemy’s hand.  I recommend every Christian should read the book “The Bait Of Satan” by: John Bevere

We have to stop and ask the Lord before we say, react, or do anything, “What is my heart motive behind this”? I know in my own life, that I have learned that if I examine my heart, a lot of times the motive is not from a pure heart.

I realize the pride in my own heart that has to be uprooted by God and ask the Lord to be the gardener of my heart. Matthew 15:13 says “Every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted shall be rooted up.”

In Luke 6:45 the word tells us out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. So if we don’t like what is coming out of our mouth, it is time for a heart check! This is a reflection of what is on the inside. What we are speaking is a true reflection of our hearts! So examining our words are a great way to do a heart check. I also ask the Lord to shine His light and expose anything I need to repent of. Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

The Lord brought this to my attention the other day how often we check our natural appearance in the mirror each day, which is of little importance compared to the inner man. It was as the Lord said, if my people would use the mirror of my word to examine their hearts throughout the day, every day, it would keep out a lot of the junk!

Matthew 5:18 tells us the pure in heart will see God! I am asking for a pure heart! I would highly recommend studying the book of James. In James 3:14-16 “But if you have bitter envying and strife in your HEARTS, glory not and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, and devilish. For where envying and strife is there is confusion and every evil work.”

Friends, we will have numerous opportunities throughout our day to fall prey to this and have our hearts offended. Our pride wants to have the last word and explain how WE are right and someone else is wrong.

No one but Jesus is always right. When we are humble in our hearts, we realize that even when we are right we don’t have to say anything. We are also willing to examine ourselves in all situations and ask the Lord if we were wrong.. I have come to love correction from the word of God, because then I grow up in grace!

Gods love is the anecdote to protect our hearts from offence. If we are always loving God first and others as ourselves we will be able to allow Holy Spirit to empower us to die to self in these situations.

This is a part of suffering in this world, is the crucifying of our own flesh. Think about Jesus example. He knew who He was and therefore never had to defend himself. No matter who was against Him, He knew God was for Him! Knowing His identity protected His heart from the accusations of man.

In Isaiah 53:7 the word says that oppressed and afflicted yet He opened not His mouth! I have to learn from Jesus our example in all things. The more we spend time with our Father and receiving His love for us, the more we are confident in Him and not moved by peoples opinions of us.

Stop and pray for every person that you feel a temptation to become offended with. I believe when you do this the Lord will give you grace to be quick to forgive or to keep offense out altogether in some circumstances. Lord help us to guard our heart, with all diligence. We desire to obey in all things. Thank you for your perfect love and help us to get that revelation in our hearts and receive grace to obey in Jesus mighty name, Amen.

                                                              Deception in the church

You may have never thought much about this subject, After all if you are in church that is teaching Jesus then it should be safe, right? WRONG! This is the day the bible speaks of where many false prophets and teachers will deceive many with there lying wonders.

If you are thinking right now, I have good discernment, I don’t have to worry about that, then you may already be deceived. We are all capable and subject to this and probably at some point have been deceived in some shape or form. I understand my own weakness therefore, I ask the Lord everyday for truth and to not let me be deceived. I believe the Lord is saying, we all need to pray this way daily! We must all read the word for ourselves and test the Spirits as the word tells us to do.

 1 John 4:1 “ Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the Spirits of whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Again you see the word MANY. We should pay close attention to this.

If it is not in the word of God or teachings of Christ throw it out! Most of us don’t know the word well enough to see the deception. Never follow a man, church, or movement only follow Jesus Christ. Too much emphasis on self or a man is a sure red flag. Jesus teaches us to deny ourselves to pick up our cross and follow Him. Self exaltation is pride, which is why satan fell. Everything should always point back to Jesus and the Father not to a man or his gifts. The gifts and callings of God are irrevocable the word tells us. Men can have gifts and no relationship with Christ  because we see this in scripture where men are told to depart from the Lord. Even the enemy mimics the gifts of God. Remember Pharaoh’s magicians were mimicking Gods gifts, and that power came from the evil one!

Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of God, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me in that day Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart you that work iniquity.

You may be thinking, how is this possible? I am sure based on this conversation with the Lord they were sure, as many are today that they were ok. It says many! Pay attention to this friends as the deception will come to MANY based on the word of our Lord Jesus!

Matthew 24:24 “ For there shall arise false Christs, false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders;  insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

The Lord wants us all to ask Him for the wisdom and understanding to discern. We have to be willing to see the truth, because then we are required to do something with the knowledge. Don’t seek mans opinions or counsel before going to the Lord concerning scripture, the Holy Spirit is our counselor.

I used to ask everyone I knew and may get 5 different opinions which brought confusion. We all need a personal relationship with the Father through Jesus(which is the ONLY way to God). Anyone that teaches anything otherwise is usurping their words over Gods word.  If you know someone who is biblically sound then of course discussing with them is fine, as long as you are seeking your own truth first and that any counsel you get make sure it is 100% lined up with scripture.

John 14:6 “ Jesus says unto him, I am the way,the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me,”

Deuteronomy 4:2 “You shall not add unto to the word which I command you, neither shall you diminish ought from it, that you shall keep the commandments of the Lord God which I command you.” Be mindful of the men or religions that claim to have extra revelation for us all that is not in Gods word!

Proverbs 30:6 “Add thou not unto his words, lest He reprove thee, and you be found a liar.”

I am learning and seeking truth for myself and my own family. I am only sharing scriptures that cause us all to self examine. The bible is supposed to bring correction and shed light for us all that is why we need to seek God and read His word daily for our leadership in everyday life!

I hope this challenges us all to seek the Lord with more diligence than ever before and ask Him for truth daily!

Father God, shine your light and expose all darkness. Thank you for loving us so much and wanting to show us the truth. Your perfect love casts out all fear.Thank you that we have nothing to fear if we abide in you Lord. We ask for discernment Father for the body of Christ that we would not be deceived. Expose our blind spots Father that we might know the truth according to John 8:32 and be set FREE! In Jesus mighty name, Amen.

                                                                                         Unity of the Body

Psalm 133 “BEHOLD, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aarons beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments, as the dew of Hermon and the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord, commanded the blessing, even life forever more.

The word of God is so powerful and is able to change anything that needs changing when we agree, obey, and walk by faith rather than sight. I believe that just as we are pleased when our children get along and walk in love and forgiveness with each other, in the same way the Lord is pleased when we walk in unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

It is time to humble ourselves and give away to others what God has first given us by grace. I want to please God! I believe you do too or you would not be reading this blog. We are all in need of the grace of God to walk this out in everyday life and dwell in unity. This is an area that satan will be relentless in trying to divide and conquer. We as Christians a lot of times fall right into this trap. I know I have many times and this is just pride in our own hearts. We must ask the Lord to shine His light and reveal our own blind spots, so we can repent.

If we have to have the last word and all we can think about is how the situation is affecting us that is pride. Pride is what caused satan to fall. In James 4:6 the word says that God resist the proud but gives grace to the humble. It takes humility to walk away and not have to justify yourself or to forgive when the wrong is legit and hurts.

It is not excusing a behavior or sin, it is just having faith in God to be the just judge and obeying God without question. Gossiping and repeating a matter is a sure way to divide and to not please God.  Proverbs 6:16 says six things the Lord hates(strong language) and seventh is an abomination(ouch). The seventh is those who sow discord among the brethren.

Be cautious, friends, about what you repeat. If you hear something about a brother or sister in Christ and have a heart that is truly concerned for them, then get on your knees and cry out to Abba on their behalf. If one of your kids had got off track and might be heading into some destructive patterns think about how you would expect or want others to handle it. You would want people to pray for them, right? It would upset us to hear others spreading gossip about our kids! We all get off track in some areas in some seasons and need intercession from brothers and sisters in Christ. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Colossians 3:12-14 “ Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a complaint against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity(love), which is the bond of perfectness. This word perfectness translates as unity. This is a word that I believe we all need to take serious if we expect to see the manifestation of the promises of God! I would admonish you to evaluate your own heart and ask the Father to reveal the areas you need to grow in unity. I know that when we ask, we shall receive. I am asking and believing the Holy Spirit to release the grace on us all to quit looking for reasons to be divided, and focus on the reasons we are unified. It is in Christ that we are unified. John 15 is all about abiding in Christ and the grace that we have when we do that.

When we focus on loving God and loving others it is amazing what will start to happen. There was a season where a group of us would gather together with one another to pray. We would gather at the building I was attending church at the time, but it was usually only a couple of us that attended this church. We would invite those who were hungry to have more of Jesus. We had no agenda or motives outside of seeking the Lord with all our hearts. It was not about a specific church, denomination, ministry, person, etc. It was all about Jesus and Him being exalted. Different people prayed, spoke a word, shared in song, or reading of the word.

We saw Gods heart in and through this small group on a Saturday morning so powerfully. I felt the power, love, and anointing fall so heavily on us. I would ask the Lord why these meetings felt so different? I believe the Lord answered me. Not in a literal voice, but inside my spirit I heard this is my heart to see brothers and sisters unified in Christ! That was the key to why it was so powerful!

The unity of the Spirit in love! I am sure that there were many doctrinal differences if we would have got that far, perhaps even political differences. We never focused on or discussed those differences we only focused on our unity in Christ. It was a beautiful picture of the vision God showed me about Rebuilding the Temple ministries. It was Gods people(those in Christ) arm in arm working together as the word of God Corinthians explains everyone doing their part so the body is whole. Christ being the head and no one is more important. The Holy Spirit is the same in us all. It is a matter of how much we surrender to the Lord to use us.

Why would we be jealous, because it is not us anyway. None of us are good, without Christ in us. We are all in need of Jesus. Apart from Jesus we can do nothing. In Christ alone is our righteousness! When we look to Jesus and focus on our part and pray for our bothers and sisters in Christ I believe we will see revival and the body of Christ walking in wholeness. Lord help each of us to do our part and run our race and Holy Spirit tame our tongues to be used as an instrument of righteousness. We need your grace to walk in unity and focus on loving God and loving others, Amen!

                                                                  ” The Stretching Of The Lord”

The season that I am currently in as the Lord has it is “The Stretching.”
It has meaning in my life, both spiritually and physically even as I am writing. I have recently experienced much pain due to an injury that I’m not sure how or when it took place. One of of those, maybe doing the same thing the same way for so long that something finally gave.

Obviously pointing to a weakness in one area as my body overcompensated in another. I prayed and have been prayed over for my healing. Yes, the Lord heals and can heal instantly . I have discovered that at other times healing is a process and in that process there is much to be learned. Healing for me at this time is a  process. I sought the Lord for direction and His clear instruction for  me was to make an appointment with my gynecologist.

Even though it seemed to me the unlikely place to go; I made the appointment. Before going to the appointment, I told the Lord that He knew exactly what was going on in my body and asked that He would make that known to the doctor as well.The following week I went to the appointment and as I am describing the pain to the doctor, before any examination; the doctor looks at me and says,” I know exactly what is wrong.” She then examines me and confirms that the muscles on the right side of my pelvic wall are extremely tight and indeed it could cause pain to radiate in all these other places.

The answer, finally! The solution, stretching, a word I had previously been given from the Lord. As I considered both spiritually and physically the impact of the word “stretching”. I thought of a simple rubber band. A rubber band when stretched has a single purpose of holding things together. Unless the stretching of  the rubber band takes place, it will never reach its full potential or fulfill its designed purpose.

Likewise, you and I are designed on purpose and with purpose by our creator, God. We must be willing to stretch and be stretched for the very plans and purposes for which we were created. In Isaiah 54:2 it says,” Enlarge  the place of your tent; Stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, spare not; Lengthen your cords, and strengthen your pegs… Maybe the stretching is having faith to believe God, trusting in the place where you are or maybe it’s obedience, to simply do what He has asked. For me, it has been all of it and I am so thankful that with Him nothing is wasted; not even my pain .

In fact it is an opportunity for growth and  the stretching of my faith. Stretching is also a form of physical exercise in which a specific muscle or tendon is deliberately flexed or stretched. The stretching produces flexibility, lengthens, and strengthens muscles and tendons, allowing for a greater range of motion. Therefore the body is able to physically do more and endure  Both spiritually and physically, stretching is imperative for growth and healing. So let’s be stretched!

Blessings,
Dawn Shook