Encouragement

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TOUGH TIMES…TENDER HEARTS
By Mary Lindow


HELLO DEAR CHILD OF GOD,

TONIGHT AFTER SPENDING THE EVENING WITH MY HUSBAND AND A FEW DEAR FRIENDS IN FELLOWSHIP AND A WONDERFUL LONG TIME OF HEARTFELT PRAYER, I WAS PROMPTED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT TO SHARE WITH YOU A FEW THINGS THAT HE HAS IMPRESSED ME WITH AND ALSO WHICH I FEEL HE IS WANTING TO “IMPRINT” UPON MY HEART AND PERHAPS YOURS AS WELL!

Proverbs 3:3
Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.



TOUGH TIMES

It doesn’t take a genius mind to know that we are in some terrible times here in the earth! Wars wars and more threats of wars! Economic pressures, ungodly rulers, missiles aimed and ready to blow up other countries, more tsunamis and bizarre weather patterns!
And this is all just one week’s worth of change and events happening right now!

I hear the Holy Spirit bringing a clear word of comfort and help to His people who have ears to hear what He is saying to them. Those that are determined to follow the voice of the Good Shepherd and not strange voices.

John 10:5
And a stranger will they not follow,
But will flee from him:
For they know not the voice of strangers.



TENDER HEARTS

The days have seemingly turned darker, uncertain, and frenzied as media reporters shell out the hyped newscasts of doom and despair. And although much of what is being reported may be actually happening, it is intentionally ratcheted up to keep viewing polls well oiled and operating.

All of the noise pollution and the droning voices of the media personalities can weary and weigh down the heart of those who have a compassionate and sensitive spirit or heart. And. Often through all of the pressure filled “minute by minute live” reporting, people can become restless and fearful, anxiety ridden, and heavy laden with so much hitting them.

Proverbs 12:25
Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down,
But a good word makes it glad.

It is a crazy World we live in and it’s not going to get easier as corruption and wickedness continue to play together!


WHAT TO DO?

Although we are not to be totally ignorant of what is occurring around us as live in recluse mentalities, the Lord does have a greater plan and focus for us during such tough times.

YOU AND I AS CHILDREN OF GOD WILL NEVER REALLY FEEL AT HOME HERE ON PLANET EARTH.
We have been Divinely implanted with a homing device deep in our spirits that longs for the Home of Heaven. No more tears, no more night, no more longing to fully be-long! We have been walking a pathway of preparation, each of us in different stages of our lives, to transition from this decaying world and body into a heavenly place of resurrection and eternal abundant life.

It’s the living here now that is so like rough grit sandpaper to our nerve endings!

2 Timothy 4:18
The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack
And will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.
To him be glory for ever and ever


GET TO THE SHELTER

I was impressed by the Lord about how people in the State of Israel all understand that they are to “Get to the Shelter” in case of an emergency siren sounding the alarm. All over the streets and walls there are signs pointing arrows that say, “To the Shelter.” This has been drilled into people over and over again so if an attack of some sort occurs, they know where to go and how to get to the Shelter.

A shelter is a place of protection, safety, and hiddenness from the onslaught of evil. Shelters are not necessarily luxurious nor are they places to be pampered and babied in. They are underground dwelling places of safety, emptied of frills but reinforced for protection.

Psalm 61:3
For You have been a shelter and a refuge for me,
A strong tower against the adversary.

The Spirit of the Lord is calling out to His People in this very very serious and crucial moment to allow Him your ears that hear and your eyes that see to discern where the signs of The Shelter for your soul are located!



THE SHELTER OF GOD IS A HIDDEN DEEP PLACE OF SAFETY ONLY REVEALED TO THOSE OF PURE MOTIVE AND CLEAN HANDS.

The Lord is calling out to you and I;

“Come to Me! Run to Me! I know that you are heavily burdened by all of the concentrated pressures mounting around you. Get to the Shelter of My Safety.
A Dwelling place of Divine Rest and Protection. It will require you laying down the things that so easily set you off and get you weighed down with concern and anxiety.

1 Peter 5:7
Casting the whole of your cares
All your anxieties,
All your worries,
All your concerns,
Once and for all on Him.
For He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

Come to the simple place. Huddle into the shadow of My Wings for I AM the Shelter and Refuge for the child that heeds My voice and runs to Me, abandoning self made plans for protection and self preservation.

I AM your shield,
I AM your Fortress.
But you must come to the Shelter with no agenda in your heart or a Message on your lips. You come to the Resting Place of Safety from the Storm to WAIT, Ponder, Rest and rethink your Life call.”



A TIME TO REDIRECT THE COMPASS

We are in much need of a directional adjustment as believers right now as the world turns itself upside down with malice, dictatorships, and political posturing. We need to be certain that nothing of the world and its behaviors is hidden in our own hearts. We must hear that Magnetic pulling voice of the Holy Spirit, and obey it without turning left or right.

Deuteronomy 5:32
So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you;
do not turn aside to the right or to the left



CONTINUAL SAFETY

When we walk in the way of surrender and tenderness with our ears attuned to the still small voice of God, we actually walk in the Shelter or Overshadowing safety of the Presence of God. Training our spiritual ears to hear the voice of the Father is a lifetime guarantee of knowing when the storms or troubles will arise and is a promise for direction to a place of Divine Protection and direction whenever needed.

Psalm 16:9
Therefore my heart is glad
and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure



REST CHILD OF GOD. REST!

It is the hardest thing the mind and body to do! Learning to rest when the world is screaming at a fevered pitch,” WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO NOW!” is a hard learned yet reachable discipline if we will lean into it and ask for God’s help.

Hear the Voice of God calling you to enter into His rest. It is a place of pleasant simplicity and uncluttered doctrine. His Presence silences all of the noise of the day and noise of the Head.



HIS PRESENCE, HIS SHELTER, IS A SANCTUARY FOR THE WEARY

Dear child of God!
There is no judgment or shame there.
It is a restful place of learning to take up an easy yoke and a light burden.

Perhaps right now….as you read this…you might just sit back away from the piped in music in headphones or speakers, away from the ring tones on your phone and...Enter in to the Shelter of God.

Lay down the weight of worry and frustration. The anger at life all bottled up in rage and gloom! All you need to take with you into the shelter is a willing heart. Ready to trust the Divine Protector and Provider.

Enter…

…Into His Rest.

Psalm 33:22
May your unfailing love rest upon us,
O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.



Duplication and re-transmission of this writing is welcomed
provided that complete article and website information for Mary Lindow is included.
Thank You
Copyright © 2006 " THE MESSENGER " ~ Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com

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