The Fortitude of the Believer

Fortitude: 1 n: strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage 2 obs: strength (Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition, Principal Copyright 2003)

An extraordinarily gifted and innocent child sings her heart out and becomes well known world wide after competing on the talent show. Fast forward in time, the child is a young woman yet has gotten entangled with the deceptions of fame and fortune, her talent now tainted and no longer extraordinary. 

Another beautifully talented child has gone through those same temptations and trappings, yet years later she still has the morals and values she grew up with, her singing even more precious.

There's just something about seeing the outcome of a person that has held strong, remaining faithful to all that is true and righteous, not selling out for, well, for any reason.

Acts 7 tells us that Steven was a man full of faith and power of the Holy Ghost, doing great wonders and miracles among the people, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. He ends up being dragged out of the city and stoned, crying with a loud voice, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge!" before he gave up his spirit to death.

Where ever did Steven get such courage and forgiveness, such fortitude!

How often as Believers we've joked around about how hard it is to quit a bad habit, instead of calling it sin/transgression or how we've been trying to be obedient to what the Lord has asked of us, some of us for years in certain areas, yet we go about saying in false humility and pride, "Well, I wouldn't do that, or I won't succumb to that, not me; I'm going to say NO to the pressures to do something I know God doesn't want me to do. (i.e., in the end times, et al)" 

Oh, really, will we? Are we?

How are we doing in our daily walk with Christ now; are we being obedient to all that He's asking of us, in this hour? If I'm not even obeying the Holy Spirit now in what I know He's shown me in even the 'smallest' areas of my own life, what makes me think I will have the kind of fortitude to stand against the most difficult trials and tribulations to come and still remain faithful unto the end? 

No, it's not easy to overcome addictions in our lives, it's very hard, wee doggie, talk about hard sometimes. If it were so easy then why is it so hard. (*smirking* well put, ole gal, lol) That's why Jesus came and died for us, to destroy the works of the enemy. In our lives, in us, in the world. Thankfully! *sigh*

The coercions, blackmails, threatenings to keep us from buying food for our families, take away our freedoms of speech, travel, livelihoods, our incomes, our homes, keeping our children from us for not complying, charging huge amounts of money if we don't comply, the list goes on and is getting horrifically lawless by the minute.

Will we remain faithful unto the end when we're personally faced with any of these scenarios? How do we achieve this fortitude that will keep us unto the end; how did Steven?

John 15, Jesus said He's the vine we're the branches, without Him we can do nothing. Phillipians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.  2 Corinthians 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Galatians 5:16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

2 Corinthians 12:9 His grace is sufficient for me, for His power is made perfect through weakness.

Where's our faith in the power of the blood of Jesus Christ and what He finished on the Cross for us to apply in our lives? Revelation 12:11 But they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, AND they loved not their lives unto the death.

1 Samuel 15:22,23 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as when the voice of the Lord is obeyed? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and transgression is wickedness and idolatry. Because you have cast away the word of the Lord, therefore he has cast away you from being king.

Yowzer, that's serious stuff, right there!

Transgression is rebellion, sin, revolting against the authority of God, desertion, change of sides, more correctly a renunciation of allegiance and subjection to Father God, our Creator!

Now that's putting it into perspective, I'd say. When I don't cry out to Him to help me to walk in obedience, when I don't use the Word as my Sword in the Spirit, when I succumb to temptations/fall/sin/transgress...I've found I just cannot do it on my own, never could, never will. Duh.

Repenting means to quit doing something, turn away from it, like 180 degrees quit. So do I continue to sin because I know He is faithful and just to forgive me when I ask Him?

O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death! I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Then I myself in my mind serve the Law of God, but in my flesh the law of sin. Now then there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, which walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. Romans 7/8

There will be no excuses when we come face to face before Jesus's Judgement Seat for our disobedience/sins/transgressions/doubt/unbelief...I mean, everything we will ever need in our lives is written in our Manufacturers Guide, the Bible. Or that it's 'too hard', or that the 'frequencies from the internet' are too enticing to overcome, or that what they're putting in our food/medicines are causing us to, what, be disobedient? Not able to overcome? I don't need to mention every sin/addiction, it's all right there in the MG. You know, the Bible. We can each look it up, anything we wanna know, anything. (Just sayin. 😊)

But, you beloved, edify yourselves in your most holy faith praying in the Holy Ghost, and keep yourselves in the love of God looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto eternal life. Jude 1:20,21

I recall an elderly man many years ago that used to say something like, "Preach yourself holy." Am doing exactly that, speaking to myself, as well, absolutely, make no mistake.

I awoke this morning with all of this on my mind, how important walking in obedience to the Holy Spirit is in my own life. It's not always easy to overcome, but it must be possible, and it is, if He says so in His Word because He never lies. Ever.

If we're going to have the kind of fortitude that Jesus had when he faced what all He faced, and Steven, and every other human being that has had to take that stand for Christ, then we'd better get to it. Amen?!

Jesus's heart cries out to us to save the lost while there is still time: Steven in Acts.

And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly to publish the secret of the Gospel, Whereof I am the ambassador in bonds, that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:10-20

Nevertheless, though we walk in the flesh, yet we do not war after the flesh, (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, to cast down holds.) Casting down the imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ, and having ready the vengeance against all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Look ye on things after the appearance? If any man trust in himself that he is Christ's, let him consider this again of himself, that as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's. 2 Corinthians 9:3-7

Here a little, there a little ~

"Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people." Isaiah 28:9-11

Takes a lifetime to overcome some of the areas in our lives, it seems. When reading over my journals, I realize I'm still going around some of the same mountains or trying to overcome and be persistent in so many of the same areas my whole life. 

So when I read the above scripture, I see that's how my Father YHWH has been with me. And oh how I so appreciate the Holy Spirit, for when I don't know what or how to pray, I speak to Him with stammering lips and another tongue. And I know that He hears me. He hears us.

I love this reminder in Philippians 2:13 ~ "For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." 

Oh, how we owe Jesus our all. 💖

In the midst of deceit

In reading Jeremiah 8 & 9; it's just like the very same events that are taking place in America now, and throughout the world. The sins of His people and the nations apply not only to Israel, but to "mystery Babylon"; Amerika, which it has become. 

For instance:

8:18 When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me. 

9:5 And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.6 Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the Lord.

9:9 Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the Lord: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

Definition of deceit: Merium-Webster.com

1 : the act of causing someone to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid : the act or practice of deceiving : deception achieving one's goals through a web of deceit

2 : an attempt or device to deceive : trick

Her excuse turned out to be a deceit.

3 : the quality of being dishonest or misleading : the quality of being deceitful : deceitfulness … far from deceit or guile.— John Milton

 

Come again?! Yep, sounds about right!

Alas for the day!

Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has but a short time. Revelation 12:12

Haven't we noticed how quickly time/plans of the enemy is passing.  Surely we are living in the last days, but to have been chosen to live in these days; God has a plan for each of His people and it is God that works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come. Joel 1:15

And the Lord shall utter His voice before His army: for his camp is very great; for he is strong that executeth his word; for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible: and who can abide it? Joel 2:11

The Lord is supernaturally uniting/strenghtening His people/the Body of Christ together/building up His Army of Believers/the gifts/power of the Holy Spirit, and the GATES of Hell shall not prevail against His church! Matthew 16:18

The whole BIBLE speaks of Jesus Christ, the Son of God that came in the flesh. Our answers are there: in Him.

My 'Timeline' Dream ~

On October 21, 2020, I had another vivid dream. I've been withholding posting it until I knew for certain when/if I should. I received my confirmation today while listening to Qfiles2.0 with Steve Quayle, a Believer used of God, ahead of the curve. I highly recommend him.

Timeline dream:

I was watching the scenario taking place before me as a spectator. There was an elderly, gray-haired woman sitting to the left of a 'card-sized' table, bent over with her arms resting on it, peering down over a white sheet of paper, a bit larger than your average printer paper.  I couldn't see from my position if there was any writing on it. She was not a fortune teller, there were no witchcraft artifacts in front of her, just that one sheet of paper.  She simply appeared to be a kind, wise, matronly, older woman. She actually looked like some of the older women you find on the internet in Sicily with the full skirts that reach their ankles, loose blouses, gray hair past their shoulders. Not unkempt, more like they don't pass their time at the neighborhood beauty salon.

There were three or four younger women that were sort of huddled together on the other side of the table, facing my direction, overlooking the paper as they poured out questions at the same time, looking back and forth from paper to matron. The woman closest to her was leaning forward on her hands as if to get a better view of the paper, as they asked: "When will all this take place? When will all of this happen? How will we know when it will start?" The elderly woman tapped her aged finger three times on the white piece of paper and said, "In ten weeks." Just three words. 

(I realize that the old lady tapping three times also happened in the pastor's dreams from Kentucky, Dana Coverstone. I'm simply sharing the dream I had, and she did tap her finger three times, as well. That's what I saw.)

I believe the Lord gave me this dream as an answer to those same questions I'd been asking him for many weeks, especially after I only recently found out about the New Madrid, as we live right near the Mississippi River; where can we go unless the Lord intervenes: "Lord, the Civil War 2, all the dreams/visions of men over many decades of America being attacked by Russia/China, the New Madrid 'Crack' along the Mississippi River from the Great Lakes down to the Gulf of Mexico, the earthquakes along the west and east coast that's also been prophesied about, the UFO revealings, etc, and all that has been prophesied in Your Word?! When will these things START, like in our area, or that will affect us and America. There are already events happening worldwide, but what will affect the rest of us. 

WHAT will start, WHAT will be starting...I'm sharing this because I believe He wants us to REALLY BE TURNING TO HIM AND PRAYING and to BE PREPARED, to GET INTO HIS WORD LIKE NEVER BEFORE, just like others are warning us to do before it's too late and time is so short now. 

We shall see, we shall see. 

I'm putting this out to y'all to pray about it, put it on a shelf if you like, but as they say, hiding our heads in the sand or a pillow won't stop the devil from whoopin' our butt. I heard Beck Dvorak say that. 😊

Will times get rough; more than we'd want. Will there be Believers that will overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, that will not love their lives and will endure until the end; yes per Revelation 12:11, but Jesus also said there will be Christians that will fall away. (I had a vision of that one in 1979) Will He lead us in the way we should go; yes when we stay close to Him. Will His Word and power be what we need to walk us through; yes as we trust in 2 Corinthians 12:9. 

The answers to our questions can be found on many of the conservative alternative news feeds online, not on MSM, Mainstream Media, and above all, the Bible. Whichever event will begin it all, many people believe has already begun, but the worse is yet to come. It's all in the Bible. All of it, so we start there. Matthew 24, Luke 21, Revelations, Daniel, Joel, to name only a few that have foretold what we are now going through, and will be going through all too soon for most.   

There are some things that we cannot change, as it's written/prophesied in God's Word, but the effectual fervent prayers of a righteous man avails much SO KEEP PRAYING, for yourself/loved ones/the Body of Christ/those that are still to come into the Kingdom of God for salvation/whatever else He reveals to you. I've been drawn to the old testament prophet in Jeremiah 11 where God even tells His people how it makes Him feel because of their wickedness. God sent Jeremiah to urgently warn His people of what was coming because of their unfaithfulness, serving/worshiping other gods, and that He's 'weary of repenting'. Isaiah 15:6 He promises to be with His people and has provided ALL that we will ever need to overcome during these last days. EVERYTHING we need, through Jesus Christ His Son.

Instead of serving and worshiping the One and only Holy Creator, the world as a whole has chosen wickedness along with the evil ones, loving sin rather than holiness, purity, righteousness. Denying that Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Son of God, came in the flesh, His blood sacrifice, rose from the dead on the third day to redeem us and destroy the works of the enemy, taking back the keys of heaven and hell - He is hated along with His believers, He is not what this wicked world wants. They'd rather choose all else but the One Way to the Living God. Sadly, I refer also to the 'Christians in name only', not true believers/chosen of God, a distinct difference as will/is becoming quite evident to all, also written in His Word; sheep in wolves clothing, the great falling away, et al.

Too many people would rather go about their daily lives and when/if (according to many) it all comes tumbling down around them, then they will deal with it, but don't say anything 'negative' before that. If you do still try to warn them, they may turn their backs on you, avoid you, and/or accuse you of  all sorts. Many don't to be told that it's going to someday arrive at their own front door; that's too frightening, even if the evidence is right before their very eyes.

Say we live in parts of the country prone to snow blizzards. Being warned in advance gives time to prepare with enough food, water, warm clothing, appropriate shelter, wood/generator for heating or loss of electricity, communication, all other essentials in case we're trapped indoors for any length of time. When the weatherman gives his warning, the wisest thing to do is heed them, right?

"It is written." means what God says in His Word is coming to pass, in His timing.

For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and returns not thither, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.  (Isaiah 55:10,11)

It is truly time to faithfully seek Him for the truth, even if it's not what we'd want or hope to hear. When it becomes too difficult to bear, and it will be eventually,  He will give us the strength through Christ to bear it, when we ask. He is our hope, our strength, our peace, our faith in Jesus Christ. I know this from my own experience that when it all seems unbearable and I turn to Him and give it to Him, He gives me what I need at the time I need it. He will never fail nor forsake us, no matter what lies or attacks come at us. He always loves us, nothing and no thing can ever separate us from His love. (Romans 8)

Proverbs 3:32 ~ For the froward is abomination to the Lord: but His secret is with the righteous.

Froward - to turn aside, to depart, perverse

Secret - a session, i.e., company of persons in close deliberation, intimacy, consultation, a secret, assembly, counsel, inward, secret (counsel)

When we ask according to His Word, He is faithful and just, willing to reveal His secrets unto the righteous.  It is His will that we are prepared before hard times come. 

Edited on 12/8/2020:

I'd sent this as a draft to my cousin who's a minister in Alabama several weeks ago. She showed it to another minister and they suggested not posting the dream unless I revealed the words the elderly woman said.

Today I received my confirmation to share what she spoke:

"In ten weeks."

That timeline would make it December 30th, 2020.

Take it to the Lord in prayer and fasting, Isaiah 58. I've been getting certain chapters in the book of Jeremiah for many weeks now. About how God is 'tired of repenting' because of worshiping other gods, sin, evil,...

I'm well aware of those Christians that are saying that things will get better and go back to the way it was, MAGA. I only know how/what the Lord has shown ME and confirmations from others.

Hey, I absolutely get it, I do and there are some that are interested in what you have to say, even if you're reporting uncomfortable news. We're not talking about destroying a person's hope or prayers, we still continue to hope, pray, intercede and hopefully prolong/postpone sometimes even the inevitable.

In John 15, Jesus said He is the vine, we are the branches, without Him we can do nothing. When I share my dreams/visions I just want you to know, I daily spend time with Him in prayer, in the Word and working at being obedient to His Word while continuing to turn to Him for overcoming issues in my own life. Is every dream that I have from Him; if, but some I do know, are.

Adding to post on 4/29/21:

To any that think this timeline dream is wrong...what happened at the end of December ~ a new year began, the year 2021, and all that has/is coming to pass...watch and see. Selah. 

Picking it apart & studying that brings peace ~

With all that's going on in the world, going to the Bible is such comfort for me, as well as for many thousands of others.

For example, Proverbs 3:21-25:

My son, let not them depart from your eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion (ability to make responsible decisions, the result of separating or distinguishing): So shall they be life unto your soul, and grace to your neck. Then shall you walk in your way safely, and your foot shall not stumble. When you lie down, you shall not be afraid: yea, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes. For the Lord shall be your confidence, and shall keep your foot from being taken.

Just by looking at these few verses, we see there are precursors/stipulations for being able to lie down and sleep without fear; by keeping sound wisdom and discretion. And what wisdom is there that never changes: God's infalliable, unchanging Word, the Bible. Our road map for this life. 

When you buy any new instrument/appliance/car, etc.,  there's always a manual by the manufacturer. The Bible is OUR Manufacturer's manual. See? :)

As we pick apart those words that we thought we knew the definition to, turns out, there's so much more to that word, and it actually expounds more meaning to it.  Does for me, and I've heard many say the same.

Isaiah 28:9-11 ...line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little...

We're learning every day, aren't we. Something new, something valuable, something so important and life sustaining ~ when we walk with the Lord, led of His Holy Spirit. (Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:18)

When we were in nursing school, we were taught that a nurse learns something new every day and never comes to knowing it all; there's always something new  

It's the same way in our own every day lives, isn't it - until we go to be with the Lord we will continuously be learning. It's not always easy, or fun, or expected but we do always experience and learn something, don't we. ('something' word is a bit redundant in here, but oh well. *smiling*)

Praying for those of you of the seed of Adam to know the reality of God's Holy Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth through the power of the Holy Spirit more and more every minute, every hour, every day.

So why make that distinction, what I wrote in the above paragraph. Because there are some that claim/and will claim to be our Messiah that isn't, and those that claim/will claim, to be of the seed of Adam, and won't be.

You'll see.

And then you'll understand. 

I hope.

Whether bond or free ~

 If you are bond (physical/emotional/mental restraints used to hold someone or something prisoner, especially ropes or chains.), you can still be free. 

What a statement.

For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond (a captive no matter what type, whether kidnapped for Satanic Ritual Abuse, for sex traffiking, or in cages of any kind, physical, mental, emotional, or whether a baby, child, teenager, adult, old age, of ANY TYPE/KIND OF SLAVERY at ANY TIME of your life, no matter the race/ethnicity/place/space of any type of force...), or free, there is neither male or female (the gender you were born with is who/what you are, nor what a surgeon does to you or someone else's body, nor the type of clothes or attitude you deem to wear or portray, make no mistake and be not deceived, which is also a form of being bond, by lies): for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  And if you be Christ's, then are you Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. 

Galatians 3:26-29

Amazing Grace by Wintley Phipps