Rest in Me and Be at Peace

~Arise woman of God, Daughter of the Most High Arise. ~Arise to your resting place next to Your King; for I AM with you always.
~Do not despair, My love; for I have not left you nor forsaken you, though for a little while you may not see Me as you have in the past. Just know that I AM here, and I AM closer than you know; closer than a brother - for I AM the Lover of your soul. My love does not wax and wane as man's does, but I AM from everlasting to everlasting. Let Me do the work in your life which now needs to be done.
~I know you are scared, but trust Me, for I AM Faithful and True. I AM The Only Wise God;
The Everlasting Father; The Prince of Peace, and I AM The Lover of your soul.
~I AM The Lily of the Valley; The Bright and Morning Star. I AM The Lion of Judah...Selah.
Be at peace, My love. Be at peace. For I AM The Prince of Peace and I come to you with healing in My wings.

"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, and in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength." Isaiah 26:3-4

"But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves." Malachi 4:2

~It had been quite the year...2008. I was ready to undergo a total hip replacement in June, and all of the "trimmings" that come with it. Changes in lifestyle, physical therapy, use of devices to assist me in my daily living, being off from work for a period of time. What I was NOT prepared to undertake was a retinal detachment the end of October. The surgical placement of a gas bubble in my left eye necessitated that I keep it in place by keeping my head straight down for a month, and sleeping totally face down for 6 weeks!

~The hip surgery, I could finally accept. The suddenly of the retinal detachment left me wandering in the darkness. Had God left me? My mind said, "No"....my heart felt lost. Had I done something wrong? Had I somehow missed the proverbial boat? Alone during the day while my husband was at work, I ached.

"GOD, WHERE ARE YOU?" I was confused and hurting. I was scared of losing my eyesight. I was scared I had done something to cause God to take His hand from me, but this was not the God of love that I knew.

~About two weeks into my recovery, I had a visit from a pastor friend of ours and a couple others. They prayed for my physical healing. But God knew what I needed....reassurance that He loved me, unconditionally and that He was there for me. When my visitors left, I knew I was healed. He came as the Balm of Gilead with His healing in His wings for my broken heart. His reassurance gave me the grace to endure the rest of the journey.

Yea, Though You Walk Through the Valley

The 23rd Psalm (Amplified) - Personalized:
~Yes, My Beloved, I AM Your Shepherd Who feeds, guides and shields you, You shall not lack.
~I make you to lie down in fresh, tender green pastures; I lead you beside the still and restful waters; for I AM unto you the River of Life, and I AM your Peace.
~It is I Who refresh and restore your life (your inner self); It is I Who lead you in the path of righteousness which is uprightness and right standing with Me - not because you have earned it, but for My Name's sake.
~Yea, though you walk through the deep, sunless valley of the shadow of death, you will fear no evil or dread no evil, for I AM with you and you are with Me; My rod protects you and My staff guides you, and in these shall I comfort you.
~It is I Who prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies. It is I Who anoints your head with oil so that your brimming cup runs over.
~I have decreed that surely, only goodness, mercy and My unfailing love shall follow you all the days of your life, and through the length of your days, My house and My presence shall be your dwelling place.

~My Beloved Child, it is I Who take you through the valley. Why? So that your fleshly self may be cast off and laid at the foot of My Cross; for that which is of the flesh will reap decay, ruin and destruction. But that which is sown of the Spirit will of the Spirit reap eternal life. )(Galations 6:8)
~It is I Who take you through the Winepress of Heaven so that your fleshly desires are put to death; for it is then that I shall fill you with My new wine. As your flesh decreases, I shall bring the increase of My Spirit.

Galations 5:24 "And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires." (Amplified)

Father, I pray that You tie my flesh to the horns of the altar that I not crawl away. Lead me Lord. I put my trust in You and You, Alone.

"Have Thine Own way, Lord,

Have Thine Own way;

Thou are the Potter, I am the clay.

Mold me and make me after Thy will,

While I am waiting, yielded and still"

Geo. C. Stebbins

Lord, do whatever it takes, to take me wherever You want to take me,

and Father, may You and You Alone be glorifed.

Faint Not!

~My Beloved, I have called you to greatness; not in the sight of man, but in the sight of God. For it is I Who see that which is done in secret. It is I Who bless the work of your hands.
~As you make Me the desire of your heart, I will give you the desire of My heart; for it is My will that I desire to be done upon the earth. For have I not said that whatsoever you do unto the least of these in the estimation of men, you have done it unto Me?
~O My love, despise not the day of small beginnings. Trust Me in all areas of your life. Do the work I call you to do and faint not, for I shall bring the multiplication in due season.
(Matt. 25:40 (Amp.), Matt. 25:21, Ps. 37:4, Mark 12:29-30, Zech. 4:10, Ps. 115:13)

"And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint." Gal. 6:9 (Amplified)

"Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straigt and plain your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6 (Amplified)

The Essence of My Glory Is Love

"MY GLORY AND MY LOVE ARE INSEPARABLE"".....The essence of My Glory is Love; My complete and unconditional love - When I reveal Myself to man, I manifest My Glory. What this is My Love, is My Love in the fullness thereof. Once My People understand My Love, they will understand My Glory - for My Love and My Glory are inseparable. As you minister in My Love unto the least of these, I shall reveal My Glory.
~LOVE IS WHO I AM - ALL THAT I AM IS FULFILLED IN MY LOVE - YET THERE IS NO END TO MY LOVE. THIS IS WHY I TELL YOU THAT FAITH AND LOVE WORK TOGETHER. LOOK TO ME, MY SWEET LOVE AND I SHALL POUR MY LOVE THROUGH YOU. THIS IS WHY I SAY THAT LOVE IS THE GREATEST - BECAUSE I AM LOVE. I AM LOVE. I AM LOVE. THIS IS WHY I SAY THOSE WHO LOVE HAVE THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IN THEM, BUT THOSE WHO DO NOT LOVE, HAVE NOT THE LOVE OF THE FATHER. AS YOU LOVE ME, I WILL POUR MY LOVE THROUGH AND IN MY LOVE IS HOPE AND HEALING.
~Have I not said that a bruised reed I will not break? THAT IS MY LOVE! Did I not say, I AM the Vine and you are the branches? He who abides in Me abides in My love - Me in him and Him in me. MY LOVE IS THE FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW. WHEN YOU WALK IN LOVE YOU WALK IN ME - AND YOU SHALL WALK AS I WALKED - AND TO YOU GIVE I THE POWER TO HEAL IN MY NAME. You will speak these words, "Be healed in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth," and they shall be healed. LOVE IS THE KEY WHICH OPENS EVERY DOOR IN THE KINGDOM REALM. I AM THE KEY AND I AM THE DOOR TO EVERY PROVISION IN THE REALM OF THE SPIRIT. LOVE IS THE FINAL AUTHORITY. LET EVERYTHING YOU DO BE DONE IN MY LOVE, AND YOU SHALL SEE THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART COME TO PASS. YES, MY BELOVED, THE KEY IS MY LOVE - WHICH YOU POSSESS. ASK FOR MORE OF MY LOVE, SEEK ME WITH ALL OF YOUR HEART, KNOCK AND THE DOOR (FOR I AM THE DOOR) SHALL BE OPENED UNTO YOU - BEHOLD, THE ONE WHO STANDS AT THE DOOR AND KNOCKS, THE LOVE/ME; FOR I AM THE DOOR."

Comfort, Yes, Comfort My People

Dear Reader,

This precious posting is being used by permission from my friend, Carol DeKoekkoek, Jan. 15, 2009.

~Be comforted. Crista

"Comfort, yes, comfort My people", says the Lord. (Isaiah 40:1)

What timely scripture. If you get a chance, read the entire chapter. Comfort, what kind of comfort do we seek...physical, emotional, spiritual? It matters not which one, it is the desire of our Father in heaven that when we are hurting that we find comfort from Him and in Him. He alone is our Healer, Restorer and Refuge. He is our strength and High Tower. These things are true.
So here I sit broken, knowing all these things, helpless, and hurting. What do I do with this truth? Do I press in or do I shut down? Sometimes the pressure seems all to great to bear and I want to shut down and give up, but my spirit stirs within me and I can't help but cry out, "Abba, Daddy I need You to rescue me!"
I'm reminded of what Peter said to Jesus in John 6, after many of Jesus followers left him. Jesus asked of the final 12 disciples, "Do you also want to go away?" and Peter replied, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."
What wisdom Peter had. Sometimes I hurt so bad I can't take it. So I do the only thing I know to do. I run to the One who holds the words of eternal life and I cry out to Him. It doesn't always change the situation, but it helps me to be able to stand under the pressure, to find another breath for another day.
You know that's really all Jesus encourages us to deal with. He says don't worry about tomorrow, today has enough troubles of its own. That's a paraphrase of a verse, I'd look it up for you, but i'm too lazy right now. Paul exhorts us to let go of things past, pressing on toward the goal of the prize of Christ in Phil. 3:14. That only leaves today.
Lord I pray today for all of your hurting and broken people. I thank you that You do not leave us as orphans, but You give us the Comforter, Your precious Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit, pour Yourself over us and fill us to overflowing that we might be ministers today of the very thing we stand in need of , Your love, Your peace, Your comfort and Your grace. I love You Lord, be glorified in me and help me to stand in the pain. Amen

Carol DeKoekkoek

Into His Image

INTO HIS IMAGE (Col. 3:10)

I see myself with Jesus;
We’re walking Hand in hand,
Along the paths and trails of life;
Across the green field land.
He is the Shepherd of my heart
Who leads me every day;
To pastures green and waters still;
Because, He Is The Way.
He knows when to hold me close,
Or let me run so free;
For this one thing I know for sure:
He’s never forsaken me.
Oh yes, there’s times I feel alone;
Times I feel afraid;
Yet, this one thing I know for sure;
He’s never forsaken me.
The enemy, he has pounded -
Against my mind and soul,
But Jesus ever held me close;
In Him, I am made whole.
At times I falter, at times I fail,
And the enemy seeks his gain;
Yet he has never conquered,
No matter how intense my pain.
For Jesus Is My Refuge;
My Anchor in the storm;
He Is My Precious Savior;
When I am weak and worn;
Who walks beside me in the fire
As He forms this piece of clay;
Into His Image made with His Hands;
He’s with me all the way.
~So, no matter the storms of life
And trials which ensue;
For it’s the narrow gate
And straitened path
Which make me look like You.
~To yield to You, and You, Alone,
Is the least that I can do.
~Crista Simmons 4/4/07

Dearly Beloved....as the Lord gave me this poem, it occurred to me that the word "trial" and "trail" are so similar in spelling, yet so very different in meaning. Reverse the ai-ia combination and voila!...a different word. But it is on the trails of life that we experience the trials, also. The "straitened" path means compressed by pressure...."The Winepress of Heaven"....to squeeze the flesh out of us...so that He may fill us with His new wine. Wine is only produced through pressure. Through the pressures on the trails of our lives, may we be filled with His new wine....the image of Christ....for His Glory. We must decrease....He must increase....Be blessed today.

In the Battle, I AM YOUR HIGH TOWER

~Despise not the crucible into which I have placed you right now. It is for My purpose to be completed in you. (Rom. 8:17-18) (James 1:1-12) (Col. 3:10) Know that it is only for a season and that I AM in here with you. I have never left you nor forsaken you.
~My love, the fiery trial which you are enduring will free you as you look to Me. Look to Me, My Beloved and the things of earth shall fade in comparison.
~When you put your trust in Me, you ARE fighting the enemy for I AM your helmet of salvation; the mind of Christ. I AM your breastplate of righteousness for there is no unrighteousness in Me. I AM pure and holy. I AM your shield of faith; for I AM THE AUTHOR AND PERFECTOR OF YOUR FAITH. I AM THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT...THE WORD, which is sharper than any two-edged sword. I AM your belt of Truth - for I AM the Way, THE TRUTH and the Life. I AM your shoes of the Gospel of Peace; for I AM THE PRINCE OF PEACE, THE MIGHTY GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER. (Eph. 6:10-18)
~When you are in Me, I AM your high tower. I AM your refuge. Come to Me. Let Me live and move and have My Being in you. I fight your battles. Stand in Me. I shall fight on your behalf; for if God be for you, who can be against you? It is I who vindicate you. It is I who cause your enemies to be at peace with you. For you are more than a conqueror through Me.
~I shall NEVER fail you for My love for you is unending. I know the plans I have for you. Plans for good and not for evil. Plans to give you a future and a hope. (Jer. 29:11)
~"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." (Ps. 30:5)
~For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; in the secret place of His tent will He hide me; He will set me high upon a rock." (Ps. 25:5)
~"I had heard of You [only] by the hearing of the ear, but now my [spiritual] eye sees You." (Job 42:5)

Press On for Lo, I Am with You Always

~Press on, My Beloved, Press on. Though the way seems dark, press on; for lo, I AM your Light in a dark place. I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. I AM the Light which came into the world but men perceived and received Me not.
~Light dispels darkness. Light overcomes the darkness. Though there be darkness in your circumstances right now, there is never darkness in Me. Do not look to the mountains in your life. For lo, look to Me, THE Author and Perfector of your faith; for I AM your mountain mover; for what is impossible with man is possible with God.
~My Beloved, think not that I have left you or forsaken you. My Promise is for all time that I shall never leave you nor forsake you. This is why I AM The Way. I shall be with you always unto the very ends of the earth.
~Trust that I AM with you right now though your heart cannot see Me with your eyes. Beloved, look not with the eyes of your flesh, but with the spiritual eyes I have given you.
~Beloved, you know the dark places in that the earthly eyes must adjust to the darkness when going from light to dark in the natural realm. So it is in the spiritual realm. At times the circumstances of life and trials through which I take you shall be as in darkness. But it is at those times that I allow them to teach you to trust Me in the darkness as well as the light.
It is there I teach you to walk by faith and not by sight.
~My Beloved, I have said I would give to you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places. (Is. 45:3) I have said that when you be in darkness to trust in the Name of the Lord, Your God. (Is. 50:10) O My Beloved, run not from the dark times, for it is as the seed which I have created to grow in the darkness of the earth. I AM The Gardener Who causes one little seed to grow and bear fruit. I AM Your Gardener who plants you for a season in the darkest of times in order to cause you to grow in Me.
~Is your heart afraid? Fear not. Come to Me for I AM Love and there is no fear in love for perfect love casts out fear.
~Is your heart weary? Come unto Me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I shall give you My rest for your soul for My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
~Is your mouth parched and dry? Come unto Me, for I AM unto you a fountain of Living Water which shall never run dry.
~Is your stomach hungry? Come and I shall feed you manna from heaven; for I AM the Bread of Life.
~Is your heart battered and bruised? Then come to Me and I shall pour the warm oil of My anointing over your soul for I AM the Balm of Gilead.
~What is your need, Beloved? Come to Me and I shall supply all your need according to My riches in Glory sent by Our Heavenly Father of lights who gives every good and perfect gift to His children. Ask and you shall receive.

Come to Me - Come to the Banqueting Table

~My Beloved, How can I dine with you unless you open the door and allow Me to enter? Come My Dove, My Beloved. Come away with Me to the Banqueting table of thy King. As you feed at My table, you will feed on Me, for I AM The Bread of Life. I AM all that you need for complete sustenance of spirit, soul and body. Have I not said, 'O taste and see that the Lord is good?'
~Oh My Beloved, how I long to dance with thee. Come to Me all you who are heavy burdened and let Me hold you in My arms for it is I Who give strength to the faint hearted. It is I Who raise you up on the wings of the eagle. It is I Who can see those things to which you are currently blinded and have not yet seen in the distance; for it is I Who see the end from the beginning.
~Come to Me, My love, for I love you with an everlasting love. Do not attempt in you own mind to figure out your situation, but look to Me, the Author and Finisher of your faith. I AM Faithful and True. I AM The Way, The Truth and The Life.
~Have I not said that if your heart does not condemn you that you have confidence toward God?
However, if your heart holds any burden that would so easily take you off the course of My will for you, then bring it to the Cross. Bring all to Me which hold you down; for he whom the Son sets free is free indeed.
~This is the essence of My love for you that you walk in the freedom of heart and mind in all I have for you.
~Repent of those things which you've allowed to hold you back from Me. Repent. Ask My forgiveness. Plead My Blood over it, and Come to Me that we may fellowship together for it is My desire that nothing come between us.
~Oh how I long for you, My Beloved. Your King awaits. Your King awaits; for I take great joy in our time together.