HOW TO LIVE IN THESE DAYS

2009

September-October

By Joan Royer

INTRODUCTION

In this year 2009 great shaking has been going on in our country, and even in the world. The shaking is primarily coming right now in the economy. Many people are losing their jobs. Many are losing their houses. Many are losing some of their retirement funds and savings. The stock market jumps up and down by big swings daily. Some businesses are going bankrupt. Some banks have been faltering near collapse, and some have collapsed or are bought out by other banks. It is a scary time to be living. This is also happening in other countries and the leaders of these countries are looking for ways to stabilize things. People are looking for leaders who can help. What can we do! Where can we turn for help? 

This is a book taken from my journal writings during these days. I am looking to God Almighty for my help and guidance and comfort during these days. Since I have given my life to God through Jesus Christ my Lord, I seek Him daily for this. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God as He told us when He was here on earth. He went to the cross willingly to die as a sacrifice for our sins. He had no sin in Himself; He was pure and without sin. So He was the perfect sacrifice for my sins. Since He took them on Himself and died in my place, I can be forgiven for my sins through Him. All I need to do is to believe what He did for me; then repent of all my sins, ask Jesus to forgive me for those sins, and ask Him to come and live inside me and be my Savior and Lord. He will do that! 

Since I have Jesus living inside me I seek His presence daily and seek His guidance on how to live in these days. He gives me His amazing peace to walk through these days in quiet rest and trust in Him. I will put in this book some of the dreams, thoughts, impressions, and guidance He has given me. Perhaps some of what I write here will also speak to you and comfort you as you walk through the difficult days in your own life. There is nothing and no one else that is stable during these days. Jesus is our Rock and our Fortress.

This is what the Holy Spirit says about the messages He brings:

I will tell you what it means. I speak in riddles sometimes. I do this so you will seek Me to know what I said and what I mean. I want to teach you something, so I give you a vision, a dream, or a message to stimulate you to come and listen to Me to hear what I want to teach you today, at this time, regarding this time.

Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You, too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. (James 5:7-8)

* * *

(Words in italics, like this, are thoughts given to me from the Lord.)

The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. (John 10:2-5)

JOURNAL 9-1-09 Tuesday

A DREAM ABOUT SEEING NEW DISCIPLESHIP MATERIALS LIKE MASTERLIFE

In this dream I became aware of new materials for discipleship which were like MasterLife, but had different studies and things to do. I was looking over the materials and thinking about possibly leading a group through them. I was planning how I would sign up people, and whether I should require MasterLife first before taking this new material, and decided not to. I thought I would have a sign-up sheet and offer both courses. I wanted to see what the materials covered and then discuss it with the Pastor. I had heard that state/national leaders hadn't liked one special section/retreat of MasterLife listed "on their schedules" (a section about cutting up an apple and explaining how it fit some teaching) and so they didn't want that done this time. I shared some of the new materials with another woman before it was available to the public.

This dream may be alerting me to new discipleship opportunities coming with a new approach written in the materials to teach them. It may be showing me that being open and ready to teach both ways (old and new) may be good or at least should be considered. The reference about cutting up an apple reminds me of a teaching about using an apple as an illustration of the Trinity - three in one. Christianity is the only religion that I know of that believes and teaches the Trinity, so this may be a warning there could be those who oppose that teaching. It may be showing me that new materials for teaching similar concepts that were taught in MasterLife could become available, and that I should look them over carefully to see if they are as good. MasterLife to me refers to teaching the truth about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and how to build a right relationship with them.

You WILL see new teachings coming, Joan, teachings similar to MasterLife, but different. Look them over carefully when you become aware of them. Talk to Me about them and let Me reveal the truth to you about them - whether they are of Me. Don't accept them automatically. This is just a warning dream to alert you to something coming.

* * *

JOURNAL 9-2-09 Wednesday

In a dream I was getting hand soap ready for washing hands (like we are reminded to do for protection against flu).  What does this mean, Lord? Is there something in me that needs confessing and cleansing? Or is there some other meaning?

It is to remind you that cleansing is important - cleaning of your hands to help prevent flu, AND cleansing of your soul to help prevent sin. If there is something specific you need soul cleansing from, I will tell you - I, the Holy Spirit. That is part of My job. So count on Me to show you when some cleansing is needed in your heart.

I have been having some negative thoughts coming at me lately, Lord. Cleanse me from them and guide me to know what to do with them when they come.

Tell them the truth, Joan. Speaking the truth banishes lies. The truth is My Word. Speak My Word to those negative thoughts when they come, and keep asking Me to cleanse you from them.

Will You remind me of that when it happens?

I will remind you of that. Count on it.

* * *

JOURNAL 9-3-09 Thursday

A DREAM ABOUT SINGING "WHEN THE ROLL IS CALLED UP YONDER I'LL BE THERE"

In a dream just before I woke up this morning I was walking through the hallways of an educational institution (which seemed like a college). It was divided into different sections and each section had a movie place in it and a window for selling tickets. In the first section I came to, the movie had just let out and I could hear the music from that movie pouring outside. The song was "When the Roll is Called up Yonder I'll Be There." I saw SP coming out of the movie and she and I exclaimed because that was the second time that day we had seen each other (and we seldom ever saw each other). I started singing along with the song, and kept on singing it, as I walked through the next several sections of the building and noticing the movie ticket window in each section - but these were all closed. The song rang throughout the building, wherever I went, and I sang along. It was very exhilarating and joyful.

My best interpretation of this dream would be that we are going through a time of transition right now in our great place of learning (the earth life). There were many opportunities (many ticket windows) during that time to "see the movie" which told us about "the roll being called up yonder" - which refers to those who give their lives to Jesus and therefore join that list or roll call. This pictures the "last movie" just now letting out. This may refer to it now being the last chance to choose Jesus as Lord before the time is closed for making that decision before the Rapture (the calling of the Believers up into Heaven). Those who choose Jesus and become His by faith will be part of that "roll call" up yonder in Heaven. It assures me that I'll be there. S symbolizes those who are "dedicated" to Jesus - those who will belong to the Lord forever.

That's good, Joan. You have interpreted it well. If I have any more to share with you about the meaning of this dream, I will, and you can then write it later.

* * *

WHEN THE ROLL IS CALLED UP YONDER
By James Black 1893

When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more,
And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair;
When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there. 

•	Refrain:
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise,
And the glory of His resurrection share;
When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there. 

Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun,
Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care;
Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

* * *

JOURNAL 9-4-09 Friday

Thank You, Lord, for guiding me to read this book (Inside the Revolution) by Joel Rosenberg. It is so encouraging to read the stories of the millions who are giving their lives to Christ in Muslim and Middle Eastern countries. And You are doing a lot of it through dreams and visions! I can now see that the "Last Days Harvest" is actually happening, but mostly in other countries than the U. S., so I don't hear about it on the news, etc. Thank You that You had Joel write about it! We really ARE in the Last Days, and Your end time harvest is really happening! I pray for all these new Christians to be taught by You, Lord, and led to other Christians who will be their friends and encouragers and teachers. There are many personal stories told in this book, but I want to quote here one interview by Joel of an Iraqi…

(Quote from Joel Rosenberg's book Inside the Revolution)

(pp. 394-5)
   Before 2003, senior Iraqi Christian leaders tell me, there were only about four to six hundred known born-again followers of Jesus Christ in the entire country, despite an estimated 750,000 nominal Christians in historic Iraqi churches. By 2006 the number of known believers inside Iraq had grown to more than five thousand. And God has continued moving powerfully since then. By the end of 2008, Iraqi Christian leaders estimated that there were more than seventy thousand born-again Iraqi believers - some ten thousand actively worshiping in above-ground Bible-teaching churches inside Iraq, at least another ten thousand worshiping in secret house churches inside Iraq, and another fifty thousand living as refugees outside the country.
   Why such spiritual hunger? Every Iraqi Christian I have interviewed has given me the same two answers: war and persecution. Though the security in Iraq was deteriorating from 2003 to 2007, one of the top leaders of the Revivalist movement there told me he had never seen so many Iraqis praying to receive Christ and wanting Bible teaching.
   I asked him how he accounted for such developments.
   "It's not that complicated really, Joel," he replied. "When human beings are under threat, they look for a strong power to help them - a refuge. Iraqis look around and when they see believers in Jesus enjoying internal peace during a time of such violence and fear, they want Jesus too."
   But, I asked, how did he and his disciples share their faith and lead people to Christ with all the suicide bombings, car bombings, snipers, and other troubles of the past few years?
   "We did what we could" he said, "but God is not dependent upon us. This is something He is doing on His own. He is drawing Muslims to Christ. We are just His servants, helping where we can. The truth is, God is healing Muslims of sicknesses and diseases. He's also giving Muslims visions of Jesus Christ. He is coming to them and speaking to them, and they are repenting and giving their lives to Him. I'm saying that Shiites are seeing visions of Christ and repenting. When we meet them, they already believe in Jesus. We don't have to share the gospel with them. We want to, but it's not necessary. They're already convinced that Jesus is the Savior. They're already convinced that the Bible is the Word of God. So we help them study the Bible. We help them grow in their faith and get into a good church so they can meet other believers and learn to worship the Lord as part of the Church. But see, Joel, it is God who is at work. He is making this happen - not us."

(End of quote)

* * *

JOURNAL 9-5-09 Saturday

When I awoke this morning I asked the Lord why I was here, what I was here for. He answered: As a witness and testimony. I knew it meant, not only to people here, but to the unseen spiritual world.

* * *

A DREAM ABOUT CHOOSING GOLD AND SILVER CHAIN-LINK ARMOR TO PUT ON

I had a dream in which I could choose something to put on, wear, and use. What I could choose was like armor made of flexible chain-link-like metal, with the links being very small, and closely linked together, but flexible. There were two such sheets of armor, one for either side of me - one on my left side and one on my right side. One sheet was silver and the other sheet was part silver and part gold.

I think this dream is a reminder to me to daily put on the armor of God found in Ephesians 6:10-18 and that this armor is flexible so it can function in this world. It is also silver - which represents wisdom, and gold - which represents holy, glory, purity, and great value. It is put on the right side which represents the natural side, and the left side which represents the spiritual side.

* * *

This is a quote from The Jedidiah Identity by Richard Speight which speaks to me today as I cope with the fact that Beth was not chosen for the job at CFCA which she had her heart set on. Now she must begin looking for another job possibility. We are trusting that God has something even better for her than that job which she wanted. The quote says:

If my happiness depends on what happens, the evil one can steal my happiness away. But if I rest in being the Lord’s beloved, then real life begins to well up inside me to overflowing. 

I need to rest my happiness on being the Lord's beloved rather than what happened.

* * *

JOURNAL 9-6-09 Sunday

Thank You, Lord, for keeping Beth and me through the night and giving us peace and quiet. Thank You that today is Sunday and we get to go to church and worship You, together with other believers, freely here in our country. Thank You that we get to see our many friends there and fellowship with them today. You are so good to us, Lord, and bless us so much! I want You to know I appreciate it!

Thank You for sharing with us that DVD last night about The Exodus and the latest archeological evidence and undersea evidence to show where the Israelites traveled and where they likely crossed the Red Sea. I have pondered that trip for years wondering where they went. In this documentary it is speculated they crossed the Sinai Peninsula and came to the Red Sea (on the Gulf of Aqubah) and then crossed over the sea into Midian (modern day Saudia Arabia). The researchers have found a place across and under the sea there with a wide flat high ridge which they could have walked on after the water was backed up by the Lord. And the researchers have also found coral crusted items on the sea floor that are like chariots that were left there by the Egyptians. In Midian they have located places the Israelites likely visited such as Mt. Sinai, the seventy-palm and 12-spring area, etc.

I heard or read recently that the Saudi Arabians have not allowed archeologists to dig for artifacts which might have been pre-Muhammad…but that they are now just beginning to allow such digs. So perhaps there will be evidence found soon showing the Israelites went that way.

* * *

JOURNAL 9-7-09 Monday

This song is repeating over and over in my mind this morning:

Our Father God, to Thee, 
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing.
Long may our land be bright,
With freedom's holy light;
Protect us by Thy might, 
Great God our King.

I imagine that it is a warning that I need to pray for protection for our country - especially since the anniversary of 9-11 is next Friday. So I am praying today for protection over America and Israel and over our people wherever they are in the world. The terrorists hate us because we are Christians and Jews and belong to God…the true God.

* * *

My Country, 'Tis Of Thee
By Samuel Francis Smith
My country, 'tis of Thee,
Sweet Land of Liberty
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride,
From every mountain side
Let Freedom ring.

My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills,
My heart with rapture thrills
Like that above.

Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees
Sweet Freedom's song;
Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.

Our fathers' God to Thee,
Author of Liberty,
To thee we sing,
Long may our land be bright
With Freedom's holy light,
Protect us by thy might
Great God, our King.

* * *

JOURNAL 9-8-09 Tuesday

This message came by email through ElijahList:

Date: Tue, 1 Sep 2009
Subject: Urgent Prophecy -- Larry Randolph

"Urgent: The Court of Heaven is in Session. It's time for the Church
to Get on Their Face - The Verdict is NOT IN YET!"

In 2005, I was visited by an Angel of the Lord who showed me a string of events that would unfold beginning in 2007 through the end of 2012. One of the most striking predictions was his proclamation that, "The economy of this nation will go down a long, dark hill."

Among many other things, the angel also informed me that in the same year I saw the deaths of many Hollywood celebrities, it would signify the end of an era and the beginning of change in the nation. I shared these things in a few meetings, but felt that I should not yet release the details of the visitation on a national scale.

"What God Told Me in July of 2008 About THAT September"

Then in July of 2008, the Lord informed me that a "perfect storm" would hit the nation in the middle of September and that it would be the beginning of the economic collapse the angel revealed to me in 2005. Again, I was reluctant to draw national attention to the coming events and purposely restricted the prophetic word to a small number of conferences.

Although the prediction came to pass around the 15th of September 2008, part of my reluctance to give the prophetic word was due to much of the negativity that is often associated with a number of prophetic ministries. As one called to encourage the Church prophetically, I tend to shy away from anything that sounds like "gloom and doom" and often wait for God to show me the redemptive value of what is happening.

"I NOW Feel an Urgency to SOUND THE ALARM!"

That being said, however, I now feel an urgency to sound the alarm that unprecedented events are approaching us on many levels. We are at the end of the "holding pattern" we have experienced this year and are about to enter another season of change and great shaking. In fact, there is a "super-shift" coming that is truly bittersweet and will ultimately reveal the best of times and the worst of times. In view of the sobering times we are approaching, I have decided to release a prophetic word that I recently delivered at Grace Center, my home church in Franklin, Tennessee.

As you'll hear in the prophecy, the shift begins this September, continuing throughout October, and will gain both momentum and velocity by December 31st. Interestingly, the 31st is a "blue moon" a night that is an astronomical rarity—thus the phrase "once in a blue moon."

Also, a part of my decision to release the following prophecy is related to yet another encounter I had in August. Around the middle of the month, I had a vision of a 5.0 earthquake that would mark the beginning of a critical shift. I also saw a greater shaking that was to follow in the near future. The next day, I called my friend Bob Jones who confirmed that he was also feeling "a trembling" in the Earth. Several days after our conversation, there was a 5.0 earthquake in Alaska on August 19th, which confirmed to me the importance of the vision. (Reported on Fox News August 19, 2009: 5.0-Magnitude Earthquake Rattles Anchorage, Alaska)

And, if I am interpreting correctly what I feel and see, there is yet a seven-fold shaking of greater magnitude coming that will produce enormous and perhaps catastrophic disruptions on economic, political, geophysical, atmospheric, and spiritual levels.

No Matter What Events Unfold, God is "Unfailingly Redemptive"

However, the good news is that God is unfailingly redemptive, no matter what events unfold in the world. According to the Prophet Isaiah, when darkness invades the Earth, the glory of God is certain to arise upon His people. Although we are entering uncertain and turbulent waters, remember that the challenges we face can affect us for good or for bad. When God shook the fountains of the deep in Noah's day, for example, the flood had both negative and positive implications for that generation. For those outside the ark it was devastating, but for those inside the ark it was liberating. So depending on your posture in Christ, the coming days can either be the best of times or the worst of times.

Larry Randolph
Larry Randolph Ministries
www.larryrandolph.com

* * *

JOURNAL 9-9-09 Wednesday

I copied the recent article by JoAnn McFatter sent out by ElijahList and put it here because I felt it was so good and something I needed to be reminded of. I want to read it to remind me to take my attention off myself and onto Jesus and seek to share His love during whatever days I have yet to live on this earth.

"To Walk by the Spirit is to Walk in Love"
by JoAnn McFatter 
Sep 9, 2009

It seems that so often when we think of walking by the Spirit we think of the supernatural aspect of doing so. This is especially true these days when that is "the draw" for so many people to gather together to be amazed, whether it be at conferences or on the streets. While that is a part of life in the Spirit, to move in the same fashion as Jesus Christ while He was here on earth, it is really just a byproduct of possessing the Spirit of God within. Abilities such as walking on water, changing water to wine, passing through a crowd in a way that He was there one moment and gone the next, healing disease and raising the dead are just a few of the more popular examples He left us with when He said we would do even greater works than these.

However, He also warned us that seeking these things would not be to our advantage, telling us to seek His face and not His hand. In other words, seek the Giver of the gifts rather than the gifts themselves, but not to the point that we ignore them. Time and time again we have heard this, though I wonder if it's really ever gotten through...selah. At best we vacillate in our awareness.

My point is—there is a way to live this life in this end time that involves all of these things! It involves opening the depths of the Word, meditation, communion with Him; signs and wonders, extravagant giving, opening the mysteries of God that have been saved for this dispensation in time; worship that breaks the barrier between Heaven and Earth, angels and people ascending and descending, massive salvation of souls...I could go on and on, but we have all heard it so many times.

We know it all has to do with faith—as Jesus Himself told us that even faith as a mustard seed would be enough to say to a mountain Be moved and it would obey. To walk by the Spirit, in all that is summed up by that phrase, takes trust in Him that we really can move from having faith in God to that place where we move in the faith OF God. It must be out of a place of revelation of who He really is—in us. It's all so amazing and stimulating to our spirit man when we dwell on the possibilities that lay before us. Of course, Jesus Christ is our supreme example of walking by the Spirit as He was fully man and fully God, leaving us a blueprint for walking life out by the Spirit in its fullest expression.

One of the Most Powerful Things Jesus Ever Said

BUT...He also tells us that in ALL of this, the greatest of these is love. One of the most powerful things said to us by Jesus' very lips was that, above everything, we were to love Him with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength. The more we know Him, the more we love Him. But He didn't stop there as He continued by saying, "and to love your neighbor as yourself." He said there were no greater things than these. When the scribe questioning him agreed, Jesus made an interesting statement to him by saying that he was close to the Kingdom of God.

Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, "Which is the first commandment of all?"

Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

So the scribe said to Him, "Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."
Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God."—Mark 12:28-34

What amazing revelation this scribe displayed, full of wisdom and living beyond his dispensation of time: the revelation of love surpassing all the rest, even to the point of overtaking the burnt offerings and sacrifices. Jesus said that very revelation put him "not far from" the Kingdom of God, even BEFORE the full revelation had been revealed.

Out of all the things we are admonished to go after and possess, again, the greatest of these is love. We, of course, all know 1 Corinthians 13. We are told that if we have all the gifts and abilities that walking in the Spirit entitles us to, but we don't love, it's all just noise. So of all the things God is going to pour out in these last days by His Spirit, love would have to be at the top of the list. The Spirit without measure would bring love without measure; a revelation of love that will rock both our world and the world around us!

In these days of uncertainty and want, we must remember love. Wisdom would have us asking for the grace to love unconditionally, that we might be moved with the same compassion that Jesus worked miracles from. More than once it is said He was moved with compassion and healed someone. God IS love! His Spirit is referred to as The Comforter. 

As things shift all around us we must remember love. It's easy to love when everything is going well for us, just as it is easy to give in a time of abundance. I believe one of the most difficult things to be an overcomer in is our tendency for self-preservation in the midst of crisis; unfortunately, to the point of gathering to ourselves all that we can, even at the expense of others.

To Walk By the Spirit is to Walk in Love

It's almost humorous that when we thought Y2K was going to be some big deal, everyone hoarded things for themselves in preparation with the purpose and mentality of taking care of the proverbial "us four and no more." Some were even buying guns to hold off the masses from getting what they had so wisely stored up. And while we can appreciate the wisdom of preparing in the years of plenty for the years of lack, we have to ask ourselves what would we do if our neighbor was not so well prepared?

Maybe they didn't have the money to store up, or perhaps they just didn't see it coming. My question is, would we actually refuse others food, drink, or even shelter in that hour? As if in His love we could say, "No," to another in need. God Himself put the example out there of the widow who gave her last to the prophet, and then, and only then, did she receive more than she could imagine.

As we ponder this place of walking by the Spirit in all the interesting and stimulating things it has to offer, we must first and foremost remember love, for without it, all of our effort is null and void. To walk by the Spirit is to prefer others. To walk by the Spirit is to think of others more highly than ourselves—not in some funky religious mindset, but truly caring for them first and then ourselves. Believe me, as I write this I am painfully aware of my own shortcomings in this way of living life—this way of love that is so foreign to our culture. As we seek to overcome adversity and keep our faith we must hold onto love above all else.

Our American mindset would send someone down to the mission shelter before opening our home to them. We can't deny it. Our first thought is How are we going to feed our family for the next four months, rather than to share this day what we have with ones who don't have today? Seriously...are we going to say No, you can't have our food, even though you are starving? God help us all!

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.—1 Corinthians 13

What more can be said, other than to know Him is to love Him. To love Him is to love those that He loves. For God so loved the WHOLE world that He gave His only begotten Son...Perfect love casts out all fear. To walk by the Spirit is to walk in Love. 

JoAnn McFatter
WhiteDove Ministries
Email: contact@joannmcfatter.com

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* * *

JOURNAL 9-10-09 Thursday

I am now reading the book Beyond the Cosmos by Hugh Ross, PH.D. On pages 124-6 he says: 

God wants to provide so much more than physical and spiritual vitality. For those who commit their lives to Him and invite His Spirit to live within, He supplies both the desire and the power to fulfill His purposes here on Earth, an assignment that yields to each of us what He describes as "life to the full."

(Matthew 17:20-21 NIV, 21:21-22 NIV, John 14:12-15 NIV)

Learning to use our extra-dimensional capacities takes time, for it takes growth in faith, with accompanying wisdom and purity. In asking for "anything," that "anything" must be identified by a heart attuned to God's purposes and plans. How often are we inclined to ask for the removal of trouble from our path? And yet He told us clearly that trouble is a constant companion, a tool for character growth, during our earthly life:
 
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33 NIV)

Knowing what to ask in the face of trouble comes through knowing Him better and better. Building any relationship takes effort and attention, and the same is true of our relationship with God. The attention is always fully available on His part; our part is up to us.

* * *

This is from John Paul Jackson's website at www.streamsministry.com.

Declarative Prayer by John Paul
Posted on February 03, 2008

I pray declarative prayers often. They get me out of my self-pity, anxiety, confusion and self-doubt. They change my mindset and reorient my thinking.

During this holiday season, we are encouraged to be thankful. I would like to submit to you a list of things I pray, so that perhaps you can be thankful for the same things. Maybe you already have all of these things firmly planted in your heart, but most of us need to be reminded of who we actually are in Christ and the ramifications of what He has done for us.

When life seems dark and you feel hopeless, the following are true even then, because God never changes, and He will not forsake you.

During this season, pray this prayer over yourself every day, and see what God does within and around you. You may just have even more to be thankful for by the turn of the year.

My Father in Heaven:
•	I will bear Your light to change the world.
•	I am the light of the world, because the Light of the World dwells in me.
•	Your Kingdom will come; Your will, will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.
•	No one will meet me and not be changed, because no one can meet You and not be changed.
•	I will become increasingly aware of the Light that I carry.
•	I will grow in You and grow in this Light.
•	I will become a change agent in this world.
•	I will believe the unbelievable; what is not yet, I will become.
•	I will come to understand where I am in You, and I see my future more clearly than ever before.
•	The gifts You have given me will begin to flourish as I understand Your ways.
•	Nothing will prosper that comes against me, because I will live a repentant life before You; because I live a repentant life, You will answer my prayer.
•	I will become what You have called me to become.
•	I have been placed here for such a time as this.
•	I live where I live because You placed me here.
•	I am not here by accident; I am here by divine appointment.
•	My neighbors will prosper because of You in me.
•	Those I touch will prosper because of You in me.
•	Everyone I pray for will be touched, because You flow through me; it makes no difference if others recognize the touch or not – You will touch them.
•	You will touch others more some times than at other times; I will not judge my relationship with You based on what they feel.
•	I relate to You because of who You are in me, not because of others, not because of my emotions, not because I feel saved, not because I’ve ascended to greatness through my intellect – but because of what You have done in me.
•	I am re-procreated, regenerated and born anew.
•	Your seed has entered me.
•	My spirit is alive and quickened.
•	I will become quickened to You, fine-tuned to Your Spirit, not doing what You’re not doing, and doing what You are doing.
•	I will become a witness for You.
•	With Your help, when people see me, they will see You.
•	Soon, there will be a clear distinction between those who don’t know God and me, because I know You.
•	People will see me, and they will know that I am a follower of Jesus and a bearer of His light.
•	For Your glory this will happen, taking the foolish things to confound the wise.
•	Thank You for finding me and choosing me to be a change agent on this earth for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

* * *

JOURNAL 9-12-09 Saturday

A DREAM ABOUT BEN LEIGH

In a dream I was supposed to be in a group where one person was sharing his story, then the other person was to share things that would be helpful to the one sharing his story. The leader seemed to be L and the other person in our group was named Ben Leigh. It seemed like L didn't want me in the group because I was a girl, not a boy.  He sat in such a position that he talked and worked with Ben, but I was excluded. Later he moved the group to another place and didn't tell me where they were going or that they were going. So I decided to leave the place. It was a place I seemed to be visiting. I was staying in someone else's room and using her things, not my own. When I started to look at my own things I realized I had brought lots of my own clothes, on hangers even, but they had been just left lying there all the time I had been there. "There" seemed to be a temporary place I had stopped at - like maybe I had gotten off an airplane and stayed there awhile. I was getting ready to leave when I woke up.

The impressions I get when I ponder the meaning of this dream:
•	I wasn't really wanted at this place, just tolerated there, but ignored because I was a girl.
•	Perhaps I am to forgive some people for treating me that way in the world.
•	L may symbolize my earthly father who preferred my brothers and ignored me (in my perspective).
•	I am in a "place" which may represent being in the world or on the earth temporarily. I came to it and I am getting ready to leave it.
•	I listened to Ben Leigh tell his story, and was trying to prepare to share back with him, but my information notes were not able to be read and no cassette was made of this testimony to listen to.
•	Ben: Language: Hebrew; Inherent meaning: Son of My Right Hand; Spiritual connotation: Mighty; Scripture: You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up. Your gentleness has made me great. (Psalm 18:35 NKJV) 
•	Leigh: Language: American; Inherent meaning: meadow; Spiritual connotation: Guided of God; Scripture: For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. O that today you would hearken to his voice! (Psalm 95:7 RSV)

You are Ben Leigh, Joan. I especially brought your attention to his name twice so you would be able to remember it. You know or have heard his story, but don't get to talk with him about it as you wanted to. Yes, this dream brings back feelings of not be recognized and paid attention to by your father since you were not a boy. Now forgive him for that - again.

I accept you and I love you, Joan, and I want you to know that.

In this dream I was in a strange place, Lord. I didn't seem to belong there. Eventually I wanted to leave there.

Yes, that's the way it is for you in this earthly world. You don't truly belong here, but you are here, trying to listen to others and relate to them. You are now ready to leave it. It holds no allure or attraction for you anymore. You want to come up here and be with Me. It will be soon, and I will enable you to endure until then. I am, for you, what these Scriptures say:

I am your shield of salvation
I hold you up with My right hand
I give you My gentleness
I have made you great
I am your God
You are a sheep of My pasture
You are a sheep of My hand
I want you to hearken to My voice today

"Ben Leigh" was the main idea I wanted you to get from this dream - the message in that name. Ben Leigh represents those who belong to Me and are favored by Me. I turn My face toward them and relate to them. Now you see what it seems like to those who are "outside" My favor and attention, even as you felt as a child. You had to overcome this feeling and trust My Word that you are in My favor because you believe in Jesus and gave your life to Him. You are My "Ben Leigh," Joan…My favored one.

This dream is about: "what did you do with what I made you"? If a girl, how did you respond to the situation that I put you in? You eventually reconciled yourself to being a girl, Joan, and believed that was ok and what I made you to be. You mothered two beautiful daughters/children and now a beautiful son-in-law also. You love them as I want you to. You nurture them as I lead you to. You let them grow up and become their own selves, not necessarily the way you would want them to be. And you pray for them regularly. You did the best you could with what I made you to be while here on earth. AND you loved Me in the midst of all this. I am pleased with you, Joan. You are MY daughter. You will soon be up here with Me to begin the next phase of your eternal life. Endure, My child. Endure to the end of this life until the next one.

* * *

JOURNAL 9-13-09 Sunday

A DREAM ABOUT THE GARBAGE DISPOSAL FILLING AND OVERFLOWING THE SINK

I was hosting a big family reunion at my house the following weekend. I was in my kitchen working. I put some garbage into the disposal and was running it and pushing the garbage down it. I started preparing some celery for the reunion, and then the disposal started filling with water, filling the sink with water, and running over. I awoke with the strong image of that water running over and about to get on me and on the floor. The sink was in the right corner of the kitchen and was a deep and large sink. It reminded me of the one we had in my childhood home.

It seems to me the main emphasis of this dream is the scene with the sink overflowing and the garbage disposal stopped from working properly. And since it involved my childhood family and sink, it probably refers to my own family.  It may be showing me that there is "garbage" that needs to be cleansed from my family that is not yet finished, and may be "stopped up." Perhaps this is to alert me to pray for my family members in regard to this.

Yes, that's it, Joan. Pray for them in tongues because I know who and what needs cleansing in your family, and I will do it as they allow Me to.

* * *

JOURNAL 9-18-09 Friday

Today begins Rosh Hashanah at sundown. I have been waiting for this day for a long, long time because maybe it will be the day the Rapture takes place. Perry Stone teaches that it might be the fulfillment in New Testament times of the Old Testament holy day where trumpets are blown over and over throughout the day. It is called "the blowing". And the Rapture is to take place with the blowing of a trumpet, so it might take place on Rosh Hashanah to fulfill the meaning of that special day. I sure hope so! And I hope it is today! I am ready to go!

* * *

JOURNAL 9-19-09 Saturday

Rosh HaShanah began at sunset last evening and continues until sunset tomorrow evening. I found some interesting articles regarding it on www.about.com which I want to copy and paste here. I also looked up time zone differences to find out Israeli time compared to our time here in KC. They are 8 hours ahead of us. So sunset tomorrow evening in Jerusalem should be somewhere between ~ 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. and here that time would be ~ 10:00 - 12:00 a.m. They blow the trumpet 100 times during each day of Rosh HaShanah (except on their Sabbath day), so the "last trumpet" will likely be blown in Israel during those hours of 6-8:00. The reason I wanted to calculate the time of the "last trumpet" is because the Scripture in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 says:

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed - in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:52)

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. (1 Thess. 4:16-17)

This is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come….so you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. (Matthew 24:39-42, 44)

* * *

Introduction to Rosh HaShanah
By Ariela Pelaia, About.com

Rosh HaShanah (ראש השנה) is the Jewish New Year. It falls once a year during the month of Tishrei and occurs ten days before Yom Kippur. Together, Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur are known as the Yamim Nora’im, which means the Days of Awe in Hebrew. In English they are often referred to as the High Holy Days.

The Meaning of Rosh HaShanah

Rosh HaShanah literally means “Head of the Year” in Hebrew. It falls in the month of Tishrei, which is the seventh month on the Hebrew calendar. The reason for this is because the Hebrew calendar begins with the month of Nissan (when it's believed the Jews were freed from slavery in Egypt) but the month of Tishrei is believed to be the month in which God created the world. Hence, another way to think about Rosh HaShanah is as the birthday of the world.

Rosh HaShanah is observed on the first two days of Tishrei. Jewish tradition teaches that during the High Holy Days God decides who will live and who will die during the coming year. As a result, during Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur (and in the days leading up to them) Jews embark upon the serious task of examining their lives and repenting for any wrongs they have committed during the previous year. This process of repentance is called teshuvah. Jews are encouraged to make amends with anyone they have wronged and to make plans for improving during the coming year. In this way, Rosh HaShanah is all about making peace in the community and striving to be a better person.

Even though the theme of Rosh HaShanah is life and death, it is a holiday filled with hope for the New Year. Jews believe that God is compassionate and just, and that God will accept their prayers for forgiveness.

Rosh HaShanah Liturgy

The Rosh HaShanah prayer service is one of the longest of the year. Only the Yom Kippur service is longer. Rosh HaShanah service usually runs from early morning until the afternoon and is so unique that it has its own prayer book called the Makhzor. Two of the most well known prayers from Rosh HaShanah liturgy are:
•	Unetaneh Tohkef – This prayer is about life and death. Part of it reads: "On Rosh HaShanah it is written, and on Yom Kippur it is sealed, how many will leave this world and how many will be born into it, who will live and who will die... But penitence, prayer and good deeds can annul the severity of the decree." 
•	Avienu Malkeinu – Another famous prayer is Avienu Malkeinu, which means “Our Father Our King” in Hebrew. Usually the entire congregation will sing the last verse of this prayer in unison, which says: "Our Father, our King, answer us as though we have no deed to plead our cause, save us with mercy and loving-kindness."

Customs and Symbols

On Rosh HaShanah it is customary to greet people with "L'Shanah Tovah," which is Hebrew that is usually translated as "For a Good Year" or "May you have a good year." Some people also say "L'shana tovah tikatev v'etahetem," which means "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year." (If said to a woman the greeting would be: "L'shanah tovah tikatevi v'tahetemi"). This greeting refers to the belief that a person’s fate for the coming year is decided during the High Holy Days. 

The shofar is an important symbol of Rosh HaShanah. It is an instrument often made of a ram's horn and is blown one hundred times during each of the two days of Rosh HaShanah. The sound of the shofar blast reminds people of the importance of reflection during this important holiday. Learn more about the shofar in this article.

Tashlich is a ceremony that usually takes place during the first day of Rosh HaShanah. "Tashlich" literally means "casting off" and involves symbolically casting off the sins of the previous year by tossing pieces of bread or another food into a body of flowing water. Learn more about tashlich in this article.
Other significant symbols of Rosh HaShanah include apples, honey and round loaves of challah. Apple slices dipped in honey represent our hope for a sweet new year and are traditionally accompanied by a short prayer before eating that goes: "May it by Thy will, O Lord, Our God, to grant us a year that is good and sweet." Challah, which is usually baked into braids, is shaped into round loaves of bread on Rosh HaShanah. The circular shape symbolizes the continuation of life.
On the second night of Rosh HaShanah it is customary to eat a fruit that is new to us for the season, saying the shehechiyanu blessing as we eat it to thank God for bringing us to this season. 

Pomegranates are a popular choice because Israel is often praised for its pomegranates and because, according to legend, pomegranates contain 613 seeds – one for each of the 613 mitzvot. Another reason for eating pomegranates on Rosh HaShanah has to do with the symbolic hope that our good deeds in the coming year will be as many as the seeds of the fruit.

Some people choose to send New Year’s greeting cards on Rosh HaShanah. Before the advent of modern computers these were handwritten cards that were snail mailed weeks in advance, but nowadays it is equally as common to send Rosh HaShanah e-cards a few days before the holiday.

2009 - 2012 Rosh HaShanah Dates
•	Sunset September 18, 2009 - nightfall September 20, 2009 
•	Sunset September 8, 2010 - nightfall September 10, 2010 
•	Sunset September 28, 2011 - nightfall September 30, 2011 
•	Sunset September 16, 2012 - nightfall September 18, 2012

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What Is a Shofar?
By Ariela Pelaia, About.com

The shofar (שופר‎) is a Jewish instrument most often made from a ram’s horn, though it can also be made from the horn of a sheep or goat. It makes a trumpet-like sound and is traditionally blown on Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year.

Origins of the Shofar

According to some scholars, the shofar dates back to ancient times when making loud noises on the New Year was thought to scare off demons and ensure a happy start to the coming year. It is hard to say whether this practice influenced Judaism.

In terms of its Jewish history, the shofar is often mentioned in the Tanach, Talmud and in rabbinic literature. It was used to announce the start of holidays, in processions and even to mark the start of a war. Perhaps the most famous biblical reference to the shofar occurs in the Book of Joshua, where shofarot (plural of shofar) were used as part of a battle plan to capture the city of Jericho:

"Then the LORD said to Joshua… March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in. (Joshua 6:2-5)"

According to the story, Joshua followed God’s commandments to the letter and the walls of Jericho fell, allowing them to capture the city. The shofar is also mentioned earlier in the Tanach, when Moses ascends Mt. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments.

During the times of the First and Second Temple, shofarot were also used along with trumpets to mark important occasions and ceremonies.

The Shofar on Rosh HaShanah

Today the shofar is most commonly used on the Jewish New Year, called Rosh HaShanah (meaning “head of the year” in Hebrew). In fact, the shofar is such an important part of this holiday that another name for Rosh HaShanah is Yom Teruah, which means “day of the shofar blast” in Hebrew. The shofar is blown one hundred times on each of the two days of Rosh HaShanah. If one of the days of Rosh HaShanah falls on Shabbat, however, the shofar is not blown.

According to the famous Jewish philosopher Maimonides, the sound of the shofar on Rosh HaShanah is meant to wake up soul and turn its attention to the important task of repentance (teshuvah). It is a commandment to blow the shofar on Rosh HaShanah and there are four specific shofar blasts associated with this holiday:
1.	Teki’ah – An unbroken blast lasting about three seconds
2.	Shva’rim – A teki’ah broken into three segments
3.	Teruah – Nine rapid fire blasts
4.	Tekiah Gedolah – A triple teki’ah lasting at least nine seconds, though many shofar blowers will attempt to go significantly longer, which the audience loves.

The person who blows the shofar is called a Tokea (which literally means “blaster”) and it is no easy task to perform each of these sounds. Scroll down to the end of this article for a link to a video demonstrating the four shofar sounds of Rosh HaShanah.

Symbolism 

There are many symbolic meanings associated with the shofar and one of the best known has to do with the Akedah, when God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. The story is recounted in Genesis 22:1-24 and culminates with Abraham raising the knife to slay his son only to have God stay his hand and bring his attention to a ram caught in a nearby thicket. Abraham sacrificed the ram instead. Because of this story some midrashim claim that whenever the shofar is blown God will remember Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son and will therefore forgive those who hear the shofar’s blasts. In this way, just as the shofar blasts remind us to turn our hearts towards repentance, they also remind God to forgive us for our trespasses.

The shofar is also associated with the idea of crowning God as King on Rosh HaShanah. The breath used by the Tokea to make the sounds of the shofar are also associated with the breathe of life, which God first breathed into Adam upon the creation of humanity.

* * *

"Prepare Yourselves! We are About to Step into a New Dimension and Future in the Cloud of Glory"

by Mark Chironna 
Sep 17, 2009

Prophetic word of the Lord given by Dr. Mark Chironna on Sunday, September 6, 2009 at The Master's Touch International Church in Longwood, Florida:

I hear the Spirit clearly saying, "Prepare yourselves. Prepare yourselves. Something is being released in this season; prepare yourselves." The Holy Spirit is coming in a brand new way; prepare yourself. The visitation of God is coming in a fresh way; prepare yourself. Joshua walked through the camp and said, "Prepare yourself for tomorrow." Saints of God, the Spirit is saying, "Prepare yourself for tomorrow."

We are about to step into a new dimension and future in the cloud of glory. Prepare yourself before God even now. If you need your heart to be cleansed by the Blood, just confess what you need to confess right now. All things are naked and bare before Him with whom we have to do; present your heart to the Father, by the Blood of Jesus. Prepare yourself. The Scripture says that we are to cleanse ourselves of all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Beloved, something is coming—we are actually on the threshold of something we have never known or had before. Prepare yourself.

I keep hearing the Spirit cry, "Prepare yourself. Prepare yourself. Prepare yourself." You are crossing a threshold, prepare yourself. There is a tomorrow you could not see but it is dawning now; prepare yourself. Prepare yourself. There is a new manifestation of the power and glory of God, prepare yourself. Heaven is opening; prepare yourself. The rain of the Spirit is going to pour in torrents; prepare yourself. The wonders and signs of the Almighty are coming, prepare yourself. 

Ask, Seek and Knock

"For in the declaration and the utterance of My Son, as He listened to My voice on the mountain, He cried out and said to the multitudes, 'Ask and it shall be given. Seek and you shall find. Knock and it shall be opened.' I have had you on a journey. You have been asking, you have been seeking, you have been knocking and now I would reveal to you that this is a process whereby I wean you away and draw you away from everything you consider familiar, everything you consider understandable. And I have allowed you to go through a period of darkness and even confusion. And you would say, 'God, where are You?'

"And I would remind you that My Son exhorted you to ask, seek and knock; for the process and the progress of your soul when it asks and when it seeks and when it knocks, leads you through a place of radical disorientation. Many would refuse the progress and the process. But it is a spiritual pathway that you must take if you will learn the way of wisdom and the way of power. You say, 'Well God, You promised.'

"I know I promised. I said, 'Ask, seek, knock and you will find.' You say, 'But I have found loss. I have found dispossession. I have found letting go.' And I would say to you that, until you dispossess what you have, you can never possess what I want to give to you. Until you surrender your understanding, you will never get My wisdom. You would say, 'Lord, what is at the end of this process?'

"And here I would reveal it to you by My Spirit. Through the disorientation, through the season of confusion and disillusionment, I bring you to a place of mystery. I bring you to a place of wonder and I bring you to a place of awe. For there can be no release of what I desire for My people; there can be no manifestation of what I yearn to give My people, except I draw them by their hunger, by their asking, by their seeking, by their knocking. 

"I draw them out of the known, out of the familiar, out of the safe, out of the comfortable, out of the place of possessing what they have had into a place of unknown, uncertainty, confusion, disorientation, disillusionment, disappointment; and in that void, in that void, in the place between the letting go and the taking on, I then bring you into the mystery of faith. And there, as I invite you to step across the threshold into the mystery of faith, is something that goes beyond your comprehension and can only be apprehended by your spirit, for I am bringing you to the spirit of faith."

I Am Bringing My Body into the Way of Wonder

"For do you not know the Holy One of Israel, His Holy Spirit is the spirit of faith? And there, when I bring you there out of the darkness, out of the confusion, out of the letting go, out of the dispossessing, I then bring you into the place of wonder. For am I not a God of wonder? Am I not a God of miracles? Am I not a God who manifests His goodness in the midst of conflict and decision? Know this My people, I am bringing My Body into the way of wonder, for I have seen the failings of My people. I have seen the failings of the traditions of men. I have seen the failings of those who would want to maintain the status quo, and it has been My finger that has been toppling these things, both in the nations and in your personal life. 

"Fear not. Fear not, neither let your heart be troubled, for what lies ahead is the way of wonder. I am bringing you into the mystery of faith and the way of wonder; prepare yourself. Cleanse your hearts. Cleanse your hands. Let go of what is no longer necessary; let go of what is no longer useful; let go of what does not serve My purpose; let go of your agendas; let go of your presuppositions; let go of your projections; let go of your judgments and surrender, for you are at the threshold. You are at the precipice. 

"You are, as it were, standing on a cliff through the darkest of a night only able to see the shadows of that which is in the valley. But now, as the light on the horizon begins to rise and the sun announces the dawning of a new day, the outlines that you saw in the shadows will become the substance of My provision that you see in the light. For I am taking you out of the shadows into the substance and I declare to you, a new day is dawning and the light is rising and I am bringing you into the mystery and the wonder of My glory!" 

He that hath an ear to hear let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

Song of the Lord:
Father, let it be
Father let it be
Even unto me
Father let it be.
Spirit, let me see
Spirit, let me see
Even unto me
Spirit, let me see.
Jesus, set me free
Jesus, set me free
Even unto me
Jesus, set me free.
Father, let it be
Father, let it be
Even unto me
Father, let it be.

Dr. Mark J. Chironna 
Mark Chironna Ministries 
Email: markchironna@markchironna.com

Permission is granted (and you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep ElijahList website, email contact info, and author contact information intact.

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* * *

JOURNAL 9-20-09 Sunday, 2nd day of Rosh HaShanah, Day of the "last trumpet."

QUIET TIME NOTES

The one year before Noah went on the ark, while he and his three sons were building it, how was he provided for financially? This is my question this morning, Lord, because Beth needs a job so we can be provided for. Did you supernaturally provide for Noah and his family during that time, or did they do their "daytime jobs" to provide food, and build the ark also?

The Lord led me to read about Noah, and I read from Genesis 6:8 

But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. 

The word "favor" had a reference to Exodus 33:12-17 and it said:

(Moses is talking to God) You have said, "I know you by name and you have found favor with me." If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you…

The Lord replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest"…

And the Lord said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name."

What does it mean: I will give you rest?

It means You will give me peace in relationship with You.

And I will give you rest, Joan. I know you by name and I will give you rest and peace with Me - no matter what comes today.

I am asking You to come, Lord Jesus, and take us who belong to You out of this world today. Rapture us, Lord. You tell me that You put that desire in my heart, and it's all right to ask, so I do.

* * *

JOURNAL 9-22-09 First day of fall

I had a dream last night in which I was sitting in a sanctuary with a large group of people. All I noticed were women. I was sitting between two older women who occasionally talked with me. Many of the women had some kind of a prayer shawl around their shoulders. It seemed like they had made them themselves. I was hoping some of them would offer a prayer shawl to me. It seemed like such a good idea to cover your head when praying to shut yourself off from the rest of the world and be entirely separated unto God.

You can cover your head with an invisible prayer shawl, Joan, when you come unto Me to pray. Symbolically place it on your head and it WILL be there spiritually.

* * *

JOURNAL 9-23-09 Wednesday

QUIET TIME NOTES

This Scripture is for me this morning to encourage me in regard to Beth getting a job soon.

I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. (Psalm 37:25-26 NIV)

* * *

These Scriptures are for Beth this morning. The Lord says, 

Read them over and over, and carry them with you to read them off and on all day. Bury this Word in your heart.

He says, 

My Word instructs her.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. (Psalm 32:8)

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119:105)

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11)

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17 KJV)

* * *

JOURNAL 9-24-09 Thursday

SCRIPTURES FROM MY BLUE BOOK FOR TODAY
AND QUIET TIME NOTES

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for him." (Lamentations 3:22-24)

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. (Psalm 55:22)

I WILL give Beth her job soon. I have a "just right" job for her and she will be pleased with it. In the meantime I will provide for you both, even as I have before. I haven't changed and I still am Jehovah Jireh, your Provider.

* * *

JOURNAL 9-25-09 Friday

SCRIPTURES FROM MY BLUE BOOK FOR TODAY
AND QUIET TIME NOTES

"You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 1:4-10)

But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)

A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. (John 3:27)

Today Beth interviews for a job. I pray that, if this is the job the Lord wants her to have, that He brings that about today. And, if it is not the job He has for her, that she doesn't get it. Thy will be done, Lord.

* * *

JOURNAL 9-26-09 Saturday

SCRIPTURES FROM MY BLUE BOOK FOR TODAY
AND QUIET TIME NOTES

But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God. (John 3:21)

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

You will be okay. No matter what comes you will be okay, Joan. You will not die an earthly death, but you WILL be raptured. And so will Beth. So, trust Me, if anything threatens your life or hers, that you will not die an earthly death. But you both will be raptured. I am taking care of you (both). My angels are watching over you both. Know this.

This is a good day, Joan. Enjoy it.

I enjoy it first and foremost by being with you, Lord, and then by sharing my whole day with You as I walk through it. Thank You for that.

You're welcome, My child. It is My pleasure to do that. You are My treasure and I enjoy being with you and teaching you. You are so eager to learn from Me. I made you to be a "learner" and you do it well every day of your life. You will continue to learn when you come up here and be with Me in the place/mansion I already have prepared/reserved for you. It's a beautiful place. I designed it well to suit you perfectly.

Of course! You're the Creator! You created me, and You created this earth just perfect for me to live in. So it makes sense that You also have created a perfect place for me to live in heaven with You - in the New Jerusalem. And I imagine that it is "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" as You told me in Scripture today. I am eager to come!

Of course you are, because it's the best of the best! That's how I do things!

* * *

JOURNAL 9-27-09 Sunday

SCRIPTURES FROM MY BLUE BOOK FOR TODAY
AND QUIET TIME NOTES

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptised with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:4-5)

This is what I want you to write today, Joan: that you WILL receive power when I send My Holy Spirit to come upon you, and you WILL by My witness. Wait for it, expect it, know it is coming SOON. Then things will be very different and will never be the same again. This will not be done in your own power, or your own pushing yourself to do it. It will ALL be done by the power of My Holy Spirit coming upon you. This is for Beth too. You will share this together, and pray together, and have great power together. Expect this to come SOON. That's what I wanted to tell you today.

* * *

JOURNAL 9-28-09 Monday (Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement)

SCRIPTURES FROM MY BLUE BOOK FOR TODAY
AND QUIET TIME NOTES

The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. (Isaiah 50:4)

In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength. (Isaiah 30:15)

Look at the date when you wrote those Scriptures in your blue book. What is it?

The date I wrote them down is 9-15-87

So that means you have been treasuring My Word for over 22 years.

What does it say is your strength?

Quietness and trust.

And that's the way I want you to go through today, Joan, in quietness and trust.

And I want you to know that when I say I have given you an instructed tongue and that I waken your ear to listen, that that is a gift I give to all who belong to Me, who believe in Me, and who follow Me. It is not exclusive to just a few of Mine.

And what's your salvation, Joan?

Repentance and rest.

So keep yourself in repentance whenever it's needed, and keep resting in Me…daily.

* * *

JOURNAL 9-29-09 Tuesday

A DREAM ABOUT WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER ON CLOTHING AND PEOPLE

In a dream I was working on a research paper. I had a chapter of some material on clothing (especially women's dresses) and another chapter of some material on people. There were pictures of clothing and people in this material. I was using this material to help me write my paper. In the dream I was looking at these chapters and trying to get ideas for my research paper and writing out my ideas on paper. It seemed like I had a limited amount of time to accomplish this task - perhaps 1 weekend or 2 weekends.

Lord, if You want me to learn something from this dream, then please show me what.

I do.

This dream seems to show my studying people and their mantles/attitudes, and what they are doing in great detail, and then writing out these ideas to communicate to others later.

Yes, that is something I am giving you to do now. Study different people (like what Murray Deuck is teaching in the book you just bought) and what I have given them to do. Then write what you learn in your journal and in your books so this information can be communicated to others through those books.

Oh, that fits with today's Scripture (below)! And I just started reading a new book and author (for me) called If This Were A Dream, What Would It Mean? by Murray Deuck. It is about our paradigms and how to see things from God's paradigm.

SCRIPTURES FROM MY BLUE BOOK FOR TODAY

I will stand at my watch and station myself in the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. Then the Lord replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. (Habakkuk 2:1-3)

The righteous will live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:4b)

Is that the way I "stand at my watch" and look to see what You want me to write? I do it by reading books and listening to recorded speeches, and then write about those people and what they do for You, Lord?

Yes, do this like a research paper, Joan. As you encounter another person (like in a video online) and learn something about that person and what he is doing or teaching, then come to your computer and write out what you learned about him and what he said. You've been doing some of that. I want you to keep doing that, but in even greater detail, and giving more information about WHAT I HAVE GIVEN THAT PERSON TO DO AND BE. You will notice I have given many DIFFERENT things to many different people - each one unique to him. And this that I have given you to do is unique to you. I have trained you to do exactly what I am calling/asking you to do.

* * *

JOURNAL 9-30-09 Wednesday

SCRIPTURES FROM MY BLUE BOOK FOR TODAY
AND QUIET TIME NOTES

But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world…I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him. (John 8:26, 28-29)

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

Good morning Heavenly Father. Good morning, Lord Jesus. Good morning, Holy Spirit.

Good morning, My child. And you are a child to Us. We are your Teacher, and We have a lot to teach you, and We enjoy teaching you each morning as you come to Us. This is the most blessed thing you can do each day, Joan, is to come to Us and listen to Us and learn from Us.

I want to learn from You today, Lord.

Then quiet your heart, and separate yourself unto Me, and we will commune.

And wait for Me…

The waiting is important, Joan, because the more you wait for Me, the less you are likely to use your own thoughts in your writing, and the more you will find My thoughts.

That's what I want you to write this morning…that you are My child, and that there is no greater privilege than that on this earth, than to be called My child, by Me.

* * *

Today I'd like to write a little bit about Murray Deuck that I have been learning from his book called If This Were A Dream, What Would It Mean? He is teaching me about God's many uses of symbolic language which He uses in the Bible, in dreams, in visions, and in circumstances. He wants us to learn to recognize and understand this symbolic language so we can know what God is teaching us and showing us. It is a very interesting and fascinating book. As far as I have read so far, he has lain the groundwork of explaining what symbolic language is and has shown many examples of it in the Bible. He says it often foreshadows things He will be doing and that the Prophets understood this symbolic language. In what I expect to read today he will tell how he became interested in this and learned about this.

* * *

JOURNAL 10-1-09 Thursday

When I awoke this morning the song was in my mind which we used to sing in choir: The Lord Bless You and Keep You. The words are from Numbers 6:22-27

The Lord said to Moses, "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:

'The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.'

So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them"

Having this song in my mind when I awake is a sign from the Lord that He is with me and blessing me. Thank You, Lord!

SCRIPTURES FROM MY BLUE BOOK FOR TODAY
AND QUIET TIME NOTES

You have laid your hand upon me. If I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me; your right hand will hold me fast. (Psalm 139:5)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your path. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You have laid Your hand upon me, Lord, and Your right hand will hold me fast. I trust in You with all my heart, and don't lean on my own understanding. I acknowledge You, Lord, in all my ways, and You will direct my path.

A place of quiet and peace… That's what we have, Joan, and I want you to write that down. You can ONLY have quiet and peace through Me - and no other way on this earth at this time. The world right now is very chaotic, and yet you have to live in it. So you need a place of quiet and peace. That place is with Me. 

As you come to Me each morning and seek Me, I will bring you to that place of quietness and peace. It is "with Me." It is because I am blessing you and keeping you. It is because I am making My face shine upon you and being gracious to you. It is because I am turning My face toward you and giving you peace. In that way My Name is put upon you and I give you peace. Peace is, and will continue to be, an extremely rare commodity in this current world. But you have it "in My Name." It IS a great blessing. Treasure it.

* * *

JOURNAL 10-2-09 Friday

QUIET TIME NOTES

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51:17)

In your world and culture you are taught that a strong confident spirit is best - an independent spirit. And you have fought that independent spirit and allowed Me to break it so that My Spirit is strong in you, Joan. Remember that when you are weak, then you are strong, because I am strong in you. Remember that you read that when you give up power (of your self) then you gain authority (in Me). And you HAVE gained authority in Me, Joan. However you don't "feel" as if you have any authority, so you don't understand that you really have it. But I will show you that authority when I pour out My Spirit in a much stronger/greater measure, and that will be soon. I will pour it out over the whole earth at a certain point in time, and then you will see My power active in you and "know" My authority in you.

Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. (Psalm 127:1)

What house am I building in you, Joan?

A house of prayer and intercession, and a house of prophecy. A house of submission unto You, and a house of writing what You lead me to write.

Yes, that is correct and I am building those houses gradually. I have been building them throughout your life. The building has gone on quickly during some time periods, and slowly in other time periods. However I have kept building and building these in you. And they have grown stronger, AND more accurate, even though they are not completely perfect and won't be while you are in this earthly body. When you are changed to your heavenly body, then these will be perfect.

You have set apart this time this morning unto Me, and I will always be here for you. I will never leave you or forsake you. We will have our "special times" together as often as you seek Me. This is a promise to you. And when you speak to Me throughout the day, as you like to do, I will always be here for you. Do not fear being inaccurate in what you hear. And do not fear inserting your own imagination into what you hear. I will help you clarify what is from Me and what is not from Me.

Thank You, Lord. Please do that. I do not want to insert my own imaginations and desires into what You say, and think that You said it.

* * *

JOURNAL 10-4-09 Sunday

A DREAM ABOUT PUTTING PURPLE AND GREEN HOUSES ON A MOUNTAIN TO PREVENT MUDSLIDES

In this dream I seemed to see a hill or mountain which had groups of people or houses on the side of it which were either purple or green. But there were still potential mudslides on the mountain, so I was to move a group/clump of green and a group/clump of purple people/houses there to keep mudslides from happening.

JPJ says 90% of house dreams are about you. So I will assume this dream may refer to me, and the hill or mountain may symbolize some challenge which I see in front of me. The challenge is to keep mudslides from happening. They may symbolize the flesh causing deterioration in the mountain (power and strength, wholeness and solidity) of my daily seeking God. Things of the flesh cause things to slide off the mountain. The way to keep that from happening is to place or plant Godly houses on that mountain to keep the mud from sliding.

The purpose of moving the houses/people to the side of the mountain was to keep mudslides from happening. This could symbolize putting something in place in my life that stabilizes me more. This is represented by purple and green houses/people. The green symbolizes renewal, rest and peace, prosperity, growth, new life, hope, and the Spirit of the Lord. The purple symbolizes royalty and authority, kingly. 

So how do I do that? 

I think it is done by daily spending quiet time with the Lord and receiving from Him renewal, rest and peace, prosperity, new life, hope, growth, royalty and kingly authority - through the Holy Spirit. The Lord is reminding me how important it is to keep doing this daily - to keep the flesh from causing part of the mountain of my spiritual life to slide away.

Yes, Joan, what you have done is good. I am reminding you how VERY important your daily quiet time is for renewal and authority to stabilize your life. Your life is like a mountain for you to keep strong and travel upon during your earthly time. It is not an easy plain to walk on, but a mountain to climb daily. Upon that daily mountain climb you will find Me, connect with Me, hear Me, receive instruction from Me. This is very important to do daily to keep the flesh from wreaking havoc. Now go and do that. 

* * *

SCRIPTURES FROM MY BLUE BOOK FOR TODAY

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul.
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me. 
Thy rod and they staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; 
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23 KJV)

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1)

* * *

JOURNAL 10-5-09 Monday

SCRIPTURES FROM MY BLUE BOOK FOR TODAY

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil;
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13 KJV)

Today the music and words/scenes from the movie What the Deaf Man Heard are going through my mind. Perhaps this is some sign from the Lord, so I am recording that idea here. Murray Deuck, in his book (If This Were A Dream, What Would It Mean?), teaches that God sometimes gives us signs about things that are coming and we should watch for these signs. They will likely come in the form of symbols that we need to interpret. So I am wondering if this is a sign and what it might mean.

* * *

QUIET TIME NOTES

Good morning, Heavenly Father.

Good morning, My child. Do you know that I'm on My throne?

Yes.

Remember that, when things happen, I am still on My throne. What does that mean? It means I am still ruling. I am still Sovereign. I am still King and Lord of the whole Universe. I am still in charge, even though it might seem as if I am not at times (when bad things happen). I AM in charge, Joan, and I AM always with you. I will always protect you and look after you and guide you - show you the way to go. Put the Scriptures on courage here now.

Don't be afraid, because I have saved you. I have called you by name, and you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you cross rivers, you will not drown. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned, nor will the flames hurt you. This is because I, the Lord, am your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:1-3)

Don't worry; because I am with you. Don't be afraid, because I am your God. I will make you strong and will help you; I will support you with my right hand that saves you…I am the Lord your God, who holds your right hand, and I tell you, "Don't be afraid. I will help you." (Isaiah 41:10, 13)

How great is your goodness that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you have given to those who trust you. You do this for all to see. You protect them by your presence from what people plan against them. You shelter them from evil words. (Psalm 31:19-20)

Now do you want Me to tell you something you don't know?

Yes, Lord, if You want to.

I want to, My child. And you ARE MY CHILD. I want you to know that and be assured of that. 

What do You want to tell me that I don't know?

First look up the Scripture about telling you things you don't know.

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. (Jeremiah 33:3)

It is about "What The Deaf Man Heard." You see, you, Joan, are deaf to everything except what I reveal to you. So now I want to reveal something to you. You will find it in that book (The Apostle) which you started to read last night. When you come upon the "revelation" I want you to know, I will highlight it for you to hear, see, and know.

Here is what the Lord highlighted for me as I read The Apostle. On page 26 when it talked about how Christians were brought before the tribunal to give testimony about believing in Jesus. It said: "After a few shy sentences, the man would be transformed: clear words, unashamed convictions, it was almost as if he were prompted."

* * *

I also saw this Scripture while looking up Jeremiah 33:3 and wanted to put it in today's journal.

I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. (Jeremiah 32:40)

* * *

I went outside this morning and there I heard a bird calling out in a loud screechy voice. It was high overhead and kept calling and calling, like a warning. I wondered what it was saying to other birds. Then I looked up and saw that there were THREE birds flying around near each other and circling around in the sky overhead. So I immediately thought it was a sign and it was a warning of something. I don't know what the warning is about, but I will be looking for more information about it.

A bird can be a symbol of a spirit - good or evil, man, gossip, or a message. Birds can symbolize leaders or messengers. So having birds calling out may well symbolize a message. And since it was from 3 birds, it means a message from God.

(The Lord brought me a message from Him on 11-8-09 through M who had just returned from Israel. Eleven refers to the end of something or transitioning into something else. Eight refers to new beginnings. And nine refers to harvest. M said God gave him that message for me on the second day of the trip and he wrote it down. While on the Sea of Galilee the paper blew away so he said it was now floating in the Sea of Galilee. I think that is part of the message too. It reminds me of the message God gave me one day while sitting in the Shelter Garden in Columbia near the pool. I saw a leaf floating there, and the Lord said I was to be like that leaf and let Him be the water to take me wherever He wanted me to go.)

* * *

JOURNAL 10-6-09 Tuesday

A DREAM ABOUT TRYING TO REASSEMBLE MY OFFICE COMPUTER

In this dream I was a secretary with my desk in a large room at the church office. P and E were also secretaries there but their desks were situated in another room adjacent to mine. LC was in the dream also. I had a new computer-typewriter and was trying to plug it in correctly from one section of it to another section of it. It was opened into at least two large sections and there were many wires going back and forth between the sections. I wasn't quite sure how to do that. SB seemed to be in the dream also as she had a computer/typewriter almost like mine, but hers wasn't taken apart like mine.

The more I worked at that the more I got things pulled out of place. I told LC I sure would appreciate it if he would figure out how to put it back together right so I could do some of my work.

I saw a twin sized bed behind where I was standing with a bedspread on it that I pulled into place so it would look neater. It almost seems like the spread was orange with designs on it.

While I was doing that, a number of people came into the office and talked to me. Some were from a group of women that I had been with previously where we helped another woman through a difficult time. These women would come into the office and tell me how they got things worked out for her.

Whatever does this dream mean?

Write out what you think it means, Joan.

My work as a secretary in this dream involved assisting others, especially in communicating ideas and writing things. My biggest job in the dream was trying to get things connected correctly so I could accomplish that. Some people with me were LC, P, E, and SB. Even though lots of people were near me, I seemed to be trying to work out the right connections on my writing instrument by myself. The bed might suggest I needed to rest, but was influenced by something harmful (orange) that was expected to come (influencing that rest) that kept me standing rather than resting. In my time away from the office/work I was in active relationship with a group of women. They might symbolize the Church.

So my message from this dream is to keep standing and working on the connections God has given me to work on, for the time is short and the danger is great.

* * *

SCRIPTURES FROM MY BLUE BOOK FOR TODAY
AND QUIET TIME NOTES

Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble for the day of the Lord is coming. It is close at hand. (Joel 2:1)

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. (Col. 3:15)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. (Col. 3:16)

These Scriptures remind me that I am to be about warning others that the day of the Lord is close at hand. This was the primary message in a book I just finished reading by Jesse Duplantis called: Heaven: Close Encounters of the God Kind which tells about Jesse being taken to heaven and given the message to come back to earth and tell others that Jesus is returning soon. That was an encouraging message for me since He keeps telling me He is coming soon too. 

At the same time that it is important to warn others, I am encouraged to let the peace of Christ rule in my heart - to enter the rest of God - and to let his word dwell in me richly.

* * *

Joan, I have never spoken to you in an audible voice, but I have always spoken to you through your spirit and through your mind. That's why you have trouble distinguishing My speaking from your own thoughts. You have to work that much harder to know if it really is of Me or of your own imagination. That's ok. I will give you discernment as we go along. You will have to seek Me much harder than if My voice was clear and plain to you. This is My choice, not necessarily yours. But it doesn't mean that I don't speak to you - it's just not clear and plain. It comes through your own spirit, where I dwell, and through your own mind. Some who are prophets hear My audible voice clear and plain. 

Yes, you DO belong to Me, and you DO hear Me, but you have to work much harder to distinguish My thoughts from your thoughts. Keep trying. Keep working at it. It draws you closer to Me daily that way. No, you are not being deceived. I will see to that. It takes a lot of trust in Me.

* * *

JOURNAL 10-7-09 Wednesday

A DREAM ABOUT THE SONG "IN MY HEART THERE RINGS A MELODY"

In this dream I was planning a worship service for a new church group. DP was the leader. I wanted to start it off with some peppy music and chose the song "In my heart there rings a melody." I awoke with that song going through my mind for a long time. The words are:

I have a song that Jesus gave me.
It was sent from heaven above.
There never was a sweeter melody.
It's a melody of love.

Chorus:
In my heart there rings a melody,
There rings a melody, with heaven's harmony.
In my heart there rings a melody,
There rings a melody of love.

What does this dream mean? My first thought is that it is a reminder of what heaven will be like. We will be worshiping there with a 'new church group.' And DP will be there and likely quite active in leading others. The words of the song remind me that the melody inside me is love and it was given from heaven by Jesus. Thank You, Lord, for this reminder that soon I will be up in heaven with You singing that 'melody of love' which You have put inside me.

Is there more You want to say?

Yes. My melody, that song of love, is ringing throughout the whole world, My kingdom, ringing in the hearts of all those who belong to Me. It is ringing loud and clear to Me now and that means it is soon time to bring My Singers, My Bride, up here to heaven to be forever with Me. I am looking forward to that, My child, as you are - even more so. So be joyful today that you have almost made it through life's difficulties, and rejoice that I have saved you from your sins.

Looking at the news may not always be a prompting from Me. Ask Me when it comes if it is from Me. It might be the enemy's way of trying to get your thoughts off of Me and worshiping Me.

* * *

SCRIPTURES FROM MY BLUE BOOK FOR TODAY

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col. 3:17)

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. (Col. 3:23)

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)

* * *

In an email message from Chuck Pierce he said this - which I copied for my journal: 

Recently in a meeting at Rutgers University in New Jersey, the Lord impressed me to say,
 
"I have now lifted favor from this nation. Fear not! Even though favor is lifting from the nation, I am going to pour favor on My Kingdom people in this land!" 

Favor means pleasure, desire, delight, to be pleased with or favorable toward something. When God is pleased with us, His favor rests on us.

* * *

This fits with the way I have been praying lately - that even though our country seems on a downward turn, that God would continue to bless and favor His people. So I was happy to see this is what God told Chuck Pierce.

* * *

JOURNAL 10-8-09 Thursday

IMPRESSIONS FROM MY DREAMS

My dreams last night contained scenes where I was letting someone set up space in the upper area in my house to have disciple groups come. I also was preparing food for them. I was considering head coverings for them to put on - like the head draping the Jewish people wore.

These impressions left from last night's dreams may symbolize things taking place inside of me as the house in the dreams. I am being prepared to host discipleship groups. I am preparing food to give them to eat, and considering a head covering for them. This dream may refer to something I may do while here on earth, or it may refer to what I may do in heaven. Either way, I seemed to be getting ready for teaching and discipling others. The head drape refers to setting oneself apart unto God and communing with Him in a Quiet Time. The upper area meeting place refers to the spiritual part of people. The food refers to the spiritual food of the Word of God, and of Jesus, who is the Bread of Life. It seems there are many things for all of us to learn when we get to heaven. The more we learn while here on earth, the better.

I read in Jesse Duplantis' book called Heaven, Close Encounters of the God Kind that there is much teaching going on in heaven (where he was taken by God to visit) to those who come there without knowing much about God's Word (Jesse calls it God's Oracles). This is partly done to children who haven't yet learned His Word. I imagine I will be doing some of that in heaven. This dream may reflect that. 

Yes, My child, you WILL be doing much teaching in heaven - and ESPECIALLY to children since you have experienced working with and teaching them much here on earth. That is a calling I have on you that will be further enhanced and developed in heaven. But adult teaching too - there will be many adults in heaven who have not studied My Word closely and will want to learn much more about Me in heaven. That IS your calling while there…teaching.

Thank You, Lord. I'd like to do that.

* * *

SCRIPTURES FROM MY BLUE BOOK FOR TODAY
AND QUIET TIME NOTES

I want You, Heavenly Father. I want You, Lord Jesus. I want You, Holy Spirit..

You have Me living inside of you. Isn't that miraculous?

Yes, it is miraculous and marvelous! I don't know how You do that (live inside me) but I am so thankful You made me that way and that You do live inside me!

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. (Jeremiah 33:3)

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7)

* * *

In Murray Dueck's book If This Were A Dream, What Would It Mean? Murray says God gives us signs to show us things that might be coming unless we change or pray. These signs might be in the sky, the weather, events, or circumstances. He gives a list of questions to ask yourself about these signs to find out if they are from God and to gain an understanding of what God is doing:

•	If this were a dream, what would it mean?
•	Do you see any evidence of colloquialisms or wordplay?
•	Is there a connection between the symbolic events and events in your church, community, nation or the world at large?
•	Do you see evidence of divine timing?
•	Do events correspond with any significant dates, such as holidays, celebrations, or anniversaries?
•	Do you notice any significant numbers?
•	How do these events correspond to symbolic language in the Bible?
•	Is there evidence of a paradigm-shift, particularly from pride to humility, in the people involved?
•	Can you organize these events into a prophetic timeline?
•	How does God want you to respond?

As I am reading this book today I think about the three earthquakes (series of quakes) that have taken place in the last week or so. One was in the Samoan and American Samoan island area in the sea. The next one was in Indonesia along the oceanfront. The third series was northeast of Australia, also in the ocean or in an island in the ocean. There was a series of 3 quakes, all large, in this third set just 1-2 days ago. There were tsunami warnings sent out.

I think these quakes may be a sign in the natural of something that is happening in the supernatural. Three quakes and three (3) in a series refers to God and these being from Him. Quakes represent something extremely dramatic, a drastic change, suddenly happening. They may symbolize drastic changes coming upon people suddenly. These quakes were mainly at sea, and the sea symbolizes the masses of people. The tsunami "warnings" could represent that we are being "warned" of repercussions happening from the quakes coming spiritually, economically, and socially. Since it happened three times that can also mean they are "set" and won't be changed.

These happened during the time of the Feast of Tabernacles in Israel, and during the 8-year anniversary of our going to war against Afghanistan.

I asked God how to pray about this sign, and He had me pray in tongues, which I did.

* * *

JOURNAL 10-10-09 Saturday

This came in the August newsletter from White Dove Ministry:

Angels with Assignment
By Steven L. Shelley

Before leaving home in Salem, Alabama the morning of July 28, 2008, I had prayed in frustration, asking the Lord to help me recapture the dream that I had experienced during the previous night. I remembered that an angel had walked into our bedroom and over to my side of the bed. He had spoken several things to me, and as he was finishing, I was awakened by our four year old daughter Olivia crying out in the night, "Daddy, that door is open, should I go through it?"

I got out of bed and walked to the doorway of her room. She was sleeping soundly. As I walked back to bed, I suddenly realized that I could not remember a single thing the Angel had said to me. It was as though it had been erased from my memory.

The next morning I was scheduled to fly to Canada for a conference with Paul Keith Davis and Neville Johnson. With a stopover in Salt Lake City I was to meet up with Paul Keith before completing our journey. I finally spotted him and as I approached him he greeted me with: "Steven, what happened to you last night?" I must have looked shocked because he then explained that around 3 AM he woke up with Ms. Wanda standing over him, asking him the same question!

Earlier that night, she had experienced a supernatural encounter. She was shown that a message of some sort was being given at that very moment to both Paul Keith and myself. The messenger had specifically called my name to Ms. Wanda.

It was embarrassing for me to have to tell him that even though I knew I had been visited by an angel in a dream, I could not remember anything that had been spoken to me. He agreed to help me pray that the message would not be lost.

Late that night I finally settled into my hotel room in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. In desperation, I called out to the Lord to restore what I felt the enemy had stolen from my mind. I randomly opened my Bible and used it as a pillow and I lay on the floor and buried my face into its open pages. I was so very disappointed in myself for letting this slip and repented in case there was anything that I had done that had caused it to be lost. I felt like a poor steward of what the Lord was saying to us.

After much weeping I raised my head and my eyes fell on the open pages of my Bible. It was opened to Daniel chapter two, where the king had forgotten a dream and was asking for Daniel to tell him both the dream and the interpretation of it. I smiled inside at God's perfect timing. I was encouraged and drifted off to sleep, knowing that the Lord would restore to me the revelation that had slipped from my memory.

God didn't waste any time. I began dreaming that I was back in my bedroom in Alabama. I was somehow conscious enough to wonder in excitement if this would be the lost dream. I soon recognized the angel that I had seen the night before and determined to listen carefully to what he had to say. The dream progressed as he walked over to my side of the bed.

The Message

He said: "The plumb line is NOW in the hand of Zerubbabel."

Zechariah 4:10 For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

A "plumb line" is a simple but accurate ancient tool that is used to determine whether or not something is perfectly vertical or upright. It consists of a line and a weight of some sort. Initially a stone was used, but in later times the weight was more commonly made of lead.

I knew that in the context of this experience this plumb line spoke of a Word or Message from the Lord that was being released in our day that would measure, once and for all the "uprightness" of the Bride. The very definition of the word righteousness is "uprightness". 

Amos 7:7 Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand. (8)And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: 

We have in recent times been guilty perhaps of leaning too far to the left or too far to the right. I knew that the Angel was saying that it was time to examine how we were standing and make the necessary adjustments immediately. We can only make these important changes by examining our lives according to the clear plumb line message of the Kingdom being released by God in the earth NOW. In addition we must cooperate fully with the double grace (Zechariah 4:7) that is being extended to the Bride in this season. 

Interestingly, Zerubbabel is the one who led the first band of Jews back to Jerusalem from Babylonian Captivity. This exodus took place in the first year of Cyrus, the King of Persia. We also learn that Zerubbabel laid the foundation for the Second Temple.

Zechariah 4:9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.

It becomes clear that as Zerubbabel was a builder of the natural temple, these same scriptures prophesy of the building of a spiritual temple. Zerubbabel is a type of the Master Builder, who is shaping and molding His people into a temple in which He can dwell with all His fullness. Zerubbabel's perseverance in the completion of the earthly Temple is a prophetic sign to us that the Lord Jesus will also prevail in finishing the spiritual temple that he is building in and through us.

Phillipians 1:6 (AMP) And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.

I then asked the angel, "Who are you?"

"I am one of those who has been sent to prepare a people to receive the open book and to eat it!" he answered boldly.

I believe that this was the Lord speaking clearly of a people, in this hour, who were chosen before the foundation of the world, to discover hidden treasures that have been reserved in darkness. These hidden treasures are truths that were sealed and not available to the body of Christ for many centuries … until NOW. *

Isaiah 45:3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.
Taste and See

Perhaps some wonder why these mysteries were hidden for so long. The answer is two-fold. First, these truths were reserved until this generation because we have now crossed that threshold into the end of days to which these truths are at long last relevant. Second, there were things concealed in this open book which, because of their spiritual implications, made it imperative that they be hidden from our enemy. Just think what damage might have been done had they fallen into satan's hands at the wrong time or ahead of God's great times and seasons.

Satan is constantly trying to cause things to engage earlier than their appointed time. Prayer warriors are often being arrested to pray against this plot of the enemy to pre-empt the timing of the Lord. This strategy of the enemy requires that we as a body of believers walk even more sensitively and in total agreement with the purposes and seasons of the Lord. (1 Chronicles 12:32)

It is part of the overcomer's calling to receive this open book revelation and to eat it. We read in Revelation 10:9-11 that John was told to eat it up. He was also warned that it would be sweet in his mouth, reminding us of the sweetness of true revelation. John was further warned that the book would be bitter in his belly. This speaks of the effect that these revelations will have on the inside of the believer. As these truths are made real to us we will not be able to keep them inside, they are not for us only but must come out of us again as we prophesy these end-time truths to many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.

It is refreshing for us to know that in these troubled and uncertain times when we often feel overwhelmed and insufficient for the task of harvest, that God is releasing angels who find and mark those who hunger for deeper truths. These angels will then help to prepare us to open up our hearts for Kingdom mysteries. Additionally, they will release God's grace over us to step aside, when necessary, from our own opinions and interpretations of the Word.

Angelic Convergence

A few weeks ago we were gathered once again in Red Deer for the annual "Rivers of God's Love" conference. Again God chose to speak to me in a dream. I was given a pair of very old binoculars and then instructed to look through them. As I placed them before my eyes, I saw two groups of angels coming in, one from the East and one from the West. They were converging in the middle and teaming up in pairs. I then saw them being dispatched to various places throughout the world.

I then took the binoculars away from my eyes and realized that I could no longer see the angels.

"What was I seeing?" I asked.

The messenger replied: "This day begins a new cooperation in the angelic realm. Two classes of angels who each have distinct commissions are now being joined together in full cooperation for a season of ministry."

I found this so fascinating that once again I placed the old binoculars up to my eyes and carefully examined the scene before me.

The angels coming in from the West looked almost identical in every way. Their robes matched in every detail down to the trimmings. They seemed oddly familiar to me. I suddenly realized that the one who had come to me in Alabama was one of these. I could only surmise that these were the angels who were being sent to prepare a people to receive and to eat the open book!

I then asked the messenger who had given me the binoculars, "Who are these other angels coming in from the East" I had noticed that they were also quite similar to each other, but I observed that there were variations in the belts that they wore.

"These are angels that gather." I was told. Although I was very familiar with Paul Keith's encounter with them, this was my first time seeing them.

He then restated to me what I had concluded on my own: "There will now be a divine cooperation between the angels that gather and the angels that are sent to prepare a people to receive and eat the open book."

We are living in incredibly exciting days. Angels are being dispatched to help prepare us to receive, eat, and digest perhaps the most astounding revelation of all time … the revelation of the open book! We may not yet have the full understanding of what this angelic cooperation will look like, but I am convinced that it certainly means that help is on the way. More than ever, humility is the order of the day. Declare with your mouth that you are HUNGRY and willing to do whatever it takes to be a vital part of what God has in store. 

*For further understanding of what the revelation of the "Open book" is about read Daniel 12:1-4, Revelation chapters 5, 6 and 10. It might also prove helpful to listen to the sermon series, The Revelation of the Seven Seals by William Branham. I believe that special insight and revelation was given in this series that would greatly enhance one's understanding of the truths that are contained in The Open Book. 

www.revival.org

* * *

JOURNAL 10-11-09 Sunday

A DREAM ABOUT FINDING 20 GOLD PIECES IN GOLDEN ENVELOPES ON THE STREET

In this dream I was walking along a street and found something gold lying on the street. I picked it up and found it was a packet of what I thought was 20 pieces of gold, each in a separate thin golden envelope (about 3 x 3 inches). As I walked on two young men approached me and wanted the gold envelopes. I began to call out to other people I knew along the way to come with me to wherever it was I was walking. This was to give me help and support to keep those 2 young men from forcing me to give them the gold packet.

Interpretation:

While going through life I discovered something precious to me, something glorious, wise, the truth, righteous and pure, representing the glory of God. It was held in envelopes - which could represent my body, this earthen vessel. It was holy, tried and approved, and redeemed. It may represent my relationship with Jesus Christ. Young men may represent unknown people or spirits that threaten to take that from me by force. So I call alongside me my friends to help give me protection and extra strength. This may represent the Holy Spirit, angels, and/or other Christians, or strengths within me.

* * *

SCRIPTURES FROM MY BLUE BOOK FOR TODAY

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10)

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

* * *

JOURNAL 10-12-09 Monday

Yesterday Pastor gave a sermon on hope. He said hope is the assurance of anticipated future good for/from your soul. He said we must wrestle/fight for what we are hoping for. These are the Scripture references he used:

1 Cor. 13:13
Jer. 17:7-8
Mark 11:22-24
Hebrews 6:19-20
Ephesians 6:1
Proverbs 13:12
Acts 27:20
Romans 4:17-19
Romans 15:13*
Psalm 119:114
Psalm 119:147
Jeremiah 31:17
Jeremiah 29:11
Romans 12:10-13
Psalm 42:5

I'll add Isaiah 40:31
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

* * *

SCRIPTURES FROM MY BLUE BOOK FOR TODAY
AND QUIET TIME NOTES

The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip. (Psalm 37:30-31)

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee. (Isaiah 26:3)

Yes, you have set yourself apart unto Me, and I am here with you, and you are here with Me. I love you, My child, and I will always love you. I will ALWAYS love you, and I will never forsake you. I will take you places with Me that you cannot go on your own - places in the Spirit. 

You will never leave Me nor forsake Me, Joan, just as I will never leave you or forsake you. If it should ever happen that people would try to force you to leave Me and reject Me, I will help you at that time to stay true to Me…so don't fear recanting as you know some others have done. Your life is Mine, and My life is yours. We are one. Just say, "Help me, Lord Jesus," and I WILL help you. You are Mine and I won't lose you. Know that you are held in My care and I never lose those who belong to Me truly. And you belong to Me truly. Your heart is Mine. Notice that some who recanted under pressure still remained Mine and returned to Me. I understand the pressure to save your life or the life of a loved one by recanting. I will NEVER leave you or forsake you, Joan. Whatever comes, I will be there with you, and you will KNOW My presence at that moment/time. So do not fear.

Now I want you to go back to that dream you wrote/had yesterday. I am that gold, that tried and tested gold, which you held in your hand. And those you saw near you and called to you to walk with you and help protect you from having Me taken from you (by force) are My angels. They are with you all the time and you can call on them ANY time for My help. When you call on Me, My angels come to help you. So call on Me whenever you feel threatened, and I WILL send you all the help you need to withstand whatever it is you face. You are not alone, and you won't be alone. You have at hand the greatest help possible - Me.

* * *

JOURNAL 10-13-09 Tuesday

A DREAM ABOUT GETTING READY FOR STUDENTS TO ARRIVE

In this dream I was a teacher preparing materials/books for the arrival of my students. I found that I didn't have enough leftover hardback book covers so I wasn't able to yet prepare for all of the students. I didn't know the names of the students or how many would arrive. I knew one thing - they were to read a story before they came back the next day to start classes. When they came, and I started handing out materials, I asked a girl if she would act as my assistant/secretary and write down their names and whether they got materials or needed them.

What does this dream mean? My first impression is that it refers to new Christians who would soon be coming to learn about following Christ. We didn't know how many there would be and needed to take down their names and give them materials. The story they were to read was the story of Jesus and what He did for them.

What do You want me to do about this, Lord?

I want you to ask Me and let Me get you ready for what is coming and what I want you to do when that time arrives.

(I did that)

Ok, I will get you ready. Just listen to Me daily, and follow Me. Remember "follow Me?" That is the important KEY in your life work. Remember a key is a symbol of authority. I have a key that is just right for you - the right amount of authority for what I want you to do. So "follow Me" and I will show you the way and give you the authority you need to accomplish what I want done.

The song going through my head after awakening this morning is a clue from the Lord:

Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
•	Refrain 1:
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!

Open my ears, that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
Everything false will disappear.
•	Refrain 2:
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my ears, illumine me,
Spirit divine!

Open my mouth, and let me bear,
Gladly the warm truth everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare
Love with Thy children thus to share.
•	Refrain 3:
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my heart, illumine me,
Spirit divine!

* * *

Last night before retiring I read in a book by Dutch Sheets and Chuck Pierce about how God gave Dutch Sheets a call on his life and then confirmed it many times. The confirmations often came through being given a key or keys and repeating Isaiah 22:22 or being given the numbers 222, etc. So I had just read from him that those keys stood for the authority God was giving him to intercede for that area of his call.

I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. (Isaiah 22:22 NIV)

* * *

JOURNAL 10-14-09 Wednesday

QUIET TIME NOTES

Too attached to this world – that’s for you - and to tell others.

These were the words that came to me from the Holy Spirit when I got up this morning. Lord, is this word from You?

Yes.

Then please teach me the ways I am too attached to this world so I can gain wisdom from You and repent of my “worldly” ways. Tell me how You want me to change.

Ok, be watching throughout this day for Me to teach you how you are too attached to this world, too “worldly,” and come and write what I show you. I may show you through a book, an idea I impress in your mind, something on TV, etc. Be watching and looking and expecting. I will show you.

* * *

SCRIPTURES FROM MY BLUE BOOK FOR TODAY

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7)

Not of this world, not of this world, but of My Kingdom. My Kingdom IS coming and My will IS being done right now on earth as it is in Heaven. Paul Keith Davis was right that he taught that My “Perusia” Presence is coming to My people, in its fullness, before I take out My Bride in the Rapture. You will experience My “Perusia” Presence, Joan, and so will all three of your children, and so will ALL of your brothers and sisters, and J. I will come upon all of you and send you forth in My Name each day to tell others about Me. This is the fullness that is coming into your lives. Pray for this to come, Joan, now, today pray it.

Didn’t you start praying for this revival back in 1983-4-5 when you heard about it at the Conferences on Prayer for Spiritual Awakening? I heard your prayers then and ever since then, Joan, for My fullness to be poured out upon all My people to revive them and send them out to tell others about Me. Yes, you did. And I have heard every prayer that has ever been prayed for this “end time” fullness/revival to come. My bowl of prayers for that is now full or soon will be full, as many more are now praying for that too. The word is going out through many leaders to pray for this, Joan, so join them now. 

Add my prayers to Your bowl, Lord.

You already have many prayers in this bowl for revival prayers, Joan, and I will now continue to add them – now that you again believe it will surely happen.

* * *

I read John Paul Jackson’s article from June 29, 2009 (about getting rid of bees – the first article in my book How To Live In These Days 2009 July-August) and asked the Lord what fear or fears I had that He wanted to get rid of in me. He said the fear of people – fear they wouldn’t like me, fear they would disagree with me, fear they would confront me, and fear they would harm me. So I asked Him what to do about it, and He said, “Blow on it.” So I blew three times, great breaths of wind. After that He told me that any time I recognized that fear trying to return and affect me, I should just blow on it and it would go away. He and I will both know what the “blowing” means.

* * *

JOURNAL 10-16-09 Friday

Last night Beth and I had a long talk about her decision to go to Israel. I felt I was to be open with her that I really didn’t want her to go, yet I felt God told me she was to go. It seems she really doesn’t want to deal with all the difficulties she faces by going also and, at least last night, preferred not going. But she felt God told her to go and she wanted to be obedient. 

So I am asking You, Lord, is she supposed to go? Did she really hear from You that You want her to go? Why? Why is she supposed to go? Is there any purpose in it? She doesn’t have peace about going, and I don’t have peace about her going? Is this lack of peace a sign from You, the God of our peace, that we need to each seek You again about whether she is to really go?

There is so much difficulty in Israel that the U. S. put out a caution to our citizens about going into the Old Section of Jerusalem. There have been people throwing stones/bricks at people at the wailing wall and near the Temple Mount. Is there someone I should contact about how safe it is to be there in Israel during the two weeks of her tour (Oct. 27-Nov.10)? You are the One I want to contact, Lord. I want to hear from You about whether she should go, and I want you to give Your answer to me and to her too.

You said to 
“Call on me and I will answer and tell you great and unsearchable things which you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3)

And you said, 
“I will instruct you and teach you the way which you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8)

I am calling on You, Lord. Please answer me and instruct me – and Beth.

The Lord told me to go to page 257 in my Bible. I remembered that I am to hide His Word in my heart that I might not sin against Him:
“Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” (Psalm 119:11) 

This is what I read on that page:

Moses said this about the tribes of Zebulun and Issachar: May the people of Zebulun prosper in their travels. May the people of Issachar prosper at home in their tents. (Deuteronomy 33:18 NLT)

My immediate thought was that perhaps the Lord was saying that Beth was to prosper in her travels and I am to prosper at home in my tent. The Lord wanted me to be willing to let her go if that’s what He wants, and willing to let her stay if that’s what He wants, so I told Him I am willing. Then He said:

Now I will tell her what I want HER to do, and you will support her and back her up with your prayers and other support. That is your answer to your questions. Do not be afraid for Israel. I am watching over her.

“He that keepeth Israel, slumbers not nor sleeps” (a song I sang in college voice lessons) came to my mind. Often the Lord gives me songs to instruct me. It seems He is reminding me that Israel belongs to Him, He is watching over Israel, He keeps Israel and He blesses Israel. He will fight against Israel’s enemies and drive them out before Israel. They are His called out people and they belong to Him. They may get some bruises, but they will not be destroyed. God does these same things for His Bride, the Church. The two are to become “one new man” eventually. Perhaps Beth is to be a part of that “becoming.” Is that the reason you are sending her there, Lord?

Yes, she is to be My ambassador to My people Israel. She carries My Word in her and will give it out to the people there, in word and in prayers.

So You do want her to go?

I do want her to go – unless she decides she wants to stay here instead. She may choose, and I will bless her either way she chooses because she belongs to Me. If she goes, support and bless her. If she stays, support and bless her. From now on, don’t be afraid for her, but declare/speak My Word over her – that I will instruct her and teach her the way she should go, that I will counsel her AND watch over her.

She is not being forced to participate in all the activities, but can choose as she has desire and energy. She can take something along with her to read if she wants to rest awhile in the bus while others look. I will talk to her while she is there in Israel. She will somehow hear Me more clearly there. You don’t need to know how I do that, just that I told you I would.

Now, be at peace, My child. I AM with you and I AM with her – no matter what happens.

* * *

JOURNAL 10-17-09 Saturday

SCRIPTURES FROM MY BLUE BOOK

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:9)

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you…" (Jeremiah 29:11-14)

Today as I was reading Deuteronomy 33 I felt verse 12 fit me:

Moses said this about the tribe of Benjamin: "The people of Benjamin are loved by the Lord and live in safety beside him. He surrounds them continuously and preserves them from every harm. (Deut. 33:12)

The idea that came was that each of the 12 tribes represented some part of the Bride of Christ as each of us is unique. And the word over Benjamin fits me the most. I will declare these Scriptures over me and my children.

* * *

JOURNAL 10-18-09 Sunday

A DREAM ABOUT A STUDENT SHOWING A DRAWING OF A STORY

I had a student that turned in a drawing to illustrate a story I had read/told them. The illustration was much too well done for a small child to have done. So I told her parent that it was ok if an adult did the drawing as long as the child told them about the story and what to draw, so I knew the child understood and remembered the story. I told that to the child too. 

This dream refers to those who hear and learn the story of Jesus' life and what He did for them. What is important is that they understand that story and can communicate that to others.

* * *

A DREAM ABOUT TURNING OFF ALL THE LIGHTS BUT ONE

I was trying to close my classroom and turn off the lights, but I couldn’t get one light to turn off. I was searching and trying out switches to try to turn it off.

This seems to refer to the length of my productive time of learning and teaching small groups. That time is winding down (i.e. lights being turned off one at a time), but there is still one more light that is to manifest or show forth to others. Perhaps this is through my writings on the internet, or perhaps something else.

* * *

JOURNAL 10-19-09 Monday

Beth decided not to go to Israel after asking 5 of her friends to pray about it and tell her what they received. The first three of the 5 who talked to her indicated they felt she was not to go. That was enough to convince her it was ok to change her plans, even if it meant losing the money for the trip. She is at peace with her decision and so am I.

Lord, I see that you did "instruct Beth and teach Beth in the way she should go, counsel her and watch over her" using her 3 friends. Thank You for doing that. She seemed to learn a lot from the whole experience and how to confirm what You tell her to do - or what she thinks you tell her to do. Thank You, Lord! One of the friends said she thought Beth was to go, but at some different time - that this was the wrong timing.

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SCRIPTURES FROM MY BLUE BOOK FOR TODAY

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:1-6)

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JOURNAL 10-20-09 Tuesday

A DREAM ABOUT MAKING COPIES OF NECKLACES ON COPY MACHINES

I was in an office area and was using two copy machines to make copies of necklaces. Some had blue stones and some had red stones in the necklaces. The copies came out as real necklaces, not paper.

If the necklaces represent precious people who belong to God, then they probably represent new Christians coming from copying other Christians, imitating their lives, receiving Christ through them. These become God's precious jewels. They have spiritual revelation, God's Spirit, the Word of God, heaven's blessing, communion with God, and the Fear of the Lord. They also have wisdom, redemption, love, passion, anointing, power, the blood of Jesus, and the Spirit of Wisdom. Not everyone came produce these jewels - only someone who is a Christian and belongs to God. Since two copy machines were being used, it may symbolize this process being doubled now.

You have done well, My child. This is a true interpretation. I want you to know the process of making new Christians is now doubled. It is happening quickly. Pray for that. Declare it.

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SCRIPTURES FROM MY BLUE BOOK FOR TODAY

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual worship. (Romans 12:1)

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

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JOURNAL 10-21-09 Wednesday

A DREAM ABOUT DECIDING TO GO HOME

In this dream I was at some retreat area or campground. There were lots of other people around doing various things. The main thing about the dream was at the end when I decided that I didn't want to stay there anymore and that it was time to go "home." I realized I had responsibilities to tend to at home, and someone came to my mind, so I began preparations to go home.

This dream reminded me that my relationship with someone is not what I want it to be, and that I wanted to reach out more to her and try to improve that.

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SCRIPTURES FROM MY BLUE BOOK FOR TODAY

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth, and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11)

And now, My child, wait for Me. Wait for Me. It is good what I want to tell you today, so wait for Me. Use this whole day as a waiting and listening and writing day for and with Me. Begin now.

You are My writer, Joan. I have a lot to say through you. I want to speak and have what I speak written down for others to read at specific times to come soon. You are My listener, Joan. I have trained you for this, and you have responded. Count on it. Trust Me in it. You do it so easily, Joan, and that is the way I have trained you. It was not always easy, but you have persisted until it has become easy. That's good.

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JOURNAL 10-22-09

DREAMS ABOUT TWINS AND FLOWERS

In this dream part there were two sets of twins and all four of these twins had twins themselves - all on the same day. This was so unusual that I remembered it.

In this dream I was standing in front of a flowering bush area ready to cut off flowers from them to give to people as they want them.

This shows multiplication by doubling. It shows birthing and multiplication and quickly doing this from one generation to the next. This may be a symbol of what God is doing now or will soon be doing. I think I am to declare this. He is multiplying new people being born again and that is what I declare now.

Flowers mean fragrance; the fragrance of God; the fading glory of man; an offering; and the glory of God, the Holy people and the land of God - Israel. So this picture seems to symbolize my willingness to give people something that refers to that - as they want it.

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I went to the eye doctor today and had my annual diabetic eye checkup. The report was very good in that my eyes had not gotten worse since last year's checkup and there were no signs of damage from diabetes.  I still have a cataract on my right eye but it has not gotten any worse. The intern who examined me said that on a scale of 1-4, mine was about a 2+. I could get surgery for it or wait, as I wished. I choose to wait, because I believe the Lord is going to heal it soon - probably within the next year. I think He wants to use that healing as a display of His glory when His presence comes and fills His people and many miracles take place to draw people to Him…soon.

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JOURNAL 10-23-09 Friday

A DREAM ABOUT SEEING A RED PURSE WITH COIN SLOTS IN IT

In this dream I was using a copy machine that sent the copy to the Post Office. Then I had to go there and see the item copied - if it copied ok. While there, one lady showed me a red purse she had been given with some money in it. She thought it had $300 in it. The purse had a section with places to put coins (like pennies, dimes, etc.) into right sized containers for each of them. I looked to see what coins would fit in it.

Your purse symbolizes your treasure, heart, personal identity, something precious and valuable. This had $300 in it - which may symbolize the treasure being complete, perfection, a witness, divine fullness, and the Godhead.  It symbolizes God's chosen, God's remnant, the faithful remnant (as was Gideon's army of 300). The purse with places to put more treasure coins, may symbolize that the place where treasure is stored in heaven has room for more. Since the purse was red this symbolizes wisdom, anointing, power, redemption, passion, enthusiasm, zeal, and love. If it has a negative meaning, it refers to anger, war and destruction. It can also refer to suffering, sacrifice, or sin.

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When I awoke the song was going through my head about the Erie Canal - which I learned as a child. The words I remembered were:

Low bridge, everybody down,
Low bridge, for we're coming to a town.
For you always know your neighbor,
You always know your pal,
If you've ever navigated on the Erie Canal.

This may symbolize to watch, be careful, for we're coming to something (bridge) which could hit us in the head (seat of emotions, thinking). It also may symbolize that we will know the people we are in community with (neighbors and pals). Erie Canal can symbolize a place of water which can seem "eerie, strange, or unknown." 

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SCRIPTURES FROM MY BLUE BOOK FOR TODAY

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19)

You ARE a fisher of men, Joan.

I am, Lord?

Yes. Why do you think you give to TBN, and Benny Hinn? Because you are a fisher of men. Why do you think you give to CUM and SA? Because you are a fisher of men. Why do you think you give to CTC? Because you are a fisher of men. Why do you ask Me to change you into what I want you to be? Because you are a fisher of men. You care about Me and the people I want to reach and save. That's why you pray for salvation of others in your prayer bundle so much…because you are a fisher of men. I have MADE you that way, and it is good!

Thank You, Lord. I want to be a fisher of men. Thank You for changing me and making me that way.

I love You so much, Lord. I love You and I praise You. And I seek Your face.

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