THOUGHTS 
And 
STORIES
Book 3

A Devotional Book 
On Discovering The Mysterious
In A Walk Through Life

Regarding listening for, hearing, and obeying
God’s specific directions for Christians 

through Quiet Time journals, 
dreams, 
visions 
and stories

Joan Whitacre Royer

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book to the Lord Jesus Christ,
my best Friend.
May it bring Him glory
in the lives of others as they read it.

SPECIAL THANKS

A special thank you to my daughter, Beth,
for inviting me to stay in her lovely quiet home
during the months of writing this book,
for letting me use her computer and printer,
for putting this book on the internet,
and for being such encouraging company.
Thanks, Beth!

 Introduction
“When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)

That is what I say as I write this devotional book today. I don’t have any persuasive words of my own to offer to you, but I do offer to you a demonstration of the Spirit’s power in these words. If you find any of these words helpful and meaningful in your own life, it will be by a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, for I do not have that power with my own words. I offer you the words the Spirit has given me and pray for them to minister to you also.

These are nuggets for thought and meditation. Read them slowly and allow time for the Holy Spirit to “speak” to you through the ideas written here. He does this for me by putting ‘thoughts’ in my mind as I read. 

I put His words in italics in this book. It’s important to stop and examine those thoughts and see if they are from the Lord for you also.

“The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep.... the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out... his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” (John 10:2-4)

•	Ask the Lord if He wants you to listen to Him.
•	Ask the Lord why He wants you to listen to Him.
•	Ask Him what He wants to say to you today.

You might want to write down those thoughts and ideas in your own journal - similar to what I do in my journal. These will usually be specifically ideas for you, that fit your life, that guide what you think. The Holy Spirit is our guide. 

Remember to “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 life.” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Also remember “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you, and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8) Let Him do that as you read this book and listen to Him!

One day in my Quiet Time the Lord drew my attention to this scripture in Psalm 96:3. "Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples." He impressed me He wanted me to write stories telling about His Marvelous Deeds and put them in a book. You will find some of these stories (in boxes) throughout this book.

			Joan (“Jo Ann”) Whitacre Royer
December, 2004
WRITE THESE THINGS
“Go now, write it on a tablet for them, inscribe it on a scroll, that for the days to come it may be an everlasting witness.” (Isaiah 30:8)
* * * * * * * *

I noted in scripture this morning about how God told Isaiah to write things down. I want to look up other scriptures where He told people to write things down (since He has told me to do that also) and put them here. It is such an encouragement to me to know God spoke to others and told them to write things down to be read by others as a witness.

“Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. (Habakkuk 2:2)

“Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered...” (Exodus 17:14)

“Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you.” (Jeremiah 30:2)

“Take a scroll and write on it all the words I have spoken to you...” (Jeremiah 36:2)

“Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.” (Revelation 1:19)

TALK ABOUT THEM
“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
* * * * * * * *

I especially like this scripture. For many years of my life I have tried to live out this scripture in my home and with my children. I have talked with my children all their lives about God. I have read them stories as children that were scripturally based (i.e. the Books of Narnia by C. S. Lewis). I have tried to live before them my Christian witness about how someone lives their life who believes in God and His written Word. I’m trusting God is using that witness in their lives.

I’m doing that right now. Certainly I am using your witness in their lives as they watch you live before them. 

And now you are living before other people, too, as you write this testimony in your books about Me and about how you live life with Me on a daily basis.

The testimony of a prophet is a witness about Jesus. In that respect you are a prophet witnessing to others about who Jesus is in your life as you write. 

GOD’S SECRET WISDOM
“We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began....’No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.’ but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2:6-7, 9)
* * * * * * * *

I pray for all of you who read this book to receive your own special message of wisdom from the Lord--God’s secret wisdom that He has especially for you as you spend your time with Him in your Secret Place. Your friend, Holy Spirit, will reveal this to you as you listen to Him and seek Him.

THE MAN WITHOUT THE SPIRIT
“The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14)
* * * * * * * *

I pray that you, the reader of this book, are not a man or woman without the Spirit. If you are without the Spirit, this book will not mean much to you. It may seem like foolishness. You may not be able to understand this relationship a person can have with God through the Holy Spirit. 

If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior and Lord, and you would like to, then ask Him to come into your heart right now. Tell Him you want to belong to Him and follow Him all the rest of your life. Ask Him to forgive you for your sins through His life given on the cross for you. Ask the Holy Spirit to come into you and teach you and guide you. Then you can be a man or woman with the Spirit.

GOD’S FIELD
“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” (1 Corinthians 3:9)
* * * * * * * *

Reading this scripture today reminds me of the dream God gave me awhile back in which I saw a large open space in front of me which seemed kind of like an open field ahead. I feel like I am one of “God’s fellow workers” and I am working in “God’s field” by writing these books for Him. This is the focus of my life right now: to listen to Him daily and write what He shows me to write for those in that “large open field” before me. 

I pray for every single person who reads my books to be touched by the Holy Spirit through them. I pray God will bring each of those people to a close meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ. My relationship with Jesus means so much to me. I want this also for everyone who reads my books. Holy Spirit, will You do this?

Yes, I will touch every person who reads your book(s) in some special way. Some will share that with you and some will not. But all will be touched in some way. Some may back away from Me and some may come closer, but all will be affected some way.

A STORY
* * * * * * * *

OUT OF GAS

We were driving along on the bypass highway #495 around Indianapolis, Indiana, on our way to our family reunion north of there. This trip from Columbia, Missouri, took us about 9-10 hours and needed to include one stop for a gas refill for our car. But for some reason, I don’t remember why, we hadn’t yet stopped for gas.

As we drove along I suddenly remembered we needed to stop for gas. I looked at the gas gauge and was horrified to find it on empty! I told Beth, my daughter, that we needed to stop at the very next exit and find a gas station!!!

As we came to the next exit and drove up the ramp, there was not a single gas station in sight, only lots of trees! Not even a town or buildings which might give us a clue. Which way should I turn to get to the closest station? How could I know? I prayed and asked the Lord to guide me in making the right decision.

I turned to the right and soon found a station. As I came near it, I ran completely out of gas, the engine stopped, and the car drifted to within about 10 feet of the gas pump! We got out and pushed the car the rest of the way to the pump, and got the needed gas just in time!

I still think of that event as one of His Marvelous Deeds in my life. He guided me to remember just in time that I needed gas. He guided me to make the correct turn when I couldn’t see physically any reason to choose one way over the other. And He got me close enough to the gas pump that we could push the car there ourselves. (We might have gotten a little help from the gas station attendant!) Wasn’t that marvelous?

When I think about the alternative of being stuck on the highway out of gas (and no cell phones then!) I appreciate all the more what the Lord did to protect us. Thank You, Lord!

“Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; 
you will cry for help and he will say: Here am I....
The Lord will guide you always...” 
(Isaiah 58:9, 11)

A SIGN TO MY PEOPLE
“Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.” (Isaiah 7:11)
* * * * * * * *

This morning during breakfast I saw five doves on the rooftop of the house across the street. They were sitting in a position with one by itself to the left, then two together, then two more together like this:  X       X X      X X.  On the house to the right of that, there was one dove sitting by himself at the right end of the roof. I am writing this down because the Holy Spirit said He would tell me the significance of this after breakfast.

I am teaching you My ways. I give signs to My people if they will cultivate eyes to see My signs. You have known the dove as a sign to you for many years, therefore I use that sign often in your life to show you I am thinking about you, and aware of you, and that shows you My love and caring.

This is the significance of those doves: First of all five means grace, and can also refer to your service or works. So they are a sign that I am pouring out My grace upon your service to Me. The single dove stands for beginning, so this is a sign that the new grace is now beginning.

The separation of the doves in the order you described means: 1, 2, 2. This refers to the beginning (1) of being separated (2) out unto Me, and that separation is double (2, 2) and set, definite, for sure. Doves can also represent peace. Your portion is peace and that peace is My grace gift to you.

REVELATION GIVEN  ABOUT A DREAM
* * * * * * * *

In the dream there was a tiny box to click on like with a computer mouse. It was about 3/8” square, very tiny, and it was on a computer screen. 

Interpretation: Clicking the tiny box is referring to opening up revelatory things, things which can be seen as on a computer screen.

This represents only the beginning of the revelatory to be opened up to you. This “beginning” includes all the visions and dreams you have had so far. Compare the size of the box to the size of a full monitor screen and see how much is yet to come! And it will include your own healing!

I GAVE YOU MY PEACE
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
* * * * * * * *

You've just been through one of the hardest weeks of your life, even though I gave you My peace as you went through. You've taken the test of trusting in Me and believing in faith for what I've promised. It's been hard partly because of all the similar struggle you had back in 1989-1994. 

I've been with you all the way and walked by your side as well as taking your two hands and leading you. Sometimes I've been beside you. Sometimes I've been in front leading you. Sometimes I've been overhead protecting you. All the time I've been with you.

It is now over, and the pathway is open and ready for the provision, the river of provision, to flow through to you. You will see it manifested soon, but it is already starting to come. It is on its way already. It is coming by several channels, not just one. Doors are now open and they won't be shut because I have opened them. (Rev. 3:7)

Now listen some more, My child...

You will continue to write on your second book, (Thoughts and Stories Book 2), and continue to expect an opening for publishing the first book (Thoughts and Stories: On A Life God Leads, Guides, and Protects, book 1). The right publisher will be made known to you soon and you will know this is the right one. Then you can submit your document to them.

I will provide the money to publish this book - and it will be done the way I have decided it will be done. Remember, My child, it is My book too. My honor and My face are being revealed in this book too, you know. It's not your decision to be made alone. You are not alone in this; we are walking together as best friends. 

You will rejoice when this milestone comes and is passed...and you will praise Me to others for My faithfulness. I am the author of this book from beginning to end, even though it has your name on it as the author. It is I in you, the Holy Spirit in you, doing this. That way it will have great anointing, and do all I want it to do in other people's lives, and will go wherever I take it, from person to person and place to place.

DO NOT TURN ASIDE
“So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.”  (Deuteronomy. 5:32-33) 
* * * * * * * *

The scripture above was on my daily scripture calendar recently and it seems to fit me.

I am here: on your right, on your left, above you, around you, everywhere you need Me, I am here.

Today I spent some time “soaking” in the presence of the Lord. He said that he would come close to me so His “outshining” or glory would touch me for healing. At the same time as He healed me He would also impart a gift of healing into me which I would have the authority and anointing to use in healing others. To the degree that He heals me, to that same degree He will impart the gift of healing to me. It will not be total healing all at once because that much gift might corrupt me. He will heal me a little at a time and give me the gift a little at a time.

I believe I am to have “soaking” time now each morning M-F, and I am to write after that time. As good as the church groups and events are, I am primarily here to listen to the Lord, spend time with Him, and write. That comes first.

A TIME AND SEASON FOR EVERYTHING
 “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
* * * * * * * *

I’m wondering if now is the “time” and “season” for publishing my first book (Thoughts And Stories: On A Life God Leads, Guides, and Protects, Book 1) and this scripture is another “sign” from the Lord that this publishing time is near. If it is, He will also bring the money to self-publish it. I have been having times of thinking about how I would distribute the book. But - should I mention anything about the cost, Lord, and how others might contribute to the printing cost if they want?

Your answer is “No.” I do not need help in getting the cost covered. Tell them the book is free for anyone who wants to read it, and that you suggest passing the book along to someone else who also might like to read it when they are finished reading it. If the book blessed them, then they could pass along that blessing to others.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BUILD WITH YOUR LIFE?
“But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.” (1 Corinthians 3:10-13)
* * * * * * * *

There was a time for your father’s life on this earth, and a time for your mother’s life on this earth. Now is the time for your life on this earth. There will come a time when that earth life is over. Where you go and what you do after this earth life is determined by your choices in this earth life. 

It’s your choice. It’s your daily choices. Daily you decide what is first in your life and what is important to you. On the basis of these decisions your next life is decided and determined. I want you to know how important your daily decisions are. They ARE important. Each day’s decisions and actions are built on the previous day’s decisions and actions. They build toward the building in which you live and function.

What do you want to build with your life? Think about it and act daily toward that goal.

THE AWESOME UNIVERSE
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (Psalm 19:1)
* * * * * * * *

We had a film shown in church today, with pictures from the Hubble telescope, of areas in the Universe; it was awesome! To think that the God who created all that, wants to have a personal relationship with me and that He gave His life for me! 

Yes, that was an awesome service this morning with all the focus on Me for the entire time: worship, prayer, Word.

A SCHOOL OF LEARNING
“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)
* * * * * * * *

Today I am to observe a healing team with the idea that sometime I will also be part of such a team. The Holy Spirit said in regard to this:

Just go with the idea that it is a time of learning. Watch and see what I do and how I do it. Learn of Me through these healing teams. You are not expected to “do” anything right now. You will only “do” something when I lead you to, remember? Do not be afraid. 

Just keep treasuring up all these things and pondering them in your heart - and asking Me about what you see and how I want you to understand what you see. This is a school of learning about praying for the sick that I want you to go through. You are not the leader, but are the follower - of them and of Me.

Later after attending a training session: OK, Lord, tell me what I saw there.

You saw people loving the sick one and his family. You saw them give the very best they had to give, which was Me, My Word, and My prayers through them. That’s what they sacrifice their time and efforts to do, to share Me. They are a great blessing to the sick ones. Their caring shows the sick ones they are important to them, and therefore, to Me also. I go with the prayer teams on every one of their visits. And they WILL see results from their prayers!

A DREAM
* * * * * * * *

In a dream I seemed to be driving on the right side of a two-lane highway, then went into the passing lane. I saw a car coming straight toward me and knew I needed to do something to get out of its way. It somehow seems the name John Ritter is in my mind this morning also. I think he is a country singer or actor or both.

•	Driving a car may mean my ministry or person
•	Going into the passing lane may mean going ahead too fast or before it’s the Lord’s timing. Or it may mean stepping out of the usual place/natural place (right lane) into a potentially dangerous place/spiritual place (passing lane where other cars might hit me) 
•	Another car coming towards me may mean I’m heading for a crash with someone else’s person or ministry unless I correct my position and return to the right lane. Or it may mean there is opposition coming against me for stepping into the spiritual realm.
•	The name John Ritter, if it is connected with the dream, may refer to listening to “the Singer” which is the Holy Spirit.

Now do you want to hear what it does mean?

Yes, Lord, I want to hear from You.

I want you to know that I gave you this dream and it shows/means your car (ministry) is going quickly and it is in the proper lane (right lane) which refers to the natural lane, the natural way of doing things. But when you go into the left lane (the spiritual side) you have possible opposition coming against you. Since your ministry right now is writing books for Me and with Me, I want you to realize there is opposition from the enemy who doesn’t want these books published and put forth for others to read. We will battle this opposition together, and these books WILL be published at precisely the right time. Pray for this, as this is My will.	

THOSE WHO HEAR AND OBEY
“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28)
* * * * * * * *

I am with you and I have plans for ALL your writing. Thoughts and Stories (book 1) is just the beginning. There is much more to come. I am only showing you one step at a time, but I have it all planned out for you ahead. It is all good. You will thoroughly enjoy doing it. I love you, My child.

A STORY
* * * * * * * *

PALM SUNDAY TORNADO DAY

It was Palm Sunday and I was visiting my parents’ home in the New Haven, Indiana, area. That afternoon my brother, Jack, and I were outside enjoying the warm spring air where there was a hefty wind blowing. Jack was flying a kite and taking advantage of that wind. We were amazed during that time to notice that the wind changed direction. We could tell because of the kite and where it blew. The sky got darker and darker with storm clouds and the wind blew even harder.

Later that afternoon we became aware there were tornadoes around our area as our electricity went out and the storm became even worse. I found a small battery powered radio that I had given my parents for a gift previously, and we listened to the growing reports of tornadoes touching down throughout Indiana. We sat in the darkening rooms of their house and listened and wondered if our area would be hit too. Because of the electrical blackout, the radio station went on emergency power and continued broadcasting, and we continued our anxious listening.

We were especially concerned about my sister, Joyce, and her family, who lived in Marion, Indiana. We heard reports about 3 tornadoes touching down there. All phone lines in and out were overloaded or out, so we couldn’t call them. The broadcasters told people not to drive there or call there. Power lines were down, etc. so it was not safe.

We kept trying to find out about them and whether their home had been hit by the tornado. Finally Joyce was able to get through to us by phone from a friend’s house in the country near Marion where she and her family had gone after their electricity went out. She explained about the storm hitting their house, with hail and fierce winds, but no tornado. We were very thankful for that! 

The reports were telling about many many tornadoes hitting all around Indiana! Something like twenty-seven tornadoes altogether! I later learned that one of my college classmates was killed as she was in her car when a tornado hit.

For three days we were without electrical power. But God had provided for me by having me at my parents’ home during that time where my dad had an old wood burning stove in his workshop. We could heat food on that even though our electric stove in the house wouldn’t work 

I look back on that event as one of His Marvelous Deeds when God took care of me and my loved ones. In my mind it still remains the Palm Sunday tornado day.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
(Isaiah 43:1-3) 

ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN
“Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
* * * * * * * *

Yesterday I listened to part of “Praise The Lord” show on TBN. One speaker said something to this effect: “We don’t create something with our prayers. We call down to earth what is already in heaven.”

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights...”  (James 1:17)

If you think you have a disease, then just ask Me to heal it. I have ALL your healing needs already met in heaven, and you can call it down to earth. I am teaching you that, and I will keep teaching you how to do that.

I want to learn that, Lord. I want to learn from you how to call down to earth the things You have already for us in heaven. Then I can be of help to others who are sick and need your healing from heaven.

This is the month of contending. I want you to know that I DO love you, that I am in the process of bringing your provision to you, and that it won’t be much longer. I know it has been 21 days that you have been contending and expecting and waiting for it.

STAND FIRM
“Stand firm then...” (Ephesians 6:14)
* * * * * * * *

We went to the LIFE group last night. We won’t meet next week due to the Living Under an Open Heaven conference in Grandview Th-Sat with Paul Keith Davis, Bobby Connor, Bob Jones, John Paul Jackson, and Shawn Bolz - wow! That ought to be good. I can imagine much being imparted to us during that conference. 

I have great plans for you from this conference. That’s why there is such a financial strain to try to keep you from going. But GO!

Center in, center in, center in on Me....I want you to center in so I can speak to you. I love you, and I am pouring out My love on you. My love isn’t expressed in the way you expect it. You expect it to come with blessings, provision, visions, wonders, miracles, etc. 

I am blessing you by teaching you to stand firm in the midst of difficulty, stand firm when the provision is delayed beyond what is comfortable for you...stand firm, and wait for Me, trusting in Me, even though you don’t understand what I am doing. Trust Me, My child, trust Me always. I AM doing good things for you. You just don’t see them yet. You will eventually. They will come. They are already here, beside Me, here in heaven. I am holding them in store for you, and will release them soon. Wait for Me in trust and worship and praise and thanksgiving.

Praise, wait, worship, trust, give thanks. That’s the way I want you to stand.

TWELVE SPRINGS AND SEVENTY PALM TREES
“Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.” (Exodus 15:27)
* * * * * * * *

Interesting, interesting, interesting! The Pastor spoke today at church on how our provision, healing, etc. is up in the third heaven, and how we need to persevere in calling it down to earth. He mentioned the Lord’s prayer, and he mentioned Daniel praying and fasting for 21 days before there was a breakthrough from heaven to bring him the revelation he was asking for. It surely fit with what the Lord has been teaching me this month...to pray and not give up, to declare that the kingdom of God come on earth as it is in heaven, etc. And it is all based on our covenant with God and Jesus. (Luke 22:20)

The pastor made reference to the time the Israelites needed water and the water they came to was bitter. Then Moses cried out to the Lord and was told about a piece of wood. Moses threw it into the water and the water became sweet.

I like the part where they came to Elim where they had 12 springs and 70 palm trees--provision for their needs. They went through a lot before they got there. But they eventually did get to a wonderful provision at Elim.

HE TESTED THEM
“There the Lord made a decree and a law for them, and there he tested them. He said, ‘If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.’ Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.” (Exodus 15:25-27)
* * * * * * * *

In the footnote to this section in my Scofield Bible it says: “Israel came to this bitter water while walking the very path of the Lord’s leading, thus indicating that difficult experiences for God’s people are educative rather than punitive. The piece of wood which healed the water should remind the Christian that the cross of Christ can take all the bitterness out of all such experiences. Observe that after trial which is accepted as the Father’s will, blessing and growth will follow...(see v. 27)” 2

The Lord put in my thoughts to look up this story about the twelve springs and seventy palm trees when they were mentioned at church today. I believe that is a Scripture to show me that, as the Israelites were tested for educative purposes, I am being tested for educative purposes also...that He is making the bitter water sweet for me by His covenant with me, and that eventually I will be at the place of the 12 springs and 70 palm trees.

Thank You, Lord. I believe this is what you want me to learn today:

1.	To keep persevering in prayer until the breakthrough comes
2.	That you are educating me through this process, not punishing me
3.	That eventually I will reach my place of Elim where I will be united with You more and be able to rest in You more fully.

The Lord spoke into my spirit this morning during worship that I am to just keep “seeking first His kingdom,” His presence, and “all these things will be added unto me.” He said if I truly seek Him and come into His presence, then He will act and do what it takes to bring in to me the provision I need. He will speak to others as needed. I don’t have to speak to others or tell them of my need. He will do that for me.

KEEP RESTING IN ME
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
* * * * * * * *

Yes, My child, you are right with Me this morning, and we are walking in the pathway where I am leading you. I am holding your hands today as you envision. You are clean before me, pure in heart, and you will see God, see Me, this day as you look for Me and seek Me. Yes, your time is near for the publication of your first book. You have been tested and tried and found ready. You have passed the test! You will see it begin to happen soon.

Yes, I told you yesterday that you are to rest in Me, and I will talk to others as I want to, and bring about your publishing and provision. It’s My job to do that. It’s your job to keep resting in Me.

GAZE UPON ME
“One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4)
* * * * * * * *

Good morning, Lord! I love you!

And I love you, My child, My loved one. Know this--that I will always love you.

Thank you for another day of life, Lord. You are my life.

Now I want you to just sit and wait on Me, center in on Me, focus on Me right now. Gaze upon Me.

SCRIPTURES ON PROVISION
“If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.” (Exodus 33:13)
* * * * * * * *

The Lord guided me to look up, write out, pray, and proclaim Scriptures on provision. These are the ones I wrote:

“‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.’” (Malachi 3:10)

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” (Psalm 84:11)

“A good man obtains favor from the Lord.” (Proverbs 12:2)

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.” (Psalm 23:1, 5, 6)

“Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.” (Psalm 34:9)

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt. 6:33)

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:19)

“For the Lord has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling...I will bless her with abundant provisions.” (Psalm 132:13, 15)

“Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 124:8)

“”Because he loves me,’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.’” (Psalm 91:14-15)

“He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” (Psalm 1:3)

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

“What you decide on will be done, and light will shine on your ways.” (Job 22:28) 

“Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee; and the light shall shine upon thy ways.” (Job 22:28 KJV)

“The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands.” (Deuteronomy 28:12)

DECREE A THING
“Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.” (Job 22:28 KJV)
* * * * * * * *

I spoke the scriptures listed above and declared them.

I hear your declarations, and I say yes to you. Yes to every declaration you made according to My Word. My Word has life, and that life is going forth on your declarations to bring about what you declared.

I am with you. I will be with you this day and throughout this conference. I will teach you and impart to you all that is in My heart for you. You will be a different person after this conference, and areas that were before closed will be open for you. What I open no one can shut.

I am taking you slowly, and at My pace, to bring you into the fullness I have for you because I know how much you can contain without being spoiled, ruined, by having so much. I know what’s best for you, and I do it.

I will go with you to the conference and teach you all the good things I now have for you. You just watch to see where I am working and join Me. I will guide you. Ask Me if you have any questions about what you are to receive prayer for or imparting for.

A DREAM 
* * * * * * * *

The grass died due to lack of watering. I was growing flowers of various kinds in different places. Someone came and asked to see my newest flower. I showed them this purple flower which was just starting to bloom.

(Grass refers to the flesh. Flowers refer to glory, romance or gift. Purple refers to royal, rule, noble or majestic)

The old flesh has been allowed to die. The new flowers of glory are now blooming and are royal, majestic. I sent my messenger, angel, to inquire about your newest flower (glory) and it was noble and majestic. It was beautiful. It refers to your book you are now working on and telling you how I see it.

Even if you never see it published, it is still noble, and it is a gift of romance from Me. I am romancing you as I write with you. I am drawing you closer to Myself. This is good. 

But it will be published at the right time - My time. You just hold yourself ready and keep watching for the “right time” as I reveal it. It will not necessarily be the time you think would be good, but it will be the time I think it will be good. 

I know the whole plan, the whole picture, and I place each piece in the picture at the right time. You just keep going and looking to Me, and following Me. Your piece of the picture will come forth and be placed in the picture at just the right time. Trust Me on this.

Your purpose is not to push for it to be published, assuming failure if it isn’t. No, that is My job - to publish the book if and when I want to.

When I led you to come here in April, it took until July for all to be prepared for your moving. The book was written in August-September, but it may take awhile for all to be ready for its publication. Let Me be in charge of that. You just relax, and enjoy Me, and spend time with Me, letting Me romance you, like that newest flower.

A STORY
* * * * * * * *

HE PROVIDED FOR US

This story happened during my college days. You know, back then (1955) many college students didn’t have much money, but had lots of adventuresome spirit. That’s the way we were as six of us students began the return trip from a youth conference in Virginia back to college in central Indiana. But, we wanted to take the long way home and see some tourist sights on the way! Hmmm! Maybe not such a good idea, but we set out in J’s car toward Washington D.C. to see the White House and other famous sights by night. 

After driving all night, the next day we got to New York City and were tourists there as long as we could be. While we were having fun, our car caused us trouble and we had to get repairs there...something like a water pump going out and needing to be replaced. Then we set out on the long trip home by turnpike from New York to Indiana. It was a cold winter day and the gas line froze up on our car along the turnpike. That delayed us even further, but we were helped by a policeman driving by.

That evening, about 40 miles from the college, we stopped by my parents’ home and were treated to a great meal by my mom. During the meal we counted what money we had left, and discovered we had $.96 among all six of us! That’s how close we came to running out of money! This was a time before credit cards, so we didn’t have that option. My parents gave us enough money to make it back to college.

Even with the risky and sometimes foolish ways of young people, we were sustained by the Lord and He provided for us. This was another of His Marvelous Deeds in my life.

“And my God will meet all your needs 
according to his glorious riches 
in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:19)

JUST TESTING YOU
* * * * * * * *

Have You changed Your mind about self-publishing the book and giving them away?

Not changed My mind, just testing you to see if it was ok to not make any money from the book, and to be willing to distribute it just as I directed. Now, be open to the possibility of publishing it along with marketing and sales for which you receive a portion. I’m not saying that is exactly what I will do, but be open to that if I lead that way. Whatever comes, pray and seek Me until you have absolute peace about it.

You are a prophetic writer for Me. I will teach you, and you will share what I teach you with others. This is the day of new beginnings. This is the time of fulfillment of your destiny and legacy. Remember, whenever you begin to get discouraged, put on praise music and sing to Me.

JUDGING OTHERS
“Who are you to judge your neighbor?” (James 4:12)
* * * * * * * *

An idea to remember from the talk at Women’s Bible Study last Thursday: If you judge someone you hold them in the place of that judgment. You should forgive them and ask God to forgive you for judging them. Also break every judgment others make on you.

DIVINE DESTINY
“This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.” (Luke 2:34)
* * * * * * * *

Meaningful quotes from Books Of Destiny by Paul Keith Davis3 on divine destiny:

•	“In the aspirations of Heaven, timing is everything. The Father has appointed moments for divine destiny to be fulfilled.
•	“Our Father is determined to find vessels to use in profound and historic ways to glorify His Son. These vessels will be children of destiny who perform the prophetic mandates of a chosen generation.
•	“Specific appointments with destiny have been determined and reserved by the Father; these moments are established by God’s choice and authority.
•	“Almighty God selects and appoints specific times to render justice on the earth. It is by His design that His wondrous acts are performed through vessels of His choice. God humbles one and exalts another.
•	“People are apprehended by the Holy Spirit to fulfill their purpose and destiny by God.... Seeds of destiny are watered by the Spirit and produce a consecrated existence and fruitfulness.
•	“We need to understand that accomplishing our destiny is not automatic. Decisions and choices must be made; we must be conformed to the plan of Heaven to be led into authority and productivity. We must master valuable lessons to cooperate quickly and easily with Heaven. Once we have learned to be disciples, our diligent prayer should be to remain fully focused on God’s objectives and principles. 

THE SOLD-OUT ONES
“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)
* * * * * * * *

Meaningful quotes from Books Of Destiny by Paul Keith Davis3 on the sold-out ones:

•	“Today, the eyes of the Lord are roving to and fro throughout the earth to find hearts that are completely His. When these sold-out ones are found, Heaven’s full support will be placed behind them.
•	“Throughout history one common denominator has been apparent in the Lord’s choices for leadership. He chooses the common and ordinary in order to confound the wise.
•	“Commissions are being granted for ordinary people to live in the reality of a tangible and meaningful relationship with an awesome God. Their conviction will be a defining quality of His end-time army. Invitations and opportunities are being extended in this kairos moment of time.
•	“Presently we are at the threshold of a “fullness of time” juncture in Church history. A door stands open before us, and a Voice calls us to higher, heavenly realms. God invites us to understand experientially the unfolding of heavenly blueprints and to apprehend spiritual mysteries that have been hidden until now. These secrets of God and mysteries of His Kingdom are hidden in the depths of Christ.

(Paul Keith said at the conference on Saturday that it is NOW the “fullness of time”.)

This is your time, Joan, the time of the harvest of your destiny. Take it and cling to it. Don’t let anyone or anything stop you from fulfilling your destiny. I have grown that destiny seed in you until this time and for the purpose I have called you to. It is NOW. It is being fulfilled right now. Do not let it go. I started this and I will finish it. Just trust Me in this and wait for Me to fulfill it. Books, that is what I want you to write for Me. I will tell you what to put in those books and you write them for Me. OK?

Yes, Lord!

You have My favor and I will take care of all your needs. Do not despair, and do not give up when it is tough. I will refresh you when needed, and I will strengthen you all along the way. I have called you to this journey/walk and you have said yes. We will do this together!

PRESENT YOUR CASE TO GOD
“Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.” (Job 22:28 KJV)
* * * * * * * *

I’m now reading Todd Bentley’s email teaching on Apostolic Decrees of Justice, about the heavenly court, about how God has given us power through the prophetic decree, and how the angels heed the voice of our word in bringing about God’s divine judgment and justice.

You see, first I had to teach you to quit praying words out of your soul, and listen to and speak ONLY what I show you. Then I could teach you about heavenly decrees that you can speak and they will bring about judgment and cause justice to rule. 

I didn’t want you to speak your words carelessly, but only My words which I give you, because words are important, active, alive, and bring about results. This is the way you contend (not strive): You listen to what I tell you to pray and you pray it in My name.

In Todd Bentley’s article:

•	“Before we begin to approach the heavenly courts, I want you to think about every case that you have right now, every area of your life that you are waiting for a breakthrough. It could be that the devil is keeping you from receiving your inheritance and stepping into your destiny. Or your difficulty might be concerning your health; he is bringing sickness and disease by stealing, killing, and destroying. Any area of your life, right now, where you know there is injustice and you’ve tried to battle it through, yourself--think about your case....You need God to plead your cause.

•	“The Old Testament Church was entrusted by God to bring about judgments in their own courts in five matters: life, death, destiny, kingship, or inheritance. Now, if you can think of any area of your life right now that you are not living in the fullness of the promise and word of God in these five areas, you have a right today to ascend the courts of heaven and petition the Ancient of Days to come and pronounce judgment in your favor.

•	“There are situations that receive supernatural intervention by God, when events are out of our hands, because a higher court system has come into place!

•	“God is inviting you to approach His throne to present your case right now. We can petition God together for His judgment and make apostolic declarations and decrees. Remind God of the prophetic promises you received and then name each injustice.

A STORY
* * * * * * * *

WRONG TURN!

It was January of 1986 and I received word that my father had died. I was driving from Columbia, Missouri, to New Haven, Indiana, where the funeral would be held. This would be a drive of about nine hours and I would be driving by myself. There must have been road construction or some reason why I took a different highway than usual this time, but I took I-70 that went through St. Louis rather than the bypass highway. I was not familiar with this part of I-70 and was trying to be careful. 

Suddenly I noticed a long long line of cars to my right on an off-ramp from the main highway. I wondered why there was such a long line there. Then I became aware that the off-ramp led to the continuation of I-70 and I had just missed my exit that would lead me to it. Just that quickly, I was now on the wrong road going through the middle of St. Louis! Since I was not used to driving this section of I-70, this caught me by surprise. 

I thought I would just take the next exit, turn around and head back to where I-70 made that turn, and get back on it. Simple, right? Well, it didn’t turn out to be simple. When I exited at the next opportunity there was no way to turn around and get back on the same highway to return to the I-70 exit I had missed. I suddenly found myself in the streets of St. Louis with no way back on to the highway - and not in a part of that city that was very inviting. I drove around trying to find some way to get back on my highway. 

It was scary driving by myself in a unfamiliar town and in that particular part of it that looked dangerous to me. I drove around and around looking for help to get directions, but I didn’t want to stop anywhere that I saw. Finally I found a church, felt safe enough there, and stopped to get directions back to I-70. After getting them I was able to find my way back there and continue on my trip to Indiana. 

I was jarred by the experience! How could I so suddenly and quickly get lost in a huge city and be in a situation where I didn’t want to stop my car and ask directions from anyone around there. Then I found that church and felt safe. I was very thankful God can lead us to places of safety even in the midst of dangerous situations. Even when we make a wrong turn, He can guide us in the midst of it to find the right way back. I consider this guidance that day as another of His Marvelous Deeds which I want to tell others about.

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; 
I will turn the darkness into light before them
and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.
(Isaiah 42:16)

FAVOR AND LOVE
“A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
* * * * * * * *

Today I went to Women’s Bible Study group. The teaching was on favor and love.

Pastor Carol taught on love. Wow! What an excellent and meaningful teaching! I wish I could have a tape of what she said and play it over and over. As much as I can remember, I will write here. 

When we have difficulties, these are the areas that are often hurt or vulnerable:
1. Our identity
2. Our self worth
3. Our security 

Gifts are given by God, but the fruit are cultivated in our lives - often when difficult circumstances come up. The greatest fruit is love. We need to continually cultivate it. When we are born again we receive a seed of the fruit, but that must grow over time through the experiences we deal with. 

Love produces faith in us. Faith is a connector to God. The opposite of love is selfishness. Selfishness produces fear. Fear is a connector to the devil.

To cultivate love for others, we must first cultivate love in a relationship with the Lord. Love determines access to revelation. We bond with God by experiencing Him. Matt. 22:37; Matt. 7:21-23; Daniel 11:32

We bond with each other by experiencing each other and getting to know each other. These relationships come out of our primary relationship with God.

How can I tell if love is growing? What are the gauges to know?
1.	My fear level. 1 John 4:18 tells us love casts out fear. As I cultivate love, it will cast out fear.
2.	Love conquers
3.	Love gives
4.	Copy God: develop vision of the Father, what He does, how He views situations
5.	Do I see God in what I do?

In John 5:17 Jesus did what He saw the Father doing. We need to ask ourselves in a situation that comes up: “What’s the Father doing in this relationship/situation?” Then I can try to fit in with and copy what I see the Father doing.

Matthew 14:1-13 Jesus just heard about the beheading of John the Baptist, His cousin, the one who prepared the way for Him. What did He do? He went apart by himself to cultivate love with the Father, to gain sight of the Father.
1.	He cultivated sight of the Father
2.	Then He had compassion on others
3.	Then signs and wonders came about

So how do I cultivate love?
1.	Get in relationship with the Father
2.	Set myself apart to gain sight of the Father for situations
3.	Pray in the Spirit: Jude 20-21; Romans 5:5. The Holy Spirit gives us this love

KEEP WATCH OVER YOURSELVES
“So watch yourselves. Be careful. Take heed to yourselves. Consider carefully. Keep watch over yourselves” (Ex 19:12; Deut. 4:23; 11:16, Jer. 17:21; Luke 17:3; 21:34; Acts 5:35; 20:28)
* * * * * * * *

The Lord used Bob Sorge in his wonderful book Secrets of the Secret Place1 to teach me this lesson this morning about being careful to look for and repent of iniquities regularly:

“This taking heed to oneself is a primary function of the secret place. Prayer is the constant calibration of the soul. It is a lifestyle of stopping and taking candid spiritual inventory. This is not spiritual paranoia, but rather the exercise of one who has a healthy fear of God and a sublime desire for glorious heights of intimacy with God. The devout is constantly testing himself for spiritual fervor, alertness, faithfulness, purity, love, obedience, growth in grace, etc…I want nothing of my self-life to hinder my relationship with Him or His purposes for us together...The only way to move forward in God is through repentance.

“I am talking about repenting from our iniquities. Iniquities are the hidden faults that we don’t see...Iniquities are wrapped up in much more subtle areas of sinfulness, such as pride, rebellion, unbelief, envy, selfishness, ambition, and covetousness. We all have hidden pockets of iniquity, and we need God’s help to see them. You can’t repent of something you don’t see, so God will help you to see them.

“As you are in the secret place and meditating in the word, God will use the fire of circumstances mixed with the fire of His word to reveal your hidden faults to you.  

“Repentance becomes the opportunity to turn from things that have been hindering love, and as such, repentance becomes the catalyst for greater and more profound intimacy than we’ve known to this point with God. When we repent quickly of those things God’s Word is revealing, we experience the pleasure of the Father in a palpable way... As we repent of the iniquities that the fire surfaces, we are actually buying gold in the fire (Revelation 3:18). A consistent pattern of rapid repentance will cause us to become a vessel of gold or silver, useful to the Master for noble purposes. (1 Timothy 2:19-21)” 1  

That’s what I want to do right now, Lord, I want to repent of my iniquities. I didn’t know what iniquities really meant. Now this book tells me, and I want to repent of my iniquities so I can come closer to You, Lord, and get rid of things which might be keeping us from being close. I want to repent of things that might be hindering love of You and love of others. Shine Your light into my soul and show me the things (iniquities) I need to repent of. I want to be clean before You and free from hindrances. 

Every time you feel a “hardness or rigidness” come up within you, stop and seek Me for what it is. It is really self-centered thinking and actions. Since I want you Christ-centered, rather than self-centered, I show you a sign, a clue, that something is amiss. When you see or feel that sign, stop and ask Me what to do. Yes, you were tired yesterday and it affected your relationship. Tiredness often brings out situations where self-centeredness shows up.

This is another lesson in the circumstances of life. That’s why You put us here on earth: so we could learn, in the circumstances of life, valuable lessons in character so we can grow to be more like You, Jesus.

GOD’S WILL FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH
“Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9 KJV)
* * * * * * * *

Yesterday at church the sermon was about “Bringing God’s will from heaven to earth.”

These are the steps Pastor taught us:

Pray  
“Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt. 6:9)

Remind God of His Word  
“Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence.” (Isaiah 43:26)

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”  (Ephesians 1:17-18)

Moses pleads before God to spare His people (Exodus 32:9-14)

Remind God: “God, You said this. You cannot change.”

Persistence   
Story of the widow and the judge (Luke 18:1ff)

Pray the promises God spoke to me.
We are co-laborers with Christ. Get on my face before God.

“Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place: He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob.”  (Psalm 24:3ff)

“I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience.”  (1 Tim. 1:18)

A DREAM
* * * * * * * *

1. In a dream last night I saw two rabbits were eating the rhubarb in Mom’s garden. I saw the bites taken out of the stalks of rhubarb. Then each rabbit pulled the whole plant out of the ground and left it lying there. The plant had a big bulb as a root. The rabbits left.

2. I was trying to describe and draw a picture of two different things the man could put up by the rhubarb to scare the rabbits away:
	1) A wooden doll painted on wood, cut out, staked there to look like a person
	2) Two aluminum pie pans with metal wire through the middle, staked there to rattle

1. There’s going to be an increase, a fast growth, and multiplication in judging, discerning the fruit of others in the Church. This will include eating, chewing on, meditating on the fruit of others (and myself) and exposing the root attitudes that were hidden.

2. I will try to work with others to offer suggestions on helping deal with those roots/attitudes 

Now, about the dream interpretation: You did see the picture of the rabbits eating rhubarb through a window, and it does show you a revelation I want you to see and understand. You are being separated out for a ministry of displaying fruit and pulling up fruit (could be good or bad fruit) to display the roots (attitudes) out of which they are growing - attitudes which were hidden underground but are now being exposed by your increasing ministry to others. 
You come into a situation, discern the fruit, expose the root attitudes, then leave. 

BLESS THE LORD
“Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:1-5 RSV)
* * * * * * * *

Last night as L. read the words: “Bless the Lord,” the Holy Spirit spoke to me that I bless the Lord by loving the people He wants to love. It meant to me that, as I love others He wants to love, I am blessing Him...that I am doing His work, work for Him. And that blesses Him.

Wouldn’t it bless you if you wanted to do something, and someone else did it for you, in your name, for your honor and glory?

Yes. Lord, am I in the wrong ministry.

Maybe, but this was a place to start. You have learned from it, and the experience may help you find an even better place for you - counseling. Didn’t I mention Christian Education and Counseling to you many years ago? Now it’s time to harvest that destiny plan for you - in Christian Education and Counseling. Wasn’t that what the book (Thoughts and Stories: On A Life God Leads, Guides, and Protects, book 1) was about?

Then where do I do ministry here?

Keep growing and letting me guide you. I will get you there. For right now stay in this ministry and I will continue to teach you there. You will learn a lot through them. I still have a lot to teach you and you can share these teachings step by step with your readers, and they will receive teaching and counsel through what I show you, and you, in turn, write for them to read.

HIS PERFECT TIMING
* * * * * * * *

The Lord tells me today that I don’t need to worry about when my books will be published. He has a perfect timing when that will happen. He might even have me write all the books He has said He wants me to write before He publishes any of them. I am to keep writing and following Him, and praying for the books to be published at the right time, and praying for the people who will read those books. 	

Those prayers are going up before Him and being kept in golden vials until the right time for them to be opened and answered. (As Perry Stone taught this week on MannaFest about the incense going up before God and kept in containers there until the time the Lord chooses to answer them) 

The Holy Spirit reminded me of those Dead Sea scrolls that were written thousands of years ago, yet they were “opened” at the right time and brought great blessing and understanding to those who read them. 

He also said He might have a different way of publishing them than what I have pictured, and He might distribute them through bookstores instead of my giving them away. I have been obedient to the picture He has given me, and He may also follow through with that plan (of giving them away and self-publishing). I am to just keep listening to Him, following Him, and daily walk the way He leads me.

It is not quite time to publish them yet. They are not needed yet in the way I expect them to be needed when it is time to publish them. That’s why, if you publish them now, it will need to be self-publishing. But, at the right time, there will be a publisher who will WANT to publish all your books and put them out for others to read who, at that time, find they are just what they need to read. 

So save them up for my perfect publishing time, whether it’s during your lifetime on this earth or not. Put them in the blue notebooks and label them. Also keep them on computer diskettes and on your computer and Beth’s computer. They will be found or discovered at the right moment, whether by you or by others.

A STORY
* * * * * * * *

SNOWSTORM

Oh, how I remember that blizzard! It was a wild snowy blizzard, that’s for sure! One of the worst I ever drove in, in all of my life! And I was not a very experienced driver at that time-- especially in snow. I was coming home along U. S. Hwy 30 near New Haven, Indiana, that blowy, snowy, blizzardy day, and trying my best to see the road ahead of me. It was one of those times you might call a “white out” because I could not see where I was going! I really could not! I could not see the side of the road or the center of the road! Oh, my, what was I going to do! I couldn’t see even to know where to pull off the road to stop!

Well, that got taken care of for me. Before I knew what happened I slid off into a ditch and the car got stuck there. Since I couldn’t get the car to go out of that ditch, I got out of the car and started walking toward home. Praise God, I wasn’t very far from my home, only about a quarter mile!

When I got home my father and brothers walked back to where I had left my car and soon returned with it. I don’t know how they got it out of the ditch in that storm, but they did! I imagine with lots of pushing the car and spinning wheels.

I’ve never forgotten that snowstorm when I couldn’t see to drive. I look back at that event as one of His Marvelous Deeds when I think about other possibilities that might have happened. For instance, I might have run head on into another car going in the opposite direction who couldn’t see me or the road either. I could have slid off the road much much farther from home and had longer to walk in the storm. But I now realize how much God was looking out for me that snowy day. Thank You, God!

“For I am the Lord, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand and says to you,
Do not fear; I will help you.”
(Isaiah 41:13)

A COVENANT
“Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you...” (Exodus 34:27)
* * * * * * * *

You do not have to go forward or ask for healing prayer any more. I have heard all the prayers that have been sent up to Me, and I have heard all of your prayers for healing of yourself. I will answer all those prayers at precisely the right time. It is the same with Beth’s healing prayers. I have heard all those prayers too...and I will answer all those prayers at precisely the right time. I am the God who heals you--Jehovah Rophe. The healing time is soon, it is soon. Do not be afraid of it, but expect it.

Yes, maybe I had Moses write down things when he went out to that “tent of meeting” just like I have you write down things when I speak to you.  I do not speak to you ‘face to face’ as I did with Moses because you have Me, My Spirit, inside you and I can speak to you through My Spirit into your spirit.

I heard your cry for justice, and I say ‘yes’ to your cry. I WILL restore to you the body health that has been stolen from you by the enemy. I WILL restore to you the financial provision stolen from you by the enemy. I WILL restore to you the energy and joy and enthusiasm stolen from you by the enemy and you will be like a little child or young girl again in how you feel physically and mentally (without the heaviness on you of all the trauma you have endured in your lifetime).

KEPT SAFE
“For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.” (Psalm 27:5)
* * * * * * * *

Bob Sorge says in his book, Secrets Of The Secret Place: 1

“He (David) discovered the secret place to be a shelter from the swirl of emotions and troubles that constantly bombarded his soul. Here he could vent his anxious thoughts; here he could be renewed in God’s love as he gazed on His beauty; here he could be quieted by the assurances of His heavenly Father’s protection; here he was healed from the wounds of man’s rejection; here he regained strength for the journey; here he was safe. The secret place is like the eye of a storm. While all is storming about us, we find an inner sanctuary of rest and peace. There’s something of a paradox here because we are experiencing both storm and peace simultaneously.”

“While the place of prayer is a place of immunity, it is also one of Satan’s favorite places to attack the devout...The assurance to the believer, however, is that when he is attacked in the place of prayer the Father is exercising sovereign jurisdiction over the entire affair. Nothing can happen to you in the secret place that He doesn’t specifically allow for His higher purposes. You are totally immune from anything outside His will.”

INTIMACY PRECEDES INSIGHT
“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.” (Hebrews 20:22)
* * * * * * * *

In Secrets of the Secret Place, 1 Bob Sorge says:

“Intimacy precedes insight. Passion precedes purpose. First comes the secret place, then comes divine guidance. God doesn’t simply want to get you on the right path, He wants to enjoy you throughout the journey.

“God’s primary desire for your life is not that you discover His will and walk in it; His primary desire is that you draw near to Him and come to know Him...And then He desires that from that knowing relationship there comes a tender walking together in His purposes.

“Pursuing a knowing relationship with God in the secret place is not only the smartest thing you’ll ever do, it’s also one of the greatest keys to discovering your highest destiny in God.” 

I am with you, and I love you. Yes, I gave My life so that we could have this intimate relationship and communicate with each other all the time, as we do. I wanted it for you, and I wanted it for Me. You can know how important this relationship is to Me by looking at what I paid for it...My life.

NO PLAN B
* * * * * * * *

(Bob Sorge says:) “One of the greatest secrets to intimacy with God is to come to Him as your only source of help and hope. ‘Lord, in this situation I have no Plan B--no other options to default to if You don’t come through. You are the only one who can help me!’ He loves it when you look to Him alone for deliverance. And the inverse is also true: His jealousy is kindled when we entertain other saviors.” 1

I can see now that I had been keeping a plan B that if the Lord didn’t come through with provision, I could get a job as a church secretary or something. I did have a plan B. He said “no job” to me, so that was taken away--so I really have no plan B. And I believe that is what He wants--no plan B. Am I right, Lord?

Yes, you are right. I am your sole provider, even though I am using Beth to help ease your way in this plan I have. You see, it is just as important for her to have you here, as for you to have her here to help you have a home to live in - even if only temporary. It would have been much more difficult, if not impossible in your eyes, to move to Lee’s Summit without her here.

WHAT A SURPRISE!
“Even while you sleep among the campfires, the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver, its feathers with shining gold.”  (Psalm 68:13)
* * * * * * * *

Wow! What a surprise! I read in Paul Keith Davis’ Books of Destiny3 about his being taken to a library room of Heaven in early 2003. It was an ancient room with many shelves of parchments and books. Intuitively he knew they were books of strategy for the generations. His attention was drawn to a parchment nailed to a wooden post. It was about 6 inches long and 3 inches wide. There were three scriptures on it: Psalm 68, Jude, and 1 Kings 3. He knew they specifically related to the calling of the bride in our generation and provided strategy for the release of Heaven and the fulfillment of our bridal mandate. 

This is what he wrote about Psalm 68: “Psalm 68 is prophetically descriptive of the bridal calling. She will be like the wings of a dove covered with silver and its pinions with glistening gold (verse 13). This portrays the manifest presence of Christ in the revelation of His Kingdom.”  

The reason this surprised me so much is that twice in my journals recently I have come upon this verse and pondered what it might mean. I wrote about these two times in  Thoughts and Stories, Book 2.5  This is what I wrote there the first time:

1) A puzzling Scripture I read this morning. I wonder what it means. I wonder how it pertains to me. It is Psalm 68:13... I asked the Lord to help me understand it.
	
And what does My dove represent?

It represents You, Holy Spirit.

Now read it again. “The wings of my dove (Me) are sheathed with silver, its feathers with gold.”  I am covered with silver and gold. I bring silver and gold with Me when I come to you - even while you sleep. When you sleep, then you are not aware of what I am doing, but it is being done while you are unaware. That is My message to you today. That is why that scripture passage intrigued you so. I wanted you to stop and ponder it so I could use it to bring you this message: I am bringing silver and gold to you even while you are unaware of it.

2) And the second time I wrote:

Recently I read this scripture which captured my attention. Today it has come to my attention again. It brought to my mind that even while I am unaware of it taking place, God is bringing to me the finances that are needed in this next stage or season of my life. Today I looked up silver and gold in the dream book.5 Silver stands for knowledge, knowledge of God. Gold stands for wisdom, glory.

Then, when I got to work the scripture on my calendar was: “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?”  (Job 12:12)

It was like God was emphasizing and reconfirming to me that I now have the wisdom and knowledge He wants to put together in this new book which I wasn’t fully ready for before. He has impressed me previously how this book is the harvest or fruition of all I’ve learned from Him for all these years. Guide me in this, Holy Spirit, so the book will say all You want in it and will omit all You don’t want in it.
 
I will, My child, I will do that!

So, now that I am reading about this particular scripture in Paul Keith’s book, I am asking the Lord: “Why are you showing me this for the third time? Is there special significance to this scripture that you want me to know and understand?

It is significant for you, but I will have to reveal to you how. I will do that in the coming days. Keep it in mind.

WISDOM, REVELATION, KNOWLEDGE
* * * * * * * *

Paul Keith Davis says in Books of Destiny: 3

“Jude identifies the spirit of compromise that will attempt to rob the bride of her inheritance and source of spiritual strength. There are two opposing spirits that will be clearly differentiated in the coming days; no longer will the two be indistinguishable.

“1 Kings 3 recounts God’s supernatural impartation of wisdom and knowledge into Solomon’s life. God has now come to release to us the same spirit of wisdom and revelation that empowered this famous king of Israel. We will not be able to accommodate our mandates fully without these spiritual endowments.”

Release that to me, Lord--Your spirit of wisdom and revelation and knowledge.

I will. I already have partly, and I will be releasing it more as you are able and ready.

OK, get me able and ready, Lord.

Yes, I am and I will.

“These are consecrated believers who have found favor in the Lord’s sight and allowed Him to purge, purify, and cleanse them spirit, soul, and body. Their sole desire will be to embody the living Word and steward Heaven’s agenda and Christ’s motives. The spirit of wisdom and revelation will rest upon this body and bring understanding of the Kingdom’s mysteries and the great and mighty things we have previously not known.” 3

And you are part of that body of believers. You are commissioned to carry a part of the revelation of wisdom and knowledge to this age. Your books are the carriers of the wisdom and knowledge I am giving you day by day. It’s your part, the part I have for you to do. So keep writing and listening to Me daily so your part can be completed. I am going to reveal Myself to the world now and you are one I am using to do that.

Thank You for letting me be a part of this body of believers, Lord.

You are. I have trained you for that all these years.

CONSIDERING HIS HEART
* * * * * * * *

Interesting! I was reading in Isaiah 44:14-20 and misread one line. It said: “And no one considers in his heart.” I read it as if it said: “And no one considers His heart.”

Immediately the Lord began to show me that “considering His heart” is loving Him, just as “considering others’ hearts (feelings) is loving them. I want to draw close to Him so I can “consider His heart” every day.

It’s just like I said--that loving someone for Me, in My place, is honoring Me. Honor and love are very closely related. Seeking My face can be honoring Me too. And when you draw near to Me, I draw near to you. I am with you always, but “drawing near” comes when YOU draw near to ME. Come close, My love! Purify your thoughts before Me and draw close to Me.

FALSE GODS
“It is man’s fuel [trees] for burning; some of it he takes and warms himself, he kindles a fire and bakes bread. But he also fashions a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it...He prays to it and says, ‘Save me; you are my god.’” (Isaiah 44:15, 17)
* * * * * * * *

Bob Sorge says about Isaiah 44:14-20: “As I was meditating in this passage, the Lord gave me a definition of a false god. This definition helps me because even though in our westernized culture there are very few people who actually worship figures of wood or stone, we too have our own false gods. In the passage, the Lord describes the idolaters as saying to their block of wood, “Deliver me, for you are my god!” So a god is defined as this: anything to which we ascribe the power to deliver us. Westerners have their own set of false gods--sources to which they turn for deliverance when in times of crisis or need.”1

What do I turn to as a god to deliver me? Social Security, Medicare insurance, family, church
	
Bob Sorge: “God-worshipers are those who come to God first in their time of need. They seek God’s face and wait on Him to receive directives for the course to take. The secret place becomes the threshold where we wait upon God, seeking His powerful intervention, and crying out to Him for wisdom and revelation.

“Occasionally, the Spirit will say to you, ‘In this instance, I want you to wait on Me only and stand in faith until I intervene sovereignly in your situation.’ When God gives you this word, then fasten your seat belt! You are in for the ride of your life. You are stepping into the God zone. 

“Here we find the stuff of miracles. This is the dimension where God rises up in His wrath and vengeance and wreaks havoc upon your enemies. Your role is to gaze upon Him, love Him, and grow in patience and faith; His role is to loose resurrection power in His time and way....You’re taking the high road of the greatest saints of history, the pathway where God reveals the power of His arm, the splendor of His majestic beauty, and the awesomeness of His eternal purposes.”  1 

NO OTHER PLAN THAN GOD’S
“My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.” (Psalm 62:5)
* * * * * * * *

I want you to have no other plan than My plan. You only go to some plan (whatever it is) if I tell you to go there. Therefore I will be your only plan, and whatever I lead you to is the right plan for you.

PREPARE THE WAY FOR THE PEOPLE
“Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations.” (Isaiah 62:10)
* * * * * * * *

The Lord is impressing me that this scripture expresses what He is using my books for -- to help prepare the way for the people by my passing through the gates (of experiences) then sharing that through the books, and this helps prepare the way for others to come there too. It helps build up the highway and remove the stones and raise a banner for others to come the same pathway.

Perhaps those of you reading this book will be used to help prepare the way for someone else by sharing your testimony regarding what God means to you and how He leads you in your journey.

A STORY
* * * * * * * *

ACCIDENT ON A BIKE

Jeff:  This happened on the afternoon of April 29, 1985. I had just gotten home from school and after school I was going out for a little ride on my motorbike. (Jeff was partially sighted so had to be very careful about riding his bike.) I was going down the country road that went in front of my house. Usually it wasn’t too crowded. There wasn’t much on that road so I could safely go down there and not have to worry about a lot of cars. I wasn’t going any place in particular, just going for a good long ride just to relax. I wanted to get out. It was a nice day, kind of cool out, I remember, and it was windy. I started riding down the road and kind of relaxed. I enjoyed being out in the wind and the sun and it felt really good. 

I got down to a crossroad that’s one of the only intersections on the road that I ride on; and I had to stop to let cars come through from the other way. There’s a stop sign there for my way; so I had to stop and wait to find out if there was any cross traffic. This had always been the intersection I was scared of. There usually wasn’t anybody coming, but I would hear them before I could see them because of my visually limited sight. Today it was a little scary because it was windy, and usually, when it’s windy, I had a hard time hearing if there were other cars coming from either direction.

This day I got down to the intersection--and this is where I draw a blank about what happened. But later on Mom or someone told me that a car came up behind me and stopped. I was the first one at the intersection. Usually I don’t mind being cautious and holding up traffic, but this day I thought I was holding him up. And I thought: if there’s really nobody coming and I just can’t hear, then I don’t want to hold him up. I think I just got nervous and started across the intersection; and because it was windy, I didn’t hear this other car coming at me.

That’s when I got hit. I don’t remember anything about the hit. I’ve tried for years to remember. The next thing I remember I was lying in the field--across the road in a dirt field. I knew I was in the dirt, and I knew I got hit, and I felt real heavy.  I couldn’t move. I kind of drifted in and out as far as what I remember. I do remember a bunch of people being around me and it sounded like they were talking really low. I guess that’s just the way I was hearing things. I remember Mom coming up. I knew her out of the crowd. She came up while I was lying out there waiting for them to come to pick me up.

I remember being picked up and loaded on a stretcher in an ambulance. I knew I was in an ambulance, and I thought, “Wow! I’ve never ridden in one.” I knew where I was. It was weird. I knew I was in this ambulance and that I was going to the hospital. I figured I must have gotten hit. I think Mom was there with me in the ambulance. Then I remembered, “Well, I’m still alive!” 

I don’t remember in the hospital itself except I remember Dad telling me a bunch of things while I was in the emergency room waiting to get operated on. I know I just wanted them to get me off of my side because I was lying on my arm. That whole day was just a loss. I remember waking up in the hospital bed and I was in traction. 

Carol (Jeff’s mom): One of the main things I remember was that Jeff did not have a helmet on. He was never made to wear a helmet because of his eyesight. (He needed to be able to hear cars coming) I was just fixing supper and I saw the ambulance go down the road. All I could think of was Jeff at the time. Then I saw a neighbor turn in to my driveway, and my heart just stopped. She said, “Carol, come with me.” And I said, “Jeff?” and she said, “Yes.” I said, “Is he hurt bad?” And she said, “He’s alert. He’s saying how his leg hurts...saying my leg, my leg.” Then I went with the neighbor down to where Jeff was. I tried to talk to him and said, “ Just pray, just keep praying, Jeff, I’m here. I’m right here with you.” 

The car that hit Jeff was going about 45 mph and they don’t know how Jeff kept from being hit into a pole that was right there. They could see that his leg was broken. He had a few scratches on his back, but no facial injuries, nothing, and without a helmet and as hard as he was hit! Since then there have been several kids killed at that intersection, so Jeff was lucky!

Jeff:  I was supposed to be in traction for six weeks and a body cast for a couple months, but it started healing really fast, so they had to get me out of traction within a week and a half. Then they put a plate in there and I was out of the hospital a week later just on crutches. It healed really quickly! I didn’t even have to be in a cast.

Carol:  I feel that God was watching over Jeff. He could have hit that pole. He could have had brain damage. Without any other injuries, I feel like the Lord was with him! And the way he healed! They thought he would be in a body cast, and that wasn’t necessary. 

This was truly one of His Marvelous Deeds in Jeff’s life.

“The Lord will watch over your coming and going 
both now and forevermore.
(Psalm 121:8)

TO TOUCH HIS SCEPTER
* * * * * * * *

In his book, Books of Destiny, Paul Keith Davis tells of receiving a prophetic word regarding Mrs. White: “She is like Esther...I have extended My scepter to her because I knew her request would be consistent with the desire of My heart.”3 

As I read this, the Spirit spoke to me: 

This is what I am saying to you. I am extending My scepter to you too. It contains all that I am: wisdom, righteousness, humility, authority, direction, provision, grace, and anointing. 

(In the book Mrs. White explains that the Spirit said to her) “I am holding the scepter out to you, but I will not touch you with it. You, My people, must come and touch it for yourselves. This is the time to move forward toward Me. I am your direction for the future. I will never withdraw My scepter; it will remain--it is available and it holds all of who I am. It is now available to you, My Church.” 

(Mrs. White also said) “The Captain of the Lord of Hosts has summoned us to the throne room to touch His scepter of wisdom, authority, provision, grace, and anointing. Jesus is coming again for His bride. He is indeed shaking the nations--make sure your feet are planted solidly in Him. Jesus is saying to the Church that He desires to meet her in the throne room to share the things He has to tell us.”3

The Spirit then said to me: 

That is where you come every time you come to the Secret Place and meet Me. 

(Mrs. White) “Do not say you are not sufficiently trained or that you have only had basic training. Beloved, we are never fully prepared for war. In this upcoming war you will gain your experience on active duty. We have been called up to receive our orders, directions, and provision from Headquarters. There are no options or refusals. The Lord of Hosts has called us to His throne room to touch His scepter. Will you?” 3

HIDDEN MANNA
“To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna.” (Revelation 2:17)
* * * * * * * *

Paul Keith Davis shares in his Books of Destiny:3  “These mysteries are hidden from the wise and intelligent but freely revealed to babes, to the Lord’s friends. 	

“The ‘hidden manna’ is set apart and reserved for the spiritual nourishment of a body of people willing to access this privilege.

“We are presently living in the transition from the Laodicean church age into the manifestation of Kingdom reality. I believe a tremendous display of truth is coming as manna for this day. It will transform and prepare a body of people to engage the Kingdom of Heaven fully and manifest that reality on earth.

“That same privilege is given to the messenger from each generation charged with presenting the manna of their day to the rest of God’s people.

MANY MESSENGERS BEING SENT
“The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the Lord binds up the bruises of His people and heals the wounds he has inflicted.” (Isaiah 30:26)
* * * * * * * *

In Books of Destiny by Paul Keith Davis3 he says: “Messengers have been sent to every age with a divine mandate and deposit of truth. They have had a fire locked up in their bones that must be expressed and demonstrated. They are like stars in the hand of the Lord, ready to present the heavenly revelation to the Body of Christ. In order to groom a people to reflect Christ’s likeness and nature, an unprecedented amount of heavenly manna, through many messengers, will be released in this day. It will be a multiplication of the ‘light’ shining throughout the seven Church ages.”

And I get to be one of those messengers, Lord?

Yes you are! I have already given you favor by bringing you here to Lee’s Summit to sit and listen to Me and write down what I say - THAT is My favor!

Your books will be a record of the journey from the beginning in Book 1 to the most light revealed in Book 5. This is not just for the people now, or even in the tribulation, but also a record carried into the millenium...a record which people can read then and realize the difficulties faced by believers during the “Church age.”

Previously you have thought of life up until the Rapture, and sometimes what it would be like during the tribulation. Now I want you to expand that thinking to include what life might be like during the millenium and what I might want to accomplish now for My people who will live then.

You have asked Me for a knowledge of My Word and an understanding of it. Well, I now give it to you with My scepter. It is now yours, in your heavenly treasure stored up here, and will soon be manifested to you on earth as it is in heaven...even as your healing is also here and will be soon manifested.

THE FIREPLACE OF HIS WORD
“He makes...his servants flames of fire.” (Hebrews 1:7)
* * * * * * * *

He taught me this morning that iron sharpens iron, that I learn and grow through reading what He has taught others and they wrote, and others will learn from what He has taught me and I write.

Bob Sorge says in Secrets Of The Secret Place: 1 “When you feel cold, distant, and ‘out of it’ spiritually, it’s time to retreat to the closet, place yourself before the fireplace of His word, and allow the intensity of His face to restore your fervency.  

“Holy Spirit, let Your burning jealousy have its consuming way in my life, until every competing affection and false god is completely burned away and until one raging, all-consuming passion fills my entire being--love for the altogether Lovely One, the Man Christ Jesus!”

OUR BREAD FROM HEAVEN
“Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land...” (Revelation 10:1-2)
* * * * * * * *

Paul Keith Davis says in Books Of Destiny: 3  “The revelation of His logos and rhema Word is our bread from Heaven. It is the spiritually nutritious manna that will perfectly sustain us.

“We are standing on the threshold of the generation long foreseen by the prophets and patriarchs. The holy ones of this day will not only be granted access to the manna of Heaven but also will partake of the grace to apprehend this experiential reality. This will be the generation to whom the Lord comes by placing His foot on the land and the sea, clothed in a rainbow, and with the open book in His hand. For many generations the book (scroll) has been sealed, but the end-time body has the unimaginable promise of living in the day in which the Lord Himself will break all seven of its seals open. It is His promise to give the now-open book to His betrothed ones as hidden manna for a generation hungry to consume the reality of Heaven.”

You see, the generation hungry to consume the reality of Heaven is almost ready to consume. I want your books ready for them to consume at the exact perfect time, and only I know that exact perfect time when people are ready for the words I am writing with you. So please be patient and know I will publish these books at the exact right time and then they will be consumed and not fall to the ground for lack of understanding them - or even of wanting them.

“One of Jesus’ great miracles was the multiplication of the fishes and loaves. This act gives us a prophetic picture of the Lord supernaturally providing bread for His hungry followers. The miraculous provision was then given to the disciples, who delivered it to the masses. The Lord took the bread and gave it a supernatural blessing; He multiplied it so that all who were hungry had more than enough. The Lord will always make a way to provide bread for those who are hungry for it.” 3 

And you are one of my surprise ways, one I am using to help provide food, manna, for those who are hungry - at the time they are hungry, not just anytime.

“The Lord gives His victorious ones access to His mysteries when they overcome the religious structure of their day.” 3  

That’s why I had you leave the religious structure you knew before, and took you to a “new place” completely free of that old structure...so you could access My mysteries.

“Entrance to this realm is gained through God’s power and revelation, which transcends the natural world. The Lord desires to open His treasuries to those who embrace every word that proceeds from His mouth.” 3

You see! You embrace the words that come from My mouth into your heart and mind. You “live” on those words. I give those words to you as manna daily, and you eat them, and they sustain you. Since My words are your life, are life to you, I desire to open My treasury to you more. Then you can impart those treasury words to others to bring “life” to them also.

GRACE, UNITY AND REACHING MATURITY
“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: ‘When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.’...It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:7-8, 11-13)
* * * * * * * *

That’s what is happening right now. My people are being brought to unity in the faith and in the knowledge of Me, and reaching maturity--which is becoming fully like Me. And I apportion the grace.

Yes, I led captives. The enemies of My people (Satan and his evil spirits) became My captives AND also My people became captives to Me, bond servants to Me as well as friends. I led ALL people captive - either as an enemy or as a friend, but they are either one or the other.

It’s like you taught us by Rick Joyner in The Torch And The Sword4 --that we are to evangelize among the enemies (those who currently belong to the enemy, that is) and bring them to Your side as friends and fellow warriors.

“Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17)

SEEK ME
“One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” (Psalm  27:4)
 * * * * * * * *

This is what the Spirit teaches me as I read the above Scripture:

“One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell (live, abide, be there) in the house of the Lord (and you are there right now) all the days of my life, (and you are and you will be) to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord (to gaze means to hear, to see, to perceive, to recognize and understand, and you are doing all of that as you FOCUS or CENTER on Me) and to seek him in his temple. 

Where is My temple but the place where I am here in heaven. You are here, in My temple, each day when you come to Me in Quiet Time, and then as you return your attention to Me throughout the day and we talk together. You ARE seeking Me in My temple in this way.

I put that desire in your heart long ago, to want what this scripture verse says, and made this verse especially meaningful to you - so you WOULD seek Me and desire to be with Me, because that is My destiny for you. I planned our relationship before the foundation of the world, yours and Mine, special as it is, special to you and special to Me. I WANT our relationship! I WANT you!

TAKING THE KINGDOM BY FORCE
NIV “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.” (Matthew 11:12)

NCV “Since the time John the Baptist came until now, the kingdom of heaven has been going forward in strength, and people have been trying to take it by force.” (Matthew 11:12)

PHILLIPS “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of Heaven has been taken by storm and eager men are forcing their way into it.” (Matthew 11:12)

AMP “And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize--a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion]. (Matthew 11:12)
* * * * * * * *

Bob Sorge says in Secrets of the Secret Place: 1 “The term ‘spiritual violence’ captures the intensity with which the last days’ generation will pursue God. They will seek God with their entire being, denying themselves and throwing off all entangling sins, in order to run the race with passion, purity, and perseverance. This is the hour to seek God with violent abandonment!

“Spiritual violence begins in the secret place...One of the most violent things you’ll ever do is wrestle down all the competing elements in your calendar and consistently carve out the time to shut yourself into the secret place. In the busy seasons, it can seem as though a thousand other voices are clamoring for your attention. Which voice will rule, the voice of incompleted tasks or the gentle voice that beckons you to the secret place?

“It will also require violence to provide your body with sufficient rest so that, when you get to the secret place, you’re not constantly falling asleep...The man of violence and wisdom will enact whatever measures are necessary to be alert and engaged on a regular basis in this the most delightful portion of the day.”

This is the desire of my heart--to be strong in my pursuit of the Lord every day, especially in my Quiet Time, and then throughout the rest of the day. This scripture encourages me: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith...” (Hebrews 12: 1-2a) 

NATURAL ZEAL OR TRUE SPIRITUAL FERVENCY?
”Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24)
* * * * * * * *

Bob Sorge says in Secrets of the Secret Place: 1 “It’s easy to confuse natural zeal with spiritual violence.”   (That’s what I’ve seen in worship services at times - natural zeal!) "Some people display incredible zeal for God--in the way they worship or share their faith or attend Bible studies.”

That doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t Christians, but they use natural zeal instead of true spiritual fervency. 

“But if it’s a natural zeal, it’s a zeal that lasts only as long as others are watching. When that person is alone with God, the zeal fizzles, and the intense level of activity suddenly collapses. Natural zeal must be exchanged for true spiritual fervency--a zeal that is energized by an inward, holy fire that burns even when no one is looking.

“There is no spiritual merit in fasting; it doesn’t earn extra points with God. But it does tenderize your spirit, sensitize your hearing, and accelerate the pace of divine flow in and through your life.

“Jesus doesn’t respond to all believers alike. He responds differently to those who seek more diligently… The Lord is not a respecter of persons. He rewards equally all those who seek Him fervently--which is why some don’t enter into much in God.” 

A STORY
* * * * * * * *
FAN BELT TROUBLE

It was April 17, 1963, and I had just left Marion, Indiana, to return to my home in New Haven, Indiana. I was driving an old car that my dear father had purchased for me to use during that time as I stayed at my parents’ home and went to graduate school. It was such a blessing for him to do that for me! I was driving north on the highway along country fields when, all of a sudden, my car overheated and shot out all its water. I stopped along the highway wondering what to do.

God help me! What do I do now? As I sat in my car, a man came up to my car and asked if he could help me. Thanks, God!  He looked at my engine and saw what was wrong. The fan belt had broken so the car wasn’t getting cooled properly. He told me that was the trouble and said he could fix it for me.

He said he was a farmer that lived near there and he kept spare fan belts around for his farm machinery. He brought one, replaced my broken one, and put water in the radiator. When I thanked him and tried to pay him for it, he would not take anything for all his help. 

Now I wonder if that was an angel sent to rescue me. I don’t remember seeing any farmhouse near. And he appeared at my car and offered his help. Hmmm! Well, anyway this was truly one of His Marvelous Deeds in my life (that I have remembered all these many years later) for which I am still grateful.

“A righteous man may have many troubles, 
but the Lord delivers him from them all.”
(Psalm 34:19)

DREAMS
* * * * * * * *

In a dream last night there were animals walking around in this place where I was and I was trying to stay away from them and protect myself from them. I saw some tigers but they didn’t come where I was. I saw a huge elephant standing right in front of me for a bit. Later a tiger came up to me from beside me (on my left) and took hold of my head and I started shaking my head to keep the tiger from getting a good grip on it. The shaking woke me up, I think, as I woke up moving my head. I got up and wrote about the tiger to see what it means from the dream interpretation book.

Tiger--Danger: Powerful minister (danger for the devil!); evil, dangerous person (good or evil). Head--authority: God; Christ; government; husband; pastor; employer; power

I see now that I was doing the shaking to try to keep the tiger from getting a grip on my head. Perhaps that is what I am doing now and/or will be doing - recognizing the danger of the “tiger” and shaking my head to keep it from getting a grip on my mind and affecting me...removing “what can be shaken so that what cannot be shaken may remain.” as in this scripture:

“At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, ‘Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.’ The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken--that is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain.” (Hebrews 12:26-27)

In another dream I was looking for people to give a large piece of beef to. It was about 2 ft long and about 10 inches high.

Beef represents meat...and I am trying to give away spiritual meat (solid food) to the right people. This may refer to the books I am writing and am ready to “give away” at the right time to the right people as in this scripture:  “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” (Hebrews 5:14)

THE BALL OF FIRE COMES
“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 2:2-3)
* * * * * * * *

VISION OF BALL OF FIRE FROM 1985

In this vision I see pray-ers kneeling at the front of the sanctuary in front of the platform. I only see their silhouettes and they are aqua blue. They are surrounded by a rose colored light. A ball of fire started moving around inside the sanctuary in an arc to come down and touch someone, then it went up in another arc to some other part of the sanctuary to come down and touch someone else. It kept doing this over and over, faster and faster, touching more and more people. Each time it went in the arc through the air it left a trail of silver dust, like a jet trail in the sky, so these trails increased and increased within the inside of the sanctuary. It kept going faster and faster until it exploded so the light and silver dust filled everywhere.

That scripture makes you think of the last scene in your series of visions in 1985, doesn’t it? That last scene about the ball of fire is starting to happen now - now meaning since about 2000. It is increasing and going faster every day, and touching millions of people. It will accelerate much faster in 2005. You will see it. Much will be happening in 2005 that I have been getting you and Beth in place for. You will be part of it - the “much happening.” It will surely involve your church in a profound way, and you both will be part of that, as well as one-on-one with others, and also personally for each of you.

You see in your mind that “ball of fire” moving up and around, touching people here and there.  If you think of that sanctuary in which you see it moving as ‘the world,’ then you can see that ball of fire going around ‘the world’ and touching people and groups all over the world. That’s what the sanctuary represents - it represents where I am working around the world, in My sanctuary, the place where I am dwelling and working.

My Holy Spirit ball of fire is using and taking My people all around the world to people groups and setting them on fire for Me. My fire is burning! Look up all the fire Scriptures that fit this scenario and write them here:

“‘Is not my word like fire,’ declares the Lord...?” (Jeremiah 23:29)

“They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.” (Acts 2:3)

“...for our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:29)

“I have come to bring fire on the earth...”  (Luke 12:49)

“I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north--an immense cloud with flashing lighting and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures.“...and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him.” (Ezekiel 1:4-5, 27)

“As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.” (Daniel 7:9-10)

This is now, My child. I am on My throne with the books open and judging the ten thousand times ten thousand (meaning all peoples) who are ‘before Me’ - as My eyes run to and fro throughout the earth. The court with Me is also seated meaning they are also ready and waiting to judge with Me and watch Me judge the earth. The books are now open for the judgment. That judgment is like a fire coming out from before Me to the earth. There is very little ‘time’ left for people to change positions from where they are right now.  

“In that day -- The Lord will.....cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire.” (Isaiah 4:4)

“He makes....his servants flames of fire.” (Hebrews 1:7)

My fire is burning. It is making judgment throughout the earth. You (people) will either be consumed by fiery passion for Me or fiery passion for the enemy. Soon there will be no “in between.” People must choose. They choose Me or they reject Me (which means they choose to live on earth without Me). If they choose to live without Me, then they will be deceived by the enemy and will think they are right, but they will be dead wrong!

CHOOSE FOR YOURSELVES
“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” (Joshua 24:15)
* * * * * * * *

Come, My children, come to Me and be saved! I want you for Mine, but I allow you freedom to choose to live without Me. It is a sad choice to do so, a sad choice. It means you will die. There will be no ‘life’ in you for I am Life. If you have no Life, then you die.

Come to Me, My children. I love you and I want you to be Mine. When I close the opportunity to choose Me, I want you to be with Me. And the opportunity will close soon. Then I will take My own to heaven to be with Me, and you (if you don’t choose Me) will be left on earth to face the judgment. Some of you will choose Me then, and I will love you for that, but you will have to ‘go through’ the judgment just the same.

It is so much better if you choose Me now, before the Rapture...so much better! Come, My children and choose Me while there is still time.

I want My own to come to Me, and I want you to pray for that as often as I bring it to your mind. They have mostly come already, but there are a few more.

I didn’t know it was that close, Lord.

It is. There is not much time left.

WITHOUT ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING
“No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me ....apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5)
* * * * * * * *

Bob Sorge in Secrets of the Secret Place: 1 “Prayerlessness is the first sign of prideful independence . We begin to trim back on our secret time with God when we’re feeling great about ourselves, energetic and optimistic about our future, and confident about the path we’re taking. It’s the first sign that we’re getting full of ourselves.

“Once you see His greatness and your bankruptcy, there comes great joy in humbling yourself before the Lord...He gave it to us that we might give it all back to Him. None of this was our idea, it all started with Him and it all ends with Him. He is everything, and as we are joined to Him the poverty of our personal identity is lost in the fullness of His eternal greatness."

So you see, there IS no reason people would want to read what you have written except a few friends and family out of curiosity. BUT, also see, that, as Bob Sorge says, I am everything. I have eternal greatness. The books are My idea. They are starting with Me and will end with Me. I am the Alpha and the Omega...the beginning and the end. The books will have meaning for others ONLY as I prepare people for them and I anoint them with power to communicate this meaning to others - the meaning I want them to receive. Without Me you can do nothing!

A NEW NAME
“To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” (Revelation 2:17)
* * * * * * * *

In Books of Destiny Paul Keith Davis writes:3 “As a blessing, the overcomers not only receive access to the hidden manna but also a white stone with a new name written upon it. No one knows that new name except those who receive it. It is part of the change of nature and character imparted to those who are victorious in this battle and share in this blessed promise...After a name changes, promises are given."

After a name change then there is a character change to match/fit that name. I have assigned you a character for life on this earth to fit what I want you to do on this earth. After this, in heaven, I will give you a new name to match/fit what I want you to do for Me at that time, in the millenium and after.

Right now, on this earth, I want you to be small and humble and hidden. I want you to be quiet and listen to Me and write what I give you. That is your assignment. In heaven it will be different. You won’t necessarily be the same as here with the same character traits. I will choose what I want you to be there and give you a name to fit that. It will be delightful to you because it will be “who you are.”

A DREAM
“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.” (Matthew 12:35)
* * * * * * * *

In my dream last night I was cleaning or arranging things in a refrigerator which had the door off. I put things in different places depending on their size. I saw it divided into many small places to put things as well as large places. There was a small freezer place in the top middle and long narrow divided places on each side where I put small things like small containers, medicine, etc. There were (surprisingly) even two smaller places in an upper area. I started to put a tiny container there, then realized that, if I did, I wouldn’t be able to see them up there and might forget where it was, so I didn’t put it there. I put something frozen (with lots of frost around it) in the small freezer place in the top middle. I had the handle for the door, but looked around to find the door itself. I indicated that my ex-husband had taken it off and placed it somewhere near there. I found it and prepared to put it back on. It seems like I was talking to my children, but I didn’t see them in the dream.

In my dream last night I was arranging things in my heart which had the entrance/door off and was standing open. I was rearranging my thoughts and attitudes depending on their size. There were many small and large compartments in my heart. A special place in my heart kept things frozen if put there. There was a place for even tiny things that I could place there.  There were places so small I might not be able to see what was there. I put something with lots of frost around it in the small freezer place in the top middle. This heart contained stored memories of large and small sizes and different kinds.

I had that which opened or shut the heart, but still needed to put into place the door to it which is Christ. He is the entrance into my heart. It had been taken off by my ex-husband, but it was time now to put it back on. Christ is now the door to my heart. My ex-husband in this dream may represent someone “other than Christ” who used to have authority or control over entrance into my heart. My heart still has a frosty or frozen place in the top middle, but it is now small. I was displaying all this to myself so I would comprehend it.

Is this good, Lord?

This is good. Now you and I have control over your heart where you store all your memories and events. You and I control the opening or closing of your heart now. No one else does.

A CHRISTMAS GIFT
* * * * * * * *

I want to give a gift to You, Lord, for Christmas.

You have given Me the gift I really want, your heart. That is the most precious gift you can give Me. That is what I died for - your heart.  Many people give me “gifts” at Christmas instead of their hearts, as a substitute for their hearts, and what I really want is just their hearts. Then they can give gifts to others in My name, after their hearts belong to Me.

Then I’d like to give a gift in Your name to someone, somewhere, Lord. Tell me what You would like for me to give and where.

I will. Be watching for it.

I AM HERE
“The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” (Lamentations 3:24)
* * * * * * * *

I AM HERE.

I am here, and I love you too, My child. I’ve been waiting for you to draw near to Me this morning so I could teach you-speak to you. I have much to say to you.

Wait, wait patiently before Me. Let Me come in deeper.

That dream (mentioned above) means I have opened your heart and put many storage spaces in it to store lots of things I want to give you and want you to have. Big, small, different shapes and sizes. These are people, causes, prayers, concerns, provisions -- all of these I want to give you and have you store in your heart. And I am the door to your heart now - completely. You never put anything in your heart that I don’t let you put in there. I want to keep your heart pure and set apart unto Me only. There is even a space there for “frozen” things - where I store up food for later to give you. These are already “preserved” in your heart and you will thaw them out later and consume them. 

This is the place where I store your manna. And I am your manna. I am the bread of your life. Eat Me. Eat Me every day of your life, every time you are hungry, eat Me. I will renew your strength and health. Didn’t I keep the Israelites fed and well during those 40 years with My manna? 40 years represents a lifetime, your lifetime. I am now your manna for the rest of your life. As you eat Me you are renewed, fed, strengthened, and made healthy and whole.

I love you, My child, and I want the VERY BEST for you. I know you want that too, so I am giving you the way to the very best - Me. It all comes through Me. I am your very best. I am your portion and your cup.

Keep writing about Me and from Me and for Me. That is your destiny right now. It may not be forever, but it is right now.

You are in the right church for you. Yes, stay there through this dry time - that will change soon. In fact, very soon. I want you in this small church where you know many people already. It won’t be small for long. You will help with the expansion. Your church passed a test and turning point last week when C. proclaimed My word in faith through her discouragement. I led her there. I led her out. You must always stand on My word, whether in joy or in discouragement.

INTERCESSION
“Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)
* * * * * * * *

Bob Sorge in Secrets Of The Secret Place:  “Intercession, one element in our personal prayer life, is what I am choosing to define as ‘prayer on behalf of needs other than my own.’ Intercession is the priestly ministry of a go-between, someone who stands between heaven and a need on earth and petitions the Father for breakthrough... Intercession accelerates God’s purposes in the earth.

“We can actually buy time with our prayers--”Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.’ (Ephesians 5:16). When evil is looming we can postpone its coming with our prayers; and when good is delayed, we can accelerate its coming with our prayers.” 1

PREPARE THE WAY FOR THE LORD
”A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.’” (Luke 3:4-6)
* * * * * * * *

I came through John the Baptist (as Elijah) then, I am bringing MANY John the Baptists as prophets (as Elijahs) now just before My coming in the Rapture to take out My Bride, and I will have the two witnesses to bring the message of repentance of Elijah just before My final coming to earth to set up My kingdom there.

I make three appearances: one in My body back when I came, one in the clouds to take out My Bride (and that will be soon), and one in My glory to fight that final battle with evil and set up My kingdom on earth. Before each of these appearances I give multiple opportunities to repent and choose Me.

DAYS OF TESTING
“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.” (Luke 4:1-2)
* * * * * * * *

You also had your ‘forty days’ of testing, which represents a ‘season’ of testing time. They began in 1979--you know what happened then. From then until now you have had many ‘testings’ for faithfulness, perseverance, whether you would listen to Me and follow Me, whether you would believe My Word, etc. They are finished. You are out of the wilderness. You are in your ‘ministry time’ as Jesus was when He came out of the season of temptation.

Your ministry time is doing exactly what you are doing today -- sitting with Me, listening to Me, reading books I guide you to read, writing down what I tell you, then preparing that writing to publish for others to read later.

“Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit...” (Luke 4:14)

You are now coming/returning to ministry in the ‘power of the Spirit’ since I am the One who gives you what you write down for Me. Jesus was doing what I led Him to do. You are doing what I lead you to do.

A STORY
* * * * * * * *

HELP IN TIME OF TROUBLE

We were driving along I-70 somewhere between Missouri and Indiana. There were three of us making that trip to our family gathering: Beth, her friend JW, and me. I think Beth was driving and I was resting when this happened. The car suddenly stopped as we ran out of gas! What were we going to do now?

After talking about it awhile we decided I should stay with the car in case help came along, and Beth and JW would walk to the next exit and see if they could get some gas to bring back. They started out walking and I sat waiting. And praying! Lord, work this out for us!

Well, He did! Very soon a car came along and picked up Beth and JW--the car of an off-duty sheriff, of all people! He took them to a gas station, helped them get gas, and brought them back to our car. Wasn’t that wonderful of him?  We were all so thankful! The Lord had just performed another one of His Marvelous Deeds for us. He sure is good to us!

“The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord;
he is their stronghold in time of trouble.”
(Psalm 37:39)

THE LORD’S PROTECTION
“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves.” (Psalm 68:19-20)
* * * * * * * *

Well, it snowed last night during the night and it is still snowing this morning. This is really early, but not unknown, for snow to come in November. It was right about 32 degrees, so there was rain, then ice, then snow. Beth is going in to work later so there is more time to get the roads cleared and for the snow to stop (probably around noon it is supposed to stop). It’s the day before Thanksgiving and lots of people will be trying to travel for the 4-day holiday.

I’m thankful, Lord, that we still have our electricity! Thousand of homes are out of electricity now...even some here in Lee’s Summit.

I will keep your electricity on. I will keep you in My bubble of protection every single day of your life.

Thank You, thank You, Lord!

Now aren’t you glad you are not going anywhere for Thanksgiving and can stay home and not fight the crowds and road conditions?

Yes, Lord, I certainly am. Thank You for that too.

Yesterday I copied and printed newsletter email teachings by Todd Bentley. One was on events/prophecies for 2005 from him. One was on dreams and imaginations. One was on the Holy Spirit. I started a computer file with online teachings. This reminds me of the online teachings done for Christians in the Left Behind book series. 

The Lord lead me to pray in the Spirit for B and his family. The Lord says He does have a call on B’s life and it is now time for that call to be activated, and for B to come into the purpose and destiny of that. So I prayed for that today...that His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven for B’s life.

BEING THANKFUL
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” (Psalm 100:4-5)
* * * * * * * *

It’s Thanksgiving Day. I just watched part of a Joyce Meyer TV show where she was talking about being thankful and how it’s important to be thankful if you want to have joy. She mentioned how much we often grumble and complain, even in the midst of great blessings. And grumbling and complaining opens a door for the enemy to come in. She asked us to ask God: “God, is there anything I’m doing that will open a door for the enemy to come in?”  So I am asking Him today: “God, is there anything I’m doing that will open a door for the enemy to come in?”

THE HOLY SPIRIT
“He who dwells in the shelter (the Secret Place) of the Most High will rest in the shadow (The Presence) of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1)
* * * * * * * *

Why wouldn’t you be safe in My presence - because I am Almighty. When you are safe you can be at rest. 

And what this means is: dwelling with Me and resting in Me come together as a package. I, Holy Spirit, dwell with you when you invite Me to do that, as you did this morning. When you invite Me to come to you, I never turn you down, I always come. When I come, then you REST in Me.

I want you to know that I am “with” you all the time, and I am “in” you all the time, BUT coming “to” you is something else, something different. I come “to” you when you invite Me to come. Otherwise I just stand waiting to be acknowledged, to be invited, to share your life, your time with you. When you say “Come, Holy Spirit,” that is My invitation. I come then. Once I come “to” you, then you can be in My presence instantly when you want to.

MY REFUGE AND MY FORTRESS
“I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” (Psalm 91:2)
* * * * * * * *

And that refuge and that fortress is all within. It is in our Secret Place together. You see, when you come into that Secret Place with Me, then all My power and comfort and protection is available to you, and you can call upon it momentarily. It’s bringing Heaven down to earth. But it comes from dwelling in that Secret Place of the Most High with Me. My angels respond to the Secret Place with Me. The winds, the rain, the fire, the snow - they all respond to Me from the Secret Place.

Jesus dwelt in that Secret Place all the time. He never left it as you do. You walked out of the Secret Place and into the world on earth yesterday after you stopped your Quiet Time. You stayed in the world until you returned to the Secret Place this morning, just now. 

I want you to learn to live in the Secret Place with Me, Holy Spirit, all the time...and you do that mostly some days now, especially when you are writing. I want to guide you through your days and make choices with you and for you. Do you want this too?

Yes, Lord, I do.

Then let’s try it today. When Beth gets up and you start responding to her and making plans, keep our communication line open. Don’t go back to the world, but keep thinking of Me and communicating with Me at the same time.

HE WILL SAVE YOU
“Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.” (Psalm 91:3)
* * * * * * * *

You see, when you are in that Secret Place with Me, then you have access to My “saving.” As you dwell with Me moment by moment I can warn you of the snares of life and you will be listening because you are still in the Secret Place. I am the bubble around you that you saw in your vision! Deadly pestilence can’t get inside that bubble. I am your protection!

COVERED WITH HIS FEATHERS
“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” (Psalm 91:4)
* * * * * * * *

This is a pictorial, “earthly” description of what I do when you are in My Secret Place. It’s like you are covered with My feathers. It’s like I have My wings over you to protect you. It’s like I am a shield in front of you. It’s My truth and My faithfulness that accomplishes this.

First you come to Me in the Secret Place and learn to relate to Me there for a short period of time. Then you learn gradually to extend that time out into the world and keep yourself in My Presence even while living in the world. 

Remember Jesus said to be “in the world but not of the world.” You must walk in the world while you are living this life on earth, but you can learn to walk it with Me, and then you will not be “of the world” and its way of thinking and acting (responding).

As you read the rest of this Psalm, all of these benefits come from our being together in the Secret Place - which means “dwelling” in My shelter - the shelter of the Most High. I am the Most High. I am the Holy Spirit. The Most High and I are one, in unity, together in a way you cannot fully comprehend while you live as a human, but you will understand it more later when you come up to Heaven and see things more fully, completely, and clearly. 

For right now, while on earth, you receive it “by faith.” That’s why it is impossible to please God without faith. Without faith you won’t and cannot walk in unity with Him, with Us. He is pleased when you are with Him, and displeased when you are not with Him. So without faith you are not pleasing Him - or Me, since We are one.

ASKING GOD
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him.”  (1 John 5:14-15)
* * * * * * * *

When you desire to receive something from Heaven and have it brought to earth to you, first pray and see if it is My desire too. Then wait before Me as long as it takes (sometimes several days if needed) until I tell you whether it is My desire or not.  

If it is My desire too, then it is My will to give it to you. It may not be My timing to bring it the exact day/time you want, but at least you know it is My will to bring it to you.

When you know it is My will, then ask Me for it - ask the Father in the name of Jesus, your Savior and Lord. Ask Me to bring it in My perfect timing for it.

Then you keep asking, daily, persistently, until it arrives.

When you begin asking it is sent out via My angels to come to you. The time it takes to get to you (from Heaven to earth through the second heaven) is determined by several factors: 

Your persistence in asking daily (that’s why you are to pray “Give us this day our daily bread”)

The number of people who pray (strength is added and multiplied by praying in unity together) 

The strength and amount of forces arrayed against your request in the second heaven 

The number and strength of the angels sent to carry the request to earth to you.

My perfect timing to get it to you

Picture your request on its journey coming to you via My angels. Picture the battle they must go through getting to you through the second heaven. Remember that all My work on earth comes with a battle since Satan has temporary dominion over the earth allowed there by Adam and Eve giving that control to him. So he has a right to contend for what he wants on the earth.

I created the earth and it’s Mine. But Satan has temporary dominion over it, legally, so we are in constant battle for what I want done on the earth. Jesus won that battle, but it still has to be fought daily by Me and by those who belong to Me who want to bring My will to earth to them and others. Picture the battle as described in Frank Peretti’s book “This Present Darkness.”

Now go through this process I’ve just taught you in regard to the provision you want for December.

IF TWO OF YOU AGREE
“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:19)
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Yesterday at church Pastor Alan taught us that the Kingdom of God needs to be always advancing and not retreating. Carol said to go home, take out your budget and pray scripture over it. Pastors Alan and Carol led us in prayer for our finances. It was perfect in relation to the writing He had me do that morning...it provided the multiple pray-ers united together praying for financial provision!

This morning I made out my budget for December and prayed Scriptures regarding provision over the budget.

BY FAITH
“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.” (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)
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You see that I am a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). When you come up here to live with Me, My consuming fire will consume anything in you that cannot stand under fire. Gold, silver, and costly stones can stand in fire, but not wood, hay, and stubble. So they will be burned up in My presence. They cannot stay with you here. So you want to build your life, your character, your “house” on gold, silver, and costly stones - those things that can stand with Me and stay with Me. 

What are gold, silver, and costly stones? All those things you do by faith in Me. It’s that simple. That’s what will stand here. “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17; Habakkuk 2:4; Galatians 3:11) “Without faith you cannot please God.” (Hebrews 11:6) What you give by faith, what you do by faith, what you declare by faith, what you pray by faith, where you stand by faith.

What you have built, My child, is a strong house within yourself, with much faith, with much struggle, with much turmoil over the years, with much depending on Me for everything, with much time spent with Me in Quiet Time, with much prayer, with much giving, with much sowing into others’ lives and ministries. You have built a good strong house. It will survive the fire of My testing. You have a mansion waiting for you in Heaven with Me.

A strong house! That’s what you want. A place that is all yours and always yours forever. No moving around like you have done much of on earth. What you have will be yours forever. I have gone and prepared a place for you as I told you in John 14:2-3---”In my Father’s house are many rooms---I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

BESTOWING WEALTH
“I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full... Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.” (Proverbs 8:17-21, 34)
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I asked the Lord if it was His will to provide the finances I need. He said to turn to page 792 in my Bible and read the part He shows me and stop when He says to stop. The scripture from Proverbs 8 is what He had me read.

You see, I am “yielding” something in you which surpasses choice silver and is better than fine gold. I am giving you My BEST gift, and it is BETTER than silver and gold. It is like silver and gold inside of you.

Declare these scriptures.

I declare righteousness and justice upon me and upon my finances. I declare wealth on me as I love You, Lord, and I declare You are making my treasuries full. These are natural and spiritual treasuries You are bestowing on me. Thank You, Lord!

QUESTIONS TO ASK GOD
“I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.” (Proverbs 8:17-21)
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Bob Sorge asks these questions in Secrets of the Secret Place,1 so I asked the Lord the same questions today:

Lord, what are You doing in the earth today?

(This response is in reference to Proverbs 8:17-21 listed above)

•	When I bring you riches and wealth, then you have an accountability to Me and to others to use that wealth in the right way.
•	When I bring you healing, then you have an accountability to Me and to others to take that healing to others.
•	When I bring you teaching/illumination, then you have an accountability to Me and to others to share that revelation with others. And that’s what you are doing in these books.
•	I am watching to see who seeks Me
•	I am watching to see who walks in righteousness and justice
•	I am watching to see whom I can bless with prosperity who will share it with others
•	I am watching to see how much you look to Me for guidance rather than choose your own way according to what you want
•	I am setting apart the righteous and the unrighteous and gathering them in “bundles” together
•	I am putting people in the places I want them to be for the days that are coming
•	I am preparing you for what I have ahead for you to do for Me. This preparation includes some struggling to help you grow faster

What themes are You emphasizing right now?

•	Righteousness and justice. 
•	Kindness and goodness. 
•	Developing a relationship with My own people. 
•	Drawing My people into closeness with Me to listen to Me and get instructions from Me.

Among which groups of people are You moving in an unusual way?

Certainly among those at CTC. Certainly among those who lift Me up and give glory to Me alone - not to themselves or others.

What do You want me to see concerning the day and hour in which I live?

I want you to see that My return for My Bride is imminent, close, soon. I want you to help alert My Bride to draw closer and closer to Me so they won’t be “without oil” at the midnight hour when I come (as in Matthew 25:1-13)

What is my role in Your present activities?

•	Number one is to come to Me daily and listen to Me
•	Number two is to write what I tell you in a way it can be read by others sometime
•	Number three is to keep this the primary focus of your life for right now, these next 3-5 months at least
•	Number four is to take advantage of and learn from all the training opportunities I give you where you can learn from mature mentors like you did yesterday. I have use someday for all that you learned, when it’s the right time. In the meantime just share it in your books as you are doing.

DRAW CLOSE TO ME
“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” (Psalm 31:24)
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I want you to get out of the world and into My Kingdom, My Secret Place, and wait and rest with Me awhile this morning. Whether you write anything or not is not the most important thing - drawing close to Me is the most important thing.

PROVE FAITHFUL
“So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secrets things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2)
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And how am I proved faithful, Lord?

By listening to Me daily, by accepting what I teach you, and by sharing it with others. You have many secret things of God that you know and live out, but you don’t understand how few people have those secret things.

Like what, Lord?

Like how to give themselves to Me and become Mine. Like how to communicate with Me and be obedient to Me. Like the things I teach you through My Word and how to obey them. Like how to love Me. These are secret things to most people in the world, especially to those who don’t belong to Me, but also to some who do.

But there are other secret things I can show you, and I will be showing you gradually. These secret things you can share with others too as I lead you to and show you the right time to do that. You keep writing and I’ll keep revealing/showing.

YOUR OWN JOURNAL AND PRAYER TIME
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An article in Guideposts magazine, March 2005, by John Sherrill called “Pencil in Hand” gives a good description of how I approach the Lord in my Quiet Times when writing my journals. I will share parts of that article in case you want to try this also.

In the story John tells how a friend of his shared about a surprising way to pray and asked him to try it. His friend gave him a pencil and a legal-sized yellow pad to use. His friend told him to imagine himself sitting on a bench with Jesus, alone, and Jesus invites him to talk to Him about anything that is on his heart -- and to write down what he said to Jesus. Then he was to listen to Jesus’ response and record it also on the yellow pad.

John said he experimented with this technique, so unlike his usual prayer approach.  So he said, “Well, Lord, here I am,” and he wrote on the first line of his yellow pad, that what was on his mind was not very spiritual, but he was worried about their old car breaking down on a trip they were soon to take. He waited and listened, then wrote down what he thought he heard. He heard from the Lord that his concern was a greater one than the car, and the Lord told him what it really was. Back and forth the dialogue went on many subjects.

But he wondered if he was really hearing from God or were these his own thoughts. He had been given two yardsticks for measuring anything he heard:

1.	Were the responses in keeping with the personality of Jesus?
2.	Were the responses consistent with scripture?

He was advised to check with a trusted and experienced Christian friend if he still had doubts.

John concluded by saying he still dialogues in the early morning. He “prays with his pencil.” He said, “My sessions now extend beyond strictly personal matters...to include daily thanksgivings and intercessions, and pleas for simple guidance. And never before in my life have I felt so close, so connected to God in prayer.”

So you, my readers, might take pencil and paper in your hands and sit down with Jesus. Tell Him what is on your heart, listen for His response, and write it all down. Keep these records as your journal and read back over them periodically. You, too, might find this a surprisingly effective way to pray and find you are feeling closer and more connected to God.

BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR THOUGHTS AND STORIES BOOK 3

1.	Bob Sorge, Secrets Of The Secret Place (Greenwood, MO: Oasis House, 2001)
2.	The New Scofield Study Bible: NIV (New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1998)
3.	Paul Keith Davis, Books Of Destiny, (North Sutton, NH: Streams Publications, 2004)
4.	Rick Joyner, The Torch And The Sword (Wilkesboro, NC: MorningStar Pub., 2003)
5.	Joan Whitacre Royer, Thoughts And Stories, Bk 2
6.	Ira Milligan, Understanding The Dreams You Dream (Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image Pub., 1997)

All scriptures in this book are in the New International Version of the Bible unless otherwise indicated.