"Making Room for the New"

Leviticus 26:10  (NLT)  You will have such a surplus of crops that you will need to clear out the old grain to make room for the new harvest!

MAKE ROOM FOR THE NEW!

CONFIRMATION:  "MAKE ROOM", This is exactly what the Holy Spirit spoke to me October 18, 2012.  [And the October 19, 2012, 'Spirit of Prophecy' bulletin mentions it as well].  God is making room for what is coming into my life. [His People's lives, Your life]  Step by arduous step, Jesus has been helping me [via the Holy Spirit] to remove deeply embedded strongholds from my life.  Deep calling to the deep.  It doesn't matter if the strongholds are known or unknown, new or old, past or present or even future, real or imagined, true or false, right or wrong, etc.!  It doesn't matter if you're afraid, insecure or doubtful.  JUST TRUST WHO GOD THE FATHER IS AND WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN YOU BY HIS WORD, MERCY, GRACE, POWER AND LOVE!  THE TRUTH IS:  The old [way of thinking] had to go in order to make room for the new, for God's Perfect Plan. The old IS really and truly gone!  Over!  The new has come!  And the Lord says... now you have no choice but to live in the 'new' life I created for you.  The 'new' is 'NOW'!   

THE NEW IS NOW

And now it is time for you to acknowledge the ways of God and to think [meditate upon] the thoughts of God and to act upon those thoughts as a Child of God.  How?  Let God remove all the strongholds [old and new] hindering your walk with Him, those things that weigh you down, distract you and keep you from moving forward.  And let God do it step by step at His own pace.  No longer continue to dwell on what you feel.  Moving forward [in step with God] has nothing to do with how you feel.  For you know... Father God knows best!  And... What good is it to dwell upon who's right or wrong?  For it is impossible to please men.  And only God is right anyway!  The point isn't to try and reason with this or that thing because God is unreasonable when it comes to human reasoning.  AND it is impossible to please God without Faith!  Bottom line:  Not one thing is too hard for Our God!  No matter how long you have been living or dealing with certain issues of regret, shame, doubt, guilt, insecurity, torment, and so on, God is able to remove all!  The goal isn't to wait until you and everything around you feels or looks perfect.  Because if you continue to do this, you will miss God's very best life for you, His personal Gift He has given to only you!  The goal is to be still and know God's Grace is sufficient for you!

The Contented Life of a Child of God is yours if you choose to receive it and to live in it!  For it is only by the Power of God working in you that enables you to show yourselves alive and strong [in Him]!

 

2 Corinthians 13:4-5 (AMP) ⁴ For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He goes on living by the power of God. 

And though we too are weak in Him [as He was humanly weak], yet in dealing with you [we shall show ourselves] alive and strong 

in [fellowship with] Him by the power of God.

⁵ Examine and test and evaluate your own selves 

to see whether you are holding to your faith and 

showing the proper fruits of it. 

Test and prove yourselves [not Christ]. 

Do you not yourselves realize and know 

[thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] 

that Jesus Christ is in you--

NOTE:  GOD KNOWS HOW GREAT HE IS!   HE DOESN'T HAVE TO PROVE IT BECAUSE HE IS WHO HE IS!  HE LIVES HIS WORD!  GOD IS THE WORD!  BUT GOD DOES DESIRE FOR YOU TO SEE HIS GREATNESS MANIFESTED IN YOUR OWN LIFE!  GOD IS WORKING IN YOU BUT JUST IMAGINE ALL THE THINGS GOD COULD DO THROUGH YOU!  IMAGINE ALL THE GLORY, HONOR AND PRAISE JESUS WILL GET WHEN OTHERS SEE THE POWER OF GOD OPERATING IN YOUR LIFE!  LET GOD PROVE [THROUGH YOU] HOW GREAT HE TRULY IS AND HOW FAITHFUL GOD IS TO HIS WORD!  THEN YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SHOW THE PROPER FRUITS OF YOUR FAITH!  LIVE IN GOD'S WORD!

Psalm 40: 4-5 Blessed are you who give yourselves over to God, turn your backs on the world’s “sure thing,” ignore what the world worships; The world’s a huge stockpile of God-wonders and God-thoughts.  Nothing and no one comes close to you!  I start talking about you, telling what I know, and quickly run out of words.  Neither numbers nor words account for you.  6 Doing something for you, bringing something to you— that’s not what you’re after.  Being religious, acting pious— that’s not what you’re asking for.  You’ve opened my ears so I can listen.  7-8 So I answered, “I’m coming.  I read in your letter what you wrote about me, And I’m coming to the party you’re throwing for me.”  That’s when God’s Word entered my life, became part of my very being.

Let God's Word penetrate your heart; then God shall truly become part of your very being.  For the goal [of our Christian walk with God] is not to be God but rather to persevere in becoming more and more like His Son, Jesus Christ.  Lean not upon your own understanding.  But in all of your ways, acknowledge God [imitate Christ] and He will make your paths straight.

2 Corinthians 4:5-7 (NASB) 

⁵ For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.

 ⁶ For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

 ⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;

Leaning on God means allowing the strength of Christ in us to connect us to the Power of God in us!  In all your ways, acknowledge who God is [by living your life for, through, in, and by God] so that your very lives may become a living testimony as to Who God the Father really is...  God is Good!  God is Faithful!  God is Able!  To do this... Sometimes we have to choose [take action] to do better before we can begin to feel, look, and be better, to see the fruits of our labor. 

Philippians 1:10-12

(NLT)

¹⁰ For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 

¹¹ May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

¹² And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News.

 

Keep your focus on God and praise Him at all times.  Focus on God's love for you, not your own feelings or perspectives about a thing.  Because... It doesn't matter... God knows, sees, and hears all!  The goal isn't to try and not feel uncomfortable or to try and feel comfortable about a particular thing.  This only wastes your precious time, energy and efforts to move forward in Christ!  Remember:  God is Our Comforter!  Lean on Him!  Acknowledge His Ways!  He will direct your path, the way and means by which you should step [move forward] from day-to-day.

Isaiah 40

New International Version (NIV)

Comfort for God’s People

40 Comfort, comfort my people,
    says your God.
² Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
    and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed,
    that her sin has been paid for,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
    double for all her sins.

³ A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
    the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert
    a highway for our God.
⁴ Every valley shall be raised up,
    every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
    the rugged places a plain.
⁵ And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
    and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

⁶ A voice says, “Cry out.”
    And I said, “What shall I cry?”

“All people are like grass,
    and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.
⁷ The grass withers and the flowers fall,
    because the breath of the Lord blows on them.
    Surely the people are grass.
⁸ The grass withers and the flowers fall,
    but the word of our God endures forever.”

BE COMFORTED!  THE WORD OF GOD ENDURES FOREVER!

Satan loves to use our fears against us.  And what causes us to fear?  Our feelings [how we react to certain things]!  Satan uses our flesh to take our eyes, minds, and hearts off track.  And ultimately off the very thing we need most!  GOD!  JESUS!  HOLY SPIRIT!  The aim is to dwell on how much God loves you and how much you love God!   The aim is to walk in the Spirit of Liberty that God has freely given you!  Jesus is with you always to encourage you through each step, moment, situation, crisis, the unexpected... your daily life,  inspite of what you may think, imagine, feel, see or hear!   Each day you must choose to dwell on ALL that God through His Son, Jesus, has done to preserve you, to protect you and to provide for you, EVEN NOW!  THIS VERY DAY!

Psalm 34:8-10 (NLT) Taste and see that the Lord is good.  

Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!  Fear the Lord, 

you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. 

Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, 

but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.  

THOSE WHO TRUST IN THE LORD LACK NO GOOD THING!

IT'S IN HIS WORD!  There is no problem, issue, crisis, obstacle, or emotional struggle you have that Jesus has not already triumphed over!  Regardless of what satan whispers in your ear, don't stop moving forward!  It doesn't matter if what he says is true or not because that's not the point.  The point is to run into the arms of Jesus because whether what you hear is true or false, it still doesn't negate the fact that JESUS is the ONLY answer for your every need and to every issue [great or small] in your life.  REMEMBER:  James 2:13 ^...Mercy triumphs over judgment.

  

WE SIMPLY CANNOT CONTINUE TO FEEL OUR WAY THROUGH LIFE AND EXPECT THINGS TO SOMEHOW WORK OUT!  WE MUST WALK BY FAITH IN AND BY THE SPIRIT!   USE THE MEASURE OF FAITH (GRACE) GOD HAS GIVEN TO YOU!   No one else compares to OUR GOD!  And no one else compares to you!  You are one of a kind!  Therefore, no one can help you but GOD, HIMSELF, by His Spirit and Faithfulness and Might and Power and Love! 

Proverbs 23:23-26 (NLT) Get the truth and never sell it;  also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment. 

The father of godly children has cause for joy.  What a pleasure to have children who are wise.  

So give your father and mother joy!  May she who gave you birth be happy.  

O my son, give me your heart.  May your eyes take delight in following my ways. 

GIVE ME YOUR HEART!

My statement [act] of faith when I feel fear or when the noises in my head begin to spew lies [to the point of distraction] is to say [in thought or orally], "I am running into the arms of Jesus!"  Why do I do this?  Because it doesn't matter what I feel or what is being said, Satan's objective is to keep me from moving forward.  PERIOD!  Condemnation means Satan!  BUT...  God communicates and compels us to action.  Satan condemns and drives us to distraction.  And God is a God of Order, not confusion.  There is now therefore NO condemnation for those who are IN Christ Jesus!  PERIOD!  The only thing that truly matters is LOVE!  God loves me and there is not one thing satan can do about it!  That's the real point of the matter!  No matter what I have said or done [yesterday, today, or tomorrow], I can't stop God from loving me and neither can satan!  So I simply choose to speak God's Word in faith.  And as I go through my day, I choose to embrace God's love for me.  I encourage myself in the Lord!  I express whatever it Is I am dealing with to Him and only Him!

Psalm 28:7

Amplified Bible (AMP)

 The Lord is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield; 

my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, 

and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, 

and with my song will I praise Him.

MY HEART TRUSTS IN THE LORD!

And... When satan tries to push my buttons... "It doesn't matter if a particular statement is true or false or ridiculous, either way I run into the arms of Jesus!  I can't save or heal myself.  I can't build or tear down.  I can't make myself 'good enough' but I can run into the arms of Jesus.  So I'm running!   Jesus, give me rest!  Here is my yoke!  I choose to take up yours!  For You, Lord, are My Peace, My Strength, My Joy, and My Love!  I choose to walk in the Spirit of Liberty you purchased for me!"  Bottom line:  Day or night, step by step, I need Jesus no matter what the situation or obstacle is [whether great or small, good or bad].  For everything I desire and need is found in Jesus!  THE LORD IS MY ROCK OF STRENGTH!  Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

THE CURE

Am I cured of all my issues?  No! ... And yes!  Painstakingly I have learned a great deal this past season.  Do not take your faith for granted.  And thankfully...  God disciplines those whom He loves!  So...  The objective is not to be cured of my earthly issues, but to let Jesus perfect me as I go through stuff.  No matter what that stuff is [the inner struggles as well as the external struggles of life]!   As long as there is good and evil in this world, Jesus is the only and absolute Cure [Answer] for all of my needs!  STUFF HAPPENS!  The aim is not to try and cure yourself, but to be still and know God's Grace is sufficient!  Even this day!   So take comfort and be of good courage, Jesus has overcome the world!  JESUS CHRIST [WHO LIVES IN ME] IS THE CURE!  Therefore I must choose to live in Him!  In Him I live.  In Him I move.  In Him I have my being.  And as Jesus abides in You, so shall You abide in Him!   And as You abide in Jesus, Jesus will always abide in you!

Exodus 14:14

Amplified Bible (AMP)

The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest.  

REMAIN IN ME!  AND I WILL REMAIN IN YOU!

The only time I feel truly comforted and safe and encouraged is when I am striving to walk with and live in step with God, when I choose to trust God as a Good Father, when I see Jesus as a Trusted Friend, as Master and Lord of my life and as someone who sticks closer to me than a brother through the good and bad, through adversity and triumph, through those moments of confusion or delusion and in the break-through moments when there is clarity and order is restored!  And the only pre-requisite God requires is this:  JUST COME!  COME AS YOU ARE!

Psalm 68:18-20

Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹⁸ You have ascended on high. 

You have led away captive a train of vanquished foes; 

You have received gifts of men, yes, of the rebellious also, 

that the Lord God might dwell there with them.

¹⁹ Blessed be the Lord, Who bears our burdens and

 carries us day by day, even the God Who is our salvation!

 Selah[pause, and calmly think of that]!

²⁰ God is to us a God of deliverances and salvation;

 and to God the Lord belongs escape from death [setting us free].

THE NARROW WAY

I have come to know and accept that there is only one way, the narrow way!  I know that when the Lord places something in my spirit, He wants to bring it to my attention and for my own good.  Only...  this time God is not going to let the matter slide.  When you know better and God knows you know better, God isn't going to just let a 'thing' slide, not anymore!  God expects you to do better!  Not by might nor by power.  But by the Spirit of the Lord!  NO MORE SKIMMING THE SURFACE!  Because... You are now His Very Own!   Before... You didn't know.  BUT NOW YOU DO KNOW!  So you might as well face the truth [faults, flaws, and all] and face it with God!  1 Peter 2:8-11 (NLT) ⁸ And, “He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them. ⁹ But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 10 “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.”

IT IS TIME TO TAKE YOUR PLACE, YOUR PLACE IN GOD!  God knows that you know [in your heart] that in [spiritual] reality, "You have nothing to fear'!  And as long as you walk with the fear of God [as Our Faithful God is always with us], you have something a lot of people don't have.  YOU HAVE HOPE!  So do not walk as one who is without hope.  "You must walk with your heavenly mindset.  An earthly mindset produces only earthly results.  Only a spiritual mindset can produce the good earthly result you need for any given situation.  THIS IS 'SPIRITUAL REALITY'!

Proverbs 3:21-26

Amplified Bible (AMP)

^{21 ...} but keep sound and godly Wisdom and discretion,

²² And they will be life to your inner self, and a gracious ornament to your neck (your outer self).

²³ Then you will walk in your way securely and in confident trust, 

and you shall not dash your foot or stumble.

²⁴ When you lie down, you shall not be afraid; 

yes, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet.

²⁵ Be not afraid of sudden terror and panic, 

nor of the stormy blast or the storm and 

ruin of the wicked when it comes [for you will be guiltless],

²⁶ For the Lord shall be your confidence, firm and strong, 

and shall keep your foot from being caught [in a trap or some hidden danger].  

PERFECT LOVE

God says, "My Perfect Love has cast out all fear!"  [So you're saying to yourself, "Then what is this I am feeling?  It sure feels like fear.]  NO!  First, there is left-over residue from your old life.  And your old life doesn't exist anymore!  It is gone!  SO... Stop trying to feel your way through your new life!   Second, God says, "You [God] and I know the Truth!  Most of the time... That feeling is not 'true' fear you are feeling.  That is you trying to get your own way because I am asking you to step our of your comfort zone!  You want to do it your way!  But you know that your way doesn't work!  It never did!  Lastly, Yes, you have regrets.  But now you must let them go!  All that matters IS today!"  And God says to me, "Yes, I could instantaneously solve all your problems and issues!  But in the end you would still feel powerless!  As a Child of God, You must learn how to use the power and authority I have given you!  And you must not take your faith [position] for granted!  If you are to walk as a Child of Light who reflects the light of the glory of God, you must learn how to tap into and walk in the Power of God regardless of how you may be 'feeling'!"

John 17:22-24

New Living Translation (NLT)

²² “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one.

 ²³ I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity 

that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.

 ²⁴ Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. 

Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

  

GOD IS WHISPERING, "YOU MUST LEARN HOW TO TAP INTO THE POWER OF LOVE, PERFECT LOVE, GOD'S LOVE FOR YOU!  AND SUCH LOVE HAS NO FEAR..."

1 John 4:17-21

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁷ And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.
¹⁸ Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. ¹⁹ We love each other because he loved us first.
²⁰ If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? ²¹ And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters.

-----------------

God knows that I know that I have nothing to fear.  So I keep moving forward!  But it is still possible to slip back into old ways if I try to do things my own way.  And frankly, I say 'no way' to the 'old way'!  BUT... I do sometimes feel uncomfortable with the thought of feeling fear [discomfort]!  I want to do the will of God!  BUT...

NO MORE BUT-S! --- IT IS TIME TO LIVE... BUT BY THE SPIRIT'S POWER!  DO NOT PUT OUT THE SPIRIT'S FIRE!

Ephesians 5:8-20

(NLT)

⁸ For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!
⁹ For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
¹⁰ Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.
¹¹ Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.
¹² It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret.
¹³ But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them,
¹⁴ for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,

“Awake, O sleeper,
    rise up from the dead,
    and Christ will give you light.”

(Living by the Spirit’s Power)

¹⁵ So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. ¹⁶ Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. ¹⁷ Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. ¹⁸ Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, ¹⁹ singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. ²⁰ And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

   

REMEMBER:  Though God's thoughts and ways are higher, the light of the glory of Jesus is in you to reveal the mysteries of God!  SO... The question is:  "Are your ears open to hear?"

Luke 8:4-15

(NIV)

⁴ While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: ⁵ “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. ⁶ Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”

When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

⁹ His disciples asked him what this parable meant. ¹⁰ He said,“The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that,

“‘though seeing, they may not see;

    though hearing, they may not understand.’

¹¹ “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. ¹² Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. ¹³ Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. ¹⁴ The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. ¹⁵ But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. 

PLEASE NOTE:  STOP EXPECTING OTHERS TO GET YOU OR TO SEE AND HEAR WHAT YOU DO!  There are things only you are meant to see, hear and do!

THE SEED IS THE WORD OF GOD!  AND THE WORD OF GOD IS THE SEED!  SO LIVE AS YOU ARE CALLED!

1 Corinthians 7:17-24

New King James Version (NKJV)

Live as You Are Called

¹⁷ But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. ¹⁸ Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. ¹⁹ Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. ²⁰ Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. ²¹ Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. ²² For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave. ²³ You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. ²⁴ Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.

 

FEAR VS. DISCOMFORT

Side note:  To feel uncomfortable about something is not the same as to feel 'fear' about something!   If a lion is chasing you, naturally you are going to be in fear for your life.  And yet, when God by the Spirit asks you to do something, you act as if you're going to die!  You act as if you're being chased by a lion!  No more drama!  No more pity-me parties!  No more 'woe is me'!  Get off your ? [and I say this lovingly] and do what I instruct you to do!  I am not asking you to bear the weight of it.  I am asking you to surrender it all to me because I [God] am working in you to give you the power to do my will!

FOCUS ON GROWING IN EVERY WAY MORE AND MORE LIKE CHRIST!  AND REMEMBER: TO EACH HIS OWN... Luke 2:49-50 (NKJV) ⁴⁹ And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” ⁵⁰ But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. 

NOTE:  Again, do not allow the fear of the feeling of fear [discomfort] delay you, dissuade you or discourage you!  This is where the saying comes from, "You have NOTHING to fear, except fear 'itself'!   Sometimes, just the thought of feeling fear [uncomfortable] keeps you from taking the steps God has already established for you!  The fact is, it doesn't matter why you feel this way or that.  Yes, your feelings are important but ask yourself,  "Is what I am feeling really valid?"  The point is... you are feeling something and the only way to deal with those feelings is to:  Acknowledge them.  Then acknowledge the ways of God.  Align your thoughts with God.  Lay all of your burdens at the feet of Jesus.  And stand firm in your faith!  Keep moving forward!  Ponder this:  If you are not afraid of feeling 'joy', then by the Spirit of God you shouldn't fear being afraid of the feeling of 'fear [feeling uncomfortable]'! Fear has it's place but don't mistake the feeling of discomfort for fear!  For you know that God has not given you a spirit of fear, but one of power, love and a sound mind.  You are not uncomfortable feeling joyful in a joyful situation.  So don't let fear [discomfort] grip you to the point of hindering your progress or walk with Me!  Let the joy of the Lord be your strength!  Romans 3:3-4 (AMP) ³ What if some did not believe and were without faith? Does their lack of faith and their faithlessness nullify and make ineffective and void the faithfulness of God and His fidelity [to His Word]?  ⁴ By no means! Let God be found true though every human being is false and a liar, as it is written, That You may be justified and shown to be upright in what You say, and prevail when You are judged [by sinful men].

BE THANKFUL!  AND LET THE PEACE THAT COMES FROM CHRIST RULE IN YOUR HEARTS!

Colossians 3:10-16 (NLT) ¹⁰ Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. ¹¹ In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

¹² Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. ¹³ Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.¹⁴ Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵ And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
¹⁶ Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

LET THE MESSAGE ABOUT CHRIST [IN ALL ITS RICHNESS] FILL YOUR LIVES!

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THIS IS A NEW SEASON:  The past several years or so [I MEAN DECADE], the Lord has not given me much of a choice in the matter(s) regarding flesh versus faith.  But I must also say that the Lord has been extraordinarily patient with me, walking with me, holding my hand, waiting on me, listening to me, teaching me, comforting me, disciplining me, loving me, and giving me all the time HE knew I needed to even get to the place where I am now.  NO I COULDN'T SEE IT OR FEEL IT IN THE BEGINNING!  NOT FOR A LONG TIME!  AND I STILL DON'T...  AND YET I DO!  YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!  But all the while...  GOD HAS BEEN UPROOTING THE OLD AND IM-PLANTING THE NEW [SEEDS] BY THE RENEWING OF THE SPIRIT OF MY MIND!

LOVE WILL LAST FOREVER!

1 Corinthians 13:7-13

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁷ Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
⁸ Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! 
⁹ Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! ¹⁰ But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless.
¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. ¹² Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.
¹³ Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—
and the greatest of these is love.

MAKE ROOM FOR GOD'S LOVE!
MAKE ROOM FOR THE NEW!

V. A. McClelland