Showing posts with label desperation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label desperation. Show all posts

Sunday, January 22, 2023

"THIS CURRENT SEASON OF DIVINE TENSION" - PULLED AND TESTED - STRETCHED AND RESTRAINED

 

☝︎ 

PLEASE CLICK THE PICTURE TO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST IN AUDIO FORM

By the Holy Spirit through Mary Lindow

 

"Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.

For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter,  though a man's misery weighs heavily upon him."

Ecclesiastes 8:5-6

 

NOTE: At the end of this podcast there is a short spontaneous song of the Lord that was recorded in a small studio several years ago. There were other wonderful and gifted percussionists and musicians joining in as the Holy Spirit moved through us all and gave me the beautiful melody and orchestral keyboard accompaniment. My hope is that it will stir your heart to worship and be even hungrier for the Presence of the Lord in your life. 


In all of our lives as believers, we face times and settings where there is a feeling of being pulled and tested, stretched, and restrained. Often, during these excruciating events, those who avoid personal character development tend to give unrestrained advice, spiritualized platitudes, and often, trumped up words of so-called prophetic inspiration to help us not suffer so!

As we begin to see the Lord's plan in all of this we also come to understand that if we are not first hearing His voice, His heart, His word in the matters that are straining us, nothing any man or woman says can bring the ultimate light of clarity and release! 


WINTER SPRING SUMMER AND FALL
 

We all face seasons of change that correspond much like the four seasons we observe yearly. Nothing is more surprising than to have an interruption of what we presume to be what is "normal" for an earthly expectation, in one of those seasons.

When a sudden ice snow storm blows in unexpected in the late spring in the Colorado fruit growing regions and encrusts the tender blooms on fruit trees and garden plants, we are devastated by the loss of not only the blooms, but also the fruit it could have produced. It appears as if there has been a cruel storm sent to cause crop failure.

 

WHAT IS THIS CURRENT SEASON OF DIVINE TENSION ALL ABOUT?

For many who are hearing or reading this message, you feel as if you have experienced a "Crop failure," perhaps several, and just can’t take one more aching disappointment. Many hearts have passed their tender agonies to me on paper, in emails, texts, and through the telephone.

 

ANGUISH HAS ITS OWN PERFUME 

I too have heard the whispers of the voices of darkness try to entice, with wearisome words of worry, paranoia and doubting!

"Give up!" they say! "What good is this time of shaking doing?"

"What possible good can come out of believing that there is something occurring that will bring a fresh advancement when all seems to have stalled or strained?”

And yet, another set of voices would tempt with words of esteem whispering;

"Make it happen! 

Proclaim mighty deeds and things to come with fervor, flair and well-honed words of impact!

Use it or lose it!

Promote, push, and publish! It is all yours for the taking!"

 

BOTH OF THESE VOICES COME FROM THE SUBTLETIES OF THE SOUL 

AND WELL OILED SPIRITUAL VOICES TRAINED BY 

THE PRINCE OF LIES AND FLESHLY IMPULSE.

 

But. 

In the midst of these strains and attempts to distract comes a clear undeniable "Divine Tension" that pulls and stretches the heart of the humbled believer.

It calls simply, firmly, and does not lack a depth of confidence and direction.

This “Presence” causes a clash with all that seems to be "the way of man" and will not relent.

 

THE EARTH IS IN TURMOIL


It doesn't take much to understand that the earth is in upheaval, rivalry, and chaos wherever we look. There is a tangible and penetrating "tension" in the events we are seeing unfold every day. Parallel to this explosion of pure evil and lulling to sleep of many, there is a Divine Course being laid out for those who have come to the end of them.

 

ETERNITY IS IN THE SIGHTS OF THOSE LOOKING TO A KINGDOM YET UNSEEN.

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have been preparing a bride. 

This is done only through the shaping tools of heavenly choice.

The chisel and hammer have been at times brutal and unflinching, yet, when the soft hand of The Almighty begins to apply the oil of polishing, He does it with His own hand as well.

He makes it beautiful in His own timing, even though the “Divine Tension” seems as if it might cause us to "snap" under the pressure of His hand, smoothing away the roughness of our thoughts and soul's intentions.

 

Ecclesiastes 3:11

He has made everything beautiful in its time.

He has also set eternity in the hearts of men;

Yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

 

HEARING, REFINING, HEEDING
 

The King of all Glory is training those who have been thrust on the altar of fire to hear from Him as one who strains to catch the song of a bird in distant meadow.

It takes the "spiritual ear" and training it to identify even the slightest note or sound, however distant, and to learn to silence the sounds and voices of distraction until the  "honing in" on the sound, the glorious sound of peace, finally directs and sustains us with all that we hear.

And then, having drunk deeply of the Voice of the Beloved and Divine Counselor, quickly, without mental filing way of instructions or overthinking, we move and heed His mapping out of plans for this appointed time.

 

RISING FROM THE ASHES OF THE REFINING OF GOD


So! Unto those who hear this word from heaven, claiming you are one of Heaven's very own, know that you are being formed and fashioned into sober, clean containers, prepared for infilling.

My Spirit will fall upon those who are not seeking to lay claim to My voice, but instead HEED My voice and SEEK My face. 

They shall be examples of purity in My Kingdom and will not strive among the self-promoting and “wordy". The broken will be safe in the arms of these who have passed through the current season of being pulled and tested, stretched and restrained and they will restore the devastated.

My "faithful hearts" will not be compelled to build agendas for Me and My Presence, because I will BE the Presence that creates the Manifestations of Glory and Might in the earth, without the fanfares of men.

YOU HAVE BEEN REDUCED TO DESPERATION IN ORDER THAT I MIGHT RESTORE YOU TO INSPIRED LIVING, IN FULL FELLOWSHIP WITH ME.

Isaiah 61

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,

Because the LORD has anointed me

To preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

To proclaim freedom for the captives

And release from darkness for the prisoners,

To proclaim the year of the Lords’ favor

And the day of vengeance of our God,

To comfort all who mourn, 

And provide for those who grieve in Zion

To bestow on them a crown of beauty

Instead of ashes, the oil of gladness, 

Instead of mourning,

And a garment of praise, Instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

A planting of the LORD

For the display of his glory and splendor.

 

Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed, as long as the complete message, Website, podcast link and information for Mary Lindow is included.

Thank You! 2023

"THE MESSENGER"  - Mary Lindow

www.marylindow.com

www.marylindow.podbean.com

 

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Saturday, December 21, 2019

“A Christmas Message” - What Hinders - Chains and Fetters You? BE FREE! Gloriously Free!




By Mary Lindow
 
Greetings Brothers and Sisters!
 I’m sure that you’ll remember the story that on Christmas Eve, Ebenezer Scrooge is locked up in the darkness of his dim house. Dickens tells us, “Darkness is cheap, and Scrooge liked it.”
 
Today, we still know that darkness is cheap, easy to find, and its raw materials of despair and denial are in abundant supply.
 
Scrooge liked darkness, as we often do, because it hides what we fear, keeps us from facing what is true, and allows us to be blind to truth. But like so many things that come cheaply, our overindulgence in them comes at great cost.
 
Out of Scrooge’s darkness appears the ghost of Jacob Marley, Scrooge’s former business partner. Marley comes not to haunt Scrooge, but to free him. Scrooge sees that Marley is bound in chains. 
 
“Why are you fettered?” Scrooge asks.
“I wear the chain I forged in life,” Marley says. “I made it link by link, and yard by yard,” and he tells Scrooge that the chain that will fetter him in the darkness is even longer, heavier and harder still, if he does not leave the darkness.
 
WOW! There is a lot of wisdom here!
Though chains placed by others might fetter us, most of our chains are forged by the part of our spiritual self that likes the darkness and shuns the light. Marley was fettered to cashboxes, deeds and ledgers, as was Scrooge. 
 
What would fetter or chain you?
Brothers and Sisters, the life of any leader or person in some form of care, supervision or one with employees or volunteer workers, a person with a bit of over-site over others, needs to be bravely examined, fully exposed to the pure and strong light of God’s eyes and checked often for hardness of heart, the love of acumen, pride in achievements and the over lording of others.
 
Jesus coming into the world—God in human skin—announced what had been hoped forever, that the captive person would be released from the darkest prisons—physical and spiritual. To our inner spiritual soul, our chains and fetters will be crushed, if we are willing to leave the darkness. Like Scrooge, do we need to be “scared out”? Shaken from slumber?
 
Scrooge could not receive the simple gift of Christmas, so ghosts rather than grace were sent. But, the result is love.
 
We need the light of God’s love that by its very nature is a love that comes to give us and those we serve, value and worth, not a love that comes because we are already valuable and worthy.
 
The entire point of "A Christmas Carol" is that Scrooge is entirely unworthy of God’s mercybecause Scrooge has no mercy! But! Mercy and love come to Scrooge through the judgment of the ghosts, and this "transformation" makes the unworthy Scrooge, worthy again.
 
The light of God that comes as love, forgiveness and hope is a light that brings judgment. I know that most of us get uncomfortable when talking about God’s judgment, because we are so afraid that we are unworthy of God’s love.
 
But, look at Scrooge! Without God’s light, without the promise of God’s love, Scrooge is doomed!
 
It is love and judgment bringing him into the light. 
Can we now see that judgment by God as a form of God’s love? His way of exposing the darkness of our own souls? Romans 2:16 has proof of this probing of our secret lives!!
 
“And this is the message I proclaim--that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone's secret life.”
 
Oh friends! Will we ever fully learn that God does not love us because we have value, but instead, HE loves us to give us worth? Life without the pure love of God coursing through our being is a vapor and miserable! 
 
Let's say to the Spirit of God with all of our hearts, the words Scrooge humbly uttered after he was confronted and faced his darkened heart.
 
"I will honor Christmas in my heart, 
and try to keep it all the year."
 
What is Christmas?
When Heaven kissed earth with the greatest act of sacrifice...
... Sending us a Redeemer. 
Who is Christ the Lord?
He IS THE Spirit, of CHRISTmas!
  
Let’s Humbly Pray this prayer together,
Father God, be gracious to me I pray, according to your loving- kindness. Father, my sins are heavy against me and my soul is troubled. For the many wrongs I have done against you and for the many evil thoughts and unholy attitudes I have allowed to influence my heart, and rule my life, for far to long.
I have sought to condone my wrongdoings, and ignore the voice of my conscience within. And I ask your forgiveness for my foolish pride, in ignoring the gentle promptings of Your Holy Spirit.
Forgive me I pray, and restore to me the joy of your salvation. For you have promised that all who truly confess their sins will be forgiven and returned back into a right relationship with you - and cleansed from all unrighteousness.
Lord the sacrifice of my heart is brokenness before You, My soul is truly contrite and my desire is to return into a right relationship with you. I know that the consequences of my wrong choices may remain with me for a long time – but I ask that in Your grace and mercy You would forgive my sins and cleanse my soul and restore me into a right relationship with Yourself – and my heart will rejoice in God my Savior, in Whose name I pray,
Amen.
 
Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed provided that complete source, podcast and website information for Mary Lindow is included.
Thank You Copyright © 2019
 “THE MESSENGER "~Mary Lindow

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

“A TABLE IN THE DESERT”- PROPHETIC INSIGHTS FOR TODAY'S TURMOIL




By Mary Lindow through the Holy Spirit


If you ask the true "heart determined" believers in Christ today just what it is that they need now more than ever, it would be totally answered by the very raw words;

 “I am in a state of real Desperation For God's Help!”


HERE IS THE PROPHETIC INSIGHT THAT THE LORD WOULD HAVE ME SHARE WITH YOU.

In the past few years many have seemingly "gotten" all that they thought they wanted. Lots of new stuff, bigger houses, hefty stock increases, and for some, that "greatly awaited moment" of climbing the mountain to the top of the heap to be "up there with the big dogs." Their inner thoughts exclaimed, "I am now someone that folks finally appreciate and take notice of!"

AND NOW... SUDDENLY!
THE BOTTOM HAS FALLEN OUT OF MANY OF THESE EXCITING MOMENTS!

Friends are scattering, you struggle to get your bearings. Telephones and emails and fax machines fall silent. NOBODY wants to identify with YOUR pain or loss. It just MIGHT rub off on them! Or better yet, it might even expose their slippery slope at the moment!


WE ARE IN THE HOTTEST REFINERS FIRE TO DATE!

People are winding up in anger, disbelief and frustration over this "unfair" season the Bride of Christ is in! It just isn't fair! We have been so good! We have laid down everything! 
Why oh why are WE being singled out?

I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched;
My eyes fail while I wait for my God.
~ Psalm. 69:3

I am weary with my sighing; 
every night I make my bed swim, 
I dissolve my couch with my tears. 
~ Psalm. 6:6

Does this sound like you right now?


EVERYONE IS GOING TO BE TESTED SOMETIME!

The strongest impression I have received from the Father about the condition of His Bride is this. When things are going "fabulously" for her, when all of heaven is blessing, she wants to keep it that way! 

If she is not in a place of great humility and thankfulness for what the Lord is doing, she tends to assume that, "It’s about time folks knew just how long I've been waiting for them to see just how great this church, or ministry or intellectual skill I've been soooo blessed with is!"

Then comes the attitude that we have to keep it allotted to only a few "real winners" like ourselves, and we become exclusive and look for only high rollers to run with.

And then. AGAIN comes the TEST.
Persecution comes, mug slinging, attacks on personal integrity, character assassination, and again the fiery trial.........of our soul.



TO REMOVE IMPURITIES  -  GOD USES A HOT FURNACE!

These trials as if by fire are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold.

So if your faith remains strong 
after being tried by fiery trials, 
it will bring you much praise and glory 
and honor on the day when Jesus Christ 
is revealed to the whole world.
~ I Peter chapter 1: 7


HOW ARE YOU DOING?

The Lord is working the Bride overtime right now to deal with selfish ambition, personal comfort, and any other areas of personal agenda or presumption.

Some of the pain you are experiencing is due to the disobedience of those in the Body of Christ around you! They resist the hand of God and react against you in retaliation toward God bringing correction or exposure to their secret lifestyle of personal gain or need for power!



WE ARE NOT ALONE!

For consider Him who has endured such hostility 
by sinners against Himself, 
so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.
Heb. 12:3

Admit it! It is hard to not lose heart right now! 
The world is in a tailspin and lukewarm Christians are showing their true colors! It's time to deal with this! It is NOT going to go away!



AGONY IS MORE SEVERE WHEN IT IS "ENHANCED" BY TREACHERY!

Jesus went thorough it. Stephen went through it and so did hundreds of others!  
AND it hurts, and disillusions, and causes us to be so very, very weary!



THE MOVE FROM WEAK TO STRONG IS COMING!

"When?" ...You may ask.

“Can God spread a table in the desert?”
Psalm 78.19


Here are a few things the Lord would require:

1. To gain strength we must relinquish our power or control over what we think of others. We will be judged by the way we judge others when they struggle. Pious and lofty lectures are not the Kingdom language of healing and restoration. Loving-kindness and Mercy reveal the heart of godly maturity in a believer when dealing with the sorrows and anguish of others.

“Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
Or like vinegar poured on soda, is one who sings songs
To a heavy heart.”
Proverbs 25:20


2. Reach out in kindness to those under fire.
Encourage them to stand. Encourage them to seek the Lord.
Bless them and don't talk about them when they struggle!

"The Lord God has given me the tongue of disciples,
That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word.
He awakens me morning by morning,
He awakens my ear to listen as a disciple." Isaiah 50:4 3



3. Get still. Stop organizing, planning, and pushing ahead into oblivion! God really does have a plan!

“Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for the Lord, Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become cynical. “
Is. 40:30 -31



4. TRUST FOR A MOMENT!
It's all about trusting God in the end. Oh yes it is!
Will He REALLY refresh us in this time of struggle?
His Loving Word says so.

“For I satisfy the weary ones,
And refresh everyone who languishes."
Jer. 31:25 5


The Lord is producing endurance whether we like it or not!

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial;
For once he has been approved,
He will receive the crown of life,
Which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
James 1:12



THE FATHER IS URGING US TO RUN TO HIM, TO CLING TO HIM!

He is there! Even in the fog of struggle, loss, anxiety, and also in seeming success.
He wants us to be desperate for Him and rely wholly on His voice.
To make all of our decisions based on His plan for the whole earth!

Seek Him.
Lean into His Voice.

Elevate grace and mercy…

And lower your own opinion of yourself and your abilities to “lecture” others into healing or restoration.



WALK SOBERLY IF YOU ARE LIVING IN ABUNDANCE AT THIS TIME, ON ANY LEVEL.

Keep the vigil of prayer you are keeping for others well lit by the reflecting memories of past times when you yourself needed the Merciful Hand of God to lift you from agony and redeem your life from the pit.

Let us be so devoted to the “One” who lavished and spilled out all He had, that we might repeat His actions, and in so doing, bring His Glory to it’s fullest measure and depth.

Mercy…. Endures.

Forever.

“Then will the lame leap like a deer,
And the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
And streams in the desert.”
Isaiah 35:6

*****************************************
Duplication and re-transmission of this writing is welcomed provided that complete source and website information for Mary Lindow is included.
Thank You
Copyright © 2014 " THE MESSENGER " ~ Mary Lindow