“THE UPSWING OF THE MASTER CONDUCTOR’S BATON”

By the Holy Spirit through Mary Lindow


Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things;
His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
~ Psalm 98:1



“THE MASTER CONDUCTOR”

In the Spirit, I was allowed to see Jesus standing on a conductor’s podium.

He is about to direct a New Symphony that He has been writing the score for all instruments of His choosing for ages.

With the Upswing of His arm, with the Conductor’s Baton, the instruments of His choice will all be riveted and poised for the unified sound that this Divine Musical Score will radiate and release. It is the Upswing of the Conductor's arm that begins the concert, not the downbeat. All are in position and ready to engage with His directorship.



“NO AGE OR GENERATIONAL BARRIERS”

Some of the instrumentalists in the coming “Master’s” Symphony have been “fine tuning” for decades. These are mighty warriors who have practiced their assignments on abandoned hillsides and in prisons of man’s making which caused raw and painful heartache, yet still they sang and played on, in defiance against the odds thrown at them by the enemy of dashed dreams and hope deferred.



“THE LORD HAS FOUND A PEOPLE…”

The Lord spoke saying that He has found a people that He can direct with the slightest of command and instruction. They have been in the long rehearsal periods of their lives, memorizing the Sound of His Voice, Practicing His Presence. They have been eliminating their own “improvisations” and “false notes” of self-expression.



“My eyes will be on the faithful in the land,
That they may dwell with me;
He whose walk is blameless will minister to me.”
~ Psalm 101:6



“THE SOLOIST’S OF HEAVEN’S CHOOSING”

Out of this spiritual symphony will often be heard, the sound of “Divine Soloists.” They will rise up as the Master Conductor creates a score for them to yield to. This will be heard and expressed through the voice of prophecy, evangelism, and Divinely inspired teaching.

A marvelous rolling and welling up of Glory and praise to God will be the result of these specific Heavenly Orchestrated Moments.



“IN THE PRACTICE ROOMS OF GOD”

Unseen by men, these vessels have been receiving “Private Lessons” and instructions from the Holy Spirit. He has consistently convicted them of personal greed for the desire to be singularly important and “vogue.” And so – they “practiced” humility and deferred to others, in order that they would be equally honored and valued as well.

This formed a pleasing atmosphere to the Father and He has created a spiritual sensitivity in the hearts of those who choose to lay down personal messages, personal moments, and personal greatness.



“SOME HAVE RUN AWAY AND HAVE RESISTED”

Some, ran from the practice rooms of God and found a “band” of others who would march to their drum, but soon…

…Will be exposed lovingly as insecure and impatient with the fine turning of the Artisan that is created and trained by God. The symphony is being assembled and is in it’s final tuning before the Master Conductor lifts His Baton to all attention to a singular opening Moment.



“THE OPENING MOMENT”

All will be focused on that first Upswing of the Arm or God.

The Sounds of Power, Purity, and Clarity will be such a contrast to the sounds of religious piety and self-proclaimed revelation, that even the darkest of hearts will have to acknowledge that this “grouping” of well trained and focused “instruments” have a “something” that sounds differently, that is clear, clean, and arrestingly solemn.

“Your arm is endued with power;
Your hand is strong, your right hand exalted.”

~ Psalm 89:13



"A NEW SOUND - A NEW BEGINNING"

The Melodies of God speak louder through vessels of brokenness and humility than any other voice or man-made nuance could even perform.



"ALL BRAVOS’ TO THE KING!"

The audiences of apathy and wariness who have “soft-pedaled” the freedoms of God’s movements among their own worship time as well as gathered worship times, will have the spectacles of “Blindness to Glory” removed from their eyes as they once again taste and see of the pure sounds of the Heavenly Kingdom, and will themselves remember the days of humble teaching, loving-kindness, and mercy… which they once walked in.



"THE VISITATION OF GLORY"

Those in training and fine-tuning have a keen awareness that the time of preparation that they have been in is coming to a climax.

The demonic resistance has been the most intense that they have ever experienced and yet, they have been made stronger and battle-ready through the onslaught.


“It was not by their sword that they won the land,
Nor did their arm bring them victory;
It was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face,
For you loved them.”
~ Psalm 44:3


"A CONCERT OF EPIC VALUE"

The Baton Of God is about to begin the start of a concert of Epic Value.

It will awaken the souls of men and women, boys and girls.

All of those who ache for an Answer.

Heaven’s reply will be a powerful exposing and cleansing visitation of Glory that will descend and fall upon those voices and instruments who have been refined in the fire and in testing of compliance to God’s will. These will joyfully perform exploits in humility and in the honoring of others.



"THE LORD HAS DECLARED - SO THAT WE ARE PREPARED"

His Glory is about to Rise Among the Faithful. Get into your assigned places in the Spirit and be at ready to watch the Master Conductor lift the baton of a new Sound, a fresh fire, and a release of His power through Grace.


“After that comes the sound of his roar;
He thunders with his majestic voice.
When his voice resounds, he holds nothing back.”
~ Job 37:4

Duplication and sharing of this message is welcomed as long as the complete message and website information for Mary Lindow is included.

Thank You.

Copyright © 2011 THE MESSENGER " ~ Mary Lindow

www.marylindow.com

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"The Promise of Father"- Spontaneous Prophetic Music and Lyrics

  "The Promise of Father"- Spontaneous Prophetic Music and Lyrics by mary lindow

This Song is a selection from the "MESSAGES FROM HOME" CD which contains spontaneous prophetic music and lyrics all mastered in a studio as intercessors prayed faithfully for hours. None of the vocal or melodic lines were edited in any way and were left just as they originally were expressed.

These are the actual sounds and instruments I am blessed and honored to hear while I simply sit in the recording booth with a keyboard that allows many different instruments and percussive instruments to be played together seamlessly, as I wait upon the Lord to give the music, the words, and the sounds. The additional instrumentation was added immediately after each song was recorded “fresh” through a computerized Keyboard. The live drums were played by John Grapperhaus in St. Louis, MO. A precious young and mighty man of God. He just sat there and flew with me.

It is so wonderful to be able to let others “hear” what I am shared with by the Father as well! You are hearing the prophetic words and music exactly as they were recorded and might even hear my voice falter at times because of the strong presence of God touching me as well while recording.

I usually receive prophetic songs and spontaneous music from the Heavenly Father much like watching a DVD through what I call “full rolling visions” and a sound track. Although these were spontaneous, they were professionally and digitally “master mixed” only to bring out clarity and enhance the beauty of what the Lord desired to communicate.

Those who stood faithful in intercession while I recorded made it like heaven on earth as they bathed the studio in the beauty of prayer and in the honoring of the Presence of the Lord.

May the Heavenly Father sing and rejoice over you as you sit back and listen!

In His Shadow, Mary Lindow

"THE GRAND CONSULTANT"

By the Holy Spirit through Mary Lindow

"I do nothing without consulting the Father.
I judge as I am told.
And my judgment is absolutely just,
Because it is according to the will of God who sent me;
It is not merely My own."
John 5:30 (NLT)

Do you now see how I your Savior receive My power, My Grace and heavenly insights? I do nothing...absolutely NOTHING without the input of My Fathers voice. He and I are one in thought, action, and judgment.

I am challenging you and those who claim to walk in the supernatural privilege of hearing My voice, to consult Me on every level. I will only advise in accordance to My Father’s voice and will, in all of your affairs in life.

As you learn the joyful discipline of only heeding the voice of the Master Shepherd, you will find a pattern of absolute security surrounding you.

My ways and thoughts are so much higher than yours because they come from The Eternal Voice of love, created and sent down! My Father, your Father! The Mystery of the Godhead is not so difficult when you understand unity in thought, action, and purpose.

As a child of God who knows My voice and as one whom has known My Divine Presence, what else is there to do but to praise Me?

“Praise! It is the perfume of heaven!”

The living! The living!
They praise You as I am doing today!
Isaiah 38:19a


Yes! Praise Me for as long as you live!
You were created to praise Me in this life and in the life yet to come!

When the weariness of life and the dustiness of the road you travel on become too overwhelming, too taxing...
Remember! You are living in a great time of harvest! Praise Me!

When the time comes for you to take your final breath,
the days of your life which have all been numbered.
Then, you will step into a new dimension of praising Me.

Bring with you the praise tokens of your life.
The words you have spoken about Me have been recorded.
Your praises have been written down in My book!

Trust.
The issue that everyone on earth deals with day in and day out. Putting your trust in things that last for only a season or a few years can be very risky and very disappointing. I have told My people to trust in ME with ALL of their heart and I will make their paths straight.
Yet- continually they put their trust in people, and idols made of gold (money) positions of power and in themselves!

Lasting blessings can only come from trusting in Me.
The real issue is that you don’t really think that I will do what I say I will do! So... You take it into your own hands! When you finally lay down your need to control the universe and those all around you and trust in Me, then you will be blessed! Blessed with safety, peace of mind and above all blessed by My pleasure in your resting in My plan.

“O Lord of hosts,
How blessed is the man who trusts in Thee!”
Psalms 84: 12

.... Let me see your face, let me hear your voice;
For your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely”
Song of Songs 2:14

This is the heart cry of those who know that nothing else in life can truly satisfy them. My voice, and the looking at My face causes a deep peace and rest to “nestle” into their souls.

It is like music to the ears when My voice is heard,
like a melody from heaven. Ever so true in pitch, and in message. My face is full of compassionate expression and tenderness! Look at Me!

Seek Me in prayer!
Prayer is an intimate time of communication between you My bride and I! As we “look intently” into spiritual dimensions together we will delight over the Father who proved His Divine love to us and through us!

All you need to do to see My face and to hear my voice is to ask Me to speak to you and to show Myself to you!
Why are you so afraid?
I am not a man who will lie or make false promises!

My beloved! Risk everything!
Come closer to the flame of My Spiritual fervor!
Just ask!

Duplication and sharing of this message is welcomed provided that complete article and website information for Mary Lindow is included. Thank You Copyright © 2011 " THE MESSENGER " ~ Mary Lindow www.marylindow.com

“RELATING TO OTHERS WITH A LIKE-MINDED HEART”

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By Mary Lindow

THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS SAYING

"Be very careful whom you share your treasures with. How many pearls have you cast before piggish souls in the past, only to have them ground to powder?

The servant Paul the apostle was more than a new herald in the order of the day. He stirred up old systems and disturbed demonic religious strongholds. You must be ready to "power up" for years of opposition and hoards of religious factions and fracture’s of truth!

The past years of agony have been hard soldierly-like boot camp. Elite forces training. It will not go away. You must simply learn that it is My duty to do the fighting for you. Just be certain that you are only speaking, ONLY SPEAKING, what I have told you to. Nothing more and nothing less.

THIS IS A TIME IN THE KINGDOM
WHERE WE ALL MUST SOBERLY COUNT THE COST
OF WHAT WE ARE ABOUT TO STEP INTO ON EVERY LEVEL.

If there is not the peace of the Holy Spirit resting on those who you are involved with…don't move into anything until the peace comes.

Gatherings and movements can feel real exciting and purposeful until conflict, control, and competition show up.

The apostolic and prophetic saints in Acts, fasted, ministered to the Lord, and then the Holy Spirit spoke. We have all learned many a painful lesson in the past from experiences of over planning, programming, and hurrying to help God out.

To everything there is a season …a time. Until you have a full green light…don't move. It will keep you from having to backtrack and…it trains in humility.

Acquaintance OR RELATIONSHIP?
Ask yourself the following question. "Are you simply an acquaintance or are you working in relationship with others and those whom you feel are to move into a more Kingdom minded level of Spiritual intimacy with?"

Before I finish with what the Spirit of God would have me share in a final prophetic word, I am impressed to share with you the difference between the two words Acquaintance and Relationship

Acquaintance
1. Somebody who is known slightly rather than intimately.
2. Knowledge, usually slight, of somebody or something.

Relationship
1. The connection between two or more people or groups and their involvement with each other, especially as regards how they behave and feel toward each other and communicate or cooperate.
2. An emotionally close friendship,

IF YOU SHARE WHAT IS PASSIONATELY BURNING IN YOUR SPIRIT
WITH THOSE WHO ONLY "RELATE" ON A CASUAL SPIRITUAL LEVEL THEMSELVES…
…YOU WILL BE CONTINUALLY DEVASTATED.

Spiritual intimacy can only be as deep as those who spend the time in spiritually intimate worship, waiting, and self-examining dialog with the Father and in relating to others of a likeminded heart. Not easy for busy human life!

Philippians 2: 1-3 1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,

2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

A PROPHETIC WORD CONCLUSION:

" Hear Me!" Cries the Spirit of Holy Grace and Mercy! I desire to move upon, in, and through each of you. Not one of you alone can endure the onslaughts of evil by standing aloof and silent. Nor can the most vocal of gifts among you clearly communicate all that I long to express.

Until each one is willing to step into the Holy place of pure relationship with Me and with one another, waiting, crying out, Yes - even waiting until I come and refresh, then the generation waiting in the wings will not fully come forward.

Until it is branded into your spirits that this era in time is for the saving of the lost, the redeeming of the wasted, and the release of the power of My glory, you will be so very very frustrated by the heaviness that doggedly harasses your soul.

What I ordain, I cover.
What I command, I give direction to.
Be certain that you have heard what I am saying. I am fully aware of the weariness and fatigue you have been experiencing. Heavier than anything you can recall from the past.

Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering,
as though something strange were happening to you!
1 Peter 4:12

There are many many others globally who are also still wrestling out of the cocoon in new birth and are suffering also. PRAY FOR THEM!

Hellish warfare will be a normal activity in the days ahead. Unless you harness the power of consistent prayer and train yourselves in regular gatherings of passion in prayer and worship together, you will shrink back into serious doubt, anxiety, and dread when the trauma of warfare attacks!!

GIVE VOICE TO MY SPIRIT!
Awaken your mute tongue and give voice to My name, My power and My Kingdom Solutions! No weapon formed against you will ultimately prosper! My Spirit longs to declare wonders, to decree Justice, and to destroy darkness with your lips proclaiming from the spirit.

So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11

Speak out in truth and in praise and I will step into your midst with the peace you have been craving and groping for. Quickly! Enter in before you reflect and exchange ideas. After I am given My rightful place of honor and adoration, then I will speak and give you clear vision and direction.”

In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation.
Psalm 5:3

Duplication and sharing of this message is welcomed provided that complete message and website information for Mary Lindow is included. Thank You! Copyright © 2011 "
THE MESSENGER " ~ Mary Lindow

W.A.R. “Wisdom - Advancement - Reconciliation”

By Mary Lindow

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Notice that the first Capital letter of each of those words means something.

W.A.R.


You see beloved, the Lord has prepared us for this season. He wants us to focus on the path ahead of us.

The refining is painful but brings correction and is beautiful at the end.


Psalm 16: 11 says

"You have made known to me the path of life;

you will fill me with joy in your presence,

with eternal pleasures at your right hand."


Psalm 17:3

"You have tried my heart;

You have visited me by night;

You have tested me and You find nothing;

I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress."



THE LORD WANTS US TO KNEEL...

...before him in repentance, for it rids us of our self-focus. Light comes when we are delivered from ourselves!

Psalm 36:9

"For with You is the fountain of life;

In Your light we see light"



THE LORD WANTS US TO PAY ATTENTION to our “eye gates.”

What we look at. Our hearts need to be locked into His gates. He says, “Look to me!” And His arms are the gates that are holding us.


Psalm 118:19

"Open for me the gates of righteousness;

I will enter and give thanks to the LORD."



HE WANTS US TO STAY IN THE INNER COURT and minister to Him.

He is wanting us to get to “Ground Zero.” Go into in and let all things of the flesh melt.

Psalm 101:6

"My eyes shall [look with favor] upon the faithful of the land,

that they may dwell with me;

he who walks blamelessly, he shall minister to me."



HE WANTS US TO BE DELIVERED from disappointments or the feeling of being unworthy.

Psalm 34:4

"I sought the LORD, and he answered me;

he delivered me from all my fears."



You see, it is fear that holds us back and fear that causes us to to feel paralyzed or paranoid and so we are not able to move ahead in:

Wisdom Advancement and Reconciliation.



THE LORD IS CALLING US OUT TO RISK.

He will not fail us! He will not cause us to stumble, but He will cause us to grow and mature into the saint that will cause people out in the world to want to listen to what we have to share.

If we act ashamed of the Gospel and we act religious, then people are not interested in what we have to say. Whatever “fresh thing” we think that we are bringing.

But, when we have the sweet presence of God flowing out of our lives, when we have His grace and abundance, and mercy and kindness is expressed in actions

and deeds of tremendous forgiveness, then the world is drawn to something tender and sweet. And it answers the hollowness of their own lives.



THE LORD WANTS US TO BE RESTING...

...And praying.

He is using His “holy sandpaper” to get down to the beauty of the true wood in our lives.

Psalm 62:1

"My soul finds rest in God alone;

my salvation comes from him."

Psalm 62: 5

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;

my hope comes from him."



Dear Child of God!

I encourage you to understand that the pressure that you are under or perhaps even the sorrow or suffering that seems so unbearable, is not something that you need to consider as a punishment from the Lord.

It is He, driving us into a place where we are dependent upon Him only.

He allows the sorrows in order for us to find out just how weak we are in our own abilities, and how strong He is to deliver us.

I encourage you today to move into today what is known as W.A.R.



WISDOM

Knowing just what really is the Wisdom of God. To seek it out and find it.


ADVANCEMENT

What does it mean to move ahead into the deeper things of God? Usually, it means dying to our own pleasure, our own self, which seems to be a bit of a paradox compared to what we like to do. Thinking that if we produce more, we move ahead more.

But the Lord says, “ He that humbles himself in My sight, I WILL raise up at the right time."

RECONCILIATION

The Lord's desires for each of us that we would have a season of reconciliation. He desires that we would be brought back to a place of rest with those whom we may have been in strife with.

I encourage you that if there is anyone that you need to reconcile with or ask if you have in anyway offended or deeply wounded them,

go to them... quickly and in great humility.

If they do not receive you well, know that the Lord will continue to work on your behalf deep within their heart.



LET US COME INTO A HOLY PLACE,

as this season of the Lord moves across the earth. He is drawing His saints together to lay down their religious strongholds and opinions as well as judgments of one another.

Choosing instead, to bend their knees humbly and cry out to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords to reveal Himself in all of His grace and Mercy to them.

Let us, be some of the very first people to bow our knees, to pray for one another, to ask the Father that He would again touch the planet Earth one more time with a great fiery move of His Spirit.

That those that are lost, broken and deceived would have their eyes opened and their understanding made clear that the Son of God has come and redeemed them from the curse.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Duplication and sharing of this message is welcomed provided that the complete message and website information for Mary Lindow is included.

Thank you. Copyright © 2011 " THE MESSENGER " ~ Mary Lindow www.marylindow.com

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“I Have Anointed You Even in Times of Sorrow”

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by Mary Lindow through the Holy Spirit

As the days begin to change and the seasons take their course, so am I also beginning to adjust the path you have been treading out.

I have been keeping track of all of your sorrows,
Collecting them and all of your tears in a bottle.
I have written down your tearful sorrows in My journal
Psalm 56:8

Many have passed you by on the road of sorrow that you have had to bear, too busy to stop and comfort, too concerned about what others might think of your condition. Others are only focused on their own forms of grief and have yet to learn to comfort others in their weariness and tiredness.

I have encouraged all of you when others are happy, be happy with them!
If they are sad, share their sorrow. (Romans 12:15) Even the Samaritan, one least likely to reach out, stopped and cared for the man battered, hurt, and sorrowful left on the road.

Many who claim spiritual piety and goodness turn their heads and hearts when they see another brother or sister aching in sorrow or tragedy. Let it not be heard about you my child in the heavenly realm, that you protected your own comforts or your own position and turned away from a brother or sister in their prolonged agony.

I have been testing the hearts of many who lay claim to a willingness to do anything I ask of them, but sadly then “pass on the other side" in order to avoid involvement with what "appears to be" one who is struggling or failing. As you do to others, so in your time of need will it be done to you!

I your faithful Redeemer have heard the heart wrenching cries from your prayers and I am even now giving you strength and empowerment to stay firm and continue to believe that I will restore all to you that has been shattered, stolen, or shamed!

"It is God who gives us, along with you,
the ability to stand firm for Christ has commissioned us,
He anointed us!"
2 Corinthians 1:21

I have anointed you even in this season of sorrow!
And I will bring a fresh and pure expression of Godly living and giving into the earth through those we who see that they are being prepared as good Samaritans and who themselves are also being cared for by others who require nothing in repayment.

Many are hearing my voice calling to them to bring relief
To those who have been faithful in obeying my voice,
But have been persecuted heavily for doing so!

Obey my command quickly! Act now!
Bless them, help them heal, providing for them like I would! You will be greatly rewarded for this effort.

As you give them even a cup of cold water in my name,
you have done it for Me!
Matthew 10:42

As you have been faithful to believe that i have better plans and a better way than the schemes of men, very very soon I will wipe away your bitter tears and despair.
You have begun to understand what it is to fellowship with My sufferings!

In the days ahead, you will also share in the first fruits of harvest.

"God, who has called you into fellowship
with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful."
1 Corinthians 1:9


COME JUST A LITTLE NEARER TO MY HEART NOW ...
... THE NIGHT IS NEARLY OVER.

You will see that the time of sorrow and weeping will pass, and a breaking through into the greater plan for you is in motion. I have been into the future for I AM all that you will need.

Your one simple act of obedience sets into motion waves of my redemptive grace and pure holy cleansing. The Nations are waiting for those who will only speak out of clean motives and pure hearts. I have prepared you for this time in the earth and I will fulfill all I have planned concerning you.

Enter in by humbling yourself further by doing simple acts of mercy and selfless giving.

Remaining anointed…
… even in times of sorrow.

Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed provided that complete source and website information for Mary Lindow is included.
Thank You
Copyright © 2011 " THE MESSENGER " ~ Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com

“ DIFFERENT NATURES TRAVEL IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS ”

By Mary Lindow

 I would like to share with you…
… A few true and weird warnings that are out there!





A warning on an air conditioner – Avoid dropping air conditioners out of windows.
A warning on a blow dryer - Do not use while sleeping.
A warning on a Rowenta Iron – Never iron clothes on the body.
A warning on a vacuum cleaner – 1. Do not use to pick up gasoline or flammable liquids. 2. Do not use to pick up anything that is currently burning.
Here is a warning sign that reads – Ignore this sign.
Here is an obvious warning sign from Durango, Colorado – Warning: Do not hit this sign.
Here is a warning sign in South Carolina – Caution water on road during rain.
A chilling warning from Sony Trinitron – Caution: risk of electrical shock. Do not open.

I could go on-and-on with these warnings that are obvious, ridiculous, and yet, how many people feel that the warning is not for them? Many do and that is why there are so many warnings out there, so the company is not legally responsible when people do a stupid thing with their product!

In II Corinthians chapter 6 Paul opens his heart to the Corinthians, he shows his love for them, and he holds nothing back. And yet, they refuse to heed or listen to Paul’s warnings. They may not have liked the first letter they received from Paul that was full of correction and rebuke for their sin, but it was also sent in love. So, now they can’t get beyond it and Paul’s point is that they refuse to be open because of the limits they have made.

Also, the people they were hanging out with may have influenced them, and so Paul now moves into this very conflict-ridden and often disregarded portion of Scripture.
As I read through these verses I see serious thing that we need to listen to, and that we need to heed. My prayer and hope is that that we would not only understand these things, but we would then apply these things to our lives.

COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM!
II CORINTHIANS 6:14-16b “Do not be joined to unbelievers. What do right and wrong have in common? Can light and darkness be friends? How can Christ and Satan agree? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?    We are the temple of the living God. God has said, "I will live with them. I will walk among them. I will be their God. And they will be my people."—(Leviticus 26:12; Jeremiah 32:38; Ezekiel 37:27)

Please know this has nothing to do with the worth of a person, the significance of a person, that one person is better than the other person. Paul is speaking of the nature of each person. Think about it, you would not put an ox and a donkey together with the same yoke, they have different natures, they would go in different directions, and it would be a mess.

HOW DOES THIS PLAY OUT IN OUR DAILY LIVES?
If you are dating an unsaved person you need to stop for you are not to marry, you are not to even date an unsaved person, someone who does not know the Lord Jesus Christ. Why is that? Isn’t that harsh? Isn’t there something called “missionary dating” where you date an unsaved person hoping to lead them to the Lord? I don’t know where that came from but it is not from the Word of God!

Again, we miss the point if you think these things are okay. You will be unequally yoked together and you will be going in different directions. And let me say this, chances are you are not going to affect them, but they will affect you and your relationship with the Lord.
Paul lays it all out for us as he puts side by side, the two natures. How can you have fellowship with a lack of control when your nature is honesty? You can’t!

How can light and darkness feel at one with each other? They can’t because light and darkness don’t mix! And if Christ is in you how can you be in agreement with the Devil? You can’t!
We need to understand that this does not just apply to marriage, it applies to business partnerships, close relationships, sharing an apartment or home together and-so-on. You may think you will influence them but the reality is, they will influence you and bring you down. Paul tells us in I Corinthians 15:33, the following.

DO NOT BE TAKEN IN:
EVIL COMPANIONSHIP CORRUPTS GOOD EVERYDAY LIFE.
Or as The Amplified Bible puts it, “Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.”
I know that some people still doubt that, and think you they are going to influence them, but most of the time, that is not the case, it is the other way around. Let me show you what I mean with this story:

H. A. Ironside tells of some boys who caught two chirping baby songbird finches. They decided to teach these birds to sing by placing them in a small cage and hanging it next to the cage of a pet canary. The canary, of course, sang beautifully, so the boys thought if the songbird finches were close to it they too would become good songbirds. Several weeks went by with no apparent results. Then one day the youngsters were startled by a strange sound coming from the canary’s cage. “Listen,” said one of them, “the canary is cheeping like a song bird finch.”

DANGER LIES AHEAD FOR THE CHRISTIAN…
…Who fellowships too often with irreverent people in the world. He will become like them. But worse than that, he will experience the disfavor of the Heavenly Father, whose will is that His children withdraw themselves from sin and evil.

The devil would have people believe that the life of sin is a very exciting life. It is a very exhilarating life. Yet the fact of the matter is - sin becomes a very boring and a very monotonous experience.

CELEBRITIES IN AMERICA AND THEIR LIFESTYLES
I was reading an article about the celebrities in America and their lifestyles. I saw that the average time of death of celebrities is 52.If they are going to live much they better live in a hurry because at age 52 that's when most of them die. The fast lane, very, very soon, becomes a rut. A lot of people who think they are living it up in sin are really not living.

If you really want to live and if you really want to have an exciting life, give your life to Jesus. There's never a dull moment when you know the Lord and when you live for the Lord. That's one of the lies of Satan - that sin is exciting and ooooh sooooo fulfilling!

OVER AND OVER AGIN WE READ THE LINE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT,
"The Children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord. ”It seems as long as Israel could have some kind of outward restraint on them they would be fine. If they would have a spiritual leader, something on the outside they could hold things together, but the moment the outward restraints were gone they would go right back into sin and there would be another lapse into idolatry.

A lot of people are like that. Some Christians are like that. As long as they have the positive peer pressure of a fellowship of Christians around them they do okay. As long as they have some spiritual leader who is right there to stay on top of them and help them do right they do okay? But when the restraints are removed and all of those things are gone, if you aren't growing, if you are not maturing on the inside, then you aren't going to continue to live for the Lord.

WHERE ARE YOU IN THE MATURING PROCESS?
I would encourage you to get the measuring stick out and see where you are. Look to the Lord and ask Him to uncover any areas in your life where He doesn’t have complete and total influence. Like Paul, do away with childish things, and continue to grow in Christ. May each of us ”grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.”

As I close this message I would like to take time to share with you, a few lingering "prophetic whispers" that the Lord has spoken clearly to me.
 
“Each day, upon waking, where does you hear and mind wander to?

Is it the plans and lists of things you must accomplish for the day? Is it the meal you are about to eat? Is it worry and the bracing yourself for another grinding day of dealing with the pressures of life?

Return to those early awakening moments where you and I share in the dialog of my plans for you. Each day you have to live and to give, you have been given the opportunity to impact someone and to do a kindness or act of training for another. Where has your thankful heart wandered? Without it, evidence of bitterness and drudgery will manifest and sour even the brightest flower of hope.

 Return to the heart of the issue and clean away the rusty decay of treadmill thinking.
Each day can be a fresh adventure into Kingdom purpose or,
a continual repeating of dreary existence.

Choose ever so wisely.”

 “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,
let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”
~ Hebrews 12:28

“When God prunes us, the result will be greater growth and sweeter fruit.”
“Pruning usually takes place when God uses situations, people, and circumstances to help mature us in our Christian disposition, attitude, and temperament.”

“The way we respond when we are pruned reveals our true level of spiritual maturity.”
~ P. B. Wilson



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" THE MESSENGER " ~ Mary Lindow  www.marylindow.com