Following are some words from Papa’s heart that are imperative if we are to make it through these difficult days. When received, they will strengthen you for whatever the journey has for you. All of creation is groaning for the sons and daughters of God to be made manifest
“You’ve made a mess, but I have a plan. Nothing works as it should anymore (or at least how you feel it should). But I have a plan that your failures cannot destroy. There is a capacity for beauty in your soul that I will restore.
I don’t want you to be afraid of failure, or you will live for success. And I don’t want you to be afraid that things in your life will go wrong—they will—or that you will feel empty—you will. If you fear problems or emptiness, you will live for comfort and fulfillment. And that will just complicate the mess you’ve already made.
I want you to realize that I never underestimated how thoroughly you’d mess up your life or how painfully you would struggle and suffer, and I don’t want you to underestimate your failures or struggles either. They’re all a part of the story I’m telling.
But neither have I underestimated my determination or ability to enter the mess you’ve made and the pain you feel and turn everything around. I can, and I will, make everything good again. Never, never underestimate Me. I have a plan, a very good one, and it will move ahead to completion. Guaranteed! Trust Me. Why? Because I love you even when you are messing up badly. I love you in the middle of your pain even though I don’t relieve it as quickly as you wish.
I am worthy of your trust, no matter what happens in your life. I have a good plan, and nothing will stop Me from carrying it to completion. You must live now in the tension between anguish and hope. Dr. Larry Crabb, 66 Love Letters
The consensus of prophetic voices today is summed up well by the following:
These are times when you can put forth a supreme effort to strengthen that which remains. There has been a very great shaking that has caused many to feel unsteady, but many things that have been shaken out were things that needed to go so that you can be strengthened and established more completely in your spiritual destiny. Let go of any sense of loss or failure and move forward in strength of spirit, says the Lord.
The following scriptures provide incredible encouragement for being strengthened in our weakest moments!
Hebrews 12:27 Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Isaiah 35:3-4 Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come and save you.
James 5:8 Stay steady and strong. The Master could arrive at any time.
1 Peter 5:8-11 Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes he does. Anything less than this is a lie!
Be strengthened in the grip of Papa’s grace! Ron Ross
Comments
Brother Glenn I am so honored to be an encouragement to you!
Thanks Ron, being alone, bad health, no real family, ßeven churcch family is made up of about 160 regulars where 135 are related. Your post help keep the faith.