Blog

Of late I am going down a long journey of what I will call, ‘extreme care giving’. I am the ultimate, get the job done, MARTHA!

I was given a WORD two years ago, ‘not to get into the water, with the drowning person’, and that I was on a ‘raft of healing and freedom’. ‘I can throw the person a rope’, but that was my limit’. I knew instantly what it was, but I did not know what it meant. what did it mean ‘not get into the water with the drowning person.?Well, that cost me big time. I jumped into the water, and now I am the ‘drowning person as well’. Drowning people cannot save other drowning people, I am here to tell you!

But I am convinced that GOD knew I would, right from the foundations of time. Why? Because of how he made me. I am a nurturer, and a ‘fighter’ to the end,. I am loyal ‘ad nauseum’ and to my own detriment, sometimes.

So, here I am stressed to the max, and my body seems to have ‘somaticized’ all of the stress, and is manifesting, as unwanted physical symptoms.

I think the lack of clarity with the original word may have been the issue. I just kept moving forward, until exhaustion. What does that actually look like in reality, ‘don’t get into the water with the drowning person,? Or you can throw them a rope’ only. What does it mean to ‘let go’ and ‘set boundaries”?

I think it means do as He directs ,and, NOTHING MORE! If He says nothing, then do NOTHING. It also means, no people pleasing, or worries about what other’s think!

The other issue was lack of faith,, I apparently had, that Abba could handle,what I really was not supposed to take on. He has been after me for years, in the area of acquiring, childlike faith’. No easy task for an adult, in our independent society.

What does that mean,childlike faith? Let’s back up many years as I was a passenger in the car, and the Lord spoke so clearly to me, ‘I want you to be like your grandson, Noah’. Noah was under two years old at the time. His ‘job’ was eat, sleep, pee, poop, and play. He knew instinctively that all of his needs would be taken care of, by mom and dad. He did not worry, fret, and the like. All those things would be ‘learned’, later on in life. In fact, he was so ‘arrogant’ that when those basic needs were NOT met, he got mad, and cried! He somehow knew he was ‘entitled ‘to those needs being met. His language was ‘tears’.

My grandson Noah made demands on his caregivers. The bible says in

Matt 11:12 we can as well, to Abba!

“From the days of John, the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize].” AMP

‘Lord, how do I get back there??’. No answer. However, I have sensed it is with MORE FAITH’.

Hebrews 11:1, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for and not seen’.

You mean just believe what you read in the bible, and ‘take it to the bank’, if you will. But you don’t understand Lord, I have this, and that and …. Could it be that simple? It is!

Do not fear, and do not worry are simply not congruent with today’s society and world. My mom had pure white hair, and believe it or not, she felt that if she did not do her share of worrying, she felt she was NOT a good mom!

I sensed the Lord telling me stop asking so many questions, and just believe He can do ALL for me, and wants to. He does this just because He says it in His WORD, it will come to pass. He has also told me to focus on the track record I already have with Him. For those that are new to GOD, testimony from others, in addition to the Word, will suffice. The Bible says, we overcome with the testimony of our mouth, and the Blood of the Lamb. Rev 12:11.

I still have not mastered it, nor completely believe even after all His faithfulness, that: 1) He really does not need me, 2) It is simple, I have made it difficult with doubt. It really is true:

Psalm 37:

“Don’t worry about the wicked
or envy those who do wrong.
2 For like grass, they soon fade away.
Like spring flowers, they soon wither.

3 Trust in the Lord and do good.
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you your heart’s desires.

5 Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him, and he will help you.
6 He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,
and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

7 Be still in the presence of the Lord,
and wait patiently for him to act.
Don’t worry about evil people who prosper
or fret about their wicked schemes” NLV

Unbelief and Doubt have aborted many a destiny, and miracle! That is in the Word as well.

I think we adults make it a whole lot harder for God to move in signs and wonders in our lives, because of what I just spoke of; lack of faith, unbelief, doubt and fear.

As of late I find myself in a really good ‘pickle jar’ of three very untenable ,and intense circumstances. Nothing really, I have done with one of those three, is working, and have no clue what to do with the other two.

Now my health is suffering because of all of it, I believe. God has His ways of getting messages across to me, and sometimes HE does make me sit down long enough to hear them. I am getting quicker at listening.

One of my ‘pickles ‘now is I was told I need extensive back surgery due to a very old back injury! WHAT!! More stress on the pile?!

Someone dear to me sent me this, this am…

“Jo...

This is the season where God is enrolling His admirals into the "Bracing the Worst Academy!" Every way I turn people are finding themselves sitting in this classroom. The first course is: "Serious Situations Management 101." Next, comes "Stress Management and Weeping." The rest of the curriculum is being slowly unveiled. I've gotten word that one might be, "Rest for the Test 101".

Why does a teacher give a test? Certainly, she already knows the answers... but she wants to find out how much we know and can apply. (Argh!) I've never been a good test taker. I used to get too nervous to concentrate. I've learned I do best when I can start by crying until I can cry no more (like David at Ziglag) ... Then when my mind gets clear and I can remember the material I'd thoroughly learned but temporarily forgotten. Remember, David cried until he could cry no more, then "he encouraged himself in the Lord." Next, he did what you are doing, he called for the Ephod and worshipped the Lord.

BACK SURGERY!!! Geesh, so much. My immediate thought is to agree with you that D. has to be put on the back burner for now. All the complaints concerning his care must be put in the Lord's lap as this is all about YOU.

You've poured out and poured out for years with unwavering dedication to your D. But this is Jo-time. Stress is not what you need if entering surgery. (I'm not telling you anything you don't already know)

A thought: This Friday, at the Halligan furniture warehouse they're presenting the healing live-stream. Think about going? R. and I will be there and I hope to share a song the Lord just gave me. It's called, The Owner of the Earth is Mighty. God will meet you there, I'm sure.

So many of God's admirals are being tested to their core. I hear of unmanageable circumstances in so many lives. The devil is getting scared and wants to silence the fruit-bearers because he knows what happens when they're on their game.

God is going to work this out for you ... somehow ...I know this. The details go beyond me, but He's such a good Shepherd and has His eye on you, Little Jo-Sheep.

Cuddle close. You are loved!

M.’

This was so on target for me, I felt I wanted to share it with you all. I have made this whole mess harder on me. I am willingly now shoveling it all on His shoulders,. I know we serve a good good Father, that is not serving up stones for His children, but gifts. I want that peace that passes all understanding from childlike faith only. My life depends on it.

So, I made some decisions this am! I have a lot of surgeries in my life. In 2001, after my last surgery, a prophetic mentor of mine gave me a WORD, and it was simply, ‘No More’! I am holding God to that WORD over me! No, it’s not fear, of all that, although all that is daunting. I have had many times I should not have been here! It’s my merciful Father not wanting any more trauma to me, and HE is guarding my peace, so I can focus on what has been set before me. What is the worst that could happen? I die and go to Heaven? Well, that is not so bad. But He did not bring me this far to sink my ship.

How I did the original injury was laying down my comfort for a patient that had cancer, I was caring for, and being submissive to my husband, at that time. I would have made the same choices, again. This happened in Feb 1996. I have lived with back pain every day since. I get grace from God when I need it, right now.

I am preparing my ' field ' for the healing, and expecting it.

There is a scripture in Colossians, 3:15 to be specific!

“AMP

Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].

I have tried to live by this in my journey. But this last onslaught by the enemy all at once, had me ‘forget it’, momentarily.

If I go where my peace is, it would not be to have scary invasive tests, and or major surgery, not guaranteed.

No, I am not in denial! This is now a personal issue between me and the Lord.

My track record with Him has been many physical healings. I was told yesterday this process is so long, that it would not realistically be before Spring next year, IF surgery is offered. Therefore, GOD has plenty of time to heal me. I believe all coming against me is part of a distraction from the enemy to, as one person said to me, ‘have me fall into a pit the devil dug for me”. This to subvert GOD’s plans for me. Psalm 7: 15-16. The pit is for the devil, and Haman you will hang on your own gallows!

My Bible says He works all for good, and if I am wrong with where I am now, He will still work it for good. Romans 8:28.

Take my advice do not wait until the burdens crush you, let go and let GOD. He is able! When those things you been doing, start feeling like heavy work you can bet the anointing/grace is coming off for you to do ‘whatever’. He has the details worked out, and I have learned a lesson for the next adventure. Of course I am still navigating this one. But I am fully assured, that He did not bring me this far to sink me in the ocean.

You don’t need a hard heart, you need rock hard/fierce mustard seed size faith. You need to believe that the size of the issues before us, are not bigger than the GOD that made all of us, and created the world out of NOTHING!!

It is so much easier to stay focused on God when we ignore what the enemy is doing to derail us exactly from that, Him. It is a strategy. You may say, ‘No you do not understand’. I’ll say now, “I surely do’.

What about the pain and limitations Jo? Pain is a symptom of my humanity, that I am not limited to! Is the servant greater than the Master, the Bible says, NO!

GOD is so so good to me! I am thankful. I shall yet Praise Him!!

Lyric :“Praise is the water my enemies drown in”, Elevation Worship , ‘ Praise’

Well, I am going to keep moving and I will never suffer as He did for me. But for the GLORY set before me, I will endure my cross. But Resurrection Life and grace is still in operation. I am not moving against my peace, unless HE changes the direction. I'll be moving in unshakeable faith believing that if could heal the other things in my life they said would never get better, this is but a blink to Him. I am following my peace…moving forward. I am believing expectantly for the Kairos moment of the most profound healing ever in my life. Glory Yourself in my life, Jesus!

GOD IS NOT DONE WITH ME, OR YOU!

I’ll end with Psalm 34:17

The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their trouble. NLV

BTW all of the versions I read say, ALL!

Yes, to those that know me well, I am preaching to myself!

His mercies are new every morning!

Blessings-

Jo- Sheep

August 28, 2024

josephine@flamesoffire.us

www.flamesoffire.us