Hope
“He’s the Mender of all things:
As I was mending a sweater that I loved, after having thought I would need to toss it out due to a tear in it, a song whispered through my mind: “Heart Mender.”
As I sewed the tear that always showed itself the moment someone would state, “I just love your sweater. . .” the Lord gave me a prayer thought:
Just as with my having thought to toss out my cute sweater, because the hole in the garment would always become visible to any admirers, the Lord whispered to my heart—He is the Mender of lives: of all tears in spirits, characters, within families, anything past or present . . . and situations that others toss aside due to imperfections.
He is a God Who knows exactly the needed thread for every torn—in every garment of life: Yes, He will never toss aside any who wish to be mended, for He is the Mender.
Now, the next time I wear my mended- sweater there will not be heard, “Awww that’s too bad! I’m sorry that happened!”
No, the sweater is now mended. However, I now will be the one to encourage others, who have tears, not to toss aside that which is dear to them; for it just needs a mending—to become beautiful, again. ❤️☕️”
(“Jesus: The Mender,” Lora Dean Beardsley.)
The Power of Prayer Together
Prayer is a way of communicating with God— and seeking His guidance, support, and strength. Moreover, It can be a powerful tool for coping with stress, anxiety, and difficult situations.
Why not join together—with others—in prayer?
“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”Matthew 18:19-20 KJVhttps://bible.com/bible/1/mat.18.19-20.KJV
Take Your Place at the Table
Jessica M Marquez
There is a place and an invitiation that is calling us out of despair, bitterness, disillusionment and disappointment.
We are being called to a table where the presence of the Lord is.
God’s plan is not complete until we take this place.
Remember Psalm 23:5, “thou preparest a table in the presence of my enemies”.
Why would God prepare a table in front of our enemies?
What is the table?
Who are my enemies?
How is it all prepared?
What does this mean to us?
As I studied this section of Psalm 23, I was reminded how rich, specific and meaningful each word of the Hebrew language is compared to our English language.
After studying this section of Psalm 23 I keyed in on three words:
Prepareth
Table
Enemies
The Hebrew word for prepareth means to “arrange, to “set in order”, to “furnish”, to “ordain”, to “lay” or to “set in a row”.
The english meaning of the word “ordain” is to establish or order by appointment, decree, or law.
God is not just “preparing” as you and I would prepare eggs for breakfast.
He is ordaining something special, He is setting things in an orderly way, He is arranging things, He is laying things out, He is setting them in order.
God’s kind of preparation is very intentional, very planned, very orderly….bottom line….everything’s under control.
God is actively setting things up for each and every one of us.
This says something powerful about God’s personal interaction in our lives.
The Hebrew word table (shuehan) means “spread” and implies a meal; another translation says “feast“!!
The CEV says: “You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch.”
God chooses to prepare (ordain, set in order) a meal or feast for us, right in front of our enemies.
He is completely undaunted by any evil or troubles…..that, my dear friend, is probably the best news of your life. God actually provides for us as we are under attack by distresses and evil.
The meaning for “feast” or “meal” here is provision or sustenance. God gives us provision in lavish form, right in the midst of our troubles.
The root word for table, interestingly, is shalach, which means to “shoot forth, grow long, reach forth, sow, spread, stretch forth”.
God’s table of provision is well stocked and piled high!
In the Hebrew dictionary, the word “enemies” means “adversary, be in affliction, besiege, bind up, be in distress, enemy, oppress, pangs, to be in a straight (trouble)”.
The word enemy does not just mean a singular force that is against us, like Satan.
It can be distress, pangs of trouble, oppression, affliction.
In the midst of great trouble and distress and affliction, God lays-out and organizes a long table of provision and sustenance for each of us.
If you are going through a time of trouble and distress, cry out to God and ask him to show you the provision and hope He has created.
Put your faith in my God!
Up until now, He has never failed or forsaken me-and He never will!
Take your place and position at the table. You are key to the plan of God!
Jessica M Marquez
The enemy has attempted to convince you that you are unwanted, unqualified, and unloved.
This has left you unsure, insecure, fearful and unable to take the next step that God is calling you to.
Stop listening to the lies of the devil.
You are more than what you believe or can even perceive at this moment.
Dust yourself off. It’s time to press forward.
God is arranging people and positioning you where you need to be.
Destiny is calling.
Answer the call.
Mantles are falling and assignments are being given.
Strategic partnerships are forming for such a time as this.
Heaven is sending revelation.
Anointings are increasing.
Battles long fought are being won.
Territories once closed off are being taken.
The destiny God ordained for your life requires you to step into the flow.
Stop hiding in the shadows.
There are blessings, assignments, opportunities and resources associated with your God-ordained destiny.
When you are in position and alignment, flowing in your true identity, a specific portion of Heaven’s resources become available to you.
It is time to step out in faith and let go of fear.
Who will you become if you obey God?
What might happen if you follow the voice of Jesus the way you did before caution set in?
Where will you end up if you pursue Him radically, the way you did before the lost or broken years?
What might God do for you if you follow His voice, trusting that He will cover you as you pursue?
His Word gives us the answer!
II Corinthians 9:8
And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
Psalm 20:4
May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed.
Safety in Him
Storm watchers know: They know the elements that produce certain types of storms: Tornadoes and Hurricanes . . .
A Christian-Veteran that has served the Lord and survived many storms of hell, also, KNOWS the elements brewing that certain trials emit . . .
✒️Such Veterans-in-Christ find their safe place in God by putting on His whole armor with Fastings, Prayers and by Standing Still—for they know ”The Maker of the Wind “ and every storm must go through Him.
Lora Dean Beardsley
Gap Standers
No More is a movement reaching to make others aware of abuse that goes on in the world; most of all, it is a movement that wants to bring an end to such abuse as domestic and sexual violence. It is with an urgency that I desire to awaken us, in every part of the world-–be it in one’s personal world or in another’s world-–people need to be aware: There is hope beyond every horrific circumstance, no matter who would suppress one to believe that abuse should be ignored and forever held to a bondage of silence; rest assured, there are movements that can help bring freedom: such as No More and Firstborn Ministries.
There is a bondage that keeps victims from moving forward into a place of healing: believing his or her current circumstances cannot change due to the powers that be in their lives. Therefore, they live with a feeling that they could be in worse circumstances; yet, knowing they are deprived in comparison to what they know reality should be for them: relative deprivation.
- relative deprivation: The conscious feeling of a negative discrepancy between legitimate expectations and present actualities (380).
Silence and lack of knowledge about domestic violence and sexual assault play a large part in why they persist. Simply wanting to help is a huge step toward ending the shame and stigma that survivors are burdened with. Learn how to recognize DV/SA, what to do when you see it and how to stop it before it happens. (https://nomore.org)
Amber grew up, part of her life, in a small town in southern Missouri. Her social environment taught that it was not Christ-like to take a stand against an authority in one’s life. Sadly, when she was in her early teens, she was summoned by her pastor for private counseling sessions (the pastor felt there were things that were keeping her from having an experience with God) and when the pastor began to see that he was making Amber uncomfortable he would always manipulate her to silence: she was too afraid to step forward, as he had intimidated her young mind with false analogies . . . . Amber knew his behavior was not the reality of what a true Christ-like-person should have, as taught by her mom and former pastor; nevertheless, frozen in silence she didn't know how to reach out for help--until her parents found out through another victim. And, only then did things change for the young girl.
Yes, Amber was saved from even greater duress because someone stepped forward.
Thankfully, illustrations such as the story of Amber’s are often shared when someone is wanting others to join up with them to help support a cause, such as No More’s website and Firstborn Ministries.
Within No More’s pages are opportunities for victims-of-abuse to share their story, find resources and support; along with pages that educate about the many scenarios of abuse that one may find his or herself in.
Movements, such as No More are created and are utilized through resource mobilization: “The ways in which a social movement utilizes such resources as money, political resources, access to the media and personnel” (380).
Above all else, it is imperative that those who are personally suffering from abuse (past or presently) become aware–through stories such as Amber’s and the resources such as "No More" and Firstborn Ministries–that there is help and a new life away from abuse. Such awareness awakens people to their personal dilemmas–who may be in denial or false consciousness--causing them to step forward and to help create new movements, such as No More and Firstborn Ministries.
- false consciousness: Marx Describes an attitude held by members of a class that does not accurately reflect their objective position (381)
Years Later:
“Hello?” Amber listened to what the caller was telling her. While the caller spoke, she reflected back on the events that the call was stirring back to memory; however, she was not distressed as she was reassured that others would no longer become his prey, by what the caller stated:
(Paraphrased)
“The leaders of the Organization have sent in private investigators due to some families stepping forward. We heard from an individual that you had experienced . . . we wanted to let you know that his license has been revoked . . . he’s no longer allowed to pastor . . . .”
Reflecting back to that day, Amber knows she witnessed godly, people standing-in-the-gap . . .
'What will we do to stand in the gap for others, near and far?'
(L.D.B.)
Jessica M Marquez
When you go through hell and back, sometimes it feels like you lose who you are. You forget the person you once were.
Back to you. It’s time to get back to you, my dear.
That person you became in the time of betrayal, that was never you.
The person you became during the harrowing struggle, that was never you.
And you’re certainly not the person you had to be simply to survive that season of attack.
Who you became during the years you wondered or wandered - yeah, that’s not you.
It is time to get BACK. TO. YOU.
She was a mess when she met Jesus, but she had a date with destiny and it CHANGED. HER. LIFE.
Then came her liberation! Her shift!
No more loss, no more living a half-life. No more sin, no more settling or selling out.
This shift was REAL! This destiny was WILD!
You will NOT remain stalled or small.
You will NOT remain in sin or drowned in self judgment.
You will NOT give up and you will not give in.
A New you. A transformed you. A you who has drawn closer to Jesus. You now depend on Him and not your own understanding.
Your best days are ahead.
The greatest miracles are about to transpire.
The amazing accomplishments that will occur because of what you’ve learned through the last season will bring all glory to God!