Today's Prayer

Thank You, Lord, for this day -- for Who You are and all You've done.

Help me to make the best of all my resources -- to put You first, and serve You diligently. 

My hope, my peace, my all rest in You, and I am completely confident that You are able and willing to deliver. 

Lead me to the work You would have me do and glorify Yourself in it. 

Let not my feet be stilled nor my tongue be silent until I have done all that You have called me to. Even this day, Lord, let me be of use to You. Pleasing You is the wind beneath my wings.

I fear and adore You with the same breath. My heart yearns to be ever nearer to You. Have mercy on me for You are my everything. 

I am but a speck of dust in a whirlwind, but You are the Ultimate Supreme -- holy and worthy beyond compare. I humble myself before You for You are too great for me. I wilt before You then You stand me up like a warrior -- as a mighty, fearful warrior and even great evil trembles. They do not see me as myself. No, they see You, backing me up -- a little girl with her Father behind her then they wilt and run screaming.

Today, Lord, while it is still today lead me as You will. I will go. Though the wind howls around me, and mine enemies are many; I will go. You are my Heavenly Father. How can I not?

Glorify Yourself this day, for You, O LORD, are worthy of all glory.

In Yeshua's name. Amen and amen.

Reflection

Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up. -- Jam 4:8-10

Feeling humble today, inadequate. It's a good thing I don't trust in myself. No, my hope is in God. He is my deliverer, my protector, and my provider. When I can't see a way, He makes one. When I am too weak, He strengthens me. I never know what to say, but He puts His words in my mouth.

I am nothing, but He is everything. Others may think it's me, but I know it is Him. I push on because of Him. I run because of Him, and I succeed, because of Him.

If ever there were a worm too inept to be successful, it is I. If ever there were a speck of dust to useless to use, it is I. If ever there were one too sinful, too uneducated, the wrong gender . . . and yet, because of Him, I roar like a lion, and even the mountains tremble. Oh, yes, because I do not do anything in my own strength -- for it is feeble, indeed -- but in all things do I look to Him. 

He makes my paths straight. He makes my words stand. He makes me worth listening to -- for I do not speak of myself. Why would anyone listen to just me? No, people listen, because they hear His heart coming out of my mouth.

He is the reason. He is worthy. He is the One we all should adore, respect, honor . . . 

Me? I'm just blessed to get to work here. And that's enough when you know who you really are, what you've done, and how far He went to rescue you from yourself. It's enough to be His -- not to be worthy of being so, but to know you've been delivered to be so.

Blessings,

Betty

Like Elijah

I have had some tell me that I am "too harsh", that I should be "nicer". I tell those who slaughter children the absolute truth of Scripture, and I do not hold back. God is angry. He hates the shedding of innocent blood. It is an abomination He hates (Pro 6:16, 17), and He calls those who do is wicked (Exo 23:7).  They are headed for hell, and I do not pretend otherwise. Some say that's mean. I say it's mean to let them traipse into hell unwarned.

Not only do I preach the truth of God's word onsite outside these pits of hell, I call out to the workers as they are going in. I tell them God is holy, exceedingly so. I warn them that He will not allow them in His heaven, because they are wicked in His eyes. I call on them to consider Who He really is and repent. My witness is part admonition, and part pleading. I really don't want them punished. I want them saved, but they cannot be saved until they stop partnering with the devil in slaughtering children. (Yes, I tell them that, too.)

Does this make them uncomfortable? You bet it does. It should, because God is not some weak-kneed pseudo-god that we can push around. No, He'll not be mocked. They will reap what they sow, and they are, after all, sowing torture and death into their field of life. So, they should be worried. I certainly would be.

However, to turn someone from as powerful a lie as abortion, we have to be flat out honest with them.  We have to quit pretending like this is just a "choice", that while it upsets God it doesn't make Him angry. It does make Him angry. It is a nation-killing offense. We should speak to them like this is so, because it is. (Deu 19:10) It brings the curses of God down upon those who kill, those who assist, and those who do nothing to stop it (Deu 28:15).

The other things I do assist the witness I bring. I take authority over the site when I arrive, then I bind, rebuke, and cast out the demonic entities. Then I pray, calling on God to send forth His waring angels to work according to His will, and that He make these workers of iniquity (clinic personnel) aware of who they partner with.

Does this work? You bet it does. They tremble when I show up. They get agitated and they agitate their prey. I believe this is why the Lord told me I was like Elijah. I confront them head on. But God has led me to do this, and He backs me up. They are really afraid of me. No, they are terrified of the God I serve. He sends mighty angels with me, and they come to do serious battle.

So what has been the result of this. Well, we now know that there has been quite a change in personnel. They had been showing clear signs of conviction, acting out outrageously. Now, many of them are just gone.

Listen, folks, this isn't about me. It is about using God's word and our Biblical authority wisely, but we have to be onsite to do these things. That is why we must get up and go. I do not recommend, though, that everyone try to take authority. Those who do not know who they are in Christ absolutely should not. These things are dangerous, and should only be confronted by those who have God's authority to do so.

How many death-pits can we shut down by speaking so? (Having to constantly replace their employees will be a real problem for them.) Likely all of them, because it isn't "us" that sends them packing. It's God answering the faith of our commitment.

Jeremiah Chapter 7 -- Today's Word

In Jeremiah's Judah we see a prototype of who we are as a nation before God. They worshipped and preferred other gods, disrespected His word, and slaughtered their innocent children. So do we. They did not believe God would punish them, and were astonished when He did. We do not expect Him to punish us, either. He will, but we are still frighteningly incapable of reading the writing on the wall. In Jeremiah Chapter Seven we get an overview of what happened to Judah. Given that we follow in their footsteps, we should take a long, hard look at our ever-looming future. It is not just what the LORD had me preach at the pit this morning. It is what we need to hear, as well.

Thus said the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, "Amen your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place." -- 7:3

The first thing God does is send His messenger to plead with the disobedient to repent and return to Him. He assures us that if we repent, we will be forgiven and blessed. But that little two letter "if" word is very powerful, because it literally means that we must change our ways to be forgiven. He requires that we act on our repentance.

Trust ye not in lying words, saying: "The temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD are these. -- 7:4

They believed that God would not punish them, because the temple was still in their midst. We believe that God will not punish us, because the Lord is our sacrifice. God had left the temple because they were too disobedient. Christ is only our sacrifice if we choose to be His obedient followers.

"For if ye thoroughly amend your ways and your doings, if ye thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor, if ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt; then I will cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever." -- 7:5-7

God's remedy for their sin and ours is the same. We have to stop sinning. He never intended that we abide in sin. No, He intended that we be holy as He is holy. He will not be mocked (Gal 6:7, 8). He will not have a people who are His in name only.

"And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not; therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by My name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh." -- 7:13, 14

Shiloh is where the Lord's temple was first set up when the Israelites entered Canaan. It was utterly destroyed because the people there abandoned the truth of God's word. God uses it to point out that their security did not come from the temple. No, it came from Him, and He would only protect them as long as they were obediently His.

This is where we miss it as well. We tell ourselves that because Christ died for our sins, God will not punish us. What we forget is that He died that we might be freed from sin, not abide in sin. So we are in every bit as much danger as they were -- and the truth is He is speaking to us today, calling out to us to repent in the same way He did them.

"And I will cast you out of My sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of Ephraim." -- 7:15

God is no respecter of persons. He never has been. He loved Israel, but He cast Ephraim out completely. The disobedient will be cut off -- regardless of who they are.

Therefore, thus saith the LORD GOD, "Behold, MINE anger and MY fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground. And it shall burn, and shall not be quenched." -- 7:20

Like Judah we have a bad habit of thinking that we will somehow survive God's wrath. Precious few of them did. The vast majority did not. They were His chosen people, but they did not survive His wrath. I don't know who's more foolish because we have their example -- but they also knew what He was capable of.

But this thing commanded I them, saying, "Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be My people. And walk ye in all the way that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you. But they harkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward." -- 7:23, 24

Again, their problem was a lack of obedience. They hardened their hearts. He sent them messengers, but they would not listen. They would not turn, until all that remained was judgment.

But thou shalt say unto them, "This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction. Truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth." 7:28

They turned away from God so completely that they would not tolerate the truth. Are we not exactly the same? Surely there are few things more endangered in our society than the truth.

"Therefore, behold the days come," saith the LORD, "that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter. For they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place. And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away." -- 7:32, 33

Truly the people of Judah were slaughtered brutally, and their bodies were left to be eaten by the birds and beasts. This, too, is our destiny if we do not repent. It's sobering. It's horrifying, but it is what awaits us if we do not stop our sinful ways. God was long-suffering and patient with Judah. He has been so with us. But there was an end for them, and there will be an end for us.

Time is running out, folks. Like Judah we are about to find out first hand just how horrible God's wrath can be. It doesn't matter how loudly we proclaim ourselves "His people" if our actions prove us to be the devil's own.

The Effect of Sin

Wherever you are, whatever your sin -- whatever it is that keeps you from God, you need to know that there is absolutely no sin too great that God cannot or will not deliver you from -- IF you will truly give yourself unconditionally to Him. He can heal you. He can deliver you. The blood of Christ is absolutely sufficient in all things.

That being said, it is also true that there is no sin so insignificant that it will not completely, and irreversibly separate you from God should you not have surrendered to Him, taking Him as your Master fully, before you die. On the one side there truly is incredible forgiveness. On the other, total rejection -- as we reject His Son's sacrifice for us, just so will He reject us.

These days we have a problem understanding the effect of sin. Many think it irrelevant, because forgiveness is readily available through Christ. Others think it insurmountable, because they equate it to self-worth. Neither are true.

Sacrificing His only, beloved Son was no small deal to God. He did not take it lightly at the time. He does not now. He allowed His Son to suffer and die that we might be freed from sin, not that we might remain in it. It wasn't a casual offering. It was a tremendous sacrifice. So, sin is a very, very big deal to God. He calls us to holiness -- to obedience; because if we remain in our sins, we cannot be His. Forgiveness is readily available, because Christ availed us of it; but it is not insignificant, because we could never acquire it on our own.

This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is NO darkness at all. -- 1 Joh 1:5

God is brilliantly pure. To look at Him would not just fry our eyes, but, most likely, our brains as well. He's that free from sin. He's brilliantly holy. So, darkness or sin cannot dwell with Him. It's just not possible. By His very nature He would extinguish it.

Now, the power of the blood of Christ is just as incredible. Even the smallest droplet covers the worst of sins, not like a blanket or a sweater. No, this is more like bleach -- blotting it out as though it were never there. Even the worst of sins are dissolved by the slightest mist of His blood.

Your self worth has nothing to do with the power of Christ's blood. Absolutely nothing. You do not deserve to be saved by the nature of your own worth, neither can it lessen the availability of His forgiveness. The power of His blood stands alone. We can neither add to it nor take anything from it. So, just because you cannot see yourself as worthy of being forgiven does not mean you cannot be forgiven; and just because you see yourself as deserving of forgiveness does not mean you will be. His criteria is that we sincerely repent or turn from our sins and seek His Lordship, that we humble ourselves as His servants. Our perception of our own worth is irrelevant.

The only thing keeping many from being saved is their unwillingness to repent or turn from their sins, but with Christ even that is remarkably easy. The only hard part is surrender, but even that is easy when we realize just how futile life is without Him.

There is only one true God, and He is the God of the Bible. He is the only One who cared enough to provide for our forgiveness and salvation, but we have to take hold of that gift and let Him be the God He truly is.

Are You a Preacher?

So this morning a fellow-laborer asked me if I was a preacher. Without hesitation I answered, "Yes. Yes, I am. I had a problem originally, being a woman, but God said . . ."

He nodded, smiling, "That explains a lot."

Two years ago my answer would have been, "No, I just repeat what He tells me." Today, it's emphatically, "Yes!"

Not only am I comfortable with that title these days, but I am also quite comfortable teaching,  preaching, and ministering as one in that position. I get up each day asking the Lord to lead me in being the witness He would have me be -- reaching out to those I encounter as the Spirit wills. Now this has led to a wide variety of opportunities to His glory, and constant amazement on my behalf as He proves over and over again just how able He is to work with the truly willing. I, literally, just show up expecting Him to be Himself, and He never disappoints. It's one of those things I think far too many just do not "get" today -- that the God of the Bible truly is the exceedingly great "I AM". 

We have so many false or pseudo heroes today. We have comic book supermen and women. We have imagined rescuers, fanciful enemies, and mythical wars. Some are so caught up in these superfluous worlds that they fail to realize we have very real extraordinary warriors, diabolical villains, and world-shattering wars around us all the time.

Seriously. At any given time there are angels -- of varying sizes and positions -- listening for faith to come out of our mouths. There are demons -- also of varying sizes and positions -- desperately trying to make us stumble or fall. And there are very real wars going on between those forces for the souls of men. The godly angels make our imaginary heroes look like children at play, and the demonic side make our villains appear childishly inept. It's hard not to wonder if the imaginations of man aren't just a little bit tainted by the reality that can only be seen spiritually.

Above it all God sits enthroned in Heaven. The Bible says we are like "grasshoppers" before Him (Isa 40:22). Yet, He waits, that He might show us compassion (Isa 30:18) We are insignificant puffs of dust in His hands, but He loved us so much that He sent His only Son to suffer and die, even to be humiliated, that we might be saved.

So, yes, I am a preacher, because the Great God of Heaven loved me so much that I am truly nothing if I fail to love Him back by taking the truth of His word to those who will hear it. How else are they to know? If no one shall take His word to them, how else are they to be saved? How else shall I glorify Him? I tell you the truth:  If I am silent, then I make a mockery of the sacrifice of His Son, my LORD.

Two years ago I would have fumbled my words, not knowing how to respond. I would have been uncomfortable with making such bold statements. Today I stand on the street and preach as loud and clearly as I possibly can -- without shame, without fear, without hesitation, and I am very much aware that the demons and principalities tremble when I do. What a difference a couple of years make.

Get Into the Furnace

When Shaddrach, Messhach, and Abednego decided to remain true to God, they knew they might die in the fiery furnace. However, they reasoned that it was far better to be obedient -- even if it led to death, than to deny God. 

When Americans look at presidential hopefuls, we tend to think "choose the lesser evil". We do not believe that God will mind our partnership with the devil, saying to ourselves that "it is the only logical choice". 

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. -- 2 Joh 1:9-11

What we forget is that the God of our time is the exact same God of their time. He has not changed. He is still the incredibly great I AM, and He demands our total allegiance. He calls us to faithful obedience -- in every area of our lives. He requires that we be like Shaddrach, Messach, and Abednego -- willing to give up our lives for Him, to have enough faith in Him to obey Him.

Many are not even considering this, though. No, all they see is the "fiery furnace" before them. So, they will vote for a known evil over apparent holiness, expecting that God will "make it work". He won't, but they clearly expect Him to.

So, to all my pro-two candidates only, friends, you need to realize the real question your choice answers is this: How much faith in God do you actually have? Are you a Shaddrach, a Daniel, or are you Balaam -- choosing to pad your pockets at God's expense?

We all look back on these men, Daniel, David, etc.; and honestly believe -- on some level that their choices were easier than ours. We applaud what they did and recognize it as the "right" thing for them to have done. Turn the page, though, and we are just as convinced that our evil choices are also the right thing.

Be not deceived. God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. -- Gal 6:7

Choosing evil brings evil. It cannot do anything else. If you think about how so many professing Christians also chose not to fight abortion, you can see our generation proof of this reality. It was the silent approval of those who claim to be His that allowed that atrocity to flourish, and branch into all sorts of "mercy" killings. Yet, many said, "We must give women a choice or it will be worse." Now our nation is drowning in innocent blood.

Sorry, folks, but that is the reality. You cannot partner with evil and reap goodness. You cannot choose an evil leader and expect to be wisely or gently ruled. An evil heart does not have that capacity -- unless God miraculously bestows it, and He won't do that when we have deliberately chosen evil. Neither can you choose evil and receive God's blessings. No, He'll curse us even more for that. That's what true holiness means. It's a deliberate separation from unholiness. It's the hard choice -- like Shaddrach, Messhach, and Abednego. 

If you really care about this nation, the only real choice is third party -- where a man like Tom Hoefling, who puts God first, gives us the opportunity to choose holiness. We have to get into the furnace, and trust that even if we die, at least we will not be separated from Him. I'm not saying that Tom Hoefling is the only right choice. No, I'm saying holiness is the only right choice. Choosing godliness over apparent wickedness is always the right choice.

If you cannot make that hard choice, you need to realize that you have already lost. You have chosen to abandon God for the easier path. You have taken the wide path, because the narrow was too difficult. It is very easy for us to look at Balaam and see how far off he was. What's hard is looking at ourselves and realizing we're making the same type of choice.

I urge you to seek God and devour Scripture for the truth. Repeatedly our Scriptural example made the hard choice, and God blessed them for it. Repeatedly we are given examples of how the easy choice ended. For me it is broadly apparent that the only real choice is to get into the furnace. Hard as that is, it is the only way.

Under Attack

Today we went to visit with another pro lifer who has been on the "injured" list for some time. I asked the LORD if I should go, lay hands on her, and ask for healing.

He said, "Yes!"

So, we had a wonderful visit, chatted first about a mother we're trying to help. Then I laid hands on her, asking for God's merciful healing and rebuking the demonic element.

We are under serious spiritual attack here. I injured my foot sometime back, and was off it for over a week. It truly appeared to be broken, but the X-rays did not show a break. She injured her foot not long afterwards, and x-rays do not show breakage. I couldn't walk for days. She has been off her feet for weeks. 

Then yesterday as I was preaching, I was swarmed by these little round, black bugs. They actually drew blood, biting me all up and down my arms, and distracting me momentarily from the message. I have also experienced a serious financial drawback, which has had an affect on my ability to work.

Death-pit security has started doing some very alarming and violent things, as well -- attacking a blind man, and brutalizing a woman in their renewed effort to silence us. 

This place has always been like the very entry to hell with its own demonic hordes, etc. For that reason I have made a point of taking authority, rebuking, binding, etc. when I am able to be onsite. I don't think anyone else does this, and, truly, it would unwise for some to try. It is something, though, that must be done. 

When one wrestles the devil, he will do his best to make one give up. I do believe this is what's happening here. We are having an affect. The devil does not like it. So, he is afflicting us every way he can.

If you consider this ministry, please pray that we will be able to continue the work. Pray for our health, physical and financial. I'm not looking for financial gain here. The mother I mentioned is truly in dire straights, but many of us are struggling to survive ourselves. We need to find a way to help her with big ticket items -- baby bed, car seat, stroller, etc So, this is life and death serious. There actually are eight mothers being assisted in this area at this time. So, do the math. If you can help, please do. If not, please pray.

I'm still searching for a way to support the ministry myself, but the truth is: If I have to earn the money to do the work, I simply won't have the time or strength to actually do the work. That's why the LORD incites people who aren't doing the work to give. That division of duties is intentional. It gives everyone a chance to get credit for the work.

There two ways you can support this ministry. One is by purchasing my book: "The Air of Heaven" at www.children-of-the-heart.com/AoH.shtml. The other is by sending us funds via P.O. Box 573; Andover, KS 67002. We aren't 501K, because we don't want the government influence that often brings. However, there are many blessings that come from helping ministries like ours. That's because it isn't about making money for us. It is about truly helping the most helpless among us.

Blessings,

Betty

Leadership

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the LORD unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; who hath deliver us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son; in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins; who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature; for by Him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created Him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consists. -- Col 1:9-17

This prayer, given by Paul for the Colossians, is one we should study -- especially today, with so many believing the important thing is to surpass and control others. Paul begins by asking that those who he has taught be saturated with the knowledge of God. How beautiful a request this is, that those who are taught know enough to teach themselves! It is the abandonment of self for the betterment of those he served. Why would they need him if they were truly full of God? Of course, they would still want to fellowship with him, but being saturated with God, they would hear God themselves and be taught by Him directly. So, Paul starts off by wanting them to rise to his level; rather than, remain beneath him.

Credit and control is a major hinderance to the gospel. We are to elevate each other, not tread on one another. God is the only One who truly deserves credit and He has all real control. Without Him we are nothing, and we can do nothing without Him. Therefore, it is what He says we are that truly matters.

Let us put aside all infighting and jealousies; and put forth the attitude of Paul -- truly wanting the best for each other. Asking that God fill all our brothers and sisters with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding that they might be fruitful in every good work. It matters not who's "in charge" if God does not bless that leadership. Sadly, we have many that think getting to lead is all that matters. They forget that without God all they do is lead others into the horrors of hell.

Storms Clouds Circling?

Even in the darkest of times, God is able. It may not look like He is, but He always is. As Christ hung on the cross, the sky darkened and storm clouds circled. I'm sure to those watching it appeared as though all hope was lost.

Yeshua, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; -- Mat 27:50, 51

We can only imagine how the Disciples must have felt. They great LORD had died before their very eyes. I'm sure they were greatly troubled. I'm sure they doubted. It's certain they grieved greatly. They had invested everything into the LORD, and He had died. They did not understand that He would again. They did not realize they were about to evangelize the known world. They did not realize that things were just getting started. They did not realize they were about to set out to evangelize the known world. No, all they knew was that their LORD was dead, the One they had dedicated their lives to, the One they expected to revolutionize their world.

This is the way it always is. It is always darkest just before dawn. Storm clouds always gather just before a big break-through. It's the evil one's way of bringing despair and capitulation. If you give up, all really is lost. If you hang on, God may just lead you in leading thousands to salvation. The devil's hoping you capitulate. He wants you to quit. So, he'll everything to make it look impossible.

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. -- Psa 18:2

When all else fails, wait upon the LORD. He is able. He is our deliverer. Let not the roar of thunder or the darkness of night frighten your heart. Be steady. Be confident. The evil one may growl, and threaten, but he cannot take you from God. He has to make you turn away from God. Capitulation is all he has. Don't give him the satisfaction.

Rejoice in the LORD always; and again, I say, Rejoice!! -- Phi 4:4

Blessings,

Betty