An Encouragement

This is an encouragement to go forward, to persevere, in love and unity in order to see the glory of the Lord manifested in the land through His people. Isaiah 43:16-21  "Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.  The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise."

Renewed Vision - Renewed Purpose

Many individuals are at a point of pressing through darkness but they are not to lose heart because when they have pressed through the darkness of their circumstance they will give birth to a new thing that God is doing in them.  Whenever there is new birth, there is pain, for just as God told Eve that he would 'greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children', so shall we have this same process as God gives birth through us of His plans and His purposes.  If you have been going through a time of trial - take heart!  Look to what God is birthing through it.  The enemy may have you believe this is to destroy you however God has plans to prosper you and not to harm you.  We are to 'rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind.  Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation now that you have tasted that the Lord is good'.  (1Peter 2:1&2).  When you are going through the darkness of transition and labour of birth it is also an opportunity to throw off everything that would hinder you and that would keep you from entering the new - so press on and through.  Shake off the old and put on the new; be strengthened by the pureness of the Spirit of God and allow Him to nurture you through.  Seek God out.

Unity, Love & Support Bring Victory

In the context of new birth, new born babies need nurturing and care.  There is a two-fold responsibility within the kingdom of God.  Those who are strong are to draw alongside those that are struggling in their weakness, "warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone" (1 Thess. 5:14).  Just as women have labour coaches in the natural we need labour coaches in the spiritual.  For those who are at a point where they can draw alongside to strengthen someone else, they have a responsibility to do this, to serve to love and to strengthen those who are weak or uncertain - don't wait to be asked - reach out.  For those need encouragement, reach out and ask for godly counsel, be willing to receive it.  Even Moses when his arms were growing tired and he was no longer able to lift them up received help from his brother and friend and as long as they stood there with him, upholding him before the Lord, victory was there.  An illustration of unity, love and support that sees us through the battle and into the victory of God in our lives.  (Ex. 17:8-15) God is callling us to a demonstration of loving support for one another.  (John 13:35, By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.)   Blessings, Deborah Ritz(Footstool Ministries (Canada))- April 7, 2004