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Today being Good Friday, we’ll look upon Jesus’ suffering, because the punishment that was upon him brings us peace, and by his wounds we are healed, Isaiah 53:5.

One of the most beautiful promises Jesus brings us is a promise to renew our mind, to calm, soothe, and still our emotions.  Jesus puts us back in our right mind.  It is a continual renewal of thoughts that he promises.  It is experienced through remaining with Him.  But everything is not always up and to the right as Christians.  We struggle.  It’s a clue indicating our critical need to deepen in relationship with Jesus.  In Western culture, anxiety was at epidemic proportions prior to the pandemic, so what now?  Of course, it has increased.  No need to quote statistics, we are living it out, we know anxiety has increased.

Does Jesus care?  Does He understand the anxiety that overwhelms?  Yes, he does and we find clues of his extreme mental and emotional distress when we read the accounts of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane before he goes to the cross.  The book of Mark and Matthew inform us that Jesus admits to his disciples that his soul is overwhelmed to the point of death.  The book of Mark tells us that he fell to the ground and prayed.  He didn’t kneel and pray, he fell to the ground.  Both Mark and Matthew tell us he agonized for a long time in prayer, praying 3 different times, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”  The book of Luke reveals that he was sweating profusely in this agonizing time of prayer, and was so disturbed within, it triggered a rare physiological condition where he sweat blood.  The condition is called hematidrosis and is extremely rare, with only a handful of documented cases.  All who experienced it were victims of extreme mental and emotional trauma and terrifying violence.

Piece all those Gospel clues together.  Jesus falls to the ground, a sign of physical weakness from overwhelming internal turmoil.  He agonizes in prayer 3 different times through the night.  He is not getting a good night’s sleep before going to the cross.  He is running on no sleep.  And though an angel comes to strengthen him, Luke records that after, he was still in anguish, Luke 22:44.  Jesus kept praying, and doing so even more earnestly.  In this state, he was sweating profusely, his sweat mixed with drops of blood, the drops falling to the ground. 

When you piece the Gospel accounts together, can you see how clear it is that Jesus was experiencing mental and emotional distress at a level no one else ever will?  Your worst panic attack?  Your soul crushing depression?  Jesus knows.  He went there.  He bore the burden.  He experienced it all.  He carried the weight of it all upon Himself and took all human brokenness, all sin, all shame, all sickness to the cross. 

In the midst of this distress, Jesus gives his disciples a prayer challenge, “Could you not keep watch for one hour?"  He was worried for them, urging his disciples to watch and pray so they would not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.  He knew the spiritual traps coming to test Peter.  He had just told Simon Peter after the Passover meal, "Satan has asked to sift you like wheat", Luke 22:31.

Peter's saving grace was that Jesus prayed for Peter's faith not to fail, Luke 22:32. Praise God today that He is your continual intercessor...

Hebrews 7:25- "Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."

Are you sleeping?  Tell God, confess your weaknesses.  Wait in the mercy of His presence.  Call on help from the Holy Spirit if you do not know what to pray, Romans 8:26-27.

Peter and the other disciples slept despite the warnings.  And the consequences are immediately obvious.  Peter responds in the flesh at the first temptation, acting violently, pulling his sword and cutting off the ear of the high priest’s servant who come to seize Jesus, Mark 14:47.  Jesus however responds in the Spirit, taking the man’s ear and putting it back on his head, fully restoring his ear, Luke 22:51. 

Flesh versus Spirit!  What a difference in terms of outcome, Romans 8:6!

Let the example of Jesus urging his disciples to watch and pray challenge you to take some quiet time.  Assess.  What is the state of your walk with Jesus today?   Are you prayed up?  Are you in the flesh or in the Spirit?  Take all anxiety and internal upset to Jesus to be strengthened by Him.  He understands your anxiety.  He's endured on your behalf.  He promises to comfort you.  Practice staying longer in His presence, resting under the covering of His precious blood shed on the cross.  Please visit our podcast page to find some inspiration to linger longer with God.  Amen.

(Into the Waters Ministry, Inc resources the earnest, helping them linger longer with God, to draw near and know Christ.  Now more than ever, we need to know Christ and practice settling our souls in His presence, anchoring in His promises.  Will you help us expand reach and impact?  Listenership for our Peace Be Still prayer podcast is steadily growing!  So many more can benefit!  Please consider a donation!  Help us match the $1K per month challenge pledge!  Every donation is a blessing!  Thank you for considering it.  Now on to today's interactive Advent exercise...)
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This is the 10th exercise released over the last 10 days for the Advent season!  Find the interactive prayer exercises on the podcast tab or click above to find the podcast on Apple podcasts!  Below is  the content of today's Peace Be Still episode if you prefer to read it to engage.  Blessings!  
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Hello Gina from Into the Waters, welcome to Peace Be Still and this Advent season!  It’s Friend Friday, a time to experience the presence and person of Jesus Christ, Immanuel, with us is God.  Isaiah 7:14 says the LORD himself will give you a sign:  The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.  Let’s call upon His Name today.

Yesterday’s episode shared in the prayer portion that Isaiah wrote those prophetic words 700 years before Jesus was born.  We see those words reappear in Matthew 1.  An angel of the LORD appears to Joseph telling him not to be afraid, but to take Mary as his wife, because the child within her is from the Holy Spirit; he should be named Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.  And then it says that "all of these supernatural events took place to fulfill what the LORD has said through the prophet Isaiah:  The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means “God with us.”

Jesus, God with us, fulfilled that prophecy as he ministered on the earth, and continues to fulfill that prophecy for you today.  God is with you.  Deuteronomy 31:6 is a promise from Jesus in the Old Testament- Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Remember Jesus is timeless, eternal, that Old Testament prophecy is from Jesus himself.  We get a glimpse of His eternity and coming from the prophecy in Micah 5:2-
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me
    one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” 

Jesus, a leader coming from ancient times,? Yes.  NKJV says "Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” The Amplified version clarifies his goings forth saying- His goings forth (appearances) are from long ago, From ancient days.”

The prophet declared God himself was coming!  And yet Jesus has always been with His people, from the creation of physical time and space, Jesus has been with us!

So today, let’s proclaim His presence with us.  Just position to repeat, affirm, and invite His presence with an open and receptive spirit.

Jesus, you are with me.

I carry your Spirit within me.

Nothing can separate me from your love.

Immanuel, you are with me.

You will never leave me or forsake me.

No one can snatch me out of your hand.

You are with me in the storm.

You speak to the wind and the waves within.

“Peace Be Still.”

You are with me in my fear.

I am not to be terrified or afraid. 

You go with me. 

You promise to guide me.

Your rod and your staff they comfort me.

Save me from guiding myself.

I need your wisdom.

By your Spirit, whisper wisdom.

Now wait quietly in His presence.

Silence…..

Help me obey your counsel.

Help me surrender to your whispers.

You go before me.

I am not alone.

Jesus, you are with me.

Immanuel... with me is God.

Amen.
 

My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.—Psa. 63:8

I want deliberately to encourage this mighty longing after God. The lack of it has brought us to our present low estate. The stiff and wooden quality about our religious lives is a result of our lack of holy desire. Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people. He waits to be wanted. Too bad that with many of us He waits so long, so very long, in vain.   - AW Tozer, “The Pursuit of God”

We need to wake up.  All is not yet over in this uncomfortable season that we are in.  As AW Tozer wrote over 50 years ago, God is waiting to be wanted.   In this season, is He waiting for us in vain?  

What are we waiting for?  For things to go back to normal?  For routine?  Eating out?  Socializing?  Entertaining?  Attending events?  Traveling?  Shopping?   All life activities that are normal, but in no means necessary.  Have you replaced some of that time with a fresh pursuit of God?

What if our pursuit of God played critical part of transforming brokenness into God's glory?

2 Chronicles 7:14- if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land

Humbling ourselves.  Taking initiative.  Our soul following HARD after him...

He's waiting...

Yesterday I started the day uploading a podcast I had recorded the day before.  Then after, I went for a walk using it to spur me on for the day.  I spent 45 minutes listening to God’s word, proclaiming God’s word, praying God’s word for myself and others.  Before you think I am patting myself on the back, wait for what happened next.

I went home and ate breakfast.  I changed clothes, and headed out for a simple task to get my vehicle inspected because it was due.  Yes, I waited to the last day of the month.  However, my check engine light had been on for weeks and I was hoping it would go off.  When I had gotten into the Jeep that morning it was off!  So just in time!  Just in time for a spiritual test...

What I thought was going to be an easy task, ate up my whole day.  For the first place I went, 3 bays were opened with cars in line.  I was one of them.  After about 15 minutes, I noticed a bay on the end, the only one that had a BIGGGGG banner across it that said "NY state inspections".  Since it was an oil change place, I figured that they had that special bay just for inspections... so as to not interrupt efficient flow of getting cars in and out for oil changes.  So I moved from my position; and went partially into that bay to ask.  No sooner do I do this, and a man with a stern look comes into the bay and starts waving his arms in upset for me to leave the bay.  I open my window and attempt to tell him I just needed an inspection and he barks out, “Get in line with everyone else.”  I told him that I was in line before; but since there was a sign on this bay for inspections…  He talks over me, cuts me off and says “unless I own the building, I should not be driving into the bay without first being ushered in”.   I was shocked.  Clearly he took great offense at what I had done, and refused to listen to my reasoning.  He stayed intense, and began motioning with his arms, using airplane controller type movements to silence me and get me to back out of the partial entry I made into the bay.

Well.  I could not believe how rude he was!  So I thought, “Forget you.  I’m leaving.”  I didn’t want to be serviced there.  I took offense at him taking offense.  So off I went to find another place and the next places required appointments.  So much for trying to stay close to home.  I decided to go to my normal place 20 minutes away.  Upon arriving, same backlog of cars for bays.  I was told it would be a wait of a couple of hours.  Okay. 

Long story short, 3 hours pass, during which time I leave and walk across to Wegmans.  I come back when its finished, only to check out to be wrongly charged for something they were to do (tire rotation), but didn’t do, but said they did.  I see my paperwork on the seat, read that they didn’t do it, bring back my receipt for a refund and the confusion ensues for an additional 10 minutes.  In the confusion I find myself short-tempered with them for arguing with me when they themselves typed the note into the system of not completing the work, which is also clearly on my paperwork. 

The manager admits he forgot it, which I do believe was sincere.  But then they couldn’t figure out how to refund the money.  At this point of the day, I have lost my patience and let them know I cannot continue to stay, to please figure it out and call me when it is done.  

Why am I detailing all of this?  Because this was a wake-up call to me.  I spent a good portion of the previous night in a 1 hour prayer walking session, then an hour interceding for the nation later on, then waking up to another prayer walk for an hour.  I was very disturbed with lack of Spirit led response. 

I knew that I did not extend grace to the manager who was being kind to me, but he was just overwhelmed with how busy they were.  He was clearly the one trying to help, apologizing for the mistake, and even though he couldn’t figure out how to refund me, was indeed trying to resolve it.  Plus, I knew that at the time I was leaving they had about 10-12 cars lined up in 3 bays all waiting for hours.  He was under tremendous pressure, and I knew it was like this for them all day.

So I dealt with myself.  I had a good talking to myself and with God.  I was not a jerk to them, but I was impatient and had let the earlier situation get me stewing and upset.  I had opportunity to speak and act in a way to reveal Jesus; but didn’t.

Just as soon as I was finishing up talking to God about this and evaluating myself, the manager calls and says he worked it out reversing the incorrect charge.  I had a much different frame of mind after repentance and was kinder, and expressed empathy.  He ended the call by adding he would not charge me for the inspection either because he felt badly about the inconvenience and time.  And invited me to come back another time, so he could look at my tires for free, and figure out how to get the stuck lug nuts off and complete the work.    

Again, why do I tell you all of this?  Because folks we are in different times.  And people are easily set off; and as a Christian we must have a spirit of self-control and a grace and mercy that stands out.  If I am in prayer all that time, yet letting the fact that things happened that ate up my whole day, and then snuffing out my light, how great of a witness am I?  This is not a time to be stewing within.  It's not a time to be demanding.  We may have to take some hits.  We may have to be like Jesus right now.  Yes.  It's time.  Let's be like Jesus, no offense.  I am saying that to myself and praying for the Spirit's work in me. 

He answers.  More time in prayer, more time with God makes us much more self-aware.  Why?  The Spirit is answering our prayers to make us more like Jesus.  If you want a "less of me, more of you" exercise, try episode #84 podcast from last week.  Found at this link, just scroll down to the episode.

Anybody who would have observed me yesterday might say, “What’s the big deal?  Anyone would have been annoyed.”  That’s not the point.  The point is revival within.  I'm not to be anybody.  I am to be a reflection of Christ.  And it is so desperately needed in me, it is so desperately needed in you.  It is a time to walk with the peace of Christ and reveal Him.

As we approach the elections, you can be sure more chaos is around the corner.  Chaos and anarchy have not yet subsided really.  It is still abounding in some cities.  Murder rates are rising at alarming rates in New York, Chicago and other areas.  Lawlessness is breaking out.  30 million people just had their unemployment benefits end.  People are on edge and easily perturbed like I experienced at my first stop yesterday.

We need a wake up call to the times still.  Would you say Christians are awake?  Are we in revival mode?  Or are we just in a mode of frustration or complacency wanting for things to go back to normal?  It’s not going back to normal.  And in it all, God is waiting to be wanted.  He is waiting for a fire in our belly to burn for Him. 

He can intervene.  He can heal.  He can turn things around.  He can revive us.  But it begins with you.  It begins with me.  Non-essential activity vs essential activity.  Strip down to essentials…

“If we would find God amid all the religious externals we must first determine to find Him, and then proceed in the way of simplicity. Now as always God discovers Himself to "babes" and hides Himself in thick darkness from the wise and the prudent. We must simplify our approach to Him. We must strip down to essentials (and they will be found to be blessedly few). We must put away all effort to impress, and come with the guileless candor of childhood. If we do this, without doubt God will quickly respond.” AW Tozer- The Pursuit of God

Give yourself a wake up call.  Assess if you are in a mode of revival or not.  Is the Spirit thriving in you?  Are you in hot pursuit?  Is God enough? 

If you want to go further in reading AW Tozer and the spiritual challenges he brings to bear, it might help in your wake-up call.  You can find it offered FREE from the Gutenburg project at this link- https://www.gutenberg.org/files/25141/25141-h/25141-h.htm

I highly recommend it.  I am re-reading it myself.

Otherwise, I have continued to release podcasts Monday-Friday.  I will highlight yesterday’s.  It is a 10 minute proclamation of blessing that you agree and proclaim.  Try using it while walking!  Listen to it more than once.  Let the truth of God’s blessings penetrate, take ownership of them!  Wake the sleeping giant within!  He’s waiting to be wanted!

Hello and Happy Friday, this is Gina from Into the Waters.  And today is a day to pray for you!  (Note: You can read the content below or you can listen to it in today's podcast found on our podcast tab above.  Or search for it on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or Spreaker!)

Earlier today in the Peace Be Still's Private Group Facebook page, opened a prayer room through Facebook’s new “room” option.  Prayed for a few folks!  Prayed for some others in different settings as well, through church and also friends.  I’ve missed praying for people in person; but certainly, there is no poverty of options when it comes to connecting to pray for someone AND sharing it with them! 

After I pray for you, I hope you will take time to pray for another! Write it out, text it over, post it to their wall, send a recording of you praying from them.  Maybe surprise a Christian friend, a leader from your church, some faithful servant of God who would be greatly encouraged to receive a message from you of God’s love and mercy in the form of prayer!

Let’s pray…
I pray for a fresh expression of the light of Christ to be shed abroad in your heart, filling you with a new measure of love and eternal hope, given by the Holy Spirit who is in you from God.  (Romans 5:5)
I pray that you would abound in comfort from Christ.  That you would know God as the Father of compassion and God of all comfort, who will comfort you in all your troubles, so you that can comfort others. ( 2 Cor 1:3-5)
I pray for you to experience the Shalom of God, peace that leads to wholeness, completeness, and soundness of mind.  Be blessed with His peace which surpasses understanding, guarding your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:7).
I pray for you to receive strength from on high, that he would make your feet like the deer, enabling you to tread upon spiritual heights, reaching high places to the glory of God.  (Habakkuk 3:19)
I pray for you to experience the love of Christ though it is too great to understand fully, that you would be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God, made complete by all the life and power that comes from God.  (Ephesians 3:19)
I pray for your consolation in any mourning, for you to carry your ashes of disappointment, failure, broken dreams to God to receive a crown of beauty, the oil of His joy, instead of a spirit of despair.  (Isaiah 61:3)
I pray for you to have knowledge of His will through all wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, that you would live a life worthy of God, pleasing Him in every way, growing in the knowledge of God and being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great patience and endurance. (Colossians 1:9-11)
I pray for you to be humble in heart, so that in due time Christ will exalt you.  (James 4:10)
I pray for the Spirit of the LORD to be upon you, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, that your delight should always be in a holy and reverent fear of the LORD.  (Isaiah 11:2-3) 
Amen!

May you pray this forward and bless another! Share with a friend!  

I haven't posted in awhile, mostly because doing the podcast Monday though Friday is a challenge, especially when working a part-time job on Mondays and Tuesdays.  But feeling purposed through it and encouraged!  Over 500 listens in the first month.  And lately average daily listens are increasing.  I have received only very positive comments about it as a prayer resource and that it is speaking to hearts.  If you haven't listened yet, please give a couple episodes a try.  It can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, and on the PODCAST tab above.  If you want info on any episode before listening, simply click on the little grey circle with the "i" in the middle of it.  It will bring a pop-up window with episode detail.  As of today, there are 35 interactive prayer episodes with over 4 1/2 hours of listening!  That is a good amount of free prayer inspiration!  If the episodes are a blessing to you, please consider a free-will donation.  It can be a one-time donation or as a monthly donor. 

Why donate?  We'd love to be able to market the podcast, but costs are easily at $250 per ad through Spotify or other similar podcast sites.  We have some technology upgrades to make also.  You can help spread the word too!  Word-of-mouth is very helpful!  And pray for ministry reach!  Please share episodes with friends.  People may be more receptive than you think!  

There are many who are struggling.  People are searching for answers.  I witness on Quora and the question that has gotten a ton of new activity with over 12K new readers over the last month is, "How many times will God forgive a repeated sin?"  People are reflecting on life and death issues.  Ask God for greater boldness to witness!

Recently I shared a video on our Facebook page and our private group "Peace Be Still Daily Prayer Download".  It was a state of our nation's faith video for National Day of Prayer and had 2018 research from The Barna Group.  In summary, a majority of the population in the USA (over 70%) still identify as a Christian.  Those are encouraging numbers!  However, the majority of those Christians have not attended church in over a year.  Only 20% had attended at least once in the month of the survey.  The fastest growing faith category was "nones", i.e. those who are identifying as having no faith at all.  Based on other data Barna shared in the online presentation I attended, there is clear evidence for a need for God's people to return to Him with a generational trend to not believe in the authority of the Bible.  We're trending down and away from the God of the Bible.

Which brings me to the question for the post, "How are you doing?"  Answers could be all over the map on that, but in general I am definitely crossing paths with people who are increasingly "not ok".  The distancing and sudden change of life routine has sent shock waves into their thoughts and emotions.  I shared in the last post (found here) some scriptures that the Lord has put on my heart during times of intercession, to ask God for direction on how to pray.  I hope you read the scriptures posted and reflect on the consistent, cohesive message within those scriptures.  There is a shaking mentioned in Hebrews chapter 12 to consider as a big idea for Christians to discern, as is 2 Chronicles 7:14 and Matthew Chapter 6.  He will shake so that what remains cannot be shaken.  His end goal is a faith rooted in Him that cannot be shaken!

God's calling us to "reset, pause, prioritize, return to Him as first love".  Returning and prioritizing God is a choice.  Are your life choices more of a consideration lately?

Joshua 24: 14 “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

What is God challenging you to "put away"?  What things of the world so consume your time and thoughts and energy and money?  If our house is in order, praise God!  We have chosen well!  And we are reaping the blessing of stealing away to spend time with Him and receive comfort in our troubles, nourishment for our soul.  

The word I am hearing for you as I type this blog is "disconnect".  What do you need to disconnect from in order to prioritize God, to return to God as first love?  Take that challenge.  Take it to God.  Confess weakness and any waywardness.  Use Psalm 116 verses 1-9 as inspiration with prompts as noted...

I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
                     - Tell him you love him.
Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
                    - See Him turning to listen as you pray.
The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.
                    - Reflect on your life before God's grace.
Then I called on the name of the LORD: "O LORD, save me!"
                    - Remember the simple gift of calling on the name of the LORD
The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
                   -  Tell him who He is. 
The LORD protects the simple-hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.
                   -  Humble yourself, approach him in childlike simplicity
Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.
                  -  Speak to your soul, remind yourself of how good God has been to you.
For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,
                  -  Rejoice in the life to come, no more sorrow, no more tears.  
that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
                  - Discern the times.  Time is short.  Order your life towards heavenly reality.

Be blessed in your private time with the Father in your prayer closet!  Simply shut the door behind you and pray.  

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  Hope that you had a memorable time of worship and fellowship with God and others over this holiday!  We are just a couple of days beyond Christmas so giving you a post birth scripture account to meditate upon.  Maybe you are just finding time to wind down after the hustle and bustle of the season.  Hoping you take a few moments to sit quietly with God and consider Simeon's joy!  His joy is to be our joy as well!

Luke 2: 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the LORD's Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 "Sovereign LORD, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel."  

Verse 25 uses a phrase "the consolation of Israel".  Simeon was a man who had a life mission to see it.  Consolation is a calling near for comfort, solace, encouragement, refreshment.  Clearly Simeon was a good man who was burdened for God to draw near His people as One who comforts. He did not want to die before seeing that promised Messiah, and God was good to share His secret with Simeon!  He sent the Holy Spirit to tell Simeon that indeed he would see the promised Messiah!  

It's such a tender, awe inspiring moment, which I think Ron DiCianni's artwork of "Simeon's Moment" above captures.  There is inexpressible elation in his face!  There are tears of joy  and clearly some sound of holy praise coming from a place deep within.  He held the Holy Promise in his arms!  There was no doubt in Simeon.  He recognized the promise as foretold by the Holy Spirit.  He was led by the Holy Spirit to enter the temple at the exact right time!  And Mary and Joseph were also led straight to him to perform the circumcision, cleanse Mary, and accept their offerings.

God moments! 

Have you ever imagined holding the Son of God in your arms?  Do you have a heart response similar to Simeon?  God's greatest and highest call is for us to love Him with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind.  Love deepens the more we realize how desperately we need God's forgiveness, the reason the holy child was sent.

Luke 7:47- Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

Jesus knows the depth of your love and whether it is surface based or if you are one to unashamedly bow at his feet like the wise men did.  Do you read that as a guilt message or an opportunity to more deeply experience the goodness of God?  The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy, Psalm 103:8.  He is right there waiting and longing for more time with you.  Are you satisfied with where you are with God or do you long for more?  He promises to openly reward those who go into their prayer closets and talk with Him,  Matthew 6:6!

Meditate upon whether or not you are moved to emotion when you worship God.  Can you connect with inexpressible joy because of God's love and sacrifice for your sins?  Are you free in your time with God to unashamedly pour out your thanksgiving and marvel at His holiness?  Do you have goals and longings related to experiencing God at a deeper level in the coming year?  

Into the Waters will continue holding online sessions to give you an opportunity to linger in God's presence and deepen your relationship with Him.  The sessions help you sit with the LORD, talk to Him, and get to know Him better.  He is openly rewarding those who have been attending!  A January session will be announced next week!  May you join!

Until then, meditate on God as consolation, as comforter.  Close your eyes; and do what Simeon did. Hold the Son of God as a newborn, born to die for you.  Have you held a baby with a thought, "This child was born to die for me?"  It's ludicrous to even think it, except if you are talking about Christ the Messiah.  Note during your meditation that Simeon told Mary some very profound truths about who the child was, one who would pierce souls, including her own.  See Luke 2:35.   If any thoughts of fear or condemnation come up, remember again He is CONSOLATION (COMFORTER).  Evaluate your emotional attachment to God.  Review areas where you need more joy, where you need a new level of intimacy that brings freedom with God as your Comforter.  Ask God to wake you up if you have no passion or desire to press in for more of God.  Time is so short!  May you invest now in deep fellowship with the heart of God!  It is where your life can be made new by God's tender mercies every morning.  Great is God's faithfulness, Lamentations 3:23!

Isaiah 9:6- For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

If these blogs have been a blessing to you, please consider an end of year donation! Thank you for your consideration!  See our donate page to make a tax deductible offering!

The quote of "I just can't take it anymore" is what I am hearing from people without hope, the other is a testimony full of renewed hope after an Into the Waters led meditation session done for a private group. As you read, evaluate if you lean more towards not being able to take it anymore or more towards, “This is the breakthrough I’ve needed for awhile.”

Regarding the first quote, a couple of days a week I talk with many, many people about what they are dealing with emotionally, mentally, and physically. It is a secular setting, not a ministry setting. I am not allowed to openly talk about God in this setting, which is very limiting and frustrating to me. There have been times however, where I broke protocol in gentle ways, out of intense burden. I simply share in some way, "I will be praying for you." It has always been well received. However for the 99.9% of distressing situations I hear about, I have to just do the best I can to offer words that comfort and acknowledge their pain. Would have to say of late, the words I offer are momentary, split seconds of kindness that don't take them beyond our call. Over the last 2 weeks have been deeply burdened by talking to a parent after their young child was raped, people whose sleeplessness is taking their sanity, anxiety and depression so severe people are going on disability, violent behaviors of family members seemingly possessed by "something" not of themselves, I am newly hearing and regularly hearing, "I just can't take it anymore." Their tone, their tears, their anger, their shaky voice says it all.

They need hope. And they are reaching out to medicine and doctors as they search.

What is hope exactly? Can it be trusted? In our dictionaries, hope is defined as "a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen". If that is as far as it goes, in my opinion, hope in and of itself as a concept is pretty shaky. Feelings are fleeting. We can have a feeling of hope to live a long life; but die at an early age. We can have a feeling of hope for a relationship to be "the one"; but end in rejection. Same for a hope for a good marriage; yet to end in divorce. We can have a feeling of hope for our children to prosper; but see them make bad decision after bad decision. We can hope for peace of mind; yet have crippling anxiety. Hope, in order for it to be true and life saving MUST have a cord of attachment to a source capable of manifesting the thing hoped for. But we don't see this qualification in our secular dictionaries. Yet, this is in fact how God defines hope in biblical dictionaries. It is defined as a literal cord of attachment that brings expectancy.

HOPE- Strongs 8615 tiqvâh, tik-vaw'; from H6960; (compare H6961) literally a cord (as an attachment); figuratively, expectancy:—expectation(-ted), hope, live, thing that I long for.

The word hope (tikvah) comes from the word kavah which means to wait by binding together, gathering for strength. The more cords are bound together, the stronger a rope is. The more weight it can hold, the more tension it can endure. These are pictures behind the strength that comes in waiting in God’s presence, attaching your hope to Him, having expectancy. Practical questions to examine would be:

1. ​Ask yourself, “Where are my cords of hope attached?” We tend to have hope in bank accounts, life plans, relationships, career paths, professional titles, weight and beauty, health, our children, a pill, ourselves. We tend to place hope in God giving us exactly what we asked for. God will challenge these areas. If we don’t get what we expect, often we lose heart and faith. But if we are honest, our cords were attached to a longing of what would bring joy and peace and satisfaction.
2. Ask yourself, “Have I waited with God, in times of prayer and meditation, in order to be strengthened... so that my cord of attachment (hope) has expectancy from Him?”

Reviewing our hope through these questions takes courage, but is worth it. It is very hard when our hopes do not come to pass. Some of you are in a lot of pain right now because hopes have been dashed. However, these can be opportunities to ground ourselves anew in hope that alone comes from God. He is the God of hope. And regarding hope, if we are willing to strengthen our cords to Him, He will resurrect hope within us. it is His divine design that we overflow with hope by the Power of the Holy Spirit.

NIV- Romans 15:13- May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

OVERFLOW OF HOPE>>>>>> Trusting God is key to being filled to joy and peace. Isn't that really the bottom-line request of all prayer... joy and peace? Your bank account can be overflowing; but if joy and peace elude you, what have you gained? You can be model skinny and have beauty that stops traffic; but if self scrutiny and continual dissatisfaction plague you, what have you gained? You can have a very successful career; but if loneliness and stress are your constant companions what is the point? We see the recent outcome of celebrities whose hope was in their children attending the best schools; but at what cost? The bottomline truth is that joy and peace come from the power of the Holy Spirit as you trust in God, not yourself or empty promises from the world.

So how is God-trust being developed in you? Are you experiencing an overflow of hope that comes from God? We all can be challenged by this question. It's a gentle reminder to invest in time before God's throne, to receive the joy and peace that He alone promises and delivers.

Here is a quote from someone who recently invested in lingering with God through an Into the Waters prayer and meditation session. See if you can see hope that came as a result.

"Thank you SO much for leading us on Thursday! It was a beautiful experience for me personally, and it was a breakthrough I have needed for awhile now. The revelation about (xxxxxx) was totally unexpected, but it continues to resonate so strongly with me. I have somehow put a limit on what God will do, and it definitely stems back to that season of my journey. I believe He will do those impossible, wonderful things for others, but not for me. I have dealt with this issue on so many levels and have felt peace along the way, but God not answering my prayers as I wanted at the time, has definitely affected how much I trust Him, I mean that deep, deep level of trust. Thank you for starting the process of tearing that false belief down in me and beginning another layer of healing."

God will tear down our false beliefs in order to bring another layer of healing and hope founded in His faithfulness, love, mercy, goodness, provision, etc. The power of the Holy Spirit deposits His life in those who trust! We are strengthened after waiting in His presence. Hope is renewed as our cord of attachment to God flows with new life from Him!

Do you need a fresh deposit of supernatural joy and peace, to overflow with hope from the Holy Spirit? In the Fall, Into the Waters will be holding some online group sessions on HOPE. These will be small groups of up to 10 at a time. Stay tuned for more announcements and sign up opportunities!

But for now meditate on the truth from Romans 15:13! Seed it into your heart by reading it in many translations. Reading it in many translations will do a couple of things.

1. It will help you process what is being stated as truth. (Repeat to yourself what God is saying. Example- “So God promises to fill me with joy and peace as I trust in Him. He promises that I will overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” If you do not understand any of it, ask God for revelation through Jesus.)
2. Multiple translations help translate the fullness of what is being stated.
3. It will challenge you to reflect on the promise. (Confess if you need to trust in Him more.)
4. It will help you memorize it and hide it as truth in your heart. (After reading through all of them, pick one translation and repeat it many times. After, close your eyes and see if you can restate it.)
5. It should encourage you to claim it and pray it for yourself and others! (Ask God for the hope He promises!)

NIV- Romans 15:13- May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

NLT- I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

ESV- May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Berean Study Bible- Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

KJV- Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

GNT- May God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace by means of your faith in him, so that your hope will continue to grow by the power of the Holy Spirit.

BLESSINGS!
​ “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭25:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• Note:  We are 12 days beyond Easter (Resurrection Sunday).  This would be 12 days into the 40 days that Jesus was appearing to his disciples and over 500 other people, Acts 1:3 & 1 Corinthians 15:3-8.  We are symbolically in the time before Jesus ascended to the Father.  So consider, if you were you living in that time, Jesus would still be walking around meeting with people, teaching about the Kingdom of Heaven, and giving proof that he is alive!  
• Below is an exercise to "set" your mind on things above. 

First reflect on the fact that Jesus wants minds firmly set on the reality that He was formerly dead; but by the power of His Father in Heaven, he was raised up from the dead, Ephesians 1:20! 

Long time followers of Jesus may find the above "too familiar" and not challenging to their prayer life. People can tune out saying to themselves, "I've heard that before, nothing new."  But that reaction more so indicates a "lukewarm" state of heart, than a correct judgment.  And it probably means your mind is more set on other things right now than on Jesus.

We must do hard stops to redirect our thoughts from the day-to-day and into the victory of Christ.  Jesus was nailed to the cross, released from the grave, and is now seated on His throne in Heaven.  This is to be a treasure trove for mind renewal.  These places (the cross, risen, and then ascended) are always a dwelling place for prayer and mind renewal.  

So let's set our mind on things above!  In order for something to "set" or be "set", it means that it is fixed, it has been readied and prepared.  For someone's mind to be "set", one has first sat and hardened so that a thought has become fixed.  This can lead us in a good direction or a bad direction.  Assess where you are "set".

Where have your thoughts been sitting?  Where are you set in your ways and immovable?  Are they good or bad places of thought?  (Later, read this recent blog on how to determine what is good.)

Examine today where your thoughts are "set".  Do a quick inventory. 

• The first thing on your mind when you woke up this morning was ______________________________
• Then while getting ready and you looked at yourself in the mirror, you thought what about yourself?
• As you went on with your day, what were you reviewing?
• Have you focused on how to get a certain person's attention today, in order to be noticed and feel validated?
• Have you ruminated more on problems or solutions?

Based upon those answers, put yourself on a spectrum. 

• Do the thoughts of your day skew more towards worry or peace? 
• Negative or positive? 
• Heaviness of thought or joy? 
• Striving or effortlessness? 
• "Me, me, me" thoughts or "who can I serve" thoughts?
• People pleaser or child of God?

To be sure, life is not a rest filled day laying in a hammock, above a field of flowers, with song birds cheering our hearts all the time.  It is quite easy to skew to the left on those questions above.  Reality is that there are countless things happening to easily bring worry, heaviness, striving, and longing for attention.  This is why God's word is clear that that our thoughts are not God's thoughts, our ways are not His ways.  God wants it to be clear that our minds must be supernaturally renewed!  He gives us access to his thoughts and will transform us so that His ways become our ways!

For this, we must do a hard stop and position to SET our minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Here is a test for Christians- Have you ever pictured yourself seated at the right hand of Jesus in Heaven?  Is that a ridiculous exercise to you?  It should not be.  You being raised up with Christ and seated with him in Heaven is a God thought.  Here is proof-

Ephesians 2: 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

Are you able to quiet yourself right now and envision yourself seated next to Christ in Heaven? 

• Don't try and do it on your own.  Ask God to help you.  "Father, help me "see" myself seated in Heaven with Jesus as His gift of grace."
• Fix yourself next to him.  Are you squirming and uncomfortable?  What it is about?  Remember you are there by grace, not merit.  
• Now how does it feel as He smiles at you, so happy to have you seated next to Him, the King of all!  

• How does it feel to be transported above all darkness, wickedness, and death?  Above your flesh life?
• Are you connecting with Jesus' victory over all, over all in you?  Can you envision him handing you a scepter to carry His authority, in partnership with him?
• Do you feel unworthy to take the scepter?  What is it about?  Tell him.  Remember His mercies never end.  He understands.  Talk to Him.  You are there by His gift of grace.  
• Wait there in your thoughts.  Wait there with Jesus.  Tell him simple things that you feel. 
  • "It's so nice to be here with you Jesus." 
  • "It's a relief to be lifted away from the intensity of my day." 
  • "Thank you for raising me up with you in your victory over death."
  • "Thank you for not treating me as my sins deserve."
  • "How are we working together today?"
• Just keep sitting there with Him.  Fix yourself firmly next to him.  The goal is to see yourself fixed in position, next to Jesus, in Heaven, seated at the right hand of God.  The goal is to feel humbled, honored, accepted, loved, glorified, and partnered in victory over all things!  
• Praise Him!

Colossians 3:1-2 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.



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