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Critical readers notice what others miss.  Then how much more so when the Spirit of God dwells in said person. My dad had such an intimate relationship with the Lord that he spoke alone out loud, to my understanding it was a soliloquy.  Later, as I grew up, I understood that my dad felt the presence of the Lord so real  with him and it was normal to respond to God and start a conversation.  Those were the home morning events of my childhood.

My parents never gave me a formal spiritual education of words and rules.  They instilled in me a deep love for God and His Word.  Their passion for Jesus captured my heart at a very tender age.  Listening to them and seeing their dedication to the Lord, was the lasting education I received from them. I constantly heard my dad blessing us every morning  with this:

“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”  (John‬ ‭17:17‬ ‭MEV‬‬).

This is my Story! What’s Yours?

This is an insert from my Prayer Garden Journal,

October 4, 2017, @ 7:48 A. M

I was facing a bigger challenge than me.

And I had this thought that was a balm to my soul.

 I pray that it may bless you.

Everything that goes to heaven stays there forever. I believe that prayers are like a diamond, each request is a cut of the diamond that is the factor that fuels its brilliance. The time we stand there in agony sometimes, other times struggling not to doubt, but to believe. That time is the fire cutting the diamond.

And our tears are the words, meditation and fellowship. I see them as reflective prisms that reflect light to our spirit. And together with the incense of our fellowship, the entire prism of the diamond manifests itself in multiple flashes of dazzling colors. The spark sometimes manifests in peace of mind, healing, tranquility, well-being, etc.

Often we enter in the garden of prayers not to gaze the beauty of our Bridegroom, but we throw ourselves to the Rock of our salvation. Sometimes we search for a photo in our cell phone to show it to a friend, we are so anxious to find it that we pass by and miss it. When we come anxiously to His throne, He has His arms outstretched toward us, but  anxiety causes us to lose sight of Him.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” (Philippians 4:6)

If we quiet our inner man, we’ll be able to see Him clear. This is what I call a cutoff moment. All cuts hurt, but it is necessary. It’s an emotional discipline that when learned is very much useful for our prayer time. I’m not quite there yet, but I’m on my way to learning it.

Israel were struggling with snake and they anxiously prayed for the snake to be removed. They were not removed, Numbers 21:9 was the answer.

“So, Moses made a snake out of bronze and attached it to a pole. Then anyone who was bitten by a snake could look at the bronze snake and be healed!”

 Just one look at the snake on the pole was all they needed. However, not everybody looked at. They were desperate to get rid of the snakes and if they didn’t use the life resource, they would die.

What are you struggling with today? Just call upon the name of Jesus, He is so willing to help you.

When we come to pray the cross is the pole to focus on,  seeing Jesus Who is God’s wealth to supply all we need. The cross is not a tree, it is the sacrifice, His death on the cross to save us and provide all our needs. It is the glimpse of His suffering that empowers us to receive His name where we can ask for anything and we receive it.

Let us lighten our load of worries and rest in His faithfulness. He will never let us down. I testify that this is true because I have lived it all my life. Your prayers are in the throne of God forever!

When you pray, you can have certainty … come boldly to the throne of God.

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Hebrews 4:16 NLT).

This is my Story! What’s yours?

On April 11, 2017, at 5:35 AM, I heard this very clearly in my spirit: “Abel’s Garden“. I immediately understood that my Heavenly Father wanted me to investigate this topic. And this is what I learned.

Abel was the first human being that pleased God and his offering was the first that God received with pleasure.   God used to come down to fellowship with man in the garden, but after sin there was a barrier, and a mediator was necessary. 

The first mediator God Himself used to cover man’s shame was the skin of an innocent animal. Its blood was shed not to save, but to forgive. 

The garden was closed, the tree of life was hidden, and Adam was forbidden to enter. The new way to enter the presence of God was through the blood of the sacrifice, God is not coming down anymore. The sacrificial blood ascended like a sweet aroma before God, and He received it.

“Then they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the tress of the garden.”(Genesis 3:8 MEV).

No more cool of the day fellowship, now blood is a painful reminder of sin that separates  man from God. I see, now on this falling way, God used to come down to correct, no longer to fellowship like before.

Both Cain and Abel wanted to have fellowship with God, but Cain’s heart was not right, and God did not accept his offering. Cain was self-centered, envious, and jealous. He harbored hatred and revenge in his heart towards Abel. That was the first religious envy. Abel’s devotion to God cost him his life, making him the first martyr

Garden represents the presence of God with all His blessings. A garden is surrounded by water to produce beautiful, healthy fruit. 

Abel’s Garden is the presence of God in his own life.

It is an environment where God is pleased and enjoys the sacrifice of praise that is offered to Him.

It is a covered place, protected from danger, many living streams of water flow freely in and around and bear more than enough fruit to sustain. And His presence provides for all our needs according to His riches in his glory.

God sees us as His private garden:

“You are my private garden, y treasure, my bride, a secluded spring, a hidden fountain”.

(Song of Songs 4:12 NLT).

God sees us as a “fountain sealed” no contamination can get near us. The Lord says about us in John 10:28,

“I give them eternal life, and they shall never die. No one can snatch them away from me.” This is the meaning of a “fountain sealed”. We have eternal life, and that life is hidden in Jesus Christ!

As garden of God, Psalm 16:11 flows freely in and through us,

“You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand there are pleasures for evermore”.

Abel means breath, man’s life is like a vapor in the morning, when the sun comes it disappears.  This means that life is fragile, life is short, and death is as certain as the air we breathe.  James 4:14 says:

“How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow?  Your life is like the morning fog–it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.”

But when we are God’s garden will live forever with Him.  The only way to be His garden is asking the Lord Jesus Christ to come to live inside of you. Receive His sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary, as the full payment for your sins.  This is called the new birth.

 Abel, the one that pleases God:

            First, Able pleasing God appeared at his birth. 

            Second,  pleasing God with his offering 

            Third,  being martyr for God’s love. 

Abel was not famous, but God himself was the Defender of his blood. We may not be rich and famous here, but the Righteous Judge of all the earth is our Defender. If you have been the victim of an injustice, God wants to be your Defender. Invoke His name, just tell Him your needs and ask Him to come live inside you. He will and you will see Him defending you as He defended Abel. This is my testimony.

This is my Story! What’s yours?

This is an excerpt from the Journal of my Struggles.

This is my prayer to God to lead me to make a right business decision. August 25, 2018.

Precious Lord, I bless Your holy name! Thank You for Your Spirit that leads me to all truth!

Job felt so lost, and this burst out from his soul:

“If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together. The mediator could make God stop beating me, and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment. Then I could speak to him without fear, but I cannot do that in my own strength.”

(Job 9:33-35 NLT).

He desperately needed the freedom I have today, to boldly come to the throne of mercy!

He had no access to the Father. But I am so thankful for Your death on the Cross paving the way for me now!

Thank You , Awesome God, Everlasting Father! Please, help me not to waste my sorrows. I understand that everything that happens to me is You equipping me for Your purpose for my life.

I know you’re holding my wrist, letting my fingers move freely. But, You are the one who guides my course!

I am not in the position of Job; however, I am in the position of Proverbs 25:2:

“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and it is the glory of a king to search out a matter.”

(Proverbs 25:2 NET).

I seek Your will in this business decision that I must make. Please illuminate my darkness because You are my lamp:

“For You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord illuminates my darkness.”

(2 Samuel 22:29 MEV).

I’ll go to bed trusting in Your mercy and compassion to tell me about Your will in this case. Amen. Thank Lord.

Before I went to bed, I heard that small still voice in my intuition saying, “No”.

Hallelujah! I do nothing until my Lord and Savior guides me.

Later I saw that it was not a business, but a scam. Job did not have a Mediator who would allow him to speak with God, but by the blood of Jesus we have free access to the throne of mercy!

You too, beloved reader, can have that wonderful access to the throne of mercy. You just have to ask the Lord Jesus Christ to come and live within you and you will enjoy the peace that passes all understanding. May the Lord bless you.

This is my Story! What is yours?

I am the proud grandmother of the most beautiful grandchildren with whom the Lord has blessed my life.

I thank God for giving me a wonderful family. And because of them my life is richer, despite all the obstacles I have encountered along the way. God is good!

“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them…” (Psalms 127:3-5).

Love is capable of quenching the most tense thirst of the desert. Love is like a river that never runs dry. Love makes the baby sleep safe and comfortable. Love produces a vigor that makes the old man feel young and the young man optimistic to overcome all obstacles.

Love says: till later, never farewell. Love does not exterminate a chapter; it puts it on standby. Love never dies, it gets dimmed waiting to be rekindled.

Love never unlinks a chapter, but it continues in the book of tomorrow to be sweetly bounded. Love never stops struggling to germinate, even in the most unbearable soil. Love thrives in the most unimaginable condition.

Love knows no fear. Love remembers no evil. Love gives and gives without expecting anything. Love does not take apart, love always builds. The debris of love turns into hope.

Love created everything. Love is fertile, love multiplies goodness, hope and everything necessary for well-being. Love rules this universe. Love is not a feeling or a decision, love is a Person, His name is Jesus!

The Apostle’s exegesis on 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8, gives light to illuminate our understanding of love:

“Love is patient and kind, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude.

Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do.

Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil.

Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting.

Love never fails!” (1Corinthians 13:4-8 CEVDCI)

Love is so mightily strong that nothing can separate us from Love. The most appropriate person to make this statement is the Apostle because he lived it:

“…, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities nor powers, neither things present nor things to come, neither height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39 MEV)

Love is so available to you! If you feel that your soul is dry, there is no vigor, there is no desire for anything. Ask the Lord to come into your heart and give you a fresh life giving love. You will receive His life and joy within you.

As I meditate on the Indescribable Person of Love, His name is the Lord Jesus Christ, my heart is so moved! How I wish that you could feel the same!

May the Lord richly bless you.

This is my Story! What is yours?

This is an excerpt from my Grieving Journal, November 24, 1993

My precious Heavenly Father:

I bless you and thank you so very much for the recovery that you are helping me achieve.

Last night on the news, Fillip was thanking You for Your miracle. I also thanked you because I had prayed for him, but then I realized that his mother has a miracle child, and I don’t. I wept. I did not cry with the excruciating agony I experienced before, but with deep sadness.

Since my husband was at the church construction site, I drove there with a broken heart. And I read chapters 52 and 53 of Isaiah, when I finished reading my face was bathed in tears, not because of Kelbyn, but because of Jesus.

How much I appreciate Jesus and his sacrifice for me. Last night you reminded me of this:

“For these things I suffer, but I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed (deposited) to Him until that Day.” (2 Timothy 1:12 MEV).

I have never been so interested in heaven until I have my deposit there. Oh, I know my valid deposit, my passport is my Jesus, but Kelbyn is what has motivated me the most to be so interested in it.

Since yesterday You’re making me aware that Kelbyn is my miracle child. I saw three policemen beating up two men and the thought struck me that Kelbyn might be one of them. I thought: “Kelbyn is my miracle child because my Father rescued him and no evil can touch him anymore.”

You also made me aware that my painful discontent is not about my son, it is about my relationship with you. I felt abandoned and betrayed because You allowed me to drink the cup of death. I have been so bitter because the image of my family is dead. I don’t miss Kelbyn, it’s the childhood wound in me that drives me to yearn for that family Ethiopia.

I saw myself as a child abandoned by You. That was my agony. Today, after 851 days, I am still not fully recovered, but I am far ahead. Thank you my Heavenly Father.

I wonder what it’s like to be in Paradise! I feel that when I am there I will say: “so much anguish and pain there on earth and now, here in Paradise I am aware of everything here and on earth!”

I think all my grief energy has been so wasted, because there is no reason to mourn for someone who is extremely happy like Kelbyn is! I trust in You, Father. I thank you this Thanksgiving Day! (11/24/1993).

This is my Story! What’s yours?

This is an excerpt from my Grieving Journal, November 24, 1993

This journal was my prayers, my way to cope with my pain for my son’s death.

My precious Heavenly Father:

I bless Your holy name and thank you so very much for the recovery that you are helping me achieve.

Last night on the news, Fillip was thanking You for Your miracle. I also thanked you because I had prayed for him, but then I realized that his mother has a miracle child, and I don’t. I wept. I did not cry with the excruciating agony I experienced before, but with deep sadness.

The afternoon was getting dark and my husband was still at the church construction site. My heart was so broken that I decided to drive to meet him. While driving through the Rolling Hills Baseball League, my soul was pierced into thousands of pieces. And I parked in the church parking lot and read chapters 52 and 53 of Isaiah, when I finished reading my face was bathed in tears, not because of Kelbyn, but because of Jesus.

How much I appreciate Jesus and his sacrifice for me! Last night you reminded me of this verse:

“For these things I suffer, but I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed (deposited) to Him until that Day.” (2 Timothy 1:12 MEV).

I have never been so interested in heaven until I have my deposit there. Oh, I know my valid deposit, my passport is my Jesus, but Kelbyn is what has motivated me the most to be so interested in it.

Since yesterday You’re making me aware that Kelbyn is my miracle child. I saw three policemen beating up two men and the thought struck me that Kelbyn could have been one of them. I realized: “Kelbyn is my miracle child because my Father rescued him and no evil  will ever  touch him anymore.”

You also made me aware that my painful discontent is not about my son, it is about my relationship with you. I felt abandoned and betrayed because You allowed me to drink the cup of death. I have been so bitter because the image of my family is dead. I don’t miss Kelbyn, it’s the childhood wound in me that drives me to yearn for that family Ethiopia.

I saw myself as a child abandoned by You. That was my agony. Today, after 851 days, I am still not fully recovered, but I am far ahead. Thank you my Heavenly Father.

I wonder what it’s like to be in Paradise! I feel that when I’ll be  there I will say: “So much anguish and pain down there on earth and here in Paradise I am aware of everything here and on earth!”

One of the most torturous pains is the unknown, but in Paradise we will know it all:

” What we see now is like a dim images in a mirror; then we shall see face-to-face. What I know now is only partial; then it will be complete–as complete as God’s knowledge of me.”  (1 Corinthians 13:12 GNT).

I think all my grief energy has been so wasted, because there is no reason to mourn for someone who is extremely happy like Kelbyn is! I trust in You, Father. I thank you this Thanksgiving Day (11/24/1993), for Your grace that has filled me with strength to continue walking with peace and hope in this process.

This is My Story!  What is Yours?

My relationship with my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ grows as I worship Him in the beauty of His holiness. But it doesn’t stop there, because if I draw myself to Him only in beauty, what will happen when life gives ugliness?

Our relationship must move from beauty to delight! When you delight in a person, you want to be connected with him all the time. And so should be our relationship with the Lord.  

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.”  (Psalms 37:4 NLT).

This is my Story! What’s yours?

Thought From my Exotic Garden, 10/11/2017

Love is not a metaphysical notion, it does not come from exploring the nature of reality, or the relation between mind and matter, neither substance and attribute, nor fact and value.

Love is the great reality, the desperate need humanity longs for, it’s a transcendental notion. Love comes as a Revealer and Comforter. Sometimes, it is an answer beyond proportional that comes in relationship. And it’s offered as an indweller presence. It’s the Peace that passes all understanding! It’s the Joy that fills all the crevices of the soul! It’s total satisfaction! It’s Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God!

The Lord is the Mediator between Mighty God and humanity. And as He indwells us, we enjoy all His benefits of peace, joy, healing and everything that is derived from Him! My life is a living proof of His peace, joy, health, satisfaction, etc.

“For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.”  (Psalms 84:11).

Right now, you can get all these benefits. Say this prayer believing you’ll receive:

“Father God, I come to you in the name of your Son Jesus, to repent from my sins and to receive your gift of eternal life. I receive Jesus as my Savior to live for Him from now on. Please, write my name in your book and save me. Thank you, Father. Amen.

Now you are a child of God. I’ll be happy to help you to know the Lord better.

This is my email; you’re welcome to contact me. God bless you.

peaceforce@msn.com

This is my Story! What’s yours?