Storms and Beasts

The enemy stands and mocks. He laughs and whispers, ever accusing. His time is short so he plans and he schemes, using his full arsenal of imps and demonic forces. The current struggle is nothing more than an illusion. You have shown me victory from your holy hill. Your holding the answer in your hand. You have spoken to me in the darkness of night. As I slept you have shown me winds raging, beasts lurking from the depths. Although I watched in fear as the horrors lurked and loomed about me, I was but a witness to them. They were not allowed to touch me. Although the dangers were very real, your hand, as a shield kept them from carrying me away. Now, as awake as ever I see it unfolding and I see no way of escape. My heart trembles and the familiar sting of defeat rises in my heart. Hopelessness rears its ugly head........and then.....You say..." I have shown this to you in advance..remember?" So I cling to your promises. SEEING no way out, but KNOWING you are making a way. The storms and beasts are but dust in your mighty hand. Shut the mouth of the serpent, let all the plans of evil men be thwarted. 


*** Angela Jennifer ***

Lessons from the life of Job...

I have been led to spend more time in the book of Job for the last couple of weeks. If you haven't read it in a while I encourage you to take the time to go read and meditate on the the story that is told there. Make sure that you read in a comprehensible version of the text. I am reading the Message Bible.I find it much easier in getting the full effect of all that is going on and being said in the book of Job. The conversations between Job, his friends and God are easier to grasp.


 I think we can all receive some very important life lessons through Jobs life. Weather you are going through an intense time of testing or are witnessing someone close to you as they go through intense trials, Jobs story will bring a better understanding to you of the situation. If you are witnessing someone going through a (Job like) experience what are you doing to support them? Are you supporting them at all? Maybe your sitting there literally witnessing it but doing absolutely nothing in the way of encouragement. Or are you secretly thinking negatively about that person which is in distress? Forming your own opinion, all the while being ill informed. 


Jobs friends had many opinions on his situation and most of them were absolutely wrong! Job was being tested and God allowed Satan, for a season to torment him in every way imaginable. Yet, he was forbidden from taking his life. This was not due to something bad that Job had done. On the contrary, Job was highly favored in the eyes of his Father God. Imagine if you will,God pulling out his wallet showing satan a picture of his beloved Job and saying "Yep thats my boy... None like him anywhere in all the earth!" This began a chain of events in Jobs life. He experienced loss, heartache and pain unimaginable, but this would later bring Job into a much deeper understanding of God and his ways. In the end God would restore Job and bless him above and beyond his wildest dreams. But not before he gave a very harsh reprimand to his "so called" friends.. and to Job, a serious talking to! 


I implore you to hold on and continue to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength if you are in the midst of a (Job like) experience. I know it is difficult, I am in the middle of one myself. Remind yourself daily of the love your Father has for you. How favored we must be to have been chosen to be tested in such a way! I sometimes say "Oh the Lord must be bragging on me again!". Know also that, although He will never be done working on us as individuals, until we are with him in his kingdom, there is an ending date in your current battle with the enemy of your soul. In other words ... this too shall pass. We are more than conquerors in his mighty and precious name. The name above all names.... the name above sickness and disease, the name above lack and poverty, the name above every power of darkness and principality that ever existed..... The name of Jesus Christ! 


***Angela Jennifer***

The Fire Of Your Presence....

The Fire of your presence is where I long to be. Wrapped in the warmth of your love. Your fire touches and cleanses and imparts wisdom. You have spoken to me in the midst of that fire. How comforting yet terrifying all at once. You've held me up so that I can stand in your presence. Talking to me without words. Showing me things for an appointed time...yet all I need is more of you when I am wrapped in your arms. 




*** Angela Jennifer ***

Creation Of An Unspoiled Daughter.....

When will your hand open to release all you have promised? You have burned the doubt from my mind completely. Now my prayer is how much longer until you move on my behalf? 

My enemy stands and mocks me all day long. Shut his mouth and show me your kindness and favor today.

I have been brought low over and over again. Those that know me stand and watch my disappointments come over and over again. There eyes and thoughts are condemning me as they know not of all you have promised me. Shaking their heads in disbelief at the way of life that is mine. 

Let your Glory be revealed this very day. Show me mercy or I feel that I will surely die in the darkness that veils my eyes. My soul is weary, although I continue to feel your spirit hover all around me. I know that I am not alone as I endure the pain and hardships of this life you have given me. 

I long for the simplest of things that I see those around me take for granted again and again. Waste is what I see. Waste and unrecognized selfishness. Thank you that I will never be accused of this. 

You have given me many gifts in the midst of my struggles. One being that of a truly grateful heart.

 Everything you allow me to have is by your hand not mine. How foolish are those who are blinded by all of their material things and say in their heart "look at all I posses by my own hands, it is mine!" Do they not understand that it is only by your grace that they have any possessions at all? 

You have called me to be unspoiled. You have shown me, although it is has been terribly painful, that every good thing comes from you and you alone. It is a tremendous gift although it is difficult for me to receive. 

*** Angela Jennifer ***

My Daily Bread

You open your hand and release daily bread to your child.
Though my needs are many, you meet them all ... 
in your perfect way, in your perfect time.


Days pass when i hear not your sweet voice or feel your hand upon me, 
Even so, your tender hand delivers my daily bread faithfully. 


I am as an infant, helpless in this world in so many ways.

As a doting Father, you cherish me...provider of my daily bread.... from the breaking of the dawn,

until the sun sets on another day.

*** Angela Jennifer ***

Alone but for One

Alone but for One. I stand and call out, as the echo only returns to me, time and time again.
You and I are in this place together although you will not reveal your self.
I still feel you and catch a faint whisper from time to time.
Will you ever reveal yourself and shine the light to lead me out? 
More waiting...more questions...
I feel that the light will surely blind me if I were to leave the darkness of this place. 
It seems although I detest it, its all I have known for so long. 
For Mercy and Deliverance I pray. 
The hope of these fuels me, as my daily bread. 
I would have perished in my misery long ago without them. 
Sustaining me, nourishing my soul to live and not die. 
Alone but for One.... feeding me Hope as a mother feeds her child. 




*** Angela Jennifer ***

Amused

Sometimes when I hear the voice of God leading me to do something. I cant help but laugh in exasperation and say HUH?? Do what? God is all about pushing me further than I ever thought I could go. I have said this many times to close friends. " You know, just when I dont think I can possibly take another thing. Here comes something else for me to squeeze onto my plate!"  God isn't so concerned about my comfort as he is about my growth. 
There are seasons of this "faith stretching" in every believers life. Some seasons are longer and more painful than others. I have come to a much deeper understanding of this in recent years. The greater the season of struggle, greater the reward and work done in me. Sometimes I just get so tickled at where we are in life right now. Its as though I am on the outside looking in for a moment and I absolutely lose it and I laugh hysterically! The enemy hates it when I am at ease enough to laugh at the struggles we have. This ease of laughter comes from knowing that these struggles are for a season and there will come a time in our lives when we will look back at these days and say "WOW... remember when??" 
PRAISE YOU JESUS!!! Thank you that the Enemy is defeated in your glorious name. 
So in the "mean" time there is a powerful work being done in me that no classroom or earthly teacher could impart. 


***Angela Jennifer***