WAITING IS HARD - God often keeps us waiting. Face to face with threatening foes, in the midst of alarms, encircled by perils, beneath the impending rock. May we not go? Is it not time to strike our tents? Have we not suffered to the point of utter collapse? May we not exchange the glare and heat for green pastures and still waters? There is no answer. The cloud tarries, and we must remain, though sure of manna, rock-water, shelter, and defense. God never keeps us at post without assuring us of His presence, and sending us daily supplies. An hour of waiting! Yet there seems such need To reach that spot sublime! I long to reach them--but I long far more To trust HIS time! - "When the cloud tarried . . . then the children of Israel . . . journeyed not" - This was the supreme test of obedience. It was comparatively easy to strike tents, when the fleecy folds of the cloud were slowly gathering from off the Tabernacle, and it floated majestically before the host. Change is always delightful; and there was excitement and interest in the route, the scenery, and the locality of the next halting-place. But, ah, the tarrying. Then, however uninviting and sultry the location, however trying to flesh and blood, however irksome to the impatient disposition, however perilously exposed to danger -- there was no option but to remain encamped. The Psalmist says, "I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry."

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Waiting Is Hard

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God often keeps us waiting. Face to face with threatening foes, in the midst of alarms, encircled by perils, beneath the impending rock. May we not go? Is it not time to strike our tents? Have we not suffered to the point of utter collapse? 

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May we not exchange the glare and heat for green pastures and still waters? There is no answer. The cloud tarries, and we must remain, though sure of manna, rock-water, shelter, and defense. God never keeps us at post without assuring us of His presence, and sending us daily supplies. 

Streams in the Desert

 

 

"When the cloud tarried . . . then the children of Israel . . . journeyed not" - (Numbers 9:19).

This was the supreme test of obedience.

It was comparatively easy to strike tents, when the fleecy folds of the cloud were slowly gathering from off the Tabernacle, and it floated majestically before the host.

Change is always delightful; and there was excitement and interest in the route, the scenery, and the locality of the next halting-place.

But, ah, the tarrying.

Then, however uninviting and sultry the location, however trying to flesh and blood, however irksome to the impatient disposition, however perilously exposed to danger -- there was no option but to remain encamped.

The Psalmist says, "I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry."

And what He did for the Old Testament saints He will do for believers throughout all ages.

Still God often keeps us waiting.

Face to face with threatening foes, in the midst of alarms, encircled by perils, beneath the impending rock.

May we not go?

Is it not time to strike our tents?

Have we not suffered to the point of utter collapse?

May we not exchange the glare and heat for green pastures and still waters?

There is no answer.

The cloud tarries, and we must remain, though sure of manna, rock-water, shelter, and defense.

God never keeps us at post without assuring us of His presence, and sending us daily supplies.

Wait, young man, do not be in a hurry to make a change!

Minister, remain at your post! Until the cloud clearly moves, you must tarry.

Wait, then, thy Lord's good pleasure! He will be in plenty of time! -- Daily Devotional Commentary

An hour of waiting! Yet there seems such need To reach that spot sublime! I long to reach them--but I long far more To trust HIS time!

"Sit still, my daughter" -- Yet the heathen die, They perish while I stay! I long to reach them--but I long far more To trust HIS way!

'Tis good to get, 'Tis good indeed to give! Yet is it better still -- O'er breadth, thro' length, down length, up height, To trust HIS will! -- F. M. N.

Everyone goes through difficult seasons, tough losses, and moments that feel unbearable. In today's world, people thirst more than ever for reassurance and guidance. Streams in the Desert provides a river of wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration to weary travelers.

https://www.backtothebible.org/post/waiting-is-hard

ARISE SHINE - The Lord calls us not just to endure the darkness but to arise in His manifest glory! Some of us feel defeated; others are worn out and weakened by the increasing gloom in the world. Yet it is here, where depression would otherwise capture our souls, that we are commanded to rise. To throw off oppression is not just an act of faith; it is an act of obedience. It is time to cancel our plans to be miserable! Through the blood of Christ, we break our covenant with death and darkness; we obey the voice of our destiny! Right at this moment, new life from the presence of God is descending into your spirit. Receive it! Accept it! Obey it! - "It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" - The Word of God states plainly -- no, it commands those at the end of the age to be fearless in the face of darkness! The Lord calls us not just to endure the darkness but to arise in His manifest glory! People argue about the timing of the Rapture, but what I am presenting here does not disturb any popular eschatology. I'm saying between now and whatever scenario you believe, there will be a time of increasing glory for true Christ followers. Some of us feel defeated; others are worn out and weakened by the increasing gloom in the world. Yet it is here, where depression would otherwise capture our souls, that we are commanded to rise. To throw off oppression is not just an act of faith; it is an act of obedience.

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Arise Shine!

The Lord calls us not just to endure the darkness but to arise in His manifest glory! 

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Some of us feel defeated; others are worn out and weakened by the increasing gloom in the world. Yet it is here, where depression would otherwise capture our souls, that we are commanded to rise. To throw off oppression is not just an act of faith; it is an act of obedience. 

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It is time to cancel our plans to be miserable! Through the blood of Christ, we break our covenant with death and darkness; we obey the voice of our destiny! Right at this moment, new life from the presence of God is descending into your spirit. Receive it! Accept it! Obey it!

By Francis Frangipane

 

"It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" - (2 Thessalonians 2:14).

 

The Word of God states plainly -- no, it commands those at the end of the age to be fearless in the face of darkness!

Speaking through the prophet Isaiah, the Spirit of the Lord orders His people:

    Arise, shine; for your light has come,

    And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

    For behold, darkness will cover the earth,

    And deep darkness the peoples;

    But the Lord will rise upon you

    And His glory will appear upon you.

    Nations will come to your light,

    And kings to the brightness of your rising.                                           --- Isaiah 60:1-3

Traditionally, because the second half of Isaiah 60 contains references to the millennium, some have placed the fulfillment of this entire chapter in the age to come.

But let me ask: Will "darkness . . . cover the earth" in the millennium? During the glorious reign of Christ when death, sin, and sorrow are banished, will ‘deep darkness’ still rest on ‘the peoples’"?

The fact is, while Isaiah's prophecy does indeed conclude in the millennium, it begins during the last hours of this age.

Clearly these first three verses of Isaiah 60 are a pre-Rapture, pre-millennial command from God.

The Lord calls us not just to endure the darkness but to arise in His manifest glory!

People argue about the timing of the Rapture, but what I am presenting here does not disturb any popular eschatology.

I'm saying between now and whatever scenario you believe, there will be a time of increasing glory for true Christ followers.

Some of us feel defeated; others are worn out and weakened by the increasing gloom in the world.

Yet it is here, where depression would otherwise capture our souls, that we are commanded to rise.

To throw off oppression is not just an act of faith; it is an act of obedience.

It is time to cancel our plans to be miserable!

Through the blood of Christ, we break our covenant with death and darkness; we obey the voice of our destiny!

One may argue, "But you do not know my difficulties."

Listen to how the Amplified Bible renders the Lord's command: "Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you -- rise to a new life]!"

Right at this moment, even as you read these words, new life from the presence of God is descending into your spirit.

Receive it!

Accept it!

Obey it!

You see, God's plan is that here on Earth, in us, the glory of the Lord will be revealed.

The luminous, radiant light of His presence, as it shone from Moses' face and flooded Solomon's temple at its dedication, as it radiated from Jesus and bathed His disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration -- that light of God's presence shall arise from within us at the end of the age!

This same divine glory shall, in ever-increasing degrees of brightness, appear upon us in the years prior to the Lord's actual Second Coming.

In truth, this great work of grace has already begun.

We are part of the Holy Spirit's expansive

preparation.

God is gathering together His people. We are learning to humble ourselves in repentance and prayer; we are finding friendship and unity with other Christians.

Indeed, our reconciliation across denominational and ethnic barriers has an immeasurable reward attached to it.

As valleys are "lifted up, and every mountain and hill . . . made low . . . then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all flesh will see it together" (Isaiah 40:4-5).

God is qualifying us to receive His splendor!

Nations shall come to His light and kings to the brightness of His rising!

Adapted from Francis Frangipane's book, The Days of His Presence, available at www.arrowbookstore.com.

Francis Frangipane is the author of numerous bestselling books, including "The Three Battlegrounds" and "Holiness, Truth and the Presence of God." He is also the founding director of In Christ's Image Training (ICIT), an online ministry school with students in over 120 nations. ... Google Books

https://francisfrangipanemessages.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2020-07-10T11:40:00-04:00&max-results=20

FOLLOW THE RIVER - God wants to prosper His people in every area of their lives! As you follow and obey the Holy Spirit, He’ll guide you into God’s divine, preordained plan for your life! We are to follow Him - The river is taking us somewhere. You may not care for where the river has taken you up to this point in life, but keep following the river. Sometimes your hard times are the launching pad into your good times. We understand that there's a cost; there's a price, and the price is real simple. If you really want to prosper, you're going to have to trust Jesus. You've got to go before God with an open Bible, and a prayerful heart. The rivers that flow out of your belly will be the rivers that you’ll follow. - In John 7:38, Jesus said, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” What’s flowing out of his belly? It is a reference to the Holy Spirit. Instruction comes out of your spirit by the Holy Spirit. When God gives instruction, that's the river. If you can learn how to follow the river, He will lead you to the place where you need to be. Under the covenant of grace, we’re to have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, where we allow Him to lead us. Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. That's not simply a nice little catchy phrase. Jesus is giving us instructions in that scripture. Follow the river! He's telling you where it is. It’s in you. Look at the flow of the river in the life of Joseph. It wasn’t a nice, tidy river.

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Follow the River

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God wants to prosper His people in every area of their lives! As you follow and obey the Holy Spirit, He’ll guide you into God’s divine, preordained plan for your life! We are to follow Him - The river is taking us somewhere. You may not care for where the river has taken you up to this point in life, but keep following the river. Sometimes your hard times are the launching pad into your good times. We understand that there's a cost; there's a price, and the price is real simple. If you really want to prosper, you're going to have to trust Jesus. You've got to go before God with an open Bible, and a prayerful heart. The rivers that flow out of your belly will be the rivers that you’ll follow.

Written by Creflo A. Dollar

 

In John 7:38, Jesus said, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”

What’s flowing out of his belly? It is a reference to the Holy Spirit.

Instruction comes out of your spirit by the Holy Spirit.

When God gives instruction, that's the river.

If you can learn how to follow the river, He will lead you to the place where you need to be.

Under the covenant of grace, we’re to have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, where we allow Him to lead us.

Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

That's not simply a nice little catchy phrase.

Jesus is giving us instructions in that scripture.

Follow the river! He's telling you where it is. It’s in you.

Look at the flow of the river in the life of Joseph. It wasn’t a nice, tidy river.

The river was flowing when his brothers threw Joseph in a pit and left him to die (Genesis 37:24).

Then they took him out of the pit and sold him on the slave block for profit (Genesis 37:28).

No one had any idea where this river was going to take Joseph.

From the slave block, he ended up in Potiphar’s house. But God was with Him, and he was a prosperous man! (Genesis 39:1-2).

Follow the river!

There, Joseph was accused by Potiphar’s wife of assaulting her, and Joseph ended up in jail (Genesis 39:18-20).

So far, this river wasn’t taking Joseph where he wanted to go!

But wherever he found himself, God was with him, and he submitted himself to the leadership of the river.

When it was all said and done, Joseph became governor over the entire land of Egypt, in charge of all that Pharaoh possessed (Genesis 41:43).

So many Christians want to prosper as long as they can tell the Holy Ghost to follow them — their own plans for their lives.

But that's not how it works. We are to follow Him.

The river is taking us somewhere.

You may not care for where the river has taken you up to this point in life, but keep following the river.

Joseph’s promotion came right in the middle of a jail cell!

The promotion was a reward for what happened while he was sleeping — resting.

God gave him the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream, and the river finally brought him to his destiny to become one of the most powerful men in all of Egypt! (Genesis 41:39-40).

You can't plan that!

Sometimes your hard times are the launching pad into your good times.

But we can't talk about prosperity unless we understand that there's a cost; there's a price, and the price is real simple.

Follow the river.

Listen, just because something is scriptural doesn't mean you need to do it, if the river — the Holy Ghost — isn’t leading you to do it.

Even with the written Word, you still require the leadership of the Holy Spirit to show you how to proceed with the written Word.

If you really want to prosper, you're going to have to trust Jesus.

You've got to go before God with an open Bible, and a prayerful heart.

The rivers that flow out of your belly will be the rivers that you’ll follow.

Somebody says, “I thought that meant praying in tongues.”

Yes, it does! But guess what happens when you pray in tongues. You speak mysteries!

You speak divine secrets. You speak hidden wisdom.

When you pray in tongues, wisdom and answers are coming out of you.

So always ask God to give you the interpretation of what you're praying in your heavenly language.

Follow the river.

“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:3)

How are you living your life today?

Are you attempting to prosper and attain God’s promises based on your own work and self-effort?

Or are you following the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit?

God wants to prosper His people in every area of their lives!

As you follow and obey the Holy Spirit, He’ll guide you into God’s divine, preordained plan for your life!

Creflo Dollar is the founder and senior pastor of World Changers Church International (WCCI) in College Park, Georgia; World Changers Church-New York; and a host of fellowship churches throughout the United States and internationally. WCCI also has offices in Australia (serving the Asia-Pacific region), South Africa, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, and the Ukraine.
Recognized for his cutting-edge revelation and humorous, pragmatic approach, he empowers millions to experience God's grace, restoration, healing, and financial breakthrough as a result of delivering simple, biblical principles to apply in their daily lives.
Dollar is a world-renowned Bible teacher, best-selling author, and sought-after conference speaker with hundreds of books, CDs, and DVDs in distribution worldwide. He is also the publisher of CHANGE Magazine, a global online publication. His award-winning television show, Changing Your World is broadcast across six continents and is translated into six languages. Internationally, his teachings reach over 2.7 billion homes weekly.

https://www.cfaith.com/index.php/article-display/21-articles/holy-spirit/21881-follow-the-river

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