As I sit here writing this tonight, I am so overwhelmed with emotion and so much in awe of my wonderful Lord and Savior that it’s not easy to put into words! However I will try to share a little about my personal situation to explain some of the total wonder and amazement I’ve just experienced. Even though I had another post almost ready to publish, it will have to wait, because if I don’t testify about God’s awesome faithfulness, it would be total disobedience, and I’m sure this will bless many others as much as it has me!

Anyone having read my testimony About FAM’s Founder, may recall that on the very day I went to sign bankruptcy papers at a legal aid lawyer’s office two years ago, I heard from my husband for the first time in almost nine years when he called and left several messages on my answering machine. And then in the coming months, he paid off the credit cards I wasn’t able to keep up with, in addition to providing financial support for most of the year. Needless to say, that was really wonderful and something I was very grateful for and truly appreciated. But there was an unexpected downside to the blessing. Since I’m legally blind and meet the income requirements established in my county, I have not had to pay property taxes for a number of years, but the support I received in 2005 disqualified me for the exemption in 2006 and now I have a tax bill due and don’t have the money to pay it. I managed on what I received during that time until this past June, and even had the money needed to set up the ministry websites, etc., but would not have been able to continue the ministry without additional financial support, which my husband agreed to start providing again in June. Then when I found out about the tax bill coming due this month, I mentioned it to him and he indicated that he might be able to help pay it.

Well I got the bad news concerning the shortage in my mortgage escrow account today and passed it on to him. I reminded him that he had indicated that he might be able to help, but told him not to worry about it if he couldn’t, because that just meant the Lord had something else up His Almighty sleeve! His reply was that he could send a little more than half of it, which at least covers the part that HAS to be paid this month. But if the rest is not also paid this month, my mortgage payments will go up significantly. Then as I was writing to express my appreciation and affirming my confidence that the Lord would be faithful to provide the rest, I couldn’t believe it, because the Lord was REALLY pressing me to read Small Straws by Marsha Burns…and it was like “Right now!” Well, when the Lord is that persistent, what else can we do! And I was TOTALLY, TOTALLY blown away! I’ve been reading Marsha’s messages for some time now, but she’s NEVER done anything quite like this in all that time, and the appropriateness of this, and how it so specifically applies to SO MANY situations and circumstances in my life and walk with the Lord right now are just too many and great to write about! But in addition to my obvious financial situation and need, there’s at least one other amazing aspect of this awesome and timely word from the Lord I feel led to share.

For many months now, I have been resisting something I knew the Holy Spirit was leading me to do, which was to establish a FAM Fellowship for men. Instead of going into all of the reasons I was convinced I COULDN’T do that, let it suffice to say that when the Lord wants us to do something, He has a way of getting us there, no matter how resistant we are. Of course, all of my reasons were sound doctrine, or so I thought, but they were still TOTALLY contrary to what I was absolutely CERTAIN I felt the Lord was leading me to do. So I kept trying to figure out how it was possible and wondering how the Lord was going to work out all of the obvious problems and resolve the apparent conflicts, but I never in a million years could have imagined His reply when He finally gave it to me. Due to circumstances that only God could have orchestrated on December 28, 2006, I made a split second decision NOT to resist what I knew in my spirit the Lord wanted me to do, and decided to respond to a man’s questions. Then I started praying for the Lord to help me; reminding Him of what I thought correct doctrine was and how that conflicted with what I also KNEW HE wanted me to do, and just asked Him to cover me since I didn’t have the covering of a husband. I didn’t have much time for a long prayer since I was expecting a call from the man at any minute, but I’ll never forget the Lord’s reply…it was one of the clearest things I’ve ever heard Him say! He simply said “I am your husband.” It was almost more than my mind could handle, but I knew immediately that it was true, because I knew the Bible said that the Lord would be a husband to those without husbands…I just never thought of it in that context before! I couldn’t wait to run to check it out, but I couldn’t find the specific passage I had in mind, and found Hosea 2:15-16 (NLT) instead, which says I will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope. She will give herself to me there, as she did long ago when she was young, when I freed her from her captivity in Egypt. When that day comes,” says the Lord, “you will call me ‘my husband’ instead of ‘my master.’ Then one of the FAM Fellowship members led me to the passage I was looking for, which was Isaiah 54, and when I read it, no words can express the total amazement and awe I felt! And then I discussed it with my pastor, who agreed that the Lord had given me the release to go forward. So last Friday, the private FAM Fellowship website for men was officially launched, and we started out with three members, including two who had signed up months ago! And then today, through another set of circumstances that ONLY the Lord could have orchestrated, I was called on to minister encouragement to a young pastor who I have a great deal of respect for, and even though the Lord has used me to minister encouragement to several women who are also ministers and pastors, that was the first time it was a man! And after our conversation, I was in total amazement at how the Lord had orchestrated it and how I wouldn’t have felt released to do it without what had happened in the past ten days!

Now, with all of that in mind (and there REALLY is so much more), just imagine the feeling of amazement and confirmation, not to mention incredible excitement, I felt as I read the following Small Straws message from Marsha Burns today (which you can read and sign up to receive by email at the previous link). And I pray that as you read it, you will receive it in your spirit and be blessed and encouraged, because it truly is an amazing word from the Lord!

January 8, 2007: We will begin to demonstrate the kingdom of God by recognizing problems and needs and appropriating the power of God through His Spirit to meet the needs and bring solutions to problems. We have needs, and we face problems every day, but we also have the power of the Holy Spirit available to us if we will only believe. Trust the Lord!
The world is about to experience its greatest turmoil in the history of man, and you can expect to see extreme volatility with regard to all natural and human resources.
But herein lies a great mystery of My kingdom. There is a division and widening chasm between My kingdom and the kingdoms of the world. Those who put their trust in the political and economic systems will find themselves on a roller-coaster ride with many ups and downs, and many will be ruined beyond recovery on this wild ride.
But, even in the midst of wars and rumors of terrorism, you will find more peace than you have ever known as you draw near to Me and abide in Me, says the Lord. You will find your stability and hope in Me and will not be afraid.
Many will be tempted to go back to old, familiar and comfortable places and seek worldly comfort instead of moving forward in the Kingdom of God.
Isaiah 31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD!
As I began to seek the Lord for the coming year, I remembered the word He gave me, “Old ceilings will become new floors as we rise to new levels.”
Looking back, I can see that we have achieved new levels of things like faith, of warfare, of prayer and intercession, of revelation, of perseverance, wisdom, knowledge, discernment, etc. And that will continue in 2007.
We saw an elevation and breakthrough at the Feast of Trumpets 2006 in two areas — healing and deliverance. I believe we will continue to mature and stabilize in those areas as we have opportunities to put this new level of efficiency to use. In fact, one of the earmarks of this year will be maturity and stability in many areas of our lives.
However, I also have been aware of a move of Almighty God through the Holy Spirit to soften the grounds of our hearts to fall in love with Him all over again. This will cause us to instinctively walk in freedom and be blameless before God as we set a watch over our mouths and hearts. Our hearts are being prepared again for new seeds to be sown that will take root and bring forth a new harvest.
Don’t forget that we still need to consciously release ourselves to the Holy Spirit, to His fruit and gifts so that we take every opportunity daily to defeat the works of the devil as they manifest.
You have often and repeatedly defined yourself by the things you are not good at. But, now is the time when you can change your focus to see yourself as I see you, says the Lord. Because not only you, but many like you will be able to see with the eyes of My Spirit if you will yield yourself to this great work. The results will be astounding, for this work will begin at the very core of your being and will manifest outwardly as My glory.
Your achievements have come with a lot of hard work, diligence, and great difficulty. Not much has come to you without extreme effort. But, you have turned a corner in
your life, and you will now be able to go forth without the pressures and stress that you have experienced in the past. I will open your eyes to see, and I will give understanding and make known to you deep mysteries of My Kingdom. Enjoy the anointing of ease. You have come to a higher plateau or platform from which you will launch out. And, you will find greater freedom of expression and creativity than ever. Your sensitivity to My Spirit will bring deep revelation, and the gift of discernment will be ever present – no longer something that you experience in extraordinary moments, but it will be the supernatural invading your natural existence.
Release yourself to receive all that I have to give you. Give yourself some slack, for condemnation has been a thief and a liar, a formidable foe. Receive My word, not as a tool of chastening only, but as a witness of the work of My Spirit in you to reveal My great love for you. Let go of all reproach, and move forward in mercy and grace.
As you listen for My still, small voice, I will give you wisdom in every situation and solutions to difficult problems. Never doubt that I am with you. I have never forsaken you even for a moment. Life is a dance, and be assured that I have choreographed every step. Just follow Me.
You have successfully survived yet another attack of the enemy to steal, kill and destroy you. Even though you thought you came through by the skin of your teeth, I tell you that the enemy never had a chance against you when you rose up in faith and with courage to go forward. And, you are about to come into a place of greater power in warfare as you become as bold as a lion against the devil.
I see your heart that desires to know more of Me and to move in the power of My Spirit with great discernment. Know that I always hear and answer your desire for more
of Me, says the Lord. You will not be disappointed. I satisfy the hungry soul.
You have come to this place with many challenges and great difficulty. Things have not been as you had imagined. And yet, you have trusted Me and not given up. Even now, you face things that create fear and anxiety. But, I say to you, that I will bring you through every situation and circumstance in victory. You are about to rise up to new levels of faith in warfare that will make you even more effective against the schemes of the devil.
You are standing on a new foundation of maturity and responsibility. Things that would have brought you down in defeat even a year ago no longer have the power to subdue you. You have come to a new height, and life will never be the same again.
You are about to come into “your own.” To become very useful or successful in particular situation. Stability is something that has seemed to evade you at critical times in your life, but your continuing to seek My face and to desire My presence has brought and will continue to bring you to a place of divine stability. Not a stability based on your emotions or your finances, but a strong endurance based on your faith and relationship with Me, says the Lord.
You are about to graduate with honors. Your education and training are not over, but will be on a higher level. Greater revelation and insight will be required in this new course of study. You cannot stay in the old, comfortable classroom; it is time for an elevation, new challenges and new horizons. Do not be afraid to rise up and meet the demands of this season.
Your times of refreshing come from My presence, and you must take time often to be refreshed and renewed because the demands on your time and energy will only increase in this season. However, I am preparing those who you will be able to trust to share the load and ease the burden. Have confidence in your discernment and instincts to know who can be trusted, because the enemy will do his best to create confusion in your ranks. Follow your heart.
You have stepped onto a new platform of effectiveness in My kingdom. Your effectiveness will not come through outward achievement as much as deeper revelation of My word and a greater ability to communicate what you see, hear and understand by My Spirit.
The fallow ground of your heart has been plowed up, and your love for Me and My people will take on a depth and significance unparalleled in your life.
My joy is your strength. Difficulties in your life have often sapped your strength because you have lost your joy. But, I have gone before you to make a wide place for you to stand and be yourself without condemnation. You will stand in this place with greater confidence than you could have imagined in times past, and in this place you will be a witness and example of My mercy and grace.
You have recently questioned whether you are actually up to the tasks and demands on your time and energy. Disappointment is a powerful enemy. But, I tell you that I have anointed you for such a time as this. I have equipped you to deal with every situation and circumstance according to My word and will. Refuse to allow the enemy to question your effectiveness. I am with you, and will give you all the wisdom necessary to complete the good work that I have started. The devil is a liar!
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. Conviction is a work of My Spirit to bring knowledge and understanding through love, but condemnation brings death and darkness. Refuse to allow the enemy to bring you down with guilt and condemnation. Come boldly before My throne. I delight in your worship.
You will continue to become more effective in intercession and warfare. Your fearless courage and undaunted faith and faithfulness are pleasing to me and powerful in the realm of the Spirit. I will bless you abundantly.
You have yielded to the moving of My Spirit and have sought My wisdom in all things.
You have already accomplished more than you ever thought was possible, and as long as you continue to seek My face and hear My voice, you will be astounded at all that you are able to do.
You have been faithful and diligent in all things, and I honor you in that, says the Lord. Do not grow weary in your well-doing, for the seeds that you have sown and continue to sow will yield an abundant and satisfying harvest. Rejoice in My goodness!
Refuse to become discouraged in this time of transition. The challenges you face are merely opportunities to grow in grace and strength. You are on a fast learning curve, and in the future when you look back at this time, you will remember it as bitter sweet and a time of acceleration.
You have been in a rather long season that has caused you to redefine your life in every aspect. Your priorities have been rearranged, and relationships have taken on new meanings, some closer and some more distant. Now you will have opportunities to settle yourself and find a new level of comfort and stability as I lead you into the next phase.
Look back and see how far you have come. You spent a good part of your life without root or stem, but now you have both put down roots and have produced fruit. It has
been a stretch, but the fruit will continue to be maturity and stability.
What I have built I will not break down, and what I have planted I will not pluck up, says the Lord.
You have endured the most difficult time in your life and have fought a battle with almost impossible odds. Yet, because you have continued to trust in Me, you have gained the victory. The battle is not over, but neither are you, for I have called you to persevere as a mighty warrior in My kingdom. My strength is sufficient for you to maintain victory and achieve peace.
Your breakthrough is within reach. You have worked long and hard to overcome with what seemed like little progress. Now you will be able to see a light at the end
of the tunnel. You won’t necessarily be at the end of the long, dark tunnel, but you will be able to see and have hope again. My word to you is to press on and remember that I am with you to bring you through.
I will give you the strength and guidance necessary in the next phase of transition. Every step will be illuminated before you, because I have indeed gone before you to make crooked places straight and to break down every barrier and hindrance so that you can fulfill My purposes for you. I have already prepared the way for you to move forward, says the Lord.
You have stayed the course in the face of discouraging opposition and difficulties.
You have shown faithfulness, honored your commitments, and have not given up. Your heart of integrity will reap its reward in due season. Don’t lose perspective.

Posted Monday, January 8th, 2007 at 11:55 pm in Seeds Of Faith.