After the valley comes the victory

The Valley of Dry Bones resulted in the Victory of our Life-Giving Spirit.

Where have your valleys of dry bones been in your life?

Take time to contemplate that part of your past today.

 

In 1999 I penned the following reflection … I share it with you now …

Dry Bones—Breathe!
A Reading for Voices
Ezekiel 37:1-14 The Valley of Dry Bones
Voice 1:
I am those dry bones lying dead in the Valley. The dry bones that have no life, for life’s been sucked from me; dragged from me; snuffed from me … life ruined midst mankind’s strife.
Voice 2:
I am a dry bone walking through the valley; weeping at the sight ‘neath my feet; for I have no life and they have no life; life ruined by humanity’s strife.
Voice 3:
I am the fresh breath of Yahweh Majestic. The One Who creates and restores. The One Who knows the pain of dry bones. The One Who breathes life into the dead bones, scattered over the valley of strife.
Voice 4:
Together we make up the Valley of Dry Bones: a picture so desolate and stark. Together our dry bones represent the sin of ourselves and others, our sin against Him … Who loves and created us.
Voice 5:
I am the Breath that renews and ignites; that Breath that restores and connects—the dry bones to sinews; the sinews to joints; the Breath that breathes only New Life.
Voice 6:
I am the Breath that restores, re-awakens, the bones and bodies so dead. The death that comes when hearts dry up and spirits and souls lose their lifeblood.
Voice 7:
The Valley of Dry Bones lies deep within each and every person of faith; awaiting the Pentecost; awaiting the fire; awaiting the call to New Life.
Voice 8:
I am that Breath that comes each day to restore, replenish, renew. I am the Breath of the Spirit of God that enlivens the people who cry from their heart: O God let my dry bones live!
Voice 9:
The Valley of Dry Bones ... the Breath of God—praise Him for the cycle of life: for dying to self precedes the new life and the graveyard of self is transformed and renewed … by the Breath of our Pentecost God.
Voice 10:
Our God Who says: let go the things that encumber; let go the things that cause death; let go the things that dry up your bones and rob your spirit and soul! Let go the dryness that seeps through your pores … let go! Let go and let Me … breathe on you; breathe in you; breathe with you; breathe for you … when life becomes so dry.
Voice 11:
And so every year we can walk through the valley and know that our dead bones will gain life. For life comes from God, the God Who breathes life into lifeless bones; to the bones grown so dry … God says: rise up—dry bones and breathe!
Voice 12:
And so we rejoice; rejoice in our God; our God Who breathes new life; Who gathers our bones from the graveyard of death and knits us together in Him: one life-force; one purpose; one meaning; one reason—the One Who knows when we’ve died … and lain in the Valley of Dry Bones without hope or renewal of life ... because of the strife the world has imposed upon us.
All Voices:
Praise God the Father, the Son and the Spirit; give praise to our Trinity: for where there is death in the Valley of Dry Bones—there’s life in eternity. And eternity begins when we cry out to God—breathe life into me I am dying! God breathes His Breath, refreshing, renewing … the Pentecost Breath of New Life! 

 

 

 

Today is slowdown Saturday or slowdown Sunday depending upon

where you live in our world.
I encourage you to take a deep breath in and exhale slowly.

Repeat this several times today.
Over recent weeks we have been on an almost whirlwind trip in our Dailies

and this week we will be still and reflect on what we have learned, experienced, lost, gained … Please be assured that God is with you in your stillness and meditations -

He will never leave you nor abandon you.

He loves you and longs to draw you closer to Himself.

 I leave these words from James Bailey for you to ponder today …

I'm sure you will be alert to the Scriptural references of after … comes!

After the valley comes the victory.
After the pit comes the palace.
After the famine comes the fulfilment.
After the wilderness come the miracles.
After the crucifixion comes the resurrection.
 After the weakness comes the Power of God.

Rooted in rich soil … lots going on that can't be seen.

Stillness, time and patience … preparation for what's next.

Yes there is still 'suffering' but you can more easily see the purpose of that 'suffering'.

Things are shifting.

Old ideas are being transformed into new inspirations ...

Stale viewpoints are transforming into new horizons ...

Lost dreams are being ignited through your new perspective ...
ALL of this is happening whilst our Loving Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ His Son

and our beloved Holy Spirit is restoring, supporting, strengthening and establishing you

on a firm foundation IN Christ which will have you put together

and on your feet for good … eternally!

God of all Grace 1 Peter 5:10
NRSV: And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His Eternal Glory in Christ, will Himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.
TM: The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this Generous God Who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal & glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good.
NLT:  In His Kindness God called you to share in His Eternal Glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation.

Isaiah 43:19 (NRSV) — 19 I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:19 (The Message) — 19 Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the dry lands.

When we embark on our journey of new life IN Him we need to be alert to the newness that surrounds us. Our heart has been made new therefore we can see things and hear sounds differently. Our perceptions are heightened and we become more aware of our Lord's Voice speaking in our hearts. This is the season to be still before Him and allow Him to reveal the ALL He has for us … new job, new spouse, new house, new singleness, new spirituality - everything made new IN Him! The entire season is a new season! It is a time of contemplation and rejoicing IN Him.

He has not brought us down this road for you to experience the same old same old. Resurrection life is yours! The old has gone - the new has come! Rejoice! And again I say Rejoice!

Revelation 2:3–4 (NRSV) I also know that you are enduring patiently and bearing up for the sake of my name, and that you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

Today as we dig deeper into the good soil in which we have been transplanted look back upon your spiritual journey to rediscover the treasures of your early faith in Jesus.

TAKEN from SPARKLING GEMS - Rick Renner:

As we walk with the Lord, there is always a danger that as each of us grows older in our spiritual walk and become more structured, polished, refined, and doctrinally developed we will slowly start to forfeit the zeal and spiritual fire we once possessed. Jesus implored His followers to unearth those early times when their faith was tender and new — to dig deep in order to recall and recover their powerful past.  He is compelling us to return to Him and rekindle the fire that once burned so brightly in our hearts. We need to unearth the precious memories of what our walk with Jesus was like at the beginning — and honestly see if we have retained that same passion, or if we’ve let it slip over the passing of time due to schedules, routines, or other reasons. Jesus is calling us. He cries out to everyone who has an ear to hear what He is saying. …

 

Jeremiah 6:16 (NRSV) Thus says the Lord: Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. … …

New Life ... Plans & Purposes
When we dig deep into the good soil to discover His Plan for us

we can become distracted and begin to make our own plans and purposes.
Proverbs 16:9 (NRSV) The human mind plans the way, but the LORD directs the steps.

 

Resist the temptation to 'do your own thing'. Wait on the Lord and again I say 'Wait'
Psalm 130:5 (NRSV) I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;

 

When we are transplanted into the good soil by abundant waters

we need to stay there awhile - resting, recuperating and being renewed.

Don't hurry the process!

We have much to learn about ourselves in this new life
and about God Who has led us to this green pasture.

Learn to wait, waiting ...

with joyful and peaceful anticipation of what is ahead.

Isaiah 43:19 (NLT) For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun!
Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

We are so often encouraged to 'bloom where we are planted'
but sometimes it seems that we are simply a green shoot in the concrete

and we can't see where or how we are to grow.

Our Lord encourages us to break up our fallow ground.

Breaking up our fallow ground so often feels like a brokenness coming upon us.

But there is a reason for our brokenness to be genuine and to take time ...
Hosea 10:12 (NRSV)   break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the LORD
 that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.

Rain righteousness upon you! Doesn't that sound nice?

It is better to be still as He rains His righteousness upon us
for then the rain seeps deep into our roots of brokenness

and a true, deep nourishment will emerge.

In your new life IN Him you have been ...
Ezekiel 17:8 (NRSV) ... transplanted to good soil by abundant waters,
so that [you] might produce branches and bear fruit and become a noble vine.

For some of you God has already transplanted you into good soil by abundant waters.

For others of you the waiting period is still not over ... I promise it will come.
Wherever you are on your journey, dig deep into that good soil

to discover His purpose and pleasure for you.

 New life is upon you and as He has said ...
Ezekiel 37:14 (NRSV)  I [have] put my spirit within you, and you shall live,

and I [have placed]  you on your own soil;

then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken and will act,

 

You are on the journey of post-Resurrection life.
You have walked the Emmaus Road, the Damascus Road
and even the Street named Straight!
 Now you are to bloom where you are planted.
Sometimes it seems that you are planted in concrete ...
a green shoot in the concrete!

Our Lord encourages us to break up your fallow ground ...

Hosea 10:12 (NRSV)  Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the LORD,

that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.
 But let's not keep on breaking open that fallow ground ...
let healing come and restore what has been planted

Psalm 129:3 (NRSV)  The plowers plowed on my back; they made their furrows long.
Isaiah 28:24 (NRSV) Do those who plow for sowing plow continually?

Do they continually open and harrow their ground?
 In your new life IN Him you have been ...

Ezekiel 17:8 (NRSV) ... transplanted to good soil by abundant waters,
so that [you] might produce branches and bear fruit and become a noble vine.

Rejoice!
New life is upon you and as He has promised ...

Ezekiel 37:14 (NRSV)  I will put my spirit within you, [again]

and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil;

you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken and will act.

 

 

 

Which road are you on -

the straight, the winding, the tree lined, the desolate?
Whichever road you are on you can be assured that
our God Immanuel is with you.

Isaiah 42:16 (NRSV) I will lead the blind by a road they do not know, by paths they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I will do, and I will not forsake them.
Isaiah 42:16 (The Message) But I’ll take the hand of those who don’t know the way, who can’t see where they’re going. I’ll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country. I’ll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don’t fall into the ditch. These are the things I’ll be doing for them— sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute.”

Take time to notice how He is with you.
Take time to hear what He is saying to you.
Take time to read His Word about the road you are on.
He is leading you onwards according to His Purposes ...
         you might have to let something go!
Be at peace - it is His Will for you.

Psalm 145:2 (NLT) I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever.

 

Have you walked through the Open Gate?

Do you know what our Lord has in store for you?

Have you sought His Wisdom and Insight for your future?

Now is the time to seek Him afresh!

Psalm 118:20 (NRSV) This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.

Psalm 24:7 (NRSV)  Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors!

that the King of glory may come in.

Psalm 100:4 (NRSV)  Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise.

Give thanks to him, bless his name.

 

The gates of righteousness come in all shapes and sizes.

What do your gates look like?

What new journey is in store for you?

Sit with your journal today and record some jottings with joy!

  

  

 

 

 

Luke 24:17 (NCV) He asked. “What are these things you are talking about while you walk?”

Forever on our journey, Jesus is intently interesting in every aspect of our lives.
Talk to Him: listen to Him: hear and heed His Voice ...
Take it to the Lord in prayer ...
He walks with you and talks with you ...
and He encourages us to
Matthew 28:20 (NRSV) ... remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Which road are you on today?

Emmaus or Damascus.

Rejoice!

He is with you!

He is our Immanuel-God with us.

Acts 26:13 (NLT) ...  as I was on the road, a light from heaven

brighter than the sun shone down on me and my companions.
Acts 26:13 (The Message) right in the middle of the day a blaze of light,

light outshining the sun, poured out of the sky on me and my companions.

 ... it was so bright!

John 8:12 (NLT)  Jesus spoke ... “I am the light of the world.

If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness,

because you will have the light that leads to life.”
John 8:12 (The Message)  Jesus addressed them: “I am the world’s Light.

No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness.

I provide plenty of light to live in.”

The Emmaus road: the Damascus road.
Both God's Design: both represent encounters with the Living God.
Both represent a spiritual shift ...

from sadness to joy; from death to new life.
What changes are you experiencing in your life on this stage of your journey?
Allow God's Light to shine in you - exposing any darkness ...
  Allow God's Light to shine upon you - to embrace you ...
  Allow God's Light to shine through you - to share His Love with others.
The Light that lightens the darkness. 

Be HIs Glory in the world today!

Luke 24:13–16 (NLT)  That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village

of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem.

14 As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened.

15 As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came

and began walking with them.

16 But God kept them from recognizing him.

Today we embark on a new approach to our Dailies!

Together we have trodden an old familiar path ...

now we are being called to move onto a new path.

This is the path of newness of life!

The path of stepping out of what we have known

into what we don't yet know.

However, we DO know Who is walking alongside of us ...

it is He Whom we seek to see afresh

through our remade spiritual eyes.

As we journey together with Him

we are prompted to record our journey in our journals.

This is the day of new beginnings!

Rejoice!

He is with us!

He is Immanuel!

Amen.

 

 

Genesis 1:27 (NRSV)  So God created humankind in his image,

in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Deuteronomy 32:6b (NRSV) ... ... Is not he your father, who created you,

who made you and established you?

 

Ephesians 2:10 (NRSV) For we are what he has made us,

created in Christ Jesus for good works,

which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

 

Ephesians 4:24 (NRSV)  and to clothe yourselves with the new self,

created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

 

The Emmaus Walk!

Discovering who we are IN Christ!

God took such pleasure in creating us ...

let us take delight in being who

He planned and purposed us to be!

!Yaymen! 

 

The miracle that is Easter!

Source: Debbie McDaniel.com

 

He is Risen!

He is Risen!

He is Risen indeed!

Hallelujah!

Bless you this Easter morning!

 

The Empty Cross ...

 

A Holy Week Reflection

 

A Holy Week reflection

A Holy Week reflection ...

A Holy Week reflection ...

 

A Holy Week reflection

As we enter Holy Week, Dailies will simply post an image for your reflection

on the astounding actions of God that have saved each one of us

and given us Eternal Life IN Him.

 

1 Peter 1:13 (NRSV) Therefore prepare your minds for action;

discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace

that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed.

1 Peter 1:13 (GW)  Therefore, your minds must be clear and ready for action.

Place your confidence completely in what God’s kindness

will bring you when Jesus Christ appears again.

Philippians 4:6 (The Message)  Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray.

Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers,

 letting God know your concerns.

Philippians 4:6 (GW)  Never worry about anything.

 But in every situation let God know what you need

in prayers and requests while giving thanks.

 

What an interesting concept!

(thanks James Goll)

Prepare for what you have prayed for!

God answers our prayers.

In faith we prepare for the answers. 

Be alert!

Be ready!

Be prepared!

Be pre-prayered!

And give thanks in advance of the answer!

 

 

Psalm 139:14 (NLT)  Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!

Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

 

Jeremiah 6:16 (NLT) This is what the Lord says:

“Stop at the crossroads and look around.

Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it.

Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.

 

Ephesians 1:4 (NLT) Even before he made the world,

God loved us and chose us in Christ

to be holy and without fault in his eyes.

 

Ephesians 6:10 (NLT)  A final word:

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

 

Your life.

God's gift to you.

Shine like a star in this darkened world!

Touch the hearts of others with your story!

Speak encouraging words to everyone you meet!

You are a blessing!

You are blessed.

Rejoice!

 

Philippians 4:8 (NRSV) — 8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true,

whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure,

whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable,

if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise,

think about these things.

Philippians 4:8 (The Message) — 8 Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best

by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable,

authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst;

the beautiful, not the ugly;

things to praise, not things to curse.

Philippians 4:8 (NET) — 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true,

whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable,

if something is excellent or praiseworthy,

think about these things.

Your life’s journey is a gift.

God is with you every step of the way.

Many things have coloured your life.

Your identity is not in your experiences.

Your identity is IN Christ Jesus our Lord!

Rejoice! He has made you whole!

!PTL!

 

 

Exodus 15:26b (GW) ... because I am the Lord, who heals you.

 

Psalm 103:2–3 (NLT) Let all that I am praise the Lord;

may I never forget the good things he does for me.

3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.

 

Psalm 147:3 (NRSV) — 3 He heals the broken-hearted,

and binds up their wounds.

 

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NRSV) — 17 So if anyone is in Christ,

there is a new creation:

everything old has passed away;

see, everything has become new!

 

New life has come upon you!

Bring not the pain of the past with you!

Let it go!

Let it be healed in Jesus' Precious Name!

Let ALL that you are praise the Lord!

This is the day of joy and celebration!

!PTL!

 



John 10:10a (NRSV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.

 

John 10:10b (NRSV) ... ... I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

 

Romans 8:1 (NRSV)  There is therefore now no condemnation

for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:16–17 (NRSV)  ... we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs,

heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—..

Romans 8:29 (NRSV) For those whom he foreknew he also predestined

 to be conformed to the image of his Son, ... 

Romans 8:35 (NRSV)  Who will separate us from the love of Christ? ...

Isaiah 43:1 (NRSV)   Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name,

 you are mine.

When the evil one taunts you with his lies

remember that the Word of God

is powerful to defeat those lies.

God calls you by name!

He has forgiven you!

He has redeemed you!

Live out of that glorious truth today

and every day.

Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Romans 8:15 (NRSV) — 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery

to fall back into fear,

but you have received a spirit of adoption. 

Matthew 14:27 (NRSV) — 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said,

“Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Luke 12:32 (NRSV) — 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock,

for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

 

Hebrews 13:6 (NRSV) — 6 So we can say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.

What can anyone do to me?”

What an amazing statement!

One do not fear Scripture for each day of the year.

There's a task for someone

who wishes to dig into the Scriptures!

In the meantime,

do not be afraid, little flock

but replace ALL fear with rejoicing!

Amen

 

 

Jeremiah 30:17 (NLT)  I will give you back your health

and heal your wounds,” says the Lord. ... ...

Jeremiah 30:17 (NET) Yes, I will restore you to health.

I will heal your wounds. I, the Lord, affirm it! ... ...

Matthew 12:13 (NRSV)  Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.”

He stretched it out, and it was restored, ...

 

Luke 8:44 (NRSV)  She came up behind him and

touched the fringe of his clothes,

and immediately her hemorrhage stopped.

Exodus 15:26 (NRSV) ...  for I am the Lord who heals you.

 

Jehovah Rapha is our God Who heals.

He longs to heal us -

emotionally, spiritually and physically.

He is available to heal every wound.

Seek Him today

and allow His Healing Unction to flow.

Your life will be changed!

!PTL!