One morning, I awoke with some concerns on my mind. I had been in prayer and believed I had received an answer of the Lord. However, I still arose in fear because of the things that were before me. It was at this instant that the Holy Spirit spoke these words to me, "Do not be moved by what you see, but by what I said." As these words came to me, the Holy Spirit began to speak to me concerning many in the Body of Christ.

He said, "Many of my people no longer trust in what I have said whether through scriptures or by spiritual inspiration. Many have allowed what they see to determine their faith and hope. But, I have said in the scriptures that man should live by every word that proceeds from my mouth. I am not man, so I cannot lie or fail. If my people will only believe in me, trusting in my unchanging character, they will see my glory revealed in their lives."

So, I want to encourage everyone to return to trusting in the Lord. Though situations and circumstances arise which sometimes test our faith and patience, the Lord can be trusted to see us through. Remember, there is more for us than against us. And again, do not cast away your confidence in Him, for your faith shall be rewarded.

On one occasion, I was not feeling well and went and laid down. While resting, the Holy Spirit began to impress some things upon my heart. My thoughts began to think of how the Lord calls the Church; that is, the Body of Christ, His bride. It is then that He began to say to me,

"Many within the Body do not relate to me as a bride, but as a mistress. A bride is a man's wife who will be committed to her husband. She will stand with Him in good and bad times. Even when a wife does not understand or agree with all that her husband does, she will still be committed to him and their marriage.

However, a mistress, is someone who only shows up for times of pleasure. A mistress will be committed as long as gifts are being bestowed upon her. If her partner angers or upsets her, she can easily exit from the relationship and seek out another.

Many in the Body are committed to Me as long as things are going their way. They only show devotion as long as there are times of blessings. However, when difficulties arise and I operate in a manner that is not favorable in their eyes, many are ready to break the relationship."

On this day, consider your relationship with the Lord, are you operating as a bride or as a mistress?

One evening I was trying to figure out how to place a comforter on my bed. For some reason, I could not decided which way was correct. I couldn't remember which way was up. When I asked the question out loud, that is when the Holy Spirit began to speak to me saying that many in the Church do not know WHICH WAY IS UP? He said that many have forgotten what is right and what is wrong. Many are changing the eternal truth of His word in order to fulfill temporary desires.

He then said to remind the Christians not to forget which way is up. He has set before us the way of righteousness and not to deter from it. Christians are to remember the words of Christ when He said that broad is the way the leads to destruction and straight is the way to eternal life. The Church is not to forget what is right, not to forget to do that which is right. Believers have to remember to follow Christ and His example. Which Way Is Up? Jesus said that I am the way, the truth, and the light. Christians are to walk in the ways of Christ, not forgetting that they were cleansed and separated unto God. Again, do not become forgetful, but recalling the words of the Lord, for in them is eternal life.

"For many years, people from other nations and countries have come to Africa to preach the gospel. Though their efforts met opposition, there was much success in the expansion of the Kingdom of God. However, in these days, I am going to bring forth a company of native Africans who will minister to their own countrymen and brothers. The youth ran swiftly: this reveals the quick work that I will do in this company of Africans.

The ministry of these Africans will be like the action of a shotgun. As a shotgun is fired, its ammunition spreads, so shall their ministry be. It will spread throughout the African continent.

Also, their ministry will have the effectiveness of a spear. A spear is designed to pierce and breakthrough, so shall their words be. They will minister the gospel effectively, piercing the hearts of others that many will forsake ungodly tribal and ancestral worship and lifestyle in order to serve the living God. For in these days and in those to come shall these things be."

While my wife related to me a story, the Holy Spirit impressed these words in my heart, "This Is Not An Exit." The Holy Spirit began to speak that there are many believers who are trying to get out of; that is, avoid trials, tests, and troubles. Though many sermons and teachings are coming to convince people that they do not have to deal with difficulties. This is in direct opposition to what the scriptures teach. The Holy Spirit brought to mind the scriptures that speaks of the trying of our faith being more precious than gold. Thus, a believer's perfected faith in valuable in the sight of God. So, He will allow us to experience difficulties and hard times to develop strong faith. This shows us that we can't try to use scriptures and other religious activities as an exit from the perfecting and maturing of our faith.

Those who may be experiencing difficulties at this moment, continue to trust in the Lord and do good. Though it does not seem right or seem fair, if you endure hardness, it will produce in you the peaceable fruits of righteous. Be encouraged knowing that other believers are experiencing what you are experiencing. Remember, there is a reward, for after you have suffered awhile, God will strengthen you, settle you, stablish you, and make you perfect in Him. He will never leave you nor forsake you.

God holds the course of this world in the palms of His hands. While in prayer, the words of this scripture came into my hear and mind,

Behold, I am the Lord, the god of all Flesh: is there anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:27

It was at this instant that the Holy Spirit began to say, "Many understand that nothing is too hard for God. However, they limit this to external circumstances and situations. yet, there is absolutely NOTHING too hard for God. Not only is it not hard for God to send provisions, open doors, and heal the physical body, but also it is not hard for God to forgive, heal hurts, and uplift the hearts and minds of men.

Some find it hard to believe that God can forgive them, but there is nothing too hard for Him to do. God does not struggle with forgiveness. Also, God knows how to deliver man from past hurts, emotional scars, and harmful mindsets and behavior patterns. If man will only believe, nothing is impossible; including healing and deliverance from internal struggles and fears."

I, personally, want to encourage those who have come to know Him to understand that nothing is too hard for God. Only trust Him. Doubt can no longer be an option. He is faithful, who can bring all things to pass.

We have heard prophecies for years concerning the "rain" of the Lord which is to bring revival in the U.S. and other parts of the world. Though there have been numerous prophetic utterances and confirmations of these words, there has not been a clearly manifested fulfillment of these words. In light of these things, the Holy Spirit began to bring understanding to what these things mean. In the Book of I Kings, we find the account of Ahab and Elijah where the prophet prays for rain. After this, Elijah says the following words to Ahab,

And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. (1 Kings 18:44 KJV)

The Holy Spirit began to say, "Many in the Church are looking for the "rain" of God to pour down, and it will according to God's plan and timing. However, many do not understand the fulness of God's word to the Church." The words of Elijah to Ahab reveal what constitutes the rain that will come from God's presence.

Elijah instructed Ahab to prepare. In many areas, the Church has not fully prepared herself for the rain of God through fasting, prayer, forgiveness, and sanctification. The rain of God not only will bring forth the works of God, but reveal His very nature, which is Holy.  He is holy and commands that His people be holy. If not, the rain that is to bring refreshing, renewal, and revival will bring forth His discipline instead, when it appears. Elijah said to Ahab, "that the rain stop thee not." The rain that comes to bless  could turn into a "wake up" call for many who have become sidetracked with life and themselves.

In the scriptures, when we read of rain, it was not always associated with blessings. Remember, the rain of man's judgement in the days of Noah. Though God has sworn saying, He will not destroy humankind again with rain, He made no promises not to send spiritual rain that will drown out ungodliness and irreverence from among His people while preserving that which is good (as demonstrated by Noah, his family, and the animals) that Christians will be productive in their service.

Thus the Holy Spirit challenges us on this day to prepare for His rain, expect His rain, and appreciate His rain. But we must be prepared through prayer, fasting, forgiveness, and sanctification. In doing so, He will rain down rightoeusness upon us, as He promised Israel through Hosea. Along with righteousness, the Church will be renewed, revived, restored, and refreshed as His works are demonstrated among us and through us.