Tag Archive | following Jesus

Rules for the Road

Every new direction requires submission.

First, submission to My Word–

My Word is always first and foremost above all things. I will never direct you apart from it–you are never to be without it!

Now, listen and hear My Heart for you; for I have plans for you, that I have prepared you for, and they are ‘for‘ you!

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

You can submit, begin, but if your heart is not willing you will falter and fail.

Be willing to join your heart to Mine.

“Teach me thy way, O Lord, that I may walk in thy truth; unite my heart to fear thy name.” Psalms 86:11

Last, let Me lead.

Many find their purpose and willingly strike out in advance of My timing–

Timing is critical!

Wait on Me.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. –” Psalms 127:1a

Many look for provision as a first step–if they don’t see it, they don’t begin. . .

Take the steps of faith first, knowing, I will provide!

Now, let’s, let us, get started . . .

I AM the Way!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

“The steps of a man are from the Lord, and he establishes him in whose way he delights. –” Psalms 37:23a

“Thou dost show me the path of life; in thy presence there is fullness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.” Psalms 16:11

Cutting Edge or Cutting a Hedge?

Nov15

Some are following like scissors–you are closed, you are open, closed, then open; but moving forward in this way only cuts ‘your’ path, it is not following Mine.

To follow ‘like scissors,’ it is your hand that controls, your mind that plans, and I AM not in the project.

Shake the scissors off–set them down.

You don’t need to ‘cut’ a path, for that is forging through–it is toil and I AM not in it.

Lay it down–follow Me.

Be ‘open’ to My plan for your life. . .

I will give you a Key, it doesn’t include strife!

Follow Love, for I AM–

follow Me!

“Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15-17

“The plans of the mind belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. Every one who is arrogant is an abomination to the Lord, be assured, he will not go unpunished. By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil. When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Proverbs 16:1-7

I invite you to participate in sending the Lord’s Compassion to inmates in prisons, jails and rehabs nationwide. Please consider joining this ministry to place “Comfort in the Challenge,” “His Voice in My Heart” and, “His Voice in My Heart, the Journey” in the hands of those hidden from society, but not hidden from God. These books are filled with messages from the Heart of God. Messages of love, hope, healing and freedom; as well as many amazing true testimonies of the miraculous power and love of God. This author is not taking anything from the first three published books. All donations will be invested in books to help those struggling to find new life. We offer hope and the Good News of, truly, a new life in Christ!

Proceeds from purchases of “Comfort in the Challenge” will be sent to “Canaanland Ministries” of Autaugaville, Alabama. You may read about their wonderful restoration ministry by visiting their website at: https://www.canaanland.com.

Thank you, for prayerfully considering partnering with us to touch the hearts of this hurting nation! All donations are tax deductible. To donate, go to: https://www.nationofwomen.com/contributions. Scroll down to the “Books for Inmates” image (hands clasped through prison bars). Click on the donate button and type “prison books” in the comment section when it takes you to the fill-in page.

Checks may be made out to “Nation of Women Ministries, 619 Roberts Cut Off Rd., River Oaks, TX 76114. Write “For Prison Books”, on the check. Donations will be handled by the publisher, Cindy Neathery, of Nation of Women Publishing, Fort Worth, TX, for printing and shipping books.

To order books, go to: https://www.nationofwomenpublishing.com/authors Scroll down to Lori J. O’Neil.

Again, thank you and God Bless you!

“‘Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'” Matthew 25:37-40

Those Who Follow, Lead

Jul5

Do you understand that I AM one with the Son and He is one with Me?

He is a part of Me, made representative by flesh and bone that you may understand. I AM too vast, you cannot see–I offer a part that you may believe and He is representative of Me on this earth; so the Holy Spirit represents Me in you–we are one.

“In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.” John 14:20

And if you’ve received Me, you carry Me–I dwell in you.

Therefore it is you that represents Me to the world, just as Jesus represented the Father to the disciples.

Do not take lightly what you have received, when you believed.

It is a Holy power you carry within.

Do you consider that, when you choose to sin? Do you stop and think that many are watching? They are gaining ‘permission’ by your actions in life, or so they think.

“He who says “I know him” but disobeys his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps his word, in him truly love for God is perfected. By this we may be sure that we are in him: he who says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” I John 2:4-6

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you.” John 14:15-17

Do you make your brother stumble for the license you take–the path you lead?

Are you following to provide ‘right direction’ or are you forging through the weeds?

“He who loves his brother abides in the light, and in it there is no cause for stumbling. But he who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” I John 2:10-11

Follow.

“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also; if any one serves me, the Father will honor him.” John 12:26

I will make your path straight and lead you to the gate of triumph.

“Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:13-14

Be a leader of right-standing. A true representative of the Holy One within you.

For many are called, few are chosen.

“No one born of God commits sin; for God’s nature abides in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God. By this it may be seen who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil; whoever does not do right is not of God, nor he who does not love his brother.” I John 3:9-10

“–If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.” John 14:23-24

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5

“”But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment; and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”” Matthew 22:11-14

Be Ready For More

Jun30

Dramatic changes are coming your way and you will find it best–

to learn how to rest.

Rest in My provision
Rest in My wisdom
Rest in My direction

All are My Love.

You are never alone–means that you not only have My companionship, but that you literally do nothing alone. My Holy Spirit teaches you from within–where to begin.

“And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you.” John 14:16-17

Follow through, is an important key.

When you begin–you ask.

I give you a task.

Don’t continue to ask, but work on what I gave you. So many keep praying, keep asking, but never launch out into the deep for a draught.

“Hitherto you have asked nothing in my name; ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:24

Blessing comes in obedience–stepping out in faith with what you know.

Continuing with more–

as you grow.

Peter took in the biggest catch of his life and then promptly left it to follow Me. You see, it’s not about the ‘catch’, but the direction I call you to.

The catch will follow you, as you go.

You are not pursuing a lifestyle, you are pursuing Me and a Kingdom–“My style.” I will give you all you need and more, as you continue to open each door and follow–

follow My lead.

“If any one serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also; if any one serves me, the Father will honor him.” John 12:26

Shall we proceed?

Be ready for more.

So much more!

“And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”

And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.

But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” for he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon.

And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.” Luke 5:4-11

Little Foxes

May8

Temptation may seem far from you now, if you’ve walked closely to My side. You have been diligent to abide–take life in stride, but temptation hasn’t ceased–it’s just lost its savor. Should you become lax, it will be right at your door–calling for more.

“Catch us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom.” Song of Solomon 2:15

Be instant in season and out of season, with the Word ready on your lips. Be ready when you’re tired–lest you slip.

“Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times!” Proverbs 106:3

For it may seem a little thing–a trivial sin. But this crack in the door, will open for more, the moment you let it in. The steadfast heart, takes no part, in that which would tear you away.

“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same thought, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer by human passions but by the will of God.” I Peter 4:1-2

Be diligent to stride–right by My side–focused every day!

“Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” Proverbs 3:7-8

Follow Me.

“He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If any one serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also; if any one serves me, the Father will honor him.” John 12:25-26

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever.” I John 2:15-17

“For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he watches all his paths. The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is caught in the toils of his sin. He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is lost.” Proverbs 5:21-23

“But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And convince some, who doubt; save some, by snatching them out of the fire; on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” Jude 20-23

“Now to him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you without blemish before the presence of his glory with rejoicing, to the only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and for ever. Amen. Jude 24-25