Tag Archive | seasons

The Promise Still Stands

Tragedy has hit nearly every family in one form or another.

I AM here.

Do you think I AM absent at such a time as this?

I Am present, even though you do not sense Me–even though you do not see Me.

I carry you.

If you are honest, you will know that there is nowhere on this earth that you can go, where I will not be present with you.

Be honest and trust Me. I AM in this with you, and I will see you through . . . We will come out the other side of it. We will put it behind us and move forward!

We will again bear fruit, but it will be more lush, more fragrant and more inviting for others, for it will be mature fruit. The fruit of the vine that’s been pruned–purposed to bear more!

“Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” John 15:2

The fruit in the Promised Land was so luscious and weighty, it took two men to carry it–imagine that!

“And they came to the Valley of Eschcol, and cut down from there a branch with a single cluster of grapes, and they carried it on a pole between two of them; they brought also some pomegranates and figs.” Numbers 13:23

It is the fruit intended for those who cross over into the Promise.

The grumblers, complainers, fearful, never reached it. Those that doubted, chose to believe the bad report. They feared man, rather than put their faith and trust in Me.

“But Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once, and occupy it; for we are well able to overcome it.” Then the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.” So they brought to the people of Israel an evil report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The Land, through which we have gone, to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants; and all the people that we saw in it are men of great stature. And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim); and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.” Numbers 13:30-33

Don’t let this season pull you off course.

Determine to cross over to plenty.

Rejoice that I prune you. It is only the healthy ones, that are attached and flourishing, that I AM able to do so . . .

Those who are ready for more!

“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 is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5

“Do not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called, that you may obtain a blessing. For ‘He that would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile; let him turn away from evil and do right; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those that do evil.'” I Peter 3:9-12

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” Psalms 1:1-6

“Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, with trembling kiss his feet, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way; for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” Psalms 2:10-12

The Season in Your Heart

Dec17

You are not to be controlled by the seasons, rather, you create, from the ‘season’ in your heart.

Look Within.

Do you see sunshine or despair?

Do you wander in there?

I have created the seasons for your life–they are in there, but you must find them.

If you allow emotion to carry you–you are either running or exuberant, but emotion is not a season; it is a fleeting moment in time.

I want you to find the ‘season’ I have for you now.

It is not a moment, and it will not ‘carry’ you, but you are to operate in it. Use it as a springboard for your faith or for understanding to wait, but seek to understand the meaning of NOW.

All are good, for all will be revealed through the ‘season’ of your life.

Find Me in it–I AM there!

“Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:7-10

Readers, my first published book is now available–

‘Comfort In The Challenge’

“You don’t have to look far to find someone coping with a challenge. It may be a friend, co-worker, parent or child. Maybe you need only to look within. The list of trials in life is endless–the challenge within. But God knows the need, and He knows the heart of the one you love–He knows YOU!

‘Comfort in the Challenge’ is filled with messages spoken from the heart of God. Inside you will find that God loves you and He cares about you, personally, and what you care about matters to Him. He wants to take that care, in exchange, with His thoughts of Love, Hope, Healing, and Direction. He speaks to the need, He speaks to You, to bring you–‘Comfort In The Challenge.'”

© 2019 Lori J. O’Neil

Click to Order: https://www.nationofwomenpublishing.com

All royalties for the life of this book will go directly to the ministry, Canaanland, of Autaugaville, Alabama. Canaanland, takes in men that have lost control of their lives to addiction and crime. Their tremendous (40 year) success rate has often prompted the judges of the surrounding area to offer, Canaanland, as an alternative to jail time. But, Canaanland, is not a bail from jail; it is a golden opportunity for those who truly want a new life! I have met some of these men and they are so full of joy that they absolutely shine–truly transformed by the love of God!

Canaanland charges nothing for a year stay; including room and board for their families as well, if necessary. I find the true dedication of Canaanland, in surrounding these men with love, and the life-changing power of the Word of God, to be unsurpassed. All is made possible through the dedication and hard work of these men, and generous donations of partner support.

It is their vision to have a ‘Canaanland’ in every state and my vision, for this book, to help them realize this goal. Will you join me in helping these men and their families receive a new life? Will you consider purchasing ‘Comfort in the Challenge’ for your friends, loved ones and yourself–for Christmas? The books are beautiful and I am over-the-top excited for you to receive yours!

Click this link to Order Today: https://www.nationofwomenpublishing.com

Thank you, and God’s Blessing upon you and yours this Christmas and always!

Lori J. O’Neil

Canaanland Ministries Link: https://www.canaanland.com

Info Contact: wordscroll@gmail.com

The Rule of Emotion

Feb25

Emotions were never meant to be a barometer for your day.

They were given as a gift to feel and express joy, sadness, love–releasing or receiving feelings as they come and go–flow through your life, but they are not to rule.

Consider this, would you bow to an emotion or honor a feeling? No, no more than you would consider bowing to the devil and yet, many do, when they allow their emotions to rule.

The pain and heartache you feel is very real, but change can happen in the twinkling of an eye. Offer your heartache to Me, knowing that I’ll take it from thee.

There is so much in store for you, but the process isn’t easy–let go to receive.

The process is in layers; if I were to bring you through, all at once, you would be undone–you would be overwhelmed. Even now, as I dole it out in portions, revealing a layer at a time, you often come crying.

My desire is not to hurt you, but there will be pain as you learn to retrain your thinking–developing new ways for old patterns that are revealed.

“A man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

Come align with Me

Your steps
Your thinking
Your heart

I have a purpose for you–we are partners-we work together.

“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; thy steadfast love, O Lord, endures for ever. Do not forsake the work of thy hands.” Psalms 138:8

Now, you can continue to cry out your emotions or you may use the abilities I have given you; exercise your faith to move forward and work toward your future.

Yes, I give you seasons of rest, but there is also a season of work.

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3

Stay close to Me.

Abide in My Love as I guide you through each day. Come what may, it is not by chance what you receive, but what you believe–you will receive.

“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. If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned.

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples.

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:1-11

“As therefore you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so live in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7

Persistent Fruit

Dec19

Love is genuine

There are those who set forth a pretense of love and yet their heart is absent. Others attempt to love, but their flesh nature of selfishness choke and block that love from flowing.

Genuine love is not pretentious nor stagnant, but flows from a heart that is pure.

“Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brethren, love one another earnestly from the heart.” I Peter 1:22

Be assured that the fruit produced comes from the root of the tree. If the roots are not planted in good soil the tree will not produce good fruit.

“Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Come to your right mind, and sin no more. For some have no knowledge of God–.” I Corinthians 15:33-34

A perfectly good tree needs the right conditions to produce fruit.

Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall are all seasons necessary to produce fruit–yes even Winter. I don’t rush the seasons and neither should you. Learn to produce lasting fruit by learning from the seasons.

Remain firmly planted.
Allow Me to prune.
Keep your chin up and keep looking to the Son.
Seasons will change.

Love will grow.

“Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12

“Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you.” James 5:7

Persistence bears fruit!

“For land which has drunk the rain that often falls upon it, and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed; its end is to be burned.” Hebrews 6:7-8

“In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and earthenware, and some for noble use, some for ignoble. If any one purifies himself from what is ignoble, then he will be a vessel for noble use, consecrated and useful to the master of the house, ready for any good work. So shun youthful passions and aim at righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart.” II Timothy 2:22

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:23-25

“And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain upon tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its time; it hastens to the end–it will not lie. If it seem slow, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay. Behold, he whose soul is not upright in him shall fail, but the righteous shall live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:2-4

“Though the fig tree do not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like hinds’ feet, he makes me tread upon my high places.” Habakkuk 3:17-19

“And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise.” Hebrews 6:15

“Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord, and vindication from the God of his salvation.” Psalms 24:3-5

No Wonder

Jul8

Don’t stop to ask yourself why.

So much precious life is wasted asking, Why?

Why not?

Why not accept the fact that you won’t always know why and move on?

If you need to know, you will, but sometimes answers come slowly, and some never will.

Trust never wavers–never stops to wonder why–for ‘why’ will cause you to wander. It is the root of doubt and will tear down your faith for you are stagnant when you wait for that which may never come.

Seek to know the answers in My Word.

For there you won’t wonder, for you will know why–when you see why you wait.

Do you see?

No wonder!

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

“But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.” Job 32:8

“The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.” Psalms 37:30-31

“Wait for the Lord, and keep to his way, and he will exalt you to possess the land; you will look on the destruction of the wicked.” Psalms 37:34