Stretched and Changed
May 18, 1997
I am going to lead you on from here. The pathway may have seemed steep and rocky, but I have gone on before and I have led you. Stay close to Me; stay close by My side. Sometimes the path widens so that you may walk beside Me and at other times it is narrow and you must follow Me. Don’t get ahead of Me; let Me lead (Psalm 32:8). It will be good.
Green pastures. Souls long for green pastures. Sometimes on the rocky mountainside you forget that there are green pastures even available. I haven’t forgotten that you need them and times of refreshing (Matthew 11:28,29). Pastures are a place to refresh yourself (Psalm 23:2,3); you can’t stay there forever. Eventually you must climb again, but each time you climb you will have a different view and a new perspective. Though you may be further from the valley, you will be able to see more clearly what is happening in the valley and below you. You’ll be able to see the whole picture.
I have not forgotten nor forsaken you. Continue on in My ways and let yourself be stretched and changed daily in new ways. It’s hard work to live life and stay alive, but it’s necessary in order to walk in the Spirit.
Life is a reflection of Me and of My presence. That’s why it is so necessary to hide in Me, to take the time to get in My presence, because I am the only source of life (John 14:6). Death reflects absence from My presence. You are surrounded by an atmosphere of death, mostly slow death, but nevertheless, death. I intended that you would be fully alive, not just part of the time, but all of the time.
When you try to escape from life, you are heading towards death. When you try to escape in any way from the pressures of life by choosing distractions, that is a form of death. The stress comes from dread, being overwhelmed, or not living according to the Word or promise I’ve given you, but according to circumstances. Don’t be afraid of being busy if it’s what I’ve called you to do. Enjoy it. Do be afraid of dread. Push that away and command it to go.
I will show you how to truly live life and be fully alive in the midst of this atmosphere of death. Choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19), even when it’s new, scary, and busy. Choose to walk away from death (dread, distractions, discouragement) and watch your thoughts, attitudes, and words. Remember to live by the words and promises from Me. Are your words filled with My presence or My absence? If words are like containers or seeds, then they hold something. They are never empty of the ability to produce something. There are no truly empty words – they have the capacity to produce life or death (Proverbs 18:21).
The grace is truly sufficient for each day.
Psalm 32:8 TLB
I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress.
Matthew 11:28,29
8 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.
Psalm 23:2,3 AM
He lets me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still and quiet waters.
He refreshes and restores my soul (life);
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
for His name’s sake.
John 14:6 NLT
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
Deuteronomy 30:19 Voice
Moses: I’m calling on the heavens and the earth to be the witnesses against you. I gave you the choice today between life and death, between being blessed or being cursed. Choose life, so that you and your descendants may live!
Proverbs 18:21 AMPC
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].
