Finishing the Race
Christine beadsworth
Dec 1 2008 08:08AM
Fresh Oil Releases
Finishing the Race
Greetings fellow saints
Last week whilst in a worship meeting I received a picture with message attached which I shared with the group. However I do feel it has wider application and so would like to share it with you all. I saw a long distance race taking place. The finish line was in sight and I watched as one runner collapsed just meters from the finish line. Desperately he lifted his head as if to will himself over that line but his body would no longer cooperate. He continued to remain in a crumpled heap as other runners moved past him to finish the race. Then two of his friends who were also running, came alongside him and each put their hand under his arm and lifted him up. He had no strength to stand on his own legs and so the three moved determinedly towards that finish line with the man in the middle being carried and dragged by his companions. I am sure many of you have witnessed similar scenes.
The point the Holy Spirit stressed was this: all three of those men finished the race even though one of them was practically carried over the line. The middle man did not in any way receive an inferior result. He had physically crossed the line and received the same medal as his companions. The friends also did not in any way jeopardize their own chances of finishing by stopping to help the exhausted man.
In the last couple of weeks I have come into contact with many Christians who are at this point of total exhaustion. The race has been long and hard and in spite of them pacing themselves throughout the distance between the receiving of the promise and its fulfillment, now, with the finish line in sight, they find that they do not have the resources spiritually, emotionally or physically to cross over to the other side. Their state of collapse has come as a surprise to them and there seems to be a sense of guilt at not having the inner reserves to complete the course.
Saints, we are living in a time where the enemy of our souls is attempting to wear us out. His intention is to to try to change the appointed times and seasons in your life.
Dan 7:25 And he shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and plot to change times and laws.
However, God has an appointed time for the fulfillment of your promise. All the days of your life were written in His book before one of them came to be and only He has the authority to really change the times appointed for you. Your times are in His hands!
Dan 2:20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. Dan 2:21 And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.
There are some who fully believe God for the manifestation of what He has promised but at this time find themselves completely depleted because of the difficulty of the terrain and the greatness of the assault against them. It is not that they are weak in faith but the battle has been long and hard. Something small happens and it is just the last straw. There is no need to feel shame. Now is the time for brothers and sisters in Christ to come alongside and help.
Ecc 9:11 I returned and saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happens to them all. Ecc 9:12 For man also does not know his time; as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly on them.
Unexpected difficulties can arise and even the swiftest runner finds himself in trouble. In the days that are ahead, many will find themselves exhausted by the events that unfold and the Body of Christ must demonstrate its oneness and bear one another's burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ. Now is not the time to look out for one's own interests alone but to keep watch over your brothers and sisters in Christ. One minute they can look fine and be running in great style – but just around the corner they may crumple in a heap, unable to go one more step. This is not the time for lectures or sermons but rather a hand on the shoulder, an impartation of your strength, a word of encouragement.
Phi 2:1 If there is therefore any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tendernesses and mercies, Phi 2:2 then fulfill my joy, that you may be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord and of one mind. Phi 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Phi 2:4 Do not let each man look upon his own things, but each man also on the things of others.
Let us become more aware of the state of our brothers and sisters. Let us really look into their eyes with discernment born of love. Even the word 'encourage' literally means 'to impart courage'. When a brother or sister is found exhausted along the path and the finish line is in sight, let us encourage one another not to give up and to remember God's faithfulness. His word never returns void but accomplishes the purpose for which it was sent. It is always darkest just before dawn and at these times, we need one another. Let us not focus so much on crossing our own finish line that we pass by a saint in desperate need without really seeing them.
1Th 5:14 ... comfort the faint-hearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.
We will not jeopardize our own result by pausing to under-gird a brother who has no more strength. God does not have a stop-watch measuring our finishing times. The enemy of our souls does not want us to cross over and experience the fullness of the promise of God but we can help one another over that line. In prayer we must carry each other. Arm in arm we can help those who are weak to reach the moment of the manifestation. More than ever before the true saints of God need one another. Let us not be too proud to share the depths of our exhaustion for fear of appearing unspiritual. Transparency builds real intimate bonds of brotherhood. Let every joint supply as we build ourselves up in love. The finish line is in sight!
Christine
freshoil@polka.co.za
An exhortation from the heart of the Father to yours: A Door of Hope for My Body
Precious One, yes, you are My Precious One. Please give ear to what I Am about to say. Consider your body - the human body. Look at all its working parts. Each and every part of your physical body affects the rest of your body.
Look at a body that is in top physical condition and behold its beauty. Behold the skill of the Craftsman who created it! Every organ, every muscle, every tendon works together with one goal in mind. The skeletal structure is perfect from the largest bones in the leg right down to the tiniest ones found in the ear. Every single body part is important. While there are some body parts you can survive without, if given the choice would you not choose fullness? Even the stubbing of your little toe can cause you excruciating pain and in that moment the importance of that body part comes to the forefront of your mind. There are an endless number of examples I could give you, Beloved, of how your body hurts when one part hurts or malfunctions. Many of you have living examples in your own bodies and in those around you to know that given a choice you would want good health. You know that each body part is in agreement so that you can function in your daily life. It is clear that when the body is functioning the way I designed it, this is the most desirable state to be in. This concept is simple.
Illness, disease, defects and injures can keep you from accomplishing your dreams and goals, so generally you do what you know is best for your body to live your life optimally. Sometimes, and more often in wealthier regions of the world, a person will give in to their body's demands and cause themselves to become unhealthy. Addictions to drugs and alcohol as well as food and mind-numbing activities that keep the body sedentary commonly hold My body hostage. This happens when a person refuses to listen to their spirit and instead listen to their flesh, so multiple addictions are often the result! This causes a number of breakdowns in their body - both immediately and in the years to come if the flesh continues to get its desires.
So it is with My Body - the Body of Christ.
My Body has many parts and they are all designed to work together. Many of you do not know why you are hurting so deeply. You do not know why you crave the things that are not good for you. The struggle in My Body is at an all time high because there are so many parts all over the world that are hurting and wounded and ill and addicted.
Church, allow Me to take you out from what you have been doing. Give Me a short season in your life to make some adjustments. I Am the Master Surgeon and I can heal you and bring you back into perfect health. You can again be a body that enjoys health and beauty. Give Me this season to teach you and lead you. As My Body comes to Me for healing, then I will place you anew in the Body of Christ.
Come into the wilderness with Me and I will speak comfort to you. I will give you food and drink that will not draw you to itself but to Me.
Come anchor yourself to Me and I will keep you from going adrift in the tempest. I will open to you a Door of Hope and beckon you in, but it is you who are given the choice to come inside.
My beautiful Body is battered and it is My desire to heal you and make you whole. I long to answer Jesus' prayer that His own would be as one as He is one with His Holy Father.
It is My desire for the Body to have their joy fulfilled, that you would be kept from the evil one, for you to be sanctified by My truth, for you to be sanctified by My Word, and for you to be one as I AM in Jesus and He is in Me. We want you in US so that the world will believe.
See John 14
JAMES DONOVAN
Prophetic Enrichment from the Throneroom
MOVE ON WITH ME, MY CHOSEN ONES"
December 1, 2008
This the season to move out in Me! Forget the former things and press into Me, be led by My Spirit. Hearken to My voice in this hour, trust Me, My servants. I have called you out of the usual place. Yes, to yield, submit and obey My voice. Let self die. Forget last year's experiences; this is a new day, a new time with Me. I shall direct you as you hunger and desire to follow Me. Yes, there have been much shaking going on in the natural and the spiritual. I am shaking My people to awaken and arise and go forth with My anointing, My boldness, My authority.
This will be a year of My favor and grace pouring out over the nations, to those who are willing to lay down their agendas, their strategies and follow My spirit. I am calling My army to walk and confront the enemy and destroy his strategies and schemes. Yes, to walk progressively with force, and speak forth My truths to those who are hungry and desperate in these days of trials all over the world. I am the answer, I am a big God!
This is the time to come closer to Me, cast your cares upon Me! Yes, you have seen many glorious things in Me, but I am a God who is moving upon this earth to establish My ways, My truths for My people. Yes, through you who will obey and launch out with Me! So rally together in unity and one accord and go forth and proclaim I am the way, the truth and the life. This is a new year of new beginnings, a year of establishing and progressively proclaiming My truths, My plans to a people who need My touch, a people who are desperate and frustrated with the old self-life. Sound the Trumpet! Declare there is Hope in Me!
My word declares a move from glory to glory. Yes there are more glorious things to happen this year. This will be a year of harvest and revival in many nations. Yes, I have called you for a time as this to declare My words, My truth. Your labor shall not go in vain; the fields are ripe for the harvest. So be filled with My Spirit, My love and My truths and release My oracles in this hour. Be filled with My compassion and go in My love. You shall see My glory moving upon My people. You shall see much fruit as you obey and sound the Trumpet!
I humbly submit this word for your discernment
Scripture:
Submit- James 4:7/ Hunger- Matthew 5:6
Take up your cross lay down agendas- Matthew 16:24
Way truth and life- John 14:6
Sound the trumpet- Isaiah 58:1
Glory to Glory –2 Corinthians 3:18
Labor not in vain- 1 Corinthians 15:58
Ripe for harvest- Revelations 14:18
12/01/08
Do not suffer the little children to come unto me. Teach your children of my soon coming. Teach them of my power and special anointing for this end time. There are dreams to be dreamed, prophetic words to be uttered and visions to be witnessed. The visions will produce a clear picture of what I want accomplished for my Kingdom. The prophetic word must go forth as a fresh word; manna from heaven. The dreams will facilitate and confirm the voice of my Spirit on the inside.
Be aware and take note for these are the days of Elijah. The dry bones have awakened. Reposition yourself, if need be, to become attuned to this move. Stop the outside noise for a season to get a fresh connection to my Spirit. Fast the body to make keen the mind and spirit. As this move awakens sleeping Christians and anoints my children, educate them of the reason this move must come to pass.
Be still and know I am God.
"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge."
Psalms 46: 10-11
