“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall…

• tribulation-pressure, trouble, anguish, affliction
• distress-narrowness of place, dire calamity, extreme affliction
• persecution-mistreatment, harassment, trouble
• famine-scarcity of harvest
• nakedness-open, laid bare, unclothed
• peril-danger
• sword-strife, contention, quarreling?

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:35,37-39

But they will try!!

Know today that no matter what has happened in your life His love releases a bond. A bond that conquers everything you will ever face in this world.  A bond that chases away victimization, because in Him you always win.  A bond that devastates every lie and destroys every trap. A bond that gives you a home, a safe place, and help in your time of need.

In the Jurassic Park movie franchise the raptor scenes show a type of demonic strategy. One lures us, and when we think we are getting away from it, another strikes from the side.  They tag team on the kill so they can share in the spoil.  The enemy of our souls and the world lie to us to lure us away from the most powerful bond of love, and try to convince us that His love is not enough.  They do this to try to cause separation.  When we are at our most vulnerable they strike.  They tag team until we are overwhelmed.

Today, what have you let try to separate you from His love?  What created thing have you given more power than it should have?  What are you letting rob you of the deepest most satisfying relationship of all time?  What has lured you away from the truth?

Let’s PRAY, so that we are not PREY!

In the name of Jesus I thank you that I am bought with a price.  The price that Jesus paid for me so that I could have a lifelong relationship with the lover of my soul.  Forgive me for forsaking this love and running after imposters.  Forgive me for letting anything separate me from your love.  Forgive me for relinquishing my position in the kingdom whether out of my ignorance, or rebellion, or blindness.  Help me to see, help me to accept your free gift, help me to  be persuaded by You where I have been tricked by the devil.  Help me conquer the lie of the orphan and know that I am your child and you are my Father forever. Today I choose to conquer the lies of the enemy by turning towards the truth.  Today I choose to walk in faith away from the bad experiences of the past and forward into your arms.  Today I choose to let go of the hurt and pain and know that you did not author that mess.   In faith, today, I taste and see that you are good!  I am more than a conqueror, not a carcass for every demon in hell to feast upon.  I am a son and my Father loves me with an everlasting love.  I receive this truth by faith and cling to it in Jesus Name!!  Amen

I know it has been a while since I reached out, but I have to tell you that I have been immersed in the most miraculous time of restoration!!  I make no apologies, as this has touched me deeply and my encounters with Jesus have brought deep repentance and deep healing and have released things I’ve been praying about for the past 20 years!!  It has truly been a gift; He is filling me up in ways I have only dreamed of (okay…begged for)…and this is not exclusive to me.  He is no respecter of persons, He is the leader to and a responder of deep surrender.

Psalm 42:7 “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.”                                            

Deep calls to deep.  The real you.  The deep part that longs for Him and yearns to respond to Him.  A place where He washes, and sweeps over and cleanses and restores in ways no man ever could.  He bids you to come, surrender yourself, and receive.  He knows you.  You know, the ugly that you don’t show anybody.  The prodigal that hides from true authority, thinks they know best, rages or runs when afraid, and settles on the worst in this life, resolving it is the best…but bitter about it.   He knows you.  How you’ve gotten to the place you are and just how to lead you home.  He will break strongholds, release captivity, remove blinders, open your ears, and raise you from the dead, if need be, to show you His love as He restores you to your rightful place as His son.

Luke 11 “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

Deep is calling to you my friend.  He sees you, He has compassion on you, He is running to you, throwing His arms around you and kissing you with His perfect love.  Not because you deserve it but because you are His son!!!

I can hear Him saying over you today, “QUICK!!!!!!!  Bring the best robe and put it on him.  Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Let him feast today on Jesus and His perfect sacrifice.  Let’s have a feast and celebrate, not condemn, not wallow for pig’s food!  This is my son, the son of my heart.  He was dead and is alive again!!!  He was lost but now is found!!!  Let’s celebrate!

You are worthy because you are His child.  You are worthy because of Jesus’ sacrifice.  You are worthy because He says you are!  You are His child, His beloved and He came to set you free.  Now, go receive this free gift your Father is giving you.  Go Home!!!  Go straight to His arms!!!  Celebrate the Gift of Calvary!!!  And go open your mouth and tell the devil whose you are today.  Proclaim His deliverance in your life, stand up to the oppression and fruitlessness and apathy and depression and lethargy that has set in and shout right in the devil’s face, “I am a child of God!!”

Bless you on your journey into Deep!

Melissa

Merry Christmas friends!  We pray today that wherever this finds you that Jesus shines brighter.   We pray that He be magnified over every situation in your life whether tragedy or triumph.  He is worthy of all of our praise.   The Lord Jesus is worthy of it all.

You never know from year to year what Christmas will look like.   Some years it is famine,  some years it is feast, but every year,  no matter what,  it is Jesus Christ.  He is our hope,  our greatest treasure and our reason to press in to another year…press in that He be known in the hearts of all men everywhere.  

I was recently convicted.  I began to ask God that this outreach touch  more and more lives.   He told me that I was looking for an ‘American Jesus’.   He encouraged me to look over the last few years at who had exactly been reading and now watching this site.   To my shock,  and I do mean shock,  this site has been seen in over 77 different nations…places I only dreamed it would go.  I just wept.   Jesus is the hope for the world! !  I had limited my God to what I knew and what I saw.   Lift your eyes to Heaven with me this year.   Perhaps, like me,  your thoughts must go higher.   Perhaps, like me,  you need a perspective shift.  Perhaps,  like me, you need more of Him.  This is why He was born.

He sees you.   He sees your desire to know Him.   He sees your desire to serve Him.   He sees your heart.   You are dearly loved and He is working all things in your life for the good.

Happy Birthday Jesus! !  Our hope is come!

Love,
Melissa

I heard Naghmeh Abedini speak on James Robison the other night and I was so richly encouraged.  She perfectly puts into words my thoughts of Jesus in the midst of trials.  I have been going through a trial of my own lately and in hearing Jesus through her, I find rest and comfort.  She was talking about the torment her daughter was going through missing her dad Saeed (currently imprisoned in an Iranian prison for being a Christian).  Her daughter kept asking Why?  Nagmeh’s response was perfect.  “The ‘why’ questions can only be answered in the ‘Who’.”  Isn’t that awesome!

I hear Him declaring over us…I am that I am.  I am God alone.  I am always with you.  I am always for you.  I have a purpose.  I am your source.  I am enough.

As you watch this video, let her words wash over you and in response, ask our eternal source, our Who, to lead you to Himself.  He is the vine and we are the branches.  Apart from Him we can do nothing.  But with Him, world and Devil watch out!

You are loved with an everlasting love.  Please take a few minutes to agree with me for the protection, purposes, and preparations for the release of Pastor Saeed to happen now,

Melissa

“No pit is so deep that God is not deeper still”   Betsy Ten Boom, via Corrie Ten Boom in the Hiding Place.

Today we will look at 2 kings who were in pits for very different reasons, but nonetheless, pits!

1. King Jehoshaphat was is a pit.  He was a good guy and he feared God.  Let’s see what he did and what was his outcome.

12 O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” 13 Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the Lord. 14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15 And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 

“22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.”     2 Chronicles 20:12-15 and 22

     2.  King Nebuchadnezzar was in a pit.  He was a bad king who did not fear God.  Let’s see what he did and what was his outcome.

“The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” 31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! 32 And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.” 33 That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. 34 And at the end of the time  I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom is from generation to generation. ” 

36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.”  Daniel 4:30-34 and 36-37

Wherever you find yourself today, there is no pit so deep that God is not deeper still!!!  His love is deeper still!  His power is deeper and His wisdom is deeper!  Nothing is impossible with Him…NOTHING!!  So, look up and see His salvation today!!

Thank you Jesus!!

Melissa

” Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.”  Proverbs 22:6*

Eph 6:4 “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” 

If you have spent any amount of time with Jesus, you will understand that He is deeply passionate and in love with children.  His children are always invited and welcome in His presence.  His children are never forbidden to come…never.  In fact, Jesus Loves the Little Children is not just a Sunday School anthem, but it is a proclamation of the very heart of God.

I believe that God is speaking a word of encouragement to parents.  For too long, I was tossed to and fro for my son.  The battle was so fierce for his life, that I really wanted to give up at times, but every time I got to the end of myself, the Lord would give me His love and His grace and His peace and His vision for Jackson.  I finally got the revelation that it takes Jesus to raise His child.  Go figure!  May you receive this encouragement in your toughest of battles.  Engage, be encouraged and call out to Jesus!  He is an ever-present help in time of trouble!

On another note, if you have loved your child(ren) on to eternity, I believe there is a special place of grace reserved especially for you.  You are a special one, and especially loved.  You have fought the worthiest of all battles and felt the complete devastation that this battle can bring.  The comfort we can have in this is knowing that Jesus does and will have the last word.  For us, we must wait on our Savior.

*Correction:  I sat and read this scripture as I did this video and something just didn’t compute.  You will see me look over because something just didn’t compute.  Last night when I figured out why it didn’t compute, I debated whether or not to post it because…The scripture does not say, “Train up a child in the way of the Lord, “, as I quoted. It really says, “Train up a child in the way he should go…”  I took the scripture listed below in Ephesians and combined them in my head.  I decided to go ahead and post it with the hope that you hear what God is saying to you as the Trainer.

Eph 6:4 “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”   

2 Tim. 3:15 “…and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

Love,

Melissa