Tuesday, January 6, 2015

The Bridal Garments Room Experience – 01-04-15






"The Bridal Garments Room Experience – 01-04-15"

In the vision experience, I am walking in the Heavenly City. I see that there is activity everywhere and an atmosphere of awe of God permeates everything. I am walking on the familiar golden cobblestones of light, and each cobblestone is shining transparently. I then find myself turning down a very narrow street, and the walls of the buildings on this street all vibrate with life. The various vibrations from the whole street sound to me like a song being composed. Every building is filled with light, and each is constructed unique to its purpose. 

As I am walking, I see an archway ahead of me that has a door under it. The beauty of the roses in the archway captivates my eyes. Each stone in the archway is filled with light, and each one has a rose carved into it that shines with a unique brilliance. I curiously reached out to the door under the archway to inspect what might be on the other side, and as I do the door suddenly opens before me. I walk into a foyer-like room, and in front of me is another archway that leads into another area. I then walk through the second archway, and the light within is so bright that I cannot see. I stood there for a moment till my eyes adjusted to the glory in that room. When I could see, I was astounded by the size of the room, as it went very far in each direction. 

The room was filled with rows and rows of tables. At every table were many angels working. I looked closer, and could see that they were all making garments. There was an air of excitement in the room as the angels all worked on the garments, and it felt like the whole city itself was vibrating in agreement with them. The angels were working on garments, and I knew that each garment was unique. The angels were all in various stages of assembly, and the care they took and the respect for their task was very touching to me. I looked, and I saw one angel hold up in my view what looked to me to be a needle of light, and it was threaded by strands of light that looked like minute tubes, and they sewed the needle through the fabric till it became a completed garment.

An angel stood at the ends of each of the tables, one angel on each side. When a garment was completed, it was given to the angels standing at either end, which then took the completed garment and walked past the rows of tables until they reached the last row. The angel then stopped and gave the garments to the waiting angels that were sitting there. I wondered to myself what the last row of tables was doing. Just then, a voice said to me, “Come and see.” I turned to see who spoke and it was the angel named Wisdom.  I stood there looking at her and understood that it is wisdom that gives us understanding. Wisdom smiled, and said again to me, “Come.” I followed wisdom past each row of tables until we got to the last row, and then we stopped.

I saw that the last rows of tables were assigned to do something else than assembling garments. The angels stood waiting with excitement until the other angels brought them the garments. On their tables were piles of various jewels, and I recognized some of the jewels. I saw pearls of all hues and various levels of luminescence. I saw diamonds of all shapes and sizes that flashed with internal fire, and there were other heavenly stones that I did not recognize. The angels discussed where to place the stones amongst themselves. Each garment was different, and the placement of the stones was determined by its future owners purpose. The angels who handled the garments were in awe and they held them tenderly. I suddenly realized that these were wedding dresses being assembled. 

“You are correct”, Wisdom said. “They are making wedding dresses for the bride. The bride is waking up in your days, and she is about to make herself ready.” Wisdom then took me by the hand and said, “You each are called to awaken many. You must help them to get themselves ready. The Father is coming to change them, and to fully inhabit them, for they shall fully overcome the world, and they shall be found worthy to stand before men and to reveal the knowledge of Him. It is time for the harvest to accelerate, and it is time for you each to arise and mobilize for the hour is late. The Bridegroom is coming fully into your Gates. Rise up now and shine, for your Light has come, and the Glory of the Lord shall rise upon you and also break outwards from you as a brilliant garment of Glory, such as you see also being made here. Get ready- Get ready- Get ready! The bride must fully awaken and get herself ready!”

When the vision ended, I looked up scriptures on the heavenly wedding garments being prepared, and the theme of the bride awakening and getting herself ready:

Scriptures:

Matthew 25:1 Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish (thoughtless, without forethought) and five were wise (sensible, intelligent, and prudent). 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them; 4 But the wise took flasks of oil along with them [also] with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom lingered and was slow in coming, they all began nodding their heads, and they fell asleep. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, Behold, the bridegroom! Go out to meet him! 7 Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out. 9 But the wise replied, There will not be enough for us and for you; go instead to the dealers and buy for yourselves. 10 But while they were going away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were prepared went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. 11 Later the other virgins also came and said, Lord, Lord, open [the door] to us! 12 But He replied, I solemnly declare to you, I do not know you [I am not acquainted with you]. 13 Watch therefore [give strict attention and be cautious and active], for you know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will come.


Is 62:1 For Zion’s sake will I [Isaiah] not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest until her imputed righteousness and vindication go forth as brightness, and her salvation radiates as does a burning torch. 2 And the nations shall see your righteousness and vindication [your rightness and justice—not your own, but His ascribed to you], and all kings shall behold your salvation and glory; and you shall be called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord shall name. 3 You shall also be [so beautiful and prosperous as to be thought of as] a crown of glory and honor in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem [exceedingly beautiful] in the hand of your God. 4 You [Judah] shall no more be termed Forsaken, nor shall your land be called Desolate any more. But you shall be called Hephzibah [My delight is in her], and your land be called Beulah [married]; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married [owned and protected by the Lord]. 


Is 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as [surely as] the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring forth, so [surely] the Lord God will cause rightness and justice and praise to spring forth before all the nations [through the self-fulfilling power of His word].


Song of Songs 8:11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; he let out the vineyard to keepers; everyone was to bring him a thousand pieces of silver for its fruit. 12 You, O Solomon, can have your thousand [pieces of silver], and those who tend the fruit of it two hundred; but my vineyard, which is mine [with all its radiant joy], is before me!  13 O you who dwell in the gardens, your companions have been listening to your voice—now cause me to hear it. 14 [Joyfully the radiant bride turned to him, the one altogether lovely, the chief among ten thousand to her soul, and with unconcealed eagerness to begin her life of sweet companionship with him, she answered] Make haste, my beloved, and come quickly, like a gazelle or a young hart [and take me to our waiting home] upon the mountains of spices!


Revelations 19:6 After that I heard what sounded like the shout of a vast throng, like the boom of many pounding waves, and like the roar of terrific and mighty peals of thunder, exclaiming, Hallelujah (praise the Lord)! For now the Lord our God the Omnipotent (the All-Ruler) reigns! 7 Let us rejoice and shout for joy [exulting and triumphant]! Let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb [at last] has come, and His bride has prepared herself. 8 She has been permitted to dress in fine (radiant) linen, dazzling and white—for the fine linen is (signifies, represents) the righteousness (the upright, just, and godly living, deeds, and conduct, and right standing with God) of the saints (God’s holy people). 9 Then [the angel] said to me, Write this down: Blessed (happy, to be envied) are those who are summoned (invited, called) to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said to me [further], These are the true words (the genuine and exact declarations) of God.


Revelations 21:1 Then I saw a new sky (heaven) and a new earth, for the former sky and the former earth had passed away (vanished), and there no longer existed any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, all arrayed like a bride beautified and adorned for her husband; 3 Then I heard a mighty voice from the throne and I perceived its distinct words, saying, See! The abode of God is with men, and He will live (encamp, tent) among them; and they shall be His people, and God shall personally be with them and be their God. 4 God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more, neither shall there be anguish (sorrow and mourning) nor grief nor pain any more, for the old conditions and the former order of things have passed away. 5 And He Who is seated on the throne said, See! I make all things new. Also He said, Record this, for these sayings are faithful (accurate, incorruptible, and trustworthy) and true (genuine). 6 And He [further] said to me, It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I [Myself] will give water without price from the fountain (springs) of the water of Life. 7 He who is victorious shall inherit all these things, and I will be God to him and he shall be My son.



Revelations 22:5 And there shall be no more night; they have no need for lamplight or sunlight, for the Lord God will illuminate them and be their light, and they shall reign [as kings] forever and ever (through the eternities of the eternities). 6 And he [of the seven angels further] said to me, These statements are reliable (worthy of confidence) and genuine (true). And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent His messenger (angel) to make known and exhibit to His servants what must soon come to pass.


- Susan O'Marra
- 01-04-15

Friday, January 2, 2015

“I Am Going To Bend Your Bow!” – 01-01-15



“I Am Going To Bend Your Bow!” – 01-01-15






Today the Lord spoke to my heart, and said, “I am going to bend your bow!” I thought to myself, “bend my bow?”   I went to my computer and looked up several scriptures regarding bending bows and the use of bows. The Lord loves to speak in pictures and parables to illustrate truths to us, to help us understand the journey ahead of us.

2 Samuel 22 and Psalms 18 reveal powerful illustrations of the ways in which God will train us for war and for victory. For the sake of time, I will post the shorter version below:  But study the whole chapters for they reveal much for the coming years ahead of us. We have much to recover, to redeem, and to apprehend for the Kingdom.

2 Samuel 22:29 For You, O Lord, are my Lamp; the Lord lightens my darkness. 30 For by You I run through a troop; by my God I leap over a wall. 31 As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried. He is a Shield to all those who trust and take refuge in Him. 32 For who is God but the Lord? And who is a Rock except our God? 33 God is my strong Fortress; He guides the blameless in His way and sets him free. 34 He makes my feet like the hinds’ [firm and able]; He sets me secure and confident upon the heights. 35 He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 36 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; and Your condescension and gentleness have made me great. 37 You have enlarged my steps under me, so that my feet have not slipped. 38 I have pursued my enemies and destroyed them; and I did not turn back until they were consumed.

Psalms 18:33 He makes my feet like hinds’ feet [able to stand firmly or make progress on the dangerous heights of testing and trouble]; He sets me securely upon my high places.

We personally grow and spiritually advance the most under times of extreme testing and intense trials. Our very thoughts/words will determine whether we fail or succeed in the allotted time that we are given for the assignment. These are opportunities for us to achieve tremendous victories in the earth and in the realm of the Spirit.

The Bow:  the tongue.      
    
The Arrows:  the words that are spoken forth.        (Good or bad)

Jeremiah 9:3 And they bend their tongue, [which is] their bow for the lies [they shoot]. And not according to faithfulness do they rule and become strong in the land; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not know and understand and acknowledge Me, says the Lord.

The revelatory word is to be within our minds, our hearts, and in our mouths at all times. The Lord will inspire us to speak as His very oracles, to declare forth His arrows to pierce the enemy and to destroy his works.

Deuteronomy 18:18 I will raise up for them a prophet (Prophet) from among their brethren like you, and will put My words in his mouth; and he shall speak to them all that I command him.

Deuteronomy 30:14 But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your mind and in your heart, so that you can do it.

Isaiah 55:11 So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

As we speak under the authority of the Lord, our bow (tongue) releases the arrows (the words) outward into the atmosphere around us to accomplish the Lord’s purposes. Our obedience is very important to the Lord.

Zechariah 9:1 The burden or oracle (the thing to be lifted up) of the word of the Lord is against the land of Hadrach [in Syria], and Damascus shall be its resting place, for the Lord has an eye upon mankind as upon all the tribes of Israel, And Hamath also, which borders on [Damascus], Tyre with Sidon, though they are very wise. And Tyre has built herself a stronghold [on an island a half mile from the shore, which seems impregnable], and heaped up silver like dust and fine gold like the mire of the streets. Behold, the Lord will cast her out and dispossess her; He will smite her power in the sea and into it and [Tyre] shall be devoured by fire. [The strong cities of Philistia] shall see it and fear; Ashkelon, Gaza also, and be sorely pained, and Ekron, for her confidence and expectation shall be put to shame, and a king [monarchial government] shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited. And a mongrel people shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will put an end to the pride of the Philistines. And I will take out of [the Philistines’] mouths and from between their teeth the abominable idolatrous sacrifices eaten with the blood. And they too shall remain and be a remnant for our God, and they shall be like chieftains (the head over a thousand) in Judah, and Ekron shall be like one of the Jebusites [who at last were merged and had lost their identity in Israel]. Then I will encamp about My house as a guard or a garrison so that none shall march back and forth, and no oppressor or demanding collector shall again overrun them, for now My eyes are upon them. Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O Daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you; He is [uncompromisingly] just and having salvation [triumphant and victorious], patient, meek, lowly, and riding on a donkey, upon a colt, the foal of a donkey. 10 And I will cut off and exterminate the war chariot from Ephraim and the [war] horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off; and He shall speak the word and peace shall come to the nations, and His dominion shall be from the [Mediterranean] Sea to [any other] sea, and from the River [Euphrates] to the ends of the earth! 11 As for you also, because of and for the sake of the [covenant of the Lord with His people, which was sealed with sprinkled] covenant blood, I have released and sent forth your imprisoned people out of the waterless pit. 12 Return to the stronghold [of security and prosperity], you prisoners of hope; even today do I declare that I will restore double your former prosperity to you. 13 For I have bent Judah for Myself as My bow, filled the bow with Ephraim as My arrow, and will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and will make you [Israel] as the sword of a mighty man. 14 And the Lord shall be seen over them and His arrow shall go forth as the lightning, and the Lord God will blow the trumpet and will go forth in the windstorms of the south. 15 The Lord of hosts shall defend and protect them; and they shall devour and they shall tread on [their fallen enemies] as on slingstones [that have missed their aim], and they shall drink [of victory] and be noisy and turbulent as from wine and become full like bowls [used to catch the sacrificial blood], like the corners of the [sacrificial] altar. 16 And the Lord their God will save them on that day as the flock of His people, for they shall be as the [precious] jewels of a crown, lifted high over and shining glitteringly upon His land. 17 For how great is God’s goodness and how great is His beauty! And how great [He will make Israel’s] goodliness and [Israel’s] beauty! Grain shall make the young men thrive and fresh wine the maidens.

1 Chronicles 11:11     David’s 30 mighty men, and the 30 captains:    

  (The age of maturity is 30)

11 And this is the number [thirty, and list] of David’s mighty men: Jashobeam, a Hachmonite, the chief of the Thirty [captains]. He lifted up his spear against 300, whom he slew at one time.

The Lord is not only bringing forth the Mighty men and women of valor into the forefront, but He is also setting them in their new positions, and training them for special duties and assignments ahead of them. Below are some of the key verses for us to look at.  Study the whole chapter for more insights into the other weapons they used.

1 Chronicles 12:1 These are the ones who came to David at Ziklag, while he yet concealed himself because of Saul son of Kish; they were among the mighty men, his helpers in war. They were bowmen and could use the right hand or the left to sling stones or shoot arrows from the bow; they were of Saul’s kinsmen of Benjamin. 14 These Gadites were officers of the army. The lesser was equal to and over a hundred, and the greater equal to and over a thousand. 15 These are the men who went over the Jordan in the first month when it had overflowed all its banks, and put to flight all those in the valleys, east and west. 16 There came some of the men of Benjamin and Judah to the stronghold to David. 17 David went out to meet them and said to them, If you have come peaceably to me to help me, my heart shall be knit to you; but if you have come to betray me to my adversaries, although there is no violence or wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look upon and rebuke you.18 Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said, Yours we are, David, and on your side, you son of Jesse! Peace, peace be to you, and peace be to your helpers, for your God helps you. Then David received them and made them officers of his troops. 33 Of Zebulun, 50,000 experienced troops, fitted out with all kinds of weapons and instruments of war that could order and set the battle in array, men not of double purpose but stable and trustworthy. 38 All these, being men of war arrayed in battle order, came with a perfect and sincere heart to Hebron to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest also of Israel were of one mind to make David king.

The new emerging leaders will be knit together from their very soul and heart, and they will walk in like vision and in unified purpose. Together, they will be a formidable force, the very army of the Lord. They will rout out and destroy every enemy, and take back that which belongs to the Kingdom of the Lord, and establish His true Habitations in every land. 

It's time to bend your bow!


-        Susan O’Marra        -01-01-15


Wednesday, December 31, 2014

“2015: That which was hidden will emerge and manifest revealing the true Light”



“2015: That which was hidden will emerge and manifest revealing the true Light”

2015:  2X15=30   The Year of Emerging Maturity”

The spiritual crossing has now been completed, and the mature sons and daughters are emerging and are learning to be properly seated. This phase of headship has been unnerving for many, and has challenged and stretched their inner being to the core, but it has also caused their dependence upon their flesh to be fully rent, so that the true positioning the Father has for them in 2015 can now be solidified. 

Their individual sphere’s of authority that they have grown up into will now transition into them establishing sphere’s of corporate authority as the corporate Body also matures. The wisdom that began to be released from heaven in earnest in 2014, will now be accelerated and the challenge for their spiritual and natural positions will also increase by the darkness still rooted around them. 

The enemy strategies that are resisting the maturing saints will also be brought to the light, so that the Body can learn to corporately stand and more effectively fight. What the mature sons have been progressively learning, will now be brought out unto the corporate Body, so that the full army can be properly equipped and also matured. 

The Fathers will now train the up and coming sons in advanced tactics revealed to them from heaven. An intense spiritual boot camp in 2015 will bring the church into true alignment and effectively transform her into the overcoming harvesting force that she is.

Council from behind the veil will flow in progressive stages over 2015-2017, so that the saints can spiritually shift,  mature, and cooperate fully with Heavens host and the Father’s purpose for this generation. There will be a corresponding response from the earth and also from creation as the Sons and as the saints all take their places. 

Natural upheavals and societal changes will bring forth great instability at first, as the old root systems are dealt with, but with the progressive release of heavenly wisdom and council, the masses will be eventually stabilized and brought further into the light in this generation. 

2015 to 2017 will be a 3-year shift into the high call for this generation. The Father is not only bringing forth the Sons, the Fathers, and the saints, but He is looking for the generational revelation that He is going to release to also take root in this period, so that He can bring forth the fullness of His plans in the decades to come. There is a great governmental scroll that will be given in 2015, to those who will embrace Him and fully obey Him. 

This governmental release will also bring forth deep foundational earth changes in such a way that it will cause fear in the earth, but these releases and changes will also shift the earth back into the synchronicity and into a necessary stability that will be needed for the sake of the harvest to be brought in. These shifts in the starry heavens and in the earth will cause the people to awaken, and to wonder, and to seek for the Father again.

Psalms 24:6 This is the generation [description] of those who seek Him [who inquire of and for Him and of necessity require Him], who seek Your face, [O God of] Jacob. Selah [pause, and think of that]! 7 Lift up your heads, O you gates; and be lifted up, you age-abiding doors, that the King of glory may come in.

Romans 8:22 We know that the whole creation [of irrational creatures] has been moaning together in the pains of labor until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves too, who have and enjoy the firstfruits of the [Holy] Spirit [a foretaste of the blissful things to come] groan inwardly as we wait for the redemption of our bodies [from sensuality and the grave, which will reveal] our adoption (our manifestation as God’s sons).

Ephesians 1:9 Making known to us the mystery (secret) of His will (of His plan, of His purpose). [And it is this:] In accordance with His good pleasure (His merciful intention) which He had previously purposed and set forth in Him, 10 [He planned] for the maturity of the times and the climax of the ages to unify all things and head them up and consummate them in Christ, [both] things in heaven and things on the earth. 11 In Him we also were made [God’s] heritage (portion) and we obtained an inheritance; for we had been foreordained (chosen and appointed beforehand) in accordance with His purpose, Who works out everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His [own] will.

- Susan O’Marra
- - 12-31-14

Monday, December 29, 2014

Herein Is The Patience Of The Saints - 12-28-14


Herein Is The Patience Of The Saints - 12-28-14






I asked the Lord what He wanted to say to us for the years ahead of us in the harvest fields. The Lord spoke to me in the middle of the night, "Herein is the patience of the saints." So I got up and looked it up.....and the rest is the journey...


Listen to the podcast, for there are divine keys just for you... it's your time to run, and to be empowered to run successfully until the end.


The podcast can be found at:


The notes we used are found here:


http://intheimageofhisgloryministries.blogspot.com/2014/12/herein-is-patience-of-saints-12-28-14.html


The notes are also posted below:


“Herein is the Patience of the Saints.”


The Lord spoke to me in the middle of the night, and He said, “Herein is the Patience of the Saints.” So I got up to go to my computer and looked up those words that the Lord spoke...


Herein is the Patience of the Saints:


Revelations 13:If anyone is able to hear, let him listen: 10 Whoever leads into captivity will himself go into captivity; if anyone slays with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Herein is [the call for] the patience and the faith and fidelity of the saints (God’s people).


EXB: 10 If you are to be ·a prisoner [taken into captivity], then you will ·be a prisoner [go into captivity]. If you are to be killed with the sword, then you will be killed with the sword [Jer. 15:2; 43:11]. This means that ·God’s holy people [the saints] must have ·patience [perseverance; endurance] and faith.


Revelations 14:12 Here [comes in a call for] the steadfastness of the saints [the patience, the endurance of the people of God], those who [habitually] keep God’s commandments and [their] faith in Jesus. 13 Then I heard further [perceiving the distinct words of] a voice from heaven, saying, Write this: Blessed (happy, to be envied) are the dead from now on who die in the Lord! Yes, blessed (happy, to be envied indeed), says the Spirit, [in] that they may rest from their labors, for their works (deeds) do follow (attend, accompany) them!


Herein:    

1. in or into this place.            
2. in this fact, circumstance, etc.; in view of this.


The Two Simultaneous End-Time Harvests have begun:


#1:  
Revelations14:14 Again I looked, and behold, [I saw] a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud One resembling a Son of Man, with a crown of gold on His head and a sharp scythe (sickle) in His hand. 15 And another angel came out of the temple sanctuary, calling with a mighty voice to Him Who was sitting upon the cloud, Put in Your scythe and reap, for the hour has arrived to gather the harvest, for the earth’s crop is fully ripened. 16 So He Who was sitting upon the cloud swung His scythe (sickle) on the earth, and the earth’s crop was harvested.


#2:  
Revelations 14:17 Then another angel came out of the temple [sanctuary] in heaven, and he also carried a sharp scythe (sickle). 18 And another angel came forth from the altar, [the angel] who has authority and power over fire, and he called with a loud cry to him who had the sharp scythe (sickle), Put forth your scythe and reap the fruitage of the vine of the earth, for its grapes are entirely ripe. 19 So the angel swung his scythe on the earth and stripped the grapes and gathered the vintage from the vines of the earth and cast it into the huge winepress of God’s indignation and wrath.


When I opened my bible program, the opening verse of the day was:


Matthew 11:28 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.]


The Rest of God: Our Strength and our Position.


Hebrews 6:12 In order that you may not grow disinterested and become [spiritual] sluggards, but imitators, behaving as do those who through faith (by their leaning of the entire personality on God in Christ in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) and by practice of patient endurance and waiting are [now] inheriting the promises.  AMP


James 1:3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.


VOICE:  2-4 Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing.


2 Thessalonians 1:4 And this is a cause of our mentioning you with pride among the churches (assemblies) of God for your steadfastness (your unflinching endurance and patience) and your firm faith in the midst of all the persecutions and crushing distresses and afflictions under which you are holding up.  AMP


Colossians 1:12 And you will joyfully give thanks [or …have patience with joy, giving thanks] to the Father who has made you able to have a share in ·all that he has prepared for his people in the kingdom of light [the inheritance of the saints/holy ones in the light].  EXB


Ø  VOICE: 12 Thank You, Father, as You have made us eligible to receive our portion of the inheritance given to all those set apart by the light.


Ø  TM: 9-12 Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you’ll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.


Ephesians 1:Which He lavished upon us in every kind of wisdom and understanding (practical insight and prudence), Making known to us the mystery (secret) of His will (of His plan, of His purpose). [And it is this:] In accordance with His good pleasure (His merciful intention) which He had previously purposed and set forth in [Him, 10 [He planned] for the maturity of the times and the climax of the ages to unify all things and head them up and consummate them in Christ, [both] things in heaven and things on the earth. 11 In Him we also were made [God’s] heritage (portion) and we obtained an inheritance; for we had been foreordained (chosen and appointed beforehand) in accordance with His purpose, Who works out everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His [own] will,


-       Susan O’Marra
-       12-28-14