“I call to your attention today.” says The LORD, “that I desire to write upon your heart a truth that must prevail as you travel in this day of great betrayals and infidelities,” says The LORD.
“Many who call you friend today, may turn and deny that they ever knew you. So, know that I will have the last word to those when I say, “You called me LORD, but you never knew Me.” (Matthew 7:21-23)
I saw the motives of your self-serving heart from the very start. So, beloved ones, always be mindful that you are living ‘In My Presence’ and ‘In the Presence of your enemies’ at the same time.
Never forget to cherish that I have given you a double blessing of Presence. I AM in you, and you are in My Presence while you are in the presence of your enemies, you are never alone. Know that nothing trumps the truth of ‘In His Presence is Fullness of Joy.” (Psalm 16:11)
The LORD is saying, “Change is in the air. Change must begin IN YOU before change can take place FOR YOU.
You have been in a time of change from the inside out. I AM working changes of attitude, changes of appetite, changes of connections, and changes of heart all for your good by My Mercy and Grace.
I AM working changes for good and not for evil. I AM working changes in unforgettable ways that are eternal,” says The LORD of Glory.
“My mercy is long-suffering and my grace is all sufficient. I AM moving and rearranging and shaking up the slumbering ones but all shall be given notice of the changes that are imminent,” says the only true God.
“This is moment where there is no time to lose, no room for procrastination regarding unfinished business of the past.
I have given great grace to those who have unfinished assignments due yesterday and I AM continuing to extend mercy every morning so that obedience will take the reins of all hearts to complete those things that are past due,” says The Father.
“Do not take lightly My Favor that is covering you in this hour to move forward. Know that I have already gone before you and paved the way for your breakthroughs to finish that which I called you to do.
For it is true and has often been said that Mercy is not getting what you deserve, while grace is getting what you don’t deserve.
So many have come to a time of total fatigue and dryness in their bones and I say, ‘Prophesy to those dead, dried up bones and stir up your life message that is waiting and ready to be released,” says the Creator of all creation.
“In the Presence of our Enemies” (Psalm 23:5) was only a phrase to me that I just accepted and was thankful for until The LORD began to give deep understanding that many times we are deceived about who our enemies are.
I have gone through many seasons of betrayals and just when I thought I had passed all my ‘tests’, some of the most painful have taken place in my later years much to my dismay.
But I have come to understand that many times The LORD arranges a setting where actually you think you are among friends and He uses such encounters to develop in us “trust The LORD with all your heart and lean not upon your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
And the most important thing He worked in me was the truth that my deep desire for acceptance and love was opening a door for the ‘spirit of rejection’ to have a real time of deception in my life.
It was a difficult learning experience regarding the opinions of men and the competition that is rampant in our world.
What I used to call the ‘only child’ syndrome is really self-centeredness. One of my best friends who taught me much about intercession always said to me,
‘Self will never crucify self because self is always on self’s side’.
Because I was a model and dancer in my early years, performance was all I knew. Those I called my friends were my treasures , because I grew up so lonely as an only child.
So, it was difficult for me to understand when someone betrayed me, or just didn’t value friendship, I took it very personally, so much that I spent many years in training as a Christian counselor hoping to help others who were in need of healing and understanding.
I share this only to say, it is so important to spend time in His Presence and understand He is our life and our life is in HIM even though we are ‘always in the presence of our enemies’.
Yes, He is my ever present help in the presence of my enemies.
Let us draw near with confidence to The Throne of Grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
You never leave me, LORD, but you celebrate with me when I am being deceived, manipulated or wounded or engaged in any of those emotional tirades designed and created by the enemy.
Not only are you with me, you are in me all the time. Beloved, we just do not know our own hearts but He is always ready to reveal our hearts and bring change.
He takes us through the process of forgiveness all the way to the cross until we abandon our feelings and say, ‘Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.’ (Luke 23:34)
I started out practicing His presence but I NOW DWELL IN HIS PRESENCE. Dwelling in His Presence is all there is.
Knowing those that labor among me is my priority, because I live in the presence of my enemies as well.
Mercy found me when I was broken and bleeding. Grace brought me healing. Love changed my life when I learned what it really is and I will never be the same for He is the lover of my soul.
He has given me songs to sing before I address my enemy. This is the one for today!
“He Walks With Me (In The Garden)”
I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The son of God discloses.
And he walks with me and he talks with me
And he tells me I am his own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known.
He speaks and the sound of his voice is so sweet
The birds hush their singing
And the melody that he gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
And he walks with me and he talks with me
And he tells me I am his own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known.
I’d stay in the garden with him
Though the night around me is falling
But He bids me go through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling…
© T. Whitson
““Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21-23.
“You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; yy cup runs over.” Psalm 23:5.
“Trust in The LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6.
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16.
“Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.”” Luke 23:34.
Matters of the Heart 