LIFE IS A JOURNEY, NOT A DESTINATION

Marcella Ward   December 13, 2023 

There are so many times that I have dreamed about what I was going to do with my life; where I was going to live; what would be my future with my husband and children and many other dreams throughout the years.

Sometimes, I believe that we spend so much time focusing on our dreams that we forget to enjoy the journey.  Life is a journey from the womb to the tomb.  We are created in the image of God and He has a special plan for our lives.  We have books in heaven that are written by the hand of God about His plans for our lives!

Psalm 139:13-16

 For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.  NIV

Jeremiah 1:4-5

The word of the Lord came to me, saying,

⁵ “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
    before you were born I set you apart;
    I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”  NIV

We need to enjoy the journey knowing that God will take care of the rest.  We need to focus on what is at hand and do the best that we can each and every day because each day is a gift from Almighty God and we need to cherish it. 

We, as Christians, look forward to our final destination, which is heaven, living eternally with the Lord and His saints.  Jesus had a destination which led to the cross.  He kept His eye on the prize which would bring salvation to all those who give their lives to Him and ask for forgiveness.  He endured hardships, scorn, attacks and many other trials but on His journey, He showed us how to love and live in the Kingdom of God. We should cherish the journey keeping our eye on the prize which is our final destination.  2 Timothy 4:7 NIV  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  James 1:12 NIV  Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

We each have a specific journey that we travel each and every day.  Sometimes that journey involves hardships, challenges, and trials but even though there may be thorns and rocks along the way, there are also flowers and fragrances from the moments of joy that we experience and memories that give us hope and faith to continue until we come to our final destination.

If you want to make sure that your final destination is with the Lord in heaven, pray the following prayer:

Salvation Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior.  (Sinners Prayer by Billy Graham)

All Our Life's Journey by Marty Ward  Copyright 2004

 

All our life's a journey

From the start until the end

From the womb that gave us birth

To the womb that takes us in

All our life's a journey

A road that must be trod

All our life's a journey

'Till we rest in the arms of God

 

The following link is a video for the song, “All Our Life’s A Journey”

https://youtu.be/qXuAdTToYwk?si=Y5yNdj2ZK5wSjHZd

Marcella Ward   August 17, 2022 (reposted December 13, 2023)

  

                                                HANUKKAH: A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

Marcella Ward   December 6, 2023

Hanukkah, often referred to as the “Festival of Lights” is a Jewish holiday.  Hanukkah began at sunset, December 10 of this year and ends at nightfall on December 18. 

The Jewish people were oppressed under Antiochus Epiphanes.  He outlawed religious rites and massacred Jews who refused to bow.  He offered pigs and unclean sacrifices on the Temple altar.  He forced Jewish people into his own world view.  Everyone was ordered to worship Zeus as the supreme god. 

A small group of Jews led guerilla warfare against the Syrian army.  The leaders of the Jewish army were Matityahu and his son Judah Maccabee.  The Maccabbees supernaturally succeeded in driving the Syrian army from their land and when they arrived at the Holy Temple it was devastated and defiled.  They cleansed the Temple and re-dedicated it.  This happened on the 25^th day of Kislev on the Jewish calendar, which is in the winter.

When they came to relight the Temple Menorah (the seven-branched lampstand), they were only able to find one small jar of oil-bearing the required seal of purity by the High Priest.  The small jar of oil burned for eight days.  From then, on Jews around the world observe a holiday of lighting candles for eight days in honor of this miracle and historic victory.

Jesus is the light of the world.  When Jesus was born into the world there was a lot of darkness.  There is a lot of darkness in our world right now.  Jesus warned of someone called the anti-christ who will force his world view on the world and force everyone to acknowledge him as god.  (adapted from “The Message of Hanukkah for Christians” by Roy Bentley December 11, 2019)

 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”  ⁴ Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. ⁵ For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. ⁶ You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. ⁷ Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. ⁸ All these are the beginning of birth pains.  Matthew 24:3-8 (NIV)

While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”  John 9:5 (NIV)

⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  John 8:12 (NIV)

 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.  If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  I John 1:5-9 (NIV)

This month has the shortest days of the year.  There is not as much daylight as other months.  It is during this time that we celebrate Hanukkah or “The Festival of Lights” and Christmas in which the Light of the World was born.  Light dispels darkness.  In Genesis 1:3-5 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. ⁴ God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness ⁵ God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. (NIV)

We need to let our lights shine before men.  No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.  Luke 11:33 (NIV)

So during this season of “light,” let your light shine because of Christ living in you.  Be a healer with that beautiful smile.  Choose words of compassion to mend a broken heart.  Be a helping hand and a listening ear.  Speak words of encouragement and whatever the Holy Spirit encourages you to do and be for others.  Remember that light dispels darkness and darkness cannot overcome light and JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD!

Marcella Ward     December 6, 2023   Author of "Stolen Identity: Plan of the Evil One"

 

 

 

                                             JOY AND PEACE IN A WORLD OF CHAOS

Marcella Ward    November 29, 2023

November 29, 2023   Diana Larkin

JOY

“JOY is experienced in Heaven CONTINUALLY because in My presence is FULLNESS OF JOY. (PSALM 16:11) JOY is a part of who IAM. It is that feeling deep in your soul of PROMISES FULFILLED, DESIRES MET, and KNOWING that you are LOVED and FAVORED. JOY RENEWS your PHYSICAL BODY, it RESTORES your SOUL, and it ALIGNS your SPIRIT with My Spirit. Because JOY is so important to the WELL BEING of your life, I want you to experience it EVERY DAY. You may ask, ‘How can I have joy when so much is wrong in the world and in my family?’ Good question! Let Me REMIND you of My Son’s example. ‘His example is this: because His heart was focused on the joy of knowing you would be His, He endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God.’ (HEBREWS 12:2b TPT) Eyes of FAITH can look BEYOND the present circumstances and see the FULFILLMENT of My PROMISES. See your Nation RESTORED, see your loved ones SAVED, HEALED, and DELIVERED. See the BOUNTY, GOODNESS, and FREEDOM I have promised come to pass, and My JOY will fill your heart. Your JOY actually DRAWS the future promises into a PRESENT REALITY. WORRY, ANXIETY, UNBELIEF are BLOCKERS to the FULFILLMENT of what I have promised, and they STEAL your JOY. JOY is what tells your soul that IT IS WELL and that I AM a GOOD, GOOD FATHER who DELIGHTS in fulfilling your DESIRES and all of My PROMISES to you. Yes, this is a season of INTENSE WARFARE, but it must be BALANCED by the JOY set before you. I will give you opportunities every day to experience JOY. Receive My JOY and let it do its GOOD WORK in you.” 

1 CHRONICLES 16:27 “Splendor and majesty are before Him, strength and joy are in His place.” (NASB)

Diana Larkin 

A Watchman’s Journal 

 

Top Bible Verses about Joy

Romans 15:13 ~ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 12:12 ~ Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Philippians 4:4 ~ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

James 1:2 ~ Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

Galatians 5:22 ~ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

John 16:24 ~ Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Proverbs 17:22 ~ A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Discover more Bible verses about joy in this collection of scriptures. May these joyful verses bring warmth to your heart!  (Joy Bible Verses Compiled by The Bible Study Tools Staff on 09/06/2023)

 

Powerful Peace

Lord, I thank You for placing Your wonderful, powerful, protective peace in my life. I am grateful that You have positioned it to stand at the entrance of my heart and mind and that it dominates my mind and controls my life. Because what is inside me is what rules me, I choose to let this peace rise up and conquer me. With this peace standing at the gate of my heart and mind, I know it will disable the devil's ability to attack my emotions and will not permit his lies and accusations to slip into my mind! Thank You for loving me enough to put this powerful peace in my life! I pray this in Jesus' name!

I confess that I am guarded and protected by the powerful peace of God that works in my life. It rises up to dominate my mind; it controls my thinking, and it determines the condition of my life and the environment where I live and work. I am unaffected by the circumstances surrounding me, for this supernatural peace stands at the gate of my mind and emotions to monitor everything that tries to access me. Because no fretting, anxiety, panic, or worry is allowed to enter me, I remain free, calm, and peaceful - even in difficult situations that in the past would have upset me! I declare this by faith in Jesus' name! - Rick Renner  (Christianity.com  November 27, 2023)

A Prayer for God's Presence 

Father, Sometimes I feel afraid in the tough trials of life. Sometimes the darkness overwhelms me, and I grow discouraged as I face the uncertainties of life, wearying temptations, or scary attacks from the enemy. But this is not what you have for me, and my victory comes from you.

Satan wants me to believe I fight my spiritual battles by myself. Help me remember I am not alone in my battles. Your Word is clear. You have commanded me to be strong and take courage in you, and that is my desire. I can count on your presence wherever I go, and rely on the power and provision of your presence in my times of deepest need. Thank you for being near, for walking with me every day. ~ Dawn Wilson ( 35 Prayers for Peace of Mind and Soul Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff Crosswalk.com)

Marcella Ward   November 29, 2023    Author of “Stolen Identity: Plan of the Evil One”

 

 

 

 

 

                                        A CUP OF BLESSING A CUP OF WRATH

Marcella Ward    November 22, 2023

A GREAT SHAKING AMONG THE NATIONS        JULIE GREEN

Date Word Received: November 15, 2023

Watch video - published November 15, 2023

“I, the Lord, this day am telling My children to stand at attention, stand guard, and watch over your words. Watch over your mind and what you are thinking. My children, I tell you to fight the good fight of faith. I have spoken this in My Word. It is not a fight to bring you discouragement. It is not a fight to bring you overwhelming circumstances and despair. 

No, this fight is a fight to win. It is a fight to regain and take back everything the enemies have been trying to steal from you. I have prepared your hearts. I have prepared you for this time. I have talked to you about a great awakening and that during the time of this great awakening, there will be great shaking. There is great shaking going on- great shaking amongst the nations, great shaking amongst governments, great shaking in three-letter agencies, great shaking in judicial systems, and yes, even great shaking in My church. 

(There will be) great shakings, mighty shakings, to shake you loose from the power of the enemy, to shake you free from their captivity, their mindset, and their train of thought- how they have been training and persuading you into thinking things are real and true. Great lies and deception. Yes, great lies and deception that have cheated you out of so many things that My Son already paid the price for. Don’t walk away. Don’t walk away, I say. Don’t walk away this day because great is your reward. 

My children, I have heard the cries of My people all over this world. You’ve cried in torment. You’ve cried in despair. You’ve cried because of oppression. You’ve cried because of pain. You’ve cried because of infirmity and pestilence. You’ve cried because of injustice. You’ve cried for truth. I have heard these cries. I have seen what the enemy has done. Yes, I have, and I see what the enemies are planning to do, but it won’t go through. No, it won’t go through because it can’t get through Me. 

I have heard your prayers. I have seen your consistency, how you are pressing in, that you won’t give up, and that you won’t quit. Great is your reward. I will not fail. I am the Deliverer.”

(www.jgminternational.org )

 

 

November 17, 2023 

A TIPPING POINT    Marcella Ward

Remnant of God=Blessings-------------Evil=Judgment and Justice

Cup of blessing-------------Remnant of God

Cup of Wrath---------------Evil

A tipping point about to begin.

November 20, 2023

I WILL REVAMP     Marcella Ward

“I will revamp.  I will revamp in a snap!  In the twinkling of an eye says I the Lord your God, Almighty, Father on high.  The devil has thought he has won but the Father says, he is done! 

I am cleaning My house.  I am the bridegroom and the Church, the Bride of Christ is my spouse.  So be elated, be excited for soon all will be united.  The Savior of the world has made it clear.  Salvation for the ages is near.  ALLELUIA sing and shout and don’t hold back but let it out!”

Marcella Ward    November 22, 2023   Author of “Stolen Identity: Plan of the Evil One”

November 22, 2023

 

2024–THE YEAR OF THE DOOR, THE MORE, AND THE POUR  Diana Larkin

 

“2024 will be marked by SHAKINGS for the WICKED and AWAKENINGS for the SLEEPING. But for My REMNANT, it will be the year of the DOOR, the MORE, and the POUR. DOORS of OPPORTUNITY and ADVANCEMENT will OPEN WIDE for you. MORE will BLESS your life: MORE PROVISION, MORE FINANCES, MORE RESTORATION of what has been lost. It will also be the year of the POUR. My Spirit will POUR forth like never before in history. You will see SPIRITUAL GIFTS POURED OUT, ACCURATE and POWERFUL PROPHECY will POUR forth, CONVICTION of SIN, LIFELESS RELIGION, and LAWLESSNESS will POUR OUT on people in their homes, their churches, in the marketplace, and in gatherings. The darkness thinks that 2024 will be the year they CLOSE the DOOR on your FREEDOM and on many LIVES. In 2024 they plan to STEAL MORE of your finances and your food. Their plan is to POUR OUT MORE CHAOS, DESTRUCTION, and DISEASE. I LAUGH AT THEIR PLANS FOR 2024 because MY PLANS ARE ALREADY IN MOTION—AN UNSTOPPABLE FORCE—AND I WILL TRUMP ALL THEIR EVIL PLANS WITH MY PROMISES OF THE OPEN DOOR, THE RELEASE OF THE MORE, AND THE OVERWHELMING POUR OF MY SPIRIT. There are GOOD THINGS in STORE for 2024 for those POSITIONED with Me to RECEIVE the DOOR, the MORE, and the POUR.” (www.dianalarkin.blogspot.com )Diana Larkin  A Watchman’s Journal

A Watchman’s Journal 

 Marcella Ward    November 22, 2023   Author of “Stolen Identity: Plan of the Evil One”