The Birth by Gene Edwards

(An excerpt of a great book, by a great story teller, on the birth of Jesus through the eyes of the shepherds and the angels! You will want to read the entirety yourself and read it to children!) 

Michael first became aware that something momentous was about to take place when he felt a strange compulsion to visit the place of the Door. It was not an area of the heavenlies that angels often frequented. Why am I here? He mused to himself. Why am I standing at the passageway to the physical realm? It had been ages since the Door had opened into that realm. Not since Malachi the prophet had there been commerce between the two creations. Why, the archangel wondered, has it been so very long since the Most High God has spoken face to face with anyone living upon the earthen ball?

 At that moment Michael felt a deeper inner stirring. His eyes brightened. He was being called to the throne. But more, Michael knew, by some inexplicable intuition, that the passageway between heaven and earth would open again…and soon!...

….The stable was dimly lit by but one small, smoky lamp. A mat of straw had been laid down near the door so that Mary might have some small relief from the foul stench of the room. Joseph’s face was ashen, his entire body trembling. At this moment he could have put up a strong argument against the whole idea of reproduction.

 Azzan, Joseph’s lifelong (and never wed) friend, stood outside the stable, immobilized and terrified. Both men listened to the two midwives give Mary all kinds of instructions, none of which made any sense to either of them. But Joseph did hear one statement he fully understood.

  “I have been a midwife for fifty years, and I have delivered thousands of babies. I am telling you, this young girl-bearing this child-is a virgin.” The struggle between pain and birth continued for several hours as Mary’s labor pangs came in ever shorter cycles. Nine months earlier the Door in the heavenlies had opened into Mary’s womb; and there brought God into the visible creation. Now it was almost time for that same womb to open and become, thereby, the entrance through which God might come forth upon this very planet.

 At last, the Door opened, and like any other child ever born he was pushed forth in harsh agony, deep red blood, and from an envelope of protective, water. He who had formed the world now made entrance into that world; not in the presence of trumpets and cymbals nor in a king’s palace. His reception was not as one royal born, to be arrayed in find garments.  Rather, his vestments were bands of gauze, his bed and horse’s feeding trough. His lowly entrance was a dugout on the side of a hill, which some might go so far as to call a barn.

 The baby cried. The mother laughed and cried. The midwives smiled in wonder at a child so strangely born. And Joseph slipped to the dirt floor and wept.

 The infant’s birth, except for the modest surroundings, was really no different from that of all who have abandoned the womb and entered earth’s dull light. Except of  course, that a giant of an angel stood just outside the stable door, poised to do battle with anything created that might have menaced with incarnation of the God of all creation.

 But with the baby’s first cry, Michael knew it was time to bring the good news to his fellows in the other realm. He hurried to this task, for he sensed that Gabriel was about to lose control of exactly one half of the heavenly host.

 Gabriel was doing fairly well at controlling the 500 million angels in his charge. But the other 500 million, in Michael’s absence, were on the verge of chaos.

 The excitement was understandable. This was one of the few occasions in all their long history when all the angels of heaven were in one place. And not since the creation of man had such numbers of angels been invited to pass through the Door onto earth in a visible form. Nonetheless, Gabriel did not want to see a total breakdown of angelic order, and everything was pointing in just such a direction.

 To Gabriel’s relief, the Door opened slightly, and Michael, his eyes ablaze with joy, stepped into the heavenlies. He raised both hands above his head, his face enraptured, his voice filled with glee.

“The child is born!”

 Excitement gave way to pandemonium as every angel pressed toward the Door. Michael called for order, and though each and every angel was certain he had heartily obeyed, one would be hard pressed to actually call the scene orderly.

 Michael looked toward the Door in hope that it may have opened wider. It had not, but he did notice that it had moved. It seemed to have come to rest in a pasture somewhere. Michael’s only thought was, If the Door swings open in a pasture, it had better be a very large pasture, with room enough for one billion angels!

 He decided to investigate. Just as he stepped onto the threshold of the Door, he was certain he heard two men having a very intense argument…

 The place was a pasture just outside the village of Bethlehem. It was evening. The sky was clear and the stars bright. Several shepherds sat around a small fire that was dwarfed by a large boulder nearby. Two of the men, Rabof and Deruel, were, indeed, having a very animated discussion.

“Rabof, you are a stupid, illiterate shepherd. Of course angels have wings!”

“You are more stupid, and more illiterate, and an even more ignorant shepherd. Angels do not have wings!”

 With this, the two men began hurling passages of Scripture at one another. When this source of information ran dry, they began, as do all men, to invent Scripture. That in turn gave way to conjecturing, reasoning, and at last, flights of imagination that had little or nothing to do with the topic at hand.

 What these shepherds did not know was that a great and mysterious portal was about to open very near them-in fact, right beside the large boulder that casts a  shadow upon their tight circle. Nor could they have possibly known that at that very moment citizens of the other realm were jammed around the Door, anxious to charge through to make an announcement that was doubtless the greatest news ever to be proclaimed.

 Sure enough, the Door did open…ever so slightly. Because it would be his appointed task to cross the threshold first, Gabriel peeked through the small opening.

 Approximately one billion angels crammed behind Gabriel, trying to see whatever it was that met his eye. The archangel gestured for silence and for some much-needed angelic self-control.

“The Door is opening upon a pasture,” he observed. There was a moment’s pause. He then exclaimed, “I see the village of Bethlehem in the distance!”

 A moment of sheer bedlam followed as angels one and all cried out, “The city of David! The City of the King!”

Gabriel waved his hand for silence, then continued.

“There are shepherds just beyond the Door. Five of them. I cannot believe they are just sitting there! Do they not know they are but a short distance from the site of the greatest occurrence of all time and eternity? Why do they not go into the village and see what God has—“

Suddenly, the Door cracked open a little more. Spontaneously Gabriel and a few others standing near him darted through the opening, while nearly one billion of their angelic kin tried desperately to follow.

Rabof, oblivious to the angelic activity, continued his debate. “You tell me just one place in Scripture or anywhere else where angels—“He stopped abruptly. “What is that? I mean….who is that? I….I have never seen anything like you in my whole life!”

As if out of nowhere, a giant of a creature, with a soft light glowing through his white garment, came to stand before the five shepherds.

“Why are you sitting here?” challenged Gabriel.

Not a shepherd moved.

“Why are you sitting here?” the angel repeated, “Get up! Run! Go into Bethlehem and see the wondrous thing God has done!”

Stark terror froze the shepherds in their places, but the angel went on.

This the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior---yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem! How will you recognize him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket, lying in a manger.

It was obvious to the five men that this huge creature was about to continue when the most phenomenal thing happened. Another of his kind appeared beside him. Then another. And another. And yet another.

 Meanwhile, in the other realm, angelic order was once more about to disintegrate. It was every angel for himself. The entire angelic host, one billion strong, was pushing its way through the Door, which, mercifully, had finally opened wide.

 The first angels through the Door encircled the shepherds. Those following thereafter filled the immediate surroundings, always careful not to step on any of the sheep. A few of the angels ascended the towering boulder.

 Still the citizens of the heavenlies poured through the Door. Soon the white-robed visitors had filled the entire pasture land. On they came. Innumerable. Now the hills surrounding the pastures were filled.

 And yet came more, until it seemed every inch of earth from the hills surrounding Bethlehem to the outskirts of Jerusalem were filled with messengers from heaven. They were everywhere, as far as shepherds’ eyes could see. Mile upon mile the pastures and hills glowed with the light of these luminous creatures.

 As the angels themselves began to take in the magnificence of this unprecedented sight, they each began to shout with uninhibited joy. Pandemonium and delight wed in an exquisite moment of rapture. The sound was like a roar of a thousand seas. But as the discordant shouts of joy billowed forth, they began to change and become one colossal anthem of adoration and praise.

Glory, glory, glory!

Glory to God!

Glory to God who is

in the highest. And here on earth, peace!

Peace has come among men

With whom He is pleased.

 The shepherds, left with no other choice, fell on their faces, stunned by the glory of their surroundings.

 On and on the angels sang. Dumbfounded shepherds, finally adjusting to the impossible, rose to their feet and quite spontaneously joined in the chorus, though they still had no idea what is was they rejoiced in, and cared even less. After all, in the midst of such a scene, anything less than full-throated praise was simply unthinkable.

 Still, the shepherds could not but wonder. What on earth is this? A sudden sea of strange beings. Who are these creatures with the glories of heaven on their faces and in their song? What are they doing here?

 Once more Gabriel called out to the shepherds, but this time his hand pointed straight at them and his voice left no room for debate. This was a command!

“Why are you standing here? Go into the city of David and see what God has done!”

 With that word given, Gabriel and one billion other angels returned to their own habitat, there to continue their glorious anthem. But as the last angel passed through the Door, he noticed that it did not entirely close. A ray of light from the brightness of the glory of heaven seeped through that small opening and poured out into the visible realm.

 The angel also noticed that the Door began to move again. If he was not mistaken, it was moving eastward. Could he possibly trust his eyes? Beneath the sky and clouds…surely not! Was that not Babylon he saw?

 And why, he wondered, was the Door left slightly ajar? If that really was Babylon down there, and if the light of heaven really was seeping through the doorway into the skies above Babylon, surely such a thing would cause great consternation in the city below.

 And, what of the shepherds? Now finding themselves alone, they struck out for Bethlehem to see what God had done. Inexplicably, they ran toward a barn on the outskirts of their village. When at last they reached the entrance to the stable, they stopped to catch their breath.

Let Honor Be Your Chief Reward

In all that you do…let honor carry you! 

For He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying,  “This is my son, whom I love, with Him I am well pleased…2 Peter 1:17

Humility comes before honor; it will cost you all you think is precious to receive the reward of the Lord!

To be continued...

Choosing the Mantle of Love!

    You and I have 'not' been given a spirit of fear, but power, love and a sound mind! 

Our minds were created by love to live in love, choosing rightfully what was woven into us by Father; absent of all fear! He designed us to stand in the face of fear, in the midst of adversity, with a confident hope in love! A love that casts out all fear and its effects on our lives! 

 It’s been said that FEAR is simply False Evidence Appearing Real! 

 I’m not certain where that originated, but I do know that this is pretty accurate.  The enemy is counting on us not knowing the Truth of who we really are, our true identity, as sons of God; as heirs, with an inheritance!  There is nothing more we can do, other than to accept what He has given and believe; living in the rest He made for us.  
What a deal; it is simply brilliant, if we can believe it and enjoy it!

 As sons and daughters we own a part of the family business, so to speak.  There is no reason to covet; we share equally as we are loved equally.  Remember the parable of the laborers in the vineyard and also called the parable of the generous employer found in Matthew 20:1-16 No matter when they entered for work; they each received the same amount of earnings.  Our Father is generous, loving us the same and gives each of us, all that is needed for life and godliness; receiving all this by knowing and accepting Him! (2Peter 1:3)

 The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy from us, rendering us useless, but God came to give us life and life more abundant…John 10:10

 The way the enemy renders us useless is through various deceitful ways, messing with our emotions, leading us into destruction. Such as: lying to us about someone, our situation or about us personally and how we are being treated, twisting scripture, diverting our attention onto our present surroundings, focusing us on the outside to get to the inside.  If he can corrupt our thinking, our heart is wounded, filling us with doubt and unbelief, often causing us pain.  It is important to know his devices but more important to not be ignorant of scripture and God’s true nature, as a loving and compassionate Father. We are accepted in the beloved, outrageously loved and pursued relentlessly!

   Mostly through fear and intimidation, he comes with tormenting thoughts, to keep us from what is ours already; favor and inheritance.  Counting on us to fight, in our own strength, struggling rather than resting in what Jesus did already, standing poised in Him!

 The adversary wants to damage our heart, whereby we lose hope, become weary in well doing and give up! Hope deferred will make the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is like eating from the tree of life, our Father's provision! The condition of our heart is valued and precious to Father. He doesn’t want our hearts wounded for who we really are, flows from our heart. With the heart we believe. When wounded, we can't help but to reveal the pain inflicted. He longs to Father those places and bring healing to our heart...Proverbs 4:23, 13:12. 23:7. Romans 10:10 

Our confidence is built through a relationship in love. Resting in the center of the love affair between Father and Son! When we draw attention to what we do or don’t do right, we can become more sin conscious and often fall into performance, competition and become discouraged, rather than yielding to Him, in an extravagant love for us. Without acceptance of this love, doubt and ‘what ifs’ form and become a part of us, rather than receiving love and grace which is sufficient supply for our need. This doubt and unbelief can also hinder our reasoning and decision making; muddling discernment and creativity.

There is no fear in love; dread does not exist. Complete, perfect love casts out, expels, banishes and drives out every trace of terror, all fear; for fear brings thoughts of torment, punishment, suspicion; so he who is afraid has not reached matured love… 1John 4:18

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, of cowardice, of craving or cringing and fawning (compliant and flattering) fear; He has given us a spirit of power, love and a calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control (willpower)…2Timothy 1:7

 Satan, himself, is fearful and he counts on us to not discover the Truth of our freedom found in love.  Fear can be a motivator as well as love; only one brings life. Fear can mask itself as wisdom, to prevent us from living a victorious life, confident in humility and love. As our friend, James Jordan of Fatherheart Ministries says so well, 'If we want to know how much love is operating in our lives, look at the fear that is present.'  

Love Banishes Fear!
As David, who became more convinced with each lion and bear, before he faced Goliath, I too had to face some giants in my life. One account that comes to mind was after placing two full page ads of Father's Love Letter, in the newspaper, on the third time around, the support did not come to us by the paper's proofing deadline, as it had previously. That meant, no money, no ad. However, the next morning, it was in the newspaper. We were ecstatic it was there, yet pondered their decision, for choosing to print it. Then, months later we were billed for nearly $4,000! Yikes!
In brief, we prayed, spoke with them several times, and six months later, they ended up writing it off, only to reinstate it, another ten months later. In the courtroom, at the first hearing, I was now standing before a clerk answering the question, 'Did I deny or accept this claim?' Of course I denied it; I had followed their policy for placing ads. Moments later, I felt my knees rattling, as I was asked to approach the bench; now facing the judge and attorney, for one of the largest media giants in the nation. As Holy Spirit led me, I responded only to what I was asked, then I handed a Father's Love Letter to the judge, attorney, and clerks and received my next court date. Within a week, I received a call from their attorney who told me the case was dropped; they had no case. Yay God! This was one of many giants I have faced and each time, love banished the fear that tried to grip me and more love poured in, convincing me even more; He, who is Love is with me!  
But, do not for a moment be frightened or intimidated in anything 
by your opponents and adversaries, for such constancy and fearlessness, will be a clear sign, proof and seal to them of their impending destruction, 
but a sure token and evidence of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God...Phil. 1:28 Amp. 

No Longer a Yoke of Bondage to Fear! 
In Him, we live and move and have our being, for we are His offspring! Just as with the younger ox, yoked to the elder ox, the elder ox is carrying the bulk of the burden. And when fitted properly, a yoke will not chafe or bruise; it fits comfortably, as designed and it is light! Father is carrying us as we are resting in Him, through Jesus. True fulfillment and enjoyment is walking alongside Jesus, our Elder Brother and The Burden Bearer, as He leads us beside the still waters and
restores our soul. Remember, Jesus only did what Father was doing and spoke what Father was saying and He is our Elder Brother, we ourselves are the younger sons, alongside Him. Remaining in Love as He is Love! He says to us, 'Come to Me. Get away with Me and work with Me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting upon you. Keep company with Me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.' Matthew 11:28-30

A Custom-Fitted Double Yoke

So take My yoke upon you; it is easy and My burden is light! 
The yoke of the law, no one can carry...Acts 15:10 and Gal. 5:1 Do not let feelings speak louder than Truth. Satan has twisted Truth and made a lie look appealing. Allow grace to empower you to receive a life of Love. Falling for the enemy's devices, will only cause a snare and keep us in bondage to fear, instead of resting in Love. He gives power to the weak; to those who have no might, He increases strength...Isaiah 40:29 Love will bring conviction, for in Him we will live free...Fear will bring condemnation, only to live in shame. Allowing ourselves to live naked before Him, He, who is Love will be our covering, as it was for Adam and Eve in the garden. Yes, Love, God's kind of Love is a violent force...not against people but against that which can destroy us! God's Love will not deny Truth to exist! Deception will bring compromise and compromise will cloud our view of Truth. Receiving the love He has for us will allow Holy Spirit's perfect work inside, to destroy the work of the enemy against us!
The mantle Father has given us is a Mantle of Love, as an inheritance, with favor, honor, authority, and wisdom for taking dominion, as joint heirs, sons and daughters, covered in The Coat of Many Colors for all nations. 
Encompassed in Father's Love! 
The Mighty One in your midst, delights in you, sings and dances over you, with great Joy and quiets you with His love...Zephaniah 3:17
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I love you with an everlasting love...Jeremiah 31:3 He came to not judge the world but to free it from bondage to sin...John 3:16-19 Jesus only did what Father did and said what Father said...John 5:19-20
Let not your hearts be troubled...John 14:1 In Him we live and move and have our being, as His offspring...Acts 17:28 Hope does not disappoint us or put us to shame, for the love of Father is poured out into our hearts through Holy Spirit, who has been given to us...Romans 5:5 There is no condemnation...Romans 8:12 Cast down every thought against God...2Cor.10:5 
His grace is sufficient...2Cor. 12:9

And this I pray: That your love may abound yet more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge and all keen insight, that your love may display itself in greater depth of acquaintance and more comprehensive discernment. So that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value, recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences and that you may be untainted and pure and unerring and blameless, so that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied (faultless, immaculate), you may approach the day of Christ, not stumbling nor causing others to stumble...Philippians 1:9-10

by Deborah Fisher

'Fig Leaves or Your Coat of Many Colors'

'Fig Leaves'

 In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve communed with Father every day, in the cool of the day. They met with Him throughout the day; in unending communication. They were clothed in the Glory, in the perfect love of God. The only fruit they ate from, was from the Tree of Life; Father’s perfect provision! They knew no shame and walked bare (naked) before Him; openly, alongside each other.  They knew ‘no’ sin.  

 After the fall, they saw with a new set of eyes, seeing their nakedness and questioning their very existence. The way made for them to enjoy, was now clouding all reason, with doubt and unbelief; the result of sin. They were now discovering new found fear and learning to live in fear, rather than the love they had always known.  They were now experiencing unfamiliar feelings of shame and guilt instead of experiencing love.  Because they now saw their nakedness, they covered their shame and guilt with fig leaves. 
Even today, we cover ourselves with other types of fig leaves, rather than trusting Him, and doing things His way! What fig leaves have become your covering?

A life of snuggling to a life of struggling!

 Striving and struggling began, where once there was rest. A twisted view of things now appeared. A life of striving, of bondage now existed; covering up, what once was covered for them. Father took care of everything; He was their covering, their provider, their source, their friend. There used to be nothing hindering their communication with each other or with Father. However, now that they both bit into the deception offered to them by the ‘ultimate orphan’ Satan; by eating from the Tree of Knowledge, they would struggle.  They were living on what seemed like a tightrope, deciding what is good and what is evil; becoming associated with dos and don’ts. 

 From living a life full of favor, enjoying their rightful inheritance as children of God, they now found themselves blaming, competing, jealous, and afraid.  They felt orphaned in their heart; seeking their way in what now looked more like a jungle than a garden of delight.  Each one tried to find their way, seeking attention, as well as identity, worth and value. It was as if they were walking through a thick fog, with clouded judgment or cobwebs all around. This is familiar to how some are feeling, even today. 

 Generations later, another story comes to mind...
 about a man named Joseph, one of the sons of Jacob. In brief, Jacob was one of two sons to Isaac; the other was named Esau.  Jacob cheated his brother of his rightful inheritance, as first born, lying to his father, Isaac. Though Jacob understood the importance and power found in inheritance, he was deceitful to get it.

 Jacob later had twelve sons altogether, through the marriage of two siblings.  Eight sons were born of his first wife, Leah (two of the eight through Leah’s maidservant) and four sons born of Rachel, his second wife and Leah’s younger sister,(two of those four from Rachel’s maidservant).  Joseph and his younger brother, Benjamin, were the only two naturally born of Rachel.   Rachel was Jacob’s first love, and said to be the more beautiful of the two sisters; yet untruthful.  And it was Leah, whose heart cried out to God for children and for Jacob to love her, as he loved Rachel.

 Thousands of years later, Jesus, the Messiah was born through the lineage, of one of Leah’s sons, named Judah.  She also gave birth to the line of Priests, through her son, Levi. Leah was focused more on Godly things and Rachel was not; and God blessed Leah with many children.  She was deeply loved by God; and at her death, she was buried alongside Jacob, and other patriarchs. Rachel was not. However, all twelve sons of Jacob form the twelve tribes of Israel.  As Rachel’s sons, Jacob favored both Joseph and Benjamin with his actions and his statements, and in front of the elder brothers.  A young, Joseph followed his Father’s example and this provoked his step brothers.  Joseph and his younger brother were both taught the love of the Torah, the Word of God, as they set at their Father’s feet. And, it was Jacob, the Father of all twelve sons, who gave Joseph ‘The Coat of Many Colors.’

‘The Coat of Many Colors.’

With all this attention given to Joseph, the elder brothers were jealous and resentful, much like the elder brother in the story of the lost son in the Book of Luke, the 15^th chapter.  As far as the dreams he had, they were nothing of Joseph’s doing…he received the dreams from God.

 In a resentful and bitter rage, a scheme was set by the brothers, first dropping Joseph in a pit to die and then selling him to traders.  To make their Father believe Joseph was dead, they took the coat given to Joseph, from their Father and tore it, soaked it in the blood of an animal, made light of the inheritance and even profited from their brother Joseph, selling him into a life of slavery.  

(The entire story of Jacob, his two wives and Joseph can be found in the Book of Genesis, chapters 27-29 and 37-50.)

 Throughout the generations, in the Bible, we can read many other stories and/or symbolisms about inheritance.  The meaning of inheritance is the physical possession of property and/or attributes of character given to heirs.  The Hebrew word for inheritance is nahala or nahal, to inherit or possess.  The Greek word for inheritance kleronomia or kleros, kleronomos, which is an heir, to inherit. 
The foremost example of inheritance is that which Jesus apprehended for us through His death and resurrection!  He bought back the right to live with Father, as heirs, as sons and daughters, as a family, communing with Him every day!  In fact, everything that was stolen from us, before the fall, is ours to enjoy today! 
There are several scriptures to affirm this Truth, here are a few: As He is, so are we in this world…1John 4:17, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given to us, every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ…Ephesians 1:3, For those whom He foreknew, of whom He was aware and loved beforehand, He also destined from the beginning, foreordaining them to be molded into the image of His Son, and share inwardly His likeness, that He might become the firstborn among many brethren…Romans 8:29-30

  The Coat of Many Colors ~ In Hebrew: kethoneth passim, meaning a royal garment, colorful, embroidered, full-sleeved robe, coming down to the palms of the hands, reaching to the feet, a richly ornamented robe, not suitable for working!  Many colors are a large spectrum of colors, the primary colors that all other colors come from; all people, all nations and symbolizes covenant! 

The coat represents favor, authority, inheritance and wisdom.

Father has placed a brilliantly colored coat upon us, which can be seen from afar. To Father, the coat is always available for all His sons and daughters to wear. Joseph was a prophetic type of our Messiah, and his coat given to him by his Father is symbolic of the Heavenly Father giving our Messiah ‘the nations for an inheritance.’ Psalms 2:8

 So, in order to acquire possession, first it is important to know one is an heir; knowing the true identity which comes from God Himself.  Knowing how loved we are makes a significant change in our heart and that is a continual process; both to receive love and to receive healing into our hearts. Then, to walk in this dominion, requires rest and that requires trust.  Though, it can be difficult to rest when we have a wounded heart, all is attainable, because we have a more than possible God, who made a Way (Jesus) for us, and loves us outrageously, lavishing His love upon us, even now! 

Rest in the Father, and He will make His resting place in you!

The word ‘rest’ is a verb and also a noun; meaning cessation of activity, tranquility, cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength, stand firm, fixed, supported.  Synonyms for rest are repose, relax, lean, lie; and the noun, pause, remnant, remainder, relaxation.  The remnant is a people who know how to rest in the finished work of Jesus, resting in Him, who rests in the Father’s bosom! Rest in the Father, and He will make His resting place in you! God’s people are a royal priesthood, a royal nation, who show forth the praises of Him, living as a family, with Jesus as our elder brother!  He has adopted us as His very own. We belong to Him; approved by God, the Father, in Jesus Himself. He who had no sin, became sin in our place. In Him we live and move and have our being, for we are His offspring!

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For the Spirit which you have now received is not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of Adoption, the Spirit producing sonship, in the bliss of which we cry, Abba (Father)! The Spirit Himself thus testifies together with our own spirit, assuring us that we are children of God. And if we are His children, then we are His heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory...Romans 8:14-17
(There will be trials, and He will be with you!) 
My presence goes with you and I will give you rest...Exodus 33:14 My soul finds rest in God alone...Psalm 62:1-2 Return to your rest, my soul;for Yahweh has dealt bountifully with you...Psalm 116:7 WEB 
And the eyes of both of them were opened and they knew they were naked and sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves...Genesis 3:7
By Deborah Fisher

The continuance of this post will follow as 'Choosing the Mantle of Love'...Living loved every day is possible as love makes a way, as we live in the consciousness of His favor and delight of us! ~ Psalms 97:11 Amp.
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Thank you Father, that You, who has begun a good work inside of me and inside of those reading this today, is faithful to complete the work. We set our eyes upon Your gaze and our heart upon the prize, as our journey continues, resting in You!
And we receive and experience the love You are pouring into our hearts, 
even now!

A Framed Masterpiece ~ Father's Design!

 You are a stunning masterpiece! 

When I was young growing up here in Florida, I was the youngest of four children. Throughout the years, I really never thought much, about what that might mean; it was experiential! My brother was the oldest and I had two older sisters; I was the baby!

 Over the years, I did get a lot of teasing as well as blame from my older siblings. I think all of this is pretty normal; at least from what I’ve observed in most families.

 There were several titles that were bestowed on me by my siblings, and one most appropriate for sharing now was, ‘Goodie, Two Shoes!’  I have no idea where that expression came from; I just know I heard it often, and even into my adult years. My sisters particularly liked to think that I got everything that I wanted; of course, I didn’t and I never saw it that way. I do remember thinking that they were getting into trouble a lot and I’d try to prevent it somehow! As the youngest, I was often the only one of the children at home, hearing many of the discussions between my parents and my siblings.  Also, I witnessed many goings on, including things my parents never knew, like wild parties. Some stories are not too pleasant and will go untold.

 With many stories to share, only one involves the photos that Mom and Dad took of us kids. There were so many photos that Mom decided to organize them. She got a scrapbook to put them into and I offered to help by writing the captions after the photos were secured. I like to do crafts and I had pretty good penmanship too. Mom selected an album/scrapbook with black paper and she bought a pen with white ink; which I thought was pretty neat looking. I began to fill the album up for her with captions on each one. I did notice that there weren’t any photos of me, but I had not gone through the stacks of photos yet. Time passed and I never did get that scrapbook completely finished, but I put a good dent in the stacks of photos; and never discovering photos of me.

 There sure were lots of my brother and my oldest sister and less and less of us younger ones.  Over the years that followed, the photos were strangely missing, a few at a time. Mom would complain about it and say something to them and that was futile. When visiting the home of my sisters, I saw different photos, framed in a variety of ways, with groupings sitting around, quite nicely too.

 The only one of me that I remember, I was in my pajamas and robe, sitting on the floor at Christmas time, playing a game. I really don’t know where that one ended up. The only photo that I do have, was one taken by a professional photographer, but it was of the four of us, shown here.  Aren't we a bunch of cuties and truly lovable too! 

The Cooper Siblings:

Glen Jr., Pamela, Jacqueline, and Deborah 'Me'

Still, I do not have any of me alone or playing with my siblings or sitting with my dad or mom.

 Everyone else had photos, with different poses, like described here, but not me. When I reached my teenage years, I thought it was because of my looks. My oldest sister particularly was always feminine, kind of prissy and had the tiniest waste and the kind of shape that the modeling companies look for. And she often had boyfriends. I was a little more big boned and I never felt like I belonged.

 When Mom passed away, some 26 years after Dad, everyone began going through the drawer full of photos, once again. Well this time, Mom was not there and I had full rein to go searching along with everyone else! I was so excited when I discovered one that must be me! Nope! Time and time again, my sisters gently removed and sometimes snatched the photo from my hand, and they’d say, “That’s not you, that’s…..! 

 Like many of us, the effect of rejection was one of my deep wounds at that time of my life and this was not helping! Years have passed since this and other incidents in my life. I have forgiven and been forgiven and enjoyed the transformation of a renewed life; His grace is sufficient through the process! Father is always a loving Father to us and being His little girl comes with much delight!

 So last year at a Father Heart gathering that I attended, Father spoke to my heart and said, “It’s not that they didn’t want you, Deborah, you were another girl!” He is so very tender and sweet with us. The way in which He spoke that to me was exactly that! I love the way He loves us and so gentle with us!  I was not even thinking about this whole matter with my sisters and my parents; and as far as I know, I was not hurt any longer. He is so personal with us and continues to heal places that we are not aware exists and makes all things new; completing what He starts!

 Just recently, which happened to be about a year later, I was at another Father Heart gathering, this time a week long school. Some friends, along with my husband and I had been to the church service that preceded the school and joined others at a picnic. Then we decided we would go to a park, along the river. There were swing sets, monkey bars, and other fun things that are found at a playground. 

 I spoke with some of the children, as they played and I got on some of the equipment myself, I spoke to some parents and gave them Father’s Love Letters.  Then Bill took a picture of us at the swing set. Later, when viewing the picture that we posted on Facebook, we noticed a little blonde headed girl, off to the side; she was staring at us on the swing.  We pondered what she might have been thinking as well as where she came from; not one of us remember seeing her and I had spoken to all the children there at the park.

Later that week, as one of the team was sharing, at the school, that picture appeared in my mind, the one that Bill had taken of us at the swing; but this time, it was as if the little girl was the only one in the picture.  As I seemed to be zooming in on this little blonde, I heard, “Do you see her? There you are Deborah, there you are.” There was a pause and then I heard, “I have many pictures framed of you!”

   It was as if no one was present, though the room was filled with people, listening to the one sharing at that session.  For me, it was just me and my dad, an incredibly wonderful moment…I giggled like a little girl, and tears began to pour down my cheeks.  Tears of joy and the laughter continued. In fact, for over an hour, I giggled all the more as tears flowed! I went outside to turn on my phone, as I continued to giggle and cry.  Bill went looking for me, as it was lunch time and he and others were asking where I was. As I stood outside, in the courtyard, I pulled up Facebook, where I had shared the picture and this time I looked only at the little girl!

 One of my friends had made a comment, below the picture, for which I had replied earlier in the day; but this time I shared my experience, as best I could. I continued to giggle like a little girl and when I was able to do so, I went back inside, pondering what had taken place.

 Several more days passed, the Father Heart School ended and we were now packing up to load our truck with all the throws and pillows we had brought for the soaking sessions. One of the young women, who we have gotten to know through our Father Heart Classes, came to help us and as we were doing so, she asked me about the picture that I had posted.  She told me that the little girl in the picture, who she thought was our granddaughter, had some remarkably, powerful genes because we looked so much alike!  Wow! She was not aware of the encounter I had, previously in the week.

 So what do you think? I'm thinking Father placed this little girl in this picture, just because He loves me and He is healing the deepest part of me. Since He is the Master Gardener, I think I will just enJOY the journey even more. Father loves surprises. 
 And, I am looking more like Him every day. He simply wants us to receive the love we were meant to enJOY and grow as sons and daughters in Him, being little to a great big God!

 Father loves me and He loves you and He is fulfilling every precious promise! He longs for us all to come home, to be intimate with Him and receive even more outrageous love, become love and share love with the world around us!

 Our loving Father is interested in every detail of our lives and He is faithful to complete the good work He began in us. Oh how precious is the love Father lavishes upon us every day, through Holy Spirit!  Father never leaves us nor forsakes us…He is forever faithful and loves us with an everlasting love! 

An Exceptional Journey!

 Fathomless oceans of love, for which there are no shores, pursues you relentlessly; a limitless love, a boundless love, an outrageous love, a prodigal love to sink in! 

How great is the Love the Father has lavished upon us, that we should be called the children of God...1John 3:1

Therefore, I do not treat God's gracious gift as something of minor importance and defeat its very purpose; I do not set aside and invalidate and frustrate and nullify the grace of God. For if justification, righteousness, acquittal from guilt, comes through observing the ritual of the Law, then Christ, the Messiah, died groundlessly and to no purpose and in vain. His death was then wholly superfluous...Galatians 2:21 

So, if grace is just God's unmerited favor, it seems we cannot fall from it; for we surely cannot earn it. I find that grace is more God's ability, in and through me, infusing me with His love and strength, that I simply come to enJoy through childlikeness, a heart of humility!  

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In putting everything under their feet, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. 

But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. 

In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what He suffered. Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. 

So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters...Hebrews 2:8-11

Glorious, simply glorious....brilliant, simply brilliant! 

The King has come and we carry His Glory within these earthen vessels, for all the world to see! The Spirit of the Lord is upon us and He has anointed us to set the captives free, seeing them recover and healed. We are His children and the work of His hands, and exist because of Him; we have been given a precious treasure to carry into all the world.

Isaiah 61:1, Matthew 5:15, Luke 4:18, Luke 11:36, 

Acts 17:28, 2 Corinthians 4:7, 1John 4:17 

I Was There 

Upon my back a King did ride,

With palms upon our path.

I carried Him, my will aside

To face their faithless wrath.

I stood afar to watch the scene

A God, A King, A Man.

Who walked His path with face serene,

Fulfilling Father's plan.

With love and joy submitted, He 

A willing sacrifice.

That the Father's sons you might be,

Because He paid the price.

A lowly ass though I may be,

My part I served with pride.

I bore the one who set you free,

He came, He saved and died.

But death it has no lasting sting,

In truth the Savior lives. 

Beloved Son and Heavenly King,

To Him all praises give. 

By Bill Fisher

This Blood's For You ~ This Love's For You!

Reflecting on Love, beyond comprehension,

Absolute, perfect Love, gave me redemption.

I deserve to be punished and even to die,

Yet I'm passed over for blood that does not lie.

This blood is for me and this blood is for you,

Accept the price He paid, making all things new!

By Deborah Fisher

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Father, thank you for loving me so much, that you sent your only Son, who you deeply love, to rescue me, purchasing my freedom. And though you knew the final outcome of resurrection, you endured the severe pain, suffering and rejection, along with Your Son. 

Father, You observed innocence, become guilt and shame instead; so that I can now approach you as if I am innocent because of the actions of Jesus! 

I am truly grateful to you Jesus for enduring such abuse for me and I am overwhelmed with your goodness and your strength! 

I accept and receive this love into my heart; and I am swallowed up in your love for me! 

Thank you for this gracious gift and for reconciling me to Father; paying the debt I could not pay; restoring all things back to Father's original intent.  You made the way for us to be a family once again! 

Deborah and Bill Fisher ~ HotPursuitMin@aol.com