Thunder in the Shade 6-30-13 Annetta P. Lee

THUNDER IN THE SHADE

Annetta P. Lee

June 30, 2013

The Bible often speaks of thunder in reference to the voice of God. Many of you have received intermittent messages, articles, and revelations I branded THUNDER IN THE SHADE. This phrase was given to me by the Lord years ago when I wrote a novel with a similar name. My publisher rejected this as a title and approved instead {Secret Thunder}. Nevertheless, I have kept what God spoke to me as a special tag through which to channel and broadcast the things I hear and see from the Lord. 

I

 perceived in my spirit the sound of a door opening.  It is difficult to describe and I can’t say I completely understand it, but I heard the sound of a vacuum around the sound of a door opening. This indicates to me that this door has been closed for some time. We are already well advanced into the next season of demonstration. I didn’t say NEW season, but NEXT season.

“I Am NOW pouring out upon my people a great inclination to reach after My heart in every situation. Many will surprisingly yield their own personal agendas and desires to Me. This will open a place in their hearts to receive My Glory even embracing certain risks that will bring forth demonstrations of My Spirit,” says the Lord.  There will be no need for programs as before, but My Spirit will be poured upon all flesh and many will step out in boldness to display in mass that which was intended after the beginning.

Yes, the doors that have been closed are opening wide for you to step through and express My love and power among those upon the earth. Despite the resistance and hindrances that will be cast into your path, be bold and vigilant. Great temptation will come; also concerns of what mere man might think or say. But stay focused and plugged into Me through intimacy.”

“The season is here that My church must stand up and become the spectacle of my Glory. My church must be a greater expression of Me in this darkened time. Did I not say that the path of the righteous will be like the shining sun and shine ever brighter unto the perfect day? Look and behold who is in the midst of you. Is it not My Spirit”, says the Lord? “Look and behold what is in your hand. Is it not what I have supplied? Do not ignore what I have been quickening in your spirits, preparing you for such a time as this. Do not draw back, but walk through the veil of supernatural occurrences and help harvest souls quickly.”

I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. I Corinthians 2:3-5

For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.    I Corinthians 16:9

The Dove's Coo by Annetta P Lee

Reprinted with the permission of the author 

The Dove's Coo!

by Annetta P. Lee (For Priority Girls Blog-site)

http://prioritygirls.blogspot.com/

Friday, May 25, 2012

Job 36:16 - “He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. (NIV)  

Do you want to experience the unfathomable love of God? Indeed, He is even now wooing us unto Himself by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

I asked the Lord what He would have me share in regard to our relationship with the Holy Spirit. I felt impressed to keep this simple. This impression was confirmed when early Sunday morning before church He beckoned me to sit alone in my opened garage. Amidst the cheerful sound of chirping birds, I heard the distinct cooing of doves. Because I was there to hear Him, the cooing was immediately quickened.

As believers, we are aware that often the Holy Spirit is portrayed as a dove—his characteristics and style. The dove also symbolizes “peace”.  

John 14:26-27 – But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (NKJV)

So, what is it that the Lord was attempting to show me? 

 

First, I believe it essential to acknowledge that the dove will never cast us out, but lovingly draw us to Him by a distinct call. 

   

John 6:37 – All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. (NKJV)

 
John 6:44 – No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. (NKJV)

Adult doves have two major calls: First, a regular “cooing” tone usually uttered with the neck stretched up and the throat blown out. Spiritualizing the effort would indicate an alarm or warning to pay attention. Secondly, a quiet tone uttered without inflating the throat, for purposes of contact and appeasing a mate, which includes reminding us of whose we are. This call, obviously, speaks of intimacy.  

From childhood until now, we have been beckoned to a journey of the heart—a journey filled with intimacy, adventure, and beauty—a sacred romance that also meets with necessary risks. Ignoring the whispered call of the dove is like placing a great gulf fixed between two lovers.  

SOS 5:6 – I opened for my beloved, but my beloved had turned away and was gone. My heart leaped up when he spoke. I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer. (NKJV)  

The Dove’s Coo calls to us in our own individual language: our fondest memories, our greatest loves, our noblest achievements, even our deepest hurts. The reward is certainly worth any risk.
 

My sisters, God Himself yearns for us. May I encourage you to pay the cost with time, sincere thanksgiving, worship and praise, obedience, and attentiveness. Yes, and even seasons of walking through the mud in the rain.  

Though now I occasionally feel as old as white thread, I still dance on the clouds with Him, the One my soul loves. I still enjoy the warmth of His affection, the prickling of His manifested presence, the soothing of His whisper, and the pure ecstasy of His touch. This Sacred Romance still strikes a chord in me that yet increase my longing for more.

If you crave for something more, even if you don’t know what that something is, then turn your face to Him—be still, and listen for His coo!

Mother's Day in USA 2012

I see your hearts Moms. I hear them beating. Indeed they echo within the chambers of My own heart. My heart reverberates with Love for you and all that concerns you! I hear your questions and strugglings within.  I see the sighs, the smiles and the tears as well as hear the joy and laughter.  I know your fears and feelings of inadequacy. Equally I feel the small satisfactions and triumphs.  In short Moms there is nothing that escapes My watchful eye and caring heart!
  
I send angels into your situations and rearrange things for a more pleasing fit.  I AM your source, your comfort, your strength and I AM guiding you, even when you do not know it.  Continue to turn to ME.  Lean the whole of your weight, the whole of your problems, the whole of your being upon ME.  Draw from the endless resource of my Love and Devotion to you, and be refreshed. 

Daughters of mine, I am so proud of you! You run so intently. Please know that the race set before you is not meant to wear you out.  I have scheduled times of rest and relaxation, if you will but seek Me, you will find them. I have scattered surprises along the pathway, to remind you of My Love for you and My nearness to you.  Listen to My heart speaking ever so intimately and softly to your own heart.  Come, draw near and be still and quiet and listen!  Today, the world celebrates you. But I celebrate you every day!  Come! Live in the celebration of My Love for you day by day. Selah.


Zephaniah 3:17 (GW)  The LORD your God is with you. He is a hero who saves you. He happily rejoices over you, renews you with his love, and celebrates over you with shouts of joy.

Ask and He Will Show You

His Word is His Will. His Character is flawless. His Love Unchanging.  His Desire is for You to draw close to Him, trust Him, love Him, know Him intimately. Cast off all hesitation.  When Moses dared to ask Him, "show me Your Glory Lord," HE replied, I will put you into the cleft of the rock and show you MY Goodness.

Jesus is that rock. The cleft is His side where the spear was thrust and out poured water and blood.  He has poured out His Spirit.  He shed His Blood to buy us back and to purchase every blessing that Father God originally intended for us to walk in.  God Put us into the Cleft of The ROCK HIS SON Christ Jesus, to SHOW us His Goodness.  The Book of Romans tells us God's goodness leads men to repentance.

I tell you now, repent and turn from your idols, your idleness, your fearfulness and faithlessness.  Be believing! Start receiving and walk in relationship with the Eternal God who has never given up on you!



Show me Your ways That I may walk with You Show me Your ways I put my hope in You The cry of my heart is to love You more To live with the touch of Your hand Stronger each day Show me Your ways!

My Word and My Name

Beloved when you speak My Word, you are breathing life into your very surroundings.  My Word holds all things together and is the cohesiveness of life!
For in ME you live and move and have your being.  My Words are SPIRIT and they are LIFE.  Release My Word with your faith and expect to see the performance of My Word in the lives and situations around you. For is it not written that My Word will not return to Me void, but it will accomplish that which I please,and make the thing whereto I sent it prosper?  

Likewise, when you speak My Name, let it be with purpose and proclamation! Let it be with Praise and Purity!  All of Heaven backs up My Name, so do not put it to shame with flirtatious, casual use.  

Remember how I changed Abram's name to Abraham?  This was because the saints of old did not live in the time that they could be born again. So I gave Abraham a piece of My Name and injected Myself into his name to change his image and who he was into who I said and saw him to be.  But you beloved, hae been changed from within!  You house within you the precious Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit!  You do not need a name change, for you have had an entire radical makeover!  You have been given a new heart, a new name in Glory, a new beginning to fulfill your Destiny and purpose.  And you don't do this alone, or by your own steam and power!  No, indeed.  It is by cooperation and partnership and fellowship with Me and by My Spirit working in and through you!

Glorious, is how I see you! And it is how I want you to see yourself- through My eyes, not the eyes of flesh or the lies of the enemy.  You do not yet see nor fully comprehend what it is that I am working out, but deep with in there is a work being wrought.  'Oh! But it is so slow you cry! I can only see the flaws!  I see how many times I still fall down!'  Ah, but beloved, look at how many times you have gotten up!  Look how many times you have trusted and how far that has taken you. You only fall when you begin to faint in your focus on and your faith in Me.   

All that you need, you will find in Me.  It is My desire to set you free- so come up higher, live closer to Me.  Shake loose from yourself, the doubt and fear, whisper My Name and you will find Me near.   A longing with in that you don't understand, is a Cry from My Heart piercing through contending for the heart of man.  It is your own soul groaning in reply, The Spirit within yearning to fly! It is at once pain and yet sublime, for it is the eternal struggle and question, will you be totally Mine? 

Ah Lord, what can I reply? Shall I like Peter brag of my love and undying pledge, only to falter when it came down to the edge?  Like David I cry, 'Try me and see if there be any wicked way in me!'  Like Paul when apprehended, I too want to apprehend You. I want to live behind the veil and see you face to face.  I am not content to stay in this place.  
I am a bride, love sick and forlorn, without your touch, your Presence covering me, I am naked and shorn.

Do not stand beyond my reach! Come! Speak to me in familiar speech. I long to stay in the secret place and gaze upon the beauty of Your face!  There to hear the lovely sound of Your Voice speaking to me, 
"Rise up my dove my fair one, come away with Me!"

Yes Lord, I will come, again and again. 
I will seek you out in the midst of the din.  
I will look for You, for I know I will see, My Beloved Bridegroom, who is waiting for me!

© NEM 2-11-2012

No Other Name

No other Name but the Name of Jesus...

No other Name but the Name of the Lord...

No other name but the name of Jesus...

is Worthy of Glory, and Worthy of Honor
And Worthy of Power and all Praise!

There are many names out there. And they are all screaming and demanding our attention.  Let's see we have,  Old age, social insecurity, islamic terrorists who hate us and the Jewish people, simply because we exist!  We have economic melt down, war, famine, earthquakes, nuclear threat, aids, alzheimer's disease, stroke, cancer, bird flu, swine flu, murder, rape, violence, civil unrest... the list goes on and on.  (And I purposely did not capitalize them.) All these things have a name.  Their name can invoke varying degrees of anxiety, fear or downright terror into people. And it is meant to!  Fear, manipulation, domination, control and isolation and shame are main tactics the enemy uses, and he uses people to work through

 to implement them.

Revelation 12:11 tells of of saints of old, who are now part of that "great cloud of witnesses." It says specifically; "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."

The Blood of the Lamb!  Who is that Lamb? What is His Name?  It is JESUS!  The word of their testimony... "what you say is what you get"  more oft than not...So are your words agreeing with THE WORD?  The Word of the Lamb who gave His Life for you?  Who declared, "IT IS FINISHED." The battle and victory were already won, already paid for, already secured... we have skirmishes down here... but the next ALL OUT BATTLE is yet to be fought.  But take courage, read the back of the book- "WE WIN!"  And the last part of that sentence says, "...and they loved not their life unto the death."  What does that mean?  The Amplified Bible reads this way: ..." for they did not love and cling to life even when faced with death [holding their lives cheap till they had to die for their witnessing]."

Paul said it this way, " To be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord."  For the believer, death is the final enemy and we are promised that it has no hold on us, no sting, the grave has no victory.  Billy Graham said it is the business of  dying, that he does not look forward to, but death itself? It is nothing to us, for We are HIS and HE is ours and Heaven is our home!

Am I advocating we just rollover?  Not at all! Go down swinging! ( If you have to go down.) Keeping fighting the enemy who constantly bombards us, bombards our flesh, bombards our minds, bombards our emotions.  It IS a war we are engaged in.  Once you get past being a baby Christian, you will be expected to learn to fight with the weapons of our warfare.  They are NOT fists, knives or guns.  They are powerful and varied. After all the word says weapons, plural.  One of our weapons is our words and not just any words, but the word of our testimony.  What is our testimony?  It is what we beleive at the very core of our being.  Do we really believe that God is "for us" as stated in Romans 8:31. Do we really believe His Word is true?  Not only true, but that it has power to save?   “Preaching about the cross sounds foolish to those who are dying in sin. But it is the power of God to those of us who are being saved from the punishment of sin.”   1Cor 1:18 NLT

Whose words, will we believe? Who will we listen to ? And what will we speak?   Our own negative talk, the voice of the world system, as it further decays?  The voice of earthly, sensual and devilish wisdom, or the Wisdom that is from above?  Which is peaceable, gentle, easily entreated?

Sin drives, but LOVE leads.  Yes the Spirit drove Jesus into the desert, but that was not the same kind of “drive.”.  That was compelling Him, making it irresistible, to lead, urge, draw out, to cause a thing to move straight on its intended goal…”  Jesus had intimate fellowship with the Father and the Spirit.  He would go spend the wee hours in the mountains being alone with them.  Remember, in Heaven He and the Father were intertwined and had never been separated.  So, the wilderness experience that Jesus faced, was not God deserting Him! It was a time to put into practice, to voice the Word that HE had hidden in His heart. So when satan came at him, He could counter each time with “It is written.”  He could do it, because it was part of Him. He BELIEVED IT and staked His life on it, because He knew His Father, intimately, deeply, personally.  The same way we are invited to know Him!

As we become so intimately acquainted with our Father who art in Heaven, and with our Lovely Jesus our Bridegroom, and with the incomparable Holy Spirit, we will not fall for satan’s tricks and masquerades. He always tries to cause us to doubt God’s character, God’s word.  But when we have waited on God and become tie dyed or entwined with Him then we will KNOW that nothing can separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  And that Love is a driving force! It drives out fear, sickness, doubt, pain, loneliness, guilt, shame.  Let the Love that is found in the wonderful name and Person of Jesus, wash over you today.  Come to the Lover of your soul. Come let HIM make you whole!

For there is NO OTHER NAME!  Acts 4:10b, 12  J.B. Phillips New Testament  …”it is high time that all of you and the whole people of Israel knew that it was done in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth! In no one else can salvation be found. For in all the world no other name has been given to men but this, and it is by this name that we must be saved!”

Come Away with Me, My Bride-Guest Post Annetta P. Lee

Come Away with Me, My Bride

I am constrained by the love of the Bridegroom to scribe a recent encounter. I admit to being desperately hungry for more of Him, as well as needing the confidence that I am on target in pursuing His presence. During a twenty-one day fast, I sought the Lord for clarity in several areas. After ‘soaking’ in His presence I arose feeling fruitless in my endeavor. Even so, I’m here to say that awareness frequently arrives without perception.  Hours later, I experienced a multi-segmented vision that left me so shaken my husband, in his quiet way, proceeded in attempting to relieve my manner. 

I believe 2012 is primed for many such High Place Encounters by the saints. Are you hungry?

“Come away with Me, My bride. Let us set in motion our elopement!”

Immediately my heart leapt with eagerness; so much so that I was unconscious to moving from one place in the realm of the Spirit to another. I did not ponder the meaning of the words spoken at that time. I simply pressed toward the Voice. It was strong, alive and resounded with a quality I recognized as that of my Lord.  

Elopement is defined as running away secretly to marry.

Then the Bridegroom took me on an expedition to distribute gifts and awards that had long been withheld from the faithful. His Love and Delight at lavishly giving was evident in the acceleration of showering those who had waited for His appearing…those who loved Him more than the stuff.

For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.  2 Cor. 11:2

After this, I ascended stairs to a beautiful chamber I somehow knew was a place of intimacy…our secret place. Though gently nervous, the setting was warm and inviting. Delight at seeing Him sitting in a separate area of the chamber engulfed my soul. I briefly watched as he studied pages in a book. While curious about its contents I craved his attention more.

Even so my eyes were summoned to partake of the detailed splendor of the suite, but my heart was upon Him whom I knew was patiently waiting. Through a sense of peripheral awareness I could see the chamber was lovely and decorated throughout with white and gold that appeared to actually breathe. But my eyes and heart was utterly drawn to Him!

Doubtful of words in my approach I voiced a question, the answer of which I already knew. When He turned I discerned that  He knew, and for a moment felt ashamed. 

His gaze, though gentle was intense…though convicting was non-condemning. Absolutely nothing could hide from this radiating expression so consumed with Love I thought I would melt. In that one look he said volumes I couldn’t begin to recount. The reverberation of His Love for me dug deep without hurting. In silent assurance, I was drawn to Him in the simple essence of a captivating stare from which I refused to disengage. 

I absolutely know His love for me! 

The next words I heard are for all who have ears to hear. “Beloved, I trust you with everything I have given you. You are created to reflect, reproduce, and reign. Step forth.”

A sense of normalcy pervaded throughout, and yet upon its completion I was struck with such a fearsome awe and exuberance I could scarcely speak. Indeed I encountered…I saw…I experienced…and yet do not have words to clearly express the dimensions of those precious moments. 

I sense that many have been instructed, like Abraham, to run away from the familiar and step into the new place already prepared. You are hesitating for fear you have not heard clearly, or you don’t know exactly how to proceed. I am impressed to simply remind you that you were not created to be a carbon copy of anyone. BE authentically who you are in Him, and you will indeed produce fruit from the union.

Three purposes of union with the Bridegroom are to Reflect Him; to Reproduce Him, and to Reign with Him. In order to do this, we must steal away (elope) and commune with Him alone. Beloved, indeed it is time to BE. He has equipped you with everything you need to accomplish that to which He has called you.  

Step forth!

·        that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.  2 Timothy 3:15

·       Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, Ephesians 1:3

·       I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful 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 ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10

·        For as a young man marries a virgin, so shall your sons marry you; And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.  Isaiah 62:5

·        For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:2

Annetta P. Lee   annettalee57@gmail.com

http://www.annettaplee.com/Blog.html  

 

The Chambers of My Love: Behind the Veil!

Posted with permission of Henry Falcone. First posted on Open Heaven 11-7-11

http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=38145&TPN=1

Brother Henry's post speaks so much of things that God has been speaking to me and through me.  I thought I would share his post with you. May you be blessed and drawn closer to Christ!

My beloved Love, Come and live with me in my chambers. "Oh my King, bring us into your chambers, is the cry of my bride. I have so many things to reveal to you that is on my mind that I must place within you.. Let my mind be in you, let my thoughts be your thoughts and my ways your ways.

The oneness I desire with you begins with my thoughts filling your thoughts and my ways filling your ways. This is not a theory, but the very life of my being bringing my glory in you and through you.  There is a unity of thought and action that we must have for the days that are approaching.

My thoughts are going to guide you in the ways of truth. My thoughts are going to provide for you, care for you, guide you and lead you in the way of true righteousness and holiness. My desire is to guide you with my own eye.

This will take a much deeper intimacy than you have realized.

I want to guide you with my whisper. I want you to know the nod of my head, so that I was in the World so shall you be. I desire you to become the reflection of my glory that you desire. You must truly understand not in your intellect or your emotions but in the depth of your being, we must be one.

We must truly be one as my Father intended from the beginning of creation. Not in theory, not in emotions, but in the reality of the Glory of Heaven. I in you ,you in me, that we would be one. The two shall become one. A oneness that can never be broken or corrupted. A love that is perfect between us. This is my Glory being revealed to all those who will come and be with Me.

I have so much I must speak and impart to you now. I have much that I have to speak to your heart from my burning presence, but I can't do that if you allow other things to come and fill the time you need to be with me. I so desire you my love. More than you can ever, ever imagine.

I desire to fill you with my richest and deepest presence that you would know the very words I speak will burn from my heart to your heart. That my words would be in you as SPIRIT AND TRUTH in you. That my words will be fulfilled in your life, your family and the lives of those I am sending you to.

The oneness I desire with you starts with our thoughts and my plans filling your very being. This is what truly "living together" means. It means we share our thoughts and desires like a husband and a wife. It means that we are both united in one purpose and one plan, just as I am and always will be united with my Father and His plans.

I know it may seem to you today to be impossible to do. I know you hope I will do it, or someday I will do it, but I say behold Now FAITH IS! I am not going to do it my love, I have done it. It is finished! Only when you come and live behind the veil, only when you come and live with me in my chambers can the "it is finished" become your life's experience.

I know you love me. I know you want this, but you can't allow your failures, your shortcomings keep you from pressing on to the prize of the high calling of God. I have made a way for you to be one with me. I have made a way to fill your entire being with my thoughts and plan. It is a new and living way, the veil of my flesh. As you enter in through my blood and through my flesh, you find the entrance to my chambers. The mysteries of all mysteries.

My chambers is where I desire for us to live so we can truly become one. One in heart, one in thoughts and one in purpose. There is no other way to be one with me unless you come through the veil that was torn in two into the very realm of my Glory.

In that Glory I change you, your thoughts, your mind, and your will, will be totally mingled with my will and my plans. It is behind this veil where our hearts will be together as one. It is here my thoughts will BECOME YOUR THOUGHTS AND MY WAYS WILL BECOME YOUR WAYS!

I want to change you from glory to glory so you will know my whisper. I want us to be one so you will know that I moved without me even speaking to you like a well trained horse knows the movement of his master.

I want to guide you with my own eye. This is the deepest place of intimacy between us we can ever have when my own eyes are guiding you. This is where we live together as onw. This is what i will reveal to you in my chambers. My Chambers are where the "two shall become one."

So please don't stay away from me. Come in your weakness. Come in your emptiness. Come in your neediness, and I will fill you with my Glory and lift you up to the very chambers I have prepared for you. Here we abide together in my will, my thoughts, my plans. In my chambers you will learn how to become with Me in reality and do those very things on earth as they are done in heaven.

I am waiting my love for you to come up higher. I am waiting for you to allow us to be one as I desire for us to be. Then your mind will be renewed. Then you mind will be new. The our minds and thoughts will be one just like mine our with my Father. Then you new creation live will manifest in life in power and dominion. Then there will be a witness of my Glory in every thing you say and do. Then the nations shall see my Glory filling the whole earth.

Come my love, my fair one, and come away with me. I have a place for you beside me, a place for you with me, and a place of our abiding together that your soul has longed for. Come and take my hand today and allow me to take you to the chambers of my love and burn my love, my thoughts and plans in you so we will be one forever and ever.

Edited by Henry Falcone on 11/07/2011 at 7:33am

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                                                                                                            11-15-11

Beloved's of the Lord,

I thought it important for those who read these post that I feel God is giving me to give a "frame of reference" of how the Lord has revealed Himself and still does reveal Himself in our ongoing relationship.

The Lord has taken me on a journey of pursuit that I can only reference from the book of the Song of Solomon. I realize that we are all different parts of the Body of Christ and each one develops a relationship with the Lord uniquely with them, but built upon the same sure foundation in Christ.

My journey has been very similar to the journey the King takes the Shulamite woman to truly desire Him and be changed by experiencing the depth of the Kings love. In that love she learns how to become "willing(ly) submissive" to His desires and to His ways...

The Song of Solomon portrays to us the intimate desire that our Lord Jesus Christ desires to have with us. It is above working for Him, doing things for Him, it is what Love truly desires, TO BE LOVED AND TO GIVE LOVE!

The Shulamite woman is taken on a journey to develop an intimate relationship with the Lord where He awakens her love for Him alone by taking her out of her self life by allowing the circumstances of her life to create a deeper desire for Him alone.

She is taken out from the "daughters of Jerusalem" the "church proper" that have a knowledge of the Lord  as to be "used for his work to satisfy His heart," to be singularly taught by the Lord Himself to desire Him alone and meet the true need of His heart.

Song of Solomon 1 verse 6-7 speak of her working hard for the Lord in the church, but her "own vineyard" she hasn't kept. That speaks of "the relationship of intimacy with Him as a Person has been neglected.

Verse 6 "[Please] do not look at me, [she said, for] I am swarthy. [I have worked out] in the sun and it has left its mark upon me.  Verse 7 My stepbrothers were angry with me, and they made me keeper of the vineyards; but my own vineyard [my complexion] I have not kept."

There is an intellectual knowing of someone like a friend or co worker that has some degree of intimacy in it, but then there is the relationship of intimacy only a husband and wife can know.

The bible says, Adam "knew" His wife. That knowing was a complete submerging of the "two becoming one" physically, emotionally and spiritually. This is a picture of the type of intimacy the Lord desires for us I believe and the scriptures support.

That is why marriages are so attacked today, because they were supposed to be the "natural picture" of the relationship that God so desires for us to have through our Lord Jesus Christ. When Satan can destroy the picture of the family, or the marriage, he destroys the "natural picture" of what God desires with us "supernaturally." I am sure you have seen in this nation a desire to "change the meaning" of the term marriage from being between a man and a woman to become a relationship between two men or two women of the same sex.

Beside the morality of it being an abomination to God, it is worse than that. It is an abomination to destroy the "picture of God and man" and the intimate relationship we are to have with Jesus as our Bridegroom King.

Intimacy and oneness can only be experienced from God's perspective in this natural realm between a husband and wife, and Paul teaches us the importance of this relationship as a "picture of God's desire with us," and he calls it a "mystery between Christ and His church. "

Ephesian 5: 31-33,

31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.

32 This mystery is very great, but I speak concerning [the relation of] Christ and the church.

33 However, let each man of you [without exception] love his wife as [being in a sense] his very own self; and let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly].

He says in verse 32 " this mystery is very great, but I speak concerning the relationship between Christ and the church. That relationship is not supposed to be just a "work relationship" or even a head knowledge relationship between the man and woman. It is intended to be an intertwining relationship where the two becoming one. They become a "family." A family that can bring forth fruit or offspring that reflect the marriage.

We will never be God, but we surely can become one with Him. Us in Him and Him in us. Just as a husband and wife can experience the totally of them becoming one with their spouse, but never become the other person.

They can become one in heart, purpose, plan, spiritually, physically and emotionally as one as God has made them to be, yet still 2 different people but one. (A little picture of the John 17)

The Song of Solomon is a beautiful picture of what our developing relationship with the Lord is to be as His Bride. Like many in the Body of Christ who have come to the end of "knowing the Lord by working for him alone, she begins to see a new revelation of His person.

It's starts with a revelation in her heart, "I am doing all this work for you, but do I really know you the way you desire. I am still left empty inside. There must be more of you but I have done all this work but, "My own vineyard, I have not kept."

This is what happened to me and why I am explaining it now so you know the "point of reference" I have in the knowledge of the Lord and how He may speak to me and through me. It is not better than anyone else, it is just the relationship that God has revealed to me and in me up to this point in my life.

I have not arrived in any manner, and I don't even really want to write this reply, but I am endeavoring to keep the bond of peace and the Spirit of unity amongst the Family of God the best I know how. Also to try to avoid any confusion by what God is giving me to write.

One of our God given rights in our new life in Christ is to "test and judge all the things we see, hear and experience through the Holy Spirit's gift of discernment. "The Spirit bares witness with the Spirit of what is and what is not of God."

So please feel free to examine what I write in light of that God given right as I am free to use as well for what I read, see or experience through others. What a beautiful God we serve. So we can compare Spiritual things with Spiritual things in the Holy Spirit.

The Shulamite comes to the end of her being filled by "working for the Lord alone, and she begins to desire Him more than just going to church, or just working for him in some ministry and all the other "religious
activity" she did for Him.

This new desire in her heart brings forth a very important 3 fold prayer found in Song of Solomon chapter 1:4 She prays: Draw me! We will run after you! The king brings me into his apartments (his chambers).

Draw me is a "cry" for intimate fellowship with the Lord. "We will run after you is "the totality of her being, body, soul and mind" now in pursuit of truly knowing Him as he desires. "The king bring me into His chambers" is the place of total intimacy as on a Honeymoon night with your bridegroom where the "two become one."

This speaks of a relationship that is heart to heart and from place to place. On earth as it is in heaven.  This is the desire of the Lords heart found in Rev. chapter 3:20 where He is standing at the door of the "church age"  and addresses not one of the seven churches anymore, but to the individuals in the Body of Christ and says to "anyone that can hear, " I stand at the door and knock if anyone hear my voice and opens the door and lets me in, I will come and sup with them and they will sup with me."

This happens at the end of the church age as we know it. There is no where else for the church age to go during this dispensation until chapter 4:1 When John who is in the Spirit on the Lord's day, gets caught up deeper in the Spirit and hears, "come up here, so I can show you the things to come."

This knocking is take us from the church age into the Kingdom age that is now beginning to manifest on the earth. Two prophetic days happening at the same time. The closing of the 6th day and the opening and revealing of the 7th day.

That is why the Song of Solomon is so important. In Rev 19:7 "the Bride has made herself ready and she is permitted to wear the fine line garment which are the righteous acts of the Saints.

So there is an intimacy with God that goes beyond space and time and anything we have ever known. What is this supping with us and us with him in relationship that will lift us up into a higher identity with our Lord. This is the "mystery I speak concerning Christ and the church," Paul wrote to us about. 

The closest living natural example for us to see of the desire God has for us is the picture of the husband and the wife, the bride and the bridegroom. In this natural human relationship of the husband and wife, God "gives us the way" into His heart to see the deep abiding relationship He desires for us.

To gain that access to His heart the Song of Solomon points the way. The Lord must deal with that self life of desiring the Lord for any other reason except He is worth desiring.

In the beginning of our new life in Christ, we desire the Lord to "meet our needs." This is absolutely normal and accepted by the Lord. He wants to reveal to us His love, care and His ability to provide for us. But He also doesn't want us to remain babe only drinking the milk of His word.

The Shulamite woman finds the Lord on this level in chapter 2. She sits under the apple tree and she says, "feed me with flaggons and raisins." She is content in knowing the Lord as "meeting her needs." You could call this a selfish type of love between her and him, because she is desiring him for "what He can do instead of just for who He is. Our children do that to us and it is normal for a while, but we expect them to grow beyond seeking us "just to get" something from us.

 In Chapter 2:16 she says, "My beloved is mine and I am His." This means she seeking Him for her own needs first. "He feeds her under the apple tree with raisins and apples and declares, "His banner over me is love."

In our beginning walk withe the Lord, He does not mind this infancy relationship, but He must teach her to stop seeking Him just for things but to desire Him for who He is alone.

He then takes her on a journey of how to "know Him" as a person. Many people know the presence of God, but few know His person in reality. After dealing with her heart issues and commending her for her desire for Him alone. He helps her to begin to see the "self life" that is in the way of her true desire for Him. He allows testings and trials to come to awaken that "love for Him alone" by allowing her to make right and wrong choices. Each teaching her what she needs to learn in knowing Him.

I don't have time to go to in depth here, but for those who are reading these posts, I hope it will explain the frame of reference that God has worked in me.

As she allows the Lord to deal with her self life and the reasons she is slow to respond to His person, He begins to stir up the flames of love for Him alone. Midway through the book, she has developed a new sensitivity to His desire for fellowship with her.  He brings her to a 60 fold maturity level verses the 30 we just read about in chapter 2. A good portion of her life has come under some submission to His love and His desires for her life.

She is now seeking Him first for Himself, but still has some of that remaining self life in her to seek Him for her needs.  She makes some progress in her spiritual growth and testifies of it by saying in chapter 6 verses 2 and 3:

"She replied, My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens and to gather lilies I am my beloved's [garden] and my beloved is mine! He feeds among the lilies [which grow there].

Now the Lord is first (I am my beloveds), but her needs are still quite important, (and my beloved is mine) but there is a change. She now knows she belongs to Him first. She has hasn't arrived to the 100 fold yet, but He plans on allowing further dealings and testings until she is "completed" or she understands the "Omega side of God." The finisher.

When the Lord completes His work in us, we will have a new testimony because we know longer "live for ourselves, we have been crucified, but nevertheless we live, but not I, but Christ lives in me. This testimony is found as a "group of overcomers" in Revelation chapter 5:9-10,

"And [now] they sing a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the scroll and to break the seals that are on it, for You were slain (sacrificed), and with Your blood You purchased men unto God from every tribe and language and people and nation. And You have made them a kingdom (royal race) and priests to our God, and they shall reign [as kings] over the earth!

In the heart of a bride that same testimony would speak like this is found in the Song of Solomon when the self life has been put away in her life. She has been made complete and has the overcoming testimony as found in Rev. 5 but personalized to Him alone as her Bridegroom.  Song of Solomon 7 verse 10: She proudly said] I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me!

Now her "knowing the Lord has become "true intimacy" with the Lord like Adam knew His wife.  Her testimony speaks not of a "place"but as being together as one. "I am my beloveds, and His desires is toward me." Another words, His desires are my desires. My desires are His desires! His thoughts are my thoughts and His will is my will. Only after this testimony is she "given the right" to tend the vineyard. (That is a word isn't it)

Song of Solomon 7:11-12, She said, Come, my beloved! Let us go forth into the field, let us lodge in the villages.mLet us go out early to the vineyards and see whether the vines have budded, whether the grape blossoms have opened, and whether the pomegranates are in bloom. There I will give you my love.

Do you see this beloved? This is the first time she says, "let us." She is not leading the Lord and telling Him what to do. He is now speaking as one with her. They are together as one! Let us go forth... Let us lodge in the villages... Let us go out early... there I will give you my love.  I could write forever on that alone, but I won't.

Notice the together with the Lord in her speaking. She is not "working for the Lord." She now lives with and in the Lord and the Lord in her and that is where "I will give you my love." Paul calls this the "mystery of Christ and His church.

I think if we try to limit the Lord to "where he dwells and how he dwells" in trying to intellectually explain it we lose so much. Remember, not many wise man or nobles are chosen, but God has chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. God had to make this developing relationship simple with us. We as men have made it so complicated I am afraid to report.

If we are not careful we can miss the "reality or experience" of this relationship like the Pharisee's in Jesus day. They knew the scriptures, but they couldn't see Him as the Messiah.

So there is a "seeking of the Lord" that is more than just information, plans, strategies, prayer and other stuff. Not that we should not study the Word of God, no matter of fact we must meditate on it day and night. But it becomes our life's experience when we "wait upon Him" to teach us their true meaning as spirit and truth and for meat for us to eat.

This seeking of the Lord in becoming married to him and becoming truly one with Him is "the deepest expression of what love is." The Shulamite woman says in Song of Solomon 3:1-4,

1: In the night I dreamed that I sought the one whom I love. [She said] I looked for him but could not find him. 2: So I decided to go out into the city, into the streets and broad ways [which are so confusing to a country girl], and seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but I could not find him.

3: The watchmen who go about the city found me, to whom I said, Have you seen him whom my soul loves? 4: I had gone but a little way past them when I found him whom my soul loves. I held him and would not let him go until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her who conceived me."
Is that the passion in our hearts tonight for Him beloved? Is there any other love that compare to this kind of love burning in us for Him? How does meet the need of His heart? Is this what He is truly longing for?"
Let us read the Kings reply to her in closing. I hope this gives you a reference point of how God give me to write about Him and His love. You don't have to agree, it is just who God has made me to be at this point. I put this on no one else or even present this as "opposed" to something else. It is just a point of reference.
It is a testimony of the burning love in my heart to know this God, our Lord Jesus as a Bride would desire her husband and be pleasing to him in every way. That is my desire.
Read these most beautiful words of our Bridegroom King to His Bride to be: Song of Solomon 4: 7-11:
7: He exclaimed] O my love, how beautiful you are! There is no flaw in you! Come away with me from Lebanon, my [promised] bride, come with me from Lebanon. 8: Depart from the top of Amana, from the peak of Senir and Hermon, from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards.
9: You have ravished my heart and given me courage, my sister, my [promised] bride; you have ravished my heart and given me courage with one look from your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace. 10: How beautiful is your love, my sister, my [promised] bride! How much better is your love than wine! And the fragrance of your ointments than all spices!
11: Your lips, O my [promised] bride, drop honey as the honeycomb; honey and milk are under your tongue. And the odor of your garments is like the odor of Lebanon.
Here are a few more foundational scriptures the Lord has burned in my heart:

John 17:3  And this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent.

Ephesians 3:17-19:

17 May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love,

18 That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];
19 That you may really come to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!
In His love always,
__________________
Henry J.Falcone
http://www.flameoffire2007.org/aboutus.php

Taking Away to Establish

Remember the Robert Frost Poem, about two roads? It is actually entitled, "The Road Not Taken." It illustrates a biblical point actually that my Dad and I were discussing of recent..  Here is the poem first: 

Robert Frost (1874–1963).  Mountain Interval.  1920

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Now the most obvious thing about that poem is that for him
to go down one road meant that he could not go down the
other road.


I recently went through a situation that was most uncomfortable and a little perplexing to me. I sought the council of my Mentor Dad, who simply stated, “There is a Law of ‘taking away to establish.’”  This has set me pondering this, and of course looking for biblical examples.


The first that HE brought to my mind, has been a scripture that in my early walk with the Lord, quite frankly frightened me to no end! It frightened because I did not understand it, and so the enemy used it to condemn and torment me with fear of being cast out as worthless wood!

That scripture is John 15:1-8 Below is the Amplified Version

John 15:1  I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser.

John 15:2  Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.

John 15:3  You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you].

John 15:4  Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.

John15:5  I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.

John 15:6  If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned.

John 15:7  If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.

John 15:8  When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine.

We are not worthless wood!  We are grafted in, by the Blood! But, He trims and prunes what He should, knowing it is for our own good. We may not understand, and that pruning may be severe, cutting to the quick. But scripture says, when He wounds HE heals, and there is a balm applied as the sword cuts deep and wide.He is divinding asunder bone and marrow… removing what will hinder us tomorrow.  He knows our thoughts and intents, even when we do not, and He calls us his own for with a price we were bought!

Look, He called “Abraham, come out and away.”  Abraham picked up and left that very day! He told him, “I must take away to make covenant with you.” And so, He removed from him, all that he knew.  Then put him on a journey of total trust and obey, saying. “Come I have a city prepared, I’ll show you the way.”

As I pondered these things, I heard Him say:

“For I am taking away some things, to establish something better.  This includes all things that would hinder you from following me, completing the Call that I have placed upon your life.  You will find that some people are removed from your circle because they will not help you in this journey with me, they are a stumbling block you see. 

There are commitments that you will put down.  And pursuits, that although they are good, they are not from ME.  I need you to see.  I NEED you to BE. Be what I have called you to be. Not what you think or what you think others think you should be.  I need you to be free. Free to follow Me in a bold new way, in a dimension of my Glory and in a freedom from fear and self-doubt.  Don’t you see, I am calling you to ME. I need you to BE. Be my witness, be my mouth, my pen with which I write upon peoples hearts. But to BE you must first BE STILL WITH ME! 

I am taking away to establish, far more than you can see. It stretches out to Eternity.  Yes my love, you are touching into Eternity, with every breathe you breath, every stroke of your pen, every Word shared that comes from ME. God breathed Words, God Breathed inspiration, God breathed moves at my direction.   

Ah, I heard your question, “how will I know, how can I be sure, that it isn’t just me?” You hear far well, and you see, now I’m teaching you, it’s all about leaning on ME. “Practice makes perfect,” in the things of this world. But, with ME, “Patience makes Perfect,” as you wait on ME.  Be Patient with yourself, Be Patient with ME as you hold out your being, heart and soul, waiting expectantly.  I will not be late, I will bestow.  Give yourself time to Grow in the Art of Waiting so you will know. 

Remember the scripture, Paul did write?  That these light afflictions, are really so slight in view of the Eternal weight of My Glory.  Afflictions are vexations, not just outward, but inward too.  These are the things I am taking from you.

For My Glory will cover and blanket you and you must learn to wear it well. The weight of my Glory is a “show and tell.”  I will show you and I will tell you, and it will show and you will tell.  For I cover you with my Glory, My Princess Bride, I take you for My Queen to live by My side.  You must know your worth, how dear to Me you are!  You are far more beautiful than the millions of stars. For you sparkle and shine with a light Divine that comes from within, as I bid you to “Come and Dine.”  Feast at my table, prepared just for you. At this table, there is room for only us two!  This is a private banquet, for my love and ME. For I desire your face to see. I desire you voice in My ear as you whisper sweet nothings of how I am so dear. Does that shock you, or surprise you that I would say, “I desire you My Love, so Come Away?”  For as much as you long to hear My voice, loud and strong, I long to hear your heart beat out to ME, it’s own special Love Song.  It is the song, that only “we” can sing, it is the song of My Bride in Love with Her King.”