I don’t want you to live your life under pressure. Work, work, work – that is really the pressure of the enemy.  I say to you, come to Me and take My yoke upon you & I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28) You will find perfect peace and perfect rest, knowing that you are in the center of My will and fulfilling the purpose and plan that I have for you.  I am your Good Shepherd and you are my precious lamb.  I will always lead you to the still waters where you can refresh your soul.  I will show you where the green pastures are where you can feed and nourish your spirit.  I lead you gently when you are seeking to follow Me, and when you stay close to Me.  I don’t use My rod and My staff to punish you – no – those are my tools to keep the wolves away and to defend you.  (Psalm 23: 1-4)

When you stray from My path – and yes, you do stray – I come after you, and I pick you up and carry you back to the center of My will.  The key, the secret, to finding My rest is to cease from your own works. (Hebrews 4:10) Pushing through your own plans, making your own agenda, and thinking that your works will earn My favor – all of these things are just works of your flesh.  So when I call you to cease from your own works, I mean that you simply need to submit your will to My will.  As I taught My disciples to pray – pray not for your own will, but for My will to be done.  As you submit your will to My will, and as you trust Me to fulfill my purpose in your life, then I will certainly bring My Will to pass. (Psalm 37:5) Trust Me now, My little lamb – trust that I am working in our life.  Trust that I have begun this good work in your and I will complete it to the end. (Philippians 1:6-7)

As you face the trials and tests that you are going through right now, remember the story of the Shunammite woman – who came to the Prophet Elisha when her son had died, her son who was a miraculous gift, born after the Prophet told her that she would conceive.  And Elisha asked if it was well with her, and with her husband and with her son – and even though her son had just died in her arms, she answered “It is Well”.  (2 Kings 4:8-37)

Think of the hymn that you love to sing, “It is Well with My Soul” – this hymn was written by Horatio Spafford after suffering almost unimaginable loss.  Yet, he had the deep faith and conviction that he proclaimed in this hymn, that the sky, not the grave, was his goal.  He knew that he would be reunited with his children and loved ones, and enjoy the eternal life that I have promised, a life filled with the joy of My presence, where there is no more pain or sorrow or dying.  So always remember when you are going through times of testing and trials, facing sickness or experiencing loss – remember to proclaim your faith that it is well with your soul.  It is well, because I will never fail you, I am with you always even to the end of the world, I have redeemed you and you are mine forever!

Trust Me for tomorrow and focus on My plan and My will for you for today.  It is so easy to spend your time looking back at yesterday’s mistakes, yesterday’s failings and to be filled with regret.  But remember that I know you will fall and fail – but the just man will rise up again.  Your steps are ordered by Me,  and though you fall you will not be utterly cast down because I am upholding you in My hand. (Psalm 37:23-24)

Just as easily as wasting time looking back with remorse, you can also spend your time worrying and fretting about tomorrow.   I told you that you need to leave tomorrow in My hands and trust Me for the future.  “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:34  Remember most of all that I am always watching over you, I know the number of hairs on your head!  I will give you all that you need for the days ahead – all the strength and wisdom, provision and protection you need.  So trust Me, and focus on what I have for you today!  I will continue to order your steps as you follow Me into the future.

When you watch the news and look at how the world is engulfed in evil, you can so easily despair.  You want to turn off the TV, stop reading social media, and escape to a mountain somewhere.  It is important for you to remember that I promised that in the Last Days darkness would cover the Earth and Gross Darkness the people (Isaiah 60:2)– but I will arise upon you & My glory will be seen upon you.  So in the face of this flood of evil that is rising like a tsunami, you need to stand firmly on the Rock of My Word, knowing that I will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6-8), and that the gates of hell will not prevail against you (Matthew 16:18).  Put on the whole armor that I have given you (Ephesians 6:10-18): The helmet of salvation, knowing that I have redeemed you and no man can pluck you out of My hand, and the sword of the spirit which is My Word, and My eternal promises to you.  Heaven and Earth shall pass away but My Word will never pass away.  (Matthew 24:35) The shield of faith – knowing that it is by faith that you will be able to stop the mouths of lions, quench the violence of fire, escape the edge of the sword – and out of weakness you will be made strong.  (Hebrews 11:33) And your feet should be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.  Don’t let the enemy belittle your small candle of the light of the gospel.  Let your little light shine, knowing that as the days grow darker, your light will shine even more brightly than ever before. (Matthew 5:16)  Arise, Shine for your light is come, and My Glory will be seen upon thee! (Isaiah 60:1)

Remember the verse, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)  Even when you feel that you have no strength and you wonder if you can go forward even one more step – I will help you take just one more step.  A big part of your everyday battle is fear of the future – wondering and worrying about how you will make it tomorrow.  But I have promised that I will always care for you and provide for you.  I faithfully feed the birds that don’t sow or reap – and you are much greater than the birds. Remember that My eye is on the sparrow – and I am always watching over you & caring for you. So don’t fret about tomorrow, but trust Me to provide for you, to keep you, and to give you the strength that you need to keep following Me along the path that I have called you to.

I want you to be transformed by the renewing of your mind so you will prove what is My good and perfect will for you and for your life. I know that you struggle to bring your thoughts into captivity and to keep your mind stayed on Me.

But remember that I will keep you in perfect peace when your mind is stayed on Me because you trust in Me. It is so easy for you to let your mind wander to your concerns, your worries, your plans and projects.

I know you desire to please Me and to fulfill the plan that I have for you, but it takes time for you to have this renewing of your mind that I know you want.

If you will put Me first, and make Me the focus of your life, then I will continue to bless you and keep you close to Me. I will continue to lead you step by step and you will be amazed at the fruit that I will bring in your life!