Small Straws In A Soft Wind - April
 

April 1: I am leading the way so that you can follow Me on the perfect path that I have set before you. But, you must develop a surrendered heart so that you do not go your own way or from a vantage point of self-interest. You are Mine. You are not your own. I have purpose for your life that you have not yet realized. Let Me take you to your destiny, says the Lord. 1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

April 2: In a vision I saw a cooking pot on the stove that was boiling over, and this is what the Lord said about that: Even though peoples and tribes of all different kinds seem to be boiling over with disputes and vitriol, it should not be so with you. You belong to Me in a spiritual kingdom where mutual respect and peace exist. There will be wars and rumors of wars, but you must maintain peace in your heart, says the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

April 3: In a vision I saw a pristine landscape with flowering trees. There were graceful dancers celebrating life—new life that comes with spring and new growth. And, I heard the Lord say that we are entering a time of new spiritual growth that will be very beautiful yet somewhat fragile. We need to move softly and with precision so that we can be aware of the change that growth brings and to hear His voice with greater clarity. We must not take this time for granted but rather worship God with all that we are and all that we do. Psalms 65:10 You water its ridges abundantly, You settle its furrows; You make it soft with showers, You bless its growth.

April 4: When you lose focus do not go the route of condemnation. Rather, make the necessary corrections that will lead back to the path of righteousness. Return to Me for wisdom and healing of the heart. I have not forsaken you, says the Lord. You are precious in My sight. Proceed with confidence in My ability to move you in the right direction. Isaiah 44:22b Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.

April 5: When you find yourself mired in disappointment and discouragement, you must struggle to get free. Change your focus to find your hope and strength in developing a strong and viable relationship with Me, says the Lord. My kingdom is your bulwark, a place of safety both now and forever. Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

April 6: Be bold and strong. Resolutely leave the past behind. Do it on purpose, and set your heart on what you can do to move on. Nothing will change the mistakes that you have made. Be finished with regret and the dread that overwhelms you. Ask for and receive My forgiveness. I will be with you in your new beginning, says the Lord. Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.

April 7: Beloved, I will take you step by step, day by day to achieve what I have set before you. Wisdom is yours for the asking when things get complicated or confusing. I know everything about you, and it is My will for you to overcome every obstacle and walk the road to victory, says the Lord. Do not be afraid. Only trust Me to lead you through this maze. 2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

April 8: Your encounters will reveal situations that would not only become distractions, but could cause you to feel disoriented. You need to keep your feet planted firmly on what is true and good. Entertaining any fantasy at all will result in a long and unfruitful ride. Stay present with Me, says the Lord, and look to Me for guidance. Be alert! 1 Corinthians 7:35 And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.

April 9: There are many things that will draw your attention away from Me. But, you must be like the watchman on the wall who looks for potential danger and takes precautionary action to thwart disaster. I would have you be awake and alert and ready to overcome the powers of darkness sent against you, says the Lord. Watch! Matthew 26:41 "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

April 10: Times are changing, and you must adopt a mindset of flexibility. Be sensitive to My leading, and be ready to make changes that will insure that you are where you need to be. My path is a narrow one, and your obedience is the key to walking with Me, says the Lord. Stay close! Romans 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

April 11: Beloved, it is My wish that you learn to be gentle with everyone. The world is full of harshness and severity, but you must be kind, tender and understanding. Only then, will you be led by My Spirit into blessing and abundance. Remember that what you sow is the substance of your harvest. Matthew 7:12a "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them."

April 12: I am preparing you for the next phase of life. The past is behind and has become part of your history, but it is not vital to where you are now. You will benefit greatly by staying connected to Me, says the Lord. Stay relevant to My plans and purposes for your life, and be sensitive to that which is required of you at this time so that you are free to forge ahead. I am with you every step of the way. Psalm 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.

April 13: When you seek and ask Me for wisdom, I cause you to be extraordinary. The impossible becomes possible. All you have to do is ask believing that I hear and answer your plea. Do not waver in faith or purpose. Let Me show you the way to supernatural accomplishment. I can do in and through you that which you are unable to do on your own, says the Lord. James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

April 14: In a vision I saw myself looking down into a deep well, and I heard the Lord say, "Go deep. Many of you, My people, have skimmed the surface of what you consider to be relationship with Me. You have become complacent and satisfied with the shallows of the familiar. I want you to explore the depths. I want you to grow spiritually and go beyond your comfort zone to know Me better." John 4:11-14 The woman said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?" Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."

April 15: As you continue on your spiritual journey, you must keep in mind that love is the primary thing. Let your love for Me and for one another override every other emotional reaction and mental response to life and circumstances. If you will do this first, obedience in all other areas will follow, says the Lord. 1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

April 16: Hush! You must learn to quiet your mind and emotions so that you can establish yourself in the flow of My Spirit. There is too much noise in and around you, and that noise will hinder your ability to hear Me, says the Lord. Concentrate on getting silent inside, and listen intently for My instructions to you. It is the only way you can get on track spiritually. Zechariah 2:13 "Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD, for He is aroused from His holy habitation!"

April 17: There are things you have not understood with regard to where you are and what you can do. It is like pieces missing in a puzzle. Now, take the time to seek Me for wisdom and direction. I will show you that which has been elusive, but you must position yourself in neutrality so that My pure word to you is not skewed, says the Lord. Proverbs 8:6 Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, and from the opening of my lips will come right things.

April 18: Stand firm on your commitment and dedication to kingdom life. Things that undermine consecration abound, but you must set yourself apart for My plans and purposes. When everything around you pulls and exerts a force against sanctification, press in. Come close to Me, says the Lord. Let your light shine in the darkness. Luke 11:33 "No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light."

April 19: Find the place where you have peace in your spirit and in your soul and make it a bulwark, a fortified place. Peace will be a guard against fear and worry. It will become a place of strength and confidence in My ability to give you wisdom and keep you safe, says the Lord. Be at peace with yourself and with everyone. Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

April 20: There are tasks that you need to perform that would be better accomplished if you simplified the process. Ask Me to show you how that can be done. I will lead you in the way of efficiency, which will give you hope and strength to get on with it, says the Lord. This action could give you the new beginning you long for. Psalm 25:4 Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths.

April 21: Be steady as you establish yourself on a solid foundation of faith. My kingdom is sure. My word is truth. Your future is eternal. Take setbacks in stride knowing that they are temporary. I have a plan and purpose that is beyond what you understand at this time, and I will show you that what you are going through will usher you into My will and a higher level of spiritual growth, says the Lord. Trust! Psalms 119:27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts; so shall I meditate on Your wondrous works.

April 22: Beloved, you have now crossed the bridge of transition into the new season and entered through the door that opened to the path ahead of you. However, you have encountered fog so that you cannot see more than one step ahead of you. I tell you not to be afraid or allow the feeling of being unsettled to overtake you. You are in a place of silence, but that will give way to a time of purification and of preparation for what is ahead, says the Lord. Zechariah 2:13 "Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD, for He is aroused from His holy habitation!"

April 23: When you feel uncertain and undone, trust Me. I know the way you should go and what is best for you, says the Lord. And, I will prepare the way. Let Me lead you in perfect timing so that all of My will is accomplished in and through you. Put away all fear and doubt as you put yourself in My care. Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

April 24: There are things you can do now that have been impossible in the past for a variety of reasons. The doors are opening and possibilities are presenting themselves for your consideration. Be sensitive to current opportunities to move beyond where you have been stuck. The days ahead must be taken one step at a time instead of one leap at a time. Prepare for a methodical and consistent process, says the Lord. Isaiah 42:9 Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.

April 25: Breakthrough is the hallmark of this season. But, you have to do your part by putting forth the effort to succeed. Instead of just allowing life to happen to you, move to the place where you make decisions that will benefit you both spiritually and naturally. Do not be a bystander as life passes you by, says the Lord. Rather, be a positive force in your environment. Psalm 143:10 Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.

April 26: Examine yourself to see if you are honestly trusting and believing that I will direct your steps. When you walk by faith and live in the Spirit, fear will be replaced by the assurance of divine order. I will prepare the path and lead you in the way you should go. Nothing is impossible with Me, says the Lord. Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing will be impossible."

April 27: You are on the right track, but you have to stay focused and have patience. Spiritual discernment is more vital than ever in finding your way in the current environment, which is unfamiliar and strange. Know that I am with you and will bring clarity and direction as you move forward, says the Lord. 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

April 28: Set yourself on the firm foundation of truth. Focus on that which is good and righteous in order to be strengthened. Every day you will have to choose between good and evil--spiritual strength and weakness. Deliberately make wise choices. Pay attention to the opportunities that present themselves to make positive decisions, says the Lord. Deuteronomy 30:19 "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live."

April 29: Embrace all that brings life and awakens you from spiritual slumber. I have given you the grace to endure difficulties and uncertainty, but much of what has burdened you is coming to an end and will give way to a season that can bring great joy and peace. However, you must let go of any grief that has prevailed or set a tone in your life. Let Me lift you up, says the Lord. Isaiah 42:9 Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.

April 30: Trust Me to bring you along what seems to be a narrow and treacherous path. I tell you honestly that this path will soon take you to a new, rich and abundant plateau. Know that I am with you every step of the way and I will not allow you to slip or fall, says the Lord. Be sensitive to the leading of My Spirit. Psalm 17:5 Uphold my steps in Your paths, that my footsteps may not slip.