Having personally declared war on Satan (which is another story), he used corruption of church to try and destroy me.

With scripture quoted every which way but up, in order to validate positions of authority and their agenda, I began searching to 'know' truth. And, having declared this war on Satan, even more so, absolute understanding of God's intent was required (on every given subject matter) ~ so my walk and service would always be under umbrella of His protection.

Thus, more they persecuted, more I ran to God. Then, as I searched and researched, more I learned, and stronger I grew ... 'til my faith became my own. Only, through this, God didn't make it any easier, as He kept gifting me for more areas of service thought only men could do.

Then, having once shared of incredible growth and learning I had discovered with my Heavenly Father, that had been shown to and also rejected by church, dad said if I had been a male having brought this to church leadership, they would have set me up as some awesome teacher/leader, to say least, to be highly respected and learned from.

Dad was silent for a moment, then shook his head and said this never would have happened had I been male. And to this day, it brings tears to my eyes to remember my dearly departed daddy for this ... as a reminder, when no one in whole world did, apart from God, my daddy believed in me.

None-the-less, life became harder, still, mostly because legalists don't stop until 'til they destroy body; which turned out to be a good thing because death finally puts an end to curse of law.

So, yes, I, too, know mourning of being separated from one's mother's womb, rejected by church and family (all I had ever known, loved, or placed any additional faith in) in order to follow a higher call. And though most are not visible except to spiritual eye, my body bears marks of having given God all.

The signs of times are in God's children. Isaiah 8:18 But if your wounds were not to that degree or you thought such as a wheel chair had separated you from your church, thank God you were so spared!

The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that righteous is taken away from evil to come.

Isaiah 57:1

Like most of you who are reading this, I am among Persecuted Church, longing to be 'welcomed' home ... also knowing that, once truly welcomed, captives will finally be free; including you and me.

However, I would not change fellowship that came in knowing sufferings of Christ. I would not change having discovered God to such a degree He is my life. I would not change having overcome battles that were intended to keep me from knowing whose I am, who I am, and purpose of my creation. And, I would not have changed my time here with you, all my fellow brethren (wounded and, if there be any, whole); my church and my family.

We built websites. We planted church communities. We developed, grew, and sometimes transformed ministries. We reached out to world. We valued our aged. We welcomed handicapped into service, again. We embraced people from around world and welcomed whatever each had to offer; only requirement being having a heart for it. We opened doors; providing opportunity, skills, tools, and labor.

We proved Christians can serve in unity, regardless of doctrine, for a greater good. We lifted fallen. We mended wounds. We offered unconditional love. We shared truths to help others overcome, too. But mostly importantly, we learned to listen from our heart instead of our eyes or ears. In such, we became heavenly cheerleaders; universal church ... sheltering each other from rudiments of world.

Having way surpassed structural church, we did sooo good! And now, in end times, we are ones most trained for Kingdom building. Matthew 5:10

It is structural church our lost sheep; ones with no shelter or sure foundation. And for all true sob stories we can share (enough to make us all cry were details known), Jesus still thought structural church was worth saving, worth dying for.

We are exhausted beyond reason, for a reason; pulling us away from our universal shelter because our calling isn't finished yet. It is time to rest in God until we're rejuvenated and ready to go again. Only then, we have a new assignment, one we were created for ... to bring God's children home.

If that means returning to hurtful church of our past or learning to love a new one, follow God's leading. And no matter what you see or hear, if it isn't love, it isn't true and you are one most qualified to know difference. 1 Cor. 6:4

It's your turn to be a shelter. Don't accept, receive, or give anything less than love ~ as love is God. Then, when persecution comes, shake dust off your feet and keep going. Only, this time, it won't hurt so much ... because it was your choice.

© 2005 by Joyce C. Lock http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/

This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact, for non-profit ministering purposes.

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are issues of life. Proverbs 4:23

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For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. Acts 17:23

Make sure your devotions are given to none other than HIGHEST BIDDER.

For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard voice of living God speaking out of midst of fire, as we have, and lived? Deut. 5:26

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Yet now our flesh is as flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards. Neh. 5:5

Stand in gate of Lord's house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear word of Lord, all ... that enter in at these gates to worship Lord. Thus saith Lord of hosts, God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of Lord, The temple of Lord, The temple of Lord, are these. For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbour; If ye oppress not stranger, fatherless, and widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt: Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever. Jeremiah 7:1-7

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Then said he to multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from wrath to come? Luke 3:7

Is not this fast that I have chosen? to loose bands of wickedness, to undo heavy burdens, and to let oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to hungry, and that thou bring poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Isaiah 58:6-7

Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance. Luke 3:8a

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 1 Thes. 5:9-10 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not putting away of filth of flesh but answer of a good conscience toward God,) by resurrection of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 3:21

For law made nothing perfect, but bringing in of a better hope did; by which we draw nigh unto God. And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after order of Melchisedec:) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament ... Wherefore he is able also to save them to uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:19-25

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in kingdom of Christ and of God.

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh wrath of God upon children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in Lord: walk as children of light: (For fruit of Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto Lord. And have no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from dead, and Christ shall give thee light. Ephes. 5:1-14

© 2005 by Joyce C. Lock http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/ This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact, for non-profit ministering purposes.