An Hysterical Marker

In the early part of this morning, I was remembering these long walks my husband and I would take when we lived in rural Wyoming. We lived in area much like where we live today, but the main road through the tiny hamlet allowed people to walk on the wide shoulder of a very wide two lane road. We had moved to the area when our daughter was about to turn nine years old. We had lived what was considered "town" with all the major attractions like MacDonald's and a K-Mart.
Living out and away from the "congested" part of town and the crossroads to America, we liked the quiet life in the country community. Our walks took us out to the historical marker outside of the tiny hamlet. It was exactly a six mile walk and in that we could easily claim the 12 mile accomplished in about an hours time.
While my husband worked, I remained home to see our daughter was on the bus for her ride to the next little hamlet for school. When the breakfast dishes had been cleaned up and the beds made, I would suit up for a cold brisk walk with two lady friends to that historical marker. So, regularly I was marking out a path of exercise to keep my body healthy.
On our drive out of the "tiny hamlet" one day, not long after we had moved there, our daughter exclaimed we were passing that "hysterical marker". I corrected her, speaking out loud "historical marker." She asked what the difference was in the two words.
Trying to turn toward her from the front seat, I explained the difference. My husband just laughed quietly, but I continued on with explaining the difference.
The meaning of hysterical is out of control emotions. Can produce crying in this extreme emotion of a person. It was noted as "uncontrollable". Also listed as in a situation in which many people behave or react in an extreme or uncontrolled way because of fear, anger, etc.

The meaning for "historical" is this: belonging to or a typical study of history. Concerned with events of the past, based on factual material distinct from legend or supposition. Relating to some event marked at a location to show some prominence to a specific occurrence, people involved, etc.

From that day on, we would pass by "that marker" and refer to it as an hysterical marker.

Now the MARKER in question was set for the area of the Tongue River. It had served as a trail and stage coach road crossing. It was known as the Bozeman Trail and it was a road, if you please, that took man to the Montana gold fields. It had its beginnings in 1864. This well-planned effort had to cut through Powder River Basin. Oh yes, and it certainly violated the Fort Laramie Treaties which was held originally as tribal land for the Northern Plain Tribes.
It was under the leadership of a James A. Sawyers to build the road to Montana. There was upheaval, and the Araphao tribe brought in a "war party" to stop the Sawyer's encampment. But progress continued. Yes, that Trail came into being as General Patrick Connor took to his orders readily. Military protection had to come and keep some kind of peace.
It was between 1879 through the year of 1895 that a post office appeared. Yeah, wonder who delivered the mail? Probably the Pony Express delivered it!
Then the stage line station served the Rock Creek Stage Line. It was some 400 mile line that ran from the location of Rock Creek on the U.P.Railroad in southern Wyoming to Billings, Montana.
It served the people till 1890 when a variety of much shorter stage routes had come into existence. You know people scout out the quicker, yes the faster way to get from point A to point B. And its days came to an end.
In respect to those who knew the land as home, they came into some emotional and probably hysterical pain of tears and most likely death. What had been given them changed to accommodate the one holding more power.


We find a "marker" set by God when He went with the people. Read here in Exodus 13.


Exodus 13:17-22
17 Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt." 18 So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt. 19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had placed the children of Israel under solemn oath, saying, "God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here with you." 20 So they took their journey from Succoth and camped in Etham at the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. 22 He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people.   NKJV

That pillar of a cloud marked that God was with His people. He was their guard both in front and from the rear.

Exodus 14:19-20
19 And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them. 20 So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night.  NKJV

Oh yes, the opportunity to step into some uncharted territory and obey God with a loud"yes"  brings me past the "hysterical" marker. When responding to God, do we find ourselves still dealing with old patterns of thinking? Is it possible we hold onto those old patterns out of security?
God had taken these people the long way around. Yes, they could have gotten to the place planned for them, but God had to test hearts, and any battle for some is found in their weakness to submit to the old ways. But as believer's with a real trust in God must change, and grow up in Christ. God wants to enlarge our capacity to work with Him. Remember He is God! You cannot put Him in a box!

These people who had seen God do the miraculous and freed them from that slave driven force of Pharaoh, now faced a more hideous schemer, the one located between the two ears of every believer. We should sincerely be God focused.........with a lazer ability to keep and know Him to keep with what He has planned for us.
But returning to "old patterns" of thinking, the focus shifts to "security". And sometimes it is because the man or woman fears. Instead of FAITH, doubt takes over, the man or woman then is limited in an ability to step into what God has called them to.

 The signs and wonders of the past can actually hinder our future if we righteously cling to them! We require no "stage coach" lines today. We can get from point A to point B in just minutes with all that horse-power under the hood. And you can see some get really "angered" and see road rage take over a person just while driving from Point A to Point B.

God our Father is not limited, nor is He weak or tottering for His last breath. He is God Almighty. He is the Everlasting Father and the Amen to our situations. Our security should reside in Him and not in another person or thing. When we hold onto things to keep our position, or security, we will find out one day, that a whole life wasted on just being secure was not worth it. A life devoted God brings us to a new adventure and a fruitfulness that He is pleased with. Our faith is to expand just like Jesus' did. His trust was not in things or keeping His position secure, it was about giving everything over to the Father. Our identity must be in Him!

What God had provided as manna and the pillar of His presence will still be with us. The giants we face is not the other person, but our belief in who they are to us and if they have come to take away our security. It is what we desire to hold on to instead of reaching to touch other lives because of Him. If we are not bringing attention to him, then why not?

Everyone has a significant role to play in this adventure. It is time to put away that which is not beneficial to growth in the Lord. That anti-christ does not care how long you take to get yourself moving for God. In fact, you could probably take all your life to get ready, but we should be acting now and taking action requires no baggage on board.
God is for us. He is not against us. He has done all He was going to do. Now He waits to see what we will do.
Will we make a mark of historical value for the kingdom of God or will be just an "hysterical" marker of one living out of the emotions and falling short in security? Today we decide.

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The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published:

Divine Grace for Healing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KIS-AHDA1g

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

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Flood of Adversity

Walking around the yard yesterday, I noticed at the far north of the yard, especially around the very small garden area that I more or less slopped my way through water drenched grass. It was the squishy sound of shoes slapping against some standing water. Was wondering if that is what it is like for those people in Miami experience with water taking over their neighborhoods even when there is no rain? Of course, we have probably had a good 7 inches of rain over the passed few days and rain is good for everything, right?
But was thinking about Noah when I ventured around the very wet, and very messy yard. With that squishy sound and the slap of wet to my shoes, I wondered what that family of Noah's experienced when building the ark!
It had never rained in Noah's time, and yet the word came from God, rain was going to come.

Genesis 6:1-8

6:1 Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, 2 that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose. 3 And the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years." 4 There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.

5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So the LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them." 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
NKJV

Genesis 6:14-22
14 "Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. 15 And this is how you shall make it: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. 16 You shall make a window for the ark, and you shall finish it to a cubit from above; and set the door of the ark in its side. You shall make it with lower, second, and third decks. 17 And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. 18 But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark--you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you. 19 And of every living thing of all flesh you shall bring two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. 20 Of the birds after their kind, of animals after their kind, and of every creeping thing of the earth after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive. 21 And you shall take for yourself of all food that is eaten, and you shall gather it to yourself; and it shall be food for you and for them."

22 Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did. NKJV

Genesis 7:1-12

7:1 Then the LORD said to Noah, "Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation. 2 You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that are unclean, a male and his female; 3 also seven each of birds of the air, male and female, to keep the species alive on the face of all the earth. 4 For after seven more days I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and I will destroy from the face of the earth all living things that I have made." 5 And Noah did according to all that the LORD commanded him. 6 Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters were on the earth.

7 So Noah, with his sons, his wife, and his sons' wives, went into the ark because of the waters of the flood. 8 Of clean animals, of animals that are unclean, of birds, and of everything that creeps on the earth, 9 two by two they went into the ark to Noah, male and female, as God had commanded Noah. 10 And it came to pass after seven days that the waters of the flood were on the earth. 11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. 12 And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights.  NKJV

Yes, that was epic! The land was filled with violence, and it mentions those men had continual evil running through their minds. Noah had to follow every detail God gave him. He had to follow that a flood would come. And the man was six hundred years old when the floodwaters were on the earth.

Following the course with God, will ultimately cause us to make some major decisions and especially when not to follow the crowd! In study, we find that those who made the violence rule the streets were giants and their cause was to rule the earth. But God stopped it!

Yes, Noah and his family were becoming a new breed who followed God. In their pioneering spirits, they were carried into an adventure. It was probably very hard for them, being bullied on every side, and yet this family stayed faithful to God.

7:1 Then the LORD said to Noah, "Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation. Noah had to embrace God in a new way. His whole family was relying by faith that God would spare them. Whatever their daily life was before the floodwaters came, it certainly changed. In what amount of time to flood and those who remain captive to their disobedience God demonstrated His ability to end what was evil before His sight.

Can you imagine living on a boat that length of time with all those animals? And your family too? This was 24/7 thing daily riding over adverse floodwaters.

When the flood was over, Noah was to leave the ark. And in this celebration of safety and peace in God, Noah built an altar and offered sacrifices to Jehovah God. (Genesis 8:20) A rainbow now spanned the sky overhead. 

With the intense color of blue closest to him and his family, the fellowship with God was to continue. Although life was going to be different. We know not what became of him after he became the tiller of soil and keeper of the vineyards. He lived to be 950 years old.

But Jesus mentions it in the Gospels. "As the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be." (Matthew 24:37) Jesus spoke to those who would hear that in a "suddenness" He would return. And He said that catastrophe would come upon the unbeliever's just like in the very time that Noah lived.

Noah from the beginning had to trust God no matter what people would say and do to him. Noah had to put fear far away from him. He had to have a fresh word everyday from the Lord on high. Bullies stood on every corner. His bullies amounted to being giants at the time.  In truth, bullies can come in all sizes, shapes and genders. Noah was well aware I am certain and he worked to finish the ark and take the animals on board as ordered by God.
Noah was a preacher. He had to have told these people of the impending dangers. He had to remain positive, and keep his focus on God.

These people were probably convinced of Noah's preaching the very hour the rain began. But the ark was locked! No one would enter for safety at that time.

May we be awakened to truth that Jesus is returning soon!
Moving in a godly fear through our days is that reverence toward God knowing that He is the Almighty! Godly fear is shunning evil and that which is sinful before His eyes. He spoke to Noah and Noah understood. Noah equipped himself to move in an orderly fashion and obey God. He was going to build what God designed for him to build. Rain was coming and a "new thing" was on its way!
Think on Noah, and how many friends he might have had at the beginning of his life, but by the time the Flood rolled in, how many had walked away from him?
Today, moving in godly fear is not pleasing man. It never has been and will never be about pleasing man. His love for God propelled him into his future, took him undoubtedly over the floodwaters of adversity and delivered him safe on the other side.
What is the adversity you face? Are there many who speak against you, speaking willful, hateful words against you? Remember God is on your side if you have not left HIM. He is ever to make intercession on your behalf.

Hebrews 7:25-28
25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people's, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.  NKJV

Yes, Jesus lives and He makes intercession for us.

 Hebrews 10:23-25

23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching. NIV

Let's meet together, hold fast the hope we profess, for Jesus is faithful. Let us encourage one another to hold on, keep the focus on Jesus and the love the Father has bestowed upon us. He gave the greatest sacrifice through His only Son. For the day is fast approaching and the ark will be shut tight. And no one will enter in then. Keep up the good fight of faith. (1 Timothy 6:12)

BE counted worthy of the kingdom of God for what you are suffering. God is just and He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you. And He will give relief to you who are troubled. (2 Thessalonians 1:5-7)

We gave thanks at the remembrance of His holy Name, the NAME which is above every name (every adversity). Amen!

I HAVE A NEW WEB SITE AVAILABLE NOW WITH OTHER CURRENT BLOGS AND YOUTUBE TEACHINGS. I INVITE YOU TOO CHECK IT OUT.  THERE IS A PRAYER REQUEST SECTION ON THE SITE.

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Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published:

Divine Grace for Healing

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Puddle Jumpers

Psalm 44:3......3 For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword,
Nor did their own arm save them;
But it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance,
Because You favored them. NKJV

There are giants in the land! Yes, this was probably heard throughout the camp for days when the spies returned from checking out the Promised Land. But according to this scripture above, they gained possession of the land, not by their own sword nor by their own arm! They gained the land through the right hand of God, by the light of His countenance because God favored them! Amen.

Psalm 5:11-12................11 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;

Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;

Let those also who love Your name 

Be joyful in You. 

12 For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous;

With favor You will surround him as with a shield.  NKJV

Was listening to some teaching early this morning, and when I heard the Psalm 44, I thought also of Psalm 5 and verse 12.............and this picture like a motion picture movie came spiritually to my heart to see. It was like seeing this new vehicle, like a new pickup truck, all washed and waxed, go through this tremendous mud puddle. As I watched the truck go through this really deep, almost pond sized-body filled with mixture of watery mud with the consistency of thick, sticky, and pasty mud, the truck rolled through the muddy mess, and this thick paste splashed in slow motion over this new truck. It looked like a real muddy mess. As I looked closely, I could this impenetrable thick shield over the paint of the vehicle. Then instantly, rain came from heaven and washed the mud away. The truck was as new and shiny as before with no trace of mud anywhere to be seen on the body! The paint on the truck was not marred in anyway by the sudden insult of mud on the shiny coat.

I then thought of people and walking through their daily lives. They need their bills paid, their children schooled, their taxes paid, money to help out their elderly parents, a new place to live or to sell some property they no longer need. They just need some favor where they are walking that day! They desire to have a lower bill on their utilities, a lower bill on their property taxes or favor just getting to work that morning.

Some of the things we may encounter each day, may look like this grand new truck driving through a tremendous sized mud puddle. Having to get from point A to point B certainly can take some effort and work when dealing with other people.  But anyone knows that some people just create mud puddles, and are known as puddle jumpers. They like making things hard, difficult, and sometimes just hard to understand. But truly having God and His favor causes us to have a shield of favor. That when God our Father favors us, He surrounds with a shield where the mud from those puddle jumpers just rolls off us. When God our Father is for us, then all other things must bow to the name of Jesus.

A good example of this I desire to share with you all is this, and again I think of our children, C. and K.  It was five years ago when our grand-daughter was just months old and C. and K.  were requiring a larger home. They had seen a couple of places to check out and I happened to be visiting in their home at the time. So I went with them, and we all prayed for God our Father's perfect plan for them in the process in finding a new place to live!

Well, we arrived early and had to wait for the property manager to arrive. This gave us time to continue to pray to the Father about this specific home. This was a new home and not lived in, but the owner's wanted it rented to the right people.

When we went in, and walked each room downstairs, I immediately in the spirit, saw my son-in-law donned with his chef's hat on, perfectly white apron,  and was serving food to guests in this perfect kitchen. I could see him laughing and enjoying himself as he served others!

Again, I tell you this place was new, and even the information brochures on each appliance were still taped to the inside of the oven, the microwave oven, and the refrigerator. There was still plastic coverings all over the carpets! It was awesome. It had the new home smell of fresh lumber and paint! As we walked through, I told C. and K. what I saw about seeing our son-in-law preparing food in this kitchen and they were excited.

So, they talked with the property management and found out there was already two other families ahead of them on the list for occupying this particular property. C. and K. then filled out the proper forms and waited. Together, we all thanked the Lord for His goodness to His children and they were giving thanks for their new home. One week went by and then two weeks went by and nothing. Then along about the third week a call was made. One family had been disqualified and the lady was to give it to the 2nd on list who qualified, but she said she could not do it! She said somehow she knew this property should go to C. and K. and our grand-child!

They moved in May of that year and have been there ever since! They have always had favor there with this woman and the management company, plus with the actually owner of said property!

We can go through our life's journey and know God our Father is with us. He loves us and wants to bless us. We may come across puddle jumpers sometimes, but God makes all that muddy mess to wash away and restore to us the beauty He has for His children and their children! We truly have seen this circumstance unfold in the lives of  C., K. and our grand-child!

Some things make look like obstacles, road-blocks or hindrances, but we should ask the Lord for His plan and when He gives us vision, then we must hold on and keep Him ever before our eyes knowing that He has given us a shield of favor and whatever the world may throw at us, the Lord will wash it away and cause us to win!
If you are searching out new things, like buying a new home, renting a new place, just moving across town, helping your elderly parents, or just needing lower taxes, ask the Lord to show you  how to walk through the circumstance. He may or may not give you a vision of it, but you will have this knowing within your heart that things are about to change. Seek the Lord in His guidance for your life and you will experience the favor of God as a SHIELD!

Father, thank You for the shield of favor that You have surrounded us with. May we always know that You are looking out for our best interest. The world may speak or do something against Your plan for us, but it is You Who have given us the Land of Promise.  Help us to know that we do not gain this possession by sword or our own arm, but know that it is by Your right hand, Your arm and the Light of Your Countenance because You favor us!

Father, in Jesus' name, thank You for favor upon those whose hearts follow after You.
Today, Your children diligently seek good among those they work with, with those they live with, with those they gather with to worship You and  with those Who are dedicated to serving You no matter what the circumstance! I thank You for all who have received this Word today, and know that the favor of God is flowing to them right now. It is YOU who has placed on them the spirit of favor. They are a success today! These, Your children, seekers of good, are filled today with Your fullness and rooted and grounded in love. Father, today, I ask You to give to Your children abundantly above all that they may ask or think as YOUR mighty power takes over in them. 

Father, I attest that out of the abundance of their hearts, they shall continually speak, "Let the Lord be magnified, Who takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant. And their tongue shall talk of Your righteousness, rightness, and justice and [his/her reason for] Your praise all the day long. Amen.

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV