THE VOICE OF THE PROPHET: BY JOANNE CAIN Recently while in attendance such a shaking occurred, within me, that I could hardly express. Acts 16:26 and suddenly there was a great shaking and immediately the doors were opened and the bands were loosed. At this point, you would think there would be such a release yet as in a natural earthquake there are after shocks.... which for me lasted several hours. Looking back though what did come to the surface is the nature of what I know as knowledge does not always add up to experience... Until one can hear as Malachi 3:1 Behold I will send my messenger and he shall prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek shall suddenly come to his temple even the messenger of this covenant that you delight in. Behold He shall COME. In reading these words I am struck with the thought that I have asked to be quickened by the spirit. Yet when he does I am quick to run verses stand still and know...it is He. Reading further I am quieted by the words of Mal.3:2. But who shall stand in the day of his coming who shall stand when He appears; for He is like a refiners fire and like a fullers soap. Still shaking within I am more aware of my weakness of then His strength yet He is faithful. Zech.13:9 And I will bring a third part through the fire. And I will refine them as silver is refined and I will try them as gold is tried. And they shall call on my name and I will hear them. I will say: It is my people and they shall say the Lord is my God. At this point all I could do was cry out how could this be? Mal.3:6 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore the sons of Jacob are not consumed. Mal.3:11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sake and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground. Neither shall your vine cast her fruit before its time in the field saith the Lord of hosts. Interestingly when all this occurred the one thing that triggered such a troubling where is the fruit in me...(Mathew 13:4-8) Figuring the root of emotion determined the fruit I was looking at natural signs and wanderings verse the nature of him by his spirit. Which says in Gal.5:22 The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace... Forgetting also Heb.12:9-13 and 1Cor.13:51-53...I ended my quest restored not by my own ability but by the power of his spirit and I can again say with full persuasion as David: O taste and see the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trust in him. In conclusion I am aware also of the words of Hebrews 7:13 Obey them that have rule over you and submit yourselves for they watch over your souls, as they that must give an account that they may do it with joy and not with grief. Mark 4:39 And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. Reading further, Mark 4:40 and He said unto them why are ye so fearful? Vs.41 and they feared exceedingly, looking at 2 key words: calm = self control storm = rage or outburst I see interesting parallels as well as in the word 'fear': revere, respect, expect and anticipate. Worry, anxiety and dread; drawing me to see again that false evidence appearing real keeps one from taking refuge in Psalm 91. Yet as I contemplate these words I find myself stirred to see afresh the value of Isa. 55:3. The word 'mercy' denotes mildness, forgiveness, kindness, and compassion. Which tells me to be occupied in being His mercy seat bears a response - "ability" and a choice. Causing me to form my prayer in Psalm 27:4 Yet as quickly as I am mindful of that-I am mindful as well of the word in Psalm 18:28,32. The word "gird" means encircle, tie, bind, surround and prepare. Dark, un-illuminated, dim, somber, evil, black, hidden, secret, mournful, sullen, mystic, wicked. Light: lucid, happy, cheer, incandesce, airy, luminous, shine. What a contrast! And isn't that the way through out [one doubts or one fears, one has courage to remain, to trust, to forgive-or flees in tears]. We have the response-"ability" = to see the balance and then walk in it. Isa.1:18-20 While at the same time Hab.2:20 comes into play. Silence: the avoidance of speaking, refusing to reveal a secret, an important part of trust. In conclusion what I am seeing more and more is my own need to guard my heart...to keep quiet...even at the cost of being thought strange. Finding my rest in: John 15:16a You are invited to visit: Legacy of a Songbird: return Well Drawers: