Small Straws In A Soft Wind - April
 

April 1: Be kind to yourself. Replace harshness with mercy in that place in your soul where condemnation often rules. I have not condemned you, says the Lord. My love for you outweighs your mistakes and awkwardness. Receive forgiveness. Isaiah 53:5-6 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

April 2: This is a time when you can solve long-standing problems, but you must not dwell on the problem as much as you seek the solution. I will give you the wisdom you need to see what your next step needs to be. Do not be afraid to move beyond where you are. Put your trust in Me, says the Lord. Psalm 119:133 Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.

April 3: You are moving in the right direction, but there are still issues that need to be ironed out before you forge ahead. There are things that have not been addressed that must be made clear. Do your best to leave no stone unturned, says the Lord. Do not forget to access My wisdom in the process. 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 4: You are about to turn the page in your personal history. The old things are behind you as you step into the new. Press on with the assurance that I am with you, says the Lord. You will choose every step of the way to either face new challenges with faith and hope or grumble your way to despair. Choose wisely; you can make a difference in the outcome. Joshua 24:15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

April 5: Take the time to evaluate your life and circumstances, and methodically go about what needs your attention. Do what is not only best for you, but for those around you. This is a time to be unselfish as you consider others and their needs. I am establishing in you a clean heart and an upright spirit, says the Lord. Psalm 36:10 Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, and Your righteousness to the upright in heart.

April 6: Be strong and stay steady as you navigate unusual and unexpected things that suddenly arise. Take things that surprise you in stride, and make adjustments as necessary. I am your foundation and strong structure, says the Lord. Build your life, and establish your circumstances on the Rock of My salvation. You belong to Me. Psalm 62:6-7 He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge is in God.

April 7: Consider what I have given to you, says the Lord, the knowledge and wisdom of My word and the power of My presence. Guard closely the purity of My Spirit within you and do not cast your pearls before swine. Exercise your discernment to know when to speak and when to shut up. Let Me lead you in all things. Matthew 7:6 Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, let they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

April 8: To those of you whose lives has been hectic, use every opportunity to rest and be restored and renewed. Be good to yourself. Whatever things need attention can wait long enough for you to quiet your soul. Be still in order to allow your body to be rejuvenated before you forge ahead. Psalm 23:1-3 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

April 9: Now is the time to settle into a more comfortable routine. Evaluate the things that are truly important to you, and let go of everything that complicates your existence without being beneficial. This truly is a time to simplify your life and become stronger than you ever thought possible, says the Lord. Micah 7:7 Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me.

April 10: Leave the past behind, and reach for the highest and best that you can be. Rejoice in your triumphs and learn from your mistakes. Keep your vision clear by focusing on your relationship with Me, says the Lord. Set yourself to hear My voice and obey My leading. I will never lead you astray. Isaiah 53:6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

April 11: In a dream I saw a small enclosure with one horse and five large eggs with four of them containing two embryos each. The horse was protecting the eggs until they hatched. I believe the interpretation is this: The horse represents the power of the Holy Spirit and His nurturing for the fruit of the Spirit to be born and manifest fully in us. Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

April 12: Be careful that you do not get overwhelmed. You do not have to fix everything in your life all at once. You have time to sort out your issues thoughtfully and come to a logical conclusion. Your strength will be in your ability to have patience. Romans 5:1-4 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; an perseverance, character; and character, hope.

April 13: You have had some breakthrough, but you must be careful to not get overextended either physically or financially. Stay within safe boundaries, and allow Me to show you exactly what your limitations are, says the Lord. This a time to conserve. 1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.

April 14: It is important that you position yourself in the Spirit to move into the next phase of existence. Positioning is vital to your readiness and progression. Establish yourself in right relationship to Me, and allow Me to give you the wisdom and knowledge you need to know where you are and where you are going, says the Lord. John 15:4 Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

April 15: Do not underestimate the power and work of the enemy, but also do not underestimate the power that I have given you to overcome and be victorious. I have heard your prayers, and I will give you the strength and the wisdom necessary to succeed. Rise up in faith and be done with fear. The time has come for progression. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

April 16: Stay in the realm of reality, and make sure that condemnation is not the engine that drives you. Yes, you will make mistakes and use poor judgment at times, but you have the option to repent and receive forgiveness and blessing. The upside is that you will learn from your mistakes and see the path of righteousness more clearly. Make every effort to focus on the positives in your life. Romans 8:1-4 here is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

April 17: There are things you want and need to do, but it is not quite time. Be patient and settle into the current flow both naturally and spiritually. Your attention will be divided between what was, what is, and what is to be. Stay focused on those things that are actually important for this time, says the Lord. Matthew 6:33. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

April 18: Quiet your soul for a moment and be grateful for the blessings in your life. This is important because there is so much evil in the world that it can be overwhelming to consider. I have not left nor forsaken you, says the Lord. Be reminded of the gift of the Holy Spirit given to you and proceed with a thankful heart. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

April 19: Your spiritual awareness is becoming more acute. This will be a subtle but palpable change in your life. Embrace and nurture this time of growth and development as you leave fleshly concerns behind. Open your heart, and let your faith soar like an eagle. Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

April 20: This is a new day, a new beginning when you can actually leave the past behind and reach for what is ahead. I have a plan and purpose for your life that will be fulfilled as you continue to seek My face for guidance and direction, says the Lord. You have given yourself to Me, and you are Mine. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

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 your are going through will usher you into My will and higher level of spiritual growth, says the Lord. Psalm 119:27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts; so shall I meditate on Your wondrous works.

April 22: When you feel lost and alone, think again. You are not lost to Me, says the Lord. You belong to Me and I to you. I am with you every step of the way to give you wisdom and guidance. I am your protector and your very present help in trouble. I am with you for all of eternity. Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.

April 23: Refuse to allow anything to come between you and Me, says the Lord. Continue to seek the truth and to speak nothing but the truth. Let every step you take be according to My will and purpose for you. Be sensitive to the check in your spirit when something seems off; stop to reconsider your course of action. Never doubt that I will show you the way. Psalm 25:4-5 Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day.

April 24: Strengthen your inner being to do all that is necessary. There are certain things that you have put off because of dread, but it is time to rise above negativity so that you can do what has been set before you to accomplish. You need a clean slate in order to grow and develop spiritually. Deal with everything that keeps you from your potential, says the Lord. Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

April 25: Quiet your soul and listen for My direction to settle old issues that keep you from advancing spiritually. There are issues that you must face and deal with before you can advance. There needs to be a cleansing of your conscience before you can live in perfect peace and harmony with Me and others, says the Lord. Romans 12:17-18 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

April 26: For those who have been My good and faithful servants, expect a breakthrough of epic proportions. Some of you have waited for this time for more than a decade, and the time is now for you to move forward in greater freedom than you have known. Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

April 27: In all of your busyness and commitments be sure to spend time with Me, says the Lord. Come into My presence and commune with Me so that you can be refreshed and renewed. It is a place of rest and healing, but you must come to enjoy all that I have in store for you. Let Me impart wisdom and direction for the day. Come! Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

April 28: I speak to those who are silently but profoundly disappointed. Do not forget that I am for you, and I want you to come through in victory. That is My will. Going through difficult times provides an opportunity to learn an important truth that is necessary to your spiritual growth. Galatians 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

April 29: It is time to clear the air and be honest about your mistakes and shortcomings. Put the times of shame behind you for the last time so that you can forge ahead as a true child of God. There are things that still hold you back from being the best version of yourself you can be. The time is now to step into a place of renewed spiritual life and blessings, says the Lord. Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

April 30: Do not be disheartened when plans do not work out as you expected. This is not the end; it is a time of preparation for what will transpire in your future. You will learn great and valuable lessons that will transform you and accompany you on your journey to a higher and more complete understanding of spiritual growth. Stay strong. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.