TRAPPED IN THE OUTHOUSE

I was standing in the bathroom this morning, letting hot water run over my toothbrush when I remembered my mother telling me about a time when she was in the outhouse (they didn’t have an in-house restroom when she was a little girl)… but she was in the outhouse relieving herself when a cow came and laid down in front of the door and locked her in there. I don’t know how long she was trapped, but I can imagine that it was not pleasant.

Remembering that story made me very thankful that I was born in a time when indoor plumbing is a common feature in every home. Sometimes we take the blessings of God for granted because we just don’t know to thank Him for it. For the next hour, I kept thanking Him again and again… for the coffee I drank, and the oatmeal cream pie that I had with it. Thanked Him for my husband. Thanked Him for my health. Thanked Him for the heat that popped on. And on and on it went.

Often I am so busy praying for needs, that I simply neglect to thank Him for the blessings I am so privileged to enjoy.

Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 (The Message) Take a good look at God’s work. Who could simplify and reduce Creation’s curves and angles to a plain straight line? On a good day, enjoy yourself; on a bad day, examine your conscience. God arranges for both kinds of days so that we won’t take anything for granted.

Blessings everyone! May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

WHAT MAKES THE ELEPHANT DANCE?

Circus Elephants

Back in May 2015, I had finished preparing for a teaching that I would upload to YouTube, but there was one snafu making me very uncomfortable. I asked the Lord, “How do I encourage someone that is about to be evicted from their home, and have no where to go, that they can lay down and go to sleep with no worries?” His response to my question was, “What makes the elephant dance?”

After scratching my head to His question for 9 years, I think I’ve finally got it. They were taught ever since they were baby elephants to perform. They do what they’ve been trained to do since they were babies. An elephant weighing up to 15,000 pounds will do what the circus trainer directs them to do. They have the power to resist, but they don’t.

That’s how we are as babes in Christ, we perform as we’re trained to perform without resisting, until our inner selves are renewed and transformed by Holy Spirit who dwells in us. The apostle Paul said that we are being transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God (Rom. 12:2).

Our inner person is being renewed day by day. This changes how we think and how we perform as a result. To be sure, He who has begun a good work in us will complete it. He will continue to work on us till the day Jesus returns to take us to heaven (Phil. 1:6).

I came to Christ 25 years ago. Since that time, He has allowed many things to devastate me, only to reveal that He was with me every single time. Those dilemmas has also revealed His power in me, and the authority we possess as heirs and joint heirs with Christ.

Luke 10:19 (NKJV) Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Question: What makes the elephant dance?

Answer: They were taught to perform, and not resist.

But for us, Holy Spirit has come to renew us and reveal to us a more excellent way. Jesus said He came that we may have life, and that we may have it more abundantly (John 10:10). Let’s walk in this newness of life and accept the power and authority available to us to live life more abundantly.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

ONLY WHAT'S DONE FOR CHRIST WILL LAST

I saw a TV commercial about a guy that had built a wax figure of himself. He said, “It’s good to know, that years after I’m gone this wax figure will still be standing the test of time.” At that moment, the figure then melted to the ground in the hot sun.

That commercial reminded me of myself… before I came to Christ I completed 20 years of work as a secretary/administrative assistant. All I have left of those years is a resume and experience. But when I’m gone, that will be gone too. But the structure I’ve built in the kingdom of heaven… that will stand and live on.

The apostle Paul said to take heed how we build on the foundation of Jesus Christ. We can build with gold, silver, and precious stones. Or… we can build with wood, hay, and straw. If our intention is to honor God that’s gold, silver and precious stones. But if the tenor of our building is selfish ambition, that is the same as wood, hay and straw, which will be tested at the judgment seat of Christ. If our structures endure the testing, we shall receive a reward. If anyone's work does not endure His judgment, they will suffer a loss of reward; but still be saved.

I don’t want my structure to melt to the ground like the guy in the commercial, I want to hear my Savior say, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” 

Only one life, ‘twill soon be past;

only what’s done for Christ will last. 
Charles T. Studd (1860 – 1931)

This video is a biblical breakdown

of The Judgment Seat of Christ.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

I FORGAVE THEM AND LET IT GO

My Story of Letting Go

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When I came to Christ in the Spring of 1999, He immediately began to deal with me about the unforgiveness weighing heavily in my heart.

I wrote down the names of all the people I could think of that I needed to forgive. I went to the party store and bought a bunch of helium balloons, and I attached that list of names to the string and released them into the sky. I stood there and watched that list of names float up, and up, and up into the sky until the balloons were completely out of sight.

After that, anytime I recalled someone that had grieved me in the past, I would remind myself that it had floated up to Heaven on helium balloons, and I no longer had it. It became my visual reminder that all my grievances was with God in Heaven, and it no longer existed in my heart on earth.

🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

PROSPERITY DECLARATION

In the mighty name of Jesus, and by His authority, we uproot every work of the enemy against our finances. We pray our financial prosperity will come under the protective covering of God. We pray for a hedge of protection to surround us, our households, our property, our finances, and our health.

We pray the Lord will bless our work to be rewarded with His favor, supernatural provision, and the Holy Spirit’s influence, so that it may be well pleasing to the Lord, and done according to His will. We pray the Lord will make all grace abound toward us that we will always have sufficiency in all things, and may have more than enough to complete every good work.

It is written, “Be ye strong and let not your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded a hundredfold.”

In the name of Jesus, we rebuke every form of anxiety, worry, and confusion that may try to take hold of our heart, mind, soul, and strength. We give all our uncertainties and doubts to the Lord, knowing He is in control of all things. We command strongholds of poverty to be pulled down, and mountains of debt be removed and cast into the sea.

Dear God, our Abba Father, open wide the doors of peace and prosperity in which no one can shut. Provide for our needs, as You have said. Solidify Your strategies on our behalf. Go before us to make a way out of no way, providing all that is needed to continue building Your kingdom. Supply and meet all our needs that we may be able to share with others. Let us be Your channel through which others are blessed. Rebuke the enemy on every hand and bless us with Your unlimited favor.

We pray the church will increase more and more, and that we will have no lack in anything, for there remains therefore a rest for the people of God. Let the oppressed go free, and break every enslaving yoke holding the righteous captive.

In the mighty name of Jesus, we ask and pray. Amen

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS

Three years before I came to Christ, I hired a locksmith out of the yellow pages to do a job on my car. He just happened to be a preacher and when he was finished with his work, he struck up a conversation with me. He said that God had told him that I was going to help a lot of people. I shook my head in doubt because: (1) I was no where near God at the time, and (2) I didn’t care very much for people back then.

Since I came to Christ, the Lord has given me a love for writing and teaching. It hasn’t always been an easy road to travel but I am learning to keep my focus on those whom He has called me to help, and when it gets hard, the Holy Spirit will give me strength. Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."  (Matt. 16:24)

There was a time when Jesus’ cross got heavy and the Father sent a man named Simon to carry it for a while. He knows what we can bear and His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses.

1. Deny self.
2. Keep your focus on your calling.
3. When your cross gets heavy, the Lord will send someone to help you.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

REFLECTING THE IMAGE OF CHRIST

Shortly after my conversion, the Lord showed me a vision. I was looking at my reflection in the bathroom mirror and my facial features began to change. My eyes, then nose, then ears, then mouth, then jawbone, and forehead all began to morph slowly one-by-one until my reflection in the mirror was Christ’s.

Regeneration of the soul is instantaneous at the time of conversion, but our transformation takes time and is a steady, and continuous effort.

The apostle Paul said, “All believers behold as in a mirror the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from faith to faith and glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:18).

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

GOD'S ROLLER COASTER

Have you been seeking God about something? Are you waiting on God for something and don’t seem to be hearing from Him? At times, God’s silence can be deafening.

I used to do Daily 10-Minute Meditations. I would set the timer for 10 minutes and sit in the middle of the bed and quietly wait to hear God’s voice speak to me. Day after day the alarm would sound and I would’ve gotten nothing. Absolutely nothing.

One day right before the alarm sounded God spoke a word to me: “You shall be successful the second time around.” I had no idea what that meant but I knew it was from God.

Then one day I was having lunch with my friend, Maria, and I saw a guy I used to live with when we were both in our twenties. He came over to our table and we talked and he asked for my phone number. Long story short, today he’s my husband. This year we celebrated 10 years of marriage. God spoke it into being and it came to pass.

Recently, I started seeing roller coaster rides in my Facebook feed (one after another). Sometimes when we are seeking God about something, He will first take us up the Lift Hill. That was me in those 10-minute meditations day after day and receiving absolutely nothing from the Lord. In order for the Deep Dive to have its greatest effect, you first have to be lifted up above the ground. Usually, when riders come off the roller coaster, they always tell of the Deep Dive — the most exciting part of the ride. I’ve never heard anybody talk about how much they enjoyed the Lift Hill.

I will never forget the day I heard God say: “You shall be successful the second time around.” After many days of hearing nothing, I sat straight up with my eyes bucked wide open. That was the Deep Dive that was followed by lots of twists and turns and dips and loops. God kept surprising me again and again.

Less than two months after I saw my husband-to-be, I was having dinner with Maria — there he was again at the same restaurant. #notacoincidence

A third time, I was driving down the street on my way home from having lunch with Maria, and there he was standing on the sidewalk. I was still on God’s Roller Coaster. Someone I had not seen in 20 years showed up three times within a two month period.

Don’t be discouraged if God’s silence seems to be deafening right now. He’s got you on the Lift Hill. The Deep Dive is coming and it will be something to testify about.

Go in peace. To God be the glory.
Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove 🕊

HOW YOU READ

If you're reading a page, and it sounds to you like God is being mean-spirited and hateful, then you're reading it wrong. The enemy may attempt to distort our perspective, but we must always remember God's deep love for us was proven through Christ Jesus when He suffered the crucifixion for us.

God's eternal love must be the filter through which we receive His word and revelation. Then... you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. Let your faith in God's character sustain you.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

GOD REVEALED HIS CONCERN

The other day, I asked the Lord if I had done something wrong that was responsible for the consequences I am enduring right now. I thought I was being generous in my giving and would receive back what I had sown in plentiful measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over… but that has not been the case.

When I woke up today, I was led to watch the Lilly Grove Missionary Baptist Church Sunday morning sermon upload. When I clicked on it, I saw that it wasn’t Pastor Anderson, but a guest speaker that I had never seen nor heard before. I almost backed out of it but remembered that it was the Lord leading me there.

He ministered under the title, A Good Work By Our Good God.

Philippians 1:6 (NKJV) …being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Sermonic Notes:

• God’s not finished.
• God is faithful.
• God is working on me.
• Whatever God starts He brings to completion.
• God is reliable to see things through to the end.
• God doesn’t leave projects unfinished.
• God fulfills His promises.
• We can rest assured that the work begun in us will be completed.

This sermon takes me back to another word I recently received…

James 1:4 (NKJV) Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

The foundation of God stands sure and certain. He will fulfill His word in His time. The word that He speaks shall not return to Him void, but it shall accomplish His mission, and it shall prosper in the thing for which He sent it.

When the Lord turned Job’s captivity, He greatly blessed the latter end of Job’s life more than his beginning. He gained back double for his trouble, and died very old having lived a good life.

I needed that sermon, and my heavenly Father knew I needed that reminder. When my faith started to decline, He lifted it back up again.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

CHURCH ATTENDANCE

This must’ve been sometime in early 1999. I was running late for church, and when I pulled into the parking lot, I could hear the saints singing. I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit wash over me and a sudden jolt of anxiety burst open in my soul — like a can of soda pop that had been shaken hard. I yelled out loud, “Oh my God!!” I slammed my foot on the accelerator, threw that car into a parking space, jumped out, and literally ran down the driveway into the church building.

After that day, I was rarely ever late for church. To this day I still have feelings of anxiety if it appears I’m running late for church. Most of the time, I’m the first one in the parking lot.

I love church, but I have not attended any services in recent months. Something happened that caused me to back away from attending church at the building site. I now use social media access when I feel the need to join in fellowship with other believers. But that former feeling of running to the church building isn’t there anymore. I can’t put a direct finger on it, but I know it’s not there.

There’s a Bible verse in Hebrews 10:25 that says not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some (like me).

I don’t have a problem neglecting attendance, but I do have a problem with that condemning verse. I know how to get into the presence of fellow believers when I need to, but the intensity to run into the church building seems long gone.

If I continue to neglect church attendance, am I being disobedient to God? Have I left my first love?

I know the kind of church I want to attend but it’s not available to me right now, and I refuse to attend a dead church. Ain’t gonna happen!!

I want that feeling back where I jumped out of my car and ran like a gazelle into the building and worshipped God like it was my very last time.

Does that church exist in 2024⁇⁇⁇⁇

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

RE-FORMING MARRED CLAY

A word came to the prophet Jeremiah from the LORD, saying: “Arise and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause you to hear My words.” Then he went down to the potter's house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. (Jer. 18:1-4)

The clay would sometimes dry out while the potter was working with it, and become uncooperative and flawed in the potter’s hands while he was crafting and molding his intended vessel. When this happened, he would crush the clay back down into a lump and pour water on it to make it more easily manageable and workable. Then he re-worked it again, and again, until it took on the shape he wanted.

The apostle Paul said that in a very similar manner we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. We are the Father’s intended vessels with a purpose. In the passage where Jeremiah talks about the potter, he said that the children of Israel was like clay in God’s hands, that had dried out. Judgment was about to come upon them as water on dry clay to drive them back to God.

I am reminded of the prodigal son that left his father and went away into a far country to do his own thing without being criticized. He ended up hitting rock bottom and came to his senses as he sat in the hog pen reflecting over how he had destroyed his life. He was so hungry that he thought about eating the food he was feeding the pigs. That’s rock bottom. That’s water being poured on dried out clay to make it pliable again… to make that hardened stony heart into a softened heart of clay. The prodigal son went back to his father with a reformed heart.

Jesus said to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2, that they had left their first love (became dried out). They were encouraged to think back to where they had fallen and arise and begin again. The apostle Paul had once commended that church for their love of God and others, but the church had lost their zeal for God and their motivation was mostly busy work to benefit themselves.

Church, let us not forget that we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. He that has begun a good work in us will complete it until Christ returns. Let us remain on His potter’s wheel so that He may re-form us for His intended purpose. He is the author and finisher of our faith. Let Him finish His good work. When you become weary and discouraged by the process, cry out to the Lord and He will strengthen you. Be encouraged!

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

MY PROBLEM WITH FIERY PREACHERS

I am a devout Christian and I love the Lord my God. But to preach at me like I'm some kind of hypocrite just makes me back away from seeking a God that always seems to be upset with me about something. Give me a sermon that helps me grow closer to the Lord, and mature as a Christian. Let the tone of God's voice be that of a loving Father, not a judge with a gavel in his hand, convicting a sentenced criminal.

I don't need to add any more condemning words to the condemnation that the accuser of the brethren is already slamming me with. What I need is for my eyes to be lifted to the glorious hope I already carry within. The apostle Paul said, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man (or woman) of God may be complete, and thoroughly equipped for every good work."

My daughter, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor detest your heavenly Father's correction; for whom the LORD loves He corrects, just as a loving father the child in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:11-12)

Y'all, please pray for me.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove 🕊

THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS

Worship In The Beauty of Holiness

This was about twenty-something years ago; our church was scheduled to go worship with another church. I dreaded the thought of going because one of the brothers at that church had “mistakenly” assumed that I flirted with him (which I adamantly did not), but he made me uncomfortable by his insinuations and I simply did not want to attend.

I went to my pastor after the announcement was made to tell him that I would be unable to attend and why. He talked me out of my cowardice and encouraged me to go anyway.

I went into the sanctuary and sat up front in the second row. Something completely unexpected happened during worship time. As I worshipped the Lord, I seemed to zone out and became oblivious to my surroundings — not even aware of where I was. I don’t know how long I worshipped but when I came to myself, I was the only one still standing. I could hear my pastor’s voice as he worshipped with me from the podium.

When church was out, the brother that accused me of flirting, and his lovely wife, made a beeline over to me to apologize. During my time of worshipping God, He was working on their hearts. They apologized and wished blessings upon me. I was glad my pastor had talked me into going.

One thing I learned that day is how true worship moves the heart of God, and brings down strong defenses. God was moving in the spirit realm as I stood worshiping Him. He fought my battle and won it for me.

Shortly after that, that same couple moved to another city and I never saw them again.

James 4:7-8, 10 (NKJV) Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

He lifted me up that day, and I'll never forget it.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE

I was writing out this prayer to the Lord. About half way through it, He led me to share it as a blogpost. I hope it helps someone that may have the same need for guidance.

My dear heavenly Father,

I have a favor to ask of Thee. Going forward, as we journey the teacher/student path, can we make it more organized? I feel tossed about like a volley ball back and forth. I wished my studies could be more organized. My brain functions better when things are straight forward. We jumped from studying Luke 1, to a deep dive in Luke 16 about the Rich Man and Lazarus. I am now struggling to get back to where I was in Luke 1.

The BSB translation of Psalm 25:12 says, "He will instruct him (or her) in the path chosen for him (or her)." Lord, You comprehend my path and You are acquainted with all my ways. Let's travel the best path for us to arrive at the desired destination.

Since You know me inside and out, this should be easy for You. Teach me Your ways O Lord and lead me on a smooth path, not like a volley ball, but like a fish swimming smoothly upstream from Point A to Point B. I have a spreadsheet called Studies in Progress with 204 rows of studies that I'm not sure if we completed or not. We abruptly went on to something else so I'm not sure if we wrapped it up or if further study is needed.

About 2 months ago, I downloaded the image of a straight bricked path going underneath shade trees arriving at a lit up destination.

That's the image of the smooth path I'm longing for. Because You are a Spirit, I don't have the luxury of a face-to-face meeting. I will do my best to stay on target, but I need Your specific guidance leading me and ensuring that I don't wonder off the path.

In that image, it would be difficult to wander off the path because it is clearly laid out. To wander off would be walking on the grass. I know we walk by faith and not by sight, which makes it easy to wander off path and not realize we have done so.

Psalm 25:10 says, "All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth - unfailing love and faithfulness to all who keeps Your covenant and Your word."

None of this comes as a surprise to the One that knows my thoughts afar off (Psalm 139:2), but just the same I make my plea with a humble heart and a wanting soul. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation, and on You I will wait all the day. I love You, Daddy. These and all blessings I ask and pray in Jesus' holy name, Amen.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove