LIVING MY BEST LIFE

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I’m living my best life but not because I’m wealthy, because I am not. And it’s certainly not because I have all my needs met, because I don’t. But I’m living my best life because I have Jesus in my heart, and nothing on this earth can compare to that. Yes, we can have great mammon (more money than we can spend), but a relationship with our Heavenly Father outweighs all of that.

I’m reminded of so many biblical heroes that testified to that. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Our God is able to deliver us from your burning fiery furnace O king. But even if He doesn’t, we will still not bow to your idol gods.” These were souls committed to God not because He would make life easy, but because of their love for Him. They were thrown into the fiery furnace but the fire did not harm them. God was committed to them too.

Paul and Silas had been beaten with rods and thrown into prison with their feet locked in the stocks. But in the midnight hour they were singing hymns to God and praying. The prophet Isaiah says, God comforts all who mourn, and consoles those who mourn, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for their mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. That is spiritual wealth, my dear friends, that money cannot buy. There are millionaires out there who are not happy, proving that our best lives are not always filled with material things (cars, cash, clothes, and a castle).

I'm not trying to talk you out of your life's dreams. Not at all. Keep believing... but incorporate those beliefs with a hunger and a thirst for God. He will do exceedingly abundantly above all that you can ask or think.

Go in peace.

To God be the glory.
Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

GOD IS NOT MY BUTLER

God is not my butler, serving up answers to my prayers on a silver platter. Neither is He my errand boy, to go over here and there to see about something or someone.

We don’t make demands on God, but we pour out our hearts and souls to Him. May we never forget it is a throne of grace to which we come and submit our petitions to obtain mercy and find grace to help in our times of need (Heb. 4:16).

We’re not in the driver’s seat, Jesus is at the wheel. What man shall teach God how to govern the world? God alone is the possessor of absolute power and absolute wisdom.

When we talk to God, we shouldn’t demand what we want, but we humbly and confidently ask Him for our requests. We ask that His will be done, and that He may align our desires with His will. Because He hears our prayers, He will give us a definite answer.

God is Majesty, Dominion, and Power

Hebrews 8:1-2 (NKJV) Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.

These, and all blessings, we humbly ask and pray in Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

MY INDEPENDENT SPIRIT

Grow In God-Dependence

For some time now, God has been dealing with me about my independent spirit. I never-ever want to feel like I'm being a burden on anyone, so I generally won't ask for favors, I just try to figure out a way to do things myself... but the Lord wants us totally dependent on Him. My independence has been sabotaging our relationship because it hinders God from leading me His way, because I'm busily doing things my own way, so I don't have to be a burden on Him.

I was watching one of my favorite Bible teachers this morning, and she read the passage in Deuteronomy 8 about the Lord leading the children of Israel through the wilderness to humble them, and teach them to totally depend on Him. That's why they got a daily provision of manna, and yesterday's manna went bad. When they tried to keep leftovers, the manna bred worms and gave off a bad stench.

In this season of my life, my wilderness experiences has taught me to lay down my independent spirit and let God be in charge as my caregiver, my provider, and the GPS giving me directions. He wants us living totally dependent on Him. We're not getting on His nerves, and we're not a burden on Him. It's His preference.

Jeremiah 17:5-8 (NIV) This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man (or self), who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

BODY LANGUAGE

It was September 28, 2022, and I was on a job interview. I thought it was going well, but right in the middle of our meeting, the interviewer abruptly terminated the interview and escorted me out of his office, making a comment that let me know I had irritated him in some way. I had no idea what it could’ve been. Frankly, I thought the interview was going well.

Two months later, I saw that he was still running the post for the position, so I mailed him my resume again. He called me immediately upon receiving it and we set up a meeting for that same afternoon. He did not remember my name from the first interview as we spoke on the phone, but as soon as he walked into the lobby where I was waiting and saw my face, I could tell that he remembered me. He said, “I’ll be back in 15 minutes.” But he didn’t come back. I sent him an email apologizing for whatever it was I had done to offend him, but he never responded.

Today, the Lord revealed to me that the reason the interviewer dismissed our meeting was because of my body language. He was reading negativity through my body language, and that makes perfect sense because he was doing most of the talking, and I was just noticing how junky his desk was.

Proverbs 16:30 in The Voice Translation says, “Body language can expose a person’s intentions.” It screwed up my job interview, and there’s no telling how many other things I’ve sabotaged while someone was reading my thoughts through my body language.

The apostle Paul’s advice is to meditate on good thoughts.

Philippians 4:8 (NKJV) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy… meditate on these things.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

SEEING THE WORD AS A TOOL

A scalpel in the hands of a skilled surgeon can save a life, but in the hands of a fool can kill. So it is also with the word of God. Hebrews 4:12 says it is sharper than any two-edged sword. This incredible "cutting" power of Scripture is therefore a tool to separate our very thoughts into good and evil.

To share God's word is a great responsibility because the way we present it, and live it, will encourage people either to accept it or reject it. Whether we speak from a pulpit, teach a class, or share with friends, we are entrusted with accurately communicating and living out God’s Word. As we share God’s Word with friends and neighbors, they will look for its effectiveness in our lives. Unless it has changed us, why should they think it can change them?

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Be diligent to present yourself approved of God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The Greek phrase translated “able to teach” occurs in the New Testament in 1 Timothy 3:2 and 2 Timothy 2:24. It simply means to be able to explain God’s Word with skill. That is the ability to utilize His tool effectively like that surgeon with his scalpel does, saving precious lives. The emphasis is not only on having the knowledge of Scripture, but also on the ability to communicate it effectively.

Go in peace.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

BY HIS STRIPES I AM HEALED

In the Fall of last year, I began believing God for a decrease in medications that I take everyday for Type II Diabetes and High Blood Pressure. Side effects from the meds were adding more issues to the sicknesses. Then when I went to my doctor’s appointment in November, she actually gave me prescriptions. My cholesterol was really high and my blood sugar was high too. So instead of 1 tablet daily for diabetes, now I take 2. Instead of meds decreasing, they actually increased, and my blood sugar is still running high even with the increase.

This left me scratching my head about my faith to believe for the direct opposite of what’s actually happening.

I never got the cholesterol prescription filled. I discovered that eating lemons can decrease cholesterol, so I started a daily regimen and my doctor agreed to see if that works.

Early this week, I remembered a song from way back in the day by John P. Kee that says, “I’m healed in Jesus’ name. No more sickness. No more pain. By His stripes we shall all proclaim that I am healed in Jesus’ name.

To God be ALL the glory. He is my healer. I am believing God that I am completely healed of ALL sickness and disease. Diabetes… high blood pressure… high cholesterol… constant ringing in my ears… pain in my back, and swelling in my feet. The yoke is destroyed, and I am free. David killed his giant, and I’m going to kill mine.

The prophet Isaiah said, “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.”

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

UNINTENTIONAL SIN

Last Wednesday I received Leviticus 5:17 as the Verse of the Day in my email. It says, "If anyone sins and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord's commands, even though they don't know it, they are guilty and will be held responsible."

NIV Translation - DailyVerses.net

I became somewhat offended by the fact that someone would be punished for something they didn't even know was wrong. That bothered me for a couple of days. Then yesterday, another verse came through my Facebook feed that says, "God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ."

King James Bible's Facebook Page

That took a load off. I said, "Oh, God is not looking for a reason to be angry with us. The whole reason Jesus came in the first place was to save us from God's wrath."

Because of Adam's sin, we are born with God's wrath abiding on us, but thanks to Jesus that wrath has been taken away, and the love of God has been poured out in our hearts, with the presence of the Holy Spirit who was given to those who believe.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

A WORD FROM THE LORD

I can count on one hand, the times that the Lord has spoken to me one-on-one. It has been very few. He usually speaks through Scripture, or a sermon, or Bible study, or a conversation with another Christian.

But I had one occasion on January 8, 2022, early one morning as I sat in the living room, the Lord spoke to me as I wrote it down. I had said to the Lord, "I don’t want to be afraid of what You will ask me to do. I have struggled with this fear for a long time. Afraid to say, 'Here am I send me.' Please help me with this. Help me have faith. Help me to finish well. In Jesus’ name, Amen." Here was the Lord's response...

Daughter, I know you are concerned about whether you will be able to complete what I might ask you to do. I want you to remember the Tug of War vision I gave you.

It does not have to be hard. When I am on your side, you have all My power available to you. They will be the ones struggling on the other side of the rope. You will be the one pulling the rope. It is a test of strength, and I am your strength. If I am for you, I am more than the world against you.

Thank you for watching the Michael Todd sermon yesterday. I know your heart, and can see your heart’s concerns long before you pray, and I know why you’re asking for those petitions.

Like Job, you also eschew, shun, and hate evil. Many of your prayers are the result of those concerns. Elijah was one man, and he prayed boldly and I answered him. Always feel free to commit your prayers and concerns to Me. I know you don’t regard Me as your Butler. Together we can effect significant change.

I know the plans I have for you. Continue to seek Me, I am gently guiding you into your destiny. Continue doing what you are doing. Everything will work out. I will make sure of that.

I need to show you how I’m able to provide for you. Let your hand go limp in My hand so I can take the lead and do for you what I want without your assistance.

You have a habit of telling Me how to work out your prayer concerns, but that’s not necessary. Submit your prayers boldly at My throne of grace then stand assured that I received them. If what you committed to Me is not in My will. I will work it out some other way. But I’m not ignoring your prayers. Sometimes by the time you pray about something I am already working on it behind the scenes. It may seem like nothing is happening, but that is where your patience is needed, to trust that I care enough about you to see to your every need and concern.

You are My beloved child and nothing gets by Me that concerns you. Let that get rooted and grounded in your soul so when you’re tempted to believe the lie, that I have abandoned you, you will still stand assured that I, the Good Shepherd, am watching over you.

Ephesians 6:13 (NLT) Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

You have heard it said to whom much is given, much is required. I do not want you to be overwhelmed about the journey. I am with you. There is no need to get panicked. Continue doing what you’re doing for now. Seek me. Stay in My presence. Stay focused so you may hear my instructions.

Don’t forget I am good, and you are dearly loved. I will get you to the other side.

Daddy

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

YOUR MOST HOLY FAITH

The story is told of a guy who purchased a fake ticket from a scalper, to attend a basketball game. When he gave it to the ticket agent at the gate, the agent spotted it immediately and said to the guy, “When you’ve handled as many tickets as I have, you can easily spot the fake ones.”

I was studying the Sunday School lesson and ran across the 20^th verse of Jude that says to build yourselves up on your “most holy faith”.  I scratched my head in confusion. I asked the Lord if faith has rankings so that it can reach a most holy point. His response to me was, “You must handle the real thing enough, that you can easily spot what is fake.”

Jude was warning the believers to beware of scoffers in the church, by saying that if we stay in the presence of God enough, we will be able to detect what is God, and what is not.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

LORD, PLEASE HELP US

Heavenly Father,

Hallowed be Your holy name, for You are holy. I was watching the news this morning and thinking about how evil this world has become. We know that heaven and earth all belong to You, and all that’s in it belongs to You. You hold the keys. What You open no one can shut and what You shut no one can open. What the Holy Spirit binds on earth is also bound in heaven. What He looses on earth is also loosed in heaven. Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever.

Father, help us with this torrent of evilness flowing throughout the world… in America, Israel, Ukraine, Russia, China, Mexico, and all around the world. People are fleeing out of their countries because of evil. Please help us O God. It is Yours and You have the power to fix it. I know it is Your will.

The mass killings have gotten out of control. People in leadership positions are using their authority for evil. We need Your help. In America, I pray for the White House administration, Congress, the Supreme Court, each state government official, each city government official, police officers, and military soldiers. Please help us O God. We need You in this hour.

In 1 Samuel, the Bible says that Hannah prayed and You remembered her. You opened her womb and she bore a son named Samuel who became a powerful man of God. Therefore, I ask that You remember us earthlings, as well as Your church (the body of Christ). We live on this planet that all belong to You. Please help us O God. Let the news anchors report the glorious deliverances that will come by Your hands.

Remember the Israeli / Hamas war.🙏

Remember the Ukraine / Russia war.🙏

Remember NATO and the alliances they agreed upon.🙏

Remember the upcoming elections we have this year.🙏

Let justice prevail in every area, because You love justice (Isa. 61:8).

Your word to me was:

“Fear not, for I am with you;

be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Lord, heaven is Your throne,

and the earth is Your footstool.

All of it is the work of Your hands

that You may be glorified.

Jesus said, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Remember us, O God.🙏

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

LIKE FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES

It was October 26, 2021. I decided I would take a break from ministry and put away all my books, study, and writing material for a while and work on a jigsaw puzzle and read my Football for Dummies book.

Less than 24 hours later, I had already published one blogpost (When Life Gives You Lemons), and was working feverishly on a second (Trials and Tribulations).

I’m reminded of the prophet Jeremiah who had decided to shut down his ministry because of the persecution and sorrow he was experiencing as a result. As the days passed, he could not endure the agony building inside as he tried to remain silent. It was like burning fire shut up in his bones and he became more weary of holding back, than he was from being persecuted. So, he preached in spite of it.

Berean Standard Bible

The apostle Paul said, “I can’t stop preaching even if I wanted to, because I am so compelled. Woe to me if I don’t preach the gospel.” (1 Cor. 9:16)

God does not change His mind about our gifts and callings. He said to Jeremiah, “Before you were formed in the womb I knew you. Before you were born I sanctified you, and ordained you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jer. 1:5)

So then… how could it not burn like fire in his bones?

To God be the glory.
Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

BECOMING NEIGHBORLY

When I was about 7 years old, my dad told me to sit on the front porch and keep an eye on my baby brother while he played in the yard. He was a toddler and had only been walking for a very short time.

It was a beautiful day and I was enjoying being out there in it. Our next-door neighbor, Ms. Rose, came outside and called me over to the fence. As we talked, I turned my back to my baby brother and he wandered out into the street. Ms. Rose didn’t say a word! She just kept me distracted. Thank God we lived on a quiet street.

My dad came to the door and saw my baby brother walking in the street, and called us both into the house and gave me a spanking for not watching him.

A couple of days ago, I had an aha moment. I rarely ever talk to my neighbors, I’ll wave at them and keep walking but I won’t go over and talk to them. The aha moment was that Ms. Rose caused that. Talking to her got me a spanking, so I stay away from it. I felt that talking to neighbors was not worth it, so all they get is a wave.

Today I shrug that off! I will become more neighborly. I forgive Ms. Rose for her part in it, and I forgive my dad for spanking me. I pray that God will continue to mend my brokenness so I become a better person in all areas, and a more friendly neighbor to boot.

To God be the glory.
Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

BECAUSE YE ASK NOT

As I was getting out of bed this morning I said to myself, “I am convinced that there is nothing I desire that my Daddy won’t do for me.”

Jesus said, “If you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give good things to His children who ask Him.” You do not have, because you do not ask.

I think it’s that I have not felt worthy to ask my Heavenly Father for what I truly desire. But suddenly, this morning, I woke up with a different perspective. Jesus said if His word abides in us, we can ask for what we desire and it shall be done (John 15:7)… because the word of God changes us. We’re not going to be desiring stuff to fulfill lustful pleasures, we will ask according to the will of God and He’ll do it.

His storehouses are full to the brim. Just ask and believe that there is nothing you desire that Heavenly Father won’t do for you. Don’t ask for things that fulfill lustful pleasures. Seek those things which are above. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth and see won’t our Heavenly Father blow your mind.

Ephesians 3:20-21 (AMP) Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

IS GOD WELL PLEASED WITH ME

There was a period when Jesus came to be baptized by John the Baptist, and when He came up out of the water, the voice of our Heavenly Father was heard saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” There has been situations occurring over the last three months that has led me to doubt that the Lord is well pleased with me. I found myself back tracking my thoughts trying to figure out where I’ve gotten off track, and why God was discontented. Again and again, I kept producing nothing. My confusion continued.

Yesterday, I stumbled upon a preacher sermonizing on the loveless church of Revelation 2:1-7 where Jesus is admonishing them that they had left their first love. They were to remember from where they had fallen and repent. Once again I racked my brain trying to figure out where I’ve gotten off track and left my first love. Why is my God not well pleased with me?

Later, while sitting in the living room, I looked up, and saw light reflected on the ceiling. The sun had gone behind the house and was shining through the kitchen window. It hit a picture of me sitting amongst a bunch of family photos on the entertainment center. No one’s picture was lit up except mine. There’s about thirty photos sitting on those shelves. The light on the glass reflected on the ceiling and caught my attention.

I suddenly remembered the priestly blessing in the sixth chapter of Numbers that says, “May God make His face shine upon you.”

“Oh my God,” I said to myself. “He is smiling on me.”

I began to pray, “Heavenly Father, I have become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. I am by no means perfect, but He is my righteousness. Let me obtain Your mercy and find Your grace for all my weaknesses. Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me throughout my life. I love You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength… and I want to live a life that is well pleasing to You.”

I realize now that the enemy was attacking me. He is called the accuser of the brethren in Rev. 12:10. He tried to come between me and my Heavenly Father by convincing me that God is not well pleased with me. The word of truth says that no weapon formed against us shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against us, in judgment the Lord will condemn (Isa.54:17). No weapon will prosper!

I took a snapshot of the sun shining on my photo, so that I’ll always have it to remember God smiling on me… letting me know that He is well pleased.

Matthew 9:22 (NKJV) Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, "Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well."

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

WHY GOD PERMITS EVIL

The Tip Of The Iceberg

I have often wondered why that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan was permitted to come to the Garden of Eden to cunningly deceive. Or, one may also wonder why the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was put in the garden in the first place.

Adam and Eve lived in the age of innocence and knew nothing of evil until Adam ate the forbidden fruit and both their eyes were opened.

At the beginning of Job’s trials, Satan came before the Lord and the Lord asked him. “Where have you come from?” Satan replied, “From going back and forth on the earth, and walking up and down in it.” In the same way that he deceived Eve in the garden, he does this around the world. The apostle Peter warned us to be careful of our adversary the devil who walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.

But God had made a hedge around Job, and his household, and all he owned so that Satan was not able to touch him. Job was surrounded by God’s protection until He lifted the hedge and permitted Satan to attack Job, with the restriction that Satan could not take Job’s life.

The accuser of the brethren said that if God permitted this attack on Job, that he would curse God to His face. But Job did not, proving that his love for God was genuine. At the end of Job’s trials, God restored the hedge and Job’s losses, giving him twice as much as he had before, and a long life to enjoy them.

God has given all of mankind freedom to choose good or to choose evil. We all have a conscience and the ability to choose which path we are going to take. God is not interested in robots and prisoners. He wants genuine love in His relationship with mankind, therefore, we're given the ability to make choices.

We humans are free moral agents with our own choice to be in a relationship with God, or not. Even the angels had a choice. This is why a third of heaven’s angels were cast out because they chose rebellion.

We experience wickedness in this world because of the choices people make. The deceiver beguiles, and people fall into temptation to commit sexual immorality, murder, selfish ambition, idolatry, drunkenness, lying, stealing, oppression, and all kinds of other human atrocities, indignities, and tragedies.

In the movie, The Shack, Heavenly Father (whom they called PaPa) is having a conversation with Mack Phillips who lost his little girl to sexual molestation and a cruel murder. Mack is angry with God because He permitted this horrible thing. God said to Mack that He does not plan these tragedies but He does use them to bring good out of them, if and when they occur.

Mack asked PaPa where He was while his little girl endured this murderous tragedy. PaPa replied, “Mack when all you can see is your pain then you lose sight of Me.”

Mack reminded PaPa that even Jesus cried out from the cross, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” PaPa replied, “Mack, you misunderstand the mystery.” PaPa showed Mack His hands that also bore the nail prints from the cross, and said, “Don’t ever think that what My Son chose to do, didn’t cost us both dearly. We were there together. I never left Him. I never left you, and I never left your little girl.”

So, this brings me full circle back to my original question of why God permitted that old serpent to come into the Garden of Eden and deceive Eve in the first place. Why was he given autonomy to screw this thing up? Or why will God permit him to be released from the bottomless pit after the thousand-year millennial reign of Christ? Satan will be permitted to go north, south, east, and west to deceive the nations once again. The Lord’s response to me was…

“What you know of the evil world you inhabit is only the tip of the iceberg. Submerged 90% beneath the surface of the visible world, are mysteries too vast for you to comprehend. If you could only see how close I am to you and how constantly I work on your behalf, you would never again doubt that I am wonderfully caring for you. This is why you must live by faith, not merely by sight, touch, taste, hear, and smell… trusting in My mysterious, majestic presence, trusting in My goodness, trusting in My mercy, grace, and lovingkindness.”

God cannot completely restrain evil without violating our free will to choose, and eliminating the possibility of a real relationship with Him anchored in genuine love, not robotic obedience. Therefore, evil remains in our world, for now. However, He does give His angels charge over us to safely keep us from hurt, harm, and danger.

To prove the love of those that survive the millennial reign, God will permit Satan to be released back into the world to test the hearts of mankind, like gold is tested. As Job declared, “When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” Also, in the same way that Abraham was tested when he was told to sacrifice his son Isaac, as a burnt offering. Before Abraham could slay Isaac, God said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." Abraham’s love for God was proven to be genuine, even to himself.

Evil runs rampant in this world because the heart of mankind is inherently evil. In the days of Noah, the Bible says that the wickedness of man was great on the earth and that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. It got so bad that it grieved the Lord that He had made man so He destroyed everything and everyone, except Noah and his family and started over.

The psalmist David said that we are born in sin and shaped in iniquity. The apostle Paul in the sixth chapter of Romans labeled us as slaves of sin, until we come to Christ and are freed from this captivity. He cried out, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God — through Jesus Christ our Lord!” That was the whole reason for the cross of Calvary… to turn our captivity to sin around and free us from its grip. Therefore, if the Son of God makes you free, you are free indeed.

The bottom line is, our knowledge right now is partial and incomplete, and even gifts of prophecy reveal only part of the whole picture (not the complete submerged iceberg). But when the time of perfection comes at the end of this age, these partial things will be completely known. Right now, we see only the tip of the iceberg, but on that day, we will see everything with perfect clarity.

Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! But when the time of perfection comes (Jesus' return), these partial things will become useless. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. (1 Corinthians 13:9-10, 12 NLT)

Whatever tragedies you have faced or may be facing at this time, please know that God loves you and He is with you even in your darkest hour. In that movie, The Shack, God said to Mack, “I want to heal that wound that’s growing in your heart and creating a gulf between you and Me.” Sometimes our misunderstanding can create a separation in our relationship with the Lord, but He is here to heal the wounds in our souls and restore us completely. Go in peace.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove