This word is submitted by Teresa Seputis (ts@godspeak.org)
Original Date: 10-19-01

-----

                              Stand Firm

Stand firm My child, do not waver. Have I not said that the one who 
wavers is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed to 
and fro? It is My heart and desire to establish you and strengthen you,
that you may stand firm in this season where many things are being shaken.

Some of you say, "Lord, I desire to stand firm. How is it that I waver?"
Child, you waver when you do not trust in Me, when you do not believe
that My motives towards you are good, when you do not look to Me for your
provision and for your protection and for your direction. Have confidence 
in Me child, know that I am the God of all truth. Trust that I care for 
you and that I have your best interest at heart. For I am a loving Father 
Who desires to give good gifts to My children.

But there are some things which I require from you, child of Mine. I 
require that you trust Me and I require that you obey Me. Faith is composed 
of these two elements: trust and obedience. And it is through faith that 
you stand firm. You must trust that I am a good God who gives good gifts 
to His children, a God who is both able and willing to meet your needs and 
provide for those who love Me. And you must demonstrate your love to Me 
by being firmly committed to obey Me, even when you do not understand why 
I am asking something of you. Look to Me, keep your eyes on Me and not on 
the circumstances. Obey Me without question, trusting that I know what I 
am doing and I am in control of all situations. I will not abandon the
one who loves Me, the one who walks in faith before Me. I am faithful
and I am well able to keep you.

Indeed, this is a time of shaking for many. But those who trust in Me 
need not be shaken. Child, I desire to give you wisdom and I desire to 
lead and guide you in this season. Indeed the world and the world systems 
will be shaken. But you, child of Mine, can stand firm if you are planted 
in Me. For I am a place of refuge to those who commit their ways unto Me. 
I have placed My spirit within you and I give you My peace. Receive that
peace from Me.

Child, I have given you a choice. I have given you the ability and where-
with-all to let not your heart be shaken by trusting in Me. You can choose
to be shaken by looking to the circumstances and fretting and worrying over
them. Or you can choose to look to Me, to know that I am in control and
to trust in Me. As you look to Me, I will cause My peace upon you to 
increase. This is a season where men's hearts shall fail them for fear.
Guard your heart.. look to Me.. for My desire for you is good. And My 
plans for you are for life and that the fruit of My spirit manifest in you 
and sustain you regardless of the circumstances that surround you. I 
have made a provision for you, child of Mine. Walk in it.