This word is submitted by Teresa Seputis (TS@godspeak.org)

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               Take Heart, For I Am With You                
                        
Child of Mine, I have good plans for you and you will walk in them.  Yes, 
at times the way looks doubtful and filled with perils.  But guess what?  
If you look at the lives of My saints of old, you will see their lives 
are stories of how I empowered them to overcome their adversity and live 
in My victory.  Many of them started in the midst of much difficulty and 
adversity.  

Jacob was a schemer who made so much trouble for himself that he had to 
flee to the home of an even greater schemer, who tried over and over 
again to cheat him. Yet, in the midst of all that, I prospered him.  He 
alienated his brother to the point where his brother wanted to kill him, 
but I spared his life.  Even though Jacob did all he could to "mess up" 
his own life, I still turned it around for My glory and made him the 
father of a great nation.  I gave him many sons and great wealth.  And I 
gave him a happy and fulfilled ending to his many days.

Joseph, from early youth, knew betrayal and injustice. He was first sold 
into slavery by members of his own family. Later, he was falsely accused 
and unjustly thrown into prison.  His character and gifting were formed 
in great adversity and hardship.  But in due time, I drew him out of the 
dungeons and set him in place to rule a whole nation, second in government 
under the Pharaoh.  I gave him a family of his own, and I even restored 
his father and his brothers to him.  He ended his days in much joy and 
fulfillment.

Moses was born a slave in captivity, and sentenced to death, but I 
protected him and spared his life.  Later, as an adult he became a 
murderer and a fugitive and had to leave his native land as he ran for 
his life.  He spent many years in exile, convinced that he was a failure 
and that his life would never amount to anything.  But I met him where he 
had fled, and I put him in a position of leadership and caused him to 
deliver My people out of bondage and I worked mighty signs and wonders
through him. I made him one of My greatest prophets and I taught him of 
Myself.  I even spoke to him face to face as a friend, and I granted 
his greatest desire and showed him My glory.

King David spent many years as a fugitive, running and hiding from a king 
who unjustly wanted to take is life.  Yet I brought him out of that great 
difficulty and made him the greatest of all kings.  I gave him riches and 
comfort and all that his heart desired.  I established a dynasty from him 
that will never end.

Do you not see the pattern, child of Mine?  Adversity and hardship do
come upon My own, but it does not destroy them.  I give them victory over 
it and I place My favor on them and I cause them to prosper.  They may 
face difficulties, but I make them into overcoming ones, and set them in 
places of great victory and joy.  I cause them to walk in the fullness of 
their destiny and I shower them with My blessings and with My delight. 

And child, I will do the same for you.  I will give you My victory and
bring My abundance and My joy into your life.  I have good plans for you
and I will accomplish them in your life in due time.  My desire for you
is for joy. Nothing will be able to overcome you or defeat you.  You
will rise up in My power and in My anointing and you will live in your
promised land and enjoy the fruit of your labor.

So take heart, My child. Turn your attention and your focus from your
difficult circumstances and look to Me.  I will encourage you and I will 
strengthen you.  And in due time I will give you great victory and cause 
you to experience the fullness of My good plans for you.  Yes, My plans 
for you are good and I will surely accomplish them in your life.