During word time this morning we read the Gn "Apples of Gold". I know it was something I really needed to hear and I'm sure a lot of others I know could use to, so I thought to share some key notes that stuck out to me for all your encouragement as well. It's a little long. But for any of you that may be going through any sorta trials and just wondering what it's all for. This will be a big blessing in your life, as it was something I really needed to hear myself.
Apples of Gold part 1 #3644
Compilation
The Lord has promised that He will never give us more than we are able to bear. But sometimes it does seem as though He gives us more than we can take. Our Husband has said before that we should look at such times as a compliment—that if He's asking the seemingly impossible of us, He knows we can make it, that we're strong enough, that we have what it takes. But that's very different than the way we carnally view such times, often feeling instead that the Lord doesn't really know what He's doing, that He doesn't love us very much, or else He wouldn't ask so much of us.
15. So if you relate to anything I've mentioned here, or if you're battling or struggling in any area of your life, here are the Lord's messages of encouragement for you. If you feel like you've reached your breaking point, let His insight and understanding of the situation spur you on to keep up the fight!
16. (Jesus:) The lives you are living for Me, and the things you are accomplishing, are on par with that of any of My greats throughout history. So it should be no surprise that your trials are equally as great. You are in the thick of warfare against the Enemy. This is your life, your struggle, your war, your mission field, your life's work, and also your victory.
18. It might have seemed to them at times that I didn't always answer their prayers, or that I allowed things to be rougher on them than they thought they could bear. But it was those rough times and those obstacles that caused them to burn so brightly for Me, and that will continue to make them a living sample of dedication and love for Me from those days till now and beyond into eternity.
19. It's the same with you, My Family. "In the world ye shall have tribulation" (John 16:33). It's as clear as can be in My Word. This Earth life is a time of hardship and pain, difficulty and loss, struggle and so much hard effort. That's how life is for you who are burning the brightest for Me. I could deliver you. I could answer each one of your prayers. I could remove all the friction and let you glide effortlessly through life. But that wouldn't be Earth. That would be Heaven.
[23. (Jesus:) A key to help you make it through times of testing is to remember that I never promised smooth sailing, but I do promise to get you through the storm. Let the present-day tests propel you through the storm and help you to be a support and blessing to others, because you have been in their shoes and know what it's like. Fear not the testing, but let it move you in desperation to be My vessel.]
24. It's the struggle that strengthens you. I make the simulations the hardest for the most skilled. Nothing less would be a test for you. Nothing less would improve your skills. Nothing less would even satisfy you. And all of you are that caliber of people. Of all the billions of people in today's world, you are some of the few who have risen to do more for Me and for others, to sacrificially lay down your lives, dying daily that others may live.
25. With your daily efforts you are carving your names beside the greats of history. Thus, your trials will be no lighter than theirs. You admire the missionaries who fought through so much and who lost health and loved ones and children and lands and even lives for My sake. You hold those men and women in high esteem, and you wonder if you could do what they did. My loves, you are doing it. I am making your tests just as arduous. I am making your time in this battlefield no less hot.
27. In all of this you battle most of all in your hearts and minds. You wonder where I am and where My power is. You wonder why I haven't saved you, and why I haven't made your load easier and your burden lighter. You wonder if you're doing something wrong. You wonder if I'm angry with you, and have decided not to lend you My help or support as I have promised. You wonder if the Enemy's power is greater than Mine. You wonder if it's a lost cause to serve Me on this Earth. And, yes, sometimes you even wonder if I'm really here at all. Or if I am, if I really care and really love you—for if I do, why would I let you struggle so?
28. But what you see as your struggle I see as your glory. I would not rescue you for all the world! This is the trial that is bringing the crown! This is your martyrdom. Some are called to die once for Me in body. Others are called to die daily for Me in spirit. I do not set one above the other. Everything that you're going through now, everything that's so difficult and painful, is making you worthy to be My stars, My greats, My called-out ones.
29. I am not doing this to you: You have chosen this life for yourself. Any of you could quit your service to Me at any time. You could go back. You could run off the ice and put your clothes back on. But you don't, because you want that crown. If you stopped struggling against the flow of this world, you could find temporary peace, you could have a break. You could stop living for Me and stop being so revolutionary, but at what price? It's a price that you're not willing to pay—to gain the world, but lose your crown.
30. You are willing to continue this struggle because you love Me, and because you're willing to stand for My truth and to obey My Word no matter what it costs you. I look on and I marvel. I shed tears of alternating sorrow and joy—sorrow, because it hurts My heart to see you who I love enduring such pain and such wounds; joy, because I know that you will someday be rewarded for each trial to such a degree that it will make every difficulty seem meaningless in comparison with the glory you will receive.
31. Yes, My loves, I watch you and I am filled with pride and admiration as a result of what you endure for Me. You are making it, you are coming through your own personal tribulation, and you are remaining true. Life is difficult, and you are choosing not to be rescued from it. You are choosing not to make it any easier on yourselves so that you can win the crown that is rightfully yours. So many voices are telling you to stop and telling you to give in, but you don't listen.
32. In your moments of greatest pain and agony, sometimes in a few fleeting seconds you lose focus and you wonder why I don't help you. You forget, and you think that I am the One causing this pain. This is when I want to draw close to you and comfort you. I want to encourage you and tell you that I am so proud of you for fighting for Me. I want to remind you that this pain is not My doing, but is your love gift to Me. Your struggle and the wounds you acquire are the wounds received in battle for My banner, and for this you are gaining great eternal glory.
33. You look at the martyrs and the missionaries of the past and you wonder if you could do what they did. My Family, you are doing what they did. Every single one of you that battles for Me in this Endtime army is right here, right now, doing what they did—doing equal to their sacrifice and equal to their struggle in My eyes. You are proving your love for Me moment by moment, day by day, step by step, by continuing to undergo all that you must in order to be here for Me, fighting in this war, and enduring all that comes with being a revolutionary Christian in this world gone to Satan.
35. There is much pain, but someday there will be much reward. There is much sacrifice, but someday there will be much glory. There is much heartache, but someday there will be much comfort. There is much confusion and much doubt, but someday you will see Me face to face.
36. Have courage, My dear ones, and know that I am here for you always. I lift the load when I can, and I promise that I will never allow you to be crushed beneath it. I will not take the load from you completely, but you have My word that My grace will be sufficient for you. I can't make the battles any easier or the tests any lighter, because these battles and these tests are among the main reasons you're on Earth in the first place.
37. I know that in your hearts your desire to come to Me victorious through many storms and much tribulation is more important to you than sailing through life with ease. You are all real fighters, seasoned warriors, and your lust for victory despite the sting of strong battles is more important to you than anything. That's why you signed up for this Earth life in the first place.
38. Though you do not remember this now, I do. You are a volunteer army. You're here because you chose to be, and because you want that crown. The honor and glory that is up for grabs is something that you desire. And when you come here, when you receive your reward, when you see what's been awaiting you all along, there will be thousands of you whose first thought will be that you wish you could turn back the clock and do it all over again.
41. So you must make the most of your life on Earth. You must learn to enjoy the trials, to expect them, and to count it all joy and honor when you experience ongoing battles and numerous fiery trials (James 1:2). They are a huge portion of the reason that you're here at all, and if it weren't this challenging and this tough, you'd never have bothered.
42. Remember that there are limits, and that I'm not going to push you beyond them. I may allow the intensity to be turned up, but only because I know that you have the skills and the guts to match. I will not let you be crushed by your burdens, nor killed by your battles. It won't happen. This is My word.
43. You can overcome! You can make it! You don't have to give up your faith! It's not much longer now. Only a little bit further. You've come this far, don't give up. Keep going for Me! Keep fighting. You can do it! I know you can!
44. (Jesus:) Battles and problems you will always have with you in this life, but victory comes simply through looking to Me. Trust Me, and obey the things I tell you to do, no matter what circumstances you find yourself in, even if you do not understand. If you believe, even if you don't see the fulfillment, this is the greatest faith, and this means I can use you however I want in order to fulfill My will.
45. Moses did not understand how I would help him make it through the Red Sea. Gideon had no idea how I would help him to win the battle with only 300 men. Noah had zero understanding of boats; he didn't even know what a boat was, and it took him 120 years to find out. He couldn't see the end picture when he started recording the dimensions for that ship. He had no idea what the end would be. He simply followed Me one day at a time, one step at a time. He refused to give up, or give in to the crowds who were mocking him. He fixed his eyes on Me and kept them there. That's how he made it through 120 long years—taking things one day at a time, by faith alone.
46. (Jesus:) There is a story that I want to tell you. It's a child's story, which some of you may have heard before. It's about a young boy who is trying to make his way on horseback to a land of promise, but the boy's entire journey seems beset with encounters with lions.
47. During the beginning of his journey, when lions pursue him and another nearby traveler, they end up journeying together for added safety. At another time, just as they are trying to reach the safety of a city in advance of some evildoers, and think they may not make it, another lion pursues them. This causes them to expend even more energy and strength to reach the gates of their desired haven.
48. Finally, the boy, exhausted from his journey, is trying to find his way on a foggy path to a place of shelter where he can sleep for the night. But he can't see the way, and soon realizes he's lost. And if that isn't bad enough, he hears a lion's growl just in front of him. That was the last straw for the boy. He didn't care to run or hide or try to fight off the attacker this time.
49. "Fine, eat me!" he says. "I don't care anymore. My life is horrible and everything goes wrong for me." But to his surprise, the lion talks to him and asks him why he feels like his life is so horrible.
50. The boy goes on to expound on all the difficulties of his journey, making mention of every encounter with lions. He says that surely he must've had the worst life of all because everything always went so wrong. Then he asks, "See, don't you now agree that my life is cursed?"
51. The lion responds, "No. Instead I see that your life is blessed." Shocked, the boy asks him how, and the lion replies, "There was never more than one lion with you on your entire journey. And I was that lion.
52. "I was the one who chased you at the beginning of your journey so that you would travel with a companion. I was the one who scared away hungry animals at night, even though my growls also scared you. And when you were running for safety in the city, I was the one who chased you just when you felt like you had no more strength left.
53. "Through chasing you I gave you the strength to run harder than before so that your pursuers wouldn't catch up with you. And now, when you are lost and feel at the end of your rope, I am here with you to show you the way home."
54. My loves, through this simple, childish story, I am trying to show you a great truth. You see, I am that "Lion" in your life. I am the One Who has allowed each of the difficulties—the "lions"—in your life, even the "last straws" that you felt were certainly more than you could take.
55. I don't do this to make it hard for you, and not even for the sole purpose of making you stronger. I do this to preserve you, to keep you, and to ensure that you will make it safely Home again. The main reason I allow difficulties in your journey is truly for your own benefit, because I see that without them you wouldn't reach My destinations in time, you wouldn't gain the sweeter benefits of closeness with others which gives you strength and the will to keep going, you wouldn't reach the end of your rope where all you're depending on is Me and My ability to help you through.
56. I know that from your vantage point, these "lions" of difficulty aren't a benefit to you at all. Sometimes they make you have to run harder when you feel like you've already used up all your strength. Sometimes they make you journey down a path that you hadn't planned on taking, a route you hadn't foreseen for your life. Sometimes they push you to your limits—to the limits of your faith, grace, patience, and endurance.
57. You hardly see these "lions" as good things at all. How you wish you could journey without them! What a pleasant trip that would be. You could enjoy the scenery. You could stop for long rests at reservoirs and oases. You would even be safe traveling alone. You wouldn't feel so pressed for time or so desperate, because there would be little to alarm you or hurry you along.
58. Yes, that might be a pleasant journey. But if left to go at your own pace, I can assure you that you wouldn't reach My destination for you in time. That might be a hard saying, but it's so true. While your spirit is willing to grow and change and overcome, I know that your flesh is weak, and if you did not have these "lions" that tried your flesh and your spirit, then surely you would not fight so hard for personal growth and progress, and to get to where I need you to be.
59. What is My destination for you? You hardly realize just how short time is. You don't realize that within your lifetime this world is going to come to its end. That's a magnificent thought. And if you are to be the rare and chosen few who usher in the end of the world, who stand tall and shine when all tribulation breaks loose about them, who work miracles in the midst of such opposition and impossibility, who carry My flame of revolution high in the night sky to lead and guide others to Me, who stand on the keys and stake their lives on the power of the keys—then there is no other way to be ready for the days ahead than My way.
60. It is because of My future plan for you on Earth in the last days—as well as your destiny beyond—that you must make this journey through the difficulties of life. I am making you ready for your destiny. I am preparing you to be those who know how to allow Me full possession of their minds and bodies, hearts and spirits. I am making you into the fulfillment of ancient prophets' dreams.—Those people who know their God and are strong, and who through their miracles, prove that God is (Dan.11:32; Rev.12:10,11).
61. That is why this journey. That is why these "lions." Ultimately I am the One Who is allowing each one of these specific trials and troubles to touch you and affect you in these different ways. The Devil could not touch Job until I gave him permission to, and so in essence, I was the One touching Job in those hardships that he faced and experienced.
62. I, too, am the One touching you through these great difficulties you are experiencing. I know how it tries you. "How long, O Lord?" You cry. "How much longer can I bear this? When will there be reprieve? Will there be reprieve? How much longer will this 'lion' chase and trouble and bother me?" Not for a moment longer than is necessary. Not for a moment more than you and I can handle together. Not for a moment longer than My grace can prove sufficient for.
63. No matter what I am using in your life to try you, I want you to fight to see My face in that "lion." I want you to look at that trouble, that grave difficulty, that battle that never lets up, and say to Me, "Jesus, thank You for bringing this 'lion' into my life. Thank You for being this prodding stick in my life, that is driving me more desperately to You, and that is keeping me directly on the path of Your will."
64. You must believe, too, that if I am allowing this difficulty and this "lion" to trouble you, then it will never ruin you or damage your service for Me—because I will never ruin you or damage you in any way. I might allow some hurt, pain, and tears. But what I allow in your life will always be for your good in some way, to aid you in the fight, to speed you along your journey, to give you greater strength of spirit. All that I am using in your life is for the purpose of drawing you closer to Me and making you even more useful to Me.
65. However, if you are feeling the hurt in a way that makes you feel like giving up and quitting, that is not My will. That is not My plan when I bring something into your life—there is always a purpose in everything. I will never bring you to the edge, where the only choice is to give up. The only edge I bring you to is the ending of your strength and the beginning of Mine.
66. Please trust that I know what I am doing in your life. Please believe that these difficulties and battles are compliments from My hand. I could not give you these deeper difficulties if you did not love Me so and if you did not wish to prove to Me that you are Mine forever. I could not trust you with such tough battles if you were not tough enough to face them. I could not be the "Lion" in your life if I did not know that you wanted to reach My destination for you.
67. Because you want Me, because you love Me, and because you have offered your life to Me as a willing and costly sacrifice, I am able to have My perfect way in your life. I am able to do what is necessary to lead you along the path of My will, to keep you close to Me, and to ensure that you reach My destination for you in time.
68. Not only do I allow these "lions" to try you and keep you on your toes, but also to protect you and to keep you from harm, to keep you from making wrong choices, to keep you in the center of My will. I also use them to draw you nearer to Me, where you can find sweeter comfort and deeper faith. I use them to show you that only I know the way, and that when you come to Me lost and weary, I am always ready to hold you and to help you to find your way.
69. I love you so dearly, and that is why I have chosen to be so intimately involved in your life by having My hand in all of these things that I allow to touch you and try you. In this way I can be sure that nothing will harm you, and that all things will go according to My plan and desire for you. "I am with you always, even unto the end of the world" (Mat.28:20). And sometimes My presence is more strongly felt when in the form of afflictions and trials and difficulties.
70. So please don't fear this continued journey ahead any longer. I'll still always be with you. We're making good time, and you are growing and learning just as I need you to. You've come so far already. Please don't give up now. I'm right here beside you, trotting this trail with you, experiencing every twist and turn of this adventure with you.
71. Don't fear the testings or difficulties, because they're coming from your dearest friend—Me. Knowing that, have peace and believe that nothing can harm or damage you, because I won't harm or damage you. I know just what you can take and I will never suffer you to be tempted more than you are able to bear.
72. If you ever feel like what I'm asking of you is too much, or you feel like quitting, remember that that is not My voice, but the voice of the Enemy. Even when things are extremely difficult and I allow trying circumstances in your life, I will help you to make it. It is only the Enemy who wants you to give up, to accept defeat. So rebuke him when he tells you that you just can't make it!
73. When it feels like too much to bear, tell Me about it. You can ask for time out, because I'm your Friend and Love, and whenever possible I'll stop the chase to comfort you, or give you a time of reprieve. I'll calm the storm to wipe away your tears. And whether the difficulties end or continue on for longer until My purpose has been accomplished, I'll always ease the battle by carrying you. I love you, and I only want to see you make it. This is your desire, too.
74. This is what we, together, agreed on before you came to Earth for such a time as this. I know you want to make it, so I am helping you to fulfill your desire. I know that you don't want to fail Me. Before leaving for Earth, you made Me promise that I would do whatever it took to keep you close to Me, to keep you on the path of My will, and to make sure you didn't fail Me.
75. I promised that I would do whatever it took, as long as you were yielding, surrendering, obeying and desiring Me.—And you are. Today you are yielding, today you are surrendering, today you are obeying, today you do desire Me, and so today, I am staying true to My promise by doing whatever it takes to keep you close to Me and to keep you fulfilling your destiny, what you came to Earth for.
76. Sometimes it hurts Me to do this, because I see that you don't remember the vow we made together. I see you cry, and you feel like I'm failing you or hurting you or that I don't love you anymore. But that's not true, My dearest. Please believe that in all of this I am simply remaining true to My word, and I am proving My love to you in a greater way than you can understand right now.
77. I am doing whatever it takes—even though it hurts you at times, and even though it hurts Me at times—to keep you close to Me, to help you to fulfill your mission, and to ensure that you do not fail what you have set out to do. This is what you asked Me to promise to do for you, and I have never broken a promise.
78. Please trust Me. That's something you can do to make this easier for Me. When I see that you trust Me even when you don't understand why I've allowed something or done something in your life, that brings such joy to My heart. Then, instead of sorrowful tears upon seeing you doubt My love for you, I cry tears of joy and pride and faith at seeing you trust Me in spite of it all!
79. If you'll promise to trust Me, even when things go contrary to how you expected, even when things get worse than you imagined possible, even when it seems like I'm going back on My word and failing you, then I too will continue to fulfill My promise of doing whatever it takes to keep you, to preserve you, to lead you, to ensure that you do not fail your mission, even if it means allowing some troubles and pain.
80. This can be a renewed vow of love between us—a deeper, sweeter vow than ever made before. I love you. You're My wife, and in all of the difficulties of life I'm only doing what is necessary to make your journey and mission on Earth successful, and to bring you Home again in the condition that you asked Me to—victorious and triumphant!
By: Norma W. Beaird, Copyright 2004 
