Definition of a gangster from Webster’s New World Dictionary:  a member of a gang of criminals.

During the early afternoon, figuratively speaking, the living room of my home became a war zone, two gangsters appeared.  The bigger one seemed extremely exhausted but both looked past me with an expression of terror!  They looked at each other and the stout one said, “This woman is wearing us out, ‘Do you see who is here?  Let us get out of here!”  As I glanced to the other side of the room, there stood two angels poised for the fight.  Immediately the Word spoke from Psalm 91:11-12 verse (11)” For He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.”  Verse (12)” They will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Apparently, these two angels were on special assignment because the two gangsters had come to attack me with evil intent.  The Word spoke this time from Psalm 103:20-21 verse (20)” Bless  LORD, ye His angels, that, excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word.” verse (21)” Bless ye the LORD, all ye His hosts, ye ministers of His, that do His pleasure.”

 The battle has intensified and those who perform wicked deeds have become so bold in their wickedness that they do not wait until midnight to six am to carry out their wicked schemes instead they are now executing their evil plans during the day symbolically. The two gangsters showed up at my house in the early evening while the sun was still shining!

Wherever you (me too) are on your journey awaken from your slumber and be alert at all times!  Draw from the strength of Abba Father, be strong in the LORD and fully clothed with the armour of God, for we are constantly engaged in a battle against the forces of darkness.  This is a warning! Are you (me too) really paying attention to what is really going on in the spiritual realm?  In this realm, the forces of darkness are brutal and intentional.  We are to heed the instructions written by the Apostle Paul in the book of Ephesians 6:10-11 Verse (10)” Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”  Verse (11)” Put on the whole armour of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Meanwhile in Christendom you can hardly gather men and women of Yahweh, who would willingly team together to pray with and for each other (Giving God thanks for the faithful, who are teaming together in obedience, God will bless and strengthen you) Satan, on the other hand has sent his army of demons to launch their vicious attacks on God’s people.  This reminded me of my dream. I was seated in the pew of a church; suddenly an army of demons burst through the front doors. A familiar woman was leading them and a tall slim man walked directly behind her he held a briefcase in his hand.  As I watched them they were all headed for the pulpit; they were specifically looking for something or someone.  They then began to scan the congregation but could not find what they sought.  Completely frustrated, one of the demons transformed himself into the likeness of one of my blood sisters and sweetly said, “Margaret, where are you?  Apparently, the army of demons was not aware of my presence and they didn’t realize I could see them and their evil activities but it was only a dream.  However, Can you imagine Satan sending out an army of demons against only one of Yahweh’s children?  The two gangsters are a prelude to what is quickly approaching those who dare to take a stand for Jesus Christ and speak out against injustices in our land!  The Good News is found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  In Him, we have the calm assurance of Abba Father’s, Word from  the book of  Isaiah chapter 54:16-17 verse (16)” Behold, I created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work, and I have created the waster to destroy.”  Verse (17)” No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn.  This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of Me,” Saith the LORD.”

Awake! Awake! Awake people of Yahweh; rise in prayer to stop not only the two gangsters who have been assigned to assassinate our sons and our daughters in broad daylight but rise up in prayer to stop Satan’s army from advancing against those who are faithfully carrying out their kingdom assignments.  Rise up with righteous indignation! Metaphorically speaking, Rise up through the power of the Holy Spirit but always be mindful of how the two gangsters looked past me.  They caught a glimpse of two warring angels, who were poised for the fight, the sight of them terrified the two gangsters!  Be ever so mindful though, that demons recognize power and authority, they know when you and I are walking in power and authority.  We must make sure there are no unconfessed sins in our lives before engaging in battle.  The Word is speaking this time from the Epistle of 2 Corinthians chapter 5 verse (21) “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”  The two gangsters along with Satan and his army will persist but you are a righteous seed and Abba Father, has empowered you with boldness as that of a lion!  Can you hear, see, believe and declare this Word without fear of contradiction from Proverbs chapter 28 verse (1)? (1)”The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”

May Abba Father, undergird you with His strength and wisdom to stand up for Jesus Christ. He will divinely reveal His strategic plans written in His Word to defeat the two gangsters!

There are some things in our lives which causes us  
great pain and suffering; yet Abba Father refuses  
to remove them. The Apostle Paul reminds us of this  
in 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, he says… (8) ” For this  
thing I besought the Lord thrice; that it might depart  
from me. (9) ” And He said unto me, my grace is  
sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect  
in weakness. ” No one knows exactly what the Apostle’s  
affliction was, it is described like a thorn in his  
life: and as you know a thorn in the flesh really hurts.  
This affliction caused the Apostle Paul much pain and  
discomfort. In whatever you or I may be going through,  
Abba Father is working out a wonderful transformation  
in our lives through the crosses we are called to bear.  
Can you imagine the Apostle, who was a self-sufficient  
man ? Having to deal with such a vexing debilitating  
problem. He prayed for Abba Father to remove it, but  
God refused to remove it. Instead, He promised the Apostle  
Paul that He would demonstrate His power in him…. you  
know what? During Apostle Paul’s affliction, he  
realized it kept him humble, and reminded him of the fact  
he needed to stay in constant contact with God. The truth  
is as we come to grips so to speak with our limitations, we  
will rely on God our Abba Father for our effectiveness: rather  
than on ourselves.  
 
In your daily walk with Abba Father. What is it that you are  
facing ? Could it be a chronic illness? Divers’ addictions?  
Rebellious children? Spousal Abuse? It may be none of these,  
whatever it is you are going through, embrace your cross. For  
as you rely on Abba Father’s strength and His grace, He is  
developing Christian character in you. Yes, as you (and I) admit  
our weaknesses, we affirm, God’s strength. The fact is, you and  
I at some time or the other will encounter hindrances and set  
backs: but it is during these times you must depend on God your  
Abba Father, to see and experience His power in demonstration;  
to bring you through. Embrace the cross you are called to bear  
without murmuring and complaining, surrender your plans and your  
dreams to Abba Father. May this poem, the pen wrote entitled  
EMBRACE YOUR CROSS challenge and inspire you!  
 
Your cross may seem offensive and inconceivable  
To bear….  
Yet your cross, you must bear.  
Embrace your cross;  
It will empower your purpose  
To fulfill…. the Saviour Jesus Christ  
Went ahead and embraced His cross;  
Carrying all your shame, humiliation  
And pain…. Yes, Jesus suffered and shed  
His blood, so you can embrace your cross.  
With a confident assurance that to embrace  
Your cross, is the strength in your life which  
Will keep you humbly before the throne room  
Of God….Embrace your cross today and embark  
upon a life transforming encounter with  
Abba Father, bringing you into the light  
Of your destiny…. embrace your cross!  

There He stood at the top of the mountain beckoning to me down in the 
valley, to come up higher in Him. Then looking around in the low valley, 
saw a green smooth path leading up the mountain side, but it led away 
from Him. It was a rough side which lead straight up to Him. Immediately, 
the decision was made, and my feet began the climb. Upon arrival, He was 
not there! Where did He go? Did He elude me? My feet then escaped 
some deadly traps on top of the mountain. Soon after overcoming discovered  
an unusual sight, people walking on a sea of glass and if that was not enough: 
there before me, the most beautiful river flowing like in the garden of Eden. While 
gazing upon its beauty, awakened saying, ” I’m going to make it.” Yes, it was a 
dream, yet it gave me hope and once again I was healed! These words caused me 

to sit up in bed at 2am in the morning, ” Come up Higher in the way you are living, 
come up higher from the cares of this life. Come up higher in your study of the 
word, and in your prayer life. Come up higher, for the wages of sin is death. It 
is time to unwrap the gifts I have given to you, which will activate My river to flow 
abundantly from My throne to you! Come up higher from the noise of the nay Sayers, 
and all who oppose My will and purpose for your life! Come up higher to receive 
My specific instructions for your life. Come up higher to see more clearly and to truly 
understand the deep and hidden things. No more will you wander around in darkness. 
The light of Jesus Christ is guiding your every step, leading you to the table I have 
prepared for you! Come up higher and you will be able to really love those who attempt 
to destroy My purpose and will for your life! Come up higher to be transformed in My 
presence. ” Still sitting, the word resounded from Isaiah 55:8-11. (8) ” For My thoughts 
are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the LORD.” (9) ” For as the 
heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than yours, and My thoughts 
than your thoughts.” (10) ” For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and 
do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give 
seed to the Sower and bread to the eater, ” (11) ” So shall My word be that goes forth 
from My mouth, it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and 
it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. And be led out with peace; The mountains 
and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall 
clap their hands. ” Being reminded of the Psalmist David as he fled to the refuge of Abba 
Father’s presence. Read it for yourself from the Book of Psalm 61:1-5 & 8. (1) ” Hear my, 
O God, attend to my prayer,” (2) ” From the end of the earth I will cry to you, when my 
heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I. ” (3) ” For You have been 
a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. ” (4) ” I will abide in Your tabernacle for 
ever, I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah. ” Pause and calmly think about that as 
you focus on verse (5) ” For you O God have heard my vows, you have given me the 
heritage of those who fear Your name.” (8) ” So, I will sing to Your name forever; that I may 
daily perform my vows. ” 
 
Friend, despite what you are going through amid it all, stop! Take a deep breath in, 
now breathe out……There! Question, can you hear Yahweh, saying to you, come up higher ? 
The word is resounding this time from the Book of Revelation chapter 22. Jesus is speaking, 
(12) ” And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give everyone according 
to his work. ” (13) ” I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning, and the End, the First and the 
Last. ” Yahweh, says to you and He says to me, (14) ” Blessed are those who do His commandments that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates of the city.” 
Beware of what is outside of Him as He calls you to come up higher! (15) ” But outside are dogs 
and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices 
a lie. ” COME UP HIGHER! (17) ” And the Spirit and the bride say, ” Come! And let him who 
hears say, ” Come! ” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of 
life freely.” Come up higher today! Tomorrow may be too late…. COME UP HIGHER!

The Pastor’s wife suffers many things and in silence she sometimes will with draw from everyone. She is wise enough to know not to have any clicks in the church and to treat everyone equally. Her focus is not on preaching in the pulpit. She is a woman of prayer and desires to become a yielded vessel unto the LORD! 

Though often criticized and misunderstood, the Pastor’s wife perseveres and learns to cry out to Abba Father in prayer and supplication; in response Yahweh is answering the Pastor’s wife prayers which reminded me of just this past weekend how I experienced an urgency to catch up on some household chores and I worked up until almost midnight that’s when I heard these words as they rang out, “The Pastor’s wife!”  

Immediately I felt the pain of rejection, frustration and weariness of a day of working so hard only to feel an emptiness within; Abba Father interjected, “Those hours of working non-stop were a demonstration of what the Pastor’s wife has to go through; He continued, ‘she is often given a book to read to teach her how to be a Pastor’s wife.  She is given instructions to sing in the choir and become actively involved in every aspect of the church. Abba Father also revealed that the emptiness which I felt after completing my chores is the same way the Pastor’s wife feels after doing everything, she could do to please her husband and the church.” 

This revelation totally astounded me as I tried to maintain my composure but instantly I fell on my knees in awe as the LORD gave me a flash back of a few days before my husband’s induction as Pastor, it was as if all hell had broken loose so to speak; my response as I walked the floor of my home was, “LORD, I cannot do this! I cannot be a Pastor’s wife.”  Abba Father replied, “You have not even begun yet!”  This reply had placed me back on track and the scales of being ignorant of what the enemy had successfully done with his lies to cause me to give up before getting started. The Word spoke to me from Isaiah 43:1-2, (1)” Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine.” (2)” When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame kindle upon you.” 

Listen, while Satan only comes to do three things to kill, steal and to destroy there is something else you should know, his most effective tool is discouragement; then he tags teams with those two imps lies and deception then subtly fear will attempt to take over your life. The Word is speaking again this time from 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 

I just stopped by to encourage the Pastor’s wife who may have reached your breaking point and may even have become despondent because of what you have and still experiencing as the Pastor’s wife. The books you have read (even though they contain a wealth of knowledge) to teach you how to become a Pastor’s wife have failed. You have been faithful and obedient, but it has left you empty but there is a deeper call from within. Yahweh has His hands on your life and is giving you an open invitation to the feast He has prepared just for you! Do you not know that everything you have gone through was the process to bring you to your place of destiny? Be still right now and please pay close attention; you were not called, excuse this expression to be “A jack of all trades and a master of none.”  You are the Pastor’s wife and even before you were in your mother’s womb God chose and ordained you to be the Pastor’s wife. He placed within you the Breakers Anointing to destroy yokes, to lift burdens and to break shackles! Abba Father is calling you to intensify your prayer life and increase the time you spend in the secret place of His presence. It is time to pay closer attention your (me too) home and to really minister to the Pastor. You have been given the anointing of Jael to defeat and to destroy the works of the enemy – The fire of God is upon your life to transform the atmosphere in your home to not only chase the enemy away but to cancel the works of darkness. Little foxes are being sent on special assignment to destroy not only your marriage to the Pastor but to also destroy your home. This is a red alert to the Pastor’s wife even though where you are on your journey, you may not be able to identify with this, I hear it resounding, “Pay closer attention to your home!”  The little foxes are getting in and are not only opening the back door but are boldly taking the hinges off your front door while you are at home. Good news though, God has seen this and is now intervening on your behalf! 

Abba Father is even now stepping in to heal your broken wounded heart; He is restoring all that was stolen from you. The Pastor and the entire congregation will see in short order that you are God’s beloved, and you will function and be respected as the Pastor’s wife. A time of refreshment is coming for you. Yes, God is re-routing you and reviving you to demonstrate His Word through you. The question is though, are you willing to forgive others, then forgive yourself (me too) for believing the lies of the enemy? While you are pondering on that two-part question just know that you have been redeemed, the slate has been wiped clean, but will you step up and answer the call of Yahweh on your life or will you continue with business as usual? 

The Word is speaking from Isaiah 41:10 “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.” God will empower you to do mighty exploits for Him even while you are being criticized, misunderstood during those extremely challenging times. You have been chosen to be the Pastor’s wife to be a backer for him and to keep him saturated in prayer. Look to your true Source, go to the secret place of God’s presence, and walk in the Power and Authority Yahweh has given to you to function in every season of your life as the Pastor’s Wife!

While sitting in women’s meeting at church everything inside of me felt as if it was burning up   from the chest to the lower extremities, I said to Abba Father, “I’m going to scream in here!”  The reply came back, “You know Jesus, call on His name,” Listen this was a midlife crisis for me and so intense it was that I forgot to call upon the name of Jesus! 

Here in the Bahamas and around the Globe people are experiencing midlife crisis.  Marriages and families are falling apart. The murder count is escalating daily, promiscuity is on the rise and the pimps are taking it to an all-time low! The drug dealers are reinventing the trade in a subtle way.  Have the nations forgotten that Yahweh reigns? Violence is overtaking our land and the sin of lawlessness is now the order of the day. There is also a strong uprising of movements who are bashing and beating each other down. Children are being abused and confused because their fathers have abandoned them and there are mothers who have left their true calling and have gone after the ways of the world! Our leaders have become too power hungry and have blasphemed the name of God! There is a foul spirit spreading rapidly squeezing the prayer life out of Yahweh’s people, it is a midlife crisis; every abomination is taking place throughout the land! 

Wherever you are on your journey you may be walking during a midlife crisis. Your home may be torn up and you have not even gotten a wink of sleep lately so to speak. Your relationship with your spouse and children has become so estranged that you may not remember the last time you had a tender moment with your son or daughter. I hear it resounding; You could be in the middle of a midlife crisis, yet it may feel more like a nightmare which will stop as soon as you awaken from sleep, but I just stopped by to tell you, you are not having a bad dream, but you could be experiencing a midlife crisis! Could it be that you are engaged in a spiritual battle and have been ignoring it for quite some time hoping it would work itself out? Can I tell you? The soldier enlisted on the battlefield and refuses to fight will become a casualty! There is a clarion 911 call for you (me too) to continue to stand in Christ! The Word is speaking from the book of Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”  Stop crying and pulling out your hair, leave off biting off your nails and worrying about your midlife crisis! The Word is speaking again this time from 1 Peter 1:3-7, (3)”Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  (4)”to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,”  (5)”Who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”  (6)”In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,”  (7)”that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,” 

Listen, while I sat in the women’s meeting on the inside of me there was a battle raging, it felt like the fire was burning up everything within so much so that momentarily I became so consumed by the pain and discomfort, all I wanted to do was scream but my spirit reached out to Abba Father instead. The Word spoke, Psalm 14: 4” Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call on the LORD?”   For me it was the menopausal hot flashes which caused me to really forget to call upon Jesus and almost succumbed to the heat consuming wave! 

What about you? Is what you are walking in feel unbearable? I hear it resounding, “You could be experiencing a midlife crisis!”  And just as Abba Father divinely intervened and reminded me to call on the name of Jesus during my midlife crisis, I encourage you to call upon the name of Jesus. Pause for a moment! Take a deep breath in, now breathe out! May the breath of Yahweh transform your entire life with His healing Power to withstand every midlife crisis you will or may encounter and as you move forward in faith and obedience, I hear The Word ringing like a telephone from Philippians 4:13, will you pick up the receiver? If you will declare this; “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” You will make it victoriously through every Midlife Crisis!

Sometimes life can blindside and turn your whole life upside down be assured there is consolation, comfort, and renewed hope in the Word of God. The sons of Korah who were the temple assistants who wrote Psalm 46 and described the fear of mountains or cities crumbling into the sea, however, in the face of utter destruction. The writer expresses a quiet confidence in God’s ability to save him. Let us read those three verses together – 

Verse (1) “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Verse (2) “Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,” Verse (3) “though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” As we brace ourselves for this pending storm and understand that the Almighty God, our Abba Father is aware of where you are and is right there with us! Yahweh is Faithful and will not fail you! God will manifest His Word. Recently I noticed my youngest daughter almost walked into the dining room wall! Several times it was evident she could see nothing. Suddenly she began to struggle while walking and limped extremely hard. It saddened me to the core of my being and drove me to my knees. The Word spoke from Psalm 29 verse (1) “Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Verse (2) “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness.” Adoration, honour and praise flowed from my lips while the high praises of thanksgiving unto the LORD filled the prayer room. When I arose from the floor on my knee and discovered it was the breaking of the dawn! I knew there was the hope of complete healing and deliverance for Nia. She awakened early feeling refreshed still limping a bit, but the pain had subsided, I took her to have an eye examination, but as the test progressed, I realized she was failing the test. Very gently they gave the news! They could not help Nia, and gave her a referral for an appointment to see a Specialist. While I driving my car home, I said, “LORD, I believe you are still working miracles! Nia needs a Healing now!” We went to Prayer Meeting and although we were few, the presence of the LORD filled the Atmosphere as the conductor began to worship and give glory unto Abba Father. She said, we will now sing from our Church Hymnal number 53, O God How Great Thou Art. I turned to Nia and said, Sing Nia! The Spirit of the LORD took enveloped her as she fastened her eyes on my lips, beautiful sounds of melodious singing flowed from her lips, she sang the four stanzas. Listen I could hardly contain myself while I fought back the tears – This was like a storm of life to me, but God not only manifests His great power in nature. He also teaches us that we can trust Him to give us both peace and strength to weather the storms of life. 

Listen as I hasten to conclude, and we hunker down to brace ourselves for this pending storm. Remember God is the Provider. He gives refuge, security, and peace His power is complete, and Abba Father will rescue those who love Him. At the prayer meeting while the miracle unfolded, I heard the LORD whisper, “Nia is reading your lips and she is seeing with her eyes!” The Anointing was upon her as joy filled her soul and the church seemed filled to capacity, although we were few. The limping fled the scene and her vision increased while healing flowed unceasingly! What a miracle in the House of God! The question is, Will you trust Abba Father to take care of you and keep you safe until the storm passes? Will you stand firm on the Word of God and activate your faith to receive your miracle? God is your refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. God will take care of you!