The Bank of the River

But now, LORD, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter, And all of us are the work of Your hand.
-Isaiah 64:8

Dear People Who Keep Company with God,

Reading Paul’s letters in the chronological order he likely wrote them reveals a beautiful truth. Over time, we see a growing clarity in how he speaks about God as Father. This discovery feels like a journey, not just his, but one that reflects our own. We are not only learning to believe in God, but to live as His sons and daughters.

Paul’s earliest mention of God as Father is simple and personal. He writes to the Thessalonians as those “in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:1). Right from the beginning, Paul’s focus is on identity and belonging. This is where our understanding starts. We are welcomed, loved, and placed in Him before we ever do anything for Him.

Paul also shows us that faith begins with God, not with us. In 1 Thessalonians 3:11, he prays, “Now may our God and Father Himself direct our way to you.” In this passage, we see a Father who is near, involved, and attentive. He is not distant. He is personally leading and caring for His people.

As Paul continues walking with God, the Holy Spirit reveals a deeper truth. The same closeness Jesus has with the Father now belongs to us. Paul uses one word to capture it: Abba. “Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba, Father!’” (Galatians 4:6).

This phrase is not formal or detached but is close, personal, and full of trust. Knowing God as Abba is at the core of real faith. The Holy Spirit teaches us to come to Him with confidence, not striving. We do not have to earn His love or prove ourselves. We speak to Him as children who already belong, are already loved, and are already held.

By the time Paul writes from prison, his understanding overflows into the act of worship. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). Even in chains, Paul’s words are full of joy. He is not reaching for a blessing but is resting in what the Father has already given.

When we begin to live from that place, our hearts shift within us. The pressure to perform starts to fade, and peace takes its place. Gratitude grows. We become steady, not because life is easy, but because we know we are held by the Father’s love.

Near the end of his life, Paul’s tone becomes even more tender. His words carry the heart of a father. “Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord”  (2 Timothy 1:2). The man who once persecuted the church now writes with gentleness and care. The Father he has come to know now shines through him.

His heart shapes ours. Our words soften. Our love deepens. We begin to see people the way He does. And the Holy Spirit continues to lead us in this, moving us from simply knowing about God to living as those who are truly known and deeply loved by our Father.

Many Blessings, BW

Then Satan answered the LORD, “Does Job fear God for nothing?
- Job 1:9

Dear People Who Keep Company with God,

When things go smoothly, it’s easy to say, “God is good.” But the story of Job takes us deeper. It invites us to keep seeking God when life becomes difficult and unclear. When Satan challenged God and accused Job, his words reached beyond Job to all of us. In essence, he argued, “Job only loves You because of what he gets. Take it away, and he will turn from You.” The Book of Job exposes spiritual warfare, the fragility of life, the questions we carry about God’s love, and the quiet hope that remains in suffering.

Like us, Job couldn’t see the unseen battle surrounding his life. Everything seemed to fall apart without explanation. Yet in the middle of it all, he did something powerful. He stayed in conversation with God. He wrestled honestly, questioned sincerely, and despite the weight of confusion, he refused to walk away. Without realizing it, Job answered Satan’s accusation. His faith was not rooted in blessings but in a relationship. He wasn’t clinging to what he had. He was holding on to God.

That pull between trust and retreat is a real tension we all feel. When life feels safe and blessed, we draw near to God and others. When things become uncertain or painful, our instinct is often to pull back. Job felt that tension too, yet he chose to remain open before God. Despite the voices of doubt around him, he held onto a thread of hope. He was not perfect, but he was persistent. And that mattered.

One of the great truths depicted in Job’s life is the steady nature of God’s character. His lovingkindness does not come and go when it feels hidden. Our honesty does no threaten Him; our doubts do not disappoint Him. There are moments when He may seem silent, but He never stops being who He is. If His love could fail, He would no longer be God. When we cannot see it, His love is still present, still working, still holding us.

Job’s story contains the question; Jesus’ life reveals the answer. In Christ, we see the heart of God fully. He does not stand at a distance from our pain. He steps into our deepest darkness. At the cross, Jesus met the worst of suffering and transformed it into redemption. Through His death and resurrection, He shows us a God who does not abandon us, but one who walks with us, carries us, and surrounds us in our most broken moments.

Job never received an explanation for his suffering, but he encountered God in a deeper way. In the end, that encounter changed everything. The same is true for us. When God feels distant, it may be an invitation into knowing Him more deeply rather than separation. His love remains steadfast in silence. And as we continue to seek Him in small, quiet ways, we begin to see again that His love never fails.

Many Blessings, BW

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to keep many people alive.
- Genesis 50:20

Dear People Who Keep Company with God,

The story of Joseph draws us in because it combines the extraordinary with the familiar. His journey features betrayal, favoritism, injustice, and ultimately, redemption. These are common experiences that resonate with so many of us. His story starts with Joseph as a seventeen-year-old dreamer, deeply loved by his father but resented by his brothers.

What begins as standard family tension quickly turns into unfathomable betrayal. Driven by jealousy, his brothers sell him into slavery, stripping him of his family, his freedom, and any sense of security. To deepen the wound, they deceive their father into believing Joseph is dead, leaving him to carry a grief that was never meant to be his. In chains, Joseph is carried to Egypt and placed in Potiphar’s house. There, his integrity and diligence bring him favor. But just as his life seems to steady, it falls apart again. Potiphar’s wife falsely accuses him, and Joseph is thrown into prison.

Joseph’s following years unfolded in a dark and lonely place that must have felt like an endless pit. Yet even there, God’s presence never abandoned him. Through every hardship, the quiet thread of God’s favor persisted. In prison, Joseph earned responsibility, and the gift God had given him, interpreting dreams, began to shine. What grew in hidden places would later lead to his release.

Joseph was called upon when Pharaoh was troubled by dreams no one could explain. In a moment, everything changed. The prisoner became a ruler, second only to Pharaoh, entrusted with guiding Egypt through a famine. In time, the same brothers who betrayed him stood before him in need, and Joseph became the means of their preservation.

Joseph’s heart stands out the most. He did not pretend the wrong done to him was right. He spoke truthfully. Yet he also saw beyond it. “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” He recognized that God was at work through it all, weaving even painful moments into a greater purpose. In this willingness to forgive and redeem, Joseph points us to Christ.

His story invites us to see our own lives differently. We all walk through seasons that feel confusing or unfair. Broken relationships, unexpected setbacks, long stretches of waiting. Like Joseph, we do not always understand what God is doing in the moment. But those hidden places are often where He forms something deep within us.

God’s favor does not always appear as ease or outward success. Often, it arrives as endurance, wisdom, and quiet strength shaped by trials. The pain is real, but it is not the end of the story. God is always working, even when it is unseen, drawing redemption from what feels broken.

If you find yourself in a place that feels more like a pit than a promise, do not lose heart. God does not waste anything. In His hands, He weaves both joy and sorrow into His purpose. Stay rooted in Him, trust His timing, and hold on to hope. What was meant for harm, He can turn for good, bringing life and restoration in ways you may not yet see.

Many Blessings, BW

"And now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe.”
- John 14:29

Dear People Who Keep Company with God,

In the New Testament, prophecy is given to build up, encourage, and bring comfort, as Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 14:3. This gives us a helpful picture of how the Holy Spirit most often speaks through His people, in both ordinary moments and more difficult seasons for the church and the world.

At the same time, God does at times bring warnings, corrections, or sober messages about what may lie ahead. These, too, have a place within New Testament prophecy. The question is not whether a word sounds positive or challenging, but what heart and purpose are behind it.

In the Old Testament, prophetic warnings were tied to covenant judgment. When Israel broke the law, prophets announced the consequences. Their role was primarily to call the nation back to faithfulness under the covenant they had violated.

The cross changed everything for us. Judgment was dealt with at Calvary. As a result, New Testament prophecy operates in partnership with the Holy Spirit, not out of a place of condemnation. Even when a word points to an issue, a correction, or a challenging season ahead, the purpose remains redemptive. Such words are meant to guide us toward God’s plans, His healing, and His heart.

A simple way to see the difference is this: in the Old Covenant, warnings were connected to judgment, while in the New Covenant, warnings are connected to care. A loving Father speaks clearly to His children because He desires to protect them and provide for them.

We see this pattern throughout the New Testament. Agabus foretold a coming famine in Acts 11 and later warned Paul about imprisonment in Acts 21. Jesus spoke firmly to several churches in Revelation. Paul explained to Timothy how deception would arise in the last days. None of these messages was given to create fear. Instead, they were loving, sober reminders meant to prepare and strengthen God’s people.

Paul also reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13:9 that we know and prophesy in part. This humility helps us approach prophetic words responsibly. Rather than assuming we see the whole picture, we recognize our need for one another. We weigh prophetic words against Scripture, invite trusted and mature believers into the process, and pray for discernment brings protection and often adds strength and clarity to the word.

Jesus’ words in John 14:29 provide reassurance when we encounter serious or sobering prophetic warnings. He explains that He tells us things in advance so that when they come to pass, we may believe. His goal is trust, not fear. He wants faith to overcome fear, peace to still anxiety, and courage to rise above doubts.

We should always pay attention when the Holy Spirit speaks to awaken us, calls us to repentance, or warns us of danger. One simple way to discern His voice is this: if a message leaves you feeling condemned, hopeless, or trapped, it is likely not from Him. But when a message draws you toward life, wisdom, repentance, or renewed faith, it aligns beautifully with the purpose of New Testament prophecy.

Many Blessings, BW

So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.
- 2 Peter 1:19

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Dear People Who Keep Company with God, 

Peter compares prophecy to a lamp shining in a dark place. Without its light, the church can drift into worldliness and spiritual darkness. When prophecy is embraced in a healthy way, it helps us see clearly and walk wisely. Right now, the Holy Spirit is highlighting how He is shaping prophetic ministry in this season, helping us better understand and walk in it.

A cleansing is taking place. God is removing performance, sensationalism, celebrity culture, and vague, prediction-driven ministry. He is restoring the prophetic to its true purpose, rooted in His heart, His Word, and His character. The Holy Spirit is refining the prophetic, not discarding it. 

While prophecy includes words of knowledge, healings, miracles, signs, and even insight into future events, these are not its central focus. At its core, prophecy exists to reveal Jesus, honor Him, and draw attention to Him. The Holy Spirit is bringing the prophetic back to a simple place of listening to Him, loving Him, and helping others see Him more clearly.

Words about future events are a valid part of biblical prophecy. Jesus said the Spirit would show us things to come (John 16:13). At the same time, the Holy Spirit has been emphasizing prophecies that shape our growth. There is a renewed focus on identity, courage, repentance, and unity. The prophetic is not only informative; it is transformative.

The Holy Spirit is raising up voices that reflect the Father's heart. These are voices that can correct without crushing, warn without wounding, and invite people into a life marked by hope. The tone is shifting, and that shift itself is evidence of the spirit at work.

He is also teaching the church how to weigh and discern the prophetic. This may be one of the most important developments of all. The body of Christ is maturing. People are no longer receiving everything uncritically. They are learning to test the spirits, weigh words carefully, look for fruit, examine motives, measure everything against Scripture, and value character. As the church matures, it becomes a safer place for the prophetic, and the prophetic strengthens the church's health.

For a long time, prophetic ministry largely lived “out there” in conferences, online platforms, and itinerant personalities. That season played an important role in God’s restoration of the prophetic to His people. Now it feels as though God is bringing it into the church's living room. In that space, there is room for accountability, ongoing discipleship, shared discernment, and life together.

The prophetic is not meant to stay within the walls of the church. It calls the church into the world God loves. There is a growing expression of prophetic evangelism that feels natural rather than awkward, marked by boldness in speaking life into dark places and by spiritual authority in everyday moments. The Holy Spirit is weaving prophetic ministry into the fabric of daily life.

Clearer, humbler, and more Christ-centered prophetic voices are emerging from the ashes of past mistakes and failures. The Holy Spirit is not only shaping prophetic ministers. He is forming a prophetic people. Every believer can learn to hear His voice, grow in discernment, and reflect the Father’s heart to those around them. The Holy Spirit is inviting you to embrace this and become one of the prophetic voices He is raising up in this hour.

 Many Blessings, BW

My heart is moved with a good theme; I address my verses to the King; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” 
- Psalm 45:1

Dear People Who Keep Company with God,

We are living in a significant prophetic era. According to the Hebrew calendar, the current decade, 5780 to 5789, which corresponds to 2020 to 2029, is represented by the Hebrew letter Peh, meaning "mouth." The focus of this season is communication, our voice, and the power of speech. As we enter the second half of this decade, the call for a higher form of speech is becoming clearer. This is a call to unite our hearts with His and to use our words as instruments of blessing, healing, and truth.

Psalm 45 beautifully connects the heart and the mouth. It opens with the words, “My heart overflows with a good theme.” What resides in the heart will eventually find expression through the mouth. Jesus affirmed this when He said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:33-37). Our words are the windows into our inner lives.

I have always been moved by the way the psalmist describes Jesus, saying, “Grace is poured upon Your lips.” His words were saturated with grace because His heart was perfectly aligned with the Father. I see this as a description of Jesus, and an invitation for us. Our words shape atmospheres. They can release life and hope or stir confusion and darkness. God desires a people who speak as His mouthpieces, with words formed by His heart. Grace-filled words flow from a grace-filled heart.

This is why stewarding our voice matters so much right now. During the height of the pandemic, the Lord gave me a sobering prophetic word: “Some will be given a voice, and some who have a voice will lose it. My plan is for you to have a voice. Do not lose it through the compromise of truth.” At the time, I did not fully understand the weight of those words. Since then, we have watched many prominent voices in the church lose credibility, clarity, or influence.

Scripture gives us a vivid picture of what a God-shaped voice sounds like. In Revelation, John describes the voice of Jesus as a trumpet, the sound of many waters, and a sharp, two-edged sword. (Revelation 1:10, 15-16) This vision does not stop with Jesus alone. It extends to His people. “The Spirit and the Bride say, Come” (Revelation 22:17). This is the body of Christ, unified and speaking together through the power of the Holy Spirit.

God’s desire is for a collective voice on the earth. This isn’t about everyone having the same opinion or perfect agreement on every matter. It’s a united Bride who speaks with one heart, free from lesser loyalties and personal offenses. It’s the voice of a people in love with Jesus, surrendered to Him, and aligned with His purposes.

That is the tension of this moment. Will we speak with both grace and truth, or will we grow silent and careless with our words? 

Your voice matters. Do not lose it. Let God shape, guard, and use your voice for His glory.

Many Blessings, BW

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