Arlene Reitz — Bridges of Grace & Women at the Well Ministries

Greetings from North Carolina,

 I pray you are blessed in every way according to 3 John 1:2, Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.

The Lord keeps reminding me that I am still in a season of transition. He has given me some assignments to complete during this season. With the assignments, He is also giving me His Word to keep me on track.  It’s a good thing I have His Holy Spirit to lead and guide me because I would be lost without Him.  I don’t remember fighting such a bombardment of distractions. Nor have I fought such heavy spiritual battles in my own country and in my own family and sphere of influence. It’s been years since I have lived in the States and much has changed. It is challenging, requiring prayerfully seeking the Lord’s Wisdom.

Transition can often feel like a crazy mix of emotions and decisions.  I am not where I was and yet not fully moved into where I am going.  I must remember that He who brought me into the journey is faithful to bring me through it and finish the work He started.

I thank God for the Word that He has written on my heart through the years because it’s by His equipping truths and strengthening grace that I can keep moving forward.  Even though my steps are slower, I take them by faith knowing Jesus is walking with me.  I believe that pressing on through the tough times will be worth it in the end. Jesus the Lord of Lords and King of Kings is on the move and great things are already being done behind the scenes and more is being revealed that will bring in the greatest move of God ever! I am thankful that despite the challenges, I am alive for such a time as this.

Psalm 103: Praise the Lord’s for His Mercies!

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:

3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,

4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

God always has a purpose for every season in the natural and in the spiritual.   This is a season for reinforcement and renewal.  The reinforcement part includes meditating and praying over the scriptures and prophetic that’s already been given and studying His Word for today and tomorrow’s promises to be revealed.  The renewal comes with worshipping Him in spirit and in truth, like He spoke to the Samaritan Woman at the well in John 4:2-3.

 John 4:2-3 But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” 25The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything to us.”

The scriptures the Holy Spirit gave me many years ago while I was praying for the opportunity to attend Rhema Bible School and to know God’s Will are found in Psalm 37.

 Psalms 37:4-5 NKJV Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.  

I learned a valuable lesson back then. It remains one of life’s “Golden Nuggets of Truth” I deeply treasure. While I worshipped Jesus and waited with my heart and mind fastened on Him, my desires became His desires and His desires mine. I had a heavenly encounter, and we made a heavenly exchange. My Creator planted His seeds in my heart, and as I abided in His Presence, watering them with my worship, I received the sweet fruit of His Spirit. It was an act of surrender. I learned to listen for His Voice.  Jesus became the utmost desire of my heart, and all the other things that were not of Him faded away.

 In the margin of my Bible by Psalm 37, I wrote—Rhema (1984-1985), Guatemala (1987-1991) (1999-2021)— and in His Timing as noted they came to pass. It was always His Will!  

It is vital to discover His Plan. He said to me more than once, “There is no plan A or plan B and no plan C that you have been recently thinking about either.  There is only My Plan, so seek me first and stay focused on what you already know and do that.”

Philippians 1:6 Amplified Bible I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return]. Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

This season of transition is also a time of transformation.  No matter how old I am, I must keep on growing in Jesus, being changed into His Image.

Romans 12:1-2 NKJV I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 

Transformation is a type of metamorphosis. Metamorphosis is defined as a change into something new, like when a caterpillar changes into a butterfly. There is a noticeable change in character, appearance, function, or condition. It is like that in the spirit also. God, Our Creator is working, making something new, breathing fresh life into those whose hearts are lifted to Him.  Prepare to receive the fresh wind of the Holy Spirit.  Breakthrough will happen.  Cocoons are temporary!  Changes continue! Life happens, and butterflies are beautiful.  Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time.  It is important to let God be God and trust Him to finish the transformation. We are the work of His Hands!

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) ~ Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

 As I close, I pray that you are blessed abundantly in every area of your life as you seek Him, to know Him and to know His will that you will be strengthened by His grace. I pray your relationship with Jesus becomes sweeter and sweeter, and His Word becomes the lamp at your feet and the light on your path to continually show you the way on the journey He has chosen for you. 

In Jesus Name,

I remain His Missionary, Arlene J. Reitz