[When] you come, bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, also the books, especially the parchments.      

This is Paul's final correspondence to his spiritual son, Timothy.
Though Paul is in prison, he did not forget his mission, his purpose.

In his letter to Timothy, Paul addresses many of the most serious of situations he had faced in his mission to complete his appointment while on the planet earth.  Paul writes about his experiences of being shipwrecked a night and of floating in the seas in perils of water, robbers and his own countrymen, beaten, hungry, and betrayed.
He concludes by saying, "Who is afraid?  Not me.  I glory in it."

Most of us would wonder if Paul were a little bit "touched in the head" to share these things and then remark that he glories in them.  However, look at what is going on around you, in your neighbor's life,
in your city, your state, your nation and the nations of the world.
All is in turmoil.   In the natural, we do not know how to find answers to the unlimited problems... everywhere, even in our own physical bodies and family situations.  There seems to be no answers.  There seems to be no solutions. 

Now let us look at how Paul had peace in all these trials and tribulations. 
Paul made a request of Timothy that to the natural mind would be quite puzzling. 
He asked for...
1. the books (especially the documents of the "Old Testament"),
Witness of the "books of the Old Testament" that Paul asked to have brought to him.
Daniel 9:2 KJV
In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
2. parchments (special prepared sheep or goat skins on which to write)
3. and a coat. 
(If we were in jail, our first request would be probably be to contact a good lawyer.)
Paul only asked for what he needed.
He knew who he was in life. 
He knew his mission. 
He knew where he was in life and he knew why he was there. 
He knew he was in jail and he knew the fate that was ahead of him due to of the choices he had made
to fulfill the mandate of Christ upon his life. 
He knew he had fulfilled his purpose in life and his purpose was to please God in his commissioning and assignment.   {Paul was in his later years.  His life would soon be over.}

Paul asked for three things which we, too, all need to finish our purpose.
1. We need to define the Vision of God for our life's ministry.  Habakkuk 2:2-3
2. Record divine insights and revelations that we have searched out that others may
    understand them in the Light of Christ... Truth, Life and the Spirit
3. We need a Coat (a Covering)...  (Gen 3:21; Ex 39:35; Eph 5:26-27)
     In the natural, something warm, to be protected from the cold winds of winter. 
     Spiritually, we find it in relationship with the Lord by way of our relationship with the Holy Spirit
     and in apostolic cover and accountability through relationship with one another.
     We all need a place in our lives to find comfort in times of adversity and loss, a place of warmth
     in a cold world.  
     We need that place where we can relax and breath comfortably without the pressures of the raw
     winds of life... a place to be rested, recharged, revived. 
     It is that place that will carry us through the dark nights of our lives. 

Many of God's people do not have anyone to bring them a warm coat.
There is no one around them who can discern their need of fellowship
or of a kind word of encouragement .  Even our Savior, knowing He was in the perfect will of the Father, cried out from the Cross.   Even those in the will of God have a need from time to time for someone to bring an offering of encouragement to them. 

Paul asked for a coat.  Jesus asked for a drink. 
Everyone needs someone who can encourage them in times of trial and despair. 
Our churches should be filled with those who watch and pray and are aware of the struggles and seasons of change others are going through.  Most of us need a special word of encouragement
and need someone to pray for us and to show God's love to us in this very moment. 
There are so many that are wounded and wearied from the battles in life. 
We all need encouragement because it empowers us to hope in Christ in spite of life's circumstances.
Encouragement builds our faith and releases the strength of joy that the Lord is Good
and that He cares for us.
The Hebrew writer admonishes us with these words... 
Heb 3:13 ...(admonish, urge, and encourage) one another every day...
We should take advantage of every opportunity we have because the need is great. 
As we pour out into others lives, Holy Ghost fills us with "new oil and new wine."  
There is no shortage of the supply, we only need to gather the vessels and pour out of the riches of Christ that they may be filled.  In so doing, we, too, enter into His rest, and are recharged and revived
no matter the circumstances.

There seems to be a myth that says being a Christian is easy..
• Your life will always be filled with joy
• Things will always go smoothly
• Your suffering will end
• Your kids will turn out great
• Your marriage will always be days of bliss
• You will land the big job
• Your ministry will be filled with countless days of successes
• You will be blessed materially and drive a luxury foreign car.
•  You will live without want...

That's not always true of being a Christian...
• Some drive economy cars and recycled used cars
• Some do not have a car
• Many are struggling to get by
• Many are fighting serious health problems
• Many are on the brink of financial ruin
• Many have serious problems  with their children
• Many are facing divorce
• Many are struggling with their ministry appointments

The Bible states that it rains on the just and the unjust.
There are times when our faith in God seems like it is hanging by a thread.
That's when we need someone to walk along side us and listen without judging. 
That's when we need someone to gently remind us that God is still God, that He loves us and in His presence is hope, help and healing. 
All around us are people that need encouragement.
Some of them work hard for the cause of Christ.  Some serve behind the scenes and are rarely noticed.  They pray for others, send cards, and serve with fullness of heart.  They teach and take food boxes
to the less fortunate... the unsung heroes who need encouragement.

Paul found encouragement in the books, the parchments and in writing letters to others. 
He was nurtured with assurance and his mind was stayed on the Lord through his searching for wisdom, knowledge and understanding of the treasures of heaven.
looking into the spirit realm, we can fully understand Pail's request for the books and parchments:
Recorded in the "Old Testament"   Proverb 4:5-9  AMP
5 Get skillful and godly Wisdom, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation); do not forget and do not turn back from the words of my mouth.
6 Forsake not [Wisdom], and she will keep, defend, and protect you; love her, and she will guard you.
7 The beginning of Wisdom is: get Wisdom (skillful and godly Wisdom)! [For skillful and godly Wisdom is the principal thing.] And with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation). [James 1:5.]
8 Prize Wisdom highly and exalt her, and she will exalt and promote you; she will bring you to honor when you embrace her.
9 She shall give to your head a wreath of gracefulness; a crown of beauty and glory will she deliver
to you.

Paul wrote most of the epistles while he was in jails.  The New Testament was being "written" as the very lives and actions of men choosen as apostles were doing the works of the ministry as Christ directed and confirmed His working with them to build His ONE Holy Apostolic Church. 
In the spirit, we can 'see' Paul in his search for the historical, prophetic and symbolic insights to wisdom, knowledge and understanding that he may be a good steward, a master builder and keep
His mind and purposes set on the divine high calling of his life.
Proverb 25:2-3  AMP
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a thing.
3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, so the hearts and minds of kings are unsearchable.

Jesus Christ is King of the Kingdom of God the Eternal King of kings.
In the spiritual, we are made kings and priests unto God in the New Creation of the Law of the Spirit!
Through the Word and the Spirit we have access to the Throne of God!
Having been translated out of the world of darkness into Christ's marvelous Light of Truth, Life and
the Spirit, we have our being in Him! We have many witnesses to the full revelation of Jesus Christ.
Herein, Paul writes such powerful letters!
Ephesians 2:10  AMP
10 For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that
we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged
and made ready for us to live].
Rom 11:36 AMP
36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. [For all things originate with Him and
come from Him; all things live through Him, and all things center in and tend to consummate and
to end in Him.] To Him be glory forever! Amen (so be it).

Paul encouraged himself in the Holy Ghost through the Word and The Spirit!

Let us learn to fully practice the ways of the apostles of the Lamb and the ascension-gift apostles
of the 1st century church. The bonds of oppression, and depression can be broken off by reaching
into the treasures of Christ that reside within us as we commune with God and reach out to one another and to others. The "apostolate' pattern of Christ can begin to function to release strength through our fellowship, pray and concern for each other and the challenges we each face.

In so doing, we discover the Light of Christ shining in the dark recesses of the circumstances. 
There is always a more needing person within our brotherhood, our ministries, our neighborhoods,
our cities and the nations. This does not negate the reality of our own situations and needs.
However, let us break through our circumstances with the power of the Gospel of the apostolic-prophetic work of Jesus Christ!  let remain teachable and centered upon the Lord Jesus Christ
as he is revealed in all of His majesty!
Let there be demonstration of our love for ourselves and others that we may experience the Lord lift
up a standard in our hearts and minds that will change the way we see things. 
As our perspective and perception is changed we experience a growth in our faith! 
Faith comes by hearing.  Hearing comes by the Word of God.   
As we speak forth words of encouragement, God takes the 'seeds' of our mouths and multiplies them.  We find that the very encouragements sown have an empowerment and a direct result to produce
a harvest of a "new coat" for our very needs!  The winds of the cold raw world of situations and circumstances no longer keep us bound.  As we walk in the righteous acts of the Light, all things become new.  Rest, healing, restoration and revival become our harvest!

Someone you know needs encouragement. 
Take a few minutes and write a note, an email or make a call.
"We are to encourage one another without delay."
Delay can be deadly for the person who needs it...delay allows the danger of hardening of hearts
with doubt and fear.

Be a blessing to those who you have not contacted for many years.
God is doing special things in His Body!
Let us all flow with what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church.
It is time to go back and dig out the plugged wells of past friendships and also to dig some new wells
of friendships.   Friends are made as we become a friend.  Sincere concern through an encouraging word is the path to a richer life.
 
1 Timothy 3:16  AMP
16 And great and important and weighty, we confess, is the hidden truth (the mystic secret) of godliness. He [God] was made visible in human flesh, justified and vindicated in the [Holy] Spirit,
was seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, [and] taken up in glory.

We are here for you and deeply appreciate all those who are participating in the services and
the vision of City of Lights through the web pages of www.thepropheticvoice.com and
the Newsletters of The Prophetic Voice. Let us hear from you. 

Be encouraged as Paul has encouraged us through showing that peace and love is in the simple things.

There are major enhancements made to the site on many of the web pages as well as additional links added to the Website Directory.
We continue to share the scope of the vision of God in The Lord's command and commissioning
"to reach and teach every creature." (Christ's Spiritual Church is the new creation!).
The creature of which scriptures speak...  the "Born Again" by the Spirit of the living God creates
a new and marvelous being of light!  We are that light...  we are of the instruments of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth this day maturing in the image of Father God's begotten Son!
The Prayer the Lord Jesus taught the disciples... when they asked Him to teach them to pray... became a reality through the Cross, the burial, descent into hell, the resurrection,
the ascension, the appointment and crowning to the eternal Davidic throne.

May we experience the Move of the Holy Ghost in His full power and provisions as we dwell
in His presence through the wonderful foundation of love God has given to His leaders.

Psalm 133 AMP
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
BEHOLD, HOW good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious ointment poured on the head, that ran down on the beard, even the beard
of Aaron [the first high priest], that came down upon the collar and skirts of his garments
[consecrating the whole body]. [Ex 30:25,30.]
3 It is like the dew of [lofty] Mount Hermon and the dew that comes on the hills of Zion;
for there the Lord has commanded the blessing, even life forevermore [upon the high and the lowly].

THE LORD COMMANDS THE BLESSING OF LIFE!
Jesus is that LIFE!   He is the Eternal Life!
John 6:48-51  AMP
48 I am the Bread of Life [that gives life--the Living Bread].
49 Your forefathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and [yet] they died.
50 [But] this is the Bread that comes down from heaven, so that [any]one may eat
    of it and never die.
51 I [Myself] am this Living Bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this
     Bread, he will live forever; and also the Bread that I shall give for the life of the world
    is My flesh (body).

May we fellowship in His LIGHT!

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