Job 8:7 ESV Though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great.

The other day I was putting the second truckload of bulk compost on my community garden plot. The first truckload I had used the community garden's wheelbarrow and was a bit scornful of how tiny the wheelbarrow was and how many trips I had to make between the truck and the plot. The second truckload that I picked up, I decided that I was going to take my large wheelbarrow from home and get it done quicker. The threat of rain in the forecast solidified my determination to haul as much as I could as fast as possible. 

I get to the plot and immediately set to work shoveling the compost out of the truck into my large wheelbarrow. Even though I already knew that it was large, I was still a little surprised at how heavy the load is as I start pushing it to my plot. I thought, "well, it is early in the morning once my coffee hits my blood stream it will be okay." I am 50-something but I must have forgotten that because each load seemed to get heavier and heavier. Even as the loads were getting heavier the skies were getting darker and the drizzle of rain started. After about 6-8 wheelbarrow loads in, I sat down on my stool I brought in complete exhaustion. Feelings of being overwhelmed and slightly panicked as I had borrowed the truck and did not know how I was going to get it emptied in order to return it. Then I remembered the small wheelbarrow. Even though I was worn out, overwhelmed and feeling every minute of my age I was still slightly scornful of this little wheelbarrow (which is probably the right size for a 50+ lady). But I knew that this was my only alternative to get a little more done because even though I wouldn’t be able to haul very big loads and it would be slower, at least I would get a little more done before the rain came. As I wheeled my first load I was surprised how light and easy it was to wheel to my plot. Filling it and dumping it was quick too. It wasn’t long until the job was done and my whole garden plot was covered and ready to be planted up. 

It was at that moment that God spoke to me about how he just wants us to make forward progress. Sometimes that forward progress is with quick joyful steps while carrying a large load but sometimes it is with small painful steps while carrying just a handful. Sometimes we are strong and fierce and make huge progress quickly but other times we are tired, overwhelmed, ill or weary and our progress isn't as much as we would like. During those times of small progress we judge ourselves harshly because we aren't doing ALL the things. We aren't hosting Bible studies numerous times a week, writing like we used to, knocking doors as often or having those 3-4 hour prayer sessions. We feel that the single Bible study is insufficient, our journaling not enough, fellowshipping with our neighbor as inadequate and the morning prayers to be too little. But God wants you to know that you should not discount the small things that you are able to do on the days you are weary or full of obligations. Those small things that you do makes huge impacts. Just as my garden plot was revitalized by the compost hauled in the small wheelbarrow, so will your neighbor be ministered to and encouraged by your fellowship, the small prayer breathed on the behalf of someone hurting is still heard by God. When all you can do are the small things, do the small things because there is rich, revitalizing value in those small things.

Zechariah 4:10 NLT Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin...

Loving Them Through It

 Several years back I went through a dark time of depression. A time of being barely able to function. I went to work, only because I needed to and then came home and either went to bed or plopped myself in front of the TV and stared at it aimlessly. I went through this for so many years that I think my friends and family were just "over it" and wanted me to suck it up and put on a happy face. It was 4-5 years of horrible isolation. My family's wordless exasperation at my inability to "get over it" only seem to feed my feelings of guilt at not being able to "get over it" to "suck it up" and caused me to have an almost paralysing fear at venturing out and seeking company. The judgment was too much to bear. When I did venture out, I still felt isolated because I had to fake being happy so that I didn't get the eye-rolling and the pity.  Mostly, I didn't venture out. I stay isolated within my four walls while living in fear of never getting better. Frightened that the next several decades of my life would be lived in mental/emotional isolation, if not in physical. 

Then something happened. I was getting an elephant ear at a food truck and a young man gave me a church card. After many months, God led me to visit this church. It was like no church I had visited before. These people of God loved me through it. There wasn't any judgment when I couldn't face people. There wasn't the comments of, "you shouldn't be missing church" (as if I didn't know that) or "where have you been" (as if I didn't feel guilty enough about not being able to get out of bed to show up). They just loved me. They let me cry when I needed to and to be involved to the extent that I was able. Slowly, (read VERY slowly) the fear lessened and the feeling of isolation started lifting. They had faith for me when I didn't. They believed and prayed for me when I felt to weak and fearful to believe and pray for myself. 

Now nothing has changed except everything. I am still alone a lot but not in isolation. I probably am alone more now than I was before but not because of fear, lonliness or feeling of overwhelming isolation. Now I am alone but active, busy and engaged. I have even got a plot at the community garden this year and look forward to visiting with and ministering to those in my community. Now when I am alone it isn't a matter of isolation but seclusion. Now I seclude myself for a bit of privacy, alone time with God and to rejuvinate so that I can become the one who loves others through it. 

And it all started with a visit. A young man visiting with me in line at an Elephant Ear stand and then a visit to a church. 

That is the way God works. After the crucifixion the disciples and followers of Christ had isolated themselves out of fear. They locked themselves into a room out of fear of being the next crucified. They didn't let anyone in without seeing who it was first. Then Jesus showed up and visited with them. He didn't even come through the door, he just showed up in the room. They even thought Him to be a ghost so he showed his hands/feet and even askef for and ate poached fish and honeycomb to prove to them that He was indeed Jesus. (Luke 24) After that visit with Jesus, the isolation that had the disciples bound changed. Now instead of fearful isolation, they were in the temple praising God. The only time they secluded themselves was while waiting on the visitation of the Holy Ghost.

If like me, you find yourself feeling isolated, fearful and alone. Push through a little and visit a church or at least a follower of Christ that will love you through it. If you only have the strength to whisper Jesus, then whisper it. If you try to pray and can only cry because your heart and mind is too overwhelmed and the words will not come, just cry. Don't give up! Don't allow fear to keep you from allowing God to visit you. Just keep seeking him, even if it isn't up to the standard that others think you should. Allow God to love and visit you.

If you are the church or the body of Christ and someone comes in with a whole shipful of baggage. Just love them through it. Are they missing church and ignoring your calls? Send them a hand-written note and love them through it. Are they making poor choices? Love them through it. Do not add to their baggage by judging them for missing. Do not cause them to give up because they aren't doing everything right. Do not criticize them or gossip about them because they can't seem to "suck it up" and "get over it." 

Just Love Them Through It!!

Again

Romans 7:15-25 (The Message)

“I know that all God’s commands are spiritual, but I’m not. Isn’t this also your experience?” Yes. I’m full of myself—after all, I’ve spent a long time in sin’s prison. What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can’t be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God’s command is necessary.

 17-20 But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.

 21-23 It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.

 24 I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?

 25 The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does.

Two winters ago, the fan in my car was going out and driving without heat in Michigan is a terrible idea. Changing the fan on my vehicle isn’t a huge deal but does involve getting under the dashboard, which entails being on the ground. I don’t know about you but I don’t relish lying or kneeling on the cold and wet ground in the winter. Because it was winter and I didn’t have the money to buy the fan, I prayed and asked God to let my fan work until the weather got better. He did just that. It continued to work so I did not change the fan. The next winter came and the fan quit working again and I once again prayed for God to fix it until spring. He did it again. The fan continued to work, except for a small hiccup in the fall so I once again did not change the fan. Once again winter came around and guess what I had not done. The fan remained unchanged but this time I didn’t ask God to fix the fan. Let me say, since the time that the fan first started acting up, God has blessed me tremendously. He has given me a job that more than doubled my income with the benefit of working remotely. So I had the money, the time and spent time last winter and this in warmer climate but the fan to this very day remains unchanged. The fan works sometimes but not always. The part is very easy to change and is well under $100 but is still unchanged. This winter I could not seem to bring myself to go to God about this problem because I knew that it was my fault that it remained unfixed. He had given me the time and resources that I needed in order to fix it but I failed to do so. I even told those around me how God had caused the fan to work the last two winters but I couldn’t ask Him again because He had done His part and I failed to do mine. I know that may sound silly but every word of it is true.

Spiritually this is where I find myself today, as I have so many times before. I find myself doing things, saying things, focusing on things that are not good. I find myself tripped up by the sin of pride, bitterness, slothfulness and self. Each day I determine that I will live a life that is devoted to prayer and service and each day I get distracted and fall WAY short. I repent and am truly sorry that I am once again in the same place that I have been so many times before. With every repentance my determination to do better and live holy is renewed but I almost feel resigned to being at this stage again and again. I am weary of falling short of what I know God is calling me to be. I am bone-tired of repenting of the same things over and over again. Each time I repent over the same mistakes, I wonder if there is any point to repenting because I can’t seem to overcome. I question whether my repentance is true because I keep coming back for the same thing. I could try to comfort myself and say that even Apostle Paul struggled with doing things that he knew wasn’t good or right. But that is little comfort and still doesn’t fix my issue of not living an overcoming life.

But then I look at what Paul did to overcome those temptations, poor choices and bad decisions. He turned to Jesus. Jesus is the only way that I too can overcome. His Spirit truly living within me will provide me the strength to say no to things that do not lead to everlasting life and to yield to things that bring life and glory to Him. Each time I start the day yielding to Him and obeying when He nudges me, my sensitivity to His will and mind will grow. When I lay aside my fleshly desires and allow my desires to match His, I will be able to overcome. Overcoming doesn’t just have to be a song that we sing or an emotion that we feel while at church but it truly can be a way of life. We truly can live above a life of sin and bondage. Regardless of where we are coming from, we can live a life that is a holy example of God’s grace and mercy.

Overcoming will not be the end of repentance. Not at all. Repentance should and will always need to be daily but it won’t be for the same failings, the same short-comings or the same bad choices. After completely yielding to His way and allowing the Holy Ghost to reign supreme in our life, repentance will be deeper and more meaningful.

So I want to encourage myself and anyone reading this that is struggling with repeated sinful decisions, repent again. This time when you repent, allow God to stir up His Spirit within you. Repent again and then start each day seeking His face and end each night thanking Him for grace and mercy. Then repent again. Never ever tire of repenting and bringing your failures and short-comings to a just and merciful God.

What is on your foundation?

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so by fire. I Corinthians 3:11-15

Yesterday during my Bible reading, this scripture stood out to me. (Bible reading is amazing, even though you are reading the same book over and over again, God's Word has a way of ministering a fresh word every time.) As I pondered the verses the sweet pain of conviction, sadness and regret filled my soul. I was given the privilege of being born into an amazing heritage. My grandparents passed on the blessings and example of an intimate walk with God. My grandmothers were very steadfast in the Faith and prayed for each of us more times than I can count I am sure. My grandfather and uncles built churches that have impacted thousands and many decades after their death is still making a mark. Their foundation, like mine, was Jesus Christ. The foundation of Christ is sure and will not be shifted by the trends or modern ways of thinking. Regardless of how the winds blow or the storms come, God is ever faithful and sure. It is what we have built on top of that foundation that makes the difference. My grandparents built a sure work made of gold, silver, and precious stones. The fires of time have a way of refining their work, rather than destroying it. Even today, decades after the passing of my grandfather, there are people coming to God in the churches that he planted. My parents, in their 80's, are still adding precious stones and beams of gold to their life's work in God's kingdom. In ten or twenty years, the young people and children that they pick up for church today will pass that heritage on to their children and my parent's work in the kingdom will continue to grow. Yes, fires of discouragement and trials may come but it will only prove to burn off the chaffe of their work for God's kingdom but not detract from the beauty of their walk with God.

That brings me to what I have built of the foundation that God has blessed me with - that sure foundation that is faithful and true. Well, the Bible says that every man's work will be manifest for what it is. If it is of hay or stubble then the fires of trials and despair will prove it to be of little worth. Sure, I have a couple beams of silver and perhaps a few precious stones standing on my foundation but the walls that protect me from the storms were made of stubble rather than real faith. My walls of positivity cannot take the fires of job loss, death or depression only a true faith in God can withstand those fires. Pleading urgent prayers only when I feel overwhelmed cannot take the heat like the precious stones of daily intercessory prayer. Having faith in the good times doesn't stand a chance during the storms like simply believing that He is faithful all the time. Busyness for the kingdom is good but doesn't necessarily have the longevity of prayerfully intervening for the kingdom.

So here I stand with the fires of trials and the winds of spiritual storms having left my foundation bare of everything but that which is precious. It is now up to me what I will build on this very stable foundation. Will I spend the remainder of my life interceding, working and allowing Jesus Christ to shine brightly through me or will I continue to add short-term desperate faith that gets burnt up with the first flush of hardship. Will my grandchildren and great-grandchildren hear from others how they are followers of Christ because of what I built today? Will I add to the beautiful spiritual structure that my grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles have built that draws people to God or will I continue to regret my poor choices when my work is manifest by fire.

The Consistent Witness

"Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor; so doth a little folly him that in reputation for wisdom and honor." Ecclesiastes 10:1

Have you ever wondered how your harvest field views your walk with God? Do you think they see you as consistent and faithful? Would your harvest field see that you have grown closer to God or farther away? Do you think your witness is just as sweet and healing as it was last week or last year or five years ago? Or do you think they find you changeable? Does your harvest field come to you for wisdom and direction in their walk with God or with only jokes and light-hearted matters?

For quite some time I have been going through a very hard time physically, emotionally and thereby spiritually. There were times I felt so broken, abandoned, depressed, anxious and betrayed that my faith was just a glimmer. It was all I could do to get up in the morning, get to work and cope with the necessities of life. I didn't want to talk with anyone. I didn't want to be nice. I didn't want to care about my co-workers' problems or concerns because, after all, I had my own. There were times I was so low that I just wanted to shut the door on the world until life got better, until I was healed, until I was strong again. But as a follower of Christ, that wasn't what I was called to do. Jesus didn't give me salvation and His Spirit to hide it from those that needed to see Him through me. It seemed to never fail on those days that life was at it's most difficult that God would open my eyes and I would see the hurting, the seeking, the need for a savior. More days than not, God had to remind me that my harvest field is judging my witness and though I am going through a prolonged trial my witness must not waiver. Just because times may be difficult does not change God's goodness or grace so I must consistently display that goodness and grace to my harvest field. Your harvest field isn't judging you for having a difficult time or a trial but they will notice HOW you go through it. When life is tough do you pick up a vice rather than prayer? When someone hurts or betrays you, do you pull away from God or draw closer to him? Do you change your convictions or beliefs on a regular basis based on who you are with, what day of the week it is or where you go to church? Is the light of Jesus shining brightly through your life or does it flicker and blink like a shorting out light bulb?

My prayer and desire is to be a consistent witness and to be identified as an ardent follower of Christ and growing ever closer to him.

Exchanging My Burden for God's Yoke

Have you ever noticed that a heavy load seems to draw your focus more strongly than a beautiful scenery? A sad event draws your concentration more fully and for longer than a joyful happening. It seems that in this life grief lasts longer and is deeper than happiness. I am not sure why this happens but I know that this has plagued me for several years now. Perhaps it is because of an empty nest, or because of the change of life, or because of a medical issue but lately I have not been finding much joy in my journey. It seems that my journey is instead filled with sadness, frustration, paralyzing depression, fear and anxiety. This is not something I have chosen nor do I wish to stay in this state but all my efforts to be free of this has been in vain. I have not been able to volunteer nor socialize my way out of this darkness. Medication has helped but only to an extent of being able to cope and function with the darkness. Sure I can find humor in the silly and laugh at that puniest of jokes but underneath the laughter and smile is a deep sadness.  I can be friendly and kind but I don't really engage and can't seem to build a true friendship/relationship. I dislike the way that I feel and I have prayed for healing and balance but it hasn't yet come. 

Last evening as I was driving through my hometown for my 2nd job, I was struck by the sadness and despair that runs rampant through some neighborhoods in my hometown (and I am sure that this is true for your hometown too). I started praying for the communities that I was driving through and asking God to bring hope, healing, opportunities and revival to these neighborhoods. As I was praying I was struck by the irony of someone who is in a very dark place praying for light for those around me and I felt like God was telling me that this exact burden would be my way out of the darkness. 

Isaiah speaks of how we fast and pray yet we do not see the hand of God move. Verse 3 says, "Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge?" Our whole concentration is usually on what we are missing, what we have laid aside and what trials we are surrounded with. We hold tight to the scriptures that promise us no burdens or at least very light burdens. We like to quote, "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." or "Cast all your care on him; for he careth for you" I think we get so tied up in our own burdens, our own trials, our own short-comings and how we want God to help us to live burden-free and care-free that we fail to see or take on His burdens and His cares. 

In verses 6 &7 he says, "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?" As I was driving I felt like God was telling me to take my concentration off of MY darkness and instead be burdened for and prayerfully concentrate on the neighborhoods in my hometown that are filled with darkness and despair. When I lift my neighbor in prayer and lift the burdens of the least among us is when God will answer when I cry. Verse 8 says, "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward." The answer to my deliverance (and yours) from the darkness is tied closely with prayerfully lifting others out of their darkness and taking on God's burden for our world. 

Fruits of the Spirit - Goodness

I don’t know about the rest of you but I find that I am easily distracted electronically. A few weeks ago I was reading up on some ways to study the Bible, ways to get a deeper understanding of the Word rather than just reading it and hoping that something would absorb into my mind and I came across verse mapping. In the course of reading up on verse mapping and reading numerous blogs and clicking links to other blogs and other articles. Pretty soon I found myself reading a blog article about productivity. As my extended time of being distracted online shows, I desperately need to be more productive. More times than I care to admit, I find myself distracted and all my good intentions of getting things done go out the window so I read the article and it referenced a book called Do More Better. The first part of this book speaks of our purpose as a Christian and God used it to remind me and motivate me to find and have a purpose in my productivity. It spoke of the purpose of the Christian after salvation is to do good and to bring God glory. As I thought about the reason I do things and reason I read and study the Word and the reason I come to church, I found that it was all about me. It is about my struggles, my emotions, my salvation, my disappointments and about my victories. I find that my walk with God is very internal and very self-critical. I find myself studying to be encouraged in the Word but not necessarily for the sharing and ministering to the hurting around me. When it comes time for altar call, I find myself absorbed into my own inabilities and my own insecurities that I do not feel comfortable praying with and ministering to those that are going through struggles or dealing with heart-ache, pain or even addiction.  While reading this book I found myself realizing that as a Christian I was not fulfilling my purpose. God had given me the Holy Ghost, and an understanding of the Word, talents, skills and abilities and I was using them for my own self, to encourage myself, to strengthen myself, and that isn’t what God called us to do. God has called us to do good, not just for the sake of doing good but to bring Him Glory. The Bible says in Matthew 12:33, Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit and in Luke 6:44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. So if I truly want to be a Christian, a follower of Christ and claim to walk in the spirit, then my fruits should match up to the fruits of the spirit which are not self-centered or self-indulgent.

So what does goodness look like? Does it look the same on everyone? Is everyone’s fruit of goodness identical? I don’t think so we are each in different seasons of life. The season that I am in as a single, empty-nester, is going to look different than a mom with three school aged children or a couple with 4 little ones or even a wife who has a husband in the ministry.  I think of the couple with 4 toddler boys at home and their goodness will look a lot like raising the boys, caring for their needs and teaching them to love God and have compassion for others. The minister's wife's goodness may look a lot like, caring for the ladies ministry of our church and of the state, giving herself to prayer and being available to encourage and minister to the hurting in our community as well as giving respite care to her children. For each of us, our goodness will look different but it should still be identifiable by those around us and will give God glory. I have to ask myself, what does my goodness look like from the perspective of those around me? Are people able to identify me as a follower of Christ? Do I display compassion, love and moderation or am I given to intolerance, impatience or extreme behavior? Can my co-workers identify me as a Woman of God by my actions and attitudes, rather than just my dress? Do I communicate with God often enough that he is able to open my eyes to the needs and the pain around me so that I can bring peace and joy to those whose lives are in turmoil? Our goodness should shine like a beacon in the world, to those outside of these walls but it should also be demonstrated amongst us, the body of Christ. In John 13:35 Jesus said that we are known to be his followers when we have love for one another. I must admit, I like my own company and like being home but am I demonstrating goodness and bringing God glory by not interacting with those around me? Am I letting my goodness shine when I come to church and go home and don’t look seek to encourage our young people who predominately come from broken or dysfunctional homes? Can I send a note to someone and encourage them and show the love that Jesus spoke of? Instead of just praying for my and my loved ones needs, shouldn't I also include those that are hurting in our church, our community and even in the world. I believe that in demonstrating goodness to those around us, whether it be our children or the addict that walks in our church or the co-worker that is going though a hard time, we can save a soul. Through goodness, we will draw people to Christ and bring Him glory. When we allow God to be our shepherd and follow him then goodness and mercy will naturally follow. 

Today's Word - Faithful

God is Faithful - 1 Corinthians 1:9

Faithful is he that calleth you, who will also do it. - 1 Thessalonians 5:24

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised) - Hebrews 10:23

Know therefore that the Lord thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations. - Deuteronomy 7:9

Today as I was doing the War Room Bible Study I was struck by Hebrews 10:23. Sometimes life will knock us off of our feet and take the wind out of our sails. We will be hit by an unexpected bill, life threatening illness or a broken relationship and our emotions become entangled with fear, anxiety and worry. Perhaps life threw you a curve ball and you are now having to move forward with a life for which you didn't plan or prepare. I think most of us have had a moment where we are stunned by life's happenings and maybe feel alone and adrift. Our emotions have gotten the better of us and we have allowed worry and fear dictate our life and our decisions. Perhaps it is the breakdown of a relationship and we allow our fear of being alone propel us into another ill-advised relationship. Maybe the doctor has given us a report that is not good or in the mail was news of another bill that you can't afford to pay. Regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves, or the state of our emotions, one truth stands... God is faithful. God's faithfulness isn't decided about how we feel or our circumstances. His faithfulness is not determined by whether the sun is shining or storms of life are threatening to overwhelm us. There is no circumstance in your life or mine that will change the fact that God IS faithful. If he told you that he will take care of you, he is faithful. If he called you to a city to preach the gospel, he is faithful. If you need food, clothing or shelter, God is faithful. If you have a decision to make, God is faithful. If you need healing, God is faithful. There is no "if" or "but" to it - God is faithful. 

So when bad news comes your way and your emotions try to get the better of you... stand on the truth that God is faithful. When a need arises in your life that is bigger than your resources, hold fast to the truth that God is faithful. If life should overwhelm you with depression, anxiety or worry, grab tight to the solid truth GOD IS FAITHFUL!!! All the time, every time God is faithful. 

Work as Unto the Lord

Luke 21: (12)But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. (13) And it shall turn to you for a testimony. (14) Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what you shall answer: (15) For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.  (17) And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. (18) But there shall not an hair of your head perish (19) In patience possess ye your souls.

Colossians 3:23 "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men:"  

Ephesians 6:5-6 "Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;"

Have you ever worked at a place and you enjoy the job and 90% of the people but there are a few people that it seems seek to cause contention and discord among the team. It seems they take pleasure in tearing people down and causing them fear, anxiety and potential financial difficulties. When I see this behavior it makes me very upset, angry and stressed, whether it is directed at me or part of the team. My human response to this type of behavior is, "I have got to get out of this place because I can't work with this craziness." So I attempt to take the route of running away from the situation by looking for other employment. Last night as I was looking for a verse regarding another study, I came across the above scriptures and felt God directing my thoughts. It is a fact that in this life we will have persecutions. In this life we will have people that seek to destroy us whether it is physically, financially or emotionally. It doesn't even matter if they claim to be a Christian or not. There are those that claim to be Christians but do not allow the Holy Spirit to reign in their life and instead allow bitterness, ego, and contention reign. In Colossians 3:23 it tells us that everything we do, including work should be done with heart and unto the Lord. In Ephesians the Word of God goes a little farther and states that we should do our jobs and work as unto the Lord. If we are doing our work as unto the Lord, we can count on being singled out. Those that see and recognize the peace and contentment that we have in the Holy Ghost and feel the lacking in their own life will find a way to cause contention and stress. It is those moments of persecution we, in our human desire to self-preserve, remove ourselves from the situation, potentially out of the will of God. When we remove ourselves from the persecution without seeking the council of God, we are withholding from our own lives the very testimony that God wants to give us. If we can, with patience and prayer, settle the truth in our hearts that God will give us the words and wisdom for any situation, we will find that we are over-comers. When God gives us the words and wisdom, those that seek our hurt will not be able to resist or have any say against us. So when persecution and difficulties come, know assuredly that with patience you shall possess your soul.

Psalm 37:7-8 "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; fret not thyself in anywise to do evil."

Psalm 40:1-3 "I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of the horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock and established by goings. An he hath put a new song in mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord."

God is our Comforter

In today's society there is so much pain and baggage that we carry due to the words and deeds of others. Lately I have read of young people killing themselves due to the bullying behavior of others. People inflict words of hurt or actions of exclusion on each other like it is of no importance. Whether in school, church, work or groups and clubs people seem to take pleasure in excluding others and treating others like they are less important, less worthy. Those that are on the receiving end of the harsh words, mean-spirited behavior and sometimes even the physical abuse, might find themselves feeling exactly as the bully wanted them to feel. They feel not good enough, not worthy of respect, not capable of achieving more. But I have good news for you... "I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who are thou that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die; and of the son of man which shall be made as grass" The action verb comfort means to ease the grief or distress.  The Word of God tells us to not concern ourselves with those that try to exclude us, or those that call us names, or talk behind our back. The reason we do not need to concern ourselves with them is because God, the creator of all things, the Savior of the world, is our comforter. It is He that will ease our grief and pain. Those people that bully, intimidate or abuse you, are just humans that will pass away like the grass... here one day and gone the next. We do not need to hold on to those feelings of insecurity or worthlessness for God is our comfort and our salvation. Regardless of what the world may throw your way, take comfort in Jesus Christ.

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. John 14:18

The Long Wait

Genesis 6: (7-8) "And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. but Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. (13-15a) "And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of..." (17-18) "And behold, I, even, I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife and thy sons' wives with thee." (22) "Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he."

So God told Noah to build a boat in preparation for some miraculous event that had not yet been seen by mankind. God told Noah that he was going to destroy the earth and all the breathing creatures on it. But Noah found grace and favor  in the eyes of God so he and his family, God was going to save. Then God gave him a command, "build an ark." We do not know if Noah was a carpenter or a scholar. Perhaps Noah and his sons worked with animals or perhaps they were builders of cities. We do not know the qualifications that Noah had but we do know that God said, "build an ark" and that is what he did. Year after year after year Noah worked on this ark that God told him to build, during this time it is not recorded that God spoke with him, encouraged him or performed wonders and miracles. Finally after decades of building this ark for an event that had never happened or even been thought of, Noah finished the boat. When he finally finished it God commanded him to enter the ark along with his family and all the beasts of the earth according to what God had commanded. It was then that the miraculous happened, water fell from the sky and the flood waters rose and destroyed all living things on the earth but Noah, his wife, sons and his sons' wives were saved because Noah did all that God commanded.

The wickedness of the world was very great in those days. They had no regard for God or man and their thoughts were on evil continually (Genesis 6:5). Yet God waited 100 years until Noah finished what he was commanded to do. God waited as Noah, with the help of 3 young men, built a boat bigger than the size of a football field. Day after day God watched Noah cut down trees, drag them to the site, skin them, cut them and put it together as God commanded. Days turned into weeks and then months and then years and then decades... yet God waited. God waited until it could be said, "And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him." (Genesis 7:5) Day by day, year by year the world became more and more evil yet God waited.  What if God hadn't waited until Noah finished? What if Noah took his time and didn't put the ark at the top of his priority list and God decided not to wait on him any longer? The miracle would have come but at the cost of total destruction.

Many times we find ourselves waiting for God to fulfill the miracle that he has promised. We wait and wait for God to deliver on the dreams that he gave us. We beg and plead with God to do a quick work in our lives all the while we are just waiting, hoping, believing, praying yet not doing anything. We may have a calling to go to the foreign mission field yet we do not go to get our passport because God hasn't done the miracle yet. Perhaps our dream is to write a book or own a business and we are just waiting on God to bring us the right publisher or the right investor or the right building. There are as many dreams and callings as there are people and I do not know your dream, calling or ministry but I have to ask, are you waiting on God to do the miraculous? Are you waiting on God to do his part? Are you standing firm on all the scriptures that tell you, "wait on the Lord"? Do you find yourself simply waiting and waiting and waiting growing more frustrated and aggravated with the seeming delay on God's part. Perhaps, just perhaps we have it a little wrong. Perhaps there are times that God is waiting on us to do our part. Maybe God has told you to get your passport and your house in order. Maybe God told you to declutter your life from the stuff that hinders you from moving into the ministry that He has called you to and He is waiting until you do it. Maybe God is waiting on you to write the book or write a business plan before he brings the publisher, the investor or the building. What if God did the miraculous before you did your part? What if he brought a publisher but you didn't even have an outline for a book? What if an investor came by with a building but you hadn't done your due-diligence so you had no plan to offer. What if he opens the field of ministry but you are so cluttered with cares of this life and ill-prepared that you can't act upon the opportunity. What if God doing his miraculous part would destroy you if He did it before you did  your part?

What if, just what if God is waiting on us. ""Which sometimes were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water." I Peter 3:20

A God Sized Dream

For the past week or so I have been reading and following "Draw the Circle, The 40 Prayer Challenge" in the Circle Maker series. If you aren't familiar with the "Circle Maker" book, it is about circling your God given dreams and promises in prayer. When I started it I had no clue what I was to draw a circle around. Sure I have needs and desires that I want God to supply and bring to fruition but I wasn't sure if they were my own desires and dreams or if they were God's. Being unsure but knowing that they weren't bad or sinful dreams I started circling them in prayer. Perhaps the first few days were tentative but the more I prayed the more confident I became. As each day went by I noticed that my circle was getting bigger. One day a person that I came in contact with at work became part of my circle. Then a lady asked me to pray for her children and they made their way into my circle. Then I came in contact with another person and another person. Before I knew it my circle was more about others than about me. Last night I noticed that I managed to put my own personal desires at the very end. This morning, before the fog of sleep was fully out of gone from my mind I found myself praying. My prayer that my heart was crying out was "change me." Change me so that I see the need and I allow the Holy Spirit to flow through me to minister to that need. Change me so that when financial short falls happen I know without any doubt that you are my sustainer. Change me so that I don't see my short-comings but your anointing. Change me so that I see your limitlessness resources and not my limited ones. Change me so that I see your mercy and grace and not my failings. Change me so that I can live above offense. Change me so that I become a doer of the Word and not just one that lives in the realm of "I wish I could". Change me so that I live in the power of the Holy Spirit so that the lame can walk and the blind can see. Change me so that people see Christ in me. Change me, Lord.Change me so that it is no longer about me but all about you.

I think I know the God-sized dream I am suppose to circle. The dream of being changed. A dream of fulfilling the calling and anointing that God places on those who are willing. A dream of being a vessel that God can use to minister to the hurting, scared, lonely and the desperate. A dream of being a living testimony. A dream of allowing God to freely move through me. I am certain that on day 41 or on day 536, I will still be circling this dream of being changed to be more like my God and Savior.

Willing to bring the Miracle

Before David could slay Goliath, he had to step into the field. It is a simple but thought-provoking statement. "And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine." (I Samuel 17:32) David first saw that there was a giant and an army that was come against them and he recognized the need of a man to step up and say "I will go." It didn't take but a minute for him to decide that he was going to be that man. Then he gathered the few weapons of warfare that God provided - a staff, a sling and five smooth stones. He did not take the armor, shield or sword that was offered to him that would protect him from the enemy's arrows or spears. He did not take a helmet with him that would have offered a bit of safety from the swords and battle that surely lay ahead. He simply took the sling, staff, stones and his faith in God. Goliath was insulted and offended that the Army of Israel would send but a youth with no armor and no weapons. As Goliath stood and started coming towards David in preparation for the sure easy kill, David also stood and ran towards Goliath and with a single stone thrown from the sling Goliath lay on the ground dead. David could not have slew Goliath if he did not recognize the need and answer the call. If David had stayed in the caves out of reach of the weapons of Goliath and the Philistines, he would not have seen and participated in the mighty victory that day. If he would have stayed in the safety and security of his father's house, he would not have been a giant killer.

There are so many times that we want to see the miraculous. We want to see a great move of God and see the dead raised, the blind receive their sight and the lame walk. Our desire to see the miracles and wonders is only superseded by our desire to be comfortable. We do not want to be sick. We do not want to struggle financially. We have no desire to be anything but comfortable and safe. The dead cannot be raised without first a death. The sick cannot be healed without someone first being sick. Financial miracles cannot happen if there isn't first a financial need. Perhaps it is a mission field that you feel called to, you cannot reach those people without first stepping into the field. You cannot reach your neighbor, friend or co-worker without first sharing the gospel with them. The miraculous cannot happen without us first touching the hurting, sick, and broken.  To kill the giant, to reach the hurting with the Gospel, you must first step into the field. Many times the field of battle is a place in which you are vulnerable from attacks from all sides. The enemy can come in with a sneak flanking attack or an attack from the air above or ground beneath. The field of a miracle can make you equally vulnerable. It is in the field as you, through the Word and Spirit of God and faith in Him, take on the sickness, disease, oppression, depression and even death, that the enemy will attack your faith and tell you that you don't believe enough. Perhaps the enemy starts condemning you about your past and tells you that God wouldn't answer the prayer for a miracle. Perhaps the enemy plagues your mind and heart with the fear of "what if God doesn't do it, I will look foolish." Stepping into the field of miracles isn't for the faint of heart but for those that are willing to bring the miracle to their harvest field. Does your harvest field need to see someone receive a miraculous healing, are you ready to face your "what if God doesn't" fears? Does someone need to receive the wonderful miracle of salvation? Are you willing to march into the field of teaching Bible Studies? Does your harvest field need to see the power of forgiveness? Are you willing to forgive?

The pastor has mentioned the last few weeks that we need to draw our eyes off our own needs and short-comings and look until the harvest field. Unless we are willing to step into the harvest and bring the miraculous that comes from God, our harvest field will never see it. Unless we are willing to be in the field of battle, we will be unable to be giant killers. Unless we are willing to set aside ourselves, our fears and our busyness, we will be unable to reach into our harvest field and bring healing, the gospel, revival, and freedom from bondage. In Matthew 10:7-8 Jesus gives us a command "And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." Jesus is commanding us to get out into the field and bring the miraculous with us - through His name heal the sick, raise the dead, and preach the gospel.

Putting on Spiritual Glasses

I think I started wearing glasses when I was 11 or 12. When I first got them it was amazing what I could see that I hadn't previously been able to see clearly from a distance. My mother has told me how I exclaimed over things that she took for granted because she was able to see them. She said it made her feel bad that she didn't realize before that time that I needed glasses. That is something that I couldn't fault her on because I never told her that I couldn't see clearly because I didn't realize that I couldn't see clearly. To me not being able to see individual leaves on a tree or clearly being able to see birds or flowers in the distance had become my normal and I didn't realize that it could or should be different. My problem with my vision has always been about distance; as I have always been able to read or do close with without my glasses. In fact, to this day I take my glasses off to read, do computer work, sew or any thing that I do that is within an arm's reach.

Today I headed to church early and decided to stop by this little local coffee shop and have a coffee and a tea cake. As I sat there drinking my coffee and eating my cake I took off my glasses so that I could play "Words with Friends" on my phone and to talk with my family via texting/messaging. It was probably 10 or 15 minutes of sitting there completely absorbed in my electronic communication when I heard the words, "John was the precursor to Christ" and my head jerked up and I kind of saw some figures sitting across the room. Since I did not have my glasses on I could not clearly see them but as I reached for my glasses to see who was speaking about the Bible the Lord spoke to me. He told me that so many times we get caught up in our lives and situations that are close. We allow our focus to be only on those things that affect us directly or that are within arms reach. When we allow our focus to be on only ourselves, our struggles, our pain, our joys and our sorrows, we fail to clearly see the struggles, pain, joys and sorrows of our harvest field. When we do not allow God to open our spiritual eyes we fail to see our co-workers that are hungry for a Savior or our neighbor that is stricken with grief. Without the eyes and heart of Christ we fail to understand or feel burdened to pray for the orphans of the world, or those that are suffering a life of slavery or torment. Without seeing as Jesus sees, we are like the man who had his vision restored but saw men as trees walking (Mark 8:22-25). We must fine tune our vision with the compassionate love of Christ and the boldness of faith and the fervency of knowing the times. The Bible says in Proverbs 29:18 "Where there is no vision the people perish..." so if we do not get a clear, compassionate vision of our harvest field then those people in that harvest field will be lost.

Let it be your prayer today and every day that God would open your spiritual eyes to see the world as He sees it and that He would give you a clear vision of your harvest field.

The Power of Yielding

"Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God." Romans 6:13

Each day I go through life I consciously or unconsciously yield to many things. Some things that I yield to are for the good and some things are to my hurt. There are times I yield to faith, compassion, love and mercy but there are times I find myself yielding to offense, anger or disbelief. Yielding is simply ceasing resistance to something. If I am yielding myself to the lack of faith then I am finding myself to be resisting the scripture "That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." If I am yielding to weakness and fear then I am resisting the scripture, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear: but of power, and of love, and a strong mind." When I find myself yielding to offense then I am resisting the verse "And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me." Am I really shining the light of Jesus to my harvest field if I do not yield myself to the scripture "The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy."  When we yield to unforgiveness and holding a grudge we are resisting the scripture "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

Life is really full of yielding and resisting. Today what am I going to yield to? Will I choose to yield to annoyance and scorn when I see a mother with a screaming child at the store? Or will I yield to compassion and say a prayer for that family? Will I yield to anger and bitterness when I see the rise of the wicked or will I instead emulate the love of Jesus and pray for their souls? Will I yield to frustration and anger when someone cuts me off in traffic or will I use it as an opportunity to pray for that person that crossed my path? As I step out the door this morning I want yield my members to "right living" and not unto sin. When I am yielding to God then I am standing on the promise "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

Willing to be Healed

This morning on my way to church I was feeling grateful and excited about how far God has brought me in my healing process. The past year or so has been extremely difficult and my heart, mind and soul had gotten quite battered, bruised and broken. There have been many times that I wondered if it was even possible to be healed completely. This morning as I thought about where I have been in the past year I could only compare it to a person who has been through an horrendous fire. The skin is burnt and melted and the healing process is excruciating.The process/treatment for this type of injuring is usually through debridement, which is removal of the dead skin from the wounds. There are times that patients who have gone through the debriding process have decided that it was too painful and they want to just stop and let whatever infection that will set in just happen because the treatment to heal them is just as painful as that fire. That horrendous pain and stench of death is the only way I can express where I was 10 months ago. I was in debilitating emotional pain that brought the stench of death to just about every area of my life, especially spiritually. So my ability to rejoice and be thankful for my emotional and spiritual healing, knowing where I had been, was and is a big thing. As I was thanking God for the incredible healing work he has done in my life He brought to my mind that one spot. You know that one emotional spot that you try to protect from hurt so you keep it hidden. The one little area of your life that is so painful that you try to pretend isn't there. It is that one sore that refuses to be healed. As I spoke with God this morning I knew that it was time to give that one spot to Jesus so that I can be whole, so I could be restored. In case you are wondering, God never does anything by half measures but confirms His Word, with His Word. Pastor took his text from Mark 8 this morning.

"And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw aught. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored and saw every man clearly." Mark 8:23-25

After Jesus spit in the man's eye the man was no longer a blind man. He couldn't see properly but he could see so therefore some could argue that he was healed. But Jesus wasn't satisfied with a half-measure healing. He again touched the man's eyes so that the man was restored. Jesus isn't interested in just the surface of a person, he is interested in healing that part that no one can see. God cares about that little wound that you keep covered so that people don't realize that you are hurting. Jesus showed us with this blind man that he wasn't interested in merely giving sight to the blind but to restore all, including sight to see clearly. But the blind man had to be willing to be healed. In order for Jesus to touch him and restore him, this blind man had to seek out the Healer. He also had to be willing to be led by Jesus, even though he could not see where Jesus was leading. For us to be healed of our hurts, pains, losses and diseases, we much first be willing to be healed. We must seek the Lord and be led of Him in order to for Him to restore all. It is in our surrender of ourselves to Him that we can be made whole and find clarity in His calling.

Doing My Job

I must admit that I have a bit of an issue relenting control sometimes. There are times when I feel that if it is going to get done then I just have to do it. Last year about this time we were planning our family reunion. At the time I was working 7 days a week and ususally 12 hours a day, with almost an hour commute each way. I had no time but I was local so they asked if I could plan it and I said yes. Because of cost and the fact that 80% or more of the family did not live locally it was decided that we would self-cater. I had a plan and it was a good plan (if I do say so myself) but I didn't have time or energy to really implement the plan so I had to do something that was very uncomfortable to me... I had to delegate. I had to ask my daughter to make about 50 pounds of pulled pork. I had to ask people to make side dishes and desserts. Then I had to ask one of my sisters to decorate the social hall. I was very much out of my comfort-zone. But you know what... everything got done and it was beautiful and lots of fun. It didn't take me having control of every single facet of the reunion for everything to be perfect.

About 20 years ago I worked in a warehouse. Regularly we would get container trucks in and it was the warehouse staff's job to unload it. The boxes weren't heavy as they were just boxes of gloves so we would create an assembly line and toss them out. My job always seemed to be inside the truck and tossing them to one of the guys. So I would pick up a box and toss it to him and he would catch it and stack it on a pallet. My job was not to toss the box, run down to the end and catch it and then stack it on the pallet. My job simply was to toss the box to my co-worker and he took it from there. Amazingly it worked out perfectly, even without me being in completely control of the process.

Several months ago I was praying about what I should do. My job, though making very good money, was slowing killing me spiritually, emotionally and physically. I was working too much with no choice about it. Every day it seemed that the first things out of my mouth were, "God, what am I to do?" Every day there didn't seem to be an answer. Day after day my heart and soul cried out to God wanting to know what I was to do. For what seemed too long there didn't appear to be an answer. Then there was THE MOMENT when God spoke to me. He told me to do what I am supposed to do and he would take care of the rest. A deep sense of peace came over me and I knew that regardless of whether I was to stay at that job or go somewhere else I would be content knowing that it wasn't my responsibility but God. So I stepped out in faith and applied for jobs, praying that God would close any door that I was not supposed to go through. But I knew that having a different job was only one aspect that needed to be changed in my life. I needed a deeper understanding of God's word and people in my life that would challenge me, teach me and encourage me to stretch out of my comfort-zone and pursue that which God called me to do (whatever that may be). God directed my path and put the people in my life that I needed. And it wasn't but a few days after that the interview call came and then the job offer and then the job. The job and the people are exactly right for this stage of my life but it still isn't easy. I now make about 1/3 of what I used to make so money can be a bit tight at times. My drive to church is farther than before (see the previous sentence about making less money). BUT it is still the right thing for me to do.

When I think about how I can only control what I can control and only God can do the rest, I realize that my job is only to do the right thing. My job isn't to provide for all my needs. My job isn't to make sure that I stay safe and secure. My job isn't to make sure everything happens exactly as logic says it should. My job isn't to fix everything. Rather, my job is obeying Christ today. My job is to pray for those in my harvest field today. My job is be in God's will today. My only job is to do MY job. My job is simply to do that which is right. Once I do my job it is then up to God to do the rest. It is God's job to provide for my needs. It is God's job to put people in my harvest field. It is God's job to protect me. It is God's job to heal those that He leads me to pray for. It is God's job to do everything that is not my job. The stressful part of life is when we start taking ownership of a job which is not ours. When we start trying to take responsibility for a job that only God can do, then we start feeling overwhelmed and stressed. So instead of trying to do the job of God, focus on doing YOUR job. Focus on doing the right things and relinquish the job of God to the Creator of the Universe. I believe He is big enough to handle it.

Taking the Fight to the Streets

Today as I was headed to church I was praying for the city and asking God for revival. But my desire and prayer wasn't just for the local church that I attend but for every church; that God would reveal His Word and there would be a mighty move of His Spirit throughout the city. While praying I knew within my soul that if we are to have a mighty revival we must go to battle in the spirit. Ephesians 6:12 says, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." We must put on the armour of God and go into our harvest fields, our cities, our places of work and bind the spirits of darkness that has a strangle hold on our world. We are not going to impact our communities by staying within our safe little congregation and having well-organized church or special programs. The only way to truly reach the harvest field is through entering the spiritual battlefield that is uncomfortable, unpleasant and doesn't smell too nice. If we truly want to change our world and see a change within our cities, we have to vow to take this spiritual battle to the streets. We must be committed to doing what it takes to bind the spiritual powers that seek to destroy our children and young people. We must unite in fervent prayer and fasting as Jesus told his disciples in Mark 9:29 "And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting." To reach our families, our friends, our neighbors, our co-workers, or those people in cities and countries that you will never step your foot in; we must do what it takes to fight in this spiritual warfare. So I challenge you to take your prayer to the streets. Claim the promise that God gave to Moses and to Joshua "Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses." (Joshua 1:3) Pray while you walk through your neighborhoods. Pray through your work place. Pray as you walk the halls at school. Pray on your way to the bank. Pray while shopping. Wherever you go and whomever you see, pray. Pray... that is how the battle will be won.

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through god to the pulling down of strongholds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

"And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." Luke 18:1

God's Friend

"But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend." Isaiah 41:8

"And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend." Exodus 33:11a

Whenever I read the scriptures of how God spoke with a Moses as a man would talk with his friend and how God referred to Abraham as His friend, my heart is filled with longing to have that close intimate relationship with God. My own humanity immediately tells me that my desire is one of impossibility because Abraham and Moses were pillars of the faith. Abraham had such great faith that it was given to him as righteousness. And Moses... well... he led the children of Israel out of Egypt, brought water from the rock, and parted the Red Sea and so many more big important things. My own thoughts tell me that I am just a mere mortal with so many flaws and so many short-comings that surely God doesn't see me as a friend, surely God doesn't long to talk to me face to face. My own unrelenting insecurities tell me that I am too flawed to be more than an acquaintance of the Creator of all and I should just be content with that. But when I continue to read on in the Word, I understand that God is more faithful and more merciful than my insecurities. When God robed himself in flesh and came to this world He showed the world, and me in particular, that it is possible for me to have that intimate relationship with Him that I long for. Scripture after scripture, He tells me that I loves me specifically and calls me friend. "The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!" Luke 7:34  Jesus came to be a friend of sinners, just like me.  He didn't come to save the righteous but to save people like me. Proverbs 17:17 says "A friend loveth at all times," and God has shown me time and time again that he loves me, even when I am unlovable. Even when I do not deserve His love and mercy, he still loves me... just like a friend does. When I have failed to be His friend, He has been faithful to be mine. The ultimate declaration of His love and desire to be my friend is His willingness to become flesh and bear my sin on His sinless back and die in my place. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend" John 15:13 Jesus picked up that cross and carried it up that hill, bearing the sin and shame that was mine to bear, and allowed them to kill His body simply because He loves ME. I have no reason to doubt that the Creator of all, and the Savior of the world love me, in particular.

When you start feeling small and the thoughts in your mind tell you that God is too big to really care about you or to even notice you, just remember that He died on that cross because He longs for you to be His friend. He loves you specifically and there isn't anything that is too big to keep you from Him.  Regardless of any mistakes you have made or any temptation that has overtaken you, He loves you enough to forgive and still be your friend. Simply trust His Word when He says, "Ye are my friend, if you do whatsoever I command you." (John 15:14)

Getting God's Strength

When you commit your life to God and the Biblical plan of salvation, your life doesn't suddenly become perfect. You might get a flat tire, or get sick or have relationship troubles. Following God does not make us immune to the storms of life. The Bible says in Matthew 5:45b "for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." There are things in life that happen that we cannot necessarily escape. But during those difficult times we need the strength of God. It takes strength to be a Christian. It takes strength to forgive. It takes strength to turn the other cheek. It takes strength to have a soft answer. It takes strength wrestle with principalities and powers. It isn't ordinary strength that we need but godly strength... strength that only comes from the only Omnipotent one. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1 "Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:" Isaiah 26:4 "it is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect." Psalm 18:32 "...the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God." Psalm 68:35 Time and time again throughout the Bible do we learn and know that God is the strength that we need.

We know he is our strength but how do we access that strength? How do we tap into the power of His strength. 

1. "Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that  you may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it;" Deuteronomy 11:8

The first thing we need to do is obey. When we obey the Word of God, that is the first step of receiving the strength that God has for us. When we surrender our own will and follow God's plan for our life, He is right they handing us His strength. 

2. "Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary." Psalm 96:6

When we join together with other believers to worship God and to hear God's Word preached, then we can claim more of the strength of God. It is when we come together in unity as the body of Christ that we have strength to face those difficult things that come against us in life.

3. "Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore." Psalm 105:4

It sounds simple but simply ask the Lord for strength. In Matthew 7:7-8 it says, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto  you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." So when we seek the Lord and His strength with our whole heart we can be assured that we will find it. 

4. "My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word." Psalm 119:28

It is through the reading and applying of the Word of God in our lives that we gain God's strength. Without knowledge of the Bible then we do not have the understanding of all the promises that God has given us in His Word. It is through His Word that He guides us and gives us strength. 

5. "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

After all of that we must simply wait/serve the Lord. We must have the mind-set of "God what can I do for you? Jesus, who can I minister to for the Kingdom's sake? Lord, I want to serve you." We must have the mind of a servant because it is in that serving and waiting that we find strength without fainting.  

If we follow these five Biblical steps for tapping into the strength of our Heavenly Father, even before the storms of life come our way, then we have nothing to fear. 

(This article was inspired by the teaching of Rev. J. Maki in Valparaiso, IN)