Grow in Stillness

ESTHER’S WARRIORS MINISTRY

“Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.”  (Job 37:14)  In the busy summer months it is good for us to “stand still” at times.  It is only in the stillness that we make a space to reflect.  God’s presence is all around us but if we stay in a whirlwind of activity coupled with emotional drama and mental gymnastics we can easily miss it.  He created us to be free.  He created us to be free enough to readily consider His wondrous works throughout our day.  My prayer is that we will each “stand still” this week and in so doing experience His presence in our life as never before.  I pray that we will learn to “stand still” with great regularity and live in His freedom and abundant life.

Be Still

Psalm 46:10 tells us, “Be still and know that I am God….”  It is only in the stillness that we can really come to know Him.  In the intimacy of close relationship we grow to really understand that He is God and develop a reverence for all that means.  To stop our frenetic way of life long enough to be alone with Him is the greatest gift.  This is a gift of our heart (it is always a heart issue) to our Creator that is reciprocated by a deeper relationship with Him.  Take a moment to let that sink into your spirit.

It is so easy to get caught up in the works of church, the emotionalism often connected to worship and the busyness of what we think is God’s work for us.  Yet, when all is said and done we remain spiritually fragmented and emotionally drained.  What are we missing?  Jesus came that we would have freedom and abundant life.  If we are not living as such, what are we missing?

The Excellence of
Relationship

It really is a challenge in our fast paced lifestyle to establish and maintain any relationship with excellence.  However, if we truly choose Jesus as Lord of our life then all we do should be done with Kingdom excellence.  Will it be perfect?  Of course not, as we are human, but we should nonetheless strive for quality in all we do.

In no other association is that quality more necessary than in our relationship with the Lord.  People will always let you down and disappoint simply due to the human condition.  The Lord will not.  Jesus clearly tells us in Matthew 28:20b, “…lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  He is right there in your good times and in what appear to be your trying times.  He does not skip out as people sometimes will.  He is the Rock upon which to build the foundation of your life.  To hear His still small voice you must be still.

Time is of the Essence

There is much we can do to live in the fullness of Kingdom destiny.  It begins with the time and focus we put into our relationship with the Lord.  Think of the foundation of any building.  If the foundation is not solid or has cracks in it the entire structure is unsound.  Likewise, if we do not have Jesus, the Rock, as our spiritual foundation we are set on a faulty base.  We open ourselves to cracks that over time will grow larger and cause us to crumble.  It may not happen quickly but it will happen.

Take time this week to really think about your spiritual foundation.  If you have been neglecting your relationship with Him, commit to re-establish and maintain it with excellence.  Check for cracks in your spiritual foundation and seal them with the power of the Holy Spirit.  It is never too late to seek Him.  He will never leave you or abandon you.  His love for you is beyond human comprehension.  Be still and let His love for you enrich your life and bring you to the fullness of your Kingdom destiny. 

‘Pray the States’

Join us this week as we ‘pray the states’ toward the 2012 Presidential election.  We are praying for each state in the order of admission to the Union.  Please cover Florida admitted to the Union March 23, 1845 in prayer.  Pray for wisdom and discernment for the political leaders, pastors and church leaders, the people residing in Florida and for all in our Nation.  Each state is important in forming our United States of America.  We commit to pray for a different state each week so we not only provide prayer cover but also to make us aware that our country is bigger than the space we personally occupy in it. These are our United States.  Let us
pray that we will arise united ‘for such a time as this!’  Please repost and share.

A Prayer Request and
Personal Blessing

Thank you for your continued faithfulness to pray.  Please keep our servicemen and women and their families in prayer for salvation and safety.  They are our frontline on the battlefield, let us be their frontline in the spirit.  Also, let us cover all who have come home wounded that they and their families will receive the kindness, help and support they need to go forward in their lives.  God bless all our military personnel and their families.   May God richly bless the United States of America and keep her safe.

As we continue to see the devastation of natural disasters across our land let us be diligent to pray for all affected by these calamities.  Prayerfully consider what you may be able to do to help whether through donation of time or money.  This is our country and we all need to pull together for the safety and restoration of all.

May God richly bless you this week.  I pray we will all be still and hear His voice and see His wondrous works in our life in Jesus’s name.  Amen and amen!