Is Your Life Controlled by
God, You or the World?
It has been a little over a month since I have written and I am blessed to be back. I pray this finds you well and enjoying the summer. My prayers have been with you during this time for safety and peace. It is with a humble heart that I thank you for your prayer cover as well. With so much happening minute to minute in the world and in our country today, we must be ever diligent to stand our post as prayer warriors.
We are truly here ‘for such a time as this.’
God is Still Performing ‘Suddenlies!’
If you have been with us any length of time you know that I am consistent with writing. This is the first time I have stepped away for more than a week or two. If you know me personally you know that for many years I have desired to move to a new location. My timing would have been years ago but God’s timing is an altogether different thing! During the many years of ‘waiting’ I learned volumes about letting go of my desire, giving the situation completely over to His divine will, trusting Him and so much more.
For me, complete surrender to Him opened the door for Him to move in my life. As is often the case with God, His move on this issue and my relocation happened ‘suddenly.’ Doors opened wide to make the way clear for my new home. God blessed me exponentially to return to the mountains in my home state. I am overwhelmed each day as I walk and look at His beauty all around me.
Your Word is Sacred!
However, I would be remiss if I did not tell the story in full balance. Issues came up with the movers I hired; things were not as promised when I arrived. Even written agreements were not adhered to and problems arose. Each irresponsible action affected several other contractors down the line as well as affecting me and my schedule. Sadly, the people I was dealing with professed to be Christian.
Remember, as a Christian the effects of your words are spiritual, they are eternal.
They are not just temporal. When you do not follow through with your word it has ripple effects in the lives of others. The world watches your actions to see if they line up with your words. If they do not, that disconnect is the impression left and it is often held against all Christians.
If you promise to do something, do it regardless of the cost to you. Your word is your bond. If you can be trusted to keep your word you walk in character and integrity. In the season we are in there is a diminishing of righteousness. It is up to each of us individually to maintain our walk in accordance with His Word and His ways to be a beacon in the dark corners of the world.
Trusting the Lord is Not Optional!
Another takeaway for you from my recent journey has to do with fully trusting the Lord. I do not know about you but this is an ongoing lesson for me. As things seemed to spiral out of order I had to once again realize that I am not in control no matter how well planned and organized I think I am. God is first and foremost in control. Everything is in His timing. Despite how things look in the natural He is working to turn all around for good for His people.
For example, the refrigerator in the house was not working properly. Several repair visits later I was blessed with a new refrigerator that actually fits the kitchen and my lifestyle much better. Was I annoyed and frustrated with the intrusions as I was settling in? Yes, I was. Did I end up better off in the end? Yes, I did. This was just one of many examples over the last month or so in which I had to remind myself to trust that God had it. My worrying about these issues was pointless. When I let go, He took over.
I know some of you are believing for a miracle. Do not under any circumstance stop believing. We serve a God Who is able to do exceedingly above all that you can think or imagine.
Reread that last sentence and emphasize the emboldened words. Let this reassure you to hold fast to your belief. Hold fast to your vision. Hold fast to your God. He will never leave you or forsake you. Do not forsake Him whatever time you may be in right now. Walk in His ways and He will direct your path.
I shared just a snippet of my journey with you to show that we are in the world but not of the world. God has blessed me beyond measure and I walk in anticipation of what He has next for this ministry. Have I had to deal with worldly challenges? Of course, but it is up to each of us to rise above the frenetic energy of this earth and keep eyes focused on Him for He is the author and finisher of our faith. Without Him and without faith it is impossible to walk in the freedom Jesus died to give you. Hold fast to your faith!
The picture this week is of a garden flag given to me as a house warming gift by my new neighbor. It is a colorful reminder for us all to keep Jesus and your heart (for it is always a heart issue) at the center of your walk. Hold fast to your faith. Operate from a place of love. Never lose hope. And above all, pray. We are the prayer warriors raised up ‘for such a time as this!” God bless you and keep you and may His light shine upon you.
Quotes to Ponder This Week
“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the Day of Judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” ~Jesus, Matthew 12:36-37
“Let us hold fast the profession or our faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” ~Hebrews 10:23
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud or witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…”~Hebrews 12:1-2
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” ~Proverbs 3:5
“One’s integrity can give a person something to rely on when perspective seems to blur, when rules and principles seem to waver, and when faced with a hard choice of right and wrong. A clear conscience is one’s only protection.”~Admiral James B. Stockdale, USN (Ret.), Medal of Honor recipient and senior naval officer in Vietnam POW camps
‘Pray the States’
In Esther’s Warriors Ministry we are ‘praying the states.’ We pray weekly for each state in the order of admission to the Union. Our Nation now more than ever needs consistent, diligent prayer cover state by state. This week please cover Iowa admitted to the Union December 28, 1846 in prayer. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the political leaders, pastors and church leaders, the people residing in Iowa and for all in our Nation.
God promises us in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Each state is important in forming our United States of America. Holding our country in prayer state by state reminds each of us of the importance of seeking God for our safety and future. United we will stand together in this season of our history. These are our United States. Let us join together that we will arise united ‘for such a time as this!’ Please re-post and share.
A Prayer Request
Thank you for your continued faithfulness to pray. Please keep all who serve our country, our diplomatic corps, our servicemen and women and their families in prayer for salvation and safety. They are our front-line on the battlefield, let us be their front-line 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. May the Lord bless them and keep them safe.
Pray for all throughout the world for hedges of protection against radical Muslim extremists and all forms of terrorism. We have long prayed for spiritual victory over radical Islam in Esther’s Warriors Ministry. We now see the reality of this threat come to the forefront in this time in world history. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Please pray for all in authority over us, for the full truth to come forth concerning Benghazi as new hearings will be held. We as Americans and the families of those murdered in Benghazi deserve to be told the truth. Pray that God will open doors to let the truth flow for all of us in this United States of America! The truth shall keep us free.
Pray for peace in Israel.
May God richly bless the United States of America, bring to light every single crooked place and keep her safe. May we arise united once again as One Nation Under God in this auspicious season in our country’s history. We continue to pray for truth to prevail as we saturate this country in prayer and stand for all that is right in America and for all of us who call ourselves American. These are treacherous times and now more than ever we must maintain our walk. Fail not in this hour.
Please Join Me in Prayer
Father God, We thank You that You have placed us here in this season. Let us be beacons of light in this darkened world. Let us be true to our word as we walk in the ways set forth for us in Your Word. Lead us ever in Your righteousness to bring uprightness to this earth. Grace us to let go of self and put our trust completely in Your hands. Teach us to follow You with our whole heart, mind and soul. We thank You that You keep Your hand on this United States of America and that we will remain One Nation Under God. Raise us up in fullness ‘for such a time as this.’ We pray this in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen and Amen.