916 - Rescue doesn't always mean you won't feel pain!

I learned something really cool this morning in my QT and something that speaks preciousness and peace to my heart!!  Praise you Lord!!

I was reading in Acts 14 the actual account of Paul being stoned, once again and living to tell, in Lystra.  This was Timothy's hometown.  They were praising him for one second and then all of a sudden they changed on him and drugged him out of the city left for dead.  But like a cat, Paul has at least 900 lives.  ha

In 2 Timothy 3 Paul is discussing this incident and a few others and how the Lord rescued him.  Verse 11 at the very end says, "Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them."  That rescued right there in tail end of the verse according to my commentary means to "to draw or snatch from danger".  But it gets cooler - hang with me!!

Sometimes when someone like a ref "rescues" a wrestler from certain death or more pain or at least defeat, or even an animal in a real fight, they are pulled them from the danger and possibly left to mend.  The wounded will either get right back in the fight and get after it again or will just be left to recover.

BUT - this is awesome!!!  You ready - here is comes!!!

This rescued means to "draw to oneself than merely rescuing from someone or something".  Did you get that?  This is saying that in the midst of Paul's many beatings it had been made known to Him that Christ was not just rescuing him from the danger, but drawing Him in to Christ.

I like to think of it as the daddy that is teaching the little girl to ride a bike.  He knows what is going to happen, probably a little pain before she "gets it".  As he trains and trains her to do it right there are many times he has to sit back and watch the fall.  After each fall he not only rescues her by picking her up, dusting her off, and encouraging her to ride again, but he draws her to himself, loving on her and making her feel safe and confident to try it again!

Don't you just love that!  He is not only rescuing us, but drawing us to Him all the time.  I love that!

I think it is interesting that Paul was aware enough to know his rescuing always came, but sometimes it was before the pain and sometimes after the pain!!!  He always received that Holy hug we so desire!!

Oh Jesus - thank you for your Word!!  Thank you for the rescue! Thank you  for the love and encouragement!!  I know of many, many times you have rescued me!!  Most of the time it is from myself!!!  I am my worst enemy!!  I thank you and praise You for your presence in my life!  I want to be more aware of your working in my life!!!  I feel like I am spinning my wheels.  Lord, you know I so desire a mentor in ministry!!!  God - would you please send that my way!!  I love you - Leigh

905 - Traditions - do they have any place in church?

Nowadays driving down the road one will see a church sign that explains the contemporary service is at 9am and the more traditional service is at 11am.  Never has it been a strange thought to me to read that.  Actually after reading it I usually sigh in relief that there is one service with a little life.  Sorry, honest truth there.

I find these days of traveling all over tarnation that there is much pride taken in the kind of service one "performs".  I am not sure what is more wrong with that statement - "pride" in a service or "performs" in a service.  Oh well - honest truth again.

There are many churches that divide and split hastily not just over the kind of music in a service, but if the whole service is now taking a more traditional roll or contemporary.  People will walk out because they are not comfortable, don't agree with the new ways, or just flat out hate change.........never to return........to any church.

Needless to say - this is something that needs to be considered and certainly prayed over.

If I am most honest, I prefer a contemporary service.  I am not so much a hymn girl anymore.  But I come from the era that praise chorus, for example, were being introduced and hymns were being used less and less.  I remember hearing about the churches that allowed drums in there service and thinking wow, I am not sure if they love Jesus.  ha ha  I also remember hearing that some churches were moving away from offering an invitation each and every Sunday.  YIKES!  And here is a BIG one - some churches were even moving away from not having a bulletin.  Holy cow - what in the world was i going to doodle on, what was I going to check off as we go along, what was I going to write notes to my friend about??

Traditions - they provided comfort!

This morning I was in 2 Thes. 2 and Paul is addressing the people whom he had ministered.  He was admonishing them to hold fast to all that he had taught them........even the traditions.  Verse 15 - "So then, brothers, stand firm, and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter."  The word "teachings" there can be interchanged with traditions.  Of course, Paul, a good Jewish boy, knew all the traditions and knew they had their place.  Of course he also was one that so often preached the freedom in Christ, but knew we shouldn't neglect or abandon the things of old entirely!

So I see this morning that traditions do have their place in this world.  They certainly have their place my personal walk with the Lord.  Can I be free to have freedom as I serve and worship Him? Certainly!!!  But I think the important thing is to remember how we got to where we are.  Remembering why we do things instead of doing things just because it feels right or makes us more comfortable!  Modern day scripture, New Testament, implore us to not let go of the old ways that brought us to this saving grace, but at the same time be willing to learn new and adopt new as times are changing!

Above all "STAND FIRM" in the faith and work it out - constantly!!

Headed to Evansville today to see my gyno - JOY!  ha      Now that is one tradition I would love to abandon!  Praise you Lord - my heart is so full!!  What a wonderful Wednesday night!

421 - Up to the Brim, No, Overflowing!

Howdy and yippe hi aye - Jesus it is a great morning and I am happy to be studying your word! I have come to a beautiful verse in Philippians this morning. Verse 4:19 - "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Oh boy, does that get me excited!! Paul is talking about how the people in Phillipi have been so generous to supply aid to him and he is reminding them in such a way that God will do the same for them. Being in ministry that really excites me and blesses me. I remember when I was with Proverbs 31 Ministries and we went through many lean months, months that they had to call on the speakers to give generously, and then ask anyone and everyone to give as well. I was OK with that - I am a giver, He just made me that way. But for others it can be really tough.

What about asking for donations and help financially? One friend of mine is going to Africa and actually she can pay her own way. She was asking me if she should just do that and not worry about asking others. I told her NO!!! Some people the Lord has gifted financially and they are the ones that will give to things, but He never calls to GO. So if she and others never ask then they are prohibiting these givers from fulfilling part of their purpose in life. God can just make money to appear on our doorstep or a check in the mail, but many, many times it is through others giving people after being asked that He provides for our needs! Oh Lord, that excites me. I know that when I have the non-profit status all set up I will sending out a letter asking for donations for various things - new ring, clothes, perfume - JOKING, I AM JUST JOKING, hee hee - and that will be easy for some and really tough for others. Just He will meet all my NEEDS.

I like that it says He will meet - that kind of reminds me of meeting someone for a meeting. Sometimes you get there early, sometimes after the assigned time, but nevertheless you meet at some point. The way God provides is always different. I do know He doesn't make mistakes so what seems late to us it is perfect to Him. He does meet early at times and then it is our responsibility to save and be wise with the money. That is hard at times when there are so many other things to be done. But He always meets with purpose and I think that applies to money as well. God is purposeful and gives to certain allocations at times as well. That is just the so very cool creativity of Him. I am learning that day by day with this house construction kind of thing. With my new job I am asking God what I can pay for - a cabinet, a shower curtain, a decorative vase, or does a portion go back into ministry after first giving His portion? I mean what is it Lord? He will tell me, He is faithful like that and cares about the details. We talk like that! Oh Lord, I thank you in advance for all the way you will meet my needs. I thank you that you have never been late one time. I thank you that you have been so faithful in the past and never forgotten me!! I love you, Lord.

I went to my first day of training yesterday and had a blast. It was moving and exciting and not boring at all. I can't wait to really be on my own so that I can figure things out on my own. I go in today for another 3 hours. Then on Friday I am going to take one last trip to Evansville with Courtney like we did so often last year during the school day. I look forward to spending some solid time with her.

The house is coming along so well. The guys are working so hard and it is so hot. The heating and air guys started yesterday taking out all those radiators - those are so heavy... We got the "servant" stairs taken out and the bottom portion turned into a pantry. The top portion of those stairs will be turned to go up to the third floor. Right now it looks like an elevator could fit in just perfectly! Now that's an idea - just kidding hubby!! All the wood to build the walls on the third floor has been brought up and building has begun! Oh I just love it!!! It is so fun!

Thank you Jesus - thank you for an awesome day and it has only just begun!!!

420 - Secrets in Living

Good Morning Jesus - thank you for all my friends that encouraged me through comments yesterday. I tell you what - that is just the greatest blessing to know someone - at one point a stranger - would take the time to shoot me a comment to say I am praying for you, I am with you, I agree - whatever it is. Man, that lifts my countenance! That is really Jesus with skin on and I thank you for that!! Remind me to do the same to whomever I come across. *****I start my first day of training today. I am so excited. I am going to be a real worker. It has been 7 years since i have had any kind of job!! Also, would you please pray for a sort of silly thing. My hair is going bye-bye. I am not sure why. I had my thyroid checked and have not heard back. One friend told me maybe the bleach on my hair was too.........something she called it. The water here is SOOOOOO hard. I wonder if it has just gotten brittle and is breaking off. But I am going to have to set up an appointment with my wonderful Hillary to get a new do. I have just a few long strands left on my right side and it looks weird. Clay is worried about me. Could it all be stress??? Wow! Clay was trying to make me feel better as we were joking and said after I had commented on Alopcia, "Well you won't have to get your eyebrows waxxed anymore." That really didn't help! But he tried, sweet-thang!

Went and paid all the non-profit money to get the ball rolling. Yeah baby! This of course will allow anyone to make any size donation for a tax credit, but more than anything for whatever reason it give more validity to the ministry and to me as a speaker. It says I am serious and I have the paperwork to show it. At least that is what event planners and "bigger", more experienced people in this line of ministry have said. So under His leading I too am seeking greater professionalism.

Hey ya'll - on Tuesday of next week Boomama is going to have contest giving away 2 of my purses. How cool is that? I am really excited to do some stuff with her. Her influence on the web is astounding and she is willing to help me generate some funds for this speaking season upcoming. God has been so generous to bring me so many opportunities. I sent out 8 contracts on Monday and have about 5 in the works. I have sent out many samples and am so excited to see what He is doing. Like my friend Karen, we are hoping for the day of bigger venues. Not just for bigger venues' sake, but so that we don't have to be gone so much from the family. It is really tough missing a game, ballet deal, family dinner, or just dealing with the guilt of being gone from them on the weekend. I know who that guilt is from, nevertheless it is there!

Today I ventured on over to Phil. 4 and really was intrigued by a fragment of words. Verse 12, "I have learned the secret of being content". Oh how it is such a secret at times. We want so much to do this or do that, be in this house or that one, have this clothes, go to this church, have these friends, live in this city, have this watch or ring, certain curtains, ...............it goes on and on. I will be the first to tell you that to want is not a bad thing. Obsessing and then it moving into jealousy and bitterness is wrong. But if we didn't want, then why would ever tell the Lord any prayer requests? We would never need to make anything known to Him!

So is there a secret to contentment? I think we see the answer in the next verse, but also from His statement just above this particular statement... He says he has learned to be content whatever the circumstances, in need or in plenty. That is huge. That actually means that it has nothing to do with circumstances, and yet everything to do with circumstances. We are content because in whatever situation we are sitting in the "peace of God is guarding our hearts and minds" - verse 7. The peace of God transcends all understanding. And again no matter whatever situation we are sitting in............ "I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me". Now to actually live out His strength in whatever He calls us to do, that may be a secret. And for me, only after it is done do I know that I have actually dug deep and done something in Him and Him through me.

Here is a personal example. As i was flying on the plane over to Charlotte recently I was thinking about what friends would ask and who I would see. I thought about how i could sum up my last 8 months. Then the Lord gently impressed on my heart that He has given me the opportunity to experience Godly contentment and His peace. Living in rural Illinois has been exciting and lots of fun. It has been far better than I ever imagined. But at the same time it is very different. If it had not been for His leading I would not have chosen here. I do like convenience, i do like options, i do like more cosmopolitan - that really has been all i have ever known. I feel like I left a lot in Charlotte - but some very material things - my house, my kids school, friends of 12 years (I have never lived anywhere longer), all my doctors, grocery stores that are incredible (you would have to see it to believe it), many,many big churches, incredible neighborhoods to dream about, etc................ But God has given me the chance to know a new life and new people. So while I would have chosen somewhere else if I were given the chance to live somewhere of my pick, I would never know the feeling of living out Godly contentment. The peace that I have of being in His will and even living in a "foreign" land is worth it all. I am content not because of the things i still have or just because I have to be, I am content because His peace transcends all understanding and is guarding my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me because He is doing that through me everyday. I am happy, joyful, elated, excited, and filled with Him - there in lies the secret of contentment. Thank you Jesus for trusting me with the opportunity to learn that and then live it out. Thank you for thinking of me enough to allow me to go through this and come out rejoicing. Thank you for blessing me with an area I would have not picked on my own, but You knew best. Thank you for knowing the plans for my life that are to prosper, and not to harm me! I trust You!!! I love you!

419 - All things rubbish - Confidence in Christ

Dear Lord, I am up on You today, but I am down on me. Lord, will I ever get to the point that my thoughts immediately turn to you and not think about my interests first or how I feel left out of something or just all about me? Will it ever happen that I immediately am thinking "Yeah, no matter what or who does that it is bringing others closer to Christ"? Oh Lord my mind is such a wreck from time to time. Andrea and I were talking about this very thing last night in our run - how can our flesh ever be second nature and the Mind of Christ be first. I get so tired myself constantly having to redirect my thoughts AND ask forgiveness for my initial reaction or at least thought. Ugh, Lord, help me! I want to be like you, but the me inside is raging today and often!

I read Philippians 3 today and the phrase that stuck with me was in verse 3, "who put no confidence in the flesh". Paul is talking about those that are out to "do in" the Word of God, those that possibly are not fighting the flesh, but being ruled by it, those that try to win over others into their way of thinking, and "put no confidence in the flesh". Lord, reveal to me the ways that I put confidence in the flesh. To me when you get down to the nitty gritty, motivations is all about putting confidence in the flesh. I may say that i trust in the Lord and have a Godly confidence, but it is because things are going well and it is easy? Or is it because my prayers seem to be answered and so confidence in Christ is easy? Putting confidence in Christ is great unless you are the one taking the glory. But what happens when the rug is pulled out from under me? Do I revert back to the old ways of worry, do I begin to call on friends first instead of my Lord, do I find ways that i myself can change the situation instead of relying on Him?

Lord Jesus - I need your power over my life right now. I need you to heal a heart that is in constant battle with itself and the motivations she is constantly questioning. I guess it is a good thing that I am taking inventory and checking my motivations, but I just so want my reactions, etc. to be the mind of Christ first. I want to put all confidence in You and none in me. Is that possible? What about pride, self-esteem, positive thinking, etc. I know that Paul goes on to say in the chapter that he considers "everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord". Lord, I want to know you this way. I want to consider everything a loss compared to my relationship with You. I want to be able to honestly say, "Lord you can have it all as long as i still have You. My relationship with You is paramount and worth everything else in this world loss." Can I get there Lord? I don't know - it seems kind of scary to ask. What might I have to loose to gain You?

Verse 13-14 I take as great encouragement, straight from the Word. I am going to forget what is behind. Each day is a new day and for that I am so thankful. I am pressing forward to really know You and the power of the resurrection! The Word says this is a strain or better that I am to strain and I so believe that! I am constantly straining to be like You. It is not so much a strain in outward actions as it used to be, but now the strain is in my mind. Lord, take hold of me - control me - change me - mold me - have your way in me - I beg of you! Give me the mind of Christ, oh Lord, please! I thank You for the work You have already completed in me - keep going!!! This I am confident of................only You can do it!

I got a part-time job that I will be starting on Tuesday. I am so very excited, but scared at the same time. I will be a Customer Service Representative for an insurance agency in Carmi. I will work M-F 8-12. Elleigh is already in preschool at those times so that is great. But I am going to have to be way more organized in my time. I will have to wake up just a tad earlier to get everything in - yikes............i am up before the rooster already! I am going to have to be very diligent about my cooking so that my family doesn't starve or worse get wasted on fast food. I am going to have to give up to some extent the many blogs that i read everyday - oh how i don't like that - please know this is not a reflection on my love for you - please comment to me though!! I need to know you are there! hee hee And ministry - how am i going to return all those emails, requests, and study for more messages - well all I can say is that I am placing confidence in Christ that He will work it all out! I will and do put my confidence in Him to see me through what He has lead me to and allowed me to receive! Thank you Jesus! I love you! ANd the housework - how will it ever get done....

Going to pay the big check of non-profit today. This will get all the paperwork going and really step things up a level for Speaking Thru Me. I am pumped. After I pay my most recent expenses and then this money I am really going to drain the account. But 2 funny things God has done recently - had a lady at the hair place ask if i would come down and show her some purses - I sold 4 while I was there. Then through that another lady called my house to ask to come by and see - she bought 2. God is filling my account little by little. Thank you Jesus!! Confidence in YOU!!!! Hey, if you want to click on my Adsense that would be great too. I am almost to $60. Every little counts - I know for sure!

The house is coming along very well. 3rd floor is framed, beams have been lifted, and plumbing has really started. What else - I am not sure... I just like it! Oh heating and air start Wednesday! I heard Clay tell somone it might be Jan 15 before we are actually in..........ugh!!!!

412 - People, work together!

Lord Jesus - today is the first real day of school. Emmajoy woke up at 6:15am and Sarahjane just woke up too. That is such a good sign! I hope the excitement will stick with SJ for a long time. She is not an early riser, nor did she ever enjoy preschool - well at least the school part. Hopefully since we sat her out an extra year she is good and ready - mature! EJ is a lot like me and loved school from the word GO! Tucker says he doesn't like it, but I am sure he will be up and at 'em in just a few minutes. Thank you Lord for getting back to a schedule.

This morning I found myself once again in Phil. 2: 1-5. Some good stuff! I looked up several different versions and was really encouraged and inspired by the Words. Have you ever come to a point in leadership when you just throw up your hands and say, " if you are getting this at all, would you just please do this............." I think in this passage we find Paul at this point. He has just explained to them at the end of chapter one that suffering and believing are things that are granted to us. A benefit of Christ. And in the scripture it is like he had stood up from the table put his hands on the top of the desk, leaning over looking deep in their eyes and saying, "People, if Christ and His love, and mercy, and Spirit, and His fellowship have meant anything to you then Work with me here! Be like minded and make me proud - "make my joy complete". Have the same purpose and work together, not against me and certainly not against each other."

I know it can be that way in women's ministry. Everyone has their own thoughts, opinions, conclusions, means of production, and insecurities! If there are too many chiefs things can go hairy in a split end or i mean a split second. I have never really been in the corporate world, but I hear that as long as roles are well defined and responsibilities and cut and dry things work very well. It is in those times that things get slow or jumbled that there is confusion and that brings about dissension. I guess that is why the Lord reminds us in the Proverbs to not get idle - trouble will find us! Paul, it sounds like to me, is begging these people to work like Christ and get it together. It would make his joy complete, or like i have heard my Aunt Joyce say often, "that would just tickle me to death".

And just like my Sarahjane, the questioner, I can see her raising her hand at the end of Paul's plea and saying, "But how, how do we do such a large task - working together for the same purpose?" Paul replies, "I am so glad you asked. If you all would just work for each other, promoting one another, looking out for one another instead of your own self, just consider others better than yourself or more important - people, just have the same attitude as Christ and things will go more than smoothly around here. It will be glorious! TO His glory!"

And this is one of my key verses for ministry. Ginger and I have briefly talked about working for each other and not ourselves. I would work on getting her events and she would do the same for me. It is like we would be each others agent. I have been in ministries where you had to do all the work yourself or many times I found people not doing anything just waiting for God to drop it in their laps. Just sitting and waiting is not my conviction. I am a worker - I feel responsible to do my part to be able to use the gift He has given me. So I pray that Ginger and I can things together and begin working "being like-minded having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose." For His glory alone!!

You know all these principles work the same way in marriage and in parenting!! Think of him first in marriage, think of them first in parenting, think of Him and what He would do!!! Simple, but oh so hard at times!

Well, i just got back from dropping the kids off. Lord Jesus, be with the kids today as they are learning all the ropes again! I pray SJ loves the idea of school and then actually is excited about learning and doing!! I pray she makes her own friends and is a good friend. Lord for Emmajoy, I pray you will protect her heart. Even at this young age she is willing to give it away to anyone that is willing to show her some attention. Protect her sweet spirit and keep her smiling! And for Tucker, Jesus, make him a leader and one that others will want to follow. Lord, instruct him in Your ways and make him confident in You! Lord, help him to be a good friend and a better listener! Help them all to not be so selfish! Bless their teachers! Thank you for today, Lord!

398 - Will a Schedule Ever Come Back

Oh Lord Jesus - my girls have such a summer cold. It seems to be better this morning, but I was up almost every hour last night giving drinks of water, cough medicine, and stuff. I am one tired momma already and it is only 8:30am. Hopefully we are at the tail end! My blogging this past week has been so sparse. I am at the point now that I am longing for school to start just so we will all be on a schedule and know expectations. I am not too good at just sitting around and waiting for the next fun thing to happen. I like to look forward to it because it is on the schedule. That might be an issue I need to work on.

My Believing God study this morning was great. We have now started looking deeply into our pasts and all the places we can see His hand and fingerprints. It is awesome. I came to Acts 17:16-27. Paul is telling the people of Athens to reconsider their religious ways and practices. They have statues, alters, objects of worship, etc., but no god and certainly no relationship! So Paul stands up and never condemns what they are worshipping, but proclaims to them the missing piece. He explains to them that you have everything and are worshipping the "unknown" and he is now going to reveal that "unknown". Verses 26 and 27 meant the most to me. It states that God made everything from one man. "he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live." Why did God do this? Why didn't He just let us live where we want and do as we please? "so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him", verse 27. GOD HAS A PLAN AND PURPOSE. I am not puppet and i do have choices, but God has a greater plan. The bottom line is to bring people to a point that they reach out for Him, seek Him, and find Him!! I just love it.

The details are important. Seeing God in even the very smallest things of life is so very important. Knowing where He has brought you and what He has done for you is so very important! My history is such a great story and to some quite boring. I know to some extent why He has moved me so many times in my life and I love it. I don't understand why He has kept me from so much disaster or kept me from experiencing a tremendous amount of pain, but I am so very grateful. All i do know is that HE is faithful. The adventure from Dec. 9, 1972 has been wonderfully exciting. The story is not very long as of yet and I hope to have another 65 or 70 years to add. Oh how generous that would be! I am so thankful he has determined my time and the exact places I would live. I want to walk closer and closer so that I can be sure as i have been in the past of the changes He is requiring! Lord, I can not praise You enough. I can not shout out or sit in silence long enough for what you are due. You are worthy - you are great - you are holy - you are mighty!! I want to do nothing but serve you!!! Guide me, keep me close, and speak to my heart. I am holding on - thank you for never losing Your grip! I love you!

This is going to another busy week - school supplies shopping today. Tomorrow SJ goes for her 6 year old well check and kindergarten physical, etc. Then we are going to meet our church at New Harmony pool. Wednesday we go to get Tucker's cast off. It stinks so bad. We let him do a slip and slide and swim in the lake the other day. I just couldn't hold off any longer for him. I felt so bad for him. So it stinks, but he is happy and it comes off on Wednesday. Thursday I meet my parents in Nashville to give them all 4 kids!!!!!!!!!!! yeah baby!! We even have to swap cars!! Hopefuly I will get to visit a few minutes with Dori while i am "in town". Friday I am going shopping and Saturday and Sunday and Monday and then back to my brother's on Tuesday to pickup the kids!!! So i guess that is a schedule... I am thankful!!!

267 - Don't you give in!!

Oh Father - this time change about got me this morning. I wanted to crawl right back in the bed and not even it the snooze - just turn off the alarm. But thank you for getting me up and meeting with you. I studied about how we discern God's will for our lives - 4 easy step process - but this morning i want to praise you for a great weekend with my parents and the wonderful church we had. I mean incredible.

The praise music was just a tad too loud, but it didn't bother me. We sang the News Boys (or maybe it was Newsong group) song Rescue. It was wonderful and just beautiful. Chad our preacher is a great singer and the piano player is out of this world. There is another lady on keyboard that is awesome too. I could not hear the piano player as well as i would have liked to yesterday. Maybe they were having some sound troubles - they had a video that didn't quite work. Anyway - they brought us to the Throne of Grace for sure!

Chad did an awesome job on the sermon yesterday. We were talking about the power of a word - that would be the inspired Word of God. When God lays something on your heart and then confirms it in scripture - that is your Word. You hold on to that Word until You see Him releases you from that or He works it into fruition. He will, but sometimes we have to be patient. Patience is one of those things that is the prelude to many blessings. But i think too often i go right on passed that blessing because i take things into my own hands or never wait to see it through. Forgive me Lord.

We found ourselves in Acts 27 - the account of Paul going to appeal Caesar. He had been accused of something and they really couldn't find a crime to peg him with, but nevertheless they wanted to have him killed. So as a Roman citizen, Paul had the right to appeal before Caesar to get the decision reversed. This is much like someone appearing before our Supreme Court. Before I go on about all the Paul endured, I was kind of astonished at the Word we received in I Thes. 2:17-18, specifically vs. 18, "Satan hindered". In the Greek that means to make slow, difficult, or prevent action. It is as if a person is going on a trip and they are hindered such that either the trip must be stopped or the trip has to go in a totally different direction.

This is where I and many of us throw in the towel. We get one obstacle and quit. Not willing to fight any longer, not willing to rough it out, not willing to give it our all. It is easier to assume that God did not will that for our life and just give up. But following Him takes work. First we have to know that the situation is worth fighting for. We have to have received a Word, that take patience, from Him knowing we are to proceed through. Then we have to be willing to fight and wait and fight and wait.............and then wait some more. Just because we don't see it happen immediately doesn't mean that God changed His mind.

In Acts 27 - this is where Chad was tremendous and so anointed. We went through the ship wreck story of Paul. He received his Word that he was to appear before Caesar. His real goal was to preach the gospel to Caesar. He knew this was his purpose in life from this point forward. So they set sail in a bad storm. "Unite your faith in the midst of the storm, not lose your faith" - Chad. Angel of the Lord confirmed Paul's purpose, but the storm continued for 11 days. They finally reach land - long time - and he loses all his stuff and lands on a island of Barbarians. He then is cold and makes fire. As he is making the fire he gets bit by a poisonous snake. They are ready to watch him die, but God prevents that. He then gets hailed as a god and taken to a palace - he has yet to see the Caesar, but is holding tight to his Word. Many months have gone by. Paul gives up......... not!!!!!!!!!!! When we have a promise or Word from the Lord, we must fight, we must be patient, and we must prevail - only Him through us! Prayer must be the foundation.

Lord, thank you for this word yesterday. There are many ways i can apply it. Lord, help me to reach deep within and hold onto the patience You have given me. I have received a Word that I am willing to fight and wait for. In the mean time don't let my worst, or nearly my worst, enemy ruin everything. That would be me!!!!!!!!!!! Dawn Everette and Tracy Berta are both waiting to have their babies. May that be soon for both. Thank you for today, already. Thank you for mom and dad coming and the great time we all had. Please heal my dad's back or allow him great relief from a cortisone shot. However you can heal him!! I love you, Lord.