Fighting off the Buzzards - Guest Blogger - Eunice

I have been on vacation.  God never goes on vacation.  Praise God HE is always right there when we need Him and when we ignore Him too.   While enjoying the majestic beauty of Colorado and the family time with both kids and son - n- love --- God was at work and within our time together.  I am most grateful.  However,  I am also aware that seasons of trials and battle are close and around.  I treasured this 'peaceful' get away with my children and husband but I also battled for another and for my own family as the enemy never gives up.  I read an article while gone where the author suggests that obeying God and living for Him and serving does not mean ..."it will get easier"... quite frankly the author warned, "it gets worse and the trails don't stop".  However, the glories that are given and witnessed are most precious and KEEPS one going.  I have seen that.  I want to see more.  Here is another quest post by my dear warrior pal -- that I named Eunice.  I pray for the day she can write her own blog and give her identity -- but right now it is important for her to battle with all her strength and when she is beyond this present battle and there is victory -- she will be able to share.  And, I know God is going to use her -- HE already has!!  
This is what she emailed me while I was gone.  Due to internet struggles and mountain regions, I was unable to read it until today and I instantly knew -- it would encourage another. 

I watched Lisa Bevere on Life Today last night.  And I listened.  She spoke about SCARY prayers.  Every day God continues to show me and others -- His time is near and yet, He has not returned yet, so we must continue to share His love and the gospel.  Lisa reminded me that Psalm 10 is a scary prayer -- Lord, crush the enemies ... Do it Lord - make a way and I pray the lost will return to You. 

If you are in a place where you believe or want to give up or give in... don't.  FIGHT. 
I pray this woman's heart will bless you and remind you to STAND strong against those buzzards! 


- Michelle


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I am going through a difficult time in my life right now.

A faith fight is what I’ve come to call it.

Matthew 24:28 - Wherever there is a carcass, there the buzzards will gather.

Buzzards. I’ve seen them so much lately. Perched in dead trees like something I’ve seen out of an old cartoon. Buzzards, waiting to devour the dead.

I left for work early on a Monday morning to discover someone ran over an armadillo right outside of my driveway. Directly in front of my mailbox. I thought to myself I’d need to remove the corpse of this poor armadillo once I get home from work but by the time I got home the poor body of the armadillo was squashed on the pavement directly in front of my house.

There was no body removal for me to do of the mess now left in front of my home.

For two days I left and came home to an overwhelming stench outside my house of this dead animal. And a mounting number of buzzards perched upon my fence line, waiting to devour this carcass.

It left my stomach sick and quite frankly each time I entered my house, downtrodden by the overwhelming emotions of defeat for my very difficult faith fight; I thought how fitting it seemed to see the buzzards there like the dead animal, trying to eat and devour my dead circumstance.

One Wednesday evening during praise and worship service, as I was in my own battle, my own fight, I thought of those buzzards at my home, sitting, and ready to eat my life away. I was reminded of a woman whose sons were killed as a penance for Saul’s disobedience resulting in a three year famine. Rizpah was one of Saul’s concubines and had given him two sons. Her two sons were killed and hung at the sanctuary, as a result of their dads actions.

For five months their mother watched her sons decaying bodies hang as the buzzards tried to eat their bodies. This grieving mother fought back the buzzards awaiting and fighting for her sons to have a proper burial. (2 Samuel 3-21) In my grief stricken state, feeling like everything was dead. Hanging exposed for the buzzards to devour, I remembered Rizpah.

How despite her grief and emptiness she fought. She fought with all of her might to keep the buzzards away.

She refused to allow them to take everything precious to her.

Day and night for five months, she fought these buzzards.

As I raised my grief stricken hands, completely emptied of myself, I declared I would beat back the buzzards!

My life. My faith fight is a battle God has already won. I must be like Rizpah and persevere.

Does life have you down?

Are you at the end?

Do you feel death is imminent? Spiritual death?

You know God is there!

He is your source of strength in this unbearable time you are enduring!

Do you feel you’ve gone too far to turn back?

Is running the only option you see?

Sweet brother, sweet sister, He is there!

He wants to hold you!

He wants to love you!

He wants to restore you!

He wants to redeem you!

He wants to give you abundant life in HIM!

You pull in your strength!

You take a deep breath and YOU FIGHT!

Don’t you dare let the buzzards take your life!

It’s not dead!

God is your source of strength! (Psalm 28:7) God is your living water! (John 4:14) He cleanses you! (1 John 1:9) He will bring life into those dry bones!(Ezekiel 37:1-14)Surrender to Him and let Him clean you up!

Whatever you do, DO NOT GIVE UP!

FIGHT!

Fight the buzzards! Your life is worth it!

  

Conquering WELL..... the return of a GUEST blogger -- Eunice

So, today a sweet woman of God wrote me again.  I have  to share.  I am not even asking her permission!!   She knew when she sent me the email it would probably be shared.  She is a mother.  She is a wife.  She is conquering  WELL right now. 

Let me explain that ...she is in the middle of a trial and a fight for her family and her future, but she is NOT giving up and she is not being intimidated by the enemy.  Satan.  Believe me, he is trying to kill her - but she is conquering well.  Period. 

I am going to call her Eunice. 

 Eunice is referenced in the bible in Acts 16: 1-3, 2 Timothy 1:5, 3:14, 3:15, and 14:5 .  Her name...implies...  'conquering well -- expressive of a good or happy victory'. 

THAT is why I  titled this - "Conquering well!". 

Conquering well is HARD.  I would always say to myself, " I CAN do hard!!  ..but Lord... I need some easy". 

Eunice is the mother of a famous evangelist!   Her mother was Lois.  Timothy was indeed a special man of God, one of Paul's favorites and his inspired words from God are indeed  chapter s of the Bible that I read often!     My friend reminds me of Eunice.  She has been raised by godly family and has lead a life -- wanting to be God's best.  She has children.  Younger and older and like me...struggle at times --

thinking  to ourselves....."did we do the right thing?"
  "I wish I would of been more strong in the Lord back then ...it would of been different!"
"Lord, forgive me .. I have messed up, please protect my child"........


But God....   
I believe God brings beauty out of those ashes if we give them to HIM. And I believe HE covers us when our hearts and intentions were of His love ....and/or of our ignorance when we did not know better.   Let's face it -- didn't we all set out to be 'better parents' than our parents and yet... we failed too...???   I have not seen a perfect parent.  It is by the grace and mercy of God that my own two even are alive.... much less adults now that know God!!    But anyway... 

Back to my Eunice...

She is presently in a FIRE STORM....but she is trusting God to bring everything full circle and she intends to walk out of this fiery furnace...without smelling like smoke.  IN the meantime...in the God time... in the waiting time, as you read below, she is walking this out.  She knows that on the other side....there is a little Timothy that she gets to still tuck in bed and I believe that  he will indeed be a favorite of God's as well!  

So, how about you?   Are you conquering well?   Are you in the middle of something right now??   Well, like my dear friend here .. I pray you have some godly counsel that you can pray with and seek encouragement from.  Like my friend here - I pray you are connected to a church family that is loving on you in the meantime... and like my friend here -- I pray that you are praying through this trail and praying for that husband or wayward child.... as that is what I know Eunice did....  

So here is her blog - I pray it blessed you as much as it did me!!  

BTW...   As I read it, I asked God... "did I conquer well?".   "Did I display THIS Much faith when everything looked and appeared hopeless?"    And I felt that by the end of reading her blog...  I felt a tremendous peace and blessing from GOD....to share this...  as I know -- there are many of you OUT there... waiting on that answered prayer and that 'changed' man or child... don't give up ...  GOD is still on that throne...and GOD wins!  

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He will build:

 

A few weeks ago I promised God the first of me.

 

This was not a meaningless promise.

 

This came from the heart of a deeply grieved soul.

 

I was convicted how I put God on hold. Giving him the leftovers of my day instead of the first of me fresh in the morning.

 

Don’t get me wrong, He is the first one I talk to in the morning. And I spend daily devotion with Him.

 

I have made this my habit for years now.

 

When I don’t do it, my heart feels it.

 

But deep fellowship with him early in the morning was often lacking because I am up and running the minute the alarm goes off.

 

Preparing breakfast, packing lunches, setting aside dinner for the evening, getting ready for work and my little one off to school.

 

There is a rush in the morning and one day it was like God said why settle for a cordial hello each morning when I can refresh you with a wonderful conversation to get you started.

 

In finding my self worth, my ultimate pleasure of serving my husband and children, I forgot my first and biggest priority is my relationship with God.

 

The conviction. The grieving in my spirit. Our God is a just God but He is also a jealous God. He is the lover of our soul!

 

My promise - God, I’m going to give you the first of me each morning.

 

At first this did not seem like a hard task or promise.

 

For a few days God would wake me to get up, to spend time with Him, to pray for my family and loved ones.

 

Instead of getting out of the bed, I would lay there and pray in bed. Too tired to get up.

 

I read in Ecclesiastes 5:4,5 where we must not make foolish promises to God. We should not make a promise we do not follow through. If you make a promise to God and you don’t keep it, He becomes angry and He might wipe out everything you have achieved.

 

You see, I am in a valley. The enemy is trying to destroy my family of all of the mercy and goodness God has bestowed upon us and my promises must be like the ones God has given me and my family, honest and true. Sincere and solid. Bold and infused with HIS faith.

 

For a few weeks, I set my alarm to be certain I got up in time to give him the first of me. Then something started. He started waking me earlier. Sometimes, my heart is heavy and grieved. All I can do is intercede in prayer. Crying out to Him. Other times, it is spent with worship music, reading my Bible, waiting for Him to reveal something to me in those early morning hours. A treasure. A nugget.

 

Where all is quiet and the lover of my soul wants to speak to me.

 

You see, He is there. He wants fellowship with me. He wants to love on me. Comfort me. Hold me. Guide and direct me.

 

It takes spending time with Him to go from knowledge of Him to a relationship with Him.

  
 
 

Nobody can do it for you.

 

This is for you and God. Your walk with Him. Your relationship with the creator of Heaven and earth.

 

I still have my alarm on to get up with God but He usually wakes me well before it goes off. He usually wakes me in the wee hours of 3-4 each morning.

 

I started with one hour with him and it’s turned into two or more. There have been a few times I’ve been late to work.

 

Last night though, I felt different.

 

Wrestled.

 

You see, I’m in a valley right now where my faith is under attack. The enemy wants to steal the faith my family, my grandmother, my husband’s family fought hard to plant.

 

Last night, I was battle weary.

 

No prayers to pray except The Lord’s Prayer and speaking in my prayer language until I finally drifted off to sleep.

 

I didn’t have a peaceful sleep.

 

Most of the time when I am restless, I’d get up immediately and go into prayer with the Lord.

 

This time I didn’t.

 

I was in and out of sleep. I had a few text messages from loved ones who know I’m in a battle and for some reason their messages were coming though in the stillness of the night.

 

They had no idea I was awake. Why did God have them up? To love on me?

 

My husband and I bought a house a year ago.

 

It is a foreclosure and while we’ve made renovations to it, there is still a lot to be done.

We have what will one day be a very beautiful swimming pool.

 

When we first prayed over and for this property, I looked at it broken and abandoned, overgrown with weeds, envisioning what it once looked like before it was left empty and desolate.

 

How pretty is must have been and how pretty it will one day be.

 

For the time being my pool is what my son and step son call ‘gator water’. It’s a nasty mess covered over.

 

I don’t mind that they think gators are in it because it keeps them away from it.

 

But there are frogs. Disgusting big frogs that love that pool. I’m terrified of them and on countless times I’ve almost completely put myself in the hospital trying to get away from them as I feel their chasing me.

 

Last night as I lay there in my bed listening to the croaking of these frogs, I was hearing the lies of the enemy try to seep into my soul.

 

This sly thief trying to steal the promises God has given me and my family.

 

‘you don’t have faith, it’s not going to work out, it’s too far gone, it’s too hard, you’re not worthy, nobody cares….’

 

Oh the lies, they were tormenting me.

 

Each croak was another lie trying to penetrate my heart.

 

Then in a sweet silent whisper like God wonderfully does He started reminding me, ‘My beautiful daughter, you, your husband, your family, are just like this beautiful home I blessed you with. You were once radiant and beautiful but the sin and hurt of this dark world got you down. It left you feeling broken and abandoned, overgrown with weeds, murky gator water; empty and desolate. That is where I AM. I come into those broken places and I clean up the mess. I restore your soul to be clean and overflowing with MY abundant love! Don’t doubt I’m not here. Don’t doubt I’m not working out the promises I have made to you for your family. This cleaning, this refining is a process. You must not resist it but embrace it. Your faith is building. How else could you and your husband leave a legacy without it? You cannot labor in vain, this is a solid foundation I, YOUR LORD, am building.’

 

Yes, Lord, You are working this out. You have promised to keep, protect and prosper my family. I will rebuke the lies of the enemy and stand on the dwelling of Holy Spirit within me and the power of the blood of Jesus Christ to fight a good fight and declare the victory.

Always True #1....

Ok,  a dear friend gave me this book back when I was in the middle of heartache.    I could not read it.  I believe it was because...  I did not want to read something in there that would tell me......  

...... that my marriage may NOT be restored.     You see, I had  counsel and many who would tell me, "it just looks like maybe this won't work out!".   BUT... I had counsel and several that would tell me, "with GOD, nothing is impossible!". 

But in the meantime.....


Anyway, in 2012, I got the courage to  finish reading it.  I had read parts back in 2011 when she gave it to me....but as I said, I just could not complete the book.   And God, in his perfect wisdom knew I would PICK it up finally in 2012 and read and  it would remind me that HIS promises are Always true. 

Today, there are a few  I want to encourage.  The Lord brought me BACK to this book!!   So I dug in again.    I believe it will give  hope.  It did me.  I admit -- I think many  should get this book- it is indeed a best seller!   I  should probably buy several copies -- but sometimes when I  give another a book, it just sits -- like many  books that just sat -- when they were given to me.  However ---- 

Maybe this will ignite a few to buy and read this book that Mr. MacDonald has written -- it is a good one for all those who believe!  Anyway ----

Dark days.  I had to know that in those dark days... what would happen next.   I just wanted insight!
In those dark days, I knew that if I could make it just ONE more day -- God would lead me and maybe tomorrow that MIRACLE would happen.....

Then I read this:   " the very idea that God commits Himself to do anyting is incredible.  He does not have to bind Himself to us in any way.  He is God!"  He is completly above and beyond us.  As part of His creation, we are in no postiion to to hold Him to anything!  But yet, God does flat out promise to do some things -- for us.  For ME!! "   - Mr. MadDonald

2 Peter 1.4 says:   "by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises"  !!  

Romans 8.32, "he who did not spare his own  Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?"

Even when it is hard to trust -- God's promises remain the same!

HE knows how you want to quit or just be 'done'..   Psalm 103:14 says, "He knows our frame: he remembers that we are dust".  

But HANG on.....   the middle part...between I believe and receiving that promise....  is indeed - FAITH! 

God feels compassion for the pain of not knowing -- and that is why HE invented this idea of a promise!  
God knows what HE has promised and HE can't lie! 

Jeremiah 32.27 says:  I am the Lord ...is anything too hard for me?  

David says, " I would of despaired if I had not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living"  Psalm 27.13

God promises that even if you have been hit with a problem so big you just want to turn the pages of the calendar and wait this one out....   God promises strength and peace through that trial...  He does! 



So right now... I encourage you to dig deep in God's Word today and find some promises that YOU will hold dear and write out on a post it note or an index card.  WRITE them in the corners of your mind and heart...  make several copies to place int he bathroom, the bedroom...even your car -- and tell Satan today that -- he is not going to win today -- but THAT God will!  

Lord, I thank you in advance for the HOPE that this blog will bring to that one or several .....THAT in the next few blogs, based on this book - each person reading this will know -- that indeed YOUR promises are always true.  I pray as YOU help me Lord, "outline" this resource that those who NEED to read this and USE this book - would have the gumption today to order it.  LORD...I think you for faithful authors that are divinely inspired.  Lord, USE this blog always to bring hope and to remind that one that is ready to give up -- that GOD WINS!   

Amen - 
 I am humbled...   and in prayer for some dear women RIGHT now.... that are fighting the enemy and claiming HIS promises  that their lives would honor God in everything - IN Jesus name, Amen.

Walking in Fatih - not Emotional walking.

Psalms 149.4  - The Lord delights in his people -- you -- he crowns the humble with victory. 

Ecclesiastes 7.9 - Control your temper; for anger labels you a fool.  

Galatians 5 The Message (MSG)

The Life of Freedom.5 Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.^4-6 I suspect you would never intend this, but this is what happens. When you attempt to live by your own religious plans and projects, you are cut off from Christ, you fall out of grace. Meanwhile we expectantly wait for a satisfying relationship with the Spirit. For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religion nor disregard of religion amounts to anything. What matters is something far more interior: faith expressed in love.

^7-10 You were running superbly! Who cut in on you, deflecting you from the true course of obedience? This detour doesn’t come from the One who called you into the race in the first place. And please don’t toss this off as insignificant. It only takes a minute amount of yeast, you know, to permeate an entire loaf of bread. Deep down, the Master has given me confidence that you will not defect. But the one who is upsetting you, whoever he is, will bear the divine judgment.

^13-15 It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out—in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then?

^16-18 My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. Why don’t you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence?^19-21 It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on.This isn’t the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God’s kingdom.

^22-23 But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

True freedom -- being able to walk in freedom and know that you know God has you in HIS hands --------------and no matter what -- HE will make things right.  

Prayerfully walking - rather than emotional walking in that freedom.  

Seeking help -- Seeking counsel.  

Coming under spiritual authority.

The Holy Spirit brought me to this blog that I wrote 3 years ago.  

I can only speak of my own situation -- but when the Lord allowed a major heartache to be revealed, I sat back and got angry and mad.  And I had a few ugly months where I destroyed physical things and if you were close - you got an earful.  I spewed to some that I NEVER should of opened up to.   But I was VERY careful not to spew it out on Face Book or to ALL...I choose a few close friends.   Somehow I just knew...if my marriage would be restored - there would be much I would have to correct ...and if we did not make it through...no matter what -- that man was the father to my children.  I was NOT going to stand before God and have God look at me and say, "Michelle, why did you NOT do what I asked?".  

That was the motivation for showing grace and mercy -- cause THAT is what God clearly had said to me.  

 God actually brought me a few new friends -- that knew NOTHING about me....and that was refreshing, as they always spoke life to me and about me...and about the person that was hurting me.  

I sought godly counsel -- and I listened and DID what they suggested - prayerfully.  When I did not want to -- I called them to pray. 

I also sought professional help - and I listened to WHAT she stated to do -- we both did.  It was hard....it was NOT easy ...it took over a year of counsel.  

Insanity is doing the SAME stuff over and over -- in a marriage that has been broken...in a marriage that has suffered a loss and in a marriage where vows were broken.... you can't put a band-aid on it.  You can't say 'I am sorry, and you are forgiven' and expect it to remain perfect.  There is a sweet spirit there -- and the Lord will cover you -- but HE asks us to change.....  

One piece of advice or thought process our Therapist stated and we quote often -- "an affair is a symptom"  of other problems.  Drinking and taking some drugs or pills to 'numb' the pain is a symptom of other problems and add that to a marriage....ouch.  

When we prayerfully walk out our healing with counsel - godly and professional - and we take the time to MAKE the necessary changes of our own behavior -- I believe we can see  and I  have seen restoration.  

When we allow our emotions to do the healing and the counseling...I have seen changes...but changes that did not last.  Changes that hurt. 

Humbly seek counsel....be willing to come under authority of a Pastor /Counselor and follow their suggestions.  And if it is not working...go back to that Counselor and seek God and that person....many times... it takes some major surgery to fix a problem.....  there is a cost....  we think nothing of the cost to run to an emergency room to get help....why not RUN to a therapist that CAN be a new set of eyes.... and allow them to help - change the habits.  

The bottom line is -- I don't think some people WANT change. 

I don't believe that some WANT to do the HARD. 

People want QUICK fixes...  God can do that- but many times ...it takes time.  

HIS timing is perfect.  

God is the God of second chances...and God will heal a humbled heart...  HE crowns the humble.... but His word also says -- HE labels one that can't control their anger -- as a fool.  

God is just. 

God is love.....and God is good....but HE is just.  

Exodus 14.14 - says that HE will fight for you -- God will....we must let God fight our battles...

Love covers a multitude of sins... and we must always forgive.  

But we must also do the HARD.  

If the Lord, has released your from a relationship because of adultery...then let it be......

But if God has NOT released you -- DO what God says... You will stand before Him one day - and  you will have to account for your actions...what will you say?  

Lord....use these words this eve...I pray YOU will be glorified.  

Lord, for that one who has discovered her husband has betrayed their vows.  Lord, for the one who has lived with a man who betrays YOU Lord on a daily basis.  Lord, for the one ready to quit.  Lord, for the one who has been fighting a LONG time and is tired.  Lord, for the one who has no clue.  Lord, for the one who continues to allow her pride to keep You at bay...  Lord for anyone who reads this tonight and it sinks in and it hurts...I pray for that ONE...that she will feel your arms...feel your love and seek you with all of her heart.  

 

Lord, USE this blog for YOUR purposes, that she would walk in Faith and not emotional walking!   IN Jesus name... 

Amen.  

A message of HOPE -- when you believe you just can't________ anymore!

 I can't sleep.
 I needed a reminder of hope, as I just want something fixed and perhaps, I just can't pray anymore.

What would you place in that blank?
....maybe you just can't pray anymore ....
...maybe you just can't wait anymore....
....maybe you just can't  believe anymore.... 

Been praying for several but my heart is breaking cause  I believe one particular heart is  breaking this evening.  She is so lost.  She has no peace.  Her husband is an jerk.    THAT was not very sweet or Christ like.  However, her husband does not know Jesus.  He is in love with the world....stuff... and his own thoughts.  He is a sinner.  However, even though I want to smack him and make his eyes open -- I know that I know, God knows his heart and sent His son Jesus for him as well.

People are broken.  People are messy.   In sitting and looking back - I have pity for both of them.  They are dear to me but they are so lost.  So lost.  At times, I want to give up in praying for them.  At times, I just want to quit  -- but I can't.  I know God has placed this burden on my heart because He knows I will continue to pray and believe - no matter what.

So, as I came to my blog site this eve and I looked back at my previous blogs -- I saw the words, "a message of HOPE".  As I needed to read this again.

So, I am sharing.  As I believe,  there is another that needs this reminder. 

A message of hope.....for when you feel - YOU JUST can't anymore...... I have it posted  in my bible, and dated as to when it was passed to me.

It was a direct message from God to me through another and I believe another needs to read and believe and soak it in....Amen!

 it was written by David Wilkerson .  It was his final message before his death in April of 2011.

To believe when all means fail is exceedingly pleasing to God and is most acceptable.  Jesus said to Thomas, "you have believed because you have seen, but blessed are those that do believe and have not seen".  John 20.29 

Blessed are those who believe when there is no evidence of an answer to prayer -- who trust beyond hope when all means have failed.   

Someone has come to the place of hopelessness - the end of hope - the end of all means.   A loved one is facing death and doctors give o hope .  Death seems inevitable.  Hope is gone.  The miracle prayed for is not happening.   

That is when Satan's hordes come to attack your mind with fear, anger, overwhelming questions:  "where is your God now? You prayed until you had no tears left. You fasted. You stood on promises.  You trusted."
Blasphemous thoughts will be injected into your mind:  "Prayer failed, faith failed, don't quit on god-- just do not trust Him anymore. It does not pay!"  

Even questioning God's existence will be injected into your mind.  These have been the devices of Satan for centuries. Some of the godliest men and women who ever lived were under such demonic attacks.   

To those going through the valley and shadow of death, hear this word:  Weeping will last through some dark, awful nights - and in that darkness you will soon hear the Father whisper, "I am with you. I Cannot tell you why right now, but one day it will all make sense. You will see it was all part of my plan. 

 It was no accident. 

It was no failure on your part. 

 Hold fast. 

Let me embrace you in your hour of pain."  

Beloved, God has never failed to act but in goodness and love. When all means fail -- his love prevails.  Hold fast to your faith. Stand fast in his Word.  There is no other hope in this world.  

- David Wilkerson

Am I beautiful?

  Ok, again -- it is summer and I have more time to think and write so ....these fingers are ready to blog away again.  However,  THIS blog post is from another Guest blogger.  She is indeed a woman of faith and has a gift to express an understanding of God's Word. 

I did not have time to read this before I left for a trip NORTH....but today, when I got to my old emails and caught up, I was so blessed by this reminder.   I am beautiful IN HIS sight! 

 And I know  several women that need THIS reminder -- YOU are beautiful!  

Today is my mother's birthday - she is 71.  I have watched her FIGHT for her children and for much over her 50+ years of marriage and  I believe THIS would bless her as well. 


To whomever is drawn to this blog this evening, I know it is a long one --
This sister has a gift and when she expresses it, I often have to ask her to give me the 5 minute version, but EACH word typed here ....now...is needed....  there is a woman out there tonight that wants to GIVE up and GIVE IN....

THERE is a woman out there, reading this that needs Jesus - but she is so prideful and stubborn and believes that 'he will never change'....

THERE is a woman out there, that will read this tonight and think, "that is too much work"...

BUT, there is a woman out there, this evening that will hear God's tender voice through this blog and know that she knows.... she is beautiful and that as long as she clings to HIS robe...and seeks HIM...HE will be faithful and give her every desire of her heart. 

THAT woman -- is indeed beautiful!

  The others are just as beautiful but there is something within the one whom is humble...seeking God...seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance and comfort -- that places a special glow and particular beauty within those that seek HIM!

-- Let's be honest -- you have seen that beauty or that hardness....which do you want to be?


Amen.

I hope you enjoy this blog as much as I did!  - Michelle


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Faithful no matter the cost

 

A very close sister in Christ is going through a difficult time.

She is one of the most amazing women I know and she is fighting in prayer for her marriage.

I am quite partial to her and when I look at her I see her as one of the most disciplined, beautiful ladies I have ever met. Last night I kept thinking about WAR Room and I seen my sweet sister fighting just as Priscilla Shirer did. And I saw my sweet Mema as Ms. Clara, encouraging her to fight in this war with the tools of prayer and the word of God!

 

I pondered the thought of a “beautiful woman” as I have listened to my sweet sister pour out her heart and cry. Questioning what she did, didn’t do or could’ve done to make her marriage work.

At times she would say in a moment of defeat…I’m just not beautiful.

Everyone thinks I am crazy for standing by him….he doesn’t even care or notice I’m here.

So the question arose, what really is a beautiful woman?

 

The world’s idea of a beautiful woman and the biblical view are two totally different designs.

You can turn on the TV or pick up a magazine and see what the world portrays as a beautiful woman.

 

But have you looked at what the bible calls a beautiful woman?

Dear sister, the one whom doubts her beauty. …

To the one who keeps questioning who and what she has done….

I pray you will be encouraged by the inspiration in God’s word.

 

1 Peter 3:1-7

3 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, ² when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. ³ Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. ⁴ Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. ⁵ For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, ⁶ like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

⁷ Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

 

Peter wrote this to Christians who were suffering. They were doing what was right but they suffered because of it.

 

SUMBIT….

There it is in black and white…right out of the word of God.

When a husband is not functioning in line with the word and what he is called to do, what often happens?

What do most do? I’ve been there and done that….I’ve walked away. Thrown in the towel and said—that’s it- I’m done!

But here in scripture we are clearly instructed to be submissive.

There are no exclusions that say if and or but. Now I am not saying anyone should ever stay in an abusive marriage, be used or become subject to a domineering male-- you should certainly seek Godly counsel if that is happening.

Peter’s instruction here to women is to reflect good behavior…..to be submissive even if some of them do not live according to the word of God.

 

WHY????

Because in doing so you may win over the unbelieving husband.

It does not mean the wife doesn’t hurt.

It doesn’t mean she doesn’t wonder why he does what he does and what he is thinking.

It doesn’t mean in an instant change will be seen.

It means keeping yourself in line with what God expects out of reverence for WHO HE IS!

 

 

 

A gentle and quiet spirit….

Oh mercy God is still working on me in this area.

A gentle and quiet spirit is very precious in the sight of God.

This is a true reflection of a BEAUTIFUL WOMAN.

She isn’t a threat to those around her. She doesn’t compete and she doesn’t demand her rights….

 

WHY???

Because she’s secure in WHO she is in CHRIST.

Disciplined, chaste, discreet, gracious, controlled…

This talks about control, patience and not having fits of outburst and panic. It is being kind at all times and not letting insult and belligerence turn off that kindness.

A calming demeanor….This only comes from the internal strength of faith, reverence for God and love for her husband.

 

 

….great worth in God’s sight…

 

Did you read that sister??? YOU are great worth in God’s sight!

Nothing or anyone determines how you carry yourself and present yourself.

If you are following HIS words and pressing in close to Him, YOU are great worth to HIM.

 

During great times of uncertainty…fear…doubt…hopelessness…hurt…pain and suffering…

Return to The King, with ALL your heart.

 

Is it easy?

Of course not.

Anything worthwhile, worth fighting for and the best…never is.

His Holy Spirit in you will give you the self-discipline to keep your focus on HIM and not the surrounding circumstances.

Keep HIM as your “top priority”…at your central core—the REAL BEAUTIFUL YOU!

 

 

….. holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves…

 

Think of Sarah who was physically described (Genesis 12:11) as one of the most beautiful women of the bible and how she was humbled before the Lord and honored her husband with her actions. Like Sarah, some of us have not always made the best decisions in honoring our husbands. Sarah laughed at God’s words in disbelief and she lied, denying it. She was also jealous of her maid—BUT GOD extends mercy to the repentant heart and redeems. Guilt and condemnation do not come from God. True repentance brings about a change in action and behavior.

 

I challenge you to study some of the women of the bible who reflected HOPE in God.

Anna, Mary and Martha, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, Rizpah, Lydia, Priscilla and many more.

Beautiful women were the closest to the cross when Jesus died and the first to see Him when He rose again!

 

Don’t discount your story, situation and suffering for a lost cause!

God’s beautiful women have been used all throughout history to create a mass turn of events that have changed generations and nations!

Through time, God’s beautiful women with meek and quiet spirits have suffered hardships, rocked babies, experienced loss and at times unimaginable pain and yet GOD USES THEM!

 

As you look at your situation, I encourage you to see yourself as the victorious, beautiful woman of God that YOU ARE!

 

Imagine meeting Jesus in heaven and being crowned for your obedience….for suffering well with Him during this time in your life.

To be crowned the sufferers crown (scriptures below), the runners crown (1 Corinth. 9:24-27), the soul winners crown (Daniel 12:3; Prov. 11:30), the watcher’s crown (2 Tim. 4:8; 1 John 3:2-3) and the shepherds crown (1 Peter 5:1-4).

Paul tells us in scripture that there are 5 heavenly crowns that believers can receive.

 

 

James 1:12

Blessed is the man (woman) who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to.

 

Matthew 5:10-12

¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 

Revelation 2:10

¹⁰ Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

 

Even when you don’t feel like it, you take up the sword and fight with scripture and prayer.

Your FAITH is strong and not weak.

Never think that meekness is weakness. Meekness is GODS strength in you under control.

You have a mighty band or prayer warriors who stand with you and we battle in prayer!

We cast our ALL in with Jesus.

As beautiful women of GOD we will labor, watch and pray while we are here.

We believe the word of God and act upon and live by its precepts.

 

We could do no better than to emulate the words of Jesus when HE said John 9:4.

 

God is chasing you sweet sister.

Cast all your cares on Him and let Him carry this burden.

Neither death nor life can separate you from the LOVE God has for you (Romans 8:38-39)!

 

You’re a woman, handmade by GOD to fulfill the call on your life and this current suffering is nothing compared to eternity with Jesus.