Thursday, April 15, 2010

"Workers in the Harvest"

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
Whatever God wants to accomplish on earth, He does it through relationships. This is a truth, which helps us understand, why God is so intent on a relationship with us. He has a lot He wants us to do, the need is great, the time is short, and sadly the workers are few.
We everyday go before the Lord at least once and sometimes twice, praying for the workers in the harvest. We have our cell phone alarms set for 9:38 (MK 9:38) and 10:02 for ( LK 10:02), which states, the harvest is white and the workers are few, so pray for "Workers in the Harvest". (Notice He (Jesus) is not asking us to pray for the harvest, but the workers for the harvest.)
Here is the dilemma and tension that we live in.
Dilemma: The idea of commitment in today’s generation is not the same as it was in the past. People have a very hard time sticking to a task, an idea, and we’d submit to you even to the call of God on their lives. We see it time and again, that something good crowds out the best in their lives. Sadly they don’t understand the cause and effect that it has on Gods kingdom work and for those around them that are committed, it creates frustration as they try to go it alone. The world has painted a picture, that it all about them, their wants and desires, and has encouraged a lifestyle of not caring how their actions hurt those around them.
Tension: How do we confront, and disciple those that haven’t learned that commitment is key to their success, in any kind of relationship: whether it’s friends, their marriage, a ministry call, or consider this, their walk with the Lord.
Here are two other powerful one-liner:

"There's a difference between interest and commitment; when you're interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstances permit. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results."
"Commitment is the igniter of momentum."
Here is our mission. And (it’s going to take an army of us, who are willing) that is to father a generation that has not been fathered or fathered well.
We know that this seems to be an overwhelming task, but as we recognize those few that God shows us who are willing to change, we can take them under or wings and change their culture. There is an apostolic anointing on this ministry to do this, so let’s step up to the plate.
We believe it has to be in context of what the Lord has called us to do, and that is minister to marriages; otherwise it’s one of those good things, which can take us away from doing Gods best. Let’s find those that are willing to strive for excellence's, come along side them, not as a project, but in a coaching role to help them be all that God wants them to be.
We have a couple of couples we are doing this with locally and other places also, that bring so much live to us, we seem to gain more than they do, in the process. They have become real energy givers not energy swipper's.
U2R1 4 a reason

Thursday, April 8, 2010

"God allows these tests"

Evaluation of the past is the first step toward vision for the future.
Chris Widener

There is one thing about the past that almost everyone can agree with…”you won’t pay a plug nickel for the million dollar experiences”…you had to endure. We can think of many as an individual…and some as a couple, which we are not proud of and some have left their mark.
Here’s the deal though…are we going to be a victim of them or a victor over them? We choose to be victors. Another one-liner I’ve seen says, “A great Marriage consists of a couple forgiving each other many times every day” and I’d submit at least for me (Jim) at times, it can be many.
1 John 1:9 has the key to unlocking healing and victory over failures and the enemy. Keeping accounts short with your spouse (and everyone else for that matter) when these happen, is the key.
Here’s another address to look at: Revelation 12:11, stating “we overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony”.
Maybe God allows these tests, so that others will see how we handle ourselves while going through them. Then again, for us to gain a deeper experience, so that we will see how the Lord might use what we have gone, or are going through, to create vision for us about how He wants to use us and our testimony to minister to others in the future.
These can be those first baby steps for us to evaluate what God wants to do with us. It would be such a waste if the trails were, just for our benefit only. Others are watching you and seeing how you do, and if we can keep that in focus, then others can benefit from our mistakes and our victories and the future looks brighter for us and them, because we were willing to share, and give God the Glory through them.
U2R1 4 a reason

Sunday, April 4, 2010

"Don't be a Lid"

"A leader's role is to raise people's aspirations for what they can become and to release their abilities so they will try to get there."

There is no way on God’s green earth that we can accomplish by ourselves, the task that is before us, without others buying into the idea, and then releasing them to pass us up in the process, (if they have a mind too). Our job is to lead them so far…then allow them to go passed you with a Blessing. We find in some measure, leaders threatened by their abilities and aspirations. When what we should be doing is rejoicing and encouraging them to pass us up. We have seen many good people, stopped dead in their tracks, because of this and move on to other ministries, that don’t create this lid for them to get through.

Sometimes we can be a lid, (as John Maxwell states in the “Law of the Lid” concept) and that is very frustrating for someone who aspires to greater things. What I have noticed with these people is an honoring of those they serve with, not to create havoc or discontent in the ranks, and just back off after being rebuffed, and eventually move on after a time to other things so they can be fulfilled in the abilities and aspirations.

Let’s not be threatened in anyway, by somebody who can do things better and faster then we can. Hold your position of leadership lightly and with an open handed approach, and be prepared to release them sooner then you expected, when you see that they really have gotten It.

The "IT" is the vision and anointing of what we are called to do, in the ministry that we are working in together. Set things up for their success, and not roadblocks to control and suppress, the vision an anointing God has placed on them, then it takes us to the next level also when Gods timing is right.

Now don’t take us wrong on this next thought, there are some that see the POWER (Holy Spirit) that we operate under and want it badly. Be every discerning, and realize that is ambition, not abilities and aspiration, in fact it can be a form of witchcraft. (You might have to come to an understanding of what we mean here and do a little study.)

Witchcraft can be about motives, but with the Holy Spirits help, you’ll be able to tell the difference. Please don’t get stuck here, this is not the norm, praise the Lord; it is the exception to the rule most times. Our point here is always seek to know their heart and God will show you what is going on in there. Then don’t be threatened in any way by the people the Lord brings your way for a season to disciple. Then as soon as you can, delegate more responsibility to them. Whenever you can take them along with you do it.

God has given you a leadership anointing to recognize other leaders, and when you are around them encourage them to bigger and great things in their walk with the Lord and ministry. Challenge them with duties early on in their training, and work harder for their success, than yours. Step aside and let them pass when it’s time and Bless them when they do. Don’t hold them back or you will loss them.

We are so excited about what the Lord has shown us, on our trip around the nation, (2009) about the quality of the young couples coming up in this ministry of 2=1. The 20, 30, and 40 year old couples, are just waiting in the wings to be released to do what God is calling them to do for marriages and families, not just in this nation but all around the world. The new technology does not scare them, they embraces it, and want us to do more in that arena, and Lord willing we’ll be able to keep up with them as they pass us by.

U2R1 4 a reason

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

"Yes, losing one's vision."

"Helen Keller was once asked if there was anything worse than losing one's sight. She responded, "Yes, losing one's vision."."
How powerful is that quote? It’s from a woman who was born deaf and dump (couldn’t speak) and blind, she learned how to speak without ever hearing her voice.
We have all seen people in this horrible state, (loss of vision) and it’s almost as if, this is the place they want to live and stay. We’ve noticed something else also, that when they walk into a room of people, all the life seems to be sucked out of the room. We call these type, energy swippers not energy givers. It’s hard to be around them for very long, because it becomes all about them.
Please don’t get us wrong, we all go through this (loss of vision) from time to time, but we just don’t choose to stay there, and that’s the difference. We’re not victims, we are victors.
The challenge seems to be, we become circumstantially possessed.
The enemy will throw all kinds of things and strategies our way to get us off track, (from doing what God has called us to do). These will be seemingly good things, and maybe even, important things that need to be accomplished, but there not the best thing that God had in mind for us to be doing, at this time.
What happens is that these small projects, that weren’t going to take very long, take over our time, resources, energy and soon cloud our vision, for what God has called us really to be doing.
We have to learn gracefully how to say no, which is really hard for those of us with a servant’s heart, but something we need to learn how to do, or the enemy will abuse us with good things to do.
Get back on track and watch your vision come roaring back, then commit to really hearing the Lord, for those seemingly good opportunities that come your way. Pray about them and come into agreement about even the smallest of things.
God has much for us to be doing for marriages and families in these days to come. Revisit the call (vision) that God has put on your life and “Just Do It” as Nike says, (and by the way so does God).
U2R1 4 a reason

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

"Common People attain Uncommon Results"

"Teamwork is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results."
TEAMWORK is the fresh and powerful way the Lord seems to want to accomplish things on the earth in these last days.
As we traveled around the USA for 13 weeks in 2009, trying to gain insight by being on-sight, we have seen something that is under the radar, if you will.
The Church is alive and well and growing in America.
Now we don’t hear that from the media, do we?
We believe the God has reviled a truth to us and confirmed it by others, as we have travel around this nation.
The lie the media paints is that the Church is dead or dying in the US. (How do our kids say this?) NOT
Here is what we mean. Their measuring stick is the problem. They are talking about the traditional church…and it is true, most of them are dying. (There are exceptions)
But here is the truth, they don’t measure the non-traditional churches, like the Pentecostals,(Assemblies, 4 Square etc) the Non-Denominational and the Community Churches that are having such growth they can’t keep up with it. We saw this all over our country.
We know of a 4 Square in Anaheim Ca that started about 6 years ago with a few families, today they have over 6,000 people. Another in Lake Charles LA that has over 3,500, and started 3 years ago, with 300. Another in Kansas City Kansas meeting in a very large warehouse they moved into in the last year or so, and now they have to expand to handle the growth. Their growth is coming mainly from new converts, and a few looking for an alive place to fellowship.
Here is something else that is under the radar, and George Barnas group has picked up on this.
The traditional churches are about 33% of the Christians in America; the other 66% are in the non-traditional, IE: Marketplace and the House Church movement and almost 33%. The rest are in non-traditional settings.
A side note here; George Barna says that the House Churches are 80 to 85 % Spirit Filled. WOW!!!!!! we think the Lord is up to something.
We believe that God is preparing His Church for the end time’s dispersion and that church, in maybe 20 years, is not going to look like it does today.
In a fashion, we have been prepared in 2=1, without even recognizing it.
Just give us this liberty as we explain…
2=1 has had the model of home groups for 27 years, and now we see a move to the house church that most of us have never heard of, or if we have we might have judged it because, it doesn’t look like the model we are use too.
Every one of these examples above, started with a team of common people, and now God is helping them attain un-common results. In every case here, it’s not about the leader that is leading them, it’s about the team they have surrounding them, and they give the team credit, which includes God. The fuel here is, TEAMWORK.
We believe that the season that is upon us, in this ministry of 2=1, has an unbelievable future, if we will team up with each other and the Lord, cover each others backs, lift each other up, support each other, no matter where we are on the planet, get connected via the web, and prepare for the soon coming King…this could be our finest hour.
You see this is all about relationships, this is how God has chosen to accomplish what He wants to accomplish here on earth.
So stay close to your team, support and encourage one another, and work as a team to get a corporate idea of how He wants you to accomplish things for Him.
U2R1 4 a reason

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

"I am a member of a team"

"I am a member of a team", and I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion."
For those of us that have had the opportunity to be on some kind of team, we know that this is true. It doesn’t matter if it is a sports team, school debate team, work force team, or even a ministry team like 2=1.
It’s not about the individual any more, and that is something we have been seeing in the ministry world. It seems to us that, God has sovereignly moved us as a body of believers, from it being about a person that leads, to a team concept.
The last of the Mohicans if you will, and we say this with great respect, is Billy Graham, who really has been one of the humblest leaders in the body of Christ, his entire ministry. We know there are others, but not many these days.
It seems like many of the others have gone down in flames, or died and gone on to be with the Lord, and then some, have left a legacy that is spoiled at best.
We sense that the Lord is doing a new thing, and that is why we as a board at 2=1, have moved in this direction. (TEAM) We are sensing that God is saying, what I want to accomplish here on earth, I want to do through relationships. We think that has always been the case, but now has a different ring to it, if you will.
Another word we keep hearing is community. (Another idea of team) We’ve asked the Lord in prayer to; please show us what you’re doing. Here is what we are sensing.
Now we ask here, that you eat the meat and spit out the bones.
In Gods kingdom there are no boundaries or borders, (for where He wants us to minister to marriages) and we also see that with time zones and oceans, there not limiting us any longer.
Something else we’ve seen is, some churches are hindering the advance of what God is calling us to do; and that is to build His Church. Please understand this, we are not into empire building, we’re a kingdom building ministry. Don’t get us wrong, there have been many churches that have helped us to accomplish what God has called us to do…but we’d submit to you many more have not and because of that, have seen many gifted leadership couples not join the team, who wanted to go on with us but their pastor said no.
We have been trying for years to team up with congregations, around the world, and in some places it has worked magnificently, most as we have stated seem to be threatened by us. We’ve heard things like; you’re stealing our people. (If God has put a call on their lives to minister to marriages, and they can’t, because a pastor won’t let them, they will go wherever they have to go to answer that call, which means, they will lose them anyway.) Or here’s another we have heard; if you expect to work in my city you have to go through me. (We feel sorry for that pastor, because he is going to have to answer to God on that one.) But this is the kind of stuff we are running into.
All we want to do is come along side the church, on a parallel track, not be over them or under, but along side, working to strengthen the marriages and families of their congregation, cities, and build up Gods Church, as a team, member with them.
This is just another thought we’d like to throw in for free.
Many congregational pastors and others, call us a para-church organization. We have come to dislike that term; it’s said with disdain many times. Their idea is that we are outside the church, (congregation) and therefore not the church. Our come back to them is, that we are all the Church (notice the capital “C”), and no we are not a congregation (notice the small “c”) but we are the Church, the same as they are. So let’s work together, to heal and restore marriages, and build HIS CHURCH, and not let the enemy get in the middle of the work, which the Lord has for us both to accomplish.
U2R1 4 a reason

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

"Wrestling with God"

"Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed on an equal or greater benefit."

This statement is only true if you will let it be. We can learn, (maybe the hard way) that life is full of these times, and how we respond to them will "Make us or Break us".
We saw another one-liner one day that really had a truth in it, we will never forget. It said; “As a Christian our life on earth will be the only hell we will ever experience…but for a non-Christian…this will be the only heaven they will ever know.” That’s a powerful thought.
We’ve all had our fair share of adversity, failure and yes heartache, but we can’t let them take us out or down for very long, otherwise the enemy of our lives will just build on them till we’re totally taken out. We’re so thankful, that the Lord carries us through everyone one of these.
Like Joshua in the Old Testament story, he wrestled with God and gained the victory.
When we go through struggles and wrestle with God to get the Blessing, whether it's in relationships, health or financial struggles, as someone watches us deal with these problems, we can be trusted by others because of how we handled ourselves through them.
We have found in our lives that the benefit in these times for us, has given us more grace for others that are going through the trails of life. We can come along side them with words of encouragement not judgments. We can be the ones who lift them out of the ditch that they have fallen into, and watch them do the same someday for someone else.
That’s how it works saints; the benefits you received have to be sown back in to others. Always remember that whatever might be happening to you is not just for your benefit only, that would be such a waste if it were so…but you have to be willing to share your circumstance transparently, so that others will gain from your experience, example and leadership.
Trust the Lord that, adversity, failure and heartaches, can be a blessing for you and for others.
You don’t need to pray that these will come so that you will be used; they are just part of life, here on earth, but thankfully not in heaven.
Can’t wait till Jesus comes back, we are so looking for His return. Aren’t you?
U2R1 4 a reason

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

"Hell in the Hallway"

"When one door closes, another opens. But we often look so regretfully upon the closed door that we don't see the one that has opened for us."
Alexander Graham Bell
We’ve probably all used this example sometime in our life (open door closed door) as to whether God is directing us or not. I’m so thankful for having learned (mind you the hard way) about coming into agreement with my wife and God, over ANY decision we have ever had to make. We’ve had people question us about what if a decision has to be made, or you can’t come into agreement, then what do you do.
We had an old Pastor of ours say to us when we asked him that same question … he said “we don’t do anything until we do come into agreement, no matter what the circumstance.” We asked him about those times when the husband as the head of the house needs to just step up and do whatever, because it’s his responsibility….his question was, “can you name just one example, so I know what you’re talking about?”
We couldn’t and walked away from that conversation over 30 years ago, trying to live out that truth, we learned from him and the Lord that day. (The only exception we’ve been able to think about since then, is one where there is an immediate emergency…. (Now be careful here, what you call an emergency.)
We have had times, that we wondered (sometimes with regret) did we do the right thing by closing a door…but you know we’re convinced that if our hearts were right, God will lead us to the right door. We heard a visiting pastor to our church say once, “when one door closes and we’re waiting for the next one to open…its Hell in the Hallway.” We’ve been through that a number of times…my prayer and hope is, that we won’t (any of us) go back, to the closed door He closed and that we must trust God for the next door to open. It is amazing what He will show us in that hallway. IE: Trust, Faith, Grace, Truth, and perseverance, just to name a few.
These kinds of things are faith building adventures that we should never regret having experienced, because they have made us stronger and more trusting in the Lord. So while you’re hanging out in the hallway, look for the Lord, He is there, you’ll see.
U2R1 4 a reason

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

"Life is a Grindstone"

"Life is a grindstone. But whether it grinds us down or polishes us up depends on us. "
L. Thomas Holdcraft
Wow!!!! As this applies to our lives we might sometimes wonder, what are you doing Lord….I thought this life lived in you was going to be a bed of roses, all downhill, always a mountain top experience. Well sometimes it is, but I can remember more times that it is not. How about you, can you relate?
Many of us have believed a lie. Did someone said to you, come to Jesus and you’re life will be easy. It’s not and wasn’t intended to be, folks. We do a huge disservice telling someone something like that.
For a couple of weeks or months, after your born again experience, it feels like heaven on earth but after a while, He gets the old grindstone out, not to hurt you but to polish you, if you will let Him.
Just like any fine diamond, we have to be polished up, to have the qualities the Lord wants so He can use us. Most times, I find these are areas of character issues He is working on.
So if you’re experiencing that grinding feeling in your life count it all joy, and receive it as from the Lord. If it’s grinding you down, can we suggest that you’re not yielding to what the Lord wants to change in you? But if it feels like you’re being polished then enjoy, because your heart is in the right place. It’s a process that will take all our natural life, but as we yield to His heavenly sandpaper or grindstone, we move from a rough cut diamond to a multi-faceted quality gemstone, worth more than all the silver or gold in this world.
We’ve heard it said that, “God loves us just the way we are, but too much just to let us stay that way.”
We hope you can thank Him every day, as He polishes the rough edges off. Especially as it has to do with our "One-Flesh". If sparks fly from time to time in your relationship, you are in the process of becoming a fine gemstone, for Him and His use, if you will allow it to change you.
What’s the Lord working on in you right now, are you willing to share it with us? Do so in the comments section.
U2R1 4 a reason

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

"Greatness and Mediocrity"

"The difference between "Greatness and Mediocrity" is often how an individual views a mistake."
Nelson Boswell
Mistakes, I thought we were supposed to hide them, and not bring them into the light. That seems like what the church has been preaching for many years, until of late, that is.
Kathy and I just happen to go to a church that has a senior pastor that puts his pants on one leg at a time like we all do. He doesn’t try to hide the fact that he is not perfect. He’s very transparent with us, and that makes Him (the Lord) real, for us.
In our travels we have seen this same kind of men and women in the pulpits across America. It’s really refreshing and a real move of the Lord, in our opinion.
They like us, view our mistakes as a school, and the Lord is the headmaster. He will change us into a vessel useful for His work, if we will allow Him to make the adjustments in our lives.
I’ve heard it called the “Wilderness School of the Bible”. We’ve all been there, but our mistakes don’t have to mean our defeat. In fact the Lord has other ideas for them and it will save others some of the trials they could get into, by sharing with them in a transparent way our defeats and victories. He wants us to do that so that they can have the same kind of victories.

God is calling us to greatness in Him, not mediocrity. If we will grab hold of that truth, God will move you into places you would have never of dreamed of before. As a leader in the body of Christ, this is what He is asking of you. Will you allow Me to use the mistakes, to help others get through theirs, or maybe not make them at all because they learned how not to, by watching and hearing your testimony?
Jack Welsh the former CEO of General Electric, only hires leaders that have had at least 3 failures in their lives. Some of them have gone on, to lead some of the largest companies in the world. I like that. God sees mistakes as stepping stones to greatness. So step out there and make a difference.
U2R1 4 a reason

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

“Life in-Between”

"There are only two options regarding commitment; you're either in or you're out. There's no such thing as life in-between."
Pat Riley
Most of us have heard the story of the chicken arguing with the pig on commitment; it wasn’t the chicken that was fully committed, (at the breakfast table) the pig has to give his all. There is no in-between.
We know that same thing holds for us in Christ, we have to be all in, or we’re not in at all.
Life in-Between is a lousy way to live, work, or minister. A sold out person for the Lord, is the only way to live.
We know that when the Lord called us to minister with 2=1 in 1995 (then MMI), we prayed, counted the cost, and said to the Lord, we’ll go until you say no. Since that time, we had the most amazing opportunities to minister and have been all over the world and spent 4 months on the road in 2009, doing so.
We know we don’t have all the answers….but we sure know the One who does. Our intercessor team has helped us, hear from the Lord on a number of occasions. They were given insight, which helped us win a battle in spiritual warfare in another country. We would have been in big trouble if we hadn’t been committed to prayer, and had committed intercessors.
With prayer there isn’t any, “Life in-Between” we need to be all in. We’ve all had times when we were remiss in this part of our lives, could we encourage you, get back to the discipline, He’s waiting for you, His commitment has never ceased, to be there. He misses us when we don’t keep our commitments, you see He only has one option and that is a full commitment to you, and there isn’t any Life in-Between for Him.
Do you have examples you could share with all of us, about your victories in this area?
U2R1 4 a reason

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Ordinary people change nations

"There are no great people in this world, only great challenges which ordinary people rise to meet.
William Frederick Halsey, Jr.
There might be an exception somewhere in the world, but as a rule, the Lord wants to use people like you and me to meet the challenges, just His ordinary people. Most of the time, this happens just under the radar, so to speak.
We are a team of ordinary people rising to the challenge to do great things in this world.
Ordinary people change nations.
I’m sorry to say thought; it’s not as profound in the USA as it is in other nations. (But that is going to change)
Here is something to chew on.
Brazil in 2008, had over 6500 Married for Life, 1500 Parents for Life, and over 700 One for Life groups. In one year! Can you imagine how that can change a nation? They do this with ordinary people like you and me. Many other nations are experiencing that same excitement, maybe not to the same extent, but we believe someday they might.
(Just a side note: if you want a challenge, do what Brazil does. They won’t allow a group to start, unless it has two unsaved couples in the group first. They are having almost a 40% conversion rate. Tell me again, that won’t change a nation!)
We have a challenge in America, and that is that we have too many choices. We probably have a couple of dozen marriage type ministries to choose from, where other nations maybe have a couple. This is a challenge for us, but not one that can’t be overcome.
We need your help as a board of directors; we need to hear from the ordinary people, (that’s all of us) your ideas on how to reach our nations. Please ask the Lord to give you His strategy for taking your nation. Would you be so kind as to send your ideas to us? (Send them to our attention please and thanks in advance.)
This challenge is not about a person; God has told us it’s about teams of people, ordinary people, doing extraordinary things. Let’s rise to the challenge by sharing the vision with other “ordinary people”.
U2R1 4 a reason

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

“Battles of Life”

"Life is formed from the inside out. What I am inside determines the issues in the battle of life."
Dr. William Hornaday
I have come to understand something the hard way, God is after our hearts. He doesn’t work on the outside first, He works on the inside. Yes, The Lord is interested to see the changes on the outside, but they happen because He did His work on the inside.
This is the biggest battle we will have in our lives. It’s not about behavior, which is a thing of the mind, (Do you know the greatest distance in the world? It is the distance between the head and the heart.) It’s about our hearts; this determines the “Battles of Life”.
One of the greatest things about the 2=1 ministry; we share transparently and get to win the “battle of life”, because the enemy can’t use our stuff (sins) against us any longer or the sins of others. 1 John 1:9.
The hook is gone, and he (the enemy) can’t jerk us around any longer. We tell our story and someone else gets healed, how cool is that, and by the way, so do we, every time it’s shared, we get more healing.
We’ve seen lives transformed by a couple’s testimony.
The wife of one couple had been sexually abused from the time she was three till sixteen. You would think that would be too terrible to even mention, right? If you could have heard the way they both shared, so gracefully and with such love, you would have wept like all of us did that heard their story. They were so anointed, and never once gave the enemy any credit with ugly details, just the most awesome testimony of forgiveness we’d had ever heard. There were at least two others that got healed in the class because of their transparency. That’s how God works at times. He will take the worst and use it against the enemy every time, if we let Him.
God is trying to form us, from the inside out. I love this about Him, He takes up residence then set things in place, so that we will have the willingness to be like Him.
So what are you on the inside? Where is your battle? Are you winning, or are you whining?
This determines how you are going to be formed and used of the Lord, if you will be determine not to give in but to give out, so the “Battle of Life” will be formed in you as useful and beautiful tool, you’ll see the Lord work in others lives.
Keep up the good fight, stay in the battle, it has been won already!
What is your story, that the enemy would like you to hide?
U2R1 4 a reason

Monday, January 18, 2010

"Circumstantially Possessed"

Even if you're on the right track, you won't get anywhere if you're standing still.
Will Rogers

So many couples that have been called of the Lord to minister to marriages seem to be "Standing Still". This thought troubles me, as I know one day we'll stand before the Lord, and He'll say you were on the "Right Track".... what happen?

I know there are times of meaningful rest (and we all need that, even the Lord took those from time to time), but after that period of time, He was up and got back in the saddle again then did what His Father told him to do. He was never "Circumstantially Possessed", as we seem to be.

I know when I've taken a "Standing Still" position; I hear the Lord in my heart saying, are you going to obedient and do what you're called to do? I thank Him that He is a gentleman about it though, He will never go against our will, but we sure can and do.

When you answered the call of God to minister to marriages, I very much doubt that it was a one group call. I know you had great things that the Lord did when you went through the class, and in some ways it would be very wasteful, if it was just for you. I know there are many "good" things that come our way to distract us from the call. That is, by the design of the enemy most times; he (the enemy) doesn't want you doing what you are called to do, that is; being the instrument that God uses to bring other couples their healing, and even you're continued healing.

You started out on the "Right Track", is the Lord telling you not to "Stand Still". Marriages are hurting more now than probably any other time in history. Time is short and the enemy knows it, so he is shooting his sharpest arrows at the shiniest marks, and they are the marriages, especially believer's marriages.

If we can help you in anyway get your focus back, just let us know. We will be there to serve you, in answering that call.
Have any thoughts let us know.
U2R1 4 a reason.