Tis the Season!

It snowed on us again; A lot of snow too.  I know it is still winter however; I am ready for summer.  I would be happy if we skipped spring all together and went straight to 80 degrees.  Living in North Idaho I get to experience all four seasons.  This is one thing that draws many people to this area; they love it. Unfortunately, I am not one of them. I hate winter. Spring and fall are tolerable. Don’t get me wrong they are beautiful. Each season has wonderful qualities but to me, I would rather it to just always be summer. I love summer! I love the heat, swimming, camping, bbqs, the long days and warm nights. Summer is my comfort zone. It is where I feel I belong the most, in the sun, but it isn’t always summer. Actually, summer is only three of the twelve months. The majority of the year I am not comfortable. I find this ironically similar to my walk with God lately. I am definitely in a season that I am not fond of.

The season is of change. It’s of uncertainty and the unknown. It’s a season of being uncomfortable and fearful. Unlike the weather seasons, I don’t know what to expect. For example, I hate winter but in the fall I prepare for it. I buy snow tires and warm clothes and make sure everything I have control over is taken care of.  The seasons in our life sadly, are not always like that. The other day I read in Ecclesiastes 3

To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:

² A time to be born,
    And a time to die;
A time to plant,
    And a time to pluck what is planted;
³ A time to kill,
    And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
    And a time to build up;
⁴ A time to weep,
    And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
    And a time to dance;
⁵ A time to cast away stones,
    And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
    And a time to refrain from embracing;
⁶ A time to gain,
    And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
    And a time to throw away;
⁷ A time to tear,
    And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
    And a time to speak;
⁸ A time to love,
    And a time to hate;
A time of war,
    And a time of peace

Now, I have read this before but it takes on a new meaning when I’m going through one of those seasons. Not the summer ones but the winter. Certain areas of my life seem to be dying. This is painful and sad; however there are also areas of new exhilarating life growing. I have been truly blessed watching the new unfold. Seeing how God is using me, and calling me into His ministry is thrilling. This new life is refreshing and stimulating, but I still get sad when I see the other aspects of my life that are disappearing.  I know God is growing me and it’s uncomfortable right now.  I know there are areas in my life that need to die.  It doesn’t make it hurt any less. The truth is I don’t care for the season I am in right now. It is hard therefore; I will keep clinging to my Father.  Praise God, He is ALWAYS the same! A strong tower, a shelter (Psalm 61:3) I need a strong tower in this season. I need His shelter. I need His strength and His peace. I praise God that I can run into the safety of His arms through this rainy period. I tell Him I don’t like season and He tells me that it is ok; I don’t have to like it, I just have to trust Him. Honestly I do trust Him, so I rejoice knowing that He is in charge. His word tells me He goes before me and I have no reason to fear (Deut 31:8) I might not like the seasons but I love the one in charge of them! I love the one who even the winds listen to him! (Mark 4:41) And, I know that soon it will be summer again, even if it doesn't last long J

Life's Adventures!

It has been awhile since I have written anything.  It seems I am in a season of busy. Life goes from one adventure to another and it is exciting to be on mission with the creator!  My heart is overwhelmed with joy that He chooses people like me to participate in His plans for His glory.  He trusts me and uses me to build His kingdom.  Amazing!!  I’m learning that I don’t have to know how Gods plan is supposed to work out; I just know it is going to.  My job when God asks me to do something is simple… obedience.  It’s His job to work out all the details. Not mine.  I just obey and He always paves the course.  I know it seems simple to “just obey.” HA! It is not.  Some of the things He calls me to are next to impossible for me.  We are still working on many kinks and areas where He is whispering, “My child why don’t you still trust me in this area?”  I don’t know.  In theory, He is the best person to trust, but in practice sometimes looks different. I do know however, that the more I take the small step of obedience the bigger and more challenging steps come easier. Praise God He isn’t finished with me yet!

My life right now reminds me of a poem I read some time ago.  I do not know who the author is but I wanted to share it with everyone.  Our lives once we give them to God can be an adventure.  It should be! It should be wild, fun, joyous, exciting.  When we let our Lord take the lead, our lives will be a great voyage!  Don’t be afraid to let Him take the reins; You won’t regret it!!!

The Bike Ride

Author Unknown

When I met Jesus, life became rather like a bike ride. It was a tandem bike; I rode in the front and steered, and Jesus was in the rear seat, helping to pedal.

I don't remember just when it happened, but Jesus suggested we change places. Life hasn't been the same since. Jesus makes the ride so exciting!

When I had control, I knew the way. It was safe and predictable, but rather boring--always the shortest distance between two points. But when Jesus got in the driver's seat, He knew delightful "long cuts" up mountain roads and down again at breakneck speeds. It was all I could do to hold on!

I didn't want to question His judgment, but once I couldn't help myself. "Don't You think we should slow down just a little? I'm scared." He turned and smiled and touched my hand and said, "It's okay. Pedal."

Sometimes I got worried and anxious and asked, "Where are You taking me?"

I am learning to not worry or want to get back in control, but just to relax and enjoy the view.

"It's a surprise," He would say with a laugh. Gradually I learned to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered the adventure.

He took me to meet people with gifts that I needed--gifts of love, healing, acceptance, joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey--our journey, my Lord's and mine--and we were off again. He said, "Give the gifts away." So I did, to other people we met. But the strangest thing happened. I found that the more of those things I gave away, the more I had for myself and to give to other people we met along the way. And still our load was light.

At first I didn't trust Jesus to be in control of my life. I thought He would wreck it. But He knows the bike's capabilities and limits, and all sorts of tricks. He knows how to take sharp corners at high speeds, make the bike "jump" to clear rocks in our way, and He can even make it fly when the road disappears beneath us.

I am learning to not worry or want to get back in control, but just to relax and enjoy the view, the cool breeze on my face, and the delightful company of my constant companion, Jesus.

I still get tired sometimes because it is a long, hard ride, but Jesus just smiles and says, "Pedal."

Love is in the Air

Love is the topic at hand.  Not just because Valentine’s Day is coming up, but because my home group is going over the book “Crazy Love” It seems all around me God is showing me about Love.  I recently had a situation where I was asking God for guidance and His reply was, “Tara, just love.” In my controlling ways that answer wasn’t sufficient for me. What does He mean just love? What does that look like? Come on, there is got to be something more I could do here.  “Nope.” He said. This frustrated me.  I don’t even know what that looks like and felt I needed to do something more tangible, ya know something more significant.  This was a big situation involving a lot of emotions, and other people, and all I was to do was love??  Ok, God, What does this look like?

I know many bible verses about love, but sometimes knowing and putting them into practice look different.  For example many people claim they love God, However, the bible says if you love God you will keep His commandments (John 14:15) The bible says, Love is patient, and patient is something I am not.  (1cor 13:4)  I am to love others more than I love myself. (Romans 12:10) No greater love than this, that he lays down his own life for his friends (john 15:13). Clearly, the bible tells me a lot about Love and it can be overwhelming.  My personality type needs a plan.  Let me clarify, I am a very spontaneous person on my own, but if I am given instructions they need to be spelled out.  Little direction allows my ADD mind to go far away from the goal, which then leads to me not wanting to do anything because I forget where I was ultimately going! So, Gods simple instructions to “just love” were far too vague for me, and looking at the Bible was far too overwhelming for me. AAAAHHH God help!! That’s what He did.

He asked me "What is love?" Woohoo I know the answer to one. God is love (1 John 4:8) it is not a personality trait of His, it is what He is! It is His very nature. Everything about God stems from this fact; He IS Love.  I know love because I know God.  Before I knew God I had a worldly view of love.  It was corrupt, selfish, and shallow.  Love the world’s way, is all about what others can give me. Love with God, is all about what I can give the world. I truly love because it is in me now, instead of loving to get something from it. Love with God is deep. It is unconditional. It is not based on my relationship with others, but on my relationship with Him.  The closer I get to Him will result in the closer I get to others. The more I love Him, the more I will be able to love others.  I truly want to love others more. I want to see them through Gods eyes.  I know I must seek God whole heartedly. I need to remove the things that are hindering my walk with Him. I need to be abiding In Him. We Love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19) In understanding His love for me, I in turn, love Him more.  The more I seek Him, I see how much He loves me; the more I want to seek Him and love Him more. The more I love Him, the more I love others. He is the ultimate source! He is the blood line. I need Him.

The answer “Just Love,” was really “just God.” He IS the answer.  Thank you Lord!! This I understand!!

God~

I love You!

I BELIEVE!

I believe in the Bible.  I believe it is 100% true.  I know most of you know this about me and are thinking duh, but it’s strange to me how much of the Bible people really think is 100% true.  We pick and choose which parts we “buy” and which ones we don’t. I hear things like God doesn’t do miracles like he did in the back then. I don’t believe that.  I believe God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8) He is still very much alive and very much working miracles! So if God doesn’t change what did?  Why don’t we see the seas part? Or the lame walk?  Well scripture is the only place to look for the answers and since it tells me God doesn’t ever change that leads me to believe we did.  Sadly, we have lost faith.  The bible tells us all we need is faith.  Faith moves mountains!  (Matthew 21:21)  Do I really believe this? I don’t get to believe in one part of the bible without believing in the other parts so I have to ask myself do I have that kind of faith?  Sometimes I do.  Sometimes I don’t.  Right now I have a friend that desperately needs healed; spiritually as well as physically.  I pray for this friend often and in my alone time with God he reminded me of the centurion.  Jesus was walking when a centurion approached him saying his servant was paralyzed and in severe pain at home. The centurion told Jesus he was not worthy of him coming to his house but he knew if Jesus just spoke the words his servant would be healed. Jesus responded with amazement and told him he hadn’t found anyone in Israel with greater faith.  He instructed him to go and that it would be done just as he asked.  The Bible says that very hour his servant was healed! (Matthew 8:5-13)  When God showed me this I knew what he was telling me.  This wasn’t about my friend’s faith it was about mine.  Did I truly think God would heal her? I later went to the Immanuel House of Prayer and prayed with everyone about this situation, God put the same story on someone else’s heart totally confirming this was what He was telling me. “Tara do you have the faith for your friend?” There are many accounts in the Bible where people were healed because of the prayers and faith of others. When I am praying for her am I really counting on a miracle or am I just doing my Christian duty to pray for the hurting?  Three weeks in I can tell you I am banking on this miracle!

When this situation was first presented to me I didn’t have much faith honestly but the wonderful thing about our God is when we tell him we don’t understand he helps us.  My prayer becomes that of the fathers whose son also needed a miracle.  Jesus asked “Do you believe?” His response was honest “I do believe but help me overcome my disbelief” That’s me.  I have witnessed healings! My mom was diagnosed crazy from multiple doctors and prescribed eleven different pills to keep her “sane” Through prayer she is one year later off ALL her meds and happier than ever before. She has the Joy of the Lord and he healed her! He gave her a renewed mind and saved her soul!!  I believe in miracles! I believe in Him healing people!! He healed me from a life of addiction, He healed my marriage, He restored my family, He is still sitting on the throne and performing miracles!!

As a Christian I am called to be on mission with Jesus and help heal this world! I am called to pray for the hurting. I am called to lay hands on the sick. I am called to testify the truth!!

Mark 16:17-18
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

Hebrews 11:11
By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren--was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise.

James 5:14-15
Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

I John 3:21-22
Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him

Jeremiah 30:17
But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,' declares the LORD, `because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.'

Do I believe in the Bible? Do I believe in healing? Do I believe in miracles?  YES!!!!!!!

God~

You are so good Lord! Im always amazed at how you love us! You are the creator of the universe and yet you care and love me. Mind boggling.  Lord thank you for your promises. Thank you for your Word that is truly a lamp to my feet! It has all of life’s mysteries and solutions!! You are beyond worthy of praise! God help me where my faith is lacking.  My friend needs a miracle and I know you specialize in them so I put her in your care God.  She is sick, dying, and paralyzed but I know if you just say the words she would be healed!!! God give me the strength to keep praying and having faith when the enemy is attacking and making things appear impossible.  I am so thankful that nothing is impossible for you!  Lord let me faith heal her! Thank you for always hearing my voice God.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Driving in the Snow!

The snow has finally arrived this winter! Some people are super excited, especially kids. Sledding, snowboarding, and the occasional snow day make the white stuff worth it for the younger ones. Others however, like me, hate it! I love the look of snow but that's about it.  As soon as I see the flakes fall my anxiety rises. I know it makes no sense to live in the northwest and hate snow, but this is where God has me now, so I have to learn to accept it.  I probably wouldn’t have such a problem with the snow if I didn’t have to drive in it.  Actually, I wouldn't have a difficulty at all.  My whole issue boils down to driving in it.  I can’t explain how terrified I am of it.  It genuinely is crippling.  Many people say things like “it’s not that bad” or “You will be ok, just go slow” I know their intentions are good, but if they only knew the fear, they would see kind words don’t help.  No matter what I do to prepare myself I still freeze.  I get so freaked out I have abandoned my car and called someone else for a ride.  I have missed work, I have missed college, and I have caused others to miss work as well.  This fear is a serious hindrance. 

Well, normally I wouldn’t address the problem; I would find a way around it versus deal with it.  Previous years this has worked.  Normally there is someone I can find to give me a ride to and from work, however this year that was not the case.  This winter instead of a nice 8-5 work schedule, I am all over the place.  My work and college schedule vary so wildly throughout the week there is no one that can keep up.  My husband normally would cater to my driving fears but this year he is also in school and justly can’t.  So that brings me to a choice.  I can either become a hermit, or I can put on my big girl pants and address this anxiety.

I decided that as good as it sounds to be a hermit and never deal with this terror I knew I had to.  My life in the Northwest was full of this four letter word I despised and there was just no getting around it.  The first big day of snow I had to go to school and that whole morning I was frantic.  I was pacing in prayer begging God for an alternate form of transportation. When it was obvious He wasn’t going to somehow teleport me, my prayers started to change.  Instead of God help me avoid this, it was now, Lord get me through this.    I got in my car, buckled up and prayed.  I turned the radio off, I silenced all outside noises I had control of, and talked to God the whole drive to school.  And Yay I arrived at my destination!  I took a sigh of relief and then started to panic again knowing shortly I would have to drive home again. 

Well, it has been a week now of me driving to and from school and work in the snow and I would love to say my fear is gone but that’s not entirely true.   This week has led to a string of conversations with God the Father about this whole driving excursion.

God showed me how much driving in the snow is very similar to my walking with Him.  One of the biggest things about driving in the treacherous conditions is you hardly have control.  At any moment you could hit ice and slide off the road.  You have to keep both hands on the wheel at all times to be prepared to correct your course.  Your eyes have to be diligently watching the path your tires are treading on to make sure you are taking the best route. The entire trip from point A to point B you must be focused! Honestly driving in the winter should be how I drive all year.  I should always be focused and diligently watching the roads but I don’t.  I know the conditions, I know the route, and so I get lazy. 

Oh how parallel my Christian walk is.  When things are out of my control, I panic.  I am afraid and after checking all my resources and then begging God to remove the obstacle, I give up, surrender, and pray for His help.  When things are going smooth I tend to slack.  I am not as attentive as I should be.  I unfortunately, can just go through the motions.  I act as if I have everything under control. So God brings the snow.  He reminds me control is merely an illusion.  An illusion I cling to far too much.  He brings me back to my desperation for Him. When I am driving in the snow I do not stop praying.  That is how my days should be.  I ought to be constantly communicating with God throughout my day.  The bible talks about being watchful at all times. When Jesus went to pray preparing himself to be crucified, he came back to find his disciple sleeping.  “Watch and pray so you don’t fall into temptation!” (Luke 22:41)  See, to them, they were unaware of what was about to take place.  They thought things were under control and they became too relaxed, even to the point they fell sleep.  I can “fall asleep” in my walk with God. 

I believe very strongly that Gods church is being shaken right now. I believe in the Awakening that’s coming. I know God is doing miraculous things.  He is bringing people to Him through the Holy Spirit, He is healing, He is reviving His church.  Gods Spirit is alive and moving! Praise God!!! As I have talked about before this isn’t a time to sleep! I do not want to miss being a part of His plan.  I do not want to “just go through the motions” I want to be alive and active. I want to be used by God. I certainly do not Him to look down for someone and find me sleeping.  And I unquestionably do not want to be sleeping when He returns! Tara Wake Up!! It is time for revival! It is time for healing! Now is the time! It is time to be diligent, always watching, and drive like I am driving in the snow! Always relying on Jesus and not an illusion!

Thank you Lord for your faithful reminders to wake up! Thank you for using someone like me.  Thank you God for being with me this week through my fears allowing me to rely only on you.  You are the Only one that has control of this world.  Thank you that I can cling to You instead of the clinging to earthly things.  God, help me walk intentionally.  Always watching, keeping both hands on the wheel, being steadfast in prayer. Lord, help me to not grow weary but to come to You for strength! I know that You will prepare me and provide all I need to do Your will in my life! Thank you Lord~!!

In Jesus Precious Name~

Amen

Oh How He Loves Me!!

Sometimes I tend to forget how much God loves me.  I find myself afraid of the Father I disappoint.  Just like a child, when I do something I know he doesn't approve of, I hide.  I know God is big and can see all, so it is more like I ignore His presence.  God tells us all over His word that sin separates us from him.  I know that because He is a Holy God He cannot be in the same presence where sin is.  But it also makes us, His kids, run away from Him.  Just like in the garden after mankind's first sin, Adam and Eve, hid.(Genesis 3:8)  We feel the shame and sadness of hurting our daddy.  I avoid Him because I know that I hurt him.  I know that I dug the nails in deeper to my Saviors hands. Sin separates me.

God is my EVERYTHING and I hate being apart from Him.  It is painful and I feel alone.  It is fighting with my best friend and every day that I avoid Him is a day my heart aches unbelievably.  The whole time God is reminding me of His love saying "Sweet child I love you, repent, and come back to me."  He gently reaches out to me and many times I turn away.  I know I just need to repent but the truth is I hate that I hurt Him.  Saying sorry just doesn't seem enough to me after hurting the Maker of the Universe.  But that is what repentance is, it is the difference between just saying sorry, and being truly sorry from your core. Sunday at church God put a picture in my head of my sin laying on Jesus back as the centurions flogged him. God reminded me that it wasn't just past sins Jesus was whipped and died for, but also future ones.  My sins, all of my sins, were laid on Jesus and died on the Cross of Calvary. There is no more shame, no more condemnation for those in Christ. (Romans 8:1) I am covered by Jesus blood.  I am saved from shame by Gods perfect grace. Thank you Lord.

Today as I opened my bible to prepare for the day God led me to read Psalms 139.  "Lord, you have searched me and you know me," It says he knows All about me. Even before I am going to think a thought he knows.  He knows what I am going to think before I even think about thinking it!! It says not only does He know me completely, He is everywhere.  It says there is no place I can go that God is not there. It even says "If I make my bed in the depths you are there" Ok, let me get this straight.  God not only knew I was going to sin before I did; He was there with me when I did. Not feeling so great about this passage thus far.  Praise God it goes on to say He knit me in my mother’s womb; that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. It even says “How precious are Your thoughts about me!!!”(Psalms 139:17)  That did it.  I wept.  The Star Breather thinks precious thoughts towards me. Wow!!! I was speechless. I fell down in my living room with my hands lifted high, praising and worshiping an amazing God that my feeble mind cannot comprehend. All I could think about is the song "How he loves me." 

The passage ends with "Search me oh God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts.  Point out ANYTHING that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life" (Psalm 139:23-24) David's heart cry is my heart cry.  Starting with realizing how big God is, He then reveals His Love for us, leads us to this place of total submission where we want to surrender anything and everything that hinders us from His love.  I needed that today.  I needed reminded of how deep His love is for me.  The way he delicately knit me together and His thoughts towards Tara. Oh how He loves me!!!!!

Jesus,

Precious Father, Holy Almighty God, thank you!! Many times I am at a loss for words when it comes to expressing my gratitude.  There simply isn’t words for how much I love you and how thankful I am.  I know who I am apart from you God, and I thank you for who You say I am.  I praise you for who I am IN You!! Thank you Jesus for giving up your life for somebody like me.  For taking my sins, all my sins to that cross with you. Your word says You bore my sins, that I might die to sin and live righteously.  By Your wounds I am healed!  (1 Peter 2:24) You took the penalty for me Jesus and for that I am eternally grateful.  I will use my life to praise you always.  Like David's cry God please keep searching me and remove anything that isn’t of you.  God no matter what, no matter how painful, Lord purge me of ungodliness. Make me more like you. Thank you Father for loving me and caring so much!! 

In Your Holy name;

Amen

Are you ready?

Onward Christian soldiers marching out to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before!  This is an old hymn I remember singing when I was little and attending church.  I didn’t know what it meant I just remember in my precious moment’s bible there was a picture of a little kid in war gear.  And in true precious moment’s style, the armor was over sized and too big.  I loved singing that song because I felt the power behind it.  The congregation would sing it with such authority like they knew the battle was already won.  The enemy was going down as Christians march forward! Jesus said it himself that the gates of hell will not prevail! (Matthew 16:17-19) The other day I woke up with this song in my head after not hearing it for probably 15 years! 

I have been feeling for awhile now that Christians are being filtered. All around me I am watching some Christians step up into the battle ready to fight and I have watched others sadly go A.W.O.L. I have seen people’s faith truly move mountains and I’ve witness people’s faith disintegrate. Some Christians have had an amazing spiritual awakening while others have sorrowfully died.  “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat, but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.  And when you have returned, strengthen your brother” (Luke 22:31-31). This is one of my favorite verses because Jesus himself states he prays for us.  When life seems like no one cares always remember Jesus prays for us!  When we are being sifted Jesus the Christ is praying for us.  Praise God for his compassion.  We learn from this scripture that anyone is susceptible to being sifted.  Simon (Peter) was walking with Jesus.  He hung out everyday and did everything with Jesus here on this earth.  If you ask me, I would think for that reason Satan might want to sift someone else, but that’s not what happened.  Satan wanted to sift someone who was close to Jesus intentionally.  Satan needs to attack the ones who are closest to Jesus.  Satan knows that they are the ones who are thwarting his plans.  They are the ones who are getting in the devils way.  They are the ones marching onward.  That’s scary to me.  The idea of Satan sifting me freaks me out.  Praise God the verse goes on to say “..but I have prayed for you!”  Again, Praise the Lord he prays for us! It is interesting that he doesn’t say I prayed so he won’t sift you, instead he prayed that afterwards Simon would be better used for His kingdom.  So many times I pray God protect me from evil instead of praying God make me better for your kingdom even if it involves me being sifted by the devil himself.  We can rejoice and take comfort knowing whatever we are going through Jesus is praying for us. 

It keeps getting brought up in the body of Christ to get ready, brace ourselves, and be ready for battle.  The devil is sifting.  That is evident. Some are unfortunately falling through the crevice, while others like Simon, come back stronger than before.  I know God is preparing His people for battle.  I can sense it.  Other believers can feel it as well.  Many of us feel the tension in the air knowing that God is preparing us for something. This is exciting and scary all at the same time.  Like soldiers preparing for war, Christians need to be preparing for combat. Jesus prayed that Simon’s faith would not fail.  Sadly I am watching people’s faith fail them.   I am watching people’s foundation crumble. A foundation they thought was sturdy was actually built on sand, even if it looked like it was on the rock, surely it wasn’t. Jesus said a house truly built on the rock wouldn’t fall.  I need to make sure my foundation is on the Rock of Jesus Christ.  I need to make sure I put on the full armor of God every day.  I must be ready and willing at all times being steadfast in prayer, devoting my time to His word.  This is not a time to relax for the body of Christ.  We have been resting for too long.  The calm before the storm isn’t a time to be calm at all, but instead build up our faith because the storm is coming. “If you are always ready, he will not find you sleeping, even if he comes back earlier than expected. I tell you this, and I say it to everyone: 'Be ready!'" (Mark 13:24-37)

My prayer is that I am ready. I pray that we don’t get sifted out when the devil sifts us.  I pray that we can march forward and fight the good fight for Jesus Christ our savior.  People need God, this world is dying, and we are the soldiers God has called. It is not a time to sleep. Wake up Church! The time is Now.

Dear Lord~

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Thank you for loving me so much even praying for me.  God you are so unbelievably good to us and I praise your holy name.  Lord, help me to stand strong in your name.  Help me to share the gospel and tell the world; help me to not grow tired.  Lord, I pray for the body.    I pray that your people rise and fight with your full armor on, using the shield of faith to protect us.  Lord, I have heard from so many that you are preparing your people and I thank you for being called by you and for your work.  Help me prepare myself.  Help me help others get ready.  God it breaks my heart to see people walk away from you as I know it hurts your heart more, help them to turn back around.  Jesus, help them to have a strong foundation that doesn’t crumble at the enemies attacks.  God you are our strength and our shelter.  Thank you Father for protecting us, equipping us, shielding us, strengthening us, and sending us into battle for you!  You don’t need us yet you chose us. Thank you.

In my saviors precious name,

Amen