He's Got Your Back

“Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

…Then all the men returned to Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat leading them, overjoyed that the Lord had given them victory over their enemies. -2 Chronicles 20:15, 27

We have been called to shine the light of Jesus into our communities and advance the Kingdom of God from within our circles of influence. Yet so often the darkness feels overwhelming, and the battle too great to fight. It’s in these times of crisis where our faith is tested. We know there is victory in Jesus, but how will we see breakthrough when our enemies tower over us?

In 2 Chronicles 20, a vast army marched against the King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Suddenly the King found himself in an extraordinary crisis. Read the full chapter to experience the whole riveting story. In the midst of his fear and confusion, King Jehoshaphat made a very wise decision. He did not put his hope in the strength of Israel’s army. Nor did he try to hire a bigger army, or run in the opposite direction. King Jehoshaphat chose to call a national fast and gather his people together to seek the Lord. Then, at the corporate assembly, the king cried out to God, declaring their powerlessness to defeat this army, and proclaiming their hope in God alone.

Absolutely no plan B. Just total dependence and trust in the Lord.

No wonder the Lord spoke such stirring words through the prophet, calling His people to march out against their enemies filled with shouts of praise. And as they did, the Lord set ambushes on their enemies, destroying each and every one of them.

What if the place of your greatest struggle is the target for your next victory, as you surrender in total dependence to Jesus and praise His name?! Choose to exalt God over your life and circumstances in the midst of the crisis, and He will get the glory as He goes before you to set ambushes on your enemies. 

Your job is to seek the Lord in total surrender, and praise His name. God’s response is to fight your battle for you and declare His victory. He’s got your back.

Our God Hears,
AJ Picard

Subscribe via RSS

Choosing Hope

“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV)

“But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” (1 Thessalonians 5:8 NIV)

“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5)

What does our God require of us when times get difficult, when the reality of life threatens to overwhelm, when getting through the next hour exhausts all strength, and when the call to trust and obey is tested by the question, “Why Lord?” Paul puts faith, hope and love at the center of our struggle to endure, persevere and complete the race set before us. He calls us to have great faith, but faith that moves mountains is a gift of the Holy Spirit. He calls us to love others like Jesus loves us, but this deep and abiding love that leads to sacrifice is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Hope seems to be our choice alone. Where will we put our hope when there seems to be no explanation, rhyme or reason for our circumstances? In whom will we put our hope when His faithfulness and love are difficult to grasp.

I was sitting next to Carol on a flight to Chicago. She commented on the Christian singer listed on my phone, and I commented on the Bible she pulled out of her purse. Carol shared that her destination was a cancer treatment center and her condition was Stage 4. Carol certainly needs hope, but she is not willing to settle for it. Carol needs to be filled up with a hope that overflows, but she is not willing to settle for being filled. Carol is putting her hope — every ounce she can muster up — in the God of hope. She is settling for nothing less than the presence of Jesus, the one who has authored and is perfecting her faith. Carol is choosing to put her hope in Jesus, day by day and hour by hour.

When circumstances of the day or hour threaten to overwhelm us, let us also choose to put our hope in the God of hope.

Our God hears,
Mark Petersen

Subscribe via RSS

Follow Me

“... and He found Philip. And Jesus said to him, ‘Follow me.’ Philip found Nathanael … Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’” John 1:43, 45, 46

“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the Light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.’” John 8:12

“I am the good shepherd; ... My sheep hear My voice and I know them, and they follow me;” John 10:11, 27

Amazingly, the invitation that Jesus gave to Philip so many years ago has also been given to us — the choice to follow the only One who freely gave His life because of His great love, grace and mercy toward us. This should be an easy choice. He has the map and plan to bring us into the life He has prepared for us. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jeremiah 29:11) We can follow with confidence because we believe His Word that says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8)

But sometimes our paths grow dark, causing fear and worry to pull us off His path into our own way. Yet, even in those times, if we call to Him, He will answer. We will hear His voice, the one who is our light and salvation, saying, “Here I am; follow me.” He goes before us to make the rough places smooth, and His glory is our rear guard. On this journey of following Him, He makes roadways through the wilderness and desert for us to travel on, but we will be refreshed rather than thirsty “because [He has] given waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to [His] chosen people.” (Isaiah 43:20) We may grow anxious and weary but “He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength.” (Psalm 23:2)

As we follow Him, we may “walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” but we must not be afraid because He is with us, to protect and comfort us. (Psalm 23:4) Renewing our minds with His Word and praying consistently help us to fix our eyes on Him, avoiding the snares and attacks of the enemy. But, if we do find ourselves in a trap or pitfall, we have the assurance that the Good Shepherd will search for us until He finds us. “I will exalt you, Lord, for you rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.” (Psalm 30:1)

Daily, He invites us to follow Him. Will our response be the same as Philip? Will we go and ask a friend to come along? If we, like Philip, choose to follow Him and encourage our friends to join us on the journey, we will live “a rich and satisfying life” with His “goodness and unfailing love” pursuing us all our days. 

Our God Hears,

Nonna Neal

Subscribe via RSS

I've Got This

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)

I sense we are in a season of exploring the emphasis that we place on the "I" in our lives. The phrase, “I’ve got this” comes to mind. How many times do we say or think that? Often, it’s to give reassurance to others that they can have confidence in us with a job or situation, or sometimes we might simply be trying to reassure ourselves.

This summer, I began to realize that situations taking place in my life and in our nation were out of control, and I really couldn’t do the “I’ve got this” pattern any more. This led me to look more deeply at who Father God — Abba/Dad — is in terms of my strength. This is a journey, and we are all in different places with our understanding and trust in Abba. Philippians 4:13 says, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

We are reminded that, in His strength, we can do all things. I’ve known this verse for years, and it is often shared to encourage one another. Yet, I realized I needed deeper revelation of what God’s strength looks like and how, as a child of God, you and I can do life in His strength. The Lord brought the following images to my mind:

The Lord loves to hold us. He desires for us to lean back and, like a child, put our head on His chest and rest. To lean back and rest is an active choice — an act of surrender. Martha struggled to rest, and she got cross with Mary for sitting and resting at the feet of Jesus. Peter was doing well at looking into the eyes of Jesus until he remembered he was walking on deep waters. Resting in Jesus and finding His strength mean choosing to actively surrender all things.

Each day, may your strength be drawn from that intimate place of leaning back and resting in Him — a place from where you draw your strength for the tasks set before you.

Lucy Houghton

Subscribe via RSS

Reflecting His Light

“Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you … then you shall see and become radiant, and your heart shall swell with joy …” Isaiah 60:1-2,5a (NKJV)

“… for at one time you were in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true).” Ephesians 5:8-9 (ESV)

This year, the week-long, joy-filled Jewish festival Succoth begins Sunday evening, Oct. 16, and ends on Sunday, Oct. 23. Also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, this ancient festival celebrates God’s faithfulness during the Israelites’ 40-year wilderness journey. Lighting their way in the desert by a pillar of fire, God provided His presence and protection daily for His people, who could move quickly in their tents or tabernacles to follow Him. (Exodus 13:21) After Solomon’s Temple was built, four massive, 75-foot candelabras with golden bowls holding 10 gallons of oil were lit to remind the people of how God’s Shekinah glory filled His temple. Annually, crowds made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem, pitched their tents and gathered to commemorate this celebration. At one such festival, Jesus arrived declaring, “I AM the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) God’s glory was shown again in the person of the Messiah.

Today, the Light of the World has set up His residence among us. (1 Corinthians 3:16) Jesus has exhorted His faithful ones to be ready with our lamps burning as we wait for the return of the Bridegroom. (Matthew 25:1-13) Having been pursued and rescued by Christ out of darkness into His marvelous light, we are called to illuminate His life-giving hope and love to others who remain in darkness. What a privilege we’ve been given to participate in His mission on earth to expand His Kingdom of light, pushing back the darkness until He returns! Are we, the “children of light,” whose lives have been transformed to radiate the fruit of His light by His Spirit, still shining brightly? Are we longing to keep our vessels filled with the oil of His Spirit, choosing to do what pleases the Lord?

Being upheld by His Spirit as His luminaries for drawing others to the joy of our salvation, we realize our need to keep on being filled with His Spirit, always enjoying His presence. How blessed we are to have immediate access into God’s powerful presence through precious prayer! The more we seek to understand the Father’s heart, the greater our joy. When we remain intimately connected to Him by spending time in prayer and worship, and studying His Word, we rejoice all day long! We have been graciously given the Word as a lamp to light our path, reassuring us of His presence and guiding us to discern His purposes and plans for our lives. As we grow in our passionate devotion for the One who delivered us and experience the glory of His goodness, the Lord Jesus will provide everything we need to reflect His light to others. Then may we, the Church, be a brilliant testimony to His power and presence and be the beacon of His truth to glorify the great name of our Father in Heaven.

Our God Hears,

Barb Wibling

Subscribe via RSS

Encountering God

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:12-13

I believe that encounters with the living God can change lives. Now a testimony of this truth has been indelibly etched upon my own heart. This time last year, I had an encounter with God at a beautifully renovated barn in Louisville, Kentucky. This encounter became the birthplace for personal renewal in my life. Let me tell you about it.

By the middle of last year, I had become weary and weathered after enduring a couple of particularly difficult years. Two uniquely demanding roles in the church and the arts, along with my wonderful young family were all keeping me very busy. The truth is, I was disappointed with God. I had just lost two friends to severe illnesses within a two-month period, leaving me emotionally drained and spiritually numb. I knew that I needed a prayer retreat to recalibrate my heart, but life just kept humming along at breakneck pace. It was time to do something intentional to seek the Lord. 

So I took a journey to Louisville, KY to visit some wonderful friends who founded a ministry called Iron Bell (check them out at http://www.ironbellministries.org/about). Iron Bell cultivates a lifestyle of intimacy with God with prayer retreats, leadership summits and incredible worship nights. I thought I was going there to seek the Lord for direction in my life, but God had other plans. 

The retreat began on a Wednesday morning with a scheduled prayer session. I was told to be at the barn by 7:30am so a ministry team could pray over me. This team was made up of some dear friends and perfect strangers. Those who didn’t know me were only given my name, “A.J.”, and knew nothing about my life or circumstances as they listened to God on my behalf. One member of the team was a worship leader named Stephen. We met for the first time that morning, and he shared a powerful prophetic vision with me in prayer. 

In the vision, Stephen said that he saw me as a little boy building legos on the floor. I kept building them up and knocking them down, saying, “It’s not good enough!” Then the Lord came into the room and took me by the hand, leading me up a set of stairs into an art gallery. God began to show me many different pictures on the wall, and pointed them out to me one at a time saying, “Remember when we made this together?” and, “Let me tell what I love about this one,” describing the works we had created together. The Lord gave me a loving rebuke in the vision, saying to me, “You don’t get to decide whether things you make are good or not. I affirm you, A.J., I tell you what’s good. Ask me what I think and I will tell you. Spend time with me, abide in me, and you will bear much fruit.” 

That word was so powerful to me in a time when I was struggling with my calling as an artist and a pastor and unsure about God's direction for my life. Here was God encountering me through a perfect stranger, and telling me that He knows me, has plans for me, and that He loves and affirms me. 

A pastoral counselor named Tony was on my prayer team as well. He picked up where Stephen left off, sharing with me that he'd been praying for me in the morning and happened to hear the news that Yogi Berra had just died. Tony always loved the way Yogi could turn a phrase, and as he thought about it, he heard this phrase for me, “You need to try hard to stop trying so hard.” He shared the words of John 15:5 with me, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”  Tony continued by telling me that God was giving me a new name, and read on to John 15:11, where Jesus says, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Tony said, “A.J. as you spend time with God and stay connected to Him, the fruit of that connection will be, “All-Joy.”  

Through this time of prayer, God was lovingly dealing with my lifelong issue of striving. I was reminded that God knows me intimately, and He’s the one who tells me what’s good and valuable. I was given a new name, All-Joy, to serve as a daily reminder to stay connected to Jesus, and abide in Him. My struggles with performance and perfectionism had been unmasked and ministered to in one fell swoop, all before breakfast. And the Father was inviting me to enter into His rest and walk with Him. Tony said, “there are empty stanchions in the art gallery, more things that God desires to create with you, A.J., as you co-labor with Him.” I’ll never forget that. 

I received many other powerful and comforting words through prayer that morning, but I wanted to share this prophetic vision with you as a testimony of how God encountered me in Louisville. I am so deeply grateful to the prayer team at Iron Bell for seeking the Lord on my behalf. I will never be the same again after this word was spoken over my life. Now I am All-Joy!

I believe that God wants to speak to you as well. He knows you, He loves, you, and has plans for your life. Maybe it’s time for you to step away from the busy-ness to ask the Lord what He thinks about you. Remember, it only takes one encounter with the living God to change everything. 

Our God Hears,

AJ

Subscribe via RSS

A Matter of the Heart

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. —Exodus 33:1-2 NIV

Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. —Exodus 33:15 NIV

Writing a brief reflection on Exodus 33 is an exercise in discipline. The wealth of wisdom and symbolism contained in this chapter make it difficult to focus on only one idea. Yet it seems appropriate at this time to let this chapter provide guidance on how Godly people navigate a season of transition. I would suggest reading the entire chapter if you’re interested. The few highlights I’ve put here are useful, but they lose much of their impact when taken out of context. 

PRAYING THROUGH TIMES OF TRANSITION

In Exodus 33:1-2, God gives the Jewish people a green light to go forward. They will finally get the land promised to their ancestors as a mighty angel goes before them in God’s place to ensure success on their journey. 

Ten verses lye between God’s command for the people to move on and the response of their leader Moses. These verses show Moses leaving the camp to spend time face to face with God in the secret place of prayer. Yet he doesn’t focus his prayers on the command to go forward. Moses is much more interested in the presence of God remaining with them, and being allowed to grow in his knowledge of God’s nature and how he can love Him more. 

I believe these verses reveal to us that seasons of Godly transition are much more a matter of the heart than they are of circumstance. I’ve recently been blessed by two people who have displayed this truth with their lives.

GIVING UP THE GOOD TO SEEK THE BEST

My friend Karen Sergey was badly injured at work. The injury has affected every area of her life, resulting in great loss. Rather than spin around her circumstances, Karen chose to seek God’s face with a laser focus. 

Recently Karen gave up a leadership position on the church’s prayer team, one that she held and executed with excellence for many years. Karen did this not because she was feeling overwhelmed. She sensed in her heart that this is a time for her to grow in knowing God, setting aside even good things in order to have what’s best. 

CALIBRATING THE HEART FOR A NEW SEASON

Pastor Brian Mowery was given a significant promotion in the church. That would tempt most people to throw themselves into work, with all energy and focus on the job at hand. Instead, he took a step back to calibrate his heart to what is most important by taking a sabbatical. 

We are in a time of transition as a church family.  Our temptation will be to focus on what’s next. To forge ahead into the great things God has for us. Moses reminds us that transition really is a matter of the heart. Growing in our knowledge of God and in our love for Him is the most important priority at a time like this. 

YOUR PRAYER LIFE IMPACTS THOSE AROUND YOU

Moses desired to know and love God, and his pursuit became intercession for his nation. As a result of the desires of Moses’ heart, the presence of God remained with them throughout the journey. When we grow in our relationship with God, not only does it change us, but everything around us is impacted as well. 

In this season of transition, each one of us can grow to know God like never before. But we, like Moses, must enter our own secret place to seek His face and listen for His heart. The good news is that God is already waiting for us there.

HONORING GODLY LEADERSHIP IN TRANSITION

Lastly, let’s pray great blessings over Clive and Ruth Calver as they enter their next chapter in Christ and move to a new place to continue doing the good works God has prepared for them. We are so grateful for the way they’ve poured out their hearts and lives over the past eleven years on our behalf. May the presence of God go with them.

Our God Hears,

Joe Halpin

Subscribe via RSS

Prayers that Move Mountains

“Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” Daniel 6:10 (NIV)

“And Jesus answered them, ‘Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea’, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.’” Mark 11: 22-24 (ESV)

Only God can move mountains, but we have the privilege of moving the heart of God through prayer. 

God is always good and He desires to bless us beyond our imagination. When we pray fervently into His goodness, God is delighted to graciously give us more. God is always working out His best for us, even moving mountains we may not see.

Daniel’s prayers moved mountains. He was mighty and faithful in prayer throughout his life. Understanding the righteous and unchanging character of God, Daniel trusted His word and His promises. His confidence rested not in his prayers, but in the One who answers prayer. Daniel demonstrated his humble posture in prayer on his knees with reverent submission to the Most High God. Surrendering to God, he was completely open to hear what God was saying to him. Daniel prevailed in prayer by depending on God for wisdom and strength, persevering until the answers came and trusting God with the results.

To remain faithful in prayer like Daniel without giving up, it becomes necessary for us to spend time separated from the world’s distractions. By committing to being consistent in setting apart daily time alone with the Lord, we’re showing Him that our heart is open to His. Then when we pray, hope fills us with the assurance of the Lord’s presence. We may enjoy His fellowship in the early morning hours, in the evening, or maybe even during the night watches when He reminds us to seek Him and trust His promises. Jeremiah 33:3 is a powerful Scripture at 3:33 a.m.!

Being faithful in prayer is a sacrifice rooted in Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice. Just as He gave up everything when He prayed in the garden, “Your will be done,” so we must also give ourselves up to God. When we come to a place of surrender, so grateful for God’s grace to us, we begin to discover what He wants and are given the strength to prevail. As we persist in prayer in agreement with His will and wait patiently, we learn more deeply about God’s grace. Perhaps we are praying for a loved one to surrender to Jesus, so we watch and wait expectantly for God to move this mountain through prayer.

Whether an answer is delayed for 21 days (Daniel 10:13) or for 32 years, the answer that comes may be more than we could have asked for or imagined. So in the waiting, keep praying confidently that God hears. Keep watching expectantly for His good plans to unfold. Keep trusting in His power to move mountains. His timing is always perfect in our lives.

Our God Hears,

Barb Wibling

Subscribe via RSS