leaning...

Today at a party I was talking to Greg and Craig and we were talking about leaning not to our own understanding. As we were talking it became so apparent that, that is one of the keys to victory. We cannot afford to try to figure out situations in our own understanding. God alone knows why He allows things in our lives that do not make sense. I mean why do we have to have people die young in our lives, why do accidents happen, why do our children turn their backs on what they know is the truth. All of these situations make no sense in the natural. However, in the spirit there may be many reasons. We have a real enemy that is after bringing us to a place of doubt and unbelief. He (the enemy) is trying to make our walks (lives) totally ineffective for the kingdom. The Lord allows these difficulties because He is attempting to create something in us that will last for eternity, and here in the temporal existence is where we learn it. WOW!!!! You mean this is a training ground. I say yes. He says we will rule and reign with Him. There must be things that we are to learn here that we may use in eternity. Our understanding must be deceptive if we are instructed not to lean on it. It is very tempting to look to the natural for answers, but God said there are no true answers in the natural realm. The truth about situations, people, and handling life's adventures must be found in the Spirit. Victory in situations does not come about by our own logic and figuring. The things of the Spirit seem to run contrary to the world's logic. Things in the visible try to mock the unseen. FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things NOT SEEN. Our Lord reigns in the unseen realm. He is Lord of ALL visible and invisible. We must lift our eyes and ask the Lord to help us see with spiritual eyes.

Lord only you can give us clear vision of that which we can't see. Only you can give us wisdom and understanding of that which is out of our grasp to understand. And oh Lord when you shine light and give revelation there is nothing in this world as sweet as knowing that you are speaking to us. RW

Florida....

We just got back from a trip to Pensacola. We had a great time just relaxing and having nothing planned. The weather was great and Bryan definitely got some sun.

The last couple of weeks has been a time of much reflection. Father's Day was a difficult day but the body of Christ at Hosanna stepped up as usual and ministered great love to me and Lauren and Bryan. Russell, Margie, Pat and Charlotte, Rhonda, and Eileen you will never know what it meant to me to have you surrounding us in prayer. There is nothing that can take the place of the church reaching out to those within. Thank you. After church we went to River Ridge and spent time with Granny Patsy, Paw-Paw Mike, Mike, Eva and Carey. It was emotional but oh sooo good to be with family. I love them all so much and they have such a special place in my heart.

God is continuing to make me so aware of His ability to shelter, comfort and protect me. I love you all.

RW

Praise Him....

Pastor Don has been sharing lately about God equipping us with the weapon of praise. That is what we need to do, praise Him in the midst of our circumstances. In so doing we claim to God and every demon in ear shot, that no matter what the circumstances our GOD is GOD. We claim that He is bigger than our situation and that He alone can see us through. Also praise changes our perspective it allows us to remind ourselves who God is even when circumstances are trying to gain our full attention. I think the biggest thief of our praise is ingratitude. When we begin complaining, we are stating through our complaint that God is not able to handle our situation. We are stating that HIS ways are not the right ways. We may find ourselves in the midst of difficult situations for many reasons. Maybe we are in these situations because of choices on our own part or maybe God has allowed the trying of our faith, regardless we must purpose to allow life to work in us what God intends to be worked in us.

If we will cooperate with the Holy Spirit we will learn deep truths in the midst of great heartache and trials. Learning that praise must go forth no matter the circumstances, places us above the situation and able to see with God's perspective. We need God's vantage point. We need to see as He sees, we need the mind of Christ. So praise Him and watch yourself change in the midst of adversity. Praise Him and see God the way He needs to be seen in relation to this temporary life. Praise Him for He is eternal, unmovable, unshakable----HE is GOD. RW

thanks for your patience....

Wow! It has been quite a while since my last post. So sorry to you all who faithfully check in to see what is going on. Well school is out for the summer and we are enjoying a little down time.

God continues to show Himself faithful and we are pressing in to knowing Him more and learning His ways in the midst of this life He has given us to live. I am convinced more and more that we are not our own and that because we have been bought with a price we really have no authority to call the shots. God calls the shots and He alone knows what is best for us and the Kingdom of God. God has continued to show me more and more depths of His love. It is awe inspiring to catch a glimpse of that love. We see it daily when we consider the cross but I think we forget to realize that it was love, not obligation that compelled Christ to the cross. Christ would have endured anything in order for our relationship with Him to be restored. That is what it is all about our relationship with Him. The Father said, "This is your bride." And Christ immediately fell in love with us. "However Jesus there is only one hitch. In order for you to have the relationship you desire with her you will have to take on flesh, live out a sinless life on earth, then if that is not enough you will be falsely accused and endure the punishment of a criminal--death on a cross. But once you do that you will be able to experience the ultimate in realtionships with your bride. Are you willing?" Christ response, "Am I willing, look at her isn't she the most beautiful thing you have ever seen. Of course I am willing. Knowing that after all of that I can have HER, I will do whatever it takes. I want that relationship." The Father then says, "Go buy back your Bride."

That love is hard for many of us to understand because we are so self-seeking and looking out for number one. We want to know what a relationship will gain us. We want to know that if we invest time and emotion we are going to get something back. However, that is the glory of agape love---it does not seek its own. It loves because the thought of not loving is more painful than the thought of not being loved back. Agape love truly has to give because there is more fulfillment in the loving than being loved. Christ has brought this love alive to me. This is so new to me but I am daily experiencing the love of Christ.

More on this later, I love you all. RW