The first time God mentions prayer is in Genesis 20:7.

He tells a king named Abimelek that he should not attempt to get a woman named Sarah as a wife because she is already married. God reveals that the woman’s husband (Abraham) lied to him telling him that Sarah was his sister. In fact as we know, Sarah was in fact Abraham’s wife. So God tells Abimelek to return Sarah to Abraham; and that Abraham would PRAY for him, Genesis 20:7. Abraham PRAYS for Abimelek; and God then heals Abimelek and his household so they could have children again, Genesis 20:17.

What is truly wild about this first account of prayer is that God abundantly blesses Abraham in the middle of his sin!  And even more interesting is that it is a repeated sin!  See Genesis Chapter 12:10-20 which details the first time he lied about Sarah being his sister!

In the middle of being caught in his sin, Abimelek gives Abraham flocks and servants and land and money, Genesis 20:`14-16!!!  In Genesis 12:16, Pharaoh gives Abraham large amounts of flocks after he takes Sarah into his palace.  He keeps the gifts!  The gall!  And then gets away with it even after being found out.  No rebuke from God!  Abraham is treated with a great amount of favor that is radically unreasonable, especially since he started all the trouble by lying! 

Take a minute to wonder, why would God have a man who lied TWICE about the status of his wife (to save his own neck) pray for Abimelek? Early in chapter 20, you learn that Abraham told Abimelek that Sarah was his sister because he was afraid of being killed, thinking Abimelek would forcefully take Sarah from him by taking his life. In reasoning this way, he put Sarah in great danger, but God intervened and kept Abimelek from touching Sarah, Genesis 20:6.

You learn that Abraham’s fears and schemes for self-preservation drove him to do this. You could make a case for Abraham’s fears and justify the lie pretty easily. Abimelek was a Philistine king of a nation with war-like values.  Clearly Genesis 12 gives precedence that the rulers of these lands took woman as they so pleased.  They were cultures that loved self-pleasure, worshipped false gods, and could be violent to outsiders, . Therefore the fact that Abraham feared for his life was reasonable. But still, by lying, he put his wife’s life on the line to save his own neck. God could have punished Abraham for this, still saved Sarah and Abimelek, but that is not what he did. Instead God tells Abimelek that Abraham is a prophet who would pray and save his life. So here you see God calling Abraham out on his God given position as prophet whose prayers would save Abimelek’s life, Genesis 20:7. God also warns Abimelek that if he did not allow Abraham to pray for him, in his disobedience, he would die, Genesis 20:7.

By going through those details, you learn what prayer is… judging in a way that intervenes in order to save. This a key aspect of prayer... modeling God's character towards us, not treating us as our sins deserve.  This is the biblical definition of the Hebrew word palal. This essentially means mercy, judging with mercy in order to save. Mercy must always be part of prayer.

God in his mercy saved us.  Jesus is our ultimate intercessor continually interceding on our behalf.

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.- Hebrews 7:25

God developed that lesson in Abraham by saving him from his own stupid mistake. He would have realized the hand of God intervening on his behalf because Abimelek came to him and told him that God appeared to him in his dream and told him about Abraham’s lie, Genesis 20:8-10. And then when Abraham would have probably expected to die on the spot, instead Abimelek makes Abraham exceptionally wealthy in a sudden outpouring of gifts!

God saved his neck and then blessed him in abundance!  This is the heart of God!

What would your response be if you were caught in a lie by someone who was pre-disposed to violent ways? Wouldn’t you be afraid? But instead, God blesses Abraham through the man pre-disposed to violence… Abimelek! That is some incentive to pray! And this is a key to prayer. God’s mercy incentivizes you to pray! I imagine Abraham’s prayers being fervent and lively for Abimelek based upon God treating him with such unreasonable mercy!

So what is a prayer? It is a request asking God to intervene with acts of mercy in order to save.

Therefore, if you ever want someone to pray effectively for you, ask them if they have experienced God’s mercy in these ways? Was their life saved by Jesus? Have they experienced him intervening on their behalf saving them from stupid decisions, self-preserving ways? Has God supplied their needs and blessed them in unexpected and sudden ways? If you find that type of person, you have found a treasure. They will pray for you in a way that judges you with mercy, intervening in order to save. This is what true prayer is.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE NEW PODCAST EPISODES IF YOU HAVEN'T LISTENED IN AWHILE!  RELEASES MONDAY-FRIDAY!  INTERACTIVE PRAYER EXERCISES WITH SCRIPTURAL CONTEXT TO INSPIRE YOUR TIME ALONE WITH GOD!  BELOW IS DESCRIPTION FROM MONDAY AND TUESDAY OF THIS WEEK.  ONE IS USING BREATH PRAYER AND SILENCE.  THE OTHER USES VISUALIZATION BASED UPON SCRIPTURE.

(Into the Waters Ministry, Inc resources the earnest, helping them linger longer with God, to draw near and know Christ.  Now more than ever, we need to know Christ and practice settling our souls in His presence, anchoring in His promises.  Will you help us expand reach and impact?  Listenership for our Peace Be Still prayer podcast is steadily growing!  So many more can benefit!  Please consider a donation!  Help us match the $1K per month challenge pledge!  Every donation is a blessing!  Thank you for considering it.  Now on to today's interactive Advent exercise...)
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This is the 10th exercise released over the last 10 days for the Advent season!  Find the interactive prayer exercises on the podcast tab or click above to find the podcast on Apple podcasts!  Below is  the content of today's Peace Be Still episode if you prefer to read it to engage.  Blessings!  
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Hello Gina from Into the Waters, welcome to Peace Be Still and this Advent season!  It’s Friend Friday, a time to experience the presence and person of Jesus Christ, Immanuel, with us is God.  Isaiah 7:14 says the LORD himself will give you a sign:  The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.  Let’s call upon His Name today.

Yesterday’s episode shared in the prayer portion that Isaiah wrote those prophetic words 700 years before Jesus was born.  We see those words reappear in Matthew 1.  An angel of the LORD appears to Joseph telling him not to be afraid, but to take Mary as his wife, because the child within her is from the Holy Spirit; he should be named Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.  And then it says that "all of these supernatural events took place to fulfill what the LORD has said through the prophet Isaiah:  The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means “God with us.”

Jesus, God with us, fulfilled that prophecy as he ministered on the earth, and continues to fulfill that prophecy for you today.  God is with you.  Deuteronomy 31:6 is a promise from Jesus in the Old Testament- Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Remember Jesus is timeless, eternal, that Old Testament prophecy is from Jesus himself.  We get a glimpse of His eternity and coming from the prophecy in Micah 5:2-
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me
    one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” 

Jesus, a leader coming from ancient times,? Yes.  NKJV says "Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” The Amplified version clarifies his goings forth saying- His goings forth (appearances) are from long ago, From ancient days.”

The prophet declared God himself was coming!  And yet Jesus has always been with His people, from the creation of physical time and space, Jesus has been with us!

So today, let’s proclaim His presence with us.  Just position to repeat, affirm, and invite His presence with an open and receptive spirit.

Jesus, you are with me.

I carry your Spirit within me.

Nothing can separate me from your love.

Immanuel, you are with me.

You will never leave me or forsake me.

No one can snatch me out of your hand.

You are with me in the storm.

You speak to the wind and the waves within.

“Peace Be Still.”

You are with me in my fear.

I am not to be terrified or afraid. 

You go with me. 

You promise to guide me.

Your rod and your staff they comfort me.

Save me from guiding myself.

I need your wisdom.

By your Spirit, whisper wisdom.

Now wait quietly in His presence.

Silence…..

Help me obey your counsel.

Help me surrender to your whispers.

You go before me.

I am not alone.

Jesus, you are with me.

Immanuel... with me is God.

Amen.
 

Hello! Happy Monday! Or not. There is a ton of heaviness and angst many are carrying right now due to the world's current state of affairs.

In early March, just five days before everything got shut down in my state of New York, I was at a Christian women's conference. Jennie Allen was the last speaker, and she had us do a listening prayer exercise. We were to ask God a question, what is a key for my faith this year? What came to me was "trust". At that time I was in a good place in terms of trusting God, so I wondered what that meant. And very shortly I was about find out. I would definitely need to deepen in trust.

We are each experiencing our own levels of anxiety and upset and upheaval since the pandemic changed our lives. Some have experienced loss in terms of a job, a family member, perspective on life. We are a nation in turmoil.. Our daily lives scrambled. One day we hear "x", the next day it is changed to "y". What should have been settled on November 3rd is not done, or is it? Conflict, divide, only seems to be intensifying already fragile connections and relationships. Are we facing another shut down? Depends who you ask! Truly our foundations are being shaken. We are forced to examine if our faith is built on solid rock or sand, Matthew 7:24-29 .

God IS calling us to deeper levels of trust. Trust in His Sovereignty. Trust in His Word to feed our soul and satisfy every need. Trust in the day-to-day and let go. Trust and freshly discover He provides for our soul’s every need!
​
"Who of you can add a single hour to your life?" Matthew 6:27

Jesus is calling us to live hour-by- hour, moment-by-moment, not to forecast. We must let go of false notion that we have control over anything. "Trust ME."

We are in a wilderness experience as the body of Christ. We are walking in territory that requires clinging to Jesus.

So how are you doing with that? Is His WORD feeding your soul so that you get up from His presence satisfied? King David's wilderness words of "When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63 reveals King David was up through the night. Not ruminating on certain doom, but meditating on the faithfulness of God. He was clinging to the LORD. His soul following closely behind Him. He envisioned following behind God. His Good Shepherd in front of him. God's right hand of power upholding him.

Into the Waters resources offer you ways to cling to God. To visualize His hand holding yours. To rest beneath the shadow of His wings, offering interactive exercises to reflect on the faithfulness of God. We've had online prayer and meditation sessions; and the testimonies that come out are always irrefutable of His presence and comfort and power touching participants! We have a Monday-Friday daily podcast that is growing in daily listens, and producing similar praise of God's presence and power. People say they weep in His presence. They are connecting with Him, being fed and nurtured in the secret place with Him. So I invite you to listen to the podcast for the first time, or again as we launch a new format that starts today!

This week we are introducing the podcast in theme format with repeatable spiritual disciplines to practice on the same day every day of the week. Here is how it will break out:

• Mellow Monday- Breath prayer and silence
• Tranquil Tuesday- Visualizing images from scripture
• Worship Wednesday- Prayer exercises exclusively for worship
• Thoughtfulness Thursday- Listening to and repeating scripture for mind renewal
• Friend Friday- Experiencing the presence and person of Christ

Enthusiastic feedback comes in for times when the podcast includes a prayer over the one listening. That aspect will continue to be included in various sessions. But on a day-to-day release, the themes and disciplines will repeat so you can practice and build your prayer relationship with God. Oh how He longs for this time with you!

Today's podcast is a breath prayer of "Lord Jesus, have mercy on me." You'll hear a brief background on breath prayer and then be led into the exercise. Gentle instrumentals end the session so that you can practice on your own and end in your own timing. You can find Peace Be Still Daily Prayer Podcast on all major podcast providers. Try it out! Would love to hear your feedback after!

And finally, this ministry is a by faith ministry. We rely on one-time offerings and monthly donors. No pressure, but know that your donation will go to expanding reach, expanding offerings, and pressing in to our mission to help people linger longer with God in prayer, to draw near and know Christ! See our donate page for secure link if you want to support our prayer mission. Blessings!

Below is content from today's podcast.  It is part of a series on spiritual weapons of warfare.  If asked about weapons of warfare, some people give a blank stare, some say it is making reference to the armor of God.  However, the armor is not the weapons, it's the armor.  Some say our weapon is the WORD of God which is true, but more so on terms of where all the weapons are found.  It's plural, not one weapon, but weapons with an "s". 

​God has given us a powerful arsenal of weaponry.  All without blood and gore.  The blood has already been let by Him.  No He has other weapons we are to use and they lead to life, power, healing, and intimacy with Him.  In 2 Chronicles chapter 20 alone, I found 30 weapons of warfare!

Do you think you could name 10 weapons of warfare off the top of your head?  Stop right now and try to name 10 spiritual weapons of warfare that are mighty in God for the destruction of strongholds, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.

Talking of spiritual weapons of warfare and destruction of strongholds can feel very elusive or like a high-minded philosophical discussion on spiritual matters far beyond our understanding.  But this is not to be the case.  If you take the time to understand what the LORD is saying, you'll find very practical insights to apply within that lead to freedom and deep healing.  Of course this is not to be done alone, but with the help of and in the presence of our safe and Holy friend, Jesus.  His friendship is a powerful weapon of warfare to destroy fortified places within us... 

For more, this is where I'll transition you to today's podcast content.  Read below the line for its content, or to participate by listening and engaging in the interactive prayer exercises, please visit the podcast page to tune into the entire series.   You can find Peace Be Still Daily Prayer Download on Apple Podcasts, Google podcasts, Iheart radio, Spreaker, Spotify and more.  Follow the program on your podcast provider to be notified of new episodes!  (Note:  The number of listens daily for the podcast started in May continues to grow.  We in the ministry are so excited for this holy work of inspiring people to pray!  To donate because you believe in our mission, and so we can reach more, please click on the donate button in the column to the right!   God bless your generosity!)
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PODCAST EPISODE 150- SPIRITUAL WEAPON #6- FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD
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Today we are meditating upon the friendship of God.  It’s weapon #6 in this series on praying for
victory over fears and negative counsel of the soul. Why is friendship a weapon? The language of
weapon comes from 2 Corinthians 10:4-5. These supernatural weapons have power to bring down
strongholds. Some strongholds require outside forces. And friendship with God is a magnificent
weapon on these terms.

But first, what is a stronghold? Do you have strongholds? Strongholds are fortified places of safety,
arguments and reasonings on which you rely to stay safe. Is this good or bad? Both, but in terms of
being weapons of warfare to bring down strongholds, they are places that must be torn down. These
negative strongholds are set up in the mind, affecting how you present yourself to others and attempt to control outcomes. It is a state of mind where in conscious and unconscious ways you fortify your soul in ways contrary to God.

Here are some examples: 

1. “No one knows about this thing that I did; and it’s going to stay that way.” But this at the cost of not allowing anyone to truly know you and love you through the weakness and underlying need. Your shame and pain is held in a stronghold of secrecy.
2. Or what about making a vow to yourself? Something like “I was betrayed once, never again.” This at the cost of withholding love, not willing to let your guard down to give selflessly or admit your deep need for love. Your stronghold is one of protecting yourself behind a fortified wall of “never again”.
3. Or how about “I cannot forgive them for doing that to me.”  Your stronghold is a fortified argument of justification.

It takes a lot of energy to hold your ground in these fortified spaces within. You alone are the one fighting to keep others out, and it is a long and lonely battle. It’s a battle you are losing at the expense of peace and power and healing God promises. 

But we are stubborn and resistant in holding our ground! And we think we can compartmentalize these spaces in such a way that doesn’t affect us. For the most part, if we keep people at safe distances, they know little about our strongholds. Yet they do make up subtle nuances of our personality, only becoming blatantly obvious when anyone gets too close. If anyone does get too close, then look out, because you know how to keep people out. And these are places and spaces and thoughts and feelings that God’s word says that are strongholds. “I’m holding on to my shame.” “I won’t let myself get hurt again”. And “I cannot forgive” is completely contrary to God. These are places that must be destroyed.  

And He is the friend, the safe place, the gentle Savior who we can trust to tear down all our arguments and have an open concept design within, a place without walls and barriers within our hearts. He becomes our stronghold and we are set free!

Friendship with God as a weapon is referenced through scripture. But since we are meditating upon 2
Chronicles 20 in this series, related to weapons of warfare, friendship with God is mentioned in verse 7 and is today's weapon.

In verse 7, the king reminds God of the covenant he made with Abraham, whom God called his friend.  We see this language of Abraham being God's friend in verse 7.  And we too have that privilege of being a friend of God! Jesus says in John 15:15, “I have called you friends, for everything I learned from my Father, I make known to you.” As our friend, Jesus shares his secrets with us! Psalm 25:14 says that the secret friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him. It says the Lord confides in those who fear him, he makes his covenant known to them.

The LORD confiding in you and making his covenant known in the deepest recesses of your soul will set you free from strongholds. He will tear down those walls of shame, fear, anger, unforgiveness,
rebellion, hate. 

He wants to confide in you! He wants to reveal the riches of His covenant in ways that set you free, 
heal, redeems, makes new. I was with a friend this week who recounted a recent time that God spoke one word to her that transformed her whole perspective. It was about a stronghold of control. As she continued to share, out came a supernatural outpouring of wisdom and holy counsel of all she learned just from that one word from her holy friend Jesus!  I said, “Wow, you got all of that from just one word from Jesus?” “Yes!” We laughed and marveled at the goodness and power that comes from just one word Jesus speaks to our soul!

So today, do not resist our Holy friend. Consider how your strongholds manifest today. What are you
compartmentalizing? How are you keeping him out, choosing instead to fortify your position? By
arguing with God or others? Are you stuffing your feelings by numbing them say with food, by over-eating? Do you have passive aggressive tendencies? Are you withdrawing or hiding from those closest to you? Jesus can be trusted.

He is safe. You won’t know the truth until you surrender and trust Him. And the simplest way to start is to talk openly and honestly with Him as friend. “Jesus, every time I feel vulnerable or anxious, I am
reaching for food.” “Jesus, I don’t think anyone will ever really love me. So I am keeping busy to avoid intimacy.  Or I am reading romance novels to get what I need or I am watching “x” to feel what I long for. I’m keeping you out of these places.” 

Confide. It’s powerful. Life changing. It will destroy the arguments draining you of life, of power.
Use this quiet time to ask Jesus to tear down strongholds within. “Jesus tear down my strongholds. Ask Jesus, what are my strongholds? Set me free.”

(Note in the podcast, a gentle instrumental plays at the end for a short, but quiet time to pray that prayer above and enjoy His friendship.)  

​Jesus said in John 14:25, we would be reminded of His promises because He would send the Holy Spirit to remind us.   Then He says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

He has left his peace with his believers.  We must respond.  We must bring ourselves into His presence for peace.

I woke this morning very troubled.  I confess many of the things going on in this nation have me carrying burdens that cause me concern.  It's stealing my peace.  I instinctively know that when I am restless in this way, I need Jesus to calm me.  This morning I read Psalm 94 verse 18 and it expressed what I was feeling.  I felt as though I was slipping.  The psalmist captured what I couldn't put words to.  My emotions were feeling like they were in a continual state of slipping.  Typically slipping only lasts a split second and then you are either on the ground or you've stabilized.  But to have a lingering feeling of being in the state of slipping is very uncomfortable.  I needed to bring myself into His presence for him to make that uncomfortable feeling go away.  I needed His peace.

Jesus is always concerned about any state of heart trouble we are in.  He cares about your anxieties and wants to allay our fears.  He has always known and still knows that the message of the world will steal our peace, creating anxiety and trouble within.  So He has sent His helper, the Advocate, to calm, soothe, and still us, to remind us of the supernatural peace that Christ gives. 

Today let’s work with the Holy Spirit and pray into the peace Christ has left us. 

Let's pray...   GO THROUGH EACH BULLET POINT SLOWLY.  DON'T RUSH YOURSELF.  (note- if you want to be led in an audio version of this, please go to the Podcast tab above and listen to episode 135- Agreeing with Jesus' promise for peace)

• Read God's word- Psalm 94:18- If I say, “My foot is slipping,”  Your loving devotion, O LORD, supports me.
• Stop and consider.  Do you feel this way?  Tell God if you feel like you are slipping.
• Read out loud- Psalm 94:19- When anxiety overwhelms me, your consolations delight my soul.  (Consolations are his comforts, his countenance, his life shared with you through the Holy Spirit in you.)
• Respond by asking-  "Calm me LORD.  Soothe and still me within Jesus."  Close your eyes and ask for His comfort.
• Stop and consider- What are you troubled about today?  Close your eyes, and take some deep breaths, think about what is bothering you.
• Now to tell Him what is troubling you within.  (examples - "I'm not sure what is bothering me, but I'm feeling anxious."  Or "I'm worried about ____ [fill in the blank])
• Hear Jesus’ words to you- , “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
• Repeat His words OUT LOUD.   “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
• Be reminded of Jesus’ words in John 15:7-9  Remain in me and let my words remain in you.  If I remain in you, ask whatever you desire and it shall be done for you.  Remain in my love.
• See Jesus present with you.  Imagine Him saying this to you- My word to remain in you is that I will never leave you or forsake you.  My word to you is that I am with you wherever you go.  My word to you is that I am a Good Shepherd, therefore as you follow Me, you lack nothing.  Remain in me.  My word to you is that no weapon formed against you shall prosper.  My word to you is that I am greater in you than any other force in the world.  No one will snatch you out of my hand.  I forgive you.  I remove your sin.  I make you new.  I count your tears.  I see your sorrow.  I give you a crown of beauty in exchange for your ashes.  I will complete the good work I have begun in you.  Look to me because I am the author of your faith.  I am the finisher of your faith. 
• Now see yourself looking to Jesus, at Jesus.  Reach out your hand for His life to fill you.  (close your eyes and see yourself looking at Jesus.  Bow your head.  Open your hands as an act of humbly receiving.  See him laying His hand on your head and praying for you.  Wait quietly as He prays for you.)
• By faith hear Christ speaking over you, “Peace be still.”
• Agree with the Holy Spirit, repeat Christ’s words to your soul, “Peace be still.”  “Peace be still.”  "Peace be still."  Just keep repeating those words in His presence for as long as you want… 

After you are done, share this exercise with a friend!

THIS IS A BY FAITH MINISTRY.  IT IS SUPPORTED BY ONE-TIME DONATIONS AND MONTHLY SUPPORTERS.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT OUR PRAYER DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRY, PLEASE VISIT OUR DONATE PAGE TO MAKE A TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION.  WE NEED MORE MONTHLY DONORS FOR me (Gina) TO MINISTER FULL TIME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION!  BLESSINGS!

My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.—Psa. 63:8

I want deliberately to encourage this mighty longing after God. The lack of it has brought us to our present low estate. The stiff and wooden quality about our religious lives is a result of our lack of holy desire. Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people. He waits to be wanted. Too bad that with many of us He waits so long, so very long, in vain.   - AW Tozer, “The Pursuit of God”

We need to wake up.  All is not yet over in this uncomfortable season that we are in.  As AW Tozer wrote over 50 years ago, God is waiting to be wanted.   In this season, is He waiting for us in vain?  

What are we waiting for?  For things to go back to normal?  For routine?  Eating out?  Socializing?  Entertaining?  Attending events?  Traveling?  Shopping?   All life activities that are normal, but in no means necessary.  Have you replaced some of that time with a fresh pursuit of God?

What if our pursuit of God played critical part of transforming brokenness into God's glory?

2 Chronicles 7:14- if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land

Humbling ourselves.  Taking initiative.  Our soul following HARD after him...

He's waiting...

Yesterday I started the day uploading a podcast I had recorded the day before.  Then after, I went for a walk using it to spur me on for the day.  I spent 45 minutes listening to God’s word, proclaiming God’s word, praying God’s word for myself and others.  Before you think I am patting myself on the back, wait for what happened next.

I went home and ate breakfast.  I changed clothes, and headed out for a simple task to get my vehicle inspected because it was due.  Yes, I waited to the last day of the month.  However, my check engine light had been on for weeks and I was hoping it would go off.  When I had gotten into the Jeep that morning it was off!  So just in time!  Just in time for a spiritual test...

What I thought was going to be an easy task, ate up my whole day.  For the first place I went, 3 bays were opened with cars in line.  I was one of them.  After about 15 minutes, I noticed a bay on the end, the only one that had a BIGGGGG banner across it that said "NY state inspections".  Since it was an oil change place, I figured that they had that special bay just for inspections... so as to not interrupt efficient flow of getting cars in and out for oil changes.  So I moved from my position; and went partially into that bay to ask.  No sooner do I do this, and a man with a stern look comes into the bay and starts waving his arms in upset for me to leave the bay.  I open my window and attempt to tell him I just needed an inspection and he barks out, “Get in line with everyone else.”  I told him that I was in line before; but since there was a sign on this bay for inspections…  He talks over me, cuts me off and says “unless I own the building, I should not be driving into the bay without first being ushered in”.   I was shocked.  Clearly he took great offense at what I had done, and refused to listen to my reasoning.  He stayed intense, and began motioning with his arms, using airplane controller type movements to silence me and get me to back out of the partial entry I made into the bay.

Well.  I could not believe how rude he was!  So I thought, “Forget you.  I’m leaving.”  I didn’t want to be serviced there.  I took offense at him taking offense.  So off I went to find another place and the next places required appointments.  So much for trying to stay close to home.  I decided to go to my normal place 20 minutes away.  Upon arriving, same backlog of cars for bays.  I was told it would be a wait of a couple of hours.  Okay. 

Long story short, 3 hours pass, during which time I leave and walk across to Wegmans.  I come back when its finished, only to check out to be wrongly charged for something they were to do (tire rotation), but didn’t do, but said they did.  I see my paperwork on the seat, read that they didn’t do it, bring back my receipt for a refund and the confusion ensues for an additional 10 minutes.  In the confusion I find myself short-tempered with them for arguing with me when they themselves typed the note into the system of not completing the work, which is also clearly on my paperwork. 

The manager admits he forgot it, which I do believe was sincere.  But then they couldn’t figure out how to refund the money.  At this point of the day, I have lost my patience and let them know I cannot continue to stay, to please figure it out and call me when it is done.  

Why am I detailing all of this?  Because this was a wake-up call to me.  I spent a good portion of the previous night in a 1 hour prayer walking session, then an hour interceding for the nation later on, then waking up to another prayer walk for an hour.  I was very disturbed with lack of Spirit led response. 

I knew that I did not extend grace to the manager who was being kind to me, but he was just overwhelmed with how busy they were.  He was clearly the one trying to help, apologizing for the mistake, and even though he couldn’t figure out how to refund me, was indeed trying to resolve it.  Plus, I knew that at the time I was leaving they had about 10-12 cars lined up in 3 bays all waiting for hours.  He was under tremendous pressure, and I knew it was like this for them all day.

So I dealt with myself.  I had a good talking to myself and with God.  I was not a jerk to them, but I was impatient and had let the earlier situation get me stewing and upset.  I had opportunity to speak and act in a way to reveal Jesus; but didn’t.

Just as soon as I was finishing up talking to God about this and evaluating myself, the manager calls and says he worked it out reversing the incorrect charge.  I had a much different frame of mind after repentance and was kinder, and expressed empathy.  He ended the call by adding he would not charge me for the inspection either because he felt badly about the inconvenience and time.  And invited me to come back another time, so he could look at my tires for free, and figure out how to get the stuck lug nuts off and complete the work.    

Again, why do I tell you all of this?  Because folks we are in different times.  And people are easily set off; and as a Christian we must have a spirit of self-control and a grace and mercy that stands out.  If I am in prayer all that time, yet letting the fact that things happened that ate up my whole day, and then snuffing out my light, how great of a witness am I?  This is not a time to be stewing within.  It's not a time to be demanding.  We may have to take some hits.  We may have to be like Jesus right now.  Yes.  It's time.  Let's be like Jesus, no offense.  I am saying that to myself and praying for the Spirit's work in me. 

He answers.  More time in prayer, more time with God makes us much more self-aware.  Why?  The Spirit is answering our prayers to make us more like Jesus.  If you want a "less of me, more of you" exercise, try episode #84 podcast from last week.  Found at this link, just scroll down to the episode.

Anybody who would have observed me yesterday might say, “What’s the big deal?  Anyone would have been annoyed.”  That’s not the point.  The point is revival within.  I'm not to be anybody.  I am to be a reflection of Christ.  And it is so desperately needed in me, it is so desperately needed in you.  It is a time to walk with the peace of Christ and reveal Him.

As we approach the elections, you can be sure more chaos is around the corner.  Chaos and anarchy have not yet subsided really.  It is still abounding in some cities.  Murder rates are rising at alarming rates in New York, Chicago and other areas.  Lawlessness is breaking out.  30 million people just had their unemployment benefits end.  People are on edge and easily perturbed like I experienced at my first stop yesterday.

We need a wake up call to the times still.  Would you say Christians are awake?  Are we in revival mode?  Or are we just in a mode of frustration or complacency wanting for things to go back to normal?  It’s not going back to normal.  And in it all, God is waiting to be wanted.  He is waiting for a fire in our belly to burn for Him. 

He can intervene.  He can heal.  He can turn things around.  He can revive us.  But it begins with you.  It begins with me.  Non-essential activity vs essential activity.  Strip down to essentials…

“If we would find God amid all the religious externals we must first determine to find Him, and then proceed in the way of simplicity. Now as always God discovers Himself to "babes" and hides Himself in thick darkness from the wise and the prudent. We must simplify our approach to Him. We must strip down to essentials (and they will be found to be blessedly few). We must put away all effort to impress, and come with the guileless candor of childhood. If we do this, without doubt God will quickly respond.” AW Tozer- The Pursuit of God

Give yourself a wake up call.  Assess if you are in a mode of revival or not.  Is the Spirit thriving in you?  Are you in hot pursuit?  Is God enough? 

If you want to go further in reading AW Tozer and the spiritual challenges he brings to bear, it might help in your wake-up call.  You can find it offered FREE from the Gutenburg project at this link- https://www.gutenberg.org/files/25141/25141-h/25141-h.htm

I highly recommend it.  I am re-reading it myself.

Otherwise, I have continued to release podcasts Monday-Friday.  I will highlight yesterday’s.  It is a 10 minute proclamation of blessing that you agree and proclaim.  Try using it while walking!  Listen to it more than once.  Let the truth of God’s blessings penetrate, take ownership of them!  Wake the sleeping giant within!  He’s waiting to be wanted!