As
I look back on the troubles and trials our little church has went through last
year I’m also reminded of the victories that the Lord has brought us to. Many
of us have felt the pressures similar to Job when he lost everything he had;
livestock, children, and wives were destroyed in one moment and the children of
Israel when they were in bondage and slavery for 400 years. All of this only
shows us that our time is growing shorter and shorter for the coming of Jesus.
Myself
and several members have fought financial difficulties and some health issues
but our little church building itself has also had some financial difficulties
and health issues so to speak when the power surge hit the power lines due to a
fallen tree we lost several electrical things in the building. The computer,
some mics, microwave, coffee pot, lights were blown and the heater/ac unit were
messed up. The electric company felt it
was an act of nature but actually I feel it was an act of God. The members of
this little church that are having the financial difficulties are finding funds
to put into replacing these items that were destroyed in one moment.
God
is using this power surge to help us to grow in knowing that even though things
do not look very good in this moment in time if we the children of God will
continue to work hard, pray, fast, read the word, and put on the whole armor of
God we will be able to stand. I believe that in a previous writing I mentioned
about a dream I had some years back. I was in a field standing next to a large
oak tree with my armor on and fighting with my sword drawn all I could see of
the enemy was the other sword. At times I would get tired of fighting and
suddenly two hands would show up; one would hold me around the waist as I
leaned against the tree and the other would take the sword and fight the enemy
while I rested.
I
have seen this vision again in 2014 and this time I heard Him speak to me and
say “Hold on my children for the time is near for my coming,
stand and see the glory of your God. For you are my people and I will bring you
to victory, again.” He has not
and will not forsake us at any time for we must keep our eyes on the prize not
on the circumstances or the situation each one of us is facing at this time. I
have felt in my heart that 2014 was going to be the year of increase in favor
and blessings. The Lord has already helped to replace several items in our
little building and He will also replace the things in our personal situations.
Remember in Matthew 6 it tells us to seek the kingdom of God first
and all the other things will be added to us. The Lord requires us to give Him our attention and one of
the best ways to do this is to pray continuously, reading and studying the word
continuously, and fasting often. If the Lord cares about the little sparrow how
much more does he care about each one of us. We were made in His image not the
little sparrow; God created the little birds, the trees, and the flowers for
our enjoyment. We can sit under the tree for shade, listen to the birds
singing, smell the flowers, and drink form the river to refresh us.
If
I were to look at my own situation I would be living in my van out in the cold
within a couple weeks; but I cannot allow my focus to be changed in any way.
God is loving and caring when it comes to His children. I am a child of the
living God and He owns it all; from the snowcaps of the highest mountain to the
lilies in the deepest valley. If I stay focused and were to speak to a mountain
to be removed it will be; I wake up every morning asking the Lord for guidance
and help with my unbelief and when I close my eyes each night I thank Him for
helping me with my unbelief because I did make it one more day. If I were to
look past more than one day I do not think I could make it, so as we say quite
often in our little church one day at a time and sometimes we only think about
one moment at a time.
In Proverbs 16 it tells us to roll your works upon the Lord – commit
and them wholly to Him and your plans will be established and succeed. So if we will just put our problems in the hands of the
Lord, He will take them and work them for our good. Let’s not just sit here on
our little pews with our head down whining about our problems; but let’s get on
our feet, throw our hands in the air, and shout unto the Lord with praises; for
when we do this the spirit of the Lord will come down with His anointing giving
us strength to go another day. We do not even need to wait till church time to
do this either; we should do this at home often.
In John 16 it tells us that we can have perfect peace and confidence
in God even though we have trials and tribulation because God has overcome the
world. He took the keys to death, hell, and the
grave away from Satan when He died on the cross. In Psalm
113 He tells us that from the rising of the sun to the setting of the sun on
the same day we are to bring praises to the Lord. So do not just sit still waiting for bomb to blow but
shout unto the Lord for our victory is near. Job stood firm and kept his trust
in the Lord, the Lord replaced his home, his livestock, gave him twice as many
children and wives. The children of Israel were delivered from Egypt; not only
did God bring them out but He destroyed all the soldiers, the livestock, the
rivers, and all the firstborn sons from the smallest family to the king
himself.
As
we step into this New Year let us not look at the situation in our life but
keep the praises of our Lord going up, our eyes on the prize and know that even
if the Lord does not deliver us from this troublesome trial He is still God, He
still owns it all, and He still loves us. This is our chance to make a new
start and trust in Him till He returns to take us home. Look up, watch for His
coming, and be a blessing to others. If the Lord can find the funds to replace
the items in our little building He will also find the funds to get us from day
to day plus heal our bodies from the infirmities that is keeping us from doing
the work we are called to do on this earth while we wait for His coming. Watch
and see the glory of the Lord; if He will restore Job and bring the children of
Israel out of bondage He will also restore our little church and bring each of
us out of bondage.
Written By: Karen ReNee
