Dear Church,
I don’t know if I’ve told you lately, but I love you. And the love that I have for you comes out in a similar way to Paul’s love for the Galatians. He said of them:
My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you Gal 4:19.
After so long a time in this Body I have come to a place in my personal and pastoral life where I have answered the question God asked me over a year ago,
“What do you want and What would you do to get it?”
Now after a year I am willing to do what I would do to get it. So Wednesday Nov. 5th, I began a fast that will be quite extended – my spirit is screaming “40 days”. So I have begun. I will write more later, but I wanted you to know this now. And yes, it means that I will not eat any food for this period so please understand my inability to have lunch or dinner with you.
It is important that you know what I am doing because I already see how Satan will come to war against not only me, but you. It is so important for you to remember all those Scriptures about being “alert” to the Enemy. Peter even tells us that he “prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour”. Believe me, in the next 40 days there will be an evil force that will come against this Body in fierce form. Be especially aware of every negative thought that you have – Every whisper in your mind to see anyone…you…me…your church family in a negative light. That will be the Devil seeking to take you down. Don’t listen. Don’t make any major decisions in these days without obeying Proverbs 24:6:
For by wise guidance you will wage war,
And in abundance of counselors there is victory.
And pray. Pray for God to come to this place in His power.
Pray that God would “unhinder” your pastor.
Pray that I would become the unbound “Strongman” whose house cannot be plundered.
And most of all clench tightly the promise of God in your fist:
‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 12 ‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 ‘You willseek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jer 29:11-14
Seek Him, with me.
See you Sunday.
I know our body of believers will be lifting you up during this time. I pray that the enemy will be bound by the God of eternity.
What do I want and what would I do to get it — HUH! I don’t want for material things, I want for happiness, I want for my children to find the Lord, I want God to give me the inner peace I so desire and need.
I can relate to your struggle. Satan is always right there ready to pounce when he sees an opening in our spirit, an downness in our happiness. I pray that God will always allow me to see when Satan is near so I can get on my knees and pray him away.
I find myself over extending myself, giving all my time to those in need and losing sight of where I should be concerning me and my relationship with God.
If it weren’t for the promise of God in the fist I would surely lose control.
We need to always be aware of God, aware of those around us who say they care, but really don’t.
I turned to a friend last week and shared my feelings because I was hurting and that friend did nothing. I was so very hurt because the response I received from this Christian was a canned response and it felt so cold that I cried even more.
I am still struggling with that situation, and am praying for God to help me to let it go because I love this friend eventhough I don’t think this person really wants to be my friend. I am very confused.
I guess I must have opened my hand, unclenched my fist, and now I have to allow God to help me tighten it again.
The thought that came to my mind was of a shepherd laying in the gate for his sheep. He doesn’t do it just because it’s his job. He does it because of his love and care for his sheep. He lays in the spot of danger so they can lay in the spot of safety. I am so excited about the 40 days ahead for you and Woodland. I know God will bless that. You will be in my prayers.
Have you finally found a way to shut the people of Woodland up? Seems they’re at a loss for words! God be with you. You will be in my constant prayers. What a task you have ahead of you!
Nahh, were just about to get louder!!! CROAK, CROAK.
You go brother!!! You are the man!!! If any one can do it I think you can. Keep us posted on any visions you may have that we might need to know about. And stay alert and focused at all times for you will be attacked from all angles. This task will be sooooo tough on you. Know that you can lean on God and this body for strength and encouragement. We will go on this quest with you. Let us all find him together. I love you man. No? Let me rephrase that. We Love You Brother Man!!!