A Temporary Matter in Your Everlasting Life

 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing,

Do you feel like God has pressed the "hold" button on you? You know He's there, you know He's speaking, but somebody must have pressed the "mute" button on your prayer line? There are many in the body of Christ who can testify that if they were to look around at their situation right now, it looks nothing like the promise of God. But, let me encourage you to take your eyes off of what you see and focus your spiritual sight on what you don't see. This is a temporary matter in your everlasting life.

Paul understood this better than most. He wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 "We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed".  Yes, you are being hard pressed, but the anointing oil of the Lord Jesus Christ is flowing out of your life. Every tear is cleansing, every prayer is effectual and every praise is breaking forth! Yes, you are perplexed and aren't sure what to do, but if you put on your spiritual blind fold and follow the voice of the Lord, He will lead you out of that place of despair and into your divine destiny. You may even be persecuted and struck down by word or deed, but know that God will not forsake you and every tongue that rises up against you, according to Isaiah 54:17, you shall destroy. See, it's only a temporary matter in your everlasting life. 

What you are faced with now, what you are experiencing right now, is only minor in comparison of what God has established for you to walk in in your greater glory. Yes, we are going to see the manifestation of the promises of God on this side of glory, but let's not forget about GLORY either. Every pain you endure, every tear you cry, every blow you take means something to the Lord. It is not in vain. 

God does not have you on "mute", though He may have you on hold. Don't throw in the towel or throw the fight. As cliche as it may sound, keep waiting on the Lord and watch His salvation perform itself in your life.  You have one of two choices: endure the pain of patience and overcome in this life and the next or you can make a temporary decision on a everlasting circumstance without the voice of God. The choice is yours.

So what can you do? Continue to pray. Continue to study the Word of God. Continue to fast and seek the face of the Lord. You may be experiencing a great challenge in the flesh and may not feel like you're going to make it until tomorrow, but as the Word of God says, do not lose heart as your spirit man is being renewed and established in the Lord even on today. Remember, it's only a temporary matter in your everlasting life.

Tracy Gale

Joy as a Choice

Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." - Nehemiah 8:10b

I remember a song that we used to sing years ago called "This Joy that I Have". One of the verses says "the world didn't give to me and the world can't take it away". As I've matured as a woman and as a daughter of the Lord, I've realized that while the world didn't give us joy and the world does not have the authority to take it away, somehow we tend to put aside our joy and when pick up the cares of this world.

In order to live in the joy of Lord, we must adhere to John 15:10-11 "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy remain in you and that your joy may be full." We must choose to abide and obey.

Somehow, our joy becomes more of a burden than a strength. When we are dealing with issues, we don't always choose to mediate on the goodness of Jesus and rest right there. When the pain of life is aching in our souls, joy is not instantly the first thing that comes to mind and all too often, many fall prey to the enemy's traps. Weakness settles into our spirits and before you know it, we are feeling defeated and depressed. But, we don't have to stay in that place because the joy of the Lord is our strength.

Here are few truths about the joy of the Lord:

1. Joy is limitless.

2. Joy knows no boundaries.

3. Joy can be activated at will.

4. Joy cannot be contained.

5. Joy = STRENGTH!

You can activate your limitless joy that knows no boundaries or cannot be contained and obtain strength today.  Choose the joy of the Lord to obtain your strength today by choosing to abide and obey.

Looking forward,

 GOD is in the fire! "Look!" he answered, "I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God." - Daniel 3:25 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were forced into an unfair situation. Either they would choose to bow to the king and his idol or they could choose to stand for the true and living God they served. The three of them were bound and were put into a fire so hot that the men who escorted them in were killed inadvertently. Most of us know how the story ends...the Lord God Almighty, showed up on the scene and not one hair on their bodies nor was their clothing singed by the flames. So what's my point? 

You may be faced with some unfair practices and situations in your life right now. Your finances may be under attack, your health may be challenged and your peace of mind may be disturbed. Quite frankly, all hell may have broken out around you today. Whatever the situation is that has your mind going like a horse on a race track and your spirit man pacing the floor of your temple, rest at ease that GOD is in the fire.  That circumstance might be a hot issue going on right now. You may not know if you'll have electricity tomorrow when you hit the switch or if your car will be outside when you leave for work in the morning, just know that GOD is in the fire! The doctor may not know what to do and the prognosis looks grim; just know that GOD is in the fire! Your children may be turning completely out and you may be at odds with your spouse threatening the very core of your family, know that GOD is in the fire!   

Beloved, don't be afraid of the fire because GOD is going to meet you there. You may not be able to see it right now. You may not know where you next blessing is coming from. You may not be able to track how the next miracle is going to take place in your life, but I guarantee you this one thing...GOD is able!  

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego didn't have time to worry or complain about the situation. There was no option for compromise or confusion. They simply concluded that whatever the king decided to threaten them with, however the king decided to attack them, that they served a God who is able.  He is able to protect us. He is able to keep us. He is able and He is willing to rescue us in our time of need.  

Don't be afraid of the fire, because GOD is in there waiting for you to pull you out of that situation and to bring deliverance to every area of your life! The pressure is on and the fire is smoking. What are you going to do? 

O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live. Isaiah 38:16

Recovering Gifted Leaders

Not everyone is a leader, but you know you are. Challenge and discouragement has caused the fulfillment of purpose to be delayed in your life. But, you are NOT denied! Recovering Gifted Leaders will propel you in a forward momentum into the destiny God designed for you. Upon completion of this 5-week course, you will gain another level of confidence and acquire the tools and weaponry needed to be a successful leader in the Kingdom of God. Upon course completion, each attendee will receive a certificate of completion, an apostolic charge and individual prophetic ministry.

Four intense workshop sessions coupled with one power-packed apostolic charge designed for serious leaders and leaders in training. These workshops are limited to the first 20 registrants for a more personable approach in an intimate setting for you to receive optimum training.

Workshops are Fridays in April 2007. One Day Conference on May 4,2007 in Columbus, Ohio.