Meth

This is what the Lord says: 'Cries of fear are heard— terror, not peace. Ask and see: Can a man bear children? Then why do I see every strong man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor, every face turned deathly pale? How awful that day will be! None will be like it. It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be saved out of it.' 'In that day,' declares the Lord Almighty, 'I will break the yoke off their necks and will tear off their bonds; no longer will foreigners enslave them. Instead, they will serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.'
Jer. 30:5-9

2 meth seminars and many thots about my brother... let's just say my prayer life has reached a new level for those oppressed by drugs. it is a spiritual battle, i am convinced of this. this morning when i opened by Bible, it fell on this 30th chapter of Jeremiah. i couldn't help but see how the parallel connection between this passage and those affected by drugs.

perhaps you can hear the cries of fear and terror coming from the users, their families and friends. or how about the men with their hands on their stomachs and their deathly pale complexion? i can see it so clearly - the illness that follows using drugs and alcohol. it is awful! it is a time of trouble, but God promises that the user will be saved out of it. Jesus will break that slavery of satan, and set the captives free. no longer will these users be enslaved by the drugs. these free men will serve the Lord instead of the drugs.

Jesus is our hope. He is the One to set the captives free. He saves those who call on His Name. in the past this verse has jumped out at me - maybe because it seems so redundant. 'Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for You are the One I praise.' (Jer. 17:14) but i'm learning there is a much deeper understanding to these words. it takes Jesus to really save us... and heal us... We need Him. addicts need Him.

Jesus,
even as i learn the effects of meth and other drugs, i can't help but see that it is a spiritual battle. and tho the battle rages, the war is won. You've conquerered... tho i don't quite understand that completely. the war seems like all i see, tho i know this is only a battle. may You rise up workers who are willing to reach out with Your love to those addicted to meth and other drugs. come, Holy Spirit, in power and release these captives. let us run in grace to the throne of our Father. like a mighty wind or torrential rain - come and make Your Name known. we need You Jesus. equip us to train others to obey You.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen
*Derrick *Thomas *Kevin's friend

But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you
Luke 6:27

He must become greater; I must become less.
John 3:30

great - by ten shekel shirt

I have always wanted to be
somebody who is great

To be great in, great in
your eyes, is my dream
To be the one who makes
you smile is everything

To love my enemies
To serve others until I
become the least

To be great in, great in
your eyes, is my dream
To be the one who makes
you smile is everything

Greatness in this world
is different than greatness
in your eyes

To be great in, great in
your eyes, is my dream
To be the one who makes
you smile is everything

To be genuine in my love
for others and for you is
to be great

Interceding with God

Then Samuel said, "Assemble all Israel at Mizpah and I will intercede with the Lord for you."
1 sam. 7:5

They said to Samuel, "Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines." Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it up as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. He cried out to the Lord on Israel's behalf, and the Lord answered him.
1 sam. 7:8-9

prayer... speaking with God... requesting God to do something... seeking wisdom from God... begging God to deliver us... thanking Him for answering our prayers... praising Jesus for saving us... isn't it amazing that the God of the universe desires us to speak with Him about what's on our hearts?

this passage, 1 samuel 7, speaks of samuel stepping up to the plate and crying out with God on behalf of the israelites. (did you noticed the word 'with'? how cool is that?) and i can imagine Jesus kneeling with His head to the ground, and Samuel next to Him in the same position. and all their words intertwined - where one ends the other begins. kinda how Jesus met with God on the mount of olives before He was betrayed.

hebrews 5:6 says, 'During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.' guess samuel did the same for His people. guess i should be doing the same for my people.

i know that life is lived in two realms, the physical and the spiritual. and tho i know of the spiritual, my focus tends to fall on the physical. and paul tells us that our battle isn't against humans, but against the spiritual forces manifesting themselves thru humans. (eph. 6:12) so tho it may not look like i am in a war zone, i cannot deny that i live in barracks. and with Jesus and samuel, my prayers shall be of the same urgency as they interceded with God to save their people from the enemies waging war against their souls.

denise and i were discussing some events which took place this weekend. saturday morning there was an accident involving about 50 students and leaders travelling to a christian spiritual retreat. on saturday this man gave denise's car a door ding, and acted as tho it was her fault. then on the way home from an event later saturday night, we were stuck in traffic b/c of an accident. let me re-emphasize: i cannot deny that i am involved in a war.

Jesus,
how can i be so oblivious to the war that is raging all around me? may Your grace flood over me, giving me wisdom on how to combat the forces of evil. help me to see past the physical and know who is under fire. sensitize my heart to not only see the war, but to use the weapons You've taught me to use. Your people are not defenseless, tho they too often fail to use their weapons. thank You for choosing me to be a soldier in Your army. i want to be a valiant fighter for You. let me not be ineffective.

Your protection around that bus shows of Your love. Holy Spirit, encompass each of these people affected by this accident to see that You love them and have protected them. i pray over the service tonight for the youth in our community. may You use the speaker to express the Truth You want us to hear. i pray against distraction, equipment failure, and unbelief. may lives be changed by the blood that cleanse us from sin. come, Holy Spirt, in power and might that we may see God clearly and be convicted of our sin and released from the chains of the evil one. You are God of all, and father to those who long for a dad. let us draw near to You, embracing the grace You have for us. set the captives free, Jesus, please.
in the power of Jesus' name ~ Amen
*Jack *Courtney *Melissa

Seasons

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1 pet 5:10

personal restoration by Jesus. getting personal by making us strong, firm and steadfast. i want to experience that again. i have before, but i want to again. seems like it's been awhile since i felt this.

there are seasons in life; there are times of drought, times of plenty, times of rejoicing and mourning. lately it's felt like a drought, or the winter season when things seem dead and cold. i'm looking forward to a change in season. i can sense that a new thing is beginning. it may be a year, but i trust that a new season will come.

oh to be steadfast in the Lord, in my witness, in my boldness to share the gospel. 'steadfast' is one of those words that makes me think of my faith journey. i know some believers who i would consider steadfast - they inspire me to strive to know Christ more. and that knowledge of the Holy One leads to a faithful and steadfast believer.

hey Jesus,
You are the God of all grace. thanks for calling me to Your eternal glory. You tell us that if we believe in You we will suffer like You. and You promise to deliver us, restore us, and make us strong and steadfast. help me to know You more; open my heart to know Your voice. What are You trying to say to me? i quiet myself and wait for Your to speak.
in Jesus Name ~ Amen
*Sam *Lisa *Jack

Who's Great?

'O Sovereign Lord, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do?'
Moses ~ deut. 3:24

'For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.'
Jesus ~ luke 22:27

when i woke up this morning, one of my first thoughts was how little time i've been spending in the presence of Jesus. perhaps i should have said, 'in the presence of Greatness'. as i think of the greatness of God, or in ways that Jesus serves me, i'm truly humbled that He would desire to call me into His likeness.

Charlie Hall has a song, psalm 126. check out that link to see all the lyrics. what great things can i attribute to God and no one else? how has He revealed His greatness to me? and another question: how has Jesus served me today? in today's society, we are taught (and commanded) to 'serve God', but this passage clearly says that He came to serve. i don't think i've ever thought of ways that Christ has served me. i think of ways that He 'blesses' me, but to think that Christ serves me is quite a different thought. use your imagination and envision Christ serving you. what image came to mind? to me, that image is pretty entertaining.

Jesus,
You have done great things for me. for You to serve me is a new thought, tho i should have known this all along. there is so much talk these days about doing great things for You that i forget to meditate on the great things You do for me. help me to learn from Your example. help me to take 'backseat middle' with joy, to give my offering with trust knowing You'll be honored, to surrender myself to the flames when they arise - for You've shown Yourself faithful in all these little things - and that makes You great. if lowering myself makes me like You, that so be it. and Amen.
*Jenna *Shelby *Devin