Waiting On The Lord Is Like A Ping Pong Game!

Psalm 27:13-14

I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes wait for and confidently expect the Lord.  

TheBibleSays.com say this about these verses:  David acknowledges that left on his own he would not have been able to find and embrace the hope needed to carry on.  Rather, he would have despaired, a phrase rendered in English that is contextually understood from the negatively inclined Hebrew conjunction ("lule") meaning "unless" or "had it not been." The complete loss of hope, a full surrender to being overwhelmed by negative and opposing forces would likely have been David's fate EXCEPT that he had believed(Hebrew, "aman"). That belief, a wholehearted and active engagement with the Lord, unlocks all the possibilities and remedies made available by God to the believing soul,

Have you ever waited on God and despaired?  Felt a complete loss of hope?  Being overwhelmed with a full onslaught of negative and opposing forces?  You too?   

As you know, if you've read any of my previous blogs, we are in a transition of housing.  We've been here before.  We moved from KC to MO not knowing where until the night before.  We moved from a home in MO to another in MO with only a day knowing where.  We moved from a place in MT to this one with 12 days to spare (whew).  And this time we've had almost 3 full months to move and yet there is NOTHING available that meets our needs.  Either way too small for more money, too many stairs or way out of our budget.  Most are out of our budget.   We are down to 24 days to MOVING day.   Fortunately our landlord has said we could stay through 8/3 if needed so we may change moving day until 8/2.     We are still contending and believing for the open door into our destiny property, our forever home as the Lord has said.  We are asking for God to open only the door He has for us and keep all others shut (which the latter He is doing quite well).   

When you or I wait on God, in my experience, it seems to be a  pretty regular occurrence.  How about yours?  Why do you think God keeps us waiting and always showing up in the 11th hour?  For me, it's been a process to increase my faith in Him.  It's been a process of growing in deeper dependence on Him.  It's a process of greater preparation for what's next.  So why does it feel like my mind and thoughts are in the middle of a ping pong game.  

One minute strong in faith and believing for the impossible and the next doubt and fear and with cloudy vision that it won't happen.  

One minute it's knowing HE won't fail us and the next is overwhelming concern.  

One minute it's excitement and anticipating and the next hopelessness and depression. 

One minutes it's peace and comfort and the next it's frantic & overly stressful.  

One minute trusting all the Rhema words spoken by the Lord or others for you and the other wondering if any of it was true?  

One minute confidently expecting and the other utter despair.  

Are you feeling the ping pong game?  Just writing that, all the emotions I've been experiencing over the last few months came back in intensity.  The tears start flowing.  The fear creeps in.  And yet..... I place my trust in the only One who can open the doors for us.  Even if that's another rental or if it's Destiny Doors we've been trained and persevered for such a long time.  

I don't remember having these same up and down feelings the last several times we've had to trust God for our next home.  I sense that there are several factors this time.  

1.  Just maybe the warfare around destiny is greater because it's close.    We had a friend reach out and say that she was praying what the Lord showed her "people" who have been praying against our destiny. Ouch!   And we've experienced a little of this first hand because they don't have the same faith as God has given us.  That's ok.  This is our walk- not theirs.   If they can't pray in agreement with what we feel the Lord is saying, then really we don't want those prayers.   Ouch!    

2.  Maybe God is working in someone to bring forth the promise of destiny - and yet...   Someone once taught us that God uses others to bring forth His plans and will in others.  When we aren't responding to His promptings and are not willing then sadly others miss out on the blessings.  Others don't get their healing or  destiny.   God will bring it back around to another person or persons, but that often takes time.   I wonder how many of us have missed a blessing?  I wonder how many missed theirs because of our own disobedience?  

3.  A lot has changed in the world over the past few years.   Cost of living has gone up big time here in Montana.   A starter home here - 2 bedroom 1 bath is 300k or more.  The house we currently live in sold for 457k.   Our home in KC sold for that much and was 3 x the size and with 2 acres of land and a pool.  Rentals here are $2000 for a 2 bedroom 1 bath place with around 800 sq ft.   We currently reside in 1500 sq ft  3 bedrooms, 2 bath with 2 car garage and a detached building for $1750.  I never imagined I'd pay that much for rent.  And this is the high end of our budget.    And we are really tired of renting - the instability.  I do not like moving all the time!!!  I'm ready for my forever home! 

4.  And, recently I was diagnosed (again) with Hp Axis Adrenal Dysfunction which means that my ability to cope with anything stressful is limited.  My hypothalamus and pituitary glands are not up to par and communicating well.   Chronic Stress and Chronic Pain are the two biggies that cause this.  If you've know me for any period of time, you'll know chronic pain has been the past 40+ years.  And the last several years it's taken a huge toll on me and now the lab work shows that for sure!    I am trusting God to heal me as He has promised.  That is also part of the stress.  The same ping pong match on my health.   He made me a promise in 2002 that He would completely heal me.   And yet.........

How do you encourage yourself in the Lord?  How do you stay strong in the middle of trials and waiting?  How do you know you're hearing clearly from the Lord?

IT'S TIME!   There is such a need for what God has called us too.  Many are feeling it's time.  We come in agreement with what the Spirit is speaking!  IT'S TIME!  

Yesterday I was in my quiet time, and the Lord spoke to me some very specific things about what's next.  And I kind of rolled my eyes like am I really hearing you?   And He said He'd confirm this word.  Within an hour a friend of mine sent a prophetic word written by someone else and I'm not kidding you much of it was verbatim what the Lord spoke to me.   And then another person sent me a direct prophetic word that confirmed it again.   I just read in John 8 about 2 witnesses.  So that helps for the "moment" not to second guess it.     

One thing I like to do is worship even if it feels hard.  One song I love is this one - https://youtu.be/-RvyLVpsZdc?si=GpqeHSUFe6U8E-rs   On Time God.  

God is never early - never late - but always right on time.   I don't know what that really means.  Do you? He won't fail us.  He will provide.  He will meet our every need.  He has a perfect place for us.  His word won't return void.    He is faithful and trustworthy!   He will do it!  And even if he doesn't, we will still trust Him.  He's a good good Father.   

Two promises I'm clinging to- both the Lord spoke to me when we were in MO.

Isaiah 32:18 And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places 

Isaiah 65:9 I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, and from Judah those who will possess my mountains; my chosen people will inherit them, and there will my servants live

We are ready!  

Please pray for my healing - especially from this new diagnosis.  I'm not sleeping much.  I'm jumpy, no energy, no mental motivation.  It's not fun!!  Please pray for Ken as he tweaked his back and that has been difficult for him especially with his work up and down ladders.   Please pray for THE LORD TO OPEN ONLY THE DOOR HE HAS FOR US!  That covers it all!      Thank you.

Let me know how I can pray for you! 

Hugs, love and prayers.

Ken & Michele Cole 

michele@wantinsight.com

michelecole.thrivelife.com - quality freeze dried food - simple to use, quality, non GMO, nutritious & delicious.   I am looking for people who might want to host a Tasting Party - you can earn free food without even spending anything.  

Here are ways you can give if you feel led:

1.  Non tax deductible donations can be made to:

     Ken & Michele Cole, 103 Geneva Ave, Hamilton, MT 59840  (preferable as the options below will tax us) 

     This is the only way currently we can use funds for our personal needs at this time.  or through 

Paypal - paypal.me/micheleacole 

Venmo- @Michele-Cole-20

Cashapp - cash.app/$micheleacole2019     

2.  Tax deductible options:

     Checks payable to Sonlit Fields, 103 Geneva Ave, Hamilton, MT 59840

     This goes into our ministry account to be used for outreach and saving towards our vision.

     Donor Fund - The Signatry - Ken & Michele Cole - listed under Want InSight Fund.

     7171 W 95th Street, Suite 501, Overland Park, KS 66212

     Phone 913 310 0279

     www.thesignatry,com

     This is an option to keep gifts anonymous - again for outreach and savings toward our vision.

Vision

God has given us a vision to build a retreat property along with ministry equipping center.  

The retreat portion of our ministry is to provide a safe place for pastors, lay leaders & other ministry folks to come and be refreshed & encouraged through prophetic ministry (if wanted).  We will offer private cabins with kitchens & full bathrooms, and plenty of places to roam on the property to get quiet with the Lord. 

We will offer other specialty retreats - marriage, healing, prophetic teaching & activating people into the world & health and wellness retreats and more.  

The Lord has graced us with the desire to come alongside the Church - to bring healing, deliverance & freedom to new/newer believers.  We are not wanting to replace their church, but better help them be ready to serve in their church. 

In our community building - we will eventually have a 24/7 prayer room, healing & prophetic rooms and a place for community worship services for those on the property.  

Our passion is to minister to a lost & hurting world.   To equip the saints to do the same and to be a blessing to our community and surrounding areas.  Our hopes are that we can pour out God's love in a mighty way to bring more and more souls into the Kingdom, get them discipled, called into their purpose & destiny and released to do God's business!!!!  We also have a passion to give generously to help those in need and to help others launch into their God given destinies.   

   

 

         

 

          

 

 

 

 

 

Joyful Shouting Will Come!

Nehemiah 12:43 And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.

Have you ever found yourself waiting on God to fulfill a promise He has spoken to you?  When will that day come?  

Today, my reading was in Nehemiah 12.  I don't know whether it was lack of sleep or lack of focus from lack of sleep, but I was not "getting" anything from the passage.   So I went to journaling where I poured out my cries and heart to the Lord once again.   Blah blah blah - really!  I wonder if He gets tired of hearing from me.   I said Lord, I am tired.  I am weary on so many levels.  You have promised this and promised that and YET I still have not seen the answers, the promises fulfilled. 

I'm the persistent widow day in day out crying out.  I'm the lady clinging to the hem of Jesus's garment.  I'm the one leper that always comes back and gives God thanks and praise for something He has done.  I'm the centurion with great faith trusting He will bring forth healing.  I'm Abraham surrendering my Isaac to the Lord repeatedly.  I'm the one my 4 friends are lowering on the mat through the roof.  I'm Job wondering what chapter I'm in of that book and hoping its the last one. I'm Elijah being fed by a raven.   I'm Lazarus at times wondering if Jesus will come before I die. I'm Joseph pit, prison and waiting.  I'm Thomas saying I won't believe until I see.   I'm Moses wandering in the wilderness for now 38 years... trying hard to not murmur and complain.   I feel like some of the minor prophets having to "experience" the word that God has given them to share with His people.   

All of these and others had to experience long waits.  They had to wait forever it seemed for God to come through, for God to rescue them, for God to heal them, for God to take them into their promised land, for the promises to be made manifest.   I am no different - and most likely you aren't either.  

So after I journaled much of what I just wrote... the Lord said look up some commentary on Nehemiah 12.  I stumbled on this blog below.  As I read it, it seemed as if the Lord wanted me to find this blog.  He was reassuring me, that He is working behind the scenes.  He is working things for my good.  And He will for you too.   

----

https://www.thewarehouse.blog/nehemiah-12/

“When the Lord brought back the captive ones of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with joyful shouting; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; We are glad. Restore our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the South. Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”

Psalm 126

It seemed like a dream.  The people of captivity had not only served their God-ordered time through being in exile, God had begun the process of restoration.  The temple was built.  The walls were complete.  The city of Jerusalem was safe.  Nehemiah brought all the Levites together, had massive amounts of choirs who through the dedication of the wall was a time of celebration.  I’m sure they never believed it would happen.

But it did.  And it came in God’s timing.

There are things we each hold to or wonder, will it ever happen?  There are countless tears we’ve cried over situations, people and our own life of regret.  We’re like those who dream.  Dream of something that is so far beyond our reach and seems to be impossible.

This lifetime brings a lot of sowing in tears.  Heartache is a constant.  Sadness and loneliness can be suffocating.  Disappointment often bites at our heels.  We stare into the future and think things will never change, people will never change, our life will never change.  What’s interesting to consider:

Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

As the Psalm states, as the one who weeps is still sowing.  They’re scattering seed as they go even in deep sadness.  It’s really something to think about.  They don’t stop doing what they’ve been called to do.  In season and out of season, they continue their job.

God has the greatest ability to restore things that once were burnt up, broken, desolate.  Forest fires in time see new growth.  Broken bones heal.  And as much as it sounds cliche, God is able to bring good from any tragedy we are experiencing.

If we don’t have hope, then what do we have?  Some may be at a point of quitting.  Others may be in the mindset of ‘what’s the use?’  Darkness in some situation may be thick.  Beyond what the situation
dictates cling to, hold to, remind yourself that in time God’s great harvest of joy is coming.

-----

What really caught my eye was the part which says, the one who weeps is still sowing. They are scattering seed.  They don't stop doing what they've been called to do.  That is true with me.  Though I am contending for my healing, for the financial provision for the vision, I am still doing all that God has asked.   I am thankful for the people along the way who encourage me with kind words amazed at all I do despite the suffering....  It's those little things that strengthen me.    

My point with all this is this - just as it said - keep doing what you know that God has asked of you (whether that's a knowing in your heart, or simply what the Word of God asks us to do).   Stay in faith.  I don't always agree with the statement "His timing is perfect" but when it comes, hindsight will make sense of this.  It always does.   He will do what He says!!    

God has spoken to me often - that when the dream is realized, when the promises come forth, I'll say repeatedly pinch me to see if this is real.  And He says "they" will know that I AM the Lord your God! I cannot wait for that day!  

Prayer & Praises - 

Ken - please continue to pray for Ken - strength and endurance and for 40 hour work week.  He's already working outside these past 2 days with snow overnight and forecasted all week.  Montana hasn't decided it's spring yet.   

Michele - My friend and I have been working diligently on 1 of 4 books I am writing.  It's time consuming and takes a lot of mental energy.  Please pray for sleep - and mental focus.  I am still soliciting stories... something you've prayed for and how God answered.  If you would message me we can coordinate a time to chat and I can scribe while you share the story. 

Please pray for provision - for the vision and for everyday living.  God is faithful! We are trying to decide whether to sell our 2nd car.  Ken has a company truck..and we don't use the car often....but it would be expensive to replace it if the need arises.  

Our home group is so rich and rewarding....and so full of the Holy Spirit moving.  

Our pastor of church asked me to plan and do all regarding a Seder coming this Friday. So that has kept me busy and will through Friday pm.  

Saturday we head to Butte, Mt where we will see Bob Sorge speak.   He's from KC - and an amazing teacher.  We used to have him at our home church in Kc often.   There's a group of us going.  It will be a good time.  Please PRAY for NO snow or inclement weather as forecasted.  We are staying on top of a hill in a Airbnb - which we have before.  Literally a straight steep road down.  It will not be pleasant if there is bad weather.  Butte is also higher elevation which tends to have more snow. 

Thank you for your love and support of us and all that God is doing.  We are thankful for those of you who pray for us.  

Hugs, love and prayers.

Ken & Michele Cole 

michele@wantinsight.com

michelecole.thrivelife.com - quality freeze dried food - simple to use, quality, non GMO, nutritious & delicious.   I am looking for people who might want to host a Tasting Party - you can earn free food without even spending anything.  

Here are ways you can give if you feel led:

1.  Non tax deductible donations can be made to:

     Ken & Michele Cole, 103 Geneva Ave, Hamilton, MT 59840  (preferable as the options below will tax us) 

     This is the only way currently we can use funds for our personal needs at this time.  or through 

Paypal - paypal.me/micheleacole 

Venmo- @Michele-Cole-20

Cashapp - cash.app/$micheleacole2019     

2.  Tax deductible options:

     Checks payable to Sonlit Fields, 103 Geneva Ave, Hamilton, MT 59840

     This goes into our ministry account to be used for outreach and saving towards our vision.

     Donor Fund - The Signatry - Ken & Michele Cole - listed under Want InSight Fund.

     7171 W 95th Street, Suite 501, Overland Park, KS 66212

     Phone 913 310 0279

     www.thesignatry,com

     This is an option to keep gifts anonymous - again for outreach and savings toward our vision.

Vision

God has given us a vision to build a retreat property along with ministry equipping center.  

The retreat portion of our ministry is to provide a safe place for pastors, lay leaders & other ministry folks to come and be refreshed & encouraged through prophetic ministry (if wanted).  We will offer private cabins with kitchens & full bathrooms, and plenty of places to roam on the property to get quiet with the Lord. 

We will offer other specialty retreats - marriage, healing, prophetic teaching & activating people into the world & health and wellness retreats and more.  

The Lord has graced us with the desire to come alongside the Church - to bring healing, deliverance & freedom to new/newer believers.  We are not wanting to replace their church, but better help them be ready to serve in their church. 

In our community building - we will eventually have a 24/7 prayer room, healing & prophetic rooms and a place for community worship services for those on the property.  

Our passion is to minister to a lost & hurting world.   To equip the saints to do the same and to be a blessing to our community and surrounding areas.  Our hopes are that we can pour out God's love in a mighty way to bring more and more souls into the Kingdom, get them discipled, called into their purpose & destiny and released to do God's business!!!!  We also have a passion to give generously to help those in need and to help others launch into their God given destinies.