Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever.
Psalm 118:1
Today, as I woke up and looked out on the yard covered in snow, I thought how about how thankful I am that we serve a loving God, who covers our sins and makes us white as snow. (Isaiah 1:18) Jesus' blood covers our sins, covers our sinful behaviors and gives us new mercies each morning. Today, being New Years Day... I felt led to just sit and praise God for His goodness, for His love and thank Him for the many blessings He bestows on us.
I am thankful for Jesus!
I am thankful for His Word!!
I am thankful for answered prayers!
I am thankful that I actually slept last night (first night in a long time).
I am thankful that when I awoke, I had a short reprieve on my pain.
I am thankful for a wonderful husband who has been and is an amazing caretaker.
I am thankful that my husband is healthy, handsome, strong and loves the Lord and who loves me.
I am thankful that God has blessed us with a nice home and all the comforts of home.
I am thankful for our dogs who loves us unconditionally (Just like Jesus) and the joy they bring to us.
I am thankful for so many wonderful friends and family who pray for us regularly!
I am thankful for those who have been so generous in ongoing support of our ministry (Want InSight) and for believing in us and what God has called us to do!
I am thankful that God trusts us enough to minister to those in need and for the many opportunities we have had and will have to serve others! What a blessing and an honor!
I am thankful for God sending us to Peru this time last year. Though it was probably the most difficult thing we did, it was also the most incredible time we have experienced God at work in amazing miraculous ways! And believe it or not, we are willing and ready to go back whenever He leads.
I am thankful that no matter what our country is going through (a fiscal cliff), or what the world throws at us, our God is bigger than all of that.
I am thankful that God is Jehovah-Jireh - our God who provides!
I am thankful that God is Jehovah-Ropha - our God who heals! (and I can't wait for healing to come)
I am thankful that God is all - knowing. Nothing happens without His knowledge!
I am thankful that God is sovereign and in control. Though bad things happen, He is is with us, He cares for us and He will see us through our difficult times.
I am thankful that even when we're not so faithful to God, He is always faithful to us! He will never leave us nor forsake us!
There are soooooooo many things I could list here but you get the idea!
Ministry Update
People asks us what we do, what our ministry is. Ken and I serve the Lord with open hands and open hearts. We don't have a typical ministry plan because God has us following His lead daily. The Spirit is our guide. When the Lord speaks, we listen and then go and do what He asks! We join God in His work and in His way! We are His children - created by Him for Him!! Here's a quote I recently saw on the Encouragement Facebook page that sums it up nicely:
“Encouragement is like oxygen to the human spirit. Don’t forget you’re carrying someone else’s air. Encourage them; help them breathe.” ♥
- We get to partner with God and pray for those who are sick and in the hospital. (Often times we don't know who they are until we show up where God has led us)- We get to partner with God and lead groups in the prisons and build relationship with some who have been released and need a support system.
- We get to partner with God and take people on "treasurehunts" - helping them to hear God's voice and be His hands and feet to a world who desperately needs Jesus! We have led many to the Lord, seen many get healing, many get deliverance and many encouraged! Praise God!!!!
- We get to partner with God and host guest speakers and worship leaders in our home - Joni Ames, Bob Sorge, James Horan (Fresh Mercy), Matt Slocum, Teri Frana (Kingdom Dreams) and Jerry Baysinger (Life Healing Ministries).
-We get to partner with God to use our home to house folks God sends our way for a special reason.
- We get to partner with God and teach at other home groups or churches.
I am praying, hoping and believing that this will be the year (hopefully soon - insurance runs out in 30 days) that God will restore my health and set me free from much chronic pain so that we can do this full time. (however that looks). Also, there are several things God has been showing us but have not come to pass yet. We ask that you would pray in agreement with us for God's perfect plan and will!
Book Update
Several years ago, the Lord gave me an idea for a book and He is telling me now to get started on it. That is why I am in need of your help! The book is going to be a collection of stories from people just like you! I mean from YOU, if you would be so kind to help. I can't tell you too much yet because it's kind of a surprise. THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO HAVE SENT YOUR STORIES!
If you would like to share something, I have a few questions that I would like you to choose from (if you want to share more than one story, that is ok too). Your story can be funny, serious, sad or an amazing testimony but it needs to apply to one of the questions I share below. Just one condition - please be real, authentic and as detailed as possible so people will hear your heart, your pain or whatever emotion applies.
- What is one thing you prayed for that God answered for you the way you expected?
- If there was one thing you wish someone would of shared with you when you became a believer, what would it have been? (This can be funny - like, I wish I knew not to pray for patience)
- What is one thing you wish you didn't pray for because the answer from God came in a way you didn't expect?
- Share a story of what took radical obedience or mountain moving faith to see you through?
In your response to me please include the following:
- Your name and contact information (address, email and phone)
- Permission to use your story and your name and/or initials if chosen to use.
- List the question you answered at the top of your story.
- Please email me your story at michele@wantinsight.com
- Please put in the subject line of your email - "Book"
- And if you have questions, please feel free to email me.
- Deadline - as soon as possible.
If you have been blessed by this ministry or feel led to support us financially, here's how you can. Your generosity and your prayer support is greatly appreciated and needed as we continue to walk in faith and God's calling.
Ken and I love to pray for folks who need a touch from the Lord - with words of encouragement, words of knowledge and a healing touch. If you are someone in need, please let us know. We also have a passion to activate and influence believers to walk in radical obedience to a fun and wonderful God! There is just nothing like it!
If you are interested in Ken and I coming to minister to you, your small group or church, or go on a "treasurehunt" with us, please give us a call or email. We would be delighted to!
"When you see a need try to meet it. Indifference makes an excuse, but love finds a way." Joyce Meyer
God Bless YOU -
Ken & Michele Cole
http://www.wantinsight.com
michele@wantinsight.com, ken@wantinsight.com
1. https://www.hhmin.org/make_donation_projects.php, select Ministry Projects, then use drop down box Ken & Michele Cole - Want InSight?
2. Or you can donate through my medical account, select Medical Projects, then Michele Cole.
2. Or you can donate through my medical account, select Medical Projects, then Michele Cole.
(any donations made through HH is anonymous..so if you want us to know, please let us know).
3. You can donate through our Donor Fund at National Christian Foundation:
3. You can donate through our Donor Fund at National Christian Foundation:
1 comment:
-Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."
Acts 2:22 (English Standard)
-Here is the Messiah, Lord Jesus, to whom Ken and Michele have dedicated their lives, their livelihood, and their work and time, daily.
-I highly recommend putting www.wantinsight.com on your list of regular readings!!
-Please do pray for them and particularly for complete healing for Michele. I would love to see her all well and also, then, the two can put more hours of the day into spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. They truly "get it" and love Jesus; their purpose is to love Him with all their heart, mind, strength, and spirit and to love others as they do themselves
(1st and 2nd greatest commandments).
-Great New Year message, Michele!! This posting and your blog make me start listing in my mind and praising God for all His mercies and grace to me and to mine, also my church! I like the way you listed so much- I will do that, also...it makes me see just the tip of the iceberg for what He has done and is doing in my life!!
---Love and God bless you both in your ministry and life in 2013. May many, many more people come to Jesus for salvation and/or recommitment!!
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