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How long must I pray Lord? Maybe you've prayed something like this. Hear my cry O God. Listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth, I call to you, I call to you as my heart grows faint. (Psalm 61). Have you ever had a longing for something so deep, but seems like it's not attainable? Maybe you've prayed the Scriptures over and over expecting them to go out and not return void over your circumstances. (Isaiah 55:11). Nothing you do seems to "work". The fear you've had all along seems to be true, that maybe God doesn't really love me.
What do you do when these and other thoughts fly into your head day and night?
Ephesians 6:13 NLV Therefore put on the full armor of God,
so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand
your ground, and after you have done everything, you will be standing firm.
For years, I've been asking God to reveal His love to me in a way that I can't refute. It's such a deep desire and longing in my heart to know the love of the Father. Now, I know what the Word of God says and in my head, I know He does love me. It's my heart that has such a disconnect. My prayer has been to experience His love in such a profound way that I would never doubt again.
His ways are not our ways!
His ways are not our ways!
When I first got saved, I asked God to give me world overcoming faith. I have great enthusiasm in being a vessel used for His Kingdom in a mighty way. He gave Ken & I an incredible gift to be generous givers, through finances, hospitality and other means. We said to the Lord, you own it all and we will do anything you ask of us!
"Everything in the heavens and earth is Yours, O Lord, and this is Your Kingdom.
We adore you as being in control of everything. Riches and honor come from You alone,
and You are the Ruler of all mankind; Your hand controls power and might
and it is at your discretion that men are made great and given strength" 1 Chronicles 29:11-12
What I didn't know when I prayed those prayers is "how" He would answer them. When I prayed for God to reveal His love to me, I was and still am anticipating something over the top, exceedingly abundantly more than I could hope or imagine (and I have a very overactive imagination).
When I prayed for world overcoming faith, I had no idea the trials I/we would go through. I never imagined that my health would take me to the brink of death with no health insurance, having to go to the county for assistance. We had no idea that our finances would hit rock bottom or that we would have to apply for food stamps and rely on food pantries and friends. We never knew that our faith would be so shaken, to the core. I just assumed that God would "give" me faith. That's what the Bible says in Romans 12:3, 1 Cor 12:9.
When God gave us the desire to be generous givers, we had no thought process He would have us prove that by giving away most of everything we had in assets. What he asks of us to give away to a few ministries and our church regularly, often is equal to or more than what we actually have coming in. It doesn't compute?!@#@$%@ but yet it's there.
What He has done, is just the opposite of what I expected. Is it no wonder why I often doubt His love for me. He in a sense, has and is stripping us every crutch or little idols we had/have. He turned our world completely upside down. And what we can make of it is that He wants us to become utterly dependent on Him. Is this how He shows me love? Really? If the Word says that He is in control of everything, then why is He allowing us to go through so much! I often joke that I can see Shadrack, Meshach & Abednego in this fire that seems to be growing hotter and hotter every waking moment.
Recently I was listening again to a song I love by Julie Meyer, Awakened to Love. A couple of lines really stood out: "do not awaken love before it's time" and "all other voices fade". As I/we have been going through these intense fires and trials, He is awakening me to His love in His time, in His way. I've learned so much but three points I feel led to share are:
1. Immediate and complete obedience is essential. It brings His favor and blessings in due season. Read Deut 28. Obedience to whatever the Lord asks of you is a requirement as a believer, not an option. Your obedience to Him may not make sense to you or others around you. It may even seem foolish and go against what man thinks. That's ok. Fear God, not man! If you are a believer, you know the Shepherd's voice. Walk in it!
2. He desires such an intimate relationship with each of us that He will do whatever it takes to get us to that place of wanting "nothing" but Him. That means nothing can be in the way of loving Him. Not money, health, ministry, job, relationships. Nothing! Nada! It's allowing Him to strip you of the world's values and beliefs. It's about learning to do ONLY what you see the Father doing. He will use the weak to confound the wise! How weak are you willing to be? (I let the Lord know I'm weak often).
3. We need to know what God's grace is! God's grace is probably the hardest and most controversial thing to understand. His grace is His unfailing love to us. Grace means resting in His love, resting in His promises and knowing that He will provide and take care of you, no matter what you are doing. It's learning how to cease striving and trust only in Him. His grace truly is sufficient and a FREE gift IF you are willing to believe and receive. It's a choice. (Two good books: Grace by Dr Jim Richards, The Rest of the Gospel, when the Partial Gospel has Worn you out, by Dan Stone).
As I/we have allowed ourselves to go through this process, my heart is truly being awakened to His love in the fiery furnace. You will experience it. You will truly grasp that there is power in the Word. The Word comes alive. It becomes the only weapon you need to fight off all voices but His. Jesus becomes Your one and only HOPE. And as a result, you will be standing firm as Ephesians 6:13 says above! I can't articulate it but He is awakening me to His love!
We are not out of the fire completely as the Lord has spoken to us in several ways that we still have some rough waters ahead. The storms are not over He says. He is our rock! He will see us through! We have to keep pressing into the Truth and believe what He says is true!
I end with a two songs that have really been a lifeline in this season....I hope you enjoy them!
Desert Song by Hillsong United1. Immediate and complete obedience is essential. It brings His favor and blessings in due season. Read Deut 28. Obedience to whatever the Lord asks of you is a requirement as a believer, not an option. Your obedience to Him may not make sense to you or others around you. It may even seem foolish and go against what man thinks. That's ok. Fear God, not man! If you are a believer, you know the Shepherd's voice. Walk in it!
2. He desires such an intimate relationship with each of us that He will do whatever it takes to get us to that place of wanting "nothing" but Him. That means nothing can be in the way of loving Him. Not money, health, ministry, job, relationships. Nothing! Nada! It's allowing Him to strip you of the world's values and beliefs. It's about learning to do ONLY what you see the Father doing. He will use the weak to confound the wise! How weak are you willing to be? (I let the Lord know I'm weak often).
3. We need to know what God's grace is! God's grace is probably the hardest and most controversial thing to understand. His grace is His unfailing love to us. Grace means resting in His love, resting in His promises and knowing that He will provide and take care of you, no matter what you are doing. It's learning how to cease striving and trust only in Him. His grace truly is sufficient and a FREE gift IF you are willing to believe and receive. It's a choice. (Two good books: Grace by Dr Jim Richards, The Rest of the Gospel, when the Partial Gospel has Worn you out, by Dan Stone).
As I/we have allowed ourselves to go through this process, my heart is truly being awakened to His love in the fiery furnace. You will experience it. You will truly grasp that there is power in the Word. The Word comes alive. It becomes the only weapon you need to fight off all voices but His. Jesus becomes Your one and only HOPE. And as a result, you will be standing firm as Ephesians 6:13 says above! I can't articulate it but He is awakening me to His love!We are not out of the fire completely as the Lord has spoken to us in several ways that we still have some rough waters ahead. The storms are not over He says. He is our rock! He will see us through! We have to keep pressing into the Truth and believe what He says is true!
I end with a two songs that have really been a lifeline in this season....I hope you enjoy them!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlgUUeQh0CQ
Who You Say You Are by Shannon Wexelberg
free download http://shannonwexelberg.com/store/download.php?id=493c5c40ae8252e9895ecf0f5148317b
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About us:
Business -
Our LLC is official - Want InSight Chaplain Services. We are excited that God has opened the doors for us to step into this opportunity. We believe the next revival of God will be in the marketplace.
How you can help - Do you know of an employer who often experiences high absenteeism due to the employees having personal issues? Or maybe has little employee engagement due to struggles on or off the job? We can help with that.
Ministry -
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!
Prayer requests:
Please pray for my continued improvement in health. I am boldy declaring God's Truth and know that He will bring me into complete healing in my body.
We sense the Lord is showing us a missions trip to Frankfurt Germany and still believe Peru is part of our future trips. Pray for clarity and God's timing as well as direction.
Ken and I have been walking in faith for our finances for quite some time. It's a hard and bumpy path the Lord has us on. He is faithful!
If you have been blessed by this ministry or feel led to support what we are doing financially, below are a few options. Your generosity and your prayer support is greatly appreciated and needed as we continue to walk in faith and God's calling.
"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:
UPCOMING EVENTS:
If you are interested in attending, please email me at michele@wantinsight.com. Space is limited.
May 16 - Rabbi Michael Zeitler - Celebrate the Messiah Ministries will be here. Baruch Ha Shem Messianic Ministries International, is a ministry dedicated to restoring the knowledge of Jewish roots to the modern Christian Church and revealing the One New Man. The Lord has blessed him with the gift of healing and miracles just by blowing the Shofar! A timely message!
May 28 - Danny Daniels - Teaching & Prophetic & Healing Ministry -
Danny Daniels is an internationally known songwriter and Worship leader. He has over 100 songs
published and recorded by Maranatha Music, Vineyard Music, Sony Music and Time/Life.
June 29 - Dan Stalp - President Sandler Sales Training - KC. Dan is a well known person in the business comunity, author and speaker. His heart is to help people live a life of significance for the Kingdom!
July 31 - Tom Stamman - Impact International Ministries - Teaching & Prophetic! This guy is hilarious but yet delivers a powerful message from the Lord. He has a strong prophetic gifting and will minister to many! www.tomstamman.com. You won't want to miss!
TBD - Cesar Nieto, Sr Pastor at Church on the Rock will be here - date to be announced!
Teaching & Prophetic Ministry. Pastor Cesar will energize you and rock your world!
TBD - Dave Doria will be joining us for teaching and ministry!
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