Give Up? Two Things That God Promises! Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
Have you ever felt discouraged, ready to give up or throw in the towel? Have you ever felt hedged in - you can't move
forward or backwards or side to side? Feeling stuck? Maybe God forgot about you?
Am I discouraged, Yes! Am I ready to give up, Yes! Am I ready to throw in the towel, Yes! Do I feel hedged in & stuck, YES!!!. Did God forget about me, no....but.......
Why? It is very hard to wait on God for something He has promised you? Have you felt that way? Maybe it's just me. My waiting is two fold.
1. Last week Ken and I sat down and really prayed and pressed into the Lord to see if maybe we have just missed the mark. We put out a fleece of sorts asking God to either confirm the vision He gave us for Sonlit Fields, whether it was a now thing (meaning soon) or was it meant for down the road? Either way, we need some peace.
We did this same kind of fleece years ago when we felt like God was telling us we were going back to Peru. We just didn't know when. Within a week, the Lord confirmed we were going to Peru, but at a later time. That brought us much peace. Ok, back to Sonlit Fields..... is it for now or is it for a later time. The answer might of came that evening. We had pastor friends over for a meal. Later that evening, without them having any knowledge of our prayer time earlier, they spoke some incredibly specific words that firmed things up in our spirits. These words God has spoken to us individually, together and even several times through others in the past year. I won't tell you what they are, because that's how much clout they carry! We feel those words were confirmation that Sonlit Fields is a now thing......but how in the world is He going to pull it off? This is an estimated $10 million dollar project..... the other day in my quiet time, He told me that not only does He own a cattle on a thousand hills, He owns ALL the cattle on EVERY hill. That's great...so I asked when He was going to sell a few and send the provision our way? Ha!
The hedged in part, well it's kind of humiliating.....We are out of the proceeds from selling our house 2 1/2 years ago. We were using that to supplement the income we have. There are no jobs here that can support us. Our income is below the poverty limits. Years ago, the Lord spoke to us through a Generous Giving Bible Study, to create a budget we could live off of and anything above it would go into our Donor Fund and then dispersed to Kingdom ministries. Moving to El Dorado Springs has taught us that we can live off even less. Interesting way to learn that lesson.... We can't move back to KC and find jobs because we couldn't afford truck rentals and rentals would be even higher. We are kind of forced to stay here and TRUST GOD for our daily provision. He is faithful, but I have to tell you it's a very hard walk to walk. We are now going to apply for food stamps. I hate to be dependent on the government for anything, but it may be God's way to help us get by for awhile. Now I'm not saying this to have you feel sorry for us, but to be authentic that the struggle to follow Jesus and His way....is real....it's hard....and it's also a way for us to be more dependent on Him for everything. How can we help others walk through difficulties if we haven't walked through them ourselves. But....we are stuck!! Stuck in the center of God's will.
2. When I first got saved, one of my first prayers was that if God healed me of my migraines, I would speak in front of a crowd the size of Chief's stadium. Immediately, I heard His voice say, "start practicing".... and then this Scripture popped in my head...Malachai 4:2-3 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. 3 Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the LordAlmighty. Years later after going through all the health troubles I have, the Lord said He would heal ALL my issues. And in order to do what He's calling us to do, that is for sure a needed blessing! Yet, I'm not healed and I there are so many things afflicting me....for lack of a better term. I weary and am ready to be whole again!
So why the delay? Why the continued ongoing wait? Why is it that I can be used of the Lord to bring INSTANT healing to them but after 100's if not 1000's have prayed for me and seen no immediate results?
I read a blog today that parts of it just hit me smack in the face. It's not very long, so please read it and then come back... http://www.caseydoss.com/instagram-is-a-lie/. Thankfully, I'm not the only one who gets hit with discouragement.
forward or backwards or side to side? Feeling stuck? Maybe God forgot about you?
Am I discouraged, Yes! Am I ready to give up, Yes! Am I ready to throw in the towel, Yes! Do I feel hedged in & stuck, YES!!!. Did God forget about me, no....but.......
Why? It is very hard to wait on God for something He has promised you? Have you felt that way? Maybe it's just me. My waiting is two fold.
1. Last week Ken and I sat down and really prayed and pressed into the Lord to see if maybe we have just missed the mark. We put out a fleece of sorts asking God to either confirm the vision He gave us for Sonlit Fields, whether it was a now thing (meaning soon) or was it meant for down the road? Either way, we need some peace.
We did this same kind of fleece years ago when we felt like God was telling us we were going back to Peru. We just didn't know when. Within a week, the Lord confirmed we were going to Peru, but at a later time. That brought us much peace. Ok, back to Sonlit Fields..... is it for now or is it for a later time. The answer might of came that evening. We had pastor friends over for a meal. Later that evening, without them having any knowledge of our prayer time earlier, they spoke some incredibly specific words that firmed things up in our spirits. These words God has spoken to us individually, together and even several times through others in the past year. I won't tell you what they are, because that's how much clout they carry! We feel those words were confirmation that Sonlit Fields is a now thing......but how in the world is He going to pull it off? This is an estimated $10 million dollar project..... the other day in my quiet time, He told me that not only does He own a cattle on a thousand hills, He owns ALL the cattle on EVERY hill. That's great...so I asked when He was going to sell a few and send the provision our way? Ha!
The hedged in part, well it's kind of humiliating.....We are out of the proceeds from selling our house 2 1/2 years ago. We were using that to supplement the income we have. There are no jobs here that can support us. Our income is below the poverty limits. Years ago, the Lord spoke to us through a Generous Giving Bible Study, to create a budget we could live off of and anything above it would go into our Donor Fund and then dispersed to Kingdom ministries. Moving to El Dorado Springs has taught us that we can live off even less. Interesting way to learn that lesson.... We can't move back to KC and find jobs because we couldn't afford truck rentals and rentals would be even higher. We are kind of forced to stay here and TRUST GOD for our daily provision. He is faithful, but I have to tell you it's a very hard walk to walk. We are now going to apply for food stamps. I hate to be dependent on the government for anything, but it may be God's way to help us get by for awhile. Now I'm not saying this to have you feel sorry for us, but to be authentic that the struggle to follow Jesus and His way....is real....it's hard....and it's also a way for us to be more dependent on Him for everything. How can we help others walk through difficulties if we haven't walked through them ourselves. But....we are stuck!! Stuck in the center of God's will.
2. When I first got saved, one of my first prayers was that if God healed me of my migraines, I would speak in front of a crowd the size of Chief's stadium. Immediately, I heard His voice say, "start practicing".... and then this Scripture popped in my head...Malachai 4:2-3 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. 3 Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the LordAlmighty. Years later after going through all the health troubles I have, the Lord said He would heal ALL my issues. And in order to do what He's calling us to do, that is for sure a needed blessing! Yet, I'm not healed and I there are so many things afflicting me....for lack of a better term. I weary and am ready to be whole again!
So why the delay? Why the continued ongoing wait? Why is it that I can be used of the Lord to bring INSTANT healing to them but after 100's if not 1000's have prayed for me and seen no immediate results?
I read a blog today that parts of it just hit me smack in the face. It's not very long, so please read it and then come back... http://www.caseydoss.com/instagram-is-a-lie/. Thankfully, I'm not the only one who gets hit with discouragement.
What are two things that God promises.....
1. He will sustain YOU!! Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:22
2. HE will provide for YOU! He tells us: “How much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him? Matthew 7:11
1. He will sustain YOU!! Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:22
2. HE will provide for YOU! He tells us: “How much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him? Matthew 7:11
Will we give up, NO, the Lord willing. Will we throw in the towel, NO, the Lord willing! We will get through this with God's grace and unfailing love. He never promises us an easy life...but He does promise He will see us through.
Book Information
Would you be interested in helping me with this book? If so email michele@wantinsight.com, a story or two - maybe a paragraph or two - or a page if needed.... answering one or more of these questions: They can be serious, funny or even radical stories of faith. If you send me something, please also indicate your permission for me to use and publish. (I will not use last names only 1st & last initial to keep confidential) so be brutally honest - even if it's hard. I cannot guarantee every story will get in the book, but I will be incorporating as many as I can. The Lord willing!
1. What is one thing you wished you knew when you first became a follower of Jesus Christ.
2. What is something you prayed for that God answered in an unexpected way? (serious or funny or quite radical)
3. What is one thing you wished you never prayed for???
If you could have these stories to me within the next 30-60 days, that would be great. I am inserting them as I write, so sooner vs later.
Thank you so much in advance for those wanting to help the story. I've already received quite a few and am excited to weave this in.
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 30-50 private cabins with kitchens & full bathrooms, screened in porches 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, 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 more help them be ready to serve in their church.
In our community building - we will have a 24/7 (eventually) 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 into the Kingdom, get them discipled, called into their purpose & destiny and released to do God's business!!!!
Update/Prayer Requests
-Please pray for Sonlit Fields & our Thursday Night Meetings. Pray God brings who He wants.... teaching, equipping, activating & releasing.
-Please continue to pray that God will bring the provision for the vision.....Sonlit Fields Retreat, Ministry & Equipping Hub. We are estimating a need of $10 million to buy property, land surrounding the property, build & furnish.
-Please pray for daily needs to be met. We are far below our needed income with no ability to find additional work and to earn what we need. Ken is getting a few extra hours as a guy quit recently. Thankful for that.
-Please pray for Ken - he is still part time at Dollar General - it's hard physical work and he is quite exhausted with little energy leftover. Please pray for his health stamina!
-Please pray for my health. The headaches are back. Not sure why... but I am believing and decreeing that I have been healed! My right knee range of motion is getting less and less mobile...hard to get in & out of car, etc.
-Please pray for our 2 dogs, both are getting old - Canyon is 14 1/2 & Blazer 12 1/2. Canyon has been losing strength in his hind legs and has been falling quite a bit.. and not eating much. Blazer has a cataract in one eye and is having a hard time seeing things as well as not eating as much. He is losing a lot of weight. For dog lovers you know how hard this is to watch.and THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH FOR PRAYING. WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE SO MANY COVERING US!
PRAISE REPORT - I am thankful that God is giving me the mental energy & motivation to write these books. Still thanking God often for the new computer. It is serving me well and it's been fun learning and will keep learning new programs, etc.
I'm a consultant with Thrive Life Foods - 25 year food storage. I am happy to help you get a long term food pantry started. If you are interested in more information, please contact me or visit my website at https://michelecole.thrivelife.com.
Bless YOU. Thank you for caring for us, praying for us and standing with us! If there is anything you need prayer for, please let us know. We are happy to!!!
If you have been blessed by this ministry or feel led to support what God is doing through us - 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.
Megablessings -
Ken & Michele Cole
http://www.wantinsight.com
michele@wantinsight.com, ken@wantinsight.com
Tax deductible & non tax deductible donations can be made:
1. Checks made payable to Sonlit Fields, PO Box 371, El Dorado Springs, MO 64744 or if you prefer anonymous giving - you can give through our Donor Fund
2. Non tax deductible donations can be made directly to us by: THIS IS THE FASTEST WAY TO GET MONEY TO US FOR DAILY USE.
Paypal - www.paypal.com (michele@wantinsight.com)
3. Donor Fund - Contact National Christian Foundation - Ken & Michele Cole - Want InSight Fund - We will be changing this in the near future. Tax deductible
706 North Lindenwood Drive
Olathe, KS 66062
Phone: 913.310.0279
Fax: 913.227.0254 www.nationalchristian.com
Copyright © 2016, Michele A. Cole All rights reserved. Only with expressed written permission will these posts be allowed to be duplicated, copied or transmitted.
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