How many of you are experiencing unrelenting attacks? Is there someone you know who has been affected by:
- the fires California, Montana, Oregon & Washington?
- the earthquakes in Idaho, Wyoming, Mexico
- hurricane harvey
- hurricane irma, jose and katia
- witchcraft & curses
- health issues
- financial issues
- relationship issues
- too many to list here
- unrelenting attacks
- unrelenting attacks
Many of us are experiencing unusually long and prolonged trials and tests. It seems like things have kicked up a notch or two in the USA - with all the catastrophic events going on. Some voices call it judgement, others disagree. Either way, God is getting our attention. I am excited to see many Christians coming together in prayer and in unity to pray away the storms and for others who have jumped in to help those who have been affected by the storms. This is a beautiful picture of what I believe the Church is to be!
I often ask why so much devastation, so much pain & sorrow? I want to understand what the Lord wants me to learn through these things. I don't always want to hear the answer, but in the end it brings peace and an ability to persevere another day or week.
This article by Francis Frangipane hits home for many in this season.
Adapted from Francis Frangipane's book, This Day We Fight! available atwww.arrowbookstore.com
The Perseverance of Christ
Unyielding Perseverance
The book of Revelation mentions the word perseverance seven times for good reason. Over and over we see those who persevered and overcame. It is one thing to have vision and another to have godly motives, but neither will carry us to our objectives by itself. We must also persevere.
The book of Revelation mentions the word perseverance seven times for good reason. Over and over we see those who persevered and overcame. It is one thing to have vision and another to have godly motives, but neither will carry us to our objectives by itself. We must also persevere.
Consider this word persevere. Its meaning is rooted in the word severe. It is the exact opposite of lethargy.
Over the last forty-six years, there were a number of times when I was stretched in ways that were severe or extreme. I always came out of the experience stronger and more Christlike, yet it was definitely not the way I would have chosen for myself. You see, it is through faith and perseverance that we inherit the promises of God (Heb. 10:36). James tells us that "the testing of [our] faith develops perseverance" and that "perseverance must finish its work so that [we] may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything" (James 1:3)
In other words, we don't just go one mile, but two; we contend for the faith; we wrestle against principalities and powers (Matt 5:41; Jude 1:3; Eph. 6:12). We are not wimps; we do not give up. We are soldiers who endure hardship. Even if we are knocked down, defeat is not final; we rise to fight another day (Mic.7:7-8). Even in the storms of life, surrender is not an option!
Our success comes from our faith in God; our perseverance is not based on our strength but is appropriated from grace drawn from our union with Christ. We come to Him when we are weary and heavy-laden; in Him we find rest so we can continue our quest. But underlying all our other virtues, we need to possess an inherent perseverance of spirit, for "the one who endures to the end, he will be saved" (Matt.24:13
Has lethargy or weariness quietly taken your energy captive? Then by the grace of God, let the Holy Spirit awaken within you today the perseverance of Christ. Indeed, "may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement" (Rom. 15:5) empower you to be the man or woman of God you were born to become.
~
Today, I want to share an excerpt from my journal. I was asking the Lord - why the ongoing trials and hardships we are experiencing..........Here's what I heard.
I Am showing you that you will not succumb to the fear, the trials and the circumstances.
Succumb - 1. To submit to an overpowering force or yield to an overwhelming desire; give up or give in. 2. To die, especially from a disease or injury.
Greater is I AM that lives in you than he that lives in the world. Nothing will take you out before your time. You will know when My timing for your arrival in heaven is - peace will be overwhelming and you will be rejoicing. If you don’t experience that, then know that I will deliver you through and out of your circumstances. Just like the disciples - get in the boat and go to the other side. Even know storms came, I brought them safely through to the other side.
I believe that God is strengthening us and teaching us how to persevere. Recently I was on the phone with Joey, a friend who has been helping us walk out this faith journey - believing for the huge promise for our destiny. He said often our walks with the Lord are like a row boat with two paddles. One paddle is "faith" and the other is "patience/perserverance". If you just used faith, you would paddle yourself around in a circle. If you just used the patience paddle, you would still only go in circles. But, if you use both equally, you will keep moving forward.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw
off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with
perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1
My prayer is that each of us learn how to run this race - with perseverance, patience and faith. My prayer is that none should perish, that many will come to know the Lord Jesus Christ through these storms, these fires, these earthquakes and other devastating loss. We as believers need to choose to rise above the storms of life, to be a bright light and show hope and comfort to those in need.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
Today, tomorrow and everyday, ask the Lord who you can bring comfort to? How can you help encourage someone to persevere another day? What if you are the only one in their path today who will listen and heed God's voice to act! (This doesn't mean you to have to hear an audible voice or a still small whisper - the Bible gives clear instructions on what we are to do as followers of Jesus Christ) Some say, oh that's not my calling, I'm called to such and such. if it's in the Bible, it's meant for you too!!
No more excuses! Time is short and we must be about our Father's business.
PERSEVERANCE + FAITH = GLORY TO THE FATHER
Prayer/Praise
Ken - The painting work stopped a couple of weeks ago. So he's back to 20-25 hours a week. Please pray for additional work and income to become available. Please also pray for his back - it's been spasming a bit.
Michele - Please continue to pray for health - sleep, pain & fatigue.
Canyon - He is still plugging along. God is definitely sustaining him. So love having him around and yet know his time is coming to an end.
Ministry - we are still believing and contending to step into destiny. It has been quite the emotional roller coaster this past month or so. It seemed like January to August there had been so much momentum in many ways, and now things are quiet. Thank you to those who are praying for us and believing with us.
Thank YOU so much for your ongoing support, love and care for us and our ministry. We are honored to be able to pray for those who reach out to us. Please let me know if you have any prayer needs.
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 - Tax deductible
7171 W. 95th Street, Suite 501
Overland Park, KS 66212
Phone: 913.310.0279
Fax: 913.227.0254 www.nationalchristian.com
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.
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