A Lesson from Jehoshaphat on Battles!

2 Chronicles 20:17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you

How many times have we seen this verse? Do we actually believe it?  Can we ask God for help and then take our hands off the wheel and let Him do it? Do we ask for prayer and then actually take the time to listen to His response?  Do we act in obedience to the response given? 

Somebody in our Sunday School class recently said "Do we read what we believe? Or do we believe what we read?"  Did you catch that?   Do we read and only believe what we already believe  (whether true or not) or do we actually take God at His Word and believe what we read?  That is a pretty profound statement.  

To me, that is true faith.  

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; 

blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.  John 20:29 

Have you faced a battle in your life?  A loved one who became ill with a serious illness?  A financial loss so great you didn't know where your next meal would come from?  A child who is far from the Lord despite all the efforts to teach them about Jesus?  

What was your prayer to the Lord?  What did the Lord speak to you?  Did He tell you He would bring you through?  Did he say He would provide for you?  Did you listen to His voice 

I have a bazillion examples of times God spoke to me in relation to a prayer.....but did I truly heed His voice and trust what He said?   I remember one time I was asking for healing.  I was desperate for immediate relief (that's pretty often).  But this one time, He took me to the passage where He told the disciples to get in the boat and go to the other side.  A big storm came upon them and they were afraid.  They thought they were going to drown.  I did too.  I did not think I would ever survive what I was going through.  I thought death was knocking.  Jesus didn't tell his disciples to get in the boat and they would drown.  He said get in the boat and go to the other side.  God gave them reassurance even before they got in the boat.  But when the storm came, they forgot what He had said or they just didn't have the faith to TRUST Him and take Him at His Word!   Wow!  Ouch!  Conviction once again!   

I am still not to the other side.  I do not know how far until I reach the shoreline.  If I truly focus on Jesus, I can see Him on dry land waiting for me.  He is cheering me on.  He is showing me that there is hope.  That He didn't bring me this far to leave me.   The storms keep coming. The finances dried up and we don't know what to do.  The pain and sleepless nights rage on.  But one thing I do know with weak wobbly knees at times, is that He has promised me, I/we will get to the other side.   He is faithful.  I can trust Him.  My heart and flesh may fail at times, but the Lord will never fail me or you!  He who began a good work will finish it!  You can trust Him.  You can read His Word and believe what it says!  

Is there a storm in your life that seems to never end? Take a minute to think about it.   What has God spoken to you specifically in this situation?  Will you hear what He says and Trust Him for the outcome.  Will you trust Him to bring you through?  

Jehoshaphat was a man that we could heed much wisdom from.  At least in 2 Chronicles 20.  He knew God intimately enough to know that He could trust Him.  He did 3 things that are great life lessons for us!

1.  He prayed! 

2.  He listened for God's still small voice 

3.  He responded in obedience to what the Lord instructed!  

Here's a good prayer paraphrased from some of the verses in 2 Chronicles 20.

v6 Power and might are in your hand Lord and no one can withstand you.  v12  We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on YOU.” v15 The Lord will say to me.. ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this difficult circumstance.   For the battle is not yours, but Mine, says the Lord. v16 take up your positions dear one; stand firm on My Word and see the deliverance that the Lord will give you.   Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face whatever it is,  and the Lord will be with you.’” v18 Stand up and praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice. v21 Sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his  holiness as then  go out at the head of this trial saying: “Give thanks to the Lord,  for his love endures forever.” v22 As you begin to sing and praise, the Lord will set ambushes against whatever is coming against you and He will lead you into VICTORY!   in Jesus mighty name.  Amen! 

Oh the freedom it brings to one soul when we finally get this.  Not that I have arrived, but the light bulb is burning a tad brighter.  My confidence in the Lord is increasing.  My faith is growing deeper and wider.  This is the Good News of Christ!  

Psalm 112:7 NIV They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them.

How can I pray for you?  What can I stand in agreement with you for?  Life is difficult for many these days.  The world is in chaos.  Our country is being led by ungodly leaders and leading us down a pretty dismal path.  But God!  God is our hope, our refuge and our strong tower.  

We do not know what our future holds, but we do know who holds our tomorrow.  Author unknown.  

Prayers and Praise

1.  Ken is getting at least 30-35 hours a week of work.  There are a couple of side jobs he may have in the near future.  Thankful for his willingness to work 6 days a week if necessary, though its hard on him physically.  Painting - up & down ladders, bending over and all that takes a toll on him.  His body needs rest.  Please pray for his endurance and strength.  

2.  God has given me a couple days of reprieve (not consecutively) but lesser pain which is tolerable.  I am thankful.   Covet your ongoing prayers for complete healing!  

3.  We continue to believe that He will make a way with our finances....everyday expenses, food, rent & utilities.  Now that we are not paying for our neighbors electricity (she was attached to our meter for the first 5 months) our electric bill has gone down by $140.   Thankful for the living space and peaceful neighborhood we live in.  

4.  God is quiet on the "destiny property" front.... there was a sense things were shifting.... and they may still be.... but not hearing much.  Contending and trusting....as the vision is so needed.  

NEED YOUR HELP: 

5..  I am FINALLY writing my books again with the help of a good friend.  I talk (that's easy) she types and she is getting it proofed and organized.  The first book I am writing is about prayer.  IF you would please reach out to me, I would love to solicit from you a story about something you prayed for and how God answered it.  I will scribe, you talk.  Will you do that for me please?  The other books will follow.... 

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.  

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.  

Holding On - A Test

"But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7 

There's a saying -  it's always darkest before dawn.  It's often said people quit just before their breakthrough. 

I can relate!  Can you?  I often ask, how dark does it have to be before the dawn comes?  How do we really know if we quit just before the breakthrough?  Do you think this could be a test - waiting - trusting God's grace is sufficient?  

I BELIEVE!
I'VE WAITED AND WAITED!
I WON'T GIVE UP! 

Today, a Facebook friend posted this and it brought me to tears.  It's so spot on to where I am right now.  We must be in the test.... is His grace sufficient?   Please read and enjoy.  

8.21.18 Holding On    

I hear, “There’s no other way”. 

I see myself walking on a street, down the hill around the corner and there’s no where else to go, a dead end. I can’t turn back. I’m stuck, no place to go. 

I kneel and pray, quickly running out of words. 

I just ran out of words to pray and there’s no where to go, turning back isn’t an option, even if I turned back there’d be no place for me. Desperation attempts to overtake me.

The sun sets, night falls, I’m left kneeling without a prayer yet I’m not alone. Somehow I know Jesus is with me as night falls. My mind screams get up, make a way, carve a path, you can do it, you’ve done it before. My bodies unresponsive. My spirit, silent. 

Only God can deliver.

Grace blankets me, warms my soul from the cold night air. Grace provides comfort, the grace of God that brought me this far. 

My hope? Insufficient, my strength? Gone. My Faith to fight? Defeated. 

There I kneel in the dead of night covered only by grace. 

Peace seems a distant friend, I’m loved yet there’s no evidence of its conquering power from this cold night air; only grace provides me comfort. 

I’m alone yet not lonely, I’m weak yet not expired. No strength to lift my head, frankly no strength to move. 

I drop to my side, pulling the blanket tight around me, holding fast to his grace. 

This is the test, will it be sufficient?

I drift off to sleep wrapped in a blanket of grace. Nothing to prove, no one to impress, no faith to exercise; I’m wrapped in grace, sleeping the night away. 

Morning dawns providing warmth, the sun shines on my face. I feel the warmth of another body wrapped around mine, laying by my side, holding me. 

I see Jesus. 

He’s there with me by my side holding me, loving me; providing a resting place. His strong arms hold me secure. Faith arrives and shouts, “Its a new beginning”.

My eyes open, seeing a way; a path has been carved during the cold dark night. 

God has made a way where there was no way. 

I close my eyes, nestle into my Savior and whisper, “Your Grace is sufficient”.

He clutches me with his arms, by grace I cling to him. 

Prayer: When I’m weak You are my strength, When I am faithless You remain faithful, When I lose all hope Your grace blankets me with all I need in that moment. You are my Savior, You are my Lord, You are my God. 

Take time to read: 2 Corinthians 12.9, Psalm 121.7-8, Joshua 23.8, Jeremiah 13.11 and Psalm 63.8 with new eyes

Do you relate?  Are you there? Is His grace sufficient?  

If you would like to read more of his posts, you can subscribe to his blog at https://www.hope4todaypublishing.com/blogs-of-hope

CHOOSE TO BELIEVE - CHOOSE TO WAIT AS LONG AS IT TAKES - CHOOSE TO NOT GIVE UP.  THE BEST IS YET TO COME!! 

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 The Signatry - 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.thesignatry.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.  

Spring Cleaning

mentafloss.com picture

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. Isaiah 43:19 NLT

Has God ever asked you to spring clean?  Out with the old, so you can make room for the new!  Sometimes we've got to let go of old things so He can bring the new things!  Is that hard for you?  

In January, the Lord told us it's time to do our spring cleaning because in the spring, things will shift.  It was kind of funny, because within a few days of hearing this, a friend from KC called and said "don't you think it's time to go through your stuff in that person's basement and get rid of things." Great confirmation!! We have had most of our belongings, clothes, furniture, dishes, etc in someone's basement here for the past 3 years.  2000 square feet of her basement floor to ceiling, wall to wall of stuff we really don't need!  

Up until now, I haven't had any physical motivation or energy to do this task. It is overwhelming.  But God is giving me grace to be able to do what I can.  He is bringing helpers, thankful for that!  Thankful for my sister coming this weekend to help.  Thankful for local friends who will help with garage sale & more.  

Funny story:  our pastor/friend offered to help us and came over one day to work.  He does not drink alcoholic beverages.  Out of 2000 square feet of our things, what do you think he found?  He did!  He found 2 boxes of booze that we didn't even know got packed!  So, I of course played along and told Ken to take it home so we could use it for our next meal with him and his wife.  And then I tried back peddling when he would come across a box marked "crosses".  He jokingly thought I was trying to outweigh the bad with good things.  :)  Oh well, it was funny at the time.  

We have been making headway, going through it all.  Sorting what to keep, and what we will sell or giveaway.    We feel the Lord is telling us not to worry about giving it away if there is a real need or not to worry about how much we get off of something we sell.  He will still provide for our needs.  Three years ago, I would not have been able to let go so easily. We love to give and so we are thankful for the ability to bless others!!!  The peace that God is giving me right now is unbelievable.  We are out of funds from the sale of Ken's truck that helped offset our monthly bills, and yet, I'm not panicked or freaking out over it as I have many times in the past.  I still wonder how we will meet our bills, but I'm not stressed.  Praise the Lord! My confidence in God's faithfulness and goodness has grown leaps & bounds in this wilderness.  Look how much spring cleaning God has done in my life!! 

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 3:13-14

There is much excitement and joy being birthed in this time.  Though we don't know exactly what His plans are "next", and the "hows", the spiritual atmosphere is filled with unexplainable peace, joy & fun!  We believe that in just the next month or two things will be very different and that He is shifting things around for us.  We have been getting some pretty incredible prophetic words from strangers & then just the prophetic words posted on Facebook or Elijah list are resonating with what He is speaking to us.  It's exhilarating knowing others are hearing similar or exact things we are!  Whoohoo!! 

Years ago, we used to sing a song at church called "The Adventures of Jesus by Brian Doerksen"  Here's a link to it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNSKVbhhIsY   We are finding with God, life is definitely an adventure.  And it's our hearts desire to serve and minister to others in such a way that brings glory to God!    

So, as we continue to be obedient to what God has asked of us, spring clean.....we are also actively waiting for the next destination God has for us.   

I believe that others too are in this place of waiting but yet with great anticipation of this new season almost upon us.  I will share a little excerpt from my quiet time with Him today.  I feel this is not just for me but for those waiting as well:

You are coming thru victorously. Believe for what you haven't seen. Decree the results you desire. I Am longing for the day (real soon) that My blessings will overflow. Your wilderness is coming to an end. You child are going from the pit to the palace. Goodness & mercy coming like a flood. In this new season....all good things. The struggles are over. This MONTH you will see the shifting. 
Keep your eyes on Me.

 Love your Papa.

I pray this encourages you as we are!  I pray that divine connections and favor come upon you and all your hearts desire are fulfilled in this next season!  

If you have a prayer request, please feel free to email me.  We are happy to pray for you as we know you pray for us often!  We are so thankful for those God puts in our lives!  We wouldn't have been able to continue in our faith journey, if you weren't such faithful friends and prayer warriors! 

Prayer requests;

Ken - stamina to continue in his work until God moves him on.  His hours are longer 11- 12 hour days.

Pray for provision for our monthly needs to be met and for the provision for the vision!!!!

Michele - pray for sleep and health.  I truly believe that is part of the shift coming soon as well.  

Pray for endurance and stamina for us to go through our things and that we can be done as soon as possible!  

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.  

Copyright © 2016, Michele A. Cole  All rights reserved.  Only with expressed written permission will these posts be allowed to be duplicated, copied or transmitted.