Heroes In Training

Ephesians 6:19-20

"Pray also for me that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."

I truly love these two verses.  As I began Children's Ministry several years ago, God gave me this passage and every time I read it I can't help but smile.  In my mind, I picture Paul chained in prison, dressed in tattered rags that just barely cover his superhero costume concealed below.  That may sound a bit strange, but what can I say...if you are worried about me, just remember who created me!

As Paul is writing this letter to the Ephesians, he is chained in prison.  Looking around at his own circumstances, Paul's concern is not his freedom from his situation, but that despite his circumstances God would guide his words as he persists to "Fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel."  As I read these verses the first time, I began to weep because finally someone accurately described how I felt every single day.  And that day, I began to own my title "Hero in Training."  

In fact, I am not alone.  We are all Heroes in Training!  Each of us called to tell the World who God is and what Jesus did for them through his death on the cross and his resurrection.  We are all called to be ambassadors, missionaries to all those we come in contact with on a daily basis.  It is no small task, and there are days we don't quite feel up to the challenge.  But because of who He is, we must tell the story.  

There have been a handful of days in my life, that I wished I could walk away from the massive calling He placed upon my life.  The world can be cruel, and the stress of living in a season of such corruption and persecution can wear on our hearts and minds.  That is when we have to run to our phone booths (Prayer closets), change into our hero costume (Put on the Armor of God), and announce our Hero Slogan.  Come on!  Put your fists on your hips, chest out, chin up, eyes on heaven and say it with me, for we are dedicated to "Fearlessly Make Known the Mystery of the Gospel."

I will pray for you as you seek the Lord daily to help you to say the right words to those in need around you, as you don your superhero identity everyday despite your own circumstances to change the World for Christ one person at a time.  Pray also for me, that I too will not grow weary in doing the work for which God has called me.  Together with God's help, prayer, and training through the Word of God we will see the World set Ablaze for Christ!  

Blessings!

You Are Not Alone

Psalm 23:4

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me."

We all walk through dark valleys.  Some of those valleys are emotional and some of those valleys are physical.  I myself struggled for many years with an enemy I could not physically touch.  

For years, I battled depression.  Many think depression is just a feeling, but I am a living testimony that it is a wicked force bent on destroying ones life and dreams.  It not only affects your mind, but it causes weakness and pain in your body as well.  The one thing this enemy didn't count on was the truth of the Word of God hidden in my heart and powerful praying parents.  Through the years of struggle I felt God with me, I was never alone.  As I sought God for deliverance, He showed up in a big way, and in one instant my life was delivered from depression and replaced by a spirit of joy I can hardly describe. I will never forget the night I was healed.  I was jumping so high that my Pastor could see my 5' 3" body way above the crowd.  There is nothing too big for your God.

The last few weeks I have been praying for a friend as she faced a struggle that I myself can hardly wrap my mind around.  She had to have surgery to remove a tumor from her brain.  With the strength of friends and family around her, her wickedly awesome sense of humor and her God, she fought the enemy head on.  (No pun intended)  I was astounded by her faith and humbled by her vulnerability as she shared her journey with the people around her.  I have prayed with her as she shared her faith in God with many who had not yet found Him for themselves.  She is recovering from a successful surgery now, and I know beyond any shadow of a doubt that God has been with her every step of the way.  She has challenged me to trust in God no matter what I go through.  He is able and He will never leave you.

I don't know about you, but it is comforting to me to know that no matter what I go through, I am never alone.  God is with me guiding me and showing me the way.  I encourage you to trust God no matter your circumstances.  He is with you and will carry you through.  You are Not Alone!