Words for the Struggle...

I've come to believe that God loves a good struggle.

As we walk this in this fallen, broken, sin filled world...we will have struggle. That is a given. However…our God Who loves us beyond reason is all for milking our trials for all they are worth to bring us into His embrace, breaking the powers of darkness, and growing us up into mature sons and daughters who know how to bring the kingdom of heaven to earth.

"And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed."
Genesis 32:28

The Lord invited Jacob into a wrestling match with Himself just as Jacob was about to face his enemy...the enemy wasn't the issue, God has something greater in mind...think on that...Jacob encountered God in the struggle. God wants us to encounter Him, too.

In the midst of heartache, loss, quandary, confusion, and hurt, Jesus calls us to see Him face to face...get a death grip on Him...and not let go until He reveals Himself in our situation. I mean, really, really, until...He reveals Himself to us. When we have a fresh revelation of Who He is...well....the circumstances in our lives that once seemed daunting...just fade away.

Wrestling with God is not for the faint of heart. Like any wrestling match, it is up close and personal. It cannot be casual or relaxed. Sometimes it is bloody and messy. Maybe that is why we shy away from His invitation.

However, prayer is the wrestling mat and faith is how we grasp Him. Not letting go until He shows Himself...the key. For intimate knowledge of Him is His goal and the struggle itself produces kingdom warriors that shake the nations in Jesus' Name.

Feel free to share with someone...in a struggle...

In His Time

Someone reading this has been praying about something for a long time, too. You need to know TODAY that your prayer HAS been heard. God has not forgotten you.

"...for your prayer is heard... which will be fulfilled in their own time."
Luke 1:13, 20

These phrases from the Scriptures are taken from the story of the angel's announcement to Zechariah regarding the birth of John the Baptist. Zech and his wife had prayed their whole married lives to be able to bear a child...and now...old... and well beyond child bearing years...their miracle was to take place. The Lord has heard you, too...

And, yet...

Notice the second phrase...the Lord has His timing. He is never early, He is never late. He works outside of time, He understands time, He created time, and He holds time in His hands. Often, His timing is not our timing...

Just know that there are other factors and aspects of your prayer that He is working on...other pieces of the puzzle that you don't see. There are other people involved that need His touch before they can be moved into place to be a part of your answered prayer.

Many times...He is waiting for us to take our stance against the enemy in His name...the answer to our prayers lies in our taking authority over Satan, as Jesus has told us to do (Luke 10:17-20).

...Often...WE are not ready to have these prayers answered. He still has much to do to rid us of ourselves and replace our brokenness with His healing to bring us into His image.

Regardless...know TODAY, that your prayer has been heard. Unlike Zechariah, BELIEVE that this is true. Give Jesus praise, adoration and be filled with His joy. For in HIS timing, you WILL receive your miracle!

photo: Well and Good NYC