The following message reminding us of our purpose, which was posted by one of our members on the ladies’ private website this morning, really touched my heart, because Jenn very eloquently expresses my vision of this ministry and how the websites could be used to help others in a time of need, and all for the Lord’s glory. And it does my heart so much good to see how she and so many of our other members are being used in the lives of others, because we’re all here to duplicate what the Lord has done for us and in our lives; not to hide it under a bush and keep it to ourselves. And, yes, oh yes, we can indeed get tired; but we have to push on in the name of Jesus and for His glory. Our God will NEVER let us down or disappoint us when we so faithfully go about doing His business, and our lives will surely overflow with God’s blessings and rewards when we keep our focus on HIS purpose and not our own needs and desires or circumstances. As Rick Warren is so famous for saying “It is NOT about us!”

This also reminded me of a time when I really needed an answer from the Lord, and when I opened my Bible, the Lord led me to Nehemiah 6, where I found particular comfort in verse 9, which says They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.”

And Galatians 6:9 says Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. There’s no doubt that standing for marriage restoration is very tiring and almost always emotionally draining, but we have to keep our focus on doing the Lord’s work with faith that He WILL strengthen us for the task He has called us to. So don’t grow weary in dooing God’s work; stay focused on HIS purpose and glory instead, and you WILL be blessed and encouraged! Thank you, Jenn, for this awesome message and reminder to keep doing the work to which we have all been called!

This past week has been full of emotions for me; from very high high’s to very low lows, beginning with the praises of my husband’s return from Guatemala to the devastating loss of many lives at Virginia Tech and the loss of a friend’s wife in a horrific accident. Plus a few other lows as well in between.I called Linda the other day, and being such a loving and concerned friend, she made it clear that with circumstances being what they are, that I needed to be reminded to stay in the word and in prayer.

I will be honest. It has been extremely tough; really tough to be exact, because my emotions, even though controlled, are draining all my energy. Then that keeps me away from my morning time spent with God. I am emotionally exhausted.

God however reminds us in Nehemiah 4:10-14 that we are not to swerve from God’s purpose when we are tired; Then the people of Judah began to complain, “The workers are getting tired, and there is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be able to build the wall by ourselves.” Meanwhile, our enemies were saying, “Before they know what’s happening, we will swoop down on them and kill them and end their work.” The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, “They will come from all directions and attack us!” So I placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows. Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”

The people of Judah were physically exhausted from trying to remove the rubble, but they had to remain focused on the task and that God was protecting them. What he did for the people of Judah, he will do for us as well.

As I was sitting in the car line waiting to pick our youngest son up from school, one of his teachers approached my vehicle and let me know that he had a note for me from her. Then I pulled my vehicle forward to be next in line for my son to be brought to the car, and as I was watching for him, the teacher re-approached my vehicle, stating that she really wanted me to know that she felt spirit led to give me a scripture and that she also needed my counsel. The scripture she gave me was 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 in the New living translation, which says All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

What an eye opener. Here I am tired and weary with my eyes falling off God’s plan, only to be reminded that I need to stay on task and finish the race, because HE gave me a purpose and a plan just like the people from Judah.

Ministering to others is God’s plan, not only for me, but all my other brothers and sisters in Christ that have been placed here in this ministry. Isaiah 30:8 confirmed that for me this morning. It says “Go now, write it on a tablet for them inscribe it on a scroll that for days to come it may be an everlasting witness.” We are inscribing our testimonies and witnessing to others on a scroll. No, it’s not a tablet of paper, it’s the website. People are going to be coming to this website to read and be ministered to, not only for today, but for years to come.

A lot of people journal and I think it’s a wonderful thing. Unfortunately I am not a big journal person. However, sharing my post and devotions is my journaling. These are our manifestos in a positive, uplifting encouraging, god led way. His plan is for us to witness to others.

Again this morning it was confirmed what God has planned and wants me to keep focused on. A few weeks ago, I met a young woman that was enjoying breakfast with her daughter as well as her father. I was there reading my bible and having a little bite to eat before work. We chatted a little while and went our separate ways. This morning, I ran into them again at the same restaurant. I again was there to read my bible and enjoy my breakfast. But God had a different plan. This time the young woman asked me where I went to church and spoke about how she has not been attending church, but wanted to know where I went. We talked for quite some time and ended up exchanging contact information. By my obedience and the yearning for God’s word, she and I will hopefully be going to church this Sunday together. I was witnessing the first time we met and didn’t even know it.

Don’t let circumstances, emotions and daily life allow you to become tired and weary only to miss out on God’s great plan for us. I almost did and look at what joy I would have missed out on if I was not witnessing to others.

Posted Friday, April 20th, 2007 at 1:44 pm in Seeds Of Faith.