Don't Give Up!
This picture means so much to me. I remember the days when my heart ached to see my son, who had a powerful call of God upon his life, begin to pursue his own desires and pleasures. I saw the peace that once ruled his life, even in the midst of persecution and mockery, turn to anger and dissatisfaction. I saw a boy who once replaced his pain with the love and presence of God, now turn to a bottle, money and popularity for a false sense of fulfillment.
This is a picture I took last night of my son, Pastor Josh, praying for his lifelong friend. Every time Josh got into trouble, Alan was there. They were once a bad influence on each other and now I watch as they share a spiritual bond and an incredible friendship. Today Alan is an important part of our church and Josh is my pastor. Witnessing the miracle of their changed hearts, as they cry out to God in prayer is incredible to me.
So, as I sat and watched... it's almost surreal... God's love and desire to bless us through the miraculous... my mind never ceases to be blown away by His goodness!
It's been years since the day Josh returned to the Lord, but I never lose my appreciation and amazement at God's answers to our prayers. He has a Godly wife and 3 beautiful kids. His sermons are powerfully anointed... evidence of his time spent in the presence of God.
If you are praying for your child, a family member or acquaintance, don't give up! I hear people say that they are leaving them in God's hands... that's a lazy way out. There's a battle to be fought for your families and others who are dying and going to hell! There's divine strategies to winning the war. It starts with reading, knowing and believing God's Word. You must continue to stay focused on Jesus and the price that was paid for your victory. You have to worship and remain thankful for the outcome, even when the circumstances look hopeless.
With any fight of faith, the enemy will lie to you and try to convince you that the situation is hopeless and once he gets you to believe it, you'll miss out on an incredible blessing. Stop repeating what he's saying and begin to confess what the Word of God says about the situation... because that's the only Truth in the matter!
It's not about what they're saying, doing or what's going on in their lives. It's about trusting in a God who desires their salvation even more than you do, then becoming the channel He uses through active, unwavering and unintimidated prayer and faith! Believe it, see it and speak it! Then watch as God uses circumstances...don't get frightened by them... some may be unpleasant, but they will lead them straight to Jesus! I prayed whatever it takes God... it took losing everything, but through that He gained so much more!
Mark 8:36-37 (NLT) And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?
Isaiah 54:13 (NKJV) All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.
Acts 16:31 (NLT) They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” (That's a promise for your family!)
Matthew 19:26 (NKJV) But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 21:21-23 (NKJV) So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
