(If it is welcome and a blessing, send it on to others,Lee)
Yesterday was a great day. I saw a victim of many years of depression and suffering set free from the clutches of the enemy, enjoyed a time of prayer and fellowship with two other pastors, and came home to meditate on what the Lord is doing.
I feel strongly that He is calling many of us to prayer and that for whatever the reason we don't seem to being doing it. Why? Is that answer good enough? The scenario I see is this. We build a small home in a nice neighborhood and the maintenance of it isn't much. But then we have some rough neighbors who move in and we find trash on our lawn, etc. A little more maintenance. A while later we come home to find the house broken into. Now we have security locks and fences to help lower the maintenance and protect ourselves. Now if we were to wake to someone in the house (we call the police!), we would look at greater forms of security.
So why is it with prayer we think the amount of prayer andfasting it took as a baby Christian or even three weeks ago (before the tent for us) will maintain the house. I see that the enemy isn't going to say, "I am not going to Springfield anymore, Lee Johndrow's there!" He is raising the standards against the body of Christ. Bringing the tent to Springfield was a great idea (God's idea) but the enemy isn't going to sit by and say "hey great. Keep my people (principalities, powers and rulers of the air-oh, yeah. Spiritual wickedness, too.) moving!
One hour may not be enough to keep your lawn clean. Fasting one day may not erect the fence that needs to be in place.
And this review of intercession brought me back to this.
Based on some of the letters I received the message on humility hit home, and yet I feel I need to add to this message. There was some critical points my own studies brought forth to me. Part of it is, I think that many of us don't run to the fruits of longsuffering, temperance and humility.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
This is a dictionary definition of the word meekness.
This is the concordance definition.
There is a pride that is within the church. Most of us recognize it and we know that the enemy will come against it...Wrong!!! It is God who is taking down the pride of the church.
From God's own Word...
James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.
Then along comes Peter (that once prideful man of God) and what does he say?
1Peter 5:5
There is a respect that has gone out of the church (I have had people older than me say it is delightful to hear them called "Sir" or "Ma'am"), and I see that God is trying to restore it. I am often appalled in various services during prayer-that people will be talking out about nothing connected to the prayer.
How do you endure with patience the injuries or offenses? With God's grace. Certainly we are not great at it, and yet God calls it fruit. Good fruit. Endurance, patience-words that smack against our cultures. Doing it without resentment. Not getting even. Taking captive the thoughts that bring hurtful words. I imagine those that read this will get an opportunity for an object lesson in this. I pray you pass.
I have learned one important thing about God. He allows me to come back to class for the same issue until I get it.
Meekness is a good thing. (And I am not talking about that fake humility that runs rampant saying things like "I will never be good enough" or when under attack, "I must be doing something right." What happens if you weren't? These kind of statements actually bring awareness to the situation. Jesus bore His sufferings without a word.) It is the result of a learning process. I don't think the spirit of humility just falls on us. (Would be nice-right about the time I eat my foot!!!)
So arrogance, the elitism spirit, the "I have got it all together" idea, need to be nailed, once again to the cross. And the tie to the prayer part...
Too frequently I meet people who talk continuously about how much they pray and fast, and war, and I look at the fruit. Unfortunately for them there is no victory in their life. Often it is a shambles. I have walked in this realm. Prayer, fervently offered up from a righteous heart will shake the heavenlies, even if it is only for minutes. (And believe me-those one second "Help" prayers have received answers!!!)
Prayer truly offered up, brings a meekness to one's soul. When you stand in the presence of an awesome God-your realization of your tinyness becomes apparent. And as you approach the throne of grace, you will see the ability to endure, patiently, without resentments.
Today, you may feel challenged. There are areas of our lives that we want to hold onto. I used to hold dearly to a new car (bye-bye), a relationship that God had said no to(bye-bye), a job I loved (bye-bye). These were "status symbols" and at the time desired with wrong motives. I was proud of what I had and what had been accomplished. They even started out as God gifts. My pride (like that darkening onion skin) continued to appear. God will defeat the pride and the proud of the church. Annanias and Sapphira's sin may well have been just the lie, but there was a pride to have everyone think they had give "all" when in fact they hadn't. It was pride.
Tomorrow, I will do what the Bible says, for Friday. We will go out with joy.
Dear Friends:
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
1. enduring injury with patience and without resentment
2. deficient in spirit and courage (I don't believe this is an accurate definition for us simply because I believe it takes courage and a strong spirit to walk out meekness)
3. not violent or strong (this would be a physical definition)
Humility-not proud, haughty, arrogant or assertive.
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Selah.
Shalom.
We pray for you, each and every day. If this is an encouragement to you. Please tell us, and please email it to someone else. If you have a prayer request, please mail it to us. We want to stand with you, battling spiritual wickedness, seeing people made free. We want to serve our brother and sister.
In the Service of Christ for His Glory,
Lee Johndrow
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please mail us at:
154 Paddock Road
Springfield, Vermont 05156
For those who support us in prayer and deed we appreciate it.
Thank you,
Lee & Tina Johndrow
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