Enough is enough already. For some reason when I go and speak my life seems to start to fall apart. Next week I am going as the camp speaker to Camp Kinasao. But 
this past week both mine and my husbands vehicles have needed hundreds of dollars in repairs and now we found out that everything from out of our boat has been stolen when we are leaving for a fishing trip when I get back from camp. So instead of getting ready today I have been dealing with the police, the insurance company and calling pawn shops looking for our stuff. This is not making my husband very happy about my going away to speak. I am not that happy about going away to speak now either.
This has happened way too many times. Before I spoke at a girls conference our vehicle broke down and then my youngest ended up sick in the hospital. When I went to speak at another conference my back was hurting to bad I could hardly move.
So, am I to take this as a sign that I am not supposed to be doing this, or that God is going to speak through me so mightily that I need to be attacked. What is the deal!
Answers and prayers greatly appreciated!
Hi Carolyn ~ You have been called to do great things for God...and yes, I believe that you are being tested and tried. I hope this encourages you...in spite of the chaos around you!! Stand firm and know that you and your family are upheld in prayer and that God knows and cares about all that is going on with your family!!!
ReplyDelete10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Ephesians 6:10-20
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6
With love, and prayer...Laura
CJ -- Do you have people interceeding for you and covering your back in prayer? It surely sounds like typical tactics of the nemy to distract and discourage you.
ReplyDeleteHi Carolyn, Long time no talk.
ReplyDeleteI would say that if you are not making ripples in Satan's world, then you would not be doing what you are called to do. The fact that you are discouraged and questioning shows that you are doing what you should. Do not take your eyes off Jesus, He will put out his hand on the water so that you will not drown. It is our character not our comfort that He is concerned about. I heard a quote the other day, God does not take us into the deep waters to drown us but to cleanse us. I will pray for you and your family as you go to serve. Be encouraged that what you will speak will bring everlasting blessings. I don't know if you are familiar with the Desert Song but I am adding the lyrics here. Sing praise my friend, no weapon formed against you shall remain! This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides
This is my prayer in the fire
And weakness or trial or pain
There is faith proved of more worth than gold
So refine me lord through the flames
I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and he is here
This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on his promise I'll stand
I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and he is here
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have reason to worship
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and he is here
And this is my prayer in the harvest
And favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I received I will sow
Deanna
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my post. What a time of growing I am going through right now.
ReplyDeleteLaura- thank you for the remind of those verses.
His Fire Fly- I know that is something that I need to find.
Deanna- I love that song, I am going to listen to it on repeat right now. Good to hear from you.
I will definately keep posting as to how my week at camp is going.
The enemy knows when we are doing the work we were called to do and he will do anything to stop us from doing it. Persevere. I have been praying for you and your family and know that even though these things seem big now, the work you're doing is BIGGER!
ReplyDeleteThe devil wants to keep you busy and stand in your(God's) way. He knows that lives will be changed and hearts will be healed through you! Keep on 'running the race!' Don't let him win! Not speaking won't bring your stuff back and you'll still have to fix the vehicles regardless! Pray and laugh at the enemy's lack of creativness! No boat necessary for this (god's) fishing trip!!
ReplyDeleteYou're in my prayers!