Galatians 2:20a
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not i, but Christ liveth in me:
My Life Verse

Ephesians 6:6

Not with eyeservice, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

Thursday, February 5, 2009

"Build an Altar" Dr. Earl Jessup

This morning i was privileged to go to the Missionary Wives Luncheon. It is suppose to be for ladies 18 and up (a new rule made this year) so asked if Kailyn and I helped if we could come. The exception was made and i think we were a help to Ms. Tammy and the other ladies. Ms. Denese Stewart taught the devotional on Prayer.
P-Problems
R-Responsibility
A-Anxiety
Y-You
When you have problems, pray.
When you have a responsibility that seems impossible to complete, pray.
When you have an anxiety that seems impossible to get past, pray.
When you get down and satan tries to defeat you, pray.
Ms. Denese told us of specific situations in her and her family's life that they have needed the power of prayer in each of these four points.
Thanks Ms. Denese it was a great devotional!

Tonight Dr. Earl Jessup taught on "Build an Altar". He read from I Kings 18, the story of Elijah and the 450 prophets of Baal. And how God proved himself through fire.

Elijah, unlike most people, wasn't afraid to start something only God could finish. Most people today will not build the altar because they do not have the faith that God will start the fire!

So why did Elijah declare the contest between the Almighty God and Baal?
1. Because of the problem they were facing! The people had forsaken the commandments of the Lord and followed Baalim!
2. Because that is what leaders do! Elijah had a lot of faith! If God had not set the altar on fire Elijah's life would have been lost! He was a leader willing to sacrifice to see the people bettered.
3. Because he realized there was going to be a lot of people that would not build the altar!
Under this point Dr. Jessup stated that in the present day there is only 1 fundamental, bible believing, kjv church for ever 40-50,000 people in America! Unbelievable! In our past there was 1 for ever 500 people. We need to send people to tell the world about Christ, but what about America? We are commanded to tell all the world of Christ...all the world includes our beloved country!
He also said that many people believe in God, but only in theory...how sad...i am blessed to believe in my God because i have seen His works, and Miracles, and Blessings, and His Presence!
I have a God in REALITY!!! He is real!
4. Because God will honor those that step out on Faith.
We cannot ask God to send the fire if we do not repair/build the altar. If we are not right with God, we cannot ask Him to bless our lives and use us.

This Missions Conference has been such a blessing to me! I've seen Christ work in the hearts of our people and my heart as well this week.

Also Praise the Lord for Derek Sattler who committed to be a Missionary tonight! Please pray for him and God's will to continue to be done in his life!

Till Then,
Rachael
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I Have Been Blessed!!!!


THE ROOM

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room.
There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to
catch my attention was one that read "Girls I have liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.

This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.

A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I have betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed at." Some
were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've yelled at my brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.

Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth.
Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I have watched", I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content.

I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it
and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.

And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this
room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.

No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw
a sorrow deeper than my own.

He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again.
He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name
of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side.

He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished." I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.
- Brian Moore