“Heart of Hope”Run for Hungeris set to take place September 13, 2014 @8:00 am. It was established to help combat the lack of food in the lives of children who come specifically from Carolina Beach Elementary School.
Currently there are 449 children who are registered there. 136 children are on free lunches with 27 on a reduced lunch program. This year a summer gap occurred. We went to work and enacted “Donation Stations” whereby others can give snacks/drinks directly to these stations. They are then picked up and delivered to children helping us wage war on hunger.
Sponsorships are garnered to help produce the run which enable us to position ourselves, in such a way, that we are able to give directly into hands of those responsible without any overhead, red tape or delay. The situation is dire and the need is certain.
Won’t you rise up and be a part of “Heart of Hope” Run for Hunger 2014? Let us (together) help those who do not ask to be born into poverty in order that they, too, can have the hope they will need (in their hearts) to rise up and out of their circumstances.
How can you help? By volunteering, helping with the race day event, or by “getting the word out” to anyone you know who can run, walk, roll or relay for such a worthy cause. And, lastly (but not least!) there is a $100.00 cash prize for the first place winner! A win, win situation!
100% of any monies raised (from the “Heart of Hope” Run) go to provide the basics of life…food.
He taught them (the ones He was called to reveal this Kingdom).
He showed them by example how
He loved them unconditionally.
He gave them what they needed; not always what they wanted.
He fed them (spiritually/physically).
He left a legacy.
As the children of God (and Christ’s followers) we have laid before us a great (and unique) opportunity to change what Satan has meant for evil upon this earth. But, are we willing to pay the price to be a change agent? Are we willing to sacrifice ourselves to be set apart for the Master’s use?
When it is all said and done, and you kneel before the Lord (and we all will someday) what will you tell Him? What will you lay at His feet, as His follower? There will be no more excuses left, no more complaining or whining about why you couldn’t or why you didn’t. All will be bare before the One who knew us through the good, bad and ugly. Many have been devastated over the recent suicide of Robin Williams. I know I was. The night I discovered he had died there were no concrete circumstances stated at the time. I went to bed, got up, and talked to God. My heart was grieving the loss of a soul that evidently was riddled with torment. How sad.
Don’t let the enemy of all of our souls hoodwink you into depression or closing yourself off from others. Learn to follow Jesus on earth. He is our Savior…your Savior. It is why He came. He promises that He will guide you into all truth and I can tell you from my personal experience that the truth can hurt, but the result is healing. Reach out to someone who can help you learn to overcome no matter how hard your circumstances are or how long it takes you to get back up on your feet.
Christ is the only one who can supernaturally help you. Please follow Him and HE will reveal the Kingdom and His ways to you, as you go along…but stay steadfast. His fixes are not always quick or easy. He is the only one who possesses all the hidden knowledge about you to help you be an overcomer. He will reveal himself to you in ways you could not possibly imagine, if you will but only turn to Him.
The initial seven things that are listed above are yours for the asking…
He taught them (the ones He was called to reveal this Kingdom).
He showed them by example how
He loved them unconditionally.
He gave them what they needed; not always what they wanted.
He fed them (spiritually/physically).
He left a legacy.
As the children of God (and Christ’s followers) we have laid before us a great (and unique) opportunity to change what Satan has meant for evil upon this earth. But, are we willing to pay the price to be a change agent? Are we willing to sacrifice ourselves to be set apart for the Master’s use?
When it is all said and done, and you kneel before the Lord (and we all will someday) what will you tell Him? What will you lay at His feet, as His follower? There will be no more excuses left, no more complaining or whining about why you couldn’t or why you didn’t. All will be bare before the One who knew us through the good, bad and ugly. Many have been devastated over the recent suicide of Robin Williams. I know I was. The night I discovered he had died there were no concrete circumstances stated at the time. I went to bed, got up, and talked to God. My heart was grieving the loss of a soul that evidently was riddled with torment. How sad.
Don’t let the enemy of all of our souls hoodwink you into depression or closing yourself off from others. Learn to follow Jesus on earth. He is our Savior…your Savior. It is why He came. He promises that He will guide you into all truth and I can tell you from my personal experience that the truth can hurt, but the result is healing. Reach out to someone who can help you learn to overcome no matter how hard your circumstances are or how long it takes you to get back up on your feet.
Christ is the only one who can supernaturally help you. Please follow Him and HE will reveal the Kingdom and His ways to you, as you go along…but stay steadfast. His fixes are not always quick or easy. He is the only one who possesses all the hidden knowledge about you to help you be an overcomer. He will reveal himself to you in ways you could not possibly imagine, if you will but only turn to Him.
The initial seven things that are listed above are yours for the asking…
This morning, after a prayer meeting, my agenda had listed on it several things that had to be accomplished today. One of them was to deliver flyers to several local churches making them aware of the 2nd Annual “Heart of Hope” Run for Hunger (September 13th @ 8:00 am). So, I hopped into my car and headed for the first destination.
I drove to a local body of believer’s (Lutheran) that had showed up in full support of the 2013 Run and wanted to give them a heads up as to the date, time and particulars of this year’s event. I walked into the office and asked for the Pastor and was told he was not in. I handed a couple of flyers to the secretary explaining the reason for my drop by.
There was a little girl standing there who could not have been more than eight years old who hovered around the secretary so I assumed it was her daughter. Her head was shaved (completely bald). She appeared sickly, yet had the most gorgeous blue eyes and dearest face that gazed back at me. I wondered what was wrong. My eyes were fixed on her face as I began to tell the two ladies the details. (This type of occurrence was totally out of character for me. Eye contact is essential anytime I speak to someone.) After I finished telling them what I had to say, I stood around a little longer to have a few laughs over some of silly things that had taken place at lasts year’s run. Then, without really thinking, I paused and asked the little girl what her name was. She replied, “Anna.” I said, “Well, Anna, I want to give you a hug.” I walked towards her with open arms, wrapped them tight around her, laid my hands upon her dear head and prayed, “Jesus I ask that you bless Anna.”
I walked out of the church office and as usual the Holy Spirit began to place upon my heart what I needed to learn from this morning. As I drove away I wondered why we can’t just love one another without all of the other junk. Why is it so important to adults to cause division, always thinking that they are in the right? Why can’t we just get along with one another? Why do we have to have such dissentions about seemingly small issues when so many suffer so much?
Sometimes I wish someone would just stand up and say, “For the common good, tell me why you are so angry about this and thus and let me love you through it. Tell me why you feel so wronged and let me put my arms around you and just love on you. Let me allow you to vent because I sense that not many people really listen to what you have to say. What hurts you so much that you feel that you cannot let something go and just be a part of the greater common good? Let me, let me…” We, (especially believers), have to know that lashing out with words is not beneficial to the greater good causing hurt feelings, bad situations and most importantly it drives those away from us that might otherwise have come to us for advice, help or friendship.
Anna.Every time you think you have a “bone to pick” with someone and want to lash out remember Anna. In the whole big picture of life our little fusses that cause so much pain, breath and heartache mean nothing. And lastly, remember that we might very well feel that we have a “just cause.” And we very well might. But, always step back and pray before voicing it out loud to the only one who can change any given situation. Take a good, hard, cold look at the circumstance (that is needling you) from every side and angle (honestly) knowing that it does you no good to only look through your perspective. Look through the eyes of God and then ask Him to reveal to you the truth.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
I want to talk about faith. The Bible teaches that faith is the substance of hope. So, that tells me that it is something you can “sink your teeth” into. It is firm, it is immovable (not like jello!) but, the catch is that you are the one that has to do the sinking.
I am out in the middle of the ocean, at this very moment, with my faith. If it were not for the fact that my history with God has confirmed (to me) He is real and that there is a substance of faith (for me to use) I would literally crawl up in bed and might never get up. The way faith is designed by God is that you have go through trials in order to learn to have the God kind of faith that can move the mountains or weather the storms you face.
The Apostle Paul teaches us that having done all to stand therefore, stand and see the salvation of the Lord (Eph. 6: 10-16-my paraphrase). If you will take a look at verse 16 he says, “above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” Satan counts on you shrinking back and not moving forward in the things of God. One of his greatest weapons is fear.
Faith is: Firm Assurance in the Holy One. When a man/woman’s hope is gone it is dreadful. In the kingdom of God you have to believe that faith is there and can be activated by your prayers, standing on what you know to be true (God’s word) and belief in His holy promises. You cannot be moved by your emotions, for when you are the enemy has full reign.
Remember: Without FAITH it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6).
When you can stand in your fire (and they will be hot) trusting in God for it all; not just some of it then He can work through your situation and move the mountains however He chooses. But, ultimately it is His choice how. And you have to grasp that one solid principal. But, in the meantime, show Him you are willing to have the kind of faith He requires. Even the Apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith” (Luke 17:5).
Prepare for the worst; hope for the best, knowing that faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen and stay obedient along the way
We have been given weapons to use by God himself to overcome the wiles of the devil (Mk. 16:15-18; Luke 24: 46-49 (NKJV). The Apostle Paul tells us clearly that we “wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12). So there must be a battle that has to be fought. To the church–at –large: What makes anyone think that there will not be spiritual warfare when trying to reach a person with the most important choice of his life? He/she is ultimately choosing between God and Satan.
What one faces is lack of understanding that there is a battle that rages, (over a man’s soul) even though it is not seen. It is the proverbial fight between good and evil but this fight is not a movie. This is a battle between our adversary (1 Pet. 5:8), the devil, and God Almighty. Until Satan is thrust into the lake of fire forever (Rev. 19:20), we have to contend with him in some manner. So when evangelizing a human soul think not for one moment that Satan will not oppose or place opposition in the path.
Fasting coupled with intercessory prayer can and will help when one is confronting a nonbeliever. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds” (2 Cor. 10:4). In God we find our key. Jesus tells us plainly (my paraphrase) that he will not leave us orphans but will send another who will come to (our aid and) help us (John 14:18). The Holy Spirit is here (he is our inheritance) to help guide us into all truth (John 16:13). In seeking to evangelize anyone, it is imperative to be guided by the Holy Spirit. In that way, he can give us understanding as to the how so that our attempts and outcomes are victorious…whatever they may be. In addition, we have to realize that God loves them and the process of “bringing them into the fold” so to speak may take time and a lot of (our) patience. Evangelization is much more effective, though, when others trust the one who is speaking to them in regard to their eternal salvation. It is up to the one who is evangelizing to trust that the Holy Spirit knows the individual.
Listening and timing are essentials, as well, but if the Holy Spirit is asked beforehand then He will guide, lead, and direct the face-to-face interaction. My prayer before battle might go something like this—
“Father, please give me eyes to see and ears to hear (listen) so that my outreach will not be thwarted by Satan and at the very least the seeds of the gospel are sown into the soil of his or her heart and then allow the only truth that will set them free (John 8:32), in Jesus’ mighty name I ask.” Amen
I have heard people say I can’t wait to see what God is going to do! Years ago, I was so guilty of not only saying that phrase but I just waited for God to move on my behalf. I attribute some of this to erroneous teachings that were going on in the body at large but also due to the fact that I had seen God tangibly move so mightily in my own circumstances that I placed him into a pattern of performing for me.
When we are not obedient to do what we know how to do we get trapped by the snare of the enemy into “waiting” on God to do something for us (and then getting frustrated because he hasn’t) when all along scripture tells us (my paraphrase) God has finished all of the work and now sits at the right hand of the Father. There is nothing more that God has to do…the burden is placed on us.
Now, with all of that being said, how is it that we think that God can be manipulated into dancing (so to speak) to our tune? And, in this, I speak to you from experience. God, give me the finances I need, God give me the ________I need in order to do ___________fill in the blank.
Think about this for a minute. The original disciples (Apostles) were sitting around waiting (tarrying) on the promise from God in the upper room. They did this because they were told to do this. They did not just fabricate it from their minds. Some of them truly had lost heart due to the gap in time (about four months) and were even considering going back to their old professions, but they all gathered in the infamous upper room to PRAY and it was only then that the spirit hit them.
If you are stagnant and are ‘waiting for God to move’ then by all means go into your upper room, pray (and fast if necessary), place a fleece before the LORD if you have to in order to get clear of the confusion or fuzziness you are experiencing. And, then get up and then listen. But do something. God will not do anything without our participation.
I believe he listens to us utter those words of I can’t wait to see…and says, but I have already done everything andI am waiting on you to do something. Don’t ever just assume that God is going to move right in the middle of your circumstances (mess) without you doing your part. If you have lack, then do your part by working. If your body is aching know that you have to take care of it by proper eating and exercise. If you are tired check yourself and your sleeping habits. If you don’t make enough money to support yourself or your family consider going back to school or just getting a full-time or part-time job but do something to help and I promise you that God will honor that.
For those of you who are weary and tired in spirit take heart—
Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:28)
While you are waiting, ask the One (Your Father) who never sleeps nor slumbers, to help you so that your heart can be unburdened. I have discovered that this particular attribute is the one I utilize the most.
The other day I did something for someone. I was not told to do it although I certainly felt in my heart that I probably should. It was what I fondly called later, one act of kindness, as I got the revelation of what it actually meant for me.
I have walked (or certainly tried to) walk closely with the Lord for well over eighteen years now. I am not an expert on the subject by any means and do not profess to be so but, I do know what I have been tangibly taught. And these lessons can only be experienced. To really gain the fullness of God Almighty you have to sacrifice something. Whether it is your time, talents or money, he waits to see what you are willing and/or going to do.
The other day I was in the midst of yet another trial. Knowing I had to walk through it to get to the other side I did something for someone because it was the right thing to do. And, after this particular incident something broke off me that I could not describe. Immediately, I knew that my one act of kindness (to someone else) right in the midst of my worstness (It is not a word but it sure does say what I felt!) actually ‘loosed the hand of God’ in my situation. This was not the first time this has happened but the first time I really felt I needed to share with others this concept. I thought, I think God is happy with me.
There are times when I know I should ___________ (fill in the blank) but I don’t want to do it. I have learned though, through the school of hard knocks, this is the time that I need to force myself through whatever is being asked or placed in front of me. It is also what I fondly have come to call, one act of obedience time.
Doing what you know should be done does something supernatural in your heart that can make your day, your week, or your month go a lot smoother, happier. We miss out on a lot of good things, from the Father, because quite frankly it is hard to push through when you don’t want to or don’t feel like doing this or that for whatever reason.
I challenge you today to ask the Holy Spirit to show you the one act that only you can perform in your sphere of influence/life. It really can make a difference for you. And what is more know that you, in your efforts, are never alone. I am here trying to do/behave in the right manner as well. No one said following Christ would be easy!
The other day, as I was speaking to someone on the phone, what started pouring from my mouth was this: “Speak life, speak the Word!” You see, in the Kingdom of God angels hearken to God’s Word not just any ‘ole word or begging or sobbing and asking God for this or that. God promises his Word does not return unto him void (Is. 55:11).
What in the world do you mean by all of that, Molly? I hardly have time to get up and get to work in the morning. How is it I am supposed to take the time to pray scripture that I really don’t even understand?
I have been trying to teach others what the Holy Spirit has taught me in a ‘simple and clear’ way for the last eight years. I have seen and witnessed many tangible character and personality changes and “yes” what many would deem miracles of healing: spiritually and physically. And yet, in all of that I still see and hear defeat in so many of God’s children. It makes me question myself and the knowledge I have been given. But, then I realized that I cannot get up early with someone and make them pray. I cannot be with everyone throughout the day and hold their hands when a crisis arises to guide them by praying scripture.
I have used scripture for years now every morning in prayer. When I first was saved, I memorized scriptures by the boat loads and prayed them every morning to God…the only one who can help me. I got up at 5:30 (am) just to get a handle on the day before me and make certain God “would go before me to make the crooked places straight” (Is. 40:4). It was hard and it took effort. It took time away from those who meant most to me, but I KNEW in my heart IF I could get “it” deposited into the soil of my heart then it would somehow help them. I missed functions (Birthdays, Anniversaries, etc.) or I would show-up and leave early to go home and either help myself by resting or studying or just sitting and talking to God—out loud. I realized if I were to gain the victory in this earth I was truly and really going to have to place HIM first in my heart. And that was tough. But, I looked around me at my circumstances (and the circumstances of others)and knew if I didn’t make a change then who was going to? God was not just going to zap everything in my life and give me what I wanted without some effort on this side of heaven.
If any of this sounds like you or you can relate then know that the Father is waiting on YOU. He has all of eternity. We don’t; at least not on earth. IT is now or never. Is your life still messy if you profess Christ as Savior? Is your life truly “Thy Kingdom come and Thy will be done?” Or is it—My Kingdom come, my will be done? Oh, and God, will you please bless that?
