How's That Working For You?

Disappointment in Life:

When I think of the apostle Paul…I see a strong, determined leader for Christ! So what is going on with this plea from him…to Timothy? Did he face “people problems?”, disappointment in his friends and fellow Christians? When I read this passage I see some of all of that…

Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas...because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica... At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me... Do your best to get here before winter (4:9-11,14,16,21).

Problems molded the apostle Paul into the greatest warrior for Christ the world has ever known. But there were times when adversity and disappointment took its toll on this tough soldier.

Can’t we sense Paul's hurt and discouragement near the end of his second letter to Timothy:

"Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas...because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica" (2 Tim 4:9-10).

Do you hear the pain in those words? Twice he urges Timothy to come to him. Do you feel his anguish when he twice speaks of being deserted by his friends?

Paul in his letters, usually seems to have an invincible spirit. Yet he was a man who suffered, felt betrayed, and was at times very lonely. However, Paul chose to look at life from a heavenly perspective.

That's why he could write:
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body (2 Cor. 4:8-10).

Paul had experienced a level of opposition and suffering that you and I can scarcely imagine. People said they would do things but did not follow through. He could not depend on certain people. Yet he was not crushed, and he refused to give in to despair. He viewed his life as a continual process of dying. His goal was to live in such a way that the life of Jesus would be revealed in his response to adversity. Beware of placing too much expectation on others.

Realize that people will let you down from time to time, but do not let that impact your faith. Trust God to work even through these disappointments...we are all a work in progress. One of my favortie quotes is "Be kinder than necessary, everyone is fighting their own kind of battle".

Jo’s comments and Excerpts from:
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2,
by Os Hillman

YOU could be “asking” or “answering”
By Carolyn “Jo” Gower

Jesus told his disciples the good news and the bad news; best of all was the answer. The good news is that the harvest is plentiful and ready. The bad news is that the workers are few! Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matt. 9:37-38 (NIV)

When we look around us, we see that the harvest is truly plentiful, and the workers are few! However, we also see the good news. You may be the person praying for the lost or praying for more workers, or the worker in need of prayer; in many ways God is using you to bring others to Christ. Praying that God will open a door in our community so that Christ will be proclaimed is one way, just as we read about in God's word - And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ...Colossians 4:3. Don't give up...keep on praying!

A Great Vacation In Little Rock AR!

Hugh and I feel blessed to have two sons; they are grown, married and have children of their own. Last week was such a joy! We went to Little Rock on Paul's birthday...took him a cake and enjoyed wishing him a happy day.

Paul & Schell had asked us to come for a few days to take care of Noah, our grandson, while they made a trip to Boston to celebrate Paul's birthday with friends. It was a great blessing for us and as any grandmother would say...he is the best grandson in the world! We had such fun taking care of him. At this time Noah is 3 months old and he is so good.

Pop, Noah and I had great conversations together, exercised together. We had time to go outside to see the flowers and birds; stroll in the neighborhood and read books together; sing songs together too! Needless to say we were excited! It was a great week.

At the risk of sounding "religious" I must add that it was a week of praying, answered prayers and blessings from above. Our Lord Jesus was so good to us; he posted angels at every corner of Noah's home. We were well protected and so were Paul and Schell. Their trip to Boston and back was safe. Bad weather was to come in that would interfere with their arrival on Sunday but the Lord answered that prayer with a postive answer too...the weather held off that would have stopped their flying out of Chicago on to Little Rock. Hugh and I offered many thanksgiving prayers for all the good time we had and the protection that God gave all of us.

When you look into the eyes of a little one it can renew your own outlook on life that there is hope, love, joy and peace. It can stop the negative and bring out the positive of life! At least with Noah he showed Pop and I a new world...a renewed perspective of innocense and a inquisitive mind to look at things as though they were brand new!

We were not only blessed but we also learned some important lessons from Noah! For one we learned you can be happy even when you don't always get your way. Also, it doesn't really matter what you look like but it is more important what you are on the inside. If we adults could ever learn to love the way Noah loved us, he did not care what we looked like or what clothes we wore. He wasn't concerned if we were in the right country club or even the right church. He just loved us right where we are! Wow, if we as Christians could love people that way...this would display the true love of Christ.

It is hard to comprehed how Christ could humble himself and come down here as a baby...totally dependent on his earthly mom and dad to give him what he needed to grow up.

When I looked at Noah and realized what trust he had in Pop and I to supply his needs while Mom and Dad were gone for a couple of days it reminded me that I am to trust God just like Noah trusts us. Completely relaxed trust; he didn't worry about anything...he was sure that we would give him everything he needed. Jesus has told us that we are not to worry about anything but trust in Him.

Life has a way of either teaching us or reminding us of the Love of God. We can learn it the easy way or the hard way. I'm thankful that Noah has taught us that it is much easier when we trust rather than worry. Thanks my dear grandson for these lessons! Pop and Gigi love you Noah!!!

4:30 AM Today

This morning I awoke hearing my Granddaughter say "Gigi"...problem is she is back home today. Don't know why I heard her, unless I'm just having withdrawals from her...missing her precious presence in our home.

Anyway, I prayed...Lord are you waking me up to pray for Madelyn? Was I just dreaming? What is the deal? I got up went to the living room, pulled out my book titled "Prayers that Prevail for your Children", turned to the prayer called "Angelic Protection" {Hebrews 1:14} and prayed for Madelyn this prayer (part of that prayer along with some of my own thoughts):

" Holy Father, may the Angel of the LORD encamp around Madelyn right now and deliver her as she honors You with reverent fear, awe and respect.

Thank you for sending your Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, so that we can be saved and protected as we live here awaiting His return to take us to heaven.

Thank you for giving Him power that is far greater than angelic power and a name that is more excellent than the name of angels.

Even so, I thank you, that You have made the angels to be ministering spirits who worship and obey Christ Jesus commands to serve and protect Your people that are heirs of salvation.

Thank you Lord for sending your Angels to protect Madelyn this morning." by the resurrection power of Jesus, AMEN

This morning was peaceful, quiet and close to the Lord Jesus. He is all in all, as the old song states - He is my everything! What a wonderful peace Christ gives us no matter what circumstance we are in today! Thank You Jesus!
Till later,
Jo

Praying for the Lost

With famine, disease, wars, natural disasters, and chaos stalking the earth, the world is in desperate need! However, the world's greatest need is spiritual. The world needs to hear the Gospel because the power is in the Gospel of Christ. (I Cor. 15:1-ff). The point is that the solution to the world's need is in the prayers and outreach to the lost by Christians. The Lord has promised that if we ask, seek, and knock he will send the answer.

Here are a few prayer starters for your encouragement:

1. Pray a prayer of Thanksgiving…
a. "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (I Thessalonians 5:18).

b. "… my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).

2. Praise God for…
a. His faithfulness—“…his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” (Psalms 91:4b)

b. His mercy--"Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reaches unto the clouds" (Psalm 36:5).

c. His excellence--"Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict" (Job 37:23). (Also see Psalm 36:7)

d. His love—“Praise the LORD, all you nations, extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. (Psalm 117)

e. His longsuffering--"But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth" (Psalm 86:15).

f. His name--"O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!" (Psalm 8:9).

3. Pray for workers:
Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest" (Luke 10:2). Pray for unity among brethren in order to when others to Christ. "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1).

4. Pray for God to lead us to people to share the gospel; for people to come to us in search of the Lord Jesus.

a. “Call unto Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things that you do not know”. (Jeremiah 33:3)

5. Pray for people to have open hearts for the Gospel.

“We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you…” (1Thessalonians 1:2-ff)

Pray for Children

FEET of Children…

July 3 – 6, 2008, Paul, Schell and Noah came to West Monroe for a few days. They stayed with us; it was so great to have them back home.

While they were here, I was holding Noah, and I looked down at his precious little feet (he is about 2 months old) and I prayed “Lord, please guide these feet – where Noah should go and what he should do for You oh LORD GOD of heaven and earth.

Then, I said “Schell, please take a picture of Noah’s precious little feet…isn’t that adorable?" So she did. Today, as I’m praying for my children and grandchildren, I began to think about the “feet” spoken about in the Bible; how do I pray for Hugh and I; for my children and grandchildren in regards to their feet? Sounds silly huh? But think about it for a moment…

“Feet” is mentioned in the Bible 262 times. Some of those times refer to the 'measurement' but often it is speaking of human feet. Many references are to “washing feet” but I began to read about how God took care of His people’s feet and discovered that when God’s people were wandering in the desert for 40 years not only did their sandals not wear out but their feet did not even swell. God took complete care of them…every detail. While we're here on earth...it is our "wandering in the wilderness" but we have nothing to fear because of the great God we serve...

{4 Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. Deuteronomy 8:4 (NIV)}

PRAYER:Today, July 7, 2008, I pray Holy God…
You LORD are worthy to be praised, You alone are worthy! Thank YOU that You created little Noah (2 months old) and (6 year old) Madelyn and brought them to earth to be raised by Paul and Schell (Noah); Luke and Melissa (Madelyn). Thank you that you’ve allowed Hugh and I to be their Grandparents, please give us wisdom as we love them day to day.

Please give their parents Paul & Schell and Luke & Melissa a special measure of wisdom as they raise their children. Lord God I pray you’d protect all of them from the evil one; thank you that you surround each one of them with your protection and angels that are assigned to each of them. I pray that all Hugh and I tried to do to raise Paul and Luke for you would forever be in their hearts…that YOU LORD GOD would ever draw them to you so that they will lead their families close to You. I pray that one day we’ll all be in heaven together.

As I thank you Holy Father for their precious feet…My prayer is that you will guide those feet. May they never follow after evil but always after YOU LORD GOD, to Your glory and honor. You tell us in your word….
33 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.
34 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. 2 Samuel 22:33-35 (NIV)

So I claim that promise in Your Word for Noah and Madelyn; their parents and grandparents! Thank You LORD GOD ALMIGHTY for all that You do for each of us. In Christ Holy Name I Pray AMEN

We wait in great expectation as the one and only true and living God answers our prayers for our children, grandchildren and all the children on earth. So that when this life is over our children and grandchildren will be able to say that Pop and GG’s feet followed God closely…like what we read in Job 23:10-12 (NIV)…
10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
11 My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.
12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

Till next time, {GG} Carolyn 'Jo' Gower

HEDGE OF THORNS PRAYER (marriage repair)

By Hugh and Carolyn ‘Jo’ Gower

Some time ago, Hugh and I had a small Bible Study Group on Monday night’s meeting in our home. We met to pray and have a Bible Study with the intent of inviting neighbors and friends to the small group.

God did several great things during that time…one testimony from that time is about a young man that wanted to get back with his wife. As I tell this real-life story I will not use his real name because of privacy issues. Therefore, I’ll call him “Sam”.
On Monday nights, Sam began coming, he had been through a divorce. They had two children, elementary age. Sam's wife was going to the Bars and having relationships with other men. As weeks went on in our prayer and study group Sam began to tell us that he really wanted his wife back.

Hugh explained to him the Hedge of Thorns Prayer. Hugh also asked him “Are you sure you can forgive her? Because if you can’t truly forgive her when she comes back it will not work.” Sam said yes, I forgive her and want her back.

After that, each week, Sam, Hugh and I would pray this prayer around his wife. Then Sam would pray it himself throughout the week. Week after week we’d pray…she would come by our house to drop the children off to Sam or to pick them up from Sam. She looked like a dancehall girl…and was off to the Bars or wild parties after she’d leave the children with Sam.

Several prayers came out of our times of praying the “Hedge Prayer”. We prayed that God would put a hedge about her and bring her to her senses. We prayed she’d lose a desire for the Bars and other men. And that people that were having a bad influence over her would lose a desire to be with her. We prayed that she’d have the desire for her husband and to be the wife and mother God intended her to be. Every Monday night for about a year we prayed a hedge about Sam and his family.
Then one week-end when we were out of town, Hugh was preaching somewhere, Sam called Hugh and said “We’re getting married again, will you do the ceremony?”
Since we were not in town, Sam had to get someone else to do it, but the next week-end they {children too} came to our home to eat supper. It was an awesome experience…she did not even look the same. She looked peaceful; dressed as a mom and a wife would dress. She was no longer dressed like a dancehall girl.
As we sat around the table eating together I asked her…”What happened to you? How did you come back?” She said “One night I was in a Bar; on the dance floor with some guy and boom, like a ton of bricks it hit me ‘this is not what I want’… ‘I want to be with Sam and our children! So I left and went back home to see if my ex-husband would take me back!’

God gave Sam an awesome blessing and answer to prayer! Now that you know we have seen great answers to the Hedge Prayer, here is an outline of that prayer for you to develop your own personal “Hedge Prayer”. It can be adapted to fit many circumstances. So there you go…

· Marriage Repair:

Heavenly Father, I ask you, LORD, to rebuke and bind Satan in the name and through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Jude 9)

I ask you to build a “hedge of thorns” around my husband / wife, so that anyone with wrong influence will lose interest in him / her and leave. (Hosea 2:5-7) (Job 1-3)

I base this prayer on the command of Your Word which states, “Therefore, don’t let anyone separate what God has joined together”. (Matthew 19:6)

Father God, Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. ( I John 5:15) (John 14:13-14) Amen

· Above prayer is based on the following scriptures:

Read Job, the first few chapters where we are told that God had a hedge around Job; how Satan approached God about this. When God took the hedge down Satan could attack. It is important to pray the Hedge of Thorns Prayer around your marriage and your husband or wife.

(1) Job 1 - 3
(2) Mark 3:27; Jude 9
(3) John 14:13-14
(4) Hosea 2:5-7
(5) I John 5:14
(6) Matthew 19:6
(7) I John 5:15