The Last Woman Standing

Last Sunday, as I headed down to PlanetShakers church for a relaxing and inspiring afternoon, I prayed. Lord, please give us a message that will encourage us today. And encourage us he did. The speaker was Pastor Brian Houston from Hillsong church, and he spoke about taking new ground and the challenges we face in the process.

The message meant a lot to us because although we are making progress, we are facing (and have faced) some pretty difficult challenges - some of these hitting very close to home. But it was confirmed to me through that message that I should just keep pushing on (to be the last woman standing, if you like), because great things are ahead. In the meantime God will help us as we grapple with some of these issues and to grow as a result.

Eleazar the Determined

"Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite.
As one of the three mighty warriors, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle.
Then the Israelites retreated, but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword.
The LORD brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead."

2 Samuel 23:9-10

Eleazar is such a picture of perseverance. When the Israelite army retreated, he remained and struck down the Philistines that day - he kept going until his hand was cramped on to his sword!

We need more leaders like Eleazar, who have such fearless determination to do what God has called them to do that they will not quit, even in their thoughts.

Lord, help me to be a warrior in the Spirit like Eleazar.

Carry Me

"I have cared for you since you were born.
Yes, I carried you before you were born.
I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age.
I made you, and I will care for you.
I will carry you along and save you."

Isaiah 46:3-4 NLT

After several weeks of working pretty much flat out, I've begun to feel a little weary and discouraged. But the Lord reminded me today that He has sustained me for my entire life - through all sorts of good and bad experiences. He has been my strength through it all - and He will continue to carry me through my whole life, until I take my very last breath.

It is He, no one else and nothing else, who sustains me. He is like my food and drink; He is my confidence, my inspiration, my faith, my courage. I pray that I will be able to follow the example of Jesus, who kept persevering, even on the cross. Diligence is an important ingredient for fruitfulness.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9 TNIV).

Unstoppable

"For the Lord Almighty has purposed,
and who can thwart him?"

Isaiah 14:27

I thank God that no-one can stop what He has planned; least of all me.

Things have been a little tough in the past week; various challenges and loneliness have threatened to shut me down. Yet while I was floundering, God was at work, as he picked me up and set me back on the course He has for me. I am so thankful that I serve the God who gives up on nobody; who in all things works for the good of those who love Him.

What have you seen?

Vision is seeing something that most others cannot, like the potential for a flower to grow out of a mass of bricks.

Once you see something, a vision of a future God has given you, don't let go of it. Many things will try to crowd out your time, and distract your attention from what you have seen.

I have been reminded this week to keep pushing through, until bit by bit, what I saw so many days and weeks ago, comes into being.

Don't give up on your God-given vision; it is what God has created you to do, and no-one else can do it, except for you.

No footprints

"Your path led through the sea,
Your way through the mighty waters
Though your footprints were not seen".

(Psalm 77:13 TNIV)

The Israelites faced a mighty sea before them, but God made a path. They walked on dry land while mighty waters rose up beside them. Though they saw no footprints, the God who led them out of Egypt walked with them, leading them once again along his path through the sea, his power once again being displayed mightily in their lives.

Sometimes we can feel as if we are fighting alone. We look at the raging waters and doubt we will ever be strong enough to push through them. But God has made a way! We may not be able to see very far ahead but the path is there if we trust Him to lead us. I don't have to fight in my own strength; I just must stand strong and follow the Lord. And though at times I may not be able to see His footprints, He surrounds me and holds the waters back so that they will not crush me.

I will pass through.

Test

A lot of amazing things have fallen into place in order to get to this point.
That's why I must keep trusting God through these testing times, because I know he will provide what I need to fulfill the dreams he has put in my heart.
I must fight to hang on to my faith that God will bring about what he has called me to do, no matter what happens or how much I become discouraged.

Lord, I'm hanging on.
I trust you with my life, my future.
Help me to have the strength
to not lose hope,
no matter what.