Judges 6:13-14 “But sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about…?”   The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have … Am I not sending you?”

God’s response to “why has this happened to us?”  and “where are all Your wonders?” was “Go in the strength you have.”  Hmm…maybe we don’t see God’s miracles and wonders because we don’t “go” in the strength we do have.

Lord, open our eyes to a greater revelation of who we are, and Whose we are, so our faith will be built up to step out in the strength You’ve already given us.

John 4:42 They said to the woman, “we no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

It is great when someone hears God speaking to them through me, but it is even greater when they hear His words for themselves.  There comes a point for each of us when we can no longer depend solely on others to bring the word of the Lord to us - He wants us to hear Him for ourselves. When we do, He begins to reveal who He is in a way that could never come through second hand information.

Lord, open our ears to hear Your voice! 

Joshua 6:20 “…The wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in and they took the city.

When the wall around Jericho collapsed, they didn’t stand around having a victory party–they seized the moment, charged right in and took the city.  If they had been focused on merely enjoying the emotional experience that would have undoubtedly accompanied such a great demonstration of God’s power, it would have been very easy for them to miss their moment.  

Only God could bring the wall down, but it was Israel’s responsibility to go in and lay hold of the city. We can’t do what only God can do, but He won’t do what He has commanded us to do.

Joshua 6:1-2 Now Jericho was tightly shut up…Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands.”

Jericho was a fortified city and “tightly shut up.”  Yet, when the Lord spoke His word concerning the matter, He expected Joshua to be able to “see” the things that were not as though they were. When our natural eyes see something very different than what God has promised, we too can “see” in the spirit and be assured that what He has spoken will come to pass!

I can’t believe I have already been back from Thailand for three weeks!  After each trip I take I always try to write a story of some sort about whatever God highlights from the trip.  A week or so ago I was able to get my story from this most recent trip on paper.  This particular story has forty years of history behind it, so it is a little longer than usual.  Also since we had a very specific intercessory focus for the trip, part of it sort of reads like “Ghostbusters-Jesus Style!”   But more than anything, I wanted to find the words to give God glory for what He did so I basically just told it like it happened (as far as I understand it anyway!). If you are interested in reading it, here is the link: http://www.waitingatthewell.org/articles/Three.pdf

On a more general note, things in the prayer room have been quite busy lately–especially on Saturdays.  Jesus has been so faithful to meet those who come in for prayer each week.  For me, it is just a privilege to get to join Him in declaring the good things on His heart over each person who comes through the doors. (It is also a privilege to minister with our faithful little team–love you Sue and Tracy!)  If you live in or near the Redlands area and would like to come in for prayer some Saturday, please be sure to call or email to make an appointment since it has gotten busy enough that it is becoming pretty hard to ensure we will be able to pray for those who just drop by. Click this link for contact info, directions or more info: http://www.waitingatthewell.org/well.html#Anchor-191-10937

On Thursday evenings at 7pm each week, we continue to intercede for the nations and the global church (including specifically for Israel on the last Thursday of each month) as well as for whatever else He puts on our hearts.  It is a great time of waiting on Him and then partnering with Him in speaking forth the things on His heart and mind.  Every week is different, but we always meet with Jesus, so it’s always good!

Still feel like we’re very much in a period of transition (I think that has been true since we opened!)  and I don’t know where everything will land, but I can honestly say that I am enjoying the journey so much right now that it really doesn’t matter where it all ends up or what it ultimately looks like.  Since the beginning of the year, the Lord has been lifting burden after burden off of my shoulders regarding the ultimate “outcome” of things and in the process He has rebirthed such an excitement and expectancy in my heart.  I know no matter what happens–it will be GOOD!   I just want to move where He’s moving and do what He’s doing.  Life works better that way   And the cool thing about wanting to “move” with Jesus is that it is exactly what he desires for us–so I guess you could say I feel pretty confident that it’ll all work out just fine!  He is good!   

Oh… I want to close with a funny (and wonderful) little testimony… I had lunch with my mom today as an early Mother’s Day celebration (she’ll be away on Mother’s Day).  She had a bad cough a week or so ago and ended up hurting her back (she actually felt like her rib was out of place).  She let me pray for her and Jesus fixed it!   I just got an email from her that included this funny line:  “Thank you for a lovely lunch, flowers, tea and healing.”   I’ve heard of tea and sympathy, but I think tea and healing is much better!  Yea God!!!