How you doin? Thank you to those of you who made an effort to encourage me at church or sent me encouraging emails. I did have a chance to speak to a friend in Christ yesterday on the phone as well. He was very helpful. Thank you Jack. As I've been praying about this matter of conferences, God keeps imparting to me stewardship and fundamentals. I keep hearing, "go back to the basics". This email is certainly something that has opened a channel of communication with the Lord. I've also been reminded (by God) what the basics are or what I should be stewarding better. First and foremost my relationship with Him. My relationship with Him is the crux of it all. Second is my relationship with Stacey. Third is my relationship with, and parenting, the kids. Getting back to these ministries or basics is edifying and encouraging. Stacey reminded me of a sermon we heard from Bill Johnson on the importance of thanksgiving. AA suggests that in times of hardship that you make a "gratitude list". To literally list on paper all the things you have to be grateful for. I didn't actually make the list, but I did appreciate the recap reminder of Bill Johnson's sermon. He pretty much stated that we need to have thanksgiving in all that we do. Good times, bad times, prayer, worship, ministry, being ministered to, and perseverance.
My buddy Jack reminded me of something that Stacey and I talk about on a regular bases. David had defeated a lion and a bear in private. 1 Samuel 17:36, "Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.” This entire story is in 1 Samuel 17:31-54. We do this with the kids continually. For example we practiced giving God a shout of praise at home, in private, and now we feel very comfortable with doing it in public. This works because we experienced God inhabiting the praise of His people. David had already defeated enemies that he was well under matched. He knew that he would have victory over Goliath through the power of God that he had already experienced. COME ON!!!!!!!
I love this fascinating story. One of the things that I'm curious about is why "five smooth stones". (1 Samuel 17:40) We all know it only took 1. While Stacey and I were laying in bed for an hour praying me through rejection, anger, retaliation, and condemnation on Weds 1/8, we discussed this story. She posed the question "why 5 stones?". As soon as she asked that question, that I've asked a number of times, God downloaded to me that the 5 stones were a prophecy of the power of the five fold ministry. The five fold ministry is apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher. (Ephesians 4:11-16) AWESOME!!!!!!! Well worth reading today if you have the time.
One other thing I love about this story of David and Goliath is that David took Goliath's weapons and put them in his tent. (1 Samuel 17:54) I've heard that our biggest enemies become our biggest weapons. For example my sobriety. My victory over addiction is know a weapon used to free others from addiction. COME ON!!!!!!! I've also heard that going back and freeing others from the captivity of your old enemies/capture's is God's vengeance. Interesting to say the least. I love being free. I love my process that God has me in. Thanks again to those who reached out to me at church or via email. Thank you to those of you who pray for me/us. Practice in private whatever you can't do in public for the glory of God today.
PS I'm really diggin my study of the 5 crowns in heaven. Hopefully I'll have something by next Monday.
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