WEEK 9 – I AM STRONG IN THE LORD (Ephesians 6:10) Goliath was massive – over nine feet tall with armor that weighed over 120 pounds! The skilled warriors of Israel trembled in his presence. Of course, to fight such a formidable opponent, one must don the correct armor. So Saul, David’s mentor and also a skilled warrior, dressed David in his armor. It had proven successful for Saul, and...
The Challenge- Week 8 Day 5
There are so many things on my heart that I would like to accomplish for the Kingdom. Books not yet written. People groups in this land and foreign lands experience a demonstration of the Kingdom. The Body of Christ strengthen in the prophetic. Women released in their gifting. Men and women set free from guilt and condemnation and released to be the men and women God called them to be....
The Challenge – Week 8 Day 3
Self-deprecating humor. We have all engaged in it at one time or another. You know, the joke told at your own expense. We tell them to be funny, maybe even to be humble. But the problem is, at the root of that joke is an accusation. Who accuses us? When we make jokes about our looks, our weight, our mental ability, we are belittling God’s masterpiece, His workmanship. We are...
The Challenge – Week 8 Day 2
Life doesn’t always turn out like we thought it would. We make mistakes. Sickness happens. People disappoint. Marriages failed. Children rebel. Bosses fire. Finances dwindle. Dreams delay. We may find ourselves looking back over our lives with regret wondering, “God where are you?” The children of Israel made some serious, serious mistakes. They abandoned God and worshipped and sought after idols. Because of their continuous bad deeds, God exiled them,...
The Challenge – Week 8
WEEK 8 – I AM GOD’S MASTERPIECE (Ephesians 2:10) He was the youngest of eight boys. Handsome. Musical. Spirited. Passionate. As a young boy, David was not the obvious choice as warrior. His brothers saw him as their irritating little brother: prideful, insolent, and whose primary responsibility was to care for the sheep. (I Samuel 17:28) Saul, a mighty warrior himself, instantly dismissed David because of his youth. Saul condescendingly...
The Challenge – Week 7 Day 5
The church has an identity problem. We see ourselves congregating in our homes, our churches, our Christian schools, trying to keep the big bad devil at bay. We see the world around us enacting laws that encroach upon our liberties and we feel helpless and afraid. So we boycott businesses, show our outrage in social media, and reminisce about the good ole days when we could say, “Merry Christmas”, from...
The Challenge – Week 7 Day 4
He sent out 70. Not just the 12 but 70. He sent them out, two by two. They healed the sick. They cast out demons. They preached the Gospel. They were astonished at what they saw, at the power and authority they carried as disciples. But Jesus was not astonished. He was more like, “Yes, this is just business as normal for my disciples. I have given you power and...
The Challenge – Week 7 Day 3
The disciples had just seen Jesus calm a storm, heal a man oppressed by many demons, raise a dead child, and a woman healed simply because she touched Jesus’ clothing with faith. And then Jesus turned to His disciples, His students and said, “I am deputizing you (giving you the right) and equipping you (giving you the power) to go and do all that you have seen me do –...
The Challenge – Week 7 Day 2
I like comfort. I don’t understand why anyone would leave the comfort of their homes – AC, electricity, indoor plumbing – to go camp in the woods. Perhaps this is why both my brother and my husband were confused when I chose to spend a week of my coveted summer vacation on a missions trip in Mexico. (Last summer, I was in another nation where I couldn’t drink the water.)...
The Challenge – Week 7
WEEK 7 – I AM SEATED IN CHRIST IN HEAVENLY PLACES (Ephesians 2:6) We were all excited about my daughter’s upcoming nuptials. I wanted to give her the wedding of her dreams. But as always with me, I like to save a dollar wherever possible. When the caterer offered a ten percent discount for paying in cash, of course I took advantage of the opportunity. I was uncomfortable carrying that...