I’m writing this at the beginning of a new year; a year in which many of us seem to be in transition. Some of us sense that a door is opening; some feel as if one has been slammed shut; and others are looking for the door—looking for direction. Perhaps that’s you, or someone you love. We’ve been inundated with emails and calls from those who are looking for the door to their future. With that in mind, here are a few thoughts.
We are here to find the doors; not here to map our future. We are here to walk through the correct door when it
appears, and to experience the future God has designed for us.
I agree with Yankee baseball great, Yogi Berra, who said: “The future sure ain’t what it used to be.” Well, hang
around. We, my friend, are about to have a head-on collision with our future. It’s coming at us at a rate of 60 M.P.H. (60 Minutes Per Hour)! Tomorrow morning will arrive whether we set our alarms or not.
Let’s get ready then, and prepare ourselves to experience our future. It will contain blessings and challenges; joy and sadness; questions and answers. As our future becomes our past, we’ll discover that even the challenges served purposes and contained hidden blessings for us. There really are silver linings in the storm clouds we face.
appears, and to experience the future God has designed for us.
I agree with Yankee baseball great, Yogi Berra, who said: “The future sure ain’t what it used to be.” Well, hang
around. We, my friend, are about to have a head-on collision with our future. It’s coming at us at a rate of 60 M.P.H. (60 Minutes Per Hour)! Tomorrow morning will arrive whether we set our alarms or not.
Let’s get ready then, and prepare ourselves to experience our future. It will contain blessings and challenges; joy and sadness; questions and answers. As our future becomes our past, we’ll discover that even the challenges served purposes and contained hidden blessings for us. There really are silver linings in the storm clouds we face.
It's BACKWARD! Have you noticed that the American flag shoulder patch of the Army uniform is backward? Look closely. The blue section with the stars, which is normally in the upper left corner, is in the upper right corner. The red and white stripes are on the left, not the right side. What is that?
For a moment, imagine a person running while carrying an American flag on a pole. It would be blowing back behind them, right? The patterns would appear backward as they do on that shoulder patch. The message of the patch is: We do not run from the battle. We run to the battle! We need not fear the future because of our faith in Christ. Others may reluctantly, some even fearfully dread their future; not us. Like trusting children jumping into their fathers’ arms, we can run joyfully and boldly into our future—regardless of what we can or cannot see. We know that His plans for us are good.
For a moment, imagine a person running while carrying an American flag on a pole. It would be blowing back behind them, right? The patterns would appear backward as they do on that shoulder patch. The message of the patch is: We do not run from the battle. We run to the battle! We need not fear the future because of our faith in Christ. Others may reluctantly, some even fearfully dread their future; not us. Like trusting children jumping into their fathers’ arms, we can run joyfully and boldly into our future—regardless of what we can or cannot see. We know that His plans for us are good.
We should however prepare for the future. Here’s what I suggest.
DREAM BIG! It’s alright to dream. In fact, God sometimes gives us glimpses into our future, as he did with Joseph in the Bible. The dream that’s in your heart may very well have been placed there by Him.
BE BOLD. Dream big; then hold your dreams loosely and...
EXPECT CHANGE. For at best, as the Apostle Paul wrote, we “see through a glass darkly.” (1 Cor 13:12)
PRAY HARD. We don’t mean that you should beg. We aren’t beggars. Remember, on the cross Jesus said, “it is finished.” And Peter wrote that God “hath given unto us (past tense) all things that pertain to life and godliness.”
(Jn 19:30; 1 Pet 2:1) Let’s pray without anxiety, and offer thanks in advance for what we have yet to see. (Phil 4:6)
God resists anxiety, and responds to gratitude. Jesus taught us to pray as if we already have that for which we are asking. So, regarding your future, remember that anxiety is an expression of doubt; and James warns us against doubtful praying. (Jas 1:6) In most cases, the greatest spiritual warfare we’ll face is to resist anxiety due to what we do see; and to pray with thanksgiving for what we don’t yet see! That is a fight of faith.
So friend, ACCEPT CHANGE. When we arrive at this confusing crossroads, it’s because we are about to experience a change in our assignment or our direction. Do not resist God-directed change. We are to be moving from glory to glory. Growth requires change. It demands it!
DO WHAT IS AT HAND--what is in front of you. Some people looking for life-direction shut down, give up, bail out, or retreat. Don’t do that. Be that soldier who runs TO the battle! There is always a need that you can fill, a person or cause you can serve. Continue to be God’s servant. How? Find someone with a bigger need than yours and serve them.
2012 had its challenges. I’m sure you agree. God is shifting us (Alice and me) in certain ways, though it’s yet unclear to us exactly how. So, we are focused on what is at hand—writing and teaching. We have updated and published seven books on Amazon’s Kindle. They are: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Praying People ($2.99); The One Minute Intercessor ($2.99); How to Be Heard in Heaven ($7.12); Amazing God Encounters ($4.88); and Intercessors & Pastors ($6.99). We are trying to add at least one book to Kindle each week. You’ll find them on http://Amazon.com The next will be, Discerning The Climate of The City. Other resources are available at: http://PrayerBookstore.com
We are also writing new books. I (Eddie) have co-written a new book with real estate businessman Kenn Renner entitled: Maximum Dream Achievement: How You Can Live and Enjoy a Purpose-Full Life. Alice and I have almost finished writing a book to provide needed guidelines for successful prophetic ministry in the church.
DREAM BIG! It’s alright to dream. In fact, God sometimes gives us glimpses into our future, as he did with Joseph in the Bible. The dream that’s in your heart may very well have been placed there by Him.
BE BOLD. Dream big; then hold your dreams loosely and...
EXPECT CHANGE. For at best, as the Apostle Paul wrote, we “see through a glass darkly.” (1 Cor 13:12)
PRAY HARD. We don’t mean that you should beg. We aren’t beggars. Remember, on the cross Jesus said, “it is finished.” And Peter wrote that God “hath given unto us (past tense) all things that pertain to life and godliness.”
(Jn 19:30; 1 Pet 2:1) Let’s pray without anxiety, and offer thanks in advance for what we have yet to see. (Phil 4:6)
God resists anxiety, and responds to gratitude. Jesus taught us to pray as if we already have that for which we are asking. So, regarding your future, remember that anxiety is an expression of doubt; and James warns us against doubtful praying. (Jas 1:6) In most cases, the greatest spiritual warfare we’ll face is to resist anxiety due to what we do see; and to pray with thanksgiving for what we don’t yet see! That is a fight of faith.
So friend, ACCEPT CHANGE. When we arrive at this confusing crossroads, it’s because we are about to experience a change in our assignment or our direction. Do not resist God-directed change. We are to be moving from glory to glory. Growth requires change. It demands it!
DO WHAT IS AT HAND--what is in front of you. Some people looking for life-direction shut down, give up, bail out, or retreat. Don’t do that. Be that soldier who runs TO the battle! There is always a need that you can fill, a person or cause you can serve. Continue to be God’s servant. How? Find someone with a bigger need than yours and serve them.
2012 had its challenges. I’m sure you agree. God is shifting us (Alice and me) in certain ways, though it’s yet unclear to us exactly how. So, we are focused on what is at hand—writing and teaching. We have updated and published seven books on Amazon’s Kindle. They are: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Praying People ($2.99); The One Minute Intercessor ($2.99); How to Be Heard in Heaven ($7.12); Amazing God Encounters ($4.88); and Intercessors & Pastors ($6.99). We are trying to add at least one book to Kindle each week. You’ll find them on http://Amazon.com The next will be, Discerning The Climate of The City. Other resources are available at: http://PrayerBookstore.com
We are also writing new books. I (Eddie) have co-written a new book with real estate businessman Kenn Renner entitled: Maximum Dream Achievement: How You Can Live and Enjoy a Purpose-Full Life. Alice and I have almost finished writing a book to provide needed guidelines for successful prophetic ministry in the church.
We would be very grateful to have your partnership in this worldwide ministry. Many, including the nine ministries we support, are counting on us.
Thank you in advance!
Let us know how we can better serve you.
Thank you in advance!
Let us know how we can better serve you.
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