THINK VICTORY! KEEP PRESSIN' ON

KEEP PRESSIN' ON

"Lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed." (Hebrews 12:12-13)

This week is a significant week for us as a ministry as we will be meeting Thursday with an individual to talk about the residential women's ministry and a property that he owns that could thrust us forward in an amazing way. There have been a number of us praying quite earnestly that God will swing open the door to move us forward.

The need is great. Just in the last three weeks we have been notified of three women who have committed suicide because of their addictions.

I love that GOD knows what we are going through and again this morning these words from Streams in the Desert, oh so timely:

"This verse (see above) is God's Word of encouragement to us to lift the hands of faith and to fortify the knees of prayer. All too often our faith becomes tired, weak, and listless, and our prayers lose their power and effectiveness.

The Lord's illustration here is quite compelling. He is pointing out to us that when we become so discouraged and fearful that even one little obstacle depresses and frightens us, we are tempted to walk around it. We would rather take the easy way than face it. Perhaps there is some physical ailment that God is ready to heal, but it requires exertion on our part. The temptation is to find help from someone else or to walk around the obstacle some other way.

We tend to find many ways of walking around emergencies instead of walking STRAIGHT THROUGH them. So often we are faced with something that frightens or overwhelms us and seek to evade the problem with the excuse: "I am not quite ready for that now." It may require some sacrifice, or demand our obedience in some area. Perhaps there is some Jericho we are facing, or we are lacking the courage to help someone else and to pray through this concern with him. Perhaps we have a prayer that awaits completion, or a physical problem that is partially healed and we continue to walk around it.

God says, "LIFT UP THE HANDS THAT HANG DOWN." March straight through the flood, and behold! The waters will divide, the Red Sea will open, the Jordan will part, and the Lord will lead you through to victory!

Do not allow your feet to "be turned out of the way," but let your body "be healed," and your faith strengthened. God straight ahead, leaving no Jericho unconquered behind you, and no place where Satan can boast of having overwhelmed you. This is a valuable lesson and is extremely practical! How often we find ourselves in this very situation!

Perhaps this is where YOU are today. Pay as little attention to the discouragement as possible. Plow ahead like a steamship, which moves forward whether facing rough or smooth seas, and in rain or shine. Remember, the goal is simply to carry the cargo and to make it to port."
STREAMS IN THE DESERT (Zondervan)

I don't know about you, but that reminder was a good one from His lips to my ears. Keep pressin' on, my friend.

Great Quote: It is not that God is stingy and must be coaxed, for He "giveth liberally and upbraideth not." It is that we ourselves are so shallow and sinful that we need to tarry before Him until our restless natures can be stilled and the clamor of outside voices be deadened so that we can hear His voice. Such a state is not easily reached, and the men God uses have paid a price in wrestlings and prevailing prayer. But it is such men who rise from their knees confident of His power and go forth to speak with authority. Vance Havner