Letter of Encouragement

April 3, 2013 Dear Friends, Thanks for sharing your heart with us regarding prayer for your need of "rest." Although you are very young I am sure you are finding out how change and transition, the fast pace of today's life, the demands your new job and the challenges of your new ministry can, and have, depleted your physical strength. But remember you are promised that, "As your day is so shall be your strength, your rest and security" Duet.33.25-27 (Amp.). Don't ever forget the enemy of your soul (mind, will and emotions) is roaming about to devour your peace and joy by sapping your physical strength and trying to discourage you with the burdens that come with all your new responsibilities. But practice what Jehoshaphat did in II Chronicles 20, when all the "ites" (v.1) came against him. He set himself (determinedly, as his vital need) to seek the Lord (v.3). All of Judah gathered together to "seek the Lord" (yearning for Him with all their desire) v.4. Jehoshaphat prayed to the Lord recounting all of His great deed and help in the past (vs.5-12), then he cried out, "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." In v.14 it says, "The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel (a Levite)," and he spoke to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to King Jehoshaphat saying, "The Lord says this to you, Be not afraid or dismayed at the great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. You shall not need to fight in this battle; take your positions, stand still, and see the deliverance of the Lord Who is with you. Fear not nor be dismayed for the Lord is with you" v.17. In v.18 Jehoshaphat and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshipping Him, and some stood up to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a loud voice. In verses 21 & 22, Jehoshaphat took action the next day. "He consulted with the people and appointed singers to sing to the Lord and praise Him as they went out before the army. Give thanks to the Lord for His mercy and loving kindness endure forever! And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord -- and the enemy was self-slaughtered." I have found when I face any kind of enemy in my life (weariness, discouragement, doubt, etc.), if I will submit myself to God, resist the devil and all of his tactics to defeat me, and just begin thanking the Lord for all He has done in the past and all He will do in the future, and praising Him for Who He is, the enemy must flee (Jas.4:7). Know your enemy, do all you know to stand against him, put on the full armor of God, then "stand" (Eph.6:11-20). We love you and you will continue to be in our prayers. GOD HAS NOT PROMISED Annie Johnson Flint God hath not promised skies always blue, Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through; God hath not promised sun without rain, Joy without sorrow, peace without pain. But God hath promised strength for the day, Rest for the labor, light for the way, Grace for the trials, help from above, Unfailing sympathy, undying love. God hath not promised we shall not know Toil and temptation, trouble and woe; He hath not told us we shall not bear Many a burden, many a care. But God hath promised strength for the day, Rest for the labor, light for the way, Grace for the trials, help from above, Unfailing sympathy, undying love. God hath not promised smooth roads and wide, Swift, easy travel, needing no guide; Never a mountain, rocky and steep, Never a river, turbid and deep. But God hath promised strength for the day, Rest for the labor, light for the way, Grace for the trials, help from above, Unfailing sympathy, undying love.