I want to take a moment to familiarize you with the extraordinary opportunity I have been recently afforded. Once again, I have been invited to represent Repairing the Breach Ministries, Inc. (RTBM) in the wonderful country of South Africa.
I last visited South Africa in February of 2010. It was my first chance to experience the culture and landscapes of a country upon another continent. Honor and love immediately consumed my heart for the beautiful people of South Africa. Since leaving, I have continued to nurture relationships with the faithful men and women of South African Evangelistic Missions (SAEM).
An invitation has been extended to me by SAEM to return to the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) located in the southwest section of South Africa along the coast of the Indian Ocean. The biggest portion of our trip will be spent in the largest city of KZN, known as Durban. The false religions of this area consist of:
Hinduism
Shembe - the worship of a former black Baptist leader
Zionist - a black cult of Christianity
Ancestral worship
Witchcraft
Animism - the belief that spirits and souls exist not only in humans, but also in all other animals, plants, rocks, and geographic features such as mountains or rivers.
Much work is left to be done, but I am proud to announce that Christianity is on the rise in this great country of South Africa. How fulfilling it is to know God has chosen RTBM to be a part of this vast harvest!
I am being fabulously accompanied on this trip by a very special team consisting of my daughter (Alyse), my son (Bryce) and my wonderful mother (Terecia). My excitement to share the work of the Lord in South Africa with my family is exhilarating! The team and I will make our twenty-hour flight across the great Atlantic on May 11th, returning to the US on May 23, 2012.
God has opened the door for our team to minister in seven different locations, while in South Africa. One of the highlights of this trip is the opportunity to teach at a ladies retreat entitled, “DISCOVER YOUR WORTH IN CHRIST”, held at a resort in Albert Falls. I have been notified that the occupancy of this retreat has reached it’s maximum during pre-registration and the sponsors have now added an overflow hotel where more ladies can be lodged for all sessions. I am expecting an active demonstration of the Spirit working in and among the women at this retreat as I passionately share the infallible Word and interact with the unfailing love of Christ.
RTBM desires to always be an “active” demonstration of the Good News and not merely voices. We are fortunate to visit an orphanage in the Valley of a Thousand Hills - an area known for the highest rate of HIV infections in the entire world. We have committed to supplying a week’s worth of food to one hundred different families in both this and the Chatsworth area during our ten-day visit. Also, our daughter has willingly offered to supply the funds needed to feed the inner-city homeless of New Creation Church, pastored by Brother Tyrone Paul. What an honor it is to witness the love of Christ at work through your children. Proverbs 19:17 declares, “He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord and HE will pay back what he has given.”
Since the founding of this ministry in 2007, the work of RTBM has been made possible by God and through the faithful contributions of willing, prayerful and generous partners. Many hands make light work. Together we can always accomplish more than apart! For those who faithfully support RTBM - THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OUR OUR HEARTS!! If you desire to become a faithful partner to this ministry or desire to give in a one-time donation to the work in South Africa, RTBM is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and your contribution is tax-deductible. Furthermore (and most importantly) you can rest assured that your contribution will be fully used to further the work of our Lord!
Checks can be mailed to:
Repairing the Breach Ministries, Inc.
PO Box 775
Mansfield, Texas 76063
Thank you for this opportunity to share and as always - you have my blessing!
I recently had the wonderful privilege to address two-hundred homeless individuals at Mission 615 in Nashville, Tennessee. Upon receiving the invitation to speak, I was extremely anxious and wondered what I might impart to these hurting men and women. Of course, I knew I could always remind them how very much God loves them, but I desired to say much more than that.
That day, I was led to share my own personal testimony. I began by sharing the dreams I had as a child and how unexpected pregnancy at the age of seventeen had brought those dreams to a halt. I shared how difficult it had been for both me and my husband to transition from foot-loose and fancy-free teenagers to spouses, parents, and providers. Depression set in and the disappointment of missed opportunities cut like a knife. With no vision for my future anymore, I suddenly found myself asking, “Now what?”
Proverbs 13:12(a) says, “Unrelenting disappointment leaves the heart sick...” How many of the homeless shared this mindset? As I glanced across the crowd, I wondered how many dead dreams filled the room? How many felt as if they had been placed in God’s discard pile due to failures, mistakes, bad choices, hurts, etc.? Tears streamed down the faces of many as they listened and began to reflect on childhood dreams they had secretly tucked away because of disappointment and life plans that had gone astray.
How many of us can testify that life just has not turned out like we expected? We all begin with dreams and often ten or even twenty years down the road we open our eyes to look around and see that our lives look nothing like we had imagined them to.
I continued my testimony of how one Saturday afternoon shortly after getting married, I was busy cleaning the small apartment my parents had provided us to live in, when the Holy Spirit visited me right there in my living room. I was listening to an Amy Grant cassette when the words to one particular song captured my attention:
“Looking out to the hills
to the setting sun,
I feel a cold wind bound to come;
Another change, Another end I cannot see,
But your faithfulness to me
Is making it alright,
I fall down on my knees;
Tell me that it’s alright.
YOU give me what I need.”
Suddenly, I heard Jesus saying, “If you will surrender your life to ME, I’ve got your back. Everything will be alright.” Right then and there, with no one else in the room, I surrendered my life to Jesus. No, surrendering did not afford me the ability to go back and change the choices I had made in the past, but it did position me for the new thing God desired to do in my life. Isaiah 43:18-19(NCV) The Lord says, “Forget what happened before, and do not think about the past. Look at the new thing I am going to do. It is already happening. Don’t you see it? I will make a road in the desert and rivers in the dry land.”
Every one of us has a destiny! Psalm 139 tells us that before we were ever born, God saw our bodies taking shape in our mother’s womb and HE planned our purpose and destiny and penned it in His book. So, I understand why God says here in Isaiah, “Look at the new thing I am going to do. It is already happening. Don’t you see it?”
God saw it before you were ever born! He is asking, “DO YOU SEE IT?” God is about the NOW and He is always ready to perform a new thing in your life. He doesn’t need perfect conditions. He doesn’t even need perfect people. He just needs a life that is surrendered to Him. Therefore, when you least expect it or when your circumstances seems impossible He declares “I will make a road in the desert and rivers in the dry land.” GOD WILL MAKE SOMETHING OUT OF YOUR NOTHING!
This year, Steve and I will celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary. We have two beautiful, God-fearing children who are strong and stable. Honestly, I must say that if God had allowed me to fulfill all of my childhood desires, self-made plans and dreams they would never compare to the life He has chosen for me the past twenty-four years. Walking through life, hand in hand with Christ has yielded such fulfillment and deep joy!
Perhaps, through mistakes, disappointments and failures you too feel as if you have somehow landed in God’s discard pile with no vision for the life you always imagined? Maybe you find yourself today asking “Now what?” The great news is...God has no such discard pile and He is not concerned with your past. He is a God of the Now and the important question is, What Will You Do With Today? There is not one thing you can do to rewrite the past, but if you will surrender your life, dreams, and plans complete with all it’s disappointments, hurts, and failures to Jesus then God will rewrite your future.
When our children were younger, we had a rule for disobedience in public. It was taught to them that it may look like you are getting away with your disobedience while we remain in public, but just wait until we get home. You were sure to reap a level of discipline commensurate with your offense.
On one particular weekly trip to Walmart (better known as Wally-World at our house) our son Bryce decided he was going to test the waters with me just a bit. He was four years old. In an attempt to bring his mischief to a halt I took him by the arm and quietly whispered in his ear, “You know the rules, Bryce. When we get home you are going to receive a spanking for your disobedience.” My whisper was certainly more than enough to instantly cure his behavioral issues.
Like any parents, Steve and I pursued consistency in our parenting, attempting to offer our children a distinct foundation in accountability. So, after a few hours passed in our morning of errands and with Bryce suffering no more “behavioral setbacks” I found myself dreading the imminent discipline that was to occur once we arrived home. I kept reassuring myself that I indeed HAD to punish Bryce or I would surely be relaying inconsistency in my parenting skills.
As my thoughts turned over and over privately in my mind, a small voice spoke from the backseat. “Mommie”, Bryce said. “Will you forgive me for being ugly at Walmart?”
My first thought was, “Are you kidding, you little turkey? You are just asking me for forgiveness so you will not have to get your spanking.” Suddenly I thought, “Wait a minute! Bryce has never asked me to forgive him for his disobedience.” The sound of his sweet voice resonated with such sincerity and remorse.
Instantly, the Holy Spirit spoke to me saying, “If you received recompense for every offense you committed you would surely be dead right now. Do you know how many times you have “deserved” punishment, but instead were shown mercy?” A spirit of compassion was released over me in the car and I realized that more important than being dogmatically consistent with my parenting values was the opportunity to show my son the forgiving love of Christ. I quickly accepted his apology and taught him a new, more important lesson that day - repentance.
When we accept God’s forgiveness for the all the wrongs we have committed against Him, we should be grateful and willing to offer that same kind of forgiveness to those who have wronged us. (Mark 11:25-26)
SPRING is in the air with signs of new life appearing everywhere. Along with the glorious sunshine, freshly budding trees, golden daffodils, and the smell of freshly cut grass, Steve and I have a new friend at our house. A relentless bird with a new song! A very loud song that we have never heard before. Oddly, he appears in the early morning hours between two and five o’clock singing so loudly we are both awakened from our sleep. As Steve leaves for work each morning our curiosities are peaked as we search diligently to find the location of our new friend. His voice resounds with dominance though we have never seen him.
Our new friend is a reminder of another dominant voice heard crying out to us. Though He too has never been seen with our eyes, HIS voice can be heard as we prioritize our time to be quiet and still. “Forget what happened before, and do not think about the past. Look at the new thing I am going to do. It is already happening. Don’t you see it? I will make a road in the desert and rivers in the dry land,” says the Lord. (Isaiah 43:18-19 NCV)
God is always desiring to do a new and fresh thing in our lives. He is all about the now. Too often, we continuously set our sights on the disappointments, hurts, failures, and offenses of the past that we never see the new thing God desires to do in our lives TODAY. My friend, you cannot change the past, but you have the awesome privilege of TODAY. What will you do with it?
God is always moving. The important thing is are you moving with Him? He cries out to you, “Look at the new thing I am going to do. It is already happening. Don’t you see it?” Maybe you are sitting there today saying, “No, I do not see anything, Lord.” I have learned through the years that you must activate the new thing God is longing to do in your life with the eyes of faith before you will ever behold it with the natural eye. God wants to give you a new mindset, new ideas, new joy, new peace, new love, and new power. Will you allow Him to refresh your soul today? He has perfect plans for your life. “I know what I am planning for you, says the Lord. I have good plans for you, not plans to harm you. I will give you hope and a good future.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NCV)
Perhaps you feel stuck in your present existence with no hope of ever propelling forward in life, but our scripture today also reminds us, “I will make a road in the desert and rivers in a dry land.” Nothing is impossible with our God. He can make something out of our nothing. When you least expect it, God will spring forth newness in your life you never dreamed possible.
“It is written, Eye has not seen, neither ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
In this new spring season, set aside time to bask daily in the presence of God. Soak up His goodness and allow your heart to trust Him like never before. May your 2012 be as beautiful as this new Spring season, bursting forth with glorious light, the smell of glory, and the buds of newness of life in Christ.
In our quest to succeed and lead a joyous life, it is important to ask ourselves a very important question: Am I driven by flesh or led by the Spirit?
Every created being has a destiny. We are known by God even before we become substance in our mother’s womb. Every characteristic of our lives is recorded in God’s book before even one is fashioned. His thoughts toward us are more in number than the sands of the seas.(Psalm 139:14-18) Our lives have great purpose and value.
What career path should I take? Who should I marry? Where should I live? What church should I attend? These are just a few of the decisive questions we face in life. Would it not be beneficial to consult our Maker as we move forward into our future instead of freely making these decisions on our own? After all, who knows us best? Who is more familiar with our talents, gifts, and calling than the One who created us?
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.” This scripture provides peace to my often weary soul. How comforting it is to know that I am not aimlessly wandering around in this world, left to decide my future alone. I have a Creator who designed me. He is intimately acquainted with me and my future because He destined my future and if I will acknowledge Him in my decision-making processes He will make the right path clear.
Many would say, “God does not have time. Neither does He care about such trivial decisions. He has bigger and better things to take care of in the world.” Left to our own limited human understanding, we are driven to make life decisions based on need, emotion and desire which can often be deceiving and lead us down a path of unfulfillment. I have had many desires in life that after carefully seeking God’s will were determined to be unfruitful. I am thankful for the guidance of the faithful Holy Spirit early in my life. I look back now and see the many times I chose to trust His plan instead of my own and I have never been disappointed or led astray. He has been and continues to be my Great Shepherd.
Several times in scripture we see Jesus being “led” by the Holy Spirit. He knew His purpose. He did not come to earth to fulfill His own plan, but the will of His Father. Jesus Christ Himself submitted to the plan and purposes of God. What makes us any different? You and I are sojourners in this foreign land. We are ambassadors and representatives of His great kingdom. Romans 12:2 reminds us that our reasonable service is to offer our lives as living sacrifices unto God Almighty, surrendering freely our will and plan to His.
At first, it may seem difficult to relinquish self-made plans and desires because the flesh loves being in control, but when we learn to trust that God has our best interest at heart we can accept that His plan is ultimately best for our lives anyway. He knows you inside and out, from beginning to end. Learn to acknowledge and trust Him with all of your decisions. You will never be disappointed. He is speaking to you today, “Lift your sail, child of God, and allow My Spirit to blow you any which way I choose. Trust in My guidance, for I created you and I know the future. I am able to lead you to the blessed life you have always dreamed of.” You can live peacefully in uncharted territory when you learn to trust the captain of your sail.
Remember, the Lord IS your shepherd. You shall not want. He leads you beside still waters. He leads you in paths of righteousness...Psalm 23
Can you remember the day you began your journey with Christ? For me, I was eighteen years old and at a crossroads in my life, sitting on my living room floor listening to an Amy Grant cassette tape. Yes, a cassette tape! If you are under the age of twenty you probably don’t even know what I am referring to. However, you older men and women can fully relate. I remember the day like it was yesterday. The title of the song was, It’s Gonna Be Alright and as I listened to the lyrics I actually felt Jesus say to me, “It’s gonna be alright, Jeneen.” Young, pregnant and uncertain of my future it was right there on the floor of my living room that I surrendered my life to Christ. I have never looked back!
So many Christians start well, but the prize shall be given to those who finish. Paul spoke to us about this very thing in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. “Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So, I run straight toward the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do as it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”
We must keep our eye on the prize of eternal life and lead a diligently,disciplined life because there are so many distractions.
1. Guard Your Mind - Proverbs 23:7 declares, “For as a man thinks, so is he.” What we subject our minds to (what we see, listen to, associate with, etc.) is crucial because the battle for a successful life is fought in the mind. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 reminds us that the weapons of our success are not found in the natural, physical, carnal realm, but in the mind. It is our responsibility to fill our minds with the Word of God and to be ready at all times to avenge that Word by casting down any thoughts or imaginations that speak against Truth. Everyone has a negative, contrary thought at one time or another, but it is our responsibility to recognize the error and bring that particular thought into captivity - rendering it powerless. Romans 12:2, “Be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” A renewed mind is a mind in agreement with God’s Word!
2. Guard your Influence - “Be not Deceived! Evil communications corrupt good manners!” We often underestimate the power of bad influence. While God does expect us to be His light of love to the entire world, He encourages us to fellowship with like-minded people of the faith. Jesus associated and ministered to the multitudes, but He chose to be in fellowship on a regular basis with only twelve. Christians often allow unbelievers into their inner circle of relationships believing they can both influence and change them, but God never intended this. Too often the sin, actions, beliefs and mindset of the unbeliever negatively impact the believer. This is why 2 Corinthians 6:14 says, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers: For what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness?” Most of the time we associate this verse with marriage, but in scripture it is not written to us in the context of marriage . It is a command for every tight-knit relationship we may develop,whether personal or business. A Christian is not to be “in fellowship” with unbelievers. Once again, understand the difference between association and fellowship. We can and should “associate” with unbelievers, sharing the Light of Truth and love with them. However, we are commanded NOT to be in constant fellowship with unbelievers. Galatians 5:7-9(NLT) “You were getting along so well. Who has interfered with you to hold you back from obeying the truth? It certainly isn’t God, for He is the One who called you to freedom. It only takes one wrong person among you to infect all the others- a little yeast spreads quickly through the whole batch of dough!” Be wise and carefully guard the inner circle of your life. Surround yourself with like-minded men and women of the faith who share the ability to sharpen lives. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”
3. Guard Your Heart - “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on Whom our faith depends from start to finish...” Hebrews 12:1(NLT) How many of you know what I mean when I say SIN is a weighty matter? It is such a heavy burden to carry. Sin separates and serves only to weigh us down with guilt and condemnation, ultimately hindering our relationship with Christ. Take a few moments to evaluate your life today. Then, be willing to obey and lay aside any sin that is weighing you down and impeding your future progress. Practice self-discipline...press forward with determination...and never take your eyes off of Jesus and the goal of eternal life!
My earnest prayer for you today is that you would be whole in Christ and full of joy. I count it the greatest privilege to know Him and to also be known OF Him...
One of my favorite scriptures is found in Hebrews 11:6. “Without Faith it is impossible to please Him; for he who comes to God must first believe that HE IS GOD and that HE IS A REWARDER OF THEM WHO DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM!” I recently heard a profound statement that brought such revelation.
“The Spirit –realm is reality.”
So often in life, we receive a promise from the Lord.They arrive in many different ways: when we read the Bible, in quiet time with the Lord as He quietly speaks to our spirits, or even through a word of prophecy spoken from another member in the body of Christ.Many times, after we have received the promise as our own and begin the journey to fulfillment, LIFE and other VOICES begin to speak against our promise, declaring it impossible.I have learned to live by “what saith the Lord” and not by “what saith Jeneen, or what saith my emotions, or what saith my circumstances, or even by what my eyes are beholding in this tangible, natural realm.”All of these can be deceiving if we rely on their declaration instead of the voice of Almighty God.Rarely, will the promise of God look anything like your present circumstances.Thus, the very reason God commanded us to, “Walk by faith and not by sight.”
Scripture clearly points out three enemies of Faith:
1.Unbelief- God gave Abraham the promise that he would become the father of many nations, but in the natural realm there was just one problem.His age!Abraham was one hundred years old and past the age of producing even one child, let alone a nation of children. Nevertheless, I love what Romans 4:20-21 says, “Abraham staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in his faith, giving glory to God and being fully persuaded that what God promised, He was fully able to perform.”Like us, Abraham had a choice to believe or not believe!Never look to your circumstances for assurance of the promise! Just believe God!
2.{C}Wavering Faith- James 1:6-8 warns, “For He that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.Let not this man think that he shall receive anything from the Lord.A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” Like a wave, wavering faith is driven by belief one day and doubt the next.Wavering faith believes God until the battle gets tough.It will believe God until outside voices and circumstances drown out truth.Wavering faith rises high and falls hard. The promise will never be fulfilled through wavering faith.
3. Faith without endurance- You may not suffer with unbelief or wavering faith, but there is yet another enemy lurking in our midst.Trusting in God’s timing is a crucial element to receiving the promise.Promises are assigned to seasons in your life. Sometimes, God gives you a promise in one season that is meant to be fulfilled in another. Often, when the promise is not fulfilled in "our proper timing" we give up and when we give up, we forfeit the promise. Hebrews 10:35-36, “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompense of reward.For you have need of patience(endurance); that after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise.”
2 Peter 3:9 promises, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some consider slackness to be...
Habakkuk 2:3, “Slowly, steadily, surely the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.If it seems slow, wait patiently.For it will surely come.It will not be delayed.”
God longs to fulfill His promises to you and as His beloved children we must understand this is a partnership.We have a part to play.We have to be relentlessly proactive in our faith.Never give up.Keep pressing.Continue to believe and proclaim what God promised you.You will see it come to pass if you do not doubt, waver or give up.
Ephesians 2:8 tells us…”By grace you have been saved through faith.”
Galatians 3:26 says… “For you are the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 5:1 declares… “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 3:22 confirms… “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith in Jesus Christ unto all and upon all who believe.”
Our entire salvation experience is wrought by FAITH!
Faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
Therefore, faith is the firm belief in something for which there is no proof.
So, I ask you today, have you at any time seen Jesus Christ? Did you witness His atoning death on the cross as proof for your belief? Were you present when He arose from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father?
No! We receive Jesus and these acts by faith.
So, IF we possess adequate faith for salvation why do we find it difficult or next to impossible to exhibit faith on a daily basis - trusting God to meet our needs and offer direction for our lives?
I have discovered that faith for daily living is rooted in intimacy with God. Intimacy is a product of quality time spent alone with another. True intimacy is not developed quickly. It is acquired through prolonged association. Intimacy will eventually breed trust and I have learned that whatever people trust, they will also have faith in.
My husband, Steve and I have been married twenty-four years this year. In our twenty-four years of intimacy and taking time to really get to know and understand each other, I have discovered exactly what he desires; his likes and dislikes. He has proven to be faithful to me in all of his ways. I can believe what he says. I can trust him to do what he says he is going to do. I have faith in Steve.
Equally as important, Steve has also learned to trust me. He has discovered that I am for him and not against him and that I long to be good to him all the days of my life. He has developed a keen sense of what I like and dislike and not only has he discovered my desires, but lives to fulfill them. Steve has faith in me.
My intimacy with God is much like my relationship with Steve. I know God intimately through His Word. I am acquainted with His heartbeat,His pleasures and dislikes. I have discovered what He thinks of me and that His plan for me is good. He exists to bless ME with all goodness and fulfill His Word through MY life. He is closely acquainted with my desires because He gave me those desires first. The God of the universe has proven to be faithful to me personally.
Intimacy with God has produced a trust and a confidence that allows me to take Him at His Word. This trust provides the faith I need to read the Bible and accept God’s Word as provision for MY journey.
People are always saying to me, “Jeneen, I just wish I had more faith!”
And I say to that - spend daily, quality time with God. Become intimately acquainted with Him. Discover who He really is and who He longs to be in your life on a personal level. Soon, that intimacy will produce a faith that allows you to believe that God is for you - not against you - and that all of His promises belong to YOU personally.
