God has chosen a place of SOLITUDE for me during this season.  Let’s face it... being alone for short periods of time has proven to be therapeutic.  It’s when God calls you to THIS place that you begin to question your importance to society.  

Solitude seems to have a way of drawing us into a place of unhealthy comparison with others.  Our culture has placed high importance on individuals who seem to be BUSY all the time.  Unfortunately, as a result, we have learned to measure our value according to how many appointments we have in our planner...how many people need us...how many invitations we receive to the parties, etc.

Recently, I have been challenged to see the beauty and necessity of this place called Solitude.  God has revealed to me the great value of this place.  Every great leader in the Bible was placed in a season of Solitude and from THIS PLACE came their greatest victories!

The apostle Paul was forced from the missionary work that he loved so well and thrust into prison.  With a joyous and overcoming mindset, he penned the  books of Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians, and Philippians.  Moses was taken from his great place of stature and influence to the back side of the desert for 40 years.  It was there that he gained the knowledge and obedience to perform the greatest task of his life - delivering the children of Israel.  John was exiled to the Isle of Patmos - far away from everyone he knew.  Abandoned and alone, he received the greatest vision of his entire life.  A vision of great hope read by millions of people even to this day!  

I want to challenge YOU today...if God has chosen a place of Solitude for you during this season, STOP!  Change your view of this previously dreaded place and unwrap it’s beauty.  Take the time to discover God in a new and fresh way.  Heed and ponder the refreshing mentality and new found direction the Holy Spirit desires to unleash upon you.  Solitude is necessary and one of the most important places you will ever visit.  For if you allow it, it prepares you for the greatest seasons of victory in life.

“In the morning, rising up a great while before day, He(Jesus) went out and departed into a solitary place, and there He prayed.”

Blessings to YOU,

Jeneen

The Opportunity For YOU To Get Involved

God has been urging me all the more to VALUE people!  ALL PEOPLE!

Let’s face it, we each possess compassions, but then there are those areas within each of us where our judgements seem to get in the way.  Sometimes, we view others as too far gone to warrant our help, or too far away to capture our attention. Then, there are those that we place in the “they don’t deserve it” column.

Recently, God has been allowing me to actually see others as HE sees them, feeling their hurts, insecurities, and longings.  Everywhere I go, my focus is drawn to those around me.

Repairing the Breach Ministries, Inc.(RTBM) is proud to partner with South African Evangelistic Missions(SAEM) for over two years now.  My trusted friend and head moderator for SAEM, Tyrone Paul, has graciously brought my attention to a need in Umbambulu.  Pastor Lucky Langa and his wife are currently fulfilling the mandate of God to house, love, and care for 27 deformed and unwanted children.  Pastor Langa traveled to Prince Mashen Hospital to claim the children, who are made up of true orphans(children with deceased parents) and children simply UNWANTED by their natural birth parents due to their deformities.  This loving pastor and his wife have surrounded their own personal bed with every child to ensure a sense of love, acceptance and protection to each.

The budget to care for these beautiful children each month is around $1300.00 US dollars.  RTBM, Inc. WILL answer the call to support this endeavor.  However, we can do exceedingly more together than I could ever do alone.  I am also extending this blessed opportunity to YOU.

To those interested, you can send a tax-deductible, charitable donation to:

RTBM, INC.

P.O. Box 775

Mansfield, Texas  76063 

Every cent designated for this project will go directly to support this cause.  

I thank you and bless you in advance for your willingness and compassion to stop and value others.  Listed below are pictures of a few of the children.

Sincerely,

We have no control over what someone else does TO us, but we DO have control over whether or not we are going to allow their offense to trap us and keep us from the destiny God designed for our lives.

When we choose to “take offense” we accept the bait that Satan strategically places before us and we walk directly into his trap!  His trap is always hidden and disguised.

As we “take offense” we focus so much on what has been done to us, on the hurt and anger and the constant replaying of the offense that we do not even realize the trap of bitterness, self-pity, and unforgiveness we walk in.

You may say, “In what ways am I trapped?”

#1 - The trap of offense will keep you from spiritual growth and service.

Just like a trapped animal in an iron cage, an offended person lives and moves, but he/she is unable to make advances toward accomplishing God’s unique plan and purpose for their life.  As prisoners, we become emotionally trapped...trading joy, peace, and confidence for anger, bitterness, and a critical spirit.

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above everything else, Guard your heart.  For out of “it” flows the issues of life.”  As you well know, our emotions control our actions.  If satan can keep you trapped emotionally, he can then keep you from advancing physically and spiritually.

#2 - Trapped people build thick walls!

Proverbs 18:19 says, “A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.”

This verse tells us that it is easier to conquer an entire walled city than it is to make amends with an offended brother or sister in Christ because their walls are fortified with contentious arguments:

                                    > I have a right to be mad!

                                    > You have no idea what I’ve been through

                                    > When you go through what I’ve been through then we can talk!

                                    > They ruined my life!

                                   > No one will ever hurt me again!  “I” will make sure of that!

Behind these thick walls facts are skewed, information is twisted, and reality is often ignored.  ONLY THOSE who can be trusted to agree with and justify their arguments are trusted inside these walls. 

#3 - Trapped people are blind!

1 John 2:11 says, “He that hates his brother walks in darkness and has no idea where he is going because that darkness has blinded him.”

Behind these fortified walls, truth is not welcome!  The absence of truth brings darkness. Somehow, we are clearly able to see the offenses, faults, and failures of others, but become blind to our very own glaring faults. Offended and trapped people develop extremely critical spirits and soon begin to engage themselves in anger, strife, gossip, and the sowing of seeds of discord.

Blindness keeps us from recognizing the sea of bitterness and unforgiveness that has so engulfed us and separated us from the presence of God.  It is true, my friend, unrepented sin does separate us from God.

#4 - Trapped and Offended people are often idolatrous!

Now, you may be thinking this is a bit harsh, but listen.  A few years back in one of my counseling sessions for a married couple I had a husband say this about his wife: “She cannot remember where she put her keys five minutes ago, but she can recall every detail of an offense committed against her 25 years ago!”  Wow, that really opened my eyes!  And God showed me this...When people allow their painful past resentment and bitterness to replace their present affection and devotion to God, then their state of offense becomes an IDOL!!!

One woman, who was grossly betrayed by her husband was asked, “What would you like to see done to your husband?  To which, she replied, “hell will do!”

Often we cannot or simply will not trust God to take care of our offender as He deems necessary.  Vengeance means more to us than trusting God!  We want our offender to pay and we want them to pay now, according to our terms!

“When the offense means more to you than restoration, it has become an idol in your life!”

In the past weeks, my family has suffered great physical damage at the hands of an unstable, angry soul.  We had every right and every means to seek revenge and cause this person life-altering consequences.  After calming down and praying heavily we decided to leave this war to our God! Not only that, but the precious Holy Spirit has even given me the desire to pray for this person.  I trust God to restore to my family what has been taken.

In closing, Romans 12:18 commands us, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."  This is the road we chose and therefore our joy,peace, and favor remain.  Take time this week to clean out the closet of your soul.  Get rid of old offenses that weigh you down and trap you.  Be free!  I say - "Be free to live, love and serve joyfully."

Blessings In Him, 
Jeneen