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When an army of great magnitude came against God's people, they began to seek the Lord with diligence. They acknowledged their lack because they knew that by themselves, they were no match against their enemy. They told the Lord that they had no might, no strength, and no power, but declared their trust in Him by saying, "Our eyes are upon You." They recognized where their strength would come from and who would give them victory in the battle. As they prayed, God gave them a simple plan, which was to go into the battle praising Him. As they obeyed His word, He gave them a glorious victory.

My grandson, who is a little over two years old, is fascinated with buttons and wires. Even though he doesn't understand electrical power, he knows that the buttons and wires make things work. One evening he began to rearrange the wires on the backside of my electric keyboard. He had already tried the on/off switch but could not get the keyboard to work. He worked diligently but had no success because he didn't know that the main power switch at the wall outlet was turned off. He finally declared, "It boke," which translates into "It is broken." This was the only conclusion that made sense to him because he could not get the buttons and wires to work.

Many times our faith is "broken" in the same fashion. All the wires and buttons are there and we say and do the right things, but nothing works because we do not stop and recognize where our power and strength comes from. We try to work out a sensible solution on our own, when all the time, the power of God's presence and His wisdom is within our reach. James 1:5-6 says, "If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God ... but let him ask in faith, nothing wavering." There is no lack when God's presence and wisdom is with us. In the midst of our trials, we just need to call out to Jesus and say, "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." His plan may be as simple as give praise in the midst of the battle, stand still and see My salvation, or it may be a magnificent plan to confront the enemy. Whatever the solution, we can be sure that when we stop trying to figure out all the buttons and wires and begin to focus are eyes upon Him, our efforts will not be wasted. We must believe that He is the source of our strength and as we connect directly with Him, He will infuse us with the power that we need to obtain the victory. +++

Copyright © 2006 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
================================================================================= 08/02/06
PRAY AGAIN

Elijah prayed earnestly and asked God to send rain. Six times, nothing happened, but on the seventh time, the heavens opened and the rain began to pour. Elijah could have given up on the sixth time that he prayed, but he didn't because he was determined to pray until an answer came. What if Elijah had stopped praying after his first prayer because he felt that true faith doesn't pray a second time? What if he questioned himself after the second prayer by wondering if he was righteous enough to go before God? What would have happened after the third prayer if he thought his request may be considered selfish in the eyes of God? After the fourth prayer, what would have happened if he had stopped praying because he felt ridiculous praying about the elements of nature? Surely, he had doubts after the fifth time that he bowed himself before God with the same petition, for the scriptures record that he was a man of like passions just like you and me. When he prayed the sixth time, he may have wondered if God was even listening at all. Yet Elijah didn't give up, and when he went boldly before God's throne of grace on the seventh time, he received his answer.

Powerful and effective prayer doesn't just happen. Sometimes you must stand at length before God's throne before you see any results. You must ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking, and knock and keep on knocking until God answers. Abraham interceded for Sodom and Gomorrah several times and Jacob wrestled with the angel of the Lord all night before he received his blessing. He wrestled so long and so hard with God that his hip was thrown out of place and he walked with a limp for the rest of life. Jesus, Himself, prayed for a blind man twice before the blind man's sight was totally restored, and He also went to God three times for Himself and asked that the cup of suffering be removed from Him.

The tenacity of prayer and faith is illustrated in the definition given by three boys. The first boy said, "It is taking hold of Christ"; the second said, "It is keeping hold of Christ"; and the third said, "It is not letting go!" We are not to simply skirt around on the outside of God's presence, but instead take time to venture deep into the Spirit. We must reach beyond our simple petition and go boldly before God's throne of grace in our time of need. We should not let go but approach God as many times as we need, without any reservations. We must always remain submitted to the Father's will, but never take no for an answer until God says no. Until the answer comes, we must pray and pray again. +++

Copyright © 2006 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
================================================================================= 08/03/06
CORNERSTONE

Jesus spoke of Himself. He was chosen by the God the Father to be the Spiritual head of the church, but He was rejected by the rulers who were attempting to build a religious organization. Scriptures declare that Jesus came to His own but His own did not receive Him. Yet even though Jesus was rejected and despised by men, He never gave up on God's plan and purpose for His life. Instead, He continued to do God's will and work the works of the One who had sent Him. He was destined to be the chief cornerstone of the church, which was built by the Spirit of God and He continues to hold all things together by the power of His word. It is hard to imagine, but if the presence and power of that One Stone, Jesus Christ, were to be removed, the church would dissolve and all nature would collapse.

When Jesus came to this earth, He did go to the pious religious leaders who mistakenly thought that they had it all together and took for granted that their building was intact. Instead, Jesus chose to go to those who recognized that they needed Him as their own personal Lord and Savior. Jesus searched for those who would serve Him diligently and love Him with all of their hearts. He came to the sinners who needed a Savior to cleanse them from their sins, to the sick who needed a healer to heal them of their diseases, to those in bondage who needed to be delivered, and even to the dead who needed to be resurrected. He also came for the broken hearted and those who were suffering grief. He allowed them to experience His grace by giving them beauty for their ashes and exchanging their sadness with a spirit of joy. He was never rejected by those who realized that they had a need and were willing to receive Him as their solution.

Jesus presents Himself to us even today. He wants us to wrap our lives around Him so that He becomes the chief cornerstone of our lives. Every stone of our life has importance, but Jesus desires to be the most prominent part of our personal witness. When others look at us from a personal standpoint or as the corporate Church of the Living God, He wants them to see and know that we are connected together with Him. We must let the world know that we are one building, one church, one family, and one body in Christ. We acknowledge Jesus as our chief cornerstone and we declare that we will never reject Him. +++

Copyright © 2006 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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=================================================================================
08/04/06
KNOW THAT I AM GOD

God is not interested in our great intellectual knowledge. Nor is He interested in our personal agendas and great achievements. He desires a personal relationship with us, and His main interest is that we know Him and realize that He is God. When we come to understand that God is God, we realize that He is in control of every situation in our life. He is God over the big things and God over the small things. He is God in the good times and God in the bad times. He is God when things are easy and God when things are hard. He is God on the mountains of joy and He is God in the valleys of the shadow of death.

When we come to recognize that God is sovereign, we begin to grasp the meaning of Romans 8:28. No matter what happens to us, if we love God and are called according to His purpose, all things, good or bad, are going to work together for our good. We then stop focusing on the immediate adverse circumstances and begin to see that there is a much bigger picture for our life. We come to know that God's grand destiny for our life is much more than we can comprehend with our finite mind. We concentrate on the enlarged territories that we believe God has for us and pray to that effect, knowing that His thoughts towards us are for good and not evil and that He will give us a future and a hope.

Your future may seem uncertain at this point, but you have an assurance that God has brought you to His kingdom for such a time as this (Esther 4:14). God has placed you in this life at this particular time to fulfill His particular purpose. God doesn't measure you by someone else's ability and opportunity but by that which He individually affords to you. You must surrender your all to Him by placing your life totally in His hands. If the enemy comes in like a flood, you can be assured that God is still God and that He will raise up a banner against the forces of darkness. God is in charge and He is about to do a great thing in your life. Get away from the turmoil and quiet yourself from all anxiety. Take time to be still and listen to His still quite voice and know that God is God and He always will be God. +++

Copyright © 2006 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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=================================================================================

Life offers surprises to all of us and many times we do not know what to think or say in the middle of the ordeals that come our way. We believe that God will come to our rescue so we definitely want to keep our faith and not complain or make negative confessions about our situation. Yet, we don't want to have false hope and offer untrue statements either. So how can we express our faith and trust in God until our promise of hope is fulfilled?

We must understand that God is never taken by surprise. He not only knows the beginning from the end, He also has a plan to bring it all together for our good. He is able to take the lemons in our lives, add some sweetness, and make lemonade. When things seem impossible, He is able to take the crooked circumstances and make them straight for our benefit. Even when people work against us, they can't stop the plan and blessings of God that are upon our lives. Our hope is no different than that of Joseph, whose brothers sold him into slavery. Everything worked together for Joseph's good because he loved God and was called according to God's purposes. Joseph told his brothers, "You thought evil against me, but God meant it for good" (Genesis 50:20).

God's word doesn't say that all things are good, but it declares that all things will work together and turn out for our good in the end. We must realized that maturity is developed in the midst of adversity, strength is gained in pain, and a spirit of hope and faith is birthed in the midst of desperation. Every trial of faith that we endure deepens our trust in the Lord. Every experience that we go through causes us to grow and teaches us that all things are working together for our good. Therefore, when others question us about the disease that is attacking our body, our confession should be, "According to Romans 8:27-28, The Spirit is making intercession for me according to the will of God and all things will work together for good." When we are financially challenged, we can boldly declare, "The Spirit is making intercession for me according to the will of God and all things will work together for good." When our relationships are strained, we should find refuge in this same thought, "The Spirit is making intercession for me according to the will of God and all things will work together for good." This confession also holds true when we are facing any of the other storms of life. It is God's word for us and we can trust Him to bring it about in His time. +++

Copyright © 2006 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
================================================================================= 08/08/06
FORGIVENESS WITH GOD

God never condemns us for our transgressions, regardless of how big or how small they are. He patiently waits for us to confess them to Him so that He can forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9). He is very faithful in this area. Psalms 103:12 says, "He has removed our sins as far as the east is from the west." And verse ten tells us that God doesn't deal with us after our sins, or reward us according to our iniquities. In other words, He doesn't punish us according to the degree of our sins either. We never have to fear God in terror of His punishment, for His discipline and punishment is meant for correction and protection. However, we are instructed to give Him reverence and to fear Him as a child respectfully fears their loving father.

God looks beyond our faults and sees our needs. He sees how vulnerable we are and because we were created from the dust, He doesn't expect us to be gods. If God marked or kept record of all of our iniquities and punished us accordingly, no one would be able to stand before Him, for we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. He made provision ahead of time for our failures. He sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross so that we could receive forgiveness and cleansing. Since God made this ultimate sacrifice, it stands to reason that His desire and intention is to forgive. God doesn't want to record our sins, He wants to forgive them. His love will cover a multitude of sin, if only we ask. +++

Copyright © 2006 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
================================================================================= 08/09/06
POSSESSING THE PROMISE

Israel was given a tremendous promise of a special land, but the possession of that promise came only by facing the giants and engaging in battles. It's very easy for us to get excited about a promise that we receive from God, but it is another thing to put forth the effort to possess that same promise. Too often, we view the promise from afar and never walk towards the vision that God has placed in our hearts. The giants of doubt and unbelief challenge our hopes and dreams and tempt us to give up. In the midst of the battle, we must remember that God never makes a promise that He can't keep. When He leads, He goes before us and no foe can stand in His way. His presence clears the way before us, making the crooked paths straight and the rough ways smooth.

God has set before you open doors in an attempt to enlarge your borders and He speaks to you as He did with Moses, "You have dwelt long enough in this mountain. Go possess the land." Adversity may come as you move forward, but if you allow it, it will strengthen you. Conflicts transform the meek into mighty warriors, fires purify, water purges, and stones polish. It is a known fact that hard times make us strong, and valleys rather than mountains cause us to grow. Your shattered hopes and disappointments will cause you to shift your focus to God and God alone. Your experiences will give you insight and discernment and God will use all of your brokenness to minister to you and equip you to be able to minister to others. The peace and joy that you win in battle will become more precious than the peace which has known no conflict. God desires that you move into your destiny and speaks, "Don't fear or be discouraged. Go and possess the promise." +++

Copyright © 2006 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
================================================================================= 08/10/06
EXPEDIENT NOT LAWFUL

Life presents us with many choices. These choices determine our future and create our past. They cause us to become who we are in character and also establish our reputation in the eyes of others. Choices are made because of our hopes and desires, but they also determine our failures. As we follow our choices, they take us down many trails and the options we choose leave behind us a path that others will follow. Sometimes the examples that we provide for others are good but other times we mistakenly lead them down the wrong paths. At the time, our choice may have been acceptable and lawful for us personally because our motives were pure, but they may have caused problems for those within the circle of our influence who may not have known the entire situation.

The Apostle Paul addressed this issue by saying, "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are expedient." In other words, all things that we could do may not edify or build up those around us. In fact, some things that are lawful in the eyes of God will actually hinder our witness and possibly destroy the faith of those who look to us as examples. It may even hinder God's destiny for our lives. In chapter twenty-five of I Samuel, David was so provoked by an evil man named Nabal that David vowed to destroy Nabal and everything that pertained to him. This act of vengeance would have been lawful for David, but it was not expedient. David was destined to become the King of Israel and this act would have been a major blemish in his character and damaged his reputation before others. So David refused to avenge himself or to shed innocent blood in order that this dreadful act would not become an offense in his own heart and also ultimately hinder God's plan for his life.

When we know God and His ways, it is very easy to discern which choices are morally and ethically right and which ones are wrong. Yet, we must remember Paul's words that even though things may be lawful for us, not all things are expedient. If we speak lawful words of truth or speak with the tongues of angels and have not love, we are as a tinkling cymbal. If we prophesy without love, we are nothing. We must follow the pattern of Christ and choose to do those things that edify and give a worthy testimony to the world about us. We are epistles read of all men and the law that we follow should be always governed by the spirit of love, for love is always expedient. +++

Copyright © 2006 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
================================================================================= 08/11/06
ALMOST

Paul gave a moving testimony of the blinding light and his heavenly vision on the Road to Damascus. He also witnessed about Christ and spoke of the things that Christ had suffered because He came to this earth as the Savior of the world. Paul was so passionate and shared so many convincing details that King Agrippa declared that he, himself, was almost persuaded to become a Christian. Yet, Agrippa fell short and never followed through with a definite decision or action to receive Jesus.

To say "almost" in any situation is never enough. God calls us to completion. When Jesus had completed His assignment on Earth, He said, "It is finished." When the Apostle Paul came to the end of his life, he said, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (II Timothy 4:7). For King Agrippa to say that he was almost persuaded to become a Christian was the same as saying that he was almost rescued from the fire or almost saved from drowning. A person who is almost saved from the fire or from drowning is still dead and without hope. Likewise, King Agrippa's soul was still lost and going to Hell no matter how close he had come to receiving Jesus as the Lord and Savior of his life.

There is no joy if you are almost delivered or almost saved from destruction. There is only defeat. There is no reward if you almost refrain from sin. There are only consequences. There is no virtue if you almost tell the truth, for your words are still considered to be lies. There is no such position as almost fair, almost righteous, almost justified, or almost sanctified. Almost is not enough. You can't go halfway or just nearly make it. The work has to be completed. You must go all the way with God and refuse to stop at the place that is called almost. +++

Copyright © 2006 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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=================================================================================
A Word In Due Season
3rd Week of August 2006

08/14/06
HOPE AGAINST HOPE

Scripture: Romans 4:18 "Abraham, against hope - believed in hope."

God spoke to Abraham in Genesis 15:5 and told him that his seed would be as the stars of heaven. This seemed an impossible promise in the natural, as Abraham was 100 years old and his wife, Sarah, was ninety. Yet Abraham chose to believe God's promise and hoped even though the situation looked hopeless. He refused to limit God to the natural possibilities. Paul, recounting this incident, said that when everything looked hopeless in the natural, Abraham believed anyway; "he hoped against hope."

Abraham refused to consider the frailty of his own body that was a century old or to limit his faith because of what he could not do for himself. Instead, he chose to focus on what God had promised and what God could do. Because Abraham did not waver in unbelief, his faith grew stronger and increased. He waited many years and went through some trying times but God's promises to him eventually were fulfilled. Through it all, he had continued to believe and hope when there was nothing tangible to hold on to.

Many of our life situations find us in this same place, a place of no hope. In the natural, there is no way to fix the problems that we encounter. There is no medical solution for our healing, restoration of our relationships is out of reach, and our financial circumstances are out of control. There just seems to be no hope. Yet, we are not to consider the negative circumstances or the doubts that plague our minds when they contradict God's word. This is the time for our faith to arise and take hold of God's word, which makes a provision for every need that we will ever experience. In Romans 15:13, Paul said that God could so fill you with joy and peace by the power of the Holy Spirit that you would overflow or just bubble over with hope. If you want to have the Abraham kind of hope that hopes when there is no hope, look to God. He is your hope and He will never fail you. +++

These words were written by Peter to the exiles, or the Christians, who had been scattered. They were chosen by God, obedient to the blood of Christ, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Yet, their situation was one of suffering and trial because they were trying to live faithfully in a pagan and hostile society. Peter's message of hope was intended to comfort them and to encourage them to rejoice and stand firm even in the midst of their trials.

Life has not changed and neither has the message of Peter to the church of the Living God. When all of Hell breaks loose and when all hope is gone, God's word to His people today is the same as it was to the early Christians. We are to "greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, that we are in heaviness through manifold temptations." Manifold temptations mean that the trials are multiplied. One of Satan's tactics is to attack your faith from all sides. He did this with Job. A messenger came to give Job bad news, and while the messenger was still speaking, there came another bad report. It was one bad thing after the other in Job's season of testing. He had to face the devil in every arena. Yet, Job refused to curse God and made a declaration of his commitment. He said, "Though God slay me, still I will trust Him." He left his life and future in God's hands. The Apostle Paul's faith was also tried in manifold situations. He said, "We are troubled on every side ... perplexed ... persecuted ... and cast down ... that the life of Jesus might be made manifest in our body." Yet, he maintained a spirit of faith through it all (II Corinthians 4:8-13). And Jesus, Himself, faced a series of testings in the wilderness. Satan came to Him and tempted Him in three areas, but Jesus placed His faith in the Word of God and remained faithful.

You may be scattered in your mind right now with manifold trials and temptations but remember the devil only has a season. Always keep in mind that your times of testing are precious times because you are held in the palms of God's hands. His eyes are ever on you just as His eyes were on those Christians who were scattered. God never leaves the refining pot to tend to other matters. You are His main concern and the strength of your faith is important to Him. He has judged you and counted you mature enough to endure the conflicts and the reproach that you are now facing. Satan's main goal is to destroy your faith in today's test so that it will affect your hope for the next season and your ultimate destiny. But God knows the degree of heat that you can handle, and if things get too hot He has promised to rescue you by making a way of escape. God believes that your faith will come forth as pure gold as He allows the fires of adversity to refine it. As your faith passes through the fire, things that are impure will separate from you. When this process is complete. only genuine faith will remain. In the midst of the fire, God will deliver you from fear, agitating passions, and moral conflicts. So as the fires come, embrace them and live above the reproach. Allow God to purify your faith and burn out the things that are foreign to His nature. As you do, your faith will come forth as pure gold and your suffering will be changed into glory and honor for Him. +++

Copyright © 2006 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
================================================================================= 08/16/06
DEVOTION TO HIS CALL

Jesus makes it plain in these words that if we are going to serve Him, we must follow Him. It is a simple choice and we can't have it both ways. We can't live the way of the world while we have the mark of His cross upon our lives any more than we can serve two masters. When we are truly devoted to the Lord's call, we will follow Him wherever He leads and do whatever He asks. We will put to death our hopes in order to follow His will and crucify our own desires so that He can fulfill His purposes in our lives. We will allow our lives to die as a seed in the ground so that His fruit can come forth (Verse 24).

These two simple words from the lips of Jesus, "Follow Me" offer us a wonderful life in His presence. When we choose Christ, we choose a personal relationship with Him. When we follow Him, we go where He goes and we see what He sees. We bond together with Him through our mutual experiences, whether good or bad. From the time that we accept His call and then throughout eternity, we have an assurance that we will be guided by the One who has more wisdom and knowledge than we do. He becomes our Shepherd and we take on the identity of His sheep. We recognize His voice and do not follow another. We are aware that there is something very special about belonging to Him. The world doesn't understand our relationship, but we know Him and we know that He knows us.

It is apparent that in your heart you truly want to serve the Lord or you would not be spending time right now reading this message and following after the things of God. Yet, we all encounter distractions and things that attempt to lead us away from following the Shepherd. There are trials, victories, heartbreaks, and even fears as we journey through life with Jesus, but with every event along our path, we learn more about Him. When Jesus says, "Follow Me," He calls us to be dependent upon Him and to allow Him to be in control of our lives. He continually calls us to new levels and wants us to serve Him. It is not just a place of destination, but it is also a journey. He goes before us and leads us each step of the way. Our obedience in following Him gives us the opportunity to trust Him in a new way and to show our devotion to His call. If we want to serve Him, we must allow Him to be the Lord of our life and follow Him. +++

On the day of Jesus' resurrection, two men traveled towards a village called Emmaus, which was near Jerusalem. As they journeyed, they discussed the crucifixion of Jesus and their disappointments in His death. Their hopes had been shattered at Jesus' death because they had believed that He was the one that would redeem Israel. That day, reports began to come saying that the tomb was empty and that Jesus was alive amd the two men didn't know what to think.

As they walked and communed together concerning these facts, Jesus drew near to them. He began to explain the scriptures to them, but kept Himself hidden from them. He started with the words of Moses and went through the prophets. He explained that the necessity of Christ's suffering was so that He could enter into His glory. Later, as Jesus broke bread with the two men, their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus just before He vanished out of their sights. They then realized why their hearts burned within them as the scriptures were being opened to them. Jesus had been in their midst and the anointing that rested upon Him had ministered to their wounded hearts and souls as He opened the word to them.

Jesus is no less concerned about your thoughts, confusion, and disapointments. He will draw just as near to you as He did to the two men who traveled the Emmaus Road that day so that He may commune with you and give you counsel. He wants to help you with the things that you do not understand. He wants to light your path and give you clear direction. He makes Himself available so that you too will encounter Him in a fresh way and have the opportunity to come to know Him more intimately. As you seek Him, He opens your spiritual eyes and reveals Himself to you. When He does, you will experience the very depths of His love, the heights of His joy, and the richness of His grace in a fashion that you have never known before. A moment with Him is eternal and something that you will never forget. When He has finished ministering to you personally, you realize that all the while He was speaking to you, your heart was burning within you and that His presence was imparting revelation. +++

Copyright © 2006 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
================================================================================= 08/18/06
A PLACE CALLED PRAYER

This scripture is sandwiched in between two mighty miracles. In the first miracle, Jesus fed over 5000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish. Within just a few hours, He preformed another miracle by walking on the water. Could we say as the people did in Matthew 13:54, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" Jesus answers this question in John 5:19-20 when He says, "The Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees His Father doing ... For the Father loves the Son and will show Him what He is doing."

Even though Jesus was God the Son, when He came to Earth He was the "Word made flesh" (John 1:14). He emptied Himself and took on the form of a mere man and could only do what the Spirit of God anointed Him to do (Philippians 2:6-8). Jesus did not take advantage of His divine nature, but instead He completely abandoned Himself into the hands of God. He depended on God the Father to show Him what to do and to anoint Him to do it. Acts 10:38 says, "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power, Who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil: for God was with Him."

Jesus' wisdom and power came about as a result of the anointing of God, and the anointing came as a result of His communion with God the Father. Jesus continually searched for a time and place to be alone with God. It was in those intimate places that God showed Jesus what He was to do and infused His being with the presence of the Holy Spirit who then empowered Jesus to complete the work. Jesus miraculously fed the multitudes, but then sent His disciples and the multitude away so that He could find a place to pray before He walked upon the water. Jesus renewed His strength through His relationship with God the Father and did not try to function in yesterday's power. And because He spent time with God, God was with Him.

Too often we find ourselves too busy to spend time with God. We begin to experience a great lack in our study of God's word and prayer time and then find ourselves trying to rely on yesterday's revelation and yesterday's anointing. We must recall the secret that Jesus held. He found wisdom and power in the solitary place called prayer. His main interest was His communion with the Father. God's anointing is only going to come to us through this same place of intimacy with Him. When we pass through the veil into God's presence, we will gain an assurance that He is with us and we will find the power of His anointing that will cause us to be able to fulfill His call. +++

Copyright © 2006 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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=================================================================================

Scripture: Luke 5:9 (NIV) "Peter and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken."

Jesus told Peter to launch out into the water and let down his nets, but Peter was skeptical because he had fished all night in those same waters and caught nothing. Yet, he obeyed the words of Jesus and caught so many fish that his boat began to sink. Jesus performed a special miracle for Peter in the field that Peter was familiar with. There was no doubt in Peter's mind that this was a supernatural act because of his many years of fishing experience. He didn't even try to take the glory for it by telling a "big fish story" to all of his buddies. Instead, he was astonished and stood there in wonder and amazement. This miracle brought Peter to repentance and he confessed his own sinful nature. When he realized that he was standing in the presence of righteousness, he fell at Jesus' feet and worshipped Him.

After this, Jesus spoke to Peter and said, "Fear not; from now on you shall catch men." He was telling Peter that just as Peter had let down the net and drew up a multitude of fish, that this was also possible in the spiritual realm. Jesus challenged Peter to bring men into the kingdom of God and Peter responded by forsaking all that he had in order to follow Jesus. He laid down his life's work and his future source of income. He left it all in the Lord's hands so that he could do the Lord's work. Peter could have made many excuses and said, "I don't think that I'm very qualified. I haven't been to great schools and I haven't been trained for the ministry." In fact, Acts 4:13 tells us what the educated people thought about Peter and John. It says, "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men ..." Those qualifications of being unlearned and ignorant are not very impressive. But, the scripture goes on to say, "these same people marveled, and they took knowledge of Peter and John, because they had been with Jesus." The presence of the Lord in the lives of Peter and John overrode all of their inadequacies.

God wants to move in your life in a supernatural way and when He ministers to you, you will know that it could only be God that brought the blessing or the deliverance. He will cause you to stand there in wonder and amazement, knowing that without Him you could have never completed the task with your own skills. His awesome presence will be the secret that will give you the boldness that you need to accomplish His will. When He deals with you to do something for Him, whether it is to thrust out a little from the shore or go out into the deep, just trust Him and submit to His words. God is not foolish. If He speaks, He surely has a plan for that word to be fulfilled. It will demand faith on your part just as it took faith for Peter and John to launch out into the deep water again. His call may not be easy. It will take deliberate action on your part just as Peter and John had to deal with letting down the heavy nets, but their efforts showed Jesus that they believed His promise. They eventually forsook all and followed Jesus and became His disciples. His plan for their lives was far more astonishing than that day on the lake when they had the miracle catch of fish. Likewise, God has a plan and a hope for you, and if you give your future to Him, you will be astonished at what He will do with your life. +++

Copyright © 2006 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
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08/22/06
WHY AND WHERE?

Have these two questions ever crossed your mind as you faced life's challenges? We know the scriptures declare that Jesus is a miracle worker and that He is the same today as He was yesterday. He doesn't change and we believe that He can still heal, provide, and deliver. We also know that Jesus will never leave us or forsake us. Psalms twenty-three tells us that the Lord is our Shepherd and that we shall not want for any good thing. He will cause us to lie down in green pastures and will lead us beside still waters. He will even restore our soul and anoint our head with oil in the presence of our enemies. He will calm the raging seas and speak peace to all of our storms. We have nothing to fear because Jesus is our keeper. These truths fill our heart, yet when things are not working out the way they should for us, the same questions that Gideon asked come to our mind. "If the Lord is with me, why is this happening? If He is my provider, why don't I have enough money to pay my bills? If the Lord is leading me beside still waters, why do I have all of this turmoil going on in my life? Why won't my car start or why did the tires go flat? If the Lord is with me, where are all of His miracles? If Jesus is my healer, why is my body wracked with pain or why did my love one die instead of being healed?"

We can all agree that life does offer some discouraging moments. Fear does attack. Hardships do come. Grief and sorrow happen to the best of us and things do not always work out as we had hoped or planned. There are times when we can't feel God's presence even though He is very near. There are days of darkness as well as days of light and there are seasons of sadness as well as times of great joy. To be sure there are times of confusion, and although we do not always have the answer to all of the questions in our life, we must trust God and believe His word.

In midst of Gideon's fearful situation, the Lord promised him peace and life (Verse 23). But God also told him to go into battle against the enemy and tear down their idols of worship. Gideon still had fear in his soul when he chose to believe and receive the word of the Lord. Yet in the midst of everything that was going on, Gideon built an altar and called it Jehovah-Shalom, which means the God of peace. He stopped everything that he was doing and worshiped the Lord. He laid his fear and insecurities at the feet of the God of peace. This is our answer. We don't have to know why adversity is challenging our life or where our deliverance is at the moment. All that we must do is lay our fears and insecurities on the altar of Jehovah-Shalom, our God of peace, for He is good and He is faithful all of the time. He has a good plan for our lives and we have nothing to fear. We should never question, "If the Lord is with us", but to believe His words and confess in faith, "The Lord is with us!." +++

Jesus had just asked Peter, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter answered Jesus saying, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Flesh and blood did not reveal this knowledge to Peter. God the Father opened Peter's heart, enlightened his spiritual eyes, and granted him the revelation that Jesus was His Son, the promised Messiah. This revelation is the foundation for the Church of the Living God and it is the rock that we build our own personal faith upon. Many recognize Jesus as the Christmas babe in the manger or Jesus on the cross. Yet they never come to know Him as Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of the Living God or discover that He is the rock of their salvation.

The revelation that Jesus is the Messiah, the Anointed One of God, opens a whole new spiritual dimension in our lives. This knowledge enlarges the borders of our heart and increases our personal influence on others. Jesus becomes the foundation that we place our faith upon and we find that He is endless, His power is boundless, and His love is without measure. As we continue to look into the chambers of His heart, we see His goodness, His mercy, and His grace. In His presence, we experience His joy and His peace, and in each heartache and pain, we come to know His compassion. The more intimate we become with Him, the more we realize that our relationship is not about what we have done or can do for Him, but it is about who He is, what He has done, and what He will do for us in the future. He is the Messiah of our lives.

Often, however, we develop a Messiah syndrome by taking the weight of the world and our problems upon our own shoulders. We allow ourselves to become bound by the enemy of our souls because we do not lean upon the Holy One of God or draw from His mercy and grace. Our attempts to work ourselves and others free create frustration when all we really needed to do was simply call upon Jesus. As our Messiah, Isaiah chapter sixty-one declares that Jesus came to take our burdens and set us free from all bondage. He came to comfort, restore, and rebuild. He does the work in our individual lives by the anointing of the Holy Spirit and when He does it, it is remains eternal. When we recognize that Jesus is our Messiah, the Son of the Living God, the gates of Hell can not prevail against this revelation. +++

Paul declares that God comforts us in all of our tribulations so that we may be able to comfort others who are in any kind of trouble. Hardships are not fun, but they work together for good in our lives to bring us to a better understanding of the situations that others are facing. We can't give others hope for the mountaintop if we haven't successfully made it through the shadows in the valley. We can't direct someone through a tunnel of depression if we haven't experienced the darkness of a wounded spirit ourselves. Nor can we mend those with a broken heart if we've never experienced disappointment. We could never understand the anxieties of those who are facing financial lack if we have no understanding in that area. And how could we ever be touched with the physical suffering and pain of others if our own infirmities had not birthed compassion in our soul?

Comforting others is a ministry in itself, for out of the greatest pain comes the sweetest songs of assurance. The hard places in our past show us how to bring deliverance to the wounded. The emotional trials that we have faced allow us to be able to be touched by their feelings. And because we have cried, we know how to wipe away their tears. Because we have faced dry desert places and then experienced God in fresh new ways, we can assure them that God will also prepare a stream in their desert. Because we have gone through grief and sorrow, we can assure them that their season of joy will come again. Because we have been weary ourselves and have carried heavy burdens, we know how to encourage and lift their heavy load. And because we have found it necessary at times to lean on the prayers of others, we are able to give ourselves easily to intercession when prayer is needed.

The hurting never run to those who have never suffered. And likewise, those who need counsel and a word in due season never seek out those without experience. We are not above our Master. Jesus suffered and was touched by the feelings that we would experience and was tempted in all of the temptations that He knew we would face (Hebrews 4:15). He gave Himself to pain so that He could become a valid comforter through the Holy Spirit. So, even though suffering is hard for us, it brings with it an education that is of greater benefit than earning a degree. Suffering creates a dwelling place in our heart for the compassion of God and it develops a skillfulness that enables us to minister according to the will of God. At the end, we are able to agree with the Apostle Paul and say, "Blessed be God ... Who has comforted me in all my tribulations so that I may be able to comfort others who are in any trouble." +++

David could see that the hand of the Lord was upon him because his kingdom was growing. As David began to see God's mighty anointing and blessings on his life, he perceived that God had established him as king over Israel. Yet David realized that this exaltation was not for his benefit alone so that he might sit on a throne, wear a crown, and be honored before the people. He knew that God was allowing him the benefit of kingship so that He might be used as a channel of blessings for Israel's sake. David clearly recognized God's hope for his life.

Each man had an opinion that was partially right, but completely wrong. They argued about something that they had never seen. In contrast to the example of the blind men, God doesn't want you to operate in blind misconceptions about His plan and provisions for your life. He wants to give you a clear perception. Paul taught us to pray that the "eyes of our understanding would be enlightened so that we would know the hope of God's calling" (Ephesians 1:18). Clear perception removes all doubt and endows you with an inner strength to press towards the goal that God has set. When your heart is flooded with God's light, faith begins to arise in your heart and His power is then manifested in your life. Seeing God's big picture for your life helps you make it through temptations and sustains you in battle. When His hopes and vision take root, they will encourage you in your failures and disappointments and give you an assurance that nothing is able to separate you from the love of God. God wants you to perceive His plan. Then as He begins to establish His kingdom in your life, understand that it is not for your own benefit, nor for your own glory, but for the sake of God's people. +++

The Apostle Paul reminded Timothy about two spiritual qualities that Timothy possessed. First, Timothy had acquired a true and solid faith because of the influence of his mother and grandmother. Second, Timothy had received the gifts of God, for Paul, himself, had imparted these special gifts to Timothy when he laid his hands upon him. Paul now exhorted Timothy to stir up those gifts and to exercise his faith in the Lord. God's work needed to be made manifest in his life, for the gifts of God and true faith are useless if they are only held within ones heart and never released for the benefit of others.

When Paul addressed Timothy's fear, He also addressed our issues. God still imparts gifts and faith to His children, yet as believers, we face the same dilemma that Timothy faced. We allow the awesome gifts of God and the faith that is within our hearts to be shrouded by a spirit of fear. We are timid and shy with those that we are trying to minister to and intimidated by those about us who are more experienced in the things of God than we are. Even though God has filled us with His Holy Spirit, we are so afraid of personal failure that we will not allow His power to flow through us and manifest itself in our lives. We are afraid of what will happen if the person that we are witnessing to scorns us instead of receiving God's plan for eternal salvation? We wonder, what if my prayers for healing do not work, or worse, what if the person I am praying for dies? We are even afraid to love because love makes us vulnerable to possible rejection and pain. We have given our hearts away before and were only wounded in return. Even our minds become unsound and clouded with confusion because of the fear that overwhelms us. It is any wonder that when fear dominates our lives in this manner that we can't work the works of the one who sent us?

These feelings are very real. Timothy experienced them and Paul understood what Timothy was feeling. Yet, even though the spirit of fear is real, it is not from God and we do not have to allow it to reign within our being. We are destined and ordained to be an overcoming people, full of God's power, operating in His love, and exercising good sense and self-control. These things are from God. Let us graciously receive His power, love and a sound mind. +++

When you have need of a cord or a rope, you make sure that its strength matches the required task. A single or double corded rope may be okay for some light chore, but it will certainly break under excessive pressure. A rope made with three cords, however, will afford greater strength and be harder to break. Solomon referred to this threefold cord in reference to relationships and declared that it is never easy for us to stand alone in life's situations. We need each other in order to enhance our strength. He said that two are better than one, and three offer an even greater strength, which can not be easily or quickly broken.

This threefold concept of strength holds true in the spiritual realm as well as it does in natural relationships. We are designed to be part of a threefold spiritual cord. In I Timothy 2:1, the Apostle Paul told Timothy that the believers should pray and make intercession for all men. We must understand that the Lord entrusted us with the responsibility to be part of the process of helping others to get their needs met through prayer. We are given the awesome privilege of approaching the throne of God for them, yet, we do not stand alone in this endeavor. There are two others who stand with us and are continually making intercession for the saints of God. Romans 8:34 tells us that Christ is sitting at the right hand of God, making intercession for us. Jesus is the Mediator between us and God, the Father, and He prays while the enemy's tries to sift us as wheat. And Romans 8:26 says, "The Holy Spirit makes intercession for us." He helps us pray when we don't know how or what to pray. When all that we can do is groan in the spirit, He speaks to the Father on our behalf. How could our strength ever fail with this threefold bond in the spirit?

I pray that this knowledge will be a strength to you as you face the challenges ahead. When it seems you are all alone and you don't know what to do, remember there is always someone praying for you. Regardless of the uncertainties and battles that you are facing, you must believe that there is a threefold cord that is working in your favor. God is calling others to stand in the gap for your needs and their prayers will be joined with the intercessions of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. You must also be sensitive to the Spirit because God will call you to this same special place of intercession and much of the outcome will depend upon your prayers. Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit, and the believer; the strength of this awesome threefold cord can not easily or quickly be broken. +++

There are periods of Jesus' life that we know little about, but we do know that during these silent years He was growing and mighty things were happening within Him. God had a plan and purpose for Jesus, and He was being prepared for the destiny that was set before Him. Luke 2:40 declares that as a child, Jesus "grew strong in the spirit, was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him." Then, when He was twelve years old until about the age of thirty, "Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man" (Luke 2:52). Although these seasons of Jesus' life were unseen, they were very productive. Jesus knew who He was during these years and knew that He must be about His Father's business. Yet, He humbly submitted Himself to those in authority over Him, waited on the timing of God, and allow the Holy Spirit to prepare Him for the ministry that was set before Him.

When God lives within us, we have purpose. Yet, there may seasons or even years that we see nothing happening in our lives, and things may become very discouraging because our futures look so bleak. We know that things are happening within us even though no one else seems to notice our spiritual growth. These silent years of our lives are like the foundation of a home. There is not very much celebration when the foundation is poured and there is no beauty to behold, for it is just gray cement. Even later, when the house is finished, the foundation is rarely honored or recognized. Instead, everyone comments on the architecture of the home and the beauty of its furnishings and decor. Even the landscape receives more attention than the foundation. Yet, the home would not be able to stand without being established on a firm and solid base.

Waiting on God through our seasons of silence should be a journey of faith, and not of fear and frustration. We must so trust God with our lives, that we are able to submit to Him and allow Him to take the time that He needs to establish a strong foundation within our lives. This foundation may not look so beautiful at the time or seem like anything to celebrate. In fact, our life and ministry may just look like gray cement. Yet, the season of the unseen and silent years are the secret to becoming a great vessel in the hands of God. For later, we will discover that this was the time when the most solid part of our being was formed. When we thought nothing was really happening, God, by His Spirit , was filling us with His wisdom and imparting His grace and favor upon us. Without us even knowing it, He was making us strong in the spirit and preparing us for the future. The silent years are the greatest times of increase so we must not allow impatience to control and manipulate our lives. Instead we must devote ourselves entirely to God and be subject to His will so that He can build within us the ability and strength to become what He wants us to be. +++

Scripture: Psalms 139:24 "Point out anything You find in me that makes You sad."

David had asked God to search him and point out anything that was displeasing to Him. God's search was not for God's own benefit, for the previous scriptures tell us that God knew everything about David. God's eyes saw David when he was being formed in his mother's womb. He knew more about David than David knew about himself. God knew every thought that came to David's mind and what he was going to say before he spoke. God also knew where David was every moment, for He was there with him. David told God, "If I go up to heaven, You are there, and if I make my bed in Hell, You are there." He could not escape God's presence.

God's search of David's heart was for David's own benefit. He needed God to search him and show him his soul. Jeremiah 17:9 says, "The heart is deceitful above all things ... Who can know it?" Another translation says, "Who can perceive, understand, or be acquainted with his own heart and mind?" Our heart can easily deceive us. Sometimes we look at others and wonder why they don't change. But like us, they don't see themselves as they really are. In their own minds, they have no faults and are self-deceived.

It is only through the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit that we can come to see ourselves as God sees us. Hebrews 4:12-13 tells us that the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power. It is sharper than any two-edged sword. It penetrates, dividing the soul and spirit. It goes into the deepest part of our nature and exposes, analyzes, and judges the very thoughts and purposes of our hearts. As it does, everything about us is naked and exposed before the eyes of God. If we want to be intimate with God, we must be truthful with Him and allow Him to be truthful with us. We must open our hearts to the Holy Spirit and ask Him to search every fiber of our soul, allowing God's light to show us the things that we need to change. We must pray these simple words that David prayed, "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Test my thoughts and point out anything You find in me that makes You sad!" +++