Pray About Going South For Another Winter
On December 5th, 2006 during family devotions we sought the LORD about our 2007 Trip South in January. Our bus was still in Springfield, Missouri and we didn't know if GOD would supply the need for all the repairs. So we asked the children to find a quiet place and seek the LORD through prayer and HIS Word. Then after a while we'd all come back to share what Holy Spirit has spoken. Yes, GOD speaks to all, even children for it is the same Holy Spirit that dwells in EVERY Believer no matter what their age!
Bethany age five brought these two verses back from Genesis 20:1 and 21:1...
Now Abraham journeyed south to the Negev.
Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah (insert Lord Family) as HE had said, and the LORD did for the Lord Family what HE had promised.
Wow! We were blown away for you can't get any more specific than for GOD to say to “Journey SOUTH!” and for HIM to remind us of HIS promise in Psalm 20 before we started our 'Venture with GOD'!
Rachel age eight brought these verses back to share with the family from Job 2:1-3...
One day the angels came again to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan the Accuser came with them. “Where have you come from?” the LORD asked Satan. And Satan answered the LORD, “I have been going back and forth across the earth, watching everything that’s going on.” Then the LORD asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job (insert Lord Family)? He is the finest man in all the earth—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and will have nothing to do with evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you persuaded me to harm him without cause.
Rachel also shared this verses from Psalm 118:1-5...
Give thanks to the LORD, for HE is good! His faithful love endures forever. Let the congregation of Israel repeat: “HIS faithful love endures forever.” Let Aaron’s descendants, the priests, repeat: “HIS faithful love endures forever.” Let all who fear the LORD repeat: “His faithful love endures forever.” In my distress I prayed to the LORD,and the LORD answered me and rescued me."
Finally Rachel shared this verse from Jeremiah 31:10...
Hear the word of the LORD, O nations; proclaim it in distant coast lands and isles
Wow again! We believed GOD was telling us that the enemy was responsible for the numerous breakdowns but because of our faithfulness and integrity we would be blessed and GOD would rescue us. Then what about that verse from Jeremiah? Big time wow! We were scheduled to travel onto the Florida Keys which as many of you know is a chain of 'coast lands' and islands!
Abby age twelve brought back these verses from Psalms 20:1-1, 37:3-4, and 55:16...
May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the GOD of Jacob protect you. May HE send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the Name of the LORD our God."
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and HE will give you the desires of your heart."
But I call to GOD, and the LORD saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and HE hears my voice.
We were blown away for Psalms 20 was the very verse, as you may recall, that GOD used back in 2002 to confirm HIS calling for our family to step into full-time ministry reminding us that GOD would provide out of Zion, AKA the Church!
Kerisa age fourteen brought back these verses from Jeremiah 29:11-14...
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon ME and come and pray to ME, and I will listen to you. You will seek ME and find ME when you seek ME with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity."
Wow, such reassuring words from The WORD, heh?
Josiah age sixteen brought these verses from Proverbs 3:1, 21, 27 and 1Kings 17:2-3, and finally Deuteronomy 2:2-4...
My son, do not forget MY teaching, but keep MY commands in your heart.
My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight.
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.
Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan.
Then the LORD said to me, “You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north. Give the people these orders: ‘You are about to pass through the territory of your brothers'
Wow, GOD is specific when we ask HIM to be! GOD was asking us to not forget HIS training and teaching, for so many ask GOD for wisdom but then do what seems logical to their minds, when in fact GOD may desire for them to take a less logical path. As for me and my house, we felt the above passages meant that our bus had been making it's way around the hills/mountains of the Southwest region would again head EAST then NORTH to our home! That word “Kerith” means 'separation'!
Jasmine age eighteen brought these verses from Psalms 18:16-17, 2Samuel 22:1-2...
HE reached down from on high and took hold of me; HE drew me out of deep waters. HE rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me.
David sang this song to the LORD after the LORD had rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. These are the words he sang: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my GOD is my rock, in whom I find protection. HE is my Shield, the Strength of my Salvation, and my Stronghold, my High Tower, my Savior, the ONE who saves me from violence. I will call on the LORD, WHO is worthy of praise!
Mary Ann age __ <grin> brought these verses from James 1:5, Romans 2:16, Ezekiel 13:1-2, and finally James 1:1-18...
Ask for wisdom not doubting GOD and HE will speak
The day will surely come when GOD, by JESUS CHRIST will judge everyone’s secret life. This is my message.
Then this message came to me from the LORD: “Son of man, speak against the false prophets of Israel who are inventing their own prophecies. Tell them to listen to the word of the LORD.
James, a slave of GOD and of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. I am writing to Jewish Christians scattered among the nations. Greetings! Dear brothers and sisters (insert Lord Family), Whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for great joy! For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. If you need wisdom, if you want to know what GOD wants you to do—ask HIM, and HE will gladly tell you. HE will not resent your asking. But when you ask HIM, be sure that you really expect HIM to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the LORD. They can’t make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do. Christians who are poor have something to boast about for GOD has honored them. Those who are rich should boast that GOD has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. The hot sun rises and dries up the grass; the flower withers, and its beauty fades away. So also, wealthy people will fade away with all of their achievements. GOD blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that GOD has promised to those who love HIM. And remember, no one who wants to do wrong should ever say, “GOD is tempting me.” GOD is never tempted to do wrong, and HE never tempts anyone else either. Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires. These evil desires lead to evil actions, and evil actions lead to death. So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from GOD above, who created all heaven’s lights. Unlike them, HE never changes or casts shifting shadows. In HIS goodness HE chose to make us HIS own children by giving us HIS true word. And we, out of all creation, become HIS choice possession!
WOW, how's that for GOD speaking clearly? As they say, "The proof lies in the pudding!" We knew GOD was directing us to go South again in 2007 in our bus! And that we needed to BELIVE GOD would do what HE said in the above Bible passages.