When it Rains

Dated: Sunday, February 2, 2003

I ask you to add to your prayer list, the nation as a whole. So many are going through the fire. Right when I feel things are tapering down, there's another *blow.* It's okay because I know God is in the midst and that we are to cast all of our cares upon Him.

What concerns me though is if we truly *hear* the message through all of this. *I* personally feel that in this, God is wanting us to turn completely around to HIM. He's calling us and we're not listening. It is my desire to take less focus off the circumstances thereby putting more focus on HIM.

The other day I was standing outside just looking to the heavens and soaking up all that I could of God's love. In the midst of that, I heard the Holy Spirit speak to me, saying, "Delight yourself in me and I'll give you the desires of your heart." Before I could try to decipher what that involved, He spoke again and said, "this means to seek me ALL THE TIME! To love me first, to spend time with ME!!! and then you will have the desires I have for you - you will then take on my desires that shall be manifested in you!!" What revelation knowledge!!! This in turn took me back to an email I received awhile back...

"Lord, as I follow you by faith,
Help me each day to learn,
that pleasing YOU in all I do
must be my MAIN concern."

"You can do what you please, IF what you do pleases God."

I sincerely believe that God prepares us for every instance in our lives, it is up to us to adhere. I have learned from this encounter with Him, that once He whispers to me, I am to begin to seek Him for guidance, even though I may not know what the whisper means, I am to begin praying *instantly* so when the *blow* comes (whether by losing a loved one, everyday challenges, financial challenges or gains, etc.) I am pre-prepared and then the peace and love of Him flows - a peace that surpasseth all understanding.

And so, the President declares war. Our children, husbands, nephews, sisters, brothers, cousins, neighbors, co-workers, are being called to duty! Thursday morning my brother-in-law (Wesley) was admitted to the hospital. Praise God, he's healing. On Friday morning, we received a shocking telephone call. A very dear friend (LuNita) of the family had passed away. A beautiful young woman, 40 years young leaves behind a 8 year old daughter and husband. Then on Saturday morning the blow of the shuttle, my cousin's husband, Michael, one of the astronauts was gone. He leaves behind two young daughters and a loving devoted wife. My heart extends to all of the families involved in this terrible tragedy.

In the midst of all of this, the devil rears his ugly head and all confusion and strife breaks lose in our household. "What is this?," I ask myself. Then the negative thoughts of defeat come into the place.

BUT...

"joy cometh in the morning." All the time God knew! He knew exactly what I was thinking. He knew exactly the moment of my weakness and HE came through prayer, worship, scripture and by hearing the word of God...

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:1

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, [even] the salvation of [your] souls. 1 Peter 7-9

... and then the Minister said... "Get rid of thoughts of defeat!" He continued with, "fill your mind with hope, faith and victory!"

It is the devil's job to rob, steal and destroy, BUT Jesus, hallelujah came... to give life and more abundantly! [The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly. - John 10:10]

The death of loved ones is should not be sad time. We should celebrate their home going! To live with Jesus in their mansions! To sit at His feet from their labor! To receive all that has been promised by the only one faithful to His promises! To worship God in all HIS glory! They're not lost! Not at all! We know exactly where they are, they've moved to Heaven City where they await us!

The sting of the enemy? Oh, that's only temporal. He has no power, as it soon fades away. [Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any
means hurt you. - Luke 10:19]

Through all of this, the victory is ours! God's amazing grace shall bring us through! [And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us... Ephesians 3:19-20]

Yes, the nation remains in my prayers, thoughts and actions! We are conquerors in Jesus Christ!

... the sun shines!

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. - Matthew 6:33

About this contributor:

Regina Baker is the Co-Founder & Host of ChristianBusinessTalkRadio.com, Internet Radio for Christians in business, where Christians TALK business.

"You can do whatever you want to do, as long as what you do pleases God!"

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