2 Samuel 9:8 “Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant that you should notice a dead dog like me?”(NIV)
2 Samuel 9:9-11 “...and Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.” ...So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.” (NIV)
I saw my old self this week. I looked into my old eyes and saw too much pain. Not the eyes that look back at me in the mirror today, but what you could see in my eyes nine years ago. I got a phone call at work last week, a woman who said that a mutual friend suggested that she call me. She was really nervous - she wanted to talk to me - but then again - maybe not because most people rejected her completely when she told them her story. She kept jumping back & forth on if we should meet, if she could talk to me, if I would judge her. When I told her that I was a recovering drug addict and a survivor of childhood and spousal abuse she calmed down and we agreed to meet at her house. Truth be told, she is a wreck. The abuse that she has suffered has taken away her self-esteem, made her angry and bitter towards the world and towards God. She is what I was. As I listened to her talk I heard myself in her words and saw myself in her eyes. The only difference between us is that she never got mixed up in the drugs as I did. Just as much as I am a sister to others by the Holy blood of Jesus, I am a sister to this woman through the unholy blood of abuse.
She lives outside of Fresno/Clovis area so I had plenty of time to think on my ride home. At first I cried the tears for her that I could not cry while I was with her. Then I cried tears of thanksgiving and happiness because my life - a mirror image of her life - was changed by a God of unexplainable mercy and grace.
Mephibosheth knew about unexplainable mercy and grace. Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan, who was the son of Saul, the first king of Israel. Saul had made it his life’s purpose to destroy a shepherd boy named David. In fact, Saul had pursued David’s death until his very own death. Now that same David was the second king of Israel - and he had sent for Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth knew that this was not good. The custom of kings back then was to destroy any rivals to the throne so that there were not any rivals to the throne. Mephibosheth realized that David could consider him, as the grandson of Saul, a rival to the throne. As Mephibosheth traveled to Jerusalem he knew he was traveling to face King David’s judgement.
But there was something unexplainable going on in Jerusalem. David was not looking for vengeance. Instead he was looking to show love and mercy to a descendant of his beloved friend Jonathan. He had called Ziba, a former servant of Saul, and asked if there were any descendants of Saul. Listen to the sneer in Ziba’s voice as he answered, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet.” Ziba could not be bothered to identify this son by name but was quick to make sure the king knew that Mephibosheth was crippled. Mephibosheth’s physical deformity had made him a social outcast. Ziba’s attitude was one Mephibosheth lived with every day. When David sent for Mephibosheth, I wonder if Ziba was astounded by the king’s mercy towards this crippled social outcast.
I wonder what these two men, David & Mephibosheth, felt when they met for the first time. David, the most powerful man in the kingdom, and Mephibosheth, the descendant of the former king, a cripple, a social outcast. David intending mercy, Mephibosheth expecting judgement. Mephibosheth bowed down before his king and waited for the words of judgement.
Mephibosheth waiting before his king reminds of another cripple waiting before her King. On my knees before my God, I was crippled by the drugs, mentally and socially crippled by the child and spousal abuse. I had - through my bitterness and anger - made myself a social outcast. Still, the choices I had made with my life were my own. I deserved nothing less than His judgement on my life.
David saw Mephibosheth’s fear in his eyes. With a smile he said, “Don’t be afraid for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father, Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”
Mephibosheth’s response to this declaration showed how astounded he was by this unexpected gift of mercy and grace from his king. “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?”
Then came the 180 degree turn about in Mephibosheth’s life. The Word records, “So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.
I knelt before my King, soul crippled, waiting for the judgement that was due to me. With a smile in His voice, Father God said to me, “Don’t be afraid for I will surely show you grace and mercy for the sake of My Son, Jesus. You will be my daughter, I will fill your life with glory and you will always eat at my table.”
Just as astounded as Mephibosheth, all I can say is, “Who am I that You should love me so?”
Mephibosheth ate at King David’s table like one of the king’s sons. I eat at my King’s table as His daughter - not like His daughter, but as His daughter. I live a life in my Father’s glory that is way beyond anything I could have imagined nine years ago.
This is the life He has for all of us if we just surrender ourselves to Him. This is the life that I will show my new sister as I pray that she too will find herself renewed and restored within God.
My God and my King, because of You I know things that were impossible for me nine years ago. I know what it is to be alive, to be filled with joy, to be Yours. I can’t live without You. Now there is another lost woman, Father. In her, I see what I was before You. Touch her, Father, change her like You changed me.
It is not necessary to maintain a conversation when we are in the presence of God.
We can come into His presence and rest our weary souls in quiet contemplation of Him.
Our groanings, which cannot be uttered, rise to Him and tell Him better than words
how dependent we are upon Him. O. Hallesby
Did you hear that our pastoral staff was spotted on Monday in a rather nice area of town - at a rather nice restaurant - and they were wearing paper bags on their heads? Our office staff “kidnaped” our pastors in honor of “Pastor Appreciation Month” by putting personalized paper bags over their heads and taking them to Mimi’s for brunch. Our pastors were not allowed to remove their paper bags until they were at their table in Mimi’s. I can only imagine the interest that they caused among the other diners. Lill tells me that everybody had a great time!
Anna has left for Germany. It was so good to have her back with us - even for such a brief time. Please continue to pray for Anna and her mom.
Little Marisela now weighs 4 lbs, 6 oz. She is going to be coming home soon. Her mother, Connie, has taken a 6 month leave of absence from work in order to care for her daughter. This is a financial burden on the family - please pray that Father will provide for their needs.
Patrick is continuing to have a difficult time with the chemo on his head and has been readmitted to Valley Children’s Hospital. His mother, Joanne, has also taken an extended leave of absence to care for him. This is also causing a financial burden on the family.
We have a sister at my office, Linda Richardson. Linda’s daughter just unexpectedly gave birth to twins. Unexpectedly because they were not expecting twins and the due date was sometime after Thanksgiving. The babies weighed 3 lbs, 8. oz and 3 lbs, 11oz They are named Dakota and Brandon. The babies are doing well and will hopefully be home from the hospital soon. Please pray that Father will protect all four of these little ones.
We have received the following update on Jim Hildman - “I heard last week that Jim Hildman chose not to have the chemo treatments as he did not want to go through the debilitating side effects. He has a young son that he wants to take hunting and fishing and wishes to use what quality time he has with his family.” Please pray that Jim has quality time with his family.
Char Cole has a headache - and it has been non-stop for at least a month. (And I am NOT talking about her husband.) Her doctor is out of town and what she has been given by his stand-in is proving to be inadequate. Please pray for Char - that she will find relief from her pain.
Johnnie Sowell is still doing chemotherapy and is doing well with it.
Cheryl Balestra, is continuing her chemotherapy and doing ok. She gets very ill after each
treatment but finds that a Procrit shot really helps get her back on her feet.
Delaine Zody is asking for prayer for Fresno High. There is a lot of remodeling going on that is requiring constant movement of classes from place to place. But even more urgent is that there is a large part of the student population that is belligerent, disrespectful, hateful. Many are
not doing what they should be doing in class, and many are not coming. The work with these youngsters is very hard and teachers are discouraged.
Evelyn Hayhurst is now over at Horizon Health Center. Please pray for her adjustment to her new living arrangements - and drop by for a visit if you get the chance.
Carola Poythress is over at Green Gables Care Home as she continues to recover from her stroke.
Ruth Delgado’s nephew, Gabriel, was wounded in Bagdad and is now hospitalized in Germany. Please pray for his quick recovery.
Please pray that Billie Cagle, Faye Bethell’s sister, will recover from her recent illness & surgery.
This upcoming Saturday the Care Fresno Kids Klub is going to the ice hockey game. There are about 48 kids, parents and volunteers going on this great adventure. Two of the parents do not know Jesus personally yet. Please pray that a bridge of friendship can be built and that the leadership volunteers of Care Fresno can reflect our Jesus to this family.
Trunk or Treat is this Sonday - and it is shaping up to be an exciting event! Please pray that this outreach event will help us to continue to build relationships with our neighborhood.
Please continue to keep the following in prayer -Diana Ammon and her family , my friend who needs the LORD’s guidance, Chuck Johnson and his continuing health problems, Julie & her mom with their broken bones; 2 yr old Brandon with his leukemia, Lois Winters and her cancer, Bill Clem and his shoulder, Lillian Seward’s continued recovery, Ray Rahn, Jr with his kidney dialysis, Peggy Molander as she undergoes physical therapy, Lois & Dan Hansen and new job for Dan, and Robert Kammer with his sleep apnea. If you have any updates - please send them on.
Please continue to pray for our missionaries - Laurie Bethall & Simon in Prague, Judy, Faye & Miisaw as they work at the New Life Center in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, Dr. George Pe Myat and the hospital in the Congo, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand and all the missionaries worldwide.
Please keep our two church plants in prayer - the Flipside Church of Rio Mesa with Karl & Shelly Roth and the Life House with Horacio and Cheryl Aleman.
Please pray for our Pastors, leadership, ministries and that God will provide for His church.
Please pray for our country, leadership & military.
Great I AM,
We thank You LORD, that regardless of our circumstances You are sovereign over every situation.
Father, we thank You for the time we were able to spend with Anna and we ask that You provide for her and her mother as she is back in Germany.
Abba, we lift Marisela, Patrick, Dakota and Brandon before You and ask You to continue to heal them as they are in the hospital. Bring peace to their families and provide for their needs.
LORD God, we pray for Jim Hildman and this decision that he has made on the quality of his life. Father, grant him what he desires.
We hold Char Cole before You and ask, Holy One, that You ease her pain and grant her relief.
We thank You, Lion of Judah, for the great news on Johnnie Lowell and Cheryl Balestra as they continue on their chemo. Continue to bless them.
You love the children so much LORD, we bring before You the children and teachers at Fresno High and ask that You calm the tensions at this school.
Great Healer, We ask that You bless Evelyn and Carola as they adjust to their new living arrangements. We ask that You restore them to full health.
We lift up Gabriel as he recovers in Germany and thank You for the courage of this young man.
Jehovah Jirah please pour Your blessings on the two outreach events this weekend - the Kids klub hockey trip and the Trunk-or-Treat event. LORD God, help us, Your children, to be the best possible examples of Your love. Help us to reach our neighborhood in Your name.
LORD God, we ask Your blessings on all of our continuing prayer concerns and ask that Your will be done in each situation.
Great Shield and Defender, we ask Your blessings and protection be given to all of the missionaries around the world. Provide for their needs.
Father, please bless the efforts of Karl & Shelly Roth and Horacio & Cheryl Aleman as they build new congregations in Your name and for Your purpose.
We call out the names of our pastors and leadership and ask that You guide them in the way You would have us go.
Father, bless our nation, her leadership & military. We pray that Your will b done in the election.
God of Wonders, You are the reason we live lives of joy. Thank You for all that You do. We love You, LORD.
Valerie Rae Hanneman
2 Samuel 6:6-7 “When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. The LORD's anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down and he died there beside the ark of God.” (NIV)
My children will tell you that I am not a good cook. (Actually, I am a great cook when I put my mind to it - I just don’t put my mind to it all that often.) My children’s belief stems from when they were much younger and I was a drug addict. All I cooked back then was macaroni & cheese. It wasn’t that I couldn’t cook anything else, it was that by feeding them cheaply I had more money to buy the drugs. To this day my children can tell you the great truths they learned from that period of our life. Their mom can cook mac-a-cheese with endless variations, mac-a-cheese tastes bad when it is made with powdered milk and no matter how much you try to make believe otherwise milk that is half milk and half powdered milk is the grossest thing on earth.
I am not proud of that period in my life. It took a long time for me to forgive myself and be able to accept God’s forgiveness for how I betrayed Him, my children and myself. The hardest to forgive myself for was my betrayal of my children. They were just little kids, they needed good healthy food to help them develop. I was their mother, it was my responsibility to care for them, but I chose to feed them cheap food so I could put more white death up my nose. They were innocent - but they paid the price for my sin.
2 Samuel 6 tells the story of how King David got 30,000 men together to bring the Ark of God to Jerusalem. They put the Ark on a cart and they were having a great big praise service as they headed. The Word says that “the whole house of Israel was celebrating with all their might.” Only something went dreadfully wrong. The oxen stumbled, and Uzzah, who was helping to guide the cart, reached out his hand and touched the Ark to steady it. When he touched it, he died instantly. The law that God had given the Israelites was clear. “Do not touch the Ark. If you do you will die.” This law existed to protect the Israelites. You see, God was enthroned between the cherubim that were on the ark and that made that ark absolutely holy and perfect. To touch the holy ark with unclean, defiled, unholy hands - human hands - was to die. Uzzah was an Israelite - he knew that. He chose death over taking the chance that the ark - the place where God is enthroned - would fall from the cart. That was the end of the celebration. David decided that he was not willing to take the ark to Jerusalem and so they left it in the house of Obed-Edom, the Gittite.
Here is the interesting part of the story - 2 Samuel 6:8 says “Then David was angry because the LORD’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah.” Who do you suppose that David was angry at? Certainly not God - David knew the law about touching the ark. I don’t think he was angry at Uzzah either. Uzzah had sacrificed his life to protect the ark of God. That only leaves David, doesn’t it. David knew the law about touching the ark and he knew the law about transporting the ark. The law said that the priests were to carry the ark on their shoulders using the poles that were always with the ark. God chose to have the ark carried by priests because they would know the seriousness of the task of transporting the ark and they would be extra careful as they moved it. David got careless in obeying God, and decided to transport the ark in the way he wanted to. David chose to transport it by cart and to honor his nephews Uzzah & Ahio by letting them guide the ark - not priests. Now the oxen were just animals who didn’t have a clue one about what they were transporting and were probably highly stressed by all the commotion, and one of them stumbled and the ark tilted.
If David had followed God’s laws about transporting the ark there would have been no chance for it to fall and Uzzah would have lived.
David was angry at himself because he knew his sin caused the death of his beloved nephew.
God was not being capricious when he established the laws about the ark. They were given to protect Israel. David chose to disobey them and Uzzah paid the price for David’s disobedience. God has established two laws for my life. They are for me to love God with everything I’ve got and to love my neighbor just as much as I love myself. He gave me these laws to protect me and give me a life of abundance. Only sometimes, I choose not to obey them. I wonder how many times somebody else has had to pay for my disobedience?
The world teaches a backwards set of values. Through the TV, over the radio, in the movies, in our newspapers, and our books they say that homosexuality of normal and acceptable. They say that to lie, cheat and steal to get ahead is normal and acceptable. They say that sexual relations outside of marriage is normal and acceptable. They say that to take the life of an unborn child is normal and acceptable. We know that these things - and others - are an offense to a Holy & Just God. But sometimes we choose to do them anyway.
When I chose the easy way out and lie again and again in front of my children - do I teach them that it is okay for them to lie in certain circumstances? Yes, I do. And they will pay the price of my sin when God has to re-teach them that His laws are to be obeyed. When a new Christian watches me act just like the rest of the world day after day - do I teach them that we are not to be set apart from the world? Yes I do. And they pay the price for my sin when Father has to re-teach them that they are a holy priesthood - set apart for His service. When I tell my friend that God loves them and in the next moment I use God’s name as a curse against another, I tell my friend that God is not really love and maybe my actions cause them to reject Him. Will the price of my disobedience be their eternal death?
When we openly call ourselves Christians then being a Christ follower is not something we do only on Sonday morning. We have to be His follower and obey Him with every breath we take, every step we take and every word we speak. The world is watching us and they judge the importance of our God by how important He is to us.
The time came when David once again determined to move the ark back to Jerusalem where it belonged. This time he made sure that it was being done in accordance with God’s laws. In fact, the men carrying the ark had only taken six steps when David caused a sacrifice to be made to God. David wasn’t taking any chances this time! Last time both David and Uzzah had paid the price for his sin - that wasn’t happening again.
We are going to fall - and sometimes others are going to adversely affected by what we have done. There is nothing that we can do about what has been. I would give anything to be able to go back and choose to be a good mother to my children rather than to choose to put drugs in front of them. But I can’t. What I can do is the same thing that David did. I can make the right choice this next time - and put God’s laws first.
LORD God, I sacrifice my life to You willingly. Help my life to be consistent with how You would have a Christ follower live. Help me to not cause another to stumble
Our praying, to be strong, must be buttressed by holy living.
The life of faith perfects the prayer of faith. E.M. Bounds
“Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God.” Romans 12:1
I don’t know about you but I am loving our weather. I love the rain and the way that it cleans up our air. I came out of work this afternoon to a sun-filled sky and a sky so blue it almost hurt my eyes. I hope that the clouds hold back tonight long enough for the stars to come out - it has been so song since the night sky has been filled with stars. In the daily hustle and bustle of our lives - and with the mask of pollution - I forget just how beautiful our world is.
There is nothing I love more than the opportunity to praise God in a corporate body setting. This upcoming Sonday (October 24th) we will get that opportunity as we celebrate our God in a Night of Praise. The praise is gonna get to going at 6:00 p.m. But wait - it gets even better! The only thing this Baptist woman loves more than a night of praise is a night of praise with food! Right after the praising is over (in that setting) we will be meeting in the Fellowship Hall for some fellowship and refreshments!
Anna Gossen is back in Fresno - and her mom is doing well after her surgery. Anna is with us until the 26th - then she is on her way back to Germany.
Little Marisela now weighs 3 lbs, 12 oz. She is continuing to progress well.
Ray Callahan is doing much better - but now his daughter Karen is abed with the flu! Let’s keep both of them in prayer for a quick recovery.
We have a prayer request for a friend of the Hitches. Diana Ammon and her family are new Christians who attend Bryan & Terri’s church in Columbus Ohio. Diana is the mother of four children who are in their late teens - early twentys. A recent chest x-ray has shown some spots on Diana lungs and the doctor has said that he suspects they are lung cancer. Please pray for Diana & her family as they deal with this prognosis.
Little 2 year old Patrick is home now - but is still going back and forth to Valley Childrens. He is not reacting well to the Chemo. His little hands are still curled up - but the prognosis for them relaxing is good.
I have a prayer request for a friend of mine. My friend going through some difficult times and just needs a touch of guidance and comfort from Father.
Please continue to keep the following in prayer - Chuck Johnson and his continuing health problems, Julie & her mom with their broken bones; 2 yr old Brandon with his leukemia, Lois Winters and her cancer, John Roberts with his cancer and his need for a relationship with Jesus, Jim Hildman and his radiation treatments, Bill Clem and his shoulder, Lillian Seward’s continued recovery, Ray Rahn, Jr with his kidney dialysis, Evelyn Hayhurst with her cancer, Peggy Molander as she undergoes physical therapy, Lois & Dan Hansen and new job for Dan, Cheryl Balestra as she continues her cancer treatments, and Robert Kammer with his sleep apnea. If you have any updates - please send them on.
Please continue to pray for all of our missionaries - Laurie Bethall & Simon in Prague, Judy, Faye & Miisaw as they work at the New Life Center in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, Dr. George Pe Myat and the hospital in the Congo, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Please continue to pray for the church plants - The Rock Christian Church at Rio Mesa has undergone a name change. The new name of the church is Flipside Christian Church. This new name reflects their desire to be the flipside of traditional religion and goes along with their motto of “A little less religion - a little more relationship.” Please continue to pray for both the Flipside Christian Church and the Life House Christian Church.
Please continue to keep our upcoming event - the Trunk or Treat - in your prayers. Please contact Marva Ward or Chris Aycock if you can supply candy, funding or a car trunk to this exciting event. Flyers on the event have gone out a mile in each direction from the church - so we are expecting a bunch of kids!
Remember to lift our pastors high before God. October is “Pastor Appreciation Month” so now is a good time to drop our pastors a note of encouragement and thankfulness for all they do for us. Please continue to pray for our leadership, our ministries and our finances.
Pray for our country, her leadership and our military based at home and abroad.
Alpha & Omega,
To be with You, to be in Your presence is what we long for. Fill us up with Your Light and let us shine for You.
Thank You for bringing Anna safely back to us for a visit. Continue to bless her while she is with us and continue to heal her mother as she recovers from surgery.
Father we thank You and praise You for the continuing good news on baby Marisela. Please continue to bless her so that she will soon be able to go home.
We continue to pray for Ray & Karen that You will quickly restore their health.
Great Healer, we lift up Diana Ammon and her family as they deal with the possibility of her having lung cancer. Hold them close to Your heart and give them strength during this time. LORD God, nothing is impossible for You and so we ask that Diana be restored to full health.
Lord, continue to touch little Patrick with Your love and Your healing hand. Bring his little hands back to normal and help him with the chemo.
Abba, I lift my friend before You and ask that You guide in this situation. Bless my friend and give Your comfort.
Holy Spirit, we call out for Your presence to be in each of the situations that we have been praying for. Continue to move in these lives.
LORD Jesus, we pray in agreement and ask that You protect the missionaries who serve You around the world. Many of them, LORD, serve You faithfully - even as they know that they are in danger from radicals. Grant them comfort and courage. We pray for the Reaching Hand Society, for Jan & Larry Martin, For Laurie Bethall and Simon, for the New Life Center in Thailand and the women who serve You there, for Dr. George in the Congo and for Bounkham and Khamla as they serve the people of Laos.
Glorious God, Mighty God, we praise Your name forever and ever.
LORD of All, we lift before you our pastors and ask that You abundantly bless them. Help us to always support them and show them how much we love and honor them. Holy Father, we lift our leadership, our ministries and our finances before You knowing that if we are faithful to You Your promise is that You will open the storehouses of Heaven. Pour Your blessings upon Your Church.
Just and Righteous LORD, we lift our country to You and ask that You forgive her from turning away from You. Bring her back to You. Guide our leaders to make decisions that are in agreement with Your will. Bless our military that serves us around the world, and keep them safe.
You are the Light of the world and we praise You for the Light. You are the Light of our lives and we thank You for loving us with an everlasting love. We will love You forever.
Valerie Rae Hanneman
October 15, 2004
Romans 12: 1-2 “So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life--your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life--and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” (MSG)
An man is being tailgated by a stressed-out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turns yellow, just in front of him. He does the honest thing, and stops at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection. The tailgating woman hits the roof, and the horn, screaming in frustration as she misses her chance to get through the intersection with him.
As she is still in mid-rant, she hears a tap on her window and looks up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer orders her to exit her car with her hands up. He takes her to the police station where she is searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a cell. After a couple of hours, a policeman approaches the cell and opens the door. She is escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer is waiting with her personal effects. He says, "I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping the guy off in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the "I’m not religious - I just love God" license plate holder, the "What Would Jesus Do" bumper sticker, the "Follow Me to Sunday School" bumper sticker, and the chrome plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk."
"Naturally I assumed you had stolen the car - it was an honest mistake."
This is a joke that I got over my e-mail. But I don’t really think it is that funny. Oh, I laughed at first, but it was a nervous little laugh, and there was this slightly hinky feeling right between my shoulder blades. To be honest, it hits a little close to home.
I get all sorts of excuses and reasons when I invite people to church with me. And the interesting thing is that sometimes I get the flat-out truth. “I don’t want to have to get up Sonday morning and get dressed” “But you don’t have to dress up for my church.” “No, you don’t understand - I don’t want to get dressed at all.” or “I’m going to be watching the Dallas Cowboys smash the 49'ers into the turf.” or “I don’t go to church”
The excuses that I have difficulty with are the ones where the underlying current of the excuse is “It’s not my fault I don’t want to go to church.” We have all heard them - “I was forced to go to church when I was young - I just can’t go anymore.” “I was hurt by someone in a church and I swore I would never go back.” I don’t really understand those because I wonder - you went to the circus a lot at a child - so do you not go anymore? If a teller at the bank gives you a hard time - do you never go back?
But there is one excuse that is an excuse with just enough of a ring to the truth to it. “I don’t go to church because of the hypocrites there.” I always have to agree with them. There are hypocrites in the church. Then I ask them if the hypocrites keep them away from church - do they also stay away from their job? The grocery store? The movie theater? The truth is that hypocrites abound - they are everywhere. But it is also the truth that the Church is held to a higher standard than the rest of the world. Jesus started that when He said that we would be called by His name and He would expect us to be a light to the world. Jesus expects us to hold to a higher standard.
I can understand the world’s amazement and disbelief when we raise our hands to God in praise on Sonday morning, and our middle finger in anger on Monday morning. Or when with one breath we talk about God and in the next breath we slander a co-worker. Who can blame them if they make an honest mistake about whom we belong to?
The word “hypocrite” comes from the Greek word for actor. Back in those days actors held masks in front of their faces and they spoke through the masks. When the world sees us act one way on Sonday morning and the complete opposite the rest of the week then they think we are hypocrites - actors who are wearing a mask. Only they think we wear the mask on Sonday morning and the rest of the week is the real us.
Jesus does not want us to live like Him on Sonday morning and like the rest of the world the rest of the week. He wants us to lay our entire life before Him as a willing offering. He absolutely wants Sonday morning - but He also wants Monday morning when we don’t want to get up, Wednesday afternoon on our coffee break, Saturday morning at our kid’s soccer game and every moment in between. With our lives we are going to reflect His culture of living - or we are going to reflect the world’s culture of living - but we cannot honestly reflect both cultures. They are incompatible with each other. And when we do try to live in both cultures - the world is going to call us actors behind a mask.
Do you ever wonder what Jesus looks like? I have an idea of what He looks like. To a world who does not know Him - He looks like you and me. I wonder about the Jesus they see when they look at me.
LORD Jesus, there is no better time of my week than to be in Your presence on Sonday morning. Help me to take that joy into my everyday life. Help me to be the same on Monday as I was on Sonday.
Contact Valerie at valerie@fresnofirst.org
Prayer is a fine, delicate instrument. To use it right is a great art, a holy art.
There is perhaps no greater art than the art of prayer.
Yet the least gifted, the uneducated, and the poor can cultivate the holy art of prayer.
O. Hallesby
I am thankful this week, and praising Father for the Care Fresno Sleep over. 19 neighborhood children spent the night in the senior and junior high rooms. Both of those rooms (and the whole church) are still standing. We are planning a very special trip this year - we are planning to take the Kids Klub to Marine World! We are planning to take 50 kids and 12 team leaders. Based on the prices this last year for admission - we will need to raise at least $2,000 to be able to go. Please pray that Father provides this funding - and please support the Kids Klub fund-raising efforts that will begin in November.
I have been blessed to get an e-mail from Charles regarding Chantel. Her recovery is complete and the doctors say she is fine. Charles is requesting the following in prayer: He completed his training in hotels on the 6th of October and is now looking for a job in Paris and a Pastor from SinaV Baptist church, in a suburb of Paris is asking Charles to help him, in giving bible lessons to his church members. Please pray for him as the training is on basic Christian doctrines and other controversial issues.
Bev Willis was in services this past Sonday. I am not sure if this was the first time or not since her knee surgery - but it was the first time that I have seen her! Praise God that Bev’s recovery is going well!
Little Marisela now weighs 3 lbs, 6.5 oz. She is progressing so well that her doctors are talking about her going home in just a couple of weeks. Originally they said that the baby would be in the hospital until December. Thank You, Father, for Your grace and mercy on this little girl!
Ray Callahan, the leader of our Children’s Choir (amongst a multitude of other places he serves), has been getting some flu-like symptoms. Last year these same symptoms developed into pneumonia. Please pray that Ray will get better quickly and that he can bypass the pneumonia completely!
John Roberts, Annie Dennis’ father, is not faring w ell in his battle against cancer. Please pray that he will soon enter into a relationship with Jesus.
Please continue to keep the following in prayer - 2 year old Patrick as he recovers from surgery to remove a brain tumor, Chuck Johnson and his continuing health problems, Julie & her mom with their broken bones; 2 yr old Brandon with his leukemia, Lois Winters and her cancer, Anna Gossen & her mother as Anna prepares to come to Fresno (NEWS UPDATE! I SAW ANNA BRIEFLY TONIGHT AT CHOIR PRACTICE SO SHE IS IN FRESNO! YIPPEE!) and her mother prepares for knee surgery, Jim Hildman and his radiation treatments, Bill Clem and his shoulder, Lillian Seward’s continued recovery, Ray Rahn, Jr with his kidney dialysis, Evelyn Hayhurst with her cancer, Peggy Molander as she undergoes physical therapy, Lois & Dan Hansen and new job for Dan, Cheryl Balestra as she continues her cancer treatments, and Robert Kammer with his sleep apnea. If you have any updates - please send them on.
Please continue to pray for all of our missionaries - Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, Laurie Bethall & Simon in Prague, Judy, Faye & Miisaw as they work at the New Life Center in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, Dr. George Pe Myat and the hospital in the Congo, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Please continue to pray for the church plants - The Rock Christian Church in Rio Mesa and The Life House in Reedley. You may recall that last week I reported that although the Life House had found some property that was perfect for their church, the City Council voted against the church on a rezoning issue. Well, as so often happens with anything that a City Council votes on - the story is not over yet. The Life House is going to be able to file some papers and get another shot at having their zoning approved. Please pray that all will go well with the paperwork. Karl & Shelly Roth are now in their new home and the church plant meetings have been moved to Sonday nights at their house. If you are interested in joining this exciting adventure let me know and I will get the address and time to you!
Please continue to keep our upcoming event - the Trunk or Treat - in your prayers. Please contact Marva Ward or Chris Aycock if you can supply candy, funding or a car trunk to this exciting event.
Isn’t it great to have Willie & Joy home from Wisconsin? They had a wonderful time - the leaves turned color while they were there and the weather (during the daytime) was fantastic! Please continue to keep our pastors, leadership, ministries and finances in prayer.
Please lift our country, her leadership and our military in prayer.
Light of the World,
From the moment time began - and even before - You have loved us, cared for us, provided for us. You surround us with Your love - even to the point of sacrificing Your own life for us. You have surrounded us with an earth filled with incredible beauty. You count the very hairs on our head. There is none like You in our lives and we worship You. Thank-You for this incredible life that You have given us. To be Your child - called by Your name - is a joy beyond measure.
We praise You, Abba, for the children who came to the sleep-over. We ask that You bless the leadership team of this ministry with strength and patience as they interact with the children. For many of these children, we are the only Jesus that they are going to see. Help us LORD to reflect only You. Bless the fund-raising efforts of the Kids Klub and grant us the opportunity to go to Marine World.
Holy One, we thank You and praise You for the great news on Chantel’s full recovery. We ask Father that Your hand continue to be on Charles and Chantel as he seeks work. Father, bring him to the job where he can be most effective in Your work. Grant Charles wisdom as he leads this new class. Give him the words that You would have him say.
I was just tickled pink to see Bev in services this past Sonday - I bet You were too! Bless her, LORD God, with continued recovery and growing strength.
Marisela is a miracle, Father, a miracle given by Your hand. We praise Your mighty name for her progress. Continue to bless her and her family, and let her come home soon!
You are Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end of time and of our lives. You already knew us and loved us in our mother’s womb, You will bring us home to You when our earthly life is over. This promise is our hope and our joy.
Healer, we ask that You place Your hand of healing on Ray so that he does not get the pneumonia. Bless him in the many ways that he serves You.
We pray for Your mercy to be upon John Roberts. Holy Spirit, urge him into a relationship with You before it is too late.
Mighty God, we ask Your blessings on all of those for whom we are praying. Guide and strengthen in each of these situations.
We thank You, LORD Jesus, for the missionaries that serve You around the world. Keep them safe, provide for their needs.
King of kings and LORD of lords, You and You alone determine where the Life House church home will be. We don’t decide and that City Council certainly doesn’t decide - You do. We pray that Your will be done and that this issue can be resolved quickly. We pray Your blessings on Horacio and Cheryl at the Life House, we pray Your blessings on Karl and Shelly at the Rock Christian Church. Grant Your power to them as they build these new additions to Your Church.
Jehovah Jirah, Great Provider, we lift up our congregations, our pastors, our leadership and our ministries. Provide for the needs of Your church. Help us to reach out to the world in Your name and in Your power.
The foundation of our lives is knowing that we are Yours. Thank You for loving us so much. We love You and we wait for the time when we will get to take our place around Your throne, to lift our hands to You in love and praise forever.
Valerie Rae Hanneman
October 8, 2004
Matthew 13:4 “As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road, and birds ate it. “ (MSG)
Matthew 13:19 “When anyone hears news of the kingdom and doesn't take it in, it just remains on the surface, and so the Evil One comes along and plucks it right out of that person's heart. This is the seed the farmer scatters on the road.” (MSG)
It has been about six months since Big Steve, my children’s father, died from pancreatic cancer. It has been a difficult time for Fawn, Steven and I. At first, our grief was really intense, then it got better. Now the pain of remembering comes at strange times. I took Steven to school one morning and as he walked away the sun glinted of the hair on his legs and I realized for the first time that his legs were no longer covered with the fine hair of a boy but with the coarser hair of a man. “He’s growing up so fast.” I marveled. Then it hit me, Steven’s father was never going to see his son grow into a man. Grief clutched at my heart and I drove out of the parking lot with tears in my eyes. Or the time Fawn was telling me that she was the top student in all of her college classes and I was so full of pride and then the grief clutches at me again. Fawn’s father will not be at her graduation from college. He will not see the adults our children will be. He will not hold our grandchildren. He will not grow old. There is so much that his untimely death stole from him. And when death stole it from him - it stole it from our children as well. Sorrow over his death will be part of our lives for as long as we live. I prayed so hard for God’s mercy on Steve when he was diagnosed with cancer - but despite my prayers to the contrary - Steve died. Where was God’s mercy?
The verses above are part of Jesus’ parable of the four soils and the types of hearts they represent. The first is the hard soil/heart where the seed/Word never gets a chance to take root before it is taken by the birds/satan. The second is the rocky soil/heart is where the seed/Word falls on the rocky ground and sprouts up but has only shallow roots and when the sun/tribulation comes it just withers away. Then there is the soil/heart where the seed/Word take root but is quickly choked out by the weeds/cares of this world. Last, there is the good soil/heart where the seed/Word takes root and produces a great harvest.
That first soil, the hard soil of the road, is hard to understand. At least on the other three soils the seed had a chance to grow. It was burnt out on the rocky soil, choked out on the weedy soil - but it had a chance. And on the good soil a great harvest is realized. But on the hard road there wasn’t even a chance. Does this mean there are some people who will never have a chance at a relationship with Jesus? What makes this hard soil so different from the others that the seed never had a chance? It is rock hard. It has had cattle, sheep, caravans, wagons, armies and people walking over it so much that every bit of softness has been stomped out of it and only hardness remains. Do you know people like that? Life has stomped on them and made them hard as can be. You talk to them about Jesus and they don’t want to hear it - they brush you off - they walk away. They blame God for everything that is wrong with them and want nothing to do with Him. And satan quickly snatches away what you have tried to tell them. Has God written them off? Does He have no more mercy for these hardpan hearts? Is there no chance?
Steve had a hardpan heart. He hated me and he hated my faith. He mocked my faith, he cursed my church, he even tried to obtain full custody of our children citing my “cult-like” involvement with religion. I prayed often for his salvation but I also wondered if it was even remotely possible considering Steve’s hatred for God.
As long as the soil of the road is hard the seed does not have a chance. But what if a plow could be found to break up the road? It couldn’t be the same plow that was used on the rest of the soils, it would have to be stronger, harder, more severe in order to break up the hardness of the road. If the hardness of the road was broken - would the seed have a chance to grow?
Steve hated me and hated my faith - right up to the day that the doctor came into his hospital room and told him that his problem was not ulcers. That there was a growth in his pancreas that had spread to his liver and it was inoperable. At first I didn’t understand what the doctor was saying, and even as I realized what she was saying to Steve, I saw the same realization come across his face. Cancer.......spreading.......inoperable. It was a death sentence.
Suddenly this hard-hearted man, who had thought that he would live to be 80 or 90 was looking at death and feeling it’s cold breath on his face. His hardpan heart started to break up that night as he let me hold his hand and pray for God’s mercy and healing. Over the next six weeks he and I would talk about God as he faced his own mortality. The same man who mocked my faith begged me to keep praying for him. The man who had cursed my church was asking me to thank them for their prayers. Finally, less than 48 hours before his death, Steven entered into his own relationship with Jesus.
Sometimes the plow that breaks up the road has to be hard and brutal if it is going to break up the soil enough for the seed to grow.
Sometimes the mercy of God has to be severe if it is going to break a hardened heart enough for the Word to grow. I prayed for God’s mercy to change Steve’s heart and bring Steve to Him. I wonder if the pancreatic cancer was God’s severe mercy to Steve. Would Steve have come into a relationship with Jesus if he had lived to be 80 or 90? If the pancreatic cancer had not come? I don’t really know - but I doubt it. What I do know is that because of the pancreatic cancer Steve entered into a relationship with Jesus and even as I write this, Steve is worshiping around the throne.
I wish that Steve could have lived a full life. I wish that he could have seen our children grow into adulthood. I wish that he could have bounced our grandchildren on his knee. But I am so grateful for the severe mercy that brought him to God. I would rather have Steven physically dead and eternally alive in Christ than to have him physically alive and eternally dead in sin.
Severe mercy is still mercy.
Don’t give up on the hardpan hearts. God doesn’t. Spread the seed and pray that God can crack the heart enough for the seed to take root.
Abba, there are so many hardpan hearts in this world. Hearts that life has walked on so much that there seems to be no hope for them. But You are the hope of the world. We pray for Your mercy on these hearts, use us to sow the seeds that will bring them back to You.
Contact Valerie at valerie@fresnofirst.org
“Prayer should be the means by which I, at all times, receive all that I need, and
for this reason, be my daily refuge, my daily consolation, my daily joy, my source of rich and inexhaustible joy in my life” O. Hallesby
“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee.” Psalm 55:22
Tonight I get to share the very best - truly the VERY best - of praise to our glorious God. We have been praying for the Owens family and Rick Owens as he battled cancer. When they first came on our prayer list things were looking bad. Rick was up in Stanford, depressed and angry at God and life. Nothing seemed to be working on his treatments. Worst of all - he was not in relationship with Jesus. Below is part of an e-mail that I got from Bev Willis:
“Leslie Owens, our next door neighbor, wrote a email to us and others about Rick, her husband. Two big praises - No. 1 - Rick has accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior and has been studying the Bible quite a lot lately. 2. Rick's cancer shows no growth lately and Rick is feeling better. Praises to our Lord for answered prayer again. Please continue to pray for him and Leslie and their daughter, Kayla as Rick continues treatment. Leslie and Rick are attending North Pointe Church now and we rejoice in that also.”
Another wonderful praise is that Marisela now weighs just shy of three pounds, she has been taken out of intensive care and is in regular care! Her improvement is just a miracle! (Wonder where that came from?)
Last week I requested prayer for a friend at work and her two year old son. Another praise is that the little boy, Patrick, is doing great. It doesn’t look like he is going to have to have any more operations to remove the tumor - that they will be able to treat it with chemo. During the operation they had to cut Patrick’s head from just in front of his ear, over his ear and back to his neck muscle. As a result of the operation Patrick’s little hands are curled in like fists. Please pray that this will ease - and that he will regain full use of his hands.
Chuck Johnson, Kelli Hastings father, is back in Los Angeles. He is in poor shape, he can’t stand on his own and they are giving him a lot of blood transfusions. Please keep him, Kelli and the whole family in prayer.
Willie & Joy will be home Friday night. Wisconsin has been really cold - so my guess is that they will be glad to be back in sunny California! Please pray for traveling mercies on them!
This October 31st we will be having our second annual Trunk or Treat event. Please pray for the families and children that will be touched by this outreach. We are looking for trunks (car trunks - not swim trunks) and donations of candy or money. Please contact Marva Ward or Chris Aycock if you can help with any of this.
Please continue to keep the following in prayer: Julie & her mom with their broken bones; 2 yr old Brandon with his leukemia, Bev Willis for continued recovery from surgery, Lois Winters and her cancer, Anna Gossen & her mother as Anna prepares to come to Fresno and her mother prepares for knee surgery, Jim Hildman and his radiation treatments, Bill Clem and his shoulder, Lillian Seward’s continued recovery, Ray Rahn, Jr with his kidney dialysis, Evelyn Hayhurst with her cancer, Peggy Molander as she undergoes physical therapy, Lois & Dan Hansen and new job for Dan, John Robert’s need to be in relationship with Jesus and for his cancer, Cheryl Balestra as she continues her cancer treatments, and Robert Kammer with his sleep apnea. If you have any updates - please send them on.
Please continue to pray for all of our missionaries - Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, Laurie Bethall & Simon in Prague, Judy, Faye & Miisaw as they work at the New Life Center in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, Dr. George Pe Myat and the hospital in the Congo, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, and all the missionaries worldwide. I ran into Khamla today - she looks great! Her hair is coming back in. She told me that Bounkham is in Thailand and on his way to Laos.
Please continue to pray for the church plants - The Rock Christian Church in Rio Mesa and The Life House in Reedley. You may recall that the Life House had found some property that was perfect for their church. Unfortunately the City Council voted against the church on a rezoning issue so the Life House cannot move into there. Please pray that Father will soon show them the home He had chosen for them.
Please continue to hold up our pastors, leadership, ministries and finances up before Father.
Lift our country, her leadership and our military up in prayer.
Bright & Morning Star,
Thank You for the multitude of ways that You care for us. You know better than we what we need and out of Your mercy and abundance You provide.
LORD Jesus, Glorious King, how we rejoice to know that Rick’s name has been entered into the Lamb’s book of Life. Thank You for Your grace that extends to the very least like me. Thank You for the eternal life that is now Rick’s. We ask that You continue to keep the cancer at bay and that Rick’s recovery will be complete.
You are our Resurrection and our Life. We kneel at Your feet in awe.
Praise You, Praise You, Praise You for the wonderful updates on Marisela and Patrick. Continue to hold these little ones close to Your heart and please continue to heal them. Father, we ask in particular for Patrick’s little hands - that they will be restored to full use.
Merciful God, we cry out for Chuck Johnson and his struggles with his health. Grant him strength so that he can walk. Help him with whatever is causing his need for all of these transfusions. Be with Kelli and her family as they support Chuck through this time.
LORD God, we thank You for this time that Willie & Joy have had away. Thank You for taking care of them while they were gone, bless them and care for them as they travel back home to us.
Father of Light, we pray for the families that we will touch at the Trunk or /treat. We pray, Father, that we will represent You in such a way that the families will be curious enough about us and about You to come again. Father provide the trunks, provide the candy, provide the finances, provide the volunteers. May we glorify You through this event.
Holy Spirit, we pray for each of the situations that we have listed above. We ask that You continue to move and heal in all of our loved ones lives.
Triune God, You are the cornerstone and foundation of our life and we praise You.
LORD of All, we ask Your blessings on the missionaries that serve You around the world. We ask that You protect them from the extremists who would harm them. We ask that You bless Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, Laurie Bethall & Simon in Prague, Judy, Faye & Miisaw as they work at the New Life Center in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, Dr. George Pe Myat and the hospital in the Congo, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Great provider, we pray for the two church plants that we are involved in. We ask that You watch over them and guide their leaders. Show Horacio where You would have them establish a church home. Be with the pastors and families of these new churches. Help us to help them.
Abba, with all of our love we lift our pastors before You. These anointed men and women have tremendous effects on our lives. They teach us and show us how to live in the center of Your will. Bless them, Abba, with Your abundance. We lift up the leaders and ministries of Your Church and ask that You bless our work for the kingdom and that You provide for our needs.
Mighty God, we call out for our country and ask that a fire of renewal and revival break out across our land and that we turn back to You. We ask that Your will be done in the upcoming election. We ask Your guidance and wisdom be upon the leaders of our country from the President to the Congress to the State leaders to the city leaders. Bless them all. We ask Your protection and mercy upon our military troops as they serve our country.
In the quietness of our hearts we seek You, LORD God. We thank You for this life that You have given us. We thank You for all the times You have picked us up and set our paths straight. There is none that can compare with You. We give You all the praise and glory for eternity. We love You
Valerie Rae Hanneman
October 2, 2004
Psalm 27:1 “The LORD is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?” (NIV)
When Fawn was a senior in high school she went though a real tough time. She got this flu bug that would not go away. She would be sick for a few days, then be okay for a week or two, then she would be sick again. This went on through most of the fall. I did everything the school required me to do, taking her to the doctor and getting his confirmation of her illness, submitting it to the school. So imagine my surprise when I was notified that Fawn and I were required to appear before an attendance board at the school. What in the world was an attendance board? Fawn explained that the attendance board dealt with student truancy problems. Now I was really confused because this wasn’t a truancy problem, Fawn had been sick. I politely listened to this board right up to the point where they told me that if Fawn’s absentee problem continued they would send her to continuation school. That was when polite stopped and “Mom the Dread Avenger” began. The hairs on the back of my neck stood straight up, I lowered my chin, and speared them with what my children affectionately (?) call “The Look.” Then very quietly I explained to them that they were welcome to do what they had to do but then I would do what I had to do to protect my daughter. That I would be contacting every TV news room and newspaper, the Mayor of Clovis, the City Council of Clovis, every Clovis Unified School District official and start a letter writing campaign in the “Letters to the Editor” until I had a public explanation of why a young woman who was a leader in her school and her church, a volunteer in the community, who maintained a high GPA, and who for 11 years of school had an exemplary attendance record was suddenly punished and sent to a continuation school because she was having a problem with a re-occurring illness. Then in my quietest (and most deadly) voice I assured them that I would be accepting their apology on the steps of City Hall. That pretty much put an end to that. As Fawn and I walked out I turned to her and said, “I think that took care of it,” and she answered, “Mom they are going to have nightmares about you!”
This is not how I normally am. I do my best to be calm and easy going in every situation - but this was not every situation. They were coming at my daughter and my hackles went up. You see, I don’t care if you come after me because I am strong and you can’t hurt me. But my children are not as strong as I am and they can be hurt. When my children are hurt - it hurts me. In fact the only way that you can hurt me is to hurt my children. I know that is true for all of us. The only way we can really be hurt is though the hurt of those we love.
This is true for all parents and it is true of our Father in Heaven. Father God is more powerful than we can even begin to comprehend. satan cannot hurt God. he would like to think that he can not only hurt Him, but eventually defeat Him. But he can’t - not by coming against Him directly that is. But satan can hurt Father by coming at Him indirectly. satan can only hurt Father by hurting us. When satan hurts us he hurts our Father. But just as I do what is necessary to protect my children, Father does what is necessary to protect His children.
satan hurt Father the first time in the Garden of Eden when he convinced Father’s first children, Adam and Eve, to rebel against the His command. Father protected them by covering their nakedness, and restoring their relationship with Him through sacrifice. When the children of Israel wandered the wilderness time and time again satan used their muttering and complaining to bring them into rebellion against their Father. Time and time again, Father did what was necessary to protect them and bring them back into relationship with Him. After their constant chasing after false gods, Father allowed 400 years of silence between Him and His children, then when the time was right, He sent His only Son to restore all of His children, Jew and Gentile, back into relationship with Him.
Throughout history satan brings us into rebellion against God. The result is that we are hurt and Father is hurt. But every time - every single time - Father is willing and wants to bring us back into a restored relationship with Him.
Father protects us time and time again from what satan does to us and through us. It is what a parent does. And although satan may hurt us here on earth and may hurt Father through us he cannot hurt us in eternity and He cannot take us from our Father’s hand. Best of all - on the last day of time Father will protect His children for the final time when He casts satan into the everlasting darkness where he will not be able to harm us again.
I always tell my children that if they are having problems to come to me and I will take care of it. I tell them that if somebody touches my cub they face the grizzly bear mom. The same protection is available to us through our Father. If satan comes against us all we have to do is go to Father and He will protect us. That way we don’t get hurt - and satan cannot hurt Father through us. And I have a sneaking suspicion that it is better to face a ticked off mama grizzly bear than it is to face an angry Father God.
Father, I don’t want to be used by satan to hurt You. But I know that it is my decision because satan cannot use me unless I let him. Help me to grow strong in You so that I can tell satan to get lost when he comes around me, aiming at You.