Fresh Oil – Hand To The Plow

[Visionary1]

[SIZE=11pt]PrayerRequest family I need your prayers in the areas of strength, confidence, discernment and protection.  [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]God called me to purpose.  But, because I was weak:  starved for my family’s (unconditional) love and needy of peoples’ acceptance:  I removed my hands from the plow and looked back to the approval and expectations others.  I have experienced severe consequences as a result of that decision.  Sometimes we are called to do those things that seem dishonorable in the eyes of others.  Luke 9 (below), Jesus clearly rebukes two men for seeking to return to do what most people would consider admirable and even biblical, and it is, but it’s secondary to their call to follow Jesus.  Mine has been an extremely difficult calling, because it completely goes against that which has been “my normal.† Because of my past, my nature has always been to be very private, quiet, reserved, even to the point of being anti-social and self-sabotaging.  I can’t do this on my own.  But, when God calls; you answer.  I have asked God if it was His voice that heard and He has overwhelming confirmed in the affirmative on several occasions, through His Word, through other people and through His actions in the presence of witnesses.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]My story isn’t pretty and the lack of support from “man†literally drove me into depression and into hiding.  We are often called to give testimony of our triumphs over satan.  Those testimonies aren’t always pretty.  Calvary, in its’ entirety, was not a pretty testimony but its’ beauty lies in the finished work; of which we would have no knowledge, but that it was written in testament.  My family says they’re OK with me telling my story as long as I don’t use my name.  SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THAT PICTURE.  I refuse to lie about who I am or what I have been through.  NO MORE HIDING!  I am posting my photo tonight to symbolize TRUTH.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Isaiah 61:8  -  For I the LORD love justice, I hate robbery and injustice; and I will direct their work in TRUTH, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]The Cost of Following Jesus  (Luke 9) [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]57http://biblehub.com/luke/9-57.htm[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.†58http://biblehub.com/luke/9-58.htm[/SIZE]Jesus replied, [SIZE=11pt]“Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.†[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]59http://biblehub.com/luke/9-59.htm[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]He said to another man, [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]“Follow me.†[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.†60http://biblehub.com/luke/9-60.htm[/SIZE]Jesus said to him, [SIZE=11pt]“Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.†[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]61http://biblehub.com/luke/9-61.htm[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.†62http://biblehub.com/luke/9-62.htm[/SIZE]Jesus replied, [SIZE=11pt]“No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.â€[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Isaiah 55:8-9; Deuteronomy 27:22; Psalm 27:10; Leviticus 26:40-42[/SIZE]

 

[Rick1]

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He sent forth His word and healed them; He rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderous deeds for men (Psalms 107:19-21).

 

[tina1]

I prayed for this. In Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[Cheryl "The Earthly Angel"]

Holy God and loving Father, I consciously place my fears, worries, anxieties, and burdens in your hands. I know that I have so little power to change the outcome of these events and I trust that you will work what is pleasing to you, and best for me, out of these situations. Forgive me for my anxious thoughts and for letting my own worry become an idol that robs you of my full trust. Strengthen and empower me to trust you more by the power and presence of your Spirit. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

 

[Rev.Mike]

I prayed for this. In Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[val7]

I've prayed for you in Jesus' holy name...prayer changes things! Stand on God's word - you have even more power than a conqueror - believe it.

“Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.†{Romans 8:37}

 

[patty700]

I prayed for this. In Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[dcrandjr]

I prayed for this. In Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[Stitcher]

I prayed for this. In Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[hostadmin]

Thank you for giving us the privilege to pray on your behalf. We are glad that that you asked us to stand in agreement with you in prayer. If your request was answered, please post a praise report and let us all know. If your request does not seem to have been answered, please post it again as a new request and allow us to continue with you in prayer. We all hope that our prayers are answered in the way that we want. Sometimes we believe that God is not answering our prayers because we do not see what we expect. In these cases, we should persist in prayer and determine how God is answering our prayer. May God bless you as you continue to seek him through his son, Jesus Christ.