Let the Weak Say I Am a Warrior - National Day of Prayer 2019

I love the story of Gideon. Gideon was a man full of fear, surrounded by cruel, enemy forces. When Jesus, The Angel of the LORD, appears to Gideon he is hiding in a winepress, which is a pit in the ground. He is safe in the pit. The pit is familiar, comfortable even.

When Jesus appears to Gideon, he doesn't rebuke him for his cowardly behavior. Jesus looks past the outward appearance to the heart within. Jesus sees the potential in Gideon, the hero Gideon can be if he merely puts his trust in Him.

Jesus says, "The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor."

Gideon does what many of us would do if Jesus appeared to us and called us a "mighty man or woman of valor."
Gideon basically says, "Who me?"
Immediately, we would start listing all of our faults to God:
I'm not a warrior - I'm weak.
I'm not brave - I'm fearful.
I'm a nobody from a nobody family.
You can't use me, God.
Just leave me in the pit.

Jesus tell Gideon, "Gideon, I have a job for you to do. Go in this might of yours. For surely I am with you and you will defeat your enemies."

Jesus looks at our inner potential and speaks life into that person. He looks past our mess-ups, shortcomings, fear, and doubts and calls us a "Mighty Warrior."

But, just like Gideon had to come out of the pit, we have to be willing to come out of our pit. We have to leave our safe place, comfort zone, our same-old-same-old level of faith. We have to reach higher and step up our faith.

Jesus does not want us to stay hiding in the winepress. The LORD is with us, but he is calling us out of fear and bondage into the spiritual battlefield. In Christ, with Christ, He fights our battles. The victory is already His, but we have to take that step of faith and walk out of our dark pit into the His marvelous light.

We have to put our feet in the water before He'll part the sea.
We have to pick up our stone and throw it at the giant before He'll slay the giant for us.
We have to risk it all and go before the King asking for His favor to save our people before the King will move on our behalf.

So, my life verse has become, "Let the weak say I am a warrior." (Joel 3:10)

Jesus is calling up Gideons in these last days. The enemy is surrounding us, trying to silence our voices, and robbing us of our harvest. The enemy wants us to live in fear in the winepress so that we are ineffective for God's Kingdom and we leave our family open to attack.

But, let the weak say I am strong. Let the weak put on their full armor of God. Let the weak come out of hiding and go forth in this might of ours that we have received by the power of the Holy Spirit living in us. Let the weak become warriors of faith for the sake of their families, communities, and nations.

On Thursday, May 2nd, is the National Day of Prayer. Let us lift up our voices in prayer. Let's be bold and courageous, meeting at flag poles, school lunch tables, work break rooms, halls of government, parks, dinner tables, coffee shops, and living rooms. Let's lift our hands and pray and see The Angel of the LORD unleash His angel army and fight our battles. To Him be all glory, honor, and praise. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen!!!

Love,
Yolanda

Jesus Calms the Storm

Recently, I have been in the midst of a raging storm, waves of worry and hurricane winds of anxiety threatening to capsize my boat. I was fearful I would not reach land safely and I felt like I was drowning.

I understood how the disciples questioned Jesus in Matthew 8:23-27, "Jesus, don't you care if we drown?"

Psalm 77:2-4, 9 (NLT)
When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the LORD. All night long I prayed with hands lifted to heaven, but my soul was not comforted. I think of God, and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for his help. You don't let me sleep. I am too distressed even to pray!...Has God forgotten to be gracious: Has he slammed the doors on his compassion?

Yet, throughout the worst of the turbulent winds, I would remember how Jesus had come through for me in my past storms. Never early. Never coming by helicopter to life-flight me out of the boat, but always working all things for good in the end.

Psalm 77:10-12 (NLT)
But then I recall all you have done, O LORD; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.

When I felt like I could not continue fighting the waves, Jesus would arise and say, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

My prayer in response, from the depth of my heart was, "I have faith, Jesus. I believe. Help my unbelief."

And Jesus would throw me a life-line...
A little miracle that would strengthen my faith.
A scripture promise in my daily Bible reading.
A dream.
A Word of Knowledge downloaded to my heart and mind.
A preschool chapel lesson inspired by the Holy Spirit to teach me a lesson on faith.
Prayer warriors standing with me in the boat.
Prayer warriors calling and texting prayers and words of encouragement from the distant shore.

While I had to row with all of my strength in the waves that crashed against me, Jesus was strengthening me. He was making me stronger so that the next storm that comes, because there will be a next storm, I will remember how Jesus was with me in the midst of this storm. How He never left me or forsook me.

And finally, at the very last moment, on the day before I needed my answered prayer, Jesus arose and said to my storm, "Quiet! Be still."
And the waves and wind stilled.

Who is this Jesus who even the winds and waves obey Him?
He is my Savior, Rescuer, Healer, Shepherd, and King.
Thank you, Jesus. Thank you for loving me. Thank you that you hear me when I call. Thank you for forgiving me when I panic and I have a hard time scrounging up a mustard seed of faith. Thank you that you are strengthening me in the storms of my life. Thank you for being my Good Shepherd who cares and protects me. I love you, Jesus.

Psalm 77:13-15 (NLT)
O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you: You are the God of great wonders! You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations. By your strong arm, you redeemed your people. 

Are you in the midst of a storm?
Are you struggling with fear and stress and worry?
Call out to Jesus, "Jesus, Jesus help me!" No fancy prayers needed. Just a call of desperation from your heart will do.
He loves you. The Bible says that Jesus is near the brokenhearted and crushed in spirit.
He wants to help you. Invite Him into your storm.
Keep your eyes, ears, and heart focused on Him, no matter how high the waves get.
Ask people around you to pray with you. They will keep you afloat.
And, you'll see Jesus arise and say, "Quiet! Be still" to your storm.

John 16:33 (AMP)
"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you will have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world." [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]

Love,
Yolanda

Below you will find a preschool chapel lesson on Jesus Calming the Storm. Make the Bible come alive to children. They will understand God's Word and hide it in their hearts. And, God may use it to help you, like He helped me, hide it in your heart too. Link to video: https://youtu.be/9RjFUo7_IeY