The Harvest is Plenty

“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.  Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.’” Matthew 9:36-37

Father, we see the multitudes.  You see the multitudes.  Lord, they are weary and scattered.  Father, we know the harvest is plentiful.  We know the need is great.  There are multitudes that have been wounded by abortion.  Father, we are asking for you to bring more laborers.  Father, we ask for you to expand Deeper Still to reach those that are weary and scattered.  Father, we ask for the provision needed and the laborers needed to answer the call for this High assignment of bringing in Your harvest.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

As we draw near to Thanksgiving, we may think of harvest.  But what exactly is a “harvest”?  Merriam-Webster defines “harvest” as: the season when crops are gathered from the field. 

We are in a season (and have been since the time Jesus was on earth in human form) of harvest.  All over the globe, men and women are hurting from the effects of an abortion.  Recently, a friend contacted me in Illinois who counsels college students.  She had just met with a young girl who had an abortion the week prior.  She was broken and devastated by her decision as the effects had already taken root.  

My friend asked if there were resources I knew of in her area to help this young broken girl.  I was able to point her to Deeper Still of Central Illinois, but the cry of the hurting extends beyond the resources presently available.  The expansion of Deeper Still and the healing ministries of abortion are desperately needed.  The harvest is great, but the laborers are few.

Unfortunately, we live in an age where abortion is an epidemic and we can only pray for numbers to decrease.  However, the numbers are there and what will our response be to the need for restoration, healing and freedom in these lives?  Would we abandon them?  Would Jesus?  Our culture seduces our young into believing premarital sex is normal, safe and good.  Premarital sex is not God’s normal and it is neither safe nor good.  It is not God’s best for our children or us.  It is a lie and it is dangerous.  Our children are lied to by the very ones who should be leading them into a secure and healthy adulthood.  They are deceived and then deceived once again into believing, “Abortion is no big deal.”  Oh my friends, abortion is a big deal indeed.  The long term effects for the abortion-wounded are devastating outside of the healing blood of Jesus Christ. 

Friends, the time is drawing near.  Jesus is coming.  The Bridegroom is returning for His bride.  He is coming for a bride holy and without blemish (Eph 5:27) by the washing of water by the Word.  Those with wounded hearts need to hear the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  They need His healing power in their lives and to know even though their sins were as scarlet, He has made them white as snow.  The Lord is returning for a glorious church, and our sweet brothers and sisters need to find healing and freedom and glory that only comes through the blood of Jesus Christ.  We need them as fellow laborers to then go into the field themselves as laborers of the harvest.  We need them.  We need you.  Will you please pray?  The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 

 

Our Fundraising Banquet is scheduled for March 8, 2016.  Would you prayerfully consider hosting a table?  If you would like more information on how you can be involved, come or donate to Deeper Still, please contact jacque.murphy@godeeperstill.org

Glory in Weakness

“My strength and power are made perfect and show themselves most effective in your weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weakness and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!” 

2 Corinthians 12:9

Lord, may the very things that make us feel weak be used by You to show Your glory and power through us.  Father, I pray that Your strength and power would rest on Deeper Still.  Yes Lord, pitch a tent over us and dwell with us.  We are nothing without You.  We need You.  Take us above our weaknesses into Your glory.   In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

While listening to a passage being preached from the pulpit, my eyes climbed up the page of my Bible.  At the top of the page was a quote from Heather Whitestone, Miss American 1995.  Heather Whitestone is deaf.  She says this about her deafness…

“My deafness forces me to depend on God more so that I can bear through Him.  He brought me peace and taught me how to overcome my deafness.”

 

When I saw this quote, it struck me that we all have a “deafness” in our lives.  The word “deafness” could be replaced with the word “weakness.”  “Weakness” not in a sense that it necessarily handicaps, but rather it causes a certain amount of adversity or struggle.   A weakness is only a weakness if it rules over you.  In Christ, we can learn to overcome or “live over” our weakness.

I could say this:

My weakness forces me to depend on God more so that I can bear through Him.  He brought me peace and taught me how to overcome my weakness. 

What is your weakness?  Paul called his a “thorn in his flesh” (2 Cor 12:7).  Thorns are uncomfortable.  Thorns are difficult to ignore and cause a constant nagging with irritating persistency and pain. 

Perhaps the very thing we have prayed to be removed from us and have begged the Lord to take from us is one of the very things forcing us to depend on God.  Perhaps our thorns aren’t hindrances but rather harken us closer to our God. 

To “glory in my weakness” doesn’t mean we focus on our weaknesses, but instead dwell with the Lord in His tent as He is upon us or over us!  He has overcome.  We can live over our weaknesses in Him, with Him, above.  If it weren’t for our weaknesses, we would live mediocrely in self- reliance on the ground and never truly experience His glory above.  With this picture in mind, I can see how Paul could say with confidence…” I take pleasure in infirmites, in reproaches, in needs, in persecution, in distresses, for Christ’s sake.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10

Like Heather Whitestone and Paul, we have a choice to let weakness defeat us or force us to depend on God and live above.   They both chose to live above in Christ.   We have a choice as well. 

Half Way Up the Hill

“And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity).  And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.  Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.” 

Romans 5: 4-5

Father, we pray that those with abortion wounded hearts would continue to climb the hill of hope. Lord, I pray for you to strengthen and encourage these wounded so they can continue with endurance out of a pit into your promises.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I run.  Hills are not my friend when I run—or at least that is what I think at the time.  However, running hills build strength, endurance and stamina for the race to be ran.  It is tempting when running to stop half way up the hill panting and sweating with a “it’s too hard” mantra chanting under my ear covers.  If I don’t stop, it is surprising what happens.  Instead of dropping in desperation, I strive to the top meeting the challenge and not only survive, but thrive. 

God refers to our faith walk as a race several times in His Word.  In our faith race, we have to go up hills.  The reason we go up hills is because there are simply hills to climb. That may seem obvious, but let me explain further.  We don’t start at the top in our spiritual growth journey.  We are somewhere on the hill, but never at the top.  We may even have climbed half way up the hill of hope, but we should never be content to stop half way and quit.  There is a greater glory waiting.  There is always a greater glory. 

Several years ago, I remember thinking…

"I know I am still in a pit, but I'm no longer at the bottom of the pit.  I believe I am about half way up out of the pit.  But, I think I will just hang out here for a while, in my pit.  I'm tired of climbing and besides I am doing ok right where I am at."

The question in my mind is: Why was I content with the absurdity of complacency?  Why had I settled half way up the hill of hope? 

The answer…I felt comfortable in complacency.  However, comfort and complacency don’t develop character.  Endurance develops character.  Continuing to climb even when the terrain gets rocky or your feet feel stuck in the mud produces patience.  There is one promise we can hold onto even when we are tired of climbing and feel like giving up or think we’ve reached far enough--the promise of hope.  This is a hill of hope.  This journey up the hill will result in not only maturity of character, but joy and a hope that never disappoints or deludes us.  This is a promise and it is a promise worth continuing to trudge up the hill.  If we stop half way up, we’ll miss the fullness of hope God has for us here. 

Come to the Table

“So David said to him, ‘Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.’” 2 Samuel 9:7

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for you to prepare the participants of Deeper Still to come to the table with open hearts.  I pray they would choose you and be willing and ready to come to the table and feast on all your goodness and receive all you have for them.   In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

 

We had a situation last night with one of our children which led to this child feeling as if eating alone was what was deserved rather than at the table with the rest of the family.  Minutes before this child had expressed feeling unworthy of anything good.  We gently encouraged this child to come to the table and eat with us.  We affirmed worthiness, love and grace.  With tear filled eyes, this child stayed at the table, embracing our love and acceptance.  Once again realizing, nothing can separate this child from our love.  We want all our children at our table. 

Our Heavenly Father wants ALL His children at His table. 

In 2 Samuel 9, we find the story of Mephibosheth.  In this story, King David asked his servant if there was anyone of the house of Saul left for him to bless.  He was told of the son of Jonathan, Mephibosheth, who lived in Lo Debar.  Jonathan had been King Saul’s son and David’s best friend.  Jonathan and David loved each other and made a covenant with each other to care for each other’s households.  It had been over twenty years since Jonathan and King Saul had died in battle.  David had forgotten about the covenant until that day. 

 

When King David found Mephibosheth, he did not feel worthy to sit at the king’s table.  He said to David, “What is your servant that you should look upon a dead dog as I?” Mephibosheth saw himself as a “dead dog”.   It says in the passage that Mephibosheth was lame in both his feet, which happened when he was a young boy and his servant carried him and dropped him while fleeing from the palace after King Saul and Jonathan died.  Mephibosheth was living in Lo Debar, a place where all the outcasts of society lived. Then one day David remembered the covenant he had with Jonathan and everything changed for Mephibosheth.  Not only was he seated at the King’s table, the land of his father’s was restored to him as well.

Those with abortion wounded hearts often feel like “dead dogs”, unworthy to sit at the King’s table.  They may see themselves as lame.  However, that is not the truth.  That is not their identity.  The truth is Jesus Christ made us whole. Their true identity is that of a son or daughter of the King, fully welcome at His table to feast on His blessings, goodness and grace. 

God has made a covenant, a new covenant with his sons and daughters and wants them to reclaim their seats at His table!! And He not only desires His children at His table with Him, He also wants to restore all that was stolen.  The covenant we have with our Father through the blood of Jesus Christ does not restore only part of our inheritance, but all.  He paid so ALL could be restored.  We just need to be willing to come to the table.  

Prayer for Healing the Land

“Ask of me and I will give the nations to you, the nations for your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for your possession.”   Psalm 2: 8

Father, the blood of the nations cry out from the ground.  The ground longs for healing.  Lord, we ask for you to give us the nations.  You ask, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?”  We reply, “Lord, here we are, send us.”  We ask for you to heal the abortion wounded hearts of the nations.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

“And He said, ‘What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries to Me from the ground.”  Genesis 4:10

Not one drop of blood goes unnoticed by our God. The voice of the unborn cries out from the ground.  However, there is One whose Blood covers and heals the ground tainted by sin and death. 

A friend and fellow Deeper Still Team Member recently went to the site where death’s stench had grasped her long ago.  She is now free and went to the land where innocent blood was shed to pray healing over the land.  I saw a mental picture of the spiritual impact that was occurring as she prayed to heal the land. 

She knelt on the ground where death had once won the victory.  As she began to pray and weep, the tears that fell from her face penetrated the ground.  Once the tears pierced through the ground, the tears mixed with prayers became the Blood of Jesus.  The Blood of Jesus then began to cleanse the land and His Blood covered the blood shed of the innocent.  The Blood of the One pierced for our transgressions, pierced the darkness and light began to shine forth in the land.  Then, it spread.  The healing Blood of Jesus began to expand and move from city to city, state to state, and nation to nation.  It moved across seas until it covered the entire globe, healing all it touched.

This is the vision of Deeper Still.  This is the vision that encompasses “Until all are healed.”  The healing Blood of Jesus nullifies and cancels the debts of death we could never pay.  It cleanses and restores us completely, conquers sin, and reclaims the victory in Jesus Christ. 

God's Nickname and Praise

“Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid;  For YAH, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.  Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.  And in that day you will say; ‘Praise the Lord, call upon His name; declare His deeds among the peoples, make mention that His name is exalted.  Sing to the Lord, For He has done excellent things; This is known in all the earth.  Cry out and shout, O inhabitants of Zion, For great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!’”  Isaiah 12:2-6

Dear Lord, we declare that  you alone are our salvation.  Lord, may Deeper Still trust you and not be afraid.  For YAH, you are our strength and you are our song!  We praise you and we call upon your holy name.  Lord, we will declare your deeds among the peoples and make mention of your name that you may be exalted!  Lord, for you have done excellent things!  We praise you!!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Can I just say that I love that God has the nickname, “YAH” in the passage above!  Reading this brings a smile to my face.  Of course, it is short for “YAHWEH”, the Lord’s personal name. 

My heart is also still smiling in remembrance of all the excellent things He did in the hearts and lives of the ladies who attended the summer retreat.  So today, it seemed fitting to take a moment to cry out and shout among all the inhabitants (or readers of this blog!) to boast in the greatness of the Holy One of Israel!!!

Will you shout it out with me!  (So what if the person in the cubical next to you thinks you’re crazy!)

For YAH, He is great!

For YAH, He is our deliverer!

For YAH, He is Holy!

For YAH, He is mighty and greatly to be praised!

For YAH, He is our rescuer!

For YAH, He is our strength and our song!

For YAH, He is our redemption and salvation!

For YAH, He is with us!

For YAH, there is NO ONE like our God! 

Go.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."  Matt 28:19

Father, I pray Deeper Still would go and make disciples of all the nations.  I pray for those who attended training last weekend to go and fulfill every purpose you have ordained for them before time began.  I pray for a fresh infilling of your Holy Spirit, courage and boldness to go. I pray for You to make a way.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Go.

Before disciples can be made, before anything can be multiplied, the heart of Kingdom work begins with the first command and order of business--go.

“Go” in the original Greek is the word poreuo. (www.blueletterbible.org)

There are many things to say about this short two letter word--go. 

First off, the word poreuo in itself resembles the English word, “pour”.  When we go, we are pouring out our lives. It isn’t officially what poreuo means, just interesting how similar the words are in lexical appearance. 

 

Poreuo has the following meanings, all of which are impactful:  

                                                           

1.  To lead over, carry over, transfer

2.  To pursue the journey on which ones has entered, to continue on one’s journey

3.  To depart from life

4.  To follow one, that is become his adherent

Breaking these meanings down in order: 

We go to lead others and transfer knowledge or revelation to equip others for the Lord’s work.

 

We go to pursue and continue the journey we have begun.

When we go, we temporarily depart from our “normal life”.

And finally, but really firstly, when we go, we are also following One.  We need to adhere to Jesus (John 15), become His adherent. 

At the Deeper Still training, just last weekend, there were about 106 in attendance.  106 bodies who can go and make disciples of all nations.  The multiplication factor is magnanimous. What if all 106 go?  What if all 106 pour out, lead, pursue, depart, follow and adhere?  Whew.  An exceedingly great army is arising.  Lord, I pray they would go. 

An Exceedingly Great Army

“’Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.’ So I prophesized as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.” Ezekiel 37:9-10

Father,  as we are drawing near to the Deeper Still Training, we ask for You to bring Your chosen from the four corners of the earth and breathe Your breath of life upon them.  Breathe Your life into the dry and desolate lands scorched from bloodshed.  Bring forth new life and may those coming go and breathe Your life into others and may there be an exceedingly great army come out of this training. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

In Ezekial 37, Ezekial was brought to a valley full of bones.  He was confronted with death and asked a question posed by God, “Can these bones live?” 

As a nation, we have been confronted with death.  The videos released exposing the horrific scenes from Planned Parenthood were shocking and a visual reminder of the stark reality of the monstrosity of abortion. 

An alarm has sounded. 

And the answer to the questions still rings…”Can these bones live?”

The answer is a resounding YES.

Jesus is still in the resurrection business.  Always has been and always will be. 

Every time we speak out for truth.  Every time we pray.  Every time we fight for the lives of these innocent ones.  Every time we share our redemption story.   In all of this-- life is breathed and life is given.

Ezekial was told to say to the bones, “Hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: ’Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live.  I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live.’”  (Ezekial 37:5-6)

We are the flesh God has put on the bones.  He is breathing life into us and calling us to go forth and become an exceedingly great army.  We have been confronted with death and it is time for us to decide how we will respond.  Will we just sit back and do nothing and lay still like the dry bones in the valley? Or will we allow the Lord to breathe life into us, stand up, and say yes to His assignment?

One thing is for certain, we can no longer stay stagnant in denial.  

The Deeper Still Team in having training next weekend, August 21-22  in Knoxville, TN.  If you just want to learn more about the abortion wounded or how to minister to the abortion wounded, then this training is for you.  If you want to start a Deeper Still Chapter or are interested in starting a chapter, this training is for you also!  Men and women!  We need you both!  There are already about 90 people registered from 12 different states and 2 countries. 

There is an exceedingly great army God is calling forth!  He is waking up His people to spread His message of truth and resurrection life!  Come be a part of what He is doing!  If you don’t feel called to come, will you join us in the fight by praying?  We need prayer warriors in this army! 

Does Planned Parenthood Care No Matter What?

“Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His anointed, saying, ‘Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us.’ He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision.  The He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure.” Psalms 2:1-5

Oh Heavenly Father, we come to you today on behalf of our nation.  Oh Lord, the people have indeed plotted a vain thing.  The governments and rulers of our nation have created laws against You and against Your anointed.  Oh Lord, we as a people have allowed them and have bowed down to the idols of selfishness and self-reliance.  We have sacrificed our sons and daughters on the altars of self-interest.  Oh Father, we ask for you to hear our cry and forgive us and forgive our land.  We ask for You to speak and for truth to be unveiled and justice to come.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

My heart pounded as we entered the door of Planned Parenthood.  Anxiousness hovered over me like a dark cloud on a dreary day.  I walked to the desk to sign in.  The lady behind the counter measured up my fear and quickly suggested a pill to ease my nerves.  She handed me the pill and water.  Within moments, lightness overtook the heaviness of dread.  I couldn’t feel.  Everything seemed funny.  Then my name was called…from that point on, nothing was funny.

A nurse escorted me down a long hallway and into a cold sterile room.  There was a metal table.  I knew immediately I wanted to leave, but it seemed too late.  Then pain.  Screams.  Wailing.  Uncontrollable tears. 

Then it was over.   I was no longer pregnant.  In the waiting room, I knew…I knew what I had done was wrong.  I had tried to convince myself that it was only tissue.  I had tried to convince myself it was only a blob of nothingness.  My baby was 11 weeks old when I aborted.

At 11 weeks old, she had hands, feet, fingers, and toes.  Babies can be seen dancing and playing in the womb at 11 weeks old.

  This is a picture of my 13-year-old son at 11 weeks gestation.

Why didn’t anyone tell me? Why didn’t I know? Would it have mattered?  I’d like to hope so.

In April 2014, I went back to visit that Planned Parenthood for the first time in twenty-one years to pray healing over the land.  Karen Ellison, the founder of Deeper Still and some other Deeper Still team members and long time friend, Jill Balkema, walked around the building with me looking for a spot to pray.  The building had an aura of decay and death even evidenced by its outward appearance.  It was as if the death that happened on the inside of the building couldn’t help but seep through and spread to the outer as a wound bleeding inside rises to the surface as a discolored and eye-sore bruise.  

With the door in sight, my only thought was, “I wish I would have never opened that door. “ Then, as we prayed, the sign by the door was brought to my attention.  “Care. No matter what.”

I wonder?  Do they really care no matter what?  What about the lives lost daily?  What of the women left wounded who come into their doors?  What about those standing outside crying because of a choice made years ago?  If I had told them my story and how an abortion nearly destroyed me, would they had listened?  If they read this post, how would they respond?

Please don’t misunderstand.  I don’t blame them.  It was my choice.  My question is a rhetorical one.  The answer…an obvious one. 

Planned Parenthood has been in the news much lately as the public has gained knowledge of their practices in harvesting and selling aborted fetal tissue.  Planned Parenthood received $528 million dollars last year of tax payer’s money or $1.4 million per day (Lifenews.com).  Congress is in the process of trying to bring a vote to the floor to have Planned Parenthood defunded by tax dollars. Let us continue to pray for the lies to stop and truth to surface. 

That day in April 2014, as we stood outside Planned Parenthood in Champaign, IL and prayed, a lady came out and asked us to leave.  Did that lady care why I was outside crying? Twenty-one years of heartbreak and pain.  Twenty-one years of “what if”.  Twenty-one years of wishing I had never walked through that door.  A twenty-year-old girl I will never see this side of heaven. 

“Care.  No Matter What. “?   It is time for truth. 

Please join us in praying for truth to prevail and click on the link below to sign the petition for Planner Parenthood to be defunded.

http://plannedparenthoodexposed.com/

Rear Guard Prayers

“Now because of this King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah, the son of Amaz, prayed and cried out to heaven.  Then the Lord sent an angel who cut down every mighty man of valor, leader, and captain in the camp of the king of Assyria…Thus the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.”  2 Chronicles 32: 20-22

Father, we thank you that you fight on behalf of Deeper Still.  We thank you that you send your angelic armies out before us and cut down every enemy scheme and tactic.  We thank you that you protect Deeper Still, the Deeper Still Team and deliver your people. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Hezekiah was a king who honored the Lord by tearing down the high places and all alters and images of false gods. It says in 2 Chronicles 31 that he did what was good and right and true before the Lord his God.  In 2 Chronicles 32, it says, “After these deeds of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and entered Judah; he encamped against the fortified cities thinking to win them over to himself.”(emphasis added)

The enemy came to attack after Hezekiah was so faithful.  We have an enemy too who may try to attack after we have done what is good, right and true.  We need prayer warriors like King Hezekiah and Isaiah who will pray and cry out to heaven. 

And I love how when they cried out and prayed, the Lord fought for them.

They had prepared for battle.  In 2 Chronicles 32:3-7, it describes all the extensive ways they had prepared and fortified themselves to stand up under attack.  King Hezekiah encouraged his armies stating, “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him.  With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and fight our battles.”

The enemy “called out with a loud voice in Hebrew to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to frighten them and trouble them.”   Our enemy also tries to call out in a loud voice in a language we understand to frighten or trouble us.  When our enemy calls, we need to cry.  Not cry tears, but cry out.  Our cries should always be louder and greater than the enemy calls. 

King Hezekiah and his people may have been frightened or troubled.  But, they were prepared and pressed on in prayer.

They prepared and pressed on in prayer.   In the end, they didn’t even have to lift a spear.  It says an angel of the Lord came and cut every single enemy down!  Hallelujah!

Yes, we have an enemy.  Yes, he is out to destroy us and make us doubt God will come on our behalf. He comes thinking he can overtake us.  But, greater is He who is in us than He who is in the world (1 John 4:4).  The numbers are in our favor. There are more with us.  The Lord our God is with us to help us and He fights our battles.  We just need to cry out, stand and watch Him be victorious!  

Unity or Me-nity

"Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel."  Philippians 1:15-17.

Father, I pray love would be Deeper Still's only motive in preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I pray for every member of every Deeper Still team to walk in unity and love, knowing we are appointed for the defense of the gospel.   In Jesus' Name, Amen.   

While cuddling and reading devotions with my eight-year-old, Philippians 1:15 tore my heart wide open.  

"Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel."  Phillipians 1:15-17

Confession:  There are times I compare myself to others.  There are times when I am envious of other's gifts.  There are times I feel inferior to others.  And it is all sin. 

The moment envy rises its ugly green head in our hearts when it comes to fellow ambassadors of the gospel, we can be sure Phil 1:15 isn't far from describing our state.  

As ministers of the gospel of Christ, we need to be keenly aware of our motives.  And this not only goes for ministers, but every service in the church body.  There is a key question we must continue to ask ourselves...Why do we do what we do?  

Do we like the attention?

Does it make us feel good about ourselves?

Money?

Is position and favor our conquest? 

There are other questions to ask as well.  But, there should only be one answer.  The only reason for proclaiming the gospel of Christ is simply to preach Christ.  

Thankfully whatever the motives, still Christ is preached, as Paul admirably points out in Phil 1:18.

"What then?  Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in trust, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice." 

Anyone is subject to fall.  Anyone at any time can be tempted with envy and jealousy.  No one is immune.  We are all human.  We just all need to be aware.  

Do you find yourself comparing your ministry to others?  Check your motives.

Do you find yourself begrudging the fruit in others' lives?  Check your motives.

Do you think you are right in how you do things and others are wrong?  Check your motives.

Do you ever feel like someone "stole" something or someone from you?  Check your motives.

At the beginning of this post, I shared an intimate confession. The Lord used Phil 1:15 to reveal an area of sin in my life.  This sin broke my heart.  And as a fellow sojourner in Christ, my heart is to help others avoid the pitfalls along the journey.  

My prayer is that our goal and aim would be One.  My prayer is that all believers in Christ could be joined together in unity rather than me-nity, focused on others and the Kindgom of God rather than self. 

It starts with each person doing a heart check and walking in love with one another.  It starts with me. It starts with you. 

With and In

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Father, God of peace, thank you for sanctifying us completely that we may be blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Thank you Lord that you not only call us to sanctification, but you said you are faithful to also do it.  I pray for the Deeper Still Team and participants to remain in and with You Lord Jesus.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

There were years of crying.  Tears rooted in a well of immense mess fed by an underground stream of insecurity, shame, and unworthiness. Holding drenching tissues surrounded by a sea of Puffs crumpled on the floor beside the bed,  I wondered if I would ever feel ok.  I wondered if I would ever feel free. 

To sanctify in the original Greek is the word “hagiazo” in the verse above and it means:  to purify, free from guilt of sin or purify internally by renewing of the soul.

God promises that He is sanctifying you completely.  He is purifying.  He has freed us from the guilt of sin and we are purified internally by the renewing of the soul.

Renewing our soul or our mind comes by being in the Word of God and being with the Word of God.  Notice the two different prepositions.  In and with are not mutually exclusive.  One cannot replace the other and one is not more important than the other. 

Both are needed.  Both transform.  Both are a waterfall of life that drenches our souls, allowing its healing power to soak into our core.  This life giving and restoring waterfall will over flood the undercurrents rooted in a past of regret and heartache.  It is truly all I know that can cure a heart calloused or captured by sin. 

Reading is the being “in” the Word of God part.  His Word will reap lasting effects of freedom nothing on this earth can accomplish.  No amount of counseling, although it is helpful, can do what the Word of God can do.

Praise and worship and resting in Jesus are the being “with” the Word of God.

John  1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. “  John 1:14 then says, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory”.

When we dwell with the Word, we behold His glory.

 Spiritual transformation takes place when we rest in His presence and spend time lingering in worship (both personal and corporate).  One of the reasons transformation occurs at the retreats is because we first soak in God’s presence then we wash the participants in the water of the Word.  The participation of engaging in worship helps to introduce them to the Holy Spirit in ways that are new and refreshing and it opens up new wells of intimacy.

He is the answer.  In Him is our hope.  He is sanctifying us completely.   Our part is to be in His Word and be with His Word.   Be With and In.

Remember Who the Real Enemy Is

“To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:  Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.” Jude 1:1

Father, I thank you that the Deeper Still team is called, sanctified in You and preserved in Jesus Christ.  I pray for mercy, peace, and love to be multiplied to the Deeper Still team.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

If you’ve seen the movie, Catching Fire, you are familiar with the second to last final scene where Katniss Everdeen points her bow and arrow at Finnick.  Her heart is pounding, sweat is pouring.  She is panicked as her psyche assesses the situation.  Finnick, in a defining moment, knowing his life is on the line, shouts the memorable words, “Remember who the real enemy is!”

We too at times may get confused about who our real enemy is.  When we forget who we are truly fighting, we can feel threatened by others in our arena.

 

Ephesians 6:12 admonishes this warning, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

This is God’s way of saying, “Remember who the real enemy is!”

 

There are times when my husband and I may get into a little…ahem… disagreement.  Many times we are more prone to these so called “disagreements” right before a retreat.  I now know that this is a scheme of the enemy and to treat it as such.  My husband is not my enemy. 

When people say things that bump into our happy, rub us the wrong way, or are rude, we need to be alert to the fact that there is a real enemy out there and the clerk at Walmart is not him.

 

We have no business pointing our arrows at fake foes.

In ministry, there are opportunities to get offended.  There may be personality clashes.  We are only human beings on assignment to do the Lord’s work.   It is especially important to remember there is an enemy who would love to bring havoc on the mission field.  We need to keep our shields up and our own arrows down.   There are enough arrows from the enemy without other arrows being slung around. 

People are not our enemy.  Our enemy is not flesh and blood. 

In the movie, Katniss, in a moment of decisiveness, points her arrow away from Finnick.  She then purposely aims at the sky and releases with resolve.  She remembered who the real enemy was. 

Our arrows are prayers aimed to the heavens.  Those arrows are poison to the plots of evil. 

I pray we will remember daily who the real enemy is and aim our arrows at the right target.  

Dressing for Battle

“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders.  Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility for God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. “  1 Peter 5:5 (emphasis added)

Father, I pray for every member of the Deeper Still teams to be clothed with humility.  I pray for Deeper Still to resist the temptations of pride and the flesh and remain humble realizing all things are only done through Your mighty hand and by Your Holy Spirit.  In Jesus’ Almighty and Glorious Name, Amen.

How we dress matters.  We wouldn’t wear a tux to the gym.  We will freeze if we wear a swimsuit in the snow.  Would you wear an evening gown to the grocery store?  Although some wear their pajamas to Walmart, I think we can all agree that no one should! 

The Deeper Still Retreats are no less than a battle zone and every team member is on the front lines.  For centuries, armies have known how to dress for battle.  They know what to wear and what NOT to wear.  Knowing what NOT to wear is equally as important. 

When David fought Goliath, Saul offered him his armor.  David turned it down because he knew it would hinder his ability to fight.  He knew what NOT to wear.  (1 Samuel 17:38)

Pride weighs us down and hinders our ability to fight.  The Lord says to clothe ourselves with humility.  That suggests to me that we need to be sure we put it on continually.  We need to lay down the things that easily entangle us so we can run the race with endurance (Hebrews 12:1).  Pride will definitely entangle.

 

This is a battle.  Not only do we need to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6), but we also need to clothe ourselves with humility.  One of the enemies most deadly weapons in ministry is pride.  We have to be willing to lay down our pride and subdue our fleshly tendencies.  There are lives hanging in the balance.  This isn’t play time, it is real combat. 

We would be wise to take Peter’s advice in 1 Peter 5:8-9a:

“Be sober, be vigilant…your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion…Resist him.”

   

We resist the enemy when we take off pride and put on humility.  Humility is a weapon that enables the the grace of God to perfect, establish, strengthen and settle (1 Peter 5:9b).  It isn’t an option, being willing to submit to God and others humbly is a necessity. 

Humility is a vital part of our battle attire. 

So even if you might go into Walmart wearing PJs , by ALL means don’t go into a spiritual war zone dressed in pride. 

It's Not About Competing, but Completing

“Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.  And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake.  Be at peace among yourselves.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11-12

Dear Lord, I pray that the Deeper Still teams across the nation and world would comfort each other and edify one another.  I pray for unity and for the team members to honor those they serve along side.  I pray for the team to honor and esteem highly in love those who have been called to lead and for the teams to be at peace among themselves. I pray against any kind of spirit of comparison or disunity. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Last year when I served alongside Angela Braker at the Central Illinois retreat, Angela and I went together to pray through the rooms where the participants coming to the retreat would stay.  I will never forget one of the things she prayed that day.  She prayed against a spirit of comparison.

Let’s be honest.  We all do it.  We all have compared ourselves to others at one point in time. In fact, we probably did it today.  Social media contributes to comparison being only a click away as we are bombarded with fiction portraying perfect families, flattering selfies (that only took 50 times to conjure the most complimentary photo), and all the while we check to see if we have as many “likes” as the person next on the scroll.

Comparison is a killer.  It undermines unity.  It offends friends.  It hinders the work of the Lord.

Comparison focuses on self.  The Lord wants us to focus on Him and others.  The Lord spoke this to my spirit about two months ago.

IT’S NOT ABOUT COMPETING.  IT’S ABOUT COMPLETING.

The Lord has gifted each of us with unique gifts, talents and abilities.  He hand-picked the treasures He placed inside of us for His Kingdom purposes.  Only He knows exactly what we need to fulfill His call and He promises that He has equipped us with the tools required (Hebrews 13:21).

He doesn’t give us all the same gifts.  He gives us each what is needed to complete a beautiful picture as we work together as the body of Christ to advance the Kingdom of God.

Also, we are all at different places along this journey.  We may have similar giftings, but some of us have only been walking and operating in our gifts for a short time and others have been practicing using their gifts for years.  No one would compare a beginning piano player with an accomplished pianist.  We all know it takes years of experience, practice, and learning. 

Comparison is a game as old as Eve (Genesis 3:4).  The enemy knows this tactic works to create division, confusion, and jealousy.

1 Thessalonians 5:11-12 exhorts us to comfort, edify, and recognize those who labor among us and to esteem highly in love those over us.  We need each other.  We can’t do this thing on our own.   The last line of the verse sums up the result of completing rather than competing…Peace.

Happy Mother's Day Everyone!

“Greater love has no man than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”  John 15:13

Father, we praise You that Jesus loves us so much that He laid down His life for us.  Father, thank you for so great a love we cannot even comprehend.  Thank you that because of Your selfless act of kindness, the penalty of our sin has been paid and we are free. We know mother’s day can be difficult for the abortion wounded.  Lord, we pray for your loving balm to soften and bring healing to hearts wounded by abortion.  Bring them revelation regarding their God-given name --Mother.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Mother’s Day is drawing near.  For some, this is a beautiful time to rejoice and celebrate mothers and all the ways they have given up their own lives for their children. For others, this may be a difficult time for a variety of reasons.  For the abortion wounded, it can be heart wrenching. 

 

The story I want to share today is a beautiful story of life.

Sheppard Tucker, a Deeper Still team member who is also on staff at Deeper Still, so graciously offered to share a story of selfless love.  It is the story of her mother and how she was willing to lay down her life for her. 

We honor your mother today, Sheppard, and all the mothers (biological, spiritual, and relational) who lay down their own lives for their children and others daily. 

Here is Sheppard’s story:

Thankful for my Mom today on Mother’s Day who chose life for me although doctors told her she might have had the chance to save her own life by aborting me. She chose not to take more treatment for her cancer and lost her battle at the age of 28, when I was a year old.

My mom faithfully carried me in her safe, protective and nurturing womb all while battling lymphosarcoma. I don't know a lot about her, but I do know she completely fulfilled her role as mother on this earth by pouring all that she had into me - and from others who speak of her amazing spirit that blessed and nurtured everyone she came in contact with. I really hope and pray I get to meet her face to face one day….

On this 2015 Mother's Day weekend, I am thankful for all of the amazing Mothers God has provided in my life from infancy until now. I so appreciate all that have stood by me, encouraged, challenged, disciplined, (wink) and loved me like a mother would over the years. I am so grateful for each one of you and the way you have been wonderful examples that continue to shape my life. 

One of the things we affirm in women who come to the Deeper Still retreats is their role of mothering. All women are called to mother on this earth. We can mother not only our own children, but other's children, and yes, even our sisters and brothers in Christ. There are many orphans in the world, some of which might even have a mother and a father in the picture, but are spiritual or emotional orphans, not getting what they need- because for whatever reason the parent simply does not have it to give. We can each reach out and mother the orphans of the world- with something as simple as a smile, a touch, or at other times by pouring all we've got in to the lives of those the Lord puts in our path who need a mother's heart and attention in some way. He is the great expander of our hearts as we love others with the same love and grace He has given to us in our times of need.

“There is no greater love than this…”

Happy Mother’s Day Everyone!!! 

This is a picture of Sheppard’s mom and grandmother.  Sheppard is on her grandmother’s lap.  Her grandmother is the one who raised her after her mother passed away.  We honor her as well. Thank you Sheppard for sharing your beautiful story of love today.  

Walking in Newness

“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the traditions of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.  For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.”  Colossians 2:8-10

Father, we thank you and praise you for the completing work you did last weekend at the Deeper Still Retreat.  We thank you that the participants are made complete in you.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

The world claims to have answers.  The world claims to have truth.   Pro-choice groups even claim a false hope in stating that there are no long term effects from having an abortion.  These claims are all full of empty deceit. 

Abortion creates holes in a person that nothing in this world can fill.  The participants come in broken pieces and with missing pieces desperate for wholeness.  Christ is the only answer. 

My father has been in the hospital for the last couple of weeks.  He had a knee replacement.  He needed his knee replaced because it was missing.  His knee was completely gone!  He now has a new knee, but his body needs times to adjust to the change.  Psychologically, he is accustomed to not having a knee.  He needs to renew his mind to recognize and embrace his new ability to walk and new wholeness.   The physical therapist uses tools such as walkers and stabilizers to help him adjust and use his new knee until he is secure enough in his newfound wholeness to walk on his own.

The same is true for the abortion wounded heart.  They come to the retreats missing pieces.  Only there is no earthly physician who can repair or replace what is missing.  The wear and tear of life has depleted.  They are broken.  They have searched the world’s methods to find wholeness.  But, any worldly method is temporal at best and destructive at worst.

 

Christ is the only One who can bring wholeness, mend and repair.  He is the only One who can replace what is missing and make new.  All else is a counterfeit.  All else is empty deceit. 

The participants received a wholeness that only Christ can bring.  It may take some time for them to adjust to being whole and embrace their new ability to walk in freedom. 

Lord, we thank you that they do not walk alone.  Lord we thank you that through your word, you continue to renew their minds and that you send other believers alongside them to help stabilize them as they learn to walk in newfound freedom.  Amen. 

Transformer Life

“Thus says the Lord God: ‘Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” Ezekiel 37:9b

Father, we ask for Your presence to come from the four winds and for Your Holy Spirit to breathe on those slain by the wounds of abortion.  Father, breathe on them at the Deeper Still retreats so that they may live. 

The mood in our pearl white mini-van was joyous and playful as we traveled home from church.  As often is the case in said mini-van, one of the kids asked a random hypothetical question.  The question today:

 

“If you could choose anything not real to be alive, what would you choose?”

My husband, as if he had waited his entire life for such a question, immediately answered, “Transformers!”   My husband was not referring to the electrical kind of transformers, but rather the fictional robots that change from a car to an alien over life-sized fighting machine.  Does Optimus Prime ring a bell?

 

The kids instantly dismissed Dad’s answer claiming it to be impossible for Transformers to be alive. Like any of their answers were any better! Ahem…stuffed animals.  After all, wasn’t pretense the point of the question?  The minds of kids are baffling at times.

Anyway, the question posed in the mini-van reminded me of several stories in the Bible where something not living did indeed come alive. (2 Kings 14:21, 2 Kings 4:34, John 11:44, John 20, Matt 9:25)

There were no Transformers in the Bible (although I think we can all agree that would have been cool!), but the resurrection power of God is transforming.  It changes the inanimate, into life breathing, death conquering fighting machines.

 

When the wind of the Holy Spirit moves and breathes life, miracles happen.  The wind of the Holy Spirit breathes on those slain by the wounds of abortion and causes them to come alive and become transformers who will fight for freedom, fight for life, and fight for truth.

 

Ezekiel 37:10 ”…And breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.”

 

God is raising up an army of life breathing and life giving transformers for His Kingdom!!  Although our kids might disagree, I think my husband’s answer was perfect!

  

Arise. Run. Marvel

“But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.” Luke 24:12

Oh sweet Heavenly Father, how we thank you for the empty tomb!  How we thank you for the resurrection life of Jesus Christ and the new life we have because He lives!  Thank you for the Cross and the new life we have because of the death and resurrection of our Savior King Jesus.  We marvel at what You have done for us.  We pray that participants of Deeper Still would arise and run to Jesus as Peter did.  I pray then they would stoop down and see the resurrection power and marvel at what has happened.  Amen. 

In reviewing the resurrection of Jesus, my attention was drawn to the grave clothes.  In Luke 24, it says the grave clothes were lying there by themselves.  In the gospel of John, it gives a little more detail and says that the grave clothes were lying there, but the handkerchief that had been around His head was folded off to the side by itself. 

I began thinking about these grave clothes lying there and thought of Lazarus.  In John Chapter 11, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, but when he was raised from the dead, his grave clothes were still tightly wrapped on him.  He needed help to be unwrapped, loosed, and set free.

 

“And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth.  Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” John 11:44

In contrasting these two resurrections, the grave clothes kept coming to my mind.  I don’t think it is an accident in scripture that they are different.  Jesus could have removed the grave clothes from Lazarus miraculously.  After all, he did raise him from the dead.  I think He could certainly untie a bandage.  So, why didn’t He?  Perhaps it was for this very contrast.  Perhaps not, but it is an interesting point to consider.

 

Death can come in many forms.  Every day people who are very much alive choose decisions that lead to a death in their lives.  Abortion does lead to an actual death of a person.  There is no denying that death is real in abortion.  However, there is a spiritual and emotional death in the person who has the abortion as well. 

Our Jesus is the giver of life.  His death was to pay the penalty for all our sins.  He died to give us new life.  And He died not only to forgive us of our sins, but also so we could be free of our grave clothes.

Lazarus experienced a death in his life.   Jesus gave him life.  However, the grave clothes were still on him.  Jesus called others to gather around him to help him get free. 

Jesus’ grave clothes just fell off of Him!  The grave clothes couldn’t stay on Him.  The grave clothes couldn’t hold Him.  That is the resurrection power of Jesus!  It not only brings life, it also removes all signs of death!  It removes all the bondages of death and brings freedom. 

   

I believe these two examples mirror what the Deeper Still team does.  Deeper Still comes alongside those who are still wearing their grave clothes and helps them get loosed and free!

More importantly, Deeper Still provides an environment for an encounter with the living God.  And when those grave clothes are hit with the resurrection power of Jesus Christ, Lord Almighty, the grave clothes just start falling off!!  That is what is so exciting to see!

 

The grave clothes fall to the ground.  We see the grave clothes lying there.  And like Peter, we marvel at what has happened--the resurrection power of Jesus.  Oh Lord, we marvel at Your love and glory.