Patience and God's Timing

Every year I receive a key word from the Lord.  The year 2024 has a word and that is courage.  Oh my, what will 2024 bring?

This year was all about perseverance.  When the Lord gave me that word I thought, OH MY, what is this year gonna hold?

Not gonna lie, this has been a crazy year.  It has been a year of waiting on the Lord and HIS perfect timing.  When we are serving the Lord, and in HIS perfect will and we are desiring what HE has for our lives it is HIS desire to give us our desires.  

I am reminded that many years ago I read a book that was LIFE CHANGING.  While the Bible is the book that is life changing, sometimes we are able to read other books that have a huge impact on one's life.  I have read many books that have impacted me, but none so much as a book by Bruce Wilkinson entitled "The Prayer of Jabez".    I read this book while on a mission trip to Honduras with my church.  

I Chronicles 4:10 says: " Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request."

In the book one is challenged to describe the best thing that happened to you in the last three months.  James 1:17 states "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows".  

What would my life look like if I asked for blessing?

Jabez name means "Because I bore him in pain".  Jabez didn't let his hurtful past or unpromising present keep him from asking God for a huge blessing.  We typically see our negative life experciences as a disadvantage that God can't use, nor will He bless.  Do you sometimes feel unworthy of His calling on your life?  Do you feel like nobody cares or sees you?  Many times that will affect how we see God.

What would my life look like if God enlarged my territory?

What keeps me from reaching more territory?  The territory could be your family, church, business, school or community.  God is ready to expand our territory for a purpose, so we have more influence for HIM.  How does this line up with Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

My territory = my spheres of influence = my potential ministry

Everyone has a ministry, did you get that?  EVERYONE!  Bruce states that "God carefully crafted you for a specific purpose.  When you pray for God to enlarge your ministry, He usually matches opportunities to your gifts and talents, if you were to describe the way the Lord could use you most effectively for Him what would it be?  

In Matthew 28:19-20  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

That being said, I have exciting news.  I received a text on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, just the kind of text I like to receive, especially this time of the year!

Vision trips are back on.  I will get email from Anita in the next couple of days.  They are doing it differently this year.  I will be in phase 1 since my trip in 2020 was cancelled.  I will have the opportunity to chose from 1 of 5 trips depending on dates, finances for my schedule.  I will have one week to pray about it, then phase 2 opens and others get to choose from trips as well.

Then, later this afternoon I received the following email.

Dear Barbra,

We are so excited that you will have the opportunity to participate in a 2024 Vision Trip!

Our goal for Vision Trips is to allow you to observe how God is using trained Ministry Partners to share the Gospel message, utilizing Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts and discipleship materials. This makes it unlike a mission trip or distribution trip.

As a reminder, because your 2020 Vision Trip was cancelled, you will have one week to register for the Vision Trip before registration opens to the rest of the 200+ volunteers. You will receive a registration email during the week of October 9^th, inviting you to select the trip you would like to participate in (all locations, dates, and costs are below). You will have until Nov. 10 to register or decline the invitation, but please note that all trips will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and once a trip is full, it will be closed.

Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago

Lima, Peru

Quito, Ecuador

Nairobi, Kenya

Asuncion, Paraguay

My choice is highlighted in Green.  I have always wanted to go to Kenya since I can remember.  I know that this area of the world needs Jesus and there is so much persecution for Christians in the neighboring countries.  

I covet your prayers as I prepare for this journey in life and how the Lord is preparing me for HIS plans in my life.

Stress, Monkey and Circus's

Have you ever felt like you were in the middle of undue stress only because others are not doing what they need to do, or should be doing, and they are trying to put everything on you for you to solve a situation?

I have felt that way for a couple weeks now.  Very frustrating, but those who know me know that when my mind is made up it takes a lot to change it, and it is the Lord who changes it, not caving into a situation.  My yes is yes and my no is no.  

I will not take on another's responsibilities or actions that they need to take.  

I feel like this has been a motto for a couple years now.  

What do you do when you feel that you are being pulled into a circus?  

I will say that yes, I have monkey's, we all do to some extent.  

The difference?  My monkey's fly and soar, in confined cages.  I try not to put my monkey's on other people for them to resolve issues for me.  My monkey's = my responsibility, not yours.

I take my monkey's to the Lord.  Why?  Because he knows the best way to deal with the monkey's in my life.   

On another note, this year my word has been perseverance and boy have I been tested with persevering in all circumstances.  

Some dreams that I would like to persevere after, one day these will come to fruition, just need to get my monkey's off my back to get my focus and vision back.

• Going back to school to get my Masters Degree, not sure what area I want that to be in.  I've thought about getting my degree in Missiology or Theology.  I originally started that degree in the early 90's working towards a bachelor's degree and that got side tracked.  
• Going back to school to get a Certificates in Security or Auditing Compliance.
• The ability to travel, both for personal desires and to share the gospel message