By Cheri Bunch
When my children were little, it seemed like I was always replying with those three words to one of my kids.
My son, Luke, age 4 at the time, once replied back, “Mom, do you mean your minute or my minute?”
Our minutes were different. My minute was very long to him. Do you know that child got my attention and I tended to his needs right away?
Have you noticed that the Lord says “Just a minute” sometimes? He does not seem to get in a hurry. I think He desires to be known as the God of “just in the nick of time!” He desires to get all the glory for His work. When it is just in time, it testifies to the world that it had to be Him. So, sometimes we must wait.
Sometimes when I am waiting on the Lord for an answer to prayer, I just want to say, “Lord, I know you said to wait just a minute, but is it Your minute or my minute we are talking about here?” His minutes seem so much longer to me. Sometimes His minutes test my heart. Sometimes His minutes are necessary to carry out a bigger plan. But sometimes I begin to wonder if He doesn’t delight in watching me sweat a bit! (Big smile.)
Several times David prayed: “Make haste, O Lord, make haste!” Please allow me to paraphrase, “Hurry up, Lord! Now would be a good time! This minute! My minute, Lord!”
If the man after God’s own heart can petition for the Lord to expedite the situation, then I think we can as well.
Below are some petitions that were intended to speed up the Lord’s intervention.
Psalm 38:22 “Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation” (NKJV). (My paraphrase is, “Remember, Lord, You are my Savior!”)
Psalm 40:13 “Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me!” (NKJV).
Psalm 141:1 “Lord, I cry out to You, Make haste to me! Give ear to my voice when I cry to You” (NKJV).
Have you been praying for a situation for a very long time? Perhaps the Spirit is prompting you to ask for the Lord to hurry things up a bit.
Let’s pray together: Lord, we have been waiting to witness Your mighty arm of deliverance. Would You please come quickly and do Your work as only You can? We trust You, Lord. Your timing is perfect. We know our times are in Your hand. Your children wait for You. All love to you, Sweet Jesus! Amen.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
A Bigger Reason
By Cheri Bunch
Going out for football for the first time in your senior year of high school is probably not the best idea. If you want to get to play at all, that is. A lot of people were encouraging our son, Josiah (a senior), that he should play. He is a big guy and would surely be an asset to the team. He likes football, so he decided to give it a shot.
He was picked to play defense on the second string, which means he doesn’t get to play much, if at all. Day after day, Josiah goes to practice, runs extra laps if the team is punished for penalties, works hard and comes home knowing that he probably will stand on the sidelines at game time, watching his team win or lose.
It is hard, even mundane. He would rather be out there playing every minute of the game, or if not every minute, he would settle even for a couple of minutes of playing time.
He wears a shroud of heaviness after a game. I try to break the silence with positive comments like, “I am so proud of you! It is hard to stay in there when you don’t get to play. Your commitment to the team will pay off.”
Taking the field under the big lights on Friday nights would be a high for Josiah, but he has a bigger reason for playing football. He wants to go into the Navy and become a Seal. He knows that it will be tough and he must physically prepare himself for the application tests. Football is a great way to get into shape.
To persevere spiritually when all is going well and we are in the limelight, with everyone watching and applauding our success, proves beneficial. Persevering when no one is watching, or at least noticing, or calling us out to “perform,” reveals to us and to the Lord that we have a higher purpose, a greater cause, an eternal reason beyond the glory of the spotlight.
I have a plaque hanging above the shower head in my shower that reads: “A person’s true character is revealed by what he does when he thinks no one is watching.”
There will be moments of spotlighted glory for a few of us, but the majority of our days on this eternal journey will be spent serving the Lord and our families during the mundane, hidden hours of life. For this reason, it is imperative that we have a bigger, eternal purpose and recognize that serving is the higher calling and perseverance will be rewarded.
For me, I am finding it difficult to watch Josiah wait on the sidelines at the football games hoping that he will get to play. I want him to get to go in and show his stuff! But I have to keep in mind there is a bigger purpose, a more important goal, something greater to be gained from his experience. His dedication will not be without reward. He will gain endurance, he will grow in perseverance, he will be disciplined, and he will grow in compassion. So I am choosing to rejoice in what will be gained and realize a larger purpose is being fulfilled.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 (The Message)
“This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that’s left now is the shouting--God’s applause! Depend on it, he’s an honest judge. He’ll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming.”
Going out for football for the first time in your senior year of high school is probably not the best idea. If you want to get to play at all, that is. A lot of people were encouraging our son, Josiah (a senior), that he should play. He is a big guy and would surely be an asset to the team. He likes football, so he decided to give it a shot.
He was picked to play defense on the second string, which means he doesn’t get to play much, if at all. Day after day, Josiah goes to practice, runs extra laps if the team is punished for penalties, works hard and comes home knowing that he probably will stand on the sidelines at game time, watching his team win or lose.
It is hard, even mundane. He would rather be out there playing every minute of the game, or if not every minute, he would settle even for a couple of minutes of playing time.
He wears a shroud of heaviness after a game. I try to break the silence with positive comments like, “I am so proud of you! It is hard to stay in there when you don’t get to play. Your commitment to the team will pay off.”
Taking the field under the big lights on Friday nights would be a high for Josiah, but he has a bigger reason for playing football. He wants to go into the Navy and become a Seal. He knows that it will be tough and he must physically prepare himself for the application tests. Football is a great way to get into shape.
To persevere spiritually when all is going well and we are in the limelight, with everyone watching and applauding our success, proves beneficial. Persevering when no one is watching, or at least noticing, or calling us out to “perform,” reveals to us and to the Lord that we have a higher purpose, a greater cause, an eternal reason beyond the glory of the spotlight.
I have a plaque hanging above the shower head in my shower that reads: “A person’s true character is revealed by what he does when he thinks no one is watching.”
There will be moments of spotlighted glory for a few of us, but the majority of our days on this eternal journey will be spent serving the Lord and our families during the mundane, hidden hours of life. For this reason, it is imperative that we have a bigger, eternal purpose and recognize that serving is the higher calling and perseverance will be rewarded.
For me, I am finding it difficult to watch Josiah wait on the sidelines at the football games hoping that he will get to play. I want him to get to go in and show his stuff! But I have to keep in mind there is a bigger purpose, a more important goal, something greater to be gained from his experience. His dedication will not be without reward. He will gain endurance, he will grow in perseverance, he will be disciplined, and he will grow in compassion. So I am choosing to rejoice in what will be gained and realize a larger purpose is being fulfilled.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 (The Message)
“This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that’s left now is the shouting--God’s applause! Depend on it, he’s an honest judge. He’ll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming.”
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Hair
By Cheri Bunch
As parents, we should choose our battles wisely . . . especially when it comes to hair!
Our son Caleb has long hair. Everywhere that he goes, people think that he looks like Jesus. The truth is that he resembles the Hollywood version of Jesus. He has beautiful piercing blue eyes that seem to see right into your inner most being. He has a gentle spirit, very loving, so kind and compassionate. Most of the time, Caleb acts like Jesus!
Caleb was called to the mission field at a very young age and has served many places in the world. One of his favorite mission sites is in Brazil.
One day Caleb was waiting for a bus in Brazil. A family was sitting on the ground also waiting for a bus, but they were having a supper of cheese and crackers as they waited. A little girl in the family noticed Caleb and began to beckon him, “Come, come, you must come and eat with us!”
The little girl’s daddy frowned at her, but his look of disdain did not deter her. “Please, oh, won’t you please come and eat with us. We want to share with you!” The little girl’s daddy shook his head “No.”
She would not stop, “Hey, come here and eat with my family!”
Her daddy finally spoke, “Honey, we cannot feed every stranger that comes along!”
She replied, “Daddy, he can make more!”
She thought Caleb was Jesus.
When Caleb was in high school, there were battles over his hair. Board meetings were held at the Christian school, meetings that went late into the night, to determine if his sideburns were too long.
I was wondering what you might think of this. Do we, as Christians, major on minors? Do we make a big deal out of hair, clothes, rules, etc., and totally miss the point?
Caleb is getting married in October. His hair will be long. I would love for him to get it cut for the wedding. That is what I want. But you know, there might be someone at the wedding that needs a visual of Jesus . . . to be reminded!
What are your thoughts?
As parents, we should choose our battles wisely . . . especially when it comes to hair!
Our son Caleb has long hair. Everywhere that he goes, people think that he looks like Jesus. The truth is that he resembles the Hollywood version of Jesus. He has beautiful piercing blue eyes that seem to see right into your inner most being. He has a gentle spirit, very loving, so kind and compassionate. Most of the time, Caleb acts like Jesus!
Caleb was called to the mission field at a very young age and has served many places in the world. One of his favorite mission sites is in Brazil.
One day Caleb was waiting for a bus in Brazil. A family was sitting on the ground also waiting for a bus, but they were having a supper of cheese and crackers as they waited. A little girl in the family noticed Caleb and began to beckon him, “Come, come, you must come and eat with us!”
The little girl’s daddy frowned at her, but his look of disdain did not deter her. “Please, oh, won’t you please come and eat with us. We want to share with you!” The little girl’s daddy shook his head “No.”
She would not stop, “Hey, come here and eat with my family!”
Her daddy finally spoke, “Honey, we cannot feed every stranger that comes along!”
She replied, “Daddy, he can make more!”
She thought Caleb was Jesus.
When Caleb was in high school, there were battles over his hair. Board meetings were held at the Christian school, meetings that went late into the night, to determine if his sideburns were too long.
I was wondering what you might think of this. Do we, as Christians, major on minors? Do we make a big deal out of hair, clothes, rules, etc., and totally miss the point?
Caleb is getting married in October. His hair will be long. I would love for him to get it cut for the wedding. That is what I want. But you know, there might be someone at the wedding that needs a visual of Jesus . . . to be reminded!
What are your thoughts?
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Possibility
By Cheri Bunch
There is one word that the enemy hates. When we use the word “possible” it is like holding a firey shield in his face. When he launches his firey darts at our shields of faith he can hardly see to shoot straight. His flaming darts are extinguished when they hit the shields of our faith.
However, he thrives on the word “impossible.” He would love to get this powerful word launched from his arsenal into our minds so that it could begin to douse our shield of faith until the fire no longer remains and our shield loses its power against him.
After the word impossible has taken root in our minds, then he can launch the words “unable,” “loser,” “too weak,” “hopeless,” “I can’t,” etc. We must remember the words of Jesus and not let these despairing words take over our thoughts.
Let’s meditate on these words of Jesus:
“But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26, NKJV).
“Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23, NKJV).
“And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will” (Mark 14:36, NKJV).
Even before Jesus went to the Cross, He reminded the Father that with Him all things are possible. All things!
How is your shield of faith doing? Is it glowing bright hurting the enemy’s eyes, discouraging his aim? Is your mind filled with thoughts that “all things are possible with God”?
It is so easy to lose hope and let despair take over when our marriage is being threatened, when a child wanders, when illness afflicts, when conflict arises, when finances are shaken. Our minds can easily slip into fearful mode. Our faith wanes and we begin to wonder . . .
“Can our marriage survive?”
“Will my child come back to faith?”
“Can there be healing?”
“Can this relationship possibly be restored?”
“Will God provide?”
It is such a challenge because the enemy does not want us to have faith! He keeps launching his favorite word “impossible” at us. We don’t have to embrace that word! We can refuse to let it in by refusing to think it, say it, and especially believe it! Launch your favorite word back at him by saying, “It IS possible!” Say it, pray it, sing it, think it and believe it!.
Our enemy gets weary when challenged by this kind of faith. Let’s not allow him to wear us down! Let’s be on the offense and wear him down. Let’s keep these words ringing in our minds: “with God all things are possible!”
There is one word that the enemy hates. When we use the word “possible” it is like holding a firey shield in his face. When he launches his firey darts at our shields of faith he can hardly see to shoot straight. His flaming darts are extinguished when they hit the shields of our faith.
However, he thrives on the word “impossible.” He would love to get this powerful word launched from his arsenal into our minds so that it could begin to douse our shield of faith until the fire no longer remains and our shield loses its power against him.
After the word impossible has taken root in our minds, then he can launch the words “unable,” “loser,” “too weak,” “hopeless,” “I can’t,” etc. We must remember the words of Jesus and not let these despairing words take over our thoughts.
Let’s meditate on these words of Jesus:
“But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26, NKJV).
“Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23, NKJV).
“And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will” (Mark 14:36, NKJV).
Even before Jesus went to the Cross, He reminded the Father that with Him all things are possible. All things!
How is your shield of faith doing? Is it glowing bright hurting the enemy’s eyes, discouraging his aim? Is your mind filled with thoughts that “all things are possible with God”?
It is so easy to lose hope and let despair take over when our marriage is being threatened, when a child wanders, when illness afflicts, when conflict arises, when finances are shaken. Our minds can easily slip into fearful mode. Our faith wanes and we begin to wonder . . .
“Can our marriage survive?”
“Will my child come back to faith?”
“Can there be healing?”
“Can this relationship possibly be restored?”
“Will God provide?”
It is such a challenge because the enemy does not want us to have faith! He keeps launching his favorite word “impossible” at us. We don’t have to embrace that word! We can refuse to let it in by refusing to think it, say it, and especially believe it! Launch your favorite word back at him by saying, “It IS possible!” Say it, pray it, sing it, think it and believe it!.
Our enemy gets weary when challenged by this kind of faith. Let’s not allow him to wear us down! Let’s be on the offense and wear him down. Let’s keep these words ringing in our minds: “with God all things are possible!”
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
God is with You as You Fight
By Cheri Bunch
Believing God is a powerful weapon against our enemy. The Lord has given us many promises in His Word, but we must combine our faith with them and BELIEVE that they are true. We must believe that His promises are for us.
When our faith rises in the enemy’s face, it is exhausting for him. He can see that our shield of faith is in place and all of his darts of fire are going to be extinguished. He gets weary of launching weapons that fail. His tenacity begins to wane. His plans will fail, because he becomes discouraged by our persistence.
Sometimes there is a wrestling match involved in our fight. The enemy does not just instantly let go, because he wants us to wear us down and wear out. We have to speak words that make our faith rise up. We must sing songs throughout the day, songs that have words of power, to make our faith rise up. We have to pray to make our faith rise up. We must have the fellowship of other believers to give us a boost by believing with us, agreeing in prayer with us and encouraging us with the Word.
We are in a war and are called to be soldiers. We cannot let down and ask Satan for détente so we can relax and ease the fight. We have to fight through until we see the victory. When victory comes, we must never let that shield of faith down, even for a moment. Why? Because our enemy is always looking for opportunities of weakness.
What have you believed God for? What battle have you wrestled through until the end? When we are fighting the good fight of faith, our God is fighting with us. Isn’t that good news? God is with us when we are fighting a good fight.
I have a word for some of you, “Rise up sister; take up your shield, believe God and fight a good fight!”
Believe until you see, then rejoice and praise your God for giving you the grace to believe!
Believing God is a powerful weapon against our enemy. The Lord has given us many promises in His Word, but we must combine our faith with them and BELIEVE that they are true. We must believe that His promises are for us.
When our faith rises in the enemy’s face, it is exhausting for him. He can see that our shield of faith is in place and all of his darts of fire are going to be extinguished. He gets weary of launching weapons that fail. His tenacity begins to wane. His plans will fail, because he becomes discouraged by our persistence.
Sometimes there is a wrestling match involved in our fight. The enemy does not just instantly let go, because he wants us to wear us down and wear out. We have to speak words that make our faith rise up. We must sing songs throughout the day, songs that have words of power, to make our faith rise up. We have to pray to make our faith rise up. We must have the fellowship of other believers to give us a boost by believing with us, agreeing in prayer with us and encouraging us with the Word.
We are in a war and are called to be soldiers. We cannot let down and ask Satan for détente so we can relax and ease the fight. We have to fight through until we see the victory. When victory comes, we must never let that shield of faith down, even for a moment. Why? Because our enemy is always looking for opportunities of weakness.
What have you believed God for? What battle have you wrestled through until the end? When we are fighting the good fight of faith, our God is fighting with us. Isn’t that good news? God is with us when we are fighting a good fight.
I have a word for some of you, “Rise up sister; take up your shield, believe God and fight a good fight!”
Believe until you see, then rejoice and praise your God for giving you the grace to believe!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
24/7
By Cheri Bunch
“Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart ” (Jeremiah 24:7, NKJV).
Someone out there has a prodigal. Are you discouraged? Have you lost hope? Are you worn down, worn out and tired of waiting? I have a word of hope for you.
Jeremiah 24:7 says, “Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.”
Will YOU believe this for your child?
Please do not tuck this Word away in your pocket, or in your Bible, or even under your pillow. Deposit this Word into your heart. Do not stop believing that your child will come home. Ask for grace to be like the Prodigal Son’s father who waited by the open door of his house waiting for his son to return. Why did he wait? He was expecting his son to come home. He knew that he would return! He was going to be ready for him. The welcome mat was out and his arms were open. He waited until he saw that for which he had believed.
The Lord gave this word to the prophet Jeremiah to speak to His rebellious children. Ask Him to give it to you for your rebellious child. If we will join forces with Him and His Word, we will be well equipped to fight a good fight, defeat our enemy and see our child come back home to the Lord.
My word of hope for you is 24/7. Put Jeremiah 24:7 in your heart today and let it empower you with faith to believe for your child’s return.
“Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart ” (Jeremiah 24:7, NKJV).
Someone out there has a prodigal. Are you discouraged? Have you lost hope? Are you worn down, worn out and tired of waiting? I have a word of hope for you.
Jeremiah 24:7 says, “Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.”
Will YOU believe this for your child?
Please do not tuck this Word away in your pocket, or in your Bible, or even under your pillow. Deposit this Word into your heart. Do not stop believing that your child will come home. Ask for grace to be like the Prodigal Son’s father who waited by the open door of his house waiting for his son to return. Why did he wait? He was expecting his son to come home. He knew that he would return! He was going to be ready for him. The welcome mat was out and his arms were open. He waited until he saw that for which he had believed.
The Lord gave this word to the prophet Jeremiah to speak to His rebellious children. Ask Him to give it to you for your rebellious child. If we will join forces with Him and His Word, we will be well equipped to fight a good fight, defeat our enemy and see our child come back home to the Lord.
My word of hope for you is 24/7. Put Jeremiah 24:7 in your heart today and let it empower you with faith to believe for your child’s return.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Be Anxious for Nothing
By Kandace Rather
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6,7 NKJV).
I have a confession. It took me some time to arrive at a place in my prayer life at which I was able to pray from a posture of faith rather than fear. More often than not I would end my prayer time without any peace and no sense of resolution in my heart about the situation for which I was praying. Most of my prayers were centered around what I was "feeling" and "seeing" in the natural, rather than the truth in His Word. Even now, I have to catch myself if I begin to feel anxious about circumstances that I see coming, or situations I find myself in with one of my children.
It's no surprise that the enemy has even found a way to distort our prayer times. He knows if he can get us fearful and anxious that we will lack the confidence we need to come to His throne room boldly and seek grace in our time of need.
As the Holy Spirit began to reveal to me the truth about praying the Word of God over my children, my confidence grew and my prayers were filled with faith; the result was walking in His peace that surpassed all my natural understanding. Taking His Word and turning it into intercession has become my primary prayer language!
Yes, I do still have times where I just fall of my knees and pour my heart out to Him about how I am “feeling,” but even in those times, I make it my aim to declare, even as David did at the conclusion of Psalm 42:5,
“Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance” (NKJV).
David begins this verse with the confession that his soul is disturbed--he is not in denial about how he feels; however, he quickly tells his soul what to do in the face of despair
. . . to hope in God! We can have hope when we come to God in prayer, with thanksgiving in our heart as we make our requests known to Him. Our hope is rooted and grounded in His love for us and for our children. As we spend time in His Word, sitting at His feet and quieting our soul, peace will come. We can then have a confident resolve in our hearts that He hears us, He cares and He will move in response to our intercession.
I encourage you to take some time this week and ask the Holy Spirit to give you specific Scriptures to begin praying over your children. He will be faithful to show you what is on His heart, revealing those things to you for which Jesus is already making intercession for your family. When we come into agreement with His will, we have to only wait to see the fulfillment that will soon come to pass.
PRAYER: Father, thank You for teaching us how to pray. We choose to turn to Your Word for hope and not merely rely on our feelings or what we see in the natural. Your tender love for us and our children gives us hope even in the darkest times. May this week be filled with a peace that passes all understanding as we come before You in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving in our hearts! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6,7 NKJV).
I have a confession. It took me some time to arrive at a place in my prayer life at which I was able to pray from a posture of faith rather than fear. More often than not I would end my prayer time without any peace and no sense of resolution in my heart about the situation for which I was praying. Most of my prayers were centered around what I was "feeling" and "seeing" in the natural, rather than the truth in His Word. Even now, I have to catch myself if I begin to feel anxious about circumstances that I see coming, or situations I find myself in with one of my children.
It's no surprise that the enemy has even found a way to distort our prayer times. He knows if he can get us fearful and anxious that we will lack the confidence we need to come to His throne room boldly and seek grace in our time of need.
As the Holy Spirit began to reveal to me the truth about praying the Word of God over my children, my confidence grew and my prayers were filled with faith; the result was walking in His peace that surpassed all my natural understanding. Taking His Word and turning it into intercession has become my primary prayer language!
Yes, I do still have times where I just fall of my knees and pour my heart out to Him about how I am “feeling,” but even in those times, I make it my aim to declare, even as David did at the conclusion of Psalm 42:5,
“Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance” (NKJV).
David begins this verse with the confession that his soul is disturbed--he is not in denial about how he feels; however, he quickly tells his soul what to do in the face of despair
. . . to hope in God! We can have hope when we come to God in prayer, with thanksgiving in our heart as we make our requests known to Him. Our hope is rooted and grounded in His love for us and for our children. As we spend time in His Word, sitting at His feet and quieting our soul, peace will come. We can then have a confident resolve in our hearts that He hears us, He cares and He will move in response to our intercession.
I encourage you to take some time this week and ask the Holy Spirit to give you specific Scriptures to begin praying over your children. He will be faithful to show you what is on His heart, revealing those things to you for which Jesus is already making intercession for your family. When we come into agreement with His will, we have to only wait to see the fulfillment that will soon come to pass.
PRAYER: Father, thank You for teaching us how to pray. We choose to turn to Your Word for hope and not merely rely on our feelings or what we see in the natural. Your tender love for us and our children gives us hope even in the darkest times. May this week be filled with a peace that passes all understanding as we come before You in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving in our hearts! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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