July 7 2011

Hi everyone

I was seeking some encouragement as some of my hopes and dreams seem far away. I came across this from Rick Warren et alia

There is an old legend about Satan one day having a garage sale. He thought he'd get rid of some of his old tools that were cluttering up the place. So there was gossip, slander, adultery, lying, greed, power-hunger, and more laid out on the tables. Interested buyers were crowding the tables, curious, handling the goods.

One customer, however, strolled way back in the garage and found on a shelf a well-oiled and cared-for tool. He brought it out to Satan and inquired if it was for sale.

 "Oh, no!" Satan answered. "That's my tool. Without it I couldn't wreck the church! It's my secret weapon!"

"But what is it?" the customer inquired.

"It's the tool of discouragement," the devil said.

Discouragement is one of the main things that can destroy our faith and life.

What can cause discouragement?

Fatigue: When you are physically or emotionally exhausted, you are a prime candidate to be infected with discouragement. Your defences are lowered and things can seem bleaker than they really are. This often occurs when you are halfway through a major project and you get tired.

Frustration: When unfinished tasks pile up, it's natural to feel overwhelmed. And when trivial matters or the unexpected interrupt you and prevent you from accomplishing what you really need to do, your frustration can easily produce discouragement.

Failure: Sometimes, your best laid plans fall apart -- the project collapses -- the deal falls through -- no one shows up to the event. How do you react? Do you give in to self-pity? Do you blame others? As one man said, "Just when I think I can makes ends meet -- somebody moves the ends! That's discouraging!

Fear: Fear is behind more discouragement than we'd like to admit. The fear of criticism (What will they think?); the fear of responsibility (What if I can't handle this?); and the fear of failure (What if I blow it?) can cause a major onset of the blues.

How do you overcome discouragement?

WHAT'S THE CURE FOR DISCOURAGEMENT? There's a fascinating story in the Bible about how a guy named Nehemiah mobilized the residents of Jerusalem to build a wall around the entire city. Half way through the project, the citizens became discouraged and wanted to give up -- because of the FOUR causes I've given. Here's what Nehemiah taught about defeating discouragement (Nehemiah 4):

REST YOUR BODY: If you need a break -- take one! You'll be more effective when you return to work. If ou're burning the candle at both ends, you're not as bright as you think!

REORGANIZE YOUR LIFE: Discouragement doesn't necessarily mean you are doing the wrong thing. It may just be that you are doing the right thing in the wrong way. Try a new approach. Shake things up a little.

REMEMBER GOD WILL HELP YOU: Just ask Him. He can give you new energy. There is incredible motivating power in faith.

RESIST THE DISCOURAGEMENT: Fight back! Discouragement is a choice. If you feel discouraged, it's because you’ve chosen to feel that way. No one is forcing you to feel bad. Hang on! Do what's right in spite of your feelings. No feeling lasts forever.

REMEMBER: Discouragement is dissatisfaction with the past, distaste for the present, and distrust of the future. It is ingratitude for the blessings of yesterday, indifference to the opportunities of today, and insecurity regarding strength for tomorrow. It is unawareness of the presence of beauty, unconcern for the needs of our fellowman, and unbelief in the promises of old. It is impatience with time, immaturity of thought, and impoliteness to God. (William Ward).

We all get discourage from time to time as things do not work out as we think it should. But when we look to Jesus, we get courage to press into Him and press on! Remember discourage is courage with dis in front. Remove the dis and what does it leave? COURAGE!!!!!

If you are discouraged, then you have courage but you just need to remove the dis!

India: We have received $1000 in donations so far. We are very thankful. I have just found out the category that we must apply for our visas: missionary. The cost depends upon our length of stay and is more than a tourist visa. We need to pray that our visas will be processed quickly. I will be going to Brisbane to apply for them this Tuesday. The churches to which we are going need to have permission to conduct the meetings. These are prayer points.

Ministry: We are blessed to see Jesus bring healing to our clients. One client has just replied about the huge change in her after one ministry session. She is now eating and believing that she is thin! Other clients report the healing and changes that Jesus is doing in their lives. We are grateful to God for His healing power.

Healing Rooms: We are struggling to find personnel to be willing to be a part of this ministry. Three people have health issues and have waylaid them for a few weeks. We press on with whom we have. The exciting news is how one person is praying for his sick lawn bowling mates and God is healing them!

Twin Towns Church: The “swallows” are coming from the south to join us for the winter. Our attendances increase at this time. We are pressing in to what God may want to do with our church. We are still seeking active people, some who are musical, to join and develop our life. Some of our faithful people are now having health issues which means changes in their life and lifestyle.

We thank you for your support and prayers.

Prayer Points

• Thank God that he encourages us when we feel down and discouraged.
• Thank God that He continues to heal people.
• Thank God for the new clients that are referred to Walking Free.
• Pray for the ministry of Pastor Devadas as he ministers to Hindu people in villages in Andhra Pradesh, India. Pray for Rev Sambabu and his church. Pray for converts and healings. Pray for finances to be released for our visit in November.
• Pray for new people to become prayer team members. Pray for a team to be established at Coolangatta.
• Pray for Coolangatta church as it seeks to be open to the leading of God
• Pray for our prayer teams: Hal and Debbie, Robyn and Jamie, Jenny, Liz and myself. Pray for our support people Desley, Jenny, Craig, Rod and Jamie.
• Thank God for the financial provision of this ministry. We are grateful to the many that are obedient and give to our ministry weekly, monthly and one off. We have been blessed with gifts of merchandise and money, computers and printing. We have been blessed with many talented and gifted people who give of their time, talent and treasure each week to help this ministry have a Kingdom impact.