Here we are at the start of another Presidential Election Cycle. Without a doubt, the elections are always very important. Therefore, it is so  critically urgent that we set our hearts and minds to be in prayer for our elections for God’s will and providence be extended as a result over our nation.

1 Timothy 2:1-4  (NIV)

2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+tim+2%3A1-4&version=NIV>

There is spiritual warfare out there between two Kingdoms, with two very different sets of ideologies. The two Kingdoms are the Kingdom of God (Kingdom of Light – A spiritual force for good) and the Kingdom of this World (Kingdom of Darkness – A spiritual force for evil).

Are we going to see the Kingdom of God (Kingdom of Light) advance as we pray and intercede faithfully for our country and its leaders, or are we going to see the Kingdom of the World (Kingdom of Darkness) advance?

For this purpose, I would like to set out a clarion call for all the Saints to be in prayer for our elections. Consequently, it is up to us as a body of believers to be in prayer for our elections. Subsequently you and i need to exercise our faith for God’s Kingdom (the Kingdom of Light) to triumph. As we intercede and pray for our elections, know that we need to enter into spiritual warfare to see God’s will accomplished.

The Platforms:

In the United States there are two pre-dominant platforms, the Democratic Platform and the Republican Platform. I encourage you to read up on the platforms, and see which closely aligns with the Bible.

We are at the beginning stages of the election cycle. Consequently, we will begin to hear the prospective candidates speak of their vision for the country. Then they will tell us how they intend to they are going to lead. Subsequently, we need to be in prayer for our elections and seek discernment as a result, to decide which candidate most aligns with which Kingdom’s ideologies.

Undoubtedly, we need to decide which platform and ideology do we agree with?  To be sure we need to know which candidate under which platform most aligns with the Bible as we continue to be in prayer for our elections.

It is true that there are no perfect people, so therefore there will be no perfect candidate! To put it another way, “For all have sinned and have come short of God’s glory” as the Bible says. That is to say that at this stage of a Candidates life they all will have baggage, and some perhaps will have character issues that can and will offend many as a result. But, the question I want to ask as we continue in prayer for our elections is, “Has this stopped God from moving in favor in the past? Especially when he hears His people earnestly pray?”

To illustrate this, King David, who God Himself has said was “A man after His own heart,” was a  calculating, coldblooded, brutal, ruthless, heartless, premeditating murderer. Additionally, he was a covetous wife stealing adulterer (who by this time had many wives and concubines). Besides this he also was a two faced liar. Nonetheless, he has gone down in history as being one of the greatest and most celebrated leaders in all of Israel, in whose lineage our Blessed Redeemer – Jesus has come more importantly.

For this purpose we need to pay attention to the Political Platform a Candidate is standing upon as we are in prayer for our elections. That is to say we need to listen to what the Candidate is saying. Pray for discernment as you and I continue our prayer for our elections.

As you listen critically, enter into prayer for our elections. Simultaneously, enter into spiritual warfare and then intercede for our Nation by:

• Putting on the Armor of God and then engage in intercession
• Confess the sins of our Nation to God
• Ask for His mercy and grace
• Commanding the Spirit of the Age and his demonic hordes to stand down
• To allow the Angels or our Lord to go forth and to do their job
• Pleading for God to do His will in our great Nation.

Hence it is the believer that needs to stand in the gap and exercise authority as they enter into prayer for our elections, before God will move on our behalf. For this purpose God in fact has given you, the believer the authority here on this earth. To reign as Kings in life as the Bible says.

Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 

14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+6%3A10-18&version=NIV>

Judges:

More importantly in my mind are the Judges undoubtedly! To illustrate this, whoever is elected will set the tone by their Judicial picks for at least one generation that is for the next 30+ years. To rephrase this, these Judges are crucial in setting the course of the nation. Most importantly there have been many times when the will of the people has been subverted due to the decisions of Judges.

Kermit Bridges in his article entitled “Judicial Activism and The U.S. Supreme Court” does a good job to illustrate this point.

JUDICIAL ACTIVISM AND THE U.S. SUPREME COURT

 Published: May 25, 2016

    Thought Leader: Kermit Bridges, D.Min.

 VIEW BIOGRAPHY  SCHEDULE FOR AN EVENT

One of the biggest issues in presidential elections today is often overlooked by voters. I’m referring to judicial activism, particularly in the Supreme Court and federal courts, which increasingly condone immorality and restrict religious liberty. This is significant because the president appoints all federal justices.

History of Judicial Activism

In the early 1960s justices on the Supreme Court discovered a way to subvert the will of the people and began overturning existing laws and creating new laws. No one has the power to remove them from office since they are appointed for life.

Prayer in Schools: 1962 marked the first of several cases in the 60s and 70s in which the Supreme Court banned voluntary prayer in schools (Approximately one generation later we had the first of many mass shootings in schools with Columbine incident happening in 1997 – my personal input here). 1971 marked the first of countless rulings excluding religious speech from more and more areas of life.

Public monuments, displays of the Ten Commandments, prayer at school events, or even a “moment of silence,” were now considered in violation of the First Amendment.

The First Amendment states:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

This was to prohibit the establishment of a certain denomination as the official state religion. The term “separation of church and state” is not even found in the Constitution.

Asking a Roman Catholic priest or a Jewish rabbi to give an opening prayer at a football game is a far cry from “establishing” Roman Catholicism or Judaism as the official religion in the country.

The First amendment was never intended by the Founders to remove the people’s right to religious speech in public places.

Abortion: In 1973, the Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade overturned laws restricting or prohibiting abortion in all fifty states. The justices concocted a “right to privacy” from the Fourteenth Amendment, which was adopted in 1868 to ensure freed slaves enjoyed the rights of all citizens. The Fourteenth Amendment had nothing to do with abortion.

Since then, more than 50 million unborn children have been killed, and an additional 1.3 million are killed each year.

As many unborn babies are killed every single day as the total number of lives lost in the terrorist attacks on 9/11.

The Danger of Judicial Activism

Today, the Supreme Court has become, in actual function, the highest governing authority in the nation. The most important laws in the land are not made by the duly elected representatives who are closest to the people and accountable to the people. But by a group of justices who have never been elected by the people (and are accountable to no one).

Politicians who are committed to abortion on demand, removing all expressions of religion from the public square, and silencing any objection to homosexuality have come to realize that achieving these objectives can be accomplished more easily through the rulings of the courts rather than by convincing the people and their representatives to approve the changes.

For instance, did you know that since 1998, 32 states have allowed their citizens to vote on the issue of same-sex marriage and in every instance the voters retained marriage as a union between a man and a woman, yet the courts have consistently overturned the will of the people in these cases.

Presidential Elections and the Supreme Court

Whenever a Supreme Court justice retires or dies, the President nominates a replacement, and that person must be confirmed by the Senate. It is absolutely essential that our presidential candidates stand for Biblical/moral values and will appoint justices who share those values and are committed to the original intent of the Constitution.

Our choice for president will decide the direction of the Supreme Court, and thus, the direction of the nation. Your vote for president determines whether the Court shifts further away from the original intent of the Constitution or whether it moves back toward religious liberty and the Judeo-Christian values on which this nation was founded.

From <https://www.sagu.edu/thoughthub/judicial-activism-supreme-court-decisions>

The Meteoric Rise of Social Media Platforms:

Another reason to enter into prayer for our elections is the meteoric rise of Social Media Platforms. Because tribalism and mob mentality without doubt, has seriously affected the the court of public opinion (for example #metoo, #blacklivesmatter).

To clarify, Social media has become a powerful force in the lexicon of people’s minds therefore thoughts and ideas can go viral very quickly as a result. On account of emotionalized thought, ideas are circulated real time across the internet. Accordingly, emotional tribal bully pulpits are formed and subsequently used to shame those of differing opinions. Consequently shutting down of others by fear. Hence making them conform.

In fact the weaponizing social media platforms includes for example the “Doxxing” of people who do not share the same way of thinking. Subsequently those who do not agree will have their personal information such as home addresses, work place, telephone numbers et.al. as a result. Primarily inviting harassment and violence to those who do not conform to a set way of thinking (For example: Democratic Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro – who tweeted a list of his constituents who gave the max amount allowable by law to the Trump Presidential Campaign, $2.8K).

Consequently, there have been times when I’ve watched people appear to be manifesting demons as they flipped out, uncontrollably screaming, screeching, yelling, and over-reacting over some news or event on social media (for example: Outrage over Trumps Victory in 2016 and the rise of the Triggered SJW’s, and the violence of Antifa). Causing me to think “Really?” as a result.

Accordingly, President Trump chooses to use his Twitter account to get his views out to his 63 million Twitter subscribers to the chagrin of many as a result. Because he earnestly believes that the established media are purposely skewing his intents and purposes in a spiteful way. Additionally he doesn’t think they are telling the full truth and accuses them of creating Fake News in the end. Moreover, to further illustrate his point, according to an article on the website “Investor.com,” the news coverage over the course of his Presidency has been negative 92% of the time, for example.

https://www.investors.com/politics/editorials/media-trump-hatred-coverage/

The meteoric rise of Social Media and its effects on Americans simultaneously has effects on Judges and the Judicial System in the end. Especially where big tech (Google, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook) appears to be silencing the voice of conservatives with accusations of racism, homophobia, misogyny, terrorism, xenophobia etc. causing many to be de-platformed to shut them up, thereby violating their “Free Speech” as a result! At the same time they appear to encourage liberal progressive narrative for  “tolerance” for the LGBT communities, abortions on demand, third wave feminism, smashing the patriarchy, etc. Undoubtedly prayer for our elections is very critical indeed.

To illustrate this, in a part of an article written by Mark A. Cohen voices his opinion about Social Media’s in “The All-Out Assault On the Rule of Law.” In this article he speaks of the Judicial System needing to get involved to chiefly control the narrative for Social Media so that “The court of public opinion does not eclipse the judicial process …”

The All-Out Assault On The Rule Of Law

Mark A. CohenContributor 

Policy

Social Media’s Impact on The Rule of Law

 Social media serves many salutary purposes and poses challenges, too. Social media has created a powerful court of public opinion that threatens to undermine the judicial process as society’s arbiter of justice. Snippets of human interaction are captured on a smart phone or other device and go viral in minutes.

This creates an instant, powerful, quickly scalable, and often biased court of public opinion. Social media is unfettered by rules of evidence that weigh credibility, materiality, and prejudicial impact.

Social media is wildly popular because it is accessible, fast, unfiltered, and largely devoid of rules—the antithesis of the deliberate-often snail like pace of the judicial process. Social media has become a people’s court, shaping public opinion by providing a snapshot rather than a montage of human interaction and lacking truth filters.

Social media also can serve as a global bullhorn for ‘leaks,’ misinformation, and propaganda. There are no easy fixes. Technologists, social scientists, media experts, legislators, and lawyers—among others– must create inter-disciplinary guardrails for social media to insure—among other things—that it does not subvert the judicial process. Social media is a new frontier in establishing appropriate boundaries for free speech as well as ensuring that the court of public opinion does not eclipse the judicial process as the arbiter of the social contract.

From <https://www.forbes.com/sites/markcohen1/2017/02/20/the-all-out-assault-on-the-rule-of-law/#1a4dd16c77af>

As I was thinking on this at length, my thoughts were “Oh my goodness, could you imagine what would have happened in David’s day if social media existed after all when he committed some of these ugly heinous crimes and sins? What would have been said in addition to the viral thread? How would this have shaped public opinion of David and his Kingdom subsequent to the revelation. Would the people of Israel have rejected David as King in the end?”

However, we do have it recorded in the Word what happened when the Israelites in mass refused God’s command in the end. Where the Israelites notwithstanding chose to bow to the court of public opinion and went against God’s will on account of unbelief on their part. Because the 10 spies effectively discouraged the people of Israel from going to war to take the land of Canaan. In contrast with the 2 spies who were trying to encourage the people follow through.

Nonetheless, as believers we are directed not to conform to the pattern of this world. That is to say, we cannot allow ourselves to cower in fear to others as a result. To put it another way we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds as stated in Romans 12.

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A1-2&version=NIV>

As we enter in prayer for our elections and intercede, we need to be sure to bind lying spirits, the spirits of rebellion, spirits of sexual immorality, spirits of darkness of all kinds from blinding our fellow Americans through Social Media. Consequently causing them to succumb and conform to the court of public opinion. On the account of fear and shame causing to miss God’s best for our generation as a result. Therefore we need to enter into prayer for our elections so that the people’s hearts and minds are transformed to God’s in the end.

Leading Democrats:

At this time and date 08/16/2019, the New York Times documents the following top ten candidates. <https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/elections/democratic-polls.html>

1. Joseph R. Biden
2. Elizabeth Warren
3. Bernie Sanders
4. Kamala Harris
5. Pete Buttiegieg
6. Corey Booker
7. Andrew Yang
8. Beto O’Rourke
9. Amy Klobuchar
10. Tulsi Gabbard

Leading Republicans:

Accordingly as of this writing Wikipedia documents two declared candidates for the Republican nomination. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Republican_Party_presidential_primaries

• Donald Trump
• Bill Weld

In Closing:

Since we as a Church are the body of Christ we have the God given authority to rule and reign. Consequently, what we allow on earth will be allowed in heaven. Accordingly, what we bind on earth will be bound in heaven as the Master has said. Therefore, what are we allowing? Are we pleased with what we see?

Matthew 18:18-19 New International Version (NIV)

18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be[a] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[b] loosed in heaven. 19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.

From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+18%3A18-19&version=NIV>

We are in a spiritual warfare after all. Therefore, we need to stand and fight by enter into prayer for our elections! After all it is our place, it is our time indeed. The root cause of our social ills is sin. Because of this Satan has used this shortcoming to his advantage for that reason. Furthermore Satan is the god of this world as stated in the Bible. Yet, he is not god over us on the contrary, Jesus is Lord!

Jesus died on that cross to defeat the Satan after all. He has given us, the Church, the delegated authority to rule and reign in contrast. Consequently, like He did with the Israelites He expects us as the Church to go after the enemies in similar fashion and appropriate His promises for our lives by faith. Without doubt we need to be warriors in prayer defeating the enemy in triumph. We do this as we enter into prayer for our elections. Thus I say “Rise up people of God!”

As a result, we need to intercede and stand in the gap as Moses did for our Country. The website “Allaboutprayer.org” encourages us to:

1. By establishing and maintaining a personal relationship with the Lord. Especially the Holy Spirit. We need to be sure to use all our supernatural weapons which includes praying always in tongues. For He will pray through us when we don’t know what or how to pray. He will do it most effectively.
    
2. The Word of God calls us a Holy Priesthood, a Royal Priesthood, and a Kingdom of Priests. Let’s rise up in our God given roles and do the work as a Kingdom of Priests. As Priests let’s stand in the gap before God and our sinful Nation bringing them to a place of the blood of Jesus. Let’s cry out and confess the sins of our Nation and ask for forgiveness and mercy.
    
3. Let’s follow the example of Jesus. He is the model for Intercessory Prayer.

Intercessory Prayer – Our Model Intercessor

Jesus Christ is our model for intercessory prayer. Jesus stands before God and between Him and sinful man, just as the Old Testament priests did: For there is one God, and one mediator (intercessor) between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us (Romans 8:34). Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25). 

Jesus brings sinful man and a righteous God together at the place of the blood sacrifice for sin. No longer is the blood of animals necessary as it was in the Old Testament. We can now approach God on the basis of the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross of Calvary for the remission of sins. Because of the blood of Jesus, we can approach God boldly without timidity (Hebrews 4:14-16). 

Jesus was an intercessor while He was here on earth. He prayed for those who were sick and possessed by demons. He prayed for His disciples. He even prayed for you and me when He interceded for all those who would believe on Him. Jesus continued His ministry of intercession after His death and resurrection when He returned to Heaven. He now serves as our intercessor in Heaven.

From <https://www.allaboutprayer.org/intercessory-prayer.htm>

Let’s serve as intercessors for our great Nation! Stand in the gap, intercede, pray always in tongues. Let’s lift the Democratic and Republican candidates up in prayer and intercession so that we might have peace in our Nation. For this is God’s will so that all might be saved.

Bind Satan in his operations, command him to desist in his maneuvers. Confess and call out the sins of our Nation. Remind Him of the finished work of the Cross, and the shed blood of  Jesus. Ask forgiveness for the sins of our Leaders and Nation. Call on God to forgive and then to rise up on our behalf, and to send His Ministering Angels forth to perform His will.

Let’s pray to God for this Election Cycle, that the person He desires for President takes office so that His Kingdom can be furthered here in our Nation and World.

Amen!

God’s desire is to take us from tribulation to victory. As with the Israelite’s coming out of Egypt all those years ago, this might not be recognizable through our finite minds, as we go through our trials. But, He has equipt us with His ability just the same.

I am reminded of 2 Timothy 1:7 states “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” I have found this scripture to be quite helpful during intense trials.

As I meditate on this often, it brings comfort to me.  Furthermore, 1 John 5:4 brings more comfort as it states “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

In the last post I had stated that I would show how to apply the shield of faith. To be successful in this we need to know where our source of faith resides. Hebrews 12:2 sheds light “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

The source of our faith is in Jesus Christ and what he has done for us. He is the author and finisher, and will always be on our side.

You know during life’s hardships the accuser of the brethren will come and try to convince us that we are unworthy. Or that we will not be able to overcome.  Or even to accuse and ask “Where is your God?”

But, this is a lie of the enemy to prevent us from receiving the help we really need. We’ve got to know that if God be for us, who can be against us? This must be in your heart very strongly.

Do you know that He formed you and has called you by name? Isaiah 43:1-2 “But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. ² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.

We have a promise that if we wait on the Lord, He will renew our strength. Isaiah 40:31  But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

By meditating on the scriptures and the promises, you are enacting a shield of faith protecting your mind from the lies of the enemy. For this is where the battle field is, for your thoughts. Will you choose to think the thoughts that line up with the Word? Or will you allow thoughts of the enemy to dominate.

This message was heavily influenced by Ken Birks  kenbirks.com/outlines/overcome-difficulties.doc

What kind of situations and trials are trying your faith and seem insurmountable in your eyes?

• Broken relationships
• Busy lifestyle
• Divine delay in promises
• Emotional problems
• Family problems, children, etc.
• Financial problems
• God’s chastening
• Hardness of the way
• Marital problems
• Sickness, health, death

In each of these areas we are susceptible to disappointment, difficulty, and heartache. Where is your faith in each of these areas? Jesus has given us power, authority, and power over all issues of life.

Jesus wants us to be over-comers in all that we do. He wants us to stand tall and be confident that no matter what life can throw at us we can stand and know that a.) that He is with us, b.) we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

In John 16:33 Jesus said:

“These thing I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

No matter how much we like it or not, there are going to be times we have issues in our life. Times when we struggle, times when we question what and why things happen.

Our hearts can be filled with fear and uncertainty rather quickly. Especially when there seems to be no way out.

In this age when medications are passed around like candy to steady ones nerves. Jesus would like for us to know that if we ponder His thoughts and ways that we can be of good cheer. Not only that, our hearts can be in peace.

Oddly enough we are encouraged to strive to enter into God’s rest. It will take work to get our hearts in a place of peace, and enter into His rest. Especially when everything seems to be hitting the fan and splattering everywhere.

A way to do this is to:

1. Praise the Lord and rejoice in Him.
2. Roll your cares upon Him (it might help to see yourself giving them to Him).
3. In prayer ask for scriptures that you could use to apply in your current situation. For example Phil. 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”When the negative thought comes around, stop that thought when you recognize it, and think on the scriptures.
4. Not only think on the scripture, but speak it forth so that you can hear it. This is critical. Our words can become self fulfilling prophecies at times, so speak it.

The cares and trials of this world come to us all. But, we don’t have to allow ourselves to become encumbered under it’s weight. Jesus by His sacrifice on the cross has given us  a way out. Take it!

I remember that I had organized a fishing trip one time  for the local church I had attended. During that time the seas were fairly rough. I believe they were 4 – 6 foot seas. If I recall correctly, it was right at the limit of whether it was safe to go out or not.

As we went out, and the boat picked up speed, the bow of the boat would violently crash against the waves. I remember several of us guys standing towards the front of the boat, and laughing at the spray of water coming over the sides of the boat.

As our trip to the fishing area continued, people started to get sick. Many were hugging the sides of the boat “chumming the waters.” There were many lying inside the boat feeling ill from the rough seas.

I remember clearly the Pastor’s wife and my wife as they stood side by side seemingly taking turns throwing up over the side. They only tried to fish for a few minutes before the urge the throw up would over take them.

As I think on this story, I remember another more serious story. This one where lives were in peril and at stake.

In Luke 8:22-25

²² Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out.

²³ But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy.

²⁴ And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm.

²⁵ But He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!”

The thing I would like to point out is that a couple of the Disciples were seasoned fishermen. The made a living on their boats fishing. For them to be scared and wake the Master for fear of perishing, then in my mind the storm must have been a bad one.

But they were with Jesus! In this situation Jesus demonstrated to His Disciples (and to us) that He had power and authority over every situation of life. If we put our faith and trust in Jesus, He will be there for us no matter how difficult or distressing the situations of life seem to be.

It’s easy to become so weary that you begin to loose heart and faith when the storms of life occur. Where is your faith in relationship to all that you’re going through?

The first thing to do is to seek the Master who loves you. Seek His Word, and pray dutifully in the Holy Spirit. Know that He is with you and will not allow you to experience anything beyond that which you can bear. In Him there is always hope!

Smith Wigglesworth has this to say about faith:

What it means for people to have faith! What it will mean when we all have faith! We know that as soon as faith is in perfect operation, we will be in the perfect place where God is manifested right before our eyes.

The pure in heart will see God (Matt. 5:8), and all the steps of purity are a divine appointment of more faith. The more purity, the more faith.

Over and over we read Jesus in the scriptures telling recipients of healings that it was by his or her faith they were healed. Their faith had risen to such a level that they were able to receive and leave rejoicing in the goodness of the Lord.

There was one incident though where the people around had lost their confidence and all faith. The Master does something interesting in that incident, Jesus turned to His Father in prayer and said, “Father, …. I know that You always hear me” (John 11:41-42).

The incident I am referring to is when Lazarus had died. Mary, Martha, and all those with them were in mourning and grieving his loss. The idea of resurrection from the dead had not entered into their mind set as a possibility.

Miracles and healings they had  seen. That’s why they sent someone to Jesus to inform Him that Lazarus, whom Jesus loved, was very sick. They had hope and faith that if Jesus got there on time, Lazarus would surely rise up well.

Jesus, knowing the situation choose to wait. He could only  do that which He saw His Father do. He was not being led at the time to see Lazarus. When Lazarus had expired, all hope, faith, and expectancy was sucked out Mary, Martha, and the other’s there with them.

It can be heart rendering when things don’t work out as you wish. Mary and Martha so had their hearts on Jesus being there before Lazarus expired. “Where is He? Why is it taking so long for Him to get here? Surely He will come on time.” Were probably some of the thoughts they had.

They had seen Him “send forth His Word” to heal in the past as well (the story of the Centurion in Matt. 8). Perhaps they had hope in that happening for their beloved. But, no it did not happen. Lazarus died.

When Jesus came, He did not find faith. Why because they had never seen this type of thing happen. So the concept did not enter their minds.

Jesus had mentioned in John 11, that He was glad that He did not get there on time, that they might believe. Sometimes I find this hard to chew upon. I mean we all want to see God manifest His healing, miraculous power. But our faith has a lot to do with it.

Smith was one who was able to walk in the realm of faith. He saw the  dead raised in his ministry. He saw limbs grow back. He saw healings in his ministry. I think that we have to be intentional in our faith.

I’m encouraged by the story of Lazarus and by the story of Smith. I mean, if it was just Jesus who walked in the power of the Holy Spirit, then one could say “well that was Jesus, those miracles passed when all the Apostles died.” But, Smith was able to walk in the promises.  There were four principles that Smith lived by:

1. First, read the Word of God.
2. Second, consume the Word of God until it consumes you.
3. Third believe the Word of God.
4. Fourth, act on the Word.

I for one will be intentional in applying these principles. It is my hope and faith that these principles still apply to us today.

Wigglesworth, Smith: The Greater Works, Experiencing God’s Power (Whitaker House; New Kingston, PA, 1999), page 165

I have seen a person healed with back issues. Another who was scheduled with for surgery healed. I myself have had wonderful experiences with healing.

However, here recently I seem to have hit a cog. My faith seems somewhat stymied. During a trip to Niagara Falls last year I began experiencing a tightness in my chest.

Towards the end of February, I went in to see the Doctor for what I thought was a bad cold, but it ended up being pnemonia. During that visit he ran some blood tests, and has subsequently put me on medication for diabetes. This is disconcerting to me.

As a stop gap, I recenctly made a lifestyle change. I switched to a whole foods, plant based diet. I made the change on January 1st, 2015. That’s one of the main reasons I was surprised to hear the Doctor’s concerns.

On top of that, there are some family issues that we are going through. And my house was just broken into and robbed. It seems that we are really going through it at the moment. Not fun.

I will stir my self up in the Lord. Encouraging myself and strengthening myself in Him and in His Word. Therefore, I’ve decided to do a deep dive in studying the life of Smith Wigglesworth. He was a strong proponent of believing in the Holy Spirit. He was also called the Apostle of Faith.

In the book “Greater Works” by Smith Wigglesworth, in the introduction some key points that caught my eyes were:

1. The power that brought these kinds of results (miracles, healings, et. al.) was the presence of the Holy Spirit.
2. His sole desire was that people would see Jesus and not himself.
3. Several emphases in Smith’s life and ministry characterize him:
   • He had a genuine, deep compassion for the unsaved and sick
   • He had an unflinching belief in the Word of God.
   • As mentioned earlier, he had a desire that Christ should increase and he should decrease (John 3:30).
   • He had a belief that he was called to exhort people to enlarge their faith and trust in God.
   • He placed an emphasis on the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit as in the early Church.
   • He had a belief in complete healing for everyone of all sicknesses.

I intend to walk this journey of faith and blog about it. Relying on the Lord’s goodness and grace in my life.