Friday, August 26, 2011

under attack

Off I go. It is the first week of Seminary and already under heavy attack. I have been praying that I could afford school without working. I want more than anything to do a great job for the Lord. I want to be all that Jesus died for me to be. I want to be able to go to school and not work, outside the 15 hours a week internship.

The enemy is hitting me so very hard that I am feeling terrible. I am having times where I feel as though I should not even be here. That is a lie,  in the name and blood of Jesus I cast that lie out of my life. This vessel is for the Lord.

I know all the right things to do to cast these thoughts out of my head and heart. I know that they have no place in me, and yet they come. These thoughts invade my sleep and take over when I am not even looking. Taking away the joy of the Lord from my very soul, from my heart. I don't feel like even going to school. I am under attack.

Turn to the word of God Fred, turn to the word of God. So I am praying and praying and God tells me to open up the book. So I open the book and what do I see? Ezekial 15 - Jerusalem, a useless Vine. great God are you telling me I am worthless? Of course He isn't. I am an heir to the thrown, I am a Prince in the Most Royal Family. I Frederick J. Schumacher am Jesus' little brother. I am not worthless. I am worthy of this inheritance. I am worthy of what God Himself has called me to. I am "I Am's" boy. While Ezekial 15 talks about a worthless vine, Ezekial 16 talks about God's love and provision. It talks about how much God loves us. Although on the day of your birth you were not even washed, you lay there in your blood, God saw you and had more for you. 16:6 says"And when I passed by you and saw you wallowing in your blood, I said to you in your blood,'LIVE!' " I made you flourish like a plant of the field.

This passage goes on to talk about all the provision of God. When it seems as though you are not enough as Jerusalem surely felt, repent from you worldly views and flourish in God's gifts. He loves you and you can't do anything about that. When the enemy is telling you that you are not enough, tell him to kindly go back to hell where he belongs. Tell him that he has no place in the son or daughter of the Most High God.

God's love endures forever. Do not turn back into the ways of the world. Do not turn to jewels or rely on your own beauty as it talks about in the rest of the chapter. Stay in Daddies arms. Stay where the Son is so nice and warm on your heart, that your skin even feels warm.

Please grab a friend when the enemy is attacking, you may very well be on the brink of something wonderful for the Kingdom. Be encouraged that you are under attack, that means that you are worth it.

If we do this thing right, we might just get out of here alive!

Monday, August 15, 2011

time of need

It is so amazing how, when you think that you couldn't possibly get any more in need of people or reliant upon friends, God shows you another situation. When yo think that you might have a firm grasp on what humility is, think again. God will allow you to learn even more about it.

I have been laid up for a little over a month. I blew my back out the week of Easter. ( It is quite ironic that on the week of easter, I find out the true weight of the cross, or at least enough to get an understanding if only a little bit). I can't carry a five pound bag of potatoes, and yet I need to move in the next few days or so.

Having to rely completely on others for everything is so very humbling. I am moving and for the first time in my life my body is incapable doing any of it or of working as a carpenter. It is time to put my words from the pulpit in to action in my life. When the bible says to rely fully on God and not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has enough to worry about on it's own. I need to believe that God will in fact provide for me and the journey that He has for me. Seminary is tough enough without all the worries of my inability to provide for myself, not being able to focus and concentrate for any amount of time.

The Proverbs speak of our trust in God: Proverbs 3: 21-26 "My child, do not let these escape from your sight: Keep sound wisdom and prudence, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. then you will walk on your way securely and your foot will not stumble. If you sit down," your ill not be afraid; when you lie down your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden panic, or of the storm that strikes the wicked: for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

God I love you and I have to admit, I don't doubt you, it is me. Sometimes I doubt my ability to listen and follow through with what it is that you will do for me. I need You Lord!

I have to say thanks to God for getting me through the sermon on Sunday. Lord you showed up in the writing and the delivery of the message. You gave me the courage to share my life with the congregation. You gave excellent scripture verses that tied with my life so well. You gave me strength to stand for 30 minutes. Lord you have provided everything that I need, now please let forth the victory chant that tells me we are going to make it. Lord show me how to fight from the victory of the cross. How do I not let the enemy into my life at this stage. God you name dreams of victory - You are Glory! You are Victory! Jesus, the price you paid on the cross is more the enough! Help me walk that in all that I do, help me get rid of doubt.

Dear Lord, help me get out of this thing alive!