“Therefore, my brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” II Corinthians 15:58

Here we are at the threshold of a New Year. What will it bring? Will we find ourselves drawing closer to the Lord or will we get dull in our zeal for the Lord?

Do you get weary when what you think the Lord has called you to do does not work according to your plan? I have to confess that this happens to me and I have to get a grip and remember the times He has worked way beyond what my plan would have included.

One of these instances involved a call from a pastor in Pakistan who asked to translate the book I wrote, The Power of the Lamb’s Blood into his language, Urdu. We were not aware the book was in Pakistan. Distribution in the U.S has never reached my expectations but God had a plan beyond mine which has also included translation into Tamil (India) and Vietnamese.

I resolve to renew my commitment to do His work to the best of my ability, pray to know His will, to walk in the light He gives me, and stay steadfast in His work. I invite you to join me.

© 2010, Peggy Park

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Psalm 42:1 (NKJV).  .

Do you know what it is like to be really thirsty and not be able to get water?  Three days is about the longest most living creatures can live without water. There are a few exceptions, such as camels and elephants which have built in storage systems.

I picture the deer as it runs through the forest seeking water to quench its thirst.  It eagerly laps up the water when it comes upon the flowing brook.

I can relate to the Scripture above which pictures a deer panting for a stream of water. I have often felt thirsty for God when I could not seem to get to Him in a time of trouble.

The longer I am in this situation the thirstier I become for Him. Then when I finally break through to His presence (He is always there, sometimes we just do not perceive His presence) I drink deeply as I enjoy His fellowship and I am refreshed.

The Psalmist compares the deer to his own inner search for God. Scripture promises when we thirst not only can we drink but we will have water to pour out to others.

Jesus proclaims in John 7:37 “ On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
I also am encouraged by the words of Revelation 21:6b, “to him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.”

I resolve to run to Him with my spiritual thirst just as the deer runs to the water brook to satisfy its thirst. I always want to drink deeply of the living water God provided in Jesus.

Prayer:  Lord, help me to always be aware of my need to drink deeply of the spiritual water you generously provide. Please give me many opportunities to share this living water with others as I live my life. In Jesus name, amen.

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”  John 8:12

Recently I was sure I was guided in a ministry speaking opportunity to promote unity between denominations and races. The people making the decision did not accept my proposal. I was somewhat puzzled. Did I miss hear the Lord (my hearing is not perfect) or was I out of His timing?  It seemed like the right thing. I had spent a lot of time praying over it. What happened here?

As I prayed over this disappointment I tried to see if I missed the Lord. The thoughts have developed as follows.  Since Jesus is the light of the world I have the assurance that when I follow Him as best I can I will be walking in His light. The path may be illuminated just a little ahead of me rather than a fully lighted path.  We have examples in the Bible of moving ahead, even when they didn’t see much, or when what they did see was frightening (the children of Israel crossing the Red Sea for one example).

In addition to the lighted path we walk down, as believers, have the light inside of us in the form of the Holy Spirit. Our responsibility is to pray for guidance and then keep on walking in the light we have and more light will come.

With in two weeks I was offered a similar opportunity to minister interracially in another church. (completely unsolicited). This was what I was seeking but in a different venue.  The Lord opened the door with no effort on my part. Writing my proposal, which was not accepted, helped me to clarify exactly what I felt called to do, as well as think through how it could be accomplished

I take comfort in I Cor. 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

My desire is to reach a place of maturity where I am more steady and immovable and disappointments do not throw me off base. That would be a steady walk in the light I have and look not to the right or the left but straight ahead knowing the light is there
but my vision and hearing may need tuning.

Prayer, Lord help me to reach a new level of trust in your workings as I seek to be faithful to the work you have called me to do.

The Lord is teaching me to come in line with His word which says, “I know the plans I have for you.” Jeremiah 29:11. For too many years I have planned and asked the Lord to bless what I was doing. Often I have run ahead and asked the Lord to come along with me where I am moving. (I didn’t know this was what I was doing). Now I only want to follow where He is working. Everything else is wasted time and effort. Only what He has ordained will bear fruit. My own expectations and the expectations of others must be laid aside to only embrace what He is ready to bless with the breath of the Holy Spirit. He is teaching me to praise more, release fuller, and trust deeper. Is it an easy lesson?

“No!” He has had to train me over and over as I have seen His goodness in answer to distressing life situations over which I have sinned by being anxious. I am learning to proclaim He is sovereign! He is all powerful! He is not confounded at what confounds me! There is no problem He does not have the answer for. I see through imperfect lenses where part of life’s picture is obscured. He sees it all – past, present, future. He knows every day of the rest of each of our lives. We just need to lineup with His divine plan and will as best we can discern it. We hear His voice through Scripture with the words. “Do not be afraid little flock.” Luke 12:32. I long to proclaim with the Psalmist, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; of whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid.” Psalms 27:1. Though an army should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear.” Psalm 27:3a.

© Peggy Park 2008

A few years ago I was in a shopping area and my car would not start. Fortunately there was of those “rare” to find service stations right in the area. The mechanic came over and declared, “ Lady, you have no power because your gas tank is empty. You are out of fuel.”

We, as believers in Christ, have fuel that powers our spirits. It is referred to as zeal in Scripture. Of course, our power source is the indwelling Holy Spirit but one of our responses to that Spirit is zeal.

Numbers 25:10-13 records that Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, the priest, had a zeal for the Lord. The wrath of God did not come down on the children of Israel because he was zealous for his God. He and his descendants received a covenant of peace. His spiritual tank was full of zeal.

What steps can we take to be sure our spiritual tank is not empty and powerless when we have a chance to speak a word of the Lord or when we face the multitude of challenges that arise in our lives?

1. Praise and worship Him. “Through Him, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess His name.” Hebrews 13:15

2. Calm our fears. “Do not be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplications with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God.” Philippians 4:6

3. Make a high priority of spending time with Him daily both in prayer, listening, and studying His Word and hiding it in our hearts, “Thy word have I hide in my heart that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:11 Also by studying we prepare to “Always be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within.” I Peter 3:15

4. Sit under anointed teaching both in person as well as teaching C.D.s.

5. Have a trusted prayer partner or a spiritually mature person we can trust to share our lives with and who will hold us to Godly attitudes and behavior. My prayer partner and I have adopted the attitude that we listen to each other in our pain and frustrations, then we point each other back to the Scriptural way to react.

Following these steps we have fuel, that is zeal, in our spiritual tanks so we are prepared to seize every chance to speak for Him in the market place and to minister His life to others as the opportunities present. themselves. We will be zealous for the Lord and that will influence the ones to come after us in our generational line.

© Peggy Park 2009

“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be called a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.” Exodus 19:5

The dictionary defines treasure as something of great value and worth and something that we cherish. What are your treasures? Do you have a collection of some sort, a favorite piece of jewelry or memento that has been handed down in your family, or some object that you hold dear?

The objects I am referring to are tangible in that we can see them. Let us consider how we take care of our special treasures.

1.  We certainly protect them.
2.  We keep them clean perhaps by dusting them if appropriate.
3.  We keep them in a secure place.
4.  We may take them out and look at them often.

Now I invite you to consider the treasures that probably mean the most to us. They are not tangible in that we can not see them.

1.  Words. My daughter said that words can be the greatest treasure and I agree. Words of comfort, words of friendship, and admiration can all contain nuggets of treasures. There are many words in Scripture that speak of God’s care for, and of, us.
2.  Love. The love we carry in our hearts for others, as well as the love others have for us, is a special treasure. Intermingled with this love are the relationships and friendships we share with others. God’s word is full of His love for us.
3.  Memories.  We love to reflect on happy, fun, uplifting memories. God’s Word encourages us to remember His workings in our lives as this builds faith in Him.

The words of this Scripture were spoken to the children of Israel, but we can lay hold of this promise because as Gentile believers we are grafted in. Note that the promises if for those who obey His voice (His Word) and keep covenant.

Now let us draw a comparison to the way we treat our treasures with the way God treats His.

1.  He protects his treasure. Psalm 144:2 states he is a shield for us- that is He protects us.

2.  He keeps us clean with our permission. I John 1:9 tells us we are to confess our sins and then we are forgiven – clean.

3.  We are secure. Hebrews 13:5 assures us He will never leave us nor forsake us.

4.  His eye is on us as Matthew 10:30 tells us even the hairs of our head are numbered.

Is there any one of us who does not long to be called God’s special treasure? What an exciting promise.

© Peggy Park
8/2/2009

Recently, while on a trip, the shuttle bus driver shared a thought that really impressed me. Obviously he is a strong Christian.  He said he has learned not to fear the storms of life that come across his path as he knows there will be a great breakthrough spiritually when the storm passes.

His words caused me to think about a storm in the natural.  When the rains pour down upon the earth and there is a torrent of rain it sometimes seems like the storm will never be over. Then eventually the rain does stop and the sun comes out. I just love the smell of the air. It is so fresh as we fill our lungs with deep breaths.

It is the same with the storms of life.  They seem to beat down on us while they are raging, but, oh the joy when the storm is over.  The fresh look at life and the wonderful free air we breathe are so refreshing.

I am not spiritually mature enough to actually welcome the storms as the bus driver said he can do but I can approach them with a more neutral stance. I do have faith to know the Lord will see me through. I will be able to look back and see how He has used the water to purify me and wash out a little more of the flesh that seems ever ready to have its own way.  Following this the atmosphere around me will be much cleaner.

© Peggy Park
8/3/2009

Recently, while on a trip, the shuttle bus driver shared a thought that really impressed me. Obviously he is a strong Christian.  He said he has learned not to

fear the storms of life that come across his path as he knows there will be a great breakthrough spiritually when the storm passes.

His words caused me to think about a storm in the natural.  When the rains pour down upon the earth and there is a torrent of rain it sometimes seems like the storm will never be over. Then eventually the rain does stop and the sun comes out. I just love the smell of the air. It is so fresh as we fill our lungs with deep breaths.

It is the same with the storms of life.  They seem to beat down on us while they are raging, but, oh the joy when the storm is over.  The fresh look at life and the wonderful free air we breathe are so refreshing.

I am not spiritually mature enough to actually welcome the storms as the bus driver said he can do but I can approach them with a more neutral stance. I do have faith to know the Lord will see me through. I will be able to look back and see how He has used the water to purify me and wash out a little more of the flesh that seems ever ready to have its own way.  Following this the atmosphere around me will be much cleaner.

© Peggy Park, 3/31/2009

Genesis 26:6-11 reading

You will recall the account in Genesis 12:12-20 where Abraham told Sara to say she was his sister. He was afraid that his life would be in danger because she was so beautiful an Egyptian would kill him to take her. Sara was his half sister so some would call this a little white lie- maybe not so bad! My husband thinks that the Lord must have turned back the years on Sara’s physical appearance as well as her reproductive ability when he made it possible for her to bear a child in her old age.

In Genesis 26:6-11 we see Abraham’s son, Isaac repeat the same mistake when he said Rebekkah was his sister and not his wife. Both Abraham’s and Isaac’s lies were discovered and challenged by the ruling authority. The Pharaoh in Abraham’s case and the King in Isaac’s case.

This tendency to lie gained a foot hold in the family. I don’t know if we would call this a familiar spirit but the tendency to lie took hold in the family either by example or by Satan’s influence. I believe it is accurate to call it a stronghold. It was subtle and as strange God did not punish either man at the time according to any scripture I can find.

Now enters the sons of Isaac, Jacob and Esau in this web that had been set up. We recall the familiar story of the deceit of Jacob in pretending to be Esau and receiving the blessing that was intended for Esau who was the first born. Their mother Rebecca was very much a part of this, in fact she suggested it. Genesis 27:19 recounts that Jacob lied and said he was Esau. So here we see that stealing was added to lying as Jacob stole his brother’s birthright through the lie he told. The unchecked sin grew.

If we read further in Genesis we come to the story where Jacob was deceived by the man who would eventually become his father-in-law.

The point I want to make out of this thread of family history is that the sin of lying grew and eventually Jacob drew back to himself deceit – just as he had sown with his father Isaac when he claimed a false identity. Jacob woke up after his wedding and discovered the veiled lady he thought he had married was indeed her older sister and not the one his heart sought – another concealed identity.

The law of sowing and reaping came into play here. Galatians 6:7 Jacob reaped back into his own life exactly what he had sown years earlier.

We also see “the sins of the father’s visited to the children to the 3rd. and 4th. generation.” Numbers 14:18

In this example it started with Abraham who lied, then his son lied and then the whirl wind eventually came down on Abraham’s grandson after he lied and stole. The sin grew. Jacob’s reaping was having to work a total of 14 years to pay for the woman he loved even though he was allowed to claim her as his wife seven days after the wedding to the older sister.

The message here is for all of us to continue to invite the Lord to shine His spotlight on us to reveal to us any behaviors we may have that will come down through the generations if left unchecked. Let us walk in the freedom Christ provided for us as we stay on guard against sin.

© Peggy Park
11/24/2008