September Newsletter: Why Sit We Here? September 15 2017
Our September Newsletter
Happy September and Happy Labor Day from God-Driven-Designs. We also say Happy Jewish New Year or L'Shana Tovah to our Jewish friends and their families! We're praying for Texas and Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. We give glory to God for rallying so many to bring the victims of this natural disaster to safety!
For September, we're starting a 3-month Men's and Women's Health Special we want you to check out as healthy living and less stress are important for God's people. As Soldiers in the Army of the Lord, we need to be fit and ready for battle. We're also arming and equipping you with new prayer cards and seed cards with themes like Warrior/Knight, Military, Football, Full Armor of God, etc., for your various ministries. Just use the drop down menu under "All Products" on our home page. Additionally, we've started custom designs for event cards, business cards, and marketing postcards at no extra charge. Just let us know if you need help with your next order...
In this month's issue we cover:
Our September Message: Why Sit We Here? The 3 Stories about Babies; Sole Proprietor or LLC, Our September Prayer
Music Spotlight: Hollyn: All My Love, Todd Dulaney: Unchurched and The Anthem; Texas Choir in Shelter Sings Jesus Culture's Revival
Need a Word? Fight the Good Fight of Faith: Mayweather and McGregor - How to Go the Distance
Upcoming Events: Bill Winston's IFC Conference; Joyce Meyer's Love Life Conference; Rosh Hashanah and the Jewish New Year
News: Hurricane Harvey: God Revealed It In Signs: What We Can Learn and What the Church Must Do
Feel Good Stories: The Seniors: Where are They Now; Heroic Stories from Harvey; Grandma's Jet Ski Food Delivery!
Let's do this...
Why Sit We Here?
You probably know the story from the Old Testament about the lepers. The people were starving and the lepers asked, "Why sit we here lest we die?" They got up and went to the next town that had been abandoned. They found food, jewels, animals, and all the supplies that their people would need. What a blessing! In contrast to that, consider the story of the lame man who sat for 38 years. Jesus specifically asked him, "Do you want to be healed?" It was a strange question because Jesus asked others, "What do you want from me?" or "What would you like?" He recognized that the lame man sat for so long that he'd literally given up.
I can remember a funny message from Bishop TD Jakes about this story where he said, "I don't care how long you sat there, you can at least get a little closer to the pool. You can roll yourself over." and therein lies the juxtaposition of Christians. Without faith, you can't please God, but faith without works is dead. That means you have to lean in the direction, roll in the direction, or ask someone to point you to the direction and start walking there for God to meet you. We used the example of the baton being passed to show that your faith has to be active. Batons aren't passed to people that aren't ready to receive them. You have to be ready to receive and do all you can in the interim. That's what happened to me.
When we started God-Driven-Designs, I only had a handful of prayer cards. I was witnessing in churches and I hadn't gone back to school yet, didn't have the marketing skills yet, the writing, and so forth, but I stood on one Word I'd heard, "I'll do what I can. God will do what I can't." As you look at your own life, and your own ministry or business, know that God requires faith and action. So many times I've seen people say, "I just want to win a million dollars," but they do nothing to prepare for it. God isn't going to give meat to babies.
Often I hear, I just want a multi-million dollar business, then the person goes back to sitting on the couch, surfing the channels and saying, "I still don't know why God is taking so long." For anyone with a dream, you have to get up and do what you can, i.e., studying, auditing classes, ministering, going to conferences, reading your Bible, increasing your knowledge, etc., for God to increase the anointing and take you to the next level. The lepers asked, "Why sit we here?" and I am asking you, "What are you sitting on and waiting on God for? Have you done all you can do to stand? Are you showing active faith? Are you actively running around the field waiting for the baton to be passed to you or are you sitting on the sidelines saying, "I'm ready"? Maybe you're not...
The image shown above is from the ARCO Games in the 1970's with Jesse Owens.
Can you see how standing still does nothing to prepare you for what God wants to give you?
The 3 Stories About Babies...
In the Old Testament, there are 3 stories about babies:
- One story was about a woman, Hannah, who dedicated her baby, Samuel, to God because she was barren. God let her have a baby and once he was weaned, he would go on to serve God in a mighty way.
- In the second story, which is a bit graphic, a woman was crying as the King of Israel passed by. She said that she and another woman were starving and cooked and then ate the first woman's baby. When it was time to eat the other woman's baby, the mother said no because she had deceived the first woman. The King tore his garments.
- In the third story, one woman swapped out her dead baby for another woman's living baby. They went before Solomon who said, "Well, let's just split the baby in two," but the real mother cried out to let the baby live and Solomon knew it was her baby.
Which baby story do you identify with?
In ministries, businesses, marriages, and life know that there will be people fighting over your baby. They couldn't have their own and want to take yours, talk you out of your birthright, so to speak. There may be people that want to destroy what God has done in your life, too. That's the kind of world we are in as people despise anything that represents Christ, but the last story is significant and to me, the most important. God will never fail you. When you dedicate your "baby", i.e., what you birthed: your business, your ministry, your marriage, and kids, to God, He will protect it and make the way for you. One of the ministers once said, "Partner with God. Ask God what He's doing and tell God you want to do His will for your life." Dedicate your business, ministry, etc., to God and His cause. When you do that, there are angels always surrounding you and protecting you. But know that this is for people who are serious about their walk with God. If you think you can dedicate a Rolls Royce and your mansion on a hill, that ain't gonna work because Jesus said to walk away from the fleshly things of this world. Partner with God and dedicate your work to Him. Here's what will happen:
- You'll be working for God, not man: That means you're letting God lead the way with His will for your life.
- You'll be more active in your work: Instead of sitting and waiting passively, you'll build and grow. Do what you can, God will do what you can't.
- You'll have God's favor in your life: When you say yes to God's will, you're working for Him, so the atmosphere changes. You go from a sole proprietor to an LLC.
Sole Proprietor or LLC
In business, a sole proprietor is anyone that starts a business alone in their own name. They take all the liability. When you have an LLC or limited liability company, your business name takes on the liability so you can't be sued, the business would take a loss. Ask yourself are you a sole proprietor going your own way? Or are you under a Living, Loving Christ who takes the burdens from you? When you partner with God, the devil can't come against you. He can try, but God is your defense and it is written, "No weapons formed against me shall prosper," and the Angel of the Lord, Michael, defends you in battle.
Just like the image of the runner waiting on the baton, know that if you want God to pass the blessing to you, you have to be armed and equipped in your business and your ministry for the battles ahead. God won't bless passive faith. You have to be active and move in the direction of your faith. Get up out of the recliner. Break your grip off the remote and start moving. To protect your baby, or babies, as some in this season are birthing more than one ministry, put on the full armor of God and be prepared for battle not to fight in the flesh, but to stand on God's Word with the Sword of the Lord. The Sword of the Lord is our strength.
If you need prayer, please call the Bill Winston Prayer Center at (877) 543-9443. You can also check online for Joyce Meyer's prayer request form and other sites that can pray for and with you.
Our September Prayer
Father God, in the name of Jesus, Lord, we give you glory. Thank you for covering us and making the way for us. Thank you for your shelter, healing, covering and the name of Jesus. We are strong in You, Lord, always. We pray for all those affected by Hurricane Harvey. Please help them rebuild and please give them strength. Send the youth, Lord to help them gather their belongings and to start anew. We pray for those in shelters without insurance, Lord, open up the storehouses in Heaven to make the way for them, floods of blessings coming in. These are not victims, but victors, covered by You. We continue to pray and rebuke natural disasters, additional floods, and we pray against looting, violence, and attacks. We pray against and rebuke the demons of floods, natural disasters, and earthquakes. We rebuke the demons in the north. I heard you say, "TELL THEM THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORRY."
Lord, we know you want your people to fast and pray, to read their Bibles like never before, and to draw on You, call You, and seek Your face. There are too many people picking up false idols, talking to electronic idols in their homes and asking them questions when they should be seeking You. We ask your forgiveness, Lord. We ask for your mercy. We know this New Year is upon us (The Jewish New Year), and we ask that we can start anew, with the blessings you have for us, for your chosen people. I hear you saying You are here with us. Thank you, Lord, for your goodness. Thank you for your love. Thank you for the angels that sit on us, ride with us, and travel where we travel every day. You are saying for some to prepare for emergency evacuations. Even if it's just a drill, to be prepared.
We ask for covering on our children and babies as they head back to school. Please give them traveling grace and Your mercies on the roads. Make them safe as they travel on buses to/from school. Protect them on the bus stops and all corners from all harm. We pray for all medical personnel, police, fire, and rescue. We pray for their strength and covering. Guard their hearts, Lord. Protect, cover, and keep them. Please keep their families and babies safe. We pray against suicide, Lord. We rebuke the demons of suicidal attacks from getting into the home. We pray for parents to know and see warning signs with their children. We rebuke the devil and say, "Leave those babies alone." We rebuke every sabotaging attack in Jesus's name. We rebuke the demons of strokes, sickness, and disease in Jesus's name. We pray against sudden heart attacks and clogged arteries. For those that have high cholesterol, please go get a full workup by your doctor. Get your heart checked and follow the doctor's orders. We are praying against heart attacks. We have a hedge of protection covering us, Lord. We stay in Your Shadow, Lord.
We pray against situational attacks. There are people afraid to get in traffic, afraid to go to malls, afraid to stand on the bus stop, afraid to leave their homes. Lord, we ask for your mercy. Please help to renew our minds to have trust in You, to not fear, but know that we have angels surrounding us. Please help people to not stay locked-up in their homes afraid to leave. We rebuke that depressive demon and that panic demonic threat with heart pain and heart palpitations, in Jesus's name and by the blood of Jesus, I can hear God saying, "LEAVE MY PEOPLE ALONE." Give your people peace. We rebuke the demons of anxiety. Give us your peace, Lord. Let peace envelop us with your love and embrace. Let us have signs and wonders from You, Lord. Wrap Your arms around us Lord, Let us know we are loved. The devil can't touch us.
Thank you for your love, covering, mercy, and grace over our lives, Lord. We ask for your forgiveness and your mercy. We know no harm shall come near our dwelling places and no evil shall befall us. Again, no evil shall befall us. Saturate us with your love. Cover the mouths of those that want to lash out with their tongues in attacks online verbally. We will watch for verbal attacks meant to distract. We are instruments of praise for you and we rebuke online attacks of the devil meant to confuse and snare God's people. We praise you for the victory, in Jesus's name, amen!
God is going to send us miracles and signs. Believe the impossible will be made possible. God's people are victorious. He's going to give a "break" to His people. We pray for this, Lord. Please surround us with your goodness and favor. He said, Look for the windows He provides. He provides. Watch for His windows and the doors He provides. He is giving shelter to you. A break is coming to you. He will send you proof. He is Our Covering.
Glorious is Your Name, O' Lord, Our Help, Our Strength, Our Rock, and Our Redeemer!
The Prayer of Salvation
If you haven't said the Prayer of Salvation, now's the perfect time: Father God in the name of Jesus, Lord, I ask forgiveness of my sins. Please come into my heart. I turn my back on sin and I make you my Lord and Savior. I want to follow you for the rest of my life. Please give me eternal life through you in Jesus name, amen.
Re-dedication to Christ Prayer
If you need to rededicate your life to Christ because you feel like you've been sinning or haven't been living right, pray: Father God in the name of Jesus, I ask forgiveness of my sins and I turn my back on sin. Please help me to overcome ---- and I want to lead a better life through you. I decree and declare this day I have overcome ---- and I have the victory in Jesus name, amen.
Stay in God's shadow, stay away from sin and temptation, keep reading your Bible and keep seeking God first.
Feel Good Moment: Remember that Image of the Seniors Stuck in Rising Flood Waters? See Where They Are Now...
We all saw that image on the news of the seniors sitting in flood waters. It was gut-wrenching to watch them in that rising water. Praise God they were all safely rescued.
DICKENSON, Texas - The LaVita Bella nursing home seniors who were stuck in waist-deep water in Dickinson have been evacuated, officials said Sunday. Galveston County officials said they made it a top priority to rescue the senior citizens.
Shared Courtesy NYPOST: The group of senior citizens who appeared in heartbreaking images — chest-high in water — in their nursing home in Texas over the weekend are now dry and all smiles. The residents of La Bella Vita nursing home in Dickinson became a national symbol of Hurricane Harvey after a picture of them — sitting in a flooded living room — went viral Sunday.
They’ve since been moved 20 miles away to the Laurel Court home in Alvin, where they are in much better — and less wet — conditions. “Remember the heartbreaking pic of Tx Sr Citizens stuck in chest deep water in #Harvey?” tweeted CBS reporter Omar Villafranca. “New pic:They’re safe, warm & dry!” The residents were not moved faster because authorities told caretakers to stay put, La Bella Vita owners told CNN.
National Guard first-responders got to them by late Sunday. “We were able to provide these patients with hot showers, food, warm beds, and a safe haven,” according to their new home, Laurel Court. “Each is now resting comfortably.”
Feel Good Moment: Sing Unto the Lord
Texas Choir breaks out in song to praise God in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. What an awesome version of Jesus Culture's Revival!
Feel Good Moment: Grandma's Jet Ski Chick-Fil-A Pick-Up
What do you do when you need a rescue and you're hungry? Call Chick-Fil-A. That's what a grandmother did in Texas in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. While she thought the driver was joking when he said he would send a jet ski to pick them up, that's exactly what he did...
Shared Courtesy GMA: A senior couple say they became stranded on Monday when their home in Houston became a victim to rising Hurricane Harvey floodwaters. They called their local Chick-Fil-A where they placed an order for two grilled chicken burritos, with extra egg, and a boat. 'Can you believe that one of the managers of Chick-fil-A, she sent her husband to pick us up and we are so grateful'.
The couple said they were in the process of figuring out which of their most-prized possessions could fit onto the small rescue boat when the Jet Ski riders showed up and offered to take the couple to higher ground. Reddit user Webborwebbor posted this image of his pal's grandma being whisked from her flooded Houston home aboard a jet ski. "Karen jumped on the back of a Jet Ski and I jumped on the back of another one and they evacuated us to higher ground", he explained.
"Oh well, here we go!" And there's something so fantastic about seeing strangers and communities coming together to help one another. The elderly couple's hasty escape forced them to leave various possessions behind, including a wallet and wedding ring.
"I couldn't save my house but I had to save my marriage", he joked with "GMA".
Want our full Newsletter? Enter your email. You can sign up anytime and opt out anytime.
