by Mike Darnell
Have you considered who Timothy’s faithful reliable men were? Imagine with me; Paul has died and his exhortation in II Timothy 2:2 loudly echoes, bouncing all around the walls of his heart and soul. And, more than that….the living God, the incarnate Jesus Christ risen from the dead, and the Holy Spirit Himself now dwells within him! Incredible!
Set apart, telling to the generations to come God’s praises, His strength, and His wonderful works; let us be diligent to not be like some of our forefathers with stubborn and rebellious hearts who spirits were not faithful to God. God established His Word and commanded our spiritual fathers to make known to their children and the generation to come His commandments, even children yet to be born.
“If people can’t see what God is doing they stumble all over themselves, but when they attend to what God reveals they are most blessed.” Proverbs 29:18 (Message)
Paul’s words again instruct us; “I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future He has promised to those He called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance He has given His people. I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of His power for us who believe Him.” Ephesians 1:16 – 19 (NLT)
Paul did not consider “prayer” something you “do” as a follower of Christ. I don’t think prayer was “a spoke on Paul’s wheel illustration” but more like breathing. How else could he practice what he preached, “praying constantly” exhorting us to do the same? Therefore, beloved ones, “continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.” Col 4:2
Have you guessed why I’m writing??? April 4th and 5th the MLT and a group of folk are gathering at Glen Eyrie to select the final candidates for the US Military Mission Director. Relax! Do not fret but trust in God and do good by standing in the gap asking God’s wisdom and presence to protect, direct and guide those gathered.
Ron Holechek has stated that “one of the clear purposes of our time together is to seek the Lord and partner with the Holy Spirit and one another in identifying the final three ‘Acceptable and Willing’ Candidates from those nominated for this role—who have chosen to remain in the selection process for prayerful and active consideration. The overall goal for our time is to discern ‘what God is saying to us’ on this very important selection, and who are the candidates God seems to be ‘setting apart’ for this consideration.”
My appeal is that we all consider Psalm 46 connecting our hearts with God’s heart knowing that the Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Like yesterday, I well remember former US Senate Chaplain Lloyd Ogilvie reading Psalm 46 to our nation immediately after 9-11 bringing comfort from God’s Word.
“We sing this Psalm to the praise of God, because God is with us. God powerfully and miraculously preserves and defends His church and His Word against all fanatical spirits and against the gates of hell, against the implacable hatred of the devil, and against all the assaults of the world, the flesh, and sin.” (Martin Luther 1483-1546)
Those serving on the Candidate Selection Committee are as follows: Rusty Stephens, Ron Holechek, Tom Bourke, Rich Robinson, Phil Partin, Pam Darnell, Gregg Elmendorf, Pete McKay, Patriece Johnson, Ana Perry, Larry Sherbondy, Wes Drake, Mike Darnell, Lauris Shepherd, and Dave Mead.
Here’s the challenge! Set apart 30 minutes Saturday morning and Sunday sometime focusing on God being “our” refuge, a very present help, knowing that He will be exalted among the nations and exalted in all the earth praying through Psalm 46.
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge!
By way of reminder, the Military Mission director selection process will not conclude with the council meetings on April 4th and 5th. On April 19th, the National Field Leaders Group (NFLG), led by Rusty Stephens, will make the final selection of the next US Military Mission Director from the candidates identified from the candidate selection process on May 4th and 5th. Phil Partin and Pam Darnell of the MLT will join the NFLG for that process, as will Ron Holechek who serves on that team.
Ask God’s wisdom and guidance for the Field Leader’s meeting beginning Monday 6 April running through Wednesday the 8th as well as for the MLT as they continue meeting through Saturday morning.
Honored to be His servant along with you all,
Mike Darnell (USMM Prayer Coordinator)
A very present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered;
He raised His voice, the earth melted.The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.Come, behold the works of the LORD,
Who has wrought desolations in the earth.He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire.“Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
The LORD of hosts is with us;The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
Posted by The Navigators @ 3:57 pm
