Giving up? Nah.

3/25/1999

Thursday Night, March 25, 1999

My husband and I have been taking a break out of town for a few days. I believe that we have come to the place where we realize that maybe our vision is different than the others. We are just going to sit it out for now. We cannot make this happen. It is a work of God in the hearts of the individual. If we all have a different building in mind, it will not work. I don’t know where we go from here. God knows our need for the body (as well as our children). He knows our desire to be a viable part of it as well, and the rest is up to Him. We have tried to be honest and open, to build real relationships and I believe that is too much for most people. We are soooo used to our excuses and individuality. I have found that Bob is a bitter man and says he desires a people that are honest, but when you are—watch out! Our first impression was so wrong. How can you walk with a man if you have no idea who he is? Or where his heart really is for all that matters. I admire what the Lord has done in your city, but it will remain a dream for most.

Hi. Before you get too far down that road in your thinking...read slowly, prayerfully, carefully, in fellowship with the Spirit, and understand THIS:

Dreams are meant to come true, when they’re Jesus’ Dreams.

“Abraham lived in a way that was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God. It was by faith that Sarah together with Abraham was able to have a child, even though they were too old and Sarah was barren. Abraham believed that God would keep His promise. And so a whole nation came from this one man, Abraham, who was too old to have any children—a nation with so many people that, like the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them. All these faithful ones died without receiving what God had promised them, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed the promises of God. They agreed that they were no more than foreigners and nomads here on earth. And obviously, people who talk like that are looking forward to a country that they can call their own. If they had meant the country they came from, they would have found a way to go back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a heavenly city for them.” (Hebrews 11:10-16)

“So that’s why faith is the key! God’s promise is given to us as a free gift. And we are certain to receive it, whether or not we follow Jewish customs, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. That is what the Scriptures mean when God told Abraham, ‘I have made you the father of many nations.’ This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who brings into existence what didn’t exist before. When God promised Abraham that he would become the father of many nations, Abraham believed Him. God had also said, ‘Your descendants will be as numerous as the stars,’ even though such a promise seemed utterly impossible! And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though he knew that he was too old to be a father at the age of one hundred and that Sarah, his wife, had never been able to have children. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was absolutely convinced that God was able to do anything He promised. And because of Abraham’s faith, God declared him righteous” (Romans 4:16-22).

“Don’t ever forget those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail. When all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew you had better things waiting for you in eternity. Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. For in just a little while, ‘the Coming One will come and not delay. And a righteous person will live by faith. But I will have no pleasure in anyone who turns away’ But we are not like those who turn their backs on God and seal their fate. We have faith that assures our deliverance” (Hebrews 10:32-39).

“Now we live with a wonderful expectation because Jesus Christ rose again from the dead. For God has reserved a priceless inheritance for his children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And God, in his mighty power, will protect you until you receive this salvation, because you are trusting him. It will be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while. These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world” (1 Peter 1:3-7).

Maybe you think that I didn’t go through what you’re encountering? : )

You get my drift. If you’re doing this for HIM, rather than for yourself, you’ll never, never, never give up or lose heart, or let the enemy steal the reality of the dream. And you’ll do what YOU need to do.

Think about it.