Crying Out to the Lord

"But when they cried out to the LORD, he raised up for them a deliverer. . ." (Judge 3:8-9).

I often receive requests to help someone whose life is in a difficult place. After a few questions I am able to discern if the Lord has called me to get involved. More often than not, I am not to be involved. Many times I find this person has not experienced enough pain to want to do anything about their situation. Until they are really ready to cry out to the Lord for a solution to their situation, they will simply talk about desiring change but never take the necessary steps needed for change."

If you invest time into someone who has not yet come to the place of wanting a spiritual solution to their problem, you will become emotionally exhausted. The apostle Paul understood this principle when he actually turned such people over to Satan for the destruction of their flesh (I Cor. 5:5).

The people of Israel were finally in enough pain to cry out to God for relief from their oppression. Like so many times throughout the scriptures, God answered by raising up a deliverer. "But when they cried out to the LORD, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, who saved them. The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, so that he became Israel's judge and went to war. The LORD gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him. So the land had peace for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died (Judg 3:8-11)."

Are you in a difficult place in your life? Are you only talking about changing or are you really ready to cry out to the Lord for a solution? Start now the process of changing your situation for the better and asking for help if needed.

Beast of the Burden

My Manna



"Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey ttied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to Me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them...."Matthew 21:2-3.

A donkey was an animal of commerce in Jesus' day.

It was used to carry great burdens of goods from place to place and he was known as the "beast of the burden."

Jesus told His disciples to fetch the donkey for "He had need of it."

This donkey played an important part in Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

It was a day that was the culmination of three years of ministry.

Jesus chose to use a vehicle of commerce to bring Him into His most important public display.

We are entering a time in our own history in which God is saying to businesspeople, "Loose your donkey for My purposes. I have need of it."

God is preparing His Church to be a vessel for ushering in a great harvest of souls.

He is preparing His remnant of businesspeople, who are like a tribe within the Church, to be a major force in this great harvest.

"He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch; he will wash his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes. His eyes will be darker than wine, his teeth whiter than milk." Gen. 49:11-12.

Is your donkey tied to the living Vine, the choicest branch of Jesus Himself?

When we are tied to the living Vine, designed for His use, we will be useful in God's Kingdom.

Jesus wants to free us from the bondage of business slavery.

He wants us to walk in freedom so that others may see God's grace flowing through us and our place in the business world.

Is your donkey available for His use?
Ask Jesus to allow the Vine to flow through you in every area of your life.