Where Have You Been?
Well, I have been on a unannounced sabbatical for the last couple of weeks.
Refocusing on what it is the Lord wants me to do as far as where I am at now in my walk with Him.
I am doing great! Have some direction in the Lord and I am looking forward to what the Lord has in store. As I have promised since beginning Hill Country Thoughts, I would be honest and open with you as I pursue the Lord!
One of the things that I have observed over the last few weeks is the number of Christians who are actively pursuing the Lord and following the call on their lives, who are under great spiritual attack!
There has been a sense of failure, of why do we try, does it really matter? This should be a sign to us the enemy is not a happy camper and is doing whatever he can to sidetrack us from God’s purpose.
If ever there was a time for us to press in, it is now. To draw strength from the Lord, the Word and the Holy Spirit!
The tactic of the enemy towards me has been mostly physical, a battle at times, that rob’s me of strength. That I get physically tired and it draws me away from writing, sharing. This should be the time that I turn my focus to the Lord, to the Word and the Holy Spirit and draw strength from being in the presence of the Lord.
Are you being distracted? Sidetracked? Oppressed?
Then you are in good company!
For those who are pressing in, sharing their heart, their love for the Lord are being attacked by the enemy. It is during this time that we need to put on the full Armour of God.
The Shield of Faith, the Helmet of Salvation, the Sword of the Spirit, the Breastplate of Righteousness, standing strong in the Lord, in the finished worked of the cross.
I know that when we cry out to the Father, He hears and answers our prayers, our cries and enables us to do that which He has called us to do.
May you all be blessed.
I look forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for Hill Country Thoughts, in the days, weeks and months ahead.
Please keep me in your prayers as I want to write from the Heart of the Father, to share what He puts on my heart!
That it will lift up others and build them in the faith, that we truly would answer the call, to use the gifts He gives us to minister to others.
April 3rd, 2006 at 15:14
Paul, I wondered where you’d been. I’m glad you’re back. You’re absolutely right, Satan tries to discourage us into thinking that what we’re doing for the kingdom is useless. Take blogging for example. I’ve almost quit twice. One time in fact, I deleted my blog and now I’ve started over. I was trying to use it as a ministry, a place of encouragement for others- Christian and non-Christian. On days I didn’t get many comments, I felt it was useless spending all my time trying to post meaningful blogs so I deleted it. Then, after several emails from readers, I found that my blog was indeed ministering hope and God’s love to others. So I started back. Thank you for this reminder. We do have a responsibility and a great ministerial tool through blogging as Christians. Keep up the great posts!
April 3rd, 2006 at 20:27
Paulie….good to see you back
Call me at home!
April 4th, 2006 at 07:05
Oh thanks a lot for this reminder, Paul…sometimes we feel so low and of late, here at this house we have discussed how discouraged we have been…and I admit to feeling kind of cheated actually. That word pretty well describes some big chunks of my life…but I know I am not alone in that one! Nor in the worst place either. Sometimes I think we need to kind of pull back, regroup and again do our part in being “listeners” to God and finding out just what it is that HE wants done with our lives. I hope you are feeling better…we too are in the same age group you know, so we certainly have our days of aches and pains. This year has held lots of illness for many in our family, though I cannot complain for myself. But it does cause us concern and we do grow weary in the midst of some battles. Just gotta keep our focus straight huh? Blessings…
April 4th, 2006 at 13:39
God bless you, strengthen you in His might, and encouage your heart today. It’s always good to have you back, Paul.
April 12th, 2006 at 09:12
Yes, pressing in toward the Spirit-Led life in Christ as He leads us day by day in His purposes. May you be blessed and inspired as you seek to please God and bring the message of His love to a dying and thirsty world.