What a Time For Growing!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Wow! The past weeks have been a time for growing for me. God becomes more and more real in my life as each day passes. Every day I wake up just to surrender everything all over again, giving Him every area of my life... every nook and cranny. He has become my father, my mother, my sister, my brother, my husband, my soul mate, my very best friend. If I should lose everything else in this world and still hold on to Him, I would remain satisfied for eternity.

I am discovering that complete surrender, no matter how we hate the sound of it, is exactly what it takes to bring the joy of the Lord into your life. I had to reach the point that nothing else in this world was more important than my relationship with Christ and with the Father. At it was at that instance when He took control and filled me with His peace and knowledge that He is in control. It is not good enough to give something to God one day and then slowly take it back because we feel like He is not taking care of things the way, or as quickly as, we think He should. Giving must be a continual thing... for you and I are creatures of habit. If we don't do things consistently, we tend to forget their importance and need in our lives. Remember that God will only do what we allow Him to do. He will not force His children to surrender. It must be our choice.

I often wish that I had not waited so long to surrender to Him. But He quietly reminds me that I am there now... the past is in the past, and the future is in His hands. When worry tries to creep into my mind, God says "trust in Me." Now when I look back toward my past I can see His hand on me in various stages of my life... stages where I was running from Him as well as times when I chose to listen. He is the one consistent thing in my life. He has pursued me since I was a child. He knew my heart and knew that I was one who was "chosen" by His own hand to follow Him and surrender my life into His care. When I realize that I am one of the chosen, the gratitude and love for my Lord rises up so strong within me that I weep and humble myself before my God. Am I worthy? No! In my human form I am nothing but filthy rags, but because I am covered by the blood of Jesus, in my Father's eyes I am His beloved. He no longer sees my sin, but He looks within my heart and knows how much I love Him and desire to serve Him... above all else.

Right now I have been blessed to be put in charge of putting together a women's retreat here at Hope Crisis Center. For those of you who do not know, the center is a former nursing home, 17,000 square foot. Several rooms have been "adopted" by local and area churches, schools, clubs and individuals who painted, furnished and decorated each room, give it a special personality of its own. The center has a chapel, a large family room, an exercise room, and so much more. Everything has been provided by donations at the leading of the Holy Spirit. If you could see the center, you would know how well God takes care of those who obey Him and live according to His purpose. Did it get that way over night? No! For a couple of years the director/founder and her husband lived in the center, having no gas (hot water/heat), and waiting (with faith) for the Father to bring about the purpose for the center. After a season of growth in their faith, God rewarded them by what you see when you walk into the center.

Some people would think such things as "how can you live in a place where old people lived and died?" But the only spirit you will ever experience within these walls is the Holy Spirit. If you are ever in Blackwell, Oklahoma, just stop and ask for directions to Hope Crisis Center. You will be welcomed with loving arms. Now... back to what I was beginning to say about the women's retreat...

The Holy Spirit is leading us to minister to so many hurting people. In late September we will be having a Women's Transforming Retreat where we will minister to Christian women who desire a closer walk with Christ. They will be pampered with massages and foot-washing ceremonies... and so much more. We will be having guest speakers, guest worship leaders, spiritual and emotional healing and wonderful fellowship. This time will be anointed by the Lord, and will follow many weeks of prayer and fasting. The women have got to be strong in the end times. Sometimes we are the only ones praying for our children, grandchildren, siblings and loved ones. Sometimes we may be the match that lights the fire under the men in our lives. Being a woman is not an easy job... being a woman of God is a position of responsibility. And we cannot allow ourselves to be overwhelmed. Sometimes we must "rest in the Lord." And this revitalizing retreat will be a time to learn to do that. Please, be in prayer for Christian women across the nation.

May the God who blessed Abraham touch your life and pour His blessings out on you. May you reach out to Him with everything within you and learn to surrender it all. Then you will understand what it means to rest in Him.

Until we meet again,
Judy Lambert
On the Road for Christ