November 1st, 2009 by Laura Woodworth
Getting angry about some of our government’s proposed new policies - especially the “no hate” ones? Just remember that the church itself has opened the door to a compromised position on homosexuality. If the church can’t make up its mind on what’s right, how can we expect a God-less society to make right choices?
I’ve been moved to repentance over this. Perhaps - if we really will humble ourselves and pray, God will heal our land, this good old U.S.A. and the world that we influence.
The fight then becomes - not one against the government nor the world system - but rather, an inward fight to rid ourselves and the religious system of our waverings and doubt.
Come, Lord, and change us by your glory. - Laura Woodworth
September 30th, 2009 by Laura Woodworth
Quail, manna… God provided for the Israelites every single day they were in the wilderness. As soon as they entered Canaan, though, the manna stopped. Now they were to receive a different kind of provision.
If you feel like the “manna” has stopped falling, you may have just entered your promised land! Look around you for a new kind of provision. God will teach you how to profit in this land.
God is a provider - but provision sometimes comes in unexpected ways. Be ready for something new!
September 29th, 2009 by Laura Woodworth
How many times have you heard people say, “God’s ways are higher than our ways” and then sit back in passivity and “wait” for the disaster to be over. Biblically, yes - God’s ways are higher than our ways and there are times when we may not understand His will or His ways. As a pastor or missionary, though, you’ve got to grasp God’s purpose and be active in this manuever.
The Israelites may have wondered why God led them the long way out of Egypt… and straight into the Red Sea. The bible says that God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” He was doing everything He could to insure their success in reaching the promised destination.
You’ll notice, however, that the next verse (Exodus 13: 18) describes the Israelites leaving Egypt “armed for battle.” This wasn’t a complacent attitude. They weren’t resigning themselves to a passive mentality like a blind dog at the end of a rope. They were ready to go with God and follow His lead.
I know, I know, the Israelites don’t have the best reputation of sticking firm with God, but at least in this scripture it shows that they were ready for anything and moving out with God!
I encourage you - if you’re attempting something big for God, be ready for HIm to lead you a different way than the ordinary and expected. Follow his lead with confidence. There may be a great victory in store!
September 21st, 2009 by Laura Woodworth
There’s an interesting little scripture in the story of Joseph and his brothers. It’s a great encouragement to all who are seemingly stuck and not moving into ministry the way you hoped.
Joseph’s life had been one of great trial. The dreams he had as a boy seemed to be swallowed up by circumstances. It would have been easy to despair.
But, here he was, standing as second only to Pharoah with his brothers bowing down to him in fear and trembling, hoping to find favor with this honored one. Dreading for their lives, they spoke to Joseph’s steward, telling the tale of the silver found in their sacks on their journey home from Egypt before.
And then we hear this man’s encouragement, “It’s all right. Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks. I received your silver.”
I have a hard time imagining other Egyptians, who considered Hebrews detestable, offering such consolation to Joseph’s brothers - unless he was a different sort of man.
You begin to get the idea that this man knows the God of the Hebrews - that he is acquainted with His ways. He was Joseph’s personal steward and it sounds to me like Joseph has been busy sharing his faith. Sounds to me like Joseph didn’t give up on the dream - making the most of where he was at and affecting lives with the God who had given the dream in the first place.
If you’re stuck - don’t despair. Do the work of the ministry right where you’re at and hold on to the dream. You can affect nations. - Laura Woodworth
September 9th, 2009 by Laura Woodworth
Three years with Jesus - can you imagine it? It must have been wonderful… and it must have been the most stretching time of the disciples’ lives.
Jesus had three years to raise up apostles - those who would carry the success or failure of the early church on their shoulders. He was pouring everything He could into these men and they were probably living with high expectation on their lives to learn and grow and comprehend the Kingdom of God well enough to impart it. God has chosen to work through man and these were the chosen ones!
I’m determining today to live more of the discipled kind of life. -Laura Woodworth
September 5th, 2009 by Laura Woodworth
Whether you’ve already tested the waters and been on the field, or you’re considering, I encourage you to get the training that will help you effectively minister to the nations.
Fall quarter for the World Revival School of Ministry, located in Kansas City, MO starts this Tuesday. This is a school like none other. You’ll get good scholarship (CURRENT!) and great spiritual training and impartation.
I wish this school was available 30 years ago when I first got saved at 18 years old. I wanted desperately to grow in God and DO something for Him at the same time. WRSM students are actively involved in helping carry revival to the nations through the internationally known World Revival Church, pastored by Steve and Kathy Gray.
Call 1.877.804.5433 or visit www.worldrevivalschool.com for more info. The world is waiting for you… go out prepared!
You’ll see me there - Laura Woodworth
September 4th, 2009 by Laura Woodworth
Make sure you’re bringing the real thing to the world. Experience the reviving presence of God at World Revival Church. You can watch streaming live every service at www.worldrevivalchurch.com or tune in to Daystar Television Network for live airings every Friday night.
Revival - don’t leave home without it!
-Laura Woodworth
September 2nd, 2009 by Laura Woodworth
Do you have faith? A confident expectation in your spirit-man of who God is and what His will is? In Mark 7, Jesus encountered the Syro-Phoenician woman. She was desperate for her daughter to be set free… and she knew that Jesus could do it!
She was dogged in her faith, tenaciously pressing the issue with Jesus. I have a feeling He was enjoying the moment when she responded well to his statement, “Let the children be filled first, fot it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”
She passed the test of tenacity and faith when she pressed him. “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.”
There’s a LOT of implication in these verses, but keeping it simple, this gentile woman’s faith pleased Jesus. He couldn’t shake her off her belief that Jesus could and would heal her daughter. His response, “For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.” Her wise intuition of what He was all about brought the result - the freeing of her daughter.
Have a little tenacity in your heart today for whatever you are asking God for. Know who He is and what He desires to do and grab hold. He will respond to your faith!
-Laura Woodworth
August 31st, 2009 by Laura Woodworth
Alan and I spent some time with new-found friends from Bolivia yesterday and we discussed the spiritual oppression sometimes encountered from country to country, or from one area to another. If you’re a person with any spiritual sense you will know exactly what I mean!
They particularly felt the spiritual warfare when they traveled from Bolivia to Argentina for a time of ministry.
Jesus encountered this when He went to the Gaderenes. (Mark 5) He set the demon-possessed free… and the people begged Him to leave them alone!
Jesus crossed back over the sea and encountered mulititudes who thronged about Him, with two notable miracles described (Jairus’ daughter and the woman with the issue of blood).But, when He went to his own country… Jesus met with unbelief again.
When He met with that unbelief, it’s important to note what He did. In the Gaderenes, He told the freed man to tell others what God had done for him - setting the stage for the gospel to be received in days ahead.
In His own country, Jesus began to TEACH. He healed who He could… and then went in a circuit teaching. What do you think He taught? I’m guessing He laid a foundation of faith. We know that those who were first offended at His presence became instrumental in the growth of the church after Christ’s death (James, the brother of Jesus, Mary his mother, etc.)
If you’re facing an area of oppression, you’ve got several options. (Disgust at fruitlessness is not one of them, unless it stirs you to action!) Pray always with the weapons God has given you…. and then determine if perhaps its time to teach. - Laura Woodworth
August 29th, 2009 by Laura Woodworth
Do you have a mandate from God on your life? Has He told you to “get into the boat and cross over to the other side?” (See Mark 4)
The disciples were obeying the Lord when they ended up in the midst of a dangerous storm. This was after a full day of parables on…. FAITH. Faith that bears fruit, faith that grows, faith that shines out. And now they’re full of thoughts that they’re going to perish while accepting God’s mandate to “cross over.”
Did they not understand the authority that comes with the mandate? Couldn’t THEY just as easily have spoken to the wind and waves and calmed the storm?
If God’s spoken a word to you, the only way you’re going to carry it out - without it turning into some humanistic “pull yourself up by the bootstraps” kind of thing - is to have faith that bears fruit and a firm belief that if the Father has spoken, He has also given the equipping and authority to get the job done.
Today - believe again - and cross over to the other side. - Laura Woodworth
