Today as I was finishing up some work…I returned the phone call of a mom in desperate need of hope…and some Christmas gifts of love for her children. The children’s father had abandoned them.

The Lord has provided both “hope and gifts” thru the obedience and generosity of a brother & sister in Christ that called earlier in the day with a heart of compassion. Please keep all in prayer.

There is much going on in our community…in our nation. There will be much more as we CrossOver to 2010. The Lord is speaking to our hearts…as we choose to stand still…and listen.

It’s not time to “check-out”…no matter how late the day…or how weary we may feel…

Tonight, a young friend asked me to stop by the grocery store with her to get a few things. As we were standing at the check out line, I could sense the Lord telling me “be alert, stand guard”. I was really tired at the time.

I looked ahead and there was a young man in front of me. I sensed, I discerned…”somethings not right”. Again, I sensed the Lord telling me “be alert, stand back…shield the one behind you”.

The manager (a sorta big guy) came to the check out line…acted casual…but with eyes focused on the fella in front of me. Everything looked “okay”…but the Lord was telling me “be alert”…things are not as they seem.

The young man made his purchase then walked away.

A few seconds later, I made my purchase…and then began to walk towards the door with my young friend behind me. Everything looked okay but I could still sense…discern…that I was to be alert.

I looked to the left…and there was the young man who had been in front of me. He was now sitting in custody of a store manager that carried great authority in his arms:). He tried to stand up but was overpowered with the presence of the manager’s authority:) The manager was on the phone with the local police…requesting assistance.

I always ponder the life lessons the Lord gives me. I know they are to teach me…and no matter how unusual, hard, or peculiar…it’s usually preparation and teaching for the days ahead.

No matter what we “see” going on in our culture or sense what is coming…it is not time to “check out”.

It is time to “remain alert, stand guard, stand back”…use the discernment that the Lord has given us…WAKE UP even if the hour seems late and it is dark outside. Look beyond this world into the reality of eternity and the Kingdom of Jesus that will not be shaken…

If you are one who feels called to “mentor” this generation (which really should be all of us:)…it is also time to stand as a “shield” so this generation will LIVE and walk thru the door of their destiny in Christ…preparing the way of our coming King..

2 Thessalonians 2

7For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.
8And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.
9The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders,
10and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
11For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie
12and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
Stand Firm
13But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you[b] to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

16May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.