But I Just Want to Work For You! Linda Lange

This is an insight that actually connects to the revelation I shared in January's newsletter.

Many of us have said this who works in secular jobs “I just want to work full-time in ministry for the Lord.” I have said it over and over myself. Well, just this January morning on my way to work I was having a little talk with the Lord. (As many of you know, most of my revelations and teachings come while commuting to and from work.) I had said to Him again, “Well Lord, I really want to work in full-time ministry.” See my idea has been to quit my State job (retire) at 50 and work in ministry full-time. (But if you read my January article, you will see that 50 is no longer a magical number.) Then I heard a very still voice say to me, “You are working for me full-time.” I said what? He then reminded me of a scripture, “Whatever I do in word or deed, do it as unto the Lord.”

I gave a chuckle and said, “Gee God, I am working for you full time right where I’m at!”

So whatever we do, whether we work for a business or not, we will do “all” as unto the Lord! It’s not “what” we do that is important to the Lord, it’s really what is in our heart while doing it that God is concerned with.

I began thinking of that and realized that we Christians who work are on the front lines reach so many for the Lord and may not even know it. We don't recognize it because it's not in a "ministry" atmosphere. As I look at the many times I’ve talked to people at work who were hurting and needed prayer, I can’t even count them all. I also began thinking of the job I have at work. I may have a long commute, but that’s been a valuable time in my growing up in the Lord. I’ve learned most of my patience and peace while driving! I found Joyce Meyer at that time too and she has been a joy to listen to. Just so many blessings while employed. And to realize that since I began LAM in 1996, there were hundreds of people that have been in touch with this ministry in one way or another, even though I worked full-time! It’s astounding.

I remember saying to my husband about the end of 1995, “I just don’t think I’m doing enough, work is in the way.” But then I looked at my itinerary and realized the devil was lying to me! My husband would remind me that there are people out there I don’t even know about that is studying the website and finding their freedom. He reminds me that the ministry is bigger than I can ever know. I do agree with him because it seems that the days that I feel like I’m not doing anything, the phone rings out from out of the blue to tell me that they are blessed by the website, or blessed by my books, or blessed because they are finding their healing from our ministry times together.

I also think another reason we struggle with work is that we departmentalize our day. I found that I would dread having to go to work, only to hurry up and get off or to the weekend so I can "do" those things for the Lord. I now see things quite differently. Whether I'm driving to work, whether I'm at work, or whether I'm ministering to people, it's all the same because I'm doing it all for the Lord! This has helped me deal with the daily grind, it's no longer grinding against me, now I'm working with it, and now it's quite a pleasure. I like the Mary Poppins' song that says, "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down" which was preceded by, "In every job there is an element of fun, find the fun, and snap, the job's a game." I actually have this attitude now and things have really improved, I'm no longer struggling with working, I actually have peace, knowing that I'm working full-time for the Lord right now, and that alone brings me joy.

STRONGHOLDS Pete Plitt

Occasionally I watch the evening news. Though most news is not exactly edifying material, a particular commercial asked a poignant question, "Where does depression hurt?" If this is a question that hits close to home, then get excited. It’s time to take the head off of this snake.

What exactly is a stronghold? You will no doubt recognize the following well used scripture: (2 Cor. 10:3-5) For, though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

To wage a victorious war, it really helps to know what the enemy has to work with. Oddly enough, there is only one primary weapon in his arsenal. He started with Eve and has been deceiving the nations ever since. He, being the father of lies, is an expert mental strategist, having watched the human creation for thousands of years. Sadly, he knows most people’s thoughts better than they know their own. He is the master of spin doctrine.

A stronghold, according to Corinthians, is a system of thought that attempts to exalt or position itself above God’s way of thinking. Consider the hopeless system of thinking that has enslaved the Arab world, or the Oriental mind, the Islanders with their Tiki gods. How many souls are plunging into eternal darkness because of the power of a stronghold? How many Christians are on the brink of hopelessness, maybe even suicide, because we didn’t know how to utilize the weapons of our warfare?

So a wave of anxiety hits you. Uncontrollable fear puts a strangle hold on you. Depression so emotionally grips you that you would do anything, take anything to make it go away. We are instructed to cast down imaginations that are out of line with what God has said, to actually bring "In to captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." Arrest, handcuff, and imprison those thoughts to come in line with the mind of Christ.

God has already provided everything that pertains to life and Godliness through the knowledge of Him [II Peter 1]. His Word is His will. He doesn’t say one thing and act somehow else. The Holy Spirit is our Teacher and our Comforter. When you know the voice of your Good Shepherd, you won’t listen to a stranger.

In Ephesians, Paul gives some insight on how we can intentionally, purposefully; deal with feelings that just won’t behave. (Eph. 5:17-20)

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For some, alcohol is the only relief they get from the emotional pounding the devil puts them through. It works, but like any counterfeit, it’s temporary at best. Then there’s the headache. But listen to Paul because he skillfully draws a parallel. Don’t use a "type," but use the real thing, being filled with the Spirit. How? By singing songs, giving thanks, worshiping the Lord. Not because you necessarily feel like it. Choose to! Activate that God given authority called your will. Quit being a whipping post. Push back at the pressure trying to hold you down and kick him out of your thought life. It’s not magic. It’s a choice to honor God by using the weapons He has provided to keep the enemy under de-feet (your feet!).

When you think about it, all you’re doing is bring the worship back to whom it belongs. As we focus on and speak about the emotion trauma, we are magnifying and glorifying the problem. It’s the way our bean works. Even worldly motivational speakers can tell you that. You are what you think. But it was God that designed us that way, and if we would heed the Word in Ephesians and refocus on the solver of problems, glorifying the King of kings and Lord of lords, it will go well with us and we will live long on the earth. His words, not mine.

Tom's Tidbits: Tom Lange

If we live in the past, we lose the now. If we try to live in the future, we lose the future. Just Be.

Schedule of Seminars/Events:

March 10-12

June 2-4

September - December (to be scheduled)

These meetings allow for individual ministry, personal encounters, fellowship and help and support you as well as teaching you to help others. The ministry is free of charge, food is included, sleeping arrangements are included. We do offer a workbook that is $10.00, and we do accept donations at any time.

Other meetings are being scheduled and will be posted to the Website as soon as they become available. If you would like to host a one-day or two-day seminar, please contact us. You can have a private meeting or open it to the public. If you would like your church to sponsor a meeting, please let us know.

FREE EVENTS and FUNDRAISING:

Children's Home/Youth Center: We visit one or both of these establishments at Easter time, sharing the Gospel Message about Easter, and providing entertainment and refreshments. If you would like to help support or participate in this event, please contact us.

Summer Freedom Fest: We are holding our 5th annual concert of 2006. Check on the website for more information http://www.mindsync.com/lam and select events. This is a free event to attend and offer some fundraising activities during the event to help pay for the Thanksgiving Dinner in November.

Help for the Holidays – Thanksgiving Style – This will be our 7th annul event. We provide a great Thanksgiving dinner along with door prizes, live music and free shopping for clothing, household, gifts and more! Date: Thanksgiving Day Time: 1-4. If you would like to help at the event, offer a donation of clothing, or want to make a donation to help pay for the event, let s know.

Your Comments:

If you have anything you would like to "say" to the world, please send your articles, comments to me. This newsletter is posted on the web at www.mindsync.com/lam each month so that your thoughts and insights may help someone else in need. Please send them to truthfrees@mindsync.com or mail: P.O. Box 165, Mt. Aukum, CA 95656.

We'll see you next month!

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