Divine Appointments

Well it has been a busy month for sure. God has really been opening doors lately, and I want to encourage you to be LOOKING for Him to 'set things up'... KINGDOM things... things of value... relational things. I also want to encourage anyone who has been experiencing the 'I don't know how this is going to happen' syndrome with 2 things; 1. If its GOD, he KNOWS how to make it happen... and 2. EXPECT Him to make it happen, be in tune to Him 'setting things up'... Whatever that may mean, be intentional in your awareness of divine relationships and appointments.

I can remember when writing the vision for JirehScope Ministries, (a vision that in part was about waiting on God... revering God... and truly seeking His face and an INTIMACY with Him) I remember half thinking and half praying, "How are we going to find the ones (churches, pastors, people) that are truly in a place to 'catch hold' of this call to deeper intimacy? In a time of where waiting on anything isn't a 'popular' idea, where would we find those who are going to catch hold of 'waiting' on God... In a time where 'feel good worship' (which I'm not opposed to, in balance) can be the 'mainstay' of our worship, will we lose sight of the depth and reverence that worship needs to also be sometimes? In a time where so many say, "I'm a Christian but I struggle to hear or sense God's leading" how can we expect to ever connect with those who are knowingly or unknowingly yearning to grab hold of a new life changing level of worshipping and seeking Him INTIMATELY? Well... when I was done thinking/praying this I sensed the comfort of Him saying, 'Don't worry... they'll find you.' God continues to bring relationships along and prove His faithfulness to that answer. This past Sunday was yet another wondrous example.

A month or so ago, I met a most amazing family who's heart for the Lord and for pursuing His Presence has grown increasingly obvious, and it was readily apparent to each of us that God was knitting 'something' together... and our hearts were a 'part' of that something. I had the privilege of ministering at this church this past Sunday, and in light of recent contact I'm confident in saying it was a blessed day for all involved... I was GREATLY blessed and enjoyed the unity I sensed of 'hunger' for Him... and we were blessed because I believe God sensed the hunger too... and He is SUCH a good Father. (He takes care of the hungry and sees that they are filled.) His Presence was very sweet and I kept thinking of Ps 133 How good it is when we dwell together in unity... its like oil running down... and fresh dew... and best of all, in that place of coming together in unity it is there that 'the Lord bestowes His blessings.' And He did... and it all started with a 'chance' meeting.

There was NOTHING chance about it... and THIS is what I hope to encourage you with and create a greater awareness of. Back in July GOD orchestrated this meeting... which has lead to conversations, and iron sharpening iron, and mutual charging in the faith, and KINGDOM minded things, including worshiping together this past Sunday. While I'm incredibly thankful that He did, when I look back at some other 'appointments,' I also have remorse for other 'meetings' that were 'missed opportunities.' We need to be sensitive in all things... even sensitive to ask and seek God with 'Lord what do you have in mind here? Why did You cause us to meet?' The Bible is full of God directing peoples paths to create opportunities to meet, encourage, rebuke, invest, impart, evangelize, minister to, heal, prophesy, create partnerships, baptize, lay hands, train, mentor, cast out demons, etc... etc... The good news is God NEVER misses an appointment... His timing is PERFECT! O Lord that we would be sensitive to your leading in all things and in turn MEET your requirements, agendas, and timeframes... That we would BELIEVE You to set things up... EXPECT You to set things up and BECAUSE of that expectancy... be READY and IN TUNE to You when they come.

"Father, I know that You could change MY life or the life of someone else that I cross paths with today... in fact You could partner me with another today to impact the lives of MANY for Your Kingdom. Lord, because I expect to be put in places of divine encounters... because You prepare our steps... I PRAY for the meetings and encounters that YOU have already planned. Help me to walk obediently INTO them and give me sensitivity to KNOW them when they come, and then to SEEK You for Your purposes in them. In Jesus Name!"

Be encouraged... one last thing... I remember God showing me a picture in Mexico... I had been realizing how God puts people in place for Kingdom purposes... and when I went to pray for MORE of these... when I began praying for 'releases' of divine appointments for KINGDOM purposes... He challenged me by saying, 'you've seen me place one hear and one there... but don't you know there is NO number to great for me to accomplish in a moment...' and I then saw a picture of 'a hand at a switchboard...' I knew it to be a symbol of His hand... and I watched as in an instant CONNECTIONS too great for me to count or number were just DONE by Him... and I prayed immediately with great faith and expectancy only to be surprised by how quickly my burden for that city in Mexico changed... we prayed, and it was NOT a long prayer by my standards, BUT I realized that because we had seen and sensed His call and been empowered by His vision which brought a realization of HIS power to perform IN AN INSTANT, after a 'relatively' short prayer I sensed His peace and a TREMENDOUS release of burden and I sensed Him saying 'you got it'... and then He proceeded to IMMEDIATELY walk US into several 'divine encounters' RIGHT THEN to bless and encourage our mission team. Don't EVER underestimate His ability to move. He's an 'Infinate God.'

Be Blessed and a Blessing!

Troy

Perseverance

God meets you when you push through... August was a very full month for me and JirehScope (Though Sept. is looking even busier!) As I was thinking about some of the highlights and what you might all like to read about I was reminded of how God moved while ministering at youth camp when I was in a very weak state... but willing to push through. Thought this is something we ALL need to be reminded of occassionally.

All in all, Pine Brook camp was amazing this year. (as it was last year!) I HIGHLY recommend this camp to anyone looking to send their children to a Bible focused INCREDIBLY fun and WELL RUN youth camp... and I should mention, wonderful food... both for the body and for the spirit! I was privileged enough to be welcomed back this year to bring some music and preach for 6 consecutive nights to a group of roughly 100 youth in Shutesbury MA... It was intense. Each night building off of the previous... and each muscle sore-ness growing deeper and wider with each passing day of activities.

As wonderful as the week unfolded to be, the first night was an ABSOLUTE FLOP! (Yes, I know... I can hear some of you saying, this is not a great way to start your blog and generate support... but it is the truth.) That said, I truly believe this 'misfortune' on the first night of teaching was part of God's plan and a means for ME to experience some of what I was sharing with the youth that week... persevering! It also held a unique blessing in disquise.

The second night I literally apologized to the youth... and made a reference back to a statement that was made about being "12 strokes behind by the 9th hole" because... that's where I felt like I was. Not only was this apology warmly accepted but some of the leadership said that they truly felt that was a HUGE lesson to the youth and one that made me VERY approachable to them. And while it was comforting to be praised for showing humility and taking responsibility without 'ignoring' or 'making excuses,' the bottom line was... it was the right thing to do and God honored. Lives were touched and much prayer occured on the second night of teaching.

The rest of the week was very meaningful and yet physically, mentally and emotionally challenging for me as I strove to be involved with the youth and their activities as much as possible and burning midnight oil in prayer and preparation for the ministry nights... often grieving at night, saddened by the 'life situations' of some of the youth. And in addition this, being involved in EVERY form of physical competitions, biblical competition, and even POETIC competition for 'my teams.' (GO "Kariel and the Mixed Nuts!" and "Made of Metal") I was also growing sick as a result of some bite or 'very gross' leg infection. I was waking (when I DID get some sleep) with fever and sweats and just feeling lousy when I was sitting still... luckily, I DIDN"T sit still for long the entire week... but by the final night of ministry, I was running about a 102 temp and my leg was... well, DISGUSTING and in a great deal of pain. The nurse was pretty alarmed stating, "I've seen hundreds of these and thats a REAL good one!"

Those of you that know me know that I typically don't even contemplate medicine or 'sitting out' but... I really was wondering if I would be able to focus and was taking a 'fair amount' of ibuprophen... but, was going to trust He'd get us through. WOOHOO, trusting Him is THE single most 'focused' and intelligent thing you can EVER do. Guys when God puts you in a place where you can see His purpose and you are draining yourself to fulfill that purpose and you sense that the enemy is just attacking and you wonder whether you really can go on and be focused and fruitful... the single most intelligent thing you can do is TRUST and know that in OUR weakness (yet submitted state to Him) HIS strength is made perfect. (I read that somewhere... ;-)

Long story short... it was SOO worth persevering... That last night, He honored with amazing ministry time... some VERY focused ministry and specific prayer and direction that could've ONLY come from Him... several were responsive and came forward believing and recieving prayer and encouragement sensing a 'call to ministry' and I was COMPLETELY blessed to share salvation with a wonderful girl and watch what appeared to be years of hurt and hardness melt into amazing smiles of joy as the love of Jesus flowed... she would have been worth persevering for all by herself! Just imagine what YOUR persevering will be worth.

Thanks again to those of you supporting me in prayer as I go minister where God opens doors.