L. Kathleen Cline

  I teach a 9 th and 10th-grade girls' Sunday school class with one of my dear prayer warrior friends. Our Church has it, so each child's class has two adults present. My partner and I have both been feeling an extreme urge just to call it quits. Sunday was an extremely rough spiritual battle. It was odd that when I shared my overwhelming temptation, my partner also got the same message, which was self-pity. See, as I entered that sanctuary, everyone was having a great time socializing. Immediately I heard, "Because you teach in another building, no one knows you, and you are missing out. You could have fun like them if you quit because, look, it's like they are at a party and you are not invited." Crazy message, huh. Because my friend and I have been doing this for years, we are missing out on things, but joining the social fun would mean we would have to quit the calling of God. This morning when God and I were mulling over the crazy temptat

  I have the most interesting story from my prayer partner. Miss Frances has allowed me to share. Two Fridays ago, she was up at 4 a.m. preparing to teach several chapters from the book of Daniel. Suddenly she heard piercing screams coming from outside, which sounded like her outdoor cat being torn apart. Miss Frances being a tiny woman and knowing a panther was spotted on the property, she went to get her husband to go outside. He quickly turned down this request since it was early and stated he would check when the sun came up. The screams were so intense that the dogs busted from their pen to chase whatever was making the noise. In the morning, the chickens were plastered to the back of their coop in sheer fear. Odd thing, though, they found no hair or blood, but kitty would not respond to the usual call. Saturday went by; then Sunday till Monday Miss Frances decided to pick up the cat’s bowls. My friend was confused and felt violated because she faithfully walked

  The fear of the Lord is a good thing. You may ask me why. Well, Isaiah 11 teaches us many reasons why. First, the fear of God acknowledges the good intentions of God and motivates and delights even Jesus. When you read God’s word, it produces the fear of God. You know someone is walking in the fear of God because their life displays God’s wisdom. The fear of God restrains people from sinning along with giving confidence to the one walking by faith. Rulers and judges will act justly when they fear God. Here is my favorite benefit, it can result in rest and good sleep. When applied with humility, the fear of God can lead to riches, honor, and life. Finally, when we honor and obey God, His displayed protection will remind the enemy to fear God. So, the fear of God is a good thing. #whoisyourgod #livewithintent #faithoverfear #keepfaith

Free will prevents God from randomly acting in your life. You must invite God by your faith that He will. If you are a visual person, look at faith as a trigger. There is power within your grasp, but it's nothing more than an expensive paperweight until you set off the device and pull that trigger. God paid a high price through His son Jesus so that anyone could call upon His name and be saved. Until you pull that trigger of faith and proclaim Him God of your life, then He is nothing more to you than a pretty thought or wishing star. The mamby pamby approach to God makes God appear weak. Stop waving His name around in vain while you seek other means to follow. Rise up, siblings and boldly pray in faith and declare Who God is by standing in the power of His name. The world is watching, and some of the church does not look much different than the world. Sad because the God of the universe is inviting you to exercise your faith and watch Him set the captive free, he