The Warrior’s Heart Cry

A New Chapter

Has God ever given you a promise? Oh, it’s so wonderful, your heart flutters, you sing and rejoice. You are so delighted. If you’re like me, you have it all figured out. You pretty much know what He’s gonna do — Not!

God has never done it my way. The Word tells us His ways are not our ways. His ways are always better. It seems like He isn’t in a hurry. After all, God made time, including all the days and seasons, for us.

Now the excitement is faded… months, years, maybe even decades have passed. You may wonder if you heard from God or not. Perhaps you heard it wrong. ‘Seems to me like things are getting worse instead of better.

You’ve been used, abused, and falsely accused. Surely this wasn’t what God planned: The job played out, the car broke down, the kids or the spouse is strung out. Perhaps you’re still waiting on a significant other, or your first child.

Let me ask you, have you been faithful to God? Are you striving to walk in His ways? If you are, don’t fret. This isn’t the end. It’s just a new chapter. God is faithful and true. He is a God who can be trusted. It will come to pass even greater than you imagined. I do understand, I’ve been waiting on a promise for 37 years.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, (for He is faithful that promised;)” (Hebrews 10:23)

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” (Ephesians 3:20)

The only impossible thing is for God to lie — He’s got this!

Is All That Crying Necessary?

By Teresa Poucher

There are three different types of tears. Emotional tears are made in response to joy, sadness, or other intense emotions. Basal tears are produced to keep the cornea lubricated. Reflex tears are caused by chemical irritants in onions, tear gas, and so on.

The chemical structure of each of these tears is different. I saw images of each kind of tear under a microscope and they did not look the same. While each type of tear was unique, I was taken aback by the tears of grief. The San Mateo Daily Journal posted an article 1 explaining how the emotional tear contained a protein called prolactin. This is known to control breast milk production. The other chemical found in emotional tears is leucine-enkephalin, an endorphin that reduces pain and works to improve mood. So, is all that crying necessary?

A professor at the University of Kassel in Germany conducted close personal interviews with many volunteers to see if people who seldom cried differed significantly from those who cried more frequently. 2 He found that non-crying people were more withdrawn and their relationships were more distant. They also experienced more negative emotions, like anger and hatred, and were more aggressive than people who cried. So, is all that crying necessary?

“Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. They go from strength to strength… (Psalm 84:6-7)

When we look up the word “Baca,” it means “weeping.” Many parents raise their children to not cry: “I’ll give you something to cry about!” But here, we see that crying is going to turn into a blessing: “…make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.”

History says they would pass through Baca to go to Jerusalem to the house of God. The journey there was extremely hot and dry. They would dig small pits and God would send the former rain to fill them making pools. The former rain was always considered a blessing.

“…put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?” Psalms 56:8

I was once working through some difficulties I was facing in my life. While trying to get healing and working through it all, I sought the Lord with repentance and tears. He spoke to my heart some of the sweetest words I’ve ever heard: “I still have your first tear.”

1) Laraia, B., (2006, Jan 12). Gender Differences and the Benefits of Crying. San Mateo Daily Post, Retrieved from https://www.smdailyjournal.com/opinion/gender-differences-and-the-health-benefits-of-crying/article_ccff1ce1-20c4-5f47-99dd-83a99c80f2d8.html2) Oaklander, M. (2016, March 16). The Science of Crying. Time, Retrieved from https://time.com/collection/guide-to-happiness/4254089/science-crying/

Fight or Flight

“…and I will entreat the Lord that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh… but let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the Lord.”(Exodus 8:29)

We used to have a round pool. The jets would make the water go in a circular motion. Thus, it would bring the debris to the skimmer basket. It always amazed me how a bug that ended up in the pool would fight swimming against the flow. Did this bug know it was going to end up in a basket? Not! Yet it knew to fight what was coming against it.

Then there is the flying insect holding on for dear life to your car’s windshield wiper. I know I was going 35 mph before it lost its grip.

Both were fighting for their lives; their instincts advising them, so to speak. One was fighting for his life, the other fighting against his God-given liberty to fly.

Hmmm…

Am I fighting for, or opposing the flow of God’s word and plan?

Perhaps I’m fearful to take flight because I might have to…

Muscle Memory

My mom was a Glenn Campbell fan. We grew up listening to his music. In case you don’t know who Glen Campbell is. He began playing guitar at 4 years of age. By the time he was six, he played at local radio stations. This man released 64 albums spanning five decades, sold over 45 million records, had twelve gold albums, and four platinum albums. Not only did he play with some of the greatest in his career. Alan Jackson acknowledges him for his first break. As well as being an inspiration to Keith Urban.

He really strikes a chord with me. He was born the same year and month of my stepfather which I call Dad. They died 8 months apart. Both of them due to Alzheimer’s.

Glen Campbell did a tour while he had Alzheimer’s with three of his children. Dale (my husband ) and I watched his documentary “Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me”, after my dad passed away.

We were amazed to watch him play guitar and sing. He didn’t miss a note. Nor did he forget the words. He still wowed his fans with his talent and charm.

Never having to think, for he had done this thousands of times. Much Like a good typist, this was more than a habit. It was like muscle memory.

What would happen if we put this same discipline to work with living for God? I have a season every morning for prayer. Then in the afternoon I have a time of devotion for reading or studying His word. I have a fixed fast day as well. Not because I’m holy, or near perfect. I need God, not just every day but every second. He is the giver of life, I can’t make it without him, and don’t want to try. If I only prayed when I felt it, I wouldn’t be praying much. Most of the time after I start praying is when I feel His Spirit. I don’t know if I would ever fast if I waited until I felt it. I praise God when I feel it, I praise him when I don’t. He is always worthy no matter how I feel. It has become muscle memory.

When the way gets rough we will pray. Yet most of the time we spend our life in the plains. Things aren’t great, but they are not terrible either. That’s when we need to make sure we continue…

Acts 26: 22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great…

2 Timothy 3: 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

While I enjoyed Glen Campbell he never inspired me to kneel in prayer, or worship God

Wack-a-Mole

By Teresa Poucher

Have you ever played whack-a-mole? If not, you ought to. It’s a silly game. There are a bunch of holes where moles are hiding. They randomly pop up and you have a hammer to knock them back down.

Well, I think my back yard is a playground for moles. Those pesky varmints turn up dirt, make little mounds and tunnels everywhere. It’s like an enemy army surrounding a fortress.

I’m tired of playing whack-a-mole in my yard. They have a main highway so to speak and then make little side roads everywhere. If you can find their highway you can put a trap and catch them. Good luck! They seem to pop up everywhere.

Let’s quit knocking them in the head so to speak. Let’s eradicate them. This is war!

“See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.”

(Jeremiah 1:10)

“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;”

(2 Corinthians 10:5)

Whack-a-mole is just a silly game. Don’t let the enemy toy with your mind!

…………………………………………

Notes:

From Strong’s Concordance:• Nations (H1471) A foreign nation; hence Gentile • Kingdom (H4467) dominion

Are You In Prison?

By Teresa Poucher

Do you feel like you are on house arrest? You say your not guilty? Most convicts say the same. This COVID-19 has us locked up. Maybe we don’t have an ankle bracelet on but my word, you could pick up this deadly virus if you go out. Worse yet, you could infect the ones you love by just your breath or touch. So I think I’ll just stay in prison, I mean home.

Truth is, I am guilty. Guilty of sin. So what am I supposed to do while I’m locked up? My goodness, we can’t even go to church. Now how are we suppose to get someone free from sin?

Hmm. Reminds me of Paul and Silas Acts 16: 25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.

At midnight, sounds pretty dark, they were tired, and hurting. Myself, I would think I’d be angry, I was doing what was right. I imagine I’d be depressed. Feeling really tired, wanting some meds for my pain and try to get some sleep.
Yet they prayed. I probably would be praying to get out of there. I have a feeling they were praying for the guard that was with them. Then they start singing. Not some country tear in my beer kinda song. More like celebrating Jesus song. The foundation of the prison was shaken. they had every prisoners attention. ALL their bands were loose. I assure you Paul and Silas foundation wasn’t shaken. They were standing on the Rock Christ Jesus. The guard and his household were baptized in Jesus name that night.

You mean revival broke out in prison? No church, PA system, pews, AC or instruments? They had not even preached yet and the guard said …30: Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

Wow we can have revival during lockdown. God is dealing with backsliders. God is giving revelation to people you know. They will ask you what must I do…

What Are You Afraid Of

By Teresa Poucher

Lets get things straight, I’m not afraid of the water. I told you we would go in the gulf fishing. The thought of falling out the boat scared the begeeses out of me. Like I said I’m not afraid of the water, I know what is in that water. What can’t bite you in two pieces can sting you. You are a minimum of 10 to 20 miles to land. I might bleed to death or go into shock before getting to a hospital. Seeing the paper at Port Fourchen boat landing didn’t help. Missing man, height 5’8” to 6’2 age 20-40 years of age. I’m not going in that water.

The dark? Well I’m not afraid of that either. After all, I put tape on a standby light. I also turn a clock on it’s face, have my windows blocked out. Then again. We raise quails. We have a fairly closed in area outside for them. I pick up eggs before it gets dark. If they ever get a taste of their own eggs you will never eat pickled quail eggs again. Every once in awhile I forget to get them. Can I tell you I’m scared to go in there. There are rats that weigh almost as much as my quail. Can I tell you possums like quail eggs too. They hiss and show you their teeth. So no I’m not afraid of the dark either, just what’s in it.

Exodus 20:21. And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.

The Israelite had received the Ten Commandments. God had thunder, lightening a sound of a trumpet and smoke coming off the mountain. Vs 19 me paraphrasing it. The people said you go up that smoking mountain with thunder and lightening we don’t want to die. Just tell us what God wants. I find it amazing, Jesus is the Light of the world. Yet Moses drew near unto the thick darkness. Not just dark but the kind of dark you can’t see your hand in front of your face. Maybe he waited for the lightening to flash before he took a step. I really don’t know. I do know, God was in it. That is the most important thing. As long as God is there we will be okay. It doesn’t matter how dark things get. Or the uncertainty of the future, God is the Great I Am. Past, present, future, self sufficient one. Go ahead…Sometimes, God is in the darkness.

Let Me Hear Your War Cry

by Sis. Teresa Poucher

A child’s first expression is a cry or a scream. A cry is primal, and very natural. A mother knows the cry of her child, whether it is angry or hurt, by the pitch. Researchers have found that the higher the volume of a scream, the higher the threat associated with it. Normal speech is about four or five hertz, screams can be between 30 and 150 hertz.

Our brain doesn’t interpret screams the same way as it does other sounds. Screams are sent to your brain’s pain-processing sector. Screams seem to activate the fear and pain processing sectors of your brain.

My husband and I were driving by a fire station one day and a fire truck happened to come out and sound its horn. It scared me so badly my chest hurt. Horns weren’t put on cars to tell a person off. They are there to alert you of impending danger. Years ago, they came out with melodious horns. They were cute, but they never made me feel threatened.

We took karate and it was hard to “kiai” (“key-eye” — to shout or yell in karate.) ‘Felt ‘pertty’ silly. Your kiai is very personal, it sounds a little different than anyone else’s kiai. It’s a must in karate. It helps you to breathe properly, it gives you more power, helps you focus, thus reducing your anxiety, and intimidates the enemy.

What does this have to do with the Bible? When we hear a preacher say we need to shout, we usually think of people dancing. These are two different things.

Today, we are talking about shouting out, a war cry, or screaming. “In his right hand is the lot marked for Jerusalem: to set battering rams, to open the mouth calling for destruction, to lift up the voice with a war cry, to set battering rams against the gates, to put up assault ramps, and to build siege walls.” (Ezekiel 21:22, Amplified Bible)

“The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.” (Isaiah 42:13) Why did he prevail? Maybe it was the roar, the cry, or the shout.

Psalms 32:7, “Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.” (Strong’s Concordance defines “songs” in this instance [H7442] to be a “shout” of deliverance.)

Also see Joshua 6:20: “So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, (Strong’s defines “shout” here [H7321] as a “war cry”) that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.”

The enemy will try to muzzle your shout. He’ll tell you it’s stupid, that everyone will look at you or think you’re crazy. When in reality, it will set you free. It will also encourage others to worship, rejoice, and get the victory. It will break chains and tear down walls. You scream at your spouse when he’s about to hit another vehicle and you scream at your kids when they’re about to run into the street –

Why not scream for the victory!

A Journey Down To Go Up

By Teresa Poucher

We are all familiar with the story of the Good Samaritan, found in Luke 10:30-37… “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho…” On a map, Jericho is northeast of Jerusalem, yet the elevation of Jerusalem is much higher. Jericho is 846 ft.below sea level and Jerusalem is 2474 ft. above sea level, making it a 3320 ft descent. The journey, whether going up or down, would prove to be very difficult. The change in weather and altitude alone would be difficult. The road was very narrow, and its 18 mile trek begins at the Mount of Olives.

In Joshua 15:7, we read of Adummim, meaning “Ascent of Blood.” Adummim is an ancient town in Judea, on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho. Some ancient writers have ascribed the name’s origin to the spilling of blood by robbers and highwaymen, but one was also sure to encounter cliffs along the way so whichever interpretation is preferred, it was a very risky trek, a journey one must endure.

Our story states the man fell among thieves. He wasn’t looking for them or hanging out with them – they overpowered him. He was stripped of his raiment, left in shame, and exposed to the elements. He was robbed of his necessities and of anything of value, including a weapon to ward off wild animals or thieves. He was severely wounded and left almost dead.

“By chance, there came down a certain priest…” (someone we might expect to offer help) but he passes on the other side, maybe so the man couldn’t see him. We don’t know if he was unconscious, or if his eyes swelled shut, just that he is half dead. Possibly he doesn’t have enough strength to see or cry for help.

The scripture continues, “likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side…” Surely the Levite would do something, but he walked by also. Yet the scripture says he “looked” — not just a glance, but he considered, perceived, and understood. He also passed around the wounded, abused, and neglected man and abandoned him as well.

Yet the Samaritan, someone the religious world called “the low life,” “the worthless, good for nothing” is on his journey, a mission so to speak. He has a beast to carry his load.

The Levite came and looked but the Samaritan came where the man was. Maybe he too had been wounded, robbed, and left for dead sometime in the past and had also been passed over and neglected.

Yet this Samaritan has compassion, looks over his lack of clothes, bandages his wounds, pours in the oil and wine (the love of God’s Spirit), and sets him on his beast. Leaving his load — a burden, so to speak, that he must carry — he brings him to an inn and stays and cares for him that night. He leaves him in the care of the innkeeper with what we understand to be two days wages. He then tells the innkeeper he will come again and repay him for any additional costs.

Jesus tells us this story because a lawyer of the mosaic law asked, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus asked, “What is written in the law? Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.”

Do I love my neighbor? Do I have compassion like the Samaritan? Maybe I need to humble myself so I can lift someone up. Am I too busy, or am I too holy? God WILL use someone — will it be me?

Lost Sheep

By Teresa Poucher