Greetings all who wrestle for the Kingdom.

Four Things

Doug Bishop, a good friend of mine, recently shared that he is spending a lot of time meditating on and praying Psalm 119:36-37.  Here is what it says;

            36  Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to dishonest gain.

37  Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, And revive me in Your ways.

He uses the NIV which states it this way;

36  Turn my heart toward your statutes; and not toward selfish gain.

37  Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.

The Jewish Tanakh (1917) states it thus;

36  Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
37  Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, and quicken me in Thy ways.

And the Amplified;

            36  Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetousness (robbery, sensuality, unworthy riches).

37  Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity (idols and idolatry); and restore me to vigorous life and health in Your ways.

I have been chewing on this and really like it.  I do incline my heart to His testimonies often (anyone who ever stops by the “W” knows that fact), but also I pray that I do not get pulled toward selfish or dishonest gain.  I do pray that God help me to turn away from worthless, vain or idolatrous things. 

The last phrase is the one I want to bring your attention to; restore, revive or quicken me in Your ways, or preserve my life according to your word.  Better yet restore me to vigorous life and health in Your ways.

A neat four-pack of things to meditate on and pray over your life.  Heart to God, avoid vain pursuit of riches, turn away from worthless things and have God quicken your ways to His.

We do not desire life apart from God and we want to know His ways as much as is humanly possible and we need Him to restore us (from the curse and the Fall by the blood of Jesus) to vigorous life and health.  This comes only by the Word and by His presence.

So  ….  My wish and my prayer for you all this Christmas season is that God Himself would restore every aspect of your life and relationships to vigorous life and health.

Thank God also for these wonderful reports of restored, vigorous life and health …

REPORTS:

• A woman was prompted to bring a sum of money to the “W”.  In her small group was a man who was out of work and asking for prayer.  She gave him the money and later said how much it blessed her to be so closely tied to God’s direction.  Father, bless this obedient heart.

• A boy with Autism was prayed for a few years ago and went from profound non-functioning to functioning with hope.  I saw his Grandfather last week and the new report is that with a computer style 

keyboard he has begun to communicate.  They tested him and the doctors say at age six he is reading at a Second grade level.  He is reading and correctly answering questions about what he read.  We bless You God for continued work in this little life.

• A woman with severe depression was prayed for and the report back is that she is trying to learn how to live without the depression since it left completely.  Also, she has been off all med’s for over a month now with no problems.  Yes indeed.

• A family who is out of work reported that every day from weird and unusual and unexpected places every need has been supplied.  They want to thank the WT for praying.  Father,.You indeed supply all of our needs according to Your riches in glory.

• A man with Cancer was prayed for and the Cancer is now gone but the PSA #’s are still high.  We trust You Father to complete this wonderful work.

• A man in his 60’s came to the “W” for two weeks and commented that in his entire life (all of it in one church or another) he had never seen real church happen until he came to the “W”.  Lord, to the degree that is a true statement it is only because You have chosen to bless us with Your presence and with Your move.  Thank You.

• After years of issues with a fungus problem Isaiah’s toes are now completely healed.  We bless you Healing Lord.

• A family was going to court due to a judgement that was being enforced and the attorney for the other side did not show.  Father, You still take care of us step by step every day.

• An intercessor that is a part of the WT was asked to pray for a person at work and the person came  back the next day with the problem resolved.  Father, You glorify the name of Your Son when You act and we thank You.

• A woman who has been suffering with fatigue for 17 years  was prayed for in proxy @ the “W” by her mother.  The daughter reported this apast week (without being told she was prayed for) that her tiredness has reduced and she soes not know why.  We do!  Thank you Father.

• A woman was prayed for to be released from perfectionism and reported last Wed. that she is no longer operating in that bondage.  What a perfect God we serve.

• A woman who had 5 incurable cancers who was healed via prayer over the course of a year and who has been cancer free for 3.5 years was tested again last week and is still cancer free.  Healed to the uttermost in the name of Jesus.

• A woman who was suffering with Kidney stones was prompted to pray for herself in a new way and the pain left and she has been free of all pain for a week.  The Word is true and ours by the blood of Christ.

Here are some additional things to be aware of as WT members;

OPPORTUNITIES:

·         Please note that there will be no “W” the last two weeks in December.

·         Please continue to pray for the staff and workers at Mars Hill.

·         Please pray for the team that is in the process of identifying and bringing in a new Teaching Pastor/Shepherd to work alongside Rob.  They need wisdom and the mind of Christ to see with spiritual eyes the person who is needed.

·         Please continue to pray for Ted and Claudia and the OMWB as they speak and minister;

o   1/11 9:30 AM Service          OMWB @ Zion Reformed in Grandville

o   1/18 9:30 AM Service          OMWB @ Zion Reformed in Grandville

o   Feb. 17^th Ted and Claudia teaching a class at Western Theological Seminary ”Demonstrations of God's Power”.  We will be sharing some of our experiences in prayer and answering questions as well.

o   Some time this summer the OMWB will be leading worship at the Gunn Lake Chapel.

·         For Jan. the team leaders for the Wrestling Team will be Steve and Ruth Zwierzinski and Joe Martino.  They will be “on the ground” before and during the services to assist with any questions or prayer needs that might come up while we are off doing worship.

You are appreciated and prayed for often.  

Ted and Claudia Kallman

Wrestling Coaches

“In some ways I think the Church today has come upon hard times because the demonic holds sway; for a long time no one has put out the garbage.”  Francis MacNutt in Deliverance from Evil Spirits