Greetings all who wrestle for the Kingdom.

Lies, Lies and more Lies

James 5:16 tells us to confess our sins to one another so that we might be healed.  The end of this verse says that the effective prayers of righteous people accomplish much.  Do we need to be in a place of spiritual health for our prayers to be effective?  Hmmm, a thought for another Update. 

Today we want to look at why confession of sin is so important.  I believe that it is due to the fact that bringing anything dark or hidden in our lives out into the light via confession breaks the power that darkness held over us in that area and then the light and Word brings healing.  How about an example, you say?

I have a friend who was struggling at work.  He was also going through some financial difficulties.  He called and wanted to go for coffee and we did.  What he wanted to talk about was not the stress or hardships he was going through.  He wanted to let me know that, even though he is a happily married man, he was finding himself checking out the women around him in a lustful way.  He did not want to go there in his heart or in his mind but the draw of the “lie” was very strong and it was beating him up inside.  He confessed it to me and brought it into the light.  That confession broke the hold of the lie and he was set free.  It was clear and immediate.  I saw him last week (several months have now passed) and he said that he has not had the problem since.

Lies work this way.  Proverbs 7:25 gives us the example of a lie starting in the heart and migrating to action.  “Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, (first the thought) do not stray into her paths (then to a deliberate action).”  We need to be diligent to refuse and expose the lies that are harassing us with any form of lingering or agreement our hearts.  We need to expose them and bring them into the light by confession and thus be healed from the past or future intended harm that the enemy sends our way.

Whatever lie is coming to your mind today; fear, anger, lust, unforgiveness, bitterness, doubt, etc. confess any form of agreement with it to someone in the body of Christ.  Bring that lie into the light, refuse it and watch the darkness dissipate and leave.  The power of life and death is in the tongue so speak those things which are true and watch the lies dissipate and go.

To end with James as well he states in chapter four verse seven that if we submit ourselves to God and resist the devil that he will flee from us.  Sounds like a great plan to me.

Thank God with us for these reports …

REPORTS:

• A 16 year old young lady from Ohio who we were praying for over the past few months went home to be with the Lord.  Father, we do not understand everything nor do we control seasons and times but we mourn with this family the loss of a daughter.  Bless them with shalom and Your presence during this difficult time.  Thank You that even when we do not understand we can still trust You.  Show us Your ways.

• A young man who accepted Christ at the “W” a month ago (and was healed of depression and freed from oppression) was hired at Circuit City in Sept.  Thank You Father for Your provision.

• A woman who had surgery to remove a tumor is recovering with no complications.  God, You care for us well.

• An email came in recently saying thanks;

I came a few times to W this past Spring but did not return.  It is far to drive from Muskegon.  As I am on vacation in Colorado I have been contemplating coming back when I return.  I've been reading Tozer and just read the statement on prayer from below.  Thanks for that.  What confirmation that prayer is one of the foundations of our lives.  Also, I was there when we prayed for the guy who had the car accident.  I didn't believe that God would heal him then.  But, now I have renewed trust.  I look forward to participating this Fall.  Thanks for all your hard word and example of continued obedience.  You are a blessing! Thank You Father that your work is a blessing to Your children.

• A “box” report also came in via email;

I just wanted to share an answered prayer.   On Wednesday one of the prayers that I put in the bag (our box that night) was that God heal (my grandson) (11 months old) from whatever was making him unhappy, illness or spiritual.  He has been a very crabby and crying baby for several months.  On Thursday morning he woke up happy and stayed that way all day long!  Today is Saturday and the transformation is amazing.  Thank you Lord for answering our prayers!  Even for a baby who can't yet say your name yet.  He loves us all so much.

Father, You act according to Your Word and we bless You and thank You.

• A young man who is part of the Wider Wrestling Team had what he thought was a word for his Pastor.  He wrote it out and gave it to him.  It was relating to disappointment with God affecting his trust in God.  The Pastor took it seriously and asked his trusted mentors and friends if it related to him.  Every person responded ‘no, it is not about you’.  The Pastor communicated this back to the young man.  At first he was confused and wondered how he had so missed what God was saying.  Then the Holy Spirit showed him the point of misunderstanding.  He was to talk to his Pastor because it was for himself.  When he asked God to reveal how he was disappointed the Holy Spirit began to unpack the areas of wound and loss of trust.  He repented and went to his Pastor with the update and it was a great time of building up the body via listening to God.  Thank You Father for giving us space to make mistakes and leading us in a righteous way if we continue to come to You.

• A man asked for prayer on a Sunday AM who had a mass showing in his chest with many signs pointing to Cancer.  He was prayed for by the WT and came back one week later with the report.  The mass went from 6.7 in size to 3.1 and all signs of Cancer went away leading the doctors to issue some antibiotics and have him return in a few weeks to be checked.  Thank You Father for sending Your word to heal.  .

• An intercessor that is a part of the WT was having pain in the night.  Her husband prayed and the pain disappeared as he did.  Thank You Lord that we can pray and see your power in the  results.

• A young man was prayed for at the “W” for severe problems with his tonsils.  He and his mother reported last week that the tonsil issues left and surgery was not required and there has not been any return of the symptoms for the months since we prayed.  Thank You healing Lord.

• Linn Geegh Gann (Great niece of Mary Geegh who wrote the book God Guides) arrived safe in India for another season of ministry at the school founded by her Great Aunt as well as the multiple other ministry areas she oversees that bring income and growth.  We thank You Father for safe travel and look to You for safety and fruit for Your servant as she ministers in India.

• A member of the WT asked for prayer for a flu bug that was knocking him out.  We got an email back that he was up and running the next day after we prayed.  No bug is greater than You Lord.

• A man called for prayer regarding a severe migraine.  He was prayed for and the migraine left within a few hours.  Yes and amen.

• A member of the WT was called on to pray for a relative who had been having knee pain for a number of years.  She prayed and the report came back to her the relative was healed.  All the pain is gone and God is getting the glory.

• We got a note from a person who attended the conference in Indiana last month;

Ted,   I don't know if you and your team actually take prayer requests or not but if so (please pray) for us.  I have recently been given the responsibility of leading our church's intercessory team.  As far as I can tell (at least at this point) we don't have anyone interested in intercession in the church.  So I think I am going to have to borrow a few intercessors from other churches to help us get started.  If you can pray for us occasionally - it would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Please pray with us for all the churches where God is beginning to move in prayer and people are answering the call

• Another email came in from a member of the WWT;

This is the young man I was directed to stop in and pray for.......and since then we have prayed for him at "W" and in our prayer room at FRCBC. Our group at W prayed for him and Amanda. (The email below is from his grandma) she is 84 I think, Dan was staying by her house at Duck Lake. She let Barb and I in to pray for him. IS GOD AWSOME, OR WHAT?????? Praise God!

Signed by WWT member

Thank You Lord for directing and blessing Your servant’s obedience and the prayers of Your people.

• A man was laid off in GR and asked for prayer.  He was hired into a new position within a month.  You are gracious and provide our needs Father, thank You.

• Another man who moved to GR to be a part of Mars Hill asked for prayer for a job.  He was employed within a week.  Again we say thanks.

• A man was in deep need financially and went to his church to pray.  While praying he was confronted with unforgiveness in his heart.  He determined he would forgive the people of the offending parties.  Over the next few days God brought him into contact with all of them and he experienced no anger or unforgiveness.  He was healed in his heart when he gave it over to God.  Oh God, You are good to Your children.

• A 3 year old girl was run over by a Ford F150  …  twice.  The call for prayer went out and three days later she was released from the hospital with only some abrasions on her face and bruises on her arm.  Wow, God You are awesome indeed.

• A man called Mars to report that he visited while on business and was prayed for at the “W” for his marriage to be restored.  He stated “his marriage has experienced miraculous results. His struggles are not over, however, and he wants to continue to fight for his marriage.  (He) granted  me permission to put the above on our prayer list.  An amazing result from the prayers of people who believe.

• A woman who has experienced many miracle answers to prayer as a single mom over the past two years was at a point of deep discouragement and financial need again.  She was going to call her landlord to say she was going to have to move when the phone rang.  It was a friend who had her come over and gave her money.  Also, her ex called and gave her extra money for the month (something he had never done in the past).  She then asked God to confirm that it was really a gift from Him.  She stopped at a coffee shop and ended up through a series of situations to get five free cups of coffee.  An enormous hug from God indeed.

• A woman who was prayed for in Detroit by a member of the WT reported back significant progress with her son that she can only attribute to God moving.  Thank You Father for change that is acknowledged to be from You.  We agree.

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

OPPORTUNITIES:

·         Please pray for the staff and workers to rise up in the power of the Holy Spirit as they do the work at Mars Hill.

·         Please pray for the staff, leaders and volunteers at Mars Hill as there are many transitions in process. Change can be disruptive.  Also, 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 we need.

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

o   OMWB will be opening for Randy Stonehill at Spring Arbor Univ. Friday Oct. 10^th.  We will be doing some Aslan tunes (our band from the early 70’s) and some OMWB.

o   Three teaching/worship events coming up this fall Sunday evenings at First Reformed in Byron Center;

§  October 5^th

§  October 19^th

§  November 9^th

You are appreciated and prayed for often.  

Blessings,

Ted and Claudia Kallman

Wrestling Coaches

“God cares not only about redeeming souls but also about restoring his creation.  He calls us to be agents not only of his saving grace but also of his common grace.  Our job is not only to build up the church but also to build a society to the glory of God.  As agents of God’s common grace, we are called to help sustain and renew his creation, to uphold the created institutions of family and society, to pursue science and scholarship, to create works of art and beauty, and to heal and help those suffering from the results of the Fall.”  Charles Colson and Nancy Pearcey in How Now Shall We Live?

“The reality is that God would rather have someone give a dime out of desire than a million dollars out of duty.  A dime given by desire means something to God.  A million dollars given by duty means nothing.  Yet all around the world, pastors, churches, and Christians are preaching duty instead of grace.  No wonder the church is repelling people rather than compelling them.”  from Change Your Church for Good – The Art of Sacred Cow Tipping by Brad Powell, a book Claudia came across.

“Activity apart from My direction is like a dog chewing a bone; it fills up time and can feel good but it has no eternal consequence.”  A thought that came in prayer this month.