Are You a Preacher?

So this morning a fellow-laborer asked me if I was a preacher. Without hesitation I answered, "Yes. Yes, I am. I had a problem originally, being a woman, but God said . . ."

He nodded, smiling, "That explains a lot."

Two years ago my answer would have been, "No, I just repeat what He tells me." Today, it's emphatically, "Yes!"

Not only am I comfortable with that title these days, but I am also quite comfortable teaching,  preaching, and ministering as one in that position. I get up each day asking the Lord to lead me in being the witness He would have me be -- reaching out to those I encounter as the Spirit wills. Now this has led to a wide variety of opportunities to His glory, and constant amazement on my behalf as He proves over and over again just how able He is to work with the truly willing. I, literally, just show up expecting Him to be Himself, and He never disappoints. It's one of those things I think far too many just do not "get" today -- that the God of the Bible truly is the exceedingly great "I AM". 

We have so many false or pseudo heroes today. We have comic book supermen and women. We have imagined rescuers, fanciful enemies, and mythical wars. Some are so caught up in these superfluous worlds that they fail to realize we have very real extraordinary warriors, diabolical villains, and world-shattering wars around us all the time.

Seriously. At any given time there are angels -- of varying sizes and positions -- listening for faith to come out of our mouths. There are demons -- also of varying sizes and positions -- desperately trying to make us stumble or fall. And there are very real wars going on between those forces for the souls of men. The godly angels make our imaginary heroes look like children at play, and the demonic side make our villains appear childishly inept. It's hard not to wonder if the imaginations of man aren't just a little bit tainted by the reality that can only be seen spiritually.

Above it all God sits enthroned in Heaven. The Bible says we are like "grasshoppers" before Him (Isa 40:22). Yet, He waits, that He might show us compassion (Isa 30:18) We are insignificant puffs of dust in His hands, but He loved us so much that He sent His only Son to suffer and die, even to be humiliated, that we might be saved.

So, yes, I am a preacher, because the Great God of Heaven loved me so much that I am truly nothing if I fail to love Him back by taking the truth of His word to those who will hear it. How else are they to know? If no one shall take His word to them, how else are they to be saved? How else shall I glorify Him? I tell you the truth:  If I am silent, then I make a mockery of the sacrifice of His Son, my LORD.

Two years ago I would have fumbled my words, not knowing how to respond. I would have been uncomfortable with making such bold statements. Today I stand on the street and preach as loud and clearly as I possibly can -- without shame, without fear, without hesitation, and I am very much aware that the demons and principalities tremble when I do. What a difference a couple of years make.

"Come, see . . ."

by Betty Baker Bailey

When the Lord witnessed to the Samaritan woman, she was so struck by the reality of who He was that she went back to the town, calling her people to, "Come, see . . ." (John 4:28-29). She could not keep this incredible revelation to herself. It was too great for that. No, she wanted everyone to know that she had met the Messiah. He had shown Himself to her and she was forever changed.

Most true Christians feel exactly the same way today. We have met the Lord and found Him so completely awe-inspiring that we cannot keep Him to ourselves. We want everyone to know Him. We want everyone to partake of Him.

My walk with the Lord has been marked with miracles and wonders, inexplicable joy and peace, and a comfort and security that nothing can shake. Even with all odds against me, He has carried me through time and time again. These days I hear angels singing in my sleep -- beautiful songs of worship performed by a heavenly choir. I get up to put them down so that I can sing them myself and they literally write themselves, because I've been listening to them in my dreams.

God is good. He is infinitely loving and kind to those who are His. With all that's wrong around us; He gives us His peace, His joy, and lifts us away from this earthly plane. Satan may roar like a lion, but he is defeated. The battle is over. Yeshua won. Come, see, my friends. Belonging to the Lord is the most important decision we will ever make. The benefits are amazing.

Psalm 34:8 declares, "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed in the man who takes refuge in Him."


God's peace.

My Beloved Granny

by Betty Baker Bailey

Long ago when I was young,

When nursery rhymes rolled off my tongue,

I remember Granny come to call

With goodies packed away for all.

Her silver hair was her disguise

For Granny was both young and wise.

She told us truths to make us think

And set us laughing with her hi-jinks!

And when she cooked, we all drooled.

Her cakes and pies rarely cooled.

Eggs blossomed into royal feasts;

Luscious treats from a little yeast.

Fun as such few ever knew

Was mine as Granny and I grew.

She taught me how to tell a tale

So it could never quite grow stale.

She helped me see the truth of God;

To trace the steps that Jesus trod;

And gave me purpose just to know

That in His way I was to grow.

Yes, Granny, I do miss you, dear.

Forgive as I must shed a tear.

Not because I begrudge your date

With the keeper outside Heaven’s gate.

It’s just that I still love you so

Sometimes I almost want to go;

To join you somewhere in the skies

Where angels sing you lullabies.

A forgotten scene flashes out of time,

A graceful Granny in her prime.

Her gray hair flowing in the wind

She races past me to the end.

Perhaps it’s Granny with a wink

Reminding me to stop and think;

Where others may be meek and mild

My Beloved Granny may just be . . . running wild!

From "The Air of Heaven, Regarding Salvation -- It's Alive"

The true Christian relationship is a living relationship. It is an unequal partnership to be sure, because He is our superior by far and we are the obvious underling. But it is still a partnership, because we are tied together. The only way we can mature is by partaking of Him – His word, His presence, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He doesn’t need us, but He does desire us. So He gives and we take, but we must reach a point where we are also giving back.

In the beginning the Spirit does much for us. For instance, we are assigned angels. Again, this may be an area where some would draw back, but the Bible is full of references to angels. They’re not imagined beings. On the contrary, they are quite real.

Now when they had departed, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the Child and His mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.  – Mat 2:13

And the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Yeshua, who has been crucified. – Mat 28:5

And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and roused him, saying, “Get up quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. – Act 12:7

Now, in today’s world many find the idea that angels are still amongst us laughable. In reality, that attitude is like saying one doesn’t actually believe the Scriptural accounts of them. It’s an illogical and detrimental stance, because angels are still very much involved in our lives. Personally, I think we do far more harm pretending they don’t exist than dealing with their reality. I think that because angels are often the ones who deliver us, much like Peter from the jailhouse. In addition, they respond to our prayers -- those uttered in faith and coming from obedience. So, by denying them, we are, in fact, denying His power – at least one avenue of it.

Like us angels serve God, but unlike us they are not tied to this world. Many who see or hear them report it as through a vision or dream state, but they can speak as clearly or appear as tangibly as us. Perhaps the greatest misconception about them lies in thinking them weak or too full of joy to obey His Word. While they do rejoice at our salvation, they are also quite capable of taking out whole armies.

Then the angel of the Lord went out, and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians; and when men arose early in the morning, behold, all of these were dead. – Isa 37:36

Fortunately, the legend about guardian angels happens to be true. I heard the call go out when I returned to service and I heard the two that answered. Since God is no respecter of persons, I tend to think that all believers have two. I’ve seen the ones assigned to me more than once through the years and must tell you I’m thoroughly impressed with their dedication. We really aren’t alone. The Lord does check in on us. He is intimately involved in every aspect of our lives, but the angels assigned to us stay with us as long as we are alive spiritually.

I had this beautiful experience a few years ago. I was greatly grieved over something. I can’t say for certain now what it was, but it weighed heavily on me. I lay on my couch weeping bitterly, pleading with the Lord to help me. In a brief dry-eyed moment, I saw one of those assigned to me bending over with his ear right up next to my mouth listening intently.

Suddenly, the Lord stood beside him asking, “What is wrong with her? Why is she so upset?”

Tender love, that’s what we get from our Lord when we seek Him with a broken heart. Don’t ever think He isn’t listening or doesn’t care. He is and does. He and those He sent to be with us are, too. We’re not left to our own defenses, nor expected to carry the weight of the world. We are to be looking to and expecting Him to be very much involved in our everyday lives, because our relationship is as alive as we are.

From the Section on Faith, Hope, and Love of "The Air of Heaven"

Faith

by Betty Baker Bailey

Though battles rage around me,

I lie in peaceful sleep

For Angels stand at ready

My safety for to keep.

The world is not a safe place.

But I, a little sheep,

Can rest content that His grace

Is sufficiently deep.

And so, until the sunrise,

When dew has kissed His land,

In peace I sleep with closed eyes,

And rest inside His hand.

From "The Air of Heaven" -- the prayer that follows "Able Potter"

Gracious and loving Heavenly Father,

Thou art worthy of all praise and adoration.

We are humbled before You,

Honored to come before You.

To be in Your presence is a blessing, indeed.

To be allowed to present our requests is a privilege,

And we are grateful for it.

For You the sun is a plaything. The worlds dance to Your tune.

Yet, You, by Your loving grace have carefully provided for our needs.

We would do well to recognize Your generosity with praise.

All that we have we owe to You.

Open our eyes, Lord, to the depth of Your provision for us.

Incline our hearts to understand Your great love.

Turn our hearts from the earthly mindset of being independently able.

Not one of us could create one single ounce of dirt.

Thank You, Lord, for providing us with this world on which we live.

Thank You for covering it with such wondrous plants.

From the beautiful and fragrant flowers to the nourishing and tasty

fruits and vegetables, You show Your abiding concern for us.

Thank You, Father, thank You.

For the variety of animal life You have provided, we also praise You, Father.

Each one serves a purpose, though we may not yet understand it fully.

Thank You for the fertile valleys and the refreshingly cool waters,

the majestic mountains and welcoming sandy beaches.

Every corner of this wondrous world speaks clearly of Your greatness,

echos with the richness in which You intended for us to live.

We thank You, Father, for such great provision.

May the angels lift Your praises high and may our hearts lift up Your name,

O worthy Lord and God, we are indeed blessed to be Yours

in Yeshuah's name, amen and amen.