SHINE-TIME
Believers, I feel the Lord is telling me that it’s your time to shine.

Throughout history the Lord (as well as wise men), have required a training regiment for people that are potential leaders that included challenging modules.

Moses was obviously picked by God at birth for his future destiny but in order to be prepared he had to have some “training”. After being raised in Pharaoh’s house he saw the affliction of his people and the burden to help them arose. He assumed he was ready to lead them, however the Lord had an additional training course prepared for him. Moses spent 40 more years on the backside of a Midian desert before God said out of a burning bush that He wanted him to go lead the Israelites out of Egypt. This story is told in Exodus chapters 1-3. It was a difficult training course but when it was time Moses was ready to shine!

David was 10 years old when Samuel anointed him to be King, 1Sam 16:7-13. It took him twenty years to actually occupy the throne, 2 Sam 5:3-5. During those twenty years God was training David so he would be able to rule Israel in a Godly manner. David’s training included facing Goliath, finding a true friend in Saul’s son Jonathan, sparing Saul’s life twice when Saul hated him, living with the Philistines, and defeating the Amalekites with 400 men after they took his wives. These are recorded in 1Sam chapters 16-30. David had to fight numerous battles and learn patience in many situations before he was anointed king. Then when it came time for him to shine, he was ready!

I could go on with examples from the bible of how God prepares people to shine…like Abraham-Gen 22:12, Joseph-Gen 50:19-20, Joshua-Josh 1:5-7, Esther-Esther 4:14. When you have some time read more about these people that God chose to lead…it is truly amazing how God caused them to shine.

Finally, God even required Jesus to be trained. He was raised in the home of a carpenter learning that trade. Take it from me, it can be difficult work and it teaches important principles like firm foundations and solid structures are how to build a houses that stand strong in the storms of life. Then when Jesus reached adulthood and was ready to do what God had sent him to do, he still had another round of training to go through. Mat 4:1 says “Jesus was led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil”. This lasted 40 days and during this time Jesus submitted himself to God rather than the desires of satan. It was a spiritual warfare that Jesus had to endure and overcome in order to be ready to shine. Jesus passed the test just like Moses and David and I know you will too. Believers, God is preparing you to SHINE and your TIME is coming.

James 1:12 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him”.
Be Blessed, Vince Hawks

HEAVINESS             

When I returned from a morning walk today, I thought I needed to share the following:

I proceeded down the sidewalk as I normally do and began praying about numerous issues that Janee and I are aware of.  They include issues concerning some close family members, very good friends, God called ministries, the nation and the world.

 I began feeling a heaviness as I continued praying, not physically but in my spirit.  I continued and completed the walk of about 40 minutes and the heaviness continued.  For those who may not be totally aware of my basic personality, I am a glass ½ full type person, I usually at least try to see the positive aspects of circumstances and situations.  So this has kind of got my attention…as looked at these scriptures and the heaviness lifted.

Jesus said in John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace…”.  So what “things” is Jesus talking about?  Earlier in the chapter, verse 16, Jesus said  “A little while and you shall not see me…’  Jesus is telling the disciples that change is coming and nobody really is prepared for or likes change.  Jesus is saying this event, though the prophets foretold it numerous times in the Old Testament, will still take you by surprise. Jesus is telling them to prepare for an event that will rock their world.  That event was his impending death on the cross.  Jesus is saying that in spite of the “heaviness” you will no doubt feel you can find peace in me.

Verse 16 continues “…and again, a little while, and you shall see me, because I go to my Father”.   The end of the chapter in verse 33, Jesus says “…in the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Jesus did not say tribulation (and heaviness) may come…He said it shall come. He also said he has overcome and 1 John 5:4 says we, overcome the world.

So be encouraged friends… even though circumstances of the world, the nation and at times in our personal lives look so big they will be nearly impossible to deal with.  You can overcome and find peace in Jesus!

Vince Hawks

We know the Lord tells us in His word to be instant in season and out of season. (ITimothy 4:2) The Lord said to me; “Be instant in Faith” This is not a revelation that applies to our solid foundation, for we are always to pray, fast, and spend intimate time with our God. We are always to dedicate time to Him and soak in His presence. But when God whispered to me “Be instant in Faith” He also gave me understanding that this truth is a strategy to accomplish God’s will in different  situations we face in this current day of the instant fast-pace life in which we find ourselves, especially in  America. It is a revelation tool to use to accomplish God’s will for such a time as this. We know our great God can do amazing things in an instant.  So I believe Father wants us to Know that it is not our condition, or our situation, our time, our peace, or all our prayers, but it is “our FAITH in the God who is in us” to accomplish what is needed to glorify Him in the moment.  When we just respond to His will even if it is in chaos, in sickness, or in many distractions, etc, still He will come because of simple faith. The faith of a mustard seed spoken of in the scriptures is the faith of Jesus Christ that He has given to us  and it will move mountains.  It is His faith He has placed in His own. So  we must set ourselves aside and know it is not about us but rather the God  who is greater in us that will do all things and will do the impossible at anytime or anywhere. Glory to God for this is freedom. It is not about us to make anything happen for His glory. Our part is simply to  believe God, to show up in faith, obedient, and humble. Praise God for His ways are so much higher than ours.

Hebrews 11: 1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  So the faith of the Lord in us is going to put substance to what we hope for, it will put  evidence into things we have not seen.                                  

Hebrews 11: 6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that HIs is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”  It is the faith Jesus placed in us that will capture the Lords ear and power. We will accomplish nothing or receive nothing without faith for the just shall live by Faith.                                                                                                           The just shall live by Faith” (Romans 1:17) Paul said in Galatians 2:20 ” The life I live I live by the Faith OF the son of God” KJV                                                                                                                I

I believe the Lord spoke to me about the importance of spreading hope in this world today. Though we see darkness covering the earth and though we constantly hear the reports of darkness that is upon us, THE LORD SAID to me: “Don’t give the darkness a voice or a stage. Give My light a voice and a stage.” Don’t speak of the darkness that will come and give it an stage to perform on. Don’t entertain it or give darkness a voice to create despair and fear.  I call you as My disciples to  Give Me, your God,  a voice, speak about My hope I have given to you, speak revelations of My Light, speak of My promises and My great faithfulness and everlasting love. Demonstrate  real Faith and let me show My Power to the world. And the Glory will arise upon you and the situations of darkness and others will be drawn into the light of God.”

Isaiah 6-1-2 “ Arise , shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; BUT the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. “