Over and over again Carmi and I are amazed at how we can do so much to help people to change their lives and they continue to make wrong decisions.
They may come to church and there will be the presence of God. The sermon will be just what they need. We may get a special appnt for them for housing, treatment, etc. Yet they make wrong choices or sabotage what we do for them.
If we are not careful we can become frustrated, bitter, uncaring, etc. We must always remind ourself that it is the work of the Holy Spirit to change lives, our job is to plant, water, and every once in awhile harvest. Even when we get the chance to harvest, the work does not stop. Because we then need to help those who do change to become sowers so they may also see a harvest.
Lately the Lord has been strongly reminding us that it is only by prayer and intercession will there be a change in people's lives. The people we work with are unsaved or very carnal and without intercession there will be no change or very long lasting change. We must pray much more for the people and Capitol Hill. Much, much more prayer.
Even with all our prayers, some go the wrong way-the still have a free will no matter how much the Holy Spirit may convict them and attempt to guide them.
One thing we continuously remind ourselves is that even if we are only able to keep a drug dealer off the streets for a few months while we work with him, they are not selling drugs to others and maybe somebody's life has been spared.
Pray, pray, pray. Throughout the day I am in a spirit of prayer, but the Lord is saying to set aside more time for intercessory prayer. Our argument is that we do not have enough time-God's answer is make time and as we make time, we will see more fruit in our efforts.
It is tough working full-time and now Carmi working full-time, and still trying to run a ministry. We wait for the day when we do ministry full-time.
