Intro from Julie A. Smith:

Let's face it, we've all walked through hopelessness and despair. But in the midst of these trials, God is completing us; He is finishing the good work He started. One thing I've not only learned yet witnessed with my very own eyes is that God does nothing without purpose. It is in the depths of despair that He has a plan and purpose - for us to trust, lean on and rely on Him and to remember that you're only passing through this desert - it is NOT a dwelling place. Selah!

I like what Tiffany Ann Lewis shares here:

"Do we trust that all these tribulations are destined to produce joyful confidence and eternal hope? Will we follow Him into the wilderness knowing that our only door of hope is a door of troubles and tribulations?"

Our door of hope is a door of "troubles and tribulations?" Sounds backwards, doesn't it? It is by no coincidence that a few days ago, Steve and I were praying and one of the verses he received while praying was Revelation 3:8:

"I know your deeds; Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name."

The next doors before us will be doors which No One Can Shut! You have been faithful to God wherever He has led you, even through doors of troubles and tribulations. Because of your faithfulness to Him, now watch Him as He faithfully opens wide - New Doors for you - filled with His blessing and favor!

As the title of this article indicates, we are being prepared as a Bridal Army. Tiffany Ann shares: "He is forming an army that does not worry about problems but worships because we know and trust God alone."

I pray this word deeply encourages you - that God is faithful, no matter what He is leading you through!

Blessings,

Julie A. Smith, Editor
The ElijahList & ElijahRain magazine

"Therefore, behold, I will allure her, will bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfort to her. I will give her her vineyards from there, and the Valley of Achor as a door of hope; she shall sing there...as in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt." Hosea 2:14-15

The Lord is alluring, yes alluring, us into the wilderness to be formed into a worshiping weapon - a warrior bride. He is forming an army that does not worry about problems but worships because we know and trust God alone. With eyes locked with His, this bridal army will release Kingdom authority as she dances with her Bridegroom King, Jesus Christ.

Worship is not your typical warfare, but it is an effective strategy and one the devil is hell-bent on destroying. I'm not talking about turning on some music. By definition, worship means to bow down, to prostrate oneself before a superior in homage. Worship is a weapon that has the power to change the atmosphere from hopeless to hopeful.

Our worship gains power as we remember what God has done and why He did it. I am talking about entering into a realm in the Spirit even in the midst of trials and tribulations, pain and suffering, because we know the truth of God's nature and character. It is this truth that sets our hearts free to worship our Bridegroom...(more)

"My father is a humble man who would never expect to be honored and recognized like this on his birthday. We urge all who made a commitment to Jesus Christ through my father's ministry to share your story or simple greeting, as nothing could uplift him more on this special day."

(Charlotte, NC)—For more than 60 years, evangelist Billy Graham has preached the good news of God's love in-person to nearly 215 million people at hundreds of events and countless millions more via television and radio. Now, all of the individuals, churches and ministries he has impacted have a unique opportunity to say something in return.

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) announced recently it is collecting stories and birthday wishes for the evangelist, who turns 90 on November 7, 2008. All who have been personally touched by an aspect of Billy Graham's ministry are welcome and encouraged to visit www.billygraham90.com to share a greeting or a personal story about his ministry they feel would encourage Mr. Graham at this milestone. Submissions will be accepted until November 1.

"My father is a humble man who would never expect to be honored and recognized like this on his birthday," said Franklin Graham, BGEA president and CEO and Graham's eldest son. "We urge all who made a commitment to Jesus Christ through my father's ministry to share your story or simple greeting, as nothing could uplift him more on this special day."

Along with providing a place where visitors can submit stories and greetings, the website also contains resources that churches and other ministries can download to inform others about this birthday celebration. In addition, messages can be mailed to: Billy Graham's 90th Birthday, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201.

Following Mr. Graham's birthday in November, all of the greetings and wishes in honor of his faithful decades-long ministry will be combined into books and presented to him during a special tribute dinner with family and ministry friends later in the month.

As Mr. Graham turns 90, the impact of his ministry continues to be felt worldwide. In addition to holding international evangelistic Festivals, Franklin Graham has overseen the development of several exciting new projects at the BGEA that are reaching millions of people across the United States and around the globe...(more)

Source: Christian Newswire

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