Even In the Hard Places

Steeped in the Word

September 07, 2025 – 09/07/2025

9 – Fruit Bearing (+) Judgment (-)

7 – The Spirit of God

After this, I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. Revelation 7:9 NLT

Even In the Hard Places\n

The year was 1995. Leanna and I were fixin\u2019 to step off into the great unknown of ministry, but first, there were bills to pay. So I got a job working for a national rent-to-own outfit. Yes, I was a repo man! The money was good and, surprisingly, the opportunity to reach people for Jesus was even better! Through this job, people in the housing projects of central Fort Worth began to trust me as God took me into the homes of the poorest of the poor.\n

Imagine what this was like: I would knock on a door at 7 a.m. and a sleepy-eyed single mom would open it. \u201cMrs. Jones,\u201d I would say, \u201cI\u2019m here to pick up your refrigerator.\u201d She would look at me with disgust and explain that there was milk for her kids in the refrigerator and meat for dinner in the freezer. Then, I would explain that she had broken her contract and that it had taken me several weeks to track her down.\u00a0 I would be polite, even sympathetic, but firm. \u201cI\u2019m here to take your refrigerator,\u201d I would say.\n

I can\u2019t tell you how hard it was to walk past those kids without saying anything. And the absolute worst thing I could say was something like \u201cGod bless you\u201d or \u201cJesus loves you.\u201d I had to keep my mouth shut and be professional. It nearly killed me!\n

Now imagine how effective it was to show up at that same house when I was off work, with a gently used or refurbished refrigerator Leanna and I had bought from a second-hand store. Imagine the surprise on that mama\u2019s face when I explained to her that earlier, I had been there in the name of my company, but this time, I was there in the name of Jesus!\n

The refrigerator was a free gift, \u201cjust like Jesus,\u201d I would say. You would not believe the move of God that would follow. It was amazing!\n

These were special times for us. How about you? Are you in the middle of special times, showing Jesus to a hurting world in need? If you\u2019re not, you should be.","hover":"\nWhich Wolf Do You Feed?\n

Jesus-driven thinking helps and heals. This is what the Bible has to say on the subject: For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. \u2013 Romans 8:6\n

The Cherokee nation knew it, too. Check out this spot-on tribal tale:\n

An old Cherokee chief was teaching his grandson about life. He told the boy, \u201cA terrible fight is going on inside me. It is a fight between two wolves. One wolf is evil. He is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and self-doubt.\"\n

The old man continued: \u201cThe other wolf is good. He is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.\u201d He then told the boy, \u201cThis same fight is going on inside you and inside every other person, too.\u201d\n

The grandson thought about it for a minute, then asked his grandfather, \u201cWhich wolf will win?\u201d The wise old chief replied, \u201cThe one you feed.\u201d\n

What wolf have you been feeding? Just know the wolf of evil thoughts will eventually devour you, and likely others as well. Thoughts become actions, and there is always collateral damage.\n

That\u2019s not you! You can control your thought life and ensure the evil wolf starves to death."}},"slug":"et_pb_blurb"}">Even In the Hard Places

The year was 1995. Leanna and I were fixin’ to step off into the great unknown of ministry, but first, there were bills to pay. So I got a job working for a national rent-to-own outfit. Yes, I was a repo man! The money was good and, surprisingly, the opportunity to reach people for Jesus was even better! Through this job, people in the housing projects of central Fort Worth began to trust me as God took me into the homes of the poorest of the poor.

Imagine what this was like: I would knock on a door at 7 a.m. and a sleepy-eyed single mom would open it. “Mrs. Jones,” I would say, “I’m here to pick up your refrigerator.” She would look at me with disgust and explain that there was milk for her kids in the refrigerator and meat for dinner in the freezer. Then, I would explain that she had broken her contract and that it had taken me several weeks to track her down. I would be polite, even sympathetic, but firm. “I’m here to take your refrigerator,” I would say.

I can’t tell you how hard it was to walk past those kids without saying anything. And the absolute worst thing I could say was something like “God bless you” or “Jesus loves you.” I had to keep my mouth shut and be professional. It nearly killed me!

Now imagine how effective it was to show up at that same house when I was off work, with a gently used or refurbished refrigerator Leanna and I had bought from a second-hand store. Imagine the surprise on that mama’s face when I explained to her that earlier, I had been there in the name of my company, but this time, I was there in the name of Jesus!

The refrigerator was a free gift, “just like Jesus,” I would say. You would not believe the move of God that would follow. It was amazing!

These were special times for us. How about you? Are you in the middle of special times, showing Jesus to a hurting world in need? If you’re not, you should be.

Grounded in FaithDeclare!

Jesus will show me how to show Him to a hurting world. I will be obedient to act and bring Him glory in the middle of the miracle He wants to bring for someone else. It fills my heart with joy to get to be used to bless others.

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Pray a-Latte

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16 NLT

Monthly Prayer PointsLabor Day Weekend – Appreciation for all workers, rest, relaxation, and safety for all

OpenDoor Women’s Conference – More Jesus, Joy, and Jubilee for their Journey

Grandparents Day – 9/7SOKE – OpenDoor School Term begins

Pray for Israel – Rosh Hashanah (New Year) is 9/23

SPARK Worldwide Mission Trip to Africa

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