SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #2. 1/12/98

#1 · March 6, 1998, 9:18 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on March 6, 1998, 9:18 pm
Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>

Subject: SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #2. 1/12/98
Date: Mon, 12 Jan 1998 00:19:37 -0600
Message-ID: <[email protected]>

I am writing this note at 1:00 a.m. in Indianapolis, IN, following the
evening services of a Bible Conference in which I am speaking following
the theme of "Understanding and Developing the Spiritual Life In Christ",
because I want it to get to you on Monday, if possible. My long-time
friend Jeff Floyd and I are sharing the preaching responsibilities, each
of us speaking in every service.

I am happy right now for a couple of reasons. First because of the
direction the services went and the ensuing results in the lives of many
people who met God in a fresh new way. Second, although totally
unspiritual, because, upon returning from the evening service, I learned
the Packers won the NFC championship. For those of you who had other
preferences ---- eat your hearts out!

Years ago back in the mid '60's Jeff and I were among hundreds who walked
through the fires of revival ---- a local revival that began in the
church where I was on staff, spread to other churches, the entire
community, and ultimately lasted nearly three years. Today, many
continue walking in continuous revival. It is that experience, along
with certain indicators I see, that give me hope of coming revival, and
assurance that God is still available to touch the heart desperately
hungry for him.

MY FRIEND JEFF made a powerful statement in his message last night. He
has spent the past two or three years enduring extremely severe and
potentially fatal disease. During the process of dealing with that, he
made a significant discovery, which is found in the following comment:

"Instead of only talking with my God about my "mountain", I have learned
to also talk to my "mountain" about my God.

I believe there are some valuable truths found in that statement.

1. WE DON'T HESITATE TO TALK WITH GOD about our "mountains".

But, what kind of talk is it? Praising, or complaining? Asking or
demanding? Hoping or doubting? Yielding or resisting? Abiding or
Manipulating?

Often our praying is geared more towards getting out from under some
pressure than it is in desiring our Heavenly Father to be glorified in
those circumstances. If we're honest, we must acknowledge we owe God an
apology for our ingratitude. We need to ask His forgiveness for so
frequently praying selfishly about our mountains.

2. In spite of our often childish praying to the Lord about our
mountains, HE IS STILL GRACIOUS AND PATIENT TO HEAR US. And, in spite of
what He often hears, He still takes action, though it may not be the kind
of action we would have preferred. Nonetheless, He is faithful to hear
and do what is best for our good and His glory.

3. If you have not been doing so, it is also time to SPEAK TO YOUR
MOUNTAIN ABOUT YOUR GOD. Your God already knows about your mountains,
and obviously knows more than you and more clearly than you. However, it
is likely that your mountain doesn't know anything about your God.

If Jesus could speak to the storm on the sea or the fever on the brow,
then you can speak to your mountain. Tell your mountain about your God!
You'll be glad you did, and so will God!

4. IT IS USUALLY EASIER FOR US TO SPEAK TO OUR GOD about our mountain
than it is to speak to our mountain about our God. Why is that so? It
may be because we know full well the authority God has, but we don't
realize the authority we have. So, we head to the One in charge and
forget that He has also "authority-ized" us to take charge over our
mountain.

Does that sound like blasphemy or heresy? If you feel it does, let me
suggest you read the first three chapters of Ephesians (especially
1:18-23; 2:4-7), II Cor 10:8, and Titus 2:14-15.

5. OUR COURAGE TO SPEAK TO OUR MOUNTAIN ABOUT OUR GOD is proportionate
to the degree and frequency in which we speak to our God, not about our
mountain, but about Himself! The more we confess to God just Who He is
and What He does, the more we will declare to our mountain the same
thing.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS.

Do you have a mountain that needs to hear about your God?

Will you speak to that mountain in such a manner, or will you shrink
away?

Would you rather allow the mountain to maintain its place of control or
intimidation in your life for the sake of avoiding embarrassment, rather
than to humble yourself before God, and hear Him shout for joy as He
encourages you in your declarations to the mountain? Some people would,
because they are afraid of being wrong, of failing, or of even being
disappointed in case God Himself failed (as if God could ever do such a
thing!).

Dear co-laborer ---- SPEAK TO THE MOUNTAIN ABOUT YOUR GOD! Tell it
everything you can remember about Him.

One way or another, it will make a difference.

In Christ's Bond,

Bob Tolliver
Life Unlimited Ministries
Ph: 417-275-4854. Fax: 417-275-4855
E-mail: [email protected]

Copyright January, 1998. All rights reserved.
Permission is granted to share this article, with credits, to anyone who
needs to receive it.

As I said before, our sole motive for these newsletters is to encourage
those who minister. We stand shoulder to shoulder with you, to help you
carry the burden, assist you in service, and march together to the
victory of our King.

If these comments have encouraged you, please pass them on to others you
know. Or, send their e-mail addresses to us at LIFE UNLIMITED
MINISTRIES, and we'll add them to the ever-growing list.

I am amazed at the unexpected comments I received from so many people in
so many places ---- from Florida to Alaska, Connecticut to California.
Thank you so much for your encouragement. It appears such a ministry is
needed in far greater measure than even I anticipated.

Also, we at LIFE UNLIMITED MINISTRIES welcome your personal stories,
illustrations, and comments as you may wish to share them. Let us hear
from you.

Also, if you have received this newsletter and do NOT wish to receive any
more, please e-mail us and simply request that your name be dropped.

If you want to continue receiving them, you need to do nothing. You'll
remain on it until you notify us otherwise.

Finally, if you already requested to be dropped and you still received
this issue, it is because I am writing from my lap top computer in a
motel room, and I haven't had a chance to update the information in my
address book. I apologize! Please forgive me! I'll get it updated
later this week.

A MOMENT TO LAUGH:

The faithful and saintly widow just had to compliment her pastor that
Sunday morning. She enthusiastically declared, "Pastor, I was so blessed
today. I must say that every sermon I hear you preach is better than the
Next!"

Have a great day! Have a great week! You have a great God! And He has
provided the Great Victor!
--------- End forwarded message ----------
--------- End forwarded message ----------
--------- End forwarded message ----------

_____________________________________________________________________
You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
Get completely free e-mail from Juno at www.juno.com
Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]

Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>

Subject: SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #2. 1/12/98
Date: Mon, 12 Jan 1998 00:19:37 -0600
Message-ID: <[email protected]>

I am writing this note at 1:00 a.m. in Indianapolis, IN, following the
evening services of a Bible Conference in which I am speaking following
the theme of "Understanding and Developing the Spiritual Life In Christ",
because I want it to get to you on Monday, if possible. My long-time
friend Jeff Floyd and I are sharing the preaching responsibilities, each
of us speaking in every service.

I am happy right now for a couple of reasons. First because of the
direction the services went and the ensuing results in the lives of many
people who met God in a fresh new way. Second, although totally
unspiritual, because, upon returning from the evening service, I learned
the Packers won the NFC championship. For those of you who had other
preferences ---- eat your hearts out!

Years ago back in the mid '60's Jeff and I were among hundreds who walked
through the fires of revival ---- a local revival that began in the
church where I was on staff, spread to other churches, the entire
community, and ultimately lasted nearly three years. Today, many
continue walking in continuous revival. It is that experience, along
with certain indicators I see, that give me hope of coming revival, and
assurance that God is still available to touch the heart desperately
hungry for him.

MY FRIEND JEFF made a powerful statement in his message last night. He
has spent the past two or three years enduring extremely severe and
potentially fatal disease. During the process of dealing with that, he
made a significant discovery, which is found in the following comment:

"Instead of only talking with my God about my "mountain", I have learned
to also talk to my "mountain" about my God.

I believe there are some valuable truths found in that statement.

1. WE DON'T HESITATE TO TALK WITH GOD about our "mountains".

But, what kind of talk is it? Praising, or complaining? Asking or
demanding? Hoping or doubting? Yielding or resisting? Abiding or
Manipulating?

Often our praying is geared more towards getting out from under some
pressure than it is in desiring our Heavenly Father to be glorified in
those circumstances. If we're honest, we must acknowledge we owe God an
apology for our ingratitude. We need to ask His forgiveness for so
frequently praying selfishly about our mountains.

2. In spite of our often childish praying to the Lord about our
mountains, HE IS STILL GRACIOUS AND PATIENT TO HEAR US. And, in spite of
what He often hears, He still takes action, though it may not be the kind
of action we would have preferred. Nonetheless, He is faithful to hear
and do what is best for our good and His glory.

3. If you have not been doing so, it is also time to SPEAK TO YOUR
MOUNTAIN ABOUT YOUR GOD. Your God already knows about your mountains,
and obviously knows more than you and more clearly than you. However, it
is likely that your mountain doesn't know anything about your God.

If Jesus could speak to the storm on the sea or the fever on the brow,
then you can speak to your mountain. Tell your mountain about your God!
You'll be glad you did, and so will God!

4. IT IS USUALLY EASIER FOR US TO SPEAK TO OUR GOD about our mountain
than it is to speak to our mountain about our God. Why is that so? It
may be because we know full well the authority God has, but we don't
realize the authority we have. So, we head to the One in charge and
forget that He has also "authority-ized" us to take charge over our
mountain.

Does that sound like blasphemy or heresy? If you feel it does, let me
suggest you read the first three chapters of Ephesians (especially
1:18-23; 2:4-7), II Cor 10:8, and Titus 2:14-15.

5. OUR COURAGE TO SPEAK TO OUR MOUNTAIN ABOUT OUR GOD is proportionate
to the degree and frequency in which we speak to our God, not about our
mountain, but about Himself! The more we confess to God just Who He is
and What He does, the more we will declare to our mountain the same
thing.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS.

Do you have a mountain that needs to hear about your God?

Will you speak to that mountain in such a manner, or will you shrink
away?

Would you rather allow the mountain to maintain its place of control or
intimidation in your life for the sake of avoiding embarrassment, rather
than to humble yourself before God, and hear Him shout for joy as He
encourages you in your declarations to the mountain? Some people would,
because they are afraid of being wrong, of failing, or of even being
disappointed in case God Himself failed (as if God could ever do such a
thing!).

Dear co-laborer ---- SPEAK TO THE MOUNTAIN ABOUT YOUR GOD! Tell it
everything you can remember about Him.

One way or another, it will make a difference.

In Christ's Bond,

Bob Tolliver
Life Unlimited Ministries
Ph: 417-275-4854. Fax: 417-275-4855
E-mail: [email protected]

As I said before, our sole motive for these newsletters is to encourage
those who minister. We stand shoulder to shoulder with you, to help you
carry the burden, assist you in service, and march together to the
victory of our King.

If these comments have encouraged you, please pass them on to others you
know. Or, send their e-mail addresses to us at LIFE UNLIMITED
MINISTRIES, and we'll add them to the ever-growing list.

I am amazed at the unexpected comments I received from so many people in
so many places ---- from Florida to Alaska, Connecticut to California.
Thank you so much for your encouragement. It appears such a ministry is
needed in far greater measure than even I anticipated.

Also, we at LIFE UNLIMITED MINISTRIES welcome your personal stories,
illustrations, and comments as you may wish to share them. Let us hear
from you.

Also, if you have received this newsletter and do NOT wish to receive any
more, please e-mail us and simply request that your name be dropped.

If you want to continue receiving them, you need to do nothing. You'll
remain on it until you notify us otherwise.

Finally, if you already requested to be dropped and you still received
this issue, it is because I am writing from my lap top computer in a
motel room, and I haven't had a chance to update the information in my
address book. I apologize! Please forgive me! I'll get it updated
later this week.

A MOMENT TO LAUGH:

The faithful and saintly widow just had to compliment her pastor that
Sunday morning. She enthusiastically declared, "Pastor, I was so blessed
today. I must say that every sermon I hear you preach is better than the
Next!"

Have a great day! Have a great week! You have a great God! And He has
provided the Great Victor!
--------- End forwarded message ----------
--------- End forwarded message ----------
--------- End forwarded message ----------

_____________________________________________________________________
You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com
Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]