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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThis particular conference was a first for me. It was my first time being the wife of a state director, or interim director. It was my first time being a wife!<\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nConferences are great for seeing old friends and meeting new ones. It a wonderful opportunity to hear lots of stories of God’s direction and working in the different local, national and international areas. One such story gripped at my heart and demanded my response. A prayer Chairman from one of the states shared about the miraculous changes occurring since she started the CEF\u00ae prayer wall in her state. She had established a 24\/7 prayer wall, asking people to pray in either 15, 30, 45, or 60-minute increments once a week on a specific day and time. I couldn’t get her story out of my head. The Holy Spirit wouldn\u2019t let me forget it, for He was trying to tell me something I didn\u2019t necessarily want to hear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You see, CEF Hawaii was in difficult straights. The ministry had dwindled immensely after the former state director had to leave suddenly due to health issues. For a couple years there were only two staff members in the state until I joined. Furthermore, there was no one to replace the former director. As a result, CEF was forgotten in the churches and in people\u2019s minds. The prayer ministry had died. The finances were so bad, the ministry was getting more and more in the red. Almost all the assets were gone. Out of desperation, Tim was appointed interim state director although he had made it clear he did not want the job. Then I joined the ministry after Tim and I were married. Spiritual warfare was hitting from many sides and CEF USA was experiencing more and more open opposition. That affected the Islands as well. There was even talk on the State board of the possibility of closing the ministry down in the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I had just come from Canada where a lot of that had happened and the provincial committee chose to close instead of trust. I was afraid CEF Hawaii was going to do the same. But that couldn’t be God’s will, especially with three newly arrived workers excited, motivated, and ready to serve. Two were straight from CMI and full of new ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n If there was ever a time we needed prayer, it was then. But I, like Tim with the interim state directorship, didn\u2019t feel adequate for the job. I, like Moses, kept finding excuses not to take on this needed challenge: I wasn\u2019t organized. I wouldn\u2019t know where to start. The job was too big for one person, let alone me. But just like Moses, God didn\u2019t let me off. It would be Him growing the ministry, not me. I would just be His physical hands and feet to accomplish the job He was asking me to do.<\/p>\n\n\n So, in November, 2012 Tim announced to the State Board that I would be starting up a prayer wall and they were fully behind the project. The Lord really grew that ministry with prayer partners from all over the world, and many people still pray for Hawaii though we are no longer there. More importantly, the Lord really grew my faith. Exodus 4:10-12 says, \u201cThen Moses said to the LORD, \u201cO my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.\u201d So the LORD said to him, \u201cWho has made man\u2019s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.\u201d<\/em><\/strong> God gives us the ability to do the task He has called us to do. He just wants our willingness.<\/p>\n\n\n God has promised to give us what we need for the task He has called us to do. 2 Corinthians 9:8 tells us, \u201cAnd God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.\u201d<\/em><\/strong> Wow. He not only gives us what we need, but gives it to us in abundance. Not only that, He gives us the courage and strength to carry out His will. Joshua 1:9 exhorts with these words, \u201cHave I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.\u201d<\/em><\/strong> He gives us the courage we need and the promise that we are never alone. If He is always with us, then He will always supply what we need for the challenge ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n When we learn that, then we see that everything that happens has a purpose. Mark 7:37 says, \u201cAnd they were astonished beyond measure, saying, \u201cHe has done all things well\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/strong> My God does all things well. ALL things! I have seen this time and time again in my own life, but I have to be continually reminded of the fact. I am a slow learner! Slowly I am learning to say yes and trust Him especially when I do not feel adequate or up to the task. It\u2019s not me, after all. I am just His physical hands and feet to get the job done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, what is He asking you to do? Are you willing to trust Him in that and take up the challenge?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blessings, Mari<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Thursday, June 1, 2023 Victim: Yours truly.Perpetrator: The Holy SpiritTime frame: October, 2012.Location: Warrenton, Missouri.Incident: The fear of becoming the prayer Coordinator It was the State Directors conference at the CEF International Office\u00ae, most widely known, back in the day, as the Home Office. It was and still is a favorite place of mine. The… Continue reading My God does all things well!<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[11],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mari.dekle.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/910"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mari.dekle.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mari.dekle.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mari.dekle.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mari.dekle.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=910"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mari.dekle.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/910\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":923,"href":"https:\/\/mari.dekle.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/910\/revisions\/923"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mari.dekle.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=910"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mari.dekle.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=910"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mari.dekle.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=910"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mari.dekle.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Every-Child-1.png\")
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