​There are times when God chooses a person to believe Him for things beyond the normal scope of what can be seen, and gives them a call to believe Him, no matter what the eyes see. He doesn't always explain the details or the full plan, but gives glimpses to the one He has chosen, as he continues to pray, and stand for it. Even then, a great deal remains a mystery, God only reveals what is necessary, to achieve the goals only fully known to Him. Some of those He chose in the bible were intercessors, and knew the importance of standing in faith, and reasoning with God on important issues, with wisdom and long range vision. Moses, Abraham, Daniel were in this category. The things they prayed about many times took many years to unfold. I've come to understand the call of this life of intercession. One definition of it could be called ground breaking faith, because what has been given you to believe for is something not seen or done before, and within yourself, you can't see it ever happening. It is God that gives the call, the vision, and even the faith to get it to become reality. 

I was not the only one in the area being asked or given the call of this kind of faith, only another who has for the most part been among the unseen. When Elijah sat in the cave alone after running from Jezebel, he spoke with God of being the only one left, but God replied "I have seven thousand other's who have not bowed the knee to Baal". The chosen one's of God may feel alone at times in this world, but God always has a remnant. But, back to the topic of faith; in this post the Lord has asked me to share two experiences He gave me years ago, and specific things to believe Him for. It took years to see the answers to them, and at times I had no faith in myself to believe God for it, but He would not let me go, and would move me by His Spirit to keep praying-at times long into the nights. He has prompted me for weeks to share this, and I have hesitated, but must obey now. Only He knows the full reasons why.

On a quiet spring evening before sunset in 1983, I was walking back home, praying as I went, and paused alongside the dirt road, thanking the Lord for the beauty around me, the night birds were coming out, the air was fresh and warm. Then, I knew the Presence of God there, and deep in my spirit the Lord spoke to me "I want you to begin to pray and believe me for a Christian radio station to be here in Vermont, and I want you to believe me for a men's ministry here as well." Without hesitation I replied, "You've got to be kidding!" God's answer was a simple "You know I am not".

In the late seventies a small Christian radio station had started locally, but didn't last, and shut down. As for a men's Christian ministry; I only knew of a very few men in my area who had the courage to really make a stand for Christ here, and they didn't have an easy time of it. Two committed men had baptised me along with about a dozen other's in 1978, in my own pond, during a cookout and baptism we had at my home. But knowing what the environment was like here in general, I admitted my faith didn't come up to what I believed I was hearing from God. As I stood there thinking about all this, the night coming on around me, I knew I could have refused to take this challenge up, and thought about it. But, I had just went through seeing God restore my marriage after two years of being divorced for my faith in Him, I knew the power of God to change the situations in life. I had just accepted a position as Prayer Chairman for Women's Aglow in Montpelier, and this seemed to be part of God's call in this area for me. I turned and started walking up the road, stopped again and said, "I'll do it, but you will have to help me believe You for this, and give me the faith to see it." There was no response in words, but a solid peace, and assurance flooded my soul, I knew He had heard and was giving the faith, even then.

The months turned into years, as ministries and churches started, men came who seemed to be serious in their faith. I watched and prayed to see if these were part of the answer to what God was asking me to believe Him for. Many of them became tangled in wrong motives, money problems, personal problems, opposition from the ungodly, bringing them to ruin. Some left, some just went back to the world. No radio station was in sight, but I heard of other's who were believing and praying for it as well, and knew God was moving in that direction; just didn't know how long it would actually take. I kept standing ground and praying as God led. 

During these years I was still standing in faith for my husband's salvation, even years now after our remarriage. He also had an ongoing heart condition from a heart attack he suffered just months after our reconciliation. The result of this was his salvation on October 2, 2003, nine month's before he died. As I said, sometimes it takes many years to see the answer to a prayer, and many give up when it doesn't happen on their time schedule. One thing that an intercessor learns, God answers prayer to bring glory to Himself, and his purposes. His purposes are eternal, ours many times are for our own selfish pleasures, and are temporal.

There's personal costs to believing God for things he places on us, the enemy is right there to do whatever he can to not only defeat you, but destroy your family as well. He'll use family members, other Christians, anything that will get you off the track, and into the ditch. It brings weariness, and the temptation to stop praying altogether. Sometimes praying for me has been sitting and looking out the window saying nothing; just putting my full attention on God and without words saying "what now". At those times, He knows, and hears.

It would take a book to go into all that went on through the years but, fast forwarding to today; there is a Christian radio station in Essex Junction Vermont now, which broadcasts throughout the state, and reaches into New York, and other parts of New England. There is now Teen Challenge Vermont, which started in 2005, ministering to men throughout Vermont and New England, my daughter is married to the Director of Teen Challenge. They were married at our home in West Barnet in 2001. God did not reveal the details of any of this in those early years to me, I could not have believed him for it. He only gave the basic call to believe him for a men's ministry, and glimpses of details along the way.

From that evening in 1983 to now, I can see the results of ground breaking faith, and the hand of God at work in  Vermont and New England, in spite of any opposition from the enemy. In these last days, Jesus Christ is being lifted up, and people are being saved, healed and delivered, for the glory of God. When answers like these are seen, no devil in hell can shake this kind of faith. Come what may, Jesus will have his way. His intentions are clear, he wants to recover the souls the devil wants to destroy, and the battle is intense. You may become bloodied, suffer many losses, but the souls Christ died for is the price in this battle, he chooses us to join him in this battle down here, to save the one's in darkness of sin; as he saved us.

Another thing intercessors learn, is to only share what God asks, and no more. In a lifetime, only about 5% of what He speaks, or calls will ever be openly spoken; if the servant uses wisdom. What is shared here I already know will be scoffed at by some, in unbelief. But, this may very well be for just one person who God has put a call on your life to believe Him for something so big, and so great, you don't have the faith for it yourself. Hang on, and ask Him to pull you through. You may be called to rise to ground breaking faith. Take up the challenge, it is worth it.
Lorna Couillard

(2007 teaching for Teen Challenge Vermont)

Wherever you go, if Vermont is mentioned, one thing usually comes to mind, maple syrup. When it is pure and undiluted, it's flavor is unique and delicious on anything whether it's pancakes or ice cream.

In the same way, when the pure uncompromising word of the Gospel of Christ is preached, it is unique, it is distinctive, and full of the power of the Holy Spirit to transform a life from hopelessness, to one of light, and a life of serving him and sharing eternity with God in heaven when this life is done.

 What is the pure Gospel; it is best here to let the word of God speak for itself: As I read them, focus on Christ, and what He says about himself, and what is said about him by his disciples.

Matt. 18:11, and Luke 19:10 Jesus says,  "For the Son of Man is come to save that which was lost."

John 8:8-10 "All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that more abundantly." 

 John 14:1-3 "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe in me. In my father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, the ye may be also."

 John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me."

Then, as Philip says to Jesus, show us the Father, the Lord says to him. "Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that has seen me has seen the Father."

Luke 24:44 "These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fullfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then he opened their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said to them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."

Acts2:36-38 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God has made that same Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now, when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them,  Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the Holy Ghost."

1Cor. 15:17-20"And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen fromt he dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept."

Many more scriptures could be read, but these tell us what we need to know; Jesus came for one reason, to save sinners (like me) and accomplished the work on the cross. There is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved. 

In His love, patience, and compassion, he walked with us, became one of us, and associated with us in our pain and sorrows. His emphasis to us was to first come to Him for salvation, live for the day, love each other, bear with each other, and trust Him in this life and the next. His yoke is truly easy, and His burden light.

 Why would anyone not want to embrace this wonderful good news?

1John 3:15-17"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."

Let's face it, we love the world. Many Christians also love the world. Many churches today have become merely places of employment, with all the competition, and status of secular society. In Phil. ch. 2:3-11 we are told of Christs humbling himself and becoming a servant, counting himself as nothing, which is supposed to be our example. But we have lost this. Many leaders in churches today don't want to be seen as servants, places of ministry have become battle grounds of strife because of egos and envy. Most of the books, and Christian music is geared to sell a popular message that God is love, with no consequences for our behavior, or how to get everyone to like you. Jesus tells me in John I will be hated if I choose him, the world is not going to love me. Unbelievers observe this, see it as hypocrisy, and do not hear Christ clearly proclaimed for who He is. The emphasis in the church is not supposed to be who is who in ministry....it is supposed to be the risen Christ, and his victory on the cross for us. 

We need to come back to the example Jesus gave us when he washed the disciples feet. Our service should be as with a towel, and a basin.

I agree with Paul (1Cor.2:2)when he says"I've determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." I've listened to many sermons, and teachings over the years. The only ones that left a lasting impression on me was when the individual lifted up, and proclaimed the power of the cross, the resurrection of Christ, and came away realizing the person hardly ever mentioned himself. The scriptures came alive as the word of God was expounded on. We need to get back to this in the church. We have no power to save people, that is what Jesus came to do.

Whenever the Lord gives me the honor of witnessing for Him, I make it clear to the person; don't look at me as an indication of perfection. Without Christ, I'm as lost as anyone. Don't measure your salvation on me, I may fall, I may fail you. Look to Jesus, He has done it all for us. When you embrace Him, His victory is yours also.

Another reason people choose to not come to Christ is denial of reality, Satan deludes us into believing nothing will ever change.

For many years I worked in nursing, and took care of the elderly. I noticed something in almost all of them, none of them wanted to talk about or deal with the reality of death. No matter how old they were, most of them seemed to want to live as if it was never going to happen to them. Sadly, people live in this self induced illusion and they quickly change the subject because it is too uncomfortable to really look at. We all have done this.  But, this is one of Satan's most effective tools. One after another, they live out their lives in apathetic limbo, and drop into hell, a wasted life.

We are here on this planet a few years, and we are gone. We are not going to keep anything we work for or strive for down here. There is nothing wrong with enjoying life, or it's pleasures, but we aren't going to hang on to them. Over and over, Jesus made it clear, to lay up our treasures in heaven, where moth or rust cannot destroy. But, we are dull of hearing, and full of ourselves.

The power and gifts of the Holy Spirit are taught in a vague, muddy way, because very few people know the word of God well enough to teach it with authority. The devil loves this, because he is working overtime teaching kids and adults alike how wonderful and harmless witchcraft, sorcery, and occult practices are. You can learn all you want about the darkness of Satan's world, while Christians sit in timid ignorance, afraid to expound on the power Jesus came and died to give us against this onslaught of the devil. Jesus said it well when he said the devil comes to kill, steal, and destroy. If you are serving the devil, you will find him an unmerciful taskmaster; when he's done using you, he will destroy you.

I am convinced that it is impossible to live in victory as a Christian today without the power of the Holy Spirit. The darkness is too great, and we are so close to the end, that Satan has unleashed untold numbers of demons to steal as many souls as he can. We are clearly told by Christ to ask for and receive the Holy Spirit to have to power to witness, and live in the present darkness and overcome it.

 We've read and quoted these verses and other's like them;

 Mark16:17,18"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

 Luke 10:17-19"And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents adn scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." 

 The scriptures are full of verses telling us of the power of God, delegated to us, if we will learn how to appropriate it. Ignorance is not bliss, but most christians choose to remain in unbelief. Jesus tells us over and over, believe in Me, trust Me, ask and you shall receive......do we believe Him? And as I ask this I'm looking into myself, not pointing fingers at other's.

When the uncompromising Gospel is preached we can expect these things;

 1. opposition and adversity
 2. rejection
 3. persecution
 4. some will pervert the message
 5. the purer the message, the greater the help of the Holy Spirit to us, giving boldness and courage

 In Acts ch. 5, when Peter and the disciples were brought before the council, and strictly told not to teach in the name of Christ, his answer was "We ought to obey God rather than men." Further in the text the council members made this statement "And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it; lest haply you be found even to fight against God. And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded thay they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name." These men knew who they believed, and why they believed it, they were willing to die for him.

 I pray a lot that God's church would come back to this mindset. His power to save, heal and deliver follows those who are dead to themselves.

 We are not all called to be preachers, or evangelists. But, we are all called to be ambassadors for Christ, witnessing as God gives us an open door to do so. In a teaching I listened to once, an elderly gentleman made this statement, and I agree with him, "The Lord just told me to sow the seed, and leave the results to Him." If we do this, each of us will reap a harvest. 

 When I'm standing in heaven, and look around, I hope to see the faces of those I've had the privilege of sharing Christ with. The only thing we are going to take with us when we leave, is people.

 May the Lord help us have the courage to speak as often of Him as we can, and be as clear and pure as possible, while there is time to do so.
Lorna Couillard

Many go down life's path with lofty plans 
To amass a great fortune of houses and lands 
And to live a life of pleasure and ease, 
Thinking happiness can be found in these.

Others pursue power and worldwide fame 
To be known by all and win their acclaim. 
But those without God who attain these goals 
Soon find emptiness remains in their souls.

They couldn’t find the happiness they sought 
For it comes from Him and can‘t be bought. 
If only they realized these things won't last 
Since life is fleeting and will soon be past.

Wealth, worldly pleasure, fame, and power 
Will all be gone at death's dark hour. 
And beyond the grave when eternity begins 
Those unsaved will be judged for their sins.

If only they would believe in God's Son 
And repent of the sinful deeds they've done, 
Then they could go down life's path 
Not needing to worry about God's wrath.
​
They would have the joy they longed for, 
Inner peace, contentment, and much more 
For when their lives on earth shall end 
Heavenly bliss would at once begin!
—Perry Boardman

​The phrase "A line in the sand" is used to define boundaries made in regards to what a person will allow in their lives. Nations draw these boundaries also, fight over them, and move them when they change their stance on something or lose the ability to keep and hold that line. In an individual's personal boundaries, it depends on what you decide your willing to put up with from outside forces, or other people  who try to force you to do something against your moral or ethical conscience, or abuse you in some way through disrespect, or physical abuse. There's a lot of people who live with no clear borders to their lives, and allow bullies, opportunists, criminals, and abusers of many kinds to run them, and ruin them. Those who are in the apathetic category, are also prone to allow other's to lead them around and govern their lives; it often proves to be a life filled with bad choices, and sad endings.

Watching developments unfold in this country has caused me to do some soul searching again, and make up my mind where I'm going to draw the line in the sand for my life, as it's coming closer to the end of my years. It's a good thing to do this a couple of times through the seasons of our lives; it's a part of "setting ones house in order" so to speak.

One of the benefits of age is being able to look back over my shoulder, evaluate some mistakes, wrong decisions, and the effects other people have had in my life to help me make the new boundary. Age also gives a deeper understanding of what is truly important, and what isn't. Looking back, I see clearly that many things I thought were so important then; were foolish, prideful, and a waste of time. I'm thankful God's allowed me to live long enough to be able to evaluate like this, and make some changes. Many people never do. 

After considerable time pondering this with the Lord, it's come down to three things that I draw my "line in the sand":

1. Whatever the world chooses; I choose the Lord.  When Elijah confronted the people and false prophets on Mt. Carmel he said this to them: 
​
1Ki 18:21  And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. 

The condition of this nation, and the world is just as corrupt and drenched in idolatry today as it was in Elijah's day. It makes no difference whether it's in or out of the church; the word of God and faith in the God of Elijah is absent.  I don't care how much money they have, how many programs they are involved in, how many people are in the seats. What's not there is holiness, righteousness, and a backbone to stand against the onslaught of evil that's right out in the open today, on TV, the internet, social media, the school systems, it makes no difference.  You can hold up your bible and say "this is my bible" and say you believe it; really? Tell me where you stand on homosexuality, witchcraft, Satanism, abortion, fornication, adultery, drug abuse, pedophilia, child abuse, elder abuse, euthanasia, polygamy....., etc. Let's hear you read what the bible says about these topics, and preach it as it's supposed to be preached. But, I won't hold my breath; because these false teachers and preachers have long since become apostate. What matters to them is tickling the itching ears of the slumbering sheep and goats they feed on. It's money that motivates these people's teachings and preaching; one day they will answer for it. We are in the days of Judges when they did what was right in their own eyes, and this includes the religious crowd. I already know the reaction to this; "who are you, hypocrite", "I don't have to listen to this", "you don't know what your talking about", and so on and so on.....Oh yes I do know what I'm talking about. I've been laughed at, and mocked enough over the years, that I've developed a hide like a rhinoceros; I don't care what people think of me. the word of God is the word of God, and it means what it says. If you can't or won't preach the whole counsel of God, you should be honest enough to change your title and just call yourself a motivational speaker, because that's what you are. Stop using God in your money making promotions. No, no one has to listen to me, or God, and it's obvious few do. But, I've read the end of the book, and know who wins in the end.

There's a remnant, and I'm among them. I choose Christ, and his holiness, whatever anyone else does is up to them. I'll close this topic with a verse you will never hear from the platforms of the mega churches:

1Pe 1:16  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 


2. Just tell the truth. Sounds very simplistic doesn't it. Well open your eyes, ears, and begin to really pay attention to people today. Pay attention to how many times you find yourself being lied to, by people you interact with; business transactions, social gatherings, and everyday activities. The older I get, the more I see the effects of a society that has sunk to levels of degradation in many areas that used to be the foundations of a strong society. Honesty, integrity, being able to trust people when they spoke to you, and take for granted that what they were telling you was true. In the last several years I've had numerous disappointing business transactions, and lied to by those I had to interact with to try to get something accomplished. Tell me, once you've been treated this way, and know you've been lied to, do you ever trust the person or business again? If there is one thing I never want to lose; it's the ability to look myself in the mirror and not be ashamed of what I see looking back at me. I want my life to end at least knowing I haven't knowingly lied to someone, or mistreated them by my actions. Slander and backbiting go in this category also. Jeremiah describes the conditions of many peoples hearts  today.

Jer 9:4  Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders. 
Jer 9:5  And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity. 
Jer 9:6  Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD. 

The instruction to us who follow Christ in this world of corruption is to put off the old man and his deeds:

Col 3:8  But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 
Col 3:9  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 
Col 3:10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 
Col 3:11  Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 

Try to imagine a world and what it would be like if everyone spoke the truth. It boggles my mind; and sadly realize it will never happen until Christ returns.

3. Walk the rest of my life in freedom and peace; regardless of my circumstances. I may not be able to control the circumstances around me, or what other people do, but I can control myself. I can decide what and who I'm going to allow to influence me. I can take control of myself, and make choices that will honor God, and bring  peace and stability to me. These kinds of choices builds strength of character, and soul. In the end, that's really all that matters. When I stand before the Lord, what have I done with the life he's given me, and how have I taken care of this soul that makes up my person-hood, and if I've been a faithful servant of His. Nothing else is more important than this.

On a national scale, the drawing the line in the sand is going on here now by many; and it's becoming very apparent.

There are people in high places of power today who are working hard to take away many of the freedoms people in this country have taken for granted. Many are watching the warning signs develop, laws that govern this nation are being corrupted, and the implications are dire. Those who want to dissolve the Constitution are very busy with their agenda, and it will be opposed only by those who see the the truth that this will mean the end of this country as we know it. Whether there is enough inner strength of true Americans to hold this Tsunami of socialist propoganda back, and not allow it to take over is going to depend on whether people will wake up to the danger we are truly in as a country, and be willing to stand up and be heard, take risks, and get dirty. By this I mean be willing to say things, and do things that may take you out of your comfort zone. To take being insulted, misunderstood, ridiculed. The founding father's of this country took the risks; many lost their homes, their families, their lives. It's coming to this again, but I wonder if there's enough to keep this country from falling from within.

Whether this country stands or falls will depend on how we go about it, and if enough people recognize the fact that sin causes judgment from God. This country needs to come back to God, and His word, repent and turn away from the sins that we have allowed to entrench this society. If we don't, this country won't stand. 

2Ch 7:14  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 

This is our choice. We can heed what God tells us, or go our own rebellious ways, and reap the consequences. I'm praying about this, and looking up.
​Lorna