‘Increase my desire to know you more.’

"…make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love." 2 Peter 1:5-7 (NIV).

I sat in the back of a mega church on December 27th, 2007 and heard a pastor encouraging the flock. His message for the coming year encouraged everyone to make their calling and election sure.

He encouraged those that felt they were stuck to take one step in the right direction and he continued ‘the cost of staying stuck is always greater than the cost of taking the next step.’

He is a story teller and to us stuck in our deep ruts, he had a message. The thing that I benefited most from that day was how he ended. He asked everyone to pray to God, ‘Increase my desire to know you more.’

I have prayed that prayer many times since, not just that one day or just in the coming weeks of that new year. I have continued to pray for an increased desire to know Him and God has answered my prayer.

You can stay stuck surrounded by darkness like I was or come to the light like I have since. Wherever you are in your walk with the LORD, pray that he will indeed increase your desire to know him more.

"Therefore, my brothers and sisters,make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble,and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:10-11 (NIV).

Shalom,

Rick Hawbaker
Praying 4 U Ministries †

Defeat evil with the word...

“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8 (NIV).

I plead with you dear children of God to get into His word and memorize it. For it is the word of God that is your best weapon against Satan when he comes tempting you.

An example of fighting off Satan was Jesus defeating the Devil after being led by the Spirit into the barren wilderness of Judea. After a forty day fast, the tempter came to Him with three questions…turn the stones to become bread, throw yourself down from the highest point in the temple, and He was offered all the kingdoms of the world that he could see.

On all three counts Jesus countered the Devil’s tempting offers with scripture…‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ Deut. 8:3; ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ Deut. 6:16; and ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ Deut. 6:13.

Jesus could have easily used His supernatural power to overcome the evil one in the wilderness, but He handled the situation as if he were a man. He chose scripture to battle the hissing snake instead of using his own glory and supernatural power.

That is what we can do too when Satan comes hissing into our lives. Shine the light of God’s truth on the seductive lies of Satan. That is how you defeat the evil one. But if you are ignorant of God’s truth, you are poorly armed for spiritual warfare.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:10-11 (NIV).

Get into God's Holy word!

Shalom,

Rick Hawbaker
Praying 4 U Ministries †

Shine brightly into darkness...

'You are the light of the world — like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.' Matthew 5:14 (NIV).

I am truly grateful to the LORD Jesus Christ for lighting the lamp within me for His light can shine through me into darkness. O what a great honor it is to co-labor with the King of Kings to further the coming kingdom of God.

Jesus told us in Matthew 5 that we are the light of the world and that is the very same title He claimed for Himself in John 8 saying, “I am the light of the world.”

Jesus was indeed the light of the world walking as God in the flesh on earth in a body similar to ours, except for His was without sin. He did not give in to darkness not for a second.

This fallen world is full of darkness and the great tempter is at work with his cronies 24/7. They are painting a pretty picture in front of us, lying about the things that separate us from God.

Our light is a direct reflection from Him and we need to let it shine ever so brightly. Spurgeon said, “If ye burn dimly, dim is the world’s light, and dense its darkness.”

We need to get about our Father’s business and that is the business of bringing heaven to earth. That is the will of God, “on earth as it is in heaven.”

May your light shine even brighter into darkness in the days ahead. It is a tough go at times for all of us, but know that we share in His suffering and will share in His glory.

Come, King Jesus, Come!

Rick Hawbaker
Praying 4 U Ministries †

On assignment in a divine appointment...

Kris Vallotton, Senior Associate Pastor at Bethel Church in Redding, California, was in town. A friend and I were able to take in two sessions of his ‘Supernatural Ways of Royalty’ conference. It turned out that we were on assignment from God on a divine appointment.

The concrete floor in the church swayed as God’s children worshipped and praised our mighty God in song. My friend leaned over and asked if I ever had a strong sense about something when I was in a group of people. He sensed that there were a lot of women at that service that were lonely and were filled with anxiety.

In the next five minutes we saw a women drop to her knees to the King in the aisle right beside where we were standing. A minute or two passed and then a young lady sitting in front of us leaned forward in deep prayer in her chair.

We raised our hands toward them and prayed in the name of Jesus over both of these women. Both were trembling and crying out to the LORD for help. We touched the back of the chair of the girl in front of us and prayed that she would surrender it all to God and release all the things that were binding her.

Both girls prayed through their problems and released them unto the LORD. Both were standing and had their hands lifted high as they worshipped God later in that service and in the night service.

The girl sitting in front of us approached us the next night and ask if we were the two guys standing behind her the previous day. She said she felt a tremendous power of people praying for her and wanted to thank us.

Then she asked just what it was that we were praying for. My friend explained the strong sense he had that there was a lot of women lonely and full of anxiety. We prayed that she would be released from it.

Guess what? She said that was exactly what she was praying for and that is exactly what happened to her. She was now FREE!

There goes God,

Rick Hawbaker
Praying 4 U Ministries †

Walking with the King...

‘For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.’ Psalm 84:11 (NIV)

It has been a busy week. God things are happening all around. I guess I should expect that. You just can’t pursue God with a burning desire for more, more and more of Him without seeing supernatural things.

I was thinking this morning about how for 25 years I vacationed in Colorado for two to three weeks a year. I stayed on the highways and hit all of the big tourist areas. I did not see Colorado or know what it was all about.It was not until I got off the main roads and hiked back into the wilderness areas and on top of the 14,000 foot mountains that I got to know Colorado.

I would have to say my walk with Jesus has been very similar to my experience of knowing Colorado. I played church for years and never knew the LORD until I got off the main roads and searched for Him.

I have been in hot pursuit of God, King Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. My love for them grows every day. I am awed daily at what I see God doing in me and around me.

'The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.' Exodus (15:2 NIV).

Seeking Him,

Rick Hawbaker
Praying 4 U Ministries †

We are so loved ~ Thank you JESUS †

Father God ~

We are so loved by a God that so answers prayers. All honor, glory and praise goes to you, King Jesus. For you alone are King of the Universe.

I ask you to free all the captives stuck in the mud in the raging river. The water is high for many and Satan is dashing hopes with his lies.

LORD, with you we can overcome it all and be mighty warriors advancing your mighty Kingdom at every junction. You walked right through death and set us free.

May the sounds of the binding chains around us be heard as they hit the ground. Save us from ourselves and forgive us of all of our sins.

Thank you for the HOLY SPIRIT that you have left to guide us. May we not only be open to the HOLY SPIRIT, but may we pursue Him and advance your Kingdom.

You are mighty to save and you alone rule throughout the sea, air and land. Thank you Jesus. Have I mention yet that you are AWESOME. You are!!!

In the good and great name of Jesus Christ! Amen and Amen!

Rick Hawbaker
Praying 4 U Ministries †

Evil is ugly ~ God is good

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 (NIV).

Evil is ugly. I hate what Satan and his band of losers is doing right before my own eyes. I see him wrestling in marriages, messing up young families, taking over the workplace, and affecting the health of way too many people both young and old.

But, God is Good. Oh, boy! God is so good. As we go arms locked, shoulder to shoulder, and shields held high, we can and are defeating evil. I have seen marriages and families put back together, problems resolved in the workplace and people are being healed in the name of Jesus. All of this right before my eyes.

We must be strong in the LORD at all times and not just when God is showing His power and we can see victory. We must have a faith that is strong even when it appears our enemies are winning.

Things might be shaking where you are standing right now, but know that we have access to a kingdom that is shaken by nothing. Surrender to the LORD and enjoy the strength, comfort and great peace of mind, that you can get only from Him.

“The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.” Habakkuk 3:19 (NIV).

Rick Hawbaker
Praying 4 U Ministries †

Keep on speaking, do not be silent...

“One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” ~ Acts 18:9-10 (NIV).

Father God ~ Give us the strength to not be afraid and courage to continue to boldly tell others about you and your great deeds. You have commanded us to tell the world. May we never be silent and always be ready to share your unending love.

You are awesome beyond all known and unknown things. You have said, “for I am with you.” Yes, that is right. You are with us constantly in the Holy Spirit and cover us with your love and compassion.

Thank you, O LORD, for there is nobody we would rather be walking beside 24/7 than you. You are our all in all and to you goes the highest praise. In the good and great name of Jesus. Amen and Amen!

“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 2 Timothy 4:18 (NIV).

Thank You Jesus,

Rick Hawbaker
Praying 4 U Ministries †