We have all formulated in our minds an idea or image of who God is. Some of these ideas are based on Truth, but other ideas are based on past personal experiences, what we have been taught, or even our natural personalities. From since I can remember, my idea of God was that He was always spying on me, carrying a big stick, and just waiting to strike me down if I misbehaved. In my point of view, God looked powerful and fierce (something resembling Zeus), and His main objective was to inflict punishment on earthly creatures. Fortunately, through the years, my perspective of God has been transformed, I received His mercy and grace, and realized He was not the vengeful dictator that I had once feared. I came to believe that God was not untouchable, but desired a personal relationship and vital union of His Spirit with my soul. But until just recently, I still did not have an adequate grasp of the glorious revelation that…..God IS Love!! Wrath, judgment, and damnation did not even exist before the rebellious mutiny of the fallen angels and Adam’s treacherous choice to be separated from the Divine. All the corruption and evil on the earth and in man were not part of God’s original creation. Many times, even in my own life, the chaos and turmoil we have created or allowed are blamed on the very One who has provided the highest possible means to restore the peace and stability that we need. Every dispensation from the fall, to the atonement, to the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, has been for the sole purpose of restoring the light and love of God into man’s soul. God IS love and everything He desires and performs, no matter how it is perceived by mankind, is always to secure the greatest good for all creation. No circumstance, trial, or hardship will ever change the fact that our lives are safely in the hands of a faithful heavenly Father who is all love, all the time.
As explained in the letter everyone on our mailing list recently received, the ministry address is now in Live Oak, Florida and ‘By Faith Ministries’ is also known as ‘Wholly His’. We are presently redesigning stationery and the newsletter format to coincide with the change. The website and Facebook page will also be revamped, and will include short teaching videos. Be looking for all this to be operational soon after the first of the year, and when you see ‘Wholly His’ please know it’s still us! Twenty years ago, when this ministry was birthed, the name ‘By Faith Ministries’ was given to us by divine inspiration. As the ministry, and our lives, have moved forward and upward, the Lord led us to the name ‘Wholly His’ as a definitive description of what He has purposed to accomplish both in our lives and the lives of those to whom we are sent.
We continue to listen intently for that still, small voice of the Holy Spirit to be our guidance, direction, and instruction. Though perceiving that additional opportunities to minister in other areas are on the horizon, we are very grateful for the numerous open doors we have in the rodeo world. The contestants, stock contractors, and committees that welcome us to their events have become very dear to us and have been instrumental in advancing the kingdom of God. Throughout the fall, we returned to rodeos in Dalton and Hamilton, Georgia as well as Williston and Indiantown, Florida. Although there is a flurry of activity an hour before the performances, and contestants are busy with preparations, we are still seeing a good number of them come aside to hear unadulterated Truth. The weather fought against us in Indiantown, but it could not dampen the purposes of God or the divine appointment He had orchestrated. Along with the pro rodeos, we were also invited to minister at two Ozark Region college rodeos this fall. It is always a privilege to impart spiritual truth into the hearts of these young people as they transition into “adulthood” and set the course of their lives. We look forward to being at even more college rodeos next season.
In November, we also returned to Glory Hill Cowboy Church in Valdosta, Georgia where Butch expounded upon what it is to ‘abide in Jesus’. Our Lord’s nature consists of selfless love, longsuffering, humility, and total resignation to God. This is the essence of His being. So, to ‘abide in Jesus’ is to let our soul sink down, out of self, into selfless love, longsuffering, humility, and total resignation to God.
The message titled “The Ox & Donkey” listed on “The Truth” page of our website provides an in-depth look into the true reason for the season. We pray the light and love of God will flood your soul, not only during the holidays, but moment by moment throughout the year.