Thank you so much for your special prayers last month. Jim's Mom came through surgery very well and was filled with supernatural peace. We know it is because so many people were praying. She is recovering at home but her progress has been slow, so we would appreciate your continued remembrance of her.

As we have faced continued trials and seen the intense spiritual battles in the lives of God's children, we are impressed again with the need to make way for the Lord in our hearts and in prayer. We truly believe this is a great time of purging and preparation in the body of Christ which will result in the raising up of a spiritually equipped people in these last days.

We are encouraged as we believe God is bringing us out of a long time of darkness and trial. We have no physical evidence of this yet only an expectancy in our spirits. Although we don't know God's timing or means of deliverance, we are assured He is at hand. We are especially aware of the need to actively seek to know God's will and, when it is revealed, to actively persevere to the end.

The revelation of His will is not the same as His will being done. His revealed will may be challenged and tested on every side. It is very important for us to lay hold of God and not let go no matter what we see happening. Whether it be healing, deliverance from sin or prayer for revival, it is so easy to give up to let go and rationalize why it is not the way God said it would be. When we do that we allow the coexistence of the enemy in our midst. This is how it has been in the body of Christ for a long time. But God wants children who will believe Him and overcome and He is ready to do that in us. He has chosen to use believing prayer to manifest His kingdom and His will on earth. He will not take us to task for our feelings and emotions which constantly cause conflict, only for our will which we can set towards Him no matter how we feel.

The revelation of His will brings with it assurance that as we pray, He will answer. But we have found that even when God's will is revealed, the thief comes immediately to rob us of all assurance. It is faith that enables us to endure. God allows this trial of faith to strengthen us but we must not give up. Sometimes we have the mistaken notion that the enemy can't really take anything away. We're not careful; we don't guard the precious Word in our heart. How watchful we must be. We must resist everything that sets itself up against God every thought for we are in a very real battle against forces of darkness. God has not chosen to remove them but expects us to overcome them through our faith in Him.

Even as we continue to labor here, we urge you to persevere where you are called. We pray for you that the Lord will reveal Himself more fully to you as you seek to know His will and that, as His will is revealed, you will be faithful to pray as the Holy Spirit empowers you so that we will all see many great and glorious things that the Lord desires to do in our day. We love you and are so thankful for you and for your prayers and support. May the Lord richly bless you.