Picture this scenario. You've been in training as a soldier and given your first assignment. Your commander has assured you he has everything you need to reach the goal. The strength of his army far surpasses the enemy. You set out confidently but soon reach an impassable barrier. You radio the commander for directions and assistance. He tells you to wait, for help is coming. Meanwhile, the enemy, who has heard your call, comes and directs you to his camp. He tells you the commander sent him to help you. His treatment seems rough but you radio thanks to the commander and go with him. He soon decides you are no threat as long as you are made comfortable. He assures you this is what the commander wants for you. You settle in and eventually the goal is forgotten.

Sound ridiculous? In the physical realm it does, doesn't it, but this happens in the spiritual realm all the time. Have you ever sought God long and hard, had His will revealed, pressed in, in believing prayer and then found only seeming contradictions? Matthew 7:9,10 says when we ask for bread God will not give us a stone and when we ask for a fish He will not give us a serpent.

A few weeks ago, when we were very discouraged, Jim quoted that verse in frustration as we looked at all our apparent stones and serpents. I had recently read a teaching that said these "stones and serpents" really are bread and fish in disguise so receive them and thank God for them. It sounded good at the time but examining it in the light of my scenario something was very wrong! I immediately asked God about our "stones and serpents." His answer was "I didn't send them." You may be thinking, as I did, wait a minute God is in control He has all power and authority. But what we often fail to realize is we have an enemy that seeks to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10) and is allowed to do so by God if we choose to remain in ignorance of his schemes. Isaiah 54:15 says, "They will stir up strife against you but it is not from Me they will fall away to you." Verse 17 goes on to say that although God created the destroyer to destroy, no weapon formed against you will prevail. He never said no weapon would be formed against us. Therefore we must test the spirit of what comes our way as we are told to do in 1 John 4:1.

Many times the body of Christ, like that soldier in my story, has been fooled into being lazy. In either ignorance or desire for an easier way, we have accepted and submitted to all sorts of attacks which were only meant to equip us, train us in discernment and make us partakers of the victory of Jesus. Sometimes we have even attributed to God as His ultimate will "stones and serpents" instead of persevering for His bread and fish.

Hebrews 10:36 says, "You have need of steadfast patience and endurance in order to fully take away that which is promised." It is crucial that we not confuse patience and endurance with tolerance. Patience and endurance are active. They suffer hardship but run the race to the end. Tolerance is passive. It stops running and lays down the goal for "peace." There is a false peace which Christians are receiving today which is nothing more than tolerance of the enemy in our midst. Sure, it is easier that way. The enemy doesn't have to oppose us when we make peace with him. But the genuine peace of God is not a cessation of warfare but peace for the warfare. And let's face facts as long as we are here on earth, we are in a warfare. We have the armies of heaven on our side
but we must be trained, we must discern and we must run our race. So what about the "stones and serpents"? Through God we are to trample them under our feet if we hold fast our confidence and keep our eyes on Jesus for the Faithful One will come at just the right time with His supplies of bread and fish.

How important that we know the will of God and the difference between stones and bread. For the Lord said in the day of Isreal's confusion, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil." (Isaiah 5:20) And He warns us that "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6) and "Without a vision My people perish." (Proverbs 29:18) I wonder how many Christians who look like they have it made are not even running the race? There are times I've dropped out. I'm not saying the victory is up to us. No! It is and always will be God's but we must persevere for it and even that ability comes from Him! So if you have a vision from God burning in your heart, don't settle for some cheap peace pact with the enemy. Don't ever give up!

Let's close in prayer for one another. "May the God of Peace give us vision, grant us wisdom and discernment and make us wiser than our enemies. May we be made steadfast and immovable, firmly planted on the Rock which is Christ Jesus as we run our race to the honor of His Name. Amen."

We love you and appreciate your prayers and support which have enabled us to continue to run our race. We always love your letters of encouragement and are aware of the suffering so many of you face. It is our desire to bless you through our prayers and sharing. Let us know any way we can be of help to you.