Will You Be Our Abishai by Daneille Gray Snowden

copyright2020(c)Daneille Gray Snowden

2020

Will You Be Our Abishai

by Daneille Gray Snowden

1 Samuel 26:6 "David then asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, "Who will go down into the camp with me to Saul?" "I'll go with you," said Abishai."

David needed someone to go with him to face a dangerous challenge. Verse 12 says the Lord had put a deep sleep on the 3 thousand soldiers plus Saul. David didn't know that, but he knew he had to go down, just he and Abishai. 

We all know that David could not allow his cohort to kill Saul, for as David said; "he was God's anointed." So, he took Saul's spear and water jug.  

This of course spoke volumes later as David challenged Abner the King's guard for not guarding his King well. Saul's heart was melted because of this and repented and turned away from pursuing David. 

Let's go back to verse 6 here; 2 men were named. This is the first time their names are recorded in God's Word. 

David asked them both; "WHO WILL GO WITH ME?" One said NOT one word (oh how silence speaks volumes), yet the other man said; "YES, I will go with you!" 

Abishai stuck with David for the next 40 years. Through the battles, losses, plus the good and bad times. He never left David. We do not read about Ahimelech and David again. 

In matter of fact, as we read on we read about another giant killing. Yes! Most of us only recall David killing Goliath, but there is another in David's lifetime. [Actually, several others! Rd. vs.18-22]

Read: 2 Sam. 21:16-17 "And Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of the giants, whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of bronze, and who was armed with a new sword, thought to kill David. ¹⁷ But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid and attacked the Philistine and killed him. Then David's men swore to him, “You shall no longer go out with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.”

The ERV version wrote; "Then David's men told him to not let Abishai go out to battle anymore. If you do, Israel may loose it's brightest leader!"

I personally want to be the one to say; YES to my God when He asks me if I will 'GO' with Him. 

No matter how big the battle, how impossible it appears...I want to GO with my God to that place of appointment. Where the battle is turned to great revival; A place of miracles that only God can do. 

As fellow warriors in the Army of God; we ask as

missionaries; "Will you go with us?"  

"Will you stay with us as we continue to march forward?" 

"Will you pray, fight, stand beside us and even help us with your financial support to help us to continue to go on?"

I am sure all of those 40 years wasn't easy whatsoever! There was the intensity of war, there was the waiting time, there was the period of hiding and we could continue on the path David and his men walked, and marched as they pursued God's purpose. 

As your missionaries:

We cannot promise you where we will be, how we will be doing it and even how long in one place or the other. I can say, there will be giants that will come against us and even you. They will try to destroy the work God wants. 

God can empower us to kill the giants in our way. But, we must do this together. 

Personally, I must say; we need you our Abishai's!

Will you go with us?

Click this link here to support on line:

(or you can email us at snowden54jesus@hotmail.com and we can send you our information)

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TRANSITIONS - THE JOURNEY OF SERVING by Daneille Gray Snowden

copyright(c)2020 Daneille Gray Snowden

2020

TRANSITIONS - THE JOURNEY OF  SERVING

from Daneille Gray Snowden

My friend; I want to encourage you to be able to courageously embrace the transitions in your life. Some are easy aren't they; such as new house or car? Others are not; like a great loss,  failures, closed doors and ended relationships are all a part of transitions in life. The great joys, and deep sorrows are tools that shape us, as we are 'forged' (in the fire) to be placed onto yet another track to travel-on in life.  

Let's begin just with a simple reminder of what transition is; I think regardless of our education and years of wisdom, it is good to go back to the basics. 

TRANSITION:  a passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another : CHANGE

                             a musical modulation: ♪

"Modulation is the essential part of the art. Without it there is little music, for a piece derives its true beauty not from the large number of fixed modes which it embraces but rather from the subtle fabric of its modulation."

— Charles-Henri Blainville (1767)

                              "an abrupt change in energy state or level (as of an atomic nucleus or a molecule) usually accompanied by loss or gain of a single quantum of energy..."  --Merriam Webster

As any of us walk through life, we begin with great aspirations, don't we? 

In any career, including missions (as missionaries) we take each step 'required' of us, believing then it will then fling open the obvious next step that was 'PLANNED!' 

I believe when God created each of us; He placed a need to live out His Purpose for us personally. Thus, the 'NEED' to fulfill this is so deep and drives us to continue to move forward.

When one gives up and stops in the middle of the 'RACE' of life; defeat sets-in: a horrible feeling of failure overwhelms us as we are not looking up, but down in defeat.                                                              What we need to realize, more times than NOT; we are facing a place of transition. [Some of us fight that.] We think we need to keep running one direction; when in fact the race has completely changed course. 

My husband in high school was a Cross Country Runner. There were meets in different locations across the state. They all were quite different. Did he run from one place to the other? Of course not! He had to rest, be transported, trained and even re-think his strategy. 

I like the 'Musical Modulation' definition to TRANSITION. It's perfect! The author said; "...without it, there is very little music..." 

WOW! Think about it; life has taken many turns with ups and downs. 

Yet, it is beautiful if we allow it to be. 

We have traveled the United States and South Africa (Mozambique, South Africa & Swaziland) plus, Brad has traveled in Europe as I have in India & Jamaica. If it all was the same simple path; where would the beauty be? I love the mountains (even though driving in them can be a little on the 'shaky' side). There are many turns but beautiful scenery. 

This Musical Modulation (transition) will also bring great HARMONY in our life with our God as He unites us with others who not only need to know Him as their Lord, but ones we can serve together to increase God's Kingdom! Together, all flowing beautifully, as ONE drawing others to Jesus. 

HARMONY AS ONE! 

John 17:23 "I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."

In TRANSITIONS; one of the many things I have learned was what I thought was essential for happiness, success and needed to attain for my goals, were no longer needed for this new time of change. 

Perhaps yes, equipment was needed to scale some of the mountains of my life. Yet, not so much when I am needing to only swim in the great oceans. Cool, comfortable clothing is great in the tropics, but in the brutal winters of Northern Countries -give me a thick, feather-down coat! 

Philippians 3:7 Paul said: "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ."

This is a man that definitely walked the missionary journey of transitions!

v. 8-16 says: "What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but 

I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 

13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Following Paul’s Example

15 "All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained."

Dear Ones; study this passage. Dissect it! Tare it apart and see where Paul is coming from, where he went and then ended. 

Life is more than 'THINGS' & 'POSITIONS' - trust me! v.15 said those who are mature; 'take such a view of things.'   Let us have this 'MIND SET!' 

The TRANSITIONS will mean LOSS! Yet, we gain everything because we GAIN KNOWING JESUS! We gain accomplishing HIS WILL, IN HIS WAY AND IN HIS TIME!

The Lord has told me over and over again as I have dealt with a great share of heart break and loss; to just 'FALL IN LOVE WITH ME' - Daneille; 'KNOW ME DEEPER!'

As I do, the journey goes down paths to the most amazing places and people.

We are yet in another TRANSITION in our life as we move from being 'field-missionaries' to 'itinerant missionaries' (for awhile); looking into different places to minister in Africa and India. Pray as we are believing the Lord to fling open this door and use us accordingly. 

We are 'letting-go' of our methodology and just walking through the paths God has brought us to. It's definitely not easy; but rewarding. 

How about you, what new place of TRANSITION has God led you to? Ask God to give you His vision in this; as you do, your peace will increase. Anticipation and hope will bubble up in your spirit. Your feet will begin to move again!

GO & RUN YOUR RACE! 

WHAT IS NEEDED WHEN GOD MOVES

copyright(c)2019 Daneille Gray Snowden

2019

'WHAT WE NEED WHEN GOD MOVES'

by Daneille Gray Snowden

Do you recall the old hymn; 'Where He Leads Me, I Will Follow'? It's a powerful, poetic song that truly reveals the soul who has vowed to follow the steps of our Lord. 

No matter where we all are in our call to serve Jesus; we long only to do God's perfect will, in His time and way. 

On occasion, He calls us to something BIGGER THAN OURSELVES; we see this beforehand, and in the midst of the journey itself. I do believe this is how we know God's Hand is totally leading ALL THE WAY.  

I heard it said this way: "We are being called to a GOD SIZE TASK!" This will require:

HIS BURDEN    / CIRCUMSTANCES (HE WILL USE)  /  HIS BLESSING  /    HIS SUPPORT   /   HIS PROVISION   /  US, BEING DESPERATE FOR HIM AND HIS WILL,   / HIS PURPOSE & POWER 

The prophet Nehemiah; the little ole cup bearer by profession was moved deeply by God. So much so; that there was a burden stirring deep in his soul. This moved him to prayer as He felt the grief and pain of his people. 

God planted 'HIS BURDEN' in the heart of Nehemiah. {Link to Nehemiah 1 }

For us (the Snowden's); God has deepened His Heart for those who do not know Him as their Savior (who do not know God loves them), also for the unreached, and focused on our Pastors with their families who need us to walk with them as they try so hard serving others with so little themselves. 

This BURDEN birthed from the Throne Room of God; and tucked deep into our souls, that all we could do was: cry, fast, pray and seek God's Face. 

What has God placed upon your heart? Is it a place, a people, a directive in a particular type of ministry? Such as to those addicted to drugs, the homeless, our veterans, children, human trafficking, the disabled, sports ministry...etc. 

I truly believe God has something for everyone of His children to do!

As a mother, each of my children had specific tasks I expected for each of them; no matter how small or big. God does the same for each of us. Listen to Him, tell God; 'I am ready to hear Your call upon my life and receive Your burden for whomever you long for me to serve.' 

Things were difficult in Jerusalem at the time of Nehemiah; Neh. 1:3- 

 ^"They said to me, “The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and reproach; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its [fortified] gates have been burned (destroyed) by fire.”  

God uses circumstances! Why do we forget this sometimes? It could be circumstance like Nehemiah's here where Jerusalem is in need. Or it could be our own personal circumstances too. For us, we were pastors for many, many years. Because of that and the many challenges we faced; it grew a burden in our heart for all pastors. 

I know veterans that minister to other vet's. Or grieving parents who start ministries to others. The list of how God uses circumstances could continue on to send us out to the people and places He is burdened for. 

God will send His Favor, His Support/Provision as He MOVES us to WHERE He has called us! Remember; Nehemiah prayed with great passion before God. He repented on behalf of his country. He asked God to help Judah and to help him to serve them as well. He in all actuality, was praying the will and heart of God. A powerful connection happens (when we pray this way); and God's Hand moved powerfully. [And He will move the same for us as we pray this way.]  {God answers Nehemiah's prayer. Neh. 2 (click link)}

When we as a family were led to start the journey as missionaries; we started with NO money, a husband who was critically ill (dying and in a wheelchair) and seemingly alone. As the burden for missions, the unreached, and for pastors grew: we took the faith-step forward. 

We experienced Divine Healing; as Brad (my husband) was healed. Even though we didn't have the funds; we travelled all over the United States for 2 years, then to Africa and lived. GOD'S FAVOR, HIS PROVISION & SUPPORT carried us all the way; and still is today. 

Another way God moves is when we develop a PASSION for Him and His Heart; to the point of being absolutely DESPERATE FOR HIM AND HIS WILL!

I believe God is waiting on us to be desperate for Him, and desperate for a break through of souls turning over their heart to Jesus! 

KNOW THIS dear reader; when God MOVES us, calling us out to do His work in lives that are lost, hurting, and heading for eternity without Him; IT WILL HURT! When God moves it will be PAINFUL! [Think growing pains.]

Our hearts will be in agony over the plight of the world (like Nehemiah). 

Hosea 6:1  “Come and let us return [in repentance] to the Lord,
For He has torn us, but He will heal us;
He has wounded us, but He will bandage us."

v.1b  it says: 'HE WILL HEAL US...' 

I recall so many times as we would have amazing church services; seeing souls saved, people healed and God just changing lives. It would happen: either before the Lord would give us the message to preach or after the service; we personally would suffer many different types of hurt, pains, sickness, financial challenges and so on. It never failed; it always happened.

 On the 'field' it happened as well. {Oh the powerful loneliness, feeling lost and alone.} Then, God would put a life in our path that needed the answer to what we were walking through. 

Halleluiah!

Just because you are in pain; does not mean whatsoever that you cannot do what God has planned for you. It means; "in our weakness...HE IS STRONG!" (2 Cor. 12:9)  

When God moves; HE IS PROGRESSIVE...reviving us, raising us up- TO BE what He created us to be!

Hos. 6:2  “After two days He will revive us;
On the third day He will raise us up
That we may live before Him."

We serve an ALL POWERFUL God, that when He calls us out 'to-do' and 'to-be' what He Wills: HE WILL DO IT!

WE NEED: HIS PURPOSE & POWER

Hos. 6:3  “So let us know and become personally acquainted with Him; let us press on to know and understand fully the [greatness of the] Lord [to honor, heed, and deeply cherish Him].
His appearing is prepared and is as certain as the dawn,
And He will come to us [in salvation] like the [heavy] rain,
Like the spring rain watering the earth.”

WHAT IS NEEDED WHEN GOD MOVES (moves in His power, and call upon our lives)?

HIS BURDEN    / CIRCUMSTANCES (THAT HE WILL USE)  /  HIS BLESSING  /    HIS SUPPORT   /   HIS PROVISION   /  US, BEING DESPERATE FOR HIM AND HIS WILL,   / HIS PURPOSE & POWER 

Remember; God does move in mysterious ways. His timing is different. We must stay deeply connected to His heart always! 

He will take us all down roads we in our own mind would never go. 

Be ready, be willing and GO WITH GOD; because...

 HE IS MOVING NOW!

BEING OPEN AND REAL

BEING OPEN AND REAL

from Daneille

I have been pondering on how the Lord has been sending His strength and encouragement to me lately.

Serving in a foreign land; one faces many different challenges. Nothing is close to simple. 

A lot is more than difficult.

Some is physical, quite a bit is mental and physical and a whole bunch is spiritual. 

Being consistent in prayer and in God's Word is the way to be able to move forward even though one may be moving as fast as a turtle.

In my case as fast as a snail!

I could tell people were praying for us. 

I found it so encouraging when ones would write and say the Lord woke me up to pray for you.

We were blessed to come to the U.S. to attend and be a part of our son's wedding. Such a GIFT FROM GOD and a total miracle.

We also came home because our daughter was struck suddenly by an illness as we served in Africa.

When we flew back, I myself have been struck with an illness as well. 

BOTH ARE A MYSTERY STILL TO THE DOCTORS. 

Felecia's is a head pain and mine is my eyes are going blurry on me. Some moments are worse than others.

Also this past year I have been 'hurt' deeply. That pain has been my biggest battle to overcome. I am greatly humbled saying this; but feeling I need to be REAL. 

We pastored for 27 years and in the ministry for 31 years together. In the ministry; amazing, wonderful victories do come. But, unfortunately dark valleys are a place all pastors and missionaries walk in. It's nothing new to myself and my husband. 

As we are on medical leave; I find God is working and healing my heart too. I have been trying to feast on His Word, and wait in His Presence to hear Him speak. 

The Lord has sent people, messages, scriptures and His precious Holy Spirit to send me simple words of love and encouragement. Such as:

"Look to Jesus, keep your eyes focused on Him."

"Rest, just rest in Him."

"I've sent you in the valley to speak my Hope there."

"It's NOT your fault."

"I got you, trust this...!"

"Enjoy this life, relax in my arms and enjoy living for and with me."

"He's going to finish what He started."

And how about that old hymn: 

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow the chorus:

"There are things about tomorrow
That I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand."

I realize we are facing what is called  'SPIRITUAL WARFARE' - we know this! 

We also know: 'Greater is He that is within me than He that is within the world!' (1 Jn. 4:4). 

I am not sure what is going on right now. 

I do know everything is BEYOND OUR CONTROL! 

Yet...guess Who's control I believe we're in? Our God's!

  Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

Job 12:10 - In whose hand [is] the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.

Psalms 22:28 - For the kingdom [is] the LORD'S: and he [is] the governor among the nations.

Psalms 115:3 - But our God [is] in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

Isaiah 14:24 - The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, [so] shall it stand:

I know God is working His Plan; He is using us in the midst of this valley too.

I ask you to do 2 things:

(1) Pray for us!

(2) Send me your prayer requests (so I can pray for you). 

Others have joined us on Wednesday afternoons to pray and fast for:

Healing

Spiritual Renewal

Salvations

Spiritual and emotional breakthroughs (issues that have caused hurts)

Revival

Would you like to join with us? Please do! We need miracles here. 

Contact me on email, or facebook and send me your requests.