“Nevertheless!” by Cheryl Lutz

Nevertheless

by Cheryl Lutz

“Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Thine be done.” (Jesus, Luke 22:42)

As I lay prostrate on the bed in my motel room, all at once I felt the weight of my message.  My “cup” was not the heavy load of the sins of the world, or the knowledge that the Father would temporarily turn His back on me.  My Jesus has already drunk that cup.  My “cup” was the ministry I am embarking on….and the ensuing attacks I knew it would bring.

I had been feverishly writing and practicing for my 3 minute “video speech” at the She Speaks Intensive Conference, when suddenly I knew it was time to stop studying and start praying.

I had planned to begin my prayer asking for God’s blessing on my “speech”, however I was caught off guard when a heaviness began to permeate my spirit.  I was feeling the burden of my topic, The Unseen Battle.

I realized I am perfectly happy being a pastor’s wife and shepherding my four offspring, I love teaching Sunday school and ladies Bible study. Why step out of my comfort zone and begin a speaking and writing ministry on spiritual warfare?  Or if I am going to speak and write, why not pick a “safe” topic?

My soul was in turmoil as I cried out to God, “Father, if you are willing…take this endeavor from me….NEVERTHELESS! Not MY will but THINE be done.”  The Spirit then impressed upon my heart, “Arise, Child, He who called you is faithful.”  ”He will never leave you or forsake you.”  Remember precious one, “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

In the Garden of Gethsemane, my Savior’s soul was not just in turmoil, but rather anguish!  Anguish such as no mere mortal has ever felt.  Submitting to the Father’s will meant enduring the cursed death of the cross – paying the penalty for sinners in their place.  Jesus saw it clearly and sweat great drops of blood.  But love for His Father and unconditional submission to His will lead Him to drink that cup.  And He accomplished the salvation of sinners in doing so!

The only way I am able to follow the Father’s leading is because of what my Savior accomplished for me in Gethsemane and on the Cross.  I can drink the cup of persecution which I know this ministry will bring, because my Savior has already drunk the cup of my salvation.

As the Spirit spoke to my heart I never heard the word “easy”.  I did not hear that my family and me would be without opposition.  I did not hear that He would lead us AROUND the battle, rather that He would hold our hands and walk us THROUGH it.

I arose from that bed with joy unspeakable!  Yes, LORD, I will drink this cup because you drank THE Cup.

I am being called and He is equipping me.  NEVERTHELESS, I am going to need some faithful prayer warriors to cover my family, church, and myself.  Please ask the Lord if He is asking you to be one of them. I will send out a weekly private message of prayer requests to those who are being called to come along side me.  You will be my “prayer peeps”.  Please let me know by leaving a comment on this post.  Thank you and God bless!

“When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.” How Firm A Foundation, John Keene

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Enter to win a FREE Starbucks giftcard! Cheryl is hosting a contest! To enter simply click on the link and watch the video, then leave a comment below pointing out Cheryl’s big blunder (can you find it??).

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Cheryl Lutz is passionate for women to discover the heart of God. A pastor’s wife for twenty-three years, Cheryl possesses a vibrant love for God and how He reveals Himself through His written Word. Cheryl brings more than two decades of teaching the Bible to the women of her congregation. Her ability to glean truth from His Word in bold and engaging ways endears her to the women she leads. A robust confidence in Christ and in His healing power has emerged through her victorious battle with the enemy. Cheryl connects to the heart of women daily through her transparency and desire to help raise awareness of the intense spiritual attacks Satan launches, especially against those in public ministry.

She is elated to be a part of a ground floor outreach to women in Haiti who care for orphans. Sisters for Haiti has a heart to train these precious women to not only feed and clothe orphans, but most importantly, to disciple them spiritually.

For speaking engagements, please contact Cheryl Lutz by e-mail at clutz40@gmail.com. To read more, visit Cheryl’s website, and follow her on facebook and twitter.

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