In just a couple of days, another annual gathering will take place for our ministry.  Since our ministry has grown to be multi-staff within Regina, and now has extended to communities in northern Saskatchewan, Manitoba and into Alberta, as well, we invite our missionaries to a conference each year.
WHY?
Various reasons.  So those who identify themselves as ministers under Healing Hearts can meet together.  To provide the opportunity for fellowship, team-building and mutual edification.  For good Bible teaching and preaching.  To worship Jesus.  And to support one another in prayer.  Some folks are in teams.  Others may be alone in their place of service.  We all need to share our burdens and receive God's grace together.
Last week as I was preparing for and praying about the upcoming staff conference, I was reading a devotional on praise.  My heart was intent on covering our speaker, our childcare workers and everyone participating with God's blessing and protection.  A particular Scripture - a story, really -  came to mind.
Jehoshaphat, one of the kings of Judah, was a particularly godly and God-fearing king.  He had consorted with the king of Israel and "Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord.  Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asherahs out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God."  (II Chronicles 19:2b & 3)  He wasn't perfect but God recognized his heart.
During his reign in Jerusalem, the Moabites and Ammonites (and some of the Meunites) came against Jehoshaphat.  When he was so warned, "Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah."  The people gathered at the house of the Lord and Jehoshaphat humbly prayed, in all their hearing, for God to save.
While they were gathered, the Spirit of the Lord came upon a Levite in the midst of the assembly.  The Lord gave instruction as to how His people were to proceed against the imminent attack of their enemies.  "Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's.  Tomorrow go down against them...You will not need to fight in this battle.  Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem." (verses 15b-17a)
The simple battle plan was to show up and wait.
Any military strategist would question the sanity of such a suggestion.  But Jehoshaphat responded in bowing before the Almighty One in worship.  His subjects did the same, actually falling down before the Lord.  The Levites "stood up to the praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice." (verse 18)  Simple, all right.  Simply crazy!
The very next morning, Jehoshaphat assembled the people and addressed them with strong words of faith.  Then he appointed worship leaders to lead out before the army and say, "Give thanks to the Lord, for His steadfast love endures forever."  (verse21)  And an incredible miracle began to unfold.  As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the enemy who marched against Judah, and "so they were routed."  (verse 22b)  Hallelujah!
So what does any of this have to do with our fifth annual Healing Hearts staff conference?
The spiritual interference with our planning and preparation for this conference is usually ramped up.  From finding childcare workers to people's various circumstances and obstacles arising in the midst of their planning to attend, we have experienced all manner of warfare!  But here is the part of the story in Chronicles that really caught my attention:
Jehoshaphat and the army of Israel did not lift one sword.  The enemy forces ended up battling each other to the last man!  So the king and his men came to gather up the spoil and "they found among them, in great numbers, goods,clothing, and precious things, which they took for themselves until they could carry no more.  They were three days in taking the spoil, it was so much."  (verse 25)  The blessings were so lavish that it took them three days to gather it all!  Not only did the Lord fight the battle, but He gave gifts to His people.
I look at this wonderful graciousness of our Lord, the same Lord God of Israel, as what God is preparing to grant us at Healing Hearts as we persevere and press on to obey Him in meeting for our conference.  The Scripture account says that they assembled in the "Valley of Beracah"which means "blessing".  Then they returned to Jerusalem, rejoicing and celebrating all the way to the house of the Lord.  They gave thanks and blessed the Lord.
I pray we will come to our own "Valley of Beracah" (on Last Mountain Lake!) to rejoice in the victories our Saviour has won and give thanks for the blessings we will receive.
Let us all "stand firm, hold your position and see the salvation of the Lord."
"When your enemy presses in hard, do not fear; the battle belongs to the Lord.
  Take courage my friend, your redemption i

s near; the battle belongs to the Lord.
And we sing glory, honour, power and strength to the Lord..."
~ "The Battle Belongs to the Lord" ~ Jamie Owens-Collins

HHM Staff Conference 2014