This word is submitted by Elaine Ramstad (eramstad@means.net)

A call to Cross-Train

I sense the Lord is saying that this is a time for cross training in His body. I must clarify that this word goes hand in hand with what has been proclaimed about everyone becoming an intercessor. And this word is a very loving word. There was a smile in God's voice that said; "Don't you get it? I want you to get this!"

There are Mary's and Martha's in the body. The Martha's are very busy doing things, creating things, leading things, and accomplishing things. And the Mary's are sitting at the feet of Jesus, interceding. Since we all see the Martha's doing so much, we follow the proverbial habit of "asking the busy man to do it, so it will get done." We all see the Martha's, and we praise them for it. We see them as heroes for their works. The Lord is saying to the Martha's:

"Now I am calling you to intercede. Your identity has been tied up in your works and accomplishments. I want your identity tied up in me! I want to use you in a new way. Will you be obedient? Are you willing to sit at my feet and pray? Are you willing to have folks in the body wonder if you are out of line because you are obeying Me and not them? Obeying Me and not their expectations? Are you willing to accomplish things in the spiritual realm of prayer, where there is no obvious task completed? Where no one can say, "Look what he/she has done?" Are you willing to only care if I am satisfied? Do you trust Me to do miracles if you pray in private? Do you have the faith to see Me work without your hands?"

And to the Mary's, who have stayed in their living rooms and prayer rooms praying for someone to respond to God's call to go, the Lord would say, "Are you not someone? How many times have you called to Me to send someone -- anyone -- to share the gospel with your neighbor? Are you excluding yourself from obedience to go, by the nature of your calling? Are you using your calling to make excuses to be disobedient to the call I give you? Do you only have faith for Me to use others? Do you believe you are too inept for Me to use you mightily?"

"Oh, Children, I call you to be obedient. I call you to be obedient to Me. You will be thrilled at the miracles I have planned through your obedience. If you do not obey, you will miss out on the wonderful things I wish to do through you and with you. And sweet children, I WANT TO DO MIRACLES WITH YOU. Do you not know that I have miracles planned for everyone who hears this word? Everyone! I want the joy of doing miracles WITH YOU!"