Stake in the ground

I once heard a story of a man who attended a tent revival meeting and tried to give himself to God.  Every night at the altar, he would dedicate himself to the Lord.  Yet as he left each evening, the Devil would come to him and convince him that since he did not FEEL changed, he was not truly redeemed.
Again and again he was defeated by the Adversary.  Finally, one eveing he came to the meeting carrying an ax and a large wooden stake.  Aftere dedicating himself once more, he drove the stake into the ground where he had knelt to pray.  As he was leaving the tent, the Devil came to him as usual, trying to make him believe that his commitment to God was not genuine.  He quickly returned to the stake, pointed to it, and said, "Devil, do you see this stake? This is my witness that God has forever accepted me."

Immediately the Devil left him, and he never experienced doubts again.  From the Still Small Voice

As of late, I have driven my own stake in the ground.  My stake is laced in doubt much like the man in this story.  I do not FEEL prepared for our trip to Papua New Guinea.  The Devil keeps reminding me that "You can't do this."  And when I bring it to the Lord, He very patiently reminds me that feelings are temporal, but declarations?  THEY are sure.  GOD has declared that the Hovey family CAN do this!  In fact, HE has made it possible for the Hovey family TO do this!  NOT in our own strength, of course, but through the POWER at work in and through us that comes from our God!

Dear Reader, I wanted to say this as a public declaration and stake in the ground so that those reading can hold me accountable.  When my heart is trembling with fears of unknowns and my insecurities are raging, please....PLEASE...gently bring me back to this 'stake' and help me claim the promise that "God does not call the equipped; He equips the called (unknown source)."

    Gunner celebrating 6months today!!