Month: January 2019

A Song of Deliverance – With Thanks and Praise

Posted on by rinouye

Have you ever felt like you need to be delivered from, out of, or through something? Boy, I have! Do you feel like you are in a battle? Today I was thinking about the power of a song in our battles, songs of deliverance. One individual’s song or a collection of people singing together has a profound effect of deliverance. I want to share a story from the Bible and include some links to songs. (These few songs have been instrumental in my life so I want to pass them on to you.)

img_5454

photo: Paul Alexi

Whether it’s singing around the table, a campfire or church worshipers lifting their songs to the King of kings, songs play an incredible role in deliverance. They can also play a role in fighting battles. One of my favorite accounts from scripture is found in 2 Chronicles 20: 1-30. (I used the ESV version) It’s a story about Jehoshaphat the King of Judah and his need for deliverance.

Let me briefly hit the high points of the story for you and include the verses that talk about the importance of a prayer and a song.

King Jehoshaphat is told, from a messenger, that a great multitude is coming against him for battle. HE WAS SURROUNDED:

  • He was afraid, proclaimed a fast and assembled all the people.
  • He prayed to God, declared His rule over all the kingdoms, recognized His power and might and recounted God’s history with His people.
  • Asked God to execute judgment on those coming against Judah.
  • He admitted “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

Meanwhile:

  • All Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
  • The Spirit of the LORD came upon this one man name Jahaziel, and he said, “Listen, all Judah and the habitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat. The Lord says to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.'”

Jahaziel then runs through the battle steps that the Spirit of God had given him:

  • “‘Tomorrow go down against them. They’ll come out against you, you’ll find them at the valley.
  • You do not need to fight this battle.
  • Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, oh Judah and Jerusalem.’
  • Don’t be afraid and do not be dismayed, tomorrow go out against them and the Lord will be with you.”

Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. Then the Levites stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

Then they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said:

  • “Hear me, Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem!
  • Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets and you will succeed.”
  • and when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to SING to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army,  saying,
  • “Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

HERE’S the amazing part to me…

  • When they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men who had come against Judah so that they were routed.
  • The men who came out against King Jehoshaphat and Judah, then turned on one another and destroyed one another.
  • When Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they looked toward the horde, and behold, there were dead bodies lying on the ground; none had escaped.
  • When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, 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.
  • On the fourth day they assembled in the valley, for there they blessed the LORD.
  • They returned to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord has made them rejoice over their enemies..
  • They came to Jerusalem with harps and liars and trumpets, to the house of LORD.
  • And the fear of God came on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel.
  • So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.
grayscale photo of people raising their hands

Photo by Shelagh Murphy on Pexels.com

Now that’s some deliverance, right? AND they didn’t even fight…

INSTEAD: they prayed, fasted, gathered, and sang! WOW! And then…they went and gathered all the stuff – goods, clothing and precious things, which they took for themselves, from the ones who had come out against them.

Maybe you are in a situation or battle where you don’t know what to do. That’s okay, just admit it like King Jehoshaphat who said,“We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

Like King Jehoshaphat, do you feel surrounded?

What’s your current battle?

  • difficult diagnosis
  • marital problems
  • loss of a job
  • financial troubles
  • family strife

God can fight your battle however He chooses to do it and however He leads. We have a solid example of one method of deliverance. Let God fight our battles as we pray, worship, give thanks and SING…Songs of Deliverance.

 

close up of hands

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

 

https://youtu.be/R4CwKroZtCI

 Fight my battles

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1WGbmFmTGlM

No longer slaves

https://youtu.be/-jjzBb0wqTg

The goodness of God

https://youtu.be/awkO61T6i0k

Raise a Hallelujah

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1WGbmFmTGlM

You are my Hiding Place

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

Disappointment’s Trap- How to Climb out Instead of Get Stuck.

Posted on by rinouye

I was over the moon with excitement. I wanted to clap my hands together and shout, “That’s a wrap people!” As though I were a director on the set of a Hollywood movie or somethin’. In all actuality, I had simply finished recording the first episode of my new podcast, “the real deal.”

I was honored to have my Father, Richard as my first guest and we had concluded our time together. We had recorded something quite unique and special. I thanked my Dad and my husband took a photo of us together as a sweet memory of our time. The reason I wanted to interview my Dad for my first episode as my initial guest is because he is my hero! He more than qualifies as someone, in my book, who is the real deal.

fullsizeoutput_9789

Yes, Richard Heggen certainly is “the real deal!”  He is so comfortable in his own skin with his life.  I love him. My Father has implored us all, my sisters and me along with our whole nuclear family to be “the real deal.” He instructed us, “Just be yourself. You are one of a kind. Nobody wants phony bologna!” He’s said, “In the art world it is called the ‘honesty of materials.'” He always emphasized to be “the ‘genuine article,’ ‘the real deal.'”

My newest venture in spreading encouragement and exhorting audiences has taken form in this new podcast, called “the real deal” with Rachel Inouye. You can probably imagine my excitement as 2019 arrived. I’m not sure if it was the next week or when it was, but my husband and I looked at the files from the recording of episode 001, only to discover there was no episode 001. It had never been saved or was deleted or some other unknown cause. Nonetheless the podcast was gone, nada, zip, zero, nothin’ honey!

I was more than disappointed. I was a bit nauseous. I told my husband before he left for work, “It’s gonna be okay, but I may cry. I’m sad. It’ll be okay, I know but I might just cry!” A moment later, I recall I said, “I’m sure we can try to re-record it somehow, it’ll be fine honey, but I may… cry.” Then, I did exactly that, I CRIED!

My disappointment stemmed from a few things:

  • The audio file was great content and it was lost!
  • I felt like I had wasted my Father’s time.
  • I thought I had wasted my husband’s time too.
  • I was hoping my husband wasn’t feeling accused at all. It wasn’t his fault. He is my forerunner and I was disappointed.
  • I wasn’t sure how or when we’d be able to record again.
  • My hope of launching a podcast was deferred.

fullsizeoutput_9fb7

My Father and I don’t live in the same state. I was fortunate to have the time with him while he and my mom and sisters came for a fall visit, so we had recorded then.  I knew they were not planning a trip back anytime soon so the possibility of getting this first episode redone seemed unlikely.

I hesitated to do it, but I called my Dad on Face Time  and said, “Well,  Dad, I’ve got some bad news. Remember recording for the podcast? We don’t know what happened but there is no sound on the  audio file. Even though we had listened to it while you were here, remember how we heard parts of it? Well, anyway it’s gone. I’m so sad.”

His response was, “Well, maybe we’ll have to come back and visit you sometime and record something else instead.” As it turned out, that’s what we did. We recorded something else but not here. Instead,  while I was back in Iowa visiting we took another swing at it. While together at a family gathering, I grabbed my dad for “the real deal” interview and my husband set up a make shift studio, we settled in, tucked away in my brother-in-law’s office, we recorded “the real deal” with Rachel Inouye Episode 001.

silver desk microphone

Here’s how I climbed out of the disappointment trap:

  • I recognized my true disappointment and I grieved.  Yes, the audio files were lost, the content was precious, but it was gone…So I cried. (I allowed myself to go there, but I didn’t stay there.)
  • I asked God to make a way to recovered or redo.
  • I prayed with a friend, she asked for “a better outcome than the first version.”
  • I let it go and moved forward.
  • I was kind to myself and my husband.
  • I looked for the positive spin on it. Is there a silver lining here?
  • I “got back on the horse” and tried it again.
  • I realized I am strong! My resolve proved I’m energized by this endeavor; I am made to do this. (Persevere )
  • I DIDN’T GET STUCK!

If you are dealing with disappointment of any kind BIG or SMALL, I hope you will bounce back or climb out of the trap too. One thing I have been challenged to declare is…There is always a solution. 

img_4421

 

Here’s the good news. I believe my new podcast episode 001 was meant to be and it launched on January 8, 2019 which was my Dad’s eighty-eighth birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Richard and happy birthday “the real deal” with Rachel Inouye.

Here is the link to listen to episode 001. I sure hope you are blessed by it. If you like it SUBSCRIBE and RATE and REVIEW it. Thanks. There is much more to come!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-real-deal/id1448869614

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

Which way should I go?

Posted on by rinouye

I shared this phrase before, it’s the tagline from one of my talks: “Look back with gratitude look forward with faith.” This has been instrumental in my life. I have found, as I venture out into some new territory,  I can become a bit paralyzed with thoughts like, what should I do? which way should I go?

It has helped me before proceeding full force into the unknown, to look back at what God has done in my life, with gratitude, therefore I’m able to look forward in faith.

fullsizeoutput_9ce1

Why has this helped me? Because I have seen His track record and I know God cannot lie, He does not change and He always keeps his promises.

Here’s a WHOPPER of a promise:

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8 NIV

This has truly helped me not get my undies in a bunch or adopt needless anxiety over life’s future endeavors. Even now, today as I write this post, I find myself wondering a little bit about the future. During one of my a recent posts, I wrote about the catalyst behind the podcast idea I had.

LINK for past blog

God really went before me! I see ways He has been preparing me for years. I’m happy to announce that January 8, 2019 “The Real Deal”- with Rachel Inouye launched. Eek! I m so excited about it I can hardly contain myself! I’m extremely energized by it because I’m very relational and I get to interview amazing people, share segments of my past messages which have helped to encourage and inspire others.  I plan to have a frequent guest, my girl friend, Gayle join me for “Buddy Time.”  I’m very jazzed by the thought of how God will use it and how He will direct me in and through it. I had the privilege of interviewing my father, Richard Heggen for episode 001 of “The Real Deal.” *See link below

fullsizeoutput_9fb7

The Real Deal

I’m the type of person who agonizes over decisions. I wonder what I should do? Which way should I go? I have seen how God was moving me into position for this phase of my life for quite a while. So, I look back with gratitude and look forward with faith.

I get asked this question, or ones like it, quite often. What do you think I should do? It may originate from:

  • a mentee,
  • a friend
  • someone I’m ministering to in the moment

I don’t find it necessary to try to answer or solve.  Instead, I find myself just pointing the person to God and sharing this verse because it has been very helpful to me.  I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8

Let me ask you a question. Is there an area in your life you are wondering, what should I do? Which way should I go?  What is next?  I’ll share the promise of God with you again, but allow me to include the very next verse along with it.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Psalm 32:8,9.

photo of black horse

Yeah, yeah, you figured it out. The next part means we are NOT to be stubborn, like the horse or mule, when being guided by God. Oh, lordy LORD… My prayer becomes: God, please forgive me for my stubbornness from time to time. Golly, I do so want to be easily guided by you cuz I know you guide me with your loving eye on me!

two brown donkeys

Even as I write this blog I am asking for God to guide me as I add the podcast to my regular rhythms of life.

I wonder:

  • Should I keep blogging once a week?
  • How often do I release each podcast episode?
  • Will I have the time to do all I have bit off on this year?
  • How will it work when I’m off speaking in another country?
  • Should I finish the online course I started working on?
  • If I do this, will I get my next book Waiting on Grace finished?  When will I secure an editor? Who is going to publish it? Blah, blah, blah! 

WHEN I get ahead of myself,  I simply look at the track record God and I have had.  It helps me to NOT have to breathe into a bag to prevent hyperventilating. Hahaha! I’m kidding, well mostly!  This is the moment when I remind myself, “Look back with gratitude look forward with faith.” AND I clearly hear Him reassure me of His promise… I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8

My only response is, “THANK YOU JESUS!”

Soooo…what decisions are you in the midst of making? Are you letting yourself go CRAZY bonkers as your thought train speeds ahead full steam into the vast unknown of the future? Well, I encourage to “Look back with gratitude look forward with faith.” 

And REST in the promise of God. Look closely at it…It doesn’t say I MIGHT guide you. No, no, no, it says, “I WILL instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8

So press on, dear believer, knowing:

  • You’ve been given the mind of Christ.
  • He will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.
  • He will counsel you.
  • His loving eye is on you!
  • You’ve seen Him work in the past. So you can look back with gratitude.
  • He’s out in front of you.
  • You can look forward with faith!

Side note: I want to continue to exhort and encourage more and more people. God continues to enlarge my territory and he is saying, “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.” Isaiah 54:2

Here’s the ask:

  • Will you listen to the podcast?
  • Will you subscribe?
  • Will you rate and review it? It takes seconds
  • Will you share this blog and/or “The Real Deal” podcast on social media or tell someone about it? (I do trust God but he’s asked me not to shy away from enlisting an army of His soldiers to help me in this because we are better together than alone)

I DO APPRECIATE IT!  It’s so fun to see what God has done! It makes me want to do cartwheels and hoot and holler, “Yay God!” I’m down right giddy about what 2019 holds for us all. It’s gonna be good, because God is good!

The Real Deal Podcast