Dear Friends in Christ,

      I hope this newsletter finds you all well and enjoying the Blessings of the Lord. I would like to share this little article with you and I hope that it will minister to you as much as it did to me.

      There is a parable told of a farmer who owned an old mule.  The mule fell into the farmer’s well.  The farmer heard the mule braying or whatever mules do when they fall into wells.  After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving.  Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened.  He enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery. Initially, the old mule was hysterical!  (Wouldn’t you be with dirt being flung on you?)  But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit the old mule’s back, a thought struck him.  It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back, HE WOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP!  This he did, blow after blow. “Shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up…. Shake it off and step up, he repeated to encourage himself.  No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought panic and just kept right on  SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP! Well, it wasn’t long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, STEPPED TRIUMPHANTLY OVER THE WALL OF THAT WELL!  What seemed like would bury him, actually blessed him… all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

     Many of you are going through some really hard places right now. What I want you to know is, like this old mule, God will make a way for you to come out of every situation that you are facing and you will be victorious.  The Lord tells us “that in this life we will have trials and tribulations but be of good cheer for He has overcome the world.”  1 Peter 4:12.  Remember, that the old mule continued to encourage himself even when it was painful and he was distressed.  We need to learn to be like that old mule and encourage ourselves from the word of God when the enemy comes against us.  The Lord has told us “There is no temptation that has overtaken you but such is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able, But will make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.”  1 Corinthians 10:13   So, whatever the enemy throws at you, just SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP.  Victory belongs to you.  “You are more than a conqueror through Him who loves us.” Romans 8:37 

     Thank you for all that you do for the Daughters of Zion Ministries.  Great will be your reward because you are helping us to reach the lost, care for the orphans and widows and make a difference in the Kingdom of God.  I know the Father is so pleased. I pray that God will continue to Bless you abundantly above all that I can ask or think.

Serving Him Joyfully,

Charlotte