Always Willing, Always Able

What people are saying about

ALWAYS WILLING, ALWAYS ABLE

Living Beyond Your Means!

"Always Willing, Always Able - Living Above Your Means" is Ann Eargle’s heartfelt and honest account of her personal experiences in coming to know the Almighty God and a Love that has re-shaped and brought healing to her life. Ann’s desire has been to tell the story of her journey of faith in Christ with such simplicity that the message of the Gospel can be understood by anyone who reads with an open heart. She writes with the bubbling freshness of a new Christian who loves her Lord, and with the grounded foundation of a seasoned scholar. It is my joy to be Ann’s friend and to know that the person who wrote these words lives the life of which she speaks by a Power greater than either of us. I love you, Friend!

Carol Johnson

Johnson City, TN

Simple, yet profound, book of my friend’s discovery not of religion, but of the love of Jesus, her discipleship, and transformation into a mighty woman of God. Her writing illustrates the hope that we all have of going on a life’s journey of following God with our whole hearts, with His plans for us being so much greater than we could have dreamed possible while providing a road map to get there.

Betty Joy Boshears

Kingsport, TN

I was able to understand and relate to Ann’s writing more so than most inspirational literature I’ve read, and it held my interest like none other. In Always Willing, Always Able - Living Beyond Your Means, it didn’t matter which chapter I was reading —- I was just meant to read it at that particular time. Ann’s writing helped me realize that God really DOES love me no matter how bad I am, have been, or ever will be. My past mistakes don’t matter to Jesus, and nothing I have ever done can keep Him from wanting to use me for His purposes. Sensing the love of God sprinkled all through this book served to help me trust HIM more. It touched my soul, the very core of my being, and at the conclusion of my reading, I was able to carry on with a renewed love for God, a renewed faith, and a renewed trust in my Savior. I didn’t want the book to end...

Kathy Hawks

Johnson City, TN

I am totally speechless and overwhelmed by the power infused to Ann by the Holy Spirit in "Always Willing, Always Able - Living Beyond Your Means." This book spoke to my heart and my needs throughout, and I am sure it will lead many souls to the saving power of Jesus Christ. All praise and glory to our mighty God who took a beautiful woman and allowed her to be the living, breathing manifestation of His saving message and redemption plan. To God be the Glory!

J. Jones

Elizabethton, TN

Ann shares her story with great compassion and love as she knows the depth of fear that may overcome one who has been told she has cancer. Through her challenges, she discovered a truth that set her life on a new journey filled with hope and fulfillment to turn her future to a bright, shining source of joy!

Dava Lee Russell

DLR Ministries

Jonesborough, TN

"Always Willing, Always Able - Living Beyond Your Means" is a beautifully written book about a woman’s journey in finding her place in God’s world. Truly inspirational in every sense of the word.

Tracy Barry

Jonesborough, TN

Always Willing, Always Able

Living beyond your means!

Ann Eargle

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2014 Ann Eargle

This ebook is licensed for your personal use only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE, Old Testament copyright 1965, 1987 by the Zondervan Corporation. The Amplified New Testament copyright 1958, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture taken from the THE MESSAGE. Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Ebook formatting by www.ebooklaunch.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: The Bigger Plan

CHAPTER 2: It Was Just the Beginning

CHAPTER 3: The Heavenly Encounter on Earth

CHAPTER 4: They’re Just Words...Or Are They?

CHAPTER 5: Born Again - A Change of Heart

CHAPTER 6: A Life Transformed

CHAPTER 7: From Reading to Revelation

CHAPTER 8: What Love Is This?

CHAPTER 9: Three Faces of Love

CHAPTER 10: It’s Simply Something You Do

CHAPTER 11: Great Faith

CHAPTER 12: A Desire to Receive

CHAPTER 13: Prayer Warriors

CHAPTER 14: Prayer - Our Source for Survival

CHAPTER 15: Our Lifeline to the Living Spirit

CHAPTER 16: Are You There, Lord?

CHAPTER 17: Planting Seeds - Not Just For Farmers Anymore

CHAPTER 18: God the Father

CHAPTER 19: God the Son

CHAPTER 20: God the Holy Spirit

CHAPTER 21: Today Is The Day!

FINAL THOUGHTS

IN APPRECIATION

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chapter 1

THE BIGGER PLAN

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15

My early inspiration for writing this book began with a simple heartfelt, honest letter to my family. I wrote them a letter explaining my relationship with the Lord and how they too can have the kind of relationship I never dreamed possible. I wanted to be instrumental in leading my entire family to the Lord. It was my heart’s desire to see them walk with Him as I have learned to do, to see them living abundant lives, to witness the end of their destruction, and to share in their victory. Nothing was more important to me than to be assured that they had accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It was my strongest desire to know that He lives in their hearts, and that they are living their lives through who they are in Him. I can see now that, at the onset, it was a selfish ambition, even though it was innocent in its conception.

The majority of us tend to live in our own little worlds. More often than not, we elect to keep our own troubles and worries, our past and current transgressions, and our crimes of the heart wrapped up so tightly in a box that no one knows what’s going on or what has gone on in our lives - we prefer to keep our skeletons hidden.

At other times, we may be inclined to consider only the issues and cares of those closest to us - sometimes only taking into account those who live in our inner circles - many times not recognizing the needs or interests of those outside of those circles. However, our God has a bigger plan for us. He sees the bigger picture. God has placed us strategically in the lives of others so He can be a blessing to them through us. He knows the plan He has for our lives from the beginning to the end.

In the midst of writing the letter to my family, the Holy Spirit continuously moved in my heart with each word that I penned. My once selfish desire to lead my own family to the Lord began to grow into something bigger. The more I wrote, the more my passion grew, and as my passion intensified, I became increasingly convicted by a strong desire to help lead others to the Lord in addition to my beloved family members. God already knew that would happen; He knows the plan which He has declared for our lives.

The plan for writing this book was laid on my heart just after I had received some very disturbing news about one of my precious family members. Upon surrendering to the authorities, there was a possibility that this dear family member could soon be sentenced to prison for the senseless murder of another man. Upon hearing the news, I couldn’t breathe. It was as though someone had delivered a severe blow to my chest. My heart was crushed, my head was spinning, and my hands were tied. My family members were in need of guidance - not from me, but from our God.

Feeling hopeless, I went out into our yard as I often do when I need to be alone with the Lord. Sitting on the ledge of our swimming pool, I began to call out His name. I just kept repeating His name - Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. His name was all I could muster up enough fortitude to say. My heart was breaking, and I longed to enter into His holy presence to gain some relief. I was craving to feel Him next to me and to feel His undying love for me. Searching for assurance, I needed to know beyond a shadow of doubt that my God was in control. There was a storm brewing in the lives of my loved ones - they needed support, and I needed some answers. An intense yearning welled up in me to help my family. I longed to do something about the news I had just received - they needed help, but I didn’t have a clue what I could possibly do for them.

My heart was burdened, and it was ever so heavy. Have you ever had a heavy heart, a heart under attack? It feels as though someone is tugging, and pulling, and pushing on your heart, like a boxing match going on inside of your chest that you can’t settle. Nearly five hundred miles of road was between me and my family, and my heart was heavy. I was emotionally drained, helpless, and even hopeless, but still my need to reach out to them was profound. My desire was to hold each one tightly in my arms and whisper to them, It will be okay. This too will pass.

As tears began to roll down my face, I did the only thing I knew to do at the time; I began to pray in the Spirit. I knew the Holy Spirit would bring peace to my soul, settle my heart, lift my burden, and dissipate the struggle going on inside of me. As I continued to pray, I knew I would get my answer. With absolute certainty, I knew my God would answer His child’s cry for help. He is always faithful to hear the cries of His children and to respond to their pleas for help. I knew He could hear me crying out. I knew He felt my pain. The intense heartache and pain I was feeling at that very moment is one of the reasons why He hung on the cross at Calvary.

As I sat by the pool with my legs dangling in the water, I prayed:

Lord, I want my entire family to know who You are. The Book of Acts tells us that we can believe for our whole family to be saved, but I am only one person and miles stand between us. How can I help them? What can I do for them? I want my family to have the ability to reach out to You, so You can change their lives just as You have changed my life. They need You, they need to know You, and I want to share You with them, but I am so far away. How can I help them realize You are in their midst waiting to become part of their lives? How can I share with them how my relationship with You has changed everything about me? How can I reach out to them?

Then I heard the still small voice of the Lord say to me, Ann, write them a letter. Tell them about our relationship in a letter.

I said, A letter? After that, I didn’t hear anything else from Him. I sat quietly, for what seemed like eternity, and then I began to think about His words. After some time, I realized it was the perfect thing to do! And as I said aloud, I’ll tell them about You in a letter! - I felt a rush of relief. A wave of joy flowed through me like I’ve never felt before. A big grin came upon my face.

Then I heard, But I want you to do more than that. I want you to tell the world.

My rush of relief and wave of joy then turned to panic and fear. I said, God, I may be able to write a letter to my family and even bare my soul to them, but tell the world? I’m not so sure about that!

Then He replied ever so tenderly and lovingly, You don’t have to be sure about it, I am very sure. Trust Me.

Remembering the verses of Psalm 37:3-5 caused a flood of peace to wash over my soul. Even though King David intended these precious verses to serve as a command, the precept was certainly coupled with a promise when he said,

"Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

I had been committed to serving the Lord for many years by this time so I knew I could trust Him. I had been feeding on His faithfulness for a very long time. I had resolved in my mind at that very moment that I was going to trust in Him, once again being confident that if I did, He would give me the desires of my heart. I just knew it - my family would be saved! My panic then turned to liberation.

As I sat awaiting His answer to my petition, the Lord quickened to my Spirit the countless times He had proven Himself faithful to me. I remembered instances of enduring loneliness when He had engulfed me with His presence comforting me as only He could. I remembered when my automobile gas gauge registered E for empty, and He converted it to E for enough. I remembered my heart hurting so badly that I wanted to die, and He restored joy to my heart and to my life. Once again, this time was no exception; He confirmed His faithfulness by answering my heartfelt prayer. He heard my plea and provided direction. Remembering His faithfulness, there was no question about it: I was going to be obedient and tell not only my family about Jesus, but tell the world about my relationship with a Living God who is always willing and always able.

God’s specific instructions were first to write a letter to my family members sharing the events in my life that drew me into a closer relationship with Him. Revealing these experiences to my family was vital in order to demonstrate the masterful plan of deliverance God had planned for me, and to help provide them the evidence they needed as proof that He also had a plan of escape for them as well. The Lord specifically instructed me to disclose the events which led me to hold fast to His promises and to explain how I was committed to never letting go of the hope and expectation of a fulfilling life which originated in Him. He directed me to describe how He brought me through every painful experience victoriously.

The mental journal of my life was about to be exposed. I had kept my life’s journal locked away in my heart for years because it contained a great deal of loss, sadness, suffering, and many encounters which generated real pain just thinking about them. Even more difficult than thinking about all this pain was putting those experiences, events, and emotions on paper. Somehow seeing them on paper was like reliving them all over again. I had kept many of these experiences hidden from everyone - even those closest to me - up until this time.

After I completed the letter to my family, a deluge of freedom invaded my soul. I had described to my family members the depth of my relationship with an awesome God whom I love and serve and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. I had explained how He is the foundation of my existence, and how I long for Jesus to be the cornerstone of their very being as well. The first step of my obedience had been fulfilled - the letter. I was about to embark on the second phase of God’s mandate. Beginning my journey of writing a book for all to read, I was convinced that the words spread upon the pages would be also guided by Him, the Great Almighty.

As is His course, the Lord had given me a brief peek over the horizon, just a glimpse of the effects my writing would produce in my family. That radiant glimpse was enough for me to continue moving forward with the Lord at the helm of my adventure. My faith was riding high, not only for the salvation of my family, but for the hurting world as well. I was going to do it, I was no longer afraid, but instead had great confidence that God would be at my side, guiding my hand, just like He had been guiding me from the very beginning of my life.

I was, by no stretch of the imagination, a writer. By profession, I considered myself an administrator. I didn’t have the slightest inkling of the steps required in writing a book. However, determined to be obedient, I stepped out in faith, and made a firm declaration to share my good news with my family first through a letter, and then with the world, by way of a book, just as the Lord had commanded me to do.

My husband and I agreed and established a covenant with the Lord that, if He was leading me through this journey, He would provide the resources every step of the way. And step by step, once again, the Lord answered my prayer.

Chapter 2

IT WAS JUST THE BEGINNING

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because

he trusteth in thee." Isaiah 26:3

March 2000 was a time of preparation for entering a chapter of my life that was full of uncertainty. It was also around this time that I began to understand the importance of focusing on Jesus. Staying focused on and committed to my Lord would provide the constant peace needed to claim victory in the midst of journeying though this chapter of my life. Feeling as though I was standing unarmed and face to face with one of the biggest giants known to man - cancer - the battle for my life was about to begin. Without a sword, without a shield, and feeling totally unprepared for the battle, unnerving emotions began to circumnavigate all around me. There was a serious movement about to occur in my life, things for which I was gravely uneducated.

Historically in battle you know your enemy and you are familiar with their weapons of warfare. The duration of the battle, the location in which the battle will take place and the level of commitment are, by and large, well defined. However, for me, at this time in my life, I was unarmed, unskilled, and scared. You see, at this point, I was unaware that my battle had already been fought and won. I didn’t know much about our Lord, and I wouldn’t fully come to know Him and realize the depth of His love for me until many months later.

Upon hearing the diagnosis of breast cancer, I was numb. Even today, I can still hear the doctor’s voice as she delivered the devastating news. I was totally stunned. It was as though an enormous knot flared up instantly in my throat. I remember taking deep breaths to try and make the knot go away but it wouldn’t disappear. I couldn’t believe it. I was only forty-one years old. How could this be happening to me?

At that time, I was attending a denominational church filled with people who didn’t believe that God healed everyone; no one knew why He healed some and not others. Never once did I question the ideology. I was taught to accept the doctrine as it was preached, to sit in church and be quiet, to be a spectator, and by no means a participant. I was taught to follow along in my Bible while scriptures were being read, but never encouraged to chime in. One religious ritual preceded another.

I remember, quite clearly, the day our pastor came to visit me after hearing the news of my diagnosis. It was just a few days before the scheduled surgery to remove the tumor and my breast along with it. Pastor Mark, along with my husband, in-laws and my mom, and I were sitting in our family room talking and he asked if he could pray for me. I remember him praying for me to be healed - if it was God’s will. In essence, what I heard in my mind was what I had always heard, Maybe God would heal me and maybe He wouldn’t. It was as if no one ever knew for sure whether they would be healed or not; there was just never any guarantee. He prayed as though some were lucky enough to get healed, and some may not be so lucky. It was like shooting a game of craps, some days you win and some days you lose; it depended solely on which way the dice fell! At least, that’s what it felt like, that’s what I heard in my mind.

At the conclusion of his prayer, our pastor told us that as he walked through the door of our home, the Lord gave him a scripture for me. He said it was his hope that this scripture would sustain me through whatever would come my way throughout the months ahead. The scripture was in Isaiah 26:3: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

I stayed on this passage of scripture for a very long period of time. The