Tears in a Bottle: Don't Lose Heart

By Lori Wilke

Your number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book? When I cry out to You, Then my enemies will turn back' This I know, because God is for me. Psalm 56:8-9

In Tears in a Bottle, author Lori Wilke reveals how God can take your challenges and turn them into your greatest victories. This book

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Feb 6, 2024
• ISBN: 9798890412218

Lori Wilke

Lori Wilke is an author, Bible teacher, singer, songwriter, intercessor, artist, and conference speaker. She and her husband, Tom, are senior pastors of Spirit Life Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Their daughter Laurelle assists them in the ministry. Lori has authored other books, such as The Costly Anointing and Grace for a Greater Life. Her mission is to empower people to become victorious leaders of God's love and truth.

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Tears in a Bottle

Don’t Lose Heart

Lori Wilke

Trilogy Christian Publishers

TUSTIN, CA

Trilogy Christian Publishers

A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Trinity Broadcasting Network

2442 Michelle Drive

Tustin, CA 92780

Tears in a Bottle: Don’t Lose Heart

Copyright © 2024 by Lori Wilke

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked AMPC are taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. Public domain.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without written permission from the author. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

Rights Department, 2442 Michelle Drive, Tustin, CA 92780.

Trilogy Christian Publishing/TBN and colophon are trademarks of Trinity Broadcasting Network.

Cover design by: __

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Trilogy Christian Publishing.

Trilogy Disclaimer: The views and content expressed in this book are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views and doctrine of Trilogy Christian Publishing or the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

ISBN: 979-8-89041-220-1

E-ISBN: 979-8-89041-221-8 (ebook)

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted.

Luke 4:18

Endorsements

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Lori Wilke’s book, Tears in a Bottle: Don’t Lose Heart contains timeless truths that will inspire you to love God more intimately. Her book is aimed at bringing people out of their limitations into a powerful future as a leader of love.

From start to finish, you will experience the power of the Spirit, propelling your life forward!

—Perry Stone

Voice of Evangelism Ministries

Cleveland Tennessee

I’ve always enjoyed the anointing of God on Lori Wilke’s life and ministry. Tears in a Bottle carries that same wonderful anointing that draws you closer to God and opens your heart to receive all He has for you as His child. If you’re seeking healing or fresh courage to walk out your Christianity, this is the book for you.

—Laura Woodworth, development executive, Cooke Media Group;

author, Through the Valley—Move Your Life Forward in God

The Romans had a custom that in a time of sorrow, they would go to the funeral of a friend or loved one and, with a piece of cloth, wipe the tears from their eyes. The mourners would then squeeze the tears out of that cloth and preserve them in a bottle.

Lori Wilke’s book, Tears in a Bottle, is not about sorrow; in fact, it’s quite the opposite. This book is a road map leading not just to recovery from times of suffering but to living a life of overflowing joy and victory.

This is the lifestyle I have known Lori and her husband Tom to reflect on during our longstanding relationship. These are not just people who move powerfully in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. They live in such a way that the fruit of the Spirit is freely and continually manifested to the glory of Jesus Christ and the blessing of all whose lives they touch.

On the pages of Tears in a Bottle, Lori Wilke shares how:

God’s protection can be a continual reality in your life.

Jesus desires to move you beyond past hurts and pain.

Build a Faith Boat can propel your life forward!

The Good Shepherd is already more involved in your deliverance than you understand.

Jesus loves you as you are but loves you too much to leave you there.

This book has timeless truths that will challenge your faith to move to a higher level of victory. From the first page to the last, you’ll find yourself on a journey of blessing!

In His service.

—Dr. Roberts Liardon

Author of God’s Generals series

No matter who you are, this book will provide you with a true understanding of the nature of God and His great plans for you. Throughout my three decades of relationship knowing Lori Wilke’s ministry and her husband, Pastor Tom, we have enjoyed the person of the Holy Spirit joining us together.

Her first book, The Costly Anointing, still remains an inspiration as well. You will be empowered as you realize the Good Shepherd is more involved with you than you know.

—Dr. James Horvath

Calvary Lighthouse

Rochelle, Illinois

In the pages of this book, Lori Wilke has captured and revealed the true heart of God toward His people. Through the power of the Word of God, as well as moving testimonies, she unveils the understanding nature of our Lord Jesus and the redemption that is available to everyone who has ever felt lost or hopeless. This book is for anyone who has ever simply lived a life in this fallen world, whether they’ve suffered through anything from a heartbreaking loss to the everyday cares of this earthly life. No matter where you are and who you are, it is for you! You are escorted face-to-face with the Lord, who loves you in the midst of your mess and who stoops down to raise you up. Yes, perhaps Tears in a Bottle might bring you to further tears, but they will be tears of joy.

—Pastor Laurelle Wilke

Spirit Life Church , Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I have been deeply moved in my heart by the stories and truth outlined in this book. It is a beautiful work designed by God to touch millions for the glory of God.

Hearts will experience the love of God while minds will be renewed to God’s great plans for personal victory. You won’t be disappointed as you experience the change that will draw you closer to Jesus through the insights in this book.

—Shavonnah Harris

Love Tabernacle Church

President—A New Commandment Ministries

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Tears in a Bottle: Don’t Lose Heart is an admirable and transformative book for all believers and those who are looking to believe. This book is filled with golden nuggets. Tears in a Bottle: Don’t Lose Heart is practical, comprehensible, and full of spiritual insight. In this read, you will be encouraged to trust God on a more profound level. I guarantee that every Christian will benefit tremendously from all of the spiritual insight that this book has to offer. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who’s in need of a new prescription for their spirit or anyone who’s looking for an inclination for spiritual growth. After this read, hungrily, your heart will yearn to cry out to God with the intent to experience his intimate love and faithfully tender heart.

—Pastor Sandra Burnett

Author of Bountiful Blessings in Believing,

Speaker, CEO/Founder Sandra Burnett Ministries.

Tears in a Bottle: Don’t Lose Heart is a revelatory reading experience on how we can, without fear, engage in an overflowing relationship with a holy but fun-loving God. We are taught to trust and obey a God whose perfect love casts away fear and torment. In Him, we can draw forth a joyful life that overflowing from an upward love relationship with God and a horizontal love relationship with all people. Lori Wilke’s teachings and story examples grant us a double impression of God being eternally in love with us as His crown of creation.

This book will send arrows of deliverance right into your heart. You will then seek a deep intimacy with a God who lives, loves, and is deeply interested in every facet of our existence and our eternal destiny in Christ Jesus. Get ready for a breakout from religious fear and deadly performance-based Christianity.

—Dr. Charles Green

Faith Fellowship Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This book clearly defines the message of faith and transformation through the person of Jesus Christ. You will be encouraged as you read and receive God’s grace and truth.

—Pastor Carl J. Egloff

Elm Grove Lutheran Church, Elm Grove, Wisconsin

Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1: Jesus Enjoys You in Your Weakness

Study Guide

Chapter 2: Show Me Your Scars

Study Guide

Chapter 3: God Is Your Way Maker

Study Guide

Chapter 4: God Raises You Up

Study Guide

Chapter 5: The Favor of the Savior

Study Guide

Chapter 6: Jesus the Good Shepherd

Study Guide

Chapter 7: The Chair in the Air

Study Guide

Chapter 8: Build a Faith Boat

Study Guide

Chapter 9: God’s Love for One Person

Study Guide

Chapter 10: The Heart of the Law is Mercy

Study Guide

Chapter 11: Give God a Drink

Study Guide

Chapter 12: Move Past the Mistakes

Study Guide

Chapter 13: Get Your Strength Back!

Study Guide

Chapter 14: God Leads You Where He Needs You

Study Guide

Chapter 15: Fully in Love with God

Study Guide

Chapter 16: The Pearl of Great Price

Study Guide

Chapter 17: God’s Dream Home

Study Guide

Chapter 18: Fitting into Your Underwear

Study Guide

Chapter 19: Much Sweet Fruit

Study Guide

Chapter 20: The Mark of the Master

Study Guide

Prayer for Salvation

Prayer for Healing

About the Author

Foreword

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If life is a contact sport, then the life we live is engaged in an all-out assault on our relationship with God and His calling on our lives. A believer’s journey is one that is likened to a soldier instructed to be dressed for battle. Yet, their mission is to have the nature, character, and attitude of Christ, which is humble, loving, forgiving, and kind.

Spiritual attacks come in all different ways and for a variety of reasons. How we respond and recover from these situations will determine our spiritual health. Jesus said, the storms are coming to beat against our life, but those whose foundation is built on being a doer of His Word will stand.

In every test and in every trial, there is Jesus, our shepherd, always there to guide us. He promises through His sympathetic compassion to always be with us and lead us to a victorious outcome. Facing our sufferings with faith in God’s promises empowers us to conquer our storms and overcome the battle.

In this very personal book, Tears in a Bottle, Lori Wilke lays out a road map for recovery, restoration, and renewal from setbacks, delays, or broken dreams that will inspire you to never give up. She gives the antidote for staying strong when things get hard.

When the tears are flowing and hurt and confusion are pressing in, Lori reminds us that God holds our tears in a bottle and not to lose heart! She instructs us to see God’s heart when we can’t see His hand. If you’ve ever faced a struggle, a storm, a hardship, or a shipwreck, then learn how to take the timeless truths in this book and grow stronger in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

God enjoys you; He makes a way for you; He raises you up and gives you favor. Through the pages of this book, you can receive your strength back because there’s always more in God than you can ever imagine.

You will be equipped as you read and study each chapter in this book, and it will help you never lose heart.

Pastor Tom Wilke,

Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Introduction

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You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book? When I cry out to You, Then my enemies will turn back; This I know, because God is for me (Psalm 56:8–9).

In Lou Holtz’s second season as head football coach of Notre Dame, the Fighting Irish experienced a humiliating loss against Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl. Holtz slunk into the locker room, shaken and depressed, but his blood pressure rose as he noticed that most of his players didn’t seem very distraught.

The only exception was a second-string sub named Chris Zorich sitting in front of his locker, sobbing. Holtz decided just then that next year’s team would be composed of players who loved football as much as Zorich.

This young man went from sub to starter to team captain the following season and helped the Fighting Irish win a national championship.

Chris Zorich had won the spot on the starting team because of his tears, for some things are worth crying over.

A tear, said Bible teacher M. R. DeHaan, is a distillation of the soul. It is the deepest longing of the human heart in a chemical solution.

Charles Spurgeon called tears the diamonds of heaven.¹

Life is filled with challenges, setbacks and injustices that may cause you to lose heart and experience confusion. It’s good to know that Jesus is not writing you off or leaving you a loser. Instead, He enjoys being with you despite all your imperfections and holds your tears in a bottle. The infinitely beautiful Jesus gives you hope and a future. He can take defeats and turn them into your greatest victories. Just as Jesus looked to His Father, calling Him the greater one (John 14:28), we look to our Father in heaven for the strength to overcome. God’s love is extended to everyone and is designed to bring you personally into a fulfilled life. Knowing that Jesus will not leave you lost is like oxygen to your soul.

Did you know that Jesus also cried tears in His attempts to save you? (Hebrews 5:7)

When we see Jesus, the Son of God, as a servant with an empathetic nature, we can receive grace to help us at all times in our life. Jesus revealed Himself as a servant to His disciples. For instance, we see Jesus washing His disciples’ feet. The glorified Jesus was cooking breakfast for them as well. One of the most awesome promises in Luke 12:36–37 is where Jesus said that if you are watching and waiting for Jesus when He returns, He will dress Himself and serve you. As you are reclining at the table, expecting to see Jesus at the head table for the special guests, you may look behind you and see Jesus pouring you a glass of water!

Jesus came to serve. He is so humble that He understands your weaknesses and disabilities. He is patient with those who are ignorant and erring. His nature is to shepherd you so you can experience grace and truth. If anyone were exempt from serving, it would be Jesus. However, He became a servant to redeem us because He knew we needed a lot of help! Because the eternal nature of God is a servant, Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us. Even now, God ministers to us one hundred percent of every day. Our identity is secure because our God has compassion on us and lives with us in an understanding way.

For this reason, I want to share how you can receive this beautiful God into your life. He delights in you. Through Jesus’ intercession, He can cause you to become what you were created to be.

So do not lose heart!

Chapter

1

Jesus Enjoys You

In Your Weakness

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Jesus Enjoys You Chapter

In Your Weakness 1

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Brain fatigue, nervous exhaustion, near collapse, depression…. Those were the terms Methodist Missionary E. Stanley Jones used to describe his deteriorating condition. He had gone to India with visionary passion, but his energy had evaporated during unbearable heat, hostility, and anxiety. He felt himself unraveling.

His doctor prescribed a year’s rest in America, but he collapsed aboard a ship while trying to speak at a Sunday morning service at sea and barely made it home. Once there, Jones tried to rest, but his nerves crackled like a short-circuiting electrical connection. He insisted on returning to India a year later, but he no sooner landed in Bombay than he collapsed again and was sent to the mountains for several more months of rest. Finally returning to work, Jones quickly used up his meager emotional reserves and was plunged again into depression and debilitation. Friends feared for his life.

It was in this state that Jones traveled to the city of Lucknow to conduct a series of meetings. One night while praying, he suddenly felt the Lord speaking to him. Though not audible, the Lord’s voice almost seemed so. Jones sensed these words: Are you ready for this work to which I have called you?

No, Lord, I am done for, Jones replied. I have reached the end of my resources.

If you will turn that over to Me and not worry about it, I will take care of it.

Lord, Jones said, I close the bargain right here.

At that moment, E. Stanley Jones later said a great peace settled into his heart and pervaded his whole being. I knew it was done! Life, an abundant life, had taken possession of me. I was so lifted up that I scarcely touched the road as I quietly walked home that night. Every inch was holy ground. For days after that, I hardly knew I had a body. I went through the days, working far into the night, and came down to bedtime wondering why in the world I should ever go to bed at all, for there was not the slightest trace of tiredness of any kind. I seemed possessed by life, peace, and rest—by Christ Himself.

Jones labored for decades, serving over forty years in India, preaching around the world—sometimes three times a day, writing a dozen books, and becoming one of the most famous missionaries of his generation.

From his evening encounter with the Lord at Lucknow until his death in January 1973, E. Stanley Jones lived in the glow of the sufficiency of Christ Himself, never forgetting the Lord’s promise, If you turn that over to Me and not worry about it, I will take care of it.²

Jesus Has Compassion for You

Isn’t it comforting to know that God delights in you and holds your tears in a bottle? He has a great life prepared for you far beyond what you could imagine. God’s compassion will take you there. As you listen to the last words of Jesus before leaving this earth, you hear His most important thoughts and feelings. It is interesting to note that they were words of sympathy. Jesus was trying to prepare His disciples, knowing they would experience grief and confusion when He left. He was very compassionate with the disciples’ dilemma. Although this was spoken to the disciples, His care is no different for you. Jesus said:

But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

John 16:5–7

We see in John 11:35 that Jesus wept. You see, Jesus has emotions! We don’t often think of Jesus this way, but Jesus understands your feelings. Psalm 56:8 says He holds your tears in a bottle. Your emotions are important to God. Your feelings and your thoughts are important to God.

As Jesus spoke to His disciples in John 16, He was sensitive to their affections. Jesus was comforting His disciples because they were confused and grieved. When Jesus spoke of leaving this earth to return to God the Father, He said,

Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.

John 16:20–22

Life Is a Process

Birth processes are very special. I remember the day when my daughter Laurelle was born. I was sitting in my tan, la-z-boy chair the night before, thinking, I know something is going to happen, but I don’t quite know what. It was a strange and uncomfortable sensation. As the night went on, it got more and more intolerable. Finally, although unable to figure it out, I was about to discover I was going through the beginnings of the birthing process. Sure enough! When I arrived at the hospital, the doctor verified that I was in labor. Quite honestly, everything was so foreign to me during the ordeal, but I trusted God to carry me through this difficulty. However, there was a definite moment when I got very independent, and God had to set me in my place.

Near the end of the delivery, when the doctor said to me, Push, I reasoned to myself, I think I got this one. So I pushed forcefully, holding my breath for an extremely long time. Finally, the doctor stopped me and said, Please, take a breath! I replied in my arrogance, No, I got this. I’m a singer. I know how to hold notes for a long time. The sweet doctor turned to me with infinite patience and said, Honey, this is not for you. This is for the baby. That struggle taught me a lesson. Life is a process like a woman giving birth. Instead of being independent from God and controlling our lives, it is far better to let God coach us.

Life is filled with battles, but it is less complicated when we allow the Holy Spirit to teach us.

Something New Is Coming

Jesus made the disciples a promise. He knew they would be overwhelmed at His departure, so He gave them a powerful assurance:

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:26–27

God was promising the disciples something better. Remember this when you go through unfair treatment, struggles, setbacks, or losses. Something new is coming! Something wonderful is going to happen to you. The thing to rehearse when you’re going through birth pains is how Jesus is easily touched by the feelings of your shortcomings and frailness. That is why you never lose hope. As you turn everything over to God and not worry about it, He can make beauty out of brokenness and take you into something more satisfying.

He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness (Hebrews 5:2).

Developing Intimacy with God

If we want to develop intimacy with God, we need to know that God wants to talk to us about our affections and attitudes, no matter how wild or un-sanctified they are! Even if they appear very radical, Jesus wants to converse with us about it. He wants us to be intimate with Him.

It’s no different in a marriage relationship. One of the most critical areas in marriage is the process of embracing one another’s ideas and opinions without any sense of condemnation or shame. If it’s your purpose to develop intimacy in that marriage relationship, criticizing or condemning is not a good idea. Saying things to your spouse like, That’s stupid or You shouldn’t feel that way! will keep the other person from opening up. It will erode another person’s confidence.