Just a cup

God has been revealing something to me and I thought I would share. Since “working” for God or fulfilling my purpose in this life, I have found that the average person you come in contact with would like to give me at least some of the glory for whatever God is doing through me. I have learned through the scriptures that God receives the glory and that we are merely the vessels. But, when I or any other in this position tries to explain it, it’s hard to convey.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Romans 8″28

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Acts 26:16

But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you,

I have a dear friend and sister in Christ who received a revelation from God. She called me and explained to me that God had shown her (I am paraphrasing of course) herself sitting at a potter’s wheel making a coffee cup, she made it so beautifully and precise specifically for the purpose of using to drink her morning coffee. When she was done with it, she poured a cup of coffee and was glad about what she had made. But, the coffee cup turned to her and said I do not want coffee in me. The coffee cup went on to say it would much rather hold flowers. It demanded to be sat in the windowsill with beautiful flowers in it. I was so intrigued by this revelation she had and allowed me to look at God in a different light and more importantly looked at myself and all of God’s creation in a different light. As He formed us out of the dirt slowly and carefully and then breathed life into us for His purposes.

So, back to my first paragraph. The mail man everyday delivers mail from all over the world to it’s intended recipient. One day you receive a letter from a King with wonderful news about who you are, where your going and what God’s purposes are for you. Would you fall all over the mail man? Of course not, he was only the messenger. You are thankful to the king and praise Him and love Him for showing you what you needed to see.

I believe we need to re focus on who and what is important there is only one who deserves all the praise and glory, the one who hung on a cross and bore the weight of God’s wrath, that was rightfully ours.

Don’t allow yourself to get caught up in messengers. Aspire to live like they do, but make sure only the son of God gets your praise and glory. Jesus Christ- The way the life and the truth ❤

John 3:28
You yourselves are my witnesses [you personally bear me out] that I stated, I am not the Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), but I have [only] been sent before Him [in advance of Him, to be His appointed forerunner, His messenger, His announcer].

Romans 1:1
FROM PAUL, a bond servant of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) called to be an apostle, (a special messenger) set apart to [preach] the Gospel (good news) of and from God,

Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast

John chapter 3 Verses 13-16, “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Unbridaled Love

 

 

 

   Have you ever heard people say that we are suppose to be in a relationship with Christ? I know for so many it is not quiet understood what that means. Many by no fault of their own, but by tradition and what they have been taught can only understand Christ dying on the cross for their sins. They still see Him hanging in their church. We are not quite sure how exactly that  translates to a living relationship with Christ.

Let me help you to understand how, I was helped to understand through godly friendships and also study. Jesus Dying on the cross for our sins is only a piece of the puzzle. So rightly so, just like looking at one puzzle piece, and not the entire puzzle, how can we truly understand the fullness of this relationship? The WHOLE picture.

 

God has laid out in scripture and through the traditions of the Jewish people His way of doing things. Jesus was a Jew. It was not by accident that all He does can be seen in their traditions even if it’s not immediately known to them.

 

The Jewish Marriage customs are VERY different from ours. Behind each thing that is done in this tradition is actually a beautiful love story that WE are apart of. Let me show you through explanation from a study, a friend, and some beautiful pictures.

                   JEWISH MARRIAGE CUSTOMS

Behold, The Bridegroom Comes!

Dr. Renald Showers, Chairman of the Pastoral Studies Dept. Philadelphia College of Bible (year unknown) Distributed by, The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, Inc., W. Collingswood, N.J.

The Comforting Promise

It was a night of destiny. Jesus had gathered with His disciples in the Upper Room. In a few more hours He would be crucified on a cross. Jesus had been warning His disciples concerning His coming death, resurrection and ascension to heaven. The prospect of these events caused the disciples to be greatly disturbed. In order to ease their fears, Jesus made the following comforting promise:

Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, Believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:1-3.)

Jewish Marriage Customs

Those who live in the modern western world do not catch the full significance of Jesus’ promise. This is due to the fact that in His promise Jesus was drawing an analogy from Jewish marriage customs in biblical times. Since this is so, those marriage customs must be examined if one is to grasp the significance of the promise.

The first major step in a Jewish marriage was betrothal.1 Betrothal involved the establishment of a marriage covenant. By Jesus’ time it was usual for such a covenant to be established as the result of the prospective bridegroom taking the initiative.2 The prospective bridegroom would travel from his father’s house to the home of the prospective bride. There he would negotiate with the father of the young woman to determine the price (mohar) that he must pay to purchase his bride.

 

 

.3 Once the bridegroom paid the purchase price, the marriage covenant was thereby established, and the young man and woman were regarded to be husband and wife.4 From that moment on the bride was declared to be consecrated or sanctified, set apart exclusively for her bridegroom.5 As a symbol of the covenant relationship that had been established, the groom and bride would drink from a cup of wine over which a betrothal benediction had been pronounced.

After the marriage covenant had been established, the groom would leave the home of the bride and return to his father’s house. There he would remain separate from his bride for a period of twelve months.7 This period of separation afforded the bride time to gather her trousseau and to prepare for married life.8 The groom occupied himself with the preparation of living accommodations in his father’s house to which he could bring his bride.

 

 

 

At the end of the period of separation the groom would come to take his bride to live with him. The taking of the bride usually took place at night. The groom, best man and other male escorts would leave the groom’s father’s house and conduct a torch light procession to the home of the bride.9 Although the bride was expecting her groom to come for her, she did not know the exact time of his coming.10 As a result the groom’s arrival would be preceded by a shout.11 This shout would forewarn the bride to be prepared for the coming of the groom.     

“RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH” “Christ’s Bride”

 

After the groom received his bride together with her female attendants, the enlarged wedding party would return from the bride’s home to the groom’s father’s house.12 Upon arrival there the wedding party would find that the wedding guests had assembled already.

Shortly after arrival the bride and groom would be escorted by the other members of the wedding party to the bridal chamber (huppah). Prior to entering the chamber the bride remained veiled so that no one could see her face.13 While the groomsmen and bridesmaids would wait outside, the bride and groom would enter the bridal chamber alone. There in the privacy of that place they would enter into physical union for the first time, thereby consummating the marriage that had been covenanted earlier.

After the marriage was consummated, the groom would announce the consummation to the other members of the wedding party waiting outside the chamber (John 3:29). These people would pass on the news of the marital union to the wedding guests.15 Upon receiving this good news the wedding guests would feast and make merry for the next seven days.16

 

During the seven days of the wedding festivities, which were sometimes called “the seven days of the huppah,” the bride remained hidden in the bridal chamber.17 At the conclusion of these seven days the groom would bring his bride out of the bridal chamber, now with her veil removed, so that all could see who his bride was.

 

“Second Coming of Christ”

 

The Examination of the Analogy

Earlier it was stated that in His promise in John 14 Jesus drew an analogy from Jewish marriage customs in biblical times. Now that the marriage customs have been considered, it is essential that the analogy be examined. In what ways was Jesus’ promise analogous with Jewish marriage customs? In the examination of the analogy the first thing that should be noted is the fact that the Scriptures regard the Church to be the Bride of Christ (Eph. 5:22-23). In addition, just as the Jewish bridegroom took the initiative in marriage by leaving his father’s house and travelling to the home of the prospective bride, so Jesus left His Father’s house in heaven and travelled to earth, the home of His prospective Church, over 1900 years ago.

In the same manner as the Jewish bridegroom came to the bride’s home for the purpose of obtaining her through the establishment of a marriage covenant, so Jesus came to earth for the purpose of obtaining the Church through the establishment of a covenant. On the same night in which Jesus made His promise in John 14 He instituted communion. As He passed the cup of wine to His disciples, He said: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood” (1 Cor. 11:25). This was His way of saying that He would establish a new covenant through the shedding of His blood on the cross. Parallel to the custom of the Jewish groom paying a price to purchase his bride, Jesus paid a price to purchase His bride, the Church. The price that He paid was His own life blood. It was because of this purchase price that Paul wrote the following to members of the Church: “know ye not that…ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

Analogous with the Jewish bride being declared to be sanctified or set apart exclusively for her groom once the marriage covenant was established, the Church has been declared to be sanctified or set apart exclusively for Christ (Eph. 5:25-27; 1Cor. 1:2; 6:11; Heb. 10:10; 13:12).

In the same way that a cup of wine served as a symbol of the marriage covenant through which the Jewish groom obtained his bride, so the cup of communion serves as the symbol of the covenant through which Christ has obtained the Church (1 Cor. 11:25).

Just as the Jewish groom left the home of his bride and returned to his father’s house after the marriage covenant had been established, so Jesus left the earth, the home of the Church, and returned to His Father’s house in heaven after He had established the new covenant and risen from the dead (John 6:62; 20:17).

Corresponding with the period of separation between the Jewish groom and bride, Christ has remained separate from the Church for over 1900 years. The Church is now living in that period of separation.

Parallel to the custom of the Jewish groom preparing living accommodations for his bride in his father’s house during the time of separation, Christ has been preparing living accommodations for the Church in His Father’s house in heaven during His separation from His Bride (John 14:2).

In the same manner as the Jewish groom came to take his bride to live with him at the end of the period of separation, so Christ will come to take His Church to live with Him at the end of His period of separation from the Church (John 14:3).

Just as the taking of the Jewish bride was accomplished by a procession of the groom and male escorts from the groom’s father’s house to the home of the bride, so the taking of the Church will be accomplished by a procession of Christ and an angelic escort from Christ’s Father’s house in heaven to the home of the Church (1 Thess. 4:16).

Analogous with the Jewish bride not knowing the exact time of the groom’s coming for her, the Church does not know the exact time of Christ’s coming for her.

In the same way that the Jewish groom’s arrival was preceded by a shout, so Christ’s arrival to take the Church will be preceded by a shout (1 Thess. 4:16).

Similar to the Jewish bride’s return with the groom to his father’s house after her departure from her home, the Church will return with Christ to His Father’s house in heaven after she is snatched from the earth to meet Him in the air (1 Thess. 4:17; John 14:2-3).

In the same manner as the Jewish wedding party found wedding guests assembled in the groom’s father’s house when they arrived, so Christ and the Church will find the souls of Old Testament saints assembled in heaven when they arrive. These souls will serve as the wedding guests.

Parallel to the custom of the Jewish groom and bride entering into physical union after their arrival at the groom’s father’s house, thereby consummating the marriage that had been covenanted earlier, Christ and the Church will experience spiritual union after their arrival at His Father’s house in heaven, thereby consummating their relationship that had been covenanted earlier.

Corresponding with the Jewish bride remaining hidden in the bridal chamber for a period of seven days after arrival at the groom’s father’s house, the Church will remain hidden for a period of seven after arrival at Christ’s Father’s house in heaven. While the seven year Tribulation Period is taking place on the earth, the Church will be in heaven totally hidden from the sight of those living on the earth.

Just as the Jewish groom brought his bride out of the bridal chamber at the conclusion of the seven days with her veil removed, so that all could see who his bride was, so Christ will bring His Church out of heaven in His Second Coming at the conclusion of the seven year Tribulation Period in full view of all who are alive, so that all can see who the true church is (Col. 3:4).

The Significance of the Analogy

This analogy between Jewish marriage customs and Christ’s relationship to the Church is very beautiful, but what practical significance does it have for today?

The answer to this question is twofold. First, if you have never taken Jesus Christ personally to be your Saviour from sin, it has great significance for you. Christ came to this earth and died on a cross for the purpose of paying the penalty for your sins. Through the shedding of His blood He paid the price necessary to purchase you to be part of His Bride, the Church. He thereby established a new covenant through which you can enter into a special relationship with Him.

Every time the gospel of Jesus Christ is declared to you, Christ is proposing that you enter into this special relationship with Him. In essence He is saying to you:

“I, Jesus, take thee, sinner, to be My Bride. And I do promise and covenant before God The Father and these witnesses, to be thy loving and faithful Saviour and Bridegroom; in sickness and in health, in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in faithfulness and in waywardness, for time and for eternity.18”

Just as the proposal that the Jewish bridegroom made could be accepted or rejected, so Christ’s proposal to you can be accepted or rejected. If you reject it throughout this lifetime, then you never will be rightly related to Jesus Christ. The tragic result will be that you will spend eternity separated from God and Christ in the eternal lake of fire (Rev.20:11-15).

If, however, you accept Christ’s proposal, then your sins will be forgiven, and you will enter into that relationship that makes you part of His Bride, the Church. In addition, you will go to be with Him when He comes to take the Church, and you will remain with Him forever in great blessing. The way in which you can accept Christ’s proposal is quite simple. If you sincerely believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He came to this earth, died for your sins and rose from the dead, then respond to Him as follows:

“I, sinner, take Thee, Jesus, to be my Saviour. . . And I do promise and covenant before God and these witnesses to be Thy loving and faithful Bride; in sickness and in health, in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, for time and for eternity.19”

Second, the analogy is most significant also for those who have taken Christ to be Saviour. During the time of separation between the establishment of the marriage covenant and the coming of the bridegroom to take his bride, it was possible for the Jewish bride to commit adultery by giving herself to another man.20 In like manner it is possible for believers today to commit spiritual adultery against Christ before He returns to take His Church. Paul expressed concern over this possibility when he wrote the following to Christians:

“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Cor.11:2-3).

James expressed the same concern when he rebuked Christians as follows: “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship with the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” (James 4:4) The context of James’ statement indicates that spiritual adultery is committed when a believer becomes more devoted to the godless world system and the things that please it than he is to Jesus Christ and the things that please Him.

If you are a believer, honestly evaluate your devotion to Jesus Christ. Do you love him as much now as when you took Him to be your Saviour? Is He truly the Centre of your existence, the One who gives your life its meaning and purpose? Is your every attitude, action and lifestyle motivated and controlled by your devotion to Jesus Christ, or by a desire to have the friendship of the world system in which you live?

If you have been unfaithful to your heavenly Bridegroom, confess this to Him and be assured that even “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” (11 Tim.2:13) Then trust the Holy Spirit to renew your devotion as you wait for your heavenly Bridegroom to come at any moment.

 

******** I pray this opens the eyes of everyone who reads this, to the fullness of our relationship with Christ, as His bride, His church. Soon we will go home.

***** I thank Helene Tomedi for opening my eyes to God’s mysteries, I thank http://www.biblestudymanuals.net/jewish_marriage_customs.htm where this info was easily obtained in a form that we all can understand.

 

Today is the day of salvation. God Bless!

 

 

 

 

Borders and Boundaries

This seems to be a popular theme right now in the news. Also, a re occurring theme in my life.

The headlines as of late have been focusing greatly on the border crisis this great country is facing. Borders that are being infiltrated by a loop hole in the laws and or system that are allowing children without parents to travel over the border’s and subsequently being wards of the state. It is a truly sad situation and I cannot imagine the toll it is taking on the border states, the children and the parents.

Yet, we do have “Borders” for good reason. These lines are set to separate states and countries and each of the governing bodies. To eliminate mass chaos and add order not only to the states and countries but ultimately to lives. Can you imagine an earth with no borders?

We have the same sort of rules when it comes to boundaries in our lives. If we do not have set boundaries for our relationships, our kids, our marriage, our ministries. There will be mass chaos.

I have run into this personally, especially since embarking on this life in Christ. I want to help and I want to lead, I want to be Christ like. Yet, I continue to run into these jams. Jams that are caused by yours truly, because I have not set boundaries where they needed to be. It not only ultimately hurts me but also the people that I have allowed to cross invisible boundaries lines that were never drawn.

I have researched the matter and also have read up on what is biblically sound since this is always the place where ultimate truth lies.

Here is an excerpt from a article I read on the biblical view of boundary setting.

(http://tolovehonorandvacuum.com/2014/07/setting-healthy-boundaries/)

Here’s Galatians 6:2-7, which talks about boundaries:

2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

We’re supposed to carry each other’s burdens, but we’re also supposed to carry our own loads. Think of a load as something which is manageable–your daily to-do list. But when something out of the blue hits someone that they can’t handle themselves, then we’re supposed to help them. We aren’t supposed to carry each other’s loads–only their burdens. And you won’t be able to help someone with their burdens if you’re simultaneously trying to carry your family’s loads.

Here’s something else about boundaries: we’re not supposed to compare ourselves to others, and we’re not supposed to worry about other’s opinions. We need to test our own actions, and only rely on God. And finally, and perhaps most importantly,

A man reaps what he sows.

God set up the world so that our actions have consequences, and we are supposed to bear those consequences. If you take responsibility for things that aren’t yours–by not having boundaries, for instance–you put a roadblock into one of God’s best teaching instruments He has for His children. Let’s say your husband is prone to rages. He’s sowing discord and anger. But if you and the kids walk on tiptoes around him, trying to placate him, and then when he does yell, you apologize and try to repair the relationship, you’re the ones who are reaping that discord, not him.

We aren’t to carry each other’s loads, and we’re supposed to let people bear the consequences of their actions. We are each responsible for our own stuff.

This helped me to understand that their needs to be healthy boundaries set in relationships, that enable both parties to share in the fruits of the relationship that can only be borne of right standing.

Also, it is important to remember that we have a place in the body of Christ. Christ is the head and should always be our right hand. I think without boundaries it is easy to replace that right hand with a person instead of the God head. Here is a devotion sent to me by a good friend on this subject.

My Right-Hand Man
CINDI MCMENAMIN

“I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8 (NASB)

I sat on the floor and cried. I felt overwhelmed and so alone.

“Who is going to help me now, Lord?” I whispered.

My assistant and close friend had just informed me she was no longer able to partner with me in my ministry. Circumstances beyond her control made it impossible for her to continue to work alongside me as someone I depended on. No longer there to help me. No longer there to be my sounding board, my prayer support, my “other half” in a very real sense.

I felt like I was losing my right hand.

Have you ever felt that way? As if you are suddenly on your own, without anyone to hold you up?

And yet, God had something He wanted me to learn in that difficult moment.

Just hours earlier, I had spoken to a group of women about the seasons of our lives in which we need to be pruned. I gave the example of how rosebushes need to be pruned. They look choppy after the pruning, but come spring, the roses bloom brighter and more beautifully than ever.

But here I was, being pruned in my own life, and feeling like I was losing my right hand!

God, this doesn’t feel like pruning, I prayed. This feels like my right hand is being chopped off! Please God, not her. She’s all I have right now. Please don’t take my right hand.

Desperate for God’s presence and His comfort, I reached for my Bible. Not knowing where else to turn, I opened to the Psalms. Years earlier, my cousin had shared how Psalm 16 comforted her when it came to experiencing loss in her family. I read the Psalm aloud and stopped suddenly after reading verse 8:

I have set the LORD continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

Lord, I prayed, I’m complaining I’ve lost my right hand, but You are my right hand. You are the One who helps me, counsels me, encourages me. You are the One who never leaves my side.

Dear God, I’m so sorry I didn’t see it before. You truly are my Right-hand Man.

I read through the rest of Psalm 16, and smiled at how it ended:

“You will make known to me the path of life; In your presence is fullness of joy; In your right hand are pleasures forever,” (Psalm 16:11, NASB).

God was telling me, in my moment of fear and anxiety, that not only was I not alone, but I never would be. Even without my friend to help me. With God at my right hand, there is joy in His presence and pleasures forevermore.

I realized that day there is no one else I would rather have at my right hand.

I got up off the floor and walked out of the room with my Bible in my hand, my head held high and my Right-hand Man at my side.

I have never walked alone in this job yet, I thought to myself. And I never will.

Dear Lord, on those days when I feel cut off from help, encouragement, or support, help me to remember You are the One who is at my right hand. Thank You for being the One who helps me, counsels me and encourages me. Because of Your stability I will never be shaken … and I will never walk alone. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Isaiah 41:10, “‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'” (NASB)

Psalm 18:35, “You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, And Your right hand upholds me; And Your gentleness makes me great.” (NASB)

We HAVE to set healthy boundaries in our lives. The enemy is circling about waiting for that boundary to be crossed, so that we may be attacked.

The people in your life that are meant to be there will respect the boundaries you have set. Also, you will be setting a good example to them, and we may all become better imitators of Christ Jesus. Often others will be angry, and resentful of the boundaries. Maybe that is God’s way of weeding the people out of our lives that aren’t meant to be there. For everything there is a season. Hopefully with time they will also see the good that comes from boundaries and right standing.

Titus 2:7-8New International Version (NIV)

7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

I hope to convey with love the need to be safe in the confines of biblical boundaries so as to all we do can be all the God has predestined for our lives.

Prayer Fail?

It is time that I write a praise report.

 

I wrote  to you and told about the new chapter in our lives. I also talked about my daughter Gabby’s diagnosis of Perthes disease and the dreaded waiting game.

We were back for an appointment after waiting 2 months, and also after reading up thoroughly on the disease itself and what we would be up against. Unfortunately, Gabby had all the risk factors that make her diagnosis worse case scenario. ( Risk factors- 1-Age(best if diagnosed by 6, she’s 8) Weight- (Gabby is short and stocky) Early detection ( 1 year of symptoms before diagnosis for Gab)

These were all scary facts. Even though I was praying and praying for healing and restoration I still had my doubts, like any parent would.

 

The appointment went well at first. The Dr. said according to the new set of x-rays what was left of the femoral head hadn’t deteriorated any further. I was thanking Jesus, thinking it was a good thing. But, the Dr. went on to say that this was A typical for Perthes disease, and that he was now unsure of his origin al diagnosis. He even went as far to say it could be  tumor and that he would like to see her back in 3 month for  a biopsy and contrast MRI. I was stunned to say the least. It actually took me hours to comprehend what he had said.

 

After discussing it with my husband, and conferring with the online support group, we decided to get a second opinion. I called a noted facility in a neighboring town and was able to get a appointment fairly quickly.

 

We went with disc’s of the x-rays in hand and waited with anxiety to see what this Dr. would say about what he saw on the x-rays.

 

He came in and quite confidently said, he did not think it was a tumor, and even better, he did not think she needed surgery either. He said she was in the regrowth process and as long as she did not do

any weight bearing activities ( soccer, basketball) that we just have to allow the body to do it’s thing.

We couldn’t have been happier, and more importantly relieved.

The next answered prayer is something I wrote about last year. https://msinop1.wordpress.com/2013/10/08/a-call-to-prayer/

Months went by and I continued to pray fervently everyday for the owner of the tracker with the bumper sticker that so saddened my heart ” Nothing fails like prayer”. Then the roadwork came into play. The tracker was forced to park in another spot due to the roadwork, and so out of the eye shot of every passerby. I was happy about that, but still broke my heart that someone was so broken and angry to believe that statement.

The roadwork went on for a few months. Out of sight out of mind. Then Bam, I am driving along this street where now the mid 90’s tracker is BACK.

But, with something noticeably missing. The Bumper Sticker. It’s GONE, the remnants are left of the glue that held it fast to the soft top. The glue is black from the dirt that collected under it. I screamed! Woohoo! My girls looked at me as if I was crazy. My mind was fluttering with ideas. My prayer had been answered. But, why? Lord, did you change the person’s heart, like I had prayed for? Are they just going to sell it, and needed to remove the stickers? But, it’s such an old model, would they really be selling it? I may never know what the answer is. I pray that my prayers prompted God to reveal himself to this person and their life has been changed forever. Maybe that moment I enter the pearly gates, I will be greeted by someone I have never actually met in this life.

All I can say is ” Nothing prevails like prayer”

Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Matthew 21:22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

John 14:13-14 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/10-awesome-bible-verses-about-the-power-of-prayer/#ixzz37AQNqRHH

Finding God’s Treasures

This is a testimony of an 18 year old girl named Sarah. She is very active in her youth group, and is sharing an experience, of what can happen when God sends you on a treasure hunt!

God Uses Satan’s Schemes For His Glory

Here is a interview with a friend, about her experience with the demonic and how it eventually brought her to salvation. This is from my new YouTube Channel “Revealing Him” where the body of Christ can be strengthened through our personal testimonies.

Revealing Him- Introduction

GOD’S NEW YOUTUBE CHANNEL! Where everyday people will share their stories on how God has moved in their lives!!!

Saving the Dead

It is always important to hear other people’s testimony. Even if we are saved, and are walking with the Lord, testimonies can help us see what God sees. For whatever reason, God is laying on my heart, that we need to REACH the forgotten, the thrown away, the leper. He wants to show us his resurrection power. It is just like when he raised Lazarus from the dead. There was no way this could happen, in the minds of the people in that time period, let alone now.

But, figuratively, God is raising people from the literal DEAD!! Praise God, these stories are the stories that strengthen our faith, that show us “GOD IS NOT DEAD” and He is moving right now!! NO ONE is too far gone, too lost in sin, whatever that sin may be! God can DO ANYTHING! We need to start believing this!