Melinda's Desire

The old car needed to many repairs! As Melinda prayed about the situation, her mind wandered back to an old Cadillac that had been given to her second hand years before. She smiled as she thought about that light blue beauty being the perfect car. It was a little worn but still roomy and luxurious inside. For her, it wasn’t just something that carried her from place to place but she felt special and set apart. Her meager circumstances seem to melt away as she dreamed of greatness for a time to come. Oh how my heart would sing if I could have that feeling again, she thought. Then, reality began to creep in again. I really need an economy car not a big luxury car; she contemplated with a sigh, a small one that gets good gas mileage. And with those thoughts securely in place, Melinda began her Internet search of the near by dealerships.

After a prayer, Melinda began to look for a car at the three local dealerships; she found it didn’t take long before the car hunt became frustrating.  She looked earnestly and honestly for one economy version after another but there were none she could afford or get excited about…none that made her feel like she wanted to take them home for a long time. Annoyed she began to pray again.

Then…she got a tip.

“Go to Moore’s.” the salesman at the Ford dealership said, “They may have what you want and they’ll make you an honest deal.”

Feeling like the Holy Spirit was leading her, Melinda decided to

try it out. What could she lose and she was running out of options.

As Melinda surveyed the car lot at Moore’s, her eyes seem to gravitate towards a black 2005 Lexus SUV. “I don’t think I can afford that Lord!” she assumed. Nevertheless, she looked inside and a smile came over her face. This car has more luxury then the Cadillac and it was roomy too. I could get excited about taking this car home Lord, she mused.

Was God providing Melinda with something she desired instead of having to settle for the car she thought she needed? Turns out, that is exactly what God was doing as He lead her by faith to negotiate the details over the next few days. For Melinda, this car was God doing something extra special for her, something far beyond what she had imagined he would do for her. She felt abundantly blessed and now continues to praise God for His generosity.

What is your need and deepest desire? Our Heavenly Father is waiting for us to focus on Him as we put those needs and desires into His loving hands. He is a good God and wants to bless us with good gifts. God not only wants to answer our requests but at times go beyond what we have asked for to what He knows we really desire. Go ahead…think big!

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works with us.

Ephesians 3:20

Persistant Faith

Last week, I and one other person were privileged to pray for a middle-aged Christian man, Gary, who had liver cancer. I sensed the presence of the Lord strongly when we anointed him with oil and commanded the cancer to leave. As the session ended, I felt like the Lord had stressed three points to Gary. Maybe they will speak to you in your situation, too.

Know The Resurrection’s Power of Christ

The Lord gave me a vision for Gary. I saw the inside of a hole in the ground in the woods. The bottom was covered with a single row of large soft leaves like Lamb’s Ear. When I looked up, I saw the simmering rays of the sun illuminating the bed of leaves. It was a peaceful even joyous scene. Then the sunlight left and a flashlight entered the hole. Its light went from side to side like it was searching for something. Then I sensed it was a grave.

What does this mean Lord?

“You can search all you want, but I am not there. The empty tomb is all the proof you need to know that I rose from the dead to give you power over the works of the enemy. Come boldly before the Throne of Grace.”

Take Communion

Taking communion frequently helps us to remain focused on Christ and what He has done. The Resurrection of Christ was not for the forgiveness of sins alone, but it also gave us the power to renew our mind and receive healing for our body as well

Psalm 103:

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And all that is within me,

Bless His holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forgot not all His benefits.

Who forgives all of your sins

And heals all your diseases.

Keep the faith.

Then at the end, the Lord said this:

“Tell Gary he does not have to have great faith to receive his healing but he does have to have persistent faith.” Then the Lord gave me this scripture:

Luke 17:5-6

The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith-that trust and confidence that springs from our belief in God."

And the Lord answered, “If you have faith (trust and confidence in God) even as a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots, and be planted in the sea’, and it would obey you.”

What does persistent faith look like? It means we continue to stand and believe in God’s truth even though we may face opposition, obstacles, and discouragement. How is persistent faith maintained? By pursuing the word of God and listening to the testimony of others who have used persistent faith to win their battles.

Are you going through some tough times? Difficulties like cancer or others like a job loss will test our perseverance no matter how much faith we think we have. The enemy is out to steal, kill and destroy all of us and he will not give up easily. But with God’s steadfast strength, our persistent faith, and the revelations we gain from the study of His Word, we will come out on the winning side, alive and well.

My computer has been severely messed up. I hope to get it fixed soon. Thanks for your patience.

The One That Multiplies

Matthew has spent years proclaiming the gospel of Christ to the villages of India with little results. After many hours of prayer and hard work, Matthew had only one faithful convert. Matthew did not understand what God was doing. He knew he had been called to this place. God why did you send me here knowing there were be so little response?

Then the situation got worse. Matthew’s only convert became very sick. The doctors tried to save him but the man died anyway. Matthew was devastated and cried out to God:

What are you doing God? Now my only convert is dead?

After four days, the body was prepared for burial. As the village gathered around the body, God spoke to Matthew’s heart,

Go, uncover his face and pray.

At first Matthew was uncomfortable with the request because he did not consider himself to be a great man of faith. Then again,

Go, uncover his face and pray.

Matthew pushed back the fear and follow the Lord’s leading. He walked up to the body, uncovered the man’s face, and prayed, “Lord, in obedience to You, I lay my hands on this man and I ask for you to heal him in the name of Jesus. Amen.”

The words barely got out of Matthew’s mouth when the man gasped for air. Matthew was astonished. And the village…well they will never be the same again.

In His timing, God had answered the cries from Matthew’s heart for the people of his village. There was no question in anyone’s mind that Matthew’s God was real and powerful. There, in that moment, a whole new church was born.

When I heard this present day miracle over the holidays, my heart leaped for joy. And as I pondered what happen, these two truths seemed to pop out.

·      The way God handles ministry can often be misunderstood because of His timing. We go in expecting the immediate results. If we do not see progress, we assume we made a mistake. Sometimes, we do not take into account the need for periods of intercession as well as learning about and getting to know the people/situation we are to serve.

·      Matthew did not lay his hands on the dead man because he had great faith in himself. He did it out of obedience and confidence/faith in God’s words and abilities. So often when God wants to do the miraculous, we hold back by putting the spotlight on our lack and not on God’s abundance. The power for this mighty miracle came with Matthew simply surrendering to what God had asked him to do.

This story gave me hope. Those things, which I have been praying for and waiting to manifest, are still under God’s care. And in the end, it is not about building great faith in my abilities but in God’s. When God asks me to step up and act, His creative miracles are ready to come forth to do the impossible.

What Are You Expecting Of Me?

“I lost my job today,” Julia said with a sigh as she sat on the sofa beside me.

OH NO!” I replied. “What happened?”

“I was over $14.27 in my cash drawer. I don’t know how. I counted everything. And this was the third strike against me in this area. Three strikes and you’re automatically fired. I am a reliable worker and my manager thinks so too yet I am suspended until farther notice,” Julia said.

Faith began to rise up as I replied, “I know this situation looks impossible but I am learning nothing is impossible with God. Please give God a chance to work on your behalf and do not speak in negative terms about your job. Let your good character and work performance speak forth. I cannot promise anything. However, we will pray that God’s favor will triumph when your boss calls the corporate office. 

I am not sure Julia was actually on board with the idea at first but as we prayed, she seemed to relax and we sealed the deal with a hug.

The next day, I sat by Julia in church. During the praise and worship, the Lord spoke to me and told me to ask Julia this question:

What are you expecting from Me?

Knowing the Lord desired to teach Julia to trust Him with her job, I wrote the question on a scrape of paper and handed it to her. She read it, smiled, and hugged me again.

Later that afternoon, Julia received a call. Her boss had talked to the corporate office about the error. Corporate wanted to stay firm on the rules until Julia’s boss stressed that even with the error, Julia was still one of her most dependable workers. After hearing that plea, corporate decided to give Julia one more chance.

We both learned from this experience of trusting in God so with joy, we both celebrated the victorious news.

And now…as I take down the Christmas decorations, that same question keeps coming back, challenging me to walk closer to God this year. I know my heart wants to but how can that happen when my mind accuses me of unworthiness?

Then Jesus gently reminded me,

“My blood continuously cleanses you of all unrighteousness. There are no barriers keeping My favor away. When your mind accuses you of unworthiness, who is behind those lies? I desire to freely bless you with grace and favor beyond measure, if you will allow Me entrance into your daily situations.” Jesus held out His hand, “Come…let us walk close together in this brand new year.”

And so I ask you…

What are you expecting from Jesus this year?

Are you ready to change habitual thoughts and attitudes? Will you let go and allow God to work on your behalf? Favor does not come because of our abilities and righteousness. It comes because of our acceptance of His. Allow God to work on your behalf this New Year and watch the marvelous begin.