I watched a movie tonight about how things in life turn us upside down and when these things happen how it takes us on a rollercoaster. As a christian we are not promised a "perfect" life. We are not even promised that just because we accepted Jesus that our lives would be easy. But we were promised a better way. Jesus' way is always better, even though at the time it may seem it is not. Just like people we love die and people in our lives come and go, all things happen for a reason. You might be wondering well how in the world can any good come from someone dying of cancer or maybe you just broke up with someone you loved dearly or maybe you and a friend split up. Jesus is the only one who knows how things are planned out, but I will tell you this story about a girl who accepted Jesus and then something unexpected happened.
Ashley was a college student who attended a university in Florida. Ashley was the partying type. She loved her life or so she thought. She had tried going to church before but she did not understand all the Jesus "stuff". Anyways she moved into an apartment and then soon she had a roommate. Her roommate would always talk about Jesus and how awesome He really was. Ashley didn't understand how someone could be that excited to be a christian. So Ashley asked her roommate questions. The roommate had let Ashley watch a video of a certain preacher and this had changed her life. Anyways, Ashley got saved and started her new life. About 4 months later Ashley was in a car accident. She had only started her journey with Jesus four months prior to this accident. The point I am trying to make is that Jesus knows and sees all things. He knew that Ashley would be in a fatal car accident, so He sent her roommate into her life to witness to her about Jesus. People do not come and go into our lives by chance, there is a reason for everything.
Well Ashley's getting saved and knowing Jesus wasn't the only great thing that came out of her roommate coming into her life. Ashley's death took a toll on her brother, mother, and father. Needless to say they were all devistated. When Ashley died they all reflected back on her life just before she died, especially her father. He had told people that even though he didn't believe in all this Jesus crap that, he did notice a change in Ashely the past couple of months. And he was interested in knowing why. Ashley's death introduced her father to Jesus. Her brother was dramatically changed by this whole ordeal. Her brother was already a believer before she died and it made him question why Jesus didn't heal her, why didn't Jesus answer his prayer to save his sister. Her brother found the love of God through this situation and it has made him a stonger person now.
We never know the reason of why things happen to us or good people. But we can all be assured that if we have accepted Jesus into our lives then He is working everything out for our good. He loves us and He will never leave or forsake us. People are placed into our lives not by chance but by God. That is why we need to witness and testify about how great our God really is.
Let everything we do and say be a beacon of light unto others. To help the "lost" find their way to Jesus. To let all of our joy and suffering be a megaphone for everyone around us, to know that our God is really awesome and loving. That they can have the same peace that resides in our hearts.
People do not want to listen to you about Jesus when your life is going so great and here you are saying Oh God is so good. You have all things going for you and you feel as though you could "walk on water". People really take a notice of your actions when you are at your lowest point. Then they are saying well this person is still serving and praising God even though they are in the worst slump in their life. Jesus must be pretty awesome. I gotta have some of this Jesus for myself. So no matter what life throws at us let all of our joy and our pain and suffering be a megaphone to scream that Jesus is the most wonderful and greatest person that you could ever accept into your life. That He is not just there in our good times, but in the bad as well.
That even though things may not turn out how we expect them to, that as long as we serve Jesus and walk upright before Him then we know that His will for our lives will be done.
Whether people are just "passing through" or here to stay in our lives....just let Jesus and His love shine through you. That all things are not by coincidence and they do happen for a reason (good or bad).
I praise Jesus name! Even though I have had it rough or what I feel like is rough for the past little bit, I can always count on Him for everything. To Jesus all glory, honour, and praise!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
The Power Of Jesus
I just wanted to take the time to write and let everyone know what happened to me this past Sunday (07/20). I went to church and I was healed from the pain in my back that I had been having since the car accident. Jesus took away the pain instantly and I knew that I had been healed. Every since my car accident I have been having really bad, constant pain in my back. Then to top it off a week or so before the Homecoming I was going to be in the Lifehouse "Everything" skit that the youth was doing for the church. I had to drop out of it and was heartbroken. I really enjoy doing stuff like that, and it was making me angry because I was afraid to do the skit in fear of making my back "worse" than it already was. So I told Amber that I would just sit this one out.
Well to make a long story short.......I had went up to the altar to pray and when I had got finished, Sister Steele asked me to help her pray for her son. I went over and prayed for him and before long I was speaking in tongues. Then I felt the Spirit of the Lord hit me like a brick wall and then I started shouting. Then all of a sudden I felt someone come up behind me and place their hands on my back exactly where I had been hurting. I felt the pain leave my body and I was like I HAVE BEEN HEALED. I was so excited, I wanted to tell everybody that I seen. I was really wanting to testify before Bro. Bryant dismissed everyone downstairs, but I knew that people where eager to eat, so I just decided to wait. Then after he dismissed them I went and told Amber excitedly. I felt the Lord's Spirit all over me. It was awesome. When we got downstairs I even told Sister Bryant about it too.
The week before Homecoming I had a thought enter my mind about maybe going to Bro. Larry Roark's church, since we were not having services at our church that night. I went ahead and got ready and went that night and I am glad I did. Every since I had got healed that morning at church the devil had been coming out me saying "You didn't get healed, you still have pain in your back." It was really fustrating to me because I knew I had been healed. But that is how the enemy will do us, everytime if we will let him. After the sermon that night they had a prayer line and I kept hesitating whether or not to go up there to be prayed for. Finally I decided that it wasn't going to hurt anything, so I went up there. Larry Paul prayed for me and I started speaking in tongues. I felt the Lord spirit lightening up on me so I bowed my head down and then the enemy shouted in my mind........"No you are not healed, you are still in pain." At that very instant as those words were coming in my mind, Larry Paul rushed over to me and he said "Oh no satan, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus." Then he said "Do not let the satan take away your miracle that you just received." At that very moment I knew that God had healed me and it was awesome. I started jumping up into the air and shouting. I was very excited and just praising God.
Jesus didn't have to give me confirmation, but He did. I ought to have known that I didn't need confirmation but sometimes I just don't think about things, I sometimes have a tendency to over analyze some things. But it was confirmed and I just want to give Jesus the Praise and Glory for everything! He is such an awesome God. He wants to bless us, if we will allow Him to.
As if one answered prayer wasn't enough, I had two to be answered in the same day. The other wonderful part of this was that I had been praying to God about being worthy of Him. People just don't know how much I want God to use me and to have His blessings rain down from Heaven upon me. How much I desire to have a such a close and intimate relationship with Jesus. I cry out to Jesus and I ask Him to give me everything of His heart in me. I want to be so much like Jesus that I can hardly stand it sometimes.
I was praying one night about a week or so ago and I was pouring my heart out to God. I mean snot was slinging and tears were pouring down my face. I was telling Jesus that I desired to be more like Him and that I loved Him so much. I was telling Him that even though I am not worthy of His love, mercy, compassion and grace that I loved Him with all of my heart. He had even give me a vision while there on my knees praying it was of me offering my heart up unto the Lord. I couldn't see His face but I knew it was Him. (It is funny every vision I have had of Jesus, I can't see His face, but I know it is Him and He is always wearing a robe of white.) Anyways, I was crying out and telling Him how much He meant to me and how much I wanted Him to use me for His glory. I told Him I wasn't much, but what I had was His. That I totally completely belong to Him. I prayed this way for about two nights.
Then the same night I was at Brother Larry Paul's church. I knew from the moment he said what the sermon was going to be about that it was meant for me to be there. The sermon was titled "Walking Worthy" my spirit lifted up so high that night. I was like Jesus you were listening to every word that I spoke that night. Needless to say I hung onto every word that was preached that night. Jesus spoke to my heart and He told me that I am worthy of Him and his blessings. He told me that I was worthy not because of anything that I do, but because of what He did for me already. I was worthy because I had been washed, sanctified, and justified by Him. Praise you Jesus! I also learned how to get closer to Him (I had been praying about this also), He told me that "....beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called. With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forebearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." He also told me that if I love Him I will keep His commandments and love my brethren. That I must love even those who hurt me. That if I love everyone then I also love Him, because He is Love.
I just think it is awesome that Jesus answers our prayers in His own time. There is reasons when we don't hear from Him so soon. But I do want to encourage someone today, that whatever it is that you are praying for don't quit now.....Jesus is listening to you as he weaves the perfect pattern for your life. He is listening and knows what you need, He will never quit listening and He will answer your prayer according to His perfect will for your life.
As always I give Jesus the glory, honour, and praise for everything. What a mighty God we serve! A-men
Well to make a long story short.......I had went up to the altar to pray and when I had got finished, Sister Steele asked me to help her pray for her son. I went over and prayed for him and before long I was speaking in tongues. Then I felt the Spirit of the Lord hit me like a brick wall and then I started shouting. Then all of a sudden I felt someone come up behind me and place their hands on my back exactly where I had been hurting. I felt the pain leave my body and I was like I HAVE BEEN HEALED. I was so excited, I wanted to tell everybody that I seen. I was really wanting to testify before Bro. Bryant dismissed everyone downstairs, but I knew that people where eager to eat, so I just decided to wait. Then after he dismissed them I went and told Amber excitedly. I felt the Lord's Spirit all over me. It was awesome. When we got downstairs I even told Sister Bryant about it too.
The week before Homecoming I had a thought enter my mind about maybe going to Bro. Larry Roark's church, since we were not having services at our church that night. I went ahead and got ready and went that night and I am glad I did. Every since I had got healed that morning at church the devil had been coming out me saying "You didn't get healed, you still have pain in your back." It was really fustrating to me because I knew I had been healed. But that is how the enemy will do us, everytime if we will let him. After the sermon that night they had a prayer line and I kept hesitating whether or not to go up there to be prayed for. Finally I decided that it wasn't going to hurt anything, so I went up there. Larry Paul prayed for me and I started speaking in tongues. I felt the Lord spirit lightening up on me so I bowed my head down and then the enemy shouted in my mind........"No you are not healed, you are still in pain." At that very instant as those words were coming in my mind, Larry Paul rushed over to me and he said "Oh no satan, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus." Then he said "Do not let the satan take away your miracle that you just received." At that very moment I knew that God had healed me and it was awesome. I started jumping up into the air and shouting. I was very excited and just praising God.
Jesus didn't have to give me confirmation, but He did. I ought to have known that I didn't need confirmation but sometimes I just don't think about things, I sometimes have a tendency to over analyze some things. But it was confirmed and I just want to give Jesus the Praise and Glory for everything! He is such an awesome God. He wants to bless us, if we will allow Him to.
As if one answered prayer wasn't enough, I had two to be answered in the same day. The other wonderful part of this was that I had been praying to God about being worthy of Him. People just don't know how much I want God to use me and to have His blessings rain down from Heaven upon me. How much I desire to have a such a close and intimate relationship with Jesus. I cry out to Jesus and I ask Him to give me everything of His heart in me. I want to be so much like Jesus that I can hardly stand it sometimes.
I was praying one night about a week or so ago and I was pouring my heart out to God. I mean snot was slinging and tears were pouring down my face. I was telling Jesus that I desired to be more like Him and that I loved Him so much. I was telling Him that even though I am not worthy of His love, mercy, compassion and grace that I loved Him with all of my heart. He had even give me a vision while there on my knees praying it was of me offering my heart up unto the Lord. I couldn't see His face but I knew it was Him. (It is funny every vision I have had of Jesus, I can't see His face, but I know it is Him and He is always wearing a robe of white.) Anyways, I was crying out and telling Him how much He meant to me and how much I wanted Him to use me for His glory. I told Him I wasn't much, but what I had was His. That I totally completely belong to Him. I prayed this way for about two nights.
Then the same night I was at Brother Larry Paul's church. I knew from the moment he said what the sermon was going to be about that it was meant for me to be there. The sermon was titled "Walking Worthy" my spirit lifted up so high that night. I was like Jesus you were listening to every word that I spoke that night. Needless to say I hung onto every word that was preached that night. Jesus spoke to my heart and He told me that I am worthy of Him and his blessings. He told me that I was worthy not because of anything that I do, but because of what He did for me already. I was worthy because I had been washed, sanctified, and justified by Him. Praise you Jesus! I also learned how to get closer to Him (I had been praying about this also), He told me that "....beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called. With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forebearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." He also told me that if I love Him I will keep His commandments and love my brethren. That I must love even those who hurt me. That if I love everyone then I also love Him, because He is Love.
I just think it is awesome that Jesus answers our prayers in His own time. There is reasons when we don't hear from Him so soon. But I do want to encourage someone today, that whatever it is that you are praying for don't quit now.....Jesus is listening to you as he weaves the perfect pattern for your life. He is listening and knows what you need, He will never quit listening and He will answer your prayer according to His perfect will for your life.
As always I give Jesus the glory, honour, and praise for everything. What a mighty God we serve! A-men
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
It Is Possible
Why do we all expect bad things to happen? It seems that people always search for bad things in life. They never stop and think about positive things. They are all the time gloom and doom. I am no exception to this, I feel this way a lot. I feel like there is so many bad things happening to me or around me, what is the use in looking for something good to happen.
I have been enlightened....or whatever you want to call it. We, as God's children, need to come to a realization of just who we really are. We are children of the most High King! Our Father owns everything....He holds all things in His hands. That being said, then why do we at times fret or worry about our problems? Do we tend to forget of whom we serve? Or is it that we want to place boundaries for God in our lives? I know worrying and burdens are all apart of being human. We just need to start thinking about positive things instead of negative ones, all of the time. We need to get up out of bed everyday and say "Something good is going to happen to me today!" If we can start thinking positive then we may be able to reverse all of the negative thoughts that sin and living in the world has caused us to believe.
In the book of Isaiah in chapter 66 verse 1 it says: "Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool...." Imagine this with me.....God said the heaven is His throne and the earth is His footstool. When I think about that I imagine HUGE!!!!!! With our God being that big it makes my worries seem like a particle in the air, like a spec of dust. If our problems are that small to Him, and He is taking care of everything that we need in life, then why do we worry so much? Yes, I know that our problems seem so gigantic at times, but that is when we need to tell ourselves that God is taking care of everything.
The bible says in Proverbs chapter 3 verses 5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Which to me means that if we are doing what is right, and we acknowledge Him, He is going to lead and guide us through everything that life throws at us. That is a promise He made!
The point I am trying to make is this....We don't need to get comfortable with where we are right now. We don't need to plant our feet and not step on out into the waters of God. We need to fully submerge ourselves. We need to stop worrying about what if and just step out in Faith. If you are needing a healing then ask God and believe. If you are needing help with financial problems ask God and then believe. If you are having problems in any of your relationships then ask God to help you and then believe. We need to leave it with Him and believe and have faith that He knows what He is doing. Just go around everyday, all day saying "God is doing something good for me today." And expect it to happen. I think that by us expecting good things to come our way then it gets His attention. He is always looking for children He can bless. All we have to do is receive it.
Jesus said "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." All we have to do is ask and then believe!
Remember the woman with an issue of blood in the bible?(Luke 9:43-47) Do you think she would of ever gotten anywhere by staying home and sulking in her own pity? No, I don't believe she would. She would of still had her issue of blood and still miserable. The bible said that she spent all of her life going around to doctors looking to find a cure or to be healed. But she wasn't satisfied with the way she was living her life and she heard about Jesus. She believed that if she could just touch the hem of his garment, she would be healed. She just didn't think about it she done it. And because of her faith, she was made whole. If she had thought negatively she would of never got healed. She didn't sit around and think of the negative things in her life....she went looking for a blessing! She expected to be healed and got it.
We just need to embrace the fact that nothing is impossible with God. If we can fully capture this, then we will have conquered all of the fears and worries that the devil throws at us to make us doubt God. It will diminish all negativity in our lives and not put a limit on what God can do for us.
I felt really led to write this and I hope that it will help someone out there who is going through the same things I have lately.
I love you all and I give Jesus the glory and praise for everything!
I have been enlightened....or whatever you want to call it. We, as God's children, need to come to a realization of just who we really are. We are children of the most High King! Our Father owns everything....He holds all things in His hands. That being said, then why do we at times fret or worry about our problems? Do we tend to forget of whom we serve? Or is it that we want to place boundaries for God in our lives? I know worrying and burdens are all apart of being human. We just need to start thinking about positive things instead of negative ones, all of the time. We need to get up out of bed everyday and say "Something good is going to happen to me today!" If we can start thinking positive then we may be able to reverse all of the negative thoughts that sin and living in the world has caused us to believe.
In the book of Isaiah in chapter 66 verse 1 it says: "Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool...." Imagine this with me.....God said the heaven is His throne and the earth is His footstool. When I think about that I imagine HUGE!!!!!! With our God being that big it makes my worries seem like a particle in the air, like a spec of dust. If our problems are that small to Him, and He is taking care of everything that we need in life, then why do we worry so much? Yes, I know that our problems seem so gigantic at times, but that is when we need to tell ourselves that God is taking care of everything.
The bible says in Proverbs chapter 3 verses 5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Which to me means that if we are doing what is right, and we acknowledge Him, He is going to lead and guide us through everything that life throws at us. That is a promise He made!
The point I am trying to make is this....We don't need to get comfortable with where we are right now. We don't need to plant our feet and not step on out into the waters of God. We need to fully submerge ourselves. We need to stop worrying about what if and just step out in Faith. If you are needing a healing then ask God and believe. If you are needing help with financial problems ask God and then believe. If you are having problems in any of your relationships then ask God to help you and then believe. We need to leave it with Him and believe and have faith that He knows what He is doing. Just go around everyday, all day saying "God is doing something good for me today." And expect it to happen. I think that by us expecting good things to come our way then it gets His attention. He is always looking for children He can bless. All we have to do is receive it.
Jesus said "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." All we have to do is ask and then believe!
Remember the woman with an issue of blood in the bible?(Luke 9:43-47) Do you think she would of ever gotten anywhere by staying home and sulking in her own pity? No, I don't believe she would. She would of still had her issue of blood and still miserable. The bible said that she spent all of her life going around to doctors looking to find a cure or to be healed. But she wasn't satisfied with the way she was living her life and she heard about Jesus. She believed that if she could just touch the hem of his garment, she would be healed. She just didn't think about it she done it. And because of her faith, she was made whole. If she had thought negatively she would of never got healed. She didn't sit around and think of the negative things in her life....she went looking for a blessing! She expected to be healed and got it.
We just need to embrace the fact that nothing is impossible with God. If we can fully capture this, then we will have conquered all of the fears and worries that the devil throws at us to make us doubt God. It will diminish all negativity in our lives and not put a limit on what God can do for us.
I felt really led to write this and I hope that it will help someone out there who is going through the same things I have lately.
I love you all and I give Jesus the glory and praise for everything!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Bring It On
Boy I tell you what, something awesome must be getting ready to happen for me or to me or something. 'Cause I have been tested and tried this week like you wouldn't believe. I know we are all tested and tried at times, but I mean for me it is like one right after another.
First it was about my car being totaled. Then it was about a baby and I am sure there is some more stuff in between that I didn't write about. Now we are back to the car thingy again. When will the madness end?
I have been praying for the last night or so about that guy James who hit me in the car accident. I have been asking Jesus to make him miserable so that he can't sleep. Let it weigh so heavy on his conscious that he has no choice but to tell the truth. Then I asked Jesus to deal with his heart. This might have been wrong of me to pray something like this, but ya'll I don't see me getting my car paid for by his insurance company until he confesses that the accident was his fault.
Oh how I wish I could have a car again. The freedom to drive wherever you want to when you want to. The freedom of not having to ask others do they care if you drive here or there. The freedom to drive wherever a half tank of gas will let me. LOL
But seriously I am asking you to help me pray that God deals with his heart. Help me pray that James B. will hurry up and admit that the accident was his fault. So that I can finally have a car again. 'Cause it is getting pretty bad. I mean I am looking at not having a ride to church or the doctor or anything. 'Cause when you are down people could give two hoots about ya. Mom let me use her blazer for a little while and then she had to have it back tonight. So tomorrow I will be thumbing for a ride to church. (Sigh)
On a brighter note............I was troubled about something other than a car this past week and I sat down and had a good cry and talked my problems over with Jesus. I believe that he has answered my prayer. He is such a good, loving, merciful, caring, and AWESOME GOD! I have came to this conclusion with His help. It is better to obey God than man.
If you ever feel that God is asking you to do something, then you should do it. Don't let anyone ever tell you that you can't. I was pretty down the other day. I was pretty upset over something. I didn't know which way to turn, but thank God for a good friend. (Thanks Amber) And thanks to Jesus for helping me get through this.
Well I have said all I can think of for now, but don't worry I should be back to let you know more about this continuing soga of As The Car Turns.
First it was about my car being totaled. Then it was about a baby and I am sure there is some more stuff in between that I didn't write about. Now we are back to the car thingy again. When will the madness end?
I have been praying for the last night or so about that guy James who hit me in the car accident. I have been asking Jesus to make him miserable so that he can't sleep. Let it weigh so heavy on his conscious that he has no choice but to tell the truth. Then I asked Jesus to deal with his heart. This might have been wrong of me to pray something like this, but ya'll I don't see me getting my car paid for by his insurance company until he confesses that the accident was his fault.
Oh how I wish I could have a car again. The freedom to drive wherever you want to when you want to. The freedom of not having to ask others do they care if you drive here or there. The freedom to drive wherever a half tank of gas will let me. LOL
But seriously I am asking you to help me pray that God deals with his heart. Help me pray that James B. will hurry up and admit that the accident was his fault. So that I can finally have a car again. 'Cause it is getting pretty bad. I mean I am looking at not having a ride to church or the doctor or anything. 'Cause when you are down people could give two hoots about ya. Mom let me use her blazer for a little while and then she had to have it back tonight. So tomorrow I will be thumbing for a ride to church. (Sigh)
On a brighter note............I was troubled about something other than a car this past week and I sat down and had a good cry and talked my problems over with Jesus. I believe that he has answered my prayer. He is such a good, loving, merciful, caring, and AWESOME GOD! I have came to this conclusion with His help. It is better to obey God than man.
If you ever feel that God is asking you to do something, then you should do it. Don't let anyone ever tell you that you can't. I was pretty down the other day. I was pretty upset over something. I didn't know which way to turn, but thank God for a good friend. (Thanks Amber) And thanks to Jesus for helping me get through this.
Well I have said all I can think of for now, but don't worry I should be back to let you know more about this continuing soga of As The Car Turns.
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