Two nights ago the Holy Spirit burdened my heart for my youngest daughter and her family. They went to another state to move my oldest granddaughter’s things from her college dorm. This “shelter in place” happened while she was home for spring break.
The Holy Spirit that lives within me, burdened my heart for my youngest daughter and family. I did begin praying that evening and continued to pray when I woke from sleeping in the early morning. Then I prayed a couple of times during the day.
In the afternoon I prayed a couple of times before receiving a text from my daughter. She said they were driving in heavy rain and a semi-truck hit a pothole and the semi jumped into their lane. They were beside the truck when it jumped into their lane. They were fine and the truck briefly kissed their car and trailer. The truck took off their mirror and dented the trailer they were pulling. The semi did not realize that anything happened. Because of the weather they could not stop on the road since visibility was so low.
My question is, “What would have happened if I had not prayed.” I do not understand the workings of this kind of prayer. I do know, that when the Holy Spirit says you need to pray…..you need to pray
If a burden is placed in your heart by the Holy Spirit, please pray. Pray as if their life depends on your prayer.
Elijah was God’s hands, feet, and spokesperson. The people worshiped Baal and there were 450 prophets that led the people in the worship of Baal. There were satanic demons behind this worship. Out of God’s mercy and love for His people, God wanted to show them that He was greater than all things. God showed them that he was “the mighty God.” God took all the power of the demons away while He showed His people His power.
Jezebel was not pleased when she heard what happened (Read I Kings 18). She sent Elijah a message She threatened to kill him in 24 hours. Elijah became terrified.
Elijah had just witnessed the power of God. He knew that God had made the demons powerless. Elijah, like Christans, who overcame in an intense spiritual battle, felt a reaction. He became weak physically, mentally and even spiritually. One needs to be prayerful after a victory in order to be prepared for temptations and attacks after a mighty work. Tenth Avenue North has a song that says that our fear has to face God. Those words touched my soul.
Out of fear, Elijah ran for his life. He left his servant in Beersheba and he went a day’s journey into the wildness. He rested under a juniper tree. Elijah was afraid and depressed to the point that he wanted God to take his life. He did not rest in God at this time. He had for 3 1/2 years before this time. Don’t judge Christians when they become fearful and discouraged. All of us at times see the circumstances instead of resting in God.
God understood Elijah’s complete exhaustion and lovingly shows His care for him in a practical way. God sent an angel to care for Elijah.
An angel prepared freshly baked bread, which was warm with plenty of water. He woke Elijah and told him to eat. Then Elijah went back to sleep.
After Elijah slept, the angel woke him again. The angel urged Elijah to eat again because Elijah’s journey would be long.
God waited until Elijah was refreshed by the food and sleep. Elijah traveled for 40 days and nights. Elijah wondered because he was still afraid and depressed, but he went to the same mountain where God revealed Himself to Moses. Elijah found a cave and went into it. The Lord began to reveal Himself to Elijah. God began by asking a question so that Elijah would speak to Him. God never wants His children to repress questions or feelings. God desires that we pour them out in prayer to Him.
Elijah, once again felt fear. He told God that he was the only one left that worshiped Him. He felt like a failure. God did not put Elijah down. God only showed Elijah His power out side the cave. God did not speak to Elijah until he returned to the cave. Then he heard that gentle whisper in the same way we hear God as Christians. Be still and be confident that God is with you.
I left many things out of this post. Please read I Kings 18 and 19.
Many questions are being tossed around about God and why He is allowing this virus. Some ask, “Why my loved one?”
We do not have the mind of God. So how can we judge Him? We did not create all that is. It is not our place to be angry with the Creator. In Romans 8:22, it says, ” For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pain of childbirth together until now”]. Also, in Matthew 5:45B. Jesus says, “in order that you may be Sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Adam sinned after creation and caused all mankind to suffer. God can not look upon sin. God did come to earth to die and allow His blood to cover us. My mind has a problem trying to grasp why God chose to save us in this way. But He did and I should respond to his sacrifice with love.
The one thing I believe about this virus is that it will make us stronger. Also, God may have allowed this to happen in order to protect people from a future filled with whatever, Or God may have wanted them home so they could be near Him to love them in heaven. We are in two wars. One that President Trump mentioned. He said we are at war with something we can not see. He was talking about this virus. Also, we are in a spiritual war. Another one we can not see.
This may be birth pains as mentioned in Matthew 24. I do believe this is what we are experiencing. After this period we will begin Revelation, chapter 4 to the end of our time.
You may ask why., You will find that answer in Ephesians 6:10-12. Ephesians 3:10 tells about our warfare and that we are proving to the angels. Angels do not have the Holy Spirit within them so they do not understand how we can love Jesus and not see Him and still love Him when bad things happen to them. This is why our reward will be great. May the Lord give you the strength to endure
Allow the Holy Spirit to bring comfort to you. Pray Psalm 91. Spend time in prayer. The mature Christian is to guide and help baby Christians. In times like these, the mature Christian is being watched. It is important to react to suffering in a way that brings peace and comfort to others. We need to bring understanding and help others to grow. This is a time to help others see and feel the presence of God in each others lives.
Beloved, you are set apart for times like these. You are endowed with the Spirit of God to show peace and love in times like we now face. It is especially important for us to reflect Christ. For you are being watched to see how you react to our own crisis. It is a time to speak boldly about Jesus in all circumstances. Be in prayer and ask God to breathe on your words. Ask God to increase your wisdom so you can be confident in your guiding words and for them to flourish.
I will be praying for all who read my post. I appreciate your prayers too. I have autoimmune problems. I do have to go to my cancer doctor this week for a shot. My husband went to work this morning, so that is in the mix of things. I have a daughter that is a nurse practitioner. They closed her clinic and is having her to go to another town to test people for this virus. My list goes on just like all of you. My Beloved Ones, bathe in God’s glory and be prayerful.
I thank each one of you for your prayers. I had an EKG which showed an abnormal result. A chemical stress test showed the same. It was thought to be from a blockage. So, a heart cath was scheduled.
After the heart cath was completed, the doctor came into my room and said, “I don’t know what you will die from, but it will not be from a heart attack or heart disease.” The doctor did take into account, my age. I will be 74 this month. I figured that he thought I did not have enough time left to develop heart disease or clogged arteries.
I did not tell the doctor that I planned on being alive when Jesus came back. My youngest daughter says she will take care of everyone and she sees me constantly praying. How marvelous will that life be for me.
In an instant, everything changes. You run to God and fall to your knees while a roaring thunder rolls with pain throughout your whole being. If you do not know God, your tears and words may fall to the ground and be void before God. Those who have knelt before the cross of Jesus and has His blood fall from the cross to cover them., then you are not alone because you have the Holy Spirit within you. Yes your soul will ache, The pain keeps your words all jumbled up inside of you. Beloved, God is already there. The Holy Spirit will take your tears to God who puts them in a bottle. The Holy Spirit will speak to Jesus about what is happening.
I have been there my friends. The pain is unbearable. Sometimes I have heard the Holy Spirit speak on my behalf. I may not know exactly what word was being said word by word, but I knew the meaning of each sentence.
The closer you are to God, the closer His presence can be felt by you. God knows you need Him, He will bring you comfort. As to how fast this comfort comes depends on your relationship with God. God does heal you spiritually, mentally and emotionally.
Don’t hide from God and only come to Him when you are hurting. Have a relationship with God so you can enter His throne room in an instant.
I use Psalm 100:4 as a guide in my approach to God. “Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him: bless His name.” (NAS).
But before we can enter His gates to the abode of God, we must have Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit is the key to unlock the gate to the realm of God. This holy place can only be entered by someone made holy. The Holy Spirit is your guide in this place. Stay at the gate to examine yourself, and confessing sin. If my heart is not prepared to go through this gate, I can feel pressure around my heart. It is as if the Holy Spirit is holding me back and saying, “Not yet.”
With sin forgiven and washed by the blood of Jesus, one can now enter the gate. I enter the gate thanking God for what He did for me that day. One needs to stand in the open gate giving thanks to the Lord God, waiting until the Holy Spirit to draw you to God’s court.
Remember Moses and how he waited for God. One needs to stay in the court praising God until the Holy Spirit says you can enter the throne room of God.
It is then that one can have the confidence to enter into the presence of God. Hebrew 4:16 says, “Let us, therefore, draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 10:19. In I John 3:21, “Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God. Dear Ones, if one approaches God through the blood of Jesus with His holiness in mind through worship, one can approach His throne with confidence. It is here, humbled at the feet of God, one can ask for help and the desires of one’s heart. The Holy Spirit will guide you in praying in His will. Again, if you start to pray out of the will of God, the Holy Spirit will put pressure on your heart. Let me warn you now, that when you are at the feet of the living God, touching the hem of His Holiness, your request may seem so unimportant. What you are experiencing and seeing more clearly are the attributes of God. It is there that you realize that you are but “dirty rags” and only want to praise and worship God with the giving thanks for Jesus and the work He did in order to save you and bring you to His feet. As Moses did, we are to wait and approach God, to accomplish Ephesians 3. We must take the time and discipline ourselves. God is always waiting for us.
You may want to search other books on prayer to help inspire you. I took a course called Prayer Life by T. W. Hunt. Then I guided my children through the course. http://www.lifeway.com
Gifts brought to the creator of the universe. God gave Himself to you and me, so He could give us the ultimate gift.
Did you ask God for your Christmas gift? God has so many gifts for you. They are the most wonderful gifts. Why God would choose these gifts for you and me, I don’t understand. Luke 2:8 tells us that these gifts are personalized gifts. First, God chose Himself to come to this earth and be born as a baby. Why? So He could restore us to Him. He chose to lead us, you and me, back to Himself. Why would the One who made the universe leave His throne in heaven to restore us to Him? God, did this because of His unconditional love. Also, He knew He would have to suffer and die a horrible death for you and me. I have a number of medical problems, but because God came to earth, died so that I could someday join Him in heaven. It is because of what He did, I can have peace. With cancer, I can have peace. With two kinds of arthritis, I can have peace. With fibromyalgia, I can have peace. With degenerative disc disease, I can have peace. There are more things, but I think what I’ve mentioned is more than enough. Because of what God did for me (and you), I can live in joy. This peace and joy are forever.
So do you want your Christmas gift from God? Would you like to accept the gift and live in heaven forever with God? This is the first gift of many to follow. Pray this prayer and mean each word with all your heart and being. “Heavenly Father, I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my sins. I confess with my mouth and believe in my heart that Jesus is Your Son. I believe that He came to earth and was born from a virgin and that He died on a cross at Calvery that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come into my life and be my personal Lord and Saviour. I repent of my sins (the bad things you have done) and will worship you all the days of my life! I believe that You will return to earth someday. Because Your word is true, I confess with my mouth that I am born again and cleansed by the Blood of Jesus. In Jesus’ name, I pray and confess these things. Amen”
The second gift you will receive will be the Spirit of God coming to you, to live within you. You may or may not feel this Holy Spirit within you at first. The Holy Spirit is given to you as an engagement ring. The Spirit will seal you as one of His children. A few of the things that the Holy Spirit will give you is guidance, counsel, and tells Jesus your prayers who give them to God. As the Spirit and you grow closer, He will help you understand the Holy Bible. Without the Holy Spirit, one can not really understand the Bible. Especially the deeper things of God. All the above are gifts, but there is more than these mentioned.
Also, God has angels that He will send to help you there is a mighty war taking place. A war between God’s people and Satan with his demons. Before you accept Jesus as your Saviour and King you were a slave to your lust and Satan with his demons. When you accept Jesus, you are rescued from Satan and his kingdom of darkness. We are then transferred into the kingdom of God’s Son, Jesus. These are special gifts, that are called spiritual gifts. Every believer has one or more spiritual gifts, but not all of them. In 2 Corinthians 12:3-11, there is a list of Spiritual gifts. Some of the Spiritual gifts are the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, and teaching. Also, there is mercy which can bring comfort to others (Rom 12:8). Romans 12:8 also speaks of Leadership. This special gift guides people to see goals and will motivate others. The one gift I need help with is discernment. I can know the truth of scripture and when one may speak in error, but to see a person’s character is not always with me. My gift of mercy gets in the way. I can even see how God could use a person in His kingdom. It is hard for me to discern a person’s character. I can be deceived. This gift is listed in I Corinthians 12:10.
In Romans 12:8, it mentions the gift of Exhortation or encouraging. This God-given ability can be used by God to uplift the broken and defeated.
In Ephesians 4:11, it mentions those who evangelize. With the work of Jesus Christ, they speak with power in their words and people respond in faith to Jesus.
Romans 12:8 also mentions giving. They always tithe as we all should do. Their life shows a very generous giving to the church, ministries and especially to those in need.
I mentioned knowledge and this ability can gather the knowledge of the Bible and take these facts, truth, and principals to give a deeper insight into the Word of God. You will find this in I Corinthians 12:8.
Pastoring or Shepherding is to guide in their faith and preaching the Word of God. This gift requires time along with God. Some think a pastor should do a number of things like visiting the sick and on multiple committees. Deacons are appointed to carry out these for the pastor.
I Corinthians 12:28 list the gift of Administrator. They can plan, organize and head up complex projects and see them completely by getting others to work together. It also lists Wisdom. There is wisdom in how to apply the scripture to life. They have wisdom in how to solve problems.
A prophet is listed in Romans 12:6, I Co 12:10, 28 and Ephesians 4:11. Most just think this gift is telling of future events. I am not saying this does not happen especially within a family, but it is declaring God’s truth boldly. This can be especially hard when you have to speak the truth to correct a person or a group. You are giving instructions.
Some people seem to always be where people are needing help. The gift of help is generally done without many knowing it was done. They seem to know how to help others. You can find this in Romans 12:7 and in I Corinthians 12:28.
Teaching is another gift. This includes organizing God’s word and communicating knowledge. Also, they can tell them how to apply what is being taught.
Love, especially unconditional love, is a goal for all of us. The only way I believe for this to be accomplished is to ask Jesus to put more love in one’s heart from Him. I look at loving Christ as the ultimate gift. To be allowed to love Him is the key to all of life. It is because of love for Him is necessary to have other gifts. If you do not love Christ, how can you use any other gifts that have been given to you? If what you do for Christ is only a motion without love, is it accounted to you? How can you be a reflection of Christ without love? Without love, how can you have peace and joy?
The gift of a family, co-workers and friends is a special gift. To share with each other is so wonderful. This morning I watched my grandchildren open presents. Their faces would glow with joy when they realized their presents. Does our face glow with the presence of the Lord’s love? With the Lord, you can share your wisdom and kindness. These are precious gifts from God you can share. There are so many gifts that the God of the universe gives. Ask God to open your eyes to see them. Then thank Him for these gifts.
What gifts can you share? Ask God to open your heart and let gifts of love and kindness go from you to others. Let Jesus the gift of light to you shine forth to others. Let your light help restore what had been lost in the darkness. Our journey in this gift of light and our obedience to Jesus becomes a journey above everything else. Learn and love this gift of rejoicing as we walk in our journey with excitement in our gift of purpose. We are covered in the gift of grace and growing in knowledge.
My husband and I were in a place to eat, when the young lady next to us responded to the waitress who must have said Merry Christmas and/or Happy New Year, she responded by saying something like “not if it was like yesterday.” Yesterday was Christmas. So I prayed for her and her 5-year-old child. That prayer was my gift to her, even though she did not know it was given to her. I use to stop and rest at the mall years ago and I would watch people. The Lord would quicken my spirit and I would pray for them. My gift of prayer and the lord’s gift was given to them. God’s gifts to you are never-ending. Keep these gifts close to your heart and grow in them, is that you may share them with others.
Be thankful for the gifts that God has given you and be willing to share them with others throughout the coming year.
You are standing in your church and praises are being sung. Praises you have sung so many times. They are sung without much thought. Then someone is asked to pray. You listen without much thought.
Remember that I told you that you were a precious treasure to God. A jewel inscribed in His hand where the spikes held Him to the cross. Is that jewel in our Lord Jesus’s crown stating that we will share in His kingdom? We should echo words that someone wrote while being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Beloved, with this being said, how can you sing hymns aimlessly. Why do you not allow your heart to echo the words with returned love. Do not quench the Holy Spirit that God gave to you, so your heart could overflow with love. We are to sing praises with a heart full of love.
Our heart is to echo prayers prayed in church. We are to intercede with a heart full of love for others. We are to meet the Holy Spirit and to plea their case. We are to remain close to the Holy Spirit because He knows the Father’s will. Many cringe when you say, “I will search the Father’s will for you.” Those that cringe will remain weak Christians.
Prayer brings faith. Studying scripture matures ones faith. How else can you walk boldly with confidence. Prayer brings hope with so much joy. In that joy, we are to pray without ceasing.
II Thessalonians 5:16-19 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit.
