Isaiah 53 - (The Message)
Who believes what we've heard and seen?
Who would have thought God's saving power would look like this?
The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling,
a scrubby plant in a parched field.
There was nothing attractive about him,
nothing to cause us to take a second look.
He was looked down on and passed over,
a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand.
One look at him and people turned away.
We looked down on him, thought he was scum.
But the fact is, it was our pains he carried—
our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.
We thought he brought it on himself,
that God was punishing him for his own failures.
But it was our sins that did that to him,
that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins!
He took the punishment, and that made us whole.
Through his bruises we get healed.
We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost.
We've all done our own thing, gone our own way.
And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong,
on him, on him.
He was beaten, he was tortured,
but he didn't say a word.
Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered
and like a sheep being sheared,
he took it all in silence.
Justice miscarried, and he was led off—
and did anyone really know what was happening?
He died without a thought for his own welfare,
beaten bloody for the sins of my people.
They buried him with the wicked,
threw him in a grave with a rich man,
Even though he'd never hurt a soul
or said one word that wasn't true.
Still, it's what God had in mind all along,
to crush him with pain.
The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin
so that he'd see life come from it—life, life, and more life.
And God's plan will deeply prosper through him.
Out of that terrible travail of soul,
he'll see that it's worth it and be glad he did it.
Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant,
will make many "righteous ones,"
as he himself carries the burden of their sins.
Therefore I'll reward him extravagantly—
the best of everything, the highest honors—
Because he looked death in the face and didn't flinch,
because he embraced the company of the lowest.
He took on his own shoulders the sin of the many,
he took up the cause of all the black sheep.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
I'm overwhelmed!
"I had heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes."
Job 42:5
Yes, I am overwhelmed, not by the busyness of life, but by the power of God! Just in the past month, He has done so many incredible things in my life and those around me. Aside from my own physical healing, he has, once again, taken me back, way back to heal a broken relationship that needed mending. Now I have a completely restored friendship with a family I once considered enemies!
I've witnessed God change the hardest of hearts. People that seemed "unfixable", He has completely transformed. I am continuing to see Him do works in me and my immediate family members; miracles ranging from deliverance from addictions for some to just simply drawing others strikingly closer to Him. And, all of these things came about within God's perfect timing. He put these needs right in the faces of myself and others who needed healing. We just had to be willing to receive His awesome grace and mercy and allow Him to change us. Keep in mind that most of these were not events that any of us sought out from God. They seemingly came out of left field. He just orchestrated these circumstances, convicted people's hearts, worked on these puzzle pieces and then, at just the right time, put them into place, all to bring glory to His name.
His name is power and He has proven Himself to be trustworthy and faithful to me, once again!
So, if you are waiting for something to change or someone to change, there is hope. Do not give up! God knows the desires of your heart and He is in control. He can do anything!!
And never forget, He is especially fond of you!!
Luke 1:37
"Nothing is impossible with God."
Job 42:5
Yes, I am overwhelmed, not by the busyness of life, but by the power of God! Just in the past month, He has done so many incredible things in my life and those around me. Aside from my own physical healing, he has, once again, taken me back, way back to heal a broken relationship that needed mending. Now I have a completely restored friendship with a family I once considered enemies!
I've witnessed God change the hardest of hearts. People that seemed "unfixable", He has completely transformed. I am continuing to see Him do works in me and my immediate family members; miracles ranging from deliverance from addictions for some to just simply drawing others strikingly closer to Him. And, all of these things came about within God's perfect timing. He put these needs right in the faces of myself and others who needed healing. We just had to be willing to receive His awesome grace and mercy and allow Him to change us. Keep in mind that most of these were not events that any of us sought out from God. They seemingly came out of left field. He just orchestrated these circumstances, convicted people's hearts, worked on these puzzle pieces and then, at just the right time, put them into place, all to bring glory to His name.
His name is power and He has proven Himself to be trustworthy and faithful to me, once again!
So, if you are waiting for something to change or someone to change, there is hope. Do not give up! God knows the desires of your heart and He is in control. He can do anything!!
And never forget, He is especially fond of you!!
Luke 1:37
"Nothing is impossible with God."
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Overcoming Faith
There must be room in our lives to experience the stages of growth that our faith will go through in order to become overcomers. Untried, untested faith is not overcoming faith, it is baby faith. Babies do not understand the purpose of faith. A measure of faith was not given to you so you could avoid the hard times; faith has been given to get you through the hard times with a testimony of victory. Every time you come out on the right end of a trial, full of faith and forgiveness, you become more like fine gold.
When you hold on to unforgiveness and resentment from past trials in your life, you will find it much more difficult to walk through the trials that will come in your present. It is almost impossible to have a good outlook on walking through hard circumstances today when you have never resolved your feelings towards those who were involved in difficult circumstances that impacted your life yesterday.
Pray this from the words written in Romans 5:3-4:
"Father, your Word says that tribulation and trials can bring about a good thing in me - trials past and trials present. I so want to be free from the influences of past trials and hurts. And I really want out of trials I'm going through right now, so I bind myself to your will and purposes and timing. Until I get out, teach me patience and help me to appreciate the spiritual experience that I need to be an overcomer. If I can't have deliverance from this situation yet, then I'm going to loose everything in my old nature that I can think of to make room for the growth of the fruit of your Spirit. Help me to be patient, help me to be forgiving, help me to have the boldness and courage to do what you've asked me to do. Help me to have the patience I need to become experienced in the ways of your Spirit. You have promised your hope will sustain me while this is being done. Amen."
- Liberty Savard, "Shattering Your Strongholds"
When you hold on to unforgiveness and resentment from past trials in your life, you will find it much more difficult to walk through the trials that will come in your present. It is almost impossible to have a good outlook on walking through hard circumstances today when you have never resolved your feelings towards those who were involved in difficult circumstances that impacted your life yesterday.
Pray this from the words written in Romans 5:3-4:
"Father, your Word says that tribulation and trials can bring about a good thing in me - trials past and trials present. I so want to be free from the influences of past trials and hurts. And I really want out of trials I'm going through right now, so I bind myself to your will and purposes and timing. Until I get out, teach me patience and help me to appreciate the spiritual experience that I need to be an overcomer. If I can't have deliverance from this situation yet, then I'm going to loose everything in my old nature that I can think of to make room for the growth of the fruit of your Spirit. Help me to be patient, help me to be forgiving, help me to have the boldness and courage to do what you've asked me to do. Help me to have the patience I need to become experienced in the ways of your Spirit. You have promised your hope will sustain me while this is being done. Amen."
- Liberty Savard, "Shattering Your Strongholds"
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Forgiveness is not an option!!
Matthew 6:14-15 (New Living Translation)
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins."
Wow has this verse hit close to home for me this week! Forgiveness is an absolute essential part of our gowth in our own personal relationship with God, our Father! We cannot enter fully into His purpose for our lives if there are still unresolved unforgiveness issues in our hearts. Forgiveness brings total freedom to us. It closes the book on pain from our past.
I love the words of author, Liberty Savard on this:
"Forgiving unconditionally brings an incredible reward, which cannot be acquired any other way. This reward is total freedom from responding to, reacting to, and replaying those old hurts that can still seem so alive sometimes. Forgiveness sucks all the life right out of them."
So, let me encourage you to pray and ask God to reveal to you, any areas of unforgiveness that may still be lingering in your heart. I am so thankful He loves me enough to take me back, way back, to those deep, hidden places of my heart where old hurts still linger. Hurts that I thought I had gotten past. In so doing this, He "scoops" more junk out, resulting in total healing and an even deeper relationship with Him, my Heavenly Father!!
Praise the name of Jesus! There is POWER in the Blood!!
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins."
Wow has this verse hit close to home for me this week! Forgiveness is an absolute essential part of our gowth in our own personal relationship with God, our Father! We cannot enter fully into His purpose for our lives if there are still unresolved unforgiveness issues in our hearts. Forgiveness brings total freedom to us. It closes the book on pain from our past.
I love the words of author, Liberty Savard on this:
"Forgiving unconditionally brings an incredible reward, which cannot be acquired any other way. This reward is total freedom from responding to, reacting to, and replaying those old hurts that can still seem so alive sometimes. Forgiveness sucks all the life right out of them."
So, let me encourage you to pray and ask God to reveal to you, any areas of unforgiveness that may still be lingering in your heart. I am so thankful He loves me enough to take me back, way back, to those deep, hidden places of my heart where old hurts still linger. Hurts that I thought I had gotten past. In so doing this, He "scoops" more junk out, resulting in total healing and an even deeper relationship with Him, my Heavenly Father!!
Praise the name of Jesus! There is POWER in the Blood!!
Monday, February 16, 2009
"The Bucket List"
"The Bucket List" is an excellent movie!!
Everyone should see it.
Life is short. Live it on purpose!
Everyone should see it.
Life is short. Live it on purpose!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Unfailing Love
Valentines Day is all about love, expressing our human love to those closest to us. As much as we would aspire to love perfectly and never fail our loved-ones, we are human. We will fail the ones we love most, and they will fail us.
God is love! Love is something God is, not something He does. Therefore, His love is perfect!! There is no other source of unfailing love. I've been let down in the past by those close to me and it really hurt! But, I've come to realize it is senseless to try to get unfailing love from a human source who is simply uncapable of providing it, who was not even created to provide it. I love these profound thoughts by Beth Moore on "unfailing love":
Though the mountains move and the hills shake, My love will not be removed from you.
Isaiah 54:10
"The Word of God uses the phrase "unfailing love" thirty-two times, and not once is it attributed to humans. Every single use of the phrase refers to God and God alone. Although the love of others can be rich and meaningful, only God's love is unfailing.
He is not only the answer to a thousand needs but a thousand wants. He is our chief desire in all of life. Oh, God, awaken our souls to see - You are what we want, not just what we need. Yes, our life's protection, but also our heart's affection. Yes, our soul's salvation, but also our heart's exhilaration. Unfailing love - a love that will not let us go!
God is love! Love is something God is, not something He does. Therefore, His love is perfect!! There is no other source of unfailing love. I've been let down in the past by those close to me and it really hurt! But, I've come to realize it is senseless to try to get unfailing love from a human source who is simply uncapable of providing it, who was not even created to provide it. I love these profound thoughts by Beth Moore on "unfailing love":
Though the mountains move and the hills shake, My love will not be removed from you.
Isaiah 54:10
"The Word of God uses the phrase "unfailing love" thirty-two times, and not once is it attributed to humans. Every single use of the phrase refers to God and God alone. Although the love of others can be rich and meaningful, only God's love is unfailing.
He is not only the answer to a thousand needs but a thousand wants. He is our chief desire in all of life. Oh, God, awaken our souls to see - You are what we want, not just what we need. Yes, our life's protection, but also our heart's affection. Yes, our soul's salvation, but also our heart's exhilaration. Unfailing love - a love that will not let us go!
Friday, February 13, 2009
The Shadow of the Almighty
Psalm 91:1-2
"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting Him."
I've sure been dwelling there today my friends, while suffering from a nasty stomach bug! Thank God I am certain He will take care of me, NO MATTER WHAT hits me!! So reassuring that He cares about every detail of my life.
Praise God!!
"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting Him."
I've sure been dwelling there today my friends, while suffering from a nasty stomach bug! Thank God I am certain He will take care of me, NO MATTER WHAT hits me!! So reassuring that He cares about every detail of my life.
Praise God!!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Whatever you believe..........
"Whatever you believe is what you will live." - Lonny Robbins
1 John 5:4-5 -- (The Message)
"The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. The person who wins out over the world's ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God."
1 John 5:4-5 -- (The Message)
"The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. The person who wins out over the world's ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God."
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Trust Him - period!!
At one time or another, most of us have said:
"If _________ ever happens, then I'll just ___________."
Our conditional trust positions us as negotiators and beggars before God instead of secure children who trust their lives to their faithful Father. The most critical breakthrough of faith you and I could ever experience is to let God bring us to a place where we trust Him - period. We don't just trust Him to let us avoid what we fear most. We determine to trust Him no matter what, even if our worst nightmare befalls us. We have no greater victory and can render Satan no harsher blow.
Let's instead say it this way:
"If _____________ ever happens then God will take care of me.
"If _____________ ever happens then God has a plan for me.
"If _____________ ever happens then God desires to accomplish something monumental in me.
"If _____________ ever happens then God's going to demonstrate His sufficiency to me.
- Beth Moore, "Esther - It's Tough Being A Woman"
"If _________ ever happens, then I'll just ___________."
Our conditional trust positions us as negotiators and beggars before God instead of secure children who trust their lives to their faithful Father. The most critical breakthrough of faith you and I could ever experience is to let God bring us to a place where we trust Him - period. We don't just trust Him to let us avoid what we fear most. We determine to trust Him no matter what, even if our worst nightmare befalls us. We have no greater victory and can render Satan no harsher blow.
Let's instead say it this way:
"If _____________ ever happens then God will take care of me.
"If _____________ ever happens then God has a plan for me.
"If _____________ ever happens then God desires to accomplish something monumental in me.
"If _____________ ever happens then God's going to demonstrate His sufficiency to me.
- Beth Moore, "Esther - It's Tough Being A Woman"
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Mind control
"For most of my life, I didn't think about what I was thinking about. I simply thought whatever fell into my head. I had no revelation that Satan could inject thoughts into my mind. Much of what was in my head was either lies that Satan was telling me or just plain nonsense, things that really were not worth spending my time thinking about. The devil was controlling my life because he was controlling my thoughts."
- Joyce Meyer, "Battlefield of the Mind"
Can anyone besides me relate to what she is saying here? I've sure been there! God usually speaks to me in themes and the control of my mind has been the overarching theme for me in the past few weeks. I could go so much deeper on this but I'd be typing all day. A great starting point in transferring the control of our minds from the enemy of our souls to the lover of our souls, Jesus Christ, is to start by chewing on this verse:
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:(for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."
Recognize it for what it is. We are at war here, and the battle is spiritual! The devil is real but Jesus is stronger! The Word of God provides us every weapon we need to fight this battle. I pray that God Himself, will begin the demolition of your strongholds just as He has for me!!
To God be the glory!!
,Brandi
- Joyce Meyer, "Battlefield of the Mind"
Can anyone besides me relate to what she is saying here? I've sure been there! God usually speaks to me in themes and the control of my mind has been the overarching theme for me in the past few weeks. I could go so much deeper on this but I'd be typing all day. A great starting point in transferring the control of our minds from the enemy of our souls to the lover of our souls, Jesus Christ, is to start by chewing on this verse:
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:(for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."
Recognize it for what it is. We are at war here, and the battle is spiritual! The devil is real but Jesus is stronger! The Word of God provides us every weapon we need to fight this battle. I pray that God Himself, will begin the demolition of your strongholds just as He has for me!!
To God be the glory!!
,Brandi
Friday, February 6, 2009
Apart from Him, we can do nothing!!
John 15:5-6 (New Living Translation)
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned."
Wow, this is a powerful verse. I'm memorizing this one right now. It seems to me to be the basic "how-to" of living the Christian life. It is so straight forward, so simple. Stay attached to the vine (Jesus) and you will live, you will succeed in what He has called you to do. Detach from it and you will be lifeless and accomplish "nothing." It does not say you will accomplish "some things" but it very clearly states, that you will accomplish "nothing." We will be useless in advancing God's kingdom.
So, how do we stay attached to the vine? By staying in the Word of God every day. By making it our bread of life, our breath of life, we just can't live without it. For me this has taken choices on my part. It has to be an intentional act. The desire to read and study the Bible does not come naturally to our human nature. Yes there are so many other distractions in our world today to keep us from being attached to the vine but, what is more important? I have to set priorities to manage my time. So, if the laundry pile is piling up, it can wait!!!!
He knows we simply cannot carry around a Bible with us every second of the day. For me, writing scriptures on note cards and keeping them in prominent places, in view, is a great reminder. I use a spiral bound book of index cards. I can flip it open and stand it up at the bathroom and kitchen sink. Pick one verse to memorize for two weeks and keep your little book open to that one. Even this is better than nothing. This is also small enough to carry it with you in your purse or in the car.
I believe prayer is the other way to stay connected to the vine. I am working on making prayer part of my "all-day", not just my quiet time. I believe God wants us to stay attached to Him all day. I am practicing saying prayers all day long, even using a "code word" to remind me He is there like saying "You are with me" every time you can think of it. I believe He wants us to invite Him into our day.
I am not a brilliant girl and believe me, I don't have all of this figured out, but I know one thing, I do not want to be "thrown away like a useless branch and wither, to be gathered into a pile to be burned." I believe God wants us to be obedient to His word so I am inviting the Holy Spirit to give me the power to do these things! I know He will give me this power because He loves me dearly!!
He is especially fond of you too!
Love,
Brandi
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned."
Wow, this is a powerful verse. I'm memorizing this one right now. It seems to me to be the basic "how-to" of living the Christian life. It is so straight forward, so simple. Stay attached to the vine (Jesus) and you will live, you will succeed in what He has called you to do. Detach from it and you will be lifeless and accomplish "nothing." It does not say you will accomplish "some things" but it very clearly states, that you will accomplish "nothing." We will be useless in advancing God's kingdom.
So, how do we stay attached to the vine? By staying in the Word of God every day. By making it our bread of life, our breath of life, we just can't live without it. For me this has taken choices on my part. It has to be an intentional act. The desire to read and study the Bible does not come naturally to our human nature. Yes there are so many other distractions in our world today to keep us from being attached to the vine but, what is more important? I have to set priorities to manage my time. So, if the laundry pile is piling up, it can wait!!!!
He knows we simply cannot carry around a Bible with us every second of the day. For me, writing scriptures on note cards and keeping them in prominent places, in view, is a great reminder. I use a spiral bound book of index cards. I can flip it open and stand it up at the bathroom and kitchen sink. Pick one verse to memorize for two weeks and keep your little book open to that one. Even this is better than nothing. This is also small enough to carry it with you in your purse or in the car.
I believe prayer is the other way to stay connected to the vine. I am working on making prayer part of my "all-day", not just my quiet time. I believe God wants us to stay attached to Him all day. I am practicing saying prayers all day long, even using a "code word" to remind me He is there like saying "You are with me" every time you can think of it. I believe He wants us to invite Him into our day.
I am not a brilliant girl and believe me, I don't have all of this figured out, but I know one thing, I do not want to be "thrown away like a useless branch and wither, to be gathered into a pile to be burned." I believe God wants us to be obedient to His word so I am inviting the Holy Spirit to give me the power to do these things! I know He will give me this power because He loves me dearly!!
He is especially fond of you too!
Love,
Brandi
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Our minds captive to Christ
Deuteronomy 20:4
"The Lord your God is the One who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."
2 Corinthians 10:5-6 (The Message)
"We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity."
We don't become victors by conquering the enemy. We become victors through surrender to Christ. We don't become victors by our independence from the enemy. We become victors by our dependence on God.
The road to freedom is a paradox. To experience victory and freedom, we need to become captives. We need to develop minds captive to Christ. In this life, we are most free when our minds are most captivated by Him. Victorious lives flow from victorious thoughts. And thinking victorious thoughts comes from setting our focus on a victorious God.
- Beth Moore, "Breaking Free"
"The Lord your God is the One who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."
2 Corinthians 10:5-6 (The Message)
"We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity."
We don't become victors by conquering the enemy. We become victors through surrender to Christ. We don't become victors by our independence from the enemy. We become victors by our dependence on God.
The road to freedom is a paradox. To experience victory and freedom, we need to become captives. We need to develop minds captive to Christ. In this life, we are most free when our minds are most captivated by Him. Victorious lives flow from victorious thoughts. And thinking victorious thoughts comes from setting our focus on a victorious God.
- Beth Moore, "Breaking Free"
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Why are we so shocked?
Ok, I must follow up yesterday's posting with this profound response from my beautiful and wise Aunt Beverly. Amen to what she is saying here!!
Brandi:
I could not agree more. I know it is a lack of faith that we are not healed of many diseases and discomforts. Jesus is the same Jesus today as he was when he walked on earth and healed the sick. He tells us we have this power as well if we will only believe. For example the woman who had been bleeding for years and she had enough faith that she would be healed just by touching the hem of Jesus' garmet. Yes satan delights in whispering negatives in our ears and we all too often listen. Praise God you have been healed and have more faith. Why are we so shocked when we are healed or some miracle occurs? Because we don't have the faith & belief that it can occur.
Love you,
Beverly
Brandi:
I could not agree more. I know it is a lack of faith that we are not healed of many diseases and discomforts. Jesus is the same Jesus today as he was when he walked on earth and healed the sick. He tells us we have this power as well if we will only believe. For example the woman who had been bleeding for years and she had enough faith that she would be healed just by touching the hem of Jesus' garmet. Yes satan delights in whispering negatives in our ears and we all too often listen. Praise God you have been healed and have more faith. Why are we so shocked when we are healed or some miracle occurs? Because we don't have the faith & belief that it can occur.
Love you,
Beverly
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Who needs a doctor, I've been healed!
I must tell you of an event that happened to me, just a few hours ago.
I have really been struggling for a week now with severe conjestion in my nose, headache, feeling run down, sneezing, coughing and just general allergy-type symptoms. I went to the Dr. yesterday thinking she was going to agree with me that I was suffering from Cedar Fever allergies. Well, she told me the worst of the Cedar Fever has passed and it looked to her like I just have cold/flu-like symptoms and to use some nasal spray and Ibuprofen. Well, I was not satisfied with her answer at all. I thought for sure she would prescribe me SOMETHING. Well, this morning, while teaching at my job at Mother's Day Out, the conjestion shifted to my right ear and the pain, all day long, was absolutely excruciating. It just brought me to tears it hurt so badly. It was that deep, sharp pain in my innermost ear.
Well, my dear friend Sandra and I were leaving school at the same time this afternoon (her kids attend there as well). I told her to please pray for my ear if she got the chance. She stopped right there, in her tracks, and put her hand over my ear and began to pray. I noticed that the very instant she placed her hand to my ear, the pain was less. Then, when she was finished praying and removed her hand, the pain was completely gone!! I was overwhelmed with shock as I've never experienced a physical healing, ever, in my life. In an instant, I went from almost unbearable pain to nothing!
You see, I've always struggled with the stronghold of unbelief in my spirit. In times when I've been prayed over for other things, the enemy constantly pumps the thoughts in my mind of "this is a nice prayer, but it's not going to work for you" or almost like "God can do that for other believers, but not for you....maybe he doesn't love you enough to heal you." So, I admit my faith has not been that strong when others are praying for me. Ironically, I have no doubt that when I pray for others, God will answer my intercession on their behalf. This is what tells me that the enemy of my soul tries to make me feel that I am not worthy to receive healing for me!
Well, today, I felt like my Heavenly Father wanted to prove Himself to me, that He absolutely loves me enough to heal me and He did. As Sandra was praying, I absolutely sensed that she BELIEVED the words she was praying. She BELIEVED beyond a doubt that God can and would heal me. Perhaps God used the strong faith of my dear friend to prove to me that I can experience His awesome healing power. I am forever grateful for Sandra, for her faith and her prayer. I will never, ever forget this day!!
I admit, as I drove home, I was still in shock and every now and then felt a little twinge of pain perhaps returning. Some pressure was still in my ear, but that deep, inner sharp pain that I experienced all day has not returned. I was just reminded that perhaps, Satan in trying to attack me by placing doubt in my mind, doubt that this miracle actually happened, TO ME! So, I just keep praying and claiming healing of my ear, in Jesus name!! I've been doing this all afternoon and it works.
This may sound crazy to some, but I absolutely believe that My God healed me TODAY, February 3, 2009. My faith is stronger now and I am giving Jesus Christ all the credit!!
To GOD be the glory!!!!
Brandi
Matthew 9:1-8 (The Message)
Who Needs a Doctor?
"Back in the boat, Jesus and the disciples recrossed the sea to Jesus' hometown. They were hardly out of the boat when some men carried a paraplegic on a stretcher and set him down in front of them. Jesus, impressed by their bold belief, said to the paraplegic, "Cheer up, son. I forgive your sins." Some religion scholars whispered, "Why, that's blasphemy!"
"Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, "Why this gossipy whispering? Which do you think is simpler: to say, 'I forgive your sins,' or, 'Get up and walk'? Well, just so it's clear that I'm the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both. . . ." At this he turned to the paraplegic and said, "Get up. Take your bed and go home." And the man did it. The crowd was awestruck, amazed and pleased that God had authorized Jesus to work among them this way."
I have really been struggling for a week now with severe conjestion in my nose, headache, feeling run down, sneezing, coughing and just general allergy-type symptoms. I went to the Dr. yesterday thinking she was going to agree with me that I was suffering from Cedar Fever allergies. Well, she told me the worst of the Cedar Fever has passed and it looked to her like I just have cold/flu-like symptoms and to use some nasal spray and Ibuprofen. Well, I was not satisfied with her answer at all. I thought for sure she would prescribe me SOMETHING. Well, this morning, while teaching at my job at Mother's Day Out, the conjestion shifted to my right ear and the pain, all day long, was absolutely excruciating. It just brought me to tears it hurt so badly. It was that deep, sharp pain in my innermost ear.
Well, my dear friend Sandra and I were leaving school at the same time this afternoon (her kids attend there as well). I told her to please pray for my ear if she got the chance. She stopped right there, in her tracks, and put her hand over my ear and began to pray. I noticed that the very instant she placed her hand to my ear, the pain was less. Then, when she was finished praying and removed her hand, the pain was completely gone!! I was overwhelmed with shock as I've never experienced a physical healing, ever, in my life. In an instant, I went from almost unbearable pain to nothing!
You see, I've always struggled with the stronghold of unbelief in my spirit. In times when I've been prayed over for other things, the enemy constantly pumps the thoughts in my mind of "this is a nice prayer, but it's not going to work for you" or almost like "God can do that for other believers, but not for you....maybe he doesn't love you enough to heal you." So, I admit my faith has not been that strong when others are praying for me. Ironically, I have no doubt that when I pray for others, God will answer my intercession on their behalf. This is what tells me that the enemy of my soul tries to make me feel that I am not worthy to receive healing for me!
Well, today, I felt like my Heavenly Father wanted to prove Himself to me, that He absolutely loves me enough to heal me and He did. As Sandra was praying, I absolutely sensed that she BELIEVED the words she was praying. She BELIEVED beyond a doubt that God can and would heal me. Perhaps God used the strong faith of my dear friend to prove to me that I can experience His awesome healing power. I am forever grateful for Sandra, for her faith and her prayer. I will never, ever forget this day!!
I admit, as I drove home, I was still in shock and every now and then felt a little twinge of pain perhaps returning. Some pressure was still in my ear, but that deep, inner sharp pain that I experienced all day has not returned. I was just reminded that perhaps, Satan in trying to attack me by placing doubt in my mind, doubt that this miracle actually happened, TO ME! So, I just keep praying and claiming healing of my ear, in Jesus name!! I've been doing this all afternoon and it works.
This may sound crazy to some, but I absolutely believe that My God healed me TODAY, February 3, 2009. My faith is stronger now and I am giving Jesus Christ all the credit!!
To GOD be the glory!!!!
Brandi
Matthew 9:1-8 (The Message)
Who Needs a Doctor?
"Back in the boat, Jesus and the disciples recrossed the sea to Jesus' hometown. They were hardly out of the boat when some men carried a paraplegic on a stretcher and set him down in front of them. Jesus, impressed by their bold belief, said to the paraplegic, "Cheer up, son. I forgive your sins." Some religion scholars whispered, "Why, that's blasphemy!"
"Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, "Why this gossipy whispering? Which do you think is simpler: to say, 'I forgive your sins,' or, 'Get up and walk'? Well, just so it's clear that I'm the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both. . . ." At this he turned to the paraplegic and said, "Get up. Take your bed and go home." And the man did it. The crowd was awestruck, amazed and pleased that God had authorized Jesus to work among them this way."
Monday, February 2, 2009
Isaiah 43:10
Isaiah 43:10 (New Living Translation)
“But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says the Lord.
“You are my servant.
You have been chosen to know me, believe in me,
and understand that I alone am God.
There is no other God—
there never has been, and there never will be."
I love this verse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says the Lord.
“You are my servant.
You have been chosen to know me, believe in me,
and understand that I alone am God.
There is no other God—
there never has been, and there never will be."
I love this verse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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