Following the Holy Spirit

When I was much younger, I took a Music Theory course at the College of Du Page.  The course was both challenging and helpful.  While learning about the ins and outs of scales, chords, and other elements of music theory, I met an acquaintance.  He was a classmate, who loved music as I did.  I let him know that I wrote songs and played guitar.  At times, I prayed for him to receive the Lord.

One day when the class ended, I began to walk towards the door to go home, but I felt in my heart that I should stay.  I walked over to the cafeteria and quietly prayed in tongues. A sadness fell over me.  I believe it was the grieving of the Holy Spirit.  I waited for about 15 minutes not knowing why I was there.  I did believe that the Lord wanted to use me to help someone.

After this, I got up and walked towards the door to leave, but I saw my friend.  I said hello to him and, since I had my guitar with me, I asked him if he would like to hear some of my songs.  He said he would so we went to one of the practice rooms, and I played some of my original Christian compositions.  I was then privileged to be able to lead him to the Lord.

Years later, I ran into my friend.  He was attending a church and was on the worship team there.  Praise the Lord!

This was a divine encounter.  All I did was to obey the Holy Spirit – even when I did not know what was going to happen.  You can do this too.  Ask the Lord to baptize you in His Holy Spirit, and obey Him.  He will use you in wonderful ways.  He doesn’t normally guide us with force.  Instead, His gentle nudges lead us to bring others to Him and to do His will. 

Let’s ask the Lord to use us.  If we are available to the Holy Spirit, He will enable us to do wonderful works for Him and for His glory.

You Draw Me Out

You draw me out of the deep

When thick clouds engulf me

When I cannot perceive my purpose

Because I allow doubt to creep in

Like a black widow spider

But faith arises when I speak Your word

Joy wells up within me

When I remember to praise Your undefeatable Name

The enemy, the foe, the avenger who came to steal

The word of God from my heart

Flees in terror 

I now see clear skies and a pristine purpose for my life

All because I turned to You my Deliverer, my Jesus

For England

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.  Psalm 46:1-33

No matter what happens in our lives and in the world we live in, we serve a Mighty God who saves, protects, heals and restores.  He can bring good out of the most horrific situations.  He can awaken the heart that has lost hope.

We do not always understand why terrible things happen in this world, but I know that man has been given a free will from God.  Some people choose to do good and some people choose to live a life of evil.

Today, we pray for those that have been affected by the Manchester terrorist attack…

Dear God of All Comfort,

We ask you to minister to hearts that have been overcome by fear.  Lord, strengthen them with your great love.  We ask you to comfort those that have lost loved ones, and we ask you to heal hearts and bodies that have been affected by the attack. Lord, touch the nation of England.  Draw its people closer to you. Let them come to a saving knowledge of you.  Let those there that already know you be instruments of Your grace and peace. 

Heavenly Father we come against Satan and speak confusion to his plans.  We bind him and his angels in the name of Jesus.  We ask that you judge those that have chosen to do such a thing to those that You, Jesus, love so very much.  Come Lord like a flood and heal England.  In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.

With a Withered Hand

His twisted hand caught the Savior’s eye

Did Christ ridicule in reply?

He had the man stand before the group

But on the Sabbath day what was He to do?

The Pharisees held to the letter of the law

To heal on the Sabbath to them would be wrong

Jesus, with compassion, asked the man to

Stretch forth his hand

All became well at His command

Perfection overcame imperfection

Wholeness overruled disease’s insurrection

The Pharisees were outraged

At the freedom of Jesus’ faith

How could He heal on our holy day

They conspired to kill the Christ

Death verses Life

On this day when Jesus healed the man

With a withered hand

Your

Your blood turns black to white

Your love turns wrong to right

Your peace calms storms without and within

Your joy enables the weak and worn to win

Your truth sets the captives free

Your hand makes blind eyes see

Your blood is a miracle cure

Offering healing, making men pure

I trust in You with all my heart

You turn my trouble into art

Your blood ran down the cross

Salvation’s gift can save the lost

Your blood redeemed me as a slave

I’ve now risen with you from the grave

A Word From God for Easter

On the cross I suffered and died.  I bore your sins and the sins of all mankind.  My blood purchased your salvation and your healing.  I am the Lamb that was sacrificed for your wholeness.  Behold I died, but I rose again.  I live to bring you to Me.  I offered up My life , the perfect sacrifice.  You are forgiven.  I offer you life, resurrection life so one day you can come and live with me.  I am the Great I Am, and I love you.  I laid My life down so you could know Me.  I am the risen Lord who loves you.  I bear on my wrists and feet the scars that brought you healing.  Come to me and receive My grace,

Free From Fear

God is love… There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  We love because he first loved us.  1 John 4:16b, 18-19 NIV

When I met the Savior, I was conditioned, through years of religion, to believe that God was a harsh Judge.  Condemnation and fear were the air I breathed.  I had many other fears like a fear of the future and fear of those in authority.  After I accepted Christ as my Sin-Bearer, a gradual process commenced.

God began to show me His gentle love through the teaching of the Scriptures, prayer and through the body of Christ.  Over time, God’s love drove every oppressing fear away from my life.

Now I know I am free, and I truly enjoy my relationship with my Father God.

 

This does not mean that God is not a Judge; He is, but He only disciplines us because He loves us. 

He is slowly transforming us into the image of Jesus.

   

If you are battling fear in your life, I would encourage you to look up Scriptures on the love and grace of God.  If you don’t belong to a church that preaches and teaches that God is a good God, I would encourage you to find one that does.  It also helps to confide in a mature believer and to let this person know of your struggles.  They can pray for you and encourage you.

Here is a prayer that will help you take a stand against your enemy, fear…

Dear Father God,

I come against the spirit of fear in my life.  In the name of Jesus, I command you to leave me alone.  God has not given me a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).  I choose not to fear since God is with me.  Precious Lord, I ask you to reveal to me the love and grace You have for me.  Let your love wash me of all fear.  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen!