Power of words

And he would love again because God is Good!

Categories God is good, God is Good!, Hope, Love, Power of words, prayer, praying, Stopping for the one9 Comments on And he would love again because God is Good!

I wrote this testimony up a few years ago, but I never published it.  I feel it’s time to publish it now, so that it may serve as encouragement to those who are journeying something similar, to those that need to know that they are worthy of love, and of loving again, and for those too that need to know that their prayers matter because God is Good!

There is a local fruit and vegetable shop in my suburb. The staff are friendly, they stop and say “hi”.  It’s my local community, part of “my turf”.  There have been a number of prayer assignments there over the years, and the most recent one was just last Friday …

A couple of years ago, the manager of this store helped me out and was exceptionally kind.  He is that sort of bloke … a beautiful example of an ordinary person being kind to another human being!   A little while later he saw me in the store and asked how I was doing.  I said great compared to where I had been, thanks to people like him around me.  I then got on to ask him how he was doing …

He looked and opened up his heart to me.  He had just journeyed through a divorce he said.  She had been his best friend.  There were no children from the relationship, which he felt was a blessing.  He still hurt.  He looked ready to cry.

I wasn’t too sure what to say at the time, but he said passionately that he never wanted to go through loving another person again.  He said he would never marry again – it hurt too much when it fell apart. Everything about me went on alert … he was cursing himself out of the place of his extreme pain.   looked at him and said quietly:

“now that would be a shame.  Your’e a good man, and it would be sad to deprive someone of you … you would make a wonderful husband and a wonderful father … your a kind person and generous hearted, and it would be such a shame for you to not be willing to risk again …”

The tears nearly brimmed over as the words hit his open heart. He thanked me and I smiled at him, wanting to fix his pain, but knowing I couldn’t do that …

I had wanted to pray for him then and there, but felt unsure and so as I left I started to pray for him privately. Calling healing, love and blessing into his life.

It was sometime later, a few months maybe, or longer, I saw him and there was a gleam to his eye and a quickness to his step … I said “hello” and commented on how he was looking. He looked at me and told me that he had met someone special … I smiled and asked for some more details. I let him know that I had prayed for him after I left the day he had told me of his divorce and he excitedly said that the prayers had been answered.  I laughed and said that I was delighted for him, that he was too special to hide himself under a rock forever … he grinned and thanked me again saying that he had taken on my words of encouragement sometime ago …

I offered to pray for him at this point and he agreed, telling me some of what he felt he wanted prayer for …

Well this first relationship did not pan out, and he has seen a few more people … but he is not crushed each time. He  is still hopeful that one day he will meet a person with whom he can share his life…

I see him regularly and catch up with how he is each time … he is a part of my community, and a blessing to those that he works for, and that work under his supervision. Sometimes I will pray for him, other times it is purely pleasantries.

The last time I saw him was a few Fridays ago.  I was sitting outside a coffee shop having a cuppa with my husband in the sunshine. There was the usual banter, and a bit of Aussie teasing, and I asked him what he was up to while the store was closed (where he worked was being renovated). He told me he was heading off to Dubai for a holiday so I called him over and prayed for him again, asked God to bless him and to make his paths straight, and that He would be granted wisdom.

He grinned and looked at us both and said he planned to have a brilliant time …

I watched him walk away and thought of the kindness he had shown me. I thought of the broken man he had been when he had poured his heart out in the store a little later, and how he had healed and grown strong again, knowing that he was worth being loved and that he was worth loving again …

Did my prayers make a difference? I don’t know for sure, I’d like to believe so. What I do know is that he poured his heart out to me in the middle of the store, and that in that moment I could speak life into the place of pain in his heart. These words hit home, and he said they had meant a great deal. I had a strong burden on my heart for him as I left, and I prayed and lifted him up to my God.  Would he have healed anyway … maybe … but what I know and believe is that to walk as Jesus walked, when we feel compassion for people, we are to stop and pray (whether we do that face to face or privately that’s between you and God) but regardless I do not believe that God gives us a heart for people to just feel sad … but to do something about it.  I believe these prayers matter, and I believe that these prayers make a difference. I believe that we are called to the lost, hurting and wounded, and I believe that God sends them to us to speak life into them because …

God is Good!

 

 

 

Stopping for the Irish…Stopping for the one…God is Good!

Categories As you go, Christian, God is good, God's love, Identity, Irish, Love, open destinies, Power of words, prayer, Prophecy, Shopping, Stopping for the one4 Comments on Stopping for the Irish…Stopping for the one…God is Good!

Just after New Year’s my husband and I were in town taking advantage of the sales.  We had finished up in a store and were paying for our purchases and as we did I turned and spoke to a family fresh from the shores of Ireland.

The mother had spoken to me earlier, as I had tried on a summer dress.  She was kind and full of energy and enthusiasm.  Her daughter and husband were with her.  The woman and her daughter looked like they were going to the races with their pretty summer dresses on, heels and huge sun hats … gorgeous but quite out of the ordinary for shopping in inner -city Melbourne.

As we paid I overheard their daughter’s name – it was the same as my own daughter’s and so, taking the “hint” from God I checked whether I was to “stop for the one” and offer to pray … I was … and so I mentioned the “coincidence” …

I asked the young girl if she knew the meaning of her name, she didn’t, and so I told her and as I did I offered to pray for her …

I asked her parents if I could pray and the parents agreed – good naturedly.  As I prayed a blessing I started to prophesy over her … I asked her whether she was 11, she was, and I started to speak into her future … the next 10 years that would be so very pertinent to her growth and future …

The parents watched me … my husband watched them …

Later, my husband mentioned to me that he had the feeling that the mother acted a bit as if the whole deal was a bit “cute” … until a moment came when there was a shift of attitude from the mother and her focus became intense.  I believe it was possibly when the anointing became tangible, as I started to move into calling out her daughter’s destiny … when ever and what ever it was … there was apparently a definite shift of attitude …

I finished the prayer and smiled, thanking the daughter and the parents for allowing me to pray.  I asked if I could hug her and he parents agreed and as I finished hugging the daughter the mother threw herself into my arms, eyes full of tears and thanked me with an intensity that caused me to take a step back (figuratively speaking) … I was a bit overwhelmed … she was so grateful for what I had said done …

Having not been aware of the parents joking attitude at first, but discussing it afterwards, I realised that obviously some transaction had taken place that was significant for the family … I had felt the anointing … but it was obvious later due to full-on response from the mother …

We left with our goodies in our hands … business shirts in bag and a new summer dress 🙂 …

And, this lovely Irish family, that had just reached our shores to live, left with God’s promises for their daughter … His encouragement for a good future in a foreign land, where different pressures would come to play out on her life as compared to a life in Ireland, and, as I pointed out to the young girl … God obviously loved her a lot if He was going to put it onto my heart … a stranger’s heart … to stop and offer to pray for them to call out details of her inner beauty, to call out her potential and future promise …

The future is good for this young girl … and I trust and hope that she will always remember that God loved enough to speak to me about her … He let a stranger “read her mail” and call out her future …

I trust it will be an encounter that she remembers when she doubts her worth … I encouraged her that she was significant enough for me to stop, sense the heart of God for her and to step out and offer to pray … even though it was uncomfortable for me to do so …

I trust the same for her mother … when she doubts …

I trust that through this encounter with God that they will remember and hold dear in their hearts that indeed …

God is Good!

It’s time for the Army of God to rise forth because…God is Good!

Categories arms, blessing, Christian, faith, Giving, God is good, healing, Love, miracle, Obedience, Power of words, praise report, prayer, Prophecy, random act of kindness, Shop lifting, Stopping for the one, The power of One, Uncategorized, Word of knowledge7 Comments on It’s time for the Army of God to rise forth because…God is Good!

Here are two stories that I received by e-mail on Tuesday (24th January 2012), that challenge us all … to step up and out …

These stories demonstrate that we can all do this walk with God in radical obedience and touch people’s lives dramatically “as we go”  … where ever we are … by stopping and listening and acting …

They will challenge the “mature of faith” to step up into it and encourage “the new” to give it a go …

These stories are from a new friend who, with her husband and family, have quickly embedded themselves deep into my family’s hearts … they, as a family, have been deeply impacted by God, especially in the last week or two, and are now stepping out in radical obedience as they listen to God’s heart and His promptings…

My friend writes:

So many amazing things have been happening for me I have to share a few with you.

I went to church 2 weeks ago at OLA, I saw a lady that I knew a long time ago. She looked very unwell, was in a wheel chair and had lost her hair. I felt so strongly I needed to pray for her, so I did. While I was praying I got messages to tell her, I so wanted to approach her and tell her so many things but I could not find the courage. Two weeks passed and it has been on my mind everyday, I have prayed for her and have still felt strongly I needed to speak with her.

Yesterday I downloaded music (Isi de Gersigny) “You are Beautiful”,  I followed what I was being told to do and just went with it. I got in the car and drove to her house which is so very very strange as I did not have the address but I found her. I knew that she lived around P… Street, E Street, maybe S Street but had no house number.  God took me to her home. I didn’t even ring the door bell I just stood there and her husband opened the door and invited me in. He said he remembered me and sees me at church which I was surprised.

He turned the  tv off and together the 3 of us sat and prayed. I told her what I needed to tell her, she wept and her husband told me what I said was exactly how he felt towards his wife. That she is beautiful, an angel in the eyes of God. He put the cd on and she held my hands as the tears flowed.

I left feeling like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, her husband thanked me for coming, I felt no embarrassment just peace.

Later the same night R and i went to the supermarket.  While collecting the groceries I saw in the corner of my eye a lady shop lifting. I questioned why did God just allow me to see that, what am I supposed to do with that information. I wandered through the supermarket asking for guidance, asking God to help me make the right decision.

Going through the register this same lady was in front of me, she was very thin and had the appearance and energy of someone who was struggling with life. Her grocery items came to a total of around $75, she opened her wallet to pay. I stepped forward (R was thinking what are you doing D, but did not say a word). I looked at the lady and said “i do not want you to get in trouble, but I saw what you did”. I asked her to return the goods onto the counter and i would pay for her shopping. She reached into her top and pulled out the stolen item (a big block of cheese). Her eyes filled up as she told me it was survival that made her do it and that she didn’t really want to and felt terrible. I paid  for her shopping. We then stepped to the side and held hands and prayed, she looked me in the eyes and said you have my word I will never ever ever do that again. She raised her arms in the air and wept as God touched her heart. Rick and I left the supermarket, got in the car and felt that “too drunk to drive feeling”.   We sat quietly and thanked the Lord for creating the unspoken mutual understanding that R and I both have that will allow us to step forward and help others knowing that I have R’s full support and vice versa that he has mine.

Thank you for giving me the strength to follow my heart.

Love D

I think that these two stories say it all …

It’s time for the Army of God to rise forth … It’s time for the goodness of God to be revealed … Its time for us all that believe to enter into the fullness of our destiny as laid down lovers of a good God …

It’s time to walk as a fully authorised Bride of Christ, where ever we go, what ever we do, because …

God IS Good!

And unto us a child is born … Praise report of a Good God! healing of cerebral palsy …

Categories Bill Johnson, breakthrough, Cerebral palsy, Christian, Danny Silk, Dreams, faith, God is good, God's love, healing, Isaiah 9:6, Leif Hetland, Love, Matthew 7:11, miracle, Power of the testimony, Power of words, praise report, prayer, Prophetic promises, Proverbs 18:21, Revelation 12:1116 Comments on And unto us a child is born … Praise report of a Good God! healing of cerebral palsy …

In this world of instant this and instant that, how many times do we miss what God is doing and somehow give up on a miracle that may have already started to happen, if we just hung in there to see it to maturity?

Do we speak life … or death over our worlds for “life and death is in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21).  Do you speak life, and celebrate even small beginnings, or do you speak death in discouragement and disappointment …

This is a brilliant testimony of God’s goodness.  A healing, blooming into fullness over time … it is still continuing even as I write …

This testimony (lengthy but so worth the read) was sent to friends of mine.  My friends had the same type of healing take place in the life of their own boy, who is now a grown man.  My friends’ child had been diagnosed with cerebral palsy too and was later declared infertile … he has since grown into a completely healthy functioning adult man who is a happy husband and father …

My friends did not give up and continued to pull down on the Promises of God and while doing so they also foster cared for over 70 children … I know … it amazes me too!

So, I ask … what miracle is around the corner for you?  We all love the instant fixes, the eyes that open, the ears that hear, the lame that walk instantly, but often a healing can be a process … it comes as a seed that must grow … and in that process there is a coming closer into relationship with a loving Father God, who wants good things for His children (Matthew 7:11)…

I believe we must celebrate all stories of breakthrough, all stories of triumph, for in each story of breakthrough is the promise of our own breakthrough … this is why I love these stories … God is no respecter of persons and … “they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…” (Rev 12:11) … there is power in the blood and in the word of our testimony … and so read and prepare for the hour of breakthrough in your own life and be blessed as you declare His goodness in your own lives and into the lives of others …

My friend writes:

We became involved in this because of the miracles in our son P’s life. When A’s parents came forward for prayer, we were called and asked to tell them about our journey [author’s note: there is power in the testimony]. We prayed with them until Bill Johnson and Leif Hetland were free to come and pray. It was such a privilege to be ‘involved’ in this miracle…. HE is GOOD!

The testimony then goes on to say …

In January 2010 my two precious twin daughters were born almost 3 months before they were due, weighing in at only 2 pound 11 oz.

Within 24 hours my first born, A was diagnosed with significant brain damage, due to a major cerebral artery stroke. We were told she would probably die, but even if she did survive we were told she would have cerebral palsy and would never walk, talk properly or see properly and would not function normally in general. A’s younger sister was skinny and premature but ok.

So began our major faith walk with the Lord.

Early on the Lord gave me a dream in which I saw her running to me on the first day she came home from school. I refused to believe she wouldn’t walk. I told the doctors I was expecting a miracle. Jesus was there over her isolette in the ICU ward and He wasn’t going to disappoint us. She was going to be perfect just as He created her.

I cried. I screamed at God. How could you let this happen to my darling daughter? Why? My husband and I struggled with our faith. I realized that a faith that hadn’t been tested, couldn’t be trusted.  I clung to Him desperately.

Soon after we got home, after almost 3 months in hospital, we started to see signs of paralysis – symptoms of cerebral palsy. The knots in my stomach got worse and I’d lye in bed at night and couldn’t sleep because I was fearful for her future. The enemy would get in my ear, and harass me that she would never walk.

But, I remembered the hope I have in Jesus and the dream, the promise He gave me.

In May 2011, my daughter and I were at an all time low. She would sit on the floor and sob because she couldn’t move. Big fat tears would roll down her cheeks. She’d watch her sister running around and it would just break my heart. She couldn’t crawl. She could only sit.  Even then, she’d often fall back and smack her head on the floor. The whole right side of her body was paralyzed and in a state of spasticity. All she wanted was for me to hold her constantly and carry her everywhere. That was impossible and I felt like I couldn’t bear it much longer.

I cried out to the Lord … we can’t take much more Lord, we need a breakthrough soon! He said to me she would start walking in August. It seemed too long away but we just clung to the faith He’d given us.

In August I was driving home from a medical appointment and the Holy Spirit hit me hard and said He wanted me to take A down to Melbourne for Bill Johnson to pray for her. Before I got married, I had lived just outside of Melbourne and had attended Stairway Church but now I lived in rural Victoria, 3 hours away.

Bill Johnson and Leif Hetland were visiting Stairway Church that weekend of August 20th. Problem was, their conference was in a few days, and I had no tickets.

In faith, we made plans to go, and believed we were going to receive prayer. My husband and I took our three children (all under 2 years old!) to Melbourne, three hours away. Everything possible seemed to happen to prevent us getting there. We even lost our accommodation, so we had to drive there and back on the same day – 6 hours in total. We waited until the end of the conference, when the ministry team were praying over everyone, and then we walked right through the doors holding A. Thank God no one stopped us. The presence of God was in that place and we were getting in there no matter what! We waited in line and it came time for Bill and Leif to pray for her. Nothing happened…

We left for home believing for a miracle. The kids screamed pretty much the whole 3 hours home. My husband and I were emotionally spent.

The healing started slowly. She started pulling herself up to her knees; then she started pulling herself up to standing. A few months later she was cruising around furniture; and, then she was walking along the fence at the play ground! Then she was walking with us holding onto her two hands.

Before long, she was walking with us holding her one hand, the good one. Then it was walking holding just the affected hand.

And then … we hit a painfully slow period of nothing …nothing…nothing … it was like watching grass grow.

I downloaded Danny Silk’s message on “Master of the Breakthrough”. I knew something was building. We prayed, we declared. We prayed, we declared. Then last Sunday at church we sang a victory song about the deaf will hear, the blind will see, the LAME WILL WALK, the dead will rise, and I believe, that Jesus Christ is alive! We chanted that over and over and danced in the Spirit. We declared A would be dancing on her tiptoes, for Jesus!

The next day, on Monday, I woke up and read this scripture:

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”( Matthew 7:11).

A few hours later – A let go of the couch, and started walking completely alone, towards me!!!

It was an unforgettable, indescribable moment.

She’s wobbly, she is still falling and giggling, but Hallelujah … she is walking due to the amazing resurrection power of Jesus Christ! She is beating all the odds!

A is still learning to use her right arm and hand, particularly her fingers, but we just know that it won’t be long and a complete and total creative miracle will have happened!

She WILL be dancing on those cute little tippy toes. Who knows, maybe one day she’ll play the piano. She has also been talking, I’ve been teaching her to say ‘God’ and ‘Jesus’. Her eyes are perfect, she can see as well as her little sister.

All glory to God! He truly is THE Healer and Restorer. Thank you Lord from the bottom of our hearts! We are so grateful to our King.

A’s testimony to Jesus is going to be broadcast to everyone we come across. He is so worthy of all of the glory. And we can honestly say we are blessed to have been taken through this journey. We just can’t help but spread the word, of, “Look what the Lord has done!!!!” Hallelujah!

Signed AJ

What seed of a miracle has been planted in your world?

What seed of a miracle could you release to others?

If the healing, whether your own or someone you love, or someone you have prayed for has not yet materialised in the natural … do not lose faith, but know the breakthrough is there … the breakthrough of another holds the promise of the breakthrough in your own life …

For unto us a child is born … (Isaiah 9:6)

And I know all this is so because …

God is Good!

Post Script: In getting permission to recount this testimony the following comment came back from the family on Christmas Day 2011:

PS: the medical professionals are all saying, it is just unheard of for a hemiplegic cerebral palsy child to be walking before 2 AND without her AFO (ankle foot orthotic). Truly is a miracle!
 
Unheard of in the natural world of medicine … but not unheard of in the world of Jesus Christ because …
 
God IS Good! … Merry Christmas!