Last Wednesday morning, after Pastor Jamie’s sermon on telling Pharoah /Satan off in boldness because we have a great God behind our backs, I felt empowered and confident as I sat down to spend time with God in prayer. 

I prayed about this and that, bringing everything to prayer as things crossed my mind.  But all of a sudden, God moved my heart in such a new and profound way - God allowed me to feel with His heart about a certain matter.  Jesus was weeping for many of his children who were hurting due to depression, heartaches, unforgiveness, bitterness, etc.  I know I prayed for people’s inner healing before including myself, but this was different…God was making a very loud and clear statement that this is a serious matter - there are people who just can’t get out of this cycle and have gotten used to just being hurt all the time.  And due to God’s powerful statement, I cried and wept painfully and compassionately.  These issues of the heart and mind produce a lot of side effects in our lives, more than we realize, it affects our choices, decisions, and view of things.  I saw that Jesus was crying over his people because He has already given us freedom and a truly abundant life, but due to a dark cloud looming over eyes and hearts and ears and mind, it is hard to break free from the devastating patterns.  Oh Lord!! Break us free!! Let us be spiritually awakened!!! Disturb us Lord!!! We want to draw closer to You!!! Isn’t that what the 40 day prayer campaign is all about?!

So I asked God, what should I do?  But the question is rather, what do You want US to do?  Pastor Jamie talked several times about this body of Christ, our brothers and sisters, our fellow warriors in Christ, our staff of Moses.  God answered me in the most obvious way, “Go to others.  Comfort them. Speak to them.”  God wants to use the church to help others be brought to Him.  And of course I responded so immaturely to God, just like Moses did, “Well I didn’t study psychology, I don’t really know how to start approaching this matter. Are you going to teach me? I sure don't want to go back for another degree.” And just as God supplied Moses He told me, “I will give you the words to say, the Holy Spirit will help you.”  Then I was reminded of Pastor Jamie's sermon, of how God is behind our backs - whom shall we fear?  I saw a vision of a gentle, yet powerful hand come upon my shoulder and was greatly encouraged and pleased.  And just like that I thanked God for this new revelation (or rather, renewed revelation, since the Bible already tells us these things).

I am a sinner, I sin everyday, I feel inadequate at times compared to others, but I know that there is a great power that lives in me...and if I just tap into that power, then anything is possible!  I was debating on whether to write this post or not....would people think this or that about me? would people really read such a long post? then I told Satan to shut-up and I began to type, only because God's message was so profound to me personally that I thought others might benefit.  I hope others can share what they are experiencing, because I want to be blessed through it too!  I was already excited and eager, but now I’m super excited and super eager to see what God will do in the lives of our congregation!  I pray that we may be super-charged to run the race set out for us and to live a life worthy of the calling we have received! Praise God - Your love endures forever! Thank you if you have found enough patience to read this far. ^__^