October 4, 2008
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Breakthrough
Finally I started going to the women’s prayer group at the church I’ve been attending for a year. All last school year I wanted to go but pressures of school made it so I just couldn’t spare the time. But this year I don’t have that, so I started going. Wow.
These women are kind, sweet, spirit-filled, full of grace and power from the Lord. We pray for each other and others, and sometimes one of them gives us a word from the Lord. And it’s not just a weird dream or vision, it’s based on what the lady has been reading in scripture and something struck her that she shares with all of us so we can be blessed.
I’m just getting to know these ladies. One of them is a “neighbor” — she lives one block north of me on the same street. She and her husband were not able to have children. She prayed for a child, but then 3 years ago they started the adoption process. Last week they got a phone call saying, “come and pick up your son.” The baby is about 10 days old now. What a blessing from the Lord this is for them! So Julie won’t be coming to prayer group for a little while:)
Another lady shared a book she is reading, and I got it and have started reading it. It’s called “The Breaker Anointing, by Barbara Yoder”. It’s a short book and an “easy” read but you DO want to look up the scriptures she mentions. I woke up in the middle of the night and read two chapters. Like I said, it’s an “easy” read, but on the other hand you don’t want to read this in a hurry, or you’ll miss out on the powerful impact of what she says.
I want to be involved in the Lord and not feel like I’m looking through a window. Worship and praise is not performance art for us to watch at church, it’s for us to participate in! And the same is true of our relationship with the Lord. We’re to go out “to all the world” (which means wherever the Lord puts you in your life) and “preach” the gospel to all nations (and it’s been said “preach the gospel daily, if necessary use words”, so it means preach by your actions, to whomever is around you).
The book of Acts chapter 2 describes the power that descended on Pentecost. In the description of this event, reference to Joel 2 was made, that “in the last days” men will dream dreams, etc. That was two thousand years ago, and the writer called THEN the “last days”… aren’t the days we’re in “more last” than that?
I just think we need to think outside the little comfortable box we’re in and stop treating church like performance art for us to enjoy once a week. We need to stop limiting what God can and wants to do in and through us. We talk about God and the Holy Spirit and yet “deny” His power by either being afraid of it, or blocking it or limiting its flow. Miracles happen in other countries, why not here? Why not in your own church? Why not in your own city? Why not inside you?
I think we too often have the attitude God will do what He will do, and view Him as being a bit far off, looking “down” to us. But I think we need to view Him as being IN each of us from the time we were saved. And so we need to “invite” Him to do more in our lives. Not just “give us stuff” but to ask Him to “activate” the Holy Spirit we received when we were saved.
That doesn’t necessarily mean running around laying hands on people and yelling “be healed”. it means mostly being so in touch with God that you are active with Him, participating, acknowledging Him in you to the point where you can be a “Kingdom influence” on others. Matt. 28 was for us too, not just for the apostles.
You know the silly saying “wherever you go, there you are.” Where? In your mission field. And it’s white, ready for harvest.
I recommend this book as well as the book I read a few years ago, “Lord Disciple Me” by Richard Mull. God is IN you, let Him do more through you.
Love to all,
Gerrie
Comments (9)
Your so right! We really need to get out of that box. We need to be involve in something at the church we attend, if possible. I am so glad to read that you went to the Women’s Prayer Group! You won’t ever regret it, such a blessing. So many things God does in those groups and very encouraging testimonies takes place. The books you mention sounds really good reading, I wrote them down in hope I can get them to read! As I always say, “WE MUST APPLY WHAT WE READ IN GOD’S WORD”
Have a great weekend Gerrie,
Hi Gerrie,
So good to hear from you and what a powerful message you shared! Keep going to those ladies meetings you can sure see them working in your life.
Love ya, Darlena
Gerrie, my friend ~ What a blessing you are! I have been thinking along some of these same lines, too. I really do believe that we are in the very last times, and that we (I) need to get ourselves truly active doing God’s will in our lives. I love you, Sister! ~ Carolyn
Beautiful post. Please write more about small groups! i think this is where we can cultivate the skills we need to be a net to “catch” that Holy Spirit. God is always here….it is we who must become available …..and within relationships. Though the family should be a school of love, we come from varied families…..and no one has known all of the way….so in our sacred fellowship, we CAN encourage one another. And how Holy that is. thanks again!
I’m so glad you are able to join this group. Smaller groups help us to get better connected and it sounds like you’ve found a gold mine for connection! I’ve heard of that book by Barbara Yoder and have wondered how it was….speaking of getting God out of the box, have you heard of the book “The Shack”? I would recommend it and would love to hear your feedback if you do read it! Blessings! Christy
Praise the Lord that He is using you in this way! Have a great rest of your weekend….Mike
Gerrie, I’m so glad you have this group of women. How essential these small groups are — and according to Acts 2, it’s a biblical model to be meeting with each other in homes. May he use you to bless others as much as you are blessed by them. And you have such wisdom — how our world would be changed if every person who claims to have had an experience with Jesus would live in the transforming power of that relationship. I think as the times around us get bleaker, they will sift out some of the chaff from the church. It’s time.
Hi dear friend ~ Just stopping by to say hello before getting down to business and studying some more for a children’s class (4′s & 5′s) that I am teaching just this Fall at church. Take care, Gerrie. Love and prayers… Carolyn
Hey Gerrie…
I am happy to hear you are getting more involved in the local church there.. and things are going well for you. I pray that God will use you in a mighty and powerful way to touch the lives of others, as He has touched yours. Things around here are busy… to busy at times in fact.
Ruth was home yesterday and today with what I think is bronchitis.. trying to get in touch with the doc to see if we can bring her in. Say a prayer if you would. Joshua continues to do well in grad school. He is also working in the Graduate Writing Center. We continue to pray for you on a daily basis, knowing that God is working in and through your life as you continue to look to Him for all your needs.
Much love and ((((((((((HUGS ))))))))))) from me and Ruth