I just had to share this testimony this evening, and I pray it will be a blessing to you. So often, we say "I won't complain," but mean it only as a cliche or a leading phrase to spark questions and gather sympathy from our audience. In this society and this economy, it is so easy to forget how blessed we really are. It's easy to take God's many blessings for granted and concentrate more on the things we lack.
Yesterday, I met a new friend. This woman of God is 96 years old, and has been given less than 6 months to live. When I first walked into her hospital room, she said in a loud and jovial voice, "Who are you? Sit down. Make yourself comfortable." Then, she just began to talk. She was so excited to share her testimony. She told me tales of her days as an army nurse. She told me about her humble childhood and the days she spent with her siblings, who have all passed on. She spoke of her mother and her father, and repeated "Thank the Lord" after almost every phrase. Then she would giggle and say, "And I love them all, Miss Joy, I love them all. And I love you too! I love everybody!"
As I sat and laughed with my new friend, I just began to feel tears running down my face. This woman never married and never had children. She told me how blessed I was when she asked me about my own children. Then, she asked for my husband's name. When I responded with "Chris", she said, "You'd better treat him right, or I'll come and steal him." Of course, she then giggled and said, "Thank the Lord!"
This woman could barely breathe. She's not able to walk or sit up on her own. When she asked me to rub some lotion on her itching arm, I saw her skin literally rotting. Her arms were covered with boils and mold. I prayed as I rubbed the lotion on her arms. She grabbed my hand, and said, "Miss Joy, I want you to know that I thank you, and I love you. Thank the Lord!"
I left that room with many feelings stirring inside of me. I prayed for that woman of God, and as I prayed, it was as if I could hear her praying for me. She had a joy that could only come from God. When I arrived at her hospital bed, I was tired. I was worried about the bills, about the church... trying to figure out when I would catch up on my studies from school. Yet, she reminded me of the things that are most important - love and thankgiving to God.
I must admit that every time I thought of complaining today, her sweet face entered my mind. I thank God for this friend, who is full of wisdom and joy. I thank God for a woman who refuses to complain, but will always proclaim "Thank the Lord!"
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
To GOD be the glory!
Breath of Life International Church
is now meeting at our new location
To GOD be the glory!
3763 Junction Boulevard
Raleigh, NC 27603
Come by and worship with us!
Worship Service
Sundays at 11:00 am
Latreia Bible Study
Tuesdays at 7:00pm
Friday Night FIRE Prayer and Revival
Last Friday of Each Month at 7:00pm
We are committed to helping you find, follow and fulfill your destiny in God!
(919) 448-8198
Friday, April 03, 2009
Calling All Shepherds!
To GOD be the glory!
I thank God for the conference call that took place on Wednesday night. While I was late on the line due to travel, I was blessed by the prayers and testimonies I was able to hear. Most of all, it was such a blessing to hear God's women standing up in unity, praying and encouraging one another. God is well pleased!
I wanted, not only to remind everyone to join us on the line each Wednesday night, but to share the word of the Lord that was shared on the line.
First, God said the He has NOT changed His mind! Many of you have been ordained, commissioned and sent forth. Yet, you have not felt the freedom to move as God has led. In this hour, it is time to go forth! Be encouraged! Despite the hardships you may have been through... Despite being misunderstood... Despite not feeling "sure" in the things of God, He has NOT changed His mind, and He has NOT forgotten you. God is calling you forth! You did run well. "Who did hinder you?", says the Lord (Gal 5:7).
Now is not the time to be discouraged. There are people that need YOU to walk in your ministry and operate in your call.
Jeremiah 23
1WOE TO the shepherds (the civil leaders) who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasturing! says the Lord.
2Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for and feed My people: You have scattered My flock and driven them away and have not visited and attended to them; behold, I will visit and attend to you for the evil of your doings, says the Lord.
3And I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all the countries to which I have driven them and will bring them again to their folds and pastures; and they will be fruitful and multiply.
4And I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them. And they will fear no more nor be dismayed, neither will any be missing or lost, says the Lord.
Who are the shepherds? YOU are they! Yes, we have seen the season of those who have been hurt, deceived and mislead by those who have scattered the flock. These are those that need the remnant to stand in this season. God's people have been abused and neglected. Now, the remnant must stand up and obey.
shep⋅herd /ˈʃɛpərd/ [shep-erd]
–noun
1.a person who herds, tends, and guards sheep.
2.a person who protects, guides, or watches over a person or group of people.
3.a member of the clergy.
4.the Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
5.sheepdog.
–verb (used with object)
6.to tend or guard as a shepherd: to shepherd the flock.
7.to watch over carefully.
A shepherd is simply one who leads and one who CARES. God has given you, women of God, a heart for souls. Do you not realize that others are following you? People are looking to you for comfort and leadership. Stop running and do what God has called you to do. He has NOT changed His mind.
Your title doesn't matter. Your level of education does not matter. Shepherd and mother those who have been assigned to you. Many have been scattered, yet God is pulling them back in. YOU will feed them, that they will not be lost.
Selah.
Women of God, join us on the line each Wednesday night at 9:00 PM EST. Dial 1-219-509-8333, Access code 616400.
I thank God for the conference call that took place on Wednesday night. While I was late on the line due to travel, I was blessed by the prayers and testimonies I was able to hear. Most of all, it was such a blessing to hear God's women standing up in unity, praying and encouraging one another. God is well pleased!
I wanted, not only to remind everyone to join us on the line each Wednesday night, but to share the word of the Lord that was shared on the line.
First, God said the He has NOT changed His mind! Many of you have been ordained, commissioned and sent forth. Yet, you have not felt the freedom to move as God has led. In this hour, it is time to go forth! Be encouraged! Despite the hardships you may have been through... Despite being misunderstood... Despite not feeling "sure" in the things of God, He has NOT changed His mind, and He has NOT forgotten you. God is calling you forth! You did run well. "Who did hinder you?", says the Lord (Gal 5:7).
Now is not the time to be discouraged. There are people that need YOU to walk in your ministry and operate in your call.
Jeremiah 23
1WOE TO the shepherds (the civil leaders) who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasturing! says the Lord.
2Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for and feed My people: You have scattered My flock and driven them away and have not visited and attended to them; behold, I will visit and attend to you for the evil of your doings, says the Lord.
3And I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all the countries to which I have driven them and will bring them again to their folds and pastures; and they will be fruitful and multiply.
4And I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them. And they will fear no more nor be dismayed, neither will any be missing or lost, says the Lord.
Who are the shepherds? YOU are they! Yes, we have seen the season of those who have been hurt, deceived and mislead by those who have scattered the flock. These are those that need the remnant to stand in this season. God's people have been abused and neglected. Now, the remnant must stand up and obey.
shep⋅herd /ˈʃɛpərd/ [shep-erd]
–noun
1.a person who herds, tends, and guards sheep.
2.a person who protects, guides, or watches over a person or group of people.
3.a member of the clergy.
4.the Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
5.sheepdog.
–verb (used with object)
6.to tend or guard as a shepherd: to shepherd the flock.
7.to watch over carefully.
A shepherd is simply one who leads and one who CARES. God has given you, women of God, a heart for souls. Do you not realize that others are following you? People are looking to you for comfort and leadership. Stop running and do what God has called you to do. He has NOT changed His mind.
Your title doesn't matter. Your level of education does not matter. Shepherd and mother those who have been assigned to you. Many have been scattered, yet God is pulling them back in. YOU will feed them, that they will not be lost.
Selah.
Women of God, join us on the line each Wednesday night at 9:00 PM EST. Dial 1-219-509-8333, Access code 616400.
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