Faith in the Unseen

"You, the [Lord] God, keep my lamp burning and turn darkness to light."

It causes such a shift in the atmosphere when you believe what the Word says and act on it.  Heaven responds to faith over need 99.9% of the time.  I mean, most of us say we believe in God, Jesus, and the Bible, but do we really?  Then why aren't we living like Jesus did and healing the sick and raising the dead?  It's unbelief.  Doubt.  This opens the door for fear and rejection to walk in.

Since faith is what pleases God (Hebrews 11:6), if we are a Christian, we should quit acting so religious and start taking some risks.

Trust me, it's scary.  When you ask Holy Spirit to use you and you hear Him tell you to pray for healing for a complete stranger, it's terrifying if you're anything like me.  What if he doesn't get healed?  Like Pastor Rusty says at The Rock, "But what if he does?" 

In my case, there have only been two instances where the people weren't deeply touched that I prayed for them.  Most of them were greatly moved and filled with peace and joy to know that God singled them out like that.  Has everyone I prayed for been healed?  Nope.  Did I get discouraged?  For a while.  But then Jesus reminded me that I am being transformed into His likeness and to keep praying to Him in the secret place for breakthrough.  I am not even close to being anointed like I desire, but I can't base life on my experiences, but only on the Word of God.  And Jesus healed them all.  I can't make a theology that's not in the Bible and say that maybe it's God's will someone is sick.  God is completely good, 100% of the time.  He said to pray for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven and there is NO sickness in heaven, only joy, peace, and justice. 

I get completely encouraged by fellowshipping with other believers who are experiencing breakthrough and listening to sermons and testimonies from other churches.  Bethel Church in Redding, California experiences astounding breakthrough in miracles and healings.  You can even download their podcasts for free on ITunes.  It's under Bethel Church, Bill Johnson, and Kris Vallotton. 

I encourage you all to immerse yourself in worship with the One who created all things and to walk in great faith and great grace.  As John Wimber states, "Faith is spelled R-I-S-K."

God Bless!
Kelly

A Priceless Gem

What a task it must have seemed to Israel when they left Egypt when they heard what all God said He was going to do for them.  Most of them only saw the giants in the land they were promised to own and the fact that they were only laboring slaves.  How would they fight the giant warriors?  Because of their unbelief, they would not be permitted to enter these promises.  Why was it so hard for them to believe?  I mean, they saw God do one miracle after another when He released the plagues over the Egyptians.  They walked through the Red Sea on dry ground through walls of water.  Can you even imagine seeing something so crazy?  They even saw His glory, which was so great and frightening they begged to not have to personally see or hear Him again.  So why was it so hard to believe God for their land?

I believe the Israelites had an orphan/slave mentality.  It had been so beat into their heads (literally and figuratively, I'm sure) that they were nobodys...unimportant...less than the Egyptians.  They had been abused, used, and unloved.  While Father God loved them and adopted them as His Sons, they could only see Him as impersonal, demanding, and harsh.  Through their mistaken identity, they were rebellious and selfish.  They left their Daddy no choice but to punish them and purge the iniquity so they wouldn't all be destroyed.

See, I know this because it parallels my life.  I was abused, abandoned, and used.  I couldn't understand my Father's love.  I just waited for His hand to strike me down.  Even after I became a Christian, I obeyed more out of fear than love.  Although I excelled at things I put my mind to, I never found the destiny my heart so desperately cried for.

Slowly but surely, I am realizing that I really am His daughter.  He is so passionate about me and I could never exaggerate His love.  I haven't even fully realized how much it is; I am still learning.  Having my own husband and child have shown me many things about the Father's love for His kids and the love Jesus has for me as His bride.  I also see the importance of obedience and understand how he disciplines out of His love.  A relationship with Him is so intimate and beautiful!

As I am believing who I am and how special and priceless I am, I fall more in love with Him.  And as I fall more in love with Him, I believe I can do the great things He has put in my heart to do.  Now I have a purpose, a direction, and yes, a destiny.  And it's only getting started!

God bless!
Kelly