The Walls of Jericho will fall --

By faith -- the walls of Jericho fell --

By faith, a woman is believing that God will provide a refrigerator for her family --

By faith, a woman believes her children will be returned to her --

By faith, a woman believes her family will get past this uncertainty right now and be whole again --

By faith, a woman believed that Jesus would be her husband until her own husband returned to his first love --

By faith a young woman became a mother   after an angel of the Lord appeared to her --

By faith a young man believed an angel and took his young bride to Bethlehem --

By fatih, a group of women drove up to Titusville and believed that God would encounter them there --

By faith, a young mother of three forgave her husband, forgave herself, and believed that with godly counsel and time - her family could be whole again --

By faith, a woman gave her very last penny to 'the church' --

By faith, a woman believed that her mother did not die a violent death;  but, perhaps she was  taken up into the clouds like Enoch before the bullet reached her  --

By faith, a young mother asked for prayer and  the hole in her newborn daughter's heart was healed --

By fatih, a young mother did not believe her son would never walk; but   prayed over him with bold prayers and waited  on God to answer--

By faith, a mother believes that her daughter will one day look at her and tell her 'thank you' for being the mom that she was/is --

By faith,  a mother prays that her son will find the God intended woman he is to be with and he will fulfill his calling  in ministry --

By faith, a mother prays for a beautiful baby and believes God's best for her --

By faith, one mother stands in agreement with another mother that her children will serve you and not the world --

By faith, a mother calls upon the heavens to heal a son, so the seizure medicine does not have to be taken --

By faith --

By faith --

By faith --

By faith, a husband believed his godly counsel that one day -- that  he could look in the eyes of his wife and know that he knew -- that she was the soul mate God had planned for him.

  I live with that man -- I get to see God's grace, goodness, and faithfulness daily --

I am sure, if you are reading this -- you could add at least 10 more statements of faith /prayers --


  These by faith stories are real whether they are from the bible, my life  or the circle of people around me but they are also from total strangers as so many of these prayers are expressed by many around us.

And,  if I begin to share some of the  by faith stories that the men around me are praying and believing for -- this blog will be too long.  As my Pastor  D  reminds me....people can only read so much - as I tend to write epistles instead of blogs. 


Today -- there are a few women in particular that  I know  -- where today is their Day #7...  And tomorrow is their Day #7...  And yet, others still ....have been praying the walls of Jericho would fall for several years --

They have been obedient and prayed with seven others for seven days -- God's perfect number in believing that upon Day #7 the walls would crumble.   That...God would show them clarity in their circumstances.  That God would move a mountain or bring relief...WHO knows WHAT God is going to do - but they are believing by faith - that something is going to change.

I admire that.
I fasted and prayed with them all week and can attest to some of the miracles that I have been privileged to see.  

Again -

By faith -- they are believing that God is going to move a mountain - change a circumstance -- or just be the FATHER in heaven that HE is.....



I believe today -- we need to take the time to be HOLY -- not  goody goody.... but set apart.
I did not awake with that revelation -- it was in my Jesus Calling Devotional and it fit perfect for today.

Be set apart.
It is WHEN we get in the Presence of Our Lord -- that miracles happen.

I have seen several miracles this past week -- from needs provided to just HIS presence being real to my sister.  Her father - n - law has been in hospital with a brain bleed  for several weeks.   When she went to pray for her Father -n-Law....she felt she had the opportunity to say "Good - bye"  ---
To hear her speak of the  JOY in being with him and being able to see his eyes...open one  last time -- THAT was God's favor for my sister.  Now her prayer today was that he would do that again for his children. 

AS WE focus our minds and hearts on God -- we are transformed.
The women I have been praying with, fasting with, and circling  my room with -- 7x...these women are soaking in the LIGHT of HIS Presence.... and because of the 'exercise' we all agreed to do -- HE is near to us in a way -- like never before.

 It has strengthened my faith -- I know it has strengthened theirs...   And they are open to receive the many blessings from HIM.

The blessing may not be 'what they wanted'....it  WILL be better!
The blessing may not be 'seen' right now .....but it WILL come!
The blessing may just be -- becoming cleansed by the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is able to do in and through you immeasurable more than you ask or imagine.  

And no matter what -- even if the circumstances do not change -- I have changed and I know they have too.  As no matter what -- our God is a GOOD GOOD Father --  and HE works everything good to those who call upon Him and live according to His will and purpose.  

I pray that each of us reading this - is set apart today -- and understand what it means to be HOLY and in HIS Presence --   God bless.  

Amen.

HOPE in HIM -- Commission Statement

Ladies --  here is our Commissioning Statement that Holy Spirit Wrote for us and I spoke over us --  

Print it off, post it - allow the words to remind you -- YOU ARE Free!   

And Ladies...YOU can recite this to yourself -- as you look at Jesus in you - in your mirror!  


My dear sister in Christ,
your God summoned you here -
He had a perfect plan for you.
He has called you to step it up -
He has called you for such a time as this. 

It's time for you to wise up sister -
Your have seen where the enemy has trapped you.
You were born for the WILL of God.
Your destiny makes a difference.
Nothing the world can offer you -
is worth giving up your divine calling. 

Jesus knows your past of adversity-
But from this day forward - I'll trust you Lord.
I will wait for my feelings to catch up with my healing! 
Sister --
Sister, your life is no longer underrated!
Jesus knows what you endured -
Every place you have ever been -
You can't chase Him from loving you.
He has loved you with an everlasting love-
And HE thinks you are GORGEOUS!
Girl -
Gurl -
Girl, you are not leaving here overanxious!
You are leaving here free!
Gurl, the enemy is after you -
because he is jealous of you and scared of what you could become!

So, you take your position in this globe -
You put on the whole armor of God -
Because girlfriend --
Your God is with you.
Jesus is your #1 -
And the Comforter is your best friend -
The Paraclete is your power!
There is nothing freaky about a true Encounter with God! 

Sweetie -
Precious -
Beloved --
You are beautiful in HIS sight!
Girl-
The Lord is responsible for the saving!
Girl - God is BIG enough!

*** Now, look at the floor and STOMP as you speak to satan under your feet --
Satan - I have taken back my stuff -- STOMP STOMP
My rightful stuff -- what you have stolen ...my peace...my joy....my children...my marriage...
Satan you are on notice! 
God wins - DO NOT mess with me! 
Don't mess with my family! 
Don't mess with my man! 
Don't mess with my mind!
Don't mess with my church!

**** Now, look back at the beautiful one in front of you  ( or the mirror)

Girl -- Now to  HIM who is able -
To keep you from stumbling
And present you spotless and blameless ...

Jesus - we LOVE you!
Jesus - I want all of what you have in store for me!

Now girlfriend...  get out there into this world -
And live like the over comer YOU are!  
As ..YOUR HOPE is in HIM! 

Amen. 

From being UNDER the influence to BEING the INFLUENCE - updated.

 Reposting this -- as Holy Spirit brought it to my eyes --


Lord, give me wisdom in writing this.
Several weeks ago  at my prayer time with a bevy of beauties that I work with - a thought popped in my head and I declared it.

From under the influence to being an influence.  

How powerful or what?
A sweet beloved sister in Christ  shared  something about her man, her husband and if you knew her entire history....you would celebrate the story with me.

Just the words imply something but the Holy Spirit revealed SO much more to me about these words.

Someone  could be UNDER the influence of drugs...  alcohol or pills or whatever....
Someone could be UNDER the influence of an oppression of some sort ....
Someone  could be UNDER the influence of a domineering parent ....
Someone  could be UNDER the influence of just a 'bitchy' friend -- sorry - bear with me on this - I promise not to cuss too much.
Someone  could be UNDER the influence of  wrong thoughts and perceptions ...
Someone could be UNDER the bondage of inequities . ...
Someone could be so FULL of pride that it will put them UNDER....

and yet, bottom line - he or she   is UNDER the influence of the Enemy.... whether he is in you, on you, or around you --  the enemy hates Christ...the enemy hates any followers of Christ...so therefore the enemy hates you - he hates me...and he hated that sweet sister's husband.  So much so, that he tried to destroy him, tried to destroy their relationship, and he tried to destroy their marriage and yet - he was defeated.

As now that husband has gone from being UNDER the influence to BEING an influence to another man.  Amen. Praise God.  God won.   .......can you picture me jumping for joy - as I am! 

THAT is a Jesus High. 

Redemption stories always make me smile.    Now.  When I hear the testimony of a sister in Christ that has overcome much hardship and hurt and now God is getting the glory - I jump for JOY within my spirit and physically.  I really do.

Several, months  ago something was said, referenced,  and the comment was, "I really don't want to hear some woman tell how her husband cheated on her and she prayed and now everything is better". 

At the moment I read the comment, my heart stopped for a nano second and  I claimed I would not allow that to take offense within my soul.   Many times, hurting people say hurting words.  It was  my choice on whether I let it fester or not fester  within my spirit.  I chose not.

But it made me think.

So often in my younger years, I would listen to stories from women about their hardships and how God carried them.  I was so callous and naïve - I had NO real idea.  I judged them,  judged their hearts and spirits and I accessed the 'cause' and would just file it away.     My pride would always make my flesh feel better about it - "I was better than them".

Or I would dismiss their claims -- I had no real understanding.  No empathy.

( Side bar: And yet, I thought I did ....cause I had grown up in a somewhat of a dysfunctional home and now I was 'ok'...so why couldn't they be ok too?     Oh Lord, even as I type those words, I can feel the enemy wanting me to have a pity fest...but I won't.  I know I am forgiven of that spiritual pride and time of my life when I was constantly loving everything else instead of my Lord.) 

Then I would hear of stories of years and years of abuse and seek God.."how the hell did they last that long?" And I would wrestle with God and demand answers.  And I would complain.  My husband reminded me today while he was praying, complaining is telling God that "I " can do it better....

(Side bar: Thank  you Lord that my husband is now an influence within my life -- You use him to speak life to me.  I am thankful for that!)    

  And then, when I actually paid close attention, I would be graced  with more stories of redemption and how God changed a person and beauty did rise up from ashes.  Slowly, very slowly - I began to realize  the Holy Spirit was speaking and I was finally listening. In fact, I quote one of those stories - within the first chapter of Francis Chan's book, "CRAZY LOVE".... he credits a woman that dealt with an abusive alcoholic husband for almost 18 years and he claims that  - they...that couple is one of the most godly mentors to he, his wife, and his ministry.  ...That is a God miracle. 

I have prayed for many women and even presently, can see the hurt within the home and a part of me wants to scream - "GET the hell out"  -- but I know better.   I would never tell one person,  a wife or mother to leave a husband unless she felt her safety was at risk.  No one deserves physical or mental abuse.   Seek help.  And yet, God has brought my attention to many women that did endure for  a season -- to watch God orchestrate a  miracle and now....they are living by the word of their testimony.  We are healed by the blood of the lamb and  transformed by the word of our testimony.

Revelation 12:11New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ They triumphed over him
    by the blood of the Lamb
    and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
    as to shrink from death

I rejoice with that sister in Christ as now her husband is an influence.  But she endured many years of heartache and pain.   But God brought her out of that--God restores and redeems.     I am not stupid, I believe there are people that look at me and think - 'what the heck?'.....and yet, I know that I know that I know.....  obedience brings rewards and no matter what - each person, each woman, each situation is God's. And God shows me daily,  the  why, and  now we are  beyond the pain, and beyond the hurt.....and we are glad for the challenges within our past - as it has brought us - HERE.



WE get that now.  Being on 'this' side of it - our spiritual eyes see things differently now.  We are made new.

Ephesians 4:23New International Version (NIV)

²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds;

God never intended it to be this hard -
God is not punishing -
God did not purposefully say, 'you much endure this for this' -

He sent His Son for the ultimate sacrifice.  When I truly understood WHAT I was forgiven of - I could and I had to forgive.

   I know that my sister in Christ...when God spoke to her heart and asked her to 'hold on' just a little while longer.... HE blessed her with  a new man and once she is darn proud of.    And I know that one of the reasons he was attacked so by Satan was because there was a calling upon his life.

Satan does not have an 'in' with God...but he understands that GOD has plans for EACH of us.

 And for each and every redemption story I have heard -- God bless them.  For all of them I heard prior to my new heart .... forgive me.   For the ones God will bring to my path...I pray I will always SEEK God's face and wisdom on anything I say or do...or pray...

Summary:
God wins.

Lord...for the one reading this that does not see the light at the end of the tunnel -- lead her, direct her. show her.  Lord, I pray she will DIG deep into YOUR Word, I pray she will take a Psalm this evening - like Psalm 40 or 45 or 39 and claim it as her victory prayer...I pray she will read those words and get a RHEMA word from you.  Lord, I pray she will SEEK YOUR face and believe that YOU can change a heart and that YOU will make all things new. 

Lord, I pray for the sister in Christ that does not think her prayers are powerful -- God I pray she would realize and know that she has JUST as much power and authority in YOU as I do - or another....  God I pray that if she has never called upon  You for her salvation - that she will RIGHT now. 

Lord, I bind the enemy away from the hurt right now.  God I pray she will have the courage to stop the sin if she is the one in sin...Lord, I pray she will refocus...

Lord, for the ones that are under the influence right now... Lord, I pray they would seek YOU and believe that they are MORE than a conqueror through YOU  ..God I pray this oppression would be bound and that spiritual help would be sought.  Lord, I bind the pride away from those ears, those eyes, and that heart ...that it is NOT too hard.  God I know that You do discipline ....and I know that You will allow 'stuff' to transpire and happen to draw us close ....so God I pray that this one particular sister that is hurting - God I pray her eyes will open and she will see....there is SO much more to learn about YOU and I pray she won't have to 'lose' something to find You...  like I did... God I DO not wish my circumstances upon anyone, but I pray that those around me would see....that perhaps they are playing with fire and that ....they will get burned...may they be aware, that their situation is no laughing matter.  God, thank You.  I believe  YOU will win.   Lord, I thank you for those ones that are holding on and believing in something they can't see right now.   Lord, I thank you for today -- for showing me clearly -- that YOU are still very proud of me. 

Lord...  YOUR will be done.  May this blog post - draw someone closer to you and give them HOPE.  Amen. 

  - humbled...blessed, chosen, accepted, adopted, forgiven and redeemed...  loved... and in awe of YOU Lord.  Thank you for setting this captive free, use me Lord - I love you. 

Psalm 37 - a prayer for a man --

THIS is a prayer/commentary that I found....It was written as a prayer from a wife to her husband.  

Much of it 'fit' with my prayers for my man -- of late -- so I thought I would share.  

As with God's word -- I am sure there is a wife out there that could use pray this for her husband.  

 A David Psalm

37 ^1-2 Don’t bother your head with braggarts
    or wish you could succeed like the wicked.
In no time they’ll shrivel like grass clippings
    and wilt like cut flowers in the sun.

^3-4 Get insurance with God and do a good deed,
    settle down and stick to your last.
Keep company with God,
    get in on the best.

Lord, I see him -- he feels like others gets the best from you and he does not.  Lord I pray he will believe that no matter what -- YOU will fight for him.  

 

^5-6 Open up before God, keep nothing back;
    he’ll do whatever needs to be done:
He’ll validate your life in the clear light of day
    and stamp you with approval at high noon.

Lord, I pray he keeps nothing back, would he spend the time needed to seek you and get with you about WHAT could be blocking the joy from being present?  

Lord, could YOU validate his life in the light of day -- show him in a supernatural way that YOU are indeed noticing the righteous and won't forsake him?  

 

⁷ Quiet down before God,
    be prayerful before him.

Lord, may he quiet down before you. 

 
Don’t bother with those who climb the ladder,
    who elbow their way to the top.

^8-9 Bridle your anger, trash your wrath,
    cool your pipes—it only makes things worse.
Before long the crooks will be bankrupt;

Lord,  he does not believe you will punish the wicked -- it seems like they are winning now, remind him that the righteous are not forsaken.  

Lord, may  his anger only be justified before you. 

 
    God-investors will soon own the store.

^10-11 Before you know it, the wicked will have had it;
    you’ll stare at his once famous place and—nothing!
Down-to-earth people will move in and take over,
    relishing a huge bonanza.

LORD....let him see some of that NOW....

 

^12-13 Bad guys have it in for the good guys,
    obsessed with doing them in.
But God isn’t losing any sleep; to him
    they’re a joke with no punch line.

^14-15 Bullies brandish their swords,
    pull back on their bows with a flourish.
They’re out to beat up on the harmless,
    or mug that nice man out walking his dog.
A banana peel lands them flat on their faces—
    slapstick figures in a moral circus.

 OH Lord, help us NOT to laugh....but Lord, when we see the wicked get their reward -- it certainly does help us to continue the fight.  

 

^16-17 Less is more and more is less.
    One righteous will outclass fifty wicked,
For the wicked are moral weaklings
    but the righteous are God-strong.

amen

 

^18-19 God keeps track of the decent folk;
    what they do won’t soon be forgotten.
In hard times, they’ll hold their heads high;
    when the shelves are bare, they’ll be full.

Lord, help him hold his head high....

 

²⁰ God-despisers have had it;
    God’s enemies are finished—
Stripped bare like vineyards at harvest time,
    vanished like smoke in thin air.

^21-22 Wicked borrows and never returns;
    Righteous gives and gives.
Generous gets it all in the end;

Did you hear that -- we get it all ....... even me.....!!  

 
    Stingy is cut off at the pass.

^23-24 Stalwart walks in step with God;
    his path blazed by God, he’s happy.
If he stumbles, he’s not down for long;
    God has a grip on his hand.

^25-26 I once was young, now I’m a graybeard—
    not once have I seen an abandoned believer,
    or his kids out roaming the streets.
Every day he’s out giving and lending,
    his children making him proud.

Lord -- your word proves -- you will never let the righteous be forsaken. 

 

^27-28 Turn your back on evil,
    work for the good and don’t quit.
God loves this kind of thing,
    never turns away from his friends.

^28-29 Live this way and you’ve got it made,
    but bad eggs will be tossed out.
The good get planted on good land
    and put down healthy roots.

^30-31 Righteous chews on wisdom like a dog on a bone,
rolls virtue around on his tongue.
His heart pumps God’s Word like blood through his veins;
    his feet are as sure as a cat’s.

Wow Lord.... may he study and memorize YOUR Words so that every time something comes out of his mouth - it is of you! 

 

^32-33 Wicked sets a watch for Righteous,
he’s out for the kill.
God, alert, is also on watch—
    Wicked won’t hurt a hair of his head.

³⁴ Wait passionately for God,
don’t leave the path.
He’ll give you your place in the sun
    while you watch the wicked lose it.

^35-36 I saw Wicked bloated like a toad,
croaking pretentious nonsense.
The next time I looked there was nothing—
    a punctured bladder, vapid and limp.

^37-38 Keep your eye on the healthy soul,
scrutinize the straight life;

Lord, may he keep his eyes on the healthy pattern...the healthy men around him, and see healthy ones in  church .

There’s a future
    in strenuous wholeness.
But the willful will soon be discarded;
    insolent souls are on a dead-end street.

^39-40 The spacious, free life is from God,
it’s also protected and safe.
God-strengthened, we’re delivered from evil—
    when we run to him, he saves us.

 

 

AMEN

Basking in the outpouring ----

So, this past weekend - God rocked.  God showed off.  Women saw years of chains broken and there were physical as well as emotional healings.  There was also new life....  our lives changed.


This weekend brought forth so much joy, that I even was skipping down the hallway in front of my Principal and then I stopped to share a testimony that a lady shared at our Celebration Service on Sunday night.  When one shares publicly -- then I can share it again and enjoy the blessing of retelling it.  Something that seems so impossible and yet -- so amazingly God!

That testimony was simply this, "I came here Friday, knowing I may lose my baby, Saturday I miscarried a baby, but God gave me a new heart and I am washed clean by the blood of Jesus".   This sweet and powerful young woman also got her purpose..... Ezek 2 and 3 ..... read it - what a word from the LORD for ALL of us.  It was a word for me!   

Tonight, as I am VERY exhausted I just have to praise my Lord.....

As THIS is my testimony for this weekend:

Michelle, what did God do for you this weekend?   

This weekend I was humbled again  - Why  would the Lord  do this for me?   Why do I get this favor?  Why is the  Lord allowing me to get a double portion again?

Why is it that when the HS tells me something and it seems like I 'pulled it out of my butt'..that it comes into fruition -- and it blesses the socks off another and allows them to know that they know -- GOD is real?

Why?  BECAUSE THAT is God.......   period.   Everything is used for HIS glory.

 Personally, this weekend, the Lord broke chains that  HE revealed.  Healing and forgiveness comes in layers.  Our lives are a giant sized onion and we are peeling back the skin -- layer by layer.  Have you even been cutting an onion and find a 'new bulb' within the middle....like there was the onion and then the rest of the onion grew over the top of it?   That happened just the other night and --what a perfect illustration.  As we continue to grow and walk with the Lord - HE continues to remove stuff that we have repressed and pushed WAY down within us -- but HE  knew it was now time for a deeper healing.  And ...... I did not know I had...chains of burdens of being in ministry...chains of being a people pleaser...and more chains that were attached to unforgiveness. But, HE revealed them and I was set free.

Free enough to be skipping and dancing down the aisle of my workplace.
Free enough to ask a total stranger on Sunday night if he was saved.
Free enough to lay at the alter while others were doing praise and worship and just humbled myself before the Lord.
Free enough/ filled with the HS and overflowing  to preach without notes  -- 3x.
Free enough /and filled with the HS and overflowing   to look into the eyes of a woman and let her know - she has a ministry and a mission with our jail system.
Free enough/ and filled with the HS and overflowing /  to look into the eyes of a woman and let her know -- GOD has not forsaken her.
Free

Filled.

I have not experienced this amount of JOY in months..... months.  There was such a spirit of laughter than enveloped us all.  

It is interesting - as  Holy Spirit has been teaching me and showing me that I was being made aware. Therefore, I could  see women from new perspectives and He is also allowing more women to come for counsel.  With that, one may be overwhelmed and yet -- HE has released a few others and so it balanced.

God protects us and I trust the faithfulness of God as HE covers the foolishness of Michelle.

God also awakened in me more gifts and gave me prophetic insight on many many levels.

For example, while holding and rocking a sweet one, I got a vision and shared it with her by describing what I was seeing.  As we rocked and prayed and I described....she released something supernaturally  -- we went to the Cross to release the bondage and she received the freedom she did not realize was available.

It is an incredible Jesus high.

God asked me to preach without notes and I did.  God protected me and used my team  to cover my actions and  mishaps if any  -- as a team we were so united.

As I got words to preach at 4 am......I  then walked around the meeting area at 5am and preached to empty chairs...I heard God say, they won't be empty for long.

And as I preached and spoke life - Satan got mad and almost immediately flooded my brain with two distinct visions and thoughts of my past and I was right there at the cross -- I confessed them or told God WHY they hurt so badly and then released them.  I have not cried THAT hard in a bit -- I am surprised I did not wake up the ladies.  But, after I wept......I looked up at the cross and hugged it.

Many take their nails and strike the cross -- I have before - as a symbolic gesture to recognize that I nailed Jesus there but also to release it to HIM.  At my first encounter, I just wanted to hug Jesus and I did at the foot of the cross.  I hugged the cross.  At 5.12 am Sunday - I did it again.

I truly believe the Lord brought me a deeper deeper healing.  And He clearly gave me instructions to wash another's  feet.  Now, I did it symbolically -- and I am willing to do it in person too, but I will wait for my release from  God and another. 

We must remember, extending forgive

ness is not for 'that' person -- it is for us.
Humbly being willing to wash the feet of another that hurt us is certainly a  great release but often that person is not ready to receive it.  We must proceed only if the HS so perfectly confirms.

And, I had many many visions and answers -- God revealed the plan for the next Encounter and as HE awoke me at 3.57 Monday, HE began to write a story and details of the next.

My fingers could not write fast enough.  God continues to remind us - time is short.  HE wants His bride ready.  These weekends are powerful and beginning to cross denominational lines....it is only a matter of time when we will truly be ONE BODY in Christ.

 That is  WHAT God did for me --


If you are interested in attending the next one - contact me.

Prayers for marrage --#17

Some previous prayers have been  focused on   God's institution of  marriage.  Of course - there has to some  people within my circle of influence that I love ---that are having some marital problems.  So, I believed God was calling me to focus on praying for marriages - again.   But I also believe there are people reading this that I am NOT aware of and THEY needed to hear from God and know - HE created marriage.

I got confirmation many times after I started this, that I was within God's will to be a writing prayers for marriage.  I have tried to be mindful of what the Holy Spirit is speaking to me and tonight ...

What keeps coming into my head is today....

Does she realize WHAT she is giving up?
Does he realize WHAT he is giving up?

God brought another couple into our path ---
 They are young, with 2 small children and another one on the way.  Extreme hurt has befallen  on both sides of this marriage and there was a shocking death of a family member as well-- which has added to the hurt.

But tonight, they  - WANT to seek healing.  And I get to speak life into her and encourage her and believe WITH her .....that her husband can be restored and redeemed as well.

I got to thinking,  as I spoke with her -- DOES he realize how special she is?  Does he realize WHAT she has decided to do to obey God, save her marriage, and bless her children?   Does he realize how hurt she is?

When my husband and I were in the middle of our crisis of faith and we were separated, I would lay awake in my bed- ALONE- and just talk and talk to God and give him my list....

Does he get it Lord?  Will you please SEND him another man to speak to him and REMIND him of what he is missing?

Lord, would you PLEASE have another speak to him  -- and shout at him, "what the hell were you thinking?".....

And then, Lord, please send him someone to speak life into him....

I mean, at first I had a lot of anger, then sadness, and then finally release  and then forgiveness...but my human flesh  wanted a PERSON fighting for me....the verse from Exodus 14.14,  which I quote often, God will fight for me, I need only be still.....WAS JUST NOT pleasing my flesh.

It is a process and I had to walk through it -- thankfully God was right there each and every moment.
But God is always there and HE knows everything -- HE never leaves us, it is us that leave Him.

And I know now God did send the right people to him and some of them did ask him..what are you thinking?

So tonight's prayer is simple again -

God, does she realize what she is giving up? How can she believe the enemy when he whispers to her that things will be OK ...things will never be ok again - they will be different and there will  be consequences of actions.  

 Lord, does he realize what he is giving up?  How can he believe the enemy when he whispers to him that things will be OK....things will never be ok again - they will be different and there will be consequences of actions. 

But Lord, I DO trust you ...and I KNOW that YOU are and have brought people with in their circle to speak truth to them.  And I know Lord, you bring beauty out of the ashes, and I know that once their eyes are open to the lies of the enemy...they will see some of the hurt and I am going to claim that they repent and seek forgiveness from the spouse hurting so badly tonight - alone in that bed - alone in that house. 

 And I believe Lord, that YOU can redeem and restore and I know and believe that THEY can have a marriage even BETTER than they had before -- with YOU. 

 I am a walking testament to that fact - so I know - YOU can do it again.  God I pray that each of the marriage partners WANT that and will WAIT on YOU, humbly submit,   obey, ...and try -- to allow YOU to bring  healing.  

 And Lord, for the other situations within the marriages I see around me, or the ones that read this and I have no clue.....  

Lord, for the 'he' and the 'she'....God, for the marriages are are clinging to the thought that -- it CAN get better -- it SHOULD get better....Lord, that each would seek you completely --

In Jesus name, Amen!

A Desperate prayer #16 --- for hope --

A message of HOPE - God's promises.

HOPE is some extraordinary spiritual grace that God gives to us to control our fears, not to oust them.  - Vincent McNabb

Do not be afraid of your enemies: the LORD your God himself will fight for you!  Deut. 3.22


Exodus 14.14... The Lord is fighting for me, I need only be still -- 

 When I talk to God, I normally start out all happy and sweet -- and I always thank HIM for what HE did for me -- taking my sin to the Cross.     But...

   Sometimes   my (our) PRAYERS are tearful and HARD  when  we have a burden for one or some or a situation that needs a MOUNTAIN moved and you fast...you pray....and get discouraged that perhaps 'that' is not God's will...and yet, HE moves a bit of the mountain and then you think..."OK GOD...."   "next".......

Prayer.  Prayer.  Prayer.

When IN that despair of a prayer -- where YOU want the mountain to be moved in such a manner that YOU can't SEE any other resource or plan ...... and yet, God says... WAIT....

God says....WAIT....

God is quiet....and says nothing, which means to me -- "what was the last thing I told you Michelle? "   WAIT...

OK  -- I will wait.  

When you are in that season -- it can be WELL within my soul...but it STILL sucks.  It just does at times.  

 

And that is what I am doing -- but in that waiting - it is HARD.  And do I question my faith at times...
Yes?   Yes.  I do -- I am human.

I am unsure of the WHOM is reading this -- but God wants you to know -- it may 'look' like I have it all put together, but  it is only HIS GRACE that sustains me and the constant fevered pitch of a desperate prayer that I repeat -- "Lord, I need a bone here -- a bread crumb or a glimmer of HOPE ...a sign to let me know -- I am EXACTLY WHERE you want me and I am to NOT give up or give in...".  


  The past few days have been days where my flesh wanted to doubt God and be mad at God for HOW HE allowed this or that -- but the Holy Spirit within me reminded me that I am NOT that same person I was some 5-10 years ago and I am not the same person I was -- even just a year ago.  


God is growing me up.  
God reminded me quite clearly yesterday - I am not a child anymore... nor a toddler...or a teen...HE sees me as a grown up ... young adult in HIM that has more maturing to do -- but WHOM ...HE has set free and....


HE has asked me to serve HIM.  Period.  


Yesterday, I also asked God to give me something -- like I wrote earlier..."Lord...a bone...?"   


And HE did.  I will blog more about this-- have to let this sink in my thoughts, but HE gave me this...  Jesus said we are to come to him like children.  ....Humble...with a child like faith.  Jesus did not ask us to come to God -- childish...pouting.... and expecting a quick fix.  


Wow. 









And then I found this in my bible - it is from a Jesus Calling devotional: 

  To My Son or My Daughter...my loved one -- beloved:
 -- keep your eyes on Me. I am with you, taking care of you in the best way possible. When you are suffering, My care may seem imperfect and inadequate. You see relief and I make you wait - but just remember, There are different ways to wait, and some are much better than others. Beneficial waiting involves looking to Me continually - trusting and loving Me.

Thank me in this time of neediness, when you must depend on Me more than usual, do not waste this opportunity by wishing it away or running from it. Don't let any past or present suffering contaminate your view of the future. I am the Lord of your future, and I have good things in store for you - one more thing --


HIS promises --

 The Lord is  good to those who wait for Him....and to the soul who seeks HIM - Lam 3.25

 But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.  --Isa 40.31


Romans 8.28 - We know that all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose  ....


For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity , to give you a future and a hope.  Jer 29.11


So, I have my two children in mind this am, but I also have a few certain people that as I write and continue to pray for them ....it is only 'they' who can grab a hold of these promises and engrave them on their heart -- 'they' have to do it.  I pray they do today -- and know what I know -- GOD wins.

Which means....THEY will win too!
 

So yesterday  was a TOUGH day.  But how do I explain all these emotions running  around within my head.  Right now, the Holy Spirit reminds me of that verse that says:  

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
  There are two women that are gracing my heart this early am -- as one is fighting for her family and walking in  a new found dynamic of circumstances....and another is literally having to FIGHT for her life and family because of  an other's  abusive actions.

So with that -- LORD.....  may each of those women know that they know...YOU are fighting for them today -- move the mountain -- bring forth beauty from the ashes and fix it Lord.  It hurts too much to watch anymore -- I have released them both many moons ago -- but my compassion for them remains.  LORD -- help.  And Satan - get the hell away from them.   I bind the enemy's use of others within them...I bind the enemy and he will flee -- he  -- the enemy has NO right within the walls of those homes.  IN Jesus name.  Amen. 


Thank you Lord.