I knew that as soon as I started preparing for this trip that God was going to start revealing Himself to me in new ways. Kari Jobe says it perfectly, “The more I seek You, the more I find You.”
God is teaching me that His power is REAL.
I grew up in a Church of God church – I’ve been to other churches but Church of God is what I'm used to. I have seen the Holy Spirit come over people so strongly that they couldn’t stand. I’ve seen crazy, free worship filled with running, screaming, shouting, etc. I have heard people pray or “speak” in other tongues. I always knew it was real. I know the scriptures in Acts. These are spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit. Spiritual gifts were not meant for ya girl – or so I thought.
I always feel God’s presence around me when I worship Him. I know that the Holy Spirit is REAL and He lives in us to help guide us. Despite my knowing this, I didn't want anything to do with falling on the floor or praying in a language that I didn’t know. I had built up walls to the Holy Spirit.
Recently, I’ve really been asking God to make His presence real to me. A couple Sundays ago, I was standing in front of our altars at church but I was backed up to the first row of chairs. No one was around me and I was just praising when I couldn’t stand anymore. I ungracefully plopped down into the chair behind me. As I was sitting, I still had my hands raised. For some reason I could not put them down! Someone came to my right side, held my hand, and prayed for me. There wasn’t anyone to the left of me but guess what?
Someone was holding my left hand.
God was sitting beside me and holding my hand – I have no doubt about it. I sat in His presence for a few moments hoping that He wouldn’t let go. Then, I started to feel something in my hands. It felt like something was flowing through them similar to when they fall asleep and get all tingly. I then heard God say, “Do not be afraid. I have called you and I will heal them through you.” My heart was racing. God confirmed that I am going to lay hands on the sick and He is going to heal them through me for His glory.
“Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”
Matthew 10:8
This past Sunday I wasn’t feeling really well so I slept in and missed the morning service. I didn’t even know that there was an evening service that night until I called my beautiful friend, Kayla Childers, to tell her Happy Birthday and she unintentionally convicted me so I dragged myself there (That’s what good friends are for, right?). I still didn’t feel that great and I was a little stressed out but as soon as the service started I could feel God’s presence so strong. We were singing a song about being surrounded by angels as we worship, and to be honest I wouldn’t have given that line a second thought but a friend of mine recently shared a really cool story with me. He went to Tanzania this past summer and during a worship service he SAW ANGELS IN THE ROOM WITH THEM! (Thank you, Lord, for being so real.) As I read the words on the scream my heart was bursting because I wanted to share the story so bad but I’m learning to wait for God’s lead. When the song was over Pastor D called me to the front. He asked me to share about the World Race but I couldn’t – I had to tell them about the angels!
This is where it gets a little weird for me, (unfamiliar weird not bad weird)
My church is going through a spiritual revival right now. The congregation was specifically praying for unity. As I was praying, I heard Pastor D tell us that God was going to start blessing us because of our faithfulness. I don’t know how but I immediately knew that the enemy was already distracting people from God’s vision. I felt as though God was referring to Kingdom blessings for us and the enemy was trying to get people to focus on worldly blessings like money and possessions. When those thoughts crossed my mind I felt something come over me, something that I can’t explain. I got very still and I felt something warm moving up my chest into my throat. I thought, “Oh crap. I’m about to speak some kind of message.” And I hesitated for a moment but I knew I wasn’t supposed to hold it in any longer. God confirmed by quieting the music a little bit and then it came out. A message in a language I could not understand. I can’t recall what it sounded like. I don’t know if it was long or short. I had absolutely no idea what I said but almost immediately after it was over Pastor D interpreted the message and I don’t remember his exact words but it was something very similar to this, “Here me says the Lord, I am going to show you miraculous things in this place. I am going to heal the sick. I will raise the dead… You will be blessed.”
Not worldly blessings but Kingdom blessings.
How good and faithful is our God?
His power is real, the Holy Spirit is real, and spiritual gifts are real.
If you have any stories like this I would love to hear them!
p.s. I’ve gotten out a lot of support letters but I’m not quite done yet!
Please continue to pray about supporting me on this exciting journey!
