Beauty for Ashes…

I’m
sitting here in my room listening to one of the songs that I listen to on the
taxi ride to Patong every night [where we do our bar ministry]. I play this
song over and over, declaring the freedom
that these women [prostitutes] have in Christ Jesus. I truly believe God will
set them free.

 

Only one word in the beginning

Only one truth will prevail

Only one love brings a freedom

Only one man took the nails

 

And I’m singing to the God who brings redemption to the nations

Kings and oceans bow to Him in praise

And I’m singing to the God who wrote the book on our
salvation

To the one who covers me in grace

I’m singing praise

 

Praise to the Savior

Praise to the Lamb of God

Praise in all of His splendor

Praise for saving my life

 

I
decided not to go out to the bars tonight. It has been a really rough few days.
We met a lady last night who is in a terrible, terrible situation right now – one
that has completely shattered my heart. The things I found out last night just
broke me. I instantly carried the burdens and the weight that she must feel in
the situation that she is currently in. I want to scream. I feel trapped. I
feel helpless. We are definitely in a battle right now.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the
rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and
against the spiritual forces of evil in this heavenly realm.” ~ Ephesians 6:12

 Because
of the extreme and dangerous situation she is in, I am not allowed to give her
name, tell the story or state ANY information related to this situation. I have
been up praying since yesterday and I am exhausted. I felt the extreme need to
post a blog to have all of my prayer warriors back home praying and interceding
on this woman’s behalf. I wish I could explain how URGENT and important prayer
for this lady is right now. It is crucial. Critical. Life  depending.

I have
been an emotional wreck. I have never ever felt a burden or weight this heavy
in my life. I cannot even begin to imagine how she must feel. I cannot stop
crying. I cannot stop praying. I can pray for hours and then I just can’t pray
anymore. I get to a point where I feel numb. I feel nothing. The hope that I had
starts to vanish. It is a major battle. However, my team has been nothing but
prayer warriors and we have been speaking truth over each other and this
situation. We know that God has everything under control. He perfectly
orchestrated this entire situation. He allowed us to meet her and to intercede
on her behalf. PRAISE HIM! How GOOD He is. I try to hold on to the joy and the
hope that God gives me, but I still seem to feel nothing but pain and deep deep
sorrow at the moment. However, there is a cry deep in my heart and I know that
I must release the anguish and agony that is tearing me up inside. My flesh is
holding on to the pain as my spirit is fighting to hold on to the faith, hope
and trust that I have in Jesus Christ. I must stand firm.

 “Therefore put on the full
armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your
ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” ~ Ephesians 6:13]

I choose
to bow down to God in awe and in praise and worship because He creates beauty
from ashes. He loves this lady and feels more for her than I ever will. He is
sovereign. He is holy. I surrender my self and my flesh to Him once again…knowing
that His will will be done.