On the omniscience and omnipresence of God.

What I love about God is that He knew from the beginning: a) that there would be a special service instead of divine design tonight that I would not really be up to going to b) that I would meet people from Sunset Park Community Church and I would go to a fellowship and get invited to a Thanksgiving potluck tonight c) that I would be going through some STUFF [before any of this started happening God told me: Psalm 46!!!] d) that I would have an appointment on Friday in Gravesend and would decide to push through my feelings and walk all the way to Dyker Heights, especially because I thought the train wasn't running...well He knew that too. e) that I would see a sign from a restaurant saying "Puritan Restaurant where everyday's a feast." and He knew that I would receive that as a message and I would pray: What are you trying to show me God? And f) He knew that at this fellowship tonight that I was going to attend was going to share on Puritans and how we are pilgrims and about Thanksgiving and it would be the answer to my prayer and our spirits would be jumping and I would feel like crying out of excitement and she would feel the fire of God and was blessed that I took that picture and shared it with her and someone else. He really really does walk with me and have me in the palm of His hand. I'm so amazed by His love.

He also knew that during that same walk I took yesterday, just before that, I would see a sign on a diner that would say "Celebrate the Seasons" and then a few blocks later He would have me turn and look at a car dealership and I asked "What was I looking for?" and I looked again and saw a sign saying "New season, new memories". And a little while later, a market called "Grace Farm". Amazing amazing God. He constantly reminds me that His grace is sufficient. And when I got to church today and we were to tell each other what word God has given us I had to share that He has told me His grace is sufficient...I forgot about the picture. But I said, "God but what about THIS situation? I need a word in this situation." And He reminded me of these two pictures about seasons. His word for me in this season is to rest and relax and rejoice. And to make new memories. Enjoy life. Enjoy being there for people. Also, I wrote some petitions to be submitted to the Lord and pastor prayed that some would even be answered today. As I'm walking around church saying goodbye to people a lady comes up to me and asks me a personal question and when I told her about my situation she began praying for my healing. WoW! And I legit feel like the situation is already a little better. Praise be to God for His love. He acts on my faith. So beautiful to be aligned to Him. His love and His presence makes it worth it. 

 

"This is what it is to be held...."

I thank God that He knows exactly what we need. I thank God that He does not change with the shifting shadows. He is not surprised by our circumstances. Father knows best. He sees the end from the beginning. Prayer and putting on the armor of God and anointing myself will not always prevent painful things from happening. Sometimes it will not necessarily even make it less painful. But I do believe that if we partner with God He will wrap us in His arms and quiet us with His love. He will hold us. He will hold us. He will hold us. Sometimes that will be in the form of just sitting with us while we cry. Sometimes we won't even feel His presence but it is in those moments that we just have to trust Him, trust in what we know of Him and/or have experienced, trust that He is who He says He is. And then sometimes, He will hold us by sending people in our lives to speak the truth in love, or to sit with us as we cry and hold our hands and rub our backs and give us tissues and buy us dessert and just listen to us. Or by sending people to make time out of their busy lives for us, for people who will check their messages or poke us to make sure we're okay. And then they'll remind us of who God is and who we are. And they'll remind us that nothing can pluck us from His hand. Sometimes God will hold us by preparing us - by telling us how to guard our hearts and our minds, or by sending little children or people for us to love on, and this will quiet our hearts. Sometimes He holds us just by literally being the breath that we breathe or giving us even a few moments or a few hours of sweet rest. He says "Be still and know I am God." He says "You can't control other peoples' reactions or behaviors. You can only control your own." And He always always reminds us that He is with us. His promises are yes and amen but sometimes His answers to prayer are no and amen. Sometimes He has bigger plans that we can imagine. We don't always want things to change. We don't want to stir the pot. We're afraid of peoples' reactions. Sometimes an uncomfortable situation could feel more comfortable than change. But sometimes God has better for us. Only God could turn a painful season into a season of love and trust and healing. Only God can bring peace in the middle of a hurricane season. God, comfort Your people, whoever needs it. Whoever needs a touch from you. You alone are God and You alone know what Your people need. Nothing surprises You and nothing is too big for You. 

Love You,
Jessie

I say this to the glory of God...

On Wednesday Pastor Felix had prayed that God would use us to tell someone Jesus loves them. God is so faithful and this morning He had me get on a particular train at a particular time and a particular car and see this young man. I don't like to look at young (or old) men, don't like to talk to them. In the past I would have judged him but immediately the thought popped into my head: Tell him Jesus loves him. And I started praying. I did not go on facebook. I did not play games. I prayed. I prepared. I made deals with God lol and tried to get out of it. And so part of my prayer was that Jesus would help him with anything he may be going through. I asked the Lord for a sign as confirmation. It happened. I asked for a second confirmation. It happened as well, and along with the first one again lol - just in case I didn't get it the first time. So finally I asked if I could tell him something and I tried to find the words. I pray that I spoke the words God wanted me to speak. Part of it was just that Jesus can help you through whatever issues or anything if you just cry out to Him. Get to know Him. He loves you so much. Then God told me to ask him if anyone's ever told him that before. He said "No not really." I was flabbergasted! Even though I still can't quite grasp God's love but I know that He loves me and I take it for granted and take it for granted that I have people in my life that are going to remind me of this. And this boy has who knows who telling Him who knows what and God wanted me to be the one to tell Him otherwise. Amazing. I prayed for him when I was walking away, one of the prayers being that what I said was the right thing and that it fell on good soil in his heart. The other thing I wanted to share about this morning was that I felt in my spirit: Well even if he is not the specific one person that I wnat you to tell that Jesus loves them, what does that matter? Don't we ALL need to know Jesus loves us? So either way it was probably a good thing to say "Jesus loves you." And how hard wold it be, really?

Choose Peace

Lately I've been experiencing a whole lot of fear. I'm not talking just anxiety but this sense of overwhelming dread. Today God reminded me of Romans 8:15 - "So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, 'Abba, Father.'". And later I remembered 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self- discipline". The point is we have to actively CHOOSE the peace that lives inside of us. But some of us, like me, are so used to living in fear and anxiety that though we may enjoy peace, when we get tempted with situations that make us nervous or afraid we remember how it felt and we miss it so we start catastrophizing and giving in to fear or creating situations to make us afraid. 

Jesus thank You for the promise of abundant life and joy and peace. Help us to choose that peace that You have placed in us and not give in to the spirit that leads us back into slavery to fear. Thank You in Jesus' name. Amen.

Waiting on the promises

Let me say that I have periods, particularly lately in fact, when I have started to feel cynical, hopeless, maybe even somewhat bitter. Why? Because I have often been told to remember God's promises. But when I think about God's promises I realize that there are some that have not come to pass yet. And it makes me wonder if that was really a word from God. It makes me wonder if it is ever going to happen or if I did something wrong and missed it. It makes me wonder if God is in control or if evil or sin or peoples' choices have won. 

But numerous places in the Bible we are told that God a) keeps His promises 
b) does not forget
c) keeps His covenant 
d) does not lie or repent 

And I remember - Abraham was 75 before receiving the promise from God and on top of that, he had to wait another 25 years before it came to pass. So what am I getting antsy about having to wait even a few decades? 

I also have to keep in mind that God is able to do the impossible and He is able to redeem the time and He is never late, even if it means "showing up" at the last second. I have evidence to testify to this fact. Hallelujah! I just need to remain faithful and not lose heart and release my burdens to God. He is the only one who can do what needs to be done. He is stronger than sin, stronger than habits, stronger than curses, stronger than all of it and all of us. 

God, healer of the broken, savior of me and my family, protector, deliverer, ruler of all the principalities...how we need You today. We need You to be strong for us and help us to not lose heart. Help us to do only what You have asked of us and leave the rest in our hands. Father I pray for our emotions that You would give us victory of disappointment, fear, anguish, anger. Help us have joy in the process. Help us to CHOOSE joy and peace rather than just receiving what the evil one has tried to throw in our face or in our lives. We love You Lord and we acknowledge and appreciate Your faithfulness God. Please forgive us for all our sins. Stir us up again oh God to live for You and walk with You in the midst of all our circumstances. God You alone know what the person reading this is going through and what they are waiting for. Please give them Your peace and patience. See us through oh God. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen. 

The Power of Prayer

It's interesting...sometimes I take traveling mercies for granted so I don't bother to pray. I just trust that God's gonna keep my family and me safe.  And it's because sometimes when I do pray, of course nothing happens - i.e., no accidents.  So because He has put the danger so far out of my way that I don't even know what He saved me from, I forget that it was His work.  But sometimes God will just whisper that I should pray for traveling mercies.  So the other day when I was getting a ride home I prayed for traveling mercies.  Today I was told that that day, the driver made it almost the whole way home when his car died at a gas station.  He said, "Could you imagine if that had happened ANYWHERE?!"  We or he could have been in the middle of the road, at a red light, who knows where.  Thankfully he got a jump and made it safely home.  I said to him, "That's why I pray for traveling mercies, and actually I happened to pray that night because I was worried.  I'm glad you made it home safe."  He was shocked and appreciative. 

And now I'm thinking...what if I wouldn't have prayed?  Would he or we have gotten into an accident?  Doesn't God know what's going to happen before it happens?  Doesn't He have control?  Yes but sometimes He chooses to use someone like me.  Let's just marinate on that...we can change the course of events through our prayers?!  What a privilege!  

mind.blown.

Do you believe in magic?

What I have to realize and am realizing about prayer is: It is powerful. Yes, the prayers of the righteous availeth much.  Yes, God hears my prayers and often He answers them.  And when my friends pray for me and mine, God hears them as well. BUT........I am not some magical being with magical powers that can change destiny.  Yes, God will often use or prayers to change things; I have no doubt about that.  But there are times when He will overrule our prayers, just because He is God and He is sovereign and He knows the end from the beginning.  I trust Him to answer my prayers.  Will I trust Him to NOT answer them?

#foodforthought