With a new year comes new beginnings and the ability to see breakthrough over your life. Every year my church begins with a 21 days of prayer and fasting to kick things off. This year, I felt an urgency to receive a divine shift and breakthrough over my life. I put a demand on God for my life to supercede in the year of 2023.
This year I felt the call heavy on my heart to become closer to God more than ever before. With all the evil in this world and the continuous climatic destruction going on, we can now see clear as day the end times are approaching. In reality, it's frightening to think that the end of the age is coming, but it also gives us faith, perseverance and hope that Jesus is coming soon and that we will be with Him in heaven for eternity.
This fast has simply taught me how we can be so close to God if we want. It's out of our own ability to seek His presence and spend time with Him. Whether that be 30 minutes or an hour of reading the word in the morning before you go to work. Or listening to praise and worship music and finding Him there. Even just glorifying Him throughout the day while on your walk or in the car, or at your work desk. When you see me, you will find me with all of your heart (Jeremiah 29:13) People are dying everyday and we must find it in our heart and soul to share the Gospel of Jesus. People are more accepting of hearing the Gospel more than ever in history.--at the grocery store, at the park, at your job, with a friend or family member. The Holy Spirit will speak to you and speak through you as you are obedient. Remind people that they are loved and seen by God and have a beautiful purpose. Share a scripture or a quick testimony. Even a simple word of encouragement or prayer can change the entirety of that person's day. It can simply even save a life.
Read the Bible. You learn so much by just opening the book and reading verse by verse. Although we will suffer in this life, God can still use your brokenness to bring Glory to his name and fulfill your destiny. You realize some of the insecurities and trials certain people faced in the Bible are evident in today's world we live in. 1 Corinthians 1:27. Let me give you some prime examples:
Abraham was old
Sarah was childless
Jacob was insecure
Leah was unattractive
Joseph was abused
Moses stuttered
Gideon was poor
Samson was codependent
Rahab was a prostitute
David had an affair and all kinds of family problems
Elijah was suicidal
Jeremiah was depressed
Jonah was reluctant
Naomi was a widow
Peter was impulsive and hot tempered
Martha worried a lot
The Samaritan woman had several failed marriages
Zacchaeus was unpopular
Thomas had doubts
Paul had poor health
Timothy was timid
I didn't even list half the people in the Bible, but these people just go to show that although they had their own battles, God still used them--and God will use you too! Don't give up.
Be reminded to repent of your sins always. Even the most holy man on this earth still has his shortcomings. Ask for forgiveness and the Lord will forgive you. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Don't allow the enemy to overpower you--whether in your mind, thoughts, work, personal life. He will try to diminish your worth; Don't believe the lies of the enemy-- but grasp onto Jesus and profess scripture on who and what God says you are. The ability to use your words and say them aloud changes things in the spiritual realm.
Say yes to mission trips domestic or international and just go. Pray and ask God to reveal to you where He wants you to go and who he wants you to minister and help. Be patient and trust that the Lord will use you in a distinctive way. You never know who you will encounter, trust the process. Trust that God knows best. Every time you choose to say yes, your relationship with God grows deeper and intimate. He will begin to change your heart and shape you. You will begin to hear clearer from Him and see how much of a need there is all over the world. He will show you your divine calling, purpose and the gifts he has given you. Whether that be to preach, teach, build churches, go full time into the ministry, encourage, pray, heal. You will just know. You will receive that clear confirmation from the Lord.
Be merciful and lenient to all you encounter in life. People go through some trying periods--some of their stories make you feel as if your story is simple. Abuse in all areas, neglect, depression, anxiety, turmoil, addiction, generational lack--the list goes on. We don't know the real story of someone--so even if the person is unkind to you, choose to be like Jesus and be merciful. Your love and kindness could change their heart. Remember how God was and is still merciful to you.
Never give up on people--people who even seem far from the faith. This point always touches my heart because the world is really hurting and people use all kinds of things to make the pain go away. So even if someone that you love is simply far from God, never stop praying. Never give up on them. Even if you have to have faith unto your last dying breath keep the faith. Remember that God hears every prayer. He knows your heart. He knows your thoughts. Some things we may simply never understand, but if anything choose to have a heart of faith and prayer.
This past Sunday we had Iranian preacher Fiad come and worship at our church--it was beautiful and glorious. His voice is therapeutic. I'll leave this with you!
Talk soon--and God Bless You Always! :)
XOXO--Brit
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