As someone who has been on a Pentecostal pew since birth or so, I’ve seen a lot of “revivals.” I grew up attending the church pastored by Bro. Jerry Dillon, which meant that at least two weeks out of the month, you would be attending revival services. It was a great way to live, and it taught me a thing or two about what revival really is – I lived it, saw it, and witnessed the changing power of God flow out on many lives. As a result, I think I am also familiar with what revival is NOT. There are some “revivals” that Satan won’t stop – in fact he will encourage them – because they fit quite nicely within his purpose: keeping the Church as a body from reaching the lost.

“My what a service we had!”

“Did the power of God fall?”

“That was an awesome move of the Holy Ghost!”

“You weren’t even IN church if you weren’t at MY church last night.”

OK, so we’ve all said those things. And most of the time they are meant to convey that the presence of the Lord was in a service. What concerns me, however, is a growing tendency I’ve seen among some churches. As long as there are “good services” where “God moves” and people “feel the power”, they think everything is great in their assemblies. And yet . . . hearts are not changed, the lost are not won; outward appearances may line up, but there is no true victory in the lives of the people who are attending these regularly “powerful” services. They attended Holy Ghost blow-out after Holy Ghost hoe-down, and yet when the smallest problem came into their life, they were distraught and giving up on God. And their lives are not impacting the lives of the lost and the hurting around them. I asked myself, “What is going on?” That didn’t do much good, so I asked God. And this is what I got.

Satan doesn’t care about our “powerful services” . . . he doesn’t care if we “shout the walls down” . . . he doesn’t care if you can’t see the carpet for the hairpins . . . IF those powerful services are just that. If they don’t lead us to greater dedication, deeper commitment, a more burning desire to help others. If we are unchanged, if we don’t impact our world, Satan is perfectly content to let us dance all over church on Sunday, because he knows that when we leave the building, it’s over.

You’ve seen these churches. You’ve probably been envious when they’ve talked about how the power falls. Especially when you compare their experiences to your own (not a good idea, but difficult to avoid) – their lives don’t experience much trouble, and yet it is a Pentecostal Power Hour every time they show up. What gives?

Simply this: it is possible to bask in the presence of the Lord, enjoy the “feel good” that His anointing allows, and leave completely and utterly unchanged. A lot of people like a church like that. They feel good while they are there, but they feel absolutely no compunction to change anything about their lives or share Jesus with others. They simply use God’s presence as an anti-depressant – they get just enough of a “fix” to make it to the next service – but they don’t allow the changing power of His spirit to penetrate their hearts and lives. As a result, they cannot handle difficulties, and they don’t reach out to the lost.

Why would Satan object? As long as he lets them be comfortable, complacent – sleeping, really – he has little to worry about. They’ll continue feeling good in church. But they won’t spread the word. (Somebody might sit on their pew or, God forbid, take their solo.) They’ll show up faithfully to every service. But they will leave unchanged. (That would require sacrifice and searching themselves for sins that are not quite as obvious as others.) It’s a quarantined virus, in Satan’s eyes, and I’m convinced he allows it, encourages it, and hopes other churches will emulate it. Gives him freedom to take the rest of the city to hell while that congregation of 30, 50, or 150 gets their “fix” and moves on to another week. And then later, when they don’t expect it, he can hit them with a big problem, and it will destroy what faith they have. This kind of revival is a win-win for him.

Think I’m talking out of school? Check God’s word:

20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
Matthew 13:20-21

12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation. . . . And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened? 18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember? 19 When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve. 20 And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven. 21 And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?
Mark 8:10-21

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
II Timothy 3:1-9

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
James 1: 22-24

It is vital that we understand that we must have a relationship with Christ that goes beyond feeling good, shouting, and worshiping. Those things are good; they are vital. But if you are not seeing the fruit of the spirit in your church, in your life – it’s time for an inventory. You are either a weapon in the kingdom, or you have been given your pacifier (Hebrews 5:12-13). Good services where you feel the power are not enough. If souls are not being born into the kingdom, are you really fulfilling your purpose? If not, whose purpose are you fulfilling? Dangerous question, if you dare to ask it.

 

Tags: Alesha Noelle Leveritt

This entry is found at the following address:

Adventures in Motherhood
Please be sure and check out this site, it is wonderfully done and very intelligently written.

“A Father Forgets”

By: Livingston Larned

comments and “My Prayer” By: Jeffery Moore

Listen, son: I am saying this as you lie asleep, one little paw crumpled under your cheek and blond curls stickily wet on your damp forehead. I have stolen into your room alone. Just a few minutes ago, as I sat reading my paper in the library, a stifling wave of remorse swept over me. Guiltily, I came to your bedside.

These are the things I was thinking, son: I had been cross to you. I scolded you as you were dressing for school because you gave your face merely a dab with a towel. I took you to task for not cleaning your shoes. I called out angrily when you threw some of your things on the floor.

***I’m Sorry***
At breakfast I found fault too. You spilled things. You gulped down your food. You put your elbows on the table. You spread butter too thick on your bread. And as you started off to play and I made for my train, you turned and waved a hand and called, “Good-bye, Daddy!” and I frowned, and said in reply, “Hold your shoulders back!”

Then it began all over again in the late afternoon. As I came up the road I spied you, down on your knees, playing marbles. There were holes in your socks. I humiliated you before your friends by marching you ahead of me to the house. Socks were expensive, and if you had to buy them you would be more careful! Imagine that, son, son, from a father!

***Spontaneous Love***
Do you remember, later, when I was reading in the library, how you came in, timidly, with a sort of hurt look in your eyes? When I glanced up over my paper, impatient at the interruption, you hesitated at the door. “What is it you want?” I snapped. You said nothing, but ran across in one tempestuous plunge, and threw your arms around my neck and kissed me, and your small arms tightened with an affection that God had set blooming in your heart and which even neglect could not wither…and then you were gone, pattering up the stairs.

***Wrong Measuring Stick***
Well, son, it was shortly afterward that my paper slipped from my hands and a terrible sickening fear came over me. What has habit been doing to me? The habit of finding fault, reprimanding-this was my reward to you for being a boy. It was not that I did not love you; it was that I expected too much of youth. It was measuring you by the yardstick of my own years. And there was so much that was good and fine and true in your character. The little heart of you was as big as the dawn itself over the wide hills. This was shown by your spontaneous impulse to rush in and kiss me good night. Nothing else matters tonight, son. I have come to your bedside in the darkness, and I have knelt here, ashamed!

***I Will***
It is a feeble atonement; I know you would not understand these things if I told them to you during your waking hours. But tomorrow I will be a real daddy. I will chum with you, suffer when you suffer, and laugh when you laugh. I will bite my tongue when impatient words come. I will keep saying as if it were a ritual, “He is nothing but a boy, a little boy!”

I am afraid I have visualized you as a man. Yet as I see you now, son, crumpled and weary in your bed, I see that you are still a little boy. Yesterday you were in your mother’s arms, your head on her shoulder. I have asked too much, too much.

***Jeffery’s comments***
When I first read this, tears welled up in my eyes. How many times have I taken my own boys and their youthfulness for granted. Often, especially because of the rush of everything like work, paying bills, doing this and doing that, we often forget that our children, our gifts from God, are young and learning, and can’t possibly know what we do. In their youth they are learning and experiencing what we have already learned and experienced, and our role, our duty, as their parent, is to teach them life’s lessons in a manner that teaches them truth revealed by our undying love. Only through truth and love can we ever hope to be successful in teaching them.

**My Prayer**
Heavenly Father, I give you the Glory and Praise for being the perfect Father and giving me the only role model worth following. As I nurture and watch over my children, I proclaim you are their ultimate Father, and I am only their Daddy, their keeper to bring them up in honor of you. Father give me the strength to teach my little ones to love and honor and respect and follow you completely. Give me the ability to bring them up in love and truth so they may grow up and become successful men of God, serving you rather than men. Father pour out your Spirit on me and my little ones, so we may be like mirrors, a reflection of you. Give me the wisdom and courage to do these things.

In Jesus name, Amen.

I always try to put in an honest days’ work. Sometimes, things seem to go really well, and other times, not so good. There are those days that you look back and surprise yourself at how much you got accomplished, and then there are those days when you are either surprised of how little you accomplished or surprised how fast the day went with so little done – those days when one item is crossed of the ‘to-do’ list, only to have two more take its place. We’ve all experienced both sides of the coin, some good days, some not so good, but I was a little aggravated at one of my ‘not-so-productive’ days, so I decided to pray and ask God about it, I wanted some guidance. Below is what was given me, and I hope it helps and blesses you as it has me. Fair warning though! If you are strictly looking for a pep talk to remember, this may not be for you. If, however, you would like to look at those days, both good and bad, from a more biblical/spiritual viewpoint….you’ve come to the right place.

The Question:

“Ok, God, How do I manage both the good days and the tough ones. Good days are pretty easy enough, but the tough days, and the days that are downright miserable, how can I change them or change me to make them more bearable?”

I know, that asking questions is beneficial to learning what God wants, but sometimes I wonder if I really want the answer….this time I did, and a wealth of knowledge poured on me like a soft rain and a gentle breeze all at the same time….I knew then, that the Holy Ghost was pouring out an answer to see through the scriptures…..here it comes:

First, everyday God gives us is a gift. How we use this gift is up to us, but it is intended to share His love, reveal His light, and lead others to Him. This much I know and understand, but I wanted to dig even deeper.

Ephesians 6:

5Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

Notice, in verse 6, that we are not to provide ‘eyeservice’ ?

It was laid on me that when I work, I should do that work as good as if I was doing that work for the Lord Himself! Wow! Are you serious?!? O.K., He is serious, but I am shocked that He answers this in His word, long before I showed up. Or maybe He threw that in just for me, maybe for everyone. Either way, it’s a perspective changer!

When you realise that when you work, whether slave/servant/employee, God wants you to give it your best, your all, as if you are doing the work for Him personally. I’m all for strong work ethics, but this really takes it to a new level. It pretty much tells you that the shortcuts, half-way doing things, cover up and cut corners every once in a while attitude is not acceptable….ever.

So, how do we handle our work: Ecclesiastes 9:10 answers:

10Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

So, what do I need to do, besides do my very best, and not cut corners or make excuses for tough days?

And the answer is…….Proverbs 16:3

Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

So, it would seem, any excuses like some days are better than others, really doesn’t hold water anymore. Bottom line, give it my all, accomplish everything I can for that day, and when the day is over I can always smile knowing I did everything that I could possibly do, because I know WHO I really work for!

As I prepared this, Proverbs 16 really stood out, and I’ve included it below in the King James version (KJV) and the New Living Translation (NLT).

Proverbs Chapter 16 (KJV)

Proverbs 16
King James Version
1The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

3Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

4The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

5Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

6By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

7When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

9A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

10A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

11A just weight and balance are the LORD’S: all the weights of the bag are his work.

12It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

13Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.

15In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

19Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

22Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

26He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.

27An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

28A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

29A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

30He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

31The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

33The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

Proverbs chapter 16 (NLT)

Proverbs 16
New Living Translation
1We can make our own plans,
but the Lord gives the right answer.

2People may be pure in their own eyes,

but the Lord examines their motives.

3Commit your actions to the Lord,

and your plans will succeed.

4The Lord has made everything for his own purposes,

even the wicked for a day of disaster.

5The Lord detests the proud;

they will surely be punished.

6Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin.

By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil.

7When people’s lives please the Lord,

even their enemies are at peace with them.

8Better to have little, with godliness,

than to be rich and dishonest.

9We can make our plans,

but the Lord determines our steps.

10The king speaks with divine wisdom;

he must never judge unfairly.

11The Lord demands accurate scales and balances;

he sets the standards for fairness.

12A king detests wrongdoing,

for his rule is built on justice.

13The king is pleased with words from righteous lips;

he loves those who speak honestly.

14The anger of the king is a deadly threat;

the wise will try to appease it.

15When the king smiles, there is life;

his favor refreshes like a spring rain.

16How much better to get wisdom than gold,

and good judgment than silver!

17The path of the virtuous leads away from evil;

whoever follows that path is safe.

18Pride goes before destruction,

and haughtiness before a fall.

19Better to live humbly with the poor

than to share plunder with the proud.

20Those who listen to instruction will prosper;

those who trust the Lord will be joyful.

21The wise are known for their understanding,

and pleasant words are persuasive.

22Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it,

but discipline is wasted on fools.

23From a wise mind comes wise speech;

the words of the wise are persuasive.

24Kind words are like honey—

sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

25There is a path before each person that seems right,

but it ends in death.

26It is good for workers to have an appetite;

an empty stomach drives them on.

27Scoundrels create trouble;

their words are a destructive blaze.

28A troublemaker plants seeds of strife;

gossip separates the best of friends.

29Violent people mislead their companions,

leading them down a harmful path.

30With narrowed eyes, people plot evil;

with a smirk, they plan their mischief.

31Gray hair is a crown of glory;

it is gained by living a godly life.

32Better to be patient than powerful;

better to have self-control than to conquer a city.

33We may throw the dice,a

but the Lord determines how they fall.

Footnotes:
a 16:33 Hebrew We may cast lots.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.
All Rights Reserved.

Dear Son,

Last night you saw your daddy in pain. With an ankle swollen pretty bad, and chest pains that even I thought was a sign of the end. I know you realised the severity of it and saw it in your little face, even when I tried to joke it off with you, or change the subject. I slept in your bed for you and brother to sleep with your momma, just in case my end was at hand, I didn’t want you to find me. It felt that the end was that close, that real. I knew if I could hold out for a few more hours I would see the doctor, instead of waiting for hours in an emergency room, so I held out on the e.r., but prayed that I could hold out, that our Lord would hold me and help me bear it until then.

As I layed in your bed, you came and wanted to ‘camp’ out with me. You told me that I needed you there, and as nervous as I was, I really did. We layed there and watched some tv (my show) until you mentioned we could watch your show, a cartoon. I was happy to say yes, and really loved seeing you light up as we watched cartoons for a little while, before you fell asleep.

The most important thing I remember is before you fell asleep, I told you that we would trust God to help me get to see the dr and get better. Your response to me cheered me, lifted me, and even now chokes me up. “Jesus will take the pain, and you will be ok, and I can wait here with you” You said this smiling, knowing that He would take care of us, you wanted help for me, and you expected it, the perfect formula for answered prayers.

Later on, I woke up, and went back to my bed, and so you wouldn’t be alone, momma come got in the bed with you. I woke up to find you snuggled right beside me. I found out you woke up after I left asking where I was, and come to be next to me again. Even walking from one end of the house to the other in the dark (which I know you are not a fan of the dark). This touched me son, that you knew to call on Jesus for help, and that you would face your own fear to be with me and supportive, and wait on Jesus to get me through the night, right beside me.

As your daddy, I want the very best for you, and want you to always trust in Jesus. Sometimes I wonder what you absorb and understand, but you have shown that the greatest lesson to learn, trusting in Jesus, and believing in Jesus, is a lesson that you understand very well. It thrills my heart and my soul to see that. I know the Lord is looking on you, smiling and proud, that you know who He is, believe in Him, and trust Him to take care of you, and know how to go to Him, unwavering. The greatest gift any daddy could have.

My son, I love you,

Love,
Daddy

One day, a man went to visit a church. He got there early, parked his car and got out. Another car pulled up near the driver got out and said, ‘I always park there! You took my place!’

The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, ‘That’s my seat! You took my place!’ The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.

After Sunday school, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, ‘That’s where I always sit! You took my place!’ The visitor was even more troubled by
this treatment, but still He said nothing.

Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet.

Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, ‘What happened to you?’ The visitor replied, as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eye, ‘I took your place.’

When you receive this, take the time to call out to the One who took your place. If you know Him, give Him the praise he so rightly deserves. If you don’t know Him, maybe it’s time to have a ‘one on one’ meeting with Him that will never fail you. Either way call out to Jesus, That’s all you have to do, He will take you by the hand, and take your place.

Dear Readers, this experience deals with my maternal Grandmother. I loved my grandmother deeply, and I feel she loved me just as much, if not more. I want to share what I feel to be one of the greatest lessons my grandmother taught me…being honest with God and develop a personal relationship with Him. That God truly wants our loyalty and faith, and a true friendship with Him.

As a child, I remember going to her house and sitting at her table as she told and taught me many things. Some I know I have forgotten completely, some have come to me through the years. Lessons of life, God, and nature were her forte, and she understood them all very well. First, let me make sure, dear reader, that you understand she was a very devout Christian woman. She believed in God whole-heartedly. She also believed that God gave us the ability to learn and understand the natural order of things, things that most would overlook and oftentimes ignore. She spoke some to me about herbs, as she called them, “Old Remedies”. She also talked to me about God, telling me that everyone needs to know Him, but everyone would need to meet God with a personal relationship, not through any other way would they be able to experience Him, but on the terms that person and God set out. She believed that all friendships, even the most sacred relationship with God, had terms for both to agree to, if the relationship was to grow. Ironically, I didn’t fully grasp that as a child, but now know and understand it completely, I believe, as I believe God and I have a personal relationship, that to others may seem odd, crazy, or weird.

My grandmother explained it to me as a kid, but again, I didn’t realise until much older what she meant. Her terms with God were simple….she would trust in Him for everything. In exhcange, she was a very expecting person of God. She believed to offer total submission meant God must totally provide….she was right!

As my relationship grows with God, and my understanding of our relationship, I wish to follow in her footsteps. When I talk to God, hard as it may be at times, I offer up myself and my family to Him. I speak rather frank, cutting to the chase, even with Him. I feel if it’s in your heart of hearts, you might as well say it, get it off your chest, then let go and let God. Funny thing, people have heard me call out to God, especially when angry (whoops) and say “God, I am so pissed right now, you have got to do something!” Many have criticized, saying that it was disrespectful, but I personally feel comfortable to simply tell my God how I feel. I believe He knows, as I do, that no disrespect is meant, but I am simply getting it out there the best I can so He can do what He needs to do, according to His will, and deliver me from whatever is on me at that time.

Yes, I know, many would rather spend hours on end reciting some long procession of what they need, but not me. I believe God already knows my troubles, better than I do, so why waste time trying to be pretty…..just put it out there! I know many may or may not agree with this attitude, but that is the relationship I have with God, it doesn’t fit for everyone’s relationship with God, it shouldn’t.

Now, that you have an understanding of how I approach things, even my spiritual relationship with God, I encourage you to sit back and analyze your own relationship to Him. Be honest, it’s just like any other friendship, it must be continously developed and nurtured in order to grow.

“Coming Off the Death Bed”

by:  Jeffery Moore

This event took place when I was around 16-17 years of age, which coincidentally is about 17 years ago. I was attending a local Church of God church, looking for my spirituality, trying to find my ‘place’ to worship. I have many fond memories of that Church. It was small with very few members and that made for a very close knit bunch. The local pastor was also the Bishop, in fact he was the representing Bishop for the US. Now, understand this is a small ‘sect’ of the Church of God, but his knowledge and his power as the US Bishop was amazing, and at times could be daunting, especially for someone like me about to expose a gift and not fully knowing how it would be accepted. Excommunication, while better known in the Catholic Church, is still practiced by many Christian denominations, and I definitely wasn’t going to be looking for that.

It was a Sunday morning, and worship was well underway, when we all stood to sing. A visiting Bishop was standing next to Bishop Ware just to the left of the pulpit/stage if you were facing the pulpit. I was center of the right aisle, on the other side of the Church.

As I stood to sing, I felt a little different, I wasn’t for sure what was going on, but stood anyway as the singing was starting. Immediately, once I was standing completely, I realised that I needed to speak to the visiting Bishop. I didn’t know his name, or where he was from exactly, it was the first time he was at the Church. A brief introduction happened earlier, but I didn’t really pay attention (sorry).

The longer I stood there, the more I knew I needed to speak to this Bishop. Inside my head, ideas were racing, including calling myself a complete nut. There was absolutely no way I was going to walk across the Church floor to go speak to a visiting Bishop that I didn’t even know! I was convinced I couldn’t do it, and even closed my eyes to stop looking in that direction, but the more I looked, the more I felt drawn to go over there and speak to him. I didn’t even know why I needed to speak to him, or even what I would say. I stood there, slightly swaying, with my eyes closed, and a full argument with myself in motion. A voice calling out to me to go, it wouldn’t relent, it insisted I must go, but I was fighting as hard as I could.

“What is it my son?” I heard asked of me, with my eyes closed. Shocked at hearing this different voice, I opened my eyes and realised that I WAS standing in front of the very Bishop that I had been arguing with myself and the voice of not speaking to! He looked down at me in concern and reached out his hand. I took his hand, scared to death, not knowing of how to explain it all to him, much less Bishop Ware!

As we took each others’ hands, I immediately began to cry, tears streaming from my face. He again asked what was wrong and at that very moment I felt a change in me. It almost felt as if sitting inside myself, as I could see him and hear what I was saying, but it wasn’t me! This is the message that I heard coming from me, but not me:

The Lord, Your God, has heard your pleas, and even now will answer your prayers. Your wife is on her deathbed, but the Lord says she will walk again.
Now, how do you explain yourself after those words come out of your mouth? His wife wasn’t at Church, I had never met her, didn’t know for sure he was married, never even thought to wonder. Yet, these words did come from me, and to my surprise, his hands began to tremble in mine.

As I “regained” myself, I looked up at the Bishop, and realised tears were streaming from his face too! All I could think was, “Ok, you’ve don’t it now, their gonna kick you out, call you a devil worshipper, and possibly more!” Strangely, I felt at peace at the same time my brain was running over one hundred miles an hour. Then, I realised the music had stopped. The visiting Bishop had held up his other hand, and stopped the music, now I was scared.

This visiting Bishop proceeded to tell of how his wife wasn’t there with him, that she had been sick for a long time, on her deathbed. He told that he had only mentioned that she was sick only to Bishop Ware, and yet received a message through me that she would walk again. Ok, a small sigh of relief, before the real worry set in. The entire Church was immediately in a celebration spirit, and I breathed a sigh of relief again, but still had some worries!

“Ok, so let’s say she doesn’t walk again, where am I at then?” I asked this and many, many more questions of myself on my way home and even more as I got home. I decided that going back was not an option, so the next Sunday, when Bishop Ware called to make sure I was coming, I made up some lame excuse. Then, two Sundays after the event had transpired, Bishop Ware called again. Once again, nervous, I made up another lame excuse. Bishop Ware, I believe realised my hesitation of ever returning, informed me that Sunday night, that night, I would be there, and he would personally pick me up–no excuses! I said ok, but I was really thinking “Awwwl Shit!” No joke.

That Sunday night, right as services were about to start, I noticed the visiting Bishop make his way to the front to sit next to Bishop Ware. I couldn’t help it, a feeling of “Awwwl Shit,” ran through my head when I saw him. Fortunately, services ran as normal, so my paranoia of being called before the Church got to run full course! I dreamed up of one million and one ways to escape, in case it got ugly. Then, right towards the end of the service, I hear it. “Jeff, would you come up to the front, please,” Brother Ware said calmly and with a grin. Yep, you guessed it, another ‘Awwwwl Shit,’ ran through my head. Reluctantly, and with encouragement from Bishop Ware, I went up front.

Bishop Ware, I noticed, smiled at the visiting Bishop, I wish I knew his name, and began orating to the Church of what had happened two weeks earlier. The visiting Bishop approached, and I believe it had to be visibly aware, I was scared. He had for some reason, gone to the other end of the Church where the doors are leading into the foyer. He was approaching me, tears streaming down his face, but smiling. He then moved over to the side, and I could see a little frail lady humbly walking behind him, he had blocked me from seeing her until they got closer to the altar.

Immediately I am crying, and so is everyone else. Bishop Ware announces that all things are possible, if we listen to God. All of us at the altar are hugging and smiling and crying all at the same time. Soon, after we all calm down some, the visiting Bishop, hugs me and says thank you. Immediately I responded without thinking, “Don’t thank me, I was only a messenger.” I explained the emotional roller coaster and debates about telling him and how, somehow, I ended up in front of him giving him the message, against my better judgement. He laughed and said that great things can happen if we listen to the Lord, but sometimes, when we protest, He’ll just take over and do what needs to be done how He sees fit, which is itself a message, one for me…

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (KJV – Romans 8:28)