He is Willing

When we talk about miracles what do you think of? Is the parting of the Red Sea what comes to mind? How about "walking on water"? Do we think about physical healing? I know I do.

There are many types of miracles in the Bible, and Jesus Himself preformed many of them as we see in the New Testament Gospels. Today I want to tell you about a miracle that happened in my life. I want you to know, so you will understand and accept that miracles are for those who believe. Not for those that just believe in Jesus, but for those that believe that He is willing... still willing for miracles, today.

Jesus healing the man with leprosy in Mark chapter 1.

Don't be tempted to skip over the scripture. (been there, done that) Even if you read it one hundred times. God can show you something new. He will honor your willingness to read His Word. So take a minute each new post to read the scripture verses. I can guarantee that it will bless you...time after time.

Version: NAS
John 14: 12-14

"Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me; otherwise believe on account of the works (miracles) themselves. 12. "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go to the Father. 13. "And whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14. "If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do [it].


Version: NAS

Mark 1: 40-42


40. And a leper came to Him, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying to Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." 41. And moved with compassion, He stretched out His hand, and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." 42. And immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

Some of you that I correspond with have heard this account, but I want you all to be on the same page with me. You need to know this, so you will know that I believe in miracles. Not just in theory, but in real life.

Back in the fall of 2002, a little over seven years ago. I had three major heart attacks. For four days I had what I thought was a pinched nerve in my right arm. I didn't know it was my heart because the pain was so severe in my right arm, shoulder to wrist.

At that time I was in good health, active and energetic, involved in church and ministry. I had a healthy diet, was a size 6, and had never smoked. I was probably the last person in the world that you could look at and think would be a candidate for a heart attack. But I had been under a lot of stress for quite a few years, and the underlying cause was that I had hereditary cardiovascular disease of which I knew nothing about.

God had called me to ministry a few years before, and in preparation He began to teach me about Himself. I studied God's Word for hours at a time. Sorry, I'm not exaggerating. I would get my Bible, and a notebook and I would be at His feet studying, praying, and listening. He instilled in me that He was looking for people that would believe the Bible. Not just for salvation, which is only the start, but that would really BELIEVE that He was still the same today, and that He is willing to do miracles in our individual lives. So I started studying the gospels with great intent and interest. Would I be willing to trust Him? Yes, I was convinced that I would.

So then a few years later the heart attacks happened, only a few weeks after God had done a huge miracle at our church that He had allowed me to be a part of. He knew what was coming my way. Why didn't He prevent it? Good question. One that I have asked of Him. I will just say, that had I not had this experience I would not have known first hand God's graciousness, willingness to heal, and His amazing love. I would not now have the confidence to teach and pray for others for physical healing.

Now when I finally got to the hospital at 6:00 on Monday morning I was still in the middle of a major coronary. They rushed me to the Heart Catheterization lab and did an angiogram. That is where they insert a tube, or catheter, through the femoral artery in your groin and inject a dye (contrast material) that will show under x-ray where you have an arterial blockage.
I had a 100% block and because of it there had been so much pressure in my artery that an aneurysm had formed. It was extremely large and had so weakened this artery that the cardiologist left the room when he saw it. He knew I was going to die on the table, and he didn't want to see it. My heart was severely compromised and was "dead" in the upper 1/2 to 1/3. In layman's terms I was a "goner".

I was terrified when, laying on the table, I started having another heart attack. There came a voice in my spirit that said to me loud and clear. "There will come a day when you see Me face to face, but today is not that day." I knew right then He would heal me.

I was told after the angiogram procedure that I would be a cardiac patient. Surgery to repair the aneurysm was out of the question. It would kill me. I could die if I sneezed, so it seemed inevitable that I didn't have much time. I thanked my doctor and said that I believed that God had a ministry for me and that I couldn't do it if I was in heaven. So I believed God would heal me. I didn't know when. Tomorrow, next week, next month or next year. But I believed God would do it.

The end of the week of my hospital stay the cardiologist suggested some repeat tests to see exactly where I stood. (now I think that this would have been a waste of time and dangerous) God knew what He was doing. So I had the tests.

The next evening I had a full hospital room with church friends and prayer partners. Our Sunday School teacher and his wife were there, and some close friends. (I had told my husband to not let anyone in to see me that was crying or scared. I could not afford to doubt.) The doctor came in to give us the results. I told him to go ahead. These people that were with me knew where I stood in my physical health and prognosis. The doctor cleared his throat, somewhat at a loss for words.

"I can't find the aneurysm, and your heart is fully functioning. I don't know how to explain it."

"I do." I said. "God has healed me."

And the cardiologist agreed.

Now re-read Mark 1:41

Now you know why I believe in miracles.

A few posts ago, I asked for a favor. I'm not too proud to do it again. If you read this Bible Study please place a link to this blog on your side bar and or blog list. This is not for me, as it is not "about me". This is a blog celebrating Jesus and God's Word. I am praying for people to read this. God can bring them to Himself if we make His Word available. People come through these blogs hurting and searching. I believe that if they can just get a glimpse of Jesus here, He can change their lives. Please remember, this is not about me, or for me. It's about spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. If you don't feel comfortable yet, please pray about it. Here's the link:

http://www.adayinthelife-commonground.blogspot.com/.

We are just getting started. Have you found a journal, or a notebook? Please do. I know that God wants to speak to each of us. Just take a minute to write your thoughts, ideas, and prayer requests down for future reference. God has a lot to say to us. God has been speaking to many of you this last week, and I am so excited. I want to hear about what God has been doing in your own life. Please don't feel like my account overshadows what He has done for you. I needed healing, He did that. You may not have had that exact need, but I know there are miracles out there. Please share them with us. It doesn't have to be a "physical healing"' but ANY thing that you know God alone did. Leave a comment and tell us how God has done miracles in your life.

 

Blessings everyone!

love, Debra

Would you like to see Miracles?

Let's say you would like to see something wonderful happen in your life. What would you choose? A spouse that is more attentive and godly: a man that was doing his fair share in the marriage? How about a child of yours that is physically ill or just hurting in their "spirit", one that doesn't listen to you and goes off on their own path, leaving God behind. How about money problems...do you have financial needs that need to be met? Want to get a better grip on your own spiritual life and connection to God?

Well, I can tell you that in my life God has done all these things and many more. He is the "One" who has supplied the miraculous. He can take a man and make him the best husband I could ask for. He could take a daughter that was missing His presence and bless her with great spiritual gifts. He took a woman who was "worldly" and not having a deep relationship with Him and then blessed her with a new life. Then he could give us a solution to our financial debt. These are all things that are a direct result in my believing these scriptures.

Version: NAS

John 14:11-14

11. "Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me; otherwise believe on account of the works (miracles) themselves. 12. "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go to the Father. 13. "And whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14. "If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do [it]".

Do you have a problem in your life that needs God's attention? I think we all do. I know that I have several things on my heart that need Him to be involved with and that only He can fix. Health problems? yes, and money issues that are still being "worked on".
Do you have an emptiness in your heart? Are you searching for meaning in your life?
So let's start looking at some of the miracles Jesus performed while He was here on earth. We will study some individual miraculous events. Physical healings and miraculous occurrences; we will investigate them and see how God can do the same things in our lives today.

When I talk about "miracles" you need to know I do not subscribe to any concept that has been born out of the New Age movement. I do not follow anything or anyone except Jesus Christ. I have read portions of different "miraculous" courses such as " A Course in Miracles" by Marianne Williamson, and then there is "The Secret" which was much hyped a few years ago. These are teachings that are not from Jesus. They may throw His name around and have a little scripture added in for good measure, but they are not Biblical. Be careful what you pick up to read and study. "Miracles" are part of the New Age tug. (Also "angels" can be a lure that the New Age uses)They can suck you into something that is not of God. Pray before you read or subscribe to anything. As I have said before, seek God over what He would have you be involved in. If it doesn't line up with God's Word tell Him to let you know so you can leave it alone.

Quite a few years ago, when I first really started studying God's Word in earnest, I had a God inspired thought, that I would ask to see miracles happen in my life. Since I made that request of God, I have wondered at times if that was really a good idea. I have seen the miraculous, but at times it has come out of a desperate situation. I guess to see a miracle you have to be in a place that unless "God steps in", it just will not happen. Yes, I have been there a few times.

This will be an awesome time of study I can assure you. I'm looking forward to see what God has in mind for us and how He can give us new hope and a new way of looking at life.
I can guarantee it will be a time of "fruitful" study.

Before I close I want to tell you a little about what God has been saying to me about this little time of Bible Study and sharing. This is something God has a plan for. Each one of you that reads these posts God has a plan for. He has brought you here because He is getting ready to do "miracles" in our lives. I don't know what the "particulars" are, but I know He is up to something "awesome"! He wants us to be ready to grab on to Him and let Him take us someplace "new" in our lives.

A few days ago God showed me a group of women holding hands in a "circle". There were quite a few of us, and the circle was growing. We each held each other's hands in this circle. And He said to me, "It is not just a circle, but a circuit." Now I have to tell you I got super excited, because if you know anything about electricity, you know it needs a "circuit", or a path of electric current. God is getting ready to move through us with His power and presence.

So if you are just a casual reader I'm going to to ask you to pray about joining us with more of a commitment. I know God has a plan to bless each and every one of us.
I am challenging you to start a "journal" of what you are asking God for, because I believe with my whole heart some of our lives are about to change. Just grab a notebook or a journal and write down what God is putting on your heart about these posts. There will be quite a few posts I'm sure. It doesn't have to be in depth or lengthy, just let Him speak to your heart about what He wants to do.

I'm also challenging you to leave comments and thoughts. Even if it's just a sentence. When we get involved and don't just stand on the sidelines, God knows we are "serious" about what He wants to do in our lives. If you are new reading this, don't feel inadequate or that you are not one of the group. You definitely are a part of this. You are not here by accident, and God wants to draw you in closer. Join hands and hearts with me as we study Jesus' miracles and as we allow Him into our life to see what miracles He has in store for us!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week, everyone! I know we will be having our kids here and it will be a busy time. I'll post again next week. Until then, leave a thought or comment and I will answer back here on the comment page. I'm excited to hear what God is doing in your lives. Be sure and leave prayer requests, and I will post them on the side bar.

 Get ready and get excited.

 God is moving!

Blessings to you all,

In Jesus Love,

Debra

Mary's Song

We are all thankful; we have so many blessings in our lives. Even when times are hard, financially, relationally or personally, we all have things to be thankful for. We have gratitude in our heart to God. But sometimes expressing it can be difficult. Let's look at Mary and see and hear her great gratitude and praise that she expressed to God for what she was experiencing and for His plan that was becoming evident in her life.

The following scripture from Luke 1 is a passage that is often overlooked or at least downplayed in many churches. When I was young and in Sunday School, I don't remember this ever really being discussed in our story of Christmas. Nor did I hear this from the pulpit.
Mary was only 13 or 14 years old. How on earth did she come up with this amazing outburst of joy and gratitude? Well, that's the key. Mary herself did not come up with this response. This was a spontaneous outpouring of joy and praise that was orchestrated by the Holy Spirit Himself. God just took little Mary and gave her words that she probably had never thought of before, let alone spoken. And when little Mary opened her mouth to praise God, to thank Him, and show her gratitude, what came out in all it's beauty was a wonderful expression... the "Magnificat", or Mary's Song.

Luke 1:46-55


46. And Mary said: "My soul exalts the Lord, 47. And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48. "For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. 49. "For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. 50. "And His mercy is upon generation after generation Toward those who fear Him. 51. "He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered [those who were] proud in the thoughts of their heart. 52. "He has brought down rulers from [their] thrones, And has exalted those who were humble. 53. "He has filled the hungry with good things; And sent away the rich empty-handed. 54. "He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy, 55. As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his offspring forever."

I want to talk a little about prayer and praise...and "thanksgiving".

Ephesians 6:18 (New International Version)
18. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.


Romans 8:26 (New International Version)
26. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.


1 Corinthians 14:15 (New International Version)
15.So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.


Philippians 4:4-7 NAS
4. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5. Let your forbearing [spirit] be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

Each of these scriptures indicates that there is the element of Holy Spirit inspired prayer.


Quite some time ago,when God was first calling me to a deeper more intimate spiritual walk, I was involved in a prayer ministry at our church. We had a prayer group that met on Wednesday evenings to pray for church matters and people in our congregation. I really enjoyed that time of seeking the Lord for a deeper prayer life. We had a volunteer prayer group for our church that had a goal of 24 hour prayer coverage. This was not just our small group, but church wide. My time schedule for prayer was at 10:00-11:00 on Wednesday evenings. We called it "the wall". (When you have time you might want to read the book of Nehemiah, especially chapter 1, where he prays for his people and then God leads him back to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall.)


I had a weekly update on things to pray for, but at that time my being able to stay focused in prayer for an hour was a real struggle. (still hard, who am I kidding?) I would find that I would cover all the list in the first 15 minutes, then be left feeling inadequate and spiritually immature. I had a knowledge that prayer was key in expanding my relationship with My Heavenly Father, I just couldn't get there by myself. I will never forget the night it all changed.

Here I was, once again, trying to do justice in prayer for all the people that were ill, church financial needs and requests, and even going the extra mile to pray for individual ministries at our church. That night I promised God that I would stay there until my time was up. That I would not be a slacker and that I would make every minute count. I glanced at my watch every few minutes,...by golly, I thought, I CAN do this! Whew, time was almost up. "I'll just finish up by reading a little scripture" I said to my self.

I opened my Bible to Ephesians  and began to read.

Time's almost up, Yeah, I've made it. I've sat still and concentrated on God for a whole 55 minutes. OK only a minute or two to go... down to the finish line... Gee, I have a lot to do for tomorrow, clothes to iron, a kitchen to clean, cats to feed....lots to do God, but hey, I'm still here, see, I'll give you those few extra minutes!

Then, in the last minute...home stretch... I hit Ephesians 4, Okey dokey, times up!!!

But at that very moment I heard a voice in my spirit, just like I had a phone to my spiritual ear. Very clearly The Voice said, "If you will stay with Me one more hour, I will make it worth your while. I will give you your "call".


Well, I stayed for an extra two, and believe me, my life changed. Not only did He speak to me about what He wanted me to do in my life, but He put something in me that energized and made my prayer life new. He instilled His Holy Spirit into my prayer life, and it's never been the same. Now I depend on Him for direction in prayer. I invited the Holy Spirit to take over my prayer time, and with that came new focus, and new depth of understanding and purpose.

Mary became infilled with the Holy Spirit. He directed her prayer. She uttered words and thoughts that were not from her "conscious" mind, but from her spiritual mind. Her heart and mind submitted to God.


Prayer has many components. We'll talk about those at some later time, but just know if you feel unable to articulate your needs; if you are at a loss as how to communicate in prayer to God, just call upon the Holy Spirit to inspire your prayer time and life. He will gladly do that. He will enrich and renew your prayers with His own mind and heart...and you will connect with God in a whole new way. You will be like Mary, you will open your mouth (yes, praise and worship and give thanks verbally, out loud. God just loves that!) and you will sing...sing your own song of joy, worship, praise, and thanksgiving.

Have a wonderful week in preparation for Thanksgiving.

Let God inspire and refresh you.

Blessings,

Debra

Healing Scripture:

Deuteronomy 7:13-14

13. "And He will love you and bless you and multiply you; He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your herd and the young of your flock, in the land which He swore to your forefathers to give you. 14. "You shall be blessed above all peoples; there shall be no male or female barren among you or among your cattle. 15. "And the LORD will remove from you all sickness; and He will not put on you any of the harmful diseases of Egypt which you have known, but He will lay them on all who hate you.