GOD With Us
On Friday, April 15, 2011, Bill was given notice that his position had been eliminated and his services were no longer required. He was officially being laid off, with no chance of being rehired.
It was the first time in his life he was to find himself in this situation with no job for even one single day. For 32 years of his life, he had never been faced with the prospect of waking up in the morning and no where to go. Understandably, he was upset.
I felt the presence of two distinct hands being involved. That satan had a hand in it BUT God had His hand in it too. It may seem an awful thing to be happening now in this down turned economy. Not really. God’s hand was still there and His presence so strong. I was not even the slightest bit upset, just the opposite. I had such a profound peace. God had not left us; He was RIGHT here with us!
His presence was so strong I can’t begin to describe the peace. No worries, no problems, just serenity and comfort knowing it was in God’s hands. It was just like cradling a newborn baby in your arms, no one is going to harm them. Only I was the one wrapped tightly in the arms of Jesus. It is a feeling like no other and it can only come from God.
God’s sweet peace
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” Colossians 3:15
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:7-8
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
God makes a way
“And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.” Joshua 3:17
“For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over: That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.” Joshua 4:23-24
satan was once again left scratching his evil head no doubt thinking what is going on here, why are they not fighting, how is everything so normal, why are they so calm? The answer is simple; we now have something we did not use to have – GOD. He is a miracle worker. He can calm troubled waters. He certainly can give peace to a distressed soul.
Jesus Speaks the Word
“And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!” Matthew 8:26-27
“And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Mark 4:39-41
On Saturday, April 16, 2011, we attempted to go to bed at our normal time, but after staying up until after 3 a.m., it was now Sunday morning. I was EXTREMELY exhausted. Bill was understandably upset about loosing his job and I had tried to comfort him as best I could. Telling him that it would be okay and that God was right here with us, I didn’t have the answers, but I serve the one that does.
God has answers
“And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” Luke 18:27
“Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.” II Corinthians 12:12
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” I Peter 5:7
I am not the type of person to remain calm in a grave situation: I am the last one you want to call. I am the one that is all upset and don’t know what to do first. I normally would be like the chicken with its’ head cut off running all around and in a complete panic. God gave me this peace even before Bill lost his job. I never felt any of the ill effects of what I would normally. By the GRACE of God, He gave me the comfort and poured out this miracle. It allowed me to be strong for Bill, and continue praying until he was able to get the peace he was searching for.
Sunday morning, it was 8 a.m. and I was now paying the price BIG TIME as I sat in bed with my eyes closed sipping gently on my coffee Bill had brought me. All I could think was how desperately my eyes burned and the exhaustion was riveting. Realizing that I was completely drained and could not push my self any further Bill took my cup and I slid back under the covers.
I told God I was so sorry I just could not push myself this time. I had nothing left to give. I dozed off and in a matter of seconds was out. I awoke completely refreshed, thinking I had slept for many hours, only to discover it had been just 10 minutes. Bill ask me what I was doing up. I replied going to church. With that, he immediately started getting ready and out the door we went.
God had performed a miracle in giving me those 10 minutes and turning it into a full nights sleep. God had taken the 10 minutes and turned it into the additional 11 hours of sleep I needed. Not that of a normal person who sleeps 7 or 8 hours. We arrived just in time for service.
Thank you Jesus! You are a miracle worker … and then some!
Lynn’s recorded voice of Peace before job loss and 10 minutes sleep miracle. 
When the pastor gave the altar call, he came and asked me to go pray with a lady. Seeing only one lady I went and prayed with her. When she finished praying my husband came over and told me I had misunderstood and the pastor had meant another lady. The other lady was way down at the far end of the altar, I had not seen her. As I began walking toward her I could not have felt more foolish, I had made this mistake and prayed for a different lady.
I was trying to be obedient as he is my pastor and has the authority over me. But I sure didn’t know what I was doing. My comfort zone was being challenged again and I was now having to step up to the plate.
Authority over
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:17
When I got to the end where she was it was crowded, and I had a hard time trying to get close to her. During this time (the miraculous part), God had given me the feeling that I was an incredibly old, and very sickly woman. The feeling inside me was so strong. I felt like I was 100 plus years old and so very sick. God gave the feeling that IF I could barely touch her I would be ok. I was able to just barely reach her, my arm was fully extended and only by my finger tips did I touch her.
The moment I did, God’s spirit shot through me like a lightning bolt and I was doing a ‘Jesus jig’. I was all the way at her back and the next thing I knew I was standing right in front of her. My hair had been shook almost all down and I was acting like I knew what I was doing. Holding up both her arms while I was directly in front of her and praying with her as she was speaking in tongues. It was odd for me, I didn’t really know what to do or say. God did it all! Even the words that were coming out of my mouth, they were all God. I usually find myself unable to speak English when I pray with someone and can only speak in tongues. This time it was English, but God was controlling my mouth, the same as He does when I speak in tongues. Now as to that miraculous part, God made me feel like that sickly old woman, and I am so thankful.
Healing by faith & touch
“And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.” Matthew 9:20-21
Later that evening the devil came at me wanting to know who I thought I was by touching that lady. Thanks be to God, I had my arsenal loaded and waiting. I told him I was doing what the pastor had asked me to do. NOW you can get behind me satan, I have had my belly full of you! See the devil is not privy to everything. He had no way of knowing the feelings God had given to me. He can only go by what is seen and spoken. He was the one with a grave disadvantage! Chalk another one up to the all mighty God!
I was just His vessel and so thankful He used me! God had blessed me with another of His incredible blessings. I did not have the feeling that I was giving, but that I was getting. How marvelous ... only God, how He leaves me speechless.
‘Jesus jig’
“For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.” Acts 2:15
Afterward I was to find out that she herself was a backslider and the hand of God was on her. From coming inside the church, the people she had spoken to, telling her it was ok because of the way she was dressed, then the sister that was trying to get her to the altar. Each of them played an integral part.
God does not leave all the work to one person. One plants the seed, one waters and God gives the increase.
Plant, water & increase
“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.” I Corinthians 3:6-8
She was so thrilled! She bolted out of there to go home, she wanted to share what God had done for her with her husband. I was thankful God had allowed me to share in her joy. That was another wonderful blessing from God.
Can you believe how extremely close I came in missing out on this blessing? I don’t want God to give my blessings to anyone else because I am not willing! You may think that is selfish, then I would have to say I am not taking something that is someone else’s. God is the one in control and He alone determines whom He will use. I just aim to be willing at all times.
Have you ever noticed that it is generally the same ones getting the blessings? Why is that? The reason points right back to the willingness. If you are not willing God will not make you; therefore He can’t use you. You lost your blessing because you weren’t willing.
I started falling into the same rut when I began to realize that I had to push myself, to give God more of what He deserved and to get more from Him. I began praying, reading the Bible and fasting. I soon discovered that was a winning combination to draw closer to God. After all, why would I even bother to just go through the motions after what God brought me from? It was not going to happen! He deserves more!
I want to act like I would if God were in the room at all times. After all, He is; that is what omnipresent means. He is a see all, know all God! No other possesses His ability!
Omnipresent
“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” Revelation 19:6
The test on how close you are to God is not how you act and what you do in front of others. But the REAL true test is how are you when no one else is around, no one else is looking, what are your priorities, how you act, what you do, what you say, how much time are you allowing in prayer, reading your Bible and fasting?!
You will never be more free and cradled in His mighty arms than when you give it all to God. I get that we are all on different tracks, but our ultimate goal is to reach God. There are so many lessons He has to teach us and the more stubborn, rebellious, prideful, or difficult we choose to be, it just makes things that much more arduous a process.
Yes, I am an authority on this subject. I was rebellious, stubborn, and difficult for so long. I can tell you all the things you don’t want to do and further more the price you will have to pay. My journey was tremendously difficult and that does not begin to cut it, but one thing I now can tell you for certain, it was necessary. God needed to bring me from all that to be able to mold me into the lump of clay that I am now today. A willing vessel for Him!
God’s loving guidance
“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.” Psalms 40:1-5
It is in our nature and ingrained in us to be somewhat stubborn, some much more than others. No one likes to be told what to do. With God, it is not like that at all.