THANKFUL . . . for Power, Presence, Provision, Prophesy, Prayer, & Praise

In addition to being BLESSED by Family, Friends, & Fellowship last week . . .

we are so THANKFUL for all that the LORD did on the spiritual side of things, too.

Power & Presence

I don't really even know how to describe the Power & Presence of God that we felt this past week.  In conversations.  In prayer.  In worship.  In the words of the Camp Speaker.  God met us in His Powerful Way . . . and allowed us to play a part in meeting the needs of others, as well.

Provision

Since Jim's November paycheck was a bit short (due to taking a week off to go to Puerto Rico in October . . . to celebrate our 30th Anniversary), we were counting our pennies in order to be able to afford to go to CRC for Thanksgiving.  In addition to the Registration and Camp Fee, we needed nearly $200 for gas.

When we went to The Beach with Sheri & Family in October, she and I spent a bit of time talking about our Sonlight Homeschool Curriculum.  She was very interested in the possibility of purchasing one of our sets for her younger boys.

I went through our boxes a few weeks ago and let Sheri know what all we had available.  She was excited to buy Andrew his first Sonlight Set.  We were excited to deliver it to her on our way home from CRC.  (They live just 30 minutes off of the freeway that we would be driving down . . . 5 hours south of where we live.)  And . . . God used the timing to provide the necessary funds to make our Thanksgiving Trip feasible.  Yes.  We are THANKFUL for the LORD's continued PROVISION for our family!

Prophesy & Prayer

For some of you, even reading the word "prophesy", you are thinking, "Weird.  Strange.  I don't believe in this stuff."  So, let's first take a look at what this word means (and, you may think I spelled it incorrectly):

You may think that I meant to say . . .

Prophecy:  (noun)  The foretelling of what is to come.

"For prophecy never had it's origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."  (2 Peter 1:21)

But, I purposely use this word instead . . .  

Prophesy:  (verb)  To speak by divine inspiration.

"I will pour out my spirit on all people.  Your sons and daughters will prophesy."  (Acts 2:17)

I absolutely believe that the Lord "prophesied" through others . . . for us . . . and He also prophesied through us . . . for others.  

An old friend spoke to us and said, "I really believe ____________."  She saw something in us, and the Lord gave her "divine inspiration" to encourage us.

The Lord also prophesied through both me and Jim to others.  During the Sunday Morning Worship Service, we had a truly God-Inspired 2  1/2 hour Time of Prayer.  Yes.  We all prayed for over 2 hours.  During that time, God spoke with "divine inspiration" to Jim, and had him share his heart (and Scriptures) to one of the sons of our "Old Friends" the S. Family.  It was passionate . . . and powerful . . . absolutely inspired by the Lord.

Also during that prayer time, the Lord gave me very specific words to pray over a woman who was there.  Jim and I had sat down to agree quietly in prayer, as several others prayed over this couple.  As I sat quietly in the back row, the Lord spoke clearly to my heart.  He told me to go put my hands on this woman, and he gave me a very specific message to give to her through prayer.  After our 2  1/2 hour Prayer Time, this woman came to me in tears, absolutely touched by the Lord's message for her.  She even had me write down all that the Lord had told me, so that she could remember His message for her.

This is not the first time that the Lord has prophesied through us . . . but it was very Powerful (and encouraging to our hearts, as well).

Praise

We came home from our 5 days at the Christian Renewal Center with our hearts filled with PRAISE.  

We are REJOICING for all that the Lord has done . . . in us and through us.  

We PRAISE God for our time with FAMILY.

We PRAISE God for our time with FRIENDS.

We PRAISE God for His PROVISION.

We PRAISE God for His POWER & PRESENCE.

We PRAISE God for His PROPHESY . . . for us and through us.

We PRAISE God for a POWERFUL time of PRAYER . . . for us and for others.

We REJOICE for all that He has done!