Spiritual Warfare

Thank you, God for all the blessing that flow! Praise Him, you creatures here below.

I was awakened this morning in real warfare with a sense of urgency that wouldn't stop. I prayed with just heartfelt cries to the Lord for my safety and protection. The dealers were to come to Bible study today. I felt as if God was telling me their motives were not good. I needed wisdom and safety immediately!

God brought to mind Psalm 23 which I am truly living out. Two sections stood out to me: verses 4 and 5, "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest for me a table in the presence of mine enemies:Thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." and of course, I know goodness and mercy will follow me for God has been so good. God's righteousness and strength would protect me. I claimed these promises.

God has been overwhelming me with goodness and right in front of those who are my enemies. He has prepared a table for me, truly sending people from my church with food for me everyday! They have showered me with blessings and my enemies hate it and want to take my blessing from me! They hate me for how God has provided. It is in their face everyday and they want to control it or strip it from me. I called a friend after pleading God's Word for protection over me. She prayed my heart out to God as though she and I were one mind. Our hearts were in one accord. Then, God sent help. After putting in a call to the church for wisdom, one of my Bible study kids called to check on me and wanted to come fix lunch for me. She had to walk from home to do it but felt compelled to be with me. Then, God sent two women from my church to strengthen me and encourage me and who I knew would pray for me. My strength was returning.

One of my pastors called who had knowledge of the unseemly and began to question me about what these young men did when they came into my house, how they asked questions and what they said exactly and he confirmed that they were sizing me up for prey. They were finding out if I had money, checking my house for what they could steal and trying to intimidate me by telling me certain things. He instructed me on some real ways to keep myself safer. Some might have seemed simple to others but I can't think like my enemy. However, I need for God to give me some wisdom in these areas and I have asked for it. I asked for a fresh annointing. I have also asked for a love like I've never known to be able to consume me so that it reaches those I might never reach out to. One of my favorite songs is "Love Like Crazy." We have to. I have to. If I am to be usable God has got to break all my stereotypes and all my prejudices. I am not my own. Please pray that He accomplishes this in me, in us all.

The time came for Bible study, each young man and woman there knew that we might have company and they were determined to reach out in Christian love to these men, they even left to get extra chairs. My Pastor was here to give his testimony about the life he'd led prior to becoming saved. These men would've understood where he was coming from. They made it to the door-three of them from what I could see. One of my students opened the door for them and someone from their apartment called them back. They did not return as a very heavy rain began to fall. They did not return this night to this time, praise God! How I wished they would've heard the testimony, however, it surely was God's will that they didn't come tonight or they would've. There were too many saints praying for me to believe otherwise.

We had a wonderful time of exhorting one another and sharing. Some of the older met some of the new, younger kids and hung around to encourage them and get to know them. It was great! The older ones will be mixing CD's of Praise and Worship music for their new sisters and brothers. We agreed on times the kids would come and which days for safety's sake. We assured them this was not because they weren't wanted but for wisdom and they received it well, they chose the time to come. It was wonderful fellowship and encouragement. It was a forging of the group together. God is to be praised for how He works!

Thank you for praying and lifting up this group. I see God moving here and I see these kids growing. My absolute joy is to see them flourish in the Lord and to walk out the pages of the Bible and to carry God's message to others. It is NOT me, but God Almighty who is at work here. I am just a vessel. Pray that I am usable. Thank you again for your prayers.
In Christ,
Jamie