One Day, Three Miracles

‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’  “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.  I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD Almighty.  ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty.  ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty.” – Haggai 2:5-9

TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY AND PRAISE!

Today’s entry is actually a praise report.  There were three miracles the Lord did for me today and I just have to share it with you; for this is the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes!   

MIRACLE #1 – HEALING

It started the night before when my daughter came to me showing me both of her knees which were swollen and neither of us knew why.  I told her we’d go to urgent care tomorrow morning and see what’s going on.  This morning we woke up and went into family prayer.   Before I went downstairs into our prayer room, I was prompted by the Holy Spirit to bring my oil, so I did.  I brought the oil downstairs and I began to anoint each of my children and the last one to anoint was my youngest daughter (the same with the swollen knees).   When I went to anoint her head I accidentally spilled the oil; however, I was blessed because all of the oil landed in the palms of my hands and not on the carpet.   Now having both of my hands saturated with oil, the Holy Spirit led me in laying hands on both of my daughter’s knees simultaneously, and pray for healing.  So I did.  Both my daughter and I were in agreement and knew God was more than able to heal both of her knees and legs.   

About a ½ hour after our family prayer, my daughter came into my bedroom and asked me if we still had to go to the doctor.  I wanted to say ‘yes’ but something else blurted out of my mouth, ‘Why do you ask?”   Her reply was her legs no longer hurts, and right at that very moment I seen something in her that was different than yesterday.  Last night she had the look of concern in her eyes; however, as she stood before me today, she had the look of a young woman of faith, believing in her God!  We believed God not only for healing her legs and knees, but for complete restoration of wholeness!   As a result, our need to go to urgent care turned into seeking to schedule a doctor’s appointment just for her annual check-up.  Halleluyah! 

MIRACLE #2 – FROM NOT ENOUGH TO MORE THAN ENOUGH

Later on in the day, I asked my son to go to Wal-Mart to pick up items that we needed for the house.  As I was checking to see if we needed any toiletry items, I was thinking to myself, ‘Lord, how am I going to pay this?”  My children were unaware that their mom was trying to figure out how she was going to purchase 3-4 toiletry items that would’ve added up to around $15.00.  I came inside my room, praying and looking for some funds to purchase these items.  I checked one of my accounts and the balance it had was less than $1.00; so of course I was concerned.  You see, there was a time not too long ago, when I really didn’t look at price tags; I pretty much bought whatever I needed and wanted.  But now, with the transition I am in, I was now faced with how I was going to make a $15.00 purchase. 

Prior to today, I’ve been talking to the Lord and putting Him in remembrance of all the things He told me, specifically, those things He told me just about a year ago when He led me to resign.  He promised to provide for me and to sustain me during this transition that He’s initiated and that my household wouldn’t feel the pinch of the famine in the land.  As I was reminding Him (and myself) of these promises, I also said something to the tune of, “Lord, I am expecting to see some unusual things happen.  I’m expecting the computer screens in my creditors’ office to show a $0 balance next to my name.  I am expecting some ‘crazy, don’t know how to explain it’ kind of things to happen.  I’m expecting Your inordinate favor.  I don’t know how You’re going to do it, but I know You are going to do it because You said it, and it is so!  You’ve told me to trust You and I trust You.  Don’t know how You’re going to work this out, but I trust You.  I see what the bills and notices say, but I trust You even beyond what I see.  Lord, You told me to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness and You’d handle everything else.   This means that if I handle Your business, Lord, You will handle my business; thus I know You are taking care of my every need according to His riches and glory”.  My confidence is not in my abilities but in the Lord.  Even as I am typing right now, the Lord just led me to these verses, which speaks volumes to me.  The Lord says in Haggai 2:5-9:

‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’  “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.  I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD Almighty.  ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty.  ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty.”

My God.  My Father.  My Creator.  My Provider.  My Protector.  My Friend.  My Heartbeat.  My Everything! 

He is the Great I AM!

S   E   L   A   H

Back to the testimony of today, after I heard the number from the first account, I figured I’d try another one.  I really wasn’t expecting much out of it, but if I only had $15.00 that will allow me to make the purchase.  I dialed the automated system and followed the prompts, and was mightily shocked when the automated teller told me the balance of the account.  There was a deposit made, and it wasn’t me.  Now, I had enough to pay for the purchase I needed as well as the car insurance bill which is due TODAY.  I also had enough to pay one of the ‘final notice’ bills.  I was in shock so I pressed the option to repeat just so I could be sure that I heard what I thought the automated teller said.  When she repeated the same thing again, it was without one single doubt that I knew this was nothing nor no one other than my awesome God.  When I tell you it came out of ‘no where’, it really did.  I received unexpected funds, funds that I didn’t even know was coming my way.  To God be all of the praise, honor and glory!

MIRACLE #3 – $0 BALANCE?

So now it’s evening time and I’m preparing dinner.  As I was cooking, I carried the 2 bills downstairs with me so that I could take care of them while I was cooking.  The first phone call I made was to my auto insurance, which was showing a $173.00 balance and that balance was due TODAY.  This date wasn’t the billing date, it was the actual insurance date, and it needed to be paid today or tomorrow I wouldn’t have an insured vehicle. 

Still rejoicing from what happened earlier, I dialed the number to my insurance company.   As I waited for a representative, I had a song and a praise in my soul, for truly this is the Lord’s doing; He made it possible for me to make this payment.  Halleluyah!  Once the representative got on the phone, I asked him about the amount because it was much higher than what I’m accustom to.  He said it was for the last 2 months which they show in their system as unpaid.  I was thinking to myself that I at least did pay last month, but I wasn’t totally sure and didn’t bring any statements with me.  So, here I am standing in my kitchen (still cooking), prepared to make the payment.  The representative reiterated that payment needed to be paid today; however, IN THE SAME BREATH (no placing me on hold or no pauses), the representative then said, “No, Ms. Williams, you’re already paid up and you’re current.  Actually, you’re paid up until August which is when you’ll receive your next bill.”  My initial response was, “Huh?”  I had the bill right in front of me and I seen the amount, so I asked Him to repeat what I THOUGHT I heard.  He repeated himself stating I was paid up until the next billing cycle in August.  I smiled because I knew it was no one nor thing but God!  I asked the representative to note our conversation into their system and I thanked him for his assistance.  I hung up in awe of God.  I vaguely remembered making at least one of the payments, but I really wasn’t sure.  Should I learn exactly what happened, I will be sure to give an update; however, I still bless the Lord for everything He’s done!   While I was praising (and cooking), I remembered the prayer I mentioned to you earlier regarding the expectation of seeing God’s inordinate favor and the computer systems of my creditors showing $0 balances next to my name. 

OUR TESTIMONIES VARY THOUGH WE’RE PART OF THE SAME BODY

Please Note, for the record, I am neither endorsing nor trying to encourage anyone to get up one day and leave their jobs.  Additionally, I am not endorsing or encouraging anyone to rely on a financial miracle each month.  These are the testimonies I can share with you so that you can trust God at His Word.  Everyone has their own road to walk and I admonish you to always communicate all of your matters to God, and this includes the big ones as well as those that seem insignificant.  God’s Word says to acknowledge Him in ALL your ways and He will direct your/my path. 

IS IT LIVE OR MEMOREX?

I realize that my testimony may sound a little strange to some, and to others, it may greatly exceed what you would consider the norm.  Let me first say that I completely understand.  If you would’ve asked me a year ago if I thought I’d be at this place in my life, I would’ve told you emphatically no!   You see, in the early part of last year, I was Ms. Independent / Career mom and wasn’t in jeopardy (as far as I knew) of losing my job.  My leaving had very little to do with me or the job, and everything to do with being obedient to God.  At the time He was telling me to leave my job, I kind of felt like He was telling me to create financial suicide and that’s no exaggeration.  I am single mother of 4 children, and I am not dating so I didn’t have another income to fall back on during this shifting He’s doing in my life.  The only person I had and have is God Almighty, and this journey has taught me that all I need and want is in Him. 

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

There was a time when I didn’t think I could ever make such a statement.  For the most part, I was able to say I need God; however, it took me some time to say from the depths of my soul that I truly want God.  Everything I could ever need and want lies within the loving arms of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It is He who orders my steps and supplies my every need and heart’s desire.  If I want wisdom, which I pray for everyday, then He provides; for the Bible says that if we lack wisdom, we can go to God who gives it generously (James 1:5).  If I want all of my needs taken care of, then I know it’s a done deal; for my God shall provide all my needs according to HIS riches and glory (Philippians 4:19). If I seek to have members of my family or neighborhood to receive the salvation of Christ, then I know I can bring that petition before the God; for the fervent effectual prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16).  I know if I need and want healing of any kind, mentally, emotionally, physically, etc., I know that it is the Lord who heals me (Exodus 15:26) and that it is by the stripes of Jesus I am healed (Isaiah 53:5).  If I want wholeness, I know that my faith in Jesus and His ability can make me whole (Matthew 9:22).  If I want wealth and prosperity, which God takes pleasure in the prosperity of His people (Psalms 35:27), then I can ask Him to prosper me even as my soul prospers (3 John 1:2).  When you couple that with the fact that the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof (Psalms 24:1), AND that the silver and gold are owned by the Lord (Haggai 2:8), there’s not any want nor any desire that my God cannot supply.  He will not deny me of any good thing as long as I walk uprightly before Him (Psalms 84:11).  I will always remember that it is the Lord my God who gives me the power to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18).

THE CAVEAT

The Lord says in Deuteronomy 28:12, “The LORD will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.”  And you know what?  I believe it!  I believe every single Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God; both written and spoken.   He promises to take care of His people and He takes very good care of them; however there is a CONDITION to these blessings.  The condition is that you SEEK FIRST the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33); to trust Him and acknowledge Him in all your ways (Proverbs 3:5); above all, to love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength (mark 12:29-30); and to have faith in Him (Hebrews 11:6). 

SEEK HIS FACE

One of the things I encourage you to do is to ask God to flood your heart with love for Him in such a way that it spills over into loving all of His people.  Ask Him to show you how to enjoy your journey with Him; after all, it is for eternity.   The Bible says in Psalms 37:4, “Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”  With that said, ask Him to show you how to delight in Him, and NOT for the benefits, but because you earnestly desire to enjoy Him and your journey with Him.   As I mentioned earlier, He actually takes pleasure in the prosperity of His people (Psalms 35:27), and this doesn’t just money, houses, and car, but prosperity in all areas of your life: physically, emotionally, spiritually, socially, psychologically, and financially. 

GOD IS A LOVING FATHER WHO CARES FOR HIS CHILDREN

I’ve learned so much within the last 14 months, yet there is so very much to learn.  The few things I did learn was things like: how to depend on God and trust Him with every detail of my life.  This experience has also greatly stretched my faith (and still stretching it), as well as cause me to speak those things that be not as though they were.  I’ve learned that there is absolutely nothing I can do without Him, and I’ve learned to submit my battles to Him and He fights them on my behalf.  I learned to wait on God, and while waiting, enjoying the journey – praising and rejoicing in Him just because of who He is!  I am absolutely crazy in love with Jesus and I am privileged to be a part of His family. 

If you don’t know Jesus for the pardoning of your sins and have not accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, I admonish you to receive Him into your life right now; for your eternal destiny depends on your acceptance of the gift of eternal life that God gives us through Jesus Christ.  Continue to read below so that you can begin enjoying your life with Jesus.

GOT JESUS?

Receiving Jesus as your Lord and Savior is actually very easy.  There is no fee you need to pay because Jesus already paid it when He died for you on Calvary.  You don’t have to perfect in order to receive Him as Lord and Savior.  Don’t be overly concerned about your current lifestyle and habits because:

ü  Jesus loves you and accepts you just where and as you are;

ü  He already knows every wrong deed you’ve ever done, yet He still loves you so very much;

ü  Lastly and certainly not least, is when Jesus ascended into heaven, He sent us the Helper, which is the Holy Spirit. 

YOUR HELPER, THE HOLY SPIRIT

It is the Holy Spirit who will guide you in all matters that you allow Him to.  In John 14:16-17, Jesus says to us, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;  that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.”  Thus, at the moment you receive Jesus into your heart and into your life, a spiritual transfer occurs within that very same moment.  You give your broken pieces to God (all of your sins, all of your pains, all of your issues), and God gives you His precious Holy Spirit. 

CONFESS, BELIEVE AND RECEIVE

To receive Jesus as your Lord and personal Savior, all you have to do is simply confess Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9-10).  That’s it.  You don’t need to do this in a church, and you don’t have to have a minister to lay hands on you, just pray the prayer I mentioned above and believe in your heart.  

PRAYER FOR SALVATION

Praying to God is just like talking to a friend and He actually wants to hear what you have to say and desires to spend time with YOU!  Below is an example of a prayer to lead you to salvation.  If you desire, you can use this as your prayer to receive Jesus into your heart, or you can pray something similar prayer.  Jesus is not concerned with your ability to use certain ‘terms’ if you will; but instead He does care about the condition of your heart.  Your heart and your confession, along with faith, is what Jesus wants.  He desires to have an intimate relationship with you and for you to accept blood-bought gift of eternal life He gives you through His precious son Jesus Christ.

Father, it is written in Your Word that if I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in my heart that You have raised Him from the dead, I shall be saved.  Therefore, Father, I confess that Jesus is my Lord.  I make Him Lord of my life right now.  I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead.  I renounce my past life with Satan and close the door to any of his devices.

I thank You for forgiving me of all my sin.  Jesus is my Lord, and I am a new creation.  Old things have passed away, now all things become new in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

John 3:16; John 6:37; John 10:10, Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:19, John 16:8, 9; Romans 5:8; John 14:6; Romans 10:9-10; Romans 10:13; Ephesians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17; John 1:12; 2 Corinthians 5:21. 

This prayer by Germaine Copeland’s book titled ‘Prayer That Avail Much’ – the 25^th Anniversary Commemorative Gift Edition.  1997.

OK, I GOT JESUS. 

NOW WHAT?

Congratulations and welcome to God’s family!

I assure you that as you begin to follow Jesus and invite Him into every area of your life, your life will NEVER be the same. 

ü  There are a few things I’d recommend you do immediately;

ü  Invest in good Study Bible, and once you do, begin to read it.  The Word of God is as essential and necessary for every believer, as you food and water are to all humans.

ü  Find a Word-believing, Word-teaching church.

ü  Talk to God every chance you get.  There is no particular position to pray and neither is there one method to pray.  As I mentioned earlier, praying simply means you’re talking to God just as you would a friend.  I’m sure you don’t use fancy lingo or anything like that with your inner circle of friends and family.  Neither should you try to do that with God.  Just be yourself!

Remember you’re human and you WILL make mistakes.  However, God said that if you confess your sins, He is faithful and just to forgive you of your sins AND to cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).  God also says that He remembers your sins no more, and I suggest that you do the same. 

To learn more about who you are as a child of the Most High King, CLICK HERE.

© 2009, Naima Williams. All rights reserved.