Yesterday, I had so many last minute errands to take care of before taking off, but I made it a point to attend my Monday night Bible Study in the Gospel of John. We started off the night with testimonies to bless the soul. My absolute favorite, is what I refer to as a "recycled" testimony. That's when someone has a new testimony that piggy backs on someone else's past testimony.Remember when I shared the testimony of the man who walked out the door and smelled the beautiful fragrance of the gardenia bush? ... and God said to him, "That's how I smell!" Well last night, we had another wonderfully "wrecked" brother, who shared how he's been talking to God about his deceased dad, and wondering if his dad is now with Him. He happened to go by his dad's cemetery plot this weekend... just because. His dad was on his heart. (So many of us can relate to that situation).
What "wrecked" him was the fact that right by his dad's site is something that he never noticed before... a beautifully overgrown, totally in bloom, and fragrant to the max, gardenia bush. You guessed it... He remembered the other brother's testimony, and now God was using the gardenia bush to speak specifically to him. How great is that? What a glorious testimony! We were all a bit "wrecked." God is reaching into the depths of His children's hearts and pouring in His magnificent love! There's just nothing like a powerful, personal touch from God! And recycled testimonies are often doubly anointed!
At the end of the meeting, we closed in prayer, with another member in our group, re-dedicating their life to God, and preparing to be water baptized. His sincere prayer to God was so moving. He stated afterwards, "Oh I prayed this prayer before, because I had to, and nothing happened. But now... ever since I've been coming around this church and these meetings, God is everywhere and all sorts of things are happening. I'm in!"
If that weren't enough, my co-facilitator insisted that I get in the middle of our prayer circle so that the group could lay hands on me and pray for me as I head out on this trip. Just the fact that they did that was awesome, let alone that it was so sincere and powerful! I felt like I was floating on air when I left. Our Monday night group may be small, but it's impacting lives... mine included!
My bags were packed late last night. I was up, in RED shoes, and ready to take off by 9 a.m. A dear friend and powerful Woman of Prayer gave me a beautiful RED jacket that I decided to wear while I travel. She gave it to me with such love, that when I put it on, I feel divinely protected and filled with His Spirit. My ride arrived. I jumped in and we were off to the Women's Bible Study and then to the airport.After a powerful morning of ministry, the gals had me sit in the center of their prayer circle where they prayed God's blessing upon me. Talk about the Fire of God! I felt commissioned to go! By the time I got to the airport, I was glowing and going! LOL.
So, I have opened my heart and just taken in all the blessings that were poured out to me in prayer, in words of encouragement, and in gifts in these last 24 hours. My cup is full and running over. I say,
"THANK YOU JESUS!
You have blessed me with many great FRIENDS."
Traveling in RED shoes,
Gail
