It started out as an ordinary day, until I attended a watercolor class by Rosie Martindale. Watercolor had always been my least favorite method of producing art. But that day, Rosie showed me something new. I learned how to watch special effects “appear” just by adding salt to the wet colors and nudging them to blend certain ways. Excitement sprung up, as I experimented with new techniques. Amazement filled my heart, as the images emerged. Joy surrounded my entire being, when I saw the end result. It was nothing short of a miracle!
The next day, all I wanted to do was create art. I could hardly wait to make things with the tools I had at hand. In an adrenalin rush of joy and excitement, I was also in awe of the Holy Spirit, who is calling forth art that honors both Him and His Kingdom! I marveled that the God the Father would enable us artists to create beautiful pictures. I rejoiced that the Creator of the Universe takes joy when we create art. And I celebrated the fact that Jesus Christ creates with us when we invite Him to do so. For He is the One who enables the colors to blend into the most remarkable ways to produce what is only possible through Him.
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A group of us ladies, who knew we needed training, participated in a seminar called “Breaking Bondages to Set Captives Free.” Lois Koss, from Tree of Life Ministries, led the gathering. She spoke into the deep places in our hearts that needed to be ministered to. She gave us wisdom and understanding through Scriptural truths. She shared testimonies of Christ’s faithfulness and the joy of seeing Jesus set people free! Her enthusiasm, assurance and teachings about what God calls us to do, the authority HE commands us to walk in, and the resource she gave us to use, not only strengthened our faith, but also lifted our countenance. Hope arose within us. Doubts and lies were replaced with truth. Bondages were broken. One lady who suffered with severe back pain through most of the seminar was prayed for and went home feeling much better. We were given a new boldness in learning to step out in faith, and a reminder to rely on the Lord when ministering to others.
One of the participants said it was the most Holy Spirit infused, teaching, healing and equipping seminar. I agree, and thank Jesus Christ for the miracles that resulted from a simple act of asking for help in our moments of weakness. And I especially thank HIM for sending Lois Koss to open the door to new levels of the love and freedom we have in and through Jesus Christ.
For when we find ourselves in unexpected situations where there is deception and
evil influences, wisdom calls
us to recognize our own weaknesses and gain understanding in the ways of
the Lord. And when we do this, HIS perfect love casts out all fear.
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Yesterday, the most amazing thing happened. Several of us women were praying for a lady who was going through a difficult time. Then one of the women pulled a ring off her finger, that she had recently purchased, and handed it to the lady who was receiving prayer. At first, the lady didn’t want to accept it, but the woman told her the Holy Spirit prompted her to give the ring, and that receiving from others helps us to receive from God.
Tears ran down the lady’s face as she placed the ring on her finger and gazed at the beauty of a single, white flower emerging from an intricate background of silver leaves and grass. She loved flowers and loved the ring’s design. This precious gift helped her to understand how precious she is to Yahweh and that God is with her as she goes through tough times. It also helped her to have a tangible reminder that every time darkness tries to set in, she can look at the ring and remember the precious gift of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and that HE loves her and is with her.
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The practicing of the presentation didn’t go well. Words that should have flowed like a gentle river, stumbled out of my mouth and tripped over themselves. The introduction sounded too bland, and the ending needed impact. No matter how many times I rewrote and practiced the script, it wasn’t coming out right.
The next morning I went over the materials again. Something just wasn’t right. Maybe I needed to practice in the auditorium where the talk would be given. So I called the person in charge of stage management to see if I there was time to rehearse on stage that afternoon. All the slots were taken with dancers and musicians coordinating their efforts for the opening celebration of the Karitos Christian Arts Conference. But the person I talked with gave me the most encouraging words. She told me to just walk into the anointing.
That evening, as I waited behind the curtains, with a microphone in hand, the Holy Spirit gave me a new idea of how to start and end my talk on prophetic art. Seconds later, I stepped onto the stage, opened my mouth and began to speak. Immediately, there was a connection between what I said and the audience. Joy abounded as I realized what was happening was a team effort – God the Father and me, working together to relay the message HE wanted HIS artists to hear.
Now I understand the power of stepping into the anointing. We aren’t meant to do what Jesus tells us to do all by ourselves. HE wants us to implement HIS will with us, empowering us, accompanying us, and leading the way. And HE is doing this with JOY!
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During the past three month there were many local happening in the art and literary world, plus opportunities to learn, help and grow. All of these were exciting to be part of, but exhaustion reared its head. There was one more call to make before I could take the evening off.
When the person on the other end of the phone asked about the mid-week class on “Signs, Miracles and Wonders,” joy bubbled up from within. I began to relay what I had learned, and found myself speaking in the most calm, relaxing voice about the hidden treasures revealed in Scripture -- things the instructor pointed out to us that were simply amazing!
As I talked, peace descended upon me. I could feel my body slipping into a restful state. Every word that came out of my mouth carried complete calmness. It was like the Holy Spirit took over. I was so grateful because I was too tired to carry on a conversation without divine help. And while the Holy Spirit empowered my words with peace, I found myself resting in Christ at the same time.
When the conversation ended, the peace continued. I went to bed and woke up the next morning feeling more rested than I’d felt in weeks. It was a welcomed miracle. Only once before, had I felt the Holy Spirit take over my conversation when I was too tired to proceed. And now HE did it again!
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Two weeks ago, a group of us decided to take the drive out to Cyrus Ministries in Big Rock, Illinois. Every Tuesday evening, they have a gathering for Scripture based teaching, prayer and healing. It had been a while since we were there. All of us, including the new person coming with us, were eager to step into more of Yahweh's peace, draw closer to Christ, and be blessed.
We walked in, said "Hi" to everyone, and sat down. Immediately, Rich Fick, the Director of Cyrus Ministries, turned to one of the ladies and said, "Jesus wants to heal your back!" Then he asked her, “Do you have back pain?” She said, “Yes!” He asked her to stand up and behold (look at) Jesus Christ, the One who heals. She did. And as Rich prayed for her, the back pain disappeared.
None of us who drove out in the car with her, knew that our friend had a back problem. She never told us that she suffered with back pain for the past six years. But Jesus Christ knew, and HE set her free from pain!
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Most of us are resistant to change. But in life, there is a time to come and a time to go – a time to say “Hello” and a time to say “Goodbye.” We tend to struggle against this transition, even when the Lord plucks us out of one place and plops us into another. But as we move further into our new surroundings, we discover opportunities to grow, new people to get to know, and the brilliance of God’s plan. And when situations arise where we find ourselves retrieving forgotten skills and wisdom that the Lord gave us years ago, we begin to see how HE is bringing everything together.
For Yahweh has a greater plan for us than we have for ourselves. And as we step into the magnificence of HIS plan, our doubts, fears and wanting to control our own destiny, gives way to releasing what we cling have so we are open to receiving divine appointments. And when we realize that change brings us the opportunity we need to draw closer to Jesus Christ and let HIS Nature and HIS plan manifest in us, than change becomes the catalyst God uses to catapult us forward. Thank you, Lord God, for the gift of change and the gift of each new season.
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