Dr. Mike Hutchings shares about his ministry, in which he teaches others to bring healing through prayer to those suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The message includes powerful testimonies from those who have experienced healing through this ministry.
Artist, sculptor and art evangelist Max Greiner shares the miraculous story of The Coming King Sculpture Prayer Gardens in Kerrsville, Texas, on this TBN Praise the Lord broadcast.
Evangelist Velmer Bessey, preacher for the revival in Cottlesville, Newfoundland and Labrador, speaks at SonRise Ministries in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador. Watch as God uses him in powerful ways.
Former Disney princess Deanna Falchook’s heart broke when she read a recent tweet from Planned Parenthood. Find out why in this moving video.
Every Sunday morning on my Facebook page I ask a question such as, “What’s your Scripture verse for today?” Most every time, I get some version of this verse.
“‘For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jer. 29:11).
Most Popular Verse Today
It’s no wonder that this verse is one of the most popular in today’s culture. Google searches for Jeremiah 29:11 began to rise in November 2008 and has continued as Christians and the general population at large see a need for a touchpoint. It is comforting to know that whatever happens, God has a plan for us.
The context of this Scripture, starting in Jer. 29:1, is that the prophet was telling the people of Israel their exile would end, but not for 70 years. In the meantime, he was giving telling them God’s desire was that they settle where they were and wait for what good plan God had in store for them. They were to trust Him.
What Does It Mean For us?
Although this Scripture was given to the nation of Israel, it still lays out God’s plan for us as followers of Christ as well. We can be assured of one thing. God’s plans are good and were set in motion when our spirits were created at the beginning of eternity.
Recently, I was privileged to hear Grant Mahoney, Moed Ministries, New Zealand. He shared his habit of taking individual Scriptures he wants to understand better and translating them from the Hebrew. One such Scripture he shared was Jeremiah 29:11. Here’s his translation.
“‘For I know because I have seen it, a texture that I weave over you. I prophesy over you,’ says the Lord, ‘thoughts of health, prosperity, favor, rest and wholeness, and not of natural or moral corruption, to appoint and assign you a cord that attaches you to a future.'”
Nation Versus Individuals
Now, think of this translation in context of a nation. God had appointed and assigned to the nation of Israel an importance in His plans. Should the entire nation remain blind to the truth of Jesus, God still has a cord assigned to them that attaches them to a future of great importance. Why? Because it is a “texture” that God has already seen woven over them.
God has a texture He has seen woven over us as well. In other words, He knows exactly what our future destinies will be. He knows this because He has already seen it. That means, it is already done.
The texture includes “health, prosperity, favor, rest and wholeness.” It does not include “natural or moral corruption.” Because of our choices to follow Him, he has appointed and assigned to us a cord, something that cannot be broken. That cord attaches us to a specific future.
Just as the nation of Israel did, we can turn our backs on God’s plan, but He will continue to woo us back. We are His people. He has our destinies already planned.
Destinies Delayed
All we have to do is step into what God already has in store for us. Instead, we allow obstacles to remain in our paths and delay our destinies. Some of these barriers are so big, we think even God can’t remove them.
That certainly was true for me back in 2004 when I weighed 430 pounds and felt my problem was so gigantic even God couldn’t help me. However, even though I didn’t fully believe He could deliver me, He did. He said if I’d have faith as small as a mustard seed, my mountain (of weight) could be moved, (Matt. 17:20).
I felt I the faith I had was even smaller than a mustard seed, and even God wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything with it.
I discovered that faith is not an amount. Faith either is or it isn’t. When I finally put my faith in God’s ability to do what He said He would do, things began to change in a big way.
In the past, I had known what I had to do, but my faith was not there to trust God and follow His directions. In reality, I had no faith in Him to help in this all-important area of my life. When I came to the end of my resources, I had no other choice but to put all my faith-eggs in God’s basket. That was fuel for my transformation.
Faith changes things. Faith changes life directions. Faith changes destinies. Faith translates us from death to life. Faith only works, though, if we believe God enough to do what He says.
Transformation Is God’s Super Power
God has a destiny for each of us, but many of us refuse to believe that He can indeed change things in our lives. We haven’t yet discovered, though, that transformation is one of God’s super powers.
Transformation is exactly what He wants for us, because He’s already seen our future and knows we can’t step into it as we are. Transformation is the texture woven over us—each strand made of every minute, hour, day and year of our lives. Into our textures, He has woven health, prosperity, favor, rest and wholeness.
Even the difficult days of our lives are woven in to make the beautiful results He has already seen. Our future is laid out for us. We are attached to it as long as we are attached to Him.
Removing Obstacles
All that remains is for the obstacles to be removed from the path.
Allow God to take you to a new level of understanding of your destiny journey during this season. Let’s discover it together. Hint: Your future is connected to your past. {eoa}
Teresa Shields Parker is the author of seven books, all available on Amazon. Her latest book, Sweet Hunger: Developing an Appetite for God, is available now, and Sweet Grace: How I Lost 250 Pounds is the No. 1 Christian weight-loss memoir. She is also a writing and weight-loss coach, blogger, speaker, wife and mother. Visit her online at TeresaShieldsParker.com to find her books, coaching programs and free gifts.
This article originally appeared at teresashieldsparker.com.
Scripture states that God formed us in the womb, that we were intricately woven together, and He saw, knew and understood our frame (Ps. 139, paraphrased). And as He created us, He was fascinated with us.
In the womb is the only time that we are ever exclusively alone with God. No other person, no other interaction or distraction, no outside influence could possibly compare with the intimacy of this time. There is no need for answers, because there are no questions. There are no words, because there is no need for conversation. There is only each other’s presence—love inexplicable. A fascinating love that is forming and creating you.
And as you are being woven together, you listen to the sound of your heart beating in sync with your heavenly Father’s. The beauty of life unfolds in a secret, undisturbed, undistracted place. Your life—held in the hands of the life-giver Himself. There in hiddenness, you are wrapped in fascination. Every detail of our frame has His complete interest and attention.
I have what I think is a brilliant theory on why infants cry at birth. I believe a newborn’s cry is the vocal expression of every human being’s inner longing. It as though, they Instinctively understand they have been separated from God. So, they cry out. Now born, they will spend the rest of their lives searching for Him. Made in His image, we are designed to live fascinated as He is. And so, we spend our lives searching to be in fascination once again.
There are two brief and simple sentences found in the Gospel of Mark that perfectly sum up what I am trying to convey. I believe they speak for all humanity. The first sentence takes place the day after Jesus had healed a great many people at the house of Simon Peter. As the new day dawned, a multitude had already gathered in hopes of hearing, seeing and perhaps receiving a healing from this healer. But where was He? We know by the account that Jesus had slipped away to a deserted place to pray. The text reads: “Simon (Peter) and his companions went to look for Him” (Mark 1:36, NIV).
When they found Jesus, Peter, in seeming irritation, uttered these words. It’s a sentence that well describes and expresses every human heart. Peter said (likely in an exasperated tone), “Everyone is looking for you!” (Mark 1:37).
I’m sure we have all experienced days when we have looked for Jesus, searching frantically just like Peter and his friends on that day, desperately needing to see His hand at work in our lives. And when our miracle does not take place and our questions remain unanswered, we declare Him to be missing just as they did—there in our waiting, looking for a sign, ready to see Him work a wonder, believing what we need is an answer, a miracle, longing to see His hand at work—and nothing. We find nothing.
The Longing for Fascination
The Cambridge Dictionary defines the word fascinate as “having one’s complete interest and attention.” I believe Peter and his companions that day were actually fascinated—Jesus had their complete attention and interest. But the attention was for what they could obtain and their interest was to see what He could do. I believe it best described as a displaced fascination, wrapped up in the “What will He do next?”
If we are honest, our confession would reveal that we mostly want to find Him because we need something from Him and have often felt as Peter did in that passage—tired, exasperated, maybe even hopeless, and in our restlessness, we find that sometimes we panic when we cannot find Him.
It is not wrong to seek Jesus because we have need. I do, however, wonder what things would look like, what we would receive and what miracle would take place if our motive for seeking and searching was simply to be with Him, to be a people fascinated with His beauty. Attentive and interested. Longing for relationship with Him, conversation with Him. After all, He has been fascinated with us since the beginning.
It is intriguing to say the least, that Jesus does not respond to Peter and his friends’ frustration. He does not address their frustration. Instead, the next passage reads: He said to them, ‘Let us go into the nearby towns, that I may preach there also. For that is why I have come” (Mark 1:39).
There is a familiar phrase often used when teaching small children to cross the street. We teach them to “Stop, look, and listen.” This Scripture carries a similar lesson; it’s an invitation to do the same.
Do not cross or better yet, do not search frantically about. Instead, stop. Once you have stopped, lean into Him; listen for His heart. What if the desperation you feel is really your spirit crying out for the atmosphere and presence of God—to be fascinated with Him much as He has been with you since before you were born?
Jesus says to Peter: Not here, not amid the crowd, with all these distractions. No, let’s go somewhere else, where I can preach. Some translations say, “speak.” A small village. A place we have not been before. This is why I came, to speak.
There is a battle far greater than the battle to have prayers answered, needs met. It’s the battle that seeks to separate you, to cut the cord that ties you to His life-giving, sustaining presence and voice. It seeks to allure you elsewhere.
Friend, everyone is looking for Jesus. Even those who insist that they are not looking for Jesus, because woven into the fabric of who we were created to be, the infinite God created an infinite longing within us to be fascinated. And this fascination can only be fulfilled in His company.
Leave the crowds, the distractions behind; go with Him to a place you have never been before. Gaze upon Him, take His hand in yours and allow Him to fascinate you with His love.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, I want to be and live fascinated by You. Yes, Beautiful Jesus, everyone is looking for You. We long to be fascinated by You. Come to us. Nothing truer has ever been said. {eoa}
Selenia Vera resides in Kansas City. She enjoys writing and is the author of Go Quickly. She is on staff with the International House of Prayer where she serves in the Marketing department. Visit her blog: seleniascribbles.blogspot.com
This article originally appeared at ihopkc.org.
There was a tremendous commotion in the chicken yard. I looked out the window to see a lone goose about 10 feet away from the coop fence. He was searching for bugs and basically minding his own business. But the chickens were not happy about the goose’s presence.
The hens went under the coops or either in the coop to the roosts. Once they were settled, the roosters each assumed a post nearby. In the door of each of the two henhouses sat a rooster. His body filled the open space, and the hens remained safely tucked inside.
How many times as a parent do we try to be the “rooster” for our children? We see some kind of perceived danger and immediately want to position ourselves between our children and that danger. But is that really the best thing for them?
The rooster remained in the door of the henhouse for quite a while. But then one of the “girls” decided she wanted to come out. The rooster stood, moved over just a little bit, and the hen squeezed by. From my vantage point, it looked like the rooster was pretty hesitant to leave his post and let the chicken by. But he rose and moved slightly to the side.
When parents are in a “rooster” situation, they have to make a decision. Should this be a teachable moment? Or is it a time to insist your children hide from the danger, thereby denying them any growth?
Ephesians 6:10 tells us “Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Even a child can learn to stand strong against the enemy whether it is a friend at school, an unfair accusation or a goose in the yard.
Make sure you instill Scripture into the hearts of your children every time you can so that when the “goose” comes into his or her yard, your child can stand strong on the Word of God. {eoa}
Linda Gilden is thankful for the opportunity to help her children and grandchildren learn to make good choices and is proud of the choices they have made. She loves the blessing of being involved in their lives and spending time with them and their families. Visit her at lindagilden.com.
This article originally appeared at just18summers.com.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1a).
In Genesis 1, we read about the beginning of the creation of the earth, for the preparation of the start of the human race. We also learn in the first verse from this book of beginnings the key element to the commencement of any miraculous event: God.
Again, in the New Testament in John 1:1-3, the Scriptures confirm that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were created through Him, and without Him nothing was created that was created.” Jesus is the Word of God personified, the Father’s perfect revelation of Himself in the flesh. And He was present and had an active part in the creation of the earth.
Let’s take and apply the light of this truth to our situation today. In order for the creation of our miracle to begin, we need to first activate Jesus Christ, the miracle worker in our life now. Let’s pray.
Dear Jesus,
I believe in Your redemptive power that You gave to me through Your blood at Calvary. I recognize the fact that in the beginning of my miracle I need You. And with faith-filled words, I release your miracle-working power in my life, so that my miracle can begin.
In Your name I pray, amen. {eoa}
Becky Dvorak is a prophetic healing evangelist and the author of DARE to Believe, Greater Than Magic and The Healing Creed. Visit her at authorbeckydvorak.com.
This article originally appeared at authorbeckydvorak.com.
I am astonished at how Christians interact with one another
In fact, “astonished” may not even be a strong enough word. I am dismayed, heartbroken and at times even shaken when I read how Christians comment to each other on social media, blogs and Christian news sites.
Okay, I know that not everyone who engages in these forums is a Christian. But when this person claims the name of Christ while simultaneously making fun of and belittling the person they are commenting to, it leads me to wonder how it is that those who claim to be Christ’s disciples are so little like Christ.
We are living in a culture of hate.
Not only is murder on the rise and bullying taken on a whole new dimension my generation can’t relate to—and thus often shrugs off as being something normal kids just need to cope with (In our generation, we could find shelter behind the four walls of our home. Today’s generation has no shelter and has no walls to protect them from the insistent bullying that hunts them down no matter where they are and whether or not they have social media accounts).
1. Name-calling:
The old adage I used in preschool still applies: If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.
Or how about the verse, “Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:10).
2. Perpetual offense:
I see this so often on Facebook. Someone expresses their opinion, and either the person commenting is offended by the post, or the one who posted it is offended by a comment. This often results in someone encouraging people to unlike or unfollow them.
“The discretion of a man defers his anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression” (Prov. 19:11).
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger” (James 1:19).
Christians should be known for giving grace, even when it’s not deserved. Especially when it’s not deserved.
Scripture instructs us to be slow in being offended, quick in offering forgiveness, slow in speaking our minds and quick in listening to what others have to say.
And in the verse in Proverbs it is says that it is our credit when we choose to overlook an offense.
3. Publicly calling people out:
I often see Christians on social media call others out publicly for something they didn’t agree with: either someone they personally knew (and thus should have handled it according to Scripture, and not publicly on social media) or a celebrity/political figure.
There are times when the church at large needs to be warned about a false teacher or false prophet, but this should be handled through the proper channels; and steps should be taken that while public rebuke may be necessary, it is done in a spirit of love and restoration.
4. Dredging up old offenses:
Sadly, in light of the #MeToo movement, we see this happening more and more among Christians.
I have sympathy for women who have truly been sexually assaulted, and out of fear have kept silent, but now feel enough protection and strength to finally come forward so that justice can be served.
I can fully understand how a woman 20, 30 or 40-plus years ago would have felt enough intimidation and fear to remain silent: especially women with children to clothe and feed who feared for their reputation and ability to keep/find a job to provide for their home.
However, I also see a lot of Christians dredging up past offenses that don’t require justice. It’s as if they simply want to get things off of their chest while at the same time gathering around them people who support them in their anger and bitterness.
This isn’t pleasing to God.
If you have truly forgiven, there is no reason to bring up the past.
If there ever was a time when the church needed to be reminded of Christ’s command to love one another as He loved us, it is now.
In 1 John, we read that if we say we love God and yet hate our brother, we are liars. Those are some strong words.
Jesus said that when we’re angry at our brother, when we belittle and demean them, and call them names, we are murdering them in our heart because we are harboring hate in our heart toward them (Matt. 5).
As children of God, we must separate ourselves unto a new culture: a culture of God’s love and grace.
Rosilind Jukic, a Pacific Northwest native, is a missionary living in Croatia and married to her Bosnian hero. Together, they live with their two active boys, and she enjoys fruity candles, good coffee and a hot cup of herbal tea on a blustery fall evening. Her passion for writing led her to author her best-selling book The Missional Handbook. At A Little R & R she encourages women to find contentment in what God created them to be. You can also find her at Missional Call, where she shares her passion for local and global missions. You can follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google +.
This article originally appeared at rosilindjukic.com.
In my intentional, no-agenda time with God when I just listen to what He wants to tell me without bringing my long to-do list to Him, God took me to my future. I was in a mansion with many rooms.
Upon seeing the picture, I was reminded of John 14:2. Depending on which translation I read, it quotes Jesus as saying, “In My Father’s house are many ‘dwelling places,’ ‘mansions’ or ‘rooms.””
There were rooms lining an endless central hallway. Jesus was my guide. He pointed to various doors and invited me to walk through. What I saw was too personal to write about, but suffice it to say, it is part of my legacy, destiny and future. I cried with joy as He took me to each room.
After several rooms, it was too much to take. I asked Him to only show me what I can handle right now. Each room He showed me was an endless room. What I saw was that each room had more phases to it that spanned generations, past, present and future.
It was too vast to understand except that it gave me a deep sense of joy and fulfillment. I know from what He showed me that I am headed in the right direction and in tune with Him more now than ever.
The last part of John 14:2 says. “If that were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.” I’ve always seen that as many rooms in heaven, and I’ll be going there one day to enjoy all those room as my palace of leisure.
Now, I see those rooms that He has prepared for me are all about the ripple effect my life here on earth has started or continued from those down through the ages. These are not prophecies of my future. These rooms hold my future.
There is a huge difference between what could be and what is. What is, is already done. It is what God said and so even though it is in the future, it is set. It is done. It is finished.
Here’s the other revelation I had, though. I’m very aware if I don’t stay in Christ, I can miss what is to come. How do I miss it?
I can veer off God’s chosen path, stop listening to Him by once again indulging in selfish desires, and refuse to course correct when the voice of my Teacher shows me the correct way to go.
“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left” (Isa. 30:21).
The promise God gives us is if we are listening, He will let us know the right path. If we follow Him, our paths will lead right to our destinies.
I coach many different folks in various ways, but my favorite way is through VIP Freedom Coaching. One of my clients, Margie McKay, shared how God showed her in a dream that He will teach her how to eat properly and how that is connected to her destiny.
“I know it may be a little stormy and difficult to maneuver at first, but I will have nothing to fear because He has planned my future,” she said. “I don’t see my future yet, but I know it’s beautiful, calm, joyful and I will be totally fulfilled and happy.”
When sharing this breakthrough moment, she reminded me that I told her that God was not finished with her and had a plan for her life. She added, “I am so thankful for you helping me as I go through this journey of forgiveness and experiencing God in a way that I never have before. Experiencing His love, compassion and acceptance is beyond words. He never gives up on me, and you haven’t either, Teresa.”
Margie isn’t the only one who has experienced these kinds of breakthrough moments. Many have. In VIP Freedom Coaching I do six sessions of one-on-one coaching for each person. The sessions are geared to what you want and need.
We start with understanding the things that are holding us back on our journeys. We dig deep to find where the roots are and then, work to remove these. It’s different for each person. The tools we use bring insight and almost instant relief of lifelong burdens we have shouldered.
Many times, it’s these burdens that the evil one reminds of often. We feel our baggage will always weigh us down. Through this coaching process burdens are removed, past issues forgiveness and broken connections to God restored.
I dearly love doing one-on-one coaching. I get to see strongholds broken, lives and relationships restored and futures redeemed. I get to see clients like Margie, who have become friends, hear directly from God about their future if they follow what He has shown them to do. {eoa}
Teresa Shields Parker is the author of seven books, all available on Amazon. Her latest book, Sweet Hunger: Developing an Appetite for God, is available now, and Sweet Grace: How I Lost 250 Pounds is the No. 1 Christian weight-loss memoir. She is also a writing and weight-loss coach, blogger, speaker, wife and mother. Visit her online at TeresaShieldsParker.com to find her books, coaching programs and free gifts.
This article originally appeared at teresashieldsparker.com.