Waiting on YOUR Healing

Have you ever been to a healing service, you can just feel the excitement in the room and the presence of God is so thick you feel like you can't even stand up. 

Well I have been there and I know that miraculous healings are completely real things. 

I just finished up my Pentecostal Doctrine course and it was incredible! 

In my course the book talked about healing and how we are required to LIVE IN FAITH even when our healing doesn't come. 

It seems to me that alot of believers get stuck in the rut of not getting healed and after that they just loose faith or give up on God. There frustration overtakes them and therefore causes them to do the opposite of what God asks us to do as believers waiting for our healing. The Bible says we are to PRAY, OBEY, WAIT, THANK GOD, and be ENCOURAGED by Him. Alot of the time those aren't the first words that come to mind after we don't receive a healing... am I right? Alot of times these words seem more suitable: disappointment, frustration, worry, doubt, anger.
Maybe you don't even need a healing but you are in desperate need of God in some other way of your life and you cry out to Him again and again and you still feel like nothing is happening. Let me remind you of one of my favorite verses: 

"He has made EVERYTHING beautiful in it's time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11

Our God is a God of miracles, He is a God that restores and revives, He is a God that is all powerful, all knowing and all GOOD. I encourage you today where ever you may be and what ever you may be dealing with- God has NOT forgotten you, you are his chosen child and He will take care of you. Even though it might not be right when we think is the best timing, He is there and He still cares. Don't give up on Him because He hasn't given up on you. 

Pg.142 Intro to Pentecostal Doc. "To the sick and to the one who needs power to pray for the sick the Word calls: Come, spend time with the Healer. Listen to His voice. Feel the beat of His heart for the hurts and mistakes of His children. Drawing closer to Jesus means seeing the world as Jesus sees it. We then seek His best for those He sends to help." 

Source: Introduction to Pentecostal Doctrine Unit 4 Pgs:131-145

Knocked Down but Not Out

"We know that suffering produces perseverance;character; and hope." -Romans 5:3-4

 In my course of Acts: The Holy Spirit at work in Believers, I have seen first hand how God uses our trials to the benefit of His glory! On their journeys, Paul and Silas endured persecution, imprisonment, mockery, scorn and the difficulty of walking with complete faith into the unknown. Pg. 192 in the book says: "From their departure point in Antioch to Troas, Paul traveled a minimum of 1,450 miles, the last 950 of which involved not knowing where they were going, only where they were not supposed to go."
This amazes me, because all the while they endured hardship and persecution but they kept on because they were committed to truly following where the Holy Spirit lead them.
 This is where my inspiration of the title comes in. "Knocked DOWN but not OUT"

I hate when people try to paint the Christian life as only this perfect life that means when you die you will live in a big mansion on gold streets. I believe that choosing to live a life devoted to Christ will absolutely bring conflict, because you are going AGAINST THE GRAIN in living a changed life.

  

Making the choice to let God shape us can sometimes be a VERY painful journey, but the end result is something is only possible through that process. Pg.165 of the book says: "Sometimes our loss is allowed so that we can appreciate and value more greatly the victory that is soon to follow." 
I know for myself God has sent me places before that made no sense and all the while it's like everything and everyone were coming against me from every angle. However, in every one of those times I can now look back and see how victorious and faithful He was. Sometimes we have to be destroyed and go through MEGA hardships to understand that our help comes only from the Lord. If you are anywhere close to as stubborn as I am God really really has to break you down before you realize that you need Him.

I have found that this is one of THE HARDEST things in life to do. However, I've also found that as soon as we surrender, God begins to shape character into us and He begins to use us in ways we never thought we could be used because of His Holy Spirit in us.

God's Criteria: the lowliest, the un-worthy, the broken, the depressed, the angry wall builders, suicidal, druggies, cutters, the murders, the prostitutes, gang members, the bullies, the haters.

  .BRING RESTORATION.

The Exchange: royalty, worthiness, wholeness, joy, life, hope, freedom, value, a true family, healing and LOVE.    

When we finally surrender up to Him and allow him to produce character and hope in our life, true beauty comes to life. He shapes you and uses the things you went through to glorify Him by bringing people to the Kingdom of God. He wants to use YOU. I hope this brings somethings into perspective and if nothing else brings a little glimmer of hope that there IS a light at the end of the tunnel. Allow Him to build character our of your darkness, because He wants to bring hope to the broken. You are knocked down but you are NOT knocked out. 

A Lesson in LOVE

"Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him. All the special gifts and powers from God will someday come to an end, but love goes on forever." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 

In our society today, too often love comes with a price tag. We SHOW love, in order to RECEIVE love. God sacrificed His life on a cross, giving the highest form; the utmost contribution of love to a people who couldn't be less deserving. US. Me, you, that person beside you, the person across the room. He loved YOU. Now I know that is the best feeling in the world knowing that the KING OF THE UNIVERSE, the savior of the WORLD loves little ole' you, but you see it doesn't stop there! 

BECAUSE of that amazing love, we get the chance to love other people; in hope that we can show a fraction of the love that God showed us. Love isn't just a bunch of warm gushy feelings, love is an ACTION, a CHOICE, it's a LIFESTYLE, and it's a GIFT. A gift that comes from freedom. 
Love helps when it isn't convenient. It gives even when it hurts. It listens without putting up a fight. Love isn't easy, but it is the best thing you could ever do. 
Real love is selfless, it has no price tag attached. Love gives, even when love isn't being received. It doesn't say "I'll love you, when you love me" Love says here take everything that I can give. You may be wondering now what happens when I give give give and then I don't get get get ANYTHING. That is what the Love of God is for, He is EVERYTHING that we need and so much more! He is our provider. We give because we have the ability to give because of how much he has given us! 

This is where "agape" love comes into play- It means a love with no expectation in return.

So right now I just want you to evaluate the love you are giving out, is it "agape" love or are you giving love out of selfishness, in hopes that your needs get met? 

Daddy-
Thank you for your agape love, for never giving up on us even we so often we are so undeserving of your love in our lives. Father you are the ultimate giver of love, I pray that we would rely on your love to be enough for us and that we wouldn't run to people to try and feel that need in our lives. Your love never fails and for that we are eternally indebted. We love you Father, would you strengthen us and we try to become more like you- Children of the MOST HIGH. We love you. Amen. 

Spilled Bucket

But he replied, "My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak." So if Christ keeps giving me his power, I will gladly brag about how weak I am. 

-2 Corinthians 12:9

So today- I spilled a filled bucket of water while trying to mop the floor and of course it made me feel like the biggest loser face in America! How true is it that God brings the good out of every situation! After I spilled water ALL OVER the floor it got me to thinking about God- what would He say about me flooding the room? Would He think I'm stupid, or would He wrap me in His arms and say my child it's okay. Maybe He would say- Sharia, this reminds me of this one time when my people messed up so much that the whole earth was flooded- what is this room in comparison to the world! What does He think when I make bigger mistakes in life, what does He do then? I don't think He calls me dumb, or looks at me with anything other than with love. You know why- because I am His child, and He loves me no matter what stupid thing I do, He thinks I'm wonderful no matter what. So next time that you feel like a failure, or you feel not good enough because of some mistake (BIG or small) just remember God thinks the world of you, He gave up everything He had just so He could call you His own. Do you hear me?!... He gave up His son to die just so that He could call us His children!!! That some BIG TIME love :) Be encouraged today, and maybe look at yourself in a different view- GOD's view. When I am weak, HE IS STRONG!

Until Next Time 

- Sharia Brummitt 

CHOSEN TO SAVE

1 Peter 2:9 (The Message)

But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.

I just got finished watching "To Save A Life" and if you haven't seen it I HIGHLY recommend you go watch it!.. It is a impacting life changing movie that will stir up a passion so strong in your heart- you'll wanna go crazy telling the world about God's love! Sometimes (most of the time) we tend to forget why exactly God placed us on this earth. We go through life doing whatever, going to church, volunteering or whatever- and we miss the point of our calling. He called us to be HIS instruments- to speak out for Him, to share His love, His grace. To show the difference that He has made in our lives- how He has delivered us out of darkness - how He broke off the chains that were binding us and gave us a new life... a life in FREEDOM! Its our job to show people that there is HOPE! <3 

Maybe someone is reading this right now who is going through life and feels alone, rejected, like an outsider, confused, and just frustrated with life- well what you need to know is that there is someone who's love is never ending- someone who was willing to give up everything before you even knew Him. See there is a love that is greater than this life that we live, there are these big huge wide open arms that are waiting for you to run into. All you have to do is accept that love, accept that grace, that mercy. Its a free gift, a gift of NEW LIFE- a life that is worth living, a life full of beauty and joy. 

I might sound a little crazy and on edge right now but you see my heart is broken for my generation- my heart is torn for those who are walking around hopeless and shattered. I want to be the one that God uses, the one to fill in the gap- I want to stand in for my generation and CRY OUT for those who are broken; for those who don't even know there is hope. 

GOD- Oh how we need you, we are in a generation that is SO lost! Lord- would you help us to shine your light, would you begin to place opportunities in our lives to reach out and touch the lost. God, they are desperate for something real and something worth living for and we have it- you've given it to us! We can't just walk around with the answer in our hands and not share it! God helps us be a light for you to our generation. Thank you for choosing us for this special assignment, for such a HIGH CALLING. To you be all the glory and praise, may everything that we do represent who you are. Amen! 

Until Next Time-

Sharia Brummitt 

saved- surprised to be loved!

 I love you, God— you make me strong. You are my rescuing knight. He caught me—reached all the way from sky to sea; he pulled me out of that ocean where I was drowning. I stood there saved—surprised to be loved! God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him. Every day I review the ways he works-I feel put back together. He rewrote my life and gave me the greatest love story. ♥ Psalms 18

My Rescuing Knight, ah I love the sound of that! How secure we are put in His love, He is our rescue in time of need- He pulls us out when we are drowning. He saves us from everything that pulls us under. He says that he will take our brokenness and give us a brand new heart if we just give it to Him, that is what is so amazing about our God - He takes our junk and turns it into treasure. He puts our lives back together again and makes sense of all the confusion. He is my rescuer, my deliver, my strong tower, my strength when I am week- He is my everything. So today I challenge you to examine your heart, if you feel like your world is crashing down and you feel like just giving up think- have you given everything to Him or are you holding on to your pain? He is there with open arms ready to take you in! I know sometimes for myself I push down my pain instead of giving it up to God, in order to receive healing and restoration you have to give up your pain and let it go. I know that it can sometimes be hard to let go depending on your situation but what I do know is that if you let go God can do a huge work in our hearts. 

God, I stand in for every broken heart right now I offer up my prayers for them this morning- help them to accept the love that you have for them, to allow you to do a work in their lives. Thank you for that sweet love <3 Amen. 

Until Next Time-

Sharia Brummitt 

JUST FOR YOU.

- Isaiah 43:2 (paraphrased) says...

There is no need to be afraid because I've redeemed you. I've called your name- I've called you MINE. When you feel overwhelmed, I am there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. — My child, that's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation JUST FOR YOU.

Oh, I feel like too often we forget how vast God's love is. We (including myself) get so caught up in life, we get so caught up in all of our daily responsibilities- life just seems to take over. I know so often I feel so bogged down and overwhelmed with life, I just feel like giving up! - but I love how God reminds us that HE IS WITH US in this verse, He tells us that we will not go down if we simply trust Him and keep our hope in Him. He chose us, we are HIS- every part of who we are belongs to Him. Just for us he gave everything- for us God gave His son to be the ultimate sacrifice, for us as sinners! He gave His son up for a world that was full of sin and gunk- this is just mind boggling for me, how deep the father's love for us must be for Him to give up His everything for a world that walks around taking it for granted every day. So today be reminded of just how much He really does love you. He would trade the world JUST FOR YOU- You are here not by chance, but by God's calling. He brought you here for a specific purpose and reason, don't loose hope. 

God be our dependable love today, give us the strength we need to get through our busy lives. Help us to never forget that incredible gift that you gave- your everything so that we could be free. We love you Lord, thank you for your faithfullness in our lives. Amen.

Until Next Time- 

Sharia Brummitt