A Palm Sunday miracle

Our church has adult Sunday school the hour before service.

We’ve enjoyed attending since we learned about it not long after we moved here.

The usual way to begin is to open the floor for anyone to testify to the goodness of God that week.

It was a bit quiet at first, but a few people had spoken, then one gentleman told us of his gratitude for the Lord’s protection.

His arm was in a sling and he explained that he’d hurt his shoulder trying to start the pressure washer to use at the church the next day.

His words were all encouraging, speaking about how thankful he was that he wasn’t hurt worse and asking for prayer as he’d torn his rotator cuff before.

A couple others spoke and then one man stood and said,

“We haven’t done this in a long time, but I just really feel God would have us pray for our brother’s shoulder right now, that he would come to the front and all the men would pray for him.”

He’d already spoken to our pastor about this and Pastor agreed, so within a short period of time, the man whose shoulder was hurt by the pressure washer was seated and the men surrounded him so much he disappeared from sight.

We all prayed and it was lovely.

When they were finished, I heard my name being called.

The ladies were going to pray over me!

I felt surprise and blessed, but I was totally unprepared for what took place.

One person after another prayed thanking God for my joy, the way I shined Jesus’s love to everyone, and thanking God for my ministry with signing.

Tears ran down my face as my heart was so full of gratitude.

God knows one of the things which had been difficult for me about being unable to speak was feeling hindered in my ability to share Jesus and His love to others.

I had no idea God was shining through me, but it was an answer to prayer and a testament to God, for He is not limited to work no matter what we think might be hindering us.

After they finished praying for me, we all agreed another lady who recently suffered a stroke be seated.

Then we prayed for another lady whose so crippled with age and pain she’s always doubled over unable to lift her head.

Lastly, we prayed for another gentleman whose recently heard something is wrong with his kidneys.

When we finished praying we realized that it was just a few minutes before church.

Sunday school had been all prayer this morning and we all felt it was time well used.

The faces of others reflected my own emotions of gratitude and surprise at the unexpected morning with God.

The service continued and God was so present.

I actually had to work at focusing on the words of the music, because my heart was so full.

The sermon was wonderful and our time ended with communion, which was the perfect finish to our time together.

My heart continued to swell with joy, for this Sunday was a miracle for me.

I’ve not been able to speak at our church since we moved here.

In fact, my trouble with losing my voice has been getting worse, places I used to be able to speak in have been lost.

The Lord spoke very clearly to my heart during my week about totally surrendering my voice to the Lord.

I thought I had, but the truth was revealed when the Lord asked me if I was willing to lose my ability to speak completely.

“No, Lord, I’m not, but I will. My voice belongs to You.”

To bring myself accountability, I told my husband about it all.

I’ve been working at giving the Lord my voice whenever it’s troublesome, to just be thankful when I can speak and thankful when I cannot.

The surprise wasn’t small when God gave me my voice yesterday.

I was so blessed to be able to pray aloud for the other women during Sunday school, when we closed in song, I was able to join in the singing with my voice.

Surprise and wonder were expressions common while I spoke.

Several people commented on “never hearing my voice before”.

Including our WWII veteran who sits in front of us.

He’s quite elderly and wears double hearing aids.

He smiled at me and said,

“You sure do have a beautiful voice. I love hearing it. I hope you get to keep it.”

I smiled back and replied, “Whatever the Lord wills.”

He nodded and smiled, “That’s right, whatever He wills.”

And God’s will was to let me speak all day long.

We were blessed to have friends and family over and I didn’t struggling at all.

I don’t know how long the Lord is going to grant me a voice, but I’m so thankful for His miracle this Palm Sunday.

The Lord had shown me an area I wasn’t completely surrendered in.

He revealed to me His answer to my prayers to be a light of His love even without being able to speak.

God added just an extra blessing and reminded us all that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Hebrews 13:8 NKJV — Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your incredible love. Thank You for answering my prayers, that I have been reflecting You even though I’ve been unable to communicate well. Lord, thank You for each of those we prayed for. Please touch them and give them exactly what is needed. Lord, let our lives be a continued testament to Your glory, Your goodness, Your ways. Lord, please help us to remember that when You walked this Earth there were those who rejected You, hated You, and even wanted to harm You, yet Your Word was truth, Your ways honorable, even Pilot couldn’t find any reason to

Transplanting

This pot was an anniversary gift from Handsome.

We had talked previously about my desire to repot some of my plants, especially the roses, which came with me from our other house.

I had mentioned to him the need for larger pots due to the fact they had outgrown the ones I brought them in.

2 years in one pot is a lot for a plant especially a rose.

My red rose had to be planted this summer due to it’s inability to continue to thrive in the pot I brought it in.

My white rose was planted right after our move, because the container it came in was unsuitable.

Yesterday, with Anne’s help, we transplanted my cabbage rose to a larger pot (pictured).

We dug up my red rose and repotted in anticipation of our move.

My white rose will be remaining here.

Because it’s just now recovering from the trauma of it’s past.

When I first got sick my plants all suffered neglect, but my white rose was attacked and eaten multiple times by a deer which the dogs failed to keep out of the garden.

As we dug it up to move it was an act of faith, because it looked very dead.

But it wasn’t dead.

Both this summer and last it put out a few beautiful flowers.

It’s foliage and growth this past summer is the best I’ve ever seen it have.

And as I prayed about what plants to take and which to leave, I knew it would be best for this one to remain.

Because often times, I’ve found what is best is to let go, rather than “hold on” to things.

The only clinging which should be occurring in my life is my relationship with Christ.

John 15:4 KJV — Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

This is simply another opportunity to listen to the still gentle voice of the Lord and to walk in His ways.

I’m so thankful for the circumstances which remind me of what is important.

It’s not where I live, what I have or do not have, or even my emotions which are most important.

It’s Jesus Christ and as long as I have Him, I have all I need.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for guiding and directing us as we prepare for this transition. Lord, thank You for reminding me of what is important. Please continue to show me myself clearly, help me be aware of the snares of sin and the deception of the flesh which is constantly at war with what is right and holy. Lord, please help me to live daily unto You in all I say, do, and am. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Listen

I will hear what God the LORD will speak,
For He will speak peace
To His people and to His saints;
But let them not turn back to folly. Psalm 85:8 NKJV

Are you listening?

Not to me, nor to the media, nor even to the sounds of nature, but to the Almighty God?

The Creator of heaven and earth, the One who formed you in your mother’s womb, the One who created all the stars and planets.

Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable. Isaiah 40:28

The One who was born of a virgin and misunderstood by many.

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Matthew 1:23

The One who came to save us from our sins.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, Eph. 1:7-8

Are you listening?

When does He speak?

Where does one go to hear the words of the Almighty God?

What is His address, does He have voicemail?

No, something far more timeless.

His Word, the Holy Bible, is God speaking to us.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

His Holy Spirit sent to teach us.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” John 14:26

He’s speaking.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27

Are you listening?

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the Holy Spirit to teach and bring the Word to remembrance. Lord Jesus, You alone know the struggles each of us face. You have all the answers we are looking for. Lord Jesus, please help me to listen to You. Help me to never put off or ignore time spent in Your Word. Please open my mind to learning and direct my soul that I might hear Your voice and obey. Lord, I know You would rather have obedience than sacrifice. Help me to be obedient. Lord Jesus, Your Word is truth, life, and righteousness. Thank You for what You have done, what You are doing, and what You will do. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

Lost his voice

Circumstances can crowd in upon someone before they realize.

The consequences of behavior can begin to hide the heart.

And yet those things are a direct result of the choices made.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Galatians 6:7 NKJV

Recently, as I shared with another, the brokenness of my past relationship with my father, I was able to see the truth in a crystalized phrase.

“He had lost his voice with me by the way he used anger.”

From my perspective, he was always angry and therefore I didn’t want to hear anything he had to say.

In reflection, after God’s healing me, I can see I missed a lot of things he was trying to say, but he had already lost his voice with me.

Our conversation continued and we each reflected upon times when our own voice was lost.

Although all three of the circumstances and choices were different, we each had lost the privilege of sharing truth because of our misuse of our words, actions, or attitudes.

But it didn’t end there.

Jesus had redeemed each of us.

It was humbling and uplifting to realize how Jesus had used these sins in our lives to hone us, to teach us, and to change us.

And before I thought it I spoke.

“I really hope God will help me to teach this truth. I want to pass on the value of guarding one’s actions, attitudes, and words so they might not lose their voice.”

Of course Jesus already spoke so clearly upon these truths, all I’m responsible for is sharing them with others and walking in them myself.

No, I don’t have it down perfect, but I’ve learned that when I sin it’s my responsibility to repent and ask for forgiveness, both from God and those I’ve sinned against.

I’m also on my guard about making allowances.

“Well, I just reacted that way, because I’m hungry and I didn’t sleep well and I…”

Nope!

Refusing to accept the truth that I sinned is as damaging as the sin.

Trying to down play my responsibility in the sin is as deadly as approval of the sin.

Blaming anything rather than repenting of my sin is wickedness, for what I’m doing in my heart is refusing to admit that I’ve transgressed before the Lord.

Humility before God and then others is the best choice.

1 Peter 5:5 KJV — Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

If you have allowed your voice to be lost through sin, it’s not too late to humble yourself before God and those around you.

If you are walking in the path of restoration, praise God for His mercy and grace. Pass on the knowledge of God’s truth.

Galatians 6:10 NKJV — Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. It is so full of all we need! Thank You for teaching me how to be careful of my words and how to continually humble myself before You and others. Please continue to teach me and to guide me along Your paths. Jesus, I want to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and full of Your wisdom. Please help me to sow truth, love, humility, and righteousness daily. Please place a guard over my heart and my mouth, that I might not sin. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.