Luke 14:25-27 (NLT)
25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.
Today is my Sabbath day of rest. Well it’s technically 8:30am to 3:30pm for seven hours on Monday’s when my kids are in school. I’m still trying to figure out what I’m suppose to do during these seven hours. I feel sick in my stomach whenever I want to start laundry, clean or even minister to friends in need so I’m certain that I’m not to do these things.
I read an article on what the religious Jews do on the Sabbath and this one source says it’s a day of remembrance and observance*. It’s suppose to be a joyful day of rest! Who knew?
Therefore I decided to sit down and go through my bible verse journal book and reflect back on the past year. And taking the time to write down my thoughts seems to be a right thing to do on my Sabbath day of rest so I’ll keep doing this unless the Lord directs me differently.
The Bible verses above is what stands out for me as I recall my year 2017. Wow, Jesus really meant this statement! There were plenty of moments I wanted to stop following Jesus and for good reasons – for the safety of my children, my health and many other good reasons all related to “safety”. However it’s my personal definition of safety not the Lords.
It started in December 2016. I knew that my new prayer group that just started in September, was to pray weekly for our church and its leaders and staff beginning in January 2017. I was an inexperienced prayer leader with a small group of women who loved Jesus. We prayed passionately and we prayed anointed by the Holy Spirit in the beginning; but not realizing there are evil powers that are also listening and will strike at us with full fury to destroy our young prayer group.
Both my kids went to the hospital emergency rooms this year, February and August respectively. I had a sickness from hell in March. Other spiritual attacks and crashes followed. Few core prayer ladies also experienced these attacks and wanted to bail out. Some did and some didn’t only out of sheer obedience to the Lord.
One time when I was complaining before the Lord, the Holy Spirit reminded me that these battles are actually good for me. It’s for my safety! He reminded me that when David didn’t go out to the battleground with his men but stayed back in the palace, he saw Bathsheba bathing one night, lusted after her and then had her husband killed to cover up their affair. Oh boy. Praise God for this example!
As 2017 comes to its end, I am grateful and thankful to my Lord Jesus Christ for giving me and the core prayer ladies enough courage and strength to not abandon our posts. These bible verses have a new and fresh meaning to me now. It’s also good to see that when I was given some hard tests that I did pass. Whew. Praise the Lord!
I’ll continue to remain in my post watching and praying for our church, its leaders, staff and volunteers until the Lord releases me to move on. I’m expecting and believing God for BIG blessings and breakthroughs for 2018 for my church, family and community!
I’ll keep journaling here to remember God’s faithfulness and powers to those that follow and believe in Him. Please continue to pray for me and my prayer group. Thank you! Xoxo
Isaiah 28:5-6 (NLT)
Then at last the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will himself be Israel’s glorious crown. He will be the pride and joy of the remnant of his people.
He will give a longing for justice to their judges. He will give great courage to their warriors who stand at the gates.
John 12:26 (NLT)
26 Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
Journal of Faith 