Once again thinking about the last couple of years, I think about some of the ways Jesus led me.
COMMUNITY IS ESSENTIAL
I became surrounded by believers. A whole community built up around me. They would find me in hospital waiting rooms, on the soccer field, everywhere. My oldest son moved into a Christian community shortly after my husband's brain injury. Honestly, I thought it was a cult of some kind, so I visited a few times to decide. I found some of the most amazing, loving, followers of Jesus. They spoke biblical truth into me like I had never heard before. The first recommendation was to read John. I read it, I felt it for the first time I had an intense feeling about Jesus dying, I cried. I had heard many times Jesus died for our sins, but had no idea what that meant. I felt intimacy with a few of the women I couldn't even understand. They listened, prayed, and read the Bible with me. I could confess anything to them, and they would pray for repentance for me.
Eventually, I got connected to a church they are very close to. The people at the church were older than the people in the community. Still, I never knew Christians like them existed. I had known either lukewarm Christians or "everyone is going to hell if you don't live a perfect life" Christians. They were loving, serving, honest, kind Christians. As well as attending church, I would go to their once-a-month healing service, any workshops, and Bible Study. Every single one enriched my life. During altar calls, I would go up week after week to be prayed for. They kept me focused on Christ.
24/7 JESUS
I was hungry for more. I was led to Daily Audio Bible. It is amazing; every day Brian reads part of the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. Then he may do a short teaching or prayer. I also found "The Daily Prayer" on the app. I would play and replay these many times during the day.
I also found the You Version Bible app. I was doing 5-6 Bible studies at a time. I could also search topics at any time.
Joyce Meyer, I had her CDs playing in the car over and over and over. That was my first introduction to spiritual warfare and controlling my thoughts.
I listened to any podcast from IHOP I could find. That was the first time I heard about people being raised from the dead.
BOOKS AND BIBLE STUDIES
I would pray when I went into the bookstore, "Lord, lead me to the books You want me to read." I remember one time I entered the bookstore for a specific book by ###, The Holy Spirit directed me to a different one. I still have never been led to read ### for whatever reason the Lord has, I trust.
Of course, I read every Joyce Meyer book I could find. Battlefield Of the Mind in a very understandable way taught me so much about my thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Shattering your Strongholds - I tried to read this book too early. It was like feeding meat to a baby when all I could handle was milk. I have since read it many times and will share some of the prayers I felt extremely helpful in my other blog.
Breaking Bondage - Was great at breaking down what I needed to do in steps.
I have done Bible studies on women of faith, parables, Esther, Forgiveness, Women of Grace, Proverbs, etc...
CHRISTIAN COUNSELLING I went to a Christian counselor two times a week for the first three weeks then once a week for months.
I know this may seem overwhelming or too much, but I was desperate. Sometimes I would literally be in a room and collapse on the floor and wail. I was in physical, emotional, and spiritual torture. I knew there was nothing I could do to get better; I had tried it all before. My mission began because I wanted to get better for my kids. My eyes opened, and I just wanted more and more of Jesus. I didn't know the answer, but I knew He did.
Dear Lord, I pray for all those suffering from childhood trauma or adultery, focus on You for all their needs. I pray they do not get distracted by the earthly issues. I pray they would be surrounded by believers filled with the Holy Spirit, rooted deeply in Your Truth. Thank You, Jesus.
COMMUNITY IS ESSENTIAL
I became surrounded by believers. A whole community built up around me. They would find me in hospital waiting rooms, on the soccer field, everywhere. My oldest son moved into a Christian community shortly after my husband's brain injury. Honestly, I thought it was a cult of some kind, so I visited a few times to decide. I found some of the most amazing, loving, followers of Jesus. They spoke biblical truth into me like I had never heard before. The first recommendation was to read John. I read it, I felt it for the first time I had an intense feeling about Jesus dying, I cried. I had heard many times Jesus died for our sins, but had no idea what that meant. I felt intimacy with a few of the women I couldn't even understand. They listened, prayed, and read the Bible with me. I could confess anything to them, and they would pray for repentance for me.
Eventually, I got connected to a church they are very close to. The people at the church were older than the people in the community. Still, I never knew Christians like them existed. I had known either lukewarm Christians or "everyone is going to hell if you don't live a perfect life" Christians. They were loving, serving, honest, kind Christians. As well as attending church, I would go to their once-a-month healing service, any workshops, and Bible Study. Every single one enriched my life. During altar calls, I would go up week after week to be prayed for. They kept me focused on Christ.
24/7 JESUS
I was hungry for more. I was led to Daily Audio Bible. It is amazing; every day Brian reads part of the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. Then he may do a short teaching or prayer. I also found "The Daily Prayer" on the app. I would play and replay these many times during the day.
I also found the You Version Bible app. I was doing 5-6 Bible studies at a time. I could also search topics at any time.
Joyce Meyer, I had her CDs playing in the car over and over and over. That was my first introduction to spiritual warfare and controlling my thoughts.
I listened to any podcast from IHOP I could find. That was the first time I heard about people being raised from the dead.
BOOKS AND BIBLE STUDIES
I would pray when I went into the bookstore, "Lord, lead me to the books You want me to read." I remember one time I entered the bookstore for a specific book by ###, The Holy Spirit directed me to a different one. I still have never been led to read ### for whatever reason the Lord has, I trust.
Of course, I read every Joyce Meyer book I could find. Battlefield Of the Mind in a very understandable way taught me so much about my thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Shattering your Strongholds - I tried to read this book too early. It was like feeding meat to a baby when all I could handle was milk. I have since read it many times and will share some of the prayers I felt extremely helpful in my other blog.
Breaking Bondage - Was great at breaking down what I needed to do in steps.
I have done Bible studies on women of faith, parables, Esther, Forgiveness, Women of Grace, Proverbs, etc...
CHRISTIAN COUNSELLING I went to a Christian counselor two times a week for the first three weeks then once a week for months.
I know this may seem overwhelming or too much, but I was desperate. Sometimes I would literally be in a room and collapse on the floor and wail. I was in physical, emotional, and spiritual torture. I knew there was nothing I could do to get better; I had tried it all before. My mission began because I wanted to get better for my kids. My eyes opened, and I just wanted more and more of Jesus. I didn't know the answer, but I knew He did.
Dear Lord, I pray for all those suffering from childhood trauma or adultery, focus on You for all their needs. I pray they do not get distracted by the earthly issues. I pray they would be surrounded by believers filled with the Holy Spirit, rooted deeply in Your Truth. Thank You, Jesus.
