September 27, 2024

I’m back baby! It’s been so long since I’ve shared minutes after our Heart to Heart prayer meeting. From the moment I opened my eyes this morning, Jesus was asking me to write them. I pretty much did everything but writing until now. As I was deeply cleaning the kitchen counters and deciding that now would be a good time to wash the couch cushions, I realized I couldn’t get settled. Some of you have asked how you know you are hearing the voice of God, that is it! When He asks you to do something or gives you direction and you can’t find the contentedness in your heart, mind or body when you choose something else. I also know this is exactly what I’m supposed to do because as I started writing this, I also had a sneezing fit. Something was trying to silence me.

Plunged in the Spirit

I hope you feel what we feel. You are RISING! Each and every one of you are rising as a member and leader of this group. Jesus has activated your gifts for our family and the others we encounter. You are rising in your identity; your ADOPTED identity in the family where you BELONG. As we started the meeting in the same fashion: 10 Hail Marys, the Glory Be, our prayer intentions and Litany of the saints it was time to RISE. It was time to stand and open your hearts to receive all that God wanted to provide for you tonight. When you stand, you say YES. When you open your hands, you say YES. You are opening your heart to Jesus. You are welcoming Him. You are inviting Him into the depths of your heart; wherever you are.

Come Holy Spirit….come Holy Spirit…come Holy Spirit…come Holy Spirit…come Holy Spirit…come Holy Spirit…come Holy Spirit…come Holy Spirit…come Holy Spirit…come Holy Spirit

Did you feel the fire? I know I did. It was as if my hands were holding balls of fire. My arms started to tingle. “Is that when the church turned into 100 degrees?” a member said after the meeting. YES! That is it. The Holy Spirit, the same Holy Spirit that came upon Jesus in His baptism in the Jordan River, is the same spirit that was alive in that room last night. It was not only alive in that room last night, it IS alive in your heart every moment of every day. Jesus wants you to live with the knowledge and truth.

Jesus…Jesus…Jesus…Jesus…Jesus…Jesus…Jesus…Jesus…Jesus…Jesus

There is power in the name of Jesus. Jesus is waiting, like a gentleman, at every door of your heart. He is waiting for you to let Him in and last night you opened that door when you opened your hands. Did you feel the change in you? I did as we proclaimed the bold message, “Here I am Lord, have your way!”

Many of us came last night with burdens on our shoulders and tears in our eyes, but at this moment, everything began to change. Peace began to wash over each and every one of you. I watched it happen. Remember who is the King of this World, Your King. Welcome home, to your Father’s House.

In name of the Jesus, I renounce FEAR.

In the name of the Jesus, I renounce DOUBT.

In the name of Jesus, I renounce UNBELIEF.

Say it with me…

In the name of the Jesus, I ANNOUNCE FAITH.

In the name of Jesus, I ANNOUNCE TRUST.

In the name of Jesus, I ANNOUNCE HOPE.

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.” Isaiah 26:3

Now you feel it. I want to hear it; claim your ADOPTION song in confidence. You are not what the world tells you that you are. You are not what your pain and suffering tells you that you are. You are not what the lies tell you that you are. You are a CHILD OF THE MOST HOLY KING. You are KNOWN, more than you know yourself. You are SEEN, to the very core of your heart. You are LOVED, by a God who knows and sees you for everything you are: imperfections and all. That is who He loves. You are HIS. He would do it all over again for YOU and only YOU. Know this truth and live your truth in the freedom of Christ. The freedom that your YES provides for you each week when you walk through those doors and sit in our circle. NOTHING can take it from you.

Because you sat in your chair last night, you have a story to share and a testimony to claim. We want to hear it. Share your miracles; they are everywhere and they are happening because you are asking.

Let me tell you what Jesus did for me…

My friend and I were on the beach. We wrote our fears down on pieces of paper and we ripped them up to throw them into the sea. As we stood there, we wondered how we know Jesus is with us. Right at that moment, two birds flew right in front of us and were playing with each other in the sea. We couldn’t believe our eyes and then they were gone. We began to cry. I shared with my friend that Jesus is always with us and He has our back. Then, the birds were back, but a much larger bird was behind them. They landed right in front of us again and the bird was just watching the small birds play. Thank you Jesus! (a paraphrased story from a member).

A leader sent me a song earlier in the week. I thanked her, but didn’t listen to it at the time. I was having a really bad day and on the train ride home, there were delays and everything was getting in my way of getting home; all I wanted to do was go home and cry. Then, I listened to the song. It was right there. I needed it at that moment and I needed the time for it. Thank you Jesus! (a paraphrased story from a member). *My favorite part of this story was that this young woman said all she wanted to do was “go home and cry.” When she said this, I pictured her flopping on her bed and sobbing into her pillow, but she did not do that. She walked through the doors of Jesus’s house tonight. She went HOME to cry.

I know a truth as I looked around the circle last night. You are open and you are willing to let Jesus come into the places of your heart where you need healing. Mary Healy claimed that getting near Jesus is like getting near a nuclear reaction. That is what I felt last night! I felt your YES; I felt your surrender of your tears. Jesus collects those tears from you and He refreshes you. You left refreshed and renewed in the Holy Spirit. Didn’t you feel it after being soaked with Holy Water by Janine in the prayer chair?

I don’t think our conga line, dancing and praising in front of the tabernacle can get old. The PRAISE is everything. It changes everything. From star jumps, to throat hurting singing, to kneeling in adoration, or watching from the back, praising your God and savior changes EVERYTHING. You are different now. Jesus is the change in you. Believe it, live it, and own it. You are a CHILD of God. You are everything to Him.