After you walk through some hardship, you’re almost a different person. You can then say to those who are going through the same thing, “Boy, I understand what you’re going through!” You have so much more empathy for people that are going through hard times, like those who have cancer who have to endure treatments… their radiation and chemotherapy.
But it’s in the journey; we are walking through this journey called life. We are living in the most amazing time ever in the history of mankind. I mean He chose you, He chose me, He chose Kevin, Zach, Tammy Sue, Sasha, Mondo, and all of us – our whole team here… and He chose you to do something for the Kingdom of God.
If you are home and sick in your body, you know what you can do? You can pray for others and get out of yourself. What happens is when you get sick physically or mentally, the key to not staying there, and the key I think to being strong and courageous, is not be self-absorbed. So, when you get out of yourself, you get healed and your healing is sometimes beyond your wildest expectations!
Why do we have 5 Mexican children? Because I said, “Lord, I want to do something for you!” And Pastor Tommy Barnett said, “I need bus pastors to just go down in the inner cities to the highways and byways, and pick people up and bring them to church.” I thought, “Well, I can do that,” and what happened next was the result of my willingness to get out of myself! Now we have our 5 Mexican children from those inner city days, those ghetto days where I found them 25 years ago!
I mean the Manager of this ministry is one of those little Mexican kids grown up (Maricela), and our Producer of this show, Little Lori, is one of those little Mexican kids. And Claire, who is coming to join our staff in a few days just graduated from college! She is the first one in their entire bloodline that has ever graduated college, and I’m so proud of her! She is brilliant and has a major in business. She also attended college at Rick Joyner’s college, so she has the gifts of the spirit inside of her.
My children are a gift from God! You never know what God will do if you allow him to use you to get out of yourself. Be strong, be bold, and be courageous. There is going to be a lot of battles you will have to fight in life.
When God gets a hold of your life, you don’t ever want to let Him go. When you know what He has done for you, you just want to give everything you have, which is all of you. All I had was just a bunch of filthy rags… broken, bruised, and battered… and I just gave it to Him. And He has taken my filthy rags and done the rest. I have just held on and it has been the most amazing, glorious ride.
Yes, there are going to be hard times. Yes, you have to die to your flesh, but He is with you through it all.
It’s so true. Prayer is so important. Just yesterday I was visiting my friend in her new store and (knowing that every start-up business is extremely stressful and difficult for those involved) told her I would pray for her. At the same time, I felt the Lord urging me to “Pray for her now,” so, almost in the same sentence, I said, “I ask the Lord to bless you and keep you and give you strength for this journey and I pray the Lord will prosper your business and give you Many New Customers!” I didn’t bow my head or close my eyes, but I think she knew I was talking to the Lord and she had a big smile and just kept saying “Thank you. Thank you.” I have never had anyone ever refuse a blessing/prayer.
Really enjoyed the show yesterday with Bill Koenig and would never had known you were not feeling 100% great, Lori. Your demeanor and spirit really come across the airwaves as so peaceful and loving. Praying for you. Lord, bless Lori and give her Your healing and health for every day and evening of her life. Thank You for the love that she expresses for/as You to so many thousands who are suffering. Give her healing and strength as she ministers Your love and compassion to the world. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!
Beautiful words…from a beautiful woman!!!! God Bless!!!
Lori, You are so right to get out of ourselves when the pain and sickness gets to be too much and just start praying for others. I find there is always someone else to pray for. I was watching the show one evening and Jim said to buy a Bakkers dozen of the Harbinger and give them out. I thought that was a wonderful idea so I did. I have since heard back from two people that have read the book and they both thanked me and told me that it has changed their lives and they are passing the book on to someone else, which is what I suggested for them to do . It is working and I know it was the Lord that made sure I heard that suggestion that night. It is so nice to know he has used us for something even something so small. I can’t do much from this mobility chair but I sure could do that ! Love to you all and Gods blessings, Judy