So we're getting ready for bed and I'm preparing to "pray them to sleep" as I have been told I have a gift for, when one of my precious girls spoke up with a different request. After that evening teaching one of the younger ladies who we had seen around camp seemed to have some sort of problem, to the point to where her Dad had to take to the car. The girls told me that they were a bit disturbed by the innocent, mainly because she was acting out and yelling things that were against God. After hearing a little more, I realized that I had actually talked to this lady earlier in the day and her name was Catherine. My encounter with her had been strange as well, but I had blown it off because sometimes people just respond different to me anyway. So that night after hearing about all of this we all were able to come before the Lord and lift up Catherine to Him, asking Him to take control of her and give her the AMAZING love that we had already been learning about... and they fell asleep as I prayed... (it really doesn't bother me :)
So i wake up at 5:30 in the morning... and it was actually a lot easier than I thought it would be (for getting four hours of sleep). I took a shower and headed up to the lodge, to my dismay the quiet time I desired seemed to slip right through my hands as entered the lodge finding the cleaning crew... (all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purposes.) well, that was kind of an exageration, the cleaning crew was actually one lady. Still feeling refreshed I smiled at her and began a bit of small talk... which soon lead to the Lords promise being fulfilled!
This wonderful woman of God that I ended up face to face with at 5:30 in the morning was Betsy. Betsy is the Mother of Catherine- the young lady in which we prayed for the night before. As we began to talk and Catherine became the point of our conversation, it hit me like a ton of bricks... this is what the had been waiting to give me. He REALLY DID speak to me. He had preordained this moment. Soon I learned the testimony of my friend Catherine. I learned of the many sad details of her life, I learned of how she had slowly slipped away and believed the lies of the enemy. I learned of how she was in an aweful accident and had turned to blame God. I learned of how people in the church made fun of her and treated her like trash. I learned how she found comfort working at a park where she met, fell in love with, and eloped to a man who had hurt her more than I knew to be possible. I learned how Catherine was put in a mental institution by this men, who left without even a name to be called by. I learned of her parents outrageous love to rescue her and the ever ever unfailing love a TRUE God was continually faithful and drawing her near. I learned that Catherine has just begun coming out in public within the last 6 months. I learned how she has just within the last two weeks responded to people around her, and I learned that within the last two days she had actually held some what of conversations with people... including me. I was astounded and filled with joy and expectation as I learned all these aweful and beautiful things about Catherine, and I knew she was part of our purpose.
That morning at the workshop we had the amazing priveledge to hear catherine's story from her mom as she joined us! And to the amazement (shows you have faithless I am) it tied in perfectly to what the Lord chose to speak through me that morning. The Holy Spirit spoke to us about the importance of the armor of the Lord. That we are called as believers to be clothed in it. That we are to where the amazing and powerful belt of Truth... knowing the He is the Truth. The breast plate of righteousness (the piece of the armor that protects our heart) purity, love, and modesty that God has called us to put on. Our feet shod with the gospel of peace- no matter where we go we are to proclaim the truth of the gospel in peace and love. The helmet of salvation- keeping every thought captive to Him and thinking on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, or praiseworthy! Then taking up the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit. Being grounded in the Word... knowing WHO our God is. Knowing who we are IN Him. Knowing that a part from Him we can do NOTHING (John 15), and then truly believing it and living it. trusting in Him.
We spoke of how the enemy has come to steal, kill, and destroy, but Christ came to give us life and to the FULL. We talked about how the enemies most powerful lie... is that there is no battle. That all is well, and when there is a problem that arises it is your fault or someone elses. That there is nothing more to it. That you should just allow distractions in your life, that you can carry your burdens on your own, that you don't need your sword or your shield... there isn't a battle. And the TRUTH is he is trying to trip you and get you on your own, becuase he knows he's defeated when Christ is in you, but he knows that if he can get you on your own-thinking you can trust in yourself... that is when he seeks those in whom he may devour.
That is why Christ has called us to be in the VINE! to ABIDE in Him... because apart from Him we can do nothing. But in HIM nothing will be impossible.
The workshop ended with a time of prayer for Catherine and for eachother. That our eyes would be open to see that we wrestle not against flesh and blood... and that more than anything we need our Lord and Savior to be in and a part of every part of our life!! We need to hunger and thirst for Him and His word and just simply be in His presence and pray to HIM.
Oh, but that was not the end... that night Ben did his painting... and guess what it was on- oh yeah! Spiritual warfare baby! What an amazing God and schedule He had set up... He knew what He was doing and man do I need to trust Him more!
There is so much more and my heart is still just overwhelmed with God's goodness! I have enjoyed fellowship and sooo much prayer lwith like minded believers -like never before... now to just keep it that way... Will you joing me in living for Him? In praying at every moment possible- without an shame! Constantly coming before Him and making Him your number one priority!
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