We just finished a week long course on deliverance - setting the captives free. There are a lot of amazing stories to tell, so here is John (not his real name) from Taiwan. He thought he was just coming to learn and that he didn't have anything to deal with in himself, but the Lord showed him rooms full of judgment against white people for the prejudice he experienced growing up. As he confessed his judgments and forgave the people who hurt him he began to show signs that there was something in him that didn't like what he was doing and was fighting back. Some of our team prayed with him and after a while the fight subsided. He shared the story with the group that night and asked our forgiveness for his hatred and judgments against white people.
Each day, as we worshipped and invited people into places of repentance and forgiveness, John would experience more of this powerful resistance in himself. The last day of the conference I was praying with him and got to watch the Holy Spirit reveal things to him that needed to be addressed and got to see the beautiful, powerful name of Jesus conquer all opposing forces. When we were done praying, he told me that he had so much love for us now. He said when he first saw me, he knew we were going to be tight because he had hateful thoughts toward me (from the Enemy). I told him that was the nicest thing anyone had ever said to me...
Friday, July 31, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Wedding by God
We weren't sure it was going to happen - Nicholas and Holly, both recovering meth users, having been together for years, wanted to get married. We talked about it and even set a tentative date of July 3, but then I didn't hear from them until the end of June. So the day before the wedding date, we hang out in the garden and make our plans.
Friday morning I sat in the garden and read Psalm 23, which they had picked for their wedding. I asked Jesus what the Father's heart was for them and began to write. I've done this in different situations but never before for a wedding. I felt Jesus told me things He wanted to bless them with, things they needed to ask for and things He wanted to break off of them.
As we neared the ceremony, I mentioned to Chris (playing piano) that after the vows and rings we would have a time for everyone who wanted to come up and lay hands on them to pray. Chris suggested that he play some music and we invite people to sit and ask Jesus what He wants them to give to Holly and Nicholas, and then we would all pray. So, when the time came I invited people to do this but what happened was better than our plan. Throughout the music, couples and individuals came forward when they were ready to speak blessing over Nicholas and Holly and to pray with them. This went on for 15 minutes and was so beautiful to see. It was intimate, personal and powerful.
Friday morning I sat in the garden and read Psalm 23, which they had picked for their wedding. I asked Jesus what the Father's heart was for them and began to write. I've done this in different situations but never before for a wedding. I felt Jesus told me things He wanted to bless them with, things they needed to ask for and things He wanted to break off of them.
As we neared the ceremony, I mentioned to Chris (playing piano) that after the vows and rings we would have a time for everyone who wanted to come up and lay hands on them to pray. Chris suggested that he play some music and we invite people to sit and ask Jesus what He wants them to give to Holly and Nicholas, and then we would all pray. So, when the time came I invited people to do this but what happened was better than our plan. Throughout the music, couples and individuals came forward when they were ready to speak blessing over Nicholas and Holly and to pray with them. This went on for 15 minutes and was so beautiful to see. It was intimate, personal and powerful.
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