Great and Mighty Things

I write this post to praise my God for all He has done.  He alone is worthy of praise.

This is God’s promise to us.  Why, then am I so amazed when God answers prayer?  Maybe because He’s answering my prayers.  

Several months ago I began to pray, “Lord, please use my life.” I’ve given the Lord my life a long time ago, but I just felt like I wasn’t doing all I could be doing at this time of my life.   At the same time, unbeknowns to me, my husband had prayed, “Lord, Enlarge Denise’s coasts.”  Shortly after this, I received several invitations to speak which included a pastors wives’ conference and a marriage conference. Then an invitation came  to speak at a ladies’ event in South Bend, Indiana in April. Answers to prayer Connecting what we had both prayed with these invitations made deciding whether or not I should go a fairly simple task!  I am blown away that the Lord would use me.  I am nothing, but I so desire to be a vessel that is useful for His Kingdom.  

Now I began praying about several things regarding the ladies’ event in April:

The Lord put a passage of Scripture on my heart almost immediately from John 6 about the disciples being in a storm on the sea.  I began writing my outline, and every time I studied this chapter, the Lord kept teaching me new truths. Answer to prayer  As time drew near, I had a real sense of God’s peace about what I was to share with these ladies.  That in itself is an answer to my husband’s prayer for me.  He knows that whenever I go to speak somewhere I usually become overwhelmed with doubt just before I leave about what I’ve prepared!  By that time it’s too late to choose something else, and I have to realize that it’s Satan’s tactics to discourage me.  But there was indeed a peace and assurance that this challenge on, “It is I, be not afraid” was what the Lord wanted me to share. Answer to prayer

The day I flew to Indiana, I boarded my plane in Asheville.  A sweet 18 year-old girl was seated beside me.  Answer to prayer As I began chatting with her, the Lord opened the door for me to ask her the Share Jesus Without Fear questions.  Answer to prayer  She was so open and interested.  She didn’t receive Christ, but promised to read the tract I gave her.  I’m praying she will trust Him very soon.

When making my connecting flight in Detroit I got off the plane and found the screen that told me where my next flight would connect.  It was about three gates away!  Answer to prayer

The ladies’ event in South Bend was such a blessing. The pastor’s wife picked me up at the airport and I was taken to the home of a sweet lady who definitely has the gift of hospitality.  She was so kind – even serving me coffee in my room the afternoon I arrived.  She served it on a lovely tray with a beautiful pot and china cup.   Breakfast the next morning was  as good as any bed and breakfast I’ve ever been to – and was served in her sunroom.  Lovely!  The love of God shone brightly from this dear lady and her husband.

The church ladies were so sweet.  They were open to listen as I shared the Word of God, and were responsive afterward, many sharing that it helped them or challenged them.  Answer to prayer 

The pastor’s wife has become a dear friend in the ministry and we enjoyed good fellowship in the evening.  She has been a source of encouragement and is someone with whom I feel a “kindred spirit.”

As I made the last leg of my journey Saturday morning, I found myself seated beside a sweet lady from Florida.  Answer to prayer She seemed engrossed in a book, but because I’d prayed the Lord would open the door, I decided to test the waters by just asking her a question about her trip.  She closed her book and talked with me for nearly the whole flight!  Again, after asking questions to her, she began asking me questions about eternity.  I opened my Bible to John 3 and a wonderful conversation began.  Answer to prayer Before leaving the plane, she gave me her boarding pass with her whole name and email so that we might keep in contact…what a blessing.  I pray that she will have an assurance of heaven, and also that we might remain in conversation about the things of the Lord.

When I got to Atlanta, my heart soared as I looked at the screen and realized that my connecting flight was literally down the same hall where we had just landed!  Answer to prayer As I sat in the airport I said, “Lord, I’ll be obedient if you give me one more person to witness to on the flight to Asheville, but Lord, I sure would like to rest; I’m so tired.”  When  I got on the plane I was the only person that had an empty seat beside them!  God’s kindness  It was as though the Lord was saying, “Denise, take a rest now.”

Have you had a recent answer to prayer?  Tell me about it so I can rejoice with you!

With a grateful heart,