Last Sunday I received a 911 call from my pastor’s wife. She related that our pastor was sick and could I do the message for the day? “I know it’s late, but maybe you could just bring forth a few scriptures or something?”

Similar to a deer caught in headlights, my mind was blank as I thought about how to respond; of course my first response was classic . . .”What about (…)?” “Did you ask them?” “Maybe they have something to share.”

Please allow me to set the stage . . .

I always set my alarm for 1/2 hour earlier, time to spend with the Lord, knowing full well that I will likely wake up earlier than that; but this is my first-step time, in case I am really tired and don’t wake up. So, as usual, I had been up earlier and had re-set my alarm for the last possible moment I could sleep before getting up to shower for church. I was in a deep sleep when the phone rang. Thinking it was my alarm, I shut it off, and then it sunk in that the sound I heard was not my alarm but a phone call. Still kindof out of it, I looked to see who had called and called her back. This was a mere 5 minutes before my alarm was set to ring!!

So, now you can see that I was desperately working on how to respond, even while working on fully awakening. As this was happening I was looking and listening within and realized that something had to be decided because, as we talked, time was slipping away. I responded, “Let me go and I will ask Him, and let you know.”

Quickly praying, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” I opened my Bible, looked down, and read a scripture that I knew immediately He wanted to use and literally ‘flipped’ to two more as He continued to lead the way. It was enough to take the leap of faith. I said yes to God, sending her a thumbs up text and ran for the shower.

The Lord is so faithful!

So, in the shower He began downloading an entire message to me and even added to it on the drive there. By the time we reached the church, I was ‘filled’ and ready; more excited than I have ever been to give a message. Why? Because it didn’t have any of ‘me’ in it, for I had only had ten minutes to look at scripture! I have always wanted to give a message entirely without notes, but have never had the courage to do it. This ‘necessity’ forced the hand, but then it wasn’t force was it? . . .

No, I simply said, YES.

The Lord is patient and kind, and will give you time to grow, but He waits and looks for you to become a “doer of the Word”. He stretches us, with our permission, and delights when we step out in faith. Many fear taking that step, but it’s not like you lose your footing, He under-girds your step and then increases it with another step . . . and always another, as long as you continue to say, YES!

So, what was that first scripture?

I’m glad you asked. . . because it’s a wonderful prayer that Paul prayed, for YOU!

“So I kneel humbly in awe before the Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, the perfect Father of every father and child in heaven and on earth. And I pray that he would unveil within you the unlimited riches of his glory and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with his divine might and explosive power.

Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of his love will become the very source and root of your life.

Then you will be empowered to discover what every holy one experiences–the great magnitude of the astonishing love of Christ in all its dimensions. How deeply intimate and far-reaching is his love! Endless love beyond measurement that transcends our understanding–this extravagant love pours into you until you are filled to overflowing with the fullness of God!

Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.

Now we offer up to God all the glorious praise that rises from every church in every generation through Jesus Christ–and all that will yet be manifest through all time and eternity. Amen! Ephesians 3:14-21 TPT

I hope you soaked every word of that into your heart as you read it. How wonderful and powerful that prayer is and the last verse proves that he prayed that for you! The Lord wants to answer that prayer in you.

It’s His work, all He needs from you is your agreement. . .

Simply say, YES!

A few lines from my last post, “My Loving Presence,” really stuck with me. I have thought of those words often and realize how vitally important that nugget is . . .

“Understand, all things are ‘temporary’ that are earthly. All things Heavenly are Eternal. . . This is key! Put your efforts into embracing the Eternal realm and all other things will fall away–into the shadows–as My Glory lifts you higher–high above. All that remains is peace.”

Of course, this marries well with–

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:31-34 JKJV

That last scripture wasn’t a part of that teaching, but it goes well with what the Lord spoke to me about on the way to church that day. The fog was pea-soup thick that morning but all around the car, as if we were in a bubble, was crystal clear. He spoke to me of focusing on what is right in front of you. He wants you to get a vision of the bigger picture, but the step you are to take, the next step He places before you, will be crystal clear!

So, obviously God can use anyone to speak for Him if they are willing, He proved that by using me. But my ‘yes’ began when I invited Jesus to become Lord of my life. My ‘yes’ continued as I read His Word, built my faith by stepping out in it, asking Him to prove His Word to me. Don’t be shocked by that. He delights to show Himself strong and True to anyone that sincerely wants to know Him.

My ‘yes’ came from building a foundation of intimacy with Him, that has developed extreme trust!

Still unsure?

Then your first step of faith is to simply say, YES!

Be willing, be hungry, be faithful, and He will lead the way!

Thank you, readers, for all your prayers as I wait patiently for my miracle to complete. I am seeing better every day! It was exciting to find, when giving this message Sunday, that I could see the tiny little address numbers in the “Passion” Bible that I couldn’t see just two weeks prior. Wow! That was a great discovery! My vision is amazing, aside from distant blurriness, but even with that I can recognize people from the opposite end of a long hallway. Before the blindness my eyes were off the charts, worse than 20/400 but correctable; but now I have never gone back to corrective lenses and, by God’s Grace, never will! Several times I have caught myself thinking, “Oh, I forgot to take out my contacts.” when seeing so clearly, getting into bed. Then I stop, remember, and chuckle with joy! I have already gotten my miracle, it just needs a lil tweaking. . . He will do it!

–All Glory be to God!

Thank you Jesus! ♥