tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-133338822024-03-07T16:29:15.659-08:00Melodious Thoughts & Blessings"He is my STRENGTH and my SONG...and He maketh my way PERFECT!" Ex 15:2, Ps 18:30Melodious Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604968918689795664noreply@blogger.comBlogger1093125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13333882.post-5809726546974178132015-01-11T13:22:00.005-08:002019-02-14T04:15:21.339-08:00What if He were YOUR father??<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This past week, my best friend Valerie and I were driving back from the GYC convention in Phoenix Arizona. I'd just recovered from a bout of food poisoning (picked up incidentally at a VEGAN restaurant), and still wasn't feeling real strong when we stopped at a gas station near Flagstaff to fill up.<br />
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While stopped, an older scruffy looking man hobbled over and asked if we'd give him a ride up the road to where his truck had broken down. He was carrying a gas-can in his hand. I eyed him a bit skeptically and then looked in our back seat, which was stuffed with lots of food and traveling supplies. "Ummm….I'm not sure if we have room…" I began. He quickly turned away.<br />
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I did feel sorry for him, but not sure if I was sorry enough to give him a ride. As a single girl, I've pretty much made it a stipulation NEVER to pick up male hitch-hikers, at least not unless there are already men with me in the vehicle. There are just too many strange things that happen these days. So I was uneasy with the prospects of helping the elderly man, although he didn't look like he would hurt a flea.<br />
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Meanwhile my best friend Valerie, who was sitting in the drivers seat, begin to pry my conscious.<br />
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"What if that was YOUR father?" she asked. "Wouldn't you give him a ride?"<br />
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"Please don't try to manipulate my emotions!" I responded sharply, maybe a bit too sharply. "I don't give rides to men!"<br />
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There was a pause. "I really think we should help him, Mel! He doesn't look like he could hurt anyone."<br />
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By this time, we had pulled away from the gas pumps and were waiting for the traffic to clear so we could get out onto the main highway. The old man, who had asked for a ride, was now crossing the street just in front of us, carrying his gas can as he headed down the road. Due to the heavy traffic, I had time to think and finally said, "Okay, I'll clear the back seat. You can stop and pick him up."<br />
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A few seconds later we were able to get out on to the road and we pulled alongside him. He was walking the same way we were going. We opened the door and he crawled in, painfully it seemed. Then it was that I noticed his breathing, coming in short tight gasps.<br />
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"Are you okay?" Valerie asked him.<br />
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"I'm having an asthma attack. I forgot my inhaler in the truck…" he responded between quick gasps. Indeed he was looking quite pale, and his eyes were filled with fear. Maybe fear that he might not live to get that inhaler? I don't know.<br />
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In just a few seconds we pulled up to his broken down truck. It wasn't even 500 feet up the road. An old lady was waiting. He hopped out of our van and immediately went looking for his inhaler which was in the front seat. Ahhh, the relief on his face when he put it to his mouth. He was going to live!<br />
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As we pulled away, we were both silent, but tears began to blind my eyes. As we drove, I cried more and more. Valerie reached over and gently wiped away the tears from my cheeks.<br />
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"What are you thinking, Mel?" she asked with concern.<br />
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Finally I spoke. "I just didn't realize how hard-hearted I sometimes can be! I'm really not a very kind person, at least not like I should be." The tears continued to spill.<br />
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"If we hadn't stopped and picked up that man, he might have passed out right there beside the road. He was soooo desperate to get to his inhaler so he could breath, and I didn't want to help him."<br />
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"We didn't know he was having an asthma attack…" Val responded gently.<br />
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"I know, but God did. And that's why He picked us to help, and we almost missed the opportunity due to my hard-heartedness. But at least you were listening to His voice…" my voice trailed off.<br />
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What made the whole situation even more cutting to my heart was that GYC speakers had offered many powerful messages about reaching out to those in need during the Dec. 31-Jan. 4 convention. I'd been deeply moved to tears several times as I had re-committed to do more for the hurting and needy. Many other young people had responded similarly. But agreeing with a sermon about helping those in need and then facing a scruffy man on the street who had a need was two different things. Oh for strength to put more of the gospel into work boots!<br />
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The reality of the whole situation and how we had stepped in during a time of critical need was on my mind for awhile.<br />
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Still crying and looking for more reassurance, I texted a close friend who I know to be very caring and generous with those in need. "I'm so selfish." I wrote the words painfully. "I want to be more kind like you."<br />
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Although my friend didn't know why I'd written the above words, his response was deeply profound.<br />
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"All of our natural inclinations are of self, Mel. Recognizing that selfishness is even more difficult than overcoming it. Because we have to recognize it first, but once we do, Jesus helps us overcome it. So don't be too hard on yourself."<br />
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Wow! Just what I needed to hear.<br />
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<i>Thank you Jesus,</i> I prayed softly. <i>Thank you for helping me wake-up today to how horrible of a person I really am when it comes to reaching out to those in need. Help me to be more kind and willing to help those in trouble. I have an aging father, and I hope someone would also reach out and help him if he were in similar need. </i><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">"By all that has given us advantage over another,—be it education and refinement, nobility of character, Christian training, religious experience,—we are in debt to those less favored; and, so far as lies in our power, we are to minister unto them. If we are strong, we are to stay up the hands of the weak." <i>Desire of Ages,</i> p. 440</span></b><br />
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Later that day, with still many miles to cover between our location and home, I called my dad to see how he was.<br />
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"I am just returning home from the dentist. I had a tooth pulled today," he began to tell me, after our greetings. "However, I made a mistake in calculating mileage and I ran out of gas. What made it so difficult is that it's sooo bitterly cold here right now in Arkansas. But thankfully someone stopped and gave me a ride to the gas station and back."<br />
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Wow! I could hardly talk.<br />
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"Are you serious?" I asked him. "You ran out of gas beside the road?" As I repeated his words, Valerie's eyebrows rose with a knowing expression. I knew what she was thinking.<br />
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Thankfully my dad was taken care of and already on the road headed toward home by the time I talked to him on the phone. But the lesson we'd just learned with the older man needing a ride was now even more firmly embedded in our mind.<br />
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Valerie had asked me, "What if that was your father needing a ride?" Unbeknownst to her or I, <i>my father did need a ride. </i>But just as God had sent Val and I to take care of someone else's father, so He also sent someone to take care of mine.<br />
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Needless to say, I don't think either one of us will ever forget that old man that we picked up beside the road that day, or the lesson God taught us. In fact, looking back now, we wish we'd done more. Like offer to fill up his whole tank with gas, and maybe give him some food from our liberal supply. He looked like he could have used it more than us. But as we've reflected on the situation we've talked about ways we can reach out more effectively and compassionately in the future…like maybe putting together pre-packaged goodie bags with some non-perishable food items and religious literature that we could easily pass out the window to that homeless person standing at the light. There are many ways we can help others, if our hearts are soft and we are willing.<br />
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However, the strange coincidence doesn't stop with my father running out of gas. Two days later, Valerie's father was also stranded beside the road in the cold, only this time with a flat tire. And this time, no one came to his rescue. Instead, he had to walk until he found a place to call for help.<br />
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Once again, we both realized God was trying to re-emphasize to us how important it is to be willing to help someone in need.<br />
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I'm not advocating that we start picking up every hitch-hiker out there. As single woman, we probably still won't be picking up old men asking for a ride (unless God tells us too), but we are praying God will help us be more open to reaching out to those in need, at least in some way…<br />
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Although we don't know the background of the beggars on the street, every person we meet asking for help is someone's father, someone's mother, someone's brother, someone's sister…and most of all, they are God's child.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matt. 25:40</span></b></div>
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Melodious Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604968918689795664noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13333882.post-27200291383918307962014-12-23T11:35:00.001-08:002014-12-25T12:52:43.043-08:00The MOST AMAZING gift: What Chloe taught me about giving!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I met sweet little Chloe, a six year old girl, at one of my speaking engagements in Northern California last spring. I had just completed a series of Sabbath meetings on prayer at her church, and throughout my entire presentation she had paid attention taking in every detail and every picture.<br />
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Although no offering appeal was made, when my presentations were over, Chloe decided that she wanted to give me a special gift to help with my ministry and work. So with the approval of her mother, she brought me a jar of specially saved up pennies and small coins. "Here is something for you, Miss Melody," she told me eagerly as she handed me the jar of coins. "I want to give you this to help with your ministry." I couldn't believe her thoughtfulness as I knew those precious coins had taken awhile for her to save up and came from the deepest generosity of her heart. I hugged her tightly, and not long after we went outside to snap this picture together.<br />
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Later when I got back to the place where I was staying, I counted the coins. The sum amounted to $6.40. That's not much in the adult world, but believe me, this was one of the biggest gifts I've ever received financially because I knew the heart behind the gift. I was so touched that I brought the money home and put it in a special container. I couldn't bare to spend it, but began praying with thanksgiving over that sweet little offering, asking that God would bless it and multiply it many fold for His glory, just like He multiplied the widow's "TWO MITES" for His own glory.<br />
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Well, God has done just that. In the eight months since I received that gift, God has multiplied those coins many many times for me. Yes He has!!!<br />
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Just a little back-history: I haven't received a normal paycheck for almost four years. However, I've not once lacked, or failed to pay one of my bills. In fact, I continue to stand amazed at how God keeps providing for my daily needs and keeps giving me exactly what I need to live, pay my expenses and keep up with ministry and travels. What's even more amazing to me though is that He has not only generously continued to provide for my needs, but He even sent me the funds, just when I needed them this past year, to fly to TWO overseas weddings that I really couldn't bare to miss: One of those weddings was in Romania, and the other one was in New Zealand. Don't tell me God doesn't care about the desire of our heart!<br />
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However, above and beyond the financial blessings that I received from Chloe's offering being multiplied (God actually multiplied it OVER a thousand-times these last eight months since I received it) is the lesson that Chloe taught me that day. It really doesn't matter how small and seemingly insignificant our gift might appear as long as we give it with our full heart. If we give with our heart, no matter how meager the offering, God cannot resist. And His blessing will be upon it.<br />
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As we enter the Christmas Holiday season, how should we approach the concept of giving?<br />
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To be honest, I think my favorite part of the Holiday is having an extra excuse to GIVE. To me, there's no joy like creating a special gift for someone you care about, or taking painstaking effort to put together a special holiday package for those people in your life that you want to make happy, or for those in need. Cooking goodies, sweet treats, listening to Christmas carols, going Christmas caroling, and sitting by the fireplace reading stories…these things are blend together to make many precious memories.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">However, the ONE who deserves the best gift of all is our Heavenly Father. But what can we give someone so great as He when we have so little? Do we even consider this in the Holiday rush of looking after loved ones?</span></b><br />
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I expect we've all had those times when we long to do something special and great for God, but we feel like we really don't have much to offer. We look around at what others are giving and think, "What I have to offer God is nothing in comparison with them! My talents, my resources... They are so little. How could they matter to God??" And so we timidly hold back. But you know, God's not looking for great resources or talents or magnificent gifts. He's looking for the heart behind the gift giving. THIS is what is most valuable in His eyes. And if our hearts are really seeking to give all to Him, then even if we only have "two mites" to give (like the poor widow from Mark 12:42, and like my little Chloe who gave her all with that jar of coins), it will be more valuable in the sight of heaven than ALL the pompous gifts of the world combined.<br />
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However, I believe that the best gift we can give is OURSELVES!!! That's the gift that matters most. Are we willing to give Him ourself this Holiday season?<br />
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Consider what Inspiration has to say about the widow who gave her ALL:<br />
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"It is the motive that gives character to our acts, stamping them with ignominy or with high moral worth. Not the great things which every eye sees and every tongue praises does God account most precious. The little duties cheerfully done, the little gifts which make no show, and which to human eyes may appear worthless, often stand highest in His sight. A heart of faith and love is dearer to God than the most costly gift. The poor widow gave her living to do the little that she did. She deprived herself of food in order to give those two mites to the cause she loved. And she did it in faith, believing that her heavenly Father would not overlook her great need. It was this unselfish spirit and childlike faith that won the Saviour’s commendation." – Desire of Ages, p. 615. </blockquote>
Soooo….even if you feel like you don't have much to give the Lord this Holiday, don't hold back. Remember it's the heart and motive behind the giving that really counts most! And as History will testify, sometimes the GREATEST GIFTS come in small packages, like the gift of a baby born a couple thousand years ago in an obscure stable in Bethlehem.<br />
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One of my favorite verses says:</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">"It is more blessed to give than it is to receive." Acts 20:35</span></b></div>
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God gave us His ALL!! Now what will we give Him?</div>
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Happy Holidays and love from my heart to yours!<br />
Melody<br />
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Melodious Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604968918689795664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13333882.post-11324904765477740302014-12-05T11:00:00.000-08:002017-03-19T13:15:19.352-07:00Intro to my book, Daring to Ask for More<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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If I told you there was a divine key to success in life and ministry, would you go after it? If I told you that this key is more valuable than all the resources at the disposal of magistrates and kings, would you desire it? What if I told you that this key would open up a whole new world of life and endless possibilities? Would you listen? <br />
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Amazingly, this divine key is already in our hands. Indeed, it’s been in our hands from the very beginning. The problem is, while we talk a lot about it, most of us haven’t yet discovered its true power. To illustrate what I mean, let me tell you a story.<br />
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Alexander the Great was a mighty conqueror and king, and although he lived long before the time of Christ (around 300 B.C.), his reputation still lives on today. As history tells us, he conquered all of the “then known world.” In fact, it is told, that when he reached Asia, he realized there were no more countries to conquer, and he actually wept. <br />
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Besides being a great conqueror, he was also a compassionate ruler. Every year he set aside one day that he called “compassionate day.” <br />
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As the story goes, on this special day of the year, he randomly se- lected different people across his kingdom whom he allowed to come and make special requests. They could ask for whatever they wanted or needed. And he would grant their requests. Most people asked for food, clothes, money for medicine, and so on. However, one year, there was a man who dared to ask for more! Speaking through the king’s spokesman, this man shared his request. “Can you please tell the king that I want a large palace?”<br />
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But before he could continue, the king’s spokesman inter- rupted him with irritation. “What impertinence! Don’t you see all these people asking for food and medicine? How dare you to think that you can ask the king for a palace!” <br />
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But the man continued earnestly, “I want the palace to include a large banquet hall where I can host a celebration, because I have lots of friends. And I want the palace to be well furnished, and I want a special meal prepared.” </div>
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But the spokesman stopped him again, as he was get- ting more angry. “I will not ask the king for this! This is the most outrageous thing I’ve ever heard!” <br />
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At this point, King Alexander saw the commotion. “What does the man desire?” he inquired of his spokesman. <br />
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The spokesman reluctantly turned toward the king and came forward, whispering in low tones that only the king could hear. “King, I’m afraid to tell you this. I can’t believe how unreasonable this man is, and I know you will be upset. But he’s asking for a palace. Not only does he have the audacity to ask for a palace, but he’s asking that you’d make a large banquet hall in this palace, because he evidently has lots of friends. And he wants the whole thing to be fully furnished and supplied with food. I’m so sorry. I know this is such an unreasonable request, and I tried to get him to ask for something more reasonable, but he persisted.” <br />
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King Alexander paused for a moment, then with a large smile on his face, he turned toward the petitioner and enthusiastically replied, “Request granted!” <br />
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The spokesman looked at the king in astonishment. “How can you grant such an outrageous request?” he asked in shock. <br />
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The king replied, smiling, “You see, all these people are asking for food, for medicine, and for mundane things. They think that’s the only thing I can give. But they don’t need a king to give them these things. Anyone with extra resources could do these things for them. But this man . . . THIS MAN . . . He’s the first man that’s really made me feel like the king I am. For only I can grant such a request!”<br />
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The Bible tells us, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:20; emphasis added). Why do we so often settle for superficial blessings when we serve the King of the universe? Why do we settle for living life three inches below the water-line, barely surviving spiritually, when God is longing to give us so much more?<br />
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We are living in the last days of earth’s history, and if the gospel is going to go to all the world and Jesus is going to return, things can’t continue as they have been any longer. We need a much deeper spiritual experience than we have yet imagined possible. We need a much deeper prayer life. We need a much deeper faith in God’s Word. The reality is that we have settled for being spiritual dwarfs when God is calling us, modern-day Israel, to become spiritual giants standing in the gap, interceding for the lost. <br />
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Unfortunately, Satan knows the power that there is in God’s Word. He knows the power that there is when we pray. In fact, he knows better than most Christians the unlimited spiritual possibilities that are within our grasp if we look to God in faith. Because of this, he will do anything he can to keep us from genuine faith-filled prayer! At the sound of fervent prayer, we are told, “Satan’s whole host trembles.” They tremble because they know they will suffer loss. <br />
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Because of Satan’s hatred for God’s Word and true earnest prayer, he’s created a maze of deceptions to counter God’s work, and he’s been all too successful. I will take some time in this book to talk about some of these subtle deceptions creeping into modern-day Christianity and how we can avoid them. I will also talk about what it means to have true faith, and how we can become so firmly grounded in God’s Word that no storms can blow us over; and how we can pray with bold confidence knowing that God is hearing and will answer our prayers. <br />
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My fervent prayer is that this book will launch you on the most incredible journey you’ve ever taken—into the endless frontier of spiritual possibilities that God has waiting for you. I encourage you to keep your Bible near so you can look up the verses I reference. His Word will be our foundation, launching pad, and the fuel with which we move forward in successful prayer and ministry. As I’m sure you will soon discover, God is just longing to pour out His Spirit and just longing to do so much more in your life than you’ve ever imagined possible for His glory. And the key that opens the door to all these possibilities is within your grasp! It is prayer, faith-filled earnest prayer, for we are told, “Prayer and faith will do what no power on earth can accomplish.”<br />
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So with Bible in hand, let the journey upon our knees begin—the journey of faith—as we humbly and audaciously dare to ask God for more! <br />
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<b>To learn more, visit: <a href="http://www.daringtoaskformore.com/">www.daringtoaskformore.com</a></b></h2>
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[Note: This book was released in October of 2014. It is available online, from <i>Pacific Press Publishing Association</i> or at your local ABC.]</div>
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Melodious Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604968918689795664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13333882.post-44969347226145268212014-06-23T17:44:00.003-07:002019-02-14T04:21:47.937-08:00Melody's Ministry Updates<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Well… it appears that it's been AWHILE since I wrote anything on this blog! Obviously I've been too busy to keep it up, and most of my sharing now is via Facebook. However, I think some updates are in order.<br />
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This past winter I went to Bangladesh/Nepal and what was suppose to be a few weeks turned into almost 2 months as I extended my stay. What an amazing experience, teaching my kids Bible classes, and continuing to mentor and love on these precious children. It was very hard to leave, especially my two adopted girls.<br />
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When I returned to the USA, I was only home a few days before leaving for our next ARME in California. This was our 20th event! Wow, how the last five years have flown.<br />
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After that, I got to spend time with friends at Weimar before taking a speaking appointment in Northern California. And that's how my spring has been. Traveling, speaking, oh…and don't forget writing! One of my biggest jobs this spring was editing my book <i>Daring to Ask for More</i>, which Pacific Press has agreed to publish.<br />
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As of June 6th, the editing process was officially completed and now Pacific Press is working on the final details. A true miracle how all this has come together. My book will be released sometime this coming October 2014. (More on that later!)<br />
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In the meantime, travels continue. Just got back from 10 days in Romania where I gained the inspiration for my NEXT book. LOL! You think that after having just completed one it would be enough. However, I was at a friends wedding and during this trip read a book on single hood that some friends had recommended. It was LESS than inspiring though, and so I got inspired that maybe (after over 20 years of waiting on God) it was time to start writing my own book on the topic of single hood for my fellow single sisters. So we will see where this new project goes. (Stay tuned for more updates on this project!)<br />
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This next week we will be hosting our 21st ARME event here in the Ozarks of Arkansas. Another huge answer to prayer to have this in my home state. After that, I'm off to Colorado and then Idaho and possibly Canada once again for more speaking appointments. God is blessing and the adventures don't stop, but God is leading me one day at a time. All I can say is God is good, all the time, God is good! I have so much to be thankful for!<br />
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So that's my updates in a nutshell! ;-)<br />
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Melodious Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604968918689795664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13333882.post-47065325895902611282014-02-14T11:13:00.000-08:002014-12-06T13:13:13.997-08:00Good morning, my Love!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I'm not married, but I can imagine if I was, waking up in the morning would be to me like greeting the morning sunshine. I wouldn't be rushing out of bed to check my e-mail, make phone calls, or get started working on projects...I wouldn't even be rushing to get in my morning jog. I would linger...enjoying being in the presence of the one I love. I would enjoy praying together, and together planning how "we" would go about "our" day...<br />
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So it hit me a little while back....why should it be any different with my "Heavenly love"? Why do there always seem to be a thousand other "lovers" begging for my immediate attention when I wake up each morning....why is it easier to push time with my "Heavenly love" to the back burner while I take care of necessary appointments, start my laundry, make breakfast, deal with pressing business? Why am I often careless and so willing to put my "Heavenly Love" and His needs to the side, while I take care of the needs of others FIRST. In fact, it's kinda funny....because in the past I've often justified myself in doing this... after all, it's not just "my business" I am taking care of... it's HIS business too. (After all, I pretty much work in full time ministry!) So He shouldn't mind that it's taking me a little longer to get back to my devotions or time with Him...right????</div>
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Wow....how easy we can rationalize things....how easy HE can be pushed away!!! </div>
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So...thankfully God is patient and tender....and He's been drawing me back to himself and reminding me... If I wouldn't treat an earthly love this way, how can I treat Him this way?? (Melody - Let's keep your priorities straight!) So with His help, I'm recommitting my heart and time to Him....and learning to keep first things first - no matter what is on the agenda. I don't answer the phone, check my e-mail, or even start working on ministry business UNTIL I have first said "Good morning" and spent some quality time with Him! After all...how can we say we are truly "in love" if we aren't making that "love" our first priority...??</div>
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<i>"An intensity such as never before was seen is taking possession of the world. In amusement, in moneymaking, in the contest for power, in the very struggle for existence, there is a terrible force that engrosses body, mind, and soul. In the midst of this maddening rush, God is speaking. He bids us come apart and commune with Him. "Be still and know that I am God." Many even in their seasons of devotion fail of receiving the blessing of real communion with God. They are in too great haste, with hurried steps they press through the circle of Christ's loving presence, pausing perhaps a moment within the sacred precincts, but not waiting for counsel. They have no time to remain with the divine teacher. With their burdens they return to their work. These workers can never attain the highest success until they learn the secret of strength. They must give themselves time to think, to pray, to wait upon God for a renewal of physical, mental, and spiritual power. They need the uplifting influence of His Spirit. Receiving this, they will be quickened by fresh life. The wearied frame and tired brain will be refreshed; the burdened heart will be lightened. Not a pause for a moment in His presence, but personal contact with Christ, to sit down in companionship with Him - this is our need." Education, p. 260</i></div>
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I think so often...we get stuck in the trap.... "Well, I'm doing this for God." But God says, first... "No - I don't just want your efforts, I just don't want your sacrifice at the altar... I want YOU! If I don't have YOU....nothing else can matter."</div>
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<i>"The Christian life can only be explained in terms of Jesus Christ, and if your life as a Christian can still be explained in terms of you - your personality, your willpower, your gift, your talent, your money, your courage, your scholarship, your dedication, your sacrifice, or your anything - then although you may have the Christian life, you are not yet living it." ~ Ian Thomas</i></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13333882.post-37764323807943041192013-12-15T19:26:00.001-08:002013-12-15T19:26:43.562-08:00Melody's Heading Overseas again…<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>I'm taking off for Southeast Asia!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Dear Friends and Readers, </span><br />
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I'm heading to Nepal and Bangladesh for the next 6 weeks. <span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Please pray for me while I'm overseas. I've pushed myself over the limit so am currently struggling with a bad head-cold which I'm hoping will not worsen during the next 24 hours of travel. Bangladesh has had some political struggles and uprisings this fall, so it's not as safe to travel here as in times past. But I'm not worried as I know that God is with me and He will take care of me! However, I still appreciate the prayers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm taking 6 suitcases with me (4 pieces more than normal) so praying that I can get them all on the plane without paying an arm and a leg per extra piece. I would appreciate prayers for this as well. I'm taking lots of supplies, Bible and teaching materials, sanctuary model kit, warm clothes for the children, toys for Christmas, special food the kitchen asked for, and much more and have over-expended myself in the process. So if any of you would like to help me cover expenses for this trip, just e-mail and I'll tell you how. Some of you have already given funds toward this trip. Thank you soooo much! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Some may question why I'm taking so much stuff…the reason is that it's hard to get a lot of this stuff overseas. I asked the founder how much extra luggage she takes when she travels and she said like 15 bags!!! Wow!! So I'm only taking 4 extra bags! But since I'm traveling alone, managing all my luggage could get interesting. So I solicit all the prayers I can get during this journey. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Once I arrive in Bangladesh, I will be there a day then I travel for 5 days to Nepal to speak to church leaders about the power of United Prayer. I will be doing prayer training there. So pray about this as well! ;-) There's a lot that I need to be thinking and praying about between here and there!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If you wish to reach me personally, you can e-mail me at: revivethemission@gmail.com</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm expecting great things from God on this trip! It will be an adventure, but I'm praying that God will use my feeble efforts to make an impact for eternity. I'm praying He will do this for all of us actually!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">“The Lord is disappointed when His people place a low estimate upon themselves. He desires His chosen heritage to value themselves according to the price He has placed upon them. God wanted them, else He would not have sent His Son on such an expensive errand to redeem them. <u>He has a use for them, and He is well pleased when they make the very highest demands upon Him, that they may glorify His name.</u> <span style="font-family: 'Abadi MT Condensed Extra Bold';">They</span><span style="font-family: 'Abadi MT Condensed Extra Bold';"> may expect large things if they have faith in His promises.</span>” <i>Desire of Ages</i>, p. 668</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Thanks again for the prayers and to those of you who have written and let me know that you are praying. It means a lot. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I will return end of January 2014. If I'm able to post anything between now and then, I will, otherwise, I will e-mail Chelsey and ask her to post. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Blessings,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Melody</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">PS: Attached are pictures of my last trip to Bangladesh. This will be my 4th time to visit this country! It's one of the poorest and most populated countries in the 10/40 window. But even here, Jesus has people shining as lights for Him. I'm privileged to get to spend the next 6 weeks in this part of Asia!</span><br />
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Melodious Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604968918689795664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13333882.post-51947990610698900042013-10-28T21:56:00.001-07:002013-11-14T18:13:29.820-08:00Praying for Rain 2013 - Annual Council Full Report! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last year, when my friends and I took <a href="http://www.melodiousecho.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-most-impacting-21-days-of-my-life.html" target="_blank">21 days to fast and pray</a> for our church leaders at the General Conference headquarters in Maryland, we received so many blessings and answered prayers that we were asked by General Conference leadership to return again this year. To God be the Glory!<br />
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This year instead of just praying together for 21 days, I decided to ask prayer partners from around the world to join our prayer team for 3 months in advance of the yearly Annual Council meetings. I was hoping for at least 50 prayer partners, but God blessed and we had almost 115 join from all parts of the globe.<br />
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For this prayer challenge, although we could not all be together, we decided to agree in prayer. We divided up the names of the Annual Council delegates (some from the different church Divisions around the world and some from the actual General Conference headquarters - there are 470+ delegates all together), and we began to pray over them name by name from our respective locations around the world.<br />
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Some team members prayed together over their names. Others prayed independently, yet knowing they were in agreement with the prayers of their brothers and sisters. Over these 3 months, many shared how this "Praying for Rain" prayer initiative has encouraged them, inspired them, and also grown their intercessory prayer life. And that's the whole point… that we would all grow to be greater prayer warriors, standing in the gap for others. However, others shared how this 3 months has also brought them some rather large spiritual attacks. (I'm among those, which just convinces me more that we are on the right track and the enemy is NOT happy!)<br />
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Pictured below is some of our prayer team, with our Indonesian friends Irene and Arlaine, along with Elder Wilson and his wife Nancy.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">So WHY did we do this?</span></b><br />
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This is not a new idea. Exodus 17:12 shares how Joshua along with Israel was compelled to go to battle against the Amalakites. Moses was up on a hill above interceding for them during the battle with his arms up in intercession. However, his arms grew heavy and he could not hold them up. When his arms dropped the Amalakites began to win the battle, but when his arms were raised the Israelites prevailed over the Amalakites. Since he couldn't hold up his arms, God sent him supportive intercessors by the name of Aaron and Hur to help hold up his arms, and as a result, Joshua and the Israelites won the battle!<br />
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Because of this simple story, I have been inspired that we need to do more of the same. As God's people, we need to support and hold up the arms of leaders in prayer, just like Aaron and Hur held up Moses arms.<br />
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We aren't battling against the Amalakites, but we are in a very REAL great controversy battle of significant importance. It's a supernatural battle, not of flesh and blood but between the power of God and the powers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places (See Ephesians 6!) It's a battle over YOUR soul and over MY soul! God's church is under fire. And unless God's people stand up, the devil is going to take many captives. Many will be forever lost!<br />
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This is a side note, but have you noticed that most of our praying today is centered around self…our needs, our wants, our desires. Of course these things matter to God! Praise the Lord, He cares about each little tiny detail of our lives. However, He's also looking for people who can get outside themselves and pray and wrestle for others.<br />
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God is looking for "Intercessors" to stand in the gap. Ezekiel 22:30 says, "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD."<br />
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We are told by the pen of Inspiration: "Prayer is a heaven-ordained means of success. Appeals, petitions, entreaties, between man and man, move men and act a part in controlling the affairs of nations. <b><span style="font-size: x-large;">But prayer moves heaven.</span></b>" Prayer partners, did you catch that? …PRAYER MOVES HEAVEN!<br />
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It's time to pray…it's TIME to see Heaven moved, the Holy Spirit poured out, and the work finished, so we can go home! Jesus is waiting. He's waiting for you and me!<br />
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So let me share an over view of how God blessed at Annual Council this year.<br />
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<li>Last year we had a large onsite prayer team of eight. This year I (Mel) hoped for a larger team yet. However, most of those planning to attend were not able to come for various reasons. But God reminded me that it's not numbers that make the difference, it is Him! And thankfully, He brought me just the teammates I needed. Also this year, as already mentioned, we had a HUGE prayer team behind the scenes supporting us in prayer. PTL! </li>
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<li>When we arrived, Janet Page (GC Ministerial Secretary for prayer and Shepherdess International) shared how much our prayers had impacted the security personnel from last year. We were encouraged to hear this as we had made it a habit to pray with them every morning at 3 a.m. when we came in last year. Initially some of the guys had been resistant to this. However when we arrived the first morning at 3:30 a.m. <i>this year</i>, our security man was already waiting with his request for us, before we even offered to pray for him. I thought that was neat! I saw some real tough hearts (or what seemed to be) soften as we reached out to them in prayer. We know that God cares about Revival and Reformation for all, and we wanted to see everyone impacted by our prayers from the bottom up and from the top down, and so this was a real praise report to begin our time there at the GC this year.</li>
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<li>Each day our goal was to walk through the entire General Conference building, praying for each department and all those that worked there. We would stop and sit down only once we got to Presidential as we took more specific time to pray for Elder Wilson and his family, all his Vice-Presidents and their families, and all the Division presidents and their team. This whole walk through prayer time took over 3 hours, and could have taken longer, but we tried to be finished before people started coming into work. </li>
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<li>As we walked the General Conference building the first morning this year - praying for the GC staff and leaders and for God's church, we began praying again that God would wake up His people (literally get them out of bed!) and help them have a conviction of their great need of a closer walk with Him. Later <i>this very morning,</i> I read a post on RBHW about a person in our time zone that had been awakened at 3:45 a.m. THAT VERY MORNING of the first day we had started praying this prayer. They shared, "I woke up at 3:45 a.m. with an overwhelming conviction of my sins and my need of repentance. I got out of bed and fell on my knees and wept in prayer, then I opened my Bible and wept some more…" As I read this testimony, I felt like God was giving us evidence that He had heard our prayers and this was just a glimpse of what He was doing in the hearts of many individuals in answer to our prayers. PTL!!! </li>
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<li>That first weekend we were at the GC, Ted Wilson, Michael Ryan (Vice President), and Jerry and Janet Page (GC Ministerial) had asked us all to pray for the Urban Mission Conference that was occurring the first weekend we were here. (Sept. 27th-Oct 1st!) Well, God REALLY blessed! </li>
<br />Friday night of this conference, G.T. Ng, executive Secretary for the worldwide church, gave a powerful talk sharing about God's call for us to work the cities and about all the "lost pearls" there, just waiting to be found. Very convicting!! Sabbath morning, Mark Finley taught the Sabbath school lesson, the final lesson of the revival and reformation study series, then during Church Ted Wilson spoke. His message was titled, "It's Time" and he too shared how God is calling us to step out and reach out NOW to our lost brothers and sisters in the cities. It was very powerful! Sabbath afternoon they had another program with many powerful testimonies from around the world, on what God is currently doing in the Cities. These testimonies were all broadcast LIVE on the HOPE Church channel.</ul>
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<ul style="text-align: left;"><br />After a powerful weekend of testimonies and conviction, the meetings proceeded for the leaders to discuss how to implement what the Bible and SOP has called us to do in reaching our lost brothers and sisters in the cities. Again prayer made a huge difference as our leaders were united in how to move forward. While the task ahead is daunting (and everyone recognizes it will be impossible except by the power of the Holy Spirit), the meetings were a great success with a good plan underway. </ul>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">The final morning of the Urban Mission Conference, Pastor Derek Morris gave a powerful devotional challenging people to seek for that Holy Spirit outpouring of Acts 1:8, as only by this can we have what is needed to accomplish this work. He challenged everyone to be willing to step outside of their comfort zone and follow wherever God calls. There were many tears, and when he made the final appeal, most of the audience went forward. The Urban Mission Conference meetings ended later that day with a time of praise and prayers, followed by a communion service, and all the leaders circled the room holding hands as they prayed. Some were in tears. And it was very obvious the Holy Spirit was present.</ul>
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<li>The unity in the meetings was beautiful. Elder Wilson told me later personally how much God had worked and blessed during these meetings, in the documents written up, and in the unity of everyone in attendance, and he knew it was because of all the prayers. So we praised Lord for this. Thank you everyone that was praying!!</li>
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<li>Also, the "Mission to the Cities" launch this past summer is continuing to bear fruit. Delbert Baker (one of the Vice Presidents) shared how he was having a meeting in another church in NYC a couple weeks after Ted Wilson's evangelistic meetings in Manhattan and they were preparing to baptize another 30 people. That Sabbath as the day for the planned baptism started, a man walked in and wanted to be baptized that day. They began to explain he would need to study etc. He said, "No, I know all the teachings of this church already." He had attended all the Manhattan meetings Elder Wilson had preached and was convicted but did not make his decision for baptism. However, he had been struggling with conviction for these last few weeks and this Sabbath morning the Lord woke him up feeling he must find the nearest SDA church that Sabbath and get baptized. He looked in phone book and came to this church where Elder Baker was just finishing their meetings and planning a big baptism that day. He was baptized before the day was over!!</li>
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<li>There are many other reports of ongoing follow-up meetings and new centers of influence and outreach meetings going on in New York City as a result - PTL! So those of you praying for New York Conference, God is at work.</li>
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<li>We also heard and saw many testimonies from how God's work is going forward around the world. It was so inspiring to see cities and people and Division leaders that we have been praying for these past 3 months (and last year as well) sharing enthusiastically how God is working and blessing in their Divisions and areas of ministry. </li>
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<li>Day three at the GC, my prayer partner and I were asked to go start an all-night prayer at the local Indian church. I was very tired and not feeling up to this assignment, but once I got up to speak to the congregation and began to share, God gave me incredible energy and I felt no tiredness again until my time with them was over. As Susy later reported, "Wow! Amazing! God blessed the all-night prayer in big ways. Over 80 stayed throughout the night and they were so convicted by the time of United Prayer, and burden bearing prayer (praying for each of them) that they shared they want to do this a lot more." All I can say is, Praise the Lord for leading and blessing and giving Chelsey and I strength to help out with this when we were already so sleep deprived. </li>
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<li>Every morning during these first two weeks before Annual Council, the GC asked different Division leaders to lead the united prayer time. It was beautiful to see the different division leaders lead and the heart-felt convictions expressed in prayer. Some of the very leaders who haven't seemed that interested in these times of prayer in the past were now actively involved. (More answered prayers from last year!)</li>
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<li>As we were praying for deeper conviction and repentance for our leaders, God was also taking our prayer team deeper. One evening prayer session (we were in the GC building praying for several hours both morning and night) our team just cried together as God brought different things to our hearts that we needed to lay before His throne. It was beautiful and we knew that before God could work for those we were praying for, He had to take us deeper. And He did! This time of prayer cannot be explained. It can only be experienced. So only those that were there could truly understand. (Last year we had this same experience on day 10! This year it occurred on day 7!)</li>
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<li>One day Pastor Jerry had shared with me a specific request for some specific individuals. However, I had to keep this request in confidence so was not allowed to share with our prayer team. What is so amazing though, is that during our next prayer time, Susy prayed for these specific individuals exactly what Pastor Jerry had told me to be praying for them. She had no idea of the need. She was just praying, but it showed me that the Holy Spirit was truly praying thru her as He told her what to pray. Later, over the next few prayer times, Chelsey and Julia also prayed for these specific individuals similar prayers just as Pastor Jerry had told me to pray, again evidencing that they were in tune with the Holy Spirit's promptings. It was so amazing that it literally made me cry as I realized that, while I couldn't tell them what to pray for as I had to keep confidence, God was telling them what to pray for! It was amazing! (They still don't know the prayers they prayed that were so specific at timely, and they don't know which leaders these prayers were for, but God used them, and I know answers will come in response to the prayers the Holy Spirit inspired them to pray!)</li>
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<li>Day 10 was our second Sabbath at the GC. Rather than praying specific prayers, we went into the building early (before anyone was up!) and walked and sang praise songs thru the whole building, praising God for hearing our prayers and for what He was going to do. It was beautiful. We actually did this both of the last two Sabbaths that we were at the GC as it was a nice change from our usual intercessory prayer. (See picture below of our last Sabbath of Annual Council, singing "Jesus is coming Again" outside Elder Wilson's office. It was just after "Boss Day" when we took this picture, and obviously some of his staff had enjoyed decorating his office door with all the special things he does!)</li>
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<li>Also on this second Sabbath (day 10), some of the Division leaders had asked to join us for prayer, so in the afternoon we had a special prayer meeting and invited some of them to join. Many wanted to, but couldn't because of other commitments. However, Pastor Ratsara (Division President of Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division) as well as Pastor Biaggi (the Euro-Asia Division President) and his Executive secretary and their wives joined us for this prayer time. It was powerful! And it was inspiring to hear their sincere earnest prayers as they pray for strength to reach millions in their respective divisions. </li>
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<li>It's also been soooo inspiring to hear how God has answered some of the prayers we prayed last year. One of the African Divisions has really been struggling in the area of tithe. Well, this year we got report how God has increased the tithe in this specific Division from 23% to 103%. Amazing!! Even the GC treasury department can hardly believe it! This is a direct answer to prayer and has come as a result of the division focusing on revival and reformation and on more prayer. PTL!! </li>
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<li>Another division leader from one of the European divisions shared how he is amazed to see what God is doing in his division…things that he would never have imagined 3-4 years ago, God is NOW doing!!! He sees Revival and Reformation happening in Europe. So praise the Lord, and those of you that are praying for Europe, keep praying! God is working. We may not see the answer for 3-4 years, but He is working! Not one prayed is wasted! :-)</li>
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<li>The Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division leaders shared how they've started a Bible study small-group campaign, hoping for about 4,000 small groups to start up. Well, God has been answering our prayers for the SID, because so far they have almost 50,000 small groups of active Bible studies going. What a testimony! Let's ask for more! :-)</li>
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<li>While our 21 day Prayer initiative at the GC was starting, the Northern Asia Pacific Division were just finishing an evangelistic campaign in Tokyo. We've been praying for them, and one of our prayer teams has been praying for this region for months. Well, God blessed. Over 60 people were baptized from this campaign (which may seem small, but is actually highly unusual). As a result of the success and interest shown, the church leaders in this dry territory NOW FEEL like revival and reformation is starting to reach them in Japan. We praise the Lord! Keep praying for Japan!</li>
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<li>The last Sabbath (during Annual Council itself), Elder Wilson spoke again, this time focusing on the topic of how we can illuminate this world with God's glory by spreading the love of God. It was powerful and moving and deeply convicting. At the end, he even gave a personal appeal, and asked us to get in groups and to pray. The Holy Spirit was leading and it was so encouraging to see how Elder Wilson, our church president, believes in saturating everything in prayer - even his Sabbath sermon, never mind it's being televised LIVE around the world. I urge you to watch the full message linked below at the end of this prayer report!</li>
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<li>This is on a personal note, but I (Mel) have to say, I've really been blessed and inspired at how humble and down-to-earth our world church president Elder Wilson and his wife Nancy are. I just have to share this with all of you, that may not get to know them personally as I have, that they are truly genuine blessings from God to our church at this time in history. Not only do I see Christ's spirit and kindness flow thru Elder Wilson in meeting after meeting as he interacts with his colleagues and even some that treat him rudely, but he and his wife love young people, and older alike. I see this expressed in the genuineness they show to EACH PERSON they interact with. It's not for the cameras either. I've been around them enough now to see this is how they are, even behind the scenes when no audience is watching. These guys really love God and their love for people is reflected. When the Oakwood College singing group came and performed during Annual Council, Elder Wilson was eager to greet the kids and mingle with them. It was really inspiring to watch. To provide a special music here and there, he and his fellow friends sang their own musical piece - almost sounded like the King's Heralds. It was amazingly good! :-) When we visited Elder Wilson's home church where he and Nancy attend (it just so happens that my cousin attends there too), I could tell that they were soooo happy to be back with their home church family where no one was clamoring for pictures or autographs. They joined us in a small 8-person Sabbath school group, and as we talked and discussed the lesson, they were so genuine and down-to earth. On a humorous note, Chelsey and I got a little crack up when we left church that day. We unknowingly had parked right beside them. And the car they had driven to church was soooo old (probably from the 80's) that it wouldn't even start on the first try when they tried to leave after church. They just looked at us and laughed and tried again. This time it came roaring to life. And away they drove through the falling autumn leaves. (The way they smiled and laughed with each other, you would have thought they were out on a date!) Not long after I got a text message from Nancy asking if we'd been taken care of for Sabbath lunch as we had driven out right after them. I had to smile. "To think that she was worried about us when this was their only free Sabbath in all the Annual Council hubbub and they had such a full schedule!" (We'd actually turned down other invitations as we needed to get back to an afternoon prayer meeting at the GC, but we had food in our rooms, so we were well taken care of!) But just the fact that they cared -- after all, we're just the prayer team -- spoke volumes. But the plain truth is Ted and Nancy care about people. And it's real. </li>
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<li>I have to say, for all the judging and finger pointing that go on in certain groups of our church, I'm ashamed. This man of God and his dear wife, may not be perfect but they are genuine and they are trying to do what God has called them to do the best they can, and each year I work with them (this is the 4th year now) I respect them more and more. They don't put on any airs. They drive older vehicles and live in an older home--one they've actually owned for years and years, and most of all, they genuinely want to see Jesus come back soon! They aren't worried about getting ahead in this world or taking advantage of their status…there just want to go HOME!!! (Shouldn't that be our goal too, above all else?) I've included a couple personal down to earth pictures below of Elder Wilson, Nancy and their family. I love this family dearly and I firmly believe that God has raised them up to lead this church for this time!! However, the devil is NOT happy with what God is doing, with how true Revival and Reformation is sweeping thousands under Wilson's leadership, and with how God's work is moving forward. If ever we needed to pray for someone in leadership, we need to be praying for this family for they have a huge responsibility at this cross-roads of time and history. It's very obvious Jesus is coming soon, and I'm honored to stand behind such godly leadership in todays church. </li>
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<li>Back to Annual Council: One afternoon during Annual Council, they had a "Great Controversy Thank you Service" praising God for how He has blessed the Great Controversy Project this past year. The goal last year was to distribute 50 million GC's throughout the world. (Big goal, right?!) However, so far our church and its members have distributed over 142 million Great Controversies, and some with very popular exposure. So the word is going out. PTL! As part of this service, they had a family come up and share how their ENTIRE FAMILY had been brought into the church this last year as a result of this project. We know it's just a representation of the thousands and thousands of others that have been impacted by this powerful book! To close this "Praise Service" they had us circle the room as they had a dedication prayer, and then we sang "To God be the Glory." It was powerful, and I think the angels were singing with us. (Pictured below are the Great Controversy books in it's many different translations around the world, along with pictures of this "Thank you praise Service." If you haven't read this book yet, you need to get a copy! Read <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1908257.The_Great_Controversy" target="_blank">REVIEWS</a> here.)</li>
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<li>One morning during Annual Council pre-meetings, I (Mel) was asked to come into the Presidential committee to have a short devotional and lead prayer. This ended up being for all the Division presidents and their teams as well as the GC Vice-Presidents, and Department heads at the GC. (About 80 of our top high-ranking church leaders in total!) Elder Wilson was chairing the meeting and had Pastor Jerry Page introduce me. I'm not usually nervous, but for some reason (smile smile) I was really feeling nervous this particular morning. However, it was really neat, because God reminded me that since I meet with Him every morning (and He's not the ruler of a Union, Division or world church, <b>He's the ruler of WORLDS and Billions of galaxies)</b> that there was no reason to be nervous. ;-) So God calmed my nerves, and He REALLY blessed our time together…PTL… In fact, He blessed so much so that Elder Wilson talked to me later and asked if I'd do the same prayer time again for the opening business session the following Sunday. Again, praise the Lord! (See pictures of these two prayer times with presidents and leaders below!)</li>
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<li>During the pre-meetings for Annual Council, Pastor Ratsara (president of the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division, one of the fastest growing divisions in our church) found out that his wife Denise (who has been struggling for 2 years with metastatic cancer) was rushed to the hospital having breathing problems. Things didn't look good. As a result, he made an emergency trip home. We surrounded him in prayer before he left. It's obvious the enemy is angry at what he and others are doing and is trying to cause pain and distraction from God's work by attacking the families of those in the field. It was with great heartbreak that we learned that two days later, Denise died. (<a href="http://www.melodiousecho.blogspot.com/2013/10/remembering-denise-ratsaralooking-up.html" target="_blank">See my previous blog post for these details!</a>) Thankfully Pastor Ratsara made it home to be with his wife 12 hours before she died. Since her death, his sister has also died. So he's had TWO family funerals within 2 weeks. However, he told me that both have been small "revival services" that God has really used to convict people of their need of Him. So Pastor Ratsara's courage is good. However, please continue to pray for him and the Ratsara family during this difficult time.</li>
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<li>Another Division leader, Israel Leito was also absent from Annual Council this year. Elder Leito is president of the Inter-American Division, the largest Division in our church. His son was having a serious health crisis and was not sure if he would live. Thankfully, from the last reports we've heard, his condition has seriously improved and it looks like he will survive. Please continue to pray for his family.</li>
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<li>Our prayer teammates Irene and Arlaine from Indonesia, also got to share how God is working in helping them build centers of influence to reach the secular masses for Christ. Their testimony was especially inspiring, and we could see first hand how God has been answering their prayers. (To read more of this amazing testimony and report, <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/6qfoycgqs7hndxl/ChineseMinistryCenter-Arlaine.pdf" target="_blank">please download their latest news letter!</a>)</li>
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<li>Throughout our time at the GC, we got reports from the different leaders of how God specifically worked and blessed in many different committees and board meetings with different issues addressed. I can't share many of these details here as these are of confidential nature, but it was so encouraging to see that God was at work in every detail and in every meeting. And over and over again, Elder Wilson kept telling us how much the prayers were making a difference for all of them! PTL!!! </li>
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<li>Janet was away speaking most of the first 2 weeks we were at the GC, but when she returned, she told us how she felt the overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit as soon as she walked into the General Conference building. She said it was much more obviously felt than before she left. Again, we praise God for hearing and answering our prayers…both that of our local prayer team and that of the many MANY behind the scenes praying for us and with us. God is good!</li>
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<li>One very special testimony during our 21 days came toward the end from a GC employee. Every day as we walked the building, we were praying that God would convict the staff (every single one of them) and take them deeper in their walk with Him. If they aren't committed as they should be, we were praying that they would be convicted to go deeper. If they weren't walking with God, we were praying that they would seek for reconciliation. One day this woman came in and shared how she had only been with the GC about a year, but hadn't been walking with God or attending church. However, during the last couple weeks she had been convicted to make her life right with God again. She also shared how she was compelled to come into the prayer room and what a difference it made for her. Again, while this is just one testimony, we took it as a sign of what God is doing in many hearts…and even though we won't know most of these testimonies until we get to heaven, we know God is working behind the scenes on the hearts of His people. Praise the Lord!!!! </li>
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<li>Another GC staff member shared how they too, since we had come, had felt increasing conviction from the Holy Spirit to deeper repentance. They knew we were praying and they believed that God was working on their heart because of our prayers. PTL for this testimony!</li>
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<li>Janet shared how some of the leaders and their wives (from the different divisions) had said that their time at Annual Council this year CHANGED THEIR LIFE!!!! They were going back to work as new people for the Lord. Wow! Now if that isn't an answer to prayer, I'm not sure what is. We kept hearing from the leaders that they couldn't believe how everything, even the business meetings were soooo spiritual. How everything was continually bathed in prayer. (I've seen this growing more and more over the last four years that we've been attending Annual Council as a result of Elder Wilson's influence!) And isn't this the way it should be? After all, this is God's work. It's not a secular field! Yes, God has called Elder Wilson and his team to our church for such a time as this. I just praise the Lord for the revival and reformation they are leading that is catching fire all around the world.</li>
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<li>Once the official Annual Council meetings started (about day 14 of our 21), each morning before the meetings began, our team led a time of united prayer. In contrast to the past, this year we had many MORE leaders making it a point to come early and attend these prayer times. That was so encouraging, especially seeing some high profile leaders in attendance that we'd prayed for previously to attend. And the prayers they prayed were so sincere and heart touching. I could really see how God has been working on their heart and leading in their lives this past year. This was so encouraging!</li>
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<li>One representative from the South Pacific Division told us continually, "Those morning prayer times are just the absolute best time of the whole Annual Council!" We just had to smile. Of course, we know what God is doing, and prayer is where the true power is. </li>
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<li>Also, many of the wives of the Division leaders got on board with the power of prayer and came often to the prayer room to pray. The girls from the Euro-Asia Division I got especially attached to. Such sweet woman and so on fire for God. I'm really excited to see what God is going to do in answer to the prayers they prayed this year.</li>
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<li>One of the mornings for worship, Cheri Peters gave a very convicting talk. Cheri shared how she had come out of the drug world, and for the first 10 years that she went to the SDA church, no one even talked to her! (Can you believe it???) Evidently, church members just didn't know how to relate to a former drugee street girl. Now of course, she has a world-wide ministry reaching thousands, and she is a sought after speaker. However, as we embark upon a new mission, in reaching the cities, she shared her burden for our church, and that if we are going to be more effective in reaching those in the cities, we need to learn how to accept them, love them, and help them heal. Many of us were soooo convicted about our inadequacies as a church to reach those in the cities that we were moved to tears. I was almost crying before Ranela and I got up to lead the prayer time for the group following her message. However, God's Spirit was really there and it was what our church needed to hear. Ranela and I shared, in response to Cheri's talk, how if we are truly going to be effective that we all need to be re-converted daily…today…our own hearts need to be broken. We then led the group through a three-part prayer of deeper repentance, and supplication. God blessed! </li>
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<li>During this year's Annual Council, they also gave us a preview of a new 26 minute video on Creation (one of the projects embarked upon last year to counter the Evolution tendencies occurring around the world). It was powerful! As you can see pictured below, the Adventist world church leaders even spent time praying to dedicate this movie "Creation: The Earth is a Witness" after we all got to view it. This inspiring resource will be made available for distribution and outreach events worldwide. Another answer to prayer for God's church in the battle for truth. Now pray that it will touch and convict many hearts that we have a Creator God!</li>
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<li> Another special thing that happened this year was the 10th year Anniversary of HOPE TV. To celebrate this occasion at Annual Council, they dedicated and opened their new network in the Philippines. Pictured below is president of HOPE TV, Brad Thorpe along with his wife Kandus as they share this joy with Elder Gulfan, president of the church's Southern Asia Pacific Division.</li>
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<li>The testimonies could probably go on and on. We believe God answered our prayers in a tremendous way. As Ranela says, "The Annual Council was a smashing success, at least from our viewpoint. It was evident that God was there!" Many of the leaders expressed the same. Of course, we know many of the biggest answers to prayer are yet to come! While we saw many evidences of God working, we believe the majority of the answers to prayer were experienced in the hearts of our leaders behind the scenes. These answers cannot be measured but will be seen only in eternity. Of course we are still praying for greater spiritual breakthrough and a greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit for our church and leaders. We know God has promised more. And we know that even great spiritual battles lie ahead. So it's not time to take a vacation and celebrate, but rather to dig in deeper, and to pray more! But we are thankful for what God is doing and how He is working even behind the scenes where we cannot see, and we are thankful for how He did bless at this year's meetings.</li>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">A Thank you Note from Elder Wilson</span></b><br />
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Here's an e-mail I received just a few days ago, and was asked to share:<br />
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<i>Greetings, Jerry, Janet, Melody, Stanley and many others. </i><br />
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<i>Thank you so much for your tremendous prayer assistance before and during the Annual Council. It was a wonderful blessing to have so many who were praying for the International Urban Mission Conference, the pre-meetings of the Annual Council, and the Annual Council (AC) itself. It was very obvious that God blessed in response to prayer as part of revival and reformation during the AC. The wonderful effects of the various prayer teams were realized as we saw so much support for many items at the AC including The Great Controversy Project Thanksgiving Service, The Creation Project, It's Time---Mission to the Cities document and commitment, and so many more items. Thank you for lifting up the church world leaders in prayer and having people in the auditorium praying during the meetings. Thank you for allowing the Holy Spirit to work through you to bring blessings to the church and the mission of proclaiming the three angels' messages of Rev 14 and the fourth angel of Rev 18. Please thank those who participated in this very special spiritual prayer support for AC as we proclaim God's Word to the world in anticipation of Christ's soon coming. </i><i>Even so come, Lord Jesus. </i><br />
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<i>Regards. Ted </i><br />
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(Note: Again for those that don't know, Ted Wilson is the president of the world-wide Seventh-day Adventist church of almost 18 million members.)<br />
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I don't know about all of you, but I love my church! And I love those that work here…how can I not when I spend so much time praying for them??? And I'm sincerely convicted that if we prayed more for those in our lives (both leaders and laity, family, and friends) there would be a lot less hurtful elbowing and bickering over insignificant issues. As a result of increased prayer, there would be a lot more miracles occurring in our lives and in our church today as we prepare for Christ's soon coming.<br />
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Jesus is coming soon and I don't want to be part of the problem, problems that hold back His return… I want to be part of the solution that hastens the day. In fact, you and I may be small and insignificant no doubt, but we can light candles, candles for God's glory; Candles that will help others find their way out of darkness into the light.<br />
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What we and our 115+ prayer partners have been doing over the last few months may seem rather insignificant when you look at the big picture. And in worldly measures it is. And the devil keeps reminding me how small and inadequate we all are for the mountains that lie before God's church. But I have to keep reminding him that it doesn't matter how SMALL we are. What matter is how BIG our God is!!!! And not one prayer from the least of His children is EVER prayed in vain. Not one!!!!!! Only in eternity will we understand or realize what God has been able to do because we were willing to pray! But the spiritual battle is far from over…greater battles are ahead. So let's not stop. Let's keep praying!<br />
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Right now thousands all around the world are joining together, praying for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. God's church is waking up and coming to life. What an exciting time and day to be alive. We get to see history happening. We get to be part of it's making! And not one prayer from anyone prayed around the world has been lost. Each prayer is adding up…<br />
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I love this statement, written over a hundred years ago to our church:<br />
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"When the Third Angel’s Message shall go forth with a loud voice, the whole earth shall be lightened with His glory, the Holy Spirit is poured out upon His people. The revenue of glory has been accumulating for this closing work of the Third Angel’s Message.<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: large;">The prayers that have been ascending for the fulfillment of the promise, the descent of the Holy Spirit, not one has been lost. Each prayer has been accumulating, ready to overflow and pour forth a healing flood of heavenly influence and accumulated light all over the world.</span>"</b> July 19, 1899<br />
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Isn't his powerful? Doesn't this just breath LIFE and HOPE to our prayer lives??? It should!<br />
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My teammate's have shared a few of their testimonies and how this 21 day GC prayer initiative has impacted them in the previous post below, and I encourage you to <a href="http://melodiousecho.blogspot.com/2013/10/personal-testimonies-from-gc-prayer-team.html" target="_blank">read these testimonies</a> and pray about how God is calling you to start prayer circles for your own home church, home conference, or community of believers. You may feel small, just as we do…but remember it's not about YOU! It's about following the call of your God. And if He calls you to pray…He will answer your prayers, if you are only willing to wrestle and persevere.<br />
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Of course, this "Praying for Rain" prayer journey WILL CONTINUE!!! Until we see the full complete outpouring that we are praying for depicted in Joel 2, we will not stop. We will keep asking for more! Until the literal outpouring of the Holy Spirit falls so we can be empowered to finish God's work, we must not give up, but keep asking God for more!<br />
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If you've been inspired and would like to join our world-wide team, please write me at: ReviveTheMission@gmail.com<br />
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<li>Here's the write-up they did on the <a href="http://news.adventist.org/all-news/news/go/2013-10-29/adventist-business-meetings-increasingly-marked-by-prayer/" target="_blank">prayer emphasis at this year's Annual Council!</a> </li>
<li>For an official church summary of Annual Council, please <a href="http://news.adventist.org/all-news/news/go/2013-10-12/consistent-expressive-faith-called-for-in-annual-council-messages/" target="_blank">click this LINK!</a></li>
<li>To hear Elder Wilson's powerful Sabbath sermon during Annual Council, <a href="http://video.hopetv.org/services/player/bcpid754045552001?bckey=AQ%7E%7E%2CAAAAr1aST5E%7E%2COaBZhEy6mtOXlRqsYVVjcIGZL4KHViOg&bctid=2743827121001" target="_blank">please click this LINK!</a></li>
<li>To read some AMAZING reports on what God is doing in the church in Inter-America, <a href="http://news.adventist.org/all-news/news/go/2013-10-02/in-inter-america-adventist-elders-authorized-to-baptize-during-historic-event/" target="_blank">click this LINK!</a></li>
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And a special THANK YOU to the following 115+ prayer teammates and prayer partners from around the world for being part of this past 3 month prayer journey! Let's not stop praying!!!!<br />
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<b>Kim, Karin, Amie, Stephanie, Cheryl, Teri, Elise, Carolyn D., Raluca, Roman, Melissa, Jackie, Ruby, James, Ranela, Gemalli, Lelilani, Heather, Chelsey, Ursilyn, Millicent, Dorcas, Shirley, Juanita, Melinda, Raja, Mark, Peggy, Kimberly, Staci, Robin, Mychelle, Dawn, Skhu, Penny, Leanne, Hephzi, Beulah, Lalitha, Sucilla, Ketty, Rachelle, April, Michelle M., Ann, Kristin, Bo, Arlaine, Gem, James, Irene, Laura, Calvin, Vickie, Suzy, Curla, Hope, Julia, Judy, Jeannie, Dorothy, JoDee, Michelle A., Nora, Shaina, Shail, Denese, Maylene, Andrea, Judy, Angela, Sophie, Rita, Simone, Filipe, Mary, Delores, Twyla, Marisa, Carolyn A., Anderson, Cameron, Jozsef, Steven, Hannah, Chuck, Randy, Anne, Brittany, Carol S., Alice, Justin, Steve, Mike, Lani, Patricia, Alex,Trevor, Zach, Leah, Mark W., Timothy, Shanter, Dawn J., Yolanda, Jill, Beverly, Steve, Greg, Ralph, Susan, Daniel S., Sherry, Darrel, Beverly, David, Sylvia, Daniel M. and many more!</b></div>
Melodious Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604968918689795664noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13333882.post-68806210378622115872013-10-27T21:40:00.000-07:002019-02-14T04:44:16.117-08:00Personal Testimonies from 2013 Annual Council prayer team!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I wanted to share a few thoughts from our prayer teammates that were on location with me at the General Conference this year.<br />
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First to introduce you to their faces, let me share a couple pictures.<br />
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The first group on location at the GC included Chelsey, a friend from College and a serious intercessory prayer warrior, as well as <a href="http://www.asapministries.org/" target="_blank">ASAP Ministries</a> Associate Director Julia, another close friend and prayer partner. Besides these two gals, Susy, my roommate and prayer partner from Loma Linda who now lives close to the GC, joined us as well as some of the local ladies from the GC prayer team that were part of our group last year - Urislyn and Millicent - what a blessing they were and are! So, although small, we had a great time together. (See picture below Chelsey, Julia, and I with Susy - my Indian roommate from Loma Linda.)<br />
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The second group on location at the GC, I had my fellow <a href="http://www.armeministries.com/">ARME Ministries </a>teammate Kim, as well as Ranela from the Central California Conference. Again Susy and Ursilyn and Millicent joined when they could. And again God blessed our time together! (Below see pictured Kim, Ranela, Susy and I.)<br />
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Now for some testimonies from these teammates:<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">From Chelsey - from Ohio</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><br />
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United prayer. I have forgotten what it was like to be united in prayer. I have been involved in groups of prayer, but never have I experienced such richness of the Spirit as while I was at the GC! God truly revived me to the power of praying together.<br />
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Actually, I almost did not come to the GC when Melody first invited me. The reason for my hesitation was because of my strong feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness! And even after arriving, I felt like my prayers were so shallow and weak. However, in solitude, I sought God, pleading with Him to give me a spirit of prayer and to show me how to pray persistently and effectively. He did. I had forgotten what it was like to pray in His Spirit and in His strength!<br />
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I loved the unity within our prayer group. That's what captivated me while I was there--unity and love. The prayer team was unified in thoughts, actions, ideas, words, and behaviors. We were of one accord, like the disciples were in the day of Pentecost.<br />
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I saw prayers answered. I witnessed hearts changed. God poured out a measure of His Spirit on our leaders, and on us! </div>
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I also saw something I haven't seen in years -- God is getting His people ready, He is waking up His people. He is preparing their hearts (as well as all who are the Lord's) for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. I believe it because I saw it with my own eyes. As a result, I came home a changed person. Some of the personal sins of my life, I noticed, were done away with. My prayer life has changed for the better. I have a deeper connection with the Lord!<br />
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After all that I have experienced and witnessed, I truly believe having a prayer team at the GC during annual council meetings is vital. There is power in prayer. This is something we desperately need! Not only at the GC, but in our personal lives, in our local conferences and churches!</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">From Julia - from Michigan:</span></b><br />
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Melody invited me to join her and the team to come pray for the leaders of our world church at the GC. I first thought, "No way! I have too much going on with full-time ministry, which already involves travel away from family, etc." However, the Holy Spirit kept tugging on my heart and when I finally relented, He amazingly paved the way for me to go! I truly thank the Lord for what He did there. Though we could not see immediate answers to all our prayers, we knew He was working because he promises to in His Word. <br />
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The Holy Spirit brought our prayer team into unity with each other, Him and heaven. It amazed me how He guided the prayers. Some sessions we couldn't stop praising! Other times, He gave us deep brokeness for our sins and the sins of the church. When we were tired by the new schedule and our prayers sounded stale, we claimed how the Holy Spirit promised to take our prayers and groan with passion to the Father! He breathed <i>increased faith</i> into our intercessions and gave us a deep care and concern for people we don't know personally and in many cases have never even met. This prayer journey was a serious blessing personally, and I know it was exactly what the Lord intended to happen for His kingdom growth. <br />
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We enjoyed praying in one of the committee rooms where a large map of the world hung and as we prayed for each division leader by name, we would look at the area of the world and consider what an enormous task they have to reach the lost in their regions. Yet the Lord often reminded us of His promises to pour out His Spirit in the last days and His Spirit will do what is humanly impossible. We felt His mercy drops falling around us and sensed His beautiful presence interceding with us as we prayed for the showers of blessing, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. <br />
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It was an incredible blessing to be part of the team. But I hope that what I shared will encourage you to seize every opportunity you are given to pray unitedly with others. I experienced how when I seek the kingdom of God first, He does what He promises, He added everything else and then some. He blessed me spiritually through all that time in prayer with Him. He made my time to be extra efficient at work when I got home. He provided divine appointments while there! He blessed my family financially even. God is so faithful! <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">From Ranela - from California:</span></b></div>
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I came for the last portion of the 21 day prayer event.<br />
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When I got there just a few days before the official Annual Council meetings started, and we walked through the building at 3:30 a.m. -- I could sense God's Spirit there in a very real way. It was amazing and obvious that God was already at work.<br />
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As we went through the various departments in the building, praying for the revival and personal spiritual growth of the workers and officials, I know God sent His angels on missions of mercy to draw them closer to Him. When we pray, many times we have no idea what's going on "behind the veil" in Heaven and on Earth. But God gave us small glimpses of what He was doing to encourage us of the greater work He was doing, that we perhaps would never see until Heaven.<br />
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As I was praying in the Prayer Chapel with Elder Hale, Union President of Ethiopia, a young girl opened the door as if to come in, but saw us and began to leave. I quickly urged her to stay so we could pray for her, and she came in. Before we prayed, we found out that her dad was diagnosed with cancer just a few months prior, and that it was weighing down on her. Both the President and I prayed heartfelt prayers for her. When we finished she was crying, and the story came out. Although she worked at the General Conference, she had stopped going to church out of her "anger" towards God. She felt that it was unfair that God allowed this to happen to her dad. She had grown up SDA her whole life, but was coming to a crossroads. Then she shared how just a couple weeks earlier (around the time the first girls started walking through the GC praying), she felt "all of a sudden" that she needed to start going back to church again. Then, that day as she was walking by the Prayer Chapel, she felt a strong conviction to go in and pray. After our prayer time, she repeatedly told us, "Thank you so much, this really meant a lot to me. You've helped me, thank you…"<br />
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We know this was a direct answer to our prayers for God's people to open their hearts to Him again. Praise God!<br />
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We also had the Euro-Asia Division President come in for prayer, and relate to us that his Division had experienced great things that he would never thought possible just a few years ago! Looking back, it was 2010 when Elder Wilson began to push for "Revival and Reformation," and it was this year the prayer team began to come, praying even more earnestly for God to pour out His Spirit all over the world! (And as Melody has shared, years before this, another group at the GC, led by Stanley Poniah and other GC employees, had consistently been praying for revival and reformation as well.) It's amazing to see how God answers prayer…but sometimes we have to be patient before we see the results.<br />
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Each day during Annual Council, we led united prayer for the leaders before the meetings. Throughout the day different people kept thanking us for what a major blessing that was to them. One representative from the South Pacific Division told me continually, "Those morning prayer times are just the absolute best time of the whole Council!" We know that's where the true power is.</div>
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Although the devil was angry and tried to bring about confusion and discord in different ways during the meetings, I know God prevailed. I was one of the prayer team that got to sit in on the business meetings to pray. Surprisingly, I found even these meetings to be quite spiritual. Elder Wilson and his team did a great job of keeping the focus "spiritual" even in the midst of what can become "mundane" business meetings.<br />
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Through different things that Elder Wilson and others did, I really felt God's Spirit at work. Even the church Treasurer, Elder Bob Lemon, God spoke powerfully through. For example, after he gave his 30 minute Treasurer's Report, he ended with a major spiritual emphasis. He asked, "We can keep track of numbers and dollars pretty well in our church--but what about our church members? Why is it that we have so many people that we just don't know where they are anymore?" He challenged leaders to be able to track down church members and visitors just as well as we track our money. He made a wonderful speech about truly caring about where people are, as well as getting the young people involved in Evangelism. This is our General Conference world Treasurer! Amen!!!<br />
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Elder G.T. NG also brought lightness and happiness to the business meetings, and I felt a great spirit of unity there as everyone laughed and gave their input.<br />
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At the very end of the Annual Council an elderly leader stated: "These were the best meetings I've ever attended!" I don't know who the man was, but he seemed to be older and experienced in these meetings.<br />
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Of course, this is the Lord's doing, and it is great in our eyes! As we claimed God's promises to bless, and knew that our prayers were according to His will, I believe God answered in powerful ways that we won't even realize until the Heavenly Kingdom when all things shall be revealed. Praise and all glory be to God!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">From Susy - from Maryland:</span></b></div>
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As the day for the 21 days of prayer came close, I realized that my control had to go. I needed God to be in control! Unfortunately, what I was asking, I found the opposite happening. I was asking for unity, and suddenly I was seeing disunity. So I came to the point where I had to stop everything and realize that nothing else was important except to be right with God and seeing souls saved. I cried to God for myself and my family: "I will not let go except you bless me." As I held on, He blessed! </div>
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I really didn't know how to pray as I should, but the Lord promises to teach us how to pray. So I began asking Him to teach me. This is the back ground and attitude which I joined the prayer team. <br />
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Personally, I saw a beauty in praying in unity - praying the Bible promises especially gave us more power and trust to pray with confidence. I also liked looking at the map of the world and praying. It helped me realize how God looks on our world with such compassion. The world suddenly became small, yet I realized that our need is huge and can only be met by our Creator. I recognized the needs are humanly impossible without God.<br />
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One day God did something special. I had asked the Lord to show me a personal blessing during this prayer time. I wanted to see Him working in my life in a tangible way, and this is what He did.<br />
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One morning, I came in early with the girls to pray at 3:30 a.m. This was Friday morning.<br />
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After our prayer time, I went to work and was able to finish my work without feeling sleepy. (A true miracle!) Not only that, but as I worked my coworker was having a hard time and was grumbling and so I asked the Lord to not let that affect me. He kept me calm and patient. Then as my coworker was finishing her work she said, "I wish I could be patient like you, you have such a sweet spirit."<br />
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I told her that she too can have that if she asked the Lord because I am naturally impatient, but the Lord is helping me. I was able to pray with her and I gave her a hug. I asked her what she wanted me to pray for her at our all night prayer that would occur that evening at our Indian church. She gave me two prayer requests.<br />
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With God's strength I was able to attend the all-night prayer. Melody and Chelsey came to help us get started. Then our Pastor and others led. It was so powerful. The all night prayer in my church truly brought healing to some hurting people. I will never forget this experience.<br />
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One evening Julia asked me how she could pray for me. I shared with her an experience and she shared how something similar had happened in her life and how God had worked. That was an encouragement the Lord gave me because we had such a level of trust in each other. As I look back on this time, I will always cherish how the Lord brought the 4 of us girls into unity in prayer time and time again. It was truly the Holy Spirit.<br />
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The Lord is still working in my life. Sometimes it looks like it is taking forever. But I trust my life into His hands. He is the potter and I am the clay. I just keep asking myself, "What if we had continued in prayer like the early church? They never stopped when they received the Holy spirit. What if we would do the same?"<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">From Melody - from Arkansas:</span></b><br />
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Well, you already know my story and my testimony… as it's shared throughout this blog. However, I will share something different here.<br />
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Obviously, God has laid a big burden on my heart to pray for our leaders over the last few years. However, this hasn't been an easy burden to carry. And every time I go to put into action something to push this endeavor forward, I have been hit by many spiritual attacks.<br />
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This summer as we started our three month long "Praying for Rain" prayer initiative, the devil sent so many discouraging things against me. Sometimes they completely knocked me over and took the wind out of my sails. Sometimes I didn't feel like praying, and I wanted to walk away from the whole prayer project! (I'm just being honest!) But I knew that the devil was angry and just trying to discourage the work, so I kept pressing forward.<br />
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When we all got to the GC for this last 21 days, the girls looked to me as the leader. And that's what I was. After all, I've been the one leading our prayer team for the past 4 years. However, being a leader doesn't mean you always have everything together and you feel the greatest. This year I felt anything but great. Not only was I exhausted before we even started the final 21 day event, but I continually had things hitting me trying to pull me down spiritually. (One of which was losing Denise Ratsara, a very dear friend, which happened right in the middle of our prayer venture!)<br />
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However, through the continual attacks of the enemy, God kept reminding me that He was the one that had called me and He would strengthen me, and He did. When I didn't feel like praying, but rather crying, I would go out walking and pray.<br />
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One time I was walking around our motel where we were staying just praying out loud. (So to anyone watching, it probably looked like I was talking to myself!) But I didn't worry about what anyone thought. After walking around the motel several times, this black kid, who had been watching me, spoke up. "What are you doing?" he asked. "I'm praying!" I responded without blinking. "Can I pray for you?" he nodded. I walked over to him. "What do you want me to pray for?" I asked. He just looked down at his feet. "I'm not happy. I need happiness." he responded. In answer to that, I began to tell him where I found happiness. (In Christ of course.) I prayed for him than asked if he wanted to walk with me and learn to pray. He must have walked around the motel with me 2 or 3 times before his ride came. He was visibly touched. I have no idea what happened to him, but I pray God planted seeds in his heart that will take root and grow.<br />
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Another thing that really helped me was singing. As soon as the alarm went off in the morning, rather than whining or feeling sorry that our night of sleep was over, I would start singing (much to my roommates amusement) and pretty soon we all were feeling cheery and happy!<br />
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Sometimes while we prayed as we walked through the GC we also sang. I think singing drives the enemy away. ;-)<br />
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So I've learned time and time again, no matter what we feel like, we just need to keep praying and praising God. When we pray, rather than consulting our fears or our feelings, God will strengthen us. So when we felt weak (and we all did at times) we just threw ourselves deeper into prayer, clinging to God's promises and to His Word. This is what carried us through. This is what brought victory and answered prayer. God is so good. We just need to stand upon His Word.<br />
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Let me share a quote from Inspiration:<br />
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“Faith takes God at His word, with or without feeling. It “is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” We can believe our fellowmen, and can we not trust the word of God? When we go to Him for wisdom or grace, we are not to look to ourselves to see if He has given us a special feeling as an assurance that He has fulfilled His word. <b>Feeling is no criterion. Great evils have resulted when Christians have followed feeling. How do I know that Jesus hears my prayers?—I know it by His promise.</b> He says He will hear the needy when they cry unto Him, and I believe His word. He has never said to the “seed of Jacob, seek ye Me in vain.” If we walk in the light, we may come to the throne of grace with holy boldness. We may present the promises of God in living faith, and urge our petitions. Although we are weak, and erring, and unworthy, “the Spirit helpeth our infirmities.” When we have offered our petition once, we must not then abandon it, but say, as did Jacob when he wrestled all night with the angel, “I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me,” and like him we shall prevail.” Bible Echo, September 24, 1894, par. 4 <br />
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Of course, this isn't the usual testimony…nor is this the majority of my testimony! The major part of my testimony is shared before and after this post. I've tested God a thousand times and found Him to be trust worthy and true. He's real, He's alive, and He still answers prayer. And since I've started to dive in deeper into His Word and claim His promises when I pray, it's taken me on an adventure of a lifetime. And I love every minute!<br />
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But I wanted to share that there are hard times too, as I've found that many people feel intimidated and unqualified to take on such a prayer venture. I want you all to know that it's not the qualified people that God calls. He calls those that are willing. They are imperfect, and they stumble along, but because they are willing, He can use them. And if He could use us, He can use anyone…even YOU!!<br />
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God blessed in so many ways…and we saw so many testimonies and answers to prayer throughout our 21 days. But it was obvious, very obvious, that the devil was not and is happy!<br />
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I just want to warn you, that if you ever get the faintest idea to do something similar, you need to be prepared for spiritual battle because the devil will try to do everything he can to stop you. However, DO NOT let this discourage you! Don't look at the enemy, don't listen to his threats! Look to God. If you cling to God and don't let go, He will give you power to overcome and He will be victorious! And it will truly be one of the greatest experiences of your life!!!!!<br />
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As Janet Page always says when she shares her testimony, "My life is forever ruined for the ordinary!"<br />
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While it's not always been easy, this prayer journey and how God has evolved it over the last 4 years has been such an amazing adventure. I just wish we could somehow inspire more people to take hold of this idea and encircle our church, their churches, and leaders in prayer. We can't change the world, but if we can see a life changed (especially lives of influence), God will use them to change the world and reach others. What are we waiting for when God has given us such an amazing gift, right within our own grasp.<br />
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"Prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven's storehouses where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence!" Wow! What a great God we serve!<br />
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As we are told in the books <i>Christ Object Lessons,</i> "There is no danger that the Lord will neglect the prayers of His people. The only danger is that in temptation and trial they will fail to persevere in prayer." p. 175<br />
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Let's not fail to persevere! Let's not fail to pray! Let's move forward… Greater things are to come! But they won't come unless we pray!<br />
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“It was because Elijah was a man of large faith that God could use him in this grave crisis in the history of Israel. As he prayed, his faith reached out and grasped the promises of Heaven, and he persevered in prayer until his petitions were answered. He did not wait for the full evidence that God had heard him, but was willing to venture all on the slightest token of divine favor. <b>And yet what he was enabled to do under God, all may do in their sphere of activity in God’s service…</b> Faith such as this is needed in the world today—faith that will lay hold on the promises of God’s word and refuse to let go until Heaven hears.” <i>Prayer</i>, p. 138</div>
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Melodious Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604968918689795664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13333882.post-57689810099777229232013-10-19T05:40:00.000-07:002013-10-31T18:22:02.243-07:00Does God care…How do I talk with Him?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Here's a passage that really spoke to my heart recently. Yes, God cares. And I am to share with Him all that is on my heart, just as I would talk with a friend…</div>
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"Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the wants of His children. “The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” James 5:11. His heart of love is touched by our sorrows and even by our utterances of them. Take to Him everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds, He rules over all the affairs of the universe. Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice. There is no chapter in our experience too dark for Him to read; there is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel. No calamity can befall the least of His children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy cheer, no sincere prayer escape the lips, of which our heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which He takes no immediate interest. “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3. The relations between God and each soul are as distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon the earth to share His watch care, not another soul for whom He gave His beloved Son."<br />
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Thought from book <i>Steps to Christ, </i>p. 100</div>
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Melodious Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604968918689795664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13333882.post-60727390887876560762013-09-10T11:08:00.001-07:002019-02-14T05:03:28.205-08:00One Answered Prayer a Day…<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I just have to give you a UPDATE on what God has been doing in my life!!! He's sooooo faithful. My heart just overflows with gratitude and praise!!!!!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">I pray this can be a testimony to all who read, to not settle spiritually, but to keep DARING to ASK God for MORE!!! I share this testimony not to boast of myself, for I am weak, but only as testimony to His Honor and Glory!!! </span></b><br />
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First off, since I stopped receiving a monthly paycheck about 6 months ago, God has been taking me on a whole new journey of faith! And He's been providing for me, AMAZINGLY!!!!! I could have gone back to work as a nurse, as I had a very good paying job in the past, but it required too much time, and I knew with all my different ministry obligations, putting on Bible conferences, speaking for prayer conferences and retreats and at churches, and working on writing a book, I didn't have TIME to work as a nurse, but I needed to move forward by faith, trusting God to provide. So that's what I've been doing!<br />
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God says in His Word, "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? …But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt. 6:25,26,30<br />
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I decided to take this passage SERIOUSLY! I made a list of all the things I needed to survive each month, and then I said, "Ok God. I'm not going to take thought about these things. You said you will provide. I believe I'm living in your will, and working in ministry according to your will, so I"m trusting you to provide." And I've chosen not to stress about it. And God has been growing my faith. It's funny, but it's actually EASIER to trust Him when you don't have someone else or something else to lean on, financially or otherwise. I just praise the Lord that He's teaching me that HE IS FAITHFUL!<br />
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In fact, to further prove God, I told Him when I stopped getting a paycheck, "I want YOU Lord, to take care of me. Not my parents!!!! They are already financially stretched taking care of another family of 8 in need. So I'm not going to tell them that I'm no longer receiving any salary. I won't tell them for at least 6 months to a year. I want you to prove that you can take care of me without their help so they won't stress and worry in the future when God calls me out to make greater sacrifices by faith!" So at this point, it's been six months and even my own parents and family DO NOT know about my financial change of status. (We will see if they happen to read this blog post and find out!) Anyway, isn't that amazing how God is providing??<br />
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<b>Of course, it's really NOT about the money!!!! It's about His faithfulness. But He knows we have real needs and we still live in a real world! It's such peace to know that I have a heavenly bank account now, rather than an earthly one. God is good!!!</b><br />
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Writing over a hundred years ago to church leaders in South Africa, Ellen White makes a sobering statement that I believe is worth repeating. “I do hope that you will not look to men, nor trust in men, but look to God and trust in God. We may expect large things, even the deep movings of the Spirit of God, if we have faith in His promises. Our greatest sin is unbelief in God.”<br />
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On January 1st of this year, I made a new challenge to God. I don't know if you guys remember the story of Praying Hyde and how as his faith grew, He began to pray that EVERY DAY God would give Him a soul for the Kingdom. The first year he prayed for one soul a day. AND GOD ANSWERED HIS PRAYER!!! The next year he prayed for two souls a day, AND GOD ANSWERED HIS PRAYER! The next year he prayed for four souls a day, AND GOD ANSWERED HIS PRAYER!!!! His testimony has inspired me so much!!!!!!! <br />
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I told God this past January (actually it started last September of 2012, but I renewed my request in January of 2013) that I didn't presently have enough faith to start by asking for one soul a day, but I did have enough faith to ask for one answered prayer every day! <br />
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So in January, I started keeping a journal and every day I would write down answers to prayer that God would bring! Would you believe that for the last 9 months without fail, I've received ONE ANSWERED PRAYER EVERY DAY!!!!!!!!! In fact, on many days I've received multiple answered prayers. (Sometimes it's 5-7 or more. A couple weeks ago, I had 8 answered prayers in one day, and they were significant answers to prayer, not just little answers!!) <br />
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As I look back over my journal, I'm receiving about 2-4 answered prayers every day consistently now. They aren't all HUGE and gigantic, although some of them are, but they are an answered prayer!!!! Let me share a few of them from this past year… all to God's glory!!!<br />
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<li>For example, in providing for my bills, has God been sending me support from unique places! I have a stranger that contacted me, who had been reading my blog one day and felt convicted to start donating to my expenses each month. This was about the time I stopped receiving a monthly income. And I've never blogged about the fact that I'm not on a fixed income anymore until now. (This gal has now become a friend - Thankful for you Tracie and family!!! God is good.) </li>
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<li>I've had FREE GRAVEL delivered to my door step that I had prayed for so I could make a parking lot for my car (my mom said we've never received free gravel before in all the 30+ years we've lived here!) I didn't want to spend precious money on the project so I prayed that God would provide, and after 4 months of praying, He did! We inherited 4 truck loads and 2 trailer loads, plus a tractor load of free gravel from the local community church. They'd just finished paving their parking lot and didn't know what to do with what was left over, so they gave it to us!!!!!! Tell me God doesn't care about details??? (Some people thought I was crazy to pray about GRAVEL! But why not! If we pray specifically, God will answer specifically!) </li>
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<li>I've had other complete strangers write me about how my blog has convicted and impacted their life and helped them just when they needed help. (I'm always praying God will help me be a more effective witness, and praying about what to write, so every time I hear from someone like this, it's another answered prayer! And some of these strangers have now become friends. Love you Roni!) </li>
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<li>I've seen miracles in heart transformations at different places I've spoken this spring. One lady was on brink of divorce and even had restraining order for her husband, and she was weeping and praying that God might yet save their marriage during one LONG Sabbath afternoon prayer session that we had. Well, my brother Daniel and I came home and started fasting and praying passionately for some of the different prayer requests we were getting during weekends when I was doing the prayer seminars at different churches. And would you believe, we've seen answered prayer after answered prayer! The most dramatic being that God brought "the husband" to one of my seminars 3 weeks later as he was convicted by the changes he'd seen in his wife and wanted the same experience she had had. Now they are getting back together and growing!!!!!! (I told Daniel, "If God can heal marriages at ARME, He can do it for us with the people we work for too!! And He's doing it!")</li>
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<li>I've seen people that have been out of the church for a long time, starting to come back, people I've been praying for specifically by name! One girl I've been praying for, a Lesbian for 15 years, has not only come to God and walked away from the Gay lifestyle, but she is now taking training at Amazing Facts and wanting to work in ministry. Miraculous transformations going on in her life.</li>
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<li>We prayed that God would bring just the people that needed to hear a recent prayer seminar that I helped Marian Paron's, prayer coordinator for the AR-LA Conference, lead in Shreveport LA this last month. We prayed that God would not just bring the people that needed to be there, but that they'd be changed, NOT just inspired, by what they heard. That day, not only did a young man come into our seminar that hadn't been in the church in 10 years (hadn't even seen his family in 10 years - they were all sooo shocked to see him), but God brought others and many of them with tears in their eyes (even one Elder) told us how the prayer seminar had CHANGED HIS LIFE! Direct answer to prayer!! (We've heard from the church since, and about how God is continuing to work!)</li>
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<li>Another really special miracle happened with another friend. She called me, desperate to see her unbelieving father saved before he died. (He was on his death bed.) She also wanted to see the unbelieving family members brought into the Kingdom. Initially I thought in my little selfish heart, "I don't have time for this. I'm busy, I'm writing a book. I have too many of my own prayer projects I'm praying over! I don't have time to carry another huge emergency prayer burden!" (I was incidentally writing a chapter on the ministry of Intercession that week, if God doest have a sense of humor!) But it wasn't long and then God convicted me, "Melody, how much do you really care to see lost souls saved? They may not all be people you know, but when I bring a request to you, will you pray for it??? Will you lay aside your selfish agenda and PRAY about my burdens? Do you realize that every soul lost is of infinite value?" I cried as I realized how selfish I was. Sooo…. long story short. We fasted and prayed for 4 days, pleading that God would intervene and He did! Not only did God give us the assurance we were praying for, for her father's salvation before he died, but the next week, one of his sons (her step brother) made the decision to follow Christ!!!!! Now if there are any answered to prayers that make me most excited, this is it!!! I've just been pleading with God the last few months, "PLEASE PLEASE, you say we are to bear MUCH FRUIT! And while I see lots of blessings and lots of good things happening to me, I don't see souls for the kingdom like I desire. I see it happening at ARME, but I want it to happen in my own life personally…for those I'm personally praying for!!!!" (To read more about this story in depth, refer to my previous blog posts, "<a href="http://www.melodiousecho.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-prayer-for-unborn-continues.html">Prayers for the Unborn continue."</a></li>
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I've been more and more DESPERATE to see God work, and He's doing it. There are still a lot of people I'm praying for that have NOT yet accepted Christ, including close family members and friends, but God knows, and I believe He will work if we only persevere!!! "I will NOT let go until you bless me, Lord!!!!" <br />
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<li>Another answered prayer was ASI allowing me to lead united prayer in the main auditorium between meetings each day at this past ASI. Previously we've been limited to our prayer room. Now the ASI President has talked to me about making prayer more a part of ASI and we are discussing possibilities. Pray for this. Another huge opening of doors!</li>
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<li>More answers to prayer have to do with the church as a whole and the Revival and Reformation that is happening. I know many people are praying ALL around the world for this. But I and friends and prayer team have also been praying for many specific leaders by name, so every time we see God do something special, we claim it as another answered prayer. (I won't share these specific answers here due to the sensitivity of those involved! But I will just say we see God working in a specific and mighty way with many of our world church and leadership!) Hallelujah Jesus is coming soon!</li>
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<li>I also started praying this past January that God would help someone well known (famous) to see the Great Controversy and help promote it. And it was just announced on the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGG4GVLp_c0&mc_cid=a1910d91b5&mc_eid=a1b34764cf">Glenn Beck show</a>. I don't watch the show or necessarily support this show, but the fact that millions have been exposed to this powerful and life changing book as a result of the Glenn Beck show is a direct answer to prayer for ME PERSONALLY! Praise the Lord!!! That's another prayer card I can put in my prayer jar! (Actually, I will keep praying that more people will see, read it, and share it!)</li>
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<li>God has continued to provide for me in miraculous ways. I obviously had no money when all this faith journey started (I still don't), but God has provided a beautiful place to live in between ministry travels.... a little paradise in the Ozarks with my family. </li>
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<li>Speaking of the community. Since I've moved back to the community of my childhood, I've really been seeking to get out more and get acquainted and build bridges between everyone as we live in a wonderful community. To help with this, I joined a local women's Bible Study group which has lead to many special friendships with women who knew me as a child, but who I have not known in my adult years. Many of these woman have become dear friends and even came to support me when I gave my Prayer Revival Seminar in our local church. God then opened the door for me to speak and share in their local community church as well. Bridges are building built and I've been so blessed by those I've gotten to know here. </li>
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<li>Also, my dad and brothers are on the local fire department and have been for years, but our family has really had very little spiritual interaction with our community in all the years we've lived here. Since we go to different churches, it seems everyone just keeps to themselves. However, since I've been getting more involved and knocking on doors, now my Dad was invited to join the Men's Bible study and God is really working in this group as well. At first my dad was hesitant as he thought he had too much to do. But now he won't miss it for anything. And we've already seen people that were previously spiritually indifferent in our community coming to take part and getting excited about the Bible and about finding God's truth! I have been praying praying praying for months that God would open doors for myself and my family to be involved in spiritual leadership in this community and to see SPIRITUAL REVIVAL take place here. Of course, I can take no credit for what God is doing…I've been following the model of <i>Ministry of Healing</i> p. 143, but I'm weak, and I'm faulty. But one thing I do have…I'm DESPERATE for REVIVAL and I'm DESPERATE to see Christ work, so I keep praying! And Christ is working! And I know prayer has made a difference. Revival isn't just for a specific group or a specific church, it's for ALL! God is calling His people back to Him because He is coming soon! </li>
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<li>Also, when my Grandmother died this past Spring, although I didn't really have the time to spare, we put a lot of work into her Memorial service, not just to glorify my Grandma, but to be a witness to the community to get ready for Jesus coming! I spent almost a week making a 12 minute video slide show of her giving love messages to everyone, along with pictures at the end "God's family reunion." Again, we didn't do this for my grandma's glory. It was not about her at all, but to be a witness and inspire people to get ready for Heaven. Most of the community showed up, as they all loved my grandma, and as a result of much work and prayer, we had so many people tell us that THIS was the most inspiring memorial they had EVER attended. Some have even told us since that they are changing their lives and habits of living as they were so inspired by my Grandma's faithfulness. Praise God.…more stars for her crown!!! ;-) God answers prayer!!!! (<a href="http://youtu.be/tuMgvxTuaCA">To see this video, click HERE!)</a></li>
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<li>This last week I had another huge answer to prayer! I've been praying since January that God would provide travel funds for me to return to Bangladesh. There's a special orphanage over there that I got attached to back in 2008 when I visited it for the first time. (I've been there 3 times already!) Anyway, they've asked me to come teach some Bible and Sanctuary classes there and my little girls over there - Melony and Savanna, that I've kinda adopted - have been begging me to come back! So, this last week, while talking with a friend, at the end of our phone discussion, she asked what was happening in my life and I shared how I'd just talked the day before to my kids in Bangladesh, and I was praying about going and spending Christmas and a few extra weeks in January with them, between ARME camps. She asked, "Do you have money for a ticket yet?" I said, "No, but there's time. I know God will provide if I'm suppose to go!" She then said, "Well, I'd love to go over there and do that, but I can't, but I'd love to buy your ticket for you!" ……….. I was like speechless! So… God has now given me my ticket to Bangladesh. It's been 2 years since I've been there, and I've been convicted that I need to go again, soon, before things get worse for our country economically. PTL, He's opened the door! Is't that cool?</li>
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<li>And speaking of that NEW CAR that I should have bought back when I had money, but which I instead dedicated to God's work. Well, just this past week, God led us to an ADD on Craig's list for a Honda Odysee (the kind of Van that I've been praying for for months!) It was owned by a wealthy family and taken very good care of. Since They just got a new van, they were trying to get rid of this one. However, they didn't know how to post pictures, so it wasn't selling. By the time we found it on Craig's list, they were offering it for $900! It was basically a steal, as it was in almost mint condition body wise and engine wise. My dad's done a little engine maintenance, but we can't believe the miracle God just gave us! We've looked at Honda Odysee vans that were parked with a bad transmission selling for almost $3,000. So to find one that had a great body and a good engine for $900 is unthinkable. Only God! Basically they were just trying to get rid of it. So now I have a new vehicle for my travels and I told my mom it will be my moving "Prayer Mobile." :-)</li>
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<li>Another answer to prayer is how God is spreading our <a href="http://www.revivalandreformation.org/">Praying for Rain</a> prayer booklets. Just found out a couple days ago that China is currently printing another 70,000 in Chinese. Yesterday another friend e-mailed me that they are wanting to send out 10,000 of them with their ministry mailing which is focusing on united prayer. And we keep hearing testimonies of what God is doing with united prayer groups all over the world…from Division leaders (I just got a powerful report from the Russia Division leadership meetings), to lay people and young people. So exciting to see how God is waking up His church, which is a huge answered prayer! Half a million of these books have been printed now...</li>
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<li>I prayed for 50 prayer partners for Annual Council this year and I have over twice that many now. 26 prayer teams currently praying for all our leaders by NAME!</li>
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<li>I prayed for opening doors to get more involved in my conference here in AR-LA. Now I've been asked to be on the Conference Prayer Committee, and God has opened the door for us to bring ARME Bible Camp to THIS CONFERENCE next summer July 2-6th, 2014! I've been praying about this for almost 2 years. But God has worked much quicker than I expected, Oh me of little faith. ;-) </li>
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<li>I've also been seeing God answer prayers as we write our book on prayer. It's a task that is so big and much beyond anything that I would have ever thought I could accomplish. But as I've been spending more and more time in prayer, God has literally been bringing thoughts to my mind and directing me to different Bible verses and promises and inspirational passages just when I need them. Later I go back and read what we wrote and I think, "Wow! That's inspiring, where did that come from?" And I know without a shadow of a doubt that it's only GOD! He's literally helping us write this book! And as we write <i>Daring to Ask for More</i> He is literally giving us a more powerful testimony in the journey! It's amazing. (Now when the book is finally completed and done, that will be the BIGGEST TESTIMONY of my LIFE!! Please PRAY for this! I've never encountered so many spiritual challenges or obstacles while attempting a ministry project as I have during this writing process.)</li>
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<li>However, what's exciting in these daily answers to prayer is seeing how God is so personal and cares about the DETAILS! When I was having a special get together earlier this summer, I was praying about finding a cheap punch bowel to use for the party. (Now does this really matter in the realm of eternal things? No! Of course not! But God cares about the details and I think He likes it when we pray specific prayers!) So I prayed that He'd help me find a punch bowl and set at Goodwill when I went to town, something really cheap. Well, what was the first thing that I saw when I walked into Goodwill? It was a punch bowl, complete set! Beautiful! God had answered my prayer!</li>
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<li>Yesterday, September 8, 2013, although I was tired, I was praying He'd wake me up early to have more time with Him. Not only did He wake me up, but I think He used an angel to call my name. I was half asleep, half awake, and I heard my name so distinctly and clearly as if someone was in the room with me. No one was there, but I knew it was God waking me up, and although it was early… like 4:30am, I said "Yes Lord, and I got up and had a most beautiful time with Him!"</li>
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<li>This past week, my good friends Jerry and Janet were speaking in Norway. (I went to Bible School in Norway in earlier years, so have had a real burden for Norway! I'm praying eventually God will send me back there to do prayer ministry.) Anyway, they were there to lead a prayer conference and Jerry lost his voice. The night before he was to speak, he couldn't talk. However, we prayed, as did many others. We also prayed on the all night NAD prayer call. And the next day his voice was miraculously healed! ANOTHER SPECIFIC and DIRECT ANSWER to PRAYER! PTL!</li>
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<li>As some of you know, I did a couple programs last year for HOPE's Program, <a href="http://ministryinmotion.tv/how-to-nurture-a-personal-prayer-experience/" target="_blank">Ministry in Motion.</a> I have no desire to be on TV or to be seen, but I do have a GREAT DESIRE that God would help spread the message of United Prayer and challenging people to DARE to ASK for MORE in faith when they pray. (Thus the title of our almost completed book!) So I've been praying that God would open up the right doors. Well, I got an invitation at ASI to come with Janet Page (my dear friend and mentor) and film two programs on 3ABN this coming Dec. 12th. One program will be a 2 hour LIVE program. The other will be taped and replayed. Again, another answered prayer as God has opened another door to share. PTL!</li>
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<li>Of course, as I've already shared, the biggest answers to prayer I receive have to see with God changing hearts and lives for eternity. I get to see this regularly at ARME, but I'm also starting to see it more and more in my personal life and ministry. This is my greatest daily prayer, and my most exciting answers to prayer, when I see God changing hearts!!!!</li>
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So yes, my life is a testimony that God hears and answers prayer. God keeps answering one prayer after another… day after day! I can't believe it!<br />
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Again, I'm NOT sharing any of these things to boast. But I've been seeing more and more that God truly does honor His Word. "Oh Taste and see that the Lord is good!" So it's hard to keep all these amazing answers to prayer and miracles to myself. Sometimes it's almost embarrassing when I walk into a dead church and everyone around seems to be falling asleep, and I'm sooo excited because I have so many testimonies to share. But God has convicted me that I need to share and not keep the blessings for myself. I can't boast about anything except for God's glory and honor! But God tells us to talk faith and to share faith. And I'm literally seeing God answer prayers EVERY DAY! It's overwhelming!!! I want to inspire more people to pray for this. I think if we all kept better record we would be amazed how God is answering so many prayers that we didn't even recognize!!! <br />
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Pastor Ratsara shared this passage recently. I never saw this verse before! It says, “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name.” (Mal. 3:16) I thought this was so powerful, and I was thinking, "I need to speak more of God's blessings with my friends! I need to share MORE what He's doing in my heart and life and not just keep it to myself!" We are told to "Talk faith and we will have more faith." So that's what I'm seeking to do, and there's nothing better than sharing the ways He's leading and providing!</div>
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So let's move forward on our knees, <i>DARING to ASK for MORE! </i>(And watch for our upcoming book by that title that is almost finished!) Truly God does above and beyond all that we ask or think!</div>
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Melodious Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604968918689795664noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13333882.post-28225358469342534062013-09-01T15:04:00.003-07:002013-09-10T15:36:00.037-07:00Twenty Years and MANY KIDS later…<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">This weekend I got feeling a little </span></b><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>nostalgic, as I do every so often as I look back over the years and all the precious memories they hold! When I was 17, I thought life would last forever</b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>… but now…I'm realizing that time goes faster than you think. </b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">This first picture above was a family picture taken twenty years ago amidst the rapids of a wild river in Minnesota! Aren't my little brothers adorable? They aren't sooo little anymore though</span></b><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>… LOL!</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>It's funny how life goes! When I was a senior in high-school everyone, including my own classmates, called me "Mother Mel." I think it's because I always gravitated towards kids, and I used to boast about the fact that when I got married, I was going to have a dozen kids! (Little did I know…LOL!) </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Well, I'm all grown up now…and I'm not married, but God has given me MORE than dozens! ;-)</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven!"</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The pictures above are from my adopted kids in Bangladesh. However, there's two little girls that have especially captured my heart. They call me Mom and I'm going to spend Christmas with them this year. Their names are Melony and Savannah and they also live at this Orphanage in Bangladesh. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">However, there's another SEVEN that I don't have to travel far to see! They call me "Auntie Mel" and they've been living with our family for two years now. I just threw a birthday party for all of them this weekend. Since I've been gone so much and missing all their birthdays, I decided we'd have the party of the year. We had such a fun time.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>LOVE THEM so much!!!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>So…these past 20 years haven't gone quite like I expected, but in all honesty, I feel like they've gone much better!!!! Not only has God given me MANY kids to love, but I've gotten to travel the world (almost 25 countries now) serving the Lord in ministry, and I get to spend my time working with some of my FAVORITE PEOPLE in the whole world, people who have become my best friends. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<b style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">And there's nothing more fulfilling than knowing you are right where God intended that you should be, changing lives for eternity.</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>God is sooo good!!!!</b></span></div>
</div>
Melodious Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604968918689795664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13333882.post-48056933393214765532013-07-23T17:47:00.000-07:002015-12-07T11:59:11.450-08:00No Intruders Allowed!!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Whenever the weather
gets warm, yellow jackets and red wasps started sneaking into my house and the battle for territory begins.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Each time I discover the unwelcome intruders, I set off
with fly swatter in hand to annihilate them. The task is not always an easy one. One thing is certain though. I am determined to conquer, and there’s no way that I will rest until the intruders are destroyed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One time a little while back, a wasp snuck into my bedroom in the middle of the
night, and in my attempts to end his life, I accidentally swatted him into some
crevice (it turned out to be the air conditioner). However, I didn’t know where
he had gone, and I was literally awake for 2 hours in the middle of the night
ransacking <i>every</i> corner in my room trying
to find him. I should have just given up the search and gone back to bed, but I
couldn’t sleep knowing that he was somewhere in my room. Later, my family laughed
as I told them the story about the midnight wasp-hunting escapade, and I laugh
now too. But I think there is a profound spiritual illustration to this story. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What if we attacked every hint of sin or compromise that
attempted entrance into our lives like I went after those wasps? What if, when
the enemy finds a hole in our spiritual fortification, we do not rest, but go
after <i>that specific breach</i> with a
vengeance in prayer until the intruder can no longer claim that foothold in our
life? What would our lives look like today if this were the attitude we had
toward preserving the integrity of our spiritual fortification???</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The problem is…we have grown complacent to these little
breaches. They don’t seem like such a big deal. “After all,” we reason, looking
around at our companions, “Their breaches are much bigger than mine!” But
nothing is small in the sight of God. And to Satan, he doesn’t care how he gets
a foothold, as long as he has one. It may be an impatient remark, a rolling of
the eyes, a slipping of the tongue, going against our conscience in even the
smallest way, or something else rather insignificant. But if we let one “character
breach” in, more are sure to follow. So we must stop allowing in the unwelcome
intruders and take back God’s rightful territory! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
“He who has determined to enter the
spiritual kingdom will find that all powers and passions of the unregenerate
nature, backed by the forces of the kingdom of darkness, are arrayed against
him. Each day he must renew his consecration, each day do battle with evil. Old
habits, hereditary tendencies to wrong, will strive for the mastery, and
against these he is to be ever on guard, striving in Christ’s strength for victory.”<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=13333882#_edn1" name="_ednref" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[i]<!--[endif]--></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, the enemy will keep testing our wall, looking for loose
bricks, trying to gain a foothold. We can expect this as long as we live in his
domain. But we are promised: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
“With watchfulness and prayer [our]
weakest points can be so guarded as to become [our] strongest points, and [we]
can encounter temptation without being overcome.”<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=13333882#_edn2" name="_ednref" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[ii]<!--[endif]--></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is nothing so satisfying as knowing you have been in
direct conflict with the enemy of darkness and you have prevailed. Victory is
possible in Christ! Just keep holding on to Him until the victory is
accomplished, for it is certain to come.</div>
<div>
<!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="edn">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=13333882#_ednref" name="_edn1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[i]<!--[endif]--></span></a> <i>Acts of the Apostles</i>, p. 476</div>
</div>
<div id="edn">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=13333882#_ednref" name="_edn2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[ii]<!--[endif]--></span></a> <i>Pastoral Ministry</i>, p. 24</div>
</div>
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Melodious Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604968918689795664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13333882.post-56996896068993163252013-07-17T17:30:00.000-07:002013-07-23T17:40:48.589-07:00The 100 year Prayer Meeting…Let's do it again!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In the 1700's there lived a German man named Count Zizendorf, who realizing what Christ had done for him on Calvary became convicted of what he must do for Christ. He began to minister and provide shelter for Moravian refugees, who were streaming into the country at the time, and soon they had established their own little community under his watchful care. After experiencing discord and division, which often springs up wherever people live and work closely together, in answer to Count Zizendorf's earnest prayers and efforts on their behalf, the community was moved to repentance and as a result they experienced a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit. As a result of this a 24 hour prayer chain was organized that lasted for over a 100 years. And while there had initially been fighting and discord, the Moravians became known as "God's happy people." Why were they happy? Because they prayed and as a result, God blessed.<br /><br />We are facing a stupendous crisis on many levels: financially, physically, spiritually, politically, and morally, our world is in upheaval and caus. Already God's judgements are falling and natural disasters are occurring in rapid succession, one right after another as His nearing approaches. (And this has all been foretold in His Word. See Matthew 24 for more!) While the devil and his agents are working with increased effectiveness, God is also working and His Spirit is being poured out in greater and greater degree. However, we haven't received that full outpouring yet, and until we do, we need to KEEP ASKING FOR MORE!!!!<br /><br />Listen to what is happening to us: This was written over a 100 years ago, but how true it is even today! <br /><br /> <b><span style="font-size: large;">"Minor matters occupy the mind and soul, but divine power which is necessary for the growth and prosperity of the church, which would, if possessed, bring all other blessings in its train, is lacking, although it is offered to us in infinite plentitude. Just as long as the church are satisfied with small things, they are disqualified to receive the great things of God."</span></b><br /><br />Did you catch that?? As long as we are satisfied with where we are, we will NEVER receive more!! But we are to ask for more and keep asking until we receive.<br /><br />The passage continues…<br /><br />"But why do we not hunger and thirst after the gift of the Holy Spirit, since it is the means whereby the heart may be kept pure? The Lord designs that divine power shall cooperate with human effort. It is all-essential for the Christian to understand the meaning of the promise of the Holy Spirit just prior to the coming of our Lord Jesus the second time. Talk of it, pray for it, preach concerning it; for the Lord is more willing to give the Holy Spirit than parents are to give good gifts to their children."—<i>The Review and Herald,</i> November 15, 1892<br /><br />“The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the church is looked forward to as in the future; but it is the privilege of the church to have it now. Seek for it, pray for it, believe for it. We must have it, and Heaven is waiting to bestow it.” The Review and Herald, March 19, 1895.<br /><br />“Let Christians ... ask in faith for the promised blessing, and it will come. The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was the former rain, and glorious was the result. But the latter rain will be more abundant.” The Signs of the Times, February 17, 1914.<br /><br />It just hit me! We could have had an ongoing prayer meeting for the last 100 years, like the Moravians, but we haven't. However, just because we've failed in the past doesn't mean we need to fail in the future!!! And I don't think we have 100 years left to pray anyway…<br /><br />At the General Conference they've started the <a href="http://www.revivalandreformation.org/">777 prayer initiative.</a> This stands for believers praying 7 days a week at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This initiative is so exciting, because as a result we now have a prayer circle going around the whole world. And so many lives have been impacted as a result. <br /><br />But what if we started praying, not just at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. but for specific extended time throughout the week, or in specific periods of time each day (even through the night) simply on behalf of seeing God's Spirit poured out and our unsaved loved ones returning to the Lord before it's too late?? (Not just 10 minutes here, or 15 minutes there, but for as long as God leads.) <br /><br /> I realize it would be difficult to orchestrate such a thing, and we all have a life, job, kids, families, and we cannot neglect these things, but think about it: How much time do we waste each week in the modern world on non-essentials (surfing the Internet, watching T.V. programs, browsing Facebook, browsing fashion stores, listening to music, working on hobbies, playing sports) when we could consolidate our time and devote MORE hours throughout our week to pray. And not just to pray randomly, but determinedly, until God hears and answers. What if we said, I'm going to dedicate 2 hours every week to pray during this specific time until God's Spirit is poured out. I'm going to, in God's strength, dedicate this much time each day, to pray until my unsaved loved ones are brought into the Kingdom. (Is their soul worth this much? It is to God, but what about to us???)<br /><br /><div>
In the compilation on prayer, author Ellen White writes:<br /><br />“It was because Elijah was a man of large faith that God could use him in this grave crisis in the history of Israel. As he prayed, his faith reached out and grasped the promises of Heaven, and he persevered in prayer until his petitions were answered. He did not wait for the full evidence that God had heard him, but was willing to venture all on the slightest token of divine favor. And yet what he was enabled to do under God, all may do in their sphere of activity in God’s service… Faith such as this is needed in the world today—faith that will lay hold on the promises of God’s word and refuse to let go until Heaven hears.”<i> Prayer, </i>p. 138<br /><br />As I already stated, I'm no expert in the school of prayer. I believe in prayer, but I'm just a child in faith myself with much to learn. However, I know that when we pray, God works, and not one prayer is lost. And although I cannot pray 24 hours a day, or even 8 hours a day every day, I am choosing to dedicate my life to prayer for increasing amounts of time as God leads and directs until I see God's Spirit being poured out as He promised, and until I see the fruit in my own life that He has promised to bring, I will not let go! And if other brothers and sisters around the world were willing to make the same commitment, we could form a continuous 24 hour chain that would circle the World.<br /><br />How many "unborn" are there in your life? Are you willing to stand in the gap, whatever it takes, to see them brought to life? Listen to what Christ says in the Scriptures:<br /><br />"How think ye? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost." Matt. 18:12-14,11<br /><br />There are soooooo many unborn in need…let us put away the complacency of our hearts and pray without delay! Let's not waste another day! <br /><br /><b> [Updated July 20th 2013 </b>- as a result of this appeal, we've started a 90 day prayer challenge, where intercessors from all over the world are unitedly lifting up the names of all our church leaders, praying for greater revival and reformation in our church. I prayed for 50 prayer partners, however at this point we have 95! Obviously God's plans are much bigger than mine! If you are interested in learning more or being part of this prayer team circling the globe, please e-mail me: melodiousecho@gmail.com]</div>
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Melodious Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604968918689795664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13333882.post-72768019264817264422013-06-20T17:09:00.000-07:002013-07-23T17:35:05.868-07:00The Prayer for The Unborn Continues…<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The story continues</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">…</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>[If you did not read my previous blog post, please read before you read this post. This is part II]</i></span><br />
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The same week that God gave me peace about this previous prayer loss, God brought another prayer burden to me. How ironic, and yet, it seems this is the way God often works. When one mountain peak has been successfully reached, He brings greater mountains to climb. <br /><br />This time another friend called, and she was calling on behalf of her father who was facing a life threatening health emergency, and the salvation of other non-believers in the family hung in the balance. I had been notified of the situation the week before, and I had been praying, but I hadn't fully taken on the "prayer burden." Many people were already praying and through a very serious surgery, God had already been working and sustaining. But now she notified me that things were getting worse. The situation was urgent. They needed God to intervene. <br /><br /> After hanging up the phone with Julia, I was convicted that God was calling me to pray through the night for her father and her family and to continue to intercede until God delivered. As I thought about all that I needed to get done, at first my heart balked against the thought of taking on an additional prayer burden. But then God spoke to me, “What if this was your father standing outside the kingdom? What if this was your son? Would you fight for his salvation?” “Yes! Of course!” my heart replied. “Well, you may not know him, but he’s my son!” God whispered. “And I need you to fight for him!”<br /><br />
Humbled by my apathy and lack of love for the lost, I began to pray. <br /><br />However, that first night of prayer didn’t go as I hoped. Although I was sincere in my prayers and prayed earnestly, I felt something holding me back. It was a small “sin of compromise” that I’d allowed into my life. It wasn't anything big, in fact, if I shared it here, most people would laugh and say, "What's wrong with that?" Truthfully, I don’t think there is anything wrong with "that." But the point is, God had told me “no” at least for this time, and I had disobeyed. As He brought this to my mind, I kept arguing with Him. "This is ridiculous God, this can't be a big deal to you right now!" But His finger stayed upon this specific issue in my heart. Finally, unwilling to surrender completely, I actually stopped praying and went to sleep.<br /><br />It was another full day before I heard from Julia again. This time it was just a short text-message: "The doctors said that the prognosis for my dad is not good. He is probably going to die soon. Please pray for God's will and the salvation of all involved." <br /><br />As I read the text-message, my heart pricked me as God spoke again, "What is the value of a single soul worth to you Melody? Are you going to allow your love of pleasure, are you going to allow this little area of compromise to keep you from fighting for the salvation of this soul and the family? Don't you realize that in eternity you are going to find that there's NOTHING sooooo valuable and precious as the life of a single soul?" <br /><br />Finally with tears of repentance, I submitted my "sin of compromise" to God, and asked for His forgiveness. Peace flooded my heart, and then the prayers flowed freely again. And all that day and through that night, and for several days after, I joined Julia in fasting and prayer for the salvation of her father. <br /><br />To make a long story short, God granted our request. He did not work the miracle we prayed for in saving his physical life, but He gave us the assurance of his salvation before he died. He also showed us that while He did not spare this man’s life, He was fully capable of saving his unbelieving family without the miraculous healing we’d prayed for. <br /><br />Just a few days later, one of his children (for whom we had been praying) decided that they wanted to give their heart to God, and we know it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the family will follow suit.<br /><br />Part of the key to effective intercession is identification with the one for whom we pray. This is clearly seen in the life and intercession of Christ on our behalf. He literally poured out His life unto death. He bore our sins so that He could more effectively intercede for our transgressions. He tasted death for every man. Christ, our intercessor, could plead effectively because He gave His life for those He pleaded for. His self-interest were submerged in the needs of our humanity.<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=13333882#_edn1" name="_ednref" title="">[i]<!--[endif]--></a></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The Bible tells us: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (Jn. 15:13)<br /><br />
I’ve often asked myself, “What does this actually mean? Does it mean jumping in front of the firing squad to take the bullet so my friend can go free?” If this is the case, how do we expect to have the strength and fortitude to do this, if we can't lay down our lives now…today? If we can't give up some sleep for a friend in need, if we can't give up some food or some luxury to see a soul saved, can we really give up our lives when the greater tests come in the future?<br /><br />What if I'd allowed that "sin issue" in my heart to stay unresolved? (My heart breaks at the thought!) What if I'd allowed my own agenda and schedule to dominant and I'd told my friend, "I really don't have time for this. I care yes, and I want to see your family brought into the kingdom, but I really don't have time to go to battle with you in prayer.” <br /><br />Of course, we would NEVER say such a thing to a friend! What we would do is say, "I'm praying for you!" Then we’d offer a 30 second prayer and go back to living life as normal, unless they brought the subject up again. That's what we usually do! And I’m not pointing any fingers, for I've done this far too many times myself. But is that really praying? Is that laying down our lives for our brethren? And if this is our habit in intercession, should we be surprised that God isn't answering our prayers when we pray and fight so superficially?<br /><br />I'm ashamed that as much as I love God and as much as I believe in the power of prayer, I still find that I care first and foremost about me, mine and my own. I have my own long list of people I’m praying for, and I have a lot to do. I have deadlines to meet, a book to finish writing, prayer conferences to organize, people to call, letters to write. I really don’t have time to pray for everyone else’s problems. And yet God, in the midst of all this, was challenging me this past week that it's not just my own prayer burdens I am to carry. It's His! And only He can show me what these are. <br /><br />God cares for the unborn, He cares for strangers we’ve never met, He cares for the least of these, and He’s asking us to care too. Will we keep our eyes on Him? Will we be open to His prayer agenda, even if it means giving up our own? How much is the price of a single soul worth to us anyway? <br /><br />Inspiration soberly reminds us, “Only in eternity can we rightly estimate the loss of a single soul.”<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=13333882#_edn2" name="_ednref" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;" title="">[ii]</a></span></div>
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Praying for miracles is not easy… in fact, the devil attacked me multiple times, trying to get me to give up in despair! One morning, he taunted me, "Who do you think you are Melody, to pray for such miracles, to pray for salvation of people that have never believed? Who in the world do you think you are???? You aren't any Reese Howells! You aren't George Mueller, or Hudson Taylor!! You aren't a Pavel Goia, or any other of the modern day missionaries! Who do you think you are to make such bold requests?" <br /><br />Crying out to God, I sought to rebuke the power of the enemy. "It doesn't matter who I am! I am no one! What matters is who Christ He!!! He is everything, and I believe through His power we can gain the victory on behalf of these unborn who do not have strength to pray for themselves." <br /> <br />Ultimately God has a prayer agenda and He must show us what that is! I didn't ask to pray for that unborn child three months ago! I didn't ask to pray for a stranger that I've never met this past week! And yet, these are the kinds of things that are so important to God. It's not that He doesn't care about my needs to. It's not that He doesn't care about the unborn loved ones in my own family, or my friends that I'm pleading will come back to Him. He cares, yes. But He has many unborn that I may have never known, and He's asking me and you to care too - unselfishly, even when these prayers will not benefit or bring us any glory! <br /><br />Of course, that doesn't mean we can pray for every unborn child….nor can we pray every night. Only He alone came to save the world, and only He alone can intercede for everyone! (Heb. 7:25) <br /><br />But will we keep our eyes on Him? Will we be open to His agenda, even if it means giving up our own? Even if it means losing sleep or food, or some little pleasure that we want to indulge?? How much is the price of a single soul worth anyway? Will we ask to carry the burdens He wants us to bear?? If so, He will show us the specific ones we are to battle for! And wherever we are called to battle, He intends to answer. It doesn't mean it will be immediate…sometimes we can accept the victory only by faith, for "faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." But if He asks us to prayer, He will answer, and eventually His glory will be made known. "The honor of His throne is stacked for the fulfillment of His Word."<br /><br />Although I'm still a child of prayer, I've seen God work in powerful ways. I've seen many answers, and daily He continues to show me that He's working and answering prayer. And by the way, praying through the night is not scary anymore… God's given me strength to pray multiple nights now… I've already lost count. And each time He responds by some amazing blessing or answered prayer!<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=13333882#_ednref" name="_edn1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[i]<!--[endif]--></span></a> <i>Rees Howells: Intercessor</i>, p. 82</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=13333882#_ednref" name="_edn2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[ii]<!--[endif]--></span></a> <i>The Great Controversy</i>, p. 640</span></div>
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Melodious Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604968918689795664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13333882.post-57477321082583787712013-06-16T16:42:00.002-07:002013-07-23T17:58:30.790-07:00Praying for the Unborn… Will you JOIN ME????<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">"In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matt. 25:40</span></b></div>
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Several months ago, a friend called me in distress asking for prayer. His wife was 5 months pregnant and it seemed that she was about to miscarry. He asked if I would pray for a miracle. I prayed with he and his wife on the phone that day, and gave them promises of encouragement. It could have stopped right there, and I could have just continued on with my work, but I just really felt compelled to "carry the prayer burden" and keep praying until we saw God bring the victory. So I set my alarm and every hour through the day, I would stop and pray for them.<br /><br />At this point, I had never prayed through the entire night <i>alone</i>. I've done it more times than I can count with friends, at our Bible prayer conferences, at different ministry events, church groups etc, but NEVER alone. At yet I had just recently been studying about Christ and how He often prayed all night on behalf of lost humanity. <br /><br />Inspiration tells us: <br /><br />
"We must look to Christ; we must resist as He resisted; we must pray as He prayed; we must agonize as He agonized, if we would conquer as He conquered." <i>That I May Know Him</i>, p. 34<br /><br />As I thought of these things, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart. "Are you willing Melody, to sacrifice a night of sleep on behalf of this unborn child? Are you willing to pray thru the night for the least of these?" <br /><br /> Normally I would not have even considered this, and especially not alone, but suddenly I knew what God was asking me to do. When He speaks to my heart, it doesn't take long to be so convicted that I can do nothing else except obey. <br /><br />That night as I prayed, God took me deeper into His heart of love for the "least of these" and He also showed me that I wasn't just praying for the life of this unborn child, I was praying for the many "unborn children, adults, and people" around the world who had never been "born again" and come to know Christ spiritually. As I thought of this, and realized the significance of the need for the many spiritually unborn, I wept and wept. <br /><br />I am weak!! I would never have thought I could pray thru the night alone, just God and I, but it was a beautiful night of prayer, and God brought me through much stronger than I imagined possible! (The next day, after only resting for a couple hours, I began working again, continuing to stop every hour or so to pray. The amazing thing is that I wasn't hardly tired the entire day despite getting no sleep thru the night! God is so good! Surely "they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength!")<br /><br />The battle was not won the next day though, nor the next, nor the next. While I only prayed thru that first night, I continued to fast and pray throughout the day for the next 5 days…even thru a ministry speaking engagement that I had, which meant I could not enjoy a very scrumptious meal that many others enjoyed, and probably as a result to many, I seemed very odd. (What is "love of food" and a little humiliation though, when you consider the price of a soul…one whom Christ has died to save? Am I willing to fast for them, for those that have not yet tasted the bread of life?) <br /><br />As I continued praying for this unborn child (and the many that she represented spiritually), I was pretty convicted that, as I know God does NOT come to steal, kill or destroy (see John 10:10), that it was NOT His will to allow the life of the child to be taken. In my heart I just knew God would deliver. And throughout the entire week, mom and baby stayed stable. Things did not get worse. (And yet, God is God, so I can't claim to know all. I just was seeking to pray according to His character as revealed in His Word. For Biblical clarity on this topic, read the short handout <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/defps0r0orgitjf/1-God%E2%80%99s%20pain%20VERSUS%20the%20enemy%E2%80%99s%20pain.pdf" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">"God's pain VERSUS the Enemy's torture."</a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">)</span><br />
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However, on the afternoon of the 5th day, my dear friend Kim joined me in prayer. She prayed that if the child might have deformities or complications, that God would do what was best for the child and parents as she knew they would be able to raise that child in heaven. She also prayed that God would give the parent's peace. While I was praying for a miracle, we both agreed that we wanted God's will. <br /><br />That night the child died in the womb, labor was induced, and the child was still born. <br /><br />God did give the parent's peace and strength as they walked through this heart break, and I was so thankful for that. In fact, the baby's father wrote me not long after: <br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"We cannot begin to thank you enough for standing with us in prayer and fasting for our daughter’s well being. Your prayers have been a tremendous source of inspiration and comfort to us during this trying ordeal. We do have God’s peace and have felt His presence throughout this testing hour. Following is a quote that has brought us a lot of comfort regarding the outcome. <br /><br />"Above the distractions of the earth He sits enthroned; all things are open to His divine survey; and from His great and calm eternity He orders that which His providence sees best." Ministry of Healing, p. 417</span><br /><br /> I was so thankful they had peace, but I cried and cried in my own heart. With what looked like apparent loss and failure in prayer, I struggled with why God had impressed and allowed me to take this prayer burden if He wasn't intending to bring victory. I had seen the victory in my heart by faith…I saw that baby being born alive and healthy, I saw our prayers answered. So why did this victory NOT come to place in the physical natural realm? What was God doing in this situation for His glory?? <br /><br /> In reply, although I still didn't understand what God was doing, I sensed His reply: "Do you know how much I weep when my unborn do not come to life? Do you understand the pain I bear? Even if you do not understand, will you weep with me?"<br /><br /> As a believer in the power of prayer, and in the power of the God of the Bible who has not changed, I began to pray that God would show me the deeper lessons I needed to learn thru this experience. I also prayed that the apparent loss of life this side of heaven would not be in vain. <br /><br /> The following weeks and months were not easy for me. I trusted God, I was willing to weep with Him, but I didn't understand. Of course, it wasn't my child I was crying for, but it was His and I knew He cared. So if He cared and if it's not in His nature to rob the cradle of new life, why hadn't He answered, counteracted the power of the enemy, and worked a miracle on our behalf…especially after all the agonizing prayers of the parents, and after my earnest prayers? <br /><br /> It wasn't until this last week (almost 3 months later) that I began to have more clarity on this "unanswered prayer." <br /><br /> As I was re-reading the life testimony of<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.melodiousecho.blogspot.com/2010/06/becoming-intercessor-in-prayer.html" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">Reese Howells in the book <i>Intercessor</i></a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, </span>I felt God telling me thru his story that sometimes initially although the victory is gained in Heaven, He allows the "prayed for miracle" to go to the altar so that there will be no self glory. Otherwise, we may think we are responsible for the miracle and we may rob God of what only can belong to Him. (We are not capable personally of carrying God's glory!) <br /><br />Also throughout the Bible you see that the first fruits MUST go to the altar, and until God can trust us with the answers to our prayers, He may be slow in giving them. Our lives and our prayers must be for His glory, not our own. They must be for His purposes, not just our own!<br /><br /> Furthermore, while God is more powerful than the enemy who comes to kill, steal and destroy, we must remember that we live in a world of sin, we are still in the midst of the <a href="http://media2.egwwritings.org/swf/en_GC/index.html#/1/">great controversy,</a> and even when we pray, we cannot always escape the effects of this sinful world. That's why this world is not our home. Heaven is our home. While the battle may look like it is lost here, ultimately, Christ has gained the victory in Heaven, and we must trust Him even when we don't understand, and someday we will see the answer to our prayers. In the meantime, we must not get discouraged. We must keep praying!!<br /><br /> Finally… after three months, God gave me the peace I was seeking. While that child was not allowed (for whatever providence of God) to be born to live in this world, I finally have peace about her loss. And her loss has not been in vain! In fact, I now feel stronger spiritually for having prayed for her…even though I won't get to meet her on this earth. When I finally get to meet her and hold her in heaven, with tears of joy in my eyes, I'm going to say, "thank you" to that little girl, for it's because of HER that I was convicted to really pray through the night, to weep even more on behalf of the least of these, and even to sacrifice sleep in order to pray on behalf of the spiritually unborn children of God.<br />
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"Thank you Lord, and to think that this is only the beginning of my journey…"</div>
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Melodious Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604968918689795664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13333882.post-35586499767968252692013-05-27T08:38:00.000-07:002013-05-27T08:38:23.647-07:00The Miracle Resurrection!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">"Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you,
that God should raise the dead?" Acts. 26:8</span></b></div>
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The past several days I've been weighted down with a huge
burden. As many of you know, most of my work with ARME and the Prayer ministry
is done on the computer, and as a result, I have accumulated a LOT of files
over the last 4-5 years. These files take up a lot of hard drive space….several
Terabytes worth of space, in fact.</div>
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Well, as my last computer was about to die this past year, I
loaded up all my most recent crucial files and pictures and ministry projects
on to an external hard drive. (About 450 GB's worth of stuff!)</div>
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Thankfully, this Spring God provided me with a new computer.
However, I've been pretty busy, and I never made time to put these files on my
new computer, or to back them up on a second hard drive. (I just kept carrying
around this external hard drive, and using my files from off the hard drive.) </div>
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Well, this past Thursday, that hard drive crashed! And with
it, I lost (or so I thought) many of my key files and projects from the past
4-5 years, since ARME began. As you can imagine, I was most distraught. And I
began praying passionately that God would resurrect my hard drive. Not only had
I lost most of my important ministry files, but I'd also lost most of my
pictures from this past year…which included our ARME trip to the United Kingdom
and Wales, and my prayer ministry trip to Germany. (And I had gotten to travel
around quite a bit in Germany with Raluca, visiting the trail of Martin Luther,
so these pictures were irreplaceable!)</div>
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So for the last three days (minus Sabbath) we have done
everything we could (and even with expert help) to restore the hard drive and
to retrieve my files, but with no success. I kept praying! As I've done some
more research I've realized there is still hope if I send the hard drive away
to experts, or if I try to download a program that would help. But all these
options cost money, a lot of money, and more money than I want to spend. </div>
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So I kept praying, reminding God that first, He's raised the
dead to life, so He can surely raise my hard drive back to life. Secondly, my
money is His money, and I know He doesn't like His money wasted, so if He
doesn't want me to waste His money, He needs to do the "healing work"
Himself, so I don't have to pay a worldly wise-man to do the job!</div>
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This morning I spent two hours out walking around my trail,
praying and crying. I finally told God, "It's ok. You can have my hard
drive. If this helps me be more dependent on you, it's ok. I don't need all
those files. BUT…if you feel that those files would help me be more effective
in your service, I know you can bring them back, either by yourself or with a
professional's help, and I'm just going to praise you in advance. Because I
know whatever you do will be best." </div>
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After I got back from the walk, my mom and I tried again to
get the computer to read the hard drive, but no success. Then after lunch, I
attempted to get the hard drive to load on my computer, but still to no avail.
Then I looked online, and decided, even though I didn't really have the funds
to pay for the program, and I didn't think it was a good use of God's money,
I'd try a "recovery" program and see if it would work. So I filled
out all the online form, put in my payment info, and right before I clicked
"submit payment," I felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit to go back
ONE MORE TIME and try to open my hard drive files. </div>
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I clicked, and suddenly, everything was there…I almost was
in shock as I was able to view all my folders, my pictures, and my ARME files,
and quickly, with tears clouding my eyes, I began downloading all the files to
my computer!!!</div>
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It took THREE HOURS, and I probably cried half the time in
thanksgiving and gratitude, but with God's help, I was able to rescue and save
ALL my lost files!!!!!!!!!!! (You can believe I will have them all double
backed up from here on out!)</div>
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Most of us view things that die as being dead. How could God
possibly bring something back to life! But He can…In Acts we are told:</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you,
that God should raise the dead?" Acts. 26:8</span></b></div>
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This shouldn't be incredible. This should just be normal
life!!! Yes, God can raise dead people to life, and if He can do that, He can
raise dead computers, dead hard drives, and dead hearts! I just praise the
Lord! Once again, He has come through for me, right at the last minute, right
when I was seconds away from spending money I shouldn't have been spending for
earthly wisdom and solutions!!!! </div>
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I just want to praise God for hearing and answering this prayer!!!!</div>
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Melodious Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604968918689795664noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13333882.post-83040659757934897192013-05-16T00:30:00.000-07:002013-05-16T00:30:07.200-07:00Another Answered Prayer…God doesn't miss anything!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I shared this on my "Morning Sonshine" devotional today, but I wanted to share it here too!<br />
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One of my favorite promises is Ephesians 3:20. I've probably already quoted it on this blog a couple times. It says:<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."</span></b><br /><br />For quite a few months now, I've been writing down each answer to prayer that I receive. I actually challenged God awhile back that I wanted to see Him answer at least one prayer every day. I don't have the courage yet to pray for "one soul a day" like <a href="http://healing2thenations.net/papers/prayinghyde.htm">Praying Hyde</a> prayed for, but I do have courage to ask for one answered prayer every day! <br /><br />Well, since I put God to this challenge, I've of course been praying quite fervently. And He's been faithfully answering. Every single day He gives me answered prayers, often times more than one. I never realized before how faithful He always takes care of me, and how He's working in my life until I started trying to keep record. It's amazing…<br /><br />Well, yesterday was extra-ordinary as I have SEVEN answers to prayer, all in one day!!!!! ;-) But there's one in specific I have to share about. To most people this wouldn't seem that exciting or special, but to me, it means the world. <div>
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You see, for a number of months now, I've been trusting God with my needs. One thing that I've been praying for since January is for some gravel to make a parking spot for my car, and for my driveway, so I don't get stuck when it rains. It's not anything urgent…and I could probably survive another few years without getting it, but it's just something I need. God has sent me funds…but to be honest, besides paying essential bills, I just have a hard time using them on myself or on stuff here around the house as I know there are so many people dying without a knowledge of the truth. So…. although I probably could have bought the gravel by now, I just haven't been able to do it. So I've kept praying!<br /></div>
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Well, yesterday, Dad came to my office where I was working and he was very urgent. I need your help to drive the truck to the local community church, about 5 miles away. They have a pile of gravel there, and they have used all they need, now they are trying to get rid of it. They just called and asked if we could use any? I was so shocked. I was like, "Daddy! I've been PRAYING for GRAVEL!! In fact, I just prayed for it this morning!!!" Now my dad was shocked. "Really?? You never told me! But I guess you told the right person. You told God." <br /><br /></div>
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So we went to get gravel. We got like 4 truck loads of the stuff, plus 2 trailer loads. It was enough to fill in most of the ruts in our driveway, make me a parking spot, plus put gravel on the wet places around my jogging trail. At the end, our neighbor even brought over one more tractor barrow of the stuff that he still hadn't found a place for. (Talk about personal delivery!) I couldn't believe it! My mom told me, "All the years we've lived here, we've never been given free gravel before! Truly God answers prayer!"<br /></div>
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Again, to some, this may seem crazy to get excited about, but I have just been in awe and thanksgiving ever since. God knew I didn't want to spend the money on the stuff, so He just gave it to me, without charge! Isn't He amazing??? <br /></div>
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I could go on and on telling you stories of the way He's answering my prayers. It's unbelievable! We truly serve an amazing God. And I'm so grateful that He cares not just about our big problems, but about little things too, like gravel for our driveway! ;-))))</div>
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Melodious Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604968918689795664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13333882.post-55383674059246716112013-05-05T18:05:00.000-07:002013-05-05T18:05:17.227-07:00Lessons from Those who've Suffered for their Faith!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Just finished reading the Sabina Wurmbrand story in the book "The Pastor's Wife." Simply amazing! I had already read the book "Tortured for Christ" by Richard Wurmbrand, and have really been getting more and more involved in supporting the ministry they started, "Voice of the Martyrs." </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anyway… If you need a fresh dose of faith and inspiration up against unbelievable hardships and trials, this book has it.</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Let me share a little bit about this amazing women of God!<br /><br />Sabin Wurmbrand, at the age of 23, met and married Richard Wurmbrand. Neither were Christians when they married. However, while they were spending some time that first year in the mountains of Romania for Richard to recover from a health issue, both Sabina and Richard were converted to the Christian faith. Upon returning to their home in Bucharest, they joined the Anglican Mission Church. <br /><br />During occupation Romania during World War II, Sabina’s parents, two sisters, and one brother were killed in Nazi concentration camps and in the ensuing years the couple spent their time rescuing Jewish children from ghettos that they were forced to live in by the Nazi regime. They also taught in bomb shelters and were arrested several times for underground Christian activities. <br /><br />After the war a million Russian troops poured into Romania, enabling the Communists to seize power. As the communists attempted to control the churches for their own purposes, Richard & Sabina Wurmbrand immediately began an effective “underground” ministry to their enslaved people and the invading Russian soldiers. The Wurmbrands also traveled to Budapest, smuggling in goods and food that were needed by refugees living there. During her travels, Sabina actively spoke to the Russian occupation troops about the Christian faith. In 1946-47 she organized Christian camps for Romania’s religious leaders of all denominations and conducted street meetings with gatherings of up to 5,000 people. This was the beginnings of what would become “Voice of the Martyrs.”<br /><br />One day during a great communist convention on which they were required to attend, they sat watching pastor after pastor get up and praise the new Stalin government and leadership. Both Sabina and Richard were infuriated. Finally, Sabina whispered to her husband. "</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Will you not wash this shame from the face of Christ?”</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He responded. “IF I speak, you will loose a husband.” She replied, “I don’t need a coward for a husband.” Richard did get up and speak for the glory of Christ that day and what he said made such a stir and had the leaders so angry that they had to shut down the entire convention for that day, and they severed the wires to the microphone as his message was going out all over Romania!</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><br />A few months later, Richard was arrested. It was 1948. As a result of his stand for Christ and Christian work, he spent a total of 14 years in Communist prisons, three of those years in solitary confinement, suffering unimaginable torture at the hands of his captors. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Not many women have had their faith tested like Sabina Wurmbrand. Though she suffered much sorrow and loss during the war and post-war years, she never gave up her faith. During Richard’s imprisonment, Sabina selflessly helped the persecuted church while struggling herself for survival for her and her young son. Sabina was eventually arrested herself and spent three years in Romanian slave labor camps and prisons, where they were beaten and abused and starved, and had to deal with unimaginable conditions of hardships. Many women died, and only those who had faith kept their sanity. What was the hardest is that she had to leave her young son to live on the streets and with the care of friends. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After being released, she spent several years under house arrest. The Communist leaders offered her freedom if she would divorce her husband and renounce her faith. She refused although she didn't even know if he was still alive. They then told her that her husband died in prison. She would not believe the report and kept a hope alive that she would see her husband again someday.<br /><br />In 1964 Richard was released from prison returned home. He soon resumed his work. In 1965, the Wurmbrand family was ransomed from Romania for $10,000 and Richard was warned again not to preach. The family traveled to Scandinavia and England before arriving in the United States, where Richard testified before the Senate in Washington, D.C. regarding his inhumane treatment in Communist prisons. His story and the stories of many thousands of persecuted Christians from behind the Iron and Bamboo Curtains were carried across the world in newspapers in USA, Europe, and Asia.<br /><br />For the rest of their lives, Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand worked with <a href="http://www.persecution.com/" target="_blank">“The Voice of the Martyrs”</a> to serve the persecuted church around the world. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sabina actively spoke to churches, groups, and conferences </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">for 32 years after the founding of the ministry and accompanied her husband to testify at Congressional hearings on religious persecution. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Here in the freedom of the United States, we don't even understand what Christians around the world are dealing with today! However, I'm ashamed at my ignorance for so many years as I've discovered Christians are persecuted and imprisoned right now (over 200,000 of them) in Vietnam, China, North Korea, Cuba, Laoas, and even still in the former Soviet Union. In many other countries like the Middle East and in parts of Africa, Christians are threatened on a daily basis by radical Muslims. Many Christians are killed each day….yes, even today. <a href="http://aclj.org/iran/pastor-saeed-wife-disappointed-lack-support-us-government-saeed-solitary-confinement" target="_blank">I think of Pastor Saeed</a>, an American Pastor from Idaho, that still lies locked alone in a prison in Iran! He's one face I know…but there are so many others that I don't know!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The Wurmbrand's challenge us today to not be silent, but to stand up, speak up, and do all in our power to help our persecuted brothers and sisters! What will you do today? What will I do today?</span></div>
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Melodious Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604968918689795664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13333882.post-1378947478608216382013-04-15T05:00:00.000-07:002013-04-15T05:00:18.540-07:00If God gives an "inch"…I'll take a MILE!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQ8y9vfinnUdBvC4qjFJ3hSLU7-jnWd4rH1MTgn8hrW-d4zQzXpmGWPyLSvN8i1G89isjsAY2MJkW9jMyC2LrycVVaS_m0kv2SCyEFnuisrpoqeCjQf9rQMOOX4UsGV_iqFNK6Q/s1600/DSC_0998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQ8y9vfinnUdBvC4qjFJ3hSLU7-jnWd4rH1MTgn8hrW-d4zQzXpmGWPyLSvN8i1G89isjsAY2MJkW9jMyC2LrycVVaS_m0kv2SCyEFnuisrpoqeCjQf9rQMOOX4UsGV_iqFNK6Q/s320/DSC_0998.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Golden was trained to be a teacher of biology. He was not raised
as a Christian, but actually was a practicing Muslim. However, he was became sick. He didn't know what to do. One night he had a dream. In the dream he was told distinctly, “If you want to be healed, become a Christian.” He woke up from the dream and he said, “Ok, I’m sick, but I believe God is telling me that I need to be come a Christian and I will be healed.” So 27 years ago he became an Adventist Christian. He accepted the teaching and the
beliefs of the Bible. And since he didn't know better (I say this tongue in cheek, as it seems that many modern day Christians don't believe that God can still do great things today) he began to apply what is in the Bible and pray for miracles. The gospel not only healed him, but changed his life, and as a result, he began to
enthusiastically preach the gospel. </div>
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As he grew spiritually, he decided he wanted to serve God full time. So he changed from being a biology teacher to farming so he could preach more. This brother is used by God. He is like modern
people from Acts. </div>
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A little while back he was in Malawi as a lay person. He brought at least 8,000 people to Christ, 50% of these come from Muslim background. A few months ago, Golden went to a village. There were only 80 SDA Christians in this village. So he went
there and preached the gospel for 5 weeks. As a result, almost 3,000 were baptized. From 80
to 3,000 in less than 2 months ago. Some people may say, "Well that's Africa! These people are poor. They need Jesus! They are eager to learn!" But no! These are difficult areas where they haven't seen growth in years. Furthermore, he doesn’t rush people to go to baptism pool. He only chooses to baptize those that are really ready. One day when they were going to have a baptismal ceremony about 500 wanted to be baptized. But he only accepted 120 because he wants to study with the others more and make sure they are grounded spiritually. It's about quality of conversion, not just quantity. </div>
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There are many other miracle stories I could share from this man's life. But if you ask him the secret to his success? It's fasting and prayer! Sometimes he prays for 7 hours a day! </div>
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I don't have Golden's testimony yet…although I'm praying that my life could also demonstrate God's power, but let me share an answered prayer from this past weekend!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>"He that began a good work in you will carry it forth unto completion!" Phil 1:6</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">To give some background, three weeks ago, I spoke in a small but beautiful congregation here in the area where I live. During this day, God blessed as many hearts were broken and many came forward asking for special prayer. One prayer request was for a husband that was estranged. The wife came forward pleading that God would restore her marriage. Her daughter (probably 12 years old) also came forward, asking for prayer that she could be reunited with her daddy. We all cried and prayed together.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, something God has been convicting me of for a long time is that when I go and speak, I must not just see people inspired, but I must see people changed. Also, that people will see ANSWERS to the prayers that we pray and know that there is POWER in prayer. It's not just a theory, it's a reality!!! Of course, neither of these goals can be accomplished without the power of the Holy Spirit. So every time I speak there is a lot of prayer (and often fasting) involved as I prepare. This weekend back in March was no different. Even after the seminar, I felt especially burdened for a number of the requests that were presented, and one being, that God would restore this relationship. In fact, my brother and some of my family have even joined me in praying for these requests over the last few weeks. I've been confident God will work, and I've just been waiting to hear what He would do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As a result of how God blessed during this seminar in March, I was invited to speak at another congregation in the month of April. Well, yesterday was the day, and so my brother and I again traveled some hours so I could speak and share.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">To my surprise, who should greet me when I pulled up at the church yesterday, but this smiling middle-age man. He began telling me how much my prayer seminar had impacted his wife, how they'd been having marriage problems, but how God had been working in her life since the prayer seminar. And now he wanted to experience what she had experienced. He didn't even have to tell me his name. I looked at him incredulously! "You must be Bradley*?!!" He looked a bit startled. "How did you know?" he asked. "Because I've been praying for you BY NAME ever since that prayer seminar when I prayed for your wife last month! I'm sooooo excited to hear that God is working." He smiled and continued to tell me how God had been restoring the relationship with his daughters and how he had hope for what God was doing in their lives and in his marriage.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Wow! Truly God is working…And once again, I'm reminded, God does answer prayers!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Well - as you can guess, God once again blessed my time with this new congregation. In the afternoon, when I opened up the time for personal prayer burdens, we took turns surrounding each other in prayer, and Bradley* was one that we prayed for as we all wept (in sorrow for the struggles, and also in joy for what God was doing). I told those that surrounded him, "We may not have finished the story yet, God is still at work here, but just the fact that we are here and that God has given us this <i>inch</i> means that we need to claim the full MILE!!!!!! I believe that "He which started the work in us will be faithful to complete it!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">God answered many more prayer request yesterday during my prayer seminar, but I just had to share this one for now. The prayers are not over, we will continue to pray until we see complete victory and restoration. But I praise God, because of the signs that HE IS WORKING and it's obvious that He is ANSWERING OUR PRAYERS and doing something very special! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“I asked the angel why there was no more faith and power in Israel. He said, “<u>Ye let go of the arm of the Lord too soon. Press your petitions to the throne, and hold on by strong faith. The promises are sure. Believe ye receive the things ye ask for, and ye shall have them.”</u> I was then pointed to Elijah. He was subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly. His faith endured the trial. Seven times he prayed before the Lord, and at last the cloud was seen. I saw that we had doubted the sure promises, and wounded the Saviour by our lack of faith.” <i>Early Writings</i>, p. 73</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We are told that Elijah</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> did not wait for the full evidence that God had heard him, but was willing to venture all on the slightest token </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">of</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> divine favor. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">And yet what he was enabled to do under God, all may do in their sphere of activity in God’s service.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">*Bradley is a </span>pseudonym<span style="font-size: small;"> to protect privacy of individual!</span></span><br />
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Melodious Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604968918689795664noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13333882.post-61205422951729957882013-03-22T12:47:00.001-07:002013-03-22T12:47:13.466-07:00"Keys to United Prayer" is now viewable!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ok, this is my most FAVORITE TOPIC!!! (In case anyone wondered!)<br />
<br />
I've just discovered that Part Two of our prayer program for HOPE TV is now online. (I'm not sure if it's even been broadcasted yet, but since it's online, I'm sharing it! :-) You can watch it by clicking the picture below. Enjoy, and please go grab some friends and start PRAYING!!!!<br />
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<a href="http://youtu.be/5GLO-dw2wKY" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0oUtS1Yzd1ShUulN65dIBKnUAPofqq_J2_r3HFs6-Z9Qv5KmmqJlQnqpZYfmGhtu-q61qUyBX9pn6J1m-tsBGBa4SyfVNKOVmaKDGe766ru-Amyq14D3DE3a0UPvUCHudvSDdA/s400/Screen+Shot+2013-03-22+at+2.13.50+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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“<span style="font-family: 'Abadi MT Condensed Extra Bold';">The
descent of the Holy Spirit upon the church</span><span style="font-family: 'Abadi MT Condensed Extra Bold';"> is looked forward to as in the future; but it is the
privilege of the church to have
it now.</span> <u>Seek for it, pray for it, believe for it. We must have it, and
Heaven is waiting to bestow it.</u>” The
Review and Herald, March 19, 1895.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“The Latter Rain—<u>Let Christians ... ask in faith for the promised blessing, and
it will come.</u> The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was
the former rain, and glorious was the result. But the latter rain will be more
abundant.” The Signs of the Times, February 17, 1914.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“These scenes [of Pentecost] are to be repeated and
with greater power…” COL, p. 121<o:p></o:p></div>
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“He is well pleased when they make the very highest
demands upon Him, that they may glorify His name. They may expect large things
if they have faith in His promises.” DA, 668<o:p></o:p></div>
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Melodious Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604968918689795664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13333882.post-76473064542869988352013-03-13T15:14:00.001-07:002013-03-13T15:16:46.430-07:00Keys to Powerful Prayer!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Just wanted to share a recent program I had the privilege of recording with Janet Page for HOPE TV's <a href="http://ministryinmotion.tv/" target="_blank">"Ministry in Motion."</a> We filmed two programs: one on how to grow your personal prayer life, and one on how grow a community through united prayer. The second program has not aired yet. But for now, here's the first! Click on the picture below to VIEW THIS PROGRAM and enjoy! And if you are blessed, please share with others.<br />
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<a href="http://ministryinmotion.tv/how-to-nurture-a-personal-prayer-experience/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8uDISE7MYP27IsBlQqon8f_xaVRQv9z8Y5K3LwIX9dRcArXyOCnlMLrxJvT4jHHgXyVamEaBanbY97K5HhO8zITQ8zZwrO5BiYhQcDcad19tEut4RRtLP5fKVcWMSjwjJXOSjA/s400/PrayerVideo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Ask and ye shall receive…" Matt. 7:7</span></b></div>
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“Our heavenly Father waits to bestow upon us the
fullness of His blessing. It is our privilege to drink largely at the fountain
of boundless love. What a wonder it is that we pray so little. God is willing
and ready to hear the sincere prayer of the humblest of His children.” <i>Steps to Christ,</i> p. 94 <o:p></o:p></div>
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Melodious Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604968918689795664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13333882.post-26244358086362997102013-03-12T14:47:00.000-07:002013-03-13T15:15:11.989-07:00All Night Prayer and much more…<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Just wanted to give a brief over-view in pictures of our last ARME conference that was held at Camp Young Judaea, a Jewish camp in central Texas. Once again, we saw God go above and beyond our expectations… It was amazing! Especially powerful was our two ALL-NIGHT prayer meetings. (See pictures and testimonies below.)<br />
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First off though, of course, at every ARME Bible Camp, there is lots of inspiring training, lots of Bible Study, and even times of testing, when attendees get to take turns (only if they choose) defending their faith by the Bible alone. Some of these pictures you can see below. (Our speakers included Pastor Ivor Myers, pictured directly below, as well as Ingo Sorke, also pictured below, Chair of the School of Religion for Southwestern. Other speakers included Evangelist Emanuel Baek, and Martin Kim.)<br />
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However, it was during the time of All-night Prayer, praying over the needs of our attendees, that we began to see real spiritual breakthrough and answers to prayer. We originally were planning to only host 1 all-night prayer session during our event. But the first night was so powerful, and many people had still not been prayed for, so we offered a second half-night. (Going 36+ hours without sleep isn't easy for us staff, but God really worked miracles for all of us these two nights. Although you can't tell in the pictures below, over 200 people took part in the all-night prayer.)</div>
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Below, I am sharing some Bible promises and encouraging people that as we pray for one another, we need to claim the Bible promises and stand upon the Word in Faith! People did this, and as a result, God worked in a mighty way for so many!</div>
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The next series of a pictures features a man named Dave. (He's the white guy with the beard in the black shirt!) He has been to three of our events now. The first one he didn't participate in anything, but had only grudgingly come because his ex-wife had pleaded with him to come. The second time he attended, just this past December, his life was totally changed and he gave his heart to God. The third event he attended, this past February as pictured below, he's now pouring out his life and heart for others, and he and his ex-wife are in the process of reconciliation. I thought it was so amazing, especially knowing his history and struggles, to now see him pleading and praying for others as we once prayed for him. <br />
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Here, below, you can see him praying for a woman to have victory in some area of her life. It was so beautiful! God has made him a real prayer warrior. His life is changed… and to God be the glory!</div>
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And beyond that, the blessing is now flowing to Dave's 5 year old son. In the picture below, you can see Dave's hand on his shoulder. This little 5-year old stayed up all night with us praying. (I think he fell asleep a few times.) But much of the time, he was praying for others. It was amazing!</div>
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At one point, this little boy decided that he needed prayer for himself. So he got into the "hot seat" and asked us all to pray for him. His 3 year old sister didn't want to be left out, so she climbed into his lap, so we prayed for both of them. :-)</div>
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Time after time, young people came forward, sharing struggles and trials that they were going through and the brokenness of their hearts. Grown men and women wept, and we cried with them. And while we prayed, they found the victory and they walked away in peace. </div>
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Here's a testimony from a young lady named Shawnah:<br />
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"This past week I attend ARME Bible Camp for the first time! I'm not sure if words can express what an amazingly incredible experience it was! Meeting and dwelling with people of one accord, praying intently for each others needs, abstaining from all pollutants with a strict vegan diet, out in nature, oneness with God! Thank you God for introducing me to ARME! I am so happy to be part of the family, and so excited to see the Holy Spirit move in His people. <br />
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Friends, what I learned in the 5 days at ARME is what we as a church need to be doing/teaching/living in these last days. We need to KNOW our Bibles inside and out; to lay hands on one another in prayer. In essence, to truly put God first in our lives. Until then, He will continue to wait patiently for his character to be perfectly reproduced in his people. The Lord is using this ministry in a mighty way to awaken many to his call! Thank you God for allowing me to be a part of the journey! If you can make it, it will be one of the best experiences of your life!"<br />
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Let me share some more testimonies that people put on Facebook about their ARME experience:</div>
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"ARME was a wonderful experience from the moment I arrived. I met at the entrance by two men (Dave and Calvin) who wanted to pray with me and gave me water. WOW! The prayer room and the all night united prayer was beautiful. God has been calling me into a deeper prayer experience and the prayer room was a great model. The music (corporate and solos) was refreshing and uplifting. All the staff and volunteers were very friendly. The food was great and both of my kids (one Heir Force and one teenager) had a fabulous time." - Yolanda<br />
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"I was super impressed by the whole program. I especially enjoyed the all night prayer that started with United Prayer followed by individuals sharing their needs so that we could pray for them. I stayed from 9:30 PM until 5:00 AM the next morning. The morning devotions by Martin Kim where exceptional. Of course, all of the speakers were tremendous. If you ever have a chance to go, do all in your power to get there." - Judy<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQocxG77Hhh_OepytRRVnfNl3auI3gxc_ORYupLvJ5y9EvV_v5ZIXOPklN0pX5qMxX1kyypUVhL29VOZtyIhvw17ZBszopop4LWrKrXamkV35jBuL5FlpBEvuHUj1SpCMcW0S5w/s1600/IMG_6086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQocxG77Hhh_OepytRRVnfNl3auI3gxc_ORYupLvJ5y9EvV_v5ZIXOPklN0pX5qMxX1kyypUVhL29VOZtyIhvw17ZBszopop4LWrKrXamkV35jBuL5FlpBEvuHUj1SpCMcW0S5w/s320/IMG_6086.JPG" width="213" /></a><br />
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"My brother came and experienced ARME Bible camp for the first time. It was such a blessing to see him so excited about learning how to study the Bible. Once he heard the blue print message by Pastor Ivor Myers, he was so overwhelmed that he said he has to make it his mission for his children to experience ARME. Towards that end, he will be taking his family to the next ARME in Colorado. Praise God for this ministry. To see the spirit of revival and reformation take hold in his heart is such a blessing and I am so thankful to all of the ARME staff members as well as all of the fellow ARME attendees who helped to make his experience such a favorable one. Thank you ARME Bible Camp. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!" - Alex</div>
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"The prayer room changed my life forever. If you are an Arme leader you were there to know the story. Guess Valentines day (Feb. 14th, 2013) was meant for me to meet someone who wants me to be the lover of my soul. If you wan a come to where you find and meet Christ come to ARME. It's a place where you won't get "judged" (haha a). Instead you get prayed for or upon. You won't get ignored! You'll get welcomed with open arms." - Michelle </div>
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"ARME was an answer to my prayer I prayed a couple of years back…A few years ago the Holy Spirit was convicting my heart for a greater purpose. I drew nearer to God and was re-baptized. I am not the type of person that stands up front of a crowd and talks. I always hide in the back and sneak out at the end. But God was calling me for a higher purpose. One thing led to another and now I'm the head deacon and speaking God's word once a month at my church. But I'm a simple minded person and when I read the Bible, I didn't just see "dirt" there was a "landfill of dirt." So I prayed for a better way to dig into the Bible. Praise the Lord for Arme's ministry and the leaders. The teachings that Pastor Ivor Myers taught on how to dig into the Word, let's just say I'm seeing "oceans" now. Praise the Lord for His guidance and answer to prayers. The prayer room was amazing, especially the all night prayer. Simply AMAZING!" - Jeremy</div>
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The stories could go on and on. Even as I, Melody, type this blog posts, I have a stack of testimonies on my desk waiting to be typed up. We just praise God for His work at ARME, and for the greater work He will do in the coming days as we spend more and more time in prayer with Him!</div>
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Incidentally, this was one of our smaller camps (we had about 400 people), but we all agree it was one of the most powerful yet. And our team actually spent time praying together EVERY DAY for almost a month before this event came, so we really feel like God rewarded our prayers! As you can see in the pictures below, many people were revived and re-dedicated their lives to God. And many more went out with a new passion and power for their life, work, and purpose of living!</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">To God be the glory, great things HE HATH DONE!</span></b></div>
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Melodious Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604968918689795664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13333882.post-21412312001185499642013-01-28T14:07:00.000-08:002013-01-28T14:07:06.322-08:00Just sick or dying? Prepared or distracted?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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At church this past week, a friend of mine was sharing prayer requests. She was asking that people continue to pray for my mother and grandma as she said, "They are still sick." Not even realizing what I was doing, I spoke up! "My mom's still sick, but my grandma's not sick." Everyone kinda chuckled and you would have too, if you knew the full story. Then the realization hit me of what I'd just said and how odd it must sound. "No…she's not sick, she's just dying!" I finished lamely…<br />
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The fact of the matter is, my grandmother isn't sick like my mom who has had the normal cold/flu. But what my grandmother has is much worse…she's dying of breast cancer, and it's terminal. She will not be living much longer. But since she's not got the same sickness my mom and I have had, I was quick to assert her health…when in reality, she is in much worse shape than any of us, and she <i>does</i> need much prayers. </div>
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"How ironic!" I was thinking, as I reflected on this later. We live in a world that is dying spiritually, and yet...if we don't exhibit those normal signs of sickness (depression, discouragement, despair etc) everyone says you are in good health. If you've got a good job, a successful career, if you manage to pay the bills, and take a nice vacation…even if you are active in successful ministry, you would be pronounced by most as being in the most excellent of health. But are we truly? And what determines our true status of health?<br />
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In Ecclesiastes we are told:<br /><br />"A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease." Ecl 6:2<br />
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Here we can see that God defines health as more then what you see on the outside…in fact, what you see on the outside could be nothing more then empty vanity.<br />
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As we watch the world around us, we all know that Biblical prophecy is literally being fulfilled before our very eyes. We are living in the last days, and Jesus is truly coming back very soon. So how can we prepare? How can we know that we have true health, so that we will not be caught sick, distracted, and off guard?<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"Christians should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise, and this preparation they should make by diligently studying the word of God, and striving to conform their lives to its precepts.... God calls for a revival and a reformation."—<i>Prophets and Kings,</i> 626.<br /></span><br />
However, have you ever noticed how difficult it is to study the Word of God? Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to find time…I mean really find TIME to pray?<br />
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A friend of mine recently made this observation in a Facebook post. He states:<br />
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WHO INVENTED ALL THE FOLLOWING DEVICES AND WHY?<br /><br />Iphones, Smartphones, Androids, Hundreds of thousands of phone 'Apps' to choose from, Cable, Satellite, DirectTv, etc.... hundreds of entertainment and sports channels to choose from, etc., Thousands of video games, online and offline, PlayStations, Xbox and such like…. Facebook, twitter, Myspace and all such like...<br /><br />Well, you get the idea....<br /><br />So here is my point... no, here is a word from Jehovah God to especially to the last day church:<br /><br />"Satan well knows that all whom he can lead to neglect prayer and the searching of the Scriptures, WILL BE OVERCOME by his attacks. THEREFORE HE INVENTS EVERY POSSIBLE DEVICE TO ENGROSS THE MIND" <i>Great Controversy</i>, p. 519<br /><br />Let us repent! Shall we?<br /><br />Hmmm…. he has made a pretty good point there, wouldn't you say? Yes, I think so! (And not that using technology is wrong. But how much do we allow technology and all this stuff to distract us from what we are suppose to do to PREPARE?)<br />
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I may not be sick like my grandma, and maybe you aren't either. But let's remember that "true sickness - sin sickness" only God can define. "For man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." 1 Sam 16:7<br />
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Let our prayer be today, "Lord, make me whole and complete in You…and may I not be caught unawares. Teach me to watch and prepare by studying your Word and taking time with you!"<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Still posting <a href="http://www.heavenlysonshine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Daily Morning Sonshine </a>- please stop by and say Hello! :-)</span></b></div>
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Melodious Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604968918689795664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13333882.post-53308123628423647512012-12-31T16:24:00.001-08:002012-12-31T16:28:15.561-08:00Introducing Morning Sonshine's Daily Vit. B-3 Challenge<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I've started a <b>BRAND-NEW Devotional Blog </b>called <a href="http://www.heavenlysonshine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">"Morning Sonshine."</a> I'll still be doing updates here, about my personal life and blessings. But the "Morning Sonshine" will be a inspirational resource site that will hopefully be a blessing and encouragement to all of you! Please visit me there!<br />
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You'll also notice a TAB above in this blog where you can click directly to my new blog!</div>
Melodious Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604968918689795664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13333882.post-40667044953496347802012-12-23T16:40:00.000-08:002012-12-24T16:41:29.651-08:00Aloha and Merry Christmas!!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I apologize that there will be NO Happy Holiday cards from Melody this year!!! Much too busy to manage that. (Maybe next year!) But as I sit here at my desk enjoying a quiet evening, my heart overflows with thanksgiving for how God has blessed this past year. Truly this year has held so many special memories and milestones. Some highlights for me include:<br />
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<li>Seeing so many miracles and answers to prayer - more then ever before!</li>
<li>Taking ARME International to England and Bali for the first time</li>
<li>Speaking in Germany and visiting Martin Luther's landmarks of faith</li>
<li>Spending a month working with the General Conference and seeing more answers to prayer!</li>
<li>Traveling cross-country with Raluca to and from ARME events</li>
<li>Seeing the foundation of my own cabin started and NOW (as of 2 days ago) finally enjoying it in completion! (I'm ready for visitors!!!!!)</li>
<li>Getting to visit the Welsh Revival landmarks in Wales, U.K.</li>
<li>Experiencing God's sustaining strength during All-night prayer meetings</li>
<li>Seeing my own community being revived through the power of united prayer!</li>
<li>Enjoying another trip to Hawaii for ARME XIII!</li>
<li>Learning afresh the power of God's Word in my life personally, like never before!</li>
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I could go on and on, but those are a few things that come to mind. God has been so good and this year has been soooo RICH and so amazing!</div>
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I just returned 3 days ago from our 13th ARME Bible Camp which was on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. This camp was smaller than usual, but the power of the Holy Spirit was evident on every hand, from the miracles of how people came, to the transformations that we saw in the hearts of so many, to the powerful Holy-Spirit filled messages, to the testimonies that were shared during family night, and even to what He did in our own lives personally. I don't have any pictures from our ARME photographer yet, but I will share a few personal photos.</div>
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While I have to say that I would NOT want to spend my whole life on an island (and I much prefer hiking in the mountains over walking on the beach any day), I know that it's a treat if you get to visit even one of the "tropical paradises" that God created for us this side of Heaven. </div>
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Well, I've had this privilege three times now: The first time in 1993 on a high school outing, then last year with our first ARME Hawaii, and now this year. This year was a complete miracle how everything came together because, for me (even though I'm the director of Programming for ARME and I absolutely must be in attendance), I simply did not have the funds to afford the trip. (All our staff pay their own registration/lodging/and food in addition to airfare - and this is tough when you do so many camps a year!) But God provided for me in a very special way for ALL the expenses of this camp. Secondly, I was exhausted from all my fall travels and speaking, and I really felt the need of a time of refreshment. But I had no idea how I could afford to stay even an extra two days in Hawaii. But God worked everything out again. He provided a place to stay with my ARME girls a whole weekend beforehand, and someone donated a "time share" for us to stay in (at a five star resort) afterwards for several days. Amazing!!!! We felt like Queens!!! </div>
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Besides just needing a place to stay (which God provided so beautifully….see pictures above!) I was praying for a special spiritual blessing on this trip! As I work behind the scenes with ARME and do so much hurrying and scurrying keeping the program going, I often feel left behind in the blessings that everyone else is getting at camp. I'm sure many ministry leaders feel this way! (That's what happened last year when we brought ARME to Hawaii, and I was afraid it would be the same this time.) But God did not leave me destitute. This time I had such a blessed time with God…from early morning times of prayer out on the beach, looking up at the stars, to watching the morning sunrise as I read from God's Word (see picture below), to the beautiful all-night prayer that He strengthened me to be part of. </div>
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Each ARME, one of the biggest highlights for everyone is the all-night prayer meeting. It's something that simply cannot be described in words. You just have to attend it to understand. (Picture below.)<br />
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While we do United Prayer some of the time, much of the night (during all-night prayer) we spend surrounding each other in prayer over specific needs. Some of my teammates have asked for special prayer in the past, but I've always been too proud to do so myself. About five ARME camps ago… (that would be Pine Springs Ranch in Southern California this past January), I felt convicted that I needed special prayer regarding a certain area in my life. But I was too proud to get up and share. So one camp after another has continued to pass, and Melody (ever strong and stoic, and feeling like she needed to be praying for others rather than being prayed for) refused to acknowledge her need. Finally this camp, I'd had enough. Enough with pride, enough with being stoical… I just got up and asked. It was such a relief when I allowed myself to fall on the Rock and be broken. Such peace encompassed my whole soul. I felt already like God was answering my prayers!! And the amazing thing was, after I shared, many more came forward to share as well…admitting that they too needed to be broken. So I was reminded once again, what a blessing it is for everyone (not just ourselves) when we are willing to be vulnerable and share. <br />
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There is one part of the Oahu island where one young woman (who had dreams of Heaven) said she felt most resembled her dreams of anything she'd ever seen. This picture below is that part. The whole valley is lush, but the water is simply amazing. On Sabbath, before ARME started, our girls group climbed to the top of the one of the overlooks and had a beautiful time of prayer.<br />
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Last year when I was here on Oahu, I conquered another fear of mine - "Heights and being alone!" I climbed this sharp pointed mounted that you see here pictured below. And I not only succeeded (it was very steep and I even needed to use ropes at times as I could have literally fallen off the mountain trail) but I did it ALONE…with no family and no friends to cheer me on!! So when I saw this special mountain, even from a distance, it brought back special memories.<br />
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Then of course, there are all those little special gifts that God brings all along the way. Here is a picture of a "rock crab" that I just happened to step on. I picked it up, thinking maybe it was a shell, and almost freaked out when it started moving and I realized it had legs. So amazing!<br />
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Here are some island cardinals. I thought they were wood-peckers, but they are actually cardinals! Aren't they beautiful?? Any demonstration of God's handiwork!!<br />
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Below is our private resort beach and pools that we got to enjoy for a couple days after camp. Being a go-getter and what some would deem a "work-a-holic" I find it hard sometimes to just relax and be refreshed. But God reminded me on this trip that it is ok, and not just "ok"…but GOOD…to come apart and rest awhile! What a blessing. I needed this break and this sunshine!!<br />
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Of course the food was absolutely scrumptious! It would be no problem to do "Daniel's Fast" in Hawaii. Plenty of luscious fruit and healthy veggies. We enjoyed this immensely! The plate below is one delicious lunch from our pre-camp girls retreat. Next you catch a glimpse of some of our gang at the BEST THAI restaurant in the whole world!!!!! (If I had money, I'd travel to Hawaii just for this tasty meal…which has not yet arrived on the table below!) And the last picture is our final meal together before our team parted ways to return to the mainland.<br />
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So this isn't exactly a Holiday Merry Christmas letter, but this is a post reflecting on the goodness of my Lord and all the ways He's blessed me this past year! And I look forward to what He has in store in this coming year!<br />
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Melodious Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604968918689795664noreply@blogger.com0