Tag Archive | Matthew

Stepping Out of Our “Comfort Zone” by Trudy Ross

Dec24

Matthew 14:22-33 (NIV)

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Step Out

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It has been over a month since the Prayer Works Evangelism Outreach Street Ministry has been launched.  Watching God move has been an eye-opening and humbling experience for me.

The peace that comes with doing the will of God is another experience that words cannot explain.  All I know is that there is an inner peace that takes over your and if I should be honest “that peace” sometimes evades us.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you are too busy to think of anything else but you, and what concerns you?  Or have you ever told yourself “That’s not for me, I cannot do that!”

God has a way to shift us from that place of comfort that we sometimes find ourselves “ok” with.

Being involved in this Ministry has enabled me to step out of that place I called “Normal”. The reality of what is involved in ministering to the needy is such that while in the moment there is no room to zone in on “My Issues”. They become obsolete.

Before a breakthrough there is always struggles and if you are not Spiritually equipped you will quit before you begin. Every Sunday when it’s time to step out into the outreach arm of the ministry, the fight that comes and the pressure that builds up is one that would have you giving up.

We literally have to push past this feeling.

Today we packed the car, as usual, we pulled up and it was time to do what we set out to do.  We prayed again and stepped out. The minute we stepped out of the car you could feel God’s hand on what was about to take place.

First, it was one person and within five minutes or less it was a line as far as we could see.  The look on the faces of the people we saw, was one of complete happiness and hope, even if it was for just a time, THAT TIME, the joy of being ministered unto was something you could actually touch.

Not for a minute did I remember that this was not my “comfort zone” anymore, he had taken me to a new “normal”.

In closing let me ask you this. What is God asking you to do that you have questioned HIM so many times over if he is sure he got the right person?

Try this, step out of that comfort zone.  Let go and let GOD!

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Financial Breakthrough for “Faith”

Dec6

Matthew 17:20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Faith...

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After church, I came home and saw I had a missed call from Faith. I returned the call and the lady mentioned she needs prayer for a financial breakthrough.

I asked how did you get this prayer line?

She replied, I searched the internet and this line came up.

Thanks be to God for her.  She is a divine appointment.

Team please help me pray for a spiritual breakthrough, as well as a financial breakthrough.

There was also an unspoken request for a friend she is currently standing in the gap for and for her pursuit in finding a church home in Ohio.

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Touching Jesus by Dawn B Jones

Nov6

Matthew 9:20-22 “And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.”
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I am asking for prayer yet again. It is so easy to ask others to have the faith to stand..when all along you are preaching to the choir. I have been out of the hospital this time for nine days and trying my best not to go back in. One of the many things God is healing me from is gastral paresis.. the stomach‘s inability to process food..
So each time I eat I am basically dumping new food onto old until it fills up to the top and I must vomit to get some relief. It causes severe stomach cramping and no urgency to relieve myself. This is the main thing that usually lands me back in the hospital.
If I have no relief by tomorrow I will be going back to Emory. I am so ready for this to be over….two years of this is about as much as I can stomach literally. I need my stomach and my bowels to begin working again.
The Doctors basically cover this whole thing with a band-aid and after a few weeks send me back home. please pray total and final complete deliverance from all of this and as always, my many thanks to each of you in advance.

Prayer

Dawn we have seen the power of God at work in all your members. Today is no different, God continues to heal you gradually.

We thank him for your complete healing and we pray for your strength as you go through this process. Father we stand in the gap and we declare peace, rest, deliverance, totally selflessness, a heart of gratitude and a spirit of humility. Father if it is your will take this cup away from Dawn. Again not her will but may your will be done. Bring glory through this situation Lord. Father, daddy we call upon you and we ask for help.

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In the Midst of Storms by Theresa Cerreta-Siligrini

Oct30

Matthew 8:23-27 (KJV)23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

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In the mist of every storm my God you are there to up hold the righteous and faithful who walk with you. Your never-ending love for your servants is ever shining across the land.
People look and wonder how can that be, how can they praise Him even when destruction is knocking at their door?
Our reply oh God is with the truth that is embedded in our hearts! We know that our God is forever by our side with His mighty hands outstretched to protect us even if the land around us should crumble. You shield the weak and powerless and strengthen us with your love.
We know and trust that the love of our mighty God can calm the raging seas across the land and within our hearts! You raise us up when the turmoil of the world tries to bring destruction and drown us in misery.
Your promise of an eternal life with you is our hope that sustains us.
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His Provisions are Endless, Keep Trusting

Oct5

Matthew 6:25 For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?

I’m just asking that Prayer Works Café pray that I get a job as I am beyond frustrated as my husband is also job hunting. I am now unemployed and my husband only works a part-time job, finances are getting low.

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