"God is too big to take residence in us and not produce results...Is there evidence of a changed life? Is there evidence that Christ, the Creator, has taken residence in us?" ~ Michael Booth. That statemenet is so profound and yet so basic. When the Creator of the universe pours His life into ours, He should ooze out of us in our words and actions. We should be walking around dripping evidence of Him.
I remember a time when our church participated in a year long event call 24/7 prayer. We had a prayer room set up with candles and worship music. The walls were lined with paper on which you could write praises and prayer requests that you were making known to the Lord. I signed up for many hours in that prayer room; some in the middle of the night. During that year, it seemed as if I was aware of His presence on me, in me and around me with every step I took. I saw people differently. I heard beyond their words, straight to their hearts. It was so intense that it reminded me of when Moses asked the Lord to see His glory. But he could only see the back side of God, because he couldn't have stood seeing His face. That's how I felt that year; like I couldn't take one more bit of His glory.
I know that it changed me forever. When I watch people, listen to their stories, I hear their heart's cry. I never want to live a day where there is no evidence that God has taken residence in me. Last night I ran across a young man's story of how God, residing in him, changed another man's life forever. I would like to share his story with you. His name is Jarrid Wilson and here is his story: "Pre-paid Hope". I hope you click on the link and read how the evidence of Christ' residence in Jarrid spilled over to a man who needed to be touched by the Life of God!
From His Lap,
My heart's desire is for you to realize how valuable and precious you are, to know that you are a dream of God come true. While raising six children, I have had to depend on the Lord to give me certain nuggets of truth and insights into being a child of God. I would love to share these nuggets with you, hopefully bringing you closer to Him and a life filled with joy and peace.
Erin, I love that word now! Pre-paid hope! What a blessing in our lives and what a tool in sharing with others. What evidence!
ReplyDeleteErin, that is such a beautiful story. I am always aware that my truth is out ther but like the young man sometimes find myslef too busy to do more than just stop for a moment. I think it is wonderful that he allowed himself to hear his heart and go back. I also agree, when I pray on a daily basis I feel so much more connected and good. You make an intreseting point though, about feeling overwhelmed with the feeling. I want to work on that for me. Why is feeling good and connected too much for me at times? Thanks for brining that up for me. Much love!!
ReplyDeleteShanda,
ReplyDeleteIsn't that an amazing phrase "pre-paid hope". I love it too! Thank you for re-sharing Jarrid's story!
Blessings,
~Erin
Kathy,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you stopped by! I'm going to really try to see that my agenda doesn't get in the way of something God wants to do. I think we can hold only so much glory, Kathy. That's why we feel that way sometimes. We're so much flesh and He's so much Spirit!
Much love to you, sister!
~Erin
Especially loved your statement that the Lord should 'ooze out of us in our words and actions'. Sometime I am so overwhelmed by His love.
ReplyDeleteFollowed your link and read about the experience of 2 men connecting and life changing experiences happening. Thanks, Happy Thursday!
Becky Jane,
ReplyDeleteWasn't it a wonderful story? Jarried really inspired me to make God's agenda my agenda!!
Blessings,
~Erin
Wow that is an incredible story! I love the concept of Pre-Paid Hope! I'm going to have to tweet this one! I'm now following Jarrid's Journey! Thanks for this post! ~Hugs, M
ReplyDeleteHi Erin - wow, I went over to read that story - I love stuff like that. God showing His awesome power when someone chooses to obey His stirring. I too, want there to be evidence of God in me. People must see there is something different about me, not only in my being, but in my doing. Great post
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
Ps, have grabbed your button!
ReplyDeleteTracy
Really enjoyed reading this story on today. There's so much homeless nowadays it's sad. We should all try to reach out at some point and time to bless them.(Hebrews 13:2) Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. *May God countinue to Bless & Keep You*
ReplyDeleteM,
ReplyDeleteI love Jarrid's story too. It's so inspiring and it makes me want to do better!
XOXO,
~Erin
Tracy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and for grabbing my button! I'm so glad that Jarrid's story blessed you!
Hugs,
~Erin
Ms Margie,
ReplyDeleteThat is the perfect Scripture to to along with Jarrid's story! Thanks so much for sharing!
Blessings,
~Erin
Really powerful how God works. Krissy
ReplyDeletePre-paid hope... Erin that is awesome... beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteLisa
Pre-paid hope; a free gift but we have to open it......Great story...
ReplyDeleteIf we are full of Him, our lives have to be different. It's when we aren't full of Him but of ourselves that others don't see Him...Our of His abundance, comes our gift.....
Hugs and blessings,
Nancy
It is awesome, Lisa! So awesome!
ReplyDelete~Erin
Nancy,
ReplyDeleteYes, Nancy! I'm so ashamed when I'm full of myself and my agenda and not His!!!
Hugs!
~Erin
I love that in the year of prayer you mentioned that you couldn't absorb any more of God's glory, you were saturated. My mom always says we have as much of God as we want. I love that he's willing to fill if we make space. Thanks for sharing Jarrid's story, that's powerful!
ReplyDeleteBeck,
ReplyDeleteWhy do you always say it so much better than I do!!!
Love you!
~Erin
Beautiful.... :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Awesome! Awesome! I'm with Becky...I love your statement: the Lord should ooze out of us! And I love the "pre-paid hope"! This was wonderful and so was Jarrid's post. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for stopping by, Olivia! I hope that Jarrid's article blessed you!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
~Erin
Lynn,
ReplyDeleteIsn't it an amazing story of obedience, sacrifice and God being on time! I was so blessed by it!
Love you, sister!!!
~Erin
Such an awesome story of what it means to listen to God's precious voice in our heart and obey, even though we may feel uncomfortable with what that means for us. I love how God uses ordinary every day people to do extraordinary things in this for His great purpose and will. Thank you for sharing this. Have a great weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Rosann
http://www.christiansupermom.com/
Rosann,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for visiting! Isn't Jarrid's story wonderful. It's a life lesson that I hope more will learn!
Blessings,
~Erin
Beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteOur youth group had a prayer wall -- the kids posted one specific prayer anonymously. When the prayer was answered, they stuck a red push pin into their prayer. It was so cool to watch that board fill with red push pins through the year. Not all prayers were answered with a "Yes" that year, but we saw the power of prayer displayed in a way that students could really "see."
(newest follower from VB)
What a great idea, Karen! It's a great way to show teens how God moves in our lives! Thanks so much for stopping by! Don't you just love vb?!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
~Erin
This was an excellent piece Erin. This is my first time here and I am glad I stopped by. The prayer room sounds like it really impacted your life and the lives of others.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Clayton
http://www.claytonpaulthomas.com
Clayton,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by! Yes, the prayer room was a life changer for me. It made me hunger and thirst for God's presence even more!
Blessings,
~Erin