"Jackpot!"

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 77 - 

Today was Extraordinary!

I do believe I hit the jackpot.

Today was one of those days when I got a whole lot more than I ever expected.  As I sit here in my RED shoes -- ready to write -- I don't even know where to begin.  Throughout the entire day, I kept coming up a winner with God.  You think I'm joking?  See for yourself.  I never know what will happen when I step out in RED shoes looking for God!

I was up early, had my time with the LORD, and headed out the door for the Pre-Bonfire Prayer Meeting.  There were four of us this morning for prayer and it was oh so good!  One gal commented afterwards... 

"I didn't know you did this 

before The Bonfire.  

I'll be back next week!"

  

An interesting thing happened during the last few minutes of prayer.  We all came together in a Holy Ghost Huddle as we finalized our prayerful thoughts.  During that time, I felt the most amazing sensation.  

It felt like I was covered 

with a  "Blanket of Prayer."  

I could feel a powerful, prayerful warmth covering my shoulders and upper back.  What was that?  Did the women on each side of me have their hands on my back?  Even if they did... there's no way it would feel like that!  When the prayer was over I turned around to see for myself.  There stood my friend Ellen.  She had been praying over me.  I should have known.  She's such a prayer warrior.  I'd find out later what was up with that.

The Bonfire.  

Oh my gosh!  What a morning!  Where do I start?  

* Mary Ann testified of seeing Jesus in our midst while we were praying.  He told her that our prayers were pulling down strongholds!

* Norma testified of great healing after we prayed with her last week.   Glory to God!

* Bonnie announced that the hospital had to postpone more evasive action on her brother-in-law because suddenly they can't find the problem anymore on the scan they did.  Hallelujah!  That praise report brought about a loud applause unto the LORD!  

* Sister Peggy ministered with interpretive signing to the song  "I just saw Jesus!"   Meanwhile, Tammy -- the one with the anointed voice --  started singing along with the recording.  That created a double anointing, in which all praise broke loose, creating a bit of a Holy Rutkis.  It was as if Jesus walked into our midst!  "Jesus!  Jesus!"  people shouted.

* Bonnie proceeded to speak from God's Word on the spirit of infirmity.  This lead to Holy Ghost prayer for our sister, Nancy, who's in desperate need of physical healing.  We laid hands on that girl, anointed her with oil, called on The Name of Jesus,  cast out that spirit of sickness,  stood on God's Word, proclaimed total healing, and asked God for an infilling of the Holy Spirit to over-flowing.  Wow!  Everyone got involved with that!

* Ziva gave a God inspired exhortation to us all.  We are to love one another as Jonathan loved David. She pointed out how critical it is for us to pray for one another.

* A powerful Word of Warning was given regarding television being an access point of the enemy.  So much of what we see on t.v. is not in alignment with God's Word.  We need to heed God's voice and shut ourselves off from things that oppose Christ.  Don't be a sitting duck to the enemy's teaching. Someone mentioned to me afterwards that they were strongly convicted by that Word.  God spoke directly to them that they needed to discontinue watching a particular program. -- It was unprofitable.

* Oh.... there's so much that I'm leaving out,  but we wrapped up the meeting with a powerful prayer for all our children, and a blessing was proclaimed over all as they left.

* Before I left the building, my sweet sister in Christ, (she knows who she is),  blessed me with a beautiful card and financial gift.  It brought total joy to my soul for two reasons.  First, her gift blessed me in a very practical way.  BUT -- even greater than that -- is that she, herself, has just broken a spiritual barrier that will move her to the next level in her faith.  Whenever someone gives recklessly unto the work of the Lord -- without reason, (it doesn't make sense), without restriction, (in abundance),  and without regret, (no holds barred),  --  Watch out!   They've broken free of a worldly hindrance that will ultimately cause them to soar like an eagle!

* Oh yeah... one more thing!  Someone lingered around a little longer than everyone else.  Did God give me a Word and a prayer for her!  We had a little brawl with the devil and beat his butt like there was no tomorrow.  She is now standing strong in her faith, believing God to do great things!  VICTORY!

The After-Glow or After-Flow (of the Spirit)

That's what we call the luncheon that follows.  It was filled with encouraging words, testimonies and conversations.  Our first time visitor, Ronni, joined us.  She says she feels so at home.  That's always a sign that God, Himself, has brought someone into the fold.

As I left the luncheon to go to Starbucks for our ministry leader's meeting, I decided to call my sister, Ellen, to ask her about that prayer.  I had to know!  Just what was she praying that caused that powerful "blanketing"  sensation?  She responded that she was praying in the Spirit, so she didn't really know.  That's okay... I'm good with that.  I don't have to know everything.  BUT...  right then, on the phone, the Spirit of God fell on her and she began prophesying to me -- Words that I don't have liberty to share with you right now.  Even so, they were important words.  The timing of her message was so important -- I would discover that later.

Meanwhile, Ellen began to share with me that my call to her was divinely timed.   She had just received and read a discouraging report in the mail and was in need of prayer.  As I approached a busy intersection, I noticed a parking lot and immediately pulled in.  

We agreed together in prayer

NOT to receive the 

discouraging report of men

but instead to

 TRUST in the report of the LORD.

  

I don't think I've ever quite prayed like that before, least of all in a parking lot.  

As the old chorus goes...

"Victory -- Victory --  It is mine!

Victory -- Victory --  It is mine!

If I hold my peace 

and let the LORD fight my battles,

Victory -- Victory --  It is mine!"

Okay -- I told you I hit the jackpot!  But there's still more.  At the ministry leader's meeting, a sister was sharing all about great ministry that God is opening up for her.  It's just wonderful!  I'm very happy for her.  If you could have just seen her face.  She was radiant! --  Glowing in God!

When I got home, the Lord tapped me on the shoulder and so clearly spoke to me:

"It's okay sweetheart...

I do different things in different people.

I'm doing THAT in her life, and

I'm doing THIS in your life.

Wait a minute!   Did He just call me sweetheart?  Did you hear that?  God is calling me, "Sweetheart!"   Come on!!!  No way!   It couldn't be!   He doesn't use words like that -- Does He?  So I asked Him...

  "LORD...  Did you just call me Sweetheart?"

"Yes!  I did."  He responded.

That's when I remembered my sister Ellen's prophetic Word to me.  "He loves you!"  she said.  "He keeps saying...  You're with Him and He's with you!" 

You know...  if you were a fly on my wall, you'd often catch me pressing in, trying to get access into His presence.  I'm in the prayer closet.  I'm worshiping.  I'm writing.  I'm reading my  Bible.  I'm dancing before Him.  There are all sorts of on-ramps into His presence.  BUT today -- mesmerized by the words... "It's okay sweetheart..." --  I sat down at my desk and there, He spoke with me, in great detail, about my family and my future.  And then He gave me instruction on what to do next.  He is sending me to sit at the feet of a trusted mentor for a very important teaching.

It's been a long, wonderful day in RED shoes.

Packed full -- wouldn't you say?
What could tomorrow possibly hold?  We'll see!

Gail