Time to decide.

Stepping  Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 151 -

          

It starts with a whisper… 

“Come with Me!” 

Quick – you have to make a decision:  

Will you follow the voice of God?  Or Not?

That one moment of decision determines:

• whether you’re in or out.
• whether you’re going deeper or staying the same.
• whether you’re healed or remain afflicted.

In that quintessential moment

you either move forward or get left behind.

Tonight as I talked to a group of believers about divine healing, it dawned on me:

You can take a leap of faith and believe,

Or be left behind because of doubt and fear.

You can believe that God is who the Bible says He is…

Jehovah-Rapha –  “I am the LORD your Physician”

“I am the LORD who heals you.”   ( Exodus 15:26)

Or you can believe not.

Isaiah 53:5 says...

"But He was pierced for our transgressions, 

He was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, 

and by His wounds we are healed."

You can believe that the LORD, Jesus Christ – the same yesterday, today and forever – died on the cross,
 and paid in full the price for your salvation, healing, deliverance, and provision.

Or you can believe not.

It’s like there’s 2 lines.  In one, people are getting answers to prayers.

In the other, nothing is happening.

One line believes -- The other doubts.

What line are you in?

I’ve been in both.  I like the one I’m in now, best. -- It’s the one that’s moving.  When I didn’t  need healing, deliverance or provision, I was content standing around just talking about it -- bantering ideas back and forth with others -- debating about this and that.  But when I became desperate for healing, deliverance and provision, I found myself compelled to jump in the line where all the action was. 

That’s where God met me.  

In that line!  

That’s where I received what I needed.

Isn’t it funny how desperation will make moving to the other line so easy?

I want to be the one who prays and gets results, 

not the one who spends all their time talking 

about whether or not prayer brings results.

That said...  for me,  Stepping Out in RED Shoes is about stepping into the line that’s moving.

Gail

One More Step.

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 150 -

Step 8: 

He’ll Always Show Up!

Early this morning, before the sun had even come up, I found myself in a dream.  As I continued to climb those stairs -- my hand in His -- He paused and got right down at my level so that He could look straight into my eyes.  He wanted to make sure that I knew how important this was.  He didn’t want me to be distracted by anything else.

“If I tell you to do something,”    He said.  

“I will always show up.  I’ll be there.  

Don’t doubt it for a second. 

Don’t settle for anything else. 

Wait for me!”

One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is to wait for Him to show up.  My spiritual mama, Bonnie Joy Kelley,  has taught me well.  I’ve observed her time and time again.  She always says… “Let’s just wait a minute on the LORD.”   

 He always shows up --  often  at the last minute, and rarely the way I think He will.    Afterwards, when I look back, I can see His Divine DNA all over the place.  It's glorious!   

It's vital that you wait for Him.  

You can't get nervous and shut down pre-maturely and you don't want to step in front of Him and try to do it yourself -- that just won't work.   You'll end up cutting Him off and settling for something average instead of something extraordinary.

Then He said this…

“Though your measure of anointing may seem small,

there will always be enough.  One touch will multiply it.”

What does that mean?  One touch from His divine hand and there’s an endless source of divine power?  Or does it mean that exercising my faith and touching one person sets the anointing in motion?  I’ll figure that out in time.  Perhaps it’s both.

Stepping Out in RED shoes is knowing that I’m not stepping alone.  He’s assured me that He's always with me in this Divine Partnership.  I just have to be mindful to wait for Him.

Gail

An Observation.

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 149 -

  

I witnessed it with my own eyes!

 A dear friend of mine finally made it back to Sarasota for The Bonfire this week.  She’s usually a regular, but lately she hasn't been able to make it for several weeks.  One week it was her work schedule. Another week it was her car.  Still another week went by and again I didn’t see her.  Oh, she had all legitimate excuses,  no doubt,  but today it became obvious  that the enemy of her soul was behind it all.

“The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy!” 

John 10:10a

At the end of the meeting – which by the way was filled with testimony after testimony  of what God has been doing in people’s lives – my friend had a word to share.

It was a great word.

In fact, she got to preaching!

That's when I took notice of something important.   As she spoke, she came alive.  I could see her growing in the Spirit.  The warrior in her rose up.   

The enemy will do his best to 

keep God's soldiers off the battle field.  That's one way he robs them 

of their God given gifts.

My friend needs battle time -- time to wield that sword of hers.  As she spoke The Word to the women, she was strengthened, along with everyone else.   I love seeing someone operate in their gifts!  She was on fire!

You can't wait to be powerful to be used by God.

You just have to show up and plug in!

That'll do it!

What is it that God has called you to do?  You’re call always strengthens you.  That’s where you’re anointing is.  Doang what you were created to do is not something you have to do.  It's something you get to do...  And everyone is blessed by it! 

But it doesn't happen if you don't show up!

Afterwards, my sister and I  went to the coffee shop to chat.  It happened again!   She started downloading to me volumes of vital info from God’s word, complete with example after example of how she’s tested it herself... so she knows it works.  

 She’s a teacher!  

She’s a preacher!

She's on fire!

By the time she headed home, she had doubled in spiritual size.  She was confident.  She was zealous.  She was healthy and strong!  That's because stepping Out in RED Shoes  is about doing what God has called you to do!  

That said,  What should you be doing?  Take back what the devil has tried to steal and get to it!

In RED shoes, 

Gail

The draw.

Stepping Out in RED Shoes! 

- Day 148 -

          

No matter what time of year,

I love a Parade!  Don’t you?

What’s your favorite part?  Is it the marching bands?  Perhaps it’s the gigantic cartoon character balloons?  Maybe you like the individual performers:  the twirlers, the acrobats, or even the clowns? 

I, myself, love the floats!

It’s crazy how they transform those big truck beds into the most amazing story book scenes.  Not to mention that some of them are covered with flowers galore – thousands of them!  Sometimes it’s twinkle lights.  Sometimes it’s crepe paper.   Regardless, there’s a lot of behind the scenes work involved in putting together such an elaborate celebration.

Without fail, there’s always someone special sitting on those floats.  It could be a celebrity.  It may be the star of a local theater production.  It could be the winner of a beauty contest.  It could just be someone dressed up as a story character we love. 

The purpose of it all is to get you

 to lean in and take a closer look.

What’s the message they’re trying to convey?  

Who’s behind it?  

What does it represent?   

As it passes by, will you be intrigued enough to:

• Endorse the project? 
• Watch the program? 
• Buy tickets for the show?  
• Give to the cause?

Sometimes my life is a bit of a parade.  I’m being carried along life’s road, waving to all who look in my direction,  smiling --  singing -- story telling - even dancing.  But will anyone lean in and take a closer look ?

• Will they see Jesus?  
• Will they ask questions about salvation?  
• Are they interested in a prayer?  
• Would they come to church?  
• Do they want to just hang out for a while?   

I hope so.

Father… I pray today that all of our lives would appear to those around us, as a celebration.  Anoint our expressions for your glory!  Grant us favor with onlookers.  We pray that you would draw them in.  Surely there are people who are seeking a savior --  People who are desperate for healing --  People who are tired of being bound in their sin.  Let them find the answer they are looking for on our floats.  Let the message be clear:   

Jesus Loves You!

And He’s Interested in a

Personal Relationship with You!

Stepping Out in RED Shoes,

Gail

Changing direction.

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 147 -

An important talk with 

the Lover of My Soul!

Tuesday mornings are always a little bit more of a challenge than others.  That's because I have to be up and out of the house early for ministry.  That said, I set my alarm accordingly to give myself plenty of time to get ready, and to prepare my heart in prayer before going out the door in my RED shoes.  Today, however, God decided to have a more serious chat than usual.

"Things are about to change."  He said.   "Our special time together is 
coming to an end.   It's time for a new love story to begin."

"No!"  I called out.  "Don't leave me!

"I'll never leave you or forsake you."   He said.  "You know that."

"Besides, I'm not leaving, it's just going to be different.   You're 
going to have to give time and attention to the man I'm bringing 
into your life.  It's only right."

Suddenly all the benefits that come with 

walking in RED shoes for 512 days straight 

flooded my heart.   I realized the gift I'd been given,

 because I felt like it was about to be taken away.  

"Really?"  I inquired.   "I was just getting the hang of this!  
I'm not worrying any more.  I'm finally going with flow and 
enjoying the ride.  And now the ride is about to end?"

"Don't get dramatic."  He said.  "Don't be so black and white.   
I'm not going anywhere.  It's just time for you to share your 
attention with another.   All this time it's been just Me and you,  
24/7.  Now someone else is coming into the picture." 

Between my sobs I did my best to try and take it all in.  It's not like any of this is a huge surprise.  After all, the timer went off weeks ago, and I've been waiting for the brownies to cool!  (Day 146)   Not to mention,
I can tend to be black and white.

It took a whole day to process -- to get to the 

place I could talk about it without crying.

"It's okay,"   He said.   "You're going to love this next season of your life.   
It will be extraordinary!  It's just a new chapter."

God's told me a lot of things about my future, but he's never revealed the details of this particular chapter.  Oh,  I've asked Him to, but He refuses to rob me of My Love Story.  He says I'll have to take it one day at a time and see for myself how it all unfolds.

"We'll still meet every day."  He said.   "I'll be there whenever you need me.   
But your affections will be for him.  You'll love him as if he were Me."

I know all too well that this has been

 an awesome season of training, 

and it's not without purpose.   

It's time to put all that learning to the test.  

"The anointing will be even greater!"  He said.   The fruit will be abundant.  
The harvests will be plentiful.   Together, you'll win the world for Me!"

My mama says she feels for me.  She's been there herself.  I think we both shed a tear or two as we sat there in Starbucks with our chai.   But it's time to embrace the future and all it holds for me.  How much solo time do I have left with the LORD?  Two days?  Two weeks?  Two months?  I don't know, but He does.

For now,  I'm enjoying each day in RED shoes, as if it were my last --
just in case it is!

Gail

Brownies

Stepping Out in RED Shoes! 

- Day 146 -

Follow the recipe exactly!

Timing is essential.

Of all the desserts I've ever made, brownies have been the most challenging.  You must follow the recipe exactly or you'll end up with something un-edible.  Take them out of the oven too soon and you've got a soupy mess.  Oh it tastes good, but it's goopy.  The inside is uncooked!  You can't serve that to anyone other than your kids who consider it the same as  "licking the bowl!"

Then what?  Can't you just pop those brownies back in the oven?  Yeah... that sounds like it would work, but it never has for me.  Without fail, they always end up over-cooked.  The edges get burnt and you end up with chocolate  "bricks."  Unless you want an unexpected dentist bill, you're best to just throw them in the trash.

My sister, the gourmet cook, always says 

that if you follow the recipe exactly, 

you will have great success!

Have you ever noticed the recipe for brownies?  Most cake type  recipes will tell you to test with a toothpick.  If it comes out wet, return it to the over.  That's not the case with brownies, though.  Brownie recipes tell you not to do the toothpick test.  If your oven is working correctly and set at the right temperature, you just have to take them out -- by faith -- at the appointed time.

"The Appointed Time"   

That's when the buzzer goes off 

on the stove announcing, 

"Time's up!"

"Take them out NOW!"  

"They're Done!" 

"Completed --  Cooked through -- Ready!"

There are occasions when going above and beyond adds great value, but not with brownies.  Too much time in the oven is overkill.  Sometimes it's like that with prayer.  When God says, "It's done,"  it's done.  You've got to stop and move on to something else.  If you keep praying, it's probably because of unbelief.  Yikes!

I read about an incident in which the great healing evangelist, Smith Wigglesworth, went down the line praying for one individual after another, when he recognized a man that he had prayed for the night before.  "Didn't I just pray for you last night?"  He inquired gruffly.   "Yes, but..."  the man responded.  "Get out of my line!"  Smith interrupted.  "The first time you're healed, the second time is unbelief."

There have been many occasions in which 

God has told me,  "Okay -- it's done!  

No need to pray about it anymore."  

Yet, even still, I find myself going back again and again to pray. Those "overtime"  prayers never seems power-packed.  That's because His anointing isn't on them.   I'll even go as far to say that they're a waste of time.  Somehow I think that I have something to do with the results.  If I pray more, it will manifest faster, but that's not how it works at all!  You know it and I know it.  God will deliver at His appointed time and not a moment sooner.

"For the revelation awaits an appointed time;  

It speaks of the end and will not prove false.  

Though it linger, wait for it; 

it will certainly come and will not delay."  

Habakkuk 2:3

When you take brownies out of the oven at the appointed time, they look uncooked.  If you touch them, they're soft.  If you stick them with a toothpick, they're wet.  There's a cooling period that follows where it all comes together.  In fact,  you've got to cool them completely in order to cut them, otherwise they don't cut clean.  You know what I mean.

Some prayers are like that.  They have to cool.  That's when the miracle happens.  I don't understand it all, but that's how some prayers work.  I'm learning from experience to leave things alone after God says,  "It's done!"  I'm learning to be patient!  I don't like it.  More often than not, I want to dig right in.  But I'm learning that it's better, all around, to wait it out.  

At the appointed time, 

God's glory is at it's best.

We wont be disappointed!

AMEN.

Today I'm kicking around my RED Shoes waiting for the brownies to cool!

Gail

The Reflection.

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 145 -

Someone asked me today...

"How did you get to where you are?"

I answered them...

"By taking a lot of steps in the right direction!"

The Reflection

As I walked from the prayer closet

into the day at hand, ready to do God’s bidding,

I saw her!

Oh my gosh!  There she was – right across the way from me.

She was the true reflection of all I ever wanted to be: 

A Woman of God.

She was strong and lean – beyond toned --

for I could see her muscles.

She stood straight and tall, her countenance

radiating strength and confidence.

She was fearless!

She walked forth in purpose,

 her eyes focused on what was in front of her.

Somehow I knew that even so, she was acutely

aware of every vital detail surrounding her.

She was a true prayer warrior –

clothed in the finest of armor,

her sword in one hand, her shield in the other.

Quite suddenly, she turned her head in my direction.

Her eyes caught mine.

I gasped as she looked into my soul,

my breath taken from me.

“It’s a mirror.”   The Holy Spirit whispered.

“It’s you.”

The glimpse was but for a moment.

She turned and moved forward into the day that awaited her.

The Balm of Gilead

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

 - Day 144 -

Schmearing people in prayer for 6 hours!

WOW!

When I awoke this morning, God immediately put someone on my heart to pray for.  I picked up my cell phone by my bed, began texting my prayer for them and hit SEND.  No sooner did I do that, another person popped into my mind. Once again, God spoke a very specific prayer, so I texted away and hit SEND again.  Over and over again this happened.  This is not new.  God's done this with me before.  I've learned to just go with it, because without fail, people always come back and confirm that God spoke directly to them.

At 8:36 am, I was finishing up and texting a dear friend to say THANK YOU for something she did for me.  Suddenly God intervened in my conversation and began speaking a very powerful Word directly to her.  I remember thinking,   "WOW!  This is her day!"  Amidst that Word, was an announcement that He was pouring the Balm of Gilead upon her for healing.


At the conclusion of that prayer, I put the phone down and opened my Bible to Jeremiah 8:22.

"Is there no balm in Gilead?  

Is there no physician there?  

Why then is there no healing 

for the wounds of my people?"

In the little notes at the bottom of the page, my concordance stated that Gilead was a territory that was an important source of spices and medicinal herbs."  

Suddenly God whispered,  

"There's more than enough!"

What?   I replied.

He said that there was an excess supply

of "The Balm" and that I was to apply it

 to anyone I knew who needed healing.  

WOW!  There was such an anointing on the Word, I sat up and immediately began praying for everyone I knew who needed healing!

By faith I applied the Balm of Gilead 
to each of them, schmearing it 
all over their ailments.

With each prayer, the anointing got more and more intense and I began to weep profusely.  Quickly, I threw back the covers and jumped out of bed.   Praying in the Spirit, I threw on my clothes, grabbed my computer and headed out the door.  I couldn't wait a minute longer to plug into the internet and get the Word out.  Regardless of what was penciled on my calendar for the day, there was a shift in the Spirit realm and with it came a change in my agenda.  

When God turns on the faucet for healing,

it's time to "Come to the waters!"

I didn't have a clue how much time I had, so I didn't want to waste a moment.  I didn't know how long this balm would last -- how long God would be ministering his healing power, so I arrived at Starbucks,  plugged in and went to setting up an electronic prayer line.  I put the call out and waited for people to present their requests for healing.

Schmearing is an interesting word.  Our sister, Sue Thurston, used it at the Bonfire last week.  She talked about prayer cloths and anointing oil,  and when she prayed for people, she schmeared or rubbed anointing oil all over them.  I was helping her in the prayer line and was amazed at how people melted under the anointing when she did that.

Psalm 23:5b says...

"You anoint my head with oil"

For 6 hours we schmeared and prayed, in agreement, across Florida, the United States and even abroad.  We applied The Balm of Gilead  upon many -- young and old --  and believed for healing.  Some took a measure of the balm for themselves and applied it to people on their own prayer lists.  One sister received God's Word and brought it to the next level.  She headed over to the house of a dying friend and applied the balm upon her -- calling life into her --in Jesus' Name!   I even dished out some, in abundance, to pastors who are holding services this weekend.  After all, God said it was there for the taking!  I'm trusting God to heal powerfully in those meetings in Jesus' mighty name!  

As I close down my computer for the day, I'm still shaking under the power of God.  I've never experienced anything quite like this.  How unusually wonderful!  

God had a few closing words for me:  He told me to expect more!  He says it's like that in ministry.  Suddenly the faucet of anointing is on.  He'll tell me what it's for, and I'm to go for the gusto!  I'm to make it known to the people and pray it through by faith in Jesus' Name.

Wow!  What a day in RED shoes!

Gail

Get Naked!

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 143 -

Live Out Loud!

It took a long time for me to really get this.  When I first got saved, I didn't hesitate to put my faith right out there.  I was fearless, but unrefined.  Like all new believers, I had a powerful testimony.  It's our greatest weapon.  You don't have to "learn"  your testimony.   It's already yours!  You didn't read about it somewhere,  you lived it -- personally!

My friend Jim always says...

"A man with an experience 

is never at the mercy of 

a man with an argument."

Later in life, times changed.  Tragedy struck and as I healed, I found it difficult to be out on the front lines.  I stayed back where it was safe.  Over time, I re-emerged, convinced that I needed to blend in with the masses.  If I could be like everyone else, and successful in my endeavors, surely they'd trust me when I shared the gospel message with them.  Funny thing was... I never got much opportunity to share.  It was fruitless.  One day, the LORD told me what the problem was:

 "You're all covered up!"  He said.  

"There are people who need the message you have.  

They're looking for you, 

but they can't find you."

I guess I blended in all too well. 

STEP 7:

"You've got to get naked!"   He said.

(Yup!  God really said that!)

 I've been walking "in RED shoes"  for 508 days now.   Every day, I shed another little piece that gets in the way of people finding me and my message.  I live a fruitful life in Christ in these RED shoes of mine.  If people need to connect with God, there's no doubt in their minds that I can help them.  

To date, I have 508 new testimonies! 

-- stories I've personally walked out --

 and I share them every day with the world!  

Father God... Help each of us shed the things that hinder people from seeing You in our lives!  Help us to Live Out Loud!  In Jesus' Name,  Amen.

Gail

The Cover-up.

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 142 -

Is "The Cover-up" 

part of your wardrobe?

Have you ever noticed that some people are comfortable letting it all hang out on the beach and others are much more modest about it?  Modesty is about covering up, so as not to bring attention to your physical body.  A summer cover-up can certainly help.  For some, it's about covering up all the lumps and bumps that excess eating and lack of exercise puts on us.  For others it's about denying visual access to everyone around, so as not to ignite impure imaginations.  For many, it's a little bit of both.

This morning while I was praying, the LORD reminded me of an old Christian friend.  I can't help it --  as much as I love her,  whenever I think of her,  I am consumed with the fact that she is so cheap!  She's stingy!   Like Ebenezer Scrooge, she brings tightness of money to a whole new level.  It's embarrassing.  "Free her of that, LORD!"  I pray.  I keep hoping that she'll get delivered of that nasty way, but nope -- it only seems to get worse with age.

The LORD wasn't that impressed with my prayer.  His perspective rather shocked me.

You're a "Cover-er"  He said.  She's not.  

With her, what you see is what you get. 

He's right.  I don't hang out my dirty laundry for all to see.  I am a cover-er.  Shouldn't we all be?  Perhaps that's a personal preference, but regardless the fact stands... 

When it comes to God,

nothing's covered!

It's all out in the open.

Sure, my friend's stinginess may stick out for all to see, but what about the rest of us?  -- Those who cover up?   Even though others are not privy to our faults, God sees them all!   Many think more of themselves than they ought to.  Some have brought being judgmental to a whole new level.  Some are filled with the ugliness of pride.  Some are liars.  They twist the truth so often they're not sure themselves, what's actually true and what's not.  Some people are self-righteous.  Some are are self-reliant.  Some are self-indulgent.  Some are plain old selfish. -- They always put themselves before others.  

Take note:   Pretty much anything with the word 

"SELF" in it is not so good!

The list goes on...  Some don't follow through with God.  He says,  "Do this"   and they don't.  He says  "Do that."  and they forget.  He says,  "Can you help me with this today?"  and they're too busy.  Some only want to hear God when it's in their best interest.  Hmmmmm.  We never see any of those things.  They're hidden.  All that said, I have to wonder...

Do my hidden faults 

stick out like a sore thumb 

when God looks at me?

Does God see my hidden 

selfishness the same way I 

see my friend's stinginess?

Yikes!

God loves us regardless!  

   That's step 6.

When we realize that we're all the same boat, it's easier to love our neighbor, unconditionally.  

Instead of focussing on what's 

wrong with everyone, 

we need to remain mindful that there's something wrong 

with ALL OF US!  

No one is fault-free.  

Some are just better at covering up! 

Instead, let's choose to look at what's right.   It's right that we're drawing unto God together.  Some are in the boat.  Some are reaching for the boat.  Some are in the water, oblivious that there is a boat.  Some want to try to do it themselves -- they'll just tread water awhile until they tire.

We must never forget... 

We ALL need The Boat!

In RED shoes, 

Gail

Lord... Forgive me for shifting my focus.  I so desperately want to love others the way you do.  I know that this is at the top of your list and I want it to be at the top of mine.  Thank you for pointing out my error.  Thank you for being my example.  Keep  giving me opportunities to love those around me with your love.  Keep correcting me.  Keep working on me until I get this right -- every time.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.