OK so there is always a first time for everything. This is my first ever blog. I just hope there’s a spell checker!!
This comes at a very interesting part of my life. I feel like I’ve gone through a testing time, and although going over old ground isn’t always beneficial. It’s equally stupid to ignore that it ever happened. Either way, it’s a definite cause for celebration in Jesus when you get to the other side. Trials make us stronger, or break us. My preferred option is that they make us stronger. My story is one that celebrates the strength and tenacity of faith. As faith is a gift, I can celebrate that too. I can do nothing on my own. I boast in the LORD. The LORD is the TRUTH.
It’s amazing how much you can stand against injustice when you stand in the truth. HE makes you stronger. Through these trials over the last 4 months, I have sold more paintings than ever before; I have started a new business. Built a website!! And I’m set to do a business boot camp. !!! I thought I was the last person on the face of the planet to do ‘business’. However the LORD has placed all the right people in my path, and now, here I am. Blogging!!!! on my own web site, my own business and ready to learn more. lol HOW GRACIOUS AND AMAZING IS GOD. ( see testimonies )
Driving through Yarm one morning, I saw the old butchers shop that had been there for generations past. I felt a bit sad that it had closed down, an end of an era. As we drove passed slowly, hence the Yarm morning traffic, I asked the LORD what would HE like it to be. I quickly said, “Like, Yarm doesn’t need another coffee shop” !!!! In that second, I felt like I received a download. I saw, smelt, felt and tasted the vision of what the butchers shop could be. I saw a live, pulsating art studio. Paint and canvas, palates and brushes all hanging like Aladdin’s cave in the place. People walking by and reversing back to look in the window. Only to be captivated by the presence of Jesus in the room. People queuing up and booking to have their Spiritual Portrait painted, canvases hanging from the ceiling and walls declaring Heaven’s glory. People walking past and with curiosity tugging at their hearts, they engage with the living GOD.
OH how I long to see the power and presence of GOD literally stop people in their track in my town. It’s happening! I want more ! I’m a glutton for Jesus. A boldness is rising in believers who dare to stand on the truth of who GOD says HE is and what we are commissioned to do. Setting people free from traumas, pain and guilt, in return, releasing healing and comfort, freedom and provision. We are a generation who want this. Words without action and power don’t cut it any more. We are a hungry generation. We are a chosen generation. I celebrate and thank GOD for what IS happening in my town already. We have an amazing group of Vicars and Pastors who choose to join together and pray regularly. For where there is unity, GOD commands a blessing. This is massive. Different denominations joining together as one before the LORD in prayer. We will see the fruits of this. I’m excited to know and be part of peoples lives who passionately love and pursue Jesus. They eat, breathe and sleep the love of GOD. These people are all over our country. GOD can’t help but respond to this hunger and desire for HIM.
I love listening to Bethel Church. Their Pastors live this. The beauty of this culture is that it seeps to the congregation. Who then go in to their work place and live it too. This LOVE is infectious. You can’t help but carry it in our homes, work places and our churches. I was chatting to a guy that has recently joined our church. I thanked him for his encouragement, as he had been there the week I was leading the service. It was good to hear the encouragement. In fact I love giving encouragement. It builds people up. Which is what we are called to do. Build each other up in the faith. Surely that includes encouraging one another.
I remember a quote that spoke so much to me. It went something like this: ‘I don’t know many people who died of an over encouraged heart, but I know plenty of people who died of a broken one’.
On that thought, I leave you with a challenge; to start encouraging people as you see it. Speak it out, let them know they have done a good job, nice bag, great talk, great response. Lets encourage one another daily. Remind each other of who we are. !! Remember with GOD everything is possible.
With love…
proverbs 3: 27 1 Peter 2: 9