Photo by Angela Haar
I see something Beautiful.
There is a Promise through partnership in 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 that if we humble ourselves and pray, that God will heal our land. With that verse, I was inspired to write a 10-day devotion to celebrate the gift of prayer. And then send His Word out to people in hospitals that have been given a life-threatening diagnosis. People are offered a gift book, with photos of nature paired with His Word, and a note to value their role in the community with an invitation for prayer.
The first testimony that I saw as a result of that was in my own family. When I learned that a family member of mine was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, at the same time I learned that Kentucky was leading the nation in the c-word, my heart broke and I began writing. Thankfully, my family member overcame. And we are on a journey to help Kentucky overcome.
But I see something now that I didn’t see before. And it’s the Kingdom Way.
I see that the Lord, completely by Grace, has shared with me a ministry of Peace in partnership with Him. It’s like a loaf of bread. And in honor of Jesus, I wholeheartedly devote it to Him to bless. And then I have the privilege of breaking off pieces of this ministry and sharing with others, and together we get to be spiritual mothers and fathers serving Him. A verse highlighted has been, “Peacemakers who sow in Peace raise a Harvest of righteousness.”
There was a man named Michael, that was suffering with two diagnoses, (cancer and AIDS). He was longing to connect with God but had severe wounds of rejection from the church. He read through our Heal Our Land prayer devotion and sent me a message about a verse that inspired him, “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Acts 2:21).
Michael received a Peace book. He messaged again with a verse that he liked, “Blessed are the Peacemakers.” He was encouraged to see photos in the Peace book near where his mother lived and wrote a blog post to his influencers about “Blessed are the Peacemakers.” I shared with him two “Peace Albums” by Bethel Music that he played on repeat and we prayed for him. “The Blessing” was his favorite… with lyrics, “The Lord turn His face toward you, and give you Peace.” He had mentioned communion. I sent him a voice recording about the Wedding Feast in Heaven and how God has a seat at His table just for him. That he is to come in his wedding clothes, in his rightful identity, in the righteousness of Christ… as a Beloved son.
Michael shared an amazing story that he calls “It’s a crazy short trip to Heaven.” He had ventured out of the house with a friend and when he returned home, his oxygen level plummeted to 57. Even with his oxygen machine, he couldn’t get the levels back up and they dropped to 47. As his body shivered, he said, “Here we go!” He went out of his body and had a beautiful encounter with the Lord. He saw the Light of heaven and God turn His face toward him. They had a short conversation that made him laugh, and then he returned to his body. Waves of peace like he had never felt came over him. He said he came back so happy… saying, “It’s a crazy short trip to heaven.” (The Lord fulfilled the lyrics of his worship song.)
Michael went to his heavenly Home last week. He sent a message just hours before.
“The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Revelation 22:21)
He encouraged to read the full chapter.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation+21&version=NKJV
Sometimes people are healed here. Sometimes they are healed in Heaven. He felt strongly that it was his time to go Home. He went home a son. We have the most incredible privilege to stand in the gap. Grateful that the blood of Jesus covers us all.
