Sabbath/ Glimpse Into The Past

I have been asking Papa what he wants me to share today. But I keep on hearing that today is the Sabbath, and that I need to take it as one. So I am not going to write anything original. Instead, I am going to share with you an old journal entry, taken from an evening when I saw God's glory and power the clearest. This is the God I know, and can never deny.

6/8/08

Treasure Hunting

After viewing the amazing movie "Kung Fu Panda" at the Emagine Theatre in Novi, a group of seven of us decided to stay in Fountain Walk to pray for and bless people. The sky was already dark, and the atmosphere had changed markedly since we entered the cinema. Looking across the courtyard, all that could be seen were clubs and a Hooters restaurant-- and people. Lots and lots of people. To stand in that place was to feel a sea of emotions eminating from the people around us. Confusion, escape, shame, depression. Would these people even be receptive to what we carry?

We lapped the buildings, praying and searching for people to pray for. Hoping that an "easy target" would show themself. None did, and we were back where we began. Some of the others in our group had engaged in conversation with (and prayed for) some people, but we were all holding out for a healing. Our collective faith level was very high, and we knew this was God's intent. Several times, we approached people to pray for them, and you could tell they were blessed by the gesture. But beyond that, we had very little evidence from the supernatural realm that we were achieving anything for Christ. Then, something weird happened...

Four of us stood outside a building, "Club 66," while many people lined up at the door, and others passed by on their way to or from somewhere. All of a sudden, a loud, obnoxious voice came from a guy rounding the corner. He was obviously wasted, and his shirt was wet. "I'm going to Club 66 to worship the devil!" he declared. By this time we, as well as many others, were staring at the man. He looked right at us defiantly, and asked, "do you love the devil?" We said no, and he replied with, "Well f- you, f- you, f- you, and f- you!" pointing at each one of us as he cursed us and passed us by. We stood there, dumbstruck. We had not said a word to provoke the question. OUr of the masses, this guy had singled us out, and pointed directly at us as he cursed us. Wow. If that isn't a supernatural sign of God's amazing power shifting the atmosphere, then I don't know what is!

Soon after this incident, we decided to head out. All of us joined up and were heading out to the parking lot, when we saw a young guy walking with a limp. We chased him down, and saw that he had a brace on his foot. Upon speaking with him for a minute, we learned that his name was Anthony and he had a fractured ankle. We asked if we could pray for him. He said that we could, but that we couldn't put our hands on his ankle in prayer. So we began praying for Anthony, and after a while, asked if he was feeling anything different. He said that his ankle felt different-- that it felt good. He moved it around a little bit, said that it was still broken, but that it did feel better than before. We began praying some more, and checked back after a few more minutes. He once again said that it felt like it was getting better- this time, he was clearly shocked and taken aback. Michael proclaimed that God wanted to heal Anthony's ankle right there, and could we please put our hands on his ankle while we prayed. This time, Anthony said yes. We spent a short time praying and healing his ankle, and this time, he said there was no pain! He walked to one of us and back again with his brace off, and was able to do so with no limping. Praise Jesus, he was completely healed!

During this time, some more young men stood at a distance and watched what was going on. A guy named Brandon approached us afterward, and asked who we were and whether we did this sort of thing often. Through talking with him, we found out that he was a believer, but that this sort of healing ministry was something that he wasn't familiar with. We were able to really share with him, and told him about our church and our Friday night worship and healing services. He said that he was going to come and bring his sister with him. He even exchanged information with Christian.

Hallelujah for open hearts!
Praise God for faith!
It was an incredible evening, and our lives-- as well, I believe, as many others-- were changed forever.

(Lord, today, I am open to whatever encounters you have for me!)