Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Prayer Request

..."Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." - Romans 4:3

You can be a believer yet act as though there is no God. Whenever you fret over life circumstances, you immediately demonstrate unbelief. Whenever you move out of fear or anxiety, you believe a lie about God's nature.



This is a quote from an e-mail devotion I receive each morning. It spoke volumes to me this morning. God has blessed Freedom's Call with a very busy two weeks. Last night we sang at our home church's women's Christmas event. (say that 3 times real fast!) It was an incredible night. Micca Campbell from Proverbs 31 ministries spoke and WOW she was awesome. God moved and it was an awesome encounter with God. As awe struck and excited as I am about all of the opportunities God has given us, I have this underlying sense of dread for the next 2 weeks. It has nothing to do with ministry commitments, it has to do with things going on in our family.

I feel as my faith is being stretched a little, well okay a LOT!! Here's what's going on the next few days in my life. Before I start let me tell you two things. First, both of my parents are only children and second, my mom keeps my brother's twin daughters 3 days a week.

Thursday, December 6 : My Dad's Mom who is 90 years old will have a colonoscopy.

Monday, December 10: My Mom's Mom will have triple by-pass and while they are there, they will correct her enlarged aorta. We have been told she will be in the hospital at least a week. Once home, she will need my mother there to help her as she recovers and gets back to normal. Dr.'s orders. That means my brother and sister-in-law are trying to find back-up childcare for the twins. This is really where I feel guilty that I can't be there next week.

Thursday, December 13: My Dad has a biopsy on a place they found on his thyroid.
I'm asking God to show off here in a mighty way. I'm asking Him to remove the growth, and blow Dad's doctor out of the water. He isn't a Christian and I believe that God has placed my Dad under his care so Dad can be witness. Whatever God decides to do I'm at peace with and so are my parents, but I'm asking God to take the growth away.

Let me say, I know that I know that I know God has all of this under control. He knew before the beginning of time that all of this would be happening. Remember a couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that our pastor said "If you can trust God with your eternity, you can trust Him with your everyday stuff."? God spoke to me during that time telling me whatever happened, He had it. I thought about that last night as I was trying to fall asleep.

Psalm 139 tells me that I can never escape His presence. Right before those verses it says that my God hems me in. In other words, He's got my back and my front. Praise His name I'm covered! There is such sweet comfort in that.

I'm asking you prayer warriors to ask the Lord to remind me of this when I'm wavering. I DO NOT want to fall into the pit of fear again. It was a hard crawl out of there and I have NO desire to go back! I'm clinging to Prov. 3 25 -26

You need not be afraid of disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security. HE will keep your foot from being caught in the trap.


Just like Abraham believed and trusted God, I want to do the same. I'm asking God to provide holy courage and strength to our family over the next few days. Please pray that my actions and my words will honor and point to God during this time.

Thanks for letting me "vent", and thank you even more for your prayers!!

11 comments:

Carol said...

Wow, Stephanie. I will be praying for you and your family. Let me know how it goes. That being said, I must share with you the verse that Miccah gave me last night after the program. She said it was her favorite.

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Then as I am typing this, I am hearing in the background Faith playing downstairs. She is pretending to read books (remember, she is 3). Here is what she just said "Don't worry. God will be with you. He is always there."

Better words were never spoken.
Love you!

Kate said...

Steph,

I am excited for you that Freedom's Call is doing so well and praying for your family. A tough season it seems. Please keep us posted. I just know there will be story of two between your dad and his doctor.

Kate

BethAnne said...

Cast all your cares on Him for He careth for you! I will definitely pray!

God's girl said...

Girl, lifting all this up. Things seem to hit hard all at the same time in some seasons, huh?

Father, I am lifting Stephanie and her family before you. Lord, I am asking you as Jehovah-Rophe, to put your healing hand on every situation they are dealing with here. Let you hand guide the physicians and care takers. Provide good childcare for those precious twins. Love on them and show Yourself big. Lord, I love that you always provide for our every needs. Continue to bless Stephanie and this ministry you have given to her. I ask for a hedge of protection around them and ask that in Jesus name you bind the enemy from their situations. Keep them all focused on you. We love you Lord. In Jesus name. Amen.

Love you girl! God's got it and I know you know that. You are as always and inspiration to me and I count it a true joy and blessing that God gave you to me as a friend.
Ang

jenmom said...

Steph,
I too battle against a pervasive spirit of fear, but lately the Lord has led me to one scripture after another to help me fight the battle. Just the other day I came across Romans 8:14-15. Hope it encourages you as well, "because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba Father'". You just keeping crying out to our Abba. He's listening for your call!!!
Your sister in Christ,
Jennifer

DeAnna said...

I hear you loud and clear. It seems that sometimes when you are about God's business everything gets thrown at you at once. I'll be praying for strength and endurance for you and your family.

Speaking Thru Me Ministries said...

Hey girl - Micah is a personal friend of mine!! She is the real deal!!

I will praying for you my friend - you can trust that for sure!!! Please keep me posted!!

love you!! thank you for the prayers - i am feeling great!

Unknown said...

Just a sweet reminder,
Isaiah 43:1-2 says..

But now, Stephanie, the Lord who created you says: Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of diffculty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.

I truly pray that the peace of God will rule in your heart and that you will use the Word of God to fight everything that tries to contradict God's promises to you and your family.

Love in Christ,
Kemi

jennyhope said...

my laptop is about to die but I know the Lord just led me to read this on your blog. I have had a really hard year and quite frankly i am worn out. my man told me today that an account he was working on we may not be getting after the guy promised him. we are 100 percent commission and it has been a bad year. Anyway we get word for sure tomorrow and i am just sick over it but i want to believe God. Thank you Steph!

Leah Adams said...

Steph,

You have my prayers as you walk through this week. Remember that Christ walks with you, but He has already walked ahead of you and will make your paths straight.

Thanks for sharing your heart!!

Keep us updated on everyone!

Leah
www.thepoint-leah.blogspot.com

Fran said...

Oh Stephanie!
You know I'm all over this with you! I am praying for EVERY SINLGE DETAIL to work out beautifully with peace among every person. I pray and believe with you that God will show off in His great big mighty way! I pray for all anxiousness to disappear and any time it tries to creep in, Jesus snatches it up before you can ever ask Him too! :)

I love ya and I've got you tucked in my heart and with my prayer requests!

Lots of love,
Fran