Happy Thursday!
I have been back home for fall break all week and it has been so fun! It has been nice just being able to relax and not think about homework. I love spending quality time with my family and my boyfriend. Friday night, shortly after getting home, we all went to a Bible study and it was awesome. We talked about the importance of speaking the Word of God over situations in our lives. We each got a card and were told to write a scripture on it that represented what we were believing for and say it two times a day for the next two weeks and see what changes in our lives. I put two healing scriptures on my card since I had not been feeling well. The next day I found out I had an ear infection, after going to the doctor, but I continued to believe for my healing. Even though I could barely talk, I continued to believe I already had my healing. Well, today is Thursday and everyday I have been feeling better. I have my voice back and I am able to sleep through the night without any congestion. God is soooo good! I just thought I would share that short testimony to remind you all of what you might be believing for. I encourage you to do the same and write a scripture or two on a card and speak it over yourself two times a day. Just watch as God changes everything in your life!
I was really inspired to blog today because I ran into an old friend as I was on my way to my grandma's house. I've known him since I was four and we grew up together in the church. Well, I hadn't seen him in around 3 years, but before then it had been much longer. As I talked to him about his life I realized how important it is to always hold people up in prayer before the Lord. As I asked my old friend how life was going for him, he hesitated in answering, "It's been okay." He told me he was no longer living at home, he didn't speak with his mom anymore, and that his brother had been arrested. My heart went out to him at that moment because this is a guy who grew up in the church and went through a lot and somehow walked away from the Lord. I told him I would pray for him, but something inside of me wanted to do much more than that.
In speaking to the Lord about my friend I really felt led to add him to my prayer list. I don't think I have mentioned my prayer list on my blog yet but it has really been amazing what the Lord has done for those people on my list. Last spring, the Lord instructed me to put together a list of people I pray for on a daily basis and He gave me specific names. These people are all people who know God and many of them are even saved. Some of them have been dealing with difficult things and some have even walked away from the Lord. Others have never known God or had a relationship with Him and I have been praying for their salvation. Anyways, over the last 5 months or so, I have noticed things changing in many of these people's lives. Some of them have contacted me saying they have wanted a change in their lives and I have seen a visible change in others. It has been so awesome to see God on the move and I know that things are daily getting better for each of these precious people.
I guess I said all of that to say that God's heart is for every child of His to be restored to Him. God wants a relationship with every individual on this planet. There is never someone "too bad" or "too messed up" to know God and invite Him into their lives. I don't care what it is that you've done or what mistakes you have made, God absolutely loves you. The heart of God is that every lost person out there in the world be found and made whole. That is why He uses His sons and daughters as lights for His kingdom. James 5:16 says, "The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results."Isn't that awesome?! I love knowing that the prayers I pray, from the Word, will produce something amazing in someone else's life. That is the importance of prayer in our lives not only for us, but for the people we love. That is one of the easiest ways to get God involved in our lives and effect the lives of others. So, pray for those who are lost in your life. God will work in their lives and bring it to pass! I am encouraged by this because I want the best for my friend and that is why I am going to pray the will of God over him.
On another note, I am having a great week. Sunday, after church, I spent the rest of the day with my boyfriend. I have missed him so much so it was great to be able to spend time with him. That night, we watched the Dallas Cowboys game at my house and it was super fun. I am convinced I'm dating the best guy in the world and he happens to love football which means I get to watch it with him. I've been trying to get more into it (even though I don't entirely get what's going on) and I have actually been enjoying it. I bought a Cowboys shirt so we could match and he was really excited about it. It's those little things that make him happy that I just love to watch. He is such a blessing to me and I love him so much :)
Here's us with our matching Cowboys shirts :) Aren't we cute?!
I am planning on blogging again tomorrow because we're going to pick out some pumpkins and I am so excited! Fall is definitely here and I am loving it! Being home this time of year is always great because the leaves change colors so beautifully here in Chicago. Fall isn't quite the same in Oklahoma. I hope you all are having a great week! Thanks for reading!
