ENCOUNTER WITH STEVEN FURTICK

Ever since I was a child, I have been blessed to have encountered so many preachers in my life.  I couldn't agree more to the fact that the main reason I have had this opportunity was since my dad himself is a preacher. Most of his friends are also more or less in the same kind of field.

And me too like everyone have my favorites. I haven't met all of them but I cherish their teachings.

My top 10 Preacher Heroes have been (in random order):

- Billy Graham
- Joyce Meyer
- Joel Osteen
- John Gray
- Steven Furtick
- Zac Poonen
- Robert D'roza
- Johnson Varghese
- R Stanley
- ED Chelladura( Not coz he is my dad but I enjoy His creativity)

So off late I have been crazily listening to Steven Furtick's new series called "Bars and Battles". I have been immensely blessed. I literally wait for the Sunday sermon to be uploaded on the site.

And guess what I had an encounter with THE Steven Furtick last night!

I heard that he was in this hotel guest house where I waited for him. He and his wife were about to leave the place when I walked up to him and...

Me: Pastor, can you please pray for me? (in a small voice)

Pastor Steven: What?(he couldn't hear me)

Me: Pastor, can you please pray for me? (still in a small voice)

Pastor Steven: kajgfuiehflkcnsalvosdjvclsdk. Amen

Me: (trying to understand what he meant - confused)

Pastor Steven: You didn't understand, did u? (smirky smile)

Me: (Nodding my head with a no - still confused)

Pastor Steven: I said "Lord Jesus, give her a boy and a girl!"

With excitement I woke from sleep! Oh what a dream!

Read More »

IT’S BEEN TAKEN CARE OF

Have you experienced great despair in your life? The very thing that I have been praying for as long as I can remember isn't coming to pass. Waiting for prayers to be answered in this season has been the hardest. And to top it all, don’t see the silver lining in this cloud, which means I don’t see any signs or symptoms of my prayers even being close to answered. Have you felt that way?

Past two weeks have been one of the toughest phase of my life. I have been experiencing pain both physically and emotionally. Physically due to my failing health, bad doctor’s report, surgeries, tests, injections, allergies, medication may be. Emotionally coz of stress, anxiety, work pressure, uncertainties, worries, mood swings, irritated, frustrated, break downs, sleepless nights, best friend at work being laid off and what not. Plus a sick husband whose is diagnosed with typhoid. Not to forget the financial pressure of house renovation bills and huge medical bills piling up.

With all this going on I know I can only find comfort in one place - His word. Today’s meditation was from Psalm 142 where King David is in despair too and I felt this passage was a bit apt to my situation. I learnt 3 things that David did in his despair which encouraged me.

3 THINGS TO DO WHEN YOU ARE IN DESPAIR:

1. CRY OUT TO HIM

Psalm 142:1- 3 (MSG) 
I cry out loudly to God, loudly I plead with God for mercy. I spill out all my complaints before him, and spell out my troubles in detail. As I sink in despair, my spirit ebbing away, you know how I’m feeling.

It’s okay to cry to God and pour out your heart. I can cry out to Him and tell Him I need Him. I can tell him all my troubles in detail. I can tell him how I feel. Coz He listens.

2. CONFESS YOUR HOPE

Psalm 142:5 
I cry to you, LORD; I say, “You are my refuge,   my portion in the land of the living”. (NIV)
I cry out, GOD, call out:  ‘You’re my last chance, my only hope for life!’ Oh listen, please listen; I’ve never been this low.” (MSG)

Confess to Him that He is your only hope. He is my strength in times of weakness. He is your refugee. He is your comforter. Without Him you can do nothing.

3. CLAIM YOUR BLESSING

Psalm 142:7
Get me out of this dungeon so I can thank you in public. Your people will form a circle around me and you’ll bring me showers of blessing!” (MSG)
Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me. (NIV)

Acknowledge the goodness of God no matter what circumstance you face. Praise Him even before the breakthrough. Ultimately He will bring glory to His name through the pain.

While meditating on these lines my heart came to peace. A small still voice within myself prompted, "Whatever you are battling right now - It’s been taken care of” - God

Read More »

IT GETS BETTER

Its very easy to lose hope when in pain. You may be facing a problem today. Whatever it is, IT GETS BETTER!

Romans 8:18 says “The pain that you’ve been feeling can’t compare to the joy that’s coming.” This verse, to me, is one of the most encouraging verses I know.

It basically says that all of the pain that you have been going through, all of the heartache, hurt, disappointment or sadness, cannot compare to all of the joy that is ahead in your life! God tells us that there will be hard times as well as good times in this life, but those hard times are nothing compared to all of the joy that is in store for you!

When we think about all of the pain and sadness that comes into our lives or that may be happening to us right now, it can make us depressed and doubt God’s goodness. But we should never doubt God’s plan for us and never turn our back on Him, because He has big plans for your life, and they are better than you can think or imagine!

No matter what you are facing today,  your "Joy is coming". After all, life gets better with God!

Read More »