Search Results for “prayer” – Page 2

Prayer Walk After Meridian Tornado

2 Comments / Culture, Discipleship / leannahollis

“We’re heading to Meridian,” one of the 8 Days of Hope Crisis Response team members told me last week. “Meridian? What’s happening there?” “A tornado swept through one of the poorest areas of the city. There’s a lot of damage. We’re going to help.” “How far is Meridian from here?” I asked. “About three hours,” came the reply. Sometimes we sacrifice to serve Prayer walk the area. The impression was strong, but my schedule was already jam-packed. A drive time of six hours round-trip meant a prayer walk would take a full day. I mentally reviewed my schedule for the rest of the week. Two days in Memphis. A prayer brunch. Housecleaning. I’d planned to paint my hallway over the weekend. It wasn’t an instant decision. I had other things I wanted to do instead, but the impression was too strong to be denied. Prayer walk. Finally, I spoke to a younger colleague. “I’m thinking about prayer walking the area where Crisis Response will be working. Want to go along?” She and another co-worker had never done a prayer walk before, but both wanted to go. We decided to leave at 8 am on Sunday and make a day of it. The rainy-day prayer walk Saturday night, I received a discouraged text message. “100% chance of rain in Meridian tomorrow.” Sam Wiley never put much stock in weather forecasts. “That’s what they say, but it ain’t written in the prayer book,” he always told me. We decided to pack rain gear and go anyway. The rain pounded so hard I could barely see as we drove to Meridian. “Lord,” I prayed silently, “I’ve prayer walked before. It doesn’t matter to me about the rain, but these two ladies haven’t. Please be gentle.” Rain pummeled us as we raced from the car into the building where the volunteers were housed. My shoes were soaked before I reached the door a few steps away. We greeted everyone, received our instructions and directions, changed into rain boots, and headed into the downpour. When disaster brings a miracle We neared the address we’d been given and saw one tarp-covered roof after another. The ground was covered with trees, branches, and debris. A few trees still perched precariously near houses. Our destination was the worst yet. A man, chainsaw in hand, stood on the roof of the house, in the rain. He sawed the last branch of an enormous tree that still leaned on the house. Later, we learned the family was inside when the tornado hit. Their son was in his bed at the time of the tornado but rolled out of bed just before it hit. The tree fell on the house, knocked the back wall off, and impaled the bed on which he’d been lying. Exactly where he’d lain. He tells everyone he meets how God spared his life. Miss Thelma, the owner’s sister, was in the house when we arrived. “How can we pray for you?” we asked her. “Just pray for my sister and her health. She’s sick and not doing too well.” We prayed the biggest things we could. After we prayed for Miss Thelma and helped the volunteer workers a few minutes, we headed out to prayer walk. The destruction was overwhelming. The streets were quiet. Answered prayers Continued rain made the task of clean-up even harder, so we prayed God would give the workers a break from it. The rain stopped. The dark sky lightened. Drainage ditches were full of rushing water, breaking white on the rocks. I imagined what would happen if a child slipped into the water and was washed away. We prayed the water flow would slow. We rounded the corner and saw the ditch again. No whitewater at all. The flow slowed. A couple in a truck stopped in the street to greet us. Mr. Earnest and Miss Brenda thanked us for praying and let us pray for them. We made our way through the neighborhood and back to the first house. The volunteers held sandwiches and chips. I don’t know which of us thought of it, but we asked if they could use some water. Yes, they could, they assured us. They accepted with enthusiasm and explained their predicament. As they left headquarters that morning, they picked up sack lunches but forgot about drinks. They prayed God would send water, and He did. We left them two cases. Lessons learned We were overwhelmed with a sense of deep gratitude for the blessings we enjoy. During the trip home, we discussed the things we learned: We’re more blessed than we realized. We should be filled with gratitude. Life can change in an instant. Treasure every moment. The possessions filling our houses don’t matter. The people who fill our lives do. Prayer matters. Pray big. We can do nothing on our own. We’re totally dependent upon the grace, love, and hand of God. It takes all of us to help recover from a disaster. Even a little help can make a big difference. God still answers prayers. Help is still needed According to the Meridian Star, the tornado damaged 180 homes and 30 businesses. Families, including many elderly men and women, have lost everything. They need your prayers and, if possible, your help. 8 Days of Hope Rapid Response is accepting volunteer assistance through Saturday, April 28th. If you’d like to help this amazing ministry, click here to learn more. If you’d like to give hands-on assistance after that date, call the city hotline at (601) 485-1944 to learn about other opportunities for service. The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of mine, even the least of them, you did it to me.’” Matthew 25:40 You might also enjoy reading: Sliding Down the Slippery Slope and How to Stop the Descent When the Prayer of Desperation Becomes Through

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The Prayer Walk and the One With Whom God Wants to Talk

Leave a Comment / Discipleship, Prayer, Scripture Truth / leannahollis

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]A surprising but sweet thing happened yesterday. Eight Days of Hope training is this week. It began last night. I wanted to prayer walk the building and the apartments where the trainees would stay before it started. As usual, I put out a call on social media for help. I can usually get volunteers, but not this time. A prayer walk of one is not without merit, but I wanted someone else to help, because of the “two or three gathered together” verse. (Matthew 18:20) None of my ideas worked out, so I asked the Lord to orchestrate it as He saw fit, especially since the idea was to have a conversation with Him. When God chooses the one who will prayer walk… The answer I received was not at all what I expected. A friend of mine promised to come, and probably bring a young friend. (Young being younger than we are.) As it worked out, my friend had to help with her grandson, but she brought the young woman anyway. This sweet young lady was a complete stranger to me, but I asked if she wanted to prayer walk, and she assured me she did. I don’t think she’d ever done anything quite like it before, but we moved to the front of the building and started praying. I didn’t expect much from a first-time prayer walker. With the first words out of her mouth, I knew I had the right partner. We prayed in sequence, as one. I’ve seldom had as seamless a prayer walk experience. She instinctively understood the needs that might arise in each area of the building and prayed accordingly. We prayed together for an hour or so, then she went back to stuffing envelopes. I headed off to do other work. All afternoon I savored the experience. I’d asked God to send the one with whom He wanted to talk, and He did. She was a stranger to me, but she was no stranger to God. With what kind of person does God want to talk? Last night, I pondered the idea of being the one with whom God wants to talk and wondered what characteristics would make me that kind of person. What I saw in her was humility, gentleness, kindness. There was a sweetness of spirit that made me want to be more like her. I’m reminded of my mama’s favorite verse from Micah 6:8: “And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” There’s a note beside that verse from a sermon Jeff Flinn shared in 2005: “I thought the Lord was calling me to ministry. Now I know, He was calling me to Himself.” I want to be the one with whom God wants to talk and commune, the one He calls to Himself because He enjoys my company. Perhaps He’s looking for one who is just, merciful, kind, humble; the one who loves God and his neighbor. I want to be that one. Don’t you? Today, let’s search our hearts and ask God to clean out our haughtiness, judgmental and critical spirits, and our lovelessness. Let’s ask Him to fill us with mercy, kindness, humility, and love so that we can be the people with whom He wants to talk, the ones He calls to move in closer because He enjoys our presence as much as we enjoy His. “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” Matthew 18:20 [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]You might also enjoy reading: How to Wrestle With God When the Answer to Your Prayer is Delayed Prayer Walk After Meridian Tornado Real Prayer Moves Us Closer to God Becoming a House of Prayer: 5 Simple Steps to Change Your Life When the Prayer of Desperation Becomes Through the Roof Prayer [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]I am so blessed that you gave of your time to read this post. Thank you! I would be so grateful if you’d take another moment to share on your social media platforms and pin to Pinterest. When you do, you become a part of expanding our digital outreach. Thank you for being so awesome! Here’s a pinnable image:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/3″][vc_single_image media=”67336″ media_width_percent=”75″ media_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.leannahollis.com%2Fprayer-walking-one-god-wants-talk%2F||target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Proper Prayer Begins by Taming the Tongue

Discipleship, Scripture Truth / leannahollis

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_custom_heading] Leannahollis.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. This blog post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on the link to make a purchase, I may make a small amount of money (usually a few cents) from your purchase. It will not increase the price you pay in any way. [/vc_custom_heading][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text] Our small group started the Priscilla Shirer study, Can We Talk? last night. The six-week course was designed to encourage a more effective prayer life. The first week’s lessons are about the tongue and how we use our mouths. Start with the tongue I’ve taught on prayer for years, but beginning with the tongue was a little unexpected. It’s a great starting point, though. Two verses in James explain why: “But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father; and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;” James 3:8,9 nasb The mouth is all I can see of the animal in the photo above. My first thought was “llama,” then “donkey,” and, finally, “horse in the winter with long hair.” The mouth captures my attention in a way it wouldn’t if closed. It’s so unattractive that I can’t tell if the rest of the horse is beautiful or not. My mouth, too, has all too often dominated how I seem to people over the years. I’ve spoken without thinking or, worse, said what I thought without caring about the consequences. As someone I love once said, I used my mouth like a weapon. I was good at it, too, if slashing the hearts and confidence of others with your words is a skill to be admired. The Heart-Mouth Connection The heart-mouth connection is real and more evident in what we say than we’d like. What came out of my mouth, in the past and more recently than I’d like to admit, had more to do with pride on my part than a desire to impart truth. I believed “my” way was best, what I wanted was what should be done. It didn’t take me long to learn the squeaky wheel gets the grease, the loudest voice is the one we hear, she who persists the longest often gets her way. I’ve known this, and lived it, most of my life. All those adages may be true, but they don’t tell us about the hurt those loud, squeaky voices and those arrogant words leave behind. The consuming fire in our mouths I’m sorry for the arrogance with which I’ve spoken over the years and, if I could take those words back, I would. Words once spoken, however, can never be recalled. That, my friends, is why James describes the tongue as a consuming fire and why he says no one can tame it. Only God can extinguish the fire and bring balm to our mouths. Clean the heart and tame the tongue If we want a right relationship with God, we need more than clean hearts and hands. We need clean tongues, as well. Let’s think about our words for a moment, if we can stand it. How did we speak in the last week, the last month, the last year? Were our words a fountain of life or a spewing fountain of poison? Did we bless God and cursed our neighbor? Did we speak words that demean and hurt or build up and encourage? If we want to please God, to have a sweet and intimate relationship with Him, we must allow Him to tame our tongues. The choice is ours. Will we surrender this tiny bit of our anatomy to His control? Will we allow our words to bless, encourage, flow with kindness like a river of love washing over those who most need it? I choose surrender, repentance, cleansing, change. I want my mouth to be a source of blessing to all I meet. What about you? “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Proverbs 18:21kjv [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]You might also enjoy reading: How to Wrestle With God When the Answer to Your Prayer is Delayed Real Prayer Moves Us Closer to God Becoming a House of Prayer: Five Simple Steps When the Prayer of Desperation Becomes Through the Roof Prayer [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]I’m so glad you took the time to read all the way through to the end. Thank you. If this post blessed you, please take a moment and share on your social media platforms. It’s a huge help if you also pin to Pinterest. Here’s a pinnable image to use:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/3″][vc_single_image media=”67327″ media_width_percent=”75″ media_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.leannahollis.com%2Fproper-prayer-begins-by-taming-the-tongue%2F|||”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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When the Answer to Your Prayer is Delayed

Leave a Comment / Discipleship, Prayer, Scripture Truth / leannahollis

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Before I let the horses out one wintery morning, I walked the fence to be sure it was still intact after the storm. My frigid journey through the ice wasn’t because I want a fine-looking fence, although I do, but because I want the horses safe. If they get out of the pasture and onto the road, an accident with catastrophic injuries to humans and horses is far too likely. A big cedar tree was down, but it fell away from the fence. A large oak limb smashed onto but did not break the wire closer to the barn. The limb was at least eight feet long and as big around as a whole frozen chicken. The wire was pressed down far enough that I could easily step over – no problem for the horses to cross. I envisioned them out of the fence and into harm’s way in an instant. Not good. What they wanted was not what they needed. My only choice was to remove the limb. When I returned to the barn for supplies the horses were seriously unhappy. Usually docile, they whinnied. Pawed at the door. Stamped their feet. They wanted out of their stalls, and they didn’t care why I was delayed. I ignored them and did what had to be done. After the fence was repaired and the pasture was safe, I opened the stall doors. The horses raced out the barn door without so much as a nuzzle of thanks for me. My delay kept them safe but their only concern was getting what they wanted…out of the barn. When the answer to our prayer is delayed Sometimes I pray in the same horsey way. I don’t want the answer to my prayer delayed. Instead, I demand what I want with no concern for why God might delay a yes answer. Is there a danger from which I was protected by the delay? Is He preparing something special for me or for those for whom I prayed? All too often, I presume that I should receive what I want when I want it, but there was a reason Jesus told us to ask for God’s will and not our own. His way is best. Always. Waiting time isn’t wasted time. Jairus, a leader at the local synagogue, fell at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to intervene. His only daughter was desperately ill and near death. Before Jesus could take a step in the direction of Jairus’ daughter, His attention was drawn to a woman with one hand on the fringe of His robe. She, too, was in desperate need of the healing only Jesus could provide. Things didn’t look good for the dying child. The woman was healed but a messenger arrived with heartbreaking news for Jairus. Jesus, it seemed, was too late. Jairus’ daughter was already dead. Jesus time is not too late I’m always surprised by Jairus’ reaction. I might have struck out at Jesus with angry words or left in despair but Jairus stayed where he was – at the feet of Jesus. As soon as the dreaded words of death were spoken, Jesus comforted Jairus. “Don’t be afraid. I can still heal here. No worries.” (Leanna Paraphrase) They headed to the synagogue official’s home and Jesus called the young girl from death into life. The answer to Jairus’ prayer was delayed to the point of desperation, but the miracle Jairus received was much greater than that for which he’d asked. Was it worth the delay? Undoubtedly. Did it seem like it while Jesus was healing the woman with the issue of blood? Probably not. Jesus’ time, however, is always the right time. God has a reason for the delay. He is at work, even when we don’t see His hand. Are you waiting? Are you weary of the delay? Fear not. Today, let’s give thanks for His delay and look for the lesson in the waiting. “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10 nasb Want to learn more about prayer? Be sure to check out our resource page. Click here: Prayer Resources Leannahollis.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. This blog post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on the link to make a purchase, I may make a small amount of money (usually a few cents) from your purchase. It will not increase the price you pay in any way. Photo of hourglass for Pinterest pin by Wim van ‘t Einde on Unsplash Featured Image Photo by @Misakyanovich on Unsplash [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text] Thanks for stopping by and sharing your time with me today! I’ve glad you stopped by. If you enjoyed this content, follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest, sign up for the twice-monthly mailing list (below) to be notified about my future blog posts, or click here to get a 5-day free Bible study and the twice-monthly newsletter. Before you leave, would you mind taking a moment to pin to Pinterest and share on social media? It helps extend my digital reach in ways I can’t do myself. Thanks again! See you soon. Want to read more? Here are links to a few other posts: Promises of God Fulfilled When the God of the Universe Knows Your Name How to Trust God in Hard Times Repentance and the Benefits Package Will We Make Room for God in Our Lives? Contentment Regardless of Circumstances How to Memorize Scripture Repentance: It’s Not Optional On Being Beloved [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text] Here’s an in-depth, life-changing digital Bible study to help you grow in your Christian faith: (This is an Amazon affiliate link, which means I might make a few cents from your purchase but it will not change the price you pay) [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column column_width_percent=”87″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]Thanks so much for stopping by today. Before you go, please

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How to Trust God in Hard Times

2 Comments / Discipleship, Scripture Truth / leannahollis

How to Trust God in hard times If you’ve ever wondered how to trust God in a crisis, how to trust God in hard times, or even a more basic question: Is God trustworthy? you are not alone. Most Christians struggle with trusting God in the midst of life’s biggest trials but we need look no further than Scripture to find help and hope in hard times. Help from Scripture The book of Isaiah contains fifteen chapters of woes and oracles filled with promised destruction, discipline, and grief. The “in that day” promises scattered throughout relate to end times and offer hope and a promise of a better future to people in crisis who wonder how to trust God in hard times. Is God trustworthy? According to Isaiah, He’s that and so much more. Take a look at the words of Isaiah in Chapter 25: “O Lord, I will honor and praise your name, for you are my God. You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now you have accomplished them; You turn mighty cities into heaps of ruins. Cities with strong walls are turned to rubble. Beautiful palaces in distant lands disappear and will never be rebuilt. Strong nations will declare your glory; ruthless nations will fear You.” Isaiah 25:1-3 NLT Cities in ruins. Walls in rubble. Palaces gone forever. Do those sound like wonderful things? Not at all, until we realize these aren’t cities, walls, or palaces of God’s people but of their enemies. When God moves in such a decisive way, Isaiah explained, even the wicked people will recognize Him at work and fear Him. Those who know God will respond by declaring His glory. Think about the situation for a moment. When cities are in ruins, everyone in the city is affected. The municipal services to which its citizens are accustomed are gone and the circumstances are hard—no matter who you are. Even people who know God can look at the destruction around them and be tempted to ask, “Is God trustworthy?” When our Strongholds Need to be Demolished “But you are a tower of refuge to the poor, O Lord, a tower of refuge to the needy in distress. You are a refuge from the storm and a shelter from the heat…You silence the roar of foreign nations…the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world. It will be a delicious banquet with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat. There he will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the earth. He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears.” Isaiah 15:4-6 NLT Isaiah 25:4-6 explains this hard truth. Despite destruction all around them, God takes note of His people and provides a place of defense and safety in the midst of their distress. He provides a refuge and shelter. As if refuge and protection in a crisis were not enough, God promises more. He will comfort us, give us joy, and bring celebration. He spreads a banquet and gives us His best. Although the verses in Isaiah 25 relate to end times, they’re equally pertinent to our lives today. Sometimes the destruction that needs to come is not to a world filled with iniquity but to the sin in our own hearts. Walls of judgment and criticism Palaces of pride and arrogance Strongholds of sin Is God trustworthy when it comes to dealing with the sin in our lives? Yes. When God moves against our sin with consequences, we call those consequences discipline. They aren’t always easy, but they’re worth it. Why? Because sin mars our relationship with God and it must be removed if we want to have the relationship He intended. How to trust God in hard times and after the discipline of God… Isaiah understood something we tend to forget about how to trust God in hard times: We trust God because of Who He is, not because of the circumstances in which we find ourselves. Consider this truth for a moment: Relationship waits on the other side of discipline. God does not offer a casual acquaintance. He wants a deep, meaningful love relationship in which His people revere and glorify Him. When the places of arrogance and idolatry, judgment and criticism, the strongholds of sin are removed from our lives and we follow Him with abandon, we’ll understand the righteousness of God in a deeper way and see Him as He truly is: A defense for the helpless and needy Refuge from the storm Shade from the heat Subduer of enemies Silencer of accusers One day, we won’t turn to the world for answers in our times of distress, but we’ll trust God in our hard times. We’ll understand God is our defense and stronghold. He is the One who stands ready to help, not the world. Does your heart soar with hope when you read these verses from Isaiah? Perhaps you’re like most of us. Despite all the good, beautiful, and excellent in our lives, there are still a few areas in which we feel helpless and in need, things we’re not proud of but can’t seem to remove, places in our lives that feel like a storm’s brewing. Maybe you have a few of those places, too. Perhaps you have more than a few. Life’s like that. If we want all God has for us, though, those sin-filled, helpless places need to be removed by the intervention of God. How to trust God in hard times: Start with surrender Are you in a difficult place? Wondering “is God trustworthy?” and how to trust God in hard times? Begin with surrender. Kneel before God, surrender your concerns, and relinquish your plans in order to wait for His. Surrender is always the agonizing first step in hard waiting, but it’s also the step that brings the most peace. It’s the I’m-not-in-charge-but-God-is place that lifts the burden of responsibility

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Does Miraculous Healing Still Happen?

9 Comments / Discipleship, Miracles, Scripture Truth / leannahollis

Does miraculous healing still happen? Does God still heal? What comes to mind when you think of healing? Does the image in your head include doctors, nurses, surgery, and medicine? What about pastors, elders, and anointing oil? If the first image, of medical personnel, comes to mind, you’re not wrong. Doctors are frequently used by God to bring healing to those who are sick and hurting. If your image of healing includes faith workers and anointing oil, you’re not wrong, either. Does Miraculous Healing Still Happen:What Scripture says A few years ago, our pastor taught from Mark 1:29-39 about divine healing. Peter’s mother-in-law was seriously ill. Jesus arrived and Peter’s family immediately told Him about her illness. He healed her and she went straight to work, serving Him. Pastor Noland asked, “Does God still heal?” and left a long pause for us to ponder our beliefs. We might answer his question with a “yes, but…” When the question becomes more specific, “Will God heal me?” we hesitate. We’re less certain. Does miraculous healing still happen when the need is personal? An unexpected eye problem opened my eyes to the reality of God’s healing power. In mid-December some years ago, my bathroom scales developed a problem. The light barely illuminated and the numbers were no longer visible. I changed the batteries. No better. Bought new batteries. Still no better. A vague image of the numbers was visible only if I stood on the scales until the weight was ready, hopped off, and lay on the floor. On a foggy day in early January, I realized something terrifying. The fog outside was in my left eye, too. My vision was seriously blurred. I saw my ophthalmologist immediately. Corneal edema (or swelling) caused the blurred vision but he didn’t know what caused the edema. Was it trauma, virus, or an as-yet-unknown cause? He prescribed anti-virals and steroid drops. My eye improved. Soon, I developed a different corneal problem in my right eye. More eye drops. The right eye problem quickly resolved, but the left eye didn’t heal as steadily. It improved with medication but, when the steroids were tapered, it worsened again and the possibility of a vision-losing problem was mentioned. Most of my days were spent reading a book or on a computer and they still are. Eyesight is my primary tool, but the problem made work difficult. Early morning pain in my left eye worsened with light and my vision was blurred. Symptoms gradually improved as the day went on. I took breaks every 30 minutes or so to keep the blurriness at bay. Life felt slowed down, and it was. By the end of each day, I was exhausted by the struggle and I wondered…is better good enough? Does miraculous healing still happen? Does miraculous healing still happen? When medical care fails I did everything my doctors told me to do, but it didn’t work as well as I’d hoped. I began to ask, “Does miraculous healing still happen?” The answer was yes, as I knew from previous experience. According to James 5, if we, as disciples of Jesus, are sick, we should call the elders and have them pray over us. Since Scripture clearly indicates God heals through the laying on of hands, I thought He might heal me. Before I asked, though, I had to confront a serious problem of faith. Could I deal with it God said no to my request for miraculous healing? What if the vision loss didn’t resolve, but worsened instead? I pondered it, explored options for working blind, and considered the lives of two friends, both of whom are blind physicians and still actively working. God will make a way through, I realized, no matter what happens with my eyes. I prayed the prayer that never fails. “Nevertheless, not my will, but Yours be done. Even with my eyes.” Restoration of my vision was my goal, but I was willing to accept whatever God allowed. After I reached that hard place, I contacted my pastor and asked the elders to pray for my healing. The place of surrender is the perfect place to begin prayers for miraculous healing. The following Wednesday night after Bible study, Pastor Noland called the elders to the back to discuss a matter of prayer. Then, to my surprise, he called me to the back. This wasn’t what I expected to happen, but my expectations didn’t really matter. Elders and our pastor gathered around me, anointed me with oil, and prayed over me. The earth didn’t shake and I didn’t get hit with a lightning bolt of healing heat. I didn’t feel different at all. As I drove home that night, I wondered…does miraculous healing still happen? If so, why didn’t I “feel” healed? My uncertainty was another opportunity to choose whatever God wanted and surrender again to His will. The next morning, I awakened and turned on the light. It didn’t hurt. I opened my Bible and could see the pages. The laptop screen wasn’t blurred. I could see. My vision was back to normal. It was already improving from the treatment, but my vision took a big leap forward after the elders prayed for me, and hasn’t regressed. I continued to taper to steroid drops because that’s what must be done with steroids. My visions and my discomfort were better, but I didn’t know what my cornea looked like. As a physician, healing, in this situation, didn’t simply mean better sight. It also means a normal cornea. Or so I thought. Was I healed? I don’t have a good answer to that question. The pain and blurriness resolved and my vision returned to normal (20/20 with glasses) but the virus left a scar on my cornea. It’s miraculous healing enough for me. Does miraculous healing still happen? Why me? Do miraculous healings still happen? Yes. Why did God intervene on my behalf? God’s intervention was not because I’m such a good person, have superior faith, or because I belong to

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examples of modern-day miracles, can miracles still happen, and do miracles still happen

Can Miracles Still Happen? Miracle in the Middle Drawer

4 Comments / Discipleship, Miracles / leannahollis

If you wonder, “Can miracles still happen?” or “Do miracles still happen?” you’ve come to the right place. This is the second story in our series of examples of modern-day miracles. Today’s story, the Miracle in the Middle Drawer, wasn’t born of as much desperation as the $100 miracle, (first in our series) nor as showy as the miracle when my vision was restored, but it was just as welcome. In the early days of my time as a peer-to-peer funded missionary, I rejected the idea of asking people to support my ministry and any effort at raising support for my work or my salary. I’d fund myself. Or so I thought. I began by drawing on my own resources but it didn’t take long before they were nearly depleted. No salary. No support. I didn’t know what to do so I struggled along in silence. Developed a great appreciation for beans, rice, and outdated foods at the local thrift shop. I was quick to say, “God will provide for me,” but not so quick to take Him at His word with a leap of faith. The truth was not pretty. I felt like a counterfeit missionary and the examples of modern-day miracles I heard about from other missionaries were for people a lot more holy than I was. Although I wouldn’t admit it, I didn’t believe God would provide for me. When I need a faith lesson, God often uses a crisis as a teaching tool. This time was no exception. I finally hit a tight spot I couldn’t fix. There was a little more month than money, and someone who owed me money every month was short. Again. I understood the circumstances, and I believed God called me to financial patience, so I waited but the delay made me short of funds. In order to drive to the office, I needed to buy gas but I only had $4 in cash. I didn’t want to use my debit card because the balance was low. It wasn’t $37 low but it was low and my scheduled deposit was still a couple of days away. On this particular morning, I pondered whether to work from home or ask for a miracle of gas fumes and go to the office. Finally, and with much hesitation, I decided to ask for a miracle. Can miracles still happen? I hoped so. “Lord, if you want me to go to the office, you’ll have to give me some cash,” I prayed. The Still Small Voice answered instantly. “Look in the middle drawer.” I didn’t want to argue with God, but I already looked in the middle drawer the previous day, more than once. I’d also looked in all the other usual places I stash a few dollars, too. No money anywhere. “Which drawer is that, Lord? The middle drawer of my desk doesn’t have any money in it. I looked there yesterday.” The impression of the middle drawer was so strong that I quit arguing and went to look. I pulled open the drawer and saw a white envelope on top of everything else. Where it had never been before. I opened it, and there was $25 in cash there. More than enough to buy gas. I laughed and thanked God for the modern-day miracle and headed to the office. Needed: Modern Day Miracles. Can you help? The money in my drawer was just one of many examples of modern-day miracles, but it confirmed for me that miracles still happen and was a huge blessing. I soon learned, however, that modern-day miracles happen all the time. Single mothers have one story after another about how God provided for their needs in miraculous ways. They, too, love this way of life. If you’re in a position of need, take heart. God has more than enough funds available to meet your needs and He’s willing to help. Your part is not to fret but to ask Him to provide. If you’re in the position to give, take a look around you. There are single moms, senior adults on fixed incomes, and missionaries all around us who are praying for a $10 or $20 miracle, and you can help. When God prompts your heart, pass along a blessing. I’ve been the one who was flush with cash and able to give here and there. It’s the most fun you can ever have. Receiving a miraculous provision is awesome, but it’s still more blessed to give than to receive. “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13 nasb Can miracles still happen? What’s your experience? When God gives us a miracle, we’re supposed to share it so that He can be glorified by what He’s done. What about you? Do you have your own examples of modern-day miracles? Share your story in the comments below. I’d love to hear what God has done in your life. Photo by Ben Neale on Unsplash Want to read more? Thanks for stopping by and sharing your time with us today! If you enjoyed this content, follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest, sign up for the twice-monthly mailing list to receive exclusive stories and be notified about future blog posts. Before you leave, would you mind taking a moment to pin to Pinterest and share on social media? It helps extend my digital reach in ways I can’t do myself. Thanks again! See you soon. If you enjoyed “Can Miracles Still Happen?” and want to read about more modern-day miracles, check out these stories. Here are links to a few other posts you might enjoy: Miracles Still Happen: The $100 Miracle Does Miraculous Healing Still Happen? The Miracle I Expected to Remember but Soon Forgot When the Prayer of Desperation Becomes Through the Roof Prayer The Prodigal Puppy and the Rescuer Who Brought Her Home Here’s an in-depth, life-changing digital Bible study to help you grow in your Christian faith: (This is an Amazon affiliate

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How to Wrestle with God

Leave a Comment / Discipleship / leannahollis

If you want to know what it means to wrestle with God or how to wrestle with God, we can help. Read here to learn three steps to wrestle with God effectively. My desperate decision to wrestle with God My vision was at the worst point in a series of blurry days. I was afraid to drive and worn out from trying to see through the blur to view my computer screen. The problem was a severe viral infection of my cornea, probably contracted during a trip to the Middle East, and it threatened to completely destroy my sight. Months of uncertainty left me more desperate than ever. Would I lose my sight or not? I wanted an answer, one way or the other. In desperation, I determined to fight the battle of Jacob and wrestle with God. I would not let go until God moved in one way or the other. The struggle left Jacob with a permanent limp, so I wasn’t sure how I would emerge but, after the long struggle I was exhausted and ready for answers. I spent a day in prayer and repentance, seeking an answer about my eye. My prayers were based on three important principles: Surrender to God’s will. The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving Repentance of Sin It was the hardest intercession I’ve ever done, but neither of those three steps was optional if I wanted an answer to a seemingly unanswered prayer. How to Wrestle with God: Three Vital Steps 1. Surrender to God’s Will The chronic viral infection in my eye left me with one of three possibilities. Either God would heal me, I’d have chronic blurriness and struggles, or the infection would take my vision and leave me blind. Would anyone choose blindness? Not likely. The only answer I wanted to accept was healing. That day, however, I surrendered to whatever God thought best for me. “Take my sight or leave it, God, but help me understand what you’re doing. I’m choosing to want what you want more than my own desire for healing.” It may sound like a bunch of words but, as one who sees answered prayer on a daily basis, I know how deadly serious prayer is. What I didn’t know was what God’s will would be, and I feared it. 2. Offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving If we are to give thanks “in all things” we must find cause for gratitude even in the most difficult circumstances. I’d already begun to thank God for the good eyesight in my right eye, the continued ability to drive, the blessing of audiobooks, the benefits of large print, the doctor’s wisdom, the kindness of the office staff, and the ease of travel. On the wrestling day, I took it a few steps further. I walked through my home and thanked God for everything I saw. A stroll around my property found new reasons for thanksgiving. My contacts-list offered up hundreds of friends, family, and other relationships for which I could (and did) give thanks. Finally, I moved my thanksgiving into the difficult zone. I tried to remember all the hard things God had allowed, then looked for positive outcomes from each trial for which I could thank Him. Surrendering to God’s will was a hard-fought battle, but it didn’t take long. The sacrifice of thanksgiving was a different matter. I literally spent hours giving thanks. The longer the time spent thanking God, the more an overwhelming sense of gratitude increased and the less my trial mattered. 3. Repent of sin Repentance was the hardest step of all as I wrestled with God, but the most necessary. Repenting for the sins I recognized wasn’t a problem. It was the sin hidden too deep in my heart to see that remained unconfessed. I started by addressing any sin for which I thought I might not have repented, then moved on to sin I wasn’t sure I had. Before the day was over, however, I finally came to the deepest point of surrender. “Lord,” I prayed, “show me the sin you want me to relinquish.” He did. “Let go of the idol.” The words in my heart were so clear in my heart, I had no trouble understanding them. As soon as I heard them, I felt waves of nausea, revulsion, and dread flow through me. Instantly I knew what God meant and I feared what was to come. My first article was written for a junior high school newsletter in 1969. After forty-nine years, the last five years spent writing nearly constantly, I consider myself a writer even more than a physician, and I am. Writing is how I process life, how I communicate, and how I touch the world. It’s my preferred art form and a huge part of my ministry. Printed words on a page are beautiful to me. Fonts and text size delight me. I love how words slash through our defenses, open our hearts and change our minds. I love being a writer. The thing I feared most was not blindness but losing the ability to write. Sometimes we need to release our dream to have the heart God desires for us. My love for writing isn’t a bad thing and it hasn’t been used in a bad way. It’s a gift from God used to glorify Him. On that beautiful, dreadful day, when I learned how to wrestle with God, I realized I’d allowed the gift God gave to become a consuming priority in my life and, eventually, an exhausting, devouring idol. When I saw it, I opened my hands and metaphorically released this good-thing-turned-idol. That idol shattered into a million pieces and lost its power in my life. I apologized to God, asked for forgiveness, and reveled in the cleanness of my heart. Thanksgiving and surrender to God’s will prepared me to walk away from writing altogether if that’s what it took to relinquish my idol. At the moment of surrender, I had no idea

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How to See the Promises of God Fulfilled

Leave a Comment / Discipleship, Scripture Truth / leannahollis

If you’ve read much Scripture, you know it’s filled with the promises of God, but it’s also full of evidence of the promises of God fulfilled. Do you want to learn how to see the promises of God fulfilled in your life? Maybe you wonder, “Does God keep His promises? Will He keep His promises to me?” We sometimes fail to recognize those answers because the promise and its fulfillment are usually separated by both pages and time. Promises of God fulfilled in unlikely ways Let’s take a quick look at the writing of the prophet Isaiah for a better understanding of how the promises of God are fulfilled. Isaiah was a master of contrasts. He switched from dark to light with word pictures so vivid they stick in your head for years. The passage in Isaiah 8:17-9:3 is a perfect example. He began with a simple declaration. “I will wait for the Lord…I will even look eagerly for Him.” Isaiah expected God to move in a decisive way, and he was willing to wait for God’s timing even if that timing came after he was long gone from the earth. Isaiah’s expectation is a stark contrast to that of the people who didn’t know the Scripture well enough to understand God’s ways. Like a lot of people today, they didn’t understand how to see the promises of God fulfilled and probably wondered, “Will God keep His promises to me?” Instead of asking Isaiah for help, they consulted mediums and spiritists for direction. They wanted quick action and man’s answers but were quick to blame God when the way of the world didn’t satisfy them. They looked to the earth, and the ways of the people around them for answers, but as Isaiah said they only found “distress, darkness, and the gloom of anguish.” (Isaiah 8:22) The prophet knew a solution to the world’s woes would come to the most unlikely of places — on the far side of the Jordan, to “Galilee of the Gentiles.” The Jewish people were not likely to turn to the Galileans for answers but Isaiah urged them to keep their eyes open. A time would come when there was no more gloom or anguish and God’s glory was visible on earth, he reminded them. The fullness of time Does God keep His promises? Yes, He does. Centuries later, we know Isaiah was correct and the promises of God were fulfilled. The prophecy of Daniel gave us God’s timetable and the writings of the disciples reveal a stunning truth. Jesus arrived right on time and, according to Isaiah’s prophecy, exactly where God said He’d come. The people who walked in darkness saw a great light and Jesus fulfilled every promise God had given. He shined the light in the darkness because He IS the light. Increased gladness. Broke the yoke of burden. Became our Wonderful Counselor, our Mighty God, Eternal Father, our Prince of Peace. An unending reign. Offered eternal peace, justice, and righteousness. “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this,” Isaiah promised, and it did. Promises of God fulfilled in my life If Isaiah is right, and he is, why don’t we have peace, justice, and righteousness? There’s a simple, hard answer. We’re not much different from the people of Isaiah’s time, and we still look to the world for answers. We still want Jesus plus something else. The people in Isaiah’s time wanted a military leader who would make Israel great and powerful. They wanted world domination, not a world surrendered to God alone. Light in the darkness with unending joy isn’t quite the same, is it? Light, joy, and peace are infinitely better but only if we’re willing to surrender the world and cling to the One who conquered sin and death. Promises of God fulfilled in Jesus plus nothing If we want everything God promised and if we want to see the promises of God fulfilled in our lives, we must turn our eyes and our hearts to Jesus alone. How? One simple step. Take our focus off the world and place it where it belongs. On Jesus. Seek Him first. Seek Him only. How to see the Promises of God fulfilled in your life: You, too, can see God’s promises fulfilled in your life when you follow Jesus, learn His will and His ways, and simply obey. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 Here’s a video from Michael W. Smith featuring Turn your Eyes Upon Jesus If country music is more your style, here’s a video from Alan Jackson singing Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus Want to read more like Promises of God Fulfilled? While you’re here, check out these blog posts: How to Trust God in Hard Times The Benefits of Repentance Promises of God Fulfilled What Does it Mean to Be Beloved? What Does it Mean to Be a Disciple of Jesus? Why We Should Choose Humility and Let Go of Pride Thanks for sharing your time with us today. Before you go… Sign up for our twice-a-month newsletter to receive exclusive stories, freebies, and more. Leave a comment and share this post on your social media pages or through email. Bookmark our website so you can visit us often. Take a look at Today’s Encouragement before you go. We add to this every weekday. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest Leannahollis.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. This blog post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on the link to make a purchase, I may make a small amount of money (usually a few cents)

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How to Memorize Scripture: Three Easy Steps

2 Comments / Discipleship, Resources, Scripture Truth / leannahollis

Have you ever heard someone quote a passage of Scripture and wondered why memorize Scripture or why we should memorize Scripture? Keep reading to learn more. If you want to learn how to memorize Scripture, our three easy steps to memorize Scripture can help. A few years ago, I decided to memorize a chapter of the Bible every month as one of my New Year’s resolutions. It might have been a little optimistic. Four days into January, I was already behind on my plan to memorize the first chapter of John before the end of the month. I knew how to memorize Scripture. The problem wasn’t my technique or my ability. My failure to memorize Scripture was due to my reliability. Every morning, I reviewed my verses and made what was little more than a stab at memorizing them. I read them. Quoted them a few times. Put them away as quickly as I picked them up. How to memorize Scripture: Soak your heart with its truth What I didn’t do was soak my heart in their truth, and that’s why they didn’t “stick.” One morning, I read through the first twelve verses of John 1 again. The second time I read them through, the third verse came alive. “All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” (John 1:3) nasb All things. How to memorize Scripture: Apply it to your life Does all mean all? The image of barbed wire instantly popped into my head. Barbed wire? Does Jesus care about barbed wire? I pondered that crazy-sounding question a moment and read the verse again. If all things came into being by Him, and Scripture says it did, did barbed wire come into being by Jesus? In a manner of speaking, yes. He made the person who invented it, of course, as well as the mind out of which the invention came. When we apply Scripture to our lives in order to memorize it, we begin to see God in everything we do. The thought about God’s concern for barbed wire wasn’t as random as it seemed. I was building a barbed-wire fence at the time but hadn’t quite finished it. Does Jesus care about the fencing wire so prevalent in the Southern U.S.? Yes, in multiple ways. He cares about the people who make the wire, build the fences, and stretch the wire. He cares about the animals for whom those sharp barbs provide security and protection, too. Suddenly, his care about the fence I was building made verses about His care for me come alive. I understood them, I could remember them, and I soon realized it was one of the easy ways to memorize Scripture. Does Jesus care about all my concerns? My second thought was about the then-current trouble in the Middle East. My heart broke over recent governmental decisions there. I prayed at length about the situation and begged everyone who’d listen to join me in intercession. Occasionally, my prayers sounded a little accusatory, as if God overlooked the events that gave me such pause. “What about there, Lord? It’s a mess right now,” I asked. All things. Those two simple words resonated in my heart. Governments are established by God and have their authority with the permission of God. (Romans 13:1) He moves the heart of the king like channels of water. (Prov 21:1) Once again, the application of Scripture to my daily life was an important step in how to memorize Scripture. He knows. God knows about the corruption in governments, crack-downs on religious freedom, and the persecution of believers. He knows about my friends who fled for their lives from their homeland. Nothing escapes his notice. Nothing will be wasted. It wasn’t the answer I wanted. My desire was for God to roll up His sleeves and wade into the battle. I wanted God to do things MY way, instead of His own. It’s a problem as old as creation. We want our way instead of His. How to Memorize Scripture: Embrace Nevertheless My barbed wire pondering led, in a roundabout way, to “nevertheless” about a few things. “Nevertheless, not My will but Thine be done.” (Luke 22:42) The simple act of surrendering to His will instead of mine brought me to the place I needed to be with Scripture memory. Suddenly, the verses came alive. “The light shined in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it” made perfect sense. None of the efforts of believers in the painful place of persecution were wasted. Light shined, but the darkness didn’t comprehend, exactly as John 1 said. The importance of Scripture memory is not in the act of repeating words until we can say them by rote. The value comes when we allow the Word of God to invade our hearts, reveal truth to us, and change us. Scripture memory was much easier after the Word of God came alive in my heart, took root, and began to grow. Three Easy Steps to Memorize Scripture Do you want to memorize Scripture? Do you want the Word of God to come alive for you? If we “hide it in our hearts” and nurture it as we would seed in our garden, His Word will grow into full-bloom beauty in our lives and make us more like Jesus than ever before. Don’t strive to gather a bunch of words. Instead, strive for the truth that transforms and let it begin to transform you. Three Easy Steps to Memorize Scripture: PLANT: Don’t tackle an entire passage at once. Choose one verse at a time and marinate in it. Repeat it throughout the day. Try writing it out several times to increase familiarity. WATER: Study the verse. Look up commentary on the passage. LIGHT: Ask God to help you understand and know its truth. Allow it to invade your heart and life until the truth becomes a part of you. When you “know” the verse because you’ve lived

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