A CLOSER WALK WITH JESUS

How wonderful it is to know Jesus for 21 years! Our spiritual relationship with the Lord grows deep and matures over time and for the last 5 years God’s had me walking closer to Him more than ever before. The more I commune with the Lord I am fed and nourished by His Word which allows me to understand the true walk of faith and not be hindered or moved by what I see in the natural. (2 Corinthians 5:7) It’s exciting to see God move in our lives once we get out of the driver’s seat so to speak. He’s been teaching and speaking to my heart unfolding daily lessons in the areas of Prayer, His Characteristics, Scripture, Faith, Giving and Obedience.

Everything is a lesson if you listen close enough you’ll learn something and pass your test.  He is the teacher and we are the students. We must raise our hands to Jesus and let Him give us the ANSWER for every situation, circumstance, and decision made in our lives. No shortcuts, or trying to figure out a better way or maybe a back-up plan just in case God doesn’t do it the way we feel He should. “For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.” Psalm 66:10 (NIV)

We all face the struggles and uncertainties that everyday life brings our way—but with God’s help and the renewing of our minds (His way of thinking) we can overcome the enemy and be victorious. We must completely, unconditionally without any reservations put our trust and faith in Jesus, releasing our agenda’s, children, husbands, wives, relationships, marriages, finances, etc. The Lord is Faithful to take care of us and meet our needs. (spiritually, physically, mentally and financially) Trust that Father God knows best--He is always working, behind the scenes, His timing is always perfect! "… no good thing will He withhold, from them that walk uprightly."Psalms 84:11.

AN ANSWER TO PRAYER: A couple of weeks ago my husband and I started putting a little money aside for a special weekend. We were diligent about saving because we didn’t want to take from the money we needed to meet the financial obligations of our household. Our intentions were to save and add a little bit every week and then when it was time we would have what we needed. Then 2 days ago, I received a call to pray for a brother in the Lord who was suffering with much pain in his body and taken to the emergency room. I prayed that it wouldn’t be anything serious and that the Lord be merciful to him and heal him. The "Good Report" is that it wasn’t serious and with medication he would be good as new in a few days. Thank you Jesus for Answered Prayer! “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.” Isaiah 55:8.

PROVISION FOR OUR NEEDS: “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.” Psalm 9:10. Now, this brother was in between paychecks and only had $12 to his name. When I spoke to him I could hear the burden he was carrying over the lack of finances that he needed to purchase the medications prescribed by the physician. And to make the situation worse he couldn’t go back to work until he was better. I felt a “Test” coming--the Lord was already speaking to my heart to help him out never the less I didn’t mention anything to him. As I was talking with him my mind was racing, trying to figure out how I could help him financially. The only extra money I had was the money I’d saved for our “Special Outing” and at that point who knows if that would be enough considering how expensive prescriptions are these days. Well he said he was going home and would try and figure something out and we left it at that.  Within a matter of minutes he called me back in tears. TEARS OF JOY! He said that he walked into the pharmacy to just see what the medications ran and when he was quoted a price it was ridiculously high and started to walk away from the counter and the pharmacist said, “Wait, do you have insurance?” He said, “Yes, I do.” The pharmacist checked and with his discount the order came to $12.14. The brother shook his head with disappointment, He said, “I only have $12.00.” The pharmacist said, “Don’t worry about it, I got I will take care of the difference.” He filled the order, Praise God, and gave it to him. When he finished sharing his testimony with me we both rejoiced, and then realized he didn’t know how he would make it till payday. It took all the money he had to fill the prescription but he was thankful to the Lord for meeting his need.

GOD REWARDS US: The Lord laid it upon my heart to bless him with the $12 that he started with and give him another $12 on top of that. I kept that thought to myself and at that time of the day neither one of us had a vehicle to do anything. So I waited till my husband got home from work and told him what took place that day and we were both in agreement to bless him “Double” for his trouble. I knew then; that the Lord had me saving that little extra not for our own personal need but to be a witness and help this brother out. You see God’s been trying to prove himself to him and to me.  The Lord wanted to see if I would put into action what He had been teaching me. Jesus spoke very loudly to my heart. He said, “You must release the finances you saved for yourself to meet the need of your brother.  “Tell them to do good, to be rich in the good things they do, to be generous, and to share with others.” 1 Timothy 6:18. Within 24 hours exactly of helping that brother we received 2 unexpected checks in the mail from out of state. Father God returned it to us and then some. “…knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord.” When He speaks to our hearts how blessed we are for trusting and obeying Him. Trials strengthen us and build our faith; they make us stronger and more powerful than any mountain that comes our way. We give Glory, Honor and Praise to Jesus, thank you Lord for giving me the strength to pass my “Test”. “O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.” Isaiah 25:1. Debra Crisp, Forever Faithful to Jesus!

Thank you so much for reading this message. If you would like to make a copy or copies of this testimony, you are welcome to do so. Make sure your copy is in its entirety and the message should not be changed. Hilda Arredondo's name and her website http://NDCPrayer.com/ and e-mail address uipwc@bellsouth.net should accompany this message as you print it. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail us. At this point we have no representatives outside this ministry and all business for the ministry is handled by hilda arredondo, 195 El Shaddai Rd, Opelousas, La. 70570