Hello, on this rainy Saturday morning.   I pray all is well with you and that your prayers are being answered. 

I wanted to share a quick testimony. 

As I was washing my dishes the other day, I was thinking about the scripture when Jesus said to Peter, “But, I have prayed for you.”  

““Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭22:31-32‬ ‭ESV‬‬

For many of us, it can become discouraging when trying to overcome obstacles as we strive to grow in certain areas of our lives. Athletes certainly go through those types of frustrations. They have great days, and then there are times of stagnation. It’s tough. Especially when you’ve come so far, and then it seems to just stop.  

Close! ~

When you feel like you’ve come up short, be comforted and remember that Jesus is interceding for you! He wants the very best for us. This truth has certainly been an encouragement for me to continue to ”wait” for his perfect timing and stop trying to move ahead of Him.

The most expensive gift we can give someone is to pray for them!

It really struck my heart thinking about how Jesus said to Peter that He had prayed for him, knowing that Peter was about to be tested. Jesus knew what Peter would go through. He knew Peter. I think Peter needed to know himself too. Just as we all do. These tests we endure are what purify our hearts and remove the pride and fears that are within us, hiding.

But Jesus reassured Peter that “when you return to Me”, he was to use that experience to go strengthen and encourage his brothers and sisters too. 

 As we come out of tests and trials, that is exactly what we are to do. Take what we’ve learned and help others going through similar paths.  We are called to take our hurts, pains, disillusionments, and discouragements, along with our victories and joys, to others. Why else would God leave us here after getting saved? He could just take us out of here and bring us home, but that’s not the case. He wants others to know the joy and victory of living for Christ and have the hope for Heaven as we, who are called His children, do.

I can’t thank God enough for allowing me this opportunity to write these stories and testimonies about Him and His love for us. As I write, I’m sitting there along with you reading His instructions too. I am not any better or stronger than any of you reading these words. I am on the same path failing, learning, hoping, and trusting Him. Obeying His instructions as best as I can.

I pray that each of us will receive every word He speaks! That we would receive His perfect plan for our lives and not waiver or stay in a disappointment, but would get back up and keep moving forward, no matter how we feel! Remember, we are not alone. The Holy Spirit is guiding us each and every step of the way.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye”

Psalms 32:8

Jesus prayed ~

“As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,” (That’s us!)

‭‭John‬ ‭17:18, 20‬ ‭ESV‬‬