Unlocking His Truth

Sometimes we ask God in our desperation for a miracle show me a sign that your with me.What if we took the approach of faith where we confidently say Jesus your already here teach me to draw near to you.

Here's my story... 

I decided to travel for a weekend to my hometown for a three day conference done for college students at my church.I went to a seminar where a student asked me the question would I allow God to interrupt my life and bear discomfort so someone can meet Jesus?

At this point in my semester everything was going perfect I had a scholarship,awesome mentor,and I'm working a steady job while I'm home.Then as I drove back to campus three hours away the unthinkable happened.

As I began to fall asleep at the wheel in an area with windy country roads and no phone signal,I get pulled over.Mind you I've never been in trouble with the law or have gotten any tickets ever.Im assuming ill get a slap on the wrist or a minor warning.Instead I get charged with a criminal offense.

My first instinct was to hide this and make it go away somehow. I felt so ashamed,humiliated,embarrassed.It was at that moment of calling on God where he said you can't face this alone you have to share this and seek pastoral guidance.

So I began to make phone calls,texts,and emails reaching out to my church family at home and in Lynchburg.In my first call a friend of 
mine who was insanely busy in his senior year at Mason 
immediately prayed over the phone with me.On top of that he 
wrote out an incredible character letter for the judge.

As I sat with another friend who's going into campus ministry at Nova in the fall.He opened up his bible and poured in wisdom from Proverbs and told me with confidence that God wouldn't abandon me in this.He said to me have you rested at all since you've heard these news? If not your putting way to much energy in this and dwelling on this matter too much.

When talking with many lawyers they said your punishment should be at least 15 days in Jail,$2,500 fine,and a suspension of your license for a whole year.Next day a miracle occurred when a local pastor in Lynchburg stepped up to encourage me.

He not only provided advice on expert council to defend me in my trial.This pastor who only knew me for about a few months sat through five whole hours in the courtroom as I sat to wait for my name to be called.This pastor and his whole family received me with so much love in a time of pain and hurt.

From that same church my small group leader and her husband said prayer after prayer with a bold faith that God would give me favor.She hosted me in her home day the day before the trial.As a Liberty student was there needing a place to stay after student housing had closed down.She shared that night that she was the first in her family to come to Christ.I told her after my trial tomorrow just come home with me.

I show up to the courtroom the Judge says I'm deciding to drop all charges and criminal records.Instead I ask that you commit to driving safer on the roads and do 50 hours of community service.I was so in awe of what happened I was speechless for several days.

The students Mom flys in to my area to meet me after hearing my story allows me to pray for her.A few days later on Father's Day she gives her life to Jesus and the daughter goes home with her.This whole experience taught me we cannot rely on our own resources,good standing,or even the people we know to save us when judgement comes only Jesus can! we need him! 

Also you need people actively in your life so that when the darkest hour comes someone is there to hold up the light when your vision is dim.When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane he had his disciples there with Him praying. 

After experiencing all of this here are the FIVE steps I took in the time of desperate need for a miracle that I'd like to share with you and hopefully encourage you! 

1. Your thought Pattern is what immediately is attacked first.The bible says hold every thought under the obedience of Christ

2.Shed light to your situation and ask for prayer.Rise up with confidence in who your savior has said you are.

3.Seek wise council talk to those you trust in ministry whether it's leaders, pastors, or ministers but be discerning of the pieces of advice you receive.

4.Be strategic in prayer time Give God praise(Thank him for the progress of the situation),

repent wherever you've had disbelief,and lastly be specific in what your believing for.

5.Intentionally MIA get alone with the Lord as much as you can.You will have so many people 
urgently throwing information at you.Be cautious and aware of who's voice your listening to.


Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.-Isaiah 54:10 

Money talks but God is Louder!

About a year ago in december 2015 I came home for the holidays for the first time from Liberty.I caught up with friends I hadn’t seen for months.One particular friend of mine from home I somehow had grown closer to like a sister even with all the distance and time apart.She had gotten her very first own apartment with a new full time job since I was on break I offered to help her move everything.As I slept over that weekend we prayed over the finances of family.

Normally I didn't do this but I began to weep with my face on the floor crying out to God that I was tired of seeing our mothers barely make ends meet.I was fed up with underpaying unstable jobs that would take a toll on our mothers health.I began to yell out the spirit of poverty has to leave my family it has no place or authority any longer.

Fast forward to the fall semester of 2016 I found a group called The Watch on my college campus.The experience of attending there worship nights at a small prayer chapel at Liberty was a fresh breath of air for me.Taking my mind off of my own issues by praying over the needs of the campus,our surrounding areas of Lynchburg,and students was the kind of church community I was used to.

As I came every week God began to empty out my soul of disbelief that financial security isn't possible for me.As I sang and celebrated just the nature of who God is.Something unexplainable happenened every excuse I was giving to God as to why things just couldnt unfold for me began to fall off me like a shackle being let loose.in my time of worship at The Watch he was breaking off what I had held onto practically my enitre life.

Theres a song that we sing that says I will rejoice in the simple gospel I will rejoice in you Lord.The gospel became the key that unlocked the financial breakthrough Ive waited on for many years.My hope in stablitty regarding money had honestly grown tired and dry.As I read the story of Ezekiels vision of Dry bones.I started asking God to breathe his power over the financial situation in my home the same way he did in the valley of dry bones.

Then the unthinkable occurred this past November around the end of fall semester I was able to purchase my very own first car with no loans fully cash.After trying numerous times to obtain my own credit line and having a ton of denials my first credit card got approved.

Wait it gets better my single mother of 23 years working many unsteady jobs has finally found a secure job shes loves where she makes her own hours and they mailed her an Ipad with data for work.Next time you find yourself asking God but where will the money come from? Sing praises as if you already got it! ask him Instead how can I honor you with what I'm about to receive from you God?

Stay in Faith,Mimi