Song of the Day: I am Victorious

May23

So I know we’ve been doing a lot of song of the days lately… but I love this song! It’s even part of my jogging Mp3 mix track I made myself (28 mins of continuous christian music in one mp3 with even parts where I tell myself to start running or that I can walk LOL!). There are days when we wake up singing this with a happy heart… and there are times when we sing this to remind ourselves that in the end, we win. But may this song be with you today dear readers in which ever kind of situation you are in right now. Know that either you are living in victory and feeling it, or you are living in victory with a sense of faith- knowing that since God grants us the power to overcome evil and to be victorious, it is definitely already happening… just a little more in your future

You are victorious in Him who commands the angelic hosts!

You are victorious in Jesus name for “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

You are able to even move mountains!!!

Live your victory dear readers. Praise Him NOW, even if you aren’t living IN your victory at this very moment… for it will come! He will come! Our wonderful, mighty King, the Lord of Hosts, Jesus Christ helps us live “the best life, liv[e] the blessed life”

Rebekah M.

Prayer Monday: He is Faithful

May20

This weekend, I have learned yet once again that He is faithful. Let’s all pray this “praise prayer” together (even if you use your own words ).

Jesus,

I praise You for being faithful. I worship You that in all times, You are good! Thank You Jesus for turning tides. Thank You Jesus for being my constant, wonderful companion who knows best. Thank You that all things are safe in Your hands! There is none like You! There is no greater love, no greater power, and no greater friend than You!!! Thank You for dying for me. Thank You for rising again in power. Thank You for sending Your wonderful gift of living in our hearts as the Holy Ghost!! You are the Lord, the famous one, great is Your name in all the earth!!!

With a grateful heart,

Rebekah M.

Being Isaac: Bill from Unshakable Hope “More than Just a Dream”

May19

Editor’s Note: Our weekly guest spot is our effort to help our reading community connect with each other. “Being Isaac” is in response to our growing number of male readers. We think it’s important that there’s a male reply to our female’s call to live in passionate pursuit of Christ. Thanks Bill from Unshakable Hope for submitting an amazing post that reminds us that heaven is our destination and it will be more than just a dream.

I had a vivid dream last night - In this dream I was completely healed and whole.

The dream began with me simply stepping out of bed, which is something I haven’t been able to do in over 15 years. I could walk, talk, eat, dress myself and do everything else that I was once able to do. Mary and I were so excited that we began calling all of our family and friends and then we began visiting people at their homes and offices (Mary drove the car because I don’t have a driver’s license and the only thing I’ve driven in last 15 years is a wheelchair).

The dream was so real-to-life that I was telling Mary all the places I wanted to travel to and all the restaurants I wanted to try. I was even making practical plans like getting a driver’s license and making an appointment with the doctor to have my feeding tube removed etc. As you can probably imagine, this was so exciting; more so than winning a billion dollar lottery! But that incredible excitement soon turned to great disappointment when I awoke from this vivid dream at 4:15 this morning and realized I couldn’t even uncross my feet, let alone get out of bed.

Then my great disappointment turned back into incredible excitement when I remembered that, regardless of what happens in this life, one day I KNOW that I WILL be healed and whole! One day “…there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain…” (Revelation 21:4)

There was a time in my life that I feared death and the unknown in general. I later found out that these fears are quite common. But, as strange as it might sound, ever since I committed to following Christ and began believing the promises of God’s word, my fear of death has been replaced with an excitement of what lies in store for me after this brief and fragile life is over. Christ died and rose again to free us from sin AND from the fear of what lies ahead – “…only by dying could He (Jesus) break the power of the Devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he deliver those who have lived all their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.” (Hebrews 2:14-15 NLT)

In 1996, Bill was diagnosed with ALS (“Lou Gehrig’s Disease”) and the doctors told him he had 3-5 years to live. He is now completely paralyzed and unable to speak, but by God’s grace, he’s still alive and through his Unshakablehope blog he shares a message of hope in Christ.

See the original post at http://unshakablehope.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/more-than-just-a-dream/

Published with the permission of the author. Submit your own post at beingrebekah@outlook.com.

Prayer Monday: Renewed Promises

May13

So I have had the same prophecy spoken over me throughout the years. I can think of three main instances in which it has happened, two of them were with the exact same wording by different people, in different states, and almost a decade apart. The third was definitely in the same spirit of the other two.

When I was younger, every time I had a serious time of asking God for revelation/my future, I repeatedly would open my Bible and it would land on Ezekiel 37 (this is over years starting in either elementary or middle school at least 5 or 6 times or even more). Finally, during my college years after one such time like that, I angrily drove home from church one night and was like “God! You have to tell me what it means, why the valley of the dry bones??? You have to or… or… I don’t even know what!” It is amazing to think I felt I had a right to yell at God like that. Yet instead of punishing me, that very next Sunday we had an unexpected guest preacher who taught on promises. At one point, he talked about Ezekiel 37 and explained that bones represent promises and that the valley of the dry bones is an analogy of how God can and will breathe life back into promises that seem so dead and dried up.

Last night, the pastor preached on the subject of promises and how God is faithful and able to perform that which He has spoken. During alter call, I felt the renewed hope in my promises. They may at times seem SO dead and so far off, but I once again said to Him who is able, “Jesus, if this is truly what You want for my life, You KNOW what needs to come to pass. I believe. I will go where You want and do what You want.” I felt His promises begin to take life back on those dry and dusty bones. I felt Him say:

“That is why I sent you that passage so many times when you were younger, so that you would know that from a young age I wanted you to learn that I am able to bring your promises back to life. I want you to always know that I am able and I will bring My promises to life.”

What promises has God laid on your heart that you feel are dead and dusty? Know that He is able! Let today’s prayer in your heart be to reclaim your promises! Don’t let despair take hold, know that He is faithful and able to perform what He said He would! Your promises may look dead in your mind’s eye, but He is able to bring back life even the things that seem to have been lost to you years ago. Let today’s prayer be one that claims His faithfulness. Ezekiel was told to prophecy to the bones so speak it forth- speak faith that God WILL bring His promises for your life to reality! You may not see the results today, or even tomorrow, but hold on to your promises, hold on to your faith, and know that HE WILL BE FAITHFUL!

God bless you readers as you believe in His promises for your life once again,

Rebekah M.

http://beingrebekah.com/2013/02/04/prayer-monday-breaking-oppression-again/

Ode to Mothers

May12

Being that today is Mother’s day, Rebekah A and I felt we’d like to make a joint post sharing a story each of our mothers

Rebekah M- When I think about my mom, I can’t help but think of how much she rejoices and weeps with me through the times in my life. I received news that I failed one part (of two) of the medical boards in early December. It became a test of faith. Without passing, certain residency programs would no longer rank me for their program. More over, I only had a small window in which to re-take the test and it was crucial to graduating on time. It wasn’t until January until a new spot opened up for me to re-take the test. As I went through my second round of testing, I was nervous and part of me wished that I had had greater faith in the midst of that time, but I survived and at the worst of the stress, my prayers to Him who could calm my heart from breaking down in tears worked. When I received an email in early March saying that the results were posted online, I quickly called my mom. As I opened up to the results I was able to say to her that I passed. She immediately started breaking out in praise to God. I could hear her tears through the phone as she wept and gave God praise. What an amazing mother! Not only am I certain of her MANY prayers on my behalf that I would pass, she continued to encourage me to hold to His steadfast mercy and grace. To know that if this was God’s road for me, all would be well. Even if she had doubts swimming within her mind, she still pushed me to trust Him and clearly, it was well founded. Praise God for such a mother!!

Rebekah A – “Pal Time”. That’s what my mom and I used to call our morning routine when I was younger. I’d wake up at 5 every morning. Mom would get up too, make tea (tea for me – coffee for her and lots of it!), and join me. In a house full of people, every morning it was just the two of us. She called me her pal, and we talked about everything. As the years have gone by, there have been many ups and downs in my family. My mom is the one who kept us together throughout it all, and has supported me through so much. Success or failure, good times or bad, she met every situation with her unconditional love. No matter what was going on, she was my confidant. To this day she is my best friend. I don’t get to see her as often, but when I do, we still enjoy having the early morning to ourselves, we still have tea (and coffee) together, and we still talk about everything. I thank God every day for my mother – and my first and very favorite pal.

We wish you all a very happy Mother’s Day.

God bless!

~Rebekah M & Rebekah A

Family Movie Night: Facing the Giants

May11

This is one of my favorite movies ever since it combined two of my greatest loves: Jesus and football. There are some pretty powerful concepts in here- one of my favorites talks about a concept similar to the story going around the internet about how a church decided to gather together and pray for rain in the midst of a drought, but only one little boy brought his umbrella (they use a different example in the movie). Do you have your umbrella ready for God’s miracles? Will you truly act on your faith when you pray or do you come umbrella-less? Enjoy the movie!

~Rebekah M

Prayer Monday: A Prayer of the Sick/Song of the Day

May6

Yesterday I was incredibly sick with what I’m guessing was a 24 hour bug. Throwing up every hour on the half hour for what felt like an eternity and then when that stopped I had full on body aches and a high fever. Even running my hands through my hair hurt on a level like I don’t ever remember it hurting. Through it all though, something in my heart still gave praise to God. There were short windows where I would feel well, about 30-45 mins each and during one of those windows I played a song that I newly learned. Part of the lyrics say “in my weakness you are merciful” and I started to cry as I sang them out loud.

It is so true. In our moments of weakness, physical or spiritual, God is still merciful, He is still good. I was blessed beyond measure to have it happen while I was home visiting family so that my mom could take care of me. Just a few years shy of thirty and I was lucky enough to still have my mom nurse me back to health. She quickly went out to get ingredients for chicken soup, sugar free jello (I’m diabetic), low carb Gatorade, and saltine crackers. At one point when my fever was raging high and I could barely move from pain, she actually spoon fed me some jello and gave me Gatorade through a straw because I hadn’t had anything for a bit.

God gives us what we need when we need it! Even more, the doctor I’m working with this month told me I could take today and tomorrow off to get better and come back on Weds. What blessings! What mercy! God, You truly outdo what I am worthy of! Thank You Jesus!!

Thank You Jesus that in my weakness, You truly are merciful! Thank You Jesus that in all times, You are good! Thank You Jesus that there is none like You and You truly do watch over us Praise You Jesus! Praise You God for Your little miracles

Rebekah M.

Stretch Forth Thine Hand

May4

And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. ~ Mark 3:1-5

God had used this passage of verses before to touch my heart as I wrote about back in October last year. These past few days, God allowed me the chance to go to a ladies’ conference which has been SO good for my soul! One of the nights, they had “prayer tunnel” created by having two lines facing each other of ministers’ wives and all the ladies lined up to walk in between the two lines. As you walked through, the ministers’ wives prayed over us. As I went through something in my so deeply prayed for a husband and for God to just do whatever else He wanted with my life- use me as He will, move me where He will, keep me with my sicknesses or take them away. As I finished up the line I went to sit back in my seat and felt the need to open my Bible. It automatically fell on the above passage and instantly I felt God saying that He wanted to make the final healing in my heart. I will NEVER be ready for Isaac without a fully healed heart. As I allowed the words to sink in, I cried, thanking God and I stretched forth first one hand and then the other. Tears streaming down, I let go of the things in my heart. I stretched my hands out in faith, believing Him faithful to heal me. I post this in faith, continuing to believe that I was healed! My heart is whole- whole from Ex #1, whole from Ex #2, even whole from giving up the third guy- unofficially an ex… from consciously choosing God over the first guy to treat me like gold. I know I made the right choice and either he’ll come to God and we’ll end up together, or God will send someone else- but I know more than ever that I did make the right choice and that I have hope. I have hope that God will honor my choice- that He will not leave my soul in pain unless there is a plan and a reason- even if it’s because my Isaac has more to grow before he’s ready to be the man I need. I trust you God, I trust You Jesus. I stretched forth my hand and I am healed!!!

Rebekah M.

http://beingrebekah.com/2012/10/07/forgiveness-and-renewal-revisited/

Restoration (Part III)

Apr30

“So David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away, and David rescued his two wives. And nothing of theirs was lacking, either small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything which they had taken from them; David recovered all” (1 Samuel 30: 1-8, 18-19).

Four years ago I went through a very trying time in my faith. My spiritual family and I were hurt very deeply during this time. My godparents were falsely accused of many terrible things. Through much prayer, I eventually made the decision to leave that church and within a few days my god-parents were asked to leave as well. By the end of that year I had lost several close friends.

One of these was a dear friend to me that I had defended repeatedly in her time of trouble. Yet when my time of trouble came, she turned her back on me. She sent me disparaging emails, unfriended me on facebook, and disconnected from me socially and spiritually. I was heart-broken.

^“Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me” (Psalm 41:9).

All communication between us stopped – with one exception. Every year on her birthday I sent her a one line email wishing her a good year and a happy birthday. Occasionally, I also tried to encourage her in other more subtle ways; for example, leaving uplifting comments on a mutual friend’s post in reply to one of her comments. We were no longer “friends”, but by way of mutual contacts I knew that she could see some of those things. For the most part, my efforts were ignored.

I admit it was difficult for me. I was hurt that she rejected me. I was angry that she was judging me without knowing or understanding what had really happened at the church. I was sad that we were no longer friends. I missed her.

It took me some time, but eventually I forgave her. She was doing what she felt she had to. In shunning me, she was following the direction of her leadership. I understood that to go against the church leadership is rebellion; she was trying to do the right thing. Yes, I had defended her vehemently to that same leadership when they were falsely accusing her of things, but she never knew that. Yes, she believed the false reports spoken about us, but they were constructed in such a way as to be very convincing. In the end I felt badly for her that she was still in that situation when I had found my way to freedom.

Indeed, while that was the most difficult time I have had to endure since becoming a Christian, it was also the catalyst for helping me to grow in Christ and to dig deeper into Him. I have been incredibly blessed in this last four years. I now attend a wonderfully loving church with very supportive leadership. I have been able to attend Bible College, coach the youth in Bible Quizzing, be involved in a Chinese Home Church and meet many wonderful new friends. Everything that I lost was restored to me and then some! Is the church I attend now a perfect church? No, of course not. But it is exactly what I need in my life and it has afforded me many opportunities that would have been closed to me at my old church.

“For I will restore health to you, and heal you of your wounds, says the Lord, because they called you an outcast saying: This is Zion; No one seeks her.” (Jeremiah 30:17).

I have learned that truly all things work together for good (Romans 8:28) and that going through that time helped to bring me to where I am now. I also have a greater love and appreciation for those around me because I understand that things can change at any time and I know what a blessing it is to have them in my life.

Today, my dear friend that I lost four years ago sent me a friend request on Facebook. This may seem like a small thing, but I assure you, this is no small thing! Tears instantly welled behind my eyes when I saw it. Perhaps we will never be able to recover a friendship like the one we used to have, but I gladly welcome her back into my life. I pray she is well and that God is blessing her.

We truly serve a God of restoration!

In His Love,
Rebekah L.

Praise Report! (and a song)

Apr24

I found out yesterday that my little cousin (‘little’ = freshman in college) has a tumor on her lung that was impeding her breathing. She went to the hospital for a biopsy; I went to my knees to pray.

Today I found out that her tumor is indeed cancerous. BUT it is extremely slow-growing and they will be able to remove it with surgery. AND, not only that, she will be able to finish out her school year first. No withdrawal or missing a semester necessary.

So I am full of praise today, and praying into God’s will over her life. Maybe He wants to show her more of Himself through this. Regardless I know there’s a plan, and I am praying into it wholeheartedly. I trust Him enough for that.

And because my praise has me bursting into song at random points throughout the day, I have a song for you: