VictoriouslyAwakened

Easter

2009-04-12T23:20:00.000-07:00

I told you all last week about how the devil was attacking my body. Well this week, this past wednesday, I woke up and the whole right side of my body was numb. I was so afraid that I had a stroke in the middle of the night- I didn't know what it could be! So when I went to the doctor, he was concerned that it might be multiple sclerosis or a stroke so, he admitted me to the hospital to get some tests done. On friday I had an MRI, KAT scan and X-rays done- I thought I was going to get to go home after the tests were done, but to my surprise, they wanted me to stay until saturday so they could do another test. Which, I really didn't mind as long as I was home for Easter. So you can imagine, I was totally bummed when they told me I wouldn't be able to have the procedure done until monday. The results came back for the MRI and the other tests that were done on friday.... and they were all clean! Praise God!! So when I woke up this morning I was so sad that I didn't get to attend service for today. Plus, I am really big on holidays, especially ones that glorify the Lord! And though it's not significant to the holiday, I always get my husband something for Easter. I was just broken-hearted that I was stuck in the hospital and couldn't get him anything...... well the Lord, being as fire as He is, had different plans. I gave my husband a new wedding band for our anniversary last year and he hadn't been able to find it for the past 6 months. So I was getting something out of my bag that I brought with me and couldn't find what I was looking for....... so I had to reach way down in the side pocket to reach it..... and there it was! His ring! It was so the Lord...... He had never even used that bag! So the Lord blessed me with something to surprise my husband with, after all! But anyhow, that is not the point of this blog...... so lets get to it!! My husband and I ended up going down to the chapel and we got to have our own Easter service. Plus this weekend I really got to sit back and remember all the blessings that He has brought to my life, He was opening my eyes to the things we take for granted, everyday-simple things, that a lot of people are not as fortunate to do. I don't know the reason that I am still in the hospital, and I don't know what the outcome of this whole ordeal will be, but I am certain of one thing we are covered by His blood and by His stripes we are healed. So, no matter what is going on with you just remember that! He made us in His image and how wonderful is that?! We are so blessed to be alive to share His word. So it actually turned out to be a great Easter! I got to know the Lord again, and re-evaluate how I have been living my life. Sometimes all we need is a little time with Him alone! And believe me, I know He is here in this room with me, because during the procedure they are doing tomorrow, they have to put a camera down my throat and in to my heart to examine it and make sure there are no clots, pretty nerve-wrecking, but I'm okay! So..... have you examined your heart lately? Jesus loves you!!

Desires.....

2009-04-04T11:29:00.000-07:00

So often in our lives, we get caught up in trying to fulfill our own earthly desires and forget to let the Lord have control. I know, in my life sometimes, it is easy to just try to do things myself, rather than ask Him what to do. God is our Father and we are His children, so we can go to Him with everything. All we have to do, is talk to Him!! Just like you would talk to me, or anybody else! I used to think, that He couldn't hear me, like He was in another dimension or something! That is so silly!! Cause in reality, He is all around us, all the time. So He CAN hear us! You can surprise yourself, with the response that you can get from Him! Anyhow, all this to say, that the Lord wants to give you everything you've ever desired, just let Him have the lead.
Psalm 37:4- Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.
God Bless You!!

Fear What!!??

2009-04-02T18:25:00.000-07:00

On monday of this week, I woke up and was filled with this terrible feeling. It was really quite strange! When I was younger, before I got saved, I would have panic attacks all the time, I was always afraid that something bad was going to happen or that I was going to die. I hated feeling that way because I had no control over it- I FEARED EVERYTHING!! When I got saved, I asked the Lord to to deliver me from everything that had a stronghold on my life, and He did!! I was so excited that I didn't have to deal with any of the things that I was dealing with when I was worldly- there was no more nicotine fits, no more alcoholism, no more "almost overdosing" on cocaine, and most of all, the FEAR was completely gone!! It was like the earth, sighing a breath of relief!!
Now, as I am growing in the Lord, I have noticed that the devil will TRY to take everything that the Lord has given you, away. So when I woke up, feeling like I was going to have a panic attack, I knew that this was another attempt from that lame devil, to steal me away from my Saviour! Like that was going to happen! So anyhow, he was trying to get me vulnerable so that I would fall from grace, like he did! And I did ALMOST fall for it! I started to let that FEAR back in! I think that I was actually letting the devil convince me, that the Lord was giving me that feeling, to warn me of something bad about to happen! The devil IS SUCH A LIAR!! And I knew that he was going to try to hit me with everything he had. By lunch, my hands had swollen up, my left arm and my heart started to hurt( I was feeling like I was going to have a heart- attack), and I was not of sound mind! By the end of the day, my kidneys began hurting-which has never happened before!- This was a true attack from the devil! But you know how God has His way of letting you know that He is there, even at your lowest!? I started to think of His love and His grace and how He is always with me. See, the devil has free will, just as we do, but it is up to us if we let him have control.
Deuteronomy 31:8- Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you;He will neither fail you nor abandon you.
God is so good to us and loves us soooo much, but I believe He wants our love just the same- so what better way of showing how much you love Him, than to put that devil in his place and not give in to him! Just listen to the Lord and He will give you the peace and joy and the direction you need to follow! I know that this trial has taught me, not to fear ANYTHING! I pray that it ministers to you as well!

Birthday

2008-10-20T20:03:00.000-07:00

So today was my birthday! I started thinking about how God created all of us, and how He created all of us different. You will never find someone else that is exactly like you! You are unique- even if you are a twin, you are not the same! I believe that God created us this way so that we can each have a personal relationship with Him that is intimate and special. He is so unbelievable- even before I was saved He had a hand in every aspect of my life- as He has in yours. Just take my name for example! Von means hope, Johnson means the grace of God and, my full first name....Shevonne means God is gracious. My maiden name is Nelson which means son of a champion.......noone can tell me that He didn't rain down that fire when He created each of us!! He knew, even before I gave my life to Him, that I was going to glorify Him. Even something as simple as my name was given to me, by Him, to signify His love and promise.
Jeremiah1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you a part; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
I hope this encourages anyone who reads this. Even if you feel like there is no purpose to your life, let His word and His promise to you, into your heart. He already knows you.....He is waiting on you to get to know Him!!

Glory to Him

2008-10-19T19:37:00.000-07:00

The Lord is so amazing, He has set me free! The beauty of Him has filled my heart and mind. He has given me Beauty from Ashes. I can only pray that He will fill this nation with a hunger to know Him.
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
God is truly amazing!! Open your heart and let Him take control, wait on Him, depend on Him and love Him. He loves you more than you could ever imagine.