He Raised His Hand

The doors were propped open. The weather was brisk but sunny. The sounds of praise music pouring out of the church to those playing in the park. As we sang each new song, the music filled me up with joy, lifting my spirit which had been beaten down throughout the daily grind of my day to day work week. Other members of the congregation seemed to also be filled with the life giving presence of the Holy Spirit...carrying the burdens away through the joy of music.

I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye just outside of the open door. Standing there was a little boy with down syndrome about 5 years old. He was wearing a red baseball cap and looking directly at me. I stopped singing for a moment and smiled and waved at him. This sweet, happy, adorable little guy continued to watch me and listen to the instruments and the sound of our voices. Then he raised up his arm to the sound of the music. A young innocent little boy could also feel the Spirit of the Lord, inspiring him to raise his arm in praise.

Don't forget that no matter what your facing or going through...the Lord is working behind the scenes. He is seeking to draw you closer to Him. Teaching you to trust and have faith in Him. Do not hinder the Holy Spirit from working in your life. Let go of the things you are clinging to so tightly...the things that are weighing you down. Give them to the Lord, allowing Him the freedom to work all things out for good.

"The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace." Psalm 29:11

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37

STOP LIMITING GOD!

 A widow was approached by a stranger during a severe drought. He asked her to bring him water, which she did. He then asked her to bring him some bread. She told him she only had a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil left to make one more meal for her and her son and then they
would die, they'd have nothing left.

He told her not to be afraid, but to go home and make a small cake of bread for him and use the rest for herself and her son. If she will do this, God will not allow the flour to run dry or the jar of oil to become empty until the Lord gives rain on the land. She believed and did as she was asked. There was food everyday for the Prophet Elijah (the stranger) and Zarephath (the widow) and her son. 

The flour did not run empty and the oil remained full. (1 Kings 17:7-16)

This woman listened to the promptings of the Lord and was blessed because of it. When you feel the Lord directing you, putting certain people or situations in front of you, are you stepping out in Faith? Are you allowing God to bless your life by trusting Him to move in a situation, 

even if you don't know why or completely understand?

STOP LIMITING GOD.

He wants to do a good work in you and through you. More than you can begin to comprehend. Allow Him to move in your life...PRAY, LISTEN & MOVE!

Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." 

(John 13:7)

"God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." 

(1 Corinthians 1:9)

"I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Let the morning bring me word of you unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; 

may your good Spirit lead me on level ground." 

(Psalm 143:6, 8, 10)

"I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols. See, the former things have taken place and new things I declare; 

before they spring into being I announce them to you." 

(Isaiah 42:8-9)

LET ME!

story & photo by: lisa petrarca

Struggling under the weight of worry, fear and anguish over my son being attacked and kicked in the head...I found myself praying and listening to praise music all the way to work one day last week.

The burden was too heavy and I asked my Father in Heaven to please carry it for me. Continuing to feel the stifling heaviness as I exited the freeway, I pulled up behind a car. Staring at the license plate in front of me.

It hit like a brick between my eyes, as I read, "LET ME!"

I realized that I was holding on too tightly, I wasn't allowing the Lord to work in the situation. I was too focused, too close to the problem, my mind suffocatingly clamped over all that was going on, I wasn't allowing the Lord's peace to come in and take over. I needed to take a deep breath, mentally step back and allow my Heavenly Father to help me handle what I was feeling, with His immeasurable love, comfort and understanding.

As I sat in church a few days later, looking out the window as we sang, I noticed a father with two young children playing at the park. He was flying a kite while the little girl and boy ran around him, smiling, laughing, carefree...looking up at their father with complete and total trust and love.

Our Heavenly Father wants us to do the same with Him. Lay your problems and worry's down at His feet today. Spend some carefree time with Him, He will protect, guide and love you. He will handle all that you've been carrying, He is calling out to you, "LET ME!"

Job 26:1-4 "How you have helped the powerless! How you have saved the arm that is feeble! What advice you have offered to one without wisdom! And what great insight you have displayed! Who has helped you utter these words? And whose spirit spoke from your mouth?

Job 26:7-14 "He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing. He wraps up the waters in his clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their weight. He covers the face of the full moon, spreading his clouds over it. He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters for a boundary between light and darkness. The pillars of the heavens quake, aghast at his rebuke...And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?"