"What Rest Can Do" April 9, 2024

Hello All,

I wanted to take a moment to share what’s been happening in my life. In December of 2023, the Lord spoke clearly to me: It’s time for a rest. At that time, I was pushing myself—working on publishing my book, hosting a weekly radio program, and attending college full-time to pursue an Associate of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Biblical Studies. I was also carrying the weight of a recent divorce and a broken heart.

I had to make some difficult decisions. I couldn’t stop the book, it was already in motion—and I couldn’t stop school, though I truly wished I could have. I ended the radio program which I can say reached from coast to coast, jokingly of course, we had eight stations located across the country. I pressed on and by God’s grace, I’ve continued my studies and now have just 17 credits left until graduation, Lord willing. The book was published through TBN—another miracle in itself.

When I finally stopped everything else, I realized just how deeply exhausted I truly was. It felt as if waves of fatigue were leaving my body—years of spiritual and emotional toil washing over me. It felt like I had lost everything except my faith in a loving Father. And even then, I went through a season where the Lord and the Holy Spirit felt silent. But He continued to speak through others, gently reminding me: “You are never alone.”

I’ve since relocated to the countryside, about 23 miles outside of town—a quiet place of solitude. I still feel exhausted much of the time, but I push through, doing what I believe Jesus has ordained me to do. Returning to college at 61 was not something I ever imagined. I was resistant, but I was compelled to do it for the Lord.

A few months ago, I was invited to preach at a Presbyterian church. That very morning, at 3:15 a.m., I was awakened by a sound that deeply disturbed me. I investigated, thinking it might be a poacher. But about 40 minutes later, I heard footsteps come right up to me. I knew in my spirit it was the enemy, and I rebuked it. Two days later, I saw the same spirit in a vision—it was a spirit of suicide. It had come to taunt, to boast. My young neighbor had taken his life that same morning. He was supposed to be in church that day, to hear my sermon.

Moments like that make me wonder: “Lord, where is the victory in all this?” But then I remember a vision the Lord gave me years ago. I had asked Him, “How will I finish this race? I’m so exhausted—how can I make it?” Instantly, I saw myself on a track, running a race. The stands were full, and runners were ahead of me. I was staggering, exhausted—not far from the finish line, but too far for me to reach alone. Suddenly, I saw a man in the upper bleachers run down—pushing past people. He leapt over the wall and ran to me. It was Jesus. He took my arm and placed it over His shoulder. And He carried me to the finish line.

I sometimes wonder: Were those steps symbolic of the years I have left? And I know—the harder the battle, the sweeter the victory.

I remember once praying for a prophet, and the Lord gave me a vision. She stood on a hill alone, while hordes of enemies came rushing at her from another. It looked like she was all alone—but what the enemy couldn’t see was who stood behind her. She went through tremendous spiritual warfare, but Grace carried her through.

Jehovah-Nissi means: The Lord is My Banner. When the Holy Spirit plants that banner behind or before you, He’s summoning Heaven’s armies to come and fight on your behalf.

Yes, trials will come and go, but as for me—I will continue to serve the Lord.

He is:

• Jehovah-Nissi – The Lord My Banner

• Jehovah-Go’el – The Lord My Redeemer, The One who rescues, The One who delivers, & The One who finishes what He starts.

Blessings