Before coming to the point where I am clinging to God and praying so much about this, I was in a pretty bad state! I was so nervous and truly felt that I would not be able to do well and that I am walking into a 'whirlwind' that I won't be able to steer through. I felt terrified!
But God spoke to me through His followers and through some specific bible verses, as well as a book, and now I feel confident in God's ability to work through me and use me by His Spirit and grace!
These are the verses that God specifically spoke to me (and to be honest, I have never had the experience of God speaking so directly through scripture, and its so amazing and humbling!) Here they are (there is quite a few!):
Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your Teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them.
Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Then you will defile your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, "Away with you!" He will also send rain for the seed you sow in the ground and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful. [that part specifically encouraged me] Isaiah 30: 20-23
Those who hope in me will not be disappointed - Isaiah 44:23
"and anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple" - Luke 14:27
"No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me," declared the Lord. - Isaiah 54: 8-13
For nothing is impossible with God - Luke 1:37
"Blessed is she who believes that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished" - Luke 1:45
"But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop" - Luke 8:15
"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom" - Luke 12:32
His way is in the whirlwind and the storm...
Nahum 1:2
7 “The poor and needy search for water,
but there is none;
their tongues are parched with thirst.
But I the LORD will answer them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
18 I will make rivers flow on barren heights,
and springs within the valleys.
I will turn the desert into pools of water,
and the parched ground into springs.
19 I will put in the desert
the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive.
I will set junipers in the wasteland,
the fir and the cypress together,
20 so that people may see and know,
may consider and understand,
that the hand of the LORD has done this,
that the Holy One of Israel has created it.
- Isaiah 41: 17-20
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the LORD’s renown,
for an everlasting sign,
that will endure forever.”
- Isaiah 55: 8-13
I also picked up a book called The Cross and the Switchblade by Pastor David Wilkerson...and this book was really life-changing, encouraging, challenging, and tear-inducing! The book is about how David Wilkerson was lead to start his street ministry in New York City with gang members, prostitutes, drug and alcohol addicted youth, and troubled and homeless youth, a ministry called Teen Challenge. His story of trusting the Holy Spirit by faith in so many miraculous situations is incredible! Here is a brief blurb about the book, I really recommend it:
Teen Challenge was launched in 1958 from a small office in Staten Island, New York. Pastor Wilkerson conducted street rallies on "gang turf," meetings through which many gang leaders and members were converted. Through this program, many street-hardened young men and women came to Christ, allowing God's Spirit to transform their lives.
In 1960, the Teen Challenge headquarters relocated to a large Georgian house at 416 Clinton Avenue in Brooklyn. The residence provided protection for drug addicts and gang members, as well as beds and shelter for troubled and homeless youth.
In 1958, many people thought David Wilkerson was crazy to try taking the gospel to drug-addicted teens in New York City. Today, few of those critics are willing to question the success of the Teen Challenge ministry.
Teen Challenge has grown to include 173 residential programs and numerous evangelism outreach centers in the United States, and 241 centers in 77 other countries. The program's cure rate of 86% has been recognized and substantiated by the U.S. Government's National Institute on Drug Abuse. All Teen Challenge centers operate autonomously.
Teen Challenge graduates include former drug addicts, alcoholics, gang members, prostitutes and others with life-controlling habits. Today, many graduates serve as ministers and missionaries throughout the world.
I am going to trust God radically and put my faith in the Holy Spirit this summer!
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