Full House
We had our weekly bible study today at the Baton Rouge Dream Center and the ladies showed up! We had twenty women (ages 14-80) join us today for Ladies Thrive, along with seven or eight volunteers. When we started this a couple of months ago we were grateful to have two or three in attendance. Nobody can tell me that God doesn’t answer prayers.
Today we were learning about fear; it’s causes, consequences and remedy. One woman shared that she didn’t sleep well at night because she had been attacked in the dark. Another shared that she had raped. Looking around the circle, no less than a half-dozen women nodded in knowing sympathy. The brokenness in the circle was tangible. There was a sense of hopelessness and resignation, the result of living in silent torment for decades. But as Pastor Alliece continued to bring forth the Word, something incredible happened. The spirit of heaviness started to break; women lifted their heads, looked at their neighbors and nodded in agreement. Collectively we called on the name of Jesus and took authority over the schemes of the devil. The ladies learned that Jesus’ name is greater than any fear, and that His power is available to anyone who calls on Him. When asked what to do when fear rises up, one woman hollered out JESUS! at the top of her lungs. The group laughed and cheered, encouraging each other and them selves.
While the ladies were inside learning what the Bible says about fear, some of them men that brought them were outside working in the parking lot. Instead of just sitting around waiting for their women, they pitched in and bagged soup for us to hand out on tomorrow’s outreach. Everyone had the opportunity to give.
Once we had finished our small groups and everyone got prayer, we put groceries and drinks into the hands of everyone present. Many of our first-timers were surprised and very grateful, assuring us they would come back and see us again.
As I was getting the warehouse back in order I was thinking about the women, the neighborhood and the Dream Center. What an awesome privilege (and an awesome responsibility) for God to entrust us with all of these souls. Generations of people gathered together, the common bond of pain and suffering, all at our fingertips. Thank You Father, for this assignment. Please help us to show them You. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Today we were learning about fear; it’s causes, consequences and remedy. One woman shared that she didn’t sleep well at night because she had been attacked in the dark. Another shared that she had raped. Looking around the circle, no less than a half-dozen women nodded in knowing sympathy. The brokenness in the circle was tangible. There was a sense of hopelessness and resignation, the result of living in silent torment for decades. But as Pastor Alliece continued to bring forth the Word, something incredible happened. The spirit of heaviness started to break; women lifted their heads, looked at their neighbors and nodded in agreement. Collectively we called on the name of Jesus and took authority over the schemes of the devil. The ladies learned that Jesus’ name is greater than any fear, and that His power is available to anyone who calls on Him. When asked what to do when fear rises up, one woman hollered out JESUS! at the top of her lungs. The group laughed and cheered, encouraging each other and them selves.
While the ladies were inside learning what the Bible says about fear, some of them men that brought them were outside working in the parking lot. Instead of just sitting around waiting for their women, they pitched in and bagged soup for us to hand out on tomorrow’s outreach. Everyone had the opportunity to give.
Once we had finished our small groups and everyone got prayer, we put groceries and drinks into the hands of everyone present. Many of our first-timers were surprised and very grateful, assuring us they would come back and see us again.
As I was getting the warehouse back in order I was thinking about the women, the neighborhood and the Dream Center. What an awesome privilege (and an awesome responsibility) for God to entrust us with all of these souls. Generations of people gathered together, the common bond of pain and suffering, all at our fingertips. Thank You Father, for this assignment. Please help us to show them You. In Jesus’ name we pray.
posted by Donna Frank @ 8:10 PM
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