By Erin Paolercio

 

Hebrews 12:28-29

 "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire."

Words cannot describe how awesome this past weekend was.  The sound of the Kingdom was truly released!!  I was so blessed to be a part of that time together, lifting up the name of the Lord in such an incredible way. I felt renewed, and was ready to soar higher than I ever have.

So Monday morning came, with incredible focus and passion within me.  I was able to be a part of a special prayer meeting where God continued speaking to my heart regarding our city and region.  Then Monday afternoon came, with a phone call.  My husband, shared some news with me about someone very close to our hearts.  The situation was desperate and nearly tragic, and quite honestly, shook me to the core.  My heart was broken, and the only thing I could do was cry out to God and let the tears flow.  My mind tried piecing together the cause, the reasons.  Then again, my heart said...."Seek His face."

Monday night came, with a very restless sleep.  The next day, more phone calls were made with conversations trying to give explanations and answers.  As the day went on, I felt this phrase rise up from within me, "unshakable Kingdom." Friday night Bishop Garlington shared his thoughts on sound, how it is "invasive, intrusive and irresistable."  He connected that same thought with the Kingdom of God.  As I was reminded of this, I added something to his three points...unshakable.

The Kingdom of God is unshakable.  The sound of the Kingdom is unshakable.  I was reminded that in this life, I will hear many "sounds."  I will hear the sound of this present world, which fights against everything God's truth stands for.  I will hear the sound of circumstance, which always carries unanswered questions.  And sometimes I will hear the sound of heartbreaking news, that touches someone I know and love.  These "sounds," are unstable, uncertain...shakable. 

And so, the unshakable truth remains and cries out through the darkness.  Within my being there is a Kingdom.  This Kingdom is ruled by the Spirit and presence of the Living God.  Within this Kingdom there is a sound, unshakable. It waivers not, it fails not.  It is the sound of truth, life, deliverance, healing and victory.  It is the sound of praise...it is the sound of worship unto the King of all Kings.  It is with this unshakable sound I can pray into shakable and uncertain situations.  It is by this Kingdom I can stand when everything is crumbling all around my feet.  It is with this unshakable faith I can walk through trials and know my God is with me...all the way.

By Amy Pasinski

We as women, are rarely without words.  I think it's pretty safe to say, we "always" have something to say!  If we don't say it out loud, we certainly don't hold back in our heads.  Words are the way in which we communicate to one another.  What happens then, when we have no words?  

I received a phone call from a friend, who's family was facing their darkest battle.  She poured her heart out to me, as I inwardly felt like I was going to vomit.  As she finished sharing her pain with me there was silence.  It was my turn to talk, but I couldn't produce any sound.  My mouth felt dry and empty.  I was at a complete loss for words.  My chest was pounding and my palms were sweaty.  All I could manage to utter was, "I'm so sorry.  I don't know what to say.  I'm praying."  She thanked me and hung up the phone.  I was in my bathroom, because it is the only place I can escape for a few minutes of silence.  As I stared at myself in the mirror, I felt angry.  "Why didn't you say something?  What is wrong with you?  You didn't offer her any encouragement or hope!"

"God!?" I cried out.  All I could say was, God?!  I was silent again.  My insides felt like they were forming knots.  My heart was still pounding and I began to cry.  I was at a complete loss for words.  I sat on the cold porcelain tile for a long time, silent.  God gently spoke a reminder to me. 

Romans 8:26-27 AMP    
    26 So too the [Holy] Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance.  
    27And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the [Holy] Spirit [what His intent is],    because the Spirit intercedes and pleads [before God] in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God's will. 

While I was without words, the Holy Spirit came to my rescue.  The infirmities of ourselves and those around us are many and great.  So great, that if left to ourselvees we would be overpowered by them.  Enter the Holy Spirit, as the enlightening Spirit, who teaches us how to pray, and what to pray for.  He is the wellspring of all desires toward God, which are often more than any words can utter.  The Spirit who searches our hearts, can perceive the mind and will of the Spirit and advocates our cause.  The Holy Spirit makes intercession on our behalf.  Our unspeakable yearnings and groanings are made known to God by His Spirit. 

If you feel you are without words, rest assured, He hears them.  The painful groaning that we can not articulate, God can.

by Amy Pasinski

Tuesday night, Pastor Aimee talked about the ways that God speaks to us. He speaks to us in the silence, while listening to music, through words from others, and in our dreams. He speaks to us in so many beautiful ways. She further explained that most of us have one dominant way in which we hear him most. Chances are, it is very different than our closest friend.

I was out to dinner with Aimee on Monday night, sharing my heart with her. I have been battling some things inside, which were causing me great turmoil. The most frustrating thing about this, was I could not figure out what I needed to fix it. As I went on in my sharing, I told her that I needed God to just speak to my heart, in some way, and take away that feeling. I needed God to heal the inner turmoil, the questions, and that feeling that I could not articulate. Aimee listened, as she always does, but could not help me through this one. She couldn't help me, because I couldn't even explain the feeling. Have you ever had a yucky feeling that you just couldn't shake? That was me.

The next day I downloaded a new album from iTunes. I put my girls down for a nap, and turned on the following song.

"Asking where You are, Lord. Wondering where You’ve been. Is like standing in a hurricane, trying to find the wind. And hoping for Your mercy to meet me where I am. Is forgetting that Your thoughts for me, outnumber the sand. You filled the sun with morning light. You bid the moon to lead the night. You clothe the lilies bright and beautiful. You’re already all I need. Already everything that I could hope for. You’re already all I need. You’ve already set me free. Already making me. More like You. You’re already all I need. Jesus, You’re already all I need. Walking through this life without Your freedom in my heart. Is like holding onto shackles that You have torn apart. So remind me of Your promises. And all that You have done. In this world I will have trouble. But You have overcome. And every gift that I receive. You determine just for me. But nothing I desire compares with You. In Your fullness. You’re my all in all. In Your healing. I’m forever made whole. In Your freedom. Your love overflows. And carries me. You carry me." Already All I Need, Christy Nockels

BAM! He's already all I need! God sang this song to me. He spoke straight to my heart, the exact thing I cried out for the night before. The feeling lifted immediately. I thanked Him for speaking to my exact need, and for knowing precisely what it was. God speaks to me through worship. Christy Nockels did not sing to me, God did.

How does God speak to you? Do you know? Have you taken the time to learn His voice and the many ways He speaks? There was a time not too long ago, when I felt as if He wasn't speaking to me. I finally listened, and heard Him say, "I'm always speaking. You're not listening." Ouch! The more you tune in and seek Him, the more clearly and easily you will recognize His sweet, still, voice. Soon enough, that's all you will hear!

John 10:27 AMP
27 The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me.

Begin to write down the things He speaks to you, or shows you, even if you aren't sure if it is really Him! Use those journals! You will be amazed at the things He will bring to your memory and remind you of. As this happens you will be made confident that you are learning to discern His voice!

Jesus, teach us to listen for you. Teach us to be determined to know your voice so intimately, that it's all we hear! Help us make time in our busy schedules, to focus our full attention on You. Thank you for speaking to us in a multitude of ways. You never cease to amaze us. Speak to us today, Lord. We are listening!

Feel free to post any questions or prayer requests related in the comments below.