We have been busy this week on the roadside. Our site in Spencer continues to attract people to stop. Yesterday, for the first time in a long time, the weather was so nice we sat outside the trailer for 4 hours ministering to those who stopped. Today it was back to hot and humid! But we still had people stop. God wants to speak to people and we’re thrilled to be used by Him!
The Costly Love of Jesus
Jesus demonstrated His costly love by standing in the gap for us, trading places with us so that we can walk free! Not just in death, but many times throughout the New Testament Jesus gave living demonstrations of what He would be doing upon the cross: standing in the gap for the accused, re-directing punishment away from them and toward Himself time after time. Costly love is Jesus standing in the gap between us and our accusers, between us and danger, between us and obstacles to our pursuit of Him. Every time Jesus loved someone, it cost Him something.
The woman caught in adultery is a perfect example (John 8:2-11). The law said this woman was to be stoned. But Jesus shifted the Pharisees’ hostility, disgrace, and humiliation OFF the woman and redirected it towards Himself, shielding her from punishment and death. Jesus stood between her and the law and religion and stood His ground, armed ONLY with unconditional love. Jesus willingly bore her judgment to save her and give her life.
The enemy stands before the throne of God accusing US night and day. BUT Jesus holds a piece of paper in His hand. He has taken OUR penalty, OUR punishment, OUR Sin and borne it Himself. As they nailed His hands to the cross, He held onto that paper–in His hand–for us. Are we willing to exhibit costly love back to Him? To love Him in a world that doesn’t? To give costly love to another as Jesus did?
Happy Birthday USA and Happy Anniversary to Us!
We got married 27 years ago today! As Emil likes to tell everyone, “July 4th, 1996 was the happiest day of Karen’s life!!!” Little did we know, it was just the beginning of our great and continuing adventure with the Lord! We are so happy that this ministry was His plan for us!
He Sees Us
The Commons site continues to be popular as more people are stopping for ministry, and some return with more people. We are honored to pray for those who are hungry for a touch from God and to give a word to those hungry to hear His voice. These are desparate times for many and especially so for those who don’t know Jesus, Prince of Peace. Whenever you feel a nudge from the Lord to speak or to pray for someone, or even to smile at someone in the store, do it! He has gone before you and it will minister more than you can imagine. People respond to being seen in a world that works to keep us disconnected. God sees us, each one of us, and He wants us to know that. In the Free Prayer trailer, when He has us say to someone, “I see you,” that truth never fails to bring tears and more often than not, surrender to His previously-unknown love.
Great Day on the Roadside
As soon as we were set up at The Commons in Spencer today at noon, a man and woman appeared and asked if we pray for people! We had an intense session with the woman who asked a lot of questions and with whom we shared all Jesus was telling us in response. It was good and we know she will return for deliverance and freedom! We loved her and her boyfriend. We did a couple of errands after the Lord told us to pack up and the third stop was a grocery store. While Karen went in to shop, Emil stayed in the Jeep with the trailer. The Lord showed him where and how to park, very visible from the busy street. Almost immediately two women pulled in and asked if Emil was ministering right then and he said, “Always!” and within a half an hour the Lord had set them both free from things the enemy had plagued them with for years! God is GOOD! They were saying good-bye to Emil as Karen walked out of the store! God’s timing is perfect!
Day of Pentecost Made Real
Emil shared little-taught facts about the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) last night at our home group and made it come alive! The sound of the violent wind that filled and shook the house was like the roar of Niagara Falls, like massive amounts of water being released! The Passion Translation says the sound was “so overpowering, it was all anyone could bear!” People came running from all over Jerusalem to find out where the sound was coming from! The Greek word “puros” is translated, not “fire”, but “lightning!” Can you imagine, rather than the little flames of fire usually pictured over each head, a divided flash of lightning going back and forth between the flames like electricity! Jewish families gathered from all over the Roman world in Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost witnessed this scene that day–120 people in the streets with flames and lightning flashing over each of their heads and the thundering roar and shaking going on! Not to mention hearing their own languages spoken by “mere” Galileans! Can you see it? Can you hear it? God’s presence is no small thing. When He chooses to reveal Himself in all His power, it cannot and will not be ignored!
Commons is Good Ground!
We set up Free Prayer 2 days last week at our new site, The Commons in Spencer, Iowa, and had good ministry time with several people who stopped! We are very excited to be out. Our home group Friday night was great and afterwards, the rain came hard and we woke up to green grass, a green grove of trees, an influx of summertime birds (orioles, grosbeaks, goldfinches, barn swallows, Harris’ sparrows for you bird lovers). The new and fresh season has begun! The rains will continue through tomorrow (Monday), but we will be back out with the trailer Tuesday!
On the Road Again!
It looks like the weather is finally cooperating–dare I say spring has finally come???!!! We will be setting up Free Prayer in The Commons parking lot in Spencer, Iowa starting next week and we are very excited to be back out with the Free Prayer trailer! Temps are supposed to be in the 70s during the day and 50s at night. Now we are praying that the winds stay reasonable as well! Hoping springtime has come to you, too–it’s been a long, hard winter here and we know it’s been much worse in many places around the country. We are so thankful that God watches over His kids.
“Can You Believe and Can You Receive?”
We sing the song, Child of Love. The Lord says, “Do you believe it? Do you receive it? You didn’t sing, ‘I’m a love child.’ You sang, ‘I’m a child of love,’ meaning you were wanted, you were planned, you have a purpose, you weren’t a mistake. Can you believe and can you receive that what the enemy tells you is a lie? Can you believe and can you receive that what I tell you is the truth? Can you believe and can you receive that what the enemy says I think about you is a lie? Can you believe and can you receive that you are the apple of My eye? Can you believe and can you receive that I have a plan and a purpose for you? Can you believe it and can you receive it? Can you reach out and can you take ahold of who I say you are? Of who I made you to be and of the path I have set before you? Can you believe and can you receive that I think about you all the time? Can you believe and can you receive that you’re not as bad as you think you are? Can you believe and can you receive that I am so in love with you? You are My child in whom I am well pleased. You are my son, my daughter, my friend, my bride-to-be. I do not make mistakes. Walk in my plan and my purpose for you. Lift up your head. Put your shoulders back. I have given you a hope and future. You say, ‘Where is it?’ Well, it’s a hope and a future. Some of the things take steps. Some take time. But I promise you, My child, if you can believe and if you can receive, it will all come to pass. And when it does, it will be wonderful and you will say, ‘Ah, now I understand.’ Let Me be God and let yourself be My child. Let Me be your Dad and let Me be your guide. You will not miss the mark. You will not walk off the path. Soon and very soon you will see My plan and you will say, ‘It is wonderful!'”
IF You’re Willing!
March 24, 2023 The Lord gave Emil this word:
You are My children and I am your Dad. I’m not just your friend. I’m not just a light in the darkness, but I’m your Dad and you’re My kids. When you were an infant, you first learned to stand and balance and pretty soon you started walking on your own and talking, a few words here and there to start. You’d take a step and fall and you’d get back up and pretty soon you were walking fast and then you wanted to run. Then you weren’t happy with just running. You wanted a tricycle and you got a tricycle and you’d zoom around the block. Pretty soon, you said, “I want more!” Then you got a little bicycle with training wheels. You’d get on the bike and slowly pedal around. Pretty soon you wanted to go faster, so you took off the training wheels and for a short time, someone held the seat as you pedaled away until you had it mastered and you were able to balance and to ride with the wind. Then you began to make it your own. Remember when you put the little streamers on the handlebars and the little license plate and the bell and the light. Pretty soon, “I want more!” You graduated to a 10-speed and pretty soon you were shifting through the gears with ease. “I want more.” You set your sights on a motorcycle, on a car. As you learned how to drive—yeah, there were scratches, yes, there were dents but you made it your own. You hung things from the mirror and played your kind of music.
That’s how My Spirit works. First you learn how to stand, how to speak My language, how to operate and balance with speed. Then I tap you on the shoulder and say, “There’s more.” You say, “Lord, I want more.” Then I take off your training wheels and you start moving in the Spirit. “I want more!” and I say “Yes, there’s more.” So don’t be afraid…Is operating in My Spirit something that comes with ease? No, it’s a learning curve, but I’m willing to hold the seat. I’m willing to hold you up. I’m willing to teach you how to talk and how to walk and how to balance and how to take your step. I’m willing to help you maneuver through the things of My Spirit until you are comfortable and you make it your own. But never assume you can just do it on your own. I’m your Dad and you are My children. And I will always take care of you, I will always walk with you, I will always be with you, I will always teach you, and I will never let go of you.
IF you’re willing, this year will scare you because My Spirit is going to move in a swifter way than ever before, and all I’m saying is TRUST ME! Are you willing to step out? Are you willing to open your hands? Your mouth? Your eyes and ears? Your mind? Your heart to the things I have prepared for you? It’s a year of “Yes! Yes! Yes, Lord!” for this year you’re going to see great and mighty things you’ve never known before and you’ve never seen before! I am your Dad and you are My kids. Trust Me!