Hebrews 11:1

"Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

Tonight I went to the Encountering God Service at IHOP-KC. I realize part of this won't make sense to many of you, but I feel compelled to share it anyway.

I have been longing to be in a service where the music just keeps going. I have been to several services around here that have been good, but just as I have entered into a deep place with God, the music stops for something else in the service. And, to be honest, I understand why there is so much stopping in services. Not everyone is wired the way I am. I can spend hours before the Lord and not grow tired of it the music portion of the service. At the same time, many people find 30 minutes of music/worship too much. I get that.

But in light of all the "stuff" I've been in, I have needed time with God. Deep time.

So I entered the building tonight just as service started and sat in the back because I knew I was going to have to jet out at 7 so I could get back here at a decent time. I was on the next to last row, which is the complete opposite of the true Shortone. I usually sit up close so I can focus better.

As we entered in, I found myself guarded, which was odd. Then I realized what the problem was, I was expecting the music to stop. It's like anything else in life, I think. Once you're conditioned to something, you expect it. Of course, then I thought to myself, "I'm at IHOP, they don't stop for an hour!" (EGS services are the only time they stop music at IHOP for an hour teaching on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as FCF services on Sunday) So, I entered in...

It was GREAT. Luke Wood led worship, and as usual it was GREAT. I will admit, Luke isn't my favorite, but tonight he did an awesome job. I entered in and was in a place with God that I haven't felt in quite a long time, to be quite honest. And just as my mind wondered, I felt a feeling of depression (Which is something I've been battling a bit of since I have moved.) Stuart Greaves said in the mic that he felt that there was a spirit of depression in the room and if you wanted prayer, to lift your hands and people would gather around you and pray. Now, I'll be honest, I have been REALLY prideful lately and haven't let others in to pray for me like that. I've been doing the "Yeah, I'm fine" bit so people don't worry about me. But, I wanted prayer. I wanted some of this "stuff" gone. So I lifted my hands...

At that time, I was surrounded by prayer warriors. Most of what was prayed, I couldn't hear. And honestly, I knew NOONE who prayed for me. Then I could hear a gal praying for me, and she prayed Hebrews 11:1 over me, and I felt that feeling of depression lift! I was grinning ear to ear. This gal didn't know me, and yet she stated the EXACT scripture I have been standing on lately!

There are SO many things in my life that I am waiting on God for, and I don't see them happening. I see them happening to people around me, but not me. And that has been insanely hard.

But tonight while I was at IHOP, I was reminded through that prayer warrior's words, that God is listening, and hears my MANY pleas. Sometimes we need that. We need God to speak through someone else because we're having trouble hearing Him from time to time.

Tonight I was encouraged tremendously by the fact that God had that gal pray Hebrews 11:1 over me.

"Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see."

Praise God!

Later!