Where is God Amidst All This Chaos?
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Love Changes People

Jesse Birkey's picture

Her face was scrunched up like a raisin.  Her arms hugged her chest matching the deep scowl that formed between curse words. 

 

The lights of the rescue bounced off the surrounding homes looking for a place to land.  The scene inside one of them had been cramped and intense as we’d found our angry patient (we’ll call Jan) lying on the floor unconscious, barely breathing.

 

People use drugs for a variety of reasons.  Usually it’s an attempt to find someway to numb the pain that hurts so deeply inside.  Jan had been using for a long time and it was too much.

 

I’d grabbed and pulled her into space large enough to work as my partner and I got her the treatment she needed.

 

Now, in the back of the rescue, the dim and dreary lights and atmosphere of the trailer were gone and Jan was awake after receiving treatment for her overdose. 

 

Bitterness was written into the lines of her face and hard eyes reflected suffering I couldn’t personally sympathize with.  No doubt Jan had been through horrific ordeals over the course of her life that many addicts experience. 

 

I wish I could draw you into the dialogue of the ensuing transport but there are just too many vulgar words.  One can only write, “bleeping” so many times.  But what I can draw you into is the affect of sincere love, honor, and respect.

 

It can be so hard to maintain honor and respect for someone who is constantly hurling ugly words in your face.  Often times we take it personally and then react but the truth is that ugly things people say are born out of pain that probably has nothing to do with you.  Especially if you’re just meeting that person. 

 

Heart wounds leak infectious bile seeking to make a home in whomever it can.  But if there’s anything that can sterilize that hate it’s the perfect love of God reflected through people willing to stand in front of the onslaught.

 

I looked at Jan and was able to see the pain and torment of her life.  I didn’t feel God was giving me any specific words to speak over her or to pray for her.  But I did feel that he was leading me to show her love, honor, and respect no matter what.

 

So I did my best.  I answered her spewing with sincere, God-given kindness.  I refused offense a place in my heart.  I looked for ways to exalt her and make whatever short time we had together successful for her.

 

My efforts had no affect on her demeanor, until it did.  As I was ready to leave the hospital I stopped in one last time to wish her the best and as I did I saw her walls crack.  Her stone eyes softened like dough and her shoulders fell.  She told me how much she appreciated our help and apologized for how rude she’d been.  She sincerely thanked us for saving her life.

 

In that moment, after I picked myself up off the floor, I could clearly see the precious heart of God’s dearly loved daughter.  Underneath all the tragedy of her life, and hate birthed from it, was a little girl desperate for the love of God.

 

Love changes people!  There is no greater power than the perfect love of God.  The world operates in a system that calls love weak but they don’t understand that it was the self-sacrifical love of Jesus that disarmed and defeated the powers of darkness, making a mockery of them.

 

Love one another.  By this they will know that we are followers of Jesus and will be drawn to his side. 

 

Blessings,

 

Jesse and Kara Birkey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.jessebirkey.com

[email protected]

twitter.com/JesseBirkey

http://www.facebook.com/jesse.birkey

http://www.amazon.com/author/jessebirkey

 

Jesse and Kara Birkey are committed lovers of Jesus who seek to show others the extraordinary life of Jesus is available for everyone.  They have authored two books, been featured in films and seek to serve the Lord in whatever ways they can.  Follow their blog here.    

 

Bring Jesse and Kara to your venue.  Find more information here.

 

Get a sneak preview of Jesse’s upcoming fiction, Finding Home.

 

Life Resurrected, Extraordinary Miracles through Ordinary People has been endorsed by Sid Roth and Mark Virkler and is a collection of inspiring stories making it clear that the extraordinary life of Jesus is available to all who love Him.  It’s also the testimony of Jesse’s life, the road he travelled bringing him into the arms of Jesus. Get the paperback here.  Get the Kindle Version Here. View the trailer here.    

 

Marriage What’s the Point? One couple finds meaning in a crazy mess is the story of their marriage—The tragedy and the restoration.  They bear their hearts in an attempt to get others to bear theirs and finally receive the freedom they’ve longed for.  Get the paperback here.  Get the Kindle Version Here.

 

Jesse is also featured in the film DeadRaiser, a movie shining the spotlight on resurrection testimonies across the nation.  Find more information here.

 

 

 

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New Creation Celebration - Possessing Your Promised Land

 A Meditation Releasing God's Transforming Power

This is a shortened version (only 9 minutes) of the devotional New Creation Celebration - Replacing Emotions (which is 40 minutes). In this devotional, explore the steps necessary to receive the promised destiny God has given to each of us. 

On those days when your destiny seems far off, this will remind you of the steps you are to be taking.

River of Life & New Creation Celebration MP3 Download Set or CD Set now available, as well as the accompanying book Unleashing Healing Power Through Spirit-Born Emotions!

Price: $4.95

New Creation Celebration - Putting on Christ

 A Meditation Releasing God's Transforming Power

This is a shortened version (only 13 minutes) of the devotional, New Creation Celebration - Replacing Emotions (which is 40 minutes). In this devotional, we omit the sections concerning processing an emotion and replacing a belief, and go straight to "Putting on Christ." 

So days when you simply desire to strengthen your faith of who you are in Christ, and who Christ is within you, are days to use this devotional.

River of Life & New Creation Celebration MP3 Download Set or CD Set now available, as well as the accompanying book Unleashing Healing Power Through Spirit-Born Emotions!

Price: $4.95

New Creation Celebration - Replacing Beliefs

 A Meditation Releasing God's Transforming Power

This is a shortened version (only 22 minutes) of the devotional New Creation Celebration - Replacing Emotions which is 40 minutes. In this devotional we omit the section concerning processing an emotion and begin instead with the next section, which is processing ungodly beliefs. 

So days when you hear yourself thinking or muttering things which are contrary to Scripture, like: "I will never succeed," "There is never enough money," "I can’t handle the pressure," "I can’t do this," "I hate life," etc. are days to use this devotional.

River of Life & New Creation Celebration MP3 Download Set or CD Set now available, as well as the accompanying book Unleashing Healing Power Through Spirit-Born Emotions!

Price: $4.95

New Creation Celebration - Replacing Emotions

 A Meditation Releasing God's Transforming Power

"I love going through this devotional and hearing the Lord speak. Learning to see myself as the new creation that I am is a process. I am eager to share this with others." Judy Young 

River of Life & New Creation Celebration MP3 Download Set or CD Set now available, as well as the accompanying book Unleashing Healing Power Through Spirit-Born Emotions!

Price: $4.95

River of Life and New Creation Celebration MP3s

5 devotionals set to music

This series contains five Interactive meditations set to music. Each devotional guides you into an encounter with the Wonderful Counselor. Each one contains 1) a spoken prayer, 2) with a musical background and 3) draws you into two-way journaling

River of Life where you are immersed in the River of the Holy Spirit. Don’t worry, as in a dream, you can breathe underwater! Drift off to sleep listening to this devotional. (12 minutes)

Price: $19.95

River of Life MP3 Download

"I was moved to tears. I sensed His presence in a new and fresh way." Pastor Keith Carlisle

Experience our new “River of Life” 12-minute devotional. It contains beautiful soaking music with a voice-over description of the River of the Holy Spirit flowing toward you and filling the room you are in. It is an amazing experience that often leaves me shaking as the power of the Holy Spirit sweeps over me, flooding my entire being with His healing power.

River of Life & New Creation Celebration MP3 Download Set or CD Set now available, as well as the accompanying book Unleashing Healing Power Through Spirit-Born Emotions!

Price: $4.95

Unleashing Healing Power Through Spirit-Born Emotions MP3s

by Mark Virkler and Charity Kayembe | 14 Sessions | 6.5 hours

Experience the role of Kingdom emotions to engage and release Kingdom power! Jesus, moved by compassion, healed (Matt. 14:14). You can, too! Discover how Kingdom emotions can be born in your heart to carry the Holy Spirit's power to perform healing, as well as turn on healing genes while turning off inflammatory genes. Experience God's Kingdom which is peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17)!

Price: $59.95
Appropriating Covenant Blessings MP3

Appropriating Covenant Blessings MP3

by Mark Virkler | 1 Session

Deuteronomy 28:1-14 is one of the most complete lists recording the blessings which God wants to bestow upon His children. He wants us to be the head and not the tail, to be above and not underneath, and to lend and not borrow. This CD helps you capture a vision for this divinely-ordained lifestyle, and gives you steps to take so that you may begin to walk in these blessings.

Price: $5.00
Divine Healing Toolbox MP3

Divine Healing Toolbox MP3

  • Learn how to discover and remove the root cause of the sickness.
  • Learn how to remove blockages to healing.
  • Discover why you would choose to lay TWO hands on a person.
  • Learn to open the eyes of your heart and see what is happening!
  • Discover why the teaming up of prophets and teachers is so important.
  • Discover the value of providing a divine healing soaking experience.
  • Learn to utilize various prayer modalities, including inner healing and deliverance.
Price: $3.60
Fulfill Your Financial Destiny MP3s

Fulfill Your Financial Destiny MP3 Download

by Mark Virkler | 22 Sessions

Newly recorded for 2023! Though the economic system (mammon) of this world is under a curse, we have received instructions for how to move out from that dominion and into the blessing of the Kingdom of God. God’s promises to His children have not changed with the whims of government or Wall Street, nor have His directions for how to walk in those promises. We can “choose not to participate” in the economic recession that is around us if we instead choose to obey the logos and rhema of the Lord and enjoy the blessings that result.

Price: $59.95

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