The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Jesse Birkey's picture

picture of frustrationThe thing about transparency is that you have to be willing to be transparent.  Not just in the good times but also the bad.  Maybe even the ugly.  But I've found that God can do amazing things when we share our failures.  Sometimes it’s our ugliness that helps people in the ways they need most. 

It was late one night when the phone rang.  Not too late, but late enough.  My wife picked it up and I didn't hear anything else for a while.  I was working on producing the Life Resurrected audio book and getting frustrated with the software. 

Suddenly my wife was at the door telling me that one of our friends had called asking if we would come and pray for her mother who was in the hospital.  We had no idea what was wrong and she didn't tell us.  We didn't even know her mother was in the hospital. 

My reaction was less than…well let’s just say it was terrible.  I was angry.  I was angry that it was late and we had to go to the hospital.  I was angry because everything I had planned for the night was ruined.  The kids were staying overnight at their grandparents which gave me another reason to be upset.  It was looking like a quiet, relaxing evening but not anymore.  I complained all the way down the stairs and into the car.  My wife was just shaking her head at me as if to say, “Are you seriously throwing fit because someone asked us to come and pray?”  I was.

About 5 minutes into the 25 minute trip I was still venting.  My wife was just being silent, patiently waiting for the Lord to get a hold of me.  Then it happened.  I heard the soft voice of Jesus tell me that there were many times in which he stepped away from what He had planned so that He could minister to those who came to Him.  He allowed Himself to be repeatedly interrupted because He loved the people so much.

I spent the next few minutes repenting for my ridiculous and childish attitude as compassion filled me for the person we were going to see.  It was then that we began to ask the Lord to show us how to approach the person we were going to see.  He responded by showing us a vision with an accompanying message.

We arrived at the hospital and our friend escorted us up to where her mother was.  My wife and I explained the vision we’d seen and gave her the message we’d heard.  It ended up being a word of knowledge for her medical condition and the message spoke directly to her heart.  Then we spent time praying for her healing, physically and spiritually.

That night God touched her heart in a special way.  He also touched her body.  We received word the next day that her heart efficiency had increased by a significant percentage and there was no plaque buildup like they were expecting.  She was discharged a couple days later.

I learned many things that night.  Things I didn't expect to learn when we received the call.  God is so faithful.  He doesn't give up on us when we react poorly.  He gives us the chance to embrace the opportunities He brings to us.  But we have to choose to get over our sense of inconvenience.  I had to give up my anger and frustration.  It was the only way I could have a chance to hear from the Lord and be a part of the amazing things He did that night. 

Blessings,

Jesse and Kara Birkey

www.reflectministry.com

jbirkey@reflectministry.com

twitter.com/JesseBirkey

http://www.facebook.com/reflectministry

View the Trailer for our new book, Life Resurrected, Extraordinary Miracles through Ordinary People Here!

Click Here to find information on an exciting new documentary called DeadRaiser releasing in October!

 

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Contributing Strands Worksheet

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 8 Pages

An extremely easy-to-use prayer counseling worksheet to use yourself or for a counselor to use as he works with a client. It guides you through the seven prayers, ensuring that you are asking the right questions, covering all the key bases, and recording what the Lord is saying and revealing through vision. Download free here.

Price: $0.50
Overcoming Blocks and Hindrances to Hearing God's Voice Tract

Overcoming Blocks and Hindrances to Hearing God's Voice Tract (10-pack)

by Mark Virkler | 1 Page Tract | Bundles of 10

A one-page review of how to overcome some of the main stumbling blocks to hearing God's voice. Normally the four keys of stillness, vision, spontaneity and journaling will allow you to daily hear God's voice (plus, of course, submitting it to your spiritual advisors). However, if this is not working, then these are the most likely causes, and the things to do to overcome them.

(This tract is sold in bundles of 10 for $1.00.)

Price: $1.00
Prayers That Heal the Heart Cards

Prayers That Heal the Heart Cards (100 pack)

Wallet size cards for hand outs

Sometimes you just want to put something into someone's hand that will point them in the right direction. You know they are hurting, and you want to help. This Prayers that Heal the Heart wallet size card is perfect to leave for people to pick up, or to hand to people.

To receive up to 25 free, do not add to your cart! Just choose a quantity of "Free Gift #2" at checkout. To purchase more than 25, add to cart here.

Price: $5.00
You Can Hear God's Voice Tract

You Can Hear God's Voice Tract (10-pack)

by Mark Virkler | 1 Page Tract | Bundles of 10

A simple review of the four keys to hearing God's voice, on one single page, front and back. Easy to hand out to another to get them interested in hearing God's voice. Nice for your own personal review.  This tract can be downloaded freely, or purchased for 10 copies for $1.00.

Price: $1.00

7 Step Healing Model Cards (100 pack)

by Mark Virkler

Request up to 25 of the 7 Steps wallet cards FREE with every order you place! (Excluding download-only orders.) Just specify how many you would like when checking out in the shopping cart. 

To receive up to 25 free, do not add to your cart! Just choose a quantity of your "Free Gift" at checkout. To purchase more than 25, add to cart here.

Price: $5.00
Hear God Through Your Dreams cards

Hear God Through Your Dreams Cards (100-pack)

Wallet size cards for handouts

Request up to 25 of the dreams cards FREE with every order you place! (Excluding download-only orders.) Just specify how many you would like when checking out in the shopping cart. Spread the good news that God is still giving wise counsel through dreams at night, and His counsel is free!

To receive up to 25 free, do not add to your cart! Just choose a quantity of your "Free Gift" at checkout. To purchase more than 25, add to cart here.

Price: $5.00

LEARN From Oppression to Victory Ebook

Mark Virkler

This workbook provides you copies of 125 PowerPoint utilized in From Oppression to Victory training. If receiving training in a group, we highly recommend that EVERY member of the group have their own copy. It offers you the following four benefits:

Price: $5.95

LEARN Hearing God's Voice for Healing

Mark and Patti Virkler | Workbook containing 276 PowerPoint slides | Retail: $5.95

This is a printed set of 276 PowerPoints that walk you through the teaching of our book, Hearing God’s Voice for Healing. There are three PowerPoint slides down the left side of each page, and the right side is space to write your own personal notes, reflections, journaling, and insights.

Price: $5.95

LEARN How Do YOU Know?

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 40 pages

This Life Enrichment And Review Notebook follows the audio/video series exactly, allowing you to see the key points being made and fill in answers as you go along. Writing notes always deepens the learning experience. In addition you will be encouraged to write out key Scriptures and hear what the Lord wants to say to you personally through two-way journaling exercises.

Price: $5.95
LEARN Overflow of the Spirit Workbook Cover

LEARN Overflow of the Spirit

50 Pages | by Mark Virkler and Charity Kayembe

This 50-page LEARN Workbook is designed to be filled in while listening to the audio/video teaching on Overflow of the Spirit. Mark and Charity have teamed up again to create a training series on how to easily manifest the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit. It took us several years to break through all the confusion and present a clear, simple understanding of how to release the nine-fold manifestation of the Holy Spirit everywhere you go and with everyone you touch. It is not hard! It can’t be since these are gifts of the Holy Spirit, not things you have to work for.

Price: $6.95

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