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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Through the Bible 6: Life of Christ - DVDs

Through the Bible 6: Life of Christ DVDs

by Dr. Andrew Hardy | 4 Discs

Dr. Andrew Hardy takes you through the Gospels, the Life of Christ, in 10 sessions. This is part six of our Through The Bible series,  which provide you an in-depth overview of the entire Bible. You may choose to begin with the Life of Christ, and work your way through the entire New Testament, and then follow this up by going through the Old Testament.

Why are there four Gospels describing Jesus' life? How are the three synoptic Gospels different from John? What does God want to say to me through the life of Jesus? Can I really imitate Christ and be like him? Yes, Jesus came to model the lifestyle God has empowered us to live!

Price: $24.95

Through the Bible 7: Acts and Epistles DVDs

by Dr. Andrew Hardy | 2 Discs

Dr. Andrew Hardy takes you through Acts and the General Epistles in 10 sessions. This is part seven of our Through the Bible series, which provides you an in-depth overview of the entire Bible. You may choose to begin with the Life of Christ, and work your way through the entire New Testament, and then follow this up by going through the Old Testament.

In the book of Acts you discover the vibrancy of the early Church. The Holy Spirit descended upon them in Pentecost and filled them and the room in which they were seated. Empowered by the Holy Ghost, they immediatey won 3000 to the Lord. Miracles followed, many were healed, and the world was transformed by these anointed disciples. 

In the General Epistles we learn of the struggles the early Church faced, and the amazing teaching the Apostle Paul provided to keep them on track. You receive a glimpse into the heart of Paul as he passionately encourages his readers to know who they are in Christ and ascend into the heavenlies, where they are seated with Him in heavenly places, ruling and reigning. These books take you into the depths of Scriptural truth as revealed by the Holy Spirit. Pray for God to give you revelation knowledge in your heart and mind as you meditate on His Word (Eph. 1:17,18).

Price: $24.95

Through the Bible 8: Epistles and Revelation DVDs

by Dr. Andrew Hardy

Dr. Andrew Hardy takes you through the General Epistles and the book of Revelation in 10 sessions. This is part eight of our Through The Bible series,  which provide you an in-depth overview of the entire Bible. You may choose to begin with the Life of Christ, and work your way through the entire New Testament, and then follow this up by going through the Old Testament.

This eighth series in the collection covers the following New Testament books: I Thessalonians, II Thessalonians, I Timothy, II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, I Peter, II Peter, I John, II John, III John, Jude and Revelation.

Price: $24.95

Unique Gifts Make Winning Teams DVD Set

1 DVD set

Can I succeed like others have? What do I need to do? How do I go about it? What if I don't have the gifts necessary to do something great? The wonderful truth revealed in Scripture is that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary feats, especially when they say, "Yes, Lord" to the destiny He has prepared for them!

Price: $39.95

Your Extraordinary Life DVDs

Mark Virkler | 16 DVD Sessions

Can you imagine starting new believers off with the Holy Spirit! What if the first thing you were taught as a newborn Christian was how to connect easily and daily with the Holy Spirit Who was living inside you, anointing you, empowering you and transforming you?

Price: $39.95
4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice Audio CDs

4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice Audio CDs

by Mark Virkler | 10 Discs | Produced 2006

This CD set of the 10-hour course will draw you into a classroom experience with others who are learning to hear from God right alongside you. It follows along with the LEARN 4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice notebook (available for $4.95). Because Dr. Virkler is teaching directly from this booklet, it is recommended that you purchase both the LEARN notebook and the complete book entitled 4 Keys to Hearing God’s Voice. You will want to meditate on the teaching and do the exercises found in the large book if you intend to fully internalize the skill of living daily out of God’s voice.


Looking for the new Abridged Edition? See this blog post to learn more and order.


Price: $59.95

4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice CDs - Abridged Edition

by Mark Virkler | 5 Discs | 10 Sessions

A complete description is available by clicking here, where you will find information on the 60-minute version of this product. The main difference is that these 10 sessions are shorter, averaging 40 minutes each. You asked for it and it's finally available! The same core teaching now abridged, making the sessions easier to fit into your Sunday School class, home group meeting or lunch hour Bible study.

Price: $39.95

A Stroll Along the Sea of Galilee CD

New life for your daily devotions!

The #1 Tool in the World for Introducing People to Hearing God's Voice! Pop this into your CD player during your morning devotional time and let us paint a scene of you and Jesus walking together along the Sea of Galilee. We'll encourage you to ask Him one of the following questions, "Lord, what would You like to say to me?" "How do You see me?" or "Do You love me?" We then guide you into using the four keys for hearing God's voice, which are: quieting yourself down, fixing your eyes on Jesus, tuning to spontaneity and writing.

Price: $2.95

Counseled by God Audio CDs

by Mark Virkler | 6 Discs

Just Released: 35th Anniversary Edition

The foremost training in the world helping you become emotionally whole by hearing the voice of the Wonderful Counselor! ? You will receive an impartation as you listen to the 13 sessions of Mark Virkler sharing life-transforming principles on how to restore your heart by receiving daily counsel directly from God.

Price: $59.95
Prayers That Heal the Heart CDs

Prayers That Heal the Heart Audio Revised & Expanded 20th Anniversary Edition CDs

by Mark Virkler | 15 Sessions | 7 Discs

Prayer counseling that breaks every yoke! Everything you need to experience deep healing of your soul and spirit. Did you know that you don’t need to be continually plagued by negative thoughts, feelings, pictures or memories?

It is not part of the "human condition" to feel the constant nagging of doubt, insecurity, or anger. No matter what sin you are trying to overcome, what lie you think you’ll always believe, or what traumas your heart has suffered in the past, you will receive total freedom and restoration by praying these prayers in faith.

Price: $59.95

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