Knitting Hearts Café
Message By Wanda Rodgers
August 13, 2016
Written by Sue Sanders
An air of expectancy engulfed each person as they entered the foyer and fellowship hall that was still decorated in the VBS décor. It was as if God had prepared each one to experience fellowship and enjoy breakfast in the outer court and then praise and worship and the teaching of the Word in the inner court and the Holy of Holies. Worshipping where students had been all week invited each one to think outside of the box and experience an adventure with God, a new thing.
Susan Crosson explained her Body-Mind-Spirit Mentoring. She stated, “So often we are like birds who get caught in snares; we need people to come alongside to help us be free and to sing a new song skillfully and with joy (Psalm 33:3).”
Ramelle Coker, group coordinator, announced that anyone interested in being a part of a group should contact her to see what groups are available currently.
As we entered into the “tent of meeting,” we presented our offering as Michelle Breaux sang of preparing ourselves to be His sanctuary and lifting our hearts to just say thank You, Lord, because He made a way. The praise team led us in offering a sacrifice of praise that turned our attention to thinking about the Lord, how He saved us, how He raised us, how He filled us with the Holy Ghost, how He healed us to the uttermost. Definitely, thinking and singing about the Lord and observing the dance team worship, made us “want to shout.” The worship escalated as we sang, “Lord, I worship You because of who You are, Jehovah Jireh, my Provider. . . Jehovah Nissi, Lord, You reign in victory. . . Jehovah Shalom, My Prince of Peace . . . Jehovah Rapha, my Healer. . . Jehovah Shammah, You are always with me. . . Jehovah Sabboath, my strong deliverer.” The final song was both a declaration and an invitation: “There is a sweet anointing in the sanctuary. There is stillness in the atmosphere. Come and lay the burden you have carried for in the sanctuary God is here. He is here. God is here to break the yoke and lift the heavy burden. He is here to heal the hopeless heart and bless the broken.”
Wanda Rodgers, the guest speaker, spoke from her heart as she shared her desire for new things from God, her hungering and thirsting for more of Him. She told about being with her ladies’ group on Tuesday night. Wanda had been telling God that she needed more. Their guest speaker got her anointing oil. The power of God was definitely there. People were changed. As the speaker laid hands on Wanda, she declared, “It is time, time for new beginnings.” Dalana Barnett confirmed this prophecy as she texted Scripture to Wanda this week. Wanda shared that the date, August 13, is also significant. August is the 8th month, and 8 is the number of new beginnings.
Wanda sang a song about facing a hopeless situation but taking the Lord at His Word, knowing that He is not finished yet. The song asked, “But what if only you believed? But what if we really believed that God will meet our every need and nothing is impossible with Him?” We were reminded, “Child, I have too much in store. . . and it only takes the faith of a mustard seed.”
Wanda declared, “God will grow our faith with suddenlies and interruptions. We just have to trust Him. God is always working for our good. The Holy Spirit wants not only to fill us but also to control us. We have to be conformed and transformed so that we become more like Jesus. The suddenlies in life keep us on track.” Wanda spoke of asking God to interrupt her—to even knock her over the head to get her attention.
God has a specific plan for each one of us, but Satan tries to stop God’s plans for our lives. We must remind ourselves that God is greater. God wants us to be disciplined and mature in our faith.
“God’s suddenlies happen all the time,” Wanda reiterated. She recalled the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit fell on the disciples and they spoke in other languages. “God is ready to pour out on each one of us so that the aroma of Christ follows us and changes the atmosphere,” she declared.
We must enter into our war rooms, our secret places, and hold onto the horn of the altar until the Lord answers our prayers. She reminded us of Jacob and Hannah who would not give up until the answers came. We, too, must pray until we receive the peace from God that He has answered our prayers. We must have faith, or we will miss the blessing. Colossians 3:15 states: “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” Wanda said, “We are called to live in peace, separated from worldly ways, and we must always be thankful.”
She discussed the not-so-good suddenlies in life that leave us spent and in desperate places. In those times we all struggle to be thankful. She uttered God’s Truth, “God’s answers to life’s suddenlies are in His rod and staff. God’s ways are not our ways. We expect God to move immediately and in our ways. Instead, we must trust Him.”
Another thing that we have to consider is the way we deal with our suddenlies: “Do we complain? Are we anxious? Do we ask why? Where is our trust—our discipline—our faith?” We must “remember that God is right on time” although this often frustrates us. It is important that we “allow God to be with us in our times of need and in our times of celebration.” She spoke of removing walls, the ones that separate us from God’s ways. Not only must we surrender to His ways, but we must also follow God’s divine order. God sets up a divine order for a husband and wife, and we must adhere to this. When the suddenly does not come when we expect it, we find it hard to understand why God is moving so slowly especially when we see God manifesting Himself so powerfully for others. It is important that we remember that God is always working.
Wanda listens to that still small voice as He gives her instructions. She encouraged us not to ignore those promptings from the Lord, God’s pricks. She exclaimed, “How encouraging to recall that God so desires to be with us in every detail of our lives. He wants to bless us so that we can bless others.”
Wanda reminded us of the thorns that God allows in our lives to make us stronger. God is a great respecter of our faith. When we pray, we must know that God can and God will answer. We must believe that our suddenlies grow our faith.
She recounted the story of the woman with the issue of blood who pushed through the crowd to touch Jesus’ garment. Jesus was her last resort. Her need was hidden and deep. Her condition made her unclean and an outcast, a reject. She needed a suddenly because her need had been lingering too long. Suddenly she received her healing. Jesus said, “Your faith has made you well.”
She used the story of the immoral woman who poured her alabaster box of ointment on Jesus’ feet to declare that our faith must become bigger than our sin. This woman pushed through in desperation so that she could focus on Jesus. She was a recognized sinner, but, nonetheless, she pushed through her shame. With humility she poured out her alabaster box of ointment on Jesus’ feet. She was ready for a glory moment. Jesus saw her and recognized that she had more to give than her expensive gift. Jesus knew her heart. He knew that she had a hunger for something more. Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
Faith makes all the difference in your suddenlies.
Joyce Sanders, Knitting Hearts’ leader, and Wanda presented an invitation. Many women responded to the altar call; however, prayer warriors turned the room into a war room as they prayed in small groups throughout the small inner sanctuary
Hearts United Women's Ministry 