I had the privilege of spending time with my friend, Brooke Donnelly Smith today at an Aglow meeting in Tampa, Florida. There were other amazing, godly women present and in this gathering of like-minded hearts, we experienced the presence of the Lord Jesus.
Time spent with Jesus is always refreshing. It’s spiritually rejuvenating to encounter the unity of the brethren in the bond of peace as we minister to God as the Body of Christ.
“Now the Lord is the Spirit; where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty,” (2 Corinthians 3:17 NKJV). Liberty was the order of the day as we gathered to hear Brooke testify of the goodness of God during a time in her life when she was in dire need of rescue. There’s a clip at the end of this post of an interview detailing her change from punk lesbian to child of God (her words).
You see, I was drowning once and also rescued by that same Savior. The unifying chord weaving each woman together was that we were all former wretches dragging around invisible chains. We are now children of the King, women of valour, each holding near to her heart her personal redemption story. Each woman present has a love story detailing her specific near-drowning tragedy interrupted by the strong arm of this God man Christ Jesus scooping her out and wrapping her in His arms of love. Her tears dried by His plush grace towel revealing her spiritual identity in HIm. That same strong arm gently placed each one into a family of believers to be loved and discipled into wholeness.
Brooke has a charming way she lovingly asks questions. These questions have a way of penetrating your heart and provoking one to deeper godliness. This wonerful spiritual quality emulates Proverbs 27:17-18, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” The Passion Translation puts it, “It takes a grinding wheel to sharpen a blade, and so one person sharpens the character of another. Tend an orchard and you’ll have fruit to eat, serve the Master’s interests and you’ll receive honor that’s sweet.”
Serve the Master’s Interests
Brooke asked me a question while getting acquainted two years prior, discussing our mutual ministry as volunteer jail chaplains. At that time she was actively pursuing her teaching ministry while I was a mere wanna be. I had been asked by the Lord to minister to women inmates, yet had not gotten around to it.
She made eye contact and simply asked, “So what are you waiting for?”
Her simple inquiry carried the voice of the Lord speaking to me, requiring action. God breathed inquiries do that; they inspire us to good works that glorify God. They also carry the fire of God and His timing. Hearing His voice emphasizes that it is the time to go forth now, no more hesitation.
While savoring this interaction with Brooke from January 2012, much like one savors the tastes and aromas of a fine meal, I saw in the Spirit. In my mind’s eye, I watched oil pouring upon a fire and the flame leap upward. It explained what I had observed in Brooke’s preaching that day. She spoke with a fiery intensity I had not witnessed prior. The Lord had increased His anointing of passion for the cross upon her.
As we parted ways, I pondered in my heart, What does it mean to have increased anointing?
The Holy Spirit let me know He poured more of His holy oil over her, saturating her to the point she burns with increased intensity for her beloved Jesus. It was so clear to me now! The fire in her heart leapt to new heights because fresh oil/fuel being released upon her preching.
Is this some supernatural occurrence exclusive to a few?
No, I knew in my heart that oil from heaven is available to ALL who are willing to pay the price for that oil. Hey, I know you’ve heard this message before. I realize it is not new, or exciting or fashionable. Heavenly oil is available to all who are willing to spend time in the Bridegroom’s presence, waiting for Him to open the door and usher us into His holy inner chamber for fellowship.
Brooke had spent time there, emerging dripping wet so she ignited readily for all who had eyes to see.
This post illustrates how God’s leading will conect you with the people you need to know. His leading opens doors you need not push open. This year of 2024 is the Year of the Open Door so we can expect divine connects during the next twelve months.
God Asks Me a Question
In the movie Jerry Maguire, character Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding) asks Jerry (Tom Cruise) his sports agent, “What have you done for me, lately, Jerry?” After all, an agent is only as good as his last deal.
After this image, I heard the Lord ask. “What have you done for me, lately?”
He was asking me what acts have I done in His name?
Who have you prayed for lately in person or by intercession?
Who have you fed recently … visited in prison, clothed, warmed, consoled or listened to?
Who have you selflessly served, written to, cooked for, bathed, loved or comforted?
Have you ministered deliverance to another, cast demons out, prayed for another to be healed and released from pain?
Just as a sports agent is only as good as his/her last lucrative deal, could it possibly be that Jesus is asking Hid Body the question, “What have YOU done for Me, lately?”
PS: I responded to this call on my life and began volunteering as a Chaplain assistant at the Brevard County Jail in Cocoa, Florida for three years, teaching life skills and Bible-study classes 90 minutes per week to female inmates incarcerated pending case resolution. Individual counseling was also provided on an as-needed basis, along with personal prayer and encouragement provided weekly. It was a tremendously rewarding endeavor.
Categories: Change Forgiveness Grace restoration Salvation Sin Transformation
Kathryne
Christian author and truth teller whose words make darkness tremble. Author of two non-fiction books at https://www.instagram.com/tattooedking_book/
Kathryne Leach 
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