​A handful of months before C19 changed our lives, the LORD transitioned the ministry from being mostly in person group sessions to instead being online ministry.  I started using Zoom in September of 2019 and started holding group prayer and meditation sessions that way.  Then in the Spring of 2020, after we were instructed to lock down, I felt urgency to reach people on a more day-to-day basis.  I felt very burdened about the emotional and mental state of believers and how to offer an easily accessible prayer resource people could do on their own time.  The result was the Monday through Friday podcast that offers interactive prayer exercises in less than 10 minutes per day.  

It's been about 2 years of online ministry.  And it's easy to wonder what difference I really make.  The whispers of God come to turn my thoughts away from needing to know and remind me of the simple call, "Feed my lambs.  Tend my sheep."

I've always felt that I've needed to be fed and tended to by God before I can pour out something that ministers to others.  So for each day, I'm first spending time with God in the Word and in prayer.  Then based upon inspiration from that time with God, I'm writing up the podcast session, and then recording and editing it for daily upload.  One of my least favorite activities is recording video messages for various social media sites.  It still feels so awkward for me to talk a little camera hole on my laptop or cell phone 😆.  I also type replies to prayer requests or posts, but am often limited to number of words for response.  So basically there is limited knowledge and interaction I have of what God is doing for the person on the other side of the screen or phone.  And as the days have turned into years, I have moments where ministry can get pretty lonely.  I often wonder who is listening, watching, reading, engaging, and what the Spirit is doing.  I really miss being face-to-face with people, hearing their voices, connecting before and after sessions, praying in person with people, getting in-person reaction.  But God has called me to surrender to the change, so I have learned to release the outcomes to Him and just keep obeying to the call, "Feed my lambs.  Tend to my sheep."

He knows just when to sustain me in weariness with a word, as Isaiah 50:4 prophesied that He would do!  He's sent words to encourage me over the last couple of weeks!  

Recently, a few people have taken extra effort to give me feedback, which has meant so much to me! I want to share it because it is for God's glory, and maybe their messages are meant to sustain you too! 

At the end of April, I got an email from a man named Doug.  He's been listening to the podcasts for awhile.  It was so kind and generous of him to encourage me! He has pressed in to know Jesus during his long and painful trial; and as a result, the LORD has strengthened him physically, mentally, and spiritually through regular listening of Peace Be Still!  You can read his words for yourself in the screenshot capture below! ⬇

Isn't his testimony so encouraging?!  I am so honored to be one small way God has reached in with His healing hands!  I believe God to do deeper levels of healing in Doug and to continue to give life to his mortal body through the Spirit of God who lives in him, Romans 8:11!

In addition to Doug's email, recently a podcast listener by the name of Peggy took extra steps to leave a comment on the blog.  ​

Woven into His very being.  We cling.  We abide.  We believe in Him, we develop our love relationship with God during the waiting.  It is the greatest commandment to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.  In the waiting, we value our relationship with Him more than the "answer".  We root ourselves in the love of God.  We're going to spend eternity with Him!  It will be above and beyond all we ask or can imagine!   

But waiting, it's so hard....... wahhhhhhhhh!  I get it!

​In the long seasons of waiting, too many of us think whether consciously or unconsciously, "He didn't give me what I wanted, so I'm not interested in lingering with God."  Or, "He hasn't yet answered so I'm going to spend my time in other ways..  It's boring.  I run out of words.  I just keep repeating myself."

I've been there many times!  And in reflection, too many times I realize I've behaved like a petulant child not getting what she wanted. If I can't drive my agenda in my time with God, it has left to neglecting time in His presence.  

Waiting is a call to lift your eyes to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith!  To accept His timing and in the waiting, practice His presence and linger with Him!  Now is the best time to deepen and enjoy waiting in His presence!

Psalm 27:14 tells us that waiting produces a strengthening of heart.  And to be strengthened, a courage is necessary!  A courage to believe God is good.  That He is in control!  That His timing is perfect and His ways of answering are part of his promise to complete the good work He began in us!  To continue to wait on the LORD!

Time with God doesn't have to be complicated.  It definitely doesn't have to be boring and miserable.  You don't have to have a ton of words.  Use His words.  His Word is living and active.  Learn to enjoy Him!  He rewards those who earnestly seek Him!

So press in for His presence and peace.  Be open and let Him know you want to deepen in trust and in the waiting.  His Spirit and Word does the work.   And in the process you shall be strengthened, strengthened to linger and wait with hope!
​
Where are you today in the waiting?  Practice His presence today!  Episode 519 is a Mellow Monday exercise using breath prayer to meditate and repeat Psalm 27:14.  

​Script from today's podcast, episode 496-  To listen 👂🏽, access here on Apple Podcasts.

Honest hearts and open hands to receive are the basics of a healthy and thriving prayer life.  Let’s position that way before God today…

Hello and welcome to Peace Be Still!  Our interactive prayer and meditation exercises help you linger longer with God for peace and power.  Exercises are based upon God’s Word and promises!  I’m your host Gina Williamson and today being Friend Friday, we press in for His presence and His person for peace.

Jesus gives us some clear and simple direction on how to have a good relationship with God.  He tells the woman at the well in John 4, that true worshipers worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, that God seeks those type of worshipers.  He said it was imperative to worship this way, repeating himself in verses 24.  'God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirt and truth." 

The woman at the well didn’t realize who she was talking to and she approached her conversation with Jesus by taking on some areas of seemingly religious bitterness brewing in her heart.  Please reference her replies in John 4:9,12. 

Jesus turns the tables on her though and takes the conversation to one of personal revelation.  He told her that she has had 5 husbands and the man she now had was not her husband.  Jesus wanted honest heart dialogue about the real issues that brought her shame. 

And after giving her living water of personal revelation, He is clear that if anyone would be a worshiper of God, they must worship in the Spirit and in truth.  His Spirit at work in us to reveal heart issues.  We must admit and confess so we can then be forgiven, sanctified, and transformed. 

What might you be embarrassed to confess in front of Jesus?  The woman at the well was hiding her deepest area of sin and shame from Jesus, but He called it out and then invited her to drink from him in a way that satisfied her deepest soul thirst.  That invitation is also for you today. 

Let’s pray. 

"Lord you are sovereign over all things.  There is nothing we can hide from you.  You know our thoughts before they are on our lips.  We cannot hide our choices, thoughts, or feelings.  What do you want us to examine in your presence today?  Holy Spirit, with the tender touch of God, will you reveal truth to this one?  In agreement, say yes God, reveal truth.

(Wait.)

What thoughts are coming to mind?  Do you need to relieve your heart of burden in any area?  Simply admit to God what needs to be confessed.

(Take time to do this.)

Lord your grace is sufficient for us.  Your power is made perfect in our weakness.  Thank you for cleansing and freeing this one of burden, shame, and trouble within.  Thank you for your grace and relieving our soul of guilt.  Let this one feel your presence, your favor, your love, your Spirit breathing new life into their soul. 

Now spend time on your own, enjoying His presence.  "Thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus..."

The video above is of today's Friend Friday LIVE prayer time in our Peace Be Still Daily Prayer Download private group.  If you'd like to join the group, please visit FB, search for the group by name, and ask to join!  Today's broadcast was about 5 minutes of context for set up in praying, and then I lead you in the prayer time that lasts about 10 minutes!

The Dawn will visit us from on high... Luke 1:78 Berean Study Bible
Today visualize the light of Christ piercing your darkness.  It’s why He has come.

Zechariah called him the Dawn who would visit us from on high. 

That language is part of his prophetic praise found in Luke 1:68-80.

To review the account of Zechariah in full, and his part in the birth story of Jesus, read Luke 1:5-25 and verses 57-80. 

Part of this account is that Zechariah was muted for 9 months during the miraculous pregnancy of Elizabeth.  This happened because he didn’t believe in the angel Gabriel’s message of a promised son as answer to his prayers. 

Consider... How many of us are muted in some way because we refuse to believe in promises of God, in the miracle working power of God? 

Is your faith bigger than your limitations?  Are you believing in the whispers of His holy Word?

We know that Zechariah didn’t stay muted.  After John the Baptist was born, Zechariah’s tongue was set free, and he began to speak praising God. 

Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied about the One coming who would redeem his people in order to forgive, set free, rescue, remember His holy covenant, enable God’s people to serve him without fear.  He prophesied how Zechariah's son John, would prepare the way for the Most High.

And here is how his prophesy ends…

Luke 1:78-79 ...Because of our God’s deep compassion,
    the dawn from heaven will break upon us,
     to give light to those who are sitting in darkness
    and in the shadow of death,
        to guide us on the path of peace.”

In the Berean translation, Jesus is the Dawn with a capital D.  Other translations say “day spring”, the Sunrise with a capital “S”, the morning light. Christ confirmed these truths by boldly proclaiming that yes, He was the light of the world, John 8:12.  

John 1:4-5 says that "in him was life and that life was the light of ALL of mankind.  The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it."  John 1:9 says Christ is the true light that gives light to all men and he was coming into the world.

To give light to those sitting in darkness... Where are you sitting in darkness?

Darkness in both verses from John 1 and Luke 1 is shadiness, obscurity, blindness, ignorance of divine things, ungodliness, immorality, a spiritual state where darkness becomes visible and holds sway.

Are you blinded by unbelief?  Is your faith muted because of unbelief?  What is the last step of faith you took beyond your own ability and resources?  Is your vision shrouded by confusion, despair, hopelessness?  What is the darkness you are dwelling in, sitting in today?  

Because of his deep compassion, the Dawn from Heaven breaks upon you, to give you light, to guide you in a path of peace.

Let’s pray.  Christ our true light, the Dawn who came to visit us from on high, pierce this one’s darkness with your marvelous light.  Lord, because of your tender mercy, flood their heart with light from on high.  

(Pause- By faith, see His light flooding your heart and mind.)  

Pray, "grant me vision Jesus." 

"Give light to my eyes.  I admit ignorance about divine things.  Pierce my darkness.  Give light to my darkness.  Rescue me from the shadow of death, thoughts that are hopeless, choices that are dead ends, feelings that snuff out life and faith.  Forgive my unbelief.  Cleanse me of ungodly thoughts and ways.  Purify me with your light.  Guide my feet into your path of peace."

Now take a few minutes and still yourself in His presence.  See the Dawn from on high coming from on high, His light surrounding you like a shield, lighting a pathway of peace before you.  Rest in his holy light.

This season give thanks for the Dawn who descended from on high.  Do not be silent.  Speak about Him.  Take steps of faith believing His life is your guiding light in the darkness.

And pray for someone you love or know that needs Christ's light to pierce their darkness.  Ask Jesus to surround them with His holy light.  Take the time to envision His light descending and giving light to their darkness, guiding them into the way of peace.

Did you enjoy this reflection?  If so, take a listen to more Advent reflections on our podcast that began on December 1st.  Visit the podcast tab to listen or find PEACE BE STILL DAILY PRAYER DOWNLOAD on your podcast provider!

Immanuel.  With us is God.

​What is the last thing the LORD brought to mind that He wanted to talk to you about, address, or call you to surrender?

If you don't have an answer for that, it should give you pause.  It should challenge you to press in for a touchpoint with Immanuel.

God with us.  With us is God.

The little babe in a manger, Jesus.  Our radical warrior King.  He grew up to go there, to the darkest places, to endure the greatest suffering ever known, to pour out His life unto death.  To have victory in every area and impart that victory to you.

He grew up to go there with you, to your darkest places, to be with you in your suffering, to pour His life into your dead places.  Immanuel, God with us, addressing what we tend to gloss over or dismiss.  The loneliness.  The mourning.  The past.  The pain.  The vices.  Our selfish motives.  Our lukewarm faith.   Unbelief.  

He prompted me to a scripture the other day that made me consider a motive, a destructive pattern of thinking.  He's catching me before I make a decision about something.  He's wanting me to see the danger before I follow my destructive thinking which involves a lack of trust in Him.  He's fulfilling His promise to not let me be tempted beyond what I can bear.  I wasn't really awakened to it before He took me to a scripture, and as I began meditating on it, what was hidden from my view came to light.  I made the connection on what He was addressing.  I saw that He's providing a way out, so that I can endure the temptation and choose His way, not my own.  

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (NIV)- 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Do you let God alert you to blind spots in yourself?  Do you let others be messengers of those type of blind spots?  

Immanuel.  God with us, in us, to be in the trenches to rescue and deliver us. 

Are we with Him?

"Okay God, you can be with me, just not too close."

And that is where many of us are stuck.

But good news is that is where many of us have huge opportunities for breakthrough!

When you open up and let the LORD start to touch those untouchable places, those areas locked up and under-wrap, miracles can happen. You can experience real breakthrough, the freedom He promises!

But often we hold back.  We avoid.  We dismiss.  We just keep going along as we always have because we are comfortable with our ways.  When the little whispers, prompts, or convictions come, often we pretend we didn't hear God.  We quickly move on and become busy with something and dismiss acknowledging what Immanuel is addressing.

Welcome to the danger zone.  This is where pride and unbelief and willful ways keep Him out.

He's still with us, but we aren't with Him.

People wonder where God is, when really they've been keeping Him distant, busy putting up walls and mastering avoidance tactics.

So He gets increasingly silent.  He's willing to take the backseat until we press in.  It's sad; but often desperation is our greatest motivator for a renewed prayer life.

We are stubborn.  We like status quo.  "Let's not rock the boat.  I'm good.  Things are manageable."

Yet it's a lie.  The truth is lots of us have faith that is stagnant.  Lots of us have relationships with others that haven't really grown much, despite our call to love more deeply.  We've hit barriers; and one or the other (or both) have shut down in our human relationships.  And we become okay with that, it is a new normal.   

There is this unspoken agreement we make.  "I won't challenge them, so that they don't challenge me." Or "I don't want them upset with me, so I will remain quiet." Or "I don't like to deal with hard things, so I'll stuff my feelings".  Or "I've done nothing wrong, they need to deal with it." Or "I'll tell myself this story, and believe it to settle it in my mind so I don't have to wrestle with the fact that I am part of the problem."  Or "Relationships are too much work and I'm fine with just me and God." 

And here is a big piece that is missing in our prayer lives and faith walks.  We need to hear from God to know what the truth really is, about ourselves, about how we are to respond to others. 

God saw this barrier in our broken natures.  He crossed the barrier of time and space and sin.  The Word of God became flesh and dwelt here on earth among us, and we have seen His glory, the glory of the One and only Son, full of grace and truth.- John 1:14.

Consider today- Are you hearing from God?  Are you willing to let Him examine what's happening within?  Are you willing to reflect on relationships and be vulnerable, to press for in for deeper connection with God and others?  Are you taking risks for closer fellowship, especially in conflict?  

I feel something awakening in me to be more vulnerable.  To not pretend things are okay.  To address my former words and behaviors that hurt others.  To let friends know if I've been hurt and challenge them to go deeper with me. 

I want to risk, because freedom and joy are on the other side. I trust God to weed relationships out, or cause relationships to flourish.  I want to live in His power, not my own!  How about you?

As we get ready to enter a new year, what are your relationship goals?  Not where do you want to excel in career or fitness or finances or health or travel or personal goals, but where do you want to win in relationships? 

Start with Jesus.  

Immanuel.  You are with the downcast Lord.  You are with the broken.  You are with the lonely.  You are with the poor in Spirit.  You are with those in bondages of their own making.  You set free.  You repair.  You awaken.  You raise the dead.  You bless.  You heal.  You make all things new.

"Be with me God.  Be with me to take risks that lead to freedom.  Help me open up and let you in.  Open my eyes to see, my ears to hear.  Help me surrender.  Help me invest in the relationships and people you place in my path.  Help me be vulnerable and love courageously.  Transform me, Word of God!"

We're approaching Thanksgiving!  Seems time has flown!  Lots to be thankful for as this year winds down, despite this crazy, chaotic world and all of its bad news! 

In such turbulent times, our center and stronghold in Christ and his promises guides us and stabilizes us.  The world's news is not our news.  He is our victory and supply and future.  He is our right now promise.  His peace is to rule in our hearts!  With Him as our Good Shepherd, we lack nothing!  He alone is our reason to be thankful, even if all we would have on our table this Thanksgiving were a dry crust.

Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.- Proverbs 17:1

His Peace is a precious gift, such a gift that it is to be chosen over a house of feasting with strife. It's time to be a peacemaker when so many are quick to offense and argument.  I speak this to myself as much as to you.  Should we engage in that political discussion? How should we reply to that relative who is bitter and miserable?  Are we bringing peace to the discussion, to table of fellowship? 

Meditate on Proverbs 17:1 and Colossians 3:15 as you approach a season of gathering with family.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts in these gatherings.  Be prayed up before you go!  Let others know why Christ's peace satisfies your deepest needs, and fills you in a way nothing and no one else can!  

ON to some updates!  It's been about a month since you last got an email or blog from me.  Things have been busy; and ministry fruitful!  Podcast listenership continues to grow!  I traveled to Iowa and held my first in-person group session in over 2 years!  What a blessing it was!  Witnessed on flights going out and coming back!  That's a whole blog on it's own!  But know that the meditation event that I put together (Prayer Rhythms) was wonderful!  God spoke and ministered deeply and sweetly to participants!  I'll be holding that session for another private group first week of December!  Oh how I have missed in-person ministry!  (If you have interest in in-person private group sessions, please reply to this email.)

And look for an email on some online sessions upcoming for PRAYER RHYTHMS!

In addition, social media reach is still a wilderness to navigate, but since it is where so many people are "gathering", I'm believing God for breakthrough!  I keep hearing whispers and promptings from the Spirit to not give up, but boy is there so much to learn!  Pray for reach and breakthrough!  It takes a lot of time and energy!  But I believe the whispers and victory is coming!

My "every day" includes writing, recording, editing audio, creating social media images and posts, praying for and connecting with people online, learning social media, etc.  The days fly by!  Also every Friday, I'm still doing a live prayer broadcast with Cheryl Wells (sweet friend, ministry partner, and our Board Chair).  

Have you listened to the podcast of late?  Over the last many weeks, I've been recording a series on the Holy Spirit (starting with episode 399).  It is still going!  There is so many scriptures about His role in our faith life!  Many of us need to connect with the Holy Spirit on deeper levels, acknowledging His role.  He is One of the Trinity, not an it.  I pray you listen to one or all of the 19 sessions so far!  Here is some detail from the first handful of episodes, but know today was episode 418, so this is just a sampling!  Access the podcast on any podcast app or listen from the podcast tab.

• Episode 399- For today's breath prayer and silence exercise, we are focusing on the creative, supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. Listen in for the role of the Holy Spirit to execute God's Word and shine light from within darkness. It is a supernatural work for transformation that only the Spirit of God can produce. He is your path to peace and hope and life and power. Press in! Please share with a friend!
• Episode 402- Very often we will question what God's will is for us throughout our time here on earth. We need answers that come from the Holy Spirit. So today is an opportunity to practice a spirit-filled prayer request pulled directly from scripture. Listen in for this Spirit-filled prayer language; and position with expectation on Spirit filled answers. Practice praying it over yourself and others; and stay to the end to hear more Spirit inspired scripture prayed over you! Please share with a friend! Blessings!
• Episode 403- Today is a little different, a first hand account of a miraculous healing experienced by a woman I met at the end of 2020.  She suffered tortuous pain (from an incurable disease) for over 6 years with it progressing to a point of not being able to care for herself at all, or sleep!  There were no medicines that brought relief.  Despite it all, she never wavered that Jesus would heal her!  Listen in as she describes how her faith brought her through, how the Word of God was her stronghold, and how the real healing came in a way no one expected.  Be blessed and stick around to the end to receive a prayer of healing!
• Episode 404- Renew a right spirit within me- Daily we need renewal. Daily we need the power of God's life and Spirit to "right" us. Using your breath and the simple, but powerful prayer phrase from Psalm 51:10 you'll call on the Holy Spirit to renew you. Memorize this breath prayer to incorporate it into your every day language. Pray it in moments where you need to center yourself and call upon His life and power. The Holy Spirit promises supernatural renewal. Not our power, but His power renewing us. Release striving and come into and under the power of God's promises. Ask to be made new by the Holy Spirit of Jesus. Please share with a friend who needs to experience the promises and peace of Jesus.

It's been a 12 hour day at this point, so time to sign off!  If this ministry is a blessing to you, will you please consider making a donation?  We are asking God for more reach, but our budget is limited.  Twitter advertisements cost minimum of $50.  Instagram ads are a minimum of $20.  Facebook ads are a minimum of $25.  All of these are minimal reach, but we have seen success!  Additionally, some technology updates are needed.  As well, annual fees are approaching.  So we would be so appreciative of one-time gifts or new monthly supporters!  Thank you for praying about supporting our mission to help people linger longer with God, resourcing the earnest to draw near and know Christ!  

Have a blessed Thanksgiving as you rejoice in the goodness of God and the peace of Christ!

Every Friday morning we broadcast LIVE in our private FB group, Peace Be Still Daily Prayer download (ask to join via FB!).  We discuss a prayer topic in parallel with a scripture, and then take time to pray for people in the group.  Normally I have a fairly easy time settling on the topic, but this morning I wrestled.

I woke at 4am; and didn't feel settled until about 6:45am on what to share.  

Part of my wrestling was thinking about a peaceful protest I attended on Monday, wanting to learn more about the healthcare workers standing for their right to make their own choices.  I wanted to hear some first-hand accounts and experiences.  I only conversed with 3 medical professionals.  They gave detailed information about their upset, clearly burdened not only for what they were feeling coerced to do, but for what their patients suffered after making personal choice to trust the process.   They've come away disheartened, and weary; but strong in conviction that they've learned too much at this point to trust the process themselves, at least at this point.  They have questions.  They want to give more time to see how things look further down the road.  They've faced it, worked the front lines of it.  They've exposed their families and endured tremendous pressure already.  Their experience should tell us something, and we should honor their choice.  But instead, they are being punished.

(Did you know that Uttar Pradesh (240m people) is only 5% inoculated, yet just hit 0% death rate?  Read that again. And then consider, how is that possible?  I've been to India and it's not a social distance kind of place.  It's also not a culture that practices regular handwashing  Over 334,000 children die per year, attributable to diarrheal diseases!  Think about that.  That is quite the test population with a lot of odds against them for controlling virus.  So why 0% death rate now?  Check me on it.  See how they handled it, and simply ponder why we aren't being given those options.  It's what many in the medical field see and are challenging.  A massive lawsuit has been filed by 10K doctors claiming "crimes against humanity" by fraud.  Strong words.  They've felt they have been hamstrung; unable to care for their patients and prevented from following their Hippocratic oath.   It's the largest group lawsuit ever.  Think about that.)

How are you responding to this so far?  Do you have love and compassion; or are you feeling upset and embittered?  For some of you it is helping because its based upon rational thought and you are fine with being challenged to question and explore more.  But if you have upset, have you talked to a medical person who doesn't want to be coerced?  Have you heard their perspective?  Are you willing to honor their choice as they have honored yours?

God wants us to be at peace with one another.  He does not want us consumed by fear and having harsh judgments within.  We need to bring that to Him and confess our fears and upset asking for freedom He promises.  If fear drives us we'll probably be upset and harsh with others.  But if faith has settled us and the Spirit has transformed us, we'll be compassionate and anger won't fuel us.

Remember--------- Jesus says that the love of many will grow cold in last days.  There will be a spirit of lawlessness behind this work.  It's sad, but it seems like we are in building up to ice cold hearts pretty rapidly.

So just check and see.  Are you judging those on the "other side" or are you compassionate and giving people freedom to explore and make decisions?  Do you make decisions from always believing what you are told?  Are you asking God to show you what is true?  He is Wonderful Counselor.  He promises to give us wisdom by faith, James 1:2-8.   

Rejoice!  We Christians are very special people endowed with supernatural promises!  God does not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind, 2 Timothy 1:7!  It is for freedom that Christ has set us free!  Live as children of the free woman!

Galatians 4: 28Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. 30 But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” 31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.