Journey to Cali: Part Two

Have you ever been in a place where God’s presence is so thick you’re overwhelmed with joy and gratitude? If not, I suggest you visit International House of Prayer in Kansas City. I was strategic in planning  IHOP in Kansas City as one of my pit stops on my way to Redding. Why? Well, it was on my way home from my first visit to IHOP that God confirmed my move to Redding. I thought it appropriate that I go there on my journey out west and ask God to use it as a platform for this next adventure. I believe that’s just what He did.

It’s amazing to be in a place where hundreds of people are there with the purpose of worshiping God, encountering God, and interceding for the things that are on the Father’s heart.  As I sat in the prayer room my heart swelled up with gratitude for what God had done for me in the first leg of my trip. The worship band was singing, “I believe you move at the sound of my voice. You heard my cry and you answered me.” These lyrics ring true in my own life as evidenced by the amazing journey I had coming to Redding! The next song the praise band sang had these lyrics: “So shall I be saved from my enemies - You lifted me up higher, and higher.” As these words washed over me I came became keenly aware of how God had been saving me from my enemies on this journey to Bethel. I felt so at peace, secure, safe, and careless in God’s care the entire trip. I know that was a beautiful gift from God. My thoughts floated back to an incident that happened around lunch time earlier that day during my road trip to Kansas City.

I stopped at a gas station to retrieve food from my cooler when I noticed a grandfatherly fellow who was parked next to me. As I was gathering my lunch, he said to me that it made him really sad when he saw girls like me. I thought this was a very interesting statement. What made him so sad? So, I asked him. He said because he and his wife had noticed a trend over the years that it was pretty girls like me who are alone that come up missing and it made them really sad. I responded with an assurance that rose up so strongly in my spirit saying, “Yes, but you know what? I serve a BIG God and He’s placed mighty angels around me and my car to protect me.” He then looked at my car and it was almost as if he was seeing the angels himself as he said, “yes, He has.” And then he proceeded to tell me that God had put angels around him when he served in the army in Germany. We parted ways saying, “God bless you” to each other. I praise God that He brought that truth to my heart and mind in a moment when I could have decided allow fear to journey with me. Fear makes a terrible travelling companion. I’m so thankful for that resolute truth of God’s protection over me and the rest in God that followed.  

Another gift God gave me that day was near Effingham, IL. As I looked to my left I saw a huge cross – at least three stories high – probably higher! It made me smile and it was as if everything I’ve done to take this journey to Bethel came into clear focus with that cross as a part of my journey. I wasn’t quick enough to do a drive by photography shoot nor did I stop to take a photo – but I found this image of it on google so you can have an idea of what I saw.

While I was at IHOP I was greatly encouraged by spending time in the Presence of God and worshiping Him with my brothers and sisters in Christ. One of the most encouraging ministries IHOP has is their prophetic ministry where a team prophesies over you out of 1 Corinthians 14. They do so for the comfort and encouragement and exhortation of the body. It’s an opportunity to receive encouraging Word from the Lord specific to your life and what God is bringing about for you. They don’t prophesy dates, mates or direction and ask you to take everything that is prophesied over you up to the Lord and inquire of His heart regarding everything that is said because they prophesy in part and the Lord fills in the details regarding what is said over you. One thing I’ve learned about prophesy is that the receiver is just as responsible as the giver. For example, the receiver is responsible for inquiring of the Lord to fill in the details and also to cast aside anything that is not from the Lord. The two times I’ve been prophesied over at IHOP have both rung true in my life and were a great encouragement. If you ever visit IHOP, I highly encourage you to sign up to receive this ministry. But do so online before you go because their open slots fill up weeks in advance. They do allow for last minute sign ups if there’s space – but I wouldn’t count on getting in last minute.

Not only was I greatly encouraged by the ministry at IHOP, I had the joy of spending time with my good friend, Ericka Smiley. I was so thankful for her and her housemates' willingness to host me for two nights. Ericka is so in love with Jesus, and I always learn from her. I was reminded of the beauty of stopping and praying in the moment when a need is recognized and/or when my heart wells up with gratitude to what God is doing. Ericka has captured this lovely habit so well. My last night there we decided to walk to IHOP (it was only a few minutes away). That evening the prayer room was a huge praise party! I felt like God was sending me off to Redding by filling me up with a bubbling fountain of joy that He gave me as I joined that awesome praise party to God. I also felt like He was saying, this is only the beginning of much joy to come. What a gift! By the time we left it was dark outside. While we were walking home, I noticed a car coming toward us with very loud (not so positive) music. I could clearly see there was a young man driving it. My first instinct was to pray to God for protection. Guess what Ericka’s was? To pray for his heart and for his salvation. Now that, my friends, is a Kingdom prayer. One driven by compassion instead of fear. That’s not to say praying for protection wasn’t legit. I believe it was. But that prayer coupled with hers rounded out what could have been a lopsided prayer. Just one way I think God uses the body of Christ. We need each other.

All in all – my time in Kansas City at IHOP was amazing and a great launching pad for what’s to come in this new season. Next stop: Laramie, WY!