God Said to Me: Prophetic Words, Encounters, and Divine Wisdom (An Audiobook)

God Said to Me: Prophetic Words, Encounters, and Divine Wisdom (An Audiobook)

By Alfreda Lockett Evans

Read this first. By reading this book or listening to an audio version, you agree to the following: all rights reserved. Alfreda Lockett Evans gives permission for this audiobook to be shared for the salvation or encouragement of anyone. It must never be changed, sold, or incorporated into any other material without permission of the author. Use it only for the glory and honor of God. As I open my life and heart to others, I desire that many will be saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost. All scriptures are from the King James Version of the Bible.

About the Audiobook: What you are about to hear is a collection of words, experiences, and divine encounters with my Heavenly Father over my 81 years of life—51 of which I have lived as a saint of the Most High God. This audiobook offers a small glimpse into my life in Christ, organized into three distinct sections. Please note that these events, experiences, and encounters are not presented chronologically; this order is intentional.

Section I. Eleven Prophetic WordPress Blog Posts features selected entries from my WordPress blog, Strolling Through a Rose Garden Called Life. The blog launched in 2011 and now includes 254 posts with over 219,037 views to date. 110 of these posts feature embedded audio, making them easy to enjoy while commuting or reflecting. You can also find these episodes hosted on Buzzsprout and syndicated across major audio platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

You might wonder why previously published blog entries are included here. Over time, powerful and meaningful posts with the potential to reach and transform lives can get buried deep in digital archives, where new listeners rarely scroll. Compiling them into this audiobook keeps these timely messages fresh and easy to access. This section includes twelve posts carrying a distinctly prophetic message.

Section II. Words God Spoke to Me That Changed My Life. This section presents personal phrases that the Lord literally spoke to me, each leaving a lasting impact on my journey. Some were gentle rebukes (some not so gentle), while others revealed His wonderful sense of humor. Every word has instructed me and given me a deeper insight into His true character. While this list is by no means exhaustive, it features the spoken words that have most profoundly shaped who I am today.

Section III. Supernatural Encounters That Transformed My Walk With God. This final section presents a select few of the extraordinary supernatural experiences I have had over my 51 years of salvation. This collection is by no means exhaustive, as I have chosen to keep some sacred moments private for now. Perhaps those who know me best will share them after I have transitioned to Heaven.

About the Author: Alfreda Lockett Evans has co-authored articles in nursing journals and has written and presented published poems and short stories. She is a prophetess, a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, a Sunday School teacher for Young Adults, and a Christian Writer. Her children’s book, The Little Boy in Blue – Free Learns About Life After Death, was published in 2009. Her book, Strolling Through a Rose Garden Called Life -Living Holy from Birth to Death, was published in 2011. The Night Death Came Creeping in My Room was published in 2012.

Mrs. Evans is a retired registered nurse who worked initially as an ICU and CCU nurse in hospitals in Texas and Landstuhl, Germany; as a faculty member of Texas Woman’s University for 5 years; as a school nurse practitioner in the Dallas ISD for 12 years; and for 20 years as an advanced practice nurse for spinal cord injury patients. She lives in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas, with her husband, Ebed M. Evans, Sr.

Dedication: This audiobook is dedicated to the memory of my mother in the gospel, the late, great Dr. Shirley Murray, who taught me all I know about living as a holy woman of God. Dr. Murray, for the love, patience, and wisdom that you poured into me, I will be eternally grateful.

Acknowledgments: Thanks to Evangelist Jeremiah Clark for reading the first rambling copy of this audiobook and for providing input and insight into its presentation. And thanks to Evangelist Paula Radford for listening to my stories down through the years. She knows them as well as I do, thanks to her near-photographic memory. Finally, a shout-out to Evangelists Clarence and Krysta Davis, who allowed me to include the post, Our God Still Works Miracles, in this audiobook.

Table of Contents

Section I. Eleven Prophetic WordPress Blog Posts

Chapter I. I Cut Him Off (Posted 3/12/2019)

Chapter II. Yes, I Cut Him Off, but I Raised Him Up (Posted 4/20/2019)

Chapter III. Be Encouraged, Older Saints of God; God Is Not Finished With Us Yet. (Posted 10/5/2014)

Chapter IV. A Voice for the One-Inch Babies (Posted 1/21/2016)

Chapter V. The Prophetic Ministry (Posted 5/24/2014)

Chapter VI. And the Heavens Opened Up: A Personal Prophetic Experience (Posted 8/6/2019)

Chapter VII. Since God Forgave You, Why Can’t You Forgive?” (Posted 11/08/2011)

Chapter VIII. The Light Across My Path -Part I. (Posted 11/24/2015)

Chapter IX. The Light Across My Path -Part II (Posted 11/25/2015)

Chapter X. The Value of a Soft Answer. (Posted July 1, 2025)

Chapter XI. Our God Still Works Miracles (Posted 3/25/2022)

Section II. Words God Spoke to Me That Changed My Life

Section III. Supernatural Encounters That Transformed My Walk With God.

Introduction: Matthew 10:27 (KJV)²⁷What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.

Those of us who are living holy hold a precious word that will cause others to live for God and escape the damnation of Hell. Saints of God, when God speaks to us, we must write it down and share it with others. That’s what I have done today.

Chapter I. “I Cut Him Off” (Posted 3/12/2019

¹³For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

¹⁴How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:13-14 KJV).

Old Testament Priests

Old Testament priests were directed to offer the blood of rams and lambs to receive forgiveness for the people’s sins. First, they had to catch the most perfect animal. It had to be free of spots or blemishes before they could offer it to God for the sins of men. Can you imagine if we still had to do that today? Would you be able to go out and find a flawless animal, wrestle it down, tie it up, and then sacrifice it to God for your sins? No, we would all be lost under that system.

The Old Testament system under the Law was a type, or example, of what was to come. In the New Testament, we have a new Covenant, or contract, with God, in which Christ Jesus became our sacrifice. We thank God for His better plan. God gave His Only Begotten Son so that the blood of Jesus was offered only once for your sins and mine. Jesus died that we might live and His precious blood was shed for you and I. When sinners repent, Jesus applies that precious blood sacrifice to the sin-sick soul. Then, when our Heavenly Father looks at us, He no longer sees our sins. He sees us through the Holy, perfect, and sin-free blood of His Son. Those of us who are saved have been redeemed by Jesus’ blood.

What I am about to share is a revelatory dream that God gave me concerning the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Some people may disagree that God still speaks to individuals in dreams and visions, but He certainly does. Prophets and Prophetesses are still active today. He chooses certain ones for certain roles, and I don’t question it. I simply know what I know and do what He tells me.

On one occasion, I cried out to God about my role as a Prophetess and said, “But Father, they don’t believe a word that I say.” He told me, “Get in line with the rest of the prophets because they didn’t believe them either.” As you might imagine, that took the stress out of the situation. I’ll share what He tells me when He tells me to. In today’s post, I’ll explain a concept from the Bible the way He gave it to me. God explained the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, for our sins to me in a dream. I believe the date to be March 12, 2019.

The Dream

In the dream, I saw two large hands, both covered with surgical gloves. The hands were huge, and I knew they were God’s hands. The left hand had the thumb and forefinger in the “pincer position,” holding an object. (The pincer position is how you and I would pick up something we really didn’t want to touch. Only the thumb and forefinger are involved, with the other fingers out of the way. The way he held the object told me he didn’t want to touch it. Gloves on both hands showed he didn’t want to contaminate himself with the object.

Suspended between the thumb and forefinger was the most perfect little lamb. Snow white, without blemishes, spots, or discolorations, the lamb’s innocence was almost palpable. I could feel the innocence, the perfection, and the trust of the little Lamb. Not only was the little lamb totally unable to defend itself, but it also showed no apparent desire to do so. It was obvious to me that someone it unconditionally loved held the lamb. It cried no tears and made no attempt to resist.

Then I looked at the little lamb’s eyes. The eyes were beautiful, pure blue, perfectly round and clear. The most perfect thing I saw in the lamb’s eyes was love, trust, and obedience. The lamb was totally yielded to God in every way. I felt the lamb’s will was to do the will of the One holding Him.

Next, I focused on God’s gloved right hand. That right hand held the sharpest, largest gleaming shears I had ever seen. The shears pointed toward the lamb, and it was obvious the little lamb was about to lose its life.

I woke up from that dream very disturbed. The pain of what was about to happen in my dream stuck with me for several days. I couldn’t shake the feeling because I knew that God had a message for me. But since I didn’t know what He was trying to tell me, I knew I had to wait on His interpretation. God told me on one occasion, “You don’t have an answer until I give you an answer”. I knew the dream was prophetic, and I simply had to wait on God to tell me what He wanted me to know. (Meanwhile, I had decided that I wouldn’t be eating any lamb).

Interpretation of the Dream

Then, one morning, without warning or fanfare, God answered this perplexing dream. Several weeks had passed without an explanation when God spoke to me and said, “I cut Him off.” He took me back to the dream and explained it.

The hands were God’s own hands, and the gloves showed that, as a Holy God, He hates sin. He loves the sinner, but He hates sin. His Son was made to become sin for mankind, so God held Him in disdain. The fact that He held the lamb with two fingers showed His hatred of sin.

The lamb of the dream, of course, was Jesus, God’s precious Son. Jesus was Heaven’s best. He was total love and innocence, and He was totally loved. But Jesus yielded Himself in perfect obedience to His Father’s will, serving as a sacrifice for you and me.

The Sins of Men

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

We, sinful men and women (or those who have repented and been delivered), couldn’t save ourselves. It took the innocence and sin-free state of one who had never sinned to die for us.

That car that you stole was laid on Christ. Every time you smoked a joint or shot up in that back alley or at a party was laid on Christ. Each lie that you ever told, every cigarette you smoked, or every abortion that you had, He became. Every murder that you committed, every illicit sexual encounter you had, every time you hooked, crooked, or cheated was laid on that Lamb.

Think about the billions of sins that you have committed as an individual. Then think about the billions of people who have ever walked the face of the earth, or who will walk it before Jesus’s return. How many sins does that collective number involve? Can anyone number that number? Well, every one of them was laid on that innocent lamb’s back. Jesus became sin, though He had never committed sin! Why? So that you and I might be saved. And God spoke and said, “I cut Him off!”

Explanation of Daniel 9:26

I understand Daniel 9:26 (KJV) in a way I never had before.

And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself:

To complete the dream’s explanation, the right hand of God showed me the instrument of death: razor-sharp shears. Fortunately for me, He didn’t show me the blood that was shed when Jesus was slain, but I saw enough in the dream to know what those sharp shears would do next. The blood of the innocent lamb would be shed.

Explanation of Isaiah 53. Finally, God took me to Isaiah 53, which the dream perfectly explains.

53 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?

²For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

³He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

⁴Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

⁵But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

⁶All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

⁷He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

⁸He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

⁹And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

¹⁰Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

¹¹He shall see of the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

¹²Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

Future information possible

More may come on this topic; I may share more about this dream because the words, “I Cut Him off,” may mean more than I know at this point. If he gives me further information, I will certainly share it. What I do know is that God HIMSELF made the sacrifice of His Son; His Son endured the pain, and they both did it all for us.

The Magnitude of the Father’s and Son’s Sacrifice.

Perhaps sharing the dream God gave me will help us better understand the Father and Son’s roles in our salvation. Hopefully, men and women will better understand the extent of their love and the depth of their sacrifice for us. Every little bit helps us understand this important subject.

The Blood of Jesus

The Christian hymn “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus” was written by Robert Lowry, a Baptist minister and professor at Bucknell University, in 1876. It extols the value of Jesus’s blood for us.

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.

Chorus:
O precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.

Closing Thoughts: In closing, my question for you is, what will you do with the blood of Jesus? How will you respond to God’s sacrifice of His Son for you? Will you allow Jesus’ blood to apply to your sins so you may receive eternal life? This is a choice, and I pray you will make a wise one. If you choose to accept God’s gift of His Son for your salvation, here is your next step: Repeat these or similar words and believe them with all your heart:

Father, forgive me for all my sins. I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. If you save me, I will live for you for the rest of my life. Give me the power to live a life that pleases you. Give me the Holy Ghost.

God loves you. Jesus died for you, and He wants to give you eternal life. May God bless you. Click on the link below to learn more about your new life in Christ. https://www.FGHT.org

Chapter II “Yes, I Cut Him Off, But I Raised Him Up” – The Sequel to “I Cut Him Off!” (Posted 4/20/2019)

AI-Generated Illustration of God Raising Jesus from the dead.

God continues to reveal Himself to us.

In a WordPress post dated March 12, 2019, I wrote about a prophetic dream God gave me based on two key passages of Scripture. They were Daniel 9:26 and Isaiah 53. The post was titled “I Cut Him Off.” The dream revealed that God Himself was responsible for Christ’s death and explained why.

Towards the end of that post, I stated: “There may be more to come on this topic; there may be more to share about this dream because the words, ‘I cut him off,’ may have more meaning than I know at this point. If He gives me further information, I will certainly share it.”

Well, guess what. Tonight’s post is that “further information” that I felt about a month ago. I prophetically speak to you, dear readers. God says, “Yes, I cut Him off, but I raised Him up.”

Further explanation

Today is Friday, April 19, 2019, and we are approaching Sunday, April 21^st, the celebration of the Resurrection Day of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is the holiest day on the Christian calendar. Christians worldwide eagerly await the day. It commemorates the day that our Heavenly Father raised His beloved and only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, from the dead. It is the day Jesus completed His assigned task of dying for our sins and opening the pathway for men to fellowship with our Heavenly Father again.

God’s words to my heart were: “Yes, I cut Him off, but I raised Him up again”. These words are corroborated by the scripture, Deuteronomy 32:39, which states, “See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.”

God spoke to us and gave us an important revelation about Himself as far back as Deuteronomy. He said that He could kill and make alive. He enacted this revelation using His own Son. After the resurrection, the same words, “I wound, and I heal,” were fulfilled in the life of our Lord and Savior. Because Jesus was obedient to His Father and was wounded, His Father did and will greatly honor, bless, exalt, and reward Him. The blessings He poured out on Jesus are described in three steps.

Step I. The Ascension. The first step in Jesus’ healing after His death and resurrection was His grand and magnificent ascension to His Father, as explained in Luke 24:51 and Acts 1:9.

Luke 24:51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

Acts 1:9: And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

Step II. The Seating. Jesus was seated at the right hand of His Father, a position of honor.

Romans 8:34 (KJV) 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Step III. The Recognition. Jesus was given power, glory, honor, dominion forever. Daniel, in Daniel 7: 13-14, saw it in this manner:

¹³I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

¹⁴And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

Philippians 2:9-11 completes that Old Testament prophecy:

⁹Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

¹⁰That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

¹¹And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Because of His obedience to God, Jesus is given a Kingdom that will endure forever and ever. He is worthy of praise from every living soul. And every living soul now has an opportunity to live with our Heavenly Father forever and ever. Worthy is the Lamb of God! And both He and our Father are to be praised.

My Prayer of Gratitude

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing Yourself as the initiator of Jesus’ death. But most of all, thank You for revealing Yourself as the rewarder of His obedience to Your Will by raising Him up. I am more encouraged than ever to bow to Your Will and do what You require of me. My heart overflows with thankfulness and appreciation for Your goodness toward mankind. If I had 10, 000 tongues, I could not praise You enough. With great humility and gratitude, I lift my hands and heart to You. With weeping eyes, I praise, I praise, I praise You for Your sacrifice. I lift a million thanks to You for the sacrifice of Your life for me. I vow to walk worthy, to the best of my ability, through the power of the Holy Ghost. On Resurrection Sunday and every day of the rest of my life, I will glorify Your Holy name. In the matchless name of Jesus, the Christ, I pray, Amen.

Chapter III. Be Encouraged, Older Saints; God Is Not Finished With Us Yet (Posted 10/5/2014)

This morning I had a wonderful quiet time with Jesus. After prayer and intercession, and after putting the final touches upon the Sunday school lesson that I will be teaching on Sunday, I asked God for something personal. I asked Him for a word from Him for me. Although I know He alone holds my future, I wanted something from Scripture to hold throughout this day. He led me to Psalm 71:17-20. This word has enough “juice” to carry me through this day, and it is powerful enough to carry me for the rest of my natural life. In addition, God encouraged me to encourage others with this Scripture. Let’s look at the Scripture that God gave me.

Psalms 71:17-20 (KJV) ¹⁷O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. ¹⁸Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. ¹⁹Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee! ²⁰Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

My first reaction was OMG! David must have made the same request of God that I did, because this first verse uses words that describe my life experiences with God.

¹⁷O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

As I look back over my life, I can clearly see God’s handiwork. Even in the midst of extreme poverty, a racially prejudiced society, and being raised by grandparents, God taught me from my youth many of the things that I live by today. In my later years, I have declared God’s wondrous works as best I can. In spite of the three little books that I have written; a blog that extols the goodness of God that has been viewed by at least one person in 98 of the 190 countries on earth; a podcast that preaches the gospel of deliverance; and a 47-year career of service to my fellow man as a nurse, I know that there has to be more that I can do for my Lord.

The Bible says in Luke 12:48 (KJV): ⁴⁸… For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:

God has certainly been good to me. You have to know my story to understand my praise. Only those who know where He brought me from can understand how much I love Him. They alone realize why it is my cry to God to Use me O God in your service! And now I see that David, in the 18^th verse of Ps. 71, cried the same thing when he said:

¹⁸Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.

Some of the quotes about old age from Wikipedia include the following:

Old age comprises the latter part of life; the period of life after youth and middle age… In the 4th century BC, Plato divided the human lifespan into six phases, with the last two constituting ‘Old Age’ (ages 62-79) and ‘Advanced Age’ (80-)…Hair usually becomes thinner and grayer…Pain afflicts old people at least 25% of the time, increasing to 80% of those who are in nursing homes…Diminished eyesight makes it harder to read in low light and in smaller print. An individual’s reading speed and ability to locate objects may also be impaired.

Considering these and other definitions of what comprises old age, the picture could be considered bleak if we focus on the negative side of the story. But we must also consider that not everyone is blessed to attain old age. If we reach it, we should praise God. Based on my years on planet Earth, I certainly qualify to be a member of this category: grey hair, pain, and all. But I, like David, ask God to:

Not forsake me.
To allow me to show God’s strength to his current generation and
To let me show God’s power to everyone who comes after.

God spoke to me some years ago and said He had given me an “end-time ministry.” Later, He clarified His words to mean that I would have a ministry at the end of time, at the end of their time (meaning a ministry to the elderly, the sick, the dying, and to others who are close to the end of their time on earth), and at the end of my time (meaning my latter years). Now that I am officially old, I cry out to God that the time of my ministry has come, and I humbly bow to His perfect will for the rest of my life.

I pray that You, O Mighty and Holy God, will use this vessel of clay for Your glory and Your honor. Have thine own way in my life, O God, for there is none other like You! I look not at the few things accomplished, but ask that, in spite of my old age, You will be glorified through me. I want to show Your strength to this generation, and to those who are to come.

As I was seeking God, He placed on my heart that I should accomplish these things by sharing God’s word orally with this generation and in writing for future generations. In addition, I am to encourage those of this generation, particularly my fellow “old-age” peers who can communicate in writing, to do so. While this generation needs our testimonies, future generations will need them even more. These are the words of encouragement that God gave me for my ‘old-age’ peers:

America and the entire world are teetering on the precipice of a paradigm shift. The Cambridge Dictionaries Online defines a paradigm shift as a time when the usual and accepted way of doing or thinking about something changes completely. In a very short time, our world will look very different from what it does today. The life of freedom and open worship of our God that we who live for God enjoy today will sound like a fairy tale in the near future. We have a responsibility to share what is real about our lives and our love for God so our progeny can preserve it. They will need the encouragement to live holy that we can give them because we lived holy.

Saints, writers, teachers, preachers, prophets and prophetesses, we have the precious gift of salvation in our earthen vessels. Those of us who live holy hold a precious word that will lead others to live for God and escape the damnation of hell. Saints of God, when God speaks to you, write it and share it. That’s what I have done today. Let’s bless someone else with our experiences in God so they know He is real. They need to know that He loves them just as He loves us and that they too can go to Heaven when they die. Then, when old age comes, they will understand their continued responsibility to preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. When God speaks a word in our ear, we must declare it from the rooftop.

Matthew 10:27 (KJV) ²⁷What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.

When God speaks to his vessels, it may seem very natural because it comes through our spirits and into our natural minds. It may seem as though “everybody ought to know that”. But the truth is, not everybody will know what God has spoken to you. You must tell them. God spoke to Habakkuk and told him to write what He said so that the word could be preserved.

Habakkuk 2:2-3 (KJV) ²And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. ³For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

The 20^th verse of the Scripture that God gave me this morning states:

²⁰Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

God has indeed shown me, and many others, that great troubles are coming soon upon the face of the earth. But even if the worst possible events happen to us, He will quicken us again; we who are saved will live with Him forever. Meanwhile, we must keep praying so the enemy’s hand is stayed and one more soul can come in through our ministry. Older saints, it’s not over until God says it’s over; let’s keep working for the Lord!

Chapter IV. A Voice for the One-inch Babies: A Word from God Against the Sin of Abortion. (Posted 1/21/2016)

My late Pastor, Apostle Lobias Murray, told us to “tell a dream as a dream.” He meant that when relating the events of a dream, we should report it as it appeared. Although not all dreams have meaning for our everyday lives, occasionally they are very relevant. My latest book, The Night that Death Came Creeping in My Room, relates a dream experience that changed my life. When I had the dream I am about to describe, it left me disturbed.

In the dream I’m referring to, I was walking through a small field in my neighborhood and noticed tiny black-and-white puppies scattered on the ground. They were alive but made no sound. Their little eyes were still shut, and I noticed that their sizes varied, but none was longer than an inch. I love puppies, and in the dream I realized that without proper nourishment, they wouldn’t survive. They needed a safe place to keep growing. I was very disturbed in the dream because no one was helping the little dog who was having so many puppies and clearly needed help caring for them.

My first thought was to find the mother of the “one-inch puppies” so I could tell her to stop scattering her babies everywhere. I wanted to let her know they needed a nest and that she needed to nourish them. Then I realized I needed to gather them up and try to put them in a nest. I tried to make a nest for them and lined it with whatever I could find on the ground: straw and old rags. Then I thought, “That’s not a proper nest, they need their mothers”. Some were dying in the field, and they could not even cry for their mother, because they had no voice.

I awoke sad and disturbed for the puppies. How could someone not help the little dogs that were just dropping them and leaving them to die? For a couple of days, I couldn’t shake the sadness from the dream. Why did no one care about the “one-inch puppies?” The tiny puppies needed help, and no one spoke up for them. I pondered the dream, but I had no answer for what it meant. When I shared the dream with a friend, the Lord began to speak to me. What follows is what I “heard” in my spirit. He said:

The “one-inch puppies” were tiny human embryos, specifically black, white, and mixed-race babies. The “one-inch puppies” in the dream were silent because tiny babies have no voice and cannot communicate. They are totally vulnerable and are only able to survive in the womb of the mother, their nest. They were alive because, of course, life begins at conception. Those tiny babies need someone to pay attention to them and speak up for their cause. They have a right to life, just like any other human being. God loves them as much when they are less than an inch long and weigh ounces as He does when they are around 1 lb. and can survive outside of the womb.

It is interesting that God used the image of tiny, helpless puppies to get my attention. Little baby puppies are so helpless and adorable. Yet, minuscule human babies are being aborted every day by the thousands, and few people are speaking up for them. An anointed pastor in our fellowship, The Late Bishop Paul Cannon of Nash Full Gospel Holy Temple Church, preached a message years ago entitled, “Somebody Ought to Say Something.” The late Joe Bagsby, a popular host of the Dallas, Texas radio show Heaven 97, was so moved by the message that he made Bishop Cannon’s title a regular feature of his program, which he called “Somebody ought to say something.” Saints, we must speak against abortion for the babies who have no voice.

Abortion is rampant in the world today. As a nurse, I learned several years ago that in Russia it was the chief method of birth control at that time. But, as quietly as it is kept, it is also a main method of “birth control” in America. It is sin, and God hates sin. But it is not only mothers of the “one-inch babies” who have involved themselves in abortion. What about the parents who force or encourage their child to abort? What about the boyfriends and “fiancés” who, because they don’t want to be responsible for child support, insist on the abortion of the child that they helped to create? What about the married man who already has a family who paid for the abortion of a mistress? What about the nurses, doctors, social workers, and aides who work in the abortion clinics (Planned Parenthood Clinics), and what about the legislators who pass the laws making this form of murder legal? Yes, everyone involved, at whatever level, has the blood of the “one-inch babies” on their hands. God will hold them accountable for that sin if they do not repent and receive forgiveness. The very souls of those babies cry out to God for vengeance. In Romans 12:19, God said:

¹⁹Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Scary thought, huh? But lest this scripture unduly break you, remember that the blood of Jesus is strong enough to cleanse you even from this sin. All you must do is repent, call upon the name of the Lord, and He will save you. Then determine to live for Him for the rest of your life. Never commit this sin again, and you will be delivered from it.

Justification is God’s act of removing the guilt and penalty of sin, while at the same time declaring a sinner righteous through Christ’s atoning sacrifice. The blood of Jesus justifies you and cleanses you from all unrighteousness. Saints of the Most High God, let’s all take a firm stand against abortion. God expects us to speak loudly against the murder of the one-inch babies. They have no voice, but we do.

I know that there are some Christians who are “on the fence” about whether abortion is hated by God. Some may even doubt that life begins at conception. I hope this post about my prophetic dream helps them see God’s heart toward this sin and encourages them to speak loudly for the babies who have no voice. We all have a responsibility to speak up for the one-inch babies!

Chapter V. The Prophetic Ministry Based on 1 Corinthians Chapter 13. (Posted 5/24/2014)

The prophetic ministry is alive and well. The head of a prophetic ministry is the Apostle, appointed by God, not by man. Only in a church that embodies the full fivefold ministry of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher, according to Ephesians 4:11-12, will the saints be perfected, the work of the ministry will flourish, and the body will be edified.

Throughout history, God has used prophets to relay His message to His people. Prophets are God’s mouthpiece on earth. Some think the prophetic ministry has died out, but that is not true. As time draws to a close, it is more important than ever that God’s prophets move into their rightful position and do the work He has given them. Prophets get a “bad rap” in some circles because a few are out of order. We must study Scripture to determine how a prophet is to function. When we look at the specific teachings on prophecy in 1 Corinthians 13, clear-cut guidelines emerge.

The chapter begins by saying that although one may have the gift of prophecy, if that person lacks charity, he is nothing. Nothing! What a statement! What makes love so special? Apostle Paul describes it very well. Charity is long-suffering and is kind. Charity does not envy. It doesn’t vaunt or lift itself up, and it isn’t puffed up. It does not behave itself unseemly. It seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, and thinks no evil. It rejoices not in iniquity but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Charity never fails, although prophecies shall fail. Why will prophecies fail? They will fail because we prophesy in part. God does not give one individual all knowledge related to a matter. Scripture teaches that two or three witnesses must establish a word.

In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. 2 Cor. 13:1

If God speaks a thing to one individual, someone else should be able to corroborate it. And that word must always be according to the Scriptures. 2 Cor. 13:10-12 says:

¹⁰But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

¹¹When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

¹²For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. Although seers (prophets) see only dimly now, the day will come when it will all be very clear. Prophets must therefore put away the childish things of impatience, jealousy, self-importance, and self-exaltation. We must not act like out-of-control children when others don’t believe what we prophesy. We must remember that although a matter may have been given to us to know, a non-prophet may be hearing it from us for the first time. We must “cut that individual a little slack” and be patient with him. Since we are not trying to get glory for ourselves, what does it matter if some don’t believe? We are only required to obey God.

For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? (Romans 3:3)

Prophets are not happy when their fellow travelers on the Highway of Holiness fall, but are very happy when truth is revealed. Are people being mean to us? We can take it; we can endure it. There is no glory in being a prophet because some of the trials that prophets must endure are very hard. When we read the book of Jeremiah, we can see what his life was like. And poor Hosea had to marry a woman of the streets and was openly humiliated.

A prophet must live a life that is very close to God. Sometimes, no, often, we are instructed to do and say things that others might not like. We may also be instructed to say or do something that we don’t like. But if God tells us to do or say a thing, we must. We must constantly assess our lives so we are living up to God’s requirements.

One final statement about the prophetic ministry, and possibly the most important, is this: like the other four positions in the fivefold ministry, it is a God-ordained position. In 1 Corinthians 14, we are told to desire to prophesy, which shows that God can use any saint to speak through the prophetic word to edify, exhort, or comfort an individual or the body of Christ. The role of the prophet, however, is entirely different.

The role of the prophet is more than simply calling an individual aside to give them a word from God. It is more than speaking a word in the congregation, and even more than speaking a word to the nations. Only God appoints an individual to this position. We can’t desire our way into the role, cry our way into it, or have someone prophesy us into the role. I repeat, God, and only God, appoints an individual into the position. Once an individual realizes his calling, it includes living a life dedicated to God, fasting, praying, and studying God’s Word. The prophet is in constant communication with God and His Word.

Prophets receive information and directions from God through dreams, visions, and “knowing” in the spirit. Prophets know His voice and can distinguish it, not only from that of other “spirits”, but from their own “voice” as well. Unlike times when God may give an individual a word to prophesy on the spot, such as during a church service, God may tell His prophet well in advance of an event what He wants said later. That word may not go forth for a period because the prophet knows that he must not only speak what God says, but also speak when God says.

I am also convinced that the prophet must receive a word from God Himself that lets him or her know that he or she has been called to that position. I make this statement based on personal experiences which have helped me to know who I am. On one occasion, I was crying to God (complaining) that I didn’t think people believed a word I said. God sent a prophetic word that established a pastor in a position many people disagreed with. God’s words to me were: “Get in line with the rest of the prophets. They didn’t believe them either”. I laughed after He said that, and I was so relieved. Those who disagreed with me didn’t matter, because I knew I had said what God had me to say.

Prophets must make their calling and election sure. Knowing that only God can call, anoint, and place the prophet in His rightful position, a true prophet will ensure he was sent, not one who, out of zeal, just went. The eternal implications are too important, so we must all make sure of our calling and election.

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. (2 Peter 1:10 (KJV)

On another occasion, I heard a pastor explain to a congregation that prophecy from God must sound exactly like the Scriptures. Of course, he meant that anything that comes forth must be supported by the Scriptures. Still, since I was overly concerned at that time about the opinion of others, I went boohooing to God, saying, “But that’s not how You speak to me, God. You use my words, and I don’t speak the King James Version when I talk. He said to me, “You’re the prophet. You’re supposed to tell them how it goes.” Since that day I have been fine. Why? Because I heard Him say, “You are the prophet”. Nothing else is ever needed. My calling and my election are sure. Though others may disagree with my life and have opinions about how I should function, it does not matter to me because the Lord has pronounced my calling. The enemy has tried in many forms to unseat me and cause me to move, but I am able to stand because of God’s words to me.

New prophets must realize a truth that God spoke to me. He said, “You don’t have an answer until I give you an answer”. Sometimes others will try to force us to give them an answer, but we must not let anyone pressure us for the reason God gave me. One individual came to me and said, “Every week, I want you to have a word for me from the Lord.” My answer to that individual might be, “Seek God.”

I have learned to wait on God for an interpretation because if I use my wisdom, I’m usually way off. But I am not proud or “lifted up” in my mind because of the position. God has spanked me and chastised me enough that I don’t go down that route. But I am also no longer afraid to use the title either, because God gave it to me.

Prophets, be who God called you to be, and do your work. God is counting on you to go through. You can do it.

Chapter VI. And the Heavens Opened Up: A Personal Prophetic Experience. (Posted 8/6/2019)

In the Book of Acts, we find Stephen, the church’s first martyr, or the first man to die for his Christian beliefs. Acts 7 outlines his story and his firm determination to witness for Christ. From his actions, we can surmise that Stephen believed that since Jesus was willing to die for him, he was ready to die for Christ’s cause. As we review his story, we must ask ourselves: could we take such a firm stance for Christ’s cause? As opposition and persecution increase against the true church, we might all be put to that very test.

Stephen the deacon.

Stephen was not an apostle. The Bible does not even list him as one of Jesus’ disciples during his earthly ministry. Who exactly was he? In Acts, chapter 6, Stephen is presented as one of the deacons of the early church. He was among those chosen to serve at tables where collections were received and distributions made. According to Acts 6:3, the criteria for selection were that they be men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost, and full of wisdom. Stephen not only met these criteria, but he also exceeded them. Acts 6:8 says he was an influential teacher and worked miracles.

⁸And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

Stephen angers the synagogue leaders.

During one of Stephen’s teaching sessions, he angered a group of synagogue members from various churches. They became angry because they could not resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke. They took him to the council, setting up false witnesses who accused him of blasphemy against the law and the synagogue, choosing his words out of context. But verse 15 says that as he sat in the council, his face appeared as though he were an angel.

Stephen speaks.

When Stephen was allowed to speak, he did. He reviewed the full account of the story of the Jewish people from Father Abraham, through the Jewish people’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt, all the way up to their wickedness and unbelief at the time that he spoke. Around verse 51 of Acts 7, Stephen’s tone changed. As he began to confront them about their wicked ways and the fact that they betrayed and murdered Jesus Christ, the Just One, they could not bear it. Grown men, according to the 54^th verse, rushed him and started to bite at him with their teeth!

Stephen receives a miracle.

But while these men were physically assaulting Stephen for his brave and bold stance, a miracle began to unfold for him. Stephen saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father. In the midst of this most traumatic and chaotic time, in verse 56, Stephen cried out.

⁵⁶And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God.

The Heavens opened!

The Heavens opened! Stephen, moments before he was stoned to death by a crazed crowd of men who were so upset by his words of truth that they covered their ears, was given a glimpse into that beautiful and glorious place where he would spend eternity. The Heavens opened. Stephen was given a “seer’s experience” just before he died. But many are unaware that people still experience “seeing” into the supernatural today.

Seers and Prophets

A seer is a prophet who not only hears from God and speaks when God uses him, but also “sees” into the supernatural realm. As I get older in the Lord, I am experiencing more dreams, visions, and “seeing” encounters. As God continues to have me give up things in the natural realm, He replaces them with things in the spiritual realm. The experience I am about to share was my first “seer” experience. Some may not believe my experience was of God. I am fully aware of that. But that is OK because when God confirms a matter, no man’s affirmation is necessary. I was there, and I know the truth of the experience. I, too, saw the Heavens opened, and I was given a glimpse into Heaven. As we approach the End Times, I believe more and more encounters with Heaven and Hell will be reported. God is trying to help every man and woman understand that the supernatural is real, and He is giving as many people as possible the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

My first “Seer” experience

I repented of my sins in November 1974 when a young man, a doctoral student at a seminary, came through our new housing development and offered us a Bible Study in our home. We agreed, and after the first session, I became angry because he asked me if I knew that I would go to Heaven if I died that night. I was upset because I did not know that I would go to Heaven for sure. I felt he had no right to ask me such a personal question. But the truth of the matter is, it forced me to realize that I did not know that I would go to Heaven when I died. I discontinued the Bible Study, feeling that his question was “none of his business.” What he didn’t know, though, was that his question convicted me. After he left, I repented of my sins and gave my heart to the Lord. I was saved at that moment.

After I was saved, I began to search for a church home because I had an intense hunger for more of God. Before the Lord brought me to the church where I am a member today and where I was filled with the Holy Ghost, I visited several churches and Home Bible Groups. I was looking for an answer to the longing inside my heart. I didn’t know it then, but I know now that I was searching for the Holy Ghost.

One night, I went to a home Bible study, and the leader prophesied to me and said I would have to leave my husband and walk alone. I immediately rejected what he said and became angry (I had a lot of anger issues) because I felt that he was trying to break up my home. I never went back again. But something about the way he spoke to me frightened me. I was afraid that he just might be right.

The Heavens Opened for Me

That night I prayed before bed and asked the Lord to tell me whether that gentleman was telling the truth. I wanted to know if I really would have to leave my husband to follow Christ. That just didn’t make any sense to me. I fell asleep with a heavy heart.

In the wee hours of the morning, I woke up and sat up in bed. I looked at my pillow and saw myself asleep, but there I was, sitting up. It was as though there were two of me: one sitting up and the other sleeping. I reached over and pinched my arm to see if I was dreaming. I felt the pinch and saw my arm move, but I was still lying in bed. I looked up, and suddenly my ceiling opened, then the sky and the clouds, and I was looking into Heaven. I thought the scene I saw might be a picture I had seen somewhere, but I didn’t know when or where. The scene was flat like a picture.

The Still Scene Becomes Animated.

I blinked, trying to focus, and suddenly the scene moved. I saw a figure standing and leaning casually against the high back of a throne seat. Many, many, many people in white robes with golden belts stood behind him, and they began to move about. And then I saw a figure seated. I could not see His face, so I tried to refocus my eyes to get a better look. Just as I felt I was about to see the face of the One seated, He lifted His arm, and the massive sleeve of His robe covered His face.

Jesus spoke to me.

I began to cry because I wanted to see Him so badly. Then the most amazing thing happened. The figure standing there moved closer to the edge of the scene and spoke to me directly. He said, “Freda, he’s right.” I knew that the person speaking to me was my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

He knew my childhood name.

The love I felt when He called me by my childhood name overwhelmed me. Jesus spoke to me and answered my question. I struggled with all my might to get up to where He was.

The reality of his words struck me.

Then I thought about what had been said. He said the gentleman who said that I would have to leave my husband was right. I immediately rejected the answer because it did not make sense to me. The moment I rejected His words, the sky, clouds, and ceiling all closed, and I fell back into my body.

Determined to live for the Lord.

What Christ spoke to me in the vision came to pass. In less than two years, I was rejected and alone with a child to raise on my own. During this painful time, however, the Lord was with me. My relationship with Christ deepened, and I am more determined than ever to live for Him. Today, I am happy and content with the new life Christ has given me.

Choose Jesus.

The doors of Heaven opened for me, and I was blessed to glimpse the place where Stephen went when he closed his eyes in death. I, too, plan to make Heaven my destination. I share my prophetic experience so others will know the whole Bible is right. God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are all real, and so are Heaven and Hell. Some individuals alive today know from personal experience that Heaven is real. It is also a fact that we will spend eternity, either in Heaven or Hell. I encourage everyone to choose Jesus, choose life, and choose Heaven.

Chapter VII. “Since God Forgave You, Why Can’t You Forgive?” (Posted 11/08/2011)

Forgiveness is central to the Christian life. Jesus was our perfect example of forgiveness. As He hung on the cross, about to give up His life for our sins, He taught us by precept and example how to forgive. In Luke 23: 24, He cried out to His heavenly Father for those who were in the process of persecuting Him:

Luke 23:34 (KJV)
³⁴Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

Definition of forgiveness

Forgiveness is defined as the process of stopping or ending all resentment, indignation, or anger because of a perceived offense, difference, or mistake. It means ceasing to demand any punishment or restitution for what was done. The Oxford English Dictionary defines forgiveness as: “to grant free pardon and to give up all claim on account of an offense or debt”. A few years back, we had a popular little phrase: Let it go, Louie. No matter the situation, you’ve got to let it go, Louie.

The flesh loves to be pitied

Sometimes flesh just won’t let go of little injustices. I’ll use myself as an example. Once, someone did something to me that was so terrible I couldn’t wait to tell everybody I knew. Ooo, I knew that when I told all my friends, they would see not only how awful the individual who did the thing to me was, but they would see just how badly I had been treated. Man, they would feel so sorry for me. I would be like a martyr in their eyes. But God broke up my pity party. He spoke to my heart and said, “I have comforted you.” I was like… “Aw man”. When God said He had comforted me, I didn’t need to tell anyone else. “What? No brownie points?”

God poked a hole in my self-pity balloon and took all of the wind out of my sails. Then He let me know I could tell I had truly forgiven the individual if I refused to mull over the incident in self-pity or mention it again to demean the individual.

Who benefits from forgiveness?

So who benefits from forgiveness? Not only does the person who is forgiven benefit, but the individual who forgives benefits even more. Research studies have found that people who forgive are happier and healthier than those who hold resentments. Recently I saw a little sign that said:

“Forgiveness is not something that we do for other people; we do it for ourselves to get well and move on.”

My understanding of how to forgive was changed

Something a great woman of God (my Late Pastor’s wife and co-founder of the church I attend) said to me changed my whole understanding of forgiveness. She said, “Sis. Alfreda, I forgive people, even if they never ask me to do it. I just can’t hold onto things that people do to me. I learned that from my mother”. Those powerful words are words that we all need to learn to live by. Just let it go, Louie.

What does the Bible say about forgiveness?

What does the Bible teach us about forgiveness? The story of the Prodigal Son is one of the most powerful lessons on forgiveness we should emulate. The Prodigal Son unjustly asked his Father for his inheritance, then squandered it. After the son fell into destitution, he came to his senses, returned to his Father, and repented. His father forgave him for his transgressions. The story is in Luke 15:11-32. The prodigal son’s father forgave him. But even if the individual never repents, we must forgive them. We can do this because the Holy Spirit living within us empowers us to do what we could not do alone.

A true-to-life short story about forgiveness

I want to share a story of how God used forgiveness to save a soul. This is the true story, not a parable, of a young woman who gave her life to Christ. When she got saved and filled with the Holy Ghost, it stirred up the very devil in her husband. He decided that he didn’t want to be married to her anymore, so in the middle of winter, he put her out of their home. He took everything that she had and put her and their child out of the house that they built together. Ultimately, he divorced her and married someone who was not saved.

Fortunately, God had already prepared a way for her, and a Saint took her and her child in until she could get re-established. God gave her a nice house, a car (a Mercedes-Benz), and a good job (a faculty position at a local University), everything she needed to raise her child and live a happy life.

Approximately thirty years passed, and her former husband had an accident in his kitchen. He fell, hit his head on the edge of his concrete countertop, and developed a bleed in his brain. The saved wife that he had thrown out and the saved son that he rejected ran to his bedside, along with several other family members, and prayed for him, and God honored their request. They were assured he could make it into Heaven because of his miraculous response to their prayers. Look at what could have happened if the woman and her son had not forgiven the man.

Another short story of forgiveness

One more story on forgiveness. A young woman’s parents were separated when the child was three years old. Her grandparents raised her and her siblings because the parents never reunited. The young woman grew up angry and bitter toward her mother, not because she hated her, but because she loved her mother so much. The child simply could not understand why her mother did not love her enough to raise her. As the child reached adulthood, God began to work in her heart. He saved her and filled her with the Holy Ghost.

The young woman was ill with a duodenal ulcer at the time of her salvation and began seeking God about getting her body healed. One morning, while sitting and watching Christian TV, the Lord spoke through the TV minister and prophet. He said, “There is a young woman out there who is seeking God for the healing of an ulcer. God said that if you will call your mother and ask her to forgive you for being angry with her all your life, He will heal you.” The young woman responded to the TV Prophet and said, “Why should I be the one to ask her to forgive me? She’s the one who did it.” The TV Prophet responded as if they were talking face to face. He said, “Yes, but who has the ulcer?”

Suddenly the young woman realized that she was talking to a Prophet on TV! How unreal could that be? Then the full reality hit home: she was arguing with God. She knew God was speaking to her through the TV Prophet. Later, God spoke to her and told her that He chose to have her ask for forgiveness for a specific reason. He said, “I speak to the one who is listening.”

Her obedience brought great benefit to her and her mother

The young woman called her mother and asked for forgiveness. Both she and her mother broke down, cried, and talked for hours. God healed that relationship. Not long after, God allowed this young woman to pray for her own Mother, and her mother received the infilling of the Holy Ghost. God gave them both the beautiful Mother/daughter relationship that they both had longed for. God healed that young woman of the ulcer that she had when her Pastor laid hands on her and prayed for her. I know both stories are absolutely true. How do I know? Because I am the young woman of both stories.

What happens if we don’t forgive?

We’ve talked about what can happen when we forgive, but there’s another side of the story. What can happen if we don’t forgive? According to Matthew 6:14-15 (KJV)
¹⁴For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
¹⁵But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

In Matthew 18:21-35 (KJV) Peter asked a question regarding forgiveness:

²¹Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

²²Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

²³Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

²⁴And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

²⁵But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

²⁶The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

²⁷Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

²⁸But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

²⁹And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

³⁰And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

³¹So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

³²Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

³³Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

³⁴And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

³⁵So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

If we don’t forgive, God won’t forgive us

Now that’s a serious concept. If we don’t forgive, God will not forgive us for our trespasses. We must learn to be Teflon people. A good Teflon-coated pan will not let anything stick to it. The enemy will keep trying to make unforgiveness stick to us, but we must shake it off. We cannot allow unforgiveness to stick to us. Even if the person who wronged us never asks for forgiveness, we must forgive them. Then, when our little issues (or big issues) come up, God can forgive us. I never said it would be easy, but we must do it.

How to forgive and forget

Some may say, “I try to forgive, but I can’t forget.” Forgiveness, like love and any other conscious choice, requires will. We choose to forgive; therefore, we do. Whenever thoughts of unforgiveness come up, we rebuke them and refuse to entertain them. Just stomp them down. Every time. Eventually, the thoughts of unforgiveness will align themselves with your will and go away. If you have the Holy Ghost, you have the power to do it. The power of the Holy Ghost makes the difference.

The Holy Ghost power that is spoken of in Acts 1: 8

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

If you have not yet received the power of the Holy Ghost, make that your number one priority. Get the power you need to live according to God’s will. If you need more information about receiving the Holy Ghost, visit us at Full Gospel Holy Temple World Hdq., Dallas, TX, or one of our other thirty or so FGHT fellowship churches throughout the country. Find out more at http://www.fght.org. May God bless and keep you, I pray.

Chapter VIII. “The Light Across My Path” Part I (Posted 11/24/2015)

In 1964, I was a 19-year-old student about to begin my first year at the University of Texas in Austin, TX, as a sophomore in the School of Nursing. I was excited because the school had been newly integrated, and I was one of the first Black students in the Nursing Program. Two other Black students preceded me in Nursing, but they moved to the Galveston, Texas campus as juniors. As a result, I was the only Black female student in my class. I transferred to UT because the school where I spent my freshman year lost its accreditation and I decided to “move on”. Besides, Galveston was my hometown, and I planned to spend the final two years of nursing school at the UT Medical Branch in my Island city.

At that time, I had two major problems: first, I was not saved. I was raised to go to church, but I certainly was not a true Christian. My second major problem was that I didn’t have enough money to finish a year at UT. My elderly grandmother got a job caring for an even older neighbor across the street to help me as much as she could. My parents couldn’t afford to send me, but I went to Austin, TX anyway. I felt I could make it somehow. I was the first in my family to go to college, and they trusted me to make it through my second year. My family was only marginally involved with other races, so they were very excited but also amazed that I was bold enough to step into this new world for us. Well, reality hit soon after I arrived on campus.

That first year, Black female students were assigned to either a specially designated Black dormitory or a Black Co-op, both on the same block. I was assigned to the Co-op, which was a little less expensive because we prepared our own meals. These houses mattered to Black students because male and female students gathered at the end of the day for encouragement and support. The dorm’s housemother, Ms. Almetris, was a kind, caring Black woman. Many of us cried on her shoulders when things got rough.

Reality hit the morning of the first day of classes. I discovered that I was in serious trouble when I learned that I needed white shoes, white hose, a cap, a watch, two specific uniforms, and two white pinafores. I needed these items for clinical practice in the hospital, which would begin in about a month. I certainly didn’t have the money for them. Apparently, I should have received this information during the summer before entering the school, but I hadn’t been informed. Racial prejudice was alive and well but very subtle. I also discovered that working the first semester was out of the question because of the Nursing Program’s schedule and rigor. If I couldn’t work, I couldn’t continue in the Program.

My answer to my problem was to write a suicide note. I wrote a goodbye to my family and informed them that I was going to kill myself. I told them that my plan was to commit suicide on campus or drown myself in the Gulf of Mexico if I had to come home. Although that letter must have been shocking, no one called me or even mentioned it. Only later did I realize the stress it caused and the miracle it activated.

I started my studies, and, despite a few minor racial incidents, I was OK. Most of my “experiences” were to be simply ignored. I really enjoyed learning at that level. And then we were at the end of the first month. Housing money was due, and the need for the infamous uniform was staring me in the face. Granny’s little job kept me eating, but hardly anything above that. I had to do something, so I settled on what looked like my only option. I would not wait until I was forced to return to Galveston to drown myself; I decided to commit suicide on campus.

Young ladies did not leave the dorms and walk the campus at night in 1964. Female residence halls locked their doors at 11:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 1:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. We had a curfew, and if I got caught, Campus Police would have picked me up, so I had to execute my plan quickly. Returning late to UT dorms meant signing in late with the desk or housemother, accruing administrative demerits, facing “campusing” restrictions, or losing approved housing privileges. But since I was bent on suicide, the rules didn’t matter.

My plan was to jump from the University Tower. No fuss, no muss. No blood from wrist-cutting, no gunshots, none of that appealed. I sneaked out of the Co-op, went to the Tower doors, and found them locked! I never thought of that. So now I had to come up with a new plan. I decided to go to one of the busiest streets and get hit by an 18-wheeler. None came through at that hour, not even a car. I had to come up with a new suicide plan. But something miraculous happened as I looked for a way to kill myself.

I passed by the large Baptist church on campus, and a little light shone across my path. The church is University Baptist Church. located at 2130 Guadalupe Street (at the corner of 22nd Street and Guadalupe), right across the street from the University of Texas campus along the stretch known as “The Drag.”

I looked up and saw a light streaming from a small room. I peeked inside and saw two small pews, a little altar, and a large open Bible. I knelt at the altar, and something wonderful happened. I felt the Presence of God overshadow me, and the desire to kill myself lifted. I instantly knew I could finish nursing school and that everything would be all right. I still didn’t know how it would work out, but I knew it would. I wish I could remember what Scripture I read, but I can’t. What I do know is that the Word of God delivered me. I got up from my knees feeling joy and excitement. My only problem now was getting back into my Co-op without the Campus Police seeing me.

I walked quietly across campus and reached the evening’s last hurdle. Cell phones were non-existent in 1964, so I couldn’t call my roommate. I didn’t have a key to the Co-op door, and the doors were locked from the inside. But when I touched the door, my roommate snatched it open and pulled me inside to safety! She fussed at me for being out, but she never knew why I was out. We quietly tiptoed upstairs to our room, and I was safe.

And then came Monday morning. As I walked through the doors of the Nursing building, my Dean of Nursing was waiting for me. She called me into her office and asked, “How are you fixed for money?” Well, here it was. My worst nightmare was upon me. I answered, “I don’t have any”. She replied, “I know you don’t”. Then she smiled at me and said, “I have some good news for you. A student nurse decided to drop out of the program. She donated shoes, hose, watch, caps, uniforms, and pinafores to the School of Nursing for anyone who needed them”. And they were just my size! Even the shoes fit perfectly. I couldn’t believe it. But she was not finished yet. She said she had received a scholarship for any black student in the School of Nursing from Galveston, Texas. That person had to be me! I was the only black student in the School of Nursing from Galveston, TX. It was a miracle. Then she gave me a list of Fraternities and sororities with money available for students who needed it. The scholarship, along with money from various sororities and fraternities, gave me enough to get through the rest of the semester.

Then, the following semester, a National Nursing Loan came through, allowing me to complete my degree. The loan program was the Nursing Student Loan (NSL) program. Congress established it under the Nurse Training Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-581) to provide federal, low-interest financial aid to help nursing students pay for their education. The first loans under this program were disbursed to students in 1965. God blessed me in such a tremendous way. Listen, I am convinced He blessed nursing students everywhere in the country to give me the help I needed. He will do the same for you.

There is a second part to this story, a behind-the-scenes scenario that is also truly amazing. Part II follows, but I want to stop here to thank God for His grace and mercy. I believe the Lord “loaned” me the Gift of Faith “on credit” because, although I wasn’t saved yet, I was His worshiper, and He knew I would live for Him one day. He didn’t let me foolishly end my life, because suicide is never an option. I would never advise a student to go to college without a firm plan, but my unique story worked because God ordained it.

In fact, I retired from the nursing profession in 2010 after a fulfilling career filled with rich experiences, travel across the country, and a memorable tour of duty in Germany. Though formally retired, I still serve as President of my local church’s Nurses Guild, ministering to the Saints of God. My thanks to God are eternal. Everything I am, and ever will be, I owe to Him.

Chapter IX. “The Light Across My Path Part II” (Posted 11/25/2015).

“The Light Across My Path Part I” presented my suicidal “attempt” when it appeared that I would not be able to continue school and become the nurse that I had desired to be since I was three years old. God gave me tremendous miracles during that deliverance, but I also have an equally great behind-the-scenes story. I graduated from the UT School of Nursing with a BSN in 1967; I got married, had a child, and had tremendous work opportunities throughout the country. I traveled to Germany because my husband was in the military, and I worked in Landstuhl as a staff nurse and a Department of the Army civilian. I received a Master of Science in Nursing with a Clinical Nurse Specialist focus in 1974, and in 1975 I was saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost at Full Gospel Holy Temple in Dallas, TX. I later became a School Nurse Practitioner in the Dallas ISD, the first graduate of that program. My life was full of true joy. But a question always lingered in my mind about the mysterious scholarship from Galveston that allowed me to become a nurse. It was during a conversation with my mother around twenty years after I graduated from nursing school that my mother explained to me what happened when I sent the suicide letter to my family.

My mother was a serious asthmatic, and when she read my planned suicide letter, it triggered a major Asthma attack. My family knew that I was headstrong and believed that if I returned to Galveston without becoming a nurse, I would do what I promised to do –kill myself. My Mother was hospitalized with the Asthma attack, and the doctors had a very difficult time getting it under control. They called in a psychiatrist to get to the bottom of it. They were even able to arrange a phone call from my brother, who was in the Army and stationed in Viet Nam, because they thought that her worries about him were the cause of the unrelenting Asthma. Mama was overjoyed to talk to my brother, but her asthma continued. The psychiatrist went through the lives of each of her children, but when they asked her about my life, her Asthma worsened. She broke down and told them about my situation and the suicide threat. Once they identified the source of the Asthma, the doctors took action. My mother’s Asthma was finally controlled, and she was able to go home from the hospital.

The Residents rallied their wives, who held fundraisers and gathered donations for my scholarship. I had been full of anger and unforgiveness about some of the experiences that I had suffered at the hands of members of the white race, but when I learned of the loving gestures of people who did not know me, I was instantly delivered by God from racial prejudice. Here was a group of people who did not know me at all but cared enough about my life, my success, and my mother’s health to do this for us. Residents didn’t make much money back then, and many had wives who didn’t work because they often had young children. And yet they did this for me. Even now I cry out to God in gratitude for the people who loved me unconditionally. Though I may never be able to say “Thank You” to any of them personally, I pray each one will be blessed. I also pray that every individual involved will be blessed with salvation and the infilling of the Holy Ghost. I would love to hug them and say, “Thank You,” to each of them when we all reach Heaven.

This Thanksgiving I also say, “Thank You, Jesus,” for my salvation. John 15:13 says
¹³Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Thank you, Lord, for laying your life down for me and for continuing to be the Light Across My Path.

Chapter X. “The Value of a Soft Answer” (Posted July 1, 2025)

A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1).

Gentleness is one of the nine fruits of the Spirit. It is the quality of being calm, kind, or soft. Conversely, it is the opposite of being violent, severe, or strong. It can disarm or reverse the most furious, angry words when spoken in wrath. Words have power, and a wise person uses them gently.

The Lord once spoke to me and said, “An angry man can accomplish nothing.” He spoke those words to me because anger was my go-to emotion. I was raised by my grandmother but was angry most of my life because my mother did not raise me. Before she passed away, God reconciled us, and we had the beautiful mother-daughter relationship that we both had always wanted. God even blessed me to pray her through to the Holy Ghost. God removed the core reason for my anger, but because it had become an ingrained habit, it took very little for me to go from 0 to 60 when I was opposed or when things did not go my way. I am so grateful to God that even now He does not let me function according to the old man’s way, and He checks me if I try to revert to my old ways of “flying off the handle,” so to speak.

When we face an angry person, Proverbs 15 tells us the proper response is a soft answer. It will encourage reconciliation and peace. The devil may tell you that giving a soft answer will make you look weak or like a punk. But remember, we don’t listen to the devil. A harsh answer will only stir up more anger in both parties and increase hostility. Let’s look at an example in the Bible where harsh words initially stirred up anger, but a soft answer averted disaster.

In 1 Samuel chapter 25, David and his men went down to the wilderness of Paran. David was running from Saul, whose intent was to take his life. His friend and mentor, Samuel, had also just died. Because David and his men were on the run, they needed food. David had heard of a rich man named Nabal who abode in the area, and he sent his men to him. David had had a very positive relationship with Nabal’s young men while they were in Carmel, and he felt that Nabal would surely help him out with a little food. However, Nabal, though very prosperous, was also known as a churlish man, rude, mean-spirited, and surly. David’s young men delivered David’s request, but Nabal responded in this way:

¹⁰Who is David? And who is the son of Jesse? There be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.

¹¹Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?

David responded by becoming angry at Nabal’s harsh words. He told his men to strap on their swords, and he and 200 of his 400 men went to deal with Nabal and those associated with him. Fortunately, one of Abigail’s young men told her that David and his men had protected them while they were shearing their sheep in the fields, and that David and his men were on their way to deal with Nabal and his entire household. All this happened because of Nabal’s harsh words.

Without telling her husband, Abigail ran to where David was and met him. When she saw him, she bowed down and fell at his feet. She asked for permission to speak to him, humbled herself before him, and then made excuses for her churlish husband. She told him that she brought him a blessing in the form of food. She also told him that God would bless him because God had found no evil in him all his days. She even told him that she knew God would make him ruler over Israel. Abigail’s sweet words turned away David’s wrath, and he said to her in the 32^nd verse,

³² Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:

³³And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming

To shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.

Abigail’s (wife of Nabal) sweet words, along with her actions, turned the course of history for David and for herself. Her gentle words saved many lives, prevented a major blot on David’s character, and even led to her becoming David’s wife after Nabal’s death. She proved Proverbs 16:24 true.

²⁴Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

So, the next time you’re dealing with an angry person, remember Abigail, Proverbs 15:1 as well as Proverbs 16:24. Let us pray.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for showing me the power of my tongue and for teaching me that an angry man accomplishes nothing. Thank you for allowing the fruit of the Spirit, gentleness, to abide within me and to teach me to be gentle, even with my words. My desire is to grow more like you every day. In the Mighty name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Chapter XI. “Our God Still Works Miracles” (Posted 3/25/2022)

The following post is a powerful guest testimony written by Evangelist Krysta Davis, which I originally shared on my blog to demonstrate that our God still works miracles today. I also want to acknowledge her husband, Evangelist Clarence Davis, whose shared faith, prayers, and support were vital throughout this entire journey.

While this book’s main title is God Said to Me, one of the most vital ways God speaks to us is through the lives, testimonies, and experiences of others. This final post in Section I differs from the previous eleven because it is neither my personal story nor a direct account of lessons God taught me firsthand. However, as God allowed me to witness this miracle and reflect on their journey, He spoke deeply to my own heart about His absolute faithfulness and how He communicates with His people through dreams.

This compelling testimony details what Krysta experienced when she became pregnant with her and Clarence’s third child. It offers key insight into how God reveals Himself through those around us. My own small part in this miracle took place in my role as the church nurse, when I assisted Krysta during a sudden episode of bleeding

To give some background on the family: she was raised in a strong Christian home by a saved father and mother—her father an Elder and Sunday School teacher, and her mother a Minister and church secretary. Her two sisters are saved, her husband is a minister, and both Krysta and Clarence were raised in the church. Her husband’s mother is a minister, and his late grandmother was also a minister. She attended a private church school and went to a Christian college. Both she and her husband were taught the ways of God by two Apostles—the former, the church’s founder, and the current Apostle, who consistently teaches living a life of “Holiness, plus nothing.” Both have been active in their church since childhood. Yet, despite this deep spiritual foundation, their faith was tested to the point that she began to doubt her own sanity.

Several Thoughts Came to Mind When I Heard Her Story:

God is real. He reveals aspects of Himself to us in whatever way He chooses (“I AM THAT I AM” – Exodus 3:14).
God still speaks to His people through dreams and visions. “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2:28).
The Saints’ faith will be tested. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7). “But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10 KJV).
God does not always speak in ways we immediately understand or find comfortable. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9 KJV).
If God speaks a word, it will come to pass. Circumstances may sometimes make it look like God failed us, but we must always trust Him. “God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19).
Great blessings often accompany our greatest trials. The greatest blessing is experiencing God’s presence most deeply during our darkest moments.
When God blesses our lives, He often does so by placing the right people along our path.

This is Krysta’s Story:

In June 2020, God gave me a dream where I vividly saw myself caring for a baby boy. I immediately named him Caleb Elijah. Two weeks later, we found out we were expecting. Little did I know the baby God showed me in that dream wasn’t the one I was carrying.

At six weeks, God gave me another dream where I saw myself bleeding heavily. Just as in the dream, within twenty-four hours, it happened—I started showing signs of a miscarriage. Although several doctors repeatedly told us the pregnancy was not viable, we didn’t lose hope. My HCG levels continued to rise just as they should for a viable pregnancy. At nine weeks, the doctors miraculously found my baby alive and kicking! We rejoiced, but our joy quickly turned to mourning when, six days later, they could no longer find the baby in my uterus.

I went back to the hospital and doctor’s office repeatedly, desperate to see my baby on the sonogram. The hospital treated me like I was losing my mind. A single sonogram picture was the only proof that my baby ever existed. We suffered a devastating loss, but God is faithful!

I struggled with the promise God had shown me, even to the point of telling myself I had made the whole dream up. I almost convinced myself that there was never a baby at all—until I looked at my sonogram picture and remembered it was real.

Later, God gave me another dream. I saw two trees: one stood tall, and the other was uprooted. In the dream, I looked at the uprooted tree and said, “This tree can live if I just replant it!” I didn’t understand what it meant, but I wrote it down. Shortly after, my mother came to me and said God had placed a scripture on her heart for me, without knowing about my dream. It was Job 14:7: “For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.”

At the time, I was still miscarrying and believing God would somehow resurrect the baby in my womb. I was battling for my faith and my sanity. Late one night around 11 p.m., my pastor called me. He said God told him to call and pray for me because this trial would shake my faith, but I needed to hold on!

On September 13th, while sitting in Sunday school, I began to bleed heavily. I lost so much blood that I passed out twice. The paramedics arrived and couldn’t wake me; they couldn’t even get a blood pressure reading.

BUT GOD! His word says in Ezekiel 16:6: “And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live.” When I finally regained consciousness, I heard the paramedics say, “We thought we lost her.” That marked the end of my miscarriage… or so we thought.

I continued showing signs of pregnancy while still experiencing symptoms of miscarrying. My HCG numbers stayed at 90 and refused to drop. My doctor suspected there was an unborn twin inside me that never fully developed. In October 2020, they gave me medication to finalize the miscarriage, and all symptoms finally stopped.

At that point, I was thoroughly confused—still waiting on the promise and holding onto my faith with everything I had.

Then, in February, God fulfilled His promise! When the doctor’s office called with the gender results, I told them, “I already know it’s a boy, and his name is Caleb.” And guess what… it was a boy! Before he was formed in my womb, I already knew him!

To make the story even sweeter, Caleb was born in October 2021—almost exactly one year to the day after my miscarriage was finalized.

I am so thankful to have come through this test. The enemy tried to take my mind, my faith, and my life. BUT GOD. I hope this reminds you that God’s promises are “Yea and Amen.” His word cannot return to Him void! Even when your situation looks hopeless, God’s promises cannot be rerouted, delayed, or stopped from reaching you!

Following her testimony, I asked Krysta a simple question: “What did you learn from this experience?” These were her key takeaways:

Not Every Dream is From God

I had many other dreams during that period—some showed me losing the baby again, while others showed the baby alive and well. In my pain, it was hard to tell them apart. Dreams and visions must be accompanied by sincere prayer to discern what is truly from God.

God Has Answered Far More Prayers Than We Realize

Bitterness, anger, and frustration began to grow in me. But after nearly 20 years of walking with the Lord, I realized I have far more testimonies of answered prayers than unanswered ones. Why throw away two decades of His faithfulness over one perceived disappointment? Even if He never answered another prayer, He has already proven Himself faithful.

Fiery Trials Will Test Your Foundation

1 Corinthians 3:13 – “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”

We will all go through fiery trials, and those trials reveal how genuine our spiritual foundation is. Many people fast, pray, serve, and give, yet collapse when a severe trial hits because those works weren’t rooted deeply. When we serve with sincerity and humility, the fire won’t consume it. Job 23:10 – “But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”

The Prayers of the Righteous Truly Avail Much

There were times when I couldn’t pray or worship, but I felt others’ prayers sustaining my mind. People I rarely spoke with reached out to say they were interceding for me. I was deeply humbled and grateful.

It’s Okay to Cry

I used to think crying signaled a lack of faith or meant I was doubting God. But crying is a natural part of healing. Once I gave myself permission to express that grief, tears would come unexpectedly—and that was okay. I learned how to turn those tears into worship.

The lessons Krysta and her family learned offer valuable wisdom for all of us. May we take their experience to heart and grow deeper in our understanding of who God is.

Be blessed!

Section II. Eighteen Special Phrases God Spoke to Me That Changed My Life. The Late Great One, the Apostle Lobias Murray, said on one occasion, “God does not talk that much. I’ve found this to be true. But I’ve found it abundantly true that He speaks to whomever He chooses, whenever He chooses. Some of the phrases that God spoke to me were life-changing. They happened at various times throughout my saved life, and each is very meaningful to me. Some of His phrases were deeply personal and aren’t included, but I included others that might be relevant to you.

“You don’t have an answer until I give you an answer.” Sometimes, when we are new as a prophet or prophetess, we are also full of zeal, excitement, and eagerness to “use” what God has given us. So, we make mistakes, thinking that God has given us an interpretation or word when the word is our own. God must teach and train us never to do that, because the flesh and/or the enemy can get in and wreak havoc. These are the words He gave me to help me realize I had no right to speak until He told me to speak.
“I’m going to show you the spirit of the people, but you can’t love them one bit less.” God will sometimes show me a person’s true spirit. I remember thinking once, “I wonder if this person knows that I know that the okey-doke that they are trying to give me is false and I see through it?” That ability comes through the Spirit of Discernment. One must also remember that the discerner can also be discerned. This gift must also be used with love and patience.

When God first told me he would show me the spirit of the people, I was so excited because I was being given a new spiritual ability. However, I didn’t realize that sometimes a person’s spirit can turn against you. Here’s an example. Early in my ministry, God gave me a word of prophecy for the congregation. I was very nervous because I was so new at speaking out by faith. Believe me, the experience didn’t “lift me up”; I just wanted to hide. The next day, I went to a meeting where someone who had been in the Service when the prophecy went forth stood up. She said God told her that just because God had used a person one time, that didn’t mean they were a prophet. He could use that person once, and that could be it! I immediately saw the spirit of jealousy that she was operating in because God had prepared me. I felt devastated and just wanted to run out of the room, but I didn’t. I got over it, and I don’t love her any less than before. Today, when I’m opposed, I simply chalk it up to who they are and keep moving forward.

3. “Lower Your Heels”. At one time, I loved wearing (very) high-heeled shoes. I felt that they made me look very dressy, sexy, and slim. Once, I was walking across the parking lot toward the church building on Ewing Street. Suddenly, I heard a booming voice tell me to lower my heels. I thought that the voice was a person, but when I looked around to see who was “in my business”, I discovered that I was the only one on the parking lot. I scurried into church, realizing God was the One who spoke. He was simply warning me about the dangers those shoes would pose to my health. I obeyed His voice and took off those extremely high heels.

4. “The next time you do it, you’re going to feel the pain!” What a scary experience this was. I know God does not make empty promises, and obedience was required.

God told me to stop drinking coffee. Coffee was a comfort drink for me, and I could drink it throughout the day and just before bed with no apparent negative effects. As children, my siblings and I had to walk quite a distance to school. My grandmother would allow us to put a little coffee in our milk to keep us warm on wintry days. What my Granny didn’t know, however, was that when her back was turned, we didn’t put a little coffee in our milk; we put a little milk in our coffee. We were hooked on coffee early in life.

And so now, in my early 40s, the Lord was telling me to stop drinking coffee. I was shocked and felt devastated. A new Starbucks had just opened in the hospital where I worked as a nurse, and I felt that they had done it just for me. Then God told me to stop drinking coffee.

Unfortunately for me, I had (undiagnosed) sleep apnea and became very sleepy after lunch. Our departmental meetings were usually scheduled after lunch, so staying awake after eating a meal was a major problem for me. Sitting around a conference table with 20 or so members was not a good place to be sleepy, and there was no place to hide. So, for this meeting, I decided to get about ¼ of a cup of coffee and sip it when I felt sleepy. The problem was, God had not said, “Sip coffee”; he said, “Stop!” So there I was, in the break room, preparing coffee for the meeting. Suddenly, out of the ceiling, I heard a loud rebuke: “The next time you do it, you’re going to feel the pain!” I dropped the cup in the trash and scurried into the meeting, trembling. The voice slapped the sleepiness right out of me. Later, I was able to have the sleep apnea diagnosed and appropriately treated, and today all use or desire for coffee is gone.

“Stop drinking sodas.” Along with all the coffee that I consumed during the workday, I also drank Pepsi Colas. There was a machine in the hallway down from my office, so I had one or two each day. One day, as I dropped coins into the machine, I heard God’s words to stop. Not only did He say, “Stop drinking Pepsis”, my soda of choice, He said to stop drinking all sodas. When I fully obeyed, I dropped 20 lbs. The weight just fell away because of my obedience. This was the beginning of my “healthy eating” journey, which I continue today.

Update: In early 2024, I was asked to testify about something that the Lord had done for me at my local church. God put it upon my heart to testify concerning Deliverance from an Addiction to Added Sugar. I gave this testimony of deliverance, and some in the congregation were not pleased. After all, if I was addicted to sugar but had stopped, what of their situation? Were they also addicts that needed deliverance? Following that testimony, my Pastor preached an entire series on 3 John 1. He said that when he heard my testimony, the Lord began to deal with him concerning the dangers of added sugar. That night’s message was “Be in Health.”

“How can you eat this when they believe that?” Chinese foods were my absolute favorite. One day, I was seated in a restaurant, extolling the virtues of the Shrimp Fried Rice and beef broccoli I had just enjoyed. Suddenly, conviction fell upon me, and I heard God ask, “How can you eat this when they believe that?” My eyes fell on the little fat Buddha beside the cash register. I knew that He was telling me to stop patronizing restaurants that uplift idol gods. For a long time, I continued to frequent Chinese restaurants, but first made sure no idol god was displayed. Eventually I stopped going altogether, because He had not said to avoid those that display an idol god; he said that I should avoid those that believe in idol gods. So, to avoid offending my God, the one true God, I do not go to Asian restaurants.
“Those swine eaters.” On my quest to eat healthier, my husband and I subscribed to a grass-fed beef supply company. We only ate premium meats, and this company was one of the best. As a reward for my loyalty, they offered us free bacon for life. I was so excited when my free premium bacon arrived. I had planned a breakfast of bacon and eggs, grits, toast, and grape jelly. Bacon had been a comfort food for years. My Granny always made sure we had a hefty breakfast before our walk to school, and it usually included thick-sliced, rind-in bacon.

As I opened the bacon package, I heard God say, “those swine eaters.” His disdain for those who ate swine was strong. He never said, “Do not eat bacon”, but I knew that He was telling me to stop. Oh, my goodness! In obedience, I committed to never eating bacon again. However, since we had this free supply coming, I started to fix it for my husband. That’s when I heard God say, “If you won’t eat it, why would you serve it to your husband?” When I told my husband what God said, he agreed he wouldn’t eat it either, and I dropped it in the trash. We never looked back or went back to bacon.

“You can’t teach it if you don’t live it.” My experience with vegetarians and vegans occurred when I was a School Nurse Practitioner in the Dallas Independent School District. One of the Social Workers came to me, said, “Thank you,” for some assistance I had provided, and handed me a cookbook titled The Vegetarian Epicure by Anna Thomas. She signed the cookbook, “To Alfreda -Thanks for all the help! Happy eating-Mary and Angela.”

I accepted the cookbook graciously and filed it away, knowing God might be letting me know I’d become vegetarian, and ultimately Vegan, one day. I thought, “The time is not now, but it will happen one day.” I just hoped it would be a long way off. I hung on to the cookbook but never made a single recipe from its pages. This occurred around 1980.

God took me through a series of experiences with food. I went on a Daniel Fast, which was my first experience with alternative eating. During that time, I increased my veggies and fruit. I bought a juicer and “juiced” for a while. Following that, I tried the Paleo diet.

In November of 2017, I subscribed to Butcher Box, a grass-fed beef company. During this time, we ate the finest steaks, roasts, and bacon imaginable. Then, in April of 2021, God told me to end the subscription and stop eating meat. I became a Vegetarian for about a year while still having to cook (and smell the aromas of) meat for my husband.

After I was a vegetarian for about a year, my husband came to me one morning and said, “When all of the meat is gone from the freezer, I’m going to become a vegetarian with you.” As I prepared his final steak, he assured me it was the last meat he would eat. I have been blessed with a husband who not only supports me when God speaks to me, but also follows the Lord’s leading without question.

For a few months we continued to eat eggs, cheese, and seafood as vegetarians. One morning the Lord spoke to me and said that I was to go all the way to becoming a vegan. My husband joined me as a vegan on that day, and today we are still vegan. We also try to keep our sodium intake in moderation and our added sugar as close to 0 as possible, aiming to eat no foods with over 10 mg of added sugar per serving. We drink plant-based milk, water, Hint, and coconut water.

Looking back on our food journey, I am amazed at how God has brought us to this point. My husband, who was such a “sweets” lover that I called him my cookie monster, now reads all the packaging with me to make sure we don’t overdo our added-sugar goal.

Eating this way makes holiday celebrations and going out for entertainment with family and friends challenging. If we are invited to their homes for a meal, it’s awkward when we have to refuse some of their food. We are also limited in our ability to eat out, although the number of vegan restaurants is increasing, and many restaurants now have plant-based options. Also, we’ve become experts at ordering “two sides and a salad.” But as we live the “vegan plus” lifestyle (the plus being controlled salt and sugar options), I am reminded of something my Pastor, Apostle H.L. Murray, Jr., said in one of his messages. He said, “With God’s command to do a thing comes the power to do it.” I know that since the Lord said to do whatever He commands, we can not only do it but also teach others the way. We can’t teach it if we don’t live it. And we live it every day.

“Don’t worry. They won’t read mine either.” After I wrote my first three books, I expected them to fly off the shelves. But that didn’t happen. One day in prayer, I remember complaining, “Lord, they don’t want to read my books.” I felt His sense of humor and had to laugh out loud when He replied, “Don’t worry. They won’t read mine either.”
“I have comforted you”. Once, a frenemy I felt should have loved me did something bad to me. I was so hurt. I could not wait to run to my circle of friends and tell them how badly this person had treated me. “Ooh”, I thought, “they will feel so sorry for me. They will encourage me and feel bad for me. They will probably pray for me and really blast the bad actor for treating me that way.” But before I could get to my friends, the Lord spoke and said, “I have comforted you.” I was like, “Oh”. Because once you have been comforted by God, why would you need to run and tell anybody? That took all the air out of that balloon. I forgave the bad actor and just shut up because I had been comforted.
“You can accomplish anything as long as you don’t care who gets the credit.” Sometimes you pray for an individual, and God answers, but it may seem like someone else gets the credit. Will you be more concerned about the answered prayer or the credit/recognition that comes with it? That has happened to me on several occasions, but who cares? Besides, God does the work, and God should get the credit for the results.
“I have given you an end-time ministry.” Your ministry will be at the end of time, at the end of their time and towards the end of your time.
“You will not have your son long.” When my only son, Oddie Jr., was about 7 or 8 years old, God spoke to me and told me I wouldn’t have him long. I panicked because I loved my child dearly and felt that without him, I had no purpose. The thought of not having him long was devastating because I feared that I would lose him any day. I ran to my mother in the gospel, Dr. Shirley Murray, and told her what the Lord had spoken to me. She spoke a word that comforted me. She said, “When he gets 15, he’ll be able to cut the grass for you.” That let me know I would at least have him until he reached age 15. Living with the thought that I wouldn’t have him long was not easy, but every year I had him was a great blessing. My son passed away in 2008 at the age of 39 years due to a cardiac issue. He also had two daughters, making me a grandmother of two. Though I miss him today, I feel at peace knowing he is safely in Jesus’ arms.
“Stop sewing”. I bought a home embroidery machine when I retired from the VA in 2010. It was a very high-quality machine and cost thousands of dollars. I have always loved sewing and crocheting, and once I retired, I felt it was time to develop this skill and start a business. I went to classes, read books, and taught myself to use the machine. I became skilled and decided it was time to turn the hobby into a business. I bought a variety of tools, equipment, and supplies, and I spent much of my day working on the new business. I woke up one morning and without prelude, or explanation the Lord said, “Stop sewing”. Apparently sewing had become a distraction, and God was not pleased. I obeyed God, and today I do not hem a skirt or sew on a button, lest I disobey God.
“Stop watching TV”. On Thursday nights I had a weekly TV lineup. Between 7 p.m. and 11:00 p I would be glued to the TV watching my medical melodramas. I woke up one morning, and God said to me, “Stop watching TV. We got rid of the main TV and converted the bedroom TV into a monitor for our home security system. I no longer watch TV because God said. It can be challenging at times, but obeying God matters more than TV.
“I speak to the one who listens.” This word from the Lord came early in my salvation when I was saved but not yet filled with the Holy Ghost. I was sitting in my bedroom watching 700 Club on TV when Ben Kinchlow, a black prophet on the show, began to prophesy. He said he had a word from the Lord for a young lady with an ulcer who was asking God to heal her body. I thought, “Oh, that’s interesting. I have an ulcer, and I’m seeking God for healing. I need to tune in on this.” He then said these words, “God said you have been angry with your mother all your life because she didn’t raise you. You should call her and ask her to forgive you for your anger towards her. If you do so, He will heal your body.” Anger flared (I had anger issues), and I yelled back at Minister Kinchlow: “Why should I call her? She’s the one who did it. She should be calling me!” Prophet Kinchlow responded, “Yes, but who has the ulcer?” Suddenly, I came to myself and realized that I was arguing with a man on TV. Then, even more clearly, I realized I was arguing with (gulp) God. I immediately turned the TV off and called my mom.

When I repented to her, she broke down in tears, and we talked as mother and daughter for the first time. Before that, we had more of a big sister/little sister relationship. This time, we spoke from our hearts, and she shared things I never knew about her life and mine. Through my simple act of repentance, God gave me the relationship with my mother I had always wanted. Because of our new openness, He allowed me to go to my hometown and pray my mother through to the Holy Ghost. He had told me in the past that he was going to heal my relationship with my mother, and He did just what he said he would do.

Later, during a quiet time with God, I asked why I had to repent to my mother for our relationship to be healed. He said, “I speak to Him who listens.” Thank God I listened.

17. “Get in line with the rest of the prophets. They didn’t believe them either. “I remember one night that God gave me a word for the church. I spoke it out, though I was very nervous about addressing the congregation. I had a real fight that night because it appeared to me that no one believed me. In fact, I was told that a member of my own family had expressed disbelief in what God had given me. I remember complaining to God that night that nobody believed me. God’s response was, “Get in line with the rest of the prophets. They didn’t believe them either. ”

Well, His words were the greatest encouragement ever! He confirmed that I was indeed a prophet. From that day forth, I was comfortable with the title because if God says it, who is man to refute?

18. “You’re the Prophet. You’re supposed to tell them how it goes”. A question was raised about how one could know that a word spoken to the congregation was truly from God. An answer given was that whatever was stated must coincide with the Word of God. I absolutely agree, but at the time I misunderstood, thinking the person answering meant it had to be in “King James Version of the Bible” language. I again cried to God, saying, “But you don’t speak to me that way. You talk to me in English.” He said, “You’re the prophet; you are supposed to tell them how it goes.” This was the second time He comforted me while again confirming me as a prophet. I am comfortable with the title now and do not care in the least who disagrees. I am also telling others how it goes.

Section III. “Supernatural Encounters That Transformed My Walk with God”.

One of my main experiences is presented in Section I, Post No. VII, “And the Heaven Doors Opened,” which describes my first “seer” experience. Another major experience is detailed in my book, The Night Death Came Creeping in My Room. I updated the second edition to interpret each statement God made to me during that encounter. In addition to these major experiences, below are several other noteworthy events.

“Currency from Heaven”. This dream occurred in 2023. I was seated in a chair when an angel approached me with remarkable humility. He averted his eyes to the floor rather than looking directly at me, knelt on one knee, and held out a gift. I instinctively knew it was from God. He stretched out his hands to present the gift- what I call currency from Heaven- as though it were extraordinarily special. The angel treated me as someone who deserved deep honor. When I awoke, I could still feel the warmth, love, and honor of that moment. Exactly one year later, that dream came to pass—fully manifested.

Around the time of my first dream, I had a second dream in which I saw a beautiful baby boy who looked about 18 months old. He ran to me and hugged my legs in the sweetest way. My heart knit with his in the dream, and I woke up longing to see him. I have learned that when God desires to bless a person with a great blessing, He often presents it as a human life. On January 1, 2024, my great-grandson, Lucien Oddie Stephney, was born. He is a beautiful child with such a sweet countenance, and I know he is indeed a special gift from God. How wonderful that God allowed me to see him before he was born. I pray daily that God will use him greatly for His glory and honor.

“Taking a Step”. Early in my walk with the Lord in 1975, I was forced to choose between continuing to live with my first husband and living for Jesus. One evening, my then-husband returned home from playing basketball with his friends with a determined look on his face. I sat at the sewing machine making a robe for him—trying to show him that, despite my salvation experience, I was still his devoted wife who valued our marriage.

He declared that he had had enough of my new relationship with Jesus and issued an ultimatum: I had to choose between him and the Lord. When I answered that I must choose Jesus, he went into a rage. He began grabbing my clothes out of the closet, telling me I had to leave, and threw me out of the home we had built together in the fall of 1975.

With a four-year-old son and no local family, I was facing my worst nightmare, yet I knew I had to trust God. That night, I packed my son, a few clothes, some houseplants, and a goldfish into the car and drove to church for the evening service. On the way, the Lord reassured me of His presence by giving me a song that brought tremendous comfort, titled “Taking a Step for My Jesus.” I sang it loudly to comfort myself as I drove to church and into my new life in Christ. Here are some of the lyrics:

Taking a step, a step for my Jesus, yes, I am, oh yes, I am.

Taking a step, a step for my Jesus, yes, I am, oh, oh, yes, I am.

Although the road may be rocky, and the way may be steep,

I’m gonna let the Lord guide my feet,

And I’m taking a step, a step for my Jesus, yes, I am, oh yes, I am.

Gonna hold on, hold on to my Master, yes, I will, oh yes, I will.

For if I hold my Master’s hand,

I know that He will lead me to the Promised Land, and I’m

Gonna hold on, hold on to my Master, yes, I will, oh yes, I will.

Earlier, a sister at church who knew I was experiencing marital difficulties had offered, “If you ever need a friend, call me.” That night, I truly needed a friend. Though she was not at church when I arrived, I called her, and she picked up my son and me. Despite raising three children of her own, she opened her home to us for six weeks—just long enough for me to secure an apartment and settle into my new life in Christ.

“My 4:00 A.M. Prayer Time”. One of the sisters at my church, the late Sis. Ruthie Wilks, felt led by the Lord to organize a 24-hour prayer vigil where members could sign up for a designated time slot. I requested the 4:00 AM hour. God accepted that time and validated it in a profound way.

On the first morning, a sweet, melodious voice woke me, singing my name: “Free-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-da!” The sound was so sweet, like an angel waking me. I looked at the clock, and it was exactly 4:00 AM.

Another morning that same week, I woke to what looked like a ball of fire crashing out of the chest of drawers to my right. It passed directly above my nose, crashed into the window to my left, and burst into an explosion of brilliant colors. My heart racing, I checked the clock—4:00 AM.

These experiences continued until the final day of the week-long vigil when I awoke to the blaring sound of an emergency alert horn. The sound was so loud that someone else in the house heard it, threw on a coat, and ran outside to see if a tornado warning had been issued. However, once outside, the neighborhood was quiet, and no alerts were sounding—the sound was contained entirely within my home. I looked at the clock; it was 4:00 AM again. I fell to my knees in prayer and told God I needed no further reminders; I understood completely. My prayer time remains 4:00 AM to this day.

“A Whorish Woman Will Bring You to a Piece of Bread”. Early in my ministry, three churches invited me to preach at a joint annual meeting. As a relatively new Evangelist, I was deeply honored to be selected. I began seeking the face of God right away because I wanted the presentation to be perfect. I was told I could speak on any topic—just choose a woman in the Bible and highlight her story. In prayer, I wondered if it should be Mary, the mother of Jesus; Deborah, the fearless leader; or the woman at the well. I was completely open to God’s direction.

When I prayed, the Lord gave me Proverbs 6:26:

“For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.”

I thought, “What? Oh no, Lord, please. Those high-society women are not going to want to hear about a ‘whore’ at their meeting!”

God said nothing more. I tried to come up with a different message, but I couldn’t shake the one He had given me. I finally realized it was a test: Would I obey God, or try to look good in men’s eyes? Knowing I had no choice, I yielded to His will, and the message came together easily.

When the night of the event arrived, excitement and expectation filled the air. The women wore furs and sparkling jewelry, just as I had anticipated. When it was time to speak, I was determined to obey God. Shaking inside, I walked up to the podium, delivered the message, and sat down. When I finished, you could have heard a pin drop. I felt sharp glares from some of the women who were offended and couldn’t understand why I would preach such a word.

A small repast followed the message. The members and ministers were kind and gracious, but I knew they were displeased. As I stood near the wall, wondering how long I had to stay before it was socially acceptable to leave, something remarkable happened. One of the ministers came quietly up to me and said, “Sister, I thank God for you.” He repeated it several times, then looked me squarely in the eye, shook my hand vigorously, and added, “Sister, I really appreciated your message.”

At that moment, God opened my understanding. That man of God was contemplating an action that would have destroyed him. His repeated handshakes made it clear he had received his word and was truly grateful. His soul might have been lost had he continued down the wrong path, but God used the message He gave me to turn his life around.

I realized then that the night had tested my obedience—one I had passed, pleasing the Lord. I straightened my shoulders and resolved never to doubt God again. If He gives me a word, I will deliver it, even if I have to run afterward! I will obey God and trust Him for the outcome. This must have been how Nathan felt when he had to deliver God’s message after King David committed adultery with Bathsheba and orchestrated the death of her husband, Uriah the Hittite (2 Samuel 12).

“The Prison Message”. One of the sons of a sister at my church was in prison. He surrendered his heart to the Lord and asked a group of us to minister there, and his mother specifically asked me to speak. We drove to the prison and were met by the Prison Chaplain. Since none of us had ever ministered in a prison before, I asked him to explain any applicable rules or regulations. He replied, “Just let the Spirit take control.” For a Holiness minister, that was the equivalent of saying “no holds barred.” I knew only two things: how much time we had and that we were scheduled to present two services, one around 10:00 a.m. and the second around 1:00 p.m. When we entered a large room, we were surprised to see no barrier separating us from the 30-or-so prisoners.

The night before the meeting, God gave me a dream. In it, I faced a large swimming pool filled with watery stool that stank to high heaven. The Lord spoke to me in the dream and told me to jump in, go to the bottom, and feel around to see what I could find. I hesitated for a moment, but I held my nose, jumped in, and pushed my way down. I felt along the pool floor and found someone. I grabbed his hand and pulled us both up out of the pool—a soul was delivered.

When I shared this in my message, the prisoners understood the dream far better than I did, recognizing that it pointed directly to behaviors occurring within that prison. They began to weep and cry out to God. When I completed the message and gave the altar call, those big, burly men came forward weeping. We laid hands on them, and some fell to the floor under God’s power. About fifteen of them were filled with the Holy Ghost. We were stunned by what God had done. I was overjoyed, but when I looked at the chaplain, he was not happy. I asked if everything was all right, and he assured me all was well.

We left for lunch and returned for the afternoon service, where about thirty men were waiting for us again. I noticed the prison choir sang for a long time, and by the time it was my turn to preach, I realized I didn’t have enough time for a full message. The Lord spoke to me and instructed me to let everyone who came with me share their personal testimony instead. By the time the testimonies ended, the response matched the morning service. Big, burly men came weeping, wanting to be filled with the Holy Ghost. We laid hands on them, and about fifteen more were filled. The chaplain’s face was stormy this time, though he still never explained what was wrong. We drove back to Dallas feeling that we had done a great work for the Lord.

Much later, we learned what happened after our visit. The young man whose mother had invited us to preach was released from prison, and he told us we were never supposed to touch the prisoners—that was why the chaplain was so angry. Ultimately, God transferred all thirty men who received the Holy Ghost to different prisons across the country. Though they were punished for receiving the Holy Ghost, God had His way: He placed each man where he could share his personal story of deliverance. The chaplain was displeased, but God accomplished His will.

Two Valuable Lessons Learned About Fasting. (“If the enemy cannot hold you back, he will attempt to push you past your limits.”)

Lesson 1. When I first got saved, I wanted everyone in my household to be saved, so I began fasting regularly. I mean extreme fasting. I know fasting is a weapon we can use, but even it must be led by God. I regularly went on a three-day fast with no food or water. Although the Lord told me that to follow Him, I would have to walk away from my then-husband, I still tried to turn the situation around. (Story explained in Chapter VII: And the Heavens Opened Up: A Personal Prophetic Experience. Posted August 6, 2019).

I have since learned that once the Lord confirms a matter, no amount of tears or fasting can change His mind. He knows what’s best for us, and we are to follow His leading. One day, Dr. Shirley Murray called me into her office and prayed for me when she saw I had begun to lose weight. She explained that the enemy was trying to kill me with the extreme fasting that I was doing, and she took me completely off fasting for several months until I learned the balance that I needed. She actually said, “Don’t you fast again until I tell you it’s OK.” I appreciated her insight and finally understood fasting better.

Lesson 2. Years later, I learned another valuable lesson about fasting. By then, I knew that if God wanted me to go on a three-day fast, He would always let me know when to begin and when to end it. I had noticed one thing, though: when He put me on a three-day fast, I always got my breakthrough at the end of the second day. Like clockwork, I got the answer by the end of that second day.

So, during one fasting period, I completed the first and second days and got my answer at the end of the second day, as usual. Then I had a “brilliant” idea. I decided, “Hey, I got the answer—why do I need to do the full three days?” So I broke the fast. I felt so smart! Well, you can predict what happened. The Lord let me go a few days, then said, “Do it again!” When He said three days, He meant exactly that. I never tried that stunt again. So you see, even more mature people have lessons to learn, and Jesus is a mighty good teacher.

“Walk Away from It”. One thing I had always wanted was to complete my PhD. After retirement, I decided to get a degree in Theology rather than Nursing. I found an affordable program that accepted my 30-some years as a minister and let me enter the doctoral program based on my prior degrees. I loved the work and earned A’s at every level, as required. The program’s timing was also perfect because it let me work at my own pace. I had an interesting experience on the student chatline. Someone made a negative comment about speaking in tongues. Well, as a Holy Ghost-filled Saint, I could not let that stand, so I (in my opinion) gently and effectively defended the Bible-based evidence for the arrival of the Holy Ghost. After all, we were all doctoral students, and they all needed to know the truth, right? Can you guess what happened? The Administrative staff took the chat down and ended all discussion. In January of the next year, I decided I had “slow-poked” long enough, and it was time to finish the job. I dug my heels in and studied much more. As I neared the end of the program, the school’s doctrine began to vex me. I called the Administration and said I didn’t agree with all the doctrine and was in conflict with it. I was told to restate what the Professor said, then state my understanding of the scriptures. Problem solved, or so I thought. Not long after that, the Lord himself told me to walk away from the whole pursuit. I’m not sure if He would have allowed me to get the degree in another school, but when He said, “Walk away, that’s exactly what I did. Obedience is better than sacrifice.

“The lithograph”. I was saved in 1975 and was thrust from the home that my then-husband and I built together. After he divorced me, God blessed me with a beautiful home, a car (a Mercedes-Benz, no less), and a great job (a faculty position at a local University). I recall asking the Lord for a picture of Him for my living room. I said I wanted something unique, not the typical crown-of-thorns-with-a-couple-of-drops-of-blood picture so commonly found.

One morning the Lord woke me up, had me get dressed, and directed me to an older house that sold antiques. His directions were literally a series of instructions: “take a left here, go down this street, park in front of this house, turn left down this hallway, and ‘bam, ‘ there it was. It was a picture of Jesus talking with the doctors and the lawyers as described in Luke 2:39-52. The chromolithograph has the identifying information on the back, the original paper that covered it, the original frame, and the glass. The inscription on the back reads:

CHRIST AMONG THE DOCTORS from the fresco by Boccaccio Boccaccino

in the Cathedral at Cremona Drawn by Herr Kaiser. Chromolithographed by Wilhelm

Greve, Berlin, Arundel Society. Second Publication1890.

It depicts an episode from Christ’s early life. It is the only event from Jesus’s later childhood mentioned in the Gospel of Luke. The lithograph God gave me is now 136 years old, as of 2026. It hangs on my wall, and I love it as much today as I did when the Lord led me to it in 1976.

Closing words

CLOSING WORDS

This audiobook offers a glimpse into my 51-year walk with God, along with vital lessons learned through others’ testimonies. In this audiobook, we explore prophetic words, divine encounters, and the wisdom I gained on my journey. I could have included accounts of divine healings, my miraculous deliverance from a severe chronic illness, and moments when the Lord strengthened, encouraged, or corrected me.

I could have spoken of times he let me share a word that transformed entire congregations, or of how, on several occasions, he led me to clock out of my nursing shift only to direct me back to the ICU or SCI unit to minister at a dying patient’s bedside. Two profound moments come to mind when patients at the very brink of death reached out to me to lead them to Christ, only to pass into eternity less than 24 hours later.

I could detail the countless doors he opened or the job positions he created for me in a miraculous way. But I won’t. I will simply declare that all glory and honor go to God. As Psalm 90:9 reminds us, we spend our years as a story being told. Each of us who has yielded our life to Christ carries a unique story, and I deeply appreciate this opportunity to share a portion of my walk with the Lord.

After listening to this audiobook, you may realize that you need to be saved. You may feel conviction for your life of sin and desire to be set free. Perhaps you want to live for God. Guess what? You can be saved. God loves you so much that he sent his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for you so that your soul can be saved. God’s method of salvation is very simple. You simply repent of your sins, invite Jesus to save you, and commit to living for him forever. He is well able to save your soul and keep you if you want to be kept.

Next, you ask God for the power of the Holy Ghost, with the evidence of speaking in tongues. You need this power to live the life that he requires. Repeat the words that I will provide, or similar ones, and you are saved. Remember, I can provide the words, but you must give the sincerity. You simply say, “Father, forgive me all my sins. Save my soul. If You save me, I will live for You forever.” Once you have committed yourself to God and mean it with all your heart, your soul will be immediately translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. Jesus will come into your heart and let you know that you are saved. Next, you ask for the infilling of the Holy Ghost. Luke 11:13 says He will give the Holy Spirit to anyone who asks.

Let’s read that Scripture: “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him.”

Ask for the infilling of the Holy Ghost like this: “Father, fill me with the Holy Ghost.” You will know that you are filled with the Spirit of God because you will speak in new tongues. You will receive a prayer language that empowers your spirit to communicate with God and live a holy life. Mark 16:17 says, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.” Acts 1:8 says that when we receive the Holy Ghost, we will receive the power we need to live the life God requires. That Scripture says, but ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Persist in prayer until you receive the Holy Ghost. That is evidenced by speaking in tongues and the power to live holy.

Once you are saved, you are a new creature in Christ Jesus, and you need to become part of a body of believers, a church, that will help you in your new walk with the Lord. Read the Holy Bible every day, and expect the Lord to speak to you through His Word. If you’re in the United States, I invite you to look for one of the 30-plus Full Gospel Holy Temple churches near you. They’re listed on our website at http://www.fght.org—that’s F, as in Fred, G, H, T, dot org.

I also invite you to join my church’s YouTube community. We livestream our services on Tuesdays, Saturdays, Sunday mornings, and Sunday evenings, and we’d love for you to join our community. We love you, and we’re praying that God will bless you abundantly.

You may also contact me with questions, prayer requests, or to simply discuss the Word through the comments section on my blog. The blog is strollingthrougharosegardencalledlife.blog. May God bless you all.

God Said to Me: Prophetic Words, Encounters, and Divine Wisdom (An Audiobook)

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