Everyday Miracles

My life has been filled with trials and miracles, sometimes both at the very same time! God has brought me on a journey to a place of embracing faith and trusting Him through anything. It hasn't been easy, but when we can allow God to speak to us and show us His perspective in any situation or circumstance, we position ourselves for Him to turn what was meant for evil in our lives into blessings--and a miracle occurs each time!

I have been a believer for many years now and have been learning to experience the supernatural on a regular basis. No, I don't talk with angels everyday or see the dead raised, but I do see God's hand in the simplest things sometimes. I have gained insight by traveling through some unbelievably difficult circumstances to trust God that He sees things much differently. We don't have to wait until we are at our wits end to ask God to reveal His purpose and plan in our trial. He is waiting to hear us call Him and ask from the beginning, in fact to ask to see His perspective each day when we awake, before we even open our eyes. He desires our friendship so much that He constantly gives little hints of His presence in our lives each and every day--just to see if we will notice and receive His blessing. To me this is the greatest miracle in my life, God loves me! Every moment of every day, in sickness and in health, in my weakness and when I shine with His glory--He knows my heart better than I do myself and God still loves me.

I have recently traveled through a valley under the shadow of death. An unknown severe blood infection caused my husband to nearly die seven times in 2007. Through the prayers of faith of family and friends from around the world we have seen many miraculous healings and financial provision. Without their prayers of faith combined with our absolute trust in our faithful God, we could not have passed through this devastating time. I now live with a walking and breathing miracle! My husband, Duane, a pastor for many years, has been transformed by God's hand into His vessel for His glory. I always believed he was one of God's chosen. He had already been a man of humility and sacrifice with a huge anointing on his life to reach those in Africa, Israel (where we lived) and the nations. But God had even greater plans for his life in his later years. Like Job, whom Satan planned to harm and God planned to bless, Duane’s end will be multiplied blessings.

It is an amazing blessing to watch first hand as the anointing of God rests on him today as he speaks prayers and blessings led by the Holy Spirit. His life shines with the reflection of one who has had a brush with death. He often responds with prophetic insight and has a different perspective that could only be known by a gift of knowledge and wisdom from God. Humility and grace abound in his speech and actions. Watching him walk under a cloud of Father God's favor, where doctors, officials and even strangers treat him with honor like he is an important dignitary is astounding to see. We are living each day in a new revelation of the supernatural. It is an amazing journey that we have only just begun I am sure!

That isn't to say it isn't a difficult journey. Having your husband transformed means he isn't the man you married. That can be a shocking revelation, especially if you really liked the way he was before. But I am also finding that God's grace and mercy is a miracle which abounds towards me as I ask Him to help me through all the little things that seem so difficult each day. The burdens and responsibilities that have multiplied to my shoulders because of the effects of his illness are impossible for me to bear alone. Yet God says, "Come to me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)

Every day with God is a miracle as we live as citizens in His Kingdom, all and only for His glory. The showers of His blessings of mercy and grace are the best miracles of all!

**For details of this testimony you can purchase Ruth’s recently release book, Trusting God through the Valley, through her website.

Almond Blossoms--Manifesting the Kingdom of God

One of the first signs of spring in Jerusalem is the bursting forth of almond blossoms. The flowers are a joyful reminder to most of the Lord's faithful rebirth in the earth each spring. The beautiful flower laden branches cheer the soul as they catch the brilliant spring sunlight and dance as the warming breezes blow. They seem to appear almost overnight.

Isaiah 61:11 For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

In scripture there is a flower featured on the menorah--the lamp stand that stood in the holy place representing the presence of God. It was never to be allowed to be extinguished. The instructions for creating the menorah speak of branches, knops, bowls like almonds, and flowers. (Exodus 25:31-40) It seems obvious the flowers would have been almond blossoms. (knops are ornamental knobs--pomegranate like decorations) Some believe this flower was a reminder of the budding of Aaron's rod in Numbers 17. Aaron's rod budded, blossomed and even yielded almonds overnight. This sign showed God's choice of Aaron's tribe alone as priests. Because only God can give life, those in opposition were silenced. Later this rod was housed in the Ark of the Covenant--a constant reminder of God's promises to spring forth in their season--His timing. It also represents annihilation of the opposition--evil influences and ultimately evil itself.

Bet-El, or Bethel--house of God, was previously called Luz (Hebrew for almond tree)--a city of flourishing almond trees. This is where Jacob received the dream of the ladder to heaven with angels ascending and descending (Genesis 28:11-22). It seems significant that the Lord would choose to speak his promise to Jacob while sleeping with his head on a rock in this place. Jacob also vows to make the Lord his God after this encounter--the encounter terrified him. We know that Jacob possessed God’s favor after this and his enemies were subdued—with no great effort on Jacob’s part.

The almond blossom, a singular manifestation of the glorious presence of God, is His sign to us of the springing forth of His soon coming Kingdom. Indeed, the Kingdom of God has already been manifested on the earth in the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and then further expanded as the disciples received the manifestation and power to continue its expansion on this earth at Pentecost. Gross darkness may be appearing all around us today, however the Lord's Light and Life is expanding exponentially--we only see through a glass darkly (1 Corinthians 13:12). The enemy trembles as the Kingdom of God is manifesting in our lives and is dawning in the areas we take authority over.

Here in Israel where almond trees are frequently found, their budding is a recurring sign of hope for the Orthodox Jews who are very familiar with these Old Testament scriptures. Hope in God's ability to restore and renew, also of God's judgment on those opposed to His plan. The almond budding and blossoming brings hope and joy to all who pass by, unaware of the sign the Lord is giving them. We as believers should not just idly pass by without notice. God is speaking, He will soon thunder. We must take thought, cooperate in prayer, and praise for His soon return and the continual expansion of His Kingdom until then. If we want to see His Glory, we must open our spiritual eyes.

Such a simple, beautiful, yet powerful sign--the almond is beginning to blossom.

Jeremiah 1:11-12 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree. Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.

Copyright © 2008 by Ruth Mayfield All rights reserved. These articles may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, by including this notice.