I woke up with this word and a testimony of God’s goodness, love, and mercy.
About three weeks ago, I received a private text. It read, “I need you to pray for a friend of mine. She is pregnant and going to the doctors. They are saying she has to have an emergency operation. The baby is in danger. She told me what the issue was. “Please pray she’s scared.” I wrote out the prayer in faith, believing God would touch this little baby, and sent to her to read to her friend. However, something was different in my Spirit. I knew this baby would not require the operation. I felt God heard that prayer and Himself took that bone and placed it where it needed to be, away from the vital organs. This was going to be a testimony of God’s healing touch.
As I was opening the door, God spoke to me, “Go back and tell her no operation and miraculously healed. I responded. God, I don’t know this woman not even her name." But, I went and sent her the message “Oh ok. Great. If any issues the baby ok. Well I’m going to pray no operation and miraculously gone in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth .” Now, I was asking God to miraculously, put that bone of that unborn baby back to place supernaturally, without the operation, I now waited to hear back. “NO SURGERY NEEDED AND HER AND THE BABY WILL BE OK! Thank you so much again for your prayers!!!”
Then I was reminded what Jesus said, “And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal,” (Luke 9:1-2).
This command was just not for them, but it’s for us as well. Jesus was saying to them, “Hey Guys, I’m giving you this authority to do that which I have done. I’m going back to Heaven, but I’m empowering you to carry out My duties here on Earth. Go! Heal the sick, and cure all diseases, not some, but ALL. In addition, cast out demons. Send them back to hell, and be very sure you bring souls to Heaven.” What a calling and what a gift.
You see, this is for us today, too. God wants to use us to help, bless, and save people from sicknesses, destruction, hopelessness, and hell itself. This our calling.
King Solomon, the greatest and wisest king to ever live, said something very important. He said, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life,” (Proverbs 4:23). This is a verse we should write out, and live by. Our heart is really evil. All of us are able to commit all sorts of hideous things. Some pure evil, others might not land us in jail but they are just as bad. We don’t just commit crimes that require punishment in jail. We commit crimes that hurt and break the spirit of other people, we lie and in so doing ruin and destroy others and ultimately, ourselves. We are rude, vindictive, arrogant, unforgiving and in doing so we destroy everything and anything in our path. This is considered hideous, too. We are to guard our hearts. These things kill us ultimately. God always vindicates the just.
God is Holy. He tells us to walk in holiness and righteousness. This is how we get to the presence of God and be heard. “The righteous cry out, and I hear them. I move heaven and earth to come to the aid of the righteous. I do not hear the prayers of the unrighteousness.” These are words God has spoken. Look them up. This should make us run towards righteousness and fall on our knees and ask forgiveness. Only an arrogant heart would be upset at these words spoken by God. You don’t wait to be righteous. You become righteous by repenting and making yourself right before God.
Did you know we all have a different status with God? We get to choose how much we want of Him and how much input we want Him to have. Let me explain it this way. I am the Chief Executive Officer of three companies. Everyone tries to get to me. It’s expected, and it’s very normal. I have no problem with this. I find very rare people who are willing to get to where I am. They don’t understand that success comes from the Hand of God and from very hard work. I party hard, play hard, and work hard. My kids will tell you I have negotiated major contracts walking around Disney World; they have gone on rides without me while I conducted business. Then, they went back on those rides with me once I was done. They won, and I won. They got to do rides twice, and I got to work so that they could spend months at Disney. I do this while running on the street, too, as my neighbors talk. I’m not bothered by hard work. I don’t want to miss anything God has for me.
Many times I will give people my time, hear their plans, make modifications, call in other friends on their behalf, and bring their plans on a gold platter knowing they will mess it up, and destroy it. I can’t count how many times a board member and especially my assistant came to me privately, “You do know this not going to work right? They will never bring this project to life. Why don’t you just say, 'I’m sorry we cannot do this at this time. Cut them off.’ I can’t do that. I know exactly what I’m doing. I’m giving them a chance of a lifetime to do that which is in their hearts to succeed or teach them a lesson of a lifetime. You lost big time, and you will never waste my time again. I’m not being mean. They just showed me who they are. Now they have a status with me. That status is not on the same level as those who are exceptional, ethical, and bring me honor and respect.
God does it in a bigger way. He knows heart, motives, intentions, and outcomes. I’m at a disadvantage. I don’t know the intent of the heart. In fact, I can’t judge the heart at all. God can and does. So, if the person plays games, He knows. Since, I know this to be true, I position myself to receive that which I petitioned Heaven for. My status before God needs to be in excellent standing, meaning righteous and holy before Him. Then, He hears me. I’m blessed, everything I touch is blessed, and everyone who is seriously working with me is blessed.
What I just wrote about is not egotistical, prideful, show off, boastful, bragging, or trying to bring myself glory. I’m sharing with you a very important truth. A truth that means the difference between life or death. Receiving from God or being rejected. God is clear. “His ears are closed to the unrighteous.” This is not funny because of Jesus’ words of who a true disciple of His is. This is no joking matter especially to those who are ministers of the Word of God as I am. “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test,” 2 Corinthians 13:5. You see that? We can’t afford to joke around with the Word of God. Peoples lives depend on us, too.
So why is this important? We don’t just live our lives for ourselves in such a selfish way. We live a life or righteousness and holiness because there’s a call by God Himself on His disciples. The sick, diseases, and illnesses are all around us. Those oppressed by evil spirits are all around us. They need healing, deliverance, and salvation. We are called to do just that. If we are not right, we cannot help them. We bring more harm then good by our disobedience and obstinate behaviors.
Do you hear me today? We must decide who we are going to be. This choice might mean you will be despised, hated, and persecuted. It’s ok! You need God desperately to navigate this life of yours and then help those who are suffering. God HEARS ONLY the prayers of the righteous in heart. This means you must have a humble and contrite heart. Choose today who you will be. I pray you will be in good standing with God. This is the calling of the believer.
Rev. Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro Founder and President at Thread of Hope, Inc.