Katrina... means "pure"

I have constant prayers going out for all of those who have lost their way of life (or life itself) because of the destruction of hurricane Katrina. I believe that God will rebuild the city of New Orleans...and the surrounding areas. I believe that He will bring more people closer to Him.

A friend told me the other day that the name Katrina means "pure"... or "purity"... let's go one step further and say... "purify". I believe that God will purify the hearts of believers and win the hearts of those who do not yet believe. It is a "Thank GOD" situation that people will be saying for the very life they still have after such devastation! So let's thank Him! Let's all send our prayers up for each and every person that has been touched in this "act of God".

Many of you who read my blog, know that I enjoy the ministry of Jesse Duplantis Ministries. His ministry is located in New Orleans. I went to his website yesterday and a report on his ministry is that it has been undamaged! Praise God! Even though the footprints of Katrina fell heavy upon New Orleans... God's footprints are still being left all over the world!

I have prayed lately about supporting his ministry... as a "partner in his ministry" he calls it. The biggest tugging at my heart about this has come from God. I heard... just before I woke a few nights ago... in a snipit of a dream... "Your blessings are waiting for your gift of tithe." Instantly my eyes popped open and I felt like saying... "Wait! God! Tell me more!" I was so excited. I felt a certainty that I was supposed to contribute to Jesse Duplantis and his world wide evangelism ministry. He is truly bringing the word of God to people all around the globe. He keeps himself "accountable to God" with everything that comes into his ministry. A couple weeks ago I sent a prayer request via his website about my praying about where to send money to honor the work of God.

On Monday... August 29, 2005... (the same day that hurricane Katrina hit) I received a large envelope from Jesse Duplantis Ministries. I realized that they probably send these things out to people who reach out to them through his ministry. It was quite nice. The information inside tells alot about his ministry and how they are reaching people of the world for God. Jesse Duplantis says in alot of his sermons that he has an anointing on him of overflow. He has been sick free and has had a debt free ministry for many years. He also says that when you sow your seeds into good soil... clean soil... that your seed will return to you 30, 60 and 100 fold. Now I know that is in the bible. Luke chapter 8... for instance. Ok... what am I getting at? Let me tell you... on the same day that I received his packet in the mail... I also received a "bill" from the VA for Rich's medications from when we lived in Oregon. Our finances were such that we could not afford to send them the money. They had threatened to take part of his disability checks and any future income tax returns we may have coming to us to pay the debt. Well... this "bill" we received... said that the $3,256.49 that we owed them had a remaining balance of $.00. ((Praise God~!!!~)) *We had not been able to pay them a single penny yet.*

My husband says it is coincidence. I say... it is a "Gift of God". I say it is a blessing from Him! I am not going to question it at all. I believe that because I have been faithful in prayer about giving to a ministry of God... and have decided in my heart to give to the right one... both in prayer and in what I could afford to send... that I have been honored by God with the blessings that HE WANTS TO GIVE US! ((By the way... I have not yet sent any money to Jesse Duplantis Ministry))... But I am going to on payday!

I believe that with God all things are possible. I believe that even in the midst of destruction that the word of God can reach beyond physical limitations. I believe that my obedience in both prayer and support for spreading the word of God will honor the very God I love. Keep your prayers going out for God to reach the people of the regions devastated by hurricane Katrina.

Acts 15:16-17 "After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, that the remnant of men may seek the Lord,......."

2 Corinthians 6:1-13 "As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says, 'In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.' I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in PURITY, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange - I speak as to my children - open wide your hearts also."

We pray for a purifying of hearts, minds, souls, communities, governments, water, food, and shelter for those who seek it, Lord. Touch them and let them know it is by Your Grace that they have been saved from death in the midst of destruction. Clean up what is soiled... wash away what has been damaged... both spiritual and physical for those left behind who need Your assistance. Open wide the hearts of those who can also reach out to those who are in need. Purify our actions... purify all that is impure in us... that we may come to You clean... and bless those who are faithful to you Lord. In Jesus name we pray... Amen.