Blessings in Testimonies That Invite Refreshing: 31 Days of Reflection

By Geraldine C. O’Neal

The seventeenth day of January 2016, during morning devotion, the Lord spoke to me the following: “Do what you are going to do for Jesus! Do it quickly, for he is going to make his appearance soon for those who love him so that they can make it!” This is consistent with Romans 9:28, “For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.”

King David in the Bible gave fearless testimonies of his trust in God. In 1 Samuel 17:34–35, David said to Saul, “Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.” He continues, “The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:37). These are testimonies of faithfulness to his servant then. God is the same. He was faithful then—he is faithful now!

“So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept. . . . And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God” (1 Samuel 30:3–4, 6).

As King David’s testimonies encouraged the author, she seeks to encourage the reader with testimonies of defeat, praise, and thanksgiving because of the faithfulness of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and the ministering angels.
Be refreshed!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 31, 2019
• ISBN: 9781728312224

Geraldine C. O’Neal

I take no credit for this series of five books on Refreshing. The idea came from the Holy Spirit who encouraged me to be encouraged myself as I seek to encourage others. I love my devotional readings and daily consecration of my will to God. This strengthens me in my walk with the Lord. I am thankful for a deeper refreshing to share with others. There is a blessing involved in the recognition of my spiritual gift of teaching as it was spoken to me. This gift has been enhanced and developed by the Holy Spirit into song as I enjoy praising the Lord, because of who he is and what he has done for me. God is worthy of all praise honor and glory. I just can’t praise him enough for his tender mercies. Be blessed by the poetry and rhyme as the word is spoken to encourage and uplift.

Book preview

Blessings in

Testimonies

That Invite

Refreshing

31 Days of Reflection

Rev.12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the

word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Geraldine C. O’Neal

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© 2019 Geraldine C. O’Neal. All rights reserved.

King James Version (KJV)

Scriptures were taken from the King James Version of The Bible - Public Domain

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 05/29/2019

ISBN: 978-1-7283-1223-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-7283-1221-7 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-7283-1222-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019942654

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

Dedication

Introduction

Day 1     Revival At Seven

Day 2     In The Water / Through The Fire

Day 3     Mysterious Shaking

Day 4     Two Ferocious Dogs

Day 5     Step On It!

Day 6     Conversion

Day 7     Bless The Lord (Ps. 103)

Day 8     Power Hour

Day 9     Judge Not

Day 10   Apple Of Thine Eye

Day 11   Canvass Trip / A Prayer For Healing

Day 12   Lights On

Day 13   Stain Remover

Day 14   God’s Great Love

Day 15   – Dry Bones –

Day 16   Letter To Waco

Day 17   Fictitious Lies About Santa Claus

Day 18   A Gift From God

Day 19   Shortchanging Ourselves / While We Underestimate God

Day 20   Reverence In The Sanctuary

Day 21   ’09 / 2016 Revelations

Day 22   Let Heaven Begin Here

Day 23   Faith - Love – Peace

Day 24   Repent Now – Try Jesus

Day 25   Why Don’t We Get Real With God?

Day 26   Beautiful Relationships With God’s Other Creatures

Day 27   Victory

Day 28   Angels Of Light Or Ministering Spirits

Day 29   Trials And Tribulations

Day 30   And In Conclusion Of The Whole Matter

Day 31   Letting Go Of The Past While Trusting God For "

The Future

Epilogue

DEDICATION

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful

in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience

and longsuffering with joyfulness;

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be

partakers of the inheritance of the saints of light;

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath

translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son;

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and

that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones,

or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by him, and for him;

And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Colossions1:10-17

INTRODUCTION

I will begin by saying that this book was not designed to be a daily devotional.

The author decided to take the largest number of days in a month and include a testimony for each day. Of course that is 31 days.

I’m sure you can stop and reflect upon the way in which the Lord has blessed and kept you, as well. It’s much like a song which says "Count Your Many Blessings - See What God Has Done." The blessing lies in reading the testimonies of God’s favor, protection, mercies and grace to the author and to others.

Scripture and Poetry are included to enhance the experience.

Be Refreshed!

Day 1

Revival At Seven

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Prov. 8:17

Often as a child I would wonder about God. I’d hear so much talk about God from Mama, Church and School (Catholic). All of this talk caused me to develop a desire to know Him for myself. If He was really real, then I needed to experience Him for myself. I had a praying mother and I was taught prayer early at her knees. My sister and I would hear prayer coming from her room and it became almost a joke. Oh that’s Mama praying. But thank God Mama prayed. Her praying always sparked a deep interest inside of me. Despite the fact that she is no longer here, I believe those prayers still ascend around the throne of grace as a sweet fragrance unto God.

We were members of a Methodist church and there came a time of revival meeting of which we attended. During the meeting one night when the preacher made his appeal, I stood up and accepted Christ. I know others had the moaner’s bench experience. That was where some who had been sitting on the bench (which was located at the front of the church) also knelt and prayed while waiting to come through. That waiting was considered tarrying to receive the Holy Ghost. Again, when the preacher made his appeal, a voice spoke to me to go. I just couldn’t stay in my seat any longer. I gave the preacher my hand and gave God my heart.

GOT GOOD RELIGION?

Remember accepting the Lord at the tender age of seven,

Had heard so much talk, songs and prayer about heaven;

One night in a revival I heard the preacher make,

an appeal to all who wanted a heavenly crown to take.

Some would sit on the moaners bench agonizing so very long,

For many mistakes and sins — things that were done all wrong;

Wanted to get all that straight so that Jesus they could meet,

But when the Holy Spirit spoke I got up out of my seat.

Gave Jesus my heart that night, even then,

for I knew it was right — there could be no better friend;

If you seek Him early, Him you will surely find,

Mercy and grace available to enlighten the dullest mind.

Prov. 8: 17; James 1: 27

I wonder how many who feel God tugging at their heart’s door and reject it, may never have that opportunity AGAIN. Satan would rather cut us off in our sins rather than to see us surrender our all unto God. The conflict or the war that is being fought is for the soul; and Satan and his imps are relentless in their efforts to obtain the mastery. I pray right now that the refreshing of the Lord may come upon us and enable us to make a full surrender, yielding ourselves to God’s leading.

FULL SURRENDER

Help us to make a full surrender of all passions and pride,

So that angels of God may walk in harmony by our side;

They know the thoughts we think, although from God we try to hide,

Our thoughts must be focused on Jesus for the Holy Spirit to reside.

We must surrender all actions — our entire being to God alone,

His will, not our will is a completely full surrendered tone;

A teachable contrite spirit that is always anxious and ready to learn,

All that is written in the Bible for us to spiritually discern.

With a full surrender, your battles become God’s to fight,

In any situation, trust His will to always come out right;

He will take away the stony heart, and give you a heart of flesh made tender,

And help you until you finally reach a point of full surrender.

Ezekiel 11: 19

Refreshing Thought: …for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children. Is.49:25

BRING THE CHILDREN TO JESUS

44171.png On the way to Church one day

young children with me I did bring,

One child thought of a song, then they all joined in to sing:

"Isn’t it nice to be with Jesus, isn’t it nice?

Isn’t it nice to be with Jesus, isn’t it nice?

Sun., Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs., Fri., and all day Saturday;

Isn’t it nice to be with Jesus, isn’t it nice?"

44173.png When children have a desire and a need,

for church and about Jesus they long to read;

Parents should never turn the child away,

But I’ve seen it done too much, more than I care to say.

44175.png With all of the growing pressures children face today,

How can a parent forbid a child to learn of Jesus and the right way?

The consequences for these actions are often very grim,

There’s no recourse but to leave and continue to pray for them.

44177.png Jesus sees ahead the dangers and pitfalls that they face,

In his loving mercy He seeks to prevent much heartache and disgrace;

But with hearts as hard as steel,

Parents often continue to reject love’s appeal.

I’m reminded of a youth crusade in a town,

where great numbers of children black and white, came from all around;

I’d never seen so many youth show so much interest in Christ;

But the enemy was also busy using all that he could entice.

I had become so disgusted that I tried to leave the city,

As I reached the stop light with gulf straight ahead, God gave me a vision

of Jesus on the water showing infinite mercy and great pity.

I made the turn, still determined to leave for my own and other’s sakes,

When God showed me the faces of two children that He was trying

to reach, I reconsidered and pressed on the brakes.

On my way back to town, I prayed and asked God His will.

The only response that He gave me was LOVE THEM, I suppose deeper still.

God moved in that community, people with hearts touched gave to help the cause succeed.

Everyone appreciated the things received, including donations from a store to meet the clothing need.

If parents don’t have much interest or the time to take,

they should encourage the children in Jesus a friend to make.

It’s Jesus, who puts love in a child’s heart for Him to hold,

And through Christ they can develop character’s that He alone can

shape and mold.

Children are a gift from God; They belong to Him too.

In judgment He will surely ask where are the children that I gave to you?

Remember, they have a soul that needs saving through and through,

A Heaven to gain and a Hell to shun, the same as me and you.

TRAIN UP A CHILD

Train up a child

The way he should go,

That does not mean he will not stray;

Only the seed that is planted has power to grow.

Children are great imitators,

As early as infant years;

They watch, they listen, it’s how they learn,

They even manipulate with their tears.

Tell them the creation story,

Of the first parents Adam and Eve;

How disobedience to God,

led others to deceive.

The consequences of sin

Have a long term effect,

Started way, way back then

and still causes families to disconnect.

Children Killing Parents.

Parents abusing and destroying them;

The Bible instructs parents to provoke not to wrath.

Children must honor parents, a promise of life thus stem.

Tell them the redemption story,

of how Jesus came to save from Satan and sin;

To show a Godlike character,

can be received with His help from within.

For I will contend with him

that contendeth with thee,

But we have a part to play too;

He never forces the will—we must choose and agree

the right thing that we must do.

Col. 3:20, 21; Ex. 20:12; Is. 49:25

Day 2

In The Water / Through The Fire

Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of Rams

²²And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. (I Sam 15:22)

While attending a small Catholic school, we looked forward for one big social event, which was an annual combined class school picnic. It was scheduled on a bright sunny day at our own Sandy Beach. After being told not to go out into the water, I allowed a friend to talk me into going into the water. She showed me how she was able to walk out and it appeared ok. However, she was much taller and bigger than me. She was standing there inviting me to come in. When I tried to walk out to where she was, something happened. I know from that experience there is something definitely wrong with trying to please others. All of our efforts should be engaged in trying to please God.

I began to flip over and each time I flipped over, I was being drawn out farther and farther into the dark abyss of water, so dark and encompassing. I was beginning to fill up with water inside and everything was going black. Suddenly, up out of the water I came. It was as if a strong unseen hand grabbed me and brought me out of that horrible pit, and then walked me out of the water to shore. Praise God for mercy and grace. Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus! I was drowning, but a greater love lifted me – Jesus’ LOVE.

I remember when I came up out of the water, I saw a classmate of my sister’s - just standing looking on, but he made no attempt to help. Thank God for Jesus. Jesus won’t just stand by and look on without helping - if we allow him. If a sincere prayer is made for help, you can be sure he hears and before he will let your cry go un-noticed he will empty heaven for one of his drowning children whatever the circumstance of the sea. It may be a sea of sin- Jesus