Participants: Ruthie Jacobsen (Host), Kelly Veilleux
Series Code: IAA
Program Code: IAA000388
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00:01 Have you ever been in Nashville Tennessee?
00:04 You probably have, my husband and I were there 00:07 recently. I want to tell you about something that 00:10 happened just recently. We will be right back. 00:37 Hello, welcome to Issues & Answers. 00:40 Before we take you to Nashville Tennessee, 00:44 I would like to talk to you a little bit about unity 00:48 and togetherness. That's what our program is about 00:50 today. Unity, how we can work together and make 00:54 each other stronger. Here is something that I think 00:58 you would be interesting in too. Once again today, 01:00 this comes from the little book "Praying God's Word." 01:03 Once again today, God has a will for your life. 01:07 Christ has a word for your life and the Holy Spirit 01:10 has a way for your life. Nothing is impossible. 01:14 When we understand that? We just want to share that 01:17 with other people because in sharing our own Faith 01:21 grows stronger. My husband and I were in Tennessee, 01:26 in Nashville Tennessee for a gospel concert. 01:29 We love gospel music. There are two kinds of gospel 01:34 music, some of that is repetitious and doesn't have 01:39 it's much meaning as others, but, but gospel music 01:44 that is written based on God's word. Really builds 01:48 Faith and it's tremendously encouraging. 01:52 As my husband and I were there for that concert, 01:55 it was in this great Opryland Hotel in there big 02:00 delta auditorium. And there were probably 1200 people 02:05 maybe more. This quoted from Nashville; 02:08 legacy V came and sing the song. We were so taken with 02:14 it and so blessed. And I wasn't surprised at all 02:18 that when they finished, everybody like one person 02:23 came to their feet in a standing ovation 02:26 because that crowd of people was so blessed and felt 02:31 so ministered too and so reached. I want you to 02:35 listen to the words; this is the words of the song 02:37 they're saying. The title of it's, "What Faith Does." 02:42 You ask me why? I believe like I do. 02:46 Why I'm so convinced that the Bible is true? 02:49 Well, I'm here to tell you it's only because, 02:53 I have come through enough to see, what Faith does? 02:58 Have you come through enough to see what Faith does? 03:03 Faith seized the invisible. Believes the impossible, 03:09 receives the incredible no matter what was? 03:14 Faith moves the unmovable. The Immovable Proves the 03:19 Un provable for anyone, anyone willing to trust. 03:24 Believe and you will see what Faith does? 03:28 If there is a mountain that stands in your way from 03:32 all you can see, it will be there to stay. 03:34 God said, with a Faith of a small mustard seed. 03:38 That mountain will move believe and you will see 03:43 Faith seized the invisible. Believes the impossible, 03:49 receives the incredible, no matter what was? 03:54 Faith moves the immovable, proves the un provable 03:58 for anyone, anyone willing to trust. 04:01 Believe and you will see what Faith does? 04:04 Believe and you will see what Faith does? 04:08 There is a question for you, has your Faith grown 04:12 stronger as you have gotten to, to meet God in his word 04:18 and in your prayer time. And you just have the sense 04:22 of urgency and great desire to find someone, 04:27 who needs their Faith strengthens. 04:29 I believe this is how God works. He, he do leads us 04:33 to people. And he says, now be a blessing in this 04:36 person's life. My guest today is Kelly Veilleux. 04:40 A dear friend from Northern New England, 04:43 up in the cold, cold country, but it gets warm 04:48 and beautiful in the summer. Thank with us. 04:51 So, Kelly welcome. Thank you. Glad you're here. 04:55 Do you believe that Faith moves the immovable? 05:00 Absolutely! Amen. And proves the un provable 05:04 for anyone willing to trust. And it's seized the 05:07 invisible. Amen. Faith believes and, 05:11 and we walk by Faith, not by side, 05:14 but how does it helps? Then to get with other people, 05:19 who are also growing in their Faith. 05:21 Have you seen the importance of that? 05:24 Yes, I have. In fact, it's kind a like one of the 05:27 prayer partners in my area says, 05:30 it's like a safety net under each others prayers, 05:33 when we pray for each other, to be able to here 05:36 someone agree with my prayer or to take my prayer 05:41 even to another level maybe something that I hadn't 05:44 thought of, but while I was praying, 05:45 she thought of that. And so prays it for me. 05:48 And what a beautiful experienced to pray together 05:51 that way. It really brings us into unity. 05:53 And it does something, when you hear someone mention 05:57 your name in prayer. And to see that, 06:00 that there is something about togetherness. 06:03 God's people coming together. Amen. 06:06 To strengthen one another. Kelly, you have something 06:10 very unique going on. In Maine and that whole area 06:16 of a Northern New England. How many years ago, 06:19 Kelly started something. You won't believe this, 06:22 but it's true, it's absolutely true. 06:25 They started a 6 A.M; prayer Telle conference, 06:30 they get on the phone every single morning at 06:34 6 'O' clock. And how many of you do this? 06:38 How many in a group, in your group. 06:40 Well, there is, there is a core four or five of us, 06:43 but some mornings it can be 6 or 8 or 10. 06:47 This morning, there was 7 on the line. 06:51 And how long ago did you start that? 06:53 So, there could be four usually always, but yeah, 06:57 it fluctuate to maybe more. Yes. In that, 07:01 how long ago did you start this? 07:02 And you have been doing it every single day. 07:04 Yes, we're, we just entered into our third year 07:08 of every single morning. And it's been a blessing. 07:13 I could just tell you story-after-story of 07:15 blessings that have, have come the Lord has been 07:17 moving in our conference in some mighty ways. 07:20 And we believe that it is indirect correlation and 07:22 answer through prayer. So, what he is doing is, 07:27 bringing unity, not only to your little group and 07:31 togetherness and strengthening and bonding 07:35 that group and also strengthens the bond with 07:38 himself, yes, but it's also having an affect on the 07:42 wider church body yes, because you're praying not 07:45 only for yourselves, but you're praying for the 07:50 body of Christ. Amen, and that was really our focus, 07:53 when we first begin was to start a ten day coming 07:58 together and praying for the outpoint of the 08:00 Holy Spirit, that's would started that. 08:01 So, when you first did this, you didn't have plans, 08:04 no, that still being then, no, together nearly three 08:07 years later. No, it was, it was a ten day focus. 08:11 And we were so blessed by the end of the ten days 08:13 that we decided that we just won't ready to stop, 08:16 we just wanted to keep going. And so, it was open 08:19 into that that point well. Let's just keep going then. 08:22 And we were so enjoying, the fellowship of coming 08:24 together in the morning and praying together the, 08:27 it just has been part of our lives. 08:31 There is a tremendous strength in coming together 08:34 to encourage one another. And you know, that's not 08:36 just a good idea. That is a command found in Hebrews, 08:41 that's right. Where Paul says, encourage one another 08:44 in the Lord. Amen. So, God wants his people to come 08:48 together to encourage each other. Amen, and you know. 08:52 It only takes half a brain to be critical. 08:55 Anyone can could criticized, anyone can tare down, 08:59 if you don't like what your Pastor is doing 09:01 and you want to point out false. You can do that, 09:04 but you're hurting yourself and you're hurting other 09:08 people. It's, it's very, very damaging and harmful, 09:12 but when you are coming together to encourage one 09:16 another. Amen. It's edifying it builds 09:19 and it's strengthens. Well, at the end of our ten days. 09:22 So, after praying for the outpoint of the Holy Spirit, 09:24 which we had did received. He gave us the vision 09:28 and the desire to keep praying and to, 09:31 and he began to give us areas to focus. 09:34 And so, one of the, one other things that we do 09:38 every morning as we, we pray for our specific 09:41 Pastor of the day. In our conference, 09:43 we have around 28 to 30 Pastors. 09:46 And so, it works well to have each of them have 09:48 their own day of the month. So, they know, that once 09:50 a month, they're gonna be prayed for by name. 09:52 Yes, they do. And sometimes, we're able to follow 09:56 through and actually get a hold of them and find out, 09:57 what their, their request or other needs that are 10:00 going on in their district. Other times, if we can't 10:03 make that contact well. We just continue to pray 10:06 and in general areas, but also maybe what they 10:09 have share with this from the month before. 10:10 And sometimes the Pastors even come on the line with 10:13 us. And that's good. That's what it's a real blessing. 10:15 That's, so that's one of the key things we do as pray 10:17 for the Pastors then in our second year, 10:20 when we began our second year, we decided to add the 10:23 teachers in our conference also to that. 10:25 So, we just finished the school year of praying for 10:29 a different teacher each day and bringing them before 10:33 the Lord. And their district and their school. 10:35 I think that is so important because you know, 10:37 Pastors and teachers in Christian's schools. 10:42 Do not walk an easy walk. No. They have a very 10:47 difficult role to play. And so they need the 10:52 encouragement and the strength of coming together. 10:56 That's right. For the encouragement and help. 10:58 I wanted to stop here just a minute Kelly and role 11:04 back a little bit I, I can just hear somebody saying. 11:09 Well, that's good, but how in the world, 11:11 does it's work. How are the mechanics of this possible? 11:16 There is a great organization and you can 11:19 find out on the internet, www.greatercalling.com. 11:25 Greatercalling.com. You can go to that organization 11:29 and they give you a free phone number then your next 11:34 responsibility is to just get that to the people, 11:38 who are going to be coming together for that phone 11:41 call. And in most cases, it is a free call. 11:46 Many people now have unlimited long distance 11:50 calling, but if you don't it is minimal, minimal 11:55 charge. So, this is why? It has been so easy for you 12:00 to get your group together because there is really 12:02 basically no cost involved. Yes. And it has been such 12:08 a joy. I joining that group and then and I'm always 12:11 so blessed. Amen. Tell us Kelly, what has happened, 12:16 as these people come together 12:17 day-after-day-after-day. And just lift up one 12:22 another and lift I know, that they have been praying 12:25 for seven unsaved husbands. Seven husbands, 12:30 who are unbelievers? And we're seeing progress, 12:33 aren't we? Yes, we're, we certainly are. 12:36 We, we, we came up with the seven name the first year. 12:40 And at the end of the first year, one gave his heart 12:43 to the Lord. And he was a baptized; we're praising the 12:46 Lord for that. Wonderful! So, we were able to replaces 12:50 name with another name. And we will continuing forward 12:53 and every one of the wives report on a regular basis 12:56 to us that. The little things and big things, yes, 13:01 that God is doing in their homes. When they know, 13:04 that they're being prayed for that let that, 13:05 it just really, they, they, they're aware of seeing 13:09 God's moving in their husbands heart. 13:11 And I believe that God can do more. Yes. As a result 13:15 of all of those prayers on a daily regular basis. 13:18 Yes, while you have heard that saying. 13:20 When we work, we work, but when we pray God works. 13:23 That's right. And that's really the picture of what, 13:26 of what this is. You know, many churches are small 13:29 and not able to have for a meeting on a regular basis. 13:33 That's right. And some that do, they struggle 13:35 what really had to do an affective prayer meeting. 13:38 And that something in my conference that 13:40 we're desiring to teach into model through the churches, 13:44 all the churches is how to have really truly affective 13:48 Holy Spirit you know, powerful prayer meeting 13:51 because that what God desires to do. 13:53 And, and so by having the prayer line in the morning. 13:56 It enables folks from all over the conference, 13:59 we have geographically. Our conference is spread out 14:01 over three states. And so we would now, ordinary early 14:05 be able to get together this particular group. 14:07 We have some from way up in Vermont and up in the 14:10 Northern part of Maine. And, and just all over that 14:12 gather together on that phone in the morning. 14:14 And, and become the body of Christ praying together. 14:17 That also. Beautiful, that's beautiful. 14:20 And you know, there is something that has happened 14:22 within that group, they know, that God meets with 14:27 them. Amen. They know how necessary this group has 14:31 become and how important it is to church at large. 14:35 Yes. And the thing that I have as I have been on from 14:41 time-to-time is, it's not only the sharing of prayer 14:45 request, but it's also the, the that stories, 14:50 the testimonies, the answered prayers. 14:54 There is just a lot of encouragement there. 14:56 Amen, yes. And we have one lady that has been on the 15:00 line about a year with us now. And she just came back 15:04 to church after having been away for many, many years. 15:06 And it has just been back to church just a year. 15:08 Didn't you say, that she had been gone from church 15:12 for 40, 40 years. Yeah. And, now one of the first 15:15 thing that she does, when she comes back to church is 15:18 to get involved in the 6 A. M. prayers. 15:21 It felt wonderful. Yes, well you know, 15:22 she and her own before she came on the line in her 15:26 own time, she was saying Lord teach me to pray. 15:28 I know, there is more to this. Teach me to pray 15:31 and little did she know, what the Lord had stored 15:33 for her. She clearly has the gift of intercession 15:36 and she loves to come on the line and pray. 15:39 And in fact, she says, you know, just read this little 15:41 piece from her .She says, since I live alone the early 15:44 morning prayer line connects me with others 15:46 as we plead for the infilling of the 15:48 Holy Spirit. Sometimes the Holy Spirit takes control 15:51 of our agenda and makes it's his own. 15:53 Now, you're talking blessings and she loves 15:56 to pray. Isn't that good? With the agenda of the 15:58 Holy Spirit. And you know, some of the issues in our 16:01 life today, you look around loneliness is a big issue, 16:06 yes. People live alone or they long distances from 16:11 their families and close friends. So, loneliness is 16:15 a big issue. Another issue is letting having the 16:21 opportunities for your Faith to grow. 16:24 And this is, what I see happening in your 16:26 6 'O' clock every morning group because people, 16:30 who are lonely look forward to this. 16:32 They had got friends. Amen. Who support them? 16:35 And they're needed in that group. 16:37 So, it, it really is an answer for them. 16:41 Beautiful, amen. Karen writes this, 16:45 my five-year-old grandson wondering into the room one 16:49 morning. I was praying on the phone line. 16:52 Nana, he was pursed, his eyes white, are you talking 16:54 to God on that phone. Yes, I wish for back. 16:57 We're praying to God with wonder in his voice. 17:01 He whispers back. Nana, do you have God's phone number. 17:04 And I guess, it's true we do have God's phone number. 17:09 And day-after-day, he meets with us and we know, 17:12 that he is there. Isn't that awesome, Oh! Beautiful God. 17:15 That's beautiful. You know, my husband doesn't join 17:19 in the call at 6 O' clock, but he hears my end of the, 17:24 the prayer. And he also sometimes hears, 17:27 if I'm closing enough to I'm, he can hear the 17:29 whole thing because he hears other peoples 17:32 prayers and responses and he loves that. 17:36 There is just something about God's people coming 17:39 together, amen, in this way. Amen, well that's 17:42 what brings the unity in the church. That's right, 17:44 that's right. You know, working together and getting 17:46 to know, each other, it's all part of unity, 17:48 but when we really, when we pray together, 17:50 that's when we really become heart-to-heart with each 17:52 other. When we, when we open of ourselves and share 17:56 the, the depth of our own experiences you know, 17:59 Ruthie this is something that's happening in my 18:01 Sabbath school class. That we have in our church, 18:04 in my home church. And what a joy it is to watch. 18:08 How God is just moving in the lives of each one around 18:11 the circle? As we have prayer meeting together, 18:13 we have whispers together, and we have our, 18:16 our study time right after our church service and to 18:20 see, how the lives are just being impacted and more 18:24 Openness and Venerability. 18:26 As they learned to pray together. 18:28 Don't you think that people today really need that 18:32 connectedness? Yes. And they need a place where it's 18:36 okay to share their story, yes to ask for request, 18:41 ask for prayer for specific family members or some 18:45 specific need. You know, I get emails all the time. 18:50 And probably you do too. Someone will say, 18:53 please pray for my son and pray for my daughter. 18:57 They're going through a job situation or their housing, 19:04 they have a huge problem with their mortgage or and, 19:07 and I'm happy to pray for these people and to get this 19:11 prayer request, but that that's a different level or 19:15 different kind of connectedness. 19:18 And it doesn't somehow mean the same as actually 19:22 meeting face-to-face or hearing the voice on the 19:27 phone line. There is just a different kind of support 19:30 that you get that way. That's right. 19:32 Well, we really can become the hands in feed of Jesus 19:35 and love each other. That's right, that's right. 19:37 When we're in those kinds of situations praying 19:39 together. What have you seen happening in the lives 19:41 of the people, who have been so determined? 19:44 Because it takes, this is a decision. You're gonna be, 19:48 you're gonna resolve that Jesus hears your prayers. 19:52 And that you're going to be their part of that group. 19:55 It takes a determination to go to bed early night 19:59 to get up early in the morning and to start with 20:03 that group. What have you seen happen in some of 20:06 the lives of these people? Well, I have seen growth 20:10 obviously, huge evidence of growth in the moving of 20:14 the spirit in the lives of some people, who have been 20:17 church members maybe even there entire life. 20:21 That are willing to their, you know, later years of 20:24 of lives. So, you know, 70s and 80s up and there 20:27 and yet there was room for more growth and more depth 20:31 in praying together. Especially when we, 20:34 when we seek the blessing of the Holy Spirit always 20:37 do in our prayer time. And so I'm seeing growth 20:39 and depth. Kelly don't you believe it's very possible 20:43 to know the Lord, to study his word and to attend 20:49 church, and to do the things you know, that we have 20:53 been talk to do as Christians, but still miss 20:57 a big portion of his blessings. Yes. The joy, 21:01 the joy of supporting one another and of being part of 21:06 a group, Where Faith is growing. That's right. 21:09 We just read the words of that song Faith seized the 21:13 invisible. Amen. And, and scripture teaches that. 21:17 We walk by Faith, not by side. So, that means 21:20 we can't see the things that we're asking for us, 21:23 but we believe. The Lord just recently brought into 21:27 our class or study class that we have a church 21:31 brought an interesting person to our class, 21:34 who he the, the Lord knew, that he was ready for some 21:38 deep healing in his life. And as he came the first few 21:41 weeks and began to just open up a little bit at a 21:45 time and sharing allow us to pray for him 21:48 and to witness to him. He kept coming back and within 21:53 probably about a month after bieng with us. 21:55 and praying with us. He shared one time as during 21:59 our circle of prayer you know how they gets very open 22:02 and honest, absolutely. And he shared that his, 22:05 the God have brought conviction in his heart 22:08 for a lifestyle of homosexuality 22:11 that he had been living. And it was really want him to 22:14 just lay it all down and say God set me free. 22:17 I don't wanna live this life anymore, 22:19 come and set me free, and I. But don't you believe 22:22 that he was gaining strength from single lives, 22:27 yes, the Christians around them, definitely. 22:29 Who were living a life of victory, amen, 22:33 and this gave him the Faith to ask the Lord. 22:36 That's right, that's right, the hope. 22:37 That's right. To ask him, to help him overcome 22:41 the strong hold in his life. it's exactly right. 22:43 Ruthie, and you know, the, the beautiful part about 22:45 this is, when God brings these people to our 22:48 churches, we don't have to run out and point out the 22:51 sins in their lives. No. And try to tell them, 22:53 what they need to overcome. No. But we can just love 22:55 them. That's right. And, and live that example in front 22:58 of them. And by leading them to the throne over and 23:01 over again. They're experiencing, 23:03 the outpoint of the Holy Spirit and he brings that 23:06 conviction of sin in their lives and awesome things 23:08 happen and so, you know, this man has been on this 23:12 incredible journey and has allowed us to be a part of 23:14 that journey, which is just exciting and, and our prayer 23:17 we treat that we just recently having last few 23:20 weeks. He shared his testimony in full. 23:22 And it just ministered to the hearts in a powerful way 23:27 because he was willing to get up and share. 23:29 And you know, Kelly, there is something that happens, 23:32 when you hear, when you own mouth says something 23:36 and your ears hear you say that. Yes. It just makes a 23:41 very indelible impression on your heart that 23:44 what you're saying is true. And so when you are giving 23:48 your testimony of what God has done in your life. 23:52 It, it just deepens that awareness in your own heart. 23:55 Yes. So, this is why we're told to share and to glorify 24:01 God, it doesn't glorify the sin, but it shows 24:06 the power, amen, of God. That's right. 24:08 And so he will be stronger because God gave him 24:12 the courage to do that. Amen, and I'm seeing 24:14 it already just in a few weeks. Isn't that wonderful. 24:17 You know, Ruthie, I really believe that there is 24:19 so much more the God wants to do for his people, 24:22 corporately together. I believe that. 24:24 If we will just come together in, 24:26 in the wilderness to be unified and prayer. 24:28 That's right. And I'm, and you know, 24:30 sometimes churches are resistant to really go to, 24:34 to the full prayer meeting experience. 24:36 You know, still wanting to make it maybe a Bible study 24:39 or a focus on a particular book all of, which are good, 24:42 we need the Bible study. Obviously, but we need 24:45 prayer meeting to be real prayer meeting 24:47 where the entire time is just devoted to really 24:50 sharing and praying and lifted, lifting each other 24:53 up. Okay. As brothers and sisters, 24:54 that's what they were doing in acts. 24:56 That's right. In the early church. That's right, 24:58 that's the acts model. Amen. And you know, 25:01 Kelly I love the story, this experience that happened 25:04 in Apopka Florida, not too long ago. 25:08 This young man Kevin, who had huge estate, 25:14 he have a big job making six figure income, 25:21 but he also had a cocaine habit and through that 25:24 he lost his family, lost his job, he lost everything. 25:28 One day, he decided that he was going to just comment 25:32 suicide. His mother was praying for him. 25:37 So, he went to her Pastor's office. 25:40 Derek Morris and he told him the story. 25:43 And he said, this is just a way it is, 25:45 I have had everything and now I have nothing, 25:48 but Derek looked at him and he said, 25:50 Kevin are you willing. He said, I just think 25:53 you need to be ministered to by the body of Christ. 25:57 Would you be willing to come to prayer meeting tonight 26:00 and tell your story there and let people love you 26:02 and pray for you, amen, and ministered to you? 26:04 He said what can I herd? So, he went, he note at 26:11 the front people surrounded him laid hands on him 26:15 and prayed for him. And he, he just has made tremendous 26:20 phenomenal progress. Now, if you and maybe you saw 26:25 him because you were there. Now, at the alter on 26:30 Wednesday night at prayer meeting, if there is someone 26:32 there with a problem with alcohol or drugs, 26:36 you will see Pastor Morris, motion to Kevin, 26:39 Kevin come over here. And he appoint to this person. 26:43 Kevin will go over to that person, put an arm on their 26:46 shoulder and pray for them, whispering their ear, amen, 26:48 and pray for them, beautiful. 26:50 That is strengthening Kevin. That's right. 26:52 But he said, I really didn't know that there was hope 26:55 until these people gathered around me and decided, 26:59 it's okay, whatever you've done in the past, 27:01 we know over God, amen, who can save you and change 27:05 you, turn you around completely. And it was 27:07 through their eyes that he could see God, amen. 27:12 He could look in to their, their eyes and see that, 27:15 they were giving him hope and encouragement. 27:18 Amen. So, I just want to encourage you, 27:23 if you're in a church, ask the Lord how you can be 27:27 used to strengthen the body of Christ. Amen. By coming 27:32 together in a group and praying together 27:35 and encouraging one another as it says in Hebrews. 27:39 God has a plan and a purpose for every life. 27:42 And he had the plan and a purpose for you. 27:46 Whether your issue is loneliness or something 27:49 specific that is just that seems too big for you. 27:53 Share it, share it with someone, share it with the 27:56 Lord. And you will find hope and healing and then 28:00 you will find that God has something for you to do in 28:03 helping those around you. It's been good be together, 28:07 we will see you again next time and God bless. |
Revised 2014-12-17