Faith Testimony

I just wanted to share a faith story (testimony). Some may think that this is a strange story or maybe even unbelievable but listen to this and know that God gets all the glory. This testimony was written back in 2011. However, it is still true today and it's been 4 years now. So this is what I wrote back then... but I am still rejoicing about it today.

A few months ago... I was struggling financially and I wanted my situation to change. I had been in business for two years and I was only breaking even. Nothing of the abundance God had promised. It seemed like all my efforts were to no avail. Then I prayed in January...the Jabez prayer you know the enlarge my territory, increase me, no limits, you know the prayer. well I prayed and I felt God but things did not change.
February was more of the same. March came and I was desperate. I asked God to show me how to live in abundance. I wanted my finances to change. God started working on my unforgiveness. I want my finances to change, God started working on my commitment level to Him. I wanted my finances to change, God started asking for my devotion and started causing more ministry opportunities. My finances were still the same. Now dont get me wrong, I had the bare minimum, a house to live in, clothes on my back, shoes on my feet, a car to drive, and food to eat. Men were giving into my bosom but I wanted the good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.

So in April, more of the same I prayed for more finances God worked on me inside and out. May came and now I am frustrated, "God I am praying more, fasting and reading Your Word. I am teaching more studies and doing all that You asked me to do. When will you enlarge my territory, when will you grow my business?" God started giving me coaching program ideas and started giving me vision for my company. I worte the vision and when I looked at it I still said " Huh? God but how is this going to come about with no money, or at least more than I have." God blessed me with a speaking engagement at a women's conference where he spoke to me directly. This woman I had never seen before told me exactly what my life was and will be. I breathed a sign of relief. However, things did not change actually they got worse.

Now we are in June, My Bishop preached a sermon on Faith. He kept saying what's in your hand?" So I went home that Sunday afternoon and asked God to show me what was in my hand. He began to show me all the potential that was in my reach and how to use it. The answer came so quickly I filled up two journal books with all the Lord was showing me and teaching me. I started to see there were tips, techniques and strategies in what the Lord had given me. I started working the plan, if you will, three weeks later my situation went from breaking even to overflow. I had made some authentic connections, my ministry starting flowing and my family, let just say total turn around. It seemed every area of my life was moving in the right direction and it was all coming together...Yes even my business. Today I am awaiting a settlement from 1989... not waiting for it to settle it has settled and the check is in the mail. (I got the check too)

Listen, God has truly blessed every area of my life and now what I thought was impossible is a reality for me. I hope this blesses you.

P.S. I know someone reading this will say, oh that's good for you or yeah talk to me in a year, but let me say this... Until you are ready to stop waiting on God to move on your behalf and are really ready to go to work and be obedient to god and his plan for your life you will not experience a total turn around. This time next year you will be the same but I will not. I have learned that God has plans for my life and I am willing to live the way He wants me to live. So, don't feel sorry for yourself...get with God and ask Him...What Do I have in my hand? He will show you if you don't know and not only will He show you like He showed me, He will instruct you how to use it. The Principles He uncovered in my life was not just for me. Know this, God is a good God and no respecter of persons. What He will do for me He will do for you. Trust and believe.

So now reading this, I realize that I am still in the overflow. I have a coaching business, a publishing House, two non-profits and have started walking in my destiny. Do things get tight? Yes, but reading this testimony, I am encouraged that the abundance is still coming and God gets the glory for this story and all the stories to come.  So my life has been changed and I can't go back!


You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 
Booklindahillman@gmail.com 

Get Your Copy Now 
Will You Be Made Whole
In The Meantime

Rise Up

In this time of recession, foreclosures, job terminations, and etc. People are hurting and they are looking for some hope. they need to hear someone say, it's going to be okay. Yes, some say the recession is just in the minds of those that buy into it. Some say that they were never affected by the recession. In my time of reflection, I have had many things occur to me and affect me over the past 3, going on four, years. So I went to God in prayer. I asked him to show me where to find the strength I need to do all that he has placed in me.

The first thing He showed me was my position. This is very important because without knowing exactly where I am in life I can miss out on some great things. So he had to show me that I am still in his hands. He sees and knows me. I am in the Will of God doing what I am suppose to be doing. In the good times, bad times, and the indifferent times, I must move forward. Then He backed it up with scripture.

Acts 3:1-8

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. ” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

Now you may say how did this back up what you said the Lord showed you? Well, I am glad you asked me that. Listen to this. Peter and John were on their way to the temple at the hour of prayer. They had sat at the feet of Jesus literally and nod now they were going to sit at His feet metaphorically. At the feet of Jesus you can find strength for your weary soul, forgiveness for your sin stained soul, and healing from hurts, habits and hangups. Most importantly, you can find direction. So Peter and John were in the right place. They were coming to meet their Master. They were coming to hear a word from the Lord. That was me too. I needed strength, healing and forgiveness. I needed to hear from God.

Also, the lame man was in the right place at the right time. He had friends that brought him daily to the gate of the temple to beg for alms. To ask for help of those entering and exiting the temple. Where can we go but to the House of Faith to get what we need. We must open our mouths to ask. we cant keep hiding behind the facade of I doing okay. Stop settling for the mediocre and get exactly what god intended you to have.

The next thing God showed me was that money does answer all things but the TRUE answer is only found in Him. When Peter said Silver and Gold have I not but such as I have I give to you. He was saying that your need does not require a temporary fix. It needs to be fixed completely. Telling the man to look upon us, he was telling the man to look up and see the real source that would supply the need. Not man, mot money, not a new job but God. Don't see me as your daughter, sister, mother, brother or friend but see the God in me. Isn't Paul said it's not I but the Christ that lives inside of me. I look to people to answer my need but I need to look to God.

He was in the right place to receive the best solution for his need. He weakness exposed, the real strength could be unleashed. the power that lay in Peter and John. the power that lays in each of us. Don't be afraid to fix your eyes on a problem and speak hope to that issue.

I love that Peter and John were on their way to prayer meaning that may have need god to do something for them but they still took the time to speak life. to open their mouth. to be used of God. So what do you have to give?


You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 
Booklinda@gmail.com 

Get Your Copy Now 
Will You Be Made Whole
In The Meantime

Does God Change His Mind?

Hebrews 13:8 says Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, today and forever.

However, do we really believe that the same God we served yesterday is the same God we serve today? Do we trust him at his word. Many of us have had opportunities to sit under some power prophets in our time and we have heard them decree and declare that certain events were coming our way, that we would be able to do certain things in this life. We believed it yesterday but since our today is mix up and messed up...we think God changed his mind.

When I preach about Purpose, I always use Jeremiah 29:11-13 and Psalms 139. I think both these scriptures gives us an understanding about the god that we serve. Let's understand something, God is all knowing so nothing takes him by surprise. NOTHING! Even more importantly than that God knows what is coming up and what has already transpired. The God we serve stands outside of our time. He actually created time. Think about it. So why would he need to change his mind?

There is a parable that I use to help people understand why God is not bothered by there past nor is he confused by their present. Here it goes....

God was sitting in heaven watching the angels play a friendly game of soccer, (lol... I know someone just said how do you know. I dont but this is my parable so go with me) when his mind started to wonder. What would happen if I created a world of people with free will. A will to choose to love me or not. He saw himself creating this world and every event under the sun that has occured the good, the bad and the ugly. He saw those that would love him, those that would hate him. He saw your life , my life. He experience the pain of the cross. He saw everything to the end.... and then he said, "Let there be!"

He did not change his mind "In the Beginning", and he is not changing his mind now. There is nothing we can do that will cause God to say, "oops I changed my mind." Let me say this, WARNING always comes before destruction. If you are on the wrong path, God knows how to get your attention. remember Moses, God wanted him to deliver his people, but he did not circumsize his sons. His wife had to do it to save his life. Remebmer Balaam was going to prophesy against the children of Israel and his donkey keep stopping in the road and then revealed to him after the thrid time that an angel was in the road to kill him if he kept going. 

Maybe you are like King David and you blantantly sinned before God breaking a commandment. Even still God will send word of your punishment and judgement and allow you space and time to repent. He does not however, change your destiny, because he made allowances for your missteps, your fears, your delays and even your refusals. Just ask Jonah!

So I cant say that God changes his mind. I can say he already knows every scenario you can think of and he knows which one will play out.  



You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 
(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 
Booklindahillman@gmail.com 

Get Your Copy Now 

Will You Be Made Whole
In The Meantime

Stop Doubting God!

I think the biggest misconception in prayer is the confidence. You would think that an appropriate attitude for needy, often foolish, often backsliding Christians when they approach the throne would be abject humility. You would think that we would offer up our requests timidly, not daring to think that the Great One would think our little problems as worth his time. You would think that we would tiptoe around him, walking on eggshells of fear, murmuring our needs quickly, and then backing away toward the door.

Nonsense, says the Apostle James. You are God’s beloved child, a royal prince or princess of heaven, a royal priest of the heavenly temple. God wants you to believe in the importance of your requests and believe him when he says he eagerly receives information about the parts of your life in which you need help. “When he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does” (James 1:6-8).

Doubt comes from Satan. If he can plant doubts in your brain and lead you to suspect that God is laughing at you, has contempt for you, is ignoring you, or is blowing off your troubles, your prayer voice will be timid indeed and soon stop. But believe his Word! Claim your new identity! Speak up! No fear! No doubts! He smiles when he sees you approach.

You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 

(c) 2014 Living Above Hurt Ministries 

Keep Praying, It's On Its Way!

Thank God Elijah was “a human being, even as we are” [James 5:17]! He sat under a tree, complained to God and expressed his unbelief—just as we have often done. Yet this was not the case at all when he was truly in touch with God. “Elijah was a human being, even as we are,” yet “he prayed earnestly.” The literal meaning of this in the Greek is magnificent: Instead of saying, “earnestly,” it says, “He prayed in prayer.” In other words, “He kept on praying.” The lesson here is that you must keep praying.

… After Elijah had called down fire from heaven to defeat the prophets of Baal, rain was needed for God’s prophecy to be fulfilled … We are told, “Elijah … bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees” (1 Kings 18:42), shutting out all sights and sounds. He put himself in a position, beneath his robe, to neither see nor hear what was happening.

Elijah then said to his servant, “Go and look toward the sea” (1 Kings 18:43). Upon returning, the servant replied, “There is nothing there” … Can you imagine what we would do under the same circumstances? … But did Elijah give up? No. In fact, six times he told his servant, “Go back.” Each time the servant returned saying, “Nothing!”

Yet “the seventh time the servant reported, ‘A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea’” (1 Kings 18:44) … And the rains came … fast and furiously … Yes, in spite of utterly hopeless reports received from sight, this is a story of faith that continues “praying in prayer.”

Do you know how to pray in that way—how to prevail in prayer? Let your sight bring you reports as discouraging as possible, but pay no attention to them. Our heavenly Father lives, and even the delays of answers to our prayers are part of his goodness.

You are Bound No More. 

Know for Sure - This is a 7 Part Series - Part 3

What do we know is certain? We all have a deep desire for certainty. People search in different areas of life just to find out something for sure. As you look at God’s design for our lives, true certainty comes from only one thing. In Hebrews 11:1, the Bible defines faith as being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Isn’t it amazing that the one thing God told us we can be certain of, an eternal life through Christ, is something we can’t physically hear, see, or touch?

What we do have is a promise in His Word. Authentic believers live this life certain of one thing: we can overcome this world through Christ believing that our eternity comes from knowing Him.

Today’s Challenge: Today you can declare to devote your life to the truth. Though we cannot truly predict what the next hour will bring, we know the One who holds the future. His name is Jesus Christ. The more we trust that, the more it will be evident in everything we do. When it's true in our hearts, our actions can't help but to begin to follow. Jesus tells us the greatest commandments are to love God and to love others (Matthew 12:29-31). From this day forward, declare to live your life with these commandments at the top of the list as you become the authentic follower of Christ.

Leadership Thought: “Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

You are Bound No More.