Hi everyone,
I am still in awe of how the Lord saved my life on Saturday and protected my body from any serious harm when I was violently physically attacked in New York City as I was out doing my ministry work. You can read what happened at https://goodnews.love/i-was-attacked-in-nyc-amazing-testimony/
I praise God the physical aftereffects were shockingly minimal. Emotionally I am in a bit of a struggle but I have full faith the Lord will lead me and comfort me and heal me and that He will use my experience to bring glory to His name.
This world is in the worst state I believe it has ever been in due to countless people living in rebellion against God almighty, and I am more resolved than ever to give 100% to the Lord and to fulfilling my life’s calling to help people become and remain totally devoted followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I am in a season of seeking the Lord with all my heart concerning His will for me going forward. I confess I have deep sorrow that so far it seems He is leading me in a very different direction than I so very much hoped.
But I rejoice that God always knows best, that I no longer live for self but for Him, and that I can and should choose joy and thanksgiving as He leads me forth.
I have learned not to make decisions based on how I feel, my circumstances, what I want, what others say, etc. but instead to make decisions based on God’s will for me. At long last I am wholly His. Totally devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ. No matter the cost to my flesh. No longer living for self. Living for Him.
Following Jesus involves denying self, taking up our crosses, and doing what God wants such that we need to let go of any of our plans, dreams, desires, wishes, ways, and wants that do not line up with the Bible and God’s will for us individually.
And I have learned the right way to obey God is NOT with complaining, self-pity, anger, hurt, bitterness, pride, etc., which is all sin, but that we are to obey God with humility, love, joy, and thanksgiving. The sorrow I must let go, and joy and thanksgiving I must choose. God is worthy of our love, honor, praise, rejoicing, and thanksgiving now and for always.
All this said, I am waiting on the Lord and will not act until I have total clarity, but suffice it to say I am preparing my heart and life so I am ready to take the next step the Lord orders for me.
I could easily say right now after being violently attacked that I am going to go find an easy, super safe, secure, comfortable, happy, beautiful place somewhere where I can hide away from the hard realities of this world, but I am not here on this earth to live for self. I am here to live to love, serve, praise, honor, obey, and glorify God forever and to help others to do the same. So wherever God wants me, whatever He wants me doing, I want to be humble and faithful and lovingly fulfill His will for me each and every day forevermore.
Please if you are led pray for me, my beloved special needs ministry dogs, my ministry, those around the world the Lord reaches through my ministry, and for a world in desperate need of the Lord Jesus Christ.
With His love,
Lara
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” Psalms 46:1 NKJV
“and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15 NKJV
“Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23 NKJV