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(This post: “The Missing Puzzle Piece” appeared first on Kelly Balarie’s Blog Purposeful Faith (there was a mishap and it accidentally went live a week early. You can find it by clicking on her name above. But you will find the post in it’s entirety below. *Also may contain some affiliate links –there is no extra charge to you.)
Before we get to today’s blog post, I just want to give a huge Shout out and CONGRATULATIONS to my friend Meghan, and let y’all now about her first novel book which released today. <Insert throwing confetti here> Next week I will be sharing my review and an interview Meghan. You don’t want to miss the fun interview questions next week.
I am one of Meghan’s launch team members so I got early access to read her manuscript. I am just about finished, but I can tell you this: It will make you laugh, it will may you cry, and it will make your heart happy. It is hard to put down. I want to keep reading and not do my work. I want to keep reading and not go to sleep. I want to see how it ends, but I have to finish writing the church Christmas play. I am almost there, but not quite. You can read more about it on the blog .. next week.
Currently her book is only available on Kindle, but it is coming to print very soon. Most likely by next week. Click here or on the image below to view it on Amazon:
The Missing Puzzle Piece
By: Debbie Kitterman
I felt an overwhelming sense of sadness and a deep darkness as I looked at the face of the young girl standing in front me. She was maybe all of 16 years of age. I bowed my head and began praying for her when I had the thought enter my mind that she was suicidal. I knew I couldn’t just blurt it out, and yet I knew I needed to speak truth and life over her. I prayed quietly some more, silently pleading with the Lord to give me something encouraging to say to her.
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She was a beautiful girl, but it was obvious she was struggling with something in her life. I had just stepped off the stage at a women’s event and the women’s leader announced that I would be available for prayer and ministry time. I no sooner had set my Bible and notes on the table when I looked up to see a line forming of people wanting ministry.
Now, this young fragile, beautiful girl stood in front of me, wanting prayer and ministry and yet, I couldn’t speak out the very thing I felt like God had just showed me. It wouldn’t be encouraging to her in the least bit. Especially if she was suicidal.
Sometimes when God speaks to us about others, it isn’t so we can speak it out, it’s so we can pray it through. I knew I couldn’t ask her, “Are you suicidal?” nor could I say to her, “You’re contemplating suicide, aren’t you?” Instead, I asked God for His heart for her. I asked if there was something specific she needed to know or that He would have me share with her. Immediately, I saw a flash of a picture in my mind of a beautiful, intricate puzzle, with thousands of pieces. The puzzle was complete, except for one missing piece.
I immediately knew what God was saying, He was telling me, she was the missing piece. I shared the picture with her and the message that went with it. She was a part of a beautiful intricate design and if she wasn’t here, the picture wouldn’t be complete, could never be complete.
She quietly began to cry and said, “you have no idea, I don’t feel like I belong anywhere, and no one cares.” I reached down and gently placed my hand under her chin and tilted her head up, so she was looking me in the eye. I said, “Yes, I do know, and I can tell you God wants you to know that you are an important piece to the puzzle. If you weren’t here, then this world and people around you would be missing an important piece.” I went on to minister and pray for her. Then with her permission, I walked her over the pastor’s wife and explain the situation.
This girl was going to need someone looking out for her. She needed someone local to check in with her, to encourage her, to build her up and to speak truth to her. She needed more help than I could give her since I lived several hours away. But God knew her, and He knew what she needed that day. He needed someone to speak life to her and not call out death. God needed someone to pull out the gold that was inside of her and speak the truth to her. God needed someone to make her feel valued and cared for.
There are people around us today that feel the same way this young woman did. They need us to share God’s heart. They need us to speak truth. They need us to breathe words of hope and life into their dry and lonely soul. They need an encounter with a real Jesus.
This is exactly why I wrote “The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement: Hearing the Words of God for others.”
We live in a time, where those around us are in desperate need of a real encounter with Jesus and in need of encouragement. We are called to encourage one another daily (Hebrews 3:13), and to build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
We all have the opportunity to #BeTheGift of encouragement others need today.
“The gift of prophetic encouragement is a necessary gift, one that the Church is in great need of during these last days.”—from the foreword by Wayne Cordeiro, president, New Hope Christian College; author, The Divine Mentor
About The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement: Hearing the Words of God for Others
“The gift of prophetic encouragement is a necessary gift, one that the Church is in great need of during these last days.”—from the foreword by Wayne Cordeiro, president, New Hope Christian College; author, The Divine Mentor
The book clears away the confusion about the prophetic gift today, pastor and ministry leader Debbie Kitterman reveals the good news about the gift of prophecy in this practical, powerful book: We are all prophetic because we all have direct access to God. Prophecy is an ordinary part of the Christian life. In fact, it is God’s way for us to encourage and strengthen the Body of Christ.
So, open your ears to hear God and break out of your comfort zone to deliver His messages to those who need them most. Act now—His words can’t wait!
Prophetic Encouragement is Full of powerful testimonies and practical application, this book will help you break out of your comfort zone and embrace a lifestyle of encouraging others–just as Jesus did. You will learn how to deepen your relationship with God, open a direct line of communication with him, and share his words with others.
The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement is completely unique in challenging believers to be the gift of encouragement others need today. This book is written to give an interactive experience. Here are the book’s features:
- Teaching on the gift of prophetic encouragement
- Activation Prayers and Activation Exercises to take you deeper.
- Testimonies that will build your faith and increase your boldness.
- A profound foreword by Wayne Corderio
- Chapter questions for personal study or discussion
Debbie Kitterman is a natural born encourager who is on fire for God. She is passionate about equipping individuals, so they can go deeper in the relationship with God, reach their God-potential and claim their Kingdom inheritance. Debbie is a wife, mother, author, pastor, speaker and the founder of “Dare 2 Hear,” a ministry that trains individuals to hear the voice of God. She travels to churches internationally and is the founder and teacher of d2htraining.com, an online course designed to equip the believer in releasing God’s heart. Her writing and teachings inspire faith and build bridges for people to believe and expect the impossible. She is also an ordained Foursquare pastor, currently serving with her husband, John, as senior pastor of Restoration Church in Lacey, Washington. Learn more at: www.debbiekitterman.com
Follow Debbie Kitterman
Blog :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Instagram :: Pinterest :: FB Ministry Page :: LinkedIn :: Google+:: YouTube
This weeks most clicked post is from Bethany over at Mama Finds Her Way:
Being that I am an extrovert/introvert I really appreciate the 13 things that Bethany listed. If your an introvert or know an introvert, you should hop on over and check her post out after you link up below.
Bethany – thank you for your definition of what an introvert is, because most people tell me I am NOT an introvert. But I do need time to myself to recharge.
Again Welcome and Thank you for joining me for #TuneInThursday it is an honor to have you here!
I have had a few people ask for a badge/button to display on your blogs. I would absolutely be honored if you would display it, or link back here in some way. Thank you!
Now let’s get this party started, feel free to link 1-3 posts:
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Do you wonder if God still speaks today? Do you wonder if He would ever speak to you personally? Do you long to hear the voice of God in your life?
Have your read other books on hearing from God, but long for hands on practical application? or are you looking for ways to move you forward hearing from God?
If you answered YES to any of those questions, then I have exactly what you need. I now have an online e-course designed to equip you in understanding that God still speaks today, and He longs to speak directly to you, through His word, and others. He longs to encourage you, strengthen you and comfort you. The training on this site, is fully based on Scripture, and taken from my training manual Releasing God’s heart through Hearing His Voice.
God is speaking, Can you Hear Him?
d2htrainging.com membership site is open, I invite you to check it out today, and develop a deeper relationship with the Lord, as you learn to hear Him speak to your heart.
Looking for other Great Inspirational Parties. Click Here to see where I Link-Up weekly.
Several Submissions have been featured at Blessed Transgressions, an Online Magazine:
Balancing the Warrior & the Princess We’re Called to Be
Trusting God When it Seems Illogical
Will You Sit with Me? (Jesus is Calling.)
My Post: The Reluctant Encourager was featured here:
My Posts: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year & And So Do We! & Know Your Why & Jesus in Us! were featured here:
My Post #BeTheGift was featured here:
My Post “Climb Every Mountain” was featured in the August monthly link-up at : Life on Intention Link-up Party
My Posts: “Will You Sit with Me?” & New Mercies Everyday & Wait for it were featured here:
My Post: The Power of your Story and #TeamJesus were featured here:
My Post “What’s in a Name?” was featured here:
My Post: “The Journey through Change” was featured here:
Again, I have been know to link to the following Inspirational Parties:
Debbie, I so appreciate the way you make your heart available to those God brings across your path! No wonder He assigned you the task of writing a book on encouragement!
Thank you so much Michele for your words of encouragement. I do take the responsibility very seriously and want to handle to opportunities God gives me honorably. 🙂
Debbie, how utterly important it is to be sensitive to Holy Spirit. I believe my great summer of grief is abating. I’m coming up for air. I wanted to come over and link with you today, sister. xo
Hello and welcome back Susan! You have been missed. So glad you came by to link up and that things seems to be easing some. Coming up for air is a good thing too. HUGS
Debbie, if anyone could encourage that desperate young girl, it would be you. I hope she gets the help and encouragement she needs.
Oh Thank you so much for your kind words Laurie. I believe she did and is. 🙂
I need constant reminders that because Jesus is in me, every time I encounter someone else they are encountering Jesus. laurensparks.net
I sometimes need the reminder of that very thing too Lauren. Glad I could be of some help with that gentle reminder.
Wonderful features this week! Thank you for hosting this opportunity to bring bloggers together and share their posts. I look forward to your party each week. #OverTheMoon #WWBlogHop #ThursdayFavoriteThings.
thanks Marilyn – you can sure bet you will see me this week!
Such an important topic, to bring life not death & to be sensitive to what God is revealing to us about those He wants us to pray & minister to!
Jennifer
I agree with you Jennifer. It is such an important and yet sensitive topic. But at the same time, we need to listen to the prompting of the Lord and being will to walk in sensitive as we step out to obey what he’s asking us to say.
Very lovely words and it is something that I need to think about. Thanks for talking about this very important subject. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you are having a wonderful weekend.
Thank you Patrick.. I had a family wedding in another state so I spent part of my weekend driving and the other party celebrating with family. It was most definitely good. I am so glad I gave you some things to think about in my post. Blessings
What a great story! There have been times I knew there was something I was supposed to say but I wasn’t sure how—this is an encouraging reminder that God will open up the opportunity and give the words to speak.
Thank you so much, Susan! I have been in those tough places too. The ones where we know we should say something, but aren’t sure exactly what to say. There have been times before when I remained silent, but then I learned I can ask God what he would like me to share and if He gives me something then I move ahead. Thanks for stopping by and commenting today.
Awww, Debbie. What a beautiful post. What you said about sometimes God doesn’t show us things to speak to another so much as to pray for them, and to have insight about how to pray for them. I love this. I need to remember it, especially in my interactions with my boys during these teen years.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story.
Thank you so much Jeanne 🙂 I had to learn the hard way that there are some things just for us to pray through and other things we can share. I just wish I would have learned that lesson when my kids were in their teens. But I have learned the power of saying I am sorry. I am glad my story touched you 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Debbie, so glad you were listening to the Holy Spirit. Sometimes what He shows us is NOT to be spoken right then. May we all be listening!
Thanks Jerralea! I am so glad I had learned the importance of listening and not always speaking by this time. I was so honored God would bless me with being trusted and gave me the opportunity to minister to her and speak truth and love in a gentle way. I agree – may we all be listening! Blessings to you
I love this story and especially how you listened to God and spoke a beautiful truth to this precious child of His – Great post!
Thank you so much Sue. I am so very grateful I had learned to listen and that I don’t always have to speak.
I hope I can encourage others like this pointing to the love of God. Thanks for sharing on the #LMMLinkup this week.
Mary, I believe you can encourage others just like this, a willing heart is the first step/ 🙂 Blessings