"The Sword and The Shield"

Promoting my 1st book - Lining Biblical Scripture with daily struggles in life...

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Hi friends, welcome to It's Time to Eat. I'm your host, Winifer. I am so glad you stopped by. Hey guys, it's been a while since I've been back on. Let me tell you, the devil was hitting me with everything he could. I'm still standing, y'all. I'm still here. But I can say that I didn't. I felt like giving up one time, but I didn't. Anyhow, God kept his hands on me. Um, I want to tell you something. I since the last time I spoke with you guys, I wrote a book. I wrote a book. My book was completed a year ago, and let me tell you, the devil has been in the way, nonstop, trying to stop it from being um published. It was accepted by a publishing company, and it will be out in the market this summer. The title of it is The Sword and the Shield, and it's by me, Winifer Harris, and nobody, but God let me write um this book. Um, and it spills a lot of things that have occurred in my life. I have run across some people, they don't know where to begin whenever they're reading their Bible. They're like, Yeah, I have a Bible, yeah, I read it, you know. But they really, the thing is, um, where do I begin? It's hard to say where you begin, but in my book, the one that God has inspired for me to write, it tells private personal synapses of what has occurred throughout my lifetime and different places where I went to read the scripture. A long time ago, which is really not that long ago, but a long time ago, um, I had the same questions as to where to begin. And in my beginning walk with the Lord, I would start with Psalms because I wanted to be able to pray and know that you know I am someone that God loves, and also challenges because I never thought that I would experience man some of the challenges that I have experienced. I did not know that I would go through some of the things that I have gone through. Job was a good place to start before you embark deep into your journey because it gives you a glimpse as to the possibilities, things that you may encounter during your walk with Christ. I remember there was a time when we were really getting ready to get deep into faith, me with God when I say me, we with the Lord Jesus, is he showed me where the sun was shining, where I live, and then he showed me there was gonna be a wilderness. He will prepare you for different things. And to go into that wilderness, there were like trees all over the place, but it was dark, and he was letting me know you're getting ready to go through something that's gonna be devastating, and I did. But he also made me aware he was with me. I want to tell you, there were times going through that uh wilderness, I thought I was alone, and I would be screaming out like, Do you hear me? Do you see me? And he would let me know, Yes, I see you and I hear you. He would do things, he wouldn't say it in that tone, so don't think it's a possibility that he could, but he didn't say it like that. But he made me aware that I was not alone. But anyhow, the reason behind writing the book was an inspiration from God, because I never thought that I would ever write a book or anything like that. Um, but the sword and the the shield is a book of of God, is a book about my growth and fellowship with Jesus Christ and his Father God through the leading of the Holy Spirit. I got to know all three. Okay. The Holy Spirit would be the one that I was more resistant to simply because there's no lying to him, and I wouldn't know if there was any kind of fault finding. So I would always avoid calling on the Holy Spirit, obey me. I call on the Holy Spirit more. Seriously. I do. Well, several years ago, and I was telling you that I had a dream about a forest. I was walking towards the forest. I didn't have any inkling at that very moment that I was getting ready to embark on a journey through the wilderness with Jesus. I didn't understand that. Only thing I know is he showed me that. Okay. And I was just like, okay, that's a wilderness. And I'm looking all around my neighborhood, my community. I didn't see anything like that. And he let me know this is going to be in the spirit. And what he did through that wilderness adventure, there were people he was removing from my life because I was blind. I loved some of them more than I should have loved them, you know. Um, and he wanted me to know you still love them. But I'm cutting this people out of your life, some of them. Because the like how the how you elevate people, some of them don't elevate you the same way. They don't love you like that. They just know, oh well, she'll just forgive me, she'll do and they'll be doing stuff to you that you wouldn't be able to even fathom. If it were not a true living God, it would break your spirit and crush it. Your mind would be mush if you knew some of the things they tried to do to you. And some of them are servants of Christ. I'm serious. But anyhow, I had seen myself climbing this ladder, which is a depiction of my growth and elevation in the spirit. I really I would see myself climbing a ladder. And at some point, like there maybe have been people that were in my family's bloodline, and they were elevated higher than I was. He showed me where he had moved me higher than those. That means I had outgrown them the higher you are, and some of them were piggybacking, being elevated like that off the gifts that he had invested inside of me, and he wanted me to be aware of that. But anyhow, the body of Christ, as I was shown, is housed by children of God. There's a seat that religious leaders sit that forms the body of Christ. Whatever your calling is designated by God, that is where your spirit sits, and he is using you to fulfill and answer the prayers of those who are expressing their needs and concerns to you while you lift them up to God through prayer. And what it is, the prayers that they want you to pray. They don't feel that like people say, Oh, religion, religion. It is a religion. Um it's faith-based, and there are people that look to you to help get those prayers up there, and they don't know God hears their prayers. The Holy Spirit is there for all of us. Anyhow, they see you as the leader, yeah, and you're the one that they come through and they know that you'll pray for them. I have been told, well, when you pray for me, it just seems like it's so sincere. It is sincere. If I'm ever in the midst of anyone that is praying for me and I don't feel like their prayer is sincere, I'm shutting that down quickly because you ain't gonna just pray anything over me. Like, for example, I've had times when people say, Would you want me to pray for you? And I'm like, I think about it. If I'm not going through something where I really need that person to pray for me, I am not afraid to say, no, thank you. Or, yeah, but I'm gonna tell you what I want you to pray. Because you may be looking at me, and you may be thinking, Oh, she needs this, that, and the other. Just by looking at me, the way I dress, the kind of car I drive, where I live, how I may speak, my mannerisms. You may think that there's things that you desire for me. The devil show you things, and it really isn't what I need. What I need is for you to pray for me to get rid of that cough. I've had a headache that's so excruciating. For you to help pray and ask God to remove that hair headache from me, you know, or whatever. Or just come on and pray with me so that you can just continue to stand in agreement with me when we just lifting God up in prayer. I want to be praising him, you know, because right now, at that moment, I might not be going through something that is where I need him to pray for me to be delivered from something, keep me protected. But there are times when you may think that you know what someone needs. And I want to give you an example of this. In my lifetime, I worked as a Head Scarf uh teacher, and we had to do a home visit. So I went to visit the mother in the child's home. And the house was so clean inside, it really was, but there was only a large dining room table in the living room. Everyone had beds and everything to sleep in. And the dining room, I mean, but the living room didn't have anything, it had two folding chairs, and the folding chairs was for mama and daddy. But there was like carpet and like little carpet squares that the kids could look at, and there was a nice big television, and I was thinking, this is me. I didn't know what their need was. But this is how I assumed they needed a living room set. They didn't need a living room set. That's how they wanted their home to be. They had beds, they had dresser drawers, they had every kind of gadget you could use in the kitchen, they had a dining room table that could seat mom, dad, and all the children. And then in the living room, they had a big giant television, you know, and they had two chairs, two folding chairs, and they could fold them and put them up against the wall or leave them out. And I guess if mom and dad didn't want to sit on them, then whoever wanted to sit could sit there. But my assumption was when I scanned the room, I thought, okay, they got everything here. I'm gonna see if we can get them a living room set. And I was gonna talk to her about that later. The mom. But before I even had a chance to talk to her, I talked to the person that I go to when we need like community outreach um supplies and things. And um this is I didn't when I asked the mother, before I got get to that, because I'm jumping ahead, before I asked the mother what she needed, um, I had assumed she needed a living room set, but at the end of the home visit, I asked the mom, is there anything that we can assist you with? And she said yes. And I'm like, what might that be? And she said, coats for all of my children. And she gave me the sizes for the children, and she said, We have everything else. And so I'm like, um, we did get some new coats and everything, and I'm like, I will make sure I put this in and see what the results are. And I thanked her for inviting me into her home because it was a very warm, welcoming environment. And so when I got back to the school, and um I went to meet with the social worker and I asked her um for the coats and everything, and I had the sizes and everything for the children because they had just and then they when they got donations, and I'm not turning my nose up, but used clothing because I wear used outfits myself, okay? But these coats that they were requesting, they were brand new, still had the tags on, okay? And each one of her children, and it was six of them, each one of them got a brand new coat. And I wanted to go a step further, and I'm like, Well, is there any way that they can have a living room couch? And she says, What makes you think they need a living room couch? Because she's saying she only wants coats for the children. And she's like, and I say, Well, when I went to the home visit, I told her, I'm like, they got beds, dressers, everything they need, um, nice big dining room table and everything. And she's like, Winnifer did two chairs, that's just exactly what they wanted. One for mom and one for dad or whoever came over. Um, they had an extra chair for them to sit down, and they wanted it to be just like it was with those children. And she's like, if she didn't ask you for a living room set, she said, we have the funds right now, but if she didn't ask you for it, there we can't go and buy it and give it to her because that's not a need that she asked for. And it radiated, it resonated in my brain. So I'm like, oh my. I jumped to an assumption, I assume she needed a living room set, even though she did not ask for it. She had everything else. That's why I say that's an example I use, because when you see someone, and I my hair might be sticking up on my head, I might be looking like a basket case, you know, like so withered. But you really don't know what my needs are until you ask me. So if you say you want to pray for me, you need to ask me what I need you to pray for. That means we're standing in agreement with one another. That means so I can receive truly what I'm asking God for. So we can't assume what a person needs just by looking at them and thinking, okay, we know more than them. So, like in the head start situation, and oh, I shouldn't say head start in the workplace situation, um, for them to for me to assume that she needed something that she really did not. So I understood that. So when I say, it teaches us how to pray for not only ourselves but for others as well, all right, as a part of the body of Christ, because we can look at people and assume they need something and they might not need nothing. Okay. The religious leader is viewed by the child of God, the person that asks you personally to pray for their particular need as the vessel that the Holy Spirit listens to, and then he presents the petition to them, Jesus and his Father, in anticipation that the request will be answered. Romans chapter 8, verse 26 to 27 says, and the Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for, but the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying. For the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will. Okay. This is what my Bible consists of, so that we can learn how to recognize when God tells us, pray that scripture. Read that passage for a week, read it for just now, you know, and watch what I do. I pray that when you read my book, you are blessed and healed of all past hurts, pains, and you develop a meaningful and lasting relationship with God as you journey through your own wilderness in Jesus' name. Psalm 7, verse 11. 13a. And 13a. Um verse 11 tells us the shield before me is God who saves the honest heart. And 13A says, if sinners do not repent, God sharpens his sword. Amen. And it's seriously. That happens. So it's the sword and the shield. That's the name of the book. And um it will help you develop a meaningful relationship with God. I want to just read just a little snap here. Like chapter 16 in my book, I want to read that. It's about father and mother. Yeah. I gave birth to eight children. No husband. Not reaching for, not searching for a pity party either. Four of my children were dead at birth. They just were. No medical reason explained to me. I have two children that were premies. My son was born at 27 weeks and his weight was two pounds and four ounces. My son was born with four holes in his heart and severely underdeveloped lungs. He was born at a teaching hospital. I remember a team of doctors coming into my hospital room. It was four doctors and they were gentle, yet serious. One of them handed me a waiver of some type. They informed me that they wanted my son for further study after his birth. They basically didn't believe he was going to live. Now they didn't tell me this verbally. I told them to leave the forms on the bedside table and I'll think about it. After they left the hospital room, I called my mother and explained this to her. Well she said they want you to donate your sick child to science. Don't give him to them. Wait on God and watch how he handles the situation. I was young then. I wasn't even thinking about talking to God about nothing. My mother was furious with me. She made me feel stupid. She also said, So you think about donating a slab of meat that can't even you can't even buy at the grocery store? I don't leave. She told me don't leave there without naming my grandson Miracle, because that's what he is. He is gonna be fine. She said God is getting ready to let you know who he is. He got your attention. And she was correct. That's the first time she ever talked to me about God on a serious topic, and I believed her. She said something sometimes when God wants our attention, he has to do something like this. Y'all, I want to say my hair turned white overnight. Yes it did. That's because I was worried. I'm twenty nine years older than my son. I started dying my hair shortly after that. I didn't know what to say to God. I just asked him to save my child because I love him. One month after my son was born, they sent him home. There were nurses coming to my apartment to make sure I knew how to To care for him in the home setting. His breathing equipment was there before he got there, and sometimes my son would get into such a deep sleep, the heart monitor would sound an alarm during the night, and I just needed to gently tap his foot so he would come back to me. The first two years were the hardest because he would get into distress with his breathing. He spent a large amount of time in an oxygen tent. I am so grateful for the Ronald McDonald House and Penn State Children's Hospital. Tickets to get back and forth to see how my son's health was improving and the exceptional care that was provided by the medical staff. Went to church with my mother's sister and they prayed for my son's heart health. I kid you not, three of those holes in my son's heart instantly closed. I all thanks to the saints of the Gettysburg Baptist Church. After they started praying for my son, he stopped making frequent hospital trips where he needed to be hospitalized for weeks at a time. It stopped instantly. Three years later, I gave birth to my youngest child at the Chambers Park Hospital. She was a premi also. Weighed four pounds and eight ounces. The umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck, which caused her premature birth. Now, I was skilled with my prayer life once this little one came along. I knew God to be a way maker. She was a much stronger baby. We got through it. Sad to say, her father passed away when she was only three years old. My son's father just went on with his life. I used to try to process it. However, I just let it go. He was someone passing through my life. Sorry my son had to suffer because of my failure to be more to be more responsible. I fell in love with God. I got saved in my house. I was watching TVM with Stan and Jan. Excuse me. Well this particular night after I turned on the T turned the TV off, I led my children to their playroom and they enjoyed their playtime, and something good came over me, and something inside of my abdomen was ripped out and I felt free. And there was this peace that I can't explain. None that I had ever felt during my lifetime. I was thirty three years old. During this time in my children's playroom they weren't noisy. That was the first time I really started to enjoy my children. The volume, it was just a light hum, and I was rocking my youngest child. Once again, I explained to my mother what I felt in my abdominal area. The ripping and the light peaceful feeling afterwards, she said, That was when the devil had to turn you loose. You are no longer walking with him. You are with Jesus now. You are saved, Winifer. That's what she said. That's just a chapter there. Now these are the prayers that I prayed. I want to explain also, there's also an explanation of different things that I was revealed to me that God, you know, showed me a father and mother. It's important that children learn the importance of treating their parents with respect. Honor them. Parents also must respect their children and teach them to respect us by not provoking them to the point of anger. Now there are scriptures during the time that I was praying for my children and I still pray for my children. I didn't stop. But Jeremiah twenty nine verse eleven. For I knew the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Deuteronomy four verse nine only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to your their children after them. Joshua twenty one verse forty three. So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. Fathers are not to be put to death in place of their sons, not nor are sons to be put to death in place of their fathers. Each man is to be put to death for his own sins. I repeat, each man is to be put to death for his own sins. Myself personally, I have battled people in the spirit that have thought they could reprimand, punish, sanction me for things that my late mother has done. She's dead now. She has done what God sent her to do, and she has received what it is that He wanted her to receive. And those that are left behind. And the reason I am putting this out there is because I have received a lot of backlash. My mother and her mother had a very unfavorable relationship with one another. And it was centered around my birth, me, and who I am and who they say I am. One day I'm going to before because either dying off, they need to have a paternity test done so that we can all know who I am to put them at rest, the ones who are left here behind. And so far, um it's only, I think, three of them that are living in my late mother's bloodline as far as the children are concerned. They're not the ones who are lashing out, but the vessels that they use are their nieces, their nephews, and their children to make me aware of what they need me to know. But I'm putting you on notice, the Satan that's within every last one of you. You are rebuked in the mighty name of Jesus. Yes, you are. Be careful what you say, myself included. But he stood up and he um uh quoted a scripture like this Exodus chapter 20, verse 12 Honor your father and mother so that your days may be lengthened in the land that the Lord your God will give you. They don't remember it, but I do, because it hit. I'm like, listen to him talking about her and she's gone. Then know the circumstances between the torn relationship between mother and daughter. And it's gonna be revealed in this book. Who I am to them, who they have rumored me to be. It's not gonna be held quiet, it's not gonna be concealed. It's coming out because it's who I am. And you know who I am? Nobody. I don't know who I am because there's been so many lies. I have not been accepted by anyone. No, I haven't. And that's okay. But anyhow, he soon passed away. But don't judge. You don't know what went on between that mother and daughter. You really do not. You don't. Ephesians 6 verse 1, children obey your parents and the land Lord, for it is only right that you should do so. Deuteronomy 5, verse 16, honor your father and mother as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you might have a long life, and things might go well with you and the land that the Lord your God has given you. And Psalms 27, 10, if my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up. Amen. Anyhow, just look for the sword and the shield by Winifer Harris, and it's coming this summer. May you all be blessed in the mighty name of Jesus, and thank you for stopping by. It's time to eat. Matthew 4.4. Have a wonderful day. Amen.