Good Morning Jesus! Merry Christmas!

Rusty Enjoys Celebrating Christmas

I awoke Christmas Eve morning early at 5 AM, USA time.  My thoughts were on the last moments of a dream, a time when Jesus was refreshing my spirit and heart with His good news.  He was reminding me of a recent encounter I had with some of His saints in a far away country.  I was in a vibrant church in Asia, sitting and listening to them excitingly testify of Jesus. Their Fresh fire began to burn in me.  This is the very reason for this season of Christmas! This church was small in number just about 50 members.  Some people might think this group would not be that important so why bother going there or even trying to share with them?  But I love to go where Jesus leads me, I find His choices far more rewarding than my mere attempt to try to fill my schedule with meetings.  As I heard them share their experiences with Jesus, their love for Him, and His love shown to them, I marveled and thought back to the time when I first began my walk with Jesus.

In those days our pastor, a young man himself, encouraged us to stand up and give a testimony of how Jesus blessed us, or how He used us to bless someone else.  We didn’t waste much time since we were actively serving Jesus, we all had some good news to share!   I agree with the Apostle Paul as he encourages us from Ephs. 5:14 – 20:     “14Therefore He says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you and give you light.     15 Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people),     16 Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.  17 Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.  18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit.     19 Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [and instruments] and making melody with all your heart to the Lord, 20 At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.” (Amplified Bible)

There was electricity in the air, a certain expectancy, a wonderment in our hearts, what will Jesus do next?  I was invited to share from my experience with Jesus. Although I had prepared a message, Jesus used a few of the scriptures I had planned on sharing then led  us into fresh revelation which birthed fresh expectation.  Psa. 68:1-4:  “Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered; Let those also who hate Him flee before Him.  As smoke is driven away, So drive them away; As wax melts before the fire, So let the wicked perish at the presence of God.  But let the righteous be glad; Let them rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly.  Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name YAH, And rejoice before Him.” (NKJV)

NOTE: “What is our responsibility?” Seven times were are admonished to L E T: which means:  ALLOW, RELEASE OR AGREE FOR GOD TO ARISE IN US AND FOR US!

I obeyed these scriptures and soon I was LETTING GOD prophesy through me over many present. Jesus speaking in the first person through me was enlightening their hearts. For some they felt conviction and a need to make Jesus the Lord of their lives, for others they were greatly encouraged, while others felt Jesus presence in the room. Soon Jesus gave me words of knowledge for healing. As they stood holding their hands on the part of their bodies which were in pain, I led them in a prayer of dis-ownership of the sickness, and pain and suffering, and into the acceptance of the blood of Jesus and His stripes which will heal them.

I asked all those with one deaf ear to come forward. Six people came to the front. Two things happened which sparked even more FIRE in this church. Placing my hands near one ladies ears and praying, I began to snap my fingers and speak to her softly.  Her hearing aid which had been whining loudly with my hand near her ear, was now laying on her chest dangling from her neck. She said, “Yes! I can hear  you!” She was instantly healed! I prayed for the second lady, she too was instantly healed. I then turned to the saints and said, “These signs shall follow those who believe!” I then placed her hands on the next lady’s ears and started her in a prayer of healing, she carried on praying for healing – EXCITEMENT ERUPTED!

As she did what I did, she snapped her fingers and whispered to her friend softly, she was instantly healed! Her face lit up with joy at her realization of healing. They both rejoiced with NEW JOY, like one who receives something for the first time! Then both of them turned and laid their hands on and prayed for the next person. The miracle kept repeating itself! We all saw these four believers holding hands laughing and dancing around enjoying Jesus their Healer! Yes! Lord Jesus bring back the joy of our salvation! Also one other lady seeing the miracles taking place said, “Rusty, can you pray for my healing?” Sure, “What is wrong with you?”

“I am totally blind in my left eye,” she said.  (During these times of prayer I turned on my iPhone’s MP3 player and invited God’s  glory to fill this room, PTL!  At times He comes like a fine mist, or even a white cloud. But thanks to Ruth Fazel’s violin worship His Anointing was released upon us and through us as He filled it with His glory!!)  Not doubting a thing, I laid my hands on both her eyes. I prayed gently a heart felt prayer asking the Holy Spirit to come and glorify Jesus then removed my hand saying, “What do you see?”  “I can see only the outline of you, everything else is black.” I prayed again, “Now what do you see?” “I see your face, your nose, your eyes, everything is clear, I can see! I can see clearly!” Wow! Thank you Jesus! What faith and joy and love for Jesus erupted as we all beheld His awesome glory! Yes! Come Lord Jesus!

Mildred loves to Cook and Entertain

Fully awake now and back at home we are enjoying our home filled with the sound of Christmas music. Mildred, who loves to cook, has been making cranberry date bars, fruit cake cookies, and cranberry pumpkin bread which is her latest creation! Want the recipe? Just ask us and we will send it to you! But watch out, they are fattening for sure!  I will have to exercise more in the New Year for sure! We love to bless our neighbors so each household receives a loaf of the pumpkin bread. Too bad you don’t live closer to us!

Rusty, Becka, Mildred, Jason, Suzy and Abby Russell

IN a few hours our family will be awake again and we will celebrate Jesus birth, and join in the practice of giving gifts to each other. We have a beautifully decorated home and enjoy our special time together with our children, grand baby –

Abby – and Chef Mildred will be serving us a fine dinner with asparagus with cheese on it and sweet potato casserole and ham and many other treats!

FROM OUR HOME TO YOURS WE WISH YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Cheers! Rusty and Mildred Russell and family