When God Says “Yes”
By Liza Frampton
Our Livestream’s retreat at the Bethel Leaders Conference shifted many things on and in me. Here are a few of the many things I experienced.
Two weeks before we were scheduled to fly to Sacramento, the cancer and severe complications in my body dramatically increased. The only time I could get out of my bed was for medical treatments and appointments. I physically felt absolutely terrible during this time.
Suspecting I probably could not physically join our group, I asked God to let me know what He wanted me to do. Should I go or should I listen to my body and stay home?After two days, He clearly told me to go. I cried when I heard His answer. I couldn’t imagine getting on an airplane or being with a large group of people in my condition. So I asked if He would please confirm if that’s really what He wants me to do. I also let Lauren know there’s a chance I might not go.
After a few more days, I heard God’s answer, Absolutely YES, GO! So, instead of focusing on the physical pain and limitations, I focused more on God’s YES, and trusted His thoughts were better than mine.
In Sacramento, as my car full of five women drove to Redding, God gave us all specific prophetic words through each other. The words I received filled me with love, strength, confidence and clarity about how and what God sees for me in this season of life. I felt filled up, full and so loved before we even arrived at the conference. I’m so glad I listened to God’s will for me, rather than my own thoughts and feelings, which were loudly telling me I couldn’t currently handle a trip like this.
On the first night of the conference, God again confirmed this to me. Bill Johnson talked about things such as:
In the kingdom,
· We go beyond what is comfortable…
· We are believers, not feelers…
· We can be like Jesus who re-defined the circumstances He was in (storm in the boat).
On Thursday, I missed the afternoon Leadership sessions because I had to go get three hours of IV fluid infusions to help keep my body going. But it was such a positive experience. Everyone in the office knew of Bethel, had great things to say about its impact on Redding, but had never visited. They will now. One already has and she says she’s going back!
I had lots of healing during worship sessions of the conference. On Thursday, I saw a picture (in my mind) of an empty cockpit in an old, small plane. It quickly morphed into a new plane which I was flying. God told me I’m no longer the broken cancer patient I have sometimes seen myself as for the last 22-years. I’m flying a new, well equipped, strong plane which is even going to be performing compelling maneuvers for all to see!
As we sang the song, Great Are You Lord, God did something so powerful!!! One part of the song says All the earth will shout Your praise, Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing, Great are You Lord… All of a sudden, I couldn’t open my mouth. I kept trying until God said, Liza, your bones are singing. I was in awe (and I’m weeping as I write this). I don’t think my bones have ever sang before. So I rested my mouth muscles and allowed my bones to worship my Lord and to receive His life. These bones, which doctors say are being eaten by cancer and radiation complications and which cause me to feel severe chronic pain. Wow. Now they’re singing.
Later on Thursday, as Brad Lomenick explained the difference between our identities, callings and assignments, He mentioned hearing God say that the Catalist Brad needed to die. At that moment, God confirmed to me, once again, that the Cancer Lizaneeds to die too! I thought it already had, but apparently, some of the old was still hanging on.
On Friday, as a group of us spent time in the Alabaster Prayer House, I had an encounter with Father, which He’s slowly revealing the meaning of. My physical pain was excruciating as I lay down on the floor. Father told me to change position. I did and then I began crying as I asked Him why my physical healing hasn’t manifested during these long 22-years. Again, He told me to change position. As I sat up, I sensed Him telling me to stretch, so I stretched, as the physical pain continued to bombard my body. I didn’t hear anything else in that moment. But right now, I’m experimenting with changing my position and stretching on all levels. I trust God will reveal more as I press into this and believe His will WILL be done here on earth just as it is in Heaven.
While I came to this Leadership Conference longing for immediate physical healing, I did not feel that happen. But, I truly sense a shift in me, just like the new airplane I saw myself flying. On Monday, as I drove to my oncologist’s office to receive treatment, I suddenly realized I was driving up the parking structure much faster than I normally do. And I was singing and had a lightness in my steps, which were normally heavy with limping and dramatic pain. Two of the nurses in the treatment room commented about how different I seemed. They asked what happened during the weekend. I was able to confidently tell them that God is healing me on a deep level.
Through God encounters during the leadership conference, I am now confident that all of Heaven sings over me and the world needs to hear the song. It’s magnificent and beautiful and my song will give strength and courage to many other people. While I’ve sensed this before, it always seemed like it was just too much about me - so selfish. But now I know people will remember this song and it’ll help them break through when they need victory.
So when God Says Yes, I’ll keep showing up, even when I don’t feel like it.