I just received word that a precious woman of God, Jill Austin, has left us to be with Her Lord. I cannot imagine anyone loving Jesus more than Jill Austin. Jill started a ministry called Master Potteras she actually had taken a course in college on pottery and her ministry started out of an exhibit she did at a fair.
Jill has traveled extensively for over 25 years as a national and international conference speaker, ministering the Gospel with signs and wonders following. She has a powerful prophetic anointing and releases the fire of the Holy Spirit, bringing fresh passion and hunger for Jesus Christ!
We met years ago through mutual friends when she spoke at home groups in San Diego. I can remember so many stories of how this single woman would travel where ever she was asked to go, to teach preach and heal in the Name of Jesus, regardless of distance, or weather conditions! Many times it was her faith that got her there, especially in those early years.
As part of her legacy to us, and it is a big one, I want to share my favorite story from Jill’s ministry. Jill was asked to minister in a foreign country. One of the Preachers who hear about her invited her to his church. As she began to speak she notice 4 or 5 men in the back, criticizing and grumbling about a woman preaching. They were not very quiet and she was well aware of their sentiments as they were vocal. It turned out that they were Elders in the church.
The Holy Spirit spoke to Jill and told her to invite them to the platform, and she did. Then the Holy Spirit told her not to touch them or speak, just to watch. Each man was picked up, one after another, thrown on the back drop and fell to the floor. The Holy Spirit said for Jill to ask them if they had any thing they would like share. Humbly each crawled up and off the platform and took seats in the front. Jill continued to minister, and many were converted and many healed following the message she gave.
All things are possible with God. I am sure that was a turning point for those men and that church. If we have any doubt of the story we would have to tear the story of Paul being thrown to the earth (Acts 9:3) and led blind into the city, out of our Bibles. We have been told the Holy Spirit is always a gentleman….well, perhaps we shouldn’t say ‘always’ too often. And we should never doubt the power of God in any situation. The Holy Spirit has many Angels at His disposal at any time, such as Gabriel who closed the mouth of Zacharias until John the Baptist was born (Luke 1;19,20).
We assume Paul was on a donkey, and those men were certainly on their ‘high horse’; just a short fall to the ground. This jewel (story) has many facets gleaming to our understanding how our Heavenly Father can change the affairs of men through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and the Heavenly Host. There are many more stories that will bless those who know them and share them about the exploits of this Deborah like General in the army of God, Jill Austin!
We can thank God for Jill Austin, and pray many will be the miracles, signs and wonders in the months and years to come because of the legacy she left for so many! Bye, for now, Jill…..we’ll see you later!
Pressing in and pressing on….