Good morning my sisters-
Do you ever feel confused on what we deserve or should have, over what is real? In America, I know it can be very confusing. We are sanctioned as the Christian Nation, really? Hasn't anyone looked around. We are very liberal with not a ton of Christian values. Organizations that say they stand by Christ are falling off because they are afraid of division or worse law suits. Okay, I get the fact you don't want to be sued. But what about division? Are we going to carry the cross or are we going to move with culture?
More and more, I hear things like, "I deserve happiness, all I want to do is be wealthy and all my problems will be over, or life shouldn't be this hard." In my heart I totally agree, all these things would be wonderful but never did Jesus say being a Christian would be easy or that life would hold all our hearts desires. If that were the case, Christ would not have walked down a long road with a cross on His back. Remember, someone had to carry it for Him because He was so weak from the beating. Now I know that women don't like to hear these things because we are full of feelings but reality dictates that we must understand that our lives were not given for ease or worry of division. Our focus must always been on the words of Jesus.
Part of why I have spoken of prayer so fervently is so that we will wash our desires and our misconceptions out of our minds and put on the full armour of Christ. Prayer and the word will guide all of our decisions. More importantly, prayer will write our wishy washy hearts that tend to go toward our feelings and not what is right. I love having a heart because it loves others. I love praying for people because that heart gets wide but if I let my heart take over completely, I will steer more toward the world than to Christ's words. We can't let that happen. As warriors and sisters in The Lord we must protect the Word, believe it and begin to right our minds to the truth and not be deceived. The world will split in two someday. It already is. There are those that are following the cross and those that believe Christians are evil, wrong and illusioned. This is real. I don't care where you live, this is what people believe so get used to it. We are blessed when our hearts yearn to know what Jesus said, not what we hope for.
For the next couple of weeks, I'm going to write about Jesus said. Hopefully this will be our guide into the year and help us get closer to Him as we get close to Easter. Be well my sisters!
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others. “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. (Matthew 23:1-12 NIV)
My prayer today:
O, Lord right our hearts toward your desires and not ours. Give us strength to fight the good fight with compassion and heart. Let us not be like the Pharisees. Give us wisdom to align our thoughts with yours. You are mighty! I want all my sisters to see the greatness of believing Your words and following the cross.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Saturday, March 29, 2014
The power of prayer on world events...
Good morning my sisters-
I've been out of pocket a couple days this week. My boss came back but some others got sick so I spent my time making sure everything was running well. I thought we were on the fast track to building a solid sales plan when he got a call from his wife that her grandfather was dying. Don't you hate how life can play into a great plan? Well, I was focused for the hunt and once again, management became all important. My phone isn't going to ring, I have to make it ring. So I went back to the office, met with the production staff, built a new plan and by the time I looked at the clock it was 5. What a day! Unfortunately his wife's grandfather passed and within an hour of them getting to the hospital. So needless to say, no ones plans happened yesterday. Then I get on facebook and someone that I know was going to be a grandmother. One beautiful soul out as another comes in. We may have plans but God is in control.
The world plans too. Putin is invading the Ukraine. Terrorists are plotting on every corner of the globe. Accidents are happening, lives are being lost and men and women are finding Christ. There's a whole lot going on in the world that we don't even know. Often, I would like to be one of those people that puts their head in the sand but it's not my purpose. Instead, I find out about a car accident and I pray or I hear that someone is invading a country and I pray. I pray because I have no other plans and no power. I am insignificant in the face of war, tragedy and death. My only recourse is to set my plan to pray, whenever I'm called.
Do you think you have the power to change world events? You do. Not by your own hand but by calling out to Christ. The Israelites course was changed when they had faith and prayed. The Jews during the Holocaust along with many Americans and others prayed and one of the worst atrocities of human history was changed. We have power in the will of our Father. We can pray and God will hear our cries. Don't just look at life and feel helpless, pray without ceasing and call the name of our Father to earth. He is with us and He will fulfill His plans but we have a connection and a way to intercede for those that can't do it themselves.
Our lives are always going to be full of plans that didn't work out just the way we wished them. That's simply life. But when we look toward Jesus, He can and will change things if we petition Him, believe in Him and of course, if it aligns with His will. As I write today, I'm praying for many things. I want my co-workers to get better. I want women in every nation to know the name of Jesus. I would love to have security and know that for every evil there is a rainbow. These are the things I desire and these are just some of the things I pray for. I ask God to put people and circumstances on my heart and rarely do I not find myself praying for someone or some world event.
Our time is short here on earth. Let's make the most of it and learn the lesssons of old. Prayer is powerful, it seeks wisdom and desires to follow Christ. Be with me my sisters as we pray for the Russian leadership and all world leaders. Ask The Lord to give them wisdom and to fulfill His plan not the plan of men. We have power it's just not in our own strength. It's truly in the power of Jesus and what He came to do in a fallen world. Be well today and remember that prayer is not a crutch but an essential part of being a women after Christ's own heart.
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:2-6 NIV)
May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. Then all nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed. Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen. (Psalm 72:17-19 NIV)
I've been out of pocket a couple days this week. My boss came back but some others got sick so I spent my time making sure everything was running well. I thought we were on the fast track to building a solid sales plan when he got a call from his wife that her grandfather was dying. Don't you hate how life can play into a great plan? Well, I was focused for the hunt and once again, management became all important. My phone isn't going to ring, I have to make it ring. So I went back to the office, met with the production staff, built a new plan and by the time I looked at the clock it was 5. What a day! Unfortunately his wife's grandfather passed and within an hour of them getting to the hospital. So needless to say, no ones plans happened yesterday. Then I get on facebook and someone that I know was going to be a grandmother. One beautiful soul out as another comes in. We may have plans but God is in control.
The world plans too. Putin is invading the Ukraine. Terrorists are plotting on every corner of the globe. Accidents are happening, lives are being lost and men and women are finding Christ. There's a whole lot going on in the world that we don't even know. Often, I would like to be one of those people that puts their head in the sand but it's not my purpose. Instead, I find out about a car accident and I pray or I hear that someone is invading a country and I pray. I pray because I have no other plans and no power. I am insignificant in the face of war, tragedy and death. My only recourse is to set my plan to pray, whenever I'm called.
Do you think you have the power to change world events? You do. Not by your own hand but by calling out to Christ. The Israelites course was changed when they had faith and prayed. The Jews during the Holocaust along with many Americans and others prayed and one of the worst atrocities of human history was changed. We have power in the will of our Father. We can pray and God will hear our cries. Don't just look at life and feel helpless, pray without ceasing and call the name of our Father to earth. He is with us and He will fulfill His plans but we have a connection and a way to intercede for those that can't do it themselves.
Our lives are always going to be full of plans that didn't work out just the way we wished them. That's simply life. But when we look toward Jesus, He can and will change things if we petition Him, believe in Him and of course, if it aligns with His will. As I write today, I'm praying for many things. I want my co-workers to get better. I want women in every nation to know the name of Jesus. I would love to have security and know that for every evil there is a rainbow. These are the things I desire and these are just some of the things I pray for. I ask God to put people and circumstances on my heart and rarely do I not find myself praying for someone or some world event.
Our time is short here on earth. Let's make the most of it and learn the lesssons of old. Prayer is powerful, it seeks wisdom and desires to follow Christ. Be with me my sisters as we pray for the Russian leadership and all world leaders. Ask The Lord to give them wisdom and to fulfill His plan not the plan of men. We have power it's just not in our own strength. It's truly in the power of Jesus and what He came to do in a fallen world. Be well today and remember that prayer is not a crutch but an essential part of being a women after Christ's own heart.
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:2-6 NIV)
May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. Then all nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed. Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen. (Psalm 72:17-19 NIV)
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Fasting and Prayer...
Good morning my sisters-
I didn't sleep very well last night. I think it came from having to let fire someone at work yesterday and around the same time finding out my boss didn't have cancer. Praise The Lord for that one! I hate letting people go but I love watching people get closer to Christ. My prayer for the young man that we had to part with yesterday is that he will figure out what he did wrong, that God will lead him and that he will understand and learn from what happened. For my boss, my prayer is that he will confess this miraculous gift to everyone he knows and grow closer to Christ because of it.
I think many have misconceptions about prayer and even fasting in prayer. And although the Scripture I chose today will say that they fasted and God answered, I want to caution everyone that God does not give us everything we want because we pray and fast. Since I was small I knew that only the prayers within His will would be answered positively. That doesn't mean God doesn't care, it really means that God knows best even when we think He doesn't. Our days are numbered and they are counted by Him and even though we all believe in happy ever after, that's really not the story of life on earth. The story is about a man that came to earth to heal nations, bring about revival and be our intersessory so that there would be no need for sacrificial lambs.
I don't want people to be confused about prayer. Prayer is powerful and it's our telephone to The Lord but we must remember that everything that He does is because He wants too. This is sometimes hard for people to understand when Scripture holds true. Bad things happen even when we pray for protection or love or really anything. Our Lord is with us and he hears our cries and when we fast it's a way to get closer to Him because for once our eyes are not on ourselves but on His provision. And when we combine prayer mighty things can happen. So when you pray, remember the words of Jesus. He always prayed," Your will be done." Why is that? Because He knew that not everything would be given to those that prayed but that in faith prayers would be answered when they align with His. Keep the faith, pray often and confess your sins but above all don't get discouraged if your prayer wasn't answered the way you want. God must have a different blessing in store, you just don't know what it is yet.
Please join me this week in praying for the women of Nigeria. I received Bibles today that will be shipped and in the hands of mighty warriors. One prayer will come true this week and oh how I thank God for the provision. Also, like my good sisters in Nigeria, reach out to me and I will pray for you, God knows our needs but when we come together nothing can stop us. May God bless you and keep you today wherever you live and know that there is no greater love than Jesus.
So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer. (Ezra 8:23 NIV)
My prayer today:
O, Lord, I come before you asking you to call us when it's our time to fast and pray for Your will to be done on earth. Your call is mighty and I want to thank you for the healing you have done this week and for my boss who will tell the story. You are a great God, there is no one like You. We need to learn to pray and to fast, not for our desires but for Yours. Keep us secure in You, walking in the power and glory of Your name. I lift up women in every nation to You and ask that You would give them courage, strength and a boldness to hear Your truth. Your will must be done on earth and in heaven and I pray for that today. I would like to especially pray for Anne Graham Lotz, Lord, lift her and her ministry up, give her courage and put a crown of thorns around her Lord. You know all circumstances and she is a mighty warrior for You. Let us not lean on our own understanding but give us wisdom to lean on You. For all You are and for all You do, please bless us as we conquer our fears and spread Your Word far and wide. In Jesus Name, Amen
Until tomorrow...
I didn't sleep very well last night. I think it came from having to let fire someone at work yesterday and around the same time finding out my boss didn't have cancer. Praise The Lord for that one! I hate letting people go but I love watching people get closer to Christ. My prayer for the young man that we had to part with yesterday is that he will figure out what he did wrong, that God will lead him and that he will understand and learn from what happened. For my boss, my prayer is that he will confess this miraculous gift to everyone he knows and grow closer to Christ because of it.
I think many have misconceptions about prayer and even fasting in prayer. And although the Scripture I chose today will say that they fasted and God answered, I want to caution everyone that God does not give us everything we want because we pray and fast. Since I was small I knew that only the prayers within His will would be answered positively. That doesn't mean God doesn't care, it really means that God knows best even when we think He doesn't. Our days are numbered and they are counted by Him and even though we all believe in happy ever after, that's really not the story of life on earth. The story is about a man that came to earth to heal nations, bring about revival and be our intersessory so that there would be no need for sacrificial lambs.
I don't want people to be confused about prayer. Prayer is powerful and it's our telephone to The Lord but we must remember that everything that He does is because He wants too. This is sometimes hard for people to understand when Scripture holds true. Bad things happen even when we pray for protection or love or really anything. Our Lord is with us and he hears our cries and when we fast it's a way to get closer to Him because for once our eyes are not on ourselves but on His provision. And when we combine prayer mighty things can happen. So when you pray, remember the words of Jesus. He always prayed," Your will be done." Why is that? Because He knew that not everything would be given to those that prayed but that in faith prayers would be answered when they align with His. Keep the faith, pray often and confess your sins but above all don't get discouraged if your prayer wasn't answered the way you want. God must have a different blessing in store, you just don't know what it is yet.
Please join me this week in praying for the women of Nigeria. I received Bibles today that will be shipped and in the hands of mighty warriors. One prayer will come true this week and oh how I thank God for the provision. Also, like my good sisters in Nigeria, reach out to me and I will pray for you, God knows our needs but when we come together nothing can stop us. May God bless you and keep you today wherever you live and know that there is no greater love than Jesus.
So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer. (Ezra 8:23 NIV)
My prayer today:
O, Lord, I come before you asking you to call us when it's our time to fast and pray for Your will to be done on earth. Your call is mighty and I want to thank you for the healing you have done this week and for my boss who will tell the story. You are a great God, there is no one like You. We need to learn to pray and to fast, not for our desires but for Yours. Keep us secure in You, walking in the power and glory of Your name. I lift up women in every nation to You and ask that You would give them courage, strength and a boldness to hear Your truth. Your will must be done on earth and in heaven and I pray for that today. I would like to especially pray for Anne Graham Lotz, Lord, lift her and her ministry up, give her courage and put a crown of thorns around her Lord. You know all circumstances and she is a mighty warrior for You. Let us not lean on our own understanding but give us wisdom to lean on You. For all You are and for all You do, please bless us as we conquer our fears and spread Your Word far and wide. In Jesus Name, Amen
Until tomorrow...
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Prayer and the power of healing...
Good morning sisters-
I have 8 percent of my battery left so I may have to make this very quick. As you know the last couple of posts have been dedicated to prayer. I believe and Scripture confirms that prayer is power. When we pray, especially for others, God hears our cries. He may not answer us the way we like sometimes but He does hear us. I love prayer because when I'm praying I feel closest to God. I don't have to wait for Lent or any other religious holiday to pray because its part of my life.
Prayer in the Bible was the tool that Christ used to commune with His father. Even at the moment of His death Jesus cried out to His Father. He forgave us for our sins and took on the punishment of man. Probably the only thing that sustained Him on that cross was His cries. Why? Because He knew through prayer that His life was not His own and He gave it freely. Not many of us could do that but it was because of Christ's ability to pray and do His Father's will that they became one.
I was talking to my boss yesterday about religion over relationship. I believe in going to church and communing with other Christians. I believe and it states in the Bible that we are a community of believers under one house when we believe that God is God and that Jesus died for us. I believe that a religion does not define this journey but a relationship does. Why? Because people, which make up churches, can let us down. I've let people down but Jesus never does. He is the same today as He was when He broke break and fed thousands. He hasn't changed. That's what sustains me and makes me want to commune with my Father. I know that people can and will let us down but Jesus won't. Does that mean life will be easy? Of course not. Life isn't easy for anyone, whether you confess to Jesus or not. There is no such thing as a charmed life and there are no easy roads in an evil world.
The power of prayer can change History, bring about revivals and heal the sick. It can take a crushed heart and make it whole and it can take a wicked person and purify them white as snow. The power of prayer can take a sinner see the face of Jesus and when we pray we get to know God. All throughout the Bible you can personally read the prayers of many. It's all there for the taking. There are hundreds of references to prayer. Why? Because prayer is our light in a darkened world. People are still miraculously healed, they still find Jesus and rainbows are bestowed on the lost every day. Not just any rainbow but the rainbow. God made a promise to never flood the earth again. He hasn't. We don't need a boat like Noah's to survive because we have God's solomn promise. God told the profits of old that a Savior would come and He did. God promised Abraham that He would be the father of Nations and He was. These promises along with the promise of prayer are still for us to hear and to practice.
The power of prayer isn't some misconception of reality. It is fact. When I pray, I'm growing closer to my God. Prayer is my phone line to Christ and when I pray I'm not just praying for nonsense. I pray that God would call His warriors. Why? Because as He calls us more and more will know the power of the cross. We aren't here to accumulate material possesions. We're here to spread the good news. Go out today and pray to The Lord your God and ask Him to do a mighty work through your life. Pray for a neighbor or a family who lost someone on that flight from Malaysia. Pray for the Nigerian women that was beaten by her husband or pray for an African child that was raped. Life is happening all around us and we need faith, the Word and prayer to bring about change, so lift up the next generations and be the next warriors for Christ!
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (Colossians 4:2 NIV)
Be watchful and pray my sisters, God is hearing you! (I don't have time to read over this so I apologize for any grammatical mistakes.)
I have 8 percent of my battery left so I may have to make this very quick. As you know the last couple of posts have been dedicated to prayer. I believe and Scripture confirms that prayer is power. When we pray, especially for others, God hears our cries. He may not answer us the way we like sometimes but He does hear us. I love prayer because when I'm praying I feel closest to God. I don't have to wait for Lent or any other religious holiday to pray because its part of my life.
Prayer in the Bible was the tool that Christ used to commune with His father. Even at the moment of His death Jesus cried out to His Father. He forgave us for our sins and took on the punishment of man. Probably the only thing that sustained Him on that cross was His cries. Why? Because He knew through prayer that His life was not His own and He gave it freely. Not many of us could do that but it was because of Christ's ability to pray and do His Father's will that they became one.
I was talking to my boss yesterday about religion over relationship. I believe in going to church and communing with other Christians. I believe and it states in the Bible that we are a community of believers under one house when we believe that God is God and that Jesus died for us. I believe that a religion does not define this journey but a relationship does. Why? Because people, which make up churches, can let us down. I've let people down but Jesus never does. He is the same today as He was when He broke break and fed thousands. He hasn't changed. That's what sustains me and makes me want to commune with my Father. I know that people can and will let us down but Jesus won't. Does that mean life will be easy? Of course not. Life isn't easy for anyone, whether you confess to Jesus or not. There is no such thing as a charmed life and there are no easy roads in an evil world.
The power of prayer can change History, bring about revivals and heal the sick. It can take a crushed heart and make it whole and it can take a wicked person and purify them white as snow. The power of prayer can take a sinner see the face of Jesus and when we pray we get to know God. All throughout the Bible you can personally read the prayers of many. It's all there for the taking. There are hundreds of references to prayer. Why? Because prayer is our light in a darkened world. People are still miraculously healed, they still find Jesus and rainbows are bestowed on the lost every day. Not just any rainbow but the rainbow. God made a promise to never flood the earth again. He hasn't. We don't need a boat like Noah's to survive because we have God's solomn promise. God told the profits of old that a Savior would come and He did. God promised Abraham that He would be the father of Nations and He was. These promises along with the promise of prayer are still for us to hear and to practice.
The power of prayer isn't some misconception of reality. It is fact. When I pray, I'm growing closer to my God. Prayer is my phone line to Christ and when I pray I'm not just praying for nonsense. I pray that God would call His warriors. Why? Because as He calls us more and more will know the power of the cross. We aren't here to accumulate material possesions. We're here to spread the good news. Go out today and pray to The Lord your God and ask Him to do a mighty work through your life. Pray for a neighbor or a family who lost someone on that flight from Malaysia. Pray for the Nigerian women that was beaten by her husband or pray for an African child that was raped. Life is happening all around us and we need faith, the Word and prayer to bring about change, so lift up the next generations and be the next warriors for Christ!
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (Colossians 4:2 NIV)
Be watchful and pray my sisters, God is hearing you! (I don't have time to read over this so I apologize for any grammatical mistakes.)
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Solomon's prayer...
Good morning my sisters-
I just sat down this morning and again I was thinking about the power of prayer and as I meditated on this 1 Kings 8 was marked in my Bible and I read it. Did you know that Solomon prayed one of the longest prayers I have ever read? Yes. He prayed for his people for them not only to follow the Lord but to come to God and confess. In 1 Kings it talks about the animals that were sacrificed, so many they couldn't be counted but it's not in the sacrifice that's got me to thinking; it's in Solomon's prayer that God would continue His promise and the fulfillment of His promise to David.
There have been many after David that have come to the call of Jesus. There are many that have loved the Lord with all their hearts and there have come many like the disciples of old that have crossed mountains and water ways to preach the word of God. And there have been many that have fallen at the foot of the cross and confessed their sins and there have been many to turn away from the one true God. But if any should pick up the Bible and read, they would surely find the God of Abraham, Isaac and David and they would see the power and majesty of History.
History books recant facts, the Bible brings History to life. When I became a Christian, my pastor had me read the New Testament. I am grateful to this day for that because I was full of shame and if I had read the Old Testament first, I might have felt condemned. There are a lot of laws and judgement in the Old Testament but as I matured I saw the promise from the old to the new. The promise of one man with his God and how that promise would remain in the lives of people today.
The Old Testament is full of prayers to the Lord. But today as I sat and read this prayer I was amazed at the tone of Solomon's words and the promise that would later be fulfilled through Jesus Christ. It got me to wonder at my prayers and the hope I have that women everywhere will know the name of Jesus. Will it be fulfilled? I truly hope so. I just know that a prayer that has been put on a heart is aligned with our Fathers, so from now until the end of my life I will pray that prayer and cast a vision to women all over the world. With these words, I would like to leave you with Solomon's prayer for the people of Israel. May God sanctify these words today, not just for the people of Israel but for every nation under Heaven. Be well my sisters and continue praying. Prayers can and will be fufilled when they align with our Lord's will.
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven and said: “ Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today. “Now Lord, the God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father the promises you made to him when you said, ‘You shall never fail to have a successor to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants are careful in all they do to walk before me faithfully as you have done.’ And now, God of Israel, let your word that you promised your servant David my father come true. “But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! Yet give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day. May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive. “When anyone wrongs their neighbor and is required to take an oath and they come and swear the oath before your altar in this temple, then hear from heaven and act. Judge between your servants, condemning the guilty by bringing down on their heads what they have done, and vindicating the innocent by treating them in accordance with their innocence. “When your people Israel have been defeated by an enemy because they have sinned against you, and when they turn back to you and give praise to your name, praying and making supplication to you in this temple, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them back to the land you gave to their ancestors. “When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray toward this place and give praise to your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance. “When famine or plague comes to the land, or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers, or when an enemy besieges them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come, and when a prayer or plea is made by anyone among your people Israel—being aware of the afflictions of their own hearts, and spreading out their hands toward this temple— then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you alone know every human heart), so that they will fear you all the time they live in the land you gave our ancestors. “As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your name— for they will hear of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm—when they come and pray toward this temple, then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name. “When your people go to war against their enemies, wherever you send them, and when they pray to the Lord toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name, then hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause. “When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you become angry with them and give them over to their enemies, who take them captive to their own lands, far away or near; and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captors and say, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly’; and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and pray to you toward the land you gave their ancestors, toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name; then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause. And forgive your people, who have sinned against you; forgive all the offenses they have committed against you, and cause their captors to show them mercy; for they are your people and your inheritance, whom you brought out of Egypt, out of that iron-smelting furnace. “May your eyes be open to your servant’s plea and to the plea of your people Israel, and may you listen to them whenever they cry out to you. For you singled them out from all the nations of the world to be your own inheritance, just as you declared through your servant Moses when you, Sovereign Lord, brought our ancestors out of Egypt.” When Solomon had finished all these prayers and supplications to the Lord, he rose from before the altar of the Lord, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven. He stood and blessed the whole assembly of Israel in a loud voice, saying: “Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses. May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us nor forsake us. May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in obedience to him and keep the commands, decrees and laws he gave our ancestors. And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each day’s need, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other. And may your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.” (1 Kings 8:22-61 NIV)
I just sat down this morning and again I was thinking about the power of prayer and as I meditated on this 1 Kings 8 was marked in my Bible and I read it. Did you know that Solomon prayed one of the longest prayers I have ever read? Yes. He prayed for his people for them not only to follow the Lord but to come to God and confess. In 1 Kings it talks about the animals that were sacrificed, so many they couldn't be counted but it's not in the sacrifice that's got me to thinking; it's in Solomon's prayer that God would continue His promise and the fulfillment of His promise to David.
There have been many after David that have come to the call of Jesus. There are many that have loved the Lord with all their hearts and there have come many like the disciples of old that have crossed mountains and water ways to preach the word of God. And there have been many that have fallen at the foot of the cross and confessed their sins and there have been many to turn away from the one true God. But if any should pick up the Bible and read, they would surely find the God of Abraham, Isaac and David and they would see the power and majesty of History.
History books recant facts, the Bible brings History to life. When I became a Christian, my pastor had me read the New Testament. I am grateful to this day for that because I was full of shame and if I had read the Old Testament first, I might have felt condemned. There are a lot of laws and judgement in the Old Testament but as I matured I saw the promise from the old to the new. The promise of one man with his God and how that promise would remain in the lives of people today.
The Old Testament is full of prayers to the Lord. But today as I sat and read this prayer I was amazed at the tone of Solomon's words and the promise that would later be fulfilled through Jesus Christ. It got me to wonder at my prayers and the hope I have that women everywhere will know the name of Jesus. Will it be fulfilled? I truly hope so. I just know that a prayer that has been put on a heart is aligned with our Fathers, so from now until the end of my life I will pray that prayer and cast a vision to women all over the world. With these words, I would like to leave you with Solomon's prayer for the people of Israel. May God sanctify these words today, not just for the people of Israel but for every nation under Heaven. Be well my sisters and continue praying. Prayers can and will be fufilled when they align with our Lord's will.
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven and said: “ Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today. “Now Lord, the God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father the promises you made to him when you said, ‘You shall never fail to have a successor to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants are careful in all they do to walk before me faithfully as you have done.’ And now, God of Israel, let your word that you promised your servant David my father come true. “But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! Yet give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day. May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive. “When anyone wrongs their neighbor and is required to take an oath and they come and swear the oath before your altar in this temple, then hear from heaven and act. Judge between your servants, condemning the guilty by bringing down on their heads what they have done, and vindicating the innocent by treating them in accordance with their innocence. “When your people Israel have been defeated by an enemy because they have sinned against you, and when they turn back to you and give praise to your name, praying and making supplication to you in this temple, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them back to the land you gave to their ancestors. “When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray toward this place and give praise to your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance. “When famine or plague comes to the land, or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers, or when an enemy besieges them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come, and when a prayer or plea is made by anyone among your people Israel—being aware of the afflictions of their own hearts, and spreading out their hands toward this temple— then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you alone know every human heart), so that they will fear you all the time they live in the land you gave our ancestors. “As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your name— for they will hear of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm—when they come and pray toward this temple, then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name. “When your people go to war against their enemies, wherever you send them, and when they pray to the Lord toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name, then hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause. “When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you become angry with them and give them over to their enemies, who take them captive to their own lands, far away or near; and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captors and say, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly’; and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and pray to you toward the land you gave their ancestors, toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name; then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause. And forgive your people, who have sinned against you; forgive all the offenses they have committed against you, and cause their captors to show them mercy; for they are your people and your inheritance, whom you brought out of Egypt, out of that iron-smelting furnace. “May your eyes be open to your servant’s plea and to the plea of your people Israel, and may you listen to them whenever they cry out to you. For you singled them out from all the nations of the world to be your own inheritance, just as you declared through your servant Moses when you, Sovereign Lord, brought our ancestors out of Egypt.” When Solomon had finished all these prayers and supplications to the Lord, he rose from before the altar of the Lord, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven. He stood and blessed the whole assembly of Israel in a loud voice, saying: “Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses. May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us nor forsake us. May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in obedience to him and keep the commands, decrees and laws he gave our ancestors. And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each day’s need, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other. And may your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.” (1 Kings 8:22-61 NIV)
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Hear our prayer Lord...
Good morning my sisters-
Already this morning my heart feels light and full of joy. I slept in this morning, sent Scripture to my boss and thought about prayer. It has been on my mind a lot lately. Prayer is powerful, it rejuvenates the soul and brings us closer to our Father. It changes our hearts and minds and brings peace as we subject ourselves unto The Lord. You could say its the fabric of being a Christian.
I know that some are skeptics about prayer. And for some prayer does not come easy. They feel like they should never pray for themselves and yet, David, Abraham, Daniel and others prayed to The Lord for wisdom, strength, courage, and peace. How do you find true North? By prayer and petition unto The Lord. My journey with God came through prayer. I can remember being five years old and praying. I had gone to church with my grandmother but when I was five, she passed away. My mom was sad and couldn't face going into a church. I can remember sitting on the basement stairs asking God to make me feel less sad. As I grew, I often said the Lord's Prayer. My grandmother had taught me it and I prayed it often. When I was about eight my mom let me go to a summer Bible school and I loved it and there they talked about Jesus, His love and His desire that we pray to Him and so I did.
Throughout my life, prayer has been a staple. I have prayed in great anguish, I have prayed in times of great joy and now, I pray for Nations to hear the name of Jesus. I used to pray just for wisdom or direction and today, I still do that but my commission became much greater when God called me to pray for women all over the world. I may not know you, you may never reach out to me but God does and He wants us all to pray for one another. Our journey's are similar, our sorrows, triumphs and defeats don't change just because I live in the US and you live in China, Russia, Syria or Nigeria. The call is for every one to bow to Jesus and we are, right ladies!
In the next few weeks, I will be sending a package to Nigeria with a cargo more precious than gold. It will contain something that we can buy in the US at a click of a button. We have it on our phones and as apps on our iPad. It's a resource that we take for granted but in other countries its more valuable than money. Can you guess? It's the mighty Word of God. It's strange how what we take for granted here in my country is so precious a half a world away. My goal is to pray over each of these Bibles before they are sent and ask that Jesus and His word would conquer many women, men and children in Nigeria. This simple request is something I have prayed about for the last two years. I want to know God's women, I want to be part of His great commission and I want to do what He has asked of me, which is to preach the Word to many Nations. Do I feel up to the challenge? Not really but I know that through prayer, God can direct my path and help me be His woman. This is not for my glory but for His. To the women of Nigeria, I pray that the word of God would reign and that women from every corner of the globe will come to know Jesus. May you be faithful in the fight and may God bless you and keep you all your days. Be strong and pray that with each Scripture taught one will come to know His name!
Be blessed my sisters and know that I love you. The King is looking upon the earth, calling one by one His soldiers, please take up the cross, gather the troops and pray for His faithfulness on our lands. He is the mighty warrior, our Savior, His shield is our protection and His light is for anyone willing to hear His call.
then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause. (1 Kings 8:49 NIV)
My prayer:
O, dear Lord, come to the people and give them direction and a heart for your Word. Through prayer and supplication heal the hurting, strengthen the weak, and give courage to the fearful. Your Word is our sword, sharp and ready to penetrate the strongest of hearts. Give us a word to follow and a heart that yearns for Your presence. I know You hear my prayers and often I know when they have been answered. Millions of petitions are coming to You from all corners of this World. Lead women to You, make them strong in You so that they may carry the sword to the Nations. I am praying for those that are being faithful and are hearing your call. Bring them to You Lord and help them spread Your Word.
Already this morning my heart feels light and full of joy. I slept in this morning, sent Scripture to my boss and thought about prayer. It has been on my mind a lot lately. Prayer is powerful, it rejuvenates the soul and brings us closer to our Father. It changes our hearts and minds and brings peace as we subject ourselves unto The Lord. You could say its the fabric of being a Christian.
I know that some are skeptics about prayer. And for some prayer does not come easy. They feel like they should never pray for themselves and yet, David, Abraham, Daniel and others prayed to The Lord for wisdom, strength, courage, and peace. How do you find true North? By prayer and petition unto The Lord. My journey with God came through prayer. I can remember being five years old and praying. I had gone to church with my grandmother but when I was five, she passed away. My mom was sad and couldn't face going into a church. I can remember sitting on the basement stairs asking God to make me feel less sad. As I grew, I often said the Lord's Prayer. My grandmother had taught me it and I prayed it often. When I was about eight my mom let me go to a summer Bible school and I loved it and there they talked about Jesus, His love and His desire that we pray to Him and so I did.
Throughout my life, prayer has been a staple. I have prayed in great anguish, I have prayed in times of great joy and now, I pray for Nations to hear the name of Jesus. I used to pray just for wisdom or direction and today, I still do that but my commission became much greater when God called me to pray for women all over the world. I may not know you, you may never reach out to me but God does and He wants us all to pray for one another. Our journey's are similar, our sorrows, triumphs and defeats don't change just because I live in the US and you live in China, Russia, Syria or Nigeria. The call is for every one to bow to Jesus and we are, right ladies!
In the next few weeks, I will be sending a package to Nigeria with a cargo more precious than gold. It will contain something that we can buy in the US at a click of a button. We have it on our phones and as apps on our iPad. It's a resource that we take for granted but in other countries its more valuable than money. Can you guess? It's the mighty Word of God. It's strange how what we take for granted here in my country is so precious a half a world away. My goal is to pray over each of these Bibles before they are sent and ask that Jesus and His word would conquer many women, men and children in Nigeria. This simple request is something I have prayed about for the last two years. I want to know God's women, I want to be part of His great commission and I want to do what He has asked of me, which is to preach the Word to many Nations. Do I feel up to the challenge? Not really but I know that through prayer, God can direct my path and help me be His woman. This is not for my glory but for His. To the women of Nigeria, I pray that the word of God would reign and that women from every corner of the globe will come to know Jesus. May you be faithful in the fight and may God bless you and keep you all your days. Be strong and pray that with each Scripture taught one will come to know His name!
Be blessed my sisters and know that I love you. The King is looking upon the earth, calling one by one His soldiers, please take up the cross, gather the troops and pray for His faithfulness on our lands. He is the mighty warrior, our Savior, His shield is our protection and His light is for anyone willing to hear His call.
then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause. (1 Kings 8:49 NIV)
My prayer:
O, dear Lord, come to the people and give them direction and a heart for your Word. Through prayer and supplication heal the hurting, strengthen the weak, and give courage to the fearful. Your Word is our sword, sharp and ready to penetrate the strongest of hearts. Give us a word to follow and a heart that yearns for Your presence. I know You hear my prayers and often I know when they have been answered. Millions of petitions are coming to You from all corners of this World. Lead women to You, make them strong in You so that they may carry the sword to the Nations. I am praying for those that are being faithful and are hearing your call. Bring them to You Lord and help them spread Your Word.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
How do we start preaching the Word?
Good morning my dear sisters-
Have you ever wondered how we begin to preach the Word? I did. I haven't gone to Bible college and I'm definitely not a theologian so I have often wondered how I was being called to proclaim Jesus. I have felt pulled for many years. I always loved to write and had the ability but I thought I would write fiction. Never did I believe that I would be sitting down writing about Jesus.
Well as you all know that changed a couple of years ago. I began to write after I realized my faith was my own and I wasn't speaking it to the people around me. I'm sure it was evident but I was too afraid to proclaim Jesus, especially in public. My dad dying in the hospital is really what changed me and made me strong enough to reach the masses through my writing.
As I have prayed one thing has been made clear to me, there are those that read their Bibles and those that remember Scripture but in many they have no real prayer life. My son has read the Bible from cover to cover three times, has memorized hundreds of Scriptures but every time we talk about prayer he says it's hard for him. I get that. Prayer is personal. It's part of a true relationship with The Lord. I, however, have been praying since I was little. It's so natural that it has become the thread to my soul. I pray in the morning, as I'm driving, in the grocery store, while I do laundry and just about whenever I feel the Spirit come over me. It is a vital part of my day and a vital part of this blog.
Through prayer, God has given me a heart for women in every nation. Now for someone that isn't always adventurous even I have to wonder, why me? Well God often takes us out of our comfort zone and puts us in places that are uncomfortable. It's just what He does. But in the end, we will flourish if it's what He wants. So I have taken a step of faith and will be working on getting a book published. It has always been a dream. Writing is one of the most relaxing things I do in my day and I will hopefully be doing it a lot in the years to come. Right now though I have to go to work so unfortunately my time is up. Be well my sisters and pray, pray, pray for your direction. I don't know what God has in store but either will you without some powerful prayer time. Preaching His word comes from boldness, courage and prayer. No one will listen unless you believe what you speak.
You who answer prayer, to you all people will come. (Psalm 65:2 NIV)
Have you ever wondered how we begin to preach the Word? I did. I haven't gone to Bible college and I'm definitely not a theologian so I have often wondered how I was being called to proclaim Jesus. I have felt pulled for many years. I always loved to write and had the ability but I thought I would write fiction. Never did I believe that I would be sitting down writing about Jesus.
Well as you all know that changed a couple of years ago. I began to write after I realized my faith was my own and I wasn't speaking it to the people around me. I'm sure it was evident but I was too afraid to proclaim Jesus, especially in public. My dad dying in the hospital is really what changed me and made me strong enough to reach the masses through my writing.
As I have prayed one thing has been made clear to me, there are those that read their Bibles and those that remember Scripture but in many they have no real prayer life. My son has read the Bible from cover to cover three times, has memorized hundreds of Scriptures but every time we talk about prayer he says it's hard for him. I get that. Prayer is personal. It's part of a true relationship with The Lord. I, however, have been praying since I was little. It's so natural that it has become the thread to my soul. I pray in the morning, as I'm driving, in the grocery store, while I do laundry and just about whenever I feel the Spirit come over me. It is a vital part of my day and a vital part of this blog.
Through prayer, God has given me a heart for women in every nation. Now for someone that isn't always adventurous even I have to wonder, why me? Well God often takes us out of our comfort zone and puts us in places that are uncomfortable. It's just what He does. But in the end, we will flourish if it's what He wants. So I have taken a step of faith and will be working on getting a book published. It has always been a dream. Writing is one of the most relaxing things I do in my day and I will hopefully be doing it a lot in the years to come. Right now though I have to go to work so unfortunately my time is up. Be well my sisters and pray, pray, pray for your direction. I don't know what God has in store but either will you without some powerful prayer time. Preaching His word comes from boldness, courage and prayer. No one will listen unless you believe what you speak.
You who answer prayer, to you all people will come. (Psalm 65:2 NIV)
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Provision in the hands of Jesus
Good morning all-
Today is my mother's birthday. She would have been 70 today. Oh, how I miss her. She had such a quiet strength about her and whenever I needed her she was right there. Our relationship was not good through the teenage years but as I matured and understood the love a mother had for her child, we began to heal. Over time and upon her death we were best friends.
I loved my mom's birthday because she loved to celebrate. Most people grumble about getting old but not my mom. Each year of life was a miracle and she thanked God every day for being on this earth. She loved us but she loved her grandkids and she felt like God gave her a gift and He did. My mother was able to see every one of her grandchildren born and only then did she go to our Father.
She left many important things for me to remember. Although my mother never went to church she believed that God provided. She always said as long as we had soap, food and a roof over our head we were blessed. We were. We may have eaten the same thing for a week but we had food in our stomachs and more love than most could ever have.
My fondest memories were watching my mom be with my sons. This year they will both graduate and she would have been so proud. I miss her with all my heart but I know that the lessons she left behind will always be with me. For all of you that have lost someone rejoice in the time they were on this earth because I guarantee they left something behind.
Just like the memories of my mom, Jesus left something behind too. He left His provision. Today, all across the world people are able to read their Bibles. What an amazing legacy. Because of the Word, we are able to see God's provision from Adam to Jesus and although todays provisions aren't written in the Bible, books and blogs illustrate the mighty hands of Jesus. And as the stories of faith and trial are written be learn to believe that He can and will provide and that at all times He is providing exactly what we need.
I love the Lord with all my heart, will you proclaim that Jesus has provided enough for today. Be safe and well my sisters and help to teach our future generations that Jesus is sufficient and that He is the great provider! Be blessed today and know that I am celebrating a woman that understood that her provision was enough.
“Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’ ” (Joshua 1:11 NIV)
Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. (Hebrews 7:26 NIV)
My prayer today:
O, Lord, please provide what we need today. Help us exalt You in everything we do. Structure our days so that we lead a transparent life full of repentance so that we may know the fullness of what You have for us. Make us prayer warriors that come to You daily, crying out that Jesus is enough. Bring women to this blog that want to know Your name and that have been called to Your side. Help us find our way when we are confused and lost and give us wisdom to celebrate every year you leave us on this earth. We are Yours to watch over and to provide for. May we be glad in every provision for Your power and mercy on our lives. We have been chosen to lead our families to You. Give us strength and courage to know You more and to know You are all we need. In Jesus Name, AMEN
PS I thank God for the provision He has bestowed on me. May this blog be seen by millions of women and may they know the mighty hand of Jesus!
Today is my mother's birthday. She would have been 70 today. Oh, how I miss her. She had such a quiet strength about her and whenever I needed her she was right there. Our relationship was not good through the teenage years but as I matured and understood the love a mother had for her child, we began to heal. Over time and upon her death we were best friends.
I loved my mom's birthday because she loved to celebrate. Most people grumble about getting old but not my mom. Each year of life was a miracle and she thanked God every day for being on this earth. She loved us but she loved her grandkids and she felt like God gave her a gift and He did. My mother was able to see every one of her grandchildren born and only then did she go to our Father.
She left many important things for me to remember. Although my mother never went to church she believed that God provided. She always said as long as we had soap, food and a roof over our head we were blessed. We were. We may have eaten the same thing for a week but we had food in our stomachs and more love than most could ever have.
My fondest memories were watching my mom be with my sons. This year they will both graduate and she would have been so proud. I miss her with all my heart but I know that the lessons she left behind will always be with me. For all of you that have lost someone rejoice in the time they were on this earth because I guarantee they left something behind.
Just like the memories of my mom, Jesus left something behind too. He left His provision. Today, all across the world people are able to read their Bibles. What an amazing legacy. Because of the Word, we are able to see God's provision from Adam to Jesus and although todays provisions aren't written in the Bible, books and blogs illustrate the mighty hands of Jesus. And as the stories of faith and trial are written be learn to believe that He can and will provide and that at all times He is providing exactly what we need.
I love the Lord with all my heart, will you proclaim that Jesus has provided enough for today. Be safe and well my sisters and help to teach our future generations that Jesus is sufficient and that He is the great provider! Be blessed today and know that I am celebrating a woman that understood that her provision was enough.
“Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’ ” (Joshua 1:11 NIV)
Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. (Hebrews 7:26 NIV)
My prayer today:
O, Lord, please provide what we need today. Help us exalt You in everything we do. Structure our days so that we lead a transparent life full of repentance so that we may know the fullness of what You have for us. Make us prayer warriors that come to You daily, crying out that Jesus is enough. Bring women to this blog that want to know Your name and that have been called to Your side. Help us find our way when we are confused and lost and give us wisdom to celebrate every year you leave us on this earth. We are Yours to watch over and to provide for. May we be glad in every provision for Your power and mercy on our lives. We have been chosen to lead our families to You. Give us strength and courage to know You more and to know You are all we need. In Jesus Name, AMEN
PS I thank God for the provision He has bestowed on me. May this blog be seen by millions of women and may they know the mighty hand of Jesus!
Friday, March 14, 2014
Will He protect me?
Good morning my sisters-
I have been traveling and got back late last night. I read over my last post a million times but didn't have time to fix the punctuation. I promise to do that sometime in the near future. I even found a few grammatical errors. The reason I was going over my last post so much was I was in a place where I felt immense fear. It wasn't for my safety or even for my being. It simply was because I felt a little defeated. I used to be able to touch something in this Industry and it just came to me. Now, it seems like the Industry is not as open as it once was and my competitor and former employer is much larger than we are. I was one to ten and the enemy felt like it was all around me.
I realize sometimes when I write that a lesson will be coming down the road and yes, my sisters, it did. I guess you could correlate it to a decision, was I willing to trust the Lord more than myself? I can't say that I did the full conference but little by little, I told God that I would rest in Him even though it seemed bleak. I have to penetrate the community and get them to understand why I came back and why I went to this company. But I have to say, there were moments where I was shaking in my boots.
I have always been afraid to fail maybe that's why I have succeeded in most everything I have ever done. I don't like to let people down and I especially don't want to let God down. It was important for me to stay out of my head this week and focus on Jesus. So I continued to go back to my last post. Was I going to lose faith in the midst of trying to do something on my own? Thank goodness I came to my senses and I gave it to Jesus.
Almost at once my confidence came back and I began to really understand the impact of what was going on. I had to be aware that Jesus was the reason I was here and whatever happens is in His control, not mine. I have been forthright thus far, believing in Him and challenging myself to not get down but like everyone that reads this blog; I'm only human.
So this morning when I was looking for a Scripture, one was ready for me to read. It was Psalm 27 and I felt a huge relief. Maybe if I had clicked on my phone sooner, I would have seen it and felt peace. Of course, I didn't because I worked from 5:30 until 11 at night so I was so exhausted when I got home to my hotel I collapsed. Well, God left it for me to see today, so I could give Him all the glory, oh and share it with you.
If I look on a situation to long, I wonder if He will protect me. He does probably more than I even know. Some times He can't protect us though because we must fight through our will to His and remember that faith comes from trust. I remembered that this week and I'm so grateful I did. I love Jesus and once again, He has shown me how much I'm loved. Be well my sisters and pray this Psalm, He's near only if we are willing to surrender.
The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:1-14 NIV)
I have been traveling and got back late last night. I read over my last post a million times but didn't have time to fix the punctuation. I promise to do that sometime in the near future. I even found a few grammatical errors. The reason I was going over my last post so much was I was in a place where I felt immense fear. It wasn't for my safety or even for my being. It simply was because I felt a little defeated. I used to be able to touch something in this Industry and it just came to me. Now, it seems like the Industry is not as open as it once was and my competitor and former employer is much larger than we are. I was one to ten and the enemy felt like it was all around me.
I realize sometimes when I write that a lesson will be coming down the road and yes, my sisters, it did. I guess you could correlate it to a decision, was I willing to trust the Lord more than myself? I can't say that I did the full conference but little by little, I told God that I would rest in Him even though it seemed bleak. I have to penetrate the community and get them to understand why I came back and why I went to this company. But I have to say, there were moments where I was shaking in my boots.
I have always been afraid to fail maybe that's why I have succeeded in most everything I have ever done. I don't like to let people down and I especially don't want to let God down. It was important for me to stay out of my head this week and focus on Jesus. So I continued to go back to my last post. Was I going to lose faith in the midst of trying to do something on my own? Thank goodness I came to my senses and I gave it to Jesus.
Almost at once my confidence came back and I began to really understand the impact of what was going on. I had to be aware that Jesus was the reason I was here and whatever happens is in His control, not mine. I have been forthright thus far, believing in Him and challenging myself to not get down but like everyone that reads this blog; I'm only human.
So this morning when I was looking for a Scripture, one was ready for me to read. It was Psalm 27 and I felt a huge relief. Maybe if I had clicked on my phone sooner, I would have seen it and felt peace. Of course, I didn't because I worked from 5:30 until 11 at night so I was so exhausted when I got home to my hotel I collapsed. Well, God left it for me to see today, so I could give Him all the glory, oh and share it with you.
If I look on a situation to long, I wonder if He will protect me. He does probably more than I even know. Some times He can't protect us though because we must fight through our will to His and remember that faith comes from trust. I remembered that this week and I'm so grateful I did. I love Jesus and once again, He has shown me how much I'm loved. Be well my sisters and pray this Psalm, He's near only if we are willing to surrender.
The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:1-14 NIV)
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Faithfulness or worry?
Good morning my sisters-
Have you ever thought worry can deflect from faith? How do we rest when we worry? Where is the peace. The peace is all around us but it's our own lack of faith that washes it away and in the midst there is a tremendous anxiety about tomorrow.
I have been plagued by this my whole life. Just when I rest in Jesus' arms things start falling apart. I can't sleep, I feel fatigued and it's all because I was worried about tomorrow. It's really hard to find Jesus when you and your mind think they know what's best. I know you've been there too and that's why it's so much on my mind.
I think my biggest worry is whether or not I'm fit to spread the gospel to the Nations. What if God picked the wrong person? Am I really spiritual enough, well read enough or do I know enough to carry His message to the masses. Many of Jesus's followers were none of these. They were ordinary men and women called to be apart of a growing revival and yet, I still worry. I count myself as not good enough, not learned enough and not filled with faith enough so I guess I've been chosen because I know it.
Through the years I have found that the only person I can truly trust is God and when I remember that; I'm better for it. That's not to say that I don't trust people because I do believe in others. The thing is that often I relied on my own strength, will and courage to get me through. And as you all know, that doesn't always work. Through every situation and for every problem, you just have to trust that God knows everything and you know nothing.
So I write once again feeling a lack of confidence to really take His gospel and take it to the Nations and once I again, I give it to Him because in the end I am but a speck on this earth and He is the almighty. What right do I have to question how He wants to use me anyway.
Faithfulness doesn't come from knowing more, being the smartest or even the wisest. It truly comes from surrender, peace and a great understanding that you alone are nothing but with Christ you are everything. I hang my hat on that today and ask that like me; you will go to the cross unworthy, overwhelmed and full of sin, so that you can carry that cross and spread the Word that means more than gold!
May God bless you as you rest at His feel. We need Him. Bring it on Lord, protect us and guide us and help us to understand the path before us. Take worry away and bring the full body of Your spirit on our lives and make us women full of faithfulness!
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. (Psalm 130:5 NIV)
Have you ever thought worry can deflect from faith? How do we rest when we worry? Where is the peace. The peace is all around us but it's our own lack of faith that washes it away and in the midst there is a tremendous anxiety about tomorrow.
I have been plagued by this my whole life. Just when I rest in Jesus' arms things start falling apart. I can't sleep, I feel fatigued and it's all because I was worried about tomorrow. It's really hard to find Jesus when you and your mind think they know what's best. I know you've been there too and that's why it's so much on my mind.
I think my biggest worry is whether or not I'm fit to spread the gospel to the Nations. What if God picked the wrong person? Am I really spiritual enough, well read enough or do I know enough to carry His message to the masses. Many of Jesus's followers were none of these. They were ordinary men and women called to be apart of a growing revival and yet, I still worry. I count myself as not good enough, not learned enough and not filled with faith enough so I guess I've been chosen because I know it.
Through the years I have found that the only person I can truly trust is God and when I remember that; I'm better for it. That's not to say that I don't trust people because I do believe in others. The thing is that often I relied on my own strength, will and courage to get me through. And as you all know, that doesn't always work. Through every situation and for every problem, you just have to trust that God knows everything and you know nothing.
So I write once again feeling a lack of confidence to really take His gospel and take it to the Nations and once I again, I give it to Him because in the end I am but a speck on this earth and He is the almighty. What right do I have to question how He wants to use me anyway.
Faithfulness doesn't come from knowing more, being the smartest or even the wisest. It truly comes from surrender, peace and a great understanding that you alone are nothing but with Christ you are everything. I hang my hat on that today and ask that like me; you will go to the cross unworthy, overwhelmed and full of sin, so that you can carry that cross and spread the Word that means more than gold!
May God bless you as you rest at His feel. We need Him. Bring it on Lord, protect us and guide us and help us to understand the path before us. Take worry away and bring the full body of Your spirit on our lives and make us women full of faithfulness!
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. (Psalm 130:5 NIV)
Sunday, March 9, 2014
When life happens, where is Christ?
Good morning all-
I woke up today at the same time but it was an hour later than it should have been. That's right the US just sprang forward in time and we all know what that means. Soon brown will go to green, flowers will have life, birds will be singing and the temperatures will rise. As we watch things die in the fall we get to witness the power of spring unfold. This was one of my moms' very favorite times. She loved everything about spring. She said it was a renewing of her soul and just like her that's the first thing I thought about today. Now if only a red robin would fly and sing for me.
Seasons come and go and the older you get the faster they change. It just seems like yesterday that we were in the fall approaching the holiday seasons and now, we are just seconds from the earth sprouting new life, wow, how amazing is our God.
The beauty of the seasons and of other areas around the world are God given and while some of us can watch in wonder, others are suffering horribly. They are imprisoned for what they believe, they are beaten for loving Jesus and they are in silent churches underground. Then there are the others battling sexual addiction, homosexuality, alcohol, drugs, faithlessness and sorrow. These are the ones I worry about the most. Those that are faithful are hanging on to Jesus but the rest, they are drowning. Soon one of my dear friends and co-workers will have a complicated surgery, the outcome is yet to be known. Does he have cancer? Is it throughout his body? Will his journey back to health be fast or long? These are questions that I have no answers. So where do I go? I go to Jesus.
This morning I wanted a word for him and God brought me to 2 Timothy 2:1. When I was first saved, I would go to my Bible, pray and ask God to give me a word and just like that a Scripture would pop in my head. It happened today too. So I sent it with a word of encouragement and a prayer that this person will fully repent, accept Christ 100% and know that God is calling Him to His side. This person is often a skeptic and really doesn't want to believe but in these last months I know he has had to believe. I am praying that anyone that sees this blog will pray for him this week and ask God to fulfill his will on my friend. I don't know what's in store. The surgery will be tricky and already weird things have happened. I can draw conclusions but none of them would be right. I'm just praying that God will have his will and at whatever conclusion this disease comes to have that my friend know Jesus more, lean on Him and be in His presence.
I am going to share the word that came to me because it's relevent to you and me. We must remember that Christ is everything and there's no better time to remember than in the midst of our anguish. Be well my sisters and know that I am praying for you. This blog is my ministry and my purpose and with Jesus I can do all things.
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him.
If we disown him, he will also disown us;
if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. (2 Timothy 2:1-13 NIV)
My prayer today:
O, Lord, I pray these words would penetrate the heart of every one struggling to understand where you are. I pray that we would look for you under the rock and in the highest tree. During this season, leading up to Easter my prayer is that women will come to You knowing You are God. Protect us from the evil that lurks around every corner. So much has happened to women in these last months and we need to be covered by the blood that saved the world. Please penetrate our hearts with this Scripture, make us strong and help us spread love to our families, friends and neighbors. Take us out of ourselves and into the world and give us the wisdom to follow You all our days. In Jesus Name, Ament
Until tomorrow....
I woke up today at the same time but it was an hour later than it should have been. That's right the US just sprang forward in time and we all know what that means. Soon brown will go to green, flowers will have life, birds will be singing and the temperatures will rise. As we watch things die in the fall we get to witness the power of spring unfold. This was one of my moms' very favorite times. She loved everything about spring. She said it was a renewing of her soul and just like her that's the first thing I thought about today. Now if only a red robin would fly and sing for me.
Seasons come and go and the older you get the faster they change. It just seems like yesterday that we were in the fall approaching the holiday seasons and now, we are just seconds from the earth sprouting new life, wow, how amazing is our God.
The beauty of the seasons and of other areas around the world are God given and while some of us can watch in wonder, others are suffering horribly. They are imprisoned for what they believe, they are beaten for loving Jesus and they are in silent churches underground. Then there are the others battling sexual addiction, homosexuality, alcohol, drugs, faithlessness and sorrow. These are the ones I worry about the most. Those that are faithful are hanging on to Jesus but the rest, they are drowning. Soon one of my dear friends and co-workers will have a complicated surgery, the outcome is yet to be known. Does he have cancer? Is it throughout his body? Will his journey back to health be fast or long? These are questions that I have no answers. So where do I go? I go to Jesus.
This morning I wanted a word for him and God brought me to 2 Timothy 2:1. When I was first saved, I would go to my Bible, pray and ask God to give me a word and just like that a Scripture would pop in my head. It happened today too. So I sent it with a word of encouragement and a prayer that this person will fully repent, accept Christ 100% and know that God is calling Him to His side. This person is often a skeptic and really doesn't want to believe but in these last months I know he has had to believe. I am praying that anyone that sees this blog will pray for him this week and ask God to fulfill his will on my friend. I don't know what's in store. The surgery will be tricky and already weird things have happened. I can draw conclusions but none of them would be right. I'm just praying that God will have his will and at whatever conclusion this disease comes to have that my friend know Jesus more, lean on Him and be in His presence.
I am going to share the word that came to me because it's relevent to you and me. We must remember that Christ is everything and there's no better time to remember than in the midst of our anguish. Be well my sisters and know that I am praying for you. This blog is my ministry and my purpose and with Jesus I can do all things.
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him.
If we disown him, he will also disown us;
if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. (2 Timothy 2:1-13 NIV)
My prayer today:
O, Lord, I pray these words would penetrate the heart of every one struggling to understand where you are. I pray that we would look for you under the rock and in the highest tree. During this season, leading up to Easter my prayer is that women will come to You knowing You are God. Protect us from the evil that lurks around every corner. So much has happened to women in these last months and we need to be covered by the blood that saved the world. Please penetrate our hearts with this Scripture, make us strong and help us spread love to our families, friends and neighbors. Take us out of ourselves and into the world and give us the wisdom to follow You all our days. In Jesus Name, Ament
Until tomorrow....
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Spreading the Gospel
Good morning all-
Today is the day that The Lord hath made! Many people began the tradition of lent this week. I heard in my office everything from I'm giving up chocolate to Pepsi. It was crazy what everyone was willing to give up. I even know one person that was going to give up Pepsi but decided they couldn't do it and then tried to give up swearing only to hit her garage door and I'm sure you can guess, that went out the door.
Once a year, all around the world we begin to think about what Christ really did for us. The promise of Easter and all it brings becomes our focus and for those moments we truly think about our God. I've seen it time and time again. People will not read their Bible or go to church but lent comes and all the sudden we want to become good little Christians. You know I'm right. But what about all the other days in the year, when are we praising Him, walking with Him and spreading His name among the nations, isn't that what we were meant for?
Since my last post I was contacted by a woman in Nigeria. Her greeting is what caught me the most. The email was simple and I have thought about it all week. It's my first blogger that has had the courage to reach out. I really prayed after I wrote, "Everlasting God." I want to know my readers, I want to hear their hearts and I want to share in the good news of Jesus Christ.
The women of Nigeria are doing a great work for The Lord and they need our prayers and possibly resources. I have made a promise and I will fulfill it. I also am praying that these bold women will continue to spread the Word to a Muslim nation. My sister in Christ said that many women are coming to know The Lord and for that I praise the Holy Name of Jesus. We must unite in prayer for our sisters and ask God to bless them with Bibles and clothes for their communities. She has asked for Bibles. It was the sweetest request I have ever been asked for and I will do everything in my power to make that happen.
I think what struck me most was the call to spread the Gospel and the need for prayer. The other thing that impacted me were the pictures she sent to me of their community in song and in study for the One true God! I am blessed because one of my prayers came true. I wanted not only to write this blog but to know the women that were being warriors for Jesus and God blessed me with one sweet soul.
I am praying for these women of faith. I am praying for this season to mean something more than spring. I am praying for nations to come to know Christ, to love Him and to be loved by Him. I'm praying that a revival would take throughout the world and that for once we would turn our hearts and eyes on Jesus. Of course, that includes me too. I want to know Jesus. I want to know His people and I want to see the joy that knowing Him brings to the lost.
We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain. But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 3:2-8 NIV)
So for today I will leave you with a prayer.
My prayer today:
O, dear Lord, You are the God of all Nations. You are the beginning and the end. I come to You, pouring out my heart for the women who dare to be fearless. Please help them to be bold and bright in their faith. Give them the resources to teach and to know the Word. Further Your church through women and men all over the world. We need You Lord. May all power and glory be Yours! In Jesus name, Amen
Ps Give my dear sister in Christ strength and thank You for the encouragement she gave me this week.
Today is the day that The Lord hath made! Many people began the tradition of lent this week. I heard in my office everything from I'm giving up chocolate to Pepsi. It was crazy what everyone was willing to give up. I even know one person that was going to give up Pepsi but decided they couldn't do it and then tried to give up swearing only to hit her garage door and I'm sure you can guess, that went out the door.
Once a year, all around the world we begin to think about what Christ really did for us. The promise of Easter and all it brings becomes our focus and for those moments we truly think about our God. I've seen it time and time again. People will not read their Bible or go to church but lent comes and all the sudden we want to become good little Christians. You know I'm right. But what about all the other days in the year, when are we praising Him, walking with Him and spreading His name among the nations, isn't that what we were meant for?
Since my last post I was contacted by a woman in Nigeria. Her greeting is what caught me the most. The email was simple and I have thought about it all week. It's my first blogger that has had the courage to reach out. I really prayed after I wrote, "Everlasting God." I want to know my readers, I want to hear their hearts and I want to share in the good news of Jesus Christ.
The women of Nigeria are doing a great work for The Lord and they need our prayers and possibly resources. I have made a promise and I will fulfill it. I also am praying that these bold women will continue to spread the Word to a Muslim nation. My sister in Christ said that many women are coming to know The Lord and for that I praise the Holy Name of Jesus. We must unite in prayer for our sisters and ask God to bless them with Bibles and clothes for their communities. She has asked for Bibles. It was the sweetest request I have ever been asked for and I will do everything in my power to make that happen.
I think what struck me most was the call to spread the Gospel and the need for prayer. The other thing that impacted me were the pictures she sent to me of their community in song and in study for the One true God! I am blessed because one of my prayers came true. I wanted not only to write this blog but to know the women that were being warriors for Jesus and God blessed me with one sweet soul.
I am praying for these women of faith. I am praying for this season to mean something more than spring. I am praying for nations to come to know Christ, to love Him and to be loved by Him. I'm praying that a revival would take throughout the world and that for once we would turn our hearts and eyes on Jesus. Of course, that includes me too. I want to know Jesus. I want to know His people and I want to see the joy that knowing Him brings to the lost.
We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain. But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 3:2-8 NIV)
So for today I will leave you with a prayer.
My prayer today:
O, dear Lord, You are the God of all Nations. You are the beginning and the end. I come to You, pouring out my heart for the women who dare to be fearless. Please help them to be bold and bright in their faith. Give them the resources to teach and to know the Word. Further Your church through women and men all over the world. We need You Lord. May all power and glory be Yours! In Jesus name, Amen
Ps Give my dear sister in Christ strength and thank You for the encouragement she gave me this week.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Everlasting God...
Good morning all-
For the last week I have been singing, "Everlasting God." You may know the words. The song states that God is an everlasting God, He remains the same, You never change, Your the everlasting God. Maybe you've heard it. Well, it's one of my favorites and we sang it last week in church. How was I to know that I would get bad news two days later? However, with the bad news came this song. I kept humming it. I was devastated because I knew this one deal would make a difference. We will still be very successful but this could have changed the face of our company.
So why at a pinnacle moment was I humming to God? Because He wanted to remind me that He is everlasting and all the things of this world were fleeting. He remains the same. He is the same forgiving God that brought David from His sins with Bathsheba. He is the same God that went to Moses on the mountain and He is the same God that promised Abraham he would be the father of the nations. And of course, He is the same God that sent His only Son to be persecuted and hung on a cross so that we may know eternity.
One deal, one moment, one disaster and He still is the same. I don't get everything I touch. I'm not the wealthiest. I haven't been blessed with many of my secret desires but I do have one very special thing in my life; I have Jesus. Like you, I have wandered, I have sinned and I have felt depleted and down. I have wondered where God was in my pain and I have cried out for Him to rescue me. Sometimes He has and sometimes He has let me find Him in the circumstance. Either way, He has always been beside me, watching over me and calling me to Him. He is the one true God, the everlasting God. If you doubt me, read your Bible and spend time with Him. There is no sin too great, no storm to fierce for an everlasting God.
The skeptics will say, "There is no God or How could a God let this happen?" Maybe we should look at what we allow, how we treat one another or what we expect. We are spoiled and believe we deserve to be happy and to possess all our desires. Did Jesus get everything He desired? Do you really think He wanted to hang on a cross for you? The true question is would you lay down your life for people you don't know? We barely will sacrifice time let alone our souls for someone else.
Without a doubt, there is a God. He has remained the same from the beginning. He hasn't wavered and as much as people love to question the Bible, the principles are true. Abortion does cause women to grieve and to feel shame. Sexual immorality does cause disease, hurt and pain. Anything in excess will cause turmoil, depression and shame and adultery does pull families apart. Anger is the center of true destruction and not believing in a God leaves you lost and alone. Do bad things happen? Absolutely, we are part of a fallen world. We cause war and we cause families to be destroyed. Children are killed on a daily basis and families are in crisis. These facts are true. But where do you go when life is falling apart? If you know God, you can turn to Jesus and He will be your comfort.
His forgiveness is all we need. I have watched alcoholics become clean because of God. I have seen women that suffered multiple abortions find rest in Jesus' arms. I have looked upon young women that changed their lives when they found Jesus and I stood as God brought my husband and I back together. Part of it is our will, the other is when we give in to Him, He can right our path. Whether you agree or not, that's not up to me. What I know and what I speak is real. God is a God of all eternity. It's His life that was given, He chose you and I and He is going to remain long after we leave this earth. Our hearts are His when we ask Him in and it's this that links us to our everlasting God. May God bless you and keep you today as you come to Him in song and praise. Be well my sisters.
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. (Isaiah 40:28 KJV)
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. (Isaiah 40:28 NIV)
For the last week I have been singing, "Everlasting God." You may know the words. The song states that God is an everlasting God, He remains the same, You never change, Your the everlasting God. Maybe you've heard it. Well, it's one of my favorites and we sang it last week in church. How was I to know that I would get bad news two days later? However, with the bad news came this song. I kept humming it. I was devastated because I knew this one deal would make a difference. We will still be very successful but this could have changed the face of our company.
So why at a pinnacle moment was I humming to God? Because He wanted to remind me that He is everlasting and all the things of this world were fleeting. He remains the same. He is the same forgiving God that brought David from His sins with Bathsheba. He is the same God that went to Moses on the mountain and He is the same God that promised Abraham he would be the father of the nations. And of course, He is the same God that sent His only Son to be persecuted and hung on a cross so that we may know eternity.
One deal, one moment, one disaster and He still is the same. I don't get everything I touch. I'm not the wealthiest. I haven't been blessed with many of my secret desires but I do have one very special thing in my life; I have Jesus. Like you, I have wandered, I have sinned and I have felt depleted and down. I have wondered where God was in my pain and I have cried out for Him to rescue me. Sometimes He has and sometimes He has let me find Him in the circumstance. Either way, He has always been beside me, watching over me and calling me to Him. He is the one true God, the everlasting God. If you doubt me, read your Bible and spend time with Him. There is no sin too great, no storm to fierce for an everlasting God.
The skeptics will say, "There is no God or How could a God let this happen?" Maybe we should look at what we allow, how we treat one another or what we expect. We are spoiled and believe we deserve to be happy and to possess all our desires. Did Jesus get everything He desired? Do you really think He wanted to hang on a cross for you? The true question is would you lay down your life for people you don't know? We barely will sacrifice time let alone our souls for someone else.
Without a doubt, there is a God. He has remained the same from the beginning. He hasn't wavered and as much as people love to question the Bible, the principles are true. Abortion does cause women to grieve and to feel shame. Sexual immorality does cause disease, hurt and pain. Anything in excess will cause turmoil, depression and shame and adultery does pull families apart. Anger is the center of true destruction and not believing in a God leaves you lost and alone. Do bad things happen? Absolutely, we are part of a fallen world. We cause war and we cause families to be destroyed. Children are killed on a daily basis and families are in crisis. These facts are true. But where do you go when life is falling apart? If you know God, you can turn to Jesus and He will be your comfort.
His forgiveness is all we need. I have watched alcoholics become clean because of God. I have seen women that suffered multiple abortions find rest in Jesus' arms. I have looked upon young women that changed their lives when they found Jesus and I stood as God brought my husband and I back together. Part of it is our will, the other is when we give in to Him, He can right our path. Whether you agree or not, that's not up to me. What I know and what I speak is real. God is a God of all eternity. It's His life that was given, He chose you and I and He is going to remain long after we leave this earth. Our hearts are His when we ask Him in and it's this that links us to our everlasting God. May God bless you and keep you today as you come to Him in song and praise. Be well my sisters.
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. (Isaiah 40:28 KJV)
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. (Isaiah 40:28 NIV)
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Bringing the word of God to the Nations?
Good morning my sisters-
As I have pondered the many disappointments this week and looked for God at every turn, I have spent time reflecting on my path and what He desires of me. I have asked a million questions and why has come up often. However, every time I say, "Why?" I feel as though He says don't worry.
The Scriptures have a million stories of triumph and tragedy. Yesterday, I was reading in Luke about the Pharisees and Christ healing someone right in front of them. O, how the pious changed history for people. And as I spent time with my friend that was Jewish this week, I realized we share the same God but still she doesn't know the Savior. Why? Because long ago a group of men turned their backs on the Son that was sent to be our intercessory. What a shame.
As I started to reflect on the Scripture, I took myself back to the day I began to think God wanted me to write. After fighting with it so long, I finally watched a movie about blogging and yes, that's the day I began to blog. I had to figure out what God's path was for me, so I sat down and I prayed. Prayer is so powerful in my life and I hope it is in yours. I love to pray and I love the connection to Christ I have in prayer. But writing about Him was a huge responsibility, so I really prayed.
At first I thought that I would write to women. Okay that sounds reasonable. Then I thought I would write to women in the US. That makes sense because I live here but then I felt God pushing me further. He wanted me to write to every woman, in every nation and to make Him known. Now how was I going to do that? Although I took Spanish and Japanese in school, I can't speak either one now and that's just a few nations. But then Google had this wonderful tool that translated in many different languages. Coincidence, no way. This was the plan and I was the vessel. So I created a blog with Jesus at the forefront and women from all over the world hit it on a daily basis.
As you can see that was a word from God, not me. It was hard enough to sit down and write my thoughts and feelings. Have I been blessed? Absolutely. But even more importantly, I have been more focused on world events. I have prayed for the Syrians, the Egyptians, and the Ukrainians. I have watched as bombs have gone off and wondered how the women and children are doing. I have come out of just being a US citizen and have developed into a world watcher. Why? Because God is watching and asking me to not only speak to the Nations but to pray for them too.
Isolation is a really bad thing. Opening our eyes and seeing the needs of others is most important. Although I don't know much, I do know that God loves His people, every person in every nation. It gives me joy just to think about how much we are loved. Every time a person hits this blog from a Nation I know Christ is spreading the word and His name is being proclaimed wide and far and someday to every nation. Wow!
Will you join me in praying for our missionaries? I sit behind my iPad in my own living room. They travel far from home spending time in foreign lands. They have learned the power of the cross and the benefit of speaking to people all over the world. Their path is not easy. They leave their families, their homes and their nations just to tell the good news.
Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, you his servants, the descendants of Abraham, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob. He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth. (Psalm 105:1-7 NIV)
My prayer today:
O, Lord we are asking that Your will to be done here on earth. Lift up Your people that forge to different countries to proclaim Your mighty Name. Take the veil off and bring people unto You that need a Savior. By Your hand, we are Yours. Thank You for showing me that every person matters, not matter their skin tone, their belief, their tongue or their homeland. We are to ask You to be with us as we spread the good news. You are the keeper of joy, peace and prosperity. Help the women all over the world to pray for world peace and to pray that their children will spread the news far and wide. As always, I have not idea what tomorrow holds but You do and I pray tht You will hold me up and help me bring Your name to the Nations. To God be the glory! In Jesus Name, Amen.
As I have pondered the many disappointments this week and looked for God at every turn, I have spent time reflecting on my path and what He desires of me. I have asked a million questions and why has come up often. However, every time I say, "Why?" I feel as though He says don't worry.
The Scriptures have a million stories of triumph and tragedy. Yesterday, I was reading in Luke about the Pharisees and Christ healing someone right in front of them. O, how the pious changed history for people. And as I spent time with my friend that was Jewish this week, I realized we share the same God but still she doesn't know the Savior. Why? Because long ago a group of men turned their backs on the Son that was sent to be our intercessory. What a shame.
As I started to reflect on the Scripture, I took myself back to the day I began to think God wanted me to write. After fighting with it so long, I finally watched a movie about blogging and yes, that's the day I began to blog. I had to figure out what God's path was for me, so I sat down and I prayed. Prayer is so powerful in my life and I hope it is in yours. I love to pray and I love the connection to Christ I have in prayer. But writing about Him was a huge responsibility, so I really prayed.
At first I thought that I would write to women. Okay that sounds reasonable. Then I thought I would write to women in the US. That makes sense because I live here but then I felt God pushing me further. He wanted me to write to every woman, in every nation and to make Him known. Now how was I going to do that? Although I took Spanish and Japanese in school, I can't speak either one now and that's just a few nations. But then Google had this wonderful tool that translated in many different languages. Coincidence, no way. This was the plan and I was the vessel. So I created a blog with Jesus at the forefront and women from all over the world hit it on a daily basis.
As you can see that was a word from God, not me. It was hard enough to sit down and write my thoughts and feelings. Have I been blessed? Absolutely. But even more importantly, I have been more focused on world events. I have prayed for the Syrians, the Egyptians, and the Ukrainians. I have watched as bombs have gone off and wondered how the women and children are doing. I have come out of just being a US citizen and have developed into a world watcher. Why? Because God is watching and asking me to not only speak to the Nations but to pray for them too.
Isolation is a really bad thing. Opening our eyes and seeing the needs of others is most important. Although I don't know much, I do know that God loves His people, every person in every nation. It gives me joy just to think about how much we are loved. Every time a person hits this blog from a Nation I know Christ is spreading the word and His name is being proclaimed wide and far and someday to every nation. Wow!
Will you join me in praying for our missionaries? I sit behind my iPad in my own living room. They travel far from home spending time in foreign lands. They have learned the power of the cross and the benefit of speaking to people all over the world. Their path is not easy. They leave their families, their homes and their nations just to tell the good news.
Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, you his servants, the descendants of Abraham, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob. He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth. (Psalm 105:1-7 NIV)
My prayer today:
O, Lord we are asking that Your will to be done here on earth. Lift up Your people that forge to different countries to proclaim Your mighty Name. Take the veil off and bring people unto You that need a Savior. By Your hand, we are Yours. Thank You for showing me that every person matters, not matter their skin tone, their belief, their tongue or their homeland. We are to ask You to be with us as we spread the good news. You are the keeper of joy, peace and prosperity. Help the women all over the world to pray for world peace and to pray that their children will spread the news far and wide. As always, I have not idea what tomorrow holds but You do and I pray tht You will hold me up and help me bring Your name to the Nations. To God be the glory! In Jesus Name, Amen.
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