Psalm 118:24; James 1:2-3 - "Good Morning"

I woke up this morning singing Mandisa's "Good Morning" and praised the Lord for giving me another day.  And it's Sunday...woo hoo!  That means I will be gathering with my church family to worship Him.  It also means the slate has been wiped clean from what happened yesterday.  Today is a new day.  What will I do with this day God has graced me with?  Whose life will I touch?  Who will say at the end of the day that my words and/or actions made a difference in their life?  Will I be happy or disappointed in myself at the end of the day?  Even more important, will the Lord be happy or disappointed with me at the end of the day?  These are questions to think about as I start on this adventure today.  

My physical body is tired but I'm singing..
"You give me strength,
You give me just what I need
And I can feel the hope that's rising in me."

My mental body is thinking of everything that I need to do but I'm singing...
"Slow down, breathe in,
Don't move ahead
I'm just living in this moment"

My spiritual body is hopeful so I'm singing...
"Now I'm smiling, and I'm kissing all my worries goodbye
Got the feeling, if I spread my wings I might even fly
You are my truth, my way"

I am standing on Psalm 118:24 today.  This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.  No matter what comes my way I will rejoice.  His Word tells us in James 1:2-3, Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.   If today holds trials, woo hoo!  Those trials will give me what I need in my walk with the Lord.  

I love this quote by Tozar.  “What I am anxious to see in Christian believers is a beautiful paradox. I want to see in them the joy of finding God while at the same time they are blessedly pursuing Him. I want to see in them the great joy of having God yet always wanting Him.” ~ A. W. Tozer  Yes!  That's what I want...more of the Lord and less of me!  Woo hoo! 

Dear Jesus,
Today is a brand new day.  I don't know where all You will take me or who all I will be in contact with but I do pray You guide my steps.  I pray You will flow out of me in all my words and actions.  I pray You will be so overflowing in me that people will be amazed and wonder how they can have what I have.  Father, thank You for Your love, Your mercy and Your grace.  Thank You for the ultimate sacrifice that You gave in order for me to have this life.  Amen.

Wave away my yesterday
Cause I'm leaving it behind me.
Hello sunshine, come what may.
I feel something new inside me.
I hear the birds singing
Now my alarm's ringing
Get up, get up, hey!

It's a good morning!
Wake up to a brand new day
This morning,
I'm stepping, stepping on my way
Good morning,
You give me strength,
You give me just what I need
And I can feel the hope that's rising in me.
It's a good morning

Slow down, breathe in,
Don't move ahead
I'm just living in this moment
I've got my arms raised, un-phased
Jump out of bed
Gotta get this party going
I went to bed dreaming,
You woke me up singing
Get up, get up, hey!

It's a good morning!
Wake up to a brand new day
This morning,
I'm stepping, stepping on my way
Good morning,
You give me strength,
you give me just what I need
And I can feel the hope that's rising up in me.
It's a good morning

Now I'm smiling, and I'm kissing all my worries goodbye
Got the feeling, if I spread my wings I might even fly
You are my truth, my way
Give me the strength to say
Get up, get up, get up
Cause it's a good morning, hey

Mr. Mac to the mic

[Toby Mac]
Hey, top of the morning to you 'disa
You smoothie, me ice cold pizza
Cafe au lait, latte dah
You do the zumba, but I do not
Give me like half a marathon,
I'll give you the gospel of St. John.
Hits me like a wake-up bomb
Cuz' we both know that His mercy flows,
In the morning.

Wake up to a brand new day
This morning,
I'm stepping, stepping on my way
Good morning,
You give me strength,
you give me just what I need
I can feel the hope that's rising up in me.
It's a good morning
Wake up to a brand new day
This morning,
I'm stepping, stepping on my way
Good morning,
You give me strength you give me just what I need
I can feel the hope that's rising up in me.
It's a good morning

[Toby Mac]
Top of the morning to you 'disa
Hey, top of the morning to you girl
To-to-top of the morning to you 'disa
Morning little Miss Sunshine.
[Spoken]
Man, you morning people.
No, I'm serious.

Philippians 4:7 - Prince of Peace

Peace is the theme for this morning.  As I was called at 3:30 AM by someone in the ER I prayed with them for peace.  Then when she called me again at 5:30 saying they were transporting her to St V's I went and prayed with her in person for peace.  While there, another lady was in distress and I prayed for her to have peace.  

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7

I love the part of this verse that says "...passeth all understanding..."  We don't have to understand why we have peace during stressful times.  We just have to accept it and allow God to use it to get us through.  He is so awesome in the way He gives it to us.  I saw it this week during the one hospital visit where the one was being stuck for the IV.  Her situation actually changed in that they were able to get the IV started quickly.  I saw it today when I started praying with the one lady and she immediately started praying with me and calmed down.  Her pain wasn't gone but she was at peace.  I saw it today as I prayed with the one being transported.  She had a peaceful look on her face and started joking with the transporters.  Woo hoo!  Thank You Jesus for giving each one of these ladies Your Peace.  

According to the dictionary the word peace means:  "a state of tranquility, quiet, calm, freedom from civil disturbance; a state of security - being secure within a community, freedom from oppression, strife and disorder; in harmony in personal relations; untouched by conflict, agitation or commotion."

Prophecy calls Jesus Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:6.  We are also told in Isaiah 26:3-4, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.  Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength."  Trusting in the Lord brings us peace.  Trusting in the Lord brings us strength.  He is our peace as we are told in Ephesians 2:14; 17-18.  "For He Himself is our peace,... He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father."  

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for peace even during stressful times.  Thank You for the opportunity I had to pray with ones who needed Your Peace.  I am so thankful each of them knows You so they can experience Your Peace.  Lord, I pray for ones who don't know You to find You so they experience the same peace.  I pray for ones going through difficult times that know You to allow You to give them Your Peace...to accept it from You, Lord.  Thank You Jesus for being My Peacemaker.  Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21 - "O The Blood"

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenantbrought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in uswhat is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.    Hebrews 13:20-21

I woke up this morning singing "O The Blood"sung by Kari Jobe.  Woo hoo!  It is only because of His sacrifice that I am here today.  It is only because of His sacrifice that I have the opportunity to be Him to others.  It only because of His sacrifice that I am able to praise Him.  Woo hoo!

I love this prayer found in Joyce Meyer's book "In the Word, the Name and the Blood" (Tulsa:  Harrison House, 1995)...

Father, I come in the name of Jesus to plead His blood on my life and on all that belongs to me, and on all over which You have made me a steward.
    I plead the blood of Jesus on the portals of my mind, my body (the temple of the Holy Spirit), my emotions, and my will. I believe that I am protected by the blood of the Lamb which gives me access to the Holy of Holies.
    I plead the blood on my children, on my grandchildren and their children, and on all those whom You have given me in this life.
    Lord, You have said that the life of the flesh is in the blood. Thank You for this blood that has cleansed me from sin and sealed the New Covenant of which I am a partaker.
    In Jesus’ name, amen.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for Your blood...for Your sacrifice...for You giving me victory!  Lord, I pray today for Your blood to cover me with strength, wisdom, protection and most of all with Your attitude.  Thank You Jesus for being My Covering!  Amen.

VERSE 1 
O the blood 
Crimson love 
Price of life'€™s demand 
Shameful sin 
Placed on Him 
The Hope of every man 

CHORUS 
O the blood of Jesus washes me 
O the blood of Jesus shed for me 
What a sacrifice that saved my life 
Yes, the blood, it is my victory 

VERSE 2 
Savior Son 
Holy One 
Slain so I can live 
See the Lamb 
The great I Am 
Who takes away my sin 

BRIDGE 
O the blood of the Lamb 
O the blood of the Lamb 
O the blood of the Lamb 
The precious blood of the Lamb 
What a sacrifice 
That saved my life 
Yes, the blood, it is my victory 

VERSE 3 
O what love 
No greater love 
Grace, how can it be 
That in my sin 
Yes, even then 
He shed His blood for me

Ephesians 3:14-20 - "God Is Able"

I woke up singing Hillsong's "God Is Able" this morning.  Praise the Lord!  Not only is He able to do anything but He also "...will never fail..."  Woo hoo!   It reminds me of the chorus we use to sing in Sunday School when I was a little girl.  "He is able.  He is able.  I know my Lord is able.  I know my Lord is able...He can do anything but fail."  Woo hoo!

There may be times when we feel like He has left us but He never does.  It is us who drifts away from Him.  

There may be times when we feel like we are all alone but we never are.  He knows what we are going through and is always ready to help us get through it.

There may be times when we feel like our prayers are hitting a brick ceiling but they never are.  He hears all prayers and answers all prayers in His time.

"...God Is On Our Side; He Will Make A Way; Far Above All We Know; Far Above All We Hope..."  Woo hoo!  He knows what is best for us.  We have to allow Him total control of our lives.  When we do, then we will have the life He so desires for us.  Unfortunately, we tend to hang onto things that we want control of.  Sometimes that's the checkbook....sometimes it's the calendar...sometimes it's a family member.  No matter what it is, we are missing out on blessings by holding it back.  

I think of the saying "Let Go and Let God."  Amen!  When we have full surrender, we will be blown away by the way He uses us.  I am truly amazed with the things I've experienced as I've lived in His Presence.  He is so great and so mighty!  In the parable of the bags of gold in Matthew 25 it reads, "For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them."  This particular story is about gold but the same applies to anything the Lord gives us.  If we don't use what the Lord blesses us with, He may take it away.

God is able…

God is able to save. “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrews 7:25 NIV).  God is able to save us no matter what we've done in our past.  First, we must surrender to Him with our whole being. 

God is able to deliver us.  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had confidence in God to get them out of the fiery furnace.  They said, "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.” (Daniel 3:17 NIV). They not only expressed faith in God, but that He would deliver them – “...is able to deliver us”. God is able to deliver us from sin and destruction. 

God is able to heal. “When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "'Do you believe that I am able to do this?' 'Yes, Lord,' they replied.” (Matthew 9:28 NIV). Jesus is still in the healing business. He is able to heal us physically, mentally, emotionally or from whatever sin we are in bondage of.  

God is able to keep us from falling. “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” (Jude 1:24-25 NIV).  Woo hoo!  When He delivers us, He is able to keep us from falling again when we live in His Presence.

God is able to deliver us from temptation. “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV).  When we are tempted, He will provide an escape route.  But we must take that route in order to overcome the temptation.

God is able to provide. “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV).  This verse is talking about financially that He is able to bless us.  When we surrender our checkbook to Him, He will bless us in abundance.

He is able!  Plain and simple words yet they hold such meaning.  God is able to do anything. No matter what we go through here on this earth, He is able to help us through.  Death of a loved one.  Cancer.  Serious health issues.  Addiction.  Break-up of a marriage.  All of these things, He is able to help us when we allow Him.  We have to have faith in Him and give Him our everything.

Paul wrote to the Ephesians in 3:14-20:  

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious richeshe may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Dear Jesus,

I pray the same this morning for those who read this.  I pray for the faith of the believers to be strengthened.  I pray for people to realize how life can be so different when they fully surrender to You.  I pray for those who feel like they are in hopeless situations to give their situations to You and trust You will take care of them.  Does that mean their cancer will be healed instantaneously or their marriage restored?  Maybe, maybe not.  Does it mean they will know the fullness of Your love?  Most definitely!  Thank You Jesus for being My Fullness.  Amen.

  

God Is Able
He Will Never Fail
He Is Almighty God

Greater Than All We Seek
Greater Than All We Ask
He Has Done Great Things

Chorus
Lifted Up
He Defeated The Grave
Raised To Life
Our God Is Able
In His Name We Overcome
For The Lord
Our God Is Able

God Is With Us
God Is On Our Side
He Will Make A Way
Far Above All We Know
Far Above All We Hope
He Has Done Great Things

Repeat Chorus

God Is With Us
He Will Go Before
He Will Never Leave Us
He Will Never Leave Us

God Is For Us
He Has Open Arms
He Will Never Fail Us
He Will Never Fail Us

Repeat Chorus 2x 

Repeat 2x
For The Lord
Our God Is Able

Psalm 136 - "Your Love Never Fails"

Psalm 136

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

God’s Love Never Fails

136 Praise the Lord! He is good.
    God’s love never fails.
² Praise the God of all gods.
    God’s love never fails.
³ Praise the Lord of lords.
    God’s love never fails.

⁴ Only God works great miracles.
    God’s love never fails.
⁵ With wisdom he made the sky.
    God’s love never fails.
⁶ The Lord stretched the earth
over the ocean.
    God’s love never fails.
⁷ He made the bright lights
in the sky.
    God’s love never fails.
⁸ He lets the sun rule each day.
    God’s love never fails.
⁹ He lets the moon and the stars
rule each night.
    God’s love never fails.

¹⁰ God struck down the first-born
in every Egyptian family.
    God’s love never fails.
¹¹ He rescued Israel from Egypt.
    God’s love never fails.
¹² God used his great strength
and his powerful arm.
    God’s love never fails.
¹³ He split the Red Sea apart.
    God’s love never fails.

¹⁴ The Lord brought Israel safely
through the sea.
    God’s love never fails.
¹⁵ He destroyed the Egyptian king
and his army there.
    God’s love never fails.
¹⁶ The Lord led his people
through the desert.
    God’s love never fails.

¹⁷ Our God defeated mighty kings.
    God’s love never fails.
¹⁸ And he killed famous kings.
    God’s love never fails.
¹⁹ One of them was Sihon,
king of the Amorites.
    God’s love never fails.
²⁰ Another was King Og of Bashan.
    God’s love never fails.
²¹ God took away their land.
    God’s love never fails.
²² He gave their land to Israel,
the people who serve him.
    God’s love never fails.

²³ God saw the trouble we were in.
    God’s love never fails.
²⁴ He rescued us from our enemies.
    God’s love never fails.
²⁵ He gives food to all who live.
    God’s love never fails.

²⁶ Praise God in heaven!
    God’s love never fails.

I woke up this morning singing Jesus Culture's "Your Love Never Fails" and started praying for so many people going through tough times.  I pray they will know that "There may be pain in the night but joy comes in the morning."  I also pray they will know "when the oceans rage" they "don't have to be afraid" because "Your love never fails."

Psalm 136 gives example after example of how the Lord's love never fails us.  His love covers us in all situations.  His love is what sees us through the tough times and draws us closer to Him in relationship.  Sending prayers for these ones to know He loves them and is there for them....

...the two who are going through cancer diagnosis...Lord, give them what they need each and every day

...the little guy with the broken elbow who will have surgery today...Lord, be with His parents and enable them to lean upon You for Your Strength

...the family who lost a wife/mother in a tragic accident yesterday and the little girl who is in serious condition...Lord, comfort this husband/father; give him encouragement to get through these tough days

...the one who is awaiting medical testing...Lord, it's hard to understand why things such as this have to take so long; please help her through this time

...the one going through a possible MS diagnosis...Lord, draw her near to you

...the ones seeing their Momma aging and her health deteriorating...Lord, they need Your wisdom with the decisions they have to make

...the family of the one addicted...Lord, wrap Your loving arms around them and give them Your Words with this one

...the two who recently lost a spouse and are dealing with health issues themselves...Lord, enable them to lean on You during the lonely times

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the opportunity to pray as an intercessor for these ones.  Lord, it was so cool last night on the way to the hospital when You gave me such extreme pain in my right elbow.  When I told Doc, he asked which elbow little Levi had broken. I told him I didn't know and he said, "We better pray."  As I prayed, I asked for You to give me his pain.  I prayed for You to take the pain out of his little body and allow me to have it.  When we walked into the ER, we saw it was indeed his right elbow.  Thank You Jesus for giving me his pain.  He was such a trooper as the doctors examined him and redid the splint.  I pray a blessing upon him and his family as they go through this surgery today.  Thank You Jesus for being the One that Empowers me!  Amen. 

Nothing can separate
Even if I ran away
Your love never fails

I know I still make mistakes
But You have new mercies for me everyday
Your love never fails

Chorus:
You stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There may be pain in the night but joy comes in the morning

And when the oceans rage
I don't have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me
Your love never fails

Verse 2:
The wind is strong and the water's deep
But I'm not alone here in these open seas
Cause Your love never fails

The chasm is far too wide
I never thought I'd reach the other side
But Your love never fails

Bridge:
You make all things work together for my good

Psalm 84 - Pilgrimage

My physical body was telling me to stay on the couch yesterday but my spiritual body was telling me to go and minister.  I use to have a hard time differentiating which voice was the Lord's and which was the enemy.  Key words..."use to"...woo hoo!  I have learned that when I am living in His Presence there is no question as to when He is speaking to me.  Yesterday was one of those times when I knew what I needed to do and I did it.  I praise His Holy Name for the direction He gives to me.  I also praise Him for the strength He gave me.

Had I not listened I would have missed out on an opportunity to be Jesus to one in the hospital.  I would have missed out fulfilling my call.  I would have missed out in the aspect of knowing Jesus made a difference through me.  

Her IV was blown...she was afraid of another stick...she was fearful of the pain she would go through and she wept and screamed in agony as they probed for a good place to place it.  I prayed during the first three times but things were pretty tough.  The Lord told me to sing so I asked her what hymn she would like to hear.  "Amazing Grace" was her answer.  So I started singing and she relaxed.  A couple times I saw her lips moving as she was singing along too.  Within what seemed like seconds the IV was in with very little trauma.  I praised the Lord and told her, "See they just needed to get the right person in here."  The nurse practitioner responded, "No, it was the peaceful spirit that was here that did it."  Woo hoo!  I love, love, love when the medical personnel acknowledge God.

Before I left her room I prayed again.  This time I prayed for the antibiotic to clear her infection and for her to be able to walk again so she could go home.  I told her that we would be praying for her in these ways.  The smile that I dearly love was back on her face.  She was given hope and peace from my visit.  Woo hoo!  

Psalm 84 reads...

¹ How lovely is your dwelling place,
    Lord Almighty!
² My soul yearns, even faints,
    for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out
    for the living God.
³ Even the sparrow has found a home,
    and the swallow a nest for herself,
    where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
    Lord Almighty, my King and my God.
⁴ Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
    they are ever praising you.

⁵ Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
    whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
⁶ As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
    they make it a place of springs;
    the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
⁷ They go from strength to strength,
    till each appears before God in Zion.

⁸ Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty;
    listen to me, God of Jacob.
⁹ Look on our shield,^[e] O God;
    look with favor on your anointed one.

¹⁰ Better is one day in your courts
    than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
¹¹ For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
    the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
    from those whose walk is blameless.

¹² Lord Almighty,
    blessed is the one who trusts in you.

Verse five speaks to me.  "Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage."  According to the dictionary the word pilgrimage means:  "A pilgrimage is a journey or search of moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person'sbeliefs and faith, although sometimes it can be a metaphorical journey into someone's own beliefs."  My strength is in the Lord as I am on this pilgrimage with Him.  I know I couldn't do what I do if I didn't have His Strength.  I also know I wouldn't be on this pilgrimage if I hadn't found His Presence.

Dear Jesus,
I praise You for the opportunity I had to be You yesterday.  I praise You for the strength You gave me...physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  I praise You for this pilgrimage we are on together.  Lord, You know the plans for this day that is ahead.  I pray for You to reveal them to me as they need revealed.  Open doors that need opened and close doors that need closed.  Thank You for being My Pilgrimage Maker!  Amen.