"Waterfall"

As I listened to the waterfall and watched it cascading down, I was mesmerized.  I started thinking about the song "Waterfall."

Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall

Running wild and free

You hear my heart when I call, when I call

Deep calls, too deep

Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall

Raining down on me

God's love is just that.  It runs down on us in such a mighty way.  As I watched the different falls flowing some were strong while others were trickling.  God's love is always there for us....whether we need to feel it strongly or if we need to feel it gently.  He knows our needs.  

Oh God, my God I seek You

I wanna move when You move

You're more than I could long for

I thirst for You

The desire of my heart is to be fully surrendered to Him.  I desire more of Him and less of me.  How can that happen in my little world?  I start each and every day praying for it.  He gives the desires of my heart but when they are also the desires of His heart that I ask for....woo hoo!!!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for cascading Your love down upon me.  Thank You for coming mightily when I need that and gently when I need that. I praise You Father for Your love.  Thank You for being "My Waterfall"!!!  Amen

Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall

Running wild and free

You hear my heart when I call, when I call

Deep calls, too deep

Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall

Raining down on me

Waterfall, waterfall

Oh God, my God I seek You

In this dry and desert land

You lead me to streams of mercy

Once again

You're an ocean to my soul

To my soul

Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall

Running wild and free

You hear my heart when I call, when I call

Deep calls, too deep

Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall

Raining down on me

Waterfall, waterfall

It's coming like a flood

I'm dancing in the rain

Everything I've done

Is covered in rivers of grace, amazing

It's coming like a flood

I'm dancing in the rain

I lift up my hands

Your love never changes, amazing

Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall

Running wild and free

You hear my heart when I call, when I call

Deep calls, too deep

Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall

Raining down on me

Waterfall, waterfall

Mmm

Matthew 18:19-20 - "And All The People Said Amen"

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”     Matthew 18:19-20

I love, love, love our corporate prayer time.  I get so blessed by hearing my brothers and sisters lifting their voices to the Lord.  

Praise
Repent
Ask
Yield

After we go through these areas then we speak out whatever the Lord lays on our hearts.  I was extremely blessed last night when twice as I was ready to pray something John started praying on the same thoughts.  That was confirmation to me that I was hearing from the Lord. Another thing that the Lord has done since we started this back up is that when the time is over, according to the Lord not us, He gives me a song that Matt Maher sings, "And All The People Said Amen."  It's like that is my sign that we are done.  It's so cool.

This morning I am going to use this same format to pray.

Praise - I praise You Lord for the opportunities that You gave me yesterday to be You to others and for the opportunities You will give me today.  I praise You for the strength You are giving us through these tough days.  I praise You for the protection You gave me yesterday.  I still don't know what I was protected from but whatever it was I am grateful.  

Repent - Lord, forgive me when I don't take the opportunities You put before me.  Please forgive me when I am crabby.  I thank You for checking me on it yesterday.  Father, forgive me for not doing what You give me in the timeliness You want it done.

Ask - Father, I ask once again for Your comfort to come down upon all those who have lost a loved one.  I also ask for healing in relationships.  Lord, I pray for doors to be open that need opened and doors to be shut that need shut.  Lord, I pray as I did a few days ago…

Lord, open my eyes to see more clearly who You are and who You aren't.  Open my eyes to see more clearly who I am and to see more clearly this world we live in.  Most of all, Lord, open my eyes to see Your mission for me.  Father, enable me to not miss anything You have for me today.  

Yield - Just as I pray each and every day….more of You and less of me is the desire of my heart.  I want to be totally surrendered to You.  Lord, open my eyes to the desires of Your heart.  Lord, I pray as I did a few days ago…

Lord, incline my heart to understand You more deeply and to desire You more passionately. Father, make Your Will my will.  Father, my desire is to love you with everything I have…my whole heart, mind and soul.  Purify me, deepen my faith and trust in You.

Lord, order my steps to address what my eyes have been opened to see.  Order my steps to reflect the direction that my heart has been inclined.  Order my steps to love You and my neighbor concretely, specifically, incarnationally.  Lord, the desire of my heart is to live a sanctified wholly life for you.  A life of complete surrender.

Thank You Jesus for being The One I Pray To….Amen.

II Timothy 1:7 - Hedge of Protection

God does not give us a spirit that makes us afraid.  But He gives us a spirit of power, love and self-control.  II Timothy 1:7

This verse was the first thing that came to my mind this morning.  My clock was set for 4:30 because I had to take someone to Bucyrus for surgery but I awoke at 4:17 to this verse.  My first thought was, “Oh no!  What is today going to bring?”  My second thought was, “I need prayers of protection.”  I don’t know if it was from the fatal accident yesterday that made me apprehensive of driving at this time of the morning or what but I instantly had fear in my heart.  I prayed and asked the Lord to help me to stand on II Timothy 1:7.  I wondered if I should wake Doc and ask him to go with me but decided against it.  I did wake him to tell him I was leaving and when he prayed for me he prayed for a “hedge of protection” over me.  Afterward I told him I had II Timothy 1:7 in my mind when the Lord woke me this morning and appreciated the prayer.

When we pulled into the hospital, I told them I wanted to pray with them before they went in because I was going back home until time to pick them up.  After I prayed, he prayed.  I was blown away when the exact words were used.  He prayed a “hedge of protection” over me.  I immediately got the Holy Spirit goosebumps.  Wow!  

As I drove back home it seemed like the fog was worse but maybe it was just my imagination.  I do know I had a peace about my spirit in such a mighty way.  When I go back to pick them up later today, I know I will continue to have that “hedge of protection” around me.  And for that I am so grateful.

We don't always know when people pray for us.  I know many are praying for Doc and I as we minister to yet another grieving family.  I was thinking yesterday about how the Lord has us where we are, at this particular time, for a reason.  We are called to be whatever He desires of us.  Sometimes my tank goes below empty as I minister, especially when the deaths come so close together.  In some cars when you are running out of gas there is a buzzer or a light that comes on.  Yesterday was my "filler up day" where I was going to rest and relax.  That was my plan but not the Lord's plan.  When we received another call, we went to be with the family.  After we returned home I began to think about the day.  It didn't happen as I planned but I'm thankful I had enough strength to do as the Lord desired.  That made me think about how He knows what we can and can't do.  He knows when our tank is empty.  When we don't have words, He gives words.  When we don't feel like we can continue on physically, emotionally or mentally, He gives the strength to do so.  I use to do things on my own whenever I thought they needed done.  I am so thankful I have surrendered to Him and allow Him to guide my steps and words.  It is through that surrender that I can do what I do.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for prayers.  Thank You for people who pray for me.  I know there are many praying for us during these tough days.  Most of all, Lord, I want to thank You for my surrendered heart.  If it weren't for that, I would be a mess.  Father, be with this family as they grieve.  Not only this family from the tragic death yesterday but also all of the other families going through the grieving process.  Lord, thank You for giving me "...a spirit of power, love and self-control" as found in II Timothy 1:7.  Thank You Jesus for being The One I Surrender To.  Amen.

II John 1:1-6 - Open My Eyes…Incline My Heart…Order My Steps

I am drained…I feel kind of out-of-sorts this morning…so many different directions are pulling me…so many things have been put off these last few days with all the busyness that happened…just not sure what to do but yet I don't have the energy to do anything.  I do believe this needs to be a "list" day so that nothing gets missed.  I quit doing lists a couple years ago when the Lord impressed upon me that I was allowing my lists to control my day instead of allowing Him to guide me.  Since that time I only use lists for special occasions such as dinners, packing to go away, etc.  Today is a special occasion in the fact that I'm afraid I will miss something important if I don't have it written down.  

But before I get to making my list I want to pray as was suggested on a Spiritual Formation webinar I listened to last night…

Lord, open my eyes to see more clearly who You are and who You aren't.  Open my eyes to see more clearly who I am and to see more clearly this world we live in.  Most of all, Lord, open my eyes to see Your mission for me.  Father, enable me to not miss anything You have for me today.  I'm drained…physically, mentally, emotionally….please fill my tank.  Father, forgive me when I miss opportunities You put before me.

Lord, incline my heart to understand You more deeply and to desire You more passionately. Father, make Your Will my will.  Father, my desire is to love you with everything I have…my whole heart, mind and soul.  Purify me, deepen my faith and trust in You.

Lord, order my steps to address what my eyes have been opened to see.  Order my steps to reflect the direction that my heart has been inclined.  Order my steps to love You and my neighbor concretely, specifically, incarnationally.  Lord, the desire of my heart is to live a sanctified wholly life for you.  A life of complete surrender.

Amen.

I was reading from the first chapter of the book of II John this morning…

1 The elder,

To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth—2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:

3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.

4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

Wow!  these are some cool verses.  I was reminded of the PG sermon series we are in.  These verses bless me as I know my children are walking in the truth.  The reason they are is because they were raised knowing God comes first in life.  Not friends.  Not school activities.  Not their job.  Not sports.  God comes first.  We are commanded over and over to "…love one another."  I love what these verses say about that command.  "And this is love:  that we walk in obedience to his commands."  Yes!  That is what not only was taught to my children at church and in the home but it also was lived out in our lives.  The other day someone commented about how young adults that were raised in the church no longer attend.  Right here is the reason why.  They may have been taught in the church but if what they were taught there wasn't lived out at home it didn't stick.  A key to the PG sermon series is that even if we don't have children or our biological children are already grown we still have children in the church to guide.  We can only do so much but at least seeds will be sown.  

My life is a life of surrender but unfortunately many believers haven't got to that point yet in their relationship with the Lord.  Before anyone can they first must repent and then open the door to the Lord.  It is then, and only then, He can live totally in us.  I love the analogy from John Wesley's "The House of Religion" with a house.  The front porch is where we need to repent before we enter through the door of faith into the house of holiness.  Woo hoo!  There is no better place to live than in a life of holiness.

Dear Jesus,
I feel like I've kind of went all around the mulberry bush this morning in our time together yet it all fits with my life today.  Father, once again I ask for Your comfort to be with all the grieving families.  I pray for Your Presence to be with them.  I also pray for Your Strength to be with me today.  Lord, enable me to accomplish that which has to be accomplish and to let go of that which doesn't.  Open my eyes…incline my heart…order my steps.  Thank You Jesus for being My Holiness.  Amen.

Philippians 4:13 - "Oceans (Where Feet May Fall)"

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.  Philippians 4:13

Yesterday as I heard Adavee playing "Oceans (Where Feet May Fall)"  I was so blessed.  The words just fit the day.  Then my blessings continued when Nancy taught my teen class so I could spend some time alone with the Lord.  My third blessing of the morning was Ruth bringing us lunch because she knew we would be spending the day at the church for calling hours.  The Lord was filling up my tank to overflowing.  Worship was awesome.  People were truly experiencing worshiping the Lord as we sang.  Communion with my husband was a special time.  Having Nancy pray the Armor of God over me was exactly what I needed.  I asked the Lord to fill me and He did.  I prayed for strength and He gave it.  I prayed to not miss any opportunities to be His hands and feet and I don't believe I did.  I prayed for His help with the fogginess of my brain and the way my mouth and brain weren't working together right and for the most part He did.  

"You call me out upon the waters…"
This week has been one of the toughest for me in ministry.  Four deaths with two being from our church has been challenging, to say the least.  I'm so thankful for the Lord being with me every step of the way.  I'm blessed as I minister to those hurting.  (A total of twelve deaths this week with those mentioned at church for prayer.)

"In oceans deep my faith will stand…"
My faith gets rooted deeper and deeper as I am challenged to go into places that are so tough.  In Pastor Doug's sermon yesterday I was encouraged to keep on going no matter how tough the circumstances God puts us in.

"Your grace abounds in deepest waters…"
Woo hoo!  What an awesome God I serve!  His grace is sufficient!  When I miss an opportunity He puts before me, it's OK.  I know He will give me another one!

"Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders.."
Yes, Lord---I want to be where there are NO borders, NO shut doors on "secret" places kept from You.

"Let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me…"
Wherever the Lord leads me is will I will go.  Whatever He asks of me, I will do.  I am completely surrendered to Him!

"I am Yours and You are mine…"
Praise His Holy Name for the relationship I am in with the Lord.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for a day of blessings yesterday.  Thank You for the strength to not only survive the day but to thrive through it.  Thank You for the way I could feel Your Presence within me. Thank You for all the people who are praying for us through these difficult days.  Lord, as we go into another funeral today I pray for You to use us in whatever way You desire.  I pray for the family and friends going through calling hours these evening and for the ones preparing for calling hours tomorrow.  I pray for another family going through a funeral today.  Father, so much death.  As Doc said yesterday, "Time is drawing near."  I pray for people to realize the urgency to getting right with the Lord.  Lord, someone said something to me yesterday that made me mad and I'm sorry I allowed it to.  I pray for them to have their eyes opened to what they said.  I pray against the negativeness of the comment and for it to not go any further.  Father, open people's eyes to the truth instead of the junk of the world they are believing.  I pray against the enemy having any foothold in people's lives, especially believers.  Lord, there are two I am praying for protection over and ask that You be with them and enable them to make decisions based upon You and not the world.  Father, thank You for being My Blesser.  Amen.

Philippians 4:13 - Compassion Fatigue Day 3 - "The Only Name (Yours Will Be)"

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.  Philippians 4:13

As I was leaving the church from the funeral dinner yesterday, I was blessed when I turned on KLOVE and "The Only Name (Yours Will Be)" came on.  Woo hoo!  How appropriate for the end of the day that included the funeral of a believer and a death of another believer.  I didn't realize just how appropriate the song was for the day until 10PM when I received a call to go to the hospital to be with a family of a man in his last minutes.  Once again, he was a believer.  

A few weeks ago as I walked into his room I asked him if I could pray for him.  His response was one I will never forget.  "G---i---r---l, you never have to ask me if you can pray.  You can pray with me anytime you want."  He was one of those people who I could sit and listen to him tell stories all day long.  I was blessed with being able to be with his family for his last breathes.  He put up a tough fight to stay on this earth but the Lord called him home.

When I wake up in the Land of Glory
And with the saints I will tell my story
There will be one Name that I proclaim

Once again I went through so many emotions with another family and started thinking about the whole compassion fatigue concept.  As I was leaving for the hospital Doc said, "I'm sorry you have to go but we know the Lord has put you into this position for a reason.  He will give you strength."  And that He did.  I am so thankful I don't have to do anything on my own strength because the Lord is always with me.  He is my strength in such a mighty way.  

Dear Jesus,

I'm beyond exhausted, physically…mentally…emotionally.  I need more of You and less of me.  Father, please fill my tank to overflowing.  With another set of calling hours tomorrow and then the funeral monday I need so much of Your strength.  Lord, I pray for these families who are going through such difficult days.  I ask that You be so very real to them. I pray that something I said or did for them will make a difference in these time of grieving for them.  Thank You Jesus for being My Strength.  Amen.

Philippians 4:13 - Compassion Fatigue Day 2

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13

Compassion fatigue….what is it?  I'm not sure what the technical definition is but I think it's when you give and give and give of yourself to the point of being fatigued.  How do you deal with it when the situations keep coming your way that you are needed?  How do you shut down your body when you need to keep going?  

As I look back upon the last eight months, I see how the Lord provided for us time after time in this area.  Our last minute, very unplanned cruise in February/March was because the Lord knew we needed it to get through some tough days in April and May.  Once again, the last minute, very unplanned four days in a cabin in the woods of Kentucky was because the Lord knew we needed our tanks full before these days.  As I think about all the times I've planned time away and put hours and hours into the planning process it is much easier to allow the Lord to take care of such things!

Minutes after getting up this morning as I was preparing food for the funeral dinner later today we received the call of a dear lady in our church who passed.  She had struggled with leukemia for way longer than the doctors ever predicted.  But one thing that could be said about her was that she was a fighter.  Every step of the way.  In the last month she had came to a few church activities and services.  She even went to the County Fair!  That's the way she rolled.  This 80+ year old lady put me to shame at times with all her energy.  I have such fond memories of her.  I will never forget an ice cream social we had at the parsonage right after we came to Willard.  We had only been here a couple of weeks and were still trying to get to know people.  I didn't remember seeing her before but she came with her bunny slippers on and sat in my rocking chair with a smile on her face just watching people pretty much the whole evening.  It wasn't long before she was at every service and activity, especially if food were involved!  LOL  I will never forget the time we took the Caravan children swimming at Holiday Lakes.  Some of them had never been in a lake before, only in a pool.  She had so much fun with them.  It is memories like these and the knowledge that she is in the arms of Jesus that make her death a bit easier for me.  

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the strength You gave me yesterday and the strength You will give me in the days ahead.  I praise You for all the ways You take care of us.  I praise You for the way You direct our steps.  Thank You Jesus for being My Tank Filler.  Amen.

Philippians 4:13 - Compassion Fatigue

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13

What a day it has been and it's not over yet!  When I woke up 15 minutes early this morning, I wondered why.  When I walked into the hospital and was called to the ED for a code, I knew why the Lord woke me early.  As I prayed and ministered to a hurting family I prayed for the Lord to give me right words and He gave me peace.  Throughout the day I was called back to the ED for a trauma and once again the Lord provided right words.

He also provided right words as I planted seeds with one who was raised by an Atheist father.  As he asked questions, I knew the Lord was with me because the answers were there to some tough questions.  I pray for the seeds that I planted to be cultivated into a full-blown relationship between this one and God.  I may never see them again but I know the Lord used me today in their life.  The Lord also led me as I ministered to the family of one who is in their last days.  Once again He provided words in a situation where words are hard to come by.

As I minister to another family at calling hours for the loss of their loved one I feel like I need my tank filled up.  I feel like I'm running on empty yet at the same time I feel so blessed to be where the Lord has me.  A few weeks ago there was a speaker at the hospital on "Compassion Fatigue."  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to go.  But I think I can relate to that term today.  I have given and given and given.  I'm tired….physically, mentally, and emotionally.  But praise His Holy Name I am not tired spiritually!  The Lord just blessed me in a mighty way through a phone call from a dear brother in Christ.  He had no idea what he was getting into when he asked how I was.  I poured my heart out and his response was, "Let me bless you" and he prayed for us.  Woo hoo!

The Lord has provided for me each and every moment of this day.  He has provided physical strength.  He has provided mental strength.  He has provided emotional strength.  But most of all He has provided spiritual strength!  When I hung up the phone, I felt like I could fly.  My strength was renewed through this one who prayed with me.

Dear Jesus,
You are so awesome in the way You were with me every step of this day.  I praise Your Holy Name for loving me in such a mighty way.  You are such a wonderful Daddy.  Father, I pray for the ones grieving today.  Would You please wrap Your loving arms around them and help them to feel Your strength?  I also pray for the seeds that You planted through me today to be cultivated.  Lord, I can't begin to thank You enough for the phone call from Mike.  Father, bless him mightily.  Father, I praise Your Holy Name for being My Strength.  Amen.

Colossians 2:6-7; Hebrews 12:11 - Spiritual Disciplines

As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.  Colossians 2:6-7

As I read my 31 Days to Thrive devotional this morning I was prompted to dig into it a little more.  In the devotional it talked about how we receive strength in our walk with the Lord through being in His Word and prayer.  I know my strength is definitely deepened the more I seek Him.  Living in His Presence is the place where I feel His strength the most.  

It went on to talk about the word "abound" and how it is the verb form of "abundant."  I absolutely loved a statement in regards to this.  "To abound in thanksgiving is to purposely direct the overflow of our root system into other people's lives."  In order to do that we must make sure we abide in Him.  That is the only way He can produce fruit through us.  

I get this word picture of an apple tree.  It may grow tall and bear lots of fruit but without the proper care the fruit won't be good.  It is the same way with believers.  We can fill up our lives with all kinds of "good" things but if we don't live a life of surrender to the Lord our efforts won't produce fruit.  We must take care of our spiritual life through the disciplines of reading His Word, prayer, tithing and fasting.  We must draw close to Him so that we become so intimate that there is a no doubt in our minds that it is He who directs our paths.  

Spiritual disciplines are a negative to many because they don't want to surrender to the Lord.  Many want to keep control of their checkbooks, calendars, and family instead of allowing the Lord to work through them.  There is a constant battle between the spirit and the flesh.  But the end result is in having a joyful spirit no matter what we are going through.  Richard Foster says in Celebration of Discipline:  "Neither should we think of the spiritual disciplines as some dull drudgery aimed at exterminating laughter from the face of the earth.  Joy is the keynote of the disciplines."  I so wish some of my brothers and sisters in Christ could find this joy.  So many are kidding themselves that life is good when if they would surrender they would see just how good life can be.

Hebrews 12:11 reads, All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful, yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.  Woo hoo!  "…the peaceful fruit of righteousness."  Praise His Holy Name!  

Dear Jesus,
I pray for my roots to not only be grounded in You but I also pray for my fruit to overflow from my surrendered spirit.  Lord, I pray for those who haven't surrendered to You.  I pray they will come to the realization of the importance for them to surrender to You.  I ask that You use my life, Lord, to make a difference in others lives.  Lord, I pray that anything that would taint my fruit would be cleansed from me.  I pray my fruit will be sweet and juicy for You.  Thank You Jesus for being My Gardener.  Amen.

Matthew 5:4 - Mourning

Matthew 5:4 – Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted.

The other day I prayed for the Lord to answer something we've been praying about and He did.  As a human being I'm not sure if I'm pleased with His answer or not.  Yet as I think on the spiritual realm of things I know His Will and His Time is the best.  While we were away for a few days we received calls and texts about a few different people who were going through tough physical issues.  One was hospitalized and then released.  One was life flighted and still needs a lot of prayers.  One was taken in for a procedure a few days early but praise the Lord came through well.  And then there was the frantic call about a horrible accident.  We were north of Cincinnati when we received the call.  It was so hard to be so far away instead of being with the family.  A half hour into praying we received another call that our friend had passed.  I was crushed.  I had to remind myself that His Will and His Timing is best.

I had recently had some conversations with this man but yet I didn't ask where he was in the spiritual realm of things.  "Only if??? What if??? Why didn't I???"  The one that was life flighted a few days ago I knew I had asked and was pleased to know she was good with the Lord.  But why didn't I just ask such a simple question to him?  Why, Lord?  Were the seeds that I planted cultivated?  

We never know when our time on this earth will come to an end.  We also never know when we will have another time to talk to someone about the Lord.  Sometimes when I feel like the time isn't right I have to stop and check myself.  Is that my humanness feeling that way or is the Holy Spirit telling me to wait?  That is something that I have to answer.  

I'm thankful for the seeds that I planted and also for the peace I have with the situation after praying about it.  I'm thankful we finally made it to the hospital to comfort the family.  I'm also thankful for Sharon who went to be with them until we could get there.

As I stood there, I had words of comfort to give but yet I wasn't really sure how comforting they were.  Especially to those who don't have a relationship with the Lord.  There is no way they can be comforted in the knowledge the Lord is there for them.  But I pray He becomes real to all of them.

Dear Jesus,
I pray for Your love to come down upon this family in a mighty way.  I pray for the lady who was life flighted and her family as they go through this difficult time.  Lord, touch all involved. Open doors that need opened for people to come into relationship with You.  Amen.

Matthew 18:18-20 - "My Heart Is Yours"

 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be[e] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.  Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” 

Matthew 18:18-20

Woo hoo!  I was so blessed with corporate prayer time last night.  To join with my brothers and sisters in communicating with the Lord is so special.  I was also blessed with my time yesterday walking as I worshiped the Lord through singing and praying.  Yesterday was such a blessed day in the area of prayer.  

Did I have prayers answered?  I'm sure I did.  

Did my prayers get heard?  No doubt!  

Was my prayer time a waste of time?  Absolutely not!

Praise - Lord, I praise Your Holy Name for who You are in my life.  I praise You, Father, for being my King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Repent - Father, forgive me when I do something that separates us.  I also pray for forgiveness for those times You give me an opportunity and I don't take it.

Ask - Dear Jesus, I pray for victories.  I ask that You direct my path today to be You to others.  Father, would You please use me to make a difference in peoples lives?

Yield - Heavenly Father, I continue to give all to You.  I surrender all, Lord.  Thank You for waking me up with "My Heart Is Yours" on my lips.  "My heart is Yours; Take it all; My life in Your hands."

Dear Jesus,

Wherever You lead, I will follow.  Whatever You ask of me, I will do.  I am surrendered to You, Lord.  Thank You Jesus for being The One I Surrender To.  Amen.

I Corinthians 10:23-24 - "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.  No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.    I Corinthians 10:23-24

Last night in our group we talked about how even if something is permissible it isn't always beneficial.  If we do something to make a brother stumble, then it definitely isn't beneficial.  Sometimes when I think back on conversations I wonder why I said or didn't say something.  Or in thinking back on situations why I reacted in a certain way.  It's so tough (and not possible) to always say and do the right things.  But one thing that helps me in life is to know that the Lord guides my steps.  He is the One to direct me.  As long as I stay in relationship with Him I don't need to have any guilt.  When problems arise, I can know that whatever I do or say is OK because the Lord guides me.

But the same isn't true for everyone and I need to remember that.  If I don't, then I give the enemy a foothold into my own life.  When the enemy is allowed into our lives, he will cause disruptions in relationships which in turn will cause hurt.  I don't know which is worse.  Seeing someone who has been a believer for years allow the enemy a foothold or seeing a new believer allowing it.  Someone who has known the Lord for a long time should know better but yet as human beings it happens.  On the other hand a new believer really doesn't know better.  They are still trying to figure Jesus out let alone have to deal with the attacks of the enemy.  It's so hard to see, no matter which situation it is.

Prayer is the key to getting through "junk" of this world.  So this morning I am praying…

Dear Jesus,
I pray for restoration in relationships.  I pray for eyes to be opened to You.  Lord, I don't understand why things happen to cause issues within relationships but I do know the enemy is hard at work in many lives.  I pray against him having any foothold in my own life and in the lives of those I love.  I pray for the full armor of God to be upon believers.  Lord, I pray for Your guidance as I deal with situations that are "junk" of this world.  I pray for Your strength in my emotions.  I pray for my faith to not falter.  I pray the words of the song "Oceans" this morning….Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders; Let me walk upon the waters; Wherever You would call me.  Thank You Jesus for being My Faith.  Amen.

Revelation 22:1-21 - "River of Life"

I woke up this morning with the kids song "I've Got A River of Life Flowing Out of Me" and started chuckling.  I haven't heard that one for awhile so where did it come from?  No doubt the Lord put it in my heart to remind me that He is, and always has been, with me.  "Makes the lame to walk and the blind to see…"  Woo hoo!  I can attest to both of those things happening in my life.  He has brought me through many times with the MS with walking issues.  He also restored my sight when I had the issue with it.  

As I think back on all He has done for me, I feel guilty.  Why did He choose to answer my prayers and not others?  Why did He heal me and not the ones with life-threatening diseases?  Why do I have the "good" MS and not the more debilitating one?  I don't deserve all the goodness He has bestowed upon me.  I'm just me not some famous person.  I believe He gives me these thoughts to make me realize no one deserves any of the goodness He gives.  He doesn't give some people more than others.  He gives each of us exactly what we need.  

The Lord has told me over and over again the reason for my MS is because others need to see how I deal with it.  They need to see my faith in action.  Sometimes I feel like I don't do a very good job of showing it.  Like on Sunday when I was tingling all over and all it took to start crying was a friend who asked me how I as doing and hugged me.  The tears started to flow as she held me and prayed.  I was so grateful for her prayers.  While she prayed I prayed and asked that He stop the tingling.  I told Him that it would be an awesome testimony to give in the service.  But that wasn't His plan and I accepted that.

That neat part about the situation is what He reminded me of this morning.  No matter whether I am walking or flat on my back; numb or have feeling; tingling or not…He is my River of Life who does flow from me.  I pray for the River to flow from me as long as the Lord has me on this earth.  But I long for the day when I am face-to-face with the River of Life.  Oh my, how life will be so different.  I will have no more tingling.  There will be no pain because there will be no sickness nor dying.  Worshiping my River of Life will be the only thing happening in heaven.  Woo hoo!  I wonder if the light I carry on this earth will shine brighter in heaven?   

"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. ..."

Revelation 22:1-21 ESV

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the reminder through this little song today that You are my River of Life and You do flow from me no matter what is going on in my life.  Father, I pray for more of a gushing of Your Spirit to flow through me.  I desire more of You and less of me.  Lord, when I think about a river that is turbulent with rapids I guess I could compare that to tough times in life.  On the other hand I want to see it as I want turbulence in my spirit.  I want to be bursting in my spirit with more of You.  Father, thank You for being My River of Life.  Amen.

Proverbs 18:10 - "Just Say Jesus"

What do you say when there are no words?  "I'm sorry" seems so meaningless.  Sometimes I find myself in situations where I feel like there just are no words to help.  But then I am reminded of the song "Just Say Jesus" and know I don't have to have words.

When you don't know what to say
Just say Jesus
There is power in the name
The name of Jesus
If the words won't come
Cause you're to afraid to pray
Just say Jesus

"Just say Jesus…"  His Name is enough.  His Name will give comfort to the hurting.  His Name will encourage them as they go through the trials on this earth.  When we call upon His Name, we will know He is in control.  No matter what is happening to us His Name will be enough to get us through.

Proverbs 18:10 reads, The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to is and they are safe.  I'm praying for those who are in turbulent times to call upon the Lord.  I wish I had answers for them as to why they have to go through the junk they are going through but the Lord is the Only One who can answer that.  

Dear Jesus,
It would be so easy to ask "Why?" but Lord it is not my place to question.  I pray for my friend who is dealing with another time of turmoil.  I pray You will be the One she calls upon.  Lord, give me Your words when I have none.  I pray for more of You and less of me.  Thank You Jesus for being the One I Call Upon.  Amen.

Various Scriptures - Why, Lord?

Lord, why do I have to have MS?  Why do I have to have such annoying things such as a tingle on the inside of my big toe for hours/days on end?  Why do I have to be fatigued?  Why…why…why???  OK, Lord I'm through ranting…at least for a couple minutes.  Sorry!  I just get so tired of it.  But then again I need to be thankful it's not worse than it is or even something that I'd be fighting for my life with.  So does that make be blessed to have MS?  Maybe in the sense that I could have something worse.  Or maybe in the sense that I could have one of the more debilitating types of MS.  But Lord when I think of MS I don't feel blessed.  OK, I need You to remind me of the blessings I have experienced through the MS.

1. Physical healing over not just particular parts of my body but also a complete healing for a period of time.  Thank You Jesus for those few years of complete healing AND most of all thank You for allowing me to keep the feeling in my right side when the rest of the MS came back.  Thank You for all the times You restored my body through doctors, medicine, physical therapy…eyesight returned to normal, legs/arms started working again, etc.  I praise You, Father, for the time of instant healing when one touched my feet.
2. Emotional healing when I can't function "normal" and the attitude You sustain in me that You are my strength and I can do all things through You who strengthens me.  (Philippians 4:3)
3. The joy You give me in knowing You have a purpose for the MS.  I know many times You have told me people need to see how I handle it with a deep faith.  Father, I'm sorry when I am not as strong as other times.  I'm sorry if I fail in people seeing my faith through tough times.  I stand on 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. 

Lord, You bless me in so many ways and I am grateful to You for the way You bring me through the valleys and allow me to have the mountaintop experiences.  I praise You Father for being the One who strengthens me, the One who loves me, the One who enables me to deal with MS in the way I do.  Father, today is a new day.  I'm not sure if You will take away the tingling in my big toe or not but I do know You will enable me to do what You so desire of me.  You know my plans for the day but I am anxious to see how the day unfolds and what Your plans are for it.  Bless my day, Lord.  Give me exactly what I need physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for this day.  Psalm 118:24 says, This is the day that You have made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it.  I stand on this scripture too…even with a tingling toe.  Thank You Jesus for being My All In All.

Amen

Hebrews 10:19-25 - "We Believe"

I was awake several times during the night and each time I had the song "We Believe" going through my head.  I can't imagine going through life without having the Lord to believe in.  As I was praying with one the other day I asked if they had a church home.  They told me they didn't but they still believed in the Lord.  I explained to them the importance of gathering with other believers in order to keep our walk with the Lord strengthened.  I'm not sure I convinced them on this issue but at least I planted a seed.  

In the tenth chapter of the book of Hebrews it reads…

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

I love the words Matthew Henry writes about this passage…

Believers are to consider how they can be of service to each other, especially stirring up each other to the more vigorous and abundant exercise of love, and the practice of good works. The communion of saints is a great help and privilege, and a means of stedfastness and perseverance. We should observe the coming of times of trial, and be thereby quickened to greater diligence. There is a trying day coming on all men, the day of our death.

"The communion of saints is a great help and privilege, and a means of steadfastness and perseverance."  Woo hoo!  Yes!  When we gather as a body of believers, we are not only strengthened in our faith through one another but we also help one another through encouragement and through example.  When a fellow believer sees how we lean upon the Lord during a trying time, they will be encouraged to keep on pressing on.  We also can be built up knowing other believers are praying for us.  I was so blessed with our corporate prayer time in knowing my brothers and sisters had the desire in their heart to pray.  We will see answers to prayers as we are faithful.  

We will see "…the gates of hell…will not prevail…for the power of God has torn the veil…"  And it all comes back to believing.  

We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit
And He's given us new life
We believe in the Crucifixion
We believe that He conquered death
We believe in the resurrection
And He's coming back again
We believe

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the desire in my heart to believe in You.  Father, so many people have an issue with believing in something they can't see.  But if they would look around they would see You everywhere.  Father, open eyes that need opened.  Not just for those who don't believe but also for those who are living a double life half-way with You and half-way in the world.  When I stop and think about it, they really can't live half-way in both because they truly can't live with You when they are allowing the world to be their god.  Father, I fear for their eternal lives.  Would You please use me to make a difference in their lives?  Would You please give me the right words and/or actions that will make them want to live a life with only You?  Thank You Jesus for being the One I Believe In.  Amen.