I Peter 5:7 - "Cares Chorus"

Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you.  I Peter 5:7  

It's so cool the way the Lord works.  I've been overwhelmed in the last twenty-four hours with prayer requests for so many people.  Some of the requests are known by others while some are private ones.  Today as I was working on the October children's lessons I realized the memory verse for the month.  I Peter 5:7 reads, Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you.  I need to add this one to my list of ones I've memorized to share with people when they ask me to pray for them.

I am committed to praying for and with people.  The Lord has given me many opportunities and I am grateful to be His servant in this area.  I praise His Holy Name for using me as a Prayer Warrior.  Today my heart cried out to Him for many.  As I was walking down the hall of the hospital I realized the tears were starting as I prayed for…

• the family with the loved one in a serious accident and on life support
• the family who buried a loved one yesterday
• the family who will bury their loved one later this week
• the family who buried their three year old today
• the one who along with her little girl found her mother dead yesterday after just losing her fiancé last month
• the one facing more cancer surgery
• the couple with a high-risk pregnancy
• the couple awaiting the birth of a child
• the couple who are having marital issues
• the family who are struggling with making decisions about their aging parents
• the little one who had her face bit by a dog
• the families who are dealing with daughters who are heroin addicted
• the one who is having a hard time forgiving a family member for their actions
• the one who is dealing with major relationship issues within their family
• the one who is dealing with hurt and anger with a work situation
• the one who is having physical issues that are causing emotional issues
• the one who is having emotional issues that are causing physical issues
• the one who continues to struggle with the loss of a loved one

So many hurting people…so sad…I know for some of these situations if they would turn to the Lord and surrender their path would drastically change.  I also know there are some of these people who have surrendered to the Lord to a certain point but need to totally surrender to Him.  Some of these people need His healing touch in such a mighty way in a physical sense but they all need His healing touch in their whole being.  They need an emotional healing.  They need a mental healing.  But most of all they need a spiritual healing.

Dear Jesus,

I have been praying throughout this day for these ones.  It's strange how the more I prayed, the less I felt I could continue on in my physical body.  I feel like I was being zapped of my strength yet Lord, I depend upon Your strength.  Father, give me what I need in order to be the Prayer Warrior You have called me to be.  Thank You Jesus for being The One I Cast My Cares Upon.  Amen.

Various Scriptures - Role Model

Last night I was reminded of some fond memories from my childhood.  I was a little hungry before bed and ended up with some saltine crackers and tea.  It’s been awhile since I had the two together but it took me back to my grade school days.  I would get off the bus after school and go to spend some time with our neighbor, Lucille Hill.  My Mom worked second shift at the hospital and my Daddy was working on the farm so she filled the hour before my Daddy was done.

I get tears in my eyes to think about my time with her.  It was just her and I as her children were older and had already left home.  There was not a lot of money back then but Lucille always had saltine crackers and tea bags for a nice after school snack.  And of course, lots of sugar for the tea!  More than anything else she was there to listen.  Not a day went by where the first words out of her mouth were, “How was your day?”  Of course, being the talker that I have always been that gave me an open door to share with her about my day.  

Lucille spent time with me.  She gave of her time to make sure I was cared for during the hour in between getting off the bus and the time my Daddy was home.  She didn’t do it for money or because she “had to” but instead did it out of the goodness of her heart.  I’m sure she was entertained by some of the things I told her.

As I reflect back on the role Lucille played in my life I think about how I can play the same role in children’s lives today.  I also think about how many people I touch each and every day just by being there as a friend...confidant...someone who is “safe” to talk to.  I praise the Lord for putting people before me who need to have someone to be there for them.  I don’t praise Him for the situations they are going through but thankful I can be part of their healing process.

I came across an article on “5 Traits of True Christian Friends.”  I minister to so many people who probably don’t consider me their “friend” but yet they are grateful when I give of my time to help them through what they are going through.  I pray I will show these traits in my relationships.

Christian Friends Love Sacrificially - John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (NIV)
Christian Friends Accept Unconditionally - Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (NIV)
Christian Friends Trust Completely - Proverbs 18:24
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (NIV)
Christian Friends Keep Healthy Boundaries - 1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy ... (NIV)
Christian Friends Give Mutual Edification - Proverbs 27:6
Wounds from a friend can be trusted ... (NIV)

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the reflection on my time with Lucille as I was growing up.  Thank You for the role model she was for me.  I pray You will enable me to be a good role model myself.  Lord, put people before me that need You through me.  I pray for more of You and less of me in order to be the most effective in my relationships that I can be.  Thank You Jesus for being My Role Model.  Amen.

Lamentations 3:22-24 - "Hiding Place"

22 

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

    for his compassions never fail.

23 

They are new every morning;

    great is your faithfulness.

24 

I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;

    therefore I will wait for him.”

Lamentations 3:22-24

I received a beautiful card yesterday from my District NMI friends with these verses.  On the inside it reads, "Praying you'll sense His presence and His lovingkindness---and that you'll know His strength for every challenge you face."  What a perfect card to receive!  I do sense His presence each and every day.  It is through His presence that I feel His lovingkindness.  It is also through His presence that I have His strength to get me through the challenges of my days.  

Yesterday was full of physical challenges and also some emotional ones.  It was a day that I was reminded just how much I miss my Daddy.  Seeing men about his age suffering makes me realize how blessed we were that my Daddy didn't suffer long.  I think another part of the healing process for me is seeing men who have the same disposition as my Daddy.  It gives me a glimpse of him that I so appreciate.  

The Lord's presence not only sustained me throughout the day but it encouraged me to keep on doing as He put before me.  His presence enabled me to not only be able to go on a date night with my hubby but to enjoy the concert even though I was so physically tired.  

The Lord's  presence blesses me in abundance as I look to this new day.  As Doc left he said, "Rest as much as you can today."  My first thought was that I am resting in Him.  Just as I do each day I will allow the Lord to direct my steps.  I ask Him to give me more of Him and less of me.  I also ask Him to put opportunities before me to be Him to others.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for being My Strength…My Shield…My Hiding Place.  You are so awesome Lord in the way You are with me 24/7.  I praise You for being My Presence!  I praise You for the way You blessed me in so many ways yesterday.  Thank You Jesus for being My Everything.  Amen.

Philippians 4:19 - Blessed

Philippians 4:19

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

I don't know if it's because it's our anniversary week or what but I have been so overwhelmed with the feeling of being blessed with my husband.  He is always there to support me.  He is always there to love me.  He is always there to encourage me.  I couldn't ask for more in our relationship.  Woo hoo!  Thank You Jesus!  Philippians 4:19 talks about God taking care of our needs.  I am so blessed with the way He goes over and above just taking care of my needs and blesses me mightily through my husband.  I was thinking about how godly of a man he is and want to bless him with my words.  May he be blessed with…

…the faith of Abraham

…the heart of David

…effective ministry, wherever the Lord leads

…effective prayers

…a life of surrender

…eternal life

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for my husband.  Thank You for him being my best friend, my encourager, my pastor, my love.  I praise You for our relationship.  Lord, You are so awesome!  Thank You Lord for being The One To Bless Me.  Amen.

Micah 7:18-19 - "Hello, My Name Is"

I stood by the pond and listened as my honey read the words of Micah 7:18-19 and I felt so blessed.

18 Who is a God like you,
    who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
    of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
    but delight to show mercy.
19 You will again have compassion on us;
    you will tread our sins underfoot
    and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

Today is the start of the High Holy Days.  The Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah with praying, a time of self-examination and repentance.  The celebration ends on Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement.  I love studying the Jewish holidays.  There is so much richness in them.  This morning as we threw the bread in the pond I was overwhelmed with the love our Father has shown us.  He has blessed us so much over the last twenty-five years and I know He will continue to do so.  He loves us.  Plain and simple.  His love goes beyond His death on the cross.  His love goes beyond anything of this world and deeper than we, as human beings, can ever imagine.  

The song "Hello, My Name Is" came to my mind as we stood there….  

What love the Father has lavished 
Upon us that we should be called His children
I am a child of the one true King 
What love the Father has lavished
Upon us that we should be called His children


His love is lavished upon us when we allow Him to be a part of our life.  The desire of His heart is for us to live with Him 24/7.  He accepts our repented hearts with mercy and grace.  Woo hoo!  That is exciting!  We no longer have to live a life of this world even though we have to live in this world.  He is not only Our Savior but He is also Our Loving Father.  

Some might ask why we threw the bread into the pond this morning.  Some might wonder why we would do a Jewish custom.  Some might even think we are totally crazy by doing it.  But it doesn't matter what people think.  All that matters is what the Lord thinks.  He directs our steps and for that I'm very thankful.  He leads us to where He so desires and for that I'm very thankful.  I am so blessed with my honey being the head of our household and for being the godly man that he is.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You, once again, for the short time away with my honey.  Thank You for the peacefulness of the place we stayed.  Thank You for the time of celebration by the pond this morning.  You are so awesome in the way You lavish us with Your love, mercy and grace.  Thank You Jesus for being My One True King.  Amen.

Ephesians 5:21-33 - 25 Years!!!!

Instructions for Christian Households

21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Woo hoo!  Twenty-five years of marriage!  As I look back on the last twenty-five years I am amazed at where the Lord has taken us.  I am amazed at how He has lead us.  But yet I shouldn't be amazed because when you live a live for Him every day is amazing.  I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt the reason we are where we are today is because our life as a married couple is based upon these verses found in Ephesians 5.  

"Submit" is a nasty word in some people's thinking but it sure isn't in ours.  It is through submission that true love is found.  It is only when we submit that we can allow the love Christ shows us to flow through to our mate.  

"Love" is another word that some struggle with.  We have to love as Christ loves us.  That means unconditionally.  That means with our whole heart.  It isn't always easy to love someone when we try to do it on our own but when we allow the Lord to work through us it becomes much easier.  I know I'm not the easiest person to live with, especially when I'm dealing with physical issues.  But I also know the Lord directs Doc to come me even in the crabby times.  Another key thing to "love" in a marriage is that we must do as verse twenty-eight tells us.  We must love ourselves.  That's a hard concept to grasp but if we don't love ourselves there is no way we can love others.  

"Respect" is the third word in this passage that many don't like.  If we don't show respect to our spouse, we miss out on blessings.  We are there to build them up, not tear them down.  In order to receive respect, we first must give respect.

So many things have happened in our lives over these last twenty-five years.  Many were trying.  Yet the Lord provided grace and love to get us through.  I'm excited for the next twenty-five years.  I wonder where He will direct our paths.  Wherever He does I know we will be on that path together.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the last twenty-five years and thank You for the next twenty-five years.  I praise You for my husband who loves me unconditionally.  I praise You for the way You guide our steps in life.  Thank You Father for being The One To Bless Me.  Amen.

Hebrews 9:15 - "White Flags"

Through the Spirit, Christ offered himself as an unblemished sacrifice, freeing us from all those dead-end efforts to make ourselves respectable, so that we can live all out for God (Hebrews 9:15 The Msg)

What a fulfilling weekend!  Thank You Jesus!  Experiencing people receiving relevant healing in their bodies, minds and souls on Saturday followed by more in the Sunday worship service and topped off with Hopefest.  Wow…I felt like I was going to explode as I tried to settle down last night.

I loved how Dan Bohi described the atmosphere Saturday night.  "Last night so many prayed to receive pure hearts. It was like the upper room."  Woo hoo!  I had prayed on Friday night for Dan to fan the fire that Doc had started and he did just that.  The majority of the people in the room were at the altar at least one of the three times there was an altar call.  Victories were won in the name of Jesus!  Minds were healed…emotions were healed…physical bodies were healed but most importantly spiritual bodies were healed.  Many said "YES!"  to a pure heart.  Praise His Holy Name!  Many died to self and had bondages broken..chains were set free.  

I personally experienced something I've never experienced before.  As I told the teens yesterday, I'm not really sure what word to use for it.  I hesitate to use the word "weird" or "strange" but it was different.  As Dan prayed for me, I felt my legs giving out.  The next thing I knew I was laying on the floor.  I could hear him praying over others yet I felt like I wasn't there.  The Holy Spirit had come down upon me in a whole new way.  Yesterday in church one who wasn't in our building but had been faithful to pray with us during the week had a similar experience at about the same time many received it in our building.  It was so cool to hear her testify!  

There were also many who had miraculous healing in their physical bodies.  Pains were taken away instantly for some while others had short-term healing and the pain returned.  The Lord spoke to Doc yesterday and told him to tell them their healing was short-lived because He needed them to see that it wasn't because Dan did the healing but because the Holy Spirit did the healing.  Dan was a tool the Holy Spirit used.  My healing continues to happen.  As Dan prayed specifically for my limbs, my arms and legs went on fire and they continue to be on fire.  As I testified yesterday, I'm not sure what is happening but I know the Holy Spirit is working.  I know I have full use of all my limbs with no weakness.  Woo hoo!  Claim and proclaim is what we all need to do for the victories that occurred and continue to occur.

I received a text yesterday morning from one who received victory Saturday night.  On the way home she was attacked by the enemy through a family member.  As I told her, the enemy doesn't like victories.  He will try everything in his power to get us.  We must stand strong against all tactics.

I received another text yesterday after church for one who was unable to be at Saturday's service but was in service yesterday.  She received victory!  Woo hoo!  The Holy Spirit wasn't just there Saturday but He was present yesterday too.  I loved how a couple people described the air Saturday night.  One said it felt like the air became lighter.  Another described it as if the Holy Spirit had sucked all the bad air out and left a peacefulness.

Last night as Building 429 sang, "White Flags" I was overwhelmed.  I know many raised their "White Flags" up and received a pure heart over the weekend.  Woo hoo!  I also know feeling the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit is so fulfilling.  Today as people start their week off they will be blessed in such a mighty way.  They can sing this song with joy in their spirits knowing the Lord has made a way for them to live out of bondage and in complete surrender.

We raise our white flag
We surrender all to you
All to you
All for you

We raise our white flag
The war is over
Love has come
Your love has won

This pray by Betty Scott is one that says it all…

Lord, I give up my own plans and purposes,
all my own desires, hopes and ambitions, 
and I accept Thy will for my life.
I give up myself, my life, my all,
utterly to Thee, to be Thine forever.
I hand over to Thy keeping all of my friendships;
all the people whom I love are to take second place in my heart.
Fill me now and seal me with Thy Spirit.
Work out Thy whole will in my life at any cost,
for to me to live is Christ. Amen.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for victories!  Thank You for white flags being raised in surrender to pure hearts!  Thank You for "coffin living"!  Thank You for the blessing of the Holy Spirit coming down upon the people in my little world.  Woo hoo!  You are so awesome!  More of You and less of me, Lord.  I praise Your Holy Name!  Thank You for being The One I Surrender To!  Amen.

James 5:14-16 - "What Faith Can Do"

Yesterday was such a blessed day with having my legs working right again.  It's the little things in life that make you realize just how grateful we need to be when our bodies work.  Being able to take a shower without worrying if your hubby is in the house to help if needed…having to have a chauffeur to run errands…just so many things we all take advantage of in our daily lives.  I am so thankful the Lord provides no matter what stage of the MS I am dealing with.  I must admit I like it when I don't have to deal with such issues as I have these last couple of weeks.  But I know there is a reason why and it doesn't matter that I don't know what the reason is.  

Last night in our corporate prayer time the Lord spoke words that were disappointing to me.  It's hard to pray so hard for something only to be told to "keep praying."  I almost asked for particulars for the situation but then decided I didn't want to know.  It's kind of like with the reason for the MS.  Sometimes I want to know why things flair up and others time I think I don't.  Instead of needing knowledge or information I am trusting in the Lord to take care of things.  

I am also trusting in the Lord to not allow us to give up in this situation.  I was reading in my on-line class about how we can become discouraged in our spiritual lives and give up practicing a spiritual discipline.  When, in fact, we are just around the corner from a breakthrough.  I am expecting a breakthrough with this situation.  I am expecting miracles to happen in this situation.  I am praying for the hearts and eyes of people to be opened to what the Holy Spirit wants them to receive.

I love the words to Kutless' song "What Faith Can Do"…

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do

It doesn't matter what you've heard
Impossible is not a word
It's just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody's scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It'll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

"Impossible is not a word"….YES!  I know nothing is impossible when the Lord is in the midst.  He told me last night to "keep praying" and I will.  I refuse to give up…I refuse to allow this to be a hopeless situation.  I have faith the Lord will provide breakthroughs.  I have faith that the Lord will answer our prayers and make "Broken hearts become brand new…"  Last night the Lord directed me to James 5:14-16 and again this morning He directed me to the same verses….

James 5:14-16 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another,that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.


I am standing on these verses and claiming victory among the people.  There is power in my prayers and I have faith they will be answered.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for speaking to me and encouraging me.  Thank You for loving me and giving me great faith in You.  Thank You for all who I have been praying for.  Lord, direct my steps today…direct my prayers…direct my mind.  Thank You Jesus for being The One To Make Things Possible.  Amen.

Matthew 6:10b - "Healer"

...on earth as it is in heaven.  Matthew 6:10b

5:31AM…ding…my phone…URGH!!!  I was soooo not ready to get up.  The medicine I am on right now makes it that once I'm awake that's it.  There is no going back to sleep which is very unusual for me.  Before I could even start to complain the Lord put these words on my heart.  They are to the song "Healer"…

I believe You're my Healer…
I believe You are all I need…
I believe You're my Portion..
I believe You're more than enough for me…
Jesus, You're all I need.

I absolutely love this song.  It draws me deeper and deeper with Him.  Believing is the first step to anything.  He then told me to pray for those who need a healing.  As I started to pray, He gave me "…on earth as it is in heaven."  I struggle with this because there is no disease or sickness in heaven.  He is capable of the same thing here on this earth.  So why do we still have disease and sickness here?  He opened my eyes this morning that there is perfection in heaven and until there is perfection on this earth there will be disease and sickness.  Ouch!  How can we have perfection on this earth?  It will take a total surrender to the Lord by all in order for that to happen.  Is that possible?  Most definitely!  I know it is possible because the song goes on…

Nothing is impossible for You

Nothing is impossible
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands

That's the key.  We have to believe and we have to trust in Him.  No matter where we are in life.  No matter what our circumstances are.

You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease
I trust in You, Lord I trust in You

I believe You're my healer
I believe You are all I need
Oh, I believe

I believe You're my portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need

As I started praying for those who need a physical touch, the Lord told me to speak words of life not only over them but over my own body.  He told me to pray "…on earth as it is in heaven" over them.  When I started praying for others first, He stopped me and said, "Daughter, I need to hear these words out of your mouth for yourself."  I don't normally start with myself but as I started to argue He said, "Daughter" so sternly.  So I did as commanded and started with myself.  I prayed "…on earth as it is in heaven"

• Lord, there is no MS in heaven.  Today, right now, I pray for there to be no MS in me.  I pray for my legs to work properly when I get out of this bed.
• Lord, I pray for the two who have had weird tests results.  Today, right now, come down upon them and perfect their bodies so the issues previously spoken over them are gone.
• Lord, I pray for the one awaiting results on the cancer that was removed.  Today, right now, cleanse his body and make the cancer that has been spoken over him to be gone.
• Lord, I pray for my husband who has had disease spoken over his body.  Today, right now, cleanse his body and free him from his health issues.  I also pray the kidney stones will be removed from his body.
• Lord, I pray for two others who are going through kidney stone issues right now.  Today, right now, cleanse their bodies and free them from the pain they have been experiencing.
• Lord, I pray for your servant who is awaiting testing and surgery for a mass that was found.  Today, right now, remove that mass from her body.  Lord, in Your Holy Name I pray when they go to do the testing there will be nothing found.
• Lord, I pray for the two currently undergoing cancer treatments.  Today, right now, use these treatment to rid the cancer from their bodies.

An hour and fifteen minutes later as I got up I thanked Him for my healing.  When I started walking, I claimed that healing.  Is my walking perfect?  No, but it is soooo much better.  Do I still have the burning in my legs?  Yes, but that's OK because I know my Lord heals miraculously at times and at other times He heals through doctors, medicine and time.  Woo hoo!  I'm not picky, I will take the healing however He blesses me with it!  

As I reached for my glasses they broke in two pieces.  My first thought was, "My goodness the enemy doesn't want me to share my time with the Lord."  Thankfully, I am able to get them to sit on my face in order to type.  Victory in Jesus and a smack in the face for the enemy!  Woo hoo!  I am so excited right now I can hardly stand it.  I would love to go through the house screaming and dancing but I don't think the other two here would appreciate it.  So for now I will just keep praising my Lord in my quiet way.  

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the blessing of this morning.  Thank You for that 5:31 ding on my phone.  Thank You for the way You opened my eyes to "…on earth as it is in heaven."  Thank You for loving me.  Thank You for enabling me to have victory in You and also for allowing me to smack the enemy in his face when he tried to take my joy.  Father, bless my friends who I have prayed for this morning.  Make it be that in their situations they will trust in You and see "…earth as it is in heaven." Lord, I trust in You to give me a complete healing.  I speak words of affirmation of that over my body.  Thank You Jesus for being My Healer.  Amen.

Philippians 3:20-21 - "Praise Adonai"

2:56 AM…text for prayer for a young man who had collapsed and taken to the ER.  As Doc left, I started praying.  The Lord gave me "Praise Adonai" which I thought was a strange song to receive at that very moment.  I wondered if I had heard it before going to bed or if it truly was for the situation.  Then the Lord spoke, "He is safe in my arms."  Wow…  This came before I received the next text that he had passed.  I was overwhelmed.  I kept praying for his family and the Lord spoke again, "I took him to protect him."  Wow…  

I never met this young man but now have been told a little about his life.  He recently was in jail and found the Lord.  In the last couple weeks since being released he has shared scripture with his family and talked about the Lord.  The icing on the cake for me this morning as I shared this with his family was when one of his aunt's shared that about the same time as she was praying the Lord told her that He took him "while his heart was tender for Him."  Wow…what a confirmation!

This young man, a new believer, is in the arms of the Lord because he made a decision for Him.  God only knows what would have happened in his life had He not taken him from this earth.  This gives a whole new meaning to the thought of being protected by the Lord.  It turns a "negative" situation into a "positive"…it's turns a hopeless situation into one of hope…it helps the grieving process in a mighty way.  

I was thinking about the words to "Praise Adonai"….

Praise Adonai
From the rising of the sun
'Til the end of every day
Jay had his moment of experiencing "From the rising of the sun…" and now had his moment of "'Til the end of every day…"  He is with the Lord all because he made the decision to accept him in his heart.  I think about my writing a day or two ago about how we all have decisions to make.  Heaven or hell…worldly ways or total surrender to the Lord…wow…  

Jay was so young with three children and as a human we question, "Why was he taken?"  But Jay has taken his citizenship up in heaven and for that we can sing "Praise Adonai."  Philippians 3:20-21 reads, But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for these words You gave me and then confirmed through Theresa.  Thank You for loving Jay so much that you wanted to keep him for eternity.  Lord, bless this family as they go through these tough days.  Enable them to lean upon Your strength.  Thank You Jesus for being Our Protector.  Amen.

Romans 6 - Heaven or hell..it's a Choice

When I saw this picture this morning, I thought "Amen!"  We all have choices to make each and every day in all areas of our life.  We have choices to make in what we wear, what we say, how we respond to others and circumstances, what we eat, how we spend our time, how we spend our money…the list goes on and on.  But the most important choice we make is in whether we choose to follow the Lord or not.  In our relationship with Him we also must choose whether we will surrender to Him.  It's one thing to make the choice of salvation but it takes so much of us to make the choice of surrender.

We have been more intent lately on praying for people who don't know the Lord and for those who "know" Him but haven't surrendered totally to Him.  Last night as I was praying the Lord spoke to me about an individual.  He said, "They can't come into relationship with me because the enemy has tore them down making them feel like they aren't good enough."  That is sad to think about.  

Unworthy…worthless…two different words that many times we think mean the same yet they don't.  When something/someone is unworthy it is without merit, undeserved.  When something/someone is worthless they have no value.  Yes, we are unworthy when it comes to God's love but we definitely aren't worthless.  The Lord loves us with an unconditional love.  He wants to be in relationship with us.  The desire of His heart is to spend eternity with Him.

How can we do that?  By making the right choice.  By making the choice to not only follow Him but to fully surrender to Him.  By making the choice to give Him free reign to our calendar, our checkbook, our family…every part of our life.  Is that easy?  Not at first but as you grow deeper into relationship with Him it becomes normal.  I remember when we first started tithing.  It was one of the hardest things to do because we weren't even making enough money to cover our bills yet alone give to the Lord.  A blessing from our obedience was that we never missed one bill.  Woo hoo!

Romans 6 gives us insight as to what choice we need to make in order to spend eternity with Him.  We must make the choice of life over death.  We must make the choice to be obedient to Him instead of giving into sin.  We must make the choice to be pure and righteous instead of allowing wickedness into our lives.  It's our choice.  Heaven or hell.  Verse twenty-three of this passage is the icing on the cake…For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ

6 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the deadthrough the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead,he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

Slaves to Righteousness

15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! 16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

19 I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. 20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for loving me.  Thank You for guiding me.  Thank You for the gift of salvation and for the gift of living a life of surrender with You.  Lord, I pray for people who are unsaved to have someone go before them that will say or do something to draw them to You.  I also pray for those who "know" You but haven't fully surrendered to You.  Father, take them to the end of themselves.  Lord, a life of surrender isn't easy as far as the world goes but it sure is wonderful in knowing You are in control of everything.  Lord, more of You and less of me continues to be my prayer.  Father, lead my words…lead my steps…lead me to do whatever You desire of me.  I am Your vessel.  Thank You Jesus for being My Eternity.  Amen.