Psalm 91 - Guardian Angels

Wow God!  You are so awesome!  Thank You...thank You...thank You for the two guardian angels You sent to protect us yesterday!  We could have been killed or in the very least been mugged.  I love the way the angels told us they never take that route but The Lord told them to yesterday.  Wow!  Thank You Lord for people who listen to You!

My Refuge and My Fortress

91 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
    and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
    nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes
    and see the recompense of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
    the Most High, who is my refuge—
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
    no plague come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up,
    lest you strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder;
    the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
    I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble;
    I will rescue him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”

Verse 11 is key to our time of protection yesterday.  For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.  Our guardian angels did just that.  Woo hoo!

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for blessing us with Your Protection.  I pray blessings upon our Guardian Angels.  Thank You for speaking to them.  We are so grateful for their obedience.  Thank You Jesus for being Our Protection.  Amen

Matthew 5:15-16 - "Legacy"

Today is one of the most special days that I get so blessed each month…the day of prayer for my District Family.  I'm thankful for Facebook that allows me to know when to pray for people throughout the month.  What a blessing we have in today's time with technology.  I know there are downfalls to it too but I choose to see the positive with it.

So today as I pray, I am praying for…

• each church
• each pastor and parsonage family
• pastor friends and spouses who are going through health problems
• pastor friends and families who are going through the loss of family members
• chaplains
• General Church
• missionaries
• MVNU
• district activities that surround the end-of-the-church-year
• Specifically for Crystal who keeps everyone organized
• I am praying against back issues for her.
• District Assembly and Family Camp
• Specifically for the ordinands, their spouses, and their families

My district family has been so supportive of us throughout our health issues and loss of loved ones.  I pray specifically for Pastor Steve and Thais as they lead our district.  I pray for wisdom and strength for them.  I pray for protection as they travel many miles ministering across our district.  

I am praying that every one on this list will have the desire in their heart to leave a lasting legacy in all who they minister to.  I heard "Legacy" this morning on KLOVE and was so encouraged to keep on keeping on even when I feel like I can't do it.  I was reminded that I can't do life but God can do life through me.  Woo hoo!

Matthew 5:15-16 reads:  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

We can all leave a legacy by letting our light shine for all to see.  People need to see we are different in the way we live our lives.  What a testimony for people to see us living by faith instead of fear.  When they see us loving even the unlovable, they see Jesus.  The simplest acts of kindness can turn people to the Lord.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for this day being our District Day of Prayer.  Thank You for the privilege to pray for my District Family.  Lord, bless each and every one in abundance.  As I pray through the list of pastors/churches, You reveal to me specifics to pray for.  Father, touch the ones who are going through times.  Speak to them in a way they will hear You.  Draw them closer to You.  Thank You Jesus for being The Head of Our District!  Amen.

John 3:16 - "Love Came Down"

This morning started off kind of rough with "failing" the blood pressure test at the hospital.  URGH!  Thankfully after realizing several were failing it they changed to a manual one and I passed in order to do the respirator test.  But it still was up from my "normal" reading.  I have been allowing the stress of the calendar, people's health, and all there is to do take away the Lord's peace within me.  I feel so crabby and I sure don't want to feel like I do.  

On the way home from the hospital I started thinking about a song Miss Evelyn sang for us yesterday.  Kari Jobe's "Love Came Down"…

Love came down and rescued me
Love came down and set me free
I am Yours
Lord I'm forever Yours
Mountains high or valley low
I sing out and remind my soul
I am Yours
I am forever Yours

I needed this reminder this morning.  I need to apologize to my husband for my shortness and I need to ask the Lord to bless me in abundance to not just get through these next 48 hours but to give me His Peace in them.  

If my heart is overwhelmed
And I cannot hear Your voice
I hold on to what is true
Though I cannot see

When I am overwhelmed, I can't hear Him.  That is a place I definitely don't want to be.

If the storms of life they come
And the road ahead gets steep
I will lift these hands in faith
I will believe

I must not allow "the storms of life" to diminish my faith but instead must draw closer to the Lord.

Staying desperate for You, God
Staying humble at Your feet
I will lift these hands in praise
I will believe

If I don't hold onto Him in the good and bad times, then His death was for nothing.  He died for me.  Wow…what an amazing thing to think about.  He died for me.  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him such not perish but have eternal life.  Wow!  God loved me enough to have His Son die for me.  The belief of this verse is enough to smack me up the side of the head and make me realize His love covers all of the "junk" of this world for me.  His love covers the craziness of our schedule.  His love covers everything that has to be done.  His love covers the health of my love ones.  His love covers relationship issues.  His love covers ALL when we allow it too.

Dear Jesus,
I am so blessed in the way You brought me to my senses this morning.  Father, I am so sorry for the way I was allowing life to get between You and I.  Lord, You know what is on my list but I also know that I only want to do what You desire of me.  If the list has things that aren't important, I ask for wisdom.  If You have opportunities for me, I ask for open eyes to see them.  Father, thank You for Your Son who died for me.  Thank You for being My Savior.  Amen.

Psalm 34 - Praise God!

After sleeping ten and a half hours last night I woke up with the first thought of "I can't do this."  Yesterday the day started out with snow pouring down even though it wasn't forecasted.  When we opened the garage door, we started grumbling because people would stay home again.  Doc was quick to remind me that we needed to praise Him even though it was snowing.  Then in my teen Sunday School class we discussed the verse about not grumbling and complaining.  Boy, did that hit home!  I told them about how Doc and I had started grumbling about the snow but then stopped and started praising the Lord.  I do believe that changed the way the service went yesterday.  In the service there came a time where you could feel a pull between the enemy and the Holy Spirit as we were praying over one.  The Holy Spirit won…woo hoo!  

After church I drove to see my Momma.  It was a tough day not only physically but also emotional.  Mom had a tough day yesterday and fainted twice while I was there.  She cried out to the Lord to just take her home with him and it broke my heart.  I was sitting there thinking about how I needed to leave in order to get home before dark but I hated leaving her.  I prayed for the Lord to give me wisdom.  The next thing I knew my brother was walking into her room.  Praise God!  I was so thankful for the answered prayer.  As I was walking out I started crying.  I cried out to the Lord myself, sent a text to a couple friends asking for prayer and called my hubby.  I was falling to pieces and yet I knew I had to drive home.  All of a sudden a great peace came down upon me.  Once again Praise God!  I asked Him to get me home safely and He did.  Once again Praise God!

Today was our day to celebrate birthdays with Miss Evelyn (6) and Miss Annabel (2).  When I got up, I knew I had to make lunch and get ready to go to their house.  I just didn't think I could do it.  I was exhausted.  When we started out, I told Doc that I put my bag in the car because I had some church things to discuss if I felt up to it.  He told me to rest so I could enjoy the kids so that's what I did.  What a fun time we had!

There is just nothing sweeter than hearing "Grandma Sheila" out of their mouths.  Papa Doc always seems to be the favorite of the grand babies but today Miss Annabel was loving on me.  They all loved the ham rolls and buttered noodles I made.  Then when I apologized for buying cupcakes because I didn't have time to make the cake I was planning on making Mr Beckett informed me "cupcakes are sooooo much better than cake!"  Woo hoo!  Those words made me feel better!  After we ate we played.  Miss Evelyn played "Mary Had A Little Lamb" on the piano for us and sang many songs for us with her karaoke machine we gave her for her birthday.  Miss Annabel took me into her room and showed me the butterflies and flowers on the wall.  When I said "Miss Annabel, that's the picture I made you when you were born" her response was "I know!"  Another thing that warmed my heart.  The Lord knew I needed my tank filled and the best way possible was with the grand babies.  

I took my four-legged buddy for a brisk walk when I got home.  Now it is the end of the afternoon. The dishes are piled high in the kitchen from this morning's cooking.  Doc and I still haven't discussed the church stuff.  Wash is still in process.  I am wiped out yet I am feeling so blessed.  The Lord continues to amaze me over and over again with the way He blesses me.  I went to Psalm 34 today…

Psalm 34

I will extol the Lord at all times;
    his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory in the Lord;
    let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the Lord with me;
    let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
    he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
    their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
    he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
    and he delivers them.

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
    for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, listen to me;
    I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Whoever of you loves life
    and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil
    and your lips from telling lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good;
    seek peace and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
    and his ears are attentive to their cry;
16 but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
    to blot out their name from the earth.

17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
    he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

19 The righteous person may have many troubles,
    but the Lord delivers him from them all;
20 he protects all his bones,
    not one of them will be broken.

²¹ Evil will slay the wicked;
    the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
²² The Lord will rescue his servants;
    no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You, thank You, thank You for blessing me in so many ways.  Thank You for giving me exactly what I need to get through tough times.  You are so awesome!  I pray blessings upon each of my grand babies.  Miss Evelyn; Mr Beckett; Miss Bella; Miss Annabel; and Grand Baby #5 due in August.  I also pray blessings upon their Mommies and Daddies. Paul & Lizzy.  Ben & Emily.  Father, I also pray for my dear Momma.  Lord, she needs Your healing touch in a mighty way.  Thank You Jesus for being the One Who Blesses Me!  Amen

Hebrews 10:19-39 - Habit

The Lord woke me up over an hour early this morning to pray for our church.  I went through the names of people and prayed individually.  So many people have been sporadic over this winter with their attendance.  As I was praying, He kept bringing it back that "they will get back into the habit of church."    Interesting….according to the dictionary the word habit means:

Habit

n. noun

1. A recurrent, often unconscious pattern of behavior that is acquired through frequent repetition.
2. An established disposition of the mind or character.
3. Customary manner or practice.
   
   

We all have a lot of habits.  Some of them are good while others of them are bad.  The Lord led me to Hebrews 10:19-39.  Verse 24-25 are key….And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 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.


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.  26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.  32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light,when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.  36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For,

“In just a little while,
    he who is coming will come
    and will not delay.”

38 And,

“But my righteous one will live by faith.
    And I take no pleasure
    in the one who shrinks back.”

39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

It seems like no matter what is said or done when people are out of the habit of doing something it is next to impossible to change their mindset.  Is it a sin to not go to church?  Do you have to go to church to be a Christian?  Will the Lord punish me for not going to church? Those are all questions that go through the minds of people.  I personally don't believe you have to go to church to be a Christian but it sure does help.  We need the fellowship with other believers.  We need to worship in a corporate setting. Sin is something that every individual must answer for and be accountable for.  It is between individuals and the Lord as to whether or not some actions are sin.  

This morning as I was praying I prayed for many to hear from the Lord in what they needed to be doing in their spiritual lives.  I prayed for people to draw nearer to the Lord and to seek more of Him.  I believe as that happens they will become not only more committed to Him but also to the church body.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for dying on the cross so we could live.  Thank You for loving me enough to care about my entire being.  Father, I pray for my pastor this morning as he brings the message You have given him.  I pray for Your words to flow from his mouth.  Lord, I pray against the physical pain he is in to be a distraction.  I also pray for ears to be open to what You have for us.  Lord, I pray for not only the church body to be an encourager but I also pray for You to encourage the church body.  I pray for not only our church body but all of the churches across our district and in our town to be God-fearing, Bible preaching churches.  Thank You Jesus for being My Savior!  Amen.

John 14:1-4; II Corinthians 5:1 - "I Will Rise"

This has been a week of deaths.  It's so hard to deal with the hurt on this earth.  In all four instances they were believers so that gives comfort.  The families know they will see their loved one again.  But to get through the tough days with the void in their lives is so hard. This morning I am praying for the families who have lost loved ones this week…

The family of the eleven year old who was accidentally shot.
The family of the young Mom who lost her battle with cancer.
The families of the two elderly men who went to be with Jesus.

I have no words to make things better but I do have my prayers for each one of these families.  I am praying the Lord's Strength to encompass them.  I am praying for family and friends to meet their needs.  I am praying against the enemy having a foothold in the families as they deal with their losses.  I am praying for God's Peace to come down upon them in a mighty way.

"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going." John 14:1 - 4

Trusting in Jesus to get you through the tough stuff such as losing a loved one will enable you to draw closer to Him.  We may never understand why a loved one dies but we can be assured if they are a believer and we are a believer we will see them again.  We need to be joyful in the knowledge that our loved one is no longer suffering on this earth but instead is with the Lord in Paradise.  

"For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands" 2 Corinthians 5:1

Dear Jesus,
I pray for these ones who are hurting over the loss of a loved one.  I pray for Your Peace and Your Strength to come down upon them in a mighty way.  Lord, draw them closer to You.  I pray for any non-believer family members or friends to find You through these circumstances.  I praise You Father during these hard times for being Their Strength.  Amen.

James 1:26 - "Words"

Words…they can help you or they can hinder you.  I woke up singing "Words" this morning and began praying for one who I talked with yesterday that has been crushed by another one's words.  

Words can build you up 
Words can break you down 
Start a fire in your heart 
Or put it out 

This one has been broken by another's words.  I think what makes it even deeper of a hurt is that the words came from a family member.  Another part of the deepness is that the person who said the words is a believer.  How do you respond to the question, "How can a someone who claims to know the Lord say such things?"  First of all, we are all human.  We will make mistakes.  Another thing that my hubby told me last night when we were talking about the situation is that the one who claims to be a believer wasn't acting as a believer should nor were they acting as Christ would.  I am reminded of James 1:26.  If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. "Worthless"… the words that come out of our mouths are worthless if they aren't from the Lord.  Just think how many "worthless" words we say each day.  Not only are they worthless but if our words aren't from the Lord and we give the pretense that we live a life for the Lord then our words do more harm.  It tears down the Christian testimony.

I ask the Lord every day to give me His words and His attitude as I go throughout my day.  I don't want anyone to see me say or do something that would tear down the Christian testimony.  The part I have to work extra hard on is my reaction to people.  It's hard to not want to set the story straight when you have people saying things about you that aren't true.  It's also hard to not want to confront them.  I have to pray for the Lord's guidance on whether confrontation is the right road to take.  Doc reminded me yesterday of the need to set boundaries in our life so people can't hurt us through words or actions.  I must admit I'm still working on this. 

Dear Jesus,
I thank You for giving me the desire to have Your words and actions.  Father, I pray for this one who is so crushed over words of a family member.  Not only do I pray for healing in them but I also pray for them to seek Your guidance in the healing process.  Lord, I pray for this one who hurt them with their words.  I pray against the continued process of "hurting people hurt people."  I pray for a healing in them so they won't continue to hurt others with their words and actions.  I pray the words of this song over this situation.  "You can heal the heartache; Speak over the fear; God, your voice is the only thing; We need to hear."  Be their Healer, Lord.  I also, for myself, pray the words of this song over my life.  "Let my words be life; Let my words be truth; I don't want to say a word; Unless it points the world back to You."  Praise Your Holy Name…woo hoo!  Thank You Jesus for being My Words!  Amen.