II Timothy 4:17; II Chronicles 7:14 - "How Can I Keep From Singing"

What a night...between issues with my four-legged buddy not being able to breathe for about an hour to issues in my physical body...there was not much sleep happening but there sure was a lot of praying going on! Sometimes I think the Lord allows suffering in our physical bodies to get us to focus better on Him. As I prayed over my little buddy last night my thoughts went to all of the people in my little world who have lost their four-legged companions recently so I prayed for them. As I was dealing with my issues I prayed for those who are dealing with pain in their physical bodies. When the wind woke me up, I prayed for those who are continuing to clean-up from storms in other areas of the world. After praying for physical storms the Lord directed my prayers to those who are going through other storms of life and I spent a long time praying for many...

• the young father having cancer surgery today
• the wife/mother who has had many weeks of illness in her home and is now dealing with her husband being injured
• the little girl who has gone through multiple illnesses over the last three weeks...her parents to have strength...her doctors to have wisdom
• the one getting a full body scan today to see if his cancer is back active
• the one getting a full body scan tomorrow to see where all the cancer is in his body
• the woman dealing with fatally high sugar 
• the man who just received 'bad' test results
• the wife who is dealing with her husband having transgender issues
• many parents dealing with homosexual children
• the man looking relentlessly for a job to provide for his family
• the family burying their loved one today due to an overdose
• the family watching their daughter go through treatments and stem cell procedures as she fights cancer
• the couple with an upcoming adoption appointment
• the one dealing with addiction

Storms come and go but the Lord is forever with us through them. He is our strength. He is our empowerment to get through the storms. When we focus on Him instead of the storms, He will lead us through them in the best way possible. In order to focus on Him we first must do as II Chronicles 7:14 directs us. We must  humble ourselves, pray, seek Him and turn from sin. It is then He will be able to clearly hear us.

When I woke up this morning singing these words, I was blessed in knowing the Lord was with me and will continue to be with me. He is my greatest Encourager and for that I am grateful. It does not matter if I am in a storm of life or on top of the mountain He is always with me.

How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your name
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the opportunity to pray for so many throughout the night. Thank You for bringing different ones to my mind. Thank You for calming my little buddy's breathing down so he could rest. Thank You for reminding me of the need to focus on You. Lord, come down upon those who do not know You in such a way that they will find You. Father, fill me to overflowing with more of You so people will see and hear You today through me. Thank You for being My Encourager. Amen.

II Chronicles 7:14 - "I Refuse"

Yesterday as I listened on the conference call about how the Lord told Craig to stay at the church and pray all day after the previous night's response of people I was so blessed. Several hours of prayer and fasting produced an altar full of people. They were the same people who had previously stayed in their seats at the altar call the night before. The Lord blessed his obedience. Oh how I pray for the Lord to bless those in our church family who are being obedient to Him through prayer and fasting these twenty-one days. How I pray that April 17 will truly be a "Miracle" or "Victory" Sunday. How I pray for physical bodies to be healed through these twenty-one days. I have faith the Lord will bless those who are obedient as individuals but how I pray there will be reason to bless our church as a corporate body of believers. Last night I found myself praying for those who are still holding onto the excuses the enemy has put into their heads as to not being a part of corporate prayer time. "I need my rest. I need time with my family. I don't have the energy. I hurt." The excuses are endless. For the sake of people's souls I pray the excuses will end. We, as a corporate body of believers, will not see II Chronicles 7:14 come to life if we don't do as commanded. We must humble ourselves. We must pray. We must seek His face. We must turn from our wicked ways. That last part is one that many don't realize they are even doing. "Wicked ways" is not necessarily something you do bad. It also is not doing what the Lord calls you to do. A sin of omission.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for Your love, mercy and grace. Thank You for speaking to me so clearly about who to pray for. Thank You for blessing my efforts. Father, fill me with more of You so people will desire what I have. Fill me with Your words and Your attitude. Lord, I pray for no open doors for the enemy to get into my life. I pray against frustration as I see people continue to not fulfill the desires of Your heart. I pray against discouragement. Father, thank You for directing my steps. Thank You Jesus for being The One I Listen To. Amen.

II Chronicles 7:14 - "How Can It Be"

I woke up this morning with these words from a song Lauren Daigle sings called "How Can It Be"...

"You plead my cause
You right my wrongs
You break my chains
You overcome
You gave Your life
To give me mine
You say that I am free
How can it be
How can it be"

We may not be able to comprehend what the Lord does for us but He is amazing. He will take us back when we walk away. He actually has never left us but instead we are the ones to walk away from Him. When He died on the cross, it was so we all could live....not just a select few but all. He gives us freedom through His death, resurrection and in rising from the dead. If one does not accept Him or turns away from Him, it is as if His death was for nothing. 

This morning I am thinking about Doc's words from Sunday. If we, as a church body, will follow II Chronicles 7:14 He will bless our efforts in a mighty way. God gave Doc a direction a few months ago to lead us in and he has. I am praying for more of the congregation to take this seriously. I want to see the power of the Holy Spirit come down upon my church family with healing, gifts, etc. The desire of my heart is for the people of the Willard Church of the Nazarene to experience God in the way He so desires of each of us.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for all that was accomplished yesterday. Thank You for the visit with the girls...I love when they come over. Lord, once again I have before me a new day. I pray for more of You to show in and through me. Father, please direct my steps to where You desire of me to go. Direct my words for what You want people to hear from me. Lord, there are so many of my family members going through tough health issues. I pray for wisdom for doctors. I pray You would eradicate any cancer in bodies...any infection in bodies. I pray You will strengthen those who are caring for my loved ones. I pray "on earth as is it in heaven" over all of them. Lord, there are some who do not know You and for them I pray someone will be there to say or do something that will bring them to You. For those who are in relationship with You I pray they will draw on Your strength. Father, thank You for being My Strength. Amen.

II Chronicles 7:14 - "Keys To The Kingdom"

As I reflect back on the weekend I am amazed at the way the Lord works. A few months ago I never would have been able to enjoy this weekend the way I did. Friday with the Cross Walk was very emotional for me. As I followed behind the cross I thought about how the Lord died for me but I also cried when I began thinking how He lives in and through me. He heals me when I need a physical touch. He loves me in abundance when I need an emotional touch. He encourages me when I need a spiritual touch. Saturday was full with meeting with a friend in the morning who needed to talk. As I listened, I once again was overwhelmed with the way the Lord loves us. He is this one's strength in the midst of a mighty storm. I praise the Lord for the way He uses us to be encouragement to others. Every time Doc has a wedding it seems I draw closer to him and the Lord. As I listened to the couple repeat their vows I was once again blessed in knowing the Lord is the cohesive of our marriage. Spending time with friends over dinner Saturday was the icing on the cake as we laughed and talked. Resurrection Sunday is one of my favorites because of the great celebration that happens. A highlight of my day was when the teens and I taught the children's Sunday School class. I love hearing their answers to the true meaning of Easter. Another highlight of the day was hearing Doc give the date of April 17 for "Miracle/Victory Sunday." I am so excited for what the Lord wants to do in the Willard Church of the Nazarene. Last night at Corporate Prayer Time I prayed that He will be allowed to come and show His power with miracles. I know the only way for that to happen is for people to be fasting and praying. It hurts my heart for so few to be involved in Corporate Prayer Time. Oh how I pray for April 17 to truly be a day where people allow the Lord to be among us. 

The emotions of the weekend ran deep. Knowing I missed a family gathering at my Momma's was hard. Not being with my children and grandchildren was hard. I have to keep my focus on what the Lord desires of me in order to not get down about such things. The weekend was full of physical activity too. I praise the Lord for the healing He gave in my body on February 4 that enabled me to walk the Cross Walk, be involved in the wedding and then to be a part of all of the Resurrection Sunday activities. I also praise Him for eleven hours of sleep last night! Now as I look at the week ahead I know I need Jesus to be my focus. I have a big research paper due this week along with another project next week for school in the midst of the rest of life. I was reading something this morning a friend wrote that really spoke to me. "Now it's Monday morning and already I see challenges of things I need to get to - I will need to live in a 'Sunday World' as I face my Monday challenges. - He is risen - it's time for some victorious living!" Amen!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the way You love and encourage me! Thank You for the way You provide for me! Lord, enable me to stay focused on You throughout this day...this week. Father, I pray for those who heard the message yesterday to think about it today. I pray for my Church family to be praying and fasting over these next 21 days. I pray You will be invited into the lives of the people in such a way that will forever change all of us. Father, fill me with more of You...enable me to be focused so I will know the desires of Your heart for me throughout this day. Thank You Jesus for being My Focus. Amen.

Galatians 5:22-25 - "Let Them See You"

This morning the Lord once again took me to Galatians 5. He spoke to me about verses twenty-two through twenty-five...

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

If people are to see Him in us, He must flow from us. The only way for Him to flow from us is when His Spirit is in us. Accepting Him into our heart is only the first step. Many people think that is enough but it is just the beginning. We must be surrendered to Him in order to have all of the benefits of knowing what He desires of us. The last part of these passage of Scripture says it all..."Since we live by the Spirit..." that is we live with Him in our heart "...let us keep in step with the Spirit" that is we are listening to Him and following His lead. In order to be able to hear Him we must make sure we are in the right relationship with Him.

The desire of my heart is to be filling the desire of His heart. I love this picture for the reminder today that I am a living testimony for Him. People see Him when they see me. A believer is being watched at all times. People watch to see how a believer will react to something or what their words are. When you are a pastor, a pastor's wife or their children, it seems people are watching even closer. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the reminder today on living in the Spirit. I know the only way for the fruit of the Spirit to show through in my life is to be surrendered wholly to You. Father, thank You for the Cross Walk yesterday. How emotional it was as I walked and watched different ones carrying the cross. Thank You for healing in my body that enabled me to do the walk. Lord, I pray someone along the route yesterday saw it and will draw closer to You. I pray for those who participated to have a closer walk with You through it. Father, I pray for today to be a day filled willed with You. Be my words and my actions. I pray for our time with a friend this morning...give us wisdom on what to say. I pray for those who are gathering at my Momma's house today to have a blessed time. I pray for those at the wedding this afternoon to find You. Lord, most of all I pray for more of You in me so that Your fruit will ooze out of me. Thank You Jesus for being My Leader. Amen.

Galatians 5:1 - "Good, Good Father"

I woke up singing a song Chris Tomlin sings called "Good, Good Father" and started thinking about all the ways the Lord shows He loves me. 

You're a Good, Good Father
It's who you are, It's who you are, It's who you are
And I'm loved by you
It's who I am, It's who I am, It's who I am

He shows His love for me when...

• He gives me peace...in the midst of chaos
• He needs to discipline me...even though I may not understand at the time
• He allows me to suffer...in order to go deeper in my relationship with Him
• He comforts me....in times of hurt
• He uses me to pray for others...it encourages me that I am His servant
• He directs me to do something that I don't want to do or something that doesn't make sense...He encourages me
• He gives me ways to love people...even when some are difficult 
• He gives me a song to start my day...knowing how much music means to me 
• He encourages me through others...in 'good' times and 'bad'

Yes! He is a "Good, Good Father" in all that He does for me. I am so blessed by Him! This morning He took me back to Galatians 5 and encouraged me with the very first verse...

Through Christ I no longer have to be a slave to the ways of the world. Being surrendered to Him means He is in charge of my checkbook. Therefore, I do not have to be a slave to 'stuff' or bills. Being surrendered to Him means He is in charge of my calendar. Therefore, I do not have to be a slave to being pulled a hundred different ways. Being surrendered to Him means He is in charge of my loved ones. Therefore, I do not have to fret over them. The secret is to be surrendered wholly to Him. 

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for this day that is ahead. You know the things on the calendar but You also know the things You desire of me to do that are not on the calendar. Father, I pray for more of You to show through my words and actions. I pray You will ooze out of me in a mighty way today. Lord, I could fret over a whole lot of aspects of this day but I refuse to give the enemy any open door. Instead I am looking to You to provide strength...physical, mental, emotional but most of all spiritual for this day. Thank You Jesus for being My Master. Amen.

Galatians 5:6b; Proverbs 27:5-6 - "Air I Breathe"

The Lord woke me up singing...."You are the air I breathe...You are the song I bleed." Immediately He took me Galatians 5 and stopped me at the end of the sixth verse...

In Galatians 5 Paul is rebuking the Galatians for the way they did not listen to what he had previously told them. He did this because he loved them so greatly and did not want to see them living away from the Lord. Many times I do not confront someone because I do not want them to get mad at me or feel like I am being judgmental. Yet as believers we must hold one another accountable but it must be done in the love of Christ. Before we confront we first must talk to the Lord. If He gives us the direction to do so, He will provide the means  and also will prepare their hearts ahead of time. Matthew Henry writes...

No outward privileges or profession will avail to acceptance with God, without sincere faith in our Lord Jesus. True faith is a working grace; it works by love to God, and to our brethren. May we be of the number of those who, through the Spirit, wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 

 "...sincere faith...true faith..." Yes! Our faith in the Lord must be sincere in order to truly be true. The only way to have such faith is through His love. I love what Henry says about what we can do through the Spirit. "...wait for the hope of righteousness by faith." Woo hoo! Waiting is not always easy but it is definitely something that will bless us. No matter what we do or say, we first must wait on the Lord for His direction.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for another day of life. Thank You for the way You provided strength for yesterday and will provide strength for today. Lord, You know what I think the day will look like but I don't want to do anything that is not on Your agenda for me. May You fill me with more of You so I will see and hear what You desire of me. I pray for open ears, open eyes and an open heart in myself. I pray You will enable me to see the opportunities You put before me. Lord, You know the stresses I am facing and I pray peace upon my spirit. Enable me to not worry about the days ahead but to take one day at a time. Thank You Jesus for being The One I Put My Faith. Amen.

Galatians 5 - "How Can It Be"

I woke up this morning with a song Lauren Daigle sings called "How Can It Be" in my mind. 

You plead my cause
You right my wrongs
You break my chains
You overcome
You gave Your life
To give me mine
You say that I am free
How can it be
How can it be

There are so many people who can't begin to comprehend how the Lord can love them so they won't accept Him. Many believe they have 'been too bad' or 'do too much bad stuff' so they won't even give Him a chance. All it takes is that first step to find His love, grace and mercy. But sometimes that first step is too hard to take. It is easier to stay in a life of sin than to be in a life with Christ. Being a believer is a tough thing to do. But the rewards are worth all the work. Seeing a smile on someone's face when You share the Lord with them is awesome! Hearing from the Lord when You are needing comfort, answers or direction is the best thing to experience. Having the Lord's joy in your spirit is encouraging even in tough days. He rewards our efforts as we live for Him in this fallen world. The freedom found in a life with Christ is unexplainable. Many think there are too many restrictions if you are a believer. It is the guidelines found in His Word on how to live a life for Him that give freedom. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and for the days ahead today. Father, I am trying to not stress over life right now but it become increasingly hard. I pray for the freedom of Your peace to be over my day...my week. I pray for more of You that will enable me to see things through Your eyes and not through my own. Father, fill me to overflowing with You in a mighty way. I pray for my thoughts to not be all over the place but to be able to concentrate on what You desire of me when I need to. Thank You Jesus for being My Freedom. Amen.

Acts 2:42 - "Background"

God is so amazing in the way He encourages me. Yesterday He encouraged me through my brother-in-law telling me how much he appreciated me never giving up, talking with my sister, giving me the strength to do what I needed to do, bringing people to my mind to pray for throughout the day and He encouraged me through my school work. The Lord knew I needed encouragement in order to stay focused on Him throughout the day. Woo hoo! He is so awesome! My prayers over the last few weeks have been focused on the prodigals. Doc asked us, as a corporate body of believers, to pray for the prodigals and so I have been intentionally doing so. 

In my studies yesterday there was a question on whether or not the monasticism way of life would enable the church of today to recover the purity that has been lost. I definitely believe if more believers were getting away from the busyness of the world and spending quality time with the Lord, purity would be restored. There has to be time spent in His Word daily, intentional listening in quietness, praying, surrendering fully to Him, etc. in order to live the life He desires of all. Life in today’s society keeps people too busy. The busyness of the world has taken over many lives and pulled people not only away from church activities but also away from the daily spiritual disciplines we are taught to uphold. I wonder how many people today would survive if they had a leader such as Anthony who according to Dr. Cunningham was known for representing “…a movement of protest against the accommodation of the church to the world” . I do not believe there would be many who would survive under his power. Many people in the Church today “…are under the power of the Evil One” (Cunningham) instead of God. Living a life of holiness is going by the wayside.  My heart breaks for not only the believers who are being pulled away from purity but for the generations to come who will not know what a true church looks like. Once again I pray for the true church to come back into existence. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for yesterday and all of the ways You encouraged me. Thank You for the day that is ahead. I pray for You to fill me to overflowing with more of You so people will see and hear You in and through me. Lord, I am so excited about this day because I know You are going to reveal some mighty things. I am thankful for the way You are with my loved ones through their medical tests today. I am blessed in knowing You are the One who will be heard today by many believers who are being deceived by the enemy. Lord, thank You for being who You are in my life. I pray for more people to come into full relationship with You today. I pray for those who are wishy-washy to become grounded in their faith. Lord, cleanse me of anything that is not of You. Purify me in a new way today. Thank You Jesus for being My Purifier! Amen.

Acts 2:42-48 - "If We're Honest"

I woke up singing "If We're Honest" that Francesca Battistelli sings. These words hit me and started me praying again for believers who are being fooled by the enemy.

Bring your brokenness, and I'll bring mine
'Cause love can heal what hurt divides
And mercy's waiting on the other side
If we're honest
If we're honest


My heart is broken over believers who are pretending they are OK spiritually when it is evident they are not. The enemy is on full assault mode with people who follow the Lord. He is overtaking lives one by one with his deception. The only way to be able to stand up against him is to be grounded deeply in our faith, be in the Lord's Word daily, spend time with Him in prayer, fasting, etc. When we lack in these areas, the enemy has an open door to get in. 

In order for our church to be able to experience a "Miracle/Victory Sunday" our body of believers must be living a life of surrender to the Lord. It cannot happen with only a few engaging in corporate prayer time. The Lord will not bless us as a church until we are unified in our prayers. Oh how I desire to be a part of a church on fire. I desire to be a part of a church as the Early Church in Acts...

Yesterday as we prayed and anointed people the words "...on earth as it is in heaven..." were heard. Heaven has no sickness....no deception...no worldly busyness...no 'junk' from the enemy. Can earth be like that? I truly believe it can when we live in the heavenly realm on this earth. It is hard to comprehend but it is possible. I think of the town where they no longer have a need for police because of the way the Lord blessed their efforts as they sought Him in prayer as a town. Wow! If He can do that for a whole town, He can do that for a church!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the opportunity to pray and anoint many yesterday. Father, I pray You will give miracles to these situations. I pray You will be so very real to these ones who need You mightily in their lives. Lord, come down upon those we prayed for and give them a sign that You are there for them. Over and over again we are told stories of deception by the enemy in people's lives. In Your Holy Name I pray the enemy out of situations. I pray for a cleansing in people's spiritual lives. Lord, I pray for more of You in me so people will see and hear You through me. I pray for more of my brothers and sisters to get to the point of brokenness so they will be on their knees. I pray for more of them to be honest with themselves on their spiritual condition. Take away the deception in their minds. Raise up godly men and women to be strong in You that will enable others to become believers. Thank You Jesus for being My Savior. Amen.

Acts 2:40-41 - "Need To Breathe"

I woke up this morning singing Need To Breathe's "Streets of Gold" and immediately started thinking about the ones who have lost loved ones and the ones who have loved ones close to leaving this earth. We never know when our time on earth will be finished and we need to live like every day is our last day here. We need to have no regrets on telling our loved ones we love them or going to see them. Most importantly we need to make sure we are right with the Lord. When Peter spoke to the people on the day of Pentecost he pleaded with them to leave the life of sin and be in relationship with the Lord. "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those words could be said today for many. My heart breaks for those who refuse to accept the Lord. It breaks for those who were in relationship with Him yet walked away. It breaks for the children that are in an environment of sin. I can't imagine how the Lord's heart is breaking. People need to get to the point in life where they realize if they are going to see their loved ones again when they leave this earth then they need to make the decisions their loved ones made. If their loved ones followed the Lord, they must do the same in order to be with them for eternity. No one knows what heaven will be like other than the descriptions we read about in the Bible. Some argue that we won't know one another in heaven. I cannot say for certain whether we will or not but I sure don't want to take any chance with my eternity.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your love, mercy and grace. Thank You for being the One I chose to follow. Lord, come down upon my family and friends who are dealing with death in their loved ones or who are watching their loved ones suffer on this earth. Father, be their Comfort. Lord, I pray You will use me to be a beacon of light for all You put in my path. Fill me to overflowing with more of You so Your words and Your attitude will be mine. Thank You for being My Savior. Amen.

Acts 2 - "Open Up The Heavens"

I woke up this morning singing....

Open up the heavens
We want to see you
Open up the floodgates
A mighty river
Flowing from your heart
Filling every part of our praise

Woo hoo! Yes! Thank You Jesus! This is the desire of my heart...to see Him come to life in our lives. Today is Friday...woo hoo! My favorite day of the week when it's Doc's day off! That means we spend the day together which is not anything too different than the other days of week but there is one exception. We consciously make the effort to not discuss church. It is our time. When one starts talking about church things, the other one stops them. That might sound harsh but when you take a Sabbath it is suppose to be that you get away from your normal routine. Church is our life except on our Sabbath. It is not that we aren't with the Lord. It is just that we try to not discuss or do 'church' stuff. We still do ministry on our Sabbath because that is who we are. We just try to not do our 'normal church' ministry. I am excited for today! We are going to go do a little shopping, probably eat out and then I have been asked to anoint and pray over a man who needs a physical healing in his body. Oh how I love to be used by the Lord! I am praying for this to happen today in this man's life...

Show us, show us your glory
Show us, show us your power
Show us, show us your glory, Lord


This morning He took me back to the Early Church in Acts 2 and I stopped at verse twenty-two...

These words of Peter were spoken to the Israelites but they have great meaning to me. Jesus performed miracles, wonders and signs while on this earth. He continues to perform them today. I strive to be Christ-like. When I do, then I will be a vessel for Him to perform miracles, wonders and signs through. That is what I am praying for as I go and anoint this one this afternoon. I am praying for a miraculous healing in his legs. If it doesn't happen today, I know it will begin today and will be accomplished in the days ahead. I have faith that this one will be healed. Woo hoo!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for this day that is ahead! Thank You for the sun shining down upon us but most of all thank You for the Son shining down upon us! Lord, I have faith that You will provide a healing for this one I will be praying over today. I know Your desire is for Your servant to be back serving You. "...on earth as it is in heaven..." is my prayer for him. There is no infection in heaven. Therefore, I pray the infection out of his earthly body. Lord, empower me to be Your vessel that is used in his healing process. Lord, I am so excited for this day in so many ways. Thank You for giving this day to Doc and I to have for us. You would think I was a new bride in the way I am feeling today. Woo hoo! Thank You for giving me so much love for my husband. The deeper I fall in love with You, the deeper I fall in love with him. Thank You for filling me with more of You so my words and actions are more Christ-like. Thank You for loving me so greatly. Thank You for being The One To Use Me. Amen.

Acts 2:17-23 - "Beautiful Day"

I am so, so tired physically from yesterday even after nine hours of sleep. I sure didn't want to get up when the alarm clock went off and was already thinking how I could get a nap in today. But then the Lord gave me this song to remind me the day ahead is a "Beautiful Day"! I was blessed in knowing that when I start my day with Him and live with Him in me the day will be exactly what He wants. In that I will be blessed. Yesterday is gone but today is here. I need to live in today. Too many times people live in yesterday or even tomorrow and forget that today is where they need to live. It is like they skip over today because they want something so badly in the future. When that happens, blessings of today are missed. I don't want to miss anything the Lord has for me. We need to remember the Lord has us exactly where we are for this particular moment.

And ooh there's something 'bout the way Your sun shines on my face
It's a love so true, I could never get enough of You
This feeling can't be wrong, I'm about to get my worship on
Take me away, It's a beautiful day

We do not know how long we have on this earth. I believe the Lord is returning soon and I sure want to make sure I am ready for Him. I need to make sure I am surrendered to Him wholly in order to hear His voice in knowing what He desires of me to do. The words spoken by the Prophet Joel and then repeated by the Apostle Peter in Acts 2 ones to think about...

These things are happening. The coolest thing for me is having His Spirit upon me throughout my days. Every day when I wake up I ask Him to put more of Himself in me so people will see and hear Him through me. Today is a new day. Yesterday is over and tomorrow is yet to be. Today He has put me in this place. I pray He will use me in some mighty ways.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for this day! Thank You for the difficulties of yesterday and the promises of tomorrow! Thank You for the way You use me to be a beacon of light in my little world. 
Lord, I pray for those who are living in the yesterdays or the tomorrows of their life. I pray they will live in today, right where You have them. Enable them to see the blessings of today.
Father, last night as I prayed before going to sleep I voiced my concerns over things that I was beginning to fret over. You so clearly told me not to allow the enemy to get into my thoughts. Thank You for that reminder. Lord, You are in control of all of my being. I pray Your control over the things that I feel 'need' accomplished. Direct my path. Fill me to overflowing with more of You. Thank You Jesus for being My Director! Amen.

Acts 2:47b - "Prodigal"

I woke up this morning singing...

Wherever you are, whatever you did
It's a page in your book, but it isn't the end
Your Father will meet you with arms open wide
This is where your heart belongs
Come running like a prodigal

I am grateful for the way the Lord has me praying for believers who have slipped away from Him but it is overwhelming when it seems like I am adding to the list daily. I think of the verse in Acts where it reads how they added to their numbers daily. That is the positive addition where people were coming into fellowship in the Early Church. 

The flowers on this bush made me think about the different stages of a believer's life. There are buds that represent the non-believer. There are buds starting to sprout that represent those who are starting to seek Him. The buds that are in bloom are the believers who are living for Him. If this would have had a withering bloom, that would represent those who believe yet have chosen the ways of the world in place of God. Many prodigals are living a life where they are believing the lies of the enemy. Oh how I pray for the day to come where they will be back in full relationship with Him. They will no longer believe the lies of the enemy but instead will believe the truth of the King. As more prodigals return to the church and more of the believers in the church surrender to Him then, and only then, will the church be effective and have His full power. That is the church I want to be a part of. That is the church the Holy Spirit desires to have free reign.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the challenges before us in our home with water issues. I know there is a lesson to be learned or something that will come out of this situation. Father, I pray for Your words to be my words and Your actions to be my actions throughout this day. Fill me to overflowing with more of You so people see and hear You in me. Lord, take away anxiousness that is trying to creep into my day. Fill my day with joy in abundance as I seek You. Thank You Jesus for being My King! Amen.

Zechariah 9:1-8; Hebrews 6 - "Cornerstone"

I took this picture one day when we were on vacation and went to Beaufort South Carolina for the afternoon. This great anchor is in a park beside the water. As we set in the swing and basked in His creation, I was overwhelmed with a sense of peace. There was a light breeze, the sun was shining, the smells of the waterfront were evident, there were flowers blooming...it was so beautiful. The most peaceful part of that day was feeling close to the Lord. I started singing the old hymn "My Anchor Holds" when I saw this anchor. It reminded me of the time last spring when we were out on the Sea of Galilee and the Lord spoke to me about going deeper in my relationship with Him. The only way to go deeper is to be anchored in Him. 

These last few weeks have been weeks of praying for believers who have become prodigals, believers who have allowed the world to become greater then the Lord, believers who are pretending they are 'ok' in their relationship with the Lord when it is evident they are not and believers who are numb due to circumstances which in turn has pulled them away from the Lord. I don't know that there has ever been a time in my life where my prayers were more for believers than those who have never accepted Him. It breaks my heart to see people in these situations. What do their friends and family think about being a Christian when they see them? How long is it going to take people to get past themselves and allow the Lord full surrender? When will people quit listening to the enemy's lies? 

There is a word picture in Zechariah 9:1-8 that tells us we, as believers, will be protected and rescued from the evil world. In these verses we read of how the enemy is after God's people. We are seeing believers being deceived by the enemy more and more each day.  Their actions are affecting the church to be powerless as they listen to the enemy instead of God. The only way to have God's power is to live in His power. The only way to live in His power is to be surrendered to Him. Matthew Henry writes about this passage: "God's house lies in the midst of an enemy's country; his church is as a lily among thorns. God's power and goodness are seen in her special preservation. The Lord encamps about his church, and while armies of proud opposers shall pass by and return, his eyes watch over her, so that they cannot prevail, and shortly the time will come when no exactor shall pass by her any more." Oh how I pray for God's power and protection to be over the Church. I pray for believers to turn back to His ways in order to allow Him to be the King of Kings of His Church.

The Lord took me to Hebrews 6 and I am crushed with these words...

4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. 

As I read this I was overwhelmed with sadness for those who once believed and have walked away. How can it be that it is impossible to come back to the Lord? I know from experience He accepts you back. I went to Matthew Henry for clarification and read:

"The humbled sinner who pleads guilty, and cries for mercy, can have no ground from this passage to be discouraged, whatever his conscience may accuse him of. Nor does it prove that any one who is made a new creature in Christ, ever becomes a final apostate from him. The apostle is not speaking of the falling away of mere professors, never convinced or influenced by the gospel. Such have nothing to fall away from, but an empty name, or hypocritical profession. Neither is he speaking of partial declinings or backslidings. Nor are such sins meant, as Christians fall into through the strength of temptations, or the power of some worldly or fleshly lust. But the falling away here mentioned, is an open and avowed renouncing of Christ, from enmity of heart against him, his cause, and people, by men approving in their minds the deeds of his murderers, and all this after they have received the knowledge of the truth, and tasted some of its comforts. Of these it is said, that it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance. Not because the blood of Christ is not sufficient to obtain pardon for this sin; but this sin, in its very nature, is opposite to repentance and every thing that leads to it. "

When we fall into sin, He is there to cleanse us. Praise His Holy Name! We must repent and come back into relationship with Him when something takes us away. His strength will overpower the enemy when he comes knocking at my door. The way to have His strength is to not give up knocking at heaven's door. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for taking me back into relationship when I strayed. Thank You for Your love, mercy and grace. Thank You for protection over Your children. Father, I am praying for those who have strayed to find their way back to You. Lord, use Your children who are anchored in their relationship to say or do something that will make a difference in their lives. Father, fill me to overflowing with more of You so people will desire a relationship with You. May Your peace flow from me. Thank You Jesus for being My Anchor. Amen.

John 8:42-47 - "Open Up The Heavens"

The Lord took me once again to John 8 this morning to read and ponder. As I read this passage I was taken back to a year ago when we were in Israel. I loved that trip. Being able to walk where Jesus walked was so special. Seeing places like the Mount of Olives brings the Bible to life as I read it. Today I settled in to spend time pondering verses forty-two through forty-seven...

Matthew Henry writes about this passage: "Satan prompts men to excesses by which they murder themselves and others, while what he puts into the mind tends to ruin men's souls. He is the great promoter of falsehood of every kind. He is a liar, all his temptations are carried on by his calling evil good, and good evil, and promising freedom in sin. He is the author of all lies; whom liars resemble and obey, with whom all liars shall have their portion for ever. The special lusts of the devil are spiritual wickedness, the lusts of the mind, and corrupt reasonings, pride and envy, wrath and malice, enmity to good, and enticing others to evil. By the truth, here understand the revealed will of God as to the salvation of men by Jesus Christ, the truth Christ was now preaching, and which the Jews opposed."

How my heart breaks for people who are listening to the enemy instead of God. There are so many seeking freedom from junk of this world but are seeking it through the wrong way. Jesus is the Only Way to receive freedom. His way may not look as good or be as easy but it is the Only Way. Unfortunately, as Jesus points out in verse forty-three many are unable to hear Him because they are listening to the enemy's lies. I was thinking about how many times I have had someone tell me the Lord wasn't speaking to them. Sometimes He speaks but we refuse to listen. But sometimes people can't hear because they are not in right relationship with Him. For me it is sad to think of those who use to hear from Him but have chosen the enemy's path so no longer hear from the Lord. It brings me back to my prayers yesterday for the prodigals. The Lord gives us all free choice and many exercise it as they seek freedom. If only people would realize true freedom comes only through Him.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for this passage in John! Thank You for our trip last year to Israel. Oh how I pray we will be able to go again. I would love to go for an extended period of time to live where You lived. Father, I pray for the prodigals who You brought to my prayers yesterday. I pray they will encounter You in a whole new way today. Yes...'new'!!!! I am ready for what You have in store for me with something 'new' as You promised a few weeks ago. Bring it on! Fill me to overflowing with You so I don't miss any opportunity You bring my way! Thank You Jesus for being The Voice I Hear. Amen.

John 8:31-32 - "Open Up The Heavens"; "I Am Free"

This morning the Lord woke me up singing "Open Up The Heavens" and I was so excited to get to the church to get the day started. I prayed there were others who were ready for the Lord to be in our service. My physical body was so tired and it would have been so easy to go back to bed but I knew I did not want to miss anything the Lord had in store for our church family. As I was crying out to the Lord in Corporate Prayer Time He directed me to go into the sanctuary and pray over the chairs. At first I resisted because I didn't want to interrupt the Praise Team. Then He was adamant that not only did I need to pray over the chairs but I also needed to pray and anoint the podium Doc would be using. When He directed me to do that, I went. I love praying for my husband but I especially am obedient when the Lord directs my prayers specifically for him. I became so emotional and the weeping intensified as I prayed. As I made the sign of the cross on the corners of the podium it was as if a heaviness overtook me and I laid my head on it weeping. The thought of people thinking I had lost my mind flitted through me but then the Lord told me to keep praying. Doc had shared with me earlier he woke up with a song about being brave. After hearing his sermon I understood why the Lord gave him that encouragement. He was bold with the truth. Many people don't like to hear such preaching but the Lord sure was pleased!

The emotional time this morning was tiring to my already tired body. As I entered the sanctuary tonight I asked the Lord to use me as a Prayer Warrior but to please not let it be so emotional. Then He directed my prayers for the prodigals. I looked up the definition and they are: "a person who leaves home and behaves recklessly, but later makes a repentant return." We have many on our list who have left not only the church but a relationship with the Lord. There are many who pretend to still be in relationship with Him even though they are not going to church. Then there are some who are blatantly living a life of sin and not wanting anything to do with Him. As I prayed, He reminded me of the words He said in John 8...

Yes! "...the truth will set you free." May the prodigals come back to the Truth. May they realize they can't do life on their own strength. May they no longer be enslaved to sin. May they no longer have to be in control but instead will allow the Lord free reign over their lives. May they not have fear in returning to the Lord. May they be strong enough to not listen to the lies of the enemy. May they have an experience with the Lord that will remind them of what they use to have AND then turn back to it. May there not just be restoration in the prodigal's lives but may they have a newness in their spiritual walk.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for today being a day of blessings. Thank You for my husband who preached boldly what You gave him. Lord, I pray for the prodigal's to return to you. I pray they will find freedom in the Truth. I pray You will reveal new things to them. Lord, thank You for using me to pray for them. Oh how I will rejoice as they return to You. Lord, I was a prodigal who returned and You had Your arms wide open when I repented. May many others find that same experience. Lord, fill me to overflowing with more of You so people will see and hear You in me. Ooze out of me, Lord. Thank You for being My Freedom. Amen.