II Peter 1:2 - "You Won't Relent"

Woo hoo! Yes! As I started to read II Peter this morning, He stopped me right away at verse two. This is an awesome reminder that I needed. "Grace" "peace"...both are attainable when we know the Lord. But it takes going a second step to experience "peace" in its fullness. The only way to have "peace" in the storms of life is to be living in His will. As we live in His will, it will be OK when we do not know exactly how something is going to be accomplished. It will be OK when we are faced with a 'bad' medical test. It will be OK as we live through a spouse falling away from the Lord. It will be OK when family and friends hurt us deeply. Plain and simple. It will be OK. This morning I am praying for people who are going through these very situations. I am not praying for their situations to be resolved but instead are praying for them to get to the point in their life where they can have His peace through their storms. I am praying their hearts will change to allowing God full control over them. I am praying they will wake up this morning and realize they cannot do life on their own strength but instead need to rely on Him. I am praying for His grace to come down over them in a new way today so they can experience His peace. There are some I am praying for that are going through such horrific circumstances that I cannot even begin to start to understand. But I don't have to understand. All I have to do is be obedient in praying for them. Would I like everyone to have a 'good' life without issues? Absolutely not. If we had such life, we would think we don't need God. I think back on my parents and everything they went through in life and am blessed in knowing the Lord was their strength. My Momma continues to rely on the Lord's strength to get her through tough days. So much happened over the sixty-six years they had together. I remember when I was growing up wondering 'why' one of them was always sick or 'why' there seemed to always be turmoil. I now can see God used them to be an example for others to learn how to rely on Him. Woo hoo! I think back of the verses in James that tell us to be joyful when going through tough times (1:2) in in order to grow our faith. Oh how I pray for people to get to that point in their life. Joy can only be found through total consecration to the Lord. Peace can only be found through total consecration to the Lord.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for yesterday! Thank You for today! Thank You for tomorrow! Thank You for loving me so greatly! Father, I have prayed for many this morning in some tough situations. I pray they will become so devoted to You so they can experience Your peace and joy. I pray they will let go of anything they are still holding onto and allow You to control it. Lord, fill me to overflowing with more of You today so people will see and hear You in me. I praise Your Holy Name for loving me so greatly! Thank You for being My Peace and Joy! Amen.

II Peter 1:3 - "Same Power"

"His divine power..." Yes! It will enable us to do everything in His will. It will not enable us to do anything not in His will. It is amazing how He works in and through us when we allow the Holy Spirit to reside in us. He has called us to be holy people while on this earth. When we fulfill that calling, we will live with Him for eternity. Oh how I praise His Holy Name for the calling He has put on my life. During the times where I do not feel like I am being successful in filling out that calling He reminds me that I am right where He wants me to be. When I am physically struggling, He gives me rest. When I am emotionally struggling, He puts people before me to encourage me. When I am spiritually struggling, He takes me deeper in my faith. He is so good in taking care of me. These last few days have been tough physically which in turn causes emotional issues. Yesterday resting and napping enabled me to be at church last night. What a blessing to have Thomas want to sing "Good, Good Father" and then Ana to tell as we were dropping them off how her teacher played it during class. Woo hoo! Praise the Lord for godly teachers in our school system! I praise Him for empowering people to stand up for Him even in such circumstances. His empowerment is available for everyone. Oh how I pray for more people to grasp His power and to embrace it.

The same power that rose Jesus from the grave 
The same power that commands the dead to wake 
Lives in us, lives in us 
The same power that moves mountains when He speaks 
The same power that can calm a raging sea 
Lives in us, lives in us 
He lives in us, lives in us

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for yesterday! Thank You for today! Thank You for tomorrow! Thank You for Your empowerment! Thank You for loving me so greatly that You know exactly what I need and provide! Father, today is a new day. I pray for strengthening in my physical body but most of all I pray for Your will to be accomplished through me in my words and actions. I pray for the fatigue I am feeling to not allow my attitude to effected. I pray for people who need Your empowerment to find it today. Thank You Jesus for being My Victory! Amen.

II Peter 1:5-9 - "At The Cross (Love Ran Red)"

"At the cross, at the cross, I surrender my life...I'm in awe of You..." I woke up with these words going through my mind and was immediately blessed with the knowledge Jesus loves me so much that He died for me. As I think about His sacrifice, I think of what He expects from me. Plain and simple, the only thing He expects of me is obedience. Growing up I had many times of disobedience. Sometimes there was consequences and sometimes there were not. My obedience to the Lord has great consequences. I get to spend eternity with Him as I live out a life of obedience. While on this earth the consequence of my obedience is having His peace. If I am not obedient to Him, the consequence is not to have such privileges. If I choose the road of disobedience, I am choosing a life of misery. If I am not obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, I am not doing the Lord's will. When I am not obedient to Him, it is as if I am slapping Jesus in the face and telling Him He died for nothing. I do not ever want to fall into this situation. My goal is to not only hear His direction but then to fulfill it. The way this can happen is for me to stay deep in my walk with Him. I must exercise faith and trust. I must exercise sharing His love with others. I must exercise allowing Him total control over every aspect of my life. Then, and only then, will I be in total obedience to Him.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for dying on the cross to not only save me from my sins but to lead me into a life of obedience. Father, many people treat the word obedience as if it were a dirty word. I am grateful for the way You have opened my eyes to a life of obedience. I am grateful with the knowledge of the consequences of my obedience as I walk in a life of holiness. Father, there is a new day in front of me. I pray for physical strength to get through this day. I pray You will not only just get me through it but enable me to be blessed through it in knowing You are seen and heard through my words, actions and attitude. Sometimes it is hard to stay focused when I am so fatigued. Lord, I pray You will enable me to stay focused on You. Father, I also pray for those who have accepted You into their heart yet have not accepted a life of obedience. Put someone before them that will make a difference in their life today. Thank You Jesus for being My Obedience! Amen.

II Chronicles 20:15b - "Shoulders"

I was asked by a friend last night for words of encouragement as she goes through a very dark time in her life. I directed her to James 1 where we are told to have joy as we go through the ups and downs of life. It is not easy to follow this direction but when we do we will receive the Lord's peace. The important thing one must remember is before we can experience the blessing of His peace we must walk in His Spirit. That is hard to do when dealing with a husband who is living in sin and fallen away from his relationship with the Lord. It is hard to stay strong ourselves in such circumstances. But it is a must if we want the Lord to bless us. It is a must if we want the Lord to hear our prayers for our loved one. It is a must if we desire His will for our lives. His will is for unity in marriages. His will is for people to not only know Him but to live a sold-out life for Him. His will is for people to not blatantly sin. His will...that is what we must keep our eyes on. We, nor anyone else on this earth, can save whatever we are dealing with. Only the Lord can save it. His power can work through us to change people but we cannot change them. We must remember, no matter what we are dealing with, He is with us and with the situation.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for my friend who is seeking You through this storm in her life. Thank You for the way You will love on her husband as He has strayed. Thank You for those You will put in his path to bring him back to You. Father, may You empower her to live Your will for her life. Enable her to separate herself from the situation and embrace Your strength. I pray she seeks more of You so every aspect of her life is filled with You. I pray the same for myself...fill every aspect of my life with You so people will see and hear You through me. I pray her husband will see Your strength in her and desire the same once again in his life. I pray for his soul. Oh Father, how I pray for his soul. Lord, enable her to see this battle is not hers. She needs to be on the sideline being a supporter for his battle. In order to fulfill that role she needs to stay close to You and living in Your will. Thank You Jesus for being Our Shoulders. Amen.

I Peter 5:7 - "Cast My Cares"

When I was a little girl, I memorized I Peter 5:7. I thought it was just that we were to pray about things that troubled us. As I grew up, I realized I Peter 5 is direction for those doing God's work. That does not mean just pastors but it means everyone doing His work. That means all believers because we all need to be doing His work.

I read an illustration by Spurgeon of a man who went to move furniture for someone with a heavy backpack on. He complained about having problems moving the furniture. It reads, "Would you not suggest that he would find it easier if he laid his own burden aside so that he could carry yours? In the same way, we cannot do God's work when we are weighed down by our own burdens and worries. Cast them upon Him, and then take up the Lord's burden - which is light burden, and a yoke that fits us perfectly." Wow! What a great illustration! In the Message Bible the words "Live carefree" exemplify what it means when you "Cast all your anxiety..." It does not mean there won't be tough times but it means when the tough times come one will have peace in knowing God is in control. This only comes through humbling ourselves before God (vs 5). When we die to self and allow His Holy Spirit to leave in and through us, there will fewer things to 'cast' upon Him. When we are living in His will, we are enabled to take a break from our normal daily life. It is during these times we are refreshed and renewed in our spirit. When I have the opportunity to sit by the ocean for a few hours, I am blessed in hearing from Him. As I walk the beach and sing praises to Him in worship, I am refreshed. The things that were beginning to seem like mountains before me become little anthills. The crabbiness in my emotional body flows away as the water flows out from the beach. It has been too long since I have been to the beach and I need to be refreshed and renewed there soon.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the way You bring meaning to Your Word that is needed exactly when I need it. Thank You for the way You encourage me. Father, I do not pray for finances because I know You already have a plan to provide. I do not pray for the results from medical testing because I know You already know the outcome. But I do continue to pray for souls that need You in their life. I pray for people to go before them today and say or do something to make a difference in their heart. I pray You will fill me to overflowing with more of You and enable me to be Jesus to people today. Thank You Father for being My Provider! Amen.

I Peter 4:7; 5:8 - "Tunnel"

Peter gives the same words in both chapter seven and eight of his first book. "Be alert and of sober mind." The more I thought about this, the more I wondered what message he was trying to get across. Paul had given the same direction for us to follow in Titus 2:6. The Greek word for sober minded is sophroneo which also means self-controlled or sensible. The word comes from sozo which means 'healthy or sound' and phren which means 'mind'. The desire of God's heart is for all to have a healthy mind. It is a must in order to live out a life of holiness where we will experience His grace and empowerment. I was reading an article that called it 'restrained living in an un-restrained world.' We need to not only set the example for others on how to live a holy life but we must proclaim holy living so they will have the same empowerment we receive in doing so. I like what Matthew Henry writes about sober minded: "The right ordering of the body is of great use to promote the good of the soul. When the appetites and inclinations of the body are restrained and governed by God's word and true reason, and the interests of the body are submitted to the interests and necessities of the soul, then it is not the soul's enemy, but its friend and helper." His Holy Spirit is our Helper. He enables us to do God's will as we live a life pleasing to the Lord. Sometimes we feel like we are missing something or not getting anywhere as we go through life. We must never give the enemy an open door but must instead stand firm in living a life of holiness. We must remember He is the One in charge. We must never manipulate circumstances but instead must allow His timing to happen. We are not to save people, we are to love with His love and He will save them. It is not sensible to get upset with ourselves when something bad happens. Instead we need to pray for His direction and follow what He tells us to do. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the reminders of Your Word this morning! Thank You for loving me so greatly! Thank You for Your grace and empowerment! Father, my heart is heavy this morning for the family of the one who died so tragically yesterday. I am saddened he did not have hope in You. I am saddened for the two little ones who are left behind without a parent. Father, thank You for the way You were with Doc last night as he ministered to this family. Lord, may more of them find You through this tragedy. I pray people will not get to the end of their life without knowing You. Thank You Jesus for being My Light. Amen.

I Peter 4:1-2 - "You Raise Me Up"

The first couple verses of I Peter 4 are words from Peter on how one is to live. Matthew Henry writes about these verses: "Man is not a sincere creature, but partial, blind, and wicked, till he be renewed and sanctifies by the regenerating grace of God." Peter explains one is to be dead to sin both negatively and positively. Henry writes, "Negatively, a Christian ought no longer to live the rest of his time in the flesh, to the sinful lusts and corrupt desires of carnal wicked men; but, positively, he ought to conform himself to the revealed will of the holy God." Woo hoo! Dead to sin and living in His will gives such freedom! No longer is one worried over every decision of life but instead walks in knowing the Lord is in control. When the troublesome times come in life, there is a peace unknown to the common man. As disappointments come in life, there is acceptance in knowing it is all in His plan.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for yesterday and the time You gave Doc and I to celebrate our life together! Thank You for today and all of the opportunities You will give me to be You to others! Thank You for tomorrow when we will gather together as a body of believers to worship You! Father, fill me to overflowing so people will see and hear You through my words, my actions and my attitude. I pray healing for all my family members who are going through physical issues. Most of all I pray for those who have spiritual needs to find You in a personal way. Thank You for being My Completeness! Amen.

Psalm 128:1; Psalm 40:3 - "Household of Faith"

Twenty-seven years...wow! It is not as long as sixty-six years as my parents were married but it still is a long time. As I reflect back on September 23, 1989 my first thoughts go to the nasty weather. The wind and rain from the result of Hurricane Hugo along with temperatures in the forties sure were not what I expected for that day. I envisioned sunshine with crispness in the air and beautiful fall leaves swirling around us. That is how life is...not always what we envision. But when the Lord is the center of your life each and every day is "OK" whether it ends up being how you envisioned or not. If someone would have told me a year ago that today we would be living in South Carolina, in our own home, building a church, I would have responded "I don't think so but if that is where the Lord wants us then so be it." Last year at this time if someone would have told me I would be walking on my own my response would have been, "Praise the Lord!" No matter where the Lord takes us on our journey, no matter what physical ailments we endure, no matter how hard it is to be away from family...He is in control and for that I am thankful. I am blessed with a husband who follows His will. I am blessed with a Heavenly Father who knows what I need and provides. Plain and simple, I am blessed. I pray for this coming year of our marriage to not only be a blessing to me but also to my husband. I pray people will see how we not only survive having our world turned upside down but also how we grow deeper in our faith through the process. Pretty much everything in our life has changed over the last year except one thing. We continue to walk in His will each and every day. I pray this next year in our marriage will be one of great blessings...not to us but to the Lord. I pray He will be blessed because of our faithfulness to the call He has put upon our lives....the call to live a life of holiness.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for yesterday, today and tomorrow. Thank You for loving us so greatly. Thank You for the blessing You have given me through my husband. Thank You for enabling us to stay grounded in our faith through all of the adjustments that have occurred over this last year. Lord, You know the desires of our heart and You know how things will be accomplished. I pray a blessing over our entire marriage...our finances, our family, the influence we have over those around us. Father, I also pray a blessing over this day that we celebrate what You are doing in our life together. I pray a physical touch upon our bodies. I pray for a strengthening in our souls. I pray for an abundance of emotional strength in our spirits. Lord, thank You for the giving me the blessing of such a godly man to call my husband. Thank You for being My Blesser. Amen.

I Peter 4:10-11 - "Forever"

This morning the Lord woke me with this song...

We sing hallelujah...we sing hallelujah...we sing hallelujah, the Lamb has overcome...

Amen! He overcame all sin when He died for us on the cross. Therefore, we do not have to live in sin. We can live a pure and holy life when we take on His will. These words of Peter in chapter four remind believers how to live. We are to use whatever gifts He gives us so He will be glorified in all we do. Sometimes it is hard to know what gifts He gives but when we earnestly seek His will then He will reveal them to us. It is so important to seek His will in all we do. It also is important to listen to Him so we will know His will. I was reading a missionary book yesterday that had a couple statements that hit home with me. It reads, "God will give us a vision when we forget who we think we are and become who He wants us to be. We must open our eyes, not only to see the harvest but be willing to do what it takes to bring it in." Wow! His will must be carried out throughout each and every day of our walk. We must be willing to do as He says even when it doesn't make sense. If we do not follow the way of His will, life will not be much fun! Or as Matthew Henry puts it we will be " miserable, unsettled...perplexed." Henry continues, "But he who has given up himself and his all to God, may say confidently that the Lord is his portion; and nothing but glory through Christ Jesus, is solid and lasting; that abideth for ever." Woo hoo! Yes! I want to be confident in the Lord. There is no better place to live! 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for all of the ways You encourage me through 'tough' days! Thank You for the words and hugs of those You put into my path. Father, I pray for more of You to ooze out of me through my words, actions and attitude today. I pray Your will, will be fulfilled in and through me today. Lord, I also pray for those who are not walking in Your will to have someone go before them today to open their eyes. I also pray You will enable me to walk in Your will as I wait on Your direction with the new ministry You are opening up to me. Father, may You be glorified in all that I do! Thank You for being My Hallelujah! Amen.

I Peter 4:17 - "Forever"

This morning the Lord woke me to a song Kari Jobe sings called "Forever" and then He took me back to I Peter 4. He stopped me at verse seventeen to ponder. I asked Him to reveal to me the connection between these two things. These were His words...

Daughter, 'forever' is a long time. Eternity is forever. Many are living in today and not in eternity. I need you to be an example for others to see on how to live in eternity. As you pray 'on earth as it is in heaven' you are experiencing eternity with Me. Keep your light shining brightly so more people will want what you have in Me. I love you. I am your strength. May you be empowered by My Spirit throughout this day.

Wow! The Holy Spirit goosebumps have come down all over me! Woo hoo! I love to hear Him! I love to be encouraged by Him!

Forever, He is glorified
Forever, He is lifted high
Forever, He is risen
He is alive
He is alive (Forever)

Yes, my Savior died on the cross but praise His Holy Name He rose from the dead and lives today in those who chose Him! The time is coming when He will take us from here to spend eternity with Him in heaven. Right now those who are living a life in His will experience Him on this earth in different ways. We can worship Him but once we are with Him in heaven worship will take on a whole new meaning. Woo hoo! Oh how I pray for fellow believers to get to the point in their life where they begin living it out totally for Him. Salvation is not enough to get one to heaven. A life of total devotion is what it will take. The question in I Peter 4:17 is not just for those who have not accepted Him but it also is for those who have not totally consecrated themselves to Him yet. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for speaking so clearly to me this morning! Thank You for encouraging me! Thank You for giving me this Scripture and song together. May You be glorified in all I do and say today! May You shine through me today in every action, every attitude and every word. Fill me to overflowing with more of You! Woo hoo! Lord, I pray for my brothers and sisters who have accepted You but have not allowed You to be King of Kings and Lord of Lords over them. I pray someone will do or say something to open their eyes and heart! Thank You Jesus for being My Forever! Amen.

I Peter 4:1-2 - "Holiness"

My burden for the unsaved continues but my burden for those who are not living a holy life is even greater. There are so many people in this world who believe they are "ok" in their spiritual life when in fact they are not. I truly believe there will be many surprised people on Judgment Day when they are turned away from spending eternity with the Lord. In Phoebe Palmer's words, "holiness or hell." Salvation is only the beginning on our path with Him. We must get to the end of ourselves and allow Him full reign of every aspect of our life. Then we must live a consecrated life for Him. It is then we will fulfill His will. We must get to the point where when we sing these words, we truly mean them...

So, take my heart and form it
Take my mind and transform it
Take my will and conform it
To Yours, to Yours, oh, Lord

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your love, grace and mercy. Thank You for not only dying on the cross for me but for raising from the dead and living in and through me. Father, today I am focusing my prayers on those who know You but have not surrendered to You and live a consecrated life for You. I am praying their eyes will be opened today to seeing You in a whole new way. Father, I pray for more of You to fill me. I pray for Your words, actions and attitude to be mine today. Thank You Jesus for being my Holiness. Amen.

I Peter 4:12 - "Revelation"

I woke up this morning to Third Day's "Revelation" and the tears started the more I thought about where I am in life. Oh how I so desire to know His will on what I am to be doing in ministry. It hit me the other day that God is opening doors to a new ministry. I was thinking about how I was not sure how to begin and I realized I already have. Now I need Him to reveal His plan and to open doors that need opened.

Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I've been trying to find my way,
I haven't got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I've got nothing without You
I've got nothing without You

I was at the point of saying "Tell me should I stay here, Or do I need to move" when the Lord revealed to me I was to pursue this. Now I am asking Him to "Give me a revelation" on how to pursue this ministry. I know He will open doors that need opened and He will close ones that need closed as I seek His will. I do not want to do anything that is not in His will. I do not want to manipulate situations just to make it 'work' but rather want to walk in the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. I was hesitant to pursue it because I felt like I was being selfish because it is not a ministry in the church. Then He opened my eyes that it will be a ministry in the church. That is exciting to think about! 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for giving "me a revelation..." with ministry. Thank You for the way You will open doors that need opened and close doors that need closed. Thank You for people who are praying for us on our new adventure. Father, You are so awesome in the way You go before us. Lord, I pray for the "fire to fall" in our people. I thank You for Fred that brings life to our service. Lord, I pray for him for healing. I pray not only for Fred but for others to experience Your supernatural healing in not only their physical bodies but most importantly in their spiritual bodies. Fill me to over flowing with more of Your Holy Spirit so people will see and hear Your through me. Direct my steps to where You desire of me to go today. Guide my words to be those You desire people to hear. Lord, I am standing against discouragement so the enemy has no open door. I am standing on empowerment so Your will is accomplished. Thank You Jesus for being My Revelation! Amen.

I Peter 2:22 - "Jesus Messiah"

The words found in I Peter 2:22 are ones the Prophet Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 53:9. Jesus did not have to die on the cross but He did because of His obedience to His Father. The result of His obedience is we have the freedom to live a life of freedom in Him. We do not have to blatantly sin. We can be die to self and live a life of holiness when we choose to do so. It is only then the reason for His death will be fulfilled. We first have to make the decision to accept Him into our heart and then we must make the decision to allow Him full control over every aspect of our live. After we give Him full control then we must live a live fully devoted to Him each and every moment of the day. Or as I like to say, a 24/7 life. 

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the reminder today of Your obedience. Thank You for this example I must follow. Lord, I pray You will fill me with more of Your Holy Spirit so people will see and hear You through me. Father, You know my physical body is so tired today and I pray You will empower it with Your energy. Guide my feet and give me Your words. Thank You Jesus for being My Example. Amen.

I Peter 2:9 - "Hallelujah"

I woke up several times during the night with the lyrics to "Hallelujah" going through my head. Oh my, this song is so true! I was reading how they wrote it to lift people's spirits. They said it will put a smile on your face as you sing it and that smile will go deep into your soul. That is pretty special to think about! This week has been tough with every emotion happening. The day at the hospital with Miss Sophia was joyful yet painful in helping the nurses with holding her while they did blood work and removing the IV from her scalp. The days with my friends were fun and gave me great joy. Yet at the same time there was sadness because I miss them so much. The days with the boys were so much fun yet I ache to be with my grand babies. In this song the lyrics go...

"Your love is amazing"...yes it is!
"Your love is surprising"...yes it is!
"Your love is a mystery"...yes it is!

God has blessed me throughout these last three months in many ways. It is so hard to believe that three months ago today we moved into our new home. This time of adjustment has been difficult yet rewarding. It continues to be challenging but I know He is "firm beneath my feet." I know He has brought us here for a purpose and we will fulfill His will as we stay focused on Him. There is no doubt I will continue to sing...

"Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Your love makes me sing"

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for yesterday! Thank You for today! Thank You for tomorrow! I know You have  been with me and will continue to be with me throughout this time of adjustment. I praise You for the opportunities to gave me to bless people this week. I praise You for Grammy who is such a dear lady. I praise You for my little guys, Jimmy and Eli. I praise You for "Angie" who I had such an awesome conversation with at the hospital. I praise You for the young lady You put into my path again yesterday in the drug store and the opportunity to pray with her there. I praise You for our waitress last night that recognized us even though we were another town away. I praise You for my phone conversation with my friend yesterday and the visit from our friends earlier this week. I praise You for the food they blessed us with. I praise You for whoever sent me the 'Sheila' hoodie that I wanted. You are so good in knowing what encourages me! Father, I pray You will continue to fill me up with Yourself so people will see and hear You through me. I pray for more of the Holy Spirit to empower me to do Your will. Thank You Jesus for being My Hallelujah! Amen.

I Peter 2:23 - "From The Inside Out"

The Lord took me back to I Peter chapter 2 again today. He stopped me at verse twenty-three. This verse gives us an example we are to follow in our daily lives. In this chapter, Peter wrote about what Jesus went through when He died on the cross for all of us. His death is an act of obedience to His Heavenly Father. He had not sinned. Therefore, He did not have to die in that way but He chose to follow His Father's desires. I wonder what was going through Peter's mind as he wrote about this time of watching Jesus on the cross. I wonder if he thought about how he had denied Him. I wonder if Peter thought about the suffering Jesus took as He was beaten. I wonder if he thought about how Jesus allowed His Heavenly Father to 'take care of things' so to speak. That is exactly the example we need to follow. We need to allow our Heavenly Father to 'take care of things' instead of manipulating situations. When people are not nice to us or hurt our feelings, we must not return the same attitude to them. Instead we need to love them with Jesus' love. That is not easy to do in the human aspect of life but when we are walking in His Spirit it can be accomplished. I like what Adam Clarke wrote, "To avoid evil tempers, and the uneasiness and danger of avenging ourselves, it is a great advantage in all such cases to be able to refer our cause to God, and to be assured that the Judge of all the earth will do right." Yes! We must allow God 'to take care of things.' As we walk in His Spirit, we will have assurance in knowing He is in control. People's words or actions may hurt us but they do not have to define who we are. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the reminder this morning that You are in control. Thank You for loving me so greatly and enabling me to be Your servant. Thank You for yesterday, today and tomorrow. I pray for You to ooze out of me in a mighty way today. May You be seen and heard by all who I come in contact with today. Bless my efforts, Lord, of being You today. Thank You for being My Savior. Amen.

Philippians 4:13 - "God's Great Dance Floor"

When I woke up at 5:17, these were the first words in my mind... 

I feel alive, I come alive
I am alive on God's great dance floor

I almost laughed out loud at God's sense of humor! I sure did not feel alive nor did I want to begin the day this early after the long day yesterday. I prayed and asked Him if I were to start my day but thankfully He told me to lay back down. Yesterday was emotionally and physically draining day. Watching my friends leave to go back to Ohio was hard. Being with Baby Sophia was a joy but it also was difficult. Having to help hold her down while they took the IV out of her scalp and then again with the blood draw was so hard. But what a blessing to have her little arms wrap around me and her crying to stop as soon as I was allowed to hold her. Another blessing of my day was meeting 'Angie' who had tears as I shared the Lord with her. Oh how I pray she will contact me so we can further our discussion about 'God's waiting room.' She blessed me in abundance as I shared with her about waiting on God's time. Another blessing was getting hugs from my two little guys I picked up after school. They are so loving and bless me with it! Another blessing was Thomas writing cards to our LINK missionaries last night. I love this boy and his love for others! Yes, even though it was a tough day, God sure blessed me in abundance through it!

Here it is three hours later than the first time I woke up and I still am not sure I can sing these words with much meaning...lol. But today is a new day. There are new people to meet and new opportunities to embrace. Of course, that probably means I need to get up and get moving...lol. 

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for yesterday...today...and tomorrow! Thank You for the people You will put in my path! Thank You for the opportunities You will put before me and most important will enable me to accomplish! Thank You for the love You shower upon me each and every day! I continue to pray for healing in little Miss Sophia's body. I pray for safe travel mercies for my friend as she goes to see her Momma. I pray for Doc as he completes his sermon for Sunday. Lord, fill me to overflowing with You so the humanness in me does not come out today in the form of crabbiness due to being tired. May You ooze out of me in such a way there will be no doubt as to it being You who lives in me. Thank You Jesus for being My Strength. Amen.

I Peter 2:16 - "Word Of God Speak"

The words 'freedom in Christ' have taken on a new meaning over the last few years. They were words that did not make much sense to me until He revealed to me the freedom experienced by being completing consecrated to Him. It does not mean just things we can do but it also is ways He gives us freedom over our emotions. When we are lonely or hurting, He is gives us the freedom to be loved by Him in a greater way. When we are angry, He gives us the freedom to express our anger to Him and then allow Him to enable us to work through it without sinning. When we are frustrated, He takes that frustration and turns it around to peace. One must not take this freedom or granted. Nor should they use it as an excuse for improper behavior. As the last part of I Peter 2:16 reads, "...live as God's slaves." Yes! He is my Master and I am is slave. I will strive to do His will as I love and serve Him.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for these words this morning! Thank You for encouraging me to continue down the path of living a life of holiness. Lord, today is going to be a tough day physically. I am praying for an abundance of You to show through me. I also pray for my emotional body to be strengthened. Father, You know my needs and You know my heart. I pray for the desires of my heart to be fulfilled today. Thank You Jesus for being My Master! Amen.

I Peter 2:4-5 - "Move 'Keep Walkin'"

The Lord woke me up to Toby Mac's song "Move (Keep Walkin')" and my thoughts went back to a few months ago when He gave this song to a friend for me. When she shared it with me, she said she didn't know what it meant but was hoping I did. There was no doubt why He gave it to her. We were in a desperate time of prayer seeking His will about moving out of our comfort zone into a very unfamiliar place. These words were powerful that morning and continue to be powerful in our present situation...

Move, keep walkin’ soldier keep movin’ on 
Move, keep walkin’ until the mornin’ comes 
Move, keep walkin’ soldier keep movin’ on 
And lift your head, it ain’t over yet, ain’t over yet 

Hold on, hold on 
Lord ain’t finished yet 
Hold on, hold on 
He’ll get you through this 
Hold on, hold on 
These are the promises 
I never will forget 
I never will forget [x2]

Wow! The Lord is so awesome in the way He speaks through others, through music, through Scripture and sometimes audibly. He promise us many things as we read His Word. I love the word picture given in I Peter 2:4-5. He is "building" me into what He desires of me. His desire is for me to live a life of holiness...purity...righteousness. My desire is to do His will. This song has such great meaning to me. I know as long as I continue to "keep walking'" in the way He desires, He will direct me. No matter how many adjustments, disappointments or 'road blocks' I may encounter life will be OK. Actually, it will be better than OK because He is in charge! Woo hoo!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You seems pretty inadequate to say for all You have done and continue to do in my life. You are so awesome in the way You encourage me through people, circumstances, Scripture, etc. Father, thank You for my time to love on Jimmy and Eli yesterday. Thank You for bringing them into my life. Lord, You are so awesome. Once again, I am praying for Your direction on a new ministry I am feeling led into. Lord, direct my words. Direct my steps. Fill me to overflowing with more of You so people will embrace a life with You through me. Lord, thank You for my loved one who had surgery yesterday. I pray for the one having surgery today. I pray not only for both of them for physical needs but most especially for their spiritual needs. Thank You for my good test results yesterday! I pray for my friend undergoing tests this week. Thank You Jesus for being My Drill Sergeant! Amen.

I Peter 2:9-10 - "My Hope Is In You Lord"

The Lord woke me up praying for a young husband in the service that recently moved across country. He impressed upon me to pray for the day ahead for him. I have no idea what he will be doing but the Lord knows and that is all that matters. After praying for him the Lord took my prayers to husband/father who is somewhere across the world while his wife keeps life going with their two young sons. Another serviceman came to my mind that recently moved and will be deployed in the next few months. His wife will be keeping home life going with a baby and a toddler. As I was praying I realized the Lord has put me into a whole new mission field with those in the service. I know He can use me in some mighty ways and am praying for direction. I am already being a support to the one Momma and meeting with another Momma Wednesday. I pray I can be Jesus to them and show them His love to hang onto during the days of separation.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for giving me these ones to pray for this morning! Thank You for yesterday, today and tomorrow! Father, You know the anxiousness I have about my appointment this morning. I pray for Your peace to take over my spirit. I pray for the tears that are on the edge will be calmed down. Lord, fill me with more of Your spirit so I may walk in Your peace. Thank You Lord for being My Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Amen.

Mark 11:24 - "Lord, I Need You"

Today is a day of remembrance...the fifteenth anniversary of 9/11. I remember being at work in Orrville while my family were scattered. Doc and Ben were in Willard. Paul was at Akron U. I remember as I was driving home that all I wanted was to be home. I prayed for all of my family to be able to be together. Within a few hours we were gathered around the TV watching, waiting and praying for our nation. I was so relieved when I walked into the house with Doc and Ben already there. But I was especially relieved when Paul and Lizzy walked in the door. Prayer was such a stress reliever that day as the Lord held me in His arms and encouraged me. Another remembrance of this day is it is the birthdate of a special friend who has gone onto heaven. She was one of my greatest encouragers. When my Daddy died, I was crushed in many ways. But dear Lenore promised me she would be a prayer warrior for me in his place. When she left this earth, I felt an emptiness inside my soul. I know people pray for me but my Daddy and Lenore were intentionally praying for me. Lenore seemed to know when I was going through a tough day. I would get a call of encouragement and she would pray over the phone with me. She always believed and prayed Mark 11:24. Her faith was great and she poured it into me. As I remember her, I pray I am a 'Lenore' for others. I pray the Lord will continue to bring people to my mind when they need prayer. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for loving me so greatly! Thank You for bringing my friends here for a visit! Thank You for the abundance of produce they have blessed us with! You are so awesome! Father, would You fill me to overflowing so people see and hear You through me today? Would You wrap Your loving arms around those who need an added dose of Your love today? Lord, I pray You will keep my eyes and ears open for opportunities to be You to others today. Thank You Jesus for being My Greatest Encourager! Amen.

Romans 1:16-17 - "Lord, I Need You"

The Lord had other plans for me as I was trying to fall asleep last night. He told me to pray for those with "broken hearts" so I started praying for...

• the wife who just lost a family member to a heroin overdose and has found out her husband is also addicted
• the husband/father who is desperate for a job
• the lady seeking a new job and getting frustrated to the closed doors
• the mother of the newborn who was born even though the doctors can't explain how let alone how she is still alive
• the single lady who is so lonely
• the man accused of a crime which has cost his job
• the lady awaiting test results
• the college student who is away from home in new surroundings, with new people and new circumstances
• the single Mom with her baby in the hospital
• the elderly woman who is feeling more feeble and alone

Some of these people are in relationship with the Lord while others are not. Some of their 'broken hearts' are caused from doing of their own while others are not. Some of them feel as if they have no hope in this world. The thing they all have in common is Jesus is there for them and desires them to draw near to Him. He desires His will for their life. The Lord woke me to a song Matt Maher sings this morning.

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

These words are what the Lord needs all of us to believe. We cannot do life on our own strength but instead must depend upon His. The only way to truly find His strength is to live in His will. The only way to truly know His will is to not only accept Jesus into our heart but to allow the Holy Spirit full reign in our lives. We must live a consecrated life for Him. It is then we will know His will by hearing and listening to His voice. Before my feet hit the floor this morning I prayed. During that time the Lord told me to read Romans 1. He is so amazing in the way He works when we allow Him. Verses sixteen and seventeen are the just of how we are to live while on this earth. It is only when we live by His example that we will spend eternity with Him. Matthew Henry writes:

In these verses the apostle opens the design of the whole epistle, in which he brings forward a charge of sinfulness against all flesh; declares the only method of deliverance from condemnation, by faith in the mercy of God, through Jesus Christ; and then builds upon it purity of heart, grateful obedience, and earnest desires to improve in all those Christian graces and tempers, which nothing but a lively faith in Christ can bring forth. God is a just and holy God, and we are guilty sinners. It is necessary that we have a righteousness to appear in before him: there is such a righteousness brought in by the Messiah, and made known in the gospel; a gracious method of acceptance, notwithstanding the guilt of our sins. It is the righteousness of Christ, who is God, coming from a satisfaction of infinite value. Faith is all in all, both in the beginning and progress of Christian life. It is not from faith to works, as if faith put us into a justified state, and then works kept us in it; but it is all along from faith to faith; it is faith pressing forward and gaining the victory over unbelief.

Woo hoo! Victory is what I have my eyes upon. I know I must keep my focus on Him in order to experience the type of faith Paul speaks of in Romans 1. I also know there is victory over sin that only comes through death to self and birth to being a new creation in Him. Woo hoo!

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for giving me the opportunity to pray for these ones who have 'broken hearts' and need Your presence so greatly. Thank You for the ones who already know You and for the ones who will come to know You. Thank You for loving with such a great love. Lord, I pray You will use me today to make a difference in someone's life. I pray You will fill me to overflowing so people will see and hear You through me. I pray for my friends who are traveling to have a safe trip. I pray for the things that need accomplished today to be completed easily. Boy, now I am starting to sound like a little kid with their Christmas list. "I want this and this and..." I'm sorry, Lord. Your will. Plain and simple. I pray Your will over my day. Whatever that means, wherever that leads. Thank You Jesus for being My Righteousness. Amen.

Psalm 46:10 - "Still"

1:13AM and my eyes fly open with an urgency to pray for a specific ministry leader. Sometimes I wonder why it is the middle of the night the Lord asks me to pray when I easily could do it in the daytime. But maybe that is not true. Maybe I am too distracted during the day to pray as He desires. Sometimes later I have found out the person I am praying for actually was going through something at the very same moment the Lord had me praying. Last night He had me pray for this one to stay strong in his faith....to not get discouraged. He told me He was giving him glimpses of breakthrough and needed him "to embrace those glimpses but to not get too comfortable with them." I am not sure what that means but hopefully when I share it with him he will understand. 

I had a situation last evening where the Lord told me to pray for one and I did. Afterwards, I sent her a message telling her I continue to pray for the situation she is in. She asked me what I had heard and I told her nothing except from the Lord telling me to pray. She was amazed at His faithfulness. I loved her words, "I will continue to praise Him in this storm." Now that takes great trust! Her situation has been going on for the last few years yet to be able to say those words is awesome! I am not sure where my faith would be in her same situation.

Prayer is a two-way communication. We pray and give thanks to our Heavenly Father but then we need to be "Still" and listen to what He has to say to us. I remember growing up thinking He was there to listen to our requests and then answer them with a 'yes, no or maybe.' Then at a teen retreat I found a different type of praying. I remember how different life was after that retreat. I found I could have a more personal prayer life, even to the point of speaking out to my Heavenly Daddy. Wow...that was awesome! Over the last few years I have found myself going more deeper in my prayers. It is such a blessing when He gives me the privilege to pray for and with people. Yesterday was a blessing as I held and prayed over a seven month old in the hospital. I sure don't want to see her in the hospital but I am thankful the Lord gave me the open door with her and her Momma. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the blessings of yesterday! Thank You for the way You continue to use me as Your servant! Lord, You know how I struggle with this change in life. I am so grateful when You give me an opportunity to minister as I use to. I also am grateful for Your direction when there are open doors to walk through. Father, I will continue to praise You through this time of adjustment just as my friend continues to praise You. I also ask for You to wrap Your arms around my young friend who has just completed a week in her new surroundings with new people and new situations. Encourage her Lord to lean upon You for her strength. Thank You for her words last night that encouraged me even though I was encouraging her. Father, today is a new day...it is Your day...may You fill me to overflowing so people will hear and see You in me. May You be greater than me in all I do. Thank You Jesus for being My Fullness! Amen.

James 1:2-3 - "Even If"

The Lord had me praying throughout the night for different people and situations. He impressed upon me to pray for His will to be embraced. This morning when I woke up these words were going through my mind..

Even if the healing doesn’t come
And life falls apart
And dreams are still undone
You are God You are good
Forever faithful One
Even if the healing
Even if the healing doesn’t come

The people and situations He had me praying for were not just ones who needed a physical healing but also some who need an emotional healing. Most of all there were some who need a spiritual healing. The song continues...

Lord we know Your ways are not our ways
So we set our faith in who You are
Even though You reign high above us
You tenderly love us
We know Your heart
And we rest in who You are

 Yes! We must have faith in the Lord and trust Him. We must embrace His will for our life. Those words are sometimes easier said than done but when let go of self and allow Him free reign it is possible to have such faith and trust. My prayers were for people in their individual situations but most of all my prayers were for people to hear from the Lord. The only way that can happen is for them to be in a consecrated relationship with Him. Death to self must occur in order to have birth in a new life with Him.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the opportunity to pray for many throughout the night. Thank You for using me as Your servant. Father, I pray for an abundance of Your Holy Spirit to empower me today. Be my feet and words. Bless me to bless others. Fill me to overflowing so people will see and hear You through me. Thank You Jesus for being My Healer. Amen.