Psalm 23 - "I Got Saved"

The Lord woke me up at 1:01 to pray for those going through heart issues. He told me to pray for:

• A young wife and mother who is having heart surgery today.
• A man who had a heart attack followed by having a stent put in.
• A 92 year old lady whose heart is getting ready to take its last beat on this earth along with her 94 year old sister who is grieving.
• Those with spiritual heart issues. Ones who have never accepted the Lord, ones who have fallen away, ones with hardened hearts and ones who love the Lord but have not taken the step to full surrender.
• A young woman who has a broken heart over a recent divorce.
• A woman who has a broken heart from too many disappointments in life.
• A young lady who has fear in her heart over a test today that may result in a cancer diagnosis.
• A lady with fear in her heart who is having surgery to remove cancer today from her lungs.
• Parents with broken hearts over their prodigals.
• A family in turmoil who needs a heart cleansing in their lives.

How appropriate for the Lord to take me to Psalm 23 this morning. This Psalm is rich in words of comfort. Verse one gives comfort in knowing I am in relationship with the Lord. Verses two, three and five give comfort in the memories of how He has led me in the past. Verse four gives comfort in the knowledge I do not have fear anything. Verse six gives comfort in the knowledge He is always with me. He is My Great Shepherd who has and always will care for mel. Words of comfort that are often heard at a funeral are actually appropriate anytime. 

These words to "I God Saved" were in my mind this morning. I love the knowledge I am saved because of the love of God. I do not need anything more than Him. Woo hoo! People cannot fill my needs. Only the Lord.

I'm undone by the mercy of Jesus
I'm undone by the goodness of the Lord
I'm restored and made right
He got ahold of my life
I've got Jesus
How could I want more

Dear Jesus,

Thank You You for the privilege to pray for many during the night. Thank You for Your love, grace and mercy. Thank You for the knowledge that You are all I need. Thank You for my appointments yesterday and hearing 'cancer free'! Woo hoo! Father, today is a new day. Where will You take me? Who will You lead me to? Please keep my focus on You so I do not miss any opportunity to shine for You. Father, I also pray for Doc as he does his route today. Lord, he needs a physical touch in a mighty way. He needs to be filled to overflowing with Your supernatural strength. May You be his strength today. Show him what He can do through You. Thank You Jesus for being My Great Shepherd. Amen.

Psalm 20 - "Forgiven"

Psalm 20 encourages me to continue on the path the Lord lays before me. It encourages me in knowing when I do, He will be my Victory. Oh how I pray for more people to come into right relationship with Him. There are three categories of people I pray for...

1. The lost who have never been in relationship with Him.
2. Ones who were in relationship with Him but fell away.
3. Those who have been saved yet have not taken the step of living a life of holiness.

Victory is available for all, not just some. The Lord does not discriminate nor does He play favorites. He is ready with open arms to give all exactly what they need to live on this earth so they can live with Him for eternity. It is hard sometimes to realize He desires to be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords of our life. He desires to be more than just our Savior. True Victory is found when we give Him our all and allow Him to give us His All. Salvation is the first step to living a life with Him. Sanctification is the second step that gives freedom in a mighty way. I love the words to the song "Forgiven" and was blessed when the Lord woke me with them today...

God, I fall down to my knees
with a hammer in my hand
You look at me, arms open

Forgiven, Forgiven
Child, there is freedom
From all of it
Say goodbye to every sin
You are forgiven

The freedom received when one accepts the Lord into their heart is awesome but the freedom received when one takes the next step is indescribable. One no longer has to worry about whether they are doing what the Lord desires because with Him in total control you will have the desire to follow Him. You will not only be able to hear His Voice but You also will walk in obedience to what He says. Victory is found through such a life.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for Your love, mercy and grace! Thank You for drawing me deeper into a life of holiness. Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the blessings ahead today. I pray You will shine through me in a mighty way. Be my words, actions, attitude and focus throughout this day. Whatever lies ahead with the oncologists is in Your hands. You already know the outcome and for that I am grateful. I do not have to fear their words because I know Your Word tells me I will have Victory as I live for You. Woo hoo! Father, I especially pray for our friend's brother who had a heart attack last night. I pray first of all for his spiritual needs. I pray for His family as they support him. I also pray for our friend who was released from the hospital after his accident. I pray You will be very real to him through the tough days ahead. May both of these men feel Your strength in a new way. Thank You Jesus for being My Victory! Amen.

Psalm 35 - "Thy Will"

God is so good! He continues to be with us through some tough times. He put us in this neighborhood with some awesome people who show His love to us. Last night when the tears started flowing I felt like the attacks from the enemy were never going to stop. I cried out to the Lord for encouragement. He answered those cries by blessing us with a family who came and prayed over us. Angela prayed Psalm 35 over us for protection over our home, our vehicles, our ministry...our whole beings. She prayed for the enemy to be bound in the name of Jesus. She prayed not only for our physical beings but most importantly our spiritual beings. She prayed for our thoughts to stay focused on what the Lord desired. As they laid hands on us and prayed there was such a great Spirit in the room. I will be forever grateful for this family God has put into our lives. I also am grateful for the words of Psalm 35 that were spoken over us. They are words from David that I accept for us. We desire to have God be seen through our trials. We want Him glorified through every part of our days. Last night I prayed for His supernatural strength to encompass us. I thought of my prayer from my morning devotions...

Father, I want to rejoice at all times. I want to be joyful no matter what is happening in my life. I know the only way that can happen is through Your supernatural empowerment. I also know the only way I can receive that is to live in Your presence. Father, fill me to overflowing with more of You throughout this day. When challenges come, remind me of Your word that tells me to be joyful. Use me to be a beacon of light in this dark world. Be my hands and feet in a mighty way. Give me insight as to what You desire of me this day. Thank You Jesus for being My Supernatural Empowerment.

Yes! His supernatural empowerment is the secret to getting through the attacks from the enemy. His encouragement gets me through tough times. His blessings enable me to continue walking in His Presence. I like how Matthew Henry describes how David was feeling as he wrote this Psalm. "Let me have inward comfort under all outward troubles, to support my soul." Amen! We can know God is greater than anything the enemy throws our way. God protected Doc in so many ways through this accident. He nor the ones involved were hurt; the church bus was not damaged; and praise His Holy Name there were no children on the bus yet. Things could have been so different but God took care of things.

As I read Psalm 35 this morning I stopped at verses eleven through sixteen. I know the Lord will continue to strengthen us however we need as we do His work. We are just as adamant as David was in serving and glorifying God. God had His Son die for us. I do not ever want that act to go in vain. The promise of eternal life when we live in relationship with Him is the 'icing on the cake' for living a life in His will while on this earth. There are days on this earth that are tough and I cry out to the Lord to come take us home yet I know our work on this earth is not done. I pray my life will be reflected in the words of verse eighteen...

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your protection yesterday over Doc. Thank You for Your encouragement through Oscar, Angel and there children who laid hands and prayed over us. Thank You for Jill who came over to check on us. Thank You for many who prayed even when they didn't know what the were praying for. Father, You bless us in abundance and for that I am thankful. You walk with us, guide and lead us, love on us and take care of us in some mighty ways. Lord, as I prayed this morning, may the effects from this accident be minimal. We pray for grace with the insurance company. Thank You for there not being a citation given. Father, today is a new day. Wherever You lead, we will go. Whatever happens, we pray You will be glorified. Be our words, actions, attitude and focus throughout this day in a mighty way. I praise You for waking me to the song "Thy Will" that is one that encourages me to continue through tough days. Thank You Jesus for being Our Will. Amen.

Psalm 16 - "From The Inside Out"

As I read Psalm 16 this morning I was blessed in abundance. David had confidence in God (vs 1); lived his life for God (vs 2); loved people (vs 3); loved to worship Him (vs 4); and chose to live in His presence (vs 5-7). This is the way I chose to live my life. I desire to live in His presence so I can walk in obedience. It is in such a walk that true peace can be found. I was excited to find Peter uses verses 8-11 in his first sermon after the Holy Spirit came down on the Day of Pentecost. Woo hoo! Acts 2:25-28 Peter quotes David...

“‘I saw the Lord always before me.
    Because he is at my right hand,
    I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
    you will not let your holy one see decay.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence.’" (NIV).

Yes! David rejoiced in his relationship with God. All believers should do the same. No believer should walk around bringing others down and they won't when they allow God to work in and through them. Yes, there are 'down' days and we will not want to be joyful but all we have to do is think about God and how much He loves us and those days will turn around. Paul is a perfect example of how to be joyful in all circumstances. He told the Romans in 12:12 to be "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Those words were written many years ago yet are applicable today. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 reads, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstance; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." The words 'always, continually and all' do not say 'when you want to or feel like it' but instead mean 24/7. Once again, that does not mean we won't have days we don't feel like being joyful. But what it does mean is that God desires us to be joyful no matter what the circumstances. And we can be joyful when we allow Him to live in and through us 24/7. This takes living a life of holiness where He is in control instead of ourselves. This means we must allow Him to have the hurts people put upon us. It means we must allow Him to work through medication and doctors. It means not only hearing from Him but then walking in obedience. Living a life of holiness means His death is not for naught. It means living out the purpose He put you here on this earth for. It means living Him "From the Inside Out"...woo hoo!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the blessing of yesterday in hearing the preliminary report from my mammogram was favorable. I am embracing that report as I await my doctor appointment Thursday. I am praising You Lord for being in charge of my life. It was so awesome in walking in for the test with peace. Thank You for calming my tears as I waited. Thank You for my husband who stayed by my side during the wait. Father, I want to rejoice at all times. I want to be joyful no matter what is happening in my life. I know the only way that can happen is through Your supernatural empowerment. I also know the only way I can receive that is to live in Your presence. Father, fill me to overflowing with more of You throughout this day. When challenges come, remind me of Your word that tells me to be joyful. Use me to be a beacon of light in this dark world. Be my hands and feet in a mighty way. Give me insight as to what You desire of me this day. Thank You Jesus for being My Supernatural Empowerment. Amen.

Psalm 13 - "Healer"

When I woke up at 5, the Lord had these words going through my mind...

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

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

I am a mess. I don't like how I am feeling nor do I understand it. I believe He is my Healer. He has healed me before and I believe He will heal me again. I believe. That is the part that does not make sense. How can I believe yet be so emotional over today? Why do I fall apart every time I think about the mammogram? Why do I not have peace in this situation? Oh how I need the Lord to encompass me with His peace. I desire to have His strength throughout this day and the days ahead in a mighty way. I have prayed over and over to not be fearful over this yet it seems like the enemy is winning. After writing these words I read Psalm 13 and was blessed...

Yes!!!! I have felt as David with anticipating this day. I have prayed and asked for peace but it has not come. I was beginning to think I had done something wrong. I was still hearing from the Lord in other ways but not on this issue. This Psalm was exactly what I needed to read this morning. I am claiming victory in having His peace as I go for this mammogram. No matter what the outcome, He will be my Strength. As the song goes...

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

Yes!!! He is all I need! He is greater than anything that comes my way! He is greater than C and if it is part of my future, He will be glorified through it!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Psalm 13 that gives me the peace I've been praying for. Thank You for the knowledge You are in control of my days. Thank You for the supernatural strength You will empower me with. Plain and simple. Thank You! Father, be my words, actions, attitude and focus throughout this day. May You be glorified in all I do and say. Lord, I pray for my friends who are dealing with the accident of their loved one this morning. I pray for strength for all, wisdom for doctors and healing upon this one. Thank You Jesus for not only being My Healer but also being his. Amen.

Psalm 5 - "Forgiven"

As I went to bed last night I asked the Lord where He was going to take me in my Bible reading this morning since I finished the book of Psalm. He told me to start at the beginning. I thought it was strange but I figured I must have missed something He wanted me to get. As I began reading the first chapter I remembered He started me in the middle of the book not the beginning. That is why He told me to start at the beginning. As I was reading He stopped me at chapter 5, specifically verses eleven and twelve.

Woo hoo! Yes! When we trust in the Lord, nothing can takes us away from Him unless we allow it. His power is our power. We must be confident in our salvation. The Lord woke me up singing "Forgiven" this morning. These words touch me greatly...

I could've been six feet under 
I could've been lost forever 
Yeah I should be in that fire 
But now there's fire inside of me 
Here I am a dead man walking 
No grave gonna hold God's people 
All the weight of all our evil 
Lifted away forever free 
Who could believe, who could believe? 

Forgiven! Forgiven! 
You love me even when I don't deserve it 
Forgiven! I'm Forgiven! 
Jesus Your blood makes me innocent 
So I will say goodbye to every sin 
I am forgiven! 

Woo hoo! Yes! When Jesus died on the cross, it was for all of our sins. God loves us enough that He sent His son to this earth to die. Wow! He welcomes each of us into relationship with Him. There are great benefits to such relationship. We can rejoice no matter what is going on when we are in such relationship. Psalm 5 directs us to pray not only for ourselves to be in such relationship but to pray the same for others. We need to pray for His protection from the enemy for all. There is freedom in a relationship with God. He will not only be our Shield but He will surround us on every side. It takes great faith to walk with Him. There are times when our faith will falter but praise His Holy Name He never leaves us.  He never left David. In Psalm 5 David was in distress by the way his enemies were coming at him. David experienced many times like this but He called out to God for strength. Verses one through three show how David promised to pray with the knowledge God would hear his prayers. Verses four through six show how David praised God. Verse seven shows how David knew he must stay close to God. Verse eight shows he prayed for himself and verses nine and ten shows he prayed for his enemies. Verses eleven and twelve show how God gives us joy when we are in such a relationship. This morning I will follow David's example. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for coming to this earth to die for all of our sins. Thank You hearing my prayers whether they are spoken or just thought. I praise Your Holy Name for all You do to bless me. Lord, draw me closer into relationship with You in a new way. Use me this day to be a beacon of light to others. Be my words, actions and attitude throughout this day. My physical body is tired and hurting and I do not want that to be a distraction. I pray for a refined focus on You today. Lord, I also pray against the enemy who is trying to make me fearful about tomorrow. Knock him down in a great way today! Father, You are so good! Your love is so great! I am one blessed lady in knowing You wiped away my sins when I accepted You and continue to do so every day. Thank You for being My Savior. Amen.

Psalm 150 - "Enough"

Sometimes you wake up from a dream and have to stop and ask yourself if it really happened or was it just a dream. After having a 'bad' dream it is easy to pray and ask God to not let it happen. But death is a natural part of life. We were born and will all die. Instead of asking God to not let it happen maybe we need to ask for strength to get us through when it does occur. No matter what, we need to realize God does not cause death but He will be with us through it. As I finished the book of Psalm this morning I was blessed in how the last chapter is about praising Him. Matthew Henry writes about this chapter:

Praise God with strong faith; praise him with holy love and delight; praise him with entire confidence in Christ; praise him with believing triumph over the powers of darkness; praise him by universal respect to all his commands; praise him by cheerful submission to all his disposals; praise him by rejoicing in his love, and comforting ourselves in his goodness; praise him by promoting the interests of the kingdom of his grace; praise him by lively hope and expectation of the kingdom of his glory. 

No matter what we are going through we need to praise His Holy Name! He is with us. He supplies our needs and many times our wants. He directs us when we allow Him to. He blesses us in abundance and is worthy to be praised. He prepares us for things that will happen. Sometimes we just are not aware of His preparations. He tells us things we need to hear but if we aren't in right relationship with Him we do not hear Him. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the book of Psalm You have led me through. I look forward to seeing where You take me from here. Father, I pray for the day ahead, especially for my husband. I pray blessings in abundance to be upon his day. Just as I prayed with him this morning once again I pray for You to enable him to see positives throughout the day and give him many opportunities to be You to others. Father, soothe his spirit as he does his job. I pray You will stay so close to him. I also want to thank You for loving me so greatly. I pray You will use me today to be a beacon of light to all around me. Be my words, actions, attitude and focus. Thank You Jesus for being "Enough." Amen.

Psalm 145 - "Battles"

David went through many Psalms of lamenting. Psalm 145 is one of praise to God. When I received the reminder phone call about Monday's appointment, fear started creeping in again. I refuse to allow it. I will praise Him instead. I will praise Him for safety on the road today, a nice lunch with my honey to celebrate a belated Father's Day, the beautiful creation we saw for the first time....the list goes on and on! Plain and simple. I will praise Him. Verses one and two have four 'I wills' in them..."I will extol You, my God, O King; And I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You. And I will praise Your name forever and ever." (NKJV). Yes!!!! He desires to hear our praises. I love verses seventeen through twenty-one of this chapter.

Woo hoo! He never will leave me. That is definitely something to praise Him for! He hears my prayers...actually He knows my thoughts. That is another thing to praise Him for! Oh how I need to draw nearer to Him over these next few days. I need to feel His supernatural strength flowing in and through me. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for this day and for the ways You showered us with Your love. Thank You for time with my honey. Lord, I pray for a supernatural healing in his body. I pray for strength for him tomorrow with the route. I also pray for peace in his spirit. Lord, I pray the same for myself. Fill us to overflowing with Your strength. Empower me to not be fearful. Thank You Jesus for being The One I Praise. Amen.

II Timothy 1:7 - "My Deliverer"

I woke up this morning singing these words from "My Deliverer" that Mandissa sings...

There's no pretending
I can't do it myself
I'm so dependent
Lord I need Your help
I'll be watchin'
I'll be waitin'
I'll be prayin'
I'll be stayin' down on my knees
That's right where You'll find me

My Deliverer, You rescued me from all that held me captive
My Deliverer, You set me free
Now I'm alive and I can live
And every moment I will give you praise

The tears immediately came to my eyes. I need delivered from fear. I know no matter what the results are from my mammogram Monday the Lord will be with me. He will be my strength. I know that. But every time it comes to my mind I start crying. I am fearful of the unknown but I need to have faith and believe. I need to know beyond a shadow of a doubt God's got this. I preach it all the time when others are in similar situations. i need to grasp it myself. I need His peace to overtake my being in a mighty way. I do not want to be fearful. I do not want to be emotional. If I don't allow Him to be my Peace soon, the next days are going to be mighty tough. I do not want to fall apart but instead I desire to lean upon His strength. Maybe the next time will be easier but this first recheck is not fun.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for this song that reminds me I need to be close to You in order to feel Your strength. I need to be in fellowship with You in order to be rescued from this fear that is trying to take me down. Father, I pray for Your presence to be so real to me over these next few days. I pray for more of You and less of me so this fear will be gone. Lord, be my focus today in a mighty way. Enable me to live out II Timothy 1:7. I can't even pray for You to use me today to be a beacon of light to others. I feel like I have nothing to give as I struggle myself. Father, just be real to me and show Yourself through me. Thank You for being My Deliverer. Amen.

Psalm 139:7-16 - "Psalm 139"

Psalm 139 is one of my favorites. Verses seven through sixteen talk about how God is always present in our lives. I was telling my Momma the other day about how when we speak things it gives the enemy a chance to hear them and act upon them. He is not capable of being everywhere the way God is nor is he capable of hearing everything as God does. He cannot know our thoughts as God does either. God knows and sees all. I especially love verses thirteen and fourteen...

When Ben was in the womb, he was healed from an open spine. His life would have been so different had the Lord not healed him. Today he is a healthy husband, father of four plus, gifted preacher who seeks to do the will of God. As the verse says about God, "your works are wonderful..." God chose Ben not only once but twice for a healing in his physical body. He was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in high school but the Lord healed him from it. Once again I can say of God, "your works are wonderful..." Everything God does in and through our lives has a purpose. We must realize what our purpose on this earth is if we want to live with Him for eternity. We must seek Him wholly in order to fulfill the purpose He has for us.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the reminders from Psalm 139 this morning. Thank You for healing my 'baby' not once but twice. Thank You for blessing him and his family this week with a time of vacation. Thank You for giving them safety as they travel. Father, I pray You will continue to work in and through Ben and Emily. I praise You for the way You are using Miss Evelyn with her prayer ministry. It blesses this Grandma's heart to hear how she is praying with people at the age of nine. I can only imagine what great things You have in store for her. Father, I pray You will use me to do great things for You today. Be my words, actions, attitude and focus throughout this day. Be greater than me so people will see and hear You instead of me today. Thank You Jesus for being My Constant. Amen.

Psalm 138:8 - "Never Been A Moment"

The Lord woke me up singing "Never Been A Moment" and I was immediately blessed beyond comprehension....

There's never been a moment
I was not held inside your arms
And there's never been a day when
You were not who you say you are

Yours forever
It don't matter what I'm walking through
Cause no matter where I'm going
There's never been a moment
That I was not loved by you

Yes! He loves me no matter what. He loves me when I doubt. He loves me when I bless Him. He loves when I walk in obedience and when I falter. Plain and simple. He loves me. Woo hoo! We all have our own faith journey. Everyone's experience is different yet the Lord loves us all. He does not give up on us when we question Him but instead loves us through such times. There is nothing we can hide from Him. He not only knows our actions but He knows our thoughts. The cry of our heart should always be the words found in Psalm 138:8...

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the rest You provided last night. Father, I pray for Your touch to be on my body. I am so tired in my physical body but so grateful for the renewal in my spirit. Lord, be my words and actions today. Bless our time tonight with the children and teens. I pray they will see and hear You through us. I pray for breakthroughs in their spiritual lives. Lord, "There's never been a moment" You did not love me and for that I am so grateful. May I bless You in abundance today in my words, action and attitude. Thank You Jesus for being The One Who Loves Me No Matter What. Amen.

Psalm 138:1-3; II Timothy 1:7; Philippians 4:13; James 1:2-4 - "Even If"

Sometimes life gets tough. It is not all a bed of roses. Instead it is a pile of doctor bills. There are times when you sit and think 'if only I had better insurance or more money' but then you stop yourself because that is not the life God has you walking. So you stop thinking the 'what ifs' and start praying for the 'what is' situation. The prayers are asking for wisdom on how to pay the bills. They are asking for peace in the midst of the 'junk' of life. They are prayers for the Lord to reveal what to do in a situation that seems impossible. Psalm 138 gives me encouragement to not give up but instead to praise Him through life. Verses one through three show me to be thankful. Verses four through six remind me that You are well aware of our situation. Verse eight is the icing on the cake. It reads, "Finish what you started in me, God. Your love is eternal—don’t quit on me now." As I am faithful, He will be return the faithfulness. He already knows the outcome. Therefore, I need to not fret but instead I need to continue to walk in His way and allow Him to take care of things. I need to remember II Timothy 1:7 that tells me He gives me a spirit of power, love and self-control instead of fear. I need to remember Philippians 4:13 that He is my strength. I need to remember James 1:2-4 that trials such as this will draw me deeper in my faith when I persevere through them. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for all You do for me. Thank You for loving me and blessing me so greatly. Thank You for safe travels home yesterday. Thank You for giving me wisdom on the things that need accomplished today. I pray for Your supernatural empowerment to encompass me today. Be my words, actions and attitude throughout this day so people will see and hear You instead of me. Thank You Jesus for being My Mountain Mover. Amen.

Psalm 136 - "I Will Be"

Psalm 136 is a great reminder of how much God loves us. His love helps us through the tough times of life. The times of disease, death of loved ones, issues with relationships, etc. His love is there to bless us through the tough times and the good times. His love is a constant in our lives when we allow it to be. His love is perfect in the way it heals us. Plain and simple. His love is the best. The Lord has blessed me over and over through life with loving me. He has healed me from some things that do not make sense but were things that made my faith stronger. Living through sexual abuse is something that no child should have to endure yet He has healed me from it. Losing my Daddy to cancer was something so hard yet I drew closer to my Heavenly Father through it. Dealing with the daily effects of MS and then being diagnosed with breast cancer are pretty tough things to deal with yet they both are things that make me realize it is not my strength to depend upon. It is His strength that gets me through the tough days. Living away from my family is so hard yet He gives me exactly what I need in the lonely days. He knows our needs and He provides. He encourages us in ways we cannot comprehend. He blesses us with what we desire in our hearts. Oh how I pray for more people to realize He is the answer. He is the One we need to seek. He is the One we need to be obedient to. He is the One who will enable us to shine brightly in this dark world.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for loving me so much! Thank You for this time I have had in Ohio. Thank You for all of the safety in travels You have provided and will provide today. Even though I have enjoyed this time immensely, I am so excited to get back home to Doc and Mordecei. Lord, I pray for those who are hurting today with the loss of their Daddy on this earth. I miss my Daddy greatly but am blessed in knowing he is no longer in pain. I also pray for those who do not fully know Your love. Oh how I pray for all to come into relationship with You so they will be able to know You to the fullest. Father, be my words, actions, attitude and focus today. I pray people will see and hear You through me today. May I shine brightly for You in all I do and say. Thank You Jesus for being The One To Love Me. Amen.

Psalm 130 - "Cry Out To Jesus"

Psalm 130 is one that gives us hope in knowing when we cry out to Him and listen to His Voice we will receive healing in our soul. We must seek Him instead of seeking help from others, books, etc. He must be the One we turn to in time of need. First we must ask Him for forgiveness for anything that is between Him and us. If we don't come before Him with a clean heart, we won't be able to accept His love in the manner He desires. We must be grateful to Him for the way He cares and blesses us. One commentator writes:

"The only way of relief for a sin-entangled soul, is by applying to God alone. Many things present themselves as diversions, many things offer themselves as remedies, but the soul finds that the Lord alone can heal. And until men are sensible of the guilt of sin, and quit all to come at once to God, it is in vain for them to expect any relief. The Holy Ghost gives to such poor souls a fresh sense of their deep necessity, to stir them up in earnest applications, by the prayer of faith, by crying to God."

Sometimes the Lord makes us wait on His answer but He always is there for us. Sometimes He speaks and we don't hear because we are not in the right relationship with Him. Sometimes He speaks, we hear but we don't obey because our humanness takes over. We must wait and be obedient.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the time with family and friends yesterday. Thank You for the day ahead. I pray for the emotions of this day to not be too great for not only myself but for others in my family. I pray for peace in spirits this morning that are anything but peaceful. I pray for healing in relationships. I pray for You to use my words, actions and attitude to love on people with Your love. Lord, show through me in all I do today in a way people will see You and not me. I pray for healing in physical bodies in a way that can only be attributed to You. 
Be with my husband today in a way that can only be explained as You. Enable him to complete his route in the time needed. Give him Your peace. Thank You Jesus for being My Hope. Amen.

Psalm 129 - "Through Your Eyes"

I woke up this morning to a song Britt Nicole sings called "Through Your Eyes" and was blessed in abundance.

Cause You stood right there
And then You broke apart the lies
You told me I had something beautiful inside
You brought to life the part of me I thought had died
Cause You stood right there until I saw me
I saw me through Your eyes (Saw me)
I saw me through Your eyes (Saw me)
I saw me through Your eyes

Yes! The enemy tries to make us feel ugly when Jesus encourages us to live out what He created. He made us beautiful. He made us to feel special. Ladies are Daughters of the King who should live as such. None of us should live tearing ourselves down with our own words let alone allow others words to make us feel horrible. Yes, people will say hurtful things but we need to allow the Lord to heal us from the effects of their words. We need to allow Him to speak life in us and in turn speak life in others. Psalm 129 shows the Israelites were thankful for their deliverance (vs 1-4). We need to follow their example. They knew He would destroy their enemies and we need to realize the same (vs 5-8). He will show true love when we allow Him to love us through hurtful times...

You're lifting my head up
I was keeping my head down
I didn't know love
But I do now

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for loving me so greatly! Thank You for healing when hurtful words are thrown my way! Thank You for showing me I am special in Your eyes! Lord, I pray for all to see this same thing. I pray for people to know they are special to You even when others try to tear them down. Father, there is a new day ahead. I am physically so tired and I need Your strength so I don't miss any opportunity You put before me to show Your love to others. Lord, keep my focus on You. I praise You for the way You will work in and through me today in mighty ways. Encompass me with Your supernatural empowerment throughout this day. Thank You Jesus for being My King! Amen.

Psalm 128:5-6 - "His Strength Is Perfect"

The Lord continues to bless me in abundance this week. Traveling down to spend the night with Ben, Emily and the kids I passed an accident that had I not changed my mind and made a stop I could have been involved in. Playing Boggle, going to the park and playing, cuddling, watching TV...what blessings! Sitting up after the kids went to bed and talking with Ben and Emily was such a blessing. I am so grateful for these days the Lord has blessed me with. I am grateful for the way He continues to bless me in ways I don't even know about. I am tired but it is a good tired. He is my strength when my physical body gets to feeling like it can't go on. He is my strength when my emotional body starts thinking about what all we miss by living so far from family. He is my strength when my mental body struggles to do school work in the midst of all of the activities. He is my strength when my spiritual body needs to wait to do devotions a little later in the day. Plain and simple. He is my strength and for that I am grateful.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for these days with family. I wish Doc were here to enjoy them. Lord, be with him and strengthen his whole being. I pray for the driver of the big truck who was in the accident yesterday. I also pray You will be so very real to me throughout this day. Enable me to stay focused on You even though I am physically tired. Be my words, actions, attitude and most of all my focus. Thank You Jesus for being My Strength. Amen.

Psalm 128 - "Blessings"

Many years ago, actually twenty-three years ago, Dr. Berke asked me what my goal was in taking the shots/medicine for the MS. They were not to rid my body of the disease but rather to slow the progression down. My words, "I want to play with my grand babies without being in a wheelchair." There have been many times I have been in a wheelchair. There have also been many times where I had to use a walker or cane. But then there have been many times where I am functioning on my own strength. Sometimes it is easier than others to function but God is always my strength. His strength is there for me not only physically but also mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Last night was a fun night playing with Miss Bella. We played board games, different games with the ball, etc. We also had a time of rest with our ice water. I love to hear her laugh and am thankful she does it often. I also love to feel her sweet hugs. She asked me when I first got there if she could give me a hug for Papa Doc. Of course, I said yes! After supper we had fun face timing with him. It has been difficult being so far away from family. I am so blessed this week having time to be with them. This morning as I read Psalm 128 I was once again blessed...

We, as parents, have the responsibility to raise our children in the ways of the Lord. In turn, they will follow our example and raise their children doing the same. God will bless our efforts. That does not mean life will be a bed of roses with our children always doing everything they should nor that they will never do wrong. Those instances are how we grow in our relationship with the Lord. We also must praise the Lord throughout life. I praise Him in abundance for this time with my grand babies. 

Dear Jesus, 
Thank You for the time with friends and family yesterday. Thank You for the day ahead when I will spend time with family. Lord, You bless me in abundance and I am so grateful. I pray You will give me safety in my travel today. I also pray for an abundance of strength. I ask for You to be my words, actions and attitude throughout this day. Be greater than me in all I do. I pray for Miss Bev who is in the hospital. Touch her Lord with a healing. Be with her family in a special way during these tough days. Lord, I also pray for Doc today as we are apart. Give him a special dose of Your love. Thank You Jesus for being The One To Bless Me. Amen.

Psalm 124:8; James 1:2-4; Colossians 3:1-17 - "My Help Comes From The Lord"

In talking with a friend who is going through a tough time I said something along the line, "I know you don't believe me but God can and will be greater than your issue if you allow Him." I truly do not think they believe that and it saddens me. The only way to receive His peace is to accept it. When we wallow around in misery, that many times we bring on ourselves, there is no way there is an open door to His healing. I am not saying He will heal all of our physical needs but He will heal our emotional and spiritual needs. I also am not saying He takes all of our problems away. It is in the tough times of life that we will draw closer to Him. (James 1:2-4) But once again it takes us allowing Him in. It takes going past salvation into a life sold-out to Him 24/7. It takes admitting our faults and allowing Him to change us. It takes us taking on His attitude, thoughts and words so people will see Him instead of us. This is not an easy thing to do because it means we must give up 'control' which many do not like to do. If people would only stop and think about it, we are not the ones in control anyway. He is. He knows all, sees all and hears all. He gives us free choice which allows us to live like we are the ones in control but it sure is not the way He desires us to live. Listening to a sermon last night from Camp Meeting by DS Greg Mason I was reminded of the great words of Colossians 3. Verse 2 tells us to "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." (NIV) This chapter is one that sounds harsh yet we, as believers, can learn so much from it on how to live out our life in Him daily. Verses twelve through fourteen tell us we are to take on His attributes. When we do, then we will live in His peace (vs 15). This chapter goes along with Psalm 124 that I read this morning. We must trust Him while on this earth so we will live with Him for eternity in heaven. He knows what we go through. He knows our pains and our concerns. But the thing we often forget is He also knows what we need to do in the process of coming out victorious over tough times. He is Our Help. He is the Answer. Matthew Henry writes:

God is the Author of all our deliverances, and he must have the glory. The enemies lay snares for God's people, to bring them into sin and trouble, and to hold them there. Sometimes they seem to prevail; but in the Lord let us put our trust, and we shall not be put to confusion. The believer will ascribe all the honour of his salvation, to the power, mercy, and truth of God, and look back with wonder and thanksgiving on the way in which the Lord has led him. Let us rejoice that our help for the time to come is in him who made heaven and earth.

Yes! My desire is He will be glorified in all that I do, say and think. I pray He is glorified in my reactions to both 'good' and 'bad' situations. I also pray for those who struggle with allowing Him to be their Answer.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the blessings of yesterday with time with my Momma and Doc's safe travels. Thank You for the blessings ahead in this day with time with friends and family. Lord, most of all I pray You will be seen and heard through me today. I pray for a renewal in my spirit that will enable me to have You show through me in a whole new way. I pray for the activities going on at Camp Meeting and pray people will be blessed. Thank You for technology that allows me to 'be there' even when I cannot be physically. Lord, I pray especially for my friend who is struggling. I pray they will open their heart and mind to You in a whole new way today. I pray for healing in their physical, emotional and mental beings but especially in their spiritual being. Thank You for being My Answer. Amen.

Galatians 5:22-23 - "Joy"

Yesterday was full of blessings but one of the biggest was hearing Ben preach. When he was talking about how he knew he would sit under the ministry of his children one day, I swelled with pride. I love how God orchestrated him preaching on the exact weekend we were in Ohio. What a blessing! He preached about the fruit of the Spirit and asked if they showed through us. If not, they should. He shared about how Miss Evelyn and her cousin Abbie started a prayer ministry where they not only have a poster up for prayer requests but they go around asking people if they can pray for them and then pray right then. These are children doing what we all need to be doing. He said the hardest thing for a parent is to look in the mirror. A parent knows their children are going to follow their example. If the right attitude doesn't show in a parent, it probably will not show in their children. It was a sermon that was God-led and one that stepped on toes. It was challenging and hopefully motivated everyone who heard it. I know I did not always make the best decisions as a parent but I grateful for the way my boys grew up to be godly men. What a blessing they are to me.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the blessings of this weekend with seeing friends and family. Thank You for the safe travel You granted us over many miles. Thank You for the safe travel You will bless Doc with today. Lord, I pray for the fruit of Your Spirit to show through me in my words, attitude, and actions. I pray for more of You and less of me. Lord, I also pray for the newlyweds as they travel on their honeymoon and begin their married life. Bless them in abundance. Father, You are so awesome in the way You bless us. You are so wonderful in giving us the desires of our heart. May we never forget to bless You back. Thank You for being My Greatest Blessing! Amen.