Psalm 96:1-9 - "Sing Unto The Lord"

"Sing God a brand-new song!" Yes! "Brand-new" means freshness. It means different than what has been done in the past. How many times "but we've always done it this way" has been said by people who do not like change. But change can be good. God likes when we change from our old ways to His ways. He likes when we change from living a selfish life to living a life of giving. He likes when we change from being crabby to being joyful. He likes when we decide to think of Him first and to walk in obedience. As we make these type of changes in our life we "Sing God a brand-new song!" Woo hoo! I love the idea of starting each day on a new adventure with God. I know He will take my feet to where He desires and give me His words as I walk in obedience. I also know He will provide strength not only in my physical body but also in my spirit as I walk in His path. He will bless me like He did yesterday with my visit with my dear 94 year old neighbor. He will give me the desires of my heart as I seek to go deeper in my faith. He will empower me to do just what Psalm 96:2-3 tells all to do:

Shout the news of his victory from sea to sea,
Take the news of his glory to the lost,
News of his wonders to one and all!

Yes! This is the job we are set on this earth to accomplish. The only way this will be accomplished is to love with His love. We will not be successful in this accomplishment if we do not forget our own agenda and allow Him to work in and through us. Once we take that step we will be fruitful and multiply. I get so frustrated with believers who don't get this concept but the Lord quickly reminds me they are not my problem. He deals with people in His time and in His way. I need to stay on track in my relationship with Him and pray for them. I still need to encourage them along the way but I must not criticize them or try to change them. We are all different and we come to God in different ways.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the blessings ahead in this day. I pray for safe travel mercies and an abundance of strength for the day ahead. I pray You will be my words and actions. I pray for a cleansing in my spirit before I begin this day. Lord, I pray for those who don't know You to come into relationship with You. I also pray for those who do know You to be encouraged to go deeper. Lord, I pray I will sing a new song to You throughout this day. I pray for freshness in my spirit. Thank You Jesus for being My New Song! Amen.

Psalm 95; I Kings 20 - "Hills and Valleys"

When the enemy comes knocking, the best way to knock him down is by praising God. There are some days where I feel like the enemy is relentless in trying to stop what God wants to accomplish through us. But God is bigger than him. God is greater than him. God is more powerful than him. I must remember to call upon God and praise Him through the trials put before me. I also must remember God is the God of my "Hills and Valleys." This song was going through my head as I went to sleep last night, throughout the night when I woke up and again this morning.

On the mountains, I will bow my life
To the One who set me there
In the valley, I will lift my eyes
To the One who sees me there

When I'm standing on the mountain
I didn't get there on my own
When I'm walking through the valley
I know I am not alone!

You're God of the hi-hi-hills and valleys
Hi-hi-hills and valleys
God of the hi-hi-hills and valleys
And I am not alone

Yes! He is with us when things are going 'good' and He is with us when they are not. I think of the story in I Kings 20 where Israel was delivered from Syria in a situation that seemed impossible. Syria had way more people to fight in the war but they did not have God on their side. It is interesting to read how Syria said Israel's God was only a God of the hills and not the valleys. Wrong! Our God is a God of both. Woo hoo! We must remember the enemy does not like ground that is taken for the Lord. He also does not like when we praise God. That is exactly what Psalm 95 tells us to do...

Yes! We will be victorious over the enemy as we depend upon the Lord for direction and strength. The key to having His supernatural empowerment is to live in His presence. That is where His voice will be heard and we will walk in obedience. Oh how I desire to go deeper into His presence. I do not want to allow the enemy to steal my joy even though at times in my humanness that happens. I do not want him to feel like he has won any ground in my life. My God is greater than him and I want him to realize that. God is the God of my "Hills and Valleys" and will not be stopped. He created me, He died and rose for me, He called me, and most of all He loves me. Woo hoo!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the blessings ahead in this day. Thank You for being the God of my "Hills and Valleys" every day. Thank You for wiping my sins away and cleansing me. Thank You for taking me deeper into relationship with You. Father, empower me with Your Holy Spirit in a whole new way. Keep my mouth closed when it needs to be closed and use it boldly when You desire. Fill me to overflowing so people will see and hear You through me today. Father, I pray for all the pastors going into the pulpit to speak Your words. I pray especially for the ones who are doing it for their first time. May they start off by listening to Your voice and walking in obedience. Thank You Jesus for being God of My Hills and Valleys. Amen.

Psalm 92:1-3 - "Tell Your Heart To Beat Again"

"Tell your heart to beat again..." This song was in my heart this morning. My first thought was of those who are hurting so deeply. Some from the death of a loved one, some from the break-up of a relationship, some with a loved one suffering from a disease...the list goes on and on. One that I talked with this week feels worthless. Another one feels like they can't seem to catch a break from having 'bad stuff' happen in their life. 

Tell your heart to beat again
Close your eyes and breathe it in
Let the shadows fall away
Step into the light of grace
Yesterday's a closing door
You don't live there anymore
Say goodbye to where you've been
And tell your heart to beat again

Yes! But these words are easier said than done. Sometimes the grief is too fresh to begin the healing process. God understands that but He still wants to be there to heal. He desires for us to lean upon Him and use His strength to get us through tough days. When we have to say 'goodbye' to a loved one, it is one of the hardest things to do. Hopefully though, we know we will see them again. But what about if we don't have that confidence? What if we aren't a believer or our loved one wasn't a believer? Those times are totally different than when both believe. When there is no hope, life is different. I cannot understand how people get through those days but I do know if they are still alive it is never too late to receive Hope. We also are never 100% sure our loved one didn't accept Christ at the last minute. 

This morning as I read Psalm 92 about praising Him morning and night I thought about those who are hurting so deeply. How can they begin to praise the Lord through their hurt? Even though it doesn't make sense it is part of the healing process. When we praise Him, it releases our emotions and opens doors to healing. As we praise Him He gives us the blessing of His love in abundance. Our praises to Him are soothing to our souls. They are like an balm on a wound. The more we praise Him, the more He will open our hearts to more of Him. He will wipe away the tears as we praise Him. We need to remember He is not only with us through the heartaches but He also knows the outcome and wants to be with us every step of the way.

Let every heartbreak
And every scar
Be a picture that reminds you
Who has carried you this far
'Cause love sees farther than you ever could
In this moment heaven's working
Everything for your good

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for being with those that are hurting so deeply. Thank You for being their strength in these difficult days. Thank You for seeing me through many hurts. Father, You are so awesome in the way You encourage through our praising You. I pray for more praises to come from our lips, especially through tough situations. I pray for those praises to be the healing balm that is needed in our lives. Lord, today I pray You will use me to be a beacon of light for You. I pray You will ooze out of me so people see and hear You through me. May there be nothing between us Lord. May there be praises on my lips throughout this day. May Your words, actions and most of all attitude be mine today. May You keep my eyes and ears open to opportunities to love on people. May You keep my mouth closed when needed and open when You desire. Thank You Jesus for being The One I Praise. Amen.

Psalm 91 - "Oh My Soul"

My thoughts and prayers continue to be with a dear lady's family as she left this earth late last night. Mindy encouraged me with her words during the time of my diagnosis with breast cancer. I could picture her smile as I read them. I wish I would have got to know her better and sooner but I know God placed her in my life when I needed her. I've been praying so often for Mindy and her family. This morning I woke up with "Oh My Soul" going through my mind and when I turned on KLOVE it was the song playing! It actually was in my mind most of yesterday as I've had several prayer requests for different ones going through tough days. The words to this song are so important for all to remember...

Oh, my soul
You are not alone
There's a place where fear has to face the God you know
One more day, He will make a way
Let Him show you how, you can lay this down

Yes! "He will make a way"...all we have to do is be in relationship with Him so we can not only hear His voice but we also will walk in obedience. This morning I am praying for...

• Mindy's friends and family
• A young lady who is dealing with multiple health issues after going through a time of being drugged
• A mother/grandmother who the enemy is attacking her with making feel worthless
• A young gentleman who needs to seek the Lord for direction on his future
• An older gentleman who is anemic and fearful of what will be found;  two other older ones who are dealing with diabetes issues
• A lady who is dealing with health issues and does not have insurance
• A couple with financial issues
• Several families who desperately need the Lord in their lives
• A pastor coming near to the end of his Sabbatical and another who is in the early stages of one
• A couple dealing with the husband having a recent stroke
• Many who are dealing with recent loss of loved ones
• A mother dealing with a son's addiction
• A lady who continues to deal with issues after having cervical surgery
• A family as they care for their wife/mother/grandmother who is dealing with different physical issues
• A gentleman who has severe health issues and has been hospitalized for weeks; another one who recently had a heart attack and is having kidney issues
• A lady who recently had cancer return in her body...praising God tests show it has not moved to her brain and bones...praying for treatment to take care of what was found in the liver and lungs...most of all praying for a miraculous complete healing

This world has many hurting people. Unfortunately, some are hurt by others. Some are hurt by their own actions. Some hurt because the enemy has ahold of them. No matter what the cause, Jesus is the answer. He does not always take away our circumstances but He always is there for us. Psalm 91 encourages us to take refuge in God. Verses one through eight tells us we will find all we need in Him. When we have faith, He will provide all we need. That does not mean life will be without conflict but it does mean we will go through those time with His peace and strength.  Matthew Henry writes of verses nine through sixteen:

Whatever happens, nothing shall hurt the believer; though trouble and affliction befal, it shall come, not for his hurt, but for good, though for the present it be not joyous but grievous. Those who rightly know God, will set their love upon him. They by prayer constantly call upon him. His promise is, that he will in due time deliver the believer out of trouble, and in the mean time be with him in trouble. The Lord will manage all his worldly concerns, and preserve his life on earth, so long as it shall be good for him. For encouragement in this he looks unto Jesus. He shall live long enough; till he has done the work he was sent into this world for, and is ready for heaven. Who would wish to live a day longer than God has some work to do, either by him or upon him? A man may die young, yet be satisfied with living. But a wicked man is not satisfied even with long life. At length the believer's conflict ends; he has done for ever with trouble, sin, and temptation.

Yes! No matter we go through we need to remember to love and trust Him. We also need to remember that He is in control of the timing of our circumstances. Praise His Holy Name we do not need to fret but instead we need to trust Him to take care of everything.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and for the ones You will give today. Thank You for giving Mindy's family such precious memories, especially from the last few days. Thank You for being with each of the ones I prayed for today. Forgive me for anything that is between You and I so my words, actions and attitude will be Yours today. I pray people will see and hear You through me. May Your Holy Spirit empower me with supernatural abilities today. Thank You Jesus for being My Refuge. Amen.

Psalm 89:15-18 - "Praise You In This Storm"

I have been praying throughout the night for a dear sister in Christ and her family as she is taking her last breaths on this earth. She is blessed with having a large family to care for her during these days. As I prayed I thought about some others in my little world who are not so fortunate so I prayed for them too. There are some really lonely people in this world. Some have no family, some have family who don't make contact with them, some have family who are not nice to them, etc. I am grateful for those who know the Lord. But even they are still lonely for a hug, someone to have a meal with, or someone to do something with. At times it is difficult for those lonely to feel joyful. They have to work hard to not let it get them down. The enemy loves to cause havoc in their minds. It gives him an open door to cause even more issues. He does not like when people praise God. That is exactly what we need to do no matter what circumstances we are going through. Praising God makes us feel better even when the circumstances don't change. Psalm 89:15-18 blesses me in abundance. It gives me a great picture of how praising God can turn a 'bad day' into a 'good day.' 

Yes! I love the word picture "Delighted, they dance all day long..." Woo hoo! Sometimes it is hard to get past what is happening in life to realize God is still God no matter what. He loves us no matter what. His love is exactly why we go through some of what we do. He desires us to draw closer to Him and knows when we can't do things on our own we will turn to Him. I am forever grateful in the knowledge I do not have to do anything on my own strength but instead am empowered by His. These verses tell us we will have fruit from our praises. People will desire what we have when they see peace in us. No one will want to have what we have in Him if we are constantly down in our spirit. We need to not only be joyful but we need to share our joy with others. In the NIV verse fifteen says those who praise Him "walk in the light of Your presence, Lord." Yes! That is exactly where I desire to be. I can walk in His Light when I praise Him.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the ones ahead in this day. Thank You for being my strength and empowerment. Oh may I be better at praising You! Empower me, Father, to share You with others more than I ever have in the past. I pray for more believers to know Your joy even in the midst of difficult circumstances as the death of a loved one, illness, financial issues, having a prodigal... Father empower these ones I have been praying for with Your Holy Spirit that will give them wisdom on what to do. May they find Your peace in their circumstances and may they find the road of praise. I pray for more opportunities in my life to share You. Wipe away anything that is between You and I and fill me to overflowing with more of You. Blind my eyes to things that will take away my joy. Close my ears to things the enemy wants me to hear. Most of all I pray for You to take me down the road of praising You. Thank You Jesus for being My Light. Amen.

John 10:27-29 - "Even If"

2:42 AM the Lord brought me out of a sound sleep with an urgent command to "pray for Mindy's family." I don't know if she is still on this earth or if she has went on to Glory. She has fought a battle with cancer so hard and long. These last few days have become increasingly harder for her to fight. I pray through this time her friends and family have drawn closer in relationship with the Lord. Sometimes people do in such times but unfortunately many blame Him and become hardened to Him. One of my prayers is for her family to draw closer. I pray they will seek His peace in the midst of these tough days. As the hour draws nearer or perhaps already has I pray they will remember God is their strength. Mindy is ready to hear the Lord call her Home. That does not mean she wants to leave this earth but it means she knows she will no longer be dealing with this awful disease. She knows she will be rejoicing in a new body. I think of John 10:27-29 this morning and know she is hearing His voice and will walk in obedience. I also started thinking about others who are dealing with death in their family within the last few weeks. One young girl who lost her father in a car accident. Another family whose son drowned in a flash flood and his girlfriend's family as they wait for her body to be found. A wife who lost her husband after many years of marriage. My prayers also went to those awaiting cancer testing results. All of these things give us the opportunity to draw closer to God. We need to be intentional on not only listening to His Voice but then to walk in obedience. We need to never give up hoping in Him. We also need to realize He knows what is best for us.

I know You're able and I know You can
Save through the fire with Your mighty hand
But even if You don't
My hope is You alone


Dear Jesus, 
Thank You for loving us so greatly that You give peace and strength in times such as death of a loved one or as we wait on a diagnosis. Thank You for speaking to us. Thank You for directing us in the path You so desire. Father, I pray for the families who are going through a time of death of a loved one. I pray they will seek You and find Your peace. I pray they will not turn away from You. Father, thank You for the blessings You gave me through my Daddy's death with Your peace. I miss him so much but I know he is no longer suffering and for that I am grateful. I would love to have a morning phone call from him...to hear him say, "Sheila Babe how are you doing?" Those calls were such a blessing and I will be forever grateful for them. Thank You Father for giving me exactly what I need. Thank You for the strength for my appointment about Doc's hospital bill and then again for last night's children and teen activities. Thank You for the outcome with the bill, for the twenty-two shoeboxes put together and for the new teen we had with us. Blessings upon blessings You continue to provide. Lord, today is a new day. I know what I think will happen but most of all I want to do what You desire of me today. Fill me to overflowing so people will see and hear You through me today. Thank You for being My Heavenly Father. Amen.

Psalm 89 - "All The People Said Amen"

Instead of beginning with complaints and prayer requests Psalm 89 begins with praises. I like that! We need to follow this example in our prayer lives. We need to begin with praising the Lord for all the blessings of life. In fact, we really don't even need to speak our prayer requests because He already knows them. Our speaking them is more for us and not Him. This Psalm is so good in praising Him!

Verses 1-4 praise Him for His love. When we trust Him and put our faith in Him, He promises to be with us.

Verses 5-14 praise Him for the ways He cares for all and for His power. In The Message verse fourteen reads, "The Right and Justice are the roots of your rule; Love and Truth are its fruit." Yes! As we strive to be Christ-like this is how our lives will look too. We will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to not give into the enemy (vs 10). 

Verses 15-18 praise Him for the joy He puts in the heart of those who are in relationship with Him. Not only have these people accepted Him into their heart but they have taken the step of sanctification. They hear His voice and walk in obedience. There is nothing greater than living such a life. Fruit comes in abundance through living a life of obedience.

Verses 19-37 shows the covenant God made with David. This covenant shows the promise of His eternal love. It also shows the promise of grace when one does wrong.

Verses 38-52 shows not only the questioning and complaining of the writer to God but it also shows the writer giving God praise. The very last words of this Psalm are powerful. "Amen and Amen." The writer wanted all who read his words to realize the importance of praising God. One must praise Him for what He has done and for what He will do in the days ahead. Praising Him will bless Him.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the blessings ahead in this day. Thank You for the way You go before me, the way You guide me and the way You shine Your light for me to follow. Thank You for the way You fill me to overflowing with Your spirit so people see and hear You through me. Father, I want to walk in obedience today in a way I never have before. The desire of my heart is to fulfill the desires of Your heart. Lord, I do have many with physical needs I am praying for but I don't need to list them because You already know. I also have many with spiritual needs and those I raise up to You for a change in their lives. I pray for something to click in their minds today so they will realize walking in obedience is the best way of life. Thank You Jesus for being My Joymaker. Amen.

Psalm 88; Isaiah 59:1-2; Titus 3:5; II Timothy 1:9; Ephesians 2 - Joy

Psalm 88 is such a dark one to read. It is about one who is living in blatant sin yet they know God is their Answer. There are several things we can learn about the writer of this Psalm...

• They need salvation and know it can be received through God (vs 1).
• They have internal turmoil going on in their life (vs 3).
• They were in bondage to their sin (vs 5).
• They were feeling guilty of their lifestyle (vs 7).
• They felt like God had left them (vs 14a).
• They are miserable (vs 4; 6; 8; 15;16)

No one needs to live such a life. God is the answer. One cannot save themselves but they can be saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote many times about how one cannot save themselves. (Titus 3:5; II Timothy 1:9; Ephesians 2) Hope is found in Jesus Christ. The writer realized to some extent that God is the answer when they acknowledged God as "my salvation" (vs 1). Even though this writer was in the deepest pits of darkness they still called upon the Lord in their distress. A lot of times people have to 'hit bottom' before they will get to the end of themselves and ask the Lord into their heart. Many times believers have to have everything go wrong that could in order to get to the end of themselves and allow the Lord to sanctify them. One must always remember He is there for them. He never leaves us nor does He give up on us. Yes, sin is a part of life but we do not have to live in it. All we have to do is accept Him into our heart and then take the next step of allowing Him to purify us. Then we can walk in obedience to His will. I honestly cannot comprehend how people get through the tough times of life without the Lord. It is sad to think about how sin separates us from living a life of joy. His love is greater than anything. As we seek His love, we will receive an abundance of blessing. One of those blessings is peace that makes no sense. Another of those blessings is freedom that comes from a deep relationship with the Lord. I love a song Vashawn Mitchell sings called "Joy"...

There's beauty in my brokenness,
I've got true love instead of pain
There's freedom though you've captured me,
I've got joy instead of mourning

Yes! "joy instead of mourning" Woo hoo! That joy is found "down deep in my soul" as one walks in obedience. Sin separates but a relationship with the Lord brings joy!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the joy You put into my heart. Thank You for the peace You give when it doesn't seem possible. Thank You for the ways You bless me. Father, I come to You this morning with repentance for anything that I may have done not of You or anything You put before me to do that I missed. Father, thank You for cleansing me with Your grace. I pray You will show through in my words, attitude and actions today in a way that will make people know it is You. Father, I also pray for those in this world who are struggling with blatant sin. I pray they will have someone go before them today to share You with them. I pray Your peace and joy will be found by them. I also pray for believers who are struggling with trying to be in control of their lives. I pray they will see Your peace and joy through surrender. This morning I pray for two dear friends who are waiting test results for cancer. I pray for them to be encompassed by Your strength in a mighty way today. I also pray for another one in her last days to feel Your strength. Lord, give these dear sisters Your joy in the midst of what they and their families are going through. Thank You Jesus for being My True Joy! Amen.

I Timothy 3:1-7 - "Thank You for Giving To The Lord"

The Lord woke me up in the middle of the night to pray for pastors. There are so many who are discouraged and hurting. I prayed for...

• the one anxious about their first time in the pulpit this morning
• the one who has been torn into pieces by their congregation, threatened if they didn't step down, and ridiculed
• those who have been dealing with a lot of grieving in their people due to deaths
• those on Sabbatical to be refreshed and renewed in their spirit
• those who do not know if there will be enough offering for them to receive a paycheck today
• the congregation who lost their pastor in a sudden death last weekend
• those who will resign today
• those who are struggling with their call
• those who are struggling with blatant sin
• those with turmoil in their families, especially the two with their teenage children going through rebellion and those with prodigals
• all of those going into the pulpit to be filled with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit so it would be Him who the people hear
• any who wrote a sermon on their own instead of listening to the Lord for what He desired

Paul wrote in I Timothy 3 about the characteristics of a pastor...

All believers, but especially pastors need to be committed to living a life in God's will. It is then, and only then, one can be obedient in their walk. It is so easy to give the enemy an open door into our life by listening to people instead of the Lord. But it is much easier to keep those openings shut when we wake each moment asking for His Holy Spirit to empower us and then allowing Him to dwell within us throughout the day. It also is important at the end of the day to ask for forgiveness for anything we did or said that we shouldn't have. We also need to ask for forgiveness for anything we did not do that He called us to do. When I took this picture of Doc's footsteps in the sand I was reminded how he not only talks the talk but he also walks the walk. He is a great example of how to be a servant with an obedient spirit. That is exactly the kind of pastor everyone needs in their life. 

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for my husband who is a great example of what a pastor should be. Thank You for his willingness to walk in obedience. Thank You for the ways You will bless him today as he goes into the pulpit. Lord, bless my prayers from this morning for all pastors. I pray they will know You are ready to lead them through what You have already laid on their hearts. I thank You in advance for the sermons ahead for me. Lord, may I be the servant leader You desire. May my words, actions and attitude be that of You so people will hear and see You through me. Thank You Jesus for being My Great Pastor. Amen.

Hebrews 8:7-12 - "King of the World"

The Lord woke me up singing a song Natalie Grant sings called "King of the World"....

When did I forget that you've always been the king of the world?
I try to take life back right out of the hands of the king of the world
How could I make you so small
When you're the one who holds it all
When did I forget that you've always been the king of the world

This is exactly what we, as humans, do. We think we are in control of what happens in life when in fact, we are not. The key to living a life for Him is to live a life of obedience to His will. Salvation is the first step in our walk with the Lord. Sanctification is the next step that unfortunately many believers do not take. Sometimes they make the choice to not take that step because they are afraid of letting go of things. Sometimes that choice is not made because they don't want to lose their friends or family. No matter what the reason, the Lord is always there in the step. Walking in obedience does not always seem easy but when we allow Him to mold us to be like His being, it is accomplishable. Not only is it accomplishable but it also is the purpose of our life. Jesus did not die on the cross just because He wanted to. He died for all of our sins. The curtain was torn in two and no other applicable by His actions on the cross and in the grave. The guilt of sin under the law was no longer in place. Instead the remission of our sins by His blood was provided. No longer were the laws written down but instead are written on our hearts. Those same hearts are formed together with His love so we can share Him with others. In Hebrews 8 Paul writes of how the outpouring of the Holy Spirit enables us to share Him. The only way to have the Holy Spirit pour out of us is for us to be filled by Him. This only happens when we turn our whole being over and allow Him to work in and through us. I love the words of Hebrews 8:7, "For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another." I praise His Holy Name for the way His death removed the need for the first covenant and allowed us to walk in grace. God spoke in Jeremiah 31:31-34 and then was quoted in Hebrews 8:8-12...

Dear Jesus,
Thank You seems so inadequate to say but I am so grateful for the way You walked in obedience to Your death and resurrection. I praise Your Holy Name for the way You desire us to walk in obedience to Your will. Lord, I pray for Your removal of anything in my life that would keep me from walking in obedience. I pray for Your words, actions and attitude to take over my being throughout this day. May You be my focus so there is no room for the enemy to sneak in. Father, bless me in abundance with more of You and less of me so people see You in me today. Thank You for being The King of My World. Amen.

Psalm 86:11-17 - "One Thing Remains"

I woke up during the night and then this morning singing, "Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me..." Psalm 86 speaks of His love. He loved me enough to die for me. He loved me enough to take me back into fellowship with Him when I strayed. He loves me enough to guide me every day down the path He desires. He loves me enough to answer my prayers. Sometimes His answers are not what I desire but they are always what is best. He loves me enough to comfort me when times are tough. He loves me so much that He blesses me not only when I am on the mountaintops of life but also when I find myself in the valleys. He is such a giving, loving God. 'When I grow up' I want to be just like Him! I am a work in progress and I am determined to continue soaking in more of Him so people will see and hear Him through me. Many do not understand my life and that is OK because He is the Only One that truly matters. He is the One I listen to and obey. He is the One that protects me from 'junk' of this world. That doesn't mean I don't still deal with it but it does mean He is beside me through it. There are many times over the last thirteen months where I said, "...give your servant the strength to go on..." And He did. Praise His Holy Name! I love Psalm 86 in The Message, especially the last verse. "As you, God, gently and powerfully put me back on my feet." He has done that many times in life but it seems He has had to work overtime doing it since we moved to South Carolina. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the blessings of this day. Thank You for the encouragement from this song and Scripture. Thank You for all the ways You showed Your love to us today. Father, I desire more of You to ooze out of me. I pray against anything that tries to stop that from happening. Fill me with Your love so people will only see and hear You instead of me. Lord, I continue to ask for Your love to be with the one in her last days. I continue to pray for a miracle in her situation. Be so real to her and her family during these days. Thank You Jesus for being The One Who Loves Me. Amen.

Psalm 85:10-13 - "Take My Life"

Psalm 85 begins with begging God for reconciliation. It is only when we reconcile with God that our sins will be forgiven. He also forgets them. We no longer have to worry about them because He wipes them away. It is only when we repent and return to Him that we will rejoice in Him. We must trust Him to bring us back into right relationship. We must accept the peace He gives through the process. Too many times people will not accept His peace because they have a sense of belonging in the state of misery. The enemy loves when people live in that state. It is only when we live in the state found in verses ten through thirteen of Psalm 85 that we will live where He desires. That state is full of "Love and Truth...Right Living and Whole Living...Goodness and Beauty...Bounty and Blessing..." We must allow Him to love us in order to live out His love with right and whole living. When we live in such a way, He will bless us. He will empower us with His Holy Spirit that will enable us to do His will. Those are some powerful words....empower and enable. That is exactly where I want to live. I want to live in His love and empowerment. The desire of my heart is to walk in the path He clears for me. Matthew Henry writes, "Righteousness is a sure guide, both in meeting God, and in following Him." Yes! "Righteousness is what I long for...holiness is what I need...purity is what You want from me!" I sing this song this morning with tears flowing as I want to draw closer to the Lord. The desire of my heart is to fulfill the desire of His heart for me. I don't want to do or say anything that He doesn't want. I also don't want to miss anything He desires of me to do. This morning I pray...

Take my life and form it
Take my mind transform it
Take my will conform it
To yours, to yours, oh lord

Dear Jesus,
I praise You for wiping away my sins and forgetting them. I ask that anything I did or said yesterday that was not of Your will also be wiped away. Lord, enable and empower me today to be You to others. May they see and hear You instead of me. Father, I am so grateful for all of the ways You bless me. You know the desires of my heart and I pray blessings upon them. Go before me and shine through me. Thank You Jesus for being My Holiness. Amen.

Psalm 84 - "Whom Shall I Fear"

I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

Yes! Oh how these words ring true in my heart this morning. I told Doc last night that I am so tired of the fight that seems to happen with so much of what happens daily. Things that should seem so simple seem to become so hard. A simple thing such as changing a medication from the drug store to mail order to save some money turns into a mess because of a mistake made on a prescription. Or having to go without for a few days on another prescription because of a mistake made by a drug store. These type of things seem to happen regularly in life. Sometimes I feel like going to bed and covering up my head and forgetting everything. But I know that is not what my Heavenly Father desires of me. He wants me to trust and depend upon Him as in Proverbs 3:5-6. He wants me to be joyful in all circumstances as in James 1:2-4. This morning the Lord took me to Psalm 84 to remind me of the devotion David had toward Him. He reminded me when I sing of my devotion to Him I will be refreshed and renewed. He also reminded me of gift He gave me over the last few days with the beauty of His creation. Yesterday morning as Mordecei and I walked around the lake I was in awe of the way He was filling me with more of Him. Then this morning when I read Psalm 84 I was blessed in knowing...

Yes! He did just that! He showed Himself through creation yesterday in a brand new way. He gave peace with some difficult situations. He gave hope in some situations that seem impossible. Most of all He gave me His love in abundance that covers all of the 'junk' of this world. I have nothing to fear because He is in control. Matthew Henry writes of this Scripture...

"The pilgrims to the heavenly city may have to pass through many a valley of weeping, and many a thirsty desert; but wells of salvation shall be opened for them, and consolations sent for their support. Those that press forward in their Christian course, shall find God add grace to their graces. And those who grow in grace, shall be perfect in glory."

Praise His Holy Name! Woo hoo! Yes! I love the part, "..shall find God add grace to their graces." That is good! 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for all the ways You bless me! Thank You for the times of refreshing at District Assembly with words from Dr. Eddy; Rev. Toni and Dr. Porter; and Dr. Bredholt. Thank You for the beauty of Your creation You shared with me the last two mornings. Father, there are some calls I have to make today to doctors that I need You to go before me with. I ask that You give me clarity in my thinking in abundance. I also ask that whatever the outcome You would keep me calm in my spirit. Thank You in advance for the resolve with the prescription issue and with the hospital bill issue. Lord, be my words, attitude and actions today in a mighty way. May people see and hear You instead of me. Father, I also pray for the dear one who appears to be in her last days on this earth. I pray for comfort for her family as she goes from this earth into Your arms. Thank You for being My God of Angel Armies. Amen.

Psalm 73:25-26 - "Psalm 73"

I love these words of David in Psalm 73. They show the kind of relationship David had with God. No one on this earth can be to us what our Heavenly Father can be. He is the Only One who will not disappoint us, who will love us no matter what we do or say, and who will always be with us. He is the Only One who is capable of being "the strength of my heart and my portion forever." The way to live in such a relationship is to be saved and sanctified wholly. That means taking the next step after accepting Him into our heart so He has free reign over every aspect of our being. That means walking in obedience even when it doesn't make sense. It means being satisfied no matter what the circumstances of life brings. It means trusting Him when life doesn't make sense and knowing He will take care of things. It means leaning on His strength through days that seem to be non-ending. The last word of this Scripture is the key to life. "forever" That means for eternity. We will have His strength and portion not only on this earth but for eternity when we walk in obedience.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for these words this morning that remind me of the importance of walking in obedience. Father, forgive me when I failed You. Wipe my slate clean for this new day. Give me an abundance of You through my words, actions and attitude today so people will see and hear You through me. May I be an example today for others in what it means to walk in obedience. Lord, I again pray for the couple You woke me up for in the middle of the night. May they find Your peace in whatever is happening in their life. I also pray for the family who are dealing with the unexpected death of a husband and father. May they be comforted by You in a mighty way in these tough days ahead. Lord, I also pray for those who believe in You yet are not walking in total obedience to You. I pray they will find that path. Thank You Jesus for being My Forever Maker. Amen.

Psalm 63 - "Step By Step"

The Lord has had the song "Step By Step" going through my mind over the last couple of days. "I will seek You in the morning...I will follow You all of my days..." How appropriate to read Psalm 63 this morning...

Woo hoo! This Psalm is full of good stuff! Verses one and two show David's desire for God. Verses three through six show his satisfaction in God and verses seven through eleven show his dependence on God. David knew God would keep him safe no matter what happened. David knew God was with Him. He knew....he knew. That is exactly what those who believe and walk in the path He leads them down do. They know. It is through walking by faith and trusting Him that we can know He is in control. The outcome of our situation will be exactly what He desires if we do not manipulate our circumstances. Sometimes there is a long time in the 'waiting room' of life but He is with us every step of the way. Sometimes we will not feel like praising Him yet that is exactly what we need to do. David lived a life of continual battles yet He looked to God for strength. The gift of living such a life will be given to those who wake up in Gloryland. No longer will there be battles but instead there will be worship. I like how Matthew Henry states we need to pray....

Blessed Lord, let our desire towards thee increase every hour; let our love be always upon thee; let all our enjoyment be in thee, and all our satisfaction from thee. Be thou all in all to us while we remain in the present wilderness state, and bring us home to the everlasting enjoyment of thee for ever.

Dear Jesus,

I pray this prayer for myself this morning. I pray for increase in my relationship with You. Lord, guide my steps so I stay close to You throughout this day. Be my words, actions and attitude so people will see and hear You through me. Father, keep my focus so I don't miss any opportunity You put before me. Thank You Jesus for being My Satisfaction. Amen.

Psalm 62:5-8 - "We Won't Be Shaken"

The Lord woke me up to "We Won't Be Shaken" and I was immediately blessed...

Whatever will come our way
Through fire or pouring rain
No, we won't be shaken
No, we won't be shaken
Whatever tomorrow brings
Together we'll rise and sing
That we won't be shaken
No, we won't be shaken

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the knowledge that no matter what happens You are with me. No matter what others say or do, You love me. No matter where I go, You are with me. Lord, wipe my slate clean as I begin another day. Be my words, actions and attitude throughout this day. Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the blessings ahead in this day. Thank You for being My Refuge. Amen.

Psalm 51:10-12 - "Create In Me A Clean Heart"

Psalm 51:10-12 is one that I memorized as a child...

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

I really like these verses in The Message...

Yes! A Genesis week...that is what I desire. Freshness in every aspect of my life. I especially like the request for the Lord to "breathe holiness in me" and for Him to put "fresh wind in my sails!" I need these things badly. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the prayers of these verses. Thank You for loving me so greatly. Father, cleanse me of anything that is not of You. Purify me. Thank You for the opportunities of yesterday and for the ones today. I pray a special prayer for my NCO family as they vote a new DS into office. Your will, Father. I pray for the godly man I have been praying for over these last few months for this position. Thank You Jesus for being the freshness in his spirit. Thank You for being My Freshness as I continue down this path of holy living. Amen.

Psalm 46:10; James 1:2-4; Philippians 4:13; Romans 8:31b - "Still"

I love the words David penned in Psalm 46. He encourages us to hope and trust in God. He encourages us to know God's power through difficult times. He will enable us to be conquerors over the enemy when we allow His Holy Spirit to work in and through us. He is always there to be our Help. He will be our Victory. In verse four David speaks of a 'river.' I see that as the Holy Spirit flowing through us. God's love, mercy and grace will bless us as we allow the Holy Spirit to be in us. That does not mean everything will go the way we want nor does it mean life will not have its ups and downs. But it is during those times we will draw deeper into our relationship with Him. Verse ten is one many quote but stop at just the first part. We need to read the whole verse in order to get the true meaning. Yes, we need to be 'still' before the Lord but we also need to realize when we are 'still' before Him, we will see victory over the things of life. Once again that does not mean all of our prayers will be answered in the way we desire but we will know they will be answered by Him in the best way possible for us. He loves us dearly and wants what is best for us. He does not want to see us suffer with disease nor does He cause disease. But He will use disease to draw us closer to Him. He will use the ugliness of people to make us seek more of Him in our life. He will use loss of job to make us depend upon Him more. If life isn't challenging, we don't need Him. Therefore, we must remember the words of James 1:2-4 and persevere through the times our faith is tested. We must rely on His strength as in Philippians 4:13. We must realize the truth Paul wrote in Romans 8:31b. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" When we live in the Spirit, we have the hope of eternal life with Him. We do not have to fear anything that happens to us on this earth. Instead we can live in His hope. We can be conquerors of earthly life and all it brings. We can know that He is always with us. We also can have confidence in knowing He will guide and direct us as we allow Him. Woo hoo!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the blessings of yesterday with corporate worship, the way You used our church family to love on the two homeless men, Your safety upon us as we traveled to take them to where they had a place to stay, the strength You provided for me with the fatigue being so great...all of the ways You showed Yourself to us. Father, today is a new day and the fatigue is still with me. I don't understand why it is. I don't understand its purpose but I do understand You are with me through it. I won't ask for You to remove it because there may be something I need to learn through it. Your will, Father. Your will. That is what I seek. Cleanse me of anything between You and I. Give me exactly what I need to be a beacon of light for You throughout this day. Thank You Jesus for being My Conqueror. Amen.

Psalm 37 - "Hope Is What We Crave"

Once again the Lord brought the word 'wait' before me. The beginning of Psalm 37:7 reads, "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him;" (NIV). Many times when we are in a situation of unknown or of turmoil we get frustrated. At times we try to figure things out on our own instead of allowing the Lord to reveal His plan to us. These actions will only cause problems. Instead we need to 'wait' on Him to show us His plan. We must believe He will reveal what is best for us in His time. We also must have the right attitude as we wait. As Matthew Henry puts it, "Be silent to the Lord (so the word is), not with a sullen, but a submissive silence." Ouch! Do I always show a 'submissive silence' while waiting on the Lord? Are there times I try to figure things out on my own? Do I question why I am even in the situation? Oh my. I do not like the answers to these questions. The Psalm continues in verse 8 by telling me I am not to be angry nor am I to fret while 'waiting' because "it leads only to evil." Verse nine has my other word, 'hope' in it. It tells me when I hope in Him I will 'inherit the land' or in other words, I will spend eternity with Him. This is also emphasized in verses eighteen, twenty-nine and thirty-four. Verses thirty-nine and forty are the icing on the cake...

Yes! As I 'wait' and 'hope' in Him I will be safe in His arms. I will find strength through Him. He will not only save me on this earth but He will save me for eternity. Praise His Holy Name!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the reminders of the importance for me to 'wait' and 'hope' in You. Thank You for the reminder of Your saving power. Lord, I so desire to spend eternity with You. I pray You will continue me on the path You have led me down. I pray for more of You and less of me to show through my words, action and most of all my attitude. Father, forgive me for anything I said or did that was not of You. Thank You for showing me something I need to apologize to one for. Lord, this morning I am praying for three sweet ladies who have lost their husband this week. I pray You will give them an extra dose of Your strength to get through the tough days of adjustment ahead. Be their strength in a whole new way. All of them were the care takers of their husband and I pray they will fill their days with You. Father, thank You for being Who I Wait and Hope For. Amen.