Philippians 4:13 - "I Can Do All Things"

Last night was a typical Saturday night with praying for pastors. The Lord had me pray for:

• People to go to church so they could hear the message He intended for them to hear.
• Pastors to preach boldly the message He intended for them to preach.
• Pastors to follow through with the invitation He intended them to give.

He also had me pray for a pastor's spouse who is tired of the life of ministry. They are contemplating leaving their spouse because they feel like they can no longer handle such a life. He had me pray for them to accept the call upon their spouse as a call upon their own life. As I think about this request this morning, my heart breaks. Ministry is hard. In fact, it can be very hard but it also is full of blessings. We are not the typical pastoral couple since we are both called to be pastors so I know I cannot completely understand what some go through. I know of some pastoral spouses who embrace the call and their lives show it. I also know of some where they refuse to accept the call on their own lives because they feel like it was their spouse who is called and not them. When God calls a person into ministry and they are married, it is essential for the spouse to accept the call upon their life. If they don't, there will be turmoil in the home. Children do not need to be raised with such turmoil. If they are, they will grow up with animosity to God. Being a pastor's kid also can be hard with the pressure put on them by people to always do right and 'act' like they should. This morning I am praying for:

• All pastoral families to be united through God's love to be who He has called them to be. 
• Those in ministry who have been hurt by people to allow God to be the soothing balm in their situation.
• People to love on their pastoral families with Jesus' love.
• Pastoral couples who have prodigals to not give up on their children and for people to support them as they continue to love their children.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace. Thank You for the way You give me Saturday nights to pray for pastors. Father, cleanse me today so You can fill me. I especially need a filling in my physical tank as I am so tired. It was so hard to get up this morning. This is one of those days where I could just stay in bed but I know that is not what You desire of me. So Lord, I'm up and needing Your strength. Bless the prayers I sent up during the night and again this morning. May I see fruit from my prayers. Thank You Jesus for being My Strength. Amen.

Psalm 40:3 - "Chain Breaker"

This picture of when we were in Israel three years ago holds great meaning to me. First, I felt like I was singing a new song as we walked the streets of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, and Bethlehem. When we went for a tour underneath the old city, I took my sandals off and put my feet where they believe Jesus actually walked. What an experience to be where we knew He had been. This are no words to describe the emotions I felt as I stood on the bank of the Sea of Galilee and thought about the miracles that occurred there so many years ago. The second story behind the picture was that it was only a few weeks after returning home that I had a MS exacerbation. The doctors did the normal course of treatment followed by physical therapy yet I still had to have either the walker or cane to walk. This continued for nine months. The doctor said it is not possible for an exacerbation to last that long. I truly believe the enemy did not like the depth my faith went in Israel. When I had the experience with the MS, he attacked me. The depth of my faith is the third thing that is behind the story of this picture. As I stood at the Sea of Galilee looking at a statue of Peter, the Lord told me I needed to let go of the past. Peter was forgiven and used in a mighty way for the Lord. He told me He wanted to do the same with me. Woo hoo! There are days where I feel so blah and feel like I am not doing as the Lord desires. It is those days He shows me I am exactly where I am suppose to be, doing what He desires. Yesterday as I checked out at Kroger the young bagger started telling me what had happened to her family the day before. She was distraught. I could not understand all she said due to a speech impediment but I knew God heard every word. I'm not sure why she chose to tell me her story other than it was a God thing. I asked her if I could pray with her and she said yes. We took ahold of hands and I prayed. Afterward, she hugged and thanked me. When I got to the car, I started sobbing. God truly knew what I needed to fill my tank but He wasn't done for the day. When I asked our waitress at dinner if there was a way we could pray for her, she said she was going through some changes and needed God to continue to guide her. I prayed for her to have peace and to feel different before we left the restaurant. When she came back to check on us, she thanked us for the prayers and said she felt different about her situation. She felt comforted. Woo hoo, God! This morning I am praying for many who need to feel His peace...

• Holbrook Family with Mike's health issues.
• Billie as she prepares to start chemo
• Mike as it appears his tumor is shrinking
• Amy with her new job adventure
• Dana as he awaits open heart surgery
• Dale as he awaits doctor's decisions
• Our government officials
• The pilot from yesterday's airplane crash
• David as he battles kidney stones
• A friend with multiple places of cancer who has been sick

If you’ve got pain
He’s a pain taker
If you feel lost
He’s a way maker
If you need freedom or saving
He’s a prison-shaking Savior
If you’ve got chains
He’s a chain breaker

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the reminders of our trip to Israel that encourage me so much. Thank You for the way You fill my tank when You know I am struggling. Thank You for the opportunity to love with Your love. Thank You for cleansing me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. Father, I praise Your Holy Name for Nancy's cancer surgery results this week! I praise Your Holy Name for John's good results from chemo this month. I continue to pray for all who are dealing with disease in their physical body to receive healing in their spiritual bodies so they will know Your peace. Thank You Jesus for being My Chain Breaker! Amen.

Psalm 23; Eph. 3:20-21; Phil. 4:13; Deut. 31:6, 8 - "Chainbreaker"

Sometimes I just want to cry but then my Heavenly Father reminds me He is with me at every moment of the day. He is with me when I am on the mountaintop and He is with me when I am deep in the valley. I do not know how people get through life without Him. After being woke up at 3:30 I tried unsuccessfully for an hour to go back to sleep. Then I gave up and got up. Five hours of sleep is not my cup of tea. I do not function well on it. But there is a lot to get accomplished today so I know I need to plug into the Lord's empowerment in a great way. He will not only get me through but He will bless me in the process. I know He will empower me with opportunities to love on others which will fill my tank. I also know He will give wisdom on times to rest and His wisdom in finishing my sermon outline for class. He gave me direction at 3:30 to pray for two men. One is getting ready to start cancer treatments and the other was life flighted last night with heart issues. I know the one is in relationship with the Lord but I'm unsure about the other. As I prayed, God had me pray for spiritual deepening in the one with cancer and spiritual awakening for the one with issues. He impressed upon me that the one with heart issues were not just physical but also spiritual. I also prayed for my Momma who had physical issues yesterday. I am grateful my sister Linda was there with her when it happened. Our family has been through so many times of turmoil in my lifetime. The one thing that was a constant for us through those times was God. Some of my family are not believers, some claim to be believers yet do not live as such, and then there are those who know what it means to know God is there at all times to get us through. This morning I am grateful for His Word that tells me I can do this day through His strength (Philippians 4:13). I also am grateful for His Word that tells me He is always here for me (Deuteronomy 31:6 and 8). Most of all I am grateful for His Word that tells me He will take care of me (Psalm 23). The last part of Psalm 23 goes along with Ephesians 3:20...

God desires to bless us. He desires to empower us through tough situations. In order for us to receive His blessings we first must believe in Him, repent of our sins, and accept the Holy Spirit into our lives. Living such a life is the way to living in peace.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for loving me so greatly. Thank You the way You use me to pray for others. Father, cleanse me so You can fill me with more of You. In my human body, the day ahead could be rough due to limited sleep but I am praying for Your empowerment to come down upon me so I can not only get through the day but enjoy it in the process. Father, be with these two men I prayed for in a way they will know You are there. I also pray for the waiter yesterday who asked for prayer for his grandfather who has bad health and for my momma who is dealing with health issues. Lord, be greater than all of the physical ailments in these ones. Thank You Jesus for being My Chainbreaker! Amen.

Ephesians 3:18 - "You Say"

The words to a song Lauren Daigle sings called "You Say" are going through my mind this morning. As I sing these words my heart breaks for those who do not hear the Lord's voice. It also breaks for the believers who hear Him yet refuse to walk in obedience to what He says.

You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
And You say I am held when I am falling short
And when I don't belong, oh You say I am Yours
And I believe, oh I believe
What You say of me
I believe

I don't understand how people get through life without Him. Hearing people talk without the hope of Christ is heart breaking. Seeing many who are living in hell while on this earth when they do not have to also breaks my heart. Knowing hell will be where they spend eternity if they do not change their lifestyle is also heart breaking. This morning I am praying for those who need to experience a life change with the Lord becoming real to them. I am praying for those who are contemplating suicide to realize that does not have to be the end for them. Jesus loves all of us. He is there for all of us. He desires to be our strength. He desires for us to realize His love to the fullest. Life on this earth can be hard but there is the hope of eternity with Jesus when we accept Him and live in relationship with Him. His love is greater than anything that comes our way. His love is the soothing balm on a tough day. It is greater than a disease, a financial hardship, a problem in a relationship, etc. Plain and simple. His love is greater. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the blessings of Your love that You pour down upon me. Father, I pray more people will experience Your love through me. I pray for a cleansing in my spirit so You can fill me with more of Your love. I pray for the greatness of Your love to ooze out of me in a way that is new and different today. Lord, go before Doc today and strengthen his physical body. May he feel Your empowerment throughout this day. I pray for those who are not in relationship to find You and those in relationship with You to have the desire in their heart to go deeper with You. Thank You Jesus for being The One To Love Me Unconditionally. Amen.

Acts 2 - "Keep Making Me"

The Lord took me back to Acts 2 again this morning. One verse sticks out to me in particular. Peter reminded the Israelites in verse twenty-two, “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know" (NIV). This verse holds great meaning for those of that day and for us today. Peter was trying to get them to stop and realize who Jesus was. God used Jesus, while on this earth, to show His greatness to the people. We do not have Jesus with us in the physical sense but we still can see His greatness through seeing "miracles, wonders and signs." The more we see His greatness, the closer we drawn into relationship with Him. But not everyone sees such things which saddens me. When people are not in relationship with Him, they may not be able to comprehend His greatness. There are some who believe in Him and call themselves Christians yet do not live for Him daily. Their eyes can be blinded to seeing His greatness. People who live for Him in a 24/7 type of life see "miracles, wonders and signs" regularly. They are the ones who see waking up each morning with breath as a wonder. Per Holman Bible Dictionary "miracles, wonders and signs" are:

Events which unmistakeably involve an immediate and powerful action of God designed to reveal His character or purposes. Words used in the Scriptures to describe the miraculous include sign, wonder, work, mighty work, portent, power. These point out the inspired authors' sense of God's pervasive activity in nature, history, and people.

Woo hoo! God's action that reveal His purpose through nature, history, and people. Again, woo hoo! God desires to work in and through everyone. He desires for others to see His people be empowered by His Holy Spirit. He desires people to live a 24/7 type of life so they will be in such close communion with Him that His purpose will be shown through them. There are "miracles, wonders and signs" happening every day around the world. Yesterday I received a text from Brother Dan about a miracle that occurred Sunday night. A little boy named Calvin who was both blind and deaf was prayed over. Through the miraculous power of Jesus little Calvin can now hear and see. Wow, God! Woo hoo! All believers have the same opportunity to be as Brother Dan and his team have. We all cannot travel around the country as they do but we all can be empowered by the Holy Spirit as they are. If we want to see "miracles, wonders and signs" we first must be completely surrendered to His will. Then we must walk in the path He leads. Oh how I pray for more of Him to empower me and others.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the words from Acts 2 that encourage me so greatly to go deeper with You. Thank You for the healing of little Calvin. Thank You for empowering Brother Dan and his team to walk in obedience. Father, cleanse me so You can fill me. Empower me to do what You so desire of me. Lord, I also pray You will put this desire on other believer's hearts. May more "miracles, wonders and signs" be seen in the coming days. I pray for a miraculous healing in my back today. I pray not just for relief but a complete healing. I pray You would touch the disks so they would be made new. Thank You Jesus for being The One To Empower Me. Amen.

Acts 2 - "Holy Spirit"

 

I cannot even begin to imagine being present on the day of Pentecost. Being present for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is a special event. I have been in services where the Holy Spirit's presence was so real. I did not want to speak nor did I want the pastor to. Instead I wanted to bask in His presence. I wanted more of Him to encompass me. Before such a thing can happen the Holy Spirit has to be welcomed. People cannot be afraid of Him but they must fear Him. They must not only realize He is real but they must desire to have Him in them. Peter's sermon on that day started with him affirming Jesus. He reminded them of the "miracles, wonders and signs" God had performed through Him. Sometimes I think the church today needs that reminder. Jesus did not just come to this earth to die. He came to this earth to die for each of us. God sent Him here to perform "miracles, wonders and signs" for a purpose. That purpose was to make believers out of all. The result of Pentecost is found in verses forty-one and forty-two of Acts 2. It reads: "That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers" (MSG). If I would have experienced the "sound like a strong wind, gale force" with people speaking in different languages" I think I would have became a believer too! How many churches are on fire with the Holy Spirit today? There are a few but not many. That saddens me. It saddens me that non-believers do not want Jesus in their life because of the way they see believers live. It also saddens me that we, as believers, do not share Jesus with all we meet. Being a lover of Jesus should flow out of us to the point there is no question who we follow. With the Holy Spirit pouring out of His people, anyone who walks into a church service should leave changed. I so desire to live in a church on fire with the Holy Spirit 24/7. I have been in them where the Holy Spirit is welcomed occasionally. I have also been in churches where one or two live in the Spirit but not all. Why? I think people are afraid of allowing the Holy Spirit free reign. What if someone spoke in tongues? (GASP!) What if someone was healed of an affliction? (GASP!) What if someone was given a word from the Lord? (GASP!) I have experienced physical healing many times when the Holy Spirit was given free reign. I also have been given a word from the Lord to share when He was allowed to work through the people. These things happen ALL the time when He is welcomed in. In Acts 2:12 it reads, "Their heads were spinning; they couldn't make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: "What's going on here?" (MSG). When the Holy Spirit comes, people will be confused because it is something they are not use to. But the more openness they have to Him, the more they will become comfortable with seeing "miracles, wonders and signs" occur. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your love, mercy and grace! Thank You for the example of Pentecost You have given us! Thank You for showing "miracles, wonders and signs" when You are allowed! Father, I pray for more of You. I pray for a cleansing in my spirit so You can fill me more. I pray You will enable me to walk in Your Spirit in a way that people will feel Your love through me. Lord, I pray for Dan Bohi and his team as they allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through them. I pray for Corey Jones and Rob McCorkle who both allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through them to bring people into relationship with You. Lord, may more churches allow Your Holy Spirit free reign. May more people come into relationship with You through people who allow You to work through them. Increase the number of people who will step away from fear and open themselves up to You. May You be greater in all believers. May You empower those who will allow Your Spirit to do so. Father, this morning I am praying for my back pain. Lord, whatever You want to do is what I desire. If I am to have this for a reason, please reveal that to me. If You choose to take it away, I will praise You but if not, I will still praise You! My desire is to live in Your will and walk a path of obedience. I pray for open doors today wherever You lead me. Shine bright through me so people will feel Your love. Lord, I also pray for physical strength for Doc but most of all I pray You will speak to Him and give Him Your direction. Thank You Jesus for being Our Fulfillment. Amen.

Ephesians 3; Hebrews 13:21 - "This Is Amazing Grace"

This morning the Lord took me to chapter three of the book of Ephesians. A few weeks ago I preached on the last eight verses of this chapter. This morning He had me concentrate on the first thirteen verses. Matthew Henry writes:

All the gracious offers of the gospel, and the joyful tidings it contains, come from the rich grace of God; it is the great means by which the Spriit works grace in the should of men. The mystery, is that secret, hidden purpose of salvation through Christ.

Grace...God's grace is freely given to all who will receive it. It is only through His grace that one can receive salvation. No one deserves grace but God still lavishly pours it down upon all who will accept it. The Holy Spirit empowers those who accept His grace to do what God so desires of them. Paul wrote these encouraging words in Hebrews 13:21, "May He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. All glory to Him forever and ever! Amen" (NLT). These words encourage me to keep on keepin' on even when I feel like I am physically or emotionally drained. I do not have to do anything on my own strength but instead need to remember that His strength is perfect. I also do not have to think about my past and question why He would love me because He has reassured me the past is just that. I like that saying that talks about people in the Bible and what they did yet were called by God...

When you think of what Paul did in killing Christians before his conversion, you realize God can wipe away your past and use you to further His Kingdom. There is a secret though to the process. You have to repent of your sins and accept His salvation. After salvation is accepted then you must live by faith and trust Him. When one completing trusts Him, there may be questions asked before walking in obedience but the final outcome is doing what He desires. When you think of the story of creation, God made everything from nothing. All things created were new. The same is said for a person who repents and accepts salvation. They are made new through the grace of God. Newness in our spirits is what God desires. As we repent daily and ask Him to fill us with His Holy Spirit, we our made new. We have a fresh start every time we go through this process. Having a fresh start each day is a gift from God given to us through the vehicle of His grace. This morning I am praying for three groups of people: 

• those who need to accept the gift of salvation for the first time
• those who have strayed out of relationship with God and need to repent and return into His arms of grace
• those who who have accepted salvation but need to trust Him more and live on the path of obedience

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace. Thank You for Paul's writing that encourages me so much. Father, cleanse me so You can fill me. Mold me and make me into what You so desire. As I live in Your vehicle of grace I pray You will use me to further Your Kingdom. Empower me to love with Your love. Empower me to speak Your words. May You be my attitude, actions, and words in a new way today. Thank You Jesus for being My Grace. Amen.

Jeremiah 29:11 - "Wonder"

Saturday night...praying for pastors. Last night was focused on pastors to pray boldly so people will listen. He had me pray for people who were contemplating going to church to go; for those who had been away from church to return; and for pastors to preach what He gave them even when it was difficult. He also had me pray for my favorite pastor, my honey. He had me pray against discouragement in him; open ears for him to listen and follow His direction; and for restoration in his physical health. Today we celebrate twenty-nine years of marriage. The Lord had me pray for us, as a pastoral couple, to be more obedient to Him. He had me praying for us to take on more of His wisdom. What a blessing Doc is to me. I know I would not be where I am in my relationship with the Lord if it not for his encouragement. I woke up with these words going through my mind...

Have you ever seen the wonder
In the air of second life
Having come out of the waters
With the old one left behind
If you have so say …

I see the world in light
I see the world in wonder
I see the world in life
Bursting in living colour
I see the world Your way
And I'm walking in the light

Yes! I am so grateful for God giving us "the air of second life" many years ago. I also am grateful for the way my husband walks "in the light" of God. It makes it easier for me to live a life sold out to God. I don't know where God is leading us but I know He knows where and that is all that matters. I pray we will continue to walk this path of holiness.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the privilege to pray for pastors, especially my pastor. Thank You for the celebration we have today with twenty-nine years of marriage. Thank You for loving on us so greatly. Father, cleanse me so You can fill me. Empower me to be a better wife. You have changed me so much over the last twenty-nine years but I desire to be more changed so I can be more godly. Lord, once again I pray for people to not only hear the message You have put on pastors hearts but to listen intently. I pray for pastors to be bold in speech and for people to accept their boldness. Thank You Jesus for being My Light. Amen.

Malachi 4:1-6 - "I Can Only Imagine"

I woke up this morning singing "I Can Only Imagine" and began to think about those who are already with the Lord in heaven. Sometimes I am jealous of them. I know that may sound weird to some but for those who are striving to spend eternity with the Lord they will understand. Life on this earth can be hard as we deal with disease in our bodies, issues in relationships, job issues, financial issues, etc. Those things will not be a part of heaven because there will be no sin. No one knows what heaven will be like but we can be assured it will be a place of contentment. 

I can only imagine
What my eyes would see
When your face is before me
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

Surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel 
Will I dance for you Jesus
Or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in your presence
To my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all

I strive to worship the Lord while on this earth but to think about worshiping Him 24/7 in a place with no negative distractions is hard to comprehend. Sometimes I think about whether we will know those we know on earth when we are in heaven. Will I get another hug from my Daddy? Will I be able to sit and pray with dear friends Lenore and Marilyn again? Will we have memories from here when we are in heaven? Will we be able to ask God questions that we've always desired answers to or will those questions even matter there? Will I be able to sit and talk to my sister who was taken from us so early? So, so many questions the mind can ponder upon. I do not have answers to these questions but I do know I will continue to strive to spend eternity where the answers are. I believe I am still on this earth for the purpose of loving others by being Jesus to them. Sometimes we all get off track and get caught up in daily things but we must work toward the goal of being Jesus to those we meet. There are times where I feel like I fail at this when I am struggling physically and can't leave the house but then I remember today's technology allows me to love on people even then. I remember when I was in bed awaiting a diagnosis which led to MS. I didn't have full control of my right hand so I couldn't write notes. I couldn't get out of bed on my own for awhile so it wasn't like I could go out much. I struggled to push the buttons on the phone but that was a way I could stay connected with people. I would make calls to check on people who were going through tough times and pray with them. If I found out someone had something to celebrate, I would call to congratulate them. God showed me ways to love with His love even in difficult situations. He showed me ways to encourage people which in turn encouraged me. Many would want to know how I was doing and I would give them a short answer but then I would get the conversation back on them. After going through therapy and learning how to use my right hand again I was able to start writing cards to people and once again write in my journal. I also was taught how to walk again so I could get back to work and begin functioning as a wife and mother again. Those were tough days but I learned so much about myself, my husband, and my boys during them. For that, I am grateful. I would not wish those type of days on any family in the sense of what you have to go through BUT I know we became closer to God and to one another through them. This morning I am thinking and praying for many who are going through tough days...

• Paula and Jack as she continues to deal with health issues
• Nancy as she awaits surgery Wednesday
• Billie as they seek God's wisdom on the next step with her breast cancer
• Mike and Peggy as they continue to deal with his health issues
• Nada who is physically drained from going back to work after her bout with cancer
• Little Richie as he had successful chemo this week to battle his leukemia
• Jennifer as she struggles financially
• One who is struggling physically which is impacting her job
• Ms. Margaret who is so lonely and yearns to be done on this earth

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the reminders from this song this morning. Thank You for giving me the goal of heaven for eternity. Father, I know for that to happen I must live in Your presence on this earth. I pray You will cleanse me so You can fill me. May Your words, actions, and attitude flow through me today. May Your love ooze out of me throughout this day in a mighty way. Father, I pray for everyone I prayed for this morning to realize Your love in their situation. May their faith grow stronger than before. May any who are not in relationship with You find You through these tough days. Thank You Jesus for being My Goal! Amen.

Psalm 19 - "The Breakup Song"

Why do these words keep going through my mind? All afternoon yesterday and again when I woke this morning I had them. I don't think I am fearful of anything. Maybe God has them in my mind to remind me to pray for those who are being faced with situations that can cause fear.

Fear, you don’t own me
There ain’t no room in this story
And I ain’t got time for you
Telling me what I’m not
Like you know me well guess what?
I know who I am
I know I’m strong
And I am free
Got my own identity 
So fear, you will never be welcome here

Fear can control one's life. I have seen mothers who are so fearful of their children getting hurt by someone so they keep them protected by keeping them with them at all time. I have seen people afraid of people hurting them so they keep to themselves instead of being out in society. There are people who constantly complain of one physical ailment or another because they are fearful of dying. Fear can be seen on people's faces, in people's eyes, by their actions, etc. Fear is a very real thing. It is something the enemy likes to prey upon. If satan knows someone is afraid of something, he uses that fear to his advantage. He will put people or circumstances in front of those who are fearful to cause that fear to increase. He will try to make people think their fear is greater than anything else in life. That is a lie. God is greater than everything. As I've said before, He is greater than MS and cancer. He is greater than the obstacles of getting the church building rehabbed. He is greater than the financial issues of life. Plain and simple. He is greater. The other night at Bible study Doc reiterated that there is no room for darkness when we live in the Light. This reminded me that there is no room for fear when I am filled with the Spirit. Does that make fear a sin? Fear is a normal human emotion God created us with. But He gives us free choice. If we choose to allow the enemy to play havoc in our life through making us fearful, then I believe it can turn into a sin. Instead we need to pray against the enemy and keep asking God to strengthen us through the trials of life. This morning God took me to Psalm 19. David wrote this Psalm to show what God does in verses one through six; His holiness in verses seven through ten; and then he wrote a prayer in verses eleven through fourteen. I love this chapter as it is interpreted in The Message. 

The prayer David gives toward the end is priceless. When he asks God to give us a clean slate to start the day, he is praying just as I pray each day. I ask for a cleansing of my spirit so He can fill me with Himself. This gives me a better chance of not sinning and enables me to allow Him to be in control of my day. I love the words in The Message..."sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin'...woo hoo! I love to smell laundry that has been hung out to dry. When we were in Arizona and hung laundry out, it smelled so fresh with the juniper. It was something unlike I had ever smelled before. That is what I desire my days to be. I desire them to be unlike any other day before. I desire God to be oozing out of me that people will even smell Him through me.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the reminders from this song You have placed upon my heart. Thank You for Psalm 19 that reminds me to lay everything on the altar and leave it there so You can work in and through me. Thank You for the opportunities from yesterday and the ones ahead in this day. Thank You for the way You have cleansed me so You could fill me. Thank You for the love of my husband and the fun time we had yesterday afternoon bicycling. Thank You for our fun time with friends last night. Father, You fill me to overflowing with blessings and for that I am grateful. I pray You will bless me today in abundance with more of You. May people not only see and hear You through me today but may Your love be so richly flowing from me that people will smell Your fragrance from me. Thank You Jesus for being My Altar Rock. Amen.

Psalm 30 - "Who You Say I Am"

This morning I woke up with these words going through my mind...

Who the Son sets free
Oh, is free indeed
I'm a child of God
Yes, I am
In my Father's house
There's a place for me
I'm a child of God
Yes, I am

I am chosen
Not forsaken
I am who You say I am
You are for me
Not against me
I am who You say I am

God had me read and ponder upon Psalm 30. This Psalm is about praising God for answering our prayers. The more we communicate with Him, the deeper our faith will go. As we go deeper in our faith, we will accept His answers to our prayers no matter if they are what we desire or not. I remember two years ago about this time as I started the road with breast cancer. I prayed for God to not let it be cancer but if it was then I asked for His strength to get through whatever was ahead. Psalm 30:2 reads, "O Lord my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me." Sometimes He heals miraculously; sometimes He heals through doctors and medications; sometimes He heals over a period of time; and sometimes He heals through death on this earth. No matter what, He answers our prayers. When a healing happens over a period of time, there is a reason. Sometimes it is to draw us deeper into relationship with Him. Sometimes it is for the spiritual benefit of another. We must never quit praying. Not because we will change His mind but because it will give Him time to change us. I have many on my prayer list for physical needs but I seem to concentrate more on spiritual needs. When we go through something such as cancer or other diseases, we need to see them as an opportunity from the Lord. It is not easy to do but there are so many blessings to be found with such an attitude. As we live in this manner, we will be blessed and we also will be a blessing to others. Today I am praying for...

• One awaiting medical test results 
• One who was put on a sixty-day probation with their job
• Two who are seeking holiness to a greater extent
• A child and a teen who are struggling with situations at school
• Two elderly people who are struggling with 'life' and tired of all that is and is not happening in their lives
• One who is struggling with hearing God's voice
• A couple who need a miracle in their marriage

I am praying for each one of these dear people to wait on His direction and wisdom for their situations. When they do, they will receive His joy. I am praying they will not look to the ways of this world for their answers but instead trust God. When they do, they will receive His peace. I am praying they will depend upon Him. When they do, they will receive His strength. Most of all I am praying they will realize they are not in their situation alone. When they do, they will fully receive His love.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the reminders from Psalm 30 that You brought before me this morning. Thank You for the opportunity to pray for many who are going through tough days. Father, may each of them realize there is freedom in turning everything over to You. Lord, I pray for a cleansing in my spirit so You can fill me with more of You. May You ooze out of every word and action of mine today. May Your attitude show through me today in a great way. Lord, I also pray for Your wisdom to be mine as I make decisions. Thank You Jesus for being My Father. Amen.

Psalm 90 - "The Breakup Song"

Sometimes I wonder why God has me pray for people when I don't know their circumstances. Like last night He woke me at 4AM to pray for a young lady I had in classes when I was substitute teaching fifteen years ago. Growing up she lived with her Mom and sister and rarely got into any trouble. She was a Girl Scout, attended church on and off, etc. I was in contact with her as a teenager when she was struggling with her mother getting married but then lost contact with her. I know she had a baby but not sure if she ever married. During the night God had me praying for her for protection. He didn't give me details other than to pray. I don't know what type of protection but I get the sense it is for her spiritual being. Once again, I don't understand why He has me pray but I am His obedient servant so I prayed. He blesses me so much with my prayer life. He especially blesses me when He wakes me with an urgency to read a certain passage of Scripture. Today it was Psalm 90. Just as God protected the Israelites in the wilderness He protected me when I fell away from Him. He never left me but instead was there to love on me. He knew of my sin yet He continued to love me. There was nothing I could keep in secret from Him yet He was there ready to accept me back into His arms. If it had not been for Him accepting me back, I would not be where I am today. I would not have the opportunity to be blessed with such a relationship with Him. There would not be prayers sent up for so many people if I would not have repented. I love the last verse of Psalm 90. I desire to be blessed by His favor. Every time He wakes me in the middle of the night to pray I do because I desire to bless Him. As I am obedient, I bless Him. I was interested in what 'the work of our hands' meant so I did some digging. Matthew Henry writes:

The work of our hands, establish thou it; and, in order to that, establish us in it. Instead of wasting our precious, fleeting days in pursuing fancies, which leave the possessors for ever poor, let us seek the forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance in heaven. Let us pray that the work of the Holy Spirit may appear in converting our hearts, and that the beauty of holiness may be seen in our conduct.

As we allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us we are working toward eternity with God. We must allow Him to cleanse of anything that can be a deterrent in our relationship with Him. One of the things the enemy uses to pull us away from Christ and put doubts in our minds is fear. When something 'bad' happens such as MS or cancer, the enemy tells us God couldn't love us with such a diagnosis happening; we must have done something wrong; or we must not be good enough for Him. What is put into our minds from satan is lies. He does not speak truth as the Lord does. We cannot allow him one little door into our lives. If we do, he will take off and go crazy. Instead we must stand firm in our faith. I love these words to "The Breakup Song"....

Fear, you don't own me
There ain't no room in this story
And I ain't got time for you telling me what I'm not
Like you know me, well guess what
I know who I am
I know I'm strong and I am free
Got my own identity
So fear, you will never be welcome here

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the blessings of yesterday with my visit with Ms Paula, my time with Marion, and the time with the children/teens last night. Thank You for physical strength for such days. Thank You for giving me the opportunity to pray for this young lady during the night. Father, I don't know what is going on in her life but I pray You will be so very real to her. I also pray for those waiting on medical test results to lean upon Your strength. Lord, may You be greater than things such as cancer in people's lives. Lord, cleanse me of anything not of You so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May "the beauty of holiness" be seen in my words, actions, and attitude throughout this day in a mighty way. Thank You Jesus for being My Holiness. Amen.

Psalm 80 - "Love Has Come"

The Lord woke me this morning with a song and an urgency to read Psalm 80. When I couldn't remember the name of the song I went searching with the lyrics I could remember. They took me to a song Mark Schulz sings called "Love Has Come" which blessed my heart in abundance. The first thing I thought of was the disappointment the Grimm Family had yesterday with the court's decision.

Well, I know this life is filled with sorrow
And there are days when the pain just lasts and lasts
But I know there will come a day
When all our tears are washed away with a break in the clouds
His glory coming down and in that moment

For anybody who has ever lost a loved one
And you feel like you had to let go too soon
I know it hurts to say goodbye
But don't you know it's just a matter of time till the tears are gonna end
You'll see them once again and in that moment

The hole in their hearts left by Jeremy's death is wide open. I am praying with the legal aspect behind them that hole can begin to heal. There will always be a scar left but I pray the pain from being cut open will be soothed. This song shows us the hope of seeing our loved ones again. The only way that can happen is to be ready for eternal life with our Heavenly Father. As I read Psalm 80 I was touched by the story of when God brought the Israelites out of Egypt in verses eight through sixteen. Jesus is the Vine and we believers are the branches. We cannot grow and especially cannot bear fruit if we are not connected to Him. We must not allow circumstances on this earth to pull us away from Him but instead need to allow Him to pull us deeper into relationship with Him. Matthew Henry writes:

The Messiah, the Protector and Saviour of the church, is the Man of God's right hand; he is the Arm of the Lord, for all power is given to him. In him is our strength, by which we are enabled to persevere to the end. The vine, therefore, cannot be ruined, nor can any fruitful branch perish; but the unfruitful will be cut off and cast into the fire. The end of our redemption is, that we should serve Him who hath redeemed us, and not go back to our old sins.

The Grimm Family are just like all other believers who have experienced tragedy of a death of a loved one, disease in their bodies, circumstances that are hard to face, etc. All believers have a choice to make between allowing the enemy to pull us down to the depths of hell or choosing to allow God to soothe our hurts and strengthen our spiritual bodies to continue on as long as we are on this earth. The days will not be easy but I do not think God desires them to be so. The more turmoil we go through, the stronger our faith will become. We will never know the reason why tragedies come but we do know who does. We need to get to the point in life when we can bask in His presence and accept the path we are on. As we do so, we will receive His love, grace, and mercy in abundance. We also will be content in knowing we will spend eternity with Him. I love the picture of these words...

Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess
That God is love and love has come for us all
Every heart set free, every one will see
That God is love and love has come for us all

I don't know what heaven looks like but I do know of quite a few people who have already gone. If heaven is a place where people know and communicate with one another, then my Daddy and Jeremy are having a good time! The two of them loved the Lord so much and especially showed His love to others. They both were godly men who enjoyed life. I think of Bob Shoup being there with them. I wonder what the three of them are doing. Are they loving on people with His love? Do the three of them have that little ornery twinkle in their eyes? Are my Daddy and Bob teaching Jeremy or is he teaching them? I enjoy daydreaming about what people who have gone ahead may be doing. Some may think I am crazy with my thoughts and that's ok. Nobody knows what is happening in heaven nor what will happen when we go. What I know is I want to do everything I can to get there!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your love that encourages me so greatly! Thank You for the knowledge that Your love is what saves us. Your love is what sanctifies us. Your love is what keeps us going through tough days. Your love is what takes us deeper in our faith. Lord, may Your love come down upon all who of us but especially the Grimm Family. May the days become more bearable for them. I think of the Holbrook Family with Mike's health issues and Paula with her issues. Father, may they draw closer to You during these tough days. I continue to pray for Billie and her family. I ask that You put someone in their lives that will have Your love ooze out of them in such a way that they will feel Your love in a different, new way. There are so many hurting people in my little world. I pray all of them would feel Your love as their strength to get through the trying times. Father, I also pray for a cleansing in my spirit so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. I desire to have Your love ooze out of me in such a way that people will desire to have You. Lord, go before me today. May my words, actions, and attitude flow from Your love. May I not miss any opportunity to show Your love to all I meet. Lord, I pray for Brother Dan and his team as they travel to ooze with Your love. Sometimes as I read their experiences I am a bit jealous of what they are experiencing but I know I can have the same type of experiences as I allow You to fill me with more of Your love. Oh how I desire that. Thank You Jesus for being My Eternity. Amen.

Proverbs 17:22 - "Counting Every Blessing"

Sometimes praying can be overwhelming. When you start thinking about how many people you know are dealing with a disease, it hurts your heart. As you see people struggle with their physical bodies there are many times you also see spiritual struggles and that really hurts. The Lord had me praying before I went to bed last night and then again just four hours later for many who are dealing with tough days. I prayed for their physical bodies but I prayed most for their spiritual bodies. I prayed they would go deeper in their faith if they were believers. I also prayed if they were not in relationship with Him, they would find Him. It seems as if there is so much cancer in this world and it always seems to be on the top of the list when God leads me to pray for physical needs...

• Billie with the recent breast cancer diagnosis; Nada who is returning to work after her surgery and treatments; Lisa who is battling the return of breast cancer; Cindy as she awaits biopsy results; a man who is waiting on test results; Janet as she prepares for treatments; Little Richie; Mike; Dale; Sheryl; Nola; Roberta; Nancy as she awaits surgery
• Those with continual health issues: Mike; Paula; Melanie; Mr. Fran; Wendell; Deb; Buck; Norma
• Those in pain: my Momma; Dawn
• Little Eli with his immune deficiency
• Valerie with her back/hip issues
• Many with diabetes including Doc
• Elizabeth with a brain tumor

I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing
Letting go and trusting when I cannot see
I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing
Surely every season You are good to me

We all go through different seasons in life but the one thing we can be assured of is God is with us. There are many who question why God causes things such as disease to happen. He does not cause them but He does allow them so people will realize they need His strength to get through such times. He uses turmoil in our physical bodies so our spiritual bodies will be healthy. It is so hard to count your blessings when going through tough times in your physical body. The thing I have learned over and over is that when we count our blessings, He will bless us in abundance. The more we praise Him, the more we will be uplifted. As we accept the season of life we are in, He will strengthen us. I have heard many times that a person's attitude can enable them to get physically better. I believe that is possible when one stays positive through the Lord. He knows exactly what is needed and will provide as He is allowed.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the opportunity to pray for those dealing with physical issues. Father, I pray You will empower them with Your strength. I pray for doctors to have wisdom as they treat them. Father, I pray for a cleansing in not only my physical body but especially my spiritual body so You can fill me with more of You. May You shine through me in the week ahead. I pray for restoration of physical health for these I have prayed for along with myself. Father, be greater, be stronger, be more than imaginable through me. Thank You Jesus for being The One To Bless Me. Amen.