Deuteronomy 31:6b - "I Am Not Alone"

No matter what happened yesterday and no matter what is ahead for today we need to remember to lean on the Lord. So many people I am close to are going through some very tough days. My heart aches for them but I know the Lord is with them and that comforts me. The Lord allows us to go through tough days for a variety of reasons. One is to get us to wake up to what He desires for us. Another one is to get us to depend upon Him more. The enemy tries to tear us apart through circumstances. The Lord builds us up through circumstances. The enemy tells us the Lord doesn't care about us or that He is not with us. That is a blatant lie. The Lord never leaves us. Here are ten scriptures that tell us this...

Deuteronomy 31:6, Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; "He will never leave you nor forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:8, The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Joshua 1:5, No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you."

1Kings 8:57, "May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may He never leave us nor forsake us."

1Chronicles 28:20, David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. "Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished."

Psalms 37:28, For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. "They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off;"

Psalms 94:14 "For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance."

Isaiah 41:17  "The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them."

Isaiah 42:16  "I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them."

Hebrews 13:5  Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I 

His Word is full of promises but these are some of the greatest! Plain and simple, He is with us no matter what. These speak volumes!

This morning I am praying for...

• my husband with the pain he is in
• a family who held their sweet baby that was born without life
• a wife watching her husband leave this earth
• a man fighting for his life against a terminal diagnosis
• a husband in the midst of an emotional roller coaster with his wife's health
• two women who are dealing with physical health issues but most importantly have spiritual issues that need resolved
• a lady dealing with the progression of her cancer worsening

I pray each one of these people will know the Lord is with them. I pray His strength will be their strength and it will empower them to not just get through these tough days but to get through them with Him being glorified through their circumstances.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the promises of Your Word. Thank You for being with us during the 'good' days and the 'bad' days. You created us in Your image. Therefore, I pray You will empower us with Your Holy Spirit. Give us Your strength in a way that is so You and not us that we will be blown away. Father, I do not know what lies ahead for this day but I know You are with me and for that I am grateful. Be my words, actions, attitude and focus throughout this day in a way people will see/hear You instead of me. Thank You for being My Ever Present. Amen.

II Corinthians 1:8-11 - "Take My Life"

The Lord woke me at 5AM to pray for a pastor and spouse. I don't know what is going on in their little world but I know He had me praying...

• against the enemy having any foothold in their lives
• for peace in the midst of chaos
• strength as they continue to seek His will
• obedience from both of them to what He is asking of them

I am so grateful He does not always give me details as to why I am praying. I also am grateful when He has me praying for other pastors and spouses. That encourages me to know someone out there has been woke up to pray for us when we need some extra prayers. One time someone asked me, "Why do you pray when God already knows everything?" They were right in that He already knows everything. We do not need to pray for His benefit. I believe prayer is more for us than for Him. Prayer is a way to communicate with Him. It enables us to articulate the desires of our heart not for Him to know but for us to realize what we desire. Sometimes what we want doesn't make sense when we articulate it. Or sometimes it does make sense and deepens in our prayers. No matter what, I am grateful for this avenue of communication with Him. I also am grateful He wakes me to pray for others.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the communication of prayer. Thank You for loving me so greatly that You have chosen me to be a prayer warrior for many. Father, I also thank You for an answer to prayer yesterday with a serious situation with a family member. I thank You for the results of Doc's catscan being clear on Thursday. I continue to pray for the pain he is in to be alleviated. I pray for wisdom for the doctors to find out the cause of his pain. Lord, be with him today as he does the route again. I pray it goes better today than yesterday. I pray he will be able to accomplish it faster today. Encourage his heart and give strength to not only his physical body but his mental and emotional body. I also ask for this couple You woke me up to pray for. May they be blessed today in abundance so their hearts will be encouraged. Lord, I pray for Your words, actions, attitude and focus today. I pray people will see/hear You through me. Lord, show through me in a powerful way to all I come in contact with today. Thank You Jesus for being My Communication. Amen.

Psalm 23 - "Home"

The Lord woke me up during the night with "Home" that Chris Tomlin sings going through my head. He then had me pray for families who recently had love ones pass away. I pray these ones are 'home' with the Lord.

I'm goin' home
Where the streets are golden
Every chain is broken
Oh I wanna go
Oh I wanna go
Home
Where every fear is gone
I'm in your open arms
Where I belong

We never know when we will be called 'home' nor do we know the circumstances. Over these last few weeks there have been a few situations that make you wonder 'why?'

• the forty year old who had a container fall off a truck, hit her car and kill her
• the thirty-six year old wife and mother who was killed while riding her new motorcycle
• the fifty year old husband/father/grandfather who lost his fight to cancer
• the fourteen year old who took his own life
• the fifty-eight you old  wife/mother/grandmother who lost her fight to cancer

My heart aches for the friends and families who are grieving. I also am rejoicing for the ones who knew the Lord and now have new bodies. They no longer have to deal with the pain of this world. For that I am a little jealous. Until the Lord calls me 'home' I need to be doing His will every day. I need to make sure I am living in relationship with Him so I can not only hear His voice but will be obedient to it.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the opportunity to pray for these ones who are grieving. Thank You for loving on them so greatly during the tough days of being separated from their loved ones. Thank You for the day that is ahead. I am sorry for being crabby this morning. Please forgive me. I pray You will give me opportunities throughout this day to show Your love to many. Be my words, actions, attitude and focus throughout this day. Father, I pray for Doc's pain to lessen as he works today. I pray for him to focus on the tasks before him so he can get finished at a decent hour. Be his strength...physical, mental, emotional and spiritual...throughout this day. I pray He will feel you in a mighty way. Thank You for being Our Home. Amen.

Matthew 22:36-40 - "Waterfall"

Wow, God! How is it even possible that one year ago today we bought this house? I will never forget the whirlwind of emotions of that day. Jim and Sandie took us that morning to show us Hunting Island which soon became my 'happy place' after moving here. Then the afternoon was four hours of craziness as we looked at eight homes. Within five minutes of getting in our car with just the two of us we knew this was our home. Dinner with the board and then signing papers took care of the evening. Getting a call later in the evening and finding out the home was ours was surreal. Getting to come back the next day to take some measurements and another look made us realize this was not a dream. It is so hard to believe all that has taken place since that day. This house has become our home. We are so blessed with the people of the church who moved us in on that day in June with a temperature of 107. We are blessed with great neighbors. We have celebrated holidays and birthdays with different ones in our home. We enjoyed having our first Christmas Open House in it. I know the Lord knew what I needed to adjust to living out of Ohio for my first time at the age of fifty-five with the way He sent visitors to us over this last year. Almost every month for the first six months and even since then we have company from Ohio and Adam has been over twice to see us. Yes, God has truly blessed our home. In the beginning of moving in there were some tough days but God was always there to love and encourage me. He was there to remind me we are living in the center of His will and there is no better place to be. He was there to encourage me to allow Him to work in and through me. He was there in the midst of the hurricane with wisdom to leave. He was there in the midst of the surgeries with friends and neighbors to support us. He was there when I was frustrated with little space and had to let go of things that meant so much to me. He was there in times when I started feeling down with taking me to one of my 'happy places' to reflect upon our new life in South Carolina. Yes, He has and continues to be there with just the thing I need no matter what the circumstance. As I sit here this morning I look out at the beauty of His creation I know I am one blessed lady and I am grateful.

Dear Jesus, 
Thank You for loving us so greatly! Thank You for using us to be a beacon of light at 6 Ogden Court, Beaufort, South Carolina. Thank You for continuing to encourage us in 'good' days and 'tough' days. Lord, I pray today will be a day where people see and hear You through us. I pray for more of You to ooze out of us as we go throughout this day. Lord, I also pray for the results of Doc's catscan. I pray whatever they are Your strength will be with us. I also pray for wisdom for the doctor with an answer for his pain. Lord, may Your healing touch be upon Him either through a miraculous healing or through the doctor and medicine. Thank You Jesus for being the One to Bless Us. Amen.

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

Six months ago today I woke up sore from surgery pain but relieved to know the surgery showed no cancer. Six months ago tomorrow my world turned upside down with the call cancer was found in the outside margin of the surgeon. The next day was an MRI to see if all of the cancer was gotten. Thankfully that showed clear. I am grateful for having a proactive surgeon and that it was stage one. But the fact remains 'C' continues to be a part of my history. I pray it stays just that...history. Yet is that the 'right' way to pray? Probably not because I know the Lord has used and continues to use my testimony of 'C' to effect others. I also know my walk has taken on a deeper meaning because of it. So I go back to James 1:2-4 as I reflect back on the last twenty-three years of MS and the last six months of 'C'....

Next month is my six month testing since the completion of radiation treatments. Part of me dreads that because of the anticipation of physical pain and also the results. But then the Lord reminds me He is with me no matter what. If 'C' shows up, it will be OK. It was OK the first time so it will be again. I have to get use to having such tests be a part of life. Why? Because God provides doctors, medicine, etc. for us. He provides strength when we feel like we can't go on. He provides peace in the midst of the storm. Therefore, I will stand on Philippians 4:13 and II Timothy 1:7...

The unknown may not be comprehended by us but thankfully God knows all. There are no surprises for Him. He already knows the results of Doc's catscan tomorrow. He already knows the results of my testing in June. Whatever is ahead in these situations will be OK. I have faith in knowing He will guide us through. Sometimes we wonder why things happen or why they happen when they do. He reveals things to us as He chooses. We don't need to know some things because we would get in God's way. We probably would try to manipulate things to make them 'better' or to change them into the way we desire. Praise His Holy Name He is the only One to have such power!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the reminder today that You are in control. Thank You for the peace You give in the midst of the storms of life. Some such as 'C' feel like hurricanes with the devastation and the way the 'clean-up' seems to last forever. Some such as MS seem to be as big snowstorms that come and then melt away. Some of them come with a vengeance while others take their time. Lord, You are in control of each of the weather storms just as You are in control of these physical storms in our bodies. I pray for Doc's pain to lessen today. I pray for him to rely upon You for strength in not only his physical body but in his spiritual, mental and emotional bodies. Will You please be our words, actions, attitude and vision wherever You lead us today? Will You shine brightly through us? Will You allow people to see and hear You through us today? Father, we depend upon You for everything. We trust You in a way some think is stupid or doesn't make sense. But most of all we love You with our whole being. Thank You for being Our Lord of Lords. Amen.

Psalm 46:10a - "Oh My Soul"

The Lord woke me up in the middle of the night to pray for some in ministry. He brought a song Casting Crowns sings to my mind...

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
'Cause you're not alone

As I prayed, He had me pray for the people that support them one by one. It didn't make sense to me but I do not question Him when He lays someone on my heart to pray for. I just pray for as long as He tells me to pray. I pray as often as He brings them back into my mind.  He speaks. I listen. I speak. He listens. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the opportunity to pray for these ones during the night. Lord, You know their load is heavy. You know the things on their hearts right now. Father, be very real to them throughout this day. Show them You love, grace and mercy in abundance. Speak to them so they will listen and be obedient. Lord, these morning I think of others who are strong believers and are facing things such as cancer, broken marriages, ill health of loved ones, the momma with the toddler who had the accident yesterday, the family with one on life support from the car accident...the list goes on and on. I pray for each of them too. May they be still and allow You to speak to them. May they find peace in the midst of their storm through You. Thank You for the day that is ahead for not only them but also for us. Be our words, actions, attitude, and focus throughout this day. May all who see/hear us see/hear You. Thank You Jesus for being My Way. Amen.

Psalm 100:5 - "King of My Heart"

I woke up a couple times during the night with "You Are Good, Good" going through my mind. Specifically these words...You are good, good, oh yeh. The part that speaks volumes to me is...

And let the King of my heart
Be the wind inside my sails
The anchor in the waves
Oh-oh, He is my song
Let the King of my heart
Be the fire inside my veins
The echo of my days
Oh-oh, He is my song

Yes! When the Lord is "the King" of our heart, then He is the peace in the midst of the storm. He is the strength when ours is weak. He gives hope in hopeless situations. The Holy Spirit empowers us to sustain the storm in a way that is incomparable to others. The storm is seen as an opportunity to grow in our faith. The only way to experience such storms is to be totally sold-out to the Lord. He must be allowed to be in control. We must be in a relationship where we can hear His voice AND be obedient in His direction. Overnight I prayed for many who need peace in the storm they are in...

• one having issues with co-workers along with physical issues
• two dealing with adjustments that have come their way in life
• one dealing with post-surgery pain
• one seeking God's direction in a difficult situation
• two with severe physical pain
• one seeking a career change
• one with emotional pain from a loss
• a family dealing with health issues of a loved one
• a serviceman and his family preparing for deployment
• one going through cancer treatments
• one in the midst of cancer surgeries and treatments
• a family with the husband/father falsely accused of a hideous crime

Oh how I pray for each of these people to find His peace. I pray they will take their relationship with Him a step further and fully allow Him control. I pray they will go deeper in their walk with Him to the point where they will find Him in a whole new way.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for loving me so greatly! I praise Your Holy Name that You are "the wind inside my sails...the anchor in the waves" as I go through storms in life. I praise You for being My Peace in the midst of storms. Lord, I prayed for several during the night. I pray they will come into a deeper relationship with You than they have ever experienced. I pray for healing in spiritual bodies along with physical and emotional ones. Father, I also pray for a deeper walk with You myself. I pray for Your words, actions, attitude and focus today. I pray no matter who I come in contact with they will see and hear You instead of me today. Lord, be the peace in the storm of those I love. Be the Hope to those who are feeling hopeless. Empower Your children to conquer the storms they are going through. Thank You for being The King of My Heart. Amen.