Psalm 37:3-7 - "Grace Got You"

God woke me up to these words...

Sing, so the back row hears you
Glide, 'cause walking just won't do
Dance, you don't have to know how to
Ever since, ever since
Grace got you
Laugh, 'til your whole side's hurting
Smile, like you just got away with something
Why?
'Cause you just got away with something
Ever since, ever since
Grace got you

So when you're standing in the rain again
You might as well be dancing
Why?
'Cause there ain't no storm that can change how this ends

He knows exactly what I need to hear on mornings like this. I'm so mentally exhausted which makes me physically exhausted. He is a Great God! Stress as yesterday gets me mentally which in turn effects me physically. Even though I wasn't worried yesterday there were many decisions and obstacles that had to be taken care of. I love the words in this song, "'Cause there ain't no storm that can change how this ends"....woo hoo! When we walk in God's grace, He is the Author of the our story. We already know how it ends. We do not know the time but we do know the ending will be total peace. As we deal with things such as this accident we must keep our focus on Him! As I preached a few weeks ago, we must trust, delight in, commit to, and rest in Him during the storms of life. That is the only way to stay focused on Him when the water starts getting deep. Yesterday I chose to trust Him in getting the rental when they said the car was not safe to drive; delighted in him as Doc and I used a gift card for lunch and walked around the outlet mall to kill time; committed to Him as I prayed for Him to fill me with more of Himself; and rested in Him as I physically rested last evening reading and praying. He has blessed me since the accident with much rest. I have read three books for pleasure since Tuesday. One was a missionary book so it probably would only count as half a book since it's so small...LOL. I have napped and let my physical body be rejuvenated. I have prayed for His strength many times. Most of all I have remembered He is the Finisher of my story. He knows the particulars of this situation. He knows when the lady will answer her phone to her insurance company. He knows what it will take to fix our car. Plain and simple. He knows. Woo hoo! I am so blessed in living in this knowledge. I am also blessed in the knowledge that He already knows how the loss of income we found out about this week will be replaced. There is so much peace in living in His grace. 

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the opportunity to walk in Your grace. Thank You for the peace You give when we live such a life. Father, I am physically drained so I need an extra dose of Your supernatural power today. I am struggling mentally to stay focused so I need an extra dose of Your supernatural power in that area today as I fine-tune my sermon outline. Thank You for the way You opened the door in my mind to get it finished this week. I pray it is what the professor is looking for but most of all I pray it is what You desire. Father, cleanse me so I can be filled with Your supernatural power in just the way I need it. Thank You for the wisdom You continue to give me to rest when You show me the time. Thank You for being with my Momma and Uncle Harold's family with his passing. Thank You for the knowledge that You were his Ultimate Healer. Thank You for being the Healer in Ms. Paula and Debbie. I pray the same for Deb, Little Eddie, Little Richie, John, and Lisa. Thank You for the picture Miss Evelyn made for us. Father, I am so proud of the way our kids are raising their kids. What a blessing for us to witness! I pray for the parents who are not in our shoes to be blessed with a miracle in their children's lives. I pray for their grandchildren to be protected from the sin of their parents. Lord, give them all Your strength. Thank You for being The Author of My Story. Amen.

Philippians 4:6-7 - "We All Bleed The Same"

What a night! Or maybe I should say it wasn't really a night. One is suppose to sleep when it's night but there was less than five hours so I don't consider that a night. That's more like a long nap! LOL! But the Lord must have thought it was all I needed because He woke up to pray. After praying my mind would not quit thinking about this next 'school' sermon. I just wish I were allowed to write and present a sermon the way I was use to. I said yesterday this professor is stretching me. I sure am having issues complying. You would think since I am not a seasoned preacher I would be able to adapt to a different way but maybe I am just too old to be doing this stuff. Nope...not gonna happen! The enemy is not going to pull me down. God has me on this path for a reason and even though I do not understand the big picture I do know I am right where He wants me. I just need to get better at what I am doing. Yesterday was one of 'those days' of just staying in bed until time for Bible study last night. After the accident Tuesday I ached all over and thankfully was able to just rest. A few times I tried to look at my school work but I just could not concentrate. I prayed for a lot of different people and situations, read a book, and rested. No TV and very little computer were a part of my day. I took care of calls with both insurance companies but that was about the extent of anything but rest. This day of rest gave my body just what it needed. By evening I felt better physically but I felt like I had lost a day. I think that is why I couldn't go back to sleep at 4AM after praying. I am feeling anxious over school work. I need to grasp onto Paul's words of Philippians 4:6-7...

It is so much easier to pray for others instead of myself but if I want His peace that is exactly what I need to do. I need to 'practice what I preach' and allow Him to give me such peace. I don't feel like I 'worry' but I do allow things to get to me sometimes. It seems like when I am feeling physically down the enemy knows that gives him a little crack in a door to get in. I just cannot allow that crack to happen. Therefore, I need to stay in constant communion with God. I need to be more in His Word and praying more. I was thinking this morning that I need to include myself in my prayers. Many times the Lord will prompt me to pray for myself and I push it aside. I feel like there are so many others who need prayer more than I do. But He has opened my eyes this morning to the fact that I need to pray for myself to stay where He desires me to be. When He woke me to pray for a dear friend who He also had me pray for before going to sleep last night, I was saddened because her health is failing but then He reminded me she is His child so I will see her again. As I was thinking about this, He reminded me to see her again I needed to stay on the road of righteousness. I must continue to live in His presence, doing His will to stay on that road. So here I am, Lord. Ready to continue doing Your will, going wherever You lead. I refuse to give into the enemy when he comes knocking at my door. To do this I am praying for myself...

• direction for this sermon that does not seem to be coming together--if the enemy is the one who is causing issues, I pray he will be knocked down--if God is the one, I pray He will open me up to what He desires
• physical healing...decisions about medical issues
• financial wisdom...direction
• emotional stamina...I miss my family

I don't understand how the song God woke me with goes along with what I am feeling this morning but it won't stop going through my head. It also was just on KLOVE. There is a reason He has it before me and maybe as the day continues that reason will be revealed.

We all bleed the same
We're more beautiful when we come together...
Let's stand united!
We all bleed the same
So tell me why, tell me why
We're divided
If we're gonna fight
Let's fight for each other
If we're gonna shout
Let love be the cry
We all bleed the same
Bleed the same
Let's stand united
Let's stand united!

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for loving me so greatly! Thank You for encouraging me in many ways. Lord, cleanse me so You can fill me up with more of You. The desire of my heart is to walk in the path You have set before me. May You be my words, actions, and attitude throughout this day. Father, You've heard my prayers not only for others but for myself. May You bless them all in abundance. I pray for physical needs of Deb, Buck, Debbie, and Ms. Paula. I am grateful each one of them are in a personal relationship with You. I also pray for some different families who are going through tough situations. May they seek You in these troubling times. Thank You for the birth of Miss Lillian to Rebecca and her family. I pray for this little one to know You in a personal way. I also pray for Adam and Rachel as they await the birth of their little girl. Lord, be so very real to them. Thank You Father for being My Peacemaker! Amen.

Ephesians 3:14-21 - "The Comeback"

This morning the Lord woke me to the chorus of "The Comeback" that Danny Gokey sings...

This is your time, your moment 
The fire, the fight, you're golden
You've come so far keep going
Here comes the comeback, comeback

There is no mountain you can't face
There is no giant you can't take
All of your tears were not a waste
You're one step away

Just when they think they've got you game, set, match
Here comes the comeback 

Yes! We must never give up even when circumstances try to take us down. I am grateful beyond words the Lord took me back when the enemy won years ago. I also am thankful when He protects me from the enemy. He does that in ways I do not even know about and also in ways I cannot comprehend. Yesterday as I was driving to help a teen get to a doctor appointment a lady came over into my lane. My first instinct was to blow the horn which fortunately made her realize we were going to hit. My second instinct was to swerve out of her way which took me up over the curb. The Lord protected us from hitting and He protected me while getting my car back onto the road. There were trees that could have been hit along with a pole but He protected me. His protection made for only aches and pains in my body and what the sheriff called 'minor' repairs to my car. I'm not sure how minor but I am praying for His favor in getting it paid for either by her or her insurance company. I praise His Holy Name for my 'Comeback' years ago. Had that not happened situations like yesterday could have played out differently. We never know when He will return but we do need to be ready for Him. That means staying 'prayed up' as an old friend use to say. It means living for Him every day. It means spending time with Him daily. It means living in His presence and walking the walk of obedience to His will. It means dying to self. Plain and simple. Or at least I believe it is because I live it. It has become my way of life. God did not accept me back years ago with open arms for me to fail Him. He accepted me back to thrive in Him and that is exactly what I intend to do. The enemy tries to crush me every day but I refuse to allow him that opportunity. I love the words in this song, "Just when they think they've got you game, set, match...Here comes the comeback!" Woo hoo! I am praying for many people who have strayed away from God. Some have just become lukewarm while others have become completely turned away from Him. I pray for all who have known Him and fallen away to realize who He is in their life again. Today I am praying Paul's prayer found in Ephesians 3:14-21 over all believers. I pray for them to be strengthened through the power of the Holy Spirit. I also pray for them to realize just how much God loves them. May God work in and through all believers in a mighty way today.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace that accepted me back into Your arms many years ago. Thank You for protecting me yesterday from no further harm. Thank You for the strength to continue on my day yesterday when I felt like I just wanted to go to bed and cry. Father, cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May people see/hear You instead of me today in my words and actions. May my thoughts be on You and my mind focused on the desire of Your heart for me today. Lord, recently you opened my eyes to the need to pray for believers. I am praying Paul's prayer over all believers today and asking for a blessing over this prayer. May You be greater than anything else in their lives today. Thank You for the blessings of Ms. Paula gaining strength. I pray the same blessing over Debbie and Marlene as they continue on their roads of recovery. Thank You Jesus for being My Comeback! Amen.

Ephesians 3:14-21 - "Just Be Held"

I had a hard time going to sleep last night so I asked the Lord who I needed to pray for. The list was pretty extensive but then I fell asleep. He woke me again a few times to continue praying...1:14....4:11...5:00. When the clock went off at 7:15, I sure did not feel like getting up but I know He will provide me strength for the day ahead. When I got up, the words to a song Casting Crowns sings was going through my mind...

So when you're on your knees and answers seem so far away
You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your worlds not falling apart, its falling into place
I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held


Yes! We do not have to go through anything on this earth alone. God is always there to hold us, encourage us, and most of all love on us. He is there in the darkest days to enable us to see the Light at the end of the tunnel. He is with us when we rejoice in victories. Sometimes we forget that He never leaves us and we do things on our own. We make decisions without asking Him or we fret when there is no reason to. It is then that He will gently remind us He is there for us. Last night I prayed for many with physical needs but most importantly I prayed for spiritual needs. Even when someone has strong faith there will still be times when they will stumble and need prayers for their spiritual needs. Paul showed us through a prayer in Ephesians 3 how important it is to pray for believer's spiritual needs. As I prayed for physical needs I also prayed for spiritual needs...

• Adam and Rachel as they await the birth of their baby girl
• Mel who is so very sick
• Rebecca as she awaits the birth of Lillian
• The wife, children, and friends of the pastor who suddenly passed away
• Rebecca and Justin with the sudden death of little Kaleb
• My Mom and family as Hospice has been called for my Great Uncle Harold
• Charlie as he continues to miss Laura
• Theresa as she continues to press on in a tough situation
• A young couple who are separated; their young son; their families
• An older couple who need a miracle in their marriage
• Marlene as she recuperates from a life-changing surgery
• Connie as she recuperates from major surgery
• Ms. Nancy as she makes decisions for her health issues
• Four females who recently exchanged vows
• Ms. Paula as she gains strength and restoration of health
• An elderly lady with dementia who needs the Lord in her heart
• An elderly lady who is so lonely and wanting to go be with Jesus
• Little Richie who continues his health battle and his family
• An older lady getting married this weekend for the first time
• An estranged family
• Parents of prodigals

As I reflect back on my prayers, I am overwhelmed at the intensity of all the needs represented. I go back to Paul's prayer and realize the physical needs are minimal compared to the spiritual needs. I must remember the last words of his prayer.

20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Praise His Holy Name! He is able to do more than we could ever imagine! With one word or action all of these people I prayed for could be changed. Situations not of Him would be gone. Bodies would be healed. Hearts would be filled with Him. Yes! My prayer is for people to be filled with the Holy Spirit so they will have faith and most importantly His love in them in a greater way than ever before..

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the privilege to have a night of prayer. Thank You for the strength You will give me today. Thank You for the reminder that spiritual needs are most important in our prayers. Father, cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. I pray for Your words, actions, and attitude to be mine today. I pray for people to see/hear You through me. Lord, go before me to my doctor's appointment and give Dr. Mansker Your wisdom. I continue to pray for a healing in my breast but I am beginning to wonder if You want to use me to show her Your love. If so, give me an open door today to pray with her. I also pray for wisdom with my back. Once again, I ask for a healing. Father, no matter what I am dealing with please do not let the aches and pains be a distraction for what You desire of me. I desire to "Just Be Held" and allow You to work in and through me. Thank You for being The One I Give Glory To. Amen,

Philippians 4:13 - "Healer"

One year ago this morning I found out a dear young man had been killed in a horrific accident. I couldn't believe what I read on the computer so I called my Mom to confirm. I was devastated when she said it was true. I remember I told her I would call her back as the tears came. 'Why, Lord?' was one of the first things that came to my mind. My heart broke for all of Jeremy's family. We were a part of the same church and I watched this family love on one another with God's love in a very special way. I was in a class at Wayne College with Jeremy one semester and our bond grew deeper. He always asked how my husband, boys, and parents were when we talked. When my Daddy had to testify at a trial when a train hit him, Jeremy's presence on the jury was calming to Daddy. Jeremy wore a t-shirt about God that day which always stood out in my Daddy's mind. 'Why, Lord? Why did this young man who was furthering Your Kingdom have to be taken?' We will never know the answer to the questions we have but we will know God used Jeremy while on this earth and I believe is using him in heaven. We never know when our time on this earth will be over. The Lord may return at any moment. Doc preached yesterday of last days and I agree we are in them. We must always be ready to take the walk into the Pearly Gates. I know Jeremy took that walk just as I know my Daddy did. I do not want to miss that walk. I desire to not only know I am saved but also know I am living a life of obedience to His will. All believers have a great responsibility to share Christ with all we meet. If we do not share Him, we are not being obedient. If we allow any opportunity to pass by without taking it, we are failing Him. I do not want to be a failure. I desire to be who He wants me to be. Yesterday's sermon hit me hard on this responsibility. I need to pray for Him to reveal to me what I need to do differently to ensure I am sharing Him in the best way possible. I also need to pray for more of His love to flow from me. Sometimes when I am having physical issues it is hard to focus on anything but them. But I know I cannot allow my focus to be taken off of His will. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for loving on Jeremy's family so greatly over the last year. Thank You for being their strength during the tough days without him. Father, may You continue to strengthen their faith. May You continue to be their strength. Lord, I pray for a cleansing in my spirit so You can fill me up with more of You. I pray for a healing in my back so it will not be a distraction from what You desire of me. Lord, me greater than the pain. I pray for the same for Ms. Paula as she recuperates; Terry as he has back surgery this morning; Mel as she is so sick with multiple issues; and Little Richie as he continues his battle along with his grandma Donna. Thank You Jesus for being Our Healer. Amen.

Psalm 37:1-7 - "Counting Every Blessing"

Before going to bed I prayed for all pastors who would be preaching this morning, the people who would be hearing the messages, and for pastors who are normally in the pulpit but out for one reason or another. I told the Lord if He needed me to pray during the night He would need to wake me because I was taking medicine for my back and hoped to get rest. He only woke me once and that was to pray for Doc. When we awoke yesterday, he told me God was changing the message he had prepared earlier in the week. He spent the day working on the new message. I know when this happens questioning comes into play. You wonder if it is truly God or if it's you thinking the message should change. You also question whether the first sermon you wrote was from truly from God or if you just thought it was. I know because my husband is a man who hears from God when a sermon changes it is because God changes it. Sometimes I think He does it to see if we will walk in obedience. Sometimes I think it is because He knows someone has changed their mind about coming to church that needs to hear something specific. It does not matter the reason. All that matters is that we are obedient to Him. I think of the Scripture from my sermon last week. When we trust, delight, commit, and rest in Him, we will live righteous lives. As we live a righteous life, we not only will hear from God but we will have the desire in our heart to walk in obedience. This takes a life going past salvation and into the walk of sanctification. It takes dying to self so you can walk the path God takes you down. It means loving with His love even when it is hard. I pray all pastors are living such a life. I also pray the ones who are not will have their eyes and hearts opened to what they need to do. I pray for those who have been called to preach and have walked away to allow God to soothe their soul. I also pray for those who are struggling with being a pastor to allow God to do the same for them. Pastoring is not for the faint of heart. It takes God's strength to continue each day but it also takes being in relationship with Him, hearing His voice, and walking in obedience. This type of life is not just for pastors but for everyone.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for all that You do for me! Thank You for the way You work in and through me! The smile on my friend's face as I left yesterday was priceless. Thank You for the opportunities I have with sharing Your love with her. Father, open the door for me to share salvation with her. I am waiting on Your timing and direction. Lord, I pray for all pastors who are preaching this morning but I especially pray for Doc with the change of his sermon. I pray for the people who will be in congregations today to receive the message with open hearts. Lord, be with those who are contemplating going to church to go. I pray for pastors, their spouses, and families to feel loved by their people today. I pray against negative words or actions against them or out of them. Father, cleanse me so You can fill me so people will hear/see You instead of me. Thank You Jesus for being My Righteousness. Amen.

Matthew 19 - "I Need A Miracle"

I was up multiple times during the night and each time these lyrics to "I Need A Miracle" were going through my head....

Well no matter who you are and no matter what you've done
There will come a time when you can't make it on your own
And in your hour of desperation
Know you're not the only one
Prayin', "Lord above, I need a miracle
I need a miracle"

I can think of a few people who need a miracle in their life. Ms. Paula needs a miracle in her physical life along with little Richie, Mike, Mel, and Brian. There are some I know who need a miracle in their financial situation. Some are because of unwise decisions they have made, some are because of lose of income, and others because of change of life circumstances. I also know some who need a miracle in their emotional life due to life circumstances. My prayers continue for the Neiderhiser/Edwards families with Kaleb's sudden death. So many hurting people. I pray God will grant miracles where it is in the best interest of the people. I pray most of all for people who need a miracle in their spiritual life. We cannot do life alone if we want to live the best way possible. We need to depend upon the Lord in such a way that life will be more manageable. I am praying for a miracle in my own life with some relationships. I pray God will open doors for better communication in these relationships. I also am praying for a miracle for a healing from the hurting in my back along with continuing to pray for a miracle with our church building. Webster's Dictionary describes a miracle as "an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs." Woo hoo! My God is still in the miracle making business. Things may not happen in the timing we desire but if they are part of God's plan they will happen. When Jesus was asked by the disciples who would be saved, His response showed how no one can be saved without Him. We cannot 'do' life without Him. If we do not live for Him on this earth, we will not live with Him for eternity. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for loving me so greatly. Thank You for giving me exactly what I need. Thank You for the blessing we received yesterday with a lower electric bill in September. Lord, I pray for a cleansing of my soul so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. I desire Your will for my life. May people see/hear You instead of me throughout this day. May You shine brightly through me. Lord, as I prepare for my sermon I ask for Your wisdom. Enable me to take the things I learned from the last sermon and put them into practice. Father, I'm praying for many who need a miracle in their life. Thank You for strengthening Debbie from her illness and providing a miracle with the mass being gone in Mike. Thank You for continuing to be with the Niederhiser/Edwards families. Thank You for being My Miracle Maker. Amen.

Acts 9 - "joy"

Paul is one of my favorite people in the Bible. His writing encourages me, disciplines me, teaches me...the list goes on and on. Sometimes as I read his work I am jealous of him. He knew so much about how to live a righteous life. His conversion story is known as the next greatest event after Jesus' birth, death and resurrection. His life did not just change a little after He accepted Christ. He did a complete turn-around. The life he once knew was gone. His new life was one of great discipline to the Lord. God's love poured out of him in a way I desire. It took Saul's literal blindness to open his spiritual eyes to what he needed to do to live a righteous life. It was that blindness that took Saul into a three day fast. During that fast Saul pondered upon the darkness he was in. He found healing not only in his physical body but most importantly in his spiritual body. He realized he must depend upon God instead of himself. Ananias was sent by God to minister to Paul after his conversion but Ananias did not want to go. He knew what Paul had done to the Christians and did not want anything to do with him. How many times do we hold people's past against them? That is not what we are suppose to do. Rather, we are to love with Jesus' love. If He forgives and forgets, are we not to do the same? God knows best and when He tells us to do something we need to do it. No matter what. Is it OK to question Him? Sure but if He tells us again to do something we need to do it. If Ananias would not have gone to Paul, would he have been filled with the Spirit (Acts 9:17)? Would Paul's soul have been restored? These are questions we may never know the answers to but we can be sure when God calls us to do His work there will be blessings such as Paul's. Acts 9 continues with how the disciples did not trust Paul. They Jews tried to kill him as he proclaimed Jesus as Messiah. When the believers realized he was a changed man, they protected him by sending him away. The result of this is found in Acts 9:31...

Is this what would happen in churches today if we feared the Lord? Would believers be "encouraged by the Holy Spirit"? Would churches see new believers? When people come to the Lord, they did to know salvation is not a stopping point. They did to be taught in order to grow in their relationship with the Lord. They need to know what a life of righteousness is all about. Could there be some 'Paul's' upon us? I believe so. God desires to use all of us to further His Kingdom. He is not interested in how many are in church but instead is interested in how many souls are saved and sanctified. When we, as believers, get that through our heads we will be blessed. The blessings of peace and strengthening is available to church leaders but first there must be fear for the Lord. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for men like Paul who showed us how to live. Thank You for waking me up with the desire to ponder upon his life. Father, cleanse me so You can fill me. Change me. Enlighten me. Encourage me throughout this day to be more like You. Father, I pray for comfort for those who are hurting. I pray for healing for those who need a healing in their physical body. But most of all I pray for people to share You so more people will come into relationship with You and receive healing in their spiritual body. I pray for more believers to be a beacon of light for You today. Thank You Jesus for being The One I Fear. Amen.

Psalm 37:3-7 - "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"

My first thoughts this morning when I woke were on the Neiderhiser/Edwards family. My prayers have continued for them since the tragic death of little Kaleb. They also have continued for Jeremy's family as this month was a year since the accident that took his life. When such things happen, we question 'why?' We ask God to enable us to get through such tragic events. Faith in Him is the only way to get through them. Trusting Him when it seems like there are no answers is very difficult yet it is a must if we want to live in peace. I am reminded of my sermon Sunday about what it takes to get through the storms of life.

Trust Him
Delight in Him
Commit to Him
Rest in Him

As we do these four things, He will empower us to live in His peace. He will enable us to put one foot in front of the other when we feel like we can't go on. I was only eleven when my sister was murdered yet I have vivid memories of that time of life. I saw how my parents leaned on God to get through those tough days. They were an example throughout my life on what it takes to get through the storms of life. Daddy's sixty-plus surgeries, both of their health issues, Naomi's murder, Daddy getting hit by a train, him getting shot...these were some major times in our lives. But if we would not have had these things to live through, our faith would not be where it is today. I prayed a few years ago for the Lord to take me deeper. When you pray such a prayer, you must be ready for tough days ahead. I'm not sure if I would have prayed it if I would have known I was going to be moved so far from my family, live through the stress of two hurricanes, be diagnosed with breast cancer, and have so much opposition to getting into a church building. I hope I would have still prayed in that manner but as a human being I'm not sure. I do know my faith has deepened through these things. I chose to allow God to work in and through me. I chose joy when I chose God. I chose His peace even in the midst of all the storms that have happened over my life. I love this simple little saying...

No God = No Peace

Know God = Know Peace

So, so true. Jesus calmed the physical storm for the disciples when they were out of the water. He will do the same for our 'storms' when we give Him the opportunity to do so.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for bringing storms into my life so my faith will deepen. Father, I pray for those going through storms to receive Your peace. May they get to the end of themselves and allow You to strengthen them. I pray for the Neiderhiser/Edwards families as they have Kaleb's service today. I pray You will strengthen them in the way only of You. I also pray for Jeremy's family as Saturday was the one year anniversary of his death. This time last year they were preparing for his celebration of life service. Lord, we do not understand why people get taken from this earth in such horrific manners but we trust in You to get us through the storms. I also pray for Ms. Paula who is back in the hospital. Lord, give the doctors Your wisdom. I pray for a healing in her body and a strengthening in her soul. Lord, may You give her a miracle today. Father, cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May You be my words, action, and attitude throughout this day. May people see/hear You instead of me today. Thank You Jesus for being The One to Calm My Storms. Amen.

Philippians 4:4-7 - "Point To You"

There are so many people who go through life with 'baggage' that tears not only themselves down but everyone in their life down. It is sad to see people in misery. Sometimes they acknowledge it while other times they ignore it. I woke up during the night and again this morning with these words to "Point To You" going through my head...

I want so badly just to finally get well
But I don't want a quick fix and emotional sell
I will be honest with my humanity
No I'm not perfect and I don't pretend to be

I need a miracle
Some healing for my heart
I need a revelation
A brand new start
I want simplicity
Where I can rest
But I need a miracle to put my past to death

It is sad to see people who continue in life refusing to allow God to heal them from their past. Some won't even allow Him in their heart because they are afraid. Some stay away from Him because they are ashamed. Some will accept Him as their Savior but refuse to allow Him to be their Lord. They will only open themselves up to Him part way. It is sad to see how these people live. Everyone has to get to the point where the past is just that. The past. It takes allowing the Lord to cleanse and fill before one can move on. If I would not have got to the point in my life for this, I would not be where I am today. God would not be using me as He does. He would not be flowing out of me the way He does. If I were stuck in my past, I would be miserable instead of joyful. Oh how I pray for more people to get past their past and allow Him full reign. The miracle of healing in the heart enables walking in peace. I read Paul's words in Philippians 4 in my sermon Sunday...

We all need to follow Paul's example read in these verses. As we rejoice in the Lord, He will give us the strength to overcome our past. He will enable us to shine brightly for Him in this dark world. He will empower us with a peace that is incomprehensible to many. The way I have found to receive His peace is through trusting Him and choosing joy. As we choose joy, we choose God. His love enables us to stand firm in our faith as we trust Him no matter what our circumstances are. In the book of James, we learn God will enable us to have great endurance as we persevere through tough times. God also will empower us to not only live on this earth with Him but most importantly we will spend eternal life with Him. Many people will ask how I get through all that comes my way and still trust in the Lord. The answer is simple. My sight is on heaven. I know the only way I will spend eternity with Him is to live with Him now. I also know the trials that come my way on this earth grow my faith. The more trials I endure, the greater my faith becomes. That is exciting to think about! I desire to go deeper in my faith. No matter what circumstances I go through, that deepening will occur. That thought enables me to not cave into the circumstances but rather dig my heels in deeper. Before I could get to this point in my spiritual walk I first had to allow the Lord to wipe my past sins away and empower me to let the past be the past.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the way You love on me just the way I need it. Thank You for empowering me with Your emotional, mental, physical but most of all spiritual strength. Lord, cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May You be my focus in a new, different way throughout this day. I pray for more of You to be heard/seen through me today. Lord, I am praying for many hurting people today. Some are physically hurting such as Debbie. Some are emotionally hurting such as the Neiderhiser/Edwards family. Those that continue to make decisions not of You or are in situations not chosen by themselves are financially hurting. There are those with mental illnesses who are mentally hurting. The ones I pray for the most are those spiritually hurting as they need to die to self. Lord, touch each one in the way they so need. Thank You for bringing me back home safely from the many miles of travel over the last few days. I praise You for Leslie who drove me and sacrificed for me to  be able to go. Thank You for Doc who took care of things while I was gone. Lord, thank You for being The One I Point To! Amen.

Psalm 90 - "Better Is One Day"

Saturday nights are spent praying for pastors. Before going to bed I prayed for three pastors whose wives are going through medical issues along with one pastor who is dealing with a serious medical condition herself. As I prayed, the Lord reminded me to pray for all of them to lean on His strength. Sometimes pastors and spouses take on so much of other people's problems they tend to forget to take care of themselves. It is easy to put your own needs on the back burner when caring for people. Time constraints will make you forget to make a doctor appointment, eat right, exercise, etc. We must remember to take care of ourselves physically, mentally, emotionally, and most of all spiritually. The Lord woke me with the words to "Better is One Day" going through my mind...

How lovely is
Your dwelling place
Oh Lord Almighty,
For my soul longs
And even faints
For You
Oh, here my heart
Is satisfied (is satisfied)
Within Your presence
I see beneath
The shadow of
Your wings

His presence is the best place to live. It is where we find the blessing of healing in not only our physical body but in our spiritual being. When I woke at 1:30, my prayers immediately went to Debbie who was admitted to the hospital last night. I prayed for wisdom for doctors and strength for her and Mike. I asked God to comfort them during this time of the unknown.  I prayed His peace over His servants. After I prayed I sent a quick message and went back to sleep. When I woke, the Lord took me to Psalm 90. I read it through in different translations and was blessed in what I read. In the beginning of this Psalm, we read of how God has been with us from the beginning. He protects us when we do not even realize it. He is our refuge and dwelling place. But we need to live with Him daily and not just run to Him in times of trouble. We will go through times of physical issues but we must not allow them to stop us from living for God. Instead we need to go deeper in our faith and believe He will not only get us through such times but empower us to flourish in them. Daily we must pray for a cleansing in our spirit so the Holy Spirit can fill us to overflowing. It will be then that we can live in the manner He so desires of us as we walk the road of obedience. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the privilege to pray for pastors and spouses. Father, once again I pray for peace over Your servants. I pray for restoration in relationships and physical bodies. I pray for You to be greater than the heavy load they are carrying. Lord, be with Mike and Debbie as she was hospitalized last night. Give them Your strength and give the doctors Your wisdom. Lord, cleanse me and fill me with more of You. I pray a blessing over my sermon this morning. I pray there will be people who will gain Your insight on how to deal with 'storms' they are going through. Lord, may I be a vessel of Your love today in all I meet. Thank You Jesus for being My Dwelling Place. Amen.

Psalm 78; Matthew 22:38-40 - "You Say"

One of the times I was up during the night I asked the Lord if there was someone I was to pray for and he had me pray for a wife/mother I know. She lives with one foot in the world and the other with Him. She was raised in a Christian home with high morals but is not living as she was taught. He had me pray for healing in different ways for her...

• physical - she has multiple health issues
• emotional - for scars from a tragedy she went through as a young child
• mental - she has accepted and believed things the enemy has put into her mind
• financial - she seeks more money to buy more things to give her more prestige with her friends
• spiritual - she needs to get rid of her selfish attitude so God can work in and through her

Her marriage could be so much more if she would only allow her husband to be the head of the home. Her parenting would be blessed with God's words and actions if she would only realize He needs to be in control. Her relationships with others would not be strained if she would allow God's love to flow through her words, actions, and attitude. When I finished praying for her, I thought about how there are many in her age group that seem to be in similar shoes. The world entices and takes people away from God so easily. Some are not blatantly sinning yet they are allowing things to become their idol instead of God being their focus. That in itself is a sin.

The Lord woke me up this morning with Psalm 78 on my mind. I wasn't sure what this Psalm was about but I read it and realized how the Israelites were ungrateful for the things God did for them. It reminded me of this one He had me praying for. She is ungrateful when people do for her. She uses people to get what she wants. What is she teaching her daughter? The Israelites taught their children to turn from God even though He took care of them through the wilderness. She is teaching her daughter to turn from God as she lives in the world instead of living as He desires.cWhen one does not follow what God's Word teaches, they are in a sense sinning. Jesus taught in Matthew 22:37-40 on how we are to live by loving Him first and then loving our neighbor as ourself. If one is not living by these words nor teaching their children to do so, they are sinning. I am not being judgmental but stating fact. We must follow by His Word every day of our life. We must be in relationship with Him on this earth if we expect to live with Him for eternity. Oh how I pray for this wife/mother to come to this realization before it is too late.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for Your love, mercy and grace. Thank You for waking me to pray for the soul of this one who is not living in the manner You desire. Father, I pray You will put someone before her today that will make a difference in her life. I also pray for protection over her daughter and for wisdom for her husband. Lord, cleanse me so You can fill me today with more of You. I know how easy it is to get 'off-track' with You and I pray for protection over that in my own life. Lord, I pray for those who are hurting to be comforted by Your love today in abundance. Thank You for the day ahead and the opportunities You will give me to be You to others. Thank You for being The One I Love With My Whole Heart. Amen.

James 1:2-4 - "Oh Praise Him"

"Oh praise Him...Oh praise Him...He is holy...He is holy..."

The words to a song David Crowder sings is in my heart this morning. There is much to praise the Lord for each and every day. I woke up. That is something to praise Him for. Doc's back pain is easing and today is his last day to work. Those are things to praise Him for. I had communication with Paul and Lizzy yesterday. That is another thing to praise Him for. The list can go on and on. There are days where praise does not come as easily due to circumstances. Some days it is harder to find things to praise Him for but there is always praises to be said. I choose joy even on the days that are 'bad' or hard to deal with. In the book of James, we are told that is what we are suppose to do. Choose joy. When we make the decision to not choose joy, it gives the enemy an open door. Instead when we choose joy, we are choosing Jesus. His love enables us to stand firm in our faith as we trust Him no matter what our circumstances are. James tells us that stand will enable us to have great endurance as we persevere tough times. It also will empower us to not only live on this earth with the Lord but most importantly we will spend eternal life with Him. Many people will ask how I get through all that comes my way and still trust in the Lord. The answer is simple. My sight is on heaven. I know the only way I will spend eternity with Him is to live with Him now. I also know the trials that come my way on this earth grow my faith. The more trials I endure, the greater my faith becomes. That is exciting to think about! I desire to go deeper in my faith. No matter what circumstances I go through, that deepening will occur. That thought enables me to not cave into the circumstances but rather dig my heels in deeper. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for this song that reminds me to praise You no matter what. You are so worthy of my praise. You are so awesome in the way You give me things to praise You for even on tough days. Father, cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May You show through me today in my words, actions, and attitude in a mighty way. Father, there are many hurting people that I am praying for this morning. I pray they will find reason to praise You even in their tough days. I pray You will become so real to them. Thank You Jesus for being The One I Praise. Amen.

Psalm 64 - "Point To You"

This morning God took me to Psalm 64. This is a Psalm of deliverance. In verse one, the Psalmist uses the phrase of "in my prayer" whereas, it is described as a complaint, a whine or a whimper in other versions. Is that what I do when I pray for deliverance from the junk of this world? Do I whine to God? Are my prayers complaints to Him? Sometimes it gets so hard to deal with 'junk' when I know life could be different for people who pour on the 'junk' if they would only walk with the Lord. Some people have a goal in life to destroy others by their words and/or actions. Sometimes people will speak death over people to tear them down. Sometimes it will be gossip spoken that may or may not be true. Sometimes the words spoken will be done behind another's back and sometimes to their face. The only hope we have for getting through such times is the Lord. Verses seven through ten show God is the only answer for dealing with such people. Verse ten shows deliverance comes only to those who live a life for Him. We must trust God to not only get us through tough times with people but to show us how we can show them His love. As we do, we need to pray for them to have their hearts opened to Him.

The song "Point To You" was in my heart this morning. As I was singing it, these lyrics became my prayer for those who need to allow the Lord to become their King of Kings...

People say that I've lost myself
I'll say I'm found in You
I know You want my heart
My bruises and my scars
I'm coming as I am
The only way I can
I can't forget from where I've come
And what my heart's been rescued from
Yeah when they ask me who
I owe my whole life to
I point to You
I point to You

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the words of Psalm 64. Thank You for Your love, mercy and grace that enables me to walk in Your path. Father, cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing. May You be my words, actions, and attitude throughout this day. May You ooze out of me so people will see/hear You instead of me today. Father, I am praying for some who are dealing with people that are plain out nasty to them. I pray for these dear ones to stand strong in their faith. I also am praying for the ones shelling out this nastiness to be transformed in their spiritual lives. May You be greater than the enemy in these situations. May Your strength take over when the human strength is gone...no, may Your strength be there from the beginning of their day today. May they lean upon You instead of themselves. Thank You Jesus for being My Deliverer. Amen.