I John 1:9; II John 9 - "Love Broke Through"

The Lord woke me up during the night to pray for my boys, their ladies and my grand babies. I thought this was kind of weird because I pray for them regularly but I was blessed for Him to wake me. I am also blessed by them. Oh how I miss the days of having hugs and praying with them each night before bed. I miss their joking around like their Grandpa. With being in South Carolina I miss getting together with them. The time I had with them in February was priceless and I am already thinking about the next time we can be together. I am so grateful the Lord loved me enough to bring me back into relationship with Him when I walked away years ago. If He wouldn't have, my life would be so different today. His love is so powerful. It is so great. His love washed away my sins and accepted me back into fellowship with Him. His love continued to pull on my heart until I finally became committed to a life of holiness in Him. His love. Wow! He loved me enough to die on the cross so I can live. He didn't do this for just some but for all. Everyone has the hope of eternal life when they accept Him. In II John verse nine it reads, "And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love." Jesus walked in obedience when He loved our Heavenly Father and died on the cross. We need to walk in obedience with Him. If we don't, His death was for naught. I don't think He is asking too much of us when I think of what He gave for us to live. He showed His love in a powerful way through His obedience. Life can be so different when we walk in His will through a life of obedience. Many are still fighting the idea of obedience but there is freedom in obedience. There are blessings in abundance in obedience. Yes there are times when obedience does not make sense but in the end the Lord knows what is best. I love the words to the song "Love Broke Through"...

When love broke thru 
You found me in the darkness 
Wanderin’ thru the desert 
I was a hopeless fool 
Now I’m hopelessly devoted 
My chains are broken 
And it all began with You 
When love broke thru 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your love that encompasses me and spills out of me. Thank You for Your death that allowed me to live. Thank You for my boys, their ladies and my grand babies who You bless me with. I started praying for each of them when I was just a little girl and will never stop praying for them. Lord, may today be a day they each find You in a new way. May they feel Your love in abundance today in ways that are different. Lord, I also pray for people who I will be around today or I will have contact with. May they see You in me. May Your words, actions, attitude and vision be mine throughout this day. Father, I pray for this week ahead to not be too filled with 'stuff' that my focus goes off of You. It is a little overwhelming to see the calendar but Father I know You are with me. Give me wisdom on when to stop and rest. Give me boldness when sharing You with others. Thank You Jesus for being My Love. Amen.

I John 1:3-4 - "I Will"

I think I was awake more than asleep last night. Every time I woke up I prayed for someone going through some tough stuff. Some of them are going through physical issues while others are doing through issues that are effecting them caused by the actions of another. Some are going through spiritual growing pains as the Lord tries to get their attention. No matter what people are going through they all need to know the Lord is always there for them. Citizen's Way sings a song called "I Will" that kept going through my mind throughout the night...

I will hold you when your breaking like a father and a friend
I will carry you through darkness till we see the sun again
So rest your head and cry your tears
Know that I'm with you here
When you can't lift that weight
Beleive me when i say
I will

Plain and simple...He will always be there for us to comfort us, to strengthen us, to love on us, to carry our burdens for us. We are never alone. But in order to know the depth of His love for us we first must accept Him and then we must allow Him to have full reign of our lives. Sometimes accepting Him is much easier than allowing Him full control. As we take on a life of holiness it may mean we do things that don't make sense. It also may mean we do things we don't want to do. It may mean we talk to people we don't normally talk to or go places we don't normally go. His will may not align up with what we think we want but His will is perfect in all ways. His way is the only way to live life. I John 1:3-4 tell us that communion with the Lord brings joy. I can attest to that! Even when life is not easy I have His joy. The secret to having His joy even in trying times is to live a life knowing He is in control. I do not have to worry about anything because He already has things taken care of. I do not have to fret over bills because He already knows how they will be paid. I do not have to spend time begging people to come into relationship with Him because they will in His time. I do not have to sit and wonder why He puts me in the places He does because I don't have to understand the 'whys' of life. Plain and simple. He knows all and that is good enough for me. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your love, mercy and grace that enables me to live in a way of freedom. Thank You for this song that is a great reminder You will always be with me. Lord, throughout the night I prayed for many who are going through some tough times. A family with their wife/Momma failing in her health. A pastor who is dealing with a nasty church situation. My husband who continues with health issues. A friend with job issues. I'm sure there were more but these are the ones I remember this morning. Father, be very real to each of these ones. Open doors that need opened and close doors that need closed in their lives. I pray each of these ones will know You are there for them in their situation. Father, fill me to overflowing with more of You today. Be my words, actions, attitude and vision throughout this day. Thank You Jesus for being My Constant. Amen.

Matthew 6:26 - "Sparrow"

I love opening the door to let Mordecei out in the mornings and hearing the birds singing. It gives me such joy. As I think about birds I am reminded they are cared for by our Heavenly Father in some pretty amazing ways. Through storms, rain, drought, etc. He cares for them. That is exactly what He does for humans. He cares for us through the mountains and the valleys of life. In Matthew 6:26 in The Message it reads that the birds are "not tied down to a job description." In several other transitions that part reads, "they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns." Birds have no worries. They do not fret over what may or may not happen. According to one commentary...

"...they fill the grove with music, and meet the coming light of the morning with their songs, and pour their notes on the zephyrs of the evening, unanxious about the supply of their needs; yet how few die with hunger! How regularly are they fed from the hand of God! How he ministers to their unnumbered wants! How cheerfully and regularly are their necessities supplied!"

Wow! I love the word picture this gives. The birds are a prime example of how we, as humans, need to approach life. We need to be joyful in the knowledge He cares for us and supplies our needs. We need to sing His praises throughout the day no matter what we are going through. Jason Gray sings a song called "Sparrows" that says it all...

if He can hold the world He can hold this moment
not a field nor flower escapes His notice
Oh even the sparrow
Knows He holds tomorrow

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the reminder this morning just how much You care for me. Father, I praise Your Holy Name for the way You provide not only for our needs but also for some of our wants. Lord, encourage those who need encouraged today. I pray for the pastor with the meeting with the DS. I pray for my friend who is looking for another job. I pray for my friend going through through medical testing. I pray for my husband who needs a physical healing. Lord, be so real to these ones. Enable them to see You are there to take care of their needs. I can't physically be with them but I pray my written word will encourage them. Lord, be my words, actions, attitude and vision throughout this day. May people see You instead of me. Thank You Father for being My Caretaker. Amen.

II Peter 3:8-9 - "Everything Comes Alive"

I’ll be with You in heavenly places

I’ll be with You in heavenly places

These words were going through my mind every time I woke up during the night. I must admit I am so ready for the Lord to return. But I know there is still work to be done. It will happen in His time not mine. But I can daydream about what life will be like when there is no more disease...no more bills...no more 'junk' to deal with. Life will be perfect as we bask in His presence 24/7, worshiping Him. Woo hoo! That is so exciting to think about! It hurts my heart to think of those who are not in relationship with Him. A friend shared with me yesterday of a man on the news who said something along the lines that he was not afraid to go to hell. How in the world could anyone ever say that? He needs Jesus in a mighty way. I was blessed this morning to read of one I've been praying for who has turned back to God. My list is long of ones in her same shoes. Some will return to Him while others will continue to live a live strictly for themselves. I think of all of the parents with prodigals and pray for them to receive the blessing of their prodigal to return. I think of those who have loved ones who have strayed away from the Lord and pray they will be blessed with their return. This song continues...

My heart is beating to the rhythm of Your love

My feet are running ever faster to Your grace

Amen! This is how we are to be living. When we live a life of holiness, His love will flow from us in ways we can't even imagine. Such a life is available to all. It just takes faith, trust and commitment. It does not mean life will be easy or everything will go our way. It means we will walk in His strength to get through the mountains and the valleys. It means we will receive freedom by allowing Him total control. 

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for loving me so greatly! Thank You for Your grace and mercy that brought me back into relationship with You many years ago! Thank You for every opportunity You give me to share Your love with others! I pray for the day ahead. I'm not sure where You will take me but I know You are already there before me. I pray for more of You so my words, actions, attitude and vision will flow with Your love from me. Thank You for a lower BP for Doc yesterday. I continue to pray for a complete healing in his body. Thank You in advance for the way You will be glorified through his healing. Lord, empower him to be more of what You desire of him to be. Thank You for being My Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow! Amen.

Philippians 4:13 - "Even If"

Every time I turn around it seems like there is someone going through 'junk' the enemy is a part of. Sin is the reason we have cancer on this earth. Sin is the reason there are divorces. Sin is the reason for the 'junk' we go through. God can and will use the 'junk' to draw us closer to Him. He also will allow the 'junk' to continue in our lives until we get what He desires of us. This song that Mercy Me sings was going through my head this morning...

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

These words say it all. I know God is greater than the 'junk' of this world. As a human being I get tired of dealing with it but I must remember no matter how long it takes to get through it He is there for me. The song continues...

They say it only takes a little faith
To move a mountain
Well, good thing
A little faith is all I have right now
But God, when You choose
To leave mountains unmovable
Give me the strength to be able to sing
It is well with my soul

This is where I desire to live...my relationship so solid that even when my faith is weakened I do not give up. This morning I am praying for so many who are in some mighty nasty times as they deal with 'junk' yet I pray their faith draws them deeper into relationship with Him.

• my husband who continues to battle high blood pressure and high blood sugar
• the pastor facing a nasty church situation that could close the church
• many parents with children going through cancer treatments
• the wife watching her husband be in his last days on this earth as cancer takes him
• the pastor without a church and their former church without a pastor
• my friend who is being treated unfairly in the workplace
• my friend awaiting a probable cancer diagnosis
• my friend awaiting her first mammogram results after having breast cancer

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for being the Strength we all need through times of going through 'junk' on this earth. Father, "I know You're able and I know You can" take care of each of these situations I am praying for today. I know You will in Your time. Father, I pray for my physical body. I pray against the fatigue and the tingling in my head. Lord, most of all I pray for these things to not be a distraction to Your will for me today. I pray for Your words, actions, attitude and vision to show through me today. I pray for a filling of more of You to flow from me. Thank You Jesus for being My Strength. Amen.

II Peter 3:11 - "What A Beautiful Name"

This is the third day the Lord has "What a Beautiful Name" going through my mind. He must be trying to tell me something I am not getting. Either that or He wants me to remember something. Whatever the reason is, I am blessed by this song. These words in particular bless me...

You have no rival, You have no equal
Now and forever, God You reign
Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name, above all names

Amen! He is the One to reign in my heart. Oh how I pray for more people to come into relationship with Him. I especially pray for people who have accepted Him into their heart to know Him in a more personal way. When I asked the children last night how many had asked Him in their heart, they all responded they had. That shows me what I need to do is to teach them how to live a life of holiness. Sometimes I think it is easier to teach children than adults because they have faith that does not question every little thing. Children have a way of walking by faith without having to understand every little detail. That's what faith is all about. Trusting God. It was so cool last night when I was going to pray at the end of our time and three children asked if they could pray. It also was a blessing when afterward a neighbor couple who came with their children prayed over Doc. God knows what we need to encourage us to keep on keeping on. I am so grateful for all of the ways He blesses us.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for yesterday and all the ways You showed Your love to me. Thank You for today and the opportunities I have to show Your love to others as I go to the hospital for my test, am meeting with a new friend, and whatever other opportunities You put in my path. Thank You for tomorrow for the way You will go before me to another appointment. Father, You are always with me and for that I am grateful. You are always encouraging me and for that I am grateful. I loved hearing the prayers of the children last night. What a blessing I received! I also was blessed with Oscar and Angela praying over Doc. Your Holy Spirit was felt in such a great way as they prayed and spoke scripture over him. Lord, he needs Your healing touch in a mighty way. I pray today will be the day his counts will be lower and he will feel better. Lord, thank You for being My Everything. Amen.

Philippians 4:13 - "What A Beautiful Name"

Once again this morning the Lord had "What A Beautiful Name" going through my mind...

What a beautiful Name it is
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King

What a beautiful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus

Yesterday I was intentional on saying "Jesus" throughout the day. The song goes on with...

What a powerful Name it is
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King

What a powerful Name it is
Nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus

Amen! There is power in His name. The enemy can come knocking as much as He wants but I am empowered by the Name of Jesus. As I said His name over and over yesterday I was blessed over and over. I felt encouraged. I felt empowered. Not everything went easily but that is not what life is all about. Life is about Him...leaning on His strength to get through tough days. I share with one going through some tough days in her physical body that I wish the Lord would return so this junk would be over. She agreed but we both know our work on this earth is not done and that is why He has not returned yet. There are still many lost that need Him in their lives. There are many who need the freedom that comes with having a life of surrender to Him. Until that day comes we must keep pressing on. We must not allow the enemy any foothold that will enable him to get into our lives. We must stand upon the Name of Jesus and be empowered by His supernatural power. Until His return we must remember such Scripture as Philippians 4:13. He will get us through tough days in ways we cannot even fathom.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You once again for the reminder of the power of Your Name. Thank You for the encouragement I received yesterday as I continually said Your Name. Thank You for the way You will encourage me today. Lord, I'm tired of 'junk' but I know You are My Strength. I'm tired of feeling like we go two steps forward and four steps back but I know You will empower us to do whatever comes our way. Father, I pray for healing in my husband's body. I pray for his BP and sugar to lower so he will feel better. I also pray for my dear sister who is dealing with pain in her body from surgery. I pray for strengthening not only in her physical body but in her emotional, mental and spiritual body. Lord, fill her with more of You. I pray the same for myself...more of You to overflow from me. Be my words, actions, attitude and vision throughout this day. In the Name of Jesus I pray for a breakthrough in our lives. Thank You Jesus for being The Name I Call Upon. Amen.