Romans 12:1-2 - "O Come To The Altar"

22 Children/teens + 4 Adults....woo hoo!!!! Christmas in July results = 37 shoeboxes packed!!!! But the icing on the cake was having one pray the prayer of salvation for the first time! Woo hoo, God! No wonder I woke up singing "O Come To The Altar"! 

Leave behind your regrets and mistakes,
come today there’s no reason to wait,
Jesus is calling.
Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy,
from the ashes a new life is born,
Jesus is calling.

There is joy in living "a new life" with Christ. There is a peace in tough times that comes only from Him. Living with Him is not always easy but it is a blessing. Being in relationship with Him is the best way to live. His strength becomes your strength in days such as yesterday where the day is full of giving of yourself. His empowerment becomes real when you feel like there is nothing left in you yet you pray the sinner's prayer with someone. I am physically drained yet I know He will continue to guide me throughout the day. He knows what I need and provides it exactly when I need it. There is no need to fret over finances because He already knows how the bills will be paid. He goes before me and paves the way for every aspect of life. I am a living sacrifice for whatever He desires of my life. I go before every morning and ask for a cleansing in my spirit so He can fill me to overflowing. I do not have a physical altar to go to but I still go before Him. The altar was used in the Old Testament as a place for people to make sacrifices for their sins. When Jesus died on the cross, that was the ultimate sacrifice. After His death and resurrection, animal sacrifices were no longer needed. Instead we need to offer ourselves as living sacrifices. This sets us apart for Him to use as as He desires. It is important to ask for a cleansing every day so there is nothing separating us from the Lord. It is also important to die to self in order to be a living sacrifice for Him.

Dear Jesus,
Wow! It is hard to even begin to express to You how I feel about last night. You are so awesome in the way You provided exactly what was needed to accomplish the task of packing 37 shoeboxes! Most importantly You are awesome in using me to pray with one for salvation. Father, continue to cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. Make me a vessel of Your love in such a way that people will desire to come into relationship with You. Thank You for providing exactly what I need. Thank You for loving me so greatly. Thank You for being who You are in my life. Lord, go before me in this day and point me in the direction You so desire. May people see/hear You instead of me today. I pray You will be with my Momma in a special way today...guide the surgeon. Thank You Jesus for being My New Life. Amen.

Acts 26; I John 3:2; Hebrews 10:24-25; Romans 12:2

Every time I was awake during the night the Lord had these words to the song "The Gospel" going through my mind....

to the captive it looks like freedom to the orphan it feels like home
to the skeptic it might sound crazy to believe in a GOD who loves
in a world where are hearts are breaking and were lost in the mess we've made
like a blinding light in the dead of night
its the gospel the gospel that makes a way


He brought to mind several individuals to pray for who are allowing the enemy too much space in their lives. They all have been in relationship with God and some are still in relationship with Him to a point but not the way they once were. I prayed for some who...

• are making decisions not from God to remember I John 3:2.

This is God's final purpose for you: That when Christ returns, you will be just like Jesus.

• have given up going to church to remember Paul's words in Hebrews 10:24-25. 

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

• are allowing the ways of the world to blind their eyes to Christ to grasp Romans 12:2.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Some of these people I prayed for I have contact with and others I do not. But all of them need to have a change in their lifestyle to live in the way God desires of all of us. I know living without answering to God can seem to make you happy but when you live in such a manner you are just kidding yourself to think that way. The only true way to live a peaceful life is with Him in the center of it. It breaks my heart to look back on people I've known throughout life and see so many who were once in full relationship with Him and now are not. People who were once church goers who now either do not go at all or go whenever it fits their schedule. People who would never think it was ok to blatantly sin yet now do so every day. There are people watching the decisions they are making who do not follow the Lord. They are questioning their ways and wondering what Christianity is really about. We all, as believers, need to remember our purpose on this earth is to share the Gospel and live like Him. Acts 26 has the words of the Lord spoken to Paul about what he was suppose to be doing. It reads:

15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

“ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

These words are not just for Paul but for all believers. The words in verse eighteen show our responsibility to others. We are to share Jesus with them so they can have freedom in Him. The only way for this to be accomplished is for us to be living in His will. That means we must die to self. No more going to church when we feel like it. No more reading our Bible when it fits into our schedule. No more saying 'no' to what God asks us to do or say. It means walking the road of obedience so He will be in every  decision we make. The only way this will happen is for people to "get back to the altar, back to the arms of our first love, there's only one way to the Father and He's calling out to us." Life cannot be about us. It has to be about Him.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the privilege to pray for those who are making decisions not of You. Thank You for bringing people to my mind during the night. Father, my heart breaks for so many who used to live for You yet are no longer. It also breaks for their families who are watching the decisions being made effect their lives in so many ways. Physically, mentally, emotionally, financially but most of all spiritually. Lord, put someone before them today that will make a difference in their thinking. Open their eyes to what You desire of them. Lord, I pray for a cleansing in my soul so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. Use me today in a different, new way to shine for You. Father, give me physical strength for what is ahead in this day. I pray the same for Doc as he has a long day today. Lord, keep us on our toes so we do not miss any opportunity to share Your love today. Thank You Jesus for being My Way of Life. Amen.

I John 3 - "Never Too Far Gone"

The Lord woke me during the night and again this morning singing these words to "Never Gone Too Far"...

There's no distance too far, that I can't reach you
There's no place that's so dark, that I can't find you
Anywhere that you are, if you need proof
Take a look at these scars, and know I love you

Oh how I wish more people would realize the truth in these words. I've heard people joke about how 'if they walked into a church, the roof would cave in.' Those words are just an excuse. Another excuse is 'I can't go to church until I quit' smoking or drinking or whatever their habit is. These are just excuses that are lies from the enemy. God loves each and every one. He desires to be in relationship with all. We all have a past which gives us a story to tell. Our testimony can be what changes people's lives. When people find out how God transformed us from being one way to living His way, they will be more apt to accept Him in their life. When people see the happiness and peace we receive through a life with Him, they will desire the same. We need to get better at sharing our testimony. As we share it, we are sharing His love. I John 3 talks of God's love for us. We are to follow His example and love others with our whole being. God loves us enough that He gave His Son to die for us. He loves us enough that He takes us back into relationship even when we walk away from Him. He loves us enough to overcome the sins we commit. Plain and simple. He loves us enough. That is something to share! Why would we not share His love? What would ever keep us from wanting others to know what we have in Him? There are no reasons for such behavior. There are excuses used but they are not valid. 'I'm just not good at talking to people' or 'People won't like me if I push Jesus on them.' Excuse me? If we are not telling others of Him, we are not doing what He put us on this earth to do. Spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the task of all believers. It is not just up to pastors but everyone. People are dying every day and going to hell because of the excuses believers use to not share about Him. Matthew Henry writes of verse eleven of I John 3, "We should love the Lord Jesus, value His love, and therefore love all..." How much value of His love do we show to Him? How many people to we share His love with on a daily basis? How much influence are we making in people's lives? When was the last time we changed someone's life through our words and love of Christ? These are some hard questions to answer but they shouldn't be. If we truly desire to live in the presence of the Holy Spirit, we must love as He loved. The last verse of I John 3 reads:

Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

I desire to live in His will with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit working in and through me. The only way for this to be accomplished is by loving with His love. That means loving in an unselfish manner. It means not only being aware of what He desires but walking the road of obedience to fulfill it. Living out His love is not always easy but it always is a blessing.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your love, mercy and grace! Thank You for the testimony of my past that make a transformation not only in my future but in other's futures. Thank You for being My Guide on this road of life. Thank You for cleansing me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of Your love. May You empower me to live out Your love in a different, new way throughout this day. Thank You Jesus for being the Lover of My Soul. Amen.

II Timothy 1:7 - "Fearless"

I don't think I've ever had a Saturday night so full of prayers for pastors. Multiple times the Lord woke me to pray for different ones...

• those who have been on recent mission trips to stand up against the enemy who does not like the progress for the Lord's Kingdom that was made while they were away 
• some who are dealing with health issues or with health issues of their spouse
• a retired pastor who is struggling with gaining his physical strength back after going through multiple health issues
• children's and youth pastors who need to have His wisdom with delicate situations that arise in their ministry with children and their parents

One time when He woke me He reminded me of a video I watched this week of Pastor James preaching about what life would look like if more people said 'yes' when God asked them to do something. He had me pray for more spirit-filled sermons such as this one to be preached today. He reminded me the purpose that should be behind every sermon is for transformation in people's lives.

Another time He woke me it was to pray specifically for my pastor/husband for a renewal in his physical, mental, emotional, and most of all spiritual body. He has been through tough days physically which has taken a toll on the rest of his being. The Lord had me pray for him to have restoration in every aspect of his being. He had me pray for his wisdom to be from the Lord in all decisions that he makes. He also had me pray for people to support him in prayer and by sharing words of encouragement to him.

The last time He woke me up with the words to "Fearless" going through my mind...

These mountains
These giants 
Will fall at a single word
In Your name
In Your strength
I'm more than a conqueror

But I wasn't given the spirit of fear
I was given the power of love
Everything I've been fighting against
I'm gonna lift it up

I wanna be fearless
No holding back
No backing down
Fearless
Because I believe You're with me now
Bring on the unknown
Lead me and I'll go
Come set me free
God, I want to be
Fearless

He told me there are some pastors who are giving into fear that the enemy has put upon them. They are allowing the enemy to be control instead of Him. He had me pray their eyes would be opened to what is happening in their life. He also had me pray for them to realize how the enemy is trying to destroy their ministry. The Lord will protect them but if they continue allowing the enemy in, His protection will be no longer. There are some times in prayer that what is revealed to me breaks my heart. This was one of them. It hurts to see people's lives being taken over by the enemy but when it happens with someone in ministry the hurt goes deeper. It is not only their life being effected but so many others too. Oh how I pray for hearts to be open in these situations. He also had me pray for those who He has asked to be bolder or go a different direction yet they are holding back. His will is desired of them. When they take the next step for Him, they will be blessed in abundance. The road of willingness to Him is not easy but it is where His peace is greatly realized. He had me pray for more pastors to be filled with His love to the point it naturally flows out of them.

I am physically drained after being up so much during the night but I know He will be my strength throughout this day. I am privileged to be a prayer warrior. I do not always like what He reveals to me but He has His reasons and that is all that matters. He must think I can handle such things or He wouldn't give them to me. As I start this day, I am praying for more of Him and less of me. I am praying for His supernatural strength to take over in me.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the privilege to be a prayer warrior. Thank You for all the people who have answered the call to be pastors. Thank You for the cleansing in my soul this morning so You can fill me to overflowing with Yourself. Thank You for calling me to be who You have called me to be. Thank You for the ones You put before my path. May Your eyes be mine today so I do not miss any opportunity to share Your love. May Your voice show through in my words. I pray especially for Your attitude in my being today as I am so tired. Renew my spirit. Father, give me Your wisdom with decisions that need made. Thank You Father for being My Conqueror! Amen.

Zephaniah - "This Is Amazing Grace"

This morning the Lord took me to the book of Zephaniah. He also gave me the number five. There are only three chapters in this book so I took a look at the fifth verse of each chapter. As I read through the book, I was encouraged by the message of God's restoration and hope. Zephaniah is about what will happen when people do not follow God and the restoration of such people. It is about what is going to happen when He returns for His people. He is not playing games but is very serious about the importance of all being His followers. We do not know when He will return but we can be assured He will. If we want to live for eternity with Him, we must be ready at all times. I once again went back to the number five. The fifth verse of each of the three chapters did not stand out to me in any great way. In all three chapters, verse five is about His judgement on the people. I looked up what the number five represents in the Bible and found that it symbolizes "God's grace, goodness and favor" that He shows to all people.  Doc preached about grace last Sunday. When he asked me what grace means to me, I responded with 'something I receive that I don't deserve.' God loves us all enough that He gave His only Son to die on the cross for us. The grace He shows to us is amazing! It is wonderful! It is beyond comprehension! I love the words to "This Is Amazing Grace"...

This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You laid down Your life
That I would be set free
Oh, Jesus, I sing for
All that You've done for me

Wow, God! He loves us so greatly. I am sure His heart breaks for those who do not live in His love. I also am sure every time a person comes into relationship with Him He is doing a happy dance! Every time one of His followers falls and comes back to be restored, is a great moment for Him. Yesterday as I was talking with a friend I was telling her how it recently hit me just how great of a responsibility all believers have to share His love. We need to not just share it with those who don't know Him but we also need to share it with those who do. We never know what people are going through. They may need to feel His love in a different, new way. Perhaps they are feeling like He has forgotten them because their prayers are not being answered. Or perhaps they are starting to believe the lies of the enemy and feel worthless. Everybody goes through periods of doubt in life. There are times in everyone's lives where we feel like giving up. We must remember God is a God of love and hope. He is a God who never gives up on us. The last part of the book of Zephaniah is about His faithfulness. We are told to "rejoice with all your heart" (vs. 14) and "Do not fear" (vs. 16). Verse seventeen is the 'icing on the cake' for those who are restored in relationship with Him. 

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace. Father, I am so grateful for the way You restored our relationship. I am grateful that I am where I am today to know when I ask You to cleanse me and fill me, that is exactly what You will do. I also am grateful for the knowledge that You will return for Your people. Lord, help me to do better at sharing Your love with others. Enable me to be bolder with Your love. The desire of my heart is to live out Your love in a way that will make You proud of me. Just as my earthly Daddy would get a look of being proud of me on his face, I desire to see that look on Your face. Father, may You be greater than me throughout this day. You know the things I am facing. I pray You will go before me and prepare the way for me to know how to best handle the day. I am so in awe of the way You work in my life. May You continue to encourage me on the road of holy living. Thank You Jesus for being My Hope. Amen.

  

Matthew 6:10 - "Jesus, I Believe"

I woke up this morning with words to "Jesus, I Believe" going through my mind. What a powerful song this is! In starts with:

I wanna walk with You Jesus
Feel Your presence and know You're near
I wanna see You Jesus
Move in power and cast out fear

This is exactly where I desire to live. In His Presence. It is then that I will be empowered by Him. As I live in His Presence, I will see "the impossible" become reality. I desire to have His words, actions, and attitude be mine throughout the day. I desire to speak life and not death.  I desire to not miss any opportunity He puts in my way. I desire to live in His will so His Kingdom will happen "Here on the earth just like it is in heaven." When I went through the nine months of not walking on my own, I prayed for healing over and over again. I do not know why it took nine months to happen but I do know I never gave up asking. I believed the Lord would heal me. I didn't know how it would happen but I knew it would happen. I didn't know when my walking would be restored but I kept the faith that it would. I prayed for it to be "on earth as it is in heaven." There is no MS in heaven. Therefore, I asked for it to not be in my body on this earth either. MRI's show the MS is still in my body but thank God the effects of no longer being able to walk on my own are gone. Sometimes He heals through doctors and medicine. Sometimes He heals through physical therapy. Sometimes He heals instantaneously. Or as in my instance with my walking it was nine months of knocking on His door and praying with persistence. When I walked into the church that night with the walker and danced out at the end of the service, it was only because of my persistence and Brother Dan's obedience to the Lord in coming to Willard. God could have healed me nine months prior but it wasn't in His timing. His time to heal was orchestrated for people to see what great faith looks like. 

This picture was taken on our vacation to Hilton Head after my walking was restored in February 2016. It was on that trip our hearts felt the tug to come to Beaufort. There were no open doors at that time but as we walked by the waterfront we felt the Lord's call. Within two months the doors opened and within four months we were walking through them. We continue to pray for His Kingdom to come here in Beaufort "as it is in heaven." We desire people to not only be saved but to embrace the message of holiness. Many doors have been shut over the last two-plus years but we refuse to stop pressing on as we know God has called us to this place. Some things that have happened don't make sense but they don't have to. All we have to do is have faith and continue to believe the Lord is in control. That is exactly what happened in 2015-2016 with the MS exasperation. It is what has happened since we moved to Beaufort with all that has happened in our lives. It is what will continue to happen in the days ahead. The desire of my heart is to fulfill the desire of His heart. I know this means life will be challenging but I also know He chose the right couple to accomplish this task.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace that encourages me to keep on pressing on toward the goals You put before us. I refuse to give up. I refuse to allow the enemy any foothold in my life. I pray the same for Doc. I pray You will cleanse us so You can fill us both to overflowing with more of You. I pray for Your strength when the days get tough. Father, this morning as I was praying You brought the word 'embellish' into my prayers. You had me ask You to 'embellish' us. I was taken aback with this word. I know what it means but when I looked it up it said "to make beautiful with ornamentation." That doesn't make sense to me. Why would You put that word into my prayers? Normally this word is used in the physical sense but what does it mean in the spiritual sense? Does it mean I am to take on more of You? Does it mean I need to be more Christ-like? Father, whatever it means I pray You will accomplish it in me throughout this day. I pray people will see/hear You instead of me. May You be more of my words, actions, and attitude. May You be greater than me. May Your love show through in a powerful way. Father, I pray for Brother Dan and his team as they continue to be Your servants to bring people deeper into relationship with You. May You continue to shine through them in a mighty way to allow people to be not only be physically, emotionally, and mentally healed but most importantly to be spiritually healed. Thank You Jesus for being My Reality. Amen.

Philippians 4:13 - "Lord, I Come"

These words are going through my mind this morning...

Lord, I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You're the One that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Yes! I do not know how people get through life without Him being their Rock. I need Him "every hour" to not only get through the day but to live it in the best way possible. In His way. I need Him to not only guide me but to encourage me. His love not only get me through the day but it empowers me to love others in the way His heart desires. I am thinking this morning of Philippians 4:13. He gave me this verse twenty-four years ago as I laid in bed with my first MS exasperation. I thought then the verse was for physical strength but soon realized it is 'the whole ball of wax'! It is only through His strength that I can do what I do every day. Physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, and most of all spiritually. His strength is all I need. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the reminder this morning of Your strength being perfect for my life. I pray for a cleansing in my spirit today so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. I also pray for those who do not know You. I pray someone will go before them to make a difference in their life. May You use Your servants to lavish love on them. May Your servants be open to Your empowerment. May they be ready when You direct and not miss any opportunity to be You today. Thank You Jesus for being My Rock. Amen.