Philippians 4:13 - "Worn"

I woke up this morning to the song "Worn" and immediately started praying for some people who are going through tough days who do not realize the strength of the Lord. 

I’m Tired I’m worn
My heart is heavy
From the work it takes
To keep on breathing

The song continues

And I know that you can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left

That is exactly what people need to do. Cry out to the Lord but not just during tough days but every day. Throwing up a 'flare prayer' in time of need may not get the desired result. We don't like when friends only contact us when they want something so we shouldn't expect God to be happy with us if the only time we talk to Him is when we want something. Today I am praying for some people in different circumstances...

• A man having surgery today who is not in relationship with the Lord.
• A lady going through radiation treatments who has the Lord's strength but is "Worn" from the cancer.
• A family in crisis. Some are in relationship with the Lord while others are not. Some are pretending to be following the Lord when they are allowing the enemy to be in control.
• A lady at 'rock bottom' who needs to realize a true relationship with the Lord.
• A man who was recently incarcerated and needs Christian counsel.
• A wife/mother who is in relationship with the Lord but needs to feel her worth in Him.
• A lady who has a critical spirit to allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through her.
• The people of our church to not give up as we continue the fight to proclaim the message of holiness in our little world.
• Parents with prodigals who are praying for their return.

There are so many believers who feel "Worn" but God is there to uplift them. He never leaves us. He may not answer our prayers in the manner we desire but He does answer our prayers. We have to learn how to accept the 'bad' along with the 'good' things life brings. It is in the 'bad' times that our faith is stretched and we go deeper with the Lord. But what about those who do not know Him? How do they get through 'bad' times? I need to get better at encouraging people to get in relationship with Him. I need to love with His love in a mightier way than ever before. I need to allow His supernatural empowerment to come down over me so people will spend eternal life with Him. The way to do this is to focus on Him and not on my circumstances. When I focus on me, I fail. When I focus on Him, He works in and through me. I am blessed in knowing He is the One to 'fix' me. He is the One to take my flaws and turn them into blessings. When I was broke, He was the adhesive to mend me. When I was dirty with sin, He cleansed me. He can do the same for everyone when they accept Him into their heart. But it doesn't stop there. It takes daily living, walking in obedience, and loving with His love to live as He desires.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace. Thank You for being not only my Savior but the King of Kings and Lord of Lords of my life. Father, cleanse me today so You can use me to share Your love with all I meet. May You be my words, actions, and attitude throughout this day. May You be greater than me. Father, I pray again for all I previously mentioned. I pray those who don't know You will come into relationship with You; those who know You yet have turned away will return to You; those who are allowing the enemy control will get their focus back on You; and those that are "Worn" from life's circumstance and know You will depend upon Your supernatural strength. Thank You Jesus for being My Adhesive. Amen.

Psalm 119:105 - "Thy Word"

Today is not only the first day of people's normal work/school week but it is also the first day of a new class for me. That means a new professor which can mean a different way of doing things, new classmates, etc. With Christian Preaching II being a twelve week course it means instead of having to be online five days a week it is only three days a week. With the sermon preparation there is not the regular coursework but instead a concentration on the prep. When I finished Christian Preaching I with a 99.5% I felt confident in going into this class. As I read the professor's notes on the class that confidence is wavering. I also continue to question why God has me on this road to ordination when Doc is the 'preacher.' I am a pastor as I minister to people but how am I to preach in our situation? I'm grateful for the times I get to preach. I feel like God has called me to not just be a 'pastor' but to also be a 'preacher.' God continues to encourage me to complete my schoolwork as a step toward ordination. I remember in the beginning of the time when He directed me to go to school. I was then a Medical Chaplain and knew that is where He wanted me to be. When the season changed to be ordained as a pastor, I didn't understand yet I walked in obedience. Here I am just a few classes to being done and I still don't understand but continue to walk the road of obedience. Some people have questioned me as to why I am doing this. My answer is 'because God has called me to.' Many don't understand and I can't blame them because I don't fully understand but I know I will walk by faith and trust Him in the process. 

Yesterday as we sang "Thy Word" I thought about how the children have focused on Psalm 119:105 for the last few weeks. We have gone through the Old Testament and started in the New Testament teaching them stories from His Word. Tomorrow night our lesson in on the Beatitudes. "Blessed" has great meaning in these verses. I pray the Lord will guide our words as we teach His Word to them. The desire of my heart is for them to understand just how much He loves us and how living a life in His love is the way to live. I desire them to see me live out a life of faith as I trust Him in all I do. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the words of encouragement today about my schooling. Thank You for the way You will go before me in this class and give me exactly what I need. Father, I pray You will prepare the professor's heart to accept what You give me. I also pray for You to continue to remind me that You are really the Only One I need to please. Lord, cleanse me so You can fill me. Open up my eyes, mind, and heart to anything You want of me throughout this day. May You be my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts. Father, be with Doc as he has a long day of work and then board meeting tonight. I pray for physical strength for him today in a mighty way as he unloads a truck in this weather. Thank You Jesus for being My Lamp and My Light. Amen.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 - "O Lord"

The words to 'O Lord need heard today by a pastor. Actually, they probably need heard by several pastors who are feeling alone.

Though times it seems
Like I'm coming undone
This walk can often feel lonely
No matter what until this race is won
I will stand my ground where hope can be found
I will stand my ground where hope can be found

Oh, O'Lord O'Lord I know You hear my cry
Your love is lifting me above all the lies
No matter what I face this I know in time
You'll take all that is wrong and make it right

There can be a loneliness in the life of a pastor that is unexplainable. They must keep a lot in as they counsel with people about issues when sometimes they have issues themselves that need counsel. Many times they feel alone because their spouse feels neglected and turns away from them. There can be a lot of emotional turmoil in the life of a pastor. They must stay close in their walk with the Lord so He can fill their tank up to overflowing. This can be difficult to do with the schedule that is kept but it has to happen to be effective in ministry. There must not only be time with the Lord but there also must be time for a pastor's family. My prayers over night were for pastors to understand how much they are at risk for the enemy to make their marriage fail, turn their children into prodigals, and rip their spiritual lives into pieces. The words "I will stand my ground where hope can be found" have great meaning in the life of a pastor. We must keep our focus on the Lord every day in order to fulfill the desires of His heart. He has called pastors to be leaders. Therefore, we must set the example of what it means to live a life for Christ. That includes walking the road of obedience as we live out a holy life. Too many people, including pastors, have allowed the world to have too much room in their life. People have become who they desire to please instead of God. Money has become too important that blinders to God's will have been put on. My heart breaks for pastors who are not living a life of obedience. It is not just because they are not living as God desires but they are pulling people down the wrong path. That saddens me. We, as pastors, have a great responsibility and we need to own up to that responsibility. We need to take our call seriously. We need to be in prayer seeking His will more than we ever have before so we are not sucked into the enemy's ways. He will dangle money before us to turn us away from God. He will use people to entice us with things of this world. We cannot succumb to the pressure but instead must "stand" our "ground where hope can be found." That is the only way to live. That is the only way to be who Christ has called us to be.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You once again for the opportunity to pray for pastors. I am so grateful for this because I know there are many who pray for Doc and I. Father, cleanse us so You can not only fill us but also enable us to stand when the world tries to destroy us. Give us Your words, actions, and attitude throughout this day so people will see/hear You instead of us. May You be greater than our worldly flesh. May You be our encouragement as we deal with difficult people/circumstances. I pray for all pastors today to be living a life of obedience. I know of some who are dealing with issues in their marriage, with prodigals, and with sin in their lives. May all of them seek You for a time of healing in their circumstances. I pray for pastors who are dealing with health issues in themselves, spouse, or child. Once again, I pray they will seek You for encouragement. Lord, meet their needs in a way that is unexplainable other than it is You working in their lives. Thank You Jesus for being My Hope. Amen.

Psalm 66 - "My God Is So Big, So Strong and So Mighty"

When the Lord woke me in the middle of the night and then again early this morning, these words were in my heart...

My God is so big and so strong and so mighty 
There's nothing my God cannot do 

Wow! He knew I needed to hear these words this morning. He is bigger than anything that comes before us. He is bigger than...

• the sixty percent chance of rain at the time of school supply distribution
• the building constraints put on by the county
• cancer, MS, diabetes, etc.
• doctor/hospital bills. 

Plain and simple. He is bigger than everything. The only way to know just how big He is is to live a life of obedience to Him. Then the big things of life won't seem to big. Instead there will be peace in knowing whatever He desires will happen as we walk by faith and trust Him. We do not have to know how everything will work out or even when it will work out. All we have to know is that it will work out for His glory. However many children He wants to receive school supplies will receive them. We cannot put a number on such things and be upset if that number is not met. The same can be said for the church building. We cannot put a date on its completion and be upset when that date is past with nothing happening when we prayed for God's will AND believe He is in the midst of all of the decisions made. The enemy may try to stop progression and may even try to make us grow weary but we cannot allow him any foothold. We must stand strong and be ready to accept God's will, no matter what that is. 

Psalm 66 tells us that we are to praise God for all He has done for us. We are to praise Him for His power. When one walks a life of obedience, His power is their power. That is pretty awesome to think about! He empowers us to do whatever He wants done in and through us. He empowers us as we have faith in Him and trust Him. He encourages us on days like today when there is rain in the forecast for an outside event. Psalm 66 encourages me to praise Him through the rain. It encourages me to not be focused on numbers but rather on souls. There could be someone coming for school supplies today who needs to be told about the Lord. We cannot allow the enemy to distract us in any way. We must be on our toes ready for any opportunity the Lord gives us. This first part of Psalm 66 says...

All together now—applause for God!
    Sing songs to the tune of his glory,
    set glory to the rhythms of his praise.
Say of God, “We’ve never seen anything like him!”

This is what needs in our spirit as we do His work on this earth. Praises need to be not only on our lips but in our hearts. Gratitude needs to flow from us for all that He has done, is doing, and will do for us as we are His willing servants.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the reminder this morning that You are bigger than anything. Most of all I want to thank You for the reminder that even when things don't go the way we have planned You are still in the midst of them. Woo hoo! Lord, keep our focus on You so we won't miss any opportunity to be You to others today. Bless our efforts in a mighty way. Cleanse us so You can fill us with more of You. Father, give physical strength for this day ahead. I pray for people to work together to further Your kingdom. May people's personalities mesh together in a way that will glorify You. Thank You Jesus for being My Big God. Amen.

Philippians 3:14 - "Tunnel"

The Lord took me to the third chapter of Philippians this morning and stopped me at verse fourteen. Sometimes it is hard to keep sight on a goal due to the difficulties that are placed in the way in the process of attaining the goal. Other times it seems like a goal is unreachable and we give up. The prize of eternal life with Christ is never unattainable. It is never unreachable when we stay focused on Him. There will be...

• difficulties along the way
• times where we question what we are doing
• people or circumstances that will discourage us

But we must never stop pressing on to reach the goal. God's got every situation we are in. He knows our trials and is there to lift us up. He will be the encouragement needed to never quit. He will give little surprises along the way that will enable us to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes that light may seem too dim but it never goes away. Paul was giving these words of encouragement to the Philippians because he lived such a life. He never quit focusing on God. Instead he forgot about what happened in the past and stayed focused on the future. When we focus on the past, we will no longer be able to stay focused on the future. The light at the end of the tunnel will become so dim it may even go out. We cannot allow that to happen. God is our God yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The desire of His heart is for us to learn from yesterday but not to live in it. He desires our focus to be on what He wants of us today. I don't believe He wants us to focus on the immediate future but only the future of eternal life with Him. 

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the words of encouragement from Paul. Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace that enables me to live in today. Thank You for the promise of eternal life with You when I stay focused on the prize of such a life. Father, cleanse me so You can fill me with more of You. May You be my words, actions, attitude, and most of all focus throughout this day. Enable me to not dwell on the news from yesterday but to look toward my future with You as I live in this day. Father, I pray for Carletta as she has another surgery today, Janet as she goes through her issues, and many others who are dealing with tough days. Lord, may You be greater than their issues. May You be greater than things that will take their focus off of You. I pray for a great reunion for Brooke and Cody with their families. Father, thank You for all the ways You love on us. Thank You for being My Light At The End of The Tunnel. Amen.

Psalm 90 - "Point To You"

The Lord woke me up a few times in the middle of the night to pray for a family from my hometown, specifically the father and one daughter. I have no idea if the father is still alive but I'm assuming since God had me praying for him is his. My prayers were for comfort for him along with comfort for his one daughter. If I remember right, her husband is going through cancer issues but I'm not sure on that. It amazes me how God has me pray for people I'm not a part of their lives. When I was growing up, this family were followers of God. I'm assuming they still are but the song He gave me was "Point To You." It is about how God wants us no matter what. It does not matter what we've done in the past. The only thing that matters to God is that we love Him. There is a part of the song that goes...

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

We are our toughest critics. It is hard to forgive ourselves but it isn't hard for God to do so. He loves us and not only forgives but He forgets. He wipes our slates clean. Sometimes the enemy will bring up our past but God does not. The enemy will try to use our past to tear us apart but God does not. God loves us enough to have His Son die on the cross for our sins. He does not hold our past actions against us but rather wipes our slate clean. I'm not sure how this song and the family the Lord had me pray for are connected but I know there is some connection because the Lord does not make mistakes. There is one in the family who needs to hear of God's forgiveness before it's too late. I pray there will be someone go before them today to make a difference in their life. May they remember the words David wrote in Psalm 90 about how God knows all we do, even our 'secret sins' yet He still will accept us as His children. He desires repentance and renewal in our relationship with Him. Matthew Henry writes of the last few verses of Psalm 90:

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

Yes! Forgiveness leads to eternal life. As we allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us, we will be blessed in abundance. He will direct every step we take on the path of obedience when we die to self. There is no better life on this earth than that of holiness. He rewards us through our obedience. Once again, I do not know why the Lord has brought this man and his family to my prayers but I do know there is one in the family who needs the reminder of what He has given me.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the way You use me to pray for others. Thank You for cleansing me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May You continue to be my words, actions, and attitude throughout this day. Father, I praise You for the good news yesterday for one I've been praying for. May You use this good news in his physical body to make a difference in his spiritual body. I continue to pray for a healing in Doc with his issue. I also continue to pray for my sister as she continues with testing today. May You be continue to be her physical strength throughout these issues. Lord, I don't know what my day holds but I know You do. I pray for physical, mental, emotional and most of all spiritual strength throughout this day. May You be greater than me. Thank You Jesus for being My Miracle Maker. Amen.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 - "God Of All My Days"

The Lord woke me this morning to the words of "God Of All My Days"...

Each step I take
You make a way
And I will give You all my praise
My seasons change, You stay the same
You're the God of all my days

He is the reason I live...

• His love empowers me to love on others in a way that is unexplainable. 
• His strength empowers me to be victorious physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, and most of all spiritually. 
• His encouragement empowers me to keep on keepin' on when I feel like quitting.
• His wisdom empowers me to make right decisions and walk the right path.
• His example encourages me to live a holy life.

I am so grateful for the way He works in and through me. I think of Jeremiah 29:11-14. Many people can quote verse eleven but then they stop. Verses twelve through fourteen need remembered too. Prayer is key in our lives. He not only listens to us when we speak or think our prayers but He also speaks to us as we listen. Verse thirteen tells us when we seek Him with our whole being, we will find Him. He delivers us from the junk of this world as He lives in and through us. We will have to deal with the junk but we will not be consumed by it as we allow Him to empower us with the Holy Spirit. Woo hoo! That means so much to me, especially the more I deal with people's junk. The enemy is out to destroy but my God is greater than the enemy. The closer I get to the Lord, the more I realize His empowerment. The deeper I go in relationship with Him, the more I realize just how much He desires me to succeed on earth for Him so I can live with Him forever.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace that enables me to see another birthday. Thank You for the way You guide my steps. Cleanse me so You can fill me. May You be my words, actions, and attitude throughout this day. Father, once again I come to You asking for relief for Doc's pain. Give him what he needs to not only get through this day with work and Bible study but to be a beacon of light for You in the process. Father, I pray for those who are having medical tests today to feel Your presence; those having cancer treatments to be encouraged; and those grieving to be comforted. I also pray for a healing in my body. Thank You Jesus for being the 'God of All Days'! Amen.