My soul is still beaming from the intercessory prayer on Wednesday. The Lord has been speaking to me over the last several months and I have experienced a sort of restlessness. I received the words that were spoken on Wednesday!!
I accepted the challenge the other week and intensified my devotion. I needed to focus more on Effectual Fervent Praying. That decision alone has been life changing. I received yet another confirmation when our assigned reading for our Deaconess meeting was “A Prescription for Effectual Fervent Praying.” I was so excited about that chapter I was about to burst in the meeting.
I felt I needed to go deeper and decided to meditate on a specific scripture. On Sunday, the Pastor asked that we meditate on God’s word this week. Confirmation! If the answer to my prayer is in the Word, I will certainly be in place. I was truly ecstatic about that directive!
I have realized the anxiousness in my spirit is a process. I also realized that there should be “nothing between my soul and my savior.”
I ask that you all pray for me so that I can stay focused and not so easily distracted.
Thank you God for saving me!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Heeding the First Signs
Heeding the First Signs
From my desk at work I have a clear view of the first aid kit that sits on a cabinet outside a Team manager’s desk. I often wonder about the contents. Or if they have been replenished? I imagine there are adhesive bandages, instant cold compresses, antibiotic ointments, and gauzes. If there is a minor medical issue, the first aid kit will be a welcome sight. Often times if the first signs of a medical are handled correctly, major consequences can be lessened or eliminated.
When we apply this to our Spiritual lives, we can arm ourselves in a mighty way to avoid many issues that continue to make us sin-sick. Dr. Michelle Johnson, in her blog , http://alabasterwoman.squarespace.com/ reminds us “Give no place for the Devil. Ephesians 4:70 and Resist the Devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7.”
My twins are going off to college soon and we have to make sure their immunizations records are in order and up to date. Vaccines help to resist some diseases. But in order for that to work, you actually must get vaccinated. To resist issues that can make us sick, such as anger, worry, gossip, emotional pain and the like, we must protect ourselves.
Four ways to do this….
1. Have a song in your heart.
There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit in this Place
And I know that it’s the Spirit of the Lord
The lyrics of this song have often taken me from the depths of depression to the heights of praise. What is your song?
2. Scripture on your mind.
Matthew 6:33
Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
When I focus on this scripture, the cares of the world and circumstances in which I have no control are put in their rightful place. God is first in my life. And though I don’t always get it right, the Word leads me back to the right path.
3. Testimony in your mouth.
God is greater than anything we go through. And we all have a testimony. But we must give it away. It’s not ours to keep. We are to share and testify about the blessings and the goodness of the Lord. I can remember a time in my life when I cried myself to sleep almost every night. I cried through the day. I cried watching certain events on TV. I heard this song, “Tears are a Language God Understands”. The song helped lead me to a deeper reliance on God.
4. Prayer in your life
We encounter so many challenges in our lives that can derail us. Yet, none is greater than God. But we must clear the things in our lives that are blocking God. We must clear the clutter of deceit and jealously. We must downsides our “too busy” schedules and make time to communicate with God.
Having a prayer life helps to center us. Prayers remind us that we are not in control. Prayer helps us to be patient.
5. Praise in your heart
Psalm 100:1-2
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him for his son. Praise Him for life, health and strength. Praise Him for your life experiences. Praise Him for forgiveness and another chance to get it right.
Place these 4 points in your Spiritual first aid kit along with God’s word. Guard your heart and stay in earnest prayer.
From my desk at work I have a clear view of the first aid kit that sits on a cabinet outside a Team manager’s desk. I often wonder about the contents. Or if they have been replenished? I imagine there are adhesive bandages, instant cold compresses, antibiotic ointments, and gauzes. If there is a minor medical issue, the first aid kit will be a welcome sight. Often times if the first signs of a medical are handled correctly, major consequences can be lessened or eliminated.
When we apply this to our Spiritual lives, we can arm ourselves in a mighty way to avoid many issues that continue to make us sin-sick. Dr. Michelle Johnson, in her blog , http://alabasterwoman.squarespace.com/ reminds us “Give no place for the Devil. Ephesians 4:70 and Resist the Devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7.”
My twins are going off to college soon and we have to make sure their immunizations records are in order and up to date. Vaccines help to resist some diseases. But in order for that to work, you actually must get vaccinated. To resist issues that can make us sick, such as anger, worry, gossip, emotional pain and the like, we must protect ourselves.
Four ways to do this….
1. Have a song in your heart.
There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit in this Place
And I know that it’s the Spirit of the Lord
The lyrics of this song have often taken me from the depths of depression to the heights of praise. What is your song?
2. Scripture on your mind.
Matthew 6:33
Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
When I focus on this scripture, the cares of the world and circumstances in which I have no control are put in their rightful place. God is first in my life. And though I don’t always get it right, the Word leads me back to the right path.
3. Testimony in your mouth.
God is greater than anything we go through. And we all have a testimony. But we must give it away. It’s not ours to keep. We are to share and testify about the blessings and the goodness of the Lord. I can remember a time in my life when I cried myself to sleep almost every night. I cried through the day. I cried watching certain events on TV. I heard this song, “Tears are a Language God Understands”. The song helped lead me to a deeper reliance on God.
4. Prayer in your life
We encounter so many challenges in our lives that can derail us. Yet, none is greater than God. But we must clear the things in our lives that are blocking God. We must clear the clutter of deceit and jealously. We must downsides our “too busy” schedules and make time to communicate with God.
Having a prayer life helps to center us. Prayers remind us that we are not in control. Prayer helps us to be patient.
5. Praise in your heart
Psalm 100:1-2
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him for his son. Praise Him for life, health and strength. Praise Him for your life experiences. Praise Him for forgiveness and another chance to get it right.
Place these 4 points in your Spiritual first aid kit along with God’s word. Guard your heart and stay in earnest prayer.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Accepting God's Love
The teenage years can be filled with insecurities, lack of self-esteem and emotional roll-coasters. I remember not feeling worthy and not being able to receive compliments. It was a very interesting period. It was very hard to accept that people could love unconditionally.
But that is how God’s love is. His love is unconditional and abundant. It is ours for the receiving. And the Lord leaves that decision to us. It is not forced.
So consider how life looks when you have accepted God’s love. It’s a newness and freshness like after a Spring rain. The words we speak should be different. We should be more considerate of people. We should exercise patience with people going through difficult times. And more importantly, the love we receive should be freely given to others.
Some of life’s experiences can make us close our heart to the goodness and love given by the Most High. Pray daily for a clean heart, an open heart and forgiving heart so that we can continue to give God our best.
1 John 4:7 (New International Version, ©2011)
God’s Love and Ours
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
But that is how God’s love is. His love is unconditional and abundant. It is ours for the receiving. And the Lord leaves that decision to us. It is not forced.
So consider how life looks when you have accepted God’s love. It’s a newness and freshness like after a Spring rain. The words we speak should be different. We should be more considerate of people. We should exercise patience with people going through difficult times. And more importantly, the love we receive should be freely given to others.
Some of life’s experiences can make us close our heart to the goodness and love given by the Most High. Pray daily for a clean heart, an open heart and forgiving heart so that we can continue to give God our best.
1 John 4:7 (New International Version, ©2011)
God’s Love and Ours
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
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