Sunday, April 29, 2012

April 28, 2012

Have you ever wondered why you don't hear from God? It seems when we are upset that God is so far away.  In reality, God is so close. Think about the last time someone called you out of the blue and said you were on their heart today. Was that a coincidence or the Holy Spirit?  I believe that God uses His body to be His voice when we can't hear. Because when we are caught up in the trial, our feelings take over and God can't get through.

So He uses His body to be His hands and feet. Our feelings are important. But it's more important for us to pray for patience and wisdom. Unfortunately we sometimes lack the fortitude to move toward God because we are feeling too much. Those same feelings can paralyze us into believing God has left us and so has His love. His love never leaves us. It's there ready and waiting. He parted the Red Sea, brought prosperity to the Jews, gave Abraham a son, and finally promised us His love, by sending His son to die on a cross. He knows your hardship and pain but you have to be willing to trust in what you can't feel or see.

Our journey can not be controlled by emotions. We must take this journey one day at a time and look for the rainbows. They're there. Can you call out to Jesus today and believe His promise!  I challenge women in every nation to believe today that God loves them!  For once, we as women have to give up on the feelings and hold onto the promise.  I know that's not easy, especially when your feelings say, "I'm miserable."  But as bad as those feelings are, God is doing a great work in your life.  He will use you to heal the sick, comfort the broken, and minister to the lost.  When we have gone through a great battle and come out victorious, God brings people to us to share our story.  It's in the hardships of life, when we have died to our flesh and trusted in our Savior, that God uses us the most.

Some might not find comfort in that.  We rarely want tribulation in our lives.  But here's the truth, this is not our life to live, it's Jesus's and He paid for it on the cross.  The world wants us to believe that we deserve a beautiful and carefree life, full of great things.  However, it's exactly the opposite.  How many people do you know that came to Christ when everything in their life was roses?  Probably not many.  Why?  Because we are human and when everything is beautiful, we don't need God.   I'm not saying that we don't totally need Him but we don't have to trust in what we can't see or feel.  We are in bliss and when we're in that state; we feel good.  It's when we face hardships that we learn to depend on Him.  Only then can we learn to trust in the dark, pray without ceasing, help someone we don't know, and walk with no end in sight. 

Believe me, I wish everything in my life could be happy, carefree and full of beautiful things all the time.  But that's just not possible if I want to be Christ's woman.  And more than anything, I want to be used by God to spread the good news.  I want to die to my flesh and follow Him until the end.  No matter if your a Christian or not, you will face trials.  It's part of a fallen world.  So if we have to face them anyway, let's face them knowing that Jesus is Lord, that His promises are fulfilled, and that He knows what's best for our life and for His glory!  I want to be the woman that walks in the dark and rests.  The key is that, "I want to be," obviously, I am not there yet.

If you're looking for Christ and can't find Him, take time and ask Him to show you  a Scripture.  In His word, He reveals His love.  He doesn't change; we do.  I can't say it enough, in order for us to achieve the goals Christ sets for our lives, we must read His word, pray and be in communion with other women.  There is strength in numbers.  And the greatest thing of all, is that we can be an ocean away and still , He can bind us together through the Holy Spirit.  He has given me a heart for women in every nation.  I don't know why and maybe I never will, but He has and I'm grateful.  Please spread the word of His amazing love.  We have a great gift, the gift of being a woman.  Let's use it to bring others to His body.


Please read Romans 9 today.  The whole chapter is worth it and it will give you a great prospective on the flesh, transformation and God's glory.

My prayer today:

Lord, we come to you the chosen.  We ask that as our Savior that You would grow us up to be women that love to be transformed.  We know that we will face trials but we pray for victory at every corner.  Help us to trust in You all our days and give us courage to persevere through hardship.  And if You see fit, bring women from all over the world to us so that we can proclaim the good word.  In the end, You are the only hope we have.  If there are women out there so miserable that they can't hear from You, send a woman to their door, full of encouragement and light.  Use us to be Your hands, Your feet, Your voice.  You are forever the way, the truth, the light and we worship You on this glorious Sunday because without You, we are nothing and with You we are satisfied.  Your grace is sufficient today Lord, let the women across the world band together and know it without a shadow of a doubt, that Jesus is Lord, forever.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Thursday, April 26, 2012

April 27, 2012

I recently bought an iPhone to get the weather and important emails, while on the road.  But to my amazement, my oldest son had a Bible application and it actually reads Scripture to you.  It's absolutely amazing.  But what I find more amazing is that I get to hear God while I drive.

Driving is so wonderful for praying and contemplating the Lord but to hear His word is more incredible than admiring the wild, wild west or so they like to say in Dodge City, Kansas.  My point is that we should be contemplating God at all times, whether we can see Him, feel Him, or hear Him.  He made sure that through Scripture we would be able to know Him in a way that we can't possibly without His word. In addition, He allowed part of Himself into us to direct us and then He gave us stories to remind us of His power, glory and majesty.

It's easy to get caught up in our every day lives.  We all have bills to pay, responsibilities that don't end at five and of course, relationships.  All of these things take us away from the one thing we need to be thinking about, Jesus Christ and His glory, not ours.  That's hard to do on most days but it's important to teach our children and the future generations that our lives are to glorify Him, not the other way around.

This came to me in a flash as my son was invited to a very important NCAA tournament for basketball this weekend.  Just as he was accepted to go, he came home in horrific pain.  I wasn't sure he would even be able to get through practice.  As we were driving there tonight, I realized we needed to pray, not just over the knee, but also that his life would be for the glory of God and not just the chance to have college recruiters look at him.  He will have a great purpose, the purpose Jesus has for him.  But he must learn that everything that happens is for the glory of our Lord.  The world teaches that our accomplishments are ours, through hard work and perseverance.  That may be partly true, effort does equal success.  However, only Jesus can give you the talent and that talent will be used for Him.  I want my son to always have that at the forefront of his mind.  And for sure, I want all of us to remember that God is before us, with us and behind us.  He is everywhere and we are here to serve Him and glorify Him!

So, if you are looking at the world for your self-esteem, stop and think about why you are here.  You were chosen to glorify God, not yourself.  If Christ chooses to acknowledge your hard work, good for you, but we must always remember that our talents and successes come from the King!

2Corinthians 3:18 NKJV:

    But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.


I look forward to my transformation as long as it glorifies my father.  Through His Spirit I have life and that's all I need to know for today.  I hope today you find purpose and realize that God is transforming you as you meditate on Him.  He has taken us from blindness to sight and as we seek Him; His face is revealed.

My prayer today:

 Lord as we look in the mirror, I pray You would reveal Your glory.  Please give us the vision and mind to contemplate Your word so that we may contribute and see Your Glory.  Transform us into new beings and help us be strong.  Keep us in Your ways and light our path as we find you day by day.  You have given us Your Spirit and in our minds we want to imagine being at Your feet, praising You and singing Holy, Holy is our God!  Thank you for giving us our talents and providing successes in our every day lives.  Thank you for loving us and please help us love others like You love us.  We come before you women transformed, thanking their Savior and asking to see You once again.  We are humbled to be Your servants.  In Jesus name, AMEN.

Until tomorrow...




March 25, 2012

There comes a time in every one's life when they must ask the question, what is my purpose on this earth?  Do you know your purpose?  Has God given you a direction?  Or, are you waiting for an epiphany to hit you?

Confusion is not of the Lord, so if you're feeling confused today ask the Lord to capture every thought and bring His light in.  I think we just think too much.  We look for our purpose everywhere except for the place we should look for it, in Scripture.  God calls us to be His workers and yet, we look hard for our purpose in the world.

Young people everywhere are struggling with their purpose in an economy that's lacking financial stability and a job market that has not even begun to stabilize.  They don't know what direction they want to go in and they have no idea even where to begin.

The big question is, how do we steer others to their purpose if we don't know?  I think we do know.  If you're pregnant today, soon, you will have to be a good mother.  God calls us all to be good mothers.  But what about those that can't have children or those that are single, you are special because He wants you to nurture the orphans and the unloved.  He gives you time to invest in young people so that they can grow up knowing His love.  I'm sure you never think that you're special, but you are, in God's sight.  You have the time and ability to bring about His army.  You are a worker in the most vast of fields and You will be used to increase the crop.

Everywhere you look, there are people that need Christ.  In my own family, I have several that don't believe in God.  I'm sure if you look around, at your neighbors, your friends and even your co-workers, they need God, just as much as we do and yet, we don't really have the courage to cultivate that relationship.  Today, God is calling us to do more with less.  The United States and now Europe is in financial ruin.  People are crying out and are unhappy, lost and confused.  They wonder what they did and where they're going.

Let's take this opportunity to account for the love that was given.  I can understand if you don't know what direction to go in for your career but you have to know that God has a direction with your free time.  He is calling all women to stand up and be accountable to those that are younger, less fortunate and in dire need of a Savior.   We do have a purpose.  HIM!  So if your floundering today and wondering what your next move is, be intent and invest in someone.  I guarantee your career and direction will come along as you follow Christ.  I can't say it enough ladies, let's be the hands and feet of God and show the love we have inside for our fellow man.  We have a purpose, we have a Father, and we have the greatest commandment of all, love!  So if you're unsure of your destiny, look toward someone that needs Christ and you will find it.

Romans 12:9-13 NKJV:

    Let love be without hypocrisy.  Abhor what is evil.  Cling to what is good.  Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.


So, if your lost and confused, take a look at this Scripture.  It gives us a direction and purpose.  It tells us what God expects of us and how we need to serve Him.  Let's take the blinders off and pray for people to enter our lives that need Christ.  Our careers, our dreams and our families will all come about if we love our fellow man.  I know that each of us has the power to love someone today.  Take the time to look around and ask Christ to bring a confused and lost soul into your life and let's be fervent in Spirit today!




My prayer today:

How wonderful and beautiful you are!  Thank you for being a God that loves the broken.  I am so grateful that I don't have to concentrate on works or a religion, all I have to do is concentrate on my relationship with you and you do the rest.  As we grow to know you better, my prayer is that every woman would see your hand, share your love, and grow to know you.   I want every woman in the world to trust in a Savior and to love God more than they love themselves.  It's a tall order and I realize that I will be held to the mark but I want to be Your woman more than anything else.  Please guide our direction and take all confusion out of our minds.  Make us likeminded with You and always give us the strength to help others in need.  We love You Lord with everything we have.  In Jesus name AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

April 24, 2012

What is forgiveness?  I come across many people, including myself, that forget what true forgiveness really is in God's world.  Today we are told to forgive and we try, but often we fail.  I think it's easier for me to forgive someone that has wronged me than to forgive myself.  We know that the choices we make will have consequences, that's a fact.  But do we realize that once you ask the Lord for forgiveness, your sin is abolished in His sight?  Then why do we hold onto the sins of our past?  I think it's because we truly don't believe that God can love us that much so we hold onto our mistakes and make more.

The problem with holding onto our mistakes is we negate the Lord's grace.  The Lord knew that we were failing under the law.  Our forefathers tried to adhere to the ten commandments but like all humans, they failed.  God, our Father, sent Jesus to redeem us from our sins and to make us mindful of His grace.  If we truly believe in Him then we must accept His forgiveness.  Quit looking back and look ahead at the mercy He bestowed on us.  He is the best Father ever!  His intention is not for us to suffer but to live a life full of grace and mercy.

This doesn't mean that we sin at every corner.  However, we will sin and therefore, we need Him to forgive us, so that we can do a great work for Him.  Sin keeps us from God.  We feel lost, alone and insecure when we have committed a sin.  The only way out is to confess our sins to the Lord so that He may abolish them.  The next step is all ours, we must let go of our sins and move forward not just for ourselves but for the kingdom of God.  We honor Him when we confess and move forward.

Paul only looked back to reflect on His past.  He didn't use it as a means to wallow in self-pity.  He took up the cross and was grateful that God chose to save a man like Him.  We need to take up the same cross and not look back.  The consequences we can do nothing about but we can honor Him and let the past be the past.  Don't repeat the same mistakes but move forward and remember that Jesus Christ died on a cross so that you could know Him and be with Him some day.  And for me, I am completely and utterly grateful!

My sisters, if you have fallen into sin that continues to come on your mind, ask God for His peace and forgiveness.  He will provide it because unlike us, He forgives and doesn't look back.  He was our sacrificial lamb and He knows the ways of this world.  Don't let Satan tell you that your aren't worthy of His forgiveness, Christ said differently on the cross.  He died for you and me, sins and all.  So let's look forward and see what God has in store for us today.

Ephesians 1:7-10 NKJV:


    In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him.


I don't know about you but I need redemption and it came in the form of our Lord's blood.  Thank you to the king of kings and the Lord of Lord's!

My prayer today:

Lord please help us forgive ourselves.  You died on that cross so that we could have eternal life but at every corner, we are told that we aren't forgiven and that you're not near.  We know these are lies and yet, it is easier to forgive someone else, over our own sins.  Help us to accept the grace and mercy You have shown on our lives and give us the ability to see Your wisdom and prudence.  Make Your will known to us today and forgive us of our sins.  We are Your servants delighting in You.  Thank You for loving us so much and forgiving us, even though we don't deserve it.  Lift up the women around the world and help them see the power in forgiveness.  May Your kingdom come let Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven!  We want to see Your glory bestowed on this earth. Protect us and keep us as we walk with You daily.  In Jesus name AMEN

Monday, April 23, 2012

April 22, 2012

As I was watching four children, growing up, playing basketball, I realized that I have the best job in the whole world.  Although I was only blessed with two, God gave me some very special kids.  It's a joy to watch as they grow up, mature and find their way in this world.  It's even more gratifying when you know that they have accepted the Lord and they are in His hands.

Children are very precious and our roles as mothers are very important.  Not everyone reading this blog will be a mother but each woman has the ability to impact a child's life.  If God has not seen yet to give you children, or you are single, realize that you have the time and ability to invest.  Investment into a child's life is extremely important because when we invest, God can show His glory.  He loves children and even called to us and told us that we must be like children.  Children trust and love unconditionally.  They hunger for our love and there are so many children without that in today's world.

I am challenging myself as I get older to invest in girls and women.  It's important that I impart the wisdom God has blessed me with and to show His love to every one that needs it.  We are all His sheep, under one umbrella, to one day be united with Him as His bride.  I hope that when I am at His feet; I can say that I invested heavily, not in the stock market, but in the people God called me to love.  You don't have to have children to understand the blessing of watching someone grow with God.  You just have to have time and make time for those that desire a relationship.

As women we know that love is very important to our overall growth, not only as people, but with our walk with God.  If we don't feel loved, we often make foolish choices.  We are called to follow Jesus and the one way we can do that is to bring light to the children of this world.  Adoption and foster care are just two of the many avenues God gives us to show the world how much He cares.  I would ask all of you to sit down and pray.  Ask the Lord to reveal to you how you can help someone.  Ask Him to show the need in your community and then unite with other women and form a ministry.  God knows the needs, we just have to respond to Him when we are called.

Time goes by so fast.  Let's honor our Lord today and find ways to minister those in need.  He gave us each talents.  Those talents can foster great women for God.  I hope you join me on this journey and really give of yourself this month. I promise it will be worth it.

Mark 10 :13-15 NKJV:

    Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.  But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to the, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.  Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."


God calls us to serve and to realize that children are precious in His sight.  We are to come to Him as children and we are to raise up the children to Him.  If we fail at this, whole generations will be destroyed.  The only way we can succeed is to ask our Father to guide us to those He wishes us to care for.  They are His chosen and we must bring them up to know Him.

My prayer today:

Lord, I pray that every women in every nation would take Your call very seriously. That each woman would pray and ask You to bring children to them.  We ask that You would lift us up and give us wisdom in showing the children of this world love.  We know that we can't do this in our own strength, so I am asking that each of us would get Your strength and direction so that we can bring Your children to You.  You're the hand that will feed them, love them, and nurture them.  We just ask to be servants unto You.  We ask to be called and to answer the call, not tomorrow, but today.  And in all things Lord help us to show Your love.  You are the power and the might that this world desperately needs and we want to be part of the army that brings the to You.   In Jesus name I pray.  AMEN


Friday, April 20, 2012

April 20, 2012

As I watched a young man drop to his knees yesterday, I realized that God is moving in our youth harder and faster than we believe.  Colton was knocked off American Idol and the words he sang to millions of viewers was "God you're all I need, He's all I need."  If you didn't watch it, it was a profound moment for those that believe and more than likely for those that are lost.  He was number seven, coincidence, I think not.

His interview after the show was even further confirmation that this young man has conviction that few of us carry.  He said that he wanted to write music and sing to God.  He admitted that the need to get the judges approval outweighed what he knew he should have done and that in the end, it was just his need for Lord Jesus that put him on his knees.

I am awed and humbled by that kind of conviction.  It took me years to have the courage to write this blog.  And as I contemplate writing a book, I still feel a little afraid.  But a young man, full of courage, said to millions of people, I only need Jesus.  I don't know how you're feeling today but I am really thanking God for moving in our youth.  They don't have to be lost, confused and a mess.  Jesus is there for them and all they have to know is that He's bigger than any problem they might have today.  I pray that Colton goes on to be a great man of God.  I'm sure he will be famous but I want Him to be used by the Lord, like he was last night.

If God is calling you, I would ask that you would step out on faith and know that He has a greater purpose for your life.  I am not a prophet, so there is no way for me to know what He's doing in the lives of others.  However, I know that His children are being called and it's time we answer.  The disciples were asked to leave everything to follow Jesus.  The least we can do is to follow with the talents He gave us.  It's no coincidence that Colton was on American Idol this year.  God is calling His youth to be bold and bright.  They will and are lights unto the world.  He's using them and their faith to change lives.  I hope you will join me in praying that many saw the hand of God last night and that in the dark, they said yes to Jesus Christ.

I believe in the power of the cross.  I believe that God made music to calm our spirits and to praise His name.  I believe that all that call out to Jesus are saved.  But mostly, I believe that faith can move mountains and that God is in control.  Worship the Lord today and praise Him for the mighty God He is.  We need to bow down to our maker and be courageous.  He was for us!

Thank you Colton for reminding all of us that God is more important than fame and that His hand is sufficient today.  But most of all, thank you God for using a young person to show the world that You are here!  We need to know it and You revealed it last night.

Matthew 5:18-20 NKJV:

    And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.  Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."  They immediately left their nets and followed Him.


I find courage in these words.  As the brothers followed, they saw miracles beyond our imagination.  They walked and talked with God's Son, they ministered, and they suffered all for the sake of our Savior.  Many may say that God does not exist, then why did men leave their livelihoods to follow a worthless man.  The men that were called ended up dying for what they believed.  I would say that in their journey they saw a man that was truly the Son of God!  If you don't know Him, please ask Him into your heart today.  It's totally worth it.  You will never regret knowing Him or loving Him.  He is the answer, don't let anyone tell you differently.

My prayer today:

    We come before you women that are in need of a Savior.  We are raising and mentoring your next generations and we want to be women of You.  Help us guide your children to the cross.  We want them to know the light that has filled our hearts and that makes us strong.  Please forgive us of our sins and provide for us daily as we walk this journey with You.  As the Bible states, no man will no the time or hour of Your coming, but we want to prepare ourselves and the future generations for Your coming. We thank You for giving us courage when we have none and for reminding us, through Colton last night, that You are ever present.  Fame, nor money, nor recognition is sufficient for any of us.  It's only You, lighting the way for us in a darkened world.  We need You Lord every day but especially today.  We ask this in Jesus name.  AMEN

Thursday, April 19, 2012

April 19, 2012

In the last couple of days, I have been really thinking about God's ability to break the chains in our lives.  It can be as simple as putting a bathing suit on, especially if your body doesn't look like a models, to trusting God with your life's course.  I realized that although, day by day, I have gotten very close to the Lord; I still have chains.  He didn't make them of course, the world did and I fell into the trap.

I hate putting a bathing suit on.  Every year, I dread it.  It's unfortunate because I really love to swim.  I grew up near water and for me, water provides not only entertainment but peace.  And here I stand, vain and scared that someone might criticize me because I'm not a size two.  That really is messed up.  How much fun have I missed out on because I was worried about other peoples opinions of my body?  Like it really matters!  But yet, I do care and it got me thinking about the chains that we make and how only God can break us of them.

Our choices can put us in bondage but so can the way we look at ourselves.  As you get older, things just aren't the same.  Does that mean we shouldn't feel beautiful?  Absolutely not.  God loves and adores us.  We were made for His purpose and we are beautiful to Him.  Isn't that all that should matter to us?  Yet, we walk around judging ourselves and our appearance through the world's eyes.  What a shame!

So with this in mind, I broke one of my chains.  I put on a bathing suit and went to the hotel pool.  I swam laps and enjoyed myself immensely.  It was refreshing, invigorating and absolutely wonderful exercise.  It's time for me to trust that I am sufficient in God's eyes.  It seems simple but if you think about it, we hold ourselves captive because we try to be like others.  God made each of us unique and therefore, when we do that, we don't honor Him.  He is honored when we look in the mirror and say, "I am treasured and wonderfully made by my Father."

Did you wake up this morning thinking anything less?  I encourage you to go to the mirror and break the bonds of vanity.  Ask the Lord to come into you and speak the truth.  You are wonderfully made and He loves you exactly as you are.  Remember that it's Satan's way to lie to us. You can choose to listen to him and lose out on the blessing God has for your life or you can choose to let Jesus in.  I am so glad I did this week.  I am praying that you will make the same choice.

Psalm 139:13-14 NKJV:


For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother's womb.  I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 
Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.


His works are perfect and ladies we are one of His wonders.  I encourage you to look inside and see what chains you've been hauling around for awhile.  Give them to Your maker because He want You to be free.

My prayer today:

Lord, unleash us from the bonds of this world and provide Your eyes.  Help us to be with You in our mind and fill us with the light.  Give us the ability to see that Your works are perfect and the world is just full of sin and lies.  Help us to help others as they struggle with the lies heaped on us by the world and ourselves.  We ask for forgiveness today.  We were made by the only creator.  He is right in everything.  Thank you Lord for Your love!  AMEN

Until tomorrow...

 

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

April 17, 2012

As I was driving through the fields of Kansas, I realized how incredibly beautiful everything looked.  The rain has come into some parts of Kansas and for the first time in many months, it looks green.  Last year we were in a drout.  The land looked barren and dead.  I wondered often if God would bring rain to this land.  Like Atlanta, Texas, and other states, we were running low on water.  In the same timeframe, places like Tennessee were hoping it would stop. 

There are so many dynamics to this vast land.  There is always beauty but the weather patterns can and do control how lush the land becomes.  If we relate those terms to our walk with God, I think we can draw a comparison.  As long as everything in our world is green, we don't need God as much.  But the minute our world's turn barren, we need Him right then, and sometimes, we don't get what we want.  Of course He is with us, that is never in question, however, we may not get our prayer's answered, our situation may not change, or it may take a long time for it to change.  What do we do then?  Like the land that needs water, we wait patiently on the Lord.

Like you, I have struggled with waiting patiently on the Lord.  After my mom died, I made a promise to my son that I would find a job with less travel.  What was supposed to be a venture with a few overnights, became a road warrior, road weary job and I was gone most of the week, every week.  My mother died in December of 2009 and God chose not to provide a job until April 11, 2011.  I could have given up.  But, I chose to believe that God would provide.  There were days that I doubted but my journal is full of prayers asking God to provide the right opportunity at the right time.

My desire was to be with my husband and children and yet, I needed the paycheck.  I applied to over 127 opportunities that year.  I had my resume professionally done and went about on the greatest job search I have ever partaken in.  Most of the time, the doors never opened.  My prayer, you see, was that God would slam any door that wasn't the direction He wanted me to go in.  And like many prayers, He answered it in a resounding way. 

The point I am trying to make is that God will answer our prayers in His time, not ours.  We have to show some self-control and trust.  I realize that situations can be dire and I know that it's hard to hang on when you are at the last of your strength.  But, in those moments, go to Christ and ask Him for His strength.  He will provide it to you.  And, then, read and pray.  I have no idea how long your sitation will go on before He answers you but it's my belief that He will answer and if your prayer is in His will; it will be fulfilled.

During those many months of my job search, I read a lot and prayed.  There came a very critical time, when God asked me to relinquish my will.  I did and I found the opportunty I now have.  The funny thing is that for one year, I didn't travel farther than 10 miles from my house.  Now, I am on the road again but for only a few overnights a month.  God knew what I needed and where He wanted to put me better than I did and I am so grateful that I waited, prayed and asked God to fulfill His will for my career.  See, in all things, I must come to a place that I am content with God no matter where He puts me.

Psalms 40: 1-9 The Gideons Bible

     I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined to me, and heard my cry.  He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps.  He has put a new song in my mouth--praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord.  Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.  Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.  Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; my ears You have opened, burnt offering and sin offering You did not require.  The I said, "Behold, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me.  I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart."  I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness in the great assembly; indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O lord, You Yourself know.

I pray that you 're standing on green grass but if you are more on barren land, please read this Psalm and pray it.  Like the Israelites of old, we have a God that can lead us through the desert; we just have to trust that He will.  There will never be a time in our lives that we won't need God.  However, there are times when we must trust Him when we can't see past tomorrow.  In our hearts, we must believe that our God never leaves us or forsakes us but He does decide when and where He will answer our prayers.  I hope today gives you insight into the great and wonderful God we share and no matter where you live, I hope Christ provides you an answer.

My prayer today:

Lord, we come before you and thank you for the times in our lives where our paths are green.  We also thank you for the barren wasteland because in both, we can see Your hand.  We want to be women that seek You daily and learn to wait patiently on You in every situation.  Provide us Scripture so that we can be like David, following You all our days and guide us to women that can lift us up in prayer.  We band together for all the women that feel like they have nowhere to go.  Please take the fear and worry out of their situations and replace them with peace and patience.  You tell us to wait patiently on You.  We can't do that in our own strength, but You can provide everything we need to endure the long journey.  We come before You women that want to be strong in our faith.  Lead us daily to Your cross and remind us that any hardship we endure is for Your glory.  AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Monday, April 16, 2012

April 16, 2012

To my faithful readers, I will be on the road for my job this week.  I will try to post at least one or two in the next couple of days.  For sure, I will return.  Have a beautiful week and always remember God is near!

Sunday, April 15, 2012

April 15, 2012

The storms have passed and the scenery is calm.  I am always stunned by the events that occur during a major storm, but never as surprised at my reaction, as I was yesterday.  I began the day writing about my fear and realizing that only God could calm my fears.  Peace comes from within and it's important for all of us to know it and ask Christ for it, especially, when we aren't peaceful.

I don't think I have ever been as diligent in surrendering as I was through the violent storms, yesterday, in the Midwest.  Finding an avenue for my fear and trusting in the Lord was all I could do.  And with it, I found God.  I love when my will, my doubts, my fears, run right into our Savior because then, I know that I am just a fleck in the Universe and He is king!

Maybe you struggle with other fears, I totally understand.  But fear isn't from the Lord, it's strictly from Satan.  Christ has given us the Holy Spirit, which means we have peace within and a counselor to direct us.  Trust and peace are one.  Whether we realize it or not, when we trust someone, we have peace.  Simple really, and yet, we all struggle with trusting God.  I have heard women say that they trust Him implicitly and then a test comes, and they have fear and worry.  So how do we trust more, so that we can experience peace? We must go to the only one that provides it, Jesus Christ.

I am so grateful that we have a Savior that loves us and that wants us to be in relationship with Him.  I can't imagine what it's like to go through anything without Him, and I'm glad I don't have to.  Life is a journey, with many different layers, each layer portrays our walk with God.  The journey is short, so if you don't know Jesus, come before Him today and ask Him to be your Savior.  He is waiting to calm your storm, feed your soul and provide peace.  He is ever present in a world full of hatred, greed, materialism, power, loss, and selfishness.  The keys to the world hold nothing, if you want the keys to paradise, you must seek the Lord Jesus Christ with all your heart, your mind and your soul.  It's worth it.  God is good, righteous and loving.  If you don't know Him, get to know Him.  Even Christian women struggle with really knowing Him.  He desires to be in relationship with us today and every day.  Don't wait!

Philippians 4:8-9  NKJV:

     Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.  The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.


John 3:16 NKJV:

    For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.


We don't deserve this kind of love, and yet, it was given.  We can't buy it, sell it, or covet it, because it is our Father's will to give.  In the end, He desires for us to come to Him and to meditate on His goodness.  We are sinners loved by a God of mercy.  His life was given, so that we could spend eternity in paradise.  Relinquish your fears my sisters and let Christ come into you, fully, so that you may trust His word!

My prayer today:

Oh Lord, You are the lover of our souls.  We come before you, women that need a Savior.  We ask that You would guide us in Your mercy and show us peace.  We pray for all women, in every nation, that they would believe that You exist and that You are the way, the truth and the light.  We bow down before you a sinful people and ask for You to come into our lives.  Bring us up to be women that love and trust in You all our days.  Guide us by Your Holy Spirit and help us have faith that in every situation You are in control.  We love You and thank you for the time we get to spend with You. AMEN

Until tomorrow...




Saturday, April 14, 2012

April 14, 2012

So as I told you a few days ago, I was going to have to surrender my fears unto the Lord.  Today, the Midwest is expecting some very turbulent weather.  A severe storm alert was issued 24 hours before it was to occur.  This means that we definitely are in tornado alley.  What does that mean for me?  It means that I have repented at least sixty times since Wednesday.  And today, I find that I am at peace.

As women, we are always ten steps ahead of where we need to be.  If you're single and have recently lost your job, you are scared that God may not provide one.  If you're married, and things aren't exactly as you like,  you worry that divorce is on the horizon.  If your child is a teenager, you worry and if they are an infant, you worry about how they will be as teenagers.

We are always worrying about the future and yet, is there anything we can really do about it?  I can't remember the last time I controlled anything in my life.  Life has a way of creeping up on us and changing like the wind.  As a matter of fact, the winds will go from 10 miles to possibly 60 miles today.  Do I have control?  Absolutely not.  All I can do is look out the window and wonder how those winds will affect the upcoming storms. Or like Jesus, I can sit and wait.

I have no idea what will happen today, where the tornadoes will go, or how they will effect lives.  I have the opportunity to stand in the gap and pray that people will be safe but I am not God and I really don't know what He has planned for today's entertainment.  As I stated before, I never worry about my possessions; I worry about people.  So, as I write this, I am standing on the principles God has taught me over the last 80 days.  I will stand, looking at Him, and asking Him to be with me.

We are like the disciples in the boat, during great storms.  We worry, we fear, and then we worry some more.  I don't care how long you've been a Christian, women worry and yet, we are told to give up that worry and trust in Christ.  So today, as I prepare for the storm, and ladies I think it's perfectly okay to prepare, I will rely on God for my strength, my courage, and my life.  But most of all, I am going to praise Him and ask that whatever occurs today, glorifies Him and that we would be ready.

Maybe like me, you live somewhere where you worry about the weather.  We have had massive earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, fires and more, throughout the world.  I'm praying wherever you live, that we will all be on a journey of trust.  Not in ourselves, but in Christ.  The weather patterns are strange and they continue to be more violent, but whether we are near the sea or flat on land, Christ remains in control.  Maybe that's why I love to hear the birds during the rain, or watch as the trees sway to the symphony of the wind.    All of it was created by our Father and in it there is beauty.

So if you live in the Midwest today, know that I am praying for lives to be saved and women to trust in the Lord with all their hearts.  I want us all to unite, not just in America but in the world.  We must have one voice and we must trust our Lord!

So with that, I am going to meditate on the great storm, where Jesus lay asleep.  He was not worried of the outcome.  His disciples were, but He rested in His Father and that's what I will do today.  Please be safe wherever you are, heed the warnings from the weather men and listen and watch as God moves through the United States today.  I pray that many people will witness His power, His majesty, His peace and most of all, His grace!

Mark 4:35-41 NKJV:

    On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side."  Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was.  And other little boats were also with Him.  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.  And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"  Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea,"Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.  But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful?  How is it that you have no faith?"  And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him."


As long as I live, I will fight fear because it's part of my nature.  But like many of you, I want to conquer that fear and trust that the Lord will be with me.  And that, I don't have to worry because He will calm my fears.  I'm so grateful to be one with Him, especially during times of great distress.  It comforts me to know that He is resting, while the highs and lows of this weather pattern are heating up.  It also comforts me that in every situation; He has the power to stop it!  I don't know what will happen today but my goal is to rest in Jesus and let Him do the rest.  May the power of God be with us all today and may we really trust that He is in every situation, waiting patiently to still our storm.  Be safe today ladies and know that I'm praying!

My prayer today:

With every fiber of my being, I am asking You to come into the hearts of women and still their storms.  Give them the ability to sit in that boat and be at peace.  You have the power and majesty to calm the sea and we want to have the faith to believe that in every situation; You are near.  For today, and every day, help us to remember Your unlimited power.  For if we remember we can share the Gospel with the intensity of knowing that You are the ultimate power!  Grant us the ability to rest in You and trust that whatever challenges we face; we are faithful to our Savior.  May Your will be done and may we rest in Your perfect peace!  AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Friday, April 13, 2012

April 13, 2012

Well, yesterday, I started out the day writing my blog and promising to surrender to the kingdom of God.   And of course, I was tested.  I woke up in the morning and my son was sick.  I left for work in plenty of time to get to my first office and for some reason, I thought I took the wrong turn and was 20 minutes late to my appointment.  As I approached the office, I lost the magnetic clip to my name badge along with my gas card, and if that wasn't enough, poured gas all over my foot.

There was a point when I wanted to throw my hands up and surrender.  So you know what I did, I took a moment to laugh with God.  I have always been aware that God has a sense of humor but honestly, today, I experienced pure and utter humiliation, with humor.  I hate being late and I don't like to make mistakes or look foolish.  Both of which I accomplished today.  And yet, I'm completely at peace.  Why? Because I surrendered everything to Him and went on with my day.

God doesn't call us to be perfect.  He calls us to obedience.  In all the chaos today, I found myself remembering Matthew 6:33 from the morning.  Obviously, it was there for a reason.  Seek first His kingdom.  Oh, did I need it yesterday.  So what is the lesson in my chaotic little day, it's to rely on Christ for all things big and small.  And when everything seems to be in chaos, stop and remember that Christ is in control, not me.  I could have thrown my arms up and said, "I give up."  But instead, I chose to go to my Savior.  I made it in time to see my customers.  Then, I called and notified the office that I lost my gas card.  I will find a new magnetic piece for my name badge and my shoes will be washed before I leave.  All in all, a productive day, I think.

If we build our lives on the events that occur, we will never have peace.  Peace can be rocked in a moment.  You can wake up and be happy, forward three hours ahead and you're a jumble of nerves and life has gone in fifty different directions.    So the question I asked myself today is, am I in control of my life or is God?

Obviously, God.  It seems obvious as long as everything is going right.  It's always easy for us to remember who's in control, when everything is in control.  But as we all know, life changes from moment to moment and rarely do we have control.  The goal for our lives is to seek Him always, no matter how large the tribulation and if perhaps, you have had a great day, thank Him in all things.  I didn't lose anyone yesterday and if you look at it realistically, it was a bunch of small stuff adding up to a lot.  But in the end, I laughed and realized that God was in control and I was humbled.  I would rather be in that position, with God, than without Him!


Romans 5:1-5 NKJV:

     Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.  Now hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has given it to us.

By grace I live, by hope, I have a future.  I pray that all of us today look for Christ in the small stuff of our lives and praise Him for His greatness!  Be affirmed that Christ is with You and that He knows all things. And if you should have a day like I did yesterday, laugh with God.  We all need to laugh because joy helps us persevere!

My prayer today:

Lord, we come before you, women in different nations and on different time zones.  We ask that You would be ever present in our lives and in all our circumstances.  We ask that when we are being tested, that You would help us respond in faith, character and hope.  We need You today in every detail and in every fabric of who we are and where we live.  Help to protect the innocent and watch over all the nations, as we pray.  We come before You, women with servant hearts.  Hear our cries, OH LORD!  Be with us today as we go out into the world and help us always to seek You first.  We love You so much and are honored to be one with You.  AMEN

Until tomorrow....

Thursday, April 12, 2012

April 12, 2012

What does it mean to be intentional with Jesus Christ?  We can choose to be intentional in everything we do but I am talking about being intentional in the only thing that matters.  Christ was specific about how to lead an intentional life.  He walked it all the way to the cross.  Did He waver?  Well, just like us, He was tempted but because He was one with God, there was victory.

I am sure that you have heard the phrase, live your life intentionally.  There is a radio ministry on living intentionally that I just heard the other day.  We have the book by Rick Warren, "A Purpose Driven Life."  And then if you're really seeking, you can open up the Bible.  It's full of people trying to be intentional.

As I listened to the radio program, I had an epiphany.  It really came from me thinking about what it means to be intentional and seeking God's guidance.  The definition is, done with intention or on purpose.  So, if we are to lead an intentional life, we must choose to do so.  Interesting!  And yet, we must also understand what it means.  I'm not just talking about the definition; I'm talking about the application. Now, I'm not a Biblical scholar but didn't Jesus say, "seek first the kingdom."  So, if that's the case, do we need to make intentional decisions or should we go before Him, seeking His will?  


I believe that if we seek first His kingdom, which is in His will, everything else will unfold exactly as it's supposed.  How do we do that?  We read the Bible and we pray.  There's a reason why Christ gave His disciples the Lord's prayer and there's a reason we pray it.  So if you're struggling with how to be intentional, spend time with our Lord.  He will direct you on your path.  He will show you the way and in the end; you will know that you've been intentional.  If you're making decisions on your own or willing yourself to live intentionally, all will be lost without Jesus.


How do I know?  Because I try to seek the kingdom at all times.  Of course, I fall short, as we all do, but my desire is to seek His will and as I do that intentionally; He guides me on the right path.  I don't have all the answers and either do millions of authors, but for those of us that understand the power of the cross, we have the only one that matters.


Matthew 6:33-34 NKJV:


    But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.


Jesus spoke these words and if we think about them and meditate on them, there is our definition of intentional living!  I pray that you all will look upon these words and see Christ's hands on your lives.  We must choose Him first and He will lead us.  


My prayer today:


Lord continue to reveal to us your intention for our lives.  Give us a heart to seek Your kingdom and Your righteousness daily.  When we worry, may we surrender our thoughts and fears to You and in all things may we give them to You.  In Matthew, You tell us that we must first seek Your kingdom, so today we come before asking You to help us as we seek.  Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  We want to be intentional, but to do that, we must have time to come before You.  Provide the time and sense of mind to become one with You daily.  We thank you for Your words of wisdom, without them we would truly be lost.  AMEN


Until tomorrow...

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

April 11, 2012

The weather is heating up in the midwest.  Indonesia just had an 8.5 earthquake.  Egypt may be electing a president that hates Israel and well, is there anything good to talk about?  Of course there is, where do we get our strength from?  If we believe that Jesus came and rose again, we must believe that every event and in every situation, He is near.  Satan may rule the world, but God rules the Kingdom!  Even then, remember Jesus can step on the snake and in the end, He will destroy it!

Every year, around tornado season, I get terrified.  Not just a little worried, or fearful, but I'm talking truly terrified.  I am the first one in the basement if the weather gets bad and I am the last to leave.  I am a New Yorker at heart and therefore, no matter how long I live in Kansas, tornadoes continue to scare me.  Now, I realize that this isn't God talking and I have to repent every day during this season.  My immediate question to my husband is, will we have a tornado?  He just laughs and I know deep down he would rather be chasing them than calming a hysterical female.  

I stand firm on there's nothing to laugh at.  I am not worried about my possessions, although, when I was young that did factor in.  But now, it's more loss of life that worries me.  I want to protect my husband and children and yet, do I have the power to do that?  Doubtful.  God is the only one that can protect us from nature or any other challenge life throws at us.  He's the maker of the Universe and the sole controller of our lives.  So, this season, I am going to pray and surrender to Christ.  I can't stop the events but I can pray.

It's important that I conquer this fear because fear paralyzes.  I want to be free to experience every event in my life and if God chooses to take my house; I want to be okay with it.  I will always pray for the protection of my family and with my prayers, release them to Christ.  They are His, not mine, but it's easy to forget that, when you've spent most of your life protecting them.

Take heart, if you are dealing with some fear in your life, Christ can give you peace.  It's not shameful to admit your fear; it's shameful to keep it.  Fear and worry are part of a woman's makeup. However, like all sin, we can change that by asking Christ in and repenting!  So this season, as hard as it will be for me, I am going to surrender my fear and worry to the Lord.  I know it will happen a thousand times before tornado season is over, but in the end, I will have victory.

Isaiah 35:4 NKJV:

     Say to those who are fearful-hearted, "Be strong, do not fear!  Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you."

Psalm 27:3 NKJV:

     Though an army may encamp against me, 
     My heart shall not fear;
     Though war may rise against me,
     In this I will be confident.


We don't have to fear; we choose to fear.  We must fear God but everything else is on us.  I hope today you're able to release your fear!

My prayer today:

Oh Lord, I so hope to release my fear to You.  I sing Your praises morning and night and still I walk with fear.  Help me to choose You and to repent.  Protect me and convict me so that I can be free.  I long to live a fear-free life.  I release all my doubts and fears to You today.  May You be glorified in my repentance.  Thank you for being our Father and for showing us that You will save us!  Continue to make us confident in You as we walk to be obedient in Your word.  AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

April 10, 2012

For every story, there is a Savior.  On every road there leads a path and for every hour there is a purpose.  Do you ever doubt if your Savior really existed?  Perhaps when the path is long and the hour grows short, you question whether He is with You.  I have watched many people be put to the test.  And I can tell you from experience, the longer the road, the harder it is to trust in Jesus.

All of us, if we are Christians, believe that Jesus died on a cross and rose again.  But when circumstances come into play, and the solution seems far away, do we trust?  I'm not trying to make you feel guilty; I just want us all to look at our motives and the motives of our Savior.  How do we gain greater faith if our journey doesn't encounter hardship?  I don't think it's possible.  Paul had great faith and yet, his faith got stronger when His path narrowed.  You're probably asking me what I mean by that.  Well, Paul was made blind, and then our Savior sent someone to release him from his blindness.  And later on, he was in jail, and an angel was sent to let him go for a time, only to die in prison.

Was he being punished for his crimes against the Christians?  Anyone else looking at it would probably answer yes, but we must look at God's motives in all things.  Do we pay consequences for our actions, absolutely.  However, I think if we look further into God's motives, we will see that his path was being narrowed so that all Christians would understand how he came to great faith.  It doesn't happen over night.  Faith comes from trials and the need for Jesus.  The more that we need Him and recognize Him in our daily lives, the stronger our faith becomes.  Job needed God but he really needed him after everyone, including his wife deserted him.  Where else was he to go?  Some might have turned from God, not getting the answers they wanted quickly.  While, others, through their experiences, would move toward Christ because that's what they've been trained to do.

We are in training.  Anyone that doesn't understand it, better take a second look.  We are growing and being molded into God's image.  It is no different than Kevin Durant throwing 100 baskets or more before a game.  How do the great become great?  They practice.  That practice builds confidence and skill.  Once those two come together, something amazing happens.  Paul, David, Peter and John all walked with God in their own way.  Some closer than others, but they trained, wrote, prayed and worshiped their God.  Like all human beings they made mistakes.  But in those mistakes, they saw the hand of God.

If you have made mistakes in your life, I am sure you've paid a price.  That price might be shame, sadness, a lack of self-esteem or worse.  I don't know your situation but I do know that God uses our mistakes to get us to understand the power in His love.  We are not robots and He didn't make us that way.  Each of us will face challenges.  We just need to remember that although there will be consequences; Christ is growing us to be His.  At the end of the day, most of us are unloveable, but Christ loves us and wants us in His training program!  Are you ready to practice and be part of the greatest team ever?  I am and I want us all to be.  The only way we can reconcile ourselves to grace, is to study the word, surround ourselves with women that believe, and pray to encounter Christ.  Our training starts by reading, our skill level becomes greater when we pray and both of these together lead to a great relationship with our Savior!  If you're doubting my words, take time to ask Christ to reveal Himself and then sit still so He can.  Just saying, "I want to be like Esther, Ruth, Mary or Mary Magdalene won't get us to the promise land." We can't be like them.  Jesus wants us to be the women he created.  So let's take the time to train and be part of the great victory in Jesus Christ!

Habakkuk 3: 17-19 NKJV:


     Though the fig tree may not blossom, 
     Nor fruit be on the vines;
     Though the labor of the olive may fail,
     And the fields yield no food;
     Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
     And there be no herd in the stalls--
     Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
     I will joy in the God of my salvation.
    
     The Lord God is my strength;
     He will make my feet like deer's feet,
     And He will make me walk on my high hills.

Hebrews 11:1-3 NKJV:

     Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.  By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.


My prayer today:

May the Lord of light shed upon us the importance of faith, so that we might understand our trials and become diligent followers all our days.  Lead us on the path of righteousness and guide us through the toils of life.  Help us to be good students and to pray for those things that will help us on our paths.  Be there for us in the quiet and build our faith as You see fit.  We cherish Your guidance and Your will.  Our goal is to forever be on Your team.  Give us time daily to be in Your presence and provide patience as we face life's challenges.  We seek You first in all things and ask You to guide us to Your kingdom.  AMEN

Until tomorrow...


Sunday, April 8, 2012

April 8, 2012

The King has Risen!  Glory to God in the Highest.  Do you think anyone of the woman was shouting that as they discovered Jesus was not in the tomb?  Of course not, they were in shock.  As they walked to prepare the body, their grief was massive.  Their Savior and son were gone and all that was left was a body to prepare for burial.  And what should they find in their sorrow and grief, but a cave and a stone pushed aside.  Jesus was gone!

Can you imagine all the feelings that took place in that moment and then the angels?  Hmm.   A little overwhelming even for Jesus's time.  Remember, they had watched Him heal the sick, rid demons from people and make them flee into pigs and don't forget Lazarus coming back to life. All miracles and yet, this had to be the strangest of all.  For He foretold of this time. And as the writers say, it's History!

Let's not forget on this road of life, that Jesus Christ died and rose again for us!  We are His children chosen to walk beside Him.  We need to carry His wounds with us so that we never forget how much we are loved.  If you think Christ has left you, read the resurrection story.   He hasn't left you; you probably left Him.

Luke 24 1-12 NKJV:


     Now on the first day of the week very early in the morning, they and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.  But they found the stone rolled away form the tomb.  Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.  Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?  He is not here, but is risen!  Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'" 
      And they remembered His words.  Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.  It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles.  And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.  But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.
   
A promise fulfilled and with that promise we have a Savior.  A man willing to die so that we might live!  If you don't know Jesus, please ask Him into your heart today.  He is waiting for you.  And if you do know Him, take the time to look over the resurrection story.  We are not alone.  We have a Savior that was put on a cross for us.  He didn't promise this world would be easy, just look at His journey.  But what He promised is that He would come again.  May God find glory in all of us today!

Have a beautiful Easter today my sisters.  Remember, the joy of knowing Him is experiencing Him.

My prayer today:

Lord, my prayer today is that every woman in every nation would be able to see you today.  I pray for the lost and the broken, that they would be like Peter and be amazed that you died and rose again.  I pray for Your chosen, that we would remember the price You paid for our eternal life.  We worship You today and thank You for the sacrifice You made for all of us.  May nations bow down to You and may all Your followers be faithful.  We ask You to bless this day and for many to come to know You.  You are the King of our lives and the lover of our souls.  May You bring peace to the weary and strength to the weak.  We love You so much and are so grateful that You died for us!  AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Saturday, April 7, 2012

April 7, 2012

Was today the beginning or the end?  Can you imagine walking to your son's tomb to bury him?  Each step had to be more painful than the next.  Was Mary prepared?  She knew that He was God's son. Was she angry, hurt, or mad?  The Bible doesn't tell us how she felt, it simply provides her actions.  She was a faithful woman.  She followed His body and would stay to prepare it.  She loved Her son and in that moment, did she really believe He would rise again?

I have so many questions of what those three days represented to her.  As a mother, you love your children more than you love yourself.  At least the good ones do.  But, she walked with her son and knew that He was God's child, so was she prepared to accept everything that came with carrying our Father's child.  She was the chosen woman.  And yet, it was Mary that had to watch as they beat, stabbed, and nailed her son to the cross.

I want us to really try to relive those last moments.  The moments that Mary and Mary Magdalene prepared Jesus for eternity.  His faithful followers, standing by His side, loving Him in death.  They weren't afraid of the consequences.  They are amazing because they continued to be obedient until the end.  The other important fact to note is that many of the disciples mothers, along with many women came.  The men scattered in fear and the women came to lay their Savior and son to rest.  I am honored to be part of a generation of woman that were completely faithful to our Savior.  We have the ability to be like them.  Obviously, most of us will not be going into other countries, but there are women all over the world that can confess that Jesus has risen!  I encourage every woman, in every nation, to pray for God's direction in your life.  And if He calls, follow.  We may have to stay in our country, or in our home, but we can do Christ's work anywhere.  Praying for people is as powerful as evangelism.  So if you are stuck close to home, pray.  If your home bound, pray for your children and show them the hand of God.  If you live in a country where women are sequestered, pray and be there for one another.  This life is a test of faithfulness.  How are you going to follow?  And for all women everywhere, I am praying for the power of Jesus Christ to be breathed into each and every one of your lives.  You are His children.  Take the next couple of days and ask Jesus into your lives.  Not just on Sunday, but every day!

Luke 23: 56 NKJV:

    Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils.  And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

They prepared and rested!  They were obedient and when they did go to prepare the body, He was gone. We know that life gets us down and we become weary.  Prepare and rest!  They rested in God!  And soon the miracle of eternal life would be revealed.  If you find yourself in a place of unrest, prepare by reading your Bible, take time out to pray and then rest in the Lord.  There is a time of work and a time of rest.  Even our Father rested! Please read the last couple of days post carefully.  Meditate on the grace and love our Father has for us.  Also, take time to walk with the women of Christ.  Their faithfulness is a lamp unto our feet!

My prayer today:

Oh Lord, You are mighty.  We are amazed and grateful for the sacrifice You gave so many years ago.  We want to be like the women that were faithful to You.  Please allow us to walk with You all our days and light our paths so that we can be obedient to You.  We wish to be in Your full presence this season and to remember the gift You gave!  We are so blessed to have a Savior that will spread the Gospel from Sea to shining Sea.  May the women of the world, pray in harmony, and confess that Jesus is the light of the world.  We want to be women of You.  Please help us and make us women that are faithful and obedient.  We are praying for every woman, in every nation, Lord.  You are the miracle of life and death.  Come into us now!  HOLY HOLY IS THE LAMB! AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Friday, April 6, 2012

April 6, 2012

Imagine you were on the mountain where Jesus was and saw Him on the cross.  What would you have done that fateful day?  Would you have been like Mary weeping near Him, or like Peter and the other disciples hiding in the massive crowd, paralyzed and hopeless?  Or, would you be willing to stand up and say, He is my King!

I often wonder if faced with my faith or death, which would I choose.  It doesn't comfort me to think that I would even contemplate what I would do, but until we face that moment, none of us know how we will react.  Peter never thought he would deny Christ and I am sure that the Pharisees never thought they would convict an innocent man, and yet, it happened.

During the days of Jesus, women were more like second class citizens.  There are countries today that still believe women are below men.  But no matter how you look at it, women were at the feet of the cross.  They were His faithful and loving disciples and they, with no power, never left his side.  Why?  For one was His mother, Mary and like all of you who are mothers know, a good mother stays with their child until the end.  The other, Mary Magdalene, a women He saved from her sins, who followed Him all His days.

Two women, wishing they could change the course of History and yet, they stood firm, never wavering!  I want to be a woman like that. I want to be able to stand in a crowd and confess that I have a Savior and He is the only way to Heaven.  I want to believe that my faith will be strong enough if Christ ever puts me in that situation and I hope that if I am ever faced with death over Christ, that I will choose Christ.  My desire is to be that faithful and to believe that this life is for a moment.

So, how do we prepare to be that kind of servant?  Obviously the disciples had the best training of all, they walked with Him.  Scripture shows that they loved Him and believed Him and yet, put to the test, they failed.  How do we prepare for our time in History?  Are we any different than Peter, Paul, Mary, David or any of the men and women that loved God?  No, we are the same.  Therefore, we must remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  He died for us and we have to ask every day to be strong in Him, so that we can confess our faith, when He calls.  We can't keep running!  We must stand up and confess with our mouths what we believe and who we believe in!  We believe that Jesus Christ is the Lord and that through Him we have peace, understanding, and eternal life.  There are no other answers to the equation.

We can't keep looking in the corners of the globe to find our answers.  We can't diagnose tomorrow by looking at the sun and the stars.  We can only have a full and wonderful life with the knowledge that one day, we will be on our knees in front of Jesus!  On that day, I know there will be things I am accountable for but the one thing I want to be able to say--is that I loved Him and tried to follow Him all my days.

The only way we can get to that point is to tell a friend, tell a stranger or tell someone you love, that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the light.  Don't let His death on the cross be for naught.  We must stand up and realize that this life is not our own, but His!

I have not been put to the test to choose my faith over death and I thank God for that.   I do know that I want to be in full relationship with my Lord and because of that; I am asking Him to prepare me to be one of His faithful servants.  I want to be in awe daily of the sacrifice He made for me.  With that, I want us all to remember what He did for us on that mountain.  We are in His season.  Let's not forget how tremendously He loved us!

Luke 23: 50-55 NKJV:

     Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man.  He had not consented to their decision and deed.  He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then he took it down and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.  That day was the Preparation , and the Sabbath drew near.  


     And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body laid.

The women followed to prepare the body of our Savior.  A good man asked for the body of Jesus and they all put Him in His tomb.  The rest ladies is History.  Take a moment today to honor our Father for the love and the sacrifice He gave to us.  There are many going through fires right now.  Your country may be at war, someone you love may be gone, but we must remember that Jesus came and died for us and someday, He will rise again!

My prayer today:

Lord we bow down before You, confessing that we believe that You are the only way to salvation.  We come before You knowing that You died on a cross, not for Yourself, but for all of us.  We proclaim that we are a sinful people that definitely need a Savior.  We ask that You would help us in our daily lives and mold us to be the servants You need for Your kingdom.  We want to be woman like Mary, that never left Your side.  We are humbled by Your life and the life You gave, so that we would have the freedom to be with You all our days.  I come before You and ask that all nations would be able to hear the Gospel and that women everywhere would one day be able to proclaim, You are King!  Help us all to reach the masses and give us the strength, daily, to confess that You are the only way to salvation.  You are the King of the people and the Lord over life!  Give all women across the globe the courage to know You!  We desire You in our life and in the lives of our husbands and children.  We love You and thank you for this beautiful season.  May the Lord of light shine down on all His people this Easter!  AMEN

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

April 5, 2012

Why should we pray?  Have you asked yourself that question lately?  Prayer is an essential part to having a relationship with Christ.  An interesting fact is that most of those that don't know Christ believe that we just go to church and it ends there.  Sad but true.  Are we going to be like the Pharisees that ran around spouting how much they knew, or are we going to go before the Lord and pray without ceasing?  That's a question each one of us should ask ourselves.  Or, maybe we should contemplate what kind of relationship we want with Jesus.

Often the reason people fall away from Christ or don't come to Him at all, stems from the fact that praying got them nowhere.  Well, I haven't found any Scripture that says, we will get what we want from God every time we pray.  I have read Scripture that states to pray without ceasing, come before the Lord with your petitions, and repent and ask God to do His will.  These are all Scriptural facts.  And from my own experience, when I have prayed, I try to always pray for His will.  Why?  Because I have found that I desire His will more than my own desires.  I can't see the future and either can you but our Father can.  Why do you think Jesus told the disciples how to pray.  The Lord's prayer came out of them asking Him, how should we pray?

I would encourage you to rely on the fact that Jesus did come, that He died on a cross and that He rose again.  He hears our prayers but will answer them according to His divine will, not ours.  That doesn't mean we quit praying about our lives or lives of others.  You never know when a prayer will be answered and for the most part, I think He answers all our prayers, maybe just not according to our will.

In the days before His death and throughout His life, Jesus went to His Father in prayer.  Prayer is how he continued and grew His relationship with His Father.  It's God's desire for us to be in relationship with Him.  If He did not desire this, there wouldn't have been any need for Jesus to die on that cross.  Nor, would He have cared how we prayed.  Prayer is our direct link to the Father.  If you have ever known someone that is a prayer warrior, you might have thought, man they have a direct line.  We all have a direct line and we need to let the lost and anyone doubting that, know that Jesus desires us all to come before Him!  He excludes no one and invites everyone.

So if you are someone struggling with how to pray, repent and ask Jesus back into your heart.  If you don't know how to pray or are struggling with the words, go to the Lord's prayer for help.  The prayer is simple but it says so much.  God knows our hearts and already understands our needs.  All He wants us to do is come to Him and be in relationship with Him.  He could have chosen not to give out free will but because He desires us to desire Him, we have it!

Please take your "free will" and bow down to our Risen Savior!  I know from experience that being in His presence is wonderful.  There is power in Him and there is peace.  Where do we find peace on earth? Only through our Lord!  If you seek Him, you will find Him.  He calls us to look for Him and prayer helps us understand Him and the love He has for us.

If you know someone contemplating Christ or you are seeking yourself, all you have to do is ask Him into your life. It's as simple as that.  He wants you to be part of His family.  Don't let unanswered prayers keep you from knowing His love.  He came for you!  Get down on your knees and ask Him today!

There is no shame in asking; there is just great reward.  We have all come to that place where we are at the end of ourselves and guess what, our Savior is waiting!  May the Lord of light come down and guide you to Him.  Not because He needs you too but because You need Him!

Luke 11: 2-4 NKJV:

So He said to them, "When you pray, say:


     Our Father in heaven,
     Hallowed be Your name.
     Your kingdom come.
     Your will be done
      On earth as it is in heaven.
     Give us day by day our daily bread.
     And forgive us our sins,
     For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
     And do not lead us into temptation,
     But deliver us from the evil one."


 The first step in our Christian walk is to confess with our mouth, that Christ came for us and died on a cross for our sins.  The second step is to pray this prayer.  It covers everything, so if you're at a loss for words, speak Jesus'. That's all you have to do to become a prayer warrior.  God will lead you and teach you from there.

My prayer today:

Lord, thank you for your saving grace.  When we are at the end of ourselves, you are the beginning.  Thank you for waiting and watching over us.  Thank you for bringing people into our lives brave enough to share the Gospel.  Thank you for dying for us and for being with us every step of our journey.  But most of all, thank you for desiring a relationship with all of us.  We are so grateful that you love us in spite of ourselves.  Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive others.  Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.  We desire to be in relationship with you, speak to our hearts and show us Your love.  We love you. Thank you for finding us and pulling us out of ourselves.  AMEN

Until tomorrow...

April 4, 2012

Good morning all!  Like every Spring we welcome the beauty and the boldness.  Our fellow Texans weathered some pretty tough storms yesterday.  Please be praying during this season that God would protect lives and that with every storm; He would renew our Faith and Hope in Him!

Yesterday, as I drove up into my driveway, there was a beautiful pink rose, fully in bloom and it made me think how incredible and beautiful Spring is. There are so many dynamics to it.  One moment, the sun is blazing and the next, rain comes tumbling from the heavens.  And when the rain stops, you hear birds singing and before your eyes the beauty of the landscape unfolds.

This is a beautiful time of year and it should make you stop and ponder the beauty of our Lord.  Who could bring so many elements together?  There is pure synchronization in every facet of our lives.  All we have to do is look around and see the wonder before us.  If you haven't taken the time to really look outside and see the wonder unfolding, I encourage you too.  God shows us daily that He is present; we just have to look for Him.

As you look around, I want us all to realize that we are just a few days away from Good Friday and the death and resurrection of Jesus.  We must focus on the cross this week and see the wonder and majesty of Jesus's last days.  He came for you and I.  He died on a cross for our sins and rose again so that we could have eternal life.  This was a truly sacrificial act and if you look at it and meditate on it; You will see how much we are all loved by our Father.  There's no other way to look at it.

Matthew 28:5-8 NKJV:


But the angel answered and said to the women,  "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.  come, see the place where the Lord lay.  And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him.  Behold, I have told you."

The wonder of the risen King!  We must really take this to heart, not just this week, but every week.  Jesus is the risen King!  He sent an angel to tell the women!  He went before them to Galilee!  And the rest is History!


My prayer today:

Oh LORD, reveal Your heart to Your servants.  Help us to look at the wonder around us and praise You for it.  I know that everything is not always easy but on every corner You provide little rainbows and if we seek, we will find them!  We are honored to be Your servants and ask that during the next couple of days, we will walk knowing that You are here, renewing the minds and souls of all Your soldiers.  Please help us to grow our Faith and Hope in You and give us the eyes to see, the ears to hear and the spirit to obey You.  Thank you for the power that You gave to us by dying on the Cross.  We are fully aware that You loved us so much that You, alone, took the burden of our sins.  Please help us to never forget that!  Be with us today as we grow nearer to You.  AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Sunday, April 1, 2012

April 1, 2012

April fools?  I hope not.  I hope there isn't anyone out there fool enough not to believe in a Savior!  How often do we praise our Lord and thank Him for choosing us as His children?  I would guess, not often enough.  Easter is approaching and with all the hype of Easter eggs and candy, I want to remind all of us that Easter is a time to celebrate our Savior.

Now, I love to make Easter eggs and buy candy for the kids.  It's a special time of year for me.  With this season comes the renewal of life and many splendored things.  But, we must also remember what it truly is.  We need to make sure that our children understand what Christ did for all of us.  He hung on a cross so that we could be with Him for eternity!

It brings me to my knees when I think about His sacrifice for me.  No matter what I am going through, if I take a minute to think about Christ on that fateful day; I am humbled that He loved me so much that He gave His life for me.  There are few heroes today and there are even fewer that are willing to sacrifice their lives to save someone.  Recently, I read in the paper about a US soldier that gave his life for an Afghanistan girl.  She was a child and without thinking, he pushed her out of the way and lost his life in the balance.  That was an act of courage and true sacrifice.  That's what Jesus did for us!  He laid His life down for all mankind and only asked for our love in return.  Wow!  And we complain!

As women we must envision Christ's sacrifice for us and help the one's we love to understand it.  We are more emotional creatures and I believe God made us that way so that we could show compassion to the world.  So let's unite today and ask the Lord of our lives to help us educate the lost, love the unloveable and pray for the degenerate.  Let's not give up on those wounded souls and let's raise our children to believe without a shadow of a doubt, that He died on a cross and rose again!

It's time for us to be bold ladies!  We are in a battle for the next generation and Christ will use us if we can put Him first.  We are scattered like sheep, residing in different parts of the world, but we have the same heartbeat, His!  Just because we speak different languages and live in different cultures, doesn't mean we can't come together as a group and praise our King!  He didn't come just for the white people.  He came for every color and every tongue.  He wants us all and I am so glad He wanted me!

Join with me today and ask the Lord to guide us to the lost.  We need to ask for His Holy help so that we can be strong all over the world.  We must unite as one body and ask Him to come into our lives and the lives of women everywhere.  Today is the day that the Lord has made!  Let's rejoice in His sacrifice and leave no stone unturned.  We are His women and through the Holy Spirit, He can unite us and make us strong warriors for Him.  Join me in asking Him to come and be with us on this journey!  Praise be to the Lord our God who was and is and is to come!

If you have been reading this blog and think it worthy, please send it to other women.  The blog address is http://faithfulnessforwomen.blogspot.com.  The only way this will get to others is through those that read it.  And if you feel like it has helped you, please send me a note. I do this through obedience and ask that you would carry the message to the masses.  As always, I thank God for the messages and also for the ability to talk to you.  May God bless your day and keep you safe, wherever you live.

Matthew 27: 45-50  NKJV


    Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.  And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?"  that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"  Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, "This Man is calling for Elijah!"  Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink.  The rest said, "Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him."  And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.

Mighty is the Lamb!  There is no greater love than the love our Savior has for us. We need to know how much He loved us.  He was a lamb slain for our sins and we owe Him everything.  We should remember these last words and praise Him for His love!

My prayer today:

Oh Lord, we come before you women that love you.  Please help us unite in You.  Teach us Your ways so that we can teach others.  Thank you for sacrificing Your life so that we can be with You.  It is a privilege to be part of Your army and we ask that You would protect our sisters all over the world.  There are countries where they are in danger and I ask Your mighty hand on their lives.  We are Your chosen and I ask that You would guide us and keep us all of our days.  We love you Lord with all our hearts and souls.  AMEN

Until tomorrow....