Sunday, September 30, 2012

September 30, 2012

Good morning all-

I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to write yesterday.  I was cleaning closets, under beds, and everywhere.  I guess this is my spring cleaning in the fall and it felt good. I leave for Dallas this week so I'm not sure how many posts I will be able to do.  The meetings will be packed full of learning and selling so we shall see but I'm going to try, even if I have to get up earlier.

In the last days, we have talked about fighting evil, finding faith through obedience and what it means to pant for Jesus.  I still love that Scripture.  I have thought about it over and over and it makes me smile.  I, personally, want to get to a place where my first thought is Jesus and my last thought as I go to sleep is for Him too.  Pretty much my first thought is Him but by the time I get up, work all day, come home and prepare dinner, clean up, I'm physically and mentally exhausted.  I think my head hits the pillow and the only thing I'm thinking about is sleep.  Something this week changed that.  First the verse and then a phone call.  Sometimes I just hate when the phone rings.  My husband has two sisters that have a different mother.  She was much younger than their dad when they married and therefore, his sisters are 20 years younger.  There mother, one day before his youngest sister's birthday, overdosed on a bunch of pills.  They are waiting to find out if she will survive.  Friday night, I thought about Jesus as I laid my head down, then at 2 and right when I got up in the morning.

Two girls facing a tragedy and all I could do was say, "I love you, I'm here for you, and I'm praying for you and your mom."  It really didn't feel like much to be honest.  The words were full but I didn't know if the girls really heard what I said.  The youngest one is fighting many demons of her own and doesn't know Christ.  The oldest does but is very quiet and logical.  I can only imagine how this is impacting her.  I hate when satan robs a good person of hope.  It really makes me mad.  They will never know the wonderful things their mother did when they were young.  I watched her read to them, paint their toenails, laugh and play with them and love them.  But over the years, she has fought anorexia, self-esteem issues, alcoholism, nervousness and depression.  They haven't seen that wonderful person for a long time and it breaks my heart.  To try to kill yourself means you have no hope of a future.  God's not in that anywhere!  Only satan steals from the weak and makes them weaker.  He deceives and lies and tells them they aren't worthy and he takes a beautiful person and makes her a complete and utter wreck. And that ladies makes me very mad!

I was mad about a lot of things Friday night.  Maybe that's why I didn't sit down and write yesterday.  I couldn't believe that this had happened.  I couldn't believe two girls in their twenties were going to be facing a life without their mother because whether she lives or dies, their mother will be a shell of what she was.  So, I prayed that God would have His will on her life.  I prayed for her daughters to have strength and for my youngest sister-in-law to be protected on her birthday.  She already is struggling with some of the same things her mother does and I wanted Christ to protect her.  In my anger, I wondered how this could happen and then I went back to why we need spiritual warfare.  Time is short, the clock is ticking and if we're not talking about Christ and praying for those that are hurting, who is?

And then, I came to the conclusion after my rant that only Christ could fix this terrible tragedy.  My role was to pray and to encourage and to remember that I'm not the one that can fix anything on earth only Christ can.  However, I do have the power to pray and petition for those that are lost, hurt, and hopeless.  I pray that you will join me, wherever you live, and pray for those women.  If you're one of them, please reach out to a church, a Christian friend or me.  Our God is a loving God that guides us with hope in mind.  He has a future for us, just as His Father had a future for Him.  I'm not saying it will always be an easy road but it's His road and its full of faith, hope, and love.  If you're feeling anything else like, condemnation, shame, fear, or failure, that's not from God.  He promised the Israelites that He would deliver them into Israel and He did.  He promised David that He would be King and he was.  He promised Mary a baby born to a virgin and He came.  He promises us all a future and a hope and someday, He will come again and every nation will bow to Him!  It will happen and we need to play our part on this earth.  We were born to serve Him and serve Him we must.  Be aware that evil roams and do your best to align your thinking with Christ's.  I don't want to see any of us in the hospital because we didn't align our thoughts to God's.  Negative thoughts are not from God.  He wants us to identify sin, repent and move forward.

Whether you're single, married, married with children, or in the empty nest phase of your life, God wants to use you.  He knows your circumstances, where you are and how to give you a future.  In every period of our life we can be used.  He even uses small children to remind us how we should be.  So please don't let satan tell you otherwise.  We're useful until we die.  If you think of nothing else this week, ask yourself what kind of legacy do you want to leave?  It's an important question.  Will your legacy contain selfishness or will it be full of love, giving and serving.  Think about it.  I have and it seems to me a life outside of myself is the only way to live!


Jude 1: 20-21 NKJV:

     But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV:

     For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Our hope, even in trial, is through Jesus Christ, not ourselves.  We must die to ourselves and look for God's grace and mercy.  Capture every thought and stand it up to Scripture.  Don't be deceived, be empowered to live in Christ's merciful arms.  Believe that you were born for a purpose, it may not be revealed yet but you have one.  Christ is calling us to pant and thirst for Him.  Just like in Psalm 42:1, we must seek our Lord with all our thirst and let Him drench us with His Holy Spirit.  If you're not there yet, read His word.  His love knows no bounds and holds security and mercy.  Our work is not yet finished and therefore my sisters, arm your minds with His words.  Christ does not lie and therefore, His word stands true.  You're only lost if you don't look up!  May our Lord bless you and keep you as you pant for Him.


My prayer today:

O, Lord, I come before You a servant.  I am praying for Your people, those that follow You and those to come.  I'm praying for the lost, the broken and the helpless.  I'm lifting up the weak and confused and asking You to heal them and to bring solid Christian people to their side.  I'm praying for those that feel so lost that the only thing on their mind is ending their lives.  We have purpose and although sometimes we can't see it, it's there.  You, from the beginning of time, wanted Your people to know that You had a hope and a future for them.  Whether it was delivering them out of Egypt, providing a Godly King for them to serve or sending troops into concentration camps, You were there.  Life is full of good and evil and many times evil prevails.  But Scripture says it doesn't have too.  So I'm holding onto the promise that we all have a hope and a future.  I'm holding onto the fact that You are Lord of Lords and King of Kings.  I'm holding onto the fact that You can stomp on satan's head and keep him from Your people.  I'm coming before You today asking You to protect the weak and save them from themselves.  Only you know what lurks in the heart and minds of man.  Most of the time we couldn't detect the destruction that You see, so I'm praying for all of those people today.  I don't know names but I know You do.  Help them to have a hope and a future full of You.  Help the rest of us stand on faith that You move mountains and that all things are possible through You.  As long as we live in a fallen world, people will fall but I'm praying that more people fall Your way.  Let Your people be transformed into vigilant warriors.  Bring people our way that are destitute and in need of a Savior.  The only way to fight evil is to bow down to the Son of God.  I stand firm that someday You will return and take Your bride with You but until that day make us Yours.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Friday, September 28, 2012

September 28, 2012

Good morning all-

It's another spectacular morning.  The fog has rolled into Kansas and we are going to have rain again.  You can't believe what a blessing rain is when the land you are living on is dry, dusty and scorched.  Rain washes the land, feeds the grass and trees, and drenches the animals.  It provides our most essential need, water.  We need water the same way we need air.  Without water nothing can live.  So today, I celebrate our Lord and thank Him for drenching the land.

That brings me to our Scripture today.  It actually came on my phone yesterday and I thought about it all day.  I have always loved water and wish that Kansas had more but unfortunately, we are a corn state not a waterway.  When I was young I lived in upper-state New York and I could go to the water every weekend.  Most of my childhood memories include water, picnics, and a whole lot of fun.  I remember the way it felt to have the boat beneath me as the waves crashed across its bow.  Those were the days.

Water is essential for life but there's also something very peaceful about it.  Every time I look at water moving or crashing against a beach, I think of Jesus.  I guess the story of the disciples and Jesus on the sea really has made a profound impact on my life because that's all I can ever think about when I'm blessed to be near water.

There is so much beauty we miss because our lives are busy.  The small miracles that happen every day, like a rainbow or water drenching the earth.  Miracles haven't left this world, we just don't take the time to see them anymore.  That's why this passage really made me think about Jesus.  We have been talking about spiritual warfare, obedience, faith and all of it leads to hope.  What we haven't talked about is panting for Jesus!

Panting isn't exactly a word we throw around today.  It isn't a word that I use anyway but its a great descriptive that illustrates how we should yearn for Jesus.  If a deer is panting for water, his need is great.  And when our need is great, we are in full concentration, enthralled and thoroughly entrenched in that need.

I would guess that most of us don't pant for Jesus.  We call Him up in times of trouble or we read our Bibles because we know we should but do we pant for Him?  That's a question only you can answer.  After meditating on this verse, I realized that I want to pant and thirst for Jesus.  He is the most essential element to me living.  I need air and water but I need Him so much more and so do you.  I hope this passage makes you think about Jesus as much as it did for me yesterday.

Join me sisters in panting and thirsting for Christ!  Just like the rain drenching the land, Jesus can drench us with the Holy Spirit, which as you know provides faith, hope and strength.  I want that, don't you?

Psalm 42:1-2 NKJV:

     As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.  When shall I come and appear before God?


I don't know when we will be before Him but I know I want to be in His presence.  It's time we all thirst for the God we call Father and teach everyone around us to do the same.  I hope today finds you well and thirsty.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, thank You for the beautiful word pictures You placed in Scripture.  My heart yearns for You Lord.  I want to be like that deer, panting and thirsting for You Lord.  You are our stream of life, covering us and loving us all our days.  Your blood became our water.  Lift us up Lord and help us see You in all the small things.  Remind us that just like the water we drink, You are all we need.  I pray that the women that read this blog and all the women that follow You, would pant for You.  We need to put You first in everything we do.  Place our thoughts not on the tasks of today but on You, our stream of life.  May the earth rejoice in You today and may we be women that thirst for You.  We love You Lord, come into our lives and bless us with Your presence.  We are like deer, sipping at the stream, refreshed and full of You!  Bring us nearer Lord as we cry out to You and forgive us for our sins so that we can be closer to You.  For all You are and for all You will always be, we thank You Lord for saving us.  I pray this scripture will be written on the hearts of women today and that every thought comes back to You!  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Thursday, September 27, 2012

September 27, 2012

Good morning all-

I love to start the day with that greeting.  Every morning we're alive should be a good morning.  Unfortunately it can't always be that way but at least we know that each morning brings new challenges and possible blessings.  So, I'm half way through my cup of coffee and I'm still thinking about obedience.  Strange how something comes in your head and doesn't leave easily.

A good friend of  mine called yesterday and she started talking to me about marital problems.  She has had many in the 6 years that I've known her.  She is bright, vibrant and can hide sorrow like you can't believe.  If she hadn't started spilling her guts to me yesterday, I wouldn't have had a clue.  It's really hard for me when I hear some of the hurtful things our men are saying.  I don't know what has happened that men treat women with such disrespect.  Well I know that the flesh and satan have something to do with it but still.  I never heard my dad call my mom any name except Jin Jin and yet, I hear lots of women telling me that they are being called names that don't belong in any language.  On top of that, anger seems to be at the root of every argument.  Not just a little anger but intensive, destructive anger.  It frightens me and I think we need to be on our knees praying for our men because they are being attacked and when they are attacked, we are too.

During our conversation she told me that she didn't love him anymore and she thought that she never would.  Her first priority is her daughter and she told him that.  Men don't like to be second so I'm sure that went over well but that's where she is.  He has beaten her down until she has nothing left to give.  Is it all his fault?  No.  You probably think I'm crazy but it's true.  There isn't a marriage out there where it's one persons fault even if abuse is involved.  We have a brain and we can choose to take it or to get help.  What happens is that most woman stay and take it.  God doesn't ask us to stay, we stay because of past hurts, loss of self-esteem or because we truly believe we deserve it.  This can be verbal or physical.  If you're in a relationship where physical abuse is occurring, please get help.  You're not responsible for your husband or boyfriend's behavior but you are responsible for your response to it.  On the other hand if verbal abuse is taking place, it's time for you to step up to the plate.  You also should get help and learn how to communicate.  You can only control yourself and ask God to show you what you need to change.  Of course, pray for your significant other.  If you're not praying there is absolutely no hope for your marriage.  And if you're dating someone that is physically or verbally abusive get out now.  You aren't married, you don't have children and it won't get better especially if he doesn't know Christ.

Now I believe that God can take a bad marriage and make it good again.  How?  Through prayer and petition.  You must ask him into your heart and your husbands heart.  This is not going to be easy.  There will be times you will want to run.  But if you love the Lord and if you think you can persevere and change your habits, things can change between you if both of you want it and have Christ to help you.  If you think I don't know what I'm talking about, in 1999 I asked my husband for a divorce.  I walked away from a very bad marriage.  I kicked him out, set his child support for much lower than the courts determined and let him without looking back.  For almost our entire marriage, I felt alone, hurt, disrespected and totally a victim.  Over time, God showed me my role in the marriage and revealed to me what I needed to work on.  By the way, I'm still a work in progress.  I remarried Mark in 2001 and we have enjoyed good times and bad times.  Through each trial I remember one thing, that Christ is Christ and all things are possible through Him.  All I have to do is be obedient, ask Him to reveal to me where I need to change and pray for my husband.  It's not always easy and there have been a few times I wanted to run away and then I sat still, looked at the cross that sits on my mantle and said, "God we are both your children, please heal this marriage."  The more obedient I am to His word and to looking at myself in the mirror, the more I'm able to be obedient to the promise I made, not once but twice.

By the way, if you think you can change your boyfriend or husband, think again.  They are who they are and the only way they will change is if they humble themselves to the Lord.  The same goes for us, if we don't desire to make our marriages work, they won't.  You can only put issues in the closet for so long.  Identify the key issues in yourself that need to be healed and start working on them today.  God can and will help you if you ask and if your marriage is falling apart don't just look at your spouse, look at your own actions and ask God how to fix them.  He'll show you.  As I have looked in the mirror, He has shown me my faults and I continue to pray and work on them.   Marriage is part of our obedience to Him but we don't have to be miserable while being obedient.  We can find joy in our marriages again and He can and does resurrect them when He has two people willing to sacrifice for the other.

Again before I leave you today, if you are being abused physically, please get help.  God never intended for man to strike and beat their women.  We were created to be their helpmates.  We are to be treasured as Christ treasures the church.  You can't change Him but you can get help for yourself.  Christ hears you and is there for you.

Please Read Hebrews 11: 7-39 NKJV.  I will try to put it on the blog later.  I think it depicts exactly what we need to hear for today.  May God bless you and keep  you.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, I come before You today praying for all the women that are in difficult marriages.  I pray for them Lord because I know they are lonely, lost and full of despair.  You are the key to their happiness and to their will aligning with Yours.  You know their sorrows and their fears and You are near.  Lift them up and help them find themselves in all the chaos.  Grow them to be courageous women that look for You and not at their circumstances.  Please remove those that are in dangerous situations and help the weak become strong.  Marriage is a promise between a man and a woman and often the bonds of marriage are broken by lies, anger, and abuse.  I know that you can break those bonds.  I have seen You do it, so I come before You asking You to reveal Yourself into each one of our lives.  Give us hope where we have none and help us all fall in love with our spouses on a daily basis.  We are all individuals with fleshly desires that don't always match Your desires for our lives.  Help us be obedient to You in all things and to look for Your will, instead of our own.  We cherish You Lord and thank You for being a loving Father.  We believe that all things are possible through You and by You.  Give us a desire to rectify the strife in our marriages and to get help if we need it.  Help us all to be loyal to reading our Bibles and praying for others, even if we aren't in their circumstances.  You are my God and the God of all nations.  Please come before us today and protect the weak, encourage the destitute and save our unions.  You are the only one that can protect the foundation of the family.  So in Jesus name we pray that our marriages would become strong and holy.   We need You Lord, go before us today and resurrect those marriages that need You the most.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...


Wednesday, September 26, 2012

September 26, 2012

Good morning all-

I hope this day finds you well.  I'm only into it now an hour but I'm loving my day already.  We planted grass and it rained over the earth last night.  Kansas needs it badly and I rejoice in the rain and hopefully, in the harvest.  The Lord knows what's best for my lawn and my soul.  Isn't that a wonderful thing to think about this morning?

I've had a lot on my heart lately probably because the closer November gets the more I think about my dad.  I even thought about him yesterday because he loved his lawn and he would be so glad we are fixing ours.  He loved to be in the "lawn wars" as he called them and green plush grass made him smile.  It was the highlight of his day to see if his lawn looked better than everyone else's.  And of course, the memory makes me smile.

Last year about this time I was moving along, busy and racing from one activity to the next.  I really wasn't thinking about much of anything, including God.  God has always been a vital part of my life but for some reason life got in my way and He was my last priority.  But as the summer became fall, many things changed in my life.  I would finally be obedient to Him and walk in faith and then of course, I would begin to be faithful even in the dark.  Two things that are hard for me and yet I'm walking.  Praise Jesus!

What does it take to be a faithful follower of Jesus?  I think it takes a person willing to love Him with all their heart, understand that obedience is key, and walk by faith not by sight.  If you don't like to be obedient, He will show you the way and if you only walk by sight, He will test you to help you grow.  I hate the tests but I love the results.  Can anyone say AMEN to that?

Do you remember when you were little and you said no to your parent?  What happened?  I'm sure a spanking was in the works.  Today, we use time outs which I don't always think is effective with stubborn children but to each their own.  I also don't believe in abuse so there must be a happy medium.  That's how I see God when He is showing us how to walk with Him.  It's loving correction.  He has the ability to show us that obedience to Him is key to understanding our purpose on this earth.  It also provides very needed boundaries so that when we are messing up, we know it.  Finally, He calls us to walk by faith blindly because we are a "Prove it to me people."  We want to see it before we follow.  Interesting but true.  There are very few risk takers in this world.  For most of us, it's important that we look at all the facts, make sure our T's are crossed and our I's dotted and then we will jump.  God calls us to jump when He says, without all the details.  I think that's been the hardest part of this year for me. I can't see what God is doing; I just have to wait.  Every time I get on this blog I don't know who will jump on.  It could be one person or fifteen.  I wait and wonder.  I'm being obedient and having faith that God will do something with me but honestly I'm in the dark to where and when.

So, I continue to get on my computer every morning asking God for the words to speak to those I don't know.  Also, I continue to pray for the women all over the world as I was called to do.  I don't know what He will do with any of this but I would rather follow Him blindly than walk by sight and be disappointed at the end of my journey.  Just like the rain that has come to Kansas, God will continue to water me, feed me and grow me into the woman He wants me to be.  And if that's not enough, He's doing it all over the world.  There are a million "me's" and He's loving each one of them.

If you are struggling with being obedient today consider the following Scriptures and ask God to change your heart.  When we disobey it's not because we want to be obstinate, it's because we don't see what's around the corner.  But Jesus does and He has a purpose, so have faith that what He started in you He will finish and if you're obedient you will see the hand of God.

Enjoy your day my sisters, Christ is watching!

Hebrews  11:1 NKJV:

     Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things seen.

1 Samuel 12: 14 NKJV:

     If you fear the Lord and serve Him and obey His voice, and do not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then both you and the king who reigns over you will continue following the Lord your God.

Job 36:11 NKJV:

     If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.


My prayer today:

O, Lord, You are mighty and wonderful.  Your people cry out to You and ask that You would grow us to be a strong generation that is full of love for You.  We bow down before our king and ask that You would come into our lives, lift us up and give us hope for our futures.  Just like the rain You send from Heaven, send Your spirit upon Your people.  We are often stubborn wanting what we want and only seeing what's in front of us.  Please take us out of ourselves and into Your arms.  Shelter us from our flesh and help us be obedient to Your word and Your commandments.  As we look upon Your word help us to see You and what You want us to do today.  We can only look at today because only You know tomorrow.  Give us wisdom and faith as we seek You daily and bring forth women from every nation and raise us up to be followers of You.  We want to faith that moves mountains and a soul that is obedient to You.  We fear You Lord and know that whatever You have in store for our lives is Your will.  Walk with us and the millions of women that need You today.  Guide our feet and build us up to have a faith that hopes for all things.  You are mighty and we love You.  Rain down Your spirit on the earth and take Your place in the hearts of men, women and children all over the world.  We need You Lord, cover our houses, raise up Your people and help us stay in this battle until the very end.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

September 25, 2012

Good morning all-

I need to get on the road today so I wanted to leave you with a Scripture.  At the end of the day, my words are meaningless but God's word is divine.

Philippians 4: 2-7 NKJV:

      I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to e of the same mind to the Lord.  And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.  Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say, rejoice!  Let your gentleness be know to all men.  The Lord is at hand.  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God; and the peace of God,which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Our Lord is at hand and everything we do and everything we say should be for His glory, not our own.  I will be back with more but for today let the word of our Lord strike your heart.  Please pray for your fellow man today and rejoice in the Lord, ALWAYS!

Monday, September 24, 2012

September 24, 2012

For the last week we have been talking about spiritual battle and what it's going to take to stay in the race.  I have been contemplating it a lot lately and many thoughts have come to mind but then God gave me a word picture.  This weekend my son participated in a basketball tournament in Kansas City. At the last minute, I just couldn't stay home and met my husband and him in Kansas City.  I love to watch him play basketball but as I was watching Sunday morning I realized something very vital.  They won their first game with little effort, so when the second game came, they thought they were going to be able to put in the same effort and win.  Wrong!  The other team had been watching, knew their weak spots and went for the attack.  By half, we were in a seven point spread.   At the end we were 30 points down and lost miserably.

After we got home and I had three hours to think, I wondered why my son had given up, so I asked.  He replied, "We were down so far and no one thought we could get back what we had lost."  Interesting response.  How often are we going along, having faith, believing God can do anything and then the game changes and things aren't quite going our way.  Often, we lose focus and start believing that we can't win or worse, that God isn't who He says He is.  I think if it's a short battle, no problem, we're on our game and we know who God is.  We have faith that He will rectify the situation and move us forward.  But if the game gets away from us, little by little that great faith begins to waver and then we begin to doubt and think God has forgotten us.  Has He?  Absolutely not, we have forgotten Him.  Harsh I know but think about it, if Hunter and his teammates had stayed in the game with passion and a belief could they have won?  Probably but we won't ever know because they gave up far before the game was done.

That's us in a spiritual battle.  I think we often give up too soon.  I know I have in times of great battle.  But as the Lord has molded me I have learned to stay in the battle, not always gracefully, but in it nonetheless.  How did Paul stay chained in that prison?  How did Peter walk around and talk about Jesus after He had denied Him three times?  How did David kill Goliath?  What did they have in those moments of great trial that we need today to be the warriors God is calling us to be.  They had faith!  They knew that God was with them and any sacrifice was worth being in God's presence.  Did they do everything right?  Of course not, Paul killed Christians, David had an affair and killed Bathsheba's husband and Peter denied Christ.  I wouldn't say that's a winning record, would you?  And yet, Christ does.  They all found their faith, repented and went on to be great men of God.

Just because we doubt or don't have faith today doesn't mean God won't grow that kind of faith in us.  Of course, we will have to work on it too.  We will have to read our Bible and pray.  It's all a decision.  We spend time doing the things we love or that make us feel good.  I was thinking about that last night. Whether it's eating right, walking or just sitting down and having time with God, its all a choice.  We choose what's most important and then we put our time into what we love.  That got me to thinking about what I spend time doing and how much this blog has been a blessing unto my life.  I'm constantly trying to find time to write it.  So I get up at 5:30 just so that I can spend 30 minutes with God.  The thoughts come easily because He puts so much on my mind.  But in the end, 30 minutes isn't anything in a 12 to 15 hour day.  But it's my time to really align my thinking with His.

If you have been thinking about how you find time for God, look at the things you do spend time on.  If you have 30 minutes for television, you have 30 minutes for God.  The television can't make you a mighty warrior, help you through a battle, or grow you spiritually.  All it can do is take your focus off your cares for a little while.  God can help you cast your fears, move mountains and give you courage for tomorrow.

I hope this day finds you well.  Our strength comes from our Lord and if we aren't spending time with Him we will be weary and frustrated.  I would rather walk one day in His presence than be on a journey full of me.  Take heart my sisters, He is near!

1 Corinthians 9:24 NKJV:

     Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

Philippians 2:16 NKJV:

     holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.


My prayer today:

O, Lord, we are running and often in the wrong direction. Help us to make wise choices and to choose spending time with You daily.  We often lack the discipline to put You first but no one would go out and run a race without preparing.  And yet, we run and are not prepared.  The battle field is full of temptations and wrong priorities.  If we were in real battle, the preparation time would be long and hard.  Therefore, come to us and help us understand what we need to prepare for battle daily.  Open our agendas up to You.  Give us time to spend with You and help us make You a priority.  We want to run this race well prepared.  We want to believe that You are everything You say You are and more.  So today, help women all over the world find You.  May they take time to prepare and spend time in the word so if they do need You, they know where to find You.  I thank You for Your word that You lay on the hearts of man and I just pray that every nation will bow to You.  May we be a blessing and may we make choices that lead to You.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Saturday, September 22, 2012

September 21, 2012

Over the last week, I have focused on spiritual warfare and the need for Jesus.  The two definitely go together.  He will eventually break the spirit of the devil and evil will no longer roam on earth.  Sin will be broken and the tides will turn but until that day we are in the midst of a battle.  We are fighting for souls.  You might be saying, "Not me."  I can totally relate.  The last thing I wanted to do was to tell the world of my beliefs, which can bring condemnation and scorn and I like to be liked.  But here I am, writing on a blog, telling as many people that come, that I love Jesus and He is the only way.

My faith has come through many trials and many rebellions against my Savior.  My mom used to say that I had to hit a wall at least 100 times before I got it and I would say that's very true.  But when I get it, I stay the course.  God and I have wrestled and there has been grumbling, disobedience, anger, frustration, fear and now, an overwhelming need to share my faith to the millions of people that don't know how wonderful He truly is.

Everybody worries about whether they will be liked.  I don't anymore.  I try not to do anything that will make people hate me but the one thing I won't compromise anymore on is Christ.  I believe what I believe and I have decided to get out of my apathetic box and tell people.  Why have great faith if no one knows it?  That was the question I asked myself last year and that's what started this blog.  Before then, I would have worried about my reputation, what would people think of me and if they would ridicule me for what I believe.  Now, all I care about is what God thinks of me.  So, I work hard, try to take care of my family and write for anyone to see that I believe in Jesus and although scary, there is a sense of excitement every time I sit down to write this blog.  Why?  Because Jesus is in the middle and I love being in His presence every morning.  I now fear Him more than I fear people but it's not the kind of fear one thinks.  It's a holy fear, full of the desire to be at His feet.  If I'm going to fear anyone it should be Him.  No one else has authority over my life.  The sooner we all learn that the better we are.

So as I have been praying about things, I came upon a Psalm that has been really making me think about my relationship with Jesus.  There is no ceremony between God and me, its all for Him and I just want to be in His presence.  He's one friend I can always count on to steer me in the right direction.  As I have grown up, I've realized that the commandments, dying to myself, and coming into a relationship with Jesus is more for me than Him.  He doesn't need me but I definitely need Him and He allows us to make that choice so that when we do say yes, we did it because we wanted to believe in something far greater than ourselves.  God didn't have to give us free will, He blessed us with free will.  Think about that for a moment.  How many times did our parents tell us what we needed to do before they let us run our own course?  God gave us the handbook but then said, "You choose."  My choice today is Him and I am so blessed that He came into my life and took a stubborn girl and molded her into the woman she is today.  I'm sure you can relate.  Every time I ask Him to reveal Himself to me, He does in such a mighty way.  Without Him, I couldn't even write this page but with Him I have written over 200.

Whether you are a Christian or investigating being a Christian, no one thing, God loves you.  He has called you right now to come before Him.  He has a purpose for your life, far greater than anything you can imagine.  All you have to do is ask.  He wants a relationship with you but you have to want it too.  There is no better place to be than at the feet of Christ.  He is God's own Son that came to save a retch like me and I will forever be eternally grateful.  I hope you are finding Him too.  If you're on this blog more than likely you are and I am grateful for you.  We are part of the great battle and we are loved.  I can't think of anything more beautiful than that.  Can you?

Join me sisters in loving our God.  Please praise His name today and find it in your heart to say, "Thank you Jesus for loving us and giving Your life, so that we may be with You."  We were chosen to unite and to pray for our family and friends.  We were born for a purpose.  We live where we are supposed to live and we minister to those He gives us.  If you believe nothing else today, believe that You are blessed because Jesus is Your Father and Your counselor.  Speak loudly and find courage through Him that found courage for You.  Blessed is the Lord Almighty who was and is to come!

Psalm 112: 1-10 NKJV:

     Praise the Lord!  Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments.  His descendants will be mighty on earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed.  Wealth and riches will be in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.  Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.  A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion.  Surely he will never be shaken; the righteous will be in everlasting remembrance.  He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.  His heart is established; he will not be afraid until he sees his desire upon his enemies.  He has dispersed abroad, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted with honor.  The wicked will see it and be grieved; He will gnash his teeth and melt away; the desire of the wicked shall perish.

My prayer today:

     O, Lord, I come before You wanting to be obedient to Your word.  My desire is to be wholly and completely yours.  Faith is at my door, calling to me because by day and night I come before You asking You to show me Your ways.  I yearn to know Your thoughts and to have a heart for Your people.  I call to You to help me be bold and to reveal to me my sins.  I ask that You would forgive them and to come before me and show me the way.  As we kneel down to You, I ask that You would prepare Your people for Your coming and that You would help us fear only You.  Wars are all around us, terrorists lurk like ants but You are a God that knows all things, so help us reside in Your resting place.  I believe that You have called us for just this time and that Your hand is on Your soldiers.  Help women unite with You and believe that the only thing they need to fear is You.  We ask that You would help us be steadfast in You, always trusting and never doubting that You are who You say You are.  I pray that men, women and children, would choose You as their Savior and that every tongue will confess that You are the only way!  May we cry out to You today and praise Your name!  You have blessed us with Your sacrifice, You lead and ask nothing in return, You love and encourage even when we are not worthy and at the end of the day, You desire to be in relationship with us.  We don't deserve You but we are so glad You have come into us, loving us and directing our every step.  Help us be women that desire You and only You.  Take our fears and cast them to the sea.  Make us bold and help us proclaim You are Lord and please be near as we grow our faith in You.  We love You Lord and we worship You.  Be with us as we grow in You.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Friday, September 21, 2012

September 21, 2012

I will have to write this evening and over the weekend.  The week has been truly busy and I'm trying to help my son pack for a tournament.  Stay tuned..

Thursday, September 20, 2012

September 20, 2012

The wind is shifting, the waves are crashing and all around you there is chaos.  Are we on a lake or the sea?  Are we standing on the shore or in the middle of the storm?  I don't know but you do.  So often, when I'm in a trial, I'm way out to sea.  My anxiety level is higher and my nerves are on edge.  The boat is rocking and I just want to get off before I get sick.

Have you ever felt like that?  Are you in the boat rocking right now or are you standing on the shore, raising your hands to Jesus asking Him for "Peace be still."  I've been in both places in my life.  And the easier way of doing things is standing on the shore, at least you don't feel like getting sick all over your shoes.  You get the picture.  Anyway, how are we to respond in the storm?  Does Jesus want us up and down with the waves, panicking and without hope?  Absolutely not.  We must believe that He is strong enough to calm our storm and that if we sit down on the seaside shore, He will deliver us.

The Israelites saw miracle after miracle but wandering in that desert made them tired, grumbly and believe me there feet were always shifting in the sand.  They were promised that they would be delivered into a grand place and what did they get, destitution, manna to eat, and no end in site.  Many died wandering that land and even Moses, who led them so well, didn't get to see God's promise.  Eventually, when the time was right, they entered and to this day they still occupy Israel.

They didn't know it but they were in spiritual battle.  They were fighting to keep the hope of God's promises and to have faith that He was who He said He was.  They lost their faith for every mile they wandered and almost killed Moses because their ship was rocking so hard they just didn't have peace that He was going to deliver them.  It doesn't end at the Israelites for the disciples sat in a boat and the minute a storm of great proportion came up, they cried out for Jesus.  They were panicking.  These were men that had sat with Jesus, talked with Him and followed Him day after day.  Even they panicked and wondered what He was doing.  But Christ rose and said, "Peace be still."  The sea calmed the boat quit rocking and the disciples were safe.  In that moment, just before Jesus woke up their fear overtook their faith.  I wonder if God ever gets tired of saying to us, "I'm here!"

My point today is that in order for our house to be still we must rely on Jesus.  Peace comes from within but the pressure of our lives and of our flesh can take over any peace Christ provides.  I personally have walked for years in a marriage that at times has been more than stressful and I've wondered, "Where are you God?"  But as I've grown up in Him and looked for Him, He has appeared.  He reveals Himself to me through Scripture and through my relationship with Him.  Nothing is perfect and no one on this earth is going to have an easy life.  Even the people you think have an easy life, don't!  It's just not possible but when you are a Christian your faith will be challenged.  It could be at home by your parents, your spouse, your children or your place of work.  But somewhere, it will be challenged and you will have to stand still or your boat will be capsized.

Just so that you understand, this message is not just for you, I need it too.  There are things that make me stress out and worry.  And in those times, I have to stand still and ask Christ to calm my fears and lead me out of my flesh.  I have to capture every negative thought and replace it with His word.  And I have to trust when I can't see.  That's the hardest one.  But with each trial, I have learned something more about my Father.  He is good and He is present and when I die to myself, He is revealed.  I like that part the best.  I want to know Christ and if He's going to stretch me and believe me He has; I must be armed and ready to fight my fears and stand still in His presence.  For without Him, I am nothing but with Him, I can fight an army.  Don't let the cares of this world beat you down.  Stand up and ask Christ to arm you to fight the good fight.  This race is not to see who gets through the finish line first, its to get to the finish line with your belief, hope and faith in tact.  At the end of this battle, stands Jesus!

Will you join me today in praying for women that are in great trials or just need a Savior?  Will you take time out of your busy schedule and stand still asking God to reveal Himself to you?  I hope you will join me in asking our Savior to reveal Himself to all of us today.  We all need Him more than we need the air we breathe.  I am honored to be in His presence and I hope you are too.

Psalm 33: 14-22 NKJV:

     From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth;
     He fashions their hearts individually; He considers their works.
     No king is saved by the multitude of an army; a mighty man is not delivered by great      strength.
     A horse is a vain hope for safety; neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.  
     Behold, the eve of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver 
     their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.  Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help
     and our shield.  For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.
     Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, my prayer today is that we would hear from You.  That in the spiritual battle our ears would hear Your words and our minds would be full of Your thoughts.  There are millions of people that need to hear from You today.  They are scattered all around the globe and You know their exact location.  You are calling us, as Your chosen women, to pray for them and to be available when You bring them into our midst.  They are Your chosen, wandering in the desert, needing to enter into the promise land.  That land is Your presence.  I call upon You, as Your humble servant, and ask that You would fill me with Your Holy presence.  That I would come before You and claim that You are my Savior, not just today, but every day of my life.  You are my treasure and when I sit still, I can feel Your mighty presence.  Calm the storm inside all of us and help us win the war.  Our hope is not in our countries strength, or in the strength of our armies; our hope is just in YOU!  Help us to march forward, proclaiming Your name and living in Your land.  The land where You placed us and selected us to serve You.  We want to believe and hope and live through whatever circumstance You place us in.  Give us a firm foundation of Your love and of Your promise.  We live in a world that undermines Your authority and continues to make us apathetic.  Please grow us up to be passionate for the things You are passionate about and bring Your people to us.  We love You Lord and desire to be in relationship with You today.  Thank you for blessing our lives with Your mighty presence and for filling our hearts and minds with You.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...




Wednesday, September 19, 2012

September 20, 2012

Good morning all-

It's 5:59 am in Kansas and my coffee is brewing!  It truly is a glorious day.  I have completed my testing for work and passed with flying colors. Praise the Lord!  And later today I will practice and practice so that I can sell my latest product.  I hope your week is going well too.

Well, I have been blogging about spiritual warfare for the last couple of days and more and more I'm seeing how vital it is to our walk with God.  I bet most of you didn't even realize we were in a battle.  Probably because trying to find a husband, taking care of a husband or nurturing children is at the top of your list.  And it should be.  However, we are constantly being tempted to sin and there will be trials throughout our lives we will face.  So therefore, we are either in battle or we need to prepare for battle.

To be honest, I don't like to fight.  I would rather live in peace then to be in the throws of anger or arguments.  When I was in high school, I was the class nerd and unfortunately, was picked on continuously.  It was so awful that it made me graduate early.  The truth hurts but I just ran, ran to college so that I could deal with grown up people and even there I didn't really fit in.  So for years, I kept running and trying to change myself to be what others wanted so that I didn't have to be in conflict.  As I have gotten older, I have learned ways to mend bridges, build relationships and face difficult people.  However, I have also learned that there will be spiritual battles that are waging in my life and I have to be courageous and fight with Jesus by my side.  I can't run.  I have to rest in the arms of my Savior, build my relationship with Him and call to Him in my hour of need.  The battle can only be won if I have the courage to fight, through prayer, Scripture and by having authority over my flesh and my mind.  The latter is not always easy for me.  My mind is like spaghetti, it roams in a million directions and often the conclusions it draws have to be checked to Scripture because I'm the first to admit, sometimes my mind is more powerful than my logic.

So, if we are preparing for battle, what do we need?  We need Jesus!  A battle on earth can not be won without our Savior.  He is are only deliverer.  No man can save a people, no country is strong enough to save its nation without the power of the cross behind it.  Whether it's financial destruction or fighting terrorists in every land, Jesus is the key to victory and if you don't believe it, go back to the deliverance of the Jewish people.  I believe that God did part the red sea.  I believe that the Israelites roamed for years in the desert.  I believe that God did provide manna just for one day and I believe that Jesus came to win the greatest battle of all time!  A Son was born to die for all of God's people.  He is the only one that Has been chosen to have victory and if we align ourselves and our will with His, we will have victory too!

The key to winning any battle is strategy.  Strategy is not man-made, it is God made.  From the beginning, God aligned His people and their stories are written in a book that has lasted thousands of centuries.  The word is true and everything that God wanted us to know is in that book.  The book itself can't be discredited, however people try.  We don't know God's thoughts or ways so there may be more to the story but He didn't feel it was necessary for us to know.  It's like the general that has been briefed on the severity of an area in battle, do they tell the troops the whole story, no, they give them what they need to be successful and send them into battle.  That's what we have in the Bible, exactly what we need to know.  God knows the rest and He's working on the sidelines feeding us wisdom through the sidelines.  And if we come to the battle prepared and courageous, God will light our path and give us the equipment we need to fight.

Everyone that reads this blog is in a different phase of their spiritual walk and possibly in a different stage of battle.  Today, I just want to shine hope on you.  Jesus is our hope.  He is our Savior and He is the great commander.  He knows everything we face on a day to day basis and He's big enough to help all of us.  Our tears are His tears, our heart is His heart and we are His.  Just because we don't always get our way doesn't mean He's not there for us.  He is.  But we have to continue to do the things that are in front of us and let Him do the rest.  Why do you think troops train so much?  They train so they can be prepared and that they will have confidence in their commanding officer.  We must have confidence in Jesus, if we don't, our flesh will lead and we will lose the hope of victory.  I want us all to prepare so that when we face a battle; we can win it.  David faced Goliath as a child.  Every man was scared, shaking and petrified of Him.  They dropped their weapons in fright.  But David had prepared His mind for battle, aligned His will to God's and believed that with God He could be the victor.  And He was.  You can't argue with that, can you?  So, if a child can win over a giant, we should be able to face ours with confidence that Jesus is with us and that He will hold us up under fire.

Isaiah 9:2-6  NKJV:

     The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.  You have multiplied the nation and increased its joy; they rejoice before You according to the joy of harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.  For You have broken the yoke of his burden and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.  For every warrior's sandal from the noisy battle, and garments rolled in blood, will be used for burning and fuel of fire.  For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Micah 7: 8 NKJV:

      Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; when I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.

Ephesians 6:11 NIV:

      Put on the full armor of God, that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, we come before You, women who love and honor You.  We are in different countries, speak different languages and have different trials but we have one God, You.  As we come before You today, we ask that You would continually help us prepare for battle.  Lead us to Scriptures that will help us fight our flesh, our minds, and our troubles.  We understand that each day is Your day to do with us what You will.  You were spoken and prophesied over years before You came.  You were delivered to Your people to save them and the gentiles.  We are now all over the world, looking for You, waiting for You and asking You into our hearts and minds.  We are a sinful generation trying to understand our role in a sinful world.  Help us Lord by revealing Yourself to us.  Give us courage to fight the battles that are before us and help us win the war over our minds.  Protect our houses as we lead women to You and crush our enemies.  The walls are high, there is sin everywhere we look, murder, destruction and wrong thinking.  We can't break down those barriers unless You are present in them.  There is no future for us or our children and grandchildren if You're not in this battle with us.  So we call upon You today and ask that You would prepare our way.  We need You Lord because You did come to save us and You are a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and our Prince of Peace.  Be all those things for us today and please provide hope, hope in You.  May we have faith to scale the mountains, ride the mighty waves, and go where no man wants to go.  We need You!  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

September 19, 2012

Today, I would like to talk a little more about spiritual battles and the need for prayer.  Often, I have written about my friend who was losing great amounts of hair, with no help in site.  After a 14 month fight to get the fungus under control, she is still doubting that she is healed.  I realize that it's difficult the longer the trial the harder it is to see God.  You think it would be the other way around but I can tell you from experience, you become weary and doubtful that your life will ever change.  This leads to obsessive thoughts, worry, fear and depression.  Any little thing sets you off and back you are to "if He loved me, why doesn't He heal me?"

For almost 9 months I have spent time praying for my friend, comforting her and speaking the truth when needed.  I'm sure that if God wasn't in this she would be frustrated with me and I definitely would be with her but instead, God has placed her on my heart time and time again.  All I ever hear in my head is patience.  That's what the Lord has for us, patience. He was patient with David, Jeremiah, Noah, Esther, Mary and Jesus.  He will be patient with us too.  Each trial has it's own destiny and in the destiny there is Jesus.  However, the longer the journey, the harder it is emotionally, the more apt we are to crumble.  Our psyche wants to rehash every detail, every word, and every injustice.  It takes us from being a rationale person to being chaotic, obsessive and overwrought.  It can and does steal our joy and at the end of every day we are weary.  Why?  Because we haven't won the battle.  The battle begins with faith and has to end with faith.  That doesn't mean we won't have times of stress, worry, fear or loss.  We will but when we wake up and when we go to bed we must believe that Jesus can put a light onto our darkness.

I remember the first time God placed her on my heart.  My father had just died and we were at my son's first home game.  I could barely speak, let alone help anyone else.  I had just lost another person, who I loved dearly and it was all I could do to function.  I saw her in the crowd with her hat on and said, "Lord could You help me come out of my grief so I could be there for her?"  That was my plea as I was walking past her.  I wasn't sure how that would happen since he had only been gone a month but I changed with that simple request and began to pray for her.  Soon, I was stopping by her house to pray over her and to give her hope and fast-forward to today, I have been walking by her side ever since.

I would never have guessed the battle would be this tough.  She is a Godly woman who loves the Lord.  She reads her Bible, prays and really, at least up to this point, believed the Lord would take care of everything.  Today, I'm not quite sure she believes that.  She will have two good days and five bad ones and that's just not right.  So, I went into battle again last night.  As I was walking, I began to pray that her heart would open and that she would see God's hand in everything.  I challenged her to write all her thoughts and look at all that God had revealed.  She has been hesitant through this trial to do so but she needs to look at what God has done instead of what He hasn't done.  Her belief that God will completely heal is just not there.  The battle has zapped her of rational thought.  Her only thoughts are on her hair and her kids hair and rightfully so.  It has been 15 months of washing bedding for six children everyday.  Placing every comb and brush in solution.  Spraying furniture, carpets, pillows and bedspreads with an anti-fungus solution. Can you imagine?  Every day.  I know this has not been easy for her but I can't stop her thoughts and I can't keep saying to her that she has to have faith.

So, I went into battle last night with me and God.  I prayed what she can't pray and I asked the Lord to reveal to me how I should pray for her.  I began to ask Jesus to reveal to me the things that must change and in the end, I asked for peace.  She rarely has it because her mind has taken over and somehow satan gets in and roams.  The mind is powerful and we must capture every thought that doesn't align with the Bible.  In truth, the mind can destroy.  So I prayed for that too.  I prayed for anything that came to my mind and then I thanked Jesus for her.  She is my sister and I want to stand by her side always.  I want her to have a powerful testimony full of God's glory.  In my heart, I know she will.  She and the entire family will be healed and her house will be protected.  But as I write this morning, I will continue to pray for her today and every day until this battle is won and Jesus has victory.  I'm counting on Him and know that without a doubt His will, will be done.  I am a vessel, a servant, who cares for God's people and although I don't have the power to move the mountain, Jesus does and I stand on that!

So, if you're climbing a mountain today, get a group of women together that you trust and pray!  Prayer will move a mountain, God's will can be done, and faith is built when we pray.  Believing in Christ is easy.  It's during the battles that we must find Him and rest in Him.  It won't be easy, I know that but your faith should grow with each victory and in the end, Christ will have victory over all.  We must count on that and know that without a doubt, the God that saved us can win any battle.  It might just take longer than we like.  If you're facing a battle today don't do it alone.  Get prayer from others.  It's hard to see sometimes but when you have people supporting you, you'll know God is present.  This is our time to be vessels to one another.  To come before God and ask for His help and to put on our full armor and show the world that Jesus reigns!  May your day be full of joy as you look upon the Lord.  He's with you and me, don't ever doubt that.

Hebrews 3: 6 NKJV:

      but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

Hebrews 3:7-9 NKJV:

      Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness, where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, and saw my works for forty years.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, we are in battle for the souls of Your people.  We wander and complain just like the Israelites did so many years ago.  Thankfully, you are patient and kind to us.  You know our struggles and even now, we struggle with our minds and our hearts.  We want to be people that win the race and that have victory in battle.  So, please come before us and make us strong women of You.  Fill us up with courage for the battles ahead and give us Your strength.  Help us capture every wrong thought and give us Your  mind as we go throughout our days.  Build us up to be better at knowing when we are in battle and give us the words to fight off our enemy.  Help us to see You in every part of our day and give us the ability to rest in Your arms.  We are just women that need a Savior.  We are not mighty warriors or even women that like to be in battle but we know that we are fighting for what's right.  So today, protect our houses, give us the shield of faith and continue to bring women into battle with us.  We are Your servants and at the end of our lives we want to know that we persevered and did the most we could.  This is Your day, Your hour and Your history, help us to make it full of victory for You!  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...
   

Monday, September 17, 2012

September 17, 2012

Somewhere in the world today a mother is on her knees praying for her child.  She is asking God to heal and restore.  Somewhere in the world today a wife is praying that her marriage will be restored and that they will find each other again.  Somewhere in the world a woman is crying because she lost her best friend and someone in the world is praying for peace because their country is in turmoil and innocent people are being destroyed.  The bottom line, someone is praying in every city, and in every country, for something and if they aren't crying out to Jesus how will it get fixed?

This week my pastor started a series on Spiritual warfare.  It is going to be a seven week look into the victory of Jesus.  We all know what makes this world fall.  If you don't, here are the three: our flesh, our world and the devil.  Our flesh desires what we want, not what we should have.  Our world tells us how to think, feel and react.  It instills cultural principles that just don't match up to the Bible and then the devil, who likes to deceive, destroy and conquer through our flesh and minds.  He can't get to our soul if we're saved but He can get other places if we let him.

How do we fight a powerful enemy?  What strategy must we look at to be victors?  Well, we need to read our Bible and begin to transform our flesh and our minds.  The heart of victory is in the word and through prayer and surrendering to Christ we will have victory.  Throughout time, humans have fallen but as they were transformed God had victory.  And as Pastor Terry says, talking about victory is really what the Bible is all about.  If you don't think you can have victory through Jesus, then you need to take another look at your motives, your thoughts and your belief in Jesus.  We might not get the life we want but we can be victors in the battle.  Preparation is the key to understanding that we are in a Spiritual battle and that the only way we will win is with Jesus on our side!

Our world may be in chaos and our families may be under attack, but where does our help come from? It comes from our Lord and Savior.  If we don't go to Him, where else can we go?  The world won't fix our problems and our friends can only listen.  But if we unite in prayer and ask the Lord to show us our sinful ways, imagine how much better things could be.  It starts with faith and continues through prayer.  None of us are molded overnight and none of us will be pure until our bridegroom comes again but in the meantime, we can surrender, pray and know that there are battles waged everyday and victors of the cross.  So stand firm with me today and pray for your families and women everywhere.  We need to unite in battle and put on our full armor daily.  The only way to have victory is to be mightily prepared!

James 4: 1-3 NKJV:

     Where do wars and fights come from among you?  Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?  You lust and do not have.  You murder and covet and cannot obtain.  You fight and war.  Yet you do not have because you do not ask.  You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

James 4:4-7 NKJV:

      Adulterers and adulteresses!  Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?  Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.  Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"?  But He gives more grace.  Therefore He says:  "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."  Therefore submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.


Today, I have only bolded the areas that I really want us to concentrate on.  Pleasure is the flesh, friendship with the world is sin and being proud comes from both.  It is here that God calls us to draw near to Him and our enemy will flee.  We must repent, open our hearts and correct our wrong thinking. We doubt that Christ is who He says He is, especially when we don't get what we want.  Haven't you heard people say it?  Why won't He just heal me?  God never answers my prayers so I guess He doesn't really exist.  What are we praying for?  Are we praying for our own pleasures or for worldly things or are we looking to what Jesus desires?  He desires us to have victory against our enemies, to be bold and courageous and to draw near to Him in all circumstances.  That's what I want to do, don't you? I want grace and I definitely want peace and everyday I pray that I surrender my desires to have His.  I'm not saying I'm perfect, far from it, but I recognize that I must die to me to see Him!

My prayer today:

O, Lord, thank you for sharing these vital passages with us today.  We do live by our flesh and often pray for our desires over what You want for our lives.  Wars are started through wrong thinking, sin and fleshly desires.  As women, we come before You surrendering our wills, our minds and our flesh to You.  We ask that You would forgive our sins and that You would change our thinking about anything that doesn't align with Your word.  Fill us up with Your wisdom so that we can be victors.  We desire to raise an army that is full of Your word, Your grace and Your hope.  We are in battle, not just country to country but soul to soul.  We are like sheep, deep in the pasture, with only one hope, that You will find us and save us.  You are the great Shepherd and only when we surrender to You can we have victory.  I want that victory today so please change my heart and mind to line up with Your word and Your will.  Help us all to see what our purpose is through You and for You.  We are waiting and repenting today.  Victory is around the corner and the only way we will achieve it is through YOU!  We bow down before You Lord and we ask that our victor will light the way through our battles.  Please help every women in every nation see You today!  Bring forth the unbelieving and give them a heart for You.  We love You Lord, we proclaim You are our Savior!  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...



Sunday, September 16, 2012

September 16, 2012

Good morning all-

I spent some time this morning in the Psalms and as usual it ministered to my soul.  I love the Psalms, every word is written with such thought and emotion.  I can almost feel the Psalmist as pen was going to paper.  Picking up the Psalms is like taking a looking glass right into my heart and seeing the hand of God.  If you don't often hit that part of your Bible, I suggest you go there today.  It reminds all of us of the hardship our forefathers faced and of the birth place of our Lord.  The Psalms are an accumulation of trials, hardships, peace, prosperity and a true need for God to be present.  David is the author of many of them and when you take that into consideration you truly understand why he was a man after God's own heart.

If you wish to get closer to God, read a Psalm a day and then in your journal, write a prayer to God.  If you do that for a whole year, you will be able to see the trials, the triumphs and the peace God brought to your life.  There is no greater place to be than at the feet of Jesus.

So with that being said, I am enjoying my coffee and just finished a couple days of "Stepping Up," by Beth Moore while preparing for a week full of stress and knowledge.  What more could you ask for? Well, I can think of many more things but nothing worthwhile in God's kingdom.  So, as I was thinking about everything I have to do this week and reading and looking up Scripture, it came to me that the theme God has been putting on my heart is prayer for our cities and our countries.  It's almost been overwhelming, especially since we just commemorated 911 in the US.  If you look around the globe so much is happening with Korea, Syria, the Middle East and in many of our cities throughout the world.  Massive terrorism, intimidation, drugs, fighting, and death are occurring by the hour.  We think we live in a peaceful nation but turn on the news and you'll see that another wife has been killed, a college girl is missing, or someone killed themselves from bullying, really?  My point is there is no peace, not really.  People have become fascinated in the here and now and want everything for nothing.  The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.  We don't even take care of our elderly the way we should.  Some countries already decide whether your worthy of living or dying and the US is slowly drawing nearer to socialized medicine too.  Man is making poor decisions and instead of praying, we are using our own wisdom, which really isn't wisdom, to decide the future of our nations.  Scary right?

So how are we to approach the world and all its chaos then?  We can pray!  We have the ability to pray for our cities and our countries but more importantly we must pray for the hearts of the men and women living in those cities.  If a true change is ever going to occur, it must begin in our hearts for God to prosper our cities or our nations.  The people, not the government, are in charge of praying and believing that Christ is who He said He was and that He has the power to restore.  If you don't believe me, turn on your television, go to the Internet or get on your phone, it's people that change their environment and since we aren't God, how do we exactly do that?  God calls us to our knees of course!

We all live where Christ landed us.  You might like where you live or like me, you might yearn for a more exciting place but eventually, you have to realize that God put you where you live for a reason and it's our responsibility to invest and pray for our city.  Also, we must be praying for Israel.  It is our Father's nation and if we abandon them, God will surely abandon us.  Pray for all the leaders in every nation too.   They need our prayers.  Men can't make good decisions on war or peace if they don't have the power of the cross behind them, so pray.  You can make a difference without ever stepping out of your house by getting on your knees and asking the Lord to intercede on the behalf of your nation.  It takes about five minutes to really go before the Lord and ask for His will to be done on your house, in your city and for your nation.  So make the commitment today to pray for that and also don't forget your sisters in other lands, they need your prayers too!

Jeremiah 29:7 NKJV:

     Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile.  Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."

Psalm 13:5-6 NKJV:

     But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
     I will sing to the Lord, for He has been good to me.

It's Sunday so go sing to the Lord and keep those songs close all week.  Rejoice if you live in a place that you can worship Christ openly.  There are many of our brothers and sisters in Christ that can't for fear of death.  If you live where God can be spoken, you are more blessed than you know.  So speak, rejoice and sing!  We have nothing to be ashamed of, as a matter of fact, we have everything to give thanks for, don't you agree?

My prayer today:

O, Lord, I come before You as a humble servant to the cross.  You have placed on my heart a great need to pray for Your people, not just in the US, but all over the globe.  You are mighty in power and majesty, for You formed the oceans and the sky and we should all bow down to our Maker.  As I read the Psalms, I am overwhelmed by the emotion and thought I hear in each one.  And I know as I pray and sing them how powerful they truly are.  To have a heart that yearns for You is a mighty blessing and I hope I carry it all my days.  This world continues to bring hardship on the house of our Lord but You are mightier than our enemy and one day You will come and destroy the beast that lurks in the hearts of man.  Please Lord, protect Your servants and place on their hearts the needs of Your people.  All we ask is that You come be with us and that You will protect and prosper our cities.  We don't deserve Your hand Lord but we are asking for it today.  Please unite the women on this blog and all women that love You, wherever they live, to pray for one another and build upon the tapestry that You have created.  We seek You by day and by night and today, we pour out our hearts to You.  We are at the gates of Jerusalem, in our spirits, praising and worshiping our Lord and Savior.  Bring Your Holiness to our lands and fortify Your people to be the men and women You need today.  We love You Lord and there is no place we would rather be then in Your house, sitting at Your table, worshiping You!  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Saturday, September 15, 2012

September 15, 2012

Have you ever tried to look for a Scripture and you can't find it?  Even with my Bible application on my phone, I sometimes can't find what I'm looking for.  But today as I was contemplating all the things God has been revealing to me, Matthew 18:20 NKJV popped up.  This has been a Scripture I have repeated to many but because I haven't memorized many Scriptures, I couldn't remember the exact verbiage and therefore, couldn't find this Scripture.

That brings me to another point, memorization.  I am going to challenge myself to pick a Scripture once a week and memorize it.  If for nothing than to know the word on my tongue.  I'm pretty good at finding it but how awesome will it be when I can recite it word for word.  So, I am hoping that you will join me and as you accomplish a Scripture, you will comment on this blog.  I want to hear from you so that I can know what God is putting on your heart.  Right now, all I know is what He's putting on mine.

And what He has been putting on my mind, is women.  Women all over the world, in every nation, that desire to know Him.  He has encouraged me morning after morning to have a heart for His people and to write about Him.  He has asked me to pray for all His flock because we are the mothers, the wives the grandmothers and the caretakers of the next generations.  We are important in History and will continue to be important until He comes back.  We are the ones that stood at the cross and went to the tomb.  We are the ones that were faithful when the men were to scared.  He gave women the courage and the fortitude to worship Him and I believe He calls us to stand with our men and fight this holy battle.  We are helpmates and very needed today.  If you don't feel important, look at your friends, your husband, your children or go to any location dealing with children and you will see the need.

More importantly, we are needed to be on our knees.  We need to be in the presence of Christ so that we can take care of those that need Him.  We are warriors in our own right.  We may not have swords and shields like in the gladiators age but we do; because we have prayer, faith, and the word.  What a powerful trio, don't you think?

The best way to come together in prayer is with two or more.  Why?  Because God does hear our prayers and it's powerful when we pray.  Haven't you ever united with someone and seen a miracle?  I have.  And over the last couple of years, I have sent out prayer requests for a young man who shouldn't be walking and he is and I have prayed for women that are close to me to heal their marriages, or their health or their hair.  I have prayed for my husband and my marriage and of course, I have prayed for my children.  I have prayed for the young girl I mentor who is now courting my son and what a blessing that is in my life.  I have prayed for the sick, the hurting and the unsaved.  I prayed for my father to know Jesus and in all these prayers, I have asked other women to unite with me.  I have called on two or three of my friends to unite with me and in the case of my dad, I called on my church family.  I know the power of prayer and I know when the trials are tough it takes more than me.  God hears all prayers and He answers all prayers.  But keep in mind, the answer might not be the one you're looking for.  His ways are the best ways even if we can't see it in the moment.

One of the other lessons I have learned in prayer is that even if I pray for specifics and join my friend in praying for specific things; I ask God to align my will and the will of those around me to His will.  How do I know if I'm praying for the right thing?  It looks right to me but only God knows what's right.   So I continue to be faithful and ask for His will to be done.  And of course it always is.  It's a comfort that the people I pray for are not my responsibility.  They belong to Christ and it is through Christ the prayers will be received and answered.

If you know of someone in need of prayer, call a few friends. You don't have to tell them the circumstances if it's highly personal, that would be gossip and we don't want to do that.  We want to begin to have a heart for the hurting and unite when God calls us too.  There are millions that need to be saved, fed, loved, healed and prayed for.  This is a career that could last a lifetime.  So, before you leave this blog today, pray for the hurting, the lost, and if you know of someone that needs prayer, pray.  If you would like me to join you in prayer, comment on this blog and I will join you too.  For our prayers are heard in heaven and that's all the reassurance we need.  Christ will take care of the people, we just need to be on our knees for them.

Be of good cheer my friends and pray for one another.  There is no greater way to be a good friend than to pray.  If you think about it, someday, when we are on the streets of gold, people we don't even know may walk up to us and say, "Thanks for the prayers."  I know I will be thanking many but I will especially thank Jesus Christ who loved me and never left me.  His will on my life is my bread and I pray that He would continue to reveal to me my next steps.  Have a wonderful day.

Matthew 18:19-20 NKJV:

     "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

My prayer today:

O, Lord, I come before You with women all over the world.  We are praying for people to find You.  We are asking that You would bring peace in the world, calm the financial storm and help us all to remove the cloak of apathy.  We want Jesus to be known from coast to coast and from ocean to ocean.  There is no one like You.  Generations are dying from Aids and violence.  We are losing good men to war and others are dying in terrorists attacks all throughout the world.  We are just women, with not much power, but we do have You Lord and our power comes through You, the cross and our prayers.  So today, we are uniting for a fallen world, we are binding evil and asking that You would place on our hearts the needs of Your people.  Help us to be good stewards of the things You have given to us and help us raise the next generations.  We realize that we are sinful and that we must ask for Your forgiveness. So we come before You now knowing that we need to pray. If we hold anything sinful inside, it's hard for us to pray and since we are emotional, we must cleanse our thoughts and our hearts of anything that is not aligned with You.  Lord, we know that You have the power to bring women, men and children, in every nation, to You.  We know that someday, every tongue will confess that You are Lord.  Help us to pray for Your people, for our countries and for ourselves as we try to align our will to Yours.  We need to die to our flesh and the only way we can do that is by putting You first on our minds and in our hearts.  We wander and You herd.  We cry and You wipe our tears.  We sing and You sing with us.  We pray and You hear our prayers.  I know the workers are few but please help those of us that want to spread the word have courage to be bold and fearless.  You have given us a great gift and we thank You for it.  Without You I would be dead but with You I have life.  Today is a day we rejoice in Your sacrifice.  Hear our prayers, O, Lord and help us win the battle!  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Friday, September 14, 2012

September 14, 2012

It is by grace you are saved!  Did you know that?  There is no way to earn your way into heaven, isn't that a relief?  If that was the case, I'm sure I would be turned away.  So, it is by grace we are saved.  It was the love of God, who sent His only Son Jesus to die for our sins.  One man, took on the sins of many, and today we are called His children.  We walk on this earth knowing there is one God with three parts, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  After Jesus died, we were filled with the Holy Spirit and today we can walk in faith and truth that Jesus died for us and covered all our sins.

There will be a day of judgement and none of us will escape.  We will be called before the Lord and He will judge.  The great thing about our God is that every sin is forgiven when we ask.  It is put to the East or the West but its far from us.  Unless, of course, we keep it close.  Because along with sin comes shame and we love to hold on to that.  But God calls us to let go, to believe that He has forgiven us and know that when we ask for forgiveness, we are forgiven.  That is such a relief!  I sin, you sin, we all sin and I'm so glad I can wash it away and learn from it.  Of course, we need to learn from it.  So if you're repeating a sin over and over, you haven't made the switch yet.  Take some time to figure out why you keep repeating the behavior and ask God to change it.   He will.

Throughout my life, I have struggled with the sin of my parents and the sin of my own actions, which oftentimes left me depressed, scared and worried.  It wasn't until a couple of years ago that I realized when I asked for forgiveness it was truly forgiven.  My fear comes from failure.  Somewhere along the way I thought I needed to be perfect to be loved.  This was not reinforced in my home but I began to build a case around my thought life.  And as you can guess, it was the wrong way of thinking.

People look at Christians and think we have it all together.  That can't be farther from the truth.  As a matter of fact because we are Christians we know we don't have it together.  We are sinful and with our hearts we confess it and ask Jesus to reveal it to us.  So, whenever you see a Christian do something they shouldn't, remember they are tempted just like you and me.  Sin is in all of us but those that follow Christ are judged harsher by man and can often fall harder.  That's why we are told not to judge anyone because you never know when you'll be judged.

The reality of being a Christian is you did nothing to earn it.  It was bought and paid for you on the cross.  Jesus died for you so that you could rejoice with Him in heaven.  You can't earn it and you can't bribe your way into heaven, so if God is calling you to be His child, except today.  It will be the best gift you were ever given.  Following Christ is not always easy.  There will be times you feel stretched like a rubber band and believe me those times are very uncomfortable.  But I have always come out of them thanking God for what He showed me.  And I think, I'm becoming a much better person for them.  Of course, you would have to ask those closest to me to really know if that's true.

Life is about choices and I can tell you the best choice I ever made was at 20 when I chose Jesus Christ.  I didn't always follow Him like I should.  I definitely didn't read my Bible like I should and I have to say I've wandered in the desert more times than I would like to admit.  But through prayer, I have always found my way back to Him.  He truly is my light.  So, if you're struggling with God and you're not quite sure where you stand, ask Him.  He is there for you and has offered you the greatest gift, His love.  People will disappoint you but Christ shows up when you most need Him.  You may have to look for Him but He's there.

If you don't know Christ today, keep seeking Him.  He wants you to be part of His fold and I do too.  There is no greater place to be then in His arms.  Please join me in praying for every woman seeking a Savior and rejoice that God still saves!

Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV:

     For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.

My prayer today-

O, Lord, I come before You today asking just one thing, that You would bring women all over the world to You.  That these women would come to know You and that through their faith many around them will find you too.  Women need to hear the call and I know You are calling.  So help us all to be faithful and to pray for the unsaved.  We were lost once and You came and delivered us.  I'm praying that You will do that now.  Women need a Savior and they need to know that their shame can be washed white as snow.  We don't have to worry or fear because You are our comfort.  So as I sit and write to You, I pray for those women and ask that I would be faithful in the fight.  Help us, O, Lord to find You in Scripture and to spread the good news.  For Jesus died on a cross and rose again!  We are saved by faith and not by works.  Only Your hand can save us.  Please instill this in every heart as we cry out to You.  We need You Lord and the only one we want to boast about is You!  Please bring Your women forward in a mighty way and show us all the power of the cross.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Thursday, September 13, 2012

September 13, 2012

I can't believe we're in the middle of September already.  The time just flies.  I was thinking about how many things have changed in a year and if I let it, it would overwhelm me.  Many people say they just don't like change but everywhere I look there is change.  We can't stop babies from becoming teenagers, we can't stop the aging process and we can't stop the seasons.  No matter how hard we try, if we don't change, everything around us will.

As I type this, I am thinking about how much  my life changed when I first accepted my call.  It happened right after my dad's death.  I had felt called to write and to speak to women for years but with the responsibilities of ill parents, children, and a not so steady marriage,  kept me from moving toward His call.  God could have helped me then but I was overwhelmed and didn't think I had what it took to write for Him.  Now I realize, I was missing out on the blessing, not God.  Since I was little, I loved to write and read.  It really is my only talent besides loving and talking to people.  I can't throw a ball and if you could watch me to try to run with my husband and I do mean try, you would laugh your head off.  I'm not an athlete and I'm not a great mind but I love people and I love God and for whatever reason, He gave me a talent to write about Him.  The transformation came when I was sitting at the funeral home with my brothers.  I realized I could never be silent again.  I couldn't hold all this knowledge and love I had for Christ inside.  I had to speak and find away to reach the women God was calling me to share my faith with.  He had taken me through many trials and I had paid Him back by my silence.  No more.  I didn't want another person at deaths door without me at least saying, "What about Jesus?"  Don't get me wrong, I did try to have talks with my father.  As a matter of fact, my son was desperate.  He had gone and bought Him a Bible and several books only to have my dad become quiet and really not want to talk to Him.  He felt broken and He was right.  He was the child and I needed to step up and talk to his grandfather about Jesus.  I commend my son for hearing the call and gently sharing the gospel with the man he loved.

So, I made the confession in the funeral home, in front of our pastor, and to my brothers, which by the way, one doesn't believe in Jesus.  I sat there with more confidence then I have ever had and for once, I changed my course.  I took the steering wheel and began to write this blog.  It hasn't been easy and often I have felt like maybe I am not talented to do this but then I put those thoughts behind me and began to write what's on my heart and behold, we are at 200 prayers, 200 or more Scriptures and 2100 hits to this blog.  I know it's not that many but everyone that hits this blog is God picked and I am so grateful for each one of you.  You keep me going.  It's challenging to get up every morning to write.  It was much easier in the summer but every morning I am so pleased to sit down and write and when God reveals Himself to me, I am blessed.  I hope this blog blesses you too and comforts you as it has me.

I can honestly say that spending this time with you and God has made this year the best year of my life. And though I approach the one year mark of my father's passing, I can say I am more blessed than when he was alive because Christ has filled in for my parents and continues to direct my path, just as they did.  I can't think of anyone else I would rather learn from, can you?

If you're investigating if Christ is real, don't take my word.  Read over my prayers and the Scripture that has been placed on this blog.  Go see a pastor or just ask God to reveal Himself through Scripture.  Christ doesn't need me to tell you He exists.  The great thing about being a child of God is that you can go directly to him, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  I know because I do on a regular basis.  He has become my manna and my sustenance.  Without Him, I would be dead but with Him I am changing, growing and more loving.  My heart is wide open and continues to want to spread His word.  I pray that if you don't know Him, you find Him today.  He loves you and is just waiting for you to say, "Yes."

Be of good cheer today my sisters and remember a day that starts with Jesus is a day blessed.  If change is going to occur anyway wouldn't it be better to talk to Him this morning?  Preparation is the key when it comes to change and the only way to prepare is to bow down and worship our King.  He's waiting for you, not the other way around.  I thank you for coming onto this blog and supporting me as I continue to fulfill my call.  I am blessed and I hope you are too.  I leave everything to Jesus today and I hope that you do too.

John 13:34-35 NKJV:

    "A new command I give you:  Love one another, as I have loved you, so you  must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Numbers 23:20 NKJV:

     I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot change it.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, thank you for making us faithful to You.  Thank you for coming into our lives and blessing us with Your presence.  Change is coming and with it we must come before You sometime during the day to be fed and watered.  You are our water.  Without You, we will wither and die.  But with You, we have fullness of life, direction and light.  Our soil becomes rich when we read the word and our hearts become full as we come before You.  We continue to be a sinful generation, marked by the desires of our flesh.  Help us to become servants of You, dying to our flesh, and making You known.  We are not perfect and often, we don't listen.  Please open our minds and hearts to You so that we can hear You!  We desire You in our lives, being our Father.  You are a mighty and powerful Father and we gladly stand by and watch as You change lives from death to life.  You are everything to us and we worship You today.  May You bless women all around the world and please bring the seekers to us.  We want to tell them of the great and mighty God we serve.  Help us Lord continue to share the word but more importantly, help us to love.  For love is the key to our hearts and You called it from the beginning.  A person that feels love is a person with many blessings.  We ask that You continue to protect our houses as we preach Your word.  Give us wisdom in the dark and light our paths toward tomorrow.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...