Friday, November 30, 2012

November 30, 2012

Good morning all-

Well today is the first day of my son's first basketball game as a varsity starter for High School.  While other children are trying to find food and looking at a bombed nation, the US is kicking off it's High School basketball season.  Once again, I am reminded how blessed we are to live in this country.

For the last couple of posts, I have been talking about hope.  What does hope do for us?  It inspires us, it gives us the will to risk all and at the end of hope we find Jesus.  It is an awesome and wonderful thing to think about.  I don't know about you but hope is the only thing that gets me through.  Because with hope, I believe that there is a heaven and that this world is not the end.

Wherever you live, I would imagine you know someone going through a very difficult time.  They might even be speculating on the will of God or even His power.  I know people like that right now and I'm sorry to say, I've been one of those people.  It took me a long time to realize God wasn't punishing me, He was growing me.  It's hard to explain that to someone that has fallen on hard times so instead, please lift up those that you know are struggling with their faith.  Many turn away when things don't change and yet, if we look in the Bible, when our forefathers had faith, God was revealed.  So take up the cross for your fellow man and spend some time thinking and praying for them and while you're at it, pray for you too.  You never know when your hope and faith will be rocked.  When it occurs, I want you to be able to say, Jesus will catch me.

I look forward to that day, don't you?  I can picture Jesus catching each one of us as we fall and as you all know, we fall often.  What is it like sitting in heaven listening to the cries of His people.  How often does He hit his head against the wall and say, "Ye have little faith?"  Don't you wonder about things like that, I do.  I am constantly wondering about God and what it's like to be in His presence.  I have pictured the choirs singing and the stars aligning all around.  Every time I see the sun rise I think about the gloriousness of God and as I drive home and the moon is over the horizon, I think, how great You are!

That's what hope provides.  It's our window to what will come and although circumstances bring us down, God is always near.  As we approach the coming weeks, please take time to think about the beauty of the Holy Trinity.  The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one, guiding us and loving us.  Our faith must be steadfast, burning with the love our father has given.  We were sacrificed for, we were sanctified and we are His.  How greater of a gift do we want?  Well we are human and we want what we don't have but if we were true to our Father, we would want only Him.  I hope this day finds you well and with every moment, I wish you many blessings.

I have to get going to take my son to school so I won't be able to write my prayer.  Spend time thinking of how you would ask God to build your hope so that faith will follow.  He's only a prayer away!

Jeremiah 29:11 should hold you over until tomorrow.  For our plan is mapped out and our future is Him!

Until tomorrow...

Thursday, November 29, 2012

November 29, 2012

Good morning all-

My apologies for not getting on to write in a few days.  I have been dealing with a head cold that is totally wiping me out.  But my fingers are working again and my head is a little on straight, so I thought I would give you three words to contemplate on this morning and throughout your life.

HOPE
FAITH
LOVE

What do all of these words have in common?  When you hope, you have faith and you love, you believe that Jesus came to this earth as man, born to a virgin, and rose again.  When you can hope, you can get through any storm, climb any mountain and bound the waves of life.  When you live by faith, you believe that God is the God of the universe and you believe that somehow He will be there.  Love, well love heals all things, believes all things and knows no bounds.  Love makes this world go around.

So, if you are really failing right now and don't know where to turn, turn to these three words and cry out to the Lord of the Universe.  If He made every star, every tree, every sea, I think He can help you. These words have to be practiced, prayed over and in your heart you must believe that Your Savior is near, for He is hope, faith and love.

I leave you this morning pondering how these three words change lives.  They have changed mine forever and although I still falter and find myself in anger, worry or fear; I always seem to come back to  hope, faith and love.  The Lord is my light, my shepherd, my love.  I pray He is all of this for you and more.

1 Corinthians 13 NKJV:

     For now we see in a mirror, dimly but then face to face.  Now I know a part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.  And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

This scripture is so profound.  It was given to me on my wedding by my roommate and has hung in my kitchen ever since.  I have looked at it a thousand times and I have wondered often what God is trying to say.  Reality is that I have prayed this prayer a million times and I'm sure that this is the Scripture that opened my heart back up to my husband.  It's what saved a generation from the pain and frustration of divorce.  These words built a bridge and if they built one for me, imagine what they can do in your life. As always may God find you well today and may you know how much I care for you.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, everything I know and feel comes from You.  Every right thought, every right deed is from You.  I am a sinner there is no doubt but when I look upon the word I see Your face.  You are like the light that emanates from a full moon.  You are like a lighthouse to my heart.  I cherish every day I'm able to be with You, to write to You and to pray to You.  You are the King of my heart and I am the luckiest girl alive.  I'm coming before You today and asking You to write these words on all our hearts. You are the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  You created hope, faith, and love.  Please help us understand Your ways and give us the will to be obedient to these words.  I know it won't be easy because we are definitely like the sea, in feeling and in action.  But You are near and You will carry us through the waves of our own decisions.  So today, I come before You and I ask that You will help me abide in Hope, Faith and Love for all these mean one thing, YOU!  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow....

Sunday, November 25, 2012

November 24, 2012

Good morning all-

I took my nephew to the airport this morning with sadness in my heart.  I can remember the first time I held him as a baby or the time I caught him throwing pizza into a fan, now it's funny but it wasn't then. I can remember his face as he saw his grandparents and how he loved to be with his dad.  I have lots of memories but I think my fondest will be this Thanksgiving as I watched a little boy be a man.

My mom was right when she said we have our children for such a short time.  It's amazing how much damage we can cause in so few years.  My nephew has gone through a lot.  Both his parents were too young to have him and their choices have left him seeking in all things worldly.  He doesn't let that stop him though, he will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years and I hope they both know that it will take a lot for him to forgive.  My prayer is that he will forgive and that someday his parents will cherish their boy, now grown into a man.

My brother nor his mother are saved.  They don't know the comfort or peace Jesus can provide.  Their eyes are blinded by their own needs, wants and desires.  That doesn't make them bad people it just makes them selfish.  We have all lived in that place, probably in our twenties when we wanted what we want. As you grow up and start raising a family those blinders are taken off and you begin to grow up and put others before yourself.  Especially, if you have come to know Jesus.

During this week, my oldest son stayed faithful to what he believes.  He read his Bible right in front of his cousin and never backed down on what he believed in.  They discussed personal and deep beliefs and it's my belief that God has begun the work I have so desperately prayed for.  My goal is that everyone in my family would choose to believe.  I have no idea if that will happen but it's my hope.  I try to live my life by faith and I hope that people witness that in me.  I'm not perfect but then, just because you're a Christian doesn't mean you will be perfect.  So although my nephew is unsure, he will remember the generosity of his family.  He will be reminded of laying in my bed with his cousins all around and us laughing about stupid stuff.  He will remember our dinner where we gave thanks to the Lord and thanked Him for providing the money so he could be here.  He will remember the love and devotion his aunt feels for him and he will always know how much he is loved.  Time ticks on but love lasts forever.  I'm in hope that the Lord I love will send men to him that will minister to him.  I'm in prayer that he will know Christ the way I do and that he will not wander this earth alone.  I'm in faith that the Lord of light will someday impact his life and he will call him Savior.

These are not random hopes and dreams, they are my reality.  When I say that I believe that God can do all things, I mean it.  I may worry and fear, which I repent of often, but eventually I come back to the only thing that matters to me and that is the love of Christ.  He is merciful and just.  He holds hope, faith, peace and love in His hands and when we seek Him we find Him.

So, as I watched him head into the airport I prayed that God would show him his way.  I'm praying for his parents to find Christ and to come before their son, new and holy.  I'm waiting for the day when he can look at both of them and say I love you and I forgive you.  No one is to fault here but selfishness.  Hopefully, we all take a good long look at our hearts and repent.  We don't owe our children worldly goods, but we do owe them our faithfulness and our love.  I hope I demonstrated that to my kids and to my nephew this week.  They are a blessing to my life and I wouldn't change it for the world.

As I promised the next weeks would be filled with Scripture that represented hope and faith.  They are the two key elements to walking with our Lord.  If we hope only in ourselves, we are surely lost.  So, let's hope in the only thing that counts, JESUS CHRIST!  May this day find you well and may you be blessed by the Scripture.  Remember, we are not here to serve our own purpose, we are here to serve His!

Hebrews 11:30 NKJV:

     By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.

Luke 7:50 NKJV:

    Then He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you.  Go in peace."

Mark 11: 22 NKJV:

     So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God."

My prayer today:

O, Lord, I come before You and petition for the lost.  I ask that You would write on people's hearts to pray for those that don't know You.  If we love You, we must be bold and answer Your call.  You have called us to love the lost and we should do so.  I have many people in my family unsaved.  My prayer today is that You will use memories and others to come into their lives.  I pray that the blinders that are now on, will be off and that You will be seen.  There are nations of people in need of knowing You, especially in the US.  We have become a selfish people and we need to all repent before You and ask You to restore this nation.  You reign and as we seek You, we find You.  I am only one Lord but as You write people on my heart I pray.  I pray for everyone that is now on the Internet.  I pray that they would find a blog or a book that would help them understand You.  Faith is what is given and so is life.  I know now that my life belongs to You.  Please help those that are lost to see You in everything that they do.  Give them the power to break away from sin and light their way.  I am pleading and petitioning for the lost because once I was lost and thank You for finding me.  I cherish You Lord and I want everyone to know how much You mean to the world.  May Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Please forgive us for our sins and forgive others.  We need You Lord, light our way!  In Jesus name, AMEN..

Until tomorrow...




Saturday, November 24, 2012

November 23,2012

Good morning all-

I hope this morning finds you well.  I am still entertaining and loving it.  My nephew will leave tomorrow but it's been a wonderful visit.  It's hard when people live so far away.  The blessing happens when you see them again and realize that although we are not together, we still are a family.  Thanks to the Lord for allowing me the money to pay for his ticket, it truly has been a blessing this year.

This will be my last entry on the subject of thanksgiving.  Moving forward we will talk about faith, hope and why it's so important to remember that Jesus is near.  I don't want us to forget that we should have thanksgiving in our hearts but I think we all know that this journey would be empty without the Lord in it.  So with that, I'm giving thanks to the Lord for providing my family, my health and the ability to write this blog. I am thanking Him for saving the sinner and for loving the destitute.  I'm proclaiming that all my earthly possessions are His.  I'm thanking Him for all the times He's calmed my fears, moved mountains out of my way or simply listened why I cried silently so no one could hear.  He is my Shepherd and I thank Him for that too.

In every aspect of my life, I know He is near.  I am not a prophet of old or a great disciple; I'm just me.  The Lord has shown me that being me is a good thing, that I was created for this moment and He stands by, watching and directing me as I seek Him.  I've learned that without Him I am nothing but with Him I can soar.  I'm far from perfect, even though I would like to be, and yet, He loves me anyway.

For all that Jesus has done for my life and yours, I thank Him from the bottom of my heart.  I can't even imagine where I would be without Him and thankfully, I don't have too.  So I hope today finds you well and that you have taken time to thank Him for all the things He's done in your life.  If today finds you in sorrow, I'm in sorrow with you.  If today finds you in jubilation, I'm with you on that too.  I've been where you've been and I know that life holds many ups and downs.  It's easy to praise Him when everything is going well, so if it's not, I challenge you to praise Him anyway.  The cloud will lift soon and the rainbow will peep out but you must be secure that God is God and give Him all the glory.

I love you my sisters and I hope that you have seen the glory of our Lord in the last couple of posts.  There are tons of Scriptures on thanksgiving to the Lord our God.  Why?  Because David and the others knew that to put trust in things not seen was far better than their sight.  They lifted praise to the King, their rescuer, their deliverer.  They knew that a life full of things would never bring them the peace and prosperity they desired.  It took a man, born to a virgin, to relinquish them from their sins.  We are part of that holy generation.  Bring forth your will on our lives Lord as we honor and praise you today!

Colossians 2:7 NKJV:

    rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

2 Timothy 1:3 NKJV:

    I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,

My prayer today:

O, Lord, You are mighty in power and majesty.  We come before You with names written on our hearts.  We are blessed to have good friends and family but our true blessing comes from You dying and washing our sins away.  I can't imagine what the disciples were thinking that fateful night as they relived Your incarceration, Your beating or Your death.  They must have felt immense shame but someone knew to be praising God for that day.  Someone unspoken, someone faithful was watching and waiting in the wings.  I wonder if it was your mother?  You were her greatest joy.  Did she know that Your sacrifice would be the worlds reward?  All I know is that she was praising Your father for the moments You were in her life and so were the men and women that followed You.  Our days on earth become one after another and we deal with moments but not eternity.  If we were to look onto today and find You, we would surely be blessed.  You are the light in the darkness and You are so worthy to be praised.  My prayer today and leading up to the day we celebrate Your death and resurrection is that we would be proclaiming that Jesus reigns from Israel to Germany, from Turkey to Iraq, and to every country and every people group around the world.  You are Lord and we praise Your name!  In Jesus name, AMEN...

Until tomorrow....

Thursday, November 22, 2012

November 21, 2012

Good morning all-

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good!  The winds are blowing in Kansas, the stars are out and I need to begin to defrost a 20 pound turkey but before I do any of that I want to give thanks to my readers.  I started this journey the beginning of the year not knowing who would read my blog.  I wasn't even sure I had enough talent to do it or enough words.  Although most people would tell you I can talk, but my point is I wasn't sure I could be faithful to write and to be bold for our Lord.  I have grown up with fear in my heart and a lack of confidence in my ability and yet, the Lord wanted me to sit down and write about His faithfulness to me, so I do.

I have missed a couple of days trying to prepare for my company.  My nephew is here from Salt Lake City, Utah and I feel like my parents are smiling from heaven.  We haven't seen him in awhile and I miss him horribly but for a few days he's with us and I am truly blessed.  I have a lot to be thankful for in my life.  I didn't realize it as a teenager but I had great parents and wonderful brothers.  I was raised in a family that understood what FAMILY meant and I now share their passion with my family.

So along with all the gladness I feel and all the thanksgiving in my heart I also feel sadness today.  This year, my brothers and I will celebrate our first thanksgiving without parents.  My youngest brother will be with his wife's family and the rest of us will be here.  The rotating thanksgivings are nothing new but being parentless is.  I'm not going to fill my bowl with sorrow today; I'm going to fill it with praise for my King.  Why?  Because with ever whisper and for every petition, my Lord has been there listening to me and guiding me.  I don't have an earthly father or mother but I have a God that breathes life into me.  There are far worse things that can happen to someone than being parentless.  If you feel lonely today, reach out to someone.  Giving of your life can help you get through any loneliness you might feel.  How do I know?  Because I practice it daily.  People need us to reach out to them.  They won't do it if we don't do it.  Life is a series of ups and downs and all arounds but one thing is consistent, if you love Jesus, He is near.

Today, I celebrate the Lord that saved a retch like me!  I come before Him with gladness in my heart.  My heart bursts for Him and thanks Him for His grace and mercy on my life.  I have so much to be thankful for and so do You.  If He has chosen You, He loves You.  If you don't feel His love look at the people He has placed in Your life.  We are not alone on earth and we are covered by His blood!  It's time we all get on our knees and thank the Lord of light for the blessings He has bestowed on our lives.  You may not be in a beautiful house or have plenty to eat but if you have enough, then you know Jesus has been faithful.

I come before all of you today with thanksgiving in my heart.  I see your hits on my blog and don't know your name but I know that You are seeking Christ and I am thankful for each one of you.  You are precious to me and precious to our Lord and I thank Him for giving me the honor to encourage You and to remind all of us that He is near!  Happy Thanksgiving and as we lead up to Christmas I just want to thank the Lord of light for giving me strength this year.  I have never felt more loved or empowered than I have throughout this year.  I have lost much but have gained more than I can ever imagine.  I feel closer to my King now and with every step I take; I know He is near!  Thank You Jesus for being our Lord and Savior, for dying on the cross and for giving us eternal life.  We may not understand the "why's" of this life but You do, so that's all I need.  Bring women to us that need You and help us all to be faithful to You in the coming season.  May God bless each and everyone of you as you have blessed me this year.

Philippians 4:6 KJV:

     Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Psalm 95:2 KJV:

     Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms.

Psalm 50:14 NKJV:

     Offer unto God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High.

 

My prayer today:

O, Lord, I come before You with thanksgiving in my heart.  I am so grateful to be Your servant and for the love I have written on my heart for the lost.  There will be many people today needing You and so with that, I come before You asking You to be their Lord and light.  Without You there is darkness but with You there is light.  You are all we need!  We come before You, sinners, and yet, You save us.  You comfort us in our loss, You bring us just enough and when we call, You hear.  We are beacons praying that the lost will come to us in Your name and that we will be faithful all our days.  We need You Lord not just today but every day.  Guide us through our journey with thanksgiving in our heart.  Lead us by still waters and take us on a journey of You.  Please remind all of us that You provide our manna.  Although men will take credit, like in the Israel and Palestine cease fire, we know You were the orchestrator of that great feat.  We are not You and we know that in order for peace to be on earth, You must reign!  So come into our homes today, teach our children what it is to be thankful, send them out into this world and use them to make You known.  Give us, as Your chosen women, boldness to teach our families, to support our friends and to lead those that are in the dark to You.  Out of all the things I could be thankful for the only one that counts is that You died on the cross so that I could have eternal life.  Please write that on our hearts today and remind us all that every blessing leads back to YOU!  In Jesus name, AMEN...

Until tomorrow...

Monday, November 19, 2012

November 19, 2012

Good morning all-

Well I have a ton to be thankful for today and I hope you do too.  I woke up to my picture on Facebook with my great nephew and I was reminded how important family is in our lives.  It is the key that unlocks many of the mysteries in life.  I pray that wherever you live God has given you a family to love and that loves you.  If you weren't blessed with great parents, I hope he has provided a great boyfriend or a wonderful husband.  It's never too late to start a new generation full of God's love.

We continue to walk through the Scripture looking at words of thanksgiving for our Lord.  We need that now more than ever.  Is God as big as He says He is?  Does He reign from Heaven?  Can we count on Him in all circumstances?  The answer is Yes to all of the above.  Easy test first think in the morning, don't you think?  My point is we must trust and be faithful to our Lord.  He is who He says He is.  He doesn't leave us or forsake us even though we feel like that sometimes.  He is always near, guiding and orchestrating like a great conductor.  We might not see what He's doing but He's doing something. He is wonder and splendor and He has us all right where He wants us.

So today, as you go about your day and week leading up to Christmas, I want us to concentrate on what we are thankful for.  My mother-in-law had a thanksgiving bowl and she read almost 27 things people were thankful for.  I thanked Jesus for the abundance of blessings He has bestowed on my life.  He is all I need and I am going to remember that into the holidays.  We must concentrate on what He means in our lives and in the lives that don't know Him yet.  I'm thankful everyday that He found me and saved me.  That's the greatest blessing I've ever received.  Take heart my sisters and be thankful that our Lord came to save us!


Psalm 97:12 NKJV:

Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.

Jonah 2:9 NKJV:

"But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed.  Salvation is of the Lord."

My prayer today:

O, Lord, I come before You with thanksgiving in my heart.  I worship You for Your power and majesty.  I give my life to be Yours and ask that You would be with me all my days.  Heal the nations, bring forth Your power and show all of us Your might in a darkened world.  People are frightened and nations are at war, bring forth Your love and guide us all our days.  We are in need of You.  No man can change the course of History but You can; so today we put our hands in Your hands and ask that the Lord of light would guide the nations and their leaders.  We praise You today for everything You are and everything You will be.  May the people in every nation bow down to Your holy name and may we all come back to what is right and true, YOU!  I come before You praying for the lost and hungry this season.  Provide food and shelter to the destitute and give us all the manna we need to sustain life.  Lift up those that have the funds to provide things to the starving and write on their hearts an amount to give this week.  There is no better time for us to show a hurting world that You are near.  Make us bold for You Jesus and give us strength to endure the coming days with thanksgiving.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Sunday, November 18, 2012

November 18, 2012

Good morning all-

My coffee is brewing and I have a wonderful mask sitting on my face for 7 minutes.  I have taken my shower, brushed my hair and put in pumpkin bread to take to my mother-in-laws.  Life is good.  That's what I'm doing today.  However, people in Israel and the gaza strip probably didn't sleep last night.  The sounds of bombs were bursting in the air.  The fear and destitution that will come from this will be immense.  Hurricane Sandy's aftermath isn't a pretty sight but either is a bombed nation.  So much strife and where is their help?

The extremists in every religion believe they are doing right.  Is it right to kill innocent people?  Is it okay to destroy beauty?  Is it right to be so focused on your own agenda, you have forgotten everything that mattered?  Evil deceives and it continues to make good people choose disastrous things.  I'm not saying that all war is unnecessary or that people that fight in wars are evil.  That would be to deny the Bible.  Many of our forefathers fought in wars and became victorious and when they did, peace prevailed.  But now, we are fighting religious wars.  Like the presidency of the United States, people are on opposite sides of the map.  Extremists will always be extremists, we must pray for peace, understanding and the ability to ask Jesus to protect the nations.

I told you we were going to spend the days up to Thanksgiving and on to Christmas thanking God for everything He has done.  Even in turbulent times, times of fear and times of destruction, Jesus has to be the center of our lives.  We can't continue to confess we are Christians and let fear guide us.  We must thank God for everything and have faith that He can move the mountains.  By the way, if you think He is going to let Israel be destroyed, know that is not the case.  Israel will be His protected nation and He will rise up against any of us that don't believe it.  The new Israel comes out of His second coming so if you have doubts read revelation and it will steer you in the right direction.

So as I hear the fear in others and watch as bombs soar across the sky, I'm going to my Lord.  We, as humans, are idiots.  We fight, we bicker and we create war.  We constantly poke at one another until anger gets the best of us and nothing else but destruction happens.  I'm of the mindset to sit still, pray and ask my Lord to protect the world and the people that live in it.  We must unite as sisters in Christ and ask our Lord to guide the minds of men.  We must do what we can to fight spiritually.  We don't have weapons of mass destruction but we can call on a God that created the world.  He is more powerful than a nuclear weapon.  He is GOD!

Thankfully, He has shown us where our strength comes from.  I am so thankful to have a God that is so good.  I'm sitting here writing every word and thanking Him for the peace I've received.  Not because I deserve His faith, His power or His glory.  I'm just a human, with human weaknesses, but I'm loved.  We must get on our knees and pray for peace and love.  We must sing to our Father and thank Him for His abundant love.  We must believe when times are dark that He is all we need.  Take heart and know He is near.  I'm coming before Him this morning and asking Him to put thanksgiving in our hearts.  To really and truly worship Him and adore Him.  For our strength and power are not in our nations, it's in the hearts of men, guided by a Shepherd that loves His flock.  I'm lucky to be one of the chosen that gets to sit as His feet and worship His greatness.  Take time today to thank Him for all that He has done.  He is mighty and majestic and we should be honored to be called His.

With all my heart, I am praying for the people of all nations today.  My heart breaks for those that are hearing the bombs and dealing with the destruction.  Just like Sandy, whether it be weather or war, it comes like a thief and steals everything.  Possessions can be amassed again but life is only for the moment.  Please unite with me and thank the Lord for your nation, pray for your leaders and ask the Lord of light to protect Israel and the innocent people that live on the gaza strip.  If men are at war then we must pray for them and we must thank God for saving us for this time!

Psalm 95:2 NKJV:

     Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

Isaiah 51:3 NKJV:

     For the Lord will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her wast places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in it, thanksgiving and the voice of melody.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, You are the light of the Universe.  You sit at the right hand of Your father.  You know the events that occur all over the world and You are near.  As Your daughters, we call out to You and praise Your holy name.  You are our King and we will rely on You all our days.  As one, we come before You and ask that You will protect Your nation and the nations that are at war or thinking about war.  You are all we need.  We turn our eyes upon You as our forefathers did over and over again in the Bible.  We need a Savior, we need a hero, WE NEED YOU!  I am not the smartest person in the world and I definitely don't have all the answers but I do know that faith can move mountains and You can stop war.  We have been selfish and continue to do so. We repent of our selfishness and ask that You would see our hearts.  We worship You, we cry out to You and we proclaim today that You are all we need.  We come before You with thanksgiving in our hearts.  We don't know where You're leading us but lead on and we will follow.  Thank You for making us Your warriors and for writing the needs of Your people on our hearts.  We will not run but we will be strong in You.  Help all nations be more fiscally responsible and grow up leaders that love YOU!  In Jesus name, AMEN...

Until tomorrow...

Friday, November 16, 2012

November 16, 2012

Good morning all-

Today is the day that the Lord has made.  Are you anxious or worried about the world outcome?  Are times getting you down?  Don't be my sisters.  Now is the time you were made for, today is the day we must thank our Lord for everything good and bad.  We must go before Him with gladness in our hearts and proclaim that the Lord is good in an evil world.

There is no better time than now.  People are questioning, worried and we should be.  Many of us have turned our backs on the Lord of light and the deception of the world is being revealed but instead of worrying; we must fear the Lord and praise Him for all He has done.  Never forget that our Lord is more powerful than any leader.  He is in heaven watching over His flock and He determines the time and hour of all things.  If you are full of fear, give it to God for the only thing we are to fear is God Himself.

The next couple of weeks we will be on a journey of thanksgiving.  I think it's important to thank God in the good and bad times.  Why?  Because when we thank Him, our focus turns from ourselves and onto the King of Glory.  Our eyes must be heaven bound in a chaotic and sometimes saddened world. We must be the light, shining like a beacon to His people and we must pray and petition with thanksgiving in our hearts.  The only way to change circumstances is to pray about them and repent for our sins.  We must come to our King, holy and repentant.  So, as I've stated many times this year, let's get on our knees, unite as sisters in Christ and praise Him with our thanks.

There's no better time than now.  We were chosen for this time and we must do everything within our power to petition our Lord for the good of mankind.  The angels are praising and thanking Him and so should we!

Jeremiah 30:19 NKJV:

     Then out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of those who make merry; I will multiply them, and they shall not diminish; I will also glorify them and they shall not be small.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, You are mighty in power and majesty.  We come before You, sisters united praising and thanking You for all the good You do.  We may not understand how the events work for good but You do.  So today, we come before You, repentant and with love.  We ask that You would change the course of the nations, that You would protect Israel and that You would unite people all over the world.  We live in evil times but You are our God and I will stand in faith that You can and do change lives.  Bring women and men to us that need You as their Savior.  We want to scream from the rooftops that Jesus is Lord and that Your sacrifice made us whole.  May Your blood, the blood of the lamb, protect Your people all over the world.  Call Your women to be faithful in fallen times.  Show us how to pray for the weak and the lost.  Give us a heart for every nation and help us lift up our leaders.  Encourage us Lord with Your power and the words that live in the Bible to be more than what we were yesterday, guide our steps and our mouths with hearts of thanksgiving.  We give You all the glory today for You are the only guide we need in this darkened world.  Keep us from harm as we proclaim the name of Jesus and do not let us be tempted but give us a crown of thorns that will protect us all our days.  We worship You, we praise You, we adore You!  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Thursday, November 15, 2012

November 15, 2012

Good morning all-

I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to write yesterday, I had a friend in crisis and I thought it best to take care of her.  That being said, we are going to start our journey of Thanksgiving to our Lord and Savior!  This is the time we must focus on the advent and what it means to those of us that proclaim the name of Jesus.

I was awe struck when I did a search on the word Thanksgiving, you might want to do one for yourself.  There are many Bible verses that contain thanksgiving to the Lord.  Next week, we will be celebrating in the US a holiday of Thanksgiving, when Pilgrims and Indians came together to share their harvest.  Many more Pilgrims would have died if it were not for the survival techniques they learned from the Indians.  Do you think it's a coincidence that this happened?  I don't.  I think it was God, once again providing for His people and reminding all of us that peace can build a nation.

So as we approach the days between now and Christmas we need to focus on the sacrifice of Jesus and what that means to you and me.  So, I will begin in the old testament and lead us on a journey of Thanksgiving.  I hope you take the days ahead and treasure them for our Lord is good!  May God show you His hand in all things.

Amos 4:5 NKJV:

     Offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, proclaim and announce the freewill offerings; for this you love, You children of Israel!" Says the Lord God.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, guide us on a path of thanksgiving.  We must proclaim You in all things.  Our thoughts must be on You as we enter the advent season.  Help us all to unite like the Pilgrims and Indians did of old and guide us to one voice.  You are our bounty.  We love You and seek You all of our days.  We worship You and proclaim our thanksgiving for all You have done.  The world needs You Lord, so help us be faithful servants, singing and praising Your name.  Guide us to You in all things and lead us not in temptation but deliver us from evil.  Bring us up to the mountain so that we can scream Your name.  You are our King and You are Holy.  Thank you for everything You do for us today.  As we praise You with Thanksgiving hear us, O, Lord and provide all we need.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

November 13, 2012

Good morning all-

I'm getting ready for my trek through Western Kansas so I will have to write this evening.  Time is flying by and soon we will be to Christmas.  I am going to start a series on Thanksgiving for the next couple of weeks.  Giving thanks to our King is what we should do everyday.  In order to survive, many cultures and people groups have gone to God with thanks and petition.  I think we should do the same. We think life has changed so much and with technology it has. We are a watered down people.  We need to get back to our roots, to the people that understood that everything came from God and be faithful to the call.

You will notice a pattern getting toward Christmas because by the time I end the year; I want us all to be singing to the Lord of light.  I want us to be bold for the gospel and to constantly remember that Christ was a gift given to all.  Life has challenges and I know that more than anyone but in those moments of great challenge, Christ is there.  I may be weak but He is strong.  I might be sinful but He is blameless.  And I might not trust but He is so trustworthy.  These are the things I want us to meditate on in the coming weeks.  Presents and children are all part of the season.  To watch a child's eyes light up is spectacular but the reason for the season must be imprinted on our hearts and minds.

I need this as much as you.  I lost both of my parents in December.  I lost my mom three days before my birthday and I lost my dad 20 days before.  They died during the season I love.  I guess that could be depressing if I let it be but I choose to remember that Jesus is all I need and I celebrate Him during December.  He lost His life for me and deserves my entire attention.

Be well my sisters and I will finish this with a fighter verse tonight.  Scripture is our peace, our prosperity and our key to showing the world that Christ died for them.  We are chosen and we must continue to fight the good fight.  I'm praying that God will continue to bless this blog and me as I write for Him.  I'm not worthy but my love for Him I can't deny.

Be mighty warriors today and find a verse that stimulates the spirit and intrigues the heart.  And if you don't have time, I'll be back on tonight to give you one.  Many blessings.

Until tomorrow...

Monday, November 12, 2012

November 12, 2012

Good morning all-

I have taken today off so I'm getting a late start.  I'm enjoying a cup of Mocha Mint coffee only offered during the holidays and ready to serve my Lord.  There's nothing better than that!  Anyway, today is a beautiful day in Kansas.  We have frost on the ground and the temperatures have dropped into the 30's.  The wind is blowing and the air is clean and of course it marks the first day of tryouts for every high school kid in Kansas.

I was remembering this time last year.  There was so much excitement in the Rogers' household.  We were preparing for Hunter's sophomore year and the anticipation of basketball season.  Hunter was always a baseball player so when he fell in love with basketball, we were shocked.  My husband played in college and has always loved the game but now, his son is following in his footsteps.  About the same time last year my oldest son was wishing he had someone to share his life with.  He was struggling in school and both the boys were waiting to see if their grandfather would pull through chemo.  It was a busy time and full of unknowns.

Fast forward a year and my oldest son is dating a wonderful woman.  She is the perfect match to his stubbornness and intellect.  They are both thinkers with big hearts and I am so glad they are together. My prayer for them is that they will find themselves in love someday and that they will be one.  No pressure if she's reading this right now.  I'm just saying that's what I'm praying for.  As for Hunter, he has moved from a small town school to one of the largest and toughest schools in Wichita.  He has a dream to play basketball and to go on to college.  He is thriving in his new environment.  I look back and through prayer, God showed me this was the right move.  As a mother you want to protect your children but when God has a plan, you go with it.  I'm glad I didn't let my fear get in the way of his path.

The future for me has always been something I wish I could predict.  It's hard for me to sit and wait and wonder what thing will happen next.  As our pastor spoke yesterday he made a statement that will stick with me this year.  He said he could guarantee three things will happen in the future, "we will have troubles, things will stay the same, or things will get better."  HMM!  What do you think about that?

I'm a worrier by nature and I'm learning over and over again to give my worries to my Lord.  I have spent hours wondering if Austin will finish college or will he find someone that will love him.  I have contemplated Hunter's future with basketball and school.  I have worried if my husband would be able to turn a corner and take care of his health and I have worried that I'm not enough to help any of them.  Stupid I know, but nevertheless, I have worried.  I caught myself worrying about this season for Hunter and over and over again this weekend I had to give it to God.  I can't change the course of his plan.  Hunter's life along with Austin's belongs to God.  He has set their course and I'm just a navigator with a little compass.  God holds all the controls.  He can give them the sight they need in the dark and the luck they will need to navigate rough waters.  So why do I worry?  I asked myself that question a thousand times this weekend.

It comes down to just one thing, will I trust Jesus to do right for my family?  And the answer has to be, Yes.  If I say that I believe He is the maker of this universe, surely He can right one families course.  You and I both know He can, we just have to give up the controls and let God steer our ship.  He knows the future, we never will.  He knows the time and hour of His coming, we don't.  He knows the plans He has for us, right?  So if He knows all that, what am I doing anyway?  I'm not trusting and we must trust and believe that He is our Shepherd.  There's no other choice in this world but to believe that He is near and that He will have His will on us.  So, yesterday at church, I gave everything to Him.  I gave Him my future, my son's futures and my husband's future.  I gave Him my nephew who needs Him desperately and I gave Him the girl my son cares for.  I gave Him everything under the sun and proclaimed that Jesus is Lord.  At the end of the day who was I fooling anyway, God is in control not me.

So if you are struggling with worry and fear today, take a look back on the grace you have found through Jesus.  Look at last year and see what He did to right wrongs, change your course, or simply provide a way to a new adventure.  I guarantee He did something last year to show you He was near.  I know He did for me.  Not everything in this life is going to come out the way we want it too but we can give everything to Him, surrender and let Him have His will on our lives.  We worry because we have the outcome already mapped out.  But if we follow Christ, we must let Him determine the roadmap.

I wish you well my sisters and believe me when I say I'm praying for all of us.  Please pray for Israel and Syria and all the world events.  We must not worry about the future but we must pray for today.   Pray that the God that knows everything will give our leaders wisdom and knowledge to protect their people and pray that love is spread through the gospel.  I love you all and that's because God has written you on  my heart.  May God be with you today and always.

Psalm 56:3 NKJV:

      Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

Psalm 37:40 NKJV:

      And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from wickedness.

Proverbs 3:5 NKJV:
 
      Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.


My prayer today:

O, Lord, You are so faithful to Your people.  As I look on the last year, I can see Your hand in everything.  You are the maker of this earth and the keeper of Your people.  We worry and fret over things we have no control and yet, You know the future.  You are the only one that can provide our path and know the way.  We are followers of a great Shepherd and we need You to lead Your people down their chosen path.  We look toward You and for Your coming, for it is written that You will come like a thief within the night.  Prepare our hearts to turn toward You in all circumstances and at all times during this journey here on earth.  We are women needing a Savior.  We walk around with worry and fear in our hearts and neither come from You.  We ask today that You would remind us of how often You have been with us this last year.  Please continue to write on our hearts those women, men and children that need to hear about a Savior.  Do not leave Your people without a compass, provide a way and a wisdom far beyond human abilities.  We are Yours, come steer our ship and guide our paths by still waters.  We are a sinful generation and we leave our sins at Your feet.  Forgive us and make us Yours all our days.  Continue to grow us to be mighty warriors for You.  You are our God!  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Sunday, November 11, 2012

November 11, 2011

Good morning all-

I thought it poignant to commemorate what started this blog.  Before writing here, I spent many months writing in a journal my personal thoughts and feelings, all to God of course.  Today, I share my private thoughts with you.  I think it will help you to understand my need to spread the gospel and why I encourage you to do so.  As I've stated in other posts, I made a covenant with the Lord to spread His name throughout the world and this journal entry started it all.

At the beginning of dad's trials, I mapped out all my thoughts on paper, quietly so no one knew.  Today, I map my thoughts out to whoever finds my blog and I am so grateful to God that He not only saved my dad but that He gave me a place to praise Him.

As my dad lay dying, I prayed that God would come to him in dreams.  I sat by his bed, reading my Bible and praying and all of the sudden my father began to mumble in his sleep.  He raised his hands in prayer and pointed to the ceiling.  I never heard him speak the words I so desperately wanted to hear but I know that the Lord delivered my dad and he now resides on the streets of gold.

I share this passage with you more for me than you.  As I read the words I wrote a year ago, I am reminded how great our God truly is.  I didn't deserve His love and neither did my dad but He gave it freely anyway.  I hope you see the hope in my words and what God did and continues to do for all of us.

Lisa Rogers Journal Entry 2011



November 11, 2011

OH LORD HOW GREAT YOU ARE!  Those are the words I want to  meditate on day and night.  I am not all knowing or all powerful like you. I only know what you allow and today I ask that you allow me to know the direction this will take with dad.  He has been fascinated with 11/11/11  whenever he sees it on a clock he says those are my lucky numbers.  I am not sure that today or the days that follow will be lucky.  I believe that they will be very difficult and he is very ill.  I am not sure what all is happening but my belief is that his time is short.  I am not trying to be a pessimist; I just believe he is getting to his time. So many things have happened in the last months.  He said he was taking one last trip to NY and then he told me he would be here until his birthday. The worry and fear I feel for him is great because he does not know YOU.  I am asking for a biblical size miracle LORD.  I am asking that he will proclaim YOU as his savior and that he will allow me to pray over him.  I am asking YOU to be his father as he has been my father.  I know that YOU provided him to my mom and I and I am asking with all my heart that YOU not let him leave this earth until he can go to heaven.  I wish that I could take the turmoil and pain away from him.  I wish he did not have to be in the hospital on oxygen.  I wish he was whole and could enjoy his last days but most of all I wish him to know YOU!

His time is near.  I feel it and I believe YOU have allowed me to know that.  I believe that YOU provided the best doctors to take care of him and that they will until his last days.  I believe that YOU can do miracles even in these days and I believe that YOU can help me be strong beyond my own self.  I also believe that YOU can provide the courage I need to talk about the savior of my life and what YOU mean to me.  I am going to go get that tape so he can listen to the little boys testimony of being in your lap.  I love YOU LORD and thank you for the many memories I have.  Right now I am not asking you to get us through the holidays.  I am just asking YOU to continue YOUR will on his life and help him to understand the power of YOU.

We need mighty warriors praying on our behalf and I ask that You lift our family into the hearts of those warriors.  Prayer is more powerful than anything on earth because it is a holy connection to YOU.  I ask that YOU would give me that power back to be bold and forthcoming with the message of my savior and I ask that during our storm, I would not only be there for my family but for others that are struggling in their storms.  I would like to thank the staff of building 4 floor 3 for their caring hands.  I will never forget their commitment to him or our family.

Give me strength in the days to come and protect this family as we fight for dad's saving grace.  May You be present in my days and make me aware that YOU are near.  Help me to remember that I am not in control but only YOU are and help me to remember that life is but a moment and that YOU have given us an eternity.

Until tomorrow….

Friday, November 9, 2012

November 9, 2012

Good morning all-

Well today marks a very special day for my husband and I.  On November 9, 2001 we were reunited after a 2 year divorce.  So today, we mark our 20th anniversary and I give God all the glory.  I have to say it hasn't always been easy, Mark and I are very different people.  We have had many bad times and have had to work through them, compromise and find ways to become closer again.  Marriage is always a work in progress.  You must seek God, repent and ask Him to constantly protect your marriage.  If you do all those things, God will guide you through the storms and show you the rainbow.

I woke up this morning thinking about the day Mark came to me in 2001.  He had so much courage that day and for the first time in a long time, I saw the man I fell in love with.  He was stripped of pride, shaking and not knowing quite what to say when he asked me to give him another chance.  My first thought was heck no!  But through prayer and petition the Lord showed me that it was the right thing to  do.  We began to date and I began to fall in love with him again, not an easy feat since I had divorced him but nonetheless, God is capable of miracles, and that year one happened.  We were reunited with our parents and our sons there to witness us once again speaking our vows and although we endured rocky times, I'm glad I walked in obedience.

Staying through troubled times is hard for most people.  We like to have one foot in and one foot out.  In marriage that's a dangerous course.  If one foot is out, both will eventually leave.  I would never have imagined that God could take my heart from empty to full again for my husband.  I felt like a wrecked ship that couldn't be repaired and yet, God repaired my heart, repaired my husband and repaired my marriage.  Wow, what an awesome God we serve!

We're beating the odds one day at a time and as we bow before our Lord we can see that walking in obedience, loving Him and trusting that He is in the middle is the only way to live.  I'm not perfect and either is my husband.  We both landed together with a lot of baggage and we're very different people.  We are one through Jesus and that's who I count on to calm the storms.

If you're doubting that your marriage will last one more day, get on your knees and ask friends and family to pray for your marriage.  You don't have to give them the specifics but you do need prayer warriors lifting you up.  If you're single, pray that God would help you stay obedient to Him.  Pray for your future spouse and realize that love is a commitment not a feeling.  It's a covenant between God and a couple.  Remember that and cherish it.  Marriage is a beautiful institution as long as both parties are dying to themselves and putting God first.

I am so grateful to God that He cherished us both enough to help us see through our feelings and gave us the courage to be obedient, not for us, but for our sons and theirs to come.  Future generations will know that their grandparents loved each other and that they lived for Christ and not themselves.  That's my continued prayer!

Revelation 19:7 NKJV:

"Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready."

Our marriages are a representation to the marriage that will come.  One day, Christ will come out from heaven and His bride will be waiting.  We are His bride and just like our marriages today, we must be patient and wait on the Lord.  May God bless those of you that are single, be faithful and pray for your future spouse.  And likewise, women that are married, pray that the Lord of the Universe will be one with you and your spouse.  Bow down before Him and ask Him to heal the hurt, lift up the spirit and unite you together for the good of His glory!  He deserves all our praise.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, I come before You a very thankful woman.  You have taught me what it means to love someone more than myself.  You continue to direct my path and in my obedience I see You.  I am not perfect and often fall on my face but You are always there to pick me up and for that I am truly grateful.  Today, I'm praying for the covenant of marriage.  I'm coming before You asking to go before the singles in the world and help them find good men to marry.  Men that will cherish them all their days and that will partner with them so that future generations will seek You.  I'm coming before You asking that the marriages that are on sand would be sifted through Your hands and that You would sit them upon a rock, making them strong and enduring.  I know that You are a God that loves Your people and that marriage is sacred to You.  Our future generations need to understand that marriage is not about feelings but about a commitment to You and to the men they marry.  Life is not easy and we need You to be at the forefront, leading us and guiding us so that future generations will be secure.  You are the keeper of love, so I ask You to pour it out around the nations.  Challenge us, O, Lord to be faithful when the seas are rocking and to be bold in times of doubt.  We must trust You in everything and I just ask that as we trust You, You will protect our homes, our marriages and our children.  The generations are Yours, show them the way!  Thank You again for taking two sinful people and writing on our hearts, we need You always and without You we wouldn't be here.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Thursday, November 8, 2012

November 8, 2012

Good morning all-

Well I got home safe yesterday and enjoyed a leisurely night with my husband.  We started walking together several months back and it has definitely improved our marriage, communication, and overall health.  During our walk last night my husband began to voice many of his concerns for this country, like the trillion dollar debt and how China does own us.  I heard a lot of that yesterday.  People were disappointed in the outcomes because, as usual, we put our trust in men.

I gave him the Scripture that God had given to me over the last couple of days.  It is so true.  Our hope does not come from man, it comes from Jesus.  I think we like to control or believe we have control.  We don't.  This election has caused fear in the hearts of men but I refuse to fear a government.  I will put all fear and trust in my Lord.  For He knows what is happening in every nation around the world.

Can I do more than put my trust at the feet of Jesus?  Of course I can.  I can stay involved and be informed so that I can pray about issues that our officials are making.  I can ask Jesus to turn hearts toward him and I can pray that our President will find Him and seek Him for all His wisdom.  One man will not be the downfall of this country but in combination with greedy, powerful people we can all fall.  I am not going to put my trust and hope in that, are you?

So last night I proclaimed to my husband where my trust and hope are right now.  I don't know the world outcome, well not at least at this moment.  I know what Revelation has revealed and maybe in my lifetime I will see it come to fruition but for now, I sit and wait and ask the Lord to have His will on my country, the world, and my home.

Prayer is the power that people just don't use enough.  People used to say to my mom that I had a direct line to God.  I guess I do but so do you.  I have always known that prayer was a power that was within me, given to me by the Holy Spirit to do the work of Jesus.  For me, prayer has been an essential part of my being.  I pray in my car, when I'm grocery shopping, as I cook and even after I talk to any of my friends.  There is always something or someone to pray for.  Decisions, no matter how small or large should be done in prayer and thanksgiving.  I live that way.  I have always tried to be free enough to allow Jesus to direct my prayers and to pray for souls I don't even know.

So, if you are full of fear today because you are unsure of what you're country is doing.  There might be chaos all around you and all you feel is a sense of doom, remember that Jesus is only a phone call away.  Get on your knees and petition the "Great I AM."  He knows what's next and therefore, all we have to do is be obedient to the call and repent of our sins, for we all have them.  He's waiting for us to look up instead of being paralyzed by fear and frustration.  Those things come from satan.  I know because I have struggled with fear all my life.  It really didn't help me to think and worry about my circumstances.  The only thing that has ever brought me peace is Jesus.  So, don't worry about tomorrow, stay in today and trust that Jesus will have His will on this earth.

Seek and You shall find and all wisdom will come before you.  There is no greater gift that we have been given then the power of prayer and redemption.  If you take 5 minutes a day, it will change your life forever.


1 Chronicles 16:24 NKJV:

     Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.

Luke 12:29-34 NKJV:

     "And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind.  For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things.  But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourself money bags which do not grow old, a treasure the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Luke 11:10 NKJV:

     For everyone who asks receives and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.


My prayer today:

O, Lord, I pray for those that are full of fear and anxiety today.  You know who they are.  They fear for their lives and the future generations.  What will this world be like?  Only You know how the actions of Your people will effect the outcomes we see today.  I am going to trust that You are holding Your hand over the US and other nations as we call upon You.  Only You can save a sinking society.  We are building our houses on sand, You know it and You know the outcome.  So today, for women everywhere, I ask that You would be with the men and women making decisions all around the world. I ask that You would give them wisdom and humble them before You.  I ask that You would protect Your people and to give us wisdom in uncertain times.  We don't want to rock like the waves in a hurricane, we want to be still like the waters of a river.   Bring us up to understand Your ways and to pray for the things that matter most to You.  All possessions are nothing if You have not given them to us.  We thank you for every provision and for every ounce of wisdom You give to Your people.  You are mighty and in Your hand we are safe.  So guide the lost to You, encourage Your faithful to speak and help all of us to be bold for our families and our countries.  We must support the rulers of this world through prayer and petition.  They are just men and women full of sin leading nations.  You are their king and I will rely in You all my days.  Calm the fears of men and make them bold for You.  Our fear, trust and hope must abide in You.  I pray for the generations to come that You would give them a passion to lead through humbleness and authority under You.  Our nation was once great because we believed that You were essential to our lives.  This country and much of the world has turned its back on the principles of the Bible and its teaching.  We need a Savior now more than ever.  Rain down Your holiness on those that love You and make us strong to do Your bidding.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

November 7, 2012

Good morning all-

I'm getting ready to drive 3 hours to my first call of the day and wanted to put pen to paper before I left.    I woke up to the results of the President election and I have to say all I could think of was that God's will was done and that the people of the United States had voted.  I'm not sure what it means for the future of the US but that's not up to me.

I only have control of one thing now and that's prayer.  I  must continue to pray for the people of the US and the world.  I must continue to pray for the leaders of every country that they will have wisdom, honor and integrity in hard times.  I must pray that the men that are chosen will lead each country to the best of their ability and that they will seek God as their highest council.  I may be naive but I believe that God can change the situation for every country and every people group if He so chooses.

My job is not to worry about the future but to pray for the present.  I must pray that we will become a nation under God once more and that God would restore our economy.  I must pray that our leaders will reach across the table and find middle ground and I must ask the God of all creation to protect those He loves.

These are not the times of our parents and they definitely aren't times any of us have ever seen.  If you're in your forties our lives have been pretty cushy until the last 5 years.  Most of the people I grew up with didn't go to war, haven't seen famine and always had plenty of job opportunities.  The tide has changed and the atmosphere is different.  We must pray that men and women all over the world would do their part and pray for their countries, because our hope, our peace and our prosperity do not reside in a man, they all reside in God.

From the beginning of time, He made this land we all live in.  He created it with care.  We have a sun that rises in the East and sets in the West.  There are planets and stars that sit in the sky, birds that fly in the air and rain that covers the earth.  An election, any election means nothing as long as our God is with us.

So my prayer for the coming years will be on the world.  I will pray that our leaders will have wisdom and that they will proclaim the name of Jesus.  I'm going to pray for President Obama and all the people that surround him.  And I'm going to pray that the leaders of this country would go back to their roots and begin to come together on key issues.  We need a United America and a stronger world vision.  We must protect the innocent and work toward loving people.  We must be a country that finds Jesus again and puts God on His throne here in the hearts of men and women.

I won't be making economic policy or deciding the future of welfare.  I won't be sitting in meetings deciding how our elderly will get cared for and I won't be creating new jobs, at least not today.  For today, I will be praying that the God I proclaim as the maker of heaven and earth will rise again and reign on this country and the world.  I'm praying that a restoration in principles taught by Solomon will come to fruition and that all Christians will unite for Jesus.  He's the only man we have ever needed, maybe it's time we all realize that!

So I leave you this morning with the a passage I read yesterday.  I quoted part of it but then began to read the entire chapter and thought it was quite fitting.  We are in grave times all throughout the world.  Let's put our faith and trust in our creator, not on man.

Psalm 33:12-22  NKJV:

      Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.  The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.  The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men.  From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all 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 eye 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.  Let Your mercy, O, Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, I could not say these words any better.  Our hope and our future must come from You.  We must rely on what we know to be true in times that seem so unsure.  You are faithful to Your people.  There is only one God, YOU!  Today is the day You made.  We might not understand or fathom what is in the unseen but You do.  You know the hour and time.  You see the future and the past.  You fashion Your people with strength and honor.  You call them to You and ask only that they find faith and love.  You love us and You protect those that You love.  I ask that You would honor us by taking our leaders at hand and opening their eyes to You.  I pray that every nation and every leader would hear their call from You and that You would be there to direct their path.  Please give all of us the wisdom and tenacity to pray for our countries and those that run them.  We live in evil times, full of heartache and suffering.  I can't change the way or course of this world, its path is set.  Only You can direct and orchestrate how the coming days will go.  We ask You to come before all of us and give us wisdom on how to pray for Your people and the countries they live in.  Show us a rainbow so that we can see the power of YOU!  I will not feel fear or mourn today; I will feel triumph because my Lord reigns!  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

November 6, 2012

Good morning all-

Well today is voting day in the United States.  It's a day where we get to elect our next President and it's a day History is made.  Why?  Because once again, no matter who you're going to vote for, God will decide the fate of the US.  So far, not so great.  God is in control of every election and of everything on earth.  We choose the candidate based upon issues but God is choosing for all of us based upon our actions.

The United States used to be a country under God.  We used to understand that free speech and free religion were important.  Our forefathers knew that One Nation Under God Indivisible with Liberty and Justice for All would survive.  Today, we pick and choose our language and we rarely put anything under the umbrella of God.

If you live in the US, you know exactly what I'm saying is true.  God is coming out of our schools, our businesses and our government.  Yes, God was to be separate but never apart.  Today, we are guided by our own principles and we have forgotten what it means to be with God.  The only way to be protected is to protect the covenant of God and we have done a horrible job of that.  Christians in the US still fight.  We are fighting on a battlefield that is hard to win but nevertheless, we are fighting.  We will see if the Christian vote matters today and if God chooses a candidate that can help propel the US.

I'm not sure the President will matter in all this, only Christ knows that answer.  We have a congress that has forgotten about the people but we are too ignorant to vote them out.  Ideas and agendas for power are the only things they see.  We have to infuse ideas and get back to where we were founded or the US is doomed.  We will be like every other great power, crushed, destroyed and forgotten.  If you live in the US today please go out and vote.  We were given the right and we must take every opportunity to show God that we care.  Israel is in need of a protector and we must protect Israel if we are to stay a great power.  If you don't believe that look into the Old Testament, it's all spelled out for you.

The only way the US became great in a sea of fish was because we were founded on sound principles and God was at the forefront.  Today, our economy is sliding, the stock market is tanking and people everywhere are homeless and jobless.  Times are tough but they can and will get tougher if we don't start carrying the torch and speaking the name of Jesus.  Our battle on earth is spiritual.  We must unite with our maker and pray that He will have His will on this day.  I pray that and I hope you join me in praying for the people and the nation.  It's our time.  We were born for this moment.  Don't let your guard down now, pick up the cross and believe!

If you don't live in the US, pray for your country.  God's hand is on every country in the world.  He knows the decisions that are being made and the corruption that exists.  He is fighting in the wings but His soldiers must pray for direction and protection.  Today, we will pray not only for the US but the entire world.  We need good leaders everywhere that understand the power of the cross.  My prayer will continue to be today that the Lord's will be done!  Why?  Because I have no control.  All I can do is go to Jesus and ask Him to direct this countries course.  I pray that you will join me today.

Revelation 1:8 NKJV:

     "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Psalm 47:8 NKJV:

     God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.

Psalm 33:12 NKJV:

     Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, You know that we are a sinful nation.  We have turned our eyes on sinful things and have left You behind.  We were once known as a nation under God but we are wavering like the spring wheat.  O, Lord, come before us and establish our nation and all other nations under You.  For when You are with us, no one can be against us.  I pray today for the US and for every country needing a good leader.  Please Lord put into place men that will hear from You.  I am asking that we will all turn toward the cross and not away.  I am praying for a nation that is proud of its heritage.  A nation where Presidents like Lincoln and Eisenhower stood.  A nation under God!  That's my prayer today.  We must stand up and ask You to choose our leader.  I am asking that people will be responsible today and vote and that the name of the Lord will be heard.  I don't know which candidate You will put into office today but I'm praying that they will bow before You.  I'm praying that they will choose Godly men to serve around them and that their agendas match Yours.  We need this nation to go back to believing that God is great and that we must protect Israel.  David once asked, "If God is for us, who is against us?" I'm praying today that You are for us and that we will return back to Your ways.  We are no longer a powerful nation, we sit in debt to a communist country.  People are blinded by the events of this world and are not looking toward a future but I'm confident that You reign above the nations and that Your will, will be done today.  Give us ears to hear and hands to vote.  Make us strong in You and provide us the necessary wisdom we need to vote today.  I pray that this will not be about parties or color or anything but You.  We must stand on principles and You are the only one that can sustain the US.  I thank You for coming to our aide time and time again.  Please do so today as the nations cry out and as we sing, HOLY HOLY IS THE LORD ALMIGHTY!  Without You, we are nothing.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Monday, November 5, 2012

November 4, 2012

Good morning all-

The time change has really messed me up this morning.  I normally am up at 5:30 am and writing.  Not today and I have to get my son to school.  But I didn't want to leave this morning without giving our Lord the glory.

This weekend I started on what has become a family tradition.  Baking cookies was my mom's way of showing all of us how much she loved us.  In the last couple of years its seemed hurried and not a whole lot of fun, except when I do them with my niece and the wonderful woman I have mentored.  So I decided to start earlier to prepare for the season I love.  Christmas has meant more to me throughout the years than I can even say.  I was born on December 23rd so I have always felt closest to God during the season.  Unfortunately, both my parents were taken in the month of December.  To say the least it has taken some of the excitement out of the season for me.  But like my mother did before me, I'm putting the care back into Christmas.

I want to start new traditions for my sons and their children to come.  I want the women of this family to remember why Christmas is important and to share it with every generation to come.  Over the next weeks, I will be baking a lot.  I also will be shopping and reminding myself that my season of loss is Jesus's gain.  My parents are gone now but the traditions they set are still with me.  It's time to take the torch and make new memories.

I realize that Christmas is a hard time of year for some.  There are lots of families that don't have the money to buy gifts or to make huge dinners, let alone bake cookies.  My family was not rich but my mom found ways to make it special.  Take time this week to think about how you can budget in a meal for a family this year or give to world vision.  Life takes lots of things we love but God shows us where we can bless those that are left behind.  Make memories this Christmas and find someone to share Jesus with.  We can't store treasures here but we can store treasures in heaven.

May God bless you all today and I hope you're starting to think about how you can make Christmas special for those you love.

1 Peter 5:6 NKJV:

     Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

Ecclesiastes 1:4 NKJV:

     One generation passes away, and another generation comes; but the earth abides forever.

Luke 1:50 NKJV:

      And His mercy is on those that fear Him from generation to generation.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, the God of generations please instill in our hearts the gifts that You have given.  When life throws hardships and trials our way, help us teach the next generation how to face them with courage and humbleness.  For You, God, our the power behind the cross.  Only You can save a nation, a people or an individual.  It is by Your hand that one by one we come before You, falling on our faces to the throne of God.  We are numbered and our time is numbered, so with each tick of the clock give us courage to proclaim Your name.  Help us all to begin new traditions, re-establishing Your hand on our children and their children to come.  Give us strength and power as we speak Your name and help us Lord by leading us to the people that need us most.  Protect our families, build them up and make them mighty for You.  May every day leading to Christmas be about You and for You.   My heart wishes that all people would proclaim the name of Jesus this season.  May Your will be done and Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven!  In Jesus Name, AMEN

Until tomorrow..

Sorry for any grammatical errors I have to go.  Loving You all!

Friday, November 2, 2012

November 2, 2012

Good morning all-

Last night as my husband I got into our car to pick up my son from playing basketball, I saw the most beautiful moon.  There was a halo all around it and it was lighting two planets.  It was amazing!  Whether it's the sun rising every day or the moon glowing, these natural occurring events are creation in its most divine form.  And who do we have to thank for it, GOD!

No matter how smart people are they haven't been able to create a planet.  We may be able to travel to one but we haven't even seen a blink of the universe.  We have no idea what it would be like to delve into the depths of the earth or the wonder of the universe.  There are still hidden places everywhere and although we get to sometimes see their beauty we may never know how far it truly goes.

I guess that's why I have always prayed for rainbows to come into peoples lives.  I have done it more than most know.  Why?  Because rainbows were God's promise that He would never flood the earth again.  We don't know where they start or where they end but when you see one you feel peace and happiness.  That's why I pray it.  If a hurting person has a glimmer to hold onto, they will.  Something that breaks the challenge and gives them relief.  I have watched God time and time again give that to the people He loves.  It's not a coincidence that I have said it over and over to my friend whose losing her hair.  I needed her to see God's promise on her life.  He never left her; He just wasn't ready to deliver her.

There are lessons all around us of God's power.  We just have to look.  God's beauty is everywhere.  He left it for us so that with every season we could see Him.  Even today as the coast is cleaning up from Sandy, God brought light, equipment and people.  Their homes may be destroyed, the coast line changed forever and moving forward might be difficult.  But they will move forward!  Why?  Because God will help rebuild what people lost and hopefully they found Him when the winds were furious and the waves were crashing.  I hope they call to Him now and find every provision through Him!

I know what it's like to face hardship.  I have fought against being depressed during my loss and have found victory, not in my own courage, but through Jesus!  Each step I take comes from my God.  I am a new creation.  From the moment I get up to the time I lay my head down, I know who is in control.  I still struggle with wanting to take control but I'm learning that every provision comes through Jesus.

Take heart my sisters and look for that rainbow.  Please pray it for someone you know is hurting or needs hope.  And if their struggling to find it, ask God to reveal it to you so that you can point it out.  There is no greater gift than being a servant to the people that need Christ.  May God's blessings pour out on you today.  He is mighty and worthy of our praise!

Genesis 9 :13 NKJV:

     I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and You and the earth.

Revelation 10:1 NKJV:

     I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud and a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, You are majestic.  You provide our manna each morning.  The sun rises and sets and we see You.  The moon glows and lights up Your universe and we are in awe.  You capture the essence of everything good even in an evil world.  You remind us with Your promises that we are under Your hand.  A rainbow represents everything we are in You.  Because of the brilliance of its colors and the twinkle of its light, we know You are near.  As we look upon the sky may we see You in everything.  Life is tough but You are tougher.  I thank You for the passion in which You created this world and for the people You have placed on its surface.  Each person means something to You and I am so grateful that I am part of Your army.  Continue to grow warriors that can look and pray for rainbows.  Each one different and unique but nonetheless it's Your promise.  I thank You for every rainbow You have given and for each time You heard our cries.  We are a wayward people needing a Savior.  Be with us today on this journey and help us always to look up.  You are our hope and our future.  Nothing on this earth can sustain us but You can!  Rain down Your presence on the earth and make Your name known among Your people.  You are mighty and You are worthy of our praise!  HOLY HOLY IS THE LAMB!  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...