Wednesday, December 31, 2014

When the Lord talked to Samuel...

Good morning all-

I'm in the middle of a challenge by YouVersion Bible app to read something every day through one of their plans.  I normally fumble through looking for Scripture as God prompts me but I decided that I would try this for a time and see what God speaks into my heart.  It is always interesting to move through the Old Testament with all it's many characters.  Today, I read the cry of God to Samuel and the prophesy for Eli.  It is hard to read about the curses man set upon themselves in those days.  It makes me wonder how many times we sin and don't hear from God.  I'm so glad we live in the times where we can repent to the Lord and our sins are forgiven.  We don't thank God enough for that bit of grace.

Samuel hears God calling to him and he says, "Here I am."  How often do we hide when God is calling? Are we afraid of His direction for us?  It's easy to turn away from the hard stuff, isn't it?  Samuel didn't turn away even when God spoke to him about the curse on Eli's family.  He went to Eli and spoke the truth and Eli in return believed him, received it and said he accepted God's direction for his family. We must be willing to be quiet, to read his word and to pray for his people.

Is He calling you today to do something for the kingdom?  I have continued to have a sense that God wants me to write a book.  I am in prayer to see if this is really what he wants or if it's just something I want to do.  The question I continue to ask myself is, "Do I hear His call or mine?"  Hard to really be definitive but I guess if I start, He will lead.

As Samuel learned from God, take one day at a time and be the messenger.  We are all called in someway.  We may not be prophets but we are women and men of God and we are here not for our purpose but His.  Hundreds died this week flying from one spot to another.  Basically, they were flying from Kansas to California but in bad weather the plane fell into the sea and now hundreds are grieving for their family members.  Did they know that they would die that day?  Of course not.  They were going on holiday, flying to other family members or on business.  No one knew what their fate would be.  When Samuel called out to God, "Here I am;" I'm sure he didn't know that he would be delivering devastating news or that Eli would take it the way he did.  We don't know what today will bring and as 2015 approaches; I'm praying that we will be faithful to the cause and that our voices will be heard all over the world.  May the God of Samuel call each one of us through His word and may we accept the terms of His sacrifice for us.

I would like to thank all of you that continue to seek Christ.  This blog is for His glory and it is a privilege to love Him, seek Him and praise Him.  May your 2015 be blessed and may He continue to shine on your life as He brings forth His new disciples.

Samuel lay down until morning and then opened the doors of the house of the Lord. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, but Eli called him and said, “Samuel, my son.” Samuel answered, “Here I am.” “What was it he said to you?” Eli asked. “Do not hide it from me. May God deal with you, be it ever so severely, if you hide from me anything he told you.” So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.” The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word. (‭1 Samuel‬ ‭3‬:‭15-21‬ NIV)

My desire is to hear our God call my name and know that I must spread His word.  My call is to bring women from all nations to the cross and my life is for Him alone.  All things are His and I must continue to repent, seek and give God all the glory for being the lamb that stands in the gap for us and eternity.  May you repent as we approach the new year and praise Him for His life and the lives of those that spread His word.  The call is to see Him in our midst in 2015.  Will  you hear His call?  In Jesus Name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Pressing toward the goal...

Good morning all-

The headlines are full of tragedy and triumph.  All but 10 passengers were saved off a ship from Greece and all passengers are assumed dead that were on board of the Asia Airlines according to the bodies that are now washing up from the sea.  One miracle another devastation.  When Christ told us to live for today, I'm sure His disciples questioned what He meant.  What does it mean to live for today?  Well, when the passengers of the freight line and on Asia Air got onto their vessels, their very last thought was today I will die and yet, many perished.  We don't know our last day but we do know that daily we sin, we fall short and we live in the flesh.  Abraham, Isaac, David, Peter and Paul all were great men but somewhere in their journey they fell short. Did they stop?  No, they continued to persevere toward God, leaving behind the past and pursuing the God of their hearts.  Today, we are no different.  A new year is approaching, new year's resolutions will begin and we will once again either pursue our higher purpose or continue to fall to our flesh.  Paul understood that and never gave up.  He worked toward His pursuit to be in relationship with the Almighty God.  He didn't give up, He moved forward.  We will all fall short but when we pursue our relationship and not our religion; God is glorified.  We are His to transform, shape and make new.

It is our pursuit to study and read His word that will help us in our pursuit to leave the old behind and bring the new in.  My goal is not to be the greatest Christian.  It's more about being in relationship, loving and pursuing my Lord.  Practicing religion is one thing but pursuing Jesus is totally another.  Finding God in our midst is what this new year should be about.  We need to pray that in today we would find Him, glorify Him and spread His word.  Many perished this week.  Sorrow will be in the hearts of families in Indonesia, Korea, and France.  The new year will not bring about joy for them but eternal sadness for their loss.  That is the way of people when they lose someone dear and the only comfort they will find will be in God and in the memories of those that left them behind. So if you are thinking about them, please pray for them. God hears their cries and understands their sorrow.  Their burden should be ours.  We have no idea when God will take us up to be with Him.  Paul knew that but His goal was to continue toward the cross and I believe that is what God is calling us to do today.  We must move forward and pray for those that are weak, lost and sad.  It is our responsibility to not just see the headlines and turn away but to pray for those that can't pray for themselves.  Be aware of the signs and the events occurring and pursue Jesus in our midst.  What would Jesus do?

Be well my sisters and pray for God to bring His glory to earth.

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭7-14‬ NIV)

May the God of Abraham, Isaac and David bring His glory to the earth as we pursue Him.  He is our light and our salvation and we must pray that His everlasting love reaches to every soul that will hear the good news. In Jesus Name, AMEN

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Women of the world...pray!

Good morning all-

Women of the world please pray!  My heart is full of prayer lately and I need women to stand with me.  I am not able to see you but I know You are committed to Jesus and that You feel like I feel.  You want to spread the word but for whatever reason you are confined to your city, country or home. I understand that but the great thing about prayer is that you can do it from your home, your car, your cell, anywhere.  No man can keep prayer from our minds and hearts.  We can be beaten, bruised, crushed and still if we have hope in our Savior, no one can keep us down.

We are women that need a Savior.  We need to call upon Him day and night and we must believe that He will one day come back and bring us home.  I waiver and I get sad.  I wonder sometimes why we have bad times and I wish for great things for people.  I have got caught up in material things and have forgotten what God provides and then, my heart turns and I think of a homeless person, a young child fighting cancer, a person in prison or a woman being used as a human bomb.  This is what makes my heart full.  It's not about myself or what I'm going through; it's about the cross and the people that our Lord loves.

Can fish be multiplied?  Can the earth be refilled with water and can people be saved in an evil world?  The answer to all of this is, yes.  Christ came to fulfill the prophesies of old.  We must pray for our countries to be protected and that Christ will bring peace on the earth.  His return is immenent.  Will we be the ones?  There is no way for us to know but we are to watch, pray and be readied for the day He will return.  Just as the curtains tore and the ground shook at His death, the Pharisees missed the message from the God that had delivered them.  We must not forget the reason for His death or the reason we needed a Savior from the beginning.  We don't want to be walking on the earth and miss the message.  We don't want to be sceptical and say, "He never existed."  We don't want to question the cross, we want to promote it and the message that was meant to change the world.  There is only one God, one Savior and one Deliverer.  He is Jesus, three in one.  Others may hate us for our beliefs but we must be confident in the cross.  It shouldn't matter if you are Catholic, Baptist or non-denominational.  It should only matter that we share one goal, one voice and one God. He is the One that will deliver us from this earth!  Be confident my sisters and love our God with all your heart.  Believe in miracles and angels.  Believe that water turned to wine and that fish and bread were multiplied.  Believe He appeared to Mary Magdalene and that He was born to a virgin.  Believe that He came to proclaim the grace of our Lord and believe in streets of gold, where there is no pain, no disease and only the choir of angels.  Believe!

We were meant for this moment.  We were born to spread the word and we are one with Him.  He is listening to our cries. Give glory to Him today!

What if you were given as a human sacrifice?

Good morning all-

I hope your Christmas held wonderful and beautiful memories.  I had down time yesterday and began to look at all the news stories on twitter.  I ran across a story of a 13 year old girl who was given to a terrorist group by her father.  Her purpose was to be a human bomb for a cause she didn't even understand.  She never wanted to do it and she definitely didn't want to be given to a man that would ask that of her and yet, she was.  The value of women in Muslim countries is minimal.  We are nearing a crisis of unbelievable proportions.  Extortion, slavery, human trafficking and now, human missiles.  These are what young women are going through all over the world.

What is the answer to this unbelievable evil act?  I wish I knew.  The only thing I know for sure is that we must pray for our sisters that are being raped, pillaged and sold.  We must act upon the only method of saving we know and pray that our Father deliver them.  These confused men tell them they will be in paradise for their sacrifice, when in reality, they could care less about where they will end up.  Their goal is to use them for their own selfish means.  It is a tragedy that women are being used for evil means.  They didn't ask to be sold, kidnapped or tortured.  They didn't ask to be born a woman and they didn't ask for men to treat them as if they weren't worth being born.  I know that not all men think this way but there are men out there that will use anyone in their fight for what they believe is holy.

For thousands of years, men have been fighting over religion.  Abraham had two sons, Isaac and Ishmael and it is because of this that the world is divided into two.  Isaac's descendants believed in our God and now the descendants of Ishmael believe in the Koran more than in the Father.  We are heretics because we don't believe like them but in some respects we do.  We believe in One Father. We believe that we are the descendants of Abraham and we know that Jesus did come to save us and that He was born out of the line of David.  All of this is true.  It is recorded and it is worthy.  The Bible tells us that until He comes again there will be war and rumors of war.  Details have been left out like men will use women to kill, power will be more important than human life, and sacrificing children for war is worth it.  Our men go to war to fight for a cause.  Is it right or wrong?  All war in some fashion is war.  It's part of the sin.  Even Cain and Abel fought because jealousy became the main focus and not God or their purpose.  One brother against the other,for what?  Today, whether you live in Israel, Syria, Iran, Iraq, England or Mexico, we are brothers and sisters.  We should be working together to love a world where little remains.  Right now, women are being used for evil.  They are being hurt because one person believes they have no worth.  Women have worth.  If you read the New Testament you will see what women meant to Jesus.  We counted.  That world was not much different than the Muslim world today.  Women were second class citizens.  But Jesus treated them as an equal.  He spoke with them and touched them.  Women experienced first hand his teachings as they watched Him in the streets.  Mary Magdalene sat with Him and was taught by Him because she knew one thing, He was God.

Today, I am saddened by the world. It hurts my hear to think that women mean so little.  It also hurts my heart that life means so little to so many.  As I write this blog, someone is being raped, beaten, abused, and possibly killed.  My head doesn't want to think that people are so evil but they are.  So instead of getting depressed, I am praying for those women.  I am asking Jesus to reach far beyond my wildest imagination and give them hope in the midst of their circumstances.  We complain about our husbands not watching the kids or not fixing an appliance, really?  We need to unite for women that are being used and tortured.  We need to ask our Lord and Savior to reach out to these women just as He did Paul in prison.  They need Him today and we need to care enough to pray for them.  So join me today in praying for the least of these.  Will you be counted as one that believed Jesus could do a miracle for a woman you haven't ever seen?  I want to be so I will continue to pray for the nameless because they do matter.  They matter to Jesus.

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭31-40‬ NIV)

Dear Lord, we come before you today praying for the female children of the world and all women.  We ask that You would surround them with a crown of thorns and men that will protect and cherish them.  We need an army Lord to protect those that are the least of these.  Your women are thinking and praying for revival all around the world.  Their power lies at the foot of the cross and Your sacrifice.  We realize this world would not be easy and that many bad things will happen but You are our sole protector, our healer and our deliverer.  Come and deliver Your people from terrorism, dictatorships, war, and continual sin.  We need You Lord more today than any other time in the history of our earth. We need You Lord, rain down on us and give us wisdom as we feel helpless.  I particularly have a heart for Your women and need You to guide me in prayer and in writing to give them the Scripture You want them to pray.  We will forever be in Your debt Lord and I know that You are with me today as I write and as I pray.  On bended knee and through my fingertips, I'm praying for the little girls and women that are being persecuted all over the world.  Be with them today, just as You were with Paul. Please give them hope, fill their minds with You, the cross and help us all see You in all of it.

Thursday, December 25, 2014

The Lord is watching, where is your heart today?

Merry Christmas my dear sisters-

This morning I celebrated my last Christmas morning with my kids.  It was bittersweet.  I know they have to grow up, make their own mistakes, and work towards providing for the next generation.  But my heart was still sad that these moments we have shared together will change forever.

I have loved every moment of being a mom and am so glad God blessed me with my boys.  He knew exactly what He was doing when He blessed me.  Being a parent is the most challenging thing I have ever done or will do in my lifetime.  With it comes love and sorrow because I can't make decisions for my kids, they have to do it on their own.

That's how Jesus feels about us.  He gave up a kingdom, fame and fortune for poverty, being homeless and the crucifixion.  Condemned by men but loved by His Father.  Jesus walked from place to place, gave all He had and then paid the ultimate price, His life for ours.  Today, I am really thinking about His life and His gift.  Just think, no matter how valuable the gift that is given today, it will never match the treasure His birth and death gave this world.

As my sons grow, I hope they hold this in their heart.  I hope they look back and every Christmas they think about Jesus and with all my heart I pray they love Him as much as I do.  Every day for me is a reminder that my Savior loved me more than His own life.  His sacrifice is my eternal gift.  There are no words I could write today that would even represent how I feel about my Father.  I can't see Him but I feel Him and I can read about Him and I can reach out to Him in prayer and thank Him for His birth and His death.  He gave more than we will ever give.  He gave up fame, fortune and esteem for spite, anger and cruelty.  We don't have to guess what He went through because it is all written and still His last words recorded were for us.  In those last hours, He cried out, "Father forgive them because they know not what they do."

This is what I hold on to today.  I also hold the hope that my children will pass this to their children and that they will know Him and love Him with all their hearts and minds.  It's my prayer for this year that God would touch the hearts of men and that on bended knee we would worship our Savior.  Please stand with me in prayer as we approach 2015 calling for God's peace on earth and forgiveness for the sins of all men.  We are one my sisters and together we can change the world with our Lord as guide and Savior.

If you have been reading this blog then you know my heart.  I have been feeling for sometime that I am supposed to write a book.  If you are willing, please pray that God would provide me direction on what to do.  I don't want to write just to write.  I want to glorify Him.  So if He prompts you, consider sending a word up so that I can hear clearly.  Everything I am is for Him.  May God bless you and keep you as you seek Him.  Merry Christmas and thank you for spending time with me and Jesus.

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. ” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (‭Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭32-43‬ NIV)

What woman are you today?  Are you someone that can't fathom that God is real or do you believe He sacrificed Himself for you?  I pray that through this Scripture you will see the power of the cross and of the man that hung on it.  He didn't save Himself for He knew to do so would mean eternal ruin for us all.

I pray that eyes would be turned and hearts would be filled with the man that fulfilled a prophesy for all men.  If you are reading this today, Christ wants you to call on Him in prayer.  Humble yourself before Him and ask Him to forgive you.  He will, just as He did on the cross.  He's only a call away!  Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Lord Jesus!

Until tomorrow...

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Christmas and its meaning...

Good morning all-

Headlines are reading this morning that a Jordanian pilot has been captured by ISIS.  Then I turn to the weather channel and a tornado is moving through parts of Georgia and finally a number of tweets are on the actress from "The Interview" and her sadness that her Today Show spot was cancelled.  By the way that's been in the last five minutes.  Do you see how easy it is to get caught up in the chaos?  And yet, my mind wanders to Christmas and why in a few short hours people will be reflecting on its meaning while gathering with friends and family.

Why do we celebrate Christmas?  I think it's important to ask yourself this question.  Is it so we can rush through the festivities to the presents, eat way to much and be merry, or is there a deeper meaning?   Do I think we have lost the meaning of Christmas?  Sometimes, especially when we are out driving in bad traffic or just in our heads counting down the days without really looking up.  So
this morning as I drink my coffee, I'm focused on one thing only, Christ.  He is the reason for the season.  Beyond the beautiful lights and the presents, there is a true God.  He is not an idol or a prophet.  He doesn't need ritual and grand jestures.  He is a God that loves His people, who is there in our time of need and who shows us daily that His sacrifice was for us.  We aren't required to bow a million times or fast for days.  We don't have to try to put our mind in a peaceful place or spend hours at church.  All He requires is that we love Him with all our hearts and minds and that we confess our sins, not to others but to Him.  He is the lamb who died upon a cross that saved you and me.  So as you are preparing for Christmas don't get caught up in the worldly things of Christmas, get caught up in the Spirit behind the day.  He is with us, watching over us and loving you in Africa, France, England, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Israel and all over the world.  His love spreads farther than a missile, higher than the the farthest star and wider than the earth.  He is God and He is near.  Please take a moment to pray for your families and those that are in need of a Savior.  Please pray for the pilot and his family that was shot down by ISIS and pray that hearts would turn towards Christ.  We live in evil times and often we are distracted by those times.  Focus on the Lamb of God who was slain so that we would have eternal life.  There was no greater gift than Jesus.

Be well my sisters and join me in my prayer for this Christmas. Dear sisters please treasure up all these things and ponder them in your heart just as Mary did.  We must treasure the birth of Jesus so our children and grandchildren can spread the good news.  He is Lord!

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the !!Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. (‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭9-21‬ NIV)



My prayer today:

O, Lord of Israel, divine King over the world, please inhabit the souls of those that don't know You and renew those that have forgotten what You have done.  Many are suffering all over the world and You know them by name, give them peace and help them as they try to find You.  Open the eyes of the lost and the warrior that believes we are heretics.  Make our enemies see You as You did during the time of the Old Testament.  The world needs You now as it grows more selfish and full of material things over spiritual things.  You are the reason for Christmas because it was Your birth that stirred the hearts of men.  It was Your birth that made people quake and it's your birth that saved me and everyone that follows the name of Christ.  You are one God and You are the Savior of the world.  Come upon Your people, fill us with Your Holy Spirit, guide us to You and to those that need You and bring peace on this earth.  My prayer is that millions will find You on the day we celebrate Your birth.  Place conviction in the hearts of those that are against You, for You are mighty and true.  Thank You for allowing Americans to continue to worship You in an open way.  This country continues to have the privilege of acknowledging You.  Please continue that freedom and turn hearts toward You, not just in America but all over the world.  May Your light shine on the masses as we praise Your name in song and prayer.  In Jesus Name, AMEN.

Friday, December 19, 2014

Peace on earth...

Good morning all-

Today is my last day of work until the new year.  This year has held many challenges and hurtling each one has taken Jesus.  I'm hoping to spend my mornings writing to you and reflecting on the past and present.  It's in the morning I hear Him more so I hope that I can stay quiet.  I need His divine direction as I begin to think about His plan for me.

Recently, I have been pondering peace on earth.  It has been on my mind a lot, especially since men have been beheaded, young women were taken as slaves and married to ISIS men and children being slaughtered in Pakistan.  Just those three events could make you question, "Where is God?"  He is near but evil lurks and humans don't always do the right thing.  So it is today that we must pray for peace on earth.  I read an article from a well known terrorist that called us heretics because we celebrate Christmas.  Do we always keep the meaning of Christmas?  Probably not, because we are all so busy and get caught up in our humanism.  But I do know that if you love Jesus, you talk about Him all the time, you live it and when Christmas comes you infuse love into your children, family and neighbors.  I hope that as I get older my children will do the same.  Presents are wonderful because it's about giving.  Money really can't buy that for you.  Giving should be something you do without even thinking.  I don't want to be a heretic so my plan for this year is to give of my time and my heart.

With that being said, one of the things I want to give is time in prayer.  I want to pray for peace on earth.  I realize we are in the end times and that things will only get worse.  I realize that evil is building but I also know that God is stronger than all that.  He sent an army into the sea, He felled a giant with a sling shot and He died on a cross for us.  Life will always have turmoil.  But wasn't it Jesus that calmed a storm?  I am going to pray for that this year.  I am going to pray that the seas will calm and that those that are against Him will turn toward Him.  Some may pray for destruction of ISIS, the Taliban or just plain evil men.  I am going to pray for their hearts to change and that women all over the world will join me.  These men deserve our prayers along with our husbands and sons.  Temptation and evil are all around but we can feel Jesus and because we are being led, we must lead others to the cross.

Please join me in praying for peace on earth.  Make a commitment to pray about it every day.  Ask Jesus to forgive the men that know not what they do and heal nations.  We need our men to be men but we also need them to fall in love with Jesus.  Will you stand with me?  If you feel led, please reach out to me and ask God to do a miracle on earth as it is in heaven.

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬ NIV)

There will always be division but Christ is calling His soldiers to pray for the lost.  Give of your time this season and prove that we are one through Christ by joining me in a holy prayer.  Our earthly miracle was the birth of Jesus.  No matter when we celebrate the event, the event was chronicled for all to see.  A Son was born to a virgin and His name is Jesus.  He is the mighty one!  Join me this season asking our Lord to bring peace on earth.

My prayer today:

O, Mighty God, we come to you as one voice proclaiming that Jesus is the reason for this season.  As we reflect on world events our hearts must turn towards you.  We continue to pray for the women that were taken and for the mothers that mourn.  We ask that Your will would be done on earth and that peace would come upon the nations.  And as we pray, we ask that men's hearts would turn toward you and that change would happen in every city throughout the world.  We proclaim that Christmas is a time of prayer and thanksgiving and we are coming to You today asking you to bring Your people forth proclaiming the everlasting king.  We love You with our whole hearts, bring peace Lord and change the hearts of women and men all over the world.  We pray this prayer in Jesus Name.

Until tomorrow...

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Thinking like Jesus...

Good morning all-

I will soon be off from work and my hope is that I will be able to write more.  I have had much on my mind lately with our move at work, new business in 2015, a son getting married and a teenager that needs a reality check.  All these things have been on my mind more than Jesus.  I'm repenting this morning because as I look at my tree, I see the cross and it reminded me that when I'm focused on the world, the cross is the last thing I think about.

Who did Jesus come for?  Did He come for the religious man, the rich man or the lost man?  If you have been in your Bible, you know He came for the lost.  Now a lost man could be a religious man or a rich man.  Being lost has nothing to do with being pious, it has to do with not knowing a Savior.  There are many men and women that proclaim they know Jesus but do we?  That's the question I asked myself this morning.  A man born to a virgin, who is our  savior does not walk this earth and even when He did, men refused to realize His power.  Miracles happened on the streets and men still did not repent.  Why is it so important to infuse repentance into thinking like Jesus?

Jesus was a man just like us.  He was tempted, He could feel and He still had to choose.  His will had to aligned with His Fathers in order to complete the prophesy of old.  How hard must it have been to love those that crucified Him and yet, His last words recorded were "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."  Shoot, I know people that still haven't resolved issues with family members, friends or co-workers and it's been years.  Good thing Jesus doesn't hold a grudge.  That's why when we think about Jesus we must ask His forgiveness.  We put family, work, food, and personal pleasure before our Mighty Father and all He asks for is moments of our time to feed us truth.  I'm feeling convicted this morning because I've really only read the Bible twice this week, which means I have missed out on my manna.  If you believe in Jesus, then get into Scripture and find Him today and if you don't, He came for you, so at least investigate His love and forgiveness.  I sure am.  Thinking like Jesus means spending time with God, repenting and remembering that the least of these is more important than money, power or social status.

Don't wander this season.  Spread out your hands, open your minds and remember that Jesus is the reason for this season.  He came for the lost, the sinner and the poor.  He loves us but we must do our parts to think like Him, be like Him and remember that our will belongs to Him.  May this week be joyous and you look for Him!

After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: “ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. Whoever has ears, let them hear. “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: “ ‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.” (‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭1-19‬ NIV)

Sunday, December 7, 2014

The light that led the wise men...

Good morning all-

I woke up at 4:44 am this morning and I guess it was time for me to wake up.  It's 5:09 am, my coffee is brewing and the lights on my Christmas tree are twinkling in the dark.  The first thing I thought of was the star that the wise men followed.  You know the one that lit up the sky.  These great men knew that if they followed it, they would meet the King of Kings.

We worry about what time we get up, how many things need to get done and who we left off a shopping list.  We run from one activity to the next hoping the day won't go too fast and just praying that everything on our list will get checked off before we hit the pillow.  But on the day of Jesus birth, His mother only hoped for a place to have Him and Joseph was praying He would get her there and the wise men were anticipating meeting the Messiah.  And then, He was born in a barn with animals all around because the Inn was full.  Our Messiah wasn't born in a hospital, He was born on hay.  Do we remember that as the day approaches.  That His Father guided men through the night by a star that was so bright it lit up the night and that He was born on straw.  I couldn't have made that word picture any more dynamic, could you?

December is a hard month for me and it just now seems to be getting easier.  My father passed away on the 3rd of December and my mom on the 20th.  My birthday is the 23rd. How ironic is that?  I could have let the devastation I felt after losing each one of them change the jubilation of Christmas but I didn't.  Christmas is more than lights on a tree or buying presents.  Christmas is the celebration of our King.  We forget that as we hurry toward the day.  In some ways I think the Jews understand this better.  They spend time singing prayers at Passover.  It's a time of remembrance.  We need to be in the same frame of mind.  The wise men were.  They were on a long journey anticipating the Savior and where did they see Him, in a manger surrounded by hay and animals.  Our beautiful king born humbly on a starlit night.  That's why with all the sadness, I came through.  Jesus was my guiding light through the darkness.  He lifted me up and helped me see the beauty of this season.  This is a time of rejoicing, loving others and being one with our Lord.  Every day we should wander to a place where He fills our minds but especially as we approach His birthday.  Every morning should be a jubilation of prayers and offerings.  It's not only a great time to give; it's a great time to praise.  Be one with our Lord in asking for Him to guide you so that you might comfort others this time of year.  He was our light then and still is.  Remember that star God made bright.  It was His sign that His Son was born!

So as I sit here in the wee hours of the morning, I am praising my Savior for reminding me of the beauty in this season and the wonderful parents He gave me.  I'm hoping that they are dancing on the streets of gold and praising Him today.  May God bless you if you are hurting as we approach His birth.  Remember He didn't come as a rich man He came as a poor man, born in a manger.  I'm humbled by Him.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. (‭Matthew‬ ‭2‬:‭1-12‬ NIV)

You know reading this reminded me that not only did He come into this world humbly but then His parents had to flee.  Our King born in hay, fled hours from His birth to escape a corrupt King.  What a day!  I hope that as you read this, you begin to really see the beauty in remembering those that have gone before us.  They set the stage today.  And although we can't see Him, we need to go before Him with our treasures.  He is our King.  With that, I leave you.  I hope that you write a prayer down and worship Him this very day.  He deserves our honor.

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Holy, Holy is The Lord!

Good morning all-

What are you doing this morning?  Did you wake up and run?  I did.  I'm at the laundromat with five washers full of my clothes.  My three year old washing machine died and this is the second week I'm here and all I could think about was, "Thank you Lord for the ability to go to the laundry mat."  It takes me back to when I lived in an apartment and didn't have money to wash my laundry.  It would pile up in a closet until I could scrape a few dollars together.  I would carry it to the facility and bring it home wet to hang because I didn't have the money to wash and dry. Fast forward to now, I have the luxury of my own laundry room with three year old appliances and even when one went down, we were able to go out and buy another one and it will be delivered next week.  I hadn't thought about the days of old when I couldn't afford to wash my clothes for a very long time.  It got me to thinking about how I lack appreciation for all that God has provided and I feel ashamed in some ways.

Life is easy when you can pay your bills, spend money on frivolous things and go to work.  But what about when you couldn't? Just this week, I found out that a basketball player in a Wichita High School lost his mother.  Hunter played with him on a competitive team and his family was not wealthy.  I tried to see if there was a trust in her obituary but they couldn't even afford to put an announcement in the paper.  How lucky we are when we have more than most.

My point today is not only to go back to a time long ago or even to bring sorrow into today.  It really is to remind you and me that we are lucky and that we should wake up calling on Your Holy Name. He is our provision and when He provides in a way that allows us to have our needs met; we should look for ways to meet others too.  It is not a coincidence that you can put food on your table or pay your bills.  The money has been provided to you and He is expecting us to give of it in return.  I'm humbled by my past but I'm more humbled thinking about how the King of Kings took me from nothing to something and wondering, "Have I given enough to His cause?"

This time in America is crazy.  People are out shopping and spending thousands of dollars on toys, electronics and more.  We have forgotten to put Christ in Christmas.  This will be the last year I have my entire family together and I am going to pray that each one of us thanks our Lord for His sacrifice.  I am going to give my sons cards and ask them to write down what God has done for them this year so that later we can all look back on His provision.

Please take a moment to pray for the children that have lost their parents young.  I have no idea how this will impact the teenager Hunter played with.  The odds are against him.  His grades were not good but he can play basketball and for now, he has that.  Also, take a moment today to remember your past and look at all the things God has orchestrated and ask Him to cast a vision for your life.  It's time we all call on the Holy One  and ask, "What am I to do for you?"  May the Lord of Israel call upon His people as we approach the celebration of His birth.  We are blessed!

“Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy. “ ‘Each of you must respect your mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the Lord your God. “ ‘Do not turn to idols or make metal gods for yourselves. I am the Lord your God. “ ‘When you sacrifice a fellowship offering to the Lord, sacrifice it in such a way that it will be accepted on your behalf. It shall be eaten on the day you sacrifice it or on the next day; anything left over until the third day must be burned up. If any of it is eaten on the third day, it is impure and will not be accepted. Whoever eats it will be held responsible because they have desecrated what is holy to the Lord; they must be cut off from their people. “ ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God. (‭Leviticus‬ ‭19‬:‭2-10‬ NIV)

My prayer today:

O, Lord, I pray that we would be reminded of your sacrifice and that we would look upon You all our days.  We have been provided for eternally and we should call on You daily with praise and reverence.  Thank you for reminding us all that You are the only thing we need.  You are Holy and worthy of praise.   As we approach the celebration of your birth, help us to be reminded that You were born not to live a kings life but to live the life of a carpenter.  You were a craftsmen and a wanderer with one purpose, to save nations.  Please forgive us of our sins and help us think of others, not just during this time of Advent but every day.  Thank you for providing us with food, clothing and housing.  We pray for those that are less fortunate today.  We especially pray for the children that have lost their mothers and fathers.  They are in need of a healer.  Please bring provision to them.  We pray this in Your Holy Name, AMEN!