Monday, February 27, 2012

February 27, 2012

Have you ever seen a potter with clay?  In a movie made years ago, GHOST, Demi Moore worked on a pottery wheel.  It was fascinating to watch her mold the clay, slap it down and remold it into something beautiful.  We are God's clay.  Human in nature but our spirit is just like that clay.  We get turned into many directions and he flattens us.  Then when we don't think anything will change, He builds us back up into something He can be proud of.

Some of us are more easily molded, shaped and made beautiful.  Others of us have to go through the process of being molded and then molded again, either way we become more like Christ.  The process for clay is easy because it's malleable.  For us, it is much harder.  When we are being molded on the makers wheel, we have highs, lows, successes, failures and consequences.  In the end, we are glad we went through the process but while in the midst, we may feel a little pain.  His ultimate goal is for us to be men and women of Him.  He has to mold us and make us more like Him to get us to that goal.

In order to have great faith, we must go through this process.  We must want to be molded in His image and we must ask Him to freely do so.  The more we want to be like Him the more He will reveal Himself to us.  He is the maker of all things; He knows best.  So today, if you feel as though you are spinning, ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you.  Ask Him to mold you and make you new.  He wants too; I assure you.

Isaiah 64: 8 NKJV:

    But now, O LORD,
    You are our Father;
    We are the clay, and You our
           potter;
    And all we are the work of Your hand.


My prayer today:

Lord our God, how mighty are You.  We come before you today a piece of clay.  We relinquish our spirits to You and ask that You would mold us into a beautiful creation.  We realize that this process takes time but we want to be great women of You.  Please provide us with the ability to give you our hearts, minds and souls, so that we can become women of great faith.  We thank you for Your unceasing love and for the encouragement You give us daily.  Walk with us today on this journey and be our potter.  We want to be beautiful in You.  AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Sunday, February 26, 2012

February 26, 2012

I have spent a lot of time lately reflecting on my life.  Mostly because of the personal things I am dealing with but also because I want to remember how I got to a place of great faith.  I wish I could say I got here easily but I am one of those people that has to hit a wall a million times and then the epiphany happens.  I have a son just like me and I guess that's why I am reflecting on it so much.

Is it bad to hit the wall?  As my mother used to say, it's easier if you just learn the first time and man is it.  But then, there are people like myself that must hit the wall multiple times to understand the lesson.  I suggest to anyone reading this to only hit that wall once, but if you're like me, you will learn eventually.

The point I am trying to make in all of this is that we will make mistakes; we will hit walls and we will eventually learn from them.  Is it wrong to make mistakes and when we do, should we reside in the shame of those mistakes?  It is my belief that mistakes shape the fabric of who we will become.  There are consequences to our mistakes but Jesus doesn't want anyone of us to continue to face shame and suffering for our mistakes; He wants us to repent and repent, until we get it into our thick skull that Jesus loves us.  He doesn't like when we make mistakes but He died for us so that we would not have to face eternal shame for those mistakes.  Look at the people most loved in the Bible.  David killed a man, Peter denied Christ three times and Timothy doubted Him.  Were any of these mistakes too large for our Father? No ma'am they were not.

I know that as your reading this; you are saying to yourself she doesn't know the mistakes I have made.  My mistake is too great.  Let me tell you here and now, there is no mistake too great for Jesus to forgive, unless you are going to deny He exists!  Christ gave His life for all of us.  Whether you have had an abortion, premarital sex, committed adultery, or killed someone; Jesus can and will forgive you as long as you commit yourself to Him.  There will be consequences for your actions but you can count on Jesus to love you through them.

The question comes up, how can He forgive me when I can't forgive myself?  Because He is God; He knew you in the womb and He loves you no matter what choices you have made.  People may persecute you for your actions but Christ loved you enough to die for all of our sins.  Thank goodness because I have made a ton in my time and I am so grateful to my confessor for giving me back my dignity and helping me along so that I don't make the same mistakes twice.

If you are facing a time of shame because you believe there is no way for Christ to forgive you, reach out and have the women on this blog pray for you.  Satan wants to keep you from Christ.  He wants you to relish in your shame. If he can remove you from Christ; he will try.  Don't let him.  Your Father might correct you in love but He doesn't want you to continue hurting yourself.  Get on your knees and cry out to Him.  He is your Father, your Confessor, your Savior!  Let Him be there for you today; He loves you.  If you don't believe me, take a moment and read the Bible.  He died and was pure; He hung on a cross for our sins, not His.  Remember that and breathe it in.  Help yourself today and let Him love you right where you are!

Mark 3: 28-29 NKJV:

    "Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemies against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation"--

Acts 26:17-18 NKJV:

    I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'

Why would a God do this for you if He wanted you to suffer in your shame?  Reflect on these passages and realize the power behind the Cross.  Don't stay in your shame, find the light of Christ and walk with Him.  You don't have to hit that wall anymore because He sent His soldiers to spread the word, that Christ is light and redemption!  Be with Him today!

My prayer today:

Oh Lord, I often thank you in the dark for your undying love.  Thank you for forgiving us even when we continue to hit the wall a million times.  Thank you for carrying our burdens and for never giving up on us.  We are like lambs, scattering on the pasture.  But you're our shepherd, herding us back together.  Take us and lead us to Your light and take us out from the darkness in our minds.  Thank you for forgiving us today and every day and please help us to forgive ourselves the way you forgive us.  May we all grow from our mistakes and build a tower of faith as we walk with You.  Your love is amazing, Your forgiveness is great and Your correction is needed.  Don't ever leave us dear Father for we need You in our lives today.  AMEN

Friday, February 24, 2012

February 24, 2012

I learned today that one of my closest friends went to be with Jesus.  I was very quiet in High School with very few friends.  I remember how she laughed and told me not to worry.  She understood how scared I was and how lonely I felt, having few friends and not really fitting in.  She understood because she was fighting Lupus.  She had been since she was a baby and it was killing her.  She spent more time in the hospital than at school but that never stopped her from fighting the disease.  She would fight it until this week with courage and grace.  She taught me never to give up and to look at the challenges in my life with courage and perseverance.  She was a great lady and although we have not seen each other in years; I loved her like a sister.  She was bold and beautiful and she epitomized what a true friend is and should be.  She held me in my hour of need and I held her.  She was my matron of honor and I was hers.  Time might have gotten away from us but I will see her again and today, I acknowledge what she meant to me. Rest in peace my dear Katie.  I love you with all my heart.

1 Timothy 6:12 NKJV:

    Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of  many witnesses.

If you don't know Jesus today, please get to know Him.  He is here for all of us and just like my dear friend, time is short.  We don't know the time or hour but we do know that God is calling us.  We might never have another chance to say I love you on earth, but we will in Heaven if we will confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord.  Don't wait, give your life to Him!

My prayer today:

  In every journey there is a time when it comes to an end.  This week was that for my dear friend.  Please Lord help those families that are losing a loved one today and help them understand how loved they truly are.  God bring the lost to us so that we can share Your love with them.  Give us a heart for all people and help us stand up and deliver the message that You are LORD!  I thank you for the ability to be with you in Heaven and for being able to once again see those that are lost to us on earth.  Lord we love you and honor you today.  Thank you for sacrificing your life so that we may have eternal life!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

February 20, 2012

The lost, the brokenhearted, the misfits, the sinners.  What do these people represent to you?   They represent to me, God's chosen.  In church yesterday, I listened to a man that has a way of painting mind pictures.  He made the story in Luke come to life.  He talked about the man, who asked his father for his inheritance, only to leave and throw it all away.  That same son came back to his father and was welcomed and celebrated.

We must all be very careful and guard from becoming hard to the homeless, the drunkard, the drug addict,  or anyone we deem unworthy or on the wrong path.  It's these very people, Christ came and walked with.  They all knew what the pharisees had forgotten, Christ was their answer to salvation.

It's easier for us to judge, than to love.  I have people in my own family that are lost.  That don't believe that Christ is real.  Today is the only day they look forward too.  They mask themselves in work, family, or just plain busyness.  They don't take time to investigate whether Christ is real.  I ache for them and I am praying that someday they will know the resounding joy I felt the day I said, "YES," to Jesus!

If you know someone that needs Jesus, don't walk away from them, pray for them.  When I felt called to write this blog, I sent it out to all my Christian friends.  I thought it would be a good place to start but I am writing daily because Christ has called me to encourage and be there for the lost, as well as, His people.  Women need to know that Christ is in all their circumstances.  In the United States, we are free.  In other countries, they aren't.  They are persecuted for being women.  We need to use our freedom and speak truth to the world.  We are the chosen to bear witness to the next generation.  When called, come and when asked to speak, speak.  Christ needs us to be obedient so that He can use today and every day thereafter.

1Corinthians 7: 17 NKJV:

    But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk.  And so I ordained in all the churches.

Deuteronomy 11: 22 NLT:

    Be careful to obey all these commands  I am giving you.  Show love to the Lord your God by walking in his ways and holding tightly to him.

John 13:34 NKJV:

     A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love another.  By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have  love for one another.

We are called to be His disciples, to love and cherish the way He loves us.  Because we are human, feelings get in the way, but if we ask for His heart we will love one another and show the lost the love He has for all of us.

My prayer today:

Lord, please give us Your heart.  We desire to be in Your army.  Give us the courage to speak of Your goodwill toward men.  Help us to not grow weary but to see You in everything.  Give us sight to see the greatness that You are and to not throw You into a box.  You are mighty and we want to experience it and know it.  Please bring women to us that need You and help us love them in their time of need.  Let us not turn our backs on the brokenhearted but lift them in prayer and petition.  Give us the ability to know You through our journey and help us love everyone more.  AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Sunday, February 19, 2012

February 19, 2012

Yesterday, I was reminded how great love really is.  I believe that some people are gifted in serving and loving others.  It's a talent and if you happen to know someone like that, thank them for being used by God and for the tremendous gift they were given.  Maybe, you had a parent that sacrificed everything for you or a husband that has stood by you through many trials, either way, love is a gift.

When we talk about falling in love or loving someone, I am not sure we truly know what love is.  For most, it's a feeling. Love is far deeper than a feeling.  It's a choice, a commitment, eternity.  Christ chose to die for us.  He committed his life to His Father.  He saved the world, not because He felt like it, but because it was His Father's will.

To experience that kind of love is the greatest gift of all.  I think we have moments of that in our lives.  When we are carrying our children, we know that kind of love.  When our children are going astray, we know that kind of love.  And when we go through times of fire with our spouses, we know that kind of love.  If you are single, you know that kind of love because God surrounds you with people that are committed to supporting and loving you in all your circumstances.

So what is love, it's God's way of committing to you for all time.  He sent His son to die for you and me.  Think about that for a minute!  Could you send your child to die?  Men and women may choose to go into the armed forces but rarely, do parents send them there.  In life, a parent's greatest fear is that they will bury their children before them.  No one wants that and yet, Mary watched as Her son fulfilled His legacy.   She watched as He was put on a cross and she watched as He took His last breath.  He is love personified and we need to remember it and live it, just as He did.

Women have a beautiful capacity to love but we also have a capacity to forget what love is.  We must stay in the fire and love through our circumstances.  We must bond together and love one another, not just today, but every day.  We can't let our feelings get in the way; we must choose to love even when the feeling isn't there.  The only way we will accomplish loving better is through prayer and reading.  God will help us choose to love, when we align our will to His.  We must not get into head games.  The only question we should ever ask is what direction do you want me to go and who do you want me to love today.

Take every opportunity to say, "I LOVE YOU."  But more importantly, take every opportunity to show your love, by choosing to love through sacrifice.  At the end of the day, to fully experience love, we must sacrifice our wishes and our desires so that we can know Jesus!

Romans 5:6-9 NKJV:

   For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

If you find yourself with no strength, take heart, for Christ is with you.  We are not alone in this life.  Reach out to a good friend and have them pray for you.  Meditate on the facts, like Christ died for you, He loves you and He will never forsake you.  And then thank Him for His sacrifice.  We may never know the depths of love that Jesus has but we can continue to grow in His love by loving others.  He is the present that keeps on giving!


My prayer today:

O, LORD, teach us what love truly is.  Give us an understanding far beyond feelings and open our hearts to the love you have for Your people.  Help us to remember those that have gone before us, who, like you, have shown great love and sacrifice.  Remind us daily that this journey is short but in every day there is an opportunity to love.  We love You and we thank you for loving us.  Keep us close as we grow closer to you.  Watch over us and provide the means for us to love others the way you loved us. AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Saturday, February 18, 2012

February 18, 2012

I often wonder if we find our purpose in the tests of life.  It seems to me that on every side of a Christian's life; there is light and darkness.  The devil tries to steal your joy and hope.  On the other side, Christ is our light, when we conquer our circumstances, He is glorified and we find hope, peace and joy.

Have you ever thought about what you learned during a challenging situation in your life?  Looking back was it worth it?  I know when you're in the midst of it; you're hoping it ends.  But really, putting your mind to it, didn't you learn something that defined you?

I have had moments of great darkness in my life.  What do women do when they aren't saved?  Where do they go in the midst of the world's trials?  Every hour someone is facing the possible loss of their lives, their children's lives, financial devastation, a loss of their home, or divorce.  These are not random issues.  They are issues we are all facing and it's our job to face them together.  Life does not hold the key to our happiness.  That is a myth.  The key to our happiness is a closeness to Jesus Christ that can't be explained.  In that closeness, there is light.  And only then will we feel the resounding love of our Father.  There will always be tests; it's what we do with them that matters.

I have several friends who are facing massive challenges in their lives.  One is losing all her hair, with no cure in sight.  The other has lost her job and is a single woman.  The last is a woman who has 5 kids and has just been diagnosed with uterine cancer.  I am one person and I know of three very hurting souls.  I love these women with all my heart and I will not give up on them.  We are called to love the lost, the widowed, the sick.  Stand up with me today and ask our Lord to heal the broken and move mountains for them.  This is not just their fight; it's all of ours.  We are sisters in an army for the Lord and we must battle along with them.  Don't forget the poor, homeless or destitute.  Christ called His disciples to go out and heal the sick and take care of the poor.  We are now His disciples.  Spread the only words that matter, Christ died for you so that you can have everlasting life!  Don't be afraid, we are needed and there is a purpose far beyond our understanding.  I want to be part of that purpose, don't you?

Proverbs 29:25 NLT:

     Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety.

Philippians 4:4-9 NLT:

    Always be full of joy in the LORD.  I say it again--rejoice!  Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.  Remember, the Lord is coming soon.  Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.  And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.  Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right and pure, and lovely and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me--everything you heard from me and saw me doing.  Then the God of peace will be with you.

The highlight in this passage is mine.  Why?  Because I want us to fix our thoughts on Jesus Christ.  He is the maker and breaker of the world.  He holds the keys to light and darkness.  He is able to heal the sick, give hope to the hopeless and provide shelter to the shelterless.  We can do nothing without Him.  If your thoughts are going in every direction but on Him, change them to Him.  I have no idea how long my friends will struggle.  Their situations could be corrected tomorrow or last for months.  What I am asking from all of us, is to not give up.  Praise the Lord in everything and lean on Him.  We must unite for our sisters and ask God to be in the middle of their situations.  We don't have to be alone but we do need to straighten our minds.  They are very powerful.  Don't let negativity rob you of your joy!  Focus on Jesus today.  And if you have friends like mine, be there for them.  Encourage them and try to set their minds back on Jesus.  Lift them up in prayer and let them know that you are thinking about them.  They need us and someday we will need them!

My prayer today:

Oh LORD how great you are!  Our minds are so powerful and often when we struggle they go down a path of destruction.  Lord, I know that the challenges we face are only for a season but during that season I pray that we would fix our thoughts on You.  I pray that we would rejoice in our inequities and that we would look toward you at every corner.  I pray for the lost that don't know you and ask that they would come to you, so that they can experience the resounding love we have.  I pray for the sick that the Holy Spirit would come upon them and heal them.  I pray for the homeless that You would provide shelter.  I pray for the broken hearted that they would find safety in You.  There are no words to describe our love for You.  Please Lord, give us the power to encourage and to pray for women!  We want to be with you and with them during their darkest hour.  Give us a heart for the lost and lift us up as we praise Your name.  Holy Holy is the Lamb!  AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Thursday, February 16, 2012

February 16, 2012

Who do you put your trust in?  I ask this question because it is so easy for all of us to put our trust in circumstances and not in God.  If you're single, do you really believe God will provide your mate?  Or if you currently have a serious medical condition no one can diagnose, where is your trust?  There are millions of other questions I could ask but the biggest one is, do you trust in Jesus?

Recently, my son was going through a major test.  He likes to rely on himself.  Wonder where he gets that from?  Anyway, learning from experience, I knew that God was putting him through a test.  Jesus never wants us to rely on ourselves.  We are always to rely on Him.  But like everything in this world, we believe that if we seek long enough and try hard enough, we can solve our problems.  Wrong!

I am a firm believer in everything happens for a reason. I also believe our Father wants us to grow up and to depend upon Him.  This is a contradiction to what the world wants you to believe.  Being self sufficient is the worlds motto but it's not Christ's.  And if you are thinking life isn't fair, well then you are so right.  We are not here so that life can treat us fairly.  We are here to be molded and used for Christ's purpose, not ours.  If you are going through a tough test right now, realize it's not a punishment, He is perfecting your soul.

No parent let's their child go down the road astray, if they can help them.  Our Father is no different.  He wants to be right there with us.  That's why we  have the Holy Spirit.  We may not be able to touch Christ but we can be guided by Him.  Praise the Lord for that!

Proverbs 3: 5-6 NIV:

     Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him.  And He will make your paths straight.

Can you see anything in this proverb that says, do it your way?  We aren't all knowing and many times we won't understand God's ways but when we acknowledge Him, our paths become straight.  I have experienced this lesson first hand.  By the way, it wasn't easy and it won't be easy for you either but it's the truth.  Live it, breathe it and believe it!  Scripture isn't there to be pretty; it's there to help us and to mold us.  Take time daily to really meditate on a passage; it may just be your lifeline.

My prayer today:

Oh LORD, help us to trust in you with all our heart.  We don't want to lean on ourselves but we want to lean on You.  We want to walk away from the worldly ways and be made straight, by You.  There is nothing on earth more precious to us than You.  Solomon knew that to really trust You; He had to surrender.  We surrender our hearts and minds to You today, so that when we are tested, You will be there to pick us up.  Lord, we pray for those that have lost heart and are possibly grieving today.  We don't always understand why things happen but we can count on You to help us through them.  Give us today our daily bread and forgive us for not trusting You in all things.  Mold us and make us Yours as we walk on our path today!  GLORY, GLORY IS THE LORD ON HIGH, WHO WAS AND IS TO COME!  AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

February 15, 2012

Patience and pride are the two most difficult human attributes to overcome.  I have heard over the years that patience is an art and yet, I know many woman that have the gift of patience.  So, is it an art or a choice? And then there is pride.  What makes one person full of pride and another humble?

I really couldn't tell you because I struggle with both.  I am patient when I am standing in a grocery line or when I hear screaming children, but I am never patient when it comes to waiting for an event to occur and nothing is happening.  And then there is my pride, I suffer from wanting to be the best at everything.  Not that I achieve it often but surrendering has never been something that comes easy to me.

We will die by our lack of patience and our overwhelming pride.  Can you imagine a God that had no patience?  Scary isn't it?  As for pride, I think there are times when some pride is necessary but the overwhelming need to be better than God is our downfall.  We are not perfect and therefore, we must surrender our pride to Him.

If this is hitting you where you live, believe me I feel your pain.  A true test of faith is when a woman that is Type A can be patient and let God work.  Another step of faith is humbling ourselves before God and realizing we don't have all the answers and we definitely aren't perfect.  It's hard when God chooses for us to wait on Him.  It's harder when He shows us that we need to be humble.

How do we work through these issues? Like everything in our lives, we must go to Scripture.  One time of reading it won't cure us but meditating on the words will help us be convicted, we will repent, and God will mold us in His image.  Not bad for a day's work!


Romans 15: 4  NKJV:

    For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

1 Timothy 6:11 NKJV:

    But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.

Hebrews 6: 12 NKJV:

    That you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Proverbs 29: 23 NKJV:

    A man's pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.

Proverbs 11: 2 NKJV:

     When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.

I realize this is a lot to chew on today.  But I would encourage you to examine your life and see if patience and pride are something you struggle with.  If they are, meditate upon God's word and ask Him to forgive you today.  His love will correct us but we must choose daily to die to our patience and pride.  I would rather have hope and wisdom in Jesus, than to fall at my own hand.

My prayer today:

LORD teach us Your ways.  Provide understanding and help us to have more patience, especially when we can't see.  Give us hope, gentleness, and honor as we humble ourselves to You.  Please forgive us when we grow impatient and when we believe we have the power to do all things.  Encourage us to help others that fall from these same weaknesses.  Thank you for helping us to admit them and to move through them with the help of the Holy Spirit.  Our desire is to be molded and made new through You. Thank you for providing insight into our weaknesses and for loving us through Scripture.  We bow down to You and humbly ask for correction so that we might have Godly perspective.  AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

February 14, 2012

Today is Valentine's Day.  It's one of the most awaited days for women.  We look upon it almost as an idol.  We wait in wonder to see what the day will bring and for most, we will be let down.  If you are single, today means you have no one to bring you candy and tell you, "I love you."  If you are married, your spouse will be your greatest hero or your biggest disappointment.  We put way too much weight into this holiday!

Love is not a feeling; it is a choice.  Anyone that has been married for longer than 10 years knows it.  We must choose to love the people around us, even when we don't feel like it.  If you wait for one day a year to show someone you care, you're too late.  If you are feeling lonely today, stop and realize that this day doesn't represent love.  How can one day take care of hundreds?  There is no way it can.  So, concentrate on the love that Jesus Christ has for you.  He is bigger than a box of chocolates and He is certainly bigger than a diamond.

His love is for all time.  He gives it freely and He chooses to love us even when we don't deserve it.  As long as we have Him, Valentine's Day is every day.  His present to us was His ultimate sacrifice and our present to Him is to love and follow Him daily.

I know that in every woman there is a desire to feel loved and in our heart's we want someone to come in and sweep us off our feet.  In our minds, we are that princess in the tower that wants to be captured and cherished.  You will have moments like that in your life; I promise.  But when you don't, choose to love those around you and remember, Jesus died for You.  There is no greater love in the world like that!

Happy Valentine's day to all my sisters.  I love you.  God has given me a heart for all of you and He chooses daily to love you.  Love Him today and thank him for the beauty of the cross!

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NKJV:

     Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked; thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never fails.

We are nothing without love.  One day a year does not signify love.  Every day signifies love.  If you love to celebrate today, celebrate!  But celebrate for the right reasons; celebrate in Jesus and know that every day you are thoroughly loved.  For without love, we have nothing!

My prayer today:

Lord, I pray that every woman who reads this will feel the power of your love.  You are the keeper and teacher of love.  Help us to remember that whether today brings us all the joy we hoped for or not; Yours is the only love we need.  Your love has given us eternal life, hope, joy and power.  Through Your love, we can do anything and without it, we will be lost.  I pray that Your Holy Spirit will cover all of us today and that we will celebrate You today more than anything.  Today, we desire to be in Your love!  AMEN  PS. Help us not to have expectations of today, so our men can always be our heros.

February 13, 2012

It's nearing Valentine's Day, where everyone will run to the store and buy a card for their sweetheart.  Sometimes, it feels like that's the only day we ever really tell the people around us that we love them.  I am so glad that our Father doesn't wait for the anniversary of His resurrection to let us know how much He loves us.  If He did, this would be a sad and lonely world.

Thankfully, He tells us every day what we mean to Him.  All we have to do is open the Old and New Testament and find the love He had for us, then and now.  He came for Israel and then He came for all of us.  When Israel did not respond, He sent His disciples out to the masses.  And because of our sin, He died on a cross so that we could have eternal life.

I have really been meditating on the power of the cross lately.  I think its because it's so easy for me to look down, rather than looking up.  Up until the last couple of years, I spent most of my time just trying to get by, walking daily, hoping that tomorrow would be a brighter day.  Amazingly, the closer I am to Jesus the brighter the days get.  That doesn't mean I don't falter from time to time.  It just means that I have learned that looking at the cross gives me more joy, more hope, and more security.  There is a rainbow in every day and the only way for us to see it, is to look upon Jesus and what He did for you and me.

Matthew 10: 5-8 NLT:

     Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions:  "Don't go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but only to the people of Israel--God's lost sheep.  Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near.  Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons.  Give as freely as you have received!"


Exodus 20:6 NLT:

     But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.

John 15: 13 NLT:

    There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.

Romans 1: 7 NLT:

    I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his only holy people.  May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

Throughout the Bible, love is the resounding theme.  It is the essence of our Father and the sacrifice He made with His own son.  This life is hard and sometimes very lonely but look up and see the power in the love your Father has for you.  He doesn't wait to tell us one day a year; He has spoken it upon our lives from generation to generation.  Feel His love today!

My prayer today:

Lord there is none like You.  You are the maker of the Universe, the power of the people, the essence of who we are.  We are being molded in Your image.  This is Your time, Your kingdom, Your people. Fill us today with the holy love You have for us and give us confidence to do all things for You because we are Your disciples.  Thank you for showing your unfailing love daily and walking with us from the beginning of time.  Please help us keep our heads up as we look upon You today.  AMEN

Sunday, February 12, 2012

February 12, 2012

Last night news of Whitney Houston came out.  They quoted,  "dead at 48."  I don't know what's worse, no one knowing who you are or being so famous.  I am sure for her family; it just doesn't matter.  As I listened to the reports, all I could think about was the loss her daughter and mother now faced.  It reminded me that a life works it's journey and one day it comes to an end.  We are left with memories, videos and laughter but we are also left with the pain.

How do you want to be remembered?  What do you want people to say about you in the end?  Have you thought about it. Probably not, because we believe that we will be here forever.  I doubt Whitney thought yesterday would be her last.  We just don't know.

Early in the morning the LORD woke me up, out of a sound sleep and I began to pray for Whitney's family.  I don't know them, never spoke to them, but God knows them and He knows their loss.  He knows right where they're at.  Everyday, someone leaves this earth.  Whether you are famous or not, God knows right where you are and He is near.

We may not know what it's like to be famous but that doesn't matter to God.  What matters to Him is that we know Him and we love Him.  Don't wait and think you have plenty of time; choose now.  He wants us all to know His love.  While you read this passage, think about all the people you know.  Some will see Heaven and some will see Hell.  If God calls you to witness, don't lose the opportunity.  We are here to help others understand the power of His love.

PSALM 42 NLT:

      As the deer longs for streams of water,
           so I long for you, O God.
      I thirst for God, the living God.
           When can I go and stand before him?
      Day and night I have only tears for food,
           while my enemies continually taunt me, saying,
           "Where is this God of yours?"

      My heart is breaking
            as I remember how it used to be:
      I walked among the crowds of worshipers,
            leading a great procession to the house of God,
     singing for joy and giving thanks
           amid the sound of a great celebration!

      Why am I discouraged?
           Why is my heart so sad
       I will put my hope in God!
       I will praise him again--
       my Savior and my God!

God doesn't care if you are famous.  He cares that You are His.  He wants as many people that will come, to come to Him.  Not because He needs us but because we need Him.  Give yourselves to Him daily and remember that waiting on Him is how we will leave a legacy!

My prayer today:

Oh LORD, I can't believe how quick life goes.  We are so worried about our daily lives that I think we forget our eternal life with You.  Lord give us a heart for those we don't know and give us the strength to conquer our fears.  Provide us a heart that longs to be part of your great army and help us prepare for Your coming.  Life is so short and time is precious.  Give us a heart for Your timing Lord and help us to lift up those that are hurting. Keep us from judging the lost.  We don't want to judge, Lord; we want to love.  Thank you for loving us with all our many flaws and forgive us of our sins as we work the fields.  Be with us always and help us wait on You.  We come before You as David did and ask that You make us thirst for You as You raise us up to be great women for You! AMEN

Until tomorrow...
             

February 11, 2012

I started writing one thing today only to change it.  Have you ever had something happen that made you literally pause?  Today, I took my son for his ACT preliminary test and guess what, no calculator.  It was in his bag that he left at school.  I am sure you can guess how the car ride to the school went, especially since we approached the front doors at 7:57, three minutes before the test starts.  Oh what a proud moment for me as I pulled up to the school and he had no calculator and was emphatic that he wasn't going to take the test.  It made me realize that being prepared isn't something we should just preach but it's how we should live.  For a moment, after he left the car, and my blood pressure had time to come down, I realized that so often we just aren't prepared.  And of course, the question arises, am I preparing my children for what's to come?  I am sure that Jesus asked Himself the same question.  Are my disciples prepared for the hardships they will face?  Better yet, will they understand why I have come to save the Gentiles too?

Needing a calculator for the ACT is a far cry from being prepared to save the masses but if you examine the analogy, you will see that like my son, many of us are not prepared.  Either we think we are invincible or we believe we have many more years.  No one knows the day or hour Christ will call us back, so if we aren't preparing for that day, what are we doing with our time?  He says, he will come again.  Are we taking the time necessary to be fully prepared for what's to come?

The Old Testament promised that Christ would come to save the Gentiles.  It was prophesied in Amos and then quoted in Acts.

Acts 14: 27 NKJV:

    Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

Acts 15:  16-17 NKJV:

    'After this I will return
    And will rebuild the tabernacle of
    David, which has fallen down;
    I will rebuild its ruins,
    And I will set it up;
    So that the rest of mankind may
    seek the LORD,
    Even all the Gentiles who are
    called by My name,
    Says the LORD who does all these things.'

1 Corinthians 2: 9 NLT:

     "No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
       and no mind has imagined
       what God has prepared
       for those who love him."

It's time we quit looking at our time and how busy we are and help ourselves and the future generations prepare for our future with Christ.  Time is running out.  Whether it's tomorrow or hundreds of years from now, let's take up the cross and prepare to be with our maker.

My prayer today:

Only You LORD know the hour of our last breath.  We have no idea what the future holds but we want to be prepared and we want to prepare future generations.  Please give us the time to sit down and be with You, even if it's just for a little while.  Give us a heart to pursue You and worship You in all  things.  Help us not to lose site of the only goal that matters and protect us as we win the lost.  Open the doors for us Jesus, so that we may help You.  AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Friday, February 10, 2012

February 10, 2012

Yesterday, I went by my mom and dad's house.  It will be gone soon.  Someone else will live there and make memories, hopefully as wonderful as mine are.  But, nevertheless, gone from my family, just like they are.  As I was sitting in the driveway, I looked down and watched as leaves were poking up through the ground.  Years ago my brother, who has now passed on, planted hundreds of tulips in their front garden.  And every year, for over 10 years, they poke out of the ground, letting us know that spring is almost here.  It made me pause and think about the care in which they were planted and how those painstaking hours in that garden brings so much beauty and it gave me comfort.  My parents and brother are gone but the seeds they planted are forever here.

We are like those seeds.  God planted us to grow and become more like Him.  He has fed us, watered us and cared for us, so that we can care for others.  He has fertilized us by providing the Holy Spirit and the Bible, so that we can take His seedlings and make great women and men for Him.  Our purpose, if you are looking for one, is to be the caretaker of the lost, raise the next generation, and fortify those around you when difficulties arise.  We are not the weeds that grow rapidly for He has painstakingly planted us for His purpose and as He pauses, glory arises.

If you are wondering what's next in your journey, remember that you were planted and taken care of, just as if you were the bulbs my brother planted so many years ago.  Spring is almost here.  It is a new season, full of the Cross, stand behind Jesus and ask Him to reveal what's next in your journey. There are so many that are lost and so few workers.  He is calling us as women to work for the future generations.  Arise my sisters and realize He wants us to be His caretakers.  Let's be his voice, his hands, his love, so that future generations can pause and find comfort in their Savior.

Matthew 13: 4-9   NKJV:

    Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: "Behold, a sower went out to sow.  And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.  Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.  and some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them.  But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

We are like those seeds.  Some of us will bring many to Christ and some will bring little.  It will be determined by Christ how many we will sow.  However, like the tulips that will be popping up soon, we are the workers and Christ is the master gardner.  Without Him, the seeds will surely die, but with Him they will flourish.  We need to be ready, so that when He calls us to give time and energy; we hear His call.  Take heart my sister's; He will call and we will be ready!

My prayer today:

Thank you Lord for the beauty of Spring.  For when one season goes, another is around the corner.  We desire to work in your fields, to plant your seeds and to nurture them for You.  You will feed and water them but we will love them for You.  Give us a heart for the lost and broken.  Protect us as we enter into Spiritual battles and give us the tools to grow hundreds of warriors for You.  This is Your planting ground but we want to help.  Thank you for the comfort You provide but thank you mostly, for saving us!  We don't deserve any of this but are thankful for all of it.  AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Thursday, February 9, 2012

February 8, 2012

Where do you put your trust?  Do you look at your friends, your possessions, your family or do you trust yourself above anyone else?  I think everyone trusts in different ways but they trust in something.  There are many dangers in trusting people or worse only trusting in yourself.  God was and is very specific about who we should trust.  However, rarely do people just trust in Him.  As a matter of fact, most people trust in what they can see or hear.  It is easier to trust that aliens built the wonders of the world, rather than believing that God parted the Red Sea.

I have to admit, that every once in awhile I forget the greatness of our God.  I forget the sacrifice and the power behind the cross.  I trust in people rather than trusting in God.  I doubt that anyone could say they haven't done that before.  But I am here to tell you, we are all wrong.  Although it is good to have friends and family that you can trust, you should never replace God with them.  He is the only one we can trust, the rest of us our sinners being perfected in His image.  So, if someone has let you down recently, remember that they are human.  Trust in Christ always and He will steer you in the right direction.

I love the Psalms because David knew that God was great.  He knew that His success came through God.  He also realized that he was a sinful creature, with enemies at every door.  If you had enemies everywhere, where would you put your trust?  Exactly, on the only one you could count on.  Let's take a moment today and repent.  Put your trust back into the only one that matters, Jesus Christ!

Psalm 71:1-6 NKJV:

    In You, O LORD, I put my trust;
Let me never be put to shame.
            Deliver me in Your righteousness, and 
                 cause me to escape;
         Incline Your ear to me, and save me.
    Be my strong refuge,
    To which I may resort continually;
         You have given the commandment to 
                  save me,
         For You are my rock and my fortress.
   Deliver me, O my God, out of the 
                  hand of the wicked,
    Out of the hand of the unrighteous
                 and cruel man.
           For You are my hope, O LORD GOD;
   You are my trust from my youth.
    By You I have been upheld from 
                birth;
     You are He who took me out of my
               mother's womb.
          My praise shall be continually of You.

My prayer today:

Lord, we repent today for not trusting in You enough.  We give You all our worries, our hopes and our desires and ask that You would help us trust You more.  Show us Your glory and be with us as we pray this prayer.  We want you to be our refuge, our hope and our future.  Thank you from knowing us from the beginning.  Continue to mold us and make us Yours as we praise Your Holy name.  We are sinful creatures but we are Yours. Make us likeminded in You and give us strength as we put our trust in You today.

Until tomorrow...


February 7, 2012

Do you ever feel like you are on sinking sand?  You know it's amazing to me that we can go along with God and feel planted and then all the sudden; life changes and we are sinking.  Why does life change so rapidly and what is the purpose?  There is purpose in everything that God does and His purpose is to make us more like Him.  In order for Him to do that, He has to build us and mold us into His image so that when the time comes; we are standing on rock, not sand.

This always reminds me of the houses in California that slid off the mountains, during the great rains. Multi-million dollar homes went crashing.  Can you imagine the horror of the people below?  It was an amazing site and I am sure for those that lost their homes; it was devastating.  We are like those homes.
God wants us to be built on rock so that when the storm hits, we are solid in Him.  Many will build on sand and like those homes in California they will crash.  Where do you want to be when the storm hits? One of the best ways to protect yourself and your family is to entrench yourself in the Word.  Take time to study Your Bible and if you have a question, ask someone who knows.

Matthew 7:27 NKJV:

     "Therefore whoever hears these saying of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
      "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:  and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was it's fall."

Don't be like the house that crashed.  Give yourself to our Lord and ask Him to plant you on the rock of Salvation.  There is no greater treasure than being His.  Take some time today and ask the Lord to set your feet on the rock, you'll be glad you did.

My prayer today:

Lord, we desire to be on the rock of salvation.  When the storms hit, we want our house to stand.  Please protect the women that read this blog and help them to stand firm in You.  We don't want to be like the houses in California, crashing because we didn't know You.  Give us wisdom to face all of life and bring us closer to You as we ask to be in Your presence.  Give us today our daily bread and mold us to You.
We thank you, that You are the rock and when we call to stand on it, You set our feet.  Please help us to reach the lost and give us the power behind your resurrection.  AMEN

Until tomorrow...


February 6, 2012

Let's talk about loss.  It's something that will happen to all of us.  It takes the form of broken relationships, loved one's dying, miscarriages and broken hearts.  It comes in various shapes and sizes, with one outcome, sadness.  I understand that kind of sorrow.  It's bone deep and keeps us frozen in time, when really, time has moved on.

In the last 5 years, I have lost three people I loved with all my heart.  They knew my deepest secrets, my worst fears and the desires of my heart.  They are all gone, never to return.  My family feels their loss and there are no words to describe how lonely and empty life can feel. But in all the pain, there stands my Father reminding me that He knew me in the womb and I am His.

Losing a brother, mother and father, is very difficult.  Luckily, I have never lost a child.  I can't even imagine the pain and suffering a person goes through.  I watched my parents at my brother's funeral and I know for them, it was devastating.  God doesn't take them away to hurt us; He takes them away for His glory.  I didn't come to this conclusion quickly, so if you aren't with me on this, I totally understand.  What I am trying to say is that our lives and the people that are in them are part of a master plan, with only one key master.  They are here for us to love and be loved for a time but in the end, they are Christ's and He will decide the time and hour of their return.

Life is not easy and the concept of loss is even harder.  We must hold onto the Word and ask the Lord to help and guide us through our sorrow.  We can't change circumstances but we can change our hearts.  If you know someone that is going through this, comfort them, be near and let them know they aren't alone.  You may not be able to say anything that will truly help but there is power in numbers.  We are called to stand by our brothers and sisters, don't leave them, lift them up and show them the power of Jesus Christ.

Take your loss and grow closer to Him!  It's worth it.

Philippians 3:7-11 NKJV:

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.  Yet indeed I also count all things loss for Christ.  Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

For every loss, I have gained more faith.  It hasn't been easy.  When things are taken away from us, we want them back.  I am sure the disciples and Jesus's mother wanted Him back desperately.  We don't always get what we want, because in the end, it's not our life anyway.  Nothing stays forever except for God.  Plant your feet today and ask the Lord in.

My prayer today:

Lord, I come to You with all my heart asking You to heal those that have lost someone.  God it's not easy, we are selfish creatures and desire to have them around forever.  We know that we are all Yours, and yet, You give them to us for a time.  Help us through our dark hours and give us comfort, so that we may comfort someone else. Lord, our desire is to know You and to be in the power of Your resurrection.  Give us hands to heal today, mouths to speak, and a huge dose of love.  AMEN

Until tomorrow...




Tuesday, February 7, 2012

February 4, 2012

After a very long wait, my cousin got married this weekend.  It brings me back to all the frogs she dated and all the tears she cried.  I remember my mom telling her that someday she would find her prince and God was faithful.  She had prayed for years, saved herself for the one, and when he came, she was ready. If you asked her if he was worth the wait, she would tell you, YES!

I don't always understand God's ways and as Scripture states, we never will.  We must always take into consideration that His will is perfect.  We may desire something really bad but if it's not in God's will, forget it.  Within His will lies the solution to our lives, all of our problems, as well as our sorrows and our joy.  He is in the middle of every perfect thing that has ever happened to us, including giving us free choice. Take a step back today and really look at your life through Jesus's eyes.  We are not here for our glory; we are here for His.

Luke 11: 2 NKJV:

     Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
     Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

It's very important that we let God choose His will over our lives.  It's not easy but it's essential to a powerful journey with Christ.  You may not understand it now.  He never promised to reveal everything to us.  He promised never to leave us.  In the end, we must all pray, God let Your will be done!  He has the answers and the keys to the kingdom; He should be in charge, don't you think?

If you are struggling today with who should be in charge, remember that Christ sat in the garden praying, "let Your will be done."  When the disciples asked him how they should pray, He gave them the Lord's prayer.  We are on a course with only one direction, eternal life.  Stay focused and He will light your way.

My prayer today:

We are a generation of scattered sheep.  We love to control our lives.  Someday Lord, we will learn that You are the only one that controls our journey but for now, I ask in Jesus name that You would help us to hold close Your words, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."  We know You are the director of our lives.  Give us peace in our times of unbelief and grow us in Your ways.  Guide us through the forest and give us a path for the future. May Your Holy power come over us today and may we be glad in all our circumstances.  You are the power behind us and we ask for it today.

Until tomorrow...


Monday, February 6, 2012

February 3, 2012

Have you ever wondered, why me?  I can't think of anyone I know that hasn't wondered that.  It is hard for us to realize that life happens and there is a purpose to the madness.  We rarely know what is going to happen from one day to the next but Christ knew. He was like us, hoping that our circumstances would go away but sometimes that just isn't the case.  The reality is; God is doing a great work in our lives even if it's painful.

We desire to know the future but with that knowledge comes great responsibility.  Look at the life of Christ and the pain and sorrow He felt in the Garden of Gethsemane.  If we are truly honest with ourselves, it's easier not to know.  And yet, if you look at the passage you will see God's mercy in His son's pain.

Luke 22: 39-46 NKJV:

     Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.  When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."
     And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.  And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly.  Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
     When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.  Then He said to them, "Why do you sleep? Rise up and pray, lest you enter into temptation."

Have you fallen asleep because your sorrow is too great?  Believe me, I understand.  It's easier to run away than face the facts but as Jesus stated in Luke, "Rise up."  We must rise up and pray so that we can remain strong in Him.  God did not leave Jesus, even though His disciples fell asleep.  He sent His angel to strengthen Him.  As I look upon this passage, my mind takes me to the great drops of sweat that were like blood poring to the ground.  Does that sound like a man that was happy about His future.  No, He wanted to have His father take it from Him? He was just like us.  Crying out to His father asking Him to lighten the load.  I have no idea what you are facing today but if your load is large, rise up and pray.  You can't get through it alone, so stop trying!  Give it to Christ and let Him walk along side you.

My prayer today:

Oh Lord, when I look upon Your word, I see beauty everywhere.  We fall down and You pick us up.  Even when time was near, You cried out for Your father's will to be done.  We cry out today and ask that Your will be done, today and every day.  Give us the strength to continue in prayer and give us the ability to feel Your presence.  Our sorrow may be great but You are far greater.  Lead us on our path and lift us up, as we walk through the fires of this life.  Thank you for always being near and thank you for dying for us.

Until tomorrow...

Thursday, February 2, 2012

February 2, 2012

Esther is a very important female figure in the Old Testament.  She was taken to the King and she found favor.  It's a story similar to the fairy tales we hear today.  She went from rags to riches.  The world would say she seized an opportunity.  However, if you look closer into her story, God positioned her to be the King's wife to save her people.

Although God put Man at the head of all things, women have power.  We are the helpmate and when we pray there is power.  Esther was asked to do an outrageous thing by her mentor; she was to go to the King without being called.  In those days, if the King did not receive you, it was your death sentence.  Can you imagine her horror when she was asked to go to the King unannounced?  That's like going to your spouse when he is angry and asking to talk to him.  Good luck.  And yet, she had faith that God would help her if she was to petition him.  She told Mordecai that she would fast for 3 days and that he and others were to do the same.  During that fast, they would pray and after 3 days, she would go to the King.

Let's see, if you had a choice, would you just want to sit quietly in your castle, or would you want to risk your life to save a nation?  I know what I would want to do.  Esther had great faith in God and realized that she would have no peace if she didn't go to the King.  She also realized that fasting gave her the wisdom and strength to go to him.  Finally, she asked others to join her so that she could hear from God.

Without fasting, I doubt she would have walked into the King's court.  I don't know many people that practice the art of fasting.  It's to be done in silence, however, there is a mighty power in it.  Esther knew it and we should consider implementing the practice into our lives.  I am not talking about everyday or even once a month.  I am saying that if the Holy Spirit puts it on your heart, try it, you have nothing to lose.

Esther 4:15-17 NKJV:

    Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai:  "Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day.  My maids and I will fast likewise.  And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!" So Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther commanded him.

Matthew 21:20-21 NKJV:

    So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here and there," and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.  However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."

What have we learned today?  That fasting and prayer have power.  That faithfulness comes through God  and that God gave a woman the ability to save a nation.  Not bad.  Don't ever let anyone tell you that you don't have a great purpose.  You may be called today or 10 years from now but realize He has a purpose for your life and walk in faith that He can fulfill it.

My prayer today:

Lord, thank you for the story of Esther.  I want to challenge myself to fast when you call me too.  The only way I am going to move mountains is by praying and fasting.  Thank you for giving me guidance and for reminding me that there is purpose in this journey, far beyond what I can see.  Give me strength to look toward you in all circumstances.  We thank you for the power behind the cross.  Forgive me for my sins today so that I can be closer to you and reveal yourself in a mighty way.  Protect those that read these words and show me how I can become Esther.  AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

February 1, 2012

I woke up thinking about how our king suffered for us.  Christ was marked for suffering and in His last hours, the wounds on His hands and feet determined our fate.  An innocent lamb, sacrificed so that we could have eternal life. Like you, I face personal battles, giants, times of joy and times of darkness.  With every stage of life and in every emotion, I learn more and more about myself, Christ, and His people.  I was taught very young to fight hard and to never give up.  But I have to admit, sometimes it would be easier to just let go.

I wonder if that's how Jesus felt days before His crucifixion.  Was He sad?  Did He hope for a different outcome?  What was it like to go from King to criminal?  He was innocent and yet, His last words were for us.  It's by His sacrifice we are forgiven!  Do you think about that?  How often do we look at the challenges in our lives and forget what Christ did for us?

We are called to remember that day, vividly. Why?  Because Jesus did a great and mighty thing for us.  Our circumstances, no matter how bad, will never equal the humiliation, devastation, and torture, He went through for us.  We are sinful; He was perfect.  I am calling all my sister's in Christ to really meditate on that today. To look into the life of Jesus and thank Him for the sacrifice He made for us.  We don't deserve that kind of love and yet, He gave it, freely.  Christ was marked for us and in His suffering; we must sing Holy, Holy is the Lord!

2 Corinthians 1-7 NKJV:

    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.  Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer.  Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.  And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

In suffering their is comfort.  I doubt many of us think that, unless we are lucky enough to have women around us that encourage and comfort us in our time of need.  I can honestly say; I have found comfort after suffering, through Jesus.  Sometimes, He's the only thing that could fill my empty heart.

Rise up and take your place!  Let Christ command you.  Repent and give Him the glory.  He's waiting to hear from His people.  Be joyful today and know comfort is near.

My prayer today:

Thank you for waking me up to the scars on Your hands and feet.  My problems are nothing compared to the days You walked in suffering.  Give us all a heart for You today and thank you for reminding us how much we are loved.  Today is a new day. Help us to go out there and live it for Your glory.  Please forgive us for our sins and hold us close as we dedicate our lives to You and give us strength and courage to help us as we walk through life's challenges.  We proclaim: GLORY TO THE LAMB ON HIGH, WHO WAS AND IS TO COME!  AMEN

Until tomorrow...