Surrender

In the darkest moments of our lives, are we willing to say, "Father, not my will, but Yours be done?" In the midst of our pain, we find whether our hearts are truly surrendered.

Father, we know there is freedom in surrender.  We give ourselves to You. Do with our lives what You will.  We open our hearts to hearing Your guiding voice.  Help us to have a steady,  unwavering stride so we will remain in Your footsteps - the only path that leads to our true peace and blessing.  Amen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNTd0B-3dL4&feature=related

Memorial Day Prayer

Father, we thank You for Jesus - the One who willingly laid His life down for our eternal freedom. 

We also thank You for the men and women who have served and are currently serving our country.  Like Jesus, they have committed themselves and their time for the sake of freedom. They have unselfishly laid down their lives for us and even a future generation yet unborn. 

We thank You for the Holy  Spirit who is our Comforter. Comfort the families who have lost their loved ones while battling for our country's freedom.  We are so thankful for the price they've paid.  Comfort the families whose loved ones are away. Give them strength and courage to face each day. 

We lift up those who are on the battle lines now and those who could be called at any time. We pray for their protection and safe return.  We pray that their purpose in fighting for our peace not be in vain. 

We pray for the servicemen and women who do not know You. Send laborers into their path. May the blinders be removed and their eyes be opened to the Gospel message.  We pray Jesus would become their hope and comfort, and that they would then unashamedly share their experience with Him to others.  We pray for a domino effect to happen - that the saving message of Jesus would spread like wild fire!

We pray that the United States would come back to You.  We pray that revival would be sparked in the hearts of all - that a great awakening would strike the land and Jesus would be glorified in America.  Bless our country, Father.  In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Covered

"In the shadow of His hand He hid me." Isaiah 49:2

What a comforting Scripture of a loving, nurturing God who covers His children in time of need...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75YZ8ByHSrM  (Watch to the end - touching)

Listen

"Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish." (Proverbs 18:13) ... We could avoid many disputes if we just take the time to hear what someone is really saying. 

The huge key to communication: LISTEN :)

Kindness

Many people are inclined to react negatively due to undealt with, unhealed issues in their own lives.  Every person is fighting a battle of some sort.  That is why it is important to lay aside your natural response to take offense, and love the "unlovely."

We haven't been called to give people what they deserve.  God has commanded us to treat others as we wish to be treated.  We are also shown in Scripture that whatever it is we do to another (negative or positive)we are doing to Jesus Himself. 

So before you lash out and choose harshness over kindness, pause and picture Jesus standing before you.  All hurt inflicted on another is grieving the  very heart of God. 

"Rudeness, yelling, anger, and swearing are a weak man’s imitation of strength." (Author Unknown)

Let's be kind to one another. Kindness makes you more attractive :)

(Ephesians 4:31-32, Matthew 7:12, Luke 10:27, Proverbs 20:3, Proverbs 29:20, James 1:19, Matthew 25:45)

Freedom in Our Praise

Most of the Psalms were written during wilderness times; the Epistles,  in prison. We can take comfort in knowing that when we are in the fire, God is about to use us in a mighty way. 

"About Midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God..." In their darkest hour, they didn't forget God nor grow angry with Him.   They knew from Whom their help came from and they knew their freedom was in their praise. 

The rest of that Scripture states, "And the other prisoners were listening to them." Others are watching us as we endure life's storms.

"Suddenly there was an earthquake that shook the foundations of the jail.  All the doors  immediately flew open, and everyone's chains came off. "

May we be like Paul and Silas, confident that God will never  forsake us even in the toughest of times.  Our continual worship of Him will invoke His presence into our lives. Not only will it bring our freedom, but an open door to share the Gospel message to those who have watched our calm endurance. 

(Acts 16:25-26, Philippians 4:4-7, 1 Peter 2:9, Hebrews 13:15)

Seeds to the World

We are seeds to the world... 

God desires to plant us in the very center of certain individual's lives to represent who He is.  We are called to demonstrate His heart and His ways. 

A seed that is properly fed and watered will produce a harvest.  This makes it imperitive that we stay in close fellowship with Him through studying of the Word and intimate prayer - so that His power can flow through us effectively for a harvest of souls. 

For the sake of others, for the sake of a lost world, we owe it to Him to represent Him correctly. 

Lord, help us stay focused on what our ultimate purpose is in the earth...  Adjust our sight to not see just mere men in the earth, but living souls that Your life was laid down for. May their experiencing a walking example of You, through us, lead them straight to You...

I yield myself to Your use

I submit my will to Your ways

Jesus, glorify Your name through my life

I want to honor You all of my days

I commit myself to proclaim Your truth

Draw men’s hearts to You through me

It’s not Your will that any would perish

I want to be used to set men free

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzJxkqGiRbc

Voice of Our Heart

Our mouths give voice to our hearts.

"For out of the fullness (the overflow, the superabundance) of the heart the mouth speaks." Matthew 12:34b

We all are capable of speaking flowery words for a time, but merely adjusting our outward actions will not produce long lasting change. The truth of our heart's condition will always surface.  What are your words revealing about your heart today?

We need to set aside time with God every day for our daily heart checkup. If we will humbly listen, He will show us the inward work needed and will lead us down the path to our wholeness. :)

Never Overtaken

Dark clouds have fallen upon us

The enemy seeks to devour

But we trust in our Lord Jesus Christ

To deliver us from this oppressive power

We know Your power is greater

Quicker than any two-edged sword

We ask for Your help in this struggle

Oh King of kings and Lord of lords

You are mighty and strong in battle

Your Word declares You to be

Place Your armor upon us

Prepare us for spiritual difficulties

Help us not to doubt You

Or try to fight this on our own

Lord, give us the strength to overcome

Give us peace we’ve never known

Satan is defeated

This war he’s already lost

No power can stand against us now

You declared it on the cross

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGPS8sa-bRQ

Word From God

Photo Courtesy: © Carolyn Marshall, www.livinglifephoto.com

A Word from God changes lives. It sparks a hope that was lost.  His words deposit strength when we've come to the end of ourselves. 

When God speaks to us, I find the most common ways are through a still, small voice inside our spirit man, through the voice of another person, and through the written Word of God.  Whatever the source of the "voice" - it's important to remember it will ALWAYS line up with the Scriptures. Anything contradictory to what the Bible says is not from God. 

If the words you are hearing or the thoughts that are dancing in your head are that of condemnation and without hope, you are NOT hearing the voice of God.  God will convict you of things you need to deal with in your life, but He will not leave you without a way of escape.  God's words will bring life. They will bring life to your weary soul, bring life to your hopeless situation, and will strengthen you to keep pressing on.  (2 Corinthians 12:9, John 6:63, Psalm 62:5, Psalm 119:16, Jeremiah 29:11, John 10:10, Philippians 4:13, Galatians 6:9)

“Don’t be afraid,” He said, “For you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!” As He spoke these words to me, I suddenly felt stronger and said to Him, “Please speak to me, my Lord, for you have strengthened me.” Daniel 10:19

Lord, speak to us... deposit Your hope, Your life, and Your strength within us today...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdKVvx64elg&feature=related

Draw Me Away

Let me hear Your voice

For Your voice is so sweet

I’m yearning inside

To hear You speak

I know it brings you pleasure

When I’m seeking after You

Lord, draw me away

And I’ll keep running after You

Fascinated by You

Consumed by Your love

Draw me away, Lord

Draw me away

I won’t give up this chase

The yearning is too great

I’ll keep running after You

I long for Your embrace

Life is challenging.  Circumstances leave us feeling drained.  Emotions we wrestle with are exhausting. 

There just comes a time when we just have to retreat to our secret place; our safe place; the place where we can lay all of our burdens on the One who cares, who understands, who has firsthand felt and bore our pains. 

Oftentimes when I am feeling the weight of life, I feel Him drawing me away with a silent, yet very real tug on my heart.  Other times I experience an empty, hollow feeling. An emptiness that will only be filled if I chase and pursue Him.  It brings Him pleasure to be desired, to be sought after, to hear our heart's cry in desperate need for His touch, His voice.  In that pursuit, rest for our soul is found.

"As the deer pants and longs for the water brooks, so I pant and long for You, O God. My inner self thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, Where is your God? 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? And why are you so sad, oh my inner self? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, my Help and my God." Psalm 42:1-5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlsDH6OJWBM&feature=related

Flesh vs Spirit

Who ever told you that crucifying your flesh would be easy?  Your flesh screams for one thing and your spirit man shouts, "Obey."  Your flesh is about immediate gratification. Your spirit is about relationship and being in right standing with God.  Choosing to lay aside your fleshly desires to be obedient to God isn't always easy.  Your flesh will win by default if you don't make a conscious decision to train your spirit man. 

"So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions." Galatians 5:15-17

The enemy knows your weaknesses.  He is aware of the very things he can use to get you fixated on "it" rather than on God.  His goal is that you sear your conscience so you are no longer sensitive to what God has laid out in His Word for how you are to live as a follower of Christ.  Keep in mind, he isn't going to tempt you with something that doesn't appeal to your fleshly appetite. 

"Satan, like a fisher, baits his hook according to the appetite of the fish."  Thomas Adams

What is more important?  Doing the will of your Father or pleasing man and self?  You will reap from whatever it is you sow into.  Sow to the flesh and you will reap that which does not last; that which does not have eternal reward; a wall of separation between you and God.  Sowing to the flesh blocks God from blessing that area of your life.  God cannot bless sin. 

Sow to the spirit and you will be like Jesus, who looked past the temporary pain of surrendering to the will of God to the reward that was set before Him... 

Immediate gratification is not the answer. There is a price to be paid and there is a blessing to be lost. 

Lord, please shine a light on those areas we are living apart from You.  Show us where we are missing the mark.  We open our hearts to hear You speak to us about how we are living contrary to Your Word.  Pleasing you and knowing that "you and I" are okay is more important than anything else in this life.  We want our actions and lifestyle to prove just that. 

  

"If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands."  John 14:15

"Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness (right doing and right standing with God)?" Romans 6:16

"Then Peter and the apostles replied, We must obey God rather than men." Acts 5:29

"And we receive from Him whatever we ask, because we [watchfully] obey His orders [observe His suggestions and injunctions, follow His plan for us] and [habitually] practice what is pleasing to Him." 1 John 3:22

"Whoever says, I know Him [I perceive, recognize, understand, and am acquainted with Him] but fails to keep and obey His commandments (teachings) is a liar, and the Truth [of the Gospel] is not in him." 1 John 2:4

"[Live] as children of obedience [to God]; do not conform yourselves to the evil desires [that governed you] in your former ignorance [when you did not know the requirements of the Gospel]."  1 Peter 1:14

"If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness and joy." Job 36:11

"But He said, Blessed (happy and to be envied) rather are those who hear the Word of God and obey and practice it!" Luke 11:28

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0e0WEkxj58&feature=related

Fear

We are all well acquainted with the emotion that bears a choke hold.  It's ruthlessness.  It's torment.  It's an enemy to faith, a thief that robs you of life - imprisons you to a false reality. 

Anxiety, depression, doubt, worry, hurt, anger, sadness, low self esteem, unworthiness.  It comes disguised underneath many different emotions, but it all comes down to one thing:

FEAR.

The paralysis for some is the dread of what could happen years down the road, anxiety associated with an unpredictable economy, and for many it is the torment of what today, the next hour, the next minute will bring. 

"...fear has torment." 1 John 4:18a

Fear is not only an emotion, but a spiritual force. It is very similar to faith in that both have an unshakable belief in an unseen future. Fear trusts circumstances, natural predictions, the enemy's lies, and self.  Faith trusts God and what His Word says.  Fear is negative faith. 

Fear is an enemy of God.  It in essence rips Him of His lordship in our lives. We become self focused and not God focused.  We put our trust in the wisdom of man rather than in the power of God (1 Cor. 2:5).  We no longer see Him for Who He is and who He desires to be in our lives...  He solely becomes a gateway to Heaven, but in our day to day living He is diminished to a dusty figure placed on a shelf.   

God is love, and the Bible says that Perfect Love casts out fear.  God is THAT perfect love. 

"There is no fear in love (dread does not exist), but perfect love turns fears out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment.  He who is afraid has not fully experienced His perfect love." 1 John 4:18

Father, we want to know Your love... Your love is our freedom.  Your love removes shackles. Your love delivers us from all fear.  You are not what our circumstances look like. You are not what the latest trends define You as.  We commit to growing in the knowledge of who You truly are as defined in Your Word, and through that knowledge - growing in intimacy with You... We know that in experiencing that intimate love - fear has no more room in our lives. Thank You for Your love and the hope and peace it brings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uztHkNujb5o

"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4