Song Dedication for my son..

We ♥ You and are very proud of you!! 

 Know that He has a true purpose for you and know that He will always make a way for you.......He has a PLAN for You!!!
And a special THANK YOU to all of you prayer warriors! Thank you for your prayers!

What Faith Can Do by Kutless

Trust......

"²Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
  James 1:2-4 (NIV)

When I read my heart stopped, a light bulb moment-..... "Consider it pure joy" ...I began to really think about this verse. I don't know if I or anyone else has had this come to mind when faced with the news of terminal illness or while you are going through fear of losing their home or job.  Does "Consider it pure joy" come to a persons mind when they are laying in a hospital bed or when your child is in the hospital with a life threatening illness or in a VERY dark place suffering from depression feeling hopeless thinking no one cares.  My mind was racing with so many different things I have gone through and what others I know have gone through. I do not think,"Consider it pure joy"  is the FIRST thing that comes to mind, believer or not!  I know I have been very guilty of feeling pity for myself with feelings of defeat.  But as I thought about it more and the Lord revealed, as I was reading, with a proper perspective we would be able to see pure joy in our trials.

God lets trials happen because, you see.....trials are character building. Trials shows us what we are made of; they humble us and remind us of what is really important. And through our tests/trials they bring us closer to Him.    God lets trials happen to us to help us with our spiritual inventory.  He will allow us to go through trials so that we realize what is in our hearts.  God knows what is in our heart. He is not testing us for Him; He is testing us for us, to help us.

What will keep us,  is trust in God. The trust that God is working things out for His own Holy purpose. No matter the depth of the trial having the right perspective will dictate how we react. "⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:4  Using wisdom before reacting emotionally and keeping proper perspective is key. But that is hard, how can you NOT react emotionally when our heart gets ripped from our chest with the challenges of life.....do you think you would or can find joy in it or through it?  Can you see your faith in your test?  Go to God with it....scripture says that  "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:5   

We have all had our fair share of trials.  Whatever we are facing or have faced there is a reason for it.  What should we take out of our trials?  What do they teach us?  When I read chapter 1 in the book of James, I thought about the things that I have gone through in my life and I can honestly say that I am who I am because of my trials.  A test of our faith is how I see trials.  They remind us of what we are made of, like in Job. He was faithful throughout all his lose and personal tragedy. Never once cursing or giving up on God.  And Abraham,  he did exactly what God told him to do because he had faith His Heavenly Father had a Holy Purpose for asking him to sacrifice his son, this is why he is called "Our Father of Faith" (find Abraham's story in Genesis 22) Trials also keep us humble and shows us what we really love. They help us to see where our perspective is and helps to grow into a person with tools equipped to help others. We all have testimonies of  developed faith;  faith that has been strengthened through trials in turn growing more mature and spiritually strong in faith to better serve our Heavenly Father!

Psalm 23:1-4

¹ The Lord is my shepherd;
       I have everything I need.
 ² He lets me rest in green pastures.
       He leads me to calm water.
 ³ He gives me new strength.
    He leads me on paths that are right
       for the good of his name.
 ⁴ Even if I walk through a very dark valley,
       I will not be afraid,
    because you are with me.
       Your rod and your shepherd's staff comfort me.

1 Peter 1:3-5

 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

Father God, I come to You now in the Name of my Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.  Holy Spirit I pray that You bring to us to our Heavenly Father's Voice and lead us in prayer.  Heavenly Father, we bow and worship before You. We come to You with praise and with thanksgiving. We come to You in gratitude and, in love, and through the precious Blood of Your Son Jesus Christ. We pray this in His Holy Name Amen!!!

Remember...... God will help us remain truth to our faith through whatever difficult times we must face.

Isaiah 40:31...Renew your strength and rise above!!!

    

A crow likes to annoy & bother the eagle but the eagle does not fight against the crow because the eagle knows he can fly above & beyond the crow could ever possibly. So instead of fighting an unnecessary battle the eagle rises above.  Like the eagle we should rise above not fighting any unnecessary battles. Focus on the battles that are to bring us closer to our God given gifts & purpose. Fighting to reach God's best for our lives is the only fight we should be fighting.  We mustn't waste our energy and precious time on trying to get approval of someone who is clearly against you and your God given abilities. Or to prove your point or prove you are worthy of praise or maybe you are fighting to be better than others, remember that the person or situation being fought against or struggling for approval is not at all what or who we are to be focused on. Our focus should be on the Almighty, the Most High our Heavenly Father.   

     You may have people who are against your God given abilities or talents they will not celebrate and embrace you. They will be jealous and gossip, they will be critical with negativity, these are distractions the enemy puts in our path to keep us from fulfilling His purpose for our lives. They will always find something bad or wrong in what you are doing or trying to do. Be like the eagle and rise above jealousy & negativity.
     Sometimes the closer you get to God and the more favor God exhibits in your life the more the naysayers will criticize you and come against you making the battle harder and the more discouraged you become. Always seems to be judging you or questioning you in a derogatory way.  They may even question your motives but you have to remember to focus on God and his wisdom; He will fight those battles for you. His approval is the only one to compete for and to seek.  If you keep your focus on him He will put the right people in your path and around you. Ones that will celebrate and support you, ones that will encourage you not discourage you.
    Jesus didn't listen to his critics but ignored them and continued on his righteous path with faith and confidence.  He did not worry about the mockers or the ones who didn't want to listen. He was steadfast and did what he was called to do, Glorify His Heavenly Father.  King Saul would listen to the jealous ones but when would follow God's path for his life, God was right there to help him succeed.

Are you living up to your full potential or are you letting people discourage and keeping you from God's best in your life?   Be who God has called you to be, don't listen to what people are telling you, have confidence in yourself and step out in faith.  Remember God knew before you were born, Jeremiah 1:5...

“ Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
      Before you were born I sanctified you;"

Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. Heavenly Father, I ask You to renew our strength, the ones that wait upon You: that we shall mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not be weary we will walk and not faint. Heavenly Father, we thank You that You will renew our strength, the ones that wait upon You: that we shall mount up with.  Wings like eagles, they will run and not be weary we will walk and not faint.  In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray...Amen!

"But those who wait on the LORD
      Shall renew their strength;
      They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
      They shall run and not be weary,
      They shall walk and not faint."

Isaiah 40:31

A prayer for Wisdom and His Wise Counsel for a dear friend...

Dear Heavenly Father, We come to You now in the name of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.  Heavenly Father, we thank You that Your Word gives knowledge, instruction, wisdom, and understanding to all who pays attention to its truths.  You promised to impart wisdom to us if I listen to Your Words and attain unto Your wise counsels.  We, therefore, enter Your presence with trust, knowing You will give us wisdom according to 2 Chronicles 1:10.  Heavenly Father, fill us with the spirit of wisdom so that we will be able to discern Your will.  With You, Lord, there is both strength and wisdom according to Job 12:13. Heavenly Father, let our mouths speak Your wisdom, Lord, because of the righteousness You have imparted to us according to Psalm 37:30. 

2 Chronicles 1:10

"Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?” 

Job 12:13

“With Him are wisdom and strength,
      He has counsel and understanding."

 

 Psalm 37:30

"The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, 

and his tongue talks justice."

 

I ask You.... destory, false memories, unrighteous agreements, bad attitudes, bad thoughts, ungodly negative impressions, and imprints according to John 14:14.  Heavenly Father, I ask You to cleanse our minds with the Blood of the Lord Christ Jesus of all thoughts and preconcieved ideas that do not conform to Your will and destiny for our lives and the way You want us to believe and think.  Lord Jesus, we ask you to do all of these things according to John 14:14; and Heavenly Father we ask You to give us these things according to John 16:23.  In the Name of Lord Jesus Christ, we pray with thanksgiving. To God be the Glory....Amen!

John 14:14

"If you ask ask anything in My Name, I will do it"

John 16:23

“And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you."

                                                              

Patience......

Patience is powerful it frees you from the control of the devil and the circumstances he brings to upset us.  A fruit of the spirit, patience, only grows through trials.  We can develop the ability to stay strong with stability through these times.  Patience is required to see the fulfillment of God's promise in our lives.  It is very important to remain control of our thoughts and what we say when we are faced with challenges.  We can do with God's help of course.  

 

Father God, through the power of the Holy Spirit; we thank you for your favor on our lives.  You intimately know our thoughts and ways.  We give You authority over our lives.  We completely surrender ourselves and our circumstance before You.  We know that You love us and want us to be strong and stable through You.  When our world is shaking and our hearts are breaking we will stand firm and will stand patiently.  We will never leave or turn from Your word.  We will trust You will teach and guide us.  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways knowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5 (NKJV)   In Jesus name....Amen!

God's Ways...Trust IT!

     Did you know a lack of understanding of how God does things can wear you out?  If you don't understand His ways, you could end up fighting and resisting things, thinking they are an attack from the devil, when in reality they are an attempt by the Lord to work something good in your life.
    We know God does not do bad things.  But sometimes we fail to realize that everything that feels bad is not necessarily bad for us.  Reminding our self that His ways are not our ways will help us trust Him even when our circumstances are hard to understand.  So at the close of your busy day, put yourself in the hands of almighty God...and rest in the knowledge that He is good and knows what's best.

    Father God, In Jesus name, we thank You for Your will in our lives.  Please forgive us when we fall short and resist.  As we learn and continue to grow we will remind ourselves through You all things are possible and all things are for our good.  We love and trust Your way...Amen!

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)

  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
   neither are your ways my ways,”
            declares the LORD.
 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
   so are my ways higher than your ways
   and my thoughts than your thoughts.

"Thou Oh Lord" by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

"Give Us Clean Hands"

Jehovah-Jireh …. LORD who Provides

 

Remember the story of Abraham and his son Isaac. It was God (Jehovah Jireh) that provided the sacrificial ram that was caught in the bushes. Because the Lord foresaw his need and provided the ram, Abraham built an altar for the “Lord Who Provides” -- Jehovah-Jireh [Gen. 22:1-18].  Abraham is one who loved God more than his beloved son Isaac, who was a man of worship and who immediately obeyed God.  Those who love, worship and obey the Lord are ones who can anticipate His provision.  "And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-Jireh: as it is said to this day, in the mount of the Lord it shall be seen" (Genesis 22:13-14, KJV).

Are you having a difficult time decided something?  A decision has to be made about your finances, your job or a relationship.  Perhaps you are having trouble with a marriage or a relationship.  God (Jehovah-Jireh) will provide answers or a way through your difficult circumstance. Do you trust the Father? Do you trust His Almighty hand? Do you trust His heart through your most difficult times?  Will you give Him authority over your life?  We must ask ourselves if we fully trust HIM.  And if we don’t we ask that He will show us the areas of our heart needs changed and/or strengthened.  Praying to Jehovah-Jireh”-  “Lord who Provides”  will open the door for God to work His will and provision. 
 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 (NKJV)

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your favor on our lives.  We trust Your promises and will for our lives. We ask for Your strength and understanding of Your will.  We sometimes don’t see the good You have for us when are in turmoil or indecision but through Your eyes we ask to see what You see for us.  We trust in Your hand and heart.  Jehovah-Jireh, You provided for Abraham in his time of need, we believe that You will provide answers for our daunting questions or circumstance.  To bring revelation in our lives from this day forward. And through the Holy Spirit our paths will be revealed.  Father, we know that you are faithful and our needs will be met.  Glory to God ….Our Savior, Our Redeemer , In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit …Amen & Amen!

Think Good Thoughts on Purpose

    We know that when God has renewed our mind with a fresh attitude we can choose to make right decisions.  For instances, we know that love is not necessarily a feeling but a choice.  We must also choose to think good thoughts about other people.  Take a moment and think good thoughts about someone you know, and see how much better you feel.

    Thinking good thoughts opens the door for God to manifest His good plan in your life.  So if you haven’t been working with the Holy Spirit to break old thoughts patterns and form new ones, it’s time to get started.  Think good thoughts about people on purpose, and as your attitude starts to change toward others, your relationships will also start to change for the better.  “to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”Ephesians 4:23-24(NIV)

O gracious Father, through the power of the Holy Spirit gives us strength and the understanding for those that may bring confusion and chaos to our lives.  So we are able to think and be positive and not to think badly or to judge others for their actions or words.  Give us patience and knowledge that will remind and equip us with the grace as You would.   We proclaim peace and joy over our thoughts and a new understanding for others for Your glory.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2(NIV) In Jesus name…Amen!

Better than a Hallelujiah .....

With Love...Prayer of Intercession

Father God, in the power of the Holy Spirit, I pray in intercession for healing the sick and the injured.  Ask that you renew their bodies and their spirits.  Deliver them from destruction of the enemy who wishes to break Your children physically.  Restore their health and bodies.  And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.  Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:15-16 Father God, there are troubled hearts that have forgotten Your way.  The enemy is trying to discourage and lie to give doubt in their advancement.  Our brothers and sisters spiritual warfare is bringing them weakness and darkness, I declare strength and protection through the Holy Spirit our beloved brothers and sisters will be delivered.     The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.  The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
 because they take refuge in him. Psalm 37:39-40 (NIV) In His glorious name, Christ Jesus……Amen!!

Strong Tower

More than a Conqueror

    Do we only attain victory by somehow avoid having problems?  I think victory is not being free of problems, the Lord never said that we would be problem free or that it would be easy to walk with Him.  True victory for the child of God comes when there is still peace in the soul in the middle of the raging storm....when tragedy happens and one can still say, "All is well with my soul."  This can only happen when you are looking at Jesus instead of your circumstances.  A key to having victory is understanding it only comes "through Him who loves us."   No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8:37 (NIV)
     If and when you are facing problems that seem to overwhelming to overcome, remember you are a conqueror through Him.  Allow God to strengthen your inner man or woman.  When you are strong inside you can defeat anything that comes against you.

Father God, through the power of the Holy Spirit,  We receive Your strength....We are  CONQUERORS through YOU!  We know that You are in control and through You all things are possible.  We trust and give You authority over our circumstances, health, and finances.  We speak victory over our lives and those we are connected to.....In Jesus name....Amen!

Conversation with God

Too often we get caught up in our own works concerning prayer.  Sometimes we try to pray to long, loud and/or fancy that we lose sight of the fact that prayer is simply conversation with God.  The length or loudness or how our prayer is not the issue....it is sincerity of our heart and our faith God hears that is important.  Simply speak to God as you would a friend and believe that he hears you.  Have confidence that even if we only say, "God, help me,"  He hears and will answer.  Believe that God wants to help us because He is our helper,  So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Hebrews 13:6 (NIV).  We can depend on God to be faithful to do what we have asked Him to as long as our request is in accordance with His will.  And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Matthew 6:7 (NIV)

Father God, through the Holy Spirit thank You for reminding us praying is not to be empty words but words from our heart spoken by faith. In Jesus name....Amen! 

The POWer of Words

    Words are containers for power.....either creative or destructive. We can tear down or build up the people around us by what we say.  There is abundance of discouragement coming from the world, but we have a great privilege of bringing encouragement to others by being positive in a negative world.  It can be difficult at times but turning to God to help us choose our words that will bring positive changes in the lives of others......and in our own lives. Father God in our everyday walk in love for your glory we ask that Your wisdom and mercy be placed upon our tongue.  We ask that You guide us and teach us as we spread Your good news.  Ephesians 4:29   Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. (KJV)    Helps us to be good stewards of Your Word for your glory.  Give us strength and endurance for those times we come upon warfare and opposition.  In name of the Father, of the Son & of the Holy Spirit...Amen!

No fear in love

^{1 John 4:18}
 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. (NKJV)


Have you ever started to step out in faith and, even at the thought of it, felt fear rising up in you?  It happens to all of us, but very important to remember that the source of fear is Satan. He doesn't want you to do what God wants you to and receive all God has for you. So Satan sends fear to torment you into being doubtful and miserable.
     Fear is an evil spirit that hinders progress.  We can live without fear by building our faith on what God has said in His Word.  There is great power confessing the Word of God.  So when Satan attempts to torment you with fear, confess what the Word says; that the Lord is with you and "will not fail you or foresake you" (Deut. 31:6). Take steps of faith even if you have to "do it afraid."

Father God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we thank You that You will not foresake us and we shall not fear!  When we feel fear we will have faith in Your Word and will step in faith for Your glory. "Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling"(Psalm 2:11)  In Jesus name....Amen!