To Whom Much Is Given

"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." Philippians 1:6

We must be mindful that "from everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded" Luke 12:48.  In speaking of our salvation, Paul says:  "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:8-10

God has prepared works for each us to accomplish.  He has given each us talents and gifts that are to expand and invest into others: Paul compares the church to a body, each part having a different function that ultimately serves the whole. 

^"5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." Romans 12:5-8

We should always consider a couple of challenges and reminders to be focused on Jesus and a path of righteous living.....

•       We don’t tend to stay in the same spot—we either move forward or backward.

•       Big dreams and tasks begin with small steps—what can you do today for the Glory of His Holy Name?

•       We aren’t supposed to be someone else—grow with dreams and aspirations God has placed in your own heart.

•       Work is part of the cycle of life—which also includes rest, play, and worship.

•       Wanting to grow is not selfish—it is the way God created us.

•       We grow to make ourselves better—and to better serve God.

•       Discipline is a tremendous source of freedom—from doubt and fear.

 God’s Promises are plain and simple when you carry out your purpose for His Glory and He has promised according to Isaiah 58:11; Cause You to flourish, according to John 15:4-5; Bear fruit in your life, and according to Matthew 25:21; Give you more as you are fruitful with what you have. 

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray according to Your Word, Ephesians 1:17-23, that You will give each of us a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ Jesus.  I pray that the eyes of our understanding will be enlightened so we may know what is the hope of the calling of Christ Jesus and the riches of the glory of Christ Jesus' inheritance, and what is the exceeding greatness of Your power towards us who believe, according to Your mighty power which You used to raise Christ Jesus from the dead and seated Him at Your right hand in heavenly places.  Father, thank You that You put all things under the feet of Christ Jesus, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, To God be the Glory.  Heavenly Father, open our eyes that we may see how great You are and how complete Your provision is for us.  We thank You that the victory the Lord Christ Jesus won for us on the Cross and His resurrection has been given to us. We bind our wills to the Wills of God, we bind our minds to the mind of Christ. To Go be the Glory....Amen!

God hears our prayers

Heavenly Father God, I thank You that Your Word says that when we pray to You that You will hear us according to Job 22:27-28...

"You will pray to him, and he will hear you,
   and you will fulfill your vows.
What you decide on will be done,
   and light will shine on your ways."

Heavenly Father, Your word says that in every place we go where Your Name is remembered, You will come to us and bless us according to Exodus 20:24, “‘Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you." and Your presence will go with us wherever we go and You will give us rest according to Exodus 33:14, "The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 

Heavenly Father, I pray that You will continually guide us and satisfy our desires in scorched places, give us strength to our bones and we will be like a watered garden and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail, according to your Word.

The LORD will guide you always;
    he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
   and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
   like a spring whose waters never fail.  

Isaiah 58:11

All that I am would be a glory, honor and praise unto You, Heavenly Father, Son and the Holy Spirit in Jesus Christ's Holy Name.  I commit my life and all that is in it, to You, to do Your good Works, and to have and be You in Your Total Desire, Will, and Presence, that I will, I am, and I will be, transformed into Your total likeness in Jesus Christ's Holy Name.  Come Lord Jesus Christ take Your rightful place in. through, and about my life and all those I have e prayed for today.  I give my life to You Lord, for eternity and I ask You Lord, to bind all that we are to all that You are, in  Jesus Christ's Holy Name...Amen!

Pray this prayer if too will commit your life for His Good Works!
God Bless : )

Being Who I AM in Christ....

In Galatians 6:4 the apostle Paul urges us to be strong and us to grow in the Lord until we come to the point of having personal satisfaction and joy of doing something commendable without bringing yourself to prideful and boastful comparison with others.  

 "Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else." Galatians 6:4

Once you know who you are in Christ, you are set free from the stress of comparison and competition.  You know you have worth and value apart from your works and accomplishments.  So then you can do your best to glorify God, rather than just trying to be better than someone else.  Those who look for God's approval will not need to envy others.  Because we are God's sons and daughters, we have His Holy Spirit as the loving guarantee of God's approval.  What a glorious and wonderful feeling to be secure in Christ and not having to be controlled by strife, envy or jealousy.  Thank God, I can be who God created me to be! He doesn't make mistakes!! 

"Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another." Galatians 5:26

Dear Heavenly Father, I come to before You humbly with thanksgiving; for making me who I am today.  Thank You that I am not a mistake and You knew me before I was conceived.   As You had a purpose for Jeremiah, You have a purpose for everyone of us, each of us appointed by You Father to do Your specific work. 

I receive Father, that You have always thought of me and everyone of us to be valuable and worthy.

We will do Your works without feeling of envy and competition but only to glorify You and Your Name. We will seek You to fulfill our purpose and strive to do so with diligence and joy and with cheerful acceptance!  Father, I ask that You guide me and those I pray for today to fulfill our divine opportunities and appointments as You present them to us. Fill us the Your wisdom, love, grace and mercy to walk and accomplish Your works for Your Glory.  As we listen for instruction and guidance thank You for Your clarity and purposeful understanding for Your Will.  Lord fill us with Your Holy Spirit, and use our lives as a willing vessel.  Heavenly Father we will live our lives to glorify You.  Thank You, Father for our salvation by faith in Christ Jesus and Truth of Your Word, in Jesus. Name…..Amen!!!

We are not moved by what we see, hear, smell, touch or taste.  We are not moved by reason.

We are only moved by Your Spirit and Your Word and we know Your Voice, and we hear Your Voice and we refuse to follow strangers according to John 10:27

    "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." 

Lord Jesus, I ask You to expand our minds and spirits; to fill us and increase us in the Holy Spirit and anointing with power.  I ask You to lead us in paths of righteousness for Your Name's Glory. We Bless You, Praise You, Worship You, and that we are commit all  to You, that Your perfect will be done through us.  I ask that You help us to cease from our own will and we do so by faith.  I ask for help, that You give Us the Word that You want us to give others.  Father, help us to follow Your direction.  I ask You that give us a clear mind and thoughts toward You, clear will toward You, and clear of ALL emotional clutter.  I ask You to release Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness with long suffering, and self control to flow over and in throughout our lives.  I ask that You make our hearts like Yours, that Your fruit will flow in and through us to others.  I ask You Father for a clear, sharp, and healthy mind and body in You.  

Heavenly Father,  I ask Your perfect Will in this life; for You, for us and for our families.  I ask You for eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to comprehend and receive what the Holy Spirit has to say.  I ask You to guard us and our families with many angels and that they come as needed.  I ask You to make us alert, awake, sharp and attentive in Your thoughts and ways.  I ask that we may prosper in what we put our hands to do for You.  We ask for a hart like yours and growth and maturity to walk in it to the fullest with You; in Jesus' Name....Amen!!

Encourage Yourself in the Lord

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31(NKJV)

Confidence is something that YOU decide to have.  You learn about God...about His love, His ways and His Word...then ultimately you must decide whether you believe it or not.  You will not go forward until you decide to believe in God and yourself.  David found himself in a seemingly hopeless situation with no one to support him; he encouraged himself and strengthened himself in the Lord. The situation was later on turned around. (1 Samuel 30 1-30)  We cannot always wait for someone to come along and encourage you to be all you can be.  If you don't believe in yourself, who is going to?  God believes in you, and it is a good thing too: otherwise, you might never make any progress.  I know this first hand; I really suck at writing (on my own).  I could not believe what I was hearing "write a blog"  I had NEVER visited a blog or read one, in fact I am still learning how to navigate through "blogging". But I heard God’s soft still voice "I will be with you and I will give you the words". I had to have confidence in myself and in God's Word.  And remembering this scripture..."But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 ....It wasn't easy but I stepped out and ....well here I am.

"Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God."  1 Samuel 30:6

Dear Heavenly Father, through the Holy Spirit I ask for continued encouragement and the patience and humble hearing of Your Word for Your Glory.  Thank You for your favor on our lives and the strength as enter a new and the unexplored.  Help us and guide us for what is pleasing to You Father as we continue to walk for glory every day and night.  In Jesus name....Amen!

Kingdom of God

 Another reminder from the Big Guy this morning :o) ...

"for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Romans 14:17 (NKJV)

"nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."   Luke 17:21 (NKJV) .....the Kingdom of God is within us.  The Kingdom is not food and drink....things of this world ....but it is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.  Some have wealth and many possession but do not have true satisfaction. Satisfaction in our inner man is what Jesus wants to give you.  When things are right on the inside, the outward things don't matter as much.  So keeping our eyes on the true kingdom of God and the rest will be added in abundance.   Praise God....Amen!

Talk the walk...Are YOU walking the talk?

   
   Heard this question this morning as I woke.... "You talk the walk but are YOU walking the talk?"  Had to chuckle because I knew what that meant and who was asking.     
God has reminded me that living and enjoying life is not a series of enjoyable circumstances. It's an attitude, an attitude of the heart...  I see my struggle when I heard my friend's diagnosis of cancer or when my teenagers act up or even, when my hubby and I get into an argument.  In most cases I am trusting Him and enjoying life as He presents it to me.  I know my heart is good and strong, I confess, I still have weaknesses.  God wants me to be consistent in my walk.  As a believer I know that I have an abundant quality of life that comes from God.  And getting caught up in my BAD circumstances I could fail to enjoy the pleasures God provides every day.  He has given me abundant life and my goal is to enjoy it to the fullest!!

God has given all of us sufficient grace to handle ANY circumstance that may come before us or around us.  "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor.12:9 (NIV)  We have to embrace the challenge and/or bad circumstance and forge on with confidence.  Put the whole armor of God upon ourselves and be victors  for His glory. Ephesians 6:10-17     


Thank You Father God for Your precious gift of grace.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit we will live life for Your glory and take ALL circumstances in our paths to You.  We receive....  "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly." John 10:10 (KJV)  and will not forget our standing in Your Name LORD.   Through Your word we gain strength and new understanding. Your praise will be always upon our lips and we exalt Your name forever. (Psalm 34) In His blessed name Christ Jesus we pray.....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.

Seeing through Darkness

 There are times you just can't see through the darkness that seems to closing in around you.  It is in those times the strength and patience of your faith is stretched and you learn to trust God even when you can't hear His voice.
   You can grow in your confidence level to the point where "knowing" is even better than "hearing."  You may be unsure of what to do but it is enough to know there is one who does know. We all like specific direction; however, when you don't have it, knowing God IS faithful and ever true to His promise, and that He has promised to be with us always, is comforting and keeps us stable until His timing comes to illuminate the situation.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for favor in our lives and the wisdom to know You are faithful. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  1 Corinthians 1:9 (NKJV)  Through our faith we can endure and trust that in your divine timing we will see through the darkness.  We will be patient.  We will be steadfast. And we will stand in confidence in Your promises.  Through You, O gracious Lord, we can endure and be victorious.  In Jesus name...Amen! 

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 .....

Attitude of Gratitude

    

    We all need to develop an “attitude of gratitude.”   This doesn’t mean we should live pretending nothing negative exists.  It simply means we make it our goal in life to be as positive as possible.  A positive approach opens the door for God to work.

     Go to bed tonight thinking everything you have to be thankful for.  Do the same thing tomorrow morning.  Thank God for everything….a convenient parking place; the fact you can walk, see, or hear; your children.  Don’t become discouraged with yourself when you fall short, and don’t quit.  Keep at it until you have developed new habits.

Dear Heavenly Father, through the power of the Holy Spirit, Give us wisdom and patience to have an “attitude of gratitude” ….we have our dark times when we have negative thoughts.   When we can only see the hardships we face and not appreciate the small stuff.  Father, we ask for forgiveness when we fall short we ask for strength and courage to rise and not let these things in our lives steal our joy.  Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  Philippians 4:4-6 (NIV)  Help us to develop new habits and helps to be better stewards of Your word.  Show us where we can improve to glorify Your name.   In Jesus name….Amen!

Offer a Sacrifice of Praise

The Bible teaches that we must acknowledge and glorify God....offer up a sacrifice of praise regardless of what we may be going through.  Maybe you are experiencing a time of trouble in your life, you've been praying and there seems to be no change.  While you are waiting for an answer is a perfect time to offer a sacrifice of praise. It is easy to praise God when everything is going well, but when we acknowledge and glorify Him in troubling situation, that is a sacrifice....and it does not go unnoticed.  So offer a sacrifice of praise as you spend time with God at the end of the day.  Father God, In His name we will praise through ALL we go through, bad or good.  We believe and receive You will work all things for our good... “For we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).  In Jesus name....Amen! 
Hebrews 13:15
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.

EnJOY the Journey

 

Psalm 100 (NIV)

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
   come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
   It is he who made us, and we are his;
   we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
   and his courts with praise;
   give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
   his faithfulness continues through all generations. 

 

  We are always headed somewhere but not many us are enjoying the trip.  It would terrible to think if you end your journey and at the end of your journey you realize that you have not enjoyed life to its fullest.  I sometimes think that I have to do something really great and in the mix of it all I forget to see the simple things that bless the Lord.  Serving the Lord with gladness, He rejoices when our hearts are filled with joy and our mouths are filled with praise.  Strive to finish the race with joy and be determined to finish your course, as Paul did.  Whatever your present purpose is, whatever you are called to do, wherever you are called to go enjoy the journey.  Don't waste one day of the precious life God has given you.  Rejoice in the LORD!! 

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!