Dear Lord,
I come before You today and I pray that You would protect my children. Build a hedge around them and guard them physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Block their paths so that they cannot move toward activities and relationships that would harm them. Deliver them from evil and rescue them from a destructive lifestyle. Restore them to their senses and bring them home from the land of the enemy. Guide each of them into truth. Teach them Lord, to recognize deceptive ideas and thoughts. Make them alert to the lies of the enemy, and teach them how to resist the devil by faith. Give my son and my daughters the courage to be honest with themselves and with You. Spirit of God, please convict them of sin and their need for You. Don't allow my children to blame others for troubles in their lives. Show them that they alone are responsible to their choices. Lord, thank You for drawing my children with love and tenderness to Your side, even in their desert place. Show each of them that You are with them, You delight in them. Amid the clamor for their attention and affections, may they hear Your voice calling them and respond to Your deep, deep love. Cause my children to call out to You in their distress and confusion. Cause them to seek You with abandon. Thank You for promising to answer them. Lord, please remove my children's heart of stone and replace it with a new, soft heart. Make this heart into a bed of fertile soil so that the seed of truth that is sown into it will grow deep roots and bring forth a rich crop of life. Reveal to my children that lasting refreshment and satisfaction can only be found in You. In You they will find an abundant life. Lord, lead my children to friends who will graciously point them to You. Cause them to be attracted to those who are attracted to You. Scatter like chaff in the wind any friends or relationships that will bring them harm. Give them the courage to please only You, and not man. Produce in my children a humble spirit that is yielded only to You. Teach them how to live in You, and show them that apart from You they can do nothing. Lord, please reveal to my children how valuable and significant their life is. Give them a vision for their purpose in the world, and show them the possibilities for their future. Through You, they can do all things. Help them to see that they do not need to condemn themselves.Show them that they can experience complete forgiveness through the work You have already finished on their behalf. Give them the grace to repent of and let go of the past. Thank You Lord for offering hope and comfort to my children. Thank You for restoring all the years the locusts have eaten and bestowing on each of my children a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of despair. Teach each of my children that following You is not about following rules. Show them that You long for a genuine relationship with them. Lord, please cause my children to grow up in You, maturing into an oak of righteousness for the display of Your splendor. Help them to grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with You and with man. Teach them to live in freedom, animated and motivated by Your Spirit and in step with Him. Teach them to walk by faith. Help them to see beyond their circumstances and trust You with every part of their lives. Impress on my children the need to protect their mind, guarding its purity through the choices they makes about what they look at, listen to, and think about. Lord, in this fast paced world of instant gratification, plant in my children the perseverance they need to succeed. Cause them to be still and wait patiently before You. Help them to rest in Your power. Establish the work of their hands. Turn my children's focus away from themselves and onto You. May they allow Your power to flow through them to others. Teach them to love others as themselves. Cause my children to love You with all of their heart, all their soul, and all their mind. May they live all their days in love with and rejoicing only in You.
I ask this according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus Holy name,
Amen
(2005 B.J. Reinhard)
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Something Has Got to Change!!!
(Notes from a teaching by Joyce Meyer)
Joshua 1:1-3
1)AFTER THE death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' minister,(A)
2)Moses My servant is dead. So now arise [take his place], go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land which I am giving to them, the Israelites.
3)Every place upon which the sole of your foot shall tread, that have I given to you, as I promised Moses.
**God's given to us everything for a blessed life, but to get it requires ACTION!!!
**Change your mind and your attitude, do NOT spend one more minute in self pity.
**Ask God what YOU can do in every are of your life....
Isaiah 60:1
ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you--rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!
**If you will do what you CAN do, God will take care of what you CANNOT do!!!
Judges 6:6-16
6)And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites, and the Israelites cried to the Lord.
7)And when they cried to the Lord because of Midian,
8)The Lord sent a prophet to the Israelites, who said to them, Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt and brought you forth out of the house of bondage.
9)And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of all who oppressed you, and drove them out from before you and gave you their land.
10)And I said to you, I am the Lord your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But you have not obeyed My voice.
11)Now the [a]Angel of the Lord came and sat under the oak (terebinth) at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, and his son Gideon was beating wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites.
12)And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, The Lord is with you, you mighty man of [fearless] courage.
13)And Gideon said to him, O sir, if the Lord is with us, why is all this befallen us? And where are all His wondrous works of which our fathers told us, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.
14)The Lord turned to him and said, Go in this your might, and you shall save Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?
15)Gideon said to Him, Oh Lord, how can I deliver Israel? Behold, my clan is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.
16)The Lord said to him, Surely I will be with you, and you shall smite the Midianites as one man.
**You would not be in such a mess if you had just listened to what God had told you in the first place!
**You need to believe that WITH God you can do ANYTHING!!!!
**STOP telling God what your not and START realizing who HE IS!!
**We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength!
I Samuel 16:1
THE LORD said to Samuel, How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided for Myself a king among his sons.
**While we are mourning what we have lost, God already has a new plan!!!
** Do something lest you do nothing!!
II Kings 7:3-6
3)Now four men who were lepers were at the entrance of the city's gate; and they said to one another, Why do we sit here until we die?
4)If we say, We will enter the city--then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there; and if we sit still here, we die also. So now come, let us go over to the army of the Syrians. If they spare us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.
5)So they arose in the twilight and went to the Syrian camp. But when they came to the edge of the camp, no man was there.
6)For the Lord had made the Syrian army hear a noise of chariots and horses, the noise of a great army. They had said to one another, The king of Israel has hired the Hittite and Egyptian kings to come upon us,
**We might as well do something--they GOT UP (ACTION), did what they could, and God did what they could not do!!!
**ACTION IS IMPERATIVE TO CHANGE!!!
** Pity is not power--you can choose to either be pitiful, or powerful!
**Does something need to change?-- or do you need to change something??
Luke 19 (story of Zaccheus)
** He did not care how small he was, he took action in order to connect with God the only way he knew how and ended up having dinner with Jesus!!!
**You have no idea all that is possible and what you can do with God!!
**Stop looking at all your mistakes, stop dwelling on all your "cants" and look to all your "cans" and take action with God!!!
Joshua 1:1-3
1)AFTER THE death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' minister,(A)
2)Moses My servant is dead. So now arise [take his place], go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land which I am giving to them, the Israelites.
3)Every place upon which the sole of your foot shall tread, that have I given to you, as I promised Moses.
**God's given to us everything for a blessed life, but to get it requires ACTION!!!
**Change your mind and your attitude, do NOT spend one more minute in self pity.
**Ask God what YOU can do in every are of your life....
Isaiah 60:1
ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you--rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!
**If you will do what you CAN do, God will take care of what you CANNOT do!!!
Judges 6:6-16
6)And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites, and the Israelites cried to the Lord.
7)And when they cried to the Lord because of Midian,
8)The Lord sent a prophet to the Israelites, who said to them, Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt and brought you forth out of the house of bondage.
9)And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of all who oppressed you, and drove them out from before you and gave you their land.
10)And I said to you, I am the Lord your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But you have not obeyed My voice.
11)Now the [a]Angel of the Lord came and sat under the oak (terebinth) at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, and his son Gideon was beating wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites.
12)And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, The Lord is with you, you mighty man of [fearless] courage.
13)And Gideon said to him, O sir, if the Lord is with us, why is all this befallen us? And where are all His wondrous works of which our fathers told us, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.
14)The Lord turned to him and said, Go in this your might, and you shall save Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?
15)Gideon said to Him, Oh Lord, how can I deliver Israel? Behold, my clan is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.
16)The Lord said to him, Surely I will be with you, and you shall smite the Midianites as one man.
**You would not be in such a mess if you had just listened to what God had told you in the first place!
**You need to believe that WITH God you can do ANYTHING!!!!
**STOP telling God what your not and START realizing who HE IS!!
**We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength!
I Samuel 16:1
THE LORD said to Samuel, How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided for Myself a king among his sons.
**While we are mourning what we have lost, God already has a new plan!!!
** Do something lest you do nothing!!
II Kings 7:3-6
3)Now four men who were lepers were at the entrance of the city's gate; and they said to one another, Why do we sit here until we die?
4)If we say, We will enter the city--then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there; and if we sit still here, we die also. So now come, let us go over to the army of the Syrians. If they spare us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.
5)So they arose in the twilight and went to the Syrian camp. But when they came to the edge of the camp, no man was there.
6)For the Lord had made the Syrian army hear a noise of chariots and horses, the noise of a great army. They had said to one another, The king of Israel has hired the Hittite and Egyptian kings to come upon us,
**We might as well do something--they GOT UP (ACTION), did what they could, and God did what they could not do!!!
**ACTION IS IMPERATIVE TO CHANGE!!!
** Pity is not power--you can choose to either be pitiful, or powerful!
**Does something need to change?-- or do you need to change something??
Luke 19 (story of Zaccheus)
** He did not care how small he was, he took action in order to connect with God the only way he knew how and ended up having dinner with Jesus!!!
**You have no idea all that is possible and what you can do with God!!
**Stop looking at all your mistakes, stop dwelling on all your "cants" and look to all your "cans" and take action with God!!!
Growing in Faith
Dear Lord,
You have said in Your Word that You have "dealt to each one a measure of faith" (Romans 12:3) I pray that You would take the faith You have planted in Kayla, Travis and Shakira and multiply it. May the truth of Your Word be firmly established in their hearts so that faith will grow daily and navigate their lives. Help each of them to trust You at all times as they look to You for truth, guidance, and transformation into Your likeness. I know that trusting in You is a choice we make. Enable them to make that choice. I pray that they will look to You for everything, knowing that they are never without hope! May their faith be the "substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen".(Hebrews 11:1) I pray that they will have faith strong enough to lift them above their circumstances and limitations and instill in them the confidence of knowing that everything will work together for good. (Romans 8:28)
I pray that each of them will be so strong in faith that their relationship with You supersedes all else in their life, even my influence as a parent. In other words, may they have a relationship with You, Lord, that is truly their own- not an extension of mine or anyone Else's. I want the comfort of knowing that when I am no longer on this earth, that their faith will be strong enough to keep them "steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." (I Corinthians 15:58)
As they walk in faith, may they have Your heart of love that overflows to others, a heart that is willing to give of self and possessions according to Your leading. May they see that giving out of love is actually giving back to You in faith and that they will never lose anything by doing so. I pray that they will take the "shield of faith" in order to "quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one." (Ephesians 6:16), and thereby be able to stand strong in faith and say, "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful." (I Timothy 1:12)
I ask all of this according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus' Holy name,
Amen
(Prayer and scripture from "The Power of a Praying Parent"--Stormie Omartian)
WEAPONS OF WARFARE:
Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified Bible)
But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].
Mark 11:24 (Amplified Bible)
For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].
Matthew 17:20 (Amplified Bible)
He said to them, Because of the littleness of your faith [that is, your lack of [a]firmly relying trust]. For truly I say to you, if you have faith [[b]that is living] like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to yonder place, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.
James 1:6-8 (Amplified Bible)
6)Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind.
7)For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord,
8)[For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides].
Galatians 6:9-10 (Amplified Bible)
9)And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.
10)So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [[a]morally] to all people [not only [b]being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God's family with you, the believers].
You have said in Your Word that You have "dealt to each one a measure of faith" (Romans 12:3) I pray that You would take the faith You have planted in Kayla, Travis and Shakira and multiply it. May the truth of Your Word be firmly established in their hearts so that faith will grow daily and navigate their lives. Help each of them to trust You at all times as they look to You for truth, guidance, and transformation into Your likeness. I know that trusting in You is a choice we make. Enable them to make that choice. I pray that they will look to You for everything, knowing that they are never without hope! May their faith be the "substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen".(Hebrews 11:1) I pray that they will have faith strong enough to lift them above their circumstances and limitations and instill in them the confidence of knowing that everything will work together for good. (Romans 8:28)
I pray that each of them will be so strong in faith that their relationship with You supersedes all else in their life, even my influence as a parent. In other words, may they have a relationship with You, Lord, that is truly their own- not an extension of mine or anyone Else's. I want the comfort of knowing that when I am no longer on this earth, that their faith will be strong enough to keep them "steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." (I Corinthians 15:58)
As they walk in faith, may they have Your heart of love that overflows to others, a heart that is willing to give of self and possessions according to Your leading. May they see that giving out of love is actually giving back to You in faith and that they will never lose anything by doing so. I pray that they will take the "shield of faith" in order to "quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one." (Ephesians 6:16), and thereby be able to stand strong in faith and say, "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful." (I Timothy 1:12)
I ask all of this according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus' Holy name,
Amen
(Prayer and scripture from "The Power of a Praying Parent"--Stormie Omartian)
WEAPONS OF WARFARE:
Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified Bible)
But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].
Mark 11:24 (Amplified Bible)
For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].
Matthew 17:20 (Amplified Bible)
He said to them, Because of the littleness of your faith [that is, your lack of [a]firmly relying trust]. For truly I say to you, if you have faith [[b]that is living] like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to yonder place, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.
James 1:6-8 (Amplified Bible)
6)Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind.
7)For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord,
8)[For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides].
Galatians 6:9-10 (Amplified Bible)
9)And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.
10)So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [[a]morally] to all people [not only [b]being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God's family with you, the believers].
Monday, March 22, 2010
Change Your Mind
(Notes from message by Joyce Meyer)
**You cannot keep doing the same thing and expect different results!
**Renewing your mind is a life- long process.
**John 10:10
God came that we may enjoy life!
**We need to learn how to think the way God thinks-- really start paying attention to what your thinking about.
**The greatest freedom you have is the freedom of choice.
**II Corinthians 10:4-5
4)For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,
5)[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasoning's and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)
**You CAN control your thoughts and have your mind renewed.
**Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
**Don't be conformed to this world, but be changed, renewed, in your minds.
**Renew your mind with the Word of God--study it everyday--it is full of life and has power!!
**Ephesians 4:22-24
22)Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion;
23)And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude],
24)And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.
** You can't change until you change and renew your mind.
**God is not pleased with our stinkin thinkin!!
STEPS TO RENEW YOUR MIND:
*Recognize what is wrong.
*Repent of it.
*Ask God to help you change.
*Study God's word-- the parts that pertain to what you need to change.
*Proverbs 23:7
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. As one who reckons, he says to you, eat and drink, yet his heart is not with you [but is grudging the cost].
**How you think is how you will become.
**We must believe all thing and all people can change. --All things are possible with God!!
*Ephesians 3:20 (Amplified Bible)
Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]--
** GOD CAN CHANGE ANYTHING, ANYONE, ANY CIRCUMSTANCE!!
**You cannot keep doing the same thing and expect different results!
**Renewing your mind is a life- long process.
**John 10:10
God came that we may enjoy life!
**We need to learn how to think the way God thinks-- really start paying attention to what your thinking about.
**The greatest freedom you have is the freedom of choice.
**II Corinthians 10:4-5
4)For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,
5)[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasoning's and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)
**You CAN control your thoughts and have your mind renewed.
**Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
**Don't be conformed to this world, but be changed, renewed, in your minds.
**Renew your mind with the Word of God--study it everyday--it is full of life and has power!!
**Ephesians 4:22-24
22)Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion;
23)And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude],
24)And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.
** You can't change until you change and renew your mind.
**God is not pleased with our stinkin thinkin!!
STEPS TO RENEW YOUR MIND:
*Recognize what is wrong.
*Repent of it.
*Ask God to help you change.
*Study God's word-- the parts that pertain to what you need to change.
*Proverbs 23:7
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. As one who reckons, he says to you, eat and drink, yet his heart is not with you [but is grudging the cost].
**How you think is how you will become.
**We must believe all thing and all people can change. --All things are possible with God!!
*Ephesians 3:20 (Amplified Bible)
Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]--
** GOD CAN CHANGE ANYTHING, ANYONE, ANY CIRCUMSTANCE!!
Seeking Wisdom and Discernment
Dear Lord,
I pray that You would give the gifts of wisdom, discernment, and revelation to Kayla, Travis and Shakira. (And my grand babies as they grow up) Help each of them to trust You with all their heart, not depending on their own understanding, but acknowledging You in all their ways so that they may hear Your clear direction as to which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5-6) Help them to discern good from evil and to be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit saying, "This is the way, walk in it." (Isaiah 30:21) I know that much of their happiness in life depends on gaining wisdom and discernment, which Your Word says brings long life, wealth, recognition, protection, enjoyment, contentment, and happiness. I want all of those things for them, but I want them to come as blessings from You.
Your Word says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10) May a healthy fear and knowledge of You be the foundation upon which wisdom and discernment are established in them. May they turn to You for all decisions so that they do not make poor choices. Help each of them to see that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in You and that You give of them freely when we ask for them. As they seek wisdom and discernment from You, Lord, pour it liberally upon them so that all their paths will be peace and life.
I ask all of this according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus' Holy name,
Amen
(Prayer and scripture from "The Power of a Praying Parent"--Stormie Omartian)
WEAPONS OF WARFARE:
Proverbs 23:24-25 (Amplified Bible)
24)The father of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) shall greatly rejoice, and he who becomes the father of a wise child shall have joy in him.
25)Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice.
Proverbs 4:7-8 (Amplified Bible)
7)The beginning of Wisdom is: get Wisdom (skillful and godly Wisdom)! [For skillful and godly Wisdom is the principal thing.] And with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation).(A)
8)Prize Wisdom highly and exalt her, and she will exalt and promote you; she will bring you to honor when you embrace her.
Proverbs 2:10-12 (Amplified Bible)
10)For skillful and godly Wisdom shall enter into your heart, and knowledge shall be pleasant to you.
11)Discretion shall watch over you, understanding shall keep you,
12)To deliver you from the way of evil and the evil men, from men who speak perverse things and are liars,
Proverbs 3:13-18 (Amplified Bible)
13)Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is the man who finds skillful and godly Wisdom, and the man who gets understanding [drawing it forth from God's Word and life's experiences],
14)For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, and the profit of it better than fine gold.
15)Skillful and godly [a]Wisdom is more precious than rubies; and nothing you can wish for is to be compared to her.(A)
16)Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand are riches and honor
17)Her ways are highways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18)She is a tree of life to those who lay hold on her; and happy (blessed, fortunate, to be envied) is everyone who holds her fast.
Psalm 19:7 (Amplified Bible)
The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the [whole] person; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
I pray that You would give the gifts of wisdom, discernment, and revelation to Kayla, Travis and Shakira. (And my grand babies as they grow up) Help each of them to trust You with all their heart, not depending on their own understanding, but acknowledging You in all their ways so that they may hear Your clear direction as to which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5-6) Help them to discern good from evil and to be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit saying, "This is the way, walk in it." (Isaiah 30:21) I know that much of their happiness in life depends on gaining wisdom and discernment, which Your Word says brings long life, wealth, recognition, protection, enjoyment, contentment, and happiness. I want all of those things for them, but I want them to come as blessings from You.
Your Word says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10) May a healthy fear and knowledge of You be the foundation upon which wisdom and discernment are established in them. May they turn to You for all decisions so that they do not make poor choices. Help each of them to see that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in You and that You give of them freely when we ask for them. As they seek wisdom and discernment from You, Lord, pour it liberally upon them so that all their paths will be peace and life.
I ask all of this according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus' Holy name,
Amen
(Prayer and scripture from "The Power of a Praying Parent"--Stormie Omartian)
WEAPONS OF WARFARE:
Proverbs 23:24-25 (Amplified Bible)
24)The father of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) shall greatly rejoice, and he who becomes the father of a wise child shall have joy in him.
25)Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice.
Proverbs 4:7-8 (Amplified Bible)
7)The beginning of Wisdom is: get Wisdom (skillful and godly Wisdom)! [For skillful and godly Wisdom is the principal thing.] And with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation).(A)
8)Prize Wisdom highly and exalt her, and she will exalt and promote you; she will bring you to honor when you embrace her.
Proverbs 2:10-12 (Amplified Bible)
10)For skillful and godly Wisdom shall enter into your heart, and knowledge shall be pleasant to you.
11)Discretion shall watch over you, understanding shall keep you,
12)To deliver you from the way of evil and the evil men, from men who speak perverse things and are liars,
Proverbs 3:13-18 (Amplified Bible)
13)Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is the man who finds skillful and godly Wisdom, and the man who gets understanding [drawing it forth from God's Word and life's experiences],
14)For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, and the profit of it better than fine gold.
15)Skillful and godly [a]Wisdom is more precious than rubies; and nothing you can wish for is to be compared to her.(A)
16)Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand are riches and honor
17)Her ways are highways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18)She is a tree of life to those who lay hold on her; and happy (blessed, fortunate, to be envied) is everyone who holds her fast.
Psalm 19:7 (Amplified Bible)
The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the [whole] person; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Breaking Down Ungodly Strongholds
Dear Lord,
Thank You that You have promised in Your Word to deliver us when we cry out to You. I come to You on behalf of my children and Grandchildren and ask that You would deliver them from any ungodliness that may be threatening to become a stronghold in their lives. Even though I don't know what they need to be set free from, You do Lord. I pray in the name of Jesus that You will work deliverance in their lives wherever it is needed. I know that although " we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God." (II Corinthians 10:3-5)
Give me wisdom and revelation regarding these children. I know there are areas of enemy operation which I cannot see, so I depend on You, Lord, to reveal these to me as I need to know them. Speak to my heart. Show me how to pray when there is something deep in my spirit that is unsettled, disturbed, or troubled about them. Show me anything that I am not seeing, and let all that is hidden come to light. If there is any action I need to take, I depend on You to show me. Thank You that You help me with these children.
Lord, I put Kayla, Travis, Shakira, Jazmin and TJ into Your hands this day. Guide, protect, and convict them when sin is trying to take root. Strengthen then in battle when satan attempts to gain a foothold in their hearts. Make them sensitive to enemy encroachment, and may they run to You to be their stronghold and refuge in times of trouble. May the cry of their hearts be, "cleanse me from secret faults." (Psalm 19:12) According to Your Word I say that the Lord will deliver them from every evil work and preserve them for His heavenly kingdom! (II Timothy 4:18)
I ask all of these things according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus' Holy name,
Amen
(Prayer and scripture from "The Power of a Praying Parent"--Stormie Omartian)
WEAPONS OF WARFARE:
Matthew 16:19 (Amplified Bible)
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind (declare to be improper and unlawful) on earth [a]must be what is already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose (declare lawful) on earth [b]must be what is already loosed in heaven.
Matthew 10:26 (Amplified Bible)
So have no fear of them; for nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, or kept secret that will not become known.
Proverbs 11:21 (Amplified Bible)
Assuredly [I pledge it] the wicked shall not go unpunished, but the multitude of the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall be delivered.
Psalm 9:9 (Amplified Bible)
The Lord also will be a refuge and a high tower for the oppressed, a refuge and a stronghold in times of trouble (high cost, destitution, and desperation).
Jeremiah 33:3 (Amplified Bible)
Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand).
Thank You that You have promised in Your Word to deliver us when we cry out to You. I come to You on behalf of my children and Grandchildren and ask that You would deliver them from any ungodliness that may be threatening to become a stronghold in their lives. Even though I don't know what they need to be set free from, You do Lord. I pray in the name of Jesus that You will work deliverance in their lives wherever it is needed. I know that although " we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God." (II Corinthians 10:3-5)
Give me wisdom and revelation regarding these children. I know there are areas of enemy operation which I cannot see, so I depend on You, Lord, to reveal these to me as I need to know them. Speak to my heart. Show me how to pray when there is something deep in my spirit that is unsettled, disturbed, or troubled about them. Show me anything that I am not seeing, and let all that is hidden come to light. If there is any action I need to take, I depend on You to show me. Thank You that You help me with these children.
Lord, I put Kayla, Travis, Shakira, Jazmin and TJ into Your hands this day. Guide, protect, and convict them when sin is trying to take root. Strengthen then in battle when satan attempts to gain a foothold in their hearts. Make them sensitive to enemy encroachment, and may they run to You to be their stronghold and refuge in times of trouble. May the cry of their hearts be, "cleanse me from secret faults." (Psalm 19:12) According to Your Word I say that the Lord will deliver them from every evil work and preserve them for His heavenly kingdom! (II Timothy 4:18)
I ask all of these things according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus' Holy name,
Amen
(Prayer and scripture from "The Power of a Praying Parent"--Stormie Omartian)
WEAPONS OF WARFARE:
Matthew 16:19 (Amplified Bible)
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind (declare to be improper and unlawful) on earth [a]must be what is already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose (declare lawful) on earth [b]must be what is already loosed in heaven.
Matthew 10:26 (Amplified Bible)
So have no fear of them; for nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, or kept secret that will not become known.
Proverbs 11:21 (Amplified Bible)
Assuredly [I pledge it] the wicked shall not go unpunished, but the multitude of the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall be delivered.
Psalm 9:9 (Amplified Bible)
The Lord also will be a refuge and a high tower for the oppressed, a refuge and a stronghold in times of trouble (high cost, destitution, and desperation).
Jeremiah 33:3 (Amplified Bible)
Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand).
The Measure You Sow
(Message from Pastor Bill Scheer-Guts Church)
**What you sow in this life is what you will reap.
**God will move heaven and earth for us to have joy filled lives, but He is not playing around,we MUST do our part and live according to His Word!
**God MUST be #1 in our lives, He MUST be THE SOURCE, not just a resource of our lives and we must keep Him #1.
**Romans 12:3 (Amplified Bible)
For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.
**Don't think of yourselves more highly than you should, but look at yourself humbly, according to the measure of faith given you.
**Mark 11:22
And Jesus, replying, said to them, Have faith in God [constantly].
**Have the God kind of faith! Do you want this kind of faith??-- Look to God, every single day and every step you take in life, trust God and have faith HE IS WORKING!! So do your part, and watch Him work!!
**Whatever is in your heart will come out of your mouth-- work on your heart;s attitude!
**Victory, Triumph and overcoming obstacles is God's way-- TRUST Him today!! there is nothing too hard for God!!
**Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
**We need to learn from God how we should be living our lives. That requires us to spend time with Him.
**Taste and see and know that the Lord God is good!!
** Sin may be full of pleasure for a time, but we MUST understand in the end it only leads to death and destruction!
**Wisdom and understanding come from God-- look to Him.
**Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God's power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
**Live unashamed for God!!
***GOD MUST BE THE SOURCE FOR EVERYTHING IN OUR LIVES!!!!
**What you sow in this life is what you will reap.
**God will move heaven and earth for us to have joy filled lives, but He is not playing around,we MUST do our part and live according to His Word!
**God MUST be #1 in our lives, He MUST be THE SOURCE, not just a resource of our lives and we must keep Him #1.
**Romans 12:3 (Amplified Bible)
For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.
**Don't think of yourselves more highly than you should, but look at yourself humbly, according to the measure of faith given you.
**Mark 11:22
And Jesus, replying, said to them, Have faith in God [constantly].
**Have the God kind of faith! Do you want this kind of faith??-- Look to God, every single day and every step you take in life, trust God and have faith HE IS WORKING!! So do your part, and watch Him work!!
**Whatever is in your heart will come out of your mouth-- work on your heart;s attitude!
**Victory, Triumph and overcoming obstacles is God's way-- TRUST Him today!! there is nothing too hard for God!!
**Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
**We need to learn from God how we should be living our lives. That requires us to spend time with Him.
**Taste and see and know that the Lord God is good!!
** Sin may be full of pleasure for a time, but we MUST understand in the end it only leads to death and destruction!
**Wisdom and understanding come from God-- look to Him.
**Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God's power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
**Live unashamed for God!!
***GOD MUST BE THE SOURCE FOR EVERYTHING IN OUR LIVES!!!!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
5 Big Attackers of Our Joy
(Notes from a message by Pastor Bill Scheer)
Jeremiah 20:9 (Amplified Bible)
If I say, I will not make mention of [the Lord] or speak any more in His name, in my mind and heart it is as if there were a burning fire shut up in my bones. And I am weary of enduring and holding it in; I cannot [contain it any longer].
**We need to be on fire for God and constantly finding our joy in Him.
** No matter what your circumstances are, we MUST continually rest in the joy of the Lord, the joy of the Lord needs to be our strength.
ATTACKERS ON JOY:
1)Poverty
2)Sickness
3)Death
4.)Comfort
5.)Familiarity
**We need to choose life, everyday we have new life through Jesus Christ! It is time to believe that and start living in such a manner!!!
** Us seeking comfort in the world, steals our joy! We must be seeking the one TRUE Comforter!!
** Make God the One place where all your resource comes from-- do NOT look to anything in this world as your resource for anything!!
**Church is about getting your hands dirty, reaching those way outside our comfort zone. Discomfort brings joy!!
**We tend to gravitate towards only that which we are familiar with, but where's true joy in that??--We need to step out of our familiar zones and victories will follow with true joy!!
**The opportunities that arise from the unfamiliar can be amazing and truly God-filled. Its time to step outside the box for Christ!!!!
**Joy come in God's presence, make time to spend with God, seeking Him and His presence so that you can turn around and help others find Him!!
Jeremiah 20:9 (Amplified Bible)
If I say, I will not make mention of [the Lord] or speak any more in His name, in my mind and heart it is as if there were a burning fire shut up in my bones. And I am weary of enduring and holding it in; I cannot [contain it any longer].
**We need to be on fire for God and constantly finding our joy in Him.
** No matter what your circumstances are, we MUST continually rest in the joy of the Lord, the joy of the Lord needs to be our strength.
ATTACKERS ON JOY:
1)Poverty
2)Sickness
3)Death
4.)Comfort
5.)Familiarity
**We need to choose life, everyday we have new life through Jesus Christ! It is time to believe that and start living in such a manner!!!
** Us seeking comfort in the world, steals our joy! We must be seeking the one TRUE Comforter!!
** Make God the One place where all your resource comes from-- do NOT look to anything in this world as your resource for anything!!
**Church is about getting your hands dirty, reaching those way outside our comfort zone. Discomfort brings joy!!
**We tend to gravitate towards only that which we are familiar with, but where's true joy in that??--We need to step out of our familiar zones and victories will follow with true joy!!
**The opportunities that arise from the unfamiliar can be amazing and truly God-filled. Its time to step outside the box for Christ!!!!
**Joy come in God's presence, make time to spend with God, seeking Him and His presence so that you can turn around and help others find Him!!
Walking In Repentance
Dear Lord,
I pray that You would give each of my children and Grandchildren a heart that is quick to confess their mistakes. May they be truly repentant of them so that they can be forgiven and cleansed. Help them to understand that Your laws are for their benefit and that the confession and repentance You require must become a way of life. Give them the desire to live in truth before You, and may they say as David did, "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation." (Psalm 51:2, 10-12)
Lord, bring to light and hidden sins so they can be confessed, repented of, and forgiven. Your Word says, "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." (Psalm 32:1) I pray that each of these children will never be able to contain sin within them, but rather let there be a deep longing to confess fully and be able to say, "See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:24) May they not live in guilt and condemnation, but rather chose to dwell with a clear conscience in the full understanding of their forgiveness in Christ. I pray that they will each always look to You and wear a radiant countenance.
I ask this according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus' Holy name,
Amen
(Prayer from "The Power of a Praying Parent"--Stormie Omartian)
WEAPONS OF WARFARE:
1 John 3:21-22 (Amplified Bible)
21)And, beloved, if our consciences (our hearts) do not accuse us [if they do not make us feel guilty and condemn us], we have confidence (complete assurance and boldness) before God,
22)And we receive from Him whatever we ask, because we [[a]watchfully] obey His orders [observe His suggestions and injunctions, follow His plan for us] and [[b]habitually] practice what is pleasing to Him.
Isaiah 55:7 (Amplified Bible)
Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have love, pity, and mercy for him, and to our God, for He will multiply to him His abundant pardon.
Ezekiel 18:30 (Amplified Bible)
Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, says the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin and so shall they not be a stumbling block to you.
Proverbs 28:13 (Amplified Bible)
He who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes his sins will obtain mercy.
Acts 3:19 (Amplified Bible)
So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of [a]reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord;
I pray that You would give each of my children and Grandchildren a heart that is quick to confess their mistakes. May they be truly repentant of them so that they can be forgiven and cleansed. Help them to understand that Your laws are for their benefit and that the confession and repentance You require must become a way of life. Give them the desire to live in truth before You, and may they say as David did, "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation." (Psalm 51:2, 10-12)
Lord, bring to light and hidden sins so they can be confessed, repented of, and forgiven. Your Word says, "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." (Psalm 32:1) I pray that each of these children will never be able to contain sin within them, but rather let there be a deep longing to confess fully and be able to say, "See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:24) May they not live in guilt and condemnation, but rather chose to dwell with a clear conscience in the full understanding of their forgiveness in Christ. I pray that they will each always look to You and wear a radiant countenance.
I ask this according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus' Holy name,
Amen
(Prayer from "The Power of a Praying Parent"--Stormie Omartian)
WEAPONS OF WARFARE:
1 John 3:21-22 (Amplified Bible)
21)And, beloved, if our consciences (our hearts) do not accuse us [if they do not make us feel guilty and condemn us], we have confidence (complete assurance and boldness) before God,
22)And we receive from Him whatever we ask, because we [[a]watchfully] obey His orders [observe His suggestions and injunctions, follow His plan for us] and [[b]habitually] practice what is pleasing to Him.
Isaiah 55:7 (Amplified Bible)
Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have love, pity, and mercy for him, and to our God, for He will multiply to him His abundant pardon.
Ezekiel 18:30 (Amplified Bible)
Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, says the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin and so shall they not be a stumbling block to you.
Proverbs 28:13 (Amplified Bible)
He who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes his sins will obtain mercy.
Acts 3:19 (Amplified Bible)
So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of [a]reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord;
Monday, March 15, 2010
Living Free of Unforgiveness
Dear Father,
I come before You today Lord, and I pray that Your would enable each of my children and Grandchildren to live in ongoing forgiveness. Teach them the depth of Your forgiveness towards them so that they can be freely forgiving towards others. Help them to make the decision to forgive based on what You have asked us to do and not on what feels good at the moment. May they understand that forgiveness does not justify the other person's action; instead it makes them free. Help each of them to understand that only You know the whole story about any of us, and that is why they do not have the right to judge.
Lord, Your Word says, "He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes." (I John 2:10-11) Thank You for showing me this morning where I have been walking in unforgiveness and helping me to forgive others and leave it to You. I do not want unforgiveness in my life. I want to see clearly and know where I'm going, and I pray that for these children as well. May each of them always walk in the light of love and forgiveness. Enable them to forgive family members, friends, and all others as well. Teach them to release the past to You so that they can move into all that You have for them. Do not allow them to harbor resentment, anger, and bitterness, but rather help them to turn these feelings over to You immediately whenever they creep in.
I pray that they will forgive themselves for times they have failed, and may they never blame You, Lord, for things that happen on this earth and in their lives. According to Your Word I pray that they will love their enemies, bless those who curse them, do good to those who hate them, and pray for those who spitefully use and persecute them, so that they may enjoy all Your blessings. (Matthew 5:44-45) In Jesus' Holy name, I pray that they will live in the fullness of Your forgiveness for them and walk in the freedom of forgiveness in their own heart.
I ask all of this according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus' Holy name,
Amen
(Prayer and scripture from "The Power of a Praying Parent"--Stormie Omartian)
WEAPONS OF WARFARE:
Ephesians 4:31-32 (Amplified Bible)
31)Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind).
32)And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you.
Matthew 6:14-15 (Amplified Bible)
14)For if you forgive people their trespasses [their [a]reckless and willful sins, [b]leaving them, letting them go, and [c]giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15)But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their [d]reckless and willful sins, [e]leaving them, letting them go, and [f]giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.
Matthew 18:34-35 (Amplified Bible)
34)And in wrath his master turned him over to the torturers (the jailers), till he should pay all that he owed.
35)So also My heavenly Father will deal with every one of you if you do not freely forgive your brother from your heart his offenses.
Proverbs 19:11 (Amplified Bible)
Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offense.
Mark 11:25 (Amplified Bible)
And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and [a]let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop.
I come before You today Lord, and I pray that Your would enable each of my children and Grandchildren to live in ongoing forgiveness. Teach them the depth of Your forgiveness towards them so that they can be freely forgiving towards others. Help them to make the decision to forgive based on what You have asked us to do and not on what feels good at the moment. May they understand that forgiveness does not justify the other person's action; instead it makes them free. Help each of them to understand that only You know the whole story about any of us, and that is why they do not have the right to judge.
Lord, Your Word says, "He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes." (I John 2:10-11) Thank You for showing me this morning where I have been walking in unforgiveness and helping me to forgive others and leave it to You. I do not want unforgiveness in my life. I want to see clearly and know where I'm going, and I pray that for these children as well. May each of them always walk in the light of love and forgiveness. Enable them to forgive family members, friends, and all others as well. Teach them to release the past to You so that they can move into all that You have for them. Do not allow them to harbor resentment, anger, and bitterness, but rather help them to turn these feelings over to You immediately whenever they creep in.
I pray that they will forgive themselves for times they have failed, and may they never blame You, Lord, for things that happen on this earth and in their lives. According to Your Word I pray that they will love their enemies, bless those who curse them, do good to those who hate them, and pray for those who spitefully use and persecute them, so that they may enjoy all Your blessings. (Matthew 5:44-45) In Jesus' Holy name, I pray that they will live in the fullness of Your forgiveness for them and walk in the freedom of forgiveness in their own heart.
I ask all of this according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus' Holy name,
Amen
(Prayer and scripture from "The Power of a Praying Parent"--Stormie Omartian)
WEAPONS OF WARFARE:
Ephesians 4:31-32 (Amplified Bible)
31)Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind).
32)And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you.
Matthew 6:14-15 (Amplified Bible)
14)For if you forgive people their trespasses [their [a]reckless and willful sins, [b]leaving them, letting them go, and [c]giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15)But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their [d]reckless and willful sins, [e]leaving them, letting them go, and [f]giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.
Matthew 18:34-35 (Amplified Bible)
34)And in wrath his master turned him over to the torturers (the jailers), till he should pay all that he owed.
35)So also My heavenly Father will deal with every one of you if you do not freely forgive your brother from your heart his offenses.
Proverbs 19:11 (Amplified Bible)
Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offense.
Mark 11:25 (Amplified Bible)
And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and [a]let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop.
Thinking, Saying, Doing
(notes from a message by Pastor Bill Scheer)
Philippians 2:1-5
**Be like-minded with Christ--be in tune with all the things Christ was and is in tune with-- stop being judgemental,and critical and instead be moved by compassion.
**Who are we to be someones judge? Jesus was moved to compassion towards people who did not deserve it-- We also need to show more compassion and constant love and forgiveness towards people.-- Love your enemies is a command of Christ, not a request!
**Don't look out just for yourself-- allow yourself to be a vessel for Christ to show love towards others.
**Connect with people, we are not here to correct people, point fingers and judge; we are here to forgive and pour out God's love to people.
** A critical, judgemental spirit stands in the way of God's work being done.
**We need to correct, reprove, and edify in love, not to condemn or judge.
Philippians 2:10-11
**EVERYTHING we do needs to be done, thought, and said to the Glory of God the Father!!
**Reach, strive for a whole new level of love for people, the way God would love as to bring Him glory!!
** Every thought, every action, every deed, stop and ask yourself, does this bring God glory??
**We love people in order to glorify God, whether they deserve it or not.
** Now is the time for a fresh start with God-- START TODAY!!!
Philippians 2:1-5
**Be like-minded with Christ--be in tune with all the things Christ was and is in tune with-- stop being judgemental,and critical and instead be moved by compassion.
**Who are we to be someones judge? Jesus was moved to compassion towards people who did not deserve it-- We also need to show more compassion and constant love and forgiveness towards people.-- Love your enemies is a command of Christ, not a request!
**Don't look out just for yourself-- allow yourself to be a vessel for Christ to show love towards others.
**Connect with people, we are not here to correct people, point fingers and judge; we are here to forgive and pour out God's love to people.
** A critical, judgemental spirit stands in the way of God's work being done.
**We need to correct, reprove, and edify in love, not to condemn or judge.
Philippians 2:10-11
**EVERYTHING we do needs to be done, thought, and said to the Glory of God the Father!!
**Reach, strive for a whole new level of love for people, the way God would love as to bring Him glory!!
** Every thought, every action, every deed, stop and ask yourself, does this bring God glory??
**We love people in order to glorify God, whether they deserve it or not.
** Now is the time for a fresh start with God-- START TODAY!!!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Finding the Perfect Mate
Dear Lord,
I pray that unless Your plan is for my children and Grandchildren to remain single, that You will send the perfect marriage partner for these children. Send the right husband or wife at the perfect time, and give them a clear leading from You as to who it is. I pray that these children will be submissive enough to hear Your voice when it comes time to make a marriage decision, and that they will make that decision based on what You are saying and not just fleshly desire. I pray that they will learn to trust You with all their heart and not lean on their own understanding; that they will acknowledge You in all they do so that You will direct their paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
I pray that You will prepare the person who will make the perfect mate for each of these children. Help these kids to know the difference between simply falling in love and knowing for certain this is the person with whom God wants them to spend the rest of their life with. If any of them become attracted to someone they should not marry, I pray that You, Lord, would cut off that relationship. Help them to realize that unless You are at the center of the marriage, it will never stand! Unless You bless it, it will not be blessed. For Your Word says, "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it" (Psalm 127:1) I pray that You would build the marriage around which their house is established.
When any of these children find the right one to marry, I pray that person will be a godly and devoted servant of Yours, who loves You and lives Your way, and will be like a son or daughter to me and a blessing to all other family members. Once they are married, let there be no divorce in their future. May there never be any mental, emotional, and physical unity that is never touched by division. I pray for their deliverance from any spirit of divorce, separation, or disunity that would attempt to drive a wedge into their relationship.Protect them Lord from physical abuse, and if that is part of their lives I pray You would deliver them from it or change the person. Give them each a strong desire to live in fidelity, and remove any temptation to infidelity.
May each of them have one mate for life who is their closest friend. May they be mutually loyal, compassionate, considerate, sensitive, respectful, affectionate, forgiving, supportive, caring, and loving toward one another all the days of their lives.
I ask this all according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus' holy name,
Amen
(The Power of a Praying Parent--Stormie Omartian)
WEAPONS OF WARFARE:
Mark 10:6-9 (Amplified Bible)
6)But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female.(A)
7)For this reason a man shall leave [behind] his father and his mother and be joined to his wife and cleave closely to her permanently,
8)And the two shall become one flesh, so that they are no longer two, but one flesh.
9)What therefore God has united (joined together), let not man separate or divide.
Hebrews 13:4 (Amplified Bible)
Let marriage be held in honor (esteemed worthy, precious, of great price, and especially dear) in all things. And thus let the marriage bed be undefiled (kept undishonored); for God will judge and punish the unchaste [all guilty of sexual vice] and adulterous.
Mark 10:11 (Amplified Bible)
And He said to them, Whoever [a]dismisses (repudiates and divorces) his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.
Proverbs 18:22 (Amplified Bible)
He who finds a [true] wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.
Malachi 2:13-16 (Amplified Bible)
13)And this you do with double guilt; you cover the altar of the Lord with tears [shed by your unoffending wives, divorced by you that you might take heathen wives], and with [your own] weeping and crying out because the Lord does not regard your offering any more or accept it with favor at your hand.
14)Yet you ask, Why does He reject it? Because the Lord was witness [to the covenant made at your marriage] between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously and to whom you were faithless. Yet she is your companion and the wife of your covenant [made by your marriage vows].
15)And did not God make [you and your wife] one [flesh]? Did not One make you and preserve your spirit alive? And why [did God make you two] one? Because He sought a godly offspring [from your union]. Therefore take heed to yourselves, and let no one deal treacherously and be faithless to the wife of his youth.
16)For the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I hate divorce and marital separation and him who covers his garment [his wife] with violence. Therefore keep a watch upon your spirit [that it may be controlled by My Spirit], that you deal not treacherously and faithlessly [with your marriage mate].
I pray that unless Your plan is for my children and Grandchildren to remain single, that You will send the perfect marriage partner for these children. Send the right husband or wife at the perfect time, and give them a clear leading from You as to who it is. I pray that these children will be submissive enough to hear Your voice when it comes time to make a marriage decision, and that they will make that decision based on what You are saying and not just fleshly desire. I pray that they will learn to trust You with all their heart and not lean on their own understanding; that they will acknowledge You in all they do so that You will direct their paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
I pray that You will prepare the person who will make the perfect mate for each of these children. Help these kids to know the difference between simply falling in love and knowing for certain this is the person with whom God wants them to spend the rest of their life with. If any of them become attracted to someone they should not marry, I pray that You, Lord, would cut off that relationship. Help them to realize that unless You are at the center of the marriage, it will never stand! Unless You bless it, it will not be blessed. For Your Word says, "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it" (Psalm 127:1) I pray that You would build the marriage around which their house is established.
When any of these children find the right one to marry, I pray that person will be a godly and devoted servant of Yours, who loves You and lives Your way, and will be like a son or daughter to me and a blessing to all other family members. Once they are married, let there be no divorce in their future. May there never be any mental, emotional, and physical unity that is never touched by division. I pray for their deliverance from any spirit of divorce, separation, or disunity that would attempt to drive a wedge into their relationship.Protect them Lord from physical abuse, and if that is part of their lives I pray You would deliver them from it or change the person. Give them each a strong desire to live in fidelity, and remove any temptation to infidelity.
May each of them have one mate for life who is their closest friend. May they be mutually loyal, compassionate, considerate, sensitive, respectful, affectionate, forgiving, supportive, caring, and loving toward one another all the days of their lives.
I ask this all according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus' holy name,
Amen
(The Power of a Praying Parent--Stormie Omartian)
WEAPONS OF WARFARE:
Mark 10:6-9 (Amplified Bible)
6)But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female.(A)
7)For this reason a man shall leave [behind] his father and his mother and be joined to his wife and cleave closely to her permanently,
8)And the two shall become one flesh, so that they are no longer two, but one flesh.
9)What therefore God has united (joined together), let not man separate or divide.
Hebrews 13:4 (Amplified Bible)
Let marriage be held in honor (esteemed worthy, precious, of great price, and especially dear) in all things. And thus let the marriage bed be undefiled (kept undishonored); for God will judge and punish the unchaste [all guilty of sexual vice] and adulterous.
Mark 10:11 (Amplified Bible)
And He said to them, Whoever [a]dismisses (repudiates and divorces) his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.
Proverbs 18:22 (Amplified Bible)
He who finds a [true] wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.
Malachi 2:13-16 (Amplified Bible)
13)And this you do with double guilt; you cover the altar of the Lord with tears [shed by your unoffending wives, divorced by you that you might take heathen wives], and with [your own] weeping and crying out because the Lord does not regard your offering any more or accept it with favor at your hand.
14)Yet you ask, Why does He reject it? Because the Lord was witness [to the covenant made at your marriage] between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously and to whom you were faithless. Yet she is your companion and the wife of your covenant [made by your marriage vows].
15)And did not God make [you and your wife] one [flesh]? Did not One make you and preserve your spirit alive? And why [did God make you two] one? Because He sought a godly offspring [from your union]. Therefore take heed to yourselves, and let no one deal treacherously and be faithless to the wife of his youth.
16)For the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I hate divorce and marital separation and him who covers his garment [his wife] with violence. Therefore keep a watch upon your spirit [that it may be controlled by My Spirit], that you deal not treacherously and faithlessly [with your marriage mate].
Simple Prayer and a Simple Life
(Notes from a message by Joyce Meyer)
**Complications can steal our joy--we MUST pray and don't stress about anything, but cast your cares on God.
**You can change a whole situation just by choosing to change your attitude and how you look at it.
**Be determined not to be frustrated all the time.
**Do not be so busy that your never fruitful.
SIMPLE= sincere, pure heart, not complicated
Proverbs 3:5-6
**In all your ways acknowledge Him
**Get used to praying and talking simple prayers to God throughout your day
**Make a decision to CHANGE YOUR APPROACH to life!!
**Life isn't going to change, we need to approach life through faith, trusting God. Know that no matter what is going on, we can rise above our circumstances.
Luke 10:38-40
**Keep your life simple, uncomplicated and fruitful--IT CAN HAPPEN!!
Ways to Simplify Your Life:
**De clutter you life--your surroundings affect you way more than you think.
**Pray that God will help you discern what you need to do, and what you need to let go of.
Philippians 4:6
**Do not fret about anything, but pray and trust God to take care of it!!
**Complications can steal our joy--we MUST pray and don't stress about anything, but cast your cares on God.
**You can change a whole situation just by choosing to change your attitude and how you look at it.
**Be determined not to be frustrated all the time.
**Do not be so busy that your never fruitful.
SIMPLE= sincere, pure heart, not complicated
Proverbs 3:5-6
**In all your ways acknowledge Him
**Get used to praying and talking simple prayers to God throughout your day
**Make a decision to CHANGE YOUR APPROACH to life!!
**Life isn't going to change, we need to approach life through faith, trusting God. Know that no matter what is going on, we can rise above our circumstances.
Luke 10:38-40
**Keep your life simple, uncomplicated and fruitful--IT CAN HAPPEN!!
Ways to Simplify Your Life:
**De clutter you life--your surroundings affect you way more than you think.
**Pray that God will help you discern what you need to do, and what you need to let go of.
Philippians 4:6
**Do not fret about anything, but pray and trust God to take care of it!!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Time to Take Action!!!
Power Releases Authority
(Steps to overcoming satan)
I Peter 5:6-7
* Humble yourselves and cast all your cares upon Him.
** We need to start casting our cares on Jesus. -- Say out loud, as many times as you have to, "I will not worry about this."
** If your ever going to be happy, you MUST enjoy life even when you have problems!
-- say to yourself out loud "I am NOT getting upset", then give it to God.
** You MUST spend quality time with God:
Benefits:
Psalm 16:11-- there is joy in His presence
Acts 3:19-- you can find refreshment in His presence
Isaiah 40--comfort, hope, renewal, strength are found in His presence
Psalm 91:1-- stability is found in His presence
Psalm 31:20-- God keeps us safe and hides us
Psalm 53:2-- You need to desperately require God!!
**Say over and over-- "I will not give up, I will not stop"
**Passivity will not defeat the devil!! Time to take action!!
**There is power in your words--make your mind up that no matter what, your gonna keep keepin on until you wear the devil out!!!
** Know God's word and speak it out loud-- death and life are in the power of the tongue.
** If your children are not where they should be, they are headed in the wrong direction, keep saying "I AM going to see the day that all my children will worship God!!!"
Psalm 25:1-2--trust, lean, rely and stay confident in God, find all your hope in Him!
Romans 12:1-- consecrate (make or declare sacred) yourself to God.
**Walk in love, everyday, towards everyone--be a servant of God's, a blessing wherever you go!!
Galatians 5:6--For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love.
(Message from Joyce Meyer)
(Steps to overcoming satan)
I Peter 5:6-7
* Humble yourselves and cast all your cares upon Him.
** We need to start casting our cares on Jesus. -- Say out loud, as many times as you have to, "I will not worry about this."
** If your ever going to be happy, you MUST enjoy life even when you have problems!
-- say to yourself out loud "I am NOT getting upset", then give it to God.
** You MUST spend quality time with God:
Benefits:
Psalm 16:11-- there is joy in His presence
Acts 3:19-- you can find refreshment in His presence
Isaiah 40--comfort, hope, renewal, strength are found in His presence
Psalm 91:1-- stability is found in His presence
Psalm 31:20-- God keeps us safe and hides us
Psalm 53:2-- You need to desperately require God!!
**Say over and over-- "I will not give up, I will not stop"
**Passivity will not defeat the devil!! Time to take action!!
**There is power in your words--make your mind up that no matter what, your gonna keep keepin on until you wear the devil out!!!
** Know God's word and speak it out loud-- death and life are in the power of the tongue.
** If your children are not where they should be, they are headed in the wrong direction, keep saying "I AM going to see the day that all my children will worship God!!!"
Psalm 25:1-2--trust, lean, rely and stay confident in God, find all your hope in Him!
Romans 12:1-- consecrate (make or declare sacred) yourself to God.
**Walk in love, everyday, towards everyone--be a servant of God's, a blessing wherever you go!!
Galatians 5:6--For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love.
(Message from Joyce Meyer)
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Rejecting Sexual Immorality
Dear Lord,
I pray that You will keep my children and my Grandchildren sexually pure all of their lives. Where there has been any sexual immorality, I pray that you would speak to the heart of that child and that they would confess it as sin, and turn from it. Give each of these children a heart that wants to do whats right in this area, and let purity take root in their personalities and guide their actions. Help them to always lay down godly rules for relationships and resist anything that is not Your best. Open their eyes to the truth of Your Word, and help them to see that sex outside of marriage will never be the committed, lasting, unconditional love that they need. Let their personality not be scarred nor their emotions damaged as a result of sexual immorality.
I pray that each of these children will have no premarital sex and no sex with anyone other that their marriage partner. I pray that homosexuality will never take root in them or even have an opportunity to express itself toward them. Keep them away from the presence of anyone with evil intentions, or take that person out of their life. Protect them from any sexual molestation or rape. Turn their eyes away from the sexual immorality that saturates the world and enable them to understand that whoever "wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God"(James 4:4 You [are like] unfaithful wives [having illicit love affairs with the world and breaking your marriage vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world's friend is being God's enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world takes his stand as an enemy of God.) May each of them long for Your approval, Lord, and not allow sexual sin in their life at any time. Deliver them from any spirit of lust bringing temptation to fail in this area. Put a Holy Spirit alarm in them that goes off like a loud, flashing siren whenever they step over the line of what is right in Your sight.
Your Word says," Blessed is the man who endures temptation,for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12 Blessed (happy, [a]to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor's] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him) Speak loudly to them whenever there is temptation to do something they shouldn't, and make them strong enough in You to stand for what's right and say "NO" to sexual immorality. May Your grace enable them to be committed to staying pure so that they will receive Your crown of life.
I ask all of this according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus' Holy name,
Amen
(Prayer and scripture from "The Power of a Praying Parent"- Stormie Omartian)
"WEAPONS OF WARFARE"
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (Amplified Bible)
3)For this is the will of God, that you should be consecrated (separated and set apart for pure and holy living): that you should abstain and shrink from all sexual vice,
4)That each one of you should know how to [a]possess (control, manage) his own [b]body in consecration (purity, separated from things profane) and honor,
5)Not [to be used] in the passion of lust like the heathen, who are ignorant of the true God and have no knowledge of His will,
1 Corinthians 6:13 (Amplified Bible)
Food [is intended] for the stomach and the stomach for food, but God will finally end [the functions of] both and bring them to nothing. The body is not intended for sexual immorality, but [is intended] for the Lord, and the Lord [is intended] for the body [[a]to save, sanctify, and raise it again].
1 Corinthians 6:18 (Amplified Bible)
Shun immorality and all sexual looseness [flee from impurity in thought, word, or deed]. Any other sin which a man commits is one outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (Amplified Bible)
For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not [a]adjusted and [b]adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to [c]a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently.
James 1:14-15 (Amplified Bible)
14)But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions).
15)Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death.
I pray that You will keep my children and my Grandchildren sexually pure all of their lives. Where there has been any sexual immorality, I pray that you would speak to the heart of that child and that they would confess it as sin, and turn from it. Give each of these children a heart that wants to do whats right in this area, and let purity take root in their personalities and guide their actions. Help them to always lay down godly rules for relationships and resist anything that is not Your best. Open their eyes to the truth of Your Word, and help them to see that sex outside of marriage will never be the committed, lasting, unconditional love that they need. Let their personality not be scarred nor their emotions damaged as a result of sexual immorality.
I pray that each of these children will have no premarital sex and no sex with anyone other that their marriage partner. I pray that homosexuality will never take root in them or even have an opportunity to express itself toward them. Keep them away from the presence of anyone with evil intentions, or take that person out of their life. Protect them from any sexual molestation or rape. Turn their eyes away from the sexual immorality that saturates the world and enable them to understand that whoever "wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God"(James 4:4 You [are like] unfaithful wives [having illicit love affairs with the world and breaking your marriage vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world's friend is being God's enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world takes his stand as an enemy of God.) May each of them long for Your approval, Lord, and not allow sexual sin in their life at any time. Deliver them from any spirit of lust bringing temptation to fail in this area. Put a Holy Spirit alarm in them that goes off like a loud, flashing siren whenever they step over the line of what is right in Your sight.
Your Word says," Blessed is the man who endures temptation,for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12 Blessed (happy, [a]to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor's] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him) Speak loudly to them whenever there is temptation to do something they shouldn't, and make them strong enough in You to stand for what's right and say "NO" to sexual immorality. May Your grace enable them to be committed to staying pure so that they will receive Your crown of life.
I ask all of this according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus' Holy name,
Amen
(Prayer and scripture from "The Power of a Praying Parent"- Stormie Omartian)
"WEAPONS OF WARFARE"
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (Amplified Bible)
3)For this is the will of God, that you should be consecrated (separated and set apart for pure and holy living): that you should abstain and shrink from all sexual vice,
4)That each one of you should know how to [a]possess (control, manage) his own [b]body in consecration (purity, separated from things profane) and honor,
5)Not [to be used] in the passion of lust like the heathen, who are ignorant of the true God and have no knowledge of His will,
1 Corinthians 6:13 (Amplified Bible)
Food [is intended] for the stomach and the stomach for food, but God will finally end [the functions of] both and bring them to nothing. The body is not intended for sexual immorality, but [is intended] for the Lord, and the Lord [is intended] for the body [[a]to save, sanctify, and raise it again].
1 Corinthians 6:18 (Amplified Bible)
Shun immorality and all sexual looseness [flee from impurity in thought, word, or deed]. Any other sin which a man commits is one outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (Amplified Bible)
For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not [a]adjusted and [b]adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to [c]a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently.
James 1:14-15 (Amplified Bible)
14)But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions).
15)Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death.
The Delight of Sacrifice
2 Corinthians 12:15 (Amplified Bible)
But I will most gladly spend [myself] and be utterly spent for your souls. If I love you exceedingly, am I to be loved [by you] the less?
When we truly let God become center of our lives, and His love flows through us, we then can truly let that love flow out of us towards other people. We can begin to relate to how Jesus sees others, and what their interests and desires are, and take the focus off of our own selfish desires. We have no right to be so wrapped up in our own lives that we miss out on the opportunities to help others. One of the biggest tests of our relationship with God is to see how willing we truly are to help others, to "lay down our life for our friend". (John 15:13 "No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends.") We need to be about doing His will, not wasting our lives doing whatever we feel like doing. Our main goal should be to help others know about the God who loves them and died for them, and to help them along life's journey. (I Corinthians 9:22 To the weak (wanting in discernment) I have become weak (wanting in discernment) that I might win the weak and over scrupulous. I have [in short] become all things to all men, that I might by all means (at all costs and in any and every way) save some [by winning them to faith in Jesus Christ].)
In order to help others properly, it is important to spend one on one time with God, however when all we want to do is spend time with God, we can then become of no use to others. When we are only worried about our time with God we are forgetting what our mission is supposed to be. God cannot use those who just wrap themselves up around their own lives. He needs us to be ready to do whatever it takes, to become whoever we need to become in order to do His work in the world. "Paul said that he knew how to be a "doormat" without resenting it, because the motivation of his life was devotion to Jesus." We need to fall so in love with Jesus that every aspect of our lives points others to Him.
(My Utmost for His Highest-Oswald Chambers)
But I will most gladly spend [myself] and be utterly spent for your souls. If I love you exceedingly, am I to be loved [by you] the less?
When we truly let God become center of our lives, and His love flows through us, we then can truly let that love flow out of us towards other people. We can begin to relate to how Jesus sees others, and what their interests and desires are, and take the focus off of our own selfish desires. We have no right to be so wrapped up in our own lives that we miss out on the opportunities to help others. One of the biggest tests of our relationship with God is to see how willing we truly are to help others, to "lay down our life for our friend". (John 15:13 "No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends.") We need to be about doing His will, not wasting our lives doing whatever we feel like doing. Our main goal should be to help others know about the God who loves them and died for them, and to help them along life's journey. (I Corinthians 9:22 To the weak (wanting in discernment) I have become weak (wanting in discernment) that I might win the weak and over scrupulous. I have [in short] become all things to all men, that I might by all means (at all costs and in any and every way) save some [by winning them to faith in Jesus Christ].)
In order to help others properly, it is important to spend one on one time with God, however when all we want to do is spend time with God, we can then become of no use to others. When we are only worried about our time with God we are forgetting what our mission is supposed to be. God cannot use those who just wrap themselves up around their own lives. He needs us to be ready to do whatever it takes, to become whoever we need to become in order to do His work in the world. "Paul said that he knew how to be a "doormat" without resenting it, because the motivation of his life was devotion to Jesus." We need to fall so in love with Jesus that every aspect of our lives points others to Him.
(My Utmost for His Highest-Oswald Chambers)
Monday, February 15, 2010
Avoiding Alcohol, Drugs, and other Addictions
Dear Lord,
I pray that You would keep each of my children and grandchildren free from any addiction, especially to alcohol and drugs. Where there has already been usage and dependency, I pray by the authority given to me in Jesus' Holy name that the "draw" to such things, the strongholds attached will be broken. Make each of these children strong in You, draw them close and enable them to put You in control of their life. Speak to their hearts, show them the path they should walk, and help them to see that protecting their body from things that destroy it is a part of their service to You. I pray that You, Lord, would thwart any plan satan has to destroy their life through alcohol and drugs, and take away anything in their personality that would be drawn to these substances. Your Word says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." (Proverbs 16:25) Give each of them discernment and strength to be able to say "NO" to the things that bring death and "YES" to the things of God that bring life. May each of them clearly see the truth whenever tempted and be delivered from the evil one whenever trapped. Enable them to choose life in whatever they do, and may their only addiction be to the things of God. In Jesus' Holy name I pray that EVERYTHING they do with their body be done to Your glory!!
I ask all of this in accordance with Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus' Holy name,
Amen
(Scripture and prayer from, "The Power of a Praying Parent"--Stormie Omartian)
"WEAPONS OF WARFARE"
Romans 8:13 (Amplified Bible)
For if you live according to [the dictates of] the flesh, you will surely die. But if through the power of the [Holy] Spirit you are [habitually] putting to death (making extinct, deadening) the [evil] deeds prompted by the body, you shall [really and genuinely] live forever.
Ecclesiastes 11:10 (Amplified Bible)
Therefore remove [the lusts that end in] sorrow and vexation from your heart and mind and put away evil from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity [transitory, idle, empty, and devoid of truth].
Deuteronomy 30:19 (Amplified Bible)
I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live.
Proverbs 11:6 (Amplified Bible)
The righteousness of the upright [their rectitude in every area and relation] shall deliver them, but the treacherous shall be taken in their own iniquity and greedy desire.
John 8:36 (Amplified Bible)
So if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free.
I pray that You would keep each of my children and grandchildren free from any addiction, especially to alcohol and drugs. Where there has already been usage and dependency, I pray by the authority given to me in Jesus' Holy name that the "draw" to such things, the strongholds attached will be broken. Make each of these children strong in You, draw them close and enable them to put You in control of their life. Speak to their hearts, show them the path they should walk, and help them to see that protecting their body from things that destroy it is a part of their service to You. I pray that You, Lord, would thwart any plan satan has to destroy their life through alcohol and drugs, and take away anything in their personality that would be drawn to these substances. Your Word says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." (Proverbs 16:25) Give each of them discernment and strength to be able to say "NO" to the things that bring death and "YES" to the things of God that bring life. May each of them clearly see the truth whenever tempted and be delivered from the evil one whenever trapped. Enable them to choose life in whatever they do, and may their only addiction be to the things of God. In Jesus' Holy name I pray that EVERYTHING they do with their body be done to Your glory!!
I ask all of this in accordance with Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus' Holy name,
Amen
(Scripture and prayer from, "The Power of a Praying Parent"--Stormie Omartian)
"WEAPONS OF WARFARE"
Romans 8:13 (Amplified Bible)
For if you live according to [the dictates of] the flesh, you will surely die. But if through the power of the [Holy] Spirit you are [habitually] putting to death (making extinct, deadening) the [evil] deeds prompted by the body, you shall [really and genuinely] live forever.
Ecclesiastes 11:10 (Amplified Bible)
Therefore remove [the lusts that end in] sorrow and vexation from your heart and mind and put away evil from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity [transitory, idle, empty, and devoid of truth].
Deuteronomy 30:19 (Amplified Bible)
I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live.
Proverbs 11:6 (Amplified Bible)
The righteousness of the upright [their rectitude in every area and relation] shall deliver them, but the treacherous shall be taken in their own iniquity and greedy desire.
John 8:36 (Amplified Bible)
So if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free.
"Am I My Brother’s Keeper?"
Romans 14:7 (Amplified Bible)
None of us lives to himself [but to the Lord], and none of us dies to himself [but to the Lord]
Did you know that each of us is responsible to God for other believers around us? Ephesians 2:6 says,"And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together...", also in I Corinthians 12:26, it says, "And if one member suffers, all the parts [share] the suffering; if one member is honored, all the members [share in] the enjoyment of it.". If there is sin or a turning away from the things of God, the people around you all suffer. Therefore, we must be careful to live as Christ would have us live, and help fellow believers do the same.
Acts 1:8 says, "you shall be My witnesses...". How many of us are able or even willing to do everything that it entails to be a witness for Jesus Christ? It takes every single part of your being to do this, mental, spiritual, moral, physical...all of these areas combine to become the kind of witness that God is looking for. You have to remember that it takes time and discipline to become this way, but remember that is what we are created for; to do His work, to train up others and to set the world on fire for Him. The way we live our lives is our way of saying "thank you" to Him for His gift of salvation. We must stay focused, keep our eyes on Him and continually help those around us to do the same so that we will not be "disqualified" for the service of God.
(My Utmost for His Highest--Oswald Chambers)
None of us lives to himself [but to the Lord], and none of us dies to himself [but to the Lord]
Did you know that each of us is responsible to God for other believers around us? Ephesians 2:6 says,"And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together...", also in I Corinthians 12:26, it says, "And if one member suffers, all the parts [share] the suffering; if one member is honored, all the members [share in] the enjoyment of it.". If there is sin or a turning away from the things of God, the people around you all suffer. Therefore, we must be careful to live as Christ would have us live, and help fellow believers do the same.
Acts 1:8 says, "you shall be My witnesses...". How many of us are able or even willing to do everything that it entails to be a witness for Jesus Christ? It takes every single part of your being to do this, mental, spiritual, moral, physical...all of these areas combine to become the kind of witness that God is looking for. You have to remember that it takes time and discipline to become this way, but remember that is what we are created for; to do His work, to train up others and to set the world on fire for Him. The way we live our lives is our way of saying "thank you" to Him for His gift of salvation. We must stay focused, keep our eyes on Him and continually help those around us to do the same so that we will not be "disqualified" for the service of God.
(My Utmost for His Highest--Oswald Chambers)
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Destroying an Inheritance of Family Bondage
Dear Lord,
You have said in Your Word that a good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children. (Proverbs 13:22) I pray that the inheritance I leave to my children will be the rewards of a godly life and a clean heart before You. To make sure that happens, I ask that wherever there is a sinful trait in me that I have acquired from my family, deliver me from it now in the name of Jesus. I confess my sins to You. I ask for forgiveness and restoration, knowing Your Word says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9) I know that cleansing from sin through confession lessens the possibility of passing the habit of sin on to my child.
Jesus said, "I give you the authority...over all the powers of the enemy." (Luke 10:19) If there is any work of the enemy in my past that seeks to encroach upon the life of my children and grandchildren, I break it now by the power and authority given me in Jesus Christ. I pray specifically about alcoholism, addictions, a lying spirit, unstableness of mind. Whatever is not Your will for our lives, I reject it as sin.
Thank You Jesus, that You came to set us free from the past. We refuse to live bound by it. Thank You, Father, that You have "qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light." (Colossians 1:12) I pray that my children and grandchildren will not inherit any sin trait from their earthly family, but will "inherit the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world." (Matthew 25:34) Thank You, Jesus, that in You the old has passed away and all things are new.
I release my children into Your hands,
In Jesus' Holy name,
Amen
(Prayer and scripture from "The Power of a Praying Parent"--Stormie Omartian)
"WEAPONS OF WARFARE"
Galatians 5:1 (Amplified Bible)
IN [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off].
1 Peter 1:3-5 (Amplified Bible)
3)Praised (honored, blessed) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)! By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4)[Born anew] into an inheritance which is beyond the reach of change and decay [imperishable], unsullied and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,
5)Who are being guarded (garrisoned) by God's power through [your] faith [till you fully inherit that [a]final] salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time.
Isaiah 61
THE SPIRIT of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound,
2 Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified Bible)
Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!
Titus 3:3-7 (Amplified Bible)
3)For we also were once thoughtless and senseless, obstinate and disobedient, deluded and misled; [we too were once] slaves to all sorts of cravings and pleasures, wasting our days in malice and jealousy and envy, hateful (hated, detestable) and hating one another.
4)But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Savior to man [as man] appeared,
5)He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy, by [the] cleansing [bath] of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
6)Which He poured out [so] richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.
7)[And He did it in order] that we might be justified by His grace (by His favor, wholly undeserved), [that we might be acknowledged and counted as conformed to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action], and that we might become heirs of eternal life according to [our] hope.
You have said in Your Word that a good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children. (Proverbs 13:22) I pray that the inheritance I leave to my children will be the rewards of a godly life and a clean heart before You. To make sure that happens, I ask that wherever there is a sinful trait in me that I have acquired from my family, deliver me from it now in the name of Jesus. I confess my sins to You. I ask for forgiveness and restoration, knowing Your Word says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9) I know that cleansing from sin through confession lessens the possibility of passing the habit of sin on to my child.
Jesus said, "I give you the authority...over all the powers of the enemy." (Luke 10:19) If there is any work of the enemy in my past that seeks to encroach upon the life of my children and grandchildren, I break it now by the power and authority given me in Jesus Christ. I pray specifically about alcoholism, addictions, a lying spirit, unstableness of mind. Whatever is not Your will for our lives, I reject it as sin.
Thank You Jesus, that You came to set us free from the past. We refuse to live bound by it. Thank You, Father, that You have "qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light." (Colossians 1:12) I pray that my children and grandchildren will not inherit any sin trait from their earthly family, but will "inherit the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world." (Matthew 25:34) Thank You, Jesus, that in You the old has passed away and all things are new.
I release my children into Your hands,
In Jesus' Holy name,
Amen
(Prayer and scripture from "The Power of a Praying Parent"--Stormie Omartian)
"WEAPONS OF WARFARE"
Galatians 5:1 (Amplified Bible)
IN [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off].
1 Peter 1:3-5 (Amplified Bible)
3)Praised (honored, blessed) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)! By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4)[Born anew] into an inheritance which is beyond the reach of change and decay [imperishable], unsullied and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,
5)Who are being guarded (garrisoned) by God's power through [your] faith [till you fully inherit that [a]final] salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time.
Isaiah 61
THE SPIRIT of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound,
2 Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified Bible)
Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!
Titus 3:3-7 (Amplified Bible)
3)For we also were once thoughtless and senseless, obstinate and disobedient, deluded and misled; [we too were once] slaves to all sorts of cravings and pleasures, wasting our days in malice and jealousy and envy, hateful (hated, detestable) and hating one another.
4)But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Savior to man [as man] appeared,
5)He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy, by [the] cleansing [bath] of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
6)Which He poured out [so] richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.
7)[And He did it in order] that we might be justified by His grace (by His favor, wholly undeserved), [that we might be acknowledged and counted as conformed to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action], and that we might become heirs of eternal life according to [our] hope.
Are You Exhausted Spiritually?
Isaiah 40:28 (Amplified Bible)
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding.
When a person becomes exhausted they come to the end of themselves, they are completely "spent". When one becomes spiritually exhausted, it is not because they are caught up in sin, but they are caught up in service to the King of Kings. To determine if someone will become completely exhausted, you have to look at where they are getting what they need from. Are you looking to the world to nourish you, or are you looking to the only One who can truly fulfill and be all that you need? As a Christ follower you need to be full of what God has to offer. People who do not know Christ or where to get their supply will be looking to you, and you must be strong enough to keep yourself supplied of the Truth. "You must literally be their source of supply, until they learn to take their nourishment from God. We owe it to God to be our best for His lambs and sheep, as well as for Him."
It is important that you look within yourself and ask what the reasons are that your serving Christ. Also make sure that you are keeping yourself "grounded on the redemption of Jesus Christ." God has chosen us to be His people, to reach the lost, to serve Him all the days of our lives. We should be exhausted in service to Him, but we also should keep in mind that He is our supply, He will replenish us and make us strong to continue on. "All my springs are in you.." (Psalm 87:7)
(My Utmost for His Highest--Oswald Chambers)
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding.
When a person becomes exhausted they come to the end of themselves, they are completely "spent". When one becomes spiritually exhausted, it is not because they are caught up in sin, but they are caught up in service to the King of Kings. To determine if someone will become completely exhausted, you have to look at where they are getting what they need from. Are you looking to the world to nourish you, or are you looking to the only One who can truly fulfill and be all that you need? As a Christ follower you need to be full of what God has to offer. People who do not know Christ or where to get their supply will be looking to you, and you must be strong enough to keep yourself supplied of the Truth. "You must literally be their source of supply, until they learn to take their nourishment from God. We owe it to God to be our best for His lambs and sheep, as well as for Him."
It is important that you look within yourself and ask what the reasons are that your serving Christ. Also make sure that you are keeping yourself "grounded on the redemption of Jesus Christ." God has chosen us to be His people, to reach the lost, to serve Him all the days of our lives. We should be exhausted in service to Him, but we also should keep in mind that He is our supply, He will replenish us and make us strong to continue on. "All my springs are in you.." (Psalm 87:7)
(My Utmost for His Highest--Oswald Chambers)
Monday, February 8, 2010
Inviting the Joy of the Lord
Dear Lord,
I pray that each of my children and grandchildren will be given the gift of joy. Let the spirit of joy rise up in their hearts this day and may they know the fullness of joy that is found only in Your presence. Help them to understand that true happiness and joy are found only in You. Whenever they are overtaken by negative emotions, I ask that You would surround them with Your love. Teach them to say, "This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24) Deliver them from despair, depression, loneliness, discouragement, anger, or rejection. May these negative attitudes have no place in their lives, nor be a lasting part of their lives. May they decide in their heart, "My soul shall be joyful in the Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation." (Psalm 35:9)
I know Lord, that any negative emotions these children feel are lies, contrary to the truth of Your Word. Plant Your Word firmly in each of their hearts and increase their faith daily. Enable them to abide in Your love and derive strength from the joy of the Lord this day and forever.
I ask this according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus' Holy name,
Amen
(Prayer and Scripture from "The Power of a Praying Parent"--Stormie Omartian)
"WEAPONS OF WARFARE"
John 15:10-11 (Amplified Bible)
10)If you keep My commandments [if you continue to obey My instructions], you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father's commandments and live on in His love.
11)I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing.
Psalm 16:11 (Amplified Bible)
You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 30:5 (Amplified Bible)
For His anger is but for a moment, but His favor is for a lifetime or in His favor is life. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
Romans 15:13 (Amplified Bible)
May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.
Isaiah 61:10 (Amplified Bible)
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
I pray that each of my children and grandchildren will be given the gift of joy. Let the spirit of joy rise up in their hearts this day and may they know the fullness of joy that is found only in Your presence. Help them to understand that true happiness and joy are found only in You. Whenever they are overtaken by negative emotions, I ask that You would surround them with Your love. Teach them to say, "This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24) Deliver them from despair, depression, loneliness, discouragement, anger, or rejection. May these negative attitudes have no place in their lives, nor be a lasting part of their lives. May they decide in their heart, "My soul shall be joyful in the Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation." (Psalm 35:9)
I know Lord, that any negative emotions these children feel are lies, contrary to the truth of Your Word. Plant Your Word firmly in each of their hearts and increase their faith daily. Enable them to abide in Your love and derive strength from the joy of the Lord this day and forever.
I ask this according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus' Holy name,
Amen
(Prayer and Scripture from "The Power of a Praying Parent"--Stormie Omartian)
"WEAPONS OF WARFARE"
John 15:10-11 (Amplified Bible)
10)If you keep My commandments [if you continue to obey My instructions], you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father's commandments and live on in His love.
11)I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing.
Psalm 16:11 (Amplified Bible)
You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 30:5 (Amplified Bible)
For His anger is but for a moment, but His favor is for a lifetime or in His favor is life. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
Romans 15:13 (Amplified Bible)
May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.
Isaiah 61:10 (Amplified Bible)
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
The Cost of Sanctification
1 Thessalonians 5:23 (Amplified Bible)
And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [separate you from profane things, make you pure and wholly consecrated to God]; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved sound and complete [and found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
Sanctification= To set apart for sacred use; consecrate. To make holy; purify. We talk about this in church, or among fellow believers, but one thing is for sure, and that is that we discuss it way too flippantly. When we ask God to sanctify us, are we really up for the challenge of what that entails? Are we ready to give up all our concerns of this world and become deeply engaged and focused on God's point of view? To be sanctified "means to secure and to keep all the strength of our body, soul, and spirit for God’s purpose alone." It means you lay aside everything and become so intensely connected with Jesus that God's nature comes through and controls our lives. Are you ready for what that is going to cost you? Because it will cost you every single thing in your life that God is not a part of. We have to come to the point as it says in John 17:21-23
21)That they all may be one, [just] as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me.
22)I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one:
23)I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and [definitely] recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them [even] as You have loved Me.
Are we really ready to give up everything which is part of this world and allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us in a way which we have never yet known? When this happens, the evidence is "in a person’s life is the unmistakable family likeness to Jesus Christ, and the freedom from everything which is not like Him."
"My Utmost for His Highest"--Oswald Chambers
And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [separate you from profane things, make you pure and wholly consecrated to God]; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved sound and complete [and found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
Sanctification= To set apart for sacred use; consecrate. To make holy; purify. We talk about this in church, or among fellow believers, but one thing is for sure, and that is that we discuss it way too flippantly. When we ask God to sanctify us, are we really up for the challenge of what that entails? Are we ready to give up all our concerns of this world and become deeply engaged and focused on God's point of view? To be sanctified "means to secure and to keep all the strength of our body, soul, and spirit for God’s purpose alone." It means you lay aside everything and become so intensely connected with Jesus that God's nature comes through and controls our lives. Are you ready for what that is going to cost you? Because it will cost you every single thing in your life that God is not a part of. We have to come to the point as it says in John 17:21-23
21)That they all may be one, [just] as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me.
22)I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one:
23)I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and [definitely] recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them [even] as You have loved Me.
Are we really ready to give up everything which is part of this world and allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us in a way which we have never yet known? When this happens, the evidence is "in a person’s life is the unmistakable family likeness to Jesus Christ, and the freedom from everything which is not like Him."
"My Utmost for His Highest"--Oswald Chambers
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Receiving a Sound Mind
Dear Lord,
Thank Your Lord for promising us a sound mind. I lay claim to that promise for each of my children and my grand children. I pray that each of their minds be clear, bright, alert, intelligent, stable, peaceful, and uncluttered. I pray there will be no confusion, no dullness, and no unbalanced, scattered, unorganized, or negative thinking. I pray that their minds will not be filled with complex or confusing thoughts. Rather, give them clarity of mind so that they are able to think straight at all times. Give them the ability to make clear decisions, to understand all they need to know, and to be able to focus on what they need to do. Where there is now any mental instability, impairment, or dysfunction, I speak healing in Jesus' Holy name. May they be renewed in the spirit of their mind (Ephesians 4:23), and may they have the mind of Christ. (I Corinthians 2:16)
I pray that each of them will so love the Lord with all their heart, soul and mind that there will be no room in them for the lies of the enemy or the clamoring of this world. May the Word of God take root in each of their hearts and fill their minds with things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. (Philippians 4:8) Give them each understanding that what goes into their mind becomes part of them, so that they will weigh carefully what they see and hear. You have said, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts You." (Isaiah 26:3) I pray that their faith in You and Your Word will grow daily so that they will live forever in peace and soundness of mind.
I ask this according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus Holy name,
Amen
(Prayer and Scripture from-"The Power of a Praying Parent"--Stormie Omartian)
"WEAPONS OF WARFARE"
Romans 12:2 (Amplified Bible)
Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
Romans 8:6 (Amplified Bible)
Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever].
Philippians 4:6-7 (Amplified Bible)
6)Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition ([a]definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
7)And God's peace [shall be yours, that [b]tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall [c]garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (Amplified Bible)
4)For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,
5)[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),
Ephesians 4:17-18 (Amplified Bible)
17)So this I say and solemnly testify in [the name of] the Lord [as in His presence], that you must no longer live as the heathen (the Gentiles) do in their perverseness [in the folly, vanity, and emptiness of their souls and the futility] of their minds.
18)Their [a]moral understanding is darkened and their reasoning is beclouded. [They are] alienated (estranged, self-banished) from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] because of the ignorance (the want of knowledge and perception, the willful blindness) that is [b]deep-seated in them, due to their hardness of heart [to the insensitiveness of their moral nature].
Thank Your Lord for promising us a sound mind. I lay claim to that promise for each of my children and my grand children. I pray that each of their minds be clear, bright, alert, intelligent, stable, peaceful, and uncluttered. I pray there will be no confusion, no dullness, and no unbalanced, scattered, unorganized, or negative thinking. I pray that their minds will not be filled with complex or confusing thoughts. Rather, give them clarity of mind so that they are able to think straight at all times. Give them the ability to make clear decisions, to understand all they need to know, and to be able to focus on what they need to do. Where there is now any mental instability, impairment, or dysfunction, I speak healing in Jesus' Holy name. May they be renewed in the spirit of their mind (Ephesians 4:23), and may they have the mind of Christ. (I Corinthians 2:16)
I pray that each of them will so love the Lord with all their heart, soul and mind that there will be no room in them for the lies of the enemy or the clamoring of this world. May the Word of God take root in each of their hearts and fill their minds with things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. (Philippians 4:8) Give them each understanding that what goes into their mind becomes part of them, so that they will weigh carefully what they see and hear. You have said, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts You." (Isaiah 26:3) I pray that their faith in You and Your Word will grow daily so that they will live forever in peace and soundness of mind.
I ask this according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus Holy name,
Amen
(Prayer and Scripture from-"The Power of a Praying Parent"--Stormie Omartian)
"WEAPONS OF WARFARE"
Romans 12:2 (Amplified Bible)
Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
Romans 8:6 (Amplified Bible)
Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever].
Philippians 4:6-7 (Amplified Bible)
6)Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition ([a]definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
7)And God's peace [shall be yours, that [b]tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall [c]garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (Amplified Bible)
4)For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,
5)[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),
Ephesians 4:17-18 (Amplified Bible)
17)So this I say and solemnly testify in [the name of] the Lord [as in His presence], that you must no longer live as the heathen (the Gentiles) do in their perverseness [in the folly, vanity, and emptiness of their souls and the futility] of their minds.
18)Their [a]moral understanding is darkened and their reasoning is beclouded. [They are] alienated (estranged, self-banished) from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] because of the ignorance (the want of knowledge and perception, the willful blindness) that is [b]deep-seated in them, due to their hardness of heart [to the insensitiveness of their moral nature].
Spiritual Dejection
Luke 24:21 (Amplified Bible)
But we were hoping that it was He Who would redeem and set Israel free. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things occurred.
Dejection, according to dictionary.com means: "depression or lowness of spirits". Dejection comes from one of two sources, either we have satisfied a lust, or we have not had it satisfied. Either way we find ourselves with a low spirit, which lust will most likely bring. Lust says "I Must have it now!!", and spiritual lust does not wait on God, but demands we have an answer now! Instead of demanding an answer from God, we need to be seeking Him, having faith and trusting in Him. Who do we think we are anyways? who are we to demand anything from God? We are way off based if we think it is our right to demand anything and spiritual dejection is our own doing. It is due to the fact that we take our eyes off of Christ and try to find our own way, and that never, ever works and only leads to our own demise.
We seek and we do not find, we look for visions that do not come, and we think we need them to survive, we look to them to give us guidance somehow, only to end up feeling that spiritual dejection. We need to hold onto faith and trust and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God IS working in our everyday lives. He is at work in our lives, in the events, and in other people around us every single day; we need only believe and hold onto this!!If we will just listen for His voice, obey and do what we know He wants, we will see Him!! "One of the most amazing revelations of God comes to us when we learn that it is in the everyday things of life that we realize the magnificent deity of Jesus Christ."
My Utmost For His Highest-- Oswald Chambers
But we were hoping that it was He Who would redeem and set Israel free. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things occurred.
Dejection, according to dictionary.com means: "depression or lowness of spirits". Dejection comes from one of two sources, either we have satisfied a lust, or we have not had it satisfied. Either way we find ourselves with a low spirit, which lust will most likely bring. Lust says "I Must have it now!!", and spiritual lust does not wait on God, but demands we have an answer now! Instead of demanding an answer from God, we need to be seeking Him, having faith and trusting in Him. Who do we think we are anyways? who are we to demand anything from God? We are way off based if we think it is our right to demand anything and spiritual dejection is our own doing. It is due to the fact that we take our eyes off of Christ and try to find our own way, and that never, ever works and only leads to our own demise.
We seek and we do not find, we look for visions that do not come, and we think we need them to survive, we look to them to give us guidance somehow, only to end up feeling that spiritual dejection. We need to hold onto faith and trust and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God IS working in our everyday lives. He is at work in our lives, in the events, and in other people around us every single day; we need only believe and hold onto this!!If we will just listen for His voice, obey and do what we know He wants, we will see Him!! "One of the most amazing revelations of God comes to us when we learn that it is in the everyday things of life that we realize the magnificent deity of Jesus Christ."
My Utmost For His Highest-- Oswald Chambers
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Enjoying Freedom From Fear
Dear Lord,
Your Word says, "I sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34:4) I seek You this day, believing that You hear me, and I pray that You will deliver each of my children and my grand children from any fear that threatens to overtake them. You said You have "not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (II Timothy 1:7) Flood them with Your love and wash away all fear and doubt. Give them a a sense of Your loving presence that far outweighs any fear that would threaten to overtake them. Help them to rely on Your power in such a manner that it establishes a strong confidence and faith in You. Give them a sound mind Lord, so sound that they recognize any false evidence the devil presents to them and identify it as having no basis of reality.
Wherever there is real danger or good reason to fear, give them wisdom, protect them, and draw them close to You. Help them not to deny their fears, but to take them to You in prayer and seek deliverance from them. I pray that as each of them draws close to You, that Your love will penetrate their lives and crowd out all fear. Plant Your Word in their hearts. Let faith take root in their minds and souls as they grow in Your Word.
Thank You Jesus for Your promise to deliver us from all our fears. In Jesus' Holy name I pray for freedom from fear on behalf of these children today.
I ask this according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus' Holy name,
Amen
(Prayer and scripture from "The Power of a Praying Parent"--Stormie Omartian)
"WEAPONS OF WARFARE"
Psalm 31:19 (Amplified Bible)
Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear, revere, and worship You, goodness which You have wrought for those who trust and take refuge in You before the sons of men!
Psalm 91:4-6 (Amplified Bible)
4)[Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.
5)You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day,
6)Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday.
Psalm 27:1 (Amplified Bible)
THE LORD is my Light and my Salvation--whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 18:4-6 (Amplified Bible)
4)The cords or bands of death surrounded me, and the streams of ungodliness and the torrents of ruin terrified me.
5)The cords of Sheol (the place of the dead) surrounded me; the snares of death confronted and came upon me.
6)In my distress [when seemingly closed in] I called upon the Lord and cried to my God; He heard my voice out of His temple (heavenly dwelling place), and my cry came before Him, into His [very] ears.
Isaiah 41:10 (Amplified Bible)
Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.
1 John 4:18 (Amplified Bible)
There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection].
Your Word says, "I sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34:4) I seek You this day, believing that You hear me, and I pray that You will deliver each of my children and my grand children from any fear that threatens to overtake them. You said You have "not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (II Timothy 1:7) Flood them with Your love and wash away all fear and doubt. Give them a a sense of Your loving presence that far outweighs any fear that would threaten to overtake them. Help them to rely on Your power in such a manner that it establishes a strong confidence and faith in You. Give them a sound mind Lord, so sound that they recognize any false evidence the devil presents to them and identify it as having no basis of reality.
Wherever there is real danger or good reason to fear, give them wisdom, protect them, and draw them close to You. Help them not to deny their fears, but to take them to You in prayer and seek deliverance from them. I pray that as each of them draws close to You, that Your love will penetrate their lives and crowd out all fear. Plant Your Word in their hearts. Let faith take root in their minds and souls as they grow in Your Word.
Thank You Jesus for Your promise to deliver us from all our fears. In Jesus' Holy name I pray for freedom from fear on behalf of these children today.
I ask this according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus' Holy name,
Amen
(Prayer and scripture from "The Power of a Praying Parent"--Stormie Omartian)
"WEAPONS OF WARFARE"
Psalm 31:19 (Amplified Bible)
Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear, revere, and worship You, goodness which You have wrought for those who trust and take refuge in You before the sons of men!
Psalm 91:4-6 (Amplified Bible)
4)[Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.
5)You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day,
6)Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday.
Psalm 27:1 (Amplified Bible)
THE LORD is my Light and my Salvation--whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 18:4-6 (Amplified Bible)
4)The cords or bands of death surrounded me, and the streams of ungodliness and the torrents of ruin terrified me.
5)The cords of Sheol (the place of the dead) surrounded me; the snares of death confronted and came upon me.
6)In my distress [when seemingly closed in] I called upon the Lord and cried to my God; He heard my voice out of His temple (heavenly dwelling place), and my cry came before Him, into His [very] ears.
Isaiah 41:10 (Amplified Bible)
Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.
1 John 4:18 (Amplified Bible)
There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection].
Becoming the "Filth of the World"
1 Corinthians 4:13 (Amplified Bible)
When we are slandered and defamed, we [try to] answer softly and bring comfort. We have been made and are now the rubbish and filth of the world [the offscouring of all things, the scum of the earth].
Becoming the "filth of the world" is not an exaggeration, but one which we all should actually become. We are way too cautious and too concerned about what we want and our deepest desires, that we refuse to actually become the filth. Colossians 1:24 says, "fill up my flesh in whatever is lacking in the afflictions of Christ"; this is not showing the result of holiness through being sanctified, but the evidence of being consecrated or "separated to the gospel of Christ". (Romans 1:1)
You can choose as a Christ follower to be saved by the "skin of your teeth", or you can delve in with all you have. If throughout the everyday things you encounter things that are strange it is usually because we are too afraid and cowardly to face them. The Word says, "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you". (I Peter 4:12) We are so selfish sometimes and get caught up in our own desires and we refuse to go head first into the mire of this world. We need to stop this behavior and proclaim from the mountains, "I do not care if I am like the filth of this world, as long as to gospel is proclaimed!!!!!" A true and faithful follower of God, is one who is willing to become a martyr for Christ. When we are confronted with the filth of this world, such as contempt, dishonesty, disloyalty or any other filth, we tend to pull away from the offender. This is NOT what we should do!! The true reality of the redemption story is that even the most wicked or vile person can never, ever exhaust the depth of God's love. We should not shun the person away, nor accept the sin, but we need to show that person just how much God truly loves them. "Paul did not say that God separated him to show what a wonderful man He could make of him, but "to reveal His Son in me. . ." ( Galatians 1:16 )."
(My Utmost for His Highest-Oswald Chambers)
When we are slandered and defamed, we [try to] answer softly and bring comfort. We have been made and are now the rubbish and filth of the world [the offscouring of all things, the scum of the earth].
Becoming the "filth of the world" is not an exaggeration, but one which we all should actually become. We are way too cautious and too concerned about what we want and our deepest desires, that we refuse to actually become the filth. Colossians 1:24 says, "fill up my flesh in whatever is lacking in the afflictions of Christ"; this is not showing the result of holiness through being sanctified, but the evidence of being consecrated or "separated to the gospel of Christ". (Romans 1:1)
You can choose as a Christ follower to be saved by the "skin of your teeth", or you can delve in with all you have. If throughout the everyday things you encounter things that are strange it is usually because we are too afraid and cowardly to face them. The Word says, "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you". (I Peter 4:12) We are so selfish sometimes and get caught up in our own desires and we refuse to go head first into the mire of this world. We need to stop this behavior and proclaim from the mountains, "I do not care if I am like the filth of this world, as long as to gospel is proclaimed!!!!!" A true and faithful follower of God, is one who is willing to become a martyr for Christ. When we are confronted with the filth of this world, such as contempt, dishonesty, disloyalty or any other filth, we tend to pull away from the offender. This is NOT what we should do!! The true reality of the redemption story is that even the most wicked or vile person can never, ever exhaust the depth of God's love. We should not shun the person away, nor accept the sin, but we need to show that person just how much God truly loves them. "Paul did not say that God separated him to show what a wonderful man He could make of him, but "to reveal His Son in me. . ." ( Galatians 1:16 )."
(My Utmost for His Highest-Oswald Chambers)
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Praying Through a Child's Room
Dear Lord,
I invite Your Holy Spirit to dwell in each of my children's and my grand babies rooms. You are Lord over heaven and earth, and I proclaim that You are Lord over their rooms as well. Flood each room with Your light and life. Crowd out any darkness which seeks to impose itself there, and let no spirits of fear, depression, anger, doubt, anxiety, rebelliousness, suicidal thoughts, bitterness or hatred find any place there.I pray that nothing will come into their rooms that is not brought by You, oh Lord. If there is anything there that should not be, convict them to get rid of it immediately. Let the scales fall off of Shakira's eyes and let her see the truth behind ICP and the evilness there. Let her be convicted to get rid of anything that pertains to them Lord.
Put Your complete protection over each room so that evil cannot enter there by any means. Fill their rooms with Your love, peace, and joy. I pray that each of these children will say, as David did, "I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set nothing wicked before my eyes" (Psalm 101:2-3) I pray that You, Lord will make their rooms a holy place, sanctified for Your glory.
I ask this according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus Holy name,
Amen
(Prayer and scripture from "The Power of a Praying Parent"--Stormie Omartian)
"WEAPONS OF WARFARE"
Deuteronomy 7:26 (Amplified Bible)
Neither shall you bring an abomination (an idol) into your house, lest you become an accursed thing like it; but you shall utterly detest and abhor it, for it is an accursed thing.
Isaiah 1:16 (Amplified Bible)
Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes! Cease to do evil,
2 Corinthians 7:1 (Amplified Bible)
THEREFORE, SINCE these [great] promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates and defiles body and spirit, and bring [our] consecration to completeness in the [reverential] fear of God.
Psalm 51:1-2
1)HAVE MERCY upon me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to the multitude of Your tender mercy and loving-kindness blot out my transgressions.
2)Wash me thoroughly [and repeatedly] from my iniquity and guilt and cleanse me and make me wholly pure from my sin!
Proverbs 3:33 (Amplified Bible)
The curse of the Lord is in and on the house of the wicked, but He declares blessed (joyful and favored with blessings) the home of the just and consistently righteous
I invite Your Holy Spirit to dwell in each of my children's and my grand babies rooms. You are Lord over heaven and earth, and I proclaim that You are Lord over their rooms as well. Flood each room with Your light and life. Crowd out any darkness which seeks to impose itself there, and let no spirits of fear, depression, anger, doubt, anxiety, rebelliousness, suicidal thoughts, bitterness or hatred find any place there.I pray that nothing will come into their rooms that is not brought by You, oh Lord. If there is anything there that should not be, convict them to get rid of it immediately. Let the scales fall off of Shakira's eyes and let her see the truth behind ICP and the evilness there. Let her be convicted to get rid of anything that pertains to them Lord.
Put Your complete protection over each room so that evil cannot enter there by any means. Fill their rooms with Your love, peace, and joy. I pray that each of these children will say, as David did, "I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set nothing wicked before my eyes" (Psalm 101:2-3) I pray that You, Lord will make their rooms a holy place, sanctified for Your glory.
I ask this according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus Holy name,
Amen
(Prayer and scripture from "The Power of a Praying Parent"--Stormie Omartian)
"WEAPONS OF WARFARE"
Deuteronomy 7:26 (Amplified Bible)
Neither shall you bring an abomination (an idol) into your house, lest you become an accursed thing like it; but you shall utterly detest and abhor it, for it is an accursed thing.
Isaiah 1:16 (Amplified Bible)
Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes! Cease to do evil,
2 Corinthians 7:1 (Amplified Bible)
THEREFORE, SINCE these [great] promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates and defiles body and spirit, and bring [our] consecration to completeness in the [reverential] fear of God.
Psalm 51:1-2
1)HAVE MERCY upon me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to the multitude of Your tender mercy and loving-kindness blot out my transgressions.
2)Wash me thoroughly [and repeatedly] from my iniquity and guilt and cleanse me and make me wholly pure from my sin!
Proverbs 3:33 (Amplified Bible)
The curse of the Lord is in and on the house of the wicked, but He declares blessed (joyful and favored with blessings) the home of the just and consistently righteous
The Compelling Force of the Call
1 Corinthians 9:16 (Amplified Bible)
For if I [merely] preach the Gospel, that gives me no reason to boast, for I feel compelled of necessity to do it. Woe is me if I do not preach the glad tidings (the Gospel)!
Once you have been saved by grace and have heard the call of God upon your life, BEWARE of anything that will compete with that call. Do NOT take it lightly, God does NOT take it lightly. You must strip yourself of anything that would hinder you, and become separated to the gospel. God will make us as "broken bread and poured out wine" so that He can make us into what He would have us be in order to use us for His glory and His purposes. WOE to the person who once hearing the call tried to head in any other direction!! " Beware of competing calls once the call of God grips you." Stay close to God and He will stay close to you....
"My Utmost for His Highest"-- Oswald Chambers
For if I [merely] preach the Gospel, that gives me no reason to boast, for I feel compelled of necessity to do it. Woe is me if I do not preach the glad tidings (the Gospel)!
Once you have been saved by grace and have heard the call of God upon your life, BEWARE of anything that will compete with that call. Do NOT take it lightly, God does NOT take it lightly. You must strip yourself of anything that would hinder you, and become separated to the gospel. God will make us as "broken bread and poured out wine" so that He can make us into what He would have us be in order to use us for His glory and His purposes. WOE to the person who once hearing the call tried to head in any other direction!! " Beware of competing calls once the call of God grips you." Stay close to God and He will stay close to you....
"My Utmost for His Highest"-- Oswald Chambers
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Staying Attracted to Holiness and Purity
Dear Lord,
I pray that You would fill each of my children and grand children with a love for You that surpasses their love for anything or anyone else. Help them to respect and revere Your laws and understand that they are there for their own benefit. May they clearly see that when Your laws are disobeyed , life does not work. Hide Your Word in each of their hearts so that there is no attraction to sin. I pray they will run from evil, from impurities, from unholy thoughts, words and deeds and that they will be drawn toward whatever is pure and holy. Let Christ be formed in them and cause them to seek the power of Your Holy Spirit to enable them to do what is right.
You have said in Your Word, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8) May a desire for holiness that comes from a pure heart be reflected in all that they do. Let it be manifested in their appearance as well. I pray that the clothes they wear and the way they style their hair and the way they choose to adorn their body and face will reflect a reverence and a desire to glorify You, Lord.
Where they have strayed from the path of holiness, bring them to repentance and work Your cleansing power in their hearts and lives. Give them understanding that to live in purity brings wholeness and blessing, and that the greatest reward for it is seeing You.
I ask this according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus' Holy name,
Amen
(Prayer and scripture from "The Power of a Praying Parent"--Stormie Omartian)
"WEAPONS OF WARFARE"
Psalm 24:3-5 (Amplified Bible)
3)Who shall go up into the mountain of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His Holy Place?
4)He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted himself up to falsehood or to what is false, nor sworn deceitfully.(A)
5)He shall receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
2 Timothy 2:20-21 (Amplified Bible)
20)But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also [utensils] of wood and earthenware, and some for honorable and noble [use] and some for menial and ignoble [use].
21)So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work.
John 15:2 (Amplified Bible)
Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.
Isaiah 35:8-10 (Amplified Bible)
8)And a highway shall be there, and a way; and it shall be called the Holy Way. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for the redeemed; the wayfaring men, yes, the simple ones and fools, shall not err in it and lose their way.
9)No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk on it.
10)And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing, and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Proverbs 30:12 (Amplified Bible)
There is a class of people who are pure in their own eyes, and yet are not washed from their own filth.
I pray that You would fill each of my children and grand children with a love for You that surpasses their love for anything or anyone else. Help them to respect and revere Your laws and understand that they are there for their own benefit. May they clearly see that when Your laws are disobeyed , life does not work. Hide Your Word in each of their hearts so that there is no attraction to sin. I pray they will run from evil, from impurities, from unholy thoughts, words and deeds and that they will be drawn toward whatever is pure and holy. Let Christ be formed in them and cause them to seek the power of Your Holy Spirit to enable them to do what is right.
You have said in Your Word, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8) May a desire for holiness that comes from a pure heart be reflected in all that they do. Let it be manifested in their appearance as well. I pray that the clothes they wear and the way they style their hair and the way they choose to adorn their body and face will reflect a reverence and a desire to glorify You, Lord.
Where they have strayed from the path of holiness, bring them to repentance and work Your cleansing power in their hearts and lives. Give them understanding that to live in purity brings wholeness and blessing, and that the greatest reward for it is seeing You.
I ask this according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus' Holy name,
Amen
(Prayer and scripture from "The Power of a Praying Parent"--Stormie Omartian)
"WEAPONS OF WARFARE"
Psalm 24:3-5 (Amplified Bible)
3)Who shall go up into the mountain of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His Holy Place?
4)He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted himself up to falsehood or to what is false, nor sworn deceitfully.(A)
5)He shall receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
2 Timothy 2:20-21 (Amplified Bible)
20)But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also [utensils] of wood and earthenware, and some for honorable and noble [use] and some for menial and ignoble [use].
21)So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work.
John 15:2 (Amplified Bible)
Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.
Isaiah 35:8-10 (Amplified Bible)
8)And a highway shall be there, and a way; and it shall be called the Holy Way. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for the redeemed; the wayfaring men, yes, the simple ones and fools, shall not err in it and lose their way.
9)No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk on it.
10)And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing, and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Proverbs 30:12 (Amplified Bible)
There is a class of people who are pure in their own eyes, and yet are not washed from their own filth.
Do You See Your Calling?
Romans 1:1 (Amplified)
FROM PAUL, a bond servant of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) called to be an apostle, (a special messenger) set apart to [preach] the Gospel (good news) of and from God,
As Christ followers one of our characteristics should be to pursue a holy walk, but our main goal should be to proclaim the good news of the gospel. The whole main reality of life should be all about the redemption story, not heaven, hell, good, or bad, but what redemption is all about. As Christians we must come to terms with this and realize that our holy characteristics all stem from redemption, and if we place our faith in human standards then we will fall apart when the tests of life come our way. If we keep our eyes on ourselves or on worldly things it will only get in the way of the complete reality of redemption. We should not get caught up in ourselves, but let God separate us out and work on our hearts. We need to get our eyes off our characteristics, and set our eyes on spreading the good news to those who need to hear. We must come as Paul, and become totally abandoned, utterly surrendered, and living for one purpose--to spread the good news of the gospel.
FROM PAUL, a bond servant of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) called to be an apostle, (a special messenger) set apart to [preach] the Gospel (good news) of and from God,
As Christ followers one of our characteristics should be to pursue a holy walk, but our main goal should be to proclaim the good news of the gospel. The whole main reality of life should be all about the redemption story, not heaven, hell, good, or bad, but what redemption is all about. As Christians we must come to terms with this and realize that our holy characteristics all stem from redemption, and if we place our faith in human standards then we will fall apart when the tests of life come our way. If we keep our eyes on ourselves or on worldly things it will only get in the way of the complete reality of redemption. We should not get caught up in ourselves, but let God separate us out and work on our hearts. We need to get our eyes off our characteristics, and set our eyes on spreading the good news to those who need to hear. We must come as Paul, and become totally abandoned, utterly surrendered, and living for one purpose--to spread the good news of the gospel.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The World has lost its Flavor
"Each day you leave your home to go into a dark, tasteless world, you can be the light and flavor it needs. You can bring joy to your workplace by being determined to consistently have a godly attitude. Through simple things like being thankful rather than complaining like most people do, being patient, merciful, quick to forgive offenses, kind and encouraging. Even simply smiling and being friendly is a way to bring flavor into a tasteless society."
"The Love Revolution"
Joyce Meyer
FaithWords Edition 2009
"The Love Revolution"
Joyce Meyer
FaithWords Edition 2009
Learning to Speak Life
Dear Lord,
I pray that each of my children and grand children will choose to use speech that glorifies You. Fill their hearts with Your Spirit and Your truth so that what overflows from their mouths will be words of life and not death. Convict them of their use of bad language dear Jesus. Put a monitor over each of their mouths so that every temptation to use profane, negative, cruel, hurtful, uncaring, unloving, or compassionless language would pierce their spirit and make them feel extremely uncomfortable. I pray that obscene or foul language would be so foreign to them that if words like that ever do find their way through their lips, they would become like gravel in their mouth and they would be repulsed by it. Help each of them to hear themselves so that words don't come out carelessly or thoughtlessly.
Keep them from being snared by the words of their mouth. You have promised that "whosoever guards their mouth and tongue keeps their soul from trouble." (Proverbs 21:24) Help them to put a guard over their mouth and keep far away from adversity. Your Word says that , "death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21) May each of them speak life and not death. May they be quick to listen and slow to speak so that their speech will always be seasoned with grace. Equip them to know how, what, and when to speak to anyone in any situation. Enable them to always speak words of hope, health, encouragement, and life, and to resolve that their mouth will not sin.
I ask this according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus Holy name,
Amen
(Prayer and scripture from "The Power of a Praying Parent--Stormie Omartian)
"WEAPONS OF WARFARE"
Psalm 19:14 (Amplified Bible)
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my [firm, impenetrable] Rock and my Redeemer.
Matthew 12:35 (Amplified Bible)
The good man from his inner good treasure flings forth good things, and the evil man out of his inner evil storehouse flings forth evil things.
Matthew 12:36-37 (Amplified Bible)
36)But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak.
37)For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced.
Proverbs 16:24 (Amplified Bible)
Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body.
Proverbs 12:18 (Amplified Bible)
There are those who speak rashly, like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
I pray that each of my children and grand children will choose to use speech that glorifies You. Fill their hearts with Your Spirit and Your truth so that what overflows from their mouths will be words of life and not death. Convict them of their use of bad language dear Jesus. Put a monitor over each of their mouths so that every temptation to use profane, negative, cruel, hurtful, uncaring, unloving, or compassionless language would pierce their spirit and make them feel extremely uncomfortable. I pray that obscene or foul language would be so foreign to them that if words like that ever do find their way through their lips, they would become like gravel in their mouth and they would be repulsed by it. Help each of them to hear themselves so that words don't come out carelessly or thoughtlessly.
Keep them from being snared by the words of their mouth. You have promised that "whosoever guards their mouth and tongue keeps their soul from trouble." (Proverbs 21:24) Help them to put a guard over their mouth and keep far away from adversity. Your Word says that , "death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21) May each of them speak life and not death. May they be quick to listen and slow to speak so that their speech will always be seasoned with grace. Equip them to know how, what, and when to speak to anyone in any situation. Enable them to always speak words of hope, health, encouragement, and life, and to resolve that their mouth will not sin.
I ask this according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus Holy name,
Amen
(Prayer and scripture from "The Power of a Praying Parent--Stormie Omartian)
"WEAPONS OF WARFARE"
Psalm 19:14 (Amplified Bible)
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my [firm, impenetrable] Rock and my Redeemer.
Matthew 12:35 (Amplified Bible)
The good man from his inner good treasure flings forth good things, and the evil man out of his inner evil storehouse flings forth evil things.
Matthew 12:36-37 (Amplified Bible)
36)But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak.
37)For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced.
Proverbs 16:24 (Amplified Bible)
Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body.
Proverbs 12:18 (Amplified Bible)
There are those who speak rashly, like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
How Could Someone So Persecute Jesus!
Acts 26:14 (Amplified Bible)
And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice in the Hebrew tongue saying to me, Saul, Saul, why do you continue to persecute Me [to harass and trouble and molest Me]?
We need to take a moment and ask ourselves...are we really living with the intentions of following God's will in our lives, or are we more in tune with our own will? We must take serious inventory in how we do things. Every time we are hard headed, strong willed, obstinate or self-invested, we are hurting and prosecuting Jesus. We must stop demanding things are done our way, and stop insisting on things to happen the way WE want them to. We grieve the Holy Spirit when this happens, when we choose to rely on our own self respect, and demand it to be our way. When we finally come to fully understand that the one we are persecuting is Jesus, "it is the most crushing revelation ever." We can never be free from the "me, me, me" trap until we experience the baptism of the "Holy Spirit and fire." (Matthew 3:11 (Amplified Bible)
I indeed baptize you in (with) water because of repentance [that is, because of your changing your minds for the better, heartily amending your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins]. But He Who is coming after me is mightier than I, Whose sandals I am not worthy or fit to take off or carry; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.)
Are we letting the Words of God truly penetrate our hearts, and make a difference in our lives? Or do we say one thing and our lives portray something completely different? We can preach and preach all we want, but if our lives are completely opposite, it is not only harming those around us, it is ultimately persecuting our Savior. All that we do should be done in a oneness with God, not based on selfish ambition. Jesus is focused on one thing, and that is the spirit of oneness. His Word tells us,"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:29). No matter what happens, or what people do, we could be used by others, forgotten or ignored, but it should not matter...we need to always submit to Him, and while living our daily lives, we must make sure that Christ is not persecuted.
("My Utmost for His Highest"--Oswald Chambers)
And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice in the Hebrew tongue saying to me, Saul, Saul, why do you continue to persecute Me [to harass and trouble and molest Me]?
We need to take a moment and ask ourselves...are we really living with the intentions of following God's will in our lives, or are we more in tune with our own will? We must take serious inventory in how we do things. Every time we are hard headed, strong willed, obstinate or self-invested, we are hurting and prosecuting Jesus. We must stop demanding things are done our way, and stop insisting on things to happen the way WE want them to. We grieve the Holy Spirit when this happens, when we choose to rely on our own self respect, and demand it to be our way. When we finally come to fully understand that the one we are persecuting is Jesus, "it is the most crushing revelation ever." We can never be free from the "me, me, me" trap until we experience the baptism of the "Holy Spirit and fire." (Matthew 3:11 (Amplified Bible)
I indeed baptize you in (with) water because of repentance [that is, because of your changing your minds for the better, heartily amending your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins]. But He Who is coming after me is mightier than I, Whose sandals I am not worthy or fit to take off or carry; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.)
Are we letting the Words of God truly penetrate our hearts, and make a difference in our lives? Or do we say one thing and our lives portray something completely different? We can preach and preach all we want, but if our lives are completely opposite, it is not only harming those around us, it is ultimately persecuting our Savior. All that we do should be done in a oneness with God, not based on selfish ambition. Jesus is focused on one thing, and that is the spirit of oneness. His Word tells us,"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:29). No matter what happens, or what people do, we could be used by others, forgotten or ignored, but it should not matter...we need to always submit to Him, and while living our daily lives, we must make sure that Christ is not persecuted.
("My Utmost for His Highest"--Oswald Chambers)
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Love Revolution
"Love must be more than a theory or a word; it has to be ACTION! It must be seen and felt. God is Love!! Love is and has always been HIS idea. He came to love us, to teach us how to love Him, and to teach us how to love ourselves and others....... You must not wait to see what someone else chooses to do, and you dare not wait to see if the movement becomes poplular! This is something you must decide for yourself, a commitment you alone must choose to make. Ask yourself: "Will I continue being a part of the problem, or will I be part of the answer?" I have decided to be part of the answer!! Love will be the central theme of my life!!"
"The Love Revolution"
Joyce Meyer
FaithWords Edition 2009
"The Love Revolution"
Joyce Meyer
FaithWords Edition 2009
Identifying God- Given Gifts and Talents
Dear Lord,
I thank You for the gifts and talents You have placed in each of my children and grand children. I pray that You would develop them in each of them and use them for Your glory. Make them apparent to me and to them, and show me specifically if there is any special nurturing, training, learning experience, or opportunities that I should provide for them. May their gifts and talents be developed in Your way and in Your time.
Your Word says, " Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them." (Romans 12:6) As they recognize the talents and abilities You have given them, I pray that no feelings on inadequacy, fear, or uncertainty will keep them from using them according to Your will. May each of them hear the call You have on their life so that they don't spend a lifetime trying to figure out what it is or miss it altogether. Let their talents never be wasted, watered down by mediocrity, or used to glorify anything or anyone other that You, Lord.
I pray that You would reveal to them what their life work is to be and help them excel in it. Bless the work of their hands, and may they be able to earn a good living doing the work that they love and do best. Your Word says, "A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men." (Proverbs 18:16) May whatever they do find favor with others and be well received and respected. But most of all, I pray the gifts and talents You placed in each of them be released to find their fullest expression in glorifying You.
I ask this according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus' Holy Name,
Amen
(Prayer and Scripture from "The Power of a Praying Parent"--Stormie Omartian)
"WEAPONS OF WARFARE"
Romans 11:29 (Amplified Bible)
For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.]
Ephesians 4:7 (Amplified Bible)
Yet grace (God's unmerited favor) was given to each of us individually [not indiscriminately, but in different ways] in proportion to the measure of Christ's [rich and bounteous] gift.
1 Peter 4:10 (Amplified Bible)
As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment), employ it for one another as [befits] good trustees of God's many-sided grace [faithful stewards of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favor].
James 1:17 (Amplified Bible)
Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].
1 Corinthians 1:4-7 (Amplified Bible)
4)I thank my God at all times for you because of the grace (the favor and spiritual blessing) of God which was bestowed on you in Christ Jesus,
5)[So] that in Him in every respect you were enriched, in full power and readiness of speech [to speak of your faith] and complete knowledge and illumination [to give you full insight into its meaning].
6)In this way [our] witnessing concerning Christ (the Messiah) was so confirmed and established and made sure in you
7)That you are not [consciously] falling behind or lacking in any special spiritual endowment or Christian grace [the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating in your souls by the Holy Spirit], while you wait and watch [constantly living in hope] for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and [His] being made visible to all.
I thank You for the gifts and talents You have placed in each of my children and grand children. I pray that You would develop them in each of them and use them for Your glory. Make them apparent to me and to them, and show me specifically if there is any special nurturing, training, learning experience, or opportunities that I should provide for them. May their gifts and talents be developed in Your way and in Your time.
Your Word says, " Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them." (Romans 12:6) As they recognize the talents and abilities You have given them, I pray that no feelings on inadequacy, fear, or uncertainty will keep them from using them according to Your will. May each of them hear the call You have on their life so that they don't spend a lifetime trying to figure out what it is or miss it altogether. Let their talents never be wasted, watered down by mediocrity, or used to glorify anything or anyone other that You, Lord.
I pray that You would reveal to them what their life work is to be and help them excel in it. Bless the work of their hands, and may they be able to earn a good living doing the work that they love and do best. Your Word says, "A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men." (Proverbs 18:16) May whatever they do find favor with others and be well received and respected. But most of all, I pray the gifts and talents You placed in each of them be released to find their fullest expression in glorifying You.
I ask this according to Your good and perfect will,
In Jesus' Holy Name,
Amen
(Prayer and Scripture from "The Power of a Praying Parent"--Stormie Omartian)
"WEAPONS OF WARFARE"
Romans 11:29 (Amplified Bible)
For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.]
Ephesians 4:7 (Amplified Bible)
Yet grace (God's unmerited favor) was given to each of us individually [not indiscriminately, but in different ways] in proportion to the measure of Christ's [rich and bounteous] gift.
1 Peter 4:10 (Amplified Bible)
As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment), employ it for one another as [befits] good trustees of God's many-sided grace [faithful stewards of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favor].
James 1:17 (Amplified Bible)
Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].
1 Corinthians 1:4-7 (Amplified Bible)
4)I thank my God at all times for you because of the grace (the favor and spiritual blessing) of God which was bestowed on you in Christ Jesus,
5)[So] that in Him in every respect you were enriched, in full power and readiness of speech [to speak of your faith] and complete knowledge and illumination [to give you full insight into its meaning].
6)In this way [our] witnessing concerning Christ (the Messiah) was so confirmed and established and made sure in you
7)That you are not [consciously] falling behind or lacking in any special spiritual endowment or Christian grace [the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating in your souls by the Holy Spirit], while you wait and watch [constantly living in hope] for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and [His] being made visible to all.
Look Again and Consecrate
Matthew 6:30 (Amplified Bible)
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and green and tomorrow is tossed into the furnace, will He not much more surely clothe you, O you of little faith?
We make everything so complicated, when Jesus, just IS, He makes things very simple. How do we slow down and take time to understand the simplicity of God so that we can more easily connect with Him. We become more simple through the Holy Spirit, by obeying Him, taking time to fully give ourselves to Him, by seeing Him in everything and by always relying on Him in all areas of our life. Jesus wants us to contemplate this: "If God so clothes the grass of the field....will He not much more surely clothe you?" But we need to stay in tune with Him, stay on track and keep Him front in our relationship with Him. We tend to lose ground in our relationship with Him if we take matters into our own hands, and if we "let the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches come in", (Matthew 13:22). When this happens we forget about what is the best thing for us and we lose sight of the "much more" that God has for us.
Matthew 6:26 (Amplified Bible) Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they? Birds are creatures of the air, relying on the instincts God placed within them, while He looks after them. He also has placed His Holy Spirit within us, to be our "instinct" and to help guide the way. If we will just stay in tune with Him and obey His commands, He will look after us as well.
Matthew 6:28 (Amplified Bible) And why should you be anxious about clothes? Consider the lilies of the field and learn thoroughly how they grow; they neither toil nor spin. Lillies grow where God plants them; how many of us can say we grow where God plants us? Instead we think we know what is best and we wander around, never taking root anywhere. We need to just obey Him, take root, and He will take care of us. Did Christ lie to us in these verses? Are we experiencing the "much more" that is proclaimed there? If we aren't, then it is because we have chosen not to stay grounded in God and are letting the cares and worries of this world monopolize our thoughts. We need to stop wasting time on thoughtless things, and focus completely on God. We need to focus on consecrating ourselves. "Consecration is the act of continually separating myself from everything except that which God has appointed me to do. It is not a one-time experience but an ongoing process. Am I continually separating myself and looking to God every day of my life?"
(My Utmost for His Highest- Oswald Chambers)
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and green and tomorrow is tossed into the furnace, will He not much more surely clothe you, O you of little faith?
We make everything so complicated, when Jesus, just IS, He makes things very simple. How do we slow down and take time to understand the simplicity of God so that we can more easily connect with Him. We become more simple through the Holy Spirit, by obeying Him, taking time to fully give ourselves to Him, by seeing Him in everything and by always relying on Him in all areas of our life. Jesus wants us to contemplate this: "If God so clothes the grass of the field....will He not much more surely clothe you?" But we need to stay in tune with Him, stay on track and keep Him front in our relationship with Him. We tend to lose ground in our relationship with Him if we take matters into our own hands, and if we "let the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches come in", (Matthew 13:22). When this happens we forget about what is the best thing for us and we lose sight of the "much more" that God has for us.
Matthew 6:26 (Amplified Bible) Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they? Birds are creatures of the air, relying on the instincts God placed within them, while He looks after them. He also has placed His Holy Spirit within us, to be our "instinct" and to help guide the way. If we will just stay in tune with Him and obey His commands, He will look after us as well.
Matthew 6:28 (Amplified Bible) And why should you be anxious about clothes? Consider the lilies of the field and learn thoroughly how they grow; they neither toil nor spin. Lillies grow where God plants them; how many of us can say we grow where God plants us? Instead we think we know what is best and we wander around, never taking root anywhere. We need to just obey Him, take root, and He will take care of us. Did Christ lie to us in these verses? Are we experiencing the "much more" that is proclaimed there? If we aren't, then it is because we have chosen not to stay grounded in God and are letting the cares and worries of this world monopolize our thoughts. We need to stop wasting time on thoughtless things, and focus completely on God. We need to focus on consecrating ourselves. "Consecration is the act of continually separating myself from everything except that which God has appointed me to do. It is not a one-time experience but an ongoing process. Am I continually separating myself and looking to God every day of my life?"
(My Utmost for His Highest- Oswald Chambers)
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