Along with tragedy for the community of Ulysses yesterday, today God placed on my heart two other "T" words, that are The Words For Today!
Trust and TESTIFY are our words as Believers.
My thoughts of course, have continued to stay focused on my home. Five families will be forever changed as yesterday their daughters were involved in a very horrific accident.
My prayer is:
Lord, wrap big wide loving open arms around these 5 families. May they in time find hope and comfort with You as their Anchor. May this drive them to the Cross and not to the prince of this world. I ask for kind, gentle, loving words and hearts be directed towards all 5 of these precious families. Sorrow is for the night, but joy WILL come in the morning. Thank You Jesus, Amen.
There was a quote on my journal page yesterday, that seems to comfort me. I pray that it may bring comfort to you also, what ever it is that you are facing this very day. Your own "tragedy".
"How much lighter trials become when we realize God's grace is twofold. It is not only the happy ending. It is also the peace we can feel during a painful journey, when we trust in God-ALL THE WAY. Doris Haase"
Some scriptures that I have come across this morning, in my early time of having God and coffee as I watch His beautiful creation, so Girlfriends, grab The Word of God and let's find comfort in Him alone!
Jeremiah 31:12 (I found this in my quiet time, but I also was blessed by my God-daughter this morning, for sharing this very scripture with me also. She had classes with some of these girls.)
John 3:16
John 11:25
John 13:34-35
John 16:20b
Revelation 21:4.
The interesting thing is that Revelation 21:4 was my Scripture for yesterday, and John 3:16 for today out of a Scripture Calendar I use by David Wilkerson.
And I end with this, as I continue to pray for each one of you, that even though I can't even begin to understand, I do take great comfort in 5 little words.
MY GOD IS IN CONTROL.
Revelation 21:4-5 NIV
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
As I close, He has just revealed one more "T" word....very fitting, HE IS TRUSTWORTHY!
Additional after I posted this:
Psalm 119:28 NIV My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
Now out of the Holman Christian Standard Bible:
I am weary from grief; strengthen me through Your word.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Kayak or a Canoe?
I've watched people the past week either individual kayaking or several in a canoe here on Maui, causing me to think about being a team member.
With being a team member, I think it is important to be a team player. How do you and I incorporate this in our Christian walk? Should we be "team players"?
I say yes or why would Christ have gathered the disciples? Why would He have started the early church through Paul and the disciples?
Yet, you and I also have to be strong enough to be a team player first of all with JUST GOD. Then we can come together with others and CHRIST to form a team. We have to have our own walk of our faith then because of our own walk, we can join together as a team. That team work comes into effect when we are willing to get out of our "kayak" so to speak and get into the "canoe". When this happens inside of our very own hearts and souls, we then are able to share our journey making a difference in our home, community and our world. I truly do believe that we have to have our very own relationship with Christ, God's word says so! But, when we do then there are awesome dynamics that take place for us to be able to help one another. RADICAL MIRACLES we shall witness.
Team scripture: Matthew 18:20 NIV For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
This has happened in my own life when God placed it on my heart to start up a group of Bible-believing women over the U.S. to pray together and for one another EVERY Friday, and this has been going on since June of '05. Let me tell you, we have seen first hand.....MIRACLES! And then in October of '07 God placed it on my heart to bring two younger women along side me to share Christ in my small community. We meet together each Friday at noon, out in public. My desire was to show them that they are making a difference, and because of me saying YES TO GOD....we are no longer three, but FOUR. Four women, loving JESUS, all different ages, different dynamics, simply different seasons of our lives. Yet....hungry to learn more of our Savior, to learn from one another's mistakes, to stay on the straight and narrow path of God's WORD. By being real, by being committed, and by having accountability as a MUST in this group. (We call ourselves, Friday Friends, something I grasped from a Dr. Leslie Parrot study I participated in with a group of women at my church.)
Can't you just hear the questions? How much time is involved, is it hard following through with commitments every Friday, exhaustion ever settle in, is it worth it? My life is not only rich today but I feel a sense of purpose compared to a short time ago. By saying Yes to God, there is much cause for joy in my heart and my day to day life. He is extremely REAL TO ME. God is using me, working through me, to be MAKING A DIFFERENCE in one woman's heart at a time.
TEAM WORK
Sharing about "Friday Friends" teamwork, the 4 of us are all in a different battle, and I think that it is meant to be this way, in part, because we are drawing nearer to God. We are MAKING A DIFFERENCE. The enemy doesn't like that, he will come after us, because why should he go for someone that is leading a mediocre life....he kind of has them in his court so to speak because they aren't necessarily walking in VICTORY. The 4 of us are drawing nearer to Jesus, and Jesus is drawing nearer to us. Four doesn't mean one does it? Four means a team. We pray for one another, we love one another, we forgive one another, and we work well together, just as we also work well alone. But God has called us to UNITY! Not uniformity, but UNITY.
If you are looking for something more, ASK God for direction concerning how He wants to use you. See Matthew 7:7-12. He will listen, He will answer, and He will give you hope.
Finally, what happens when we become members of The Team For God? We carry one another's burdens, and we fulfill the law of Christ. Yolanda's thoughts, but check out what God has to say about it in Galatians 6:1-10. We also are shining our LIGHTS! Not hiding them under a bushel basket.
Girlfriends, GRACE AND PEACE TO YOU from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
With being a team member, I think it is important to be a team player. How do you and I incorporate this in our Christian walk? Should we be "team players"?
I say yes or why would Christ have gathered the disciples? Why would He have started the early church through Paul and the disciples?
Yet, you and I also have to be strong enough to be a team player first of all with JUST GOD. Then we can come together with others and CHRIST to form a team. We have to have our own walk of our faith then because of our own walk, we can join together as a team. That team work comes into effect when we are willing to get out of our "kayak" so to speak and get into the "canoe". When this happens inside of our very own hearts and souls, we then are able to share our journey making a difference in our home, community and our world. I truly do believe that we have to have our very own relationship with Christ, God's word says so! But, when we do then there are awesome dynamics that take place for us to be able to help one another. RADICAL MIRACLES we shall witness.
Team scripture: Matthew 18:20 NIV For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
This has happened in my own life when God placed it on my heart to start up a group of Bible-believing women over the U.S. to pray together and for one another EVERY Friday, and this has been going on since June of '05. Let me tell you, we have seen first hand.....MIRACLES! And then in October of '07 God placed it on my heart to bring two younger women along side me to share Christ in my small community. We meet together each Friday at noon, out in public. My desire was to show them that they are making a difference, and because of me saying YES TO GOD....we are no longer three, but FOUR. Four women, loving JESUS, all different ages, different dynamics, simply different seasons of our lives. Yet....hungry to learn more of our Savior, to learn from one another's mistakes, to stay on the straight and narrow path of God's WORD. By being real, by being committed, and by having accountability as a MUST in this group. (We call ourselves, Friday Friends, something I grasped from a Dr. Leslie Parrot study I participated in with a group of women at my church.)
Can't you just hear the questions? How much time is involved, is it hard following through with commitments every Friday, exhaustion ever settle in, is it worth it? My life is not only rich today but I feel a sense of purpose compared to a short time ago. By saying Yes to God, there is much cause for joy in my heart and my day to day life. He is extremely REAL TO ME. God is using me, working through me, to be MAKING A DIFFERENCE in one woman's heart at a time.
TEAM WORK
Sharing about "Friday Friends" teamwork, the 4 of us are all in a different battle, and I think that it is meant to be this way, in part, because we are drawing nearer to God. We are MAKING A DIFFERENCE. The enemy doesn't like that, he will come after us, because why should he go for someone that is leading a mediocre life....he kind of has them in his court so to speak because they aren't necessarily walking in VICTORY. The 4 of us are drawing nearer to Jesus, and Jesus is drawing nearer to us. Four doesn't mean one does it? Four means a team. We pray for one another, we love one another, we forgive one another, and we work well together, just as we also work well alone. But God has called us to UNITY! Not uniformity, but UNITY.
If you are looking for something more, ASK God for direction concerning how He wants to use you. See Matthew 7:7-12. He will listen, He will answer, and He will give you hope.
Finally, what happens when we become members of The Team For God? We carry one another's burdens, and we fulfill the law of Christ. Yolanda's thoughts, but check out what God has to say about it in Galatians 6:1-10. We also are shining our LIGHTS! Not hiding them under a bushel basket.
Girlfriends, GRACE AND PEACE TO YOU from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
PS: It is extremely important to allow God to build The Team! If we get ahead of Him, we only create a mess and heartache. I have been way ahead of God, and as Pamela posted, she has also. May we learn from one another, and listen to the Heart of God.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Do you and I take Jesus at His Word?
Blessings to you after celebrating Christ's resurrection yesterday! Wasn't the day, just an incredible day? Did you find yourself reflecting on what He actually has done for you and I? I sat at communion, with my head bowed and tears flowing, that He had chosen me, warts and all; with all of that, He loves me deeply. Oh, how I love my Savior. 
Church on the Beach yesterday morning, here on Maui. This group, does Christian Hula, it was a blessing for sure!
This morning I decided to change my bible reading up and moved to the book of John. I know that was the prompting of the Holy Spirit because tomorrow a friend is starting an on-line bible study of "What Happens When Women Say Yes To God". I will be participating, and I get so excited to see what God is going to do next!! http://leliachealey.blogspot.com/ For those of you that might be interested in joining us!
I've only read the first 4 chapters this morning from John, but it is filled with others saying Yes to Him. It also comes the day after Jesus raised "this temple" from the dead. That is a God-incident!!! To read it the very next day after the remembrance of His Resurrection. Soak it up, Girlfriends, John 2:19!
First of all that only could have happened because Jesus said yes to God for you and I. HOPE!
And then for those of us surrendering and heeding the call of God for our lives, I felt such HOPE from John 3:19-21. NIV "19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
When we say yes to God, then others can see plainly that it is because of what HE is doing through us.
Next, I came across the passage of the Samaritan Woman at the well, and all I could see was that she responded to Christ with PURE HONESTY. A YES! Isn't that LIGHT?
I then ended with Jesus healing an Official's Son from afar, because he had asked Christ to come down with him for this healing as his son was nearing death. And Jesus' reply was "You may go. Your son will live." Vs 50 of Chapter 4. But do you see that very next sentence?
THE MAN TOOK JESUS AT HIS WORD AND DEPARTED.
Girlfriends, that is exactly how you and I should be. Saying YES TO GOD, and simply, trusting, walking with Him so much so, that we truly take Him at His word.
Will you do so today?
Church on the Beach yesterday morning, here on Maui. This group, does Christian Hula, it was a blessing for sure!This morning I decided to change my bible reading up and moved to the book of John. I know that was the prompting of the Holy Spirit because tomorrow a friend is starting an on-line bible study of "What Happens When Women Say Yes To God". I will be participating, and I get so excited to see what God is going to do next!! http://leliachealey.blogspot.com/ For those of you that might be interested in joining us!
I've only read the first 4 chapters this morning from John, but it is filled with others saying Yes to Him. It also comes the day after Jesus raised "this temple" from the dead. That is a God-incident!!! To read it the very next day after the remembrance of His Resurrection. Soak it up, Girlfriends, John 2:19!
First of all that only could have happened because Jesus said yes to God for you and I. HOPE!
And then for those of us surrendering and heeding the call of God for our lives, I felt such HOPE from John 3:19-21. NIV "19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
When we say yes to God, then others can see plainly that it is because of what HE is doing through us.
Next, I came across the passage of the Samaritan Woman at the well, and all I could see was that she responded to Christ with PURE HONESTY. A YES! Isn't that LIGHT?
I then ended with Jesus healing an Official's Son from afar, because he had asked Christ to come down with him for this healing as his son was nearing death. And Jesus' reply was "You may go. Your son will live." Vs 50 of Chapter 4. But do you see that very next sentence?
THE MAN TOOK JESUS AT HIS WORD AND DEPARTED.
Girlfriends, that is exactly how you and I should be. Saying YES TO GOD, and simply, trusting, walking with Him so much so, that we truly take Him at His word.
Will you do so today?
Friday, March 21, 2008
SHARING OUR SAVIOR (SOS)
Many have responded to Setting a Trap. I love how God speaks to each one of us, in our different walks and stages of life. Girlfriends, I pray that you know that to be on this earth, loving others, we will be hurt. But the great thing is, God can heal us, if we allow Him to. He does the vindication, and we do the loving & forgiving. I also continue to be amazed at how He uses this broken, cracked pot to bring Him HONOR AND GLORY touching many of you right were you are at!
See, we each have something to give, if we will only step out into what ever it is that God has called you for.
Yesterday my heart was heavy as some dear, sweet and precious Sisters asked me to be praying for some very specific areas. I was humbled beyond imagination and so thankful that I have turned my heart towards Jesus.
Do you want to know why? When another sends a S.O.S. to us asking for help, it stems from you and I SHARING OUR SAVIOR with them. They know that we understand the power of prayer. I was really thinking about this as I prayed for one sweet friend walking in fear, another with her marriage, another with a father having had a heart attack, another with an unborn grandchild and possible heart problems, and another home with a sick child, and the list just grew. They each were crying out for an S.O.S. Just in case someone doesn't know what an S.O.S. is: International Morse code distress signal; and my thoughts yesterday immediately went to: LORD HELP US, my Sisters are in distress and they need YOU. And they are asking for me to pray for them and their situations.
And as I thought, SOS, my heart felt desire was and continues to be to truly point others to the Cross. AND I can do that by Sharing Our Savior. My very own SOS for those needing an S.O.S.
I also felt impressed to sing "This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior, all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior, all the day long." Doesn't that speak, SOS to you? It truly just came over me and I sang it over and over on my walk back to grab my journal to write what God was laying on my heart. I just now did a lyrics search on the Net to find out the title to these words, and it's Blessed Assurance. NOW IS THAT NOT THE COOLEST....SOS, for He truly is our blessed assurance.
We NEED Christ, we need HOPE, we need the prayers of other Believers when we call on them for help, our Sisters and Saints. To be reminded that we can't but we know who can......the I AM.
Cause us Lord, to be a SOS when we hear a S.O.S.
See, we each have something to give, if we will only step out into what ever it is that God has called you for.
Yesterday my heart was heavy as some dear, sweet and precious Sisters asked me to be praying for some very specific areas. I was humbled beyond imagination and so thankful that I have turned my heart towards Jesus.
Do you want to know why? When another sends a S.O.S. to us asking for help, it stems from you and I SHARING OUR SAVIOR with them. They know that we understand the power of prayer. I was really thinking about this as I prayed for one sweet friend walking in fear, another with her marriage, another with a father having had a heart attack, another with an unborn grandchild and possible heart problems, and another home with a sick child, and the list just grew. They each were crying out for an S.O.S. Just in case someone doesn't know what an S.O.S. is: International Morse code distress signal; and my thoughts yesterday immediately went to: LORD HELP US, my Sisters are in distress and they need YOU. And they are asking for me to pray for them and their situations.
And as I thought, SOS, my heart felt desire was and continues to be to truly point others to the Cross. AND I can do that by Sharing Our Savior. My very own SOS for those needing an S.O.S.
I also felt impressed to sing "This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior, all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior, all the day long." Doesn't that speak, SOS to you? It truly just came over me and I sang it over and over on my walk back to grab my journal to write what God was laying on my heart. I just now did a lyrics search on the Net to find out the title to these words, and it's Blessed Assurance. NOW IS THAT NOT THE COOLEST....SOS, for He truly is our blessed assurance.
We NEED Christ, we need HOPE, we need the prayers of other Believers when we call on them for help, our Sisters and Saints. To be reminded that we can't but we know who can......the I AM.
Cause us Lord, to be a SOS when we hear a S.O.S.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Setting A Trap
Have you ever found yourself on the receiving end of a hurt? How about if that hurt was from someone you trusted that had set a trap to bring harm upon you? I am pretty certain that not a one of us, hasn't dealt with this in our life time. I tend to think that this so easily happens with women because we have such a desire in us to "share". We do have a deep desire also to be "real" or more importantly for our friends to be "real" with us. Sadly, that just doesn't always happen. We have to use wisdom and truly pay attention to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Now about friendships.....
Samuel had appointed Saul to be king, and with that came David into the picture. David and Saul's son, Jonathan, loved one another deeply, in a very healthy way. There was absolutely no perversion between the relationship of David and Jonathan. I would imagine that they shared their hearts, they were extremely transparent to one another, no lies were ever spoken, let alone thought about. But with that friendship, came a price. Saul became extremely jealous and set out to bring David down. To the point that he desired to have David killed.
Jonathan became aware of his father's desire to ruin David, so he set out to protect his friend. Because of this relationship between the two of then, David made a vow to Jonathan that he would not ever cut off his kindness from Jonathan's family. Saul pursued David time and time again. And every time God protected David from Saul's destruction. But 1 Samuel 28 really spoke to me this week. That Saul had disguised himself and went at NIGHT to a "medium" for help because he wasn't hearing from the Lord. Why do you think he wasn't hearing from the Lord? Would it have anything to do with a wrong heart attitude? That he was pursuing another out of sheer jealousy? That he was walking a life of destruction instead of pleasing God?
I think as women, we can often pursue a relationship with another for all the wrong intentions. To get the "scoop", to be seen, or even to set a trap.
This woman asked King Saul two questions in this chapter that absolutely leapt of the page for me.
1. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?
2. Why have you deceived me?
Have you ever felt like someone that claimed to be a friend was setting a trap? Or that you had been deceived? I want you to take heart and KNOW that God truly does understand. Even through all of this, David was a man after God's own heart. He made poor choices from time to time, yet he was also right on target in his walk of OBEDIENCE. He was honorable with the promise he made to Jonathan, for he took his son into his home and cared for him. He never pursued Saul to the point of destruction. Nor did he deceive Saul. As I came to the end of 1 Samuel, I thought wow, I want to be like that, to think better of others. To not jeopardize who or what God wants me to be and to be honorable of my word and His word.
I simply do not want to hurt another heart by setting a trap for their destruction, nor do I want to deceive. I seek to draw others to Christ by my lifestyle today. I can't help but think of how David was out in the field, being the youngest in his family, a simple shepherd boy, doing what was expected of him. YET GOD HAD BIG PLANS FOR DAVID.
Girlfriends, GOD HAS BIG PLANS FOR YOU, will you walk, talk and listen to Your God? He says in Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
I can't help but reflect upon that if we would PRACTICE THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST, we wouldn't set traps for others, nor would we walk in deceitfulness. We would be very transparent, shining the LIGHT OF CHRIST. Sisters, please do not allow the hurt you have received from others poor choices to cause you to not STEP OUT in what God has for you.
Now about friendships.....
Samuel had appointed Saul to be king, and with that came David into the picture. David and Saul's son, Jonathan, loved one another deeply, in a very healthy way. There was absolutely no perversion between the relationship of David and Jonathan. I would imagine that they shared their hearts, they were extremely transparent to one another, no lies were ever spoken, let alone thought about. But with that friendship, came a price. Saul became extremely jealous and set out to bring David down. To the point that he desired to have David killed.
Jonathan became aware of his father's desire to ruin David, so he set out to protect his friend. Because of this relationship between the two of then, David made a vow to Jonathan that he would not ever cut off his kindness from Jonathan's family. Saul pursued David time and time again. And every time God protected David from Saul's destruction. But 1 Samuel 28 really spoke to me this week. That Saul had disguised himself and went at NIGHT to a "medium" for help because he wasn't hearing from the Lord. Why do you think he wasn't hearing from the Lord? Would it have anything to do with a wrong heart attitude? That he was pursuing another out of sheer jealousy? That he was walking a life of destruction instead of pleasing God?
I think as women, we can often pursue a relationship with another for all the wrong intentions. To get the "scoop", to be seen, or even to set a trap.
This woman asked King Saul two questions in this chapter that absolutely leapt of the page for me.
1. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?
2. Why have you deceived me?
Have you ever felt like someone that claimed to be a friend was setting a trap? Or that you had been deceived? I want you to take heart and KNOW that God truly does understand. Even through all of this, David was a man after God's own heart. He made poor choices from time to time, yet he was also right on target in his walk of OBEDIENCE. He was honorable with the promise he made to Jonathan, for he took his son into his home and cared for him. He never pursued Saul to the point of destruction. Nor did he deceive Saul. As I came to the end of 1 Samuel, I thought wow, I want to be like that, to think better of others. To not jeopardize who or what God wants me to be and to be honorable of my word and His word.
I simply do not want to hurt another heart by setting a trap for their destruction, nor do I want to deceive. I seek to draw others to Christ by my lifestyle today. I can't help but think of how David was out in the field, being the youngest in his family, a simple shepherd boy, doing what was expected of him. YET GOD HAD BIG PLANS FOR DAVID.
Girlfriends, GOD HAS BIG PLANS FOR YOU, will you walk, talk and listen to Your God? He says in Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
I can't help but reflect upon that if we would PRACTICE THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST, we wouldn't set traps for others, nor would we walk in deceitfulness. We would be very transparent, shining the LIGHT OF CHRIST. Sisters, please do not allow the hurt you have received from others poor choices to cause you to not STEP OUT in what God has for you.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Swap and Hop
Lysa TerKeurst from Proverbs 31 Ministries today is challenging us with our Hints for organization. You can grab that off of BLOGS I ENJOY. Blessings upon your Friday! Lovingly, Yolanda
Prayer Calendar
1 SALVATION Lord, I pray that I will obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 2 Timothy 2:10
2 GOD'S GRACE I pray that I may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18
3 LOVE Father, grant that I will learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who lives in me. Ephesians 5:2
4 INTEGRITY Lord, may integrity and uprightness protect me because my hope is in you. Psalm 25:21
5 SELF-CONTROL Father, help me not be like many others, but to be alert and self-controlled in all they do. 1 Thessalonians 5:6
6 LOVE FOR GOD'S WORD Lord, may I regard your Word as more precious than gold and sweeter than honey. Psalm 19:10
7 JUSTICE God, help me to love justice as You do and act justly in all I do. Psalm 11:7 & Micah 6:8
8 MERCY Oh Father, grant that I would be full of mercy and compassion as you are, Lord. James 5:11
9 RESPECT Lord, help me to show proper respect to everyone, as your Word commands. 1 Peter 2:17
10 SELF-ESTEEM God, help me develop a strong self-esteem rooted in the realization that I am Your workmanship. Ephesians 2:10
11 FAITHFULNESS Let faithfulness never leave me, but bind this virtue around my neck. Proverbs 3:3
12 COURAGE Lord, may I always be strong and courageous in my character and my actions. Deuteronomy 31:6
13 PURITY Create in me pure hearts, O God, and let that purity of heart be shown in my life. Psalm 51:10
14 KINDNESS Father, I pray that I would be kind to others and good to everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:15
15 GENEROSITY Lord, I pray I will be rich in good deeds, generous and willing to share. 1 Timothy 6:18
16 PEACE LOVING Father God, help me make every effort to do what leads to peace. Romans 14:19
17 JOY Heavenly Father, grant that I will be filled with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 1:6
18 PERSEVERANCE Lord, teach me to persevere in all I do, and help me to run with perseverance the race set before me. Hebrews 12:1
19 HUMILITY God, please cultivate in me the ability to show true humility toward all. Titus 3:2
20 COMPASSION Holy Father, I pray that You would clothe me with the virtue of compassion. Colossians 3:12
21 RESPONSIBILITY Lord grant that I would learn to be responsible, for each one of us should carry his own load. Galatians 6:5
22 CONTENTMENT Father, teach me the secret of being content in every situation, through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13
23 FAITH Lord, help me to fight the good fight of faith, taking hold of the eternal life to which I am called. 1 Timothy 6:12
24 A SERVANT'S HEART God, help me develop a servant heart, that I may serve wholeheartedly. Ephesians 6:7
25 HOPE God of hope, grant that I may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
26 PATIENCE God, strengthen me with all power, so that I may have great endurance and patience. Galatians 5:22
27 PASSION FOR THE LORD Lord, I pray my soul would pant for you as the deer pants for streams of water. Psalm 42:1
28 WISDOM Father, I pray I would ask and that you would generously give wisdom to me as you promise. James 1:5
29 PRAYERFULNESS I ask that I will be committed to prayer, and not faint, lose heart or give up. Luke 18:1
30 GRATITUDE Lord, help me to live a life that over-flow with thankfulness, always giving thanks to You. Ephesians 5:20
31 BOLDNESS I pray that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel of Christ Jesus. Ephesians 6:19
Prayer Changes Things! Use this calendar as a guide each month.
This is beautiful in email format; so if you desire to receive it like that to print off, please send me an email, and I will be happy to do that for you.
xrogersh@pld.com
Prayer Calendar
1 SALVATION Lord, I pray that I will obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 2 Timothy 2:10
2 GOD'S GRACE I pray that I may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18
3 LOVE Father, grant that I will learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who lives in me. Ephesians 5:2
4 INTEGRITY Lord, may integrity and uprightness protect me because my hope is in you. Psalm 25:21
5 SELF-CONTROL Father, help me not be like many others, but to be alert and self-controlled in all they do. 1 Thessalonians 5:6
6 LOVE FOR GOD'S WORD Lord, may I regard your Word as more precious than gold and sweeter than honey. Psalm 19:10
7 JUSTICE God, help me to love justice as You do and act justly in all I do. Psalm 11:7 & Micah 6:8
8 MERCY Oh Father, grant that I would be full of mercy and compassion as you are, Lord. James 5:11
9 RESPECT Lord, help me to show proper respect to everyone, as your Word commands. 1 Peter 2:17
10 SELF-ESTEEM God, help me develop a strong self-esteem rooted in the realization that I am Your workmanship. Ephesians 2:10
11 FAITHFULNESS Let faithfulness never leave me, but bind this virtue around my neck. Proverbs 3:3
12 COURAGE Lord, may I always be strong and courageous in my character and my actions. Deuteronomy 31:6
13 PURITY Create in me pure hearts, O God, and let that purity of heart be shown in my life. Psalm 51:10
14 KINDNESS Father, I pray that I would be kind to others and good to everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:15
15 GENEROSITY Lord, I pray I will be rich in good deeds, generous and willing to share. 1 Timothy 6:18
16 PEACE LOVING Father God, help me make every effort to do what leads to peace. Romans 14:19
17 JOY Heavenly Father, grant that I will be filled with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 1:6
18 PERSEVERANCE Lord, teach me to persevere in all I do, and help me to run with perseverance the race set before me. Hebrews 12:1
19 HUMILITY God, please cultivate in me the ability to show true humility toward all. Titus 3:2
20 COMPASSION Holy Father, I pray that You would clothe me with the virtue of compassion. Colossians 3:12
21 RESPONSIBILITY Lord grant that I would learn to be responsible, for each one of us should carry his own load. Galatians 6:5
22 CONTENTMENT Father, teach me the secret of being content in every situation, through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13
23 FAITH Lord, help me to fight the good fight of faith, taking hold of the eternal life to which I am called. 1 Timothy 6:12
24 A SERVANT'S HEART God, help me develop a servant heart, that I may serve wholeheartedly. Ephesians 6:7
25 HOPE God of hope, grant that I may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
26 PATIENCE God, strengthen me with all power, so that I may have great endurance and patience. Galatians 5:22
27 PASSION FOR THE LORD Lord, I pray my soul would pant for you as the deer pants for streams of water. Psalm 42:1
28 WISDOM Father, I pray I would ask and that you would generously give wisdom to me as you promise. James 1:5
29 PRAYERFULNESS I ask that I will be committed to prayer, and not faint, lose heart or give up. Luke 18:1
30 GRATITUDE Lord, help me to live a life that over-flow with thankfulness, always giving thanks to You. Ephesians 5:20
31 BOLDNESS I pray that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel of Christ Jesus. Ephesians 6:19
Prayer Changes Things! Use this calendar as a guide each month.
This is beautiful in email format; so if you desire to receive it like that to print off, please send me an email, and I will be happy to do that for you.
xrogersh@pld.com
Thursday, March 13, 2008
King of kings
If any one of you happens to be doing the "Read Through The Bible" for 2008, then you and I are finding ourselves right now in the book of 1 Samuel. And I find it ironic that in 10 days we will be celebrating the RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ. Why, you may be asking?
1 Samuel Chapter 8:6-9
"But when they said, "Give us a king to lead us," this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. And the Lord told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.'"
I am one, who had rejected my King and lived my own path of destruction by following the wrong king for many years of my life. Perhaps you have been like me, if not, GLORY TO GOD! You might be asking, what wrong king? The king of "self", king of "the enemy", and even the king of "the world". Or perhaps you have loved ones that are following the wrong king wanting a different king than the One who God sent as our King. Perhaps you have been warning them and letting them know of The King who will reign over them, yet you have been rejected. Take comfort dear ones, for even Christ was rejected. And continues to be rejected yet today. Count your rejection as a sacrifice for Him, PRAISE HIS NAME that they see and know a difference in you because of Him.
Why do I find it ironic 10 days from Easter? Because this is the old Testament pointing us towards the new Testament, and that Christ came as the King of the Jews, but they wanted a physical FIGHTING king. To better understand what I'm saying, please reading Isaiah 9:6 for to my heart it is a perfect description of Jesus as our King. And then the Gospels with the empty tomb and resurrection as the Jews rejected Him as their King. Jesus Christ didn't meet their expectations and ideas of a king. Let me tell you, Girlfriends, HE IS THE MOST AWESOME KING YOU WILL EVER SERVE!
We in our flesh, want guidance and direction yet.....we want our own way. And then when our way isn't working, we beg and plead for help and place our eyes and hope generally everywhere we can but on the One True God who TRULY can help us. But oh no, we want our own way, our own king. We sure can get ourselves into some horrendous messes. I don't know about you, but I want My King to fight for me.
Psalm 54:1 "Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might."
Psalm 135:14 "For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants."
Vindicate means to: justify, defend, assert support, advocate, absolve, exonerate, shield and to protect. Sounds like "fight" to me!!!
Remember, HE IS THE MOST AWESOME KING YOU WILL EVER SERVE! He is the King of kings! (1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 7:14)
1 Samuel Chapter 8:6-9
"But when they said, "Give us a king to lead us," this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. And the Lord told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.'"
I am one, who had rejected my King and lived my own path of destruction by following the wrong king for many years of my life. Perhaps you have been like me, if not, GLORY TO GOD! You might be asking, what wrong king? The king of "self", king of "the enemy", and even the king of "the world". Or perhaps you have loved ones that are following the wrong king wanting a different king than the One who God sent as our King. Perhaps you have been warning them and letting them know of The King who will reign over them, yet you have been rejected. Take comfort dear ones, for even Christ was rejected. And continues to be rejected yet today. Count your rejection as a sacrifice for Him, PRAISE HIS NAME that they see and know a difference in you because of Him.
Why do I find it ironic 10 days from Easter? Because this is the old Testament pointing us towards the new Testament, and that Christ came as the King of the Jews, but they wanted a physical FIGHTING king. To better understand what I'm saying, please reading Isaiah 9:6 for to my heart it is a perfect description of Jesus as our King. And then the Gospels with the empty tomb and resurrection as the Jews rejected Him as their King. Jesus Christ didn't meet their expectations and ideas of a king. Let me tell you, Girlfriends, HE IS THE MOST AWESOME KING YOU WILL EVER SERVE!
We in our flesh, want guidance and direction yet.....we want our own way. And then when our way isn't working, we beg and plead for help and place our eyes and hope generally everywhere we can but on the One True God who TRULY can help us. But oh no, we want our own way, our own king. We sure can get ourselves into some horrendous messes. I don't know about you, but I want My King to fight for me.
Psalm 54:1 "Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might."
Psalm 135:14 "For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants."
Vindicate means to: justify, defend, assert support, advocate, absolve, exonerate, shield and to protect. Sounds like "fight" to me!!!
Remember, HE IS THE MOST AWESOME KING YOU WILL EVER SERVE! He is the King of kings! (1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 7:14)
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
God is a God of SECOND chances 3/11/08 Tuesday
I am ecstatic, doing a VICTORY DANCE, PRAISING GOD, saying YES LORD! YES LORD! Here I am, and I am Your CHILD! I so want to encourage you as Hebrews 10:25 commands us.
Are you ready for this? Oh my, it just doesn't get much better than this....on a beautiful spring like day in Sunny Southwest Kansas!
I was emailing a friend about a study that we are going to do together over the Internet by Lysa TerKeurst titled, "What Happens When Women Say Yes To God". I had just read the first chapter and was sharing with Lelia that I thought I had missed God on Monday with a particular situation and walking in obedience. I honestly and simply wasn't sure if it was Him, or me.
I had no more than hit SEND when in walked a man to my office. I needed to finish up a "business" call that I was on and had to step away from my desk. When I walked back in, this young man had picked up my KJIL (Christian Radio) devotional as I had placed it out on the front counter. I receive two every time, one for us personally and one for our business.
I don't have a clue what came over me other than OBEDIENCE! And so I just stepped out in BOLDNESS AND FAITH & said, are you a Christian?
No Ma'am.
Why would you want that devotional?
Because I need to do some reading and I need some help from up above some days.
I said not some days, but 24/7; we ALL do. Then he asked me about the station and could he get it here locally.
I asked him if he would like to give his heart to Christ, and he said, "no I need to clean up some things first." I shared with him that He takes us just as we are, we don't need to clean up, He cleans us up. Believe me, I was a mess of a woman. We talked about denominations and local churches.
When he left, I told him that I would be praying for him to accept Jesus Christ. That I wasn't about denominations, but I was about being a Christ Follower and attending church.
His name is Miguel, will you join me in praying that God will chase him down?? !!!!
Matthew 7:21 The Message "Knowing the correct password - saying 'Master, Master,' for instance - isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience - doing what my Father wills."
With this situation that I found myself in I see: heart issues, obedience, walking my faith, truly telling the WORLD....OF GOD, The Great Commission!
IS THAT NOT LIKE GOD? Because I was kicking myself in the hiny over the situation yesterday, here He came pursuing me with another chance! A SECOND CHANCE!!! Jonah 3:1-3 is about God giving Jonah a second chance, grab your bible and dig in Girlfriends, learn about those second chances. .
Isn't that just the coolest?
Thank you for allowing me to BRAG ON GOD with His second chance for me.
Are you ready for this? Oh my, it just doesn't get much better than this....on a beautiful spring like day in Sunny Southwest Kansas!
I was emailing a friend about a study that we are going to do together over the Internet by Lysa TerKeurst titled, "What Happens When Women Say Yes To God". I had just read the first chapter and was sharing with Lelia that I thought I had missed God on Monday with a particular situation and walking in obedience. I honestly and simply wasn't sure if it was Him, or me.
I had no more than hit SEND when in walked a man to my office. I needed to finish up a "business" call that I was on and had to step away from my desk. When I walked back in, this young man had picked up my KJIL (Christian Radio) devotional as I had placed it out on the front counter. I receive two every time, one for us personally and one for our business.
I don't have a clue what came over me other than OBEDIENCE! And so I just stepped out in BOLDNESS AND FAITH & said, are you a Christian?
No Ma'am.
Why would you want that devotional?
Because I need to do some reading and I need some help from up above some days.
I said not some days, but 24/7; we ALL do. Then he asked me about the station and could he get it here locally.
I asked him if he would like to give his heart to Christ, and he said, "no I need to clean up some things first." I shared with him that He takes us just as we are, we don't need to clean up, He cleans us up. Believe me, I was a mess of a woman. We talked about denominations and local churches.
When he left, I told him that I would be praying for him to accept Jesus Christ. That I wasn't about denominations, but I was about being a Christ Follower and attending church.
His name is Miguel, will you join me in praying that God will chase him down?? !!!!
Matthew 7:21 The Message "Knowing the correct password - saying 'Master, Master,' for instance - isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience - doing what my Father wills."
With this situation that I found myself in I see: heart issues, obedience, walking my faith, truly telling the WORLD....OF GOD, The Great Commission!
IS THAT NOT LIKE GOD? Because I was kicking myself in the hiny over the situation yesterday, here He came pursuing me with another chance! A SECOND CHANCE!!! Jonah 3:1-3 is about God giving Jonah a second chance, grab your bible and dig in Girlfriends, learn about those second chances. .
Isn't that just the coolest?
Thank you for allowing me to BRAG ON GOD with His second chance for me.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Wedding Banquet, It is all about Jesus!
Good morning! I pray that each one of you have been returning to your First Love this week. Hungry to see God move in your lives, to speak to your hearts, and simply to love back on YOU. Have you seen that happen, if so, would you let me know?
I have seen that happen Girlfriends! Thursday was an absolutely incredible day for me. God spoke my love language all day long, up until I went to bed and He continued on into Friday. Words of affirmation, something I truly did not receive as a child. God is so good and He is so AWESOME. I want you to know, I am EXPECTING Him today! Good things, mighty things, exciting things, THANK YOU LORD. (BRAG ON HIM!)
In expectation God gave us a beautiful mental picture in His word of what the Kingdom of Heaven will be like. Do any of you remember? Yes, the wedding banquet. "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son." This is found in the 22nd Chapter of Matthew, verse 2. In this parable Jesus explains that at this banquet the table is found empty and the servants are sent out to remind those that had been invited, to come. But these people paid the servants no attention, nor did they give attention to the king and his son.
On Thursday evening, the last session of our Stepping Up bible study in our Community Ladies Group those that ATTENDED were so blessed! With this being a COMMUNITY study, women of all ages, all denominations and even unbeliever's are invited to grow in God. This concept has been going on for several years now. The reason that this speaks so much to my heart is that honestly, there were others that have been invited for THIS study before we ever started in January. And for personal reasons, some that started with us in January simply weren't able to make the last night. And I've pondered this ever since, that they certainly missed out on a very delightful closing to our bible study. We didn't know in advance what would happen, only that a Sister had opened her home to us for the last night. (THANK YOU CAROL!) We moved from a church fellowship hall into a home. PERSONAL! (GOD IS LIKE THAT, HE IS PERSONAL!)
But when I walked in, my breath was utterly taken away. BEAUTY was evident, and I was speechless. Time involved was evident for the table was set!
Isn't that just gorgeous? So you can get a glimpse, I took pictures from both angles. I was greedy, I wanted to journal my own personal walk with obedience to God by taking these pictures. Then God spoke to my heart and said, SHARE WITH THE WORLD.
We were blessed with a very elegant tea party. Totally unexpected, and it totally spoke to those that attended. Let me tell you Girlfriends, my Sister's hearts were thrilled upon entering this home that night. One walked in and said, WOW THE WEDDING BANQUET! Amen, Sister, Amen, what we see here is just a tiny itty bitty part of what we will see one day with Him. Remember, many had been invited, from day one of this study, but for one reason or another they chose to not attend. I'm not trying to belittle any one here, but simply say that this gave me an extremely VIVID PICTURE of something I will see because I have accepted the invitation.
My Sisters in Christ who had came to the banquet table that evening, allowing me to serve them as the facilitator in this awesome study:
The end of this parable says, "For many are invited, but few are chosen." Will you accept the invitation?
Friday, March 7, 2008
Challenge from Proberbs 31 Ministries
Proverbs 31 Ministries has challenged Christian Women to share a recipe this week.
My Recipe:
Love your husband with the love, consideration, and time that you give to your very BEST Girlfriend. Your Man deserves no less, and honestly, next to Jesus Christ, he is to be our LOVE.
My Recipe:
Love your husband with the love, consideration, and time that you give to your very BEST Girlfriend. Your Man deserves no less, and honestly, next to Jesus Christ, he is to be our LOVE.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
First Love
Girlfriends, do you find that love is misunderstood in our world today? We are "taught" that it is a feeling instead of a choice. Do we tend to find that love is totally missing from so many that we make contact with each day, day in and day out? At times, perhaps even missing from us? We may be asking ourselves, how did I allow MY love for God and others to dissipate from me?
I think that Revelation 2:4 NIV is a great place to start when we are looking for that answer.
"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love."
What is our first love, as Believers? GOD, Himself! Why? Because His word tells us that we can't love without Him.
"We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4: 19 NIV
Do you see that? first love, God's word is PERFECT!
And in the very next verse from Revelation 2:4 from above is that He tells us how to get that FIRST LOVE back in verse 5:
"Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place."
How about looking at this from the New Living Translation, wow!
"But I have this complaint against you. You don't love me or each other as you did at first! 5 Look how far you have fallen from your first love! Turn back to me again and work as you did at first. If you don't, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches."
Do you remember that on fire, giddiness, LOVING, compassionate woman you were, when you FIRST fell in LOVE with Jesus? Has that person become less than who they were at that moment? If so, I think we need to reflect on why you and I have fallen below the mark. Have we let pettiness, faults, back biting, nit picking, anger, bad attitudes and unforgiveness to over take us? We simply may have become annoyed with one another? What does His word say? TO REPENT, make that U-TURN, turn 180 degrees opposite of where we have been headed and get back on track. What was the jest of Revelation 2:4 out of the NLT? You, (Yolanda), don't love me or each other as you did at first! (Insert your own name instead of mine.) OUCH!
"And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother." 1 John 4:21 NIV is a COMMAND. Not a choice, but a command.
WHOEVER LOVES GOD MUST ALSO LOVE HIS BROTHER. Ok, that causes me to need some alone time with God, you might be saying. GLORY TO GOD, that is what He is after, our alone time, our hearts to turn towards Him, to have a true blue REAL conversation with Him. To be honest and to be obedient.
I would also like to suggest that to have hearts turned towards our First Love we need to praise Him.
Psalm 34:1b NLT: "I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises."
Did we in the beginning PRAISE THE LORD AT ALL TIMES, and CONSTANTLY SPEAK OF HIS PRAISES? If so and we've slipped, how about you and I dusting ourselves off, and give a sacrifice of PRAISE! Lord YOU ARE MIGHTY, LORD YOU ARE HOLY, LORD YOU ARE AWESOME, LORD YOU ARE MY ALL, I NEED YOU LORD, I LOVE YOU LORD.
Praise Him in the morning, in the noon time, and PRAISE HIM WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN!
While we are praising in the midst of the storm as well as on the mountain top, may we always strive to walk as Nehemiah 8:10b NIV encourages us:
"This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
I think that Revelation 2:4 NIV is a great place to start when we are looking for that answer.
"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love."
What is our first love, as Believers? GOD, Himself! Why? Because His word tells us that we can't love without Him.
"We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4: 19 NIV
Do you see that? first love, God's word is PERFECT!
And in the very next verse from Revelation 2:4 from above is that He tells us how to get that FIRST LOVE back in verse 5:
"Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place."
How about looking at this from the New Living Translation, wow!
"But I have this complaint against you. You don't love me or each other as you did at first! 5 Look how far you have fallen from your first love! Turn back to me again and work as you did at first. If you don't, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches."
Do you remember that on fire, giddiness, LOVING, compassionate woman you were, when you FIRST fell in LOVE with Jesus? Has that person become less than who they were at that moment? If so, I think we need to reflect on why you and I have fallen below the mark. Have we let pettiness, faults, back biting, nit picking, anger, bad attitudes and unforgiveness to over take us? We simply may have become annoyed with one another? What does His word say? TO REPENT, make that U-TURN, turn 180 degrees opposite of where we have been headed and get back on track. What was the jest of Revelation 2:4 out of the NLT? You, (Yolanda), don't love me or each other as you did at first! (Insert your own name instead of mine.) OUCH!
"And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother." 1 John 4:21 NIV is a COMMAND. Not a choice, but a command.
WHOEVER LOVES GOD MUST ALSO LOVE HIS BROTHER. Ok, that causes me to need some alone time with God, you might be saying. GLORY TO GOD, that is what He is after, our alone time, our hearts to turn towards Him, to have a true blue REAL conversation with Him. To be honest and to be obedient.
I would also like to suggest that to have hearts turned towards our First Love we need to praise Him.
Psalm 34:1b NLT: "I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises."
Did we in the beginning PRAISE THE LORD AT ALL TIMES, and CONSTANTLY SPEAK OF HIS PRAISES? If so and we've slipped, how about you and I dusting ourselves off, and give a sacrifice of PRAISE! Lord YOU ARE MIGHTY, LORD YOU ARE HOLY, LORD YOU ARE AWESOME, LORD YOU ARE MY ALL, I NEED YOU LORD, I LOVE YOU LORD.
Praise Him in the morning, in the noon time, and PRAISE HIM WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN!
While we are praising in the midst of the storm as well as on the mountain top, may we always strive to walk as Nehemiah 8:10b NIV encourages us:
"This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
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