Trust and never let go of the Lord. He is with you.
Eileen Fisher: "Be Loyal through Testing, through Trials, through Triumph"
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Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Parent, Don't Stop Praying!
This is from my daily devotional for today. Pray for your children they need your prayers. The prayers of a parent have power and force behind them. Never tire of praying for your children their very lives may be at hand at the mercy of your very prayers. Do you love them, then pray for them. Taken from "365 Days of Spiritual Growth and Empowerment Connect with God Volume II" by Jentezen Franklin.
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Friday, June 17, 2011
LEARN TO CONFRONT
This is taken from my daily devotional for 6/17:
"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 NIV
If you grew up in a family where confrontation left only wounds, you may have become a "tap dancer." That's a pity because "iron sharpens iron," and there are definite times when you need to confront, such as:
(1) When others stand to be hurt. Paul writes, "When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was...wrong" Gal 2:11 NIV. Listen again, "Before certain men came...(Peter) used to eat with Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to...separate himself(and)...The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy...even Barnabas was led astray" Gal 2:12-13 NIV).
(2) When somebody is settling for less. A woman bought a pair of dingy candlesticks at a yard sale for a dollar. Assuming they were made of pewter, she took them home, dusted them, and set them on her table. One day a friend who worked in antiques droped by, "When are you going to clean those candlesticks?" she asked. "What do you mean?" the woman asked, "I just dusted them yesterday." "Dusted?" laughed her friend. "They need to be buffed and polished. They're silver!" So they got silver polish and clean cloths and went to work, until the dull charcoal veneer yielded a pair of gleaming silver candlesticks. Confrontation-the right kind-removes the tarnish that keeps us from shining as God intends us to.
Ask God to make you willing to confront, and when necessary, to be confronted. Your growth depends on it!"
This came from 365 Days of Spiritual Growth and Empowerment Connect With God volume II by Jentezen Franklin
"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 NIV
If you grew up in a family where confrontation left only wounds, you may have become a "tap dancer." That's a pity because "iron sharpens iron," and there are definite times when you need to confront, such as:
(1) When others stand to be hurt. Paul writes, "When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was...wrong" Gal 2:11 NIV. Listen again, "Before certain men came...(Peter) used to eat with Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to...separate himself(and)...The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy...even Barnabas was led astray" Gal 2:12-13 NIV).
(2) When somebody is settling for less. A woman bought a pair of dingy candlesticks at a yard sale for a dollar. Assuming they were made of pewter, she took them home, dusted them, and set them on her table. One day a friend who worked in antiques droped by, "When are you going to clean those candlesticks?" she asked. "What do you mean?" the woman asked, "I just dusted them yesterday." "Dusted?" laughed her friend. "They need to be buffed and polished. They're silver!" So they got silver polish and clean cloths and went to work, until the dull charcoal veneer yielded a pair of gleaming silver candlesticks. Confrontation-the right kind-removes the tarnish that keeps us from shining as God intends us to.
Ask God to make you willing to confront, and when necessary, to be confronted. Your growth depends on it!"
This came from 365 Days of Spiritual Growth and Empowerment Connect With God volume II by Jentezen Franklin
Thursday, June 16, 2011
This Is The Song I Have Been Playing Frequently For Days Now: God of Mine
OH GOD OF MINE (words to the song)
Oh God of mine, I'll have no idols
Oh God of mine, come lead the way
Oh God of mine, I'm greatly humbled
This sinner's heart You came to save
Oh God of mine through storm and trial
Oh God of mine through death and grave
Oh God of mine in resurrection
Your scars display my soul's refrain
Oh God of mine who holds all nations
Oh God of mine who saves the day
Oh God of mine, Your grace sufficient
and tender mercies new by morn
Oh God of mine, forever faithful
Oh God of mine,stay
Oh God of mine,forever after
These eyes upon Your face will gaze
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Let Me Tell You About My Day Today...
It started out just fine-I got up earlier than normal and had plenty of time to do what I needed to do. Until...I used a generic brand "Q-Tip" and the whole cotton tip came off of the stick and lodged in my ear. I was pretty good at getting a bit of it out with tweezers, then I panicked a bit & put ear wax cleaner drops in my ear, thinking it would get it out NOT. Now my hearing is a little muffled at this time & of course it is in the ear that I use at work when I wear a headset to interview executives. I cannot work now-so someone suggested I go to an urgi-center for help. I go & they assess the situation and all I asked was "Will it hurt and of coarse, how much will it cost?" Their plan of action was to irrigate it & that would loosen it and out it would come. NOT. They just kept shooting warm water into my ear and with them doing that my hearing is now much worse, so distorted it is like having an ear plug deep in your ear. I am then told the Dr. could not use the long-looking instrument to get it out because he is not trained to do this & he didn't want to injure my ear. The next thing I hear is that I have to go to an ENT Dr. and they called for me to make an appt.
With this happening of coarse my 1st instinct is that I want to go back home where I moved from I know my Dr. back there could take care of me. I am a woman of great faith and in these moments I tend to retreat back to a child's faith if that makes sense. There's more to this story, here I am with minimal hearing in my ear, missing home, can't work today & then I feel a nudge by Holy Spirit to step out in faith farther than I ever have in my entire life. I say to myself, not today, but I follow through.What is next in my Life Lord-what do you have waiting for me? I received a response to my faith action and even in the midst of that Holy Spirit has me minister through it. I find myself speaking words of encouragement. Only God's grace can give me the ability to operate like that. When I don't know what to do He sees me through He truly does.
I now have to go to the ENT DR. and I don't know what to do-I want to cry again & I think I did. I called my son now I don't always get through to him & this time he answered the phone. I cried just a little & asked him to pray for me, I was almost at the Dr.'s office. He said he would. Everything went well at the Dr.'s office as you can see from the picture. This is what was removed from my ear & now I can hear again.
You know my son called me after the Dr.'s appt and shared with me that he prayed & knew that I was going to be OK. I shared with him it would be $140 for this Dr. visit and his positive outlook was it will only be $40 more to get it taken care of. You see, this is a child that has been raised up in a "faith" home for he reminded me what a blessing I got today. You see, the 1st Dr. charged $100 and when I cried and said I only make $ an hour and I can't even work today- he actually credited the $100 back to me and said he could get in trouble for doing it & he did to help me out. So, instead of $240 today-$140. Now let's see I am sure there is a spiritual side to this story about "hearing." Holy Spirit take over and share Your words with Your people through me-Your open vessel.
"As you go forth in faith never let the enemy bombard your mind with thoughts of fear & doubt. If you do that he has won & it is not his or his territory to win. You are My child & no good father let's his daughter or son take a beating right before him does he now? If you did not follow through with the stepping out in faith the enemy would have pinned you down & tied you up today. A true faith will follow through even in times of trouble or challenge. It is not about you or even the outcome to come forth it is in the hearing of My gentle voice & responding to the nudge. When one can follow through it is as though all heaven stops & looks upon what you are doing. Remember, there is a cloud of witnesses and they cheer you on. If it was not I that called you forth to step & stretch your faith this very day you would not have been able to be an encourager too this very day.
You were able to experience lack of hearing today in the natural but were able to hear in the spirit. How many can hear in the natural & choose to not hear in the Holy Spirit? In times that are about to come forth the people will be seeking out those that hear My voice & obey. Not those that only want to do what they want to do. You were stretched very much so today and even though it may have felt uncomfortable at the moment you will see great & mighty things on the horizon.
I am being shown a mountainside that is lush and green & full of life (tree's that is.) So inviting to the on looker. Go forth for I take you to the mountains & it is I that will destroy them in 1 motion of my hand to break through for you to go through. When My people that are called by My name humble themselves & pray & fast-I will heal their lands & hearts too. Never give up faith or stepping out when I call you to step forth in faith.
As you search & seek out MY true meaning for your life you will stumble upon the most beautiful gifts I have waiting for you. They are there for those that step out in faith. Will you let Me bless you this day? Then seek My face saith the Lord of Hosts."
There's more to this story...as I waited patiently to be seen by the first Dr. I brought along my card making kit and see the picture of the card. That is what I created today.
I was also able to make good of this very day, I went to the post office to deliver 2 packages and a card, all of which had words of encouragement to those I sent them to. After my Dr.'s appt. I was then able to get the oil changed and tires rotated. It was in the waiting for that, I was able to write. God is good He really is good. I am sure that you will see His goodness in your day today too. I trust that you will.
With this happening of coarse my 1st instinct is that I want to go back home where I moved from I know my Dr. back there could take care of me. I am a woman of great faith and in these moments I tend to retreat back to a child's faith if that makes sense. There's more to this story, here I am with minimal hearing in my ear, missing home, can't work today & then I feel a nudge by Holy Spirit to step out in faith farther than I ever have in my entire life. I say to myself, not today, but I follow through.What is next in my Life Lord-what do you have waiting for me? I received a response to my faith action and even in the midst of that Holy Spirit has me minister through it. I find myself speaking words of encouragement. Only God's grace can give me the ability to operate like that. When I don't know what to do He sees me through He truly does.
I now have to go to the ENT DR. and I don't know what to do-I want to cry again & I think I did. I called my son now I don't always get through to him & this time he answered the phone. I cried just a little & asked him to pray for me, I was almost at the Dr.'s office. He said he would. Everything went well at the Dr.'s office as you can see from the picture. This is what was removed from my ear & now I can hear again.
"As you go forth in faith never let the enemy bombard your mind with thoughts of fear & doubt. If you do that he has won & it is not his or his territory to win. You are My child & no good father let's his daughter or son take a beating right before him does he now? If you did not follow through with the stepping out in faith the enemy would have pinned you down & tied you up today. A true faith will follow through even in times of trouble or challenge. It is not about you or even the outcome to come forth it is in the hearing of My gentle voice & responding to the nudge. When one can follow through it is as though all heaven stops & looks upon what you are doing. Remember, there is a cloud of witnesses and they cheer you on. If it was not I that called you forth to step & stretch your faith this very day you would not have been able to be an encourager too this very day.
You were able to experience lack of hearing today in the natural but were able to hear in the spirit. How many can hear in the natural & choose to not hear in the Holy Spirit? In times that are about to come forth the people will be seeking out those that hear My voice & obey. Not those that only want to do what they want to do. You were stretched very much so today and even though it may have felt uncomfortable at the moment you will see great & mighty things on the horizon.
I am being shown a mountainside that is lush and green & full of life (tree's that is.) So inviting to the on looker. Go forth for I take you to the mountains & it is I that will destroy them in 1 motion of my hand to break through for you to go through. When My people that are called by My name humble themselves & pray & fast-I will heal their lands & hearts too. Never give up faith or stepping out when I call you to step forth in faith.
As you search & seek out MY true meaning for your life you will stumble upon the most beautiful gifts I have waiting for you. They are there for those that step out in faith. Will you let Me bless you this day? Then seek My face saith the Lord of Hosts."
There's more to this story...as I waited patiently to be seen by the first Dr. I brought along my card making kit and see the picture of the card. That is what I created today.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Happy Birthday Dad, You Would Have Been 82 Years Old Today
On occasion I wonder to myself what my father's life would have been like if he would have lived beyond three weeks after giving his heart to Jesus. He was a dedicated Catholic that served communion and blessed the Catholic church monetary wise both during his life and after he died. Imagine how much more he would have been able to do after giving his heart to Jesus. I guess I will never know the answer to that question for it is not up to me to have to answer for his life and how he lived it. Just as it is not up to my family and friends to have to answer for me how I lived my life. We are each held accountable to God for what we do and how we live our lives.
Is there a gift or song inside of you that can only be sung if you sing it? What about talents beyond your natural scope? They are there do not hide them but share them with the world or at least those in your family/nucleus/inner circle. Will you not be remiss one day if you lay in a hospital bed with only 3 weeks left to live and then you begin to look back on that hidden talent that is still inside of you but you did not share it with anyone? How sad that would be. Your talent may be to be the best husband in the world but you got hurt somewhere along the time line of your life and you said to yourself, 'Never again will I allow myself to get hurt like that again.' Suppose there is a hidden talent in you that is still to be discovered and it will only come forth through the spouse God has set aside just for you. Will you still shield yourself from the would-a could-a be things in life that just may never happen. Life is to be lived and why not live it with the one that loves you and will draw that talent out of you. When you step in faith to allow that and the love of another you will be so amazed at what is still inside of you waiting to be shared. Do not pull back but allow God to create through you and bring it to you.
Don't know where that just came from I guess someone had to hear those words. I trust that they were prophetic utterance through Holy Spirit using me to let you receive a confirmation or green light or something like that in your life.
Life can be short. My father probably never thought when he went into the hospital that he would die three weeks later, never to return to his own home. That's OK because he is in his real home, heaven, and I will see him again one day and visit with him for all eternity. Do you possibly have a loved one that is not walking with the Lord? I stand in faith with you that Holy Spirit will direct someone into their very life to share with them the plan of salvation. You see the bible says that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. If He did that for me and my father He will do the same for you. Stand in faith for I set my faith with you for household salvation. There is no sweeter thing in life to know that your whole house is saved and safe in the arms of Jesus and you will be able to rejoice with them in heaven for all eternity. As I stand in faith with you for your loved one's then why not step out in faith and reach out to someone else. Possibly a stranger that you do not even know and share with them how God has been faithful to you and tell them the story about Jesus. Your reaching forth to another today may set in motion for another to reach out to your loved one's and share with them.
Faith in the Lord is a very good place to be, there is no better place in the world to be than walking with Jesus not by sight but by faith. Step out and you will be glad that you did and so will the person you shared with too.
Is there a gift or song inside of you that can only be sung if you sing it? What about talents beyond your natural scope? They are there do not hide them but share them with the world or at least those in your family/nucleus/inner circle. Will you not be remiss one day if you lay in a hospital bed with only 3 weeks left to live and then you begin to look back on that hidden talent that is still inside of you but you did not share it with anyone? How sad that would be. Your talent may be to be the best husband in the world but you got hurt somewhere along the time line of your life and you said to yourself, 'Never again will I allow myself to get hurt like that again.' Suppose there is a hidden talent in you that is still to be discovered and it will only come forth through the spouse God has set aside just for you. Will you still shield yourself from the would-a could-a be things in life that just may never happen. Life is to be lived and why not live it with the one that loves you and will draw that talent out of you. When you step in faith to allow that and the love of another you will be so amazed at what is still inside of you waiting to be shared. Do not pull back but allow God to create through you and bring it to you.
Don't know where that just came from I guess someone had to hear those words. I trust that they were prophetic utterance through Holy Spirit using me to let you receive a confirmation or green light or something like that in your life.
Life can be short. My father probably never thought when he went into the hospital that he would die three weeks later, never to return to his own home. That's OK because he is in his real home, heaven, and I will see him again one day and visit with him for all eternity. Do you possibly have a loved one that is not walking with the Lord? I stand in faith with you that Holy Spirit will direct someone into their very life to share with them the plan of salvation. You see the bible says that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. If He did that for me and my father He will do the same for you. Stand in faith for I set my faith with you for household salvation. There is no sweeter thing in life to know that your whole house is saved and safe in the arms of Jesus and you will be able to rejoice with them in heaven for all eternity. As I stand in faith with you for your loved one's then why not step out in faith and reach out to someone else. Possibly a stranger that you do not even know and share with them how God has been faithful to you and tell them the story about Jesus. Your reaching forth to another today may set in motion for another to reach out to your loved one's and share with them.
Faith in the Lord is a very good place to be, there is no better place in the world to be than walking with Jesus not by sight but by faith. Step out and you will be glad that you did and so will the person you shared with too.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Great Worship Song , After All It Is Sunday; Salvador - Cry Holy (Album Version)
Worship the Lord today, I am sure there is something in your life that you can thank Him for.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
I Began Praying In The Spirit In 1996, What Happened To Me Back Then Is Not A Daily Occurrence In My LIfe Now. I Will Share Some Of My Journal Entries From March, 1996
As I was walking this morning I felt impressed upon me to share with you a bit more about how I became filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues. I would like to state that I am not ashamed of praying like this in the least bit. I derive strength when I pray in this manner and I am not some off-the-wall type of weirdo that is on a bus, plane, train, etc. speaking in this manner of prayer out loud as to broadcast it for others to hear. You just may never know if you are seated next to me and I am in prayer. For my prayer seems to be internal when I pray like this. Now, there are occasions if I am in a church service and the pastor asks for the congregation to pray in tongues, I do. Even at that it is not some weird, crazy fashion of prayer either. It is done in order just like the bible says it should be done. At times there are those in the congregation that are given the interpretation to speak forth but done in an orderly manner. Do not knock it or mock it for your very life may depend upon it one day. What do I mean by that...you attend a church probably as a visitor and you are really dealing with something very serious in your life and only God can break through for you in in this very situation. This particular church may not even be accustomed to operating like this on a regular basis but the pastor senses an urgency for the people to pray in this manner and all of a sudden a little old grandma type of woman has the interpretation and brings it forth. Not with shouting and loudness but in a demure manner and tone of voice. No one else that is a member of that congregation even has a clue to what the meaning was. Guess what you did for it was just for you. You may have even felt uncomfortable sitting in this church and experiencing this happening. God will find you and get you the very word or words you need even if it is not in a conventional way that you are accustomed to. Be thankful that He loves you so very much and will make a way for you to get what you need.
I must share with you now that what I will share with you in my journals today was fresh to me back then. I believe God used me in this fashion because I had no bible knowledge back then or ministry knowledge either. Remember, back then was when He was awakening me in my walk with Him. Even the Catholic Church did not know what to do with me when I would share with the priests what was happening to me. As I shared with you in previous writings, they sent me to two different spiritual advisers, they did the best they could to help me on my walk with Jesus.
In my current walk with the Lord I still pray in the spirit but the visions do not happen frequent at all. I probably should not have just said that, watch, I will probably get one now. It really has been years since that has last happened in my life. Now, I see He uses me in dreams and in interpretation of dreams. Even when I feel prompted to pray in the spirit it is very seldom that I even ask for the interpretation. I trust Holy Spirit enough to know that He knows what He is praying through me the open/willing vessel.
Just imagine for a moment now what it must have been like for my family and friends back then when I would innocently share with them what was happening in my life. Probably the biggest mistake I made was to share with others that had no idea what I was talking about. I learned the hardest lesson the hard way by living and experiencing it. Choose wisely who you share these type of things with. There is a Scripture verse that warns of casting your pearls before swine. Trust me when I say this, swine are not just unbelievers it can also be church people that you innocently go to and share what the Lord is doing in your life and because they can either not believe or they are jealous of you for whatever reason they can mock you either behind your back or sneer at you when you speak to them. Really place caution in your life of who you share these things with. Above all other things, trust in the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, body and spirit and HE will make a way for you. He truly will.
I must share with you now that what I will share with you in my journals today was fresh to me back then. I believe God used me in this fashion because I had no bible knowledge back then or ministry knowledge either. Remember, back then was when He was awakening me in my walk with Him. Even the Catholic Church did not know what to do with me when I would share with the priests what was happening to me. As I shared with you in previous writings, they sent me to two different spiritual advisers, they did the best they could to help me on my walk with Jesus.
In my current walk with the Lord I still pray in the spirit but the visions do not happen frequent at all. I probably should not have just said that, watch, I will probably get one now. It really has been years since that has last happened in my life. Now, I see He uses me in dreams and in interpretation of dreams. Even when I feel prompted to pray in the spirit it is very seldom that I even ask for the interpretation. I trust Holy Spirit enough to know that He knows what He is praying through me the open/willing vessel.
Just imagine for a moment now what it must have been like for my family and friends back then when I would innocently share with them what was happening in my life. Probably the biggest mistake I made was to share with others that had no idea what I was talking about. I learned the hardest lesson the hard way by living and experiencing it. Choose wisely who you share these type of things with. There is a Scripture verse that warns of casting your pearls before swine. Trust me when I say this, swine are not just unbelievers it can also be church people that you innocently go to and share what the Lord is doing in your life and because they can either not believe or they are jealous of you for whatever reason they can mock you either behind your back or sneer at you when you speak to them. Really place caution in your life of who you share these things with. Above all other things, trust in the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, body and spirit and HE will make a way for you. He truly will.
May I Share With You A Bit On Praying In The Holy Spirit
The earliest I recollect me praying in the Holy Spirit or praying in tongues is 1996. Let me share with you where I was at at that time in my life. I was a very staunch Catholic that was very proficient in praying the rosary and the divine mercy chaplet along with going through a divorce. I could say that I was dealing with much stuff at the time. I would drive over an hour away to attend church because the priest and congregation accepted me for who I was. I had gone on a Pilgrimage to Medjugorje during the Bosnian War and was not too far away from the war zone while on the pilgrimage. I saw something so beautiful while there. People from all around the world would gather here because this was the sight of where Mary the mother of Jesus appeared to children and would give them messages. In this time of my life I reckon, as I look back on it now with the knowledge I have accumulated throughout the years, I, back then also thought I was hearing messages from Mary too. In hind sight I now know that it was really the words of the Lord speaking through and to me. I had no knowledge at the time that it was Him and not His mother. I had friends that were not Catholic and they would gently try to suggest that it just may not be Mary for she was dead and it was Jesus.
I do not think I was ready for all of that knowledge at that time in my life. I believe I was already born again and had no knowledge of that either. It was not until I attended a church in which I was trained in evangelism and they asked me when I was born again. Thank God I was journaling back then and was able to look back through my journals to try and pinpoint my salvation through Jesus. As I said earlier I was traveling a good distance to attend church. When I was on the pilgrimage I saw people from all around the world receive communion in the Catholic Church with such reverence for the eucharist, they would actually kneel before the priest to receive it not in their hands but on their tongue like is use to be years ago. When I came back to the USA I felt nudged to do the same at church even when I was on the altar as a eucharistic minister. What do you think happened to me. I was asked to not receive it in that fashion, I obliged and then only genuflected to receive communion, I was then asked to not receive it on my tongue but in my hand like others do. After all I was told I was an example on the altar as a eucharistic minister. Can you see why I so enjoyed driving a good distance to just be able to have freedom to be who I was called to be at church? This quaint church would have a healing service once a month after a certain church service and if you needed prayer you would come up to the altar after the service was dismissed and their ministry teams would pray for and over you. This is where I experienced people praying over me with words I never heard of before or even understood. At times this lady would sing these strange songs while praying for me and I had no idea what she was even singing but they would bring such peace to me and this is where I rested in the spirit for the first time. I had no clue what any of this was until I asked questions. It was explained to me that when I would gently fall back it was a time that the Lord wanted me to rest in Him and the songs that were sung over me where sung in the spirit. The Lord praying through them for me.
I truly had no schooling in this stuff at all other than experiencing it first hand and others explaining it to me. No one prayed for me to be filled with Holy Spirit it happened to me as I was exercising one day on either my stair stepper or exercise bike at home in my home. All I remember is it sounded like jibber jabber to me. Sort of like baby talk if that makes sense. I would be shown things in visions as I would pray like this and even get interpretations of what I was praying too. I can honestly say it was Holy Spirit teaching me all of this. I then grew in knowledge and discovered that all those times I thought Mary the mother of Jesus was speaking to me it was really Jesus speaking to my heart. I was only able to receive knowledge where I was at at that time in my life. The true revealing knowledge came to me as I began to pray in the spirit. It may sound foreign to you or even the concept of praying in the spirit if you may have not been raised with this sort of background. I just know this...the more I began to pray like this the more insight was given to me...truth revealed to me to burst those religious bubbles I had grown up with. I remember reading the Catholic bible I had back then and then coming upon a scripture verse that revealed to me there is no purgatory when you die. Your last breath on earth then your eternal future will either be in heaven or hell. No one can pray or pay indulgences for you to get out of hell or into heaven.What do you do when you get these insights? When a person is ready to receive truth Holy Spirit will send those to you along with His gentle guidance for it is now time for the revelation in your life.
When Holy Spirit wakes me up to pray for another in the middle of the night I have no clue what is going on in their life but He does and He knows best what to pray. It is in those moments that I yield to Holy Spirit and He prays through me as I pray for them. It does not matter if I never know what was going on in their life at that very moment what matters is the yielding to pray for them. As I grew in my praying in the spirit I noticed my English prayer grew also. I would be able to open my mouth and beautiful words would come forth as I prayed for someone. It is as though Holy Spirit hand feeds the words to me and inside me it is as if I am just following the words I hear. Does that make sense? In all honesty there is only one person I know of right now that when I ask for prayer I have no idea if they pray in English or in the spirit but when I ask for prayer God answers their prayer. I think I even asked this person how do they pray that the way they pray, for God honors their prayers. I do believe that there are those that are gifted in prayer. I never take it for granted when I ask this person to pray for me, truly I do not take it for granted you must know that. I recognize a gift in them and I try not to burden them with prayer requests all the time. Lord my prayer is to have them continue to be blessed in their times when they pray not only for them self but for others.
Please know this, just because I pray both in English in words I understand and also in the Holy Spirit it does not make me a super star of some sorts. It is what I am called to do. It is part of my mission here on earth. What do you think it would be like if two people got together in marriage and they combined both of their gifts of prayer, wow, it sure would be incredible, it would definitely be a "God Thing" right.
I do not think I was ready for all of that knowledge at that time in my life. I believe I was already born again and had no knowledge of that either. It was not until I attended a church in which I was trained in evangelism and they asked me when I was born again. Thank God I was journaling back then and was able to look back through my journals to try and pinpoint my salvation through Jesus. As I said earlier I was traveling a good distance to attend church. When I was on the pilgrimage I saw people from all around the world receive communion in the Catholic Church with such reverence for the eucharist, they would actually kneel before the priest to receive it not in their hands but on their tongue like is use to be years ago. When I came back to the USA I felt nudged to do the same at church even when I was on the altar as a eucharistic minister. What do you think happened to me. I was asked to not receive it in that fashion, I obliged and then only genuflected to receive communion, I was then asked to not receive it on my tongue but in my hand like others do. After all I was told I was an example on the altar as a eucharistic minister. Can you see why I so enjoyed driving a good distance to just be able to have freedom to be who I was called to be at church? This quaint church would have a healing service once a month after a certain church service and if you needed prayer you would come up to the altar after the service was dismissed and their ministry teams would pray for and over you. This is where I experienced people praying over me with words I never heard of before or even understood. At times this lady would sing these strange songs while praying for me and I had no idea what she was even singing but they would bring such peace to me and this is where I rested in the spirit for the first time. I had no clue what any of this was until I asked questions. It was explained to me that when I would gently fall back it was a time that the Lord wanted me to rest in Him and the songs that were sung over me where sung in the spirit. The Lord praying through them for me.
I truly had no schooling in this stuff at all other than experiencing it first hand and others explaining it to me. No one prayed for me to be filled with Holy Spirit it happened to me as I was exercising one day on either my stair stepper or exercise bike at home in my home. All I remember is it sounded like jibber jabber to me. Sort of like baby talk if that makes sense. I would be shown things in visions as I would pray like this and even get interpretations of what I was praying too. I can honestly say it was Holy Spirit teaching me all of this. I then grew in knowledge and discovered that all those times I thought Mary the mother of Jesus was speaking to me it was really Jesus speaking to my heart. I was only able to receive knowledge where I was at at that time in my life. The true revealing knowledge came to me as I began to pray in the spirit. It may sound foreign to you or even the concept of praying in the spirit if you may have not been raised with this sort of background. I just know this...the more I began to pray like this the more insight was given to me...truth revealed to me to burst those religious bubbles I had grown up with. I remember reading the Catholic bible I had back then and then coming upon a scripture verse that revealed to me there is no purgatory when you die. Your last breath on earth then your eternal future will either be in heaven or hell. No one can pray or pay indulgences for you to get out of hell or into heaven.What do you do when you get these insights? When a person is ready to receive truth Holy Spirit will send those to you along with His gentle guidance for it is now time for the revelation in your life.
When Holy Spirit wakes me up to pray for another in the middle of the night I have no clue what is going on in their life but He does and He knows best what to pray. It is in those moments that I yield to Holy Spirit and He prays through me as I pray for them. It does not matter if I never know what was going on in their life at that very moment what matters is the yielding to pray for them. As I grew in my praying in the spirit I noticed my English prayer grew also. I would be able to open my mouth and beautiful words would come forth as I prayed for someone. It is as though Holy Spirit hand feeds the words to me and inside me it is as if I am just following the words I hear. Does that make sense? In all honesty there is only one person I know of right now that when I ask for prayer I have no idea if they pray in English or in the spirit but when I ask for prayer God answers their prayer. I think I even asked this person how do they pray that the way they pray, for God honors their prayers. I do believe that there are those that are gifted in prayer. I never take it for granted when I ask this person to pray for me, truly I do not take it for granted you must know that. I recognize a gift in them and I try not to burden them with prayer requests all the time. Lord my prayer is to have them continue to be blessed in their times when they pray not only for them self but for others.
Please know this, just because I pray both in English in words I understand and also in the Holy Spirit it does not make me a super star of some sorts. It is what I am called to do. It is part of my mission here on earth. What do you think it would be like if two people got together in marriage and they combined both of their gifts of prayer, wow, it sure would be incredible, it would definitely be a "God Thing" right.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Let Me Share With You My "Almost" Breakfast Adventure Today
It really is a quaint little restaurant that must specialize in BBQ. Cute little tablecloths and an informal type of restaurant with a good price point also. Today, there were two older gentlemen sitting in rocking chairs on the front porch as I was going into the restaurant. I asked them if they knew if I made it in enough time to still get breakfast. They had no idea. I went in the restaurant and found out I was too late again. I let the guys know that as I was leaving and one of them commented that I had to re-work my schedule to get there for breakfast on a Sunday. I graciously said that I attend a very large church and I was already at the early service they offered on a Sunday. I said church was very important to me and that I guess I would have to miss breakfast there in order to attend church.
Let me tell you about the kind of church I attend. They are a most loving and giving church also. The church is growing so much they need to expand. In the last two prior weekends and from Internet pledges and offerings they needed to raise $7,250,000.00 to complete this addition and expansion of the church. The people were so incredibly generous that they donated/pledged $7,8000,000.00 is that not amazing. This project will be completed in about 2.5 years and the addition will be a great testimony to God. It already is just by the sheer fact of the amount of money the people gave to back the vision/support of the pastor's heart.
This same church is truly moving in Holy Spirit power, there is a youth conference coming up for teens and young adults. As of today let me share with you the number of kids already signed up and registered, are you ready for the total amount...10,000, yes, I did say 10,000. They requested to open up more seats to be able to accommodate the youth of today that will be our strong and mighty leaders of tomorrow. I can only imagine what the spirit of God will do with these fine boys and girls, correction I should state young men and women. Holy Spirit have your way and flow in power with signs and wonders to touch the youth. The youth that You are raising up in Your church.
I failed to mention earlier that even though I did not have breakfast and did not eat until after 2PM today I still enjoyed the conversation I had with the guys on the front porch. They had the right idea, probably sitting there relaxing after the meal they just consumed and isn't that what Sunday's are for? As I pulled out of the parking lot I waved goodbye to them. One of my friends happens to call me when I am on my Saturday adventures and it is as though I am taking her with me on the adventure. I read signs on the road that are interesting and I share with her where I was that day and what I experienced too. We sure do laugh about my adventures. That is just exactly what they are. I am not afraid to get in the car and explore sites and places that I seem to have an interest in. It is in the exploring that you get to meet really nice people. As you can tell, I am a "people" person when out in public. If I have a question or I want to know a fact or something like that I will ask someone and if they do not have an answer I am either content with that or will search out another until I get the answer. You know it is when you are exploring and get off of the beaten path that is where you find great things. I found a wonderful little restaurant for lunch, a salad and a side of chopped pork with BBQ sauce of your choice. I was also able to see families on big tubes enjoying the river. I tried several times to attempt to get to the main candy store in town but there was so much traffic I could not find good parking that you did not have to pay for. All I wanted to do was get a caramel/chocolate dipped apple for my niece and walk over the bridge to watch the tubing families enjoy themselves. I settled for the smaller store of the same candy co. and then explored down another side street that was not in the downtown/congested area. I stumbled on the parking lot of the very small restaurant that I ate at. I then struck up a conversation with a dad and his young daughter that just completed tubing and they were enjoying lunch. I asked them if they thought that if I walked across the street a few yards away that I just may be able to get a glimpse of the tubers. He said go ahead. I did and that is how I am able to share the pictures with you. You see, God had a hidden surprise tucked away just for me if I was willing to find it out. I did find out that for a very nominal fee you can either do the 3 hour or 1 hour tubing adventure. The water is not deep and they can even connect tubes together and they give you a little stick to help you along also. I was advised to wear aqua shoes on this adventure. It looked like it would be fun to do. Maybe one day in the future. Do not sit home today, adventure out and you just may never know what God has waiting out there just for you if you decided to get up off of the couch and stretch forth.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
To God Be The Glory! Instead Of Opening One Door Yesterday To Minister To Someone, He Tucked In Another Opportunity At The End Of The Day.
Yesterday I fasted. Sometimes a fast can be hearing Holy Spirit in a direction in which He wants you to fast. In my case it has been for a few days now of not eating anything during the day until after 5PM. No matter how much my stomach may grumble during the day I overcame it and just drank tea, water, orange juice on one day and on a few other days it was tomato juice. Holy Spirit knew in advance that yesterday HE would put the desire in my heart to want breakfast, of all the meal choices to eat a little before 7PM last night. I knew where to go for breakfast and truly did enjoy that meal. Have you ever tried decaf coffee without sugar and creamer and opt for using honey as the sweetener and milk for the whitener? It is quite good and IHOP always obliges me with this, the service at IHOP is always very good and did you know they use fresh ingredients? I am fussy when it comes to places that serve dishes with mushrooms in them because I am not really a big fan of canned mushrooms. They use fresh mushrooms in their dishes yay for that.
Early in the day God opened up an opportunity to bless someone. It seemed to be such a struggle yesterday and all I can say is I had to battle in the spiritual realm to stave off things that were trying to come against me. Guess who won that battle? God did. For you see there are many angels around you if you are sensitive to this sort of thing, God's protection. In the midst of this battle I would sing in my mind silently praise songs. It is amazing that when one is in such a struggle/battle not every praise song you know comes to mind it seems to be that the very particular one needed for that very particular moment comes to mind and that is the silent weapon that the enemy just hates. So words of wisdom to you today, never slack off in listening to praise/worship music or closing your mind off to it for the very song you heard for the first time today may be the very song you need to keep resonating in your spirit on your day of battle. Let me tell you this, do not be fool enough to think that you will never have battles in your life for that is false. Maybe you are not fighting one today but I can surely guarantee you that there is one just around the corner and words of advice...be prepared. When you are in the battle satan tries to bombard your mind with thoughts of failure and defeat that is why you must have the arsenal already inside of you to fight off these thoughts. You are great in the kingdom of God and do not let him tell you otherwise, that you are a failure. You are not, you are mighty and great in the eyes of God. Do not ever settle for lessor thoughts OK.
I was so glad to relax after a long day yesterday. Another thing that I find helps me to re-coop in the midst of a battle is a creative project. Instead of whining and sulking I took time yesterday, I felt led to seek out stationary to send a few notes to people. I could not find anything that I really liked at TJ Maxx or Ross. I think their buyers may be changing or something because I use to be able to buy unique and good quality stationary and note cards there and lately, the variety just does not seem to be there. I just may have to search out another place for future purchases of this kind. Guess what I did find though, very good second best prize I must admit. It is called Create Your Own Paper Quilt Cards. That is what I did last evening, I created three different cards. I followed their direction on 2 of them and after looking at them I tweaked the design and then it became my own design. On the third one I was a little more creative and followed some style and then added my style. Now, this is not a project that you can produce a card in a minute or two for you do need precision to create these cards.
They supply good quality card stock and a decent envelope too. I hate when you have a beautiful card and a cheap envelope to send it in. If you ever need a really nice quality card you can also go to Target and purchase a card from the "Papyrus" line of cards. You will spend a few extra dollars on the card but they are well worth it.
Back to the story at hand. You have to really pay attention when my mind starts to flow with creativity. I will make a sudden turn in the story and go with the flow. For you see, maybe someone needed to know about creativity in the midst of a battle or just needed to know where they could go to get a good quality card. The waiter at the restaurant was extremely polite and attentive. I happened to notice that his family may have been at the restaurant too. I felt Holy Spirit nudge to ask if that was his family, he acknowledged that is was and I told him to let his family know that they did a great job of raising him and then I asked if he was going to go to college. He told me the name of the college he was going to attend and I felt to encourage him with simple words that Holy Spirit put in my heart to share. You do know that sometimes they are the simple words He gives to you that may impact a persons life much more than long dissertations. I just knew in my heart to bless this waiter with a generous tip. I heard Holy Spirit and obliged Him in this.
Let me share with you the Scripture verse that has been on my heart for several days now...1 John 2:10 "Those who love other believers live in the light. Nothing will destroy the faith of those who live in the light." You see, on the very first day when I was seeking God about something I heard this verse to look up specifically in response to what I was seeking Him about. If you read the verse either before or after this verse they are talking about those that hate believers. My God is a God of precision and He knew exactly what I was talking to Him about that morning in prayer, you must train yourself to hear the voice and direction of God. The very thing I was seeking Him about could have been destroyed if I read the wrong verse that day.When you have an experience like this you must give praise to God for I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was Him speaking to me that very day. Amen.
One more thing I need to share with you today and then this writing will be done. I will share my daily devotional excerpt with you....taken from Connection With God by Jentezen Franklin
"June 4 HE'S THERE!"
"God is...a very present help in trouble."
Psalm 46:1
"In a dream a man saw Jesus approach three praying women. He knelt beside the first with great tenderness and love. At the second He simply placed His hand on her head and gave her a look of approval. He passed by the third without even stopping.
Sensing the man's bewilderment, Jesus explained, 'Without constant assurance, the first woman would stumble and fall. The second woman's faith is stronger; I can count on her. The third, however, is being trained for the highest calling of all. She knows Me so intimately that she doesn't need signs of My approval. No circumstance discourages her because she knows that ultimately, she can trust Me.'
Being sinful, we fail. Being prone to sickness, we hurt. Being mortal, we die. Pressure wears on us. Anxiety gives us ulcers. People intimidate us.Criticism offends us. Disease scares us. Death haunts us.
What's the answer? 'God is...a very present help in trouble' (Ps 46:1.) Never doubt in the dark what God tells you in the light, for He's with you day by day on your pilgrimage. His unsearchable mind works in concert with His unfathomable will, carrying things out under His sovereign control.
When we hit rough spots, our tendency is to feel abandoned. Yet, the opposite is true, for at that moment we are more than ever the object of His love and concern. Yes, even when our vision gets blurred, out thinking is foggy, and we look up and can't see Him clearly-He's there."
Be blessed today and enjoy life!!!
Early in the day God opened up an opportunity to bless someone. It seemed to be such a struggle yesterday and all I can say is I had to battle in the spiritual realm to stave off things that were trying to come against me. Guess who won that battle? God did. For you see there are many angels around you if you are sensitive to this sort of thing, God's protection. In the midst of this battle I would sing in my mind silently praise songs. It is amazing that when one is in such a struggle/battle not every praise song you know comes to mind it seems to be that the very particular one needed for that very particular moment comes to mind and that is the silent weapon that the enemy just hates. So words of wisdom to you today, never slack off in listening to praise/worship music or closing your mind off to it for the very song you heard for the first time today may be the very song you need to keep resonating in your spirit on your day of battle. Let me tell you this, do not be fool enough to think that you will never have battles in your life for that is false. Maybe you are not fighting one today but I can surely guarantee you that there is one just around the corner and words of advice...be prepared. When you are in the battle satan tries to bombard your mind with thoughts of failure and defeat that is why you must have the arsenal already inside of you to fight off these thoughts. You are great in the kingdom of God and do not let him tell you otherwise, that you are a failure. You are not, you are mighty and great in the eyes of God. Do not ever settle for lessor thoughts OK.
I was so glad to relax after a long day yesterday. Another thing that I find helps me to re-coop in the midst of a battle is a creative project. Instead of whining and sulking I took time yesterday, I felt led to seek out stationary to send a few notes to people. I could not find anything that I really liked at TJ Maxx or Ross. I think their buyers may be changing or something because I use to be able to buy unique and good quality stationary and note cards there and lately, the variety just does not seem to be there. I just may have to search out another place for future purchases of this kind. Guess what I did find though, very good second best prize I must admit. It is called Create Your Own Paper Quilt Cards. That is what I did last evening, I created three different cards. I followed their direction on 2 of them and after looking at them I tweaked the design and then it became my own design. On the third one I was a little more creative and followed some style and then added my style. Now, this is not a project that you can produce a card in a minute or two for you do need precision to create these cards.
They supply good quality card stock and a decent envelope too. I hate when you have a beautiful card and a cheap envelope to send it in. If you ever need a really nice quality card you can also go to Target and purchase a card from the "Papyrus" line of cards. You will spend a few extra dollars on the card but they are well worth it.
Back to the story at hand. You have to really pay attention when my mind starts to flow with creativity. I will make a sudden turn in the story and go with the flow. For you see, maybe someone needed to know about creativity in the midst of a battle or just needed to know where they could go to get a good quality card. The waiter at the restaurant was extremely polite and attentive. I happened to notice that his family may have been at the restaurant too. I felt Holy Spirit nudge to ask if that was his family, he acknowledged that is was and I told him to let his family know that they did a great job of raising him and then I asked if he was going to go to college. He told me the name of the college he was going to attend and I felt to encourage him with simple words that Holy Spirit put in my heart to share. You do know that sometimes they are the simple words He gives to you that may impact a persons life much more than long dissertations. I just knew in my heart to bless this waiter with a generous tip. I heard Holy Spirit and obliged Him in this.
Let me share with you the Scripture verse that has been on my heart for several days now...1 John 2:10 "Those who love other believers live in the light. Nothing will destroy the faith of those who live in the light." You see, on the very first day when I was seeking God about something I heard this verse to look up specifically in response to what I was seeking Him about. If you read the verse either before or after this verse they are talking about those that hate believers. My God is a God of precision and He knew exactly what I was talking to Him about that morning in prayer, you must train yourself to hear the voice and direction of God. The very thing I was seeking Him about could have been destroyed if I read the wrong verse that day.When you have an experience like this you must give praise to God for I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was Him speaking to me that very day. Amen.
One more thing I need to share with you today and then this writing will be done. I will share my daily devotional excerpt with you....taken from Connection With God by Jentezen Franklin
"June 4 HE'S THERE!"
"God is...a very present help in trouble."
Psalm 46:1
"In a dream a man saw Jesus approach three praying women. He knelt beside the first with great tenderness and love. At the second He simply placed His hand on her head and gave her a look of approval. He passed by the third without even stopping.
Sensing the man's bewilderment, Jesus explained, 'Without constant assurance, the first woman would stumble and fall. The second woman's faith is stronger; I can count on her. The third, however, is being trained for the highest calling of all. She knows Me so intimately that she doesn't need signs of My approval. No circumstance discourages her because she knows that ultimately, she can trust Me.'
Being sinful, we fail. Being prone to sickness, we hurt. Being mortal, we die. Pressure wears on us. Anxiety gives us ulcers. People intimidate us.Criticism offends us. Disease scares us. Death haunts us.
What's the answer? 'God is...a very present help in trouble' (Ps 46:1.) Never doubt in the dark what God tells you in the light, for He's with you day by day on your pilgrimage. His unsearchable mind works in concert with His unfathomable will, carrying things out under His sovereign control.
When we hit rough spots, our tendency is to feel abandoned. Yet, the opposite is true, for at that moment we are more than ever the object of His love and concern. Yes, even when our vision gets blurred, out thinking is foggy, and we look up and can't see Him clearly-He's there."
Be blessed today and enjoy life!!!
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