Intercessory Prayer

Hi Friends,
(A list of prayer concerns can be found at the bottom of this post. Thank you for your prayers.)

Over the course of my life, I have moved from quick prayers about my wants to a different type of prayer where I have become more aware to whom I pray and more of the reasons behind why I pray. But there is always room for self-evaluation...

Yes, I pray and I believe that GOD hears me and answers. But if I can learn even a little more to make this process better, that is what I want to do. So I'm presently in a study where several of us are gaining much insight from the research and life experiences of Dutch Sheets in his Christian walk. We are using his book and study series, Intercessory Prayer. Our sessions are discussion based and we are learning from one another and scriptures as well as the teachings from our focused lessons.

In the first lesson, Dutch teaches that there are basically three motives for prayer. 1. I need to... (but this alone, is us using HIM) 2. HE needs me to... (but this alone can turn into legalism, bondage, and faith built on works) 3. Relationship... (this is our communion with GOD, when we visit with HIM while praying and listen for HIM in return)


OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
If we have never thought about our relationship to GOD in regards to our prayer life, just where do we start? Well, I'm assuming that everyone reading this has accepted the LORD JESUS, but if you have not.... that is your starting point ~~ to receive the LORD as your Savior. Please look to the right of this blog article for scriture references to help you begin your journey with CHRIST JESUS.

I pray that everyone reading this, gain a newness in understanding about intercessory prayer. I pray that we utilize this new understanding to the glory of the LORD. In JESUS' name. Amen.

So what is our relationship to GOD in regards to prayer? We must first realize who we are. We were created in GOD's image and we were created for a purpose. Genesis 1: 26-28 Then God said, “Let us make human beings* in our image, to be like ourselves...God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”

Psalm 8: 3-8 ...5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God*(some texts say the angels, but the original translates GOD) and crowned them* with glory and honor.6 You gave them charge of everything you made,putting all things under their authority—7 the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals,8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,and everything that swims the ocean currents.

Psalm 115:16 The heavens belong to the Lord,but he has given the earth to all humanity.

So we were made in HIS image and given a purpose to take charge of everything on earth. Isn't this just what a good father does with his children? We were created as sons and daughters of GOD. GOD put HIS glory on us from the start. By having HIS glory, we are to attract attention to HIM. We were created in HIS image to do as HE does by having authority over the earth just as HE has authority over all creation. HE wants us to be a reflection of HIMSELF. When the world sees us, they should be seeing our FATHER. We should be representing HIM in all our ways.

What an awesome thought, to be a child of the KING of KINGS. Is your image of a king like that of a tyrant? This is a false image of CHRIST. Although throughout history many kings have been tyrants. Read the scriptures and see the image we were created to model after. Look at the life of JESUS. HE was/is GOD in the flesh! Was He ever a tyrant?

Adam had the privilege of walking and talking with GOD daily. Scriptures tell us this and then sin entered and broke that daily communion. (I'm not talking about taking of the bread and the wine as in the last supper remembrance. I'm talking about our daily walk and talk with our HEAVENLY FATHER.)

So prayer for the Christian has become our communion. We cannot physically walk and talk with GOD as Adam did. But, we can walk and talk with GOD in the spiritual realm. We need prayer so that our walk and talk in the natural realm can be effective (where we meet and greet people daily) and that our communion will carry over to reflect GOD (in us) walking and talking with them, too. We need discernment to know what GOD would have us say and do. We need courage to do it. We need faith to see it through. We need to obey HIS will.

To my understanding then, just as the body needs oxygen to survive daily and it is a continual function for our lungs to breathe in and out, so our spirit needs prayer to survive. Prayer should be for the spirit as ordinary a function as the continual function of the lungs. Intercessory prayer then comes from a deep desire to truly commune with GOD... My relationship to HIM is important. I truly desire to reflect HIM in my day to day existence in this natural world we live in.

My prayer is that my relationship be so intimate with ABBA FATHER that there be no doubt that HE is the LORD of my life. My prayer is that HIS light shine and that I can be used as the vessel to draw others closer to HIMSELF.

How many times have I grieved GOD by not seeking a relationship with HIM? How many times have I grieved GOD by not praying? GOD has always been there. HE does not change. HIS door is always open. Let us seek HIM.

Prayer Concerns:

I know of many situations at this time that need GOD's touch. Here is a general list of needs I'm aware of and will not mention names here but GOD knows who they are...

• Those with cancer~~ I lift up 14 names (leukemia, breast, colon, prostate, skin, & bone)
• Those with ailments of the knee or leg ~~ I lift up 4 names
• The family on the death of a Christian brother's father this week
• One with a serious staff infection, which is better but still in need of prayer
• One who is pregnant~~blessing for a healthy pregnancy and delivery
• One who has a serious ulcer in the colon~~facing major surgery~possible total removal
• Two who are seeking deliverance from tobacco
• One with lupus
• One 4 mo. old baby to have surgery at Johns Hopkins for cleft lip and palate
• Seven separate families who are experiencing the throes of divorce and the aftermath~~pray for peace and courage to put the pieces back together
• One teen contemplating sucide~~pray for the love of GOD to overtake in this situation
• Several teens who are experimenting with dangerous elements~~pray that their eyes open and they repent and seek CHRIST
• Several families in a communist country who are proclaiming CHRIST, although the threat of prison or worse is probable
• Missions around the world~~pray GOD's will be done
• Seven brave patriots who are now in the military~~pray for safety in their assignments and that they come home
• Our sister churches and their administration (Pastors, Elders, Deacons, Teachers, Any Helps Minister, etc.)~~pray for unity within their congregations as well as unity between the sister churches for the cause of CHRIST
• Those who are without CHRIST and/or who belong to HIM but are running as Jonah tried to do~~pray that GOD is merciful and that they simply come home soon
• Pray for our pew warmers~~ we need active participants in the harvest~pray for motivation
• Pray for our fellow intercessors~~ we are in a spiritual warfare~~ pray that we continue to stand together on behalf of those who are weak and that we continue to seek HIM in all that we say and do

May the GOD of hope fill you will all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. Amen from Romans 16:24

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Give Thanks and then Listen to the call of GOD...

1 Thessalonians 5
16 Always be joyful.17 Never stop praying.18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 12
14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. 16 Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. 17 You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears.

18 You have not come to a physical mountain,* to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai. 19 For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking. 20 They staggered back under God’s command: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”* 21 Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, “I am terrified and trembling.”*


22 No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. 23 You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. 24 You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.


25 Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! 26 When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.”* 27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. 28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. 29 For our God is a devouring fire.




Dear Friends,

These scripture references at first seem at odds with each other but through my studies I have learned that all things are not as they seem at first glance.

We are now in the week of Thanksgiving here in America. It means football and turkey to most and a great time of family celebrating together. But there is so much more to our history than that. We have forgotten the purpose of true "thanksgiving" and even who we should be giving thanks to in our celebrating. I'm sure the Native Americans were thanked for many things in those early days, but the real bounty giver was GOD. Pilgrims running from religious persecution had not forgotten...

• After the Pilgrims had lost over half of their population in the winter 1620, they formed a relationship with the Wampanoag tribe and who taught them to fish, hunt and plant. After the harvest of 1621, the colonists collected enough food to feed the community and the Wampanoag were part of the feat. Edward Winslow (American Pilgrim and governor of Plymouth Colony~1633, 1636, and 1644) had this to say: "Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruits of our labor. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which we brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty." Mourt's Relation (full title: A Relation or Journal of the Beginning and Proceedings of the English Plantation Settled at Plimoth in New England)

• The first Thanksgiving Proclamation goes like this... WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour... and this is only the beginning of what George Washington had to say, October 14, 1879 as he proclaimed November 26 as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer. See the entire text @ http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/firsts/thanksgiving/thankstext.html

• Other days of thanksgiving were proclaimed as days of fasting and prayer in America's early history. ..

• Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation begins... The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. and there is much more...see the entire text @ http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/thanks.htm

Let's remember to give thanks in the good times and the bad... GOD is in control and there is a plan. We don't have to know the plan. We only have to trust and obey HIM and He will reveal what we need to know in HIS time.

You know, I have witnessed that some people do not accept that American’s foundation was based on Christian principles. But I say, how can anyone read our history and not see GOD in it? We must let them believe what they will, because history does reveal that many generations in America were taught and brought up in Christian homes from the time of the first colonies until today.

Some of our earliest founders came here for religious freedom. I believe that they listened to the call of GOD. They fought their way through the wilderness of settling in a New World. Yes, there were some disgraceful actions in American history. But have we truly looked at the goodness that America has brought to the world? But looking at the culture within families in early America we find that it was vastly different then. In most homes children grew up in the glow of scripture and godly parenting. This is where the work ethic of America was born. It was just part of the call of GOD to a people in a new land that became a new nation.

These families did not keep to themselves but built communities. They met regularly together. They planned and worked together. They worshipped and prayed together. They became a conquering machine with GOD as the engine. No community was without a church, even if they had a circuit riding preacher. For those who think we were never a Christian nation, if the first settlements didn't believe in GOD, why did they build churches?

At any rate, this work ethic that we know as the American way was established firmly in our beginnings. Then something happened. As people who were willing to work hard achieved great things for themselves and their families, they began to neglect GOD. Over time, families were no longer worshipping and praying together. There became a time in our history where only women were bringing their children to church. This probably started when so many men had to go off to war. But, those that returned from war also stayed home. Church became a place for women and children. GOD did not change, but our values did. If men were not going to church, then they were not setting good examples at home.

Eventually, even the mothers were not attending church and children were coming only when invited by others or because of a church bus ministry. I grew up in this era and it hasn't been that long ago (just about 50 years or so). GOD has purposefully been left out of families. The next thing that happened is that families disintegrated more and more. Divorce spread like a disease. Once families had a high priest in their own homes The fathers were the high priests of the home. Now, in most homes there is no priestly guidance. .. no example to follow...

When children grow up without a loving father, they have difficulty understanding that GOD is a loving father. Look at our homes today, sad but true is the fact that parents are signing up their children for all kinds of things at earlier ages. The thought is that I don't want my child to be bored and I want the best for my child.

Well, wanting the best for your child is wonderful, but what ever happened to teaching a child to be content with the things he/she already has? How can a well versed child ever be bored? Boredom doesn't come from a lack of things to do or lack of entertainment. It comes when children are constantly given things and never taught to consider others and to be grateful for the things that they have. When we give children everything they become ungrateful and expect more and more. We are not teaching children to make inward motivational changes so that their lives can be enriched, because we have not learned this lesson yet for ourselves. We neglect to train them to study GOD, but most of all we neglect to train them to listen to GOD. When we are too busy, we cannot hear from GOD. It is the same for our children. We all need to slow down our busy life and listen for GOD.

But let's get back to history, this turning away from GOD has had its impact, not only on families but also on society as a whole.

Through years of not knowing GOD in our homes, we have made HIM to be lesser than HE is in our hearts and minds. As a country, we are not able to keep the same Christian principles that we began with and our homes have been destroyed. When polls are taken, many say they are Christians but Christianity without Christ is not possible. Where is CHRIST in our lives? HE should be visible. We should look like CHRIST to the world. Would CHRIST ever do some of the things that we have done to others???

We have become arrogant as a nation and many times have believed that through our own power and wisdom we have arrived to a certain status. We put our faith and trust in our elected officials and in political gods who have made promises that can never be kept. As a people, our way of doing anything has not been with respect to seeking HIS face but has been by doing it all our way. May GOD have mercy on us as a people and forgive us for turning away from HIM.

Now, I realize that what I’m saying is a generalization and that not everyone who came here was Christian, but history reveals that many were. Our nation was built with the blessing of GOD and we are still being blessed but often don't realize how blessed we truly are. Let's consider what we need to do...

1. Study the Word of GOD, praise HIM and pray to HIM but most of all listen to HIM...
2. Study our American history… don’t take anyone’s word for it…go to the original texts and diaries… go to the original documents of our foundations. It’s recorded… it’s history… You will find the good, the bad, and the ugly in our history, but you will also find the faith of our forefathers of American history. Were they above sin? No. Did they do ungodly things? Yes, at times they did. But, did they have faith? Yes, most of them did. They believed in a good providence… this good providence we know as GOD through JESUS CHRIST our LORD. We need to be aware of history, so that we can learn from it and not repeat the same bad mistakes of the past. We need to be aware of history and put back into place the foundation on which our forefathers built this nation.

• These are just a few examples of the many you can find if you look... In the text of the Declaration of Independence, we find that GOD is mentioned in the very first paragraph. The next paragraph speaks of truths endowed by our Creator.
• Quote: "Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. … Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us."— Massachusetts Provincial Congress, Resolution October 6, 1774
• Quote: “I sat next to John Adams in Congress, and upon my whispering to him and asking him if he thought we should succeed in our struggle with Great Britain, he answered me, ‘Yes—if we fear God and repent of our sins.’”— Benjamin Rush (1745-1813) Founding Father& signer of the Declaration of Independence
• Quote: “God grant that not only the love of liberty but a thorough knowledge of the rights of man may pervade all the nations of the earth, so that a philosopher may set his foot anywhere on its surface and say: ‘This is my country.’”— Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) Statesman, Scientist, Inventor, Printer and Philosopher
• Quote: “Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God.”— Thomas Jefferson, Author of the Declaration of Independence, 3rd President of the U. S.
• Quote: “A freeborn people are not required by the religion of Jesus Christ to submit to tyranny, but may make use of such power as God has given them to recover and support their laws and liberties." (after the Boston Tea Party)— Samuel Adams (1722–1803) Father of the American Revolution, Patriot and Statesman
  
  Today, many of us know GOD as someone watching us from a distance. We sometimes call on HIM when we get in a jam. HE often answers us and helps us through and then we go straight back to the same way of living. Why are we so dumb? Why does it take so long for us to learn? You would think that we would learn after the first time but that usually does not happen. We forget that GOD is holy. HE is divine. HE turned HIS face from HIS own SON when the sins of all of us were laid on HIM. Do we really think that HE will not turn from us when we continue to go back to the very thing that drained HIS SON of human life?
  
  Hebrews 12 reminds me just how awesome HE is. When I read it, I have an openness to accept the power and might of OUR GREAT CREATOR. I read it to remember that when I raise my voice in praise and prayer to HIM that I call on a living GOD where angels gather joyfully. I enter into a great assembly of GOD’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. I enter before the judge over all things. I enter before JESUS who is my advocate and pleads forgiveness on my behalf rather than vengeance for my disobedience.
  
  Friends, we must not reject our GOD. HE has promised that HE would shake the heavens and the earth so that only things that are unshakable in HIS KINGDOM will remain. If we are truly HIS, we will remain… GOD is a devouring fire… We should remember HE is holy and that HE is to be respected.
  
  HE reaches down in HIS power and might to lift us up when we call on HIM to receive JESUS. HE bends down and hears us as David said in the Psalms. HE sees us because HE cares about us and HE is GOD…

• Look around… the shaking has begun here on earth… There will be no place to hide self or secret sin. All things will be revealed… Everyone is being called in and given the chance to turn to HIM and become new, for the old is being shaken away… O FATHER, OUR CREATOR! O JESUS, OUR SAVIOR! O HOLY SPIRT, OUR TEACHER!

Kings and kingdoms will all pass away,
but there’s something about that name...

JESUS! JESUS! JESUS!

HE is the King of Kings!

Have we all listened and obeyed HIS call on our lives?

What is HE calling you to do?

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We Have an Advocate... JESUS

Dear Friends,

There are so many things going on around us right now that need prayer... so don't forget... don't ever forget that we have an advocate... who pleads for us before our Heavenly Father. Take your cares to HIM because HE cares for you! 1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

But, do we come to HIM only when we need or want something? We need to be mindful at all times to keep praising the LORD. Eph. 5:18 be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.


Do you think it is hard to praise HIM when things aren't going well? I must say, yes, it is hard at first. But the more you learn to praise HIM in all circumstances, the easier it becomes. The amazing thing is that when we lift HIM up, HE lifts us higher. The more we praise and honor HIM, the more He takes us to new heights. We are able to see beyond our circumstances and our times of trouble because our focus is upon HIM. We are able to do this because we are in HIS will. We can be more effective in CHRIST because HE gives us power and strength that we didn't have before.


When we hear of a prayer request, if we have already been praising HIM, we know HE has been listening to us in praise. If we have also been listening for HIS direction then our communication is open between Heaven and Earth, between us and GOD. Only then are we able to offer a prayer on behalf of others that has substance.


Have you ever prayed and it was as if your words were just hanging in the air? Have you ever prayed truly knowing that GOD in all HIS wisdom and power was at that very moment answering your prayer?


When we know to do something and we don't do it, it is sin to us. James 4;17 Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. How many times do we pray while keeing sin as our companion? We sincerely pray for fire (the HOLY SPIRIT) to ignite the coals (of our hearts) but then we douse the coals with a flood of water (that drowns the possibility of fire to start).


Now, it's true that GOD has ignited a doused fire pit before. Read about Elijah in 1 Kings 18:16-46. HE can do it again if HE wants to, but we are supposed to prepare our hearts for HIS fire! Even in ancient times there were some things to do in order to have a successful fire. It is my belief that the supernatural is a parallel of the natural world. JESUS taught using parables which were designed to explain the natural but with a deeper spiritual meaning.

I found a guide to building a campfire and thought that it lends nicely to understanding the fire of the HOLY SPIRIT. Consider this: a campfire is a place to gather family and friends, tell stories and enjoy the company, eat and warm yourself. The location of a fire needs to be in a safe place. The location needs to be free of trees, brush, and tall grass. Are you separated from the world? Have you found that safe place in JESUS for HIS fire to ignite within you?


If you build a campfire, you would outline it with brick size rocks or brick to protect the fire. Have you studied the word and gathered your blessings and promises from GOD? Have you found the foundation rocks and prepared a space neither too large or too small? The largest rocks are scripture promises that are first understood by all who are saved. The foundational truth is here.


You would dig a trench in the middle of the site to keep it from flickering through the rocks and becoming unmanagable. Do you go off flickering self-righteousness toward others and set fires that become unmanagable? It's sad but true that we as Christians are sometimes quicker to condemn than to love others. We need to dig a trench in our hearts to free up the dirt (sinful attitudes) that hinder others from accepting CHRIST.


After digging the trench, you would scrape the bottom and pour pea gravel into the pit and smooth it out to level it and help with drainage. Ouch! Scrape the bottom of the heart... You have to get serious to do this spiritually. As you scrape away old offenses you will free your heart to truly love as CHRIST loved. As long as the old offenses are there (starting as early as childhood memories), you will never be able to be loved or to love. CHRIST loves on you always but you must get rid of hardened scabs that keep you from feeling loved... only you can do it... Then you prepare for drainage at the right time. Pea gravel are the mid-size rocks that represent scripture promises that are being learned and utilized by each individual. The scripture is based on study and is given only to those who scrape the bottom.


Next, you would add sand. This is interesting. We don't often think about anything becoming a problem underneath us, but the sand is to act as fire prevention so that fire can't spread to the roots under the pit. This is another case where we are so closely knitted to others that some of them may be damaged from the fire because they are so close to us. This is usually our immediate family and generally are the tender roots of children. We become impatient and cross to the point of harm. It's not the HOLY SPIRIT fire but a false fire that burns within us. We need to protect others from our false fire so that none will be destroyed by our lack of preparation. The sand represents the flow of protection that comes when we study scripture and truly begin to want the best for others. We don't want any harm to come to our loved ones. The grains of sand are many. These are scriptures where spiritual concepts are mastered.


Last, it is time to build the fire. We build the fire in the natural, but the HOLY SPIRIT brings the fire in the supernatural. Let the fire burn within each of us. May it give off enough light that others desire it for themselves when they realize it is of GOD. May it give off enough heat that cold hearts would melt and be filled with the true love of our Savior. May we continue to study and carry the light to the world who is dying in darkness.


As a final note concerning the campfire, the rocks are all scripture verses. Sizes of the rocks represent our level of study and commitment to understanding. It is not simply what others may do for us but it is all about what we do for others. Luke 6: 31 Do to others as you would like them to do to you.



So as you prepare for the fire of the HOLY SPIRIT to ignite within you that you might be a light in the darkness...

Look up, don't look down! You can't see anything looking down. It is like walking around in the dark, in a pit, in a grave... Sing, pray, study and listen for HIM to set you on fire.


Look up, don’t look within yourself to view your imperfections! Look up and see yourself as CHRIST sees you. See yourself as a reflection of HIM... Sing, pray, study and listen for HIM to set you on fire.

Look up, don’t look to the left or the right. Nothing there in this world can bring peace and hope like HE can. Sing, pray, study and listen for HIM to set you on fire.

Look up, don't look back. Your past can haunt you if you let it. The "would have, should have" self talk of destruction needs to disappear. You cannot change anything about your past, give it to JESUS. HE is the burden bearer. HE wants to take the weight off of your shoulders if you let HIM... Sing, pray, study and listen for HIM to set you on fire.


Look up, don't look into the future. You have no business there unless HE gives you dreams to dream. When we look too far ahead in our own strength, sometimes we get impatient with GOD's time table and do things to speed up an outcome. Then we find that it was not GOD's outcome that we created, but a mess that we beg HIM to fix for us... Sing, pray, study and listen for HIM to set you on fire.


For Heaven's sake... just look up...


I pray this brings you encouragement... to know that HE hears you when you call... Love & Prayers, Monica :)

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Just One Step at a TIme

Dear Friends in CHRIST,

Thank you so much for all the prayers and get well wishes for my daughter. She is still recovering, but for the most part all went well. I appreciate your calls to heaven on our behalf. May GOD richly bless each of you for your prayers. As the scripture says in James 5: 16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. 17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! 18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.



Tonight I am reminded of an old hymn I learned a long time ago called "Just one Step at a Time".

Here are some of the words with my thoughts in blue:

The future veiled before us lies... the path is hidden from our eyes... and JESUS leads, while faith he tries, just one step at a time...
chorus: Just one step at a time... just one step at a time... that's the way He leads to glory... just one step at a time

If we were able to see the entire future, it would probably be so scary to us that we would never get out of bed. GOD is merciful to us in that HE handles us on a need to know basis. Think of it this way... do we tell our children everything when we make a decision concerning them? Do our employers tell us everything about the reasons or results of our work?

We must remember that GOD is our FATHER. HE is Abba and with respect, FATHER knows best. We need to accept this fact and move on in our lives. We must continue to trust HIM and learn to be more like HIM as we go through this life. If HE is our FATHER, we will be in HIS presence forever. Forever HE will be the guardian of all that HE has made us to be. HE desires that we trust HIM in this life and that we obey HIM. In order to do either of these things we must know HIM. We know HIM better when we study. We know HIM better when we fellowship with believers. We know HIM better when we love others. We know HIM better when we try to be like HIM.

The older that I get the more I realize that I've wasted so much richness in time. There was a time that I poured myself so fully into my work that little else mattered. Looking back, it was nothing more than an escape for me. Years ago, I didn't get involved in drugs or alcohol like many of my friends did. When I was a teen, some of my friends lost their lives because of drinking and driving or because of suicide. My path turned out differently. I didn't do drugs or alcohol, but I sought ways to escape just like my friends who used drugs and alcohol.

My work preoccupied me so that I didn't have to think or feel about anything but my work. My work gave me purpose. My work was at that time, my god. My work robbed me of my family in many ways. Don't drugs and alcohol rob those who indulge in them of their families, friends and finances?

My work was even more important than I was to myself. In this I mean that working at all hours is as bad as partying at all hours. Everyone's body needs rest to repair itself. Where was my rest when I was up at all hours? Now, that I'm older I really believe that many of my medical problems today are due to mistreating my body when I was younger. By the way, old habits are very hard to break, if you know what I mean. So if you are young and reading this, don't get caught in this trap! Yes, work is important. But, if all of your waking hours are on the job either mentally or physically then your body will not cooperate with the overload. It is like a car running without oil. You can get a new car, but a new body... think about it...

When I look at scripture I think of its many biblical characters. Their relationship to GOD was on a need to know basis. The only one that fully knew what would happen before it happened was JESUS HIMSELF. The only thing that I find that HE didn't know was the hour that Abba FATHER would send HIM back to earth to redeem HIS own from the destruction to come.

Look at Adam and Eve, GOD gave him dominion over the earth. GOD didn't tell them that satan would come in and trick Eve. GOD didn't tell them that they would be banished from the garden for disobedience. GOD only told them to obey. HE gave them everything but one thing and that one thing got them in this world of trouble! One man's disobedience brought sin into the world for all of us. Sin is the reason that there is death and decay. Sin is the reason for pain and sorrow. Sin was born in disobedience. We need to stop blaming GOD for our own disobedience because many times it is our choices that dictate the next stage of decay, pain and sorrow.

Look at Moses, GOD gave Moses power in the midst of Egypt to rescue HIS people. It was not Moses who was their salvation. It was GOD. How many of us hear that Moses was the reason the Hebrew slaves were set free? No, it was GOD who used Moses and he was a willing participant. Even JESUS has to explain that Moses was an instrument. But did God tell Moses about the forty years in the wilderness? Would Moses have obeyed if he had known? Do you remember that Moses even questioned GOD in using him at first? The story of the exodus shows time and again what happens when disobedience enters GOD's plan. You must read it to find out even more.

We are all on a need to know basis. We can study and understand perhaps the way GOD is leading us, but sometimes HE totally surprises us in the valleys and on the mountain tops. We cannot second guess GOD's plan and purpose. But we can know that all things work together for good to those that love HIM... Romans 8:26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together* for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

So we are not to lose heart and we are to continue to serve HIM to the best of our ability daily. When we recognize we are are weak without HIM, HIS strength makes us strong in HIM. 2 Corinthians 12: 7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I cannot change my past, but I can learn from it for myself and try to help others learn from my mistakes. Live your life full and free in JESUS. HE is the only way in this world to the next...

Just one step at a time... just one step at a time... that's the way He leads to glory... just one step at a time

GOD bless you on your journey...