Thursday, September 29, 2011
Restore Our Sight
Remember, We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are. ~ Anais Nin
Scripture:
For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
How many of you know people who always see only the negative in a situation? They always manage to find something wrong with anybody and everything. They are usually known as pessimist. A pessimist will usually see the glass half empty, never half full.
As I read the above quote I started looking at some of the people around me. I know quite a few people that no matter what can’t enjoy life because they are always waiting for the other shoe to drop. They usually walk around with a woe is me mentality, spreading gloom and doom in their wake. I even know several Christians who think like that.
Not long ago while talking to a friend, she told me something that really surprised me. She said that when she finds herself feeling sorry for herself, she calls her friend Job. “Job”, I asked. Who is Job? “You are”, was her response.
She told me that she has watched me go from one bad situation to the next, but through it all, I am always talking about how good things in my life are. What she meant by her words were that I am the eternal optimist. I try not to dwell on the things in my life that are going wrong, but rather I try to focus on the blessings that I do have.
Don’t get me wrong, I have gotten discouraged about some things; like being without a job for over six months, having my car repossessed and having to move. But rather than focus on what I don’t have, I focus on what I do have.
I didn’t have a job but still managed to feed me and my sons. My car was repossessed but somehow I got the money to buy another one. I had to move, but I have always had a roof over my head and a bed to sleep in. Even when I didn’t know where my next dime was coming from, somehow God provided.
Saints of God, the one thing that we must always remember is that no matter what you may going through, what you lose, what you don’t have; we always have something to be thankful for.
We are not defined by our circumstances but rather it is He who defines our circumstances!
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Lord, I once was blind but now I see. We come before You as the blind did in days of old. Asking Lord, that You would restore our sight. Help us Lord to find the path that You have chosen for us. Help us Lord, to develop greater faith. Help us Lord, to see the world through the eyes of Jesus. Father, we come surrendering our lives to You. Help us to learn to lean on You. Help us Lord to learn that it’s not always about what we see but truly about what You are teaching us. Teach us Lord to lean upon You. To depend upon You and not the things of this world. Lord, help us to realize that our circumstances do not define us, You do. You have already told us that You would never leave us nor forsake us. Bless us Lord. Keep us Lord. Restore our sight once again. So that we may lift our eyes towards heaven and see Your divine vision for us. Father, we come praising and uplifting Your name once again. As we ask and pray this and all things in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Scripture:
For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
How many of you know people who always see only the negative in a situation? They always manage to find something wrong with anybody and everything. They are usually known as pessimist. A pessimist will usually see the glass half empty, never half full.
As I read the above quote I started looking at some of the people around me. I know quite a few people that no matter what can’t enjoy life because they are always waiting for the other shoe to drop. They usually walk around with a woe is me mentality, spreading gloom and doom in their wake. I even know several Christians who think like that.
Not long ago while talking to a friend, she told me something that really surprised me. She said that when she finds herself feeling sorry for herself, she calls her friend Job. “Job”, I asked. Who is Job? “You are”, was her response.
She told me that she has watched me go from one bad situation to the next, but through it all, I am always talking about how good things in my life are. What she meant by her words were that I am the eternal optimist. I try not to dwell on the things in my life that are going wrong, but rather I try to focus on the blessings that I do have.
Don’t get me wrong, I have gotten discouraged about some things; like being without a job for over six months, having my car repossessed and having to move. But rather than focus on what I don’t have, I focus on what I do have.
I didn’t have a job but still managed to feed me and my sons. My car was repossessed but somehow I got the money to buy another one. I had to move, but I have always had a roof over my head and a bed to sleep in. Even when I didn’t know where my next dime was coming from, somehow God provided.
Saints of God, the one thing that we must always remember is that no matter what you may going through, what you lose, what you don’t have; we always have something to be thankful for.
We are not defined by our circumstances but rather it is He who defines our circumstances!
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Lord, I once was blind but now I see. We come before You as the blind did in days of old. Asking Lord, that You would restore our sight. Help us Lord to find the path that You have chosen for us. Help us Lord, to develop greater faith. Help us Lord, to see the world through the eyes of Jesus. Father, we come surrendering our lives to You. Help us to learn to lean on You. Help us Lord to learn that it’s not always about what we see but truly about what You are teaching us. Teach us Lord to lean upon You. To depend upon You and not the things of this world. Lord, help us to realize that our circumstances do not define us, You do. You have already told us that You would never leave us nor forsake us. Bless us Lord. Keep us Lord. Restore our sight once again. So that we may lift our eyes towards heaven and see Your divine vision for us. Father, we come praising and uplifting Your name once again. As we ask and pray this and all things in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Is God Trying to Tell You Something?
When God speaks, do you listen?
Scripture:
And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!” “Here I am,” he replied. “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. Genesis 46:1-3 New International Version (NIV)
One of my favorite movies is the Color Purple. One of the many reasons that I enjoyed both the book and the movie versions so much is that Alice Walker created some very interesting characters who reflected strong, but flawed attributes. Although I really enjoyed most of the character portrayals, my favorite was Suge Avery.
Now one of the reasons she was a favorite is that she is a representative of many women, black, white and purple. No matter what your skin tone, you had to admire Suge. She seemed to have it all; talent, good times and a carefree attitude. Many would say she was a bad woman. I mean really, she was a juke joint singer and a hoochie coochie dancer and you might ask, why would anyone admire her?
The reasons are many but no matter if you loved or hated her, you had to admire her strong personality that allowed her to do what she thought was best for her and follow her heart. In a sense, she told the world “this is who I am and I going to do me.” Now if you think about the era in which this story takes place, this is unheard of from a woman. However, there was one person whose opinion of her she greatly desired, her father’s.
Suge’s father was a Pastor of a church; a church in the community that Suge had grown up in. When Suge decided to turn to the secular world to share her gifts, her father turned his back on her. Ultimately, this was the price she had to pay to do “her.”
In the movie there is one very pivotal scene that betrays who she really is. It is a beautiful Sunday afternoon and she says “I feel like sangin.” The next scene shows her at the juke joint surrounded by throngs of folks ready to hear her sing. She starts singing one of her favorite songs. But then, something happens.
In the distance, she hears an angelic voice singing what appears to be a song that Suge knows very well. “God is trying to tell you something.” Caught up in the moment, you can see the transformation in her taking place as both the power of the song and the Holy Spirit begin to take over. In the end, she makes her way back to the church and regains both her faith and her father’s love.
Saints, how many of you can’t sleep at night and you wonder why? Maybe God is trying to tell you something.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father God, sometimes the road ahead seems dark and lonely. I often don’t know what lies ahead and because of the unknown, I become fearful. Forgive me Lord, for not trusting in Your word. Your word that tells me, “I can do all things through Christ Jesus.” Your word that tells me, “I am more than a conqueror.” Your word that speaks to me late in the midnight hour when there is darkness all around. Help me Father to be still and listen for Your voice alone. Father, forgive me for not standing on Your word and Your promise. Your promise that has been manifested in the lives of believers for centuries. Lord, forgive me for my weaknesses and my fear. Strengthen me and magnify Your power and Your presence in my life and in the lives of all of my brothers and sisters in Christ. May the power and the light of the Holy Spirit be magnified in our hearts this day. May those who I see today, see You working in my life. Thank You Father for never giving up on me and turning Your back on me. Lord, help me to be aware of the things that I do and say today, because we never know who is watching. We come together once again joining in fellowship and prayer, asking that You would continue to bless all the families represented here, on our prayer list and in our homes. Thank You Lord, thank You Jesus, in His name we pray. Amen.
Scripture:
And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!” “Here I am,” he replied. “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. Genesis 46:1-3 New International Version (NIV)
One of my favorite movies is the Color Purple. One of the many reasons that I enjoyed both the book and the movie versions so much is that Alice Walker created some very interesting characters who reflected strong, but flawed attributes. Although I really enjoyed most of the character portrayals, my favorite was Suge Avery.
Now one of the reasons she was a favorite is that she is a representative of many women, black, white and purple. No matter what your skin tone, you had to admire Suge. She seemed to have it all; talent, good times and a carefree attitude. Many would say she was a bad woman. I mean really, she was a juke joint singer and a hoochie coochie dancer and you might ask, why would anyone admire her?
The reasons are many but no matter if you loved or hated her, you had to admire her strong personality that allowed her to do what she thought was best for her and follow her heart. In a sense, she told the world “this is who I am and I going to do me.” Now if you think about the era in which this story takes place, this is unheard of from a woman. However, there was one person whose opinion of her she greatly desired, her father’s.
Suge’s father was a Pastor of a church; a church in the community that Suge had grown up in. When Suge decided to turn to the secular world to share her gifts, her father turned his back on her. Ultimately, this was the price she had to pay to do “her.”
In the movie there is one very pivotal scene that betrays who she really is. It is a beautiful Sunday afternoon and she says “I feel like sangin.” The next scene shows her at the juke joint surrounded by throngs of folks ready to hear her sing. She starts singing one of her favorite songs. But then, something happens.
In the distance, she hears an angelic voice singing what appears to be a song that Suge knows very well. “God is trying to tell you something.” Caught up in the moment, you can see the transformation in her taking place as both the power of the song and the Holy Spirit begin to take over. In the end, she makes her way back to the church and regains both her faith and her father’s love.
Saints, how many of you can’t sleep at night and you wonder why? Maybe God is trying to tell you something.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father God, sometimes the road ahead seems dark and lonely. I often don’t know what lies ahead and because of the unknown, I become fearful. Forgive me Lord, for not trusting in Your word. Your word that tells me, “I can do all things through Christ Jesus.” Your word that tells me, “I am more than a conqueror.” Your word that speaks to me late in the midnight hour when there is darkness all around. Help me Father to be still and listen for Your voice alone. Father, forgive me for not standing on Your word and Your promise. Your promise that has been manifested in the lives of believers for centuries. Lord, forgive me for my weaknesses and my fear. Strengthen me and magnify Your power and Your presence in my life and in the lives of all of my brothers and sisters in Christ. May the power and the light of the Holy Spirit be magnified in our hearts this day. May those who I see today, see You working in my life. Thank You Father for never giving up on me and turning Your back on me. Lord, help me to be aware of the things that I do and say today, because we never know who is watching. We come together once again joining in fellowship and prayer, asking that You would continue to bless all the families represented here, on our prayer list and in our homes. Thank You Lord, thank You Jesus, in His name we pray. Amen.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Don't Be A Bag Lady
Remember, a chip on the shoulder is too heavy a piece of baggage to carry through life. ~ John Hancock
Scripture:
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24
Saints, how many of you are following Christ? If you are a follower of Christ, are you keeping up? What I mean by that is, are there other things in your life that are preventing you from truly following the word of God.
It has been said that each of us has our OWN cross to carry. But how many of you are trying to carry your cross and a whole lot of other baggage along with it? Do you realize that the excess baggage may be weighing you down?
What many of us often fail to realize is that so often we allow our past hurts, our sins, negative relationships, negative situations, and negative people to climb into the bags that we carry with us each and everyday.
We allow circumstance and situations to become a weight that we put in the bags that we call our lives. We allow fear and doubt to become like a rock around our necks. We allow our lack of faith to become a heavy object that we place in the bags of our lives that we continue to carry.
I believe that Erykah Badu, who wrote the song “Bag Lady”, knew what Jesus meant he said : Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father, we come to You this day in humble submission. We ask Lord, that You would help us to realize and recognize to put down those things that are weighing us down and preventing us from truly following Your word. Lord, we come this day placing our all on the altar. We come sacrificing ourselves as in the days of old. We have nothing to truly give You, but ourselves. Help us to become a living sacrifice. Allow something that we may do or say this day to encourage someone to seek Your face and Your word. Help us Lord to walk just a little closer to thee. Father, we come thanking You that You have given us this new day with new opportunities to draw nearer to thee. We give You praise, honor, and glory. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Scripture:
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24
Saints, how many of you are following Christ? If you are a follower of Christ, are you keeping up? What I mean by that is, are there other things in your life that are preventing you from truly following the word of God.
It has been said that each of us has our OWN cross to carry. But how many of you are trying to carry your cross and a whole lot of other baggage along with it? Do you realize that the excess baggage may be weighing you down?
What many of us often fail to realize is that so often we allow our past hurts, our sins, negative relationships, negative situations, and negative people to climb into the bags that we carry with us each and everyday.
We allow circumstance and situations to become a weight that we put in the bags that we call our lives. We allow fear and doubt to become like a rock around our necks. We allow our lack of faith to become a heavy object that we place in the bags of our lives that we continue to carry.
I believe that Erykah Badu, who wrote the song “Bag Lady”, knew what Jesus meant he said : Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father, we come to You this day in humble submission. We ask Lord, that You would help us to realize and recognize to put down those things that are weighing us down and preventing us from truly following Your word. Lord, we come this day placing our all on the altar. We come sacrificing ourselves as in the days of old. We have nothing to truly give You, but ourselves. Help us to become a living sacrifice. Allow something that we may do or say this day to encourage someone to seek Your face and Your word. Help us Lord to walk just a little closer to thee. Father, we come thanking You that You have given us this new day with new opportunities to draw nearer to thee. We give You praise, honor, and glory. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Don't Allow Others to Steal Your Joy!
Remember, Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
Scripture:
The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3
Saints, how many times have you Said, I was in a good mood until he/she said. Or how often have you said or thought; I was in a good mood until I came into this place or he/she got here. Saints, I want to talk to you today about allowing others to steal your joy, or worst yet, giving your joy away.
So often, we who profess to be Christians, allow the things around us to impact our state of mind. We wake up, get dressed, and travel to our destinations, full of the joy of the Lord. Once we arrive at our destinations, we forget to whom we belong and allow outside influences to change us on the inside. We allow those negative people we come into contact with, or our surroundings to steal from us a gift from the Lord, the gift of Joy.
Joy is not only a state of mind. It is a place. It is a place that we find ourselves in when we listen to the voice of God. It is a place that we find ourselves in when we reflect on how good God has been to us. It is a place where we find ourselves when we stop to praise the Lord for his goodness and mercy.
My challenge to you today is to keep your joy. As situations arise, rebuke that thief or situation that is trying to steal your joy. Tell satan and the world,
THIS JOY THAT I HAVE DEEP DOWN IN MY SOUL, THE WORLD DIDN’T GIVE IT TO ME AND THE WORLD CAN’T TAKE IT AWAY!
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father, forgive us for forgetting just how awesome You are. Forgive us Lord that we sometime allow the world to steal from us Your magnificent gifts. Father, my heart is filled with Joy and gladness. Joy at the mere thought of just how blessed I am to be a child of the most High King. As we prepare to start another day, another week, and another month, we recognize that we are not of this world, but just here for a time. We recognize that as long as we serve You and not this world, that we recognize that we will be faced with challenges and adversity, but we also recognize that our strength, our hope, our salvation, our victories, and most of all, our joy comes from You and not from those temporary things here on earth. Lord we ask that You will continue to touch and heal our prayer list. That You continue to watch over us, guide us, and protect us as well as our family and friends. Keep us all safe and secure under Your wings of protection. Until we meet again. Amen. Praise God. Amen.
Scripture:
The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3
Saints, how many times have you Said, I was in a good mood until he/she said. Or how often have you said or thought; I was in a good mood until I came into this place or he/she got here. Saints, I want to talk to you today about allowing others to steal your joy, or worst yet, giving your joy away.
So often, we who profess to be Christians, allow the things around us to impact our state of mind. We wake up, get dressed, and travel to our destinations, full of the joy of the Lord. Once we arrive at our destinations, we forget to whom we belong and allow outside influences to change us on the inside. We allow those negative people we come into contact with, or our surroundings to steal from us a gift from the Lord, the gift of Joy.
Joy is not only a state of mind. It is a place. It is a place that we find ourselves in when we listen to the voice of God. It is a place that we find ourselves in when we reflect on how good God has been to us. It is a place where we find ourselves when we stop to praise the Lord for his goodness and mercy.
My challenge to you today is to keep your joy. As situations arise, rebuke that thief or situation that is trying to steal your joy. Tell satan and the world,
THIS JOY THAT I HAVE DEEP DOWN IN MY SOUL, THE WORLD DIDN’T GIVE IT TO ME AND THE WORLD CAN’T TAKE IT AWAY!
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father, forgive us for forgetting just how awesome You are. Forgive us Lord that we sometime allow the world to steal from us Your magnificent gifts. Father, my heart is filled with Joy and gladness. Joy at the mere thought of just how blessed I am to be a child of the most High King. As we prepare to start another day, another week, and another month, we recognize that we are not of this world, but just here for a time. We recognize that as long as we serve You and not this world, that we recognize that we will be faced with challenges and adversity, but we also recognize that our strength, our hope, our salvation, our victories, and most of all, our joy comes from You and not from those temporary things here on earth. Lord we ask that You will continue to touch and heal our prayer list. That You continue to watch over us, guide us, and protect us as well as our family and friends. Keep us all safe and secure under Your wings of protection. Until we meet again. Amen. Praise God. Amen.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
The Death of Innocence
There's no tragedy in life like the death of a child. Things never get back to the way they were. ~ Dwight David Eisenhower
Scripture:
Now, O women, hear the word of the LORD; open your ears to the words of his mouth. Teach your daughters how to wail; teach one another a lament. Death has climbed in through our windows and has entered our fortresses; it has cut off the children from the streets and the young men from the public squares. Jeremiah 9:20-22 (New International Version)
A few years ago, I watched as three young children and their great-aunt perished in a house fire. It was a tragedy that touched my entire neighborhood. The death of innocence always has a way of doing that. These babies had gone to bed earlier in the evening never realizing that their lives would be snuffed out by flames that could not be extinguished.
The real tragedy in this whole situation was that a mother had to watch as her babies were trapped in a room where they could be seen through a window, but that no one could reach. Fire crews rushed to the scene but were ill prepared for the battle that raged before them. Five houses engulfed by flames and all they had was the equivalent of a water gun to fight the flames of destruction. This was a senseless and horrific tragedy that possibly could have been avoided if the proper help had arrived in time.
This situation reminds us all that death awaits us at any given moment. We too could be trapped in a room where we are seen by all, awaiting help to arrive and rescue us from certain death. However, the difference is that our help is already here. We don’t have to perish in the flames like those children. Jesus is here to rescue us, if we let him.
Jesus sees us as we fight against the flames that threaten to destroy our lives, the fires that threaten to engulf our very existence. He is waiting to break down those things in our lives that have us trapped.
He will be that fourth man in the fire with us if we ask.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father God, I come before the throne of grace with a heavy heart and spirit. My eyes are red and swollen from the tears that have been shed in the name of innocence. Lord, I know that the babies that died during this tragedy are safe in your arms. I weep for those who have been left behind who have yet to call on Your name. I weep for those we are caught up in this sin sick world. I weep for those who do not know of Your Love, Your Grace and Your Mercy. I weep for those who do not realize that You are just a prayer away. Lord, I ask that You would comfort the families that lost loved ones as well as those who have lost their homes. Keep them all safe in the bosom of Your arms. Let us cry for innocence lost and for those who have yet to ask You to come into their hearts. Now Lord, I thank You for sparing me and my household. Father God, I just want to thank You for fresh grace and mercy. But most of all, I thank You for Your son Jesus Christ. It is His name we pray. Amen.
Scripture:
Now, O women, hear the word of the LORD; open your ears to the words of his mouth. Teach your daughters how to wail; teach one another a lament. Death has climbed in through our windows and has entered our fortresses; it has cut off the children from the streets and the young men from the public squares. Jeremiah 9:20-22 (New International Version)
A few years ago, I watched as three young children and their great-aunt perished in a house fire. It was a tragedy that touched my entire neighborhood. The death of innocence always has a way of doing that. These babies had gone to bed earlier in the evening never realizing that their lives would be snuffed out by flames that could not be extinguished.
The real tragedy in this whole situation was that a mother had to watch as her babies were trapped in a room where they could be seen through a window, but that no one could reach. Fire crews rushed to the scene but were ill prepared for the battle that raged before them. Five houses engulfed by flames and all they had was the equivalent of a water gun to fight the flames of destruction. This was a senseless and horrific tragedy that possibly could have been avoided if the proper help had arrived in time.
This situation reminds us all that death awaits us at any given moment. We too could be trapped in a room where we are seen by all, awaiting help to arrive and rescue us from certain death. However, the difference is that our help is already here. We don’t have to perish in the flames like those children. Jesus is here to rescue us, if we let him.
Jesus sees us as we fight against the flames that threaten to destroy our lives, the fires that threaten to engulf our very existence. He is waiting to break down those things in our lives that have us trapped.
He will be that fourth man in the fire with us if we ask.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father God, I come before the throne of grace with a heavy heart and spirit. My eyes are red and swollen from the tears that have been shed in the name of innocence. Lord, I know that the babies that died during this tragedy are safe in your arms. I weep for those who have been left behind who have yet to call on Your name. I weep for those we are caught up in this sin sick world. I weep for those who do not know of Your Love, Your Grace and Your Mercy. I weep for those who do not realize that You are just a prayer away. Lord, I ask that You would comfort the families that lost loved ones as well as those who have lost their homes. Keep them all safe in the bosom of Your arms. Let us cry for innocence lost and for those who have yet to ask You to come into their hearts. Now Lord, I thank You for sparing me and my household. Father God, I just want to thank You for fresh grace and mercy. But most of all, I thank You for Your son Jesus Christ. It is His name we pray. Amen.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
You Only Get What You Expect
Don't lower your expectations to meet your performance. Raise your level of performance to meet your expectations. Expect the best of yourself, and then do what is necessary to make it a reality. ~Ralph Marston
Scripture:
Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. Proverbs 3:25-26 (New International Version)
I am a lover of words. I love how words come together to form a thought. I enjoy looking for variations of words and will often times look up similar words to see if they have the same impact. Expect and confidence, are two such words. They ultimately lead you back to the same thing; Reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing.
When we have expectations or confidence in something, we are saying to the world; so it is said, so it shall it be done. We believe that wherever or whatever our confidence relies on shall come to past. We believe that the object of our expectations shall come to past without question or doubt. The funny thing about expectation or confidence is that we are in control of how we gauge our expectations. In other words, we set the bar for ourselves.
As children we have little or no expectations of the world. As time goes by and we begin to experience difference aspects of life, we begin to develop expectations on just about everything and everybody. Many of the things that we expect are either taught to us or we develop our own criteria for what we expect.
We expect life and people to be a certain way. We expect to obtain certain things, meet certain people or to develop certain talents and relationships. We expect certain things for ourselves and for our families. I have learned one thing in my lifetime if nothing else and that is; our expectations will frequently change.
Today I ask you, what do you expect out of life? Where does your confidence lie? Who do you trust? Where is your faith? Too often we have trust in the wrong things or people. Our confidence is often deposited in the wrong places. Our faith often lost and can’t be found. The above scripture says; “the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.”
When we put our confidence in God everything else will fall into place.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Lord, Jesus, give faith and confidence to the ones who read these words, so that they will want to reach out their hands to their friends and pray that pain, despair, and sickness will be healed. Give them wisdom to know best how to pray, fill their prayers with the faith that heals and their hands with the power that gives life and comfort. Father God, you are my strength and my confidence I will trust in the Lord with all that I am. I will let go and let God be in control this day. I will surrender my all to him alone. Emanuel, Prince of Peace, Lord of Lords. You are known by many names but we know that You are the great I Am. Father God, thank You for keeping us once again. Thank You Lord for watching over us and our loved ones. Thank You Lord for the Blood that was shed so that each of us could enter into Your kingdom. Thank You Father for loving me that much. Lord, we pray Your hedge of protection, we plead the Blood of Jesus, We submit our will to Yours as we let go and give You control over our lives. Bless Your name Lord. Thank You Lord. Hallelujah Lord. Amen.
Scripture:
Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. Proverbs 3:25-26 (New International Version)
I am a lover of words. I love how words come together to form a thought. I enjoy looking for variations of words and will often times look up similar words to see if they have the same impact. Expect and confidence, are two such words. They ultimately lead you back to the same thing; Reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing.
When we have expectations or confidence in something, we are saying to the world; so it is said, so it shall it be done. We believe that wherever or whatever our confidence relies on shall come to past. We believe that the object of our expectations shall come to past without question or doubt. The funny thing about expectation or confidence is that we are in control of how we gauge our expectations. In other words, we set the bar for ourselves.
As children we have little or no expectations of the world. As time goes by and we begin to experience difference aspects of life, we begin to develop expectations on just about everything and everybody. Many of the things that we expect are either taught to us or we develop our own criteria for what we expect.
We expect life and people to be a certain way. We expect to obtain certain things, meet certain people or to develop certain talents and relationships. We expect certain things for ourselves and for our families. I have learned one thing in my lifetime if nothing else and that is; our expectations will frequently change.
Today I ask you, what do you expect out of life? Where does your confidence lie? Who do you trust? Where is your faith? Too often we have trust in the wrong things or people. Our confidence is often deposited in the wrong places. Our faith often lost and can’t be found. The above scripture says; “the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.”
When we put our confidence in God everything else will fall into place.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Lord, Jesus, give faith and confidence to the ones who read these words, so that they will want to reach out their hands to their friends and pray that pain, despair, and sickness will be healed. Give them wisdom to know best how to pray, fill their prayers with the faith that heals and their hands with the power that gives life and comfort. Father God, you are my strength and my confidence I will trust in the Lord with all that I am. I will let go and let God be in control this day. I will surrender my all to him alone. Emanuel, Prince of Peace, Lord of Lords. You are known by many names but we know that You are the great I Am. Father God, thank You for keeping us once again. Thank You Lord for watching over us and our loved ones. Thank You Lord for the Blood that was shed so that each of us could enter into Your kingdom. Thank You Father for loving me that much. Lord, we pray Your hedge of protection, we plead the Blood of Jesus, We submit our will to Yours as we let go and give You control over our lives. Bless Your name Lord. Thank You Lord. Hallelujah Lord. Amen.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Playing the Cards I Have Been Dealt
Remember, It is not the cards you are dealt but what you do with them that counts. ~ Anonymous
Scripture:
Three times I begged the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak." So I am very happy to brag about how weak I am. Then Christ's power can rest on me. 2 Corinthian 12:8-9
Every now and then we will be faced with severe adversities in our lifetimes and will ask the question; why me? We feel as though we are being punished for something that we may have done wrong. At times, our suffering may seem more than we can bear.
What I have learned is this; trials and tribulations will come against you through no fault of your own. How you deal with these adversities is the true measure of your character. More times than not, we have no control over what we are going through. However, we can control how we respond.
If you have lost your job, your house or your car, know that God is still on your side. If the bill collectors are ringing your phone of the hook, don’t despair. God can make a way out of know way. Maybe the man or woman that you loved is gone. Know that God sometimes needs for us to be alone so that we can develop a relationship with Him first.
Whatever your situation may be, know that God has already said, He would never leave you nor forsake you. He can provide all of your needs. He is Your mother and your father. He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek him.
No matter what cards life deals you; God is still in control.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
God, sometimes the burdens of life tend to get me down. I suffer in the late night hours, crying tears of anguish, beseeching You to take away my burdens. I sometimes forget that even when I had no job, You still provided. I sometimes pray for a mate, not realizing that I must first develop a relationship with You. I want more for my family and don’t realize that we have more than most. Forgive me Lord, for my selfish spirit. Father, I come asking for the patience of Job, the faithfulness of David, and the commitment of Paul. I pray that You would forgive me for feeding my fears instead of my faith. Help me Lord, to be still and listen for Your voice alone. Lord, I ask that You would answer the prayers of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Father, I don’t know all of their needs, but you do. Some have not the strength to endure. Strengthen them Heavenly Father, speak a word into their spirits so that they too would be encouraged. Thank You Father for Your many blessings. Thank You Lord, for the death and resurrection of Your son, Jesus Christ. It is in His name that we pray. Amen.
Scripture:
Three times I begged the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak." So I am very happy to brag about how weak I am. Then Christ's power can rest on me. 2 Corinthian 12:8-9
Every now and then we will be faced with severe adversities in our lifetimes and will ask the question; why me? We feel as though we are being punished for something that we may have done wrong. At times, our suffering may seem more than we can bear.
What I have learned is this; trials and tribulations will come against you through no fault of your own. How you deal with these adversities is the true measure of your character. More times than not, we have no control over what we are going through. However, we can control how we respond.
If you have lost your job, your house or your car, know that God is still on your side. If the bill collectors are ringing your phone of the hook, don’t despair. God can make a way out of know way. Maybe the man or woman that you loved is gone. Know that God sometimes needs for us to be alone so that we can develop a relationship with Him first.
Whatever your situation may be, know that God has already said, He would never leave you nor forsake you. He can provide all of your needs. He is Your mother and your father. He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek him.
No matter what cards life deals you; God is still in control.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
God, sometimes the burdens of life tend to get me down. I suffer in the late night hours, crying tears of anguish, beseeching You to take away my burdens. I sometimes forget that even when I had no job, You still provided. I sometimes pray for a mate, not realizing that I must first develop a relationship with You. I want more for my family and don’t realize that we have more than most. Forgive me Lord, for my selfish spirit. Father, I come asking for the patience of Job, the faithfulness of David, and the commitment of Paul. I pray that You would forgive me for feeding my fears instead of my faith. Help me Lord, to be still and listen for Your voice alone. Lord, I ask that You would answer the prayers of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Father, I don’t know all of their needs, but you do. Some have not the strength to endure. Strengthen them Heavenly Father, speak a word into their spirits so that they too would be encouraged. Thank You Father for Your many blessings. Thank You Lord, for the death and resurrection of Your son, Jesus Christ. It is in His name that we pray. Amen.
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
Living In a Ball of Confusion
Sometimes in our confusion, we see not the world as it is, but the world though eyes blurred by the mind.
Scripture:
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. "Be still, and know that I am God; Psalm 46:9-10
How many of you are familiar with a song called "Ball of Confusion", by the Temptations? It was a song from the seventies; for those of you too young to remember, that talked about the condition of our world. Wrong kinds of conditions.
Some of the lyrics talked about war, drugs, hate, segregation, and a multitude of other situations. "Round and around and around we go where the world's headed, nobody knows." Many of the same problems and situations still exist today.
As some of you know, I like to write. A very interesting tool that I use is called "the reverse dictionary lookup. What you do, is type in a phrase or concept that you are trying to find a word for. I typed in ball of confusion, and interestingly, some of the words that came back were; mess, interference, bewilderment, turmoil, mayhem, upset, and the list went on and on.
Sometimes we find that our lives are caught in a ball of confusion. There is confusion all around us. We find that our lives are a mess, we are lost and bewildered. We live tumultuous lives; there is mayhem all around us. We are constantly upset, and the band played on.
Saints, when there is confusion all around us, we can't hear the word of God. When there is turmoil and mayhem all around us, we tend to take our minds off God. When we are bewildered and upset, we can't be in tune to what God is trying to tell us.
Saints of God, when you find yourself caught in a ball of confusion, find yourself a quiet place. Even if you have to go hide in a closet. Tell satan to "shut up and get out of my way. Focus on the word of God, not on your problems. Concentrate on the Promises of God. Turn those very same problems over to God. He has said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." "we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. "The LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.
And finally he say; ""I am the LORD , the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Lord, we come before Your throne of grace seeking peace. We come kneeling before You today, seeking the restoration of our quiet time with You. Lord, so much is going on around me that I need to just stop and spend some time with You. Lord, I will keep my mind and my eyes staid on You today. I will leave my problems, my situations, all of the confusion and the mess of my life, on the altar of sacrificing. I will not listen to the negative words that are spoken in my life today. I will seek only Your love, Your comfort, Your strength and Your joy. These are the things that You have already given me if I would just take a moment to find them in Your word. Your word which is the master plan for our lives. Your word that has all of the answers that we seek. Lord, I also have to stop and admit that much of the confusion around me I have allowed to happen. I have made wrong decisions and choices that have blocked me and prevented me from being in right relationship with You. Forgive me Lord, for my wrong choices. Deliver me Lord, from bad situations. Hold my hand Lord, as I find my way back to You. Thank You Lord, for being there when I need. You. Thank You for blessing and keeping me. Thank You for Your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Scripture:
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. "Be still, and know that I am God; Psalm 46:9-10
How many of you are familiar with a song called "Ball of Confusion", by the Temptations? It was a song from the seventies; for those of you too young to remember, that talked about the condition of our world. Wrong kinds of conditions.
Some of the lyrics talked about war, drugs, hate, segregation, and a multitude of other situations. "Round and around and around we go where the world's headed, nobody knows." Many of the same problems and situations still exist today.
As some of you know, I like to write. A very interesting tool that I use is called "the reverse dictionary lookup. What you do, is type in a phrase or concept that you are trying to find a word for. I typed in ball of confusion, and interestingly, some of the words that came back were; mess, interference, bewilderment, turmoil, mayhem, upset, and the list went on and on.
Sometimes we find that our lives are caught in a ball of confusion. There is confusion all around us. We find that our lives are a mess, we are lost and bewildered. We live tumultuous lives; there is mayhem all around us. We are constantly upset, and the band played on.
Saints, when there is confusion all around us, we can't hear the word of God. When there is turmoil and mayhem all around us, we tend to take our minds off God. When we are bewildered and upset, we can't be in tune to what God is trying to tell us.
Saints of God, when you find yourself caught in a ball of confusion, find yourself a quiet place. Even if you have to go hide in a closet. Tell satan to "shut up and get out of my way. Focus on the word of God, not on your problems. Concentrate on the Promises of God. Turn those very same problems over to God. He has said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." "we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. "The LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.
And finally he say; ""I am the LORD , the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Lord, we come before Your throne of grace seeking peace. We come kneeling before You today, seeking the restoration of our quiet time with You. Lord, so much is going on around me that I need to just stop and spend some time with You. Lord, I will keep my mind and my eyes staid on You today. I will leave my problems, my situations, all of the confusion and the mess of my life, on the altar of sacrificing. I will not listen to the negative words that are spoken in my life today. I will seek only Your love, Your comfort, Your strength and Your joy. These are the things that You have already given me if I would just take a moment to find them in Your word. Your word which is the master plan for our lives. Your word that has all of the answers that we seek. Lord, I also have to stop and admit that much of the confusion around me I have allowed to happen. I have made wrong decisions and choices that have blocked me and prevented me from being in right relationship with You. Forgive me Lord, for my wrong choices. Deliver me Lord, from bad situations. Hold my hand Lord, as I find my way back to You. Thank You Lord, for being there when I need. You. Thank You for blessing and keeping me. Thank You for Your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
Praise Him for the Closed Door
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us. ~Helen Keller
Scriptures:
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6, For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake, lead me, and guide me. Psalm 31:3, Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee I will wait all day. Psalm 25:5, Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. Psalm 5:8.
A few years ago, a friend shared a story called “Praise him for the Closed Door.” It spoke about how we need to learn to praise God for closed doors.
One reason God closes doors is because he hasn't prepared anything over there for us. Another reason may be because what's behind door number one may cause us harm. And yet still, behind door number two may be a trap that satan has prepared for us.
The story went on to further state, that God directs our paths through the closing and opening of doors. When one door closes, it forces you to change your path. The closing of yet another will cause you to change your path again. Then finally, you open the door and you walk right into your blessing.
So Saints of God, instead of trying to beat down the door, praise him for the detour he is sending you on. Praise him for your blessings that are on the way.
But most of all, praise him because we serve an awesome God!
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Lord, many of us are standing before a closed door. Lord, some of us have been trying to beat that door down. Father, You have already told us that You would never leave us nor forsake us. You have already told us that You would open the windows of heaven and pour us out a blessing. A blessing that would overflow with Your love, Your grace, and Your mercy. Lord, we come thanking You for closing that door. Lord, we come thanking You and praising You because we know that our blessings are on the way. We praise You this day, because You are the Lord, my God. Praise His name. Hallelujah,. We worship and exalt You this day. Bless Your Holy Name Lord. Lord, some of us were ready to give up. But Lord, we realize that You haven't failed us yet. Praise God! Some of us have cried until we have no more tears to cry. But today my eyes are filled with tears of joy. Thank You Jesus. Father, we will Bless Your name all the day long. Hallelujah,Praise God. Amen. Amen.
Scriptures:
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6, For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake, lead me, and guide me. Psalm 31:3, Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee I will wait all day. Psalm 25:5, Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. Psalm 5:8.
A few years ago, a friend shared a story called “Praise him for the Closed Door.” It spoke about how we need to learn to praise God for closed doors.
One reason God closes doors is because he hasn't prepared anything over there for us. Another reason may be because what's behind door number one may cause us harm. And yet still, behind door number two may be a trap that satan has prepared for us.
The story went on to further state, that God directs our paths through the closing and opening of doors. When one door closes, it forces you to change your path. The closing of yet another will cause you to change your path again. Then finally, you open the door and you walk right into your blessing.
So Saints of God, instead of trying to beat down the door, praise him for the detour he is sending you on. Praise him for your blessings that are on the way.
But most of all, praise him because we serve an awesome God!
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Lord, many of us are standing before a closed door. Lord, some of us have been trying to beat that door down. Father, You have already told us that You would never leave us nor forsake us. You have already told us that You would open the windows of heaven and pour us out a blessing. A blessing that would overflow with Your love, Your grace, and Your mercy. Lord, we come thanking You for closing that door. Lord, we come thanking You and praising You because we know that our blessings are on the way. We praise You this day, because You are the Lord, my God. Praise His name. Hallelujah,. We worship and exalt You this day. Bless Your Holy Name Lord. Lord, some of us were ready to give up. But Lord, we realize that You haven't failed us yet. Praise God! Some of us have cried until we have no more tears to cry. But today my eyes are filled with tears of joy. Thank You Jesus. Father, we will Bless Your name all the day long. Hallelujah,Praise God. Amen. Amen.
Sunday, September 04, 2011
Trouble Don't Last Always
Remember, Trouble is a part of your life, and if you don't share it, you don't give the person who loves you a chance to love you enough. ~ Dinah Shore
Scripture:
After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the LORD had brought upon him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring. Job 42:10-11 (New International Version)
I have often noted that when we are going through trials and tribulations, many of us are unwilling to let our family and friends know about it. Personally, I know that pride has kept me from sharing my bad times with others, even my sisters, whom I am very close to. I usually won’t tell others about my bad days unless I have no other choice.
I know people who are suffering with terminal illnesses, unemployment, cheating spouses and one of the biggest culprits of trouble, financial difficulties. So many are ashamed to admit that there is something wrong in their lives.
I have heard people say; “I don’t want anybody to feel sorry for me” or “I don’t need anybody’s help, I can do it on my own.” The most popular saying among Christians is; “God will provide.”
Now I know that there are some people who will try to take advantage of down situations and to be honest, we really don’t need to have those types of people in our lives to begin with. However, I also know of situations where there are people who would help, if they only knew.
The fact of the matter is that so often our egos or our pride can hinder us as we try to overcome our problems. We pray to God to send us help, but when it arrives, we turn it down for fear of seeming weak or unable to handle our own affairs.
Saints of God, no, trouble don’t last always. But in the mean time, learn to accept a helping hand.
Be blessed
Prayer:
Lord, we come before the throne of grace once again to thank you. Lord, we have so much to be grateful for and sometimes we just forget why. We thank You for waking us up, keeping us warm, keeping us safe, and proving all of our needs. We thank You most of all for Your word and for Your son, Christ Jesus. Father, we thank You for those friends who only want the best for us. We thank You Lord, because You give fresh grace and mercy each and every day. Thank You Lord, for my children. Lord, thank You for my friends who constantly encourage me when I am down and catch me before I fall. Thank You father for never giving up on me, even when I wanted to give up on myself. Lord, we just want to give You the praise and honor that You deserve, because You gave us the forgiveness that we didn't deserve. Keep us all in perfect peace and place Your hedge around us and Your word in our hearts. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Scripture:
After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the LORD had brought upon him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring. Job 42:10-11 (New International Version)
I have often noted that when we are going through trials and tribulations, many of us are unwilling to let our family and friends know about it. Personally, I know that pride has kept me from sharing my bad times with others, even my sisters, whom I am very close to. I usually won’t tell others about my bad days unless I have no other choice.
I know people who are suffering with terminal illnesses, unemployment, cheating spouses and one of the biggest culprits of trouble, financial difficulties. So many are ashamed to admit that there is something wrong in their lives.
I have heard people say; “I don’t want anybody to feel sorry for me” or “I don’t need anybody’s help, I can do it on my own.” The most popular saying among Christians is; “God will provide.”
Now I know that there are some people who will try to take advantage of down situations and to be honest, we really don’t need to have those types of people in our lives to begin with. However, I also know of situations where there are people who would help, if they only knew.
The fact of the matter is that so often our egos or our pride can hinder us as we try to overcome our problems. We pray to God to send us help, but when it arrives, we turn it down for fear of seeming weak or unable to handle our own affairs.
Saints of God, no, trouble don’t last always. But in the mean time, learn to accept a helping hand.
Be blessed
Prayer:
Lord, we come before the throne of grace once again to thank you. Lord, we have so much to be grateful for and sometimes we just forget why. We thank You for waking us up, keeping us warm, keeping us safe, and proving all of our needs. We thank You most of all for Your word and for Your son, Christ Jesus. Father, we thank You for those friends who only want the best for us. We thank You Lord, because You give fresh grace and mercy each and every day. Thank You Lord, for my children. Lord, thank You for my friends who constantly encourage me when I am down and catch me before I fall. Thank You father for never giving up on me, even when I wanted to give up on myself. Lord, we just want to give You the praise and honor that You deserve, because You gave us the forgiveness that we didn't deserve. Keep us all in perfect peace and place Your hedge around us and Your word in our hearts. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Thursday, September 01, 2011
Let it Go and Leave it Behind!
Forgiveness means letting go of the past. ~ Gerald Jampolsky
Scripture:
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19
Saints, why is it when something is going bad, we start thinking about all the bad that has happened in our past? Why is it that when we get upset with someone, we think about how they made us angry in the past? Why is it that when we think we are failing, we think about all of the failures of our past?
Why is it that we often times remember the pain that old relationships have caused us when dealing with problems in our new relationships? Why is it that we can't forgive ourselves for our past and still beat ourselves up about mistakes that we made a long time ago? Saints, learn to leave the past where it belongs. In the past. Learn to forgive and move on. Learn to let go and move on. Learn to forgive yourselves for your past sins because God already forgave you the moment that you asked.
In today's word God speaks about letting go and seeing what he is doing in your lives right now! God's word speaks about how he is able to make a way in the desert and steams in the wasteland. In other words, he has the power to make a change in your lives no matter how desolate the situation seems to you if you would JUST LET IT GO AND LEAVE IT BEHIND!
But most of all, trust in Him and look ahead and not behind.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
El Shaddai, You who are All Mighty, all Powerful, my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be. Father, help me to let go of my past and walk into my blessings of today. Lord, help me to let go of my sins of yesterday and embrace the forgiveness that You have in Your heart for me. Lord, I am weak. I seek Your strength and ask that You would help me to be still and listen to Your word so that I may be able to gather a renewed strength and purpose even in the wilderness. Lord, I am like Elijah, in a desert situation but know that my help and my blessings are still being provided by You. Thank You Lord. Lord, help me to let go and let God. Use me today Lord to be a blessing to someone else. Touch me Lord, just to let me know that You are still walking with me. Have mercy Lord, our needs and our afflictions are too many to name, but we know that You know what those needs are and we ask that You would bless us according to Your tender mercies. Thank You Father. Thank You Jesus, in whose name we pray. Glory Hallelujah, Praise God, Amen.
Scripture:
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19
Saints, why is it when something is going bad, we start thinking about all the bad that has happened in our past? Why is it that when we get upset with someone, we think about how they made us angry in the past? Why is it that when we think we are failing, we think about all of the failures of our past?
Why is it that we often times remember the pain that old relationships have caused us when dealing with problems in our new relationships? Why is it that we can't forgive ourselves for our past and still beat ourselves up about mistakes that we made a long time ago? Saints, learn to leave the past where it belongs. In the past. Learn to forgive and move on. Learn to let go and move on. Learn to forgive yourselves for your past sins because God already forgave you the moment that you asked.
In today's word God speaks about letting go and seeing what he is doing in your lives right now! God's word speaks about how he is able to make a way in the desert and steams in the wasteland. In other words, he has the power to make a change in your lives no matter how desolate the situation seems to you if you would JUST LET IT GO AND LEAVE IT BEHIND!
But most of all, trust in Him and look ahead and not behind.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
El Shaddai, You who are All Mighty, all Powerful, my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be. Father, help me to let go of my past and walk into my blessings of today. Lord, help me to let go of my sins of yesterday and embrace the forgiveness that You have in Your heart for me. Lord, I am weak. I seek Your strength and ask that You would help me to be still and listen to Your word so that I may be able to gather a renewed strength and purpose even in the wilderness. Lord, I am like Elijah, in a desert situation but know that my help and my blessings are still being provided by You. Thank You Lord. Lord, help me to let go and let God. Use me today Lord to be a blessing to someone else. Touch me Lord, just to let me know that You are still walking with me. Have mercy Lord, our needs and our afflictions are too many to name, but we know that You know what those needs are and we ask that You would bless us according to Your tender mercies. Thank You Father. Thank You Jesus, in whose name we pray. Glory Hallelujah, Praise God, Amen.
