Sunday, September 28, 2014
Spiritual Glasses
Remember, try to avoid looking forward or backward, and try to keep looking upward. ~ Charlotte Bronte
Scripture:For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
Saints, how many of you wear glasses or contacts? I do. If you are anything like me, I have from time to time lost or broken my glasses. When this happens, I have a hard time seeing things clearly.
Today I want to talk to you about putting on your spiritual glasses. You see, sometimes when we look at life we see things as they appear to be. We may see insurmountable mountains. We may see unconquerable circumstances. We may not see a way out of bondage.
Putting on your spiritual glasses is a way of looking at things through the eyes of Jesus. It is a way of allowing God to take over and make a way out of no way. It is a way of seeing things more clearly. Seeing things not in the natural, but in the super-natural.
Putting on your spiritual glasses allows you to let go and let God lead the way. Putting on your spiritual glasses blinds you to the things of this world and it opens up a whole new view for you to see. God’s way. God’s world. Gods plan for you.
Saints, today pick up those glasses, put them on and learn a whole new way of looking at things. Trust in the Lord and know that he will lead you down the right path.
Be blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
Lord, I once was blind but now I see. We come today as the blind did in the 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 and to depend upon You and not the things of this world. Father, we ask that You would keep all of Your saints safe and secure this day. Continue to be with our troops during the time of tribulation. 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
Saints, how many of you wear glasses or contacts? I do. If you are anything like me, I have from time to time lost or broken my glasses. When this happens, I have a hard time seeing things clearly.
Today I want to talk to you about putting on your spiritual glasses. You see, sometimes when we look at life we see things as they appear to be. We may see insurmountable mountains. We may see unconquerable circumstances. We may not see a way out of bondage.
Putting on your spiritual glasses is a way of looking at things through the eyes of Jesus. It is a way of allowing God to take over and make a way out of no way. It is a way of seeing things more clearly. Seeing things not in the natural, but in the super-natural.
Putting on your spiritual glasses allows you to let go and let God lead the way. Putting on your spiritual glasses blinds you to the things of this world and it opens up a whole new view for you to see. God’s way. God’s world. Gods plan for you.
Saints, today pick up those glasses, put them on and learn a whole new way of looking at things. Trust in the Lord and know that he will lead you down the right path.
Be blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
Lord, I once was blind but now I see. We come today as the blind did in the 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 and to depend upon You and not the things of this world. Father, we ask that You would keep all of Your saints safe and secure this day. Continue to be with our troops during the time of tribulation. 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.
Monday, September 22, 2014
Going Through to Get To
Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. ~Michael Jordan
Scripture:
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. Philippians 1:29-30 (New International Version)
Recently, I had a conversation with a friend who just discovered some life altering news. As we talked about this new revelation, through her tears she asked, Why am I always going through? As I tried to comfort my friend, I tried to explain to her going through something, is just a journey. It is a journey of our souls from one place to the other.
Today I am here to tell you that even as you are going through, God is there with you. Even in your times of trouble, he still grants you peace. Even as we walk through the valleys of sickness, depression, financial difficulties, death, and disaster, God will never leave us nor forsake us.
Understand that each and everyone will have to go through something. Sometimes it’s because of things that we have done, the choices that we have made, or even just because it's necessary. Sometimes God allows us to go through something for our good. Maybe it's to protect us. Maybe it's to help us see just how blessed we are. Maybe it's to help us grow.There is one very important thing that I have learned about going through the valley of trials and tribulations and that is, none of us will stay in the valley.
It's just a journey to the other side!
Be Blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
God bless those of us who are battling those inner demons of depression, loneliness, unworthiness, and hopelessness. Shine Your warm Heavenly Light down upon all of us, Lord, guide us to find peace, happiness, and contentment in our lives and within ourselves. The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Heavenly Father, in my present need, help me to believe that You are aware of my anxiety and will do what is best for me. Give me the strength to trust You and put the present and future in Your hands. We pray, O God of hope, for all families whose lives are torn and disrupted by drugs and alcohol. Enable them to identify the illness. Strengthen them to seek help. Bless them with the power of Your love, which imparts transformation and wholeness to those who trust in Your name. Grant that as they walk this tortured road, they may journey together and bound close in the bond of love. Lord, we thank You for this day. for life and one more day to love, for neighbors, family, and friends. One more person to love and by whom be loved, for Your grace and one more experience of Your presence, for Your promise: to be with us, to be our God, and to give salvation. For these, and all blessings, we give You thanks, eternal, loving God, through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Scripture:
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. Philippians 1:29-30 (New International Version)
Recently, I had a conversation with a friend who just discovered some life altering news. As we talked about this new revelation, through her tears she asked, Why am I always going through? As I tried to comfort my friend, I tried to explain to her going through something, is just a journey. It is a journey of our souls from one place to the other.
Today I am here to tell you that even as you are going through, God is there with you. Even in your times of trouble, he still grants you peace. Even as we walk through the valleys of sickness, depression, financial difficulties, death, and disaster, God will never leave us nor forsake us.
Understand that each and everyone will have to go through something. Sometimes it’s because of things that we have done, the choices that we have made, or even just because it's necessary. Sometimes God allows us to go through something for our good. Maybe it's to protect us. Maybe it's to help us see just how blessed we are. Maybe it's to help us grow.There is one very important thing that I have learned about going through the valley of trials and tribulations and that is, none of us will stay in the valley.
It's just a journey to the other side!
Be Blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
God bless those of us who are battling those inner demons of depression, loneliness, unworthiness, and hopelessness. Shine Your warm Heavenly Light down upon all of us, Lord, guide us to find peace, happiness, and contentment in our lives and within ourselves. The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Heavenly Father, in my present need, help me to believe that You are aware of my anxiety and will do what is best for me. Give me the strength to trust You and put the present and future in Your hands. We pray, O God of hope, for all families whose lives are torn and disrupted by drugs and alcohol. Enable them to identify the illness. Strengthen them to seek help. Bless them with the power of Your love, which imparts transformation and wholeness to those who trust in Your name. Grant that as they walk this tortured road, they may journey together and bound close in the bond of love. Lord, we thank You for this day. for life and one more day to love, for neighbors, family, and friends. One more person to love and by whom be loved, for Your grace and one more experience of Your presence, for Your promise: to be with us, to be our God, and to give salvation. For these, and all blessings, we give You thanks, eternal, loving God, through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
If You Can Still Hope
If you are reduced to God being your only hope, you are in a good place. ~ Jim Laffoon
Scripture:
We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Psalm 33:20-21 (New International Version)
Many people believe that hope is a useless emotion. They believe that hope is a thing that fairytales are built on. Hope is the innate ability to believe that something can happen out of nothing. Hope is defined as to want or expect something: to have a wish to get or do something or for something to happen or be true. It is a feeling that something desirable is likely to happen. What I have learned is that hope is necessary part of our existence.
Hope; like the air that we breathe and the water that we drink sustains us so that we can live to fight another day. Where there is no hope, the people perish. Hope is akin to faith. Neither can be seen but that doesn’t lessen the importance of either in our lives. Hope like faith is our ability to see beyond the natural and trust in the supernatural abilities of God. Hope like faith is the knowledge that there is something greater than what we can see, hear, feel and taste. Hope and faith are both roads that lead to God.
When the world says, "Give up," Hope whispers, "Try it one more time." Hope begins in the dark; the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark.
The bible is a book of hope. It teaches us that no matter what you are going through, God is still in the midst of it all. It teaches us to see beyond the natural and to lift up our eyes toward the heavens where He resides.
Remember, Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and has made the Lord his hope and confidence.
Be blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
Father, there were times this past week that I became weak. Forgive me. I doubted Your word and Your promises. Forgive me. I allowed satan to deceive me with his lies. Forgive me. I wanted to give up, but You wouldn't let me. Thank You Father, for keeping me once again. Lord, I come boldly before Your throne of grace. Your word says that You give strength to the weary, so I ask that You would strengthen me Lord, for I am weary. Bless me Lord with Your presence, that my heart might be encouraged. Help me remember Your faithfulness and Your love that I might stand in faith against the issues that face me. I bind the schemes of the enemy to tear me down, and I rebuke the spirits that have been assigned to harass me. I ask You Lord to minister fresh strength and joy to me. I agree with Your word, that says, Your plans for me are to give me hope and a future. Father, protect Your saints against the spirit of depression during these perilous times. Let it be so Lord Jesus, according to Your will. I pray in Your mighty name, Amen!
Scripture:
We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Psalm 33:20-21 (New International Version)
Many people believe that hope is a useless emotion. They believe that hope is a thing that fairytales are built on. Hope is the innate ability to believe that something can happen out of nothing. Hope is defined as to want or expect something: to have a wish to get or do something or for something to happen or be true. It is a feeling that something desirable is likely to happen. What I have learned is that hope is necessary part of our existence.
Hope; like the air that we breathe and the water that we drink sustains us so that we can live to fight another day. Where there is no hope, the people perish. Hope is akin to faith. Neither can be seen but that doesn’t lessen the importance of either in our lives. Hope like faith is our ability to see beyond the natural and trust in the supernatural abilities of God. Hope like faith is the knowledge that there is something greater than what we can see, hear, feel and taste. Hope and faith are both roads that lead to God.
When the world says, "Give up," Hope whispers, "Try it one more time." Hope begins in the dark; the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark.
The bible is a book of hope. It teaches us that no matter what you are going through, God is still in the midst of it all. It teaches us to see beyond the natural and to lift up our eyes toward the heavens where He resides.
Remember, Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and has made the Lord his hope and confidence.
Be blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
Father, there were times this past week that I became weak. Forgive me. I doubted Your word and Your promises. Forgive me. I allowed satan to deceive me with his lies. Forgive me. I wanted to give up, but You wouldn't let me. Thank You Father, for keeping me once again. Lord, I come boldly before Your throne of grace. Your word says that You give strength to the weary, so I ask that You would strengthen me Lord, for I am weary. Bless me Lord with Your presence, that my heart might be encouraged. Help me remember Your faithfulness and Your love that I might stand in faith against the issues that face me. I bind the schemes of the enemy to tear me down, and I rebuke the spirits that have been assigned to harass me. I ask You Lord to minister fresh strength and joy to me. I agree with Your word, that says, Your plans for me are to give me hope and a future. Father, protect Your saints against the spirit of depression during these perilous times. Let it be so Lord Jesus, according to Your will. I pray in Your mighty name, Amen!
Thursday, September 18, 2014
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 and be a blessing
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.
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 and be a blessing
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.
