Sunday, March 27, 2016
When you Don't Know Where You Are
The state of your life is nothing more than a reflection of your state of mind. ~ Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
Scripture:
Let me live that I may praise You, and may Your laws sustain me. I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commands. Psalm 119:175-176 (New International Version)
Have you ever been in a place mentally where you didn’t understand your own state of mind? Your thoughts are confusing, you have a sense of loss, suddenly not knowing or understanding your purpose in this life. You just can’t seem to get it together.
I find that when I don’t spend time in the presence of God or at the very least, study the word of God, I will find myself at that place. Not understanding why I feel bad or why things aren’t going right in my life are but a few of the symptoms I might be experiencing. I become withdrawn, unable to communicate my thoughts and feelings because I’m not sure what they are.
Saints of God, partaking of the Word of God and spending time in his presence is a necessary part of life if we are to sustain our spiritual life and grow. The word of God says man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.
Not feeding our faith causes us to feed those negative things in our lives.
Be blessed and be blessing
Prayer:
God, sometimes I lose my way and forget where I am. There are moments when 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 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. Lord, 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 we pray, Amen.
Scripture:
Let me live that I may praise You, and may Your laws sustain me. I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commands. Psalm 119:175-176 (New International Version)
Have you ever been in a place mentally where you didn’t understand your own state of mind? Your thoughts are confusing, you have a sense of loss, suddenly not knowing or understanding your purpose in this life. You just can’t seem to get it together.
I find that when I don’t spend time in the presence of God or at the very least, study the word of God, I will find myself at that place. Not understanding why I feel bad or why things aren’t going right in my life are but a few of the symptoms I might be experiencing. I become withdrawn, unable to communicate my thoughts and feelings because I’m not sure what they are.
Saints of God, partaking of the Word of God and spending time in his presence is a necessary part of life if we are to sustain our spiritual life and grow. The word of God says man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.
Not feeding our faith causes us to feed those negative things in our lives.
Be blessed and be blessing
Prayer:
God, sometimes I lose my way and forget where I am. There are moments when 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 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. Lord, 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 we pray, Amen.
Sunday, March 20, 2016
It's All in Divine Order
Whenever I feel that I am confused or that my life is in disorder, I remember these words from the book of Proverbs: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart ... In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths."These simple words reaffirm what I know in my heart is true: He is always with me, enfolding me in love and assuring me that all is in divine order. Divine order is His plan for me. Relying on my Higher Power calms my thoughts. I feel secure because I know that He will lead me to the people and events which will contribute to my spiritual growth and fulfillment. All is in divine order because He is the order that supports and surrounds me. ~ unknown
Scripture:
for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:13 (New International Version)
Saints of God, so often we give pause and reflect on the direction our lives are headed in. We seem to be moving right along through life, when something or someone happens to derail us from our chosen course. Well Saints of God, I am here to tell you; “It’s all in Divine Order.”
The job or career that you have chosen hasn’t worked out the way you thought it would. The house you wanted so much to buy was bought by someone else. The man or woman that you thought you were going to marry marries someone else. The dreams and goals that you had in life seem to have fallen by the wayside. I just want to tell you, “It’s all in Divine Order.”
So often the things that we want in life aren’t the things that God wants for us. The path that we ourselves have chosen isn’t necessarily the road that God wants us to travel. Even the person we thought we would spend the rest of our lives with, aren’t inevitably the person we are supposed to be yoked with.
Too often we go through life trying to do everything on our own without seeking a word from God. We set our sights on things that may turn out to be detrimental to our overall well being. We even fall in love with people who we will give our all to, but who themselves aren’t capable of loving us the way God wants them to love us.
I say all this to say, that no matter what obstacles are in your way. It doesn’t matter if your heart has been broken, that you lost your job, or that you are not at the place in your life you think you should be. “It’s all in Divine Order."
Sometimes things have to be the way they are because your plan for your life isn’t God’s plan for your life. Learn to be still, listen for His still small voice, and realize;
That’s it’s All in Divine Order!
Be blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
Father God, we come once again with praises on our tongues and humility in our hearts, seeking Your face, Your grace and Your mercy. Lord, forgive us for doubting You when the things in our lives are not going according to our plans. We realize that everything that we want isn’t necessarily what You want for us. Help us to recognize the bad choices that we have made in our lives, correct them accept them and move on. Help us Father, to find our way. Lord, we pray ask for a spirit of discernment so that we can recognize when our will is not inline with Yours. Help us to remember to always seek you in everything that we do, before we make life altering choices and to be still in the midst of our storms. Thank you Father, for reminding us that You have provided the way out of darkness and into the light. Your Word and Your Son, Jesus Christ. Our Redeemer. It is in His name that we humbly submit our prayers. Amen
Scripture:
for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:13 (New International Version)
Saints of God, so often we give pause and reflect on the direction our lives are headed in. We seem to be moving right along through life, when something or someone happens to derail us from our chosen course. Well Saints of God, I am here to tell you; “It’s all in Divine Order.”
The job or career that you have chosen hasn’t worked out the way you thought it would. The house you wanted so much to buy was bought by someone else. The man or woman that you thought you were going to marry marries someone else. The dreams and goals that you had in life seem to have fallen by the wayside. I just want to tell you, “It’s all in Divine Order.”
So often the things that we want in life aren’t the things that God wants for us. The path that we ourselves have chosen isn’t necessarily the road that God wants us to travel. Even the person we thought we would spend the rest of our lives with, aren’t inevitably the person we are supposed to be yoked with.
Too often we go through life trying to do everything on our own without seeking a word from God. We set our sights on things that may turn out to be detrimental to our overall well being. We even fall in love with people who we will give our all to, but who themselves aren’t capable of loving us the way God wants them to love us.
I say all this to say, that no matter what obstacles are in your way. It doesn’t matter if your heart has been broken, that you lost your job, or that you are not at the place in your life you think you should be. “It’s all in Divine Order."
Sometimes things have to be the way they are because your plan for your life isn’t God’s plan for your life. Learn to be still, listen for His still small voice, and realize;
That’s it’s All in Divine Order!
Be blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
Father God, we come once again with praises on our tongues and humility in our hearts, seeking Your face, Your grace and Your mercy. Lord, forgive us for doubting You when the things in our lives are not going according to our plans. We realize that everything that we want isn’t necessarily what You want for us. Help us to recognize the bad choices that we have made in our lives, correct them accept them and move on. Help us Father, to find our way. Lord, we pray ask for a spirit of discernment so that we can recognize when our will is not inline with Yours. Help us to remember to always seek you in everything that we do, before we make life altering choices and to be still in the midst of our storms. Thank you Father, for reminding us that You have provided the way out of darkness and into the light. Your Word and Your Son, Jesus Christ. Our Redeemer. It is in His name that we humbly submit our prayers. Amen
Sunday, March 13, 2016
Is My Living in Vain?
If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain. ~ Emily Dickinson
Scripture:
His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness. Matthew 25:23 (New International Version)
One of the many jobs that I have held over the years was in the programming/production department of a local television station. There would be times I would be called upon to answer telephone calls from angry viewers when their favorite soap opera or talk show was interrupted with breaking news. There was one very disturbing observation I noticed about many of these calls, these angry callers were often the elderly and I realized that television was frequently their only company.
I was reminded of this by a television special that aired here in Detroit a few years ago, about an elderly woman named Marabel Chanin, an 87 year old woman who died alone. The story so captivated the world that it spawned a need to create a news special to discover how something like this could happen. You see, Marabel had never married or had children. Her body lay unclaimed in the Wayne County Morgue for over four months.
As I listened to her story, I discovered that one of the reasons that she had been left alone, was because she had chased away family and friends. I find it heartbreaking to think that anyone could live to be almost 88 years old and have no one to care about them in life or death.
As Christians we have been charged with loving one another. Not just ourselves or our immediate family but all whose path we will cross. I challenge you to do to take a long hard look at yourselves and ask the question; Is my Living in Vain?
Be blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
Father God, sometimes we get so caught up with our lives and with ourselves that we fail to see the hurting world around us. My prayer to You this night is that I will see all humanity as my brothers and sisters. I choose to bless others as You have blessed me. Create in me a right spirit and help me to realize that it is not all about me. Help me O’Lord to have empathy to those who are in need and to give a portion of what has been given to me so that others can see You working in my life. Magnify the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit and allow it to light my path as I walk in a dark world so that You may be edified in the works that I do, in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Scripture:
His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness. Matthew 25:23 (New International Version)
One of the many jobs that I have held over the years was in the programming/production department of a local television station. There would be times I would be called upon to answer telephone calls from angry viewers when their favorite soap opera or talk show was interrupted with breaking news. There was one very disturbing observation I noticed about many of these calls, these angry callers were often the elderly and I realized that television was frequently their only company.
I was reminded of this by a television special that aired here in Detroit a few years ago, about an elderly woman named Marabel Chanin, an 87 year old woman who died alone. The story so captivated the world that it spawned a need to create a news special to discover how something like this could happen. You see, Marabel had never married or had children. Her body lay unclaimed in the Wayne County Morgue for over four months.
As I listened to her story, I discovered that one of the reasons that she had been left alone, was because she had chased away family and friends. I find it heartbreaking to think that anyone could live to be almost 88 years old and have no one to care about them in life or death.
As Christians we have been charged with loving one another. Not just ourselves or our immediate family but all whose path we will cross. I challenge you to do to take a long hard look at yourselves and ask the question; Is my Living in Vain?
Be blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
Father God, sometimes we get so caught up with our lives and with ourselves that we fail to see the hurting world around us. My prayer to You this night is that I will see all humanity as my brothers and sisters. I choose to bless others as You have blessed me. Create in me a right spirit and help me to realize that it is not all about me. Help me O’Lord to have empathy to those who are in need and to give a portion of what has been given to me so that others can see You working in my life. Magnify the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit and allow it to light my path as I walk in a dark world so that You may be edified in the works that I do, in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Sunday, March 06, 2016
Your Happiness is Not An Option
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 opened for us. ~ Helen Keller
Scripture:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (New International Version)
Have you ever run into people who are always angry at the world around them? They complain about everything; their job, their spouse, their finances? You say it’s a beautiful day and they will say it’s too hot. You like your boss, they hate them. I mean, nothing and no one pleases them. You see them coming and just want to run the other way? Are you one of those people? Are you the type of person who tends NOT to see the good in anything?
I realized a long time ago that it was not up to anyone else to make me happy. The choice is mine. Every day you have a choice: Will it be a good day or a bad one? It really IS up to you. You can't control the external circumstances of your life; the bad news, the interruptions, the unexpected problems, various quandaries, etc., but you can control your response to them.
Not long ago, I spoke with a friend who has been diagnosed with cancer. Now this friend had been told by her doctors that she didn’t have very long to live. Rather than take to heart what the doctors said, her attitude is this; “I don’t care what the doctors say, I choose life.”
You see, my friend made a choice. Her choice was to fight back and live. My friend has such a beautiful spirit and she has always blessed me with it. Even when faced with her own mortality, she told me about how she uses her time at chemotherapy to testify to others who are there for the same treatment that she is. Rather than speak death and despair into her situation, she gives others hope by being a living testimony. To her, dying is not an option. Today, three years later; she is cancer free.
Remember, the power for happiness is in our hands, and no one else's.
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 those who may be weary. Bless us Lord with Your presence, that our hearts might be encouraged. Help us to remember Your faithfulness and Your love that we might stand in faith against the issues that face us. 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, bless my sister and cover her in the blood of the lamb. The blood that heals, strengthens and protects Your saints. I ask that You would bless all of Your saints reading this prayer. Let it be so Lord Jesus, according to Your will. I pray in Your mighty name, Amen.
Scripture:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (New International Version)
Have you ever run into people who are always angry at the world around them? They complain about everything; their job, their spouse, their finances? You say it’s a beautiful day and they will say it’s too hot. You like your boss, they hate them. I mean, nothing and no one pleases them. You see them coming and just want to run the other way? Are you one of those people? Are you the type of person who tends NOT to see the good in anything?
I realized a long time ago that it was not up to anyone else to make me happy. The choice is mine. Every day you have a choice: Will it be a good day or a bad one? It really IS up to you. You can't control the external circumstances of your life; the bad news, the interruptions, the unexpected problems, various quandaries, etc., but you can control your response to them.
Not long ago, I spoke with a friend who has been diagnosed with cancer. Now this friend had been told by her doctors that she didn’t have very long to live. Rather than take to heart what the doctors said, her attitude is this; “I don’t care what the doctors say, I choose life.”
You see, my friend made a choice. Her choice was to fight back and live. My friend has such a beautiful spirit and she has always blessed me with it. Even when faced with her own mortality, she told me about how she uses her time at chemotherapy to testify to others who are there for the same treatment that she is. Rather than speak death and despair into her situation, she gives others hope by being a living testimony. To her, dying is not an option. Today, three years later; she is cancer free.
Remember, the power for happiness is in our hands, and no one else's.
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 those who may be weary. Bless us Lord with Your presence, that our hearts might be encouraged. Help us to remember Your faithfulness and Your love that we might stand in faith against the issues that face us. 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, bless my sister and cover her in the blood of the lamb. The blood that heals, strengthens and protects Your saints. I ask that You would bless all of Your saints reading this prayer. Let it be so Lord Jesus, according to Your will. I pray in Your mighty name, Amen.
