2 Chronicles 7:14 : "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
As a teacher, I look forward to the start of a new school year. I spend many days sometimes even weeks in preparation for the upcoming year. Part of my routine includes going back to school before it starts and cleaning up the debris left over from the end of the year and summer repairs. I carefully examine old files to identify which things I actually need or what is simply material that clutters my future progress. There are always huge stacks and piles of garbage that I must cast aside. While I clear out the physical material of the past, I also take mental inventory. I consider what worked, what didn't, how I handled my kids, what I could have done better, and what I must not ever do again. At the end of the two to three grueling weeks that I spend getting ready for the new year, I resolve that no matter what occurred the prior year, I must return to working on being a good teacher and get back to the basics, things that I know will work and will carry me through the trials of my new journey.
Just like in our natural lives, we are to take inventory of where we are spiritually. We must examine our spiritual lives, noticing times that we lapse in prayer, reading the scripture, praising and thanking God. Sometimes when we look at our lives we observe places that the enemy has crept in and wrecked havoc because we have failed to obey the word of God. The Bible says that if we, the children of the Lord, would humble ourselves, pray, seek God, and turn from our evil doings, then God will hear us, forgive us, and solve our problems. That is quite a process. How many times have we searched for areas in our lives that need to be humbled? It doesn't say that we are to prove whether we think we are right in situations or relationships, but we are supposed to be humble before God and submit all things to him in prayer. When we earnestly and diligently seek the face of God, we get more than we ever dreamed. But sometimes instead of seeking God's face, we seek God's blessings, healing, prosperity, and other things. As a child of the King, you are supposed to seek his face, and you are supposed to take great joy in being in God's presence. The more that we seek our Father's face, we are able to resist the tactics of the devil and refuse to let anything hinder our spirits from serving and pleasing God.
It is then that God hears us. As long as we are praying to God trying to show Him why we don't deserve the attacks that come our way. We keep God as a sounding board, rather than seeking his love and his presence. God is a God of his word, and when he commands us to live and operate in a certain way, He will not change his way of doing things. If there are areas of your life that are troubling you, if you are in need of a blessing or miracle, then obey the word of God. Get back to the basics. Quit throwing your own pity party, and seek God with your whole heart, expecting nothing more than to be with Him and to receive His love. Watch God move on your behalf. When we focus on what is on God's heart, Jesus focuses on what is on our hearts.
Be Blessed!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
Day 30 - Prayer Journal: It's Your Time!
"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee." - Isaiah 60:1
Well, it is finally here. Our 30th day of the prayer journal challenge. It has been an enlightening experience. God has given us plenty of revelation, blessings, times of testing, and finally the VICTORY! You are a prayer warrior; you have overcome the enemy with the power of your testimony. God is faithful, and He has a plan for your life.
This morning before the break of dawn, I needed something from my truck. I really wanted to go outside and get the bag that held my possession, but I did not want to face the darkness nor the vicious creatures that arise in the darkest hours. For a second, I opened the door. The sound of creepies and crawlies made me think twice about venturing into darkened territory because I know the enemy waits for our darkness to jump out of the bushes on us. Needless to say, I waited until the sun rose over the eastern sky before stepping outside. It was like a breath of fresh air. In the daylight I could clearly see the path that lie before me. I did not have to worry about being attacked unaware. Instead I had a clear view of where I needed to go, and I was able to go without any difficulty or obstacle. As the sun kissed my face, I smiled at the grace of God that comes with walking in the light.
Just like in our natural lives, we are far better off when we remain in the path of light, which is Jesus. The scripture says that you should arise and shine because your light is come. God has a purpose and a plan for your future. He wants you to stand up and head in the direction that His spirit leads you in and to allow your light to shine because Jesus has entered your life, filled you with His presence, and blessed you with His gifting and abundance. Once you have come to know Jesus and His goodness, you are on assignment to share Christ with those who need a supernatural encounter. The Bible says that the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. God has prepared you and prospered you so that He would be glorified. He has poured His holiness and righteousness into you so that you could be a vessel of honor. It is your season, like Peter, launch out into the deep. Pursue the destiny that God is calling you to. For who the Lord calls, He equips.
Focus
Thank God for the light of Jesus that has entered your life.
Praise God for His glory and His holiness.
Ask God to reveal His purpose and plan for you in this season.
Seek a word from the Lord for your purpose in the life of His people that have been placed on your path.
Give God glory for bringing you through the prayer journal challenge (even if you are behind or just starting day 1, praise Him in advance.)
Pray for God to give you revelation on how He has grown you or pruned you through this prayer journal experience.
Ask God to show you how He wants you to share this experience.
Go back and review the previous prayer journal entries, ask God to show you areas where you struggled and where you excelled. Pray for strength in your challenges, and praise for grace through your victories.
Remember
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. God had a specific purpose for you through this experience. Know that He is calling you to spread the love of Christ, not to allow this word to lie dormant in you. Even though today is the last day of the 30 Days of Prayer (Journal),
continue to journey with the Lord, continue to pray, and if you are lead or were blessed continue to journal. You don't need an entry from me, it was God leading you through His word and He will continue to be faithful as you seek Him. Return to the blog, for daily encouragement and look for future spiritual encounters. We will plan a time to share our experiences in the near future. Please feel free to post a comment on your experience or pass the blog on to someone in need of a word.
Be Blessed!
Well, it is finally here. Our 30th day of the prayer journal challenge. It has been an enlightening experience. God has given us plenty of revelation, blessings, times of testing, and finally the VICTORY! You are a prayer warrior; you have overcome the enemy with the power of your testimony. God is faithful, and He has a plan for your life.
This morning before the break of dawn, I needed something from my truck. I really wanted to go outside and get the bag that held my possession, but I did not want to face the darkness nor the vicious creatures that arise in the darkest hours. For a second, I opened the door. The sound of creepies and crawlies made me think twice about venturing into darkened territory because I know the enemy waits for our darkness to jump out of the bushes on us. Needless to say, I waited until the sun rose over the eastern sky before stepping outside. It was like a breath of fresh air. In the daylight I could clearly see the path that lie before me. I did not have to worry about being attacked unaware. Instead I had a clear view of where I needed to go, and I was able to go without any difficulty or obstacle. As the sun kissed my face, I smiled at the grace of God that comes with walking in the light.
Just like in our natural lives, we are far better off when we remain in the path of light, which is Jesus. The scripture says that you should arise and shine because your light is come. God has a purpose and a plan for your future. He wants you to stand up and head in the direction that His spirit leads you in and to allow your light to shine because Jesus has entered your life, filled you with His presence, and blessed you with His gifting and abundance. Once you have come to know Jesus and His goodness, you are on assignment to share Christ with those who need a supernatural encounter. The Bible says that the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. God has prepared you and prospered you so that He would be glorified. He has poured His holiness and righteousness into you so that you could be a vessel of honor. It is your season, like Peter, launch out into the deep. Pursue the destiny that God is calling you to. For who the Lord calls, He equips.
Focus
Thank God for the light of Jesus that has entered your life.
Praise God for His glory and His holiness.
Ask God to reveal His purpose and plan for you in this season.
Seek a word from the Lord for your purpose in the life of His people that have been placed on your path.
Give God glory for bringing you through the prayer journal challenge (even if you are behind or just starting day 1, praise Him in advance.)
Pray for God to give you revelation on how He has grown you or pruned you through this prayer journal experience.
Ask God to show you how He wants you to share this experience.
Go back and review the previous prayer journal entries, ask God to show you areas where you struggled and where you excelled. Pray for strength in your challenges, and praise for grace through your victories.
Remember
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. God had a specific purpose for you through this experience. Know that He is calling you to spread the love of Christ, not to allow this word to lie dormant in you. Even though today is the last day of the 30 Days of Prayer (Journal),
continue to journey with the Lord, continue to pray, and if you are lead or were blessed continue to journal. You don't need an entry from me, it was God leading you through His word and He will continue to be faithful as you seek Him. Return to the blog, for daily encouragement and look for future spiritual encounters. We will plan a time to share our experiences in the near future. Please feel free to post a comment on your experience or pass the blog on to someone in need of a word.
Be Blessed!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Day 29 - Prayer Journal: His Delight
"For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people." - 1 Samuel 12:22
During the course of this week, I have had over ten people from my past resurrect from out of nowhere. It is amazing that different people from all walks of life have re-entered my life. I have experienced sheer joy from being reconnected to these precious people because I know nothing takes place by accident. These occurences have been God-incidents! To think, after two weeks of being assaulted by the devil, who hates my soul; God has sent a host of well-wishers, friends, and acquaintances to show me some love. The enemy tries to convince us that God has forsaken us or that God does not really love us. But Jesus is forever faithful; He loves you enough to reach down in your corner of the world and perform small miracle every day just to let you know He is present and loves you.
The scripture says that God is pleased to make you his. The Lord knows how to love you better than any family member or friend, but He shows you his love through the people he places in your life. For every negative word any one ever spoke over your life, for every deceitful lie ever told to you, for every act of betrayal or hurt, God has designed someone to show you His love, to speak His truth, to act with care because he takes pleasure in you, your life, your happiness.
No matter how much the enemy has tried to convince you that you are unworthy, God is in love with you.
Focus
Thank God for the people he has put in your life.
Ask God to reveal to you the way that He sees you so you don't fall prey to the enemy's lies.
Pray for God to show you the people He has put you here to love on.
Praise God for His supernatural love for you.
Ask God to help you forgive those who have not known Him and did not know how to love you.
Thank God for never leaving you nor forsaking you.
Do you a random act of love for someone who doesn't deserve it.
Ask God to see others the way He sees them.
Remember
God loves every one of his children. Even those who may have been used by the devil to hurt you. So don't let bitterness arise in you, instead show them the love of God; they just might end up saved through your gesture.
Be Blessed!
During the course of this week, I have had over ten people from my past resurrect from out of nowhere. It is amazing that different people from all walks of life have re-entered my life. I have experienced sheer joy from being reconnected to these precious people because I know nothing takes place by accident. These occurences have been God-incidents! To think, after two weeks of being assaulted by the devil, who hates my soul; God has sent a host of well-wishers, friends, and acquaintances to show me some love. The enemy tries to convince us that God has forsaken us or that God does not really love us. But Jesus is forever faithful; He loves you enough to reach down in your corner of the world and perform small miracle every day just to let you know He is present and loves you.
The scripture says that God is pleased to make you his. The Lord knows how to love you better than any family member or friend, but He shows you his love through the people he places in your life. For every negative word any one ever spoke over your life, for every deceitful lie ever told to you, for every act of betrayal or hurt, God has designed someone to show you His love, to speak His truth, to act with care because he takes pleasure in you, your life, your happiness.
No matter how much the enemy has tried to convince you that you are unworthy, God is in love with you.
Focus
Thank God for the people he has put in your life.
Ask God to reveal to you the way that He sees you so you don't fall prey to the enemy's lies.
Pray for God to show you the people He has put you here to love on.
Praise God for His supernatural love for you.
Ask God to help you forgive those who have not known Him and did not know how to love you.
Thank God for never leaving you nor forsaking you.
Do you a random act of love for someone who doesn't deserve it.
Ask God to see others the way He sees them.
Remember
God loves every one of his children. Even those who may have been used by the devil to hurt you. So don't let bitterness arise in you, instead show them the love of God; they just might end up saved through your gesture.
Be Blessed!
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