A Loving Reminder: Nothing Can Separate Us

  A Loving Reminder: Nothing Can Separate Us

In light of Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday, my 'soul sister' shared with me a devotional that focused on Peter's denial of Christ. As I read the following passages, I could not help but to put on Peter's shoes...

“You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “ ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”  Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not." “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice  you yourself will disown me three times.”  But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same. (Mark 14:27-31)

A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.  A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”  Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him:  “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:56-62)

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?”  He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. (John 21:17)

My lovelies, ask yourselves, how often do we deny Christ in our daily lives?

We may not deny him verbally, but what about with our actions? 

I could think of times where my words said I am a 'Follower of Christ' but my actions said different. And Just like Peter I find myself going back to my old ways, because I feel unworthy, ashamed to speak His Word... thinking of how I denied Jesus in my disobedience...

How awesome is God, for He knows all things. He knows our hearts. He knows our weakness, and still chooses to use us. Humbled at the thought that despite of us, God will continue to use us according to His perfect will and plan. Nothing can separate us. Because He died and rose again from the dead for us, not even our sinful nature can keep us from him!  

He knew Peter would deny Him during this painful season. But God had a higher purpose for Peter, notwithstanding his weakness, God was going to use Peter as one of His messengers! God's word still stands today, as we read, study and get fed by the very Words that God inspired Peter to write. 'And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)'. 

"Do you love me?" Asks The Lord 

"Then feed my sheep!"

My Lovelies, do you Love Him?
Then feed His sheep! We all are call to this commission in different degrees, to be a voice in this dark world, to be messengers of His light.

Father, I come boldly before your throne, singing praises to You, Elohim for You are who You say you are, the creator of all. I praise you because my lovelies and I, are your masterpieces, perfect and wonderfully made. I praise You for your Word says that no one and nothing can separate us from you.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)  Though we may fall away, it is only temporary. I praise You for that awesome promise Lord! My lovelies and I are eternally yours! Equip us and continue to use us as You see fit to benefit your kingdom, and not our own. In your precious name, Jesus, Amen

A Loving Reminder: Compassion

A Loving Reminder: Compassion

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. (Lamentations 3:22, 23 NLT)

Good morning my lovelies, let us meditate on God's compassion for us! Close your eyes and just think on all that you are grateful for. Even if your in some kind of emotional or physical pain try to focus on what is good. Thank him for His mercies never cease, says the Word. Let us be still and wait on Him. Great is His faithfulness! 

Father I just come before you with a grateful heart, humbled that you chose me to show your compassion. Thanking you for all the little things we take for granted. That I woke up this morning, that I have employment, that my family are coming to know you one by one! I Thank you for the lovelies that you surrounded me with for each one has been a blessing in my life. I choose to focus on the beautiful things you have done for me and given me, for nothing I have attained alone. Father I pray that if any of my lovelies find themselves in the midst of a storm, may you anoint them and give them spiritual eyes to see the grace that covers them for your Word says that your grace is sufficient, and your mercies are new each morning! In your precious name, Jesus, Amen

A Loving Reminder: Two are better than one

My Lovelies, A Loving Reminder: Two are better than one

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

During times of struggle, we tend to sometimes retract and isolate ourselves into a quiet place where we can just soak in our pain..

We tell ourselves:

No one will understand.

What will they think of me?

I don't want to trouble anyone with my problems.

This is embarrassing.

My lovelies, those thoughts are from the enemy! The enemy knows that alone we are vulnerable, that alone our thoughts become a shovel digging a deep hole, into a pit of darkness.

There is power behind numbers! When we gather together as one body in Christ our voice is louder. The Word says that two or more can defend itself, but one can be overpowered. (Ecclesiastes 4:12) For wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there am I, in their midst.” (Matthew 18:20)

We all should have at least one or more persons who join us in our daily walk with Christ. One or two whom are trustworthy, loving and not judgmental.

Someone:

To hold us accountable.

To fill our days with our Father's promises.

To shine the light for us when we fall into darkness.

But most important that someone should always point you to Christ!

I pray my lovelies that God blesses you with a friendship like that of King David and Jonathan or better yet a friendship like that of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Sometimes we need someone to walk with us into the blazing furnace with faith that God will deliver us!

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. (Daniel 3:16-17)

But these three men, that is, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, having been bound, fell down in the middle of the oven of burning fire. And they were walking in the midst of the flame, praising God and blessing the Lord. (Daniel 3:23-24)

Father, I come boldly before you praising you and thanking you for you are the author and finisher of our faith and you know our every need. I personally thank you for the awesome family in Christ you have surrounded me with! They have all been a blessing to me, and I pray that I to them. But i'm most grateful for that one sister whom walked into the blazing fire with me, because she was faithful that You would deliver us! I pray that in the time of need you provide my lovelies with beautiful messengers of yours that bring loving, non judgmental encouragement. The beautiful messengers that point to You and only You! In your precious name, Jesus, Amen

A Loving Reminder: Walk by Faith not by Sight

My Lovelies, A Loving Reminder: Walk by Faith not by Sight

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV)

It is extremely difficult to be in a midst of the storm and visualize peace and stillness. Instead we, focus on what is physically in front of us, focus on the things seen. 

We focus on the chaos (our pain / or the pain around us). 

We focus on the strong winds (loss of control). 

We focus on the flooding, (the moments the waters feel so deep that you are just trying to keep your head above the water).

But the Word says that we should fix our eyes on what is unseen! We need to start walking around as if we are blind, acknowledging that God is in complete control! His purpose will stand, and He will do all that He please.’ (Isaiah 46:10)

His plan for us has a higher purpose. To bring us to eternal life! 

I love music so I like to visualize God behind the scenes orchestrating my life into a perfect melody that suits His purpose for me. I can't see Him but I know that in ALL things He is there!

My lovelies, we are constantly waging war, and it is not our battle to fight. During these times we need to pray, not only for ourselves but for each other and ask God to help us see with spiritual eyes, to help keep us focused, just like Elisha did for his servant! 

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:15-17 NIV)

Father, I come boldly before your throne in praise for you alone are God, The Author and Finisher of our faith. I pray that you give my lovelies spiritual eyes in the midst of the storms and battles that come through our daily lives. That you reveal yourself in each specific situation. That you instill in their minds and their hearts that they face every trial with 'The Lord of Host'! I pray this in your precious name, Jesus, Amen!

A Loving Reminder: Availability

My Lovelies, A Loving Reminder: Availability

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. (Jeremiah 29:13 NLT)

In every situation, in every season, God remains the same. Available! Seek him with ALL your heart and you will find him.

In the midst of your gain, your joy. If you seek him, you will find him.

He is Available!

In the midst of your loss, your grief. If you seek him, you will find him. 

He is Available!

In the midst of your storm. If you seek him, you will find him. 

He is Available!

What a beautiful thought to know that He is in it all! That He the Most High, Elohim, EL Roi is there in the times of joy and in the times of pain. All you have to do is seek Him wholeheartedly and you will find Him! 

Father, I come boldly, praising You Elohim, El Roi, The creator of ALL things, the God who sees us, you are Jehova Shamma ever present, wether we see or feel You, Lord you are there. You see all things, nothing is hidden from you. I praise you because although we may turn away You remain, patiently waiting for us to come boldly before You, seeking You. I thank you and I ask that my lovelies draw to You and seek You wholeheartedly, because I know that they will find You in the midst of whatever season they find themselves in.  In your precious name, Jesus, Amen!

A Loving Reminder: Rest

My Lovelies, A Loving Reminder: 

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place” (Mark 6:30-32, NIV).

We spend so much of our lives running around in busyness. Busyness at work, busyness at home with our families, busyness with our friends, busyness with our ministries.

Lovelies, how much time do you spend with God in a quiet place? Who are we that He is mindful of us? “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 NIV) How awesome that He invites us to find rest in him, with him in a quiet place. Do you take up that offer daily? 

“I have discovered that when my life and my heart get too crowded there is not enough room for God.” ~Mary Southerland (GIG)

Lovelies, take time Daily to focus on the Word and in Prayer. It is our spiritual food and builds us up in strength and wisdom to follow us through our day. Find the best time for you. My best time is early morning before anyone is awake, and in my long work commute. 

The more alone time I spend with God the more I find myself feeling like Mary!

Don't allow a 'Martha' to take away what matters most! 

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42 NIV)

Father I come before you on behalf of my lovelies, asking you Father that you lead them to a solitary place and time daily. Filling them with the perfect peace that is only found in Your sweet Presence. Letting them never dismiss your presence as they go throughout their day, so that those whom they come in contact with can sense that they walk with a Greater Presence. That you fill them with a fresh anointing, filling them with Wisdom and Love to face all that comes their way! In your precious name, Jesus, Amen

A Loving Reminder: Behold I Am Doing a New Thing

My lovelies, A Loving Reminder:

God replaces what He takes away!

The Lord says, “I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts. It was I who sent this great destroying army against you. Once again you will have all the food you want, and you will praise the Lord your God, who does these miracles for you. Never again will my people be disgraced. Then you will know that I am among my people Israel, that I am the Lord your God, and there is no other. Never again will my people be disgraced. (Joel 2:25-27 NLT) 

My lovelies has God taken something away from you? 

Has He replaced it with something greater?

Do you perceive the new thing He has done? 

 

Often times God removes things from our lives that steal our joy in Him. Notice I said 'our joy in Him! We can all think of something or someone God has removed from our lives because we could not see God but rather we choose to focus on the things of this world. The beauty is that what God takes away, He replaces with something greater!  

Let me share with you that God removed a friendship from my life. He was clear with me that I could not serve two Gods. (the friendship being one type of God). 

The friendship brought great comfort, but it did not lead me to Christ, instead it led me to worldly things.  God had to show me that the comfort I sought, should only be sought in Him! I wrestled with God for about two years regarding this matter. Although deep inside I understood, I didn't understand. Or rather.... I didn't want to understand. 

When God removes you from a comfort zone, wether He is, removing you from the comfort of your finances, removing you from the comfort of your job, removing you from the comfort of your friends, or removing you from the comfort of your family, it can be a painful process. But God is awesome, His ways are higher than ours and He always works on our behalf. 

My greater is a relationship with three specific women that He strategically placed in my life. He replaced one friend with three! God brought us together so we could experience joy in Him! So we could experience His love in each other!  Im grateful for these ladies for sometimes I find myself still grieving what God has removed, and in those moments I remind myself that we have to choose to die to self daily (1 Corinthians 15:31 AMP). 

Throughout my day I'm flooded with text from these ladies that remind me of His love! We wake up together, we go to work together, and we seek God together!  With every text that comes in, Im reminded that God has given me greater!  

“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 wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:18, 19 NIV)

El Roi you see it all, thank you father for seeing the desires in our hearts. Thank you for refilling the emptiness of what you have removed with Your Joy. Thank you for the beautiful friendship that you have harmonized together on my behalf. Thank you for the beautiful reminders that come from your word that I receive throughout the day for you keep me in your perfect peace and in your joy! The new thing has sprung up! And I perceive it! I pray that You open the eyes of my lovelies and reveal to them the new things you are doing in each of their lives! In your name, Jesus, I come with a grateful heart!  Amen! 

A Loving Reminder: Will you still be standing?

A loving reminder:

For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11 ESV)

Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. (Matthew 7:25 NLT)

My lovelies ask yourselves:

What is my home built on? 

Is it built on sand? 

Is my life, my home built on the decaying things of this world? 

Or: 

Is it built on a solid bedrock? 

Is my life my home built on biblical truths, on God's instructions? 

As Christians we are not exempted from going through storms in life. The difference between one who builds on Christ and one who builds on the world, is how we sustain during the storms that roll into our lives. 

Our father has blessed us with instructions on building our home, and promises filled with encouragement to get us through the toughest storms. He is the Architect of our lives, and he has given us the will to decide where we build the house He has designed for us. Sand or bedrock? We choose if we want to cut corners and use the cheapest material offered by the world or if we layout our home using the eternal materials that God has offered us. 

If you haven't lately, invite God the Inspector, God the Architect, into your home. Have Him show you the condition your home is in. Make sure that you are built on firm solid rock. Reinforce where reinforcement is needed, undergo a renovation if necessary. Prepare your home so when the storms come and go, (and they will) you will still be standing! Immovable!  

But the firm foundation of (laid by) God stands, sure and unshaken, bearing this seal (inscription): The Lord knows those who are His, and, Let everyone who names [himself by] the name of the Lord give up all iniquity and stand aloof from it. (2 Timothy 2:19 AMP)

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. (Psalms 62:2 NLT)

Father, I come to you, Akrogoniaios Lithos, the Cornerstone of my life, Praising you and thanking you for you are my rock. My strength stems from you and only You! You have seen me through many storms and still I remain standing! I pray for those who lack strength to find it in you, for those who lack peace to find it in you. I pray that you meet those in need of you right where they are, that you reach the inner darkest parts and reveal yourself through an intimate encounter. Father I praise you and I choose to build my house on you. I choose to use the priceless eternal materials that you have made available to me for free. Thank you in your precious name, Jesus, I pray, Amen!

A Personal Encounter with God - Breathing Life into Dry Bones

My lovelies, I have had three very personal encounters with God in my lifetime where He has had to intervene personally. Speaking into my heart in such a way that I know it was only God.

This is about one of my 'twelve stones', my second personal encounter with the Great I AM.

This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’"(Ezekiel 37:5, 6 NIV)

My dad had been battling an unknown illness for months, that is causing appetite loss leading to extreme weight loss, and pain in his legs, all disabling him from walking. He had frequent trips to his medical doctor and the trips to the emergency room became more frequent. The disease that has attacked him was slowly deteriorating his body. Doctors are baffled with his condition and have no answers.

On July 27th my dad was rushed to the emergency room where he went into cardiac arrest and had to be admitted to the ICU, and put under 24 hour surveillance. He lost his desire to live and had expressed it more than once to a nurse.

I was away on a 'Women's Leaders Retreat' and found myself feeling helpless. I did all I could do.. Which was pray, pray, have my sisters pray with me and pray some more until I fell asleep.

Once again I felt that gentle nudge in the early morning hours... and in my head all I could think is Valley of Dry Bones. Ezekiel 37. As I opened the Word and started reading I felt in my heart God speaking to me.. Telling me 'I'm going to breathe life into your father's dry bones. He and all whom know him are going to know that I am God!' Wow... At only 50 years old, my father had literally become dry bones... He was so thin, malnourished, he couldn't walk unassisted, but more than that He was not saved. I believe that God spoke a Word over my father's life that morning.

God is an awesome God! He meets us exactly where we are. In the middle of our pain, in the middle of our fears, in the middle of our doubt, he sends us what I like to call 'God Sightings'. Reminders of His Sovereignty. Reminders of His Omnipresence. Reminding us that He is Lord!

God Sightings:

-While doctors and nurses are responding to my father going into a cardiac arrest, an elderly woman in the emergency room looks at my mom and says 'Don't worry God is right there. Don't u see him?' As crazy as she may have seemed to those around them, my mom (a believer) held on to those words. They were filled with hope.

- While in ICU a nurse comes in to the room and asks if they believe in prayer and intercedes on his behalf.

-The man assigned to his room for 24 hour surveillance, a brother in Christ that witnessed to my father and reminded us of Gods faithfulness to King David at his time of need by directing us to the Psalms. (This man was an answered prayer, a light shining in the darkness. I recall driving on my way to the hospital, praying for a believer to be assigned to my dad's room.)

When all seemed like it was getting better, things took a turn for the worse.

On Aug.1 the day he was to be sent home he suffered a stroke.

I recall clearly how my dad looked physically as they prepped him to transfer him to a a stroke unit, where he was having a procedure done to remove a blood clot in his brain. A few hours later we find ourselves In the waiting room listening to the Doctor say 'The procedure was unsuccessful, we were unable to remove the clot from his brain, he is still in danger of having another stroke and well his recovery only time will tell..' UNSUCCESSFUL?!! Your a Doctor?!!!

I started questioning God. Confusion was setting in. God what is going on? You spoke to my heart! Ezekiel 37, Do you remember? Did I make that up?! You said you would breathe life that you will build him up so that He and everyone would Know that YOU are GOD! I need to know God that, that the word came from YOU and that I didn't make it up!

The next morning when I open my Word to read my devotional, my reading is Ezekiel 37. Immediately I heard God speak to my heart again!

'I AM not done yet! Doctors?! I created Doctors!!! I am the Alpha and the Omega!!!! All starts and ends with me!!! How could you know that I AM God if Doctors had answers for you! How could you know that I AM God if Doctors saved your Dad! You have NO ONE to hope on except ME! I control this! All you and your Family have is me!

Humbled.... embarrassed that I questioned God, but grateful that He is not a man that He should lie. We can all talk the talk but when it comes to walk the walk, that's a whole different ball game.

We found ourselves in the most difficult place anyone could be.. We have no choice but to wait on God.

My lovelies, my Dad was released from the Rehab center with 99% of movement on his left side, seven weeks later, not 3 months as doctors had predicted. Today he is still battling the 'unknown' but is physically better. His outlook on life is full of hope and he is very much aware that God is on the driver seat! On January 25th my Mom and Dad were baptized together. He is a walking testimony. He is not ashamed and is eager to share what God has done for him.

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within my 'dad and my family' will continue his work until it is finally finished... Phil 1:6

Thank you Father, for Your faithfulness, even when we doubt you, You still remain faithful and you stay true to your Word. God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? (Numbers 23:19 NIV) Forgive us when we doubt your Word and Your promises. We fail you daily but You will never fail us!

A Loving Reminder: I Can Do All Things

My lovelies, A Loving Reminder:



For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13 NLT)

I often find myself in overwhelming situations where I am close to anxiety and I start telling myself 'I can't do this!'. But that is a lie from the enemy!

Press on today knowing that you are under the covering of Christ!

If you face doubt remind yourself 'I can do ALL things through CHRIST'!

If you face fear remind yourself 'I can do ALL things through CHRIST'!

If you face grief remind yourself 'I can do ALL things through CHRIST'!

If you face anger remind yourself 'I can do ALL things through CHRIST'!

If you face ______ remind yourself 'I can do ALL things through CHRIST'!

What ever you face know God is there! Just close your eyes and call out to him and feel yourself begin to be empowered by the Comforter!

Be blessed my lovelies and remember 'that God 'is your' rock, that God Most High 'is your' redeemer.' (Psalms 78:35 NLT)

A Loving Reminder: He Watches Over Us

My lovelies, A Loving Reminder: The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. (Zephaniah 3:17 ESV)

One of my favorite verses!! When my daughter was a baby she had trouble sleeping so My husband and I had lots of sleepless nights. Most nights she would simply be comforted by me rocking her to sleep while singing to her 'Here I am To Worship'. (I can't sing, certainly not one of my gifts, but i brought it with love, and to her it was comforting, :)) Every time I read and meditate on this verse I envision myself a child in the arms of my father and he quieting me with his love and comforting me with His song. Can you imagine that.. He sings over us and quiets us with His Love! My lovelies close your eyes for a minute and soak that verse in...

Father, I come to your throne boldly thanking you, for your unchanging love! Thanking you because you are everlasting! Thanking you because you love us despite of us! Thanking you because you meet us right where we are, in the midst of our hurt, our pain, our troubles. Thank you because you meet us at the 'well' (John 4:1-54). The 'well' of hurt, loneliness, depression, disease, financial struggles, etc.. Thank you for extending your hand out to us and offering us eternity. But most of all thank you for your patience with us. Father I come on behalf of my lovelies, asking that if any need a 'personal encounter' with you, that you reveal yourself and meet them at their 'well', where ever and whatever that may be. I ask that you sing over them and you quiet them with your love. In your precious name, Jesus, Amen

Praise in the Pit

A ❤ing reminder:
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)

My lovelies,
We all face pits in our lives, pits of hurt, pits of physical pain, pits of emotional pain, pits of grief, pits of uncertainty, pits of (you fill in the blank).

What we do while in our pit is a reflection of our relationship with Christ. Are you being swallowed by this pit or are you a light shining in the mist of the darkness that surrounds you?

I have a pit full of emotions and grief over things removed from my life but I choose to sit and remind myself that God is God and that His plans for me are far more better than I could ever imagine. I know that if I just hold on to every promise that is in His Word I will come to see them pass in my life, for His Word does not come back empty!

God may have allowed us in that pit so we can be a light. I choose to be like Paul and Silas in the mist of my pit. Praise! Praise! Praise! Praise!

Pray and Praise without ceasing and you will see the chains fall off!

But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! (Acts 16:25-26 NLT)

Father,
I come to you with praise, thanking you for all you have done. For your peace in the mist of difficulty. For your love when felt unloved. For your relentless pursuit of us. The list goes on and on. You have a plan and a purpose for all whom believe in You. There is a Word over each of our lives! Father, I ask you that You sing over our lives and bring peace into our hearts, and quiet us with Your love ushering us into your sweet presence! Give us a new song of Praise so we can be a light to those around us! Father I pray that you break every chain that has us bound! I declare Freedom, Victory and Praise over our lives! In Your precious name, Jesus. Amen

A Personal Encounter With God - Trusting

I believe in God's omnipresence. We all have encounters with God in our daily lives. He ministers to each and everyone of our hearts using people, and things. Hopefully we are able to recognize these moments and indulge in them, for His presence is sweet in whatever shape or form He decides to reveal himself to you.

I have had three very personal encounters with God in my lifetime where He has had to intervene personally.  He spoke into my heart in such a way that I know, that I know, that I know, that it was only God. 

This blog is about one of my 'twelve stones', my very first personal encounter with El Roi - The God Who Sees Me. 

A little background:

The seed of salvation was planted in my heart many years ago as a child by an aunt of mine. I recall she and her husband picking up my cousins and I and bringing us to sunday school, and to tuesday and friday night church services. I was about five years old when they started bringing me to church and the memories are joyous. At around eleven years of age, my aunt and husband decided to move back to their birthplace. I no longer had a way to get to church and so the plant that was being watered began to wither away and dry...

Several years later, as an adult, God used my mother in-law to bring me back. I was twenty-nine at the time of my reconciliation. 

Along with accepting Christ as my Savior, I entered one of three major battles in my life. There began a tug of war. The old creature vs. the new.

I often stood in the bathroom fully dressed staring in the mirror trying to convince myself to go to church. Some days the battle would begin in the bed. I  sat in church often in doubt and at the same time in belief. In constant turmoil, crying and not understanding why I was crying.. 

The battle went on for a few months. Until I received a forwarded email from a close friend that brought doubt to God and His existence. A blessing in disguise. A blessing because it led me to call out to God for the first time in my life. I didn't call out to him with a fancy prayer, but I called out to Him with an honest heart. Right there laying in my bed with thoughts that were tormenting me I simply said 'God I need to know that You are real.. How can I know that You are who they are saying You are?' 

God gently nudge me up in the middle of the night and the only thought that ran repeatedly through my head was Proverbs 3:5. I had no clue what Proverbs 3:5 read. The only time my bible was opened was during sunday service. I told myself I will look it up in the morning, and tried to get back to sleep, but was unsuccessful.  Proverbs 3:5 just kept repeating in my thoughts.. After about an hour of this I finally decided that I will not rest until I looked it up.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 

Right at that moment I was brought to my knees in total praise! He was there in my room next to me when I called out to him and He answered me, He answered me! 'Trust Me' He said, 'Trust Me. You will not understand many things but Trust Me. I AM who I say I AM'. 

You call, God answers! Jeremiah 33:3 says 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ 

From that very moment on, my life has never been the same. I am a person who dislikes change, and so you can imagine that much of my battles revolve around change, because that's what God does. He transforms. He is constantly molding me. But In all my battles I am now fully equipped. Because I know, that I know, that I know that, He is The Great I Am, that He is Lord of Host! I no longer try to  fight my battles alone, for I know that God is with me and He fights for me!

Father, 

I come boldly before Your throne, acknowledging that You are indeed who You say You are! Confessing that You are The Great I AM!  That you are El Roi - The God Who Sees Me! I thank you El Kanna, for your relentless pursuit  of me! I lift up every brother and sister out there with doubt of who You are in prayer. Asking Father that you meet them exactly where they are. That they put their trust in You Lord, and not on the worldly things they see! Father give them spiritual eyes so they can see you clearly, give them a personal encounter with You the Living God, so all who knows them will see You!

In your precious name, Jesus, Amen

Holding on to God's Promises

My lovelies,

A loving reminder of God's 

Faithfulness:

God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? (Numbers 23:19 NIV)

I'm a believer that God still performs miracles. Hebrews 13:8 says that He is the same yesterday, today and forever! If we have faith as small as mustard seed we can speak things into existence.  We can tell trees to be uprooted and they will be uprooted. Luke 17:6 God's words are full of promises to us! 

What are you believing God for today? How big is your faith? 

The more time spend in His Word, the more we focus on the eternal things of God and less on the wordly things that  we see. I hold on to God's promises to dear life! When I pray I pray His promises, not because God needs reminding but because I need to constantly remind myself who He is! Remind yourselves of the power that is behind the names of God! 

He is Yahweh Tsebaoth - Lord God of Host 1Samuel 17:45-46 
He fights for me!!

He is El Kanna - The Jealous One Exodus 34:14 
He relentlessly pursues me!!

He is Sar Shalom - Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6
He covers me with His peace!!

He is Elohim - God Mighty Creater Genesis 2:4 
He made me wonderfully and with a purpose!!

He is Yahweh Roi- The Lord is my Sheperd  Psalm 23:1 
He brings me back everytime I wander!!

He is Yahweh Tsuri - The Lord My Rock Psalm 62:2 
He steadies me, I will not be shaken!!

He is El Roi - The God Who Sees Me Genesis 16:13 
I cannot hide from him! He sees me in my strengths and He sees me in my weakness!!  

He is Yahweh Rophe - Our Lord who Heals Psalm 103:3 
Your my healer!!

He is Logos - The Word John 1:14

He stands behind his name!!

He is The Great I AM Exodus 3:14

What is difficult for The Great I AM? He is everything,  in everything, at all times.. 

That was just scratching the surface of who God is and the promises behind who he is! 

God invites us to call out to him (Jeremiah 33:3) He promises us that he will answer us! My lovelies keep in mind that our request must be in line with His Word and His purpose. He always answers! We may not like the answers but he does, and rest assure that he knows whats best! 

Father, 

I come boldly before you thanking you for who You are! You are everything to me! You are my maker, my healer, my protector, my strength, my peace! I thank you for the many promises you left behind for me! I surrender myself completely to you knowing that you created me for Your purpose and that you know what's best for me, even if I don't understand it!