A Loving Reminder: Keep Going

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8, 9 NIV)

Some think that becoming a Christian means that we will not face trouble. At the first sign of trouble, they become easily discouraged giving up. Thinking, 'I am a good person, I serve, why is this happening to me?' 

We will face many trials throughout our lives, physical and emotionally. Jesus himself tell us that we will face troubles, but at the same time reminding us that we are not to give up because He has overcome the world. 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)

We need to condition ourselves to keep going. To keep it moving. To get up every time we fall.  God doesn't promise us that while we are in the world we will be trouble free.

He promises us:

He will never leave us

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV)

Peace in Him 

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. (Isaiah 26:3 NIV)

Strength in Him

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (Isaiah 40:29 NIV)

Rest in Him

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1 NIV)

He will fight for us

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:14 NIV)

Father, I come boldly before your throne, standing on Your promises!  We may be hard pressed on every side, but not crushed. Struck down but not destroyed! Father I lift up my lovelies that are out in the battlefield. I ask that you fulfill your promises over their lives. I pray that they be not afraid knowing that You are with them. I pray that You keep them in perfect peace. I pray that You strengthen my lovelies that are weary and in need of an increase in power. Give them rest where rest is needed. Let my lovelies be still as you fight for them! Father thank you for your promises. Your Word says that it will not come back void so we declare your promises over those that are in need of Your desperate touch! (so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11 NIV)) Father I pray this in your powerful name, Jesus. 

A Loving Reminder: Take Captive Every Thought

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV)

                            

This world is a noisy place. It's so easy to get wrapped up in all the 'he said', 'she said' we hear throughout the day. We base our beauty and our importance on what the culture says is beautiful, and how many likes we get on social medias. We fill our minds with junk from songs we listen to, and images we see. Even when the music stops and the images are long gone they remain in our thoughts. They become one with us, we eventually start acting out what we see and what we hear. 

Worse is listening to those who are suppose to love and protect us talk us down. I've had to ask myself why is it easier to focus on the things the world says than it is to focus on the things God says about us? Why is it easy to believe when someone says we are worthless, but it's difficult to believe that the Word of our creator says "We are fearfully and wonderfully made;" (Psalm 139:14 NIV)

Lovelies we must take our thoughts captive. We must start filling our thoughts with uplifting, Godly things. We should take inventory on what we feed on throughout the day, and make the necessary changes. 

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. (Proverbs 4:23 NLT)

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8 NIV)

Father, I come boldly before your throne, thanking you and praising you for your unfailing love. I am fully aware that we are in a constant spiritual war. I thank you Father that you have equipped us with the divine power to demolish strongholds! (2 Corinthians 10:4). I choose to put on your full armor. The armor that is especially designed for us, for times such as these. I stand firm with the belt of truth, my breastplate of righteousness, my feet fitted with readiness, my shield of faith, my helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit -Your Word! (Ephesians 6:10-18) Father I lift up my lovelies whom may have put their guard down, those lovelies who are tired, who are walking hopeless, and faithless. I ask you Lord that You intercede on their behalf. Send a legion of angels to protect them. Cover their minds. Remove all things that are not of you! Father take over, take control, take over their thoughts, their hearts, their soul. Meet them exactly where they are. Reveal yourself to them in such a way that there be no doubt that You are the Great I Am! Restore their soul so all who know them will know that You are God! In your powerful name, Jesus! 

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!