God Holds the Answers!

My middle son, Zachary will be beginning his adventure in law school in the fall of this year.  I am so proud of him.  His dedication to God and his studies over the course of his college years has proven to have been successful.  Zachary applied to seven law schools, and he was accepted to all of them.  His top two choices are Louisville and Cincinnati.  When I asked him where he was going to go, he said he wasn't sure yet.  He further shared that he thought God would just let him get accepted in the one law school that He wanted him to attend.  We laughed.  Instead, because of his faithfulness, God has opened an array of possibilities.  Now, we are praying that God will lead him to the exact place that He wants him to be.  Zach knows enough about God that if he is not where God wants him to be, his road may be a little bumpy.  It amazes me the faith my son has. This has really spoke magnitudes to me.  So many times, we want what we want regardless if God leads us.  You see, Zach's number one preference was Cincinnati.  However, now that he has gotten accepted to it, along with seven other law schools, he still is seeking God.  He wants to make sure that his plans are God's plans.  What a testimony this is!

Zachary's academic records are outstanding, which are opening up scholarships at some of these law schools.  He has asked me to pray that God will make it clear to him by the scholarships offered.  I ask that you join in with me as we seek God on this.  I know that God will make it clear to Zachary, and I know that God will offer him an incredible scholarship to the law school He wants him to attend.

Proverbs 16:9 says, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."  When I opened my Bible this morning, I not only found this verse, but a picture of Zachary was laying on this page.  Wow!  God is amazing!  All we have to do is trust in Him, and He will lead the way!

Let's join together today in prayer and ask God what He wants for our lives.  His ways are the only ways!

Dear God, in Jesus name, we surrender our lives to you, and ask you to redirect our paths so that we are completely in line with Your will for our lives.  We love You so much!  We give You the praise and glory, In Jesus name, Amen!

Forget what is behind!

Last night at church, our pastor shared a wonderful verse from Isaiah, chapter 43, verses 18 & 19.  It says, "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 desert and streams in the wastelands."

Wow!  God makes it clear that we are not to dwell in our past.  If we allow our past to haunt us, get us down or keep us in bondage, we are taking heed from the devil's lies that he is whispering to us.  These Words are the very Words of God!

Furthermore, Paul also confirms this in Philippians 3:13-14.  He says, "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one things I do:  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  Folks, we cannot continue to live in the past and do the work of God.  We have to let it go!

Paul also states in Romans 8:1, "Therefore, there is now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."  What a beautiful promise that we have been given.  So when a glimpse of your past tries to get you down, speak boldly, "I do not receive this in Jesus name!  I have repented and have been forgiven.  I am a child of the King.  I receive no condemnation in Jesus Name!"

Many of us have faced many obstacles over the course of our life time.  Some more severe than others.  No matter your past of sin, hurt or abuse.  Give it all to God so that you can fulfill God's calling on your life.  You are special, and God has a beautiful plan for your life.  All you have to do is seek Him with all of your heart, and He will lead your every step.

Hold on to the Word God me years ago, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).

Lord God, In Jesus name, I pray Your blessings, strength, hope and love over each person who is reading this. Meet their every need.  Shower them with Your presence.  Help each of us, dear God, to let go of our past so that we can truly surrender our lives to You for Your plans and will for our lives.  We love You so much!  In Jesus name, Amen!

Have a blessed day!

Listening to God's Voice

Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.  James 4:17

Wow!  What a powerful statement that James, Jesus' brother spoke to us!  I know that we all have the best intentions at times, but yet there is that small voice of doubt that prevents us from doing what God laid upon our hearts.  A few years ago, God laid upon my heart to write a card and fill a gift bag with items that He led me to.  He asked me to prepare it and take it across the street to our neighbors.  The gentleman was the superintendent of our schools, and his wife was a teacher.  They were a wonderful couple, but we didn't spend time with them other than "hello's" when we'd see each other out.  

I questioned God, because I knew that they would think I was crazy.  For about a week, I kept putting this off.  I kept praying and asking God to give me confirmation if this was from Him.  Deep down, I knew God was telling me to do it, because I knew His voice and leading.  I just didn't understand this particular mission He had laid upon my heart.  It sounded crazy.  Lol!  One morning, when I was laying out in the sun enjoying my quiet time, I heard the words of God speak loud, "Get up right now, and take what I instructed you to take to the Jones (Fictitious name)."  My body immediately was filled with the Spirit of God.  I was tingling all over, and moving in His Spirit.  I went to my office closet and began filling a gift bag with a book, an angel, a candle, some candy and some other various things that God lead me to put in it.  I kept small gifts in this closet for times that God laid upon my heart to give to someone who came to my house to minister too.  God led me to a beautiful card that I sat down and filled out.  I wrote on the card that I was uncertain of why, but God had led me to give them a card and some gifts and let them know I was praying for them and loved and cared for them.  I told them that no matter what they were going through that God was holding them, watching over them and comforting them.  

After I had everything ready, I sheepishly crossed the road to their home.  At this point, I was a little timid because I wasn't sure how they would receive what I was about to do.  When they opened the door, I gave them a warm smile, and said, "I can't really tell you why I'm doing this besides God told me too."  I handed them the card and gift bag.  They both looked at me with tears in their eyes after reading the card.  They said, "Tomorrow will be the one year anniversary of our daughter's death."  Wow!  That was a God moment!  We hugged.  I prayed for them.  Their daughter had died unexpectedly while sneaking out of the house to go to a concert that they had forbid her to go too.  She died in a car wreck on the way home.  They not only lost their daughter, but they had lost her after horrible words were spoken by them both.

From that moment on, when God spoke I tried to do what He said even if it did seem strange to me.  I think that we as Christians need to make sure we keep our communication lines open with God so that we can help those around us.  All day Saturday, I heard the above verse in my mind.  I quoted it over and over again.  There have many times in my life that I knew the good that I should do and didn't do it.  Let's join together and make sure that we fulfill what the Lord is calling us to do!

Dear God, help each of us to get our lives back on track with You so that we can hear Your voice when You speak to us!  In Jesus name, Amen!

Have a blessed day In Him!

Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God!

Psalm 91:9-16 (NIV) 
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge— 10 
then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will 
command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you 
up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread 
upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 14 “Because 
he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges 
my name. 15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I 
will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my 
salvation.”

Many times, we as Christians set back and wonder why things happen to us like they do.  Yes, we will go through trials and tribulations as James writes about in his book, but there are numerous Scriptures that talk about how blessed and protected our lives will be if only we keep God the Most High dwelling in our lives.  Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well."  What promises God has given to each one of us.  All we have to do is put Him first and keep Him first!  Let's join together today and make God first in our lives.  The reward will be much greater than you can even begin to imagine.  God loves you, and He wants to spend time with you!  He created You with His own hands.  He delights in every moment He gets to spend with you!  Never forget how special you are to Him!  Ignore the lies of the enemy that tries to tell you otherwise.  It doesn't matter what mistakes you've made in the past.  What matters is what you do right now, this very minute!  Once we turn from our sin and repent, God says in Isaiah 43:25, "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more."  Hallelujah!  Though the world may want to constantly remind us of our past faults, God remembers them no more.  Praise the Lord!  Hold on to the promises of God as you venture into a relationship with God.


Take a few moments and worship God with this beautiful Scripture in song, "Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God," from Matthew 6:33.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8ifVNaN8pY&feature=related

You Can Always Be a Winner!!!!

Luke 10:19 - I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome ALL the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

The next time your world seems to crumble around you, stand firm on the Word of God, and take authority in Jesus name.  Jesus tells us very clearly that through Him, we can overcome ALL the power of the enemy.  There is no need to fret, worry or get upset!  Use the power God gave you to defeat the works of the devil.  Jesus came to destroy the devils work (1 John 3:8).  This is exactly what we need to do!  Destroy his works.  The devil only has the authority that we allow him to have of our lives.  Let's stand firm today and take back our lives and resist the devil schemes.  We can always be winners in Jesus name!!!!

Lord God, we thank You for the power You have given each one of us who believe in You!  We ask right now in Jesus name, that You would bring that power to life within each one of us so that we can destroy the works of the devil in our lives.  Help us to get back to Your will for our lives.  In Jesus name, Amen!

God's Plan is the Only Plan!

Nothing is coincidental for those who believe in God!  When our plans are altered or changed without our control, please know that God is working His plan in your life.  Proverbs 16:9 says, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."  Don't let go of this!  Do not fret or fear when things do not go as planned.  Just praise God and ask Him to lead your next step.  His ways and path for us is all that matters.  So many times, we get so caught up in the busyness of this world that we forget about God's plan for our lives. God tells us, "Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10, NIV)."  His Word also says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you (James 4:8).  Take time today to sit at your Father's feet!  There is nothing in this world that compares to the presence of God.

Dear God, In Jesus name, I ask that you touch each person today in a way that blesses each of their lives.  Anoint them!  Bless them!  Love them!  Hold them!  And lead them into Your plans that You have for them.  Dear God, Your Word tells us in Ephesians 2:10 that we are Your workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which You prepared in advance for us to do.  Right now in Jesus name, I pray that you redirect each of our paths so that they will line up with Your will for our lives.  Forgive us for allowing the things of this world to distract us from Your will, calling and direction for our lives.  Lord God, I ask that you help each one of us to get our lives back on track with You.  We love you God with all of our heart!  I plead the blood of Jesus over each one of us.  In Jesus name, Amen!

Have a blessed day, my friends!!!!

Give God Praise In All Things!

So many times people complain because of the chaos that is surrounding them.  However, we should turn our complaining, pain and frustration into praise.  God inhabits the praise of His people (Psalm 22:3).  A great story of this is when Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison for speaking the things of God.  Acts says in chapter sixteen that they were severely flogged and thrown into prison (vs. 23).  They had been stripped of their clothing and beaten (vs. 22).  We can't begin to understand the physical pain that they had to endure.  Instead of questioning God, getting upset with God, bad mouthing God, or turning their backs on God, they prayed to God and sang hymns to Him (vs. 25).  What a tremendous example for us to follow!  God is so good!

As Paul and Silas were praying and singing songs to Him, they were also ministering to the others that were bound in prison.  In their distress, they still reached others for Christ.  In doing this, God rescued them.  God sent forth a violent earthquake that shook the foundations of the prison causing the prison doors to open and the chains of those bound to loose (vs. 26).  What a fabulous God we serve!  God freed Paul and Silas that night!  What a blessed occasion!  Paul and Silas' commitment to God not only saved them, but God used this miracle to bring the jailer and his household to God.  What a mighty God we serve!

God has so many things in store for each and every one of us!  All we have to do is believe, to trust in Him, and follow Him with all that is in within us!  When the devil tries to distract you making you believe there is no hope and God has left your side, begin singing songs of praise to God.  The devil hates it when we praise God!  James 4:7 says, "Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."  Just keep drawing closer to God, and He will take care of all of your needs!

Lord God!  We love You so much!  Touch and bless each and every person that is reading this post today!  Meet their every need!  We give You the praise and the glory in Jesus name!

Listen to this song, "Praise You in This Storm," by Casting Crowns!  Outstanding lyrics!  Keep praising God in your storm!  God is bigger than any problem, pain, illness or storm you will ever have to face!!!!  He will bring forth your victory!  Just keep believing in Him!

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus:]
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus]

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth