Standing on Psalm 91

Bill and I have adopted Psalm 91 to stand on as the world goes through the COVID-19 pandemic. Pray this scripture prayer with us.

Psalm 91 Prayer

The LORD is my refuge and my fortress. I will trust Him. He will keep me from the traps of Satan and from the perilous pestilence. He will cover me with His feathers and keep me under his wings. His truth will be my shield and buckler. I will not be afraid of the terror by night. I will not be afraid of the pestilence that walks in darkness. I will not be afraid of the destruction that lays waste even if thousands fall by my side and ten thousand falls by my right. I will not be touched. I will watch with my eyes and see the reward of the wicked. Because I have taken refuge with the LORD, no evil shall befall me, nor will any plague come near my home. God has given His angels charge over me to keep me in all my ways. The angels will bear me up so that I will not injure myself. I will keep God on high because he has set his love on me and he has known my name. He shall call on me and I will answer him. I will be with him in times of trouble. I will live a long life for him. I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ who is my Lord and Savior. Amen. 

Psalm 91

1. He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."
3. Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence.
4. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler
5. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
6. Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
7. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. 
8. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked. 
9. Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, 
10. No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 
11. For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.
12. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
14. Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high because he has known My name.
15. He shall 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 I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.

Asking in Prayer - Stumbling Blocks and Solutions

Sometimes the Lord just wants us to put ourselves in park, or neutral and wait on his timing.

I have learned that stumbling blocks to answered prayer can be unbelief, sin and wrong motives

Stumbling Block 1 - Fear Causes Unbelief

Do you believe that you will receive what you are praying for? If you don't then you are praying in fear and unbelief. Nothing is too big, too small or too difficult for God. Nothing! God loves you and I. He wants to give us what we pray for when we ask him correctly. The first step in asking correctly is believing we are going to be given what we ask for. He wants us to believe that we are going to receive what we ask for in the name of Jesus.

Fear comes from Satan. Remember this acronym: False Evidence Appearing Real. You and I are the beloved children of God. We are good enough to be given what we ask for in prayer. With God, the impossible is possible. Satan loves to whisper that we aren't good enough, or that God can't possibly give us what we ask for. That is false evidence! Kick it out of your thoughts the minute you catch yourself thinking it.

Stumbling Block 2 - Sin

The sin stumbling blocks can be anger, idolatry - loving someone or something more than God, indifference to need, hypocrisy, unforgiving spirit, and broken relationships.

As a practicing alcoholic addict my personal stumbling blocks, wrong motives, and solutions were and still can be:

• Anger - Memorize, read, and recite scriptures on anger. Pray with a prayer partner before I blow up (My husband)
• Idolatry - Nothing comes before God. Not spouses, children, drugs, alcohol, food, job, nothing. God is #numberonepriority 
• Unforgiving spirit - Forgiveness comes from unconditional love. I might not like someone's actions, but I still have to forgive the person. Occasionally, this requires praying for the person you are unforgiving about to receive what they need to be happy. Do this daily for 2 weeks. 
• Broken relationships - Yes, I have to apologize for my behaviors and actions towards my fellow human beings. Courage in action is being loving and forgiving regardless of the other person's actions and behaviors. Think of Jesus stopping the stoning of the adulterous woman. Stephen asking God to forgive those stoning him to death, and Jesus on the cross asking forgiveness for those who sent him to the cross. 

How to ask in prayer - Ask with...

• Perseverance - Perseverance means having faith in and focusing on God to make sure of what He wants and what you want to ask for.
• With sincerity - Sincerity means from the heart - in love.
• With humility - Submitting to God in all areas. 
• In faith - Belief with no doubt that the power of God is present in your life.
• While abiding with Christ - Letting Jesus into your whole life, not just part of it. He is the vine and you are a branch of the vine. 
• In Jesus' name - All things come to us through Jesus. We ask in the name of Jesus and ask as Jesus would ask. What would Jesus ask for? 
• With the mind - Use your ability to phrase your prayer in a manner that is to the point, or "short and sweet." 
• In the Spirit - No selfishness or self-centeredness. 

#prayerlife #askingJesus 

"Ask and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you" 

John 14:6

"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

John 14:14

"If you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it." 

John 15:7

"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you" 

John 16:24

"Hitherto have you asked nothing in my name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full"

James 4:7

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

1 Peter 4:1-2

"Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God"

Ephesians 6:18

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people."

Resources

1. Prayer Guide 9, Principles of Asking, Walking in Fellowship with God - Disciple's Prayer Life by T.W. Hunt & Catherine Walker

2. Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

3. NIV Disciple's Study Bible

Verse of the Week - Galatians 1:10

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people?
Good questions aren't they? As I grew to maturity as a branch on the Lord's vine, I had to be willing to let God prune some extra leaves and twigs from my actions and behaviors. One of behaviors that had to be pruned, or removed was my need to be a people pleaser. Yep, I had a terrible time learning that I could not please people first and God last. Below, is a list of lessons I have learned and strive to live by today.

• I can only accomplish a set number of tasks in today.
• Go to bed early and get up earlier to finish a task. I work more efficiently when I am rested. 
• It is okay to gracefully say no. Example: Thank-you so much for thinking of me. However, I already have a full calendar at that time.  Another graceful way to turn someone down is: I am so happy that you thought of me for this job, but I already have commitment(s) for that time, day, or week. 
• Giving of myself to gain approval - wanting others to recognize my contribution and give me a little pat on the head - is putting man above God. It isn't okay
• Faith requires me to go ahead and step out to do what God tells me to do, even when I feel fear. 
• There are always going to be people who don't like me and it is okay. 

Did you catch what I said about the lessons? 

I am striving, or trying, to live this way.  Am I always successful at living this way? Of course not. However, the moment I become aware that people pleasing behavior has crept back into my life, I remove it as quickly as possible through the following actions:  

First, I call on my father in heaven and ask him to remove that people pleasing sprout that has sprung up again. 

Then, I tell him I am willing to have it taken away. 

After that, I tell him that I am his to command and that I only want to do his will and not mine. The time in between each people pleasing pruning has become longer and longer as I trust my heavenly father to continue to shape me into the person he has plans for. 

If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
To be a bold witness for Jesus, I cannot worry about pleasing people. I can only please Jesus. I am his servant and that is all the approval that I need. Jesus gave me a job to do. I have to tell others about the Good News of Jesus Christ. My Jesus loves me and cares about me. God knows me intimately and sent the Holy Spirit to live in me. I don't need any more approval than that. Amen?

Rely on God and Pray Desperately

I find myself thinking about two difficult situations where I prayed desperately and my prayer was answered.

• My late husband had been released from the hospital and two weeks later he had to be readmitted when his body and antibiotics just wouldn't get rid of his bacterial pneumonia.  He was skeletally thin, struggling for every breath, and tired of the fight. In my heart I knew I could lose him. That evening, I left the hospital and returned home. As I walked across my kitchen, I just sank to my knees and began talking to Jesus and Father God out loud and begged him to heal my husband. Words flowed out of my mouth and to the listening ear of my lord. At the end, I remember telling God that I would accept his will no matter what it was. As I rose from my knees, calmness filled me from the inside out. I had done all I could and given the situation and my husband to God. Peace filled my heart AND my husband came home, gained weight, and regained his strength. He was with me for another 8 years in spite of his terminal illness. 
• On an especially trying day of dealing with a teenage daughter, I knew I was in danger of losing my temper. I also knew I wouldn't be able to control what I said, or did once the anger exploded into rage. Mentally I sent a desperate appeal to the Lord, "Lord, help me, oh please help me!" Instantaneously I felt as if a bucket of cool calmness had been poured over me. It flowed over me like cool water and when it reached my feet, not one spark, or ember of anger remained. In the place of the scorching anger, was a supernatural calmness that was just as great as the anger I had felt just seconds before. My desperate prayer had been answered in one amazing moment.  

The Apostle Paul wrote in 2nd Corinthians 1:8-11:

8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters,a about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

God, Who Raises the Dead
When I faced great pressure that was beyond my ability to endure, I relied on God, who raises the dead. Yes, Jesus raised the dead and God raised Jesus from the dead! How exciting is that? If Jesus could raise the dead and God can raise Jesus from the dead, then they can take care of anything I am going to face WHEN I rely on him. 
God Did and God Will
I love how Paul says that God delivered them from peril and then says he knows God will deliver them again. Paul had that faith because God kept answering their appeals. Then Paul acknowledges that the prayers of the Corinthians had a place in their deliverance too AND Paul knows that they will give God thanks for answering their prayers. 
Three Key Points

• When life seems darkest, rely on God, who raises the dead, to deliver me. 
• I will rely on God and pray knowing that God, who raises the dead, has answered my prayer and will answer my prayer again.  
• The correct response for an answered prayer is heartfelt thanks to God. Then, I will tell people what God has done for me and give him thanks again! This is how my testimony is meant to reveal the power of God in my life. 

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 26

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 22

Power and Strength is Yours - Psalm 68:35

Troubles? God Will Help You

No matter what trials or struggles you are going through,God will give you the power and strength you need because of Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross. Through Jesus, you will be given the same power and strength that Jesus received from God. 

However, there are three things that you should do as one of his people. 

1. Give God the glory for all that you do - praise him and tell others what he has done for you. 
2. Humbly thank Him for enabling you to do all things - thank Him for giving you the power and strength that you need to make it through your trouble, trial, or struggle. 
3. Accept the work of God's hands in you - be willing to be shaped and molded according to God's plan. 

To sum this up, give praise with thanks and be willing to accept the change that God's hands will bring as you face each challenge with his power and strength. 

. 

Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July 2017!

Father God, as we celebrate the independence of the United States from Great Britain, let us not forget that this country has always been a Christian nation. Thank-you Lord for making this a great and united country.
Amen

An Answered Prayer and Spiritual Conviction

How Do You Use the Holy Spirit?
For several weeks, I have been trying to figure out how to use the Holy Spirit inside of me and let it overflow from me onto others through prayer and conversation. 

Don't laugh, sometimes I can't see the forest for the trees.

Last night I spoke with Bill about my mental wrestling match with this issue because I want to be an effective witness for Jesus. 

Bill and I discussed several Bible verses, but I still felt like I was missing something. Finally, I turned to Jesus in prayer and quit trying to wrestle some understanding from everything I had read, listened to, and talked about.
My prayer was pretty basic; I asked for understanding of the issue I was struggling with. 

Today, my Aunt Nancy posted her daily reading from Jesus Calling.

As I read through the passage, tears began to form in my eyes as I became aware that I was being spiritually convicted. 

For me, spiritual conviction feels like the words seemed to rise from the page and sink into the core of my being.  I started crying tears of joy as I thanked Jesus for listening to my prayer request the preceding evening and providing an answer through my aunt's post.

Answered Prayer
Next, I tearfully told Bill that my tears were joyful ones because I had been given a direct answer to my prayer. Bill listened as I read the words of the post to him. He agreed that I had been given a definite answer to my prayer. 

The Holy Spirit doesn't need any help from me. 
All I have to do is to be still and let Jesus work through me while not taking credit for it in ANY way. My part is to continue to live close to Jesus and be open and willing to the change going on inside me. I am NOT to control the streaming of the Holy Spirit. I AM supposed to keep my focus on Jesus. Pretty simple isn't it? 

I snipped the post and it is now on my computer background. My plan is to read and reread the post as I live close to Jesus and stay focused on him as I walk through today. 

Healing Prayer

A long time friend has had a terrible time healing from a surgery on her finger.
Bill and I were enjoying a visit with her and her husband when the Holy Spirit told me to pray with her about the finger. As I sat waiting for a break in the conversation to ask about prayer, I heard Bill say, "Would you mind if we prayed with you about your finger before we go?"

Yep, the Holy Spirit had moved him too.
Anyway, the four of us stood up, joined hands, and Bill prayed for her healing. He told her finger that it was healed because by Jesus' stripes we were healed. Yes, we were healed because Jesus bore our sins in his own body. Then, he thanks Jesus for giving us what we asked.

1 Peter 2:4
Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live to righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed.

Bill and I also know Jesus gives us what we ask when we have faith and believe with all our heart that this is so. We know this because of the following verses of the Bible:

Matthew 17:20
If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you. 

Matthew 21:21-22
Jesus answered and said to them, Truly I say to you, If you have faith, and doubt not, you shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if you shall say to this mountain, Be you removed, and be you cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.

Mark 11:22-24
And Jesus answering said to them, Have faith in God. For truly I say to you, That whoever shall say to this mountain, Be you removed, and be you cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he said shall come to pass; he shall have whatever he said. Therefore I say to you, What things soever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.

Jesus Said
Jesus told his disciples more than once that with faith, you can tell a mountain to be removed, and it shall be done. When you pray, you have to believe that you receive what you ask for and you shall have what you ask for.

Our friend's mountain was her infected finger that wouldn't heal properly for weeks. 
Bill spoke to that mountain, the infected finger, in the name of Jesus and fully believing that it was healed. I also prayed and told that infection to leave her finger.

Today, Bill received a phone call from our friend's husband.
He was thrilled to tell Bill that the doctor said the finger was MUCH better. Bill and I thanked Jesus for the healing that we knew would be given because we asked in faith and belief. 

Psalm of the Week - 40:8 - March 19, 2017

I Choose To Take Delight in Doing God's Will

Today, I will make up my mind to take delight in doing God's will. I will not grumble, growl, or grit my teeth together when I am given a task by God, or my Savior Jesus Christ. Instead, I will take joy in being a servant of God who has God's law engraved upon upon my heart. 

Amen. 

Have a Safe and Blessed Happy New Year!

Verse of the Week - Ephesians 6:18 - December 26, 2016

Photo by Cassie Pilger                                                   Lake Michigan shoreline

Wherever you are, look around you. 

Is there someone you can pray for? Ask Jesus to show you someone who needs prayer. Believe it will happen and it will! He will show someone to you.  

Ask the person if you can pray for them. 

Don't wait to get home. Offer to pray with them wherever you are. Honestly, very few people have ever turned down my offer to pray with them.

Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the right words to speak. 

Believe it will happen and it will! Open your mouth and be surprised by the Holy Spirit flowing out of your mouth in the form of words. 

However, if your person appears to be uncomfortable with praying on the spot, 

tell them you will pray for them as soon as you leave them. People who don't go to church still believe in the power of prayer. 

As you start to leave your person, 

start praying and keep on praying. You can pray silently and walk at the same time. Wrap them in a spiritual blanket of prayer. 

Matthew 7:8

For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Romans 8:26

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.

1 Timothy 2:1

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered on behalf of all men

Procrastination, Prayer, and Cupcakes

My personal procrastination seems to increase as my prayer life decreases. 
Yesterday morning, I finally realized why I was feeling overwhelmed and promptly started praying out loud in the car on the way to work.

Since, I live and drive through a rural area, only cows and deer are going to see me talking out loud to Jesus in the car like a crazy lady. Yep, I am crazy about Jesus! 

The sense of overwhelmedness slowly receded as I talked with Jesus in prayer and my workday went well.

Procrastinating at Home
The procrastination proceeded to return after I arrived home and should have been making three types of frosting for the 8 dozen cupcakes I was going to make Friday evening to sell at at community marketplace event. 

You know the consequence of procrastination is normally not getting a task completed, or having to work hours longer to get it done. Knowing this consequence and going ahead with the task are two different things. Unfortunately, I didn't pray either. 

Yep, the frosting didn't get made because I was procrastinating, but I told myself I was tired from working all day and deserved to rest. Additionally, no prayer was involved in this small decision because I knew that I was setting myself up to bake, frost, and package 96 cupcakes the next evening. Can you identify?

Friday evening arrived and I started baking cupcakes the moment I arrived home from work at 4:00 PM. With cool down times, two cupcake pans, etc. it took me until about 9:44 PM to bake the almost 100 cupcakes and complete the trio of frostings for them. 

Now I said a prayer and made a pot of coffee as I began to pipe frosting and package the cupcakes. At 1:35 AM I finished loading the last container of cupcakes into my car and said a quick prayer to Jesus thanking him for giving me the strength to complete my cupcake marathon. 

Moral - Pray more and procrastinate less.

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.

A Joyful 2016 Thanksgiving with Family

Last year my Ashley volunteered to have Thanksgiving at her house. 

Her sister and I took her up on the offer and we had a wonderful time with all of the kids, grand kids, my parents, and us. I am so thankful to spend time with my family.

In October, I asked her if she still wanted to host the Thanksgiving dinner this year. 

She said she would have to talk to her boyfriend and get back with me. Last year they were just dating, this year they are a couple. In the end, she said yes and published a private Facebook event and invited the family to post what they would bring. This simplified the process of a family Thanksgiving meal a lot! It is the perfect halfway point for her sister and has LOTS of kid stuff for the grandchildren. I am thankful that they agreed. I am thankful to spend time with my busy daughters and their families.

Wednesday Before Thanksgiving

Wednesday evening, I joined Ashley in her kitchen and provided some advice on her apple pie making while I demonstrated how to make bread stuffing. As a young girl, Ashley wasn't interested in cooking. I tried to teach her the basics, but these weren't her favorite lessons. I am thankful to be this girl's mother. She brings me joy.

However, over the last three years,

I have received a lot of texts and phone calls about how to cook side and main dishes. I'm happily providing this information and sharing my recipes with her. (Her sister did this about ten years ago.) At last! I can share and pass on my knowledge of family cooking that was shared with me by my great grandmas, grandmas, and my mom with my other daughter! I am joyful and thankful that I am able to share traditional family dishes with my daughters. 

My parents weren't able to make the Thanksgiving meal this year. 

Mom and Dad hosted my brother Rick and his family. I am thankful that I have parents who are healthy and able to live independently.

My son-in-law Curt had invited his dad, but Buell had said no. 

However he did show up unexpectedly and we welcomed him with open arms. Buell's wife died two years ago and as a one-time widow, I know how hard year two was for me. I am thankful my silent prayer was heard and we could enfold Buell with our love during this difficult time. 

As usual, the meal timetable didn't work out because of a faulty turkey timer. 

However, this is why Buell was able to sit and share food with us AND Ashley told Scott she should have listened to him about using their meat thermometer. Her sister made a video of Ashley saying this to prove that she had actually said this! Laughter and love surrounded these two moments. I am thankful that we laugh at the unexpected and love each other unconditionally. Yes, our family members have faults, but we know people aren't perfect. I am thankful for the laughter and love we show and share with each other.

Galatians 6:9

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 

Colossians 3:15

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Romans 12:12

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Celebration and Sadness with a Lot of Prayer

Celebrations and Sadness 
This list sums up my last couple of weeks.

• grandchild with viral meningitis - lots of prayer and faith in action have been required. 
• two coworkers and a member of my church family have babies on the way - joyful praise prayers and celebration cupcakes have been given. 
• 24 yr. old momma died in a car wreck - praying for the family and her babies who won't know her
• a faithful single friend turned 50 - prayer, encouragement, and a cupcake bouquet

My grandchild is healed, thank you Jesus! 

His mom was quite upset and stayed with him overnight at the hospital. However, it was an extremely light case of viral meningitis. The hubby and I are positive this is because of the surge of prayer offered by us and our prayer warrior friends and family.  

Aren't new babies awesome? 

I love making cupcakes to celebrate a little baby that is on the way. I am praying that the expecting moms remain healthy and that the Lord continue to protect. them. 

Praying for days about the loss of a young mom and her family. 

Her family includes two families that I am acquainted with and they seem to be seeing more than their share of sadness right now. Lift these folks up in prayer please. Jesus knows who they are. 

My Sister-in-Faith

I love my sister-in-faith whom I also work with and I felt an urgency to encourage her on her 50th birthday. This lovely lady has had her share of life happenings over the last six years. Divorce, empty nest, and losing a beloved family member have all happened to this gentle, lovely gal. I was happy to make her a beautiful, pull-a-part birthday cake that was part of a birthday card shower at work. 

During this time of celebrations and sadness, the guest preacher at church preached on Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt and how we have to step out in faith. 

God is exactly where he always is - right in front of us, or covering our backs. 

We just need remain faithful and not want to quit every time we get fearful, or it looks like the odds are against us. He will always watch over us.

"The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name." Exodus 15:3 NIV

God will always defend us. He is a warrior God. This thought comforts me. God and Jesus are fighting for me and you. We just have to keep on praying and being faithful. 

Verse of the Week - Romans 8:26 - October 23, 2016

How happy I am that the Holy Spirit dwells in me! 

The Holy Spirit intercedes for me  with God. I may not know what to pray, but the Holy Spirit does.

Sometimes, the only words that I pray is, "Help me, Father." 

In times like this, the Spirit is interceding for me, too. After all, who knows my mind and heart better than the living Spirit of God that dwells within me? 

My Heart is Sad

Additionally, my heart is sad for my brothers and sisters who are living in persecution around the world and the growing immorality all around me. The Holy Spirit takes this sadness I bear and intercedes for me in unspoken groaning to our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus.

Honestly if you are a spirit-filled and a spirit-led child of God, sadness for the state of this world should be in your heart too. This doesn't mean you should be visibly sad, just aware of the inroads the Enemy has made in society around the world.

Can you picture the Holy Spirit groaning our sadness to God in heaven for the state of his creation?  

Verse of the Week - 2 Timothy 2:3 - September 25, 2016

Endure hardship. 

This phrase doesn't mean a lot to someone like me who has grownup in a country with an enormous amount of personal freedom and hasn't experienced any type of persecution beyond a scowling face, or a yelled"Go Home!"

The stories of my persecuted brothers and sisters in faith make me weep. 

Today, in 2016, my brothers and sister in faith are being jailed, maimed, beaten, and killed because of their faith. Right now, as you read this post, fellow believers are being ripped from their homes and loved ones.

One story in particular has me praying hard for a sister in faith in Nigeria, Africa. 

Her husband and son were killed by terrorists who broke into their home. Her two little girls were kidnapped by the terrorists. The girls were 6 and 8 years old. I don't even want to think about what happened to these baby girls. To read all of this heartbreaking story, Click Here

The Lord has been speaking to my heart about praying for the persecuted church ever since I started praying for a sister in faith in 2014 who was in prison with her baby. 

After 2 weeks of steady prayer, she was released and flown to the United States. My prayers for her were answered. My last post on persecuted Christians in Africa was in January when I woke up at 3:30 am and was led to pray hard for the men and women of faith in Africa and the missionaries that are there trying to help them. Again, the Lord is speaking to me to continue praying and writing about what is happening to the children of light in a darkened world. 

Pray with me for the missionaries and faithful Christians who are enduring hardship because they are being good soldiers for Jesus Christ. 

Prayer

Jesus, I know how sad you must be as you sit on your throne in heaven and see your followers being beaten, maimed, threatened, and killed because thy love you with all their heart. I ask that you be with them at all times. Do not let their feet slip. Shade them from harm. Watch over their comings and goings today and forever. Let your protection be evident so that your faithful ones may give you the honor, glory, and can proclaim to the persecutors that you are all powerful. They can proclaim that their God is alive and actively protecting them. I ask these things in your powerful name Jesus and by the blood you shed to save us from sin. Amen. 

To learn more about persecuted Christians and what you can do  Click Here

Strength Prayer Using Isaiah 43:2 and Deuteronomy 31:6

Praying for Another Person
Dear Lord Jesus, 
let                                        know that you are with them as they walk through the waters of life and that you will not let life overflow them. I know that you are with them because you redeemed them, you have called them by name, and they are Yours!
Let                                      know that they can walk through the fire and not be scorched, they can walk through the flame and not be burned because you are with them. 
Let                                      be strong and courageous because you will not fail or forsake them. I ask this in your name Jesus. Amen.

Praying for Yourself
Dear Lord Jesus,
let me know that you are with me as I walk through the waters of life and that you will not let life overflow me. I know that you are with me because you redeemed me, you have called me by name, and I am Yours!
Let me know that I can walk through the fire and not be scorched, that I can walk through the flame and not be burned because you are with me. 
Let me be strong and courageous because you will not fail or forsake me. I ask this in your name Jesus. Amen.

Isaiah 43:2 AKJV
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle on you.

Deuteronomy 31:6 AKJV
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD your God, he it is that does go with you; he will not fail you, nor forsake you.

Verse of the Week - Luke 11:13 - June 19, 2016

Photo by Cassandra Buchmiller  Photo editing by Sallee Bonham

Bagnall Dam, MO

I grew up going to Bagnall Dam at Lake of the Ozarks because my grandma had a cabin down river from the dam. Occasionally, my mom and dad would take us to the dam by boat. 

At the dam, 

a small amount of water trickles through the flood gates at the dam all the time to generate power. However, when the electric company receives a request for more power during peak demand times, the flood gates are opened wider and this allows more water to gush through the flood gates to generate more power. 

Luke 11 states that even bad people know how to give good gifts to their children. 

Everyone can let a small amount of good enter their lives,  just like a dam always trickles a small amount of water to generate power.

Likewise, Christians have a trickle of the Holy Spirit flow into them the minute that they turn to Jesus and our Father in heaven. 

However, when we ask our Father in heaven to receive the Holy Spirit,
He opens up the spiritual flood gates and allows the Holy Spirit to surge forth into us. The Holy Spirit then counsels and empowers us to become more like our Father in Heaven.