SATISFIED WITH THE MINIMUM

PRAYER JOURNAL 1/23/19

Romans 8:4 That the righteous requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

One of the current political rally cries is, “Raise the Minimum Wage; everyone deserves a “living” wage,” and those in the crowds who have little understanding of economics or who care little about the ramifications of such actions, cheer wildly.

And of course the law can only legislate MINIMUM BEHAVIOR.  Think about it…if the law says $15/hour, every employer of unskilled, inexperienced employees will pay the MINIMUM; not one penny more than is required by law. 

You may say what about speed limits?  They regulate MAXIMUM BEHAVIOR and I would beg to differ.  In Michigan, the speed limit on major highways has been set at 75 but who besides me, sets their cruise control at 75?  Try it and count the cars speeding past you.  Obviously, no one believes that 75 is the maximum speed allowed.  In actuality, the speed limit regulates MINIMUM BEHAVIOR…It is the speed that you go when you see a police officer by the side of the highway or the speed adhered to if everyone else is moving at the same speed…no one really knows the desired maximum.

So it is with our daily Christian walk…Too many comply with the MINIMUMS instead of reaching for the MAXIMUMS.

When Christian Disciplines are legislated; limits are laid down…give 10%, read a Bible chapter and pray 10, 15, 30 minutes daily, go to church on Sunday…The OBEDIENT will do no more or no less than the MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS legislated; secure in the knowledge they have “KEPT THE LAW.”

When Godly Principles are taught according to Grace and following after the Spirit, the results are LIMITLESS!  The minimums are not even a consideration and no one knows or has yet reached the desired maximum.

FOLLOWING THE LAW REQUIRES OBEDIENCE BUT FOLLOWING THE SPIRIT REQUIRES TRANSFORMATION!

Try it! You will be amazed.  Allow God to TRANSFORM you by His Grace; FOLLOW after His Spirit and REACH for the MAXIMUM!

A SET UP FOR VICTORY

PRAYER JOURNAL 1/22/2019

Deuteronomy 8:2 And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.

The blood had been applied to the doorposts, the Death Angel had passed over and the Israelites were on the road to freedom.  What they didn’t understand is that deliverance from Egypt to the Land of Promise would be a process.  A process of challenges, miracles, roadblocks and faith.

It didn’t take long for the first challenge to raise its “ugly head.”  They didn’t even get out of Egypt!  The Egyptian Army was in hot pursuit and the Red Sea was in front of them.  What they didn’t realize is that God was in control of the whole situation.  Just as he had destroyed all the wealth and strength of Egypt with the plagues, God was preparing the Israelites to experience a great and final victory over the Egyptians.  But of course instead of faith, fear kicked in and they began to complain….

“Were there no graves in Egypt; that you had to bring us out here to die? You should have left us alone; it would have been better to serve the Egyptians than die out here in the wilderness.”

Exodus 14:13-14 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid.  Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today.  For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see no more forever.  The Lord will fight for you and you will hold your peace.

You’ve taken a step of faith or maybe you are just sick of living in Bondage…Bondage to Sin or Bondage to Expectations or even Bondage to Self.  You believed and you followed, BUT NOW…

The Masters of Bondage are behind you and a seemingly impossible Road Block is in front of you and you wonder…. “What’s going on?  Is it all just a pipe dream?  At least Bondage was familiar; I knew what was expected.  Has God brought me out just to abandon me at the banks of freedom?”

Exodus 14:15-16 And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me?” Tell the Children of Israel to go forward. But lift up your rod and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it.  And the Children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the Sea.

HOLD ON….you’re not even out of Egypt!  God has set you up for a great and final victory over the things that have bound you for so long.  He is preparing a smooth path of dry ground and if you will GO FORWARD in faith, the “slave masters” you see today, you shall see no more forever!

GOD HAS MADE YOU A PROMISE AND HE IS FAITHFUL TO COMPLETE IT, BUT…

You may have to cross a Red Sea. At times you may only have a little manna to sustain you. There may be giants to fight and walled cities to march around but KEEP MOVING FORWARD…DON’T FIGHT THE PROCESS.  There is a PROMISED LAND WAITING….The honey is sweet and the milk is flowing.

OWN YOUR SIN

PRAYER JOURNAL 1/19/19

2 Corinthians 7:9 Now I rejoice NOT that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow lead to repentance, for you were made sorry in a Godly manner, that you may suffer loss from us in nothing.

“They are not really sorry; they are just sorry they got caught.”  We all know that person or those people or have witnessed it in our children or have experienced it in ourselves.  You know…you made a choice and things were going along so smoothly.  Oh, once in a while, something would nibble at the edge of your conscience but everything was working out; it was all good.

UNTIL…

One day things didn’t work out; one day someone else found out and you confessed and repented but you really didn’t.  Your mouth spoke a confession but your heart murmured excuses and resentment built up… “How dare they?”  “Who do they think they are?” “God loves me; I am still anointed and only HE can bring me down.”  Oh, HE WILL!

WE JUSTIFY OUR ACTIONS AND AFFIRM OUR PLACE ON THE THRONE!

Look at David…He sinned and even had a man killed, yet the Bible says he was “a man after God’s own heart.”  “God knows my heart and that I love Him; how dare you JUDGE me.”

YOU MENTIONED IT SO LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT DAVID!

David did love the Lord; he had great faith and God had worked through him in marvelous ways.  Why David even wrote songs of praise and worship to God, BUT…David made a really bad choice…He chose the desires of his flesh rather than the Holy desire of God.

I’m not sure how David justified his actions.  Maybe he said, “I’m the King, everything is mine.” Or maybe he tried to look away but in a moment of weakness his lusts overcame his desire to do the right thing.  Perhaps he had no one in his life that would say, “NO” so he had gotten used to the answer always being, “YES!”  Whatever the justification, David chose to sin. He took another man’s wife, got her pregnant, and married her after having her husband killed.  Yes, it doesn’t get much worse…I’ve never even thought of sinning to that degree.

It seemed as if David would get by…Uriah had died in battle; a war hero; Bathsheba was his wife and babies have a way of being born a little early.  Yes, his sin was covered…BUT IT WASN’T…because NOTHING is hidden from God…DAVID GOT CAUGHT.

GOD CAN DEAL WITH SIN BUT ONLY IF WE OWN IT AND REPENT!

The Prophet, Nathan came to David and told him a story of a poor man that had one little lamb that he loved and a rich powerful man that had many lambs and the power to acquire many more. But that was not enough; one day the rich man decided to take the poor man’s one little lamb from him.

David was outraged, “That man must die and four of his lambs must be given to the poor man to replace the lamb that was taken.”  And the Prophet said, “YOU ARE THE MAN!”

Yes, David got caught; his sin lay before him, arrayed in all its sordid detail. So, how could he be called, “A man after God’s own heart?”  BECAUSE OF HIS RESPONSE. 

There were no “crocodile tears” masking a heart of “how dare you!”  There was no false humility one moment and “who do you think you are” the next moment.  No, Godly sorrow began to do a work and David felt the genuine weight of his actions as he stood exposed before God. David OWNED HIS SIN and he said, “I have sinned against the Lord.”

Psalms 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart.  These, oh God, you will not despise.

Oh, there were consequences to his actions; his baby son died and he grieved, knowing that his son’s death was a result of his own choices.  BUT HE WAS FORGIVEN!  And so he could continue on; he could continue to raise his hands in worship; he could continue to write songs of praise; he could continue offer sacrifice in faith because God does not despise a broken spirit and a broken and contrite heart…GOD RESPONDS TO HUMILITY!

If you’ve been walking around under the weight of hidden sin, you don’t have to bear the load any longer.  Nobody knows; but GOD DOES!  You may still “shake yourself” and feel the anointing; but ONE DAY the “shake” will not produce the desired result.  It may be buried so deep that even you forget about it, most times, but only the Blood of Jesus can be the tomb in which it can stay buried.

Don’t wait until you get caught; You were created to walk in freedom.

OWN YOUR SIN; CONFESS YOUR SIN; REPENT AND ALLOW THE BLOOD OF JESUS TO CLEANSE AND COVER YOU!

STOP MANIPULATING AND START WINNING SOULS

PRAYER JOURNAL 1/16/19

Romans 15:18-19 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word or deed, to make the Gentiles obedient.  In mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the Gospel of Christ.

When did the Gospel of Christ become “not enough?”  When did we get so big in our own eyes that we began to believe God needed our “Word or Deed Intervention” to get people to “fall in line?”  When did we start thinking that God had saved us to control others into the “Pearly Gates?”

Well as much “Righteous Pride” we may feel regarding our method of “making disciples,” MANIPULATION did not begin with you or with me!  Obviously, this problem existed in Apostle Paul’s day and even before….

Remember Jacob?  He manipulated his mother into cooperating with him to manipulate his father.  Then he manipulated his soon-to-be Father-in-law but found himself on the wrong side of the manipulation, except for the spotted cow scheme.  It took a wrestling match with an angel, a permanent limp and a name change to bring him back in line with the plan of God.

At times we have all played the role of Manipulator or felt the defeat of being the Manipulatee.  Obviously, the first role is a way more desirable to our flesh.  BUT, it is abhorrent to the Holy Spirit.

You were not called to be a HOLY MANIPULATOR!  We have allowed our MIGHTY WORDS to replace the MIGHTY SIGNS AND WONDERS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

STOP IT!!!!

You really cannot manipulate people into salvation or “living right.” Manipulation wrests the control from God and places the burden of responsibility on your shoulders; a load you were never created to bear.  And if God has to challenge you to a wrestling match, give you a permanent limp and name change, HE WILL!

You were called to PREACH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST!  Let the Power of the Spirit of God work through your ministry in mighty signs and wonders.  The Gospel of Christ is sufficient; it does not need manipulation to be effective.

A BRIDGE GENERATION

PRAYER JOURNAL 1/17/19

Psalms 78:6-7 That the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, that they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.

The longer you live, the more you see and the more you see, the more you reminisce regarding “how it used to be.”  I look at society today and I am shocked; how did we get to this point…the lack of civility; simple politeness; selfishness; no shame.  I suppose every generation looks at the next generation and shakes their head in distaste, but my fear is in realizing that this is the generation that will be governing this great country; will be preaching their interpretation of the Gospel in the pulpits; will be raising children that may never know the truth of our history or of God.

A quote from Steve provoked me to meditate further on the subject.  In discussing our experiences in growing up, raising kids, becoming older and enjoying grandkids, he remarked; “We were the “BRIDGE GENERATION:” we saw how it was and how it is today.”

Yes, we experienced the “GOLDEN AGE” of childhood. Oh, there were sectors of society to avoid but as a kid we were blessed to experience freedom…freedom to ride bikes down steep neighborhood streets, freedom to play baseball all day in the backyard, freedom to walk to school alone, freedom to catch fireflies and play hide and seek in the dark, freedom from electronics and social media and the freedom to respect parents, teachers, pastors, policemen, and other authority figures without the taint of the “Me First And Above All Movement.”

BUT WE WERE THE BRIDGE....so aren’t we responsible for WHAT IS today?  As we walked across the bridge into adulthood, weren’t we supposed to carry all of those established values with us? We raised this generation; they were entrusted into our care and mentoring….WE WERE THE BRIDGE.

Deuteronomy 31:7 Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with these people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them and you shall cause them to inherit it.

For 400 years God’s people had been in bondage to the Egyptians.  There was no one alive that remembered “how it was.”  Not one living person had tasted freedom, oh they handed down the traditions of worship, they taught their children the stories of the God of Abraham, Jacob and Isaac, they believed in the one true God, Jehovah but what had He ever done for them; did He even hear their cries? 

BUT…God did hear and He raised up a Leader; a Liberator to rescue them from the slavery of Egypt and lead them to the Promised Land.  God raised up Moses, but because of unbelief and disobedience, MOSES COULD NOT BE A BRIDGE!  He could lead, he could speak God’s words to them, he could instruct them in following the laws that God had given, but he could not be the bridge from the Old into the New!

GOD IS A BRIDGE BUILDER and He had already drawn up the blueprints and prepared the man. 

Scholars believe that there were over 2 million people that left Egypt on the Day of Deliverance; God desired that everyone of them plus the children yet to be born would dwell in the Land of Canaan, as His chosen people; a people set apart to serve Him faithfully…But it was not to be.

They came to the Brink of Deliverance and Moses chose 12 men to go and “spy out” the Land so they could plan their entrance into their Promise.  Now God had already given them the land, it was theirs to possess BUT it was already inhabited by people who did not recognize the authority of the Hebrew God.  The spies returned and gave their report; 10 reported that “though it was a good land, there were just too many people there to defeat and some of them were even GIANTS!”  But 2 of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, believed fully in Jehovah’s promise and faithfulness and gave a good report; “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.”  GOD HAD HIS BRIDGE!

GOD HAS CALLED US TO BE BRIDGES; WILL WE ANSWER THE CALL?

Are we content to know the truth about God; to serve God in our little way; murmur and complain when things are not to our liking and leave our children to figure it out on their own, hoping they make it to the Promised Land.

OR…Will we be the Bridge they can cross? 

A BRIDGE OF TRUTH; teaching the Word of God unwaveringly; preserving the TRUTH OF REVELATION and handing it down to our children and children’s children. 

A BRIDGE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS; not giving in to our fleshly desires but living a life pleasing to God every day as example to the NOW generation. 

A BRIDGE OF LOVE; not affirming and approving the pull of their own lusts but showing mercy and compassion as we lovingly point them to God.

A BRIDGE OF LIGHT; allowing God’s light to shine through us in a dark world; guiding a searching generation into the Promise of Salvation and Deliverance.

Purpose in your heart, today to be THE BRIDGE BETWEEN WHAT WAS AND WHAT IS!

REGARDING INIQUITY

PRAYER JOURNAL 1/13/2019

Psalms 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.

“But I’m saved…since I was 9 years old. I know the difference between right and wrong and I’m living right!  I’m doing all I know to do for you, so God, WHY?  Why do I feel this way?  Why can’t I seem to touch Heaven?  Why can’t I hear Your Voice?”

AND THEN I HEARD…

God said, “You are regarding iniquity in your heart!”

No, God, you’ve got the wrong person.  I know you have a lot of people on a 21 days of prayer and fasting regiment, so I’m thinking you confused the wrong prayer with the wrong heart with the wrong person.  That isn’t ME, God; I’m not sinning, why I’m down here, on my knees, seeking your direction.  WHAT IS INIQUITY ANYWAY?  How can I be guilty of regarding something in my heart when I don’t even know the definition of the word?

But I repented, just in case, and ask God to search my heart, reveal the “iniquity” that lodged there, to forgive me and renew my mind.  I was sincere and He is faithful…If felt a burden lift, freedom descend and before I left the prayer meeting, I was singing, “It Is Well With My Soul.”

BUT…

It continued to “haunt” me.  INIQUITY??? SERIOUSLY??? According to one definition, Iniquity refers to a “premeditated choice; to continue without repentance.”  But God, I wasn’t sinning; I was praying daily; reading your word; going to church; giving in the offering; shunning evil…and God continued the “Open Heart Surgery” throughout the night.

This morning I woke to the realization, “I HAVE regarded iniquity in my heart!”  I have CHOSEN and CONTINUED to allow anger to have its little place.  In fact I have given it a place of “honor” and built a fence of protection around the anger; not only “regarding” it but “guarding” it ferociously. 

It was “Holy Anger,” but it wasn’t.  I have a RIGHT to be angry; but I didn’t.  Yes, I still went through all the motions.  On the outside I was the obedient child sitting down but on the inside I was the rebellious little girl standing defiantly, with crossed arms…guarding my anger.

God will pursue you relentlessly.  He wants you to “GET IT RIGHT!”  He wants you to be the victor but you have to be willing to LET GO of your little “pet peeves” that will grow into iniquity if you continue to give them sanctuary status.

This morning, allow God to search your heart; to tear down any fences you have built around the perceived injustices, hurts and the anger you are experiencing.  Or perhaps it is something else that is taking up “SPACE” that God desires for Himself.  Whatever is preventing God from hearing you and you hearing Him back is NOT WORTH THE SATISFACTION you hope to experience.

The one cry God will always here is one of SINCERE REPENTANCE.  You can experience freedom today and sing, “It is well, It is well, with my soul.”

Have a blessed day worshiping the Lord.

WE MUST NOT BYPASS THE ALTAR

PRAYER JOURNAL 1/12/19

Hebrews 8:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

The Tabernacle of the Old Testament had 2 altars; the BRAZEN ALTAR OF SACRIFICE in the Outer Court and the GOLDEN ALTAR OF INCENSE in the Holy Place. Leviticus tells us that the Altar of Sacrifice was AT THE DOOR of the Tabernacle of Meeting and the Altar of Incense was INSIDE the Tabernacle of Meeting.  The High Priest could not even enter the Tabernacle without passing by the ALTAR OF SACRIFICE. 

But it wasn’t enough to just “PASS” the Altar of Sacrifice; NO, he had to stop…A sacrifice must be offered…GOD DEMANDED BLOOD as atonement for sin.  It was only AFTER the sacrifice that the High Priest could continue into the Tabernacle of Meeting.

 Yes, the High Priest had to stop at both altars before he entered the Holy of Holies where the Shekinah Glory of God rested on the Mercy Seat. The Brazen Altar, an altar of death and sacrifice and the Golden Altar, an altar of praise.

God demanded that he enter the Holy of Holies bearing blood from the sacrifice and a censer of burning incense. It would have been much less messy to just grab the incense from the Golden Altar as he went behind the veil but that was NOT what God had prescribed for atonement and each step in the process must be followed exactly….the sacrifice, washing at the bronze laver, putting on the correct garments, bearing the blood of atonement and the burning incense…all necessary when entering into the Presence of God.

Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, He entered in once into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

We sing “Jesus Paid It All.” We declare “We can come before the Throne of Grace boldly.”  We lift our hands and dance before the altar, our praise a “sweet smelling savor” to God; BUT IS IT? Does God accept our worship before the Altar of Incense if we have not first stopped at the Altar of Sacrifice?  Yes, “Jesus Paid it All;” shed His own precious blood once and for all,

BUT…

God still demands sacrifice…sacrifice of our desires, our will; we must die to self. God still demands that we be washed and allow Him to wrap us in robes of righteousness. God still demands praise. It would be much easier, less messy and more satisfying to rush past the Altar of Sacrifice, sing a few songs of praise as we go into the Holy of Holies…BUT IT DON’T WORK THAT WAY!

YOU CANNOT JUST PRAISE YOUR WAY INTO GOD’S GLORY….

It takes sacrifice and death on the Brazen Altar, if you desire God’s Glory in your life.

WE MUST NOT BYPASS THE ALTAR!

RETURN TO ME

PRAYER JOURNAL 1/11/19

Mark 11:15-17 So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple.  Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it a den of thieves.”

I woke early this morning with a heavy heart and a heavy spirit.  God wants to be present in our lives and in our churches; He desires to move on our behalf but first we have to bring our hearts and minds into proper focus so that our actions reflect our words.

God says, “You have asked Me for the “heavy” things but you approach My altar with a frivolous sacrifice. You come before the altar to burn the Incense of Praise but you have bypassed the Altar of Sacrifice; the Altar of Repentance. Your words say, “we have come together in Your Name” but your gatherings have become a “frivolous marketplace;” and everyone leaves empty.  If you will return to the sacredness of My Sanctuary, regain a reverence for My word; and offer an unblemished sacrifice on My altar, you will see wondrous and mighty things in your midst.  I am the Lord your God but I will not tolerate the profane mixed with My Holiness.”

Zechariah 1:3 Therefore, say to them, “Thus says the Lord of Hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of Hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Hosts.

TIME TO CROSS OVER

PRAYER JOURNAL 1/10/2019

Joshua 1:2 “Moses, my servant is dead.  Now, therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them – the Children of Israel.”

And so, Moses, the great leader of the Children of Israel is dead and the leadership of Joshua begins.  During the previous 40 years God had prepared the way through the Wilderness, parted the Red Sea, provided food and water and sustained them.  Because of unbelief and disobedience many who started the journey had died, prohibited from entering the Promised Land.

 BUT NOW…

The time had come; IT WAS TIME TO CROSS OVER!  Oh there would be battles; enemies to conquer but God had already “won” the battles they would need to fight…the land was theirs to possess….IF THEY WOULD CROSS OVER!

WAIT…FIRST…

Joshua had a few instructions; the CROSSING OVER had to be done God’s Way; according to his explicit direction.  The people of Israel were given 3 days to gather their provisions and prepare to cross over.  Spies were sent ahead of the crossing and came back with a faith-filled report, “The Lord has delivered all the land into our hands.” AND FINALLY….the day arrived.

Joshua 3:3-4 When you see the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord your God and the priests, the Levites bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it.  Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure.  Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before.”

The people were instructed to watch for the Ark of the Covenant, (which contained the law-God’s Word), the priests and the Levites; once they saw it to go after it…not beside it or ahead of it…but follow it. Because God was going to lead them into a new land.  It was time to CROSS OVER…BREAKTHROUGH WAS NOW…the LAND OF PROMISE WAS WAITING!

Do you feel as if you’ve been wandering in the Wilderness for the last 40 years?  God is saying, “GATHER YOUR PROVISIONS; IT’S TIME TO CROSS OVER…BREAKTHROUGH IS NOW!”

Your time of wandering in the Wilderness was preparation for this day. God has sustained you; provided water when you were thirsty and manna to ease your hunger.  He has been your road map; a cloud by day and a fire by night.  He has and will continue to be your shield.   There will be giants and enemies to conquer but He has already prepared the way if you will but follow.

NOW….

It is up to you to POSSESS THE LAND!  You can choose to stay in the WILDERNESS OF SACRIFICE; getting by on a little water from a rock and a daily bowl of manna…

OR…

You can step into the LAND OF BREAKTHROUGH, which is flowing with milk and honey and claim your PROMISE!

BUT WAIT….

You have not gone this way before.  It must be done according to God’s plan…THE WORD must go before you.  It is HIS WORD that will part the waters; it is HIS WORD that will allow your feet to walk on dry ground; it is HIS WORD that will give you a clear view around the obstacles; it is HIS WORD that will give you a BREAKTHROUGH VICTORY.

READ IT; CONSUME IT; PRAY IT, DECLARE IT AND OBEY IT!

THEN CROSSOVER INTO THE PROMISED LAND OF BREAKTHROUGH!

IT IS YOURS; POSSESS IT!

WHY AND WHAT

PRAYER JOURNAL 1/9/2019

Mark 9:29 So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”

We have waved goodbye to 2018 and stepped into 2019; many are starting or joining a 21 day period of Prayer and Fasting.  The ACTS of Prayer and Fasting are not as important as the WHY and WHAT!

WHY ARE YOU FASTING?  Are you just joining in because a pastor announced the activity?  Are you participating because you would feel guilty if you didn’t or because you don’t want anyone to know that you really don’t want to so you make a half-hearted effort?  Is it just another check off your list; like the check for attending Sunday Service or the check for daily reading a Bible chapter or the check for getting in a quick prayer time as you drive to work?

For what are you Praying?  Are you just praying in general, because you said you would or do you have a focused prayer?  Are you petitioning God for something specific and including instructions for completion or are you seeking His Will in the situation?  Are you trying to get God to understand you more or does your prayer time include listening and understanding His Heart and His desires for you?

The 21 day period will end, sometime in late January…what will change?  Will you be different?  God desires to do a work in you during this time; He desires that you know Him better by the end of January but it will only happen if you get the WHY and WHAT in the proper perspective.

If you are joining in just because you don’t know how to say “no,” here is your out…Repent and go eat or play a video game or watch a movie or get back on Facebook or whatever you are fasting.

BUT…

If you really desire a change; if you really desire to have God fulfill His plan through you; if you really desire to spend time in His Presence and get to know His heart, then push away from the table or stop lusting after the leftover Christmas Candy or turn off the video game and allow God to whisper His love for you as you spend time in His Presence…of course this will happen only if you shut up with your requests long enough to let Him get a word in…but it could happen.

If there is a situation that needs an answer, present the petition and LEAVE IT UP TO GOD.  Then praise Him; thank Him for the answer; show Him a little love and you will be amazed at how fast situations are resolved; how clear the answers become; and how swiftly the blessings began to flow.

I can’t wait to hear and share testimonies of the many BREAKTHROUGHS that will be experienced as we seek the Will of God together.

WITHOUT CONDITIONS

PRAYER JOURNAL 1/8/2018

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Like many congregations across the country, we are joining together in 21 days of prayer and fasting, seeking the Will of God at the beginning of this New Year.  Is it any wonder that many of us feel under attack?

Just in our small congregation, we have a person receiving an undesired medical diagnosis; another suddenly lost a job, and many experiencing health issues and sickness. Even, I, who hardly ever gets sick, had to go to bed early last night.  Yesterday, we had an ice storm and because of the unpredictable condition of roads, will not be able to go to Ladies’ Prayer, this morning and I need to be there so much, especially right now.

WHAT’S GOING ON….

Everything I mentioned could be chalked up to “life;” just being human; bad things happen to good people and that would probably be right.  I do not believe every negative thing that occurs in our life is an attack from Satan…actually most, if not all are not…they are “just life” or they are a result of our own prior choices.  BUT…

SATAN WILL USE EVERY NEGATIVE OCCURRENCE IN OUR LIFE AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ATTACK, SO BE PREPARED!

Yes, we have a choice; it is called a RESPONSE!   Bad things WILL happen…what will be your response?  Satan WILL attack…what will be your response? 

YOUR RESPONSE TO THE NEGATIVE EVENT AND CORRESPONDING ATTACK OF SATAN WILL DETERMINE YOUR PATH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORM!

So Satan attacks.  He sends his minions to torment us; whispers doubt and confusion in our ear; shows us an ugly picture of despair and fogs up our vision.  Well Satan, you have really BAD TIMING…you should have attacked last year or waited until later…

YOU’VE ALREADY LOST THE BATTLE BECAUSE WE ARE IN A PERIOD OF 21 DAYS OF PRAYER AND FASTING….HA! 

I choose to PRAISE….I choose to TRUST…I choose to BELIEVE…I choose to EXPECT…I choose to KEEP MOVING FORWARD…I choose to SMILE…I choose to HAVE HOPE…

I CAN CHOOSE BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN CHOSEN!

I am CALLED; God has a PURPOSE; and He is working ALL THINGS out for my good.

Give it your best shot Satan and notice how your fiery darts fall short and lie broken because…

I CHOOSE TO TRUST GOD DESPITE AND WITHOUT CONDITIONS!

GOD HAS NOT CHANGED

PRAYER JOURNAL 1/7/19

Malachi 3:6-7 For I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed oh Sons of Jacob.  Yet from the days of your fathers, you have gone away from my ordinances and have not kept them.  Return to Me and I will return to you.

In the Old Testament, the Law paints a picture of a very sober, absolute God.  The Law was very precise in its requirements; the preparation and offering of the sacrifices, the garments of the priests, the foods that were permissible for consumption and even allowable activities on Sabbaths and Feast Days.  Deviation from the Law was not tolerated and punishment for sin was executed swiftly and thoroughly to the offender.

Today, we are under Grace; God is long suffering and merciful; dietary and ceremonial Law no longer applies to the Redeemed Church and punishment for sin is postponed, giving the offender every opportunity for redemption.

BUT…GOD HAS NOT CHANGED; HE IS STILL SOBER, PRECISE AND ABSOLUTE!

Although Church Councils, Religious Denominations, individual people and Governments attempt to change, pervert and twist the Laws of God to be more accepting, more tolerant or more friendly to their own fleshly lusts, there are ABSOLUTES in the Word of God and God demands strict adherence…even under Grace.

Three of the Ordinances that must be strictly obeyed and entered into soberly are Baptism, Communion and Marriage.

BAPTISM – Must be done in the Name of Jesus.  It is commanded; We identify with Jesus in Baptism; it is the Shed Blood of Jesus that washes away our sins; we are to do all, in word and deed, in the Name of Jesus; it was preached and practiced by the Early Church; just as there is healing in the Name of Jesus, power in the Name of Jesus, there is Redemption ONLY through the Name of Jesus; THERE IS NO OTHER NAME!

COMMUNION – It is to be done in Remembrance of Jesus Sacrifice for our sins; for our healing; for our redemption.  It is to be done soberly, with serious contemplation and heart-examination.  The elements used for this sacred ordinance are precise and should be followed… THE BREAD – Must be UNLEAVENED BREAD…no salt or yeast, which in the Bible represents sin…Jesus sinless body was broken for us.  THE FRUIT OF THE VINE – not just any colored water or substance will do.  It represents the life-giving blood that was poured out for our redemption.

MARRIAGE – It is sacred; it is holy; it is for a lifetime.  Marriage is ONLY between one man and one woman; not two humans or three consenting adults or one man and a harem… It represents Jesus and His Bride – The Church.  Jesus is absolutely faithful to His Bride and expects The Church to be ABSOLUTELY FAITHFUL to Him.  He will not tolerate an adulterous Church; one whose heart is fickle; in love with Him one moment and fascinated with a shiny, new object the next.  Jesus expects ABSOLUTE FIDELITY IN THOUGHT AND ACTION!

God’s Word is absolute; He does not change with society, denominations, government or church councils…BELIEVE IT…OBEY IT….LIVE IT!

LOSE THE SUPERFICIALITY

PRAYER JOURNAL 1/5/2019

Matthew 15:8-9 These people draw near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me and in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrine the commandments of men

The New Year has dawned; we may have even written 2019 a time or two.  It never fails that along with turning a page on a calendar, a flurry of “prophetic” words are proclaimed and the coming year is declared to be “The Year of….”  Usually it is something exciting that will feed our flesh and make us say, “YESSS!”  The last one I read declared, “This will be the Year of Illumination.”  Not so bad!  I pray that God will open our understanding to His Word and His Will…but unfortunately that was not the content of the prophecy.

In the midst of all of the hope and expectation we carry into 2019, I am praying that this is THE YEAR OF LOSING SUPERFICIALITY!  It is time to “get all in” or get out.

SUPERFICIAL: Affecting only the surface; not penetrating below; concerned only with the obvious or apparent; presenting only an appearance; without substance or significance; lacking depth or solidity; shallow. (Merriam-Webster)

The Church has become SUPERFICIAL and the World is SICK AND TIRED. 

I am sick and tired…of SUPERFICIAL WORSHIP…singing songs with a fleshly message, raising our hands, swaying to the driving beat and calling that our Worship for the Week.  WORSHIP is not about the songs or the music…IT ISN’T EVEN ABOUT A CHURCH SERVICE…True Worship occurs in how we conduct our lives every minute of every day.  Do we live to glorify God or please our self?  I want to LOSE THE SUPERFICIAL WORSHIP!

I am sick and tired of SUPERFICIAL PREACHING…preaching that makes the congregation feel good about their sin and motivated to look at God as their own personal genie in a bottle; preaching that twists the Word of God to manipulate people into preferred behaviors; and definitely “Lazy Preaching.” Preaching the things that someone else has “dug” out through prayer and study because it is easier to teach a series than preach with fresh anointing the truths revealed in the Word.  I want to LOSE SUPERFICIAL PREACHING!

I am sick and tired of SUPERFICIAL CHRISTIANITY…Christianity that is merely a religion with no depth or solidity.  A Christianity that speaks the right words; knows all the correct phrases but at the heart is far from God.  A Christianity that takes the Commandments of Men and teaches them as Doctrines of God…Even a SICK WORLD can see through SUPERFICIAL CHRISTIANITY and they want no part of it.

YES, I AM PRAYING THAT THIS IS THE YEAR WE LOSE OUR SUPERFICIALITY!

And it starts with me…

I want to WORSHIP with my all my heart, soul and might.  That includes my lifestyle, the places I go, the thing I do, the choices I make and yes, even in church…letting go of the distractions, ignoring the superficiality and focusing on seeking His Presence.

I want to SPEAK, WRITE AND PREACH with veracity the words that God pours into my heart as I seek His thoughts; the truths that God reveals as I study His Word…not my thoughts or my desires or my interpretation or even the genuineness of another person’s “dugout” relationship with God…I want to lose the superficiality of preaching and hear what God’s Word is proclaiming.

I want to wear more than just the superficial title, “CHRISTIAN.”  I desire to be a TRUE FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST.   I want to do more than just “speak” the right words; I want to live them. I desire the Spirit to be alive, fresh and flowing through me…a source from which a thirsty world can be refreshed.  I want to produce Fruit that will feed a hungry world and above all surrender my will that God may work through me to clothe a cold and naked world in His Righteousness.

Yes, I pray that this will be the YEAR OF LOSING SUPERFICIALITY AND EMBRACING AUTHENTICITY…

GOD’S AUTHENTICITY…THE WORLD HAS SEEN ENOUGH OF YOURS AND MINE!

PREPARE FOR YOUR PROMISE

PRAYER JOURNAL 1/3/2019

Habakkuk 2:2-3 Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.  For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak and it will not lie.  Though it tarries wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

ON JANUARY 3, 2018, I WROTE THE FOLLOWING POST….

In October, 2017, a woman who I had never met, until that day, came up to me after Ladies’ Prayer and said that she felt God had shown her some things and asked if she could share a Word from the Lord specifically to me. She did not know me, where I came from, my heart’s desire, my relationship with God or anything I had walked through.

She spoke what God had laid on her heart with the admonition, “You must be careful to make sure that God receives all the glory.”

I began to seek God and pray, focusing on the Word God had spoken through her. And I felt another admonition from God; “Be patient; don’t get ahead of me.”

Oh how my Heavenly Father knows me…He knows my impatience; He knows how I like to figure everything out; He knows my need for “neat little packages:” He knows my comfort zone and the parameters of my little box…But also, He is so ready to dispense all the grace I need in the waiting.

Many things have occurred since October, 2017; most I could not have even imagined…God seems to work that way. He has given me fresh eyes as I study and clarity as I pray; all things must point to Him and His Glory.

This morning, I read a quote “When a faith stretching word is spoken, it’s important to refrain from helping God make it happen.” (Terry Law, The Power of Praise and Worship)

The waiting is difficult but it is in the waiting that the seed which has been planted begins to mature. There can be NO harvest without the waiting.

If you have received a promise from God and it doesn’t seem to “be happening,” ask God to give you grace to wait and refrain from helping God make it happen as you continue to seek Him and most importantly…HE MUST RECEIVE THE GLORY!

FAST FORWARD TO JANUARY 3, 2019...

I have had many “words” spoken to me over the years.  Some have been encouraging, others have been warnings and still other words have “fed my flesh” and I desperately wanted them to be true.  I have learned to thank the person, take it and leave it with God and keep my focus on His will.  Some of the “words” have come to pass, but most have never come to fruition.

SO…it was in October 2017, I began to pray and wait and wait and wait.  THEN… in November 2018, God fulfilled what was spoken to me in the most unexpected, never imagined, “I ain’t ever gonna go there,” way…Yes, He had to send me to Mexico to fulfill the Word that was spoken to me, because HE IS FAITHFUL TO PERFORM WHAT HE HAS STARTED!

God has a great plan for you and if you have received a “word” or a promise, keep believing that it will happen.

BUT…

God may be asking you to prepare for the promise…SO PREPARE!  Pray, listen and obey…If it means more study; then STUDY!  If it means more prayer; then PRAY!  If it means volunteering to get the necessary skills; then VOLUNTEER!  If it means practicing and perfecting the gift that God has placed in you; then PRACTICE!

DON’T JUST SIT AND WAIT….

Get ready; prepare and ACCEPT THE UNEXPECTED when God opens the “ain’t never gonna do that door,” walk through it with your hands lifted high in praise.

GOD WILL FULFILL HIS PROMISE; IT’S UP TO YOU TO STEP INTO IT!

PURSUE THE CORRECT GOAL

PRAYER JOURNAL 1/2/19

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this one thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

As we begin our journey into 2019, we carry new hopes, dreams and expectations.  We resolve to be better people, pray more, show more love, deepen our relationship with God and…Oh yeah, and lose weight. 

It is important with any goal that we get our priorities straight and our focus on the correct result but I find myself focusing on the “side-effect” of the thing I should be pursing rather than the process that produces the desired result.

Most of us pursue weight loss and hope to feel healthier, when we should pursue healthy living and enjoy the “side-effect” of weight loss.

How many of us pursue Heaven and hope to know God better, when we should pursue a closer relationship with God and enjoy the “side-effect” of Heaven.

My Prayer….Lord, today help me pursue YOU; I want to know YOU more; love YOU more; hear YOUR voice more clearly; follow YOU more faithfully…walking in full confidence that you will continue to bless me with the “Side-effects.”