JESUS IS THE ANSWER

PRAYER JOURNAL 2/14/19

Isaiah 65:24 “It shall come to pass that before they call I will answer.”

As I pray for hurting friends, grieving friends, friends that are traveling, friends that are sick and friends that are in unbelievable situations, I weep…I wish I could fix things…I wish I had the answer.

After 61 years of living life, I have learned a lot of lessons and I have had some questions answered.  In my humble opinion, I am full of wisdom, if people would just listen.  In my humble opinion, I have a lot of answers, if people would just follow my advice.

BUT…

This morning as I pray for answers, for words to comfort and encourage, the questions are left blank and God whispers to my spirit…

“You don’t have to have the answers because I DO!”

Whatever your situation this morning; whatever questions you may have, Jesus has the answer.  He had the answer before you even called and He is just waiting for you to ask the question.

I pray you feel His great love surrounding you this morning and that His peace will fill your heart because HE IS the answer to all your questions. 

HE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH!

ON ASSIGNMENT

PRAYER JOURNAL 2/13/19

Acts 3:1-2 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain lame man from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple.

During a pick-up hockey game in North Carolina, a player went into cardiac arrest and collapsed on the ice.  A fellow hockey player, who also “just happened” to be a doctor sprang into action, began to perform CPR and the heart began to beat again.  The resuscitated man called his rescuer, his “guardian angel,” and stated, “It was a miracle that I was skating with an Emergency Room Doctor.” 

I guess one could say, “He was in the right place at the right time.”  And he was; but was it “just;” was it a coincidence or could it have been an ASSIGNMENT IN THE PLAN OF GOD?

Jesus, of course, is our greatest example of “BEING ON ASSIGNMENT.”  You could say, “Well of course, He was God.  He knew all things, where He should go, whom He should touch, and the exact need to which He would minister.”  True, but you and I have the same Spirit dwelling in us, the same God directing our steps;  two ears, two eyes, two hands, and two feet to obey “the mission” and a mouth to “speak the word.” 

GOD HAS YOU ON ASSIGNMENT!

Have you prayed this morning?  Have you received your “marching orders?”  They may not contain precise instructions or precise locations but as you go about your day and follow your routine, keep your mind ready, because God is going to place you in someone’s “right time; right place space.”

It may be on your job, at the grocery store, exercising at the gym, walking the dog through your neighborhood, or going “up to pray;” be on the lookout because God has an ASSIGNMENT FOR YOU TO FULFILL TODAY! 

Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have, give I thee; In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

There is someone whose discouraged heart is about to go into “cardiac arrest.”  They are so in need of a little “spiritual CPR” and you just happen to be “in the right place at the right time.”  YOUR ASSIGNMENT…BREATHE SOME ENCOURAGEMENT INTO THEIR GASPING LUNGS!

Perhaps, they are in a situation that has them bound and there seems to be no solution; no way out.  YOUR ASSIGNMENT…1, 2, 3…1, 2, 3…SHOCK THEIR HEART WITH SOME HOPE…GET IT BEATING AGAIN!

Or maybe it is a bright smile, a warm hug, a cup of coffee and friendly conversation…God is never boring, never routine and He changes up His assignments daily, so get in contact with Him this morning.

YOU ARE THE RIGHT PERSON IN THE RIGHT PLACE FOR SOMEONE TODAY…BE THERE!

GUARANTEED RIGHTS

PRAYER JOURNAL 2/7/19

John 1:12  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.

When our Founding Fathers framed the Constitution, they only guaranteed things the government WOULD NOT do to its citizens….take away their freedom, take away their life and take away the opportunity to pursue a dream. They wisely, understood that outcomes (even to the things they guaranteed) were dependent on the behavior of the individual. If a person chooses to enslave themselves, end their life or give up on a dream, there is no legislation that will change the outcome.

Can we now understand that ECONOMIC EQUALITY is a “pipe dream?” Even if we took all the money in the United States and distributed it equally to every person, the outcomes would be different. Some would invest or save, others would buy only necessities and still others would waste every penny until nothing was left and the process would have to be repeated again and again and again.

Unlike the Constitution of the United States, guaranteeing what the Government WILL NOT DO, the Word of God is full of promises of all the things God desires TO DO for people.  Jesus Christ came to give LIFE and give it more abundantly.  He came to proclaim FREEDOM to those who are in bondage to sin and self.  And not only does He give us the opportunity to PURSUE A DREAM, but God PLACES THE PERFECT DREAM in our heart and then opens the doors necessary to FULFILL THE DREAM.

We are also promised the OPPORTUNITY to be partakers of the GREATEST RIGHT ever offered to a person...You and I have been given the RIGHT TO BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD!

Some would argue that “we are all Children of God.”  While it is true that we are all “made in the Image of God,” the Promises, however, are dependent on each Individual’s response.  Many will take hold of the Dream and waste it away, pursing the things that bring glory to themselves.  Others will pick up the Dream, and then quickly lay it down once they realize there is a cost in which they must participate.  Then there will be those that take hold of the Promise of God to BECOME A CHILD OF GOD!

TAKE HOLD OF THE PROMISES OF GOD AND NEVER LET GO!

Yes, it will mean a SACRIFICE OF SELF; it may ask that you do the things that will deny your flesh but your spirit will be fed.  The Promises of God will require you to follow a path that may be unfamiliar, walk through doors you may not recognize and at times you cannot even be sure of the outcome but if you..

 FOLLOW THE PATH, WALK THROUGH THE DOOR AND OBEY THE WORD OF THE LEADER, YOU WILL BECOME A PARTAKER OF THE PROMISE!

ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE

PRAYER JOURNAL 2/5/19

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

I am the oldest child in a family of six children. My dad was a hard worker and provided all the necessities of life and as many extras as possible for his family. I enjoyed a wonderful childhood and never felt poor or underprivileged. I always felt loved and had built-in playmates; something was always happening at our house. Many of my friends, however, enjoyed some of the luxuries that I was well aware were not available to “PEOPLE LIKE US.”

My best friend in high school would spend weekends at her cottage in Baraboo, WI and she had a beautiful brick fireplace in her living room. We lived in a 3 bedroom, 1 bath ranch, 4 bedrooms, counting the one dad fixed up in the basement.

If I ever attained the status of my friend, I thought I would have made it because “PEOPLE LIKE US” lived in 1200 sq. ft. ranch homes with 1 bathroom and gravel driveways.

Many times, I have needed God to reassure me that, because of His grace, I AM “ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE.” God wants ME to succeed!

YOU are one of GOD’S PEOPLE and He will go to any length necessary for you to be successful in your journey with Him. When He filled you with the Holy Spirit, He endowed you with the necessary power to walk into a life of liberty. If you will follow the path God has laid for you, you can live a wonderful, fulfilled life today and be assured of eternal life tomorrow.

GOD WANTS YOU TO SUCCEED!  YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE!

TRADE YOUR DEFEAT FOR HIS VICTORY

PRAYER JOURNAL 2/3/19

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I woke this morning from a troubling dream that I feel God would have me share because of His great love for you and His desire that you live in total victory, following Him.

I was in a large room, the floor was littered with things and broken pieces of things.  My spirit was grieved as I walked through the objects that seemed to have been so carelessly discarded by their owner.  An item caught my eye and then another and another; as I bent to pick them up, I realized that they were not just carelessly discarded objects but they were pieces of broken lives, shards of shattered dreams, the remains of destroyed hope…I was looking at DEFEAT!

I picked up a once beautiful “artifact” and thought, “this person wanted…but…” And then another; “He tried to…but…” And another…and another…Every broken treasure representing a life that DEFEAT HAD DESTROYED!

WHAT IS IT THAT YOU DESIRE BUT THAT “ONE THING” CONTINUES TO LEAD YOU TO DEFEAT?

 It may be a habit.  You desire to be victorious and not allow this “thing” to control you.  You have prayed, you have asked God to “take it” but it lingers; inviting…calling you back for just one more…just one more time, then you’ll stop.  Don’t allow a “habit” to become the BROKEN, DEFEATED shred of life lying on the floor.

It may be a past hurt.  You have tried to forgive and just when you think you are “over it,” someone or something rips off the scab and you begin to bleed again.  You go for months without a thought of the pain and suddenly, “there it is” and once again the anger rules your mind and spirit.  UNFORGIVENESS OFFERS ONLY DEFEAT AND BROKENNESS FOR YOU!

Perhaps God has delivered you from the bondage of habits and through prayer you have forgiven anyone that has wounded you or your loved ones but there it is….there lies a “cracked cup of failure.”  You still love God; you still pray, go to church, live holy, but you just can’t get past all the failure.  You tried and it didn’t work out.  You see the success of others and you wonder why.  You don’t blame God, but really you do…why doesn’t He bless you like that?  Why are they so highly favored and you are not?  THE FEAR OF ANOTHER FAILURE IS YOUR DEFEAT!

God is the mender of broken hearts and shattered dreams.  The Name of Jesus proclaims LIBERTY over the bondage of habits that are trying to destroy your life.  God has baptized you with His Spirit and it is through His Spirit that you will find the strength to get up from the mess of failure and follow Him into victory.

Go ahead and walk through that open door; leave the shattered remnants of defeat; breath the fresh air of deliverance…TODAY IS YOUR DAY OF VICTORY!

IT'S A NEW MORNING

PRAYER JOURNAL 1/30/19

A BEAUTIFUL MORNING; A NEW DAY, FULL OF PROMISE AND HOPE…WHAT A GIFT FROM GOD!

Psalm 5:3 My voice you shall hear in the MORNING, O Lord; in the MORNING, I will direct it to you and I will look up.

As I wake to a beautiful sunrise over the Gulf of Mexico on Galveston Beach, the awesome promises of God speak to my heart.

Psalm143:8 Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the MORNING, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You.

I have a promise of HIS GUIDANCE.  Every morning I have the promise that He will lead me in down the right path, if I ask, listen and follow.

Psalm 30:5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the MORNING.

I have a promise of HIS FORGIVENESS.  No matter what I’ve done; no matter where I’ve been, His arms of forgiveness are open.  And though mu actions may cause Him momentary anger, my broken and contrite spirit will bring me FAVOR FOR LIFE and JOY WITH A NEW DAWN.

Psalm 59:16 But I will sing of Your power; yes I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the MORNING; for you have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.

I have a promise of HIS DEFENSE AND SAFETY.  Satan isn’t big enough to break through the “wall” of the fortress that surrounds me.  It doesn’t matter who comes against me or what fiery darts Satan may launch, God is my DEFENSE; God is my REFUGE…listen to my song.

Psalms 139:9-10 If I take the wings of the Morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your Hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.

I have a promise of HIS PROTECTION.  God knows my name; He knows right where I am.  At all times; every minute of every day, His GPS is tracking my every step.  If I “fly high,” He is my wings.  If I sink to a dark place, His arms are holding me. He is even closer than the “mention of His Name;” when I call out, “JESUS,” He is already there!

Lamentations 3:22-23 Through the Lord’s mercies, we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every MORNING; great is Your faithfulness.

I have a promise of HIS MERCY AND HIS FAITHFULNESS.  Oh how He Loves You and Me; I cannot comprehend the depth of His love the span of His mercy; but I tap into it numerous times every day.  And I wake to a replenished supply every morning.  He has never failed to guide, forgive, defend, protect and show me mercy…GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS.

So I begin a month of rest and refreshing in the middle of God’s beautiful creation; the awesome sunrises and sunsets; the power of the crashing waves; the birds in flight and the warm ocean breezes, my prayer is….

Psalm 92:2 To declare Your loving kindness in the MORNING and Your faithfulness every night.

AND AGAIN I SAY REJOICE

PRAYER JOURNAL 2/1/19

Psalms 68: 3 But let the Righteous be glad; let them REJOICE before God; Yes, let them REJOICE exceedingly.

I opened my eyes and took a deep breath…ANOTHER DAY TO REJOICE. 

My feet hit the floor; I could stand, I could walk…ANOTHER DAY TO REJOICE.

I brushed my teeth, washed my face and took a long drink of fresh, clean water…ANOTHER DAY TO REJOICE.

My first sips of freshly brewed coffee…ANOTHER DAY TO REJOICE.

When I begin to meditate on the all the good things God has placed in my life and allowed me to experience, thankfulness fills my heart and I REJOICE.  Oh, “I’ve have bad days and I’ve had hills to climb and I’ve had sad days, that leave me with a weary mind, but when I look about and think these things all out…all of the good days outweigh the bad days, I won’t complain.”

And my friends at home think, “easy for you to say, we are stuck up here in freezing temperature and snow with a chest cold.” You are right, sometimes it is easier to rejoice when you wake to 55 degrees instead of -16 and you hear the sound of the ocean instead of the roar of a snowplow. 

BUT…there is just something that warms you all up from the inside out when you begin to speak, JESUS; when you think back to where He brought you from; when you begin to count your many blessings…the joy starts to bubble up and you REJOICE.

Philippians 4:4 REJOICE in the Lord always.  Again I will say, REJOICE.

Each one of us has been given this day as a gift from God….OPEN IT; UNWRAP IT AND REJOICE!

I don’t know what lies ahead for me in the next 24 hours but I can REJOICE with the confidence that God knows.  I may go places I’ve never been and face situations I’ve never faced but God has already been there and His hand will guide me as I move forward and I WILL REJOICE.

Until…

The day that I open my eyes for the last time, drink my final sip of water, walk my last few steps and take my final deep breath, I am determined to REJOICE my way through Gates of Pearl, down Streets of Gold, bow before the Throne and dance with the angels.

And then in the “City where there cometh no night,” REJOICE FOR ALL ETERNITY!

Psalms 118:24 This is the day that the Lord has made; we will REJOICE and be glad in it.