GET OFF THE ROLLER COASTER

PRAYER JOURNAL 11/19/19

Proverbs 28:13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

THE ROLLER COASTER OF LIFE….You’ve settled in your seat for the ride, the safety bar is locked in place and the adventure is about to begin; your heart beats with anticipation…the thrill….the rush…

BUT…

Now it’s getting old, the ride has lost its thrill.  The anticipation of what lies over the next hill no longer excites you.  The ups and the downs, the twists and the turns have become too much and you want off.  You are ready to try the “train ride” on a smooth track…

YOU FEEL DEFEATED…

Where is the victory?   Where is the joy?  The “Roller Coaster” ride didn’t live up to all the hype.  You want to tell the long line of expectant faces, don’t waste your time, it’s just not worth it.

Once again Israel faced its own “Roller Coaster” moment.  The “Thrill of Victory” was palpable throughout the Camp. God had delivered the great city of Jericho into their hands in a way that was an absolute miracle.  Who ever heard of walls so thick you could drive a chariot on top, simply crumbling?  And Rahab, yep, there she is, the only one of Jericho’s citizen that escaped; all because she hid the spies and left a red cord hanging in her window.  The fireside celebration and the stories continued…

BUT…

There was another battle waiting over the horizon and the downhill ride was not going to be quite so exhilarating…

The next battle was the BATTLE OF AI and the defeat was ABSOLUTE!  There were no victorious stories; 36 men lost their life and the Army of Israel retreated back to their camp.  What happened?  Where was God?  AI was not even a major city; this battle should have been a piece of cake.

Israel had a TRUE LEADER in Joshua who recognized that if they ever wanted to win another battle, he had better consult with his COMMANDER IN CHIEF. 

Joshua 7:10-11 So the Lord said to Joshua: “Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? 11 Israel has sinned and they have transgressed my covenant which I commanded them.  For they have taken some of the accursed things and have both stolen and deceived and they have also put it among their own stuff.

REALLY GOD?  It was just a few silver coins, a gold bar and a beautifully woven robe.  After all I deserved it; I marched 7 days; I blew my trumpet louder than anyone else…I’m not hurting anybody.  But, God had given specific instructions regarding the Spoils of Jericho; some things were to be utterly destroyed and the rest were to be dedicated to His Service; Achan had brought sin and defeat to the whole Nation of Israel.

VICTORY AND SIN CANNOT COEXIST!

What about your Roller Coaster Ride?  One day you ride high on a victory and the next day you are rushing downhill to defeat.  Perhaps it is time to uncover the accursed things you have buried in the corner of your tent.  Oh they seem so innocent…everyone else is “getting by” doing much more; what can it hurt to take just a little, after all “society” has changed…BUT GOD SAYS, “do not touch the accursed things.”

PASTORS, if your church is on a Roller Coaster of Victory and Defeat, it is time to “inquire before the Lord” and let God reveal the hidden sin.  Tolerating sin in the congregation is NOT showing the “love of God.”

You may say, “Well there not in leadership” or “I don’t want to drive them away.”  Achan was NOT in leadership among the Israelites either.  As a matter of fact, except for the 7th chapter of Joshua, his name is not even mentioned.  Achan was just a small player in the scheme of things but his sin brought defeat on the entire camp.

Be the Leader that God called you to be and utterly destroy the sin that is infecting the camp. If YOU are the person in the camp that has hidden the accursed thing in your “tent,” DIG IT OUT NOW! 

YOU CAN GET OFF THE ROLLER COASTER….YOU CAN LIVE VICTORIOUSLY!

LET THE WALLS CRUMBLE

PRAYER JOURNAL 11/22/19

Joshua 2:17-18 So the men said to her, “We will be blameless of this oath of yours which you have made us swear, unless when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window, through which you let us down and unless you bring your father, mother, brothers, and all of your father’s household to your own home.

Joshua 2 gives an account of the Children of Israel’s preparation for their first big conquest as they moved forward, to take possession of the Land of Promise.  Spies were sent out to bring back information that would aid Joshua in forming a victorious strategy.  Jericho was a mighty city with thick walls complete with watchmen patrolling night and day, so word was spread that two strangers had entered and were now lodged at the dwelling of a prostitute named Rahab.

As the story continues, the men are pursued, Rahab’s house is searched but the Israelite spies, hidden by Rahab are not found.  Rahab helps the spies escape and in lieu of payment requests that when the city is conquered, that they spare her and her family.

Not much is known about Rahab except that she was a prostitute that lived in a house built in the thick wall.  How had she come to be a prostitute?  And why would she hide the strange men from the men of her city?  After being used and abused by many men, what made her trust these strangers? And what gave her faith to believe that they would keep their word when the city was conquered?

Perhaps she was sick of the life she had been forced to live; or possibly it was act of desperation to be free of the man who owned her and gained from her profession…what did she have to lose, either way, she would finally be free. 

Joshua 6:17 Now the City shall be doomed by the Lord to destruction, it and all who are in it.  Only Rahab the Harlot shall live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.

The things that went through Rahab’s mind as the Men of Israel began to march around the city; once a day until the seventh…the marching began as it had for the past six days but this time it continued, 1 time, 2 times, 5 times then the 7th time around the City Walls.  Was this the day? Would the spies remember?  The scarlet cord was secure and her family had gathered in the house. 

Suddenly, the trumpets blew, the people shouted and the walls began to shake; the bricks crumbled and the army entered the city.  When the dust settled, Rahab’s house was the only one standing and the Israelite Spies appeared to escort Rahab and her family to safety.

RAHAB RECEIVED HER MIRACLE BUT FIRST SHE HAD TO WATCH THE WALLS CRUMBLE ALL AROUND HER!

Are you in need of a MIRACLE OF DELIVERANCE?  You are tired of being used and abused by Satan.  Perhaps it is a life created by your own choices or you may find yourself in a situation that has been forced upon you by the choices of others.  Whatever the circumstances; if you are sick of living in bondage, GRAB HOLD OF THE SCARLET CORD.  Bind it to your heart and trust that God will not forget you; He has a plan.

BUT FIRST….

You will have to WATCH THE WALLS CRUMBLE all around you as God conquers the “city” in which you currently reside.

FEAR NOT…

If you have the SCARLET CORD; THE BLOOD OF JESUS, securely fastened, God is faithful to His promise and YOU WILL be delivered.

THE MARCHING HAS BEGUN; SOON YOU WILL HEAR THE SHOUTING; TODAY IS YOUR DAY OF DELIVERANCE.

REJOICE AND BE GLAD

PRAYER JOURNAL 10/13/2019

Psalm 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

TODAY IS A SPECIAL DAY…TODAY IS YOUR DAY…TODAY IS MY DAY! 

It is early in the morning; the sun still hides its face and in the stillness I contemplate all of the possibilities just waiting to be realized over the next 24 hours.  What choices will I make?  And what will be the result of each choice?  What unexpected situations will I face?  How will I handle the situation?  What am I going to cook for dinner?  Will it be Keto-friendly?  Is it going to rain?  I wish the coffee would hurry up and be ready for that first cup.  What outfit should I wear to church?  GOD I NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU!

All of the many thoughts that flood my mind as I consider MY DAY!

We all have TODAY that lies before us.  Some have 24 hours; some less AND it is all unknown and mysterious.

BUT….

The one thing I can be sure of is…THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE!

He made it just for me and placed me HERE at this SPECIAL PLACE IN TIME on this SPECIAL DAY.

THEN…

He places all kinds of special surprises in the 24 hours and gives me the “JOY STICK” to make the choices that navigate the obstacles that reveal HIS GLORY and declares me the WINNER!

YES…I’m rejoicing…THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE, I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT!

BE STRONG

Prayer Journal 10/8/19

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

It isn’t always easy being strong.  Sometimes life zaps all your energy and you barely have the strength to get back on your feet. And you just want to be that “little girl” that could crawl up in Daddy’s lap.  His big strong arms assured me that “Everything’s gonna be alright.”

AND THAT IS STILL THE ANSWER….

We have a Heavenly Father that will make “Everything alright!”  You have all of the POWER OF HIS MIGHT ready to fight for you.

If you find yourself knocked down on the floor, reach up, His Hand is extended.  Let Him pull you up on His lap and wrap His big strong arms around you.

When you can’t find any strength to keep walking, He will give you a STRENGTH TRANSFUSION direct from His veins.  When you feel powerless to fight the raging battles, you can plug into the never ending POWER SUPPLY of HIS MIGHT!

BONUS!!!!!!!!!

You will also find REST FOR YOUR SOUL, have your SPIRIT REFRESHED and your MIND RENEWED!

Have a restful day with Jesus!

LET'S GET CURIOUS

PRAYER JOURNAL 10/7/19

John 14:17 The Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him or knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and He will be in you.

Have you felt unsettled in your mind, lately?  Perhaps someone has spoken a Biblical Concept you had not considered.  Maybe your sleep has been interrupted with troubling dreams and you lie awake with questions that you thought were settled.  You want to ignore it all, grab your “Security Blanket” of the way it’s always been; everyone else believes it that way; I’m not going to let my mind even go there and keep living the same, comfortable life; IGNORANCE IS BLISS…they say.

BUT…

GOD DOESN’T WANT TO LEAVE YOU LINGERING IN THE SHADOWS, HIS LIGHT OF REVELATION BECKONS!

Revelation requires a change of your mindset.  Revelation involves supernatural surgery that removes the Cataracts from your Spiritual Eyes.  Revelation requires CURIOSITY.

God will attempt to reveal Himself to you in many different ways.  He will reveal Himself through HIS WORD; He will reveal Himself through direct communication during PRAYER; God will even send you a PERSON to SPEAK the revelation of TRUTH into your life.

BUT…

You have to be CURIOUS enough to read, seek and listen.

So many have missed their MOMENT OF REVELATION because they simply were satisfied to keep living in the shadows of partial truth; THEY WERE NOT CURIOUS enough to EXPLORE THE LIGHT!

You don’t have to stumble in the dimness of Religious Philosophy any longer….GET CURIOUS!

 GOD HAS THE GREATEST REVELATION JUST WAITING; HE WANTS TO REVEAL HIMSELF; HIS NAME TO YOU…JESUS!

GOOD THOUGHTS?

PRAYER JOURNAL 10/9/19

Act 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they spoke the Word of God with boldness.

Social Media can be a great tool for gathering a Prayer Group.  Within just a few short minutes I can post a need; a call to prayer and have hundreds all over the United States and other countries joining me; touching the Throne of God.  It is becoming more common, however, to ask for or offer “GOOD THOUGHTS.” 

WHAT?????????????  GOOD THOUGHTS? 

GOOD THOUGHTS may make me feel better about a situation; they may make me smile or get me out of my funk, but GOOD THOUGHTS ARE NOT THE SOLUTION; my problem still exists.  It is still waiting to be dealt with.

GOOD THOUGHTS…Okay, sometimes I have GOOD THOUGHTS when I’m talking to God, but more often than not, my THOUGHTS ARE NOT SO GOOD …that is until God straightens out my STINKIN’ THINKIN’.  So if you are just wanting some GOOD THOUGHTS, I am probably not your Gal.

When I am struggling; when I am sick; when I have a need, I run right past all the GOOD THOUGHTS straight for the POWER-FILLED PRAYER!  I am seeking someone to join me who knows what it means to get HOLD OF GOD; I’m looking for the PLACE TO SHAKE.

If you are dealing with impossible situations; if you are in need of prayer today, find a PLACE SHAKING PRAYER WARRIOR.  Then join them in prayer until you feel the SHAKING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

Now that your little world is ALL SHOOK UP, things will start LOOKING UP.  God is sending the answers you’ve been searching for; your healing touch is on its way; the path through the storm is suddenly visible AND….YOU EVEN HAVE A FEW GOOD THOUGHTS!

GO AHEAD AND SHAKE IT, BABY….GOD IS ON THE MOVE!

NON-NEGOTIABLES

PRAYER JOURNAL 10/15/2019

Psalms 119:45:46 I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts. I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings and will not be ashamed.

During the last week another controversy has arisen in the Sporting World…Imagine that! 

It seems that an NBA General Manager, exercising his right to Freedom of Speech tweeted his support for the Hong Kong Protestors.  The NBA immediately apologized to Communist China, for offending them and violating their belief that no one has a right to say anything that does not agree with their official government stance.  Players and Coaches joined in the chorus of calling for the General Manager to apologize and be subjected to some type of “punishment.”

WHAT????  FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS ONE OF THE MAIN PILLARS OF OUR CONSTITUTION!  It is not subject to the feelings of a foreign government. For America to remain a Beacon of Freedom, FREE SPEECH MUST REMAIN NON-NEGOTIABLE!

Everyone must have NON-NEGOTIABLES in their life. Your NON-NEGOTIABLES must be based on the WORD OF GOD and cannot be subject to the opinions or beliefs of anyone else.

Situations will arise and you will be challenged.  At first you may try to ignore the warning signals and justify your place in the situation.  You will list all the excuses to explain and validate your position…BUT…Eventually, you have to make the choice to stay or leave.

Your choice may go against family and friends; it may mean speaking out and standing firm, all by yourself; it may even mean that you lose your position…

BUT…

If you have settled the WORD OF GOD in your heart and made it the MAIN PILLAR of your belief, when you are faced with a situation that requires a COMPROMISE of your NON-NEGOTIABLES, your ONLY CHOICE is to leave the situation…

OR…

You will no longer have the NON-NEGOTIABLES to guard your heart and Satan will have found the opening for which he has been searching.

Whatever you may face today; whatever obstacles you may find along the path, STAND FIRM ON THE NON-NEGOTIABLES.  They will be the lamp that lights the path; they will be the wind that fills your sails; they will guide you through the maze of life until the end; then carry you into eternity.