It's Imperative!
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine... Philippians 1:3-4a
Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints- Ephesians 6:18
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray... James 5:13a
I have often heard it said (and it is true), that praise and worship are in order when you are in the midst of trials and tribulations.
I have also heard it said (and again, it's true) that you should focus on God's goodness toward you and remember past blessings during your time of "go through".
But once you have done all of that do you just leave God's presence while you most assuredly have His attention? (God inhabits the praises of his people Psalms 22:3) No!
There is nothing like going to God on behalf of a brother or sister who is standing in need, to get your focus off your own problems.
One of the best ways not to fall victim to self pity is to shift your focus from you and your circumstance to the circumstances and challenges of others!
You see we are called to intercede for our brothers and sisters. As the body of Christ it is our duty to go to God on behalf of one another. What affects me should affect you. What affects you should affect me.
How can you love me or I you, and never think to pray for you and your needs?
We should also thank God for one another knowing that it takes the many members that make up the body- for the work of the church to get done!!!
AND as we pray for ourselves and the body of Christ--- let us not forget those you have yet to come to a saving knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord!!!!
Let us continue in prayer one for another understanding that Intercession is Imperative!!!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Joyful Harvest
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:5-6
What situations in your life cause you to weep? It seems as though the more you pray about them the worse they get. The more you try to speak life into them, the deader they seem. The very thought of them causes your eyes to fill with tears and your heart to hurt so bad it feels as though it might burst, but still you keep right on trusting God, knowing that weeping must not hinder your sowing because, without sowing you cannot harvest.
What situations in your life cause you to weep? It seems as though the more you pray about them the worse they get. The more you try to speak life into them, the deader they seem. The very thought of them causes your eyes to fill with tears and your heart to hurt so bad it feels as though it might burst, but still you keep right on trusting God, knowing that weeping must not hinder your sowing because, without sowing you cannot harvest.
How do we sow into our circumstances? We sow through prayer, perseverance and performance!!!
*Prayer --- we take it to God
*Perseverance -- we’re determined to wait on God
*Performance -- we function like we’ve already received from God
The word says he that goeth forth and weepeth bearing precious seed shall come again rejoicing. That means that those of us who keep moving forward- not letting our circumstances stifle our walk, while carrying the precious seed of God’s word and promises with us, SHALL harvest an abundance of blessings that will cause us to laugh in the end, when we think of how burdened we were by our circumstance in the beginning!!! We will Rejoice not only because the storm is over, but because once again God has proven himself reliable!!!
Let this scripture text be a source of encouragement for us today because we know that when it’s all said and done – the Lord will give us a Joyful harvest.
Prayer:
Father I thank You for Your Word and Your Promises that I’m relying on to see me through.. I thank you that this storm that I am in right now is in no way bigger than You My God!!! I Praise You Dear God for my Joyful Harvest!!! In The Name of Jesus!!!!!
*Prayer --- we take it to God
*Perseverance -- we’re determined to wait on God
*Performance -- we function like we’ve already received from God
The word says he that goeth forth and weepeth bearing precious seed shall come again rejoicing. That means that those of us who keep moving forward- not letting our circumstances stifle our walk, while carrying the precious seed of God’s word and promises with us, SHALL harvest an abundance of blessings that will cause us to laugh in the end, when we think of how burdened we were by our circumstance in the beginning!!! We will Rejoice not only because the storm is over, but because once again God has proven himself reliable!!!
Let this scripture text be a source of encouragement for us today because we know that when it’s all said and done – the Lord will give us a Joyful harvest.
Prayer:
Father I thank You for Your Word and Your Promises that I’m relying on to see me through.. I thank you that this storm that I am in right now is in no way bigger than You My God!!! I Praise You Dear God for my Joyful Harvest!!! In The Name of Jesus!!!!!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Former Things
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
These verses were written to let the Israelites know that the Old Deliverance could not compare to the New Deliverance which would be through Jesus the Christ. But as I read this scripture this is what the Holy Spirit gave to me.
We all have “Formers” that are a part of our “Past”. Some are good and some not so good. There are people in our past who are now former friends, lovers and even spouses. There are actions in our past that are the result of our former belief system and way of thinking. We also have former circumstances and situations that were born out of our former actions. Many of these formers have created deserts and wasteland (wasted-land) in our lives. Sometimes our formers don’t allow us to see the light at the end of the tunnel. They don’t allow us to forgive ourselves and, they don’t allow us to believe that God could ever use us or that things could ever get any better for us. BUT GOD…
The Lord says in Isaiah don't you understand what I'm trying to do for you for you right now? Forget the former things and by all means don't dwell in the past!!!
Although we are certainly able to push the former things to the back of our minds, do we ever really forget them? No! So what is my point?
I believe that the message here is not to let the things of the past keep you from the New Thing that God has in store for you. Don’t let the things that you have done in the past, the people who have hurt you in the past or your former circumstances dictate what you can be or how effective you can be for Christ right now!!!!
God will do a New Thing but you have to let go of the Former Things!
Prayer:
These verses were written to let the Israelites know that the Old Deliverance could not compare to the New Deliverance which would be through Jesus the Christ. But as I read this scripture this is what the Holy Spirit gave to me.
We all have “Formers” that are a part of our “Past”. Some are good and some not so good. There are people in our past who are now former friends, lovers and even spouses. There are actions in our past that are the result of our former belief system and way of thinking. We also have former circumstances and situations that were born out of our former actions. Many of these formers have created deserts and wasteland (wasted-land) in our lives. Sometimes our formers don’t allow us to see the light at the end of the tunnel. They don’t allow us to forgive ourselves and, they don’t allow us to believe that God could ever use us or that things could ever get any better for us. BUT GOD…
The Lord says in Isaiah don't you understand what I'm trying to do for you for you right now? Forget the former things and by all means don't dwell in the past!!!
Although we are certainly able to push the former things to the back of our minds, do we ever really forget them? No! So what is my point?
I believe that the message here is not to let the things of the past keep you from the New Thing that God has in store for you. Don’t let the things that you have done in the past, the people who have hurt you in the past or your former circumstances dictate what you can be or how effective you can be for Christ right now!!!!
God will do a New Thing but you have to let go of the Former Things!
Prayer:
Father God help me not to dwell in the past. Free me Father to be able to receive Your New Thing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen!!!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Jehovah Mephalti
Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. Psalms 25:15
In this scripture David feels that his enemies have caught him in a net like an animal. David knows that there is only one person who can deliver him and that is God Himself. David says “My eyes are ALWAYS looking towards the LORD". This tells me that David knows if he is ever going to be delivered, God will be the one to deliver him. You see David understands that in his own strength he could NEVER get out of the net on his own. David is fixed in his trust, and constant in his expectation; he looks in confidence, and waits in hope.
Keep mind that the net is used to catch, entangle and contain those caught. Once in the net they are rendered powerless and are at the total mercy of the hunter—they are left without any control over what happens to them.
A few of the possible reasons for setting a trap with a net include; torturing, caging (imprisoning), devouring, or simply destroying that which is caught.
We as Christians have a common enemy, satan, and he is on the hunt. The bible says that our “adversary the devil walketh about seeking whom he may devour”. Satan is the hunter, we are the prey and he’s got the net.
What net you ask? Well the net can be anything that renders you incapable of moving forward in your walk with Christ. Anything that would take your focus off the work God has called you to do. Anything that puts your own selfish desires ahead of what you know is God’s desire for your life.
In this scripture David feels that his enemies have caught him in a net like an animal. David knows that there is only one person who can deliver him and that is God Himself. David says “My eyes are ALWAYS looking towards the LORD". This tells me that David knows if he is ever going to be delivered, God will be the one to deliver him. You see David understands that in his own strength he could NEVER get out of the net on his own. David is fixed in his trust, and constant in his expectation; he looks in confidence, and waits in hope.
Keep mind that the net is used to catch, entangle and contain those caught. Once in the net they are rendered powerless and are at the total mercy of the hunter—they are left without any control over what happens to them.
A few of the possible reasons for setting a trap with a net include; torturing, caging (imprisoning), devouring, or simply destroying that which is caught.
We as Christians have a common enemy, satan, and he is on the hunt. The bible says that our “adversary the devil walketh about seeking whom he may devour”. Satan is the hunter, we are the prey and he’s got the net.
What net you ask? Well the net can be anything that renders you incapable of moving forward in your walk with Christ. Anything that would take your focus off the work God has called you to do. Anything that puts your own selfish desires ahead of what you know is God’s desire for your life.
- unforgiveness
- bitterness
- grumbling and complaining
- envy
- lust of the eye/flesh
- procrastination
All of these can be a net, all are sinful and all are devices of satan to keep you from what God has for you! BUT!, the Word of God tell us that the Lord will deliver us from the devices our enemy.
If we have fallen into sin, God will not leave us to be utterly destroyed. Though our feet are in the net, if our eyes are looking up unto Him in confidence, if we are fixed in our trust, and constant in our expectation, God’s mercy WILL step in and pluck us out of our dangerous state.
After all He is Jehovah Melphati – The Lord My Deliverer!!!!!
Prayer
Father God I thank you for your grace and mercy that delivers. I thank you Lord that even when I lose sight of you dear God you never lose sight of me. I asked that you order my steps this day that I might not sin against you. In the Name of Jesus, AMEN
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Lean on Me!!!!
If one falls down,his friend can help him up.But pity the man who fallsand has no one to help him up! Ecclesiastes 4:10
We are created to live in community and engage in caring relationships with one another. Should any of us falter, or have unexpected needs, a friend can come along to lend a hand. But when a person lives in isolation, too "independent" to need or help anybody else, he or she quickly discovers no one is there when trouble comes.
We need one another. Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves (see Matthew 19:19). Love for one another is not some passive feeling, but a practical response to a need expressed through "compassion in action." What might this look like in your life today?
courtesy of : sista Val!
We are created to live in community and engage in caring relationships with one another. Should any of us falter, or have unexpected needs, a friend can come along to lend a hand. But when a person lives in isolation, too "independent" to need or help anybody else, he or she quickly discovers no one is there when trouble comes.
We need one another. Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves (see Matthew 19:19). Love for one another is not some passive feeling, but a practical response to a need expressed through "compassion in action." What might this look like in your life today?
courtesy of : sista Val!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
