Tuesday, January 31, 2017
no longer CEO...
Good Morning Father,
It's day 16/17 of 21 days of Prayer and Fasting. The focus, "I Believe Therefore I Confess". May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, my rock and my redeemer...I pledge my allegiance to the Lord, aligning my life in submission to the loving instructions, commandments and laws purposely and intentionally gifted to me for my good. I get it!
But! I know there are those who don't like to be told what to do, after all, "you're not the boss of me" One of my sisters is an Educator, she shares with her high school students that they are the "CEO's" of their lives. No one can make them do anything, they will decided if they succeed or if they fail. That's true of all of us! The Lord gave us all FREE WILL. We always have a choice. Truth be told, God always wanted us to choose. To love because we want to, not because we have too. No one wants to receive love or have something done for them out of obligation or guilt.
This is the thing, when I believed God and confessed all that had separated me from him, I could see clearly that the path that I was on could not and would not render the desired outcome for my life. I no longer desired my will, I wanted His will. I desired a good life, a joy filled godly marriage, sons who would grow up to love the Lord and discover success in his will, a peaceful home, mental and physical well-being, friendships, professional success, laughter...lots of it:) As I sought the Lord with all my heart, choosing to obey His teachings, what was promised in his word happened!! All that I had desired has been added/adding to my life every day... yes, there are days when life is far from easy, bad days are real, seasons of uncertainty (physical, relational, financial) are real, loss of love ones are real...yet in our darkest hours...the promised light still comes through...
No longer the CEO of my life, I have freely given over that position of authority...
Psalm 19:7-14 (NLT)
7 The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
8 The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living.
9 Reverence for the LORD is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the LORD are true; each one is fair.
10 They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb.
11 They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.
12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin.
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Monday, January 30, 2017
especially yours...
Good Morning Father,
It's day 15 of the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting. Today's petition..."Lord, Anoint Me with Your Power"...To anoint, simply means a "special setting apart". Thankful to be forgiven, no longer separated by our evil thoughts and actions. No longer far...more than near...Christ in me...POWER! No longer hidden, no more secrets, we have available to us, a complete knowledge of his will, spiritual wisdom and understanding...
Available! We have available to us a way to live that will always honor and please the Lord, and will produce every kind of good fruit. We actually can grow as we learn to know God better and better.
To produce...To grow...No matter our age or stage, there is MORE...For years, I have heard my Pastor say this words, "I want EVERYTHING God has for me" "God came to give us new life, abundant life, eternal life" God has high standards...but he gave us power...exceeding power, exceedingly, abundantly, above what we could even imagine or think power!
Lord, Anoint me...especially set me apart with your power...to love wholeheartedly, to serve joyfully, to give freely, to forgive immediately... to diligently coach, empower and encourage the next generation, to obediently write the book(s) you have birth in me...To leave a LEGACY...
What about you? What have you been set apart for... ESPECIALLY YOURS!...May the Lord, Anoint YOU...
two little words..
Good Morning Father,
Day 12 of the 21 days of prayer and fasting...Day 13, 14...three days to meditate on the heart beat, the back bone, the very core of our existence, who we are, or ever hope to be..."I FORGIVE!" Two little words, could not be so BIG!
Lord, have I truly forgiven everyone that has offended me... hurt me, used me, betrayed me, lied on me, denied me...deceived me...spoke ill of me...did not value me as a person...?????????????
There is freedom in FORGIVENESS...There is power in FORGIVENESS...
Mark 11:22-25 (NLT)
22 Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God.
23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.
24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.
25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”
Thursday, January 26, 2017
who do you trust...
Good Morning Father,
Its day 11 of the 21 days of prayer and fasting. The statement "I Trust the Lord", the questions "do you really trust the Lord?" "do you really depend on HIM?" Inhaling, Exhaling, Inhaling, Exhaling...I feel like Peter, when the Lord was asking him, do you love me? He ask him this question repeatedly...Leaving Peter a bit exasperated...You know ALL things Lord, you know I love YOU...
The title of my Journal is TRUST! Some 20 years ago on my birthday, Jan 8th. My husband and I were on our way out to dinner, when I received a call from Credit Card company, the gentlemen on the line said. "Hello, Mrs. Robinson, I just want to confirm your purchase for $5000" That was the beginning of several more purchases and several more phone calls. In one night... "I had purchased over $30k worth of merchandise." For weeks I received credit card statements in the mail. Some with personal notes, "Happy Birthday, I hope you enjoy your new diamond bracelet" In that season, I felt so vulnerable and violated. My emotions swung. Anyone who has ever had their identity stolen, knows the road back is not always an easy process.
A few years prior to this event, I had to go a court to pay a traffic violation. Standing in line, waiting my turn to pay my ticket, I kept observing people coming out from the back offices staring at me. After, I paid my ticket, the clerk ask me if I wouldn't mind having a seat, there was some thing she needed to confirm. I sat for over an hour waiting, one by one people kept coming out and peeking at me. I later learned, that someone who looked just like me had been involved in several bank robberies. Apparently, everything about me, matched her... fear rising in me...I had done nothing wrong, what if I am held responsible for something I didn't do? After, what felt like a life time of waiting...A detective came out and gently spoke this words. "we are so sorry for the confusion, it turn out that the other woman had a distinctive birthmark on her face" I didn't...
Situations like these, and many more life circumstances throughout the years...I have found great comfort in knowing that I have someone that I can depend. Someone who can fight my battles, be the source of all that I have need of, someone that know matter what life deals me, will never leave or forsake me. Someone that can declare without a shadow of doubt... this thing happening to you is working out for your good! The circumstances of my life have drawn me closer to my Father! For over 20 years, daily I remind myself through every journal entry..."I TRUST YOU LORD"
With this resolve, I have a peace that can never completely articulate. Instead of living in fear of "what if"... I live in a FREEDOM that declares...BUT GOD!
.
..YOU CAN TRUST HIM TOO!
Its day 11 of the 21 days of prayer and fasting. The statement "I Trust the Lord", the questions "do you really trust the Lord?" "do you really depend on HIM?" Inhaling, Exhaling, Inhaling, Exhaling...I feel like Peter, when the Lord was asking him, do you love me? He ask him this question repeatedly...Leaving Peter a bit exasperated...You know ALL things Lord, you know I love YOU...
The title of my Journal is TRUST! Some 20 years ago on my birthday, Jan 8th. My husband and I were on our way out to dinner, when I received a call from Credit Card company, the gentlemen on the line said. "Hello, Mrs. Robinson, I just want to confirm your purchase for $5000" That was the beginning of several more purchases and several more phone calls. In one night... "I had purchased over $30k worth of merchandise." For weeks I received credit card statements in the mail. Some with personal notes, "Happy Birthday, I hope you enjoy your new diamond bracelet" In that season, I felt so vulnerable and violated. My emotions swung. Anyone who has ever had their identity stolen, knows the road back is not always an easy process.
A few years prior to this event, I had to go a court to pay a traffic violation. Standing in line, waiting my turn to pay my ticket, I kept observing people coming out from the back offices staring at me. After, I paid my ticket, the clerk ask me if I wouldn't mind having a seat, there was some thing she needed to confirm. I sat for over an hour waiting, one by one people kept coming out and peeking at me. I later learned, that someone who looked just like me had been involved in several bank robberies. Apparently, everything about me, matched her... fear rising in me...I had done nothing wrong, what if I am held responsible for something I didn't do? After, what felt like a life time of waiting...A detective came out and gently spoke this words. "we are so sorry for the confusion, it turn out that the other woman had a distinctive birthmark on her face" I didn't...
Situations like these, and many more life circumstances throughout the years...I have found great comfort in knowing that I have someone that I can depend. Someone who can fight my battles, be the source of all that I have need of, someone that know matter what life deals me, will never leave or forsake me. Someone that can declare without a shadow of doubt... this thing happening to you is working out for your good! The circumstances of my life have drawn me closer to my Father! For over 20 years, daily I remind myself through every journal entry..."I TRUST YOU LORD"
With this resolve, I have a peace that can never completely articulate. Instead of living in fear of "what if"... I live in a FREEDOM that declares...BUT GOD!
.
..YOU CAN TRUST HIM TOO!
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
"Do"
Good Morning Father,
It's day 10 of 21 days of Prayer and Fasting. "I Focus" pt 2. Reflecting on what should be my focus in this season of my life. In part 1, I discerned it was necessary to separate out what we should not be doing in this season. Romans 12, again the suggested text. One of the things, I love about the word is that it always provides full and complete counsel/answers/clarity. "don't to that" "do this" Today, "we focus" on what "to do" in this season....
Today its about our "To Do's"...In this season of our history, its like God is speaking from Heaven, reminding us that His ways never change! What an opportunity to respond to situations and circumstances with a resolve that we can be different...that we can make a difference!
It's day 10 of 21 days of Prayer and Fasting. "I Focus" pt 2. Reflecting on what should be my focus in this season of my life. In part 1, I discerned it was necessary to separate out what we should not be doing in this season. Romans 12, again the suggested text. One of the things, I love about the word is that it always provides full and complete counsel/answers/clarity. "don't to that" "do this" Today, "we focus" on what "to do" in this season....
- Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world... Do: Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think
- Don’t think you are better than you really are... Do: Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves
- Don’t just pretend to love others... Do: Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good
- Never be lazy...Do: Work hard and serve
- Don’t curse them (people who curse you)...Do: Pray that God will bless them
- Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people...Do: Live in harmony with each other
- Don’t think you know it all!...Do: Live in harmony with each other
- Never pay back evil with more evil... Do: Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
- Never take revenge... Do: Leave that to the righteous anger of God
- Don’t let evil conquer you...Do: Conquer evil by doing good
Today its about our "To Do's"...In this season of our history, its like God is speaking from Heaven, reminding us that His ways never change! What an opportunity to respond to situations and circumstances with a resolve that we can be different...that we can make a difference!
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
"Don't"
Good Morning Father,
Day 9 of the 21 Days of prayer and fasting. Today, "I FOCUS". What should be my focus in this season of my life? As I meditate on the suggested text in Romans 12. For the first time in quite awhile, my eyes kept going to the things I should not be doing/focusing. The "don't" and the "never"! Being the optimist that I am, my focus is seldom on this part of the text. However; TODAY, in this season...I discern that these powerful reminders magnify for good reason!
- Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world
- Don’t think you are better than you really are
- Don’t just pretend to love others
- Never be lazy
- Don’t curse them (people who curse you)
- Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people
- Don’t think you know it all!
- Never pay back evil with more evil
- Never take revenge
- Don’t let evil conquer you...
Thoughts?
Monday, January 23, 2017
I love apples...
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Good Morning Father,
Day 8 of the 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, Today, "I RECEIVE"! Today, we meditate on the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Our guide, who dwells and richly empowers us to live effective lives. Our guide plants in us the power to produce. He produces fruit in our lives. This kind of fruit reveals itself in love, in joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. When we see this kind of fruit, we have evidence that a "good God seed" has been planted.
We are told that whatever is on the inside of us, will eventually show on the outside. People can try to mimic these behaviors, and it may look very good on the outside, but just like the fruit we eat, when we cut it open and give it a taste we know the truth. It may not be quite right; perhaps, it was picked to soon, or picked too late, maybe it will be okay to eat if its mixed with something else or blended...perhaps its no use at all-- I love apples, I have one every day. Fuji is my apple of choice-- its crisp, sweet and when picked properly its ready for consumption, just a little wash is all that's required.
Today, we receive a fresh watering, a refilling of the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. Making our FRUIT ready for consumption, good through and through, inside...out...May what you see, be what you enjoy!
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Good Morning Father,
Day 8 of the 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, Today, "I RECEIVE"! Today, we meditate on the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Our guide, who dwells and richly empowers us to live effective lives. Our guide plants in us the power to produce. He produces fruit in our lives. This kind of fruit reveals itself in love, in joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. When we see this kind of fruit, we have evidence that a "good God seed" has been planted.
We are told that whatever is on the inside of us, will eventually show on the outside. People can try to mimic these behaviors, and it may look very good on the outside, but just like the fruit we eat, when we cut it open and give it a taste we know the truth. It may not be quite right; perhaps, it was picked to soon, or picked too late, maybe it will be okay to eat if its mixed with something else or blended...perhaps its no use at all-- I love apples, I have one every day. Fuji is my apple of choice-- its crisp, sweet and when picked properly its ready for consumption, just a little wash is all that's required.
Today, we receive a fresh watering, a refilling of the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. Making our FRUIT ready for consumption, good through and through, inside...out...May what you see, be what you enjoy!
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