Let Go and Let God Work

"For I know the plans I have for you", says the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

 Got any control freaks reading today?I know sometimes I have been. You just want your plan to be adhered to or want to be in charge. Perhaps you try to manipulate the outcome of a situation. Trust me, stay out of it. Others will lose their trust in you if you try to orchestrate plans.

When it comes to change in a loved one we have been praying for, our hands are off the controls. God has a plan and we have to realize we can pray but then step aside and let God work.  God's plan is way better than the one we may devise. There may be some pain and problems involved but He is the one in charge and it will work out great in the end.

Waiting for a breakthrough? Let go and give the controls to God.

PRAYER: I trust you have my times in your hands. I need not fear the future as your plan will be fulfilled. In Jesus' name. Amen.

BAD NEWS......BUT GOD!

There seemingly is a great deal of fear in many parts of the world today. I know here in these United States citizens are concerned about a government that is out of control and no longer listens to them and fears dictatorship on the horizon. "But we have a Constitution, that will never happen" the uninformed will utter. But this fear is real and is frightening many people. Our balance of power and system of checks and balances is no longer valid it seems.

There is a verse in God's word which I love. Psalm 118:11(NLT) says 'The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?' We know it is not people we are necessarily supposed to be angry with but realize we are in the midst of spiritual warfare. A battle of good versus evil. Satan is having a hey day. He is using people as his pawns to do his evil works and many deceived are falling right smack dab into the enemies trap.

There is so much deception today. People hear something and believe it is true. Only God's word is true, yet today it is being misused and twisted to justify sinful behavior. Hebrews 13:6 also reiterates the same thing as Psalm 118:6 by saying '......what can mere mortals do to me.'

We truly need to not fear and realize God is indeed still on the throne. He is King of kings and Lord of Lords. God has a plan behind all the chaos that is going on. Sometimes He let's humans have their own way and suffer a bit. We choose to not listen, to not acknowledge Him, not keep His word first, well then see what happens. Isaiah 55:8-9(KJV) says 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.' God is still God and is still over the entire universe. No king, prince, czar, ruler, dictator, or president controls Him.

Psalm 93:4(NIV) says 'Mightier than the thunder of great waters and mightier than the breakers of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty.' Meditate on that verse for just a moment. There are things we need to do as well. 2 Chronicles 7:14 should be a very familiar scripture to those who have been praying for America to return to its' Christian roots. 'If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.' Are we truly doing this? Are we taking so much for granted and so busy with our daily lives that we even bother?

Hard times may in fact be on the horizon. Just remember who indeed is on the throne. Psalm 95:3(NIV) says 'The Lord is a great God a great King above all gods.' There are those who live in countries where Christians are persecuted and have to read their Bible in secret or risk death. We need to cry out to God and repent and ask Him to bring revival.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus thank you for being in control. I realize when we do not listen to you sometimes we suffer the consequences. Lord I ask that you open the eyes of the blind and end the curse that is overtaking the United States. Bring revival to this great land. Turn evil men and women's hearts to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Please check out the following website where you can post prayers and read others prayers:

www.presidentialprayerteam.com

GOD'S EXTREME MAKEOVERS

Recently I had the awesome privilege of attending the Moms in Prayer Southeast Regional Retreat in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina at the Billy Graham Conference Center near Asheville. The event director in speaking one day said something to the effect that "God was a God of extreme makeovers" so I thought, "what an awesome title" for a devotion. God really is in the business of doing some miraculous jobs on some people who absolutely could not stand him or mocked Him.

Think of conversion experiences of drug addicts, alcoholics, prostitutes, Rap artists, Satan worshippers, Muslims and those who do not believe in Jesus like Christians do or may even hate us, thieves, homosexuals who turned their backs on God to try to justify their lifestyle, those living in sin with boyfriend or girlfriend, compulsive liars, and a host of all sorts of things. First let me point out that we are not to judge and assume just because someone looks a certain way or acts a certain way that they do not know Jesus. But think of in the Bible when evil Saul became Paul. Now that indeed was an extreme makeoever wouldn't you say?Read Acts Chapter 9 when you get a free moment.

During the Watergate scandal in 1973 several people went to jail to include the late Charles Colson who was a mastermind of this plot. .In 1974, he served seven months in the prison in as the first member of the Nixon administration to be incarcerated for Watergate-related charges. Even the worst possible person has hope of being redeemed and set free. After being in prison he turned his heart to God and later founded Prison Fellowship International. Pretty miraculous I would say.Even the serial killer and rapist Ted Bundy accepted Christ before being put to death in the electric chair in 1989.

Even the worst and most vile person has a chance for redemption and salvation. 2 Peter 3:9(NIV) reminds us 'The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.' We are not to hate others or wish them evil either, God loves and we need to love and forgive too.

Where are you at today? You may not have this story of being set free from things like pornography or drugs but have you asked Jesus to be Lord of your life. He is the great transformer of life.2 Corinthians 5:17(NIV) says 'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!' Do you want to have that perfect peace of being forgiven and knowing that when you die you will be in heaven? Then say this simple prayer. "Lord Jesus I ask you to forgive me of ___________ and set me free. I would like you to come into my heart today and change it. I want to live for you and serve you. Thanks for letting me be your child.Amen."

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I know that I am not perfect. Keep me from wrongly judging others. Help me to show your love for all of mankind. I remember we are all sinners and it is only by the grace of God I am where I am. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click link and praise God in song.

http://youtu.be/FaUTv1pXRyU

FEAR MONGERS OR PEACE SEEKERS

 If you are a fearful or worried person then you need to stay away from your news on television. For instance after the Texas explosion the local news people here in the Huntsville area started saying that similar factories that manufacture fertilizer are located here. Now people have something else to worry about. Why do we need to know about all the bad stuff anyway? Want to enjoy your day or evening, then skip the news. Life will go on. You will not be ignorant. You may find a new found peace of mind.

Isaiah 26:3(NIV) says 'He will keep in perfect peace, he whose mind is on him'. Just how do you keep your mind on Him anyway? This past week we also had the Boston Marathon bombings which terrorized people for the entire week till the one who did it was found. Once again we can choose to feed our mind on fear and wonder where the next terrorist will strike in the United States or we can go on with life and give the controls to God.

Isaiah 41:10(NIV) says 'So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.' How do you "not fear" when so many things are going on around you to make you anxious? Stay in the word of God on a daily basis is how! You have to purpose in your heart to spend time focusing on good things and not constantly worrying. Once again the devil has you right where he wants you if you are fretting and concerned over things all the time. Worry is caused by lack of trust in the Saviour to protect you and your loved ones.

Romans 8:31(NIV) says 'What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?' In Deuteronomy 20:1(NIV) it says 'When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you.'

Another really good verse to help combat fear is Deuteronomy 31:6(NIV) which says 'Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

When we fear, we only give victory to Satan. He has you right where he wants you as fear disables the power of Christ if you constantly dwell on bad things. Psalm 91:5(NLT) reminds you also 'Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.' You have God on your side. Talk to the evil devil and tell him you are a child of God and you do not fear! Put him in his place.

Psalm 23:4(NIV) is often one you hear at a funeral but it is for everyday life of the living as well. It says 'Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.' Do you feel God's comfort? You can if only you will cast your worries and fears on Him as it says in 1 Peter 5:7.

PRAYER: Lord I need you every hour of each day to help guide me through the challenges of this life. I do not need you for one hour on Sunday. Forgive me if I have put you on the "back burner" of life and not come to "talk" to you in prayer more often. I realize there is more to saying you love Jesus than just going into a church building as a matter of fact much much more. I want more of you in my life and less fear. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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Click on the link below and worship the Lord and do not fear:

http://youtu.be/7foqxkkh51M

END OF THE WORLD TODAY? OH REALLY!

Today, 21 December 2012 some have said due to the end of the Mayan
Calendar, the Earth was going to end. Predictions of being hit by
another planet or a meteor are floating around. I'm still here, but
the day is not over yet. Guess what? I am not worried and neither
should you be. These predictions are not saying Jesus is coming back
but that the Earth will be no more. Who do you trust? Do you hunker
down in an underground shelter which would do no good if the earth
explodes. My recommendation is to go about your day as you would
normally do looking to God for the source of your strength and not to
fear. What will this fear do for you anyway?

Matthew 24:36(NIV) reminds us 'No one knows the day nor the hour, not
even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.'

Many become extremely frightened and fearful. Why? What will it
accomplish? The thing to be doing is to make sure you are ready to
meet Jesus when He does return or when you are called home through
earthly death.

Let me leave you with Colossians 3:2(NIV) which says' Set your mind on
things above not earthly things.' Can you do that? Why not start today
to make God truly first. Do not wait till New Years to make a
resolution that you will read your Bible more and never keep it. Your
life can be much more peaceful and less fretful if you will let Him
take your concerns.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus only you know the day or hour of the end of the
world or your coming back to reign. Father we can get so caught up in
earthly worries and doomsday scenarios if we let our mind be consumed
in reading about them. Lord my plan is to trust you more and turn off
things that scare me or make me lose hope. In Jesus' name. Amen.

BEST OF TIMES/WORST OF TIMES

If you are reading this and live in America you are pretty blessed. We have freedom to read our Bibles here. We have freedom of speech. We have a democracy, at least for now. Many times if people become complacent forces may "sneak" in and trick people to believe lies and destroy things. Many today are fearful we are on the brink of the worst financial crash ever, to include the weakening of our military strength. Spiritual blindness and deception has settled in primarily due to loyalty to a political party or a certain race. Many are in bubbles of protection thinking all is well. This is a recipe for disaster.

Recently I heard a couple of sermons on TV that said that God sometimes does His best work when times are hard and look hopeless. He does not want us to fear men but to trust in Him. When things look bleak, do not fear, but look to God.

There is a hymn, "This is my Father's World" and onc stanza says "and oh the wrong seems oft so strong God is the ruler yet." This says to me to not fear the tyrant, the dictator, the bully, the arrogant leader who gains pleasure from dividing the people he is to lead, but look to God. He is King of Kings and Lord of lords. We are to keep praying for our leaders whether we feel like it or not.

What is troubling you today? What are you afraid of? Can you and will you let Jesus be on the throne where He should be and cast your cares on Him?God is still on His throne ruling over all.

Psalm 46:1(KJV) says 'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.'

PRAYER: You oh Lord are mighty, Holy, powerful, and in charge. I realize that the enemy is the one who causes me to fear. Help me Lord as I seek to focus on you and not the fears of the world. In Jesus' name.Amen.

Click on link below and listen and watch the video accompanying this praise song to be strengthened and blessed.

http://youtu.be/nAUIkDoD1QQ

PEACE WHEN YOU DO NOT FEEL LIKE IT

 

Today is God's day. This is HIS world. We have free will. We can choose to love God and follow Him or treat him like a business associate we visit for one hour one day a week. We can saturate our mind with negativity and spend 3 hours in front of the morning shows and news reports which totally do not bring peace. We can focus on good news or bad news. We can say "Oh whoa is me. We are doomed. This is it. Did not God hear my prayers" or we can choose to love God and serve Him with ALL of our hearts. Know brother and sister that Jesus is on the throne and He rules from on high. He is more powerful than presidents, kings and dictators. His will will be done in the earth.

2 Chronicles 16:9 says "The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool you have been! From now on you will be at war." He is looking and He is always there. But sometimes perhaps he allows some things to happen so we can learn to love him, trust him, obey him, and serve him. Hold on, keep praying, keep believing. Turn off the bad and tune in to God. Don't stop praying and don't lose heart. Philippians 4:19 says "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."

One of the things we who name the name of Christ need to do is to not rejoice over an evil person when he falls.("Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice." Proverbs 24:17) We are to pray and love EVEN when it is hard. We are in a battle for good and evil. Men's hearts are hardened towards things of the Lord. People live for today. But in this world there are many who love the Lord with all their heart. It is so very easy when the world around us is going 'down the toilet' ,so to speak, to join in and feel gloom, doom, and despair. Choose to get up daily regardless of what is happening around you and say "THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE AND I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT"! (See Psalm 124:18).

When I work up this morning I just started singing one of the songs from the hit musical 'Annie'. The words "Tomorrow, tomorrow, I'll love you tomorrow , it's only a day, away". True, not a Christian song, but it gave me peace and hope in a strange way. I just kept singing it over and over. My husband had the news on and I went over and I turned off the NBC news and turned on a Christian network to start getting my mind focused on good news of Jesus Christ. Jesus is Lord and never forget that. Perhaps it is time for His people who are social Sunday Christians to get more serious about Him than they are about their hobbies, their sports, their jobs. Something to think about? What does Jesus need to do to get us to totally be sold out to Him? Is He truly first place in your life? Or is he first place only on Sunday for one hour?

Jesus is coming again. Are you ready to meet him? Are you able to believe and trust Him? He is mighty to save. Perhaps now is the day to decide you will put his word ahead of the TV or the newspaper and get your mind renewed so you can get up and face each day with peace.

PRAYER: Father I am so very thankful for your word which gives me hope and peace. I have been guilty of thinking wrong thoughts and being upset with what is going on around me instead of trusting, even in the seemingly bad, you are behind the scenes with a plan. Help me to learn to pray for my enemies or the enemies of Christians. I know I need a peaceful heart Lord. Show me each day how to love others by loving you first. Help me bring hope to someone who is hurting. Help me never be guilty of uttering ugly words but only words that build up your kingdom. This is your day and I need not fret. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link and know that God is still king of the whole earth and behind the scenes working.

http://youtu.be/dmXD52oogRI

As a departure from my normal Christian songs I have also added a one minute clip of the song I spoke of from Annie.

http://youtu.be/Yop62wQH498

Be blessed to be a blessing!

 

KEEP FOCUSED ON THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD!

 Much is happening in the world and our own country to make one scared about tomorrow. We wonder if we are nearing the end of time. Perhaps we are falling into a dictatorship. If you sit around thinking of these scenarios instead of trusting God for each day of course you would be fretful. But God is the true 'Master of the Universe' and He is the one who lets kingdoms rise or fall. Many verses talk about evil kings and evil rulers and how we are to put our hope and trust in God and God alone. Government can not save us. A mere man can not save us. A horoscope can not save you. A four leaf clover will not save you. A government bureaucracy can not save us. Only the King of Kings and Lord of Lords can save us and deliver us from evil!!

Instead of not being able to get to sleep at night because of the 'what ifs' of the government and what a tiny 'mere man' can do instead start focusing in what God CAN do, not the enemy. We are in a battle of good and evil in the world. Satan is a deceiver. He can deceive the most unknowing of people to believe lies from the pit of hell. That is why it is important to stay focused on the word of God which is the truth and can give you peace for the days ahead no matter what happens. This is not about a political party but this is about freedoms being under fire in this Godly nation like never before. If Satan can keep you clinging to a political party because you always have, then he has won half the battle. Focus on God and His righteousness!

There are people that read this blog from foreign countries and the issues facing you may be in fact much worse than what we face here. The thing to remember is that God can set us free and put us above our enemies. Have faith brothers and sisters. Jesus loves us this I know for my Bible tells me so. The enemy can even get you to change what the Bible means to justify what you think or do.. John 10:10 says " The thief(Satan) comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they might have life and have it more abundantly."

So today let Jesus set you free from your fears and tune in to Him and away from news reports that make you fearful. Psalm 71:5 says "You have been my hope O Sovereign God. My confidence since my youth." Believe that today! Do not allow the lies of the enemy to make you be in fear. Psalm 39:7 says "Oh Lord in what do I look for?My hope is in you."

PRAYER: Father you are in control of the earth. You let the sun rise on evil people and on good. Thanks so much for being the one I trust in. Help me not to look to man to bring comfort. And Lord give me strength to turn off the TV if it is causing me fear and worry. In you I trust. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click link below and worship the Lord in the beauty of His holiness.

http://youtu.be/ePPL0I2CyNk

WHO ME? WORRY?

Yesterday, 28 July 2012, was a day when most freedom loving Americans ended up in despair and worry when 5 Supreme Court justices, to include one conservative, decided the government knew more than the private sector and voted to uphold the encroaching 2700 page healthcare takeover bill. It is an oppressive law passed amidst lies, deceit, trickery and bribery. 'We The People' spoke up loud and clear yet were ignored as the government tried to take a major step in controlling our lives by controlling our healthcare. Sad to say many became fearful and worried. I was traveling, and when this decision was flashed over the televisions at the airport, I watched as deplaning passengers saw the news and most appeared in stunned disbelief. Most expected it to be struck down. One friend told me she was really worried. I told her and a gentleman on the plane that God was still in charge and had a plan in all this. Kings are not in charge. Dictators are not in charge. Presidents are not in charge. Judges are not in charge. Tyrants are not in charge. It is God who sits on the throne and gets the final say! Maybe this is what he allowed to happen to get our attention, who knows. If this law is not overturned,and this decision will be fought, doctors will be controlled by the government, insurance by the government, health care will be limited and rationed, taxes will go up to pay or it and on it goes. It is enough to give you an ulcer or headache if you allow it to. This  bill was never about free healthcare but about domination, destruction, and control of the American people and the economy. What happened to limited government? This current situation can get one frightened as we know what happens when governments get too much power. We need to be daily praying and seeking God. God is working behind the  scenes in all this chaos. He is not fretting, but knows we will make it. God knows the big picture. We may be angry, scared, and feel powerless but we are not. We still have prayer and God on our side. The Bible says in Romans 8:31 "If God be for us who can be against us."  Another verse of hope is in Psalm 56:11 which says "I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? I am not afraid of what mere mortals can do to me."  Don't lose hope. Have courage because the end of the story has not happened yet.  Your  worries will get you no where so let them go. In Matthew 6:27 says "which of you by worrying can add a single cubit to his life?" it is useless. Focus on God and His goodness instead. Psalm 27:13 reminds us "I am still confident of this, I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." PRAYER: Father help me trust in you and not fear a mere man. I know you delight in goodness and not evil so when freedoms you have given me are crushed and I am  oppressed it makes you sad.  Father God help me to be serious about praying for my country and it's leaders. Get rid of the oppressors who want to dominate us. Change their hearts from evil to good. Thank you that I have no fear because you are in fact walking beside me. In Jesus name. Amen. Further study: Psalm 37

EVERY KNEE WILL BOW

Anti Christian forces are at work in our world to try to remove God from everything. Some are trying to rewrite the Bible or get rid of it altogether. But guess what?  God has the final word and in my Bible it says "Every knee will bow".

A human leader may become tyrannical and try to act like God but He is not God and in the end God has the final say. We in the United States have a government based upon the word of God although forces are at work to reeducate children trying to take away this religious heritage. Evil is out there and evil does not like our God given freedom. Galatians 5:1 says "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Human leaders can lie and twist scripture to trick and deceive people. This displeases our heavenly Father and He wins in the end anyway! Deception is a tool of the enemy. John 8:36 says "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." Our freedom is God given and it is only mere man who tries to lord over us and remove our freedoms.

Guess what? God is still in charge and firmly on the throne and He does not like it when people try to remove Him from His own creation and change the Holy scriptures to try to justify government programs and sin. Not a good thing to do. Mankind may think they are all powerful but God is the one who gives power and He does not like it when the power is used to put people in bondage. Don't be messing with God. He is way more powerful than the great and powerful Oz everyone feared in the Hollywood Movie 'Wizard of Oz'.

There is a definite attack against Christians and morality today. We have strayed a long way from the days of our Founding Fathers. The Separation of church and state clause in the Constitution was meant to protect the state from infringing upon the church but now it is being reversed to use against people of faith. Atheist groups come into communities and try to say you can not say a prayer at a football game. It is time for God's people to not take this freedom for granted and to be in prayer for this great nation so it does not fall into tyranny.

 It is like the frog in the pot of water where the heat is slowly turned up til it dies. That is what is happening in America. Many do not want to believe it or do not have time to deal with it or say "I do not get involved in politics." Complacency is just what the enemy wants to happen. He wants lethargic busy Christians who are blinded to the truth to do nothing. This is not about a Republican, Democrat, or Independent but about following truth and righteousness. Do what the Bible says and you will be okay. Many totally ignore God and kick Him right out. Beware, the day is coming when every knee will bow and everyone will have to answer for what they have done. Political correctness has gone haywire and has taken God out of the equation and has edited His word to justify sinful despicable lifestyles and then Christians are called biased and hateful. Imagine that!

Philippians 2:10-11 says " at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth,  and that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.". Romans 14:11 says "It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'"

Man may think he has the final say but God is on the throne.  It is time for  America to wake up and cry out to God to heal this land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says " if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

1 Corinthians 16:13 says "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong." Do not lose hope! God has the final say. God will not continue to bless this nation if we continue to ignore Him and his law.

PRAYER: Lord God we need you in our country and in our world. This is your creation and yet man has tried to topple you off your own throne. Father these people who do this need you in their heart. Open blind eyes to see the truth. Bring revival to our land.  Lord thank you for the comfort we have in knowing you are on the throne. Evil may be in our world but you are bigger. I pray that men and women of faith who say they love you wake up and start praying to bring back God to America. In Jesus Name. Amen. 

Click on link for a powerful song.
http://youtu.be/KYtCanpBhVg