Pray On And Then Some!!!!

Search me, God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting.Psalm 139:23-24

Do you have someone you are praying for? Your prayers could be specific or just general. I feel it is good to learn to personalize our prayers for people. I learned this valuable prayer tool over the past 19 years I have been a part of Moms In Prayer International. For instance on the verse above, say you are praying for a specific issue for a child or friend, insert their name.

Search ____________________God, and know_________________heart, test __________and know _______________anxious thoughts.See if there is any offensive way in ________________and lead _______________in the way everlasting. 

Sort of packs a punch to cry out to God this way. When we are praying for someone else too, and not just ourselves, somehow our own issues become insignificant. I like to occasionally get away and go to a mountain, in my case a nearby Alabama State Park, to have a peaceful place for prayer. It is a good way to focus truly just on the Heavenly Father. If you are able, and it is safe, go somewhere to be alone and pray. I have even heard of a literal 'prayer closet' set aside not for clothes but for prayer and Bible time. A friend of mine who may be reading this has a 'prayer garden' at the side of her home. It too is a peaceful alone spot. Try to put your cell phone away and really be by yourself.

Make an appointment with God each and every day but try to schedule a truly alone DAWG day
(day alone with God) where dedicated time is used to focus on the savior. 

PRAYER: I need you every hour. You alone are mighty. You alone can save. You Lord care about the issues I am praying about more than me. I know you work things out in your time and for your glory and purposes. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Are You A Quitter?

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

It is easy to quit things. Let's say you are running a race and you just give up so you quit. Maybe you are trying to lose weight and you just haven't done very well so you bail out. Sometimes jobs are not easy to find so you decide to give up and file for unemployment. Many people start a painting project in their home and just get tired and quit. 

Things worth getting take time, patience, and perseverance. A student studying to be a doctor has a distinct goal in mind but a long road ahead. He or she has to keep moving ahead through tests, study, bills, residencies, more tests, more bills and so it goes. The rewards are good for those who do not cave in and give up cause it is too hard.

How many people have quit on God? By this I mean He did not answer a prayer or you had a child die and got mad at God. Incurable cancer struck and once again the "why me" prayer is prayed. God never promised us a life free from problems but He can help you overcome them. Don't quit on Him as when you do you give the devil an opportunity to control your life. You are either for Him or against Him. Where do you stand?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus forgive me if I have ever gotten upset when a prayer is not answered. I know you do not give up and neither should I. I choose to press on. In Jesus' name.Amen.

Keep Running!

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24

I have been running for years, actually since I was on the high school track team at age 15, then on into the military, and now because I like to. Yes I actually like to run. When I used to miss a day my husband noted a personality change and would say kindly "go run." Afterwards I was a new Becky.

It is necessary to "keep running" or "keep going" on lots of things in life. There is a saying "when the going gets tough the tough get going." Whatever the task ahead of you that overwhelms you, with God you can keep going and not quit. The enemy, Satan, is who tries to get you feeling a "can't do" attitude. He does not want you to progress and feel good about yourself. Instead his mission would be to get you to drown your problems in alcohol and become addicted or make wrong decisions based on wrong emotions. 

Whatever it is that has you troubled today, know God has your back and He is only a prayer away. Keep on running!

PRAYER: I know I can do all things with your help. I will not allow a purist of discouragement from the enemy to get me down. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Press On!!

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:13-14

There are times in life when maybe you just feel like quitting.  You pray and pray and pray some more about an area in which you are waiting for a breakthrough but then discouragement sets in. The Bible does say in Luke 18:1 to pray and never give up. A defeatist attitude comes from the enemy of our souls,Satan. He is the one who tries to get you to quit, not go to church, not be "religious", have wrong thinking, speak poorly of others, act superior to others, and just any thing  that pulls you away from the Lord and causes a lack of hope.

Press on my friend. Charge ahead. Keep going. Don't quit. Believe. Hope. Your hope is in the Lord Jesus and every word of the Bible is true. Even when things don't seem to be changing maybe the Lord is also trying to work out something in your own life. Hang in there and run your race to win.

PRAYER: Forever Lord you are faithful. You hear my prayers and I know you love me. Give me strength to endure while I wait. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Potholes

Dear friends, do not be surprised by the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you as though something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12(NIV)

 In life there will be bumps in the road where maybe you just feel you are not doing the right thing. You try and try and things seem to not change. When I am driving and do not see a pothole up ahead then all of a sudden, kerplunk, I crash right into it, I feel a sense of frustration at myself. Why can't the road crews do a better job fixing these things you might think. This is often how we might feel when things are not going the way we wish they would. It is like life is one big "pothole" and we keep driving right into it.

God is there beside you all the way, even when you fall into these little holes. He wants you to be strong in these situations and uses them in a way to prepare you for even more things that may happen. He is not bringing these bad things into your life but in the end they can indeed strengthen you.

PRAYER: Forgive me Lord when I have whined and complained about bad things that may happen to me. Help me to be able to praise you no matter what because I know you are with me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

PRAY, PRAY, AND PRAY ON!!

Today is the day of the Moms in Prayer group I lead.  I have been a part of this wonderful international ministry since 1996 when we lived in a suburb of Phoenix. Prayer is so vital and so important. At times when our prayers go unanswered we may tend to give up. In Luke 18:1(NIV) it says 'Then  Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.' Never means never. The great enemy of our souls, Satan, wants us to be quitters. He wants us to blame ourselves for problems. He wants us to get mad at God. 

      Keep hanging on to hope and the promises in God's word. Keep "walking by faith not by sight" as it says in 2 Corinthians 5:7. To stay positive and focused on the truth you need to daily read God's word. Get a daily dose of the best medicine around, scripture. 

Run your race to win. Hebrews 12:2(KJV) says 'Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.' Don't give up. 

PRAYER: I need to have your faith Lord to keep believing even when I do not see evidence. I know you are working behind the scenes and know the "big picture". Help me keep believing. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

GOD, WHEN?

What are you waiting for in life? You pray, you wait. Nothing seems to happen. You cry out "God just when will you get me out of this mess?" Sometimes in life God wants us to grow to be more like Him and that often requires patience while we wait. Maybe you feel you just can not hold on any longer. It could be a situation you are waiting for in your life or a breakthrough in the life of a loved one. Regardless how you feel God has not abandoned you.

James 5:7(NIV) is similar to the topic I wrote about yesterday. It says 'Be patient then brothers and sisters until the Lord's coming.See how the farmer waits for the land to yield it's valuable crop patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.'

Can you trust God has a plan and sit back and keep praying and relax? His timetable is not the same as ours.

Isaiah 55:8(KJV) says 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.' Keep going to God in pray and in the meantime do not forget to praise Him for who He is and thank Him for the answers to prayer as well.

PRAYER: Dear Lord I ask for you to help me as I wait on you and wait on answers to prayers. I know you are doing a perfect work and I need to trust you and not be afraid. In Jesus' name. Amen.

NEVER STOP PRAYING

What is on your heart today? What prayer needs are you crying out to God for? Do not ever give up! There will be skeptics who tell you God does not care or if He does why does He let little children die and why doesn't he simply heal everything. That is something I can not really answer but I do know that God indeed cares and He is not the one who makes bad stuff happen.

Prayer is our lifeline to God. If it were not so powerful why then do anti God forces continually try to eradicate it from society? Unfortunately they were successful in not allowing school children to pray back in 1963 but that does not mean people are not praying. 

Luke 18:1 is a favorite verse of mine and it simply says to 'Pray and never give up'.  As the famous slogan for Nike says "Just do it." Indeed we must 'keep doing it' and doing it some more. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says to 'pray without ceasing.' That means do not stop! Perhaps you are a parent in despair over a wayward child and keep praying and praying and praying some more. Do not worry my friend. God is indeed at work in their lives. Just keep believing. 

Have you ever tried praying scripture over a situation? For some excellent helps on this check out www.momsinprayer.org. Moms in Prayer is a ministry I have been a part of for almost 18 years now. It is vital to my prayer life. Isaiah 55:11 says ' So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.' God's word is powerful. Cherish it. Read your Bible. Memorize some favorite verses. It is your weapon against the forces of darkness in our world. Satan shudders at the name of Jesus. 

PRAYER: I love you Jesus. I hate evil. I know you hear my prayers. Help me to keep on keeping on and to remember to encourage others to continue in prayer as well. In Jesus' name. Amen.

FALL AND GET BACK UP AGAIN

When you fall you do not just lie there on the ground and wait for
someone to come along and scoop you up but you attempt to get up on
your own and charge on in life. When trouble comes and you possibly
get knocked down or thrown off course you do not sit there and pity
yourself but you keep on going. When you run a race and people pass
you do not stop running but you keep going looking towards the finish
line. When hardship comes you do not cave into it and stop trying but
you have to keep on. Giving up is not an option.

Storms of life and set backs can in fact make you stronger. But if you
let fear defeat you of course you will give up.God is a God of trying
again and of looking ahead to what is in store. He mends the broken
hearted, give strength to the weary, makes the feeble strong. He is
the God of possibilities. Not just for those under 40 but the God who
cares about all people of all ages and nationalities.

Has something in life made you feel worthless or like quitting? Those
feelings of defeat come from Satan ,not God. God gives feelings of
hope and encourages us.

We are in a training ground of sorts here on planet Earth. Those who
name the name of Jesus await their heavenly home some day and this is
preparation for it. Not everything in life that happens will be good
but that does not mean your life is over. James 1:2(NIV) reminds us
'Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face
trials of many kinds'.  Joy, are you kidding me? I am supposed to be
joyful over a job loss, a sickness, an injury, or a host of other
things that happen in life that seem to be automatically placed in the
"bad" category. All I can say is God is there and He uses all things
for His purposes. Verses 3 and 4 of that same chapter in James go on
to say 'because you know that the testing of your faith produces
perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be
mature and complete, not lacking anything.' Praise God in good times
and in bad times. James 5:12 (NIV) says 'Blessed is the one who
perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person
will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who
love him.'

No matter what you are going through, and granted some things are much
worse such as the loss of a child or any death for that matter, God is
the God who is there to comfort and see you through. He does not cause
the trials but He can turn scars into stars so to speak. Hang on
because God can lift you up!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I thank you for hope. I thank you for a new day. I
thank you for your love for me. I thank you for another day to sing
your praises. When I am tempted to give up help me to keep running my
race to win. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link below for a powerful song of praise.
http://youtu.be/7bQMDvx3db0

LOOK AHEAD, NOT BACK

 The idea for this title came to me while driving about 5 p.m. one weekday. I realized just how important it was to not look behind me but to keep my eyes focused on the traffic particularly in the high traffic times of the start and end of the work day. If you live in a major city you have true rush hour but here where I am we have lots of cars on the road but nothing like a huge city rush hour. It is important when you drive in lots of heavy traffic that you keep plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front of you and pay attention always looking ahead down the road for hazards. If you start being distracted by your rear view mirror the traffic could, in fact, suddenly stop and you will more than likely crash into the vehicle ahead of you.

In life too, we need to look ahead and not behind. The past is gone and can not be resurrected. You can learn from the mistakes you have made and confess sins you may have committed, but after that you are to move on and let it go and focus on the here and now and the future. Constantly clinging to the past is not going to bring it back. It is gone, period!

Let's say you can not forget some sin you committed in your life even though you confessed it and God forgave you but Satan keeps trying to torment you with it. Talk out loud to Satan and say 'Satan I will not believe your lies. God has redeemed me and set me free to lead a life pleasing to Him so in the name of Jesus be gone' then move on. After all there is a verse in Psalm 103:12(NIV) that reminds me 'as far as the East is from the West so far has He removed our transgressions from us.'
You might recall the story about Lot's wife in Genesis 19:18-26 where the family was fleeing the evils of the city of Sodom before God destroyed it. God had commanded them to not look back. Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt. Not listening to and obeying God then sure had dire consequences. It is tempting to maybe turn around but forget it and keep looking ahead. Charge on!

The Army used to sing a Jody call for marching in formation and maybe it is still used and it went something like this: 'Ain't no use in looking down, there's no discharge on the ground. One two three four, one two give me some more.' Looking down and looking back indicate perhaps a lack of peace about the future or wanting to stay way you are.

Can you look straight ahead and keep your eye on the prize, that being living a life pleasing to the Lord Jesus Christ and throwing off the weights of sin along the way that cling to you and try to drag you down? Keep your eyes on the future. God has good things in store!

Philippians 3:14(NIV) says 'I press on toward the goal, to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Jesus Christ.'

PRAYER: I thank you so much that in Christ I have a future and a hope. I need not cling to the past and worry over things that can not be changed. Help me Lord as I press on for the prize of eternal life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

KEEP SETTING GOALS

There have been times when I have heard people over 60 say 'I would like to work but I will never get hired as I am too old." Excuse me, but age is a state of mind. If you talk like that if you happen to be 60 or over you will convince yourself you are washed up and no use to anyone in society. You can always keep learning, keep growing, keep reaching for a dream or a goal no matter what age you happen to be as long as there are not health limitations. I have met workers in stores who are into the empty nest years having fun rediscovering themselves, setting goals, and starting a new adventure or hobby. In my travels I have met flight attendants who took the job after the children had grown and left home. There have been inventors and authors who got ideas later in life. Satan would love you to believe this lie as then he can get you sitting in a rocker not using your creative abilities. God can and will always use you!

Someone over 60 should not be ashamed of their age. They have many experiences in life and much to contribute to the world around them. If not a paid job then they can volunteer. It is not just the young that are important but the "young at heart" as well. So no more excuses. Keep setting goals and looking to contribute to society around you in a positive way.

The Foundation For a Better Life has the greatest billboards. Check out their website at www.values.com. These superb series of billboards bring hope and encouragement to a discouraged world. Our world could always use a good dose of hope. Our hope as believers is in Lord Jesus Christ, not a government or a mere individual.One of the billboards showed a 97 year old woman and the caption was something like 'Oldest Graduate', Perseverance, Pass it On.'

There is a verse in Psalm 92:14 (TLB) which says 'Even in old age they will still produce fruit and be vital and green.' My friend, set your mind on good things and 'God things' and prepare to have an outstanding journey in life. Do not listen to the worldly voices around you saying fifty is old. That is nutty in my humble opinion. And stay home moms out there, your job is vitally important and should not be demeaned as saying 'they just stay at home'. You are contributing to the formation of the future of that wonderful blessing God has given you. Hold your head up high and be thankful you get to stay home and raise your children.

From here on out just remember that whatever you do you are working for the Lord. he has created you for His purposes. Shine for Him no matter what your age.

PRAYER: I am grateful Lord for the life you have given me. Thank you for where you have placed me. Help me not to ever be discouraged and know whatever my age I am important to you. In Jesus' name.Amen.

SOLDIER ON! PRESS ON!! RUN THE RACE TO WIN!

As a former member of our nations Armed Forces I can certainly identify with the first part of my title that says ' soldier on'! In the military this means to not quit, don't make excuses, and fulfill your mission. To charge on and take that hill!! But as a Christian we are called 'soldiers' of the Lord. 2 Timothy 2:3 says " Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Jesus Christ." Military personnel endure much hardship that the civilian world has no way of understanding.

When I first entered the Army and was in my barracks one day reading my Bible it fell open to Psalm 18:29 which simply says " with your help I can crush a troop or leap over a wall!" Now how crazy is that? Here I was just starting out in the US Army and am going to have to do things I had never experienced before to include learning to jump a wall and this verse ' just happened' to pop up. I called it a 'God thing' and it truly was. But you too can 'charge on' as you look to Jesus.

In life in addition to 'soldiering on' we have to 'press on' too. Do not quit. When the fight or battle seems too big and overwhelming you may be tempted to give up the fight. God does not want you to. Only the enemy, Satan, brings doubt, discouragement, and fear. You can do it. Quote the scripture from Philippians 4:13 which says " I can do ALL things through Christ which gives me strength." You indeed can with the help of the Lord!!

Finally if you are a runner and have ever been in a race you learn to keep on going and not look back. Just run and run some more. Do your best. The reward is at the finish line. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 9:21 that "Did you not know that in a race not all runners win the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." Keep looking at Jesus as the finishing line and the crown of life.

So today do your very best to look to Jesus and when you feel like all hope is lost know in fact that it is not.

1 Corinthians 15:57 says " But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!"

PRAYER: Thank You so much Lord for guiding me each day and giving me the ability to keep looking to you when things around me seem hopeless. I am hopeful because of you. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on links below for two mighty songs to draw home the point we are 'soldiers' for Christ.

http://youtu.be/DTJMQ38bnoY

http://youtu.be/vDIy5TUXovo

HANG ON! KEEP PRAYING!

What are you believing God for? A wayward child, a healing, a restored relationship, emotional stability, freedom from an addiction, healed marriage, a financial miracle? God loves you and he cares about you. Sometimes it seems we pray and pray and pray more. Why isn't God listening? Why doesn't he care? Why don't I see change? What is going on Lord? Discouragement sets in and maybe you feel like giving up. That is what the enemy wants.

Bible teacher Joyce Meyer said to say "I believe God is working." He is you know! Do you believe what it says in Luke 18:1 that "we should pray and never give up?"  We should in fact keep on keeping on and once you pray do not sit there wringing your hands in desperation or letting Satan lie to you and condemn you making you feel there is not any hope.

 Remember it says in 2 Chronicles 20:15 that "the battle is not ours but God's." Stand in the gap for your loved one or whoever it is who you are praying for. Ezekiel 22:30 says " I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none." Don't let that be the case with you. Be that person when no one else prays that will keep on lifting up the prayers. There is one thing to remember. Make sure your own life is on track. For instance Psalm 66:18 says "If I regard sin in my heart the Lord will not hear me."

God is not finished with you or with the subject of your prayers. Trust Him to work in  his time, not yours.

PRAYER: Lord I thank you that you hear my prayer and that you love me and care about me. Help me to let go and let you do your work and stop fretting. I trust you for the outcome. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Click on link below to enjoy a wonderful song of praise to start your day.
http://youtu.be/9DlrpTUENSI

Note: moms and grandmas out there. The new school year is upon us and Moms in Prayer International prayer groups are starting up worldwide. To find a group praying for your childs' school to include college/career/military go to www.momsinprayer.org The ministry recently changed its' name from Moms in Touch to Moms in Prayer. Never doubt the power of a praying mom.

PRAY ON!!! AND KEEP IT UP!!!

 Don't give up no matter what. Nothing is beyond hope. All things are possible to him who believes it says in Mark 9:23. I have a sign at home that says "God can't do what?"  Do not start fearing, doubting and listening to negative talk but keep on believing. God is not through with you or whatever it is you are going through yet.

 Isaiah 43:2 says "When you pass through the waters I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire you will not get burned, the flames will not set you ablaze."  This tells me that bad stuff is  going to happen but your Father in heaven will see you through your circumstances. He is bigger than any problem you might have. Do not put him in a box. He is God!!

What is weighing on your heart today? What is keeping you from being at peace? The enemy, Satan, is the one who brings discouragement and despair. Take heart because the story is not finished yet.

Deuteronomy 31:6 says "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them. The Lord your God goes with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you."What  a wonderful promise to hold on to friend!!

Luke 18:1  tells us to "pray and never give up". If God loves me why is my life such a mess? Why do bad things happen? I do not know why, but I know God can use all things for His good. Do not start caving into fear. Fear is not from God. Keep praying. Keep living for the Lord. The sun will shine tomorrow.

PRAYER: Lord thank you for seeing me through the tough times of life. Help me to realize it is not just me with problems. It many around me go through many more difficulties than I will every go through. Forgive me when I have bee any at you or turned my back on you. I want to believe and know I will see your goodness. In Jesus name. Amen.

Happy Tuesday. Click on link below and enjoy a song of worship.
http://youtu.be/Lj2_kDyqzvE

CHARGE ON DESPITE SETBACKS

Everyone has gone through something one time or another in their life. No one is perfect. The enemy likes to get us to dwell on our problems and makes us feel at times there is no way God could love us or even people for that matter. If we let our mind fester with these poisonous thoughts then we will be defeated and lose our peace. Keep pursuing Christ.

We are into the 2nd month of a brand new year so make this the time to get serious about letting go of sins that drag you down or wrong thinking that hinders you. When the world runs out God is there. When friends misunderstand you God is there. When you feel like no one cares, God is there. When you feel self pity creeping up, God is there.

Run to Him. He is the God of second chances, third chances and on it goes. Nothing you can do shocks him. He has not said,"This person is a real scum bag and beyond hope. Get them out of my sight!" No He wants sinners to come and sit at His feet. "We all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory." (Romans 3:23) We all have occasionally said the wrong thing and hurt someone or were misunderstood. The people we hurt may not want to forgive but God will always forgive. Let it go and let God heal you from the inside out.

So when life throws you a curve ball, so to speak, you do not quit, you do not run and hide but you pick yourself up and keep going. God can use everything in your life to get you closer to Him. Charge on and keep going. Ask God for help. He will never fail or forsake you. Hebrews 13:5-6 says "Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things that you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you, nor forsake you,' so that we may boldly say, 'The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me."

PRAYER: Lord I thank you that when I fall you are there to pick me up. When the world runs out on me you do not. Thank you for being my forever friend. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link below to worship the Lord in song.

http://youtu.be/rg89UOAftXM