Ask what you desire

But if you abide in me and my words abide in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! John 15:7

[That verse is an uncanny declaration. 

Absolutely unbelievable. 
Except, Christ said it—“ask what you desire.” 

And after all, He didn’t sacrifice one iota of His own integrity by making that promise, because it is predicated on a significant premise: abiding in Him. That isn’t some mystical position or some hard-to-arrive-at pattern of conduct. It isn’t a religious accomplishment or a pious performance. It’s just honest-to-God saying, “I want Your will.” 

His answer: “Pray, and I’ll work it.”]

—Jack Hayford 

pray more

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"I'm going to pray more."
It's been said before, and often. How did that go?

I can understand the prayer-less life of a person who has never experienced the power of prayer. But to those of us who have experienced the miraculous, the spectacular, the awe-inspiring power of prayer, we have no excuse. What possible excuse could we give to the God who gives all to us?

It has been in my personal time of prayer that I have grown in faith. For it takes faith to believe that God is who He says He is. It takes faith to believe that God hears my prayers. It takes faith to believe that God cares for the words I say. It takes faith to believe that He will answer, guide, and provide. It takes faith to believe that He has a plan, a purpose, and a will for all my petitions, concerns, and thoughts. And so with every prayer lifted to Heaven faith is increased, and my fears, doubts, and unbelief are shattered. 

Yet, if I only pray my benefit, than I have lost the greatest reward of all... I've lost Christ. It has been those moments that in prayer God speaks to me that have transformed my faith. Prayer is more than simply speaking, it's also about listening. I think this is why so many (myself included) claim to have prayer lives but are found spiritually malnourished. After all, Jesus did say that He is the bread of life. He longs to feed us as we pray.

Hunger for a transforming prayer life. 

Purpose with me to expect the miraculous. 

Purpose with me to seek spectacular conversations with God. 

Purpose with me to be inspired by His silence as much as His words. 

Purpose with me to pray more. 

God's family - my family - your family

 Last night I met up with a friend I hadn't seen in over a year. She moved out of town and was back. In catching up I shared with her my Mother's journey in the past year with Glaucoma, loosing her sight, numerous procedures, and her sight being restored. As the words poured forth from my mouth, my heart remained steadfast and at peace. For my mind understood that God had done a great and mighty work in my Mom. My mind recognized that the prayer of God's people availed much. My faith was firm, therefore by God's doing I was able to stand firm. 

I continued sharing the grueling testimony and her eyes watered, she looked away, folded her hands, and even cringed in her seat. I then shared the last sentence, "So that's where we are at. Tomorrow (which is today) she has an appointment with Dr. Bennett who is a cornea  specialists and a glaucoma specialist. This appointment will determine the possibility of a future surgery, a delicate surgery." Her words that followed, "Raquel, this may seem strange... My grandfather who was a Pastor for many years lives just around the corner. I feel that we need to have him and my grandmother pray for your mom. Is this weird?"

Not. At. All. 

One thing I tell everyone is to never reject prayer. Never! 

Brethren, pray for us. I Thessalonians 5:25

Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. II Thessalonians 1:11-12

And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:15-16

Without further ado, she made a call, told her grandparents that she was with a friend who needed prayer for her mom. They did not hesitate to have me over. These wonderful people are in the picture above. 

Jose Raul and Eda Maria Borroto welcomed me in and greeted me like their own family. I have them a quick summary of my Mother's condition and Eda Maria began to pray. She prayed for our hearts to be cleansed from our iniquity, that we may enter his throne room of grace empty of ourselves, and prayed for us to be filled by His Spirit. She praised God for giving us His Spirit who teaches us all things and gives us the right words to pray. From there we spent a sweet time in prayer and praise.

 I was given the opportunity to pray for Jose Raul, a 90 year old man who not to long again fell and fractured his elbow and hips. The doctors have been astonished with his recovery and ability to walk again. May I remind you he is 90 years young! He continued speak the Word to me and gave me specific scriptures to share with Mami. He reminded me that God is all powerful and above all He is love. 

I experienced last night the joy of being a member of God's family. In Christ, Jose Raul and Eda Maria are my family, and because you and I are family they are your family too! What wonderful and glorious news. And so I ask you to join me in prayer for these two faithful saints who are our relatives. They both suffer from numerous health complications and are in need of prayer. Continue praying for Mami's eyes, for her faith to be strengthened and her spirit renewed. 

May the Holy Spirit fill you as Eda prayed and teach you all things pertaining spiritual growth and give you words to pray. "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 "For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Luke 12:12

Happy Friday friends! 

Mother's Day weekend

I had the most wonderful weekend...

It all began with a bridal shower. I love party planning, and bridal showers are my favorite! I don't often admit to being a romantic but I am, not a hopeless romantic but a hopeful one. Here are a few pics I took of Daisy's Bridal shower.

Theme: April Showers bring May Flowers

The shower was followed by a mini family reunion to celebrate Mother's Day. My dear Momma, Grandmother, Aunts, Cousins, and Family friends made up the beautiful group of Mother's that we love so much. Unfortunately, I'm related to a big group of women who don't like to take pictures and none were taken.

Sunday morning I woke up early to prepare a breakfast feas for my family and my God-Mother's family that came down from Tampa. We had a wonderful time eating, laughing, and sharing funny stories of the outrageous things my Grandfather did.

Later in the day I headed to the downtown service for church. It was very special because it was my best friend's FIRST Mother's Day and her baby's dedication. Nando, Nana, and Pastor Pedro introduced little Levi to the congregation and He was dedicated to the Lord and prayed over. So amazing to be a part of this little guy's life. After the service we took pics at our annual Mother's Day photoshoot.

My best friend Nana, her husband Nando, Levi and Pastor Pedro

Levi was mesmerized by the cars and wouldn't look at the camera

That's Yessy! Always a fun time with her! LOL



We are a tad bit on the wild side, hehe.

Top: Nana Bottom Left: Marilyn Bottom Right: Denise

 

And the best of all... Momma Hen and her chicklings. LOL


Indeed, a great weekend.
How was your Mother's Day?

promise of the Spirit

Promise of the Spirit // by Jack Hayford (Check out this reading plan on YouVersion)

The blessing of being filled with the Holy Spirit is not for the sake of mere enjoyment. It is rejoicing, to be sure! But at the core of a life of growing discipleship with Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives is what’s most important.

It is the Spirit who keeps the Word alive.

It is the Spirit who infuses prayer and praise with passion.

It is the Spirit who teaches and instructs.

It is the Spirit who brings gifts and giftedness for power-ministry.

It is the Spirit who will bring love, graciousness, and a spirit of unity to our hearts.

God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. Acts 2:32-33

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If you are interested in sound doctrine on the Holy Spirit, I recommend these: 

For an individual or home study: When The Spirit of God Moves

Reading: Spirit Rising, Fresh Power, The Holy Spirit, God's Promise of Power (a favorite of mine), Touched By His Spirit, Forgotten God, The Holy Spirit: Activating God's Power in Your Life, The Code of The Spirit. 

YouVersion reading plans: Who Me, Gifted?, Celebrate, Praise in the Presence of God

Sentence Tuesday

Prayer keeps spiritual oxygen supplied to the body

 to keep it productive and alive. 

-Lois Evans 

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Birthday Surprise. It's Ziemely!

Happy Monday! Today's birthday surprise comes from Ziemely, or as we call her, Zee. I met her this year in our ladies small group bible study yet I feel like I've known her for a lifetime. Though young in the faith, her faith, love, and zeal for the Lord are as contagious as wild fire spreading. Her post is one that we all can identify with and be encouraged by. God bless YOU. 
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I am going to be honest and just say it; I use to like being in control. Let me rephrase that, I use to like thinking I was in control. I say “thinking I was in control” because in reality I have never been in control. Even in those moments in which I thought I was, God was always the one managing the situation.

There are many verses that come to mind when I think of control and letting go of the idea of having it. These are verses that God has used to speak to me in times when I was trying to control situations and/or outcomes in my life. 

You can make plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail. – Proverbs 19:21

A perfect example of this can be found in Genesis when Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. Although he experienced difficult times along the way, God was always with him. God turned what an outsider would have thought was going to be an awful life into a life in which Joseph was able to show others what trusting in the Lord looks like.

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, 

“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. – Matthew 19:26 

There is NOTHING that is impossible with God. I would venture to say for the majority of us, the reason we like “being in control” is a sense of security we get when we think we know how things will turn out in our lives and what will happen next. There are so many opportunities I have had in my life that if it weren’t for God being in control of my life they never would have happened. I never thought I would have passed that class, gotten that job, paid that bill, or traveled there.  I will be forever grateful for all the times I have been wrong; that it was not me that was truly in control. I would miss out on so many things, if only what I thought possible or was capable of doing on my own would happen.

 “Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. 

Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” – Mark 14:36

If even Jesus – God incarnate prayed, we should be praying all the more. Not only did Jesus pray to God, He prayed that God’s will be done. At times, I find myself praying for what I believe is best for me. If we think we know what is best for ourselves, just imagine everything the Lord knows IS best for us. In reality, the best thing for us is for God’s will to be done in our lives. He knows the beginning, the end and the beauty that is the in-between. He wants to give and teach us so much, and the only way that can happen is for us to surrender all.

I pray that we can all remember to let go of that need to be in control and allow God to truly work in our lives. That we not turn to God as our last resort, but as our only resort.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, 

thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11 

Birthday Surprise. It's Stephanie!

My favorite holiday is here and with it a very special post by one of my favorite people. For those who don't know Stephanie, she is vibrant, enthusiastic and encouraging. And to those who know her, we can all say we are better people because she is in our lives. May this special Thanksgiving post speak comfort and joy to your heart. 
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To be completely honest, I wanted to decline Raquel’s offer when she first asked me to be a guest blogger. Why? I let fear paralyze me at that moment and I had no idea what to write about, BUT I heard a firm response from God, “Yes, you WILL write and you WILL share what you have learned!” I immediately knew exactly what He was talking about. So here it goes…

Back in February, I attended an amazing conference. Prior to this conference, I was ecstatic to volunteer and serve at the conference, but God gave me a clear “No!” I was crushed and confused because my heart’s desire is to serve others, but I knew that God wanted me to be still, sit back, and hear from Him. It would be me and Him, nothing else!

Throughout the conference God was moving in my heart. The night Hillsong United led worship, God revealed something to me. You see, God exposed  the ugliness of my heart to me and unfolded a deeper layer that I had no idea was lying inside of my heart. I knew then this was one of the reasons God wanted me to sit out, and not volunteer at the conference. I suddenly broke out in tears and felt my knees suddenly collapse.  I felt ashamed and embarrassed. God revealed to me that I was angry. Angry with Him! “What?!? How could this be? I’m so head over heels in love with Him! How could I have been angry and in love with Him all at the same time?

Rewind …

Way before attending this conference, I had been trying to pass one of the tests to become a teacher. It had taken me a little well over a year to pass it. While many eagerly waited to start the New Year, I was taking into the New Year a heavy burden of frustration. Throughout that time of test after test, I felt like I done everything humanly possible to pass. I bought books, hired tutors, listened to cds, attended workshops, and more. My next train of thought was, “My failing MUST be because I’m not spiritual enough?” (At this point, I had no idea where my head was at.) I then proceeded into trying to do all the “Christian stuff” so that I can hopefully gain God’s favor and mercy to pass the test. (Side note: This is so far from God’s truth…We do NOT have to gain His love, it’s unconditional nor do we have to work to receive His favor/mercy/grace) I fasted. I prayed. I went to church. I sought Biblical counsel. I read my Bible. I had done anything and everything. I knew for sure God was going to hook it up and open the door for me to pass. Yeah, NO! The next time I went to take it, I read in big fat letters, “Not pass!” “What? God, how could this be? You MUST be mad at me!”

Fast-forward to the conference …

“Angry? Why would I be angry with God?” It then dawned on me that I was angry because the thought of God forsaking me, and not giving me the desires of my own selfish heart, had been lingering inside of me. I had been feeling let down by God. I felt like my prayers were hitting the roof and not heaven. Why wouldn’t God turn to me and allow for me to pass the test? “C’mon God, You created everything in 6 days... Can’t you just make it happen and allow this miracle to take place?!” I would have never imagined, in my wildest dreams, that I would reach the point of being angry with my God.

After I left the conference, I confessed to my boyfriend all that I had been hidden in my heart. We prayed, and I instantly felt God’s love and healing hand over my heart and life. God’s faithfulness revealed to me yet once again. “CONFESS your sins to each other and pray for one another so that you may be HEALED.” James 5:16.

Thanksgiving is here! What am I thankful for? Well, I’m thankful for God’s strength. He gave me strength to push forward even when I thought I could not take one more step or one more test. I took that test 7 times! If it was not for Him, I would have easily given up probably after the 3^rd time of not passing it. I was stubborn (hence me having to take it 7 times) and God wanted me to gain radical faith in trusting Him with my life even when things don’t “fall in place.” I’m thankful that though this sin had been residing in my heart, God’s love did not change.

I learned many things during that season of my life. I can honestly say that though storms may come, and they will come, there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for. I encourage you to dig deep and pray even when it seems as if you can not mutter out a single word to God. Prayer not only changes things, but it changes YOU!

“BE THANKFUL IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, 

for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” -1 Thessalonians 5:18

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. 

Tell God what you need and THANK HIM for all he has done.” –Philippians 4:6

“When everything seems like it’s falling apart, 

that’s when God is putting things back together just the way He wants it.” 

One last thing, though God did not answer my prayer on my timeline to pass the test, He did do something far more imaginable. He gave me the gift of faith! Faith to truly trust God with my life, with my future, even when all else fails.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Birthday Surprise. It's Scarleth!

Hi Lovelies! Today's birthday surprise comes to you from Scarleth. A little bit about her, she is passionately in love with Jesus, bold, outspoken, and has a tremendous God given zeal for the broken and abused. May her words encourage you this day in a post she has titled: Humble Spirit. 
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Humility can only be found through the impact of Christ’s love in our lives. This is important to know because God has called both you and I to give ourselves selflessly to His call and purpose. He requires that we love others as Christ loved the church, giving Himself as ransom for many. Jesus didn't save us to show off what He could do but as an act of love, obedience and humility before God. 

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Phil. 2:8

Jesus was humble, obedient, selfless, and His own interest was for the interest of others. He commands us to do the same. We are commanded to be like Jesus. Does that mean are we to be perfect? No. We are all sinners and all have fallen short of the glory of God, but through His grace and love we are redeemed. It is not by all the “good” we have done or have yet to do, but by Jesus alone.

There are three characteristics of Jesus that I want to share with you today! If you’re a note taker (like me) you might want to write these down…

1. Submission to God

“Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 Jesus did just that, He was obedient to God during His life here on earth. He taught all and He healed the sick. He prayed and fasted for forty-days and forty-nights When He was tempted by Satan and the angels of God ministered to Him when He resisted. You and I are called to resist the devil through an absolute submission to Christ. Unless we are completely and utterly surrendered to His word we will not be able to stand against the enemy when he attacks. How do we begin to submit to God? Through reading and meditation of His word, and a life of prayer. It is fundamental that we yield to the presence of God through obedience.

2. Selfless Service

A humble spirit values the welfare of others. “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interest, but also for the interest of others.” Phil. 2:3-4. Jesus models selfless servitude for us in that He humbly came to earth to serve others. He came looking for the sick not the healed. He came to rescue and restore the brokenhearted. I have had “hands on” privilege of serving God's people. In my life, there is nothing more gratifying for my soul than helping others. No greater joy than to be there for those in need, witnessing God's work in the midst of chaos. He uses people like you and me to bring glory to His name, when we allow our selves to be selflessly involved in the work that He has placed us in. Every day is an opportunity to help someone, it doesn't matter how big or how small that task is, just help. At the end of the day, it is not about you, it is all about Him. All the glory belongs to God.

3. Selfless Love

Loving others, for God is Love. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:11. The love of God is immeasurable, His love overpasses our mindset. He loved us so much so that He gave His one and only son in ransom for our sins {John 3:16}. What is selfless love? Caring for the concerns of others before our very own. Lord, break my heart for what breaks yours. We are His children and we are called to be obedient, humble, selfless… If we want God to use us greatly we must allow God to break us deeply. Selfless means the quality of unselfish concern for the well-being of others. Isn't that what Jesus desires? For us to love others and care for others needs before our own? This is what He has called you and I to be Selfless.

I exhort you to take a double look at your life, seek the areas that are affecting your personal relationship with others. Examine your walk, thoughts, ministry, all the things you do on a day to day basis. I leave you with the following verse and I pray that the Lord continues to speak to you as He has spoken to me. 

“Remind them to be subject to rulers, authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.” Titus 3:1-2

reunited, and it feels so good

Meet my Bible. 

Friday night, it went missing at church. 

I figured I had moved it from my purse and Sunday morning I'd find it.

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Sunday came.

I searched anywhere and everywhere it could possibly have been. 

This was the most tragic and unsuccessful of all searches. 

Someone told me, "Give up, your Bible was probably stolen."

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Monday mourning. I cried so much.

I reminisced on all the times I dated a verse that changed me, 

the highlighted portions of scripture that meant more than life to me, 

and the notes I had taken that got me through each day. 

My heart hurt, a lot. 

I realized Monday morning, that out all that I possessed,

my Bible was my most treasured possession. 

And now that it was gone, I yearned for it more than ever. 

I longed to hold it.

I longed to turn its pages.

I longed for the words of the Lord. 

I mourned as one who had lost their loved one. 

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Tuesday it settled within me that days, months would pass before I saw it again.

I may never hold my Bible again. 

I gave a passing thought to someone else's growth by it. 

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Wednesday morning I heard a teaching on prayer. 

The Pastor read from Matthew 13:58, 

"Jesus did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief."

What could God do if I believed that He could do what I prayed for?

My faith was challenged, and so was my prayer life. 

I prayed: Lord, I am putting your name on the line. 

I believe You, Almighty God, will return my Bible to my hands."

The details of what happened to my Bible are not necessary. 

How it was returned to me are of no value to our walk. 

That God answered my prayer is the big deal. 

What mattered to me, mattered to Him. 

He took notice of my pain. 

He cupped my tears. 

He heard me. 

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What matters to you, matters to God. 

He has taken notice of your pain. 

He cups every tear you cry.

He hears you. 

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Reunited with my Bible and it feels so good! The first page I randomly opened my Bible to was in the end of Isaiah. Highlighted in the bottom of the page is one of my favorite verses. "I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!" Isaiah 65:24. Remember this one! 

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What could God do, 

if you believed that He could do what you prayed for?

Sentence Tuesday

The Christian walk isn't about becoming a better person,

it's about a relationship with the God who in prayer makes us better.

-Josiah James 

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Sentence Tuesday

Jesus prayed for the thieves on the cross 

and thus demonstrated that no one is beyond the reach of prayer. 

-Greg Laurie 

He calms and quiets as He heals

For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm/quiet all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
Zephaniah 3:17

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Twice this verse was sent to my Mother. 

Praying and believing that He is among her as her mighty savior. I praise Him for with His love He quiets her fears, and calms mine. And we all will rejoice as He rejoices over her now. 

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Tomorrow morning she has an appt. 

Continue praying for His healing hands to be upon her and His knowledge, wisdom and anointing upon the medical staff at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Thank you for praying. And know that the victory from this battle will also be yours. 

finding a pot of gold

 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers. 1 Thessalonians 1:2

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, 

and give thanks for them. 1 Timothy2:1

We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God,

 the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:3

As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. 
We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation—
a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13

Prayer defined: a spiritual communion with God, as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, or confession. My prayer life goes a little like this: First Place goes to supplication, runner up and Second Place is awarded to confession, Third Place (sad but true) is adoration and lastly but in the run Fourth Place to thanksgiving. It's so easy for me to cry out to God and spend my time with Him reviewing my long list of supplications and even interceding on behalf of the needs of others. If your anything like me there is an equally long list of confessions. And as for adoration, what kind of a Christian would I be if I did not praise and adore my God? Even adoration can easily become a routine or a scripted praise. Thanksgiving, oh that doesn't come naturally... it isn't learned, it is worked. Thanksgiving is described as an act, an expression, an acknowledgment. 

Reading the scriptures above felt like finding a hidden pot of gold. Though I have read these verses in the past, I had overlooked an important and essential part of communion with God: Thanking Him for my brothers and sisters when I pray for them by name. When I pray with people, I do give thanks to God for their life, I praise Him for their life but it usually comes to a halt there. When we pray, we should give thanks to God, not just for His goodness and faithfulness (among all His benefits and awesomeness) but for our family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers, fellow brothers and sisters of the faith, as well as for the lost, unborn babies that are being formed in our friend's wombs- all by name. If God created each one, loves each individual, and has beautiful plans for each one, who are we to not pray for, and thank God for the people He has placed at our hand's reach? Imagine all the good works of thanksgiving being offered to God if we all gave thanks to Him for the those He surrounds us with. I challenge you, as I challenge myself, when we pray for people let's give thanks to God for them. 

PS. I give thanks to God for You my readers.

A thankful life is a prayerful life. 

A life void of prayer is an unthankful life. -Allan McNabb

sentence tuesday

No matter how dark and hopeless a situation might seem,

never stop praying.

-Billy Graham

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Addiction

Good Saturday to you!
I was so blessed and encouraged to read Francine Rivers' blog post this morning and without hesitation I am sharing it with you. May the Lord speak both wisdom and comfort to you. May He bless you abundantly.

Addiction
By Francine Rivers
Www.francinerivera.com

Upon our return from the Panama Cruise, Rick and I learned someone we love dearly had disappeared. We knew what that meant and our hearts sank. Some knew where he was out there in the night going through his own private hell. All we could do was wait and pray and hope the turn-around would come quickly and he wouldn’t die this time.

I’ve been told by recovering alcoholics that it’s the first drink that kills you. An alcoholic doesn’t start back at the beginning. An alcoholic starts where he/she left off and accelerates. Think of being on a slide. If you stop partway down and stop yourself, you’re still there. Lift your hands and down you go. Without the strength of God working in a person, giving up the things that kill us is impossible. To sum up the 12 step program: I can’t, God can, I think I’ll let Him.

Years back, I’m embarrassed to admit I didn’t pay close attention to the dirty, disheveled man holding a sign at the entrance to the freeway. Now, I look for them. I make eye contact. Sometimes I have enough time (before the car behind me is honking) to hand them a bottle of water or a Christmas box.

Why do I see them now? I’ve experienced the anguish of wondering where my loved one is and whether I’ll ever see that person again this side of heaven. I’ve heard the stories of what people go through out there, drunk and alone, looking at a dumpster as a possible warm, dry place to sleep for the night.

Jesus said the poor are always among us. And so they are. Poor in ways beyond not having money.

I try not to worry, but some in my family say I have a worry gene and so it is a miserable default pattern in my life to fall back into it. I have a good imagination. That’s a blessing when I’m writing a story. It’s a curse when I’m imagining all the things that could be happening to someone I love who is out there on the mean streets, homeless, hurting and too ashamed to call for help. Every time the phone rang, my heart jumped. Night time calls always seem to bring bad news.

We are at war. In Iraq and Afghanistan. We’re also in a war here at home, and this war has countless fronts.

What do I do? I pray through my long list of friends who are going through the same thing I am right now. I pray for the many I know who are struggling with addictions; drugs, alcohol, computer games, pornography, food, work. Our nation breeds addiction. Sometimes I lay awake and go through the lines of David’s Psalm 23 or make an alphabetical list of the attributes of God.

And that’s what brings peace in the midst of the storm. Knowing God, remembering how deep and wide and high His love is for each of His children. Knowing Jesus lived out 33 years as a man who faced and overcame every temptation and now stands as our advocate before His Almighty Father who longs for us to return to Him.

Wherever my loved one is, God is there, too, waiting for surrender, ready to lift and restore. God loves my loved one far more than I do. God has a plan in all this and it isn’t to tear us to pieces, but to build us up, to give us a future and a hope.

I may not like the pain that comes with waiting, but it’s in the waiting that my faith grows.

Lyrical Friday - Conquering Lion

Happy Friday! 
I am posting very early today because one of my best friends is getting married later today. I am so excited. Maybe I'll have her share her "love" story on the blog. Anywho, unto lyrical business. 
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Today's post, Conquering Lion, is one that is sure to get you kneeling and praying. The Lord has gently convicted me of my approach to unbelieving family, friends and strangers. As you read last week in Tear Down The Walls, God revealed to me that in pointing out someone's sin, I was not winning them over to the Lord but rather kicking a dead horse. He has taught me that love covers a multitude of sin and that if I am surely to win anyone over to Christ it will be by the power of the Holy Spirit's love. 
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This week, through the lyrics of this song and through a short passage in 1 Kings I want to to encourage you to pray for those in your life who do not know Jesus personally and intimately. 
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Some time later the woman’s son became sick. He grew worse and worse, and finally he died. Elijah replied, “Give me your son.” And he took the child’s body from her arms, carried him up the stairs to the room where he was staying, and laid the body on his bed. And he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the Lord, “O Lord my God, please let this child’s life return to him.” The Lord heard Elijah’s prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he revived! 1 Kings 17:17, 19, 21-22

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Dear Friends, may we be men and women who are prayer warriors as Elijah was. May we lay down our lives in prayer, standing in the gap for those who do not know the saving power and mighty grace of God. Through our prayers, immense strongholds and the strongest of chains can be broken. May our prayers be the fuel that revives these dead lives, may our prayers be heard by the Conquering Lion who can break any and every chain. 


Conquering Lion, Dominic Balli 



Bound up I saw him drowning today
He never look or even question
Is the burden of his free choice death
Cuz he can’t see and he can’t touch his chains
Well the Bible says to whom that you obey
To this one you become it’s slave, child
Either of sin leading to death or of
obedience leading to righteousness
Do those shackles bring freedom?

Chorus:
The Conquering Lion shall break every chain
The Conquering Lion shall break every chain
The Conquering Lion shall break every chain
Shall break every chain

Another day another time and I will break it then
My life, it’s my choice, I’ll choose how and when
But on the other side a battle cry
A fight for life and a life worth fighting for
Triumph’s loss if you never take it home
Victory is vain unless you claim your gold
One life to live you’ve got it one life to give
And when your freedom’s in the balance will you stand or fold?

Mind captive can you feel it pressing harder
Freedom born with now stolen by sin
Bound by your disbelief the fear enlarges
Conscience dead to what true love is
Liberty and justice, surety and fullness
America’s dream has not brought much contentment
Equality from within, prosperity and freedom
Is it just a figment of our imagination?
Or are we living free?

evening, morning and at noon

As for me, I will call upon God,
and the LORD shall save me.
Evening 
and morning 
and at noon
I will pray, and cry aloud, 
And He shall hear my voice.
Psalm 55:16-17


Do you have a need today?
Are you struggling? 
Is there affliction in your life? 
Pray!
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Do you know someone in need? 
Do you know someone who is struggling?
Do you know someone in affliction?
Pray for them! 
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How can I pray for you?