DAILY PRAYERS:
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” Joshua 1:9
Don’t misunderstand me, my strength doesn’t come from me. It doesn’t even come from my ‘faith’. My strength comes from God. He strengthens me. My faith is a gift. Yet when I lost my faith, He was still there – with me. With or without it God has strengthened me. Don’t misunderstand me. I am not powerless – a victim to circumstance – simply ‘accepting’ everything that comes at me, without a will of my own! NO! Where does God begin and end in me? That is the brilliant mystery of Christianity! The Father and Son live in me – as I, Layla, live in them. Together – different, but one unit! God has given me His Spirit to comfort me, and help me. Help me how? To do better? Be better? No! To Help me to become more like The Son. Where does God begin and end in me? What a beautiful thing to wonder at! God told me “DO NOT BE AFRAID. DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED. FOR I THE LORD WILL BE WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO.” To truly follow God I had to obey that! I had to really Listen to it! DO NOT BE AFRAID. It wasn’t just a comforting slogan. It was a command! DO NOT BE AFRAID! In the Name of Jesus Christ, God The Son, I command you spirit of fear to depart from me. I will fear no evil, for the Lord is with me. I COMMAND every force of darkness coming against me to leave. I seal my mind shut against all accusations, insinuations and condemnations! It is the Will of God that I BE NOT AFRAID. I will obey only the voice of the Lord!!…and that is how I overcame Evil. Through the Power of Christ. Amen.
Saturday, February 4th, 2012
The King’s Family…
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” – Jesus (Matthew 25:35)
Dear God, thank you for changing my heart. Thank you for replacing my heart of stone for a heart of flesh. Thank you for showing me Mercy. Thank you for giving me a merciful heart. To love the ‘least’ of these brothers and sisters of yours. Thank you for giving me Your Spirit, to guide me into All Truth. Please help me Jesus to Know and Carry out our Father’s will. I Love you. Amen.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Beyond Logic…
My sister is shooting a film in South Africa! Yet, today, as I was walking through a sea of people in the concourse under my office building, I saw a woman that looked identical to my sister. For a second I really believed it was her. I ‘know’ that she is in South Africa. I know this. 100%. We e-mail everyday to touch base and stay connected. I see photos of where she is. I had just read an e-mail from her an hour earlier. Yet for an instant, all reason, all logic, everything that I know that tells me that she is half way around the world went out the window for the hope that it was her. I almost jumped on this lady. Love is that powerful. It makes you abandon everything you think you ‘know’ and trust, for the hope of being reconciled with who you love! Realizing that this woman was not my sister definately disappointed me – but it also reminded me how passionately I love her. I love her beyond reason. I love her beyond logic. I love her completely. I pray God that people would know this kind of love, with each other, and with YOU. My heart skips a beat every time I catch a glimpse of you in the crowd! I love you. Amen.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Preacher Man…
My son and I had an arguement – I was so tired and snappy, later while he was in the shower, and I was alone in the kitchen doing the dishes I felt guilty. Our relationship is so powerful and blessed that we talk through anything and everything that might come between us. We are transparent with each other. As I picked up socks and toys off of the floor, he asked me what I was thinking, and I told him that sometimes I have thoughts that tell me mean things about myself. He quickly stuck his head out of the side of the shower curtain and looked at me with those piercing Irish eyes and said ‘You’re a hard core Christian and you’re gonna listen to Satan’s crap???’ My son – the preacher man! He said ‘No matter what tiny arguements we have or things that might happen – you’re the best mom ever! Don’t forget that. You’re not some ‘normal’ distant mom, you’re actually my friend too. And I would like you even if you weren’t my mom’ How do you top that? I didn’t choose to become a mom! I didn’t go looking for this person, my son – who is truly the greatest evidence of how well God knows what will make me happy! He CALLED me to be his mother – and he has healed my childhood by using me to give my son the best childhood. One that is filled with the security that only Christ can provide. One that is filled with the power and authority to dismiss Satan’s tactics. Thank you Jesus – for giving me a son that I am proud to call my friend. Amen.
Wednesday, February 1st, 2012
Blessed Are Those Who Believe Without Seeing…
I used to think that people who believed so deeply in spiritual things they’d never seen were extraordinary people. They were people of ‘faith’, abnormal somehow – like those people with super strength who can lift cars. Human – but different than me, in a way I could never be. Later in my life I used to think that people who believed so deeply in Jesus, a man they’d never seen were insane. Delusional. Zealots. Ku-ku! Brainwashed. I felt sorry for them – how could intelligent, creative people be so stupid? Later still in my life, I used to think that people who believed so deeply in God, in Christ were simply ‘manifesting’ their own beliefs. It was real because they wanted it to be real. The power of their belief made it so! The power to create and ‘actualize’ the thoughts held dearest to them – somehow produced this ‘faith’. The truth is, it never occurred to me that there was another way UNTIL it happened to me. I can believe without seeing, because I have been given eyeballs in my spirit. It started with a humble willingness to know God. A ‘hope’ that something I couldn’t feel/taste/see or prove, could be real. A ‘wondering’ – could something be true independant of me? Could something be real and true whether or not I had anything to do with it?? Is there anything beyond me? Beyond the highest reach of my imagination? Beyond my powerful ability to ‘manifest’? THAT humility invited the Spirit of Christ to move INTO me! It didn’t ‘call’ him, my hope and wondering was an answer to HIS call. He knocked. I answered. He came in. The result? He has given me eyes to see. Jesus – can I just say, how much I love you? Give me more faith, to love you with even greater boldness. That I may love this broken world THROUGH you! Amen.
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012
The Grave Is Empty…
We are in the middle of an INCREDIBLE Bible study right now! It’s amazing because it’s so simple and clear – it doesn’t try to philosphize what we’re reading or add anything which can really take away from the beauty and POWER of God’s word! I could list a thousand things that have jumped out at me – and that have deepened my understanding of things I could only wonder about for so long – but for today this is all I keep thinking about: The Grave is empty! After Jesus was crucified and before his followers saw Him resurrected they were in despair – having not truly understood his words when He was alive that this would happen! They thought that maybe someone had stolen His body – who knows what they thinking after going through the horrible experience of knowing that their savior had died a brutal and vicious death on the cross!! The Grave is empty! Not only had Jesus come back to life – He Defeated Death! He overcame it! And kicked the Devil’s ass! He destroyed his claim on humanity. Jesus was more than another Lazarus – he wasn’t just brought back to life, he was completely transfigured, He will never die again! …and his sad disciples had no idea – not yet! I wonder what they felt like looking into that empty grave? When I think about the empty grave in my life – I can’t stop crying at how much I love you God! I should be dead in the ground but I’m not. I should be in prison, but I’m not. I should be depressed and anxious and full of shame, but I’m not. I should be overwhelmed and discouraged, but I’m not. I should be intimaidated to be quieter and more subtle about who you are Jesus – but I’m not. I should be in hell, but I’m not. Why? Because the Grave is empty! It took Mary Magdalen a few minutes to realize why the tomb was empty, it took some of Jesus’ other followers a few hours. It took me years. Years to realize who you really are Jesus. To realize why it is that the grave in my life is empty, and that it is ONLY possible because you walked out of yours over 2000 years ago! Amen!
Monday, January 30th, 2012
Jesus answered, ‘You call me a king. And you are right. I was born into this world for this purpose: to speak about the truth. Everybody who loves the truth listens to me.’ John 18:37
Even when I ‘hated’ christians – for years – and thought I would NEVER have anything to do with you Jesus – you did something to my heart. It had been pumping lies for most of my life – and yet one drop of your love, slowly but surely turned my heart to love the truth! And the words you spoke over 2000 years ago followed my life, I loved the truth..I love the truth, and I Listen to you! ….just as you said “Everybody who loves the truth listens to me” Bam – you’re the Man! Amen.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Jesus Prays:
“I am praying on behalf of these disciples. I am not praying on behalf of the people who belong to the world. My disciples belong to you. And you have given them to me. So I am praying on their behalf. All that I have is yours. And all that you have is mine….I am not praying on behalf of these disciples only. Other people will believe in me because of what my disciples say about me. I am praying on behalf of all these people, too. My prayer is that they will love each other. Father, I belong to you. You belong to me. I ask that they will give themselves to us completely. Then the people in this world will believe that you have sent me.
You have given these people to me. And I have given to them the same glory that you gave to me. This is so that they will love each other as one family. Father, you and I are one God. They belong to me. And I belong to you. So cause them to be content together and to love each other. Then the people in this world will know that you have sent me. You love my people as much as you love me. The people in this world will realise this, too.
Father, you have given these people to me. I want all of them to be with me, where I am. Then they will see my glory. You gave this glory to me because you loved me. You loved me even before you created the world. Holy Father! The people in this world do not know you. But I know you. And my disciples know that you sent me. I showed to them what you are like. I will continue to show to them what you are like. Then the love that you have for me will be in them, too. And they will belong to me completely.” John 17. AMEN!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
You Know Who You Are…
Brothers. The men who don’t sleep with vulnerable newcomer women. The men who don’t gossip. The men who aren’t threatened by other men with strength. You know who you are. You’re the ones with a heart big enough to overlook people’s mistakes, yet strong enough to stand up for what’s right and real. You are the true leaders – captains of the team because you serve the team. Just because we don’t talk about it alot -please don’t think that we don’t notice, or know who you are. We do. I do! And I love you. Thank you, for being real men who know how to be a part of the team, thank you for not taking advantage of me when I was young and weak. Thank you for sharing the power – thank you for loving God more than your own agendas. Thank you for staying – day in and day out, on the side of the underdog – YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE! Thank you for being our brothers, and God’s sons. We love you!
Friday, January 27th, 2012
The Spirit Of Holiness…
Is there something you value more than the Truth? Do you love something or someone more than God? Then that will be the avenue that Satan will use to defeat you. That will be the weapon that he uses to destroy you, the prison he will keep you in. Meaning, anything that you care about more than God – will be used against you. Does that not mean I don’t love passionately or care about things, I do. But anyting that I have that I try to keep apart from the safety of my relationship with God will destroy me. Many, many people have gotten a taste of the truth, have seen a glimpse of the real Jesus, many people I have met over the years have had profound spiritual experiences and have started to awaken. EVERY SINGLE person that has fallen away, fell away because something or someone became so important to them – it became more important than God. The result? You forsake God’s protection, and Satan now has an opening – to use your own desires against you. God, please keep me safe from all lies. Keep me safe from my own desires. I receive the spirit of holiness in my life to walk in purity in the name of Jesus. Amen Rom.1:4
Thursday, January 26th, 2012
Having Trouble?
Being falsely accused? Gossiped about? In the centre of ‘hater-ville?’ Do you feel rejected because you Sincerely Love Jesus and God is opening your eyes to the Truth in the Bible? Do you feel like the more you become a real Christian, the more unwelcome you are in places that are supposedly ‘God friendly’? Are you in the centre of a group/church/synagogue/club thats membership and socializing has become a substitute for SEEKING God? Do you feel like God can’t hear you in your troubles? Well – He can, and He’s already answered “The people in this world will hate you. When this happens, remember my words! They hated me before they hated you. If you belonged to this world, then its people would love you. But you do not belong to this world. I chose you to leave the things of this world. That is why the people in this world will hate you…They will do all these things to you because you belong to me…I have told all this to you so that these troubles will not destroy your faith. Men will force you to leave the synagogues…..they have not known the Father or me….remember my words. John 15/16 Amen.
Wednesday, January 25th, 2012
Remain In My Love…
John 15:8, Jesus says: ” My Father can receive great glory from your lives. But you need to achieve the results that God wants in your lives. And so you show that you really are my disciples. I have loved you in the same way as the Father loves me. So remain in my love. You will remain in my love if you obey my commands. I have obeyed my Father’s commands, so I remain in his love. I have told this to you so that you will be happy. You will be completely happy, as I am! I am telling you to love each other in the same way that I love you. The greatest love that you can show on behalf of your friends is this: to die on their behalf. You are my friends if you obey me.” Dear Jesus, I thank you for giving me your Holy Spirit to not just give me the ‘power and strength’ to love like this – but for creating in me a new heart and mind in the image of The Father – to love like this! I thank you God, for my remaining in your Love. Let all of us who confess that Jesus is The Savior and is God The Son, love each other this passionately, that we can show the world that we are truly your disciples. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Tuesday, January 24th, 2012
Power Corrupts…
God, there are so many examples in the Bible where people who genuinely tried to serve you and do what’s right and received your Power – became corrupted. It is not easy to avoid the trap that comes with ambition, popularity, success and fame. It’s easy to start thinking you must be important because God gave you an important job. It’s easy to start living for yourself and your plans again. It’s easy to slip into God’s throne. God, you have saved me so many times from the temptation to think I can enjoy anything apart from you. You have saved me from the ‘work’ it takes to keep myself safe. You are my safety. My refuge. My security. You are my greatest teacher. You left your throne in heaven – and clothed yourself in humanity, and resisted all temptation – to redeem me. To save me. The ONLY Power that does not corrupt, is the Power of Your Love Jesus. Love keeps the powerful humble. And for that, I really love you. Amen
Monday, January 23rd, 2012
Fellowship Of The Spirit…
I have met people who within 5 minutes we have fallen in love with each other – and now share a bond that is fierce in love and loyalty – and we don’t even live in the same country!! We have become family, and will love each other forever. I have also sat next to and walked side by side with people for years – and yet we are still strangers. No matter what common purpose we share, no matter how many people we have in common, our HEARTS are not united. Dear God, thank you for giving me a wonderful Fellowship of The Spirit. Thank you God, for bringing me together with so many people who I absolutely adore – and who love me back – and thank you God, that we are united in and through your Spirit. I ask you God to bless each and every one of my Spirit family members, who are scattered all over the world. AND – I ask for a special blessing for everyone who is not in this ‘inner circle’ of spiritual Love. I pray that by your Love and supernatural graciousness you would graft them into The Fellowship Of Your Holy Spirit. I Love You God! Amen.
Sunday, January 22nd, 2011
Are You Surprising?
A lady stepped on me hard – really hard, on the subway, and when I turned to her and started a conversation with her about how many times I’ve done that myself, she looked really – surprised. Surprised that I didn’t bite her head off. I was in the grocery store on Saturday, and the woman avoiding my eyes, trying to sneakily butt ahead of me in line looked REALLY surprised when I just let her in. Last week I ran into a girl who looked so guilty when she saw me, because she knows that I know how much gossip she’s spread about me – and when I hugged her and acted like it didn’t matter – she looked so surprised that she apologized! Have you ever acted in a way that surprised people – in a good way? Imagine if you started doing that deliberately! God – when I told you all of my faults and you forgave me – and set me free, I was surprised! When I thought for sure my life was over – and you gave me a new and beautiful life, I was surprised! When I trust you and relinquish control, and watch how Everything Comes Under Your Control – I am always happily surprised! Please – let me be a surprise of goodness to others, everywhere I go. Let me surprise myself with fresh willingness to love and forgive. Amen
Saturday, January 21st, 2012
Guard Yourself Against Foolishness…
I used to be so afraid of being accused of closed mindedness and intolerance, that I caused myself alot of unneeded grief and confusion listening to the silliest advice! It was beyond ‘people pleasing’, beyond playing both sides – this was a genuine fear of becoming unteachable! And so – I listened to alot of nonsense, by alot of people who didn’t know what they were talking about. My attempt to avoid being unteachable was as a result of not trusting God to be my teacher. A good teacher uses many aides, and so has God used many in my life. He has sent me many people and many ways through His Holy Spirit to teach me – and write His Laws on my heart.
When people – especially non Christians try to advise me on how to be a better Christian, I always remember God’s words to me – “Guard Yourself Against Foolishness” The only antidote to foolishness is Truth – All Truth Comes From you God – thank you God for being my teacher, thank you God for putting people in my path who really do walk and live the path of Truth – I have learned amazing things from them. I have learned how to love them and be loved by them exactly as you said we should to show the world that we belong to you! Amen.
Friday, January 20th, 2012
Do I Want To Escape?
Or do I just want a bigger cell? Do I want to wake up in my nightmare – know that I’m dreaming, and try to change it and make it better – or do I want to wake up FROM the Nightmare? There is one difference though! In real life the cell is eternal, and the nightmare has real and permanent effects. God, you saved me from Real Hell and Misery on Earth – and you saved my soul. If this was not true – why the haste? Why not just live out our short lives – and try again next time? Why, would God come into the world as a human and suffer an excrutiating death on a cross for us? For what? If Sin and Death are not real – just an ‘illusion’, why the extreme measures in God’s intervention? I am not asking these questions looking for an answer – these are questions I asked myself for years, that woke me up from the delusion of New Age (old Deception) that says Sin and Death are not real – that says that we do not need a Savior. You see that is the Only Reason for which Jesus Christ, the Son of God came into this world. And for that Jesus, I thank you. I thank you for the people who continued to speak the Truth about you in the face of vicious and violent opposition. I thank you, that they delivered me to your doorstep! Amen.
Thursday, January 19th, 2012
Do I Believe In You, Or Do I Believe In You?
I used to think that if I believed you are who you say that you are – that’s it! But it isn’t. I began to see that believing was the beginning. That as a Result of this, I could now really listen to you (obey you) and that has made me your follower – and That HAS made me free! I love your words Jesus, and what they mean to me, and what they mean for us, the people who believe in you: Then, Jesus spoke to the Jews who had believed in him. He said, ‘Obey me. Continue to follow what I teach you. If you do this, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth. And the truth will make you free.’ John 8:31. Amen.
Wednesday, January 18th, 2012
Thompson…
Are you deceived? Or a deceiver? I was both! I searched for the Truth for many years, yet wnated to believe that there was no such thing as absolute Truth! Just my own personal experience, opinion, or concept. But the more I settled into this – the more dissatified I became! You see, the more I experienced God, the more I came to realize that He has His own story to tell, separate from the myths and legends I created about Him. Separate from the myths and legends people taught me about Him. For a time – He allowed me to approach Him even with all of my own stories about Him. Because He loves me. But to cross the threshold into God’s homeland territory, I had to make a choice, do I want to know the Facts about God? Let me put it to you this way – you may not know me, you may just know of me, or we may have met, but you really don’t know me in an intimate way. You have heard many things about me – including where I come from, my family history, etc. Here’s a Fact about me: I was born in Thompson, Canada. A small nickel mining town in the province of Manitoba. This is a fact. Can you accept that about me? I am telling you this. My mother and Father, who I came from will also tell you this. Imagine, if you could not accept my answer! Imagine if you chose to continue believing that I was born somewhere else. It would either mean that you really don’t trust me and can’t take my word for it – or it would mean that you are insane, if you somehow tried to believe that you know me, love me, and yet doubt the FACTS that I am telling you about myself. That is a deeply rooted arrogance and pride that’s kind of creepy!
There is no way that you can sincerely come to Jesus, and ask Him the facts of Who He is, and where He came From, and not receive the Facts from Him. He will tell you. But first, you must stop telling Him! Dear Jesus, thank you for giving us the Bbile to learn all about who you really are. Thank you for giving us your Holy Spirit to be able to understand those words as the Truth that they are. Amen.
Tuesday, January 17th, 2012
Lazarus…
I have always been fascinated by the story of Lazarus – for the simple reason that Jesus could bring a man back to life from death! What fascinates me seems to change over time. I have always wanted to believe in a God who could prevent my death – who could heal me. And He did. But the Jesus that I now know, the Jesus of the Bible is the One who allowed me to ‘die’, like He allowed Lazarus to die. He allowed me to die to ‘self’, to be taken off of life support, the support of family, friends and worldly treatment. I died. Inside. There was nothing left to give me hope. God could have intervened and saved me from the suffering, just like he could have saved Lazarus from his illness. He could have saved my family and friends from the pain of my ‘death’ just like He could have saved Martha and Mary from the pain of watching their brother Lazarus die. But He didn’t. Lazarus was dead for 4 days, in a tomb. I was ‘dead’ inside for a long time. He did not send word to them that He was coming to bring him back to life – He did not send me word that He was going to bring me to life either. And then, He SHOWED UP! And wept. In the Bible it says that you wept Jesus! The Lord’s tears baptized my soul. He Resurrected me from death. And Nothing and no one can ever take me away from Him. That’s the truth! One day, I will grow old and die, Lazarus also grew old and died. But you Jesus are the Life, you are the Resurrection. My physical death will be a temporary death. Why? Because you Overcame Death itself. You over powered it. Over ruled it. Overcame it. Let this Faith I have in you and in your Power and Authority over Death itself sink into the deepest part of my Spirit. Let me trust that when you don’t ‘seem’ to show up right away – and things get bad, that you have a plan. The plan. As always! Amen.
Monday, January 16th, 2012
Would You…
Sometimes when I am asked to speak somewhere, the night before I do, I sit in the crowd and pretend I’m no one. Sometimes it’s nice to be a stranger. And I watch how people act towards me and the people around them. I watch how differently they act when they see me the next day at the front of the room, when they think I’m ‘important’. And I wonder, would you still love me the same if I walked in wearing rags and acting insane? Would you give up your seat for the guy 2 days sober like you do for your hero? Do you love and honor the person sitting next to you the way you do your favourite pastor/speaker/idol?
Let me tell you something I learned the hard way, the way that you treat the person who is considered the LEAST among you, is the way that you treat God. He is looking at you through the man and woman you walk by on the street. He is watching you through the people you slander, through the people you dismiss, through the guy living in a shelter that you don’t think is good enough to be a part of your group.
Once upon a time, I saw the Lord watching me through a man dressed in filthy rags – and His eyes told me the truth, that all of my hero worship and good deeds were seen as filthy rags to God. I asked Him to forgive me and make me right! I love the outcasts and the broken hearted, not as an attempt to win God’s Favor, but because He favored me when I was the outcast and the broken hearted! AMEN.
Sunday, January 15th, 2012
Are you great?
An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest. But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side, and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.”
Do you want to be great? Do you think it will be by memorizing the Bible? (not saying we shouldn’t). Do you think it will be by increasing prayer and meditation? (not saying we shouldn’t). Do you think it will be by swearing less, dressing nice, giving more, eating better, taking notes, correcting each other? If you want to be great, than be a servant. Jesus was. Put people ahead of you! Make the chronic relapser believe you believe him when he says he’s ready – again. Remove the words “I’m too busy with work/kids/life” from your vocabulary. Do you want to be great? I didn’t. I just happened to meet the ONE who is Great, by receiving his children, the ones considered worthless, and by receiving them, I Received Him, and by Receiving Him, I know what it means to be Great. I Loved you Jesus, from the bottom of my broken heart…and you knitted it back together! Amen.
Saturday, January 14th, 2012
Elihu…
Dear God, it’s so easy to think we know – to think we know what we need, and what our friends need. But in my Spirit you’ve put your wisdom inside of me, you have told me, that though a garden may need rain for 6 solid days, on the 7th I should not assume that it needs rain again. God, my friends come to me – come to us, every single day, needing wisdom, needing counsel, needing understanding. Should I be like Job’s friends, and list to them which mistakes I think they’ve made that’s set their crisis in motion? Shall I MULTIPLY words without knowledge by sharing fluff with them to just ‘accept’ things as they are? Should I remind them that their good works will soon be recognized by you? As if you need reminding on who belongs to you and who doesn’t?
Or Should I be like Elihu to Job – and remind them of who YOU are. I can only show them what I have. I have you. The Righteous, and Holy Judge.
Here is God’s response to us taking matters into our own hands hands. The response to us who are tempted to weigh the evidence in our lives and the lives of our friends and come to a conclusion about what is happening, and why:
“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?…I will ask you, and you instruct Me! Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it? On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, When the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Have you ever in your life commanded the morning, and caused the dawn to know its place…have you entered into the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep?…Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?…Where is the way to the dwelling of light? And darkness, where is its place? That you may take it to its territory and that you may discern the paths to its home?” ( Job 38)
Who are we to decide? Who are we to conclude how to counsel? I have total confidence in my wisdom to my friends, here is my wisdom: Don’t rely on my wisdom! Don’t rely on yours! Rely on our God’s wisdom. Let’s read Job 32 together, and ask God His wisdom. Let’s seek the knowledge of His Will for us.
Dear God I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.’ I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You; therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes. (Job 42) Amen.
Friday, January 13th, 2012
Listen…
It occurred to me God, that if you did not exist, if you stopped existing, I would not be, I would not exist. Nothing would. But if I was taken out of this world, if the whole world ceased to exist, you would still BE. YOU are the Creator. There is not one single human being that can create out of nothing. Not one. Even our most basic thoughts of creativity and the ambition to mold the raw materials you’ve provided..all of that did not originate from us, if it did we would have a clear memory of it! What is it in this world that truly belongs to us? Everything we have ever made or used has been provided. What can we possibly take credit for?
You, you God are the One who can speak Light into Darkness..created everything out of nothing. That process, that means of creation that everything was made out of, that came out of the Father, is who you are Jesus. It fills me with awe, and reverence. It also fills me with genuine loyalty and love for you..that in your awesome power and unlimited creation, you had me in mind from the beginning of the beginning. To Share this with me, to gift me with your power. To bring me here. To show me flowers, and rain, to show me creation in every step I take. They all point to you. They all reveal you. When I Listen. Really Listen. Thank you. Amen.
Thursday, January 12th, 2012
I Know The Ocean Through You…
Many people have asked me where I ‘studied’ to become a Christian! Where I earned my degree in information on Christ. What meditation do I practice? What book do I read that taught me about the Bible? What handout I use? How can I claim to know the Truth? Really know it. Why do I not struggle like I used to? Why..how..why..is not the same as seeking! I SOUGHT the Truth – and The Truth, set me Free. What is that Truth? It isn’t an idea or principle or even a way of life – it’s a person. Jesus Christ.
Trying to be a Christian is a waste of time. No way you could live up to that. Instead, I live up to exactly who I am. I am Nothing without you Jesus. I know nothing, can learn nothing, and am going nowhere without you. How is it that I came to have the Son of God, live THROUGH me? I ate my oranges with him. I wait at the bus stop with you Jesus. I put away laundry with you. I read on the internet with you. I read the Bible with you. I take the subway with you. I brush my hair with you. And I have come to Know your Father, through you. You are the perfect representative of Him. I have never seen The Father or the ocean of His Love face to face, yet I know Him through you. I Know the ocean of His Love through you.
What peace, what indescribable joy, what tender love that sweeps through my spirit all day long, to live my life with you, in you, and through you. This is the question of God for you dear reader: “Do you want to KNOW the Jesus that you study?” Amen.
Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
The Centre Of…
Dear Jesus, I pray that you please help me not to lose sight of the most important thing to me – you. Please help me to keep you at the centre of my worship. You are the rock that my life is built on. You are my rescue. My hope. My strength. You are the reason that I am 100% free. Thank you for buying back my freedom with your own blood. May I make my life an unceasing thank you to you. Amen.
Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
Doubt…
Dear God, I read something beautiful today, a man said that having faith is to believe in a miracle before it happens. There have been so many miracles in my life. Saving my life – and busting me out of hell are high up on the list! And then doubt creeps back in…will you do it again? Will you heal me? Will you change this situation/feeling/relationship? Do you care enough about something I care about to consider it ‘miracle worthy’…these are some of my thoughts God. And then I remember the best miracle of all. That you Know me. That you Love me. That you have always brought me out of the best of my plans and into your PERFECT plan. Let me have faith before a ‘miracle’ happens. I want to stand with you, and watch it all come to pass – and know that you were in control and in charge all along! I trust you God, that your perfect plan is unfolding as it should! Amen.
Monday, January 9th, 2012
Do You Love Me Too?
I was praying for you, I was alone in my living room, and I was praying for you. I was alone – but I felt you with me. I felt what it would be like if you let me love you like I love my son – with total abandon. It’s like time stopped, and we all got to catch up to each other, and everything made sense. Everything was ok. We were a team. And Jesus is the captain. I was alone – yet you were there with me. All of you. All of us. Together. And what I needed you to know, most of all, is this: You are not alone. You never are. The Lord, who’s heart lives in us, has truly made us ONE Body of Christ. I felt you, and I loved you. Do you love me too? Dear God, I hope so. Amen.
Sunday, January 8th, 2012
If You Knew…
If you knew the gift of God – you wouldn’t be asking Him a million questions. You wouldn’t ask Him why he wants a cup of water from you (John 4). If you knew the gift that God wants to give you – you would ask Him for it. He offers you eternal life. He offers you complete forgiveness and absolute change. He gives you a V.I.P pass into the most exclusive relationship since the beginning of the beginning – He would give you the Love that has always existed between the Father and Son. If You Knew – even a glimpse of the brilliance of this Love – you would give up everything you owned for it – you would trade every moment of your life for it – you would refuse to settle for anything less. So I pray, that God gives you a glimpse of this Love, so that you might find the opening in your heart to accept His gift. I pray that you would see that you can ask for it, right where you are, being who you are. I pray that you would drink the Living Water that Jesus offers – and never be thirsty again. Amen
Saturday, January 7th, 2012
Are You Tired?
Are you weary? Are you drained? Do you secretly feel so burned out and uninspired? Are you tired of feeling like you’re in a losing battle – or chained to the grind of life and work? As if you’re just being dragged along for the ride. Jesus said “Come to me, I will give you rest.” He said alot of other things with it, that really get deep into those words – that being ‘tied’ to him will bring us rest and peace – because the Truth is, He does most of the work. His gentleness has Power. His Rest is supernatural! Read those words and understand that he meant them for you! Come to Him – the rest you will experience will fill you with an enthusiam and energy that you never imagined! You will be surprised. Help us God, to take a step towards you in faith. Help us to let our heavy burdens drop at your feet, and let us settle into your presence, and help us to rest in you. Amen.
Friday, January 6th, 2012
John 15:12
This is your commandment to us Jesus, that we love one another, just as you have loved us. When you said that greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends, you used your own life as an example. You didn’t ‘risk’ your life to save us, you gave it up. King of Heaven, The One who gives life, gave up His life!! You say that we are your friends if we do what you command us. You don’t call us servants anymore. You don’t treat us like servants, who don’t know what their master is up to. Alot of people are satisfied with that, because they want to live their own separate life from you, while trying to remain in your ‘good books’ by pretending to be humble by staying as servants. But you have called us friends, for all things that you have heard from Your Father you have made known to us. We did not choose You, but you chose us, and appointed us that we would go and bear fruit, and that our fruit would remain, so that whatever we ask of the Father in Your name He may give to us. This is Your command to us, that we love one another. May we love one another with the heart and passion of The Father. Amen.
Thursday, January 5th, 2012
“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” (John 15:9)
Dear God, thank you for showing me the truth about this! Thank you for giving me the Holy Spirit to teach me this. That not one piece of fruit – not one good thing has grown from me without me Abiding – living in you! My experiece is that it’s true – but I lived totally blind, to my own experience. Evidence is meaningless if you’re blind!! Anything that is produced apart from you God is worthless. Thank you God for giving me the willingness and the power to keep your Father’s commandments, by giving me your heart, by writing your laws on my heart, and for the joy that is now in me, for the joy that is made full in me. Unreasonable, inexhaustable joy. Amen.
Wednesday, January 4th, 2012
My Refuge…
God, I don’t know exactly when this happened. I can’t remember which storm it was, which prayer ‘session’ it was. I’m not sure. What I do know is that you keep your promises. You have given me the peace I have been looking for all of my life. I wake up with peace, and I go to sleep with peace. I live all of my days now with your peace. Good days – and bad days, all of them, even through sadness and trials, I still have this peace, that really does surpass and outshine all understanding. Once upon a time I begged and pleaded for just moments of peace, through dread and anguish – and YOU promised me that you would not forsake me, that you would restore my soul and give me Peace. Thank you. Thank you for fulfilling this promise: The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronhghold in times of trouble. And they that know your name will put their trust in you: for you, LORD, have not forsaken them that seek you. (psalm 9:9) Amen.
Tuesday, January 3rd, 2011
Specialists In Supernatral Aid And Rescue…
The next time you walk by an ordinary looking man who happens to be a janitor – or a professional looking man adjusting his tie before an important Board meeting, or a tired looking mom of twins crossing the street, or a shop keeper windexing her store window, or one of the other hundreds of thousands of Christians you walk by all of the time – remember this: God has given each and every one of them the special title of being a specialist in Supernatural Aid and Rescue. They may not yet be exercising the Power and Authority that God has given them – but the Son of The Living God Himself has given this charge to them. Respect them. Love them. Help them.
The best way to do this is to start living like the gospel spreading, demon butt kicking, well of the Lord’s Spirit, champion of the people that you are! Do you not understand yet the implications of this. No, this isn’t about feeling good and being nice and minding your own business and looking good at church on Sunday. This is about proclaiming Freedom to the captives and introducing them to the Lord of Hosts Himself. And wrenching them free from the bonds of Satan. Who you? Yes you! Am I supposed to get on a plane and deliver a message to the person standing next to you in line at the grocery store? Am I supposed to interpret the Holy Spirit’s message to your bank teller that God is whispering in your heart? Sit down with your Bible, pray that the Lord lead you and open it up. Start reading. Google “Christian Deliverance” pray for God to sift through all of the information with you – to teach you. To prepare you for the droves of people that God IS sending you. Get out there. Get in there. Your brothers and sisters are waiting for you. The Lord is waiting for you – to buff and shine your name plate that He carved with the nails of His cross and painted with his precious shed Blood: Specialist In Supernatural Aid And Rescue. Amen.
Monday, January 2nd, 2012
“Behold, we count them as blessed those who have persevered, who have endured. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy”
Dear God, I want to ’perservere’ no matter what life brings me. Not matter what ‘surprises’ might even still be hiding inside of me. Not just for my end reward – but because I want to be like you Jesus. I want to keep loving and standing in the Truth because it’s who I am. I believe because of your supernatural blood and your Holy Spirit within me, that this is the truth of who I am. Anything else is a lie that Satan would try to feed me. I am not strong or able to endure anything because ”I” can now do this. I am strong and able to endure because you can. My heart understand this. I pray God that you help people to know you in such an intimate way that they would trade their blood for yours. I love you. Amen
Sunday, January 1st, 2012
Let My People Go…
Dear God, thank you for giving me a wonderful ‘Fellowship of the Spirit’…you know who they all are. All of them, some of them reading these words. Some of them I haven’t met yet, some of them I will never meet – but we all belong to the Father – and we all love each other In The Spirit of True Fellowship. I pray for all of us now. I pray that this be a new beginning. I pray that you turn all of our hearts like rivers of water, towards your will. I pray that the people in the centre of the battle be strengthened, I pray that you send them help and friends who will jump into the trenches with them – and stay with them. I pray for those on the outskirts, who have not yet seen your face – I pray that you shine your face on them – I pray that they come to know you and love you, and talk about you. I pray for the ones who have walked away and turned their backs on you and on us – I pray that you would help me catch up to them and be a mirror of your love and forgiveness and show them that that they can come back – just-like-that. And I pray for the ones in darkness. The ones right now, in this moment who are totally lost. Who have no hope. Who live in absolute misery and anguish. Who know no peace, who right now are thinking there is no way out. God – I pray that you make a way for them, where there was no way. I pray that you prepare the rest of us to keep interceeding on their behalf. And I ask you God, that you give us the strength and the humility to join your voice in unity and harmony to look the Darkness in the eye and say: LET MY PEOPLE GO.
I cover everyone reading this with the Blood of Jesus Christ. I cover, bless and pray for everyone in the Fellowship of the Spirit – great and small. Known and unknown. Lost and Found. I place us all in your hands Father – and pray that you make us worthy to be called your People. We love you. Amen.
Saturday, December 31st, 2011
I Loose Myself…
I loose my mind, will, and emotions from every assignment and spirit of darkness in the name of Jesus. I loose myself from every spoken curse and negative word spoken against my life. I loose myself from the oppression of demonic forces and the malice of people being sent against me. I loose myself from all bonds. I loose myself from the chains of self-sufficiency and pride. I loose myself not because of some ritualistic chanting of words – or because it imbues me with a sense of power. I LOOSE myself because I have the keys of the Kingdom, and whatever I bind on Earth is bound in heaven, and whatever I loose on Earth is loosed in heaven. I can loose myself from ALL control of darkness. I can exercise power and authority for my life – because I am under the power and authority of Jesus Christ Himself. I belong to Him. I am under the rule of His Kingdom. And He has given me the power to look Evil right in the Eye and command it to depart. By His stripes was I healed. By His Blood have I been redeemed. By His mercy have I been forgiven, set free, empowered, and delivered. Every inch of me belongs to Jesus Christ – And for that I say thank you Jesus for another year of bringing me closer to home – and using me to bring others closer to FREEDOM. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Friday, December 30th, 2011
My Psalm 23…
The Lord is my Shepherd, He is the guardian of my soul, there isn’t anything I want or need when I’m in His presence. He takes care of all my needs. He gives me so much peace, Lord – you are the peace of my soul, so much that I am able to lay down my armor and rest in green pastures with you, you keep watch and defend me from the wolves so I can drink deeply and peacefully at the still waters.
You restore my soul, like a sheep that got flipped onto its back, and got stuck that way, you are the GOOD Shepherd that flips me back upside down, to restore me. Give me the faith to trust that you are leading me in the paths of righteouness, dividing the line between light and dark, good and evil, to bring honor to your name – so everyone will know that you are the God that defends the underdog…the poor in spirit…the broken hearted. Everyone will know that you are the God of Love. Yes, I am afraid, yes, my life overwhelms me, yes I feel like I’m walking in a place where darkness stalks me, but I will not be afraid of any evil, because you are not giving me wisdom and direction from a distance – you are actually walking with me, you’ll never leave me, melt my heart so that I can actually feel your presence walking with me….For You Are With Me.
It is you that overcame the world, and sin, and death itself. It is only the shadow of death that haunts me, there is no real death for me. Your rod, which is your symbol of authority, and your staff, which draws me to you, and keeps away those that attack my soul, they really do comfort me, because I can be under your care and protection with complete abandon. You are not only the Good Shepherd who takes care of His flock, you are also the King of kings, and you actually invite me to leave my own one woman party in my tin house, to come into your palace, and not just sit at your table as a guest, you actually are preparing a table for ME. In the old hebrew translation it says, you are preparing MY table in the presence of my enemies. You are giving me my own table, my own feast, my own party in your own house, in the presence of everyone who would not come to my own party, in the presence of all those who reject me and mean me harm, whether person or spirit.
Not for revenge, but so that you will cancel out every piece of evidence and accusation that I might secretly believe makes me unworthy – I will get caught up in the spirit of your celebration with me. I will finally accept that your own DNA woven into mine is what makes me worthy to be called your own flesh and blood. Like Someone who has walked long in the sun, when I come to your door thirsty and sunburnt, you annoint my head with oil, you keep filling my cup that it keeps running over. The oil and water from my cup are symbols of your Spirit, that lives inside me and fills me with an unending fountain of your Essence.
100% for sure, you are THE good guy, you are the hero of the story, not only of mine, but the whole world’s, and even seeing a glimpse of the lengths that you are going to save me, melts my heart, in the same way as watching someone jump in to rescue a drowning man. Your goodness and your mercy- your willingness to share yourself with me even when I didn’t want you, will follow me all the days of my life. And your promise to me, that I will dwell in your house forever is one I want to believe, not to give it the ‘power’ to be true, but because I want to believe what is True. Amen.
Thursday, December 29th, 2011
The Carpenter…
Jesus, did you ever feel impatient having to do all of the human things you did, when it was not yet your ‘time’? Personally, I can’t imagine the patience and humility it would take to carve tables and walk to the market place for bread everyday for over 30 years – while also knowing that you are the One who made everything, and are the rightful King of all the universe!! Who else but you would take the time to become like us – and live among us, the people you created! I feel sorry for all of the people who worship ‘gods’ that promise them powers and riches and knowledge. Yet not one of them was the God of all of creation who became a man who lived with us – only to die for us. Jesus, I really love you, please help me to sink deeper and deeper into your presence tonight during my meditation. Help me to go where you want me to go and be what you want me to be. I cover myself, my family, my fellowship and my prayer group with the Blood of Jesus Christ. I bind, rebuke and dismiss all demonic spirits in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Wednesday, December 28th, 2011
He Did It On Purpose!!!
Last night in my bedroom my simple faith was this: I could smell the breeze coming in through my window – while hearing my heart beating in my chest, knowing I am one of dozens of billions of souls that have come and gone on this earth – and yet I felt so…deliberate. Do you know what it feels like to know that God made you deliberately? To KNOW it! That I am here on purpose. And what really blows me away God – is how easily I could have missed it. Caught up in the noise of my humanity and the noise of the world, I could have missed that moment. And what makes my heart ache so deeply, is to know how carefully you have planned my life so that I don’t miss that moment. I LOVE you! Thank you. Amen.
Tuesday, December 27th, 2011
As I Am…
I get dressed up for my best friend to come over for coffee. I wear a great outfit to go to the movies with my sister. I scrub my bathroom and fluff the pillows when I have guests coming over. I straighten my hair and get my nails done before I travel to speak at a conference. If it were up to me, how would I have prepared myself before meeting Jesus Christ?? I would definately brush up on my inventory and do some great meditations, and give the homeless extra sandwiches – just to keep my best foot forward when meeting Him. But – that is not how I met Jesus. I met him on my knees – full of rage and sadness and contempt. I was in shambles. Destroyed. And feeling ugly and definately not ready to meet the One that angels in heaven love to sing to day and night in worship of his honor and splendor. And…He took me as I am. Just as I was. One big fuzzy mess. The King of Heaven took me as I was. In the place I was. As imperfect as I was. He will take you as you are. Accept His invitation. Tell Him you’re ready for Him to come over – no matter how things look. It doesn’t matter if you’re not ready. His Love for you will make you ready. You won’t regret it. I promise. Amen.
Monday, December 26th, 2011
You Are My Portion Forever…
Dear God, my heart fails. My strength fails. My faith fails. My willingness fails. But you are the strength of my heart. You are the food I eat and the drink I drink that gives me the strength to keep my eyes on you. How sweet it is to know that I am weak! How utterly comforting to know that my strength, heart, courage and knowledge may fail, but YOU do not! And oh the irony!! That the more I am convinced of my weakness, the stronger I become. The smaller I feel – the bigger you become! What a wonderful adventure I am on! To ride on the coat tails of such magnificant Power and Love. WOW! Amen.
Sunday, December 25th, 2011
The Bridge…
You have been called many things. And they’re all true. King of Kings. The Lamb of God. The Holy one of Israel. The Son of God. The Messiah..The Christ..The Light of the world. And so many more. Today is the day we celebrate that day in Bethleham, the day you were born as a human child. Fully God, becoming fully human. The Word made flesh. The day that God’s promise to intervene on our behalf and provide THE escape from sin and death was born. The day our BRIDGE to God was born. Thank you Jesus, for becoming this bridge. I watched a movie once when I was a kid – about a man on an adventure and a mission, he came to the edge of a cliff and saw the other side that he needed to be on – with a few thousand feet drop between him and his destination. The scroll in his hand said there was a bridge right in front of him, that was invisible to his eyes- it said that he MUST take a step with a leap of faith. Looking over the edge of that cliff in terror, he took a step – into what seemed like thin air. The moment he did that, the cloak of invisibility was de-activated, and he could see the bridge. As I watched that movie I remember something whispering in my heart that the day would come that I would take that step. And I have. Thank you Jesus for giving me the hope to step out on you in faith. Thank you for ‘de-activating’ the cloak of invisiblity. For opening my eyes so I can really see you. My friend. My Savior. My Bridge. Amen.
Saturday, December 24th, 2011
Christmas Eve…
Over 2000 years ago on ‘Christmas’ Eve, people were holding their breath and living in hatred. But then Jesus came to save us all from Satan’s power. People were still blind wondering when He will come, but He was on his way. He had a plan, a very big plan to save us all. To love each other. To look at a mustard seed in a different way. Thank you God for coming to earth to save us. Thank you that you could forgive anyone. So I say Amen. (As told by a 10 year old)
Friday, December 23rd, 2011
Blessed Are The Unchosen…
He came for the ones overlooked. He chose the unchosen. He appoints the lowly. It isn’t saints He came for, it’s sinners. He came for people like you and me. Remember that the next time Satan whispers in your ear. God came into the world for you and me. Amen.
Thursday, December 22nd, 2011
The Intervention…
Long lay the world in sin and error pining. All of us living in a dark, hopeless world. Enveloped by darkness. Owned by Satan. Every life pierced by death. What was God’s solution? Thank you God for your Intervention. And Thank you Jesus – for BEING the Intervention. Amen.
Wednesday, December 21st, 2011,
My Heart Shall Not Fear…
An army besieging me? War breaking out against me? The Wicked advancing against me to devour me??? (psalm 27) God, I used to think I was crazy to believe such things! Arrogant! Delusional! Self-important grandiosity?? Who am I to warrant such wrath? Who am I?
Then one day you answered. On the side of Christ! That’s who I am.
And as as result I have inherited the most vile and vicious enemy that ever existed. Wow! The more I draw close to you…the more brutal and savage the assaults have become. With every person who’s heart I have led to you Jesus, does war break out against me. But as David said Who shall I fear? You are the One, God, who makes my enemies fall. You are the One who keeps me safe – hidden within yourself. You are the One whose beautiful face makes me forget all about the war that rages around me. All I want is to dwell in your house, to sing the song back to you, that I heard you sing to me in my dreams. YOU are my confidence. I will wait for you. Gladly. I pray that my heart would be quiet and wait upon the Lord…wait upon the Lord. Amen.
Tuesday, December 20th, 2011
Lord Jesus…
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy upon my soul. Have mercy on me Jesus. Please, help me to make this my prayer all day long. Dear Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me. Have mercy on me. Have mercy on me for thinking I don’t need mercy. For having even the slightest faith in my own strength, even a hint of of hope in my own power. Have mercy on me Jesus for all the ways I keep myself shut off from God. Show mercy on me for my delusion. Have mercy on me Jesus. Amen.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Refuse The bait…
Let me not be tempted to take the bait God. Let me hide in you – my refuge and protection from the Enemy of my soul. Let me not listen to that cunning mixture of truth mixed with lies. Let me consider the source today God. Let me compare everything I hear, everything coming at me – with the WHOLE story of the word of God. You God, will lead me into all Truth. Expose any lies I am believing. I rebuke and silence every tongue that speaks to me that is not motivated by the Spirit of The Living God. Amen.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
We Do Not War Against Flesh And Blood…
Our battle is not with people. Our war is not with human enemies. We war Against the forces of darkness. We wrestle with agents of hell, sent to keep our human ‘enemies’ prisoner. These people do not know what we know, do not see what we see. Their weakness, sin and blindness is used against them to fuel their fears and hatred of us. We must rely on our Lord and Savior to keep us safe from becoming blind again, and mistaking these people as our ‘enemies’. Though they seem to be autonomous in their evil – they are slaves to Satan. To the Enemy of God. But you God, in your infinite mercy and Love, you have given us charge to battle on these people’s behalf. You have sent us into the world not to condemn, not to judge, not to blame…but to battle on their behalf. For…The Spirit of the LORD is upon us, for he has anointed us to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent us to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free…Amen.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Psalm 46…
Dear God, you have given me the power to work your Will, the power to plant your seeds, you have given me power and authority to rebuke the winds, to bind the forces of hell and to set the captives Free. You have also, commanded me to BE STILL. To cease striving. To know that it is you God who holds the earth and all in it in the palm of your hand. You are with us. It is you that wins the battle. It is in you, with you, and through you that we can be at perfect peace and ease when all around us is roaring chaos. Amen.
Friday, December 16, 2011
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you;
I will remove from you your heart of stone and
give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26
Dear God, thank you for giving me a new heart. Just when I thought that I had done all the ‘work’ I could possibly do, and experienced all the Love I could possibly know – that is when you began the real work inside of me. You God – You alone, replaced my heart of stone, and gave me a real heart that can love and be loved. You alone, put a new spirit in me. You alone Jesus stood at the door of my heart and knocked. Thank you, thank you, thank you for staying with me during the rollercoaster ride of my life as I opened the door to you. Thank you for coming into my heart and bringing me to life. Thank you Jesus for how much I need you, and want you, and love you. Amen.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
The Restorer…
Dear God, you inspired my friend today and gave her the wisdom that Satan is the DESTROYER of peace. How scary to be blind to that. How foolish to see this and yet continue to underestimate his power. He uses every chance he can to sow seeds of doubt and insinuation and accusation. What a powerful, cunning Enemy he is. What a vicious and relentless adversary he is. And look how utterly defeated he is!!! THAT is our freedom. WE are Free, because whoever the Son sets Free is Free indeed. We are Free because Jesus destroyed Satan’s claim on us! Yes, Satan is the Destroyer of peace – human peace, temporary peace, feelings of peace. But You Jesus, are the Restorer of Peace. Why? Because you are that Peace. Anything that is OF you Jesus cannot be destroyed by Satan. The true meaning of Peace means reconciliation. Thank you Jesus for reconciling us to God through yourself! For being the ‘bridge’ to God. You are the Bridge that no human or demon, or circumstance can destroy! Amen.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Deliver Me…
Dear God, deliver me to your doorstep. Deliver me from Evil. Father, wake me up out of the cold comfort of the convenience of daily life. Deliver me from this world. Deliver me from Evil. Jesus, I know that you are praying for me right now in heaven. Let my heart hear this prayer, that I may follow along with you. Help me to hold nothing back from you. No matter how ugly or insignificant. Deliver me from myself. Amen.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Forgive Me…
Dear _____, I forgive you.
Dear God, Do I really believe that? God, maybe some people can forgive on their own, and really mean it, but I can’t, and don’t. Please forgive me for not forgiving people who have hurt me and done me wrong. Who have lost interest in me, who have gone out of their way to harm me, and those who simply just don’t care. Please forgive me for not having a big enough heart to forgive like you do. Forgive me my pettiness, forgive me my bitterness. Save me from being angry. I do believe that you have the Power to change my heart. Help me to show these people genuine kindness and Love. Give me a heart that holds nothing against anyone. This is a miracle that I pray for. Amen.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Thank You…
Dear God, I love my son. My flesh and blood. Who came from deep inside of my body – and whose soul is knitted to mine. I know that you love me like that, I know that you would do anything for me. As I would do anything for my son. I would sacrifice the world for him. But would I sacrifice him for the world?? No. Would I send him into the world to be ridiculed, beaten and crucified? To save the people who for thousands of years refuse to accept my Love? Who insist on remaining as slaves? What kind of Love is that? That You and Jesus would sit together and plan this? Plan to separate yourselves from each other in order to rescue us. Plan to pour all of the sin and darkness of every vile and unspeakable horror that humans have inflicted on each other, upon your Son Jesus. Plan to TURN away from the One who has been with you from the Beginning, In the beginning, so that He could wear our sin and Evil – SO WE COULD GO FREE. How could I ever pretend to know what kind of pain that is? To watch your Son suffer like that. Please help me never to be delusional to think that just because you made me in your image and likeness, that I am just like you. What kind of LOVE could motivate that kind of a plan. God, what kind of a Love exists inside of your inner circle with Jesus? That you guys would plan all of this just to save me? That I am barely worthy to be your servant, and yet you treat me MORE than a friend, more than ‘family’ – you’ve made me your Flesh and Blood. What do I say? Thank you? For tearing yourselves apart just to include me in your relationship. Make my life an UNCEASING Thank you. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. Amen.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
I Adore You…
Dear God, everyday I see so many people suffering. I watch them make their entire daily living a series of distractions from the pain and lonliness that consumes them. I see them, day by day, erasing the evidence that what they suffer from is a real condition, I watch them pretend for so long that it’s ‘just life’, I watch them smother their soul. Father, these are rich people. By the world’s standards they are successful, living in a free country, well fed and entertained. And enslaved. God, I love these people, and I love that you are up to something. You keep bringing them to me, as they question the very ground they walk on, the very foundation they have built their lives upon. Let me see them through your eyes. Let me be your mirror, to give them a glimpse of how special they are to you, and how desperate your love is for them. I adore you God, I adore your heart. I adore your loyalty to the human race. Thank you for including me in your plan to rescue them. Amen.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Let Me Trust You…
Dear God, sometimes I get a glimpse of a world so different from anything I could ever imagine. Something totally outside of my dreams or best wishes. A world that you sent Jesus from to earth. I am afraid that I will not fully stay in trusting you to bring me there. I am afraid that I will settle for the sand castles of this world. Jesus, let me trust you. With my whole heart and mind, and limited undertsanding, let me trust in your perfect plan. Let me help this world with all my heart and soul, let me be a blessing here, but please God, save me from making these sand castles my Home. You are my Home. Help me to keep my eyes on you and nothing else. Amen
Friday, December 9, 2011
Thank You God…
For giving me life. How is this..that I walk around breathing air, with a body filled with a million complex systems, all working together, that I do not even see – how is it that we could ever doubt your existance and power? Who are you? So powerful and amazing that you’ve made my heart to beat, even while I sleep! I walk outside and see all of this – life. Everywhere I go, there is life. The trees and the squirrels, and the water rushing over the rocks – when I listen very carefully, they tell me about you. The stars at night whisper your name. God, please give me the Power that I need to keep you at the centre of my worship. That you for choosing me to be Alive. Amen.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
In the Name of Jesus Christ I am redeemded, delivered and rescued from all the wiles of the Devil. In Jesus Christ’s name I bind up every single demonic spirit and evil manifestation coming against me and I command you to depart from me. Dear God, please continue to open my eyes to the reality of the Devil. Let me not be deceived by his subtle devices. Thank you Jesus for destroying his work, and making me a part of yours. Amen.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Ask, And You Shall Receive…
Dear Jesus, you said that if I call on you, you will answer me. From the deepest part of who and what I am I call upon you Lord Jesus. From the secret pocket of my heart I call your Name Lord Jesus Christ. From the deepest recess of my mind I call out to you. From the loneliest desert that my soul has been hiding, I call out your Name, Lord Jesus the Christ. I call out to you from my weakness. I call out to you Lord Jesus. With every beat of my heart, and breath of my lungs, may each be a calling to you. Let me not hide any secret hate or shame from you. Let me eat of your flesh and drink of your blood, this day Lord Jesus, that every single part of me may be reborn in your image and likeness extending into Eternity. Soften the hardness of my heart Lord, that the words may flow easily from my mouth to your ear. In you I Trust Lord Jesus, in you I hide, in you is my deepest call answered. I call out your Name; I call out your Name Lord. I call out your Name, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
It Was Good…
Dear God, in Genesis you say that everything you created, everything you brought to life you looked at and said that “It was Good”. Before the Fall of Adam, and now – because of the Rise of Jesus Christ – you have made things GOOD. Purify my thoughts, and my mind and soul, to see this Goodness. Let me see this world and myself through the Blood of Jesus. Let me not give up on this prayer until my vision has been restored. Let me see like you! You saw loyal disciples in tempermental fisherman. You saw redemption in prostitutes. You saw faith in lepers. You are that Powerful!! That what you saw – you brought forth. I want to see like you, not to be ‘powerful’ but to bring forth the seed of hope in others who do not know they have it yet, and because I love you that much, that I want to share my eyes with you. As you have shared every part of your body and Spirit with me Jesus. I love you. Amen.
Monday, December 5, 2011
GET UP!
Dear God, do you remember a few years ago when I was so afraid and tormented? I was at the end of my rope. I would stay up all night terrified of going to sleep. I could not be alone. No matter how much I prayed and had people pray over me – I could not find the strength or faith or courage to ease the pain, despair and panic that was swallowing me up. I was under siege. I was defeated in battle. There was nothing left. Not one drop of strength left in me. All I could do was keep every light on in my house and repeat psalm 23 – and then YOU finished the prayer. You said to me ” You shall fear no evil FOR I AM WITH YOU”… I believed you. Just like that. I was so broken and weak – and you told me to “Get Up”. I was surrounded by evil and my sword was broken, and you told me “Get Up” I was crippled in fear, and had no understanding of the Evil that was against me and you said “Get Up”. I have fallen so many times and have made so many mistakes and you say “Get Up”. I just wanted to tell you Jesus, thank you. Thank you that after 3 days of death you did GET UP! And because of that you are the strength that makes me get up. You are the fire that forged my broken sword into an Unbreakable sword, that slices into and pushes back the Darkness. You are the reason that demons tremble in my presence. You are the reason. Amen.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Would I Recognize You?
Dear God, in the book of John it says that you stood among the people being baptized by John the Baptist, and that you walked in many different places, doing many things among the people, as who you Really are. Fully human, and fully God. Some people recognized you for who you were, and yet some people didn’t. A blind man knew that you were the Son of God, and yet some of your own followers who lived with you – couldn’t ‘see’ you for who you were. Would I recognize you? Who would I have been had I known you then? Would I have just passed you by? Would I have been the one to ridicule you? Could I have been one of the people to put nails into you? Or would I have recognized you even through my blindness? I believe that during my life I have been all of these people, and I thank you for loving me and remaining my loyal friend no matter what I’ve been like. Make my heart more like yours. Give me a blood transfusion from you. Let me always Recognize you..Amen.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
“You Did Not Choose Me, But I Chose You, and Appointed You That You Should Go and Bear Fruit” Jesus – John 15.16
Dear God, thank you for visiting with me last night as I slept. For showing me that I was on your mind when you walked this earth 2000 years ago. Without you, I was a shrivelled up, rotten piece of dried fruit. A dusty raison wandering aimlessly in the desert. YOU are the one who came to attach me to God, to give me life – through you I am now ALIVE! You are the True Vine, the one that gave me life, the one that bears fruit through me. What words can I use to describe what it’s like to abide in you and in your Father, and for you and your Father to abide in me. There are no words, no emotions to express the love and ecstasy that consumes every single cell of my being, how can I describe what it’s like to watch myself be born of Spirit? All I can say, is thank you. What can I do to help the people around me call out to you? Show me. Amen.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Do I Want You Or Just What You Can Do For Me….
Dear God, I don’t want to be a user. Someone who just studies your ways to ‘access’ power and spiritual knowledge. It is an illusion. The only knowledge that is worth anything, is the knowledge that you are a real person, with real feelings, and a real Heart. Help me to be careful not to live a ‘spiritual’ life separate from you. Save me from the egotistical delusion that spirituality could mean anything or have any power without my soul being married to yours. I love you God. Thank you for showing me the Truth. And The Way, and The Life. Amen.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Sheep Amidst The Wolves…
Dear God, Can you please help me to be rigorously honest with you and myself? Do I now have the Spirit of Truth in me? Am I being led by your Spirit? Are my beliefs, actions and outcomes in alignment with the Word Of God? Pray through me God. Make the sincere prayer of my heart to want you to mold me and make me more like yourself. Set my heart on fire for you. The closer I am with you, the more I will be able to ‘see’. The more I will naturally ‘know’ how to judge a situation. Of myself I know nothing. Of myself I can do nothing. Of myself I am nothing. Without this truth, I will not be able to hold on to any truth! The world is filled with wolves in sheep’s clothing. Filled with pain and conflict. I do not know how to deal with every single case. But you do. You have given me your Spirit of Wisdom and Power. With this I can now truely understand “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16 Amen.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
He is like a tree planted beside streams…
God, make me like the tree planted beside streams. No matter what the season, whether my branches are filled with fruit or are bare and frozen in the winter. Let me not base my faith on my ‘seasons’. Let me trust what I CANNOT see. That my roots are buried deep inside of you, drawing water from the river of The Lord’s Spirit. Let me trust that no matter how ‘dead’, ‘asleep’ and ‘bare’ things might look, my soul is still alive, hidden and protected. No matter how impossible it feels to believe this, soon the soil will soften and that same tree will bear witness of God’s Power in creation – again. Let me wait patiently God, let me not put my faith in a ‘temporary’ season. Let me put my faith in you. You will never change. Your Love and Power are Forever. Amen.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
In Their Midst…
Dear God, do I have a hard heart? Or better yet, am I aware of any areas of my heart that are still hard? Please save me from having a false sense of security, from thinking I’m seeking you, while I could be ignoring you. Hardness of heart makes me blind. I want to see you, really see you. I want to see my life through your eyes. So that my faith and security is based on the Truth. Soften my heart and open my eyes so I that can recognize you standing right in front of me. Amen
Monday, November 28, 2011
The Lord Is My Rock…
Dear God, All day long, thoughts come and go into my mind. Most of them are totally unnoticed by me – there are thousands of them, some good, some bad, some meaningless. Like a computer sifting through millions of grains of sand – my mind cannot defend itself from everything coming against it. I cannot remain vigilant in protecting myself from all the invisible attacks against my mind that lead to anxiety, anger, and sickness. You, God, are my rock, you are my defender, my shield and the ONE who protects me from all attacks. You will rescue me from my enemies. All the thoughts coming from my own fear and all the thoughts that Satan weaves into my mind will be exposed for the lies that they are. Today, I will hide in you. Today, I will let your promise sink deep into my soul. Your promise to Rescue me. Please rescue me God. So that I may be free to love you with all my heart. Amen (read psalm 18)
Friday, November 25, 2011
Forgive Them Father…
God, bless me with a miracle of forgiveness. Release me from every resentment and bitterness that is in my heart. Make me the kind of friend that Jesus was to his followers, and is today to anyone who believes in Him. Like Him, give me Power which can only come by knowing The Father, like Him, make me willing to risk losing people’s loyalty to me by never compromising The Truth. And like Him, let me remain loyal to those people by loving them enough to stay in the Truth. Amen
Thursday, November 24, 2011
The Waters Of My Heart…
God, let me seek you today with my whole heart. You have promised to meet me there. all day long bring me back to this: ‘God, my heart is in your hands; turn it like rivers of water towards your Will.’ Amen
Recovered In Christ 