Heritage & lessons to be learned

Earlier I began reading the book of 2 Kings... as I was reading the intro to 2 Kings... these words below really stood out to me (bringing to mind our nation and the path it is heading down).

"In addition to the important lessons of I Kings, the Book of Second Kings teaches that once a nation abandons its heritage it loses the ability to discern the difference between right and wrong. The very makeup of the national and individual conscience is affected. Superficial reforms and mere lip service accomplish little. The Lord demands true repentance. The final result of continued sin is always total collapse. However, God's love is so persistent that He will never give up on His people."

- Key Word Study Bible, NASB (AMG Publishers)

This then reminded me of a quote from George Duffield, Patriot Preacher, 1776:

"Whilst sun and moon endure, America shall remain a city of refuge for the whole earth, until she herself shall play the tyrant, forget her destiny, disgrace her freedom, and provoke her God."

I am saddened because when I look at our nation who is continually trying to take God out of everything, when He is in all things - He made all things, and sustains, and provides. When we turn from God, you have to expect things are going to start going wrong. How can a person or a nation survive when they are not connected to the One who made them and sustains them... Who is their protective shield and help....??? You can not... history continually teaches us this lesson & yet it is one that we have not learned in this country. I think of our founding fathers & how they fought and established this country ... I do not believe that we are living out their original design and intent in this matter. I pray that we as a nation would repent and turn back to God. That the words above would not be true for us..... Even so if this is the course we are heading down... it in many ways points to the end coming. Bring to mind the prophecies that are being fulfilled and will be before the return of Christ. Be ready, keep your lamps burning (let your light shine bright).

It rears it's ugly head again - Pride

This morning as I was talking with some other ladies, I had a break through moment. Do you know what I mean? One of those lightning bolt moments... the ahhh... LORD I am hearing you kind of thing.

For a while now (around 2 1/2 to 3 years) I have been praying for the LORD to help me to die to myself and to live for Him... as I have previously stated He has certainly been busy keeping up His end ... I have been being refined, broken and it is in the strangest way (only someone who understands what I am saying here can get) an incredible blessing.

I know I have mentioned the book I read on changing my attitude - using the example of the Israelites wandering for 40 yrs in the wilderness... along with that are other things He has been teaching and showing me. Any way all of it culminated this morning into that ahhh moment.

We were talking about as women who have moved the sense of identity loss we feel... and how we should not have our identity wrapped up in our job, friends, ministry, etc.... but that our identity (self worth) should be found in Christ. As we were talking all of these things God has been showing me, teaching me, verses kept popping into my mind... And there went off the light bulb!

PRIDE!!! Pride, it had me in it's grasp again... Pride in the things I had done, people's admiration, etc. I wanted to (silently, in my heart) boast in myself and not in the LORD! It was all about me and not about Him!!! Oh it just makes me sick... yet, I rejoice for my eyes have been open and behold I see my sin and I repent- Lord, I repent! Forgive me! Who am I that I am worthy of praise... I am nothing but dust, sinful flesh - saved by grace!!! I praise Him for His mercy, love & forgiveness... I praise Him for He is worthy! He is the Eternal, Everlasting God!!!

And even though I know this I have been desiring the praise of men, more than the praise of God - oh let it not be so! I feel like Paul when he said "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." (Rom 7:15 - see more click here). It is a continual battle with my flesh... However, I know that in Christ I can do all things, in Christ I have forgiveness, He supplies my strength and has given me His Spirit that I can overcome the flesh and walk in the Spirit... That I can live free! Abide, we have to abide - we cannot bear fruit apart from Him.... What good is a well if it has no water? He is the Living Water!!! He is what we all need... I am just a well... I can never be to anyone what they need nor can another be to me what I need - for all that I need is found in Christ Jesus!

Oh, LORD forgive my sinful pride... Thank you for opening my eyes to see this sin and thank you for your love and forgiveness. By Your power and Your strength enable me to walk rightly with You... to be Your humble servant, who loves you with all my heart, mind, soul, strength and who has the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus - bearing much fruit for Your glory!!! Amen.

You alone oh LORD are worthy of praise and to You be all the glory! I praise You my ever faithful, loving and present God!

Attitude

Something to meditate on ... These verses have been on my mind and heart of late:

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,

then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:1-11 (NIV)

I don't know about you but I am not there yet... However, as the Word says: "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" Phil. 4:13 - NASB. I know that the Holy Spirit is working on me... from glory to glory... He will continue to transform me more and more to be like Christ - until the glorious day He takes me home. Oh, what rejoicing there will be on the day when we all get to go home to be with Jesus forever... To an eternal kingdom, to see face to face, to worship & adore the One & Only God, who reigns forever - praise Him!

Until then may we continue to walk by faith, to stand firm, to love in truth.... to be the Body of Christ (the Church) upon this earth - light in the darkness... with a message that offers true hope, love & healing.

My prayer for all of you today:

The LORD will give strength to His people ; The LORD will bless His people with peace.

Psalm 29:11 NIV

LORD help us to have the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus... Give us strength & bless us with peace, may we abide in You and bear much fruit for Your glory. Amen.

For the Hurting

This post is for anyone who has been hurt by abortion, be you woman or man... Take a look at today's post on Traveling the Road Home. We can become so focused on the unborn and their rights that many times we forget those who have been hurt and scared by this ... especially the men. There are resources available for you if you have been through such a situation and desire healing ... & more. Even more if you turn to Jesus, as cliche as that may sound... He is there with open arms!

Please take a look at the post and watch the video!!!

Prayer

Have you ever told someone you would pray for them? Did you do it? And if you did was it a fleeting thought type prayer or a down on your knees praying? Did you wield the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God and is so powerful when used in prayer? Lots of questions...

I am asking all of this to myself as well as to you.... Yes, if I tell you I will pray I mean it. However, depending upon what I deem to be the seriousness of the matter... it may be just that a prayer quickly said or one where I am speaking the Word, on my face and humbled before the Lord. I do believe that in either case the Lord hears my prayers... However, I do believe it is more honoring to God when we are bowed before our Lord and are focused in prayer. Someone once said that our posture in prayer can be an indicator to our heart and where we see ourselves before our God. Maybe that is true.... I do believe that the Lord is thrilled when we come to Him, when we seek Him, when we desire to talk with Him & especially listen ... When we draw near... so if you are praying as you walk or sit or drive or kneel - you are praying! You are staying continually in tune with the Lord.

What I am getting at more hear is about how we feel about prayer and think of it in our heart of hearts... Do we believe that God is listening? Do we believe that prayer is powerful? Do we believe that God cares and answers? Are we awed and humbled that we can speak to our Lord and Creator!? Is there reverence, love, respect, honor... do we cherish it? And even more do we believe that prayer can make a difference?

Recently, some thing has happened that made me think about all of this... and along with that two of my daily scripture verses have been as follows (I want to put them in two different versions and you will see why):

Ephesians 6:18-

(NIV) And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

(NASB) With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints

Colossians 4:2-

(NIV) Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful

(NASB) Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving

As you can see we are to pray at ALL TIMES in the Spirit! Which of course begs the question are you abiding - are you abiding in Christ? Are you letting the Spirit have His way in you so to speak? At all times?

It also brings to mind that big or small (in our mind) God wants to hear it all! He wants to show up and be very much a part of your life - in the little daily things as well as in the big ones. In all circumstances should He be glorified! In the NIV it says be alert and in the NASB it says be on the alert (with all perseverance & petition)... does that speak to you? Be alert when you pray, and/or be on the alert - the alert from what? From the enemy, from our flesh... & be focused, devoted... persevering and continually praying for whom? Our brothers and sisters in Christ. Wow, do we ever need it!

I find that it says persevering to be of interest... indicating that in our view persistent prayer might not always be easy?! Do we tire of praying continually? Do we feel as if our prayers are not being heard or answered? That it might be hard to pray at times... because of circumstances, hurts - because we are to pray for our enemies...? Yet to preserver means we must press on, in effect triumph over these things and continue to pray - continue to honor God, to see Him glorified, to believe, to walk by faith and not by sight, to be blessed!

To be devoted to prayer - devoted! What does that mean to you? Not just getting up early to pray, or so on ... but in your heart is there devotion? Not a ritual but joy... that you have thankfulness, praise no matter your circumstances. When you pray do you REALLY believe that you are speaking to the LORD - the Creator of the heavens and the earth; the giver and sustainor of life - the One who came wrapped in flesh and died for our sins, to reconcile us (in Christ) to Himself? Is there even the remotest part of you that feels as if your prayers are just floating in air... and are not heard? If so it is a lie of the enemy! God is listening!!! For one such reminder just take a look at the verse heading the top of my blog... there are so MANY MORE! Search them out for yourself and claim them!

I just want to encourage you to continue, to preserver in prayer being watchful, on the alert, with an attitude of thanksgiving... bring glory & honor to the Father & being as one in the Body of Christ. Be devoted in prayer and always keep on praying for the saints (your brothers & sisters in Christ)!

There is great power in prayer! Go forth mighty prayer warrior - putting on the full armor of God and praying at all times!!!

Changing One Heart For Many

I hope you will join us tomorrow (Monday) morning in prayer ... Please look for the widget on the right side of my page that says "Changing One Heart for Many" it will take you directly to the blog or click here. The post is already up with the prayer and updates for tomorrow, so check it out!

Also take a look at the two newspaper articles she has on the post! One of them is a disturbing story of a botched 23 week abortion in FL and the investigation that is going on... The baby girl was born alive and well I will let you read the rest (click here). The other deals with decisions that President Obama has made on this issue already, those he is facing and how he is trying handle them (click here).

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Rom. 12:12)

Change for Life

It must be God, & heavy on His heart because every where I turn this same subject (Life) keeps coming up... I was on a fellow blogger's most recent post and it directed me to this blog and the Challenge for Change post - Check it out & start praying! If you decide to not check out the blog, check out this video - it is an ad that was suppose to run during the Superbowl but was rejected by the network.

My heart goes out to these women who are suffering with past choices... I am not here to condemn them... As I mentioned at the bottom of my last post, my heart & prayers go out to them... if you are someone that has been hurt by this issue and you desire prayer please leave me a comment... you can leave it anonymously or ask me not to publish it and I won't, but I will be praying for you. Again I am not here to condemn you... and remember that if you are in Christ there is no condemnation - He has forgiven you your sins... when you repented and came to Him, He removed them as far as the east is from the west... and there is nothing that can separate you from His love. My point in all of this is for the present & the future lives ... that can be impacted & saved. And to pray for those who need it.

May His will be done -


Ps. Also check out the article in the USA Today about Obama reversing the US funding policy on abortion