Thursday, May 31, 2012

It is good to give thanks to the Lord. In all times. For He will turn any mess into a message. Nothing happens that He is not aware of or in control of. Therefore when we face tough times, rejoice in it for He is allowing it for our good. There is purpose and value to our trials and tribulations and they are needed to sanctify us. We are to die to ourselves and become more in His image. There is no greater testimony than that of a transformed life by a changed heart. Be someone's light today because of your changed heart. Take the focus off of yourself and be there for someone else. Do not withhold encouragement from the discouraged. Speak words to others that will make them stronger and let them know that you believe in them as God believes in you. Be a living and walking billboard for God and all He has done for you. Yes life can be complicated and hard but choose to rejoice and be glad today for He will use you later to help someone else through the same trial. That is God. Remind yourself and others that the rainbow always follows the rain so if you are in the midst of your storm today, stay under the spiritual umbrella of God for He will bring you warmth, peace and shelter and He will guide you through it to the sun and goodness that only He can provide.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Faith is not believing God can but knowing that He will.  The word FAITH is all over my house. TRUST GOD, GOD IS IN CONTROL, PRAY OFTEN....all of these powerful reminders of my Lord Jesus Christ are prominently displayed on plaques and wooden signs throughout the rooms. They are there for anyone that needs that encouraging word from God. God has everything under control and we need to be reminded of that once in awhile.  I believe it is very important to "arm your home" with the Word.  I am mindful of what we watch on the television for we can usher in demonic spirits without even knowing it. I am careful who enters my home as well. It is a spiritual fact that we are in a war with the principalities therefore my house is always prepared for the battle. But victory is in Christ so we can boldly stand in FAITH knowing that God will do what He says He will do for us. Guard our hearts and our thoughts. Align yourself with good solid believers that will pray for you and with you. Protect your own prayer life and keep God first and center of your life. These are all wonderful "tools" to take inventory of so we are awake and aware.  I pray you have a victorious day in Jesus and I ask that the Lord protect you and keep you and let no weapon formed against you prosper. Be blessed today!

Hebrews 11:1

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Dear Lord,

I lift up to you so many of my brothers and sisters, in Christ, who are hurting today. May they find peace and solace resting in you. I ask that you touch each and every one of them today, Lord and grant them enormous grace and mercy as they work through with their burdens. You tell us to cast our cares unto You and that is what I am doing today. Renew their minds and spirits, Lord and give them a day of such peace that it is beyond comprehension. We all face our mountains but we know You are with us every step of the way, even carrying us when the pain is too much to bear. So take the hurt from so many of your children, Lord and give them joy. I pray that their faith grows stronger as a result of this trial and that they know to trust you with all of their hearts and not try to manage things on their own. I thank you for listening Lord and I thank you for answering my prayers. And it is in Your name, I ask of these things. Amen.

Matthew 7:7

Monday, May 28, 2012

Choose to be happy today and grateful for today. Do not stare at the closed doors, lost opportunities or the broken promises of the past. Never dwell on your past sins and choices for the Lord rights our wrongs and when we truly repent them to our Almighty God, we are forgiven. We must set our minds to look forward and be thankful for this day for it is the day the Lord has made and we are to rejoice and be glad in it. No matter what. No matter where we are in our life, we are to rejoice and be glad in it. Do not let anyone or anything steal your joy. Keep an attitude of grace and mercy and be happy for one another. It makes all the difference in the world. It begins with hope that manifests into faith. Our faith moves the Lord so choose to be happy, optimistic and hopeful for we know in all things God works for the good of those that love Him, who have been called to according to His purpose. Amen to that!

Romans 8:28

Sunday, May 27, 2012

I declare my faith in Jesus Christ.  For He is my fortress and my shelter.  It is He that gives me life and in abundance.  I pray for infinite wisdom and I ask the Lord to guide me each of my days. May the power of the Holy Spirit be upon me and my family every day and may His grace be sufficient always. I love you Lord and I thank you for all that You are and all that You do. 

Love, Cynthia

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Do what you can and allow God to do what you cannot.  The old saying, "God helps those that help themselves", is not exactly biblical however you can say, "you do reap what you sow". The harvest cannot grow with out first the planting of seeds. However we must use wisdom when to act and when to  wait on the Lord. Otherwise we end up manipulating a situation and convincing ourselves it is God.  For example, if we are looking for employment, we must first search and apply. Once we have done all we can, we are to wait upon the Lord for we cannot hire ourselves. The Lord will then open the door to the vessel to which He chooses to bless you, meaning once you apply to the job that is of His will, you will be hired. But if we act on our own and accept something without first waiting, you may have manipulated the situation. He promises He will not let the righteous fall and we will never grow hungry so having done all you can do, wait upon Him for what you cannot do. If you want to lose weight for instance, we are to ask the Lord for self control and to help take away our desires to overeat, something we cannot do on our own and then we are to watch our diet and food intake for that is what we can do. One of the greatest lessons I have learned as a Christian woman is to know when to move and when to be still. If I am praying and seeking the Lord for something and I ask for Him to guide me, I then wait upon Him. By doing this, I am exercising my faith by trusting in Him and not trusting in myself. What good is our faith if we do not use it in times like this? God is moved by our faith. Don't panic and look around you while others appear to be making progress in their lives, don't allow people to speak into your life and anger you and never let anyone label you as lazy for the bible tells us to be still and know that He is God. Simply keep your eyes on the Lord as you wait for His will to be done. And the next time someone wants to challenge you, simply refer them to Psalm 37. Have a blessed and safe weekend. 

Psalm 37:7-9

Friday, May 25, 2012

Psalm 25^[a]

Of David.

¹ In you, Lord my God,
    I put my trust.

Put your trust in the Lord, not man. He will not let the righteous fall. He knows your every thought and He wants you to rest in Him. Let your depression go and allow Him to grant you enormous grace and mercy. I pray with you today and I ask our Almighty God, Prince of Peace, to grant you peace and hope that quiets your mind and silences the enemy's voice. Be One with Him today and enjoy your day. Embrace it for it is truly a gift from God. He wants you to love each day in Him and simply be thankful for all that you have, your friends, your children, your family, your health. Trust Him today with all your heart and lean not on anything or anyone else. Be blessed!

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Jesus never fails!  He has plans for you and I, plans to prosper us and plans for hope and a future.  Just hold on to that and keep the faith. I know it is hard and I know things have not been easy but He loves you and He loves me and we will weather this storm because He has a hold on us and He will not allow anything to harm you. Love Him and rest in Him today. If you can do that instead of worrying about everything, you will find peace once again. Let Him do what He does best. Give Him the reins to your life and He will work things out and move and change what needs to be done. He still has work to do in us and that is why we need to be still and allow His will to be done, no matter what. Remember what I said, have mountain moving faith and stay steady. He has got this! I pray that you have a fabulous and joyful day in Him today. Embrace this blessed day!

Jeremiah 29:11


http://proclaimthekingdom.webs.com/

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

God wants us to have a present expectation of something good happening to us instead of constantly mourning over what has been lost. –Joyce Meyer

This is how I choose to live my life. I have to. You can literally drive yourself to the edge other wise. We all have a sad story, we all have our wounds to lick. But it cannot be an everyday occurrence to cry about what we do not have. We must know know know that God is in control and all that we are going through is of no surprise to Him. Why have faith if we don't exercise it at our most dire of needs? I don't understand why we choose to dwell on the bad choices we have made or the hard knocks we have experienced in life instead of choosing to focus on the Only One that can change everything for our good and His glory. Stop looking at the closed doors that God has chosen to close and instead run to the open doors ahead of you. God promised us He would not let the righteous fall and I choose to stand on that promise. He is my rock eternal and He is yours as well. Stand on His word today and be blessed!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

We are called to be fishermen for men.  All the Lord asks of us is to catch the fish and He will clean them. We must love others enough to want to save them.  Someone once said if we are not  concerned about another's salvation, than we should question our own.  Share the news with someone.  Tell them how wonderful the Lord is and how their lives will be forever changed. But be honest and let them know that we commit ourselves to a Savior and a Lord.  It is not about only knowing Jesus is real but having a personal relationship with Him. I heard that less than 2% of Christians share their faith and I almost fell off my seat. Have you ever shared Jesus with someone? Does everyone you know, know you as a believer? Questions to ponder and pray on if you answered either one with a no. We must take our faith and our responsibility as a believer seriously for God so loved the world that He gave His one and only  Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 This verse tells us that He so loved us that He sacrificed His only Son for us so next time you may think it is no big deal not to extend yourself to another by sharing the gospel, remind yourself of this very act. And I will pray with you for boldness and confidence. So be blessed and go fishing!

John 3:17

Monday. May 21, 2012

Matthew 18:21-35

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. "But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded. "His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' "But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. "Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." 

The Lord will treat you the way you treat others and He will treat them the way they treat you.   Forgive one another as God has commanded us to.  If you are upset with someone for borrowing money or an item of yours and has yet to return it, take the stance that perhaps they needed it more than you. You will be at peace with it and you will be rewarded. Years ago I lent a Charles Stanley book to a friend and it was entitled, "How to Listen to God" and it was a simple hardback book and she never returned it. But the kicker was she not only never returned it but she reprimanded me for choosing that book as it spoke to her about her lifestyle and her sinful choices and she took it as I was judging her. I explained that I knelt before my bookshelf and asked the Lord for Him to choose for me what book I should lend her and it was He that chose that. Well she stayed angry and I was upset. I told my sister and she told me that the Lord felt she needed the book more than me and I at that moment forgave her and let it go. Years went by and one day I received a package from In Touch Ministries, Charles Stanley's own, and it was a "gift" for me for being a supporter and inside was a beautiful leather bound book and what titled book to do you think it happened to be over the 45 books he has written? You guessed it..."How to Listen to God". Forgive others and God will forgive you and He will be pleased and you shall be blessed. 

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Be mindful of your thoughts.  And be mindful of your words. Be mindful of your actions.  The Lord cares about your inward self as much as your outward self.  Whether we are harboring resentment in our hearts or being vocal of our distaste for someone, the Lord judges it the same. Someone that omits the truth vs. someone that tells a lie, is judged the same. A man who hates in his heart is judged the same as someone who has committed murder. Someone that lusts in their mind, is judged as committing adultery. The Lord commands of us to present Him in a light of love and there are no exceptions.  Be mindful of your self and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you and your heart will begin to change in the way you think, act and behave. God is love and He wants us to love Him, love others. So be the light of the world for so He will get all the glory in His name I pray. Amen.

Matthew 5:16

Saturday, May 19, 2012

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 Let's just thank Him today for life, for our health, for family, for close friend(s), your children, employment, the beautiful weather, for getting us through a difficult year. He is good all the time and we should be grateful to Him for He loves us and wants us to live in His presence with hope, joy and love. Yes, we all are facing our mountains but He tells us that if we do not doubt our faith, it is enough to cast the mountain in to the sea. So if you want the mountains in your life to be removed, then pray with fervor and boldness and have mountain moving faith and it shall be done. And isn't that enough hope to put a smile on our face today? Let His face shine upon us and let our day be glorifying and honoring to Him. Give thanks today!

Mark 11:22-24

Friday, May 18, 2012

“If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.” 
― Charles H. Spurgeon

Thursday, May 17, 2012

I trust the Lord no matter what today.  He is all I have to hold on to and I need Him more than ever. When my life gets too hard to stand....I kneel in prayer.  Go to the Father will all your worries today. For all of you who are anxious for something and are in search of your Lord today, I claim this for you today and I ask the Lord to honor His promise for you and me. Be blessed and know that you have a sister in Christ praying for you today. 

Psalm 55:22

New King James Version (NKJV)

²² Cast your burden on the Lord,
And He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

If you are in a position where you are able to help another, you should. The Lord blesses us so we in turn can bless another. So often people will justify why they don't help others..."oh they are lazy","get a better job", "not my problem", "I have myself to take care of", "they did it to themselves".... etc ... have you ever felt that way in your heart towards another? I must admit I have and I am very ashamed. I now try to have compassion in all circumstances and my husband and I will lend our hand anyway we can. Whether it be money, service or our time. It is important for all of us to do so. It is easy to give out of our excess but to give out of our poverty, says so much more. The Lord wants us to also be silent givers and not brag from here to eternity on all we do. I like Face book and have seen the advantages to the networking side of it, etc ... but so many people use it as their own bragging rights page. I did this, I gave that, I volunteered here, I am attending this function there....JUST DO IT and keep it to yourself. Humility attracts while pretentiousness repels. Remember that. And for those that are fortunate to be blessed by others, never use the excuse that you can't afford to because you must to. You can lend a ride, an ear, a meal, your time...we all have something. And if you earn a dollar, tithe a dime and so on. The Lord does not want your money, He wants your trust. Tithing and giving of ourselves is a way of pleasing Him for the Lord loves others and wants us to have a heart like Him. So today, stop focusing on what you do not have and bless another with what you do. It will do your heart good and the Lord will be so pleased. Have a blessed and prosperous day!

Philippians 2:3-4

Matthew 5:16

Genesis 12:1-20

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Lean not on your own understanding.  Your obedience moves the hands of God.  If you assess your own life and your actions and choices and have done all things according to God, then expect your breakthrough.  It is that simple.  We all know that when we are living in His will, the Lord is pleased and compassionate.  He wants us to trust Him and to obey Him at all costs no matter how difficult things can get.  Being a true child of God is not always an easy, smooth nor happy journey.  I know so many wonderful people that have lost their jobs and homes and everything else in the middle...diseases etc...and they are believers. No one is promised an easy road; what we are promised is that we will not have to go it alone for He will not leave us nor forsake us.  So whether we are living a life of 100% submission or not, we will be tested.  Having said all that, we also will be rewarded and blessed. When a life is filled with anger, strife, depression, unhappiness, bitterness and resentment, it is not of God. God is the Prince of Peace in all times ... whether we are in the midst of a storm or at the highest peak. His presence is there and our peace is there. I remember a time in my life when I was not walking with the Lord in all His ways and  I paid the price for it. I felt the isolation, I felt His presence being gone. I could not sleep nor eat. I could not sit still, my mind was racing at all speeds. There were problems at work, everything was "spiritually off" in my life. It was not until I confessed my sins and my sinful life and made a vow (also known as a re dedication) to the Lord that I would lay down all the things that were not of Him and make Him my Lord and Savior and walk away from the life I was living, that I was at peace. It was an instant "nestle plunge". A moment of pure serenity and a feeling that I was walking on a cloud. I was motionless and weightless because the Lord had removed all the guilt, shame, sinful behaviors and lifestyle and forgave me. My life changed completely and things became effortless and I was bestowed with His grace and favor. And that is exactly what He wants you to expect and have assurance for. Keep the faith in every situation and do not give up! If your life stands up to His standards at this time and you are feeling left out, know you are in a trial and simply pray yourself through it for it too will pass. God wants to give you His best and He wants you to live your best. So take this time and do your own spiritual inventory. Make sure you are attending church, tithing, honoring your relationships and not holding anything against anyone, make sure you are laboring and being a good steward of your blessings and you are keeping the commandments...and if you are...then rest in Him today because your breakthrough is coming! I pray and stand with you in agreement that this will be done in His name.

Deuteronomy 13:4

Monday, May 14, 2012

Sometimes we need to just get out of God's way in order for Him to move.  I have been praying lately to the Lord to be the leader and I will follow and until I hear from Him, I am not moving.  Sometimes we need to be still in order to hear His voice and recognize His guidance.  But when you audaciously pray, which means to pray with fervor and expecting, it will move the Spirit. Make a case for God based on His scriptures and He will listen.  So whatever it is you are waiting on, maybe you need to stop trying to make things happen in the natural and let God move on your behalf in the supernatural.  Otherwise we may not know what is of God and what is of man? Meaning what did we do to manufacture a circumstance or situation by not waiting upon the Lord. My prayer for all of us in a serious season of waiting is that we are patient and are able to use self control and truly wait upon the Lord to show us where He wants us to be. Whether it be a job opportunity or relocation or big purchase or even a relationship dilemma. I ask you Lord to pour out your Spirit upon us and grace us with your love and mercy in these dire times. We love you and we trust you and most of all, we thank you for shedding your blood for us. And I pray for all these things in Your name. Amen.

Psalm 130:5-6
James 5:11
Lamentations 3:25
Psalm 25:4-5
Galatians 6:9

Sunday, May 13, 2012

One of the greatest gifts God has ever blessed us with is a Mother.  We all have one whether she is with us still or has passed on.  Today is the day to honor her and give thanks for her.  I truly have been blessed with one of the most loving, supportive, and sweetest Moms in the world. She has been my confidant, prayer warrior, NYC companion, dinner partner and everything in the middle my whole life and I am beyond grateful for her. To watch her age and change over this past year has been extremely difficult for us all but she is still with us and the Lord has protected her and kept her with us  despite some health setbacks.  She is still the most loving Godly woman.  When we had to take her for a test at the doctors, she was asked to write something down and she wrote, "I love Jesus", so if that does not sum up her heart, I don't know what does.  I love you Bianca and I am so thankful to the Lord for blessing me with you as my Mom.  You are still one of the most beautiful and classy women I know with nothing but love to give.  You are my gem and I love you more today than ever before. Happy Mother's Day! 

Exodus 20:12

Lord, Thank you for blessing me with my Mom. I thank you for watching over her and allowing her to be healed through all her ordeals and sparing her life so that we could still enjoy her.  She loves you so much and I ask today that you honor her and bless her with a special peaceful day filled with love and joy and happiness. And it is in Your name I pray. Amen. 

Saturday, May 12, 2012

What would you say to God if you stood before Him right now?  If you were to die today, would you enter the Kingdom of God?  2 simple questions yet so deep and profound.  Neither should be taken lightly and I pray and encourage you to gain the wisdom in knowing that being a nice or good person who never murdered anyone does not guarantee a place in heaven.  Were you raised to believe that if you were a good person who did nice things for others and did not break any major laws, that you were favored by God and as long as no major sin was committed, your after life was good to go? I was raised that way until I learned as a grown adult that unless I confessed my sins to the Lord and committed my life to Jesus Christ that I would not have everlasting life but instead would perish in to hell, otherwise described multiple times in the bible," as a lake of fire". The bible goes on to teach us that although our God is a loving God, He is in fact a just God and will judge us on the things we have done when we face Him on our judgement day and it clearly states that if we have broken any of His commandments, known as the moral law, without repentance, we will not enter into heaven. Did you know that? I didn't and now that I shared it with you, how does it make you feel? Does it scare you at all? Or do you think it is just my faith beliefs and I can't possibly be anymore right than your beliefs? I do believe that the bible is true and all its contents and when the Lord speaks to us about doing right and leaving the consequences to Him, I believe. He tells us not to lie, steal, commit adultery, take His name in vain, and yet so many have and think they are still okay to enter heaven because they haven't committed murder. Did you know that if you or I have ever had hatred in your heart, that God views us as a murderer and He goes on to say that murderers shall not have eternal life in him? 1 John 3:15 The good news is God did something to solve this problem and His name is Jesus and He can be your Savior and Lord right where you are right now. If you confess your sins today and believe that Jesus died to save you from your sins and you give your life to Jesus, you will have everlasting life in Him. And it as simple as ABCD.

Admit you are a sinner

Believe God did something about it in the person of Jesus Christ

Commit your life to God

Do it today for no one is guaranteed tomorrow

John 3:16

Friday, May 11, 2012

Count your blessings today!  We all have so much to be grateful for.  I know life can be difficult and a kick in the stomach sometimes but we can choose to count all things joy and set our minds to things of good and not bad.  It is a mental mindset. "Set" means to stay in position and not waiver. So if you "set" your mind on all things of God and choose Him and His promise that He will never let anything happen to you that He doesn't allow, then you can be blessed in Him always.  Blessed assurance is a sense of peace that comes from knowing the Lord on an intimate level and to have the faith that surpasses all understanding. Faith in knowing that He will, not that He can. When you have this inner most strength and joy, you carry yourself differently and you will think and act differently. A thankful heart allows us to focus on that we do have and not on what we don't.  The spiritual definition of faith can be found in Hebrews11:1 where it states “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (KJV). The Lord loves you and is there for you every step of your life in every way. Although there are times when He is silent, He is never gone.  My prayer for all my brothers and sisters today is that you find joy in Him.  And that you are able to be happy beyond measure and find peace in every situation. I pray the Lord shines upon you and that His grace is sufficient for you. I lift us all up in the Lord's Mighty Name and ask that He pour upon us His favor and mercy and bless us with the power of His blood and protect us from all evil and it is in Jesus name I ask these things, Amen.

1 Corinthians 16:13

Thursday, May 10, 2012

The closer we get to God, the more we will experience a spiritual battle. The best defense is the best offense which means to press on and not stop. And you will break through it with prayer and fighting.  You must know that as a child of God, you have authority over the enemy for there is power in the blood of the Lamb. And you as a believer are righteous and represent the Lord. Satan is our adversary  in all ways of life and truth.  He builds his kingdom on convincing people there is no God and that you are better off on your own than dependent on Him. He is a liar and thief and wants to rob you and you must rebuke his presence in the name of Jesus Christ and demand him to flee and he will.  There is a very real battle of the principalities of good and evil.  We must not be defeated when we know we are being attacked. The way to war off evil is to praise and worship and pray in the Spirit constantly. We must be diligent in our walk and not give up and having done all, STAND. He will use fear, he will use your family, friends, those closest to you, anything to discourage you from believing in the Lord and reaching your potential in Him. He does not desire for you to receive the Lord's blessings therefore I always advise others to recognize what is happening and overcome with fervor and passion.  So press on today and be not afraid for the Lord God is with you. Nothing will happen that He does not allow so stay in the Spirit and be one with Him today and know the battle is the Lord's and He will fight for you every step of the way. 

Ephesians 6:12-18



http://proclaimthekingdom.webs.com/

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Keep the faith!  God hears your cries and He is there for you.  He will work everything out for you in His perfect way. All He wants for you is to have His perfect peace.  Peace in knowing He is with you.  What else can we do in times of waiting?  Sure, we can choose to panic, grumble, worry, make our own hasty decisions OR we can choose to be still and know that He will do what He says He will do. Why is it that we trust Him when things are going well?  Yet is He not the same God that brought you through your last storm?  He is the same then as He is today so trust Him to do this too.  My husband and I have been waiting upon Him for something for almost two years and yes we do get scared when we allow our minds to go wondering about. But when we stay in His will and in His arms and not look about and stay focused on Him, we are in a better place. It is our choice how to we choose to react, handle or manage a crisis.  Our attitude will make all the difference in the world.  Our trials and tribulations will not cease because God uses them to strengthen us so we are better prepared for the next.  He also will use you as a vessel so that you can bear witness to someone else when they experience the same.  My best Godly advice to you is remain in His will and ask the Spirit to lead you.  Take it one minute at a time and only glance at today.  The words may sound cliche' but they are the most sound Christian advice you will need.  Everything else will pass away but God will remain so choose to stay on His path and trust Him no matter how high the waves are.  Allow Him to carry you through to the other side where it will be calm waters and a place of serenity.  Dwell in His peace and praise Him always.  I lift you up in prayer today and ask that our Lord God bestow upon you His mercy and abundance of grace today so you can face whatever it is you are facing with blessed assurance and bold faith. And I stand with you in agreement and I know when two or more gather, there He will be also.  Amen to that!

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer~Romans 12:12 (NIV)

Psalm 40:1

Psalm 86:1

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Life can be filled with distractions therefore it is vital to spend quiet time alone with our Lord.  We should never be too busy for God.  When we begin to slowly spend less time praying, reading the Word and/or worshiping our Lord, we slowly begin to compromise our faith.  When our church attendance begins to be sporadic and our devotional time becomes more occasional, we are ushering in trouble.  The enemy will use anyone or anything to distract us.  We must guard our hearts and our souls and be very protective of our prayer life.  Prayer is time spent with God.  A relationship can not grow and prosper and bear fruit when there is no communication with one another.  Have you ever tried to maintain a relationship with someone one sided? You call them and they never get back to you, your emails and texts go unanswered?  What ends up happening? It eventually fades away, doesn't it?  That is how we must view our time with God. The Lord is always trying to communicate with us and if we continue to push Him back in our lives, our relationship will fade away.  There is no greater thing in life that to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He is our everything and our life can not grow in the Spirit in a healthy manner without watering our seeds of faith with Him. Therefore be mindful and stay accountable.  Take a spiritual inventory test of yourself to see where you are with Him and right your wrongs before it becomes anything more.  God loves us so much that He wants us all to Himself.  He desires so much for us and has plans that we can not even comprehend or imagine so stay with Him and keep Him the center of your life.  Remember God first, others second and yourself third, and all else will come together for a glorious life. 

Lord, please forgive us for when life gets to be too much. When we overwhelm ourselves instead of just resting in You. Quiet our minds and speak to our spirit so that we can be still and know that you are our Sovereign God.  We love you with all our hearts and we ask that you use us today to further your kingdom. May our day glorify and give honor only to You Father. It is in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

John 14:23

Monday, May 7, 2012

The Lord never ceases to amaze me.  How wondrous He is and how faithful He is.  My husband and I have been experiencing some challenges as of late but I have to tell you our obedient tithing has secured us.  We have witnessed time and time again how He has blessed us and has provided for us as we venture out on our own by opening up a new business.  He has provided the way to purchase all the necessary inventory, the means of marketing it, the loyal people in our lives who have supported us and the help of kind strangers.  He is in the center of our lives and in all we do therefore we trust in Him to do great and mighty things.  We have vowed to obey the Lord and walk in His ways and we founded a ministry this past winter as well. The ministry brings believers together who have compassion for the lost and they are taught how to evangelize and share their faith with knowledge, bravery and confidence. We strongly believe that the way we live our life now is the way God intended all along and we got in our own way. The time we wasted makes me sad sometimes I have to admit.  Do you feel that way?  Do you feel like you have gotten in your own divine path and took yourself off course?  I definitely do but I have to be grateful that the Lord was faithful in His waiting for me and for His free will because now I appreciate Him. I was saved years ago with not much fanfare and/or rock bottom story and I am not sure how much I really understood then.  But as a grown woman who has matured in the Spirit, I am amazed by so much and have learned so much.  He will never stop working on us and in us for we will always need His power over our lives. So whatever it is you are facing today, don't give up on God for He has not given up on you.  If you have gotten off course like I did, make today the day you rededicate your whole life to Him.  And for those like us who have began a new career in life, may the Lord bless it beyond your expectations and may He get the glory in all of it.  And whatever you do, work hard, budget, tithe and be a good steward of your earnings and He will provide for you all of your days.

Lord, I ask that all of your children reap a great and mighty harvest for their obedience and hard work.  That your love and faithfulness allow all of us to stay the course and keep our eyes on You.  I pray that out tithes and love offerings are multiplied and that we will be unable to contain all the blessings you have in store for us.  And with everything we do, may you bless it with favor and mercy. And we thank you Lord for all you have done for us and all you will continue to do.  We love you Lord and we are forever thankful for you. It is Your name we pray. Amen.

Deuteronomy 7:9

Check out our Ministry:

http://proclaimthekingdom.webs.com/

Check out our New Business:

https://www.facebook.com/accessoriesforwomen

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Fear is not of God. Anxiety is not of God. Worrying is not of God. Trying to control it yourself is not of God. Conflict is not of God. Strife is not of God. Contradiction is not of God. So many believers say they never know what "is" and what "isn't" of God in their lives. I know that the Lord would never ask us to do anything that contradicted His Word, therefore I use that as my guideline. When young believers ask me if certain places they go to were pleasing to the Lord, I ask them if Jesus was here on earth, would you take Him there with you? And if the answer is no, then there is your answer. When you feel yourself trying to justify something or someone, than sin is probably present or about to occur. And I say all of this in a non judgemental way for these are my guidelines too. But you must learn the Word and get to know the Lord for that is how you grow in your relationship with Him and will learn to know His ways. I used to be a smoker and I would picture the Lord driving with me in the car and I would be so ashamed. I knew my actions were not of God nor pleasing to God. If you can illustrate a scenario in your head and place the Lord in it with you, you will find your answer. He is the only GPS I will ever need. I rely on it to keep me on the path of righteousness for I know how one false move can lead to a dangerous road. Therefore allow the Holy Spirit to lead you while you follow. In all things of life, follow Him. We all need to slow down and be still so that we can hear His voice and know His direction. Trust Him and lay down all those things that are weighing your walk down. And live the life He created for you. And don't allow anyone or anything to dissuade you, discourage or defeat you. If God is for us, than who can be against us. Romans 8:31 AMEN!

Psalm 46:10

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Listening to God is essential to walking with God.

James 1:22-25

New King James Version (NKJV)

²² But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; ²⁴ for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. ²⁵ But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will grant your heart's desires. Psalm 37: 4

What a wonderful promise that He gives us.  It happens to be my favorite verse too. For no matter what I am going through, when I meditate on that one scripture, I am encouraged once more.  I am bold in my faith for I know that He will do what He says He will do.  He has given me such inner peace that it shines through me on to others.  And that is the power of the Holy Spirit.  My fervor and love for God comes from my deep gratitude that He saved someone like me, forgave me and loved me enough to call me to Him.  Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?  Do you know that He died on the cross for you so that your sins would be forgiven and for you to have eternal life? Do you believe in Heaven? Do you believe in Hell? For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16. It is more than a sign you see held up at football games. It is the basis of Christianity.  It is the eternal promise of hope we all share. Not just for some, but for all. Jesus died so that WE all would be forgiven and live with His Father forever for this  life on earth is temporary. So many people try to achieve everything here on earth. They do whatever "it takes" to obtain wealth, status, power, possessions and yet in the end, can any of it be taken with them? All we are left with at the end of our lives are our life's choices. To believe or not to believe. I tell you this, if there is a chance that I am wrong and when I die, nothing happens, than so be it. But if there is the chance that I am right and there is a hell that is very real where those that deny Christ are sent to for eternal damnation, then I win. What about you? What if you are wrong and there is heaven and there is hell? Then what? 

Lord, I pray for those that are lost for I know you came to seek and save all of your children. So that we would nor perish but have everlasting life. I ask today that you use me in anyway you choose so I that can be a vessel for you in helping someone see the truth. May this be the day the veil is lifted from their eyes and they know that you are real. I ask that they come to you and give you their hearts so that you can dwell within them and guide them through their days and bestow upon them your love, mercy, grace, peace and joy. That they are unable to contain their gratitude and they in turn want to share their good news with another. I pray that we all pay it forward again and again until all your children come home once more. It is in your name I pray. Amen.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Trust requires unanswered questions.  If we do not accept this fact, then we will experience nothing but frustration.  Frustration in the "not knowing" of God's plan for your life, frustrated while waiting for unanswered prayers. You can make yourself sick with stress if you allow yourself to worry about the not knowing. The moment you feel frustrated ask yourself, "what can I do to maintain my joy during this trial?"  What can we do to ease the anxiety while riding the storm?  I choose to stay in the moment. I choose not to dwell on what I don't have but instead focus on what I do have. My worrying will not speed up God therefore I don't allow myself to get that way. I need to just be blessed for today, be grateful for the day and live in it with peace and joy. I make the choice to be grateful for everyday, no matter what my circumstances are.  I know it is easier said than done, but it is vital to for your spiritual health and your mental/physical self.  It is very easy to praise the Lord when everything is going perfect and your life is on track but for those that are experiencing life's hardships, it is very difficult to smile through the pain and angst.  The Lord wants us to trust in Him enough to let go and let Him.  To be anxious for nothing and pray for everything.  I lift you up in prayer and I ask the Lord to guide you and keep you in His watchful eye during this difficult season. I ask that you draw your strength from Him and know that nothing is impossible for our Lord.  That what we see as a hopeless situation, God sees as an opportunity. So today rest in Him, have faith in the blood of the Lamb and know know know that He loves you and will reveal all to you in His perfect timing. Until then, love Him and find joy in all things.  Amen and amen. 

Proverbs 3:5

http://proclaimthekingdom.webs.com/

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

The Lord has one word for you today.....BELIEVE! No matter what is happening in your life, believe in Him. As difficult as it has been waiting, believe in the One who tells us His timing is perfect. When you don't know what your future is with work, residence, your finances, BELIEVE in the power of our Almighty God for His favor and abundance of blessings. If your child has strayed from the Lord, believe that today will be the day they return home. I stand with you today in prayer for the bible says if two or more gather together in His name, there will He be also. Matthew 18:20 And I believe in that promise. I believe in Him. And I believe in you. Be blessed today. Let Him carry this burden for you so that you can rest in Him. It is His name I pray, Amen.

Hebrews 11:6

All it takes to see a miracle are eyes of faith.~Unknown

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Have you ever sowed a seed of faith? Made a tithe or offering out of your poverty and not your excess? I truly believe these acts of true faith move the Spirit of the Lord. Anyone can give out of excess but when you stand faithful to your tithes and offerings during the famine, God blesses. I encourage you all to continue to tithe without fear and with all knowing that HE will provide all of your needs. "I will open up the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessings there will not be enough room to store it". He even tells us to "test me on this". Malachi 3:10 I cannot even begin to tell you all the times my Lord has blessed me when there seemed to be no way. He will bless you with spiritual protection, His favor and even with time. And for those that are thinking, "I just cannot afford to tithe at this time", I say....."YOU CANNOT AFFORD NOT TO". Believe me when I tell you, if you do not follow this command, the money you are holding on to, will be spent or lost in more ways than 10%. And you will be bound in financial bondage one way or another. I had to tell a dear friend of mine that she was putting her own son before the Lord and providing for his needs above the Lord's command and it was a form of idolatry. It was not easy to say but the Lord spoke through me in order to reach her. She has since listened and obeyed and her financial situation has made a complete turn around. Glory be to God in the Highest. He is faithful and worthy to be praised. But keep in mind, even though He promises our tithes and offerings will be rewarded, do it with a pure heart and tithe with faith, not with an agenda. The Lord is our God and not to be looked upon as an ATM machine. Give with the right reasons. And I know He will honor your faithfulness, you need not worry in these scary unknown financial times. The economy may be weak but our God is strong. Remember that!

Malachi 3:8-12