Thursday, January 31, 2013

Whatever He Says, Do It!: Prayer Note #112

  

   Dutch Sheets tells us, "God is calling the Church to a new understanding of prophetic action and declaration, functioning as His voice and Body upon the earth. 

   When He speaks His plan to us, however foolish it may seem – to hold up a rod, speak to the spiritually dead, walk our neighborhoods, march through our streets, hit rocks, decree to the earth, lay hands on and speak to oppressive walls, walk across America, read the Bible toward the Capitol, speak to a nation that isn’t listening – He needs us to DO IT!

   The Lord may lead you to go to the bedroom of a rebellious child and anoint things with oil, pray over clothing, speak over the child’s bed or some other symbolic act. 

   Others of you will be called to make declarations over your cities and governments. 

   Some will be told to march on land, claiming it for the kingdom of God. 

   Whatever He says to you, do it. 

   Be bold to declare the Word of the Lord over and into situations.

   Sprinkle the seed of His Word into the earth and expect a harvest. 

   It will be established. It will arise! Life will come!”

Today’s Prayer Note #112Whatever He Says, Do It,  taken from Dutch Sheets’ book, Intercessory Prayer (pg 231)

The next Prayer Note: Jan 5th - Be on the Alert: Prayer Note #113

My prayer note for you: To have a list helps, but be willing to pray for what, or whoever comes to mind.


Let's pray: 
Father, Help me become bold in sharing your Word with those You bring into my path. May I remember that Your Spirit will deal with them. I need to be Your hands in getting it to them. Amen

Today's quotes: "Spending time and money on material things is fine, if done wisely, but spending time on a personal relationship with the Lord is the best investment." 
Frances Gregory Pasch

"We have to believe the Word of God more than anything else." Joyce Meyers


A popular post:  Sandpaper People 
Mary Southerland shares with us, " I recently read the story of a young reporter who approached an older gentleman on his 100th birthday.

     ‘I want to wish you a happy birthday, Sir. I have just one question for you.

What would you say is your greatest accomplishment in life?..'
 



Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Locked Out



Peggy Hunt shares with us this Scripture:

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” John 1:12 

 "The speaker had been hired by a large corporation to deliver a talk entitled, 'Dress For Success'.

In the morning, having spent the night in the hotel where she would be speaking, she had room service deliver her breakfast. 

After eating she opened the door, checked to see the hall was empty and, dressed only in a camisole and half-slip, gingerly placed the tray outside her door. 

Unfortunately the coffee pot tipped over and, without thinking, she hurried to sop up the mess with the napkin from her tray. 

That’s when she heard the ominous 'click' of the door closing behind her….

Barefoot, she tip-toed down the stairwell, up to the front desk and sheepishly explained what had happened. 

To her amazement, the desk clerk asked, 'Do you have any ID?'

Eventually things worked out but not before the man who had hired her met her in the elevator and quipped, 'Dressing For Success?'

When our children were 10 years old, they were issued a military ID cards that allowed them access to the base. 

It did not take long for them to realize the importance of their cards. It is no fun to wait outside the Commissary while Mom picks out your cereal! 

Not having proper ID can be more than embarrassing or inconvenient. It can be dangerous and becomes a tangled web of expense and frustration if lost or stolen.

In today’s world, having a valid ID is a must. The same holds true for the day we leave this world and step into the next. 

Whether that day comes slowly or as quickly as the sound of a shutting door, if our identity is not found in Christ, we will be separated from His light and love for all eternity. 

How reassuring it is to know, as a believer and follower of Christ, our identity is secure in Him. 

The day we came to Him, asked Him to forgive our sins and come into our heart, we became a child of God with an eternal identity we cannot lose, forget, have stolen, destroy or leave locked in a room. Is your id handy?"

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

The Vision Confirmed: Prayer Note #111





   Dutch Sheets tells us of his first confirmation that our nation will have revival at The National Day of Prayer.

 Many senators, congressmen, statesmen and spiritual leaders of the nation were attending. 

When the young people of The Master’s Commission walked down the aisle singing, ‘Heal Our Land’, the Spirit of God hovered, causing most everyone to weep.

   “These young people then rendezvoused with Norm Stone, a man from their church, Harvest Christian Fellowship…

The night before these young people were to join Norm, I heard these words from the Lord: This is a prophetic declaration by Me that the generation which Satan tried to annihilate through abortion – My next generation of warriors in the earth – have not and will not be destroyed.

 I’m sending these young people to march behind Norm, [for 20 miles for two weeks, praying, on his trek across America #5], as a prophetic message saying, ‘No! This is My generation, Satan, and you will not have them!’

   Later that evening I heard the words, I’m going to confirm to you once more that I’m sending revival to this nation in which the youth will have a major role. I’ll do it through the Bible reading you’re to do tonight.

   [Dutch told the Lord that he wanted to be allowed to read either from Haggai or Habakkuk, as they are the ones he’d been reading from. He was given 15 to read at midnight, from either one of these books!]

   You can believe I read the Word of the Lord with authority, making prophetic declaration over the government of this nation with absolute faith that revival is coming.”

Today’s Prayer Note #111 - The Vision Confirmed, taken from Dutch Sheets’ book, Intercessory Prayer (229-231)

The next Prayer Note: Whatever He Says, Do It!: Prayer Note #112

My personal prayer note:       Set aside a separate, quiet place to pray daily.


Some words about prayer today:  Elisabeth Elliott  - “What are you waiting for today in prayer? Don't give up. Make it a way of life. It is in waiting that we make room for God.”

Today’s quote:  Marvin Williams “Remember, Jesus has given you a significant part to play and will use you to build up His people.”


 “As a member of the body of Christ,
You are a necessary part of the whole.”
OUR DAILY BREAD
1/18/13


Our thought for today:  We can see the effects of the Spirit of God in our lives!

Tomorrow’s post:   Locked Out  Penny Hunt

A popular post:  What Does God Say?   


http://www.amazon.com/dp/1938499999/  Link to Granny’s Guide to Marriage in Verse  my book for women contemplating marriage.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DP77URG/  Kindle addition


Monday, January 28, 2013

Ingratitude is Contagious...Don't Be a Carrier






  Sharon Jaynes shares with us, "Ingratitude laced with grumbling, complaining, and murmuring is an easy trap to fall into.

  And it is so contagious. 

  Someone grumbles and the next thing you know, you fall right in line and start grumbling too.

 I wonder if that’s what happened in the wilderness as the Israelites made one more trek around Mount Sinai.

 'I’m sick of this manna,' one complained. 

 Then another looked at God’s sweet provision and said, 'Come to think of it, I’m sick of it too.'

 The next thing you know the sea of ingrates becomes a tidal wave of grumblers and God sends them on another lap around the wilderness and places a 'Do Not Enter' sign in front of the Promised Land.

 When you think about it, ingratitude is a casual despising of God’s sovereignty. It’s like saying we don’t like how He is running things and think we could do it better.

 Gratitude and giving thanks in all things opens our eyes to see God’s glory in even the smallest things.

 On the other hand, ingratitude blinds our eyes to God’s presence, and we miss His advances all around. It’s a choice, not an emotion. 

 However, this choice to give thanks may very well open the way for positive emotions such as joy to emerge and take hold.

 Paul wrote: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again (because you probably didn't get it the first time): Rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4, parentheses mine).

 There is nobody more miserable than an ungrateful person. 

 Margaret and I were chatting about gratitude when she mentioned how she tries to steer clear of those who grumble and complain because their ingratitude is so contagious. 

 'I hate calling my sister,' she mused. 'I mean, I love her. But talking to her is such a joy drain.'

 'What do you mean?' I asked.

 'All she does is complain. Something is always wrong with her house. She always has a new ailment.

  She gives me the latest obituary report and tells me who is sick with what. A couple of times I tried to cheer her up. You know, help her see the positive side of things.

  ‘At least you have a house. Think of all those people who lost their homes in the hurricane.’ But it only made her mad. She said I was not being sympathetic and that I made little of her problems.

  So now I just listen.'

  I thought of Henry Ward Beecher’s words: 'Pride slays thanksgiving…a proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves.' Eyes shut tight to God’s glory.

 I am reminded of an old saying that stirs and stings: 'Gratitude turns what we have into enough.' Always enough.

 Jesus thanked God for the two loaves and five fish… and there was more than enough to go around (John 6:1-13).

 Today, make a commitment to turn your grumbling to grateful, your complaining into contentment, and your whining (did I just say that…yes I did) into praising God!"


Ingratitude is Contagious…Don’t Be a Carrier  Sharon Jaynes  1/16/13

 "When the Lord heard your complaining, he became very angry. So he solemnly swore, ‘Not one of you from this wicked generation will live to see the good land I swore to give your ancestors, except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see this land because he has followed the Lord completely. I will give to him and his descendants some of the very land he explored during his scouting mission."  (Deu. 1:35-36 NLT)

Let’s Pray


[Sometimes I open my Bible and simply pray the Psalms. Join me today!]

"Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live", (Psalm 146:1). "Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!" (Psalm 147:1). "Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness." (Psalm 150:1-2). "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever." (Psalm 136:1).

In Jesus’ Name I praise You!
Amen."

Now It’s Your Turn

Do you feel far from God today? If so, maybe you’re knocking on the wrong door. What does Psalm 100:4 tell us about how we are to enter God’s presence?

If complaining were a color, what color would it be?

If being grateful, thankful and appreciative were a color, what color would it be?

Now, what color do you want to be today?

If you would like 2013 to be the year that you change your grumbling into grateful…that you get a handle on that little muscle with a big impact…your tongue, then check out my book, The Power of a Woman’s Words.It also has a Bible Study Guide and a DVD that is perfect for group studies or simply to dig deeper into God’s Word on your own.  www.girlfriendsingod.com

{If you need help to stop complaining, ask an elder or friend in a Bible-believing church to pray for deliverance. There is an evil spirit that attaches it'self to folks, and it will keep trying to influence them to grumble and complain. 

Once you've been prayed for, for deliverance from its control, each time you find yourself starting to complain, refuse to do it in Jesus' name! After a few times, you will experience deliverance and victory!}


Today's quote:  Sharon Jaynes – “Ingratitude is the infection of Eden that closes eyes shut tight to glory moments to experience God and leaves us groping about in the dark for that which will never satisfy the longings of the soul. 

The cure comes in capsules of praise, thanksgiving, and a grateful heart. Gratitude is the antibiotic of the soul to cure a variety of the world’s ills. It cuts the bark of our hard hearts and nourishes the very spot where we are grafted into Jesus Christ Himself, and restores a sense of closeness and intimacy with God.”

Prayer note:     Know the Bible enough to understand God’s will in what you pray. It is all important.

Our thought for today: We honor God by pressing on to maturity in Christ.

Tomorrow’s post:
The Vision Confirmed: Prayer Note #111 Dutch Sheets

A popular post, also by Sharon Jaynes:
  Gossip Is Deadly   



Sunday, January 27, 2013

Watch Your Mouth!



Andrea Merrell, while riding in their car, said  “I need to get my attitude under control and learn to keep my mouth shut.

My husband glanced at me as we headed down the road, a grin on his face. 'I know exactly when you’ll be able to do that,' he said.

I looked at him expectantly, ready for his usual words of wisdom.

'When you’re dead.'

'Thank you, honey—that gives me tremendous hope.'

Is it any wonder we have so much trouble keeping that tiny little member of our body in check?

They say 'good things come in small packages,' but sometimes those small packages contain things that are deadly, toxic, and explosive. The Bible refers to our tongue as an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Ouch!

I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time keeping my thoughts and opinions to myself. 

Maybe I’m in good company, though, because the Apostle Paul had the same struggle with self-control. He admits that he didn’t do the things he should, and did the very things he shouldn’t. 


Sound familiar?


The good news is, there’s always hope for us (yes, even this side of the grave . . . thanks anyway, honey).

When we have trouble controlling our tongue, speaking the right thing at the right time—in love—there is One who can help. 

When we give the Holy Spirit permission to be in charge, He will stand guard over our mind, our heart, and our mouth. 


He will act as the filter for everything we think, feel, say, and do, if we’ll only give Him permission.


The next step for us is to listen and be obedient when He says, 'Don’t say that,' or 'Say this instead.' 

He might even tell us to think about the consequences of our words, actions, or deeds. We can choose to follow His direction or pay the price for a lack of self-control.


I have found that God is always there for me, leading, guiding, and prompting me to go in the right direction, make the right choices, and do the right thing.

He will impart wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in every situation. All I have to do is ask.


God sent the Holy Spirit to be our coach, umpire, and referee, all rolled into one. 

Will you let Him in the game?"


"But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."
James 3:8

Watch Your Mouth – Andrea Merrell

Andrea Merrell lives in the upstate of South Carolina and is a freelance writer and editor with a passion to help others see God’s Word as practical and relevant for ordinary, everyday life.


Andrea is a staff writer and Associate Editor for www.ChristianDevotions.us. She is also Associate Editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas.


Her work has been published in Spirit & Heart: A Devotional Journey, Faith & Finances: In God We Trust, Faith & Family, PEN Points, The Write Life, and Extraordinary Answers to Prayer.

Andrea also writes for www.cornerstonegreenville.com. Visit her website at www.andreamerrell.com.

Read Andrea’s devotions.


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Used by permission www.christiandevotions.us


Let's pray:  Father, help me believe that with Your help, I can change when I have trouble controlling my tongue, speaking the right thing at the right time—in love—there is One who can help me! Amen

My Personal prayer note:  
Get alone, spend time in God’s Presence expecting that He will meet with you.

Today’s quote:  If through a broken heart God can bring His purposes to pass in the world, then thank Him for breaking your heart." [Nov. 1, pg 632 of his Devotions for MORNING and EVENING with Oswald Chambers]

Our thought for today: God is in pursuit of us to restore our fellowship with Him.

Tomorrow’s post: Ingratitude is Contagious...Don't be a Carrier  Sharon Jaynes


A popular post:  HEAVENLY PRAYER LANGUAGE 


Samples of Jean's crafts 

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