Sunday, August 30, 2015

I Prayed that God Would Take Away





I prayed that God would take away 
The pain that I was in
And then I prayed that He would also
Take away my sin

For in my mind I knew that I
Would blameless live for Him
If only all the pain was gone
That kept me in my sin

But t
hen my patient Lord prepared
A path along the way
A very special detour
Where I could learn to pray 


Not for the one I call myself 
And all my special needs 
But for the precious soul for whom 
The blood of Christ still pleads 

And then the more I prayed for them 
The less I felt my pain 
And every thought was prefaced with 
The thought of Jesus's name 

For as I read within God's word 
The life that Jesus lived 
I realized the more that He 
Had suffered just to give 

A pure example born of God 
Of what we ought to be 
Until at last He gave His all 
And died upon a tree 

And as I read these words to me 
Of all Christ's suffering 
I found a precious promise that 
His Word is offering 

That if I will allow Him to 
He'll daily take my hand 
And lead me through the obstacles 
That block the promised land 

The obstacles of my own will 
That have control of me 
And block the vision that the Lord 
Desires I should see 

The vision of a holy place 
Where all is fresh and new 
And every pain I ever had 
Fulfilled its purpose to 

Prepare my heart to love Him most 
When He does come again 
To cleanse the world of every pain 
Eradicating sin 

And then as I will see Christ's smile 
And feel love's warmth in me 
I'll thank Him for the way we came 
Through every travesty 

So do not be discouraged friend 
Though life may seem severe 
Just hold by faith His precious grace 
That He has offered here 

And trust that He does love you more 
Than you can love yourself 
And will provide your deepest needs 
When you have lost all else 

And when at last that trumpet sounds 
You'll shout in victory 
And thank the Lord for all He's done 
To set this captive free 

2 Corinthians 12:9 & Philippians 4:19

                         
     Lee Forbes
     June 4/15



 Father,
 I need to be more compassionate. Please help me 
 see the pain in the lives of others. The more I 
pray for them, the less I feel my pain. Show me how 
to comfort others by letting them hear You in the 
words I speak. Let them feel Your love in the way 
treat them. Let them see You in me.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Today’s quote: Mary Southerland "If we can’t prevent pain, 
we can at least lessen the load with compassion. Allen Redpath wrote, 'You can never lighten the load unless you have first 
felt the pressure in your own soul.' To develop  compassion, 
we must be willing to feel the pain of others, responding 
as if it were our own."

Today’s Bible verse:  Jer. 30:17 "For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds."

Some thoughts today: Once we are saved, we will begin to love things. Everything will begin to have a beauty we hadn't seen before, especially God's creation. The Spirit of God will give us new impulses.

- When old thoughts come up of old ways, we're not to feed into those thoughts. We are to walk in newness of life, and reprogram our minds to think God's thoughts, as we learn of His ways. (Eph. 5:10, 17).

- Be sure to find a Bible-believing church to fellowship with believers, and to receive teaching from God's Word. Don't allow your frustrations in life keep you from attending. Pray you'll find help and hope there.

                                                 Only Jesus

"Who knows each moment how you feel?
Whose love for you is always real?
Who cares for you and guides your way?
Who holds your hand so you won't stray?

                          Jesus!

Who's there when others turn their backs?
Who helps you get your life on track?
Who always wants to be your friend?
On whom alone can you depend?

                            Jesus!            

Who's there for you both day and night?
Who soothes your pain and makes things right?
Who walked the road to Calvary
And gave His life, so you’d be free?

                        Jesus!

Who is Our Savior and Our King,
Our Counselor-Our Everything?

                     Only Jesus!"

By Frances Gregory Pasch 

 Double Vision: Seeing God in Everyday Life through Devotions and Poetry

Published by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas.
(Used by permission) 


9/1st- Tuesday’s post:  #91  Spiritual Mapping in the Bible
C. Peter Wagner
3rd-  Thursday's post:  #92  Mapping Guadalajara 
C. Peter Wagner
5th- Saturday's post:  In a Moment
James H. Cagle
6th- Sunday evening's post:  Come, Loving father
Debbie McEwen


A popular post:   I Need Rest   Gwen Smith - "I spin plates. Not real plates. Metaphorical plates. I spin lots of plates at the same time and I multi-task. 
            This is both a blessing and a curse in my life.  Sometimes my attention is divided in too many directions, . . . " 



Saturday, August 29, 2015

What Is That to You?


Julie Ackerman Link: "Social media is useful for many things, but contentment is not one of them.

At least not for me. Even when my goals are good, I can become discouraged by continual reminders that others are accomplishing them first or with greater results.

I am prone to this kind of discouragement, so I frequently remind myself that God has given me everything I need to accomplish the work He wants me to do.

This means I don't need a bigger budget or the assurance of success. I don't need a better work environment or a different job. I don't need the approval or permission of others.

I don't need good health or more time. God may give me some of those things, but everything I need I already have, for when He assigns work He provides the resources. 

My only assignment is to use whatever time and talents He has given in a way that blesses others and gives God the glory.

Jesus and Peter had a conversation that got around to this subject. After making breakfast on the shore of Galilee, Jesus told Peter what would happen at the end of his life.

Pointing at another disciple, Peter asked, 'What about him?'Jesus responded, "What is that to you?"

That is the question I need to ask myself when I compare myself to others. The answer is, 'None of my business.'

My business is to follow Jesus and to be faithful."


Resentment comes from looking at others;
contentment comes from looking at God."
Our Daily Bread 6/13/15


  Father,
Help me remember that when You assign 
work, You will also provide the resources. 
This means that what I have should be sufficient
for whatever You expect me to accomplish.
May I remember that what others have is really
none of my business. It could mean that I
can be of help to them at times, but am not
to desire what they have, but to be thankful
for my own provisions.
I ask for guidance in my attitudes, as I do
want to be right in Your sight.
In Jesus' name, I ask this. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse:  John 21:15-22 v. 22 "Jesus said to him, '...you follow me.' "

Today’s quote: Bret Lott - "Like the Bible, the vast majority of our lives are made up of the stories we have lived through, that we have been told, and that we tell to each other. They unite us as individuals in personal relationship with our God, bind us as members of a family, and connect us as members of a community of believers." (Taken from p.40 of Bret's story, He Knows My Story, found in In Touch, A publication of In Touch Ministries / Feb. 2014)

Some thoughts today: If you don't think you need to be transformed, think again! Give that thought to God! (2 Cor. 3:18)

~ The Holy Spirit does the work, if you'll ask Him to. (Titus 3:4, 5)

~ We need to take our hands off our lives, and surrender them completely to God's re-making us, to become more like Him. We are responsible for what we do, as we'll give an answer some day when we meet God at death. He'll ask us what we did with the Salvation provided for by Christ.


 My book, Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse, is on special on Kindle for $1.99! See it on the sidebar. Please order it for someone who would appreciate the information. Thanks!

Is It The End or The Beginning?

By JillSavage on Aug 19, 2015 


Jill Savage: "Perspective.
It is the way we see something.
It’s the compass for our emotions.
It’s the change we sometimes need to get our head and our heart in a better place.
Perspective is something moms need every August as we wrestle with how we view our kids growing up.
So is their start of preschool, their new grades, their movement from one school to the next, their start of college an end or a beginning?.."

30th- Sunday evening’s post: I Prayed that God Would Take Away
Lee Forbes
9/1st- Tuesday's post:  #91  Spiritual Mapping in the Bible
C. Peter Wagner
3rd- Thursday's post:  #92  Mapping Guadalajara 
C. Peter Wagner
5th- Saturday's post:  In A Moment
James H. Cagle


A popular post:   How Powerful Are These Petitions? C. Peter Wagner goes on to tell 
us, "Some may ask: Do you really mean that the petition of a mere human being can determine the actions of an almighty and all-powerful God?

The answer is yes. This is the way the Almighty God chose..."





Thursday, August 27, 2015

#90 Spiritual Mapping


C. Peter Wagner: " A relatively new area of Christian research and ministry closely connected with naming the powers is called "spiritual mapping."

Key figures in the development and definition of this field are  
David Barrett of the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board, Luis Bush  of the A.D. Movement and George Otis, Jr., of The Sentinel group.

David Barrett, who edited the massive World Christian Encyclopedia, and who has the most extensive data base for global Christian statistics ever compiled, discerned an area that encompassed North Africa, the Middle East and sections of Asia to Japan.

His computer-aided calculations showed that at least 95 percent of the world's unreached peoples and the largest number of non-Christians reside in this area.

Luis Bush observed that this area was situated between the latitudes of 10 and 40 north and drew a rectangle on the map, which he calls "the 10/40 Window."

This 10/40 Window is becoming widely accepted by missiologists as the most crucial area for the focus of the forces for world evangelization in the 1990s. 

Within it are the centers of Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Shintoism and Taoism.

George Otis, Jr. says, 

    "By playing host to these religions; nerve centers—and 
     some 95 percent of the world's unreached peoples—the
     lands and societies of the 10 /40 Window can hardly 

     avoid becoming the primary spiritual battleground of the 
     1990s and beyond.

     And when the epic conflict finally unfolds, the enemy                                 operations will in all likelihood be managed from two 
     powerful strongholds—Iran and Iraq—situated at the 
     epicenter of the Window."

Otis points out that strategic-level spiritual warfare seems to be building up at the same geographical location where it started, the Garden of Eden.

This type of discernment enters into spiritual mapping. It is 
an attempt to see a city or a nation or the world "as it really is,
not as it appears to be." (From his book, The Last of the Giantsp.85)

It is based on the assumption that the spiritual reality lies behind the natural. It takes seriously the distinction between the visible and the invisible, as I explained in the last chapter. (#84 The Visible and the Invisible)

The apostle Paul says, "We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen" (2 Cor. 4:18).

(Google image and emphasis added)



#90 Spiritual Mapping in the Bible
By C. Peter Wagner
(pp. 150 - 152) Regal Books


    
    Father, I find this to be so true of our world today, and ask that You'll guide the leaders of our churches in those areas to realize what their real needs are.
    May we also begin to understand what our various areas' needs are, and begin to pray more effectively against Satan's plans of destruction of lives, homes, marriages, and the effectiveness in their ministries.
    I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Ps. 32:8 "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye."

Today’s quote: Dr. Charles F. Stanley - "The apostle Paul had been through shipwrecks, imprisonment, and beatings—difficulties far worse than what most of us face.  Yet he didn't quit, because he drew on God's grace and found it sufficient for every circumstance. Where do you need an infusion of grace in order not to give up and walk away?" (Taken from p.50 of In Touch, a publication of In Touch ministries/July 2014)





The road gets long and weary
But my eyes are on the Cross
My soul bound for Heaven
Once broken down and lost

Satan knocks at the door
But only Jesus has the key
As long as I have breath
Satan will keep on tempting me

I'm focused on my journey
Satan can't stop me now
When I read the words of Jesus
He stands with me in prayer

There's more POWER in my Bible
Than what Satan has to say
I'm one step closer to Heaven
Every time I kneel and pray

Jesus sends the Holy Ghost
The Comforter of my soul
He guides me to the right path
With Jesus in control

The armor of God surrounds me
Where evil can't come in
Come join me on my journey
That Jesus will always win

My Journey 

by Linda M Hill 2008

(Used by permission)

Some thoughts today: A transformed heart looks at problems with God's viewpoint. God's at work, even in and through our government, for His purposes.

~ Our need is to maintain a proper attitude and response, as we're to demonstrate God's love through our daily living.

~ When given opportunity, we're to speak up against what is against what God has decreed.


29th- Saturday’s post:  What is that to You?
Julie Ackerman Link
30th- Sunday evening's post:  I Prayed that God Would Take Away   Lee Forbes
9/1st- Tuesday's post:  #91  Spiritual Mapping in the Bible
C. Peter Wagner
3rd- Thursday's post:  #92 Mapping Guadalajara
C. Peter Wagner


A popular post:   Why Pastors 
Need Intercession C. Peter 
Wagner shares more from his
book, PRAYER SHIELD, How
to intercede for pastors, Christian
leaders and others on the spiritual frontlines:


"I am convinced that most church members have little or no appreciation of the cost of being a pastor..."






Tuesday, August 25, 2015

# 89 Putting It Into Practice


C. Peter Wagner: "Experienced spiritual warriors have found 
that the more specific we can be in our warfare prayer, the more 
effective we usually are.

For example, Dean Sherman of Youth With a Mission says, 

   "God will show us the particular influencing spirit so that
    our prayers can be specific. We can then break these powers
    in the name of Jesus, and intercede for the Holy Spirit to
    come and heal the situation."

Sherman agrees that 

   "The more specific we are in prayer, the more effective 
     our prayers will be."

Urbanologist Bob Linthicum makes it a point in some of his urban workshops to have the participants identify the "angel of their city." They must name it, describe it, and discuss how it manifests itself in different aspects of the life of the city, including their churches.

He says,

    "The exercise always proves to be the most stimulating
     event of the workshop."

A feeling grows that the participants are understanding their city in a deeper way. Linthicum's conclusion is:

    "To be able to name your city's angel and to understand
     how it is at work both exposes it and enables you to 
     understand the dimensions the church's ministry must
     undertake if it is truly to confront the principalities and
     powers!

This has much to do with why the first Walter Wink's trilogy on principalities and powers is Naming the powers.

Dick Bernal, one of the pioneers of contemporary strategic-level spiritual warfare, says, 

    "I cannot be too emphatic. In dealing with the princes
     and rulers of the heavenlies, they must be identified."

As Larry Lea prays over his church, he often addresses the principalities to the north, south, east and west of his church as persons. He says, for example,

    "North, you have people God wills to become a part of 
     my church. I command you in the name of Jesus to release 
     every person who is supposed to become a part of this 
     body."

In summary, although it is not always necessary to name the powers, if the names can be found, whether functional names or proper names, it is usually helpful for focusing warfare prayer.

(Google image and emphasis added)


#89 Putting it into Practice
By C. Peter Wagner
(pp. 149 - 150) Regal Books








     Father, as we read this message from Wagner's book, may we begin to see the real need to pray for the surrounding areas of our churches. May we understand that folks are being stirred, possibly as never before, to seek You and find Reality.
    I see that to become more specific in our praying will be a big 
advantage to our prayer warfare. Cause us to sense what it is we are fighting in the spiritual heavenlies over our own areas, so we can be effective in our praying.
    I ask this in the Name of Jesus, the only one who can train and help us in praying for others. Amen.


My book: Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse in ebook form, on $1.99 special right now on 
https://www.pinterest.com/LPCMediaGroup/books-worth-reading/Scroll down to see and to purchase it! Thanks!

Today’s Bible verse: Ecc. 12:13 b "Fear God and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of Man."

Today’s quote: Dr. Charles F. Stanley - "Staying young while growing old begins with your mind. Never stop listening to the Father or learning from His Word. Allow godly thinking to shape your attitudes. Be thankful, keep laughing, and rejoice in your Lord. Above all, keep believing and loving Him with all your heart." (Taken from In Touch, a publication of In Touch Ministries - April 2015 p. 56)

Some thoughts today: Jesus went to the deepest need of people: their sin. He had compassion, and showed it by addressing what they said their need was.

~ We're good at self-delusion. God shows us our actual condition. The Good News makes no sense until we identify our own need and allow Jesus to address the root of our issue. 

~ Jesus came into the world to save sinners like us. We need Him just as much today as the Bible folks did. The Apostle Paul realized his capability of sinning, and referred to himself as being "the chiefest of sinners."


27th- Thursday’s post:  #90  Spiritual Mapping
C. Peter Wagner
29th- Saturday's post:  What is that to You?
Julie Ackerman Link
30th- Sunday evening's post:  I Prayed that God Would Take Away
Lee Forbes
9/1st- Tuesday's post:  #91  Spiritual Mapping in the Bible
C. Peter Wagner

A popular post:   Finding What You've Always Wanted Sharon Jaynes shares with us, "Yard salesI’ve never really liked them.
But when we were preparing to move from the home we had lived in for 20 years, we decided it was a must..."