Emily Marszalek- Between jobs and feeling increasingly discouraged, I spoke negatively about myself:

"I’m a loser. I have no purpose. I’m worthless without a job." As I frequently spoke self-degrading comments, I began to believe the lies. My self-worth suffered, and I felt more hopeless about the future. I was not professing truths. (Joyful woman)

When I expressed some of these self-deprecating comments to my mom, she gently reminded me that such statements did not align with what God says about my identity, worth, and future. As the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart opposed God’s Word, they displeased God. Thus, I was sinning. Although difficult to hear, I knew my mom was right.

Mom encouraged me to write down, memorize, and profess Bible verses that addressed each of the falsehoods I had declared. I replaced each false statement with a statement declaring the truth: I am a cherished daughter of the King. God has a good purpose for my life. My value and identity do not come from a job or any worldly successes.

As I continued to profess and think about God’s truths, the lies that had taken root were uprooted. Seeds of truth began to grow, flourish, and produce fruit in my life. Instead of constantly feeling discouraged, directionless, and depressed, I felt comfort, hope, and joy bud within. Although my future remained unclear, I rested assured that as I kept my eyes fixed on God, He would lead me and infuse purpose in my uncertain season of life.

Now, when negative thoughts arise, I offer them to God and ask Him to help me recalibrate my heart and mind to align with what pleases Him."

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14 NLT

Words about prayer-

“The name of Jesus, when we are sure we are praying in accordance with God’s holy will, gives us confidence in prayer, authority in prayer, and special boldness in spiritual battle. The name of Jesus should help draw us into the close unity needed in the prayer of agreement, and it should be our spiritual missile to blast through Satan’s hindrances and blockage. There is power and authority in the name of Jesus.”

(pg. 139) of MIGHTY PREVAILING PRAYER by Wesley L. Duewel

#81 Testimony- Man heard about praising God.

A man heard me speak about praising God for everything and promised God from that moment he would be thankful for everything that happened to him.

He and his family drove home from the meeting through a snowstorm in below-zero weather. they arrived home late at night, and the moment they stepped in the front door, they knew something was wrong. The house was ice-cold, and the furnace was dead.

The family huddled upstairs while the man walked down to the basement to check the furnace. He knew nothing about furnaces and had no idea what might be wrong.

He stood staring at the cold, silent furnace, and his first impulse was to pray that God would help him get it going again. Without heat in the house, he would have to take his family to a warm shelter for the night.

Then the thought came to him, "Are you thankful now?"

"I'm sorry, Lord, I forgot," he prayed. "But I know you must have planned this for our good, so thank you, God, for this furnace, just as it is."

At that moment a very distinct suggestion came into his mind: "Check the fan!"

"The fan? I don't even know where it is!"

"Look behind the plate on the right side," came the thought.

He found a screwdriver and began removing the plate. The whole scene suddenly struck him as rediculous. Was he just imagining things? Was the fan behind the plate? But if God was really at work giving him this direct kind of help, he couldn't stop now, he reasoned.

His fingers were numb with cold, but the plate came off - and there was the fan.

Now what? he thought.

"Look for the fan belt; it is off."

It was too dark to see inside the furnace , so he got a flashlight and directed the beam down the small opening in the furnace. There was the fan belt, lying loose. He slipped it over the drive shaft on the fan and removed his arm from the narrow opening. The furnace remained cold and silent.

"What now?" he prayed.

"Turn the furnace switch," came the suggestion.

As soon as he turned the switch, the furnace came alive with happy dancing flames, and the man ran upstairs to share with his family how God had blessed them with a cold furnace.

Following the furnace incident, the man's life was changed. He began to listen for the voice of God in all situations, and today has developed a rare sensitivity to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. His open ear to the guidance of God has made him a channel for God's power in the lives of others also.

1431-1435 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-

1431- Jer. 1:19b "I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee."

1432- Is. 42:6a "I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine

hand, and will keep thee."

1433- Is. 32:15a "Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high."

1434- Pro. 19:23a "The fear of the LORD tendeth to life."

1435- Ps. 91:3 "Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from

the noisome pestilence."

#81 Hymn- Wonderful Grace of Jesus

The information about this song, is taken from the book by Robert J. Morgan, THEN SINGS MY SOUL (pg. 279)

The author of this hymn, Haldor Lillenas was born in the fjord district of Norway in 1885, and, as a child, immigrated to the United States with his family. He had a musical bent, a talent that served him well when he entered the ministry in 1910 in the newly established Chruch of the Nazerene.

He began writing gospel songs, and in 1919, he published his first book, and three years later he organized his own publishing house in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was serving as pastor of the First Church of the Nazerene. "Wonderful Grace of Jesus" is the best known of the 4,000 hymns Haldor himself wrote.

Church Notes:

We're never not to be taught the ways of God. Sometimes judgment comes through affliction. We're to ask the Holy Spirit to teach us! He will download information on ways to serve God. Being honest and open as we come before the Lord, He will teach us.

Some encouraging/challenging words-

"The strongest person in the room isn’t the loudest—it’s the one who speaks with wisdom and knows when to stay silent with grace. True strength isn’t found in having the last word, but in responding with wisdom, humility, and restraint." Lisa Bevere

For it is written, “As I live saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” (Romans 14:11 KJV) Jesus is coming back one day. He is returning for His bride, the church. Everyone will see Him, and they will all know He is God. After this, all who have died without believing will be raised from the dead to stand before Him and give an account of their lives.
If you haven’t, accept Christ as your Lord and Savior. If you have, stay faithful to Him because He is coming soon. Darrell Waters

TOUCH the WORLD through PRAYER by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

Upcoming posts:

19th-THE GOD OF SECOND CHANCES- Karen Huffaker

26th- FIX OUR EYES ON JESUS- Asmine GOH

5/1st- DANGERS- Kevin Spencer