Unplugged

Mary Southerland: Prayer really is so simple. We try to complicate it, and if I do say so myself, we manage to do a fairly good job of it. Everyone prays when in crisis. When the house is on fire, the kids are driving you nuts, the job is in jeopardy, the health challenge is serious, the finances are failing – it is amazing how even the ungodly will resort to prayer.  It is built into our very being to cry out to God when we are desperate. But is that all prayer is? Is talking with God only for desperate people in desperate moments? I really do want to know God’s will for my life. I desperately need His wisdom to get through every day. I just tend to look for it in the wrong places. Instead of first looking in His Word, I scour the pages of self-help books. Now there is nothing wrong with those books – as long as they take second place to the Word of God. Instead of instantly dropping to my knees to pray, I call a godly friend for a quick-fix solution. Now there is nothing wrong with looking for wisdom from godly friends – as long as we understand that they should be confirmation of what God has already told us. Our questions about the best and highest plan for life should be directed to the One who created that life – the One who knows us best and loves us most – God. Here is the good news. If we ask Him, He will tell us. And the way we ask is through prayer. Prayer is simply communication with God, a heart-to-heart conversation with Him. Prayer is our source of power and strength. And we need to stay plugged into that source. In one of her books, Bible teacher Evelyn Christenson tells a story that drives home the importance of prayer in our lives.  She needed to drop something off at her church office and decided to take a shortcut through the auditorium. When she opened the auditorium doors, she ran into the janitor, a man who had worked there for years. Unfortunately, he was losing his memory due to an illness, but the staff chose to keep him employed until retirement. As she chatted with him, she couldn’t help but notice that he was drenched in sweat and had obviously been working very hard. When she asked what he’d been doing, the man smiled and proudly explained, “Why, I just vacuumed the whole auditorium!”  Evelyn glanced around the huge auditorium and then looked down to see the vacuum cleaner cord lying on the floor. It had never been plugged in. How sad! Maybe. But what is even sadder is the fact that many of us try to live the Christian life – unplugged – separated from our greatest source of power – prayer. Prayer ushers us into God’s presence.  And in His presence is everything we need, wrapped in His perfect will. As we walk in daily obedience, God will direct our prayers and shape our desires so that His plan becomes clear.  Oh, we won’t see it all. But we will see enough for the next step. And that is all we need. 1 John 5:14 “This is the assurance we have in approaching God. That if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” We cannot hear His voice or experience His power without spending time with Him. It is that simple. And the thing that really rocks my world is that He stands - waiting and wanting to spend time with me. With. Me. My God wants to spend time with me. He longs to hear my voice. He loves me, and He really does long for me to come to Him in prayer.   And the same is true for you. Come to Him today. Just come … and pray. Let’s Pray     Father, I come to You right now … pouring out my heart and soul. Every dream, every fear, every longing, every hope … I lay it all at Your feet. I want to know Your plan for my life, and I want to live out that plan. Please guide my steps. Teach me how to follow You and honor You all the days of my life. In Jesus’ name, amen. Now It’s Your Turn Read and memorize Hebrews 4:16  “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Grab your journal. Write this verse in your own words. What does it mean to you? How would you rate your prayer life – plugged in or unplugged? What one change can you make this week to make your prayer life more powerful? (Google images and emphasis added) April 22, 2015 Unplugged Mary Southerland Today’s Truth "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27). If you want to live a life of power and purpose, check out Mary’s CD, Divine Surprises: 7 Habits of a Successful Woman. Be sure to check out the FREE MP3s on Mary’s website. And connect with Mary through email or on Facebook. Seeking God? Click here to find out more about how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Girlfriends in God P.O. Box 1311 Huntersville, NC 28070 info@girlfriendsingod.com www.girlfriendsingod.com Click here to learn more about hosting a Girlfriends in God conference in your area or having one of the GiGs speak at your next women's event. Today's Bible verse: Ps. 22:22 "I Will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you." Our thought today: Mary has some good advice for us today! May we remember her words,"He stands - waiting and wanting to spend time with me." 26th- Tuesday’s post: #65  Cleanse Your Hands, and Purify Your Hearts C. Peter Wagner 28th- Thursday's post: #66  The "Bless Me" Trap C. Peter Wagner 30th- Saturday's post:  Mysterious Ways: A Friend on the Freeway Keith VanderArk 31st- Sunday evening's post:  Hope Lives Dave Branon A popular post:  God's Take on Marriage Germain Copeland shares with us, "The marriage covenant is sacred; it is to be a reflection of Christ and the Church.  The husband and wife are to be in submission one to the other out of reverence for their Lord..." jean-oathout.blogspot.com   (save to check in sometime) Samples of Jean's crafts http://twitter.com/jeanoathout http://facebook.com/jean.oathout Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse Kindle $1.99  A great gift for someone who needs help in their marriage Bridal Shower Devotional Bridal Wisdom for Women My book in paperback $7.96 Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse  AuthorsDen.com Where authors and readers come together!

Seasons of the Heart

    

Seasons of the Heart

There are seasons of the heart

Which we live through time and again;

And, with every season, a span of time

Remembered for its growth, rest or pain.

Winter comes and brings its chill

With arms that coldly embrace the soul,

Then pruning back is done by God

That we may bear fruit to a hundredfold.

The sun doesn’t shine and the trials mount

Like the snow piled high at the door.

The light is dim, the darkness long,

‘Til we think we can’t stand anymore.

But spring soon comes; and our soul revives

Through the warmth of the Savior’s love.

The seed of faith held through winter’s cold

Opens to bear fruit for the Father above.

Then comes summer, bringing the drought,

And the heart sends its roots down deep;

Tapping into God’s reservoir of grace,

That the fruit He gave, the soul may keep.

Fall then comes, when the harvest is done

And the fruits of God’s grace are laid in;

Maturing our soul and changing its face

To reflect more the image of our Friend.

We circle again, through the Savior’s plan,

To the quiet stillness of wintertime,

And learn by experience, the season’s of the heart,

Are measured out in God’s will and time.

We must submit to every season of the heart,

Never choosing just the warmth nor the cold;

Allowing the elements of every season

To mold our character ‘til His glory He beholds.

Seasons of the Heart

by James H. Cagle

    Father, when I think of all You've brought me through thus 
far, I have to admit that You are not only merciful, patient, 
strong, wise, and all-knowing, but that You really do love me...
    May my life become a life of sweet fragrance to You.
    Guide me through each of the remaining seasons of my life, 
and help me to please you.
    I ask this in the precious Name of Jesus. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Ps. 34:22 "The LORD redeemeth the souls of his servants: and none of them that trust in him, shall be desolate."

Some thoughts today:  When someone gives you a prophetic word, and it agrees with what God's been impressing you with, take it into what you're doing, embracing it.

- Sometimes, a word comes to confirm what's already going on. It helps to understand that God sees us, and knows our giftings.

- He may deposit a new direction for your giftings.

26th- Sunday evening’s post:  Pray First
Jennifer Benson Schuldt

28th- Tuesday's post:  #61 Submit to God
C. Peter Wagner

30th- Thursday's post:  #62 Draw Near to God
C. Peter Wagner

5/2nd- Saturday's post:  Fear Of Man
Kimberly Damon

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Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse

#57 Releasing Evangelistic Power

C. Peter Wagner: I believe we will not
be too far from wrong if we regard
Artemis of the Ephesians (#56 Artemis
of the Ephesians) as a territorial spirit
and see the possible relationship that
weakening her had to do with the
evangelization of the territory she dominated.

Certainly the "word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed" in Ephesus (Acts 19:20).

Not only did a strong church develop there, but Ephesus became an evangelistic center for the whole region to the extent "that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks" (Acts 19:10).

Some historical sources of the times, other than the Bible also reveal the belief early Christians had about Artemis.

Yale historian Ramsay MacMullen sees much of the Christanization of the Roman Empire as a power encounter between Christianity and the resident demonic forces.

He tells the story of one such power encounter involving Artemis from The Acts of John.

Supposedly the apostle John, unlike the apostle Paul, went into Artemis' temple itself to do strategic-level spiritual warfare.

He reportedly prayed the following warfare prayer:

    "O God...at whose name every idol takes flight and every 
     demon and every unclean power, now let the demon that 
     is here take flight in Thy name."

At that moment, so the story goes, the altar of Artemis split in peaces, and half of the temple building collapsed! (Ramsay MacMullen, Christianizing the Roman Empire, A.D. 100-400 (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1984, p. 26)

History again indicates this had a direct evangelistic effect. The Acts of John records that, following this power encounter led by John, the Ephesians said,

    "We are converted now that we have seen thy marvellous
     works."

Clinton Arnold's study indicates,

    "The influx and expansion of Christianity eventually
     wrought the demise of the cult of the Ephesian Artemis."

(Google image and emphasis added)

Warfare Prayer

#57 Releasing Evangelistic Power
By C. Peter Wagner

(pgs. 98-99) Regal Books

  

    Father, let us be ambassadors for the Kingdom 

of Jesus right where we live. May I be one who 

will faithfully pray for others You lay on my heart 

each day. Help me remember that praying really 

does make a difference in my life, as well as 

in the lives of those I pray for.

    I ask this in Jesus' precious name. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse:  Hab. 2:20 "But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him."

Today's praise verse: Ps. 9:11 "Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done."

Today’s quote:

 Derek Prince - "I have encountered spurious people trying to make others happy without getting them to live according to God's Word. This does not produce the results God has promised. His order is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit." (p. 210 of The Gifts of the Spirit).

Some thoughts today: 

- Let God so fill you in your prayer/meditation time with Him, that His love flows through you to others in their need.

- God wants us to give reckless grace; meaning so much grace that folks are blessed by our generosity. That's what He gives to us, dear friends!

- In 1 Peter 4:9,10, we are told "to use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."

Springtime Battles

Muddy, muddy, gush, gush

As my feet go push, push

Across the soft and wet, wet ground

Mud tries had to suck me down

Tries to take my shoes and keep me

But I stand firm and keep on going

shoes stay on but mud is showing

Remnants of my springtime battle

With that soft an gushy ground

Snow in places still is showing

As my feet do keep on going

Across the muddy, gushy ground

My destination soon I'm reaching

As my feet continue breaching

Springtime muddy, wet, wet ground

I look back and see my journey

Footprints rapidly are learning

Power of the soft and gushy ground

How amazing is the power

Of the mud that makes us cower

When we wage our springtime battles

With the soft and muddy ground.

Debbie McEwen

tmcewen91@yahoo.com

16th- Tuesday’s post:  #58 Territoriality Now: Anthropology
C. Peter Wagner

18th- Saturday's post:  What If?
Jean Oathout

19th- Sunday evening's post:  The Names of God
Joe Stowell

21st- Tuesday's post:  #59 Territoriality in Southern Mexico
C. Peter Wagner

A popular post: 

 Trust God with your Time 

Mary Southerland gives us some advice on 
the importance of our disciplining ourselves concerning the use of our time: 

 "Discipline is obedience, a lifetime process that brings us to a state of order by training and controlling our behavior. Discipline is focusing and eliminating, zeroing in on what is important in every area of life. .." 
[Boy, this is good stuff!]

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Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse

A Devotional with wisdom for women 
contemplating marriage, and a great gift 

for someone who needs help in their
marriage.

The Gift of Forgiveness

Dr. Charles F. Stanley shares with
us about forgiveness in his magazine,
In Touch:

Webster defines gift as "something
given to show friendship, affection,
support, etc."

Using this definition, it seems logical to give gifts only to people we love, not tho those who hurt or abuse us.

Yet Scripture clearly tells us to offer one of the greatest possible gifts—forgiveness—to those who mistreat us.

To forgive means "to give up all claims to punish or exact a penalty for an offense." No strings or conditions can be attached, or else it ceases to be a pardon.

Ephesians 2:8-9 expands on this by contrasting the gift of salvation with works. Neither salvation nor forgiveness can be earned; both must be freely given.

God granted us forgiveness, which we did not deserve and could not earn. And in much the same way, we are to release every offender from any form of penalty.

Unforgiveness is emotional bondage 
that consumes minds with memories 
of offenses, distorts emotions with 
revenge, and fills hearts with churning 
unrest.

Its tentacles reach deep into the soul, affecting both spiritual and physical health. But the one who chooses to put on love and offer forgiveness is ready to receive the peace of Christ.

Let God's Word help you release hurt and anger into His caring hands—then watch as vengeful thoughts are transformed into praise and gratitude to the Lord.

Thankfully, the gift of pardon is not something we have to manufacture in ourselves. 

This present is wrapped in the love 
of God and tied with the red ribbon 
of Christ's sacrifice.

It is freely given to us by the Savior, and our job is simply to pass it on to others.

In Touch July 2014 magazine pg.50
Used by permission  customercare@intouch.org

(Google images and emphasis added)

Cross is Removed and Believers Burst Into Tears, Sing a Beautiful Hymn by Lift the Cross of Jesus! Something to sing about? They did!

     Father, I know that Your Word tells me to forgive those who hurt me.

    It is in Your ability to enable me to do that, and I ask for the grace to forgive.

    I'm willing, but at times, it does seem impossible for me to give the forgiveness You speak of.

     Please grant me the grace to trust You to help me forgive others, as you've forgiven me. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Ps. 66:16 "Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul."

Today’s quote: Margaret Feinburg – “Unforgiveness holds us back from fully experiencing God's wonder. Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is yourself. Take fifteen minutes to prayerfully consider any things for which you've had a hard time forgiving yourself. Record them on a blank sheet of paper. Then take a few moments to forgive yourself for each one.

After you forgive yourself, rip up the sheet of paper as a sign of keeping no record of wrongs. Allow yourself to celebrate the forgiveness God offers you through Jesus. You are a wondrous child of God! Spend some time thanking God for the way he created you and the redemptive work he's doing in your life, and walk in the wonder of forgiveness. Wonderstruck

He Giveth More Grace

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,

He sendeth more strength as our labors increase

To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,

To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

Whe we have exhausted our store of endurance,

When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,

When we reach the end of our hoarded resources

Our Father's full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,

Our God ever yearns His resources to share;

Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;

The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,

His power no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

by Annie J. Flint

Some thoughts today: We need to remember that God will lead and guide us daily through whatever comes our way. Trust Him!

- 1 Tim. 6:6 tells us that "godliness with contentment is great gain."

- It stems from our heart. Is it greedy for more?

24th- Tuesday’s post:  #51 The Pentateuch
C. Peter Wagner
26th- Thursday's post:  #52 Historical Books
C. Peter Wagner
28th- Saturday's post:  Spiritual Blindness
Lorraine Welch
29th- Sunday evening's post: Why Choose Jesus?
Jean Oathout

A popular post:   How CAN I forgive? 

Jean Oathout shares some thoughts about forgiving those who've hurt us so deeply. 
"First of all, WE can't forgive to the point that we let some offense go completely. This is something that only our Creator, Who is the Author of Forgiveness, can help us with, when we turn to Him for help."


Another post of interest: THE POWER OF 
FORGIVENESS Mary Southerland shares with us, "True forgiveness always requires sacrifice on our part – a truth that may often seem unfair in human terms. 

After all, we are the ones who have been hurt. Why should we have to sacrifice anything?" 

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