STOP LIMITING GOD!

 A widow was approached by a stranger during a severe drought. He asked her to bring him water, which she did. He then asked her to bring him some bread. She told him she only had a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil left to make one more meal for her and her son and then they
would die, they'd have nothing left.

He told her not to be afraid, but to go home and make a small cake of bread for him and use the rest for herself and her son. If she will do this, God will not allow the flour to run dry or the jar of oil to become empty until the Lord gives rain on the land. She believed and did as she was asked. There was food everyday for the Prophet Elijah (the stranger) and Zarephath (the widow) and her son. 

The flour did not run empty and the oil remained full. (1 Kings 17:7-16)

This woman listened to the promptings of the Lord and was blessed because of it. When you feel the Lord directing you, putting certain people or situations in front of you, are you stepping out in Faith? Are you allowing God to bless your life by trusting Him to move in a situation, 

even if you don't know why or completely understand?

STOP LIMITING GOD.

He wants to do a good work in you and through you. More than you can begin to comprehend. Allow Him to move in your life...PRAY, LISTEN & MOVE!

Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." 

(John 13:7)

"God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." 

(1 Corinthians 1:9)

"I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Let the morning bring me word of you unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; 

may your good Spirit lead me on level ground." 

(Psalm 143:6, 8, 10)

"I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols. See, the former things have taken place and new things I declare; 

before they spring into being I announce them to you." 

(Isaiah 42:8-9)

A DEVASTATING LESSON

 Daul Kim-Swarovski Campaign by Sofia and Mauro

On November 19th, 2009 I awoke to something devastating. It began a year prior, when I started following Daul, a famous Korean Fashion Model's Blog. She was not only beautiful, but very intelligent, honest, witty, sarcastic & artistic. All the qualities that make for an interesting read, not to mention, I loved her catch phrase, "Say hi to..." As time went by, her posts took a darker turn. She talked about depression and insomnia. I often left upbeat comments and felt a "tug at my heart" to 'talk' to her about the Lord, but I didn't want to seem too "preachy."

On November 18, 2009, I clicked on her post, "Say hi to...Forever." It was a You Tube techno video of her favorite band. I started to leave a comment, but then erased it...I wasn't sure what to say. The next day I saw a news post, she was found dead in her Paris apartment. I felt like I'd been punched in the stomach. I cried. In her anguish & despair she'd taken her life at only 20 years old.

I vowed never again to waste an opportunity to share the healing power of my Savior's love with someone. To never let the fear of rejection or the opinion of others stand in the way of sharing Christ's life saving, life changing, gift. The Lord put it on my heart & I'd ignored the prompting. It was a heart wrenching lesson for me.

Several months later, a young girl from Malaysia began following my Blog via...Daul's Blog. When I clicked on her site, the title read, "I often think of suicide." I couldn't believe I was getting another chance to share! Her posts talked of her deep depression. I began to pray for the Lord's words and not mine before responding to her. I added her to our church prayer list. Over the past year we have become very close & she calls me her, "American Mama." Through Heavenly Father's Restorative Love, she no longer talks about suicide, and is able to see purpose in her life. Her Blog title now reads, "A difficult time can be more readily endured if we retain the conviction that our existence holds a purpose, a cause to pursue, a person to love, a goal to achieve." 

Don't waste an opportunity that Heavenly Father puts before you due to fear or rejection. Trust in the Lord. Ask for His words & guidance in the situation. Be willing to allow Him to use you!

"And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though the briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house. You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. But you son of man, listen to what I say to you. do not rebel like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you."

Ezekiel 2:6-8

And it will be said: "Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people." For this is what the high and lofty One says-he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite."

Isaiah 57:14-15

But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, 
"Now, I have put my words in your mouth." 
Jeremiah 1:7-9


"Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them."
Jeremiah 1:17

A Legacy of Prayer

Story From: "God's Little Devotional Journal"

In the early days of the formation of the United States, a stranger once asked how he might identify George Washington among those present at Congress. He was told, "You can easily distinguish him when Congress goes to prayer, Washington is the gentleman who kneels."

Washington had a long-standing reputation as a man of prayer. At Valley Forge, he frequently found rest and relief in prayer. One day a farmer approaching the military camp heard an earnest voice. When he drew nearer, he saw Washington on his knees, his cheeks wet with tears. The farmer returned home and said to his wife: "George Washington will succeed! George Washington will succeed! The Americans will secure their Independence!"

"What makes you think so, Isaac?" his wife asked. The farmer replied, "I heard him pray, Hannah, out in the woods today, and the Lord will surely hear his prayer. He will, Hannah; thee may rest assured He will."

One person willing to humble himself and pray can leave a legacy of faith and hope, giving courage to future generations.

"I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes." Psalm 17:6-7

"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect." Psalm 18: 32

"Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back." Isaiah 38:17

Needing Change?

 If we truly grasped the Power our Heavenly Father has given us through prayer, DIRECT COMMUNICATION with Him; we'd let go of our fears and burdens. Recognizing that we are able to be renewed; hearts, minds, body & soul. He transforms us through our prayers to Him. He hears us and see's our struggles. Prayer is our Power, the strength God has given us to lay everything down and allow His Holy & Mighty Power to change things. He loves us and hears our cries. Prayer establishes a loving, all-trusting relationship with Him.

Don't waste  an opportunity to Pray today. It may only be a simple prayer, but it speaks volumes to God. Showing that you are putting your Trust and Faith in your Heavenly Father to change all things.

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it." 

Isaiah 43:18-19 

"Yet you have not called upon me, O Jacob, you have not wearied yourselves for me, O Israel."
Isaiah 43:22

"O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, 

our salvation in time of distress." 

Isaiah 33:2

"Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care..."

Psalm 95:2-7

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