"YOUR WILL BE DONE?"

Why is it we only tell God, "Your will be done," on things that aren't close to our hearts? We have a harder time letting go of our needs, wants and desire's in situations that are BIG...sickness, job, money etc. But somehow, with smaller issue's, it's not a problem for us to pray this.

Now I'm going to let you in on a little secret...God's will, WILL BE DONE, no matter what, in all situations. Praying and telling God, "Your will be done," is simply letting Him know that you're putting your COMPLETE Trust & Faith in Him, even the important things that matter the most to you. We need to tell the Lord and show Him that we Trust His decisions for He is the Maker of Heaven, Earth and ALL things.

"Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them-the Lord, who remains faithful forever." Psalm 146:5-6

Continue to ask Him to intercede on your behalf, and remember...Christ, who is seated at the right hand of God is also interceding for you. Then say, "Your Will Be Done, Lord."

"Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? " Romans 8:34-35

Jesus knew the importance of praying this and showed us by example, as He knelt down to pray on the Mount of Olives, and in anguish, began sweating drops of blood.

"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." Luke 22:42

This simple Prayer has the power to release fear's grip over you and the situation. It'll allow you to come to your Heavenly Father with childlike Faith.

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Mark 10:15 

Jesus got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" Mark 4:39-40

LET GO AND LET GOD! 

"Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:8

Is Your Friend A True Friend?

We all have certain people we call friends, we say Hi, have small talk conversations, but don't feel close enough to share our deep feelings and secrets with. Then, there's those special, CLOSE friends. People whom we've established a bond with. People we can trust with our hearts. They have our 'backs,' they're always there through good times and bad. We feel safe, secure and comforted just by talking to them.

There's an obvious difference in our level of relationships with people. There's also a difference in our level of relationship with God and our Savior Jesus Christ. 

You'll never get to know Him on a deeper level until you begin to stay in His Word (The Bible) daily. This allows you to see and know God's nature, His heart, His caring, unconditional love. Getting closer to the Lord will help you realize that you no longer have to carry your burdens alone. You have a safe place to go and release everything that's been weighing you down.

Seek God daily, open up to Him and share your feelings, trust Him, lean on Him, know that He wants to help you. Allow Him to get close enough to restore you through a CLOSE, intimate, trusting relationship with Jesus Christ.

Run to your CLOSEST friend, JESUS CHRIST. He will never hurt or disappoint you. He loves you like no other...He gave His life for you! You will find the safety you've been craving. Take your relationship to a deeper level & be set free! 

John 8:31-32

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

 

Daniel 10:12
Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.

Wow...Just Wow!

I'm not one to pray for things for myself. But over the past 3 months I had something that continued to weigh on me. My son, Elijah, is going to Hawaii to play football with his high school team. He is my youngest and even though he will only be a junior, the team plays in Hawaii every 3 years, giving each class an opportunity to go 1 time.

I was having a hard time knowing that I wouldn't be there for his very first game of the season. I've never missed a game, (something that is important to me and him.) I wasn't able to go see my middle son, Jullien, play during his Senior year & it broke my heart.

I couldn't stop thinking about it, so I decided to pray, "Heavenly Father, you know how bad I want to go, and if I'm being selfish or asking too much, please close the door. But if it's your will, please let it work out so we can go." As the time drew closer, my prayer was simple, "Father, Your will be done regarding the money needed for Hawaii. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen"

With that, I was ready to accept whatever happened, but continued to have Faith that anything is possible with the Lord. My husband thought I needed to 'get over it' we barely cover our bills each month, let alone have extra money to take a trip. I continued to tell him, "If God decides to bless us, anything is possible, right?"

On Sunday, my husband's parents, (who knew absolutely nothing about the Hawaii trip) gave us a check...the exact amount needed for the trip. It was incredible, we feel so blessed! To know that the Lord is always listening to us. Sometimes He grants our requests and sometimes He doesn't. But the thing I've learned during our 2+ year's of financial struggle is to completely let go of the burdens I carry and PRAY. In doing this, I'm letting God know that I truly, Rely On, Trust In and know that HIS LOVE for me is NEVER ENDING. He fills me with a Peace to make it through the bad times & throw's out unexpected blessings to show His Love!

WOW...JUST WOW!

This was the scripture passage I just happened to open up after praying about the
 money."Let them give glory to the Lord and proclaim his praise in the islands. The Lord will march out like a warrior he will stir up his zeal;" Isaiah 42:12-13

Whatever your going through, don't give up on the Lord's promises. He will keep you safe in His loving embrace...Pray & Read the Bible daily. He Loves You and Hears You!

"Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees. I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes." Psalm 119:124-125

"I call with all my heart, answer me, O Lord, and I will obey your decrees. I call out to you; save me and I will keep your statutes. I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word." Psalm 119:145-147

Great White Sharks & Deceiving Safety Nets

 Australia is home to one of the largest Great White Shark populations. Because of this, since the 1930's they have maintained Safety Nets around crowded beaches to keep the predators out. Unfortunately, in doing so, several hundreds of thousands of dolphins, seals and whales get trapped in them and die. AND they are finding several sharks trapped along the beach side of the nets. 

What's your safety net? We all have them. You can use people, drugs, alcohol, etc, as your net. Something you run to in difficult or scary situations.

I personally kept an invisible wall around me as my Safety Net.  Only allowing people to get right up to it, but never inside. It'd take years for someone to prove they wouldn't hurt me before I'd open the door. I'd also use people as a net. My friend April is outgoing, fun, loud & doesn't know a stranger. She's always the life of the party and all eyes are usually on her. I'd avoid going places if I didn't know very many people unless she was there as my comfortable, ice-breaking, reliable Safety Net.  

Like the Great White Shark Safety Nets, 
Our Nets can have harmful and deceptive side effects, too. 

My "wall" isolated me from others. Relying on my friend kept me from facing fearful/uncomfortable situations and growing as a person. People who rely on drugs and alcohol eventually get tangled up and lost in the very thing they run to for comfort. What we don't realize is our true protection is just a Prayer away. God wants to step into your life and situation. He wants to heal the wounds. He gave His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice. You don't need to run and hide behind life's nets.

Whether you believe right now or not, you've tried everything else, now try Praying. Allow God to move in your life. LET GO and reach for HIS OUTSTRETCHED HAND. LET HIM keep you from drowning in your TANGLED, DECEIVING, SAFETY NETS OF LIFE.

"My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." 

Colossians 2:2-3

"Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful." 

Colossians 4:2

"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." 

Jeremiah 29:12-13

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