Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Because Love Is
Dear Lord:
Because love is patient: Help me to be slow to judge, but quick to listen, hesitant to criticize, but eager to encourage, remembering your endless patience with me.
Because love is kind: Help my words to be gentle and my actions to be thoughtful. Remind me to smile and to say “Please” and “Thank You” because those little things still mean so much.
Because love does not envy or boast, and it is not proud: Help me have a heart that is humble and sees the good in others. May I celebrate and appreciate all that I have and all that I am, as well as doing the same for those around me.
Because love is not rude or self-seeking: Help me to speak words that are easy on the ear and on the heart. When I’m tempted to get wrapped up in my own little world, remind me there’s a great big world out there full of needs and hurts.
Because love is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs: Help me to forgive others as you have forgiven me. When I want to hold onto a grudge, gently help me release it so I can reach out with a hand of love instead.
Because love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth: Help me stand up for what is right and good. May I defend the defenseless, and help the helpless. Show me how I can make a difference.
Because love always protects and always trusts: Help me to be a refuge for those around me.When the world outside is harsh and cold, may my heart be a place of acceptance and warmth.
Finally, because love always perseveres: Help my heart continually beat with love for You and others. AMEN.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
The Full Armor of God
Heavenly Father, I praise and worship you because you are God. I
am honored to be your servant and I take my stand today against the
devil and his schemes against me, my family and my ministry. Father, as
I take up each piece of the armor, please secure it in place on me.
I put on the helmet of salvation, which protects my mind from the enemy's attacks. I have the mind of Christ.
I put on the breastplate of righteousness, which covers my body with the righteousness of God. In Christ, every foothold of evil has been washed away and I am clothed in righteousness!
I gird my loins with the belt of truth. Your word, O God, is truth. Father, sanctify me according to your word and remind me through the Holy Spirit of the truth that destroys the lies of sin.
I shod my feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace. I have peace with God through the blood of Jesus. I have favor with God and with man. I walk in my inheritance as an adopted daughter of God and have authority over evil in Jesus' name.
I will use the Sword of the Spirit by speaking the Word of God as it applies to whatever situation I may face today. Father, please remind me of your Word via the Holy Spirit.
I will continue to pray in the Spirit throughout the day, and intercede for all Christians as the Holy Spirit prompts me. I believe that the Holy Spirit is interceding on my behalf according to my prayers.
Thank you, Father, for the whole armor of God. Please surround me with your hedge of protection as I move forward on the spiritual battlefield today. I praise and worship you now and forever, Amen."
Trusting God When You Don't Understand
The bible states that “obedience is better than sacrifice {1 Samuel
15:22}” which should tell you a lot about our God. God places
significance on obedience. He’ll much rather you be obedient to His
instruction than for you to give Him sacrificial praise, money
offerings, fasting, etc. When God gives you instruction
and you’re in a situation where you don’t understand what’s going on in
your life, you need to be reminded to be obedient and to trust in the
one who does understand – Christ. There are blessings that follow a
person who is obedient just as there are curses that follows a person
who is disobedient.
When you learn to trust the Lord, you will begin to have a sense of rest
in the Lord knowing that He has everything under control even when life
seems to be out of control. Trusting God will get you to the point
where you make a decision to trust in Him and NOT in your own logic and
understanding.
As much as we would like God to give us “what where when and how”
upfront all the time or all in one shot, God does not operate like that.
Sometimes, God will place you in a satiation where you have to trust
Him and He’ll give you piece by piece as you obey and trust Him.
As a person who’s been in this situation, I will tell you that this
only increases your faith as you learn to walk by faith and not by
sight.
I don’t know what your story is but I encourage you to trust God even when you don t understand
what’s happening in your life. You may not understand life and all that’s happening; but God will
give you a piece to the puzzle as you learn to step out on faith, trust
and obey him.
Don’t let the devil fool you into believing that you’re taking a step
backwards in life or that you’ll never make it out of this situation;
because you will. What you’re going through is temporary. Encourage yourself in the Lord daily; read His word; pray without
ceasing and seek His face. The next time you find yourself in a
position where you are stressed and worried about what God is doing in
your life remember to: Trust God to Lead You. He tells us in {Revelation 22:13} I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Who else can say that but God? No one, only God can say such a thing.
God knows everything: the past, current and future and our knowledge and
understanding doesn’t even compare to the knowledge and understanding
of God – even when it applies to our own life.
Let Us Pray.......
Heavenly Father,
I ask that you place within me your obedient spirit so that I may be
obedient to your instruction. Help me Lord to walk by faith and not by
sight. I don’t understand what you’re doing in my life, but I make a
decision to trust you God. In this season, I ask that you place within me your spirit of joy,
peace and rest. Give me joy; peace and rest to endure all that comes my
way. Right now, I make a decision to trust you Lord because I know
that you’re in control of my life even when my life seems to be out of
control. Lord, I thank you for clarity, guidance, provision and strength. I pray and ask for these things in Jesus name; Amen.
Pray and stay in the word of God. There is strength for you in the Word of God. Trust the Lord and be obedient even when you don’t
understand life and what God is doing. Be blessed and encouraged in
Jesus name.
8 Hateful Things Women Do To Each Other
It's become the silent emotional killer among women. Women
who are downright mean, malicious and disrespectful with each other. This trend
is creating havoc in our relationships with each other, for it
strikes the core of sisterhood. Real sisterhood can only exist when respect and trust stand unshakeable. However, what is most disturbing about our malicious ways is that we are passing on a legacy of a broken sisterhood to our daughters. Girls that are mean and catty are usually this way because their
understanding is that this is a normal part of femaleness. They grow up to become mean and catty women who perpetuate a diseased sisterhood.
To break this cycle we each need to make a conscious effort to validate all women. Be they our friends or not. Otherwise, we will continue to find ourselves moving within circles of female hostility,
suspicion, and pain. Here is my list of the most detestable practices that we need to discontinue in order to heal our sisterhood:
1 . Talking about each other - You are really not her friend if what you have to say about her is so bad you can't say it in front of her. If you are a real friend you should be able to tell her your concerns
for her life to her face. If you have the need to tell others, but you haven't found the time to tell her – red lights should be flashing. Believe it or not, gossiping is not an intrinsic part of being female.
Women who gossip do it not because it's a woman-thing, but because they want to elevate themselves and put other women in a place of inferiority. Gossiping is just another symptom of deeper insecurities.
2. Fighting for men – One of the most undignified things that any woman can do is to fight, argue, or curse another woman over a man. It's a disgusting trend that used to be a school girl thing, but today
adult women are doing it too. If both of you are in conflict – because his choice is not clear - then that means that he's really not into any of you. He's probably playing both of you. That man really does
not deserve love or attention from either one of you. Let him go.
3. Joining female Cliques – Women who make you feel unwelcome and unwanted within their circle of friends are not to be trusted. Women cliques have become common in the workplace, at church, in the
neighborhood. Cliques are the dwelling place of insecure women. Women who join cliques are seeking refuge from their own lack of confidence by cocooning themselves within this circle of supposed exclusivity. Again, the need to belong to, or be part of a clique is also a sign of deeper insecurities. Beware, cliques are usually encouraged and thrive on a type of gang mentality.
4. Undermining each other – Beware of any woman who can never celebrate your accomplishments with you. It could be a new boyfriend, a promotion, an award, a new job, a new acquisition, weight loss. If she has nothing positive to say to you about it, does not show emotional support, or chooses to remain silent she is not a true friend. Real friends know how to recognize and genuinely rejoice for
our successes with pride.
5. Competing against each other – You need to get this straight. There will always be another woman with nicer hair, a more caring husband or boyfriend, better behaved children, a better paying job, a bigger house, a more fashionable wardrobe – there will always be some woman with more of what you don't have. Consequently, the only person that you need to compete against is yourself. Strive to be the best that you can be - for you. Competing against other women to prove yourself superior is a financial and emotional drainer. Because of this mindless competition we become mean, envious and hypocritical. It is pointless.
6. Disrespecting boundaries – To survive peacefully every relationship and every friendship must have clear boundaries. Good relationships operate within margins of respect. Within this level of respect,
privacy and intimacy are keywords. Yes, you are my friend, but that doesn't give me the right to walk into your bedroom or your kitchen, unbeknownst to you, and help myself to your stuff. I don't do this
not because you won't allow me to, but because I respect your privacy and your things. Consequently, we both need to know and respect each other's levels of privacy and intimacy.
7. Crossing boundaries – This is similar to the above, the only difference is that my respect of your boundaries should never depend on my friendship with you. We need to respect women for the simple
fact that they are women. If she is a woman she is a sister. Period. Therefore, from that understanding I will have the utmost respect for her children, her man, her opinions, her choices, and for her as a
person. It amazes me how women are quick to disrespect another sister's boundaries, but feel offended if another woman does to them the same exact thing. Honestly, that type of inconsistent behavior
can only be credited to some form of mental illness.
8. Exploiting our friendships – This is a major one. Why are you friends? Do you only remember her being around whenever she could get something from you? It doesn't even have to be material. It could
just be your time or your positive energy. Does she happen to be always on the receiving side, with you dishing out ton loads of yourself or your stuff? Or is she your friend because of what you represent? It could be that your husband's position or yours, your possessions, your talent, whatever, represents some form of achievement. Is she a friend because that link to you places her on a higher platform? In a real friendship appreciation, support, and loyalty must be reciprocal.
strikes the core of sisterhood. Real sisterhood can only exist when respect and trust stand unshakeable. However, what is most disturbing about our malicious ways is that we are passing on a legacy of a broken sisterhood to our daughters. Girls that are mean and catty are usually this way because their
understanding is that this is a normal part of femaleness. They grow up to become mean and catty women who perpetuate a diseased sisterhood.
To break this cycle we each need to make a conscious effort to validate all women. Be they our friends or not. Otherwise, we will continue to find ourselves moving within circles of female hostility,
suspicion, and pain. Here is my list of the most detestable practices that we need to discontinue in order to heal our sisterhood:
1 . Talking about each other - You are really not her friend if what you have to say about her is so bad you can't say it in front of her. If you are a real friend you should be able to tell her your concerns
for her life to her face. If you have the need to tell others, but you haven't found the time to tell her – red lights should be flashing. Believe it or not, gossiping is not an intrinsic part of being female.
Women who gossip do it not because it's a woman-thing, but because they want to elevate themselves and put other women in a place of inferiority. Gossiping is just another symptom of deeper insecurities.
2. Fighting for men – One of the most undignified things that any woman can do is to fight, argue, or curse another woman over a man. It's a disgusting trend that used to be a school girl thing, but today
adult women are doing it too. If both of you are in conflict – because his choice is not clear - then that means that he's really not into any of you. He's probably playing both of you. That man really does
not deserve love or attention from either one of you. Let him go.
3. Joining female Cliques – Women who make you feel unwelcome and unwanted within their circle of friends are not to be trusted. Women cliques have become common in the workplace, at church, in the
neighborhood. Cliques are the dwelling place of insecure women. Women who join cliques are seeking refuge from their own lack of confidence by cocooning themselves within this circle of supposed exclusivity. Again, the need to belong to, or be part of a clique is also a sign of deeper insecurities. Beware, cliques are usually encouraged and thrive on a type of gang mentality.
4. Undermining each other – Beware of any woman who can never celebrate your accomplishments with you. It could be a new boyfriend, a promotion, an award, a new job, a new acquisition, weight loss. If she has nothing positive to say to you about it, does not show emotional support, or chooses to remain silent she is not a true friend. Real friends know how to recognize and genuinely rejoice for
our successes with pride.
5. Competing against each other – You need to get this straight. There will always be another woman with nicer hair, a more caring husband or boyfriend, better behaved children, a better paying job, a bigger house, a more fashionable wardrobe – there will always be some woman with more of what you don't have. Consequently, the only person that you need to compete against is yourself. Strive to be the best that you can be - for you. Competing against other women to prove yourself superior is a financial and emotional drainer. Because of this mindless competition we become mean, envious and hypocritical. It is pointless.
6. Disrespecting boundaries – To survive peacefully every relationship and every friendship must have clear boundaries. Good relationships operate within margins of respect. Within this level of respect,
privacy and intimacy are keywords. Yes, you are my friend, but that doesn't give me the right to walk into your bedroom or your kitchen, unbeknownst to you, and help myself to your stuff. I don't do this
not because you won't allow me to, but because I respect your privacy and your things. Consequently, we both need to know and respect each other's levels of privacy and intimacy.
7. Crossing boundaries – This is similar to the above, the only difference is that my respect of your boundaries should never depend on my friendship with you. We need to respect women for the simple
fact that they are women. If she is a woman she is a sister. Period. Therefore, from that understanding I will have the utmost respect for her children, her man, her opinions, her choices, and for her as a
person. It amazes me how women are quick to disrespect another sister's boundaries, but feel offended if another woman does to them the same exact thing. Honestly, that type of inconsistent behavior
can only be credited to some form of mental illness.
8. Exploiting our friendships – This is a major one. Why are you friends? Do you only remember her being around whenever she could get something from you? It doesn't even have to be material. It could
just be your time or your positive energy. Does she happen to be always on the receiving side, with you dishing out ton loads of yourself or your stuff? Or is she your friend because of what you represent? It could be that your husband's position or yours, your possessions, your talent, whatever, represents some form of achievement. Is she a friend because that link to you places her on a higher platform? In a real friendship appreciation, support, and loyalty must be reciprocal.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Prayer and Curse Breaker
“Dear Heavenly Father,
Forgive me of my rebellion. That is what has caused the demonic
spirits to enter into my heart and mind and home. Lord, I confess the
sin of holding anger, bitterness, resentment and hatred in my life and
heart. I accept that Christ died on the cross so I could be free from
demonic oppression, but I also understand it is my responsibility to
renounce the activity that brought them in my life to begin with. Lord,
I admit I need your help and I accept your mercy. Thank you for
allowing me the power to pray in the name of your dear Son, Jesus.
Amen.”
Curse Breaker:
In the name of Jesus, I renounce the spirit of rebellion, anger,
hatred, bitterness, resentment, un-forgiveness, lust and power. I know
by giving these spirits entry into my life I have allowed other spirits
to enter. I renounce the spirit of fear, confusion and spiritual
blindness on both of my family bloodlines in the generations leading all
the way back to Adam.
I Bind the Principalities over:(your specific
location___________________________ powerless to control me or my
family. I break my vow and covenants known or unknown by my actions and
words. I have given my life to Jesus Christ and have accepted His
blood to cover my sins. He has set me free from all powers of the
occult.
In the name of Jesus, I formally renounce and break any and every
blood or word covenant I made to any demonic entity specifically:(list
the ones you know)________________________. I ask that the Lord bind
them with the powers above and beneath them to the spirit of Balak and
send them to the place where the Lord will give me justice.
As the Lord is breaking and releasing me from these demonic pacts and
covenants, I accept and receive His forgiveness. The spirit of guilt,
condemnation, depression and suicide must leave my presence now in the
name of Jesus.
I accept and receive the Holy Spirit to fill me in all the places
that the enemy had control over in the past. I accept that I am a new
creature in Christ. As I am growing in Him, I trust and depend on the
Lord to be my strength. Lord, give me the POWER to forgive those who
have hurt, used, abused and offended me. I pray that you bless them with the knowledge and wisdom that you are imparting to my spirit right now.
Heal all my wounds with your glory light and seal and protect my
mind, body, soul, spirit, heart and attitude, home and family with the
blood of Jesus Christ.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
When Love Sees You
Blessed are you, as you weep on
your knees with perfume and tears washing over My feet
Blessed are you, beggar, hopeless and blind calling for mercy when I’m passing by
Blessed are you, shaking your head at two tiny fish and some bread
Blessed are you as you tremble and wait for the first stone thrown at your sinful disgrace
Tell me your story, show me your wounds
And I’ll show you what Love sees when Love looks at you
Hand me the pieces, broken and bruised
And I’ll show you what Love sees when Love sees you
Blessed are you, walking on waves to find yourself sinking when you look away
Blessed are you, leper, standing alone, the fear on their faces, is all that you’ve known
Blessed are you, lonely widow who gave your last shiny coin to Yahweh
Blessed are you with your silver and lies, kissing the One who’s saving your life
Tell me your story, show me your wounds
And I’ll show you what Love sees when Love looks at you
Hand me the pieces, broken and bruised
And I’ll show you what Love sees when Love sees you
I see what I made in your mother's womb
I see the day I fell in love with you.
I see your tomorrows, nothing left to chance
I see My Father's fingerprints
I see your story, I see My name
Written on every beautiful page
You see the struggle, you see the shame
I see the reason I came
I came for your story, I came for your wounds
To show you what Love sees when I see you
Blessed are you, beggar, hopeless and blind calling for mercy when I’m passing by
Blessed are you, shaking your head at two tiny fish and some bread
Blessed are you as you tremble and wait for the first stone thrown at your sinful disgrace
Tell me your story, show me your wounds
And I’ll show you what Love sees when Love looks at you
Hand me the pieces, broken and bruised
And I’ll show you what Love sees when Love sees you
Blessed are you, walking on waves to find yourself sinking when you look away
Blessed are you, leper, standing alone, the fear on their faces, is all that you’ve known
Blessed are you, lonely widow who gave your last shiny coin to Yahweh
Blessed are you with your silver and lies, kissing the One who’s saving your life
Tell me your story, show me your wounds
And I’ll show you what Love sees when Love looks at you
Hand me the pieces, broken and bruised
And I’ll show you what Love sees when Love sees you
I see what I made in your mother's womb
I see the day I fell in love with you.
I see your tomorrows, nothing left to chance
I see My Father's fingerprints
I see your story, I see My name
Written on every beautiful page
You see the struggle, you see the shame
I see the reason I came
I came for your story, I came for your wounds
To show you what Love sees when I see you
Love Jesus...
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