Monday, November 1st, 2010
Today's Passage: Deuteronomy 11: 11-15
Memory Verse: Deut. 11:13-14
We're still talking about the rain, y'all. We need to keep it fresh in our spirits that God wants to give us something that will cause our lives not to be the same. We must be hungry to receive it, especially when we understand what's in store.
Our Father wants to give us three things from this rain. The first is grain. You know what that is? Provision. If you want to make someone prosperous, you don't give them money. You don't give them bread. You give them grain. A grain is a dry seed-like fruit that is used to prevent hunger. Why is grain so important? You'll always have the seed of a thing to keep reproducing, even when the thing itself runs out. We're all carrying around inside of us the promise of grain, but the rain will water it and bring it forth.
The next thing we're believing for is grapes. These are pulpy fruits that grow in clusters and are used to make wine. The wine from grapes could be used to quench the thirst of those who are parched and dry. It could also be used to sterilize and disinfect that which is dirty and unclean. If your life is anything like mine, there are some boo-boos I've made that need to be wiped clean so the healing process can begin. So many scars from old wounds haven't been allowed to be totally disinfected, so we carry them around without realizing healing has already been provided.
Finally, we're expecting the oil from olives. No doubt, this is the anointing that will come and destroy the yokes in all our lives. Even when our Father has to correct or chastise us, the oil will sooth the pain of correction. Trust me--I'm one of those who has had to be chastised quite a bit. It's also the oil of joy meant to replace the period of sadness. Do you know what that means? The enemy can't afflict us with condemnation or depression. No matter what we've been through, provision is going to be made for NO LACK to arise in our lives. I'm excited abut this rain. Get ready!!!
Prayer: Father, no matter what I've done, You've always shown me so much mercy. I ready myself now for more of You, recognizing that it's not just for me and mine. Let this life exist only for the purpose of of mKing you famous. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
A Prayer of Consecration
Sunday, October 31st, 2010
Today's Passage: Psalm 42
Memory Verse: Ps. 42:1
Father, as the deer pants for the water, my soul thirsts for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. In a society where man has chosen to drink sodas and other enticing liquids which hold no nutritional value, I choose to wait on Your water that comes from above. You created that thirst within me so that I'll learn to refuse every other substitute.
I'm thirsty because my throat is parched from the pain of consuming too much solid foods and not enough liquids. Too many thoughts and ideas from the world have found their way into my spiritual digestive system. Too many opportunities to depend on Your Living Water that I allowed myself to think I could put off.
As I prepare to go into the sanctuary, where You have prepared a refreshing through worship and the washing of the Word, I ask You to search my heart. Flush out everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of You. Replace every void, filling me with the goodness of You. Remind me that Your lovingkindness is better than life itself. I am ready to go to another dimension in You. Let every scheme the enemy has attempted against my devotion to You be destroyed as I lift my hands in praise to You.
I declare over my life and that of all the totally devoted ones that the voice of the enemy will be silenced in our lives. As we wait for Your rain, which will bring healing, restoration, and provision, we will do so in peace-- the peace that passes all understanding in the midst of every situation. May Your Living Water flow to every part of our being and produce everything You intended us to produce. I love You forever. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Today's Passage: Psalm 42
Memory Verse: Ps. 42:1
Father, as the deer pants for the water, my soul thirsts for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. In a society where man has chosen to drink sodas and other enticing liquids which hold no nutritional value, I choose to wait on Your water that comes from above. You created that thirst within me so that I'll learn to refuse every other substitute.
I'm thirsty because my throat is parched from the pain of consuming too much solid foods and not enough liquids. Too many thoughts and ideas from the world have found their way into my spiritual digestive system. Too many opportunities to depend on Your Living Water that I allowed myself to think I could put off.
As I prepare to go into the sanctuary, where You have prepared a refreshing through worship and the washing of the Word, I ask You to search my heart. Flush out everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of You. Replace every void, filling me with the goodness of You. Remind me that Your lovingkindness is better than life itself. I am ready to go to another dimension in You. Let every scheme the enemy has attempted against my devotion to You be destroyed as I lift my hands in praise to You.
I declare over my life and that of all the totally devoted ones that the voice of the enemy will be silenced in our lives. As we wait for Your rain, which will bring healing, restoration, and provision, we will do so in peace-- the peace that passes all understanding in the midst of every situation. May Your Living Water flow to every part of our being and produce everything You intended us to produce. I love You forever. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Why We Need the Rain
Saturday, October 29th, 2010
Today's Passage: Deuteronomy 11:8-18
Memory Verse: Isaiah 1:18
The question was asked a couple of days ago, "Why do you need the rain?". What I understood that question to ask was, why is the rain necessary? Each of us on the praise team was given an opportunity to answer. Some said the rain refreshes and revives us because we give out so much to others. Others gave their reason for wanting the rain as flooding and drenching all the dry places around us. Still another reason was that the rain is needed so that all the prayers we thought were forgotten could come to pass. Then some things happened in my life to give me a personal reason for needing the rain.
I realized that, in the vast wisdom and mercy of our God, He sees and knows of the secret
places in our lives we try to keep hidden from His light. Whether due to shame from our past, or from decisions we've made from one day to the next that do not line up with His word, we can accumulate some heavy condemnation that ends up paralyzing us and rendering us ineffective in fulfilling our purpose in The kingdom.
And so, because our Father's desire is to free us from these chains, He wants to send us a drenching downpour of rain to do all those things. But most important of all, the rain comes to wash away every stain of our sin and shame. It's coming to flood our hearts, removing every sign of the enemy's lies to us about ourselves and our destiny. When the rain comes, it will restore the years the locusts ate-- precious time stolen from our marriages, relationships with our children and other loved ones, and strengthen the bond between believers in the body.
If you happen to be in a place where you're experiencing any of that condemnation, or even a spirit of despair that what the Lord promised is too far away, allow me to come into agreement with you that it's time for the rain. It will be a rain that's bringing healing for the broken, second chances to those who think they've messed it up for the last time, and restoration of the purpose destroyed by the enemy's lies. With everything you have within you, reach for and expect the Lord's promise of the rain, and watch Him change every single aspect of our lives.
Prayer: Father, You are the Deliverer Who comes to rescue us when we've dug holes too deep to get ourselves out of. You have made provision of another chance that we don't deserve, but that Your Son's blood has purchased. Send now Your rain and let it wash away every stain, preparing us for the new victory and purpose. We praise You once again that You will not go back on Your Word. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Today's Passage: Deuteronomy 11:8-18
Memory Verse: Isaiah 1:18
The question was asked a couple of days ago, "Why do you need the rain?". What I understood that question to ask was, why is the rain necessary? Each of us on the praise team was given an opportunity to answer. Some said the rain refreshes and revives us because we give out so much to others. Others gave their reason for wanting the rain as flooding and drenching all the dry places around us. Still another reason was that the rain is needed so that all the prayers we thought were forgotten could come to pass. Then some things happened in my life to give me a personal reason for needing the rain.
I realized that, in the vast wisdom and mercy of our God, He sees and knows of the secret
places in our lives we try to keep hidden from His light. Whether due to shame from our past, or from decisions we've made from one day to the next that do not line up with His word, we can accumulate some heavy condemnation that ends up paralyzing us and rendering us ineffective in fulfilling our purpose in The kingdom.
And so, because our Father's desire is to free us from these chains, He wants to send us a drenching downpour of rain to do all those things. But most important of all, the rain comes to wash away every stain of our sin and shame. It's coming to flood our hearts, removing every sign of the enemy's lies to us about ourselves and our destiny. When the rain comes, it will restore the years the locusts ate-- precious time stolen from our marriages, relationships with our children and other loved ones, and strengthen the bond between believers in the body.
If you happen to be in a place where you're experiencing any of that condemnation, or even a spirit of despair that what the Lord promised is too far away, allow me to come into agreement with you that it's time for the rain. It will be a rain that's bringing healing for the broken, second chances to those who think they've messed it up for the last time, and restoration of the purpose destroyed by the enemy's lies. With everything you have within you, reach for and expect the Lord's promise of the rain, and watch Him change every single aspect of our lives.
Prayer: Father, You are the Deliverer Who comes to rescue us when we've dug holes too deep to get ourselves out of. You have made provision of another chance that we don't deserve, but that Your Son's blood has purchased. Send now Your rain and let it wash away every stain, preparing us for the new victory and purpose. We praise You once again that You will not go back on Your Word. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
A Forecast of Rain
Friday, October 29th, 2010
Today's Passage: isaiah 55: 10-14
Memory Verse: James 5: 7
Pastor Chris told us a story this week in Praise Team rehearsal about what happened at a football game he attended once. Anyone who knows my husband knows how excited he is about watching football --live or on television. So you can imagine his elation to be at the Jaguars football game that particular day. But the heat was do oppressive that day that even the most enthusiastic fans could not get into the game.
Looking around at that moment, you'd think there was no way possible that a refreshing from the sky in the form of rain would be on the way. Pastor Chris said it got so miserable in the stadium that they were considering leaving before half-time (which, trust me, would have been more difficult for him to do than you could ever imagine).
Then Pastor Antoinette, who is super sensitive to these things, looked at the weather report on her I-pad. Strangely enough, the forecast said that rain was coming. Who would've ever thought a crazy thing like that would be possible? Looking into the sky, there was not one single shred of evidence that rain was on the way. And yet, by the time the second half came, Pastor Chris told us that it was raining so hard, everyone in the stadium was drenched almost to the bone. It rained so hard and so long that, when the rain finally stopped, on the ground as well as on every seat was the residue of that which could not be discerned with the human eye earlier.
So what am I saying? This rain that God has promised us IS on the way. And here's the important thing to remember: it's because you can't see any evidence of it right now that you know with an assurance it's coming. How else is the rain supposed to fall unless the intense heat from the sun soaks up all the excess moisture that we didn't know was there? Here's your spiritual forecast: Expect intense discomfort during the process of evaporation. Finances, relationships -- anything that has the promise of blooming and blossoming when the rain comes -- will experience pain. But oh, when the rain comes, every aggravation will be washed away. And you're not the only one who'll be carrying the residue. May we all get to the place in our lives where we can pray: "Bring the rain, Lord."
Prayer: Father, we are earnestly awaiting the approaching of the rain we've asked you for. Let the heat of that preparation not run us away from You, but straight to to Your heart. Then, as we enjoy the downpour, may the evidence of the rain follow us everywhere we go, in Jesus' mighty Name.
Today's Passage: isaiah 55: 10-14
Memory Verse: James 5: 7
Pastor Chris told us a story this week in Praise Team rehearsal about what happened at a football game he attended once. Anyone who knows my husband knows how excited he is about watching football --live or on television. So you can imagine his elation to be at the Jaguars football game that particular day. But the heat was do oppressive that day that even the most enthusiastic fans could not get into the game.
Looking around at that moment, you'd think there was no way possible that a refreshing from the sky in the form of rain would be on the way. Pastor Chris said it got so miserable in the stadium that they were considering leaving before half-time (which, trust me, would have been more difficult for him to do than you could ever imagine).
Then Pastor Antoinette, who is super sensitive to these things, looked at the weather report on her I-pad. Strangely enough, the forecast said that rain was coming. Who would've ever thought a crazy thing like that would be possible? Looking into the sky, there was not one single shred of evidence that rain was on the way. And yet, by the time the second half came, Pastor Chris told us that it was raining so hard, everyone in the stadium was drenched almost to the bone. It rained so hard and so long that, when the rain finally stopped, on the ground as well as on every seat was the residue of that which could not be discerned with the human eye earlier.
So what am I saying? This rain that God has promised us IS on the way. And here's the important thing to remember: it's because you can't see any evidence of it right now that you know with an assurance it's coming. How else is the rain supposed to fall unless the intense heat from the sun soaks up all the excess moisture that we didn't know was there? Here's your spiritual forecast: Expect intense discomfort during the process of evaporation. Finances, relationships -- anything that has the promise of blooming and blossoming when the rain comes -- will experience pain. But oh, when the rain comes, every aggravation will be washed away. And you're not the only one who'll be carrying the residue. May we all get to the place in our lives where we can pray: "Bring the rain, Lord."
Prayer: Father, we are earnestly awaiting the approaching of the rain we've asked you for. Let the heat of that preparation not run us away from You, but straight to to Your heart. Then, as we enjoy the downpour, may the evidence of the rain follow us everywhere we go, in Jesus' mighty Name.
Ready For Rain!
Thursday October 28, 2010
I got home from church last night and (motivated by Pastor Chad & Nette's Word) asked myself "Am I truly ready for God's rain"? Over the years, we've learned how to have church. We know how to use the church lingo and protocals. We know when to sing the songs, pray the prayers, and greet the people. But what we struggle with is how to get on one accord and make ourselves ready for rain.
First of all, we have to have good soil. Good soil is porous and yielding, not hard and brittle like drought-ridden soil can be. Just as our Pastors said last night, good soil has to have openings so when it rains, the water can go all the way through it. What we have become however, is rigid, non-porous surfaces full of "matter". Family matters, financial matters, and even emotional matters, all keep our soil from being ready for rain. Think about it for a moment, when we have allowed all the cares of this world to distract us from God's purpose, we've essentially set ourselves up for a season of drought. You know how dangerous taking our eyes off God can be, but it's a common practice among God-seekers. To recieve the rain, we must be prepared. Second, we can't have our soil filled with debris and litter. Let's face it y'all, we have so much "junk" in our lives. So much baggage from bad relationships, past hurts, and old games have been attached to us and covered our soil, keeping it from absorbing God's rain.
So let's make sure we have what it takes to be receive the rain. God's waiting on us. We're not waiting on Him. Do a soil analysis on yourself to make sure you are absorbant and clutter-free. The rain's coming. God promised it so you can rest assured. But we have to be ready. We have to have the capabilities to channel floodwaters from one place to the other. So begin now by asking yourself "Are YOU ready for rain"?
Prayer: Father I thank You for Your rain. Let it fall on us in it's season. Let Your anointing, power, and presence overflow in our lives like never before. We need You. We need Your rain. Send it now, and we'll give You praise, in Jesus' name. Amen
I got home from church last night and (motivated by Pastor Chad & Nette's Word) asked myself "Am I truly ready for God's rain"? Over the years, we've learned how to have church. We know how to use the church lingo and protocals. We know when to sing the songs, pray the prayers, and greet the people. But what we struggle with is how to get on one accord and make ourselves ready for rain.
First of all, we have to have good soil. Good soil is porous and yielding, not hard and brittle like drought-ridden soil can be. Just as our Pastors said last night, good soil has to have openings so when it rains, the water can go all the way through it. What we have become however, is rigid, non-porous surfaces full of "matter". Family matters, financial matters, and even emotional matters, all keep our soil from being ready for rain. Think about it for a moment, when we have allowed all the cares of this world to distract us from God's purpose, we've essentially set ourselves up for a season of drought. You know how dangerous taking our eyes off God can be, but it's a common practice among God-seekers. To recieve the rain, we must be prepared. Second, we can't have our soil filled with debris and litter. Let's face it y'all, we have so much "junk" in our lives. So much baggage from bad relationships, past hurts, and old games have been attached to us and covered our soil, keeping it from absorbing God's rain.
So let's make sure we have what it takes to be receive the rain. God's waiting on us. We're not waiting on Him. Do a soil analysis on yourself to make sure you are absorbant and clutter-free. The rain's coming. God promised it so you can rest assured. But we have to be ready. We have to have the capabilities to channel floodwaters from one place to the other. So begin now by asking yourself "Are YOU ready for rain"?
Prayer: Father I thank You for Your rain. Let it fall on us in it's season. Let Your anointing, power, and presence overflow in our lives like never before. We need You. We need Your rain. Send it now, and we'll give You praise, in Jesus' name. Amen
Everything Means Everything!
Wednesday October 27, 2010
Today's Passage: Psalms 23:4-5
Memory Verse: Job 22:21
"Everything must go!"Everything's on sale!Everything! Everything! Everything! The world we live in loves to throw around promises it can't keep, especially when it wants to sell you something. Think about it. Can a store or relationship really offer you everything?
I love the definition of everything. Our dictionary defines it as ALL. So that takes us back to our question. How can someone or something offer you everything? Don't you have to be the possesser of all to offer all as a possession? The Bible says in Job 22:21 to "Give in to God, come to terms with Him and EVERYTHING will turn out just fine" When God uses the word "everything", I'm sure He means it. Why would He save your life, but leave your marriage in shambles? Why would He restore your marriage, but leave your children out there alone? Point is, God is ready to bring everything in your life to a new level. Listen, when man says everything, what he really means is everything you can see. He's actually holding the cards on what you can't see. That part usually belongs to him, or someone else. But when God says everything, He means EVERYTHING. All aspects of your life have an appointment for blessing. He will not leave anything out. It gives Him glory to see every part of your life in divine order. "For God's Word is solid to the core; everything He makes is sound inside and out. He loves it when everything fits, when His world is in plumb-line true. Earth is drenched in God's affectionate satisfaction" (Psalm 33:4-5).
Get ready People of God! God's rain is about to fall. And when His rain falls, EVERYTHING gets drenched. Your whole life and everything in it is subject to change. Prepare yourself. Put out your buckets and pots. Plant your seed while you still have time. It won't be much longer now!!!
Prayer: Thank you God for Your rain. It seems this drought has lasted forever. But You have us in Your loving hands. Rain on us. Rain on us. Rain on us. We're ready! Saturate us in Your love, favor, healing, and grace. We give You all our praise....in Jesus' name. Amen.
Today's Passage: Psalms 23:4-5
Memory Verse: Job 22:21
"Everything must go!"Everything's on sale!Everything! Everything! Everything! The world we live in loves to throw around promises it can't keep, especially when it wants to sell you something. Think about it. Can a store or relationship really offer you everything?
I love the definition of everything. Our dictionary defines it as ALL. So that takes us back to our question. How can someone or something offer you everything? Don't you have to be the possesser of all to offer all as a possession? The Bible says in Job 22:21 to "Give in to God, come to terms with Him and EVERYTHING will turn out just fine" When God uses the word "everything", I'm sure He means it. Why would He save your life, but leave your marriage in shambles? Why would He restore your marriage, but leave your children out there alone? Point is, God is ready to bring everything in your life to a new level. Listen, when man says everything, what he really means is everything you can see. He's actually holding the cards on what you can't see. That part usually belongs to him, or someone else. But when God says everything, He means EVERYTHING. All aspects of your life have an appointment for blessing. He will not leave anything out. It gives Him glory to see every part of your life in divine order. "For God's Word is solid to the core; everything He makes is sound inside and out. He loves it when everything fits, when His world is in plumb-line true. Earth is drenched in God's affectionate satisfaction" (Psalm 33:4-5).
Get ready People of God! God's rain is about to fall. And when His rain falls, EVERYTHING gets drenched. Your whole life and everything in it is subject to change. Prepare yourself. Put out your buckets and pots. Plant your seed while you still have time. It won't be much longer now!!!
Prayer: Thank you God for Your rain. It seems this drought has lasted forever. But You have us in Your loving hands. Rain on us. Rain on us. Rain on us. We're ready! Saturate us in Your love, favor, healing, and grace. We give You all our praise....in Jesus' name. Amen.
Another True Horror Story
Tuesday, October 26th, 2010
Today's Passage: Matthew 25: 31-46
Memory Verse: Matt. 25: 41
Ready for another horror story? Imagine standing before the Father at the Great White Throne judgment. You've spent all your Christian life serving on every committee possible. You've attended every church service except due to illness or death in the family. You have the most impressive record for fundraising to help the church that's ever been seen.
And yet, when the Father calls the roll, your name is nowhere to be found. In alarm, you tell the angel, "Check it again!" but alas, the Heavenly host is incapable of making any type of error possible. As your disbelief turns into the fear of being completely separated from the Creator of all mankind, you fall trembling to your knees. In a voice that is barely above a whisper, you ask for an explanation.
"Your kind is unknown here," you hear the beloved voice of God say with great sadness. "All the deeds you performed were done with ulterior motives, not propelled by My love.".
"But I did everything in and through Your Name", comes your shocked reply. "You did everything for man's reward," comes the gentle response. Even when I tugged at your heart, you brushed me off to pursue the praise of man. You thought buying things for the needy was what they truly cried out for. But what they hungered and thirsted for the most was ... ME."
But how can that be? You... You tricked me, God! My friends and I read this passage over and over again to be sure we got the details right! We even named our ministry "The Least of These.". How can You say I didn't give them what they needed?". " Because when they looked for my compassion, you had no patience for it. You only had appointments and deadlines. Although you did everything My Word told You exactly by the book, you only went through the
Motions. When I tried to get your attention in the middle of the night, you only took pills to drown out My Still, small, Voice. There was no room for. Me in a heart like yours , for it was filled with pride. So as much as it pains Me to say it, DEPART from Me. I KNOW you NOT..."
Saints, for those of us who ARE serious about living for God all the way, I believe the twist to this story is that we may forget to live WITH Him. The danger in doing God's Word lies in doing it to receive man's recognition. Let's search our hearts and truly live to bring Him pleasure.
Prayer: Father, now more than ever before I desire to be intimate with You. Shine Your light upon my deeds and the motives behind them as I strive to live for You. Let my love be poured out for Your broken, remembering that You found me just like that. Keep my heart forever Yours, filled with humility and compassion. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Today's Passage: Matthew 25: 31-46
Memory Verse: Matt. 25: 41
Ready for another horror story? Imagine standing before the Father at the Great White Throne judgment. You've spent all your Christian life serving on every committee possible. You've attended every church service except due to illness or death in the family. You have the most impressive record for fundraising to help the church that's ever been seen.
And yet, when the Father calls the roll, your name is nowhere to be found. In alarm, you tell the angel, "Check it again!" but alas, the Heavenly host is incapable of making any type of error possible. As your disbelief turns into the fear of being completely separated from the Creator of all mankind, you fall trembling to your knees. In a voice that is barely above a whisper, you ask for an explanation.
"Your kind is unknown here," you hear the beloved voice of God say with great sadness. "All the deeds you performed were done with ulterior motives, not propelled by My love.".
"But I did everything in and through Your Name", comes your shocked reply. "You did everything for man's reward," comes the gentle response. Even when I tugged at your heart, you brushed me off to pursue the praise of man. You thought buying things for the needy was what they truly cried out for. But what they hungered and thirsted for the most was ... ME."
But how can that be? You... You tricked me, God! My friends and I read this passage over and over again to be sure we got the details right! We even named our ministry "The Least of These.". How can You say I didn't give them what they needed?". " Because when they looked for my compassion, you had no patience for it. You only had appointments and deadlines. Although you did everything My Word told You exactly by the book, you only went through the
Motions. When I tried to get your attention in the middle of the night, you only took pills to drown out My Still, small, Voice. There was no room for. Me in a heart like yours , for it was filled with pride. So as much as it pains Me to say it, DEPART from Me. I KNOW you NOT..."
Saints, for those of us who ARE serious about living for God all the way, I believe the twist to this story is that we may forget to live WITH Him. The danger in doing God's Word lies in doing it to receive man's recognition. Let's search our hearts and truly live to bring Him pleasure.
Prayer: Father, now more than ever before I desire to be intimate with You. Shine Your light upon my deeds and the motives behind them as I strive to live for You. Let my love be poured out for Your broken, remembering that You found me just like that. Keep my heart forever Yours, filled with humility and compassion. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)