Your Worship and Warfare Move God’s Heart!

This title of this email gripped me to ponder the very words… Our worship and our warfare will move God’s heart… How can we move God’s heart when we are in worship and we’re doing warfare….In reading a transcript this week on this I am convinced that the enemy is working against every believer to destroy their walk with the Lord, he is the master deceiver and he brings delusions of every kind to the body of Christ. Take time to seek the very heart of God today and see where the Lord would have you minister… 

Some questions to ponder…

Are we in fellowship with other believers?

Are we spending time in having intimacy with the Lord?

Are we being restored or helping to see others be restored to Him?

Are we praying for revival, deliverance and healings in lives that are broken?

Are we walking together in unity with a common purpose and goal?

Are we returning to God’s ways and become the soldiers and lovers He has called us too?

Isaiah 59:19 “So they shall fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him and put him to flight.

John 4:23-24 “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

As believers in Jesus Christ we can trust the Lord and turn to him in hard times. God cares for us and he is Sovereign in all. No matter what hard times we are facing its so much better to place our trust in Him. Do you yearn for the courts of the Lord? Do you cry out for His mercy for all? Do you praise Him in the midst of the storm? Take a moment to get before the Lord today and praise His Holy Name, be established in His ways!!!

Psalm 84:2-4

My soul yearns, even faints,

for the courts of the LORD;

my heart and my flesh cry out

for the living God.

Even the sparrow has found a home,

and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may have her young—

a place near your altar,

O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house;

they are ever praising you.

Selah  (meditate on this)

Blessings,

Joyce

Isaiah 48:5-9

This is what God the LORD says he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people,  and life to those who walk on it: “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison  and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. “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.”

Take a moment to read over this passage and see how Gods redemption sets us free from the prison of sin and darkness. The Lord is His name; Jesus is our Counselor and He is our Redeemer. Will you come to Him today and declare His praise? He is waiting for you to make Him Lord and Savior over your life today. Blessings, peace and victory in Jesus Name…

“Matthew 25:1-13 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent…Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.”

In this parable the ten virgins were hoping to prepare for the bridegrooms arrival, but only five were allowed to enter in as they were; “on the alert”. Ready and waiting with only five having their oil lamps filled for this arrival. These five planned ahead and made wise preparation It was time to arise from their sleep and journey to meet the bridegroom. Five of the ten virgins were not prepared and they had to scramble to find more oil for their lamps. As the five diligent virgins arrived they were allowed to enter into the wedding feast and then the door was shut. After a time the remaining five foolish virgins arrived only to find the door closed, and entry to the wedding feast was no longer permitted. They were left outside and told; I do not know you” by the bridegroom. We can see many variations from this parable, but one sure meaning is that we need to live our lives in such a way that we are ready for the Lords return or for the finality of our lives. With Him we will live in eternal glory, without Him we are separated. While the oil lamp represents the light of our lives, the Spirit of God in us. Let us all draw close to God in complete surrender and devotion. Let us be ready trimming our lamps for the night coming.

“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm —my great army that I sent among you. You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed.” (Joel 2:25-26)

Founding Father Thomas Paine wrote The Crisis during the American Revolution. One of his most famous quotations is found there. It is,

These are the times that try men’s souls.

Thomas Paine wrote those words during a time of turmoil as this country tried to forge its identify and become a free nation from British rule.

Today, we find ourselves in a time of economic turmoil and Mr. Paine’s words are still applicable. But, just as the Founding Fathers were able to persevere, so shall we.

Whenever things in my life are not as I wish them to be, I am comforted by two things. First, I remember those times from my past when the Lord delivered me from my troubles. If He did it then, He’ll do it again. Second, I cling to God’s promises. He says that He will restore the years the locusts have eaten. So I trust Him as Job trusted Him to restore what I’ve lost.

These may be trying times, but you have a Lord and Savior who has not forgotten you. Look to Him to bring you through.

Blessings,

Joyce

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

Are you a spontaneous sort of person or a consummate planner? I find myself in the latter category. We’re all wired differently and neither way is “wrong.” The same thing goes for those of us who find inspiration everywhere and some of us who wait to be inspired.

I recently shared with a friend that sometimes I’m just not inspired to write. She shared a quote by Ernest Newman with me.

Great composers do not sit down to work because they are inspired, but become inspired because they are working.

She went on to say that Mozart, Bach and Beethoven didn’t waste time waiting for inspiration and neither did the Proverbs 31 woman. For example, verse 16 says that, “She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.” She saw an opportunity, made a plan and put it into action.

Regardless of our personality type, the Bible has a lot to say about making plans amd not wasting time. Paul said, “I do not run like a man running aimlessly.”

It’s not necessary that we all go out and buy a field to plant, but it is important to wisely use the resources God has given us. Our God has boundless resources - He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He has no limits. Too often, we are the ones who place limits on ourselves and try to place them on God. Stop asking, thinking and praying too small. Have great expections for your life and all that God can do through you. Run your race in such a way as to get the prize.

Blessings,

Joyce

Today, I’d like to share a blog post by Chip Ingram, the Founder and Teaching Pastor for Living on the Edge, an international ministry that provides guided pathways to authentic discipleship. Here goes:

Finding Hope When You’re at the End of Your Rope

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! (Romans 11:33)

I was nearing the end of my third year of seminary. to make ends meet, I’d been working full-time while taking a full load of classes. My salary came from commissions, and the marketplace had suddenly dried up. Home life was nonstop action with an eighteen-month-old baby and rambunctious twin boys. Beyond that, Theresa and I were involved in a flourishing college ministry, which, along with success, produced more and more stress. I was at the end of my emotional rope.

Read the rest here. . .

Blessings,

Joyce

Spending time in prayer today looking over the many prayer requests and praise reports on prayer spa, my heart was touched by a year filled with many needs that have been met and many praise reports that are yet too come.

We believe and hope for that reconciliation between husbands and wives; we are expecting a miracle in the lives of those who need a healing, Asking for provision and blessing in so many lives that need a turn around in their finances. Whatever the request whether it be spiritual, physical, emotional, financial or even any unspoken request; our Lord God knows what we have need of, and He is right there in the midst of each circumstance if we call upon Him and put our hope and trust in Him. He is the author and finisher of our faith.

Prayer is stepping out in faith and asking to take away any unbelief. We have authority in prayer; Luke 18:1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

Do not lose hope today, but be encouraged and pray for your healing, pray for that victorious report, stand firm upon His Word and pray using the scripture(s).

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose. 

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Zechariah 4:6. 7 So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty. “What are you, O mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’ ”                        

• Pray and do not fret! (Philippians 4:6)
• Take authority over the thief that tries to come and steal. (Ephesians 6:18)
• In each situation pray diligently over and over! (Psalm 55:16)
• We must pray without an angry heart. (1 Timothy 2:8)
• Pray with thanksgiving and stand firm! (Colossians 4:2)
• Recognize and confess the problem that may be too big for you, but is to be handled by God!  (James 5:16)
• Pray continually without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
• Give all your cares to Jesus; He will carry your load. (Matthew 11:30)

Dear Lord we thank you for each and every prayer request that has come to prayer spa. We thank you Sweet Jesus for answering prayer and meeting the needs of your people. We bless You today Lord God and give You all glory, honor and praise. We come to You with humble hearts and much thanksgiving, believing upon Your Word to meet every need. We ask in the Mighty and most Precious name of Jesus! Amen…

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:13-14)

By the time the Lord made woman,
He was into his sixth day of working overtime.
An angel appeared and said,
“Why are you spending so much time on this one?”
And the Lord answered, “Have you seen my spec sheet on her?
She has to be completely washable, but not plastic,
have over 200 movable parts, all replaceable
and able to run on diet coke and leftovers,
have a lap that can hold four children at one time,
have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart
–and she will do everything
with only two hands.”

The angel was astounded at the requirements.
“Only two hands!? No way!
And that’s just on the standard model?
That’s too much work for one day.
Wait until tomorrow to finish.”

“But I won’t,” the Lord protested.
“I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart.
She already heals herself when she is sick
AND can work 18-hour days.”

The angel moved closer and touched the woman.
“But you have made her so soft, Lord.”

“She is soft,” the Lord agreed,
“but I have also made her tough.
You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish.”

“Will she be able to think?”, asked the angel.

The Lord replied,
“Not only will she be able to think,
she will be able to reason and negotiate.”

The angel then noticed something,
and reaching out, touched the woman’s cheek.
“Oops, it looks like you have a leak in this model.
I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one.”

“That’s not a leak,” the Lord corrected, “that’s a tear!”

“What’s the tear for?” the angel asked.

The Lord said, “The tear is her way of expressing her joy,
her sorrow, her pain, her disappointment, her love,
her loneliness, her grief and her pride.”

The angel was impressed. “You are a genius, Lord.
You thought of everything! Woman is truly amazing.”

And she is!

Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don’t take “no” for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They’ll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideals.
They give moral support to their family and friends.
Women have vital things to say and everything to give.

However, if there is one tiny flaw in women, it is that they forget their worth.
-Author unknown

Blessings,

Joyce