Matthew 5:14 “You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden.

The temperature truly does affect us in so many ways even when we don’t see it coming, whether spiritual, physical or emotional. Today I have realized that how much it does change the conditions around me I must combat it with the adorning of much prayer. As I began my morning so early our daughter woke up crying with a bad dream, as I tried to comfort her it helped bring a peace to her heart and the crying subsided, thus a sweet change happened. Then as I walked the parking lot to my building on campus almost being hit by a vehicle I realized I could not alter the driver’s speed, but I could change my attitude toward the driver and pray for him. As I came into my office a young woman that did a bit of complaining helped me to realize that I could not change her situation, and I chose to not enter into the grumbling, but I could change my thoughts toward her and pray for her day and hope that her situation gets better. I can choose to be that thermostat in my day, the one that changes and not the thermometer that settles for the atmosphere around me. I can adorn myself in the garment prayer, hoping to make a difference in my corner of the world, thus being salt and light!

Daily we see so many changes taking place, but I praise the Lord today for being the thermostat in my day, helping me to be a light in a world that is filled with so much darkness. We truly are called to make a difference to the world around us, to be thermostats and not just thermometers!

 We are the salt of the earth as it states:

 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall

it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out

and trampled underfoot by men.” Matthew 5:13 (7/31mab)

Abraham Lincoln once said that the best thing about the future is that it only comes one day at a time. Are you worrying about what your future holds? There’s nothing wrong with planning for the future or dreaming about what it will look like. However, the trick of the enemy is to try to keep you stuck in worry so that you can’t move forward into the destiny God has ordained for you.

It can be hard sometimes not to worry when everything seems to be going wrong. But, as Believers, we’re commanded to place our faith in the Lord. In Matthew 6:34, Jesus says:

. . .Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Take one day at a time, trusting the Lord to see you through. Cast your cares on Hinm and release your worries to the One who is capable of carrying them.

Blessings,

Joyce

Heavenly Father,

Your warrior prepares for battle. Today, I claim victory over Satan by putting on the whole armor of God!

I put on the girdle of truth. May I stand firm in the truth of Your word so I will not be a victim of Satan’s lies.

I put on the breastplate of righteousness. May it guard my heart from evil so I will remain pure and holy, protected under the blood of Jesus Christ.

I put on the shoes of peace. May I stand firm in the good news of the gospel so your peace will shine through me and be alight to all I encounter.

I take the shield of faith. May I be ready for Satan’s fiery darts of doubt, denial and deceit so that I’ll not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat.

I put on the helmet of salvation. May I keep my mind focused on you so Satan will not have a stronghold on my thoughts.

I take the sword of the spirit. May the two-edged sword of Your word be ready in my hand so I can expose the tempting words of Satan.

By faith, Your warrior has put on the whole armor of God. I am prepared to live this day in spiritual victory!

In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Excerpt from Turning Point Radio Broadcast with Dr. David Jeremiah

Blessings,

Joyce

 Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

This is an old traditional hymn written in the 1600’s comes to heart and mind today when I hear a praise report of God moving in the life of someone who really needed a miracle. A young student from China away from his family in need of a touch from the Master’s hand. Truly God gave him the miracle he needed today. The answer came TODAY!

We serve an AWESOME God!!! Be encouraged today to not faint or grow weary…

Though I have not personally sung this hymn in forever, it came to my thoughts first thing when I thought about the goodness of the Lord in this young mans life. Today, I praise Him for His continued faithfulness, from whom all blessings flow. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about giving Him Praise!!!

May this be a day of victory for your loved ones and those whom you are standing in the gap believing BIG for. Praise God, for from Him truly all blessings flow. I cannot begin to imagine a day without our loving Savior. I am truly amazed daily at His loving grace and unmerited favor. My prayer is that this day be a day of answered prayer, and sweet victory in the most holy and precious name of Jesus.

Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say on the Lord! (Psalm 27:14)

Do you ever get frustrated waiting for the things you want? we live in a fast-paced, “gotta have it now” kind of world. Sometimes, even Christians get caught up in the hype; especially when they’ve been laying before the Lord with a prayer request that God seems not to have heard.

You know in your heart that God hears every petition you bring to Him. That does not mean, however, that God’s going to give you an answer when you want it and how you want it every time. Sometimes, He’s silent and the only thing you can do is prayerfully wait.

God’s silence doesn’t mean that nothing is happening. Most often, He does His best work when He doesn’t seem to be saying or doing anything. Think back over your life and the times He was silent. If you life is anything like mine, it was during those long times of silence that your relationship with the Lord really grew.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” God answers every righteous prayer request and every petition you place before Him in the right season for you. No matter how right something seems to you, if it’s not the right season, the Lord’s silence means “WAIT!”

I’m one of the first people to admit that waiting can be difficult. However, it does not begin to compare with what happens when we don’t. If you attempt to move forward without waiting on the Lord’s best for you, you can end up frustrated and out of God’s will. Instead of rushing ahead, focus on growing your faith and your patience.

So, if you’ve been praying about something and you haven’t received an answer yet, be confident in knowing that He hears you and your answer will come.

Blessings,

Joyce

Mark 11:22-25  “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

 I have come to realize lately that mountain top experiences can often prove to be rewarding yet very exhausting. Often times I must sit back and remember that God is there, and He is faithful! The Lord is more than able to meet me at the highest peak or the lowest of valleys. My faith shaking life trek experiences have become a sort of refining., but in the midst of it all how sweet to know the love of our Savior. I will lay every petition at His throne of grace with total confidence knowing that I must hold fast to the faith and believe whatever asked of Him in prayer, is received.  

I praise Him for His continued faithfulness…

Popular author and women’s ministry speaker Pam Farrel says in Devotions for Women on the Go:
What does God think important enough to pray for? What are the areas God sees as vital for sucess in life? We get a glimpse from the scriptural prayer requests below.
Pray:

For your enemies and those who persecute or mistreat you (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:28)

For strength to not fall into temptation (Matthew 26:41)

For reconnected relationships (Romans 1:10-11)

You are rescued from unbelievers (Romans 15:31)

You won’t make mistakes (2 Corinthians 13:7)

You will be strengthened by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:16)

You will be rooted and established in love (Ephesians 3:17)

You will open your mouth and be given words to fearlessly and clearly share the gospel (Ephesians 6:19; Colossians 4:4)

God will count you worthy of your calling and fulfill every good purpose of yours prompted by your faith (2 Thessalonians 1:11)

If you have trouble or sickness (James 5:13-14)

To confess sin (James 5:16)

“Why are you sleeping?” Jesus asked. “Get up and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you.”  (Luke 22:46)
Blessings,

Joyce

2 Chronicles 20:15-17

He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel.  You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’

Notice in this passage how it tells us to take up our positions; stand firm and see the deliverance that the Lord will give us. What a powerful chapter and verse for victorious living! It seems that the enemy would want us to ring our hands in fear when all seems to be crumbling down around us, but the Lord says to stand firm. Can we truly say that we believe there is power in prayer, power in praise, power in proclaiming His word? I say, yes we must believe it,  for when we come together and believe that there is power in prayer, praise and His word then we have overcome the barrage of events that happen in the battlefield. No longer are we defeated, but we can rise above the situation and face the battle lines. It is time to know the victory is the Lord’s, the battle is His!

Praise Him with all that is within you, begin to proclaim the victory and see Him fight the battle for you. It is not ours, but the Lord’s. He will deliver us

Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.

I am captured by His grace.

Scripture: Luke 5:17 “And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick.”

Reflecting upon this verse in the book of Luke, Chapter 5, it is a reminder of the power and presence of the Lord when Jesus healed the paralytic. He is the one who has pardoned the sin to bring about the healing. Just as it states in verse 21: “The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

All too often the enemy wants to remind us of the sin and pain of the past that Christ has already redeemed with a complete pardon and total healing. Our life has been bought with a great price, for without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. (Heb. 9:22)

We have been pardoned and now we are able to walk in true freedom and liberty that comes to us from our Loving Savior Jesus Christ. Isn’t it wonderful to know that we serve a Resurrected Lord and Savior?

• Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb!
• Redeemed by the love of our Savior!
• Redeemed, I say, Redeemed!

 We serve a God of restoration, a God of healing, a God who tenderly cares for His sheep, and He is able to meet every need, every petition as we seek to serve Him. Truly I am captured by His grace every day, and am so gently reminded of His great love for all.

My brother Ken, writes a monthly column called The Pastor’s Pen. Here’s this month’s column.

Excuse Me, Devil; It’s Dinnertime!!

Scripture:  “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. —Psalm 23:1”

Everybody loves this verse, “I shall not want” means that God gives you not only what you need, but also what you want. Most people forget, however, that a shepherd is a leader.  If you are not letting Jesus lead you, then you will not get what you want!

       
(Go ahead. . .let that marinate for a minute. . .I’ll wait!)

Everybody wants the anointing:  “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over”  Yes, everyone wants the anointing, but the anointing comes only when you are able to face your enemy at the table God has prepared.  Let me put it another way; He will not anoint you until you get in your enemy’s face.  Even then, the Lord will not anoint you until you smile at your enemy and say, “I am in charge!”

You have the authority.  Your Good Shepherd led you here and prepared a table for you right in front of your enemies.  Now it is your turn.  Stand up in the name of the Lord and declare:

I do not care how you got here, enemy; and I do not care what you think you are doing.  I expected you to come here.  I knew I was going to have tribulations in this world, so you are no surprise.  Guess what?  You cannot hinder what God has ordained for me because He is my Shepherd.  I am supposed to be here because He led me here.  Now I am going to enjoy a heavenly feast right before your eyes, and there is nothing you can do about it!  In Jesus’ name, I am in control!