Prayer is Powerful & Effective.... Reflecting on James 5:16-18 (12.31.17)

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops - James 5:16-18

Faith Believers,
Prayer is powerful because GOD is powerful, 

     and prayer is the means through which that Divine Power
     is released and channeled into our lives.
In other words, all the power in prayer is really God’s Power,
     activated by prayer.

When you pray for another person, there is nothing that flows from you to them – no vibes, no force, no energy. Instead, your prayers go Heavenward, and the power of GOD moves from Our Father, to those you are praying for.

When the Bible says “prayer…is powerful and effective,” it means that GOD acts powerfully and effectively through the prayers of his people. Prayer is the instrument by which GOD has chosen to have His Power directed in the universe. This power is so rich and so mobile that all we have to do, when we pray, is to point to the persons or things to which we desire to have this power applied; and He, the Lord of this Power, will direct the necessary power to the desired place. What an arrangement - GOD partnering with human beings to accomplish His purposes!

Prayer is the key that unlocks all the storehouses of GOD’s Infinite Grace and Power. All that GOD is, and has, can be brought forward through prayer.

Prayer can move mountains.
It can change human hearts, families, neighborhoods,
     cities, and nations.
It is the ultimate source of power, because it is
      the power of Almighty GOD.

This power is available to all who come before Our Father
     and give their life to Him.

Where will the power of your prayers be felt today?

   -   Marilyn

 

 

You are Ordained for Victory. Yes, It will Require a Fight, but You Must Rise & Go After Your Promises (12.30.17)

My Child,
I do not change, and I Am faithful.
As I promised, it shall be.
However, did you expect your blessings to be
     handed to you on a silver platter?

You believed in your spirit that you were close to your blessing. You felt it so strong, you could almost reach out and touch it.  So, why did you stop fighting when the battle became intense? Why did you cease claiming the victory? Who told you that you could not win?

You must continue to press your way. 
Go in and possess the land.

I led the children of Israel to the promised land, but they
     had to go in and possess it, and so must you.

Do not allow the size of the battle make you believe that you cannot possess your promises. You are ordained for victory; therefore, do not back down from the battle. There is a great victory waiting for you, but you must press on to obtain it. You can possess the fullness of all the promises that I made to you, but it will not come cheaply, for I Will involve you in the process of obtaining them. 

Go in and possess your promises.

Yes, I will require you to fight to possess your promises.
You cannot just sit back and expect them to fall into your lap.
You cannot be a bystander; you must rise and go after
     your promises.

However, do not be disheartened and do not despair, for I Will fight with you and I Will give you the victory. Remember, faith without works is dead. Your promises are not dead.  They are alive and waiting for you to possess them, so do not stop short of the victory.

The promise land belonged to Israel, but they had to fight to possess it.

I could have sent an angel to destroy the inhabitants of the land, and allowed the children of Israel merely to walk in and possess it. However, I wanted them to be involved in the process of taking their land. I wanted them to understand, and appreciate the value of their inheritance. I wanted them to understand the cost of their victory and not take it for granted.  My child, this same rule applies to you, I change not. Go in and possess your promises.

You are an overcomer.

I have put My Spirit within you to help you and to strengthen you. I Will not turn My Back on you, nor are My Ears deaf to your cries. You can have all that I have promised you.

However, I want you to understand that this type of victory comes only through battle. You must fight the good fight of faith to possess your promised blessings.

Now, I have prepared a table for you in the presence of your enemies, but you must go and possess the table.  The enemy will do all he can to stop you from partaking of the table because he knows this table will fill you up to overflowing with My Power.

The table is prepared, and your promised blessings
     are upon it; however, you must possess the table.

Be not slothful about it, because the enemy is watching
     your table, and he too wants to possess it.

This is the time to fight for the promises that I have made
     to you, so go in and possess the land.

READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD

Numbers 13:30 - And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. 

Deuteronomy 1:21 - Behold, the LORD thy GOD hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the LORD GOD of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged. 

Joshua 18:3 - And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD GOD of your fathers hath given you? 

Judges 18:9 - And they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we have seen the land, and, behold, it is very good: and are ye still? be not slothful to go, and to enter to possess the land. 

Psalm 23:5 - Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:

 

 

#ScriptureReflection - 1 John 1:5-2:2 (12.29.17)

Beloved:
This is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christ
and proclaim to you:
God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.
If we say, "We have fellowship with him,"
while we continue to walk in darkness,
we lie and do not act in truth.
But if we walk in the light as he is in the light,
then we have fellowship with one another,
and the Blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.
If we say, "We are without sin,"
we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just
and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.
If we say, "We have not sinned," we make him a liar,
and his word is not in us.

My children, I am writing this to you
so that you may not commit sin.
But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous one.
He is expiation for our sins,
and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.

 

 

When We Pray to God Our Father...... (12.28.17)

Faith Believers,
GOD, the Father, wants to hear from us in prayer.
He wants us to stretch our hands to Him in humble submission
     to His authority, rule, reign, and loving kindness.
He wants to commune with us as a daddy communes
     with his devoted child.
He wants us to surrender ourselves to His Godly Judgment
     and Will for our lives.
GOD wants to bless us, so that we can be a blessing to others.

When we pray, let us pray to “our Father who is in heaven; holy is His Name, and may His Kingdom come.” When we pray to GOD the Father, may we be transcended beyond the reality and connotations of our earthly father to an intimate, eternal relationship with the perfect true and benevolent, almighty GOD - The Great "I Am."
  -  Marilyn

~ Prayer ~
Benevolent, Almighty GOD,
Your child is crying out to You! 
I am longing to surrender my whole self into Your Hands,
     without holding anything back. 
I don't know why I trust You with some areas of my life,
     and am hesitant with other areas; but I know that You are
     patiently loving me and nudging me into full surrender. 
Thank You, Father, for You are a loving, righteous and faithful GOD. 
Holy is Your Name alone!
Amen

To Pray in the Name of Jesus..... (12.27.17)

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father - John 14:13

Faith Believers,
To pray in the name of Jesus means to pray in a manner consistent with His values and purposes. These values and purposes are revealed in both His practice of prayer (see John 17) and His precepts concerning it (see Matthew 6:9-14). It is to pray with the glorification of GOD as the supreme motive, it is to pray as Jesus would pray if He were in our circumstances. It is to pray as His followers who have been appointed as instruments of fruit-bearing in the working of His mission. As such, it is praying with respectful submission to the Will of the Father, seeking that His Will be done, not ours. It is learning to ask for the good things that He delights to give from the devoted heart that He delights to bless.
  -  Marilyn

~ Prayer ~
Gracious Father,

I desire to seek Your Face in prayer, for the purpose
     of bringing glory to You alone! 

Teach me respectful submission to Your Divine Will,
     so that I will continually keep my eyes fixed upon
     Your Purposes, rather than my own selfishness. 

Please give me a completely devoted heart, set apart to
     please You in every aspect of my life.  

 

In Jesus’ Name I pray! 

Amen 

Never Forget Where Your Help Comes From... The Greatest Christmas Gift Ever Given wasn't Placed Under the Tree, He was Placed on a Tree (12.26.17)

My Child,
It is My Desire to heal your heart, to heal your situations, to transform, and to work My Glory in your life; to cause My Anointing and My Power to rest upon you.  It’s My Good Pleasure to give you the Kingdom. 

Therefore, when you feel all alone, never forget where your help comes from.

I Am the GOD of all comfort.  When you've come to the point of utter despair and you feel that your whole world has caved in; never forget where your help comes from. I Am the GOD who comforts you in all your tribulations. Cast all your cares on Me, because I care for you.

I say unto you that it is My desire to empower you, to give you the victory and to cause you to walk in the fullness of My Plans for you.

My Plans for you are good and they bring new life. For I Am your loving Father.  Therefore, when you are down to your last cent and see no provision in sight, never forget where your help comes from.  I Will provide for your every need, according to My Riches in glory, by My Son, Christ Jesus.

When sickness and infirmity keep knocking at your door,
     never forget where your help comes from.
I Am the One... My Son was wounded for your transgression,
     and by His Stripes, you are healed.
When the smallest of everyday affairs continue to overwhelm
     your understanding, never forget where your help comes from.
I Will give you wisdom, for out of My Mouth comes knowledge
     and understanding

Precious One, I Am more than able to help you overcome any situation that comes against you.  I Am more than able to cause you to walk in the fullness of My Plans and Purposes for you.  Look to Me, for I Am with you; and I Will work My Glory in your situation.

Trust Me, and I Will bring it to pass. 
For I Am a good GOD, and a loving Father,
     who cares greatly for you.

Therefore, remember that it takes faith to speak, especially
     when everything may be telling you the opposite. 
It takes faith to stand and proclaim My Word,
     the Word of the Lord, in every situation. 
 
So, remember where your help comes from.
Remember who you are in My Son, Christ Jesus. 

Remember who I Am.
Remember who you are in Me.

Speak by faith, walk as an overcomer through My Son,
     and you will never forget where your help comes from. 

  

Read and Meditate on God's Word:
Psalm 121:1-2 - I lift up my eyes to the mountains-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. 

1 Peter 5:6-7 - Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of GOD, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 

Psalm 63:7 - Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

Luke 12:32 - Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 

Isaiah 53:4-5 - Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of GOD, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes, we are healed. 

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - Blessed be GOD, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the GOD of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of GOD. 

Proverbs 2:6 - For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 

What does Your Idea of Christmas Represent? Give the Greatest Gift - Love (12.25.17)

Faith Believers,
This time of year the stores are packed with shoppers trying to find that perfect gift to let their loved ones know how much they love them.  You go from store to store, looking for that certain something that says what is in your heart.  Something that will cause them to remember you each time they look at it.  Some of you have even been saving for months for that perfect Christmas gift and some of you have spent more money than you can afford to spend, just to please that special person.  After all, it’s Christmas and it only comes once a year.  Right? 

It all depends on what your idea of Christmas represents.

How many of us can say that our children know the real meaning of Christmas?

How many of us have shared with our children that Christ was born in a manger?

Oh yes, they see the displays of the manger and think how beautiful it looks.  But have you really told them about the surroundings of the manger? Have you told them about the animals that were there, and what it actually looked and may have smelled like?  Do they really know about His birth? 

It’s time we teach them now to know about our Saviour’s birth.
It’s time we teach them the true meaning of giving, and getting, a gift.

We’ve allowed the world to dictate to us how we should celebrate the Birth of Jesus, instead of us showing the world what Christmas is really about. 

It’s time we made a change.
The time is now.   
GOD gave us the best gift He could ever give us when He gave us His only Son.  His Son is THE PERFECT GIVE OF LOVE.

John 3:16 - For GOD so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  

How the Father loves us so. 
This is what Christmas is all about,
      the love of the Father and His Son.

 

 

THE GOSPEL

GOD want us to know: MY SON GAVE HIS LIFE FOR YOU!  ALL I ASK IS THAT YOU BELIEVE IN HIM AND DO AS HE SAID. 

Mathew 22:37-40 - Thou shalt love the Lord thy GOD with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. The second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

John 15:12-13 - This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

ARE YOU FRIENDS OF JESUS? 

THEN GIVE LOVE ON CHRISTMAS DAY.

You can give love by mending your broken relationships. How? By praying for those who have misused you, falsely accused you, taken from you, or abused you.  If you start by praying for them, when it is time for you to talk with them, the Lord will have healed both your hearts.

Remember the words of John 15:7 - These things I command you, that ye love one another.  I COMMAND YOU TO DO THIS. 
 

I can’t imagine that it was easy for GOD to send His only Son to save us, but He did. It’s time that we begin to show Him how thankful we are for His sacrifice and celebrate His Son's birth the way He truly wants us to.  By remembering why Jesus came, what He did while He was here, what He did for us when He laid down His life, and most of all by keeping Jesus' commandment to LOVE.

So don’t worry if you don’t have money to buy your kids lots of toys.

Don’t worry if you can’t buy your friends gifts because they brought you one, and don’t worry what people are going to say about you if you don’t have what they have. 

It doesn’t matter, it really doesn’t. 

Give them the greatest gift you can, LOVE; and you will make Jesus happy and THAT’S ALL THAT REALLY MATTERS. 

With Love,
  Marilyn

A Christmas Eve Prayer (12.24.17)

Loving Father,

We thank You for the birth of Your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of GOD and the perfect Son of Man. He, Who was born in a stable and lived His whole life in humble obedience to Your Will. Thank You for sending Him to be our Saviour and to die on the Cross to pay the price for our sins. 

Lord, during this Christmas time, I pray for all who do not know You as their Savior. I pray that in Your Mercy and Grace, You would convict many of their need to know Christ, as they ask You to come into their heart.   

Lord, we know there will never be any peace in this world until Christ reigns in power. There will never be the 'peace reigning GOD' within the heart of man until the Lord Jesus takes up residence in a believing heart. Continue to convict the hearts of those who do not know You, Father.

During this Christmas season, may many come to know You as their Lord and Savior, in Jesus Name, I pray.  

Amen

#ScriptureReflection - Romans 16:25-27 (12.23.17)

Brothers and sisters:
To him who can strengthen you,
according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages
but now manifested through the prophetic writings and,
according to the command of the eternal God,
made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith,
to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ
be glory forever and ever

Amen

Release Your F.E.A.R.S. - Let your FAITH Rise Up (12.22.17)

My Child,

the enemy is working to undermine the strength of your position with subtle distractions.  Now, you are obsessing about things in which you have no control over.  Do not be afraid of his attacks. Release those fears and thoughts and put your trust in Me.

Set watch and maintain good thoughts and boundaries. 
Do not give into anything that has the potential to destroy
     your faith and confidence in Me. 
Stand strong and know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I Am
     in control and I Will direct your steps. 
I Will provide all that you need to accomplish what I have
     given you, into your hands. 
No longer are you to be afraid, nor are you to allow anything
     to interrupt your walk with Me.

If you need wisdom for the rest of this journey, ask of Me,
     and I will give you wisdom. 

Refuse to allow the issues of the past that surfaced,
     to have preeminence in your life. 

Always maintain an intimate relationship with Me,
     for that is where your strength lies. 

Exercise the faith that is inside of you.

Bring all that I’ve imparted in you, to the surface; and light
     the path for those who need to find their way out of darkness. 

Release your fears.... let your faith rise up.

Read and Meditate on God's Word:
Psalm 27:1 - The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 

Psalm 27:3 - Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

Psalm 91:5 - Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Psalm 118:6 - The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

James 1:5 - If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of GOD, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

A Devotion on Self-Focus by Fab Batsakis (12.21.17)

Faith Believers,
This devotion was written by Fab Batsakis.  I pray this devotion will encourage you and bless you in the Lord the way it has with me.
  -  Marilyn

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to GOD the Father through him.” COLOSSIANS 3:17

We can all be prone to self-focus. Everywhere we go people ask us, “What do you do?" There is nothing wrong with achievement, nothing wrong with focus. Nothing wrong with working hard. We are meant to do so. However, when it’s all about me and my achievement, that’s when we should be apprehensive. Our motives matter. The reason behind why we do what we do is important. As Christ’s body on earth, we should work towards GOD’s purposes. To influence our motives positively, we need to ask ourselves one question: am I doing this in His Name? If the answer is yes, even if it’s the most menial task, it pleases Him: Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might - Ecclesiastes 9:10. Showcasing our skills is fine, but we shouldn’t do it just for status. When our work is offered with a thankful heart ― behind the scenes or at the forefront— to Him, we magnify the status of Jesus as Lord. His strength outshines our weaknesses, our sufferings, and our questions not yet answered. When we each offer what GOD has equipped us to do, the Body functions as it should. The mouth speaks. The hands are at work, the fingers create. The eyes discern and share their vision and insight. The feet go where they are sent. The ones who can’t go cheerfully send those who can. Ultimately, the Word is spread all over the earth, souls are rescued. As the Body flourishes, His kingdom flourishes. Father GOD, I thank you for the tasks at hand whether they’re big or small. They are the tasks that you have assigned me to do at this time of my life. May your presence carry me through any difficulties I may encounter so the works of my hands are offered in thanksgiving and be a blessing, in Jesus’ Name. Amen

God's Word Shall Be Accomplished in Your Life (12.20.17)

My Child,
Never assume that what seems to be a barren season
     won’t change in one moment of time.
For I have been listening intently to your prayers, and you will
     surely birth much spiritual fruit and many prophetic destinies;
     because I have ordained it. 

Even now, I Am helping you fulfill everything I have called you to do, for the gifts and callings that I have given to My People shall not become null and void. My Word shall be accomplished in your life. 

Therefore, I say this day that your ministry shall
     not be fruitless, but that it shall be fulfilled.

It is important for you to remember that just because you are in My Will, that does not mean that you won’t endure trials and tribulations. In fact, often when you are walking in My Will, that is when everything appears to be against you. It’s when the enemy comes against you the strongest because he doesn’t want you to succeed. he will make it seem like you are not advancing with what I’ve called you to do, like you’re going backward instead of forward. During these times, you must remember what I said, “In the world, ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

I, the Lord your God, overcame them, and you will too.

My child, when I put gifts and callings in you, it will not come back without bearing fruit. I will cause your gift to touch somebody, somewhere at just the right time.

So, take your eyes off all the natural things that
     cause you to believe you won’t be successful.
Stop believing your gifts have become null and void.

Instead of believing in the negative things you see, you simply
     need to keep believing and saying that My Word will be
     fulfilled in your life.

Believe that your gift will touch lives.
Believe that it will bear fruit and be fulfilled.
My Word shall be accomplished in your life.
 

Read and Meditate on God's Word:

Numbers 11:23 - And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the Lord's hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not. 

Numbers 23:19 - GOD is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? 

Isaiah 55:11 - So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. 

1 Corinthians 2:9 - But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which GOD hath prepared for them that love him. 

Romans 11:29 - For the gifts and calling of GOD are without repentance.