May Cover Photo (2013)*

A Mustard Seed

                                                                                                                                  - Photo by Rachel J Newman

I Challenge You (5.31.13)

I challenge you to believe in Me more than you ever have before. 

I challenge you to lean and depend upon Me with all your heart to do exceeding abundantly more than you desire. I challenge you to shake off all doubts and fears that plague you, and once again, dare to believe in Me for the impossible.

I challenge you to test Me and see if I will be the One who provides that which you need. 

I challenge you to come closer and believe in My unconditional love for you. I challenge you to come walk with Me in a more intimate way so you can clearly see the way before you has been prepared. And My child, it’s a place of security, revelation, and great joy that comes from knowing and abiding with Me like never before.

I challenge you this day to come closer in complete faith, casting aside unbelief and experience the love I have for you. This is a new day, so come now with renewed hope and expectation, meet Me in our secret place, and you will surely see that this is the day the Lord has made, and I will pour out blessings upon you.


I CHALLENGE YOU TO HAVE FAITH IN ME.
  

Psalm 34:8 - O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Psalm 118:24-25 - This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.

Ephesians 3:20 - Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

Call on the Lord (5.30.13)

Psalms 69:3 - I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my GOD.

When we are going through our storm we come to a point in our life where we simply do not have any more tears to cry. Regardless of how we cry out to the Lord somehow the sadness still remains. After a while the tears dry up and then we start to internalize our feelings without seeking the Lord first for his guidance. 

It is in this calm after the storm that we start to try and make sense of things on our own. David cried unto the Lord often. He vented the emotions that were built up inside of him to the Lord. David experienced periods of intense joy, but also of excruciating heartache and pain. In moments of desperation, David let down his defenses and stood exposed before GOD. Man can be deceived but GOD cannot be deceived. He sees and know everything you are going through, even when you stand before him with your defenses up.

He can see right through all defenses, therefore leaving you exposed before Him. During these times, calling on the name of the Lord, He will give you peace and rest from the storm. GOD gave David all the comfort he would ever need and He will surely do the same for you.

As we go through the storm feeling desperate and helpless remember the Lord will comfort you the way He comforted David. 

When there are no more tears to cry, ask the Lord to fill you with His peace and presence.

He is faithful to do so.

Be Strong and Stand on the Rock (5.29.13)

My Child,
I want you to rise above the circumstances that created a place of despair in your heart. Regardless of your circumstances or the attacks that have caused you to fear, I am still the Rock of your spiritual foundation. I am holding you up even when you feel you can’t lift your eyes up. 

I will bring you through your current dilemma. I will give you wisdom, direction and will bring people into your life that can help you through this difficulty. But, you must stand firm on the Rock of faith and believe that I am with you and for you. I want you to have faith and stand even when it seems that there is no place to stand. I want you to stand when the world seems to be crumbling around you. Stand and rest in the assurance that I AM who I AM, and nothing is impossible for Me.

So right now, take the time to re-focus and turn your concentration from stressing over what you feel you can’t do, to the victory that comes through the obedience of trusting in the Rock. Establish your heart in absolute faith and do not doubt. Turn your heart towards the Rock and pray in faith for My intervention. And while you are praying I will hear your cries. 

I will answer and bring you into undisputed victory. 

Be strong and stand on the Rock.


Isaiah 65:24 - "It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear." 

Psalm 62:2 - "He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved."

James 1:5-8 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."

'Mustard Seed' Faith (5.28.13)

I have come today first to remind you that I have never left you, nor forsaken you, and that My hand has always been upon you. And to tell you it’s time to repent of the times your faith in Me has wavered, and it’s time you believe in Me again. I’m calling you to have mustard seed faith in Me.

Let Me say that again. 

It’s time you have mustard seed faith, step out and believe in Me for the impossible. 

Yes, you must believe that I am who I say I am.

Believe that I am a rewarder of those who diligently seek Me. Believe that when you decree a thing it shall come to pass. Believe when you tell the mountains to get out of your way, believe it will move. Believe that you and your household, shall be saved. Believe that I am the restorer of all things. Believe that everything the enemy stole from you will be restored. Believe that nothing is impossible with Me. Believe, My beloved, believe.  I am a "RIGHT NOW" GOD and I am looking for a "RIGHT NOW" faith.  It's time you believe again.

Whenever I speak to you, believe it and act upon it quickly, for it shall come to pass.  I want you to believe in Me right now for that situation you are facing.  It doesn't matter the circumstance, it doesn't matter what it looks like.  Believe in Me right now, and do not doubt!!

Expect the unexpected to happen, expect great things to happen, as you begin to believe in Me again.

I am a "RIGHT NOW" GOD and I am looking for a "RIGHT NOW" faith.  

It's time you believe again.

Your Blessings are Rooted in Your Faith (5.27.13)

Discouragement is another way for the thief to come in and steal our joy to make us doubt GOD. 

Don't ever give up on GOD! 

He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end of every situation. He has all power and he is the Great "I Am". There is no other besides him. The anointing of the Lord is speaking to your life right now,  telling you that you will not fail. It’s time you pick up where you left off! 

I know the enemy knocked you down, but get back up, brush off and keep on trusting and believing in GOD. Restart your worship, reclaim your destiny and victory! Start over!! Do not throw in the towel on the trial given to you by the Lord. The Lord wants us to worship him through all of our trials, rather good or bad. 

 If you want to be reminded of the Lord’s power and mercy, think back to the place where He performed a miracle in your life or where you witnessed a miracle. You didn’t think you were going to make it, but you did. GOD has not changed! If He did it once, He will do it again! Keeping your faith in GOD and worshiping him through it all is the answer to what you are facing. 

In his own timing GOD is going to come through for you. He has promised to bless those who are faithful to Him. There is a huge blessing on the horizon for you for being faithful says the Lord.

Psalm 34:18–19 - The psalmist assures us GOD is ever so near to the brokenhearted, and saves those with a contrite or crushed spirit.

Always, and in Everything, Give Thanks (5.25.13)

What do we offer to GOD when we are blessed with good things?
Do we even remember to say thank you?

The Lord has given us so much, and we should always, and in everything, give thanks to Him and give Him praise every day. Yes, you do get up every morning and go to work to make wages to buy the things you have. The love of GOD is the reason why you are able to get up every morning, with breath in your body, to go to your job.

All good things and blessings come from the Lord.
Thank Him today for blessing you with the things you have.
Ask the Lord this day, to bring a person into your path, in whom you can be a blessing to.
All that you have is not just for you, but the Lord wants to see if you will be a blessing to others. 
This does not necessarily mean giving away tons of money, but you can bless others through the gifts the Lord has given you.  Such as spending time with those who are less fortunate than you. 
Let them know that GOD loves them too.

A Prayer 
Father, 
In bad times, please be my strength.
In good times, celebrate with me Lord. 
Thank you Jesus for being with me, 
doing so much for me, and giving me so much. 
I thank you Lord for all that I have and don't have. 
Continue to bless me Father. 
In the name of your son, JESUS Christ. 

Amen

Obedience is Planted Firmly in His Word (5.24.13)

We have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him - 1 John 3:21-22

Obedience is fundamental to effective prayer. Realistically speaking, only people who obey GOD have the right to go into his presence with requests but our gracious and loving Father will turn none away. GOD delights in the prayers of his obedient children. When we want what GOD wants, and live the way that pleases Him, then the Holy Spirit will place in our heart the things we should pray for according to GOD's will for our life. GOD will answer these prayers in his own time not ours. If GOD were to answer the prayers of the disobedient, He would be aiding and abetting the things which He does not approve of. 

That would be out of character for GOD and because He is holy this will not happen. To put it in other words, if we expect GOD to do for us what we ask, we should be prepared to do for GOD what he asks. If we listen and obey His words and commands, GOD will listen to our prayers.

Gracious GOD, 
I give You praise for Your generous, giving nature. 
Forgive me of my failure to keep Your commands 
and to do what pleases You. 
Help me when I pray so that my prayers will be in perfect alignment 
with Your will for the glory of Your kingdom.

Praise GOD as the Rock, your stronghold and fortress (Psalms 144:1-2).

Thank him for being a solid foundation on which to stand spiritually, so that nothing can shake you (Matthew 7:24-25).

Confess those times in your life when you have stepped off the rock's solid foundation of GOD’s Word and relied upon your own understanding. Commit yourself to building your life on Christ’s teachings. 

Ask GOD to help you plant your feet firmly in his Word each day.

Extending His Mercy (5.23.13)

Some people say love your neighbor and hate your enemy but GOD said love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven - Matthew 5 : 43-45

But I tell you who hear Me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you - Luke 6:27-28

Jesus had enemies and those enemies crucified Him, but as we all know, He got the ultimate victory in the end. GOD loved the world so much that He sent his son Jesus to die for us. His Son did not leave the earth without praying for those who were responsible for His death. Jesus, who told us to love and pray for our enemies, demonstrated the ultimate gift of love while hanging on the cross: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing - Luke 23:34. 

Jesus prayed for His enemies, so why is it so hard for us to pray for ours?

One of the most amazing commands of Christ is to love our enemies. In our flesh, we naturally want to retaliate or fight back when we are treated unkindly or persecuted. Jesus preached forgiveness and mercy. “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). His lifestyle demonstrated grace that ours might also. He took His command one step further by adding another level of difficulty (as we see it), “Pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).

Be merciful to and love on those who do not believe in GOD.
Snatch your enemy from the fire and save them from any and all harm
if you are ever faced with this situation.

Because of GOD’s mercy, we were saved.
We must extend His mercy to those who are still enemies of GOD, 
so that they might also receive what we have been given. 

GOD's LOVE!

Can You Hear Me in the Silence? (5.22.13)

My Child,
When I am still or silent, that is when I want your attention. That is when I want you to set yourself apart from the day-to-day cares of this world to spend time with Me in My word, and just talk to Me. 

If you quiet your heart and listen, then I will speak and tell you all you need to know, so you will be prepared for your next step. No, I’m not going to yell it or bring My word in a mighty storm. I will become quiet. And I will wait for you to notice, look to Me and listen for My still small voice.

I know you don’t realize this, but resting and listening for My voice is part of your preparation. This must be done so you will learn to move as I move. Simply quiet down, turn to Me and I will whisper in your ear all you need to know to get you prepared for the door I am about to open. It lies here before you ready, but you must quiet your heart and your mind and turn to Me.

And please, while you are waiting, don’t call our quiet time together wasted time. I don’t waste one second. While you wait in silence, or what you think is silence, it is My chance to minister a refreshing wind over your life. In this stillness I am turning your reversals into rehearsals for My Glory. Now rest in this and use this time to meditate and listen for My voice. Don’t worry about anything, just be still and listen. 

Can you hear Me in the silence?

1 Kings 19:12 - And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

Psalm 46:10 - Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

HAVE A JESUS FILLED DAY