May Cover Photo (2014)*

Photo courtesy of Rachel J Newman

The "Ingredients" That Should Go Into Prayer (5.31.14)

The Lord's Prayer is a prayer our Lord Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4. 

Matthew 6:9-13 says, This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.' Many people misunderstand the Lord's Prayer to be a prayer we are supposed to recite word for word. Some people treat the Lord's Prayer as a magic formula, as if the words themselves have some specific power or influence with GOD.

The Bible teaches the opposite. GOD is far more interested in our hearts when we pray, than He is in our words. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words - Matthew 6:6-7.
In prayer, we are to pour out our hearts to GOD (Philippians 4:6-7), 

not simply recite memorized words to GOD.

The Lord's Prayer should be understood as an example, a pattern, of how to pray.
It gives us the "ingredients" that should go into prayer. Here is how it breaks down: "Our Father in heaven" is teaching us whom to address our prayers to 'the Father.' "Hallowed be your name" is telling us to worship GOD, and to praise Him for who He is. The phrase "your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" is a reminder to us that we are to pray for GOD's plan in our lives and the world, not for our own plan. We are to pray that GOD's will be done, not for our desires. We are encouraged to ask GOD for the things we need, in "give us today our daily bread." "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" reminds us to confess our sins to GOD, to turn from them, and also to forgive others as GOD has forgiven us. The conclusion of the Lord's Prayer, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" is a plea for help in achieving victory over sin and a request for protection from the attacks of the devil.

So, again, the Lord's Prayer is not a prayer we are to memorize and recite back to GOD. 

It is only an example of how we should be praying. 

Is there anything wrong with memorizing the Lord's Prayer? Of course not! 

Is there anything wrong with praying the Lord's Prayer back to GOD? 

Not if your heart is in it and you truly mean the words you say. 

Remember, in prayer, GOD is far more interested in our communicating with Him and speaking from our hearts than He is in the specific words we use. Philippians 4:6-7 declares, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to GOD. And the peace of GOD, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

I Am Calling You to a Higher Place & It is Time to Run Your Race (5.30.14)

My Child,
You know in your heart that I have led you to this door. 

You also know it time to open the door, and step through it. 

This move is necessary so that you can continue to walk with Me. 

It is time. 

It is time for your past to be past. 

You’ve come to this point before; but you would not let go.

You would not move on. 

Now, here I am knocking, 

tugging on your spirit again.

Telling you to please let it go. 

And move on.

There should be no more lingering, no more doubt. 

You must proceed with full confidence and trust in Me. 

I am calling you into a higher place, and it is time to run your race. 

No one else can do it for you. 

You must forsake the past and press on to your high calling in Me.

I say unto you, arise up, take your bed up, and move on. 

You cannot remain where you are anymore. 

You cannot dwell in the memories of your past. 

No longer allow family and friends to dictate to you the plan for your life. 

I have already given you a divine plan for your life 

and it is time you follow the destiny I have shown you. 

Leave them to Me, and go forth. 

I am still knocking at the door. 

Will you open it? 

A new beginning awaits you.
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Mark 2:11 - I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

Philippians 3:13-14 - Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Revelations 3:20 - Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

The Secret to Effective Praying is ..... (5.29.14)

But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray - Luke 5:16

In His public ministry, our Lord felt it necessary to frequently withdraw from the crowds, for time alone with the Father. In so doing, Jesus may have been communicating to us one of the secrets of interpersonal ministry, namely personal time with the Father.

Indeed, the secret to effective praying is effectively praying in secret.

Praying alone, praying in private, is biblical. 

Isaac went into the fields to pray and meditate. 

Jacob remained on the eastern bank of the Brook Jabbok. 

Moses hid in the clefts of the rocks on Mt. Horeb. 

Elijah withdrew to the lonely crest of Mt. Carmel. 

Daniel remained on the banks of Hiddekel. 

On one occasion Paul arranged to go by land while his associates 

traveled by ship, perhaps to use the time alone for prayer (Acts 20:13). 

John, though not of his own will, prayed alone on Patmos.

To follow the example of Jesus, it is important to recognize the necessity of drawing apart with GOD.

Lord, sometimes my days are so full and so rushed, and yet, Jesus was never so busy that He couldn’t stop and reach out to those around Him. If His life of constant ministry was fueled by His prayer life, that is what I want to do also. 

Teach me, Lord, to find opportunities to withdraw from my busy life to sit quietly in Your presence.

From the Very First Day, God Heard Your Prayers (5.28.14)

Do not fear, from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come because of your words. - Daniel 10:12

We all have goals, dreams and visions in life. 

We pray about them and try to hold fast, because with faith in Jesus, we believe they will come to pass. And when they do, it is the most wonderful feeling in the world. A dream becoming reality. A prayer answered.  And our faith in GOD is strengthened even more.

However, there are times when the enemy will cloud the vision GOD gives us.  he may not be able to read our minds, but he can hear our words. he sees our actions and our reactions, and knows our hot buttons. he knows just what buttons to push, and when to push them, to get our minds off of GOD's vision. The enemy would like nothing better than to steal our dreams. But he can't steal our dreams, unless we let him. This is why it's so important for us to hold fast our confession of faith.  To be diligent in our faith.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour - 1 Peter 5:8

Disappointment can open a door for the enemy to slip in and steal, kill and destroy our hopes and dreams. There’s a song entitled, “When GOD is Silent”, that I truly love. The song talks about how when GOD is silent He is giving us more time to pray. If you’ve prayed and prayed for something and it just hasn't come to pass; don’t stop believing that it won’t happen. Keep praying, praising and believing in GOD’s word. After you’ve prayed; PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME UNTIL YOUR PRAYERS COME TO PASS!!

The song goes on to say, “There are times when we pray to GOD for an answer, and it seems that all hope is gone. There is no need to spend time worrying, just fall down on your knees again and again”. Our Lord and Savior, prayed the same prayer three times in the Garden, the night before He gave His life for us (Matthew 26:36-44); then the Lord sent angels to minister unto Him to give Him the strength to make it to the cross. If you believe GOD is working all things out to your benefit; then you have to trust that His timing is part of that. He wouldn't have given His only Son if He wasn't going to keep His promise to us.

I want to encourage you this day, not to be disappointed at what appears to be a lack of results in prayer. We have no idea what the Lord is doing on our behalf to answer our prayers. We cannot see it; but rest assured He is working it out. What He requires from us is faith to believe the Word of GOD is true. Just because you FEEL the answer isn't coming; don’t let the enemy make you BELIEVE your prayers have been denied.

So, remember, what our scripture said, “…from the very first day, GOD heard your prayers.” Therefore, do as Daniel did, and keep your eyes focused on Jesus; keep praying in faith, remembering to thank Him for all He has done and all He is doing in your life.

Remember: GOD IS FAITHFUL

 - Marilyn

Who or What Are You Trusting In? (5.27.14)

Why would anyone place their trust in the unstable, un-powerful, unfulfilling things of this world when we can place our trust in a stable, powerful, satisfying GOD? 

That seems like such a no-brainer, but yet we do it.

We embrace our own cisterns, especially the broken cisterns, and expect them to satisfy our thirst and bring us contentment. We drink from the broken cisterns of materialism, position, wealth, popularity, stuff, relationships, rules and religion. We expect our kids, spouses and friends to satisfy our needs. 

We were created to pursue GOD. 

We were created to know GOD to be satisfied in Him and Him alone. 

We were created to worship Him and Him alone.

Even as believers, we tolerate emptiness and bow to idols other than GOD. We place our faith in the economy, in our financial situations, in our health, in our employment, politics, marital status and our relationships. When they fail or fall apart, we then fall apart … and no wonder! They are all broken cisterns and were never meant to be our source of hope nor satisfaction!

We need to turn away from our broken cisterns and turn toward the spring of living water. 

From stagnant waters to the Living Water of JESUS CHRIST. 

The Bible tells us that the Word Of GOD is the path to the spring of living water. When we eliminate the things that clutter our faith – the broken things we trust in – and place our faith in the resurrection power of Jesus Christ, GOD will show mercy, compassion and grace toward us. He will forgive and strengthen us.

Who or what are you trusting in today?

______

May God's peace be with us,

- Marilyn Chaney

 

** Today's Ten Most Popular Messages (5.26.14) **

1. Take the Victory through the Words You Speak (6.24.13)
2. Today is A New Day, The Time is Now - Prepare Yourself, Rejoice and Do Not Delay (1.4.14)
3. There is Strength in Focusing on Things of Spiritual Substance (7.10.13)
4. Delays are Tools to Perfect our Faith (7.4.13)
5. No Matter Where the Road Leads, God is Always With Us (3.5.14)
6. You Have Believed God for Your Blessings (4.5.14)
7. When God Opens Doors for You, Walk Boldly Through (3.20.14)
8. Lay Down the Burdens of Your Heart & the Brokenness of Yesterday (2.1.14)
9. You are an Example to More People Than You Know (4.28.14)
10. Perfect Timing: Excerpts from "Timely Gifts" by Lynn Cowell (2.18.14)

The top ten most popular messages are always on the right hand side.
Feel free to comment & let us know your favorite message.

#Enjoy     #BlessAndBeBlessed

Walk by Faith, Despite the Hard Times We May Face (5.26.14)

There are times when we encounter such great difficulties, that it causes us to question whether GOD will do certain things in our lives.  Things go from bad to worse, and time is passing by; so we think about other possible solutions, decisions we will make just in case things don’t pan out.  We begin gathering our emotions, reaching out to others to ensure we are well-prepared for an undesired outcome.

However, when the Lord looks at this, 

it might be viewed that we are demonstrating a lack of faith. 

GOD’s word encourages us to walk by faith despite the hard times we may face and regardless of what the situation dictates.  Someone may be walking through a difficult time right now and you’re making preparations for things not to work out.  

Why not wait on the Lord and expect GOD to perform a miracle just for you?  

He has not forgotten you.

Hear what the Lord says:

My Child,

Wait on Me.  Have faith in Me.  And know that I am faithful.  

It’s never too late for Me to do the impossible in your life.  Why would you pray, and then expect things not to work out?  Why didn’t you pray and believe in Me for a miracle?  I thought needing a miracle was why you prayed in My name.

I am your provider and I am well able to take care of you.  There will be times when I allow you to experience difficulty.  However, do not be dismayed when this happens; for I already have a plan in place to deliver you.  

Trust in Me. 

I want you to experience My faithfulness personally.  I want you to experience My mighty hand of deliverance in your life, so that you will bear witness to others that I am faithful.

Wait on Me.  Believe in Me.  I will do things in such an amazing way that it will bring glory to My name, and have you singing praises forever.

Where is your faith?  Repent and put your faith in Me once again.
_____

Psalm 27:14 - Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Luke 1:37 - For with GOD nothing shall be impossible

Luke 8:25 - And he said unto them, Where is your faith?

2 Corinthians 5:7 - For we walk by faith, not by sight or appearance.

  

You Must Simply Stand (5.23.14)

When you've exhausted every outlet 

and it appears there is nothing else you can do, 

then you must simply stand. 

The Lord will send forth His ministering angels to fight for you. 

For the battle is not against flesh and blood, 

but against principalities and powers,

 and spiritual wickedness in high places. 

The Lord will be free to fight for you, 

if you will simply stand. 

We must learn to rest in Him, 

to stand firm on His Word 

and His promises to us. 

The Lord will fight for us 

and He will deliver us from the hands of our enemies. 

We must stand firm in Him.

JUST STAND!!

________
Ephesians 6:13 - Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of GOD, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Learn to Live Above Your Environment and Walk by Faith, Not by Sight (5.22.14)

Yes, the Lord in us is full of might and power; 

yet He will not intrude upon our will and overwhelm us. 

Sometimes we wish He would do so. 

But that is not His way. 

He desires us to cooperate with His Spirit. 

When we come to Him and present ourselves as instruments to be used, He begins to mold us and shape us into suitable vessels. If we see this process as beginning and ending, in a one-time act of consecration, or a single moment of surrender, or a solitary life-changing event, then we underestimate just how thorough and far-reaching this process will be. 

It spans many years and is marked with many mountains and valleys, gardens and deserts. 

The one so committed may now expect to encounter many seasons of light and darkness, sunshine and rain, heat and cold, sweetness and bitterness. At the outset one may think he will be happy, light, and carefree now that he has tasted some of the Lord's power. 

He will rejoice for that season, and then the sun will set and the dark night of the soul will begin. All that was gained now seems to have been lost. The former sweetness is nowhere to be found. Everything is dreary and burdensome. 

When this season is accomplished, the sun rises again and the Christian rediscovers the joy of his salvation. The vows are renewed and the spirit begins to soar. Prayer and praise now pour forth like water. Everything is effortless and spontaneous. 

But then, strangely enough, that season passes and the dark night sets in once again. 

Why is this? 

The Lord is teaching us to live apart from our circumstances. 

Eventually we will learn how to live above our environment and walk by faith, not by sight.