Developing Spiritual Discipline through Obedience and Prayer (11.19.17)

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always - 1 Chronicles 16:11

Faith Believers,
The primary reason for prayer is getting to know GOD
     and there is no way to come close to Him,
     except by prayer.

It is in prayer that we express to the Lord our love for Him, our faith in Him, our worship of Him, and our surrender to Him. If for no other reason, the desire for intimacy with Christ should cause us to get on our knees and pray daily.

Another reason for praying is simple obedience.

GOD says to pray…so we pray. This is especially important during those times in our lives when we don’t feel like praying.

These spiritual “dry times” can happen to us all. Often, the only thing that will lead us out of such dryness is sticking with the routine of daily prayer and spending time in GOD’s Word.

Developing a spiritual discipline out of obedience
     to the Lord is a remedy against spiritual dryness.

~ Prayer ~
Lord,
So often we all experience a prayer life that has become repetitive and sometimes we may feel as though we are disconnected from you.

Sometimes we don’t pay attention to the fact that
     the King of the Universe is listening.

Help me to long to know You better by fully surrendering to You in prayer. 

Give me a deep longing to obey Your commands, by seeking Your Face and by placing my heart in Your Hands, for Your Will to take place in my life.

Amen

Look to This Day with Renewed Hope. Revisit the Lord's Promises & Do Not Give Up Hope (11.17.17)

My Child,
Sometimes it’s hard to imagine the beauty of a rose until it has fully opened. When you look at a rosebud, you get a sense of how it will look before it opens, but you’re not sure. It’s only when it opens, do you really get to appreciate its beauty.

So it is with the promises I’ve spoken to you.
You heard My Voice, and I’ve given you many promises.

Each promise is like a rosebud, it is full of hope of things to come. Yet, as you have waited, you have wondered when will these promises come to pass?

Just as you would care and water your rosebuds until they bloom,
     you must do the same with the promises spoken to you.
Water them, feed them, and nurture them with the Word.
You haven’t seen the fullness of everything that I, the Lord your God,
     will do for you.
You only have a part of the picture now,
     but soon you will be able to see clearly.

Therefore, do not become frustrated when things seem to be at a standstill or moving slowly. I have perfect timing and just as the rose opens when the time is right, My Promises will come to pass in your life…in My Time.  And when it happens, it will far surpass all your hopes and expectations.

Look to this day with renewed hope.
Revisit all those promises I have spoken to you (I know you wrote them down) and let renewed hope rise inside of your heart again. You are not forgotten, and I will surely bring every single promise to pass.

And when the time comes, your promises will blossom, and you will be blown away by the bouquet of blessings you hold in your hand.

I desire only the best for you My child. 
So, do not give up hope. 

Do not be discouraged any longer, but look forward with renewed hope to the future; for many wonderful blessings await you.

Read and Meditate on God's Word:

Hebrews 10:35-37 - Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of GOD, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 

Isaiah 40:29-31 - He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint. 

2 Corinthians 1:20 - For all the promises of GOD in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of GOD by us.

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 - For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 

2 Timothy 1:12 - For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 

Hebrews 10:23 - Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

You are Called, Anointed & Chosen; You are God's Child (11.15.17)

My Child,
Did you know that I called, chose, and anointed you before you were born? I remember baptizing you in My Spirit before your water baptism.

I know when you sit down and when you stand up.
I know your thoughts even when you are far away.
I know what you are going to say even before you say it.
You see, My child, I knew all about you before you took
     your first breath.
I know everything about you.
Nothing is hidden from Me. 

I formed you, created you, and designed you; I know exactly who you are. You are acceptable and beautiful in My sight.  I love you dearly, and I have chosen you as a vessel to carry My Word, My Glory. The enemy will try to steal your joy, make you feel small and worthless but we know all about him, don't we? We know that he came to steal, kill, and destroy, and we know the truth is not in him.

I have called you by name and chosen you.
I trust you with things that are important to Me.

 

Yes, I trust you, and I do not make mistakes.
I will be with you in all things, helping you accomplish
     the destiny that I have ordained for you.

You were created for a divine purpose in life and nothing the enemy can do will change that. The anointing on your life will not only bless you but will be a blessing to so many others. I have put My Spirit within you, and I have given you all that you need to succeed in everything that I have called you to do.

Do not fear, but step out in faith and obey Me. 
Then watch how I Will work in your life.
Watch how I will touch others through you.
You are created for such a purpose.

You are called, anointed, and chosen, and you are Mine.

 

 

 

Read and Meditate on God's Word:

Jeremiah 1:4-5 - Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. 

Isaiah 42:6 - I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

Matthew 22:14 - For many are called, but few are chosen.

John 15:16 - Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 - But we are bound to give thanks always to GOD for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because GOD hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

1 Peter 2:9 - But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood,an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

 

 

Rest & Allow God to Restore, Replenish and Refocus Your Heart and Mind (11.14.17)

My Child,
My Word says to "Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him." However, you have been busy, running to and fro, that you haven’t had much time to rest.  Don't you know you must rest to hear Me clearly?  When you’re worn out, your hearing becomes dim.  

When My Son walked on the earth, He took time to get away from the crowds to rest, pray and seek My Face.  If My Son had do this, then don't you think I would expect you to do it as well?

The enemy will try to overwhelm you with things so you will not have time for rest. he will try to convince you that you must be constantly working. However, I Am calling you to set apart time to rest, time to refresh your body so that your mind and heart will be clear to hear what I Am saying to you. I Am calling on you to spend time with Me, Beloved.

I want you to be refreshed and ready, so when I send you out,
     you are prepared for the tasks I have assigned you. 
And resting in Me is a part of that ministry.
Therefore, do not neglect the resting part of this ministry.
Rest and wait patiently for Me. 

 
  

 

Read and Meditate on God's Word:

Genesis 2:2 - And on the seventh day GOD ended his work which he had made, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

Matthew 11:28-29 - Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 

Mark 6:31 - And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

Psalm 37:7 - Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him:

 

 

Faith is a Daily Lifestyle of Choosing to Trust God (11.13.17)

Faith Believers,
Hebrews 11:1 tells us that “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” We read that we can be sure of what we hope for! What an amazing statement. Faith is trusting in GOD! It’s walking and making decisions with the certainty that the creator, GOD is in control.

One of my favorite sayings is “Faith is not believing GOD can, it’s knowing He will!” It’s being confident that he wants the best for us. Faith is a daily lifestyle of choosing to trust GOD through prayerful commitment.

Many people tend to look for a “wow factor” to happen in their lives. Our growth should happen primarily in our day-by-day life experiences, both pleasant and unpleasant.

Faith is like a muscle that takes time to build.

If you’ve ever been involved in working out, you’ve seen how slowly these muscles grow with daily exercising. As we begin making life choices based on Godly direction, things begin to happen. Eventually, we look in the mirror and see real definition. Our foundation of faith gradually grows so that we can stand against anything the enemy brings our way.

We need to commit to the long haul and know that GOD is working in our lives; because when we do this, slowly but surely, our faith will grow!
  -  Marilyn

~ Prayer ~
Faithful Father,

I am awed by how You have worked through time, to build the faith of Your people. Yet, in these days there is such a lack of faith.

Even though I know You are a miracle working GOD, sometimes I struggle with  believing miracles will happen in my own life.

Help me to cling to You in faith.
Help me to build faith within my heart,
    and help me to believe that You are actively at work;
    building Your Kingdom in, through and around me.

In the name of Your Son Jesus I pray.
Amen

Your Walk is Unique & You Have a Unique Anointing on Your Life (11.12.17)

My Child,
As footprints in the sand are totally different, so is your walk in the spiritual realm.  Just as each footprint is not quite the same as the others, even so, your ministry, and what I have called you to do, are unique.  I made you, and every moment of your life was planned before you took your first breath.
 

You may think you are similar to others and you may think you are doing the same as someone else, however, there is one small thing that will separate you and make you different... the anointing.  The anointing on your life will make the difference in everything you do, because the road that I called you to walk on is special and unique to Me. 

I chose you to walk it because you are the most qualified to do it. 
And indeed, I have placed in you, the qualities to do this job. 
Therefore, do not think you do not fit in. 
Do not think you are a failure and you’re wasting your time.  
 

I placed you where you are. 
I know when you sit down, and I know when
     you stand up. 
I Am charting the path ahead of you, and I will
     show you how to walk it. 
All you have to do is take the first step forward,
     and I will help you to walk in victory. 
I will even tell you where to stop and rest. 
 

Know that you are special to Me, and I desire you to be special to others too. 
So share with others the love and the anointing I have placed on your life. 

Recognize who you are in Me and let those in need see the unique person that I've called you to be; then you will be blessed as you pour into others what I have given you. 

Therefore, don't change the journey that you are on because
     it was designed and uniquely created just for you.

 

 

Read and Meditate on God's Word:

Read Psalm 139
 
Isaiah 30:21 - And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. 
 
Luke 4:18-19 - The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 

Romans 8:28-30 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love GOD, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Do Not Become Weary. Don't Give Up. Keep Pressing Forward & Believing. You're Headed for Greatness.... (11.10.17)

My Child,
Whatever the devil tells you, believe the opposite, and you will find out what is really true. If he tells you, 'you will never make it,' start shouting and jumping up and down; because now you know you are going to make it! Since the devil is a liar, he is actually proclaiming your destiny and future in Me. Trust in My Word, and as you trust in Me, I will lift you up above your enemy.

I will extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me! - Psalm 30:1

The enemy may have hit you and knocked you down, but he is not rejoicing over you. he is not smart enough to know that he still doesn't have you. If anything, he is troubled as to why I have allowed him to interfere. he knows you are mine, and that no one or nothing can take you out of My Powerful Hands, and by the way he cannot see what I Am about to do in your life.

Even now, the enemy is trying to remind some of you of the last time you failed Me.  he only saw when you stumbled, but I saw you when you GOT BACK UP!  When you confessed your sin, failure, and mistakes - I forgave you and picked you back up. 

Yes, you are forgiven, so do not look back!
Keep going!
You are headed for greatness, My Child.

Remember, I told you to be alert, watch and pray.
Never give the enemy a place in your life through unrighteous thoughts, words or deeds; because that is the only way he can win.  When you take your mind off of Me. You can overcome him by the word of your testimony, and the blood of the Lamb.

So do not become weary and give up.
Keep pressing forward.
Keep believing.
You’re headed for greatness.

READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD:
Proverbs 24:16 - For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. 

John 10:10 - The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly. 

Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD; 

Romans 3:4 - Let GOD be true, but every man (and every devil) be a liar; as it is written, That thou mightiest be justified in thy sayings, and mightiest overcome when thou art judged.

Ephesians 4:27 - Neither give place to the devil. 

Galatians 6:9 - And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

You Must Believe (11.9.17)

My Child,
Do not yield to the spirit of fear that is trying to cause you to waiver.
Stand strong, and face every challenge with faith
     in the strength of My Spirit.

Do not allow fear to override the faith you have in Me to supply your every need. You must believe that I Am able to get you through this time of leanness. 

You belong to Me. I love you, and My Power is more than enough to see you through; however, you must believe that it is. Do not allow difficult conditions and negative reports to undermine your faith in what I Am able to do in your life.

Have complete trust in Me, be full of faith and stagger not at My Promises through unbelief.

My Word is alive. 
My Word is powerful. 
My Word can do the impossible in your life,
     but you must believe.

Only believe.

Trust and believe that it is done, and it shall be.


~ Prayer ~
Father,
Forgive us for the times we doubted that You would come through for us.
Lord, we believe, but please help those moments of our unbelief.
Strengthen us with Your Love, so that we can run this race with faith and patience.

Amen

Read and Meditate on God's Word:

Mark 5:36 - As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

Mark 9:23 - Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

Mark 11:22-24 - And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in GOD. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 

Philippians 4:19 - But my GOD shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of GOD is alive and powerful.

Romans 4:20 - He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to GOD;

Pray Hardest When It Is Hardest to Pray (11.8.17)

My Child,
The enemy has come against your prayer life. 
Do not think it strange that this is happening to you. 

The first thing he will do to those who desire a more intimate relationship with Me is to try and take away your prayer life. he will do this to every Christian he wants to stop.  I want to help you realize that prayer is not preparation for the battle, it is the battle. 

It is time to watch and pray.

Once the enemy hinders your prayer life, the other things are easy.  If you notice your prayer life is going down, if you find yourself making excuses for spending time with Me, and later you find yourself feeling guilty; know that My Spirit is sounding an alarm indicating that there is a renewed battle against you. 

You must stand and fight the good fight of faith.
Your flesh will not want to pray.
It isn’t interested in praying therefore, do not give your flesh a choice.
You must take authority over your flesh and force yourself to pray.

Do you remember how My Son's Disciples prayer time was hindered before He was crucified?  He asked them to watch with Him for just one hour. However, they couldn’t, because satan knew His time was up, and he came against their flesh and hindered them from praying.

And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. - Matthew 26:40-41

I want you to remember that I have given you the authority. I have given you power over all the works of the enemy, and it’s time for you rise up in the anointing!

Rise and break the yoke of bondage over your prayer life! 
Rise up victoriously over hindering spirits coming
     against your time with Me.  

Come into the fullness of My Word and the fullness of My Promises.

Stop thinking it strange that you are being attacked,
     and start praying, and pray even harder.
Lift up My Name in praise, for satan cannot stand it
     when you praise Me.
he cannot stand your praise.

Therefore, when you recognize you aren’t praying as hard as you used to, realize the enemy is trying to stop you from reaching your breakthrough.

I know you may be tired, however the enemy knows this too, so stand up and use My Word against him.  My children must stand up in My power and put the enemy under their feet.

I say to you again, watch and pray; and do not think it strange that hindering forces have come to steal from you that which has been imparted. 
Watch and pray, it is the key to your victory.

 Stand Up, Pray and Rejoice!!

 

 

Read and Meditate on His Word:

Matthew 26:41 - Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Mark 13:33 - Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

Luke 10:19 - Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 

Luke 18:1 - And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 
 
1 Peter 4:12-13 - Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad-for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

1 Peter 4:7 - But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.