For all mothers~~~~

LET THIS SCRIPTURE FROM THE WORD OF GOD SINK INTO YOUR HEART FIRST THEN READ THE REMAINDER….

Philippians 2:1-11~ Be Like Christ
2 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any [a]affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete [b]by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing [c]from [d]selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude [e]in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be [f]grasped, 7 but [g]emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death [h]on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Children are a gift from the Lord (Ps. 127:3-5). As a result, motherhood is a great honor and privilege. Yet it is also synonymous with servanthood. Every day women are called upon to selflessly meet the needs of their families. Whether they are nursing a baby late at night, spending their time and money on less-than-grateful teenagers, or preparing meals, moms continuously put others before themselves.

Sometimes this constant serving can be exhausting and even discouraging— particularly for a first-time mother. But you can take real encouragement from Jesus. One of the best examples of gracious servanthood is found in John 13:3-16. By kneeling to wash His disciples’ feet, the Lord showed that the key to genuine leadership is humility. And it is humility that leads to eternal reward.

Unless you are willing to stoop down and get your hands dirty, you will miss the real riches of motherhood. By dying to your own desires and pouring your life into someone else’s, you become like Christ and create a godly legacy that will carry on for generations to come. What greater blessing could one hope for? Of course, the motivation for serving others should not be to reap benefits, but when we follow God’s plan for our life, that’s what happens.

In giving us children, God places us in a position of both leadership and service. He calls us to give up our lives for the sake of others—to abandon our own desires and put our child’s interests first. Yet according to His perfect design, it is through this selflessness that we can become truly fulfilled.

Advertisement

Prayer~ I hope you will join with me and pray!

Prayer builds our character & maturity — In turn, our character & maturity boosts our prayer life! So, let be prayer warriors at all times to pray for the world to turn to GOD & for each other to persevere in strength & faith… to grow in Grace & stay true to GOD, for GOD & by GOD forever & ever…Amen✟

♪ღ♪*•.¸¸¸.•*¨¨*•.¸¸¸.•*•♪ღ♪¸.•*¨¨*•.¸¸¸.•*•♪ღ♪•*
♪ღ♪♥♪░T░O░D░A░Y░’S✟♥✟P░R░A░Y░E░R░♪♥♪ღ♪
*•♪ღ♪*•.¸¸¸.•*¨¨*•.¸¸¸.•*•♪¸.•*¨¨*•.¸¸¸.•*•♪ღ♪•«

May God hear us as we pray…✟

We lift up families to You O Lord. This day I have seen the hurt that so many are experiencing. Families that are filled with hurtful words that leave scars. Families where the members are so overwhelmed by stress and grief that they can see nothing but pain. Families that are filled within the world dysfunction from many causes. Families where one spouse turns their back and leaves a home broken and hearts ripped apart by confusion and pain. We see families riddled with addiction…families falling apart because God is not the center of the home..families in despair because of death, disease and disability. Families falling apart because of the stress of special children…Lord, the list is endless.

I just ask in Jesus Name for deliverance Lord. I ask in Jesus Name for Satan to be bound and families to be reclaimed. I pray for healing, emotionally, physically, spiritually, mentally and financially. I pray for Your Holy Spirit to breathe a mighty wave of revival and for people to come to a saving knowledge of Who You are and to make you the head of their homes. I pray for parents to love their kids with unconditional love and to build their children up with positive and affirming words. May they train their children in your ways Lord. Father, for all the kids that are being bullied whether at home or school we pray for safe havens for them and for help and deliverance from their tormentors.

Lord, for the marriages that are struggling…we ask for Divine Intervention. We pray for peace and restoration. We pray for kindness …for the golden rule to be remembered in homes…to treat others as we would want to be treated and to love each other as we love ourselves…let each mate love as unto the Lord.

We pray for those who have difficult family members who refuse to change their ways, their hurtful words and actions. We ask that you teach each person reading this how to set up firm, healthy boundaries. Lord, You did not call us to be anyone’s verbal, emotional or physical punching bags… show each person how to respect themselves and those around them.. For those who have lost their families to death or some other cause, we ask that no person would ever feel alone in this world again. I pray that you would help people to rise up and stand in the gap and be one in the body of Christ and reach out in that bond of fellowship that comes from being in your family. Help your church to step up and help each other more than ever Lord. Help us see the needs of those around…the lonely..the parent less, the childless, the divorced and the widowed..and let us love as Christ loved and let us change this world by fanning a flame of hope for those who need to feel loved.

Lord, we know in the end times that there will be division as you separate the wheat from the chaff and that can be painful as we watch those we love turn their backs on you and many are walking away from their families. For the families that have already fallen victim we ask for healing Lord. We ask for strength. We ask that you will step in and be the head of the household where single mom’s reside and we pray you will be the Father to the fatherless and the husband to the widowed and divorced. Please provide for the men as well Lord. They are not exempt from any of these things either. Lord, please be the provider for each and every household and person that is reading this.

We want to take back what the enemy is trying to steal from us. Let us find our moral compass. Help us to guide our youth in the truth of your word and your ways. Help us not to shrink back in fear and think “it’s too late” or “what can we do?” Let us remember our power in you and our heritage as your children….Lord, bring healing in every area as only you can and meet every need, spoken and unspoken we pray.

In Jesus Name…Amen

✟

“God is able”

This message is about how “God is able” This has to be one of the best and most accurate phrases in the Bible. But this time, it’s said about his work in you in me. He is able to do much more than we imagine to work through and in us. What can we say to that? Hallelujah!

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” ~Ephesians 3:20

Life can be overwhelming at times. Given the perplexity of the times in which we now live, that statement has more relevance than ever before. Perhaps you have had, or you are currently facing a perplexing situation. Just this week, I have spoken with two people who are battling with this type of issue. They didn’t know how their situation was going to be corrected or when it would end. Whenever life hands us a problem that seems to be out of our power or control, we can simply turn to the Lord. At first glance that statement might seem like a clique’. However, throughout the Word of God, we are instructed to turn to Him when we are faced with various trials and troubling (hard to understand) problems. When we turn to the Lord in a trying season, it teaches us to rely on the strength of God. This is a good thing, because the fall of man has caused humans to become self-sufficient or self-reliant. Whenever we are faced with complex and long-term ordeals, if we will seek the Lord for solutions, He will open the realm of possibilities for an answer.  The Lord invites us to bring our cares, burdens, and concerns to Him in prayer so that He will be able empower us to confront our fears and defeat our enemy (Satan) through faith. As we seek the Lord in faith, we are also allowing the Lord’s wisdom an opportunity to be released to assist us in our understanding. Until we open ourselves up to Godly understanding and allow His wisdom to be released to us, self-sufficiency can cause us to see only one way of “unraveling our ball of yarn.” If you’re faced with a situation that seems to grow more difficult each day, then drop to your knees and begin to seek God’s wisdom and understanding. He will direct your path out of the fog and confusion.

Nothing Can Separate You from God’s Love!

 

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death, nor live, neither angels or demons, neither our fears for today, nor our worries about tomorrow, not even the powers from hell can separate u from God. No power in the sky above or in the earth below, indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus.”~ Romans 8:38-39

 

 Heavenly Father, I love the fact that NOTHING can separate us from Your love.  What a wonderful and amazing promise that You have given us!  I don’t think anyone on this earth could give us such a hefty promise.  We all have been abandoned in some form or another – whether it is literal abandonment or even emotional abandonment – it’s not a good feeling to be alone.  Lord, there are many people who feel alone right now – maybe their spouse had left or a relationship or friendship ended or maybe they’ve lost a loved one or that they’ve moved far away from friends/family.  Either way, being alone or at least feeling alone is probably one of the worst feelings in the world. So for You to promise that You’d NEVER leave us nor forsake us is a HUGE promise and we need to lean on that more than we do.  The perception of being alone is so very deceiving because it’s really that we’ve walked away vs. the other way around.  When we don’t feel God’s love or feel that He is far away – it’s not that He has left or turned away, but it is we that need to turn back to God.  He is exactly in the same place and will always be there with open arms and we need to seek His face when we feel alone.  Only God can fill that void – no other earthly thing can truly fulfill the emptiness in our hearts because all else is temporary. I pray that when we feel abandoned, that we turn to You for comfort and love.  That we stop chasing things of this world to fill that void temporarily because it will never be enough.  No amount of money, or a huge house, or a nice car, or a good job, or a relationship with a spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend will ever truly make us whole.  You’re the only One that can ‘complete us’. In Jesus name Amen!

Answers Are Waiting in His Presence

 

 

Do you sometimes believe that you can accomplish more on your own, without any help from God? Do you often start your day without even acknowledging His presence? If so, I want to challenge you to begin seeking Him—not just in the morning—but throughout your day. Personally, I take advantage of every opportunity I can to find a quiet place where I can be alone to talk with God, just as I would a close friend. When we cultivate a personal relationship with God, we learn that His way is always better than our own.

Often it seems as if the methods of the world are quicker and easier than God’s method; however, I know from experience that His way is always best. Following the world leads to a dead end.  However, following God’s way leads to a successful, happy life.

Many times, we rush through our days, proceed with our own plans, and place our time with God on the back burner. As a result, we often travel down those dead-end roads. Only when everything else has failed do we call out to him in desperation. Although God doesn’t mind showing us mercy during those times, He would rather we seek Him first. Just as a close friend would not want to be chosen as a last resort, God doesn’t want to be our last resort either.

When we cultivate a relationship with God, we must understand that He not only wants to be an intricate part of our lives, but He also wants us to delight in the time we spend with Him. When we begin to enjoy spending time with Him, He allows us to know Him on a more intimate level. He reveals mysteries to us when we quiet ourselves and listen more intently for His voice. He will give us answers that only He can give, which will empower us to reach our fullest potential in life.

As we receive His words, we experience a peace that passes all understanding. We begin to have what I call a knowing, deep inside, that He is always there, ready to give us the revelation knowledge we need to operate in power.

In order to reach this secret place, we must keep in mind certain truths that are vital in establishing a relationship with Him. First, we must acknowledge His son, Jesus, who sacrificed His precious blood. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of acknowledging the shed blood of Jesus. It is a necessity in the life of a Believer. It is only because of Jesus’ sacrifice that we have an opportunity to cultivate a close relationship with the Father.

Also, we must love others unconditionally, because God is love. When we begin to increase our understanding of the love of God and operate in it, we will begin to experience more of Him.

Last but not least, we must learn how to cast our cares on Him, setting aside time each day to clear our minds of clutter. God is always speaking to us, but when our minds are filled with worries and concerns we cannot hear Him.

Strength for the Storm

No matter what storm rages in your life today no matter how fierce the winds or how high the waves may be – where you are is no surprise to God. Heaven is not in a panic. Keep your gaze on Him and your glance on the raging waters. “Lash yourself” to Him and He will supply everything you need to stand firm in the storm.

 

 Romans 5:3-5 (NLT) “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us–they help us learn to endure. Endurance then develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.”

Life is filled with storms of one kind or another. In the midst of those storms, we tend to respond as if God has somehow been caught off guard. The storm makes no sense. We can’t explain why terminal illness strikes godly people. We don’t understand how our strongest friends can become our fiercest critics. The anguish of a broken marriage or the overwhelming heartbreak of a prodigal child drives us to doubt God’s purpose, plan and provision. The fear of financial ruin paralyzes us. God understands. 

 

God uses our trials and storms as tools of refinement to build in us endurance. The word “endure” comes from two Greek words that when combined, give the meaning “to remain under.”  It is the capacity to stay under the load, to remain in the circumstances without running away or looking for the easy way out.

 

The purpose of every storm is to purify and cultivate endurance. Like Paul, we may sometimes feel as if we are being torn to pieces under the pressure of circumstances. But his challenge to the Romans compels us to re-examine our perspective and response to each storm we face. “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us–they help us learn to endure. Endurance then develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation” (Romans 5:3-5 NLT).

 

Endurance is never passive. It is the picture of a soldier staying in the heat of the battle under terrible opposition but still pressing forward to gain the victory.

 

There are few things that we can count on in this unpredictable life – but we can count on storms to come. We can also count on God’s continual and unfailing strength for those storms. When the hard times come, when bad things happen, we do not have to wonder where God is. Instead we can hold on to the promise that is found in Jeremiah 16:19, “Lord, you are my strength, and my protection. You are a safe place for me to run in times of trouble” (NLT).

 

An old seaman once said, “In fierce storms we can do but one thing. There is only one way to survive. We must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there.”

 

“This, my friends is what you must do. Sometimes, like Paul, you can see neither sun nor stars, and no small tempest lies on you. Reason cannot help you. Past experiences give you no light. Only a single course is left. You must stay upon the Lord; and come what may — winds, waves, cross seas, thunder, lightning, frowning rocks, roaring breakers — no matter what, you must lash yourself to the helm and hold fast your confidence in God’s faithfulness and his everlasting love in Christ Jesus.

Stand firm, knowing that God is Lord of every storm you will ever face.

Pure Joy!

Invite the joy of God to reign over your anxious heart. You can smile and place your refined faith in Him. He is building your faith capacity for the long run. The Bible says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). Pure joy does not depend on good circumstances; it thrives during trials and tribulations. Unleash the pure joy that already lives within, for He is faithful. Above all, promote pure joy and persevere in its promise.

Pure joy is the position and privilege of the person who follows Jesus Christ. Ironically, Jesus-generated joy is discovered and developed in the face of trials. Trials are designed to bring out God’s best and, consequently, your best as well. You’re going through your current trial by fire so that your faith can become more sincere and real during adversity’s affliction. This is your time to experience God’s faithfulness, for His joy and contentment are calming. The presence of Christ gives you reassurance and peace. He is the joy-giver, while Satan is the joy-killer.

Therefore, you can smile, because your smile, while enduring a trial, is the result of pure joy. It’s pure joy because God can be trusted. It’s pure joy because your faith is real and robust and Christ is faithful. It’s pure joy because you will persevere by faith. Indeed, untested faith is a naive faith. Until your faith has been refined through various trials, it will remain immature and judgmental. You can understand others’ perspectives and respect them more when you have been broken over your own inadequacies and sins. Trials slow you down enough to allow you to look into the mirror and ask what needs to change. How can you lead and serve your family and friends during this time of unprecedented turmoil and tentativeness? Pure joy comes as a result of your faith changing and growing.

Therefore, learn how to accept the pure joy of the Lord. It is available for you to receive. Do not see your present predicament as a setback. Instead, see your current condition as an opportunity—an opportunity to engage more deeply and more fully with your heavenly Father. Sometimes, it takes trials and tests to slow you down enough to look into the joyful face of Jesus. He is the personification of pure joy.

Trusting God when His Plan Doesn’t Make Sense!

But the Lord said to Joshua, “Jericho and its king and all its mighty warriors are already defeated, for I have given them to you! Your entire army is to walk around the city once a day for six days, followed by seven priests walking ahead of the Ark, each carrying a trumpet made from a ram’s horn. On the seventh day you are to walk around the city seven times, with the priests blowing their trumpets. Then, when they give one long, loud blast, all the people are to give a mighty shout and the walls of the city will fall down; then move in upon the city from every direction.” Joshua 6:1-5

Imagine God taking Joshua aside and telling him that all they need to do is march around the city one time for six days. Then on the seventh day march around seven times and shout. It made no sense. Naturally speaking, it was ridiculous!

All of us will face our Jerichos, and sometimes God’s plans won’t seem to make sense. Our part is to listen and obey—even when God’s instructions don’t make sense to our natural minds.  He has had a lot more experience winning battles than we have!

That is where Joshua found himself one day. Here is a man that loved God, who knew God intimately. Joshua was also a great warrior, he was a great war general of his day. Can you imagine what Joshua thought when God gave him the battle plan for taking the city of Jericho? Talk about trusting God! What kind of battle plan calls for walking around the walls of the city for 7 days, on the seventh day blowing trumpets, a ram’s horn, and shouting to make the walls of the city come down? Joshua must have been convinced it was not God speaking, but a bad pizza from the night before!

Here is the bottom line, my friends. God often calls us to do things that don’t seem to make sense so that only HE gets the glory! Let me repeat this, please listen carefully. GOD OFTEN CALLS US TO DO THINGS THAT DON’T SEEM TO MAKE SENSE SO THAT ONLY HE GETS THE GLORY!!! Amen!!! When Joshua and the children of Israel took the city of Jericho in such an unconventional fashion, it was obvious to everyone that it was GOD who did it. GOD OFTEN CALL US TO DO THINGS THAT DON’T SEEM TO MAKE SENSE SO THAT ONLY HE GETS THE GLORY!!!

I pray that in the course of your daily life, you will trust God. I pray that in the course of your daily life, you will not be afraid to follow God. The truth is, God’s way works! Our challenge is to trust Him and to be faithful. In the end, that is what God is asking each of us to do… BE FAITHFUL! God simply asks us to be faithful each day, and to trust Him. I want to encourage you today to be like Joshua, and TRUST GOD!

It’s Not Supposed to be This Way!

“We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.” ~~Hebrews 10:39

“I can’t do this. Things will never change. My life isn’t going to get better. I’ll never have the confidence I need.” Those are some depressing thoughts, aren’t they? But oh how quickly they slip into our minds and convince our hearts that they are true. There have probably been times when you felt almost paralyzed by thoughts like these that were laced with uncertainty. Times when we let self-doubt convince you that feelings of inadequacy and discouragement were normal.Times when you’ve shrunk back from changes and challenges, as well as opportunities and open doors.

Are there days when doubt convinces you that feeling inadequate and discouraged is normal? Or that having confident assurance isn’t possible for someone like you? I think we sometimes forget we have an enemy who uses self-doubt against us – who shouts from the sidelines: “It’s too hard. You might as well quit. Go ahead and give up.You don’t have what it takes.” It’s time for us to take a stand and stop listening to these lies. God wants us to know and believe that with Christ all things are possible – even a confident heart. Otherwise doubt, and the enemy, will win every time and our hearts will be eroded by attitudes and emotions of defeat.

But it’s not supposed to be this way. So how do we stop listening to our doubts and start living in the power of God’s promises? By choosing to believe God’s truths more than our feelings and fears. By moving beyond believing in God to really believing God as we rely on the power of His Words and live like they are true – no matter what our feelings tell us. It is a moment-by-moment, day-by-day, doubt-by-doubt decision where we process our thoughts and emotions with God, positioning our hearts and minds to let His perspective redefine ours with each uncertainty we face. Some days you may do better than others. But I have found that it’s possible to have lasting Christ-confidence by choosing to remember to believe.