Daily Faith Life

God, Our Father

2013-03-21T05:45:18-07:00

From the first day of creation, God has been planning and preparing for a family. His great desire is to walk with, talk with, and share with His people.

God prepared an extravagant garden in which to place His man. Everything was ready and it was "very good." Gen 1:31
God came in the cool evening to walk and talk with Adam. Gen 3:8
When Adam committed treason, God began talking and planning a way to restore fellowship. Gen 3:15; Rom 5:17-19
God's final plan-He never changes-is to live with His man Rev 22:5

All throughout the Bible, God is calling us to come to Him, to talk with Him, to change in order that He can get the good things to us and do for us those good things He so wants. Jer 29:11-13 Everything between Genesis and Revelation is the same plan.

God says to anyone who will come to Him or call upon Him or seek for Him WILL find Him.
God is not hiding Himself, He desires to be found by us. He wants to be a God to us, to provide everything for us, everything good so that our lives will be like "those of heaven on earth." Deut 11:21

. Because of the treason of man, judgement had to come. That judgement came in the suffering and death of Jesus at the cross. Restored fellowship with the Father is what Calvary is all about. There can be no other way, no other sacrifice meets the righteous requirements to fully satisfy the court of heaven.

We have a choice.

Accept God's provision for restored fellowship and live as part of God's own family-a son or daughter of the Almighty with full rights and privileges. or
Reject God's provision and continue the futile effort of meeting our own needs without God, living in fear, lack and sickness, and spending eternity suffering the judgement deserved for the treason of man-unnecessarily because that judgement has already been made.

It is our choice-choose life!

Blessings;

Kay

This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.

John 3: 16-18 The Message Bible

Microsoft Store FREE Computer Classes

2013-01-30T04:57:05-08:00

Yesterday I took the kids to the Microsoft Store for a free computer class. They offer 5 different classes that run 5 weeks each. The kids are learning how to run Microsoft Office. They all made power points. With the power points they made up stories. The stories they made up could one of two ways. It was very cute and the kids did very well.

You should check your local mall out and see if you have a Microsoft Store near you. It is completely free and a great homeschool activity.

Happy Homeschooling!!!

Milk Crate Centers

2013-01-29T05:17:13-08:00

So we are trying this new system that I have made up. I was feeling very overwhelmed teaching four different grade levels in one day. So now I am doing it in style.

Every morning when the kids wake up they have a clipboard with their agenda sheet waiting for them on it. It reminds them of their morning chores and it has their goals of what I want to see them accomplish in school that day. Plus there is a reading log on each of their clipboards.

Everyday we have 4 centers. Math, Reading, Spelling, and ?. The ? crate will hold something different everyday. Last week I had one of the girls bake a cake for her ? crate. Today they are going to finish putting together their AWANA’s Grand Prix cars. It is not always a craft sometimes I have them write letters or make up a story.

So far it has worked very well. The kids love waking up and knowing what is going to happen that day. Their attitudes also have improved tremendously.

Happy Homeschooling

Amber

New Schedules

2013-01-24T04:45:04-08:00

Today is the beginning of our week. When my husband is off we don't homeschool. So those are our weekends. His days off vary so that is why today Thursday is our Monday.

Today I am trying something new with the kids. We are starting a before 8:45 checklist which I found here. I have made some changes so it would work for us. At the bootom of the list I write out each childs goals for the day. We then (will hang when I get hooks) put them on the table and when they wake up they get them and start the morning routine.

I will post later to let you know how this is working for us.

Happy Homeschooling!!!

Amber

Its a New Year and I am still trying to get started........

2013-01-23T10:35:54-08:00

I know this is a little late, but a lot has been going on in my household. It is a new year and it is time to get back into the swing of things. First I am really going to start trying harder to blog. I am HORRIBLE at everyday routines and sticking to them. I am more than dteremined to try. Also with the economy lately finances have been really tight. So I am trying all kinds of homemade items trying to cut corners.

This is just a post to let you know I am still here and working on blogging more often. Some upcoming posts:

Our Daily Routine
Homemade Laundry Soap (does it really work)
How to teach reading (or what has worked for me)

Well I am off to do some more planning and organizing!!!

Happy Homeschooling

Amber

2013-The Year for Families

2012-12-31T11:31:22-08:00

God believes in the family. After all, He is the one who thought it up and brought Eve to Adam in the garden. Adam liked the sight of her so well, he said wooo...man.

Ok, forgive the little bit of humor, but you get my point. God instituted and ordained the family unit and, since He never changes, He still believes in and supports it.

When we have families that are fractured and torn apart by hurtful words and actions, we can know that is NOT the blessing of the Lord at work. Families full of strife and conflict are NOT the result of the blessing of the Lord. Families with children who are into addictions and evil works or who are estranged are NOT the result of the blessing of the Lord. This is the result of the curse at work. Look at Deuteronomy 28: 30-32 to see this listed in the curse.

You'll get engaged to a woman and another man will take her for his mistress;...Your sons and daughters will be shipped off to foreigners; you'll wear your eyes out looking vainly for them, helpless to do a thing.

Deuteronomy 28 The Message

According to Galatians 3:13, those of us who have made Jesus the Lord of our life and are recreated in Him have been redeemed from, or made free from, this part of the curse along with all the other things listed in the last part of chapter 28 of Deuteronomy.

When Christ Jesus died on the cross of Calvary, He became sin, He became the curse, Galatians 3, and He bore upon himself ALL our grief, sickness, failure, and lack.

Isaiah 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: ...

Galatians 3:13-14 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ;

The Lord told me that the year 2013 will be a year for restoration of families. God's plan of peace, harmony, and love is meant to be lived out and experienced first in our own homes and then into our neighborhoods and the world.
It is time to stop crying over that son or daughter who has left home and is in the pigpen of life. It is time to be bold in our faith and in the promise of God's word.
It is time to declare to the enemy "It is enough." My child is coming home to restoration and peace with his family and with his God.
It is time to take a stand and say "I will believe God is teaching my child according to Isaiah 54:13 and my child will acknowledge God and His righteousness. According to the word of God in Isaiah 29:23-24 NIV. My child is gaining understanding and is accepting instruction.

Jesus taught us in Mark 11:22-24, that when we are bold to ask and believe we receive when we ask, we can have whatsoever we say. Let us boldly declare restoration to our families and refuse to quit believing until we see it come to pass.

Be blessed in Jesus in 2013

Kay

Jesus was born at Christmas-Let the Heavens and Earth Rejoice!

2012-12-19T06:17:18-08:00

I apologize to my son and many others today. It is because I told them that Christ was almost certainly not born at Christmas time. I told them it didn't matter when He was born, but that the important thing is He Was Born into the world. I encouraged people to celebrate the fact of Christ's birth and use the opportunities of Christmas to remind the world of His birth-see my post on Celebrate Christmas. Of course, that is the main point, but

I invite you to read this article that shows Jesus was indeed born not only at Christmas time but on December 25th. This man uses clear indications of time contained in the scriptural accounts of Jesus' birth to show us when Jesus was born. Isn't it amazing that we think we have to apologize for God? He knows what He is doing and we should trust Him in every thing.

My faith has been greatly increased by this information. God is big enough to take care of the details. I encourage each of us to trust that God does know what He is doing, not only in the big things, but in everything that pertains to our individual lives.

Be blessed in Christ Jesus

Kay

Solids, Liquids, Gas, and Tons of Fun

2012-12-15T21:44:08-08:00

It truly does take a village to raise a child. We are very blessed to have some wonderful neighbors where we live. They came to me asking if they could do a science class with the kids.

When they arrived he taught the kids about the three states of matter. To my surprise the older kids knew more about it then I had expected. He had brought some dry ice and did experiments with it pressurized in a jug with a hose attached and it made bubbles.

The kids and I learned a lot about solids, liquids, and solids.

Pictures!!!

One More Reason.....

2012-12-15T15:08:52-08:00

Yesterday's tragedy in Connecticut is just one more reason why I know I made the right decision. It is one more reason that I am thankful and grateful that I homeschool.

I know that I have talked to several parents that are seriously thinking about homeschooling in the wake of yesterday's events. I would never pressure anyone into doing so. But I would like to be available to anyone that has questions. It is always great to have someone to talk to. Feel free to email me at justfaithlife@gmail.com

I do not pretend to even begin to know how they are all feeling. I know that as a mother, I simply would be devastated by the loss of any of my children. We all need to be thankful for each precious moment we have with our children. We have no guarantees for tomorrow so let's make the most of today.

So as we pray for the families, we also need to remember to pray for the police officers and those involved who now have horrific images forced in their heads.

Celebrate Christmas!

2012-12-12T09:47:42-08:00

I love this time of year. I love the shopping amid stores brightly lit with greenery and trees. I love the lights, candy canes, and snow globes up and down my street. I love the smiles and greetings and general good will that nearly everyone shares so freely at Christmas time. Oh, I know that sales people are told to say "Happy Holidays" but I just smile and say "Merry Christmas" right back at them. Many, many will smile with relief and return my greeting or nod their head in agreement. Some will display some irritation, but I really don't care.

This is our time of year, our time to celebrate. Mall Santas, gingerbread cookies, even Elf on a Shelf, only add to the general atmosphere of celebration. The best part is this;

Almost the whole world knows that this is the time we celebrate the birth of Christ Jesus, the Son of God. The world knows who Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus are. They know about the shepherds, the angels and the Wise Men. The world is so very aware that they want to shut us up but let us take advantage of this time of year to remind everyone we see, everyone who drives by my house and sees the nativity scene in my front yard, or everyone who happens to be near enough to hear me say Merry Christmas, that this is our time to celebrate.

God promised Eve in the Garden of Eden that Satan would one day be defeated, crushed, by her very own offspring. When God's plan came into the earth that night in Bethlehem, the heavenly hosts were so excited they could not contain themselves and broke out in song upon the hills. This was not one solitary angel, this was the heavenly choir. Can you imagine how that must have sounded? It was enough to make the shepherds leave their sheep in the field and go searching for the baby. It was enough to convince them of the importance of the event.

The wise men, too, were impressed by the appearance of the star and began the two year long quest to find the reason for its presence.

I know that Jesus was not born on December 25. I know that the wise men were not at the manger with the shepherds-they came nearly two years later. I know the world has its own traditions that are not about the Christ Child, but that is all the more reason to use every opportunity to use our influence to remind the world, the devil, and anyone else who may be listening, that "God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Let us join with the angelic host and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ this Christmas.

Blessings

Kay

Not Fear-But Peace!

2012-12-09T14:53:44-08:00

Kay says--

Everywhere I look, I see fear on a wholesale level. People are not so much panicked about what is coming as they are looking into the future with dreadful resignation and fearfulness.

Example-

I know of two women in my neighborhood who have recently bought handguns and taken classes to learn to use them. Woman are taking self-defense classes on a much higher level of proficiency than ever before. Men, too are being told that they are not immune to the dangers present out "there."

Others are stockpiling items to have in case of widespread shortages. Some are moving financial assets into more secure places for use in hard times.

Our Heavenly Father has a better way for those of us who belong to Him.

God loves us and knows the things we need Your heavenly Father knows that you need them.Instead, desire first and foremost God's kingdom and God's righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well Matthew 29;32-33
Jesus has said he will never leave us Hebrews 13:5; Deut 31:6; Romans 8: 38-39
Jesus has already defeated Satan and made us victorious through Him Hebrews 2:14 by his(Jesus') death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death-that is, the devil (see also Romans 8:37)
Jesus said he gives us of His peace. The word peace indicates a restful waiting. How can we rest in the middle of the chaos? By knowing that Christ Jesus finished the entire plan of redemption at the cross. This means that you and I nothing to do but believe, trust, rely upon, and rest in Him. Hebrews 4:9-11

Let's give it a try this week. Let God's love and care in Christ Jesus fill our lives with His peace and let us find our rest in Him.

Jesus said;

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27 NIV

Yikes!!! Curriculum Change

2012-12-07T14:05:19-08:00

Today Sweet Pea came to me and said, "Mom, I am just not learning anything." What does a mother say to that? I was shocked and speechless.

When we first began homeschooling we decided to go with the Alpha Omega curriculum. Eventually we found LIFEPAC worked better for the younger two and Switched on Schoolhouse worked best for the older two. At first we found the computer program, Switched on Schoolhouse intimidating. This program lasted only 15 days before we quit. Yes, I QUIT! Crazy, I know, but after all the kids had gone through with public school I didn't want to discourage them. I decided that I needed to focus on their weakest subject, reading. We included some math and spelling but we focused on reading and comprehension.

Recently I had the kids tested on their reading levels and was surprised to find out we were making wonderful progress. As you may already know it is difficult to judge their progress when you are with them every day but their test confirmed tremendous advancement. I was one very proud mama!

After Sweet Pea's comments I was shocked but we decided to try Alpha Omega again. So we have officially started back with Switched on Schoolhouse. The girls love it. They actually wanted to stay up late and keep working. We picked up right where we left off and I was amazed at how eager they were to just sit, read and do quizzes on things that they had learned months ago. I am happy to find they are passing all their quizzes!!

Mother and Daughter Join Together!

2012-11-30T05:40:54-08:00

Hi!! My name is Amber and I am Kay's daughter. My mom and dad raised my brother in a Christian home and gave us many opportunities as we were growing up.

I am all grown up now (well we are always growing and learning). I am married to the love of my life and I have 4 very beautiful children. We are a very active family that loves to be on the go ALL the time.

Through very many rough days and nights of crying myself to sleep. We have decided to homeschool our children. How we came to this decision will be in a later post. So with that said I am joining forces with my mom. She has this wonderful blog called Just Faith Life and I was thinking I am just taking Faith in homeschooling my children. So I asked her if she would like to blog together. Obviously she said yes!!!

I want to blog about all of my ups and downs with homeschooling the kids. I want to do this in hopes that maybe it will help another family that is considering homeschooling or is actually homeschooling and needs a few ideas. Homeschooling seems scary and overwhelming (especially when you are teaching 4 different grade levels) but it is achievable and it is affordable no matter how much or little you make.

Hope that this blog will blesses many families!!

Happy Homeschooling

Amber Wrighton

Is this the End of the World?

2012-11-23T08:50:58-08:00

Check out these links and post a comment about your impressions.

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It took me awhile to get to listening to this. I wish I could say he didn't have a point. The Lord spoke to me years ago in answer to a question I had asked and told me that the smoke of Babylon rising up in Revelation is from the USA and specifically the northeast part of the country. September 11, 2001 was a partial fulfillment and warning to this. I don't like to focus on doom and gloom. This commentary is very interesting and I think this guy really has the word and picture of how it is,

EXCEPT, we, as believers are supposed to BELIEVE.

Believe what? As the world descends into darker and darker places, we believers are to "shine brighter and brighter." Matthew 13:43 "they that know their God will be strong and do exploits." Daniel 11:28,32

We need to remember we are citizens of another place, under a different form of government with different(spiritual) laws and provision. This country and the world we live in is in for a very difficult time but,

while we are still here in the earth,

we are to be light,
we are to be salt,
we are to show forth the glory of God into a dark world.

In the time of famine, we are to feed the multitudes-not from hordes of food we have stored up-but from a few small loaves and fishes just as Jesus did. We are to walk in light and tell the hoards of darkness to flee before us. We are to allow the spirit of the Lord within us to set people free. Do you think this idealistic? Yes, I agree, we are to get ourselves in the presence of God so closely that God himself shines through us. "As He is, so are we in this world." 1 John 4:17

When we see these things begin to come to pass, we are to look up, for our redemption draws close

Be encouraged and get ready to see the glory of God!

Colossians 3: 1-3

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

²Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

³For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

⁴When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

A Prophecy of Rain

2012-09-21T04:47:14-07:00

(The following is a prophecy given to me on 21 Aug, 2012 while praying the scriptures concerning rain listed below.)

Look for and watch, for a mighty harvest, particularly in the gay and lesbian communities is already at the doors.

I have heard the cries of fathers and mothers, of sister and brothers, and their prayers and tears are continually before me, says the Lord.

Say not within yourselves, this is too hard.

Is there anything too hard for me? Is my arm shortened that it cannot save?

Take heed that you be not like the workmen who bore the heat of the day, who were jealous and envious of the eleventh hour workmen, for it is your Father's purpose to bring many into the Kingdom.

Ask of me rain in the time of latter rain, and even now, the clouds are thick and dark with the weight of it and thunder is already beginning to roll. I say to you, it will be a deluge; a deluge to soften the ground and bring to life a multitude of dormant seed.

For there is seed in that ground and my seed is incorruptible seed and it will spring forth and it will produce a harvest-a quick harvest- of righteousness to me, says the Lord.

Rain

2012-09-19T05:44:44-07:00

Joel 2:23
Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.

Ask for rain in the time of latter rain

Zechariah 10:1
Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.

James 5:7
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

Lord, send rain upon dry and thirsty ground that your people may be restored, renewed,

That the reaper may catch up with the sower

That the land may be filled with the knowledge of the Lord

As waters break forth, so, Lord, break forth in our land by your Spirit

Flood our streets and our neighborhoods with Your Glory

Amos 9:13
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt.

Jeremiah 4:3
For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.

Hosea 10:12
Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

Satan, The Deciever

2012-09-11T07:46:35-07:00

After months of praying for and believing God for great things in my community, last night's board meeting was a sham of greed and power plays. I was discouraged. During the night, I prayed for godly wisdom, and the Lord began reminding me of what He has said in His word. As I thought about these things and meditated on the word of God, faith began to rise up and I am more encouraged than ever that God is moving here. He tells us we will inherit the promises if we do not give up.

The Lord reminded me of these and other verses that state quite clearly that Satan no longer has any authority or power here on this planet. Only what he has stolen through deceit by blinding the minds of those who do not know the truth. (2 Cor 4:4) And since God's word is absolute truth, I choose to act like I believe it and am spending today laughing at the devil. That spectacle last night does not change the truth-Satan is defeated and you and I know it, much to his sorrow. Jesus Christ is the legal heir of this planet and, in particular, of this community. By the way, WE are co-heirs with Him--GLORY!!!!!!

Satan, I speak to you in the name of Jesus, get out of my community-out of our financial affairs, out of our business dealings, and out of the lives of the people who live here.

I pray that the glorious gospel of Christ will shine in our lives and in the lives of everyone here bringing life, joy, and complete freedom from effects of the curse. We are redeemed from the curse, Praise God. Gal 3:13; 2 Cor 4:4

Hebrews 2:14 KJV

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

I really like the word destroy in that verse and the past tense of the verb had.

Colossians 2:15 The Message

He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets.

Colossians 2:15 NIV

And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Colossians 2: 9-10 NIV

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.

2 Corinthians 4:4
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

The Prophetic Word

2012-08-13T04:57:25-07:00

As I've been praying over my neighborhood during the past months, God has shown me certain scriptures that I feel He wants me to believe Him for concerning my prayer requests.

What do I mean by this? If I will take these promises and put them in my mouth, speak them back to God and speak them into the situation, the promises become activated to produce the result of the promise.

God's desire is always to bless. God's word says he will not hold back any good thing from us. (Psalm 84:11) But, of course, we see Christians doing without. We see prayers going unanswered. Why? There are many reasons; faith, failure to ask, motive for asking, (James 4:1-3) but one key to getting our prayers answered lies in our willingness to put God's promises into our mouths and speak it forth in a prophetic utterance. This puts us in a position of cooperation with God.

When the Lord shows us a word or highlights to us a specific portion of scripture, He is showing us what He wants us to put our faith with His to believe to come to pass in our lives.

We are to take that word or portion of scripture as a prophetic word and

· Speak it forth(and continue to speak) into our lives and circumstances,

· Believe God(and continue to believe) for it by activating our faith where this is concerned,

· Wait (and continue to wait) with joyful expectancy for fulfillment of His word to us.

When a prophet(a person operating in the spiritual gift of prophecy) speaks a word to us, we are to

· Judge whether it is from God or not-not the person, but that specific word of prophecy only.

· If not from God, reject it and think no more about it.

· If from God, take that word and begin to

o Accept and receive it as a prophetic word from God

o Speak it forth into our lives and circumstances

o Believe God by putting our faith with His for the word to come to pass

o Wait with expectant hearts for the fulfillment.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless. Psalm 84:11 NIV

You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4 NIV

I Will Not Quit!

2012-07-25T04:38:35-07:00

I will not quit,

I will not stop.

I've stormed out of the house to keep from saying negative things about the fulfillment of the vision God has given me. I know the enemy wants me discouraged but I will not give in. I angrily slap one foot down after another as I remind myself

God has promised to give me every place I set the sole of my foot,

I will not be discouraged.

I will not be dismayed,

For the Lord my God is with me wherever I go.

He has said He will not leave me nor forsake me.

God said to ask of Him, and He will give the heathen as an inheritance. (Psalm 2:8)

I look around at my neighbor's homes and I don't care if someone hears me or thinks me batty. It is critical right now that I keep my thinking and my confession right on the word of God and His promises.

I ask of you, Lord God Almighty, for this community. I ask Your Spirit and Presence to flood this place. I pray, Lord Jesus, as you taught us to pray, I pray Your will be done and Your kingdom come on earth-in this part of earth- as it is in heaven. I pray that every bondage be loosed, every broken heart bound up, and every blind eye opened as your word says in Isaiah 61. I ask that those called by your name be refreshed, that they be given the garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Oh Lord, Your people are under such weight, I ask you to lift it all off of us and cause our faces to shine with your glory.

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. Isaiah 61:1-3

The Call of God

2012-07-20T13:18:05-07:00

Last winter, when I committed myself to set aside time each day

to seek God for my neighborhood,
to take prayer walks around my neighborhood and
to ask God for opportunities to share His love with my neighbors,

I expected it would be a rather dry, long term thing I was adding to my daily schedule. I expected to do this more or less in secret and maybe God would allow me to see a few results.

Little did I know how much God wanted this.

Little did I know how excited God was going to be about all of this.

Little did I know how all encompassing it was going to be in my life.

Right away, I felt the Lord direct my thinking to the book of Joshua, chapter one. This is when God directs Joshua to prepare to take the children of Israel into the promised land. In my spirit, I heard the Holy Ghost personalize this passage just for me, He was saying this to me, telling me to get ready to possess the land.

Now then, you....get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them(you)...I will give you every place where you set your foot, ...Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. Joshua 1:1-6 excerpts NIV

My first response was, "God? Are you sure you are talking to me?"

God told me that because I asked for my neighborhood, He was giving it to me. (Matthew7:7 "Ask and you shall receive")

He warned me, I had to be strong and very courageous.
He warned me I would face difficulty and discouragement-and I have when others failed to catch the vision, no one wanted to join with me and I felt alone. I had to remember I am not alone because He said He would never leave me. Joshua 1:5
He told me to resist despair and be sure to stay focused on the word of God-the Bible. Just as He told Joshua to put the word before his face and in his mind or thoughts continually, so I was to put the promises He gives me for this neighborhood on my lips and in my thoughts continually. Some of my neighbors, even Christian ones, look at me a little strangely now, but I don't care for I know God so desires to do wonderful and mighty things right here in this place where we live.
He warned me to avoid distractions. By this, I understood He meant other activities, even good ones that would take my time, my energy, and my thoughts away from the task at hand. Some of my friends are a little put out with me because I don't join with them in some activities, even those involving the neighborhood.

The call of God in our lives, the word He has spoken to us, is precious. When Almighty God, creator and sustainer of all things, shares His heart,

We must not treat that as common.
We must, in reverential fear and awe, bow before Him and allow His Spirit access to those dirty, hidden areas in our lives.
We must freely give up all rights to those areas, confess them as sin, and receive cleansing.
We must allow the Holy Spirit to bend and conform our minds, wills, and emotions to His will in order to be useful and successful in the task before us. Believe me, this is extended and painful, but well worth the process.

The task God has laid before me is large enough to consume all my time and thoughts. The vision for this place that God has given me is large enough to excite my spirit and challenge my soul. It is time to round up the troops and prepare to cross Jordan!

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1: 7-9

Sweet Fwllowship

2012-07-18T04:23:26-07:00

It's desperation that leads to action. Perhaps, we should act sooner, but I for one need the added push of desperation.

On Sunday afternoon, I sat on my rear deck and thought of how much I wished we had another couple or two to visit with around the scriptures and worship with around the throne of God. I don't want to visit around a great meal, or share personal stories, even those about what God has done. I don't want to spend time telling funny stories, or playing games. These things are great and I enjoy such activities, but this is not what my heart is longing for. I thought about times in the past we have been privileged to experience the presence of God in a gathering of God's people.

Before you shout me down, I have been to church, that very morning in fact, and it has been many years since I have experienced the manifest presence of God in such strength I could not stand. Many years since the order of the service was replaced by a move of the Spirit of God.

As we spend time actively and deliberately seeking God's presence in our personal, private lives, the hunger to connect with others of like mind and spirit has grown to the point I am thirsty as a deer in the desert.

As a deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for You, God.
I thirst for God, the living God. Psalm 42:1

We are not meant to be alone, but are part of a body and are most fulfilled when the body comes together. How, I ask myself and God, can we find a group of like-minded believers? How do we get such a group together?

I thought of the library of very good faith building messages we have available in our home. I believe the Spirit of the Lord showed me to invite some neighbors to come watch one with us and let that be a jumping off place for discussion. At least we would all begin at the same place.

Bob and I decided, after prayer, to go hand out real invitations. We asked the Lord to show us the individuals to whom to give them. We went out about three o'clock and saw no one to speak with about our idea. We returned home, prayed for about forty minutes, then, went out again. This time we handed out four of the eight invitations we had prepared. We did not know if anyone would come, but we had peace that we had acted at the Lord's direction.

At the appointed time, two couples came over. I had prepared some light snacks; we talked for a few minutes and then started one of the messages. I did not know which one to show, but as it played, it became obvious people were being ministered to by the Holy Spirit and by the Word of God preached.

After the message, one after another of us requested and received prayer from the group. We ministered to one another by the laying on of hands, by words of prophecy, and by tongues and interpretation.

Oh, sweet fellowship. This is what my soul has desired.

Psalm 34

  I will always thank the Lord;
      I will never stop praising him.
I will praise him for what he has done;
      may all who are oppressed listen and be glad!
Proclaim with me the Lord's greatness;
      let us praise his name together!

Fasting

2012-07-16T05:11:45-07:00

"...in fastings often.." 2 Corinthians 11:27

Paul says here in 2 Corinthians that he fasts often. Jesus said his disciples would fast after he had returned to heaven. The Mosaic covenant, the old testament, includes fasts at different times and reasons and, so, we know that fasting has a place in our Christian lives, but what place, exactly? When do we fast? and how do we go about it?

God has lead me to fast every Monday as I pray for His outpouring of blessing on my community. For one day a week I do not eat breakfast or lunch.This week I am asking for strength to not eat for the entire day and for the two weeks following to eat a restricted diet that God has given me.

Bob and I did this two week diet, or partial fast, in May of this year. We both lost some weight and felt stronger and renewed afterwards. This is a nice side effect and many do use fasting as a weight loss aid.

Is this the reason to fast that God has called us to?

Isaiah 58 is the classic chapter on fasting. In this passage, God is saying He is tired of his people trying to impress Him by going to great lengths of physical denial and self-imposed deprivation, while ignoring those points of righteousness He deems important. In other words, our own efforts are not pleasing to God.

We are not saved by our own efforts, how can we grow up in the Lord or advance the Kingdom of God by our own efforts? Again, what is the purpose of fasting in the Christian's life today?

Romans, chapter 7, explains the constant conflict between our bodies-the flesh-and our spirit man. Our bodies and minds have been trained by the world and its demon inspired system to oppose God. Our born again spirit man desires to follow our Lord and the two are in conflict. It is only as we put down the desires and calls of the body, retrain our minds and thinking to think like God by reading and meditating on His word (the Bible) that we can walk in the victory Christ died to give us.

For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin

Let's look again at the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 9

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (NIV)

As we fast and pray before the Lord, let us pray we will learn to hear the voice of the Spirit of God more clearly and the voice of our own mind and flesh less loudly and for the ability to tell the difference.

Blessings as we march forward to advance the Kingdom of God

Kay

Intercession

2012-07-12T06:11:08-07:00

5:00 am

Oh Lord, your word says

"For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." Habakkuk 2:14

I pray that here, in my neighborhood, the knowledge of Your Glory will flood the streets, raising even to the doors and windows of the people here. This community, who has seen the flood of waters when the last big hurricane came through and experienced the destruction that brings, I pray now to experience the life force of the glory of Almighty God in the person of Jesus Christ.

I pray for every home and every person here to come face to face with the glory of God. I call out to you Lord, every name I know of every person here and ask for your mercy and love to be demonstrated to them.

I praise you, Lord Jesus, that darkness can never overcome light but, rather, it is light that dispels darkness(John 1:5) and so I pray that the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ will shine in the lives of every individual in this place and bring life and deliverance.

I praise you, Jesus, that you have destroyed the one who had the power of death (Hebrews 2:14) and have delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into your kingdom (Colossians 1:13-14)

Now, Lord, according to your word in Isaiah 58

I speak to every band of wickedness and I call it loosed.
I speak to every heavy burden and call it undone
I declare every oppressed one set free and
Every yoke, or burden, destroyed. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

I ask. Lord, that you grant me boldness to speak your word without fear or hesitation and that you would confirm the word preached by stretching out your hand to heal and that mighty signs and wonders be done in the name of your son, Jesus.

(Acts 4: 29-30)

Amen

This is War!

2012-07-08T18:20:03-07:00

11:40 pm June 2012

I awake with phloem running down the back of my throat, sore muscles, and a dreadful headache.

What is this? I was not sick when I lay down a short while ago.

This is an attack from Satan. I decide to fight back I think about the healing scriptures I have studied over the past few days, scriptures like "by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5) and "Who (the Lord) heals all your diseases" (Psalm 103:3.)

I begin confessing out loud these verses and saying things like;

"Thank you Jesus for taking that beating for my deliverance from sickness and disease."

"I command all symptoms of sickness and disease to leave my body right now, in Jesus name."

Then, I begin to pray in the spirit language, in tongues, alternating with the above tactics over the next three hours. This is intense spiritual battle and I am a little surprised by the intensity of it until I remember that Bob and I had spent two hours earlier in the evening talking with a couple who live nearby in our community. They are a sweet brother and sister in the Lord who wanted us to pray with them about some problems they face in their personal lives.

We, of course, were happy to talk and to pray with them, but, the bottom line is they have to make a quality decision. It is the same decision we all have to make if we want to be useful to God and His kingdom.

We must make Jesus Christ Lord; foremost, without qualification or hesitation, completely and utterly first place in all things.

We may say we have done this, but have we, really said

"Not my will but yours, O Lord?"

Have we truly asked the Holy Spirit to shine His light on all the corners and secret places and fortified walled off areas in our private life?

I know how hard it can be because this is where Jesus has led me these past weeks. Just a week or so back, He showed me a place He to which he wanted access. My response?

"Noooo, I've spent my whole life building that protective wall."

"I know that," The Holy Spirit said. "Do you trust me enough to let me have it? Do you believe I love you enough to take care of you even in this?"

I pray for my brother and sister. Lord, show them how very much you love them and how much you desire sweet fellowship with them. All the other stuff only gets in the way. Help them to trust you enough to let you have everything.

I finally drift off into restful sleep a few minutes before 3 am.

Alone?

2012-07-07T10:55:19-07:00

May 2012

It is Thursday morning and I sit alone in my living room, hoping someone will join me for prayer. When God first told me to invite my neighbors to join me for a neighborhood prayer meeting, I knocked on doors, boldly proclaimed that God has great things in store for our community, and invited them to join me in prayer for our neighborhood. I was happy to receive a positive response in that six people plus myself met together that first week in late January. Over the course of the following months, one by one, all have dropped off until today, I find myself alone, asking God what He wants me to do.

I don't hold it against anyone. I know that life has all of us pulled in a thousand directions and, unless the vision of God's purpose and plan is clearly seen, other things begin to take on more importance. A group like this, all from different churches and backgrounds, would take a supernatural move of God to succeed, but that is exactly what I am believing for.

I must admit to some disappointment, though. I had hoped that someone would join me in prayer and faith for a mighty move of God's spirit here, in this community. Perhaps I have failed to adequately share what God has shown me in the spirit, but, no, it is God who must give the insight, all I can do is my best to give voice to those things He has shown me.

I encourage myself in the Lord today and read aloud the scripture God gave me near the beginning of this journey,

Joshua 1: 8-9

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:5

"I will never leave you nor forsake you."

I put on a worship CD and spend an hour in sweet fellowship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I am not alone.

I will obey the vision God has given me.
I will not be hurt or disappointed in people-they are what they are.
I will continue to pray and plead for a move of God in my neighborhood
I will continue the prayer walks around the community, calling individual names out to the Lord
I will continue to be prepared every Thursday morning, asking God to send others to join me.

The Cross

2012-05-29T05:16:11-07:00

When Bob and I built a new flower bed in front of our mobile home, we finished it off by erecting a ten foot cross. Why would we do such a thing? Just to make a point? The answer is both yes and no. We certainly want our neighbors to know where they can come for prayer or help when there is a need. It also serves as a landmark to the location of our current prayer meeting and any Bible studies we may have in the future. Mostly, though, we put up the cross because of what it represents.

Almost everyone knows, or thinks they know, what the cross represents,

The cross represents the ratification of the contract, or covenant, man has with God Almighty.
The Bible is not just a book. It is in fact a contract. One initiated by and ratified by God, himself with his own blood. It is a blood covenant. It cannot be changed and the terms of it are laid out within the pages of the Bible.
God is not unaware or unconcerned about man's problems. He knows we cannot help ourselves-not in any meaningful way. We cannot fix our selfishness, our many sicknesses, or our inborn ability to mess up our lives, our relationships, even our planet. The worst part is, because of man's rebellion against God, we are each and every one condemned to eternal damnation. I know you don't want to hear that, no one does, but it doesn't make it any less true. See John 3:16-18.
God took upon himself human flesh, so that he could 'taste death for every man.' Jesus Christ, God's son in the flesh, fulfilled the terms of the covenant so God could legally offer man a way out. See Hebrews 2:14-18.
It is an exchange contract, our life for His. We give God our failures, our sins, our fears, our sicknesses, our poverty, and our eternal damnation. In exchange, we receive from God His righteousness, His healing, His peace, His joy, and His eternal life. See 2 Corinthians 5:17.
God pleads with man today to receive and agree to the terms of the contract, to trade in our defeat for His grace and victory. Be reconciled to God. See Colossians 1:21.

Whatever others may see or think when they look at the cross in our front flower bed, it is a constant reminder to us that God continues to plead with man to come to Him and we have the message of peace to share with anyone and everyone who will hear. See Colossians 1:20.

God has the contract signed and sealed. He pleads with us...

Be reconciled to God.

Resurrection!!

2012-04-05T06:00:04-07:00

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Revelation 1:18

Jesus, the word of God (John 1:3)
Jesus, creator (John 1:4)
Jesus, the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29)
Jesus, the Light of the world (John 8:12)
Jesus, the bread of life (John 6:35)
Jesus, the righteous (1John 2:1)
Jesus, our advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1)
Jesus, the risen (Romans 6:9)
Jesus, who lives forever (Romans 6:9-10)
Jesus, the resurrection and the life (John 11:25)
Jesus, who sits at God’s right hand (Hebrews 12:2)
Jesus, the triumphant (Ephesians 4:8-9)
Jesus, our reigning King and Lord (Revelation 11:15)

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Philippians 3:10

We, the believer;

Baptized into His death (Romans 6:3)
Raised in his likeness (Romans 6:4)
Sons of God (1 John 3:1)
New creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
The light of the world (Matthew 5:14)
Like Christ to the world (1 John 4:17)
Made righteous by His blood (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Crucified our fleshly desires and subjugate them to His will (Galatians 5:24, Galatians 2:20. Colossians 3:1)
Dead to sin, but alive to God (Romans 6:6-7)

Branches that bear fruit that lasts (John 15:16)

Glorifying the Father (John 15:16)
One with Jesus, the Father, and one another by the Love of God (John 17:21-22)
Will be like Him (1 John 3:3)
Has no part in the second death and
Will rule and reign with Him (Revelation 20:6)

Jesus Our Sacrifice

2012-03-31T10:39:28-07:00

This week marks the celebration of Palm Sunday, the day Jesus rode into the city of Jerusalem upon a humble donkey, fully knowing what awaited him, both at Calvary and beyond. The scriptures tell us that he willingly allowed himself to be arrested, flogged, mocked, tortured, and killed, taking our place so that we could become sons of God.(1 John 3:1) Jesus rode into town humbly, knowing the day is coming when he will come back into the same city in majesty and triumph.

This week, let us consider the cross and what it means to us who believe.

The scriptures tell us Jesus became sin for us. His identification with sin was so complete the Father was forced to turn his back (God cannot look upon sin) until Jesus cried out in despair at this desertion. His identification with sin is not unlike a legal transaction in which two parties exchange places, each taking the assets, debts, and possessions of the other. (2 Corinthians 5:21, Matthew 27:46)

Jesus paid the price of sin (see Romans 3:23) Sin always results in death, thus animal sacrifices were instituted in man's stead so that judgment could be postponed. The Old Testament sacrifices were only a pattern or foreshadow of Jesus' death-"For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." Animal blood was spilled until God's perfect substitute would come. At Calvary, Jesus became, in fact, "the lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world." (Hebrews 10:1, 4; John 1:29)

Jesus was the full substitute for sin and all of its consequences. According to Isaiah, chapter 53, Jesus took upon himself our weaknesses, our failures, our sins, and our sicknesses as he hung there. When we come to Jesus, confessing our sins, we acknowledge his death as full payment for these in our lives. We are to leave all at the foot of the cross and walk away as "new creatures." We identify with his death and leave to walk in "newness of life." To do otherwise, to hold onto any of that which he took upon himself and died for, diminishes the blood of Jesus.

Next week, we will look beyond Calvary to the resurrection and glory of Christ the King.

Blessings

Kay

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Romans 6:4
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Hebrews 10

New International Version (NIV)

Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All

¹ The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. ² Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. ³ But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. ⁴ It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

⁵ Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:

"Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me;
⁶ with burnt offerings and sin offerings
you were not pleased.
⁷ Then I said, 'Here I am-it is written about me in the scroll-
I have come to do your will, my God.'"

First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them"-though they were offered in accordance with the law. ⁹ Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second. ¹⁰ And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

¹¹ Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. ¹² But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, ¹³ and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. ¹⁴ For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

¹⁵ The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:

¹⁶ "This is the covenant I will make with them
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds."

¹⁷ Then he adds:

"Their sins and lawless acts
I will remember no more."

¹⁸ And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

Five Facts About Fear

2012-02-28T11:04:28-08:00

1. Fear prevents us from receiving God's best.

Fear is the natural result of sin in the earth. The world operates in fear, it is all around us. The first mention of fear in the Bible is back in the book of Genesis, chapter 3, verse 10.

Genesis 3:10 He (Adam) answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."

God had prepared the garden for man. Everything in the garden was perfectly suited for the man. The perfect temperature, wonderful plants, trees, and water. The Bible tells us about precious stones, silver, and gold, the gold described as good. Everything man needed had been provided for him. When man sinned against God, fear was the second thing man experienced-after shame.

In Christ Jesus, through the blood of his sacrifice on Calvary, we have been restored to fellowship with God. God's plan in the garden was total provision and fellowship, and his plan has never changed, it is still God's plan for us.

Luke 12:7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Luke 12:32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

2. Fear keeps us from receiving our miracle.

Luke 8:49-50 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," he said. "Don't bother the teacher any more."

Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed."

Jesus had to get Jairus' eyes off of the situation and back on himself in order for the miracle to come forth. Jesus knew Jairus' daughter could be healed, but only if Jairus cooperated. Fear and faith cannot operate at the same time--they are opposite forces.

Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

3. Fear is torment. It keeps us bound up and ineffective.

As long as we stew around in our minds about that thing of which we are afraid, we cannot see what God has planned for the situation. We must fill our minds with the word, or promises, of God and allow that word to produce faith that God will help us.

Psalms 112:7-8 He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.

Psalms 91:4-8 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,

nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand,

but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes

and see the punishment of the wicked.

4. Fear has to leave when we stand up and resist it in Jesus' name.

James 4:7-10 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

5. Fear is a work of the flesh.

Fear hangs out with the other works of the flesh like envy, murder, sedition, and lying. (see Galatians 5:19) Since it is based in the flesh, we can take control and overcome.

Romans 8:5-9 ( NIV ) Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; ⁷the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

⁹You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

No Problem Is Too Big

2012-01-29T17:30:22-08:00

Does your community have problems? Mine sure does. During these difficult times, people are grasping at every straw just to survive and take care of their families. Many feel defeated, depressed, and hopeless. I have committed to prayer for my own community and I challenge you to pray for yours, as well. Tell God you are willing to be a vessel He can use in prayer and action to bring hope and deliverance to your neighbors.

Pray the will of God into you and your neighbor's lives. We know from the scriptures what the will of God is.

His will is to bring salvation to everyone who will receive His free gift of life through Christ Jesus .
His will is to deliver from every demonic spirit, influence, and to break the power of the enemy from our community.
His will is to heal in body, soul, and spirit every person who comes to Him.

This is how we are going to pray-for people to be saved, delivered, healed, and the power and glory of God Almighty revealed in our neighborhoods.

But, you say, "There are too many problems and the problems are too big?"

I've been reading about the Exodus of the children of Israel when they left Egypt and headed out to the promised land. As we know, they didn't go directly there, God had them go the long way around because He had some things to teach them. Then, they rebelled and spent forty more years in the wilderness before finally arriving at their destination. Many, many lessons are in this but one thing that stands out to me is the way that every time they faced and obstacle, all they could see was the problem-and they had some pretty big problems.

But to God, it was only an opportunity to show Himself strong on their behalf. He always had a plan and His plan was to glorify Himself, but he first had to get Israel's attention off the obstacle and onto Him and His provision.

At the Red Sea (Ex 14: 10, 13, 15, 18) they were facing the sea on one side and the entire Egyptian army on the other-God told them to stand still. He says "I will gain glory"

At Marah they were thirsty and the water was bitter-God told Moses what to do to heal the waters. When they were hungry and God sent them quail and manna

All the way to Jericho God used every obstacle as a divine opportunity to reveal His power and glory.

God fought their battles and they reaped the spoils.

Let's be encouraged that the size of the problems in our communities only give God more glory when He moves to bring about deliverance and salvation. Let's believe our prayers are the catalyst to bring about change, to bring about a mighty move of God.

Matthew 18:18-20 ( NIV ) I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.

Matthew 7:7-8 ( NIV ) Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.