After a few days of bitter cold here in Florida, it was so nice to have a spring-like day in the mid 70's today!
I haven't posted in quite a number of days, as I've been in prayer many hours of my days, for my precious son and others who are going through some trials that needed some serious time before the Lord.
Sometimes when in intercessory prayer, one feels the burden that the ones they love and are praying for are feeling. No different than any other kind of warfare as we know it, spiritual warfare does take its physical toll, but worth every minute of it when you finally get a break through and the peace of the Lord for that situation.
Thanks to all my friends who have been in prayer not only for my son, but for me to have the physical and spiritual strength as I went before the Lord with prayers and petitions.
I was also very blessed today to have a dear friend ask me for guidance in teaching a women's Bible study in her church. As soon as she sent the request, I knew immediately what to send to her - a study I'd done on my own some time ago when I was going through a rough time and needed to know "I'm somebody". The title I gave to that teaching that the Lord took me through was called, "I'm God's Treasured Possession" - something we all need to know without any uncertainty! I pray that she's able to use what I gave to her, and that many women will find their place and know who they are in Christ.
I pray you are having a wonderful weekend!
Janelle
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
A Random Act of God's Love
For the last few days, I have been suffering horrible pain from a molar that is needing a root canal. I was thinking that I'd be eating tylenol like candy during my entire trip to see Dude graduate later this week.
Well yesterday I was frantic, crying and asking the Lord to take away my anxiety about it, and to please make a way somehow for me to not have this tormenting me while I'm away on my trip. I also asked him to strenghten my faith in Him always takes care of my needs, as I just don't have a thousand dollars to have this done right now.
This morning, I didn't get up early with Bill before he left for work. I was laying in bed watching The Today Show, and my phone rings - it was from someone whom I love dearly. I was told to call my dentist, to get in there to see her today, and to stop by this person's house to pick up a check to cover the costs of getting done whatever needed to be done to get me out of this pain. This was to be a loan, but I'm not one who "receives" easily - I'd rather be the giver......
This wasn't easy for me to do, but I heard the Lord speak to me that this was the answer to my prayer, so I called, and they said to come in at 9:30, so I called this person back to tell them that I could get in, and would be by her house on my way to the dentist's office.
When I arrived at her house, she said she'd gone ahead and called them also, and had given them her credit card number to charge whatever the expenses for my visit today were. All I could do was hug her and cry........
When I got to the dentist, they got me in as soon as I walked in the front door. I was told that they could give me a prescription for infection, and some strong pain pills to get me through the next few days, but that I'd have to see a specialist to get the root canal done.
When I got up to the front desk, there were no charges for my visit today - this person's credit card info was shredded.
I then got my prescription filled, and I had to go by her house, as she is going to watch my dog for me while I'm gone, and I needed to show her where his food is, etc.
We were sitting here talking, and me being the very big crybaby that I am, fell apart. I told her, "I know that you don't believe in God the same way as I do, but yesterday when my tooth was hurting so badly and I was praying to him for some kind of answer, well today - you were the answer to my prayer".
She hugged me and said, "We all believe in God, just in different ways - I want you to take your medicine, relax and go enjoy your time with Dude. When you get back, I want you to call the other dentist to get an appointment for the root canal, and the offer still stands on me putting it on my card, and you paying me back as you can".
All I have been able to do is cry, and thank the Lord for answering my desperate prayer, and most importantly, using someone that I love dearly - someone who doesn't know him in the same way, but sure did exhibit Jesus to me today.
Random acts of kindness - random acts of the love of Jesus - I have learned today, that he can and will at times, use those you least expect.
The song, "Great is Thy Faithfulness" keeps running through my mind....because He is SO faithful to his children...
"Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with thee
Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be
Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning, new mercies I see
All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me"
Well yesterday I was frantic, crying and asking the Lord to take away my anxiety about it, and to please make a way somehow for me to not have this tormenting me while I'm away on my trip. I also asked him to strenghten my faith in Him always takes care of my needs, as I just don't have a thousand dollars to have this done right now.
This morning, I didn't get up early with Bill before he left for work. I was laying in bed watching The Today Show, and my phone rings - it was from someone whom I love dearly. I was told to call my dentist, to get in there to see her today, and to stop by this person's house to pick up a check to cover the costs of getting done whatever needed to be done to get me out of this pain. This was to be a loan, but I'm not one who "receives" easily - I'd rather be the giver......
This wasn't easy for me to do, but I heard the Lord speak to me that this was the answer to my prayer, so I called, and they said to come in at 9:30, so I called this person back to tell them that I could get in, and would be by her house on my way to the dentist's office.
When I arrived at her house, she said she'd gone ahead and called them also, and had given them her credit card number to charge whatever the expenses for my visit today were. All I could do was hug her and cry........
When I got to the dentist, they got me in as soon as I walked in the front door. I was told that they could give me a prescription for infection, and some strong pain pills to get me through the next few days, but that I'd have to see a specialist to get the root canal done.
When I got up to the front desk, there were no charges for my visit today - this person's credit card info was shredded.
I then got my prescription filled, and I had to go by her house, as she is going to watch my dog for me while I'm gone, and I needed to show her where his food is, etc.
We were sitting here talking, and me being the very big crybaby that I am, fell apart. I told her, "I know that you don't believe in God the same way as I do, but yesterday when my tooth was hurting so badly and I was praying to him for some kind of answer, well today - you were the answer to my prayer".
She hugged me and said, "We all believe in God, just in different ways - I want you to take your medicine, relax and go enjoy your time with Dude. When you get back, I want you to call the other dentist to get an appointment for the root canal, and the offer still stands on me putting it on my card, and you paying me back as you can".
All I have been able to do is cry, and thank the Lord for answering my desperate prayer, and most importantly, using someone that I love dearly - someone who doesn't know him in the same way, but sure did exhibit Jesus to me today.
Random acts of kindness - random acts of the love of Jesus - I have learned today, that he can and will at times, use those you least expect.
The song, "Great is Thy Faithfulness" keeps running through my mind....because He is SO faithful to his children...
"Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with thee
Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be
Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning, new mercies I see
All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me"
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Staying Humble Before the Lord
I'm going to finish up chapter 10 of Jeremiah today. It covers quite a few verses, and it's the reaction of Jeremiah to the destruction of Judea and Jerusalem, and is spoken in the language of the Nomads.
10: 19 - 25 - "Woe to me because of my injury! My would is incurable! Yes, I said to myself, 'This is my sickness, and I must endure it. My tent is destroyed; all its ropes are snapped. My sons are gone from me and are no more; no one is left now to pitch my tent or to set up my shelter. The shepherds are senseless and do not inquire of the Lord; so they do not prosper and all their flock is scattered.
Listen! The report is coming - a great commotion from the land of the north! It will make the towns of Judah desolate, a haunt of jackals.
I know Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. Correct me Lord, but only with justice - not in your anger, lest your reduce me to nothing. Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the peoples who do not call on your name. For they have devoured Jacob; they have devoured him completely and destroyed his homeland'".
The reference to the shepherds is to the leaders of the nation, who were responsible for the calamity. We commonly refer to pastors in our day as "shepherds", and the church's congregations to the "flock". We too, have seen how some in this position in recent years have misled many people. Look back to the late 1970's, at how Jim Jones deceived so many people into believing the misguided teachings that brought them all to their death. He had put himself over these people as a false messiah, and although he used scripture in his teachings, he took them out of context and used them for his advantage and hunger for power and control over them.
We have seen others since, who were well known in the religious arena, who let greed enter their hearts and brought them down, as well as their ministries. This brought a lot of spiritual dysfunction and emotional hurt to those who had so faithfully given to their ministries, only to find out they too had been duped.
We need to pray for our pastors, evangelists and missionaries. They are held in high accountability to the Lord for the calling on their lives to reach out to the lost. I believe that Satan throws more temptations at them, so he can destroy not only them and their ministry, but cause it to have an adverse affect on the lost who these people are trying to reach, causing them to stay lost and without the desire to come to know the Lord as their savior.
We have seen in Jeremiah, where pride, selfishness and greed were the downfall of the nations, and look around - you can see it in our world today as well.
We need to re-read verse verse 23 where Jeremiah says, "I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps". That's what each of us needs to remember; that we need to turn to God daily, for his direction for our life. He has the perfect plan for us, and when we go about our day without taking the time to talk to him and read his word to find what his will for us is; trying to walk through life on our own, that's when we find ourselves in the midst of trials and upheavals that we've gotten ourselves into by our own pride and stubborness.
I close with this passage from James 4 that gives us the cure for sin: "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. Greive and mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up".
Have a blessed Wednesday................Janelle
10: 19 - 25 - "Woe to me because of my injury! My would is incurable! Yes, I said to myself, 'This is my sickness, and I must endure it. My tent is destroyed; all its ropes are snapped. My sons are gone from me and are no more; no one is left now to pitch my tent or to set up my shelter. The shepherds are senseless and do not inquire of the Lord; so they do not prosper and all their flock is scattered.
Listen! The report is coming - a great commotion from the land of the north! It will make the towns of Judah desolate, a haunt of jackals.
I know Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. Correct me Lord, but only with justice - not in your anger, lest your reduce me to nothing. Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the peoples who do not call on your name. For they have devoured Jacob; they have devoured him completely and destroyed his homeland'".
The reference to the shepherds is to the leaders of the nation, who were responsible for the calamity. We commonly refer to pastors in our day as "shepherds", and the church's congregations to the "flock". We too, have seen how some in this position in recent years have misled many people. Look back to the late 1970's, at how Jim Jones deceived so many people into believing the misguided teachings that brought them all to their death. He had put himself over these people as a false messiah, and although he used scripture in his teachings, he took them out of context and used them for his advantage and hunger for power and control over them.
We have seen others since, who were well known in the religious arena, who let greed enter their hearts and brought them down, as well as their ministries. This brought a lot of spiritual dysfunction and emotional hurt to those who had so faithfully given to their ministries, only to find out they too had been duped.
We need to pray for our pastors, evangelists and missionaries. They are held in high accountability to the Lord for the calling on their lives to reach out to the lost. I believe that Satan throws more temptations at them, so he can destroy not only them and their ministry, but cause it to have an adverse affect on the lost who these people are trying to reach, causing them to stay lost and without the desire to come to know the Lord as their savior.
We have seen in Jeremiah, where pride, selfishness and greed were the downfall of the nations, and look around - you can see it in our world today as well.
We need to re-read verse verse 23 where Jeremiah says, "I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps". That's what each of us needs to remember; that we need to turn to God daily, for his direction for our life. He has the perfect plan for us, and when we go about our day without taking the time to talk to him and read his word to find what his will for us is; trying to walk through life on our own, that's when we find ourselves in the midst of trials and upheavals that we've gotten ourselves into by our own pride and stubborness.
I close with this passage from James 4 that gives us the cure for sin: "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. Greive and mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up".
Have a blessed Wednesday................Janelle
Saturday, November 22, 2008
A Heart of Intercession
Good Saturday Morning! It's cold here in FL this morning; only in the mid 30's! It sure does wake one up to go out on the porch to have coffee, and that crisp air hit one in the face!
I start on Chapter 9 of Jeremiah this morning, and we see even further, why Jeremiah was referred to as the Weeping Prophet.
9: 1 - 3" Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep all day and night for the slain of my people. Oh, that I had in the desert a lodging place for travelers, so that I might leave my people and go away from them; for they are all adulterers, a crowd of unfaithful people.
'They make ready their tongue like a bow, to shoot lies. It is not by truth that they triumph in the land. They go from one sin to another; they do not acknowledge me', declares the Lord."
We see Jeremiah mourning for his people, and weeping for them, much like Jesus did over Jerusalem when he was in the Garden praying and interceding for them, prior to his crucifixion.
They both knew the glory and the blessings of following the Lord, and both knew the oncoming sorrow of separation from the Lord, for the unrepentant sins.
We too, should have a heart for those who are lost; and make ourselves available to the calling of The Holy Spirit, to be a witness of God's love and grace through Christ Jesus.
I pray that I would strive more, to have a heart for intercession.
Have a blessed day!
Janelle
I start on Chapter 9 of Jeremiah this morning, and we see even further, why Jeremiah was referred to as the Weeping Prophet.
9: 1 - 3" Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep all day and night for the slain of my people. Oh, that I had in the desert a lodging place for travelers, so that I might leave my people and go away from them; for they are all adulterers, a crowd of unfaithful people.
'They make ready their tongue like a bow, to shoot lies. It is not by truth that they triumph in the land. They go from one sin to another; they do not acknowledge me', declares the Lord."
We see Jeremiah mourning for his people, and weeping for them, much like Jesus did over Jerusalem when he was in the Garden praying and interceding for them, prior to his crucifixion.
They both knew the glory and the blessings of following the Lord, and both knew the oncoming sorrow of separation from the Lord, for the unrepentant sins.
We too, should have a heart for those who are lost; and make ourselves available to the calling of The Holy Spirit, to be a witness of God's love and grace through Christ Jesus.
I pray that I would strive more, to have a heart for intercession.
Have a blessed day!
Janelle
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
One Nation Under God
One Nation Under God is a phrase used in our pledge of allegiance that has strong meaning to it, but it has been challenged in the courts of our country by those who don't believe.
Today's passage in Jeremiah 1: 7 - 13 speaks of the nation of Israel, who were and are still God's chosen people. Yesterday I spoke about how they rebelled, and how we have also found ourselves "in the wilderness" and rebelled in our own ways too. There are always consequences to rebellion, and that is what the Lord was telling Jeremiah to tell the nation.
These verses are the Lord speaking.
"I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and rich produce. But you came and defiled my land and made my inheritance detestable. The priests did not ask, ' Where is the Lord'. Those who deal with the law did not know me, and the leaders rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied by Baal, following worthless idols. Therefore I bring charges against you again, declares the Lord. And I will bring charges against your children's children. Cross over to the coasts of Kittim and look, send to Kedar and observe closely; see if there has ever been anything like this: Has a nation ever changed its gods? ( Yet they are not gods at all.) But my people have exchanged their Glory for worthless idols. Be appaled at this, O heavens, and shudder with great horror, declares the Lord. My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns - broken cisterns that cannot hold water".
In verse 8 it refers to the priests and leaders who rebelled against God. It is translated to mean that the ones in authority, those who led the people, led the way to apostasy. Sound familiar? Have we not seen this very thing in our own country? We have many who are in public office, and even those who are leaders of great churches and denominations who would rather be "politically correct" than to follow the laws and morals of our Lord.
In verse 11 the Lord asks, "Has a nation ever changed its gods?(Yet they are not gods at all)."
Our great nation seems to have fallen into this - the outrage of one athiest woman led to prayer being taken out of our schools; now we have others of like mind as she, who demand that "In God We Trust" be taken off our currency, and also "One Nation Under God" to be removed from our pledge of allegiance.
We are guilty of forsaking God, the only true source of living water, and are seeing Him replaced by "broken cisterns" - false ideologies and morals that are abominations to him.
I pray that our nation would realize its sin and repent. Again I go back to the verse from II Chronicles 7:14 - "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their evil ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land".
Now is the time for us believers to make our voices be heard! We need to be on our knees praying for our country and its leaders, both those in political office, and those who are leaders in our churches. We need to pray that they will do exactly what God asks us to do in that verse, otherwise we can expect to reap the consequences of our nations sins.
Janelle
Today's passage in Jeremiah 1: 7 - 13 speaks of the nation of Israel, who were and are still God's chosen people. Yesterday I spoke about how they rebelled, and how we have also found ourselves "in the wilderness" and rebelled in our own ways too. There are always consequences to rebellion, and that is what the Lord was telling Jeremiah to tell the nation.
These verses are the Lord speaking.
"I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and rich produce. But you came and defiled my land and made my inheritance detestable. The priests did not ask, ' Where is the Lord'. Those who deal with the law did not know me, and the leaders rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied by Baal, following worthless idols. Therefore I bring charges against you again, declares the Lord. And I will bring charges against your children's children. Cross over to the coasts of Kittim and look, send to Kedar and observe closely; see if there has ever been anything like this: Has a nation ever changed its gods? ( Yet they are not gods at all.) But my people have exchanged their Glory for worthless idols. Be appaled at this, O heavens, and shudder with great horror, declares the Lord. My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns - broken cisterns that cannot hold water".
In verse 8 it refers to the priests and leaders who rebelled against God. It is translated to mean that the ones in authority, those who led the people, led the way to apostasy. Sound familiar? Have we not seen this very thing in our own country? We have many who are in public office, and even those who are leaders of great churches and denominations who would rather be "politically correct" than to follow the laws and morals of our Lord.
In verse 11 the Lord asks, "Has a nation ever changed its gods?(Yet they are not gods at all)."
Our great nation seems to have fallen into this - the outrage of one athiest woman led to prayer being taken out of our schools; now we have others of like mind as she, who demand that "In God We Trust" be taken off our currency, and also "One Nation Under God" to be removed from our pledge of allegiance.
We are guilty of forsaking God, the only true source of living water, and are seeing Him replaced by "broken cisterns" - false ideologies and morals that are abominations to him.
I pray that our nation would realize its sin and repent. Again I go back to the verse from II Chronicles 7:14 - "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their evil ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land".
Now is the time for us believers to make our voices be heard! We need to be on our knees praying for our country and its leaders, both those in political office, and those who are leaders in our churches. We need to pray that they will do exactly what God asks us to do in that verse, otherwise we can expect to reap the consequences of our nations sins.
Janelle
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
If My People
There has been a verse in my head and heart that has been resonating for a while now, and I think it's very appropriate at this time in the United States, with our election drawing near.
It's from the Old Testament, the book of II Chronicles 7:14
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, THEN will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land".
Our forefathers founded this country on Judeo-Christian principles, so in regard to that, I think where this verse says, "My people", could be applied to those of us who are believers in this great country, and I think we have strayed from them in so many of the laws and practices that our country has now ruled as "legal" and as "rights".
I think abortion is one of my top issues out of all the many important issues in our country. We allow millions of babies to be murdered each year. Who are we as the creation, to tell the Creator who "WE" think should live or die?
One political party says that women should have the "right" to choose whether the child inside of her lives or dies, and I say to them, what about the rights of that child? They can't speak up for themselves, so I, along with many others, try to speak out FOR them. In doing so, we are labled as being ignorant and passe in our thoughts. We are told that "times are a changin", and in my opinion, that doesn't mean it's GOOD - some changes are, but in this case, I just don't see ANY good in it at all.
I have many friends who are in the opposite party that I am, and we disagree on some of the issues, and on some of the candidates and their qualifications. I pray that those things we disagree on don't invade our friendships to the degree that it's harmful to them...
Have a great Tuesday
Janelle
It's from the Old Testament, the book of II Chronicles 7:14
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, THEN will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land".
Our forefathers founded this country on Judeo-Christian principles, so in regard to that, I think where this verse says, "My people", could be applied to those of us who are believers in this great country, and I think we have strayed from them in so many of the laws and practices that our country has now ruled as "legal" and as "rights".
I think abortion is one of my top issues out of all the many important issues in our country. We allow millions of babies to be murdered each year. Who are we as the creation, to tell the Creator who "WE" think should live or die?
One political party says that women should have the "right" to choose whether the child inside of her lives or dies, and I say to them, what about the rights of that child? They can't speak up for themselves, so I, along with many others, try to speak out FOR them. In doing so, we are labled as being ignorant and passe in our thoughts. We are told that "times are a changin", and in my opinion, that doesn't mean it's GOOD - some changes are, but in this case, I just don't see ANY good in it at all.
I have many friends who are in the opposite party that I am, and we disagree on some of the issues, and on some of the candidates and their qualifications. I pray that those things we disagree on don't invade our friendships to the degree that it's harmful to them...
Have a great Tuesday
Janelle
Saturday, September 20, 2008
How Prayer Changed My Life
We all face various upheavals in our lives from time to time, and today's passage is telling us as believers, what we should do in those times.
James 5: 13 - 18 says, "Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess you sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
Prayer is so powerful - and there have even been reports on non Christian tv shows that focus on people who have undergone dire sickness, and then have been reported to have had miraculous recoveries because of the power of prayer. I've been witness to that first hand, not only in my own life, but in the lives of friends who have faced sudden tragedies.
Here is the story of a time in my life when I was very close to death, and how prayer was so powerful in my being here now to tell about it!
I was 27 years old, and had a dental procedure done that was supposed to have an easy recovery. Well three days after it was done, I found myself actually in a near death experience. After bleeding profusely for about 6 hours or so, and being taken to several local hospitals, only to be turned away because my problem was dental and not medical, I was taken to a dental emergency clinic.
When we walked into the lobby, the nurse looked at me and gasped, and took me into a room immediately. After the dentist looked at me and saw what was going on in my mouth, he stepped out of the room and called my husband over - I heard the dentist telling my husband to call the family, and if we had a pastor, to call him to pray because there was nothing more they could do for me to stop the bleeding, and I was going to be dead in a matter of hours. They didn't know I had heard that death sentence pronounced over me.
Well my pastor was called, who in turn called many members of our church, and they began to pray. I was taken back to a hospital, and they accepted me into the ER and called in an oral surgeon. I was so weak, and could feel myself slowing dying. I had no fear - I knew I was going to heaven, but I had two little children that would be without a mommy.
My husband had left the ER to get some coffee, and I was fading in and out of awakeness. Then this man walked into the room; he was the spitting image of my daddy, and when he spoke to me, his first words were, "Baby girl, I'm here to try to fix you". Well I thought I had died and gone to heaven - not only did this man look just like my daddy, he referred to me by the same name my daddy had always called me! He said no, he wasn't my daddy, he was Dr. Keister. I felt so safe with him, and asked him if he was a Christian, to which he said YES! I then asked him if before he started to work to stop the bleeding in my mouth, would he would pray for me and for God to guide him. He then prayed, and I knew that things were going to be ok whether I lived or died - I had total peace.
Dr. Keister was the one who not only let God guide his hands and have the wisdom to know how to repair the damage, but he went an extra step and researched this other "dentist" that had botched up my mouth to begin with. He had found that this man did not have a license, nor was he registered anywhere in the state of Florida to practice dentistry!
Now I could have gone after him with a law suit and probably gotten quite a large sum of money, but that wasn't as important to me as being alive was! My children needed a mommy, and God allowed me to stay here to fulfill that need.
My point in telling that story is this: We are told that if we are sick, to call the elders and get prayer. If they had've been in the hospital with me, I would have also had them anoint me with oil, but in this case, the prayer was powerful and effective on it's own!
I pray that your Saturday is blessed in every way - that you will have good health, love of family and friends, and peace in your own heart.
Blessings,
Janelle
James 5: 13 - 18 says, "Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess you sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
Prayer is so powerful - and there have even been reports on non Christian tv shows that focus on people who have undergone dire sickness, and then have been reported to have had miraculous recoveries because of the power of prayer. I've been witness to that first hand, not only in my own life, but in the lives of friends who have faced sudden tragedies.
Here is the story of a time in my life when I was very close to death, and how prayer was so powerful in my being here now to tell about it!
I was 27 years old, and had a dental procedure done that was supposed to have an easy recovery. Well three days after it was done, I found myself actually in a near death experience. After bleeding profusely for about 6 hours or so, and being taken to several local hospitals, only to be turned away because my problem was dental and not medical, I was taken to a dental emergency clinic.
When we walked into the lobby, the nurse looked at me and gasped, and took me into a room immediately. After the dentist looked at me and saw what was going on in my mouth, he stepped out of the room and called my husband over - I heard the dentist telling my husband to call the family, and if we had a pastor, to call him to pray because there was nothing more they could do for me to stop the bleeding, and I was going to be dead in a matter of hours. They didn't know I had heard that death sentence pronounced over me.
Well my pastor was called, who in turn called many members of our church, and they began to pray. I was taken back to a hospital, and they accepted me into the ER and called in an oral surgeon. I was so weak, and could feel myself slowing dying. I had no fear - I knew I was going to heaven, but I had two little children that would be without a mommy.
My husband had left the ER to get some coffee, and I was fading in and out of awakeness. Then this man walked into the room; he was the spitting image of my daddy, and when he spoke to me, his first words were, "Baby girl, I'm here to try to fix you". Well I thought I had died and gone to heaven - not only did this man look just like my daddy, he referred to me by the same name my daddy had always called me! He said no, he wasn't my daddy, he was Dr. Keister. I felt so safe with him, and asked him if he was a Christian, to which he said YES! I then asked him if before he started to work to stop the bleeding in my mouth, would he would pray for me and for God to guide him. He then prayed, and I knew that things were going to be ok whether I lived or died - I had total peace.
Dr. Keister was the one who not only let God guide his hands and have the wisdom to know how to repair the damage, but he went an extra step and researched this other "dentist" that had botched up my mouth to begin with. He had found that this man did not have a license, nor was he registered anywhere in the state of Florida to practice dentistry!
Now I could have gone after him with a law suit and probably gotten quite a large sum of money, but that wasn't as important to me as being alive was! My children needed a mommy, and God allowed me to stay here to fulfill that need.
My point in telling that story is this: We are told that if we are sick, to call the elders and get prayer. If they had've been in the hospital with me, I would have also had them anoint me with oil, but in this case, the prayer was powerful and effective on it's own!
I pray that your Saturday is blessed in every way - that you will have good health, love of family and friends, and peace in your own heart.
Blessings,
Janelle
Monday, August 4, 2008
In the Name of Jesus
It's Monday, August 4, 2008, and I'm trying to figure out where July went! I will be finishing up the book of Colossians this week, and am praying to find out what book to study next. I am also praying that the Lord will heal my neck - somehow a few weeks ago, I injured it, and haven't been able to do much of anything without getting extreme headaches, and the inability to turn my head. I ask that you lift me up in prayer.
Now, back to today's passage. It's Colossians 4:17, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him".
Whatever we do in word or deed - that pretty much covers everything, doesn't it? We should all be so in touch with the Lord that everything in our lives is done or said with Him in mind. Our words shouldn't be careless, and I am so guilty of spouting off things without thinking at times. I let my emotions rule me, and my flesh takes over and causes me to lash out without thinking. It's sin, and I need to get that under control - the only way to do that is to repent, and turn that over to the Lord, and give Him full control of that area in my life.
When we see 0r hear the phrase, "in the name of Jesus", it means that we do or ask with the idea of representing Him, with His approval. When we are in prayer, and asking God for something, whether it be for someone else, or ourself, and we use that phrase, it's not some magic spell that will make things come to pass. It's praying God's will and his approval for the situation.
Whether you work outside the home, or have the blessing of staying home - everything that you do throughout the day should be done as unto the Lord. The Lord doesn't care if you're the CEO of a large corporation, or a stay at home mom - just give Him glory in any and everything you do. He will in turn, bless your efforts. Thank Him for whatever role you are given, and give your very best.
Enjoy your first week of August!
Janelle
Now, back to today's passage. It's Colossians 4:17, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him".
Whatever we do in word or deed - that pretty much covers everything, doesn't it? We should all be so in touch with the Lord that everything in our lives is done or said with Him in mind. Our words shouldn't be careless, and I am so guilty of spouting off things without thinking at times. I let my emotions rule me, and my flesh takes over and causes me to lash out without thinking. It's sin, and I need to get that under control - the only way to do that is to repent, and turn that over to the Lord, and give Him full control of that area in my life.
When we see 0r hear the phrase, "in the name of Jesus", it means that we do or ask with the idea of representing Him, with His approval. When we are in prayer, and asking God for something, whether it be for someone else, or ourself, and we use that phrase, it's not some magic spell that will make things come to pass. It's praying God's will and his approval for the situation.
Whether you work outside the home, or have the blessing of staying home - everything that you do throughout the day should be done as unto the Lord. The Lord doesn't care if you're the CEO of a large corporation, or a stay at home mom - just give Him glory in any and everything you do. He will in turn, bless your efforts. Thank Him for whatever role you are given, and give your very best.
Enjoy your first week of August!
Janelle
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The Intercession of Jesus
John 17 is one of my favorite chapters in the entire Bible. It speaks of the oneness Jesus has with the Father, and how he wants us to have that same oneness with them. It is Jesus' prayer to The Father for you and me. I'll start with verse 8:
"I have revealed to you those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me, and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name - the name you gave me - so that they may be one as we are one.
(vs 15)"My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from the evil one."
(vs 24)"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world".
If you are going through a solitary way, read John 17, it will explain exactly why you are where you are - Jesus has prayed that you may be one with the Father, as He is. Are you helping God to answer that prayer, or have you some other end for your life? Since you became a disciple you can't be as independent as you used to be.
God allows things in this world to happen for His own purpose. The things we are going through are either making us sweeter, better, nobler men and women; or they are making us more captious and fault-finding, more insistent upon our own way; it depends entirely upon the relationship we are in to God.
Jesus prayed nothing less for us than absolute oneness with Himself as He was one with the Father. God will not leave us alone until we are one with Him, because Jesus prayed that we may be.
Jesus' whole reason for leaving Heaven to come to earth was for US! His entire life was faultless and sinless, and for this reason, he was able to make the sacrifice for our sins. His love for us goes far beyond what we can completely comprehend, but this chapter in John reveals to us his enormous love for us - we were a constant thought in his heart, and his intercession to the Father on our behalf shows without a doubt his selfless act of love when he hung on the cross, to be raised to life again three days later, then return to Heaven with the Father to prepare a place for us.
My prayer today is that if you don't know Jesus, but want to know Him and let him reveal this deep love to you, just tell him that's not only what you want, but what you NEED! He'll come to you immediately and change your life!
"I have revealed to you those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me, and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name - the name you gave me - so that they may be one as we are one.
(vs 15)"My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from the evil one."
(vs 24)"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world".
If you are going through a solitary way, read John 17, it will explain exactly why you are where you are - Jesus has prayed that you may be one with the Father, as He is. Are you helping God to answer that prayer, or have you some other end for your life? Since you became a disciple you can't be as independent as you used to be.
God allows things in this world to happen for His own purpose. The things we are going through are either making us sweeter, better, nobler men and women; or they are making us more captious and fault-finding, more insistent upon our own way; it depends entirely upon the relationship we are in to God.
Jesus prayed nothing less for us than absolute oneness with Himself as He was one with the Father. God will not leave us alone until we are one with Him, because Jesus prayed that we may be.
Jesus' whole reason for leaving Heaven to come to earth was for US! His entire life was faultless and sinless, and for this reason, he was able to make the sacrifice for our sins. His love for us goes far beyond what we can completely comprehend, but this chapter in John reveals to us his enormous love for us - we were a constant thought in his heart, and his intercession to the Father on our behalf shows without a doubt his selfless act of love when he hung on the cross, to be raised to life again three days later, then return to Heaven with the Father to prepare a place for us.
My prayer today is that if you don't know Jesus, but want to know Him and let him reveal this deep love to you, just tell him that's not only what you want, but what you NEED! He'll come to you immediately and change your life!
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