FRESH START TODAY… Ask God for His Blessings
Matt 7:7-8, "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. NIV
When I started writing this blog it was the day after my first chemotherapy treatment. I had some tingling in both arms and experienced some nausea, but through prayer I managed to get some sleep that first night. Last night I experienced some physical anxiety by being fidgety. Marty took me to Wal-Mart to walk around and then we took a short drive about 10:00 PM. I feel that the drive relaxed me enough so that I could go to sleep last night. I guess my body is working itself through the healing process and it is a little uncomfortable. I am not complaining, but praising the Lord for His presence through these daily experiences.
Marty called me over to see a video by Wynona Judd that his sister had sent him this morning. Wynona began her testimony regarding her personal trials and being broken. Naomi, her mother, told her that her armor of faith had cracked, but that is so the light could shine through. She went on to say that if her testimony was offensive that was alright, because it was her concert, and/or her show. She began to sing “I Can Only Imagine”. The cameras scanned the audience and some people were standing to their feet with raised hands.
Marty and I sat there with tears running down our faces as we realized that a broken life could be a blessed life. We are and have been broken several times in our walk with the Lord, but the light is shining through the cracks as we continue to walk in faith. Cancer is a crack right now, but with each day we trust and believe in God’s blessings. This illness has effected both of us in different ways, but in good ways. I went back to the bedroom to spend time with God in prayer. The outcome was a blessing of what happened next. I have noticed my attitude is slowing change for the better. Why? The Holy Spirit convicts one of sin and takes the action to help us make necessary changes that will glorify the Lord. I have already told you that I have asked God to bless me, so that my life will glorify Him leaving the door open for His blessings of choice. My past negative attitude has robed me of His blessings that He has always wanted to give me as a believer. Oh, my, my heart sank at the thought that I have hurt myself and did not realize it! Cancer happens, lose of jobs happen, financial problems happen, lose of a family member happen, but what is our attitude? Are we defeated or still rejoicing in a Savior that has us given eternal hope, joy and an abundant life? One of the greatest joys that I did not realize was truly being a member of God’s Kingdom people that spreads out into many parts of the world. The word is “Koinonia”. Your prayers and continued prayers are a blessing to my family and me. You have blessed me through the power of the love of Jesus Christ, which has come through your lives in the form of encouragement, cards and gifts. I thought that I had to handle this alone. I was sure wrong! Please, do not try to handle things on your own either, because we need each other in this dark world. The sin that cracks our armor of faith needs to be confessed allowing the light of Jesus to shine into the world! Broken and forgiven lives are blessed lives, so do not judge, but be human and honest with each other.
We must seek to know God’s will, His character and ask for His power to understand His plan and ways. Seek to desire a genuine heart of love for the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God will teach us to love as He loves us. The focal scripture has promises woven into the
tapestry of truth, which is Jesus Christ. Jesus teaches us as we ask, seek and to know we become aware of the fullness of His blessings.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
FRESH START TODAY -Blog 38)
FRESH START TODAY…Love the Lord your God!
Matt 22:37-40, Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." NIV
Jesus quoted the Old Testament regarding the need for us to love the Lord with all of our heart, soul and mind. To love the Lord like this is supernaturally empowered by the Holy Spirit. When we simply pray telling the Lord that we love Him He will open the doors of communications that you would never expect humanly.
Yesterday and today I took some private time to rest in the Lord, pray, and call a few people to give them some updated information regarding my health. When you begin your prayers with praise and sharing your love for the Lord rather than coming into His presence like a bull in a china cabinet demanding to be heard regarding your concerns, He has the opportunity to simply give you His peace that the world does not experience. The first few moments are to focus on Jesus, reflecting on His ministry found in the Bible and His death on the cross. What does His precious life and activity mean to me today? Does He understand cancer? Does He understand separation from a loved one? Do we understand the truth of His anxiety before His death in the Garden of Gethsemane? Why wouldn’t His closest friends stay awake to pray with Him? I know that when I begin my prayers by focusing on Jesus it takes away the anxiety of what I am still going to face through another outpatient surgery and chemotherapy. Why me, has never crossed my mind nor the concern of possible physical death. Jesus knew he was meant to die, but the separation from the Father was His greatest anguish. He was humbled, surrendered and willing to die, to take on the sins of the world and be separated from God the Father, so that believers could have fellowship with the Almighty God that would never be broken again.
My heart right now is to share something that happened that was very personal and left me crying tears of joy, feeling the love of the Lord. I have mentioned that I first walked into the medical clinic at Heber/Overgaard on June 3rd? This was the anniversary date of when my Christian biological dad went to be with the Lord, but another memory surfaced that I had totally forgotten about until my prayer time. The last words my dad ever spoke to me before he died were, “Are you going to be alright?” This was dad’s deepest concern for me. The Lord Jesus reminded me that He was answering my dad’s last prayer for me by drawing close to me during this journey of healing from cancer. I know that the prayers of others have played a major role in the healing process, but I would have never thought that some of those prayers were from the saints of God that have passed away. God has honored my dad’s prayer for me in my healing process and the Holy Spirit brought from my memory what was last said to me by my dad. This reminds me of the Lord’s promises made to Abraham and David, due to their faithfulness in their relationship with God, and His presence to be with their future generations.
The Holy Spirit wants you to be still and know that He is God. Praise Him, Love Him with all of your heart, soul and mind. Wait upon the Lord for He will give you His strength to soar like a eagle during your personal journey through life. This life can be rough at times, but you have not been crucified and totally rejected by humanity. I continue to pray, “Bless me, Lord, so that my life will glory you!” This kind of prayer is opened ended and gives the Holy Spirit an opportunity to work through my and your life.
Matt 22:37-40, Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." NIV
Jesus quoted the Old Testament regarding the need for us to love the Lord with all of our heart, soul and mind. To love the Lord like this is supernaturally empowered by the Holy Spirit. When we simply pray telling the Lord that we love Him He will open the doors of communications that you would never expect humanly.
Yesterday and today I took some private time to rest in the Lord, pray, and call a few people to give them some updated information regarding my health. When you begin your prayers with praise and sharing your love for the Lord rather than coming into His presence like a bull in a china cabinet demanding to be heard regarding your concerns, He has the opportunity to simply give you His peace that the world does not experience. The first few moments are to focus on Jesus, reflecting on His ministry found in the Bible and His death on the cross. What does His precious life and activity mean to me today? Does He understand cancer? Does He understand separation from a loved one? Do we understand the truth of His anxiety before His death in the Garden of Gethsemane? Why wouldn’t His closest friends stay awake to pray with Him? I know that when I begin my prayers by focusing on Jesus it takes away the anxiety of what I am still going to face through another outpatient surgery and chemotherapy. Why me, has never crossed my mind nor the concern of possible physical death. Jesus knew he was meant to die, but the separation from the Father was His greatest anguish. He was humbled, surrendered and willing to die, to take on the sins of the world and be separated from God the Father, so that believers could have fellowship with the Almighty God that would never be broken again.
My heart right now is to share something that happened that was very personal and left me crying tears of joy, feeling the love of the Lord. I have mentioned that I first walked into the medical clinic at Heber/Overgaard on June 3rd? This was the anniversary date of when my Christian biological dad went to be with the Lord, but another memory surfaced that I had totally forgotten about until my prayer time. The last words my dad ever spoke to me before he died were, “Are you going to be alright?” This was dad’s deepest concern for me. The Lord Jesus reminded me that He was answering my dad’s last prayer for me by drawing close to me during this journey of healing from cancer. I know that the prayers of others have played a major role in the healing process, but I would have never thought that some of those prayers were from the saints of God that have passed away. God has honored my dad’s prayer for me in my healing process and the Holy Spirit brought from my memory what was last said to me by my dad. This reminds me of the Lord’s promises made to Abraham and David, due to their faithfulness in their relationship with God, and His presence to be with their future generations.
The Holy Spirit wants you to be still and know that He is God. Praise Him, Love Him with all of your heart, soul and mind. Wait upon the Lord for He will give you His strength to soar like a eagle during your personal journey through life. This life can be rough at times, but you have not been crucified and totally rejected by humanity. I continue to pray, “Bless me, Lord, so that my life will glory you!” This kind of prayer is opened ended and gives the Holy Spirit an opportunity to work through my and your life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)