By Dawn Fields
Can I be honest with you? There are days when I just
don’t feel like getting up in the morning. I’m noticing
this a lot lately because the weather is changing and
it’s pretty cold early in the morning when I awake to
start my day. There are days when I move that blanket
off of me and quickly snatch it back because it’s too
cold to get up. I know I HAVE to get up, especially
because it’s cold and I know I have to turn the heat
on so it’s warm when the rest of my family gets up to
start their day.
But, if I had to be honest with myself, there are
plenty of days that I want to simply roll back over
and get a couple of more hours of sleep. I simply
don’t feel like getting up and doing my morning rituals
—like praying and thanking God for the miracles He has
in store for me for the day; like meditating or
exercising (well, since the truth is be told, I
sometimes, even on my most motivated days, find
a reason to skip this step); like reviewing my
goals and taking time to visualize them manifesting
in my life.
Sometimes, I SIMPLY DON”T FEEL LIKE IT.
There are even times when I don’t feel like being
positive, motivating others, writing these articles,
conducting my radio show, putting on a presentation,
helping others, or taking care of my other
responsibilities.
But it is at these moments when I remember Jesus.
Remember, right before he was betrayed by Judas at
Gethsemane, he was praying because He was struggling
with the thoughts of not wanting to do want He was
called to do. He was praying because he said,
“the spirit is willing but the body is weak.”
He knew that God’s will was that He be crucified.
He knew it because He lived according to His spirit
and not His body—the human part of Him.
Now, me doing a presentation or getting up in
the morning to meditate and pray can in no way
be compared to what Jesus had to do. And, I’m NOT,
in any way, trying to imply that the two are even
remotely similar.
But I am trying to point out how Jesus lived by
the spirit and no matter what his body, the human
part of Him wanted or was suggesting that He do,
He was strong enough in his spirit that he was
always able to overcome that feeling of not allowing
the body to rule his life.
But that’s what we do. I’m guilty too.
We KNOW what we are supposed to do. We have all
the answers that we will ever need to live a
God-fearing, purpose-filled life of abundance
and prosperity.
But, yet, we ignore the spirit. The spirit is
God’s way of communicating with us. God wants
us to do certain things that He is instructing
us to do. Yet, our bodies, our egos, our human
function, seem to overtake our spiritual commands
and we end up living lives that are unhappy,
unprosperous, unsuccessful and unfulfilling—and
have the nerve to wonder way.
“Let Your will be done.”
If you were to incorporate this one line into your
life—I mean REALLY incorporate it into your life
where everything you do, whether it goes against
what you want to do at that moment, and always let
God’s will be done—by following your spirit AT ALL
TIME, regardless of what your ego, your body, your
conscious is wanting you to do--you will find that
your life will be completely happy, prosperous,
successful and fulfilling.
Why?
Because once you learn, and I mean REALLY learn,
that you are a spiritual being incased in flesh,
which is called the BODY and that you are to follow,
listen to and obey your spirit—completely and unconditionally
—you will be able to live a more abundant life.
Like everything else, it takes practice. And, I don’t
care how often you practice it, there will still be
times when YOU will get in the way of your spirit and
not want to get out of bed because it’s so much more
comfortable and cozy at this moment than getting out
of bed and meditating, or praying, or reading some
index cards filled with goals.
But after a while, with a bit of practice, when NOT
doing the thing or things that your spirit is leading
you to do, a small voice will come to you, in a whisper
at first but then turn into a SHOUT, “LET YOUR WILL,
NOT MINE, BE DONE!”
And, when it does—WATCH OUT!! God will be moving in
your life and you will be headed for a wonderful,
blissful, God – filled, aw-inspiring life.
When it happens to you, make sure to send me an email
and tell me all about it. Oh, I hope it’s not too cold
that morning because I might not feel like getting up
and reading it. (smile)
Dawn Fields is a motivational speaker, author and coach. She has an amazing way of reaching you with her down-to-earth style and her ability to make the impossible seem possible. Sign up for her FREE weekly newsletter by sending a blank email to yourlifespurpose-subscribe@topica.com
with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. Visit the web site at http://www.dawnfields.com Be sure to tune into her weekly radio show Thursday nights at 9 p.m. at http://www.dawnfields.com/radioshow.htm
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dawn_Fields
http://EzineArticles.com/?Let-Your-Will,-Not-Mine,-Be-Done&id=34311
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Power of Prayer
A video about the power of prayer and the potential of christians to change the world
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Tongues, Praying in the Spirit of the Lord
By Paul Davis
Let us briefly acknowledge the three types of tongues that God’s Spirit does use to express Himself. First, there is a tongue with which to preach, so as to communicate the gospel to the nationalities of the world perishing in their sins (Acts 2:4-8). Secondly, there is the gift of being able to pray in tongues (1 Cor. 14:14-15), which greatly enhances your prayer life – as we don’t always know what we should pray for as we ought (Rom. 8:26-27). Thirdly, there is a prophetic tongue, which the Holy Spirit on occasions may give within a corporate assembly of the saints (1 Cor. 14:26). Such a tongue will come with a gift of the Spirit to interpret the utterance in the language of the people to relay the prophetic message (v. 27-28).
The issue in the early Church was not whether people spoke in tongues or not, but rather how much they spoke in tongues. The apostle Paul said, “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all” (1 Cor. 14:18). This man who wrote two-thirds of the New Testament definitely new the great blessing that comes from praying in tongues. Yet the gifts of the Spirit, of which tongues is, are received by grace through faith as is salvation. Moreover, these gifts are only given to whosoever will. Some “will” to be ignorant and resistant, of which God is content to let them be (1 Cor. 14:38; Isa. 28:11-12).
Smith Wigglesworth said, “You should be so in the order of the Spirit that you may know that your will, your mind, your heart may be so centered in God that He may lift you into the pavilion of splendor where you hear His voice, lift you to the place where the breath of the Almighty can send you to pray and send you to preach, the Spirit of the Lord being upon you. …Are you ready for this glorious place where you are dismissed and God takes place, to send you on your eternal race to win thousands of people that they may enter into eternal grace?”
The Holy Spirit is the spirit of grace and supplication (Zech. 12:10) that enables you to pray. There are many types, avenues, and streams of prayer. By exercise and use you will continually discover new dimensions and ways the Holy Spirit will flow through you as you pray. God is a Spirit (John 4:24) not a brain. Therefore get into the rivers of the Holy Spirit and enjoy the flow (John 7:37-39). The Holy Spirit will carry your spirit where your mind can’t go! Taste and see the Lord is good!
The above excerpt has been taken from Paul Davis' book "Holy Ghost Fire or Hellfire? The inescapable choice." Other books by this author include "Breakthrough for a Broken Heart," "Stop Lusting & Start Living," and the forthcoming "God vs. Religion."
Paul's compassion for people & passion to travel has taken him to over 50 countries of the world where he has had a tremendous impact. Paul has also served many in war-torn, impoverished and tsunami stricken regions of the earth. His nonprofit organization Dream-Maker Ministries is building dreams, breaking limitations and reviving nations.
Paul truly has been baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire. His fiery ministry inspires, revives, awakens, impregnates with purpose, imparts the fire of desire, catapults people into a new level of self-awareness, facilitates destiny discovery and dream fulfillment.
Contact Paul to minister, speak at your event or for life coaching: RevivingNations@yahoo.com 407-967-7553
See his miraculous and supernatural ministry videos at: http://www.DreamMakerMinistries.com, http://www.CreativeCommunications.TV
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Davis
http://EzineArticles.com/?Tongues,-Praying-in-the-Spirit-of-the-Lord&id=339688
Let us briefly acknowledge the three types of tongues that God’s Spirit does use to express Himself. First, there is a tongue with which to preach, so as to communicate the gospel to the nationalities of the world perishing in their sins (Acts 2:4-8). Secondly, there is the gift of being able to pray in tongues (1 Cor. 14:14-15), which greatly enhances your prayer life – as we don’t always know what we should pray for as we ought (Rom. 8:26-27). Thirdly, there is a prophetic tongue, which the Holy Spirit on occasions may give within a corporate assembly of the saints (1 Cor. 14:26). Such a tongue will come with a gift of the Spirit to interpret the utterance in the language of the people to relay the prophetic message (v. 27-28).
The issue in the early Church was not whether people spoke in tongues or not, but rather how much they spoke in tongues. The apostle Paul said, “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all” (1 Cor. 14:18). This man who wrote two-thirds of the New Testament definitely new the great blessing that comes from praying in tongues. Yet the gifts of the Spirit, of which tongues is, are received by grace through faith as is salvation. Moreover, these gifts are only given to whosoever will. Some “will” to be ignorant and resistant, of which God is content to let them be (1 Cor. 14:38; Isa. 28:11-12).
Smith Wigglesworth said, “You should be so in the order of the Spirit that you may know that your will, your mind, your heart may be so centered in God that He may lift you into the pavilion of splendor where you hear His voice, lift you to the place where the breath of the Almighty can send you to pray and send you to preach, the Spirit of the Lord being upon you. …Are you ready for this glorious place where you are dismissed and God takes place, to send you on your eternal race to win thousands of people that they may enter into eternal grace?”
The Holy Spirit is the spirit of grace and supplication (Zech. 12:10) that enables you to pray. There are many types, avenues, and streams of prayer. By exercise and use you will continually discover new dimensions and ways the Holy Spirit will flow through you as you pray. God is a Spirit (John 4:24) not a brain. Therefore get into the rivers of the Holy Spirit and enjoy the flow (John 7:37-39). The Holy Spirit will carry your spirit where your mind can’t go! Taste and see the Lord is good!
The above excerpt has been taken from Paul Davis' book "Holy Ghost Fire or Hellfire? The inescapable choice." Other books by this author include "Breakthrough for a Broken Heart," "Stop Lusting & Start Living," and the forthcoming "God vs. Religion."
Paul's compassion for people & passion to travel has taken him to over 50 countries of the world where he has had a tremendous impact. Paul has also served many in war-torn, impoverished and tsunami stricken regions of the earth. His nonprofit organization Dream-Maker Ministries is building dreams, breaking limitations and reviving nations.
Paul truly has been baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire. His fiery ministry inspires, revives, awakens, impregnates with purpose, imparts the fire of desire, catapults people into a new level of self-awareness, facilitates destiny discovery and dream fulfillment.
Contact Paul to minister, speak at your event or for life coaching: RevivingNations@yahoo.com 407-967-7553
See his miraculous and supernatural ministry videos at: http://www.DreamMakerMinistries.com, http://www.CreativeCommunications.TV
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Davis
http://EzineArticles.com/?Tongues,-Praying-in-the-Spirit-of-the-Lord&id=339688
Monday, January 29, 2007
The Incredible Power of Prayer
By Wendy Betterini
During moments of helplessness, there is always one thing that can be done to make us feel more purposeful: pray. Contrary to traditional prayer poses, we don't have to spend hours on our knees with hands steepled before us. Prayer can actually be a wonderful, calming, energizing, yet comfortable activity. Sit or lie in any position you wish. Arrange yourself as if you were preparing for a long chat with a close friend.
Though prayer can mean different things to different people, most of us would agree that prayer is simply talking to God. But many don't realize that prayer is actually a lot more pro-active than simply talking! When we pray, we are actually setting certain forces into motion. Prayers are thoughts. Thoughts are energy. Energy has power. When we pray, we are purposely setting energy into motion.
Prayer is much more than just "asking for something." Prayer is affirming, visualizing, and having faith that certain circumstances are sure to follow. Remember that God also gave us the ability to create. We create every single day. We use our bodies and minds to generate money (a form of energy) to support our families. Men and women come together to create new life. Artists take a blank canvas and create a breathtaking vision of beauty. For human beings, creating is the simplest form of expression. The most difficult part is deciding what to create and then having the discipline to form our thoughts in that direction.
How does this process of creation apply to victims of a disaster? Beyond the obvious physical necessities of food, water, clothing and shelter, what do these people need the most? They need comfort. They need peace. They need to know that everything is going to be okay again, even though their entire world has just been turned upside down. They are grieving for lost loved ones, homes, friends, jobs, neighbors and so much more. They weathered the storm, they are lucky to be alive, but now what?
Now they begin the slow process of building another life for themselves, which is a frightening thing to do. We are creatures of habit. We like our comfortable, familiar routines. The unknown is scary. And the only thing I've found that can reduce fear is FAITH. But so many of these people are without faith right now. They've lost everything, including hope. We need to send our own faith to help them, huge chunks of faith, swaddled in love and borne on the wings of prayer.
How exactly do we do this? Whether you are a spiritual practitioner or not, whether you are a religious person or not, remember that prayers are simply thoughts. Send positive thoughts. Visualize the victims, individually or as a collective group, and surround them with love, peace, comfort, strength and healing. Make it real, make it strong, make it a powerful vision. The more energy you put into it, the more energy that WILL go into it.
Maybe you have doubts about how well this really works. Do it anyway. Put your doubt aside for a few moments, and pretend it will work. Or do an internet search on the Power of Prayer, and read about the many studies that have been done on this topic. I think you'll be surprised by some of the results.
The strongest benefit of this type of purposeful prayer is that it reduces our feelings of powerlessness. It reminds us that we can co-create with God to make this world a better place, to help our fellow man, and ourselves. Though we may feel powerless much of the time, we are in control of a lot more than we might think.
Will praying for people make all of their trials vanish instantly? Probably not. But what if we can give them something more than the basic necessities of life? What if we can somehow pass along the will to get through another day, the strength to face their grief, and the courage to start over? Isn't that worth the effort? I think so.
Wendy Betterini is a freelance writer who strives to motivate, uplift, and inspire you to make your dreams a reality. Visit her website, http://www.WingsForTheHeart.com for more positive thoughts to help you on your journey.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wendy_Betterini
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Incredible-Power-of-Prayer&id=67507
During moments of helplessness, there is always one thing that can be done to make us feel more purposeful: pray. Contrary to traditional prayer poses, we don't have to spend hours on our knees with hands steepled before us. Prayer can actually be a wonderful, calming, energizing, yet comfortable activity. Sit or lie in any position you wish. Arrange yourself as if you were preparing for a long chat with a close friend.
Though prayer can mean different things to different people, most of us would agree that prayer is simply talking to God. But many don't realize that prayer is actually a lot more pro-active than simply talking! When we pray, we are actually setting certain forces into motion. Prayers are thoughts. Thoughts are energy. Energy has power. When we pray, we are purposely setting energy into motion.
Prayer is much more than just "asking for something." Prayer is affirming, visualizing, and having faith that certain circumstances are sure to follow. Remember that God also gave us the ability to create. We create every single day. We use our bodies and minds to generate money (a form of energy) to support our families. Men and women come together to create new life. Artists take a blank canvas and create a breathtaking vision of beauty. For human beings, creating is the simplest form of expression. The most difficult part is deciding what to create and then having the discipline to form our thoughts in that direction.
How does this process of creation apply to victims of a disaster? Beyond the obvious physical necessities of food, water, clothing and shelter, what do these people need the most? They need comfort. They need peace. They need to know that everything is going to be okay again, even though their entire world has just been turned upside down. They are grieving for lost loved ones, homes, friends, jobs, neighbors and so much more. They weathered the storm, they are lucky to be alive, but now what?
Now they begin the slow process of building another life for themselves, which is a frightening thing to do. We are creatures of habit. We like our comfortable, familiar routines. The unknown is scary. And the only thing I've found that can reduce fear is FAITH. But so many of these people are without faith right now. They've lost everything, including hope. We need to send our own faith to help them, huge chunks of faith, swaddled in love and borne on the wings of prayer.
How exactly do we do this? Whether you are a spiritual practitioner or not, whether you are a religious person or not, remember that prayers are simply thoughts. Send positive thoughts. Visualize the victims, individually or as a collective group, and surround them with love, peace, comfort, strength and healing. Make it real, make it strong, make it a powerful vision. The more energy you put into it, the more energy that WILL go into it.
Maybe you have doubts about how well this really works. Do it anyway. Put your doubt aside for a few moments, and pretend it will work. Or do an internet search on the Power of Prayer, and read about the many studies that have been done on this topic. I think you'll be surprised by some of the results.
The strongest benefit of this type of purposeful prayer is that it reduces our feelings of powerlessness. It reminds us that we can co-create with God to make this world a better place, to help our fellow man, and ourselves. Though we may feel powerless much of the time, we are in control of a lot more than we might think.
Will praying for people make all of their trials vanish instantly? Probably not. But what if we can give them something more than the basic necessities of life? What if we can somehow pass along the will to get through another day, the strength to face their grief, and the courage to start over? Isn't that worth the effort? I think so.
Wendy Betterini is a freelance writer who strives to motivate, uplift, and inspire you to make your dreams a reality. Visit her website, http://www.WingsForTheHeart.com for more positive thoughts to help you on your journey.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wendy_Betterini
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Incredible-Power-of-Prayer&id=67507
How Do You Know God Hears You When You Pray
By Carey Kinsolving
"God doesn't only have one phone line," says Avery, age 10. Apparently, Avery has never heard a busy signal when praying.
We've all experienced the unavailability of important people. We may think God is too busy to listen to the details of our lives, but God is a perfect father. He takes special delight when his children come to him in prayer.
Even when President Kennedy had important meetings in the Oval Office, one person always had access to him: his son.
"If you have faith and are born again, then you should know God is listening," says Joel, 10.
Not only does he listen, but he also answers prayer.
"One time I prayed for my brother to get well, and the next day, he was healed," says Paul, 9.
"I know because I prayed for my grandmother," says Deana, 10. "She has a rare type of cancer, and God has kept her alive for 13 years."
"God answers prayer because he keeps my family safe," says Ellen, 7.
Friends, thank you for examples of how God has answered your prayers. Remember what the Apostle James wrote in his New Testament epistle: "You have not because you ask not." However, James could have said, your prayers are answered because you had the faith to ask.
James also wrote that God will not answer the prayers of the proud, envious and jealous. Selfish prayers from wrong motives don't go any higher than the ceiling.
"God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble," wrote the Apostle James. Self-sufficient people don't like to ask anyone for anything, but where God is concerned, we all need his grace.
Whitney, 10, says it another way: "If you ask for candy (and you might want it) but if you don't need it, God might not give it to you. If you pray for safety, he will give you safety."
Whitney wisely distinguishes between a desire and a need. Furthermore, she knows God has her best interest in mind. He's not going to give her something harmful.
Three times, the Apostle Paul asked God to remove a particular form of suffering he called a "thorn in the flesh." However, God said, "My grace is sufficient for you."
God wants us to learn how to trust him in the midst of suffering. God always has the big picture in view, namely our spiritual development.
As James, age 11, says, "God will answer you, but it might not be what you expected."
God has a reputation to uphold. Prayer that seeks God's glory can never go wrong. King David prayed for victory in battle not to prove his prowess as a warrior but to exalt God's name among the nations.
"Honoring God always brings blessings to mankind, because God desires the good of those whom he has created and especially those whom He redeemed," writes Bible scholar W.L. Liefeld. "The effective power of prayer does not ultimately reside in the prayer itself, but in the One to whom prayer is directed."
"In our classroom, we have a prayer request list," says John, age 11. "When prayers are answered, we move them down to the praise list."
John, the lessons you're learning about depending on the Lord in prayer are invaluable. Your teacher must have a bold faith to post a prayer request and praise list in your classroom.
To illustrate effective prayer, Jesus spoke of the nurturing relationship of a vine to branches. Referring to himself as the "true vine," Jesus made an incredible promise to his people: "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done to you" (John 15:7).
To abide means to stay. Where you stay has everything to do with whether your prayers are answered.
Carey Kinsolving is a syndicated columnist, producer, author, speaker and website developer. To see more material like this, visit http://www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org. The Kids Talk About God website contains free, online content for children and families. See Carey’s Kid TV Interviews. Print free lessons from the "Kids Color Me Bible" and make your own book. Let an 11-year-old girl take you on a trip around the world in the Mission Explorers Streaming Video. Print Scripture verses illustrated by child artists. Receive a complimentary, weekly e-mail subscription to our Devotional Bible Lessons.
Bible quotations in this Bible lesson are from the New King James Version.
Copyright 2007 Carey Kinsolving
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carey_Kinsolving
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-Do-You-Know-God-Hears-You-When-You-Pray&id=419102
"God doesn't only have one phone line," says Avery, age 10. Apparently, Avery has never heard a busy signal when praying.
We've all experienced the unavailability of important people. We may think God is too busy to listen to the details of our lives, but God is a perfect father. He takes special delight when his children come to him in prayer.
Even when President Kennedy had important meetings in the Oval Office, one person always had access to him: his son.
"If you have faith and are born again, then you should know God is listening," says Joel, 10.
Not only does he listen, but he also answers prayer.
"One time I prayed for my brother to get well, and the next day, he was healed," says Paul, 9.
"I know because I prayed for my grandmother," says Deana, 10. "She has a rare type of cancer, and God has kept her alive for 13 years."
"God answers prayer because he keeps my family safe," says Ellen, 7.
Friends, thank you for examples of how God has answered your prayers. Remember what the Apostle James wrote in his New Testament epistle: "You have not because you ask not." However, James could have said, your prayers are answered because you had the faith to ask.
James also wrote that God will not answer the prayers of the proud, envious and jealous. Selfish prayers from wrong motives don't go any higher than the ceiling.
"God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble," wrote the Apostle James. Self-sufficient people don't like to ask anyone for anything, but where God is concerned, we all need his grace.
Whitney, 10, says it another way: "If you ask for candy (and you might want it) but if you don't need it, God might not give it to you. If you pray for safety, he will give you safety."
Whitney wisely distinguishes between a desire and a need. Furthermore, she knows God has her best interest in mind. He's not going to give her something harmful.
Three times, the Apostle Paul asked God to remove a particular form of suffering he called a "thorn in the flesh." However, God said, "My grace is sufficient for you."
God wants us to learn how to trust him in the midst of suffering. God always has the big picture in view, namely our spiritual development.
As James, age 11, says, "God will answer you, but it might not be what you expected."
God has a reputation to uphold. Prayer that seeks God's glory can never go wrong. King David prayed for victory in battle not to prove his prowess as a warrior but to exalt God's name among the nations.
"Honoring God always brings blessings to mankind, because God desires the good of those whom he has created and especially those whom He redeemed," writes Bible scholar W.L. Liefeld. "The effective power of prayer does not ultimately reside in the prayer itself, but in the One to whom prayer is directed."
"In our classroom, we have a prayer request list," says John, age 11. "When prayers are answered, we move them down to the praise list."
John, the lessons you're learning about depending on the Lord in prayer are invaluable. Your teacher must have a bold faith to post a prayer request and praise list in your classroom.
To illustrate effective prayer, Jesus spoke of the nurturing relationship of a vine to branches. Referring to himself as the "true vine," Jesus made an incredible promise to his people: "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done to you" (John 15:7).
To abide means to stay. Where you stay has everything to do with whether your prayers are answered.
Carey Kinsolving is a syndicated columnist, producer, author, speaker and website developer. To see more material like this, visit http://www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org. The Kids Talk About God website contains free, online content for children and families. See Carey’s Kid TV Interviews. Print free lessons from the "Kids Color Me Bible" and make your own book. Let an 11-year-old girl take you on a trip around the world in the Mission Explorers Streaming Video. Print Scripture verses illustrated by child artists. Receive a complimentary, weekly e-mail subscription to our Devotional Bible Lessons.
Bible quotations in this Bible lesson are from the New King James Version.
Copyright 2007 Carey Kinsolving
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carey_Kinsolving
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-Do-You-Know-God-Hears-You-When-You-Pray&id=419102
The Freelance Writer's Thanksgiving Prayer
By Yuwanda Black
CLIENTS
I’m thankful for clients.
I’m thankful for clients – who pay.
I’m thankful for clients – who pay on time.
I’m thankful for clients – who pay what I’m worth.
I’m thankful for clients – who pay their thanks to me.
I’m thankful for clients – who realize my value.
I’m thankful for clients – who have ideas.
I’m thankful for clients – who have no idea.
I’m thankful for clients – who know when to give up their ideas.
I’m thankful for clients – who know what they want.
I’m thankful for clients – who know when they don’t know what they want.
I’m thankful for clients – who let me do my job.
I’m thankful for clients – who realize writing IS a job.
I’m thankful for clients – who realize writing is MY job.
ME
I’m thankful for the gift of writing.
I’m thankful for the gift of writing – for a living.
I’m thankful for the gift of writing – words that matter.
I’m thankful for the gift of writing – just for me.
I’m thankful for the gift of writing – love notes to those who matter.
I’m thankful for the gift of writing – editorials that change people’s minds.
I’m thankful for the gift of writing – to help others.
I’m thankful for the gift of writing – down what I’m thankful for.
FRIENDS
I’m thankful for friends – who realize I write for a living.
I’m thankful for friends – who don’t ask me to work for free.
I’m thankful for friends – who don’t tell me to “get a real job.”
I’m thankful for friends – who pick up the tab during dry spells.
FAMILY
I’m thankful for family – who respect my working hours.
I’m thankful for family – who encouraged me to purse my dream.
I’m thankful for family – who ignore me when I’m on deadline.
I’m thankful for family – who know I love them, even when I’m on deadline.
I’m thankful for family – who realize that my computer really is a person to me.
I’m thankful for family – who know I’m a professional, even in my fuzzy slippers.
DEADLINES
I’m thankful for deadlines – that pass.
I’m thankful for deadlines – that pass with pay.
MONEY WISH LIST
I’m thankful for checks;
I’m thankful for checks – that come in the mail,
I’m thankful for checks – that come in the mail on time;
I’m thankful for checks – that come in the mail on time in my name;
I’m thankful for “notification of payment received” emails from PayPal;
I’m thankful for bank lines of credit;
I’m thankful for bank lines of credit – in my name;
I’m thankful for bills that don’t come;
I’m thankful for bills that don’t come – in my name;
I’m thankful for bills that are paid;
I’m thankful for bills that are paid – on time;
I’m thankful for bills that are paid on time – in my name.
WISH LIST FOR CLIENTS
I wish for vodka shots before talking to unreasonable clients;
bottles of tequila to share with good clients;
a moonshine hangover to nonpaying clients; and
a three-martini introduction to new clients.
WORK
I’m thankful for work.
I’m thankful for work – that matters.
I’m thankful for work – that I love.
I’m thankful for work – that I love that pays.
May be reprinted with the following, in full: Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. First-hand freelance success stories, e-courses, job postings, resume tips, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Log on to InkwellEditorial.com to learn how.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yuwanda_Black
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Freelance-Writers-Thanksgiving-Prayer&id=355106
CLIENTS
I’m thankful for clients.
I’m thankful for clients – who pay.
I’m thankful for clients – who pay on time.
I’m thankful for clients – who pay what I’m worth.
I’m thankful for clients – who pay their thanks to me.
I’m thankful for clients – who realize my value.
I’m thankful for clients – who have ideas.
I’m thankful for clients – who have no idea.
I’m thankful for clients – who know when to give up their ideas.
I’m thankful for clients – who know what they want.
I’m thankful for clients – who know when they don’t know what they want.
I’m thankful for clients – who let me do my job.
I’m thankful for clients – who realize writing IS a job.
I’m thankful for clients – who realize writing is MY job.
ME
I’m thankful for the gift of writing.
I’m thankful for the gift of writing – for a living.
I’m thankful for the gift of writing – words that matter.
I’m thankful for the gift of writing – just for me.
I’m thankful for the gift of writing – love notes to those who matter.
I’m thankful for the gift of writing – editorials that change people’s minds.
I’m thankful for the gift of writing – to help others.
I’m thankful for the gift of writing – down what I’m thankful for.
FRIENDS
I’m thankful for friends – who realize I write for a living.
I’m thankful for friends – who don’t ask me to work for free.
I’m thankful for friends – who don’t tell me to “get a real job.”
I’m thankful for friends – who pick up the tab during dry spells.
FAMILY
I’m thankful for family – who respect my working hours.
I’m thankful for family – who encouraged me to purse my dream.
I’m thankful for family – who ignore me when I’m on deadline.
I’m thankful for family – who know I love them, even when I’m on deadline.
I’m thankful for family – who realize that my computer really is a person to me.
I’m thankful for family – who know I’m a professional, even in my fuzzy slippers.
DEADLINES
I’m thankful for deadlines – that pass.
I’m thankful for deadlines – that pass with pay.
MONEY WISH LIST
I’m thankful for checks;
I’m thankful for checks – that come in the mail,
I’m thankful for checks – that come in the mail on time;
I’m thankful for checks – that come in the mail on time in my name;
I’m thankful for “notification of payment received” emails from PayPal;
I’m thankful for bank lines of credit;
I’m thankful for bank lines of credit – in my name;
I’m thankful for bills that don’t come;
I’m thankful for bills that don’t come – in my name;
I’m thankful for bills that are paid;
I’m thankful for bills that are paid – on time;
I’m thankful for bills that are paid on time – in my name.
WISH LIST FOR CLIENTS
I wish for vodka shots before talking to unreasonable clients;
bottles of tequila to share with good clients;
a moonshine hangover to nonpaying clients; and
a three-martini introduction to new clients.
WORK
I’m thankful for work.
I’m thankful for work – that matters.
I’m thankful for work – that I love.
I’m thankful for work – that I love that pays.
May be reprinted with the following, in full: Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. First-hand freelance success stories, e-courses, job postings, resume tips, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Log on to InkwellEditorial.com to learn how.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yuwanda_Black
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Freelance-Writers-Thanksgiving-Prayer&id=355106
Waiting On God--A Lesson On Prayer From The Eagle
Author: Leonard Scott
I am intrigued with God's creation. God is the greatest artist and scientist ever. Psalm 14:1 says, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." It takes a fool to say there is no God if he can see and hear the world around him. All the way from the macrocosm to the microcosm displays ingenious creativity.
One animal that fascinates my imagination is the eagle. The Bible says in Isaiah 40:31, "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." There must be a reason an eagle is used in this analogy rather than some other creature.
Because of its very nature, an eagle is known as king of the birds. He is not much good on the ground, but was manufactured to rule the sky. Isaiah 40:31 addresses eagles and waiting.
Our age and society is one where people do not want to wait for anything or anybody. With all the modern time saving conveniences we have, it seems like we have less rather than more free time.
Automatic washers and dryers, microwave ovens, TV dinners, cell phones and numerous other technological advances are supposed to make our lives less hectic.
With all of these and other modern conveniences, we seem to have less time and more stress than ever. Children can't wait to be teenagers.
Then they can't wait to be old enough to get their driver's license. Then they can't wait to get out of school. Then they can't wait to be 21. Then they can't wait to get a job. Then they can't wait to get married. Then they can't wait to have children. Then they can't wait until the children are gone. Then they can't wait until they get their divorce. Finally they can't wait until they retire. Then they spend all their time wishing they were young.
We seem to never be satisfied with our present age and state of affairs. The apostle Paul teaches us by his example in Philippians 4:11 to be content in whatever state we find ourselves.
One of our biggest problems is that, in our society, we want everything now. The greatest successes and victories in history took time to accomplish.
Jacob loved Rachel but had to work seven years to marry her. Then at the end of the seven years, he found he had married her sister Leah. His father-in-law, Laban, told him it was the custom in their land for the oldest to marry first, but for seven more years of labor he could have Rachel too. Because of his great love for Rachel, Jacob agreed. Jacob was willing to wait.
Jacob's brother Esau was impatient and sold his birthright for a bowl of stew. That's why we need to learn to fast sometimes and get our flesh under subjection. Esau let his carnal desires cause him to lose out on his spiritual heritage. The same thing can happen to us when we value worldly pleasures above spiritual pursuits. If Esau had been patient and waited, he could have kept his birthright.
Joseph had a dream. The interpretation of his dream was that he would reign over his brothers. We must be careful in sharing our dreams with others. Everyone will not appreciate your vision. His brothers hated Joseph for his dreams and because he was favored.
Sometimes when God blesses you, people are going to hate you. When God favors you with a raise or a new car, your so-called friends are not always going to be glad for you. Your blessings can cause spirits of jealousy and envy to rise and turn into hatred.
Joseph's brothers threw him in a pit, threatened to murder him, and ultimately sold him into slavery. Because Joseph waited on God, everywhere he found himself God elevated him and blessed him. When Potiphar's wife lied about Joseph, and he was thrown into prison, he never stopped trusting God. When Pharaoh's butler forgot about him, he never stopped trusting God. And finally all his dreams came true, because Joseph knew how to wait upon the Lord.
Moses must have known as a young man that he was destined to be the emancipator of his people. Raised in the house of Pharaoh's daughter as a prince, Moses was trained and educated to be a warrior and a statesman. But his real mother, Jochebed, would not let him forget that he was a descendant of Abraham.
When he was forty years old, he saw an Egyptian mistreating an Israelite, and he killed the Egyptian. Even though he grew up in the house of the king as his daughter's adopted child, when Pharaoh found out, Moses was to be killed.
Moses fled to the wilderness where he married one of the daughters of a Midian priest. One day while watching his father-in-law's sheep, he received the mandate from God to go back to Egypt and emancipate the Israelites. This was forty years later when Moses was eighty years old.
Many people may feel that they are too old or too young to do something significant for God. They may feel that their time of effectiveness is past. But God is not as concerned about your age as He is about your availability and willingness to obey and follow Him. Moses waited on the Lord.
Years later, after the Promised Land had been occupied, the Israelites wanted a king like all the other nations. Saul was the man that was chosen. He started out performing well, but through time he became a tyrant. Saul became impatient and refused to wait for the prophet Samuel to offer the ceremonial sacrifice. Saul offered the sacrifice and God rejected him.
God then sent Samuel to Jesse's house to choose the king that would replace Saul. David was chosen. Samuel, upon God's direction, anointed David king of Israel. Even though David was anointed as king, it was fifteen years before he sat on the throne of the kingdom. "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength."
Isaiah speaks of mounting up with wings as eagles. Different animals have different characteristics and natures. Dogs bark, cats meow, snakes slither, cows moo and frogs croak.
Eagles and chickens are both birds. They both have wings, feathers, bird beaks and bird feet. But by nature they are very different. Isaiah likens the people of God to an eagle. Eagles are majestic birds known for their keen eyesight, courage, strength, and height and speed in flight.
Chickens are characterized as being good for dinner. They are the very symbol of fear. When someone is scared he is called "chicken." Chickens do not fly very high and are known for making a lot of noise.
Animals seem to know by instinct when a storm is brewing. It gets very quiet before the storm and most of the animals, including the chickens, begin running around, looking for a hiding place from the storm.
The eagle is not moved by the approaching storm. He sits upon his perch and when the storm comes, instead of flying away from the storm, he flies into it. Although he is tossed and buffeted, jerked and jolted, he keeps flying into the storm until the heavy winds lift him higher than the clouds, and he soars above the storm while the other animals are still in the storm. "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength."
I've heard it preached that waiting in this Scripture meant to stay in your place expecting God to do something for you in His own time. Then I heard it preached that waiting meant to serve God like a waiter serves those in a restaurant.
But when I researched the Hebrew word that is used in this Scripture for wait, it is the word, quavah. This word means, "to bind together with." It is used as the word describing how they bind the sheaves together in the field at harvest. When you place that definition into the text, it reads, "They that bind together with the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles."
This Scripture is talking about more than just biding time or serving. It is referring to relationship. It is talking about intimacy with God. It is talking about prayer. As the eagle's nature is characterized by his strength, vision, courage and ability to fly high, the saint's strength, vision, courage and ability to fly high spiritually are a direct result of the time spent waiting upon, or binding together with, the Lord.
God is looking for some eagle saints who are not afraid of spiritual heights. He is looking for some people who will fly into the storms of life so He can use the wind of His Holy Spirit to lift them above the storm. Some of us have been living below our privilege too long.
There is a story about a man that found an eagle egg, brought it to his chicken coop and placed it under one of his chickens to hatch. When it hatched it was not like the other little chicks. Its feathers were grayish brown and not pretty and yellow. When the chicks did their little "Peep peeps," he would let out a strange "Gawk." He was awkward and did not fit in. All the little chicks would peck on him. He just did not fit.
As he got bigger, he seemed to get clumsier. One day he looked up and saw a mighty eagle flying high in the sky and something connected in him with that bird. He began to flap his wings and flew up on the fence post. Then he got to the top of the chicken coop. Then one day he spread those wings and flew off, never to return to the chicken coop.
It is time for many of us to leave the chicken coop. Some of us have been in the barnyard too long. God wants to take us higher. You know you are made out of eagle material, but you have become comfortable with the chickens. Today is your day to mount up.
If you are a baby, it is time to grow up. If you are a soldier, it is time to stand up. If you are a non-tither, it is time to pay up. If you are a preacher, it is time to fire up. If you are a fusser, it is time to make up. If you have a testimony, it is time to speak up. If you are a gossip, it is time to shut up, and if you are an eagle saint, it is time to mount up.
Make it your priority to bind together with God through a dedicated prayer life. This is tantamount in developing a meaningful relationship with Him, and subsequently having a dynamic worship lifestyle.
About the Author:
Dr. Leonard Scott is a dentist, author, recording artist, pastor and founder of Tyscot Recording Co. Visit his website at http://www.bishoplscott.com.
I am intrigued with God's creation. God is the greatest artist and scientist ever. Psalm 14:1 says, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." It takes a fool to say there is no God if he can see and hear the world around him. All the way from the macrocosm to the microcosm displays ingenious creativity.
One animal that fascinates my imagination is the eagle. The Bible says in Isaiah 40:31, "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." There must be a reason an eagle is used in this analogy rather than some other creature.
Because of its very nature, an eagle is known as king of the birds. He is not much good on the ground, but was manufactured to rule the sky. Isaiah 40:31 addresses eagles and waiting.
Our age and society is one where people do not want to wait for anything or anybody. With all the modern time saving conveniences we have, it seems like we have less rather than more free time.
Automatic washers and dryers, microwave ovens, TV dinners, cell phones and numerous other technological advances are supposed to make our lives less hectic.
With all of these and other modern conveniences, we seem to have less time and more stress than ever. Children can't wait to be teenagers.
Then they can't wait to be old enough to get their driver's license. Then they can't wait to get out of school. Then they can't wait to be 21. Then they can't wait to get a job. Then they can't wait to get married. Then they can't wait to have children. Then they can't wait until the children are gone. Then they can't wait until they get their divorce. Finally they can't wait until they retire. Then they spend all their time wishing they were young.
We seem to never be satisfied with our present age and state of affairs. The apostle Paul teaches us by his example in Philippians 4:11 to be content in whatever state we find ourselves.
One of our biggest problems is that, in our society, we want everything now. The greatest successes and victories in history took time to accomplish.
Jacob loved Rachel but had to work seven years to marry her. Then at the end of the seven years, he found he had married her sister Leah. His father-in-law, Laban, told him it was the custom in their land for the oldest to marry first, but for seven more years of labor he could have Rachel too. Because of his great love for Rachel, Jacob agreed. Jacob was willing to wait.
Jacob's brother Esau was impatient and sold his birthright for a bowl of stew. That's why we need to learn to fast sometimes and get our flesh under subjection. Esau let his carnal desires cause him to lose out on his spiritual heritage. The same thing can happen to us when we value worldly pleasures above spiritual pursuits. If Esau had been patient and waited, he could have kept his birthright.
Joseph had a dream. The interpretation of his dream was that he would reign over his brothers. We must be careful in sharing our dreams with others. Everyone will not appreciate your vision. His brothers hated Joseph for his dreams and because he was favored.
Sometimes when God blesses you, people are going to hate you. When God favors you with a raise or a new car, your so-called friends are not always going to be glad for you. Your blessings can cause spirits of jealousy and envy to rise and turn into hatred.
Joseph's brothers threw him in a pit, threatened to murder him, and ultimately sold him into slavery. Because Joseph waited on God, everywhere he found himself God elevated him and blessed him. When Potiphar's wife lied about Joseph, and he was thrown into prison, he never stopped trusting God. When Pharaoh's butler forgot about him, he never stopped trusting God. And finally all his dreams came true, because Joseph knew how to wait upon the Lord.
Moses must have known as a young man that he was destined to be the emancipator of his people. Raised in the house of Pharaoh's daughter as a prince, Moses was trained and educated to be a warrior and a statesman. But his real mother, Jochebed, would not let him forget that he was a descendant of Abraham.
When he was forty years old, he saw an Egyptian mistreating an Israelite, and he killed the Egyptian. Even though he grew up in the house of the king as his daughter's adopted child, when Pharaoh found out, Moses was to be killed.
Moses fled to the wilderness where he married one of the daughters of a Midian priest. One day while watching his father-in-law's sheep, he received the mandate from God to go back to Egypt and emancipate the Israelites. This was forty years later when Moses was eighty years old.
Many people may feel that they are too old or too young to do something significant for God. They may feel that their time of effectiveness is past. But God is not as concerned about your age as He is about your availability and willingness to obey and follow Him. Moses waited on the Lord.
Years later, after the Promised Land had been occupied, the Israelites wanted a king like all the other nations. Saul was the man that was chosen. He started out performing well, but through time he became a tyrant. Saul became impatient and refused to wait for the prophet Samuel to offer the ceremonial sacrifice. Saul offered the sacrifice and God rejected him.
God then sent Samuel to Jesse's house to choose the king that would replace Saul. David was chosen. Samuel, upon God's direction, anointed David king of Israel. Even though David was anointed as king, it was fifteen years before he sat on the throne of the kingdom. "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength."
Isaiah speaks of mounting up with wings as eagles. Different animals have different characteristics and natures. Dogs bark, cats meow, snakes slither, cows moo and frogs croak.
Eagles and chickens are both birds. They both have wings, feathers, bird beaks and bird feet. But by nature they are very different. Isaiah likens the people of God to an eagle. Eagles are majestic birds known for their keen eyesight, courage, strength, and height and speed in flight.
Chickens are characterized as being good for dinner. They are the very symbol of fear. When someone is scared he is called "chicken." Chickens do not fly very high and are known for making a lot of noise.
Animals seem to know by instinct when a storm is brewing. It gets very quiet before the storm and most of the animals, including the chickens, begin running around, looking for a hiding place from the storm.
The eagle is not moved by the approaching storm. He sits upon his perch and when the storm comes, instead of flying away from the storm, he flies into it. Although he is tossed and buffeted, jerked and jolted, he keeps flying into the storm until the heavy winds lift him higher than the clouds, and he soars above the storm while the other animals are still in the storm. "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength."
I've heard it preached that waiting in this Scripture meant to stay in your place expecting God to do something for you in His own time. Then I heard it preached that waiting meant to serve God like a waiter serves those in a restaurant.
But when I researched the Hebrew word that is used in this Scripture for wait, it is the word, quavah. This word means, "to bind together with." It is used as the word describing how they bind the sheaves together in the field at harvest. When you place that definition into the text, it reads, "They that bind together with the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles."
This Scripture is talking about more than just biding time or serving. It is referring to relationship. It is talking about intimacy with God. It is talking about prayer. As the eagle's nature is characterized by his strength, vision, courage and ability to fly high, the saint's strength, vision, courage and ability to fly high spiritually are a direct result of the time spent waiting upon, or binding together with, the Lord.
God is looking for some eagle saints who are not afraid of spiritual heights. He is looking for some people who will fly into the storms of life so He can use the wind of His Holy Spirit to lift them above the storm. Some of us have been living below our privilege too long.
There is a story about a man that found an eagle egg, brought it to his chicken coop and placed it under one of his chickens to hatch. When it hatched it was not like the other little chicks. Its feathers were grayish brown and not pretty and yellow. When the chicks did their little "Peep peeps," he would let out a strange "Gawk." He was awkward and did not fit in. All the little chicks would peck on him. He just did not fit.
As he got bigger, he seemed to get clumsier. One day he looked up and saw a mighty eagle flying high in the sky and something connected in him with that bird. He began to flap his wings and flew up on the fence post. Then he got to the top of the chicken coop. Then one day he spread those wings and flew off, never to return to the chicken coop.
It is time for many of us to leave the chicken coop. Some of us have been in the barnyard too long. God wants to take us higher. You know you are made out of eagle material, but you have become comfortable with the chickens. Today is your day to mount up.
If you are a baby, it is time to grow up. If you are a soldier, it is time to stand up. If you are a non-tither, it is time to pay up. If you are a preacher, it is time to fire up. If you are a fusser, it is time to make up. If you have a testimony, it is time to speak up. If you are a gossip, it is time to shut up, and if you are an eagle saint, it is time to mount up.
Make it your priority to bind together with God through a dedicated prayer life. This is tantamount in developing a meaningful relationship with Him, and subsequently having a dynamic worship lifestyle.
About the Author:
Dr. Leonard Scott is a dentist, author, recording artist, pastor and founder of Tyscot Recording Co. Visit his website at http://www.bishoplscott.com.
Prayer Takes Many Forms
In her charming new book How Did Bible Heroes Pray (Kregel Kidzone, February 2005, hardcover, 24 pages) author Mona Hodgson helps children explore the concept of prayer and how to integrate it into their own daily lives. Hodgson points to the heroes children may be familiar with in the Bible and shares how each of these special people turned to God in prayer. For each example given, the author cites the relevant scripture passage for further research and edification. As Daniel turned to God on his knees, children are encouraged to pray to God using this posture. As Samuel lay in bed listening to and conversing with God, children are reminded that they too can take quiet time in bed to pray.
Next Hodgson turns to detailing situations when children might feel led to pray. Jonah’s fear, Job’s sadness and Jesus’ need for “alone time” with his father are all situations to which today’s child can relate. Reminding ourselves and our children that facing moments of uncertainty or disappointment with prayer is a valuable lesson we can offer our families and students.
This book is geared at children ages five and up, as each page features only a few lines of text. A noteworthy contribution to How Did Bible Heroes Pray is the artwork of illustrator Hollie Gillett, whose delightful illustrations feature a broad cross section of ages and races on a pallet of beautiful backgrounds.
For additional information on How Did Bible Heroes Pray visit http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0825427789/digitalcropper-20
Lisa M. Hendey is a mother of two sons, webmaster of numerous web sites, including http://www.catholicmom.com and http://www.christiancoloring.com, and an avid reader. Visit her at http://www.lisahendey.com
About the Author
Lisa M. Hendey is a mother of two sons, webmaster of numerous web sites, including http://www.catholicmom.com and http://www.christiancoloring.com, and an avid reader. Visit her at http://www.lisahendey.comI Went To Washington Dc To Pray
The Lord uses me as an intercessor to pray for others ministries. By the way, over the past 18 years, I have ministered at churches, street corners, radio, warehouses, nursing homes, flea markets, private houses and other places, including on the steps of the Capitol Building in Washington D.C., where I interceded in prayer for our nation. The Lord sent me there, I left on a Thursday, drove all night, arrived on Friday morning.
It was 700 miles from my house to the White House. The Lord told me to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol. It was hot in August, I had on an old straw hat (protected my bald head from sunburn). As soon as I got to the steps of the Capitol, I saw a woman standing by a mannequin of Jesus holding a lamb. Nearby was an American flag. I stepped up, she put "Amazing Grace" on a cassette recorder she had, I rendered a hand salute, held it as the Holy Ghost came on me, and tears began to pour down my cheeks. The crowd stood silent, as the words of Amazing Grace rang throughout the area. After it was over, I dropped my salute, went to parade rest, and the Lord spoke to me and said, "Mission Accomplished", You can go back home, now." I wrote this story in my book, My Walk with the Lord, which by the way, has slowly spread like the ripples from a rock thrown in a lake. So, to answer your question, Yes, the Lord has used me in all kinds of ways.
About the Author
Author of My Walk with the Lord, www.selahbooks.com, various other articles and poems (do a yahoo or google search on my name), preacher, retired military, , graduate of Excelsior College(BS,AS), Wright State Univ (AA), plus over 20 military courses including the Adjutant General Officers Advanced Course, the Warrant Officer Senior Course, the Non-commissioned Officers Advanced Course, .
How Should We Pray?
Many Christians often wonder, "How should we pray?"
I'm going to touch on this subject of prayer a few more times in the upcoming weeks, so today we'll deal with asking for forgiveness in prayer.
This question of prayer isn't a new one but is in fact one that the disciples asked Jesus while he was still roaming the earth. Jesus responded by giving them an example in the form of the "Lord's prayer".
Many people misconstrue the Lord's prayer as the "sacred" way that we
ought to pray. But this is simply not true.
You have to pay attention to a few key points in the Bible. If you've read "Christ Through Me" Then you know that you are no longer under the law of the old covenant, but you are under the new covenant law--forgiven by grace.
But what you must also keep in mind is that the New Covenant, the complete forgiveness of our sins--past, present and future was not put into effect until the ultimate sacrifice for the sins was made. Which came in the form of God's sinless son, Jesus Christ.
So when Jesus told the disciples in the lord's prayer to pray "and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us" they were praying that way because they were still under the old covenant or law. This law required that they seek forgiveness whenever they sinned.
As soon as Jesus Christ died and bore the punishment for all of our sins, it was the the ultimate sacrifice. When you and I accepted Christ as our savior, we accepted the sacrifice that Jesus made on that cross and were completely forgiven. All sins were wiped away, even future ones (heck, they were all future back then right?)
So because we are now under the new covenant and have the life of Christ in us, and holy because of this. We no longer have to ask forgiveness in prayer.
So I encourage you when you pray today, if you find yourself saying, "Father, I ask that you forgive me of my sins..." catch yourself and just show your gratitude instead for the completed work of Christ at the cross that paid for your sins and allowed you forgiveness once and for all. I say it something like this, "father, thank you so much that I am totally forgiven because your son took the penalty for my sins..."
Instead of acting like a sinner. Go on in complete faith that you are already forgiven, think "attitude of Gratitude"!
Consider now the first part of the Lord's prayer. Here is how it is often said:
"Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name"
The key thing that I want to hit on in this email is that the first thing that Jesus does is address his heavenly father as father and then start praising him.
Our God truly is wonderful and worthy of praise, give him the praise that he deserves. Tell him how wonderful he is, thank him for what he has done in your life, relive those positive things that he has done for you and tell him how much you appreciate his gift of salvation.
In the next verse:
"Your kingdom come
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven."
Jesus reaffirms what all of us should, that the control of our lives is in our loving father's hands. Let him know that your life is in his hands and his will is yours.
Giving over control of your life and your rights to it is an important step in receiving the great Christian life!
That's all for today, next email we'll look at prayer requests and the best way to present them to our father.
Verse 11:
"Give us this day our daily bread."
With this in mind there are two things that I would like to bring up in this email:
1. I think it's important to notice that Jesus put asking for our needs after praising God and telling him that his will is what is foremost in our lives.
Because we are capable of making mistakes and not seeing the whole picture, make sure to let God know that HIS will is what is foremost in our lives.
If this is truly your belief and you have told God this then it isn't necessary to keep drilling it, but I usually precede a prayer request with "if it is your will". This reaffirms the thought process (for myself mostly) that what I am asking is according to his will not mine.
2. We can rely on God to meet our needs and he will always be faithful to do so!
Jesus, the son of God, relied on his father to meet his needs! What beautiful illustration of the way that we are to approach our Christian lives!
God was faithful to meet the needs of Jesus, that he asked for in his prayer because we know that he died on a cross for all of our sins; not because of a lack of his needs being provided for!
"I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU" (Hebrews 13:5). God is faithful to always be there for you. He gave his son Jesus so that you could have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). He will take care of you and meet your every need.
This has been article on the way that God intended for us to look at prayer. It is by no means exhaustive, but I hope you found it useful.
"Who Else Wants to Experience The Abundant, Care-free Life of Being a Better Christian Day In and Day Out and Experiencing the Guiltless Joy of Living Life Without Limits or Having to Worry About Following a Bunch of Uptight Rules?"
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About the Author
Caleb is a young Christian man who has just authored his first book, Christ Through Me and continues to share his messages of God's love and grace through his FREE e-Newsletter at his website at www.ChristThroughMe.comThe Lord's Prayer
What is Reverence? A new look at Matthew 6:9 thru 13. Many call Matthew 6:9-13, The Lords Prayer but it actually isn't. Its the prayer that Jesus gave to us, so in essence its our prayer. What I want to do is break it down to make it more personal. How many here today love Jesus? How many here today love God?
How many here today do the commandments of Christ? You know, Love your neighbor as yourself, pray for those who despitfully use you, forgive others, pray for your enemies, ect, ect, ect? If you are sure, then this is your prayer.
Mat 6:9 ...Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Mat 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Now lets make it personal, between you and the Father. 1.“Our” Belonging to, in possession of, to abide in oneself. God belongs to us and we to the Father. By the purchase of our body and soul with the blood of His Son.
2.“Father”A man who begets or raises or nurtures a child.
To procreate (offspring) as the male parent. To act or serve as a father to (a child). To create, found, or originate. To acknowledge responsibility for. Isn't the meaning of Father, everything that God is? “To acknowledge responsibility for.” God acknowledges us as His children, His seed, His Creation and he fully takes responsibility for us.
To Teach and Nurture, to Feed and cloth, to Save and protect. Now what about those who refuse God as Father, refuse His Chastisement? Heb 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. “Bastard”, The Talmud and the rabbis are probably therefore right in explaining mamzer, not illegitimate children in general, but those begotten in incest or adultery: from mazar, "to be corrupt."
The only other occurrence of mamzer is Zec_9:6; "a bastard (a vile alien) shall dwell in Ashdod." One who is without the conjoining of Father (God) to themselves. We must look at this from the spiritual and not the physical for all children have a physical father(dad).
3.“which art” “Which Art”, residing at, being in a certain place or time, without doubt as to where or who.Positive. Without our Faith knowing where God our Father resides, we would not believe in a Diety, that is in controll of all manner of life. We must first believe in Heaven and Hell, Reward and punishment, Resurrection and Damnation, on a grand scale, up to and including, the very soul that makes us who we are. Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
4a.“in heaven”
4.”IN” Within the limits, bounds, or area of: From the outside to a point within;. To or at a situation or condition of.
5.”Heaven” The sky or universe as seen from the earth; the firmament.The abode of God, the angels, and the souls of those who are granted salvation. An eternal state of communion with God; everlasting bliss. Any of the places in or beyond the sky conceived of as domains of a divine being. A place of great happiness, delight, or pleasure: Jesus promised all who believed in Him a place. John 14:2-3 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. Heaven is not the place that Jesus spoke of, but a place in the Family of God, an abiding of spirits together as one with the Father.
6. “Hallowed”Sanctified, Blessed, Holy, Sacred..
7. “be” Happen, occur, take place.
8.“thy” your; belonging to you 9.“name”
1.El-Elyon as "Maker of heaven and earth."
2.El Olam “God of Eternity.”
3.EL Berith “God of the Covenant.”
4.EL Roi “God of Vision.”
5.EL Hoseem “God of Creation.”
6.Elohim “ Creator of the Universe.”
7.Eloi, “My God.”
8.Yeshua “The Lord of Salvation”
9.Yahweh “Jehova is the Lord,The Lord of Miracles.”.
10.Yahew Jireh ” The Lord will provide.”
11.Yahweh Nissi, ” The Lord is My Banner.”
12.YAHWEH MEKADDESH, “THE LORD Sanctifes.”
13.Yahweh Shalom “The Lord of Peace.”
14.Yahweh Sabaoth.”Lord of Hosts.”
15.Yahweh Rohi,”The Lord is my Shepard.”
16.Yahweh Rophe,”I am the Lord that Heals You.”
17.Yahweh Tsidkenu, The Lord is our Righteousness.”
18.Yahweh Shammah, “The Lord is there.”
19.Adon.
20.Adonai
21.Jehova Adonai.
22.Yeshua-"The Lord Of Salvation"
10. “Thy kingdom.”The domain in which God is dominant
11. “Come”Move toward, travel toward, approach,Reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress,Come to pass; arrive, as in due course.
12. “Thy will” Decree or ordain,A fixed and persistent intent or purpose.
13. “be done” Gods Intent and purpose to come about, into existence.
14. “in earth, as it is in heaven.” In the un-limitless expanse of His Power and Reign.
15. “Give us this day” Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. 16.”our daily bread.” The Spiritual bread of the Word of God. 1Ti 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
17.”And forgive us”Alleviate or remove, Free from a burden, evil, or distress, Grant exemption or release.
18. ”our debts,”Anything that is owed to someone else, The state of being legally obliged and responsible.
19. “as we forgive our debtors.” ”Anyone that owes us,
20.”And lead us not into temptation,” God never leads us into temptation but our prayer here is stating that we desire God to correct our wavering from the right path, back to where we should be. Our temptations come from our own lusts and being weak in the flesh ,we are dependant upon God to help our short comings.
21.” but deliver us from evil:”Recover or preserve from loss or danger. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. So as you can see, The Lords Prayer is our own personal prayer to God. Our future lyes with Him and His mercy. Take the Scripture personally as thou it was written especially for you. For It Was. ars
About the Author
A.R.Smith Sermons International, A Voice for Christhttp://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/
Secrets to Answered Prayer - What Does it Mean to Ask and Receive?
One of the greatest hinderances to answered prayer is when we ask with the wrong motive. Understanding God's nature and what He wants to do in response to our prayers will help us pray and receive answers to our prayers.
In Luke 11:9 Jesus tells us, "Ask and you will receive."
I don't know about you, but I have had times when I've asked and have not received. Since God's promise is pretty clear, and nothing is impossible for Him, then the problem may not be with the giving, it may just be with the asking.
James 4:1-3 tells us that the reason we don't have is because we don't ask. That sounds pretty simple, and it agrees with what Jesus taught in Luke 11: "Ask and you will receive."
But then James goes on to say, "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures" (James 4:3). James seems to go from giving us a blank check to placing a major condition on our prayers. In order to understand what he's telling us, we need to look at the context of what he is saying.
James is writing to people who were so consumed by their covetous lusts that they were willing to murder people in order to take what they wanted. The problem wasn't that they wanted things; the problem was that they wanted their neighbor's things. They weren't happy with just having more, they wanted to be sure that everyone else had less.
As we look at our universe, one thing becomes very clear: God loves to create. Our world shows us that not only is God continually creating, He has placed within every living thing the ability and drive to create more.
After God created man He spoke and said, "Be fruitful and multiply." Within each of us is a God given desire to create and enjoy abundance.
In Matthew 25 we read the parable of the talents. In that parable a man gives three of his servants different amounts of money. He gives five talents to one servant, two to another, and one to a third servant based on their individual abilities. It then says that the man immediately left on a journey.
Have you ever wondered if the master gave the servants any instructions? Did the master tell them what they were to do with the talents? Or did they already know?I believe that they already knew. They understood that God had given them the talents so that they would use them and multiply them. God's first commandment to man has never changed. He wants us to be fruitful and multiply what He has given us. He gives us "talents" from His abundance, as well as the desire and ability to multiply them, so that there will be even greater abundance.
So what does all of this have to do with the first few verses in the fourth chapter of James? Everything.
As James points out, we have gone from "ask and you will receive" to "take whatever you want." Man's history is full of everything from bad business to war. It's the story of men and women who have used power to exploit other people for their own selfish gain. Unfortunately, it is the story of what happens when we forget our Creator.
By asking God for more in our lives we are asking Him to reveal to us what He has already given us, and to show us ways to multiply it. We are asking for His blessings and favor on what we do so that we become wealthy be enriching the lives of everyone we meet.
We can have whatever we we ask for, but not at the expense of others. When we stop coveting what others have, and ask God to help us create more, then we'll know what it means to ask and receive.
About the Author
Rob Marshall is the author of "Taking On Goliath - How to Unleash the David in All of Us." Learn how you can unleash your faith and overcome any "Goliath" that may stand between you and your dreams.http://www.TakingOnGoliath.comDo You Have What it Takes to Be a Prayer Warrior?
In the Army of the Lord the prayer warrior is one of the most important contributors. Using the analogy of an army the Pope is the commander in chief and bishops, cardinals and priests are high ranking officers. However, the most important members of the army are the prayer warriors who go to battle every day.
The direction provided by the commander and the high ranking officers is essential to winning the battle against evil but the hard work and dedication of the foot soldiers that carry out the missions help to win the war. Prayer warriors, however, have more to gain from their work than soldiers in the United States Army. There service as a prayer warrior benefits not only those who they serve but also themselves. This article will provide an overview of the prayer warrior and the advantages of being a prayer warrior.
Do You Have What it Takes to Be a Prayer Warrior?
A prayer warrior is an individual who is willing to prayer for others out of the goodness of their heart and with no expectations of reward or payment. Prayer warriors may not personally know the individuals they are praying for but they pray for them as if they were a beloved family member or friend. The prayer of a prayer warrior is specific to the needs of the individual in need of prayer, filled with love and compassion for the individual in need of prayer and made with complete faith that God will answer the prayer according to His divine plan.
Being a prayer warrior is not always easy but it is something that everyone has the capabilities to achieve. The requirements of a prayer warrior include understanding the importance of prayer, believing that all prayers are answered, desiring to open your heart to all of God’s people and most importantly being available to pray for others each and every day. The need for prayer never ceases and prayer warriors should be willing to offer themselves in prayer at all times. The duties of a prayer warrior do not necessarily have to be time consuming but the time spent in prayer for others should be a time of sincerity and earnestness. It should also be time that is devoid of other thoughts and obligations.
Advantages of Being a Prayer Warrior
While prayer warriors are truly selfless individuals who desire to offer their prayer for the good of others, there are distinct advantages to being a prayer warrior. Spiritual growth is the most significant advantage to being a prayer warrior. In daily prayer for others with no expectations of reward, the prayer warrior grows spiritually in several ways. The first aspect of spiritual growth that comes from service as a prayer warrior includes learning how to pray effectively. Like everything in life, prayer takes practice. As prayer warriors become more experienced they learn to open their hearts and connect with God in new ways. Another aspect of spiritual growth that results from service as a prayer warrior is a heightened inner peace. Praying for others can be just as spiritually rewarding as offering prayers of thanksgiving. Finally, helping others is an enlivening feeling that is difficult to achieve in other ways.
About the Author
Michael Heindel, owner Prayer Request Box a website for posting prayer requests and for praying for those in need.A Prayer for World Peace, Part II
Author: Soal
We should all strive to save the earth for future generations
so that we will be prepared spiritually for when the Lord comes to bring us back home. I was told I was an "earth mother" by a friend whom I helped when I was a teenager. I encouraged them to keep going to school, ride a bicycle, and took walks together. We went on picnics at the beach together. I worked after school in a department store after school while in high school to earn some money. I have had friends in many states who were from many different cultures and some different religions. I think it is unfortunate that we can't all get along and be civilized towards each other.
After many years of marriage while living in Southern California
and Southern Florida, my daughter became upset with me because of the stress of listening to me warn her of Chuck Erwin's threats to call my children up after he attacked me in the knees, choked me and smashed his head into my face, saying "Germans have hard heads" I was told by a neighbor that I wasn't German enough. I certainly was glad I was not like him. I had told him I favored the Jews and was against the Nazis during the Holocaust and told him I wanted to separate before this happened.
This time was especially hard for my son who gave clothes and
things away to other runaways who were victimized and who tried to protect friends and refused to tattle on others suffered much because of prejudice and jealousy. He tried to get a beeper back for a girl when a guy stole it from here. When I drove my son to Circles of Care for therapy and some help to calm down because he felt very angry, the intake person refused to admit him, saying "There have already been three fights on the ward." He should have been helped. He should not have been refused because he would not have ended up trying to find a rehab and upon returning to the community been labeled abusive because his girlfriend's stepfather gave him some alcohol.
My daughter, who listened to her brother's problems there, made it to college in the science field. Neither my children nor I were diagnosed with anything mental all the way through California where I got along very well with everyone at work and in the neighborhood where I walked with my children and family dog and rode a bike with my daughter. My son rode a skateboard pulled by his German Shephard, Sam.
My family intermarried with a Jewish lawyer on my father's side. I had none until the some people wanted me labeled mentally ill after head injuries suffered during the divorce. Even some doctors told me they preferred the Cubans. They wanted me blamed even though my ex-husband was the one that could never stay calm and I had always had to work hard to get him calmed down. He always needed pot or beer and wine. I usually avoided caffeine and sugar as much as I could and tried to do the same for my family and friends.
A therapist at Maimonides compared me with my sister and said that she had bigger breasts but that I was sweeter than her. A medical student asked me after therapy, "Could you live on peanut butter sandwiches? Would you eat me?" I handed a letter of complaint in to the hospital administrative office there. I was even punched once at home and my head hit the corner of the microwave and I fell down. When I complained at another hospital that one brother punched me in my arm for a verbal disagreement aqnd that brother kept trying to say that I was always just nuts because I called the cops. I had a fist sized bruise on my left arm and my brothers talked to the doctor.
My family was very emotionally upset because my ex-husband had me served by a deputy sheriff all the way from Florida to subpoena me for the divorce even though he knew he and a car accident had disabled me. My family was all getting along before that. They had all gone to therapy together. I was asked if I wanted to stay overnight and then forced to stay and grabbed by several guards and pulled by my arms and my legs like Nazis would do at Methodist hospital for trying to leave as a voluntarily admitted patient who had complained about difficulty walking because I had herniated discs. The doctor was Jewish.
One doctor did say that many Catholics did descend from them. A patient said they give electric shock treatment there which sounds like something the Nazis would do because it would damage your central nervous system more instead of treating you with massage and nutritionally help and counseling as I would do and did for my children, husband after Hurricane Andrew. I gave my current fiance whom I love very much. He is my best friend. I gave him a lot of loving care, massage therapy, nutritionally help which I fed him as well as cooking for him and bathing him, just like I did my children.
A Tribute To My Son
The sun never rises without my awakening to early memories of you, Watching you playing in your crib, Arms and legs moving rapidly, you gazed intently at your crib mobile, Pulling yourself up and holding onto the side of the couch, You came toward me for the first time when I said "Come to me, Sal," You were only nine months old, Bouncing up and down to the Sesame Street theme song, You smiled enthralled at Kermit as he sang, "It Isn't Easy Being Green," Bundled for a night's sleep, hugging fuzzy Oscar the Grouch, A fairy tale read and the alphabet sung, You lovingly gazed up at me as I held you in my arms and sang Tura Lura Lura, Nursing you and gently rocking in the chair Grandma Anne bought us, Teaching you, "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray my soul the Lord to keep," I lovingly watched your eyelids close, a peaceful look upon your face, I kissed your sweet cheek as I caressed your hair, Feeling so blessed that you had all ten fingers and toes, So perfectly formed in God's image that tears welled up in my eyes, I tucked the covers around you in the crib for the night, Lying back down for the night beside your father, I prayed for peace for the family and for the world, That you would be spared much grief in life, And only contentment and love should fill your heart, As the sound of quiet breathing was heard that night, I succumbed to the peacefulness of rest that God and loving you granted me.
I have found out the hard way that if you file a complaint, some
people are dishonest. My son's head was struck by a baseball bat of a boy who was warming up in Moreno Valley while Sal was running the bases. That's a physical injury. Dr. McGrath said there was nothing wrong with my son except that he was an angry young man. His father told me our son's nose was broken by a baseball in Homestead, FL. Our son's nose has been broken three times now, and the prison staff will not give him medication to stay calm nor has he been given an MRI or CATSCAN. When I last visited last year, we played chess, and he won. The guard yelled, "Don't let him win!"
He came over and took the game away from us even though visiting hours were not quite over.
He has been interrogated and asked what he is and where his family is from. If they scream in your face, and you get angry, the inmate gets thrown into solitary confinement and his weight goes down to one hundred annd fifty pounds after thirty days. When he gets out, my family sends him money for his inmate account. He is normally two hundred and ten pounds and six foot three inches tall. Imagine that he received awards at Sacred Heart Elementary School in Florida.
He also was sent to basketball allstars.
I enjoyed seeing the talents of beauty of my children and of their friends. Everyone should be proud of their heritage and children should be taught to respect both parents and authority at school. My granddaughter is of mixed descent. She is a beautiful little girl, and my grandson is a handsome boy. I read to them both and send them gifts when I can.
I love the innocence of children and always did. I always knew
there were too many problems in the world to move children around unless the families stick together and love and pray
My family had a statue of the Holy Family inscribed, "The family
that prays together, stays together." I graduated from Katharine
Gibbs School and have an Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts and
Sciences as an honor student from Pierce Community College
after making the Dean's List. I believe in being active in my
children's schools and Sunday schools. I taught religious
education when the regular teacher suffered a nervous breakdown because of the Whittier Earthquake at the base where I worked in California.
I hope and pray that all victims of violence and famine, especially children, will be protected by the Constitutional Rights and Amendments of the United States Government. I always tried to follow the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses in the bible:
I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them.
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long.
Thou shalt not kill.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor's. cont'd in A Prayer For World Peace, Part III About the Author.
Article written by Annetherese.
Source: Free Articles from ArticlesBase.com
About the Author:
Author Bio
Annetherese
hbo rome
rome
email: webmaster_soal@yahoo.com
We should all strive to save the earth for future generations
so that we will be prepared spiritually for when the Lord comes to bring us back home. I was told I was an "earth mother" by a friend whom I helped when I was a teenager. I encouraged them to keep going to school, ride a bicycle, and took walks together. We went on picnics at the beach together. I worked after school in a department store after school while in high school to earn some money. I have had friends in many states who were from many different cultures and some different religions. I think it is unfortunate that we can't all get along and be civilized towards each other.
After many years of marriage while living in Southern California
and Southern Florida, my daughter became upset with me because of the stress of listening to me warn her of Chuck Erwin's threats to call my children up after he attacked me in the knees, choked me and smashed his head into my face, saying "Germans have hard heads" I was told by a neighbor that I wasn't German enough. I certainly was glad I was not like him. I had told him I favored the Jews and was against the Nazis during the Holocaust and told him I wanted to separate before this happened.
This time was especially hard for my son who gave clothes and
things away to other runaways who were victimized and who tried to protect friends and refused to tattle on others suffered much because of prejudice and jealousy. He tried to get a beeper back for a girl when a guy stole it from here. When I drove my son to Circles of Care for therapy and some help to calm down because he felt very angry, the intake person refused to admit him, saying "There have already been three fights on the ward." He should have been helped. He should not have been refused because he would not have ended up trying to find a rehab and upon returning to the community been labeled abusive because his girlfriend's stepfather gave him some alcohol.
My daughter, who listened to her brother's problems there, made it to college in the science field. Neither my children nor I were diagnosed with anything mental all the way through California where I got along very well with everyone at work and in the neighborhood where I walked with my children and family dog and rode a bike with my daughter. My son rode a skateboard pulled by his German Shephard, Sam.
My family intermarried with a Jewish lawyer on my father's side. I had none until the some people wanted me labeled mentally ill after head injuries suffered during the divorce. Even some doctors told me they preferred the Cubans. They wanted me blamed even though my ex-husband was the one that could never stay calm and I had always had to work hard to get him calmed down. He always needed pot or beer and wine. I usually avoided caffeine and sugar as much as I could and tried to do the same for my family and friends.
A therapist at Maimonides compared me with my sister and said that she had bigger breasts but that I was sweeter than her. A medical student asked me after therapy, "Could you live on peanut butter sandwiches? Would you eat me?" I handed a letter of complaint in to the hospital administrative office there. I was even punched once at home and my head hit the corner of the microwave and I fell down. When I complained at another hospital that one brother punched me in my arm for a verbal disagreement aqnd that brother kept trying to say that I was always just nuts because I called the cops. I had a fist sized bruise on my left arm and my brothers talked to the doctor.
My family was very emotionally upset because my ex-husband had me served by a deputy sheriff all the way from Florida to subpoena me for the divorce even though he knew he and a car accident had disabled me. My family was all getting along before that. They had all gone to therapy together. I was asked if I wanted to stay overnight and then forced to stay and grabbed by several guards and pulled by my arms and my legs like Nazis would do at Methodist hospital for trying to leave as a voluntarily admitted patient who had complained about difficulty walking because I had herniated discs. The doctor was Jewish.
One doctor did say that many Catholics did descend from them. A patient said they give electric shock treatment there which sounds like something the Nazis would do because it would damage your central nervous system more instead of treating you with massage and nutritionally help and counseling as I would do and did for my children, husband after Hurricane Andrew. I gave my current fiance whom I love very much. He is my best friend. I gave him a lot of loving care, massage therapy, nutritionally help which I fed him as well as cooking for him and bathing him, just like I did my children.
A Tribute To My Son
The sun never rises without my awakening to early memories of you, Watching you playing in your crib, Arms and legs moving rapidly, you gazed intently at your crib mobile, Pulling yourself up and holding onto the side of the couch, You came toward me for the first time when I said "Come to me, Sal," You were only nine months old, Bouncing up and down to the Sesame Street theme song, You smiled enthralled at Kermit as he sang, "It Isn't Easy Being Green," Bundled for a night's sleep, hugging fuzzy Oscar the Grouch, A fairy tale read and the alphabet sung, You lovingly gazed up at me as I held you in my arms and sang Tura Lura Lura, Nursing you and gently rocking in the chair Grandma Anne bought us, Teaching you, "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray my soul the Lord to keep," I lovingly watched your eyelids close, a peaceful look upon your face, I kissed your sweet cheek as I caressed your hair, Feeling so blessed that you had all ten fingers and toes, So perfectly formed in God's image that tears welled up in my eyes, I tucked the covers around you in the crib for the night, Lying back down for the night beside your father, I prayed for peace for the family and for the world, That you would be spared much grief in life, And only contentment and love should fill your heart, As the sound of quiet breathing was heard that night, I succumbed to the peacefulness of rest that God and loving you granted me.
I have found out the hard way that if you file a complaint, some
people are dishonest. My son's head was struck by a baseball bat of a boy who was warming up in Moreno Valley while Sal was running the bases. That's a physical injury. Dr. McGrath said there was nothing wrong with my son except that he was an angry young man. His father told me our son's nose was broken by a baseball in Homestead, FL. Our son's nose has been broken three times now, and the prison staff will not give him medication to stay calm nor has he been given an MRI or CATSCAN. When I last visited last year, we played chess, and he won. The guard yelled, "Don't let him win!"
He came over and took the game away from us even though visiting hours were not quite over.
He has been interrogated and asked what he is and where his family is from. If they scream in your face, and you get angry, the inmate gets thrown into solitary confinement and his weight goes down to one hundred annd fifty pounds after thirty days. When he gets out, my family sends him money for his inmate account. He is normally two hundred and ten pounds and six foot three inches tall. Imagine that he received awards at Sacred Heart Elementary School in Florida.
He also was sent to basketball allstars.
I enjoyed seeing the talents of beauty of my children and of their friends. Everyone should be proud of their heritage and children should be taught to respect both parents and authority at school. My granddaughter is of mixed descent. She is a beautiful little girl, and my grandson is a handsome boy. I read to them both and send them gifts when I can.
I love the innocence of children and always did. I always knew
there were too many problems in the world to move children around unless the families stick together and love and pray
My family had a statue of the Holy Family inscribed, "The family
that prays together, stays together." I graduated from Katharine
Gibbs School and have an Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts and
Sciences as an honor student from Pierce Community College
after making the Dean's List. I believe in being active in my
children's schools and Sunday schools. I taught religious
education when the regular teacher suffered a nervous breakdown because of the Whittier Earthquake at the base where I worked in California.
I hope and pray that all victims of violence and famine, especially children, will be protected by the Constitutional Rights and Amendments of the United States Government. I always tried to follow the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses in the bible:
I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them.
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long.
Thou shalt not kill.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor's. cont'd in A Prayer For World Peace, Part III About the Author.
Article written by Annetherese.
Source: Free Articles from ArticlesBase.com
About the Author:
Author Bio
Annetherese
hbo rome
rome
email: webmaster_soal@yahoo.com
Prayer Meditation
Author: Robin Darch
Most people believe that you must have religious training or attend a church regularly in order to pray. The truth is anyone can pray. You can pray anywhere you like. No one needs to hear you pray except GOD or Jesus, if you believe in them.
Prayer is the best meditation there is. Simply chanting or breathing a certain way might calm you outwardly, but inner peace comes through prayer meditation.
So many people think all praying is like what they have heard. Children saying bless mother, grandmother, etc. Others who say lengthy prayers that seem to be formatted in some special way.
GOD doesn't listen more to prayers that are said in some sort of format invented by holy men than he does to simple prayers issued by people who are sinners. As a matter of fact, He listens to the prayers of the sinner even more and the angels in heaven rejoice whenever a sinner asks Jesus into his heart.
Jesus didn't come to earth to gather the righteous, he came to save the sinners. We all sin. None of us are perfect. You do not need to be perfect to use prayer and meditate with GOD. He listens to everyone.
There is always a lot of focus on things to pray for and whether or not GOD will answer your prayers. GOD knows what is in your heart and knows what you need more than you do. Praying for a Ferrari and not getting one does not mean GOD isn't listening to you or answering your prayers.
Ask for things that will help you achieve the purpose that GOD has for you. Ask GOD to guide you and let you know what that purpose is. Ask GOD for wisdom. Ask Him to fill you with the Holy Spirit so that you will know the things to ask for.
You do not need to go to a special location to use prayer meditation. You simply need to make time for GOD in your life. Even those of you who go to church need to do this. Not only on Sunday morning, either. Who are you to say how much time you are willing to give GOD, who gave you the time you now have in the first place?
Going to church is a good thing, but setting time aside to pray and meditate alone with GOD is even more important. You can do it at home or anywhere you choose. You can choose a special place that helps you be calm and in a meditative mood.
I like to turn off all the lights and play worship music for awhile. As I listen to the music, I focus on ridding my mind of all things worldly. I attempt to not think about my work, things I need to do, things that bother me, people who irritate me, or anything else that might distract me during meditation.
Once I have achieved that calmness, (you will know), then I begin to pray. I ask GOD to fill me with the Holy Spirit, reaffirm my love and belief in GOD and Jesus Christ, and ask GOD to reveal to me the things I should pray for.
This works. Ask and ye shall receive does not mean you get the Ferrari. It means you can gain the wisdom to know your true purpose on this earth, something that most people, even Christians, do not know.
When you know what GOD wants you to do, then pray and meditate for the things you need to achieve those goals, you will see your prayers answered quickly. You cannot just believe in GOD, you have to believe GOD will provide those things you need.
Believe those prayers will be answered. Meditate and envision those things being given to you, those doors opening for you, that life you want being given to you.
Getting your prayers answered through prayer meditation is the easy part. It is what you do after you receive your gifts from GOD that is difficult. You must openly and proudly give GOD all the glory for the things He has helped you to accomplish.
Give credit where credit is due. We all like to proclaim how smart we are or how good we are and we like people to think that is why we prosper. We want them to think we are special. It is much better for you to let them know that all that you have and all that you achieve is because GOD gave it to you for believing in Him.
However you choose to meditate before GOD, I advise you to start soon. The sooner you start, the sooner you will learn how to talk with GOD and the sooner He can give you all the things He wants you to have.
Remember to do this alone. Remember to rid your mind of all things that are of this world and focus on GOD. Remember that he listens to everyone who will set this time aside in His Name. You will find also that the more glory you give to GOD for all He has done for you, the more He will continue to do for you.
This article is not intended to offend anyone's chosen religious preferences. I wrote the truth as I know the truth to be. I hope you will come to know the same truth or at the very least some parts of this article reach you and teach you how to pray.
About the Author:
Robin Darch, has a website, http://www.meditation-tips.com/ to help you find all the information you need about meditation and related topics.
Most people believe that you must have religious training or attend a church regularly in order to pray. The truth is anyone can pray. You can pray anywhere you like. No one needs to hear you pray except GOD or Jesus, if you believe in them.
Prayer is the best meditation there is. Simply chanting or breathing a certain way might calm you outwardly, but inner peace comes through prayer meditation.
So many people think all praying is like what they have heard. Children saying bless mother, grandmother, etc. Others who say lengthy prayers that seem to be formatted in some special way.
GOD doesn't listen more to prayers that are said in some sort of format invented by holy men than he does to simple prayers issued by people who are sinners. As a matter of fact, He listens to the prayers of the sinner even more and the angels in heaven rejoice whenever a sinner asks Jesus into his heart.
Jesus didn't come to earth to gather the righteous, he came to save the sinners. We all sin. None of us are perfect. You do not need to be perfect to use prayer and meditate with GOD. He listens to everyone.
There is always a lot of focus on things to pray for and whether or not GOD will answer your prayers. GOD knows what is in your heart and knows what you need more than you do. Praying for a Ferrari and not getting one does not mean GOD isn't listening to you or answering your prayers.
Ask for things that will help you achieve the purpose that GOD has for you. Ask GOD to guide you and let you know what that purpose is. Ask GOD for wisdom. Ask Him to fill you with the Holy Spirit so that you will know the things to ask for.
You do not need to go to a special location to use prayer meditation. You simply need to make time for GOD in your life. Even those of you who go to church need to do this. Not only on Sunday morning, either. Who are you to say how much time you are willing to give GOD, who gave you the time you now have in the first place?
Going to church is a good thing, but setting time aside to pray and meditate alone with GOD is even more important. You can do it at home or anywhere you choose. You can choose a special place that helps you be calm and in a meditative mood.
I like to turn off all the lights and play worship music for awhile. As I listen to the music, I focus on ridding my mind of all things worldly. I attempt to not think about my work, things I need to do, things that bother me, people who irritate me, or anything else that might distract me during meditation.
Once I have achieved that calmness, (you will know), then I begin to pray. I ask GOD to fill me with the Holy Spirit, reaffirm my love and belief in GOD and Jesus Christ, and ask GOD to reveal to me the things I should pray for.
This works. Ask and ye shall receive does not mean you get the Ferrari. It means you can gain the wisdom to know your true purpose on this earth, something that most people, even Christians, do not know.
When you know what GOD wants you to do, then pray and meditate for the things you need to achieve those goals, you will see your prayers answered quickly. You cannot just believe in GOD, you have to believe GOD will provide those things you need.
Believe those prayers will be answered. Meditate and envision those things being given to you, those doors opening for you, that life you want being given to you.
Getting your prayers answered through prayer meditation is the easy part. It is what you do after you receive your gifts from GOD that is difficult. You must openly and proudly give GOD all the glory for the things He has helped you to accomplish.
Give credit where credit is due. We all like to proclaim how smart we are or how good we are and we like people to think that is why we prosper. We want them to think we are special. It is much better for you to let them know that all that you have and all that you achieve is because GOD gave it to you for believing in Him.
However you choose to meditate before GOD, I advise you to start soon. The sooner you start, the sooner you will learn how to talk with GOD and the sooner He can give you all the things He wants you to have.
Remember to do this alone. Remember to rid your mind of all things that are of this world and focus on GOD. Remember that he listens to everyone who will set this time aside in His Name. You will find also that the more glory you give to GOD for all He has done for you, the more He will continue to do for you.
This article is not intended to offend anyone's chosen religious preferences. I wrote the truth as I know the truth to be. I hope you will come to know the same truth or at the very least some parts of this article reach you and teach you how to pray.
About the Author:
Robin Darch, has a website, http://www.meditation-tips.com/ to help you find all the information you need about meditation and related topics.
Is Prayer Only Talking To God?
Prayer is a lot more than just talking to God. When Paul says to 'pray without ceasing,' he does not mean to become a motor mouth. Prayer is connecting with God, and allowing him to live through us.
30). This allows us to see and live in the reality in God’s kingdom: “As Jesus is, so are WE in this world” (I John 4:17). Prayer is indeed communication with God, but keep in mind this is two-ways. It is not just motor mouthing our desires. Of course it is asking God for things, and interceding for others. But it is a lot more. Paul says to pray without ceasing (I Thess 5:21). Jesus says, “Ask that your joy may be full.” There is an part of prayer that is TALKING to God. Does this mean to never stop praying — never stop talking? NO!Prayer is also listening to God. It’s also having an attentive heart to things of God, and events and people God brings to us. The Holy Spirit is involved in our life, and prays for us in ways we do not understand (Rom 8:26). Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Prayer is a lot more than just us talking.
To me, prayer is CONNECTION with God, which is how I’ve come to view communication. Jesus says to abide in him like the branch abides in the vine (John 15:1-5). So I view prayer as an unbroken spiritual relationship with God, in which he works through us to accomplish his ways in the earth (Gal 2:20, Phil 1:6).
In a sense, to me, prayer is simply ‘hanging out with God.’ We can do this at anytime of the day, in anything we are doing. It’s merely a matter of attitude and consciousness. Prayer is communion with God in recognition of the body and blood of Jesus. It’s worship for what God did for us 2,000 years ago on the cross of Christ. It’s also worship for what he’s done in me — last week, and today. Prayer is even worshipping God for the revelation he gives us when we ask him to. Paul calls it ‘the abundance of revelation’ in the gospel. Prayer is practicing the presence of God.
The more I come to know God, and trust him, the less I pray — at least in the conventional, traditional sense of ‘talking to him.’ This doesn’t mean I DON’T talk to him. I just talk to him less than I used to. But I hang out with him, and I connect with him a lot more than I used to. I hear from him a lot more than I used to, because now I’m not so busy talking.
Paul talks of knowing WHOM he believes (I Tim 1:12). Most of us are too focused on WHAT we believe to have much time to worry about WHOM we believe. The prayers of most Christians are focused on themselves, or on others, — not on God. I’ve just come to see things a little differently. Focusing on WHOM I believe produces TRUST in me at greater depths. As trust grows deeper, the need for me to pray in the traditional sense (talk to God and tell him things) is much less. This produces a lot more time just to ‘fellowship with God in his glorious gospel’ — the finished work of Christ for me (Phil 1:5). It allows me opportunity to be more 'childlike,' and treat God like my 'Abba Father,' instead of like a benefactor I feel I must influence to get my desires fulfilled.16-17). The gospel enables us to live life as God intends, and allows him finish the good work he has begun in us.
About the Author
Roger and Eileen's ministry shares living practical gospel Christianity -- how to live a powerful, practical life in peace and joy do to the working of the gospel within us. Visit our ministry web site: http://www.ThePracticalGospel.comSubscribe to our short twice a week newsletter. Send a blank E-mail to:GospelSnapshots@Royal-Responder.comIf you love me...
If you love me don't be proud.
You just won an argument, haven't you? I can tell from the way you stink and smart.
If you love me, be modest at heart and be measured in thought.
Don't fire for warmth and don't crush when you hug.
If you love me be silent at dawn and noon and dusk.
If you love me, you'll know me, and I'll known you at first sight.
You just won an argument, haven't you? I can tell from the way you stink and smart.
If you love me, be modest at heart and be measured in thought.
Don't fire for warmth and don't crush when you hug.
If you love me be silent at dawn and noon and dusk.
If you love me, you'll know me, and I'll known you at first sight.
The Power of Prayer
Discusses the different modes of prayer and the powerful impact it can have.
There are several different types of prayer. In his letter to the Ephesians Paul instructed them to “pray with all types of prayer”. EPH 6:18 says “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints”;
What are the different modes of prayer?
Talking to God – This is the one on one type prayer – where we converse with God to develop our relationship with him. We may ask him to help us in areas that we need spiritual, physical or emotional support. It can often be just a general conversation, like with a beloved friend.
Praise and thanksgiving – This is the earnest, heartfelt prayer where we come before the Lord thanking and praising him for his mighty power and love. We may praise him in both our earthly and spiritual language.
Requesting God’s Power – This is where we bring a specific need before the Lord and really focus on it and plead for the Lord to help us with it. Where we request his divine intervention and power to be utilised.
Seeking God’s will for our life – This type of prayer requires us to really open up our spirit and seek to hear what God is saying to us. We need to come humbly before him, asking him to use us as a tool for his work – and praying for guidance and wisdom as we seek to follow where his is leading us. We should also ask for discernment and that we won’t be distracted or deterred if the enemy tries to confuse us.
Travailing – This is an intense emotional prayer – where we are praying with all our might for someone else. Bringing them and their needs before the Lord. Asking for a breakthrough in their life or for some specific need to be met.
Spiritual warfare – This is audible prayer where through the authority of Christ and in his name we ‘cut off’ bondages or strongholds in either our own life or for the person we are praying for. This can include prayer to cast out demons from unbelievers. This is a prayer of resistance, not aggression. Jesus said ‘Resist the devil and he will flee’. One should be careful not to say anything insulting to demonic spirits – remember that even the archangel Michael would not ‘rebuke’ Satan. When he was arguing about who would have the body of Moses, Michael did not dare condemn the Devil with insulting words, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!”
This is further clarified in the book of Zechariah where an angel would not rebuke Satan, but left it to the person who had the authority. (Zec 3:2) And the (angel of the) LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” (KJV)
Why is prayer so important?
Prayer not only lets us grow closer to our Father in heaven, but also allows him to release to us and through us his power. In (Jam 5:16) it says “…..The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (KJV)
An effective prayer life can have a huge impact on not only our own individual life, but on the lives of those around us. Through prayer we can have an impact on our local community, our country and the world.
Prayer enables spiritual growth and opens the door for the Lord to impart spiritual power. (Jer 33:3) “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not”. (KJV)
It opens the door for salvations. (Act 2:42) “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers”. (Act 2:47) “Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved”. (KJV)
Prayer opens the way for miracles .(Act 12:5-7) “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands”. (KJV)
We should pray and believe for wisdom. (Jam 1:5-6) “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed”. (KJV)
If you lack boldness ask the Lord to give you it. (Act 4:29-30)
We should always pray with determination and faith, believing for the Lord to do mighty works through us and through those we are praying for. We should always pray in line with the will of God and his word.
About the Author
Debra Lohrere is the author of several books and many articles on property investment, how to create financial security and related topics, as well as on subjects of spiritual encouragement. Please visit her homepage http://www.debra.lohrere.com/home.shtml or storefront at http://www.lulu.com/DebraLohrerePray Like the Last Day
Pray like it's the last day on earth, like the last wind and rain before dawn.
Pray like you're leaving and shall never return.
Pray like the Lord that giveth is about to taketh something that you carried for all your life. Perhaps it's all you have, all your weight and ties that drag you down.
So pray like it's the day and it's the way of your resurgence and rebirth in light.
Pray like the daffodils and roses and the sparrow is life.
Pray like you're leaving and shall never return.
Pray like the Lord that giveth is about to taketh something that you carried for all your life. Perhaps it's all you have, all your weight and ties that drag you down.
So pray like it's the day and it's the way of your resurgence and rebirth in light.
Pray like the daffodils and roses and the sparrow is life.
Secrets to Answered Prayer - What Does it Mean to Ask and Receive?
One of the greatest hinderances to answered prayer is when we ask with the wrong motive. Understanding God's nature and what He wants to do in response to our prayers will help us pray and receive answers to our prayers.
In Luke 11:9 Jesus tells us, "Ask and you will receive."
I don't know about you, but I have had times when I've asked and have not received. Since God's promise is pretty clear, and nothing is impossible for Him, then the problem may not be with the giving, it may just be with the asking.
James 4:1-3 tells us that the reason we don't have is because we don't ask. That sounds pretty simple, and it agrees with what Jesus taught in Luke 11: "Ask and you will receive."
But then James goes on to say, "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures" (James 4:3). James seems to go from giving us a blank check to placing a major condition on our prayers. In order to understand what he's telling us, we need to look at the context of what he is saying.
James is writing to people who were so consumed by their covetous lusts that they were willing to murder people in order to take what they wanted. The problem wasn't that they wanted things; the problem was that they wanted their neighbor's things. They weren't happy with just having more, they wanted to be sure that everyone else had less.
As we look at our universe, one thing becomes very clear: God loves to create. Our world shows us that not only is God continually creating, He has placed within every living thing the ability and drive to create more.
After God created man He spoke and said, "Be fruitful and multiply." Within each of us is a God given desire to create and enjoy abundance.
In Matthew 25 we read the parable of the talents. In that parable a man gives three of his servants different amounts of money. He gives five talents to one servant, two to another, and one to a third servant based on their individual abilities. It then says that the man immediately left on a journey.
Have you ever wondered if the master gave the servants any instructions? Did the master tell them what they were to do with the talents? Or did they already know?I believe that they already knew. They understood that God had given them the talents so that they would use them and multiply them. God's first commandment to man has never changed. He wants us to be fruitful and multiply what He has given us. He gives us "talents" from His abundance, as well as the desire and ability to multiply them, so that there will be even greater abundance.
So what does all of this have to do with the first few verses in the fourth chapter of James? Everything.
As James points out, we have gone from "ask and you will receive" to "take whatever you want." Man's history is full of everything from bad business to war. It's the story of men and women who have used power to exploit other people for their own selfish gain. Unfortunately, it is the story of what happens when we forget our Creator.
By asking God for more in our lives we are asking Him to reveal to us what He has already given us, and to show us ways to multiply it. We are asking for His blessings and favor on what we do so that we become wealthy be enriching the lives of everyone we meet.
We can have whatever we we ask for, but not at the expense of others. When we stop coveting what others have, and ask God to help us create more, then we'll know what it means to ask and receive.
About the Author
Rob Marshall is the author of "Taking On Goliath - How to Unleash the David in All of Us." Learn how you can unleash your faith and overcome any "Goliath" that may stand between you and your dreams.http://www.TakingOnGoliath.comAnd Yet...
And yet I am the Lamb, the Jackal, the angel and the devil trying to save a penny or two.
Mixed in me Lord is your wings and chaff, your cry and smile, unlearned and undeserved, be as it may, forgive my indolence and ignorance.
And yet be with me, lead before me, say a song when the night is young. Whisper the mint of love and my transgressions shall you forgive.
Mixed in me Lord is your wings and chaff, your cry and smile, unlearned and undeserved, be as it may, forgive my indolence and ignorance.
And yet be with me, lead before me, say a song when the night is young. Whisper the mint of love and my transgressions shall you forgive.
Prayers God Answers - The Prayer of Jabez
In the midst of a long list of who begat whom is a short, two verse, story about an honorable man and his prayer. It was a prayer that God answered. This powerful Old Testament prayer can serve as a model for our own prayers.
Bruce Wilkinson's book, The Prayer of Jabez, became a huge success. It became so successful that many people felt that there must be something wrong with it. But this prayer from 1 Chronicles 4:10 is a great prayer for one simple reason: God answered it. And we need to take another look at this simple, but effective, little prayer.“Oh, that You would bless me indeed," 1 Chronicles 4:10b
Many people feel that it's wrong for us to ask God to bless us, but they miss the point. The point is: God wants to bless us.
Psalm 67:1-2 says, "God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, Selah. That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations." When God blesses us He reveals to the entire earth just who He is. And God's salvation, His power, love, and mercy, are proclaimed when He blesses His people."...and enlarge my territory," 1 Chronicles 4:10c
Jesus' disciples got into an argument about who was going to be the greatest among them. Jesus knew that they were having this discussion so He confronted them about it. What's interesting is that He did NOT say to them: "You shouldn't want to be great." Instead He gave them specific instructions about HOW to be great.
In Luke 22:24-27 Jesus tells the disciples that the Gentiles believe being great means ruling over people, but that is not how they are to understand greatness. He says, "he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves." To be great, we must become greater servants. Our greatness is not determined by who we look down on or who works for us, but by the kinds of people we serve, the number of people we serve, and the way in which we serve them."
...that Your hand would be with me," 1 Chronicles 4:10d
Most people spend their lives trying to figure out how little they can get by with. They want to get more for doing less.
Jabez knew that by asking God to help him serve more, he was asking God to help him do more than he could possibly accomplish on his own. He purposely asked God to put him in a position where he had to depend on God. As Michelangelo once said, "The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it."
"...and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” 1 Chronicles 4:10e
Jesus taught His disciples to pray, "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one," in Luke 11:4. Sin and evil are all around us and we need to be aware of our dependence on God to live a life that pleases Him in every area.
But a second aspect of this prayer becomes clear when we read that the name "Jabez" means pain. It was the name that his mother gave him because of the pain he caused her during birth. Jabez had spent his entire life, every time he was introduced to someone or whenever someone called his name, being reminded that he had brought pain into his mother's life.
We all have to pray for God to help us overcome the wrong beliefs that we have about ourselves. Whether it was our parents, teachers, or anyone else who said them, we all have beliefs about ourselves that simply aren't true. They are nothing more than what others have projected onto us because of what they were experiencing or what they believed.
God wants to bless us and help us become greater servants. In order to do that He wants us to depend on Him completely in every area of our lives. And He wants us to believe the truth about who we are. We are His children, He loves us, and He is with us every moment of our lives. He wants to do great things in our lives.
At the end of of this simple prayer in 1 Chronicles 4:10 we read, "So God granted him what he requested." When we pray this prayer that God answers, just like Jabez, our lives will never be the same.
About the Author
Rob Marshall is the author of "Taking On Goliath - How to Unleash the David in All of Us." Learn how you can unleash your faith and overcome any "Goliath" that may stand between you and your dreams. http://www.TakingOnGoliath.comHouse Alone
They leave us dear Lord, they leave our sons and daughters. Sometimes our spouse and loved ones, mom and dad and neighbors.
Be with us Lord, stay with us, even when the sun is down and the loved one is gone.
Through the day and through the night. Through the rain or shiny, through laughter or tears, be with us and hold our hand.
Be with us Lord, stay with us, even when the sun is down and the loved one is gone.
Through the day and through the night. Through the rain or shiny, through laughter or tears, be with us and hold our hand.
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