Category Archives: faith

Sunday Scripture

Psalm 119:1-24

You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God.  You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him.  That’s right-you don’t go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set.  You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it.  Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I’d never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel.  I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways.  I’m going to do what you tell me to do; don’t ever walk off and leave me.

How can a young person live a clean life?  By carefully reading the map of your Word.  I’m single-minded in pursuit of you;  don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted.  I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won’t sin myself bankrupt.  Be blessed, God;
train me in your ways of wise living.  I’ll transfer to my lips all the counsel that comes from your mouth; I delight far more in what you tell me about living than in gathering a pile of riches.  I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you’ve done it.  I relish everything you’ve told me of life, I won’t forget a word of it. 

Be generous with me and I’ll live a full life;  not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road.  Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of your miracle-wonders.  I’m a stranger in these parts; give me clear directions.  My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous!- insatiable for your nourishing commands.  And those who think they know so much, ignoring everything you tell them-let them have it!  Don’t let them mock and humiliate me;  I’ve been careful to do just what you said.  While bad neighbors maliciously gossip about me, I’m absorbed in pondering your wise counsel.  Yes, your sayings on life are what give me delight; I listen to them as to good neighbors!
The Message

 

Praying

Thank You, Father for the incredible privilege of partnering with Jesus in the work of intercession.  Help me to stay alert and consistent as I pray for my brothers and sisters  in Christ.  Help me to be clear minded and self controlled as I stand in the gap for others, especially during these times.  Remind me that prayerlessness for others is a sin against You.  Help me be instant in prayer so that it becomes a way of life for me, as continuous as breathing.  In Jesus’ name,  Amen

Andrew Murray on Prayer

The bond that unites a man with his fellowman is no less real and close than that which unites him to God: one with them.  Grace renews not only our relationship with our fellow human beings, too.  We not only learn to say “my Father,” but also “our Father.”  It would be unnatural for the children of a family to always meet their father separately, never expressing their desires or their love jointly.

Believers are not only members of one family, but of one body.  Just as each member of the body depends on the other, the extent to which the Spirit can dwell in the body depends on the union and cooperation of everyone.  Christians cannot reach the full blessing God is ready to bestow through His Spirit until they seek and receive it in fellowship with each other.  It was to the 120 praying together in total agreement under the same roof that the Spirit came from the throne of the glorified Lord.  In the same way, it is in the union and fellowship of believers that the Spirit can manifest His full power. 

Prayer for Faith

Dear Heavenly Father,  Bless me with faith that can move mountains.  May I not be tempted to forget Your power.  May I not be tempted to forget Your love.  May my mind not stray to the might of the destroyer but remember instead the might of the Lord.  Show me Father.  I know You will have the last word, the final say.  And I won’t worry.  You will redeem me.  I will resurrect.  You will bring forth new life from all apparent death.  You create from what the darkness has destroyed, for Your power is infinite, Your forgiveness total, Your mercy complete.  I might fall, but I will not remain down for my God is with me.  You will lift me up.  You will create a new day.  You will bring me home.  Thank You Father.  Amen

Instant Gratification









We complain about the cross we bear but don’ t realize it is preparing us for the dip in the road ahead that God can see and we can’t.
Whatever your cross, whatever your pain,
there will always be sunshine, after the rain.
Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall;
But God’s always ready, to answer your call.
He knows every heartache, He sees every tear,
a word from His lips, can calm every fear.
Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish, by dawn’s early light.
The Savior is waiting, somewhere above,
to give you His grace, and send you His love.
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
 I’ve been reminded so much lately that God never promised my cross wouldn’t be heavy, but He has promised me the victory and that I would not walk alone. I hope this makes you stop and think, and cause your lips to praise Him even if you are in the valley or in the midst of a raging storm. You are not alone.

Sunday Scripture 12

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 Proverbs 16:1  To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue.  2 All of a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord.  3  Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. 

As Brooke and I head out to the first dance competition of the season, we always pray that she uses her talents to glorify God and witness to others the love of Jesus Christ.  I think that’s something we should all strive to do.  Have a blessed Sunday.

Prayer and fasting

Today was awesome in the most amazing way!  I prayed for over 31 families today, some that I’m close to and some that I’ve never met.  I prayed specifically for their needs, each and every one of them.  I feel so honored that they all shared their requests with me, and that I could do something that is so simple for me, yet can be so profound.  To everyone that emailed me, please know that I covered you in prayer on at least two separate occasions today, and many of you just popped into my head as I was doing something else so I prayed for you again.  I have faith that God is going to bless you all with His favor.  He is in control.  I learned so much today.  Sometimes a person has to be at rock bottom before they finally reach out, or cry out to Jesus.  When I pray for strength and endurance for my dh, maybe what he really needs is to feel empty and hopeless, so he has nowhere to turn but God.  That might be hard to surrender to, but I’m game if it works.  Surrender…

In a way, that’s what I did today.  I surrendered myself and put all else before me and it felt so good.  Did I get hungry?  Yeah!  You know those days where you’re just so busy you don’t have time to eat?  You don’t even really notice it!  Well I’ve done that before, and this is so much different.  I knew today that I couldn’t eat because I was giving that up for the greater good, and I got hungry.  My stomach was growling, and I was thinking of food.  But the Word of God sustained me.  He filled me up! 

In the words of Andrew Murray, “Prayer is reaching out after the unseen; fasting is letting go of all that is seen and temporal.  Fasting helps express, deepen, confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God.” 

I need to do more of this, and I’m trying to listen and follow God’s leading, so I’m going to have to get back with you on what that actually means.  For now, I want to leave you with some very wise words from one of the women from the 1 Peter 3 group that I’m in.  We all participated in this fast today, and prayed for the salvation of each of our loved ones.  R wrote this.  “He will speak.  Expect it.  Don’t be surprised by the revelations or the confirmations.  Don’t be surprised by the power of your prayers or the desires to worship.  Do as the spirit of God leads and watch Him work through your surrendered hearts to bring about transformation.  He is doing a new thing.  Don’t be afraid of that new thing.  For some, your prayer life will change.  For others, you will understand worship in a new way.  And for others, you will be given the direction you’ve asked for.  This isn’t about giving up food, but about seeking His presence and His will above all else.  Enjoy your fellowship with Your creator.  Rest in His arms.  Give Him your cares and concerns.  Trust Him with what you’ve held onto.  The attack of the enemy will be strong.  But your God, He is bigger than the enemy’s attack!  Put on your full armor and wage war against the prince of darkness through worship.  Enter the holy of holies and dwell there.  Just hang out.  Drink up His presence and soak in His truth.  He Will Speak.”

Prayer and fasting

This morning has been awesome.  I’ve only missed my frosted mini wheats and Cranberries once, and then God filled me up with love and adoration!  I’ve had 7 people request prayers, with 27 specific prayer requests so far, and I’ve spent the morning covering these friends in prayer.  I know God has heard and will respond to those in need, and I feel so blessed already.  I’ve discovered a new Psalm that is so beautiful I want to share it, but now have my little one who needs mommy’s attention.  I’m off to snuggle and pray some more for my 1 Peter 3 group.  If I can pray for you, please leave me a comment and I will be happy to include you.  God is so amazing! 

A tearful goodbye/celebration

I don’t know what else to call it, besides the best funeral I’ve ever been to.  It sounds crazy to say that, but that’s how I feel.  I was dreading this funeral so badly, but was blessed by attending it in so many ways.  My dad’s cousin Jimmy died on Saturday.  He was only 52 and it was totally unexpected.  Married with three beautiful boys, the oldest is a teen.  It’s so hard to think about sometimes, but I urge you to take the time to talk with someone about what you would like to happen when you’re gone.  Jimmy and his wife did that, and I want to do it too.  There were 3 songs sung by two women, and then we sang two hymns.  These were songs that he had wanted.  The pastor opened up the floor for people to talk, and I was amazed by the outpouring of love to the family.  Everyone spoke of how much he loved his family, and how much he loved the Lord.  He touched so many lives, and didn’t even realize it I’m sure.  That’s just the kind of person he was.  He cared.  People from his church, and people from his workplace all loved him, and were blessed by the Holy Spirit within him.  One woman was talking about how he always lifted them up if they were struggling at work, and then she broke out singing Wind beneath My Wings!  It was beautiful!  Another person spoke highly of Jim, and didn’t know his wife, but said he knew her potato salad, and to fed ex it to them every now and then if she had to.  That made her laugh!  There were tears and there was laughter, and I guess the difference that I felt in this funeral was this.  We were a room filled with more believers in Jesus Christ than not.  We know that his earthly presence will be missed, but that he is truly home with God right now.  We may not understand it, but God has a plan for Jim, and it includes him at His side.  The pastor then preached, because he said that’s what Jim wanted him to do.  He preached about salvation, and that doesn’t mean just doing good things.  We have to confess, repent, and ask for fogiveness of our sins, and He will forgive.  We need to ask Jesus into our hearts and lives, and commit to follow Him.  And it’s too late when we’re in the coffin.  I had some family members sitting right there with me that needed to hear that, but I’m not sure they did.  I don’t understand it, but I don’t need to.  I just need to continue to pray for them.  (Off on a tangent again!)  Anyway, even in his death, Jim was witnessing to others.  He  planned that all out, and he knew who needed to hear it!  One person that stood up said we might ask why?  We should turn that around and we get YHW.  That stands for Your Holy Will!  Isn’t that great?  WHY= Your Holy Will 

I could go on and on, that’s how amazing it was!  I’ll stop, but I ask for prayers for his family.  I know they have a great church family that will lift them up, but you can never have too many prayers! 

I have one more funeral to attend this week.  A friend who passed away on Sunday, unexpectedly at the age of 36.  He too has a wife and 2 kids, the oldest is 12.  I just ask that these families be lifted in prayer, and that God would wrap His loving arms around them and provide comfort to them, that only He knows how. 

“Moore” Monday #7

Yes, I know it’s Tuesday, but my Monday was kind of hectic. 

HE WHO IS UNCONVINCED OF GOD’S

FORGIVING LOVE IS UNCONVINCED THAT

HE IS MORE THAN A CONQUEROR. 

Father God, You made my Savior’s life a guilt offering for me (Isa. 53:10).  His death was enough to handle my guilt. 

Lord Jesus, help me to accept and internalize the fact that if God is for me, who can be against me?  (Rom. 8:31).  It is You, God, who justifies (Rom. 8:33).  Who is he that condemns?  Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at Your right hand.  O God, and is also interceding for me (Rom. 8:34).

In all these things I am more than a conqueror through You who love me, Sovereign Lord (Rom. 8:37).

Beth Moore, Praying God’s Word Day by Day