Jumpstart your day with this song of praise!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBZYMUP2LDk

 

It's Monday and today we focus on praying for our families. I read Stormie Omartian's books every day and this is my strong prayer: KEEP THEM FROM WASTING TIME ON A PATHWAY THAT YOU WILL NOT BLESS! (Stormie Omartian)

 

I pray that all who are discouraged today will find their peace in the Lord and we ask that a blood covering be over all our loved ones in Jesus name. Cast your cares upon Him, utterly fling them to the One who has the power to help. Prayer is a working tool given to us from the Father, use it, people.
Do you have a fractured family? Is your family tree messed up? You are in good company then and Jesus is our hope. Sometimes it may not seem that way but we have to get our eyes off our circumstances, look up to the Lord, find a Word from Him and claim it. Then pray, pray, pray!

 Prayer is your tool to peace and acceptance. A lot of our turmoil in life is not accepting the things we can't change; We sometimes have to accept that things are the way they are for a reason. I'm sure Joseph, during his days in prison and slavery felt forgotten by God as well as his family but he went ahead being the best he could be in those circumstances. The Lord caused him to rise above them and to rise in favor. Don't look at things the way they are but look at them through eyes of hope.

Jesus is the answer to all our problems and our strong help and that will always be the case. His ear is open to our prayers for help and hope. He is such a creative God that He brings forth beauty and grace and gifts within us that we never thought were there. He can bring the dormant seed to life. We praise His name and ask that He cover our families today. We thank You, Lord Jesus ahead of time for Your great blessing and favor towards our loved ones.

May we be able to say "It is well, through it all, today." Regardless of what our eyes see and our souls feel. We still say "Who is like You Lord in all the earth?" You're my cup that won't run dry even, through tear-filled eyes I seek that last drop in the cup.

Lord rise up please and bring our families full circle to health, healing of emotions and peace we pray.

 

Double-dipping with Stormie Omartian: "Lord, open my adult child's ears to hear Your truth so they will reject all lies."

"Have a sound mind and a right attitude:  Ask God to help your adult children make the right choices about what they allow into their minds so they’ll have nothing less than the sound minds He has given them.  Pray that God will protect them from having evil fill their minds with lies that oppress them mentally and emotionally.  Ask God to dissolve bad attitudes in their minds, such as pride, fear, anger, anxiety, and a broken heart.  Encourage your adult children to develop a habit of praising God regularly, since that practice will heal their minds, emotions, and attitudes.  Pray for Christ’s peace to flood their souls and rule in their hearts every day.

Resist evil influences and destructive behavior:  Ask God to give each of your adult children a humble, repentant, and teachable spirit.  Pray for God to destroy any spirit of rebellion in their lives.  God’s love and grace will always be available to your children, no matter what they’ve done.  Ask God to help them return to Him after they’ve strayed.  Pray that: God will open their eyes to see the truth and not be blinded by evil lies, they can hear God’s voice leading them, their hearts will be filled with wisdom and knowledge, they will turn away from evil when they encounter it, they will understand that they are engaged in a spiritual battle every day, they will respond to trials by turning to God, and they will learn to praise God for the healing and deliverance He has for them." Stormie Omartian

http://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/pray-for-your-adult-children-11607227.html

A Water Pourer for the Lord

Ten months ago our world turned upside down once again. Many days just pressing on is very hard, but in the name of Jesus we do. Some days we really wonder are we really going to make it. I survive by the Word of God and the readings of His people, music and hanging on to dreams and long ago prophecies. I believe that truth and love always comes forth at the end and if it hasn't, it hasn't ended yet. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2Qt4WduvqI

Only one thing brought a solution - desperately lunging for Jesus, believing His authority and power were greater than her massive need. (Anon or hand of God)

"With love that knew no fear the Singer caught his torment, wrapped it all in song and gave it back to him as peace." Dr. Calvin Miller, THE SINGER

“I'm well aware of the toil, blood and treasure that it will cost us to maintain our family and support and defend my children and grandchildren. Yet through all the gloom I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. (my paraphrase of a letter by John Adams to his wife.)


So today we pray for single parents and their children, may the Lord send mercy and grace. We pray for first responders, the military and all the police and firemen who put their lives on the line for us each day. We pray that we all can put differences aside and find some time to be GRATEFUL.  We pray for PEACE!

May I live to be a "water pourer" before the Lord.

WATER POURERS!!!By Lana Vawser

The Lord began to speak to me about many being in a season of wilderness, and many have felt like they have been in the desert and they have been living upon their "stored up revelation and history" with the Lord. Many feeling like they have almost been in a season of WANDERING and WONDERING what's going on. I felt the Lord wanting to encourage you that He has been building endurance, strength and character in you in the desert, in that wilderness place and you are coming out with a greater CAPACITY to carry greater revelation of Him and His Word, greater mantles that have been birthed in that deep difficult place where you are constantly pushed and pressed and find that deeper place in Him in the midst of pain.

In the desert and wilderness where you have learnt to store and carry what the Lord has given you and press in for MORE amongst adverse conditions, the Lord is bringing you out of the desert and you will be WATER POURERS for others. What you have gleaned and carried in the desert places is about to be ignited and flow out of you. His living water is about to flood out of you. There is a great birthing upon the Church right now. I saw this pure, BIBLICALLY based revelation that has been found in Jesus in the desert flooding out in conversations, in books, in teaching, in songs, in cds, in writings, in sermon series, in prayer gatherings bringing incredible healing, salvation and deliverance. Freedom is about to explode in proportions across the world like we have never seen. Get ready to hear more and more crazy, amazing, wild testimonies of the power, healing and love of Jesus and how He saves, delivers and sets free.

Where the enemy has attempted in many ways to "stop His flow" through you, He is declaring over you that you will be a PURE FLOW AS YOU CONTINUE TO LIVE LOW.

https://www.facebook.com/lana.vawser.1/posts/1820760654803865

I'm praying to get beyond survival mode to really thriving in the Lord. I pray that for you, too.

Adding a happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Oh Lord, make us truly grateful for what we have, forgiving for what we don't have and accepting of where we are in life right now on this Thanksgiving Day. If we have family together, remember and pray for those who don't. If we have something to be grateful for, then we will praise Your name, the giver of all gifts, and never let us forget to count our blessings!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKYh2WRun1U

We put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. We pray for all who have experienced a week of loss and burials of family members. May the Lord's comfort wrap itself around you as only His love can. We will lift you up to His throne and ask for grace for the day, peace that can't be understood and the strength to press on.
This excerpt from Streams in the Desert is beautiful for today:
"All-loving Father, sometimes we have walked under starless skies that dripped darkness like drenching rain. We despaired of starshine or moonlight or sunrise. The sullen blackness gloomed above us as if it would last forever. And out of the dark there spoke no soothing voice to mend our broken hearts. We would gladly have welcomed some wild thunder peal to break the torturing stillness of that over-brooding night.

"But Thy winsome whisper of eternal love spoke more sweetly to our bruised and bleeding souls than any winds that breathe across Aeolian harps. It was Thy 'still small voice' that spoke to us. We were listening and we heard. We looked and saw Thy face radiant with the light of love. And when we heard Thy voice and saw Thy face, new life came back to us as life comes back to withered blooms that drink the summer rain."

Another song  of thanksgiving:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E

Let us recognize our loved ones once more

When I first heard this song, it made me wish I could write lyrics so beautiful.

"Lately I don't recognize you
The fire in your eyes is fading into embers
So while you're out there in the darkness
I'm praying you'll remember

You were made to shine
You were made for life
Even if you've lost your way
Turn and you will hear love say
You were made for more..."

I pray that many of you will take the words in deep, as addictions can change who people are and how they respond and relate to their families. Jesus came to bring us out of the darkness into His glorious light. I'm praying the Lord will give me more on these lyrics but for now It's Thursday and a great day for recovery in the state of Florida. Go to a meeting, spread some love and hope and work your program! Make a gratitude list and truly think about what you are writing down and what you have to be grateful for, we ask for grace today as we pray for those in recovery and their families:

The Complete Serenity Prayer

• God, give us grace to accept with serenity
  the things that cannot be changed,
  courage to change the things
  which should be changed,
  and the wisdom to distinguish
  the one from the other.
  Living one day at a time,
  Enjoying one moment at a time,
  Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
  Taking, as Jesus did,
  This sinful world as it is,
  Not as I would have it,
  Trusting that You will make all things right,
  If I surrender to Your will,
  So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
  And supremely happy with You forever in the next.
  Amen.

-- Reinhold Niebuhr 

I Will always be known as a Sister Among You, just Somebody's Mother

I wasn't sure about posting this but it was a wonderful opportunity to share in the community. My husband, Bill videotaped with the phone me reading some of my poems at Florida Recovery Saturday night.

I dedicated the poems to my daughter, Regina Hix, who is over six years clean, sober and helping others now:) She takes meetings into jails, institutions and recovery rehabs whenever possible besides working full time and helping her husband run a new business. The Lord was so faithful to answer my prayers that she would not die on the streets of Daytona. I am very proud of her. Praise the good Lord, Hope is always in front of us.

 I want to thank all of those wonderful people who worked so hard to make this event possible, they are too many to name personally but Vicki Kress and Pastor Monzell D. Ford especially.

They did a great and awesome job. The talent show was incredible and the poem by the winner of last year's show was amazing. Recovery is alive and well in the State of Florida!

Click here if you want to see the video:  https://vimeo.com/107531545?utm_source=email&utm_medium=clip-transcode_complete-finished-20120100&utm_campaign=7701&email_id=Y2xpcF90cmFuc2NvZGVkfGFjYTJhODUxNTM2NjI5NDZjM2M2ZjQwNTA4YjM5OWM1MjAyfDMyODI4MTQ3fDE0MTIwMzE3MTR8NzcwMQ%3D%3D

My Heart Cries out for the Breath of Heaven

My heart cries out today, for me, for you and for our children and grandchildren.

I find myself doing it all over again. Looking to something or someone to do what only the Lord my God can do for me and in me and in my family.

I see that I still want my own timetable for healing and relief and that peace that only comes from the Lord. In my mind, I can fix it. As the firstborn daughter that was part of my job description for so long, fixer/caretaker of the family. When the fixer got weary, things needed to change, I needed to pull back; I need to pull back even now. No fixer or caretaker lives forever. Sometimes as with the case with my mama, the Lord seemed to have taken her early, perhaps to spare her from some acute pain, both physically and emotionally in her life. The Bible even has a verse that says He takes those early to spare them. It is His mercy yet we at home still grieve the loss of her love, her humor and her hearty laugh.

I repent once again Jesus. I repent of wanting a counselor to fix my family. I repent of looking to the world for what only You can do. I repent of getting weary in praying and wondering if You hear me? Do You see me still? Will You send an angel as You sent to Hagar; she named You the “God who sees.” See me, Jesus; see my hopes, dreams and aspirations. See my children that I love and have failed in so many ways, but yet I am blessed to have had the privilege to bring them forth for You and give them back to You. Thank you for each one and for some wonderful grandchildren. As I look to this day, knowing I have given it over to Your hands, I pray that Your Holy Spirit will rise up strong in me, that I can face the day, future and even the dreaded hour, that I can get through anything by Your strength and power. The old song, “Where Can we go, but to the Lord” has been in my heart since I was a young girl and knew I needed a savior so much. One thing I have always known is You are the one who holds the words of life, the only one I can constantly go to, my source of peace. You are the One who holds me. You will get all glory and praise. You are my heart’s desire. Live through me this day.

The lyrics to this song can apply to others than Mary, “Breath of Heaven”

I am waiting in a silent prayer

 I am frightened by the load I bear

 In a world as cold as stone

 Must I walk this path alone?

 Be with me now, be with me now

Breath of Heaven, hold me together

 Be forever near me, breath of Heaven

 Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness

 Pour over me Your holiness for You are holy

 Breath of Heaven

(Read more: Amy Grant - Breath Of Heaven Lyrics | MetroLyrics)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rW2OBT-5qfc

In The Answer to Arguments the word acceptance is the word for the day, today and every day

It amazes me when a word or phrase comes to me, and then I see just the same thing in morning devotions. Amazing again, as this very phrase had come to me, "You have seen that the hurt was not intentional but came within the principle of hurt people hurt people." as I pondered the pain in my life. I have never met or spoken to the Robinsons but sometimes it seems they have a window into my life. Another key thing is there are two destinies intertwined (“Your destinies in God are known in Hell. Satan has enjoyed sifting and is standing ready to do it again. But the Lord says, "Jesus has prayed that the hurting stop and that you use these occasions of hurt to point the way to help heal others.”) that the Lord wants to use in power and satan is so trying to destroy. All of my children and grandchildren have powerful destinies and that is why we continually seem to be under attack. Family is the heart of God and if destroyed the victory for the dark one will be major, but I stand on the fact that the battle is the Lord’s. His banner is truly love even when that love seems damaged. I may not be able to help or heal my own family but if our pain and trauma will help you on your journey, then my life in the Lord has not been in vain.

"What The Lord Is Saying Today," July 26, 2012. Someone very close has disrespected and dishonored you on two occasions recently. The hurt was raw and unredemptive. But you have survived the hurt as a stronger person in grace and forgiveness. You have seen that the hurt was not intentional but came within the principle of hurt people hurt people. Somehow that cycle of hurting out of hurt must cease. A battle has been raging in the pits of Hell over these incidents. Your destinies in God are known in Hell. Satan has enjoyed sifting and is standing ready to do it again. But the Lord says, "Jesus has prayed that the hurting stop and that you use these occasions of hurt to point the way to help heal others."

Luke 22:31-32 (AMP) "Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has asked excessively that [all of] you be given up to him [out of the power and keeping of God], that he might sift [all of] you like grain, but I have prayed especially for you [Peter], that your [own] faith may not fail; and when you yourself have turned again, strengthen and establish your brethren." Ras Robinson  

July 26, 2012. Part of the reason for your success in many things you do is that you expect so much of yourself. Most times this is a good thing. But along with high expectation, extend grace to yourself. You are a person among people and people act like people. You are not God. You are a human being. Many times you are harder on yourself than I am. I know you are to be perfect as I am perfect. I have set a high goal. But it's a goal. You and I know sometimes you miss the mark. When you do miss it, don't spend time picking yourself apart. Confess and start again.

Philippians 3:12-14 (NKJV) "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Bev Robinson

July 26, 2012. Embrace yourself as being someone like Barnabas. His name means "son of consolation". He was the one who befriended Paul when Paul was young and vouched for the sincere change which took place within Paul. He was the one who sold all he had and put all of it at the feet of the apostles. He was sent with confidence by the church in Jerusalem to Antioch because he was highly esteemed and respected. You are a person admired by others because of your inner character traits of excellence. Don't discount yourself. You have My charisma within you just like Barnabas did. Continue to stand up and be one who comes alongside.

Acts 11:22-24 (NKJV) "Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord." Kevin Robinson

"What The Lord Is Saying Today," © Fullness In Christ Ministries, Inc.,

Permission is granted for non-commericial use to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep the date of the word, "What The Lord Is Saying Today," and the author's name (Ras and/or Bev Robinson and/or Kevin Robinson) intact and include this entire copyright notice.  For any other use, please contact us at: info@fullnessnetwork.net.

 In The Answer to Arguments the word acceptance is the word for the day, today and every day. And it is just what I need to apply to my life. It's a great day for Recovery in the State of Florida!

From "Grace for the Moment": Max Lucado

Get along with each other,and forgive each other. If someone does wrong to you, forgive that person because the Lord forgave you. Col. 3:13

 

Unity doesn't begin in examining others but in examining self. Unity doesn't begin in demanding that others change but in admitting that we are not so perfect ourselves. ..

The answer to arguments? Acceptance.The first step to unity? Acceptance. Not agreement, Acceptance. Not unanimity, Acceptance. Not negotiation, arbitration, or elaboration. Those might come later but only after the first step, Acceptance" Max Lucado

God’s Waiting Room

Because I am seeing so many mothers hurting, I’m posting a story I wrote back when my oldest daughter was in the midst of her addiction. I am proud to say she is nearly 3 years sober now and is working on making the rest of her life count, helping others along the way.


God’s Waiting Room

I’ll never forget the day my friend called me “the mother of dreams.” We were talking on the phone at that time. I was discouraged; she was cheering me up. She meant it in a special way, as if I was the mother of her dreams, a prayer warrior, faithful and kind. Yet I, knowing myself as I do, struggling at times to just keep my sanity, heard it as what I truly am, a “mother who dreams.”


I dream of the day when my daughter will be whole and not have to depend on illegal drugs to get through the day. I dream of sanity in our lives instead of chaos. I dream of peace and right standing with God for all my children and grandchildren. I dream of testimonies given of overcoming by God’s grace and the mercy He lavishes upon us each day. I dream of happiness, wholeness and health. I dream of restored relationships. I dream of learning to go down a different path and being happy to stay on it, instead of falling in the dark pits of familiarity. And I dream of the day that all my children will be taught of the Lord, and great will be the peace of my children.


“Then you will know that I am the LORD those who hope in me will not be disappointed."


Isaiah 49:23;


Yet amidst these dreams, as we are waiting, we often feel disappointed. Is it wrong to feel disappointed with God? Philip Yancey wrote a whole book on the subject. “Disappointment With God,” tells many stories of real people going through literal “hell on earth” and realistically examines their plights and questions. I would recommend this book and also his book “Searching For an Invisible God,” if you have ever felt like you don’t understand the ways of the Lord.


What I want to do now is to remind us to hope in God. I have started researching the word “hope” as found in the Bible. If you are in “God’s Waiting Room” you are probably in need of encouragement, and the word of God is the greatest encouragement I know of. Even a study on the book of Job will bring hope when we see the restoration at the end.


But so many of us in “God’s waiting room” may feel as though we have been forgotten, as so often happens at a doctor’s office. We may see people who came in after us, go in first, or when we finally get in to the inner examining room we still find ourselves waiting. We have been stripped down, perhaps cold and frightened about what the doctor is going to say or do, and worrying. I don’t know about you, but I find that a very frustrating experience.


For the Christian there are no guarantees on the outcome of a situation. As noted in Hebrews 11 the great faith chapter we don’t all see the conclusion of the things God has planted in our hearts. But we can still look with hope for the promise.


The book of Hebrews starts off with hope:


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

Yet even as I speak this word of encouragement I know that many of you have lost hope in your child, in your life even in your future. It is hard to hope in what you cannot see. But just take it a step at a time, a day at a time, even a moment at a time. Pray for the strength to just do the next thing that needs to be done. It may have nothing to do with the child that has gone astray. The next thing you may need to do is learn to take care of yourself. Maybe you have beat yourself up with guilt over the things you think you should’ve done or could’ve done that you are walking weary and wounded. Learn to be good to yourself. Treat yourself well. The commandment about loving your neighbor as you love yourself---you would be kind to a neighbor, so kindly take care of yourself and those that are right before you.


There are some of you in whom the Lord would say, “the world was not worthy of them.” He would say to you that He has seen your walk of faith through the pain of living in this world. He knows you are not perfect in your endeavors but He knows you have tried. He knows you love your child, and you, His child, are loved by Him with an everlasting love. He sees the big picture that we cannot see. He loves your child more than you can ever imagine, although as a parent yourself, you feel that no one could match the love you feel. He will draw a hurting parent close. He does not forget your labor of love towards your child and to Him your heavenly Father. The sacrifice of praise while we are in God’s waiting room is of great value to Him. You cannot change anyone but yourself. And only God can change a heart bent on going its own way.

Donna Collins Tinsley
If it costs you nothing, it's worth nothing! Endurance is the price tag of achievement. Listen, "We pray that you'll have the strength...not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the...strength God gives...that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy" (Col 1:11 The Message).

Sometimes

Sometimes the pain of life gets in the way of living. Sometimes when we see those we love hurt it is hard to bear. Sometimes there is nothing we can do. Sometimes all we can do is pray. Sometimes we pray for help, sometimes for healing, sometimes just to make it through the next day, hour or even minute. Emotional pain and hurts can be as painful as physical and sometime even more so. Oh for the balm of Gilead to soothe our wounded hearts. Oh for the comfort of the Savior's arms in a real hug that would take away the hurts.



Sometimes we forget the scripture:


"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?" Jeremiah 32:27 NASB


Sometimes we need to see with new eyes His plan and be grateful for all that we have been spared from going through. Sometimes we need to recount all the answered prayers and blessings we have received. Sometimes unmet expectations may be the most painful thing that we go through.
Sometimes we need to remember Hebrews 11 especially verse 13
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.


Later on it is spoken of people that "the world was not worthy of them."


Sometimes we need to remember that the Lord God Almighty sees. He is with us in our pain and has promised to never forsake us. Sometimes we need to believe His word.

Easter, a time of new beginnings.

Easter is a time to think on the good things of your life, (Philipians 4:8) as the antidote to complaining and grumbling. It’s the old adage of counting your blessings.



As The Message puts it:


Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

I read a book by Jay Adams recently about a good way to incorporate this into your daily life. When you find you are tempted to go over in your mind worries and problems instead of ruminating over them, have a plan. Write down 10 or 20 things to think about when your mind is tormented with worries and think on those things instead.


Think about how blessed you are to live in a free country, regardless of all the things that need to be improved in it. Think about how you can be part of the solution instead of the problem.

Think about those whose lives are in danger just because they spread the good news of the love of God and then spread that good news yourself.
Think about the gift of sight, hearing and mobility that you have that others don’t and remember Helen Keller who did so much in spite of disabilities.
Think about the ministries you love and want to be involved with and then go get involved.
Think about your children and grandchildren that are gifts from the Lord and say an extra prayer of thanks for them. Think about the funny things they do each day.
Think about laughing with friends.
Think about how quickly you got old and be grateful for each new day.


Think about Corrie Ten Boom who said, "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future


to a known God,” but my favorite quote is still "There is no pit so deep, that God's love is not deeper still."
Think about those who in the Military who gave their life for you.


Think about Jesus dying on the cross and the wonder of His salvation.
Think about Easter and love, life and hope. But don’t forget it started on Good Friday. If you feel that you are stuck in a painful, Friday experience, remember, Sunday is coming!
May your Easter be blessed.
A great song to cheer your day:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n4iytp_TCM

Got dysfunction?

If the Judd’s put the fun in dysfunctional I’m thinking our family took the fun out of it. Anita Smith said any family not functioning under the headship of the Lord Jesus is dysfunctional.


I love hearing about families that are dysfunctional because I see we aren't the only ones. But family pain can hurt as no other can.

When I knew better, I did better, is a quote I love by Joyce Meyer. I use that one often, so I hope y'all don't get tired of it.

Got dysfunction? Get Jesus and live as best as you can, the way He lived.