Pray Without Ceasing!

You've probably heard the ole saying, pray without ceasing. It's actually taken from 1Thessalonians 5:17. However, do you know what it means to pray without ceasing? It means to pray without stopping. Our prayers are heard in heaven and we have the honor to petition to the Lord our concerns of this world. Sometimes God's answers are a quick yes, sometimes a flat out no, and other times is a wait!

Some prayers take years to see a difference. Some prayers come by assignment. Some prayers are the desires of our heart. It's okay to have desires in your heart. If they aren't from God, He's big enough to handle it for you and get you on the right track. Even the worst prayer can be changed and you will probably be changed in the process too!

I have found myself in a lifestyle of prayer. This means before my feet hit the floor, I say, "Good morning Lord! What do you have for me today?" It means as I'm going through my day I'm talking to God. It means when I lie down at night, I say a prayer before I fall asleep. If something is weighing heavy on me, I kneel by my bed to talk to Him until peace comes and then I can climb into my bed. This means I literately walk with the Lord all day and am in regular conversation. It also means when I'm driving down the road and people see me moving my lips and hands in my car, without anyone sitting next to me, yea... I'm cray cray for Jesus! :D

He is my redeemer, restorer, healer, and  the video above is to give you an insight as to how that came about. I tell you my friend.... With God all things ARE possible! Mark 10:27


                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Stirring Within...

Heaven and Earth

We stood by his bedside. He was in an awkward position as his head was tipped toward the ceiling and his eyes looked around, he was awake! However, I couldn't tell if he was "with us" because they seemed to wander aimlessly. The accident he was in nearly killed him. He had slowly been making progress but coming in and out of conciseness as medications were given to him to sedate him  to keep him still. His situation left many wondering about the severity of damage from the accident and I couldn't help but wonder,
"Oh Lord, did he receive brain damage?" 

I decided to focus on why I was there. I was not going to let my eyes determine what I would believe. After his wife let him know we were there, I  shared with him, "I'm here because I awoke this morning with a stirring in my Spirit for you. God has put it on many people's hearts to pray for you, including me. I believe God wants to do something good for you tonight. I have been praying for you since I've heard of the accident, but today I sensed I needed to come down and pray with you." His wife stood at my side nodding and affirming my words.

I closed my eyes, to focus on the Lord rather than his condition. I lay my hands on his arm and I began thanking God for this man in our lives. I thanked the Lord for sending me in and I was going to add my prayers to all the other prayers of the saints which had already been sent up. I began to pray what I had gotten on my way there while driving, "The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in you and He quickens your mortal body." That was the breaker, a flow began and I prayed and then I would wait, and then I would speak words of declarations as I heard them. He moved his arm to hold my hand. I continued to pray and could feel strength in his hand. I prayed, waited, spoke, and prayed again until there was quietness within. I felt I had come to bless him with what had been stirring within. Peace came over me.

He attempted to make direct communication with his wife. This was a new level of progress! However, with the trachea, we could not hear his voice, but it was very clear that he was coherent. She asked him to try again and he lipped, "Where am I?" She explained to him that he was in the hospital and that he had an accident. He rolled his eyes and gently shook his head in a no position. He understood what she was saying! Then he asked how long he was there and she told him 22 days! I added that he had been sleeping for three weeks! He gently shook his head again. He tried to say something else, but we couldn't make out what it was. He was looking at me when he was lipping it. I told him I was not that good at lip reading and he gave a little smile because he understood. Then I encouraged my husband to move to a position where he could see him better. He turned his head and eyes and looked toward my husband and my husband said, "Once you get better, we need to go and get some coffee," he then gave a bigger smile. We were all very grateful for his progress. I left him with encouraging words, "God has made you a strong man and He has brought you through a lot and He will be faithful to bring you through the rest." He received it and we could tell he was getting tired.  He has a long journey ahead, but he's a strong man with a strong God on his side.

On our way home I was talking to my husband about the importance of following the leading of the Lord. Every time we obey God, there is a reaction. When our prayers connect to the Heavenly Father's heart, something moves. It doesn't always happen as joyful as our encounter tonight. Never the less, it's moments like these that builds us up in faith and give us courage to press in and believe for the greater things. I also posed a question. What if the world was full of people who went by the leading and timing of the Lord? I'm sure it would have a tremendous impact on the lives of many. Who knows,.. the world could be a better place! I am thankful I went tonight and it dawned on me what I think he was trying to say to me as he kept looking into my eyes and moving his lips, it was an appreciative, "Thank you."

God Bless!
Deborah :)

The Hook... What If?

The moment I woke up and rolled over in the morning,  I knew I was in for a battle. I had been challenging those around me to set their minds on the things of the Lord and today was going to be my day  to practice what I had been "preaching."

Our cafe' hit an all time low the day before. It was strange because Friday's had always been one of our best days. I went to bed saying all the right things to one of my partners, my daughter, but I awoke with her concerns.

It started as a low rumble as a "what if?" As the morning progressed the "what ifs" became full on sentences. What if I misunderstood the leading of the Lord? What if the cafe' fails? What if I'm stuck with a debt-load and no way to pay it?

Before I left my house to fulfill my shift, I knew I was in a true "head on" battle.  On my way in, I was reminded of something I had recently read... fear robs us of faith. Yes! I was becoming consumed in fear and the "what ifs" were my hook. My faith was depleting and fear was becoming a crippling monster.

It is up to me to choose what I will allow to consume my mind. The Holy Spirit bubbled scripture up from within,

     For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds
     casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God
     BRINGING EVERY THOUGHT INTO CAPTIVITY to the obedience of Christ- 2 Cor. 10:4-6a

I decided that I was not going to stay in that place of fear. I also wasn't going to base my day, my thoughts, and actions on the fears of "what if?" I was gonna grab a  hold of that hook and cast it into the sea!

As I listened to worship music I had to force myself to sing. Somewhere within myself I was comfortable with the fears, perhaps because I had established a familiarity with it long ago. But as a growing believer, I knew I didn't want to stay there - I wasn't going to stay there. I then decided it was time for me to to talk to God. I began by thanking Him for the opportunity to have a business, to be able to be where we are, and to be called by Him for such a time as this to work with two other generations. In prayer, my focus began to shift! I began to I to apply the principals of authority I had been learning, "In Christ I don't have to submit to fear, I submit to faith! I do not relinquish the leading of the Lord. I know I have been called there for this time and this season. I will focus on the vision and let God be my provision!"  I went on and on and proclaimed God's goodness. Slowly the fear began to melt. I pressed in further. I began to pray for the other stores in our galleria. I realized they too were feeling the pinch. I continued to pray my way to work. Before I knew it,  my half hour ride was complete.

As soon as my foot hit the threshold of the store, I knew, that I knew, that I knew, I was where I belonged. As the day unfolded, I watched God work in the natural realm as well as the spiritual realm. Our sales went up and so did a few prayers. Most of all, the faith which God established in me arose once again and the fears disappeared. I felt peace in my soul and the confidence that God is our provider was re-established.

The "what ifs" shifted. "What if God called me here to enjoy this season with my spiritual mom and daughter? What if God wants me here to be connected to the people at the store? What if this new thing we're doing makes it possible for others dreams to come true? By faith the hook was thrown back to me, by the greatest fisherman of all time, and was baited with the victory side of "what ifs!"

God Bless!
Deborah :)

Let's See What You Are Made Of...

We've been fortunate enough to send two kids off to college. Up until that time, I had a huge impact on their education because we are a homeschool family. We take our faith, family, and education quite seriously. Due to where we live, our social life was a bit limited. Even though they were part of an Educational Co-op group and participated in activities and they attended a youth group they didn't really hang out with their peers for pizza and movie nights. So going off to college, they were little tiny fish in a pretty big pond.

When the "big day" came for them to enter our community college I had a little prepping to do. I had to explain to them that just because a professor says something, doesn't mean it's the truth. That was a reality concept for them to grasp, especially since they were raised to respect and submit to authority. We were also careful to surrounded them with Biblically wise council. Never the less, college is a place where students are going to hear and experience situations that are going to directly rub against everything they had been taught. I would tell them, "This is where the rubber meets the road. You'll be faced with information that is completely opposite of what you've been raised to believe. And you, not me, not you father, not your uncle, not your anybody will be there to tell you if it is right or wrong. You will have to face yourself and what you believe. We're gonna find out what you're really made of." And off they went.

They both grew to handle difficult situations well. I would often ask opened ended questions, giving them an opportunity to share what they had experienced, on a daily bases. If they said something didn't matter, I would ask what the something was. I didn't let them off the hook easily. I had seen many Christian children walk away from the faith in the college years. I was determined to fight spiritually (on my knees) as well in the natural (daily conversations) for my children. The world probably seen me as overbearing, but I didn't care. Most people thought of me that way anyhow since I homeschooled. But I could see the writing on the wall for this generation of young people and if the culture could convince them there wasn't a God to be accountable to - it would. I had to fight for my faith, it wasn't handed down to me. I wasn't going to sit back and let the culture rob me and the blessings for my future generational line.

They grew and became prepared for the next step. Life away from home, on campus. This meant they would not be coming home at night. They would be given more opportunities to explore life ... and face what they believed. Both children had been on our local No Messin' Around team. They taught abstinence before marriage. Now they both would have ample opportunity to test that teaching. I told both of them before I left the campus, "You've taught other students about abstinence but now you'll have to decide if you really believe in it - for yourself - especially if you have a boyfriend. It's about you and what you believe - I won't be there, your dad won't be there -  ultimately, it's between you and God. If for some reason you think you're going to do something you'd better use protection. I don't have to know what you choose, but as any good parent, I desire you to continue to be wise in your choices." I gave them a hug and a kiss and walked away to let them make their own decision.

I would pray for them each day. I stayed as close through phone conversations as much as possible.  I watched my girls grow and prosper. It's possible they've done things I don't know about. However, they're at an age that even if I don't know about it - it's between them and God. I am confident that the Lord's love and grace would help them if they found themselves in an undesirable situation. Their father and I are still here for wise counsel but the transfer of parent dependence and God dependence has taken place. On the outside things look good. They both have a relationship with the Lord and hold fast to our family values. I humbly say, I guess what we taught them - they still believe...and I continue to pray.

God Bless!
Deborah :)

Hope in the Cross

Everybody believes in something. However, when we believe in Jesus, we find salvation, healing, and deliverance from every thing that is thrown at us from this fallen world.

The cross is recorded in history as one of the most painful ways to die. Jesus chose to take the challenge so that we wouldn't have to be bound to separation from the Heavenly Father now and for eternity. His vertical position on the cross represents His relationship between Him and the Father. His horizontal position, with His out-stretched hands, represents His relationship of love for mankind.

This video is my expression of my hope in the cross. Like many other people, I have had challenging situations. Never the less, when I rely on the Lord, I discover ways to overcome. Often times what comes to me to deal with situations is beyond natural thinking. I am not alone and neither do you need to be.

God Bless!
Deborah

Forgiveness vs Reconciliation

Have you ever heard of the cliché, “forgive and forget?” I heard this statement growing up but I couldn’t get myself to agree with it. Even as a dedicated Christ believing adult, I just can’t accept these words.

I discovered the reason why.

In my mind, I would have to become friends with the offender once more and accept their behavior. Yet, the words, “Not again,” would ring true in my heart as I would watch them repeat their behavior to others. As much as I would be willing to allow Christ to work in my heart to forgive, I couldn’t forget what they had done. I wouldn’t want to put myself in their line of fire any longer. Without Christ revealing truth in their lives, I would never be able to come to a place of reconciliation. Yes, I could forgive but I couldn’t reconcile and forget.

To forgive is to release the offender from your desire to have repayment for their wrong doing. This God given instruction is something you choose to obey, "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive him, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses," (Mark 11:14). In the hardest situations you will discover by the grace of God, you are able to forgive and have healing.

Reconciliation takes two parties surrendered to God's way for healing. Both sides recognize the offense. The offender must realize what they have done and apologize for their wrong doing before the relationship can be mended. The victim also needs to accept their apology. Reconciliation takes effort and deliberate work from both parties. With God working in both hearts, it's possible. In time, creating new and better memories will overcome the past and forgetting the offense will become easier.

Unfortunately, there are times that the offender does not come to a place of seeking an apology. It's even possible they take their unrepentant behaviors to the grave, which is between them and God. Never the less, you can walk in peace as you have been obedient to do your part and trust the Lord is working on the situation.

In a perfect world, we all would get along nicely and nobody would get hurt. Since we do not live in a perfect world, there are people who offend and justify their behavior. Sometimes their offenses are downright abusive. It’s nearly impossible to reconcile with someone who continues to bring harm. It’s best to pray for them,"Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you,”(Matt 6:28). In time, the offender may come to terms with their actions and seek your forgiveness. I’ve heard many stories whereby the offender had the revelation of Christ and they were able to apologize to their victims. Once they sought forgiveness, it gave room for reconciliation. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,” (2Cor 5:17&18).

It’s important to remember two things about forgiveness vs reconciliation:

Forgiveness is between you and God as you choose to be in obedience to His instruction.

Reconciliation is between you, the offender, and God. Each one works together to have the victory of reconciliation.

Once an offense has taken place, you can’t go back in time to change what has happened. However, you can change the outcome by allowing Christ to work in you. It's important to forgive. But forgetting requires a healing process which often comes hand in hand with reconciliation and rebuilding the relationship.

Sometimes it’s hard to know how to pray for our offender. Here’s an example, but remember it’s not just the words you speak to God; it’s your heart that’s most important:

“Dear Lord, thank you for giving me the courage to forgive (you give name). I ask that you help them understand what they have done (and are possibly still doing). Help me to be kind in their presence as I wait upon you Lord~Amen.”

God Bless!

Deborah