Make 2013 your best year yet~~ Ask, Believe & Receive

We've just started a brand new year! 2013 could be the year of your dreams, if you let it. I believe that too many of us settle for what life gives us, instead of reaching for the stars and stretching ourselves through our abilities and our dreams. Don't lay in the lowlands of life, get up out of the valley and start climbing your mountain!

This could be a whole new year for you, and for me too. Forget about your limitations through any physical disabilities or even sickness and march out and claim your dream! For me, that can be a challenge because I'm living everyday with MS, a chronic disabling and progressive disease, so believe me when say it can be a big time challenge. Sometimes, it's a challenge to just get out of bed in the morning. BUT--- I am determined not to let my MS stop me in my tracks. I have been living for over 20 years with lousy disease, and although it has altered the way I can handle some of physical or cognitive aspects of my life, it has not altered my spirit or my love of God meaning it has not altered my soul and it never will.

For me, there are way too many things to be done before I leave this earth. God has bigger plans for me than wallowing around in my temporary misery. He doesn't care if I'm having a bad day, He can use me just the way I am for the glory of His Kingdom. There are always brighter days and moments with the Lord of the Universe by your side! Look for them, look for the good things in your life and refocus yourself away from the negative and onto the positive! You can do it!

It doesn't matter what your qualifications are. If you have a willing heart, the Lord can use you to further His Kingdom and win lost souls. He will equip you through the Holy Spirit and empower you to do His work!
2 Timothy 3:16-17 encourages us: " All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

If the Lord says He will equip us, He surely will. It's a promise!

I am convinced that God wants us to live life to the fullest, but many of us become so distracted by the  minutia of the life we live each day, that we don't look at the big picture. We don't reach for the tallest mountain, we're content to lay in the valley and complain. Really? Come on people, anybody can do that! That is so unimaginable~~

There is always something to complain about. If you want to dwell on all the things that have gone wrong with your life, you'll never get out of the trenches. I'm not minimizing the suffering that many have gone through. I know life is very tough and has been extremely tough on some people, but that doesn't mean you have to be defeated. I've had a tremendous amount of suffering in my own life, but I try very hard not to let it take over my life. You need to pull yourself up by your bootstraps and say, I'm gonna do better, everything is going to change for me this year--- it is going to be a new beginning for me. God doesn't want me to live like this. He wants me to live in victory! He wants me to live for Him. This year, I'm gonna make it my priority to do just that!

I'm going to wake up every morning with a smile on my face and just say "Thank you Lord for waking me up this morning. Thank you for all the blessings you bestow upon me each and every day. I want to be your vessel today. Use me as you will. Help me to impact the world for you. Help me to reach out to others in Your Name. A lot of people are hurting today, I want to help them see the beauty of this life."

Start each day like that and spend your day Praising the Lord whenever you can and believe me, you will live a much happier life! If you are spending your time being thankful and Praising God, things will begin to turn around for you.

I encourage you to step out of the box this year. Reach for the stars; run after your dream. Our God is the dream maker and He can make all of your dreams come true... you just need to depend on Him for everything. Lean on this unforgettable scripture verse: put it on your mirror and read it each morning: Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths." If you don't want to use this verse, then pick out one of your favorites than inspires you! Just find a verse from God's Word and read it back to Him each and every morning. He loves to hear His words - it brings Him much delight! It's also a great way to start the day.

Believe it and receive it. You have to ask, you have to believe and you will receive. It's truly that simple. So don't wallow in the trenches of life this year, go after your dreams and God can make them come true. It's a promise. And the Creator of the Universe doesn't break His promises!

          “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 
For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks. the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-12

My verses for today are above in red.

My prayer for today:

Lord Jesus:

Thank you so much for my life. Thank you so much for my salvation. Thank you for dying for me and loving me so much that you saved me from damnation to give me eternal life. Lord, I want to live for you. Help me to focus myself on you each day, and help me to reach out to those who are hurting in this world. Help me to show them your love and be your hands and feet each day.

I pray,
Amen

Be a Beacon for Jesus Love in 2013~

We stand at the threshold of a brand New Year with all the possibilities that await us. As you approach this New Year, have you decided who will accompany you on this journey of year 2013?

No doubt you will have your family and friends to accompany you on your journey, but we all know that each New Year is fraught with peaks and valleys along the way. It's called life and it sure it nice to know that when you hit the low points, there will always be one that can help you no matter what you face, if you'll let Him. Can you see Him? Can you find Him when you are hurting? You need to only seek His face and He will always be there. One of the His great Psalms of comfort and assurance is: 

Psalm 121: - 1-8

" I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  The LORD watches over you-- the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.  The LORD will keep you from all harm-- he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." 

                                       "I will lift up mine eyes to the hills, where does my help come from?

                                           My help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and Earth."

Do you find comfort in that verse, like I do? You need help? All you gotta do is ask! What a relief!What a glorious promise that is.

So, the "Holidays" which originally were known as "Holy Days," a term set aside in the 1500's to give reverence and worship to God Almighty, will officially be over in a few days, and back to the grind we go. Many people are let down after the big build up of Christmas and New Years and all the excitement that goes with it. The parties, the parades, the Christmas lights, making and decorating cookies, gift shopping and giving will be behind us, and admittedly even I have had some years of feeling let down after the build up of this festive season. Haven't you?

But there is so much to be hopeful about as we face a brand New Year. Only the Lord knows the paths we will take, for He hold our futures, but the possibilities truly are limitless. It can be scary, not knowing what lies ahead, but with the Creator of the Universe by your side, there is absolutely nothing to fear. He will catch you when you fall. He will be there to rescue you no matter what your situation or circumstance. It's a promise, it's a guarantee and our Lord God doesn't break His promises, EVER. His plan for you was laid out before the beginning of time. The beloved scripture passage from Jeremiah 29:11 affirms that for us  "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Relax, it's under control. His control, and there's nothing to be anxious about - ever. 

  

                                                       "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord.".....

You may have a path already set or be in the middle of achieving your dream, or you may be beginning something totally new. One thing is for sure, if you rely on the Lord and His Word, He won't let you down. Proverbs 3:5-6 says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight." Such a GREAT scripture! With so much promise! It's such a simple promise, but so often we run away from it, wanting to do things our way, thinking we have a better plan.

But we are wrong. If our plans don't line up with His, it simply isn't going to work out and that's just a fact.  "Trust and Obey and leave the consequences to Him" as my favorite TV Pastor Dr. Charles Stanley always says. The best laid plans of mice and men don't amount to anything, if they aren't in accordance with God's plan for you and your life.

But to find His will, you have to seek it through prayer and bible reading. Another great promise is from John 15:5 "If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit." What a wonderful thing that would be to bear fruit for the Lord! It's possible if you seek His face and read His Word. It truly is that simple. Wouldn't it be a glorious thing to bear fruit for your Lord Jesus Christ in 2013. Think of the possibilities that brings! Working for the Kingdom of God! Nothing could be any better. Nothing!

                                                      You can step out in Boldness for Jesus in 2013!

So friends, don't be shy! I challenge you to step out in 2013 with Boldness in your Faith in Jesus and His plan for you. He will back you up, He will not let you slip or fall, He's got your back, ALWAYS! That's an absolute Promise! Happy New Year everyone and may all your dreams come true in 2013. It's gonna be a GREAT YEAR!

My verses for today are above in red.

My prayer for the New Year:

Dearest Heavenly Father:

I come to you today with much humility and confession that I have not always trusted everything you do all the time. I have wavered Lord, and I am sorry for my lack of faith. Help me Lord to believe ALL your promises and to Stand Boldly as your instrument in 2013. We have so many people hurting in this world Lord. Help me to be a beacon of your love that others might see you through me.

    I pray, Amen and Amen

Awaiting Jesus~ Still the hope of the world~

This has been a horrendous week or so, with the senseless slaying of 20 innocent children and 6 brave teachers and administrators at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Ct on Dec. 14th, 2012. Many are asking where was God when this was going on? How could a loving God let this unknown young man, Adam Lanza, perpetrate this awful thing on these totally innocent victims just going about their business on a normal Friday morning. That is a legitimate question, and I will try to make some sense of it when it makes so sense at all.

                                               The 26 angels of Sandy Hook Elementary - taken too soon~

We are living in a very unsettled world these days. Our confused society and the people living in it are increasingly carefree and desensitized to the frailty of human life. Over the years, we have slowly and systematically removed God from our nation. We have removed Him from our classrooms, our courtrooms and in many cases, our own lives. Example - We don't want to say Merry Christmas and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, we'd rather say Happy Holidays to as not to offend anyone. We've thrown out God's idea of marriage between one man and one woman and decided it's okay for homosexuals to marry. Homosexuality is against God's Word. The Bible calls it an abomination, yet the current President of our Country has said he endorses gay marriage. How do you think God feels about that? Why would He want to bless and protect our nation when we are doing things that are so totally against His Word? Do you think God Almighty is offended at all by the way we have removed Him from our lives without even asking?

One thing I have learned about God in my study of Him is that He never changes. He doesn't waiver, He doesn't change. His Law and His Word don't either, they have been the same since the beginning of time. There is great comfort in that I think because you always know where you stand with God. He doesn't change His mind and say "Naw, I've been thinking about it and I really don't see why you can't do it, I've changed my mind." He NEVER changes His mind. His laws are the same, always. It is us that needs to do the changing.

No one knows when the Lord will make His glorious return, but it just seems to me that more and more we are seeing more prophecies being fulfilled. And the Bible says as the time draw near, we will live in Godless times. Do you think what happened at Sandy Hook was a Godless, unholy act? I sure do. The book of Timothy is clear:

II Timothy 3:1-5,7 "But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of god; holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."

Turn on the evening news each day and there is more despair around us than ever. You'd have to have your head buried in the sand to not see it.

Killings, pornography, violence, child abuse, hunger, hopelessness, drug addiction,and alcoholism surround us. So what is there to be joyful about at this most joyous time of the year? 26 people are dead. They were slaughtered by a deranged and mentally ill young man who began his day by gunning down his own mother. Pure evil, that's all that is, pure evil. How then, can we expect God to protect us and those we love when we don't honor Him? We have turned our backs on God for too long in this country. We need to repent and return to Him, asking for His love, His forgiveness and His protection.

The Bible is also clear that if we do that, He will forgive and He will restore our land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 is very specific in His promise to us;

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

                                                  We must pray and turn back to God, before it is too late~

We can still turn this around and return to God. So, the Good News is that even in the midst of a horrible tragedy, like what happened a week ago, we can still count on Jesus, the hope of the world. Now is the time friends. We need to turn away from our evil ways and return to living for God. Think about it. When something terrible happens, where do we go? We go to our knees to pray. When we don't understand, we pray that God will give us the wisdom to deal with the situation that has been put before us. God Almighty is our only true promise, our only true hope in a world that seems to be falling apart. The birth of Jesus Christ, the only son of God, is what gives us hope in life-- everlasting.

So even in the midst of terrible tragedy, we still have His hope. We have hope in Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind, the Savior of our souls. The only true light of the world. The precious little baby boy, born of the Virgin Mary over 2,000 years ago. His birth is still known as the Great Story Ever Told - We still call Him Emmanuel, Savior, Prince of Peace, Lamb of God, the Great I am, Jehovah Rapha, and many other names. But for all of us, He is the only true hope in a hurting world.

So through it all, we are still waiting... for the birth of the one who can change any man's heart: the vilest sinner,the brokenhearted, the disheartened, the weary, the weak, the proud, the meek, and anyone who needs a savior who can promise eternal life. He won't turn anyone away who comes to Him in repentance with humility.

He will be the one who saves us all from ourselves and from this evil world we live in. Hallelujah! Praise His Holy Name! Merry Christmas everyone and may the Light of Jesus shine on you and those you love.

                                                   We are awaiting the birth of Jesus, the hope of the world!

My verses for today are above in red.

My prayer for today:

Lord Jesus:

It's so very hard to understand how someone can take human life and be so callous and unfeeling about destroying those around them. We will never understand it Lord. But we know that You give us hope Lord, even in the midst of tragedy, even in the midst of horror. You are the only light that shines so bright, no matter what the circumstances.

Lord, I pray for the families of those affected at Sandy Hook. Comfort them and wrap your loving arms around them during these horribly difficult days. Watch over those children and teachers who had their lives taken so suddenly from them. They are your angels now Lord, and we are thankful for that. Shine the light of their love on their families to help comfort them during this difficult Christmas season.

In Jesus Name I pray,
Amen and Amen