Prayer

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

It is so amazing to have godly friends. The good thing about having fellow believers in your circle of friends is the mighty gift of prayer. God is moving in mighty ways right now - in this day in age. Praise God that He is unchanging. The God we serve is the same God that brought the Israelites out of Egypt, that brought the mighty walls of Jericho down by a mere shout of praise, and that conquered armies attacking Jeoshaphat through praise. My sisters, do not be deceived by the power of prayer and praise - these are mighty weapons of God.

We walk in a time that we can easily be discouraged. We live in a nation that murders innocent babies by the millions. We live in a society in which lawlessness abound, where they call good evil and evil good. We live in a time, when we are easily distracted by the chaos in our own lives. So, why don't we go to our friends for prayer? God is so Faithful, it says so right here in this passage, "But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one." So, if God is faithful to strengthen us and protect us from the evil one, why is it that we so easily trampled by the enemy? God is bigger and greater than the enemy. 1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

So, I encourage you today, if you are going through a rough time, call out for prayer. You don't have to give all of the details. God knows exactly what you are going through - there is something powerful, when we gather in agreement in prayer. Just this week, I had sleepless nights, where fear overcame my body. I asked my husband to pray for me. We prayed and prayed all night long, and you know what - God showed up in a powerful way! God has a way of coming through. My prayer for you today is the last of this passage, "May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance."

Love

Romans 12:9-13

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

I hope you are having a blessed week. This week has been amazing for me. Last week, my car was not working - the battery was dead. Then Friday, we took it to get repaired, and it was fixed with an upgraded battery for FREE!!! God is so amazing. He has redeemed my time this week, given me opportunities to bless others, and allowed me to spend quality time with my son. I have been walking in God's favor this week - high on the mountaintop, and it has been wonderful.

I love what this scripture says about Love. Love is one of those words that can oftentimes be tossed around without thought. My parents recently returned from their trip to Indonesia, you may recall they went there to a Global Prayer Conference. They shared with us an amazing story of reconciliation between the Japanese and Koreans. I'm not sure if you know about the prejudices between these two groups, but it has been passed down from generation to generation for centuries. I was able to catch a glimpse of this, just simply by being part Japanese. I would often hear things from my grandmother about the Koreans. When I was in high school, I read an article in a magazine while visiting my aunt. It was on the Koreans and Japanese, and provided an explanation on the basis of the prejudices between the two. My mom explained the repentance between the two groups to be powerful. It made me think, how divided we are in the US and the American Church. How many times have we heard judgment instead of Love in the Church? 

I then started thinking about Love. Love I think can be one of the most misunderstood words in our society today. There are so many facets of Love - I love you all, but not the same way I love my husband. I love my husband, but not the same way I love my son. I love my son, but not the same way I love my parents, and so on and so forth. What kind of Love are we to have in the Church? The Love expressed in this passage of scripture is agape love (brotherly love). However, I think that these verses best define this kind of Love - Sincerity, Hating Evil, Clinging to what is Good, Devotion, Honor, Zealous, Spiritual Fervor, Serving the Lord, Joyful, Hopeful, Patient, Faithful in Prayer, and Hospitality. Don't you think that encapsulates Love? 

Love is important to God - in fact Jesus said that the greatest commandment is Love:

Mark 12:29-31

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. ‘The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

So, why is it so hard to Love? We so easily get caught up in criticizing, judging, and not forgiving others. Unforgiveness can be a poison to us. Let us learn how to Love one another - even the unloveable. Let us first look inside ourselves, and repent of not loving those God has called us to love. Can you think of a time when you showed judgment rather than God's love? Let us cleanse ourselves of unforgiveness, of judgment, of not loving. Once we rid ourselves of this, then let us seek God to see how we can show His Love. We live in such a hurting world - a world that is in need of Christ's authentic, unconditional Love. Let us be the heart of Jesus today, and Love.

Seeking God's Wisdom

Proverbs 2:1-11

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding — indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.
I hope you are having a blessed week. I have been blessed by simply staying home with my son this week. I got a taste of what is yet to come, as I prepare to homeschool my son next year. It has been great jumping into the Word each morning over breakfast with him. We've been studying the book of Proverbs, and have really enjoyed digging into it. It is great seeing these scriptures through the eyes of a child - such innocence, yet such great insight.
Proverbs is such a great book to turn to when you feel you need that extra dose of God's wisdom. It is God's wisdom which will allow us to live to our full potential; it is God's wisdom that will keep us on the paths of the straight and narrow. So, how do we get this wisdom? This passage indicates that God gives wisdom, and James confirms it by saying that anyone who seeks wisdom should simply ask for it: James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
So, if God is giving us wisdom, what do we do with it? Let's pick this apart verse by verse. It says to tune your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding. What do you think this means? In Proverbs 1, it speaks of wisdom screaming in the streets, yet only the fools failed to listen. Are we listening to Wisdom's instruction? Can you hear her screaming? Are we ignoring the distractions in our lives long enough to listen to wisdom's instruction? However, it isn't enough to simply just listen to wisdom's instruction, we have to apply it to our hearts, meaning we have to believe in our hearts, do as wisdom instructs.
So, how do we hear wisdom? I love what the next part of the passage says, "indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God." We simply have to seek it, as we would for treasure, and when we find it we will understand the fear of the Lord. The Fear of the Lord, what a magnificent insight! We are so quick to say we’re believers, yet so quick to go on with our day to day lives, treating God as common. However, God is anything but common - He created the world and everything in the world in a week’s time. He understands every part of our being. He is Love, Peace, Truth, Comfort, Justice, Provider, Healer, Father, and our Friend. There are so many facets of God, that He is so much more than any list can contain. He is so much more than we can even imagine. So, why would we treat Him as common - as an accessory to our day, our agenda? I want to understand more than before, that is why I want to seek God as I would treasure. For God is more valuable than anything this world has to offer.
Let us look at verses 7 and 8, “He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones." My son and I were talking this morning, what does it mean by success? So, I looked up the Hebrew lexicon, because the King James Version of this scripture uses wisdom here rather than success. In looking further in the scripture, I noticed that this wisdom is different than the wisdom used before. Up to this point when wisdom is used, it is the Hebrew word Chokmah (pronounced khok-maw); which means, wisdom, skill (war), wisdom (administration), shrewdness wisdom, wisdom in prudence (in religious affairs), wisdom (ethical, religious). Here the word for wisdom is Tuwshiyah (pronounced too-shee-yaw), which means wisdom, sound knowledge, success, sound or efficient wisdom, abiding success, a sound or efficient wisdom, abiding success (of the effect of sound wisdom). What I see this is the result of wisdom - the result of making a wise choice. So when you choose wisdom (chokmah) you will have the soundness of wisdom (tuwshiyah). I think this is how you obtain peace. I'm sure you have all felt this, when you make a choice, and look back and recognize it was the right choice. You get this sense of satisfaction, relief. What a beautiful way to view success! In this world, we seem to think success is driven by how much money we have, if we have a great job, house, car, etc... What a sad way to view success, because it is so difficult to obtain these things, and if we don't obtain this so called success - does that mean we are not successful. I love God's view of success - it is much different. If we walk His ways, then we are successful - we can feel the peace in our hearts. I think obtaining peace is much more satisfying than obtaining material objects. I love what the next part of the verse says; he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Once again, by following wisdom's instruction of walking the blameless path, we have the success of knowing God is our shield. I have experienced God's shield, and it is amazing. Seeing the attacks of the enemy blocked by the shield of the Lord is amazing.
I love how this ends, verses 9-11, Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. It all leads up to this point - if we listen to wisdom, apply her instruction, stay on the straight paths, then we will get the blessing: understanding truth, for isn't truth what is right and fair? Then we will know the paths to walk, because wisdom will be in our heart, discretion will protect us and understanding will guard us. What an awesome promise. Yes, I want wisdom!!!
Let us seek God today for His Wisdom - it is far more than we have ever imagined.

Sarah's Choice

Who am I, this barren land,
I have no children, to take my hand.
A promise made, a promise kept;
Laughter falls beneath my breath.

Tears stream down my face at night;

A hidden smile in dawning light.
My heart breaks, captured by denial,
Hoping, praying, believing for a child.

Seasons come and seasons go,

Months fade to years as I grow old.
Hearing laughter all around,
Faith is waiting to be found.

Is there hope, is there faith,

Is there a prayer to help me wait,
Walking through the darkened place,
Finding a reason to run this race.

God's Presence

Hebrews 9: 23-28

It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Greetings my Beloved,

I have had an amazing time in worship today - so much so, that it has been difficult to get any work done. However, by the grace of God - surprisingly, I have gotten a lot accomplished. I can feel the Lord's presence all around me, just from true authentic worship. I believe God wants nothing more, than for us to fully devote ourselves to worshipping Him. It is so awesome that we serve a God that is the master and creator of all things.

Ephesians 1:11, In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will. God's master plan was for us, allowing us - gentiles - to go beyond where His chosen people were able to go. Only the priests were able to enter the Holy of Holies within the temple, and even then only once a year once a sacrifice was made on behalf of them and their family. Yet, Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for us to be able to enter the Holiest of places - God's presence. But are we able to enter with an unclean heart? It is interesting that earlier in this chapter, the sacrifice included sins committed in ignorance. Hebrews 9:7 But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. Yet I wonder how are we, as sinners to enter the Lord's presence, without being struck down? We are so undeserving. How ignorant are we, not to realize our uncleanness, yet wanting to be face to face with the Lord? How can we ask to see the Lord's glory, yet retain our unclean hearts? We have allowed so much of the culture to enter into our hearts - God's temple. The moment we allow idols in our life, we are committing adultry to the Lord. How can we treat God so common? How can we allow ourselves to get wrapped up in our fleshly desires, when God has given everything to us? Let us be like Isaiah, take the coal, Lord, cleanse my lips: Isaiah 6:5-7, Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” I want to be cleansed, purified, worthy to be within the Lord's presence, to see His Glory. For, God is so Holy, and I am not. Only through Him, can I be purified, to be set apart to be righteous according to His will, His pleasing and perfect will. Let this be our prayer:

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, ... in view of God’s mercy, to offer [our] bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is [our] true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of [our] mind. Then [we] will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Purify our hearts, our minds, and our lips, Lord. Let us be pleasing and acceptable to you, a pure living sacrifice. Lord, we want to be pure, spotless, and blameless, so that we can enter into your presence. Lord we want to be Holy as you are Holy. We want to be closer to you. In your name we pray, Amen.

Heal Our Land

2 Chronicles 7:13-16

“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 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 I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there."

Isaiah 51:1-3

“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn; look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was only one man, and I blessed him and made him many. The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing."

The Lord is so amazing! I love how His mercies are new every morning. Because of the Lord's mercies, my strength has been renewed!

Yesterday, I went to the National Day of Prayer at City Hall, and I was tremendously blessed. I have been in Isaiah 51 this week. I wasn't quite sure what the Lord was trying to show me, until today, when I was pondering on the National Day of Prayer at City Hall and the praying for our nation. Naturally 2 Chronicles 7:14 comes to mind when praying for the nation. I then realized to key in on the first part of Isaiah 51. Do you see the connection? While we often tend to look at scriptures for the physical relevance - healing of our nation the land that is continually growing darker and darker... Isaiah 51 also makes you go to the natural - making deserts like Eden, and wastelands like the garden. But let us go deeper. Let us internalize it, is there healing needing to happen in our own lives? I do believe we are the ones pursuing righteousness, wanting to seek the Lord. I truly believe God wants us to live a blessed life, even when things in the natural seem so difficult. It's interesting how when turmoil strikes in my life, I turn to God - who else can you turn to in times of trouble. And God will send some amazing people who spoke life into me. There is nothing better than a word of encouragement when you are going through a rough time. It is like finding that stream of water in the desert wasteland. You can see where I'm going with this. Before we can even make a difference in this world, we have to first look at ourselves. Are we pursuing God's righteousness, or are we pursing man's righteousness or even our own righteousness? Hebrews 12:14 tells us to, Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Looking at your life right now, are you able to reflect God's holiness? Until we recognize the sin in our own lives, how are we to reflect God's holiness? How are we to be the righteous in this dark nation, so that when Abraham beckons with the Lord, if there are just 5 righteous, will you save the land? If we give into the society's way of thinking, would we still be counted as righteous to save our nation from the wrath of God? Is our physical bodies healthy enough to withstand the attacks of the enemy? You see, even before our nation can receive the healing, we first need to receive our healing. The promise in 2 Chronicles begins with humbling and turning from wicked ways. Before the Lord will comfort us, and look on us with compassion, and turn our deserts in to Eden and our wastelands into a garden, we have to first pursue His righteousness and seek Him. Are we seeking the Lord when sickness hits our bodies? Are we seeking the Lord when our finances seem to be diminishing? Are we seeking the Lord when everything around us seems to be in turmoil? I know that God is willing to move in our lives, but we first have to humble ourselves, turn from our wicked ways, pursue righteousness, and seek the Lord. Let us seek the Lord, and enter into His presence... the Holy of Holies!!!

A Quiet Place

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. -Matthew 11:28

Sometimes, all we need is a quiet place to rest. I invite you to take a break from the chaos of the day, to seek out the quiet place of rest in the Lord. Here I plan to share devotionals, songs, poetry - inspirations from the Lord.

Come follow me to a peaceful place,
One that is restful, one full of grace.
Drink from the fountain of the Living Well,
A water that saves you from the gates of hell.

~Christina