Getting strength

Exodus 15: 2 NIV

“The Lord is my strength and my defence;
he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”

Nothing you say or do is going to make your life any better after everything is said and done life still has to go on. You look at the kids and realize they only have you to depend on and you cannot give up no matter what.

Some days seem so very hard to deal with; you feel like your entire life has fallen apart and that you just cannot get up and go. Then someone at the office sees’s you and gives you a hug and a word of encouragement. It’s not too long and another colleague walks by and gives you an unexpected cup of coffee with a cookie, your favourite.

You know God must really love you after everything is said and done. You see His hand of protection over your own life; you see the gifts of supernatural favour coming your way. You don’t have the strength to make it on your own but with God and good friends and family, you may just get through this difficult time.

Getting strength sounds really cool but when you really are falling apart and you don’t have the will to go on and face anything, which is when God sends you a friend or a family member. You talk about the divorce or the death of someone close to you. Each day you talk about the pain and hurt you are facing the more you are strengthened by your listener. The burn is getting lighter and you are starting to heal, one day at a time.

Prayer

Lord, you know the pain and hurt we face the loss of a family member through divorce or when they pass away. Thank You for sending us people into our lives to help us face tomorrow. We thank you for our support groups, family and friends. We don’t always understand and get why these things happen but we trust in You, believe You know best. We pray this in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Amen 

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Winning kids

2 Timothy 1: 5 TLB

“I know how much you trust the Lord,

just as your mother Eunice and your 

grandmother Lois do; 

and I feel sure you are still 

trusting him as much as ever.”

Kids that find themselves in broken homes normally have to fight harder to get where they are going. My kids are no different to all the kids out there. As a single mother life is not always conducive to kids.

My only resource at that time was to stay close to the Lord. I used to pray and fast many days, praying for the protection and salvation of each of my kids. We want to pray that they are not drawn into any unsavoury company.

Looking back I realised I cried many days, my kids had to deal with life first hand. My daughter was in a difficult situation. The Lord showed me in a dream that she was struggling and had no way out. I saw her in a pit of snakes and she was screaming out for help.

The next morning I decided that I would fast and pray specifically for my daughter. She lost her job which was a good thing. It was during the following three months when she stayed home that the Lord changed her life. She received the Lord and today I am the proudest mom ever. My daughter is a manager in one of the biggest financial houses in South Africa. God heard my cries and saved her life.

Both my sons are doing extremely well, fasting and prayer worked for each of them too. These kids of mine are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ and I remind God every day to watch over them.

Prayer

Lord, we are single mothers and have no resources please Lord, hear our cries. We bring our kids before you, as single mothers and grandmothers. Protect our kids; give them the necessary wisdom and insight. We pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

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Showing mercy, I need it more these days.

Luke 6: 36 (AMP)
“Be merciful (responsive, compassionate, tender)
just as your [heavenly] Father is merciful.”

It struck me that I must be one of the most judgemental people you can come into contact with. I like things to be done in a certain way and my standards need to be met. It is difficult for me to let things ride.

I have come to realize that I need to relax on this matter if people don’t do as I have asked them, I should back down and let them do as they please.

I believe the Lord Jesus said that we shouldn’t judge others, and then God won’t judge us. I have been doing my level best in not being judgemental but my goodness sometimes I lose the plot.

I am working on my attitude and showing mercy is something I am practising these days, so when someone doesn’t do as I have asked. I let it ride and carry on. Now I just need to conquer this and I believe the Lord Jesus is helping me with this. I will be merciful as my Father is merciful.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I want to show mercy when people don’t deserve it. Help me so that I can get this under the belt, I need You because I cannot do this on my own. Amen

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Stand-up to him, face-to-face

Exodus 8: 20(NKJV)

The Fourth Plague: Flies

20 And the Lord said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh as he comes out to the water. Then say to him, “Thus says the Lord: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.”

There comes a day in each one of our lives that we need to stand-up to them, face-to-face. Every day we face new challenges and we need to be able to stand-up to it. I work in an office and the filing takes up a lot of my time. The backlog is scary and I am working to bring it up to date.

Many times, I look at those files and it feels like I just cannot face it today, but on days when I have prepared myself spiritually and mentally it’s a walk in the park. You actually have to take the first step and do what needs to be done. Do not allow the mountain of work make you want to fall back. Moses rose early in the morning to face the Pharaoh. The best way to face our fears and problems is to face them face-to-face.

Prayer

Lord God, please give me the strength, wisdom, and understanding to stand-up to my challenges each day. Please let me be in the right place and be there at the right time. Let me face it face-to-face in the Holy name of Jesus, Amen 

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Rejecting wrong thoughts

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NKJV)
“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,”

It is a process to not allow negative and wrong thoughts come into my mind. I have been doing this lately a thought will pop up and I will say “stop it” and start thinking of something else. I must be honest it isn’t easy especially when it’s about someone that really grinds my teeth.

The thing is I know that person and I cannot believe they are capable of doing any good, they irritate me and when the thought comes to me it is easy to brood on it.

It is really difficult to conquer one’s thoughts you do need to come in agreement with the LORD because with God it is possible to stop wrong thoughts.  I have to constantly remind myself that God is in control over my life and that I have the right to say no to negative thinking.

Prayer

LORD Jesus, I want to pray asking You to please help me with my negative thoughts. I need You to deal with these thoughts that plague me. I humbly pray for victory in my thought life, I need You to get rid of negative and bad thoughts. I am crying out to You LORD, I bless YOU. I will Bless You, LORD, I cry out to You humbly please help me. Amen

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Declaring God’s plan

Jeremiah 29: 11
(New Living Translations)
“For I know the plans I have for you,”
says the LORD.
“They are plans for good and not for disaster,
to give you a future and a hope.”

I am so grateful to the LORD for another day, I have the ability to come and write what is on my mind. I am able to pray for friends and family. I am able to bring my heart's desire’s to the LORD in prayer. I am also able to see how everything comes together.

What a privilege and honour it is to serve our God. Without the LORD I feel that I am nothing, I don’t even believe that I would be able to share anything with you. This week has been difficult for me, I have been busy and it seemed like everything was stacked against me. I felt dead tired and had no energy but I still spoke to God. His strength has carried me through.

Today I want to declare God’s plans for my life, I believe that the LORD wants me to prosper and that He has a good plan for my life. I believe that the LORD is planning something spectacular for my life. I believe that I have a future and that the LORD is working on my behalf. I believe there is hope for me. I believe God is a God who hears our call.

Prayer

O LORD, I am sanctified and I want to come into Your secret place and I want to hide by Your side. I worship and praise You. I praise You for the good plans You have for me and my life. I am also grateful for the time I am able to spend with You. I love and adore You and praise Your name, Thank You, for answered prayers in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen

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In the beginning ...

Hebrews 1:10
'In the beginning, Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.'

Thank You, Lord for laying the foundations of the earth, without it we would never exist. Thank You that Your hands created everything.
Thank You for today and for each new beginning in our lives.
Thank You for Your loving kindness
Thank You for the blessings in our lives.
Thank You that we are able to draw near to You each and every day.
Lord, we worship You and bring You praise.

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God’s Mercy and Salvation

Psalm 119:41-42 (ESV)

Waw

⁴¹ Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
    your salvation according to your promise;
⁴² then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,
    for I trust in your word.

Can you picture your life without God’s mercy? I actually cannot, I believe that it is by the Grace of God that I am writing to you today. I believe that He called me by my name and that I am His.

We see in Romans 9 verse 15 “For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” It’s in God’s hands, He chooses who He wants to show compassion to.

How can I claim God’s mercy for my own life? Hebrews 4 verse 16 “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

As you think about this word I want to encourage you to cry out to God “Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord, your salvation according to your promise.” Without God’s we won't make it.

Prayer

Lord, we cry out to You today “Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise.” In the Holy Name of the Lord Jesus, Amen.

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“Fulfill your promise to your servant.”

Psalm 119: 38-40
Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.
How I long for your precepts!

In your righteousness preserve my life.

Something to ponder, if God exists why is there so much misery in this world? I was thinking about it and I think it because many of us do not believe in God. God states in the Word (Bible) that we must believe.

Looking at people I can see when people worship God and when they don’t. I see the dull look in their eyes and they always complain and have nothing to add to this life. People all around them are at fault and nothing will get better. There isn’t a God because if there were things would be better. If you ask them if they believe in God, they most probably won't say yes. They have an answer to that question too.

Then I see people who love God, they talk about Him, the worship and adore Him. They see the good in life and try and make things better for the people around them. They go the extra mile never expecting any reward for any of there good deeds.

I believe the difference is the spirit that inhabits each one of us, if we have “God-like” spirits (Holy Spirit indwelling) we will show compassion, be kind, gentle to name but a few. The other will be mean and self-centred they cant help it that is what they are. Until they have a personal meeting with the Lord nothing will change, you won't change them.

Prayer

Lord as we deal with people in our lives, give us the necessary wisdom and insight to treat people with love and respect. Please establish Your Word in our hearts, souls and minds. We suffer because we don’t believe, help us move forward and stop looking back. Help us grow spiritually, Holy Spirit come and fill our hearts and souls, making us acceptable before the Father in Jesus Christ's name. Amen

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The heaviness of heart.

Psalm 119: 28

My soul melts away for sorrow;

    strengthen me according to your word!

Sometimes we feel our souls are melting and we feel so very sorry for ourselves. I think we struggle with criticism or correction. If this is something that we cannot fix ourselves we sit feeling sorry for ourselves. If God is busy working in our spiritual lives and the Holy Spirit is showing us that there is something wrong and we need to work on our attitude or whatever. Perhaps we need to repent of a sin and it feels like we are being cut off.

God brings difficulties into our lives to strengthen and help us to grow spiritually. If we then repent and ask God to forgive us we will be able to move forward. In 2 Corinthians 7: 8 – 10 we see Paul is talking to us and saying that he was sorry but that he didn’t regret speaking to the people in Corinth. 

He noticed that his letter hurt some peoples feeling but it was only for a little while. Because of their regret, they repented before God. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret but worldly sorrow brings death.

Prayer

Lord please search my heart and help me to see what I need to repent. I do feel heavy of heart and I want to bring this to You, I repent of my sin. Please forgive me and help me grow spiritually. Thank You so much for taking care of me. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

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Word for today #saturday

Psalm 119: 25

Daleth

My soul clings to the dust;

give me life according to your word!

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