Testimony at the Hospital
The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; Matthew 9:37, ESW
I love being used by God. He always gives us opportunity to labor in the field if we say yes. Several months back, my niece and I went to a hospital in the emergency room to pray for those who were open to receiving prayer. We did so at the leading of the Holy Spirit. He told us where to go and once we were at the hospital he told us what to do.
Months passed and we had begun to feel that the Holy Spirit was leading us there again. We said that we would pray and see what we hear from God. He told us what hospital to go to and the date we were to be there. When we got to the hospital, we still did not have any direction as to where to go and who to pray for.
It reminded me of Philip when the angel of the Lord told him to rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. [Acts 8:26] He did not receive any other instructions, but he followed what the angel told him. We followed what the Holy Spirit had prompted in our hearts. When we arrived at the hospital there were union workers protesting against something concerning the hospital. They had at least four of these five foot signs that spoke to their issue. There was a person standing next to each sign so a total of four people.
As we walked up to the hospital we had to pass them to get to the front door. As we were walking past them I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit on me very heavy. Every step I took passing them seemed to have gotten heavier. I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Ask them if they want prayer.” But I kept moving and then this pressure came on me and I knew that I could go no further. I said to my niece, “We must go back and asked them if they want prayer.”
The first person we asked said, “Yes!” But he then began to share with us his life. He needed us to understand where he was in his faith and how he was believing. Many of the things he spoke about I had not heard of, but we just listened. We listened to him talk to us for about thirty minuets. At one point he apologized for taking up so much of our time, but we told him that God had sent us there for him. When he finished sharing his story, we explained Christ’s love and we asked him again, “How could we pray for him?” He gave us his answer and we prayed for him. After we finished praying we ministered to him a bit more by the direction of the Holy Spirit and he was fighting back tears. He was so full of God’s joy and his presence that he did not know what to say! We told him that God loves him so much that he sent us there to listen to him and to give him the message God had for him! We gave each other hugs and handed him a bottle of anointing oil and then we left. This individual was standing outside of the hospital needing God and I carried the message that he needed. I had walked right passed him.
Family we are God’s voice on the earth. If we do not move, how can others come to know him?
Key points:
Scripture teaches us to be slow to speak and quick to listen.
To harvest some fruit you have to be very gentle.
Pay attention to the prompt.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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Worry is a Thief
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Matthew 6:25
My son said to me, “Mom, worry does nothing good.” Immediately the words “worry is a thief” came into my spirit. I knew right away that I was supposed to write about that topic. Worry in the dictionary says that “worry” gives way to anxiety or unease; allow one's mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles. The Hebrew word for "worry" is daag (דָּאַג), which can also mean concern, care, anxiety, fear, or solicitude. In Greek merimnaō which means “to care, to be anxious, to be concerned.”
In the passage above Jesus had been teaching his followers about giving to the needy, fasting, prayer and treasures in heaven. He then said, “Do not worry.” He wanted us to understand that worry steals us from the his presence. Worry takes away the gift of the moment that he has given to us. When we worry we allow Satan to steal our joy, peace, laughter, wealth, health, and all the good that God has blessed us with. In that moment we give it away and take on those attributes that we do not want.
The passage tells us not to worry about our life. That means: jobs, positions, promotions, how things are going to work out, even down to the most insignificant of things. God has it all taken care of. Here is an example: I have this website for my cookie business and the pictures on the website have been professionally taken. But a few months back I added two new cookies. Ube and Black Sesame Chocolate Chip. My photographer was not available for months. And I had to take pictures for this company that was putting the cookies in the store. So I ordered the back drops and my hubby and I took the pictures with my cell phone. We then sent them to my son who is an amazing editor and he edited them the best he could. We sent those pictures to the company and placed them on the website. Three months later out of nowhere my photographer contacted me and said I looked at your website and I need to take the photos of the last cookies you put up. Look at God!
See I let it go and said God I trust you. God put me on the photographer’s mind and placed it in his heart to take care of me. I did not have to worry. I did not have to ask for anything. God cares about every detail in our lives! Things may not be as we like, but just trust him and move in what he gives you. And when you least expect it, he will make everything work out in his perfect timing.
Key points:
God is always working behind the scenes.
We never need to worry.
God is doing exactly what he said he would do!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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My published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Unbelief Is Sin
Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. Mark 16:14
The Holy Spirit directed me to review my notes from church services. I have this little red note book that I jot down notes during service that speak to me as the message is brought forth. I am a firm believer that whoever God has to pour into you, there is always a message specifically for you. When that individual is speaking, they have given themselves over to God and he is speaking through them to you. It reminds me of Jesus speaking to the crowds, it is so important that we are not just going to church as a routine, but listening for God to give us our daily bread for that moment. It may be that the word is for a later time, but whatever ministers to your heart write it down!
While looking through my notes I came across the phrase “unbelief is sin” and I felt like the Holy Spirit was telling me to write about it. In the passage above Jesus rebuked the disciples because they did not believe Mary Magdalen. She was the first person Jesus appeared to and when she told them that he had risen they did not believe her. So when Jesus appeared to them he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart. I never thought of unbelief as sin. I just saw it as everyone is free to believe what they want to believe. But as the Holy Spirit began to reveal to me that just like Adam and Eve did not believe his word, they turned against God. When we turn against God we are in sin! We are either for God, or for Satan. It is that simple. Adam and Eve chose Satan.
The book of Hebrews was written to the Hebrew Christians to remind them to stay faithful to God and what the consequences would be of not remaining faithful. In the Chapter 3 the writer says, “Take care, brothers and sisters, that there not be in any one of you a wicked, unbelieving heart [which refuses to trust and rely on the Lord, a heart] that turns away from the living God. Hebrews 3:12, AMP This passage makes it very clear that when we have turned away from God we are living in sin. The scripture goes on to say, “But continually encourage one another every day, as long as it is called “Today” [and there is an opportunity], so that none of you will be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [its cleverness, delusive glamour, and sophistication]. For we [believers] have become partakers of Christ [sharing in all that the Messiah has for us], if only we hold firm our newborn confidence [which originally led us to Him] until the end. Hebrews 3:12-14.
Everyone is free to choose how they want to believe, but we must understand that our choices have consequences that will impact our lives forever!
Take aways:
Our choices have consequences.
The choices you chose put you where you are today.
Do not disregard the messengers.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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The Test
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12,ESV
I was so excited that the Holy Spirit had me up early in the morning praying from 3:00 am to 6:00 am. After prayer, I went back to bed for an hour and then I was up again to take a run! Oh what at wonderful day it felt like! I was home in time to go with my sister-in-love to her doctor’s appointment and then things started to happen.
Before we left my home, I felt the Holy Spirit say, “Take communion,” and so we did. Listen, everything after that seemed to be like an open door of attacks. I offered to drive my sister to her appointment and off we went to her doctor’s appointment. The appointment was only supposed to be about thirty, to forty-five minutes and I had several other items that I was planning to get finished after the appointment.
While driving across town, I could sense a spirit of anger and rage on people. We witnessed individuals honking and yelling at each other. We saw drivers racing around cars like crazy. Just down right angry folks! I began to pray for those on the road. While I was driving a motorist got so mad at us that he raced in front of us and slammed on his brakes so that we could hit his car. But God kept us protected. The spirit of the enemy had people in such a rage that they did not even recognize how they were behaving. I could feel that spirit trying to come upon me. With all my strength God helped me to hold my peace.
While at the doctor's office I sat with my niece just having a great conservation. But then I begin to feel the spirit of anxiousness come over me because we had now been waiting for over 2 hours! I was asking, “What is going on? Why is it taking so long?” About that time, my husband sent me a picture of our freezer with a puddle of water sitting on the outside of it. In this freezer I keep over a thousand cookies for my cookie business. The circuit breaker had tripped and the frozen food was beginning to thaw. I was extremely worried because I had a delivery of 360 cookies to make in two days!
I could feel the peace of God and joy in my soul being shoved away by the incidents that were occurring. My patience was wearing out. My husband called to talk about what was happening and the excitement in his voice concerning the cookies caused my heart to race! At some point I got off the phone and asked God for help. When I thought I was good, my sister-in-love came out of the doctor’s office walking straight to the car saying, “Let’s get out of here!” I knew then that the attack was on!
I could not feel any patience, joy, or the presence of God; but I knew he was there. I heard myself calmly say, “Let’s go to our next appointment and then get something to eat.” Although everything was going on around me, I felt the Holy Spirit guiding me. It wasn’t all joyful or wonderful, but I could feel God’s power keeping me. At the same time, all the thoughts about the things I needed to get finished were pounding in my head. However, I knew they were not going to get completed, but God was keeping me. I knew that my spirit was standing in a spiritual battle and that the Holy Spirit was guiding me.
Every day the enemy is looking to find a way to get us off track. He throws all kinds of fiery darts at us to tempt us to jump from our position. But as scripture says, we are not to be surprised at the fiery trail, but praise God that he has sent the Holy Spirit who is our helper and we have to cling to him. I can’t say that I rejoiced over the trial that day. I actually went home and just laid down. But I praise God that he kept and never failed me! My day was not as I wanted it to go, but because I know who holds my future, I knew that he had worked everything out for my good!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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My published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Why Does Lack Exist?
And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Genesis 1:29-31
In the Bible it says, that God created everything and God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. When we think of those words, very good, one can wonder how God can call things “very good” when we look at the world today. All of us can look in our own neighborhood and see that there is lack somewhere. We see people in need of resources, help, guidance, understanding, and direction. No matter where we go we can see that lack is prevalent.
When sin entered the world it brought chaos with it. The Bible says that the ground was cursed and man had to work the ground to produce food for his body. Before the curse, man worked in the garden where food was prevalent. In the garden, God had already provided food for every living creature on the earth. Today we see poverty in different parts of the world. Does that mean God will not provide? Absolutely not! I believe God expects those living in abundance to help out those who are in need. Unfortunately greed is a part of sin and even though we can see with our natural eyes that no-one gets to take anything in this earth with them after they die, man fights others for land and resources.
God had given man dominion over the earth Genesis 1:26. When Adam and Eve sinned they gave full control of the earth over to Satan. But does that mean we have to continue in lack? No! The Lord is everywhere and because he is omnipresent that means everything is available. So why do we witness so much hunger? When man turned away from God and chose not to obey his instructions, lack is unavoidable. Israel showed us just how God operates. When they were hungry, in the middle of nowhere, God sent quail and manna for them to eat Exodus 16. When they were thirsty God told Moses to strike a rock and water came gushing out Exodus 17:6. When we look at a rock we just see a rock, but God knows it is provision.
However, when Israel disobeyed God, disaster, hunger and all kinds of problems came upon them. God warned them when he said, But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God or be careful to do all his commandments and his statutes that I command you today, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you. Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the field. Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Cursed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out.
The Lord will send on you curses, confusion, and frustration in all that you undertake to do, until you are destroyed and perish quickly on account of the evil of your deeds, because you have forsaken me. Deuteronomy 28:15-20, ESV
God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? Numbers 29:11, ESV
But praise be to God when we repent and turn to God with a sincere heart, he forgives all of our sins and replenishes his people! 1 John 1:19
Father,
I witness a lot of lack, suffering and poverty in the world. I know that the world is full of sin. But you said, “That if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” 2Chronicles 7:14. The responsibility for the land to be held is not on the sinner but the believer. Please touch every believer’s heart to repent and turn to you so that we can witness a full healing of the land. In Jesus’ name amen
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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An Overnight Change
The young woman was very attractive in appearance, a maiden whom no man had known. She went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up. 17 Then the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water to drink from your jar.” Genesis 24:16-17, ESV
The passage above is about Rebekah, who became Isaac’s wife. She was a maiden in her family’s home. She was carrying out her responsibilities of getting water to take back to her family’s house. This was apart of her daily task. Rebekah had no idea that her life was about to change. She had no idea that God had ordained for her to be a wealthy woman with servants and beautiful pieces of gold and silver jewels. Whatever she desired was waiting for her!
God had made Abraham, Isaac’s father, wealthy and he was giving all of his wealth to his son Isaac. But because Abraham was older, he sent the master of his household on a journey to his relatives home to find a wife for his son Isaac. Rebekah had no idea that when she woke up that morning her life would never be the same again!
When we stay in position and do as God instructs, we do not miss our blessing. When I look back at my dating life, I could have saved myself so many headaches and trouble if I had just trusted God completely with my life. So many times we try to make things work and manipulate a situation to get what we think we want when God already has our desires mapped out.
When God moves it is usually totally unexpected and an overnight change. We just don’t see it coming. Rebekah did not see Isaac coming. Esther did not see becoming a queen coming. Mary did not see becoming the mother of Jesus. David did not see becoming the king of Israel and Moses certainly did not see leading his people of Israel out of Egypt. What am I saying? You cannot always see God’s hand moving, but he is always working on your behalf. He does what seems to us like an overnight change, but for him it was always in the plan. I want to encourage you to stay the course and get to ready for an overnight change!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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Do Not Worry
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]? Matthew 6:25-27,ESV
The passage above has been a lesson for me these past weeks. There are times when you are in a season and you know that God is dealing with you about something. I believe I shared in an earlier post that God had me doing the messages in a new way. He also added to the mix a certain number of messages that he wanted me to complete daily.
I knew that worrying would not help me in any way to get the daily number of messages completed. So I thought I would just come up with scriptures and topics that I could pound out quickly and get on with my day. But that was never God’s plan. He was teaching me how to walk right past worry, because even though I tried not to worry it would just show up in my face. I would hear in my mind, “What are you going to write about and how are you going get this done?” I kept trying to turn that noise off in the flesh, but that behavior only kept me in a war against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places and that kept me out of peace.
At some point I heard in my spirit the word “rest,” and I said, “How do I do that?” Then the word “trust” landed in my spirit. I said again, “How do I do that?” I knew that I was moving into a new level of faith! Hallelujah! He said, “I gave you this assignment. This is mine and you have to know that I will provide everything you need. Apply your heart to seeking after me instead of trying to get all the messages finished and then you will find yourself in peace and joy.” I did exactly what I heard the Holy Spirit say and I now have joy and peace! I know this is an ongoing journey, but I can truly say that I am resting in his presence and letting him guide me through this journey; moment by moment.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these other things (whatever it is that you need), will be added unto you. Matthew 6:33, ESV. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.Joshua 1:8, ESV
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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Marching Orders 5
And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. 13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:13-14, ESV
Life or death can depend on if we choose to follow the marching orders we have been given. My husband loves history! He always spoke to me about the different battles that went on throughout time that helped shape the world into what is is today. I remembered that when he shared how Germany lost World War II I thanked God for it! I realized that we would be living in a completely different world if they had won. I was doing some research and it said that Germany lost the war because of lack of productivity of its war economy, weak supply lines, the start of a war on two fronts, and the lack of strong leadership. Everyone followed the instructions of their leader at the time and the war was lost.
Mordecai was Esther’s cousin and he raised her from a child to adulthood. War had been declared on all the Jews in the land because of Hamen; the kings right hand man. He was angry at Mordecai for not bowing to him. So he made allegations to the king against Mordecai’s whole race of people and requested that they be destroyed. The king granted his request. When the announcement was given to basically annihilate the Jews, Mordecai appealed to God in sackcloth and ashes. He also walked outside of the palace in sackcloth and ashes.
Because Esther was Queen and lived in the palace, she had no idea of what had happened. When she saw Mordecai in sackcloth and ashes she sent messengers to inquire as to what was happening. Mordecai told the palace staff to tell Queen Esther what had been declared and that she needed to go before the king to plead for her people. Esther at first refused to follow her cousin’s instructions because following his instructions could possibly result in her death. After Mordecai’s rebuttal Esther agreed and moved forward with his instructions.
All of Germany followed the orders of their superiors and because of that they lost the war, but it was the best thing to happen for the world! Esther followed her cousin’s instructions and it was the best thing for her nation!
We may never be put in a situation that causes life or death for a nation of people, but our obedience is always making an impact in the world!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Rest in Life
I was praying when the Holy Spirit said to me, “When Jesus was preaching in the earth, the earth was full of sin.” Tiberius was the ruler of Rome and they controlled Judea. However, Jesus’ focus was never on the Romans and how they ruled, but on his people and how they served Him.
Jesus never tried to change the laws of Rome. He actually obeyed their laws. When some of the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus they said “Now tell us—is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them, or shouldn’t we?”Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you trying to trap me? Show me a Roman coin, and I’ll tell you.” When they handed it to him, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” Mark 12:14-17, ESV
Jesus’ focus was on those whom he called his people. Many of the people were hoping that he was coming to bring war on the Rome, but instead he was bringing the kingdom of God to his people of Israel! His goal at that time was to change Israel, not the world. If he could get Israel to follow his commands, then the world could be changed through them. God showed me that so many believers are focused on changing the world when all he called us to do was to love and stand in faith.
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’[e] This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[f] The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40, ESV
Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. Ephesians 6:11, ESV
When we are following those two commands we will find rest in every area of our life. Anything outside of walking in love and standing on the word of God moves you out of position. Then you find yourself out of peace.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus brought clarity as to how we are to treat our enemies. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers,[i] what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Matthew 5:44-47, ESV
Father,
I pray in Jesus’ name to be a better ambassador of the kingdom of God. Help me to remember that I am not here to correct the world, but to give the world your love. I ask for your help when I am tempted to fall into the ways of this world. Help me to resist all temptations so that I stay standing in my position of love. In Jesus’ name amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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Nothing is too Little to Ask
Ask and you shall receive…Matthew 7:7, ESV
We were in San Mateo visiting friends and family when my sister-in-law asked me if I had bought my dresses for a wedding that was rapidly approaching. My response was, “What wedding are you taking about?” She quickly reminded me about an Indian wedding that we would be attending in San Diego within five weeks. She said, “You know it’s going to be a really fancy wedding and you must wear different outfits for each day, right?” I told her that I did not have anything to wear and that I had actually forgotten about the wedding. She then picked up her phone and began to show me what she had ordered. We started looking for dresses for me at the same place she had ordered her dress from. I found a couple of dresses that I liked and asked her to send those to me so that I could purchase them.
A couple days later I remembered that I needed to order the dresses, I had never even bothered to check the prices of these dresses. I just figured that they would be reasonable. Although I had not set a budget for myself, I was shocked at the price for one dress! My thought was, “I do not want to pay that much money for a dress that I might wear only once.” These dresses were specifically designed for Indian weddings.
While pondering how much the dresses would cost, I asked the Holy Spirit if he could provide me with dresses of a higher quality, but at a lower cost. I felt that the price the company was asking was way overpriced! The very next day my hubby asked if I would meet with a couple he knew because they were going to Italy. They wanted to chat about our previous trip to Italy to see if we could offer them some travel tips.
I told my husband “yes,” and we met with them that afternoon. However, I did not know that the couple was from India. After our discussion about Italy, I told the wife that we would be attending an Indian wedding in a few weeks. I asked her if the outfit I had picked out was appropriate. I showed her the picture of the dress and she said that it was very nice. But then she noticed the price and told me that the store was asking way too much money for it. She began to give me names of other designer brand stores to check out and warned me not to pay over a certain price.
I sat there thanking the Holy Spirit because he shows up in places that I would least expect to provide answers to my situations! God reminded me that he cares about every detail of our lives and nothing is too little to ask of him!
For the believer the scripture says “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 7:7-9, NIV
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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His Weapon for Battle
“You are my war club, my weapon for battle—with you I shatter nations, with you I destroy kingdoms, Jeremiah 51:20, NIV
Why does God need weapons to fight in the battle with Satan? When Adam and Eve turned the earth over to Satan, they put their lineage (us) against God and there was nothing anyone in the world could do to change it. The earth and everything in it belongs to God. Those who have accepted Jesus Christ are his agents to bring the message of salvation to those who do not know him.
I was listening to a pastor speak and he said that we are God’s weapons of war. We are not only here for worship, but for war. That statement reminded me of when I was younger. My parents had put me and my siblings in our church’s little children’s choir. One of the songs we used to sing was, “We are Soldiers in the Army of God.”
At that time I did not understand why we would had to fight in God’s army if he had already won the war. I did not understand that everyday there are battles to save the souls of lost individuals. We are God’s weapon against Satan and our fight is to stand in the word and offer love to the world.
The challenge comes when Satan tries to tempt us to step out of our position. How does he do that? I remember one time I had bought a beautiful dress for church and work. I was so excited about it and on this particular day I wore it to work. On break one of my coworkers and I decided to go pick up shaved ice for everyone at work. We were at the shop and on our way into the building this lady honked at me and told me to move my car. We just looked at her like, “what?” There were plenty of parking spaces for her and we went inside the building.
There were a lot of people inside the building waiting for their orders. When the lady who honked at me got inside the building she asked them if she could purchase a certain type of soda, but they did not carry it. So instead she asked for a cup of water. Now mind you this place is packed with people and everyone could see and hear her. When they gave her the cup of water, she took it and threw it at my dress. All down the front of the dress was wet and then she said, “Oh, I’m sorry.” I was in such shock that I could not move.
The owner of the store and everyone around started to try and help me get the water dried up off my dress. My coworker kept saying, “Are you alright? Do we need to get this chick?” Listen Satan’s move was to get me out of position, but instead God held me. I was shocked at myself because I just kept telling everyone that I was good. It was only by the grace of God that I was kept as a weapon for him. I did not move and his love was displayed for all those in that shop to see his glory!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Do Not Worry
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Matthew 6:25-27,ESV
The passage above has been a lesson for me these past weeks. There are times in our lives when you know that God is dealing with you about something. I believe I shared in an earlier post that God had me doing my messages in a new way. He also added to the mix that a certain number of these messages had to be completed on a daily basis. I knew that worrying would not help me in any way to complete this task. So I thought I would come up with scriptures and topics so that I could pound those messages out and get on with my day. But that was never God’s plan. He was teaching me how to walk right past worry, because even though I tried not to worry, it would just show up in my face. I would hear in my mind, “What are you going to write about and how are you going get this done?” I tried hard to turn off that noise in the flesh, but that behavior only kept me in a war against the spiritual forces of evil and out of peace.
At some point I heard the word, “rest,” and I said, “How do I do that?” Then the word “trust” landed into my spirit. I knew that I was moving into a new level of faith! Hallelujah! I said, “How do I do that?” He said, “I have given you an assignment. This is from me and I will provide everything you need. Apply your heart into seeking after me instead of trying to get all the messages finished and then you will find yourself in peace and joy.” I did exactly what I heard the Holy Spirit say and I now have peace and joy! I know this is an ongoing journey, but I can truly say that I am resting in his presence and letting him guide me through this journey, moment by moment.
It is so important to remember that whatever assignment, or season God has you in, he is the one who will bring you through. He does not expect you to come up with the plan and figure out all the details. He has that all worked out. You just need to let him lead you!
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these other things(whatever it is that you need), will be added unto you. Matthew 6:33, ESV. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.Joshua 1:8, ESV
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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You Lack Nothing
God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than anyone else.. 1 Kings 4:29-31, ESV
The Holy Spirit had put this assignment in my heart and I felt intimidated because it required me to be around very smart people. Most of the people had higher degrees of education than I did. As I was sitting just meditating on what the Holy Spirit had dropped into my heart. I heard Him say, “You have all you need. No one in the room is smarter than you because you have me!” He then went on to say, “It does not matter how high the degree of education a person might have; they will never possess more than me.” That was the word I needed to move forward with!
I then begin to think about Solomon who was the wisest of all men. He had asked God for wisdom and God gave him more than he could ever imagine. “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 1 Kings 3:7-9, ESV Solomon did not have to study, or go to school, God just dropped that knowledge into him so that he could do his job! Solomon was in his early twenties when he became king and he wanted to make sure that he governed the people correctly. He asked God for wisdom on how to do his job.
God reminded me that we have the Holy Spirit, who is our helper. All we have to do is ask for help and he will give us direction. I was waiting for a buyer who said that they wanted to purchase some of my products for their store. But they had not contacted me and I was getting a little anxious. When I prayed, the Holy Spirit said, “You are not ready for them yet.” He began to give me instructions on things that I had never even thought about and needed to get completed. The Holy Spirit said, "I am keeping them from contacting you until all of this is completed.” Although it was a very simple task that I needed to do, it was very time consuming. If I had not done the necessary preparation before the order it would have cost me a lot of time.
When we rely on the Holy Spirit, there is nothing that we lack. Solomon asked for wisdom because that is what he needed to do his job. I asked God for insight and he gave me what I needed to do; which was sitting right in front of me. When you depend on your most trusted advisor, you are well equipped for everything that is before you! Amen!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Seed time and Harvest time
You reap what you sow… Galatians 6:7
I was laying in bed about one o’clock in the morning and the Holy Spirit started to speak to me. He said, “You reap what you sow,” and he began to show me in the spirit how that works. I had planted some bell pepper seeds in my garden and I realized that the only thing that I could produce out of that seed was bell peppers. I could not get apples, lemons or anything else; only bell peppers.
He then showed me that every time I did or said something, I’m sowing seeds and those seeds would eventually produce fruit. He said, “The seeds were just like my bell pepper seeds that were planted in the ground and produced bell peppers. I started to reflect back on my life, such as: what I had done and spoken over my life, how I did things, treated people, did my work, prayed and exercised. All those things I had done in life was producing the seeds that I had sown. I immediately started praying seeking God on how to sow differently.
He showed me that even my attitude, or how I spoke about others behind their backs were still seeds that were being sown and would produce fruit in my life! The scripture says that to, “Be slow to speak, quick to listen and slow to anger,” came rushing to my mind. Then I remembered God’s word when Moses told the Israelites the LORD your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son’s son, by keeping all his statues and his commandments, which I command you…be carful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly… the LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and all your might. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them whey you sit in your house, and when you walk by the ways, and when you lie down, and when your rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorpost of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6, ESV Basically God was telling the Israelites if they love God with all their heart, mind and soul and obeyed his word they were planting seeds of success and it would go well for them.
Those same instructions apply to us today. If we keep our minds focused on the word of God and do what he says we will enjoy the harvest. The Bible is clear that there will always be seed time and harvest time, we just need to decide what harvest we want to reap. For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…Ecclesiastes 3:1, ESV
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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God Remembers
(love 2/14)In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years. Luke 1:5-7
In the scripture above Luke is giving us a summary of what happen to John the baptist’s parents. As I was studying the book of Luke the Holy Spirit prompted me to stop and look closely at this scripture. He wanted me to understand that there were so many messages in this passage of encouragement.
The letter starts by telling us their location. They live in Judea which the Israelite people were now split into two regions because of Solomon’s disobedience to God (1 Kings 11). Judea is the Southern nation and it consist of Judah and Benjamin and Jerusalem is the capital of Judea. This is where John the Baptist parents live.
John’s father’s name was Zechariah which means God remembers or God recalls. When you look up the word remember it means brings ones mind to awareness and recall means to bring back to ones mind. Every time some called Zechariah’s name they were reminding him that God recalls. God remembers your prayer request. Your petitions have not been forgotten. Zechariah’s name is a confirmation to him that God hears his prayers. God had not forgotten any of his requests.
His wife is Elizabeth’s name means God is my oath. When I looked up the word oath it means a solemn pledge. Every time someone said her name they were saying her life is pledged to God. Luke goes on to tell us about their character. He says, “They were both upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly.”
Scripture teaches us that they had prayed for children, yet God had not answered their prayer. It clearly says Elizabeth was barren. God had closed her womb! Many times when we pray for something and it is in alignment with the Word of God and there is no answer, our mind takes on a journey of its own. We began to look inward and think we have something to do with why God has not answered our prayers. Sometimes this could be true, we could be in sin somewhere and God will reveal that to us. But in this case God had held her womb closed.
This passage is such confirmation that when we pray, God hears us. When we pray God remembers and recalls our prayers. When the answer to our prayer does not come as we expect, we must be encouraged that we are in alignment with God’s will and He has purpose for His response. Even in their desires not being met Zechariah and Elizabeth continue to obey God and live an upright life.
Satan is always there to fill our heart with lies, but we have to be steadfast and unmovable and always abiding in the word of God. Staying in the word of God is the only way to fight the battle of lies going on in our mind. I am reminded of the scripture that says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct our path.”
We can only imagine how many times Zechariah and Elizabeth had to say to themselves, “We trust you God.” As a young couple I am sure their friends were having children and it hurt very deeply that they could not. In their community in those days when a woman could not have a child it was extremely disgraceful for the women. Yet they were right in the plan that God had for them. We must remember that even though at times we are in a devastating place, God is there with us and He has a plan.
Perhaps you were in a season where it was difficult and hard and only God could have delivered you, but he didn’t. I want to encourage with these words. God says, “My plans aren’t your plans, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my plans than your plans.” (Isaiah 55:8-10) I’m sure there were many times that Zechariah and Elizabeth wished they understood God’s plan, but He had more for them than they could ever imagine. Their son John the Baptist was the forerunner for Jesus Christ! He was anointed with the Holy Spirit in her womb!! God had hand selected them for a purpose that they could have never imagined.
Are you are feeling the loss of hope? Just know that as a child of the Most High God, scripture says, “Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us…” Amen.
Father,
I pray that we will know the love of Christ that is beyond knowledge so that we will be filled entirely with the fullness of God in the name of Yeshua Hamashiach. Amen!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Wisdom from Proverbs
Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them, for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble. By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.
Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth. Whoever plans to do evil will be called a schemer. The devising of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind.
If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?
My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off. Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous; do no violence to his home; for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. Proverbs 24:1-16, ESV
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Generations
So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. Matthew 1:17, ESV
I was sitting preparing for communion and looking for a scripture to read when the Holy Spirit reminded me of my morning reading of the scripture above. Immediately my mind went back to the book of Exodus when God was calling Moses to lead the people out of Egypt. There was a specified time that God had ordained for His people who were in bondage to be released. Everything has a time and a season for it to come to pass. The Israelites were under extreme cruelty and oppression with no way out of their situation, but God already had a plan of deliverance. God started their deliverance plan before they entered Egypt. Levi, the son of Jacob, had three sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari who entered Egypt with Jacob’s clan (Genesis 46:11). Kohath had a son named Amram who was the father of Moses. Amram was married to his father’s sister Jochebed, and she was the mother of Moses (Exodus 6:20). Their deliverance walked into Egypt with them.
Listen, when the Israelites entered Egypt, they were full of joy because God had arranged for them to be cared for during the extreme famine in the land. God already knew that there stay was only for a season and then they would need to leave. This same God, Adonai, has done the same thing for us. We still live under the bondage of the prince of the air, Satan, today. But just like God prepared Moses as a deliver for the Israelites out of Egypt, He has given us Jesus Christ as our Redeemer. “For the law of the Spirit of life has set us free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2).
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says that for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. And Psalm 139 teaches us that God knew everything about us before we were born, and He is keenly aware of every situation. We need not worry about our problems, because God has already prepared the answer.
If you read through each of those generations listed in the scripture above, you will find that they all had their problems, but God had a means to the end. Our God is faithful, I don’t care who has told you “No” or that what you are seeking is impossible - nothing is impossible with God. Be encouraged, He has already worked everything out.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Prepare the Word for the People
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17, ESV
It was early in the morning, and I did not feel ready to prepare a word for anyone - I was seeking God for a word for myself. I had just started my early morning prayer when I heard Jehovah say, “Prepare the Word for the people.” “What Word?” I asked. He said again, “Prepare the Word for the people”. I said, “But your Bible is full of your Word I don’t even know what you want me to prepare”. Again, I heard “Prepare the Word for the people”. So I open up my laptop and I started writing what I heard:
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads besides the still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the path of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Psalms 23).
All those questions, feelings, and emotions I had before I begin to follow God’s instructions did not exhibit that God was my shepherd. I clearly heard what Jehovah said, I knew it was Him speaking to me, and yet I wavered in trusting Him. It was early in the morning, and I had my plan. I wanted to read my affirmation scriptures, have my communion, and then start sitting in the briefing room to hear what God had to say to me.
Sheep follow the shepherd completely and learn to trust the shepherd without even thinking. The sheep know who they belong to because the shepherd has taken great care of them. When the shepherd says, “Let’s go”, the sheep move. Now, here’s the thing - I had just read Psalms 23 before I heard Jehovah say, “Prepare the Word for the people”. Yeah, that quickly I had said, Lord, you are “my” shepherd and I trust you! He tested me with my own confession, and I failed! When I understood that I was tested, I began to pray with a heavy heart and repent. Jehovah said, “The test was to bring revelation to you and now you know. But be encouraged because of this moment you will never doubt me again when I say move.”
I was reminded of Moses and how he doubted God in the beginning of his calling, but the more he moved when God said “Move”, the more his faith increased. Faith comes with hearing and obeying the Word of God. “What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?” (James 2:14-18). I heard the Word when Jehovah spoke and when I obeyed, my faith was increased. Hallelujah! I pray this will help you to move without question. But even if you do question, make sure you move! Amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Attacks
And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea. Revelation 12:13-17, ESV
In the scripture above Satan and his demons have been thrown out of heaven. He is angry and is after all those who are children of the most high God. I love that in this scripture it reveals how Satan uses all of his power to come after the woman (who represents Israel) but God fights for her. He never takes the women out of the earth, but He helps her win the victory. That is the same way God fights for us today. We never have to be fearful or worried about how we will be delivered. There is always the supernatural power of the most high God working on the behalf of believers. Did you notice that both times the women could not get away from the serpent on her own? God opened up a path that she could have never imagined. It was not done in her strength.
“Not by might nor by power but by my spirit says the Lord” (Zechariah 4:6). His spirit is like the wind which has great powers working among us. It reminds me of the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples (Acts 2:2). We have that power working on our behalf. The scripture above also gives us an example of how Jehovah works in our life. Both times the delivery came when the women could do nothing in herself to get out. When there was nowhere to go, she waited on God and He opened the door. We must remember that God has designed our path, and all doors are already open. We must wait on His direction and not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart (Galatians 6:9-10).
Our path will have trouble, scripture says “…woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time” (Revelation 12:12). Attacks come upon the believer and the devil will always try to make it look like he is winning, like we have no way out. But the Lord says He is our shepherd, and He will fight our battles. Family, although the battle does not feel good, you are in good company. You have a mighty deliverer working on your behalf.
Listen, God allows Satan’s attacks to test us. Satan thinks he is separating us from Jesus Christ when in truth the experience draws us closer to Jehovah. God uses what the enemy sends out for evil for our good, to grow and promote us. The test may endure for a while, but joy always comes to those whose faith and trust are in the Lord. Amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Job
In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. Job 1:1, NIV
Job was a righteous man whom God selected to go through a serious trail because of his faithfulness to God. Many times, when we see a righteous person suffer, we ask God why. We wonder why God would allow such a good, righteous person to go through so much pain and suffering. We may think their suffering is unfair and that God has forgotten them. Scripture teaches that God said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” (Job 1:8). We cannot begin to comprehend the thoughts of God, but we do know that God knows everything about us and our situation. He has every hair on our head numbered, (Matthew 10:26-61) for every soul belongs to Him (Ezekiel 18:4).
As much as we don’t like pain and suffering, it is clear that God does not cause the pain, but He gives Satan permission. Even when Jesus asked God three times to take away the bitter cup of sacrifice, He said “Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).
Job sat in bitter pain and understood that God had allowed this wrath to come upon him. For when his wife rebuked him for holding on to his integrity and trust in the Lord, Job said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips” (Job 2:10).
Job did everything he thought possible to obey God and live a righteous life. He was doing everything he could to prevent trouble. As believers it is our hearts desire to obey God and do all He commands but that does not mean we will not encounter pain, trouble, unfair treatment, and all kinds of injustice. God said, “In this life you will have trouble but take heart, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Does that mean we are supposed to just allow injustice to happen? Absolutely not! We are to stand for righteousness, but we should not be surprised by the evil action of others.
You may be in a season that it seems the very thing you asked God to protect you from is what you are experiencing. God knows all that you are going through. He sees you and He is there with you. Do not give up on your faith in God for we know He is our salvation! We can see that although Job and Jesus had to go through trials and tribulation, there was nothing but joy on the other side. Joy comes in the morning. “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Peter 5:10). We know that the joy of the Lord is our strength. May you be encouraged knowing that God alone is your source. Amen.
Father,
We praise you! You are the all-righteous God! There is none like you! To you be glory and praise! Thank you Father, that no matter what we face on this earth, you see it, you know it, and you are taking care of us. We ask for strength to walk this season out with complete faith, trust, and hope in you. We want no doubt in our heart - just complete trust in God our King! To you be glory and praise in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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