"Pray Then Like This..."

Its tempting to look back while you're waiting to go forward. Stay the course friend!!! You've already left your Egypt, you're waiting to walk into your Promised Land, keep trusting GOD!!! I know it's been a long time...I know you're bored...I know you're scared...but wait for JESUS!!! HE IS COMING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN TO GET YOU!!! HE hasn't forgotten you, just remain faithful and patient. Don't look back, you won't be going that way again. Amen 

Scripture References:

 Exodus 20:22-23 ESV

 Exodus 32:1 ESV

 Isaiah 43:19 ESV

GOD wants us to bring our whole selves to Him. Intimately. That means telling Him the truth, letting Him in on how you REALLY feel. Being honest with Him. No amount of "good works" is going to replace being in real relationship with GOD. Seek first the kingdom of GOD and His righteousness and all these thing will be added to you...peace, love, hope, trust, grace, the list goes on and on. But you can't hide from Him, He sees your heart anyway. Don't be afraid to be honest with your Father. He loves you anyway and all the time. Amen 

Scripture Reference:

1 Samuel 16:7 ESV

When GOD calls us into Himself, we want to please Him. It's natural. But His love has the power to change us from the inside out, not the outside in. We have to be willing to let Him do the work that needs to be done in our hearts and souls with love. Love heals, love transforms, love changes things in you, with you, through you and for you. Not fear. Not hate. Only love can do that. Amen 

Scripture References:

 Philippians 2:7 ESV

 John 13:34-35 ESV

We all love to share the end of the story, when GOD shows up and answers the prayer, heals the disease, restores the relationship. And those testimonies are AWESOME!!! But, we also need to share how GOD sustained us in the waiting, how we almost lost hope, how we were tired of trying and believing. We need to share those things because 1. It's the truth, 2. Someone is in the same space of despair and NEEDS ENCOURAGEMENT!!! Since YOU MADE IT, THEY WILL TOO!!! AMEN 

Scripture Reference:

 Matthew 6:33 ESV

So your best friend got married on a yacht in Dubai, and now you hang your hopes on the same thing happening for you. What if that's not YOUR path? What if you get married at the Justice of the Peace and only you and your husband to be show up? The end result is the same...a marriage between two people that love each other. The path to that marriage looked different, but the love that led to that place you have in common. BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD!!! Our paths may be different, but it all ends up the same...with GOD'S goodness pouring through our lives. It's going to be ok... 

Scripture References:

 Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV

 Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

LOVE unfiltered. LOVE in its' purest form. LOVE unconquered. LOVE everlasting. LOVE strong and mighty. JESUS.                                                                GOD IS LOVE  

Scripture Reference:

 1 Corinthians 13:4-13 ESV

We can have peace in this life, TODAY!!! Peace is NOT elusive, or something we have to search the mountain tops for, GOD gives it to us READILY in CHRIST JESUS!!! WE only have to accept it by FAITH!!! AMEN 

Scripture Reference:

 John 16:33 ESV

It's time to stop being afraid and running back to your old self because it's more comfortable and it's all you know. GOD created you for good works, that you should WALK IN THEM!!! It's time to walk friend!!! Leave the old you behind, and trust GOD in this new dimension and space HE created YOU for!!! AMEN 

Scripture Reference:

 Ephesians 2:10 ESV

Praise GOD for Diversity!!! Things have certainly changed for the better...we (Black, White, Brown, Asian, etc.) have begun to worship together!!! And we've gotten used to that (also PRAISE GOD!!!). But Church, we have to get used to welcoming not only people of a different cultural or ethnic background, we have to get used to receiving people who come from different social backgrounds and situations (cults, atheism, ritualistic behaviors, etc). GOD is STILL GOD and HE'S still SAVING LIVES THROUGH JESUS CHRIST!!! All lives! Any lives! And we as the Church have to be ready to receive HIS transformed children with LOVE :) 

Scripture References:

 John 3:16-17 ESV

 Acts 2:4 ESV

GOD values our obedience and receiving HIS instruction is important whether or not we understand or if it makes sense to us. HE wants us to TRUST HIM...no matter what it looks like. Following HIS instructions never leads to destruction, we can trust HIM with the cares and concerns of our lives. HE is GOOD and HE is GOD. AMEN 

Scripture References:

 John 2:5 ESV

 Romans 13:1-2 ESV

 1 Samuel 15:22-23 ESV