October 20 - Sexual Immorality

Next to catastrophic injury, death, and eternal hell, sexual immorality is the most dreaded possibility for our children's lives.  I know that with sexual sin the fullness of God's presence, peace, blessing, and joy is sacrificed.  The price is way too high.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

Maybe the reason why Ms. Omartian places so much weight on the effects of sexual immorality is because of what is forfeited.  This is not to say that our children are not forgiven and God does not extend grace, NO; they are fortunate that He's the God of a second chance (truth be told, so are we).  Nevertheless, when our children forfeit purity for pleasure; he/she does not get the benefit of the fullness of all that God has ordained and set aside for them. 

Although the most visible result of sexual immorality, pregnancy is not the only consequence of this sin.  To name a few; HIV/AIDS, an array of sexually transmitted diseases, lack of desire, too much desire, emotional numbness and distress and lack of commitment.  These days we even have people in Christian leadership being sexually immoral and trying to justify it (see 'Preachers of LA').

If our children are going to stand a chance in this hyper-sexual society; we may need to incorporate some serious prayer and fasting along with unadulterated teaching of God's word.  We can no longer sit back and not talk about sex (on a REAL level), when every other image they see is trying to elicit an arousal from them...and not just heterosexual arousal (yes, I went there!). 

I am praying right now for the young man who will see my daughter as the jewel that she is and before he asks us for her hand, he seeks the approval of her heavenly father.  I'm thanking God right now that He is preparing suitable wives for my sons and that my sons will love their wives the way Christ loved the church. 

We have to be more proactive in our prayers over the sexual immorality of our children because as Ms. Omartian said, "The price is way too high".

September 25 - STILL HAVE JOY

The joy of the Lord is rich and deep and causes anyone who walks in it to be likewise.  That's because joy doesn't have anything to do with happy circumstances; it has to do with looking into the face of God and knowing He's all we'll ever need.  (The Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

"...joy doesn't have anything to do with happy circumstances"; I KNOW THAT'S RIGHT!!!  I often say that I'll take joy over happiness ANY day because to me; happiness is contingent on things, while joy is in spite of things.  Joy is the fruit of the Spirit and accordingly, dwells within the believer.  Like the illustration that says you don't see the true purpose of a tea bag until it's placed in hot water...the joy within us is refined in the midst of trying times.  Habakkuk 3:18-19 says, "yet I will rejoice in the Lord!  I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!  The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights."  When we fully grasp that God is all we need; walking in the joy of the Lord is more easily achieved...joy enables us to tread upon the heights.

Thank you Lord for being so good to us and being so kind and being so merciful.  You have given us our place of refuge and we are truly grateful.  Your word says in James 1:2-3, "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow".  As we look into the face of God with joy in our hearts, we say 'This joy I have, the world didn't give it and the world can't take it away'...in Jesus name, Amen!


ENJOY!!!  http://youtu.be/qfJ2LZQbvs4 

September 16

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.  (1 Timothy 4:12 NIV)

We didn't have to deal with half of the things our children face.  I've heard some people say that they don't know if they could survive some of the darts being thrown at our children.  The enemy plots and schemes using insecurity and instability against them.  HIV/AIDS, homicides, absent parents, drug abuse, perverted lust and runaway social media have tried to take them out,  But thanks be to God who has caused them to triumph IN SPITE OF!!! Witnessing the city wide Youth and Young Adult revival this year, fittingly themed "City On Our Knees"; I watched some of the 'youngins' setting an example for the believers and for that I am encouraged that the scripture in 1 Timothy has taken root.

Thank you Lord for not letting Your word return void!  There is a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that is declaring the praises of Him who called them out of darkness into His wonderful light.  We pray that You continue to keep our children in the safety of Your arms as they strive to live according to Your will and be examples in this world.  In Jesus name, Amen!

September 10 - TAKE IT AWAY!!!

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. (John 15:2, NIV)  The Greek for he prunes also means he cleans.

Jesus speaks of two categories of branches: fruitless and fruitful. The branches that cease to bear fruit are those who no longer have the life in them that comes from enduring faith in and love for Christ. These "branches" the Father cuts off, i.e., he separates them from vital union with Christ. The branches that bear fruit are those who have life in them because of their enduring faith in and love for Christ. These "branches" the Father prunes so that they will become more fruitful. That is, He removes from their lives anything that diverts or hinders the vital life-flow of Christ into them. The fruit is the quality of Christian character that brings glory to God through life and witness. (Full Life Study Bible, Study Notes)

Heavenly Father, help us to appreciate the pruning and purging that You do for our good. We thank You for removing anything that diverts or hinders the flow of Christ in our lives and our children's lives. I'm reminded of the words to that song we used to sing in youth choir so long ago..."if You find anything, that's not like you; I ask You Lord, You know what to do...wash me Lord; cleanse me through and through, take it away from me Lord, take it away from me! In Jesus name, Amen!

 http://youtu.be/J8apcF4uJ9o

September 5 - BOUNDARIES!!!

To live purely within the boundaries of God's law is to find wholeness in the total person.  That wholeness is what holiness is all about.  Children who have a desire for holiness and seek God's enabling power to help them achieve it can never be anything but blessed and fulfilled.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

It used to be that hearing the word "holiness" conjured up images of women wearing skirts to their ankles without any makeup or jewelry (wonder why no stipulations on men come to mind).  However, holiness is not reserved for any particular group of people or denomination; but God has called all of us to be holy...including our children.

If we impart the importance of living holy and acceptable lives in our children, they will not hesitate to seek God's help when the challenges come to remain live pure.  The key is to put holiness in its proper perspective.  Specifically, the boundaries of God's law that we so often view as limiting, many times operate as walls of protection.  Look at it this way; a child could experience life and all that glitters OR a child could live purely and experience His Glory! 

Thank you Heavenly Father for giving us boundaries and laws by which we should live.  Help us to find wholeness in holiness and further realize that abundant life awaits, if we faint not.  We will not overstep our boundaries.  In Jesus name, Amen!

September 2

Let us pray for our children to be attracted to holiness and purity like a magnet, so that when anything entices them that isn't holy or pure, they detect the pull immediately and are made uncomfortable enough to thoroughly reject it. "For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness" (1 Thessalonians 4:7). Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian

If we're honest, the challenge with unholy and impure things is that often they're appealing. It's the reason why addiction is real and thrives in so many peoples lives. Praying against sin is not the way...praying against the root of sin may prove more effective!

Heavenly Father, whatever our children are doing, wherever they are in this very minute; if it's not holy, pure and pleasing in Your sight, I pray that he/she becomes overwhelmed with Your presence and extremely uncomfortable to the point that he/she flees immediately. We speak wholeness and cleanliness in Jesus name, Amen!

August 22 - Rash language cuts and maims...

Lord, enable my child to always speak words of hope, health, encouragement, and life and to resolve that his/her mouth will not sin.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

With the start of the school year, I'm excited and expectant!  The boys are growing and developing well.  Our oldest son is looking to take on leadership roles and participating in ministry.  The younger has embraced school (even though he has a new teacher) and has been doing his work in class.  As promising as the first few days have been; my eagle eyes have already spotted the ugliness of bullying.  A little boy at our oldest son's school has a speech impediment and I observed a couple of kids teasing him.  Ironically the little boy who was being teased is named Isaiah (the same as my son).  I didn't take it too well and scolded "Mr. Mischief" for calling Isaiah 'stupid' because of his stuttering and facial tics.  It wasn't too longer after the scolding that I heard the word again and even though I reminded my little friend that the 's' word was not nice; I couldn't help but think about why/how it flowed from his mouth...maybe because he had heard it often?!?

The Message version of Proverbs 12:18 says, "Rash language cuts and maims, but there is healing in the words of the wise."  As small as it is; the tongue can cause a whole lot of hurt.  At the same time; the tongue can bring healing, if used in conjunction with a pure heart.

Lord, we pray that our language doesn't maim anyone!  Let us not use our tongues like Ginsu knives cutting and slicing people with our words.  Help us and our children to speak words of hope, health, encouragement and life.  When/if we encounter someone using language to assassinate another; give us wisdom and courage to confront in love and beseech that person not to sin.  There's enough hurt and dis-ease caused by words...we will use our words to restore and heal.  You are Jehovah Rapha and we call it done.  In Jesus name, Amen!

August 21 - Speech Therapy!

The best way to improve speech is to improve the heart, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34).  A heart filled with the Holy Spirit and the truth of the Word of God will produce godly speech that brings life to the speaker as well as the listener.  This is where our point of prayer should begin.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

As I sat in the waiting room of the speech clinic; I couldn't help but think of how far my little boy has come.  When he was initially diagnosed with autism, we were told that he "may never talk".  Although with much prayer and early intervention services, we have overcome that prognosis; we still have a long way to go!  A child with autism must do more than learn how to speak. The child also has to learn how to use language to communicate. This includes knowing how to hold a conversation. It also includes tuning into both verbal and nonverbal cues from other people -- such as facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language.  In other words, it's not enough for my son or other children with autism to learn the words; they also have to know what to say and when to say it...kinda like prayer!

Just as there are different ways to communicate (verbal, nonverbal, facial expression), there are different ways to pray (verbally, groaning, intercession, as the Holy Spirit gives utterance).  What I like about the scripture in Matthew 12:34 is that it says the mouth speaks out of the abundance of the heart.  This confirms the importance of a pure heart when speaking to others, especially when we're praying for someone.  Questions to ask yourself; (1) Who are you talking to?  (2) What are you talking about?

Heavenly Father, help us to keep our hearts pure so that our speech will be godly and bring life to our listeners.  Help our children to realize that once the words come out of their mouths, they can't be taken back.  Help us to guard our mouths so that no cursing, gossip, envy corrupt communication proceeds out of it and we can be an example to our children.  We want to be like You Lord, we want to speak life and life more abundantly.  In Jesus name, it is so!

August 18 - Home Training

Point your kids in the right direction—when they’re old they won’t be lost.  (Proverbs 22:6, The Message)

I thought about the Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it".  The phrase "Train up", according to translation, refers to manners and habits.  I believe that a lot of the issues children face in school and society stems from failure to follow this scripture.  Having the opportunity to work in the school system and encounter children and their parents, it's become evident that in many instances, home training has gone out the window.  If all a child hears at home is cussing, most likely he/she will cuss too.  If every time a child turns around someone is beating his/her mom OR beating him/her; most likely he/she will be abusive too.  When a child's home life is disorganized, has no structure and in disarray; chances are he/she will be distracted and dysfunctional as well. 

We can not discount the importance of teaching our children at home!  Not just reading with them and making sure they keep up the skills learned during the school year, but also we have to teach them the importance of respect, self-control, honor and integrity.  We may also have to reach out to children who are not in our household.  Think of it this way...even if they don't get the training in their own home doesn't mean they shouldn't get it!  If we take the time to reach and teach a child that may not otherwise receive it; that's one less child that may grow up and drop out of school or become a teen parent or criminal.  As the children prepare to return to school; we have to continue to cover them as well as their teachers. 

Lord, thank you for giving us the tools to train up our children.  Your word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.  We pray that the hearts and minds of our children will be fertile ground for learning, wisdom, understanding, compassion, joy, peace, hope and love.  We declare that as we seek to point them in the right direction, when they're old they will not be lost.  In Jesus name, Amen!

August 11 - Harp music

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.  (Psalm 19:14)

The word meditation resonated with me so I decided to look it up!  It comes from a Hebrew word "higgayown" (pronounced hig·gä·yōn') which means "the murmur" or dull sound of the harp, hence, meditation.  This says to me that the sound of my heart should be like that of a harp.  What comes from my heart and prayerfully from the heart of my child, should sound like a harp.  Click on this link to hear some harp music, but be warned...it is addictive! 
http://youtu.be/ZWuXOrG7pkU?t=8s

The proper response to the work of salvation in our lives is a constant prayer that God will keep our hearts, words and lives free from sin and pleasing to him.  Both the meditation of our hearts and the reflection of our minds should be pleasing to God.  (Full Life Study Bible, Study Notes)  If nothing else, my heart song should reflect my thankfulness for salvation and the gift of eternal life.

The Bible says in Proverbs 4:23, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."  What would life be like for us if we were diligent about keeping our hearts?

Dear Lord, so many times we put emphasis on what comes out of our mouths and the murmur of our hearts go unchecked.  Father, we pray that our hearts and the hearts of our children produce melodies that are like a sweet aroma to You.  Reveal to us any areas of our hearts that need attention because we want to be acceptable in Your sight.  When we get our hearts right, aligned with Your will; we will receive the desires of our hearts because You promised it!  In Jesus name, Amen!

August 8 - Watch Your Mouth!

We create a world for ourselves by what we speak.  Words have power, and we can either speak life or death into a situation.  The Bible says that what we say can get us into trouble or keep us away from it.  It can even save our lives.  "He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction" (Proverbs 13:3).  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

Whenever my son's language gets a little "grown", I kindly remind him to "watch his mouth".  I remember my mom giving me the same warning if she perceived I was being "sassy".  As a child, I would quip (under my breath of course), "how can I watch my mouth...I can't see it".  When I think of the things that we speak and what it looks like in the spirit realm...I am grieved.  Instead of using our words to create Eden or Elim; we speak hell into existence.  Just imagine that every time we allow  negative words to leave our lips; those words are the equivalent of bullets shooting down hopes, dreams and worst of all people!

Dear Lord, please touch our lips so that we speak life and not death in each and every situation.  Your word says that we should not let any corrupt communication proceed out of our mouths, so we pray that we begin to say what You say.  We pray that what we speak aligns with what is spoken in Your holy word.  Lord, help us to realize that our words have power and what we speak about, we bring about.  We will renew our minds to change what we speak.  In Jesus name, Amen!

August 5 - Give thanks and use it before you lose it!

Last week the youth and young adults of several churches in the city collaborated in a city-wide revival.  The "City On Our Knees" revival, consisting of New Salem, Rehoboth Temple, First Church of God, Rhema Christian Center and Trinity Baptist Church, truly blessed me. 

In one of the sermons the preacher asked; "if you woke up today with only what you thanked God for yesterday...what would you have?"  WOE!!!  I was immediately convicted and mortified at everything I would have lost.  The obvious material things crossed my mind but what really got me was that I had not taken the time to thank God for my life, for my spouse, for my children, health and strength.  All gifts...all things that I have taken for granted.

The bible says, " I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. ⁵ Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. ⁶ This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true. ⁷ Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ"  (1 Corinthians 1:4-7, NLT).  As believers, we need to give thanks not only for the gifts God has given to us, but also for the gifts deposited in our church.  Everything we need to stand against the enemy, his plots and schemes; God has provided.  As my pastor says, everything we need "is in the house".  The concept of a city-wide, multi-church revival with "every spiritual gift you need" is amazing, encouraging and empowering...now if only we'd stir up the gifts!
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; ⁹ To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
¹⁰ To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues (1Corinthians 12:8-10).  The church, and those endowed with spiritual gifts, has to be leery of losing what we don't use!

Lord, forgive me for taking all the gifts You've give me for granted.  I thank You for my life!  I thank You for my husband, I thank You for my children, I thank You for my mother, sisters and brothers.  I thank You for my health and strength, for my pastor and church family, for a home, food and clothes.  I thank You for opportunities to share Your word.  I thank You for using me to bless other and help them find their voice.  I thank You for every spiritual gift in my church for the building of Your kingdom and blessing of Your people.  I pray that those possessing spiritual gifts will begin to operate in their gift and use their gift for Your glory.  In Jesus name, Amen! 

July 26 - PRAY FOR THE PREY!

 And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.  (Ezekiel 34:28, KJV)

On Wednesday of this week, "Federal Child Porn Charge Filed Against Pediatric Radiation Oncologist At Ohio State University Medical Center" was the "Breaking News" story.  Late Wednesday night a store clerk was shot and killed, allegedly by a seventeen (17) year old boy.  The following morning, city workers discovered the body of another young man who had been shot in the head.  Around 7am Thursday morning, police were called to the scene of a vehicle fire only to discover a body in the driver's seat.  As the events of those twenty-four hours ran through  my mind, one word resonated in my spirit...PREY!

I searched the bible for the word and came across the scripture in Ezekiel.  The word prey (in Hebrew, 'baz') "is used of persons and cattle carried away in war".  1 Peter 5:8 warns us to "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour".  The devil knows what is at stake in the "war for your seed" and he is diligent to prey over our seed...our children.  The enemy is more dedicated and diligent with his mission than most of the people in the kingdom.  We can no longer afford to be lazy when it comes to covering our children.

Time out for sitting idly by and allowing this carnage to take place.  Before we allow another child to fall prey to satan; I implore every able person to fall on his/her face and pray with your heart!

Heavenly Father, we need You now more than ever!  Lord, I pray that every gift You've deposited in every believer be awakened.  Call forth those for intercession; raise up strength of men like that of Sampson; activate supernatural faith; release healing, peace and comfort.  Lord, I pray that you raise up some soldiers with holy boldness to do the work that needs to be done.  Please save our children Lord...save Your children.  In Jesus name, Amen!

July 23 - Praying for your child's potential greatness

When God gives you a glimpse of your child's potential for greatness, love and pray him/her into being that.  The Bible says, "Do you see a man who excels in his work?  He will stand before kings; he will not stand before unknown men" (Proverbs 22:29) (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

Ooooooo wheee Jesus; this is a hard one!!!    I know why preachers say that God doesn't always show us the plans He has for us because we couldn't handle them.  Let's be open and honest for a minute...the challenge with praying this prayer is loving and praying them into their potential when their behavior and walk doesn't line up with their potential.  I mean if God has given you a glimpse of your child as a doctor and he/she can't pass biology, your might be a little discouraged.  Nevertheless, if we're going to believe God's word, whether it's written or prophetic, we have to believe ALL of His word, ALL of the time.  In those times of discouragement and dare I say it, doubt; we have to be even more diligent to pray God's word back to Him and over our children.  I encourage to pray scripture over your child(ren) and place his/her name throughout to make it even more personal to him/her.  For example; Isaiah can do all things through Christ which strengthens him; Lord, you promised never to leave nor forsake Isaiah; Isaiah will trust in the Lord with all his heart and lean not to his own understanding.  Because God is bound by His word, He will incline His ear and hear your prayer...especially when you pray His word back to Him.

We're often quick to recite "A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men" (Proverbs 18:16), BUT verse 15 offers the prerequisite.  It says, "The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge", which would have me believe that before our gift (or our children's gift) makes room for us; our hearts should be prudent and our ears seeking knowledge.  It just got real.

Lord I thank you for the insight You've given me into my child's potential greatness.  I pray that You will give me perseverance to pray over that greatness with diligence and determination.  The enemy will try on every hand to deter him/her but he's already defeated and has no place here!  I will love and support my child just as You have loved and supported me.  We will do great things for you and excel in Your greatness because ultimately we want to hear You say "Well done!" 
In Jesus name, Amen! 

July 21

I pray that You would reveal to my child what his/her life work is to be and help him/her excel in it.  Bless the work of his/her hands, and may he/she be able to earn a good living doing the work he/she loves and does best.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

We start asking our children when they're fairly young..."what do you want to be when you grow up"?  To take the focus off of their will and plant a seed of submission; the question should be, "what do you think God wants you to be when you grow up"?  My pastor often says that significance is better than success.  When we focus our children on doing what God wants them to do (and if their will aligns with His will for them), he/she will love what they do and they will do it very well.

Heavenly Father, we declare that the work of our children's hands will be fruitful and productive.  The wage that he/she earns will be a livable wage and one that he/she deserves.  Our sons and daughters will not take jobs because of the salary, but any position he/she accepts will be purposed in You and an assignment for the kingdom.  In Jesus name, Amen!

July 19

Lord, I thank You for the gifts and talents You have placed in my child.  I pray that You would develop them in him/her and use them for Your glory.  Make them apparent to me and to him/her, and show me specifically if there is any special nurturing, training, learning experience, or opportunities I should provide for him/her.  May his/her gifts and talents be developed in Your way and in Your time.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

Along with this petition, we pray that You give our children confidence to cultivate the gift and endurance to execute the assignment and calling on their life.  We rebuke any fear, doubt or self-sabotage that may try to enter their minds with regard to their gifts and talents.  Thank you for entrusting us to guide them and oversee the gifts You've given them.  We speak an anointed and abundant return on Your investment.  Thy will be done...in Jesus name, Amen!

July 18 - Protect your gifts!

Because the enemy wants to use our children's gifts for his glory, or at the very least keep them from being used for God's purposes, we need to cover them in prayer.  Praying for the development of our children's God-given gifts and talents is an ongoing process.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

We all want our children to live a prosperous and joyful life.  We want them to be happy and do well in whatever they set out to do...but how often do we pray over the gifts they're to use in order to get there?  God has given us all a gift and to some He has even blessed with multiple gifts.  The purpose of those gifts is that we use them to His glory and to uplift His kingdom.  I remember the night before my daughter was to sing her first solo at church, she had a terrible nightmare in which a snake wrapped itself around her and was attempting to choke her.  In the nightmare she was trying to scream but nothing came out.  However, the screams coming from her room were real and I went running to see what was wrong.   When she told me about what happened, I explained that it was the enemies way of trying to scare her because he knew that the song she was going to sing would bless someone and the only way to kill that snake was to be sure to sing with her strongest voice tomorrow...she did and has been singing every since.  I realized then the importance of praying over God's gifts.

Every good and perfect gift comes from God, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." Romans 8:28-29, KJV

Predestination means "to decide beforehand" and applies to God's purposes comprehended in election.  Election is God's choice "in Christ" of a people (the true church) for himself.  Predestination comprehends what will happen to God's people (all genuine believers in Christ).  Election and Predestination, Full Life Study Bible Article, pg. 1824

 

What does all this mean?  It means that just as God has purposed; the enemy has plotted!  The enemy knows that if all of God's children use their gifts and talents for God's purpose and for God's kingdom; his reign will be cut short.  Therefore, his scheming and conniving ways are to try to pervert our God-given gifts or even worse deceive us into not using them at all.  Isaiah 14:24 says, 

"The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:" and this is why the devil is scurred!!!

 

Heavenly Father, we commit to praying over each and every gift You've bestowed upon us.  We submit our children's gifts to you and we pray their submission to what You've purposed for those gifts.  If he/she is a dancer; we pray that every movement minister to You; if he/she plays an instrument, we pray that the music produced is melodic to You; if he/she is a great speaker, let their words spread the gospel; if he/she is an athlete, we proclaim that regardless of how many trophies acquired they will not give Your glory to any graven image.  We seal the gifts of our children in the purpose You have designed, according to Your will for their lives.  In Jesus name, Amen!

 

 

July 16

July 16 - Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. (James 1:17, Message)

Thank you Lord for not being fake! We know that gifts You give, come without strings attached and are often undeserved. There are no ulterior motives...we know that we can trust you. In Jesus name, Amen!

July 12 - I'll teach you a thing or two!

I pray my child will respect the wisdom of his/her parents and be willing to be taught by them.  May he/she also have the desire to be taught by the teachers You bring into his/her life.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

The fact of the matter is, most children don't respect the wisdom of their parents (they think they know best).  A lot of them are reluctantly taught by their parents (they hear instruction, but don't always listen).  That is why this prayer is EXTREMELY important to pray and pray fervently!

The bible says, Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.  (Proverbs 23:12)  If only it were that easy for our children.  Everybody knows that children think they know everything and their parents don't have a clue.  In a way it works to our (the parents) advantage because it helps us to stay two steps ahead of our children.  Often the reason we're able to 'discern' the things our children go through is because we see ourselves in our children.  BLASTED DNA!!!    The trick of the enemy is having them think they can outsmart us; that they're doing something new..."What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 1:9).  If only our children really understood the power they have in wise counsel from wise parents.

Heavenly Father, we incline our ear to thee; give us wisdom and understanding that we may impart to the children You've blessed us with.  Give our children receptive, open hearts and minds to receive wisdom and instruction from their parents.  Teach us Your Ways oh Lord!  In Jesus name, Amen!!!

July 11 - Get your mind right!

A child's ability and desire to learn cannot be taken for granted.  Even while our child is still in the womb we can pray, "Lord, let this child be knit perfectly together with a good, strong, healthy mind and body and be taught by Your forever."  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

I read this devotion a few times before I could agree with it.  The part that I was getting hung up on was "..knit perfectly together with a good, strong, healthy mind and body..." because I know that while this may be our expectation and hope; it's not always reality.  Having a child with special needs was especially challenging initially because I was disappointed with what I thought would be limitations.  On the contrary, our son has blessed us immensely by forcing us to look at how God uses situations to bring out of us what we never knew existed...good and not so good.  For example, before I found out my son had a disorder which caused him to have behavior issues; I would be the first person to whisper about a child acting out in public.  "That couldn't be my child" or "he/she better be glad I'm not his/her momma"...life and death is in the power of the tongue!  God reminded me of the times that I, in ignorance, judged and shook my head.  Now I get those looks and instead of being upset; I'm humbled that I/we were chosen to handle the ignorance in a different way...a transformational way.

The other thing that was brought back to my remembrance when I read the devotion was a story about a mother's acceptance of her children's ability.  In the story, there was one child that was a straight 'A' student who always excelled in school.  The child always had great aspirations and was eventually very successful.  The other child received average grades, even though he tried his best and struggled with academics throughout school.  This child went on to serve in the mission fields, participated in philanthropic activities and served others in the community.  The mother was reflecting on how hard she was on the "average" child because of what she thought he should be...because of her expectations. 

Lord, while it's OK for our prayer to be that our children are "knit perfectly together with a good, strong, healthy mind and body"; let us not forget that You look at our hearts.  Your word says that "The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly" (Proverbs 20:27).  We pray not only for their ability to learn, but most importantly; we pray for their spirit and acceptance of You.  Help us to always desire significance in Your kingdom over success in this world.  In Jesus name, Amen!

July 9 - The Benefits of Wisdom

My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands.  Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.  Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.  Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.  Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.  For the Lord grants wisdom!  From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.  He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.  He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.  Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.  For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy.  Wise choices will watch over  you.  Understanding will keep you safe.  Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted.  (Proverbs 2:1-12, NLT)

To think that wisdom can "save you from evil people"...now that's real talk!  It's something that seems so simple, but so many of us fail to grasp it.  Wisdom is the intimate knowledge of something and the Lord grants wisdom, often with discernment.  God-given wisdom will definitely save us from evil people.  "Only when God's wisdom enters our hearts--i.e., our inward motives, desires and thoughts--will it produce life and power.  To accomplish this, the Spirit of truth must work within our souls to make God's commands and ways a delight to us".  (Full Life Study Bible, Study Notes)

Heavenly Father, we pray your word over our children.  We pray that as You grant common sense, it is received.  We pray that as You shield our children; they will embrace integrity.  We thank you that as You guard their paths and protect them; their faith will increase.  Let us not forsake wisdom, and wisdom will protect us.  In Jesus name, Amen!

July 6

And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.  (Isaiah 54:13, KJV)

There is a saying that goes "when you know better, you do better!"  I believe the scripture in Isaiah is back-up for this saying.  When our children are taught God's commandments as what to live by; they do better.  When the law of the Lord is what governs their life and they abide by the rules of the Ruler of all; they do better.  When our children seek to do the will of God and not the will of the flesh; they do better...they are better!

Our responsibility as parents is to first make sure that we're following the ways of the Lord and we're not just preaching it; we're practicing it.  Our failure to teach our children the ways of the Lord, may jeopardize the promise of peace for them. 

Thank you Lord for giving us Your Word as a guide for our lives.  We have instructions for living which we can teach our children.  Your will and Your word are life for us and we receive them with open arms.  Continue to teach us Your ways...in Jesus name, Amen!

July 5

Lord, I pray that my child will have a deep reverence for You and Your ways.  May he/she hide Your Word in his/her heart like a treasure, and seek after understanding like silver and gold.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)


I'll be the first to admit that, to some and even in our eyes; my children are/have been 'sheltered'.  They were brought and drug to church; we sent them to Christian school for educating; they were/are not allowed to spend the night with just anyone; there is no 'sagging' going on and skirts not passing the "fingertip test" had to be changed.

I believe that these secular and tangible things have helped our children develop a reverence for God.  Wearing your pants pulled up does not make you any more of a child of God than wearing them "sagging"; however, there is such a thing as being decent and in order, as well as, excellency when it comes to God.  It's easier to have a deep reverence for God when you keep Him first in every aspect of your life. 

Psalm 119:10-12 says, "With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.  Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes."  Let this be the confession of our children.  In Jesus name, Amen!

July 3 - Everything that looks good to you...

Help my child to see that what makes a person truly attractive is Your Holy Spirit living in him/her and radiating outward.  May he/she come to understand that true attractiveness begins in the heart of one who loves God.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

When I was much younger and before I knew better; what I wanted in a male companion included someone who was cute, dressed nice, and had good hair (just reading these things have me shaking my head)...praise God for deliverance!  As I grew older and wiser, I realized the most important thing for me to find in a guy was that he knew God.  I remember making my "list" of what I wanted/needed in a mate.  I revised it a few times and finally I thought...all that truly matters is if he's saved! 

"A woman's heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek Him just to find her."  Although I'm not sure who can be credited with this quote; one thing I do know is that it's absolutely accurate.  To go a step further, I'll add my own and say; "A man's delight should be in the law of the Lord and a woman must know God's word to discern the Suitor from the Snake!

Heavenly Father, Your word says "...you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb" and I am "fearfully and wonderfully made".  As our children meet and mingle; show them that beauty is not in the eye of the beholder, but true beauty is in the "I am" that holds all.  Just as we pray that the Holy Spirit is what draws our children to the mate prepared for him/her; we also pray that the Holy Spirit repel any and all impostors that try to corrupt the promise.  In Jesus name, Amen!!!

June 28 - Take me to the King!

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them.  When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  (Mark 10:13-15 NIV)

Receiving the kingdom of God like a child means accepting it in a simple, humble, trustful and wholehearted manner so as to turn from sin and receive Christ as your Lord and Savior, and God as your heavenly father.  Christ is deeply concerned about the salvation and the spiritual upbringing of children.  Christian parents should use every means of grace available to bring their children to Christ, for he longs to receive them, love them and bless them.  (Full Life Study Bible Study Notes)

What an awesome vision to take our children to Jesus for Him to touch them!  That's exactly what we do when we pray for our children.  We would do ourselves and our children good if we would heed what Jesus said, "do not hinder them".  Sometimes we hinder our children because even though we pray for them; even though we take them to the King...we don't leave them there!!!  We have not released them and therefore, we are hindering them from receiving the touch from Jesus.  Truth be told, we do the same thing with a lot of stuff we pray about...we take it to the altar in prayer, but before we leave the altar we reach back down and pick that thing up again basically saying, "SIKE, that's alright Jesus I think I can handle this one".

Father, there is great peace and tremendous rest in your presence.  Help us to appreciate that place of solace and embrace it.  Help us to release our children in that place knowing that there is no better place for them to dwell.  We will not hinder healing by holding on; we will not hinder deliverance by doubting; we will not hinder maturity by monitoring results; we will not hinder faith by failing to completely trust the process.  In Jesus name, Amen!

June 26

Pray now that any lying spirit will be uprooted--not only in your children, but in yourself as well.  We need to reject the way of lying and follow the truth.  We need to be an example to our children.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. ⁴ I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:3-4 NIV

In light of recent government actions and society trying to twist the truth; I say to all my brothers and sisters...maintain your faithfulness to the truth!  I believe our salvation is deeply rooted in truth, especially since Jesus is the way, the truth and the life! 

Father we submit and embrace truth.  Amen!

June 23

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  (2 Peter 1:10-11 NIV)

Our faith and salvation must not be taken for granted.  We will continue faithful to the end only if we make every effort  by God's grace to add to our faith the spiritual qualities in 2 Peter 1:5-9.  These spiritual qualities are goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love.  The phrase "make every effort" demonstrates that believers must be actively involved in their Christian growth.  Those who become Christians must immediately strive to add to their faith these seven qualities.  Note that godly characteristics do not automatically grow without our diligent effort to cultivate them.   (Full Life Study Bible, Study Notes).  Verse 8 says, "For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."  Knowledge is power...knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ is purposed power. 

When your calling is confirmed, you don't answer to any and everything!  When your calling is confirmed, your ear is hearkened to voice of the shepherd.  When your calling is confirmed, you should not only be a hearer of the word, but also a doer of the word.  Lord, help us to handle our calling with care so that we will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom.  In Jesus name, Amen! 

June 20 - Be healed!

One of the main things Jesus wants to be to us is the forgiver of our sins and the healer of our bodies.  Let's lay hold of the health and healing He has for our children by praying for it even before the need arises.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian) 

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.  James 5:16

"Let's lay hold of the health and healing He has for our children..."; what a powerful statement!!!  As a parent, the thing I hate most is for my child to be sick or hurting.  The instinct is to want to take the pain away.  It's especially disheartening when you have a child, who because of his/her age OR special needs, can't communicate what's wrong.  The feelings of helplessness and frustration can easily become one's focus but the truth of the matter is, all we have to do is focus on the Balm in Gilead.  HALLELUJAH!!!  Before I move on, let me be clear; I believe in supernatural healing AND I also believe in medicinal healing.   Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. (Proverbs 4:7)

Lord help us to realize that we have so many tools, promises and weapons to use in this walk!  Let us see that all we need to do is renew our minds with Your Word and we can "lay hold" of some things.  We speak health and healing in our lives and our children's lives.  We declare that we are healthy and healed in every area of our lives.  Heal emotional scars, renew and restore spiritually, touch each and every physical ailment, heal financial wounds...everywhere there is a hurt; we pray that You make it better.  #No_owies 

In Jesus name, Amen!

June 17 - Tell the truth...shame the devil

Children will lie at one time or another.  The question is not if they will, but whether or not lying will become something they believe they can get away with.  If we don't teach our children what God says about lying, they won't know why it's wrong.  If we don't pray about this issue now, there will be bigger issues to deal with later.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

I have a cd by a Gospel rap group called R.O.A.R and in one of their songs there's a line that says something like, "in order for a person to lie, they had to have first known the truth".  As I tend to be a very analytical person; that statement has stuck with me for years...even helping me with forgiveness where a lie is concerned.  A lie is "a false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; an intentional untruth; a falsehood.  Synonyms:  prevarication, falsification.  Antonyms:  truth."  Deceit is "the act or practice of deceiving; concealment or distortion of the truth for the purpose of misleading; duplicity; fraud; cheating".  It's crucial and critical for us to know the truth, live the truth and teach our children the importance of truth.  I've always told my children to tell me the truth, regardless of whether they think the truth will hurt me and no matter what they think the consequences are because telling the truth will help them in the long run; they've even avoided punishment simply by telling the truth (that may be the subject of another post).  The point being that when we tell the truth; we don't have to remember or rehearse it!  The truth was the truth yesterday; is the truth today and will be the truth tomorrow. 

Telling lies and even worse, believing lies, can definitely lead to bigger issues.  The bible is clear about both the truth and lies.  Proverbs 12:19 says, "The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment"; "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight" and John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).  As for lies...John 8:44 says, "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

The real danger in letting lies go unchecked is that we risk God's delight in us and our life in Him, while consequently becoming entangled in the devil's web.  No matter how it looks; the truth (topped with love), is always best!

Lord, help us to always embrace and exhibit the truth in our lives and for our children.  Show us how to teach our children that the truth will set them free and even if they initially get away with a lie; it will come eventually come back...and probably when they least expect it.  We commit to knowing what Your word says about the truth and lies, so we will not be caught up and so that we can tell our children why lying is wrong.  We declare right now that any lie seeking to take root in our lives or the lives of our children is dug up, cut up and cast away in the name of Jesus!  We hold Your truth as self evident, Amen!  

June 13 - Nothing like family...gotta love them!

It's been said that the only relative you get to pick is your spouse.  Everyone else is either born to you, you're born to or they're part of the family because of someone else...you didn't get a say-so in the matter.  It's probably for the best because if you're like me, you would probably not be related to some of your kinfolk.

The people closest to us are always the ones that hurt us most and it's because we give them so much of our love, time and space.  We trust them, we sow into them, we help them, but is it out of love or obligation?  If it's out of love; it should be unconditional, without strings or record.  If it's out of obligation, we're only setting ourselves up for drama and pain.  The best thing to do is to pray that God give you the capacity to love as He loves.  Think about the fact that God knew how the world would treat His son and yet He still sent His son to die for us while we were yet sinners. 

Heavenly Father, forgive us for not loving one another as true brothers and sisters.  Help us to realize that our children learn how to treat one another by what they see us doing.  Thank you for reminding us that we are to serve You and strive to do your will, especially to the family You've given us.  Your words says that we will be "betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death.  Everyone will hate you because of me.  But not a hair of your head will perish.  Stand firm, and you will win life (Luke 21:16-19).   We declare that we will do better and our children will not witness or be sucked into dysfunction.  In Jesus name, Amen!

June 11 - For my good!!!

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.  (Romans 8:28, New Living Translation)

I had an appointment at 6pm today and had planned my route to the minute, however; I ended up being late...which may have saved my life.  I couldn't leave until my husband got home and he had stopped at the grocery store.  Somewhat rushed, I hurried out of the house and proceeded on my way to my appointment.  I was coming around 70West approaching the Livingston Avenue exit when the traffic started slowing abruptly.  Looking ahead, I could see that the traffic was at a standstill past the exit so I changed lanes to exit at Livingston.  With a little detour, I was able to reenter the highway at the Miller on ramp and that's when I saw the accident.  There were three cars involved, one fairly damaged, another smashed up pretty good and spun around facing east from the impact, and then the final car which was so badly crumpled it looked like a crushed soda can. 

I thought about the fact that had I left when I planned to leave; I could have very well been right in the  midst of this accident...and then I felt grateful.  I was slightly irritated with my husband for going to the grocery store and tacking on a few extra minutes to my commute...but if he had been on time and I had left on time...and then I felt grateful. 

Thank you Father for keeping me from danger seen and unseen!  Thank you for orchestrating my path today and moving me at just the right pace.  The lesson in this was not just for me, but to me because You showed me that even when I can't see or know what's in my path...You do and the same is true for my children!  You are all-seeing and all-knowing and even when I forget to pray or when I'm not specific with my prayer for my son/daughter; You still hold the world in Your hands.  I know that all things work together for my good and for my children's good.  We love You and we embrace Your purpose for our lives.    #GRATEFUL  In Jesus name, Amen!

June 8

Hear me as I pray, O Lord.  Be merciful and answer me!  ⁸ My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”  And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”  ⁹ Do not turn your back on me.  Do not reject your servant in anger.  You have always been my helper.  Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me, O God of my salvation!  ¹⁰ Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.  (Psalm 27:7-10, New Living Translation)

No matter how old or "grown" our children get; they will always be "our children".  I am enjoying my forties and my mother still calls me "her baby".  One of the most challenging things for a parent is releasing a child when there is an appearance of danger.  Our instinct is to protect them and try to shield them from anything that can harm them.  However, while all things are not be beneficial; they may be necessary.

Psalm 27 gives the reassurance that when the time comes and our child(ren) feels overwhelmed, alone and "abandoned"; the Lord will hold them close.  How can the Lord hold them close if we're yet holding on?  How can he/she come to know that he/she can lean and depend on God if we're in the way?  How can God be God if we're trying to?

Heavenly Father, thank you for being a present help to our children and being enough God to take care of them.  We acknowledge that You are God all by Yourself and You don't need our help!  We are grateful that our children are embraced by You...Your arms are strong enough to hold them.  In Jesus name, Amen!

#SafeinHisarms
http://youtu.be/znKRe3AHdR8?t=29s

June 4 - God is...

The biggest part of helping my son and daughter understand who God created them to be is encouraging their relationship with the Lord.  I know they will never fully understand who they are until they understand who God is.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

So who is God?  I'm glad you ask!  The bible says:

For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.  (Deuteronomy 4:24)

(For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.  (Deuteronomy 4:31)

For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, (Deuteronomy 10:17)

For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.  (Deuteronomy 20:4)

God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.  (2 Samuel 22:33)

God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.  (2 Chronicles 30:9)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  (Psalm 46:1)

For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.  (Psalm 48:14)

Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.  (Psalm 59:9)

In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.  (Psalm 62:7)

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.  (Psalm 73:26)

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.  (Isaiah 12:2)

The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.  (Habakkuk 3:19)

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.  (John 4:24)

God is faithful... (1 Corinthians 10:13)

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (1 Corinthians 14:33)

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:  (2 Corinthians 9:8)

God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  (1 John 1:5)

God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.  (1 John 4:16)

God is my all and all, my way maker, my strong tower, my Provider, my Protector, my Regulator, my Admonisher, my Promise Keeper...He is my everything!  And because He is; I ain't got no worries!

June 2 - He has prepared some things for you!

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  (1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV)

The word "prepared" means "to have ordained; of blessings".  So there are ordained blessings that have not been seen, heard or even thought of, that God has for us and our children.  No wonder the enemy is constantly trying to distract us and tempt us with sin...it's hard to receive a blessing while in the midst of sin.  However, I believe that the blessed thing about an "ordained blessing", is that its' been predestined by God and in His sovereignty He can still bestow the blessing on us...even if we have not "lived up to it".  Now that is not a license to sin, as the bible says; "What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid."  (Romans 6:15) 

Nevertheless, the best way to ensure that we receive what God has prepared, is to be prepared ourselves.  One of my favorite male vocalists has a song called "He's Preparing Me".  In the song, Daryl Coley delivers an "explanation" for some of the things we encounter in our lives as believers, i.e. maturing, arranging, rearranging, training, tuning, purging and pruning as "preparation".  God is getting us ready for the next level in our lives...for what He has prepared.  If we're not prepared; we can easily abuse, misuse and as crazy as it sounds, refuse the blessing...all because we weren't ready for what was waiting on us!   A perfect example is the single person who claims to want a spouse, but has not addressed his/her trust issues; his/her bad credit; his/her selfishness; his/her own insecurities.  Now why would God give the person He has prepared to the unprepared person?!?  #ItJustGotReal

Lord, we pray that we will submit to the process of preparation for each and everything You have ordained for us.  Help us to lead by example so that our children will also embrace preparation as the process of getting to the next level.  And Lord, even if the preparation is not for the next level, but more so to be effective for the battle that's at hand; let us understand the strategy of preparation is necessary in order for us not to have so much to do later.  Preparation is necessary so that we may enjoy the blessing.  Thank you for what You have prepared and for taking the time to prepare us to receive.  In Jesus name, Amen!

He's Preparing Me!
http://youtu.be/4WcwZO9htds

May 31 - No comparing!

One of the devil's plans for young people is to get them to compare themselves with others, judge themselves as deficient, and then seek to be someone they were not created to be.  Our prayers can block this plan of the enemy and give our children a clear vision of themselves and their future.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

Exposing the devil's plans helps others avoid being entangled in them.  What Ms. Omartian mentioned in this devotion, is definitely true.  While most of the comparison may be in the physical (looks, material things, how many friends they have or don't have); our children may be deceived into comparing themselves with others spiritually as well.

When I read the devotion, I immediately remembered the scripture that says God gives us all a "measure of faith".  I remember being around some of my sisters in faith and watching them operate in the Spirit; praying, speaking in tongues, laying hands on people, teaching, and preaching...and thinking that my faith was weak because I wasn't flowing like them.  I also had not gone through what they had gone through!  When we compare ourselves to others, we will always sin because we will judge ourselves and envy the person who is the object of our comparison.  Eventually, we may even try to be the other person or something God never intended us to be...all because we didn't recognize the standard or measure to which God was holding us accountable.

Don't copy the behavior or customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.  Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.  Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.  In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.  If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.  If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.  (Romans 12:2-8, NLT)

Lord, as we pray for our children, help us to provide them with a vision of themselves according to how You see them.  Help us to remind them that before they were formed; You knew them!  Help us to remind them that You have plans to prosper them, to give them hope and a future.  Help us to remind them that You have called them fearfully and wonderfully made.  Help them to see what you see and know that the only person they need to compare themselves to is Christ.  In Jesus name, Amen!   

May 28

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”  Psalm 91:1-2

The four names for God in this psalm describe different aspects of his protection.  (1) "Most High" shows him to be greater than any threat we face; (2) "Almighty"  emphasizes his power to confront and destroy every enemy; (3) "the Lord" assures us that his presence is always with us; and (4) "my God" expresses the truth that God has chosen to associate intimately with those who trust in him.  (Full Life Study Bible, Study Notes)

The name I like the most in this psalm is "ALMIGHTY"!  Being the oldest of my mother's children (I have older siblings by my dad), I always wanted a older brother or sister whom I could run to if I needed someone to confront an enemy.  Things haven't changed with regard to me wanting that enemy confronted, however; now I know that the enemy is already defeated!  We have the whole armor of God to put on and STAND FIRM.  All of our weapons are defensive except the word of God which, although it's called a "sword"; we only have to speak it for the offense.  The Almighty is the one that destroys every enemy...so glad He's got my back!

Thank you Father for giving us a place of refuge and for being our fortress...our place of "exceptional security".  We don't have to worry about anything or anyone when we're in the secret place.  We pray that our children seek out the shelter of the Most High God in the midst of their trials.  We cannot always be with them, so we pray that they know You as Lord and Your presence is with them WHEN he/she commits themselves to your will and protection.  We trust You.  In Jesus name, Amen!

May 25 - Blessed in the city; Blessed in the field!

Lord, as my child learns to pray, may he/she also learn to listen for Your voice.  May there always be a Holy Spirit fire in his/her heart and an unwavering desire for the things of God.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

Just because we hear something, doesn't mean that we're listening! Have you ever had someone talking to you and your mind is elsewhere?  So much so, that even though the person is standing right in front of you, you have to ask him/her to repeat what they just said...because you weren't listening. 

Too often, when we pray; we go to God with our list of requests, give Him our time frame, thank Him (because we KNOW He's going to do what we asked) and then we go on our merry way.  But how often do we listen to hear His voice?  The first line of Ms. Omartian's prayer says so much about what's important in the process of praying.

Deuteronomy 28:1-3 says, "And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:  And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.  Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.  "The blessing of God is conditional.  God's people must make a choice:  either blessing through obedience or cursing through disobedience (Deuteronomy 30:15-18; Jeremiah 7:5,7)".  (Full Life Study Bible, Study Notes)

Heavenly Father, give us an ear to always hear AND LISTEN to your voice.  In Jesus name, Amen! 

May 26 - Teach me Your way!

Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.  ¹² I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.  Psalm 86:11-12 (NIV)

In the midst of his trouble, the psalmist humbly asks God to teach him His ways and His truth, that he might fear God from the heart.  When we are experiencing trials and difficulties, we must cry out to God for wisdom to walk in his ways and for a heart that truly fears and delights in His truth.  (Full Life Study Bible, Study Notes)

The study notes that are quoted above advise us that during trials and difficulties; "we must cry out to God" and I couldn't agree more.  One of the biggest tricks of the enemy is ISOLATION!  As believers, we have been duped into thinking that our faith is evidenced by how much and how long we can endure suffering.  Often we suffer in silence, giving satan an even greater advantage.  Now I know that there are some things we must go through alone in order for us to gain our next measure of faith; however, there is a reason we have the extended family called the body of Christ, which we're members.  Leviticus 26:7-8 says "You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. ⁸ Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you."  You need at least four other people that you trust and can confide in when you're going through...together you can scatter your enemies! 

Lord, help us and our children to rely solely on your faithfulness when we're in the midst of trials.  Remind us that even though our pity party seems warm and fuzzy, that's not where You want us to remain.  Help us to receive Your wisdom and truth to combat the lies and deceit of satan.  Help us as parents to create an "open door policy" for our children to come to us when they're in need and more importantly, show them that they can walk through that open door without concern of judgment.  Just as You've given us access, we must do the same for them.  #ACCESS_GRANTED #NO_ISOLATION

In Jesus name, Amen!

May 24

Lord, as my child learns to read Your Word, write Your law in his/her mind and on his/her heart so that he/she always walks with a confident assurance of the righteousness of Your commands.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

The other day I was explaining to my son the importance of doing what's right.  I shared with him one way to do what's right is to always tell the truth because the truth will always be the truth.  On the other hand, when we lie; we have to remember the lie so we don't contradict ourselves and expose the lie...it's just best (and easier) to tell the truth! 

Having the word of God within us gives us the confident assurance Ms. Omartian mentions in the prayer above.  Psalm 119:11 says, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."  We are not to be arrogant about the "confident assurance", but instead very sure about the promises and guidance God gives us in His word.  The assurance comes from the fact that God is faithful; He is not a man that He would lie; He is all-knowing and sovereign.  He is the greatest power and He has the final say! 

Thank you Lord for the confident assurance in the righteousness of Your commands.  We don't have to worry or fear when we're in Your will.  When You write Your law in the hearts and minds of our children; we pray that Your law will take root there and grow each day to be the authority for our children which orders their steps.  In Jesus name, Amen!

May 22 - What's your testimony?

Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.  Psalm 119:2

As I was leaving the post office today, a woman said to me; "I like your license plate"(I thought she was going to compliment my locs!).  She went on to say, "it says TESTIMONY right?"  I have personalized license plates that read 'TSTIMNY' and when I confirmed that she had read them right; she said something to me that change the outcome of my day and possibly my life...she said, "what's your testimony?" 

I jokingly said to her, "oh, you don't have enough time for me to tell it all" and she responded, "well maybe hearing just a little bit will bless me today".  Really God?!?  As I shared a condensed version of all that God has done for me, another woman came over and asked us what church we attended because she overheard us talking about the "blood of the lamb".

When I left the post office, I thought about all the things that God has done in my life, with my life and through my life.  I thought about the things I used to do, places I used to go and people I used to hang out with that I don't even see anymore (and y'all know Columbus is not that big).  I thought about the things that could've happened and didn't, as well as the things that did happen and instead of the worst, God allowed me to use the situation for His glory and even to bless someone else.  I thought about my health and strength; my healed heart from an absent father; my marriage to a wonderful husband, in spite of having daddy issues; my children, who are not perfect but they're mine and they're here; my family (as crazy as they are) that will rally around me at the slightest hint of hurt in my voice...excuse me for a minute while I give Him glory....THANK YA, THANK YA, THANK YA!!!!  I had to stop thinking about it because I was on my way to an appointment and didn't want to pull over on interstate 70 west.  The point is, at any given time, we should all be able to give a testimony to the goodness of the Lord.  We should be a witness for the kingdom.  What's your testimony?

Thank you Father for all the blessings You've bestowed upon me!  For deliverance, healing, provision, promises kept, hearing my prayers, keeping my children, watching over and protecting us from dangers seen and unseen, for strength made perfect in my weakness, for helping me up when I fall, for the full armour of God and the fruit of Your Spirit.  There is so much more You require of me and I will no longer fall short.  To whom much is given, much is required...I will seek You with my whole heart.  #WITNESS  In Jesus name, Amen!

May 21 - YES!

I pray that my child will have a teachable and submissive spirit that says "yes" to the things of God and "no" to the things of the flesh.  Strengthen him/her to stand strong in his/her convictions.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

There's nothing like a "know-it-all" child!  I sometimes have to remind my ten year old son that I have the benefit of a few years over him and I know a few more things than he does.  If you're not teachable; it's safe to say that you're not growing because the more you know, the more you grow.  We have to be diligent in praying that our children are teachable in order for them to continue growing and to ensure they are equipped for life.

When we pray that our children submit to the things of God, we should also pray for their strength and ours.  Anyone that knows anything about submission, knows that the greatest struggle is mostly in the mind.  Submitting to the things of God may seem to our children like they're giving up or losing something, BUT in reality submission to God, grants admission to peace, protection and power through His will.  Saying "yes" to the things of God are not always easy because it challenges our comfort.  God rarely asks us to do something that is within our capacity...mainly because we'd most likely take credit for it.  When our children are teachable and submissive to the Spirit; God can stretch and grow them...something that's necessary for them to be effective in their walk.

We pray that our children say YES!
http://youtu.be/vK47InW6EhY

May 20 - Benefits of Life in the Spirit

Start right now by praying for your child to fear God, have faith in Him and His Word, and develop the kind of heart that seeks after Him.  This could be the determining factor in whether your child will have a constant struggle living in the flesh or be fulfilled and blessed living in the Spirit.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

This is what the bible says about "Living in the Spirit".

Life in the Spirit

8 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. ² And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. ³ The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature.  So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. ⁴ He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.  ⁵ Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. ⁶ So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. ⁷ For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. ⁸ That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.  ⁹ But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) ¹⁰ And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. ¹¹ The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.  ¹² Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. ¹³ For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. ¹⁴ For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.  ¹⁵ So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.  Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” ¹⁶ For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

The Future Glory

¹⁸ Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. ¹⁹ For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. ²⁰ Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, ²¹ the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. ²² For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. ²⁴ We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. ²⁵ But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)  ²⁶ And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. ²⁷ And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. ²⁸ And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. ²⁹ For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love

³¹ What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? ³² Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? ³³ Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. ³⁴ Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.  ³⁵ Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? ³⁶ (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) ³⁷ No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.  ³⁸ And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. ³⁹ No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

AMEN!