What a powerful way to end our devotionals! Luke 15 is all about....just one:
The Lost sheep...go after the one!
The Lost Coin....go after the one!
The Lost Son...waiting for the one!
These stories/parables are so rich with hope (eternal), peace (everlasting), love (unconditional), grace (never ending), and PATIENCE!
What an amazingly precious way for us to wrap up this time of prayer and fasting! Tied is a bow of promises! God has blessed each of us so during this time. Given us wisdom and insight, strength to carry on! Now, with in these precious verses, He tells us we are able to believe for so much more. That the "yet unanswered" requests can still be and will be answered! The Father waited for his lost son to come home. He waited patiently, but was also diligent! As Pastor Kerri has preached on this before, can't you just see him walking by the front door, and just having to look down the path out front? I know that as a parent, waiting isn't the easiest thing to do. But, knowing your child is "out there somewhere" has got to be one of the scariest. You know that's true whether they are right beside you, but no communication, or far away and lost! Lord, my prayer is that we are able to stay strong in YOU and enjoy the journey!
How are you going to continue in your time in devotion? What tools are you going to use? New book? The church devo bookmark? Let's share and help someone else, I am sure!
Thanks for going deep and loving the Lord,
Regina
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
The Light.....good vs. bad!
You know that the Word describes light as a "lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path". Well, in this portion of scripture, Luke 11:33-36, the Lord illustrate the need for us to KNOW whether the light we are letting in/receiving is good or...is it bad. Jesus says that if the eye is good and lets in good light then the whole of the body is filled with light; conversely, if the light is bad and we let it in, we are filled/consumed with bad! The whole of our body is filled! vs. 36 says, "If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light."
If we aren't aware of what "light" we are allowing into our bodies, we are allowing anything in! You know this comes at us, to us, in so many ways, shapes and forms. The people we hang out with, the music we listen, to the news we receive, the paths we take are all filled with either light or darkness. Today as we soak in the Lord, may we be Beautiful and fill ourselves with the light unto salvation! Jesus is the only way, the truth and the light! (life)
So, what are you allowing into you? into your person? Is it good or is it bad? Choose this day whom you will serve, allow into your whole being!
Be blessed,
Regina
"Worship & Wait; Pray & Receive; Sit in Him & Rest peacefully!"
If we aren't aware of what "light" we are allowing into our bodies, we are allowing anything in! You know this comes at us, to us, in so many ways, shapes and forms. The people we hang out with, the music we listen, to the news we receive, the paths we take are all filled with either light or darkness. Today as we soak in the Lord, may we be Beautiful and fill ourselves with the light unto salvation! Jesus is the only way, the truth and the light! (life)
So, what are you allowing into you? into your person? Is it good or is it bad? Choose this day whom you will serve, allow into your whole being!
Be blessed,
Regina
"Worship & Wait; Pray & Receive; Sit in Him & Rest peacefully!"
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Prayer...can we bargin?
This morning I listened to Woodrow Krull talk about the story where Abraham bargained with God for Lot's life in Sodom. And, I was reminded of times in my own life when I desired to try to bargain with God. You know, when you are in a bind and things just really aren't going YOUR way! Awe, come on now, we've all been there~or when you didn't do what He told you to do, or what you know to be obedient, well, was it right or wrong? You know, I am not qualified to tell you if you should, could, or even would try to bargain with God, but, I will tell you that your walk with the Lord has every thing to do with the answer! As we talked about Tuesday in groups, we have to have the right heart attitude and what we pray should glorify God....Glorifying Him the priority!
Well, that being said and understood, what do you think it takes to "Glorify God"? Does it take following the letter of the Law? New covenant? "Top Ten" (as Pastor Stovall calls them~Ten Commandments)? In our devo for today, Day 11, Pastor talks about the time it takes to get our answer, is time well spent. Some ask about repeating our prayers to God and if that is right/necessary and I am going to boldly say today, Sometimes YES~there are just some things I believe that God wants us to mull over, meditate upon, or just get ready for. You know, if He gave you that job you've been asking for today, would you be ready? That child right now, are you physically or spiritually ready? Friendship....can you find another? The Lord desires an intimate relationship with us! This was sent to us in the form of His son Jesus! How much time we spend with Him will greatly effect the answers we receive! God isn't finished with us yet! We aren't in Glory....He wants us to spend our time walking and talking to Him....Draw nigh unto me and I will draw nigh unto you...says the Lord.
Also, I trust that in this time of Awake 21 you have seen and heard the need to "be armed & ready". God is doing a new thing in us, the body, the church, and the globe! Prayer & Fasting of the New Covenant isn't about the battle before us, in the midst of, or the sin we need to be forgiven of....it is about being armed and ready for what is ahead! That job you desire, house, child, ministry, .......whatever your heart desires. God's timing~but your intimacy and time spent with Him will see that these desires are met. Does He meet them in our timing and to answer our desires...not necessarily, but as we've discussed before, if you are spending time with Him and His word, you heart will be HIS!
"The reason why many fall in battle is because they wait until the hour of battle. The reason why others succeed is because they have gained victory on their knees long before the battle came. Anticipate your battles; fight them on your knees before temptation comes, and you will always have victory. ~R.A. Torrey (p. 172 The Awakening )
Today let's spend time with God, getting to know God, with HIS love and joy in mind....not our desires!
Be blessed and know that for the time you are spending with Him, you will see results~Regina
Well, that being said and understood, what do you think it takes to "Glorify God"? Does it take following the letter of the Law? New covenant? "Top Ten" (as Pastor Stovall calls them~Ten Commandments)? In our devo for today, Day 11, Pastor talks about the time it takes to get our answer, is time well spent. Some ask about repeating our prayers to God and if that is right/necessary and I am going to boldly say today, Sometimes YES~there are just some things I believe that God wants us to mull over, meditate upon, or just get ready for. You know, if He gave you that job you've been asking for today, would you be ready? That child right now, are you physically or spiritually ready? Friendship....can you find another? The Lord desires an intimate relationship with us! This was sent to us in the form of His son Jesus! How much time we spend with Him will greatly effect the answers we receive! God isn't finished with us yet! We aren't in Glory....He wants us to spend our time walking and talking to Him....Draw nigh unto me and I will draw nigh unto you...says the Lord.
Also, I trust that in this time of Awake 21 you have seen and heard the need to "be armed & ready". God is doing a new thing in us, the body, the church, and the globe! Prayer & Fasting of the New Covenant isn't about the battle before us, in the midst of, or the sin we need to be forgiven of....it is about being armed and ready for what is ahead! That job you desire, house, child, ministry, .......whatever your heart desires. God's timing~but your intimacy and time spent with Him will see that these desires are met. Does He meet them in our timing and to answer our desires...not necessarily, but as we've discussed before, if you are spending time with Him and His word, you heart will be HIS!
"The reason why many fall in battle is because they wait until the hour of battle. The reason why others succeed is because they have gained victory on their knees long before the battle came. Anticipate your battles; fight them on your knees before temptation comes, and you will always have victory. ~R.A. Torrey (p. 172 The Awakening )
Today let's spend time with God, getting to know God, with HIS love and joy in mind....not our desires!
Be blessed and know that for the time you are spending with Him, you will see results~Regina
Monday, January 17, 2011
Troubles....do we cling or release them
Do you ever just stew over something for days!? Find yourself replaying over, and over "something" that has happened to you? Something or someone?!?!? You know, David reminds us that God is our source of Joy:
"You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace I will lie down and sleep for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe." Ps 4:7-8
David reminds us that when we release our anger, our "somethings", God will replace it with Joy and Peace! The ability to lie down and sleep! How many of us have those memories or desires that just seem to haunt us in the night. Let me share with you that Our God is always there and will never forsake us, lay it all at His feet!
Leave it at the foot of the cross!
Just some thoughts.....Regina
"You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace I will lie down and sleep for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe." Ps 4:7-8
David reminds us that when we release our anger, our "somethings", God will replace it with Joy and Peace! The ability to lie down and sleep! How many of us have those memories or desires that just seem to haunt us in the night. Let me share with you that Our God is always there and will never forsake us, lay it all at His feet!
Leave it at the foot of the cross!
Just some thoughts.....Regina
Prayer & Praise Services
Good afternoon everyone! Trust you are enjoying this wet Martin Luther King Day!
Just wanted to run a few things by everyone regarding last evenings services...How many of you attended? Got answers? Rec'd healing? Rec'd revelation? I know for me it was an amazing experience. I found myself in the best health I have been in in years, best mental state, and even freer that ever! Now to remove all the other junk and distractions and let Him rain down. I know that I am seeking God for several major things this Awake21 and know that God will answer, but after last night and realizing just how much He's already healed me from this year, I can hardly put the new "stuff" on the same list/level.
As for our devotionals, anyone have any major revelations this weekend?
I am about to embark onto Day 8 and will post something later! My "regular" devo time was interrupted today...all is well! God is in control!
Blessings and have a great afternoon!
Regina
Just wanted to run a few things by everyone regarding last evenings services...How many of you attended? Got answers? Rec'd healing? Rec'd revelation? I know for me it was an amazing experience. I found myself in the best health I have been in in years, best mental state, and even freer that ever! Now to remove all the other junk and distractions and let Him rain down. I know that I am seeking God for several major things this Awake21 and know that God will answer, but after last night and realizing just how much He's already healed me from this year, I can hardly put the new "stuff" on the same list/level.
As for our devotionals, anyone have any major revelations this weekend?
I am about to embark onto Day 8 and will post something later! My "regular" devo time was interrupted today...all is well! God is in control!
Blessings and have a great afternoon!
Regina
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Worship While We Wait!
Good evening everyone!
Well, day four! Everyone doing well? I really wanted to indulge in some beef myself today! Went to Publix for cat food and walked by the meat counter! Yes, had to just walk away! Emily was so cute..."Mom, not this week!"
Anyway, so off topic there, huh! Listening to the Comcast channel with the contemporary Christian music on it reminded about our groups Tuesday evening. We talked about the environment of our space, well, you know, it has really occurred to me this week, scripture tells us on many occasions that we are to "worship while we wait". No matter where or when we are told by scripture to worship the Lord. To pray without ceasing! You know, really, no matter if you are a stay at home Mom, retiree, full time employee, student, or where ever God has you right now....we have more time that we ever yield to worship and to pray! Are you seeing that this week? Are you seeing pockets of time you may have done other things that God is filling with a song in your heart or thoughts of others you need to pray about? My time since my surgery has become very precious to me. There were pockets of time during the last 3 1/2 months that literally slipped away. The only way I could find peace in those times was to put the headphones in and just let the Lord fill those empty spaces and make my thoughts His own. God is such a gentleman! He didn't overwhelm me, He simply calmed my spirit, warmed my heart and sent people into my life to assure me, Angels if you will! Now, I am aware of these moments I am very grateful to reflect upon those melodies and feel that calm all over again!
You know, God will meet us where we are! Time is no respecter of persons. We all have the same 24 hours to work with, but you know, when you spend time with Him, (just like with your tithe your finances increase ) you day seems to have more availability! What a blessing! Anyone else relate. Ladies, it is such a blessing to share these thoughts with you. Trust someone is blessed by it and we can glean from one another! Love to you all!
~Regina <3
Well, day four! Everyone doing well? I really wanted to indulge in some beef myself today! Went to Publix for cat food and walked by the meat counter! Yes, had to just walk away! Emily was so cute..."Mom, not this week!"
Anyway, so off topic there, huh! Listening to the Comcast channel with the contemporary Christian music on it reminded about our groups Tuesday evening. We talked about the environment of our space, well, you know, it has really occurred to me this week, scripture tells us on many occasions that we are to "worship while we wait". No matter where or when we are told by scripture to worship the Lord. To pray without ceasing! You know, really, no matter if you are a stay at home Mom, retiree, full time employee, student, or where ever God has you right now....we have more time that we ever yield to worship and to pray! Are you seeing that this week? Are you seeing pockets of time you may have done other things that God is filling with a song in your heart or thoughts of others you need to pray about? My time since my surgery has become very precious to me. There were pockets of time during the last 3 1/2 months that literally slipped away. The only way I could find peace in those times was to put the headphones in and just let the Lord fill those empty spaces and make my thoughts His own. God is such a gentleman! He didn't overwhelm me, He simply calmed my spirit, warmed my heart and sent people into my life to assure me, Angels if you will! Now, I am aware of these moments I am very grateful to reflect upon those melodies and feel that calm all over again!
You know, God will meet us where we are! Time is no respecter of persons. We all have the same 24 hours to work with, but you know, when you spend time with Him, (just like with your tithe your finances increase ) you day seems to have more availability! What a blessing! Anyone else relate. Ladies, it is such a blessing to share these thoughts with you. Trust someone is blessed by it and we can glean from one another! Love to you all!
~Regina <3
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
My Prayer...
Good morning,
God has really stirred my heart this morning! I awoke to take my eldest to the bus stop this morning at 5:50 am, Sara, I was feeling ya! LOL And upon returning home, crawled back into the warm protection of my covers to feel God's prompting to PRAY! Oh, the list was long and OH, the Lord did show up! I could honestly feel the "raining down" of the Holy Spirit! I felt a quickening in my spirit, an urgency to just keep going! Oh, know that HE does hear you and knows the desires of your heart....trust in HIS will today!
Got an email this morning from Priscilla Shirer's Ministry....here is her prayer:
"I'm praying that you'll be ever dissatisfied with that which this earth offers, and look upward to find an open heaven ready to pour out its abundance upon you."
The Lord provided a mist to water the earth in Gen 2:6....don't you know if He can bring moisture to the earth from below the ground....HE can bring you a job, financial peace, answers to your health questions, peace, understanding, wisdom, spouses that come to God....WHATEVER our heart desires, when aligned with the Savior and King....HE does bring to pass! Cry out to Him today!
Love you all!
Regina
God has really stirred my heart this morning! I awoke to take my eldest to the bus stop this morning at 5:50 am, Sara, I was feeling ya! LOL And upon returning home, crawled back into the warm protection of my covers to feel God's prompting to PRAY! Oh, the list was long and OH, the Lord did show up! I could honestly feel the "raining down" of the Holy Spirit! I felt a quickening in my spirit, an urgency to just keep going! Oh, know that HE does hear you and knows the desires of your heart....trust in HIS will today!
Got an email this morning from Priscilla Shirer's Ministry....here is her prayer:
"I'm praying that you'll be ever dissatisfied with that which this earth offers, and look upward to find an open heaven ready to pour out its abundance upon you."
The Lord provided a mist to water the earth in Gen 2:6....don't you know if He can bring moisture to the earth from below the ground....HE can bring you a job, financial peace, answers to your health questions, peace, understanding, wisdom, spouses that come to God....WHATEVER our heart desires, when aligned with the Savior and King....HE does bring to pass! Cry out to Him today!
Love you all!
Regina
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Welcome
Welcome everyone,
God has laid it upon my heart to dive into Him during this Awake21 season and to share the revelations He gives me with, well, whoever cares to read this! As has been our custom, our family has participated in some level with the Awake 21 Fasting season for the last three years. This will be our fourth year. Each year, the Holy Spirit speaks louder and clearer, because I believe my desire and ears is sharper. I know that God is always there and is there for us all, but through Prayer and Fasting (Matt. 17:21) is just how some things have to be done.
As with last year, I have surrendered to lead a fasting group at our church, Celebration Church. This year, we are truly blessed to be able to have Pastor Stovall's book "Awakening...A New Approach to Faith, Fasting, and Spiritual Freedom" to use as a guide for this amazing season. The 21 day devotional built in will be a great way to keep on track during this time. Looking forward to unpacking these scriptures, writings, prayers and times of reading.
Yesterday, we looked at the difference between Old Testament and New Testament views of fasting. Because we are new testament believers, we must understand that Jesus paid the ultimate price for us on the cross and we no longer need to fast and sacrafice for the forgiveness of our sins. We can have the freedom to fast and pray in advance of our problems and trials. Aligning ourselves with the Savior and surrendering to His will and "fanning into flames the passions within us"! Then, in our reading of Psalm 1-2, we see God's calling us to walk with Him! We are also called to remain rooted and planted! As we begin this season....let's trust that we will draw closer to HIM, listen to Him and yield to Him! Praying that our passion will increase and reignited over the next 21 days.
Are you along for the ride? Let me know your thoughts, questions, and prayer requests!
In Service to Him,
Regina
God has laid it upon my heart to dive into Him during this Awake21 season and to share the revelations He gives me with, well, whoever cares to read this! As has been our custom, our family has participated in some level with the Awake 21 Fasting season for the last three years. This will be our fourth year. Each year, the Holy Spirit speaks louder and clearer, because I believe my desire and ears is sharper. I know that God is always there and is there for us all, but through Prayer and Fasting (Matt. 17:21) is just how some things have to be done.
As with last year, I have surrendered to lead a fasting group at our church, Celebration Church. This year, we are truly blessed to be able to have Pastor Stovall's book "Awakening...A New Approach to Faith, Fasting, and Spiritual Freedom" to use as a guide for this amazing season. The 21 day devotional built in will be a great way to keep on track during this time. Looking forward to unpacking these scriptures, writings, prayers and times of reading.
Yesterday, we looked at the difference between Old Testament and New Testament views of fasting. Because we are new testament believers, we must understand that Jesus paid the ultimate price for us on the cross and we no longer need to fast and sacrafice for the forgiveness of our sins. We can have the freedom to fast and pray in advance of our problems and trials. Aligning ourselves with the Savior and surrendering to His will and "fanning into flames the passions within us"! Then, in our reading of Psalm 1-2, we see God's calling us to walk with Him! We are also called to remain rooted and planted! As we begin this season....let's trust that we will draw closer to HIM, listen to Him and yield to Him! Praying that our passion will increase and reignited over the next 21 days.
Are you along for the ride? Let me know your thoughts, questions, and prayer requests!
In Service to Him,
Regina
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