Beauty in your life- change your thoughts for a positive outlook
Describe one of your favorite moments.
My favorite moments, the ones that brought me indescribable joy was when I saw my babies the moment they were born. The moment of shock and awe they came out of me.
The overwhelming blend of raw emotion and connection when the doctor placed them in my arms. The way we locked eyes. It’s not only a miracle in the physical it’s a miracle of the creation of a unique human being that carry potential and promise.
I go to a prayer meeting every week that my pastor attends. He asked the group to pray and ask if the Lord tells us anything for our church. I am sharing what I got from the Lord when I was praying.
I asked Him what one problem was about the church. He answered “These days it is the prayer life of the church.”
I feel like there is a list of many other problems that face God’s people like getting other people to attend church services or securing real spiritual results. Whether it is a issue of lack of love or unity are finances but these are secondary and almost superficial, they only touch a margin of the situation.
The real is the prayer life of the church, and if that is solved every other problem will be fixed. All our difficulties would melt away if our prayer life were to become vital, powerful, and revived -prayer is the very life if the church. It should be the life of a church member, of the church worship along with its various activities.
Acts 4:23-35 there are seven marks of a praying church that are clearly indicated.
When Peter and John were released after being told no to speak in the name of Jesus they returned to the others and all began praying and lifting up their voices to God with one accord saying,
“O Lord, You are God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them” -Acts 4:24
2. In a praying church the eyes of faith and expectancy are towards the Lord. If we turned our eyes away from man and our problems and turned them to the Lord He could solve every problem. The Lord is in control of every situation (Acts 4:24).
If we were in line with the attitude in Psalm 62:5,
“My soul, wait in silence for God alone, from my expectation is from Him.”
After all, whatever problem faces us it is God who matters, not the meetings, the preacher, the man, or the money. These are all, and always secondary. The eyes of a praying church are on God who is:
God is the all-powerful creator and sustainer, the One who knows the end from the beginning and who has a great plan which no one can hinder.
God had spoken not only through the prophets but also through His Word, but primarily in His Son.
God sees all and waits to intervene and accomplish His will in answer to the prayers of His people.
3. In a praying church there is an overwhelming desire to obey the Lords commission to evangelize the world.
In Acts 4 they did not pray “grant that we may be kept safe -grant that Peter and John may be protected or Lord don’t let it happen again” but they prayed, “Lord help us to get on with the job of proclaiming the gospel.” In a praying church this will be the overwhelming desire of its members. The church has to have a constant effort not to organize, but to evangelize -to get souls born again into the family of God.
4. In a praying church there is Faith to demand miracles. When prayer is exercised God breaks in with supernatural acts His “signs and wonders.” In Acts they prayed that God would stretch out His hand to heal and that He would perform miracles.
Today some people think miracles are a thing of the past. Some say that the Apostolic signs are no longer required and since those scripture are of old we won’t expect see miracles performed. I think these beliefs are justifying and excusing our praylessness. The fact is that when the church prays miracles really do take place.
Miracles are performed in the spiritual realm, souls are saved, and even desperate people are converted. In the physical realm God is willing to heal the bodies and minds of His children.
5. In a praying church there Holy Spirit manifests His presence and power (Acts 4:31).
Prayer is the secret to a Pentecostal outpouring. When we notice what happened on that Pentecost in the upper room and realize it can happen again and again. But answer is prayer.
6. In a praying church there is mighty power in preaching the gospel.
We read about what happened to the people who prayed in the “upper room.” The Holy Spirit moved in and multitudes were saved. It was the vital intercession of this praying church in the upper room and great things were accomplished.
Prayer and teaching the gospel have been and will always be the only answer to God’s people.
7. In a praying church there is great grace in the lives of God’s people. Acts 4:33 says,
“Great grace was on them all.”
There was the grace of unity -Acts 4:32
There was the grace of renunciation
There was the grace of fellowship
There was the grace of liberality (generosity, and openhandedness) -Acts 4:34-35
We need to do our part if we want God to do His.
What notable things happened today?
Notable things in my household are that we practice forgiveness, have open communication, support each other and live with gratitude.
These things are necessary if you’re going to have a happy home go with love.
We need more people today who understand the need for selfless, anointed intercessory prayer, for praying with a heavenly boldness.
I look around me and I see a selfishness that is amplified like never before. Maybe it’s due to the cultural shifts and systemic pressure that promotes self promotion or attention over the collective good we need to survive in society.
For those of who pray it’s easy to forget that our battle is not against flesh and blood, and that it’s not fought with earthly weapons but in the spiritual realm with prayer. I think 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 explains this well,
“For though we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war according to the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds, throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is a alter against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Messiah and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience will be made full.”
Through Intercessory prayer, we can subdue the forces of hell, and render Satan powerless. Through Intercessory prayer we can rescue family members and friends, and impact our communities and world.
Have you ever seen a miracle or heard of one? One of the greatest secrets of getting our prayers answered is intercessory prayer. This comes through understanding the power of praying the promises of God, especially when we pray in agreement with others who believe.
Intercessory prayer is a principle that is demonstrated throughout scripture.
Moses and Jacob claimed the promises of the Lord. So did Peter and John. After Peter and John were threatened by the Pharisees not to preach in the name of Jesus, they gathered with other believers and said,
“Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in then, who by the mouth of your servant David have said: Why did the nations rage, and the people plot Cain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together againest the Lord and against His Christ” -Acts 4:24-26
God knows what His Word proclaims, yet Peter made a point of repeating it again. Peter understood intercessory prayer and praying the promises of God.
Peter understood intercessory prayer and praying the promises of God.
“Now, Lord, look at their threats and grant to your servants to speak your Word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hands to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your Holy servant Messiah” -Acts 4:29-30
The result was,
“When they prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness” -Acts 4:31
We need more people today who understand the need for selfless intercessory prayer, for being filled with the Holy Spirit, and praying with heavenly boldness.
The name of Lord Jesus has given each believer the authority to be victorious in prayer. The Bible declares that anything we pray will be given when we pray in Jesus’ name. These are powerful promises that come from the lips of the Master Teacher Himself.
“And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you whatever you ask the Father in My name will be given to you” -John 16:33
This means that any request contrary to His will had no hope of being granted. Submission to God and obedience to His Son are the key elements of this promise. It is not a blanket promise to give us whatever we want.
“Assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in the middle of them” -Matthew 18:19-20
If you are a believer you have been hive unlimited use of Jesus’s name. When we pray in Jesus’s name, we go in His authority and His place, professing His power.
When Jesus said “Verily verily,” He meant I guarantee it, I give you My word.
This is the true core of intercessory prayer.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about following Jesus. His mercy and grave saved me from the pit of misery I was in.
He gave me hope to live again. My passion everyday is pleasing Him, because of what He did for me.
A trick to always remember is to focus on what’s in your hands. It cuts out a lot of noise. Worry is like a hamster wheel spinning but going nowhere. Try grounding yourself with something tangible, like writing down one actionable step or engaging yourself with a physical task. I enjoy walking because the worry cycle shifts my focus.
Worrying can feel like you have heavy luggage on your back all the time. After time it takes a toll on your body. Worrying activates our body’s stress response, which releases cortisol and adrenaline when this happens over a prolonged time it dysregulates our nervous system from the constant fight or flight mode which can cause tightness or pain. Along with digestive issues like irritable, bowel syndrome.
This along with sleep issues, and headaches, because we can’t shut our brains down and causes us to be tired all the time.
There’s a technique I use for worrying that I learned from a therapist years ago. Just like the “no pity parties” rule, I follow to give myself an allotted time for worrying. For example: I will give myself 15 minutes to worry everyday. It’s called “a worry period. Ideally not right before bed. You can write down specific worries like “I’m worried about my children or I feel distant from my spouse.” Then do an action. I can call my child and talk to them, or I can set up a date night with my spouse. This can help contain the worry that in turn can ease physical symptoms like headaches, or muscle tension.
Letting go of worry and trusting God can bring a lot of peace. Psalm 55:22 says,
“Cast your burden on the Lord and He will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.”
Here are a few more scriptures:
With a few tips to help in the natural and a few tips in the supernatural, we can’t lose.
What is your favorite season of year? Why?
It’s our body’s circadian clock that monitors changes in day length. It is our body’s internal time keeper.
This is one reason seasons influence our moods.
I struggle in the winter months because of the light change. Reduced sunlight disrupts my clock. I do much better in the summer months.
No matter how hot I am in summer it’s better that winter.
It’s the Holy Spirit’s Fire that heals us. I’ve been praying about these healings today. It would be great if some churches would experience healing like the ones that happened on Azusa Street in the 1600s.
After all the Holy Spirit is a holy fire -He’s the fire in the burning bush from which Moses was called. He’s the fire that led the Israelites through the wilderness. He’s the tongues on fire, the resting on the head of the day of Pentecost. He’s a fire that burns in our souls when we’re convicted of sin and wrong. He’s a fire that empowers us to witness to others about the greatness of God. He’s the power that enables us to say Jesus is Lord.
The Holy Spirit is a mighty rushing wind. The wind that blew over the red sea, parting it water so the Israelites could cross over. He’s the wind that blew over the valley of dry bones and Ezekiel’s vision, bringing them to life. He is the wind of Pentecost that blew a bit of umph into the frightened and weak disciples. We need that umph we need to blow over us today.
Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit as a comforter, as the one who would convict our sin, lead us in righteousness, and guard us from judgment. One who could reveal the truth to us, and impart God’s blessings on us.
Today I think we have expectations and perceptions of how the Holy Spirit is supposed to work. Maybe we’ve put the Holy Spirit in a box.
Many churches teach the Holy Spirit’s work is subtler, He manifests Himself through transformation, guidance, or conviction rather than overt phenomena.
Today’s world with its fast-paced technology and its emphasis on empirical evidence makes it hard to discern spiritual realities. The noise from daily routines or skepticism about the supernatural might drown out sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s presence.
There had also been a shift in worship practices. Churches often emphasize intellectual ritualistic aspects of faith over experimental expressions, which can make the Holy Spirit’s role less immediate.
Sin and spiritual disconnect can hinder our ability to perceive the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:30 says,
“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit.”
This does not mean the Holy Spirit is absent, but our receptivity may be diminished.
Then there is the Mystery of God’s will. The Holy Spirit’s activity is often described as sovereign and unpredictable. John 3:8 says,
“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes.”
We need to intentionally seek the Holy Spirit, engaging in prayer, and asking for awareness of the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13).
We need to practice being still and create space for quiet reflection and notice the subtle influences.
Getting deeper into scripture and understanding the Holy Spirit’s role. His presence is real and active. But, we may brush it off, be distracted or have expectations that are not real.
Along with the fact that churches hinder the Holy Spirit’s work and make it harder for people to perceive His presence.
I think this may be why we don’t see the power of the Holy Spirit today.
The Bible warns that an increase in lawlessness before the return of Jesus. Jesus warned that at the end times “lawlessness will abound,” but how does God expect us to react in an increasingly ungodly and lawless society?
When Jesus’s disciples questioned him about what would reveal His second coming, Jesus told them, “Take heed that no one deceives you. Many will come in My name, saying, I am the Christ, and will deceive many” -Matthew 24:4-5.
Jesus wasn’t referring idolatrous religions that were already in the grip of deception. He gave his warning because He knew many come in His name, but would not represent Him.
Do receive people know that they are deceived? Of course not – if they knew that they would believe it is wrong, they would, by definition, not be deceived.
As I look around at what’s going on in the world today and I can’t wrap my head around it. Tragically, many people are totally unaware that they have brought into the lies and falsehoods spread by cunning manipulators.
In Matthew 24: 12-13 describes the terrible deception that will take place,
“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But He who endures to the end shall be saved.”
Jesus is saying that some of His followers will not endure because they will be influenced by lawlessness.
A people that is taught that they do not need to keep God laws will be lawless.
I think of how many are lawless today and that those are will not inherit the “Kingdom of heaven.”
Obey God has many incredible blessings, not only in this life, but ultimately when we are granted eternal life. We must remember whatever humans promise will pale into insignificance compared to what God has guaranteed -eternity.
What’s the one luxury you can’t live without?
Americans have many luxuries in life. Sadly with what’s going on in many societies they fail to see it.
My luxuries are simple, my vehicle. I can come and go as I please. My wine, the first taste is the taste of relaxation. And hot baths that help relax my muscles.
Simple luxeries are understated especially in America
God’s overflowing love is boundless, unconditional, and transformative. It’s a selflesslove that seeks the good of others.
John 3:16, “God so loved the world that He gave His only son.” And Romans 5:8, God commands His own love towards us, in that while we were sinners. Messiah died for us,” emphasize this love freely given, even to the underserving, with examples like the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32 showing its forgiving, welcoming nature.
God’s love is seen as a force connection and motivates acts of kindness. It is not an emotion, but a divine quality that invites people to copy it in their lives -through compassion, forgiveness, and service.
God’s love is experienced as a dynamic, transformative, force, deeply tied to the Holy Spirit. God’s love and power is rooted in the Holy Spirit.
A relationship with God can change hearts and lives that reflect God’s love through our renewed character when we accept Jesus into our hearts.
Sometimes it’s hard to see past our darkest situations, especially when we are in them, and it’s even harder to find hope for anything better to come. If you can’t find hope with a situation day by day, do it hour by hour, sometimes breaking down overwhelming situations into smaller more manageable parts can keep us moving forward.
If we aren’t afraid to hope for something better, we can see the small miracles that are going on in our lives. If we think of Job who had his wealth from him, carried a painful disease, and lost his family. He could have simply given up his hope right then and there. Yet with all these troubles, Job decided to still trust in God (Job 13:25).
“Though He slay me, yet I will trust Him.”
Because of this Joh saw twice as much as he had before, all because to chose to keep his hope in God despite the hard and uncertain times he had to endure.
When we hope in God, we are anchored to something that is beyond us -something that is immersive, strong, and plentiful. This hope can be utilized when chasing or dreams, our goals, and our aspirations.
It’s never too late to break free and make our ways towards something better. Too many times we let shame hold us back and blind us from any potential we might have once found in ourselves. It can lay a heavy burden on us. We often keep the chains of shame, despite knowing the key is hope. Why do we do such a thing?
Perhaps we don’t think we deserve anything else and our chains are punishment for our past and we deserve them. But the Bible says otherwise.
If you remember the account of David, he messed up in multiple ways -committing adultery and then trying to mask it by murdering her husband. However despite this David eventually broke free from his Shane by acknowledging his sin and asking God for forgiveness. He expressed deep remorse and begged for mercy that only God could provide. 2 Samual 12:13 says,
“The Lord also has put away your sin.”
The Bible says that we deserve joy and that we should be able to rejoice freely despite any past that might have hindered us once.
From Pity to Praise