Does Jesus Have Your All??

                                       
(singing....) ALL to Jesus, I surrender; ALL to Him, I freely give. I will ever, love and trust Him, in His presence, daily live;
I surrender ALL! I surrender ALL! ....ALL to thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender ALL!


I can't tell you how many times I have both heard and sung this song! But, it's only when you have reached a certain level of maturity in Christ, that you will begin to ask yourself, "have I really given Him my ALL?" ....Many of us would say yes without even thinking about it, because, after all, we do go to church every single Sunday, we pay our tithes most of the time, and even throw an extra dollar or two in the plate as our offering; we teach, we sing, we go to bible study, we usher, we play instruments, and we do our best to "tolerate" people (we'll discuss that later!)....Well, that pretty much sums it up! We have definitely given Him our all right?....RIGHT?


I really had to be honest with myself one day, and I came to the conclusion that I had only given God a portion of what I didn't mind parting with! I mean, there were some things that; well, they were just my own personal downfalls and it was understood (by me!) that God knew my heart, and knew my reasons for doing whatever I was doing that wasn't exactly HIS will for my life! (just a cute way of saying that I was "outside" of His will and backslidden!!).... I mean have I really given him my "mind" if my mind is always full of foolishness? Have I really given Him my Heart, if I will betray my God, in order to please the heart of another? Have I given Him my mouth, if my mouth utters praises on Sunday, but filth on Monday? Have I given him my feet, if I am constantly running to places that I have no business running to? Have I surrendered ALL? Have I surrendered my body, if I allow it to show intimate affections outside of God's plan of marriage? Have I surrendered my tongue, if I constantly use it to gossip and put others down? Ask yourself this question!! I did! .....and it changed my walk! I did! and it changed my talk! I did! and I realized that there were a lot of things that needed to be brought under the authority of Christ Jesus! 
We may go to church, but is it really to praise and worship the God of our Strength? and we may pay our tithes, but is it with gladness of heart in obedience to Christ or did we hear the preacher say that, if you give God $50, he will give you $100?(kind of like a glorified slot machine on a "lucky" day?)...and how about how we "tolerate" one another? Do we really think we are giving Him our ALL by "tolerating" one another? We must "Forgive" one another....completely forgive! with a sincere heart in order to please the Lord! Ask yourself! Have I surrendered ALL? and after that! Ask the Lord; Lord, have I surrendered my ALL to you? I can assure you, that you will never sing that song, the same way again! We will never be perfect, as long as we are on this side of Heaven, but if we truly trust the God of our Salvation with our Souls! Can't we trust Him, with our ALL?

Am I Facing Defeat or Destiny??

                               


One of my favorite games as a child was Hide-N-Go-Seek! I remember playing this game every single day, whether there were 2 kids or 10! Unfortunately, though, due to my inability to find good hiding spots, I was usually the "seeker" because the others always knew where my hiding place was. Every now and then, I would become frustrated because I couldn't find anyone and I would yell out, "I don't want to play anymore!!" Suddenly, the other kids would one by one emerge from their hiding spots!
Wouldn't it be cool, if God would do that? When we get tired of life, not giving in to us, we can just yell, " I don't want to play anymore" and all of a sudden, all of our blessings would just start emerging in answer to our frustration and lack of patience! I hear you saying, "keep dreaming!"


Sometimes, I feel like my life is in "hide-n-seek mode, where I am always the "seeker" and never the "finder".  I'm seeking blessings, seeking answers, seeking prayer, seeking peace, seeking joy, seeking understanding, and still seeking employment!! :) and the list goes on! Have you ever asked yourself, "am I going to ever find all that I seek after?" Will this game called "life" end up defeating me? should I just throw up my hands and yell, "I don't want to play anymore?" .....What do you think? Do you ever feel like your life is one big game and you're not sure if you're winning? Feel a little "defeated" at times?  Well, we are going to break free from the "life is just a game" mode and grab a hold of God's promises and assurances! God has assured us that, He "knows the thoughts that He has for us, thoughts to prosper us and not do us harm" .....God never promised us an easy life and we can pretty much count on life being hard and seemingly unbearable at times; always having to "seek" after that which is profitable to us. But, God has let us know that if we FIRST, "seek after His Kingdom, and His Righteousness, those things that we seek will begin to "emerge" or be "added unto us!" (Matt 6:33).  Today, we are going to be confident in knowing that we are NOT defeated and that God is absolutely moving us towards our destiny! We must remember that we are not the only ones who spend a lot of time "seeking", because, the Word tells us that Satan also spends his days "roaming to and fro, seeking whom he can devour" and hoping that he finds us seeking everything, but God!! so that he might turn our destiny's into defeat!......Oh, but God! He hides us in the shadows of his mercy!! and he has surrounded our destiny's with his glory!! and as long as we keep our eyes on him....we win!!!! Choose ye this day, who you will seek after! Seeking after the World, will lead us to defeat, but let us continue to seek after the goodness of Jesus and watch our destiny's come out of hiding!!

Lord, If I Could Just Climb Under A Rock!!

                  In this life, we are bombarded with all kinds of problems. Some of them big, and some of them small...and there's one thing that I have figured out as I've traveled this road....Problems are here to stay and I had better learn how to co-exist or I will find myself stuck in a world of defeat.  I can't tell you how many times I have wanted to just go and hide, and just hope that my problems would just vanish while I was out! ....You know, put an "out for lunch" sign on the door of my life....I know you know the feeling! That feeling of, "If I could, I would just find myself a rock and crawl far beneath it, until my end comes!"  .... Have you ever felt like this? When your mind wonders if life would be better, if God would just call you home {quietly}while you slept. When it's just too much and there seems to be no refuge!  

I mean, I know that the Bible says to faint not, but sometimes fainting doesn't sound half bad, if it will rid me of all of these troubles! Ever felt that way? You don't have to tell me, but I know that if you could, you would faint right now, and pray that those problems would be gone when you came to! Well, maybe that's just me!

Seriously, there are times when fainting is NOT an option, and we must face whatever challenges may come our way. Some may come as a result of disobedience, while others may be ordered by God to take you to a place of trusting. Fainting is nothing more than "giving up"...throwing in the towel! washing our hands of a situation! But what happens when God refuses to allow you to opt out? Remember Jonah? When God gave him something to do, he decided to "opt out" and do something different. Well, opting out wasn't an option for him because God had something for him to do. And what about Elijah? Who ran up under a tree and literally asked God to take his life so that he wouldn't have to face adversity. God sent an Angel to tell him, "boy, get up from here, go wash your face, eat this food to strengthen yourself, and come on here! God was just letting him know that, there won't be no dying here today, I got plans for you. So I'm here to let you know, that your request to "opt out"...to "faint".....to "die and leave your troubles behind" ...has been denied! So get up, strengthen yourself, and let's get it!

Now, it would be unfair of me, if I allowed you to think that this is an easy place to be and that I have figured out how to keep troubles away, HOWEVER, what I can tell you is this! There is only one place that you can run for shelter and it is to the Rock that is higher than both you and I! If you need to climb up under something, climb up under that rock! Jesus is that rock, and he wants you to know that joy really does come at daybreak! Satan may abide in your mid- nights, but he has no dwelling place at your break of day! Hallelujah! 

So go ahead and climb under a rock, but make sure that rock is Jesus! Psalms 61:2 says, "lead me to a rock, that is higher than I" meaning that HE can lead you to a place of refuge! a place of stability! You are holding on to Jesus with every ounce of strength that you have, but what I want to let you know is this! Even when YOUR strength fails you and the pain seems to overtake you! Dying in the midst of your storm is NOT an option for you! But YOU CAN run to the rock!...See, He knows about pain that refuses to let go!  He knows what it's like to have your request to "opt out"  be denied, and have to bear that cup anyway!! Oh, but at daybreak....if you just hold on! You will hear from the "joy giver!"  The one who endured pain that would not "let go" until He had paid the ultimate price with his life!!!  Don't believe me? Ask Him! Go ahead! Ask him about the joy that comes at daybreak!!! and then begin to thank him that He never "opted out" on you!! You are on your way to victory!! Lift your hands in praise to the "ROCK" of your salvation!!!!

He Was My Son...

This poem was written By one of my prayerline sisters and I had to post it here, because it is so wonderful to me. God really spoke through her regarding His love for his son and us as well. ~Michele Avery-Clark

HE WAS MY SON, I LOVED HIM,YET I LOVED YOU TOO –

By: Tracey Pope Farabee

I created you for myself and myself alone
I gave you everything and even that was not enough
For after you disobeyed me, life became tough
I continued to love you however,inspire of yourself
I gave you life,companionship and even wealth
I made provisions for you when no else would
I made things happen that no one else could
Even when you made a mess of your life and ignored my directions
When you turned your back on me I still made exceptions
You've lied to me, you've disappointed me, and you've hurt me too
But despite all that I still loved you.
I ask myself the question,"What more must I do to convince this child that my love is true?"
What must I give to prove to you that you mean so very much to me?
I'm trying to understand how hard can it be?
I decided to send my son to you to reveal to you my deep love
He would come with all power from heaven above
He was my one and only, He was my heart
And for Your sake I was willing to depart with my greatest treasure
My son JESUS author of forever
My son was born to redeem the world back into my hands
My son's life was given, just so you could understand what you mean to me
My son bled and died all for you and then He rose again to help see you through
Now that you know the sacrifice I made,don't you even care?
Don't you think I'm deserving of your praise and ownership of your heart?
Do you think it was easy for me to give my only son for you to live?
Take a moment and ask yourself,"if my child had to give up his life for all live...?"
Can you honestly say you would freely give ?
That part of yourself that you helped create and love, being he all that you had?
Don't you see why YOU should be glad!?
He was my son,and I loved Him,yet I loved you too
I asked Him to die so I could see you again and He did...
Isn't He worthy of your respect?
Isn't He worthy of all your praise?
Isn't He worthy of constant worship?
Isn't he worthy of your everything?
You'd better act like you recognize in these days that are coming to an end
You'd better act like you know who I am and learn how to live
Remember He was my son and I loved Him so, and He gave his life just for you...
I loved Him much, the question is Do You?

One Hour With The Master!

                                             
ONE HOUR WITH THE MASTER 

    Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. ⁴¹ “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  
Matthew 26:36-41

I sit here wondering what it must have been like in the Garden of Gethsemane that night. Jesus is trusting three very close friends to watch and pray with him as his hour drew near. As he prayed, something strange happened; the very men that HE chose, fell asleep during the  watch! Can you imagine Jesus asking you to do something specific and when he checks to see if you are fulfilling his assignment for you, he finds you "sleeping?"
There is no doubt that they were tired because of the hour, however, this hour! was crucial! To the disciples, this was just another hour in a day; a day that they probably had spent ministering, and had no idea that Jesus would ask them to do such a thing! I mean, doesn't he know what time it is? For Jesus, however, this hour, was an hour of reckoning! One of the worst hours that he would spend on this Earth! At this hour, he would consult with his father, in sorrow, questioning his will for the necessity of drinking from this particular cup, that was set before him! at this hour, he would find out that this cup would not pass and the sovereign will of God must be accomplished! at this hour, he realized that, even those who he "called" to walk with him, could not be counted on to make such a sacrifice as watching and praying! at this hour, he would be delivered to a court where he would stand trial for the times that we have lied, and cheated, and failed to love our neighbor, and refused to forgive our brother; times when we should've been watching, but was sleeping; praying, but, we were too busy! complaining, instead of repenting....."Could you not watch with me for one hour?" pray with me, for one hour? worship me, for one hour? sacrifice for me, for one hour?
Jesus is calling us to be ready! both, in season, and out of season! whether at high noon or in the middle of the night to watch and pray! We have been given another opportunity to watch and pray! Another chance to praise his name! Another chance to trust and obey! Another chance to say thank you! 
He is coming back one day and we will stand in his presence and what I want to hear is! "well done, my child; you were faithful over a few things!" (even the hour I trusted you with!) and not, these words: "depart from me, I never knew you!" ....Wow! I sit here, now asking myself: "How can I want to spend an ETERNITY in Heaven; when I can't spend ONE HOUR WITH THE MASTER?"

Prayer for Today:
Lord, we thank you so much, for the sacrifice that you made on our behalf! And although we do realize, that we could never make a sacrifice such as the one that you made for us, we can sure spend a life time showing you, just how much we love and appreciate you! .....not an hour! but a lifetime!

I Can See Clearly Now, The Rain Is Gone!

                   I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW, THE RAIN IS GONE!


Today, I just want to write briefly about God's absolute ability to change your grey skies to blue! With Spring's arrival, comes feelings of hope and newness! Refreshing is the thought, that Jesus can take my dark clouds and replace them with beautiful blue skies! I feel a praise already! There was a song that would come on the radio when I was a child and I just loved this song, although, I had no idea of its meaning! The title of the song: I Can See Clearly Now, The Rain Is Gone!


"I can see clearly now, the rain is gone; I can see all obstacles in my way; Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind; It's gonna be a bright, bright, sunshiny day!
I think I can make it now, the pain is gone, all of the bad feelings have disappeared; Here is the rainbow I've been praying for; It's gonna be a bright, bright, sunshiny day!
Look ALL around, there's nothing but blue skies; Look straight ahead! Nothing but blue skies!"   

The songwriter, is expressing the joy of being free from hurts and pains. He is experiencing a season of jubilee! That day when Jesus brings your current storm to an end, and begins to rain down favor and promises in its place! Some of you know exactly what I'm talking about! because you are walking in it right now! But for those of you who are still in the rain? don't fret, because your jubilee is on the horizon! Remember, rain doesn't last forever and it always leaves beauty behind! The grass looks a little greener, the birds sing a little louder, and the flowers sit up a little bit taller!


If you are still in a season of darkness, it is only a matter of time before Jesus shows up on the scene! I can imagine how the blind man felt when Jesus healed his sight! Living in darkness, fear, and uncertainty; unable to see the difference a day makes! Every day, looking the same! Waking up to darkness and going to bed in darkness, with no signs of light and no signs of hope! I may have my natural eyesight, but I can relate to this man's situation, can't you? Times when I saw no blue skies on the horizon!! And this wasn't "restored" sight, because he had never ever seen the beauty of God's Holiness, prior to this! So, just imagine this type of Jubilee that he was now experiencing!! What happened? Jesus stepped in on the scene! and turned his darkness into day! Your Jubilee is going to be a FIRST for you as well! You have never ever seen what God is about to do for you! (let's take a praise break!!! right now!) If you are already walking in your Jubilee, begin to praise God right now!! ...and if you are NOT experiencing your jubilee right now...begin to praise God because your Jubilee is on the horizon!! I dare you to trust God, just a little while longer! As a matter of fact, start preparing for your season of Jubilee right now!! Begin to speak and call forth all of God's promises to you, and soon your dark skies will turn to blue! Keep your eyes on Jesus!...HE IS STRAIGHT AHEAD!...I SEE HIM ON THE HORIZON! AND THERE IS NOTHING BUT BLUE SKIES!!!!


Scripture Reading:
Psalms: 119:18, "Open my eyes that I may behold the wondrous things, out of your law"


II Samuel 23:4, "He is like the light of morning at sunrise, on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth"