Tag: #prayer

Closer Walk With Thee

Closer Walk With Thee

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Closer Walk with Thee

“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8 NIV

The song, closer walk with thee, has been performed and recorded by many artists. Performed as either an instrumental or vocal. Did you know that it is one of the most frequently played song in traditional New Orleans jazz funerals?  The song was recorded in 1941. Notable recordings of the song have been performed by: Rosetta Tharpe, Mahalia Jackson, LaVern Baker, Louis Armstrong, Little Richard, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Ike & Tina Turner, Albertina Walker, and many more.

Today’s lesson comes from the book of James. He was the son of Mary and Joseph and brother of Jesus. He describes himself as “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” His letters deal more with Christian ethics and its theme is the outworking of faith. He writes about the roots of our quarrels, conflicts, and wrong motives. The scripture says, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

James reminds us that when we come near to God, He will respond with action by moving closer to us. This is nothing but God’s grace and mercy as he steps in our direction. It is a reminder of the importance of a more intimate and personal relationship with the Good Shepherd, who alone is our guiding Compass, and he wants to show us how much he loves us. Here are a few things to think about as you walk closer with God:

*Read his Word daily, we must have our spiritual vitamins that provide us with nourishment. Through God’s Word is how we speak life into our lives.

Friends, whether it’s through spoken words or silent meditation, prayer is our private conversations with God about our EVERYTHING. Prayer is the key to our closer walk with Him. Commit yourself to regular daily prayer.

Connect with other believers, we have a whole community of believers/support system. There is plenty to do in our communities as we get involved. There is strength in numbers.

Service to others. There is something awesome about service to those around us in love.  Our time and talents are meant to be a blessing to others. Do you sing? Are you organized? Do you like to help with the cooking? Reading to children? Assist the elderly?  When we show generosity, and compassion to those in need, we are living our faith and following the example of Jesus. James tells us that faith without works is show nuff is dead. The opportunity to serve is not just an act of kindness, but an act of worship that will bring us closer to God. Everywhere we go, God is right there with us y’all. He hears us from within our hearts and minds, He is guiding our steps, and he is our strength in the times of trials and joy.

Remember friends we are each others keeper, and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

No, Not Right Now

No, Not Right Now

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Together with kindness and in understanding, let’s take this time to self reflect. I am here to inspire, encourage, and remind you that God has given us the most important weapon we have to fight the enemy, His Word.

Now let’s dress our soul like we dress our bodies, EVERYDAY!

No, Not Right Now

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV

You’re not the only one God has said no to you know. I have had my share of NO’s too. My journey to becoming an author was meant with plenty of opposition along the way. Sometimes I was the one standing in the way. I chuckle when I remember the Lord, saying to me that he was going to put me on a book writing journey. I remember saying to him, Lord you sure you are talking about me. During those early development stages, I had no idea how this was going to come to be. All I really knew was he chose me for it. Then my question was, how? I looked at some publishing companies that accepted work from new writers such as myself. Back in 2019 after working on what I thought was a READY and COMPLETE book, I submitted my work. The response letter I received from the publishing company was full of pleasantries, that concluded with No, I wasn’t the right fit, no, because of a lack of experience, and No, I was a risk. It hurt, cause I thought I had it right, the Lord knew I wasn’t ready, and somewhere deep down inside as I thought things through more slowly, as always he was right. I still had plenty of work to do, not just the manuscript either. I had to get me in order as life continued to happen all around me. I had to stop running, I had to stop thinking it’s my way, I had to get beyond opinions as I step out of my familiar box, began this new journey God had given me. This was going to be my preparation time for the next couple of years. I used that no to prepare my manuscript for God’s glory. This was about me, but then again it wasn’t. As a servant in God’s army, it’s not about what I want, but I am I willing to trust God to share what he gives me, the way he wants. Amen!  Life went on happening, a year and plenty of revamping work later, I heard back from that publishing company asking me to consider self-publishing with them. As I look back on these humble beginnings in hindsight God’s NO was the right call. I wasn’t ready. I knew that God had given me this work to do, his way and in his time. There were days I didn’t know if I was coming or going. I had to STOP and LISTEN to what the Holy Spirit was saying. Moving on out of my own way, to just have faith in the only thing I had, God’s Word. I heard him saying to me, I have been with you this far, I am not going to leave you now. Continue to trust me and what I have given you, you don’t know how to get there, I will show you how.” February 2022, I published my first book, Out of the Belly.

There were plenty of no’s in the scripture too.

  1. No to entering the Promised Land
Numbers 13, 14 and 20:2-12
Because the Israelites did not believe in God’s power and disobeyed, and Moses failed to follow God’s instructions when bringing water from the rock, God did not permit them to enter the land He had promised.
  2. No to cursing the Israelites
Numbers 22-24
When King Balak asked the prophet, Balaam, to curse the Israelites, God refused to curse them. Instead, He blessed them, not once but three times!
  3. No to building His temple
1 Chronicles 28
David has plans to build a temple for God, however, God tells him “no”. Instead, God designated David’s son, Solomon, to build His temple.
  4. No to Paul’s travel plans
Acts 16:6-10
Paul and Silas are planning to travel to Asia Minor to preach when God stops them and sends a vision to Paul. As a result, they travel to Macedonia instead.
  5. Even Jesus petitioned God Matthew 26:39 to rid Him of His suffering the night before He died on the cross and God said no.

For those of you who are experiencing God’s NO right now. Maybe it’s about your career goals, starting a business, homeownership, marriage, children, school, family issues, or maybe it’s just the dating scene. There is so much we cannot see and because of that we must rely on the all-seeing eye of God, who wants nothing but good things for us. We must trust that whatever decision he is making for us, it’s for our good. We are not going to always understand, but that’s where our faith must come into play. Whatever is for you friends, you are not going to miss it. You can’t force yourself in places you’re not meant to fit in. Like a puzzle with a strange piece, it’s just not gonna fit. Amen.

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

A Witness

A Witness

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Together with kindness and in understanding, let’s take this time to self reflect. I am here to inspire, encourage, and remind you that God has given us the most important weapon we have to fight the enemy, His Word.

Now let’s dress our soul like we dress our bodies, EVERYDAY!

A Witness

“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior. I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you and you are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and I am God.” Isaiah 43:10-12 ESV

Years ago my daughter and I had went to visit my sister in Little Rock, Arkansas, during that visit, I took the kids outside to play and observed a young man working on his car. From under the hood and back inside the car to turn the key, he did this multiple times without success. Leaving the car with the hood up and door open, he went back in the house for what seemed to be a long time. When he came back outside, I noticed that he had a little bottle in his hand. Not paying anyone any attention, he lifted that bottle toward the Heavens and even though I couldn’t hear him, I felt him saying the Our Father Prayer.

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13 kJV

Once he finished praying, he took some of the contents of the bottle into his hand as he walked and prayed, he smeared it once around the car, in the name of the Father, then twice around the car, in the name of the Son and finally a third time, in the name of the Holy Ghost. I watched that young man, put the hood down, and he got back into his car, and when he turned the ignition, it started up. Then he got out of that car, shouting and dancing as he gave God the praise. Not only did he give him praise, but I did too. In that moment we were two people sharing Gods Glory. No words, just praises to the Good Lord above, who just can’t fail. Our technology is no match for Him. This young man was a receiver of a miracle and me, I was a witness to it.

God fixed it that I could be there to witness faith, in adversity, faith in trials, faith that moves mountains, faith that parts seas, and yes, faith that starts automobiles. The prayers of the righteous availeth much. Prayer! Prayer! Prayer! Prayer my friends is a powerful weapon in the life of the believer, for it has the power to change the condition of things in our lives. Amen!

Remember friends we are each others keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

Preparation

Preparation

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Together with kindness and in understanding, let’s take this time to self reflect. I am here to inspire, encourage, and remind you that God has given us the most important weapon we have to fight the enemy, his Word.

Now let’s dress our soul like we dress our bodies, EVERYDAY!

Preparation

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” I Peter 3:15-16 NIV

As Christian soldiers, Scripture tells us that we must always be ready to tell others the good news. The dictionary defines the word preparation as, the action or process of making ready or being made ready for use or consideration, something done to get ready for an event or undertaking, and in order to get ready for.

Before any well-trained soldier goes to battle, he or she must inspect their equipment to make sure they are fully prepared to face and defeat every attack of the enemy. I read about the importance of sanctifying ourselves for battle. Sanctify means to set apart as or declare holy; consecrate, make legitimate or binding by religious sanction, and to purify. I view this as an intense focus and the seriousness of the duties before us.

As armor wearing soldiers, it represents our commitment to put into action the protection God has provided us. Ephesians 6:12 tells us, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

How do you fight against something that you cannot necessarily see? How can we prepare for spiritual warfare today?

Here are a few ways that may help us:

  • Remember past victories, the song writer sang, look where he brought me from. Can you see where you were and how God has carried you through obstacles in your life. You’re still here friends, through it all, that’s the beginning of a great testimony. You know for yourself that God can do anything, but FAIL.
  • Remember God is always with us. Psalms 139:7-12, reminds us that we are never alone. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you, the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
  • Know that God fights for you, the battle is the Lords, trust him as he teaches us how to fight on our knees and in the prayer closets of our hearts. Get your prayer and praise on daily. I keep a heavenly Jam in my head, my coworkers are used to seeing me just a dancing. When I think of all he has done, I just can’t help myself.
  • Determine to Know God More, Gods Word is how we come to know him.  Through His Word entire nations are brought to their knees. It was at his Words, “let there be light” that this world came into existence. God’s Word breathed into Adam, rendering the clay figure alive.  It was his Word, that parted the sea allowing Moses and the children of Israel to cross to the other side. At His Word, the great fish housed a disobedient Jonah. God’s Word was made flesh through, Jesus who spoke Words of healing and deliverance. The book of Hebrews tells us that the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints, and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Our weapons are not carnal…but mighty through God to the pulling down of the enemy’s strongholds. The only way that is done is because Gods Word LIVES!
  • Keep your Armor On! Dress your soul like you dress your body-Everyday. The Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, Shoes of Peace, Shield of Faith, Helmet of Salvation, Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Stay woke as we all watch and pray on through. Just as hunters use snares to catch animals and armies set traps to misdirect or eliminate their enemies, our spiritual adversaries deploy the same tactics against us. And so, we seek God’s wisdom, which gives us discernment to spot temptation, deceit, and other traps that catch us in the snare of the enemy.

We are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

When We Pray Together

When We Pray Together

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Together with kindness and in understanding, let’s take this time to self reflect. I am here to inspire, encourage, and remind you that God has given us the most important weapon we have to fight the enemy, his Word.

Now let’s dress our soul like we dress our bodies, EVERYDAY!

When We Pray Together

Psalms 20:1-9 NIV

May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests. Now this I know: The LORD gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. LORD, give victory to the king! Answer us when we call!

We have all been there, distressed, needing the Lords help, and desiring victory over our circumstances. Psalm 20 has two parts, the assembled people and King David’s pray for victory in an impending battle. The people pray that God would bless the king during the fight.

David prays to describe his confidence in God. David and the people of Israel are trusting in something far more effective, and reliable than human armies.  Here lies the power of a prayerful people who have come together on one accord to get things done. Not in their own strength, but the strength of the Lord through faith. There is nothing like coming together with other believers in prayer.

When we pray together, we experience God’s presence.

When we pray together, we become impactful when we lift each other up.

When we pray together, we unlock the doors of our hidden potential.

When we pray together, there is a change in the atmosphere affecting the very condition of things around us.

When we pray together, there is evidence of transformation.

When we pray together, we are louder than any operatic vocal performance or brass jazz band ensemble. He hears us. The Word says, “for where two or three gather are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20 NKJV

Remember we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

God Answers Prayer

God Answers Prayer

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Together with kindness and in understanding, let’s take this time to self reflect. I am here to inspire, encourage, and remind you that God has given us the most important weapon  we have to fight the enemy, his Word.

Now let us our soul like we dress our bodies, EVERYDAY!

God Answers Prayer

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” I John 5:14-15 ESV

God will always answer our prayers. The question becomes do you hear and accept his answer. There is nothing like getting that YES as we rejoice, thanking him for granting our prayer request. However there are also those times when Gods answer to us is just straight out NO. We must not only trust Him, but accept that he knows what is best for us. He tells us, lean not to our own understanding, but if we acknowledge him in all of our ways he will direct our paths. And finally what do we do when he tells us to WAIT. Well, we must do just that and wait. The word wait means, stay where you are or delay action until a particular time or until something happens. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. And while you are waiting, rejoice in your hope and be constant in prayer. Your answer will come in time. Gods time. 

I have learned that God answers us in through these few basic prayers:

Use me Lord for your Service. If you want to be an instrument for God the Lord he will put you to work building up others through the talents he has blessed you with. “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as waters cover the sea.” Habakkuk 2:14

Forgive me. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgiven us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9  There is nothing like God’s forgiveness and the freedom it brings into our lives. For his mercies are made new every day. Hallelujah!!

I want to be more like you Lord, show me you.  “I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, “know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 31:33-34

Given me wisdom and understanding in my life Lord, he tells us “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5  and the peace of God which surpasses all of our understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Remember we are each others keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

 

 

 

 

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