The Present a.k.a Today

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. Matthew 6:30-34 (The Message)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith 2nd Timothy 4:7 (NIV)

'Surprise! You have a gift! If you're wondering what the special occasion is, it's called being alive, a fact that we too often and easily take for granted. Every day we open our eyes to God's present, the gift called 'Today.'. It is 24 hours, 1440 minutes, 86,400 seconds specially wrapped with God's love and His presence delivered to you daily! Yes daily! This gift called Today doesn't depend on you being good or bad, it's delivered to everyone who has and takes breath. It is often called the great equalizer because the same gift is given to rich and poor, male and female, educated and illiterate, tall and short...I'm sure you get the drift. The question is what will we do with our gift today?

Paul encourages us in Philippians 3:13-14 about how best we can make use of the present.

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Forgetting what is behind..(Yesterday)

This means letting go of yesterday, we may not forget events but we render the memories impotent to keep us trapped in yesterday. Paul understood about letting go of the past to enjoy the gift of the present. His yesterday had both the good and the bad, the beautiful and the ugly. He was in his own words 'circumsised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee: as for zeal persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.' However, he also had a past he was not proud of as he also described himself as once being a 'blasphemer, persecutor and a violent man' and yet Paul says the one thing he does is to forget what lies behind.

'What lies behind you baby, Pain, betrayal, achievements, fame, notoriety, shame or sickness. Whatever it is, it's in yesterday. You can't go back in time and unravel the decisions, that you didn't pray enough, that you didn't hold on long enough...You have a new gift of today, what are you going to do with it? How will you press on towards the goal? Who will you call? Who will you forgive? What will you give up? What will you gain? It doesn't matter how far you feel the dream is from your reach. You get to that future one day at a time. Yesterday, you didn't pray or read your Bible, you didn't spend time with me. Today, you can pray and spend quality time with me (you know how much I enjoy those one on one moments!). Today you can apologise and ask for a clean slate with your friends. It's not about always doing everything right. Its about waking up, talking to Me and following My lead during the course of the day, celebrating the small achievements that are taking you in the right direction!'

Straining towards what is ahead, I press on (Today)

Those two words, straining and pressing indicate the exertion of force. It reminds me of being in the gym. No pain, no gain! To ever achieve anything of significance for God will exert strain, faith requires stretching beyond what one sees with the eyes of the flesh and pressing onwards irrespective of obstacles that may be standing in the way. It may be difficult, you may wonder how the mess can turn into a message, how the test can be turned into a testimony. God says, one day at a time, one right decision at a time. You can complete the vision, one task at a time, that bestseller, one chapter at a time (Amen!!). God said "If everyday, we lived God's day for us, at the end of your days we like Paul would be able to testify about having fought the good fight, having finished the race (which is a marathon and not a sprint by the way!!) and looking forward to our crown.
 
Do not worry  (Tomorrow)
 
Just like yesterday, tomorrow can also be a deterrent to us making the most of today. I used to say I'm a natural 'worrier' but I pray as I mature in Christ to take that ability to worry and convert it to an ability to meditate on the word of God. Rick Warren says if you can worry, you can meditate, worrying just means you meditate on problems! What does the future hold? Actually, our future is being played out by the decisions we make today but tomorrow is not in our grasp. There are so many things that could happen but we need to rest our hearts in the knowledge that we have a God who has all our tomorrows in His hands. Nothing takes Him by surprise and He's able to work everything (yes everything) the good, the bad and the ugly for our good as long as we are committed to loving Him and walking according to His purpose.I love The Message translation. Jesus says, "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes!"
 
Halleluyah! So today I'm stretching, warming up, decking on my running shoes and continuing with the marathon because I must make it to the finish line, so help me God! What about you?
 
Dear Father
Daddy I ask for the grace to let go of yesterday, to stop worrying about tomorrow and for strength to face what is on my plate today. In Jesus name. Amen.

Give me the boy.

Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. He grew worse and worse and finally stopped breathing. She said to Elijah, "What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?" "Give me your son Elijah replied.".......Then he cried out onto the Lord......."Oh Lord, let this boy's life return to him!" The Lord heard Elijah's cry and the boy's life returned to him, and he lived. 1st Kings 17:17-24

Then God said, "Take your son, your ONLY son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about." ........."Do not lay a hand on the boy", he said, Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." Genesis 22:2,12

(I suggest reading the verses in between in both passages)

Father, I thank you for your word. It admonishes as much as it encourages. A lamp for my feet, a light for my path directing and guiding me. Thank you Jesus.

I had to make an important decision recently and I was so confused. I am aware that the Word says that the Lord is not the author of confusion so I had to get on my knees and really ask Him to speak to me because there were just too many voices speaking in my heart. I was led to the first scripture above and although I didn't really get it then, God used it to speak to my heart and make things clear again. I thank God that I have a God who speaks to those who put themselves in a position to listen.

The widow of Zarepath has a chance encounter with Elijah that changed her life forever. She chose to do something 'crazy' and God rewarded her faith by ensuring that she had supernatural provision in the time of famine. That would have been a great enough testimony to just put a 'The End' to her story. Obey God and He provides for you. Simple, right? But then I serve a God who is very interesting. I'm excited about God these days because there's always something new to discover, some secret thing to be revealed.

So the prophet lives in her house and then her child gets sick and not just sick, he progressively gets worse until he dies. Truth be told, the presence of God in your life doesn't mean that there will be no trouble. In fact, in case we ever wanted to forget, Jesus reminded us emphatically that in this world we would have tribulations and trials but he also encourages us to be of good cheer because we have peace in Him as He has overcome the world. I'm wondering God, why allow the situation get to that point, also woman why not call the prophet when the boy's temperature was a little higher than normal. So many questions? Why would Jesus spit and use mud to heal a blind man and simply command the eyes of another to be opened? Why would Jesus ask the men at Lazarus tomb to roll away the stone and then tell a dead man to come out on his own?Why would God deliver Peter from prison and Herod's grasp only to allow him to be crucified upside down later on in life? Why did God deliver Shedrach and co. from the fiery furnace and not Stephen from the mob that made him the first martyr for Christ? So many questions but Jesus is the answer. We serve a God of purpose who sees all and knows all. He is a Sovereign God and makes all things work together for His plan.

Back to the widow, her son is dead and she brings him to the prophet. The prophet asks for the boy and takes him from her arms. What is the boy in your life today? She was at a point where she had run out of options, you can't give food to a dead body to resuscitate it, you can't love it better or provide medicine or band aids. At this point, we must relinquish it/him/her to the Master. I ask again what or who is the boy in your life? Can you entrust it into the hands of the Master? Or are you holding on to something dead and allowing it to ebb your joy, peace and virtue?

Elijah took the boy and took him to the upper room, the place where He met with God. This meant for a period she was physically separated from her son. We must learn to trust God that even when we can't see the miracle, we know that God is working on our behalf. I'm not sure she knew whether she would get her son back alive or not but I know she knew he was safest in the arms of the prophet. Praise God, she got her boy back alive but I wonder what would have happened if she had said no to Elijah when he asked her to give him the boy? I pray never to hold on tightly to something that is dead, being so blinded by the situation that I refuse to see the open arms of God asking me to entrust it with him.

Another important point, when her son died she went to the prophet. Not to the 'experts' but to the prophet, not to her relatives but to the prophet. I'm not saying don't seek advice from experts and relatives but let God always have the final say of whatever situation you are going through. Make room in your counselling to seek God's counsel and let that be what stands in your life. Help me Holy Spirit.
The second scripture came as well and I struggled to understand how the two were linked because in this situation the boy was not dead but God said the principle of trust and obedience link the two, for when Abraham took Isaac on that journey he didn't know if he would come down that mountain alone or with his son. He had to give him the boy as well. There should be nothing ever that we cannot place on the altar when God asks us to. God is not a wicked God, when we truly believe He is a good God, we find it easier to obey Him.

So I gave Him the boy and I cried as I did but He has given me so much peace about the situation and surrounded me with love that leaves me speechless sometimes that I can't help but continue to give praise to my God. I encourage you to do the same. Sometimes the best decisions in life are not always the easiest.

Remain blessed and highly favoured

Zoe Believer

N.B I'm thinking of writing an 'Ask Zoe' post soon so if there is something you want to know about Zoe Believer or my thoughts on specific issues, email amarasviewonstuff@yahoo.com or leave a comment and I'll try and collate questions and give answers to the best of my ability so help me God.

iPray: Day 19

Because He speaks to us too

Sometimes we search high and low, far and wide, seeking a word from the Lord. We get upset because He is 'silent' and we forget that He has spoken so importantly through His word. Get your Bible out and embrace it, tell God thank you for the words of power it contains. Ask God for the grace and strength to live by it, that it be not a book but our life's treasure.

This chapter has been coming back again and again, prayerfully meditate on the words and hear your Father's voice.

But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.

I will say to the north, 'Give them up!'and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf. All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Which of them foretold this and proclaimed to us the former things? Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right, so that others may hear and say, "It is true."

"You are my witnesses," declares the LORD,"and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "that I am God.

Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?" your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "For your sake I will send to Babylon and bring down as fugitives all the Babylonians, in the ships in which they took pride. I am the LORD, your Holy One, Israel's Creator, your King."

This is what the LORD says—
he who made a way through the sea,
a path through the mighty waters,

who drew out the chariots and horses,
the army and reinforcements together,
and they lay there, never to rise again,
extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:

"Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.


"Yet you have not called upon me, O Jacob, you have not wearied yourselves for me, O Israel. You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings, nor honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with grain offerings nor wearied you with demands for incense. You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me, or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses. . "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; and state the case for your innocence. Your first father sinned; your spokesmen rebelled against me. So I will disgrace the dignitaries of your temple, and I will consign Jacob to destruction and Israel to scorn.

Isaiah 43

The most important thing God has ever said to me is "I will never leave you", for an insecure, awkward girl, that meant a lot. It still means a lot. Lord, I love you! I pray to obtain the promises at the early part of the chapter and learn from Judah's mistakes at the end. I will not rebel against your plan O Lord, be thou my help.

Renewal..

re-new verb (used with object)

1. to begin or take up again, as an acquaintance, a conversation, etc.; resume.
2. to restore or replenish: to renew a stock of goods.
3. to make, say, or do again.
4. to revive; reestablish.
5. to recover (youth, strength, etc.).
6. to restore to a former state; make new or as if new again.


Even youths grow tired and weary,and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will RENEW their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40 30-31 (NIV)

He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles,They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind. Isaiah 40:30-31 (The Message)

This morning God encouraged me through His word by reminding me that for something to get renewed, it must have existed at some point. Those who hope in the Lord will have their strength renewed; renewed because it existed at some point, to renew a passport, license, gym membership or vows, you must have had them already! Life can be draining but God has given us an assurance that if we go back to Him, the source of all strength, He will give us what we need to get back on track, run the race and be victorious.

He is the only one that can renew vision, purpose, relationships and strength. Talk to Him today, be honest about how you feel and ask Him for the ability to do what you are finding it difficult to do and go in faith and do it. A lot of relationships end not so much because of what was done but for the little things that were not done, the things that renew the relationship. Do you need to renew your relationship with the Father today? His arms are always open.

Remain blessed and highly favoured. This is our month of LAUGHTER and I know the Lord will give you a reason to rejoice in Jesus name.

Carnal believer...me?

Examine yourself to see whether you are in the faith; test yourself (2nd Corinthians 13:5a)

And now O Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you but to fear the Lord your God to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with ALL your heart and with ALL your soul (Deut 10:12)

Brothers(and sisters!), I could not adress you as spiritual but as worldly-mere infants in Christ......You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men 1st Corinthians 1:1-3 (bracket mine)

I woke up one morning, weighed down with issues I had been pondering (not praying...just pondering) on through the night. I opened my mouth to say thank you Jesus for a new day and was startled to hear this back.."Stop being a carnal believer!". I was like, who me? Yes, of course me. I'm sure it's a strange term to hear and I will admit it was a truth that was a bit difficult to swallow but along the way I had moved from being God-centred to 'other' centred.

So who is a carnal believer? I put in some notes from my study Bible.

"People fall into 3 spiritual categories that clarify how the revelation of the Cross by the spirit is received from the human side. First, the natural man, unregenerate and devoid of the Spirit has no appreciation for the gospel. Second we have the spiritual man, regenerated and possessing spiritual maturity...has a nature that responds to truth and unbelievers find him difficult to understand. The CARNAL man has been regenerated but lives much like an unregenerate, is a BELIEVER with childish ways.....an IMMATURE CHRISTIAN that lives more for human opinion than Christ. (Notes under 1st Corinthians 2:14-3:4 in the Spirit Filled Study Bible).

Yeh pa, although I have to say, I was convicted as I saw myself in one of those categories and not the one I thought I would find myself in. When we become born again, we are regenerated, new creatures in God. The use of the word born indicates that in this new kingdom we are children irrespective of what our age is in the natural and from that point on we should strive and our main purpose should be growing in things of the Spirit to catch up so to speak.

I've been busy, busy keeping up with all my 'roles'. Student, teacher, daughter, girlfriend, sister, friend, colleague, Committee Secretary e.t.c. In this busyness of life, my relationship with God had moved from being my first priority to one of the agenda's on the To Do List of my life; half hearted prayer in the morning as I prepared fro my day, singing songs but not giving genuine worship. Thank God for His mercy and grace. God showed me that this were signs and symptoms of a backslidden heart! Isn't that harsh you may ask? But is it really, I always used to see backslidding as an act; when a believer gave into temptation and 'fell' into some sin but backslidding is a thing of the heart when I place my idols (however good they may be) in a place reserved for God alone. The word says we should 'seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all other things will be added' but I had been seeking other things and expecting the kingdom to be added. I was tired, stressed, fed-up, angry, bitter wondering why things were not working as they should.

God is well mannered; oh so well mannered, when He is not King in my life, he does not act as if He is king, I don't get those instructions I need to work smart and not hard. I thank God for His mercy, He spoke to me as He did to the Israelites through Haggai.."Believer, give careful thought to your ways"

'You have planted much but have harvested little. you eat, but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill. You put on clothes but are not warm. You earn wages only to put them in a purse with holes in it' Haggai 1:6.

I couldn't have expressed what I was feeling more accurately and why?

.."Because of my house which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house v9

I know preachers use this scripture to encourage people give to the building fund but if we remember that we are now the temple of God, His altar being built in our hearts. How am I building it? Am I building it? or am I building the other areas of my life. Father, forgive me. God said we should love Him with ALL our heart, soul and might. I sing about God's presence being the air that I breathe and my daily bread but it's amazing how easy it is for me to exchange it for other things. If you had breathing problems what would you exchange for your oxygen tank? A new job, a promotion, a marriage partner, what? Nothing, because that oxygen is my life source. Nothing satisfies like Christ, David really knew this because he said his heart longeth for God as the deers for the streams of water. Selah!

I don't want to be carnal anymore; allowing myself to be tossed from one wave of emotion to the other, happy today, sad tomorrow. The carnal believer knows and believes God but has not gotten to a place where God is lord over every area. Hmm, I know I'm not there yet but that's the road less travelled I'm moving on these days, towards spiritual maturity in God. Keeping God as King over my life, making and keeping our 'dates' where we discuss deep stuff. Keeping my life holy so that there is always room for Him in my heart. I don't want to be carnal anymore; allowing the cares of this world to choke God's words that He has planted in my life; being angry, jealous and bitter. I don't want to be good for a few hours on Sunday and then different on Monday, Tuesday, I'm tired of religion, I want to depend on God for everything from when I open my eyes in the morning to when I shut them at night.

A prayer

Forgive me Lord for I have sinned. I have placed people, things, goals and dreams where you should be rightfully seated. I have not loved you with my all; heart, soul or strength. I have not loved my neighbour as myself. Thank you for your mercy and grace and persistence in drawing me back home to you where your love is waiting for me. I bless your name and give you praise for you are worthy to receive it. Teach me O Lord, create a hunger and thirst after righteousness in my heart in Jesus name. I don't want to be a carnal believer anymore. Help O Lord in Jesus name.

A season of prayer: Day 41

A prayer for days when I try to pray but no words proceed from my lips.

Help me Jesus! Help me Father! Help me Holy Spirit! Remind me of the truth of your word that you are here with me, in this and that you will get me through this. Remind me of your love for me so that I can continue to trust you and your word. Remind me that there is surely an 'After this'.

Amen.

The Spirit then lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD upon me. I came to the exiles who lived at Tel Abib near the Kebar River. And there, where they were living, I sat among them for seven days-overwhelmed. Ezekiel 3:14-15

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth." The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah Psalm 46:10-11

A season of prayer; Day 39

A prayer when it seems all of hell is breaking loose in my life

O Lord, my God how excellent is your name in all the earth. You are God and there is none like you. You are God and no one can stand in your place, no one can boast of your resume. Is it your contact details, you reside in the heavens and the earth is your footstool, you are a God who is ever accessible, we boldly approach your presence through the blood of the lamb that was shed for us, we never get a busy signal when we call for your word has already told us that when we draw close to you, you will draw close to us.

Your qualifications as the Almighty God speaks for itself. You are the one who created the heavens and the earth, you decree a thing and watch it come to pass. You, who are not a man to lie, willing and able to do of your good pleasure, the teacher who was never taught, the Father who was never born. O Lord indeed, there is no one and there is nothing that can be compared to you. Unchanging Changer, Multibreasted God, ElShaddai, covenant keeping God, there is no one like you.

Father, your word says that men always ought to pray and not faint. You said we should pray without ceasing, that if we humble ourselves to pray (for prayer involves admitting that I don't have what it takes)and seek your face, you will hear from heaven and answer us. O Lord, I see the devil trying to wreak havoc in my life, you already warned me not to be ignorant of the devil's devices for he goes around like a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour, you also told me that i do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers, rulers of darkness and evil imaginations and that if I resist the devil he will flee from me.

Today I stand in the authority of your word, I choose to fight this battle spiritually for I know the devil's hand is in this. You have given me authority to trample upon snakes and scorpions and to overcome ALL the power of the enemy. I boldly declare peace to the storm that is brewing. You said that even though we go through fire it won't harm us and when we go through the waters, there you will be with us. I CHOOSE PEACE and LIFE. Devil, you are a liar, you have always been and will continue to be. My family is covered with the blood of Jesus which speaks better things than the blood of Abel. From this moment, I declare that as it is the will of God in heaven concerning my family so shall it be here on earth.

Every evil force must bow because I have mentioned the name of Jesus. Expose the enemy for what he is. You are the most High God, the one who sees all. Father, take total control, as I pick up the phone, speak through me, empower me with boldness to say the right things, give me divine insight and go before me to work on the hearts of the listeners that they may heed to the right path and open their eyes to see the truth. Father, enable us to do what is right not what people expect but what you expect from us in Jesus name. Thank you Father for I know that I am guaranteed an answer. I can sense your presence, working good in our lives. Thank you Father, thank you Lord. In Jesus name I have prayed. Amen.

May God arise, may his enemies be scattered;may his foes flee before him. As smoke is blown away by the wind, may you blow them away;as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God. But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful....The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands; the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary...Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Selah.Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death. Selected verses from Psalm 68

A season of prayer: Day 38

A Prayer when I feel inadequate

O Lord you are my God
And I will ALWAYS praise you
I will seek you in the morning
I will praise you all of my days
And step by step
you'll lead me
And I will follow you all of my days
(Author, you are acknowledged, couldn't find you on Google, sorry)

As we worship in your presence
there is healing
the Holy Spirit's gentle touch
is flowing
Jesus
BELIEVER believes
Jesus
there is healing in your name
Almighty Father
We lift our hands to you
We receive the power
to heal as you would do
(Bob Fitts, capitals mine)

You're all I want
You're all I've ever needed
You're all I want
HELP ME KNOW YOU ARE NEAR
(Kelly Carpenter, 1994)

Dear Daddy, the songwriters portray the feelings in my heart. Like P-Square will sing, no one be like you, even though I've searched many places and seen many faces, who can take the place of my God. The Omnipotent (omni-potential, Thanks Bishop Bismark!), Omniscient, all seeing and all knowing God. The One who sees the real Believer and loves her anyway. Loves her with her weaknesses and frailties, loves her through her doubts, loves her to a place where she is ready to take up her cross daily to follow the Lover of her soul. There is no one like you who can give us grace, that unmerited favour that enables us to receive birthday presents when it is not our birthday! Daddy, I bless your name. Thank you for everything. Thank you for the little things and thank you for the big things. Thank you for the words of prophecy we received at FOL, give me the grace to keep running with them until the prophecy becomes a testimony. Thank you for this season in Jesus name.

Daddy, you know me as in you really know me. Beyond all the layers, you see me naked and you have never been ashamed. These days, I have been struggling so much with feeling inadequate. I look at the tasks, I look at myself, I look back at the task again and wonder how shall these things be? I hear the word and I encourage myself in it but today you showed me that I haven't meditated on it enough therefore the cares of this life and all I need to do keep choking it before it can take root in my life. Daddy, remind me that it has never been about me. It is the Spirit that gives life, you said to me;

"If you are willing, I will speak through you, heal through you, encourage through you, strengthen through you, love through you. Therefore you do not need to worry, what you need to do is FOCUS and spend more time in my presence".

Daddy, I realise that these feelings come when I look at myself and not at you so now I'm looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith and like him for the joy that has been set before me will endure the cross and despise the shame for I know I will reap in my due season if I faint not. I of myself am inadequate but you are Christ in me, my hope of glory. With your help, I will bend my bow (sort out this wonky PCR!) and I will leap over a wall (successfully finish my degree). Your word says I will hear a voice behind me telling me which way to go. Today I choose to have the right attitude about the obstacles on my way. They are opportunities to show yourself strong and mighty. Greater are you O lord in me, than the fears in the world. Your power is astounding and I know you will make a way for me and for us. I am nothing but you are the I AM THAT I AM including I AM THE ANSWER.

I speak light into the darkness, order into disorder. You said speak TO the mountain and not about it, speak TO the darkness and not about it. Life and death are in my tongue and I create my world with my words because I'm your baby and it's in my DNA. Thank you Father, thank you because everytime I pour out my heart unto you, I feel better, I feel stronger, I feel ready to conquer, overcome and take territory. I love you O lord my God for you are good and your mercies endureth forever. Thank you Jesus. Help me to continue to take you at your word for your word is good.

Amen and Amen.

N.B Father please forgive Vera for playing an April fool's trick on me but it was sure funny!!! Hahaha..

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.He alone is my rock and my salvation;he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah (Selected verses from Psalm 62)

A season of prayer: Day 35

A Prayer when I'm waiting

We wait
We're not in a hurry
O we need You Lord
We wait
All our cares and worries
We lay aside for You
O how we long to see Your face
O how we long for Your embrace

We wait
We're not afraid to tarry
We yearn for You Lord
We wait
For Your mighty wind to carry us
Into Your presence Lord
And as we fill this house with praise
May Your holy fire fill this place
We Wait by Don Moen

Eternal Rock of Ages, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Alpha and Omega, Author and Finisher. The I AM...I bless your name. Daddy, I give you praise, you alone are worthy to receive glory, honour and power for there in no one like you. You decree a thing and you make it come to pass. I am in awe of your goodness, I am in awe of your faithfulness. I confirm what the psalmist wrote that indeed great is your faithfulness, morning by morning, new mercies I have seen. All I have needed you keep on providing. Jehovah Shalom, thank you for teaching me to walk in your peace that passes all understanding. I choose not to be frazzled in Jesus name. Thank you for breath, thank you for the sun, thank you for my 2 eyes + 2 lenses that make me see men as men and not men as tree walking!!! Daddy, I love you.

Today O Lord as always, I come before your throne of grace asking for the strength and grace to enable me wait on you. Job said he would wait until his change came. David encouraged us to wait on you for you are a God who answers. Indeed your word says that you are not slack concerning your promise as some would count it and that your promises towards us are not yes and no but YES and in you AMEN. So Daddy, why do I find it so difficult, why am I always looking for alternatives and back up plans, why can't I just sit pretty at the bus-stop when I know the miracle that has my name on it will be arriving shortly. Father, forgive me for the times I have jumped on the Ishmael service because I thought that you had forgotten me.

How can you forget me? You said even though my mother can forget me and I know she can't that you would not forget me for my name is inscribed in the palm of your hand. My waiting is not because you are trying to gather enough power to make it happen (Hang on Believer, let me answer Ms. 30+ prayer request first so that I can give you my full attention!) because your word says that you are both willing and able to do of your good pleasure. It's for me, so that patience can have her perfect work in me that I may be complete and perfect lacking nothing.

Sometimes I ask why me, why do I have to wait? Wait to get into Uni, wait to be in a relationship, wait to....you know what the last wait is but Father Lord although I don't fully understand why, I've never ever regretted waiting for indeed you have made all things beautiful in their time. You have restored my years back, like Sarah I have laughed as I held on to my Isaac. So Lord, I will wait, I might grumble sometimes, forgive me, hopefully this reduces as I grow in maturity with you but I will wait on you. I will wait actively, I won't have what Ms. Hammond calls one-tree-itis focusing on the one object I'm waiting on forgetting that in Eden there is a whole garden that I can choose to eat from. I will focus on being a blessing in the lives of others. I will celebrate with people as they walk into their Canaan land. I choose to wait and be happy, no use frowning and getting wrinkles! I will trust you that you will make all things beautiful in YOUR time. You didn't forget Abraham, Sarah, Rebekah, Isaac, Ruth, Jacob, Joeseph, David, Moses, Joshua, the children of Israel, Jesus, the disciples e.t.c in short you didn't forget anyone who walked with you so you will surely not forget me.

I may cry sometimes but at the end of the day give me the grace and strength to dig my feet in and say "I know in whom I have believed and when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold". Amen and Amen.

If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, Till my change comes. Job 14:14

Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage,And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD Psalm 27:14

He has made everything beautiful in its time Ecclesiastes 3:11a

A season of prayer; Day 32

A Prayer of gratitude

To the One and Only Wise God. The One who reigns on High and is the all seeing one. Oluwadee praises him as the Unchanging Changer, 30+ says He is tha Land Owner indeed it is true for His word says that the cattle on a thousand hills belong to Him. David called Him His Sherperd the One who never allowed him to be in want. He has been and currently is so many things to me. Truly, words cannot describe His goodness in my life. Lord, never let me get tired of singing praises to your name.

This month I thank you for journey mercies, thank you for the opportunities and the open doors you have given me. So many things I take for granted but as I look around me I see that I am truly priviledged, I don't have all I want but the only thing I need I already have and that is a viable, wonderful, beatiful, deep relationship with Christ for in Him I have all I need. You have allowed me to seat with you in the heavenly places in Christ far above all principalities and powers. I can do all things through you who gives me the strength and ability. You have given me gifts that have brought me before kings. You have made things that seem to be difficult to others to come natural to me and I know this is only the beginning for as I walk with you, you reveal more of the mystery that is Ms. Zoe Believer.

Father, thank you for your patience with me, for someone who can't act to save her life I know I can be very dramatic but you wait for me to scream, shout and kick like a little child and then when i'm tired your arms are still open. Daddy, thank you. Thank you Jesus. Thank you for your word, in it I find comfort, in it I find guidance, in it I find wisdom and strength. Through it I am encouraged and am given the grace to encourage others. I thank you Lord.

You are the One who tells me to stand still when the waters are all around, you are the one who makes a way in the wilderness, the One who sets a table for me in the presence of my enemies, people who don't like me have no choice but to bless me. Like Ruth, you have shown me favour in a foreign land. Your blessings towards me have indeed been numerous, thank you for journey mercies home. Thank you for I need not worry for you who has been faithful to begin good things will be faithful to complete it in Jesus name.

Daddy, thank you in spite of the issues that I face for I know through them you are working patience in me and I know patience must have her complete work in me that I may be perfect not lacking anything. Thank you God.

Thank you for everything, accept this as a little token of praise.

Come and join me
sing halleluyah
Jehovah Jireh
has done me well

Come and see o
Come and see
Come and see what the Lord has done
Miracles are happening in my life

Everybody testifies
you are good
You are good Jehovah
You are good
Everybody testifies
you are good
Jehovah
you are good

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the lord: I will sing to the Lord for He is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God and I will praise Him. Exodus 15:1-2

Praise be to the Lord, to God our saviour, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; Psalm 68:19-20

A season of prayer: Day 31

A Prayer for the organisation where I work

Dear God, Creator of Heaven and Earth.

Who is there like you
O Lord
You who created us in your likeness
Who is there like you
O Lord
It's an honour Lord
To stand and worship you (Words not mine)

Father in Heaven
How I love you
I lift your name in all the earth
May your kingdom be established
in our praises
As your daughter
I declare your mighty works (Words not mine)

God you are a good God. Indeed you are a good God and your mercies endureth forever. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds, you are a wonderful God. I am truly in awe of you.

Father, I use this opportunity to thank you for the job that I have. Thank you for everything, thank you for bringing me into this organisation through your favour and for using it as a source of blessing to me.

Daddy, you said that if I am willing and obedient I will eat the good of the land, you have been true to your word. You are my source but through my job I have paid my bills, honed my skills, met people who have become like my family. Thank you Jesus, Today I commit the organisation where I work before your throne of grace, in these shaky days I ask for wisdom. I commit the leadership before your throne of grace as their decisions affect not only the employees but those who depend on the employees as well. Help them to make the best decisions even when it is difficult, help them not to walk in fear but to uphold what is right. Guide us through this storm O Lord, let us learn from any mistakes we make and keep growing.

Father, I thank you for in this season in my life you have deemed it fit for me to be here, forgive me for complaining and grumbling sometimes, help me to be a light in this place. Help me as your word says to work as unto you and not unto men. Teach me to work with integrity, teach me to prioritise and do my bit to make this place shine. Give me the knowledge of witty inventions to work smart and contribute to our success. Give me a renewed passion for what I do in Jesus name.
Thank you father. This is my season of open doors, thank you in advance for testimonies in Jesus name.

The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. Exodus 28:8

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men Colossians 3:23

A season of prayer: Day 30

A Prayer for Johnathan Elendu and Emmanuel Asiwe

Heavenly Father, thank you for a wonderful day. Thank you for the snow, though I don't love it, I'm surrounded by people who do. Thank you for the big smile you put on their faces today escpecially seeing that most of them didn't have to go to work today!! Thank you Lord for everything, thank you for opening my eyes and showing me the truth. Thank you for your word concerning me, thank you for a new month, February is here already, can't believe it. Thank you for divine protection all through January, thank you Baba. You are indeed the pillar that holds my life, can a pillar be moved no, so thank you for being my strength and holding me down the devil tried to raise storms, you spoke peace to my heart. Thank you Jesus.

I must tell Jesus
I must tell Jesus
I cannot bear my burdens alone
I must tell Jesus
I must tell Jesus
Jesus can help me
Jesus alone...

Thank you God, thank you that we can come before your throne and make requests of you because you are a God who answers. Dear Father, I do not know either of the men mentioned above, neither am I aware of all the circumstances concerning them but Father Lord they have been separated from their families for a long period of time, a new year has come and there seem to be no respite for them. You are a God of justice, Father fight for them. We remember them today, we thank you for a turn around concerning this situation.

Thank you for their families, protect them and keep them. Give them peace concerning their situation in Jesus name, a peace that surpasses all understanding. Father, give us a testimony in Jesus name. I use them as a point of contact to reach to others who might be in similar situations. Father, as you brought Paul and Silas, Peter, Joeseph out, bring them out in Jesus name. Lord, I don't really know how to pray for them but I commit them before your throne of grace, you who knows best, do what you alone can do in Jesus name.

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him Acts 12:5

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds and to him who knocks, the door will be opened Matthew 7:7-8

A season of prayer; Day 29

A prayer when God seems far away

All the glory must be to our God
For He is worthy of our praise
No one on earth should give glory to himself
All the glory must be to the Lord
(I can't remember who sang this song but author you are acknowledged)

Where would I be without my Father and my King? Where would I be without my God? The One who created me with ten fingers and ten toes. The One who watches over and protects me, we woke up this morning to realise that the door was not properly locked..surely He is true to His word that evil will never come near our dwelling place. Father, I bless you, I give you glory, I honour and magnify your name. You are good and your mercies endureth forever.

Down at your feet O lord
is the Most High place
In your presence Lord
I seek your face
For there is no higher calling
No greater honour
than to bow
and kneel before your throne
I'm amazed at your glory
embraced by your mercy
Lord I (help me) live to worship you
(Can't find the author of this either)

Dear Daddy, some days it seems that you are so far away. I pray but it feels like the prayer is not going past the roof, i get anxious, i get upset because i need an answer and it seems that you are not forthcoming. Forgive me for sometimes I search for alternatives, for Ishmael because I say to myself.."just in case He doesn't come through". I repent of this O Lord. Father, your word says that we will hear a voice telling us the way that we should walk in but sometimes I do not hear a voice, all I get is silence, a screaming silence for silence can be louder than the greatest noise.

Lord, I remember your word today, that even when you are silent you are with me. Your word says that you are with me always even to the end of the age. Remind me that when I scream "Lord, where are you, why have you forsaken me" that you've been there all along. That I do not see your footprints in the sand does not mean you are not there. You were with Job for 37 chapters when all hell broke through in his life but you did not speak until Chapter 38. You were there when Joeseph's brothers sold him into slavery, when he was thrown in prison and up to his days in the palace. You were there when David was singled out from amongst his brothers to care and tend for the sheep, you were there when Lot selfishly chose the 'better' land for himself. If you were there for all these people, Lord I know that you are there for me. David sais that there is no where we can hide from your presence from the depths of hell to the highest heavens. Remind me Father that you are with me. Keep my mind sane when I feel you are far away. Let your word come and strengthen my heart and let me keep pressing in to know you more and to fulfill the destiny you have created me for in Jesus name.

Dear God, I pray for strength not to give in to temptations that will pose a barrier between me and you, for you have commanded me to be holy and set apart as you are holy. Create in me a clean heart O Lord, renew a right spirit within me. Thank you for being a God who is close, for being a God who is there. You said I should call upon you and you will answer. Speak to me O Lord, I need to hear your voice, I need you to touch me and keep me whole. Thank you Father, thank you Lord.

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20

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. Psalm 139:7-10

A season of prayer; Day 28

A Prayer for my friends

Jehovah Rohi, the Shepherd who is ever so watchful over the condition of His flocks, the One who sees the wolf coming from a distance and kills the bear that would harm one of His own. I honour and bless and glorify your name. Lord, you are good and your mercies endureth forever. Thank you Baba for your grace. Thank you for clothing me with your righteousness. Thank you for being my light, thank you for being my strength. Thank you for being my father and my friend. Thank you for being my all in all. Thank you for being my song in the night. Thank you for being my exceedingly great reward. Thank you for being my everything.

Father, in this season of prayer, I am ever mindful of the precious people you have brought my way in this journey called my life. Today I thank you for their lives, I thank you for keeping them, for providing for them and I thank you for the contributions that they have brought that have made me the woman that I am today. Your word says that it is good and pleasant when we dwell together in unity. I pray for my friends that we shall stand in unity, that even when we disagree we will not be disagreeable, that we learn to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, that the peace of God reign and rule in our hearts in Jesus name.

Father thank you for revealing to me that I should pray that your will be done in their lives. So many times I presume to know what their prayer requests are, automatically someone without a job needs one and for singles, about marriage. Nothing bad there but Lord you created them and you alone know what their true needs are as fitting to their purpose. O Lord, your word says that although one laughs it can be a mask for deep pain within. I am not the most sensitive of people but you are, you see the tears I cannot see and the pain I cannot imagine, I ask that you meet each at their point of need in Jesus name.

Heal those who are believing you for their healing, provide for those who need to see you as Jehovah Jireh, teach those who need to learn your ways, encourage those who are about to give, be joy in spite of to those who at this point are overwhelmed with the mountain in front of them. Be their strength, be their guide in Jesus name. I pray that 2009 indeed be a year of POSSIBILITIES in the lives of my friends that you exceed their wildest expectations in the mighty name of Jesus. Let 2009 be a year of prayer, a year of seeking the face of God before taking any major step (even minor ones too.) Thank you in advance for I know that this year I will keep hearing of your goodness all around. For when my friends win, I win. Amen and amen.

"But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:32

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.Therefore confess your sins to each other and PRAY FOR EACH OTHER so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective James 5:13-16

A season of prayer; Day 19

A prayer for clarity of purpose

Heavenly Father, I praise and magnify your name for you are indeed worthy of all praise. Creation speaks of the goodness of the Lord, of your manifold wisdom, of your unquestionable splendour and your exceptional great taste! So many times I wish that I could speak more languages so that I could express in many more words who you are and what you mean to me. Ancient of Days; the One who has always been, always is and forever always will be. Lord of Hosts, my banner. I give you praise for there is none like you. I worship an glorify your name for you are the King and my Lord and my exceedingly great Reward.

Today Father I am thankful unto you for my parents. Thank you for the M.C and MamaG. Thank you for their lives, thank you for the valleys and mountains that You have seen them through. Thank you for helping them to be great parents, thank you for allowing me to enter the earth via them. Thank you even for the fact that they are not perfect, it teaches me that it is by your grace and your grace alone that we do what we have been called to do. Father, thank you for the relationship they have with me; it isn't always perfect and I know we can all do better but I thank you in anticipation of the greater things that you have in store for us. Heavenly Father you know that sometimes I get so used to the fact that they are Mummy and Daddy that I forget that they are individuals as well. That they have strengths and weaknesses, they have desires, needs, goals and aspirations. I thank you for my parents as individuals, thank you for guiding them and keeping them, thank you for what you will still do in their lives in Jesus name. Thank you for they shall live to rejoice as they see their children succeeding in every facet of life in Jesus name.

Father your word says that we should ask that our joy may be full, today O Lord I ask for clarity of purpose. I know you are a God of purpose, you create for function. There is a purpose for my existence, there is a purpose to my life. The created must go to the Creator in order to know what it is we have been created for. Father, show me the instruction manual for my life that I might live in destiny. You re a God of purpose, in the beginning, the first thing you did was to create light because where there is light, other things will fall into place. Daddy, I give you praise. Shine light on my purpose, reveal the reason for why I was created. I can see it dimly, almost seeing men as trees but like the man you healed i want to see men as men. Father, reveal to me the purpose for my existence. I know I was created to worship you and work in your vineyard, Lord reveal more ways how I can do this. Enable me to be available for work in the Kingdom in Jesus name.

I rebuke every thing that would want me to live another person's purpose. Father, you know that sometimes I feel the more 'visible' roles are the more 'spiritual' ones and I tire myself out living other people's lives. Not so anymore Lord. I refuse to do this anymore, like a runner who runs to finish the race that has been set before them, i refuse to run the race on another's track and hence be disqualified. I am happy and rejoice in who you made me to be for no-one has this winning combination. In my purpose, I can celebrate my uniqueness, clarify my purpose O Lord. Father, not my purpose but your purpose for my life for I may have my will and you have yours also but not my will but thine be done. Let me be like Paul who knew his purpose, to preach to the Gentiles, so that at the end I too can testify that I have fought the good fight, have finished the race and kept the faith and am awaiting the crown of righteousness that you have kept in store for me.

Clarify your purpose for my life O Lord for while I work in my purpose, I need not fear death because no evil can come my way before my appointed time and when it comes it means that I shall meet you in glory. Jesus lived for 33 years on earth and we are still living in the impact thousands of years later. Use me to impact my Jerusalem, my Samaria, my Judea and the world for you O Lord in Jesus name. Thank you Heavenly father, thank you for grace to obey the step by step instructions you have given me for I know this is how your purpose for my life unfolds. Thank you Father, thank you Lord in Jesus name I pray. Amen.

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel.....1st Corinthians 1:17a

A season of prayer; Day 18

A prayer to detox..

Heavenly Father, King of glory, Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, Emmanuel, Immortal and Invincible, Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End and everything in between. Author and Finisher, Bright and morning star, the One who was, who is and still is to come. Unchanging Changer, Eternal Solution Provider, Eternal Answer, Jehovah Shammah, the ever present one. I bless your name O Lord, for you are a Rock, Shield, Refuge, Fortress. Thank you for being my anchor. Thank you for being my strong tower. I bless your name. Today O Lord like David, I will bless the Lord with my whole being. My mouth shall sing of your praise, my ears shall listen to testimonies of your goodness my eyes have seen...
My eyes have seen
My ears have heard
My mouth shall sing about
the goodness of God

My body will dance and roll in your presence, my hands shall type about your splendour, my feet will enable me jump up and down for joy, my heart shall meditate on your goodness even my nose sef will breathe in deeply so that it isn't left out! Lol! Today I am reminded of your benefits, you bore my iniquities, healed me of diseases, saved my life from the grace, loaded me with your love and mercy, you satisfy me with good things, renewing me like the eagle. Lord, I bless your name.

Today O Lord, I have come for a spiritual detox. Your word says whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable; if it is excellent and praiseworthy then I can think about it. Your Word also says that I should meditate on your word day and night that I might be prosperous and successful. Forgive me O Lord, for I have consumed a lot of junk (both physical and spiritual) that is causing me to feel lethargic (both physically and spiritually). Sometimes instead of meditating on what your word says, I have meditated on what BBC said, on what the Metro said, on what my doctor said, on what my bank account said, on what a friend said but Lord not on what you said. That you are the Jehovah Jireh and you can cause me to prosper in the midst of famine, that you are God who heals me, that you are my Rock and my shield. Your word says that I am what I think. The nutrition lady says I am what I eat. So Lord, detox my mind of negative mindsets, mindsets that conform to a world that I am in yet not of, mindsets that do not draw me close to you, mindsets of stinkin' thinkin'.

Just as what I eat manifests itself on my skin and on the scales!Lol!; what I think manifests in my words. Lord, let the words of my mouth that arise from the meditations of my heart always find acceptance in your sight O Lord. Father, I need deliverance from negative thinking. Your daughter Joyce says we fight the battle in our minds. I cast down evil imaginations, those that set themselves up against the knowledge of God. I take captive every of my thoughts and declare that they be made obedient to Christ in Jesus name. I ask that I stop interpreting looks, words and actions of others with prejudice; based on past experiences but I see them for what they are. Lord, help me to look at others with the love you have for them in Jesus name. Remind me that the enemy can sometimes be the 'inna me' and if I don't get the inside right, the outside will not be either. Father, give me a paradigm shift in Jesus name. Remind me always what Pastor Matthew says about everything being yellow to the man that has yellow fever! Lol!

Father, after detoxing, I ask for the strength and grace to feed on the right thing. To spend quality time in your presence, basking in it and growing from it. Let me delight in your law, meditating on it day and night that I might be like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in season, my leaves not withering from dry spells and prospering all around. Prospering in my career, prospering in my relationships, prospering in my ministry. Help me O Lord. Thank you Father for answered prayers, let your blood be a laxative to erase the past and create a blank canvas for the future. I choose to let go of weights that hinder me from running the race that has been set before me in Jesus name. As a warrior, I choose not to entangle myself in civilian matters. Thank you Lord. I feel so relieved. I pray that everyone who needs a detox gets one in Jesus name.

2008 is my year of UNCOMMON TESTIMONIES. I am TAKING OVER without a CARRY OVER. I am POSSESSING my POSSESSIONS in Jesus name.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

A season of prayer; Day 16

A prayer for children

Ese Baba, Baba ese, Ese, Olorun mi, Ese Baba. Daddy, today I meditate on your faithfulness, on the truthfulness of your word where I am concerned. I am grateful to you because you have gone before me and made my path straight. Truly, when I was worrying, you were working. Thank you for wisdom. From a blank page, you gave me the grace to successfully complete my report. I give you praise. So many things happened this year but in this year, You blessed us with a son, grandson and nephew. You blessed me with skills I never knew I had. You blessed me with sisters and brothers, I didn't grow up with. Lord, I thank you and I am still expectant of more testimonies in Jesus name.

Thank you father for the love of children that you have placed in my heart. O, that I could be more like them. Trusting, forgiving, not bound by care and anxiety. Thank you for Daniel, forgive me for not keeping in touch as I should have. Thank you for making our paths cross, Lord I ask that you protect him and keep him. I pray that irrespective of the circumstances of his life at present that you will pave a way for him to grow in the fear of the Lord and His life will be a success story of your faithfulness. I commit E, T.O.M, the 'ra's (E, did you realise I'm a 'ra as well lol!), J, T, T and all the others I can't even begin to mention right now, thank you for they indeed are Kings Kids, growing up in the Kingdom. Protect them in school, protect their hearts from negative influences, protect them from harm, protect them from the evil imaginations of the enemy. I plead the blood of Jesus over them and I know that their lives will be a testimony unto you. You said in your word that children are a heritage that come from you. They are like arrows in the hand of a mighty man, You also say we should train up children in the way they should go so that when they are old they will not depart from the path that leads to life. Daddy, I pray for parents that you give them the wisdom to keep our children on the right path. Lord, you know that children don't come with instruction manuals on how to take care of them for each child is unique but your Word is the eternal guideline on how we can achieve this. Teach us, Lord for as our children are arrows, be the bow that ensures they are shot at the right target. Let our children bring us joy all the days of our lives in Jesus name.

At this time, I pray for children that have run away from home, those estranged from their parents. Lord, like the prodigal son, bring them home and work your healing. I pray for children in abusive situations, Lord how it must hurt you to see them. Lord, please intervene. I don't even know how to pray for them. Lord, you that sees all things, help them O Lord. I pray for people who work with children, especially those that do in church, give us the grace (and the energy!)and even more grace (and more energy!).

I thank you in advance for the day that I too will have a birthing 'experience'. I thank you for my children yet unborn. Even now, I ask for grace concerning adoption, I don't know why it has been in my heart for so long, Daddy I know if it is your will, You will make it come to pass in Jesus name. Give us the grace to bring them up in the fear and admonishment of the Lord. Like Josiah and Samuel, even from a young age they will fear the Lord. I thank you most escpecially for those who are still trusting you for their own Isaacs, Father your word has promised that none shall be barren in the land and that you make the barren to be the joyful parents of children. Your word can never return to you void, let it accomplish its work in their lives in Jesus name. I am believing you for supernatural childbirth experiences. Let those who cry, cry no longer but rejoice for like Sarah, you will give them cause to laugh. Remind them that those who were called barren in scripture turned around to become the mother of the prophets. Like Hannah, show them that you see their tears and you hear their supplication. In the season of time, give them a testimony O lord in Jesus name. Irrespective of doctor's reports.

Father, I thank you, I bless your name. There are still a few days left in the year and I am still expectant of a great testimony from you in Jesus name.

For children are a heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the womb is His reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate Psalm 127: 3-5

A season of prayer; Day 14

A Prayer for the anointing

Daddy, all glory is due unto your name. Be exalted O Lord above the heavens, let your glory be over all the earth. You are the covenant keeping God and there is no one like you. You keep your word to the last letter. If you have said it, you will do it. You cannot lie and you cannot fail. Father, give me the grace to do what I ought to do even when it isn't what I feel like doing. Thank you for quickening my spirit with your word, thank you for giving me the grace to live for you. Thank you for the strength to hope in your word and see you do exceedingly, abundantly and far beyond my expectations. Daddy, I give you praise. Lord, I magnify your name. You are Holy, you are Righteous, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Bright and morning Star, the King and the Lord over all. At the mention of your name, every other name must bow, every tongue must confess that you are the Most High God. Jehovah Elyon..

Father your word has shown us that in creating us, you have done so with a specific purpose and mission in mind. The plans you have for us are good and not evil to bring us to an expected end. Father, King of glory when I look at myself and the journey ahead, I wonder how I can get to that place for even my strengths look puny before Goliath like challenges but Lord I remember your word also shows me that for every task there is an anointing that comes from you an empowerment to do what you have called me to do. Today O Lord I ask for a fresh anointing, just like the oil that Samuel poured on David that enabled a forgotten son to rise from obscurity to kingship, enabled him to slay the lion, the bear and Goliath, Lord let the anointing fall on me afresh and anew. Like the showbread that was continually replaced in the sanctuary O Lord, ignite me anew for I do not want to face today's battle with yesterday's anointing. I do not want to wage war with yesterday's instruments.

Your anointing breaks the yoke. Lord, let this new anointing break the yoke of limitations, the yoke of negative mindsets, the yoke of confusion, the yoke of strife, the yoke of fear. Lord, every yoke. Let me grow 'fat' (lol!) because of the anointing. Lord, your anointing comes with REVELATION..may my eyes see beyond the ordinary, your anointing comes with MANIFESTATION..may the works of my hands show that indeed your anointing has fallen upon me O Lord, you anointed your son to preach the gospel and heal the sick...everywhere He went the manifestation of your anointing was evident to all. May that be my testimony O lord in the mighty name of Jesus. Your anointing comes with TRANSFORMATION, the ability to be different, to see differently is to know differently and to know differently is to act differently. Your Spirit came upon Saul and he became a new man, Lord make me a new woman. A woman of God. A woman of purpose and passion. A woman of progress. A woman of discernment, a woman used of God to make your glory evident on the earth.

Your anointing enables me to PROPHESY, to speak your mind concerning a matter. To call those things that be not as though they were. Heavenly Father, you said you need those who are willing and obedient. Help me O lord, the anointing fell upon Saul and he began to prophecy, let your spirit enable me to speak the mind of God in my life, in my family, on the job, in your house. Everywhere I go Lord, use my mouth to speak your heart. Father, I ask your forgiveness in anyway I have taken the anointing over my life for granted. Let my testimony be that of David, always inquiring of the Lord for each step and even when I err O Lord, to come to you in total repentance. Help me Father, for to execute your will on earth, I need a fresh anointing. Thank you Holy Ghost.

Anointing, fall on me
Let the POWER of the Holy Ghost
Fall on me
Anointing fall on me

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me because the LORD has ANOINTED me TO preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, and provide for those who grieve in Zion; to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.They will be called oaks of righteousness,a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor (Isiah 61:1-3)

The Spirit of the LORD will come upon you in POWER, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you. (1st Samuel 10:6)

I will

I have been studying some chapters in Isaiah and I have recognised a new name for my King and my Lord, He is the "I will" God. Thank God for God because there is no-one like Him, thank God because we can never exhaust all that He has to teach us from His word, all that He asks is that we trust and obey Him and He reveals more of Himself to us.

God said in His word that He is both "willing and able to do of His good pleasure". He told me, "when I say I will, that is exactly what I mean, I don't mean I may or I am trying to or even I can but I will". God is a God of covenant and He is a promise keeper. God is not a man, He cannot lie and He cannot fail. If He said I will, it will come to pass, here a few things He has promised to His children and I really want to run with it.

I will make a way in the wilderness
I will make crooked places straight
I will cut asunder the gates of brass and the bars of iron
I will rivers flow on dry hills
I will change the DESERT into a LAKE OF WATER and dry lands into FOUNTAINS OF WATER
I WILL DO A NEW THING
I will make you STRONG and I will HELP you
I will support you with my right hand that saves you
(different chapters and verses in Isaiah 40-44)

Unfortunately for the devil, as he always tries to copy and imitate, he creates his own i will,

i will stop you
i will steal your joy
i will destroy your destiny
i will steal your peace

but he always forgets that the created can never be greater than the Creator, the one who was made can never be greater than the Maker, so to all the enemies plans, God simply says "You will not" and that settles it.

Fortunately for us, when we choose to believe, choose to agree and choose to walk in God's purpose for our lives, we are able to walk in His will as well.

We will walk on mountains and crush them
We will make the hills like chaff
We will be happy in the Lord (rebuke every spirit of heaviness and depression that comes to steal your joy)
We will be proud of the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 41:15-15 NCV).

This is what we will do, not try to do, not hope to do, WE WILL. I thank God because I have come to a stage in my life where I know to cross the hurdles in front of me requires the hand of God, no longer human wisdom but that which comes from above. I'm still learning to walk in obedience, it is the key that opens a lot of doors. IT IS WELL!

Remain blessed and highly favoured. 2008 continues to remain our year of uncommon testimonies as we have been EMPOWERED to PROSPER.

The heart of a worshipper...

beats for God, is totally enamoured with God, is at home in His presence, is secure in the love of God. The heart of a worshipper can afford to be naked before God, knowing that even when it is not perfect, it is held by the perfect love of God.

I had an interesting worship experience in church this morning. God said "Believer, learn to be a worshipper, learn to press into my presence, learn to leave all your troubles on the outside and come to a place in Me, a place where you know that I am the One, that One who makes your crooked places straight, the One who is doing a new thing in your life, the One who is your testimony, the One who is your strength, the One who has anointed you to excel, to rise above circumstances. You can't come into this place and leave the same, you come out refreshed, you come out rejoicing, you come out with your faith increased knowing that no matter what the enemy throws your way, it's never over for you before God says so".

So go into this week making a conscious decision, conscious because it's not going to be easy, to worship God. I don't mean playing slow songs in your car or on your Ipod but even pressing beyond that to live acknowledging that Igwe is number one and He is worth everything, you may cry, you may roll on the floor, you may jump up and down or you may just sit in total silence as you ponder on the wonder that is God.

He is
the pillar that holds me secure in a world of changing circumstances
the One who can never lie
the same yesterday, today and forever
the Love of my life, the love of my life, the love of my life
my righteousness, my Healer, my King
my God
my mighty rock
my light, the lifter up of my head
my covenant keeping God

Be magnified Baba
Be glorified
Be honoured
Be praised
This is a token of praise, this is nothing for my heart is full but my words have failed me. Look into my heart O Lord.

I pray that this week you realise the One who you are in love with. There is no one like Him, talk to Him, tell Him what is on your mind, listen and He will speak to you. If He seems quiet, trust the silence that even in silence God is working. A seed does not talk when it is dying in the ground before it germinates, it just shows up, so don't worry if it seems nothing is happening. God is working behind the scenes of your life and you will show up at the right time, in God's time, not man's time.

Remain blessed. 2008 remains our year of UNCOMMON TESTIMONIES. We have been EMPOWERED TO PROSPER.