Have a Happy Day

10 Helps for a Happy Day

1.       TODAY I WILL NOT STRIKE BACK:
If someone is rude, if someone is impatient, if someone is unkind... I will not respond in a like manner.

2.       TODAY I WILL ASK GOD TO BLESS MY "ENEMY:"
If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I will quietly ask GOD to bless that individual. I understand the "enemy" could be a family member, neighbor, co-worker or stranger.

3.       TODAY I WILL BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT I SAY:
I will carefully choose and guard my words being certain that I do not spread gossip.

4.       TODAY I WILL GO THE EXTRA MILE:
I will find ways to help share the burden of another person.

5.       TODAY I WILL FORGIVE:
I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way.

6.       TODAY I WILL DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE, BUT I WILL NOT DO IT SECRETLY:
I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another.

7.       TODAY I WILL TREAT OTHERS THE WAY I WISH TO BE TREATED:
I will practice the golden rule - "Do unto others as I would have them do unto me" - with everyone I encounter.

8.       TODAY I WILL RAISE THE SPIRITS OF SOMEONE WHO IS DISCOURAGED:
My smile, my words, my expression of support, can make the difference to someone who is wrestling with life.

9.       TODAY I WILL NURTURE MY BODY:
I will eat less; I will eat only healthy foods. I will thank GOD for my body.

10.    TODAY I WILL GROW SPIRITUALLY:
I will spend a little more time in prayer today: I will begin reading something spiritual or inspirational today; I will find a quiet place (at some point during this day) and listen to GOD's voice!!!

"But since we belong to the day, let us be self controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and hope of salvation as a helmet."
1 Thessalonians 5:8

Fasting and Prayer. 21 days Jan 9th through 29th.

We are expecting God to do things beyond our imagination. Join us in our 21 days of “Fasting and Praying” at the Oak Grove MB Church. As I have done before, I solicit your prayers during this time of consecration and corporate prayer. We have had many testimonies and praise reports even before we ended the 21 days, when God does it, it is always for our good. Amen.

Again you can send me your requests for personal prayer on my wall or private prayer to my inbox. I will add your name and requests as I did before and during these days, lifting them up to God, expecting a change in your life. “Pray for me and I will pray for you” Thank you Michele Prather. Thank God for my Pastor for the vision, Pastor Donald L Johnson. Any info and if you would like to join us, it is not too late, see the picture for info or inbox me. God bless you. JCFamily, Friends and Special Face book friends. Have yourself a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year A Joyous Christmas to you and your family, with peace in your home.Family, Friends and Special Face book friends. Have yourself a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year A Joyous Christmas to you and your family, with peace in your home.This season may bring a memory of a friend, family member or an enemy once removed, that may get you down, but know "You" are loved by a God that sent His only begotten Son for us, can you not trust a God that will keep his other children in comfort, through all that you going through. God’s promise of a Savior, will save you with His promise of eternal life. To keep you and never forsake you. Forever in His care.This season may bring a memory of a friend, family member or an enemy once removed, that may get you down, but know "You" are loved by a God that sent His only begotten Son for us, can you not trust a God that will keep his other children in comfort, through all that you going through. God’s promise of a Savior, will save you with His promise of eternal life. To keep you and never forsake you. Forever in His care.This season may bring a memory of a friend, family member or an enemy once removed, that may get you down, but know "You" are loved by a God that sent His only begotten Son for us, can you not trust a God that will keep his other children in comfort, through all that you going through. God’s promise of a Savior, will save you with His promise of eternal life. To keep you and never forsake you. Forever in His care.This season may bring a memory of a friend, family member or an enemy once removed, that may get you down, but know "You" are loved by a God that sent His only begotten Son for us, can you not trust a God that will keep his other children in comfort, through all that you going through. God’s promise of a Savior, will save you with His promise of eternal life. To keep you and never forsake you. Forever in His care.This season may bring a memory of a friend, family member or an enemy once removed, that may get you down, but know "You" are loved by a God that sent His only begotten Son for us, can you not trust a God that will keep his other children in comfort, through all that you going through. God’s promise of a Savior, will save you with His promise of eternal life. To keep you and never forsake you. Forever in His care.This season may bring a memory of a friend, family member or an enemy once removed, that may get you down, but know "You" are loved by a God that sent His only begotten Son for us, can you not trust a God that will keep his other children in comfort, through all that you going through. God’s promise of a Savior, will save you with His promise of eternal life. To keep you and never forsake you. Forever in His care.

Don't get angry with God.

Whether you admit it or not, I hope you see the blessing in this message and not be angry with God. When my sister went into a diabetic coma and died in 1989, some were frustrated with me when I finally told them that I really wasn’t angry. Angry with God that is! I think they thought I wasn’t straight with them or too good to be true.

When you face a devastating loss, fellow believers sometimes encourage you to express your anger freely toward God, assuring you that God understands and accepts your honest emotions. It is a natural response to be angry or emotionally upset. God is the easy target for that anger, because we don’t always understand His sovereignty, ours is shallow and we reason that if God is in charge of everything, then your suffering must be His fault, and we don’t see why it was justified.

But where is your fear of God? Why do you think you have the right to be angry with the Creator? Who do you think you are to suggest that God owes us an explanation? What arrogance for you as finite, sinful creatures to disapprove of what God does or what He permits.

The fear of God will hold your tongue; it halts all finger-wagging; it will humble you in the midst of your-self righteous anger. Am I saying that being honest with God about how you feel is sinful? No. when you feel it, you might as well admit it since He knows anyway and hypocrisy only adds to your sin. Am I saying that you shouldn’t feel angry? No. I’m saying you should work through your feelings about what happened, and as you inform your feelings by what you know to be true by God, you can reject the temptation to turn your back on God. You can refuse to point the finger and say to God “You are good.” Instead ask Him to meet your desperate need, and lift your hands to praise Him.

Lord the source of our strength and righteousness, we are ashamed of how quickly and easily we grow angry and stay angry with You. What arrogance on our part! We humble ourselves before You and open our self to You. Amen.

“and all who were angry with him will come to him and be ashamed” (Isaiah 45:24b)

Let Go.

You might not like what I have to say this morning, the last Saturday of the year, but it is something I would tell you sitting at home, school, and even church. Tearfully, I ask what it is going to take for you to feel better, to have joy again. It is what I would tell you if you told me your storm has you feeling worse and there was no hope. I know it won’t be easy, but you need to let it go, like the year 2011 will no longer be a calendar option, get ready for 2012.

The truth is, eventually, we have to let go of everything in this life. life is a constant barrage of having things and people you love ripped away from you. Everything ripping away takes a piece of you with it, leaving you raw and stinging with pain. But when you recognize that everything you have and everyone you love is on loan to you from God, when you learn to hold loosely to the things and people you love, you can then embrace the freedom that comes with entrusting everything to His care.

When you love something or someone, the process of letting go is painful one that takes time, and it need not be rushed. Nor should it be avoided altogether. You feel pain, mourn the loss, she your tears, and with time you can begin to let go of the grief that has had such a hold on you. Perhaps it’s not so much that you let go of your grief, but more that you give your grief permission to lessen its grip on you. You have to realize at some point that you have to figure out how to keep on living, how to incorporate the loss into your life.

Start letting go by taking another look at those around you with the perspective of grace. What a relief it will be to let go of your heavy expectations of others and instead appreciate every gentle touch, every shared tear, and every knowing smile as sheer gifts of grace. What a relief to follow the example of Jesus and instead of placing blame , offer forgiveness.

“Forsaken Lord, you understand what it feels like to be deserted by those you thought would be there for you in your darkest hour. Give us Your spirit of forgiveness and Your spirit of Grace to help us let go of our disappointment in people who’ve failed us or forgotten us”.

Focus on this Scripture; “I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us up to heaven” (Philippians 3:13-14) 1. Let go of your grief. 2. Let go of your expectations of others. 3. Let go of your rights. 4. Let go of it all. With God all things are possible and have a renewed mind in 2012. By letting go of the past and trusting God and know He has your future in His hands. When Jesus was on the Cross, He let go and showed how you can to. Amen. JC

My Personal message to you.

One familiar, and short yet most powerful statement a believer can say, I think is, I’m “Walking by Faith”. At my age, I have been through countless storms, some small and some big, and my faith continues to carry me through--- it’s my life's testimony. The world wants you to believe that there is something wrong with a life like mine because I've gone through and I’m still going through. They want you to believe that if you have what the Jones’s have then you are living a fulfilled life. Pretty funny, huh? Well, I walk by faith, and I know I’m God’s best. That should be fulfilling enough, and God is still completing me as I happily tell my story about how more complete my life is---- even though I’m still going through.

As you walk by faith, your belief will be strengthened and you will grow in confidence. You need to understand that challenges are merely new opportunities for you to reach your greatness. Finally, know that your life will truly be blessed when everything that you touch will provide you with a blessed life and no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

My mission is this; We go through storms, trials and need the healing power of Jesus Christ. We struggle from the lack of knowledge. Encourage, Inspire, and Remind people of His Promises. Reach our Brother and Sister. While "speaking about His Promises, Truth and Love"

My life ; Whatever I go through, whatever happens, " Either Way I Win" whether God heals me here on earth or heals me by calling me home, to be with Him, "I Win"

I have been truly blessed by all my face book and Blogspot friends/ connections and true friends and my sisters, family god sent have been a great support through it all. I love you! Have a prosperous and joyful New Year. Much love and prayer to you all. Please come back and let me know. I have a special message tomorrow about “Let it go” and be sure to check in and support my blog doubleddjc.blogspot.com. also pray as I keep working on two books to be out within the next six months. James Cruse.

Jesus knows and He shows. Have that conversation, it will help.

Jesus: I have missed spending time with you.
You: I have been really busy with work and family.
Jesus: I understand. But you know, I know when you are hurting.
You: Yeah. I am physically and emotionally exhausted.
Jesus: You know I want you to come to me with all your worries?
You: I try, but I just don’t know how to handle it this, it just hurts so badly.
Jesus: I am here for you, I will never leave you nor abandon you, but you know I am also there when there is not a crisis.
You: I know. I forget that sometimes. I get so busy with stupid stuff that I forget to pray and spend time with you.
Jesus: I was just wondering something.
You: What?
Jesus: Did you find time to spend with your family, friends, TV and computer?
You: but they need immediate comfort, compassion?
Jesus: Nice try. You make time for what is important to you. I want to be as important to you as you are to them.
You: Why do you put up with me?
Jesus: Because “I love you”. And “I always will”. Just know it is that trial that will test you, and My power that will keep My promise. Talk to Me, feel Me, and I will fellowship and free you.

Don't lose Christ this Christmas by Adrian Rodgers

Sometimes rather than being drawn closer to Christ at Christmas, in a very real sense people may be drawn away from the Lord Jesus. It seems in the very midst of the celebration — we lose Jesus.
After the Christmas story in Luke 2, the Bible tells of a young, twelve-year-old Jesus going with His parents to celebrate Passover in Jerusalem. As His parents were returning home after the celebration, they realized — Jesus wasn’t with them! They had lost Jesus in the midst of the celebration! Does the same thing happen to us at Christmas? How do we lose Jesus? There are five questions we need to ask ourselves.

In what sense may we lose Jesus?
It was not relationship that Mary and Joseph lost Jesus; it was fellowship. Mary was still His mother, Joseph still His earthly father. If you’re saved, you can never lose your relationship with Christ. In John 10:27, Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.”
When do you receive eternal life? When you die? No, you get it when you believe! If you have eternal life, you can never lose it. If you lose it, then it wasn’t eternal!
Some people have the idea that the devil can take you out of the hand of God. That’s ridiculous! That would be a strange doctrine, wouldn’t it: going to heaven by the goodness of the devil, because he didn’t “pluck you out of God’s hand.” No, the only reason the devil hasn’t is because — he can’t! Is there a power strong enough to open the hand of Jesus, encased in the mighty hand of God the Father, and pluck out one of His own? As it says in the verse from John, you cannot lose your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, but you can lose your fellowship.

Who may lose Jesus?
Many times those people we would least expect lose fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. It surprises us to see that it was Mary and Joseph who lost Him! But when you study the Bible, you find that even God’s choicest saints got out of fellowship with Him from time to time. Just look back at the accounts of Noah, David, Moses, Samson, Peter ─ all these and others in the Bible got out of fellowship with the Lord.
The Bible says, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he stand take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). No matter who you are, you’ll never come to a place where you’re not in danger of slipping away from that close fellowship with the Lord.

Where do we lose Jesus?
They didn’t lose Him in a bar, nightclub or in some den of iniquity, but in the midst of a religious ceremony! You see, Passover was all about Jesus. Yet it was in the midst of that celebration that Mary and Joseph lost Jesus.
I'm not opposed to decorations, but have the celebrations, illuminations and decorations become our focus so much so that Jesus is kind of cramping our style a little bit at Christmas?
I wonder if somehow we have let the very celebration of Christmas take us from the Christ of Christmas.

How may we lose Jesus?
They didn’t lose Him by opposing Him or denying Him. They lost Jesus by presumption. Mary and Joseph just assumed He was with them. They went a day’s journey, one step at a time, but every step took them farther from Him!
The Bible says when your eye is single, your body is full of light (Matthew 6:22). That means you have no side issues, nothing you’ve withheld. There is no love that is greater than your love for the Lord Jesus Christ. Sometimes we have to get alone with God and let Him peel us like an onion. I would encourage you to come to the Lord and say, “Look, I’ve come to do business. I’m not going to get up off my knees, off my face, until I know that I know that I know, it’s not a supposition, that Jesus Christ is real to me.” Take a spiritual inventory, so every step doesn’t take you farther away from Him.

How do we find Jesus again?
Mary and Joseph found Him right where they left Him, in the temple, where they first lost Him. That’s what we need to do. If Jesus Christ is not real to you, if you do not have that conscious awareness of His presence, just go back to where you first left Him.
You know where you left Him. You know where you got away from God. I believe if you open your heart to the Lord, He’ll show you where it was. Go back to that disobedience and deal with it. Pray, “Search me, oh God, and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts: and see if there be some wicked way in me.” (Psalm 139:23-24) He will show you the way.
How tragic it would be if this Christmas you let the very celebration of His birth draw you away from Him. Take the steps listed and make a conscious decision right now - don’t lose Christ this Christmas!
Articles by Love Worth Finding

Don’t Lose Christ this Christmas

Adrian Rogers

Forgiveness and Reconciliation

 Reconciliation between two people divided by conflict is possible only when one of them makes the first move-hand extended, a phone call, and words of forgiveness. Separation keeps you from allowing God to work between you and keeps the relationship broken. God made the first move by sending His Son. Jesus Christ to bridge the divide between Himself and you. “Make the next move”.

Forgiveness is an important part of reconciliation. It means that we no long expect the friend, family member, or lover who offended us, or who we believe offended us, to make restitution any longer. We literally let go of the incident in our minds, giving up our resentment, anger, and indignation. This does not mean that we approve of what the person did. Reconciliation is so important because we really love ourselves when we forgive others. We do this not allowing the incident or event to rule our thoughts. We love ourselves by allowing peace, happiness, and positive feelings enter our minds once again.

Forward not Backward

Why do we always bring up the past, when things are not going our way? We must make an intentional choice to leave the garbage and disappointments behind, for they can single-handedly cripple us from effective service and ministry. We are to fix our eyes on Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). It accomplishes nothing of spiritual value to dwell on sin, hurt, suffering, or difficulty. We are to dwell on Christ and look forward to what He is going to do. We should enter each successive phase of life with hope of what God can do, not living mired in failures of the past.
The way to progress is not to try harder in the flesh but to believe stronger in the spirit. The flesh is weak (Mark 14:38). We need the power of the Spirit of God working in our hearts and transforming our minds to provide lasting change. Discipline is only as good as the faith of the person exerting it. May God increase our faith as we rest in Him Who is the Faithful One!
Paul had done a lot of ministry by the time he wrote the letter to the Philippians. Yet even he understood that he had not arrived yet. He was still short of being perfected. Did he give up? Did he lose hope? Did he decide to make some fleshly resolutions and simply try harder? Philippians 3:13-14 says, "Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Paul emphasizes forgetting what was behind. He is not saying to forget all things past, for we are to remember the sacrifice of our Lord and how God has worked in the Scriptures, even meditating upon them. Paul references in his letters the past. While telling them about his own experience. Paul's point is not to forget the past altogether but to stop dwelling on past sin, defeat, and failures.
There are things that we, like Paul, wish we could have done differently, but Paul doesn't dwell there. He chooses to reach forward and press on toward the goal. He is focused on the future such that his future hope impacts his present. We need to live in light of finishing our race in Christ strongly even if we have had a few, or many, poor early stages. We must reach for the prize, running as if we want to win (1 Corinthians 9:24). Each day, we must set our focus by faith on the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. This is a call toward holiness, growth, sanctification, and maturity in Christ. It is a call toward eternal priorities, and it is a call toward putting our faith in what God can do. This goes along with the saying, forgive and forget then you are free.
If we want to suffer another year of failed resolutions, we can dwell on the past, stay mired in sin, and not even attempt to reach forward. But we must press on in faith, trusting God that He will cause all things to work for our good. May God's glory be lifted high in our lives, and may we let our future hope of glory impact how we live each day in the present. May God give us strength to press on and reach forward, and may God grant us faith to believe that God is able even when we are very unable. One day, by faith, we will reach our goal, but it will only be because of Christ at work in and through us. To Him is the glory both now and on that wonderful day.

Father Healing

Every one has problems in your life—weaknesses, shortcomings, personality flaws, emotional conflict—some stem from what I call a “father void.” This “void” could be for other people in our lives but for the moment let’s focus on the father.
Your relationship with your earthly father impacts every area of your life. Whether he was good or bad, no earthly father is perfect. The way he raised you—or didn’t raise you—results in hurts or fractures that can lead to many problems, leaving you feeling empty and far away from God. Human love is never enough to satisfy our hearts. Human love is never enough to heal the wounds that each of us collect as we grow up in a fallen, sinful world. Our lives are wounded when our earthly father is not able or willing to be everything that we need him to be for us. The earthly father can mask forces of insecurity and inferiority and you find that they are fertilized and find soil to grow. Many of us learn to live with scars and damaged souls. The cry of every human heart is for a father—a father who will give us the confidence and affirmation, security and acceptance we long for.
We see the father attributes in people’s lives when they’re angry, mean, negative, pessimistic, and sarcastic. We see the damage in their hearts when they’re filled with hatred, murder, envy, jealousy, evil thoughts and desires. We see it when they boast and strive to be superior over others because they feel inferior in their souls.
We can see those father characteristics in our own lives.
Do you feel insignificant, unimportant or inferior? Do you live with feelings of rejection? Are you self-conscious—feeling that people are looking at you but not approving? Do you lack confidence around others? Do you constantly struggle with temptation or addictions? Does lust have a significant stronghold in your life? Are you sometimes willing to compromise what is right just to have someone’s love and approval?
Perhaps your relationship with God is affected by a father figure. Maybe you read your Bible, pray, go to church, but you still feel empty.
God wants to heal that father figure in your life today! In that same way that He will heal a fracture in your bones, He wants to heal the fracture in your soul.
Your healing begins as you forgive the human father who failed you. Even if your father is gone—just forgive him and get it out of your life. Bury the past and look to God as your only source.
God wants you to know that He’s your Heavenly Father. He will more than make up for whatever has been broken in your life. He will heal whatever has been destroyed and devastated in your life. He will restore whatever has been missing in your life. He will provide whatever your earthly father didn’t provide for you. Your earthly father may fail you, but your Heavenly Father will never fail you. If you feel there may be damage in your soul from the way you were raised, I encourage you to meditate on God’s Word and seek Him by faith. You will find the secret to satisfaction and purpose in your life—knowing God as your Father!

"His work is Wonderful"

“HIS WORK IS WONDERFUL”

(A New Life Given - Liver Transplant)

My message today is very poignant for me. The sentimental angle will illustrate the miracle it represents. You will see how God’s ability to accomplish His plan in my life materialized in spite of how unlikely the possibilty had seemed. His talents are above all I can ever think or imagine, and all Glory is attributed to nobody, but God.  I have entitled this message, “His Work Is Wonderful” because it portrays my personal affirmation: “Either Way I Win!” Whether God heals me on earth now, soon or decides to call me home to His glory, Either Way I Win! Isn’t that good news about a promise?

Tuesday, December 6, 2011, marks the fifth year Anniversary of my Liver Transplant.

A major Liver Transplant that God made possible. It was 8:30am when I received the call confirming a match. Around 11:30pm, I had been transplanted. He worked out the details and I reaped the reward. Hallelujah, Thank You God! I am so thankful for a God who is attentive to details. God saw fit to give me new life, a modern day miracle from the Master.

God makes no mistakes in His construction of mankind (Me). In fact, those life errors/ misfortunes we experience are actually His mark on your life. It’s His powerful way to make Him (GOD) known to you. As always, but especially this morning, I Rejoice! Not only am I excellently formed; as you are also, by a wonderful Maker, but we are fulfilled with a precious part in His great plan, which has been specifically created for you and me. When God formed us, He gave us all the qualities that make us unique, such as; your traits and talents; despite Trouble, Trials and Tribulations. Nevertheless, even things we consider flaws and weaknesses are all a part of Him perfecting us -- His wonderful children.

I take this opportunity to personally thank God for all of you who have prayed and stayed through this most challenging time of my life.

First, I give all Glory to God.

To my mother with her sleepless nights; my daughters, sisters, and brothers, I thank them for their love, strength & encouragement. To my God sister, God and spiritual mothers, I thank you for supporting the vision. To my best friend, those close loyal friends who attended to me and my family; my extended family through marriage, which I still consider family; Thank you for your prayers and standing in the gap. Old and new friends today, I thank God for you and all your Kindness and Support. To all my friends, your prayers have tremendously helped me to display an unselfish nature in letting God know my love for Him and in terms, I have that unconditional love for you.

To those I may not know and have never met, but you displayed in some way, your thoughtfulness to me by letting me know God will make a way, I thank you. To those that hung in there and supported me and my family, let it be known that it wasn’t in vain nor did I take it for granted, but for genuine love. I love you dearly and I truly thank you.

To the medical personals, keep doing what you do by making it happen, I thank you, even now, with my after care. To those who could not understand my challenges and abandoned me, I may not understand; but God does, I forgive and still love you with all my heart.

The marriage between me and God will never be broken because I made a vow to be with Him to the end and eternity, that’s real Agape Love. "I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:3-6).

My prayer…”I thank you God for creating me, for seeing worth in me to recreate what I mess up, I praise you for all of your works in me which are truly wonderful.” Amen.

(He did it for me. He will do it for you). May God Bless each one of you, I pray God’s favor on you forever and every need and desire met according to His will. Love you all.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

Faith Walking

One of the familiar and shortest and yet most powerful statements a believer can say I believe is “Walking by Faith”. As a man almost 50 and have been through countless storms, some small and some big, my faith had to carry me thru.
That’s my life's testimony. The world wants you to believe that there is something wrong with a life like mine because I've gone through and I’m still going through.

They want you to believe that if you have what the Joneses have then you are living a fulfilled life. Pretty funny, huh? I walk by faith, and I know I’m God’s best. That’s should be fulfilling enough, but God is still completing me as I happily tell my story that my life is more complete, even though I’m still going through.
As you live out your ideal life and dreams, there is some advice, some great tips, which will help us, that will ensure faith, keep us humble and then we’ll enjoy life in great experience:
It will mature you when you walk with God, when you can honestly confess to Him, that you want his desires. Ask God to break you until you're walking in harmony with Him, and to reveal to you His desires for your life, Pray for this.
Check yourself, be honest and admit your not studying enough and if your not sure how to study, pray. Become discipline in your time with God, reading His word and committing time with Him daily. You have it in you to do this. 2 Timothy 2:15 teaches us to "be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth".
As a Marine I was taught to make new friends and keep your enemies closer; it’s some concepts like that, that will keep us stagnant. It's time to grow in all areas of your life. Don't be afraid to cut sub-tractors, distracters, and whiners out of your life.
A great sign that you are next is when you celebrate when others are being blessed. Celebrating will overflow when you’re close to the blessings and the Blessed.

Pastors Prayer

"Father, continually renew my pastor's mind, resulting in a transformed life. Help him bring every thought into captivity to Christ. Give him a greater understanding of Your Word. Help him to think on things that are pure and right and praiseworthy." (Ps. 119:15, Ro. 12:2, 2 Cor.

Eyes. "Lord, keep opening my pastor's eyes to deep spiritual truths. Help him to see things as You see them. Guard him against looking at worthless things. " (Ps. 119:18, Ps. 119:37)

Ears. "Father, let my pastor hear Your voice clearly. Help him to recognize your voice with certainty. Protect him from listening to anyone who is out of step with You. Help him not to be affected negatively by what others say." (Is. 30:21)

Nose. "Lord, help my pastor discern between good and evil. Give him the ability to determine what is of You and what is not." (1 K. 3:9, 1 Jn. 4:1)

Mouth. "Enable my pastor to speak the truth in love. Help him to be swift to hear and slow to speak. Give him the ability to confront when necessary. Let the words he speaks be Yours, not his own. Help him speak words that bring grace to the hearers. I also pray that you will help him to grow in his speaking and preaching ability." (Ps. 19:14, Ps. 119:13, Ps. 141:3; Eph. 4:15, Eph. 4:29; Jas. 1:19)

Heart. "Give my pastor a heart that seeks hungrily after You. Teach him to guard his heart with all diligence. Help him deal with anything in his heart that is not pleasing to You. Create within him a pure heart. Enable him to lead Your people with integrity." (Ps. 78:72, Ps. 119:10-11; Prov. 4:23; 1 Thess. 3:13)

Hands. "Lord, I pray that everything my pastor does would be done with his whole heart, serving You rather than man. Help him not to 'dirty his hands' by doing things that are not pleasing to You. I pray that You will also help him to increase his skills and his abilities. Bless everything he puts his hands to." (Ps. 24:3-4, Col. 3:23)
Feet. "Help my pastor walk in a way that is pleasing to You. Help him walk with the wise. Cause him to go where You want him to go. Give him wisdom when he inadvertently walks into bad situations." (Ps. 25:12, Ps. 27:11; Prov. 13:20)


Sunday
Holy Father, as we prepare to worship You, I pray now for Your blessings on our Life Pack hour. Lord,
add to our numbers daily those who come to know You as Savior. Acts 2:42-47
Anoint my Pastor as he/she proclaims the mystery of Christ. Father, give him/her wisdom as he/she
preaches; let him/her be full of grace.
Colossians 4:3-4
Give my Pastor boldness as he/she preaches the truth of Your Word.
2 Timothy 4:1-2
Father, help us all see Jesus. As we dwell in Your presence, purify our hearts. Father, transform us to be
more like Christ.
Hebrews 2:9
Monday
Thank you, Lord, for calling my Pastor to preach the gospel. Reveal the truth of Your Word to my Pastor as
he/she prepares his sermon. Galatians 1:11-12
Bless my Pastor with rich study time. Acts 6:4, 2 Timothy 2:15
Father, give him/her the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, that he/she may know You better. Show my Pastor
Your glory and great power, that he/she would know the hope to which You’ve called him/her.
Ephesians 1:17-19
Tuesday
Lord, thank you for giving us a shepherd after your own heart that leads to knowledge, understanding,
and integrity. Jeremiah 3:15
As my Pastor leads his/her staff, and in administrative issues, I pray You would give him/her wisdom and
knowledge. 2 Chronicles 1:10
Father, lead my Pastor to live out the watch care you require of himself/herself and his/her flock. Guide
him/her Lord as he/she leads us to be more effective in our community. Acts 20:28
Wednesday
Lord, give my Pastor discernment to prioritize what is most important. Protect him/her from busyness,
fatigue, and an overburdened schedule. Ecclesiastes 3:1-17
Keep him/her focused on Your Kingdom, Your agenda this evening is the mid-week service, let him meditate on the tasks You put before him/her. Nehemiah
6:1-4
Lord, protect my Pastor. Let nothing hinder his/her time with You. Mark 1:35
Thursday
Father, Lead my Pastor to dwell in Your shelter, to rest in You, Lord Most High. Be his/her refuge, his/her
fortress, the God in whom he/she trusts. Psalm 91:1-2
Encourage my Pastor with Your Word that he/she might be filled with hope. Romans 15:4
Lord, Keep him/her devoted to prayer. Continue to grow in my Pastor a passionate desire to seek You with
all his/her heart. Colossians 4:2
Friday
Father, bless my Pastor’s marriage. Grow their love for one another. Lead him/her to love his/her spouse
as Christ loved the church. Ephesians 5:25
Lord, I pray for Your good and perfect will to be accomplished in their family. May this family glorify You
Lord in all they do. Proverbs 19:21
Father, watch over my Pastor’s family and keep them from harm all the days of their lives. Psalm 121:7-8
Saturday
Remind my Pastor that he/she belongs to You, that You called him/her out of darkness into Your wonderful
light with a purpose; to declare You as Lord and to praise Your Holy Name. 1 Peter 2:9-10
Lord, purify my Pastor’s heart, that he/she would be set apart to lead the lost in our community to Christ.
Isaiah 6:8
As he prepares the Your Word for Your people, may the words of his/her mouth make known the mystery of the gospel. Help him/her Lord, to proclaim
Christ fearlessly. Ephesians 6:19-20

Amen

This is a prayer for my friend, church, and brother; I penned this in summer of 2009. Pray for your  Family, Pastor, and Friends. daily.
(Pastor/Brother. Donald L Johnson, Brother. Rodney Johnson, Family Cruse and Boyd. Church Oak Grove MB Church. and my New found Family and Friends) I Love You All.

Getting Wisdom

The Bible speaks very plainly to us about the importance of having wisdom. Wisdom is what puts all of the puzzle pieces of our lives together in the proper order. Those pieces labeled "knowledge" and "experience" and "situations" all fit together in the proper place and in the proper order when wisdom arranges the pieces.

But where do we get wisdom? We can't go down to our local Christian book store and buy a pound of wisdom. We can't go next door to borrow a cup of it from our neighbor. There are three ways that the Bible tells us we can acquire wisdom:

By Association — While you can't gain wisdom by osmosis, it is a fact that if you hang around with wise people, you will pick up wisdom from them. Proverbs 13:20 says, "He who walks with the wise grows wise." It doesn't happen overnight - that's why that verse says "grows wise" not "is immediately wise." As you surround yourself with people who possess and utilize godly wisdom and discernment, you will find those qualities showing up in your life and being reflected in your choices. Beware of the inverse of this principle, which would go something like this: He who walks with the idiots becomes an idiot. The last part of that verse concludes with "...but a companion of fools suffers harm." The gist of that verse is clear: You become like the folks you hang out with.

By Absorption - You can gain wisdom by the things you read, listen to and watch. It goes without saying that you will gain wisdom as you study and immerse yourself in God's word. Really, what about the other things that you allow into your life? Are they helping you learn and grow in your understanding of God, of God's principles and of God's plan? In these days of the Internet, the accumulated wisdom of great writers, thinkers and saints of the ages are but a click away. But it is on the inverse of this principle that many have shipwrecked their lives, because unholy, unwholesome, and ungodly influences are likewise only a click of the remote or the mouse away. Psalm 101:3 says, "I will set before my eyes no vile thing."

By Appropriation - The final method of acquiring wisdom is so simple that if we are not careful we will overlook it: Ask for it. The Bible tells us that we have not because we ask not. And in the book of James we are told plainly that if we lack wisdom, we should ask God for it and He will give it to us. The inverse of this principle is too often true... if we don't ask for it, we won't get it.

We are told to seek first the things of God and then all of these things will be added to us. This is particularly true of wisdom. When we seek wisdom by asking God for it, reading and studying about it, and surrounding ourselves with others who possess it, we will acquire a key that opens the door to a lifetime of wise choices, blessings, and prosperity in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

Receive Rest with this RSVP

You have been invited. This invitation is not to a party but to a person. Jesus has opened His heart to you, so He has said, “Come to me.” This is addressed to all who are weary and heavy laden, this is addressed to you, so RSVP to the invitation and see won’t you get the gift of rest.

Jesus knows it takes real rest-not just for your body but also for your soul. He wants you to rest form from trying to be good enough and from doing too much. He wants you to fully rest in His finished work on the cross, His provision of salvation. (let me explain) He wants to give you rest that begins now and extends into eternity.

Jesus knows that if you don’t rest in Him, we’ll sacrifice the important for the urgent, that personal for public. If you don’t rest in Him, you’ll end up empty on the inside, moving through life in a fog of meaningless religious ritual. Answer the call, and then submit yourself to Jesus. The promise of rest is yours for the decision. Amen.

So let me ask you how can you RSVP to Christ’s invitation? He said take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you.” At first this may sound like just another burden. But the yoke of Jesus is the burden that makes all other burdens bearable. This yoke is what connects you to Jesus so that He can share your load. He wants to bear the weight of your burdens with His strong shoulders. RSVP and watch Him lighten your load, it’s not like He gave you more than you can bear in the first place.

Well let’s see, when you find yourself searching for something to soothe your pain in your life, will you listen for the voice of Jesus whispering His invitation into your ear, “Come to me”? When you feel your frustration building and your strength fading, listen to Jesus say” Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens.”

When you find yourself weighed down by unrealistic expectations or unbearable emotions, Jesus say’s “My yoke is easy and my burdens are light” (Mathew 11:30)

Jesus stands with His arms outstretched saying, Come away from what is significant and empty so you can enter into what is eternal, essential, restful. Come to me. Let me love you. Who could resist such an invitation?

I am Blessed.

I am blessed in many things. To write them all down would take an entire lifetime. Of course sometimes I don’t see something as a blessing, but His ways are not our ways. Jesus tells us in Mathew Chapter 5 about “blessed are the…” and not all are ones we’d consider as a blessing, are they? Obviously Jesus was telling us here that everything you face is a blessing, even being persecuted or being lied about. If you considered every situation that went on in your life a blessing, even if you didn’t know why or how, how much happier do you think you would be?
Just think when your someone walks on the clean floor you just mopped with their muddy boots what if you considered it a blessing? A blessing in teaching you how to love above all, forgive, and hold your tongue and temper? How many things do you think you would avoided and how much would you grow spiritually?
Sometimes you have a right to feel sorry for yourself, but God knows your hurt and the rejection you feel, even from those who claim to follow His Father. He hears your silent tears. He has been at the very place, but it all served for a purpose. Do you then not think that the trials in your life don’t serve a purpose as well? They do. Consider them as such. You will learn so much with this mindset. I know I have.
You are blessed as a Child of the King. Don’t let satan steal the blessings and treasures He has for you by viewing your trials as a curse. Say as Jesus did “How blessed you are when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of vicious lies about you because you follow me!” Amen, I am blessed!

Strength

Lord Jesus Christ, King of kings, you have power over life and death. You know even things that are uncertain and obscure, and our very thoughts and feelings are not hidden from you. Cleanse me from my secret faults, and I have done wrong and you saw it. You know how weak I am, both in soul and in body. Give me strength, O Lord, in my frailty and sustain me in my sufferings. Grant me a prudent judgment, dear Lord, and let me always be mindful of your blessings. Let me retain until the end your grace that has protected me till now.

Lord, the world wants to pound us down. We are controlled by clocks,
traffic lights, endless lines, and requested participation in civic events.
Our energies are drained and our nerves become frayed. The trials and demands continue without end, and they often seem urgent, even chaotic.

Will any of it add one single minute more to my life Lord? Help me to separate trial from opportunity, replace demand with sacrifice. Help me to replace urgency with submission to Your will, understanding instead of antagonism. Jesus, slow down my life. Give me the gift of patience.
Help me to understand rather than demand. Relaxation rather than frustration.

Our world is often based on greed and ego, and it results in pain. Can it all be that important? That rush for success can result in physical, emotional and spiritual illness. Help all of us to see what is missing in our lives, Lord.
Your gift of patience is so important. We need to realize that You are the way. That peace we seek can only come from You. You can calm the waters, and tell the wind o be still. You can restore peace and love.

Jesus, help me to simply live in the world. not be controlled by it. Give me the grace to adapt my days to Your plan, Your will. Grant me the wisdom to place control in Your hands. Replace my limitations and impatience with your unlimited power and peace. I know You appreciate my efforts, but sometimes I am at the mercy of society around me. Intentions may get mistakenly misunderstood. I try to guide and direct and those efforts somehow come across as trying to control. Patience and Charity can be very difficult in the midst of frustration. Jesus , give me the wisdom to see that patience is the cure for frustration. Make it a daily part of my life, in my family relationships especially. Grant me the grace to be able to extend it to all, and particularly to those whose views do not correspond with mine. Help me to show patience with myself, in recognition
of my failures and limitations. Jesus, help me to place all in Your hands,
knowing You will do what is best for me, and in Your own time frame.
Help me to wait patiently for my Lord.

Examine Me

Then Joshua told the people: "You can't do it; you're not able to worship GOD. He is a holy God. He is a jealous God. He won't put up with your fooling around and sinning. When you leave GOD and take up the worship of foreign gods, he'll turn right around and come down on you hard. He'll put an end to you—and after all the good he has done for you!".(Joshua 24:19-20 MSG)
Do I rely on anything else or anyone but God?
Is there a smigance of relality in me, in any other way? Or any other particular set of circumstances? Do I rely, or do I rely on myself? Is it regarding this age or word that which God has placed before me? Let me examine myself by asking these relevant questions?
Is it really true? "I cannot live a holy life," but let Jesus Christ make me holy? "I cannot serve the Lord . . ."-- but I can place myself in the proper position where God's almighty power will flow through me. Is my relationship with God sufficient for me to expect Him to exhibit His wonderful life in me?
But the people told Joshua: "No! No! We worship GOD!"(Joshua 24; 21 MSG)
This is not an impulsive, but a definete commitment. I can say, "But God could never have called me to this. I'm too unworthy. Lord you can’t mean me." But It does mean me, and the more weak and feeble I am, the better a person I’ll be.
Am I that person who is still relying and trusting in anything within myself. Am I the last person to even come close to saying, "I will serve the Lord."
I have said, "Oh, if only I really could believe!" The question is, "Will I believe?" No wonder Jesus Christ placed such emphasis on the sin of unbelief. "But Jesus said, "A prophet is taken for granted in his hometown and his family." He didn't do many miracles there because of their hostile indifference. ( Matthew 13:58 MSG ).
If I really believed that God meant what He said, just imagine what I would be like! Do I really dare to let God be to me all that He says He will be?

My Patience

I've come to understand that God will always make His way clear. But I've also come to understand that His timing almost always requires more patience than what I've been given. When I gave my life to Jesus, He transformed me and gave me His Spirit to dwell within and produce fruit: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience..." (Galatians 5:22-23). I know I have been given a certain measure of patience, but I sure need more!

Over the last 18 years, it seems that I have been in a near continual search for God's direction. I believe I was called into ministry; however, I have never completely understood the extent of this call. I have continued to serve in this ministry, but the degree to which I should do things like travel, write some books, go to school, and commit to church ministry has never been real clear. I am prepared to follow, but clear direction has been lacking...and so I wait. The result has been that my eyes and thoughts are daily focused on Jesus waiting to see if the cloud will move as it did with the Israelites. And through the process I am are learning the importance of patience.

James 5:7-8
"Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near."

A farmer plants his crop for harvest but has to wait for growth, now waiting for growth is completely out of His control. He has done the work of plowing the ground and planting the seed; now He must wait for God to produce the crop.

No matter what your circumstance is today, if you have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, you can rest assured that He is at your side directing your steps. Sometimes God's direction comes by way of outward events and changes we can see with our eyes, but often His direction comes in the form of inward changes and growth - such as more trust, more love...and more patience. Our "work" is to take each step He reveals and then wait for God to produce the crop as we love Him with all our heart.

I am deeply grateful and appreciate every ones continued encouragement and prayers. Please continue to pray for the clarity of God's direction and the boldness to follow where He leads. You all are continually in my prayers as I need you all to survive, you all are also a part of my survival. And as He brings me to your mind, please pray for a little more patience.

Do I Have Power?

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8 (KJV)
This might be a secret to some but not to me, let me remind you that this power, of which Jesus speaks, has not only been given to us so that we might be witnesses of the goodness of God and of the grace of God, but that this power has been give to you and I also for the tearing down of strongholds. The power of God has not only been give to you and me so I can witness about the grace of God, but the power of God has been given to me so I can also witness about strongholds in my bloodline that may have destroyed generations above me that I can give witness and say, "It destroyed them, but by the power of God it did not destroy me."
Jesus shares with us that this power we receive when the Holy Ghost comes on us, in Acts 1:8 puts the emphasis on the power that comes on us to be witnesses first in Jerusalem and then Judea and to the uttermost parts of the earth. You shall receive power! You shall receive an anointing! You shall receive oil! You shall receive courage! When the Holy Ghost comes on you, you shall receive power to be my witnesses! Amen.
Pray with me: Father, I thank you that I am free. I thank you that because of the shed blood of your son generational curses have been destroyed. I thank you that I have the power to remain free and whatever demon that might rise up against me, I have power over. I have been made free from the curse of sin. I have power to overcome the world through your son-Jesus. Father, be glorified in my life that I may be an effective witness unto you.
Yes, I have the Power.