"THE SUPERNATURAL"

Genesis 18:10-15

New International Version (NIV)

10 Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. 11 Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.”But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”

Lets face the truth, there are a zillion times that we all have the Sarah-like feeling of doubt, hopelessness when we know in all reality some things as childbearing child-bearing age cannot be scientifically reversed. At 90 years to be told that you will be having a child in the preceding year is enough to make you want to think humanly that the barrier of the news must be crazy. It would be news enough for you to say what an insult. Scientifically childbearing age as noted by the obstetricians and gynecologists of our time is age 20 to 30. Sarah was 60 years past this mark. 60 years over a time frame that would pose so many risk of deformities, abnormalities and more. But reverse 60 years to 06 days. It took God 06 days to create the heavens and the earth. 06 days for the universe in which we thrive to exist. Truly than 14. is anything too hard for the Lord?  Sarah only used a human reaction that most of us might have used if we were in her position. But the God that we serve is not one to be mocked. When God says it, you should believe it. It is obvious that when in doubt there may be a denial of any thing you might call a miracle. You see God no longer speaks to us as he did in the times of the prophets Moses, Abraham Elijah, but today he speaks to us through the gift of his son Jesus.

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds”(Hebrews 1:1-2)

google search moses parts the read sea

Only a fool says in his heart that God is non existent (Psalm 14:1).That He cannot perform miracles and more. I want to inform you He is the same God of yesterday as is today. If He could part the red sea, Exodus 14:13-31(NIV) that is supernatural in itself that should tell you the kind of God He is, if can take the prophet Elijah away without death in the flaming chariot, 2 Kings 2:9-15(NIV) that is supernatural in itself that should tell you the kind of God He is, if He cloud love us so much to send His only begotten son in whom we have hope to experience the supernatural today via a virgin, Luke 1:27-38 that is also supernatural in itself that should tell you the kind of God He is, if He could allow His son to use only 5 loaves of bread and a 2 fishes to feed 5000 and more Matthew 14:13-21, lastly if He could allow his son to be wiped, crucified and left dead for 3days and rise again that is supernatural in itself that should tell you the kind of God He is.

The Supernatural! All the events listed above are bizarre, out of the ordinary things that can only be attached to the work of a deity not of this world.  I got news for you when you trust in God your creator, when you lean not on your understanding and his understanding of your situation, He truly rewards you with the desires of your heart and enables you to experience the wealth of understanding his supernatural abilities, inconceivable things that will come your way.

google search hurricane (photo from the nj.com)

Examples hurricanes came our way, many houses left to your ruins but yours survived with minimal damages to the garage and your basement, or you landed in an accident that caused your car to be crashed beyond repairs but you survived with minimal bruising to your body…Never my friend underestimate the power that God has.  Sarah situation was a supernatural intervention of God stepping in on Abraham’s behalf. The unique thing about Abraham as many theologians have found is that he had a relationship with God beyond all reasonable doubts. He loved God he trusted God that is why God found so much favor with him. He had beyond all unreasonable doubt a supernatural relationship with God. He had a friend in God.

•             May your trust and hope in God bring you to a place of undeniable friendship with     you.
•             May God favor you because he finds you worthy of his friendship
•           May God provide for you because you trusted him first!

Abraham’s life and story is an example of someone who teaches us how to trust God and listen to him. By default He may test your so-called love for Him like He did to Abraham who continued to trust God. Here is the story Genesis 22:1-18

22 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.12 “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.”13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram  caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”15 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

google search ram ( photo taken from eHow.com)

Because Abraham Trusted God, he obeyed God! Because he feared God, he was going to without doubt scarifies his child as God instructed. The passage did not show once that Abraham was reluctant or did he question or oppose what God wanted of him. He trusted God to the point that when his son asked, “ where is the lamb for the burnt offering” his response was “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” God surely did!  Cause in verse 13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram [a] caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. Many of us will not experience the supernatural until we come to recon with ourselves that God is mightier than we’ll ever know or try to figure out. His mysteries are far beyond human comprehension. His mysteries are way beyond the thoughts of man. We only get an peck of understanding when we seek Him and allow Him God to guide us to a place in Him where we come to understand His teachings via the episodes of life that unfold before our eyes. Like the birds of the air that He feeds and the grass that grow today and are gone tomorrow he is capable more than capable to do what he said he would do for you and I.

google image search Elijah and the chariot

“Therefore like Matthew 6 reminds us”, “do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink”. My favorite part to these scriptures is   “…Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life” See God knows our needs and wants. He also sees the intent of our heart. His only requirement of us is to seek first His Kingdom and all other things will be added unto us. Not one not two but all things. "All"  includes the power  He has to help you to understand supernatural things that have happened in scriptures,  around you and by faith to you because you know the God you serve. To close this thought on "the supernatural" I would like to encourage you to allow the Holy Spirit  to teach you about the supernatural for the Holy Spirit is in fact the evidence of the supernatural that teaches you and I to see and experience things that are not natural to our human eyes and comprehension. When you trust the Holy Spirit the road to understanding  the supernatural becomes an acceptance of God mighty powers shown via  "fire" like horse that lead His servant Elijah to Him. With your trust in the Holy Spirit, you will also be lead into the bosom of God.


Catheirne K.

"THE BEATITUDE"

Olivia Jackson Seward

It’s been the 90’s since I have known Olivia Jackson Seward, a Liberian by origin and now a local Minnesota independent gospel recording artist and songwriter who has and continues to use her experience of God’s power in her life and ministry as a way to enlighten others about the reason God is real and vibrant in her life.

She incorporates different genres and styles of music in her expressions. This combination of musical translations of her inspirational thought process embraces the English and French language. The use of these languages marks the experiences of her life as a Liberian were English is spoken as a primary language and her life as a refugee living in the Ivory Coast for at least 14years before relocating to Minnesota.

From singing in church choirs and plays as a youth to becoming the director of a few choirs in Liberia, the Ivory Coast and now Minnesota she has a vast knowledge of training and expertise on the music ministry. The world has yet to hear the many things she has to offer. Her mission is “to reach people everywhere with the love of God and his saving grace through inspirational music”.

Given the different styles of music that she uses in her singing one might say why not stick with a specific genre of singing. However, that’s a critiques opinion of what she should or shouldn’t be as a musician. But I will if I may say I embrace her boldness to cross boundaries and genera’s of singing that has proven the extent of the range of the musical gift that God has blessed her with. She like her mission statement aims to make sure that someone regardless of their race or musical taste will take away if not 1,2, or 3 elements via these varied styles something that will remind them of God’s saving grace! Further, per the renounced vocal coach of our times Tim Carlson, better yet is a musician who has a wide range of styles because it promotes versatility, depths, richness, and the ability to be more creative as a musician. And this she does beautifully! In many ways I can compare her tonality and range to the likes of Cece Winnins, Yolanda Adams and Aretha Franklins, and more. Although in comparison she is able to uniquely able to switch up to sing traditional West African tunes effortlessly.

Olivia Jackson Seward CD cover designed by Catherine K.

In her recent CD release the Beatitude, I was honored to sing alongside her as one of her background vocalist as well as Designed the cover of her CD. In my engagement with her she remained the same respectful, humble and no nonsense lady that she has always been from my observation of her approach towards her peers and people she leads. Sometimes when folks have reached a certain status quote in their career and life they may tend to walk over the folks that were the reason of aiding them to fulfill God’s destiny for their lives. But she is none of that; she humbly accepted minor changes suggested by the band during the rehearsals that lead up to her 2nd CD release concert held at the Brookdale Christian Center on November 11, 2012. Changes that were much needed due to the quick turn over of band just 3 days before the concert because the original ones had let her down. She was patient in repeating the melodies to us the back-ups as the musicians tackled their part. Soon everyone was singing  his or her tunes and melodies effectively the day before the concert.

Flyer used for Olivia's concert 11/11/12 

The concert was well attended despite the cold chills of the wintery day of November 11, 2012; people from different races, ethnicity and backgrounds braved the weather to be present. With a minimal entry fee, it was affordable for all. Further those who wanted to be there where present! My pastor usually says the ones that God wanted to bless were present to be blessed. We had to make it to the church by 3pm even though the concert was at 5pm. At the church, we would go the little room assigned to us. We bundled in there and prayed in preparation. After the prayer Olivia would prep herself for her grand appearance on stage. Like a pro she was relaxed and seemly unnervous. Than again if she was she did not show it.

Finally on stage, Olivia took us home right into God’s presence and the scene that flashed before me during the prayer section, which I told her about, became more vivid. It was as if the heavens had opened over her head and this radiant shimmering of light was upon her as she lifted her hands in praise to the heavens. I felt and believed than and still do that God indeed had accepted and received her praises to him.

Olivia Jackson Seward finally on stage at her CD
 release concert "The Beatitude" 11/11/2012

The audience were moved by her stories and testimonies of survival over the years from a failed 1^st marriage, to a war experience in which she got nearly killed and when she didn’t she vowed “for the rest of my life I will praise your name” one of the songs tilted on the CD…She told stories of her experience of being jobless trying to make ends meet in taking care of her child as a single parent. She celebrated God for her resent marriage and encouraged the audience to stand fast in the mist of their messes and always praise God anyhow! By the time she was done there where a few who could no longer hold back their tears. The CD release was great and the music and the CD titled the Beatitude can be found on her website at www.jjinspirations.com. With this immense talent that God has Blessed Olivia with she continues to “promote Christian music in the community, collaborate and support charity groups through contributions for projects in Africa, foster an awareness of the creativity of Christian music and Mentor children who have the gift of singing and expose them to the community”, all of which embodies the goal of her music ministry.

Olivia is just a click away from you making her music a part of your life at her website listed above where you can purchase her CD. You can also friend her on Facebook were you'll get frequent updates about what she is up to when she is not in the lights of the stage. May you come to experience God in a different way through the eyes of Olivia…May God increase her and elevate her to levels and places that will give her ministry more visibility in the community that we serve. I am but a small voice that believes in her the message of her Music “JESUS” this is why I am saying it as it is and how it matters to my heart.

Catherine K.

"AN EXPECTATION"

It has been repeated several times and perhaps asked by many preachers and pastors the big “why” question… Why do you come to church? Why do you give your life to someone that you have not seen but whole heartedly believe that they are the reason for your healing and the rites to an eternity in heaven? You may have been asked also, what are your expectations for coming to the house of worship?

As I continue to walk and trying to understand teachings about Christ and Christianity, I cannot stop finding and discovering how the power of God unfolds Himself in the several teachings that we encounter day by day!

On Wednesday December 26, 2012 I experienced yet another teaching to one of the  questions asked, what are your expectations... Info was sent out to members of City of Praise and the masses in general about a “feet washing and crossing over to 2013 ceremony". I happened to be attending the service that day.  Before the ceremony the Pastor, usually referred to as the Apostle Judah Praise Martin, was careful in laying the foundation of what this ceremony meant. The scripture that he referenced was  John 13-1-38 but I will stop at verse 14 for the purpose of this reading. 

Image from google search feet washing

13 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.

Now Jesus in all humanity washed His disciples feet and  instructed them to do the same one to the other. Pastor went on to say that he was just following the instructions that Christ first asked His followers to do. Pastor continued to say the feet washing was not a religious practice as usually signified in other denominations or viewed by other religious fanatics but rather it was a “spiritual initiation” into being a part of Christ and identifying with His teachings and attributes.

Feet washing as it relates to the Passover or crossing over when done gives you the right to if you believe to “Passover every trouble, sickness, pain, frustration and more” adversities of life that one might be faced with. If you believe your feet becomes covered with spiritual iron and bronze shoes as indicated by the pastor backing it with the verse from Deuteronomy 33:24-25. Shoes that will give you the strength to bruise the head of the devil who comes to steal, kill and destroy, Romans 16:20 Feet washing when done is like humbling yourself therefore under God’s mighty hands that he may lift you up in due time. 1^st Peter 5:6

Image from google search feet washing

All this was on Wednesday and we all had our feet washed and I was very interested in the topic and wanted to know more about this subject matter that I found intriguing. On my curiosity hunt, I discovered that this practice has long existed in the Old Testament before Christ did it. People who had traveled from afar when they came to their destinations the servants of that traveler’s host would wash their feet as gestures to welcoming, acceptance into their household etc. Leaders in the Catholic Church would do it during the week preceding Easter and the English royalties did this up to the 1700 to poor people before they give them gifts. 

In modern times although still practiced but rarely it has become a romantic ceremonial attractions in weddings were the couples believe that this signifies their commitment to each others love as well as service as in the context of the biblical service that Christ did for His disciples. Than it all became clearer to me why Pastor would call it a "spiritual initiation". For when Christ did it and Christ being God, He was truly setting the course for us to understand that this was a cleansing of a sort that when believed and if one had an expectation he or she definitely deserved to be a part of Him. Hence being a part of Christ and following His will and instructions for your life, you begin  to experience a "crossing over", "passing over" of all the issues that have held you from fully experiencing God's love for your life, abundant healing, and hope for a life in eternity. 

Image from google search feet washing

 I could not stop thinking about the subject matter the rest of the week till now. Now Sunday 12/29/12, one of the ladies that took part in the ceremony stated to the congregation via a testimony that on wednesday the day of the feet washing ceremony, she’d come with an expectation to have her feet washed knowing that it was not pastor that was washing the feet but it was Jesus that was playing the role through pastor. Per her words, she had been experiencing swelling in her leg as a dancer.  When she’d gotten the notice about the "feet washing and crossing over ..." message she came believing that the feet washing would heal her. Evidently she  was the first in line for the ceremony. When she went home she stated it was later the same night that she told her roommate to come and see how the swelling had disappeared. How amazing! I thought as I sat and listened. She requested a prayer that the healing would be permanent and members of the congregation stood and  joined the pastor to pray for her.

I know that we all may still doubt and wonder why some practices are still existing but I wrote this to encourage us doubting “Peters” the bible will remain the bible, it’s teaching and every story that comes with it was written by the divine inspiration of men used by God.  What changes sometimes are the renewed revelations that come as men of God try to find meaning to its vast mysteries and teachings. I love to think that the concept of a “ spiritual initiation” was a unique revelation that came to the Apostle Judah Praise Martin from the Holy Spirit. It is by the gift of the Holy Spirit we come to know and understand the mysteries of God. We just have to have our own expectations, know the creator we serve, trust His teachings, study His word, avail ourselves  and most of all give our lives to Him whole heartedly that He may begin to show us His mighty works.

I do also pray for the sister to have a total healing! I strongly believe because she had her expectation cut out prior to the "feet washing ceremony..."God stepped in on her behalf.

Catherine K.

“THE POWER PRAYER HAS”

How powerful can prayer be?  James 5:16-18 declares, "…The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops." God most definitely listens, answers, and moves in responses to our prayers.

Image from google search, prayer....

Why do we pray? What is prayer?  Prayer means communication, an appeal, a plea, and a desire. In the simplest personal analogy of prayer, it addresses God about the desires of our heart, and acknowledges Him for His presence in our lives, Prayer allows us to communicate with God, as He wants us to on a daily basic. Most important Prayer allows us the ability to convey our outmost appreciation to our Heavenly Father, God for His many wonders, love and mercies toward us! Seated atop His throne, He awaits the click of the key in the door, a passage into His holy sanctuary where His children whom He has called, will humble themselves and come to Him and pour out their hearts through prayers at any moment of their lives. A heart that will profess, own up and acknowledge that He is able, He is capable, He is enough, and He wants to hear from us. The power of prayer with all sincerity of the heart opens the Heavens and instant results are seen, felt and evident to our eyes. A prayer with all humility and total surrender quickens God’s steps to meet us at the point of our needs.

                                                          

Image from thegospelcoalition.org
 

Luke 22:39-46... "Jesus went out as usual to the mount of Olive, and his disciples followed Him. On reaching the place He said to them pray that you will not fall into temptation. He withdrew after a stone throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed. Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; let not my will but yours be done. An angle from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. And being in anguish He prayed more earnestly and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. When He rose from prayer, He went back to the disciples and found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation"…New International Version (NIV)

The power of prayer... Key components of these verses are, willingness to pray and instant results. Are you willing to let go and let God be God in your life; are you willing to allow Him to take your burdens, your cups full of the pain of this world as you lay them before Him? Are you willing to let His not your will be done concerning your life.  Can you fully trust Him to help you make a final decision to stand for what is right and stick to it? A decision that Christ made at the mount olive “ take this cup from me, let not my will but yours be done” A decision that quicken God’s response to meet Jesus at the point of His needs. A decision that caused instant help and strengthening by the angle sent by God to Him…

Image from google search choice...

Decision is the initial step to making the choice to pray to God because you trust Him to answer. A choice that says in all firmness I will leave my issues at your feet Lord, I will leave that habit that is not pleasing to your will for my life, I will have victory over all the things that will hinder my relationship and quest to understand you God. If you make the decision to choose His will He will grant you the power to experience the wealth of knowledge about Him God via the gift of the Holy Spirit which He deposited in His children in the upper room and now you because you believe. The disciples believed Christ therefore they followed His instructions. Are you desperate enough to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior and the gift of the Holy Spirit God gives you when you believe to guide you? 

Lets reflect back a bit, God’s real plan as always been to communicate  with man directly. During the Old Testament God would come in the cool of the evening to talk with Adam and Eve. But after they where deceived by the serpent and cast out to the garden of Eden, God's communication with mankind became less direct with Him talking to man through His prophets. In the fullness of time, God came down in the flesh as the son Jesus Christ, to live and dwell with mankind teaching them about the truths that will keep them form straying far from Him. He loved us enough to make this sacrifice!  He came to give us yet another opportunity through the spilt blood of Christ to rekindle our direct relationship with Him if we believe and choose to follow Him. To further this notion, when He died, rose from the grave and was leaving for the heavens, He left us with the gift of the Holy Spirit that we might individually have a relationship with Him. The moment we choose God and we start to follow in His will we start to feel His presence and that which we feel is the Holy spirit, God Himself present in us. For it has always been and will be God’s will for us to not perish but have everlasting life.

After you Have made the decision and your determination starts to settle in, then the tempest comes your way…But when the tempest come and you are truly a child of God, He will give you the power to overcome.

1 John 5:4-5... "For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God..." New International Version (NIV)

When the tempest comes, you will be able to say, the devil can tempt me but he cannot compel me! The devil can tempt me but he cannot persuade me! The devil can dangle his bit in front of me but he will not force me to eat it! He will try to trick me into thinking I am being left out but I will change my focus from what is in front of me to who is inside of me! I will turn my focus to God from where cometh my help to overcome, I will start to plead the blood of Jesus, I will start to pray my way out because pray is the Key! That’s the power of prayer. All I need is the God living and dwelling in me!

To conclude the power of prayer can take you to:

2 Samuel 7:18
 Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: “Who am I, Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? “ …''You have brought me this far." God has not brought you thus far to leave nor forsake you. Neither will He give you more than you can handle. The same God who has authorized your birth is faithful and just to help you as you build you trust in Him.

The power of prayer can take you to a place in 1 Samuel 2:1 where you can rejoice like Hannah Then Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. 
I delight in your deliverance this is to say that without doubt, with all confidence, God will deliver you from your enemies ridiculing you as long as you stand fast in prayer and supplication to Him.

The power of prayer takes you to Genesis 25:21
 where Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. The Lord answered, the Lord responded to his call, the lord took action on his behalf when he prayed for his wife and he answered, the Lord replied and met him at the point of his need!

The power of prayer once more will take us to the upper room along side the disciples Acts 4:31 After they had prayed, the place that they where meeting was shaken and they where filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly!

He did it for His own son Jesus; He did it for King David. He did it for Hannah He did it for Isaac, He did it for his disciple He can do it for you because you are His child and are joined heir with Christ when you made that decision to make Him your personal Lord and Savior. When we start to change our focus to pray, communication with Him we gain a deeper and personal relationship with Him, The evidence of His presence in us starts to radiate and mankind starts to see and know the Jesus residing in you. Believe me you they will throw you a few punches just to see if you have really changed or they may say a whole lot in front of you or behind your back. What matters most is God has given you the opportunity to overcome through prayer and sublimation to Him. As you do pray the Holy Spirit gives you the teachings and guidance you need to strive.

Always remember what James 5:16-18 declares …."the prayer of a righteous man is more powerful and effective". Hannah, Elijah, Isaac, David where all man like us but when they choose to align their lives and will to God, and He stepped in on their behalf.

•   May God step in on your behalf!
•   May God order your steps in the quest for whatever your needs are!
•   May God find you worthy to release and entrust the gift of the Holy Spirit   as you make the choice to follow him.
• May you read and reflect on the messages that will give you the opportunity to communicate with God effectively. For when you cry to God in your troubles, and distress, when you trust him to follow his instructions, in the ciaos of the storm His whisper will be enough to calm the wave. Be glad than when you pray by trusting in Him to guide you to your desired havens. Amen

Prayer points

Lord help me to tap into understanding what the power of prayer can do that I may not be just a sounding gong following the crowd of people who pray. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Lord help me to request my petitions and not be anxious to get answers from you. Your answer may be now, it may to be tomorrow but I trust in you to hold on.  I trust in the gift of the Holy Spirit that will grant me guidance and the strength to stand in there, I believe that is why I pray thus. In the name of Jesus, Amen.  

Like David in Samuels, Let me with all confidence know that you have brought me thus far and you will not leave me nor forsake me.  I believe thus I pray. Make it personal. In the name of Jesus, Amen. 

1 John 5:14-15 tells us, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of Him."  Hence I want to encourage you that your days spent praying are not wasted  days. God Bless You! God Bless You!

Catherine K.