This week’s reading was eye opening and music to my ears as well as all other readers who were Once Lost but Now they are Found!!! It was based on “Understanding” God and knowing that he desires to use us and our life to his Glory, regardless of what we’ve done, what we have NOT done or even what we are still yet planning to do!!! God SPECIALIZES in transforming what seems useLESS in our feeble minds to something that is useFUL in his eyes.   The book reminds us of Moses and his speech impediment,  Jacob the deceiver and Paul the Christian persecutor.. You get the picture.  In Spite of their short comings God used them all so mightily and he will do the same for you and I.

Know this, just as God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts, God’s plans for our life, our marriage, our families, our careers, our well being is so much Higher and Superior than any plan that we could ever come up with!! 

Will all the Imperfect Vessels Please step forward, Step out your Faith and follow God’s Plan for your life!!  Stay tuned for Week 2 –Depending!!

Scripture: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,  declares the Lord. As the Heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9)

 However, this promise did not come without spiritual responsibility on Abraham’s part. Just as God spoke to Abraham before the promise was revealed, he is speaking the same to us – Walk before me and be blameless!!!

 Theme Scripture:   When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.” (Genesis 17:1-2 NLT)

Theme Scripture: We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. (2 Corinthians 10: 4-5 NLT)

The Psalmist is sharing with us his Divine Dining Experiences in our theme Scripture.  He has had such great triumphs and victories with God that he proclaims  “Taste and See that the Lord is Good!!!”  He is telling us to Perceive who God really is and has been in our lives. Have personal Experiences with him (over and over and over) so that we may know for Ourselves that HE is Just, Merciful, Loving and Righteous!

Theme Scripture:  Taste and See that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.  (Psalm 34:8 NIV)

As we enter into 2012 and bid farewell to 2011, I encourage you to rid your Mind, Thoughts and Spirit of thoughts such as “I can’t take it no More” ” Why Me Lord,” “I am Done with this…” “I Didn’t ask for all this,” “This is not the way I planned it.”… or any similar thought that causes you to lose Faith in the Plans that God has for you.  God is speaking to you now and saying that you were pressed past your breaking point in 2011 so that you can walk in a new dimension of Faith in 2012!!!  I am a living witness!!

During 2011, it was God’s perfect plan that I would move into a new Dimension of Faith in Ministry, Marriage and Management. Thru the process, my Mind, Heart and Spirit uttered every doubt filled thought mentioned above. God challenged me to live out his Word in my attitude and actions as a witness to myself and others. I proved to God that I could and would STAND in Ministry when nothing seemed to be working right. I would submit to my Husband’s vision for the family and trust God’s role for a Godly wife and I would be a more disciplined steward over the time, talents and wealth that he bestowed upon me.  Whewee…. It was trying…….but now I celebrate my Victory in having New Faith and New Trust in Him!!

Let us be reminded today that God’s perfect plan for our lives is not without trials and circumstances, but New and Greater things are always being birthed out of each and every one of them for our Godly Good!!!

To all my bible readers, you know that here in the book of Isaiah, in our theme Scripture, the Prophet is encouraging all believers to forget the former things (trials, tribulations and set backs) because a “New Thing;” a greater Eternal Blessing is on the way!!  The New thing Isaiah is referring to is Jesus the Christ.  While bringing forth Jesus, God “all by Himself” performed all New and Miraculous Acts. He caused a baby to be birthed from a virgin woman impregnated by the Holy Spirit; He allowed Christ to take on sinful flesh although he had NO Sin; He preordained Christ as the High Priest over his people, not after the order of the Levitical Priesthood that had become weak and useless, but after the order of Melchizdek; He then allowed Christ to be the perfect sacrificial lamb for the sins of all mankind;  Lastly, he allowed Christ to be crucified, dead and buried; and by the Power of his Might raised Christ from the Dead with all Power in Heaven and Earth in his Hands.   By this, GOD changed the course of our Destiny and gave us the ultimate Power through Jesus over EVERY circumstance that creeps into our lives!!

I encourage you today to Walk in the Boldness of Faith in Christ in 2012 knowing that God did not act so miraculously on your behalf thousands of years ago in vain….…He is still willing, waiting and desiring to do more New Things in your Heart, Mind and Spirit in 2012!!  Prepare yourself to Receive God’s New Things through Faith (Believing without Seeing)!!

Prayer: Lord in the Name of Jesus, Thank you for today and for bringing me to the close of 2011. Lord strengthen me to submit my will to your Sovereign will and receive the New Life; New Spiritual Freedom; New Financial Freedom; New Emotional Freedom; New Prosperity; New Marriage; New Peace; New Joy and New and Closer Relationship with You in 2012. Amen.

Dr. Gary Chapman is still receiving much attention from Lovers and people longing to be Lovers across the world for his book entitled “The 5 Love Languages” that was released in 1992.  Although, the Love languages discussed are all relevant and practical components of expressing physical love…God’s Love Language – AGAPE LOVE – transcends each type of  love expressed in the book and deserves much more attention and hype!!

There are actually 3 types of love that God allows to exist in the earth: 1. Eros –  erotic love based on strong feelings/passion (physical);  2. Philos –  love based on friendship between two people including brothers and sisters; family and marriage (mental); and 3. Agape –unconditional Love as expressed by God towards mankind (spiritual).  It is the highest type of the three.  Eros and Philos love is bound to fail without the influence of Agape Love.  Not only that mankind cannot receive Agape Love in their hearts and minds unless they seek God to put it there!

God’s love is unconditional. It just exists and is not prompted by motives or actions. It is not dependent upon us loving him first, giving up all of our sinful ways nor being totally obedient to his word.  God accepts and loves us just the way that we are.  He loves us even at our lowest point of sin with full knowledge of all of our imperfections, but still longs to Save us and give us eternal life.  Now that’s real Love!! 

I encourage all of my readers today to start loving others unconditionally as God has loved you. Starting speaking God’s Love Language and  resist being Erotic or Philos love focused. Do as God has instructed in the greatest commandment “Love the Lord your God with all your mind; soul and strength and Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)

Prayer:  Lord in the name of Jesus, I come before you with thanksgiving in my heart, Thanking you for loving me unconditionally.   Lord I pray that you would fill my heart with your Agape Love that I may love you and my neighbor as your word has instructed.  I ask this prayer in faith believing that you will answer in Jesus Name.  Amen.

There is an old song that says “What the World Needs Now is Love.”  Well I would like to challenge those lyrics today and say “What the World Need Now is Prayer.”   However, I am not referring to prayers that consist of reciting memorized words which lack true knowledge of Biblical scripture nor prayers that go forth from hearts/minds that are lukewarm towards God. I am talking about “effectual and fervent prayers” that provoke God to answer with abundant above all we can ask for answers and blessings!

Here in the book of James 5:16, the word effectual means “effective” prayers that are rooted and grounded in God’s word and fervent means “passionate” prayers birthed out of one’s sincere love for God. Not only that, prayers offered up from someone who is in the right (righteous) relationship with God.  Righteous does not mean perfect but instead it means committed to God; living a life of obedience to God’s word and repentance from sins committed.  This is a guaranteed formula:

 Effectual + <PRAYERS> + Fervent + Righteous Man/Woman = AVAILETH MUCH ANSWERS FROM GOD!!

You tell me who on the earth does not desire “availeth much” answers from God.  Here the word availeth means more than you can imagine.  However, in order to get the Availeth Much Answer you must have the other elements of the formula in place in your life.  You must know God’s word; Love God; Live righteously and spend time with God in prayer. 

I know this formula seems challenging and requires an investment of time and effort, but the return on your investment is unbeatable!!!  My brothers and sisters if you want to see God move on your behalf, apply this guaranteed formula to your life and Get Ready for God’s Availeth Much Answers to flow in your life!!

Prayer:  God in the name of Jesus, thank you for your word today.  Thank you blessing me with the wisdom that is found in your word.  Please help me to Pray; Love and Live righteously so that I can receive availeth much answers from you.  I ask this prayer in faith believing that you can and will answer in Jesus name. Amen. 

There is nothing more powerful than witnessing someone flow in the Anointing of the Holy Spirit as they Minster in Dance, Song, Preaching or Teaching for the uplifting of God and the edification of the Body of Christ. It truly moves us into another spiritual dimension and into the presence of God where Breakthrough takes place. 

However, I am convinced that the majority of church goers and Christians are oblivious to the importance and the need for the anointing of the Holy Spirit in the church and in their individual lives.  What baffles me is that the bible is clear in our theme scripture that the “Anointing” breaks every yoke of bondage.  

For the sake of clarity, the word anointing here refers to the Holy Spirit being poured upon the Human Spirit by God giving the believer miraculous spiritual authority over the atmosphere to call down Glory into the presence of the hearts and minds of believers. It also gives the believer a spiritual advantage to render every weapon of the enemy harmless and powerless. Not only that, when the anointing falls in the place it is “Breakthrough Time” for sure!

We must understand that Human wisdom, knowledge and strength does not have this power and never will.  We will never conquer the affects of emotional wounds, unforgiveness, traumatic events, hatred, feelings of abandonment and lack of self worth.  Not to mention more extreme spiritual struggles raging in the minds of those who have experienced rape, physical abuse, addictions, gender confusion and the like….. If we want real breakthrough it is time that we, as God’s people, seek God’s Anointing over anything else! Not worldly gain nor position, but the Anointing of God.

Prayer:  God in the name of Jesus, I come before you in humble submission, praying that you will have mercy on me today and forgive me from all of my sins that I committed knowingly and unknowingly.  God I pray for your anointing to fall fresh upon me and break every yoke of spiritual bondage. Lord open my eyes to see the plan of the enemy operating in my life that is keeping me from my destiny in you. I pray this prayer in faith believing that you will answer in Jesus name. Amen.

On the other hand,  studies show that true followers of Christ are happy regardless of what politicians express through the media  and are not impacted by the entertainment world at all.  They know that true happiness and contentment is found in the peace that comes from Jesus Christ.  They know that the evil one (Satan) comes only to steal, kill and destroy; but Jesus comes into the life (mind/heart) of the believer so that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10). Here in the scripture the word abundant means superior; extraordinary; uncommon; more remarkable and more excellent life. Wow! Thank you Jesus!

The Good News is that this abundant life is available to all those who Believe! I encourage all Christians today not to live beneath your spiritual privileges of the abundant life available through Christ which is filled with uncommon, more superior and more remarkable happiness.  This happiness the world does not offer nor understand. Let NOT your hearts be troubled about anything (John 14:13) today.  Release all those things that have you bound and declare your happiness and abundance of joy right now. 

Get started today with my top 10 list of Things Christians should do to experience Happiness:

1. Trust and Honor God Above All Else
2. Study and Meditate on God’s Word
3. See your Glass as Half Full
4. Thank God for All he has Done
5. Praise God for Keeping You when you cold not Keep Yourself
6. Declare that You can Do all Things through Christ
7. Start Doing for others
8. Do Not Fear the Unknown because God is in Control
9. Let the Light of Christ Shine Through You
10. Honor Your Husband/Wife and Mother/Father

Prayer: Dear Lord, in the name of Jesus, I come before you with thanksgiving in my heart for all that you have done for me.  Lord I ask you to strengthen me over the sin that so easily besets me and fill my heart and mind with happiness and the abundance of joy that you have for me. Amen.

Here in the book of 1 Sam we witness Hannah (Samuel’s mother) praying to the Lord to have mercy on her and to allow her to bare a son.  She was a barren woman at the time of this prayer.  Hannah realized that it was only through the omnipotent power of God that she could conceive a child. So she calls upon the real Power Source [GOD] to hear and answer her prayer.  We know the story, God did hear and answer her prayer and she bore a Son and named him Samuel (meaning God has heard).

I am writing this week to encourage my readers to get connected to the Power Source, Cry out to him and he will hear and answer according to his Will! Take a few moments and meditate on these two Noteworthy quotes that describes God’s Power in vivid detail:

The power of God is that ability and strength whereby He can bring to pass whatsoever He pleases, whatsoever His infinite wisdom may direct, and whatsoever the infinite purity of His will may resolve. . . . As holiness is the beauty of all God’s attributes, so power is that which gives life and action to all the perfections of the Divine nature. How vain would be the eternal counsels, if power did not step in to execute them. Without power His mercy would be but feeble pity, His promises an empty sound, His threatenings a mere scarecrow. God’s power is like Himself: infinite, eternal, incomprehensible; it can neither be checked, restrained, nor frustrated by the creature. (S. Charnock).

God’s power is like Himself, self-existent, self-sustained. The mightiest of men cannot add so much as a shadow of increased power to the Omnipotent One. He sits on no buttressed throne and leans on no assisting arm. His court is not maintained by His courtiers, nor does it borrow its splendor from His creatures. He is Himself the great central source and Originator of all power (C. H. Spurgeon).

Whatever you Need God’s Got it! Cry out to him while you still have time!! There is NOTHING to hard for God.

Prayer:  Dear Lord in the name of Jesus, Thank you for this day! Thank you for never leaving me nor forsaking me in accordance with your word. Lord today I ask that you release your omnipotent power upon me and make me victorious over my enemies; strongholds; sickness and all manner of disease; unfulfilled hopes and dreams that seem to have me bound. Help me to rely totally on you and your omnipotent power to see me through.  Help me to believe in my heart that you will not withhold any good thing from them who walk uprightly. Amen.