"But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive you your sins too." Mark 11: 25

God sees me. He hears me cry, He hears me pray, He knows what im troubled with. He blesses me with a humble heart to understand, strength to heal and the grace to change everything. As each day comes i learn to trust Him more and more. As my weakness tries to devour me heart and mind, i keep in mind that God is with me. the bible says, "For the LORD your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you nor destroy you..." Deuteronomy 4:31

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths..." Prov 3.5-6

"Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun..." Psalm 37:5-7

"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how His ways will really satisfy you." Romans 12: 2

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

im right where He wants me to be at.
they say God puts you through trials to break you down and today i realized that where i am right now, is exactly where he wants me to be at. Today we had a family lunch and as Will drove i sat just thinking about where i am in life right now, i sat and thought about everything ive done, i sat and remembered everything ive learned from Him, i sat and i smiled. i smiled because God has something awesome for me but He knows im not ready yet, i smiled because God knows what i need and hes helping me become a better person. I learned how to pray for strength instead of praying that jacob will stop crying, i learned how to pray for faith, instead of praying to take my pain away, i learned how to pray for wisdom instead of praying to God to give me answers, i learned how to pray for patience instead of praying for what i want/need. When that day comes He wants me to be perfect for it. james 1:4 says, Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. He's still working on me, the spiritual reality of it all is that im not ready for the answer to my prayer thats why God is not giving it to me yet, that is why God is just sitting there nodding his head just listening. While im praying to God, God is changing my heart.

1 Timothy 4:12
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, and in purity."

today i was talking to my dad and he said, "remember, jesus said, dont let anyone look down on you because you are young." i paused. although, i knew he was talking about me, i also realized what kept me bitter hearted and discovered that one thing God was asking me to do. so, today i asked God to forgive me from my own understandings, from my own judgements, from my mind. God is slowly renewing my mind. i am dying to self.
i surrender. &it feels wonderful.

Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

i thought i left it all to You but my worries are coming back. its so easy to get distracted, so easy to make the wrong turn.

Matthew 6:25-34
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." romans 5:3-5

ive been praying for the same thing everynight to God, so i decided to do something different. i read an article a couple nights ago about a lady who has been praying for the right house for her and her family, shes been so frustrated because as each day came, her prayer never did. a friend suggested that she write a letter to God about everything, so she did. she wrote a letter and kept it. she kept it and waited patiently. i was surprised to find out that it wasnt until a year later that her prayer has been answered. i thought, 1 year? thats freakin long! whaaat theee heeezzzyyyyy?! ive been thinking about it and praying about it, should i do it? write a letter to God? so last night, i did. i wrote a letter to God, rolled it up and stuck it into a glass sake bottle. i have right in front of my bedroom window. God hears me, He listens to me. He overflows my heart with his words.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

song for today:

ONE MORE TIME by The Katinas

tabatha smith

The Power of Life and death


is in the Tongue

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
-proverbs 18:21

Sometimes we speak, not being aware that the very thing we say out of our mouths could cause dramatic situations in our lives or the lives of others. How many times have we spoken things into existence, and wondered later about the very thing that manifested and wonder why and how we knew it. We go through life day after day saying things about others and about ourselves not knowing and unaware of the words that are going out into the atmosphere to complete what we have spoken.

When God created the heavens and the earth he spoke it into existence. He said let there be light and there was light. In his word he says we will do greater works. If that is so and the word says The Power is in our tongue then we should be able to speak to that mountain and it shall be moved, We should be able to speak to that bad situation in our lives and it shall be moved. We need not speak of the problem, but speak what the word says about whatever situation we go through, by speaking the solution through the word.

When we feel down we should speak and say That I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus that strengthens me. When we feel unworthy we should say that I am the righteousness of God. When you feel as though you have enemies at every turn you should say that No weapon formed against me shall prosper any tongue that rises against me in judgement God shall condemn it.
We must learn to speak positive into one another's lives, the enemy tries to get us to speak negative into our lives through using mind battles, Making you think that you are not worthy or defeated, broke and disgusted with the world, sick and tired of life he wants you to be defeated and speak negative.

If we could just change our thinking. We do that by the renewing of our minds, reading the word daily. Why do you think every time you pick the Bible up you get sleepy, try the experiment pick the Bible up try to dedicate sometime to reading the word of God and see what happens. I can tell you right now that the children will act up, you will get sleepy, the phone will ring, someone will knock at the door, or you will get side tracked with something that you might think is more important.

Ask yourself why? It's because the Enemy doesn't want us to renew our minds,he doesn't want us to know that we have power in our tongue to speak to situations, he wants us to be ignorant to the Word of God, As the Bible says...

"...My people perish from lack of Knowledge..."
-hosea 4:6

i havent been able to write lately. i didnt write this but i enjoy reading other peoples writings and sharing them with others. i love leaving each one of my blogs with verses from the bible, its good food for the soul.

Romans 8:28

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

DYING TO SELF DIANE SUMLER

When you are content with any food, offering, climate, society, and any interruption by the will of God, THAT'S DYING TO SELF.When you are forgotten or neglected, but your heart is happy, worthy to suffer for Christ, THAT'S DYING TO SELF.When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinion ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend your self, but take it all in patient silence, THAT'S DYING TO SELF.When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder and irregularity, or any annoyance, when you stand face to face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility, and endure it just as Jesus endured it, THAT'S DYING TO SELF.When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your own good works or itch after commendations, when you can truly love to be unknown, THAT'S DYING TO SELF.When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met and honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances. THAT IS DYING TO SELF.When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart, THAT IS DYING TO SELF. ARE YOU DEAD YET?? Jesus said “Pick up your cross and follow me”

Mark 8:34

34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

He will do great things to you.

yesterday morning i woke up excited. i was so happy because i was going to praise Him with other believers of him. i knew today was going to be different. i felt different, i felt new and i was filled with excitement. the kind of excitement you havent felt since you were a kid, you know...when you just arrived at disneyland after a two hour drive? that excitement. except, this journey has just begun. all i could think of was, Hes going to great things to you & im excited to watch you grow.

i blogged last night about a verse, a specific verse. He heard my heart last night when i said this verse, Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest...." He heard me when i told him, im giving it all to You. the message at church was striking. it hit every part of my heart. i cant put the right words together to describe my experience at church yesterday afternoon. i can only say this, He let me know that i can trust Him, i felt it. i was smiling during prayer, i was filled with happiness. i was even more excited than when i woke up. i kept saying, God, i cant wait.

God has just started the beginning of another miracle waiting to happen. i know he heard me, i know Hes telling me, trust Me, its my turn. i know this because the pastor ended service with this,

Matthew 11:28-30
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

all i could say is, Yes. it is your turn God. & YOU have already shown me i can trust You. You will do great things and begin your new creation and i will be here praising your name.

He hears me call His name, He listens to my cry.

ive been praying and ive been hoping. ive been questioning 'hope' & 'prayer' for the past two weeks now. what if im hoping for something not there? what if im praying for something thats not a guarantee? am i praying for the right things? what does God want me to pray for? lately, ive been praying for specific things that i want but then i began to question whether or not it will come. i didnt want to waste my time. i asked myself, ok, im praying for this specific thing to come but will it? is that really what God wants for me? even though i know what i want only God knows what i need. God knows what my hearts desires but it does not mean thats what im going to get.

i let it go. i let my worry go. Ive been resisting with God lately telling him, no but i dont want to. i know it can happen, can you just give me this chance please? God answered, fine. let me see you try. i tried. you cant argue with God. the more i began to argue with him the more my heart started hurting, my mind became distracted and stress was ready to takeover so i put my hands up. God wins again! of course, right? what was i thinking in the first place? King of all Kings, Lord of all Lords, God is bigger than any problem i can ever encounter. i reminded myself again, Matthew 11:28-30 says this:
28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

someone told me to pray for a christian man to come into my life. and i said, what? really? someone else? but why!? i began to think about it. two days ago i talked to God and said, you got me. please help me. i trust you. i am going to trust you. please help me pray for what you want me to pray for. the right things for me, what i need not what i want for myself. i was like a light switch that day because feelings kept coming and going but God gave me the strength to flick it of my shoulders like it was just a piece of lint and i did. proverbs 3:5 says this, Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; although i was doubtful God knows me more than i know myself so who am i to doubt? i went on my yahoo account where we are able to share our own opinions with each other and came across someones reply in response to a girls question who seemed to be in the same position i 'was' in and it read this:

'Please put your trust in Jesus ....not a man. If you ask Jesus into your heart to live and start living for him....you will be blessed. Then pray for a christian man who will love you like Christ loves his bride (the true church). If you wait on the lord you will be blessed. If you keep choosing your own men and living in sin....you will keep getting a broken heart.I will pray for you! '

dianesumler

i laughed at myself and said, haha. really God? You truely are something else. with all my questions about prayer, hope, and patience for the past two weeks, God has brought me here. He has something for me, something He promised and im ready for this obstacle. For all the questions ive been confused about and all the prayers about all my hopes, God has guided me to find the answers. hes prepared me for this one and im ready for this. God created his children to be confident, and here i am standing without fear except for the fear of Him.

its been two days and i must say, my heart, spirit, mind and soul has not felt any more peaceful and rested like this ever before. im in Love and He Loves me. its amazing!

GOD NEVER FAILS
patience has always been my own personal issue. waiting and not knowing how long it will take for me to get there or for me to get what i want and pray for is something God is still trying to teach me. for the past couple weeks ive been complaing and asking God, asking my best friend Chris and my cousin, why? why is it taking so long? why? why God? when? when are you going to show me a sign? are you even listening to me? can you hear me? why arent you doing anything? i would get the same thing each day, nothing. nothing. nothing. i hear the same things from everyone, you need to be patient. you need to wait. you need to let it go and leave it to God. i would answer, yes, i know that. i know i do but i just want to know when and how long! i get the same response from everyone, no. you cant do that. you know what that means? you dont fully trust God. i kept silent & i thought, what? how can you say that? no way. i trust my God. i dont want God to think im doubting him. no. it hurt when i heard that. me not trust God? the God im in love with?

last night, i prayed to God. i cried my heart to him. God, i dont know what to do anymore. please help me. you know patience has always been my weakness from the beginning. i dont want to be confused. please give me patience. i want to trust you and im going to leave it all to you. even though this is what i want, only you know whats best for me, for me and my kids. you know whats in my heart. you know my hearts desires.

this morning, i wake up. first thing i do i talk to Him. God, its a new day, help me get through this day. please give me patience, i dont want to worry about time anymore. i took a deep breath and left it at that. i was hungry, hungry for Gods word. when that happens i always go on google and find verses that will feed my heart and soul and thats exactly what i did. i needed to hear about patience and prayer. i click on the last link on the site and i come across something. it was someone own personal christian website. they had written a blog about prayer. they titled it: Prayer isn't a magical genie in a lamp. God is talking to me again. i read it and read it. i said, okay, this is a blog about some girl about what she believes about God. her own thouught. yes it is all true but i want Gods words. God heard me. at the end of this ladys story it said this:
“He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.” Psalm 145:18,19

the next two stories youre about to read are from http://christypovolish.wordpress.com/about/ it filled me up& i hope it does the same for you.

Prayer isn’t a magical genie in a lamp.
[ credits to http://christypovolish.wordpress.com/about/ ]
So often we expect God to be like that genie. We expect him to answer the prayer right away and if He doesn’t do it right away then we get frustrated, impatient, or start questioning why my prayer hasn’t been answered yet. Does God not want to answer our prayers? He sure does want to answer them!! He just might not do it the way that we expect Him to. His way is so much better and it is exactly what we need and when we need it.
Do you lay in your bed and start sounding out prayers as if you are snapping your fingers and demanding God to answer them? I always picture God just like me with my kids. There is a point where demanding and no heartfelt asking just needs a little reminding that we don’t always get what we want and when we want it. I can see God just standing there with His hands on His hips and saying, “Really, again with the same prayer? Child, I love ya, but no, that’s not the way I am going to do it. Remember this is not Burger King and you can’t have it your way.”
And although the genie in Aladdin made it look so easy and when Aladdin asked for something, he got it right away, we have to remember that God doesn’t always work like that. Now granted there have been times in my life where God has answered my prayers right away and I knew that they were straight from God, but they don’t always come the same way everytime. It is God’s greatest desire to give you your heart’s desires, but He knows what is best for you, and possible lessons that might need to be learned from your waiting. Let’s face it, if we always got what we wanted, then the times that God does answer our prayers, wouldn’t be remarkable or even a miracle. And when they are answered we can say, “Thank You God, You are truly amazing and I know that was from You!!”

Story of the day: In Gracious Love
[ credits to http://christypovolish.wordpress.com/about/ ]
We as human beings want to see results and we usually want to see them now. Instead of waiting on God’s time, we always seem to think that we are ready today and can handle whatever comes our way. Sometimes not waiting on God, sets us upon a different course and getting to our destination with God may take a little longer, had we just had patience and waited on Him. Patience, now there’s a very complex word. Simple in meaning, yet very hard at times to accomplish. Sometimes having patience can be very difficult, especially when we want to see results and the results aren’t happening the way that we expect them to.
F. B. Meyer said it best: “God has set times. It is not for us to know them. Indeed, we cannot know them. We must wait for them. If God told Abraham in Haran that he must wait all those years until he pressed the promised child to his bosom, his heart would have failed him. So in gracious love, the length of the weary years was hidden. And only as they were nearly spent and there were only a few more months to wait, God told him, according to the time of life, “Sarah shall have a son.”
If God told you on the front end how long you would have to wait to find the fulfillment of your desire or pleasure or dream, you’d lose your heart. You’d grow weary in well doing. So would I. But He doesn’t. He just says, “Wait. I keep My word. I’m in no hurry. In the process of time I ‘m developing you to be ready for the promise.”