A New Year's Prayer

As this year of 2013 comes to a close in just a few hours, I am grateful for how the Lord has kept, covered, protected, preserved, strengthened, developed and matured me. I've seen some tough days, but none of them compare to the goodness of the Lord I've witnessed in spite of it all. If you're reading this, I'm sure you can share the exact same testimony.

As we embark upon the start of 2014, I think it's only befitting that we do it in prayer.

Join me in praying today...

Lord, I thank you for bringing me through another year.  Though I have faced my fair share of pain, trouble and turmoil,and many times I wanted to give up, You have kept me in the midst of it all. I've won some battles; others, I've lost. I've been hurt, and I've caused hurt. I've been up, down, and everything in-between, but I give you praise because I am still standing. The enemy desired to sift me as wheat, and I could have easily been consumed, but Your mercy covered, preserved and protected me. I'm grateful. As I say goodbye to this year, though not always an easy pill to swallow, I appreciate the lessons I've learned, the wisdom I've obtained, and the strength I've gained. Though many obstacles came to beat me down, I realize that I am stronger, better, and more equipped to handle whatever comes my way as I continue along my journey through life. I ask now that You would heal every hurt, right every wrong, destroy every yoke of bondage, lift every burden, and loose every shackle that would hinder me from becoming, doing, and obtaining all that You have destined for me in the coming year. Transform me by the renewing of my mind, that I may not conform to this world, but to Your principles of holiness and righteousness. Draw me closer to Your Spirit, deeper in Your word, and nearer to Your heart. Help me to walk in the power You have given me through Jesus Christ, the power that enables me to tread upon serpents, cast down the enemy, and thrive in You. Restore unto me the years that I have lost and everything that the enemy has stolen from me. Disconnect me from all negative ties, and connect me with those who will encourage the champion in me. Above all, keep me close to Your bosom, rooted in Your word, planted in Your will and embedded upon Your heart. May Your wisdom and grace lead me as I acknowledge You in all of my ways. May Your goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

In this new year, may you be empowered to move onward and upward.

Blessings to you, and Happy New Year!

From my heart to yours...
xoxo

25 Gifts Discovered In The Pit: Gift #1 The Blessing of Affliction

Living life for Christ does not excuse any of us from experiencing challenging, troubling times. Psalm 34:19 tells us that the righteous will encounter many afflictions. Being a good person or following God’s principles of holy living does not give anyone an exemption from a few hard knocks from time to time. Affliction, though it does not feel good, is not always a bad thing. In fact, in Psalm 119:71 David says, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” Trouble has a way of drawing you in to the Lord, giving you an opportunity to learn of Him on another level. It’s in the midst of troubling times where your faith is strengthened, your character developed, your spirituality matured, and your purpose further revealed.

Affliction does not come to knock you off course, but to ensure that you remain on course with God’s path for your life. How so? By pulling you into fervent prayer, intense worship, and deeper Bible study; thus, bringing you into closer communication with the Lord.

I like to think of hard times this way – If I never felt pain, how would I know God is a healer? If I never cried tears of sorrow, how would I know He’ll wipe my tears and give me joy? If I never suffered lack, how would I know He’s a provider? If I never go through, how would I know that He can bring me out?

All of these things allow God the opportunity to prove His awesome power in our life. Besides, without a test, how would we ever be able to overcome by the word of our testimony? You see, just as Romans 8:28 says, all things work for our good.

Though it's tough to go through the pit of affliction, God’s grace is abundantly sufficient, and it shields us from being consumed by the fire.

When calamity strikes through loss, divorce, lack, sickness, persecution, struggle, or whatever you find yourself facing, understand that there is a blessing that can still be found in the midst of it.

That blessed gift is the occasion for God to prove His faithfulness, His mighty power, and His strength to you in ways you've never experienced. In every bad situation, there is an opportunity for more awareness of the Lord's goodness.

So instead of singing why me through troubling seasons, choose to thank God for selecting you to receive an outpour of His grace, strength and power. Choose to pray through the pain, worship through the worry, and meditate on the Word through the madness. We should want God to know that He can trust us to be faithful to Him not only in the good times, but as well as the bad.

I’m sure it may seem like you’re suffering hit after hit, and there's no ladder leading out of the pit of your affliction, but God trusts that you can handle it and come through it just fine. I've heard it said that He gives the toughest battles to His strongest soldiers. In God's strength, you'll make it out of this pit.

Prayer this prayer with me: Lord, thank You for trusting me with affliction. Though it does not feel good, help me to realize that it affords me the opportunity to prove my loyalty to You, and, in turn, You will prove Your faithfulness to me. Even in the pit of my affliction, teach me to find the blessing of You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

From my heart to yours...

xoxo