It's Worth It

IT IS WORTH IT!!!

 All that you are going through, the long days, the sleepless nights, the endless prayers, and the pressing.  It's all going to pay off.  Even the disappointments are designed for your good in the end. Just because things don't work out as you would like, does not mean it won't work out.  But according to God's Will it shall be so. Wherever you may find yourself, be encouraged, God is on your side!

Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.

Job 8:7 (KJV)

  I just want to encourage you all today and everyday that the hardships in life that you go through, the test and trials that come, and anything that you have to work for is worth it.  God wants what is best for you, He's not going to deny you unless it's for your own good, and He will bring you into the fullness of His blessings. 

Just hold on a little longer, be like Jacob, and don't let go until your blessing comes.  I can tell you from experience that when it does you won't have room enough to receive it.  That it will be better than you ever imagined.  And I'll tell you something else, He's not done yet!  He can, will, and always does exceedingly above anything we can expect or fathom.  So my prayer for you today is that you hold on, stand strong, and that the blessings of the Lord overtake you!

~God Bless U

God is FAITHFUL

Let me encourage you today that God is faithful!  He will not fail you, nor leave you, nor forsake you. Some of us are struggling with life; whether it be home, relationships, work, finances, spiritual health, physical health, mental health, or a combination thereof, God will see you through.  The scripture says:

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."  1Corinthians 10:13 (KJV)

So how do we make it?  When does it get better?  When will the pain stop?  When will the drought leave?  I believe these answers are not external but internal.  Things change when we decide to change our mindset about them.  Instead of feelings of despair encourage yourself in the Lord.  Proclaim victory over those issues and start doing things in your daily life to move past them.  There are some things that no matter how we try to out think them we need the Hand of God to come in and change  them.  God knows this too, and a can do mindset tells God you are still in the fight and you are not giving up.  That you are waiting on Him for your help. Our faith moves God into action.  He is there ready willing, able and waiting, to move on your behalf.  Ask Him and watch and see how He transforms your life right before your eyes. 

I had to ask God for help recently and I knew God was waiting on me to have the mindset needed to overcome the obstacle. One of my struggles is with being very tired after work, but still needing to come home and be a parent, cook a meal, and not spend my evenings trying to get rest that truly never comes because everybody still needs me.  There is no point in laying down to take a nap if your six year old will be on your side tapping you for a snack, or your seven year old wants to tell you about something funny that happened at school. Then its the middle child's turn, and then when you think you've gotten that out of the way here come the oldest to tell you about something he needs for school tomorrow.  Then an hour has passed, everyone has said what they had to say and they leave you to said nap, but you still don't get it because now your husband has made it home an you need to be mentally present to hear about his day.  In the end, it's like "what nap??? 

So I needed God's help to overcome the fatigue I felt after work and be productive for my household. One thing I decided to do is not go into my bedroom when I get home.  I stop at the table and take any questions from the kids, ask about homework, have snack, heat the over, etc.  Whatever I can do to break the monotony and keep going.  I'm training my mind that off of work does not mean off of life.  This has helped me so much that I now can go in the house, help with homework, start dinner, then run downstairs and hop on the treadmill for a few.  What has not changed is that I'm tired and that I would still rather be in my bed sleeping by 7pm.  But with God's help and a change in my mindset I am learning to do what is better and more profitable for me. 

With God nothing is impossible!  Now I do have some more pressing things that I need God's help with than my evening routine, but I wanted to give you an example of how God is faithful over the everyday things of your life.  Trust Him warriors. Try Him at His word and watch your mindset change and your circumstances improve!

God Bless U

Wise Words from CS Lewis

Don't ask God to remove the hard parts, they are for your making. Ask God to help you through them, to mold you along the way, and to reveal His heart in the process.
-Christina

God isn't Gas, He's Oil

Often times people want to use God as a filling station. They come get filled up and replenished, then they aren't heard from again until their empty, needing to be filled again.  I know some say what's wrong with that. But ask yourself would you only want people to come see you when they need something. No nobody would. So why do we do God that way?

We have to start caring about how we treat the most important relationship in our lives.  We have to remember God isn't gas, He's Oil!  Think about it, gas runs out in your car constantly, but oil keeps you going and has staying power. You may need to replenish every now and again, but it keeps the car running day after day, year after year. We don't want to run on half, or quarter tanks of gas, we want to be full of the Oil that flows! 

God Bless U

You Said It

Speak it and it shall be so. 

 Do you believe that?

  If you don't, you should. 

 

 

 

 

I know you have heard the saying " what you say is what you will have".  A lot of times people relate that to financial situations or hopes of getting what they want.  But really that goes for everything. Every aspect of our lives can be determined by what we say about it.  If you've followed my writings then you know one of my favorite things to encourage is "speak life".  I mention this over and over again for a reason.  We have to be careful, meaning take CARE regarding the things we say.  The bible tells us that out the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45).  In other words what we care about, what means the most to us, is what we talk about. 

 

Going further; not only what we speak is of importance, but also what we say about it. Negative people always produce negative situations. People who make a choice to speak positively, even in less favorable situations, have better outcomes. The things we say matter.  God is listening, He hears every word. More importantly he has read what your heart holds regarding that situation before you even open your mouth.  It's important to speak positive, to speak life.  I often think of the account of Ezekiel and how God demonstrated the power of words.  Of course there are other lessons in this passage of scripture, but let's focus on what effect speaking life (positivity) has.

 

" The hand of the Lord was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones.  He caused me to pass among them round about, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley; and lo, they were very dry.  He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, You know.” Again He said to me, “Prophesy over these bones and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.’ Thus says the Lord God to these bones, ‘Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life.  I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin and put breath in you that you may come alive; and you will know that I am the Lord.’”

 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to its bone.  And I looked, and behold, sinews were on them, and flesh grew and skin covered them; but there was no breath in them.  Then He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life.”’”  So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.   (Ezekiel 37:1-10)

This passage of scripture has a lot of good teaching in it.  But again what we are focusing on is what God tells Ezekiel to do, and then what happens when he does it.  God told Ezekiel to prophesy.  He was basically telling him to speak to the bones and to speak breath.  God told Ezekiel to SPEAK LIFE!!!   Ezekiel did what he was told to do in the vision and as a result God would restore Israel.  This is the same thing for us today.  If we would prophesy, speak life to every aspect of our lives, then God will listen, restore,and bless.

I want to mention one more scripture to help you start to care more about what you say.  Mark 11:23 says, "For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith”.  So be encouraged to throw away the negativity.  Don't think your words don't have consequences.  Parents speak into your children's lives.  If you say mean things in the heat of the moment it matters.  If you've ever spitefully called your children lazy, stupid, dumb, ignorant, selfish, etc.  That matters.  If you've said those same things about yourself or others, it matters.  Those words don't just go away.  The pile up and become great big road blocks in your lives and the lives of those you spoke them about.

Being aware of the things we say can be one of the best things we can do for ourselves in this Christian walk.  For me, I've noticed how much better my outlook and attitude is throughout the day.  I encourage you to speak positivity, because what we speak we shall have.

~God Bless U



On A Personal Note...

I don't think I ever really write anything about myself. Today I want to share with you an area I am asking God to sharpen in me.  I need God and am believing for Him to equip me to believe in myself. 

I have enough self esteem to fool people most of the time, but never enough to fool myself any of the time.  What I mean is that lately I find self doubt a part of my thoughts more that I find self assurance.  This was once something I struggled with in childhood and I'm not entirely sure I've gotten over it.  As a matter of fact, I know I haven't.  I'm not talking about the kind of self esteem that gages how cute I am or if a boy thinks I'm worth talking to. That I have no problem with, and... well...that husband of mine is stuck with me!   I'm talking about the kind of self esteem that accepts I'm nothing apart from Christ, but also knows I'm everything in Him because of Him. I know that He didn't save me to leave me and forget about me and every situation that I will ever face.  But I find myself feeing unworthy and sometimes even helpless because of history.  On top of this comes guilt, because I know better.  I know that God loves me.  I know He has a plan for me.  I know it's not me that makes me worthy, but the grace and mercy that He gives me freely. 

So why can't I get it together?  Because sometimes even I;  the person that takes care of everyone else, that prays for others, that's always discarded until somebody wants a word from God; needs to be encouraged and reminded that God's grace is sufficient and that it's okay for me to matter.  Also, that every promise that God has made to me will come to pass.  I also need to be reminded that Satan wants to bring me down and ruin the relationship that I have with God.  But, I'm also reminded that he's a liar and a thief.  God has the final say and He's there to help his children along the way.  He won't even suffer one of us to be lost. (Thank you Jesus)

I thank God right now for this.  I wasn't sure what I was writing when I opened my computer, but I see now that God wanted to minister to me.  I needed to be able to see what He has been speaking so clearly in my ear.  I do believe that God has great things for me, my family, and my ministry.  I also know that if I can hold on a little longer it will come to pass.  If anyone reading this finds themselves attacked on every side, finds that the old things that used to plague you have shown back up from out of nowhere, I encourage you to take it to God in prayer right now.  Remember that the bible calls Satan a worthy adversary, because he plays dirty and he will do everything to deceive you and have you focused on the wrong thing.  Just remember to always enquire of the Father and He will direct your paths.  Tell the enemy, no way, he's a liar, and you refuse to play his dirty games.  Start to call out the promises of God in your life, speak life, health, favor, and blessings over yourself daily. Believe that you are as precious as God says you are.  That you matter to Him, so you better start mattering to yourself .  Know that there is nothing wrong with knowing who you are and whose you are.  You are a better person for it.   This advice I write is to myself first.  And I plan to walk in it right this moment!

After writing this I feel so encouraged to run on in the faith,  I hope you do too!

~God Bless U

Tonight's Prayer

The Lord is my Sheppard
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in still  waters
He restores my soul.
He leads me in the path of righteousness
for His name sake.
Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I shall fear no evil.
For You are with me
Your rod and Your staff,  they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
In the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
And I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever,
Amen.

*23 Psalms was on my heart tonight. It is a timely prayer, no matter the situation or circumstance. Pray it in heart felt sincerity and experience what God has set aside especially for you.

God Bless U

Keep Believing

Hey everyone!  I just want to quickly encourage you to keep beleiving!!!  All of us have something we are hoping and believing God for. And often times if it doesn' t happen how we want it to, or when we think it should, we loose hope and our belief diminishes. 

Don't do it!!! Instead when you feel like it's near hopeless, that's the time to step it up and increase your faith.  I can't say it enough Keep Believing!!!

There are many scriptures regarding belief. But today I leave you with this one:

" For the Lord God is a sun and shield: theLord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."  Psalms 84:11

God Bless U

Faith in Action

Struggles come to wear us down and to make us feel like all hope is gone.  Whether your struggle is with your family, on your job, bills, school, health, physical challenges, or anything else. I want to encourage you that your breakthrough has to be steeped in hope!

Hope is faith in action.  Think about this... have you been out in public and watched a kid get excited about something, then run over to their parent jumping up and down asking can they have whatever it is?  That's the concept of faith in action. Hope!  The kid believes the parent will get them what they want, so they are actively anticipating receiving it. That's HOPE!

The key to overcoming those struggles that come to weigh you down, throw you off course, and remove you from your destiny is your faith in action. The Word tells us Satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy. That's true, he comes to kill your dreams, steal your joy, and destroy your hope. Don't let him!  You have the power to overcome every obstacle that gets in your way!  Just don't lose hope!

In this world we are taught to be critical and doubt everything. That is the enemy's biggest trick. Unbelief will, can, and tries to take everything from its victim.  Have you ever met a person that just didn't believe anything. Couldn't take your word for nothing. You could say " it's such a nice day outside". But before you can form your next sentence they replied " I don't know, it looks like rain to me"! Unbelief is miserable.  And it keeps the company of hurt, pain, and deceit.

But Hope!  Hope opens doors. Hope brings life. It brings fullness of joy. With hope you are an overcomer! You're more than a conquer! 

Now don't just hope for anything!  And hope isn't about wants. You can hope for a fancy red car, but that won't bring you life. Lol. No, what you hope for is Jesus. Everything is found in Him! When we have faith in God, and we put that faith into action and place our hope in all that He is, all that He has for us, and who we can become in Him our situations start to change. Our struggles don't have the same hold on us as before.  We come to understand that He supplies everything that we need and we can turn that struggle over to Him. After all there is nothing too big for God. Unbelief binds, but Jesus frees!

I dare you to hope. I dare you to try God at His Word. I promise if you do, you'll never be the same again. All it takes is faith the size of a mustard seed, and God will respond with a whole orchard worth of love and power!  Put your faith in action, and let the hope flow!  He's waiting.

~God Bless U

1st Sunday 2016

Happy New Year All!!!

With the arrival of the New Year we have an opportunity.   We can decide to do it better this time.  What is "it"?   Whatever you feel can be done better than you did it before.   In my case, "it" to me is everything!   I plan to do a lot of things better. I endeavor to be a better wife, mother, friend, sister, laborer, minister, etc. 

There is no need for new years resolutions,  when God gives you a new mercy every morning.  What the new year brings is an opportunity to mark a reference point on your progress chart.   You have the opportunity to look back on 2015 and  assess where you've been, what you've done, how you've grown, and the areas that could use more growth.  The important thing,  is that you are continually growing in Jesus. 

A great scripture to meditate on is Luke 22:42.
"Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done."

In this passage Jesus is praying to God about the gigantic task before Him... the Cross. Though He is completely divine, His human nature doesn't want to have to go through the devastation, pain, and turmoil He's about to endure on humanity's behalf.  He prays about it,  asking to be relieved, but in the end He boldy and bravely proclaims (*one of my favorite references and mantras of scripture) Nevertheless!!!  Not my will but your will be done! 

How awesome, how glorious, and what an example! Jesus, knew that He was the only One that was fit for the job.  So, though He, like any other person, would have rather not had to go through the unthinkable, He was so devoted to God that He
forsook what He most wanted and desired for what God wanted.  This is the same kind of devotion we should be pressing toward!

And then comes the reward...
When you reevaluate and start to pinpoint the areas to grow in, God is pleased. The Word of God says He's a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).  When we try harder in God, He helps us and rewards us for our diligence.  Looking back on my own list,  I've found that the greatest reward is realizing that I'm not the person I used to be.  It signifies that I'm getting closer to the person God has called me to be.

May 2016 bring you closer to who God had called you to be,  to who and what He has called you to, and from what He had called you from!

~GOD Bless U

Everyday Opportunities

I often struggle with what is profitable to blog. I never want to just write for the sake of publishing a post, or throw something together. I always look to be found downloading from heaven. Not my will, but God's will be done. 

Just this morning I realized God's not going to say write this especially for All things by Prayer! When He told me to start this blog he made it real clear that this would be a journey for those that come across it and for me. It would be my experiences, steeped in scripture that would provide the context for this blog. Thank you Jesus, for insight, for settling me down to receive and be reminded of your purpose. I thank you for the opportunity to share your Word and spread the Truth!  Amen.

Be encouraged man, woman, or child that has come to read this. The lesson:  God's not always going to show you the grand purpose of things. Some things He calls you to do may even seem small and useless against this great big world.  But be encouraged to just play your part! He knows better, and has better than what we can ever imagine.  Just ask Naaman (2 Kings 5)!

Do it, not because it makes you happy, or brings you glory, nor because it's popular, nor easy.  Do as God has instructed because He said so. There is no better reward, nor is there a better place to be than in God's Will.  I look forward to sharing the small, everyday things with you for both of our growths.  After all this is "ALL Things"! 

~God Bless

Quotes to Ponder

Prayer changes you, not God. You tap into His goodness and His Will for you.  You began to glimpse the plan He has for you instead of seeking self!  Awesome... Thanks C.S. Lewis

Pray about Everything, All the time!

Prayer is always right. Some people look at prayer like some big colossal thing that people who are religious do. That's not true. Prayer on its most basic level is communication with God. So in essence communicating with God is always right!

The Word says through prayer and supplication let your requests be made known unto God. The Word also says we should always pray. I believe that's because God wants us to stay in constant communication with him. No matter what we do, no matter what we try, even when we miss the mark, as long as we communicate with God we can't go wrong.

"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."
    ~Luke 18:1

Jesus is always and forever will be our greatest example. He told the disciples we should always pray. We also see that He stayed in constant prayer (communication) with God. I know everyone is probably familiar with WWJD, What Would Jesus Do. I know it sounds corny, but really and truly if you just ask yourself, you'll probably come up with the answer... Jesus would most likely pray before doing anything else. 

So I encourage you to be like Jesus,  Pray Always!

~God Bless

Proverbs 15

"A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. 3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good. 4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit."

  Proverbs 15:1-4 (NKJV)                

 

This scripture really came in handy this last week, let me tell you why.  I am enrolled in a biology class this semester with the focus on human sexuality.  The class has been very rewarding in regards to learning different aspects of the body, the changes it goes through, and the different circumstances that effect men and women.  The class is taught by two instructors; one for the biology portion and the other for the psychology portion.  I am now on the psych part, and one of my assignments required me to do a discussion board with the rest of my class on the topic of gender roles and sexual orientation. The instructor wanted to know if I believed a person could choose their sexual orientation (whether they liked men or women or both) and also if it could be proven that people had no choice over the matter, should gay people be able to marry.

 

I hope you've caught on to my dilemma and frustration at this assignment.  I know some of you haven't. I know you're thinking this is a great opportunity to tell my professor and all my classmates what I believe God has to say on the subject.  To retell the account of Sodom and Gomorrah, to talk about the creation of Adam and Eve, and to argue the moral, spiritual, judgment implications the believer knows about this very topic. But, I did not do that.  I believed more than ever it was a time for me to be silent.  And I mean very quiet.  So much so that I had considered taking a 0 for the assignment.

 

I know you are asking the screen why right now, but it is because of this very scripture that I gave the following answer:

"Respectfully, I have no opinion I wish to share at this time."

I did not feel there was anything to profit from answering those questions and I highly suspect that someone in my class would have been offended with my answer. God is wise and he wants us to be wise too.  First of all, it's a science class, so there is a predisposition to believing what you can prove as opposed to my position of faith.  Secondly, I was not ministering to someone at that moment, so there was no need to throw my beliefs all over the place if it would not profit the Kingdom of God to do so.  Moreover, I go back to the scripture about casting your pearls before the swine; the Word of God is very precious to me and I'll never put it out there to be debated or examined just because.  Thirdly, I have a spirit of discernment and I never want to offend who God may allow me to draw one day.  So it a nutshell, now was not the time.

 

This scripture really helped me not to skip the assignment.  I felt God wanted me to give a soft answer and maybe this would help the instructor remove this assignment for future classes and show my classmates that just because you have the opportunity to speak doesn't mean we should always take it. We should always be led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14) and follow peace (Hebrews 12:14) as much as we can.  I pray this helps someone and blesses you real good.

 

 

 

It's Okay...

God if You say it then it is so.  Say what? Say anything.  This is how I feel and hope you feel too. My heart like many of us, overflows with cares and circumstances.  So much so that my mind doesn't get to process one single thought. No, one thought leads to another thought, to another thought, which leads to an overwhelming feeling and heartache.  Not necessarily because something is gravely bad, but just that it's a lot to bear.

I know better than to think I can sort out everything myself.  I'm not that great. But God!  God can tell me if everything is okay. He can tell me that my husband is doing fine, that my son is just experiencing growing pains, that this is just a sensitive day for my oldest daughter, that it's okay to feel worn out by my youngest two children, that my family will survive this hard time that has befallen us, and that my granddad is flourishing.  Yes, He makes all of that and then some okay.

It's not okay because God has promised this great miracle or that I know some inside secret.  That's not at all the case, but what I know is this.  With God anything is possible. As long as God is with me everything is okay.  So, with all that is on my heart and mind, I lay it at the altar with one simple note... Whatever You decide on each of my situations - if You say it, then it is so.

I truly believe that. It's what makes unbearable things, bearable.  Please remember God is there.  Let Him guide you through.  If you do, I guarantee you'll come out alright.

May God Bless U & Keep U

Are You Living an Acceptable Life?

Are you living an acceptable life? I ask this question because I was reading Romans the 12th chapter and started to think about me. I asked myself; do you fit the bill?  Romans 12:1-2 says:

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."  ~NKJV

I said to myself, are you performing your reasonable service?  After thinking for just a moment, I realized there is room for improvement.  I want to be sure I am acceptable unto God.  The life we live today can be so contrary to what God wants for us.  It is so easy for the cares of this world to overtake us and weigh us down that we no longer consider what God has to say about our daily performance.  The Apostle Paul never lost sight that everyday belonged to God, and as he wrote to the Roman people and encouraged them to see themselves the way God did and still does.

A bit further in chapter 12, Paul gives what I like to call "life bites".  Little pieces of words to live by that can help you live a better life.  In verse 9 he admonishes us to live in love, and in verse 17 he says not to repay evil for evil.  Those two things alone can help many of us in a multitude of situations.  But will we take his advice?  No matter what your answer to that question, the truth is...you should!  Why, because it is acceptable to God.  These life bites are what brings us closer to Him. 

We are accountable for the way we live and the choices we make.  If you have decided to live for Jesus, or want to make that decision today, read the book of Romans and be sure that your life reflects your belief.  Most times the only view of God people get is when they look upon the life of a believer.

May God Bless U and Keep U

Run on...

I have been battling with myself about continuing this blog. Like all things that God has entrusted to us, it's important that we keep His vision and not our own.  I want so badly not to mess up the things of God. I want people to be encouraged and I want everybody to come to this blog and receive the information they are searching for.

After taking some time off I feel not only compelled to continue, but encouraged to run on with the vision God gave me.  

I pray my own strength and ask that you continually make mention of me in your prayers that I stay and WORK in my calling.

God Bless U & Keep U in All Things

What Are You?...

What are you?... I truly can't get over when  people ask me that question. And it all together saddens me.  In other words they're saying; "what is the difference between us.  What do or don't we have in common.  Are you a Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Apostolic, Pentecostal, COGIC, etc?"  My question to them is why? Why does it even matter to you?  Will it make you like or love me any less? Or will you decide depending on my answer if I truly love the Lord, if I have enough faith, if I'm real enough, or if you will ever speak to me again?

I know this isn't a popular topic and many will disagree with me.  I'm okay with that though. I am ready to cut beyond the religious tape and get to the meat and potatoes of things.  I don't and I'm sure others don't need the extra.  Our plate is full.  We are mothers, wives, daughters, workers, coaches, husbands, brothers fathers and christians, among the many other hats we wear.  I don't need to have one more title put on me.  I don't believe the christian organization determines right or wrong. ( I am not venturing into Catholisism, Scientology, Muslims, Mormanism, or those others.) Iwant to be clear that I am only speaking about the organizations that cosider Jesus Christ in His full Glory their core belief system. I consider those, different sections of the body of Christ.  We all have one thing in common for sure and I'm sure if you look deep enough a few others also; we love God, we believe that Jesus came and died for our sins, that He is the son of God and that through Him we can obtain eternal salvation.

I don't discount the ways of any of the bodies of Christ listed above.  But my thought is this; know that we are all part of the body and our congregations and those identical to us don't make up the body as a whole.  In other words, one organizations ways are not the only way to go. (whew, I'm in trouble now!, lol)  Are there some very distinct core things you should have under your belt? Yes, there is. But what religious organization you belong to is not one of them.

Here is my point. The word of God says in 1 Corinthians 12: 12-14:

 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.  For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free —and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.  Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. (NIV)

For the sake of a mental picture imagine this. A picture of a body , I call it Christian.  As I start to name my body parts I start with the Head.  I name is Jesus Christ, because the word says He is our head.  But then I label my  left hand - baptist, and my my other hand -apostolic, and my right foot -cogic, and my left foot - methodist, and so on and so on.  We are all one body under the head of Christ, just different parts.  

And I believe that is okay.  I have sat under some of these organizations and I find for the most part no fault with any of them.  Except some in the faith have no tolerance for other organizations that differ in doctrines.  We should have but one doctrine, and that is the doctrine of Christ.  Love, charity, patience, peace, long suffering, righteousness, holiness, sanctification all under our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Those should be the things we live by.  The word of God is true and I believe God never intended us to be so separate in our thinking.

So where do I stand?  I stand with my feet firmly planted in Jesus. I do believe in the Apostolic way, the way the apostles went and the very words in the book of Acts.  I also believe the Methodist.  There is a method to the Christian life, you can not come to God any kind of way. I also believe in the Baptist.  If Jesus was baptized before the people as an outward show of His devotion to the Heavenly Father, then who are we to disagree.  And so on with the other organizations.  But that is as far as I go. 

It doesn't matter to me the doctrine and dogma of others as long as the core principles line up with the Word of God.  We need to have one very important thing in common, no wavering, and no variances:  Jesus Christ!  Not that He was just a prophet, or a very important historical figure, or that He is one of many gods. But that He is the Savior of this world. That He died on Calvary's Cross.  That He Was, and Is, and Is to Come. That He is the One True Living God. That He sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for us, and that He will one day come again and we will reign with Him in Heaven.  That is what I'm about.  I mean people that mean Jesus. And if we have that in common, then God can work out everything else.

I pray this has helped someone.  Let's not get caught up in religion and tradition as the Pharisees and Sadducees did in the days of Jesus.  People are hurting and they are in need of a Savior not our  own opinions and doctrines. We are to introduce them to Jesus and preach the Good News.  He is the only one that can clean us up and put us on the right path.  I would sit with any one of the Christian organizations as long as they had a good solid foundation and the true Word of God was going forth.  That's all it takes. But, I am not a babe in Christ and I can rightly divide the Word for myself.  Many can't and are unsure and  don't know which way to go.  Help them go the way God planned, not how we think they should go.  I have seen people not fellowship or speak to others because they differed in organizations.  But that is wrong, and a trick of the enemy to keep us divided.  

The above scripture goes on to talk about the members of the body not being fully functional  if it was all the same.  This is true for us too.  We may be different parts but we are one body with one Head, again  that is Jesus.  When someone asks you that question; What are you? Your answer should be, A follower of Christ. That is enough!

I pray no one is offended and that my words and thoughts are received in love. That I am a helper to my bretheren.  God Bless you.

Welcome...

I would like to welcome you to All Things by Prayer!  I look forward to sharing the Word of God with you, helping to bring you into the full knowledge of Christ, and all out lifting up the Name of Jesus! 

I believe the Word of God is a Word of simplicity meant to help and not hinder our lives. The key to a healthy life is a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  As I share with you the Gospel of Christ I want to ensure you that your spiritual life will not only flourish but grow.  I believe God inspired me to name this blog All Things by Prayer because prayer is the foundation of a great relationship with God.  It's how we intimately communicate with Him and one of the ways He communicates with us. 

I will share my experiences, family, revelations, and thoughts with you.  I pray you will do the same.  I believe there is something for everyone here. The believer, the nonbeliever, one that is searching, the saint, the sanctified, the sinner, those that are in leadership, and the lay persons. 

God has a Word for all of us, and most times it's not by what comes out of our mouths, but by experiences and being examples to others.   Join me as I work out my own soul salvation with fear and trembling, as I praise God, as I lift up my hands in worship, and as I myself grow in the Lord.

I have put my hand to the plow.  I won't let go and I"m not looking back!
 (see Luke 9:62)



~God Bless You