When U Pray

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31–32, NIV)  

Once again, we find ourselves asking: how is Satan in the room? And did y’all see that Jesus said He would pray for us? I’ve seen that scripture over and over, but as I have been studying more of the Word, it keeps showing me Jesus’s heart.

As I read more of the Bible, I’m finding that Satan often talked to God. So that leads me to think: if Satan can make time for God, why can’t I?

“Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” (Luke 18:1, NIV)  

It is written that we should pray—that’s where we go to God with our petitions and make our requests known, so He can hear us and prepare the blessings He has for us. Prayer allows us to talk to God, and fasting allows us to hear from Him. We should do both: fast and pray.

But there is more.

The Bible says that Satan is a liar, a thief, and a destroyer, and his goals are to kill, steal, and destroy. The Bible also reminds us often that Satan is always looking for someone to devour, roaming about like a lion. That sounds intense, doesn’t it? But what does that look like in real life? Jesus acknowledged to Simon Peter that Satan had asked God to sift the disciples—that means to tear them down, right? Or shake them up in their faith? But did y’all see what Jesus said next? The enemy wants to send destruction into your life. Y’all know the destructors:

– Infidelity

– Lack of education

– Lack of funds

– No employment or underemployment

– Children at risk

– Aging parents

– Lack of affordable housing

– Mental health concerns

And that’s just to name a few.

Then, there is the good news:

“But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31–32, NIV)

A hallelujah goes right there! Jesus Himself is praying for us. It brings to mind the scripture that says the suffering of today doesn’t compare to what we will receive. What we go through will make us better and stronger to help our brothers.

“We have sufferings now, but these are nothing compared to the great glory that will be given to us. Everything that God made is waiting with excitement for the time when He will show the world who His children are. The whole world wants very much for that to happen.” (Romans 8:18–19, ERV)  

Having a relationship with Jesus is life-changing. We’re talking about a Savior who gave up His life for us and continues to intercede even after death. If you are reading this: never give up, never give in, but always pray.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6, NIV)  

Lastly, He said: “And when you come back, strengthen your brothers.”

Why you ask? Because we are only as strong as our weakest link.

“And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you. With God’s power working in us, He can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of.” (Ephesians 3:18–20, ERV)  

During this time of fasting and praying, I have been studying one scripture more than any other. Jesus went to fast and pray—guess who wouldn’t let Him do it in peace? The enemy, who comes to kill, steal, and destroy.

How many times have you been praying to God, and all kinds of thoughts show up to break your connection? You may not be praying for forty days—maybe it’s just a morning prayer of thankfulness—and here comes the enemy. His job is to keep you from fully connecting to God because he knows that if you are fully connected, you are unstoppable. When you are able to press your way forward in any situation, nothing is impossible. Don’t get discouraged—start again and keep starting over until you can focus. The Bible doesn’t say *if* you pray, but it continually reminds us to *always* pray:

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬  

[Source](https://bible.com/bible/111/1th.5.16-18.NIV)

So I say to you: Keep memorizing scripture. It doesn’t have to be long—just the Word of God. The Word is able to keep you from falling. The enemy may not offer you a kingdom, but he may tell you that no one loves you. That’s when you tell him that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. If the enemy tells you that you can’t do it, remind him that nothing is impossible with Christ Jesus. If the enemy tells you that you won’t make it, you tell him that all things in your life work together for your good because you love the Lord and are called according to His purpose:

“For with God, nothing will be impossible.”  

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭37‬ ‭NKJV‬  

[Source](https://bible.com/bible/114/luk.1.37.NKJV)

God’s words speak life, so always remember the power that is in your tongue and use it to win the fight against the enemy. Never forget that the enemy has a job to do: destroy you. You also have a job to do: trust God!  

Be steadfast and immovable in your faith:  

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”  

‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭58‬ ‭NKJV‬  

[Source](https://bible.com/bible/114/1co.15.58.NKJV)

Prayer has so many benefits for the believer. 

1. **Spiritual Growth**:Prayer strengthens one’s connection to God, deepens faith, and provides clarity in understanding His will.

2. **Inner Peace and Focus**: Prayer helps calm the mind and brings peace amidst chaos.  Time in prayer can refocus thoughts and combat distractions from the enemy.

3. **Resilience and Strength**: Prayer equips believers with the strength to persevere through trials. Being steadfast in prayer makes one “unstoppable” when fully connected to God.

4. **Power of Words**: Prayer lets us speak life into situations and use the Word of God to counter the enemy’s lies. 

5. **A Lifeline for Gratitude**: Prayer fosters a thankful heart and provides opportunities to rejoice and give thanks, as mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

“What if just a few minutes in prayer each day could transform your heart and perspective?”

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“The devil said, ‘If you will bow down and worship me, I will give you all these things.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Get away from me, Satan! The Scriptures say, “You must worship the Lord your God. Serve only Him!”’ (Deuteronomy 6:13). So the devil left Him.

Then some angels came to Jesus and helped Him.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭ERV
https://bible.com/bible/406/mat.4.9-11.ERV

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Hold on, family—we’re getting to the part where some angels came to help! Y’all, that sentence made my soul shout because help is on the way.

I know it’s hard. I know that all of us are fighting through something at any time. I can’t measure my pain against yours because there is no comparison; we are all suffering in our own way. But then—the angels come and help. It is written that God will always be with us and be our ever-present help.

I would challenge you to not compare where you are in life against Social Media guidelines. When you snap a picture in time everything is always picture perfect. They have the cutest clothes, the newest bag, the best makeup, the most organized house, the cleanest laundry, the perfect kids, all of their recipes tie out perfect and have no fat. Even their pets are the best clothes wearing, sunglasses wearing pets in the world. None of that is sustainable, it’s a picture in time and should not be used to measure how you are doing. What has God asked of you? What does God want you to do? Do those things and measure yourself against the one who matters. The one provides, Jehovah Jireh or the one who sees you, El Ro, that’s who will be your ever present help during times of trouble.

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“The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
The righteous run to it and are safe.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭10‬ ‭NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.18.10.NKJV

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Don’t despair. Don’t be discouraged. And don’t you dare think about giving up—help is always available.

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“It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭65‬:‭24‬ ‭NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/isa.65.24.NKJV

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And that’s just how it is!

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“Then the devil led Jesus to the top of a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and all the wonderful things in them. The devil said, ‘If You will bow down and worship me, I will give You all these things.’”
Matthew 4:8–9 (ERV)

It’s the audacity for me. The enemy is offering to give Jesus all the things He already possesses. How many times have we been caught in that trap, where someone offers us something that seems amazing, and we step off our path to pursue what we already have?

Take marriage, for example. How many people have stepped outside their marriage—perhaps a woman searching for a good man, only to realize she already had one but failed to appreciate him until it was too late? Or vice versa: a man seeking qualities in another woman that his wife already possessed. This is exactly how the enemy operates: by deceiving us into believing that what we have is not enough.

“A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good.”
John 10:10 (ERV)

The enemy comes to steal your joy, steal your peace, kill your dreams, kill your future, and destroy your mind. But stay focused—the end of this verse reminds us that Jesus came to give us life, life that is full and good.

If, like me, you are embarking on a fast for Lent, stay vigilant and stay focused. The enemy will try to undermine your commitment, but don’t let him. Be steadfast and immovable in your purpose. This time is meant to strengthen you, not to weaken you.

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, stand strong. Don’t let anything change you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord. You know that your work in the Lord is never wasted.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 (ERV)

“Now, brothers and sisters, be filled with joy. Try to make everything right, and do what I have asked you to do. Agree with each other, and live in peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭11‬ ‭ERV‬‬

“And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.6.13.NKJV

Father, this is my prayer: protect my mind and my heart so that I do not sin against You. Lord, clean me up and renew the right spirit in me. Lord, I want to walk in Your will and in Your way. Lord, as we look to You for protection, we also look to You for direction. It’s not easy down here; there are so many distractions and misdirections that I have to rely on You, God. Light the path, but not only that, Lord, help me have blinders so Your light is the only light I see. Lord, when I fall short, please forgive me and then heal what is broken in me so that I would never sin against You again. Lord, I cannot do anything without Your power working in me, and so I stand firm in Your word that says:

“for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/114/php.2.13.NKJV

Lord, continue the work You have begun in me and allow me to be a blessing to the people You place in my path. Allow me to be who I am in YOU! Allow me to walk in my purpose for Your glory.

“being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬-‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/114/php.1.6-11.NKJV

I ask this prayer by faith, in the name of Jesus, Amen. 

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:10, 12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.6.10-12.NIV

Now, who is brave enough to ask God to allow His will to be done in their life on earth as it is in heaven? That’s a level of trust that borders on scary. I know we think we are ready for that, but praying that prayer means that your relationship with God is strong. Asking God’s will to be done means obedience. It means that even if you don’t understand, you still have to move. His will on earth means following the laws of Jesus all the way. His will means you have to forget everything you know and trust His knowledge.

The next part is even scarier: having to forgive everyone, even people who aren’t sorry. The way it’s worded, it sounds like we ask for forgiveness so we can be forgiven.

“Yes, if you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, then your Father in heaven will also forgive your wrongs.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:14‬ ‭ERV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/406/mat.6.14.ERV

This prayer is so powerful because it covers all the things we need God to do for us AND it gives us direction on how to activate God on our behalf.

So this is my rendition: allow God to direct your path. He knows the plans He has for you, so why not follow it? Forgive easily. No one is immune from mistakes, so forgive people and allow them the same grace you would expect from God.

“All have sinned and are not good enough to share God’s divine greatness.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:23‬ ‭ERV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/406/rom.3.23.ERV

So I said all that to say this:

Trust God!

“Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. With every step you take, think about what He wants, and He will help you go the right way. Don’t trust in your own wisdom, but fear and respect the Lord and stay away from evil.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-7‬ ‭ERV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/406/pro.3.5-7.ERV

“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’”

—Matthew 6:9-10 (NIV)

[Link to Matthew 6:9-10](https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.6.9-10.NIV)

When I think about prayer, I am reminded that I don’t need to complicate it. Our God is able to hear us in the middle of our mess. The Holy Spirit stands in the gap for us.

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”

—Romans 8:26-27 (NIV)

[Link to Romans 8:26-27](https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.8.26-27.NIV)

As humans, we tend to complicate simple things, like prayer. Jesus taught us how to pray in Matthew 6, and it covers all of our needs. It simply starts with acknowledging that God is our Father and that He sits on the throne in heaven. It recognizes that we honor Him and give reverence to His name. It recognizes that we want His will to be done in our lives on earth as it is in heaven. Simple!

The hard part comes when we try to figure it out, when we want God to be our co-pilot. If He is the co-pilot, you should switch seats and see how much better your life can be.

So let’s keep it simple and get this part in our hearts.

“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’”

—Matthew 6:9-10 (NIV)

[Link to Matthew 6:9-10](https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.6.9-10.

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This story is in the book of Job, but I’m not going to focus on Job; I’m focused on who was in the room.

“Then the day came for the angels to meet with the Lord. Even Satan was there with them.”
‭‭Job‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭ERV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/406/job.1.6.ERV

This verse made me think of another verse. When I got to the second line of this verse, my mind wanted to know why Satan was in the room. If I understand the word correctly, Satan and all the people who believed in him were kicked out of heaven. If I understand correctly, this means he should not have had access to God and the other angels anymore. I said if I understand correctly, but the Holy Spirit reminded me of another verse.

“Yes, I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not death, life, angels, or ruling spirits. I am sure that nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us or nothing below us—nothing in the whole created world—will ever be able to separate us from the love God has shown us in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭38‬-‭39‬ ‭ERV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/406/rom.8.38-39.ERV

Because Satan originally belonged to God, our God still hears him. I shouted …. I mean, can you understand the implications of this? Can you imagine how many times we believe our sin will keep God from hearing our prayers, how many times we believed that God would not be there? This scripture reminds us that NOTHING can separate us from God’s love. Look at what Satan has done, he set himself up as a god but still has access because, in my sanctified mind, our God is waiting for him to come back to the fold. Our God can’t lie, so when he said nothing can separate us, he meant that.

So I tell you this, don’t let guilt, shame, and despair keep you from coming into the room. When God calls for his people, that includes you. You were created in His image and His likeness. He knew before the creation of the world that you would not be perfect. He knew you would fall short, and He made concessions for you. Never feel as if you can’t come to God. I don’t care what you did or what was done to you—you belong to Him.

“All have sinned and are not good enough to share God’s divine greatness. They are made right with God by his grace. This is a free gift. They are made right with God by being made free from sin through Jesus Christ.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭ERV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/406/rom.3.23-24.ERV

I love you, on purpose. Come on in the room!

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“I will stand like a guard and watch. I will wait to see what the Lord will say to me. I will wait and learn how He answers my questions. The Lord answered me, ‘Write down what I show you. Write it clearly on a sign so that the message will be easy to read.’”
— Habakkuk 2:1-2 ERV

It’s early January 2025, and many of us have created new vision boards or prayer boards. Many of us are believing God for various things like good health, increased wealth, safety and security, as well as restoration in our relationships. With that being said, it’s important to remember what God has told us to do while we wait. Remember the benefits of waiting on His Word.

“But those who trust in the Lord will become strong again. They will be like eagles that grow new feathers. They will run and not get weak. They will walk and not get tired.”
— Isaiah 40:31 ERV

Our God is able to sustain us in any situation, so if things are not working the way you think they should, don’t give up hope, don’t get frustrated, and don’t trust your own understanding. If God said it, it shall be.

“Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. With every step you take, think about what He wants, and He will help you go the right way.”
— Proverbs 3:5-6 ERV

“In the same way, my words leave my mouth, and they don’t come back without results. My words make the things happen that I want to happen. They succeed in doing what I send them to do.”
— Isaiah 55:11 ERV

I just need to remind you that when you wrote that vision for you and your family, it’s because you have great expectations from God. Don’t let up, don’t stop believing, and don’t look back; remember, you are not going that way. As believers, we have to stand even in the face of adversity. We have to remember that OUR GOD is ABLE! I know that even while waiting there will be challenges, but that’s not our problem to solve. These battles are not ours; they belong to God, and He is able to handle them way better than we can.

“I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is.”
— Ephesians 3:17-18 ERV
(Bible link)

I don’t know about you, but I love the Word of God, and I am not ashamed to admit it. Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, I can tell you that, for me, there’s nothing like a good worship service where the choir starts singing, and the Holy Spirit comes in.

It’s nothing like those days when the choir starts singing songs that speak to your circumstances, and then the song reminds you of how good God is. The song reminds you that God is going to make whatever you are going through, alright.

I think about the song “We Will Understand It Better By and By” by Charles Albert Tindley in 1905. The beat gets your feet moving, and the songstress usually starts the song acapella, telling us how they got tossed and driven by life. The songstress references the bad weather we face and then moves on to tell us that those dark skies are a foretelling of sunshine, and if we just hold on, we will understand it better by and by. Then the choir joins in on a tight beat and sings the hook about overcoming.

1. We are often tossed and driv'n on the restless sea of time; Somber skies and howling tempests oft succeed a bright sunshine; In that land of perfect day, when the mists have rolled away, We will understand it better by and by. Refrain: By and by, when the morning comes, All the saints of God are gathered home, We will tell the story of how we've overcome, We will understand it better by and by.

Yeah, baby, that’s it. Now, sitting in the audience, we are on our feet singing loudly about how we will tell our story of how we made it over, and we will all understand it better by and by. Did I say loudly? Lol.

I used to sing the song and enjoy it; then I lived a little bit. After life grabbed me and shook my soul, I learned to sing it from my soul. Now I have a complete understanding that we WILL understand it better by and by, and that we will tell our story of how we overcame.

I used to wonder why things didn’t work out the way I wanted them to. I would get upset and question God’s love for me. I used to wonder why I didn’t get that promotion until God showed me that I wasn’t ready for it. When I was ready, I got the promotion, and it was better than I imagined. I was able to be successful. God helped me understand that had I got it before I was ready, I would have failed. That’s the bye and bye.

I think about when my marriage was out of alignment. Everything failed, and I mean everything, until we got right with God. My relationships were failing until we gave them to God. Once we committed to God, our marriage prospered. God showed me why it was failing; that’s the bye and bye. I’ll be transparent: it was failing because I made my husband my God, and I was out of alignment. God showed me that once the alignment was right, we could be stronger than ever, and my marriage is something I used to dream and pray about. The bye and bye…

“The Lord says, “My thoughts are not like yours. Your ways are not like mine. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts are higher than your thoughts. “Rain and snow fall from the sky and don’t return until they have watered the ground. Then the ground causes the plants to sprout and grow, and they produce seeds for the farmer and food for people to eat. In the same way, my words leave my mouth, and they don’t come back without results. My words make the things happen that I want to happen. They succeed in doing what I send them to do. “So you will go out from there with joy. You will be led out in peace. When you come to the mountains and hills, they will begin singing. All the trees in the fields will clap their hands.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭8‬-‭12‬ ‭ERV‬‬

Link to Bible passage

Every year, we strive to be better than the year before. You see people making resolutions to confirm their choices and vowing to start eating better, working out, managing their money, and so on. Yay for them—it is good to have hope.

“We were saved to have this hope. If we can see what we are waiting for, that is not really hope. People don’t hope for something they already have. But we are hoping for something we don’t have yet, and we are waiting for it patiently. Also, the Spirit helps us. We are very weak, but the Spirit helps us with our weakness. We don’t know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit himself speaks to God for us. He begs God for us, speaking to him with feelings too deep for words.”

[Romans 8:24-26 ERV](https://bible.com/bible/406/rom.8.26.ERV)

For me, I think I’m going to take a few minutes to reflect on the past year, examine my heart and my actions to see where I could have done better, and then make changes in my life. I’ve done the “new year, new me” theme one too many times, and now I need to make some real changes.

“Lord, you have tested me, so you know all about me. You know when I sit down and when I get up. You know my thoughts from far away. You know where I go and where I lie down. You know everything I do. Lord, you know what I want to say, even before the words leave my mouth. You are all around me—in front of me and behind me. I feel your hand on my shoulder. I am amazed at what you know; it is too much for me to understand. Your Spirit is everywhere I go. I cannot escape your presence.”

[Psalms 139:1-7 ERV](https://bible.com/bible/406/psa.139.1-7.ERV)

“God, examine me and know my mind. Test me and know all my worries. Make sure that I am not going the wrong way. Lead me on the path that has always been right.”

‭‭[Psalms 139:23-24 ERV](https://bible.com/bible/406/psa.139.23-24.ERV)

In 2025, I want to appreciate all the things the Lord has done in my life—how HE has kept me, how HE has held my mouth, how HE has stayed my hand, and regulated my mind. I want to concentrate on those things. I’m tired of getting lost in my own mind and trying to figure things out on my own. My faith is big enough to believe God for my future.

“Brothers and sisters, continue to think about what is good and worthy of praise. Think about what is true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. And do what you learned and received from me—what I told you and what you saw me do. And the God who gives peace will be with you.”

‭‭[Philippians 4:8-9 ERV](https://bible.com/bible/406/php.4.8-9.ERV)

Happy New Year 

From where I am sitting, I can’t see a thing.

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I’m not talking about a physical place but a mental space. I’m in a space where I know I need to move forward. I can’t see which way to go. The answers to my questions appear to go unanswered, and I feel as if I am alone in this fight. This is when I know I have to STOP, DROP, AND ROLL!

Stop what I am doing. Did you hear the “I” in that statement? I am making this personal and forgetting that God is in control of my life and everything I need He will provide. I have allowed this thought to consume me, and I’m losing focus on who is truly the head of my life.

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭55‬:‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.55.22.NIV

Drop to my knees. When I find myself acting like this, I have to return to my prayer life. I have to give myself away to God, surrender my will to His. I know I’m frustrated because I keep trying to do His work; I have one job… PRAISE HIM!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/111/pro.3.5-6.NIV

Roll to my feet. Now that I have gotten off my knees, I need to get on my feet and praise the Lord my God for He is good, and His mercy lasts forever.

“But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in thee: They trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: They trusted in thee, and were not confounded.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭22‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.22.3-5.KJV

I normally write these posts as “we,” “us,” and “our,” but this week I need to talk to myself. I have to make it personal because I’m taking things personally, forgetting that God is the author and finisher of my fate, NOT ME! I am forgetting that God inhabits the praises of His people. I have to remember that if I humble myself, pray, seek His face, and turn from my wicked ways, He will hear from me and heal my land. He will do it because He is not a man that He should lie. He will do it because His word makes promises that cannot go unfulfilled, and I know this full well.

“The Lord says, ‘My thoughts are not like yours. Your ways are not like mine. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts are higher than your thoughts. Rain and snow fall from the sky and don’t return until they have watered the ground. Then the ground causes the plants to sprout and grow, and they produce seeds for the farmer and food for people to eat. In the same way, my words leave my mouth, and they don’t come back without results. My words make the things happen that I want to happen. They succeed in doing what I send them to do.’”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭8‬-‭11‬ ‭ERV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/406/isa.55.8-11.ERV

So yeah, I’m reminding myself to STOP, DROP, AND ROLL.

Feel free to join me.

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“In war, prepare for peace; in peace, prepare for war.” –Sun Tzu, The Art of War

“Prepare for war during times of peace,” as my mama would say.

“There is a time to love and a time to hate. There is a time for war and a time for peace.” –Ecclesiastes 3:8 (ERV)

Real talk, I think I’m saying, “Get ready, get ready, get ready!” If you stay ready, you won’t have to get ready.

I’m not sure if you realize it, but it seems we are always having to deal with something: finances, marriages, children, illness, aging parents, lack of energy, weight gain or weight loss—just something. But it’s not what you get dealt; it’s how you deal with it. Do you drown your troubles in drugs and/or alcohol, sex, or shopping? Food or sweets? Or do you over-exercise and stop eating? We all deal how we deal, no judgment, but I would like to offer you a Savior who can help.

“God is our protection and source of strength. He is always ready to help us in times of trouble. So we are not afraid when the earth quakes and the mountains fall into the sea. We are not afraid when the seas become rough and dark and the mountains tremble. Selah” –Psalms 46:1-3 (ERV)

To activate that help:

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have.” –Philippians 4:6 (ERV)

That’s it. It’s not nearly as simple as it sounds, but in the end, it is. We have to realize in our own power we are powerless, but in God’s power, nothing is impossible.

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘This is something that people cannot do. But God can do anything.’” –Matthew 19:26 (ERV)

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How many of you feel like life with all of its ebbs and flows have left you feeling disillusioned?

Disillusioned noun

1. disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed it to be.”enthusiasm soon turned into disillusion.
   

I stopped by this morning to tell you it’s ok to feel that way, it happens. Life is tricky and filled with twists and turns. Life often reminds you of one of those psychological thrillers where you have to watch every second or you miss something important that helps you understand what’s happening. The horrible part is in real life there is no rewind, you can’t pause it to allow your brain to catch up. You have to keep going and often you don’t have all the information you need, this is when frustration sets in and disillusionment begins. 

But don’t despair.. I came to give you the Good News. YOU WIN! If you flip to the back of the book, you win.  

“However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him—”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/111/1co.2.9.NIV

““I am with you, and I will protect you everywhere you go. I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised.””

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭28‬:‭15‬ ‭ERV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/406/gen.28.15.ERV

“So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?””

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/111/heb.13.6.NIV

And my absolute favor reminder of Gods love.  When it says to him who is able, I get chills .. it’s like a reminder that he is always there, watching, coordinating and loving me. 

“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.”

‭‭Jude‬ ‭1‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/111/jud.1.24-25.NIV

“God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.46.5.NIV

Oh how wonderful it is to know that because of who God is, I am good. Not like Usher Raymond’s song  we ain’t good but we good good, it’s more like 

: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.46.1.NIV

And then he says:

“Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.46.2-3.NIV

Imagine, the entire earth can shake and mountains can fall into the sea but if you have God in you, you will not fail!

 A hallelujah goes right there for me. There is a blessed assurance in knowing that God is with you. 

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.8.31.NIV

I’m not sure about you, but for me, reading the Word and understanding who God is and what he stands for, yeah, I get excited. I mean think about it, when he says he got you, he means that. He says stuff like, Try me, take my word for it and see won’t I do it. He says stuff like anything you need, ask in my name, it SHALL be given to you. Imagine God whispering in your heart, if you would just have faith like a mustard seed, the smallest grain, you can speak to that mountain your life and tell it to move and it WILL move! 

I don’t know what mountain you are facing today, but I know who has your back and he is telling you to go for it. He is reminding you that Nothing is impossible for you, if you have him.

You know how easy it is to have him?

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.10.9-10.NIV

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”

‭‭Malachi‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/111/mal.3.10.NIV

“You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/111/jhn.14.14.NIV

“He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭17‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.17.20.NIV