El Elyon, The Most High God, as I awake this morning, I give You glory, honour, praise and thank You for all You’ve done, all You’re doing and all You intend to do.
Today, I thank You that I am able to rest in Your presence. No matter what is going on around me, I can rest assured that my life is still in Your Hands. May all continue to be well with my soul, as I surrender to You.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you.
Isaiah 43:2 (AMP)
27 Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]
John 14:27 (AMP)
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]
John 16:33 (AMP)
20 Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament),
21 Strengthen (complete, perfect)and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages).
Attending a Sickle Cell Support Group, I left (once it had finished) feeling quite angry. Feeling like a non-entity, as though I didn’t really matter.
Much of the initial 30 minutes, was taken up with discussing the lack of attention or concern that is shown for people of Sickle Disease and what it is that we have to go through in our lives, which I totally agreed with. Only to be met by the second half of the discussion where we were made aware of clinical trials of new medications to hopefully be made available. The clinical trials are all very good but my anger was at the fact that it is only for people who are carriers of HbSS and NOT HbSC. It is thought that HbSC carriers don’t have many problems. Some do not have any problems or are only aware of themselves being carriers when they have reached the age of 60 years old!!! Well, lucky them! I have HbSC; have had a stroke; have (too frequent) crises; have epilepsy, as a result of the stroke (apparently); have Avascular Necrosis in both shoulders; have stage four proliferative sickle cell retinal; and deafness in both ears (more so the right, being investigated now even though I’ve had it for approximately 12 years): But, yeah, I shouldn’t be considered for a trial!!! I know I’m not the only one with HbSC that has this many problems, because two of my brothers have HbSC. One doesn’t appear to have problems but it’s hard to decipher because he has another illness, which I won’t go into here, but my youngest brother seems to be going through a stage where he’s having very frequent crises. It’s not, by any means, something that can be ignored or forgotten about! In my view this should be looked at in a case by case manner.
Symptoms of Sickle Cell
Anaemia – red blood cells cannot carry enough oxygen around the body, because of its sickle shape;
Blood clots – the abnormal cells clump together and block blood vessels;
hands and feet (mostly in children)
Ribs and breastbone
Spine
Pelvis
Tummy
Legs and arms
Lethargy
Joints
Bones
Additional symptoms
Acute Chest Syndrome;
Increased risk of serious infections;
Leg ulcers;
Pulmonary Hypertension;
Strokes and Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIAs);
Swelling of the spleen; and several other things
I obtained this list from the NHS website, so that I could provide a fuller list, but it isn’t extensive. There are probably many other symptoms that haven’t been recorded. These are the ones to their knowledge. I say this because symptoms that I have had do not seem to have any apparent reason (or maybe I’m to personally put it down to the Sickle Cell), I know I’m not imagining things!
Personal Affect
Over the years, as a single mother, I’ve always dealt with crises by myself, rather than go to the hospital. I can count on my two hands the numbers times I’ve gone in, not because there was no severity to the pain but because I didn’t want to. Some may say, my pain can’t have been that bad because I would have had to go in if it was, but that’s not the case! If you feel you have no alternative but to manage at home, then that is what you do. I am by no means complaining because that was my decision, as I had responsibilities. I’ve used hot-water bottles, self-medicated (which doesn’t seem to work), prayed and cried myself to sleep, too many times. I suffer in silence but by the grace of God, I’m still here! When I say the medication doesn’t work, I have to take it for days, maybe five, before it takes effect, and the pain starts to subside; to this day, I’m not sure if it’s because the pain is ready to go or if the medication is starting to work and the Crisis comes to an end. The pain is so bad that I have to slide along the floor to get to the toilet or downstairs but still that’s not enough to be considered to take part in a trial. Then there’s the lethargy…….What does one have to do or what has to happen before research is carried out for us (HbSC sufferers).
Admittedly, in my younger years, I may have had things occurring and felt anger at Doctors wanting to put everything down to Sickle Cell Disease, as though that’s the only thing that could go wrong with our bodies. However, It’s also quite disconcerting that not enough credence is given to every sufferer of this disease; realising that we are all individuals and we can’t all be batched into three groups: HbSC, HbSS or HbAC/HbAS (the latter two HbAC and HbAS are traits). A friend of mine has said that it goes a lot deeper than that and there are many other groups, but I’m not concerned with them. It may be thought that I’m being as bad as the Doctors, but isn’t it their job to look at these problems? Is that not what they are paid to do? If they don’t do it, who can? They have the resources and the knowledge to research these things. It’s obvious that research is not being done because neither myself nor my brother have done a survey or been asked any or enough questions. How do they collate their information in the first place? Do they just do a spot check of medical records and go with the majority, not caring about the few? Do all Doctors do extensive records of symptoms we are experiencing. I know there have been a few occasions when I have received letters outlining our appointments and things have been relayed differently to how I have said them.
Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia Network
Looking at a website for Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Support, I found annual reports up to 2016 to 2017. We are now in 2021. I know we have to ignore last year but there are a couple of years in between the last year and where we are now. I am glad that it is being recognised that sufferers of this disease require support. Are things moving too slowly? I believe they are. Sufferers are not even recognised as needing to have a good supply of pain medication, so do not receive free prescriptions. However, we were recognised enough to be considered as vulnerable and needing to be locked down. Vulnerable only in some instances! On one hand it is recognised but on the other we aren’t. Why? In the past year, for several months, I have seen (for the first time), adverts about Sickle Cell Disease! They are a good thing but they need to provide just a bit more information, other than the need for blood. There have been a few occasions where Doctors have spoken up on the news and a mention has been made on soaps. Good, but still not enough. If you were to stop fifty people on the street, and give a list of a few diseases, the majority would not have a clue what Sickle Cell Disease was or if they had heard the name, wouldn’t have bothered to look it up. Apparently the Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia Network has been around for 40 years but not much is known about them and what they actually do. They need to be our voice and start shouting in the right places! In a previous post I mentioned, Evan Nathan Smith, aged 21 years old, died whilst in hospital being ignored and not receiving adequate attention and treatment. This happened in 2019; not 10 years ago but just over one. My brother went to the A&E department of St Mary’s hospital, in Crisis, and was asked to leave…they didn’t feel he was sick enough to be there. He has also been to hospitals in Birmingham and elsewhere, but is treated as though he may not need medication (if you get my meaning!) This may have occurred in 2019. We are in the first quarter of 2021. Please let me know when things are going to get better!
Concluding
At the end of the day, it’s a sad situation because I, and others like me, didn’t ask to be born with this disease but we’re left to muddle on, accept and deal with what is thrown our way; the pain, the malfunction of our bodies all on our own.
Abba Father, I look to You this morning and spiritually lift You up. I give You all the adoration, glory, honour, praise and give thanks for Your tender mercies. I worship You in both spirit and truth. Forgive me of my sins of thoughts, words and deeds and put within me the ability to forgive those who have sinned against me.
Today, as I meditate on Your Word, my Manual for life, I ask that You open my heart, mind, soul and my spirit. May every word, story, phrase and situation I come across, be ingested and digested, so I will be able to recall and use the appropriate salve for myself and others I may converse with. Fill me up with Your Word to an overflow, by Your Spirit, so I will have the wisdom and understanding that is needed to do Your will. Remove all fear of not being able to retain information or to recall, because Your Holy Spirit will step in whenever required. I pray for all those who are young in age but also young in spirit. May they cling to Your Word and find You revealed to them in a real and undeniable way. May they hear as You call, and may You be audible to those who need to hear Your voice. May they find You as a place of rest, rather than seek comfort from the world.
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be successful.
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:8-9 (AMP)
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 (KJV)
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Matthew 19:14 (NIV)
20 Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament),
21 Strengthen (complete, perfect)and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages).
1 Wait and listen, everyone who is thirsty! Come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Yes, come, buy [priceless, spiritual] wine and milk without money and without price [simply for the self-surrender that accepts the blessing].
2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your earnings for what does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness [the profuseness of spiritual joy].
3 Incline your ear [submit and consent to the divine will] and come to Me; hear, and your soul will revive; and I will make an everlasting covenant or league with you, even the sure mercy (kindness, goodwill, and compassion) promised to David.
4 Behold, I have appointed him (Him)[David, as a representative of the Messiah, or the Messiah Himself] to be a witness [one (One) who shall testify of salvation] to the nations, a prince (Prince) and commander (Commander) to the peoples.
5 Behold, you [Israel] shall call nations that you know not, and nations that do not know you shall run to you because of the Lord your God, and of the Holy One of Israel, for He has glorified you.
6 Seek, inquire for, and require the Lord while He may be found [claiming Him by necessity and by right]; call upon Him while He is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have love, pity, and mercy for him, and to our God, for He will multiply to him His abundant pardon.
8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
12 For you shall go out [from the spiritual exile caused by sin and evil into the homeland] with joy and be led forth [by your Leader, the Lord Himself, and His word] with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; and it shall be to the Lord for a name of renown, for an everlasting sign [of jubilant exaltation]and memorial [to His praise], which shall not be cut off.
El Elyon, The Most High God. El Emunah, Faithful God. My Father and my God. I come before You with thanksgiving in my heart. I give You all the glory, honour and praise. I ask You to forgive me of all sins; seen and unseen; known and unknown; and intentional or unintentional. My God, You know it all. You know everything about me, so there is nothing that I can deny, but I lay myself open to You and ask that You have Your way.
Today, I thank You that no matter where I (or anyone else) is on the face of this earth and no matter the timeline or timeframe; You remain the same. Realising this, I shall go out with joy, because Your glory surrounds me. I remain guided and protected and shall not come into contact with anything or anyone out of my control, because I am covered and secure. I shall speak with boldness and without doubt, no matter the conversation. I will do everything by faith. I acknowledge Your Son Jesus Christ as The Way, to come to You; The Truth, by which I understand, measure things against and do all; and The Life, by which I exist. It is because of this sonship that I can come boldly to Your Throne of Grace. I was bought at a price, therefore, I honour You. Being Your son/daughter I can arise and be led by Your Spirit. I do that now, as I attempt to spread You and Your Word!
16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation [from His wrath and punishment] to everyone who believes [in Christ as Savior], to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed in a way that awakens more faith]. As it is written and forever remains written, “The just and upright shall live by faith.”
Romans 1:31-32 (AMP)
For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, “Abba! Father!”
Romans 8:14-15 (AMP)
You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body.
1 Corinthians 6:20 (AMP)
so that He might redeem and liberate those who were under the Law, that we [who believe] might be adopted as sons [as God’s children with all rights as fully grown members of a family].
Galatians 4:5 (AMP)
3 And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,
“Great and wonderful and awe-inspiring are Your works [in judgment],
O Lord God, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all]; Righteous and true are Your ways, O King of the nations!
4 “Who will not fear [reverently] and glorify Your name, O Lord [giving You honor and praise in worship]? For You alone are holy; For all the nations shall come and worship before You, For Your righteous acts [Your just decrees and judgments] have been revealed and displayed.”
Revelation 15:3-5 (AMP)
20 Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament),
21 Strengthen (complete, perfect)and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages). (So be it)
El Elyon, The Most High God, my Lord and my God, I give You all honour, glory and praise. I thank You for Your covering; I thank You that I am Your creation; I thank you for choosing me; and I thank You for Who You are to me. Please forgive me of all sins, whether they be seen or unseen; known or unknown, by me or others. Refresh my soul and anoint me, once again.
Today, I decree and declare that this week I will be ready to receive a revelation from You, my Lord and my God. Reveal the things within my life and path, which need to be received and those that need to be removed. I am aware of the times we live in and know to Whom I need to look. I ask that Your guidance, love, omniscience, omnipresence and power moves within this earth and personally within my life, visibly. May I begin to move with Your Spirit. Close all avenues to which I have no physical or spiritual strength to resist and open alternatives, giving me Your direction. Where I am weak, my God, be strong. I decree and declare that I will begin to breathe, exist, talk, and step into my calling, as one who is living as a Child of the King. I know my help comes from You, so may I be sensitive and only receptive to Your Spirit. I trust in You.
28 “You will also decide and decree a thing, and it will be established for you; And the light [of God’s favor] will shine upon your ways.
29 “When you are cast down and humbled, you will speak with confidence, And the humble person He will lift up and save.
30 “He will even rescue the one [for whom you intercede] who is not innocent; And he will be rescued through the cleanness of your hands.”
Job 22:28-30 (AMP)
My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:2 (AMP)
“My hand founded and established the earth, And My right hand spread out the heavens; When I call to them, they stand together [in obedience to carry out My decrees].
Isaiah 48:13 (AMP)
10 “Now when you tell these people all these words and they ask you, ‘Why has the Lord decreed all this great tragedy against us? And what is our iniquity, what is the sin which we have committed against the Lord our God?’
11 Then you are to say to them, ‘It is because your fathers have abandoned (rejected) Me,’ says the Lord, ‘and have walked after other gods and have served them and bowed down to the handmade idols and have abandoned (rejected) Me and have not kept My law,
Jeremiah 16:10-11 (AMP)
3 And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,
“Great and wonderful and awe-inspiring are Your works [in judgment],
O Lord God, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all]; Righteous and true are Your ways, O King of the nations!
4 “Who will not fear [reverently] and glorify Your name, O Lord [giving You honor and praise in worship]? For You alone are holy; For all the nations shall come and worship before You, For Your righteous acts [Your just decrees and judgments] have been revealed and displayed.”
Revelations 15:3-5
20 Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament),
21 Strengthen (complete, perfect)and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages).
The dictionary’s explanation for worship is, as a noun, ‘the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity’ or ‘used in addressing or referring to an important or high-ranking person, especially a magistrate or mayor and as a verb, to show reverence and adoration for (a deity).ALL of these are definitions to keep in mind when giving ourselves to YHWH as we approach His throne of grace and giving ourselves to Him. The beauty of the Holy Bible is that He has provided it for us, so that we are able to know how we are to approach Him. The Holy Bible tells us they that worship Him are to do it in spirit and truth.
What IS Worship?
Worship can be so many different things to different people. If someone really loves someone and would do anything for them, they may be criticised for worshipping the ground they walk on. Therefore, we are to do the same, as He is so much more worthy than any person or any thing we can ever meet or ever fathom. In the Book of Exodus when Moses asked The Most High what His name was He responded EHYER ASHER EHYER: I AM WHO I AM. Further translations of this name are I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE; I WILL BE WHO I WILL BE; I WILL PROVE TO BE WHATSOEVER I WILL PROVE TO BE; I WILL BE BECAUSE I WILL BE or I WILL BE WHO I WILL BE. There are several others! What do these translations say to you? Well, they tell me that, He, The Most High God, is above our comprehension. Is outside of anything we can understand. I’ve previously mentioned that man is unable to accept anything that they do not understand, and can often be dismissive. It is because He is unexplainable that He deserves to be feared and treated with reverence. He is to be worshipped just because of who He is. When we worship our Most High God it is with the realisation of who He is, what He has done and what He is capable of. To worship is not just within the walls of a building but it is a lifestyle. It is because of the love and honour that an individual has, and the realisation of who The Most High God is, that we are able to worship Him in spirit and truth. As we praise and worship OR go about our daily lives, we should be able to feel His presence with us and be very aware. If you cannot feel His presence; stop, rewind and start again.
As we see the world around us (ignoring the destruction caused by man) we can see and feel YHWH around us. We see and feel Him in physical things as, the breeze that touches our skin and the moon that lights our way at night and also the near misses we’ve experienced, both known and unknown. How GREAT is our God and how worthy is He to be praised! Our lives are to be laid down before Him, so that we can be used as He wishes. We are given free will (to a certain extent) to make decisions but our lives should be under His jurisdiction.
The Word of God tells us:-
Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, sing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Colossians 3:16 (KJV)
Let us therefore, receiving a kingdom that is firm and stable and cannot be shaken, offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship, with modesty and pious care and godly fear and awe;
Hebrews 12:28
He who believes in Me (who adheres to, trusts in and relies on Me), as the Scripture has said, ‘From his innermost being will flow continually rivers of living water’
John 7:38 (AMP)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Since 2020, each and every person has been touched by its events, in some way. The repercussions of it can be felt now and will never leave us. It has been a time of anger, depression, doubt, fear, heartache and mental, physical and spiritual pain. Just as God tells us, within Scripture, that He is touched by our infirmities He is also aware of all our senses and knows how we have been dealing with things (or not). He’s telling you today to Come just as you are. Don’t delay as it is not known what the day holds, much less tomorrow.
9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this household, because he, too, is a [spiritual] son of Abraham;
10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Luke 19:10 (AMP)
All that My Father gives Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, never reject anyone who follows Me].
John 6:37 (AMP)
What shall we say [to all this]? Should we continue in sin and practice sin as a habit so that [God’s gift of] grace may increase and overflow?
2 Certainly not! How can we, the very ones who died to sin, continue to live in it any longer?
3 Or are you ignorant of the fact that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
4 We have therefore been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory and power of the Father, we too might walk habitually in newness of life [abandoning our old ways].
Romans 6:1-4
In these last days we need to rise up as great and mighty warriors and realise the power that we have been given. We can continually commune with Him. For so long, people have been crying out and predicting the date of His return, but He tells us in His Word that no one shall know when it will be. Therefore, whose report are we to believe? The words of the faithful prayer warrior(s) or maybe the ones who claim to be able to see into the future? Neither! Our Most High God tells us that no man shall know the date of His return but we are to look for the signs. These are throughout His Word. The Holy Bible. Paul advises us in the Books of Thessalonians that we need to be sure that it doesn’t overtake us like a thief in the night. We need to be aware of His coming and not be deceived. The Word to us all at this moment is to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to us. Do not be swayed. Remain focused. The time has come where we need to be girded with the holy armour; from head to toe, inside and out. It’s time to realise what is really important to us as individuals and what needs to be told to those who do not yet believe. Start to think about what it is that you believe. How serious are you about what you believe in? What is it that you know that you know that you know?! For what will you not be moved.
There’s a song that says, Here I am to worship and say that You’re my God. To truly worship we have to know God. Knowing Him will be different things for different people at different stages and times in life. For example, your view, expectancy of yourself and God will change the longer that you serve Him. You should get closer and closer. I say should but that isn’t always the case. Over time people may step away. They step away because God hasn’t given them what they expected or wanted, but what they must understand is that they didn’t truly know Him. Something must have been flawed within the relationship and it wasn’t God! If they truly knew Him, they wouldn’t have stepped away. As humans we are selfish and out for number one, and that can be whether it is intentional or unintentional. Intentionally, we can give what we perceive as our best and then expect God to reciprocate by giving us what we want. We then throw our dummy out of the pram when we don’t. Unintentionally, we can be a victim of circumstance, things happen within our lives and we allow them to get the better of us. Don’t allow either of these to be your portion.
Today, let your prayer be that you want to truly know Him and the full power of His resurrection.
John 10:27 The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me; I know them, and they follow Me.
My Father and my God, the Great Shepherd of Your sheep. I, mentally, spiritually and vocally, lift You up this morning, giving all glory, honour and praise. As I start my day, I request forgiveness of all sins of thoughts, words and deeds, both known and unknown; which only You can provide.
Today, I thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to be the Great Shepherd. I am grateful that, through Him, I am counted as one of Your sheep. I have been through tests, troubles and trials and have much more ahead but, through it all, I look to You to guide me by every still water and restore my soul. I look to be led, fed and set on the straight and narrow path, as I feel myself being blinded by the events and things of the world. I thank You for Your gift of eternal life, which would never have been an option, if He had not suffered and died for me. You have a firm grip, so I will never be snatched from Your hands. You came so that I may have and enjoy life in abundance; meaning to an overflow, so I shall not lack. Help me as I try to cultivate every blessing You have placed within me, so that I can bring a harvest, in due time, for You. I will not be mentally, physically or spiritually bound by anything that is not of You. I will reach out and step into the next phase of my life, with no holds barred. You are able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than I could ever ask! Good health is mine. Guidance is mine. Happiness is mine. Joy is mine. Peace is mine. Prosperity is mine. Protection is mine. A sin free life is mine, as I remain forgiven and covered by the Blood that never loses its power. Whatsoever I need, is mine. No good thing will You withhold from me! There is no need for me to worry or have any fear because You are the ultimate Shield and Protector. I have not physically seen You, but yet, I believe. Help me to stay focused on High.
The young lions lack [food] and grow hungry, but they who seek the Lord will not lack any good thing
Psalm 34:10 (AMP)
19 “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the best of the land;
20 But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword.”For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
Isaiah 1:19-20 (AMP)
27 The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me; I know them, and they follow Me.
28 And I give them eternal life, and they will never, ever [by any means] perish; and no one will ever snatch them out of My hand.
John 10:27-28 (AMP)
For by these He has bestowed on us His precious and magnificent promises [of inexpressible value], so that by them you may escape from the immoral freedom that is in the world because of disreputable desire, and become sharers of the divine nature.
2 Peter 1:4 (AMP)
20 Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament),
21 Strengthen (complete, perfect)and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages).
My Father and my God, I come before You, again, with thanksgiving in my heart. I take this moment to give You all the glory, honour and praise, from the depth of my heart. Please forgive me of all sins, so I may be found worthy to do all the tasks You have set before me.
Today, I ask You to raise up every gift within me, that I may live a life overflowing with Your goodness and be a perfect example of Your saving grace. Your Word tells us to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. However, if we have no love for ourselves, let Your love be the fine example that we follow. Greater love has no man than He Who lay down His life for friends. You have done just that. At times it seems so hard to live a life that would be pleasing to You, but all we have to do is try and You will do the rest; You will take us to the next level.
25 And then a certain lawyer arose to try (test, tempt) Him, saying, Teacher, what am I to do to inherit everlasting life [that is, to partake of eternal salvation in the Messiah’s kingdom]?
26 Jesus said to him, What is written in the Law? How do you read it?
27 And he replied, You must love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.
28 And Jesus said to him, You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live [enjoy active, blessed, endless life in the kingdom of God].
Luke 10:25-28 (AMPC)
8 For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God;
9 not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation].
10 For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].
Ephesians 2:8-10 (AMP)
Your calling is to fulfill the royal law of love as given to us in this Scripture: “You must love and value your neighbor as you love and value yourself!” For keeping this law is the noble way to live.
James 2:8 (TPT)
20 Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament),
21 Strengthen (complete, perfect)and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages).
My Father and my God, I give You all the glory, honour, praise and thank You for presenting another day before me. Again, I leave myself open before You, and ask that You forgive and cleanse me of all sin; whether it be of thought word or deed.
Today, I think of the scripture where You have asked for Your people, who are called by Your Name, to humble themselves, pray and seek Your face. I thank You that I am privileged enough to be counted as one of the chosen. I thank You for giving me to Your Son Jesus Christ, Who came and died on Calvary’s cross, to set me free. It’s only by His grace that this has been made possible. Help me to remember, that through life’s events, tests and trials they are occasions where I can be brought closer to You. Help me to be obedient to You. Ignite Your Spirit within me and make it possible for me to live within Your will and Your way. Today, allow Your glory to shine through me in my walking, talking and very existence. Today, I pray that I may think with Your power. Today, when others look at me, may they see You.
and My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray and seek (crave, require as a necessity) My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear [them] from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (AMP)
2 Just as You have given Him power and authority over all mankind, [now glorify Him] so that He may give eternal life to all whom You have given Him [to be His—permanently and forever].
3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true [supreme and sovereign] God, and [in the same manner know] Jesus [as the] Christ whom You have sent.
John 17:2-3 (AMP)
20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;
21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:
23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
John 17:20-23 (AMP)
20 Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament),
21 Strengthen (complete, perfect)and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages).
Unapologetically Marcia 