God of the "Steady"

John 8:12 NIV

12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Genesis 49: 24,25

“But his bow remained steady...because of the Almighty…”

Psalm 57:7 “My heart is steadfast, O God…”

steady: firmly fixed, supported, or balanced; not shaking or moving.

steadfast: resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering.

Lord, today I realize  that I can remain “steady” because You are “steady.” The disciples became un-”steady” when they looked at the waves. (their circumstances) But even then,YOU, THE STEADY ONE, brought them back to “steady” when You said, "Peace, BE STILL!" to their storm. You can do that everyday for me.

Lord, teach me to keep my eyes upon you and to “stay in the steady!” AMEN

From “Praying the Names of God” (a great book!) by Ann Spangler:

“Remember the next time you’re tempted to doubt God’s promises. Nothing can prevent...our Almighty God, from carrying out his plans and pouring out his blessings on those who belong to him. Pain there will be, confusion, struggle, and difficulty, but God can use even these to bless us as long as we trust him.”

Pressing Towards the Blessing Pt 2

So my friend, Pastor Perry Bell from CO shared today and I asked if I could share his thoughts with you.  He said, "Absolutely!" and I'm glad because I think he is right on!  You will notice that I had a blog entry that was entitled "Pressing Towards the Blessing Pt 1" and so it was just begging for a part 2!  I think Pastor Perry's thought are appropriate for the part 2.  Oh and keep reading after his thoughts as I have posted some important prayer requests below!

Walking in His Will

Wednesday, 14 January 2015
Exodus 33:13-15
Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in your sight.  And consider that this nation is Your people".  And the Lord said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."  Then Moses said to Him, "If Your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here."

Moses was the man!  I absolutely love the way in which he dialogues with God.  I mean really! Moses says to the Lord, "show me Your way," not "look at my way, this is the way I want to go."  In fact, he continues by telling the Lord, "if You do not go with, I want no part of it!  I only want to be where you are!"   

I am going to reframe something for you that you have been told time and time again by preachers and even by me.  You have heard many times about "inviting God to walk with you every day"...and even "The Lord be with you...and also with you."   Let me switch that up a bit.

Maybe the issue isn't saying a prayer asking God to bless the steps we have chosen for our lives.  Maybe we should change our prayers and hour hearts to stay with God....instead of asking Him to stay with us!  Maybe we should ask Him to each us, to show us His way!   Maybe the blessing should be: "Be with the Lord....and you also!"  Maybe we need to return to "Thy Will be done"instead of "My will be done."

If we are following the Lord instead of asking Him to follow us around, we can enjoy everything that He has promised for us...His love, His grace, His power, His might, His protection and provision!  There is an incredible freedom in allowing the Lord to have control in our decisions and the direction in our lives.

So let me encourage you and challenge you today.  Speak candidly and honestly with the Lord today.  Walk in His presence, rather than expecting Him to walk in yours!

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus...look full in His wonderful face!
And the things on earth will go strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace."

Be Well, Do Good Work...and
Be Blessed Like Crazy!
Pastor Perry
Destination Ministries
www. DestinationOnline.org

Prayers for Wyoming
revised January 14, 2015

for our Elected Officials;  for the 63rd WY Legislature which convened on Tuesday, January 13
for unity in the Church of Wyoming
for salvation for those who do not know Christ
that the House of Prayer Movement in Wyoming will grow;  please pray for Wyoming House of Prayer, Cheyenne;
LIGHT House of Prayer, Laramie; Sheridan House of Worship and Prayer (SHOWAP)
for those who are homeless in WY, especially during these very cold days                                                  
for President Obama, Vice President Biden, Supreme Court, Congress

SPECIAL PRAYER FOR THE WY 63rd Legislature:  Lord, bring EVERY Legislator to the knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior!

Wyoming on THE NIGHTWATCH, Friday, January 30, 10pm-Saturday, January 31, 4am. 
Please join us in prayer for our Nation.  To join the call,

Dial:712-432-0075

Code: 4961322#

I could really use 2-3 strong intercessors on each of the "watches" that night:  10pm-12mid; 12midnight-2am; 2-4am
If you'd be willing to make a sacrifice and join me on one of these watches, please email me: prayer4ce@aol.com

It is difficult to carry the call when so few are willing to pray out loud, so please consider it!  Thanks!

Gina

Pressing Toward the Blessing Part 1

Hosea 6:3 New International Version (NIV)

3 Let us acknowledge the Lord;
    let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
    he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
    like the spring rains that water the earth.”

Hosea 6:3 New Living Translation (NLT)

3 Oh, that we might know the Lord!
    Let us press on to know him.
He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn
    or the coming of rains in early spring.”

I have begun my week with a struggle...a struggle for significance, a struggle for strength, as struggle for courage.  I have asked the Lord some tough questions in my prayer time:  Lord, why me?  Lord, why now?  Lord, how? 

Maybe you are in the same place.  Really, Lord, do our prayers make any difference?  Really, Lord, will anything ever change? 

I can tell you that in my struggle, I hear the Lord saying  one thing to me over and over again: "Gina, DON'T GIVE UP!  KEEP GOING!"  This one "word" from the Lord is the thing that keeps me pressing toward the blessing.  Even when the things that the Lord asks of me don't make any sense, the words "DON'T GIVE UP!" press me forward.

The Lord led me to Hosea 6:3 in my  prayer time this morning.  The word "press" in the Hebrew is "radaph" which can be translated "chase" or "run after."  Am I willing to "press" towards the blessing even on these bleak days?  Oh, Lord, may it be so!

Prayer:  Lord, help us to keep pressing towards the blessing. When life is difficult, we know that our spiritual muscles are being strengthened.  Thank You for the difficult times that teach us to persevere.  May we give praise to You even in the hard places...

Blessings,  Gina