Why We Shouldn't Worry About "Unsaved" Loved Ones

One day I was fervently praying for an "unsaved" loved one. Jesus put a peace in my spirit.
Today, I want to explain why we shouldn't worry about our "unsaved" loved ones.

Think of the story of the lost sheep and the lost coin. Don't we know that anytime something is lost, Jesus will go and find it? He will leave the 99 to find the one. You may not see the fruit of God working, but He is working.

Stop worrying. What can be gained by worry? Today has enough trouble of it's own. Just keep loving your loved ones. Keep showing them grace and mercy. Like the prodigal son, they will see that they are lacking and come home. Lift them up in prayer. Keep speaking life into them and planting the seed of hope from the Word of God. Jesus hears you. He is leaving the 99 as we speak.

CONVERSATION WITH A STRANGER

Yesterday, I fought the darkness quite a bit. I really don't want to go into details, but I could feel a tangible heaviness all around me.

The other day I made a video about the love of God. The Word defines love as patient, kind, not easily angered. Love keeps NO record of wrong. Love is not rude. Love is not self seeking. Love does not delight in evil. Love protects, hopes, and perseveres. The Bible defines God as love. I asked the simple question, "Do you have an image of God as being anything other than these things?" I then stated, that if we view God as anything other than love, then we have a complete misunderstanding of God.

Anyhow, this video caused a complete stranger to reach out to me. He told me that he has fallen very far. He spoke to me of how he is wrestling with an addiction. Last night, I got the chance to speak life to a stranger. I told him that there is nothing in his life that hasn't been already covered by the Cross of Christ. There is no sin or wrong too big that Jesus didn't die for. He told me that he too has undergone demonic torment. I rebuked the spirits of depression and fear and addiction from his life,and I could feel the demons that I had been wrestling all day begin to tremble and flee.

Please pray for this man. Pray that God would help him with his addiction. I've heard of people getting instantly delivered. I also know that sometimes people also need to seek help. God is good, ya'll.

I believe that God's grace towards those struggling with addiction is great. I believe that He is merciful and patient. He isn't up in Heaven, counting our sins against us. (Love keeps no record of wrong)

I often think of the story of the prodigal son. Once there was a father who had two sons. One day the youngest son asked for his inheritance. The father gave it to him. He went far away from his father and squandered his money on wild living. There was a famine in the land. The son found himself lacking. He had no food. He thought, Will my father take me back? I have squandered everything! He thought, maybe I can go back and be a servant. They eat better than I. Maybe he will be merciful to me.

So the son went back. The Father saw the son from a distance, walking toward home. His heart was filled with great joy. He was so excited to see his son. There was no chastisement. The father was just simply glad that his son had come home. He threw a huge banquet nd there was music and laughter and dancing.

That is who Jesus is to me. He isn't counting our sins against us. He just simply rejoices when we come home.

WHY FORGIVENESS IS SO IMPORTANT

When I was very young, my great grandmother was killed in a car accident. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. She was my grandmother's mom. We called her, "Maw Maw Woose."

I miss my grandmother. I remember being able to talk to her about anything. There were times when I would vent to my grandmother. I would sometimes tell her when I was having problems with another person. She always had the same advice; "Rachelle, don't let the sun go down on your anger." She would always bid me to forgive.  She had always led to me to believe that she had some angry words with her mother or an unresolved issue, and never got the chance to say, "I'm sorry."

Today's message is simple. Forgive. Let it go. The people that we love won't be here forever, and
some things just aren't worth holding onto.

Make peace. Know that forgiving others doesn't mean that you have to put up with abuse from them. It does means that you can let go of the burden of hatred in your heart, and be set free from the anger that enslaves you.

Choose love.

The Bible  has much to say about forgiveness. Consider the following parable:

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[a]

23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold[b] was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.[c] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’

30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.

32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

__________________________________________________________

Jesus had mercy on us, so it is important that we have mercy on others. 

If you are having trouble with forgiveness, simply talk to Jesus about it. He will help you and restore your peace.

Love,
Rachelle

Republicans and Democrats; Love is the Litmus Test

Our kingdom is not of this world. 

For Those Struggling and Those Who Doubt

Tonight, Jace spotted a little tree frog in the house. I told that we needed to catch it and put it back outside . I've seen enough frog skeletons in the house to know what happens when frogs aren't rescued.

Tonight, my heart is a little sad. There are so many people right now trapped in addiction. There are people who are struggling with anger and hatred. There are innocent people who are victim to those who are struggling. Every other day I read about a mass shooting. Today it was at a naval base. Last month,there was a shootout in Midland, Texas. A few weeks before that, people were shot up at a WalMart.

It almost seems as if there is no end to people's hatred and anger. I try not to judge harshly. I've been in dark places. I've experienced loss. I know what severe depression can do to a person. I know what it feels like to be hopeless. But, I also know a God who can turn ashes into beauty. I know a God who can turn despair into hope, and sadness into joy.

I know that there are people out there right now who doubt God. Atheism and agnosticism seem to be growing. The Bible says that Jesus will be misrepresented by many people. It also says that many people will have a form of godliness, but that they will deny the power, thereof.
Perhaps, at times, I have been that person. If so, I am sorry.

There have been times when I was much younger that even I doubted God. I didn't understand the concept of how a loving God could burn people in an eternal hell. The truth is that there is still MUCH that I don't understand. However, I do know that Jesus is Real.
I do know that He is good. I do know that He can take our darkness and turn it into light.

I do know that He can heal.
I do know that there is a darkness out there that longs to steal, kill, and destroy. I've experience demons in horrific ways. But through it all, I've learned that God is still good and there is power in His name.

The Bible defines God as spirit and love. So anytime you see  hatred, know that it isn't God.
Anytime, you see Jesus being misrepresented, know that it isn't God.

Whoever you are and whatever you are going through, I am rooting for you.
Whatever darkness you are trapped in, God can get you out.

Talk to Jesus. He hears you. Talk to Him as you would a friend, and don't try to hide anything from Him because He already knows anyway. Be honest, and watch Him work wonders in your life. Watch Him turn your ashes to beauty.


Anyhow, I'm not sure how this relates to the tree frog at the beginning of this blog, except for the fact that there are people out there who need to be rescued. To those people I say,
I love you and I'm praying for you. I'm always here to talk with you, and my door is always open.



Love,
Rachelle

Christmas for the Children at Harbour House

This Christmas I want to do something special for the kids at Harbour House in Lake Charles.

Harbour House is a shelter for ages ten to seventeen. Many of them are homeless. Some are runaways, and others just need a safe environment because of an unstable or abusive situation at home.

I honestly just can't imagine what some of these children have been through.

I want to get them a "Hidden in My Heart" cd, along with a letter telling them that they are loved, they do have a purpose in life, and that there are people out there praying for them and rooting for them. I also want to include chocolates or small things for a gift bag.

A few years ago, I read an article that stated that kids who left Harbor House were at very high risk of suicide. I want to do all that I can to prevent that by planting seeds of love and hope in their hearts.

Today, I called and talked to an administrator who works there. She was estatic that someone wanted to buy them gifts, and said that they are the type of kids who are very grateful for even the smallest of things. There are currently eleven children being  housed there.

I have collected thirty dollars so far for this project. I need at least 100 more.Any amount will help. If you can't help out, I understand. Please be in prayer for these kids. If you can help out, please paypal me and one hundred percent of the proceeds will go towards this project.

My paypal addresss is   paypal.me/RBrister

The Time is Now

I know that right now there are many people praying for revival.  They are hoping that God will move at a future day and time. 

Several years ago, Jesus whispered something into my spirit.  "The Time Is Now."

By praying for God to move at a future time and date, are we missing the people around us in the here and now?

God has already given us everything we need. Through Christ, we have the power to set others free from darkness.  We have a light within us that shouldn't be hidden.  

His plea has always been for us to go into the world and share Him with others. 

If Christ is living in us, then our hearts and minds have ALREADY been renewed.  

We are already revived. There is no waiting period.  It is finished.  The work is complete. 

Jesus, in us, is revival and he is already here.

Today I listened to a podcast about revival by Dr. Stephen Crosby and Bryan Weibold.  They made some excellent points. They spoke of how we often drive hours to revival conferences when many of us don't even know the names of our neighbors. 

I'm going to post the link in the comment section of this post. It may take a few minutes, but it is worth a listen.

Does anyone want to partner with me to visit those in nursing homes? Or love on the homeless? Or to pray for our communities? Christ is already in us. Revival is here and the time is now.

What Jesus Showed Me in a Bathroom at Buckees

This past month has been bittersweet. At times, I have been at complete and total peace. Other times, I have been undergoing spiritual warfare on an intense level. My mind has been assaulted heavily for the past few weeks. I've been fighting feelings of intense anxiety, depression, and self condemnation. I've struggled with nightmares where Satan shows me what he wants to do to my family. I've undergone attacks against my body. It's been mentally and physically exhausting.

But through it all, Jesus has whispered in my spirit, "Trust in Me." Through it all, Jesus has shown me that he hears my prayers for loved ones. Through it all, He has given me peace during the times when I just wanted to give up.

A few nights ago, I felt compelled to watch a Youtube video about fear. The Bible defines fear as a spirit. There is even a verse that says, He has not given us a Spirit of Fear, but rather a Spirit of Power, of Love, and of a Sound Mind. As someone who has dealt with the demonic, I know that when there is a heavy darkness over me, certain thoughts enter my mind. Dark thoughts. Thoughts that have often sent me down rabbit holes of panic and tears.

The Word tells us that if we resist the enemy, then he will flee from us. It also tells us that the weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world and that we must take our thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ.

In the Youtube video, Doug Perry explains that our thoughts are often like a train. We start off with a few negative thoughts and then they easily gain momentum up to the point that they are hard to stop.

He said by taking our fearful, or worrisome thoughts captive (or any thought that doesn't align with Christ) we cut them off at the root. He also gave some highly interesting stories about people who were set free from very specific fears. It is worth a watch. I'm posting the video below. I highly recommend anyone who struggles with anxiety or depression to watch it.

Video about how to be free from FEAR. IT's Profound!

Anyhow, after watching the video, I started practicing rebuking the spirits of fear and taking my thoughts captive and I have felt at peace. It works!

Now, for the Buckees part of this blog. 

Sometimes, I pray to feel God's love for others. There have been times when Jesus has shown me other people through His eyes. Every single time, I have felt my eyes tear up because I become overwhelmed with mercy and compassion. Yesterday, we drove home from Midland, Texas. We stopped for a restroom break at Buckees. I asked Jesus to show me someone through His eyes. I went to the restroom, and I looked up in the mirror, and it hit me like a lightning bolt. 

There I was. Me. In the mirror. It was unmistakeable. Jesus was showing me his great love for me. My eyes filled with tears as I realized that Jesus loves me. It's one thing to realize his love and mercy and compassion for others, but it is something beautiful and profound to be able to feel it for yourself.

He loves us.

Don't listen to the lies of Satan who longs to kill, steal, and destroy you and those around you.

Listen to voice of Jesus who is our healer, our protector, our provider, and who longs to bring us restoration. Take every thought captive. 

Here is what the voice of Jesus sounds like, "For I know the plans that I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and NOT TO HARM you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jerimiah 29:11

"The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5We tear down arguments, and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5

Here is a powerful prayer of protection for you and your family. I have felt demons flee when I pray this prayer. 

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.a

2I will say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

3Surely He will deliver you

from the snare of the fowler,

and from the deadly plague.

4He will cover you with His feathers;

under His wings you will find refuge;

His faithfulness is a shield and rampart.

5You will not fear the terror of the night,

nor the arrow that flies by day,

6nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,

nor the calamity that destroys at noon.

7Though a thousand may fall at your side,

and ten thousand at your right hand,

no harm will come near you.

8You will only see it with your eyes

and witness the punishment of the wicked.

9Because you have made the LORD your dwelling—

my refuge, the Most High—

10no evil will befall you,

no plague will approach your tent.

11For He will command His angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways.

12They will lift you up in their hands,

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.b

13You will tread on the lion and cobra;

you will trample the young lion and serpent.

14“Because he loves Me, I will deliver him;

because he knows My name, I will protect him.

15When he calls out to Me,

I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble.

I will deliver and honor him.

16With long life I will satisfy him

and show him My salvation.”

PSALMS 91

Jesus Loves Divorced People and Fasting and Prayer

Yesterday was a really bad day for me. Yesterday a random stranger emailed me to criticize my walk with God, and my marriage. They used the Bible to beat me over the head, pointing out scriptures that say how I'm in error because my husband is divorced from his first wife.

There was once a time years ago when I was separated from my husband. But, I KNOW that God led me back to him. When I wanted to hate, God pushed me to love. When I wanted to throw in the towel, I didn't. God wouldn't have condemned me if I did. But, I felt like God was calling me to reconciliation. I felt as if Jesus was showing me restoration. Ya'll my husband is a different person than he was years ago. He is an AMAZING father. He cooks for us. He is our provider. He puts our needs and wants above his own. There are no secrets between us .We are happy and drama free He gave up things that he had to give up in order to love his family. God DOES heal. GOD does restore.
.

God can use your love and forgiveness to completely change another person. Are we perfect?
No. But, I know that God is still working in our hearts, and that is a beautiful thing.

Anyhow, back to yesterday. I started listening the lies. Anxiety kicked in. I started worrying about so many things. I could feel the darkness all around me in a very tangible way.  I went in the bathroom and cried. I asked Jesus to help me. Jesus reminded me about the power of fasting and prayer.
So, today I fasted and I prayed.

ALL I can say is that today was a day of a peace that was so deep that it was almost surreal.

If anyone is going through any kind of warfare, depression, anxiety, spiritual confusion, etc, or if you just want to grow in your walk with Jesus, I HIGHLY encourage you to fast and pray.


Fasting is present all throughout the Bible. Jesus fasted. The disciples fasted. Jesus instructed us how to fast on the Sermon on the Mount.

The Bible says that God resists the proud, but gives strength to the humble. Fasting is a way of humbling ourselves before God. It is an extremely powerful tool. I could tell story after story of how fasting helped me in my walk with Jesus.

This blog is kindof all over the place, but I will say this. If you are divorced, God doesn't condemn you. His grace is sufficient for you. He loves you.

And if you are hurting from a divorce, Jesus can be your healing. He can be your restoration. He can turn your ashes to beauty.Trust in Him. He loves you.

Today, I woke up and saw an old year book picture. The picture was of a girl I used to know from school and church. In the pic, she was happy. She was smiling and radiant. There was a look of youthful innocence on her face. In the pic, she looked to be about 12 years old. I broke down when I saw it. She passed away a few years ago. Truthfully, I wasn't really close to this girl, but her death still hit me harder than I expected. I had followed her on facebook for a while until she unfriended me for some reason.

What did her life look like? Was she happy? Was she whole? Did anyone ever really show her the love of Jesus? Was anyone merciful to her? I think she was atheist or agnostic. Did she turn away from Jesus because of Christians who raised their stones instead of showing a good and loving Jesus? Did she have joy and peace?

My heart broke as these thoughts swirled around in my head. You see, I believe in a merciful Jesus. I believe that Jesus will be a good judge of our lives when we stand before Him. The Word also tells us that there will an ENORMOUS amount of people in Heaven. We are told in Revelation (   ) that there will be multitudes of people in Heaven that reach farther than the eyes can see. I can't even tell you how much hope this gives me.

But now for the sobering part of this message.

A few years ago I had a dream. I dreamt of an hourglass. The hourglass was separated into two parts; The spiritual realm and the natural realm. As we pursue the Lord, seek His will, and follow Him, we will begin to walk in the fruits of His Spirit, which are peace, joy, love, gentleness, kindness, patience, etc.  Our relationship with God will be living and active. He will speak to us, and become extremely REAL to us. I could tell countless Jesus stories of times when I was actively walking in the spirit. Even though I don't understand a lot of the Old Testament, I can tell you of times in my life when the Word of God became alive to me. I could tell you stories of dealing with demonic torment, but learning the power of Jesus and feeling demons FLEE at the very mention of His name. All of these experiences have sealed my faith. I believe because I have experienced Him.

And then there is the natural realm..the everyday world where we often allow ourselves to get distracted and often push Jesus to the side and replace a walk with Him with dead religion works that don't really help or heal or set anyone free.

In the dream, the sands of the hourglass were pouring out. The message from the dream is that TIME IS RUNNING OUT. I honestly don't know if there was some mystical message to the dream. I do, however, know this...

People are dying. Our days are numbered. At some point, we are all going to stand before our Father for judgement. He judges our words. Do our words lift others up or tear them down? Do we gossip? Do we talk bad about others? Are we encouraging others and speaking life into their lives?
He will judge our deeds. Are we hurting others?Are we abusive? Do we walk in the fruits of the flesh? Lust, anger, greed, hatred, malice, etc?

Jesus wants us to hear Him. He wants us to seek Him. He wants us to go to the people who need help and be a light to them. Are we doing that? He longs for us to be close to Him. He wants us to Hear His Voice, and actually listen and not fear.

If Jesus tells you to hug the lady in the grocery store, then HUG her. Don't be afraid. You aren't a shrinking violent. You are a WARRIOR. You CARRY LIGHT, and that lady NEEDS a hug!

If He tells you to tell the bank clerk that Jesus loves him, then just do it. Don't worry about sounding silly. If He tells you to something, there is a deep reason behind it.

Every day, people are dying. They are killing themselves. We live in a broken world with broken and oppressed people. Get on your knees, seek the face of the Lord, ask Him to fill your cup and give you what you need. ASK Him to speak to you and then listen to what He says.

I'm far from perfect, but everyday I am learning. YOU are a disciple. So, put on the boots of peace and Go!



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emIE6KzYFOA


Above is a link to a YouTube video that I made about this subject.

For The Broken

Tonight I pray for those who feel unloved and broken.

May the Lord hold you in His arms and mend your brokenness. I pray you become whole. I pray for your restoration.


For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. Zephaniah 3:17

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

What does God Want From Us?

Today, I asked Jesus where He was going to lead me. He spoke into my spirit and told me to go to my grandfather's house. Truthfully, I don't go visit my grandfather as much as I should. So often, we get caught up in our own lives and anxieties, that we forget to look out for those around us. Maybe, that is why Jesus tells us to cast ALL of our cares upon Him. Worry robs us. It robs those around us. It is the thief of Joy.

I think so many of us miss the heart of the gospel message. We fill our lives with religion, but we often lack love. When our lives begin to look like Jesus, we will see ourselves becoming less. Jesus had the chance to be a king on earth (John 6:15 ), but he rejected it and instead chose to become a servant.

I often hear of religious conferences about how to be a great leader, but one need only to look at Jesus to see that being a great leader looks nothing positions of power. Instead, being a great leader looks like wielding a servant's towel and washing the feet of those around us.

One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 58. People were worshiping God, participating in religious activities, and fasting, but the Lord scolds them. He chastises their outward displays of holiness, and tells them that the kind of worship and fasting that He wants is to stand up for injustice, to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, quit gossiping, and giving in to anger. He says the kind of fast He wants is for us to be there for each other, and to be there for our own families. He says that when we give Him the kind of fast that He wants, then our light will rise in the darkness, and we will be like well watered gardens that never run dry.

unless we are loving like Jesus and serving others, then everything else we are doing is just noise. It's fruitless, and it will turn to dust.

Another one of my favorite verses is this, "We fulfill the Law of Christ, when we bear one another's burden." To me, this is profound.  The Law of Christ is the law of love, and we fill this law when we are there for one another. When we see a need, and we meet that need. This is the heart of Jesus.

One of the biggest problems that I have had with religion is the amount of waste that I see. I see billions of dollars of church buildings on nearly EVERY street corner. I see television preachers begging for money and manipulating the elderly. I see blessings for sale, even though the Lord tells us in His Word that His gifts are NOT FOR SALE.(ACTS 8:20) I see so much waste as people try to please the Lord, when all the Lord really ever wanted was for us to simply follow Him and care for one another.

The model for church in the Bible is simply a loving and vibrant community that shared with one another, they met one another's needs. There was no heirarchy. They each had a role in the Body of Christ. Today, I see a lot of inequality . I see people using godliness as a means of gain, even though the Word has serious warning against such behavior. . Is this Jesus? Is this the same Jesus who gave up his life as a King on earth and gave up all earthly riches to serve the "least of these.?

We bear the burden of the homeless man or woman, when we offer him food or a warm blanket or when we give to a shelter.

We bear the burden of our family, when we cook, clean, and provide for them.

We bear the burden of the sick, when we pray for them, visit them, and offer to help them with their medical expenses.

We bear the burden of our neighbor or anyone we meet when we see a need, and we meet it.

It's holding open a door or offering an elderly lady help with her groceries. It is so simple, and yet so profound. An unbelieving world would take notice is we stopped being so religious, and just started to serve the needs of those around us.

May be all recognize and appreciate the simplicity of Jesus. He died for you. He forgives you. Now, be free and use that freedom to serve others in love. (Galatians 5:13 )

Here is my prayer for the day:

Dear Lord,

Give me your heart. Help me to serve you by serving others. Open my eyes to the needs of those around me.  Help me Lord to see through your eyes. Help me to bear one another's burdens so that I can fulfill your Law.
Lord, I give you all of my cares and worries so that I can be free to go where you lead.

Amen

ALSO, COULD YOU GUYS PLEASE continue to pray for me. I truly believe that, as Christians, we should be there for one another. I often have to fight against anxiety and depression despite the fact that I have so much to be grateful for. Sometimes, strength is saying that we do need help and we do need other people's prayers. Thanks, yall.

Isaiah 58 The Message (MSG)

Your Prayers Won’t Get Off the Ground

58 1-3 “Shout! A full-throated shout!
    Hold nothing back—a trumpet-blast shout!
Tell my people what’s wrong with their lives,
    face my family Jacob with their sins!
They’re busy, busy, busy at worship,
    and love studying all about me.
To all appearances they’re a nation of right-living people—
    law-abiding, God-honoring.
They ask me, ‘What’s the right thing to do?’
    and love having me on their side.
But they also complain,
    ‘Why do we fast and you don’t look our way?
    Why do we humble ourselves and you don’t even notice?’

3-5 “Well, here’s why:

“The bottom line on your ‘fast days’ is profit.
    You drive your employees much too hard.
You fast, but at the same time you bicker and fight.
    You fast, but you swing a mean fist.
The kind of fasting you do
    won’t get your prayers off the ground.
Do you think this is the kind of fast day I’m after:
    a day to show off humility?
To put on a pious long face
    and parade around solemnly in black?
Do you call that fasting,
    a fast day that I, God, would like?

6-9 “This is the kind of fast day I’m after:
    to break the chains of injustice,
    get rid of exploitation in the workplace,
    free the oppressed,
    cancel debts.
What I’m interested in seeing you do is:
    sharing your food with the hungry,
    inviting the homeless poor into your homes,
    putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,
    being available to your own families.
Do this and the lights will turn on,
    and your lives will turn around at once.
Your righteousness will pave your way.
    The God of glory will secure your passage.
Then when you pray, God will answer.
    You’ll call out for help and I’ll say, ‘Here I am.’

A Full Life in the Emptiest of Places

9-12 “If you get rid of unfair practices,
    quit blaming victims,
    quit gossiping about other people’s sins,
If you are generous with the hungry
    and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out,
Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness,
    your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight.
I will always show you where to go.
    I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places—
    firm muscles, strong bones.
You’ll be like a well-watered garden,
    a gurgling spring that never runs dry.
You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew,
    rebuild the foundations from out of your past.
You’ll be known as those who can fix anything,
    restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate,
    make the community livable again.

PRAYER FOR PEACE, JOY, AND LOVE

The Lord tells us how to  pray in His Word, but I thought I would share this prayer with you in hopes that it helps someone.


Dear Lord,

Please help me to trust in you and in your will. Please help me to walk with you and follow where you lead. Fill my heart with your joy, peace, and presence. Help me to walk in love and generosity. Help me to see more through your eyes and less through my own.

Reveal anything in my life that doesn't belong. Reveal anything that is keeping me from walking in your peace and your joy. Help me to bear much fruit.
Dear Lord, I confess my sins to you. Please forgive me of ____, and ___. (confess sins to lord)

Dear Lord, give me a clean heart and convict me when I am wrong and turn towards to the path of darkness.

Dear Lord, I pray against any works of darkness that would try to touch me and my family. Dear Lord, you are my deliverer and I put my faith and trust and hope in you.

Dear Lord, carve me into your image so that I may be a light to those in darkness.

Thank you for all you have done.

AMEN

My Struggle With Anxiety and Depression Continued

Lately, I have struggled with anxiety and depression more than I care to admit. I often have to pray and pray a lot to simply just get through the day. For anyone who has followed my testimony, I have dealt with a lot of demonic oppression. Satan has stolen entire years from me in the past. Years.

Last night, I decided to watch a video on YouTube by Derek Prince. It was about the power of fasting and prayer. In the video, Derek says that fasting is a way of humbling ourselves before God. The Word says that God resists the proud, but exalts the humble. He then gave numerous examples of fasting in the Bible where lives were changed through fasting and prayer. When Jesus gave the sermon on the mount, He tells us how to fast and how to pray, leading Derek to believe that fasting should be a part of our Christian walk, even though we often neglect it.

After I watched this video, I humbled myself in prayer and I realized some things about myself.
For the past several weeks, I have been making my own plans (things that I want to do for Jesus). I planned on going where I want to go and doing what I want to do. Last night, I realized something simple and yet profound. I was trying to lead Jesus around, but what He actually wanted was for me to simply follow Him. He wants me to trust in His Plan. He wants to lead me. I've been putting my own will before God, and it has been causing me anxiety, defeat, and depression.

I've been afraid of following Jesus. Last night, I asked Him, "Lord where will you lead me?"
And a verse rang out in my mind as clear as day, "I will lead you beside the still waters. I will lead you in green pastures. I will restore your soul. And even in dark places, there will be nothing to fear.

I've been so peaceful since then. Every day, I wake up fighting anxiety, but today I woke up for the first time in a long time, with peace. Do you want to know where God is leading me today? - to the park. with my kids. I haven't left the house much because I had been so down, but today, Jesus is leading me to laugh and have a fun and beautiful day with my children.

If there is a lesson in this, let it be this. Trust the Lord. Trust His Will. Don't make your own plans. Trust in His. Ask Him to lead you. Don't be afraid to follow.

Last night, Jesus led me to these verses....

The Glory of Zion

60 “Arise, shine, for your light has come,
    and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
2 See, darkness covers the earth
    and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
    and his glory appears over you.
3 Nations will come to your light,
    and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

4 “Lift up your eyes and look about you:
    All assemble and come to you;
your sons come from afar,
    and your daughters are carried on the hip.
5 Then you will look and be radiant,
    your heart will throb and swell with joy;
the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,
    to you the riches of the nations will come.
6 Herds of camels will cover your land,
    young camels of Midian and Ephah.
And all from Sheba will come,
    bearing gold and incense
    and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.
7 All Kedar’s flocks will be gathered to you,
    the rams of Nebaioth will serve you;
they will be accepted as offerings on my altar,
    and I will adorn my glorious temple.

8 “Who are these that fly along like clouds,
    like doves to their nests?
9 Surely the islands look to me;
    in the lead are the ships of Tarshish,[a]
bringing your children from afar,
    with their silver and gold,
to the honor of the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel,
    for he has endowed you with splendor.

10 “Foreigners will rebuild your walls,
    and their kings will serve you.
Though in anger I struck you,
    in favor I will show you compassion.
11 Your gates will always stand open,
    they will never be shut, day or night,
so that people may bring you the wealth of the nations—
    their kings led in triumphal procession.
12 For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish;
    it will be utterly ruined.

13 “The glory of Lebanon will come to you,
    the juniper, the fir and the cypress together,
to adorn my sanctuary;
    and I will glorify the place for my feet.
14 The children of your oppressors will come bowing before you;
    all who despise you will bow down at your feet
and will call you the City of the Lord,
    Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

15 “Although you have been forsaken and hated,
    with no one traveling through,
I will make you the everlasting pride
    and the joy of all generations.
16 You will drink the milk of nations
    and be nursed at royal breasts.
Then you will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior,
    your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
17 Instead of bronze I will bring you gold,
    and silver in place of iron.
Instead of wood I will bring you bronze,
    and iron in place of stones.
I will make peace your governor
    and well-being your ruler.
18 No longer will violence be heard in your land,
    nor ruin or destruction within your borders,
but you will call your walls Salvation
    and your gates Praise.
19 The sun will no more be your light by day,
    nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,
for the Lord will be your everlasting light,
    and your God will be your glory.
20 Your sun will never set again,
    and your moon will wane no more;
the Lord will be your everlasting light,
    and your days of sorrow will end.
21 Then all your people will be righteous
    and they will possess the land forever.
They are the shoot I have planted,
    the work of my hands,
    for the display of my splendor.
22 The least of you will become a thousand,
    the smallest a mighty nation.
I am the Lord;
    in its time I will do this swiftly.”

The Year of the Lord’s Favor

61 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
    and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
    that have been devastated for generations.
5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks;
    foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
6 And you will be called priests of the Lord,
    you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
    and in their riches you will boast.

7 Instead of your shame
    you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
    you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
    and everlasting joy will be yours.

8 “For I, the Lord, love justice;
    I hate robbery and wrongdoing.
In my faithfulness I will reward my people
    and make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants will be known among the nations
    and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge
    that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”

10 I delight greatly in the Lord;
    my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
    and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
    and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up
    and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness
    and praise spring up before all nations.