The Power in Praying With Others

Wow, was I blessed this past Saturday morning! I had made a decision that I was going to the prayer gathering even though I had to go right from there to work that day. I tell you, when Saturday morning came, Satan was working overtime telling me "You really should stay home and rest up for a long day of work." Thanks be to God, I ignored Satan this time and obeyed God instead.

DJ and I were a part of a dynamic prayer gathering. I can't tell you enough what a special and wonderful job that Jackie is doing. A prayer warrior herself, it still gets discouraging when only a handful of people show up to pray.

Now I can honestly tell you, I understand how hard it is to come to church to "just pray". We don't have as much problem getting to Sunday morning worship where we can sing, listen to the fantastic musicians and then get "jazzed" by Pastor Jerry's sermon. And we surely don't mind coming to church when there is some type of food involved. But WHY is it so HARD to go to church when we are meeting to pray?

I'll TELL you why!!! Satan and all of his forces that are working overtime in this world don't mind so much if we go to church. They don't care if we "believe" in Jesus. Satan, himself, "believes" in Jesus. He knows God's power better than anyone else. But Satan does NOT want God's people to spend their time in earnest, reverant prayer. Intercessory prayer is like a knife in Satan's chest. He knows that God's ultimate power is released when His people pray and he will do whatever he can to prevent that.

Jackie led us in a time of "soaking" prayer. I can testify that for myself, my day turned around 180 degrees. Instead of going to a job that has caused me to burn out, I went feeling refreshed. God made Himself known to me that morning, once again. He gently reminded me in that quiet time that He is still in control.

So, I challenge you to come to the next prayer gathering. Let's make Satan TREMBLE when he sees a group of believers uniting in heartfelt intercessory prayer for others!!! Just the thought makes me smile!

Let the Journey Begin!

If you read my postings on this blog, you will be sure to find multiple references to Max Lucado works. He is one of my favorite Christian authors because he speaks to my heart in his writings. The following is an excerpt from his book entitled, "Let the Journey Begin".

"DEEP IN EVERY HEART YOU WILL FIND IT: A LONGING FOR MEANING, A QUEST FOR PURPOSE.

If you ask the secularists what is the meaning of life they will say, 'We don't know.' At best they might agree that we are developed animals. At worst, rearranged space dust.

What a contrast to God's vision for life. 'We are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to devote ourselves to the good deeds for which God has designed us.' (Eph.2:10 NEB)

God has placed His hand on your shoulder and said, 'You're something special.'

Untethered by time, he sees us all. In fact, He saw us before we were born.

And He loves what He sees. Flooded by emotion. Overcome by pride, the Starmaker turns to us, one by one, and says, 'You are my child. I love you dearly.'

And He loves us forever. Should you ever turn from him and walk away, He has already provided a way back. Nothing can separate you from His love. If you anchor these truths firmly in your heart, you will be ready for whatever you may encounter on the road ahead.

So let the journey begin!"

I love Max's reminder of how special we are in God's sight. I am excited about what God can accomplish in this Caring Ministry as we share with others just how much God loves them. I am meeting with the leads of other ministries in TTUMC and gathering the information needed to get this ministry on its way. If you want to share in this ministry with me, I would love to have your help and prayers. Together, we can let this journey begin!!!

(You can "visit" with Max Lucado for more of his insights and inspiration at http://www.maxlucado.com/).

What "Jazzes" Me

Luke 19:41 paints a picture that has always left a deep impression on me while I was growing up. Luke tells us that Jesus looked over Jerusalem and wept. Wow, what an image! Our Lord and Savior WEEPING for his unbelieving and disobedient children.

I often think of how God must look down on this earth and weep. His heart must break at the destruction of His creation, of the way we treat each other and at the way we turn our backs on a Savior who yearns to take us in His arms and be loved back.

To borrow a phrase from our beloved Pastor Jerry, I want to share with you what "jazzes" me. It is simply this: that I would live and love in such a way, that when God looks down at me, He will smile. Did you get that? Can you imagine how incredible it would be to make God smile instead of cry? I want Him to look down and say, "There's my daughter, Joyce. She is serving exactly where I wanted her to serve. She is being all that I created her to be." THAT is my goal in my spiritual walk. I want to make God SMILE!

Obedience is one of the things that makes God smile. If you are being called to help in this Caring Ministry, do NOT ignore the call. You can be used in so many different ways to bring the love of Jesus to others. Join with me in a step of faith and obedience and watch how God can move!