Prayer Center Archive – First AME Church

THANK YOU, GOD FOR THIS NEW YEAR

THANK YOU, GOD FOR THIS NEW YEAR

Psalms 150

1-6 Hallelujah!
Praise God in his holy house of worship,
  praise him under the open skies;
Praise him for his acts of power,
  praise him for his magnificent greatness;
Praise with a blast on the trumpet,
  praise by strumming soft strings;
Praise him with castanets and dance,
  praise him with banjo and flute;
Praise him with cymbals and a big bass drum,
  praise him with fiddles and mandolin.
Let every living, breathing creature praise GOD!
  Hallelujah!

A Meditation, by Rev. Judi Wortham-Sauls, 1-13-2021

Dear God,
Thank you for loving me. Thank you for keeping me. Thank you for giving me another chance when you woke me up this morning.

I want to live so that I represent you well in everything that I do, everything that I say, every step that I take. Help me to live in a state of radical gratitude.

Thank you, Lord God for the gift of your Holy Spirit. We ask that you fill our hearts with your love and please continue to motivate us with your promises.

This we ask in the matchless name of Jesus.

Dear God,
Your word says, Weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning.” God we don’t understand how long the night might be but we know that we can stand on your promise of joy DOES COME IN THE MORNING!! We ask that you hear our prayers, God. Our country is in need of healing; we your people are in need of healing. Please, Jehovah Rapha, we need your healing power.

We look to the hills from where our help comes, Lord. Thank you, Jesus.

Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus.

LORD, WE LOVE YOU. LORD, WE MAGNIFY YOU. LORD, WE GLORIFY YOU. WE HONOR YOU. YOUR WORD SAYS, WEEPING MAY ENDURE FOR THE NIGHT, BUT JOY COMES IN THE MORNING. YOU NEVER SAID HOW LONG THE NIGHT IS AND YOU NEVER SAID WHEN THE MORNING WOULD COME, BUT WE THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR PROMISES. WE CONTINUE TO LEAN ON YOU FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER. WE JUST CAN’T STOP PRAISING YOUR NAME.

AMEN.

WALK BY FAITH

WALK BY FAITH

2 Corinthians 5:7 (nlt)

“7 For we live by believing and not by seeing”.

I don’t know about you, but I am sick and tired of this unpredictable season. What keeps me going? I know that I know that I know that “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy does come in the morning.” We have experienced so much loss, (rather it is loss of life, loss of love, loss of what we knew as normal activities, loss of employment, loss of finances, loss of homes, loss of human contact) and the list goes on and on.

All we can stand on our God’s promises of YES and AMEN. I encourage each of us to BELIEVE in the little baby JESUS and the hope that only HE can bring to this world for such a time as this.

Prayer: God, we come now asking that you would help us to hold onto your unchanging hands. Help us to lean on your everlasting love. Help us to know that JOY does come in the morning. Help us to know that you do SHOW UP and SHOW OUT. Please grant us the peace that passes all understanding. Please help us to live in the knowledge of dwelling on whatever is noble, whatever is true, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—If anything is excellent or praiseworthy—help us LORD to think about such things.
AMEN

A Meditation, by Rev. Judi Wortham-Sauls, 12-14-2020

LORD,
WE BLESS YOUR NAME!!
WE WORSHIP YOU. YOU ALONE OF WORTHY OF ALL OF OUR PRAISE!!
YOU HAVE A NAME FOR EVERY SITUATION THAT WE ARE FACED WITH AND FOR THAT WE GIVE YOU GLORY!! HELP US NOW, GOD TO RECOGNIZE THAT OUR PAINS AND OUR SORROWS ARE PURPOSE DRIVEN.
BECAUSE WE WERE CREATED TO WORSHIP YOU, WE PRAISE YOU. WE MAGNIFY YOU AND GIVE YOU THANKS.

AMEN.

WE COME TO YOU, OUR SOURCE, OUR STRENGTH, OUR COMFORTER!! WE DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO, BUT OUR EYES ARE FIXED ON YOU. GUIDE US, DIRECT US, COMFORT US, KEEP US, LOVE US, CHALLENGE US AND INSPIRE US TO BE THE MEN/WOMEN THAT YOU CREATED US TO BE. WE WANT TO BE BETTER; WE WANT TO BE WISER; WE WANT TO BE MORE LIKE YOU, JESUS. GIVE US THE STRENGTH TO KEEP HOPE ALIVE!!!

AMEN.

CAN’T STOP PRAISING HIS NAME

CAN’T STOP PRAISING HIS NAME

Psalms 34:1 (KJV)

“34 I bless GOD every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise.
2 I live and breathe GOD; if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy.

Until just recently, In the Southwest Terminal at LAX, they had a mural that said, “We are all going through something.”

WHO KNEW THAT THIS TRIPLE PANDEMIC WAS ON THE HORIZON AND IT DOESN’T SEEM TO KNOW HOW TO GO AWAY……..

So I ask myself daily, “What if all the pain that I’m going thru is the path or gateway to my purpose, passion and power.

What if my pain is the path to discover that healing is the pathway to power. What if my pain helps me to discover that surviving is the path to resilience.

What if in our journeys to empowerment, we are able to be thankful for our pain and become the example of hope to the hopeless.

What if the world needs you and I to use our pain to journey to empowerment because someone needs us to hold their pain.

What if all that I’m going thru is meant to teach me to be a midwife for someone who is STUCK in their pain and needs me to hold their pain so that they can get UNSTUCK!!!!

What if all our pain is the labor pain so that we will give birth to that ministry that God has put in our bellies for such a time as this!!!!

I BLESS GOD EVERY CHANCE I GET!!!
I LIVE AND BREATHE GOD!!!

If you are blessed to be living a “stress-free” life, hold on, it’s coming. When you think about any situation or pain that you might be facing, GOD is already in the mix.
Because God is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent…God is all wise, all powerful and ever present. God has everything that we need in every situation.

Sometimes, we just need to think about who GOD IS!!!! BECAUSE OF WHO YOU ARE, I GIVE YOU GLORY!!! BECAUSE OF WHO YOU ARE, I GIVE YOU PRAISE!!! I JUST CAN’T STOP PRAISING YOUR NAME.

A Meditation, by Rev. Judi Wortham-Sauls, 11-17-2020

I WILL BLESS THE LORD AT ALL TIMES

I WILL BLESS THE LORD AT ALL TIMES

Psalms 34:1-9 (KJV)

“34 I bless GOD every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise.
2 I live and breathe GOD; if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy:
3 Join me in spreading the news; together let’s get the word out.
4 GOD met me more than halfway, he freed me from my anxious fears.
5 Look at him; give him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from him.
6 When I was desperate, I called out, and GOD got me out of a tight spot.
7 GOD’s angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray.
8 Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good GOD is. Blessed are you who run to him.
9 Worship GOD if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness.”

I don’t know about you, but I am exhausted with the three pandemics; the economic pandemic; the racist pandemic and the covid pandemic.

BUT GOD!!!!

As the people of God, we often speak of the goodness of God. We have a global saying: “God is good, all the time, and all the time, God is good.”

But I think if we are honest, we have all had moments when we have been tempted to doubt. Is God truly good? Does God truly do good all of the time?

Psalm 34 is a Psalm of praise and a Psalm of thanksgiving, but it’s also a Psalm of invitation. As the author of Psalm 34, David, has recently been saved from a situation where death seemed likely. Once again, David was saved and he is full of praise for God.

But David also knows that there are others who are suffering, others who are afflicted and who may doubt God’s care.

And so the central appeal is this, Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good GOD is. Blessed are you who run to him. Worship GOD if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness.

A Meditation, by Rev. Judi Wortham-Sauls, 9-23-2020

I will truly bless the Lord at all times. God’s praise shall forever “flow” on my lips.

God, we are opening our mouths to taste and see just how amazing and wonderful and faithful you are.

Thank you for being so mighty, mighty good to me. In the midst of it all, I will praise you. In spite of my circumstances, I will praise you. I love you so much and I will always love you.

AMEN.

I really love you, God. I really love you, God. You continue to show me the true meaning of loving kindness; you continue to show me what it looks like to know and experience your favor. You continue to remind me that, “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

You don’t define how long a night is nor do you define when the morning is coming. But because I stand on your promises, I still have HOPE. I have HOPE for that joy that comes in the morning. Thank you, Lord.

AMEN.

Grateful that you are Jehovah Shalom, God my Peace.
Grateful that you are Jehovah Rapha, God my Healer.
Grateful that you are Jehovah Jireh, God my provider Grateful that you are El Shaddai, My all sufficient God.
Grateful that you are omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent, You are all wise, always present and all powerful!!
Grateful that you are enough.
Your word reminds us that your name is excellent in all the earth.
Thank you for all your glory and your splendor.

AMEN.

TRUSTING IN GOD

Trusting in God

Galatians 2:20 (NLT)

“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

When we die to Christ, it is important to remember that it is Christ that is living this new life in us. The Spirit that God gives us brings us this new life, brings us real life.

We trust in God. We thank God for the sacrifice in Jesus. We trust that Christ’s death was indeed enough. We demonstrate this trust by the way that we live for Jesus. We move forward living and acting like we are new because we are new. WE can do all things because HE loved us and died so that we might live a NEW life.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT STILL NEED TO DIE IN YOUR LIFE AND IN MY LIFE?

“Abba Father, thank you for the life you gave us when you gave up your only begotten son. Thank you for the new way of life. Thank you for helping me to die daily to my sinful self, so that I might experience your newness. I look forward to the new life that Jesus provides.”
AMEN

Lord Jesus,
We come today not knowing how to think or feel. Our anger in this place of uncertainty and pandemic, can only amplify problems and create anxiety and new problems. Please teach us how to forgive through our emotions, so that we can move forward. You are the ONLY constant. For that, we GIVE YOU PRAISE. (Matthew 6:12)

AMEN.

Thank you Lord,
When we know that we are your masterpieces, we can rest assured that you are with us…..every step of the way. We thank you for always holding our hand and never letting go. Thank you Lord, for being committed to transforming us into your image. (Ephesians 2:10)

AMEN.

God, we bless you in the magnificent name of Jesus,
Help us to rest in your amazing grace, your immeasurable faithfulness, your incredible love, your new mercies, and tremendous blessings in our lives. We are forever grateful and find so much joy in that. We LOVE YOU MORE TODAY, GOD!!! (Psalm 67:1)

AMEN.

YOUR WAY

YOUR WAY

JOSHUA 1:8 (NLT)

“Study this Book of instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”

I don’t know about you but everytime I purchase an appliance or a device or a car, I really don’t want to STUDY the instruction booklet. I always hope that whatever the “thing” is, it will just work WELL without me studying the instruction booklet. Well, it never quite works out that way. The instruction booklet is provided so that we have written guidelines informing us how to use whatever the appliance, device, computer game or vehicle is.

God has given us the ULTIMATE GUIDEBOOK in the Bible. There is nothing new under the sun, says Ecclesiastes. God’s Word is a type of roadmap that we study confidently and consistently until we know the way. It is our personal GPS. Continual study and meditation brings about an inner life change that leads to true obedience, which leads to prosperity and success in our lives, according to God’s word.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS THAT WE’VE TRIED TO GO OUR OWN WAY TO GET TO GOD?

“Lord, please give me the courage and the where with all to read and study your Word faithfully, that I may be transformed by it. Thank you for my personal GPS (God’s Positioning System) that guides me to the path that gets me to you. Help me to trust you knowing that your GUIDEBOOK has all the instruction that I need.”
AMEN

Lord,
Thank you for those times in our lives when your help was so obvious that we could do nothing but point to you. We give you all the praise, honor and glory. We are overwhelmed at your loving kindness. You are great and your mercy endures forever. (1 Samuel 7:12)

AMEN.

God, in the name of Jesus,
Thank you that there are no boundaries to your greatness. We are speechless, when we try to match our words with your greatness. There are no words or enough time to honor you with the praise that you are due. Let us share what you have been so kind to give to us with your goodness and mercy, to others with the same enthusiasm that you readily give to us. (Psalm 145:3-4)

AMEN.

Precious Lord,
Help us to see that we are blessed to be chosen. You are great and greatly to be praised. Help us to be shining stars in a dark land. Help us to know that being different is part of your master plan. (1 Samuel 8:4-5)

AMEN.

GOD IS STILL IN THE “GRACE” BUSINESS

GOD IS STILL IN THE “GRACE” BUSINESS

NUMBERS 20:11 (GNT)

“Moses raised the stick and struck the rock twice with it, and a great stream of water gushed out, and all the people and animals drank.”

Moses didn’t follow God’s specific instructions. BUT GOD, in GOD’s graciousness, still allows the water to flow from that rock. Not just a little bit of water, but ENOUGH for the whole of Israel and their livestock to drink. There were consequences to Moses’ decision for himself, but we serve a God who is still in the “grace” business and allows the water to flow.

Thank God for GRACE. We can have a blessed assurance knowing that God will continue to honor his promises to us. He continues to be in the GRACE business and provide even when we don’t deserve it. God provides exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ever ask or think.

“Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, we thank you for providing abundantly for what we need. Thank you for still being in the “GRACE” business. Thank you for reaching beyond our mistakes and still providing for us. Help us today to follow closely your voice.”
AMEN

O Lord our God,
Please give us the grace to desire you with our whole heart, so that we may seek and find you. When we find you, let us love you more and more each day. May we learn to hate those sins from which you have saved us, for your sake, O Lord our God.

AMEN.

Lord, you honor us today by caring for us . You’ve adopted us as your daughters and sons. You continue to cover us with your blessings and honor. Thank you for loving us. (psalm 23:5)

AMEN.

God, our Father,
Help us to care about the beautiful creations you have made. Thank you that we are your very best works of creation. Thank you for including us in your artwork. Help us to live in that knowledge today that we are designer specials. (Matthew 6:30)

AMEN.

YES GOD CARES FOR US

YES GOD CARES FOR US!!!

1 PETER 5:7 (New Living Translation)

7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

I don’t know about you…..but we have a lot going on right now. We continue to face three pandemics…..(covid-19, economic and racism) everyday. People of color are hit harder than all other races. How do we really feel? It’s ok to be disturbed; it’s ok to be sad; it’s ok to feel like when are we gonna get back to normal, it’s ok to feel lonely, it’s ok to feel disenchanted, it’s ok to feel needy, it’s ok to feel thirsty and hungry, it’s ok to need help and it’s ok to ask for help. The Word of God constantly reminds us that we have a God who adores us, loves us and cares for us. If we would allow God to TAKE ALL OUR WORRIES, we would still have feelings of longing for different days, of longing for different times… BUT GOD will remind us that everything is gonna be alright, even in the midst of our yearning for better days. THIS verse says….Give all your worries to God, for God cares about you.

Take your sadness, your disappointments, your heaviness, your loneliness, your neediness, your hunger and your thirst…..your burdens and GIVE THEM TO GOD. GOD loves us unconditionally. Let’s rest in God’s bosom.

God,
We bless your name. We praise you because you are sufficient to handle ALL of our needs. You promised us when you gave us all that you had that you would ALWAYS take care of us. We can rest in knowing that you care about us. We can rest in knowing that you alone are able to keep us from falling, if we just hold on to your unchanging hands. Thank you for caring about everything about us!!
AMEN

Gracious God,

We bless you just because you are God. Thank you for loving us in spite of…
Thank you for protecting us through good times and through bad times. Thank you for your everlasting love. You are mighty, you are magnificent, you are marvelous, and you are still in the miracle working business. THANK YOU!!!!We bless you forever and ever. We love you more and more and more everyday!!WE PROMISE TO HOLD ONTO YOUR UNCHANGING HANDS!!!

King of Kings and Lord of Lords,

We come into your presence with thanksgiving in our hearts. We come to your throne of grace and mercy, one more time. We need to be comforted by that peace that passes all understanding. We need to rest in your bosom, Lord. We need to constantly live in a place of BEING STILL AND KNOWING THAT YOU ARE GOD. God, we glorify your holy and presence name and continue to stand in awe of your faithfulness. We love you and praise you FOREVERMORE!!!!

God, in the name of Jesus,

We, your children, adore you. Lord, we cannot live without you being in our lives. We stand on your promises of YES AND AMEN!!!! We are living in a season of uncertainty. But this ONE thing we know, YOU ARE GOD all by yourself!!!! We count you worthy, El Shaddai. We count you worthy, Jehovah Jireh!! We count you worthy, Jehovah Shalom!! We count you worthy, Jehovah Rapha!! We count you worthy, Jehovah Nissi!!! We count you worthy, Jehovah Tsidkenu!! We count you worthy, El Elyon!! We will always count on you for everything!!!! We ask that you continue to show up and show out!!!! We will ALWAYS GIVE YOU THE GLORY, THE PRAISE AND THE HONOR FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER!!!

THE GLORY OF GOD

THE GLORY OF GOD

REVELATION 4:11

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

This morning in my devotions, I heard a song that radically moved me. The song is by “ELEVATION WORSHIP,” and is entitled, THERE IS A KING/WHAT WOULD YOU DO. The song goes onto to say, What would you do if HE walked into the room. Just visualize how happy you and I would be to experience God’s presence. I don’t know about you but I would be ecstatic; I would fall prostrate and just worship God until I had no voice left. Are you kidding me?

I want to live my life in such a way that I SEE God’s presence around me 24/7. I desire to walk like Jesus; I desire to talk like Jesus; I desire to do whatever it is that God has called me to do each and every day. God desires our glory, honor and power just because…….

Even in the midst of these uncertain times, God is still able to flip the script. God is still able to do exceedingly abundantly above which we could ever imagine. Let’s give God an “ADVANCE PRAISE,” while we watch God move mightily.

AS LONG AS WE HAVE THE WORD…WE’LL BE ALRIGHT!!

AS LONG AS WE HAVE THE WORD…WE’LL BE ALRIGHT!!)

JOHN 1: 1 – 5 (N.I.V.)

IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD, AN THE WORD WAS WITH GOD; AND THE WORD WAS GOD. 2. HE WAS WITH GOD IN THE BEGINNING. 3. THROUGH HIM ALL THINGS WERE MADE; WITHOUT HIM NOTHING WAS MADE THAT HAS BEEN MADE. 4. IN HIM WAS LIFE, AND THAT LIFE WAS THE LIGHT OF MEN. 5. THE LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS, BUT THE DARKNESS HAS NOT UNDERSTOOD IT.

THINGS ARE CHANGING MINUTE BY MINUTE DURING THESE EXTREMLY DARK DAYS. EACH DAY WE SEE COUNTLESS ACTS OF KINDNESS AND LOVE WORLDWIDE. BUT WE ALSO SEE THE UGLY UNDERBELLY OF EVIL. HERE’S THE GOOD NEWS, “I AM” IS WITH US! “IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD, AND THE WORD WAS WITH GOD, AND THE WORD WAS GOD. HE WAS WITH GOD IN THE BEGINNING.” THE BIBLE TELLS US, “GOD IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER.” SO, SINCE JESUS IS THE WORD, HE’S ALWAYS WITH US; HE’S EMMANUEL – GOD WITH US; HE’S THE “I AM” – THE BREAD OF LIFE; HE’S THE “I AM” – THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD; “I AM” THE GATE; “I AM” THE GOOD SHEPARD; “I AM” THE RESSURECTION AND THE LIFE; “I AM” THE WAY AND THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE; AND “I AM” THE VINE. THE BOOK OF JOHN RECORDS EIGHT SPECIFIC SIGNS, OR MIRACLES THAT SHOW THE NATURE OF JESUS’ POWER AND LOVE. WE SEE HIS POWER OVER EVERYTHING CREATED, AND WE SEE HIS LOVE OF ALL PEOPLE, THAT INCLUDES ME AND YOU!! THESE SIGNS ENCOURAGE US TO BELIEVE IN HIM, TRUST HIM AND KNOW THAT HE IS ALL POWERFUL.

HEAVENLY FATHER WE COME BEFORE YOU HUMBLY PRAISING YOUR HOLY NAME WHILE ALSO BELIEVING IN YOU AND TRUSTING YOU. LORD, WE ASK FOR YOUR CONTINUED GRACE AND MERCY AT ALL TIMES. AS WE WALK THROUGH THIS CHAOTIC PERIOD OF TIME HERE IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING, WE NEED YOUR HOLY GHOST HEALING AND DELIVERING POWER. DELIVER US FROM THE EVIL OF SELFISH HUMAN BEINGS IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS WHO CARE MORE ABOUT THEIR OWN DECITEFUL DESIRES THAN THE SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF THEIR CONSTITUENTS. LORD GOD, HEAR OUR PRAYER AND INCREASE OUR FAITH, STRENGTHEN OUR RESOLVE TO STAND FIRM ON YOUR PROMISES WE FIND IN THE HOLY BIBLE. AMEN!!

EVERLASTING AND HOLY FATHER WE THANK YOU FOR TODAY AND THIS GIFT CALLED LIFE. EACH DAY AS WE RISE AND EMBRACE THIS BRAND – NEW MERCY YOU’VE GIVEN US; WE WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE ARE GRATEFUL. AS WE CONTINUE TO SHELTER IN OUR HOMES NOT ONLY FOR OUR OWN SAFETY, BUT FOR THE HEALTHY BEST INTEREST OF OUR FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS. WE ASK YOU FATHER TO TOUCH THE MINDS AND HEARTS OF OUR FELLOW CITIZENS, GIVING THEM A STRONGER SENSE OF COMMUNITY COOPERATION FOR THE GREATER GOOD OF OUR NATION AND HUMANITY WORLDWIDE. YOUR WORD SAYS, “TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, LEAN NOT TO YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING; IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT.” WE’RE TRUSTING YOU AND ACKNOWLEDGING YOUR NAME. AMEN!!

ALMIGHTY AND EVERLASTING ETERNAL GOD. WE BLESS YOUR HOLY NAME. LORD, HERE WE ARE GLORIFYING AND LIFTING YOU UP BECAUSE YOU DESERVE OUR PRAISE. YOU TOLD JOSHUA TO, “BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE.” WE ASK YOU FATHER TO GIVE US THE WHERE – WITH – ALL TO “NOT SHRINK BACK” AND THE COURAGE TO PERSERVERE MOVING FORWARD AGAINST THE DEMONIC SPIRITS TRYING TO MAKE US GIVE IN TO DEFEAT. GOD STRENGTHEN US WITH COURAGE AND THE WILL TO “CHOOSE LIFE AND LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY” THROUGH OUR FAITH IN YOUR SON JESUS CHRIST. ENCOURAGE YOUR PEOPLE ALMIGHT GOD TO EMBRACE THE STRONG MENTALITY OF FAITH AND SAFETY THROUGH THEIR BELIEF IN YOU. YOU AND ONLY YOU ARE THE MASTER OF MERCY AND THE GOD OF GRACE WHO LOVES US AND PROTECTS US…THANK YOU LORD! AMEN.

WHERE CAN WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING BE FOUND

WHERE CAN WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING BE FOUND

JOB 28: 12 – 15; 20 – 21; 23 – 28 (N.I.V.)

12. BUT WHERE CAN WISDOM BE FOUND? 13. MAN DOES NOT COMPREHEND ITS WORTH; IT CANNOT BE FOUND IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING. 14. THE DEEP SAYS, ‘IT IS NOT IN ME’; THE SEAS SAYS, ‘IT IS NOT WITH ME.’ 15. IT CANNOT BE BOUGHT WITH THE FINEST GOLD, NOR CAN ITS PRICE BE WEIGHED IN SILVER.

20. “WHERE THEN DOES WISDOM COME FROM? WHERE DOES UNDERSTANDING DWELL? 21. IT IS HIDDEN FROM THE EYES OF EVERY LIVING THING, CONCEALED EVEN FROM THE BIRDS OF THE AIR.

23. GOD UNDERSTANDS THE WAY TO IT AND HE ALONE KNOWS WHERE IT DWELLS, 24. FOR HE VIEWS THE ENDS OF THE EARTH AND SEES EVERYTHING UNDER THE HEAVENS. 25. WHEN HE ESTABLISHED THE FORCE OF THE WIND AND MEASURED OUT THE WATERS, 26. WHEN HE MADE A DECREE FOR THE RAIN AND A PATH FOR THE THUNDERSTORM, 27. THEN HE LOOKED AT WISDOM AND APPREAISED IT; HE CONFIRMED IT AND TESTED IT. 28. AND HE SAID TO MAN, ‘THE FEAR OF THE LORD – THAT IS WISDOM, AND TO SHUN EVIL IS UNDERSTANDING.’”

IN TIMES LIKE THIS, WE NEED WISDOM AND WISDOM REIGNS SUPREME. AS WE NAVIGATE THESE TURBULENT WATERS CREATED BY THE STING OF THE CORONAVIRUS – 19 PANDEMIC. WE AS BELIEVERS HAVE STEADFEST HOPE BECAUSE OF OUR FAITH IN GOD THROUGH HIS SON JESUS CHIRST. WISDOM CAN ENCOURAGE US, DELIVER US SAFELY AND SAVE US! WHY? BECAUSE WE KNOW WHERE TO FIND WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING. IT’S OUR DECERNING SPIRIT GOD GAVE US TO HAVE THE FEAR OF THE LORD AND TO SHUN EVIL. NOW THAT’S UNDERSTANDING THAT WILL SEE ALL OF US THROUGH SAFELY.

I SHALL NOT WANT

I SHALL NOT WANT

Psalm 23: 1-2 (NKJV)

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

The last 18 months has been an emotional roller coaster for me. My mother had a stroke and my life has changed forever. She has been in a skilled nursing home for the last 17 months. She lost her sight and has dementia. She told me that she is sometimes afraid at night; she is afraid to be alone. I recommended to her that when she is afraid, she should reach out to the LORD JESUS CHRIST. I advised her to recite the 23rd Psalm because the LORD is our shepherd and is in the business of protecting and providing for us NO MATTER WHAT!!!!

I recently had the pleasure of spending three weeks with her. Sometimes, she didn’t realize that I was with her and I would hear her saying out loud…..THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD. I SHALL NOT WANT.

I was thrilled. In these uncertain times that we are living in, it is so important to know that we are the sheep of Jesus Christ and we are in HIS care. When we are afraid and don’t know where to turn, we need to do as my mother does and recite the 23rd Psalm. It brings great pleasure to our Lord and Savior to know that we are TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON HIM.

PRAYER: Lord, we thank you for being our SHEPHERD. Lord, we thank you for your provisions even in these uncertain, stressful times. We thank you and we praise you because you did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.
AMEN

WAIT ON THE LORD

WAIT ON THE LORD, BE OF GOOD COURAGE

Psalm 27:13-14 (KJV)

13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

In the season of COVID-19 (corona virus), heightened uncertainty and heightened anxiety, it is easy to feel discouraged, disillusioned, overwhelmed and alone, just as the psalmist David did on many occasions in the face of life’s challenges he experienced.

Yet…because he believed in the goodness of the Lord everyday, every step of the way, he never lost heart but waited on the Lord, with good courage and the Lord continually strengthened his heart. Beloved, be of good courage, wait on the Lord and he shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord.

PRAYER OF CONFIDENCE

Our Lord and our God, we thank you for the resurrected life of your dear son Jesus the Christ, who we look to as the author and finisher of our faith. Because he lives we don’t have to loose heart. Because he lives we can face tomorrow. Because he lives in our hearts, in the land of the living we look to Jesus our savior, our light in darkness, our hope for tomorrow, whose goodness strengthens our heart to be of good courage always. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE LORD’S GOODNESS

Almighty God, how excellent is your name in all the earth. We thank you oh Lord for your goodness and for your mercy. We thank you for the sun, the moon and the stars. Oh Lord, if we had ten thousand tongue’s we wouldn’t be able to thank you enough for your loving kindnesses and tender mercies; for your compassion and everlasting love.

Everything about you oh Lord is good and loving and true and everlasting. We ask you oh Lord to continue to empower our hearts with your mighty spirit, and to continue to teach us your ways oh Lord that we may in turn be a reflection of your generous goodness, that others might see your light of goodness in us pointing the way to you. Amen.

PRAYER OF COURAGE(SERENITY PRAYER by REINHOLD NIEHBUR)

God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

Courage to change the things I can;

and Wisdom to know the difference.

TRUST GOD (Psalm 91:1-2)

TRUST GOD

Psalm 91:1-2 NLT

I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

In all my days you have never forsaken me Lord God creator of Heaven and Earth. In my hour of despair I will stay in your Word as my dwelling place. I will hide in the secret tabernacle of your Word. I will trust in the safety net you always provide for me. In Jesus’ name Amen.

HOPELESSNESSJoshua 1:9 NLT

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Because Lord God in your Word I know you are not human and will let me down. You walked as a man to understand my suffering. Thank you. In your Word I will not be afraid. In your Word I will not be discouraged. You promised to be with me always. You promised to never leave me nor forsake me. I love your Lord, you hear my cry. In Jesus’ name Amen.

FEARPsalm 27:1 NLT

The Lord is my light and salvation –whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life –of whom shall I be afraid?
Lord God thank you for being a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path. Thank you for being my cloudy pillar by day and a fiery pillar by night trusting in your Word. Father God I find my strength in you. In your Word I find safety from the world. You are my hedge of protection. Thank you being God all by yourself. Thank you In Jesus’ name Amen.

TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY23 Psalm 1-2

The Lord is my shepherd I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams, he renews my strength.
I adore You, I lift You up, You alone are worthy to be praised. In You Lord God I have all that I need. You lead me besides still water. Over and over again Lord you provide for my needs. Thank you Father of Abraham Isaac, and Jacob. Your promises never fail. Lord I lift Your name on high. In Jesus’ name Amen.

TRUST GOD (Jeremiah 29:11)

TRUST GOD

Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

The present is challenging. God is fully aware of your needs. If you can trust a puzzle maker for every puzzle piece surely you can trust God to order the pieces of your life. We trust you Lord God in good times and when things get tough. We trust in you Lord God and rest assured you will never forsake your own. In Jesus’ name Amen.

HOPELESSNESS – Joshua 1:9 NLT

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Because Lord God in your Word I know you are not human and will let me down. You walked as a man to understand my suffering. Thank you. In your Word I will not be afraid. In your Word I will not be discouraged. You promised to be with me always. You promised to never leave me nor forsake me. I love your Lord, you hear my cry. In Jesus’ name Amen.

FEAR – Psalm 27:1 NLT

The Lord is my light and salvation –whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life –of whom shall I be afraid?

Lord God thank you for being a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path. Thank you for being my cloudy pillar by day and a fiery pillar by night trusting in your Word. Father God I find my strength in you. In your Word I find safety from the world. You are my hedge of protection. Thank you being God all by yourself. Thank you In Jesus’ name Amen.

TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY – 23 Psalm 1-2

The Lord is my shepherd I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams, he renews my strength.

I adore You, I lift You up, You alone are worthy to be praised. In You Lord God I have all that I need. You lead me besides still water. Over and over again Lord you provide for my needs. Thank you Father of Abraham Isaac, and Jacob. Your promises never fail. Lord I lift Your name on high. In Jesus’ name Amen.

PRAY AT ALL TIMES

PRAY AT ALL TIMES

PSALM 34: 1 (KJV)

34 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

This is a time to celebrate more than ever the AWESOMENESS of GOD!!

God you provide our joy.

God you provide our peace.

God you provide our shelter.

God you provide our food.

God you provide our happiness.

God is our comfort.

God is our rest.

God is unchanging.

God can everything BUT FAIL.

God is our solace.

God is our all and all.

GOD IS SOVEREIGN! GOD IS ALL WISE, ALL POWERFUL AND EVER PRESENT!

WHAT IS GOD TO YOU? TAKE A PAUSE BREAK AND GIVE GOD PRAISE FOR BEING EVERYTHING. I WILL BLESS THE LORD AT ALL TIMES….WE NEED TO LIVE A RELENTLESS WORSHIP. PRAYING AND PRAISING FREES US FROM OUR FEARS AND PUSHES US INTO THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT GOD HAS ORDAINED US TO BE.

BE NOT AFRAID – 2 Timothy 1:7 (NJKV).

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”

Lord thank you for your power and thank you for your continual presence. We will not be afraid. We will simply trust you. You are our God and we are your children. Thank you for your protection, for your forgiveness, for you love, for your grace, for your mercy, and for your abundant blessings. In Jesus name, Amen

PRAISE HIM ALL THE TIME – Psalms 34:1 (KJV)

“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth”

Lord we love you. We give you all the honor, all the glory, and all the praise. We will continue to uplift your name. We continue to spread your gospel to the believers and the unbelievers. Help to us to hide your Word in our hearts and our minds, always ready to minister to those around us. In Jesus name, Amen.

BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS – Joshua 1:9 (AMP)

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong, vigorous and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Lord, as we walk out of our homes today, gives us peace to know that you are with us. You will never leave us nor forsake us. In this time on crisis, Lord we will stand on our faith in you. You are the maker of all things and you have all control. In Jesus name, Amen

GOD IS WITH US

GOD IS WITH US

JOSHUA 1:9 (AMP)

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.”

God has laid out our marching orders right here in the text. His instructions are crystal clear. God tells us three things that will assist us in making it through this different and troubling time.

1. Be Strong and Courageous. Yes, I know we are living in uncertain times. First, during the coronavirus, we were told not to wear masks unless we are sick. Now, it is recommended that we wear a face covering whenever we are outside of our home. But in the midst of this “storm,” of not knowing from day to day what tomorrow holds, we are still certain of God’s instruction to be strong and courageous. Together, with God’s amazing love and as a strong and courageous people we can make it.

2. Do not be terrified or intimidated. We have alot of information coming at us from all directions during this Covid 19 season. Let’s listen to the voice of God through the Holy Spirit saying, DO NOT BE TERRIFIED OR INTIMIDATED!!! GOD IS STILL EL SHADDAI (ALL SUFFICIENT), JEHOVAH JIREH (OUR PROVIDER), JEHOVAH SHALOM (GOD OUR PEACE), JEHOVAH RAPHA (GOD OUR HEALER). GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE!!

3. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. God’s promises are yes and amen!! God will never leave us nor forsake us. If we just rest in God’s promises, everything will be alright.

BE NOT AFRAID – 2 Timothy 1:7 (NJKV).

PRAISE HIM ALL THE TIME – Psalms 34:1 (KJV)

BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS – Joshua 1:9 (AMP)

Trust In God

ALL TIMES

PSALM 34: 1 (KJV)

34 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

HUMBLE YOURSELF AND BE HEALED
2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Lord we pray, we most humbly beseech Thee, we repent with true faith in your forgiveness. Bless us for healing, food, shelter, and peace of mind. We know that in spite of the pandemic in the world, we affirm that you did not bring us this far to leave us. Therefore we focus not on the crisis of this world, we focus on Jesus, The Christ, The Light of the World. Amen, Amen, Amen!

PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE
Romans 8:38-39 (KJV)

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Lord God, we pray for deliverance. Deliver us from the many evils of this world. You said in your word Oh God that nothing will ever separate us from your love for which we pray right now in the Name of your only Son, Jesus who died for us. We believe in the power of your love that lifts us up when we fall down. We affirm that your love places our feet on solid ground. We trust that you will cover us with the precious Blood of Jesus that protects from all hurt, harm, and danger. In the Name above every other name. Amen Lord, Amen.

TRUST IN THE LORD
Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Lord God we trust in you with our whole hearts and lean not unto our own understanding. As you speak, we listen. As you direct our paths, we walk by faith and not by sight. Lord great is thy faithfulness. You didn’t fail Moses in Egypt. You didn’t fail the Hebrew boys in Babylon. You didn’t fail John on the Isle of Patmos, and we believe you won’t fail us in Los Angeles. In your Name, we pray and praise. Amen.

The Power of Forgiveness

The Power of Forgiveness

2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Solomon asked God to make provisions for the people when they sinned, and God answered with four conditions for forgiveness:
1. Humility – admit our sins
2. Prayer – pray to God asking for forgiveness
3. Follow – seek God continually
4. Repentance – turn from our sinful behavior

While our world as we once knew it is on pause, let’s use this time to change our lives for the better forever. Let’s not waste time lamenting about the past. Let’s take time to do a spiritual cleansing. Let’s humble ourselves and acknowledge our past mistakes and ask God to forgive us. Let’s ask those whom we know we’ve done wrong to forgive us. And at the same time, let’s forgive others whom we feel have done us harm. Even if they’re no longer in our presence, let’s forgive them in our hearts. And after that, let’s forgive ourselves for the harm we’ve caused ourselves and others.

As we do these four things individually and collectively, God will forgive our sins and heal our land. Let’s go within right now and affirm our commitment to humble ourselves and pray, and seek God first, and turn from our behaviors that are not pleasing to God, and forgive ourselves and others in Jesus Name. Amen.

HUMBLE YOURSELF AND BE HEALED
2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)

PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE
Romans 8:38-39 (KJV)

TRUST IN THE LORD
Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

A Very Present Help

A VERY PRESENT HELP

Psalm 46:1-3

We are all going through something.

“God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging. “

What if our first thought in every moment and in every challenge is God? What if we start with God!!! Our text invites us to understand that God is present, helpful, strong, ready, willing and able to be our refuge……..especially in these uncertain times. The ONLY certainty we have IS GOD!!!! We cannot allow fear to penetrate our lives. Our knowledge of who God is and what God can do will shape our perspective on everything. Sure, the earth will change form, the mountains will shake, and the water will roar and foam, but we aren’t scared of any of that, because we know God. GOD IS!!!!!!

Prayer:

God, in the name of Jesus, we bow humbly before your throne of grace and mercy. Thank you for being our EVERYTHING. You are omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. That’s all that we need. We are more grateful today than yesterday. We continue to stand on your promises, YES and AMEN!

I WILL TRUST IN THE LORD…..

God, in the sweet name of Jesus, I come boldly to your throne of grace and mercy just to say Thank you. You are always in the business of showing me that you are MY SHEPHERD and I shall not want. I will trust in you more than ever before…..you have told us in your word that weeping may endure for the night BUT JOY comes in the morning. We don’t know when this season of uncertainty will end, BUT we will trust you forever more.

A VERY PRESENT HELP

God, in the name of Jesus, I continually bless your name. You have been so good to me and I will always be grateful. Thank you for being a very present help, thank you for being my source of protection. Thank you for always showing up and showing out in good times and in uncertain times. You are constant and ever loving and kind in the midst of this storm. Teach us to shine the light that we have in you on others. Help us to find the peace that passes ALL understanding in our homes and our communities.

You are able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we could ever ask or imagine.

It’s in your name we pray….

Amen

DON’T YOU WORRY ‘BOUT A THING

You are such an amazing God. In Philippians 4:6, you told us not to be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present our requests to you, Oh God. We come right now in the only name that we know, asking that you would calm our hearts, our minds and our spirits. You are bigger than the corona virus, you are all powerful, so we know that we know that we know that everything is gonna be alright. For that we give you all praise, glory and honor. Thank you for always showing us that the peace of God that transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.

We glorify you, Lord.

Amen