Prayer for the President and Nation

Today, a friend told me she had an awesome dream. She said that she and I were at the Inauguration of the 45th President of the United States. We were in the midst of the crowd and got caught up among the protesters. In our hand, we each held a large sword but these swords were very special. When the protesters would start to erupt into violence or cursing, we would lift our swords and push a button. From the top of the swords, powerful streams of water would gush out. The water would drench the protesters and they would run away. 

When she told me the dream, I immediately thought of these scriptures:
[God is] The muzzler of mobs in noisy riots – far and wide they will come to a stop, they will stare in awe and wonder. (Psalm 65:7-8 MSG).  
Take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Ephesians 6:17 (ESV); Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)
Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he (Jesus) said about the Spirit…John 7:38-39 (ESV)

I love this dream, because it confirms the message that many Christian leaders are telling the church: NOW is not the time to grow silent or complacent. NOW, is the time to lift our voices in united prayers for our nation and leaders. We must lift up God’s Word, the sword of the Spirit, and speak:

Light into darkness

Hope to despair

Courage over fear

Love to conquer hate

Goodness to defeat evil

Joy to lift sorrow

Unity to heal division

And truth to reveal deception.

We must be filled with the Holy Spirit so that out of our hearts will flow rivers of living water so that all who thirst will find Jesus, the source of our living water.

So, join me in praying for the Inauguration on Friday, January 20th.  Pray for a peaceful transition of power. As Believers, we have been called to intercede for our president, our leaders, our nation, and the nations of the world. We have been called to stand in the midst of the crowd, even when it is difficult, and lift up the WORD of God. Pray that the Word of God goes forth from that podium and throughout the world via social media and news, and that God pours out His Holy Spirit over our land so that we once again can be a nation untied, prosperous, and blessed. Pray that we share those blessing with the world so that the Glory of God is revealed and that many can come to salvation in these next four years.

A Prayer for the President and the Nation

From Psalm 72 (HCSB)

God, give Your justice to the President and Your righteousness to the President’s children.
Let him judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted ones with justice.
May the mountains bring prosperity to the people and the hills, righteousness.
May he vindicate the afflicted among the people, help the poor, and crush the oppressor.
May his good works continue while the sun endures and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
May he be like rain that falls on the cut grass, like spring showers that water the earth.
May the righteous flourish in his days and prosperity abound.
May he rule from sea to shining sea.
Defeat his enemies and let no weapon formed against him prosper.
May the rulers of other nations give him tribute.
May he rescue the poor who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper.
May he have pity on the poor and helpless and save the lives of the poor.
May he redeem them from oppression and violence, for their lives are precious in his sight.
May he live long!
May honor be given to him.
May prayer be offered for him continually, and may he be blessed all day long.
May there be plenty of grain in the land; may it wave on the tops of the mountains.
May its crops be like Lebanon.
May people flourish in the cities like the grass of the field.
May he exalt Your Name, Jesus, for Your name endures forever;
as long as the sun shines may Your fame increase in the land.
May all nations be blessed by him and call him blessed because he follows Your Word.
May the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does wonders, be praised.
May His glorious name be praised forever; the whole earth is filled with His glory.
Amen and amen.

Love,

Yolanda

My Not So Near Death Experience

So, on December 23rd, I had a little medical episode.
OK, I’m calling it my “not so near death experience.”
Not exactly the gift you want for your upcoming birthday.

So, here’s my not so tragic story:
While out and about for the holidays with my family, I suddenly felt severe pressure in my chest. It literally felt like someone had placed a ton of bricks on it. After about 5 minutes, I could not take a full breath and I figured I was having a heart attack. So, I told my husband to take me to the emergency room.

Now, those who know me know I hate going to the doctor.
Nothing personal. Doctors are great people. I’d just rather try some crazy Mexican remedy to fix whatever ails me. So, in order to willing go to the emergency room, the years of my life were quickly flashing before my eyes.

About one mile from the hospital, my husband laid his hand on my head and prayed for me. The moment he said, “In Jesus Name. Amen”, the pressure lifted from my chest and I was able to take a full breath. Within seconds, I was able to breath regularly and I felt better. Well enough to tell my husband that I was NOT going to spend Christmas Eve in the emergency room. After some argument, he turned the car around and we continued with our Christmas plans.

I know some will read this and think it was foolish not to go to the doctor. That’s OK. I am claiming the healing for my heart. In the car, I literally felt like God lifted the pressure from my chest and breathed new life into me physically and spiritually.  He gave me a glimpse of how fragile my earthly body is. God’s Word says our life on earth is like the morning fog, it is here for a little while and then it is gone. (James 4:14)

God actually gave me a great birthday gift - a new perspective for my life for 2017. He gifted me a scripture verse that has become my prayer for this year.

Psalm 90:12(NIV)

Teach me to number my days, that I may gain a heart of wisdom.

I love this translation because it does not say “gain a mind of wisdom” – more knowledge and intellect - but a HEART of wisdom. The amplified translation actually says that by understanding the brevity of life, we cultivate a heart of wisdom and we bring that heart to God. Beautiful!

So what is wisdom? When you read Proverbs, Wisdom is talked about in literary terms as a female person. But as you read through the proverbs, you see that Wisdom is directly linked to the eternal God. It is part of His essence and character.

Proverbs 8:22(NLT) 
The LORD possessed me [Wisdom]at the beginning of His way, before His works of old. I have been established from everlasting, from the beginning before there was ever an earth.
Proverbs 3:19 By Wisdom the LORD founded the earth… 

So, the LORD and Wisdom have always been united in purpose. God says in Psalm 8 that Wisdom cries out to us from the mountaintops, from the gates of the city, at the entrance of our doors telling us, “I love those who love Me and those who seek Me will find Me.” (Verse 17)

It is the desire of God’s heart that we seek His Wisdom. He’s calling out to us:
He says, “Come and listen to My counsel. I will share My heart with you and make you wise.” (Proverbs 1:23)

So, I don’t know about you, but if God is offering to share His heart with me, I want it. As the world spirals into chaos and confusion as the day of Jesus Christ's return draws near, I know I need Jesus as my firm foundation. I need God's wisdom and discernment to guide me through the power of the Holy Spirit, not just for my sake but for the sake of my family and friends. I need God’s Wisdom to know how to navigate the coming storms prophesied in the Bible so I can point people to the hope and saving grace of Jesus Christ.

God’s Word is full of promises for those who seek His Wisdom: safety, security, health, strength, happiness, it is literally the pathway to a healthy heart and life.

“My children, give attention to My words, incline your ear to My sayings. Do not let them depart form your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life. Let your heart retain My words; keep My commands, and live.

Get Wisdom! Get understanding!
My children, if you receive My words and treasure My commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understanding…if you seek and search for her as hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly…When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you, to deliver you from the way of evil.

Let your heart keep My commands; for length of days and long life and peace will they add to you….Fear the LORD…it will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones….Happy is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gains understanding .. Wisdom is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her.
So, my children, listen carefully; those who embrace these My ways are most blessed.
Mark a life of discipline and live wisely; don’t squander your precious life.
Blessed the man, blessed the woman, who listens to Me, awake and ready for Me each morning, alert and responsive as I start My day’s work.
When you find Me, you find life, real life, to say nothing of GOD’s good pleasure.
But if you wrong Me, you damage your very soul; when you reject Me, you’re flirting with death.”
So my child, do you need wisdom? ASK ME! I am a generous God, and I will give it to you. I will not rebuke you for asking.”*

On December 23rd, God got my attention. He took hold of my heart - literally. So, for 2017, I'm asking GOD for His wisdom. I'm asking Him to share His heart with me.
How about you? Do you need God's wisdom today? Can you hear the call of God from the mountaintops? Can you see Him at the city gates? Do you feel Him knocking at the door to your heart? If you do, make 2017 the year that you open that door. You won't regret it!
Love,
Yolanda

*(From Proverbs 4:20-23; 4:4-5; 2:1-12; 3:1-2,8,13, 18 NLT; James 1:5 NLT; Proverbs 8:32-36 MGS)

A Former Quitter's Guide To Reading The Bible in a Year

Recently, I was reading my first blog post from January 2012. In it, I confessed that in all my 25+ years of being a Christian, I’d never once read my Bible in its entirety. I was a Bible Reading Quitter. In the past, I’d start with good intentions and then get to about Leviticus and quit.

People would suggest reading plans with all these scriptures listed and I’d quit before starting. Too tedious.
I love to read novels, so I tried thinking of the Bible as a novel and was determined to read it from beginning to end. Yeah, that didn't work out well.
I tried starting in the middle at Matthew and I quit before the Book of Acts.

Terrible, I know.

Every time I quit, I felt like failure. So, in my guilt and condemnation, I’d put my Bible down, letting it collect dust on my shelf. And the next year, I'd start the process all over again. During that time, I’d complain, “God, why can’t I hear from You? Why do other people hear Your voice and I hear nothing? What's wrong with me? Wah, wah, wah!”

I grew disillusioned, discouraged, and a little cold.

Until, I heard two Bible study mentors say very plainly and bluntly, “God speaks to us through His Word. Do you want to hear from God?"
Yeah, duh!
"Then open up His Word.”

OK, then.

Eons ago, I attended a Women’s Conference and I heard a speaker talk about how God spoke to her in the most miraculous ways through her Bible. She mentioned how if you made it a habit to read your Bible, you’d be amazed how God speaks directly to you. So, I bought the $70 Bible she recommended. It was chronologically divided by calendar date. On January 1st, you’d read Genesis Chapter 1, Matthew Chapter 1, Psalm 1 and Proverbs 1. On January 2, you’d read Genesis Chapter 2, Matthew 2, Psalm 2 and Proverbs 2, etc. etc.

Well, I started out great until I'd get behind on my reading. I’d miss a few days, try to catch up, and soon I’d get overwhelmed and quit. So my $70 Bible went on the shelf for years until April 2012 when my desire to hear from God consumed me. I was on a quest to hear from Him no matter what. So, I got my stepladder and retrieved that dusty Bible from the top shelf where it was hidden and opened it.

Amazingly, I learned the KEY to successfully reading my Bible without quitting.
I, Yolanda, am no longer a Bible Reading Quitter. I have seen the Light so to speak.
And, I'd like to share this KEY with you.

First, you’ll need the following items to get you started:

Buy The One Year Bible that arranges the entire Bible into 365 readings. Get an easy to understand translation. I personally like the New Living Translation. Some people like to read the Bible online. I don’t like that for daily reading. I use an online Bible tool for research and to read different translations. However, to hear from God personally, I want to hold His Word in my hand. Here is why.  Reading God’s Word should be a conversation. He’s speaking and we’re listening and taking notes. If the God of the Universe wants to tell us something, don’t you think we’d better be prepared to write it down so we don't forget.

I always read my Bible with a highlighter and pen. When scriptures jump out at me, I’ll highlight them. If a scripture reminds me of someone, I’ll write that person’s name in my Bible next to the scripture. If I have a question for God, and He answers it by the words on the page, I'll note the date. Now, God and I are having an awesome conversation. Once you start hiding God's Word in your heart, it will start to manifest in your dreams, prayers, conversation, and writing. I have only heard an audibly voice from Heaven twice, and both times God woke me up from my sleep with a scripture verse. Trust me, God speaks to us through His Word. It is alive. It is God breathed.

So, the KEY to not quitting is do not try and make up reading for missed days. You’ll get frustrated.
Just read the assigned reading for that day.
For example, if it’s January 3 and you haven’t even started (like me this year), don’t stress. Just start on January 3rd. It’s better to read 60-80% of the Bible in a year than quitting after a few weeks or months.

My first year, I probably read 50% of the Bible. The next year 75%. The next year 90%.  I still am not at 100% because I'll miss reading on the weekend. However, because I highlight and take notes, I know exactly what pages I missed the year before and I catch them the following time around. Reading God's Word is not a chore. We are not getting graded.  Remember, we are building a relationship. We are starting each day talking with our Heavenly Father.

So, after 5 years of reading my old $70 Bible, it’s finally falling apart at the seams. How awesome is that! Do you need a $70 Bible? NO. You can get a One Year Bible online for less than $20. I just picked one up for my husband at a used bookstore for $1.

Whenever I see one of these Bibles at a used bookstore, I’ll buy it so that I can give it away. It's the best gift to give someone because a Bible falling apart at the seams promises hope for a life falling apart at the seams.
Charles Spurgeon said, "A Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to some who isn't."

So, how about you? Are you hungry for more of God? Do you long to have a personal conversation with Him? Is your life falling apart at the seams and you need God to put it back together again?

Here is what God wants to tell you:
“I, The LORD, look down from Heaven on the entire human race to see if there is anyone who is seeking after Me. I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me, I promise will find Me. Call to Me, and I will answer you, and I will tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.  My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body."
(Psalm 14:2; Proverbs 8:17; Jeremiah 33:3; Proverbs 4:20-22)

My prayer for all of us is that 2017 brings us closer and closer to the heart of the Father. May we gain a greater revelation of who God is through a deeper relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Love,
Yolanda, Former Bible Reading Quitter