Prayers of Intercession- Thy Will be Done

My maternal grandmother was a prayer warrior. My parents are warriors in the faith also.

Some of my earliest memories are of going to sleep while hearing my faithful parents beseeching the Creator of the Universe to intervene in the lives of loved ones and friends.

Our heavenly Father created us to intercede on behalf of others. He moves when we petition Him, not because He has any limits or "needs" us. It is us that NEED Him. We need to recognize that outside of Him and His authority there is NOTHING we can do.

Intercession.

It is a gift.
It is a burden.
It is warfare.

I want so desperately to be a MIGHTY warrior for the Kingdom! I want the demons of hell to tremble when I fall to my knees. I want to see God move in our city. I want to be a part of that- praying down the strongholds~ devil knocking, Bible thumping, prayer shouting warrior of God.

I want MORE to seek THE LORD of Hosts~ to seek His Presence, to have Him near.

Yesterday, I was in prayer for several situations.
I had faith! I walked onto my "battlefield" in confidence and had a stance of Victory!

I just knew God was going to intervene and we were going to shout the Victory because I had it all planned out for God. I prayed that He would handle situation A by doing so and so and so and so. I prayed He would take care of situation B by opening those blinded to the error of their pitiful ways.

At the end of the day, this warrior sat on the couch and recounted the days' battles.
God was victorious, but not the way I thought He would be. Honestly, not the way I thought He should be. But I reiterate - He WAS victorious!

This warrior was a little deflated and uneasy about the direction these situations were heading.

I was reminded by my precious family that we pray like Jesus: "Not my will, but Yours, Father".

The night before, we, as a family, prayed together for a situation. Our 16 year old, amazing son, led us in prayer. He prayed for the situation and those involved, expressing his love for the people involved. He closed his prayer with, "And Lord, even if things don't turn out the way we want, we want YOUR will. Your will be done."

My 13 year old, amazing daughter, was next. She prayed over another situation and then that one. She closed with, "May YOUR will be done."

I prayed it too.
But I didn't mean it. Not like they did.

Yes.
I just said that.
I'm not proud, but it is the truth.
What I meant when I prayed, "May Your will be done" was, "Lord, since I just KNOW that Your will is in total agreement with mine, May Your will (that is MY WILL) be done."

How often have I been guilty of "planning" God's victories? How often have I "planned" His course of action according to my agenda?

I am a prayer warrior. Maybe I should say I am a prayer enlistee. I haven't reached the ranks of my grandma or parents yet. I am learning and learning to trust.

Ultimately ~ when the sun goes down at night and I lay my sleepy self in my comfy bed, I know that I know that I know that I know that God is a loving God and He DOES know what is best for everyone ~ even better than I do.

So, part of my Prayers of Intercession is really learning to pray the Word of God which INCLUDES -
"Not my will, but Your will be done."

There is calming peace when we submit, yield and give TOTAL Control to our Omnipotent Creator God.

Do I stop praying?
No WAY!

Do I pray His Will - NOT MINE?
Yes Way!

.... and I will try much harder to really mean, "Not my will, but Your will!"

"Lord, I submit to Your will. I trust in Your will. I welcome Your will. Teach me to accept ALL that You have for me with Grace and Truth.
~Not My Will but Your will be done!"

blessings,
dorinda

Straight from the Word

Today I just want to share God's Word with you.
Nothing more, nothing less. May He breathe His life into you as you read His Words.

Psalm 27:8
"My heart says to you, Your face, LORD, do I seek."

Psalm 28:7
"The LORD is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him."

Psalm 29:2
"Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness."

Psalm 111
"Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.
Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
He has caused His wondrous works to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him; He remembers His covenant forever.
He has shown His people the power of His work, in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
The works of His hands are faithful and just;
all His precepts are trustworthy;
they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people; He has commanded His covenant forever.

Holy and awesome is His Name.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever."

All scripture is from ESV.

blessings,
dorinda!

Finding the Love of Your Life

It post Valentine's Day.


The chocolate's have been eaten. The roses are wilting, and romance has been rekindled in many hearts.


But what about those who hid out in their apartment on THAT day because they couldn't bear facing another Valentines day alone.


There.


I said it.


Alone.


or should it be ~

A L O N E.


I have talked to many young women who wonder if they will spend their entire lives waiting on Prince Charming to show up on his white horse with a tiara on a pillow. They have spent many a night crying over the possibility that Mr. Right was lured into a shallow relationship by a Proverbs 7 girl rather than waiting on the Proverbs 31 woman of his dreams.


sigh.


Alone.


The reason it sounds so sad to so many is because God said in Genesis, "It is not good for man to be 'alone'. " He made us to enjoy the company of the opposite sex. (There are those He calls to singleness~ but when He does, there is joy in that, not sadness and depression.) He made us to 'mate for life'. He made us to feel incomplete without our soul mate.


And.

If He made us that way, He makes a provision for every need we have - even for that of a husband. :)


Now, I am writing this and I have had my Mr. Perfect, my Prince Charming for over 26 years. I haven't spent much time wondering who I would spend the rest of my life with, but I have learned some things in my almost half century of existence. (Yikes! That sounds OLD!)


These are things I know to be true:


1) God has a plan for your life.


2) If God has a plan for your life, it is a plan that will bring you the greatest joy and fulfillment.


3) His plan for your life is not a mystery that can never be discovered.


4) His plan for your life is as simple as daily seeking His face.


5) He usually does not write His plan for your life on the wall of your bedroom.


6) He has His own timing.


7) Discovering His plan and will for your life require knowing His voice.


8) Discovering His plan and will for your life require simple obedience.


9) You can never get so far away from His plan that He cannot bring you back into His will.


10) You will LOVE His plan as long as you stay in His will.

Now, do these things help you "Find the Love of Your Life"? I would say so! Because when you find God and His plan for your life, then the Prince Charming God has for you is somewhere in the path - and you won't miss it!

Just be patient. God really does know what He is doing with your life - a lot better than you do!

Whenever someone asks me, "How do I know God's will for my life?" I direct them to Romans 12:1,2-

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- His good and pleasing and perfect will. "

There are vital keys to living in this verse that will put you in God's path and His will for your life. That is the most important thing, more important than having a "man"! Remember that.

The keys to living in this verse?

1) Understand your life in view of God's mercy.

2) Offer your life to Him as a LIVING sacrifice.

3) Offer your life to Him as a holy and pleasing sacrifice to Him.

4) This should be a spiritual act of worship.

5) Do not conform to the world's culture.

6) Allow the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit to transform your life.

7) Allow the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit to renew your mind.

8) Once your mind is renewed you will be able to test and approve what the will of God is.

9) That means, there will be counterfeits!

10) Know that His will is good, pleasing and perfect!

And Know that you should never EVER settle for second best!!!

If you are waiting on God to bring Prince Charming into your life and if you are wondering if he is EVER going to show up I hope you can sometime hear missionary Trudy Ruehmann Jackson tell her story.

blessings!

dorinda

Happy Birthday Taylor!

My 11 year old Birthday Girl!

Isn't she just gorgeous!!!

I love my TayBug!!

It's that time of year again! Taylor's birthday!

We celebrate every year by remembering all that God did for us - and in her life!

If you don't know her story, you may click the links below to my past blogs.

God is faithful!

**W A R N I N G ** Before reading these- grab a tissue! :)

Last year ~Full story

My 2008 blog post.

Happy Birthday Taylor!

May you fulfill God's purposes for your life each and every day! Thank you for bringing so much sunshine and joy to our lives!

I love you sweet girl! You always make my heart smile!

blessings to all!

May this post help you remember God always has the last Word! :)

dorinda

Value

What determines value?

It has been said that value is determined by the amount of money someone is willing to pay for something and also by who owns the object.

Value comes from many different opinions.

The American government has placed high value on an eagle's egg.
Stiff penalties occur when an egg of an eagle is damaged, destroyed, and even moved!

By the same token, our country has devalued human life. An innocent child can be murdered while still in the mother's womb.

But is our country the only one who can determine value?

No way!

The Creator of the Universe places the utmost value on life- human life.

If value is determined by the amount someone is willing to pay for an object, then we - the human race- are most valuable of all!

"For God SO LOVED the world that He GAVE His only Son....."

Please understand, that verse does not say, For God so loved the perfect world, or

For God so loved those who DO enough, or

those who give enough, or even

those who look good enough.

God loves each of us just as we are.

That, my friend, places GREAT value on YOU - AS you are!

Now, that doesn't mean He wants to leave you as you are - in your sin- but He loves you AS you are.

Value.

You ARE valuable.

The next factor that determines worth is ownership.

If I had an autograph of Abraham Lincoln, that piece of paper would be of great value. Because I own it? No. But because the signature belonged to Abraham Lincoln.

God's signature is on us and in us.

We are made in HIS image.

Therefore, we, my friend, are valuable.

It doesn't matter if you are large, small, freckled, beautiful or ordinary. You are extraordinarily beautiful and valuable to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

So, when the enemy of your soul comes around and starts whispering his lies in your ear, do not listen to him. Quote the Word of God back at him and know you are a Woman of Worth!

(Taken from the Arkansas District Women's Ministries)

What does God's Word say about that?

John 3:16

Isaiah 49:16

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Deuteronomy 7:6

1 Peter 2:4

Blessings to you today as you contemplate your value and worth!

dorinda

Thoughts Agreeable to His Will

I picked up one of my old Bibles this morning and was flipping through it. I don't use it a whole lot. It is an Amplified version. I like it, but my favorite Bible is my NIV.

Anyway, as I was flipping through it, I noticed my underlinings for a particular scripture. I don't use this Bible a lot so the high lights etc are scarce.

Here is the scripture:
Proverbs 16:3 Amplified:
"Roll your works upon the Lord
[commit and trust them wholly to Him: He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and]
so shall your plans be established and succeed."

Wow! Did you get that?
Let it sink into your spirit!

When I trust in Him and allow Him to be what He wants to be in my life, THEN my thoughts (hopes and desires) will become agreeable to His will!

I don't know about you, but when I get in trouble and do something stupid, it's because I have been thinking.

You know.

Thinking about stuff I have no business contemplating without God right there guiding my every thought.

God's Word says my thoughts will become agreeable to HIS will - not mine, not my selfish whims and desires- but HIS will.

Ooooh!! I NEED that!

No!
I'm serious!

I REALLY *N E E D* that!

So, since I am sitting her with my "un"worn Amplified Bible out, let me give you another verse that goes with Proverbs.

Romans 12:2 Amplified:
"Do not be conformed to this world {this age}, [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]."

God has an answer for EVERY situation I go through - for you too!

Two simple verses that can get me straightened out - plain and simple! - Well, maybe not simple in my follow through, but if I just let Him do what He wants to in my life, it is very simple!

"Lord, I want my THOUGHTS to think in line with your will! Lord, I want to know and prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God for my life! I need YOU in every aspect of my life."

May you be saturated in HIS presence today!

blessings!
dorinda

Psalm 5 Prayer

My heart has been heavy for several weeks for some friends going through rough times. Actually, not just one couple, but I am thinking of at least 3 couples right now that are just in the middle of very difficult situations in their lives. Most of them don't even know each other.

As much as I would like, I cannot go in the middle of their lives and make their situations better. So, I have designated myself as their "pray-er."

I pray for relationships to be restored.

I pray for grace, for peace and for love.

I pray for provision in their lack.

I pray God will intervene and speak HOPE to their hearts.

I pray healing for their children.

I pray the Word of God over them.

God's Word.

period.

The Sword of the Spirit that is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword.

Today for one dear friend I am led to pray Psalm 5 over.

Verse 1-8

"Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing.

Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to You I pray.

In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and

WAIT IN EXPECTATION.

You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with You the wicked cannot dwell.

The arrogant cannot stand in Your presence; You hate all who do wrong.

You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors.

But I (my friend), by Your great mercy, will come into Your house; in reverence will I bow down toward Your holy temple.

Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies-

MAKE STRAIGHT YOUR WAY BEFORE ME (my friend)."

Verses 11 - 12

"But let all who take refuge in YOU be glad; let them ever sing for joy.

Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your Name may rejoice in You.

For surely, O LORD, You bless the righteous; You surround them

with Your favor as with a shield.

God is concerned with every need you may have. My different friends need jobs, need provision, need miraculous healings and some need relational restoration.

God is able and He cares.

He already has the answer for each and every situation- for your situation also!

I challenge you to pray the Word of God over your situation. Allow Him to take that double-edged Sword and fight against the enemy to bring about His purposes in your life!

My hearts prayer is that you grow in Him today and that His Word is rich and alive in your hearts - producing 100 fold fruit in your spiritual life.

blessings,

dorinda