God’s Topshelf

Feeling Like God Is Not Listening

Ξ July 31st, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Christian Living, Growing In The Lord, Prayer |

So many times in my life, I reached out to God and it seemed that He did not listen to me. Must have been playing golf or something. My prayers went to the ceiling and no farther since I knew that if I were to pray, they had to go all the way to heaven, wherever that is. It must be terribly far away. I simply did not have his phone number memorized. That was how I felt.

So many days of me talking, so many days He said nothing. The silence was overwhelming me. And I felt so miserable because I just knew that, of all His children, I must have been the one that got away, was shunned. Apparently, I had asked too much. It could not be accomplished. Unworthy.

The truth, however, is so much better. The Father has us in the palm of His hand. He is watching us all the time, hoping that we will talk with Him. Notice I said WITH Him, not at Him, not necessarily to Him. With Him. He wants us to have a relationship, a fellowship with Him. When you have a friend, a really good friend or family member that you love dearly, you will talk with them in person and on the phone, email, whatever medium you find. God is right where you think He is, with you. It does not take a prayer to rise to the ceiling, just talk to Him. He is here. Seek Him and He will answer.

He told us to seek His kingdom first (Mathew 6:33 -But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.) instead of always wanting, wanting, wanting. It took me a long time to learn this. Sometimes, I feel that I have not yet done so. There are times when the prayer does not seem to go anywhere. But you know what I did when I felt that? Praise! Thanksgiving! I thanked the Lord for all He has done. I praised Him.

Do you understand that we do not have to see the end result before we can thank Him for what He does? Recently, I was pleading for something very dear to me. It did not seem as though God heard me. Then, I realized that my prayer was one of doubt and unbelief. If I truly believed God’s Word then I must apply it to my situation. Put my faith on the line. I did so thanking my Lord for that thing as if it were accomplished. I could see the end result before it occurred.

First, take the time to get to know your Father. He wants to tell you many things. However, if you are only wishing to talk, you cannot listen. If things get in the way, thoughts that are negative to the situation, you cannot hear. Put all that worldly stuff out of your mind and just get into the refuge of the Lord, the secret place of the Most High.

(Psa 91:1-2) He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall rest under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of Jehovah, my refuge and my fortress; my God; in Him I will trust.

Because you can trust in the Father, you will find that He is willing to talk with you, guide you and strengthen you. When you dwell with the Lord, your faith will grow. In time, you find that hearing the Lord becomes easier and easier since you are willing to rest in Him, allow His course for your life instead of your own. And that is how the joy of the Lord will come to you!!! What a blessing!!!

Prayer Request Time

Ξ July 9th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Prayer, Prayer Requests |

It is really necessary for us to find the time to pray for others. God tells us that the prayer of a righteous man avails much. Now, most people do not think of themselves as righteous. In fact they want to run from such titles. But as a born again Christian, you are that righteous person who can and should pray for others as they have prayed for you. God asks us to pray for those in need. At this time, these are the needs of others who want prayer:

1) Helen Stone- who is having brain surgery in the morning. Please pray for her full recovery and continuing health. Please also pray for her family as they go through this with her.

2) A woman who has been told by her doctor that she must now go into an assisted living facility. She has been on her own for a very long time.

3) Fred-who is suffering with cancer and is terminal. Please pray for his recovery and for his family, for his two daughters, one who is having to deal with his needs as they come up. The other is very young and will have trouble understanding the situation.

4) ADDING A NEW REQUEST: Debra-who has had news from the doctor that there are more problems since her surgery a while back.

5) ADDING ANOTHER NEW REQUEST: Nancy-an abnormal pap smear. Will have biopsy next week.

Father, we pray for each and every one of these pleas for Your help in healing. Please touch each of these folks in their hour of need. Give Your healing to them and please make it in a way that there is no doubt whatsoever that You are in charge. Thank You, my Lord! We pray this in the name of Jesus! Amen.

Prayer Requests And A Praise Report

Ξ June 9th, 2008 | → Comments Off | ∇ Praise, Prayer, Prayer Requests |

The newest prayer and praise are as follows:

Praise!
Tom-out of the hospital feeling much better. Coming to light, a possible reason for almost all of the health problems to date that must be looked into.

Prayer requests:
1) Charley-who is in the hospital. Please pray for him with multiple problems. He is overweight and a normally easy procedure could be life threatening to him is needed. Please pray!!

2) Continuing prayer for Donna with cancer of vocal cords and lungs. Coming home from hospital soon.

3) Fred-continuing prayer for him. He appears to be giving up, falling back on old ways, has diagnosis that says he has no hope of recovery though the doctor would not show up to tell him that. He is very functional and about to be released to his home when one can be found. Please pray for him to be healed and his spirit hear God’s Word on the subject. Please also pray for him to have a home to go to instead of needing a nursing home.

4) A family who appears to be constantly attacked with health and financial problems, one after another with little relief.

5) A newborn who has an infection. Please pray for her!

Father, we pray for these health needs for your children. We know that You said that “by His stripes we are healed” and “with His stripes we were healed”. We agree with that for all of these folks and others that we are also praying for but not listed here. Jesus, we love You and thank You for being our Savior and Lord. We thank You for dying on the cross for us so that we do not have to have these problems! We thank You, Lord! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Prayer Requests For This Week

Ξ June 7th, 2008 | → Comments Off | ∇ Prayer, Prayer Requests |

I have some prayer requests for this week:

1) Donna-cancer on vocal cords and both lungs. Please pray for divine healing!!

2) Fred-cancer of the throat. Told he is terminal and they cannot do anything about it. Please pray that a second opinion gives a different answer and that there is healing.

3) Tom-healing for stomach, arthritis, kidneys, parathyroid problems.

Thank You, Lord, that we can call on You anytime for our requests to You. Father, I pray for these folks to receive their healing from You. We know that You are in charge and that they do not have to accept such reports. We are in agreement that they are healed!! Thank You, Lord!! In the name of Jesus! Amen!
[Tags]
prayer requests, prayer, Christians, Lord, Jesus[/tags]

Using God Like An ATM

Ξ June 2nd, 2008 | → 8 Comments | ∇ End Times, Prayer |

The truth is that most people do use God like He is an ATM machine. No? How about the fact that most people pay little to no attention to God until they need something. This is one of those things that is really important, especially in these times. We are coming in to the end of the age. Your Bible goes into the Book of Revelation in the last days of the age. We are on a precipice of time and prophecy. It is so close that you can feel it in the spirit realm if you spend any time praying and talking to God at all.

But so many people do not spend that time but they get mad at God if He does not produce exactly what they wanted in the time frame they thought it should happen. That makes God either a handy corner ATM machine to be used only when necessary or, at best, He ends up being some type of sugar daddy that gives and gives and gives. The other end of that is that the person takes and takes and takes without giving anything back.

Now, this is my take on the subject just from reading what God has to say about many things. I believe that when the time comes for Jesus to call His own home, He will only take those who have had a personal relationship with Him and the Father. Does that mean that if you asked Him into your heart that you will be left behind. I did not say that. But it does bear thinking about, doesn’t it.

What type of relationship do you have with your Lord? At times, I have to think about that because I want the best relationship and fellowship I can have with Him. I want my Lord to tell me that He is pleased with His servant. I just wish I was more of a servant than I am. Do you think that? Do you feel that way? You are not alone. I once heard Billy Graham say that he was not sure of how Jesus would see him, that he had done nowhere nearly enough for God. It shocked me. If that blessed man of God does not see himself as having accomplished anything, how can I be seen as a servant??? Actually, God sees us individually and uniquely. He does not compare our works or serving to others. He does compare us to what we are supposed to be. Is that scary or what?

God made us in His image and called us to do His will which includes serving Him. We should be so grateful to be Christians because of the sacrifice on the cross that Jesus made that we would literally do anything for Him. Is that how you live your life for the Lord? Mine is sadly lacking in that area. But I hope I do not use Him as an ATM machine only wanting, wanting, wanting and not giving back to Him.

One of the ways you can give back to the Lord is simply talking to Him and listening to what He has to say. I realize that sounds simple but is it? Most people go about their business not paying any attention to what God has to say at all. I am guilty of that myself so I know that happens. What’s going on? We are wanting what He has to offer but we are not interested in learning all He can teach us. Weird, huh? Do you realize that if you were to listen and learn all that God could teach you, you would not have too much trouble right here on this incredibly evil earth? Why? Because He can teach you how to live here and walk in divine health, be available to serve and help as many as God sends your way. But, the big problem is that we do not want to listen long enough to learn all that. After all, we have our lives to live, right? And Who was it that gave you that life?

It is time to talk to the Lord, have a very personal relationship with Him especially at this very dangerous time in our lives. For those who live in the US, this is going to be a crucial time for us depending on who enters the White House. We are not looked on as the biggest power in the world anymore. In fact, our reputation is quite soiled now. We are not the greatest, most honest country anymore. The truth is that with the housing market what it is, the gas prices doing what they are and the whole security thing going on, we are on our own precipice and it’s about to break off. Things are going to get MUCH worse before they get better. If we are not prepared, we will have all the problems we have now and then some. Will you survive such a life?

Our lives have been truly blessed in so many ways. Despite the fact that we may not be able to always pay our bills, even if we are homeless, we have ways to deal with the problem. There are shelters and places to get food and supplies. We can find ways to live. But in other countries, that is not the case. Look at some of the truly poor countries. People are starving. We do not have that too much in this country. But, and that is a big one, when you see those other countries, if our country does not wake up to what God wants, it will be much like the ones you see that are so poor. Believe me, I did not want to say that but it is the truth and it will happen. We, as Americans, have been too full of ourselves. We MUST learn to walk with the Lord before it’s too late to do it!!!!

It is time to pray, to talk to God, to seek His kingdom because He says that if we do want anything from Him, that we MUST seek the kingdom first. DO NOT WAIT until it is too late. Seek God, seek His Face and begin to do what He wants you to do now!!! And for goodness sake, quit using God as an ATM machine that never runs out. It will.

Prayer Works! I Know It Does

Ξ June 1st, 2008 | → 3 Comments | ∇ Praise, Prayer |

It has been a crazy couple of weeks and so I did not get on here to post like I wanted to do. My husband was in the hospital last week for a heart cath. This week, he went back to the hospital with chest pains. Both things could have been difficult to disastrous but they were not. We believe that because of our prayer cover, everything came out okay.

There are people that will now say that it was likely to do that anyway. Perhaps. But we live with the belief that God is watching over us. With that in mind, we pray about our circumstance because we have all been there when we did not do so. See, I called some folks in another state who are prayer warriors. They, in turn, call others. We put these things on the website so that others can pray. And someone called a television ministry for prayer as well. With that network of prayer, how could we not see good things happening?

Jesus Himself went off to pray. If He did this, shouldn’t we do likewise? But often, we find our lives taking over and not allowing the time to pray. Often, we find that the only time we pray these days is when we eat…if then. Sometimes, the reason we cannot pray or don’t is because we have no idea what to pray about. God gave us a solution to that:

(Rom 8:26) Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

The Holy Spirit will help us when we need to pray but cannot because we do not know what to pray. Many of those who prayed for my husband had no idea why or what they were praying about. All they knew was that someone needed the prayer. We have discovered that people we do not know are praying for us. Sometimes, it’s because they read our blog posts. Sometimes it was because of the ministry that was called. Other times, it is because our friends and family tell others and they tell someone else. The prayer network is awesome and all led by God, not people. Isn’t that fantastic? It means that people are not getting the credit for this. Awesome!!

So, if you should find yourself in need of prayer, call someone. Get them praying about your situation. If you do not have anyone to call, please feel free to let me know your prayer needs and I will post them here on this blog. We are here to serve!

Prayer Requests: New For This Week

Ξ May 21st, 2008 | → Comments Off | ∇ Prayer, Prayer Requests |

Once again, we call on the Lord to help us in our time of need. Please help by praying for these requests that have come our way:

1) Ed-having a dye test for possible heart abnormality-if there is one, angioplasty. Thursday (5/22)

2) Harold-chest pains

3) Harry Ingram, Jr. and wife-God knows

4) Shanita-for her family, church family and new business venture.

5) A family who is having lots of attacks on them -financial, health, property, spiritual-God knows.

Father, we ask You to place Your healing hand upon each of these people who need You desperately! We agree with You that they are healed and their finances are restored. We ask that each of them be covered by the blood of Jesus. If any of them need to seek You further, please gently ask them to come to You! We know that You are the healer, the bread of life, the Savior, the Master, the One True God, our Father! Thank You, Lord, for the answers to each of these prayers. In the Name of Jesus we pray, Amen!

New Prayer Requests!

Ξ May 12th, 2008 | → 2 Comments | ∇ Prayer, Prayer Requests |

Because I believe firmly and strongly in the power of prayer, I also believe in the power of many people praying at once. Therefore, I am going to list a few prayer requests that have come my way.

1) Jamila - she needs prayer because of schizophrenia & the fact that her parents had abused her when she was younger.

2) Edna - She wants to be closer to God. She also wants to be able to stop drinking. We know that God can help her.

3) Mrs Reagan -she has much pain and has hip trouble.

4) A Mom who has a lot of financial problems and is very worried about money.

5) Divine Health to all who ask for it and believe that Jesus died on the cross so that we can have that healing and divine health.

Father, we pray for these prayer requests that we lift up to you now. These people are hurting, my Father. They need Your attention and Your hand upon them right now. Please guide them in Your ways. Please help them to see that You are in their lives always. Take the pain away, Lord, we pray. We thank You for Your abundance even if we cannot see it at this moment. We do know that You and only You are in control. Thank You, Lord! In the Name of our Lord, Jesus, Amen.

My Apologies–Homeschool Your Child, Commit A Crime

Ξ March 14th, 2008 | → 2 Comments | ∇ End Times, Family, Prayer |

I apologize for not being on here more to write the devotionals that I am given to write. As I wrote in a past post, the world has gotten in and taken my focus away from this blog. It is very wrong to allow that to happen. Then I receive the news that a state judge has ruled in a homeschooling case and I am horrified of that outcome.

The state of California and the state judge who heard the case concerning homeschooling by parents has ruled against the parents and for the state. It means that he told the parents they were violating the law by teaching their OWN children without a teaching certificate which is incredibly pricey and, of course, takes a number of years to complete. Naturally the state wants it this way.

Many Christians have homeschooled their children for years. I do believe that this is an attack directly affecting those parents and children…possibly an attack directed AT those people. Here is a part of what the judge said:

Justice H. Walter Croskey wrote his ruling on February 28, 2008:

“Parents do not have a constitutional right to home school their children… parents who fail to comply may be subjected to a criminal complaint against them, found guilty of an infraction, and subject to imposition of fines or an order to complete a parent education and counseling program.”

Did you see that? If a parent homeschools their child are criminals. People, we are so close to the end of the age! This will directly affect many Christian parents. The children will end up going to public schools where they will be subjected to the inadequate teaching in inadequate schools just because some judge in a state that is power hungry and greedy wants to make sure that the state has control over the kids. They will be indoctrinated with the views of the teacher and the curriculum of the school system the parents have been trying hard to avoid.

We are here for such a time as this. Please pray for these parents, children and all parents and children who will eventually be affected by this ruling. When the other states see this, they will begin to do the same things. Our freedoms are being lost, one by one. And now we are not allowed to teach our children in the manner we see fit. Oh Lord, come quickly!!!

The Mercy And Grace Of God

Ξ February 5th, 2008 | → Comments Off | ∇ Family, Prayer, Prayer Requests |

I have believed for years that the Lord is so very merciful to me because of the many times that I have come through things that should have killed or injured me, especially those times that I was out on the road driving the eighteen wheeler. But tonight, once again, I have been shown God’s amazing grace and mercy.

We live in the northern part of Arkansas in a little town near Hardy. We had been hearing all day that there was the possibility of severe weather coming our way. Now, there have been times that weather goes right around us and hits other areas. Not so tonight.

My brother-in-law had stopped by our house at around 6pm. We were watching a large storm coming our way. He had to go home quickly or get in the middle of a super cell. They were predicting tornado outbreaks all around us. My Mom lives about 18 miles from us almost due west and that was where my bro-in-law was heading. He left at about 6:25. I was in contact with my sister, who is his wife. When I called again, I found out that he had not yet gotten home. We were praying for his safety as well as all of the area because that super cell was headed straight at us.

Around 6:50 or so, my sister calls to tell me that her husband had been IN the tornado. He was driving a minivan. It was tossed through the air, rolling it over and over. The next thing may be hard to believe but it is the reason we are praising God tonight. The van landed on it’s wheels and my bro-in-law got out of it. He had a few scrapes and scratches, a head wound that was bleeding but simple to bandage. The van apparently is a total loss. He is all right.

This reminded me just how much our Father protects each of us through many things. He is an awesome God!!! His mercy is awesome. His grace is awesome. I do not think that I could actually think of enough things to say that would cover how I am feeling at this moment. God spared my bro-in-law!!!! He was transported to his home by a driver who was helping out.

See, our area got hit quite hard by a tornado. The small town of Highland, Arkansas is damaged severely. Small town of Ash Flat has a good deal of damage. Many homes, businesses and church are all either gone or damaged. A church, a fire station, a shopping mall are all just gone plus numerous homes. Our area needs much prayer but we have survived.