Powering UP America!

Key Scripture:  “Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God.  I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”  Mark 11:20-25

NLT

Power Point:

     I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed but this passage of scripture follows right on the heels of Jesus cleansing the temple and cursing the fig tree. After arriving in Jerusalem Jesus goes to the temple. The temple was the seat of all the activity in Jerusalem and it was supposed to be a place where people could freely offer their prayers to God. The moneychangers, and sacrifice providers had set up shop right there. Instead of being a house of God, the temple had become a den of thieves.  If you read those verses carefully you will see that Jesus turned the tables on them. He stopped what they were doing and then He must have wrapped His arms around the people who had come to worship and sat down and talked to them. It says that the people were astonished at His teaching. He was telling them Truth that would set them free.

     On His way out of the temple, He decides to eat some figs. As He passes by a fig tree, He finds no fruit. Gentle Jesus curses the tree and says, “You will never bear fruit again!” Was He just in a bad mood that day? I don’t think so. I think that His great heart was stirred up with compassion for those who wanted to follow Him, who wanted to worship their Father. The Pharisees and the “thieves” had put huge obstacles in their way. The fig tree was a symbol of a nation that had been created for God’s pleasure and delight, but the “thieves” had stolen it and killed the life in it. The nation could no longer bear good fruit. It had been created to show the world how much God loved His people and now they were so burdened under law after law after law that they could not do what they were created to do. Somehow they had slipped under the power of man instead of the power of God.

     Jesus made the “thieves” and the fruitless nation an object lesson that day didn’t He?  Do you think it would serve as a pattern over the years for nations whose life was being stolen from them?  I do.

Power Prayer For America:

Father, where the thieves have come in and destroyed, thank You for rebuking the destroyers for us. Thank you that this battle is not ours alone, but that it is Yours as well. We bless this land to be fruitful and multiply again. We bless it to carry the name of God, the goodness of God and the power of God wherever we go. We thank you that the nations will tremble when they see all the good that You do for us.

Let Your Truth keep marching on!

In Jesus Name.  Amen!

Power Of "What If?"

Key Scripture:  “ So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!”  Hebrews 10:35, NLT

Power Point:

    There are so many times when our faith hits a big bump in the road called, “What if?”  Suddenly the thoughts come that even though we have a promise from God, “what if” it doesn’t happen.  What if you’re crazy for believing in Him? What if you fail?  What if you don’t get well? What if that relationship just never works out?

     What if we thought differently? What if we changed the direction of those “what if’s”.

-What if we began to believe that our best days our yet to come?

-What if we began to declare that God would always respond to those who are trusting and rejoicing in His power towards them?

-What if He hasn’t run out of ideas that are above and beyond our ideas?

-What if He really never leaves us on our own, to our own resources, or our own devices?

-What if the Truth continued to set us free?

-What if His word is never powerless or incapable to bring His will to earth?

-What if? Ask your own questions my friend.

     Did you know that God’s arm is still strong enough and long enough to reach you and rebuke the destroyer in your midst? Are you willing to trust Him with all your heart and acknowledge that He is still God?  Are you ready to bind yourself to His purposes and plans no matter what?  Are you ready to start thinking differently about how you pray? Are you ready to find the promises and decide and declare them? Well, why not?

 Jesus asks us, "Will I find faith on the earth?" He's looking for it. He's looking for those people who are strong in faith so that He can make them even stronger. We ask in faith, He responds to that faith. And we’re both blessed.

Power Thought

What if everything He’s promised is true? Well, why not believe Him?

Power Of The Joy Of My Salvation

Key Scripture:  “Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation.”  Psalm 51:12

Power Point:

      Recently I have been thinking a great deal about Salvation. The Greek word for “salvation” is “soterion”. “It means forgiveness, healing, prosperity, deliverance, safety, rescue, liberation, and restoration. Christ’s salvation is total in scope for the whole person, spirit, soul, body). (NSFB)

     When was the last time you were truly joyful about all of the above?  When was the last time you sat down and reviewed what you received when you accepted Christ? Is it time for a refresher course?

     A personal relationship with Him should always lead to a life that is transformed by His goodness shouldn’t it? It should be sparkling with His life.

I have the joy of knowing that God will bless me today if I allow it.

I have the joy of knowing that God will be my shield today, if I ask Him to.

I have the joy of knowing that He loves me so much that there is nothing He won’t do for me, if it’s good for me.

I have the joy of knowing that He watches over my every step, and has angels guarding me.

I have the joy of knowing that when I call, He answers on the first ring.

I have the joy of knowing that there is no enemy that is greater against me than the powerful presence of God that is in me and for me. 

I have the joy of knowing that today is the best day of my life; that the best is always yet to come. I know that the latter end of this house will be greater than the first.

I have the joy of knowing that the Healer wants me healed.

I have the joy of knowing that my past does not diminish my future in Him.

I have the joy of knowing that His favor surrounds me like a shield. And that when I pick up that shield I am more than a conqueror.

I have the joy of knowing that I am on the path of an abundant life because that’s what Jesus died to give me.  John 10:10

I have the joy of knowing that when I am weak, I am strong in Him.

I have the joy of knowing that I am no longer vulnerable because I am on the Lord’s side.  And He is on my side.

I have the joy of knowing that every area of my life is in the process of His restoration.

I have the joy of knowing that He is absolutely crazy about me.

I have the joy of knowing that He is absolutely good to me.

I have the joy of knowing that He thinks I rock!

I have the joy of knowing that He has good plans, and good purposes and good dreams for me to give me a hope and a future.

I have the joy of knowing that I am never on my own; I am never helpless; I am always perfectly equipped to win any battles in my life.

I have the joy of knowing that He will never betray my trust. I will never be ashamed of my hope in Him and I will always receive the rewards of my faith.

Rejoice, Beloved.

Power Thought:

How can we ever refresh the truths of our salvation without rejoicing in it?

Powering UP America!

Key Scripture:  “For you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you.”  Proverbs 25:22

“Therefore, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”  Romans 12:20

Power Point:

     I used to love Proverbs 25:22 because I thought it justified my anger toward someone so that I could heap coals of fire on them. Imagine my surprise when I discovered one day that “coals of fire” are used at the altar. They are the incendiary devices called the prayers of the saints. The picture of that is that we carry our enemies to the mercy seat and ask for God’s mercy for their sins against us. 

     Do you think God is telling us to breathe fiery prayers for them instead of breathing fire on them?  In Revelation 8:4 it says, “and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angels at hand.” I guess you could say that where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

     Years ago, I learned a very powerful lesson that changed my life. I was struggling with someone in my life, who repeatedly said and did things to hurt me. One day, as I was talking to the Lord about it He said this, “Suzanne, you need to realize that this person is simply losing their battle with the enemy. They are not your enemy. The Enemy is the enemy.  Pray for them so that do not continue to lose their battle with him.”  Those simple words helped me to realize a very basic Truth. When I can look at other people from God’s perspective, I see them differently.  I can realize that they are fighting the same battles I am in but they’re not able to get the victory. That helps me to burn up the airways with prayers for them, and it helps me to realize where the battle really is.

     God loves America. I guess that means that He loves the people who live here too. So if that politician, that Democrat or that Republican are not “on His side”, it means that they need your prayers to move the Enemy back in their lives so that they can see and experience the grace and mercy of God. How about asking God to place a burning bush on their path today so that they step aside and go to examine the presence of God?  It certainly helped Moses, didn’t it? He got a new assignment, a new direction and a whole new concept of the Living God.

     That is how we rebuild the walls of this nation. Your attitude towards those who think differently than you do is important to Him. I believe He waits until we understand that our own attitude is part of the problem at times.  We may be on the right side but we continually grumble, complain, and criticize. He won’t move until we move back into the right place. If we’re spreading more hatred than love, we’re out of step with Him.  If we’re carrying those burdensome people to His throne and lighting it up with fervent prayers for them, I think it will make a difference don’t you? And I believe it will be sooner rather than later.

That’s how we overcome evil with good. I didn’t say it would be easy.

   Power Prayer For America:

Father, help me to see that this is not as much a physical battle for America, but a spiritual battle for our souls.  Help me to understand that every “soul’ here is one that You want to know personally. The Enemy is fighting that in every way He can. Help us to realize that he truly is the enemy and let us move forward with our “smoking hot” prayers to defeat him. And let us see him defeated right in front of our eyes.  Like David, facing Goliath, let us pick up the rocks and sling them straight into the Enemy’s camp so that we can watch those spiritual forces waging war against us fall to the ground. We carry the Name of the Lord. Who do they think they are to come against the army of the Lord!

Let Your Truth keep marching on!

In Jesus Name.  Amen!

Power Of Agreement

Key Scripture: “Where two or more agree, I am there.”  Matthew 18:19

Power Point:

             Sometimes people will ask me to agree with them over something they’ve asked in prayer. Usually that’s easy to do but sometimes it can be a little tricky.  I remember one day a precious friend asked me to agree with her that God would do something about an issue that definitely needed changing. The truth was that God had told her many times that He wanted her to make some changes in her life so that He could do exactly what she was asking Him to do. He wanted the same things that she did but He was trying to make sure the changes would be lasting.

When we offer to agree with someone we are literally saying, “I agree that what you are praying is the right thing.  I’m putting my name on the bottom of this request, and when I do, Jesus will give you what you ask for.” Here’s the thing Beloved. It’s my personal and humble opinion that first of all we have to agree with what our heavenly Father has said. Isn’t that the whole point? We agree with His plans and purposes and then we make sure that we are now bound to a new framework of thinking and acting. Jesus said, “Whatsoever you ask in My name, it shall be done for you.” The phrase, “in My Name”, literally means, that you are bringing your requests framed in all that Jesus is, all that He represents, and of course, His “standing in agreement” with the Father.

            In John 15, Jesus says “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, then you will ask what you will and it shall be done for you by My Father.” He adds, “This is how My Father is glorified.” And that’s the Key to the Kingdom life we all want to live isn’t it?  The key to abundant living is living in agreement with Jesus first and foremost. Jesus is in perfect agreement with the Father. Remember that He said that He never did anything without hearing and seeing the Father first?  That same attitude of listening and doing only what His words to us will bring us into perfect alignment with the Father’s will for our lives. Don’t you agree?

            The prayer that I pray every day, binding my plans and purposes to His, and my thoughts to the mind of Christ is setting myself in agreement with the Father. It’s saying, “I agree with YOU Jesus, that this is what You desire in this situation.” I take the words He has given me that have been woven into the fabric of my thinking and I can know that My heavenly Father will answer what I am asking. I can trust Him to answer above and beyond all that I can ask or think. I can believe that His goodness toward me will craft this situation into something that is good for me.  I don’t tell Him how. I simply agree that He will do the right thing. I can agree with His will because I know that it is good, and acceptable and perfect. Yea God!                       

            So when someone asks you to stand in agreement with them, be sure that both of you are in agreement with God. Then stand back and wait for the power from on high to explode into your situation.

Power Thought:

When you sign your name at the bottom of a prayer request, make sure that Jesus has signed it first.

            

Powering UP America!

Key Scripture:  “His favor is for a lifetime.”

Power Point:

     There is only one thing that God is forgetful about and that would be sin.  When Jesus came to earth and accomplished His assignment to destroy the works of the enemy, He dealt with it once and for all. From that moment on, grace and mercy cover over sin. Do we need to repent as a nation for allowing evil to steal our land? Of course.  Do we need to ask forgiveness for not holding fast to His truths? Definitely. But the beauty of repentance means you say you’re sorry, ask forgiveness and then go in a different direction. You act differently and you think differently. You return to the source of your strength. Yes. Then you go forth and multiply the kingdom.  It’s as simple as that.

    I believe that’s as important for us as individual members of the Body of Christ and as Americans who are Christians. Don’t we need to remind ourselves that God says He never changes His mind? Do we need to remind ourselves that the calling on our lives as well as the calling on our nation is irrevocable? (That means that it can’t be called back or repealed or annulled.)  That’s His take on it anyway. He hates divorce.

     He also says that He will never forget us. He has us engraved on the palm of His hand.  (Isaiah 49:15,16).  He says that our walls are always in front of Him. He rebuilds those walls if we have turned back to Him. That is exactly what He did with the nation of Israel when He sent Nehemiah to restore its foundations.

     Will you join me in deciding and declaring that today? Will you agree with me that:

God has not forgotten us. He has us inscribed on the palm of His hands.

He will cause us to see our enemies defeated before our faces.

He will help us. He will help us. He will help us.

He will never remove His anointing and His calling on our lives or on the nation where we live. 

He is always intentional about blessing.

He hears us and He answers us.

He restores the years the locusts have eaten.

Powering Prayer For America:

Father, I am so grateful that You have such a good memory and You never forget Your covenant with us.  I love that about You!  I want to remind You and myself of all the promises that You have given us that are “Yes!” and “Amen!”  I ask that the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ blow across this land again as we turn ourselves in the right direction. I know that begins with me. Help me to know where to go and how to breathe new life, Your life, into my little corner of the world. I’m so grateful to know that You won’t divorce Yourself from me or from this nation.

Let Your truth keep marching on!

In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Power Of Contentment

Key Scripture:  " have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.”  Philippians 4:11

     The word “contented”, means being satisfied with something. It means that regardless of what’s going on around you, you are strong enough to defend yourself from its negative effects. When Jesus walked the earth, He wanted to show us why we can be contented.  He went about doing good, and destroying the works of the devil. That meant that He healed the sick, raised the dead, and paid His taxes. It meant that He showed kindness to those were being mistreated in the house of God and who were getting an inaccurate picture of what God intended for His house. He threw the bums out! (So to speak).

     How contented are you? How satisfied are you with what you know about the Father’s heart so that you can live contentedly?  In John 14:8, Phillip asks Jesus to show him the Father.  Jesus is a bit taken aback. He replies, “Have I been with you all this time and you still do not understand that I am in Him and He is in Me? Don’t you realize that when you look at My life you have seen Him face to face?” (Suzanne version.) 

    Beloved, when we look at what Jesus did when He was here on earth, we are looking at what the Father wants to happen here as well. In Acts 10:38 Paul tells us that God (the Father) anointed Jesus with HIS Holy Spirit and with power. From that point on, Jesus went about doing only good things. That happened to include healing everyone who was oppressed by the devil in any way, shape or form.  He could do that because God, the Father was with Him.  If you’ve ever doubted that God is good, feel free to look at Jesus. Somehow we get confused don’t we?  Years ago a little boy had been thinking about all this and said to his mom, “I get it! God and Jesus are in the same heaven!” Yes, my friends, they are. And they act as one Person on your behalf.

     I don’t know about you but that gives me a great deal of contentment.

Whatever our situation is, whatever that relationship is, whatever the economy is doing, whatever your health issues, the Father and Jesus and the Holy Spirit are still on the job. They are still going about doing only good and healing all who are oppressed by the devil. Thank Goodness!

    If you’ve been tempted to become dis-contented, or dis-couraged then maybe you should spend some time looking at what you can see about Your heavenly Father in the face of Jesus.

      Power Thought:

Courage comes from being contented with Whose you are and Who He has promised to be for you. And it's always good news.