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Do your words need anointing?

4/26/2015

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Joy in the Morning                                                                                                                    
Then flew one of the seraphim to me, having a burning coal in his hand, and with it he touched my mouth.     Isaiah 6:6-7

 

Hello Friend,

            This morning while I was having my quiet time with the Lord, I blurted out loud, “Lord, I ask for your anointing on my mind and my mouth.  Amen.”   At first, I was startled.  “Where did that come from?”  I allowed myself time to ponder the words that had been coming from my mouth--replaying past conversations in my mind.  Have I been speaking words of hope? Have I been speaking truth? Gossip? Hurtful words?  It was only after a time of introspection that I realized I was not praying for forgiveness for past sins so much as I was asking for God’s blessing and approval (anointing) on thoughts and utterances yet to come.

            Perhaps, God knows that in the coming week I will be challenged to hold my tongue when I want to judge or criticize another.  Perhaps, I will be faced with a hard truth that I am called upon to share--never an easy encounter for the people-pleaser aspect of my personality.  I only know for sure what scripture tells me.  When Isaiah’s lips were cleansed from sin, God said, “Whom shall I send?” And Isaiah responded, “Here I am, Lord, send me.”

            This morning, I want you to pray about your mind and the words that come from your mouth.   Do your lips need the burning coal of God’s cleansing?  Do you need to ask for forgiveness for careless words hurled at another?  Perhaps, you could ask for God’s anointing that your words might bring healing.  Be God’s voice.  Tell God to send you to spread the joyous, good news of His love.                  

                                   Let my words be acceptable to you, Oh God.                                                                                                                                     Linda

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Thanking God for Sleep

4/19/2015

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Joy in the Morning                                                                                                                     

 

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust.           Psalm 4:8      

 

Hello Friend,

            Good morning to you.  Recently, I have come to love the morning hours.  After several years of suffering with insomnia, I finally listened to my primary care doctor and went to a sleep specialist, Dr. Lisa Squires.  I include her name because she is a dedicated Christian and has worked a miracle in my life.  Sometimes in the busyness of our daily tasks, we fail to pause and thank God for ordinary blessings.  Take, for instance, breathing—until we develop a sinus issue and then we remember, oh, yes, breathing is a blessing.  Or walking without pain, until we need a hip replacement, and then we remember how wonderful it is to take a simple leisurely walk to the mailbox.  I’m not sure why we have to lose one of our bodily functions before we remember to thank God for daily blessings.  Perhaps, we are too busy seeking earthly treasures.

            Sleep is a great gift.  Try lying in bed at four in the morning staring at the whirling ceiling fan and thinking that you have to get up in three hours for work. It is torturous!  Night after night—the same routine.  Wondrous sleep!  Blessed relief and rest for the body!  Thank you, God for the many blessings we so often take for granted.  And forgive us when we whine about the trivial.  Teach us to live in gratitude for the glorious workings of our body. You, God, are the giver of all great gifts.                                In gratitude for peaceful sleep,                                                                     Linda

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Trust God's Plan & Timing

4/12/2015

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Joy in the Morning                                                                                                                     

 

For I am persuaded that nothing. . .shall be able to separate us from the love of God.                      Romans 8:38-39        

 

Good morning, dear one, I feel blessed to be able to share with you a message of hope and encouragement once again.  Recently my prayer list has been quite lengthy—so many struggling with health concerns, disappointments, and financial frustrations.  Often we become discouraged when our prayers aren’t answered quickly or in the way we deem best.   We ask, “Oh, God, why is this happening?  This isn’t fair!”  Have you ever uttered those heartfelt phrases? 

 

            Today, I am going to challenge you.  Let’s not go around complaining.  Instead, stay in faith.  Recently I read this quote by Ramona C. Carroll: “Faith is putting all your eggs in God’s basket, then counting your blessings before they hatch.”  Where is your focus this morning?  On your problems?  Or on God who is working, even this very moment to resolve every issue you are facing.  God loves you and wants to do amazing things in your life today.  Don’t miss them by looking down.  Look up.  Look into the amazing face of Jesus.  See His smile.  In the light of God’s glory and grace, “All things work together for good to them who love God and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8: 28).

 

Prayer for Today:

Father, thank you for helping me to trust in Your plan while I patiently wait for my blessing to hatch.

                                                            Believing In God’s love for us,  Linda

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Lord, remove the stones from my life!

4/5/2015

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Joy in the Morning                                                                                                                     

 

 “Who will roll the stone away from the tomb?”                                                                             Mark 16:3          
Hello Friend,

          Last week I asked you to ponder, “What is the unsurmountable obstacle in your life that is keeping you entombed and hindering your joy?” We all have our own stones: hurts, hang-ups, and habits that we can’t budge.   

            Have you ever wondered why God rolled the stone away from Jesus’ tomb? I mean, in His resurrected body Jesus could materialize behind locked doors. Surely, He could have left the tomb without moving the stone. But He didn’t. I think He moved the stone for Mary, for Peter, for James, for John, for you and me.  He still moves stones.  Whatever challenges you face, whatever boulders block your path—whether its discouragement, doubt, depression, divorce, debt, drunkenness, fear, failure, or even death—just know that He still moves stones. He stands ready to move yours, if you’ll surrender it to Him. You have a chance to do that right here, right now. Will you surrender your stone and receive new life today?                                                                                                                                   
   
Prayer for Today:                                                                                                                           
 
Dear God, Remove our stones, Lord.  We give them to you.  We surrender our stone of discouragement, dread, doubt, and defeat.  Lord, this Easter morning, we surrender our fear of death knowing that through our Savior, we have been given life.  Enlighten what’s dark in us; strengthen what’s weak in us. Mend what’s broken and bind what’s bruised in us. Heal what’s sick in us and lastly, revive whatever peace and love has died in us.   Amen.              
                                                                                                       
Happy Easter, Linda

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