Wise Quotes - POWER OF A PRAYING WOMAN 15

DAY 15 - LORD, MOVE ME INTO THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH I WAS CREATED.

God created us all for a purpose. Whether you know your purpose or not, you are predestined for greatness. It is rather unfortunate most of us grow up without knowing this purpose and so wander around trying to figure out what it is we are meant to do in this life. When we don't realise the purpose for which God has predestined for us, we don't have an accurate understanding of our identity and so we either strive to be like someone else or something were'r not. We compare ourselves to others and feel as though we always fall short. God doesn't want that for you. He wants you to have a clear vision for your life. He wants to reveal to you what your gifts and talents are and show you how best to develop them and use them for His glory.

Many of us wished our parents knew to pray for God's purposes in our lives. Because though you might not know what the future holds, the prayer will guide and point you in a right direction. I will love to encourage each and everyone one of my readers, especially parents, to start praying towards the purpose for which God has for your children.

No matter how far off the path you have gotten from the plans and purpose God has for you and your children, when you surrender your life to the Lord and declare your utter dependence upon Him, He carves a path from where you are to where you are supposed to be, and He sets you on it. It may take you longer than it would have taken had you been on the right path from the beginning, but if you keep walking closely with God, He will get you where you are supposed to be.

PRAYER

Lord, I thank You that You have called me with a holy calling,  not according to my works, but according to Your purpose and grace which was given to me in Christ Jesus (II Timothy 1:9). I know that Your plan for me existed before I knew You, and You will bring it to pass. Help me to "walk worthy of the calling wig which I was called " (Ephesians 4:1). I know there is an appointed plan for me, and I have a destiny that will now be fulfilled.

Help me to live my life with a sense of purpose and understanding of the calling You have given me. I lay down all pride,  selfishness , and anything else that would keep me from moving into all You have for me. I don't want to miss out on Your  purpose for my life because I did not walk he way You wanted me to. I repent of every day I haven't fully lived for You. Help me to live he way You want me to from now on.

Lord, help me to understand the call You have on my life. Take away any discouragement I may feel and replace it with joyful anticipation of what You are going to do through me. Use me as Your instrument time make a positive difference in the lives of this email whom You put in my path. Help me to rest in confidence of knowing that Your timing is perfect. I know that whatever You have called me to do,  You will enable me to do it.

I pray that nothing will draw me away from fulfilling the plan You have for me. May I never stray from what You have called me to be and do. Give me a vision for my life and a strong sense of purpose. I put my identity in You and my destiny in Your hands. Show me if what I am doing now is what I am supposed to be doing. I want what You are building in my life to last for eternity. I don't want to waste time going after things that are not what You have for me. Help me to be content where I am, knowing You won't leave me there forever.

Lord, I know that "all things work together for good" to those who love You and are called according to Your purpose (Romans 8:28). I don't want to presume that I know what that purpose is. Nor do I want to spend a lifetime trying to figure out what I am supposed to be doing and miss the mark. So I pray that You at the gifts and would show me clearly what the gifts and talents are that You have placed in me. Lead me in the way I should go as I grow in them. Enable me to use them according to Your will and for Your glory. Amen.

Scripture for Meditation

Ephesians 4:1-3

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

II Peter 1:10

Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.

I Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Ephesians 1:11-12

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

Romans 8:30

Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

#inspired...ann #WiseQuotes

*Stomie Omartian, The Power of a Praying Woman(2006)

Wise Quotes - POWER OF A PRAYING WOMAN 14

DAY 14 - LORD, PRESERVE ME IN PURITY AND HOLINESS.

Many are intimidated whenever the topic of 'Holiness' comes up. Being holy is not being perfect. It's letting Him who is holy be in you. We can't be holy on our own but we can make choices that allow holiness and purity to be manifested in our lives. We can separate ourselves from that which dilutes God's holiness in us and die to our lusts. And we are able to do this because "those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (Galatians 5:24. We are not slaves to our flesh but are able to live pure lives consecrated to the Lord. You may not be able to describe what holiness is but you know it when you don't see it. Here are seven descriptions of what holiness is and how to know when you don't see it in yourself.

1. Holiness means separating yourself from the world - We live in this world but the bible makes us understand we are not of the world. It is hard to separate our lives for the world when we live in it but you can ask God to help you separate yourself from the things of the world and learn to love Him more than you love it. Certain choices will have to be make like turning off that TV program, not go to certain places, not read certain magazines, not going to see certain movies.

2. Holiness means purifying yourself - Purifying yourself means asking God, who is holy to purify your heart. It means taking stock of our lives, thoughts, actions, associations and business dealings. It means actively checking ourselves daily and cleansing ourselves from anything that contaminates us. We are to deliberately turn away from anything that glorifies immorality and other unholiness. Pray that you will be able to thoroughly search out and examine your ways, and turn to the Lord.

3. Holiness means living in the Spirit and not in the flesh - Our fleshly thoughts will disqualify us as much as our actions. Are we jealous of anyone? Do we have strife? Is there unresolved division in our lives? Do we willfully allow sin a place? If so, then we are living in the flesh. and it will destroy us. When you look honestly at the fruit of your life, you can see by what you are reaping whether you have sown to the flesh or to the Spirit. Pray that God will help you live in the Spirit and not the flesh.

4. Holiness means staying clear of sexual immorality - The greatest lie our society has blindly accepted is that sexual sin is okay. I must grieve the Holy Spirit to see how women sell themselves short of all God has for them because they have bought into this lie. For example, a self-deceived generation believes that oral sex with someone they aren't married to is not actually sex at all, so therefore they can indulge their flesh and not reap any consequences. "there is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, yet is not washed from its filthiness" (Proverbs 30:12).  While they may be safe from conceiving a baby, they will conceive death in their souls and then wonder why after they are married the passion in their marriage dies. Holiness means not falling prey to fashion or trends of thought or deed. "For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God" (I Thessalonians 4:3-5). Ask God to keep you sexually pure in your mind, soul and body.

5. Holiness means being sanctified by Jesus - Once we have received Jesus, we can't continue to live our old sinful lifestyle. Now that we have Him living in us and the Holy Spirit filling us, we have no excuse. This doesn't mean we don't have to be concerned about sin anymore and can do whatever we want because He took care of it. It means we must continue to dwell with Him and ask God to help us live in all He bought for us on the cross.

6. Holiness means walking close to God - When we do not pursue a close walk with God and a lifestyle of purity and peace, we are unable to see the Lord with any kind of clarity. Esteeming the holiness of God and living in purity is the only way we are able to be close to Him. There is nothing more important than being close to God.

7. Holiness means letting God keep you - Holiness is not something you slip in and out of like a nightgown. holiness is God's will for our lives, and something God has planned for us from the beginning. God has made a way for us to live in holiness. And he is able to keep us holy. When our heart wants to live in purity and do the right thing, God will keep us from falling into sin. People are drawn to holiness because it is attractive, even though they may resist it in their own lives. Ask God to enhance your beauty with the beauty of His holiness.

PRAYER

Lord, You have said in Your Word that You did not call me to uncleanness, but in holiness (I Thessalonians 4:7). You chose me to be holy and blameless before You. I know that I have been washed clean and made holy by the blood of Jesus (I Corinthians 6:11). You have clothed me in Your righteousness and enabled me to put on the new man "in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:24). Continue to purify me by the power of Your Spirit. Help me to "cling to what is good" (Romans 12:9) and keep myself pure (I Timothy 5:22).

Lord, help me to separate myself from anything that is not holy. I don'y want to waste my life on things that have no value. Give me discernment to recognise that which is worthless and remove myself from it. Help me not to give myself to impure things, but rather to those things that fulfill Your plans for my life. Enable me to do what it takes to get everything rooted out of my life that is not Your best for me, so I can live the way You want me to live. Show me how to tear down any idols in my life and eliminate any sources of unholy thoughts, such as TV, movies, books, videos and magazines, that do not glorify You. Help me to examine my ways so that I can return to Your ways wherever I have strayed. Enable me to take any steps necessary in order to be pure before You.

Lord, I want to be Holy as You are holy. Make me a partaker of Your holiness (Hebrews 12:10), and may my spirit, soul and body be kept blameless (I Thessalonians 5:23). I know that You have called me to purity and holiness and You have said that "He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it" (I Thessalonians 5:24). Thank You that You will keep me pure and holy so I will be fully prepared for all You have for me. Amen.

Scriptures for Meditation

Ephesians 1:4

Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.

Matthew 5:8

Blessed are the pure in heart,

    For they shall see God.

II Timothy 2:20-21

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

II Corinthians 7:1

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Isaiah 35:8-10

A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.

The unclean shall not pass over it, But it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, Shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, Nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it; It shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk there, And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

#inspired...ann #WiseQuotes

*Stomie Omartian, The Power of a Praying Woman(2006)

Wise Quotes - POWER OF A PRAYING WOMAN 13

DAY 13 - LORD, PLANT ME SO I WILL BEAR THE FRUIT OF YOUR SPIRIT.

All of us are planting something in our lives every single day, whether we realise it or not. And we are Los reaping whatever we have planted in the past. The quality of our lives right now is the result of what we planted and harvested some time before. We reap the good and the bad for years after we have sown. That's why it is so important to plant and nurture the right seeds now.

Jesus said that He is the vine and you and I are the branches.  If we abide in Him we will bear fruit (John 15:5). "Abide" means to remain, to stay, to dwell. In other words, if we dwell with Him and He dwells with us, we will bear the fruit of His Spirit (Gala tins 5:22-23). That's what we want. It is said that we begin to resemble the person with whom we live and with whom we are most closely associated. When we share our lives with Jesus, His likeness is stamped on our spirit and soul. When we plug into Him, the fruit of His spirit is manifested in us.* Here are nine good ways to produce a great crop;

1. Plant seeds of love 

2. Plant seeds of joy

3. Plant seeds of peace

4. Plant seeds of patience

5. Plant seeds of kindness

6. Plant seeds of goodness

7. Plant seeds of faithfulness

8. Plant seeds of gentleness

9. Pant seeds of self control

If you've not been bearing the fruit of the Spirit in your life the way you'd like, ask God to help you plant good seeds and pull up any weeds that may have grown up around your soul.  Feed the soul of your heart with the food of God's Word and ask the Holy Spirit to water it afresh every day. As long as you abide faithfully in the try vine, You are guaranteed to produce a crop of spiritual fruit that will make your heavenly Father proud. 

PRAYER

Lord, search my heart and try me and see if there is wickedness in me. Replace all that is wrong in my character with the goodness in Yours. Plant the fruit of Your Spirit in me and cause it to flourish. Help me to abide in You, Jesus, so that I will bear fruit in my life. I invite You, Holy Spirit, to fill me afresh with Your love today so that it will flow out of me and into the lives of others.

You said in Your Word to "let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts" (Colossians 3:15). I pray that your peace would rule my heart and mind to such a degree that people would sense it when they are around me. Help me to "pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another" (Romans 14:19).

Give me the joy the knowing You produces. Make me patient with others so that I reflect Your character to them. Help me to be kind whenever there is opportunity for it, and may Your goodness floe through me so that I will do good to everyone. Make me to be faithful person so that I can be trusted in all things. Help me to have the "meekness and gentleness of Chfist" so that I will reflect Your gentle spirit (I I Corinthians 10:1). Enable me to be self controlled in my hours,  words and habits.

Where I need to be pruned in order to bear more fruit, I submit myself to You. I know that without You I can do nothing.  You are the vine and I am the branch. I must abide in You in kroner to bear fruit. Help me to do that. Thank You for Your promise that if I abide in You and Your Word abides in me, I can ask what I desire and it will be done for me (John 15:7). Thank You for Your pro is that says if I ask I will receive (John 16:24). May I be like a tree planted by the rivers of Your living water so that I will bring forth fruit in season that won't wither (Psalm 1:3). In Jesus' name, I ask that the fruit of Your Spirit will grow in me and be recognised clearly by all who see me so that it glorifies You.

Scripture for Meditation

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law

John 15:1-8

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.   Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.   Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.   Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.   I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.   If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.   If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.   Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

#inspired...ann #WiseQuotes

*Stomie Omartian, The Power of a Praying Woman(2006)

Wise Quotes - POWER OF A PRAYING WOMAN 12

DAY 12 - LORD BLESS ME IN THE WORK I DO.

Whatever we do, we want to do it well and be successful. When our work is good, it gives us fulfillment. When we accomplish something worthwhile that makes life better for other people, our families, or ourselves, it gives us satisfaction. But whenever the work of our hands are not blessed, we are weighed down with frustration and unfulfiment.

It doesn't matter if you are a stay-at-home mum, a full time student, a COMPANY of a giant corporation, a single woman who is self-supporting,  a married woman running a home,  a skilled career woman,  a disabled person, a baby-sitter, a house sitter, a single working mum, or a volunteer at the rescue mission, you have work to do. It doesn't matter if your work is recognised by the whole world or only God sees it. It doesn't matter if you are getting pardon big or receiving no financial compensation. Your work is valuable.  And you want it to be blessed.*

Prayer to God about your job makes the difference in what you achieve. If you have a paying job,  don't hesitate to pray that you will be compensated fairly and generously. You pray for your employer/employees,  you pray for promotion and basically every work of your hands that the Lord has blessed you with. No matter what your pay is,  your work is more important to God, to your family, to others and most importantly to yourself so commit it to God and ask Him to bless it.

PRAYER

Lord, I pray You would show me what work I am supposed to be doing. If it is something other than what I am doing now, reveal to me. If it is something I am to do in addition to what I am already doing, show me that too. Whatever it it You have called me to do, both now and in the future, I pray You will give me the strength and energy to get it done well. Enable me to do what I do successfully. May I find great fulfillment and satisfaction in every aspect of it, even the most difficult and unpleasant parts.

Thank You that in all labour there is profit of one kind or another (Proverbs 14:23). I pray that the rewards of my work will be great. May I always be compensated fairly and richly out of the storehouse of Your abundance. Bless the people I work for and with. May I always be a blessing and a help to each one of them. As I come in contact with others in my work, I pray that Your love and peace will flow through me and speak loudly of Your goodness. Enable me to touch them for Your kingdom.

Lord, I thank You for the abilities You have given me. Where I am lacking in skill help me to grow and improve so that I do my work well. Teach me to excel so that the result of what I do will be pleasing to others. Open doors of opportunity to use my skills and close doors that I am not to go through. Give me wisdom and direction about that.

I commit my work to You, Lord, knowing You will establish it (Proverbs 16:3). May it always be that I love the work I do and be able to do the work I love. According to Your Word I pray that I will not lag in diligence in my work, but remain fervent in spirit, serving You in everything I do (Romans 12:11). Establish the work of my hands so that what I do will find favour with others and be a blessing for many. May it always be glorifying to You. Amen.

Scriptures for Meditation

Psalm 128:1-2

Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,

who walks in his ways! You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

Proverbs 10:22

The blessing of the Lord makes rich,

and he adds no sorrow with it.

Psalm 90:17

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,

and establish the work of our hands upon us;

yes, establish the work of our hands!

Proverbs 22:29

Do you see a man skillful in his work?

He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.

Ecclesiastes 3:13

also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man.

#inspired...ann #WiseQuotes

*Stomie Omartian, The Power of a Praying Woman(2006)

Wise Quotes - POWER OF A PRAYING WOMAN 11

DAY 11 - LORD, PREPARE ME TO BE A TRUE WORSHIPER.

Nothing we do is more powerful or more life changing than praising God. It is one of the means by which God transforms us. Every time we praise and worship Him, His presence comes to dwell in us and changes our hearts and allows the Holy Spirit to soften and mold them into whatever He wants them to be.*

In the times when I was going through a moment of fear and anxiety. I always engaged myself in more praise and worship as prayer seemed like a difficult thing to do. I would always listen to worship songs everywhere.......in my car, when I was cooking and even when I had to sleep.......It was a great source of strength cause sleeping was a difficult thing to do as well. I use to get sudden panic attacks and in those moments I had to immediately find a safe place to either pray or worship.

 I remember during one of those ordeals, I quickly made my way to one of my dear sisters house and she always knew what to do to keep me calm.....she would play worship songs and before I knew it, I would be fast asleep. Her house became my refuge for worship. There was a day i had one of those attacks, she and her lovely husband prayed for me, gave me communion and we worshiped.  We worshipped and worshipped and I could strongly feel the presence of God in our midst. I knew then that I was finally free of any fear and anxiety. From that day on I felt a great sense of heaviness lifted off me.

Praise and worship should be an integral part of our daily lives but because it is not something our flesh naturally wants to do, we have to will ourselves to do it. And because it's not the first thing we think of to do, we have to decide to do it no matter what our circumstances. If you ever find yourself unmotivated to worship, try reading Psalm 103.......It gives good reasons to worship God;

1. He forgives my iniquities.

2. He heals all my diseases. 

3. He redeems my life fro destruction.

4. He crowns me with loving kindness. 

5. He satisfies my mouth with good things.

6. He executes righteousness and justice for the oppressed.

7. He makes His ways known. 

8. He is merciful.

9. He is gracious

10. He is slow to anger.

11. He will not stove with us.

12. He will keep His anger forever.

13. He does not punish us according to our iniquities.

14. He shows great mercy to those who fear Him.

15. He removes our transgressions from us.

16. He has pity on us.

17. He remembers we are dust.

18. His mercy is everlasting.

19. He blesses our children and grandchildren who obey Him.

20. He rules over all His throne is established. 

We can claim to know and love God, but if we are not worshiping and parsing Him every day, we are not worshiping and praising Him every day, we are in the dark about who He really is. We don't want to be wandering around in the dark entertaining futility in our minds, all because we are not true worshipers of our awesome God. Here are five good ways to praise the Lord;

1. God wants us to sing our praises to Him - Psalm 147:1 & Psalm 100:2

2. God wants us to lift our hands to Him - Psalm 134:2

3. God wants us to speak our praise to Him - Hebrews 13:15

4. God wants us to praise Him with dancing and instruments - Psalm 149:3

5. God wants us to praise Him together with other believers - Hebrews 2:12

PRAYER

Lord, there is no source of greater joy for me than worshiping You. I come into Your presence with thanksgiving and bow before You in this day. our I exalt Your name for You are great and worthy to be praised. Thank You that "You have put gladness in my heart" (Psalm 4:7). All honour and majesty, strength and glory, holiness and righteousness are Yours, O Lord.

Thank You that You are "gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy" (Psalm 145:8). Thank You that You are "mighty in power" and Your "understanding is infinite" (Psalm 145:5). Thank You that You  lift up the humble and cast the wicked down (Psalm 147:6). Thank You that You execute justice for the oppressed, You give food to the hungry, and You give freedom to the prisoners. Thank You that You open the eyes of the blind and raise up those who are bowed down (Psalm 146:7-8).

Thank You, Lord, that Your plans for my life are good, and You have a future for me that is full of hope. Thank You that You are always restoring my life to greater wholeness. I praise You and thank You that You are my Healer, my Deliverer, my Provider, my Redeemer, my Father, and my Comforter. Thank You for revealing Yourself to me through Your Word, through Your Son Jesus, and through Your mighty works upon the earth and in my life. Thank You for Your love, peace, joy, faithfulness, grace, mercy, kindness, truth, and healing. Thank You that I can depend on You, for You and Your Word are unfailing. Thank You that You are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Lord, forgive me when I neglect to praise and worship You as You deserve. Teach me to worship You with my whole heart the way You want me to. Make me a true worshiper, Lord. May praise and worship of You be my first response to every circumstance.

I praise Your name this day, Lord, for You are good and Your mercy endures forever (Psalm 136:1). "Because Your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; i will lift up my hands in Your name" (Psalm 63:3-4). I will declare Your "glory among the nations" and You "wonders among all peoples" (Psalm 96:3). I worship you in the splendor of Your holiness and give You the glory due Your name (Psalm 29:2).

Scriptures for Meditation

John 4:23-24
But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Psalm 50:14-15

Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High.
Call upon Me in the day of trouble;I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

Psalm 5:11-12

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your nameBe joyful in You. For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous;
With favor You will surround him as with a shield.

Psalm 50:23

Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright
I will show the salvation of God.”

Psalm 138:1-3

I will praise You with my whole heart;Before the gods I will sing praises to You.  I will worship toward Your holy temple,And praise Your name. For Your  lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word above all Your name. In the day when I cried out, You answered me,
And made me bold with strength in my soul.

This post is specially dedicated to a family so close and dear to my heart. I couldn't have gone through such terrible ordeal without their help, support, prayers and that of God. To my dear sister Doris, my ride or die in Christ(Ama Dorisi as I like to call her) and my dear uncle Akwasi Addai...........God is not done with you yet. Keep being yourselves and never compromise your Faith in Christ. He who has begun a good work in you will surely see you through, your labour is never in vain. Love you both very much. God bless you.

#inspired...ann #WiseQuotes

*Stomie Omartian, The Power of a Praying Woman(2006)

Wise Quotes - POWER OF A PRAYING WOMAN 10

DAY 10 - LORD INSTRUCT ME AS I PUT MY LIFE IN RIGHT ORDER.

Our Almighty God is a God of order. His creation testifies of this and none of what He made is random or accidental. In the same way God doesn't want our lives to be either.......His will is that we "let all things be done decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40). We can't live successfully without right priorities in our lives. We may try using our own will but even correct priorities are not something we can figure out on our own. We have to be led by the Holy Spirit and have a clear knowledge of God's Word in order to understand what they should be.

Our two most important priorities come directly from the Word of God. Jesus told us about them saying, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself'" (Matthew 22:37-39). It can't get much clearer than that. If you maintain these two top priorities, love God and love others, they will guide you in setting all the other priorities in your life.*

Submission is key in serving God and others.....It is something you decide to do, not something someone forces you to do. Our first priority in submission must always be to "submit to God" (James 4:7). This means not having to submit to the wishes of anyone who asks you to do something that is against God's commands. You can have a submitted heart and still be able to draw the line when what is being asked of you violates your conscience and the laws of God. The difference between having a submitted heart and one that is not is that one will bring blessings for you and the other will get you into trouble.

Submission for women can be a problem especially if their trust has been violated or have been hurt by someone they submitted to. No one wants to be an object of abuse or used and neither does God. What you need to do is to pray for wisdom about the issue because it is quiet sensitive and you need to discern what the Lord is telling you. Word of encouragement for anyone in such situations........God is not asking you to be stupid, sacrifice your sanity for a principle, or suffer at the hand of an abuser. He will give you wisdom when you ask for it. If you find yourself going along with someone who violates the Word of God and His holy laws, not to mention your own conscience, that's not submission. That's just dumb. Don't let yourself go there.

It's in the same way of submitting to authority figures. The Bible says we should submit to authority figures designated by God in our Church, in our family, in our work and in our government. But there is a thin line between submitting right and abusive submission. Whatever the situation, don't submit blindly or ignorantly. There has to be a balance and that can only be found by first submitting to God.

PRAYER

Lord, I pray You would help me set my life in right order. i want to always put You first above all my heart, mind, and soul. Show me when I am not doing that. I don't want to have any other gods but You in my life. Show me if I have lifted up my soul to an idol. My desire is to serve You and only You. Help me to live accordingly.

Give me a submissive heart. Help me to always submit to to the governing authorities and the correct people in my family, work, and church. Show me who the proper spiritual authorities are to be in my life. Plant me in the church you want me to be in. Help me to move into proper alignment in every area of my life by willingly submitting myself to others where I need to do so. Show me clearly to whom I am to be submitted and how I am to do it. Give me discernment and wisdom about this. Show me any time I am not submitted to the right people in the right way.

I know that if my life is not in proper order I will not receive the blessings You have for me. But I also know that if I seek You first, all that I need will be added to me (Matthew 6:33). I seek You first this day and ask that You would enable me to put my life in perfect order. May I never come out from under the covering of spiritual protection You have placed in my life.

Scriptures for Meditation

Matthew 6:33

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 

Matthew 10:39

 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

I Peter 5:5

 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

I John 4:21

And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

Hebrews 13:17

 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

#inspired...ann #WiseQuotes

*Stomie Omartian, The Power of a Praying Woman(2006)

Wise Quotes - POWER OF A PRAYING WOMAN 9

DAY 9 - LORD TAKE ME DEEPER IN YOUR WORD.

Our time in God's Word is one of the most important aspects of our lives. The more we read God's Word, the more He reveals His heart to us. Until recently, the scripture "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God"(Matthew 4:4) was very vague in meaning for me. After going through what seemed like a never ending ordeal of fear and anxiety, The Word was my only source.....I would listen to it on audio from my phone, in my car, i would read at any given chance and mostly speak out the Word to myself whenever i found myself being under the attack of fear. The Word became the food i ate morning, afternoon and evening and it still is.

I had to learn to pray for in depth understanding of the Word anytime I began reading. There were times when I would read and the enemy will try to make me feel, what I had read was a lie but then I would refuse and put him back where he belongs by reminding him of the scripture which says "Let all men be liars but God be true.......(Romans 3:4). The Word of God has become a powerful source in my life to this point, when I go a day without reading, I feel something missing and can't even focus on what God has planned for me.

God's Word is food for our souls. We can't live without it. If we are not continually fed with God's Word, we will starve spiritually. It is therefore vital to pray every time we read the Bible, "Lord, take me deeper into Your Word". It is essential to ask God to help you apply it practically to your life. It doesn't matter how long you walk with God; He always has new things for you to learn. It may be new dimensions of what you already know, or it may be something you have never seen before. Either way it's not enough to just learn the truth; you must act on it......If we don't do what The Word says, we not only forget it but we also forget who we are in the process.


If you have trouble being in God's Word every day, here are just a few of the many reasons to read the Bible that should inspire you:

1. To know where you are going........You can't foresee the future or exactly where you are heading, but God's Word will guide you. (Read Psalm 119:133)

2. To have wisdom...........Knowledge of God's Word is where wisdom begins to grow in you. (Read Psalm 19:7)

3. To find success............When you live according to the teachings of the Bible, life works. (Read Joshua 1:8)

4. To live in purity..........You must live life of holiness and purity in order to enjoy more of the Lord's presence, but you can't be made pure without being cleansed through God's Word. (Read Psalm 119:9)

5. To Obey God...........If you don't understand what God's laws are, how can you obey them? (Read Psalm 119:9)

6. To have joy..........You cannot be free of anxiety and unrest without the Word of God in your heart. (Read Psalm 119:33-35)

7. To grow in faith.........You can't grow in faith without reading and hearing the Word of God. (Read Romans 10:17)
8. To find deliverance..........You won't know what you need to be free of unless you study God's Word to find out. (Read John 8:31-32)

9. To have peace...........God will give you a peace that the world can't give, but you must find it first in His Word. (Read 119:165)

10. To distinguish good from evil.........Everything has become so relative today, how can you know for sure what is right and wrong without God's Word? (Read Psalm 119:11).

PRAYER

Lord, , I thank You for Your Word. "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105). It it food to my soul, and I can't live without it. Enable me to truly comprehend its deepest meaning. Give me greater understanding than I have ever had before, and reveal to me the hidden treasures buried there. I pray that I will have a heart that is teachable and open to what You want me to know. I desire Your instruction. Teach me so I may learn.

Help me to be diligent to put Your Word inside my soul faithfully every day. Show me where I'm wasting time that could be better spent reading Your Word. Give me the ability to memorise it. Etch it in my mind and heart. Make it become a part of me. Change me as I read it.

Lord, I don't want to be just a hearer of Your Word. Show me how to be a doer of Your Word as well. Enable me to respond the way I should and obey You. Show me when I am not doing what it says. Help me to apply my heart to Your instruction and my ears to Your Words of knowledge (Proverbs 23:12). May Your Word correct my attitude and remind me of what my purpose is on earth. May it cleanse my heart and give me hope that I can rise above my limitations. May it increase my faith and remind me of who You are and how much You love me. May it bring the security of knowing my life is in Your hands and You will supply all my needs.

Thank You, Lord, that when I look into Your Word I find You. Help me to know You better through it. Give me ears to recognise Your voice Speaking to me every time I read it (Mark 4:23).  I don't want to ever miss the way You are leading me.When I hear Your voice and follow You, my life is full. When I get off the path You have for me, my life is empty. Guide, perfect, and fill me with Your Word this day. Amen.

Scriptures for Meditation 

Hebrews 4:12

or the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

James 1:25

But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Psalm 1:1-3

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 

but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. 

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither whatever they do prospers. 

1 John 2:5

But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

Proverbs 16:20
He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.

#inspired...ann #WiseQuotes

*Stomie Omartian, The Power of a Praying Woman(2006)