Wise Quotes - POWER OF A PRAYING WOMAN 27

DAY 27 - LORD, TRAIN ME TO SPEAK ONLY WORDS THAT BRINGS LIFE. 

One of the areas that can cause the greatest trouble in our lives is our mouth. With our mouth we can say things we shouldn't and end up hurting others and paying the consequences.

We sometimes say things out of ignorance, jokingly or even unaware that our words hurt the other and we can pay the consequences later on down the years. We can't take our words back once we speak them. All we can do apologise and hope to be forgiven by the offended party. And if the other person cannot be reached, you can pray to God for forgiveness and also pray that they forgive, let go and have a good life with your words not being a hindrance to them.

He best way to make sure that what comes out of our mouth is good is to put Houghton in our heart that are good.  If we fill our heart with God's truth and God's love, hats what will come out. Have you ever been around someone who complains all the time or speaks negatively another themselves and others? Isn't it exhausting?  He bible says we are to "do all things without complaining and disputing" (Philippians 2:14). If we complain, it reflects our lack of faith in God. It proves that we we don't believe God is in charge and can take care of us. It suggests we are not praying.  Beig around people wig suggest an obvious lack of faith is depleting.

Imagine if everyone we opened our moths we spoke words that were laced wig healing, edification, encouragement,  comfort,  wisdom, love and truth. That's possible to do if we ask God to help us. It's dangerous to speak whatever cones into to your mind unless what comes into your mind is good. If you have your mind fixed in good things, then he words of your mouth will reflect that. Here are eight things to think about daily; 

1. Whatever things are true.

2. Whatever things are noble.

3. Whatever things are just.

4. Whatever things are pure.

5. Whatever things are lovely.

6. Whatever things are of good report.

7. Whatever things are virtuous.

8. Whatever things are praiseworthy. 

PRAYER 

Lord, help me be a person who speaks words that build up and not tear down. Help me to speak life into the situations and people around me, and not death. Fill my heart afresh each day with Your Holy Spirit so that Your love and goodness overflow from my heart and my mouth. Help me to speak only about things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer " (Psalm 19 :14). Keep mymouth from speaking any evil or anything that is not true. Holy Spirit of truth, guide me in all truth. Help me to "speak as the oracles of God" and with the ability You supply so that You may be glorified  (I Peter 4:11). May every word I speak reflect Your purity and love. 

Your Word says that "the preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord" (Proverbs 16:1). I will prepare my heart by being in Your Word every day and obeying Your laws. I will prepare my heart by worshiping You and giving thanks in all things. Fill my heart with love, peace, and joy so that it will flow from my mouth. Convict me when I complain or speak negatively. Help me not to speak too quickly or too much. Help me not to speak words that miscommunication.  I pray You would give me the words to say every time I speak. Show me when to speak and when not to.  And when I do speak, give me words to say that will bring life and edification. 

Help me to be a woman who speaks wisely, graciously and clearly and never foolishly, rudely or insensitively. Give me words that speak of the hope that is within me so I can explain my faith in a persuasive and compelling way. May the words I speak bring others into a fuller knowledge of You.  Amen.

Scripture for Meditation

I Peter 3:10

For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;

Proverbs 16:23

The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

I Peter 3:15-17

But in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

Proverbs 16:24

Gracious words are like a honeycomb,

sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Proverbs 16:13

Righteous lips are the delight of a king,

and he loves him who speaks what is right.

#inspired...ann #WiseQuotes

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

Wise Quotes - POWER OF A PRAYING WOMAN 26

DAY 26 - LORD, USE ME TO TOUCH THE LIVES OF OTHERS.

Giving to God and to other people is such a vitally important part of our life on earth that we can never achieve all we want to see happen in our lives if we're not doing that. It's a major factor in raising the complete purposes of God for us. We can never be truly whole and fulfilled or find any lasting peace unless we are giving to other. We release the flow of God's blessings to us by letting them flow through us. Giving to God and to others creates a vacuum into which God pours more blessings. If we stop that flow, we stop up our lives. We must pray that God will show us how to give and enable us to do it.

When i decided to share The Word on this blog, the main aim was to reach out to people about Jesus. Of course I prayed about it with my husband but the thought of praying for it to reach the whole world never crossed my mind until one day I woke up with mixed emotions. I had had a whole week of sleepless nights, anxiety and fear of which I could not explain. I spoke to my husband about it and we prayed. During the time of prayer, The Holy Spirit revealed that The Word I'm sharing is actually reaching places and people I had never dreamt it would and so the enemy was trying to get me to give up with those negative emotions. 

Coming to his realisation gave me even more strength to pray that The Word will reach every corner of the world and beyond. My prayer has now changed to "God, use me to touch the lives of others around the world with Your love, mercy, hope and truth". You can pray that prayer too,  and God will use your abilities and talents to touch others powerfully. When your heart is to give to others from what God has given to you, He will enable you to do that.

PRAYER is the greatest gift we can give to anyone. Material things are temporary, but our prayers for another person can affect them for a lifetime. We can never move into all God had for us until we first move into intercessory prayer. This is one part of our calling that we have in common, because we are all called to intercede for others. God wants us to love others enough to lay down our lives for them in prayer.

PRAYER

Lord, help me to serve You the way You want me to. Reveal to me any area of my life where I should be giving to someone right now. Open my eyes to see thier need. Give me a generous heart to give to the poor. Help me to be good steward of the blessings You have given me by sharing what I have with others. Show me whom You want me to extend my hand to at this time. Fill me with Your love for all people and help me to communicate it in a way that can be clearly perceived. Use me to reach  the lives of others with the hope that is in me.

Help me to give to You the way I should.  I don't want to rob You of anything that is due You. Lord, I know that where my treasure is, there my heart will be also (Matthew 6:21). May my greatest treasure always be in serving You.

Lord, show me what You want me to do today to be a blessing to others around me. Specifically, show me how I can serve my family, my friends, my church and the people whom You put in my life. I don't want to get so wrapped up in my life that I don't see the opportunity for ministering Your life to others.  Show me what You want me to do and enable me to do it. Give me all I need to minister life, hope, help and healing to others. Make me to be one of Your faithful intercessor and teach me how to pray in power. Help me to make a big difference in the world because You are working through me to touch he lives of others for Your glory. Amen.

Scripture for Meditation 

I Peter 4:10-1 

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

I John 3:16

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

Galatians 6:9

So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Daniel 12:3

And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. 

John 14:12-14

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

#inspired...ann #WiseQuotes

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

Wise Quotes - POWER OF A PRAYING WOMAN 25

DAY 25 - LORD FREE ME FROM UNGODLY FEAR.

Fear.....one of the most terrible forces of the enemy that can happen to mankind. When the spirit of fear starts torment you, it can literally cripple you to the point of being physically sick. Growing up, there were a lot of things I was afraid of due to movies and stories I had heard. Over the years as I begun to understand the Word of God concerning fear, I gradually became fearless of most of them. There was fear of the dark, fear of flying, fear of heights, fear of accidents, fear of drowning, fear of the unknown and even fear of people's opinions and being rejected. It wasn't until my recent near death encounter that the fear of death and fear of loosing my kids/family  became another one to battle.

God doesn't not want us to live in fear. Fear does not come from Him. It's the world that teaches us to fear. The things we see in movies, videos, newspapers and books make us afraid. The things we hear people say and see them do causes us to have fear.  The enemy can make us afraid of everything, including our future. It wears us down worrying that something we hear is going to happen.  But we don't have to be tormented by fear. 

Here are two kinds of fear: godly and ungodly fear. We must pray that we live in godly fear, which is good and not give place to ungodly fear, which is torment.  

There are many things to be afraid of in this world.  Sometimes all it takes is news report to fill us with fear.  Our imaginations alone can also frighten us. But God wants to set us free from all fear for all time. Here are four ways to get rid of ungodly fear; 

1. Get rid of ungodly fear by praying - The bible says when we are afraid it's because we have not been made perfect in love.  (Read I John 4:18)

2. Get rid of ungodly fear by controlling what you receive into your mind - The things of the world often make us afraid. What movies or songs are you filling your soul with that brings on fear? Be mindful and sieve through what you take in.

3. Get rid of ungodly fear by being in the Word of God - Knowing what God says about fear and the promises He has given us can make a difference when faced with fear. Speaking the Word out loud is a powerful weapon against it.

4. Get rid of ungodly fear by living in the fear of The Lord - The more you get to know he Lord and understand who He is, the more you will reverence Him and fear His displeasure. This is called the fear of the Lord and that makes you want to obey Him.

Here are seven good things that come from hearing God;

1. The blessing of God's provision - (Read Psalm 34:9)

2. The blessings of God's protection- (Read Proverbs 103:11)

3. The blessing of God's mercy - (Read Psalm 103:11)

4. The blessings of God's goodness - (Read Psalm 31:19)

5. The blessings of God's abundance - (Read Proverbs 22:4)

6. The blessings of GOD'S response - (Read Psalm 145:19)

7. The blessing of God's freedom - (Read Proverbs 16:6)

PRAYER 

Lord, You are my light and my salvation. You are the strength of my life. If whom,  then, shall I be afraid? Even though an entire army may surround me and go to war against me, my heart will not fear ( Psalm 27:1-3). I will be strong and of good courage, for I know that You are with me whenever I go (Joshua 1:9). Free me from all ungodly fear, for I know that fear is never of You.

Guard my heart and mind from the spirit of fear. What I am afraid of today is (name anything that causes you to have fear). Take that fear and replace it with Your perfect love. If I have any thoughts in my mind that are fueled by fear, reveal them to me. If I have gotten my mind off of You and in my circumstances, help me to reverse that process so that my mind is off my circumstances and on You. Show me where I allow death to take root and help me to put a stop to it. Take away any fear of rejection and all fear of Man from within me and replace it with the fear of the Lord.

Your Word says that You will put fear in the hearts of Your people and You will not turn away from doing them good (Jeremiah 32:40). I pray that You would do that for me.  I know that You have not given me a spirit of fear, so I reject that and instead claim the power, love and sound mind You have for me. "Oh , how great is your goodness,which You have laid up for those who fear You" (Psalm 31:19). Because I have received a Kingdom which cannot be shaken, may I have Grace by which to serve You acceptably with reverence and godly fear all the days of my life (Hebrews 12:28).

Thank You that "the fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction.; He will not be visited with evil" (Proverbs 19:23). Help me to grow in fear and reverence of You so that I may please You and escape the plans of evil for my life. Thank You that those who fear You will never lack any good thing. Amen. 

Scripture for Meditation 

II Timothy 1:7

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

I John 4:18

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 

Psalm 86:11

Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.

Proverbs 1:28,29

Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge

Proverbs 2:3-5

Yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

#inspired...ann #WiseQuotes

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

Wise Quotes - POWER OF A PRAYING WOMAN 24

DAY 24 - LORD, HEAL ME AND HELP ME CARE FOR MY BODY.

Healing and body care are two different things. When you ask God to heal you, this is something He does. Taking care of your body is something you do. Both are vitally important. God knows we are a fallen race and can't do everything perfectly. That's why He sent Jesus to be or Healer. But He also calls us to be good stewards over everything He gives us, including our body. He wants us to live in balance and temperance and to take care not to abuse our body in any way. He wants us to glorify Him in the care of our bodies because we are the temple of His Holy Spirit. 

The motivation for what we do in the area of body care is very important. It will effect how successful we are. If we eat right and exercise merely to look great in our clothes,  it won't be enough to sustain us as we get older. But if we eat right and engage in proper exercise for the purpose of being a more vital, healthy, energetic and useful servant of the Lord, this has eternal consequences and you are more likely to stick with it.

In spite of our best efforts, however we can still get sick. We can do everything we know to do and still become seriously ill. That's because through no fault of our own we inherit predispositions or weaknesses from our ancestors. We can be exposed to things we aren't even aware of at the time that causes horrific diseases.  We can have accidents. God knew all this, and so He sent Jesus as our Healer. His healing touch is God's mercy to us.

Ask God to heal you,  and then trust Him to do it His way and in his time. Partner with God in the care of your body, knowing that, although you are the caregiver, He is he Healer.

PRAYER

Lord, I thank You that You are the Healer. I look to You for my healing whenever I am injured or sick. I pray that You would strengthen and heal me today. Specifically I pray for ( name any area where you need the Lord to heal you). Heal me "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: 'He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sickness' " (Matthew 8:17). You suffered, died and were buried for me so that I might have healing, forgiveness and eternal life. By Your stripes I am healed  (1 Peter 2:24). I know that in Your presence is where I will find healing. In Your presence I can reach out and touch You and in turn be touched by You.

Only You know what is best for me and what is not, so I ask that You would reveal that to me. Take away all confusing and conflicting information and instruct me in what to eat and what to avoid. I can't do this without You, Lord for only You know the way You created me. Give me a solid ability to be disciplined about what I eat and drink and how I exercise. Enable me to discipline my body and bring it into subjection (1 Corinthians 9:27).

Lord, You have said in Your Word,  "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). I don't want to be destroyed for lacked of knowledge of the right thing to do. Teach me and help me learn. Lead me to people who can help or advise me. Enable me to follow their suggestions and directions. When I am sick and need to see a doctor,  show me which doctor to see and give that doctor wisdom as to how to treat me.

The area I struggle with most in caring for my body is (name the area that presents the greatest challenge to you). Be Lord over this part of my life so that that I can bring it into alignment with Your will. Help me to find freedom and deliverance in this area where it is needed.

Lord, I want everything I do to be glorifying to You.  Help me to be a good steward of the body You have given me. I confess the times I have sat in judgement upon it, criticising it in my mind for not being prefect. I repent of that and ask Your forgiveness. I know that my body is the temple of Your Holy Spirit, who dwells in me. Help me to fully understand this truth so that I will keep my temple clean and healthy.  Help me not to mistreat my body in any way. Teach me how to properly care for my health. Amen.

Scriptures for Meditation

James 5: 14- 16

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Jeremiah 17:14

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;

save me, and I shall be saved,

for you are my praise.

Jeremiah 30:17

For I will restore health to you,

and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord, because they have called you an outcast: ‘It is Zion, for whom no one cares!’

I Corinthians 10:31

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 

II Corinthians 5:1

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

#inspired...ann #WiseQuotes

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

Wise Quotes - POWER OF A PRAYING WOMAN 23

DAY 23 - LORD, ENABLE ME TO RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO SIN.

Temptation is inevitable in life and as believers we are not immune to it. Temptation happened to Jesus, too. But He did the right thing by standing strong in the Word of God. There are many kinds of temptation, just as there are many kinds of sin. The one that seems to trip people up most often is sexual temptation. 

Many have succumbed to sexual temptation  and forfeit the promising life God had for them. When people fall into adultery,  the life they would have had is forever sacrificed. Of course, when they repent they can receive forgiveness and be restored but they have lost what would have been had sin never happened.

Sexual sin begins with thoughts.....don't let the devil rob you of all God has for you by tempting you with impure thoughts. It's okay to appreciate a man's talents,  godliness, brilliance or appearance but unless you are married to him, remember that he is your brother in the Lord. If you ever find yourself with any kind of unholy attraction,  confess it immediately before God and ask Him to set you free from it. Then tell Satan that you recognise his plan to destroy you and separate you from all God has for you, and you are not going to allow him to do it. Fast and pray if you have to in order to break down that stronghold. Don't let up until it's gone. "Watch and pray,  lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 16:41). 

The more you have been given, the more you will be approached by the enemy who will try to take it away from you. Be ready for him with with a full knowledge of the Word of God. Here are six good things to remember about temptation;

1. Who: Temptation can happen to anyone.

2. What: You can be tempted by anything

3. When: Temptation can happen any time and often when you least expect it and are most susceptible.

4. Where: Temptation can happen anywhere.

5. Why : The reason the enemy tempts you is because he knows of the great things God wants to do in your life and he thinks you are dumb enough to give it all up for a few moments of pleasure.

6. How: You have to remember that no matter how you are being tempted, it is a set up by the enemy intended to bring you down.

PRAYER

Lord, help me to encourage strong in my mind and spirit so I don't fall into any traps of the enemy. Do not allow me to be led into temptation, but deliver me from the evil one and his plans for my downfall.  He area I am most concerned about is (name any area where you might be tempted). In the name of Jesus, I break any hod temptation has on me. Keep me strong and able to resist anything that would tempt me away from all You have for me.

I pray I will have no secret thoughts where I entertain ungodly desires to do or say something I shouldn't. I pray that I will have no secret life where I do things I would be ashamed to have others see. I don't want to have fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness.  Help me, instead,  to expose them  (Ephesians 5:11). Make straight paths for my feet  (Hebrews 12:13). Don't allow the enemy to sneak up on my blind side and take me by surprise. 

I know You are "not the author of confusion but of peace"(I Corinthians 14:33). Help me not to fall into any confusion about this. Help me to hide Your Word in my heart so I will see clearly and not sin against You in any way (Psalm 119:11). By the power of Your Spirit in me, I will not allow sin you reign in me or draw me to obey its lusts ( Romans 6:12).

Thank You, Lord, that You are near to all who call upon You, and You will fulfill the desire of those who dear You. Thank You that  You hear my cries and will save me from any weakness that could lead me away from all You have for me (Psalm 145:18-19). Thank You that You know "how to deliver the godly out of temptations" (II Peter 2:9).  Thank You that You will deliver me out of all temptation and keep it far from me.

Scripture for Meditation 

James 1:12

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 

I Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

James 1:2-4

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

I Corinthians 10:12

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

#inspired...ann #WiseQuotes

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

Wise Quotes - POWER OF A PRAYING WOMAN 22

DAY 22 - LORD, COMFORT ME IN TIMES OF TROUBLE.

"Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning"...."Seasons come, seasons go"....."No matter how long the winter, spring is surely next to come" - These are all quotes we say to encourage each other in the storms of life.........but my question is, when that storm is upon us, what do we do?

Many times we fail to forget that no matter how bad the storm is,  it's possible to rise above to a place where everything is fine. Our spiritual and emotional lives are much the same. When the dark clouds of trail, struggle, grief or suffering roll in and settle on us so thick that we can barely see ahead of us, it's easy to forget there is a place of calm, light, clarity and peace we can rise to. If we take God's hand in those difficult times, He lift us up above our circumstances to the place of comfort, warmth and safety He has for us.

One of the names of God is COMFORTER. He is our Comfort and that's what He is. Just as we don't have to beg the sun for lIght, we don't have to beg the Holy Spirit for Comfort either.  We must pray that when we go through difficult times, He will give us a greater sense of His Comfort in it.

Tough things happen to everyone at one time or another. Pain and loss are a part of life. There are many different  reasons why these things occur, but God is ways there to bring good out of it when we invite Him. If we understand the different possibilities for our suffering,  it will help us overcome pain and see our faith grow in the midst of it. Here are four good reasons for difficult times; 

1. Sometimes difficult things happen to us that the glory and power of God can be revealed in and through us - we may not understand why certain things are happening at the time and we may never know why we have to go through them until we go to be with the Lord, but when we turn to God in the midst of difficult situations, God's glory will be seen in then and on you.

2. God uses difficult times to purify us - suffering in difficult times burns sin and selfishness out of our lives. God allows suffering to happen so we will learn to live for Him and not for ourselves and also pursue His will and not our own. It's not pleasant at the time, but God's desire is "that we may be partakers of his Holiness" (Hebrews 12:10). He wants us to let go of the things we lust after and cling to what is most important in life - HIM.

3. Sometimes our misery is caused by God disciplining us - The fruit that godly discipline and pruning produces in us is worth the trouble we have to go through to get it, and we have to be careful not to resit it or hate it.

4. Sometimes we are caught in the midst of the enemy's work - it's the enemy's delight to make you miserable and try to destroy your life. Often the reason for the anguish, sorrow, sadness, grief, or pain you feel is entirely his doing and no fault of your own or anyone else's. Your comfort is in knowing that as you praise God in the midst of it, He will defeat the enemy and bring good out of it that you can't fathom. He wants you to walk with him in faith as he leads you through  it and He will teach you to trust him in the midst of it.

Every time you rise above the pain in your life and find the goodness, clarity, peace and light of the Lord there, your faith will increase. God will meet you in the midst of your pain and not only perfect you, but increase your compassion for the sufferings of others.  As you continue to live in the presence of the Lord, His glory will be revealed in you.

PRAYER
Lord, help me to remember that no matter how dark my situation may become, You are the light of my life and can never be put out. No matter what dark clouds settle on my life, You will lift me above the storm and into the comfort of Your presence. Only You can take whatever loss I experience and fill that empty place with good. Only You can take the burden of my grief and pain and dry my tears. "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer" (Psalm 4:1).

In times of grief, suffering, or trial, I pray for an added sense of Your presence. I want to grow stronger in these times and not weaker. I want to increase in faith and not to be overcome with doubt. I want to have hope in the midst of it and not surrender to hopelessness. I want to stand strong in Your truth and not be swept away by the emotions.

Thank You that I do not have to be afraid of bad news because my heart is steadfast, trusting in You (Psalm 112:7). thank You that "You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling" (Psalm 116:8). Thank You that I walk before You with hope in my heart and life in my body. Thank You that "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD" (Psalm 118:17). Even when "my soul melts from heaviness," I pray that You would "strengthen me according to Your word" (Psalm 119:28).

Help me to remember to give thanks to You in all things, knowing that You reign in the midst of them. Remind me that You have redeemed me and I am Yours and nothing is more important than that. I know when I pass through the waters You will be with me and the river will not overflow me. When I walk through the fire I will not be burned, nor will the flame touch me (Isaiah 43:1-3). That's because You are a good God and have sent Your Holy Spirit to comfort and help me. I pray that You, O God of hope, will fill me with all joy and peace and faith so that I will "abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13). Thank You that You have sent Your Holy Spirit to be my Comforter and Helper. Remind me of that in the midst of difficult times.


Scripture for Meditation

I Peter 4:12-13
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

I Peter 5:10
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.


Psalm 27:14
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!


Matthew 5:3-4

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.


Psalm 121:8
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

#inspired...ann #WiseQuotes

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

Wise Quotes - POWER OF A PRAYING WOMAN 21

DAY 21 - LORD, SET ME FREE FROM NEGATIVE EMOTIONS.

Have you ever felt all alone even in the midst of people? Have you ever felt that God was far from you? Well if you have, you're not alone. In fact, you are in very good company. Only do millions of people feel that right now, but Jesus felt that way at one time too. At the lowest point in His life, Jesus said, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46).

We all have difficult times. Times when we feel all alone and abandoned. But the truth is we aren't. God is with us to help us when we call upon Him. In the midst of these times, we don't have to be controlled by our negative emotions. We can resist them by praying and knowing the truth of what God's Word says about them. Here are seven good ways to get free of negative emotions;

1. Refuse to be anxious - No matter what problems we have in our life, Jesus has overcome them. We can find freedom from anxiety just by spending time in Him. When you are anxious, it means you aren't trusting God to take acre of you. But He will prove His faithfulness if you run to Him. God says we don't need to be anxious about anything; we just need to pray about everything.

2. Refuse to be ruled by anger - When we frequently give place to anger it shuts off all god has for us. When we give anger a home in our souls, we open the door to sin and the devil......."'Be angry, and do not sin': do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil" (Ephesians 4:26-27). Ask God to keep you free from anger so you can remain in the flow of all God has for you.

3. Refuse to be dissatisfied - It's easy to focus on the negative and look for everything that's wrong with your life. But when we have constant unrest because we are never at peace, it not only makes us miserable, it makes everyone around us miserable too. It's possible to find contentment, rest, peace and joy in any situation. Tell god you are making that goal and you need Him to help you.

4. Refuse to be envious - When you set yours eyes on someone else and what they have instead of on the Lord and what He has, a covetous spirit is about to make your life miserable. Don't allow yourself to entertain thoughts such as, "if only i had her hair......her face......her body.....her clothes.....her talent.....her gifts.....her husband.....her kids......her wealth......her luck.......her blessings." Turn your thoughts toward Jesus instead. Think about His beauty, His wealth, His talents, his nature, His provision, His help, and His power. Thank Him for the rich inheritance you have in Him, and tell Him you can't wait to experience it all. Ask for God's love to be manifested in you and through you at all times.

5. Refuse to be depressed - Of all the negative emotions, depression is the one we most readily accept as part of us. So many of us live with depression and accept it without even realising it. it feels natural to us because it is so familiar. But God doesn't want us to accept this as a way of life. The good news is that God doesn't want us to live with these feelings. he wants us to have the joy of the LORD rise in us and chase away spirits of heaviness. god wants us to cry out to |Him so He can lift us out of depression.

6. Refuse to be bitter - Bitterness burns away your body and soul the way acid eats skin. When a root of bitterness takes hold of your life, it consumes you and cuts off the blessings of God. Pray for God to set you free from bitterness. Ask Him to give you a spirit of thankfulness, praise and worship. Ask the Holy Spirit to crowd out anything in your heart that is not of Him.

7. Refuse to be hopeless - Hopelessness is a slow killer that will eventually affect the health of your body and soul. But when you deliberately choose to put your hope in the Lord, he will meet all your needs and take all hopelessness away. Hopelessness is death to our souls. refuse to live with it. Ask God to give you hope for your future and an attitude of gratefulness every day of your life.

PRAYER

Lord, help me to live in Your joy and peace. Give me strength and understanding to resit anxiety, anger, unrest, envy, depression, bitterness, hopelessness, loneliness, fear and guilt. Rescue me when "my spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is distressed" (Psalm 143:4). I refuse to let my life be brought down by negative emotions such as these. I know You have a better quality of life for me that that. When I am tempted to give in to them, show me Your truth.

You have said in Your Word that by our patience we can process our souls (Luke 21:19). Give me patience so that I can do that. Help me to keep my "heart with all diligence," for I know that "out of it spring the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23). Help me to not be insecure and self-focused so that I miss opportunities to focus on You and extend Your love. May I be sensitive to the needs, trials, and weaknesses of others and not oversensitive to myself. What You accomplished on the cross is my source of greatest joy. Help me to concentrate on that.

"The enemy has persecuted my soul; he has cursed my life to the ground; he has made me dwell in darkness, like those who have long been dead. Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is distressed. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; my soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Answer me speedily, O Lord; my spirit fails! Do not hide Your face from me, lest I be like those who go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You" (Psalm 143:3-8). Thank You, Lord, that in my distress I can call on You. And when I cry out to You, Lord, You hear my voice and answer (Psalm 18:6). May the joy of knowing You fill my heart with happiness and peace.

Scriptures for Meditation

Philippians 4:6-7

 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Psalm 107:13-14

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,

And He saved them out of their distresses.

14 

He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,

And broke their chains in pieces.

Matthew 11:28-30

 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Psalm 34:17-18

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles.

18 

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

Isaiah 40:31

But those who wait on the Lord, Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

#inspired...ann #WiseQuotes

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