Wise Quotes - POWER OF A PRAYING WOMAN 20

DAY 20 - LORD DELIVER ME FROM EVERY EVIL WORK

One of the names of our God is Jehovah Mephalti - The Lord My Deliverer(Psalm 18:2). Our God is a mighty deliverer who has set us free from many things. I have personally been delivered from a lot in the past years. The deliverance of the Lord is sometimes instantaneous, at times it may take a while, other times it is a process to get there but no matter what the situation The Lord Delivers us all when we pray to Him. Jesus taught us to pray, "Deliver us from evil one" (Matthew 6:13). He would not have instructed us in that manner if we didn't need to do it. But so often we don't pray that way, acting as if He never said it at all.

We all need deliverance at one time or another. That's because no matter how spiritual we are, we're still make of flesh. And no matter how perfect we live, we still have an enemy who is trying to erect strongholds of evil in our lives. God wants us free from everything that binds, holds or separates us from Him. God wants you free not only because He loves you and has compassion upon you, but because He wants you to be able to "serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him," all the days of your life (Luke 1:74-75).*

Deliverance is found by praying for it yourself (Psalm 71:12), by having someone else who is strong believer pray with you for it (Psalm 34:17), by reading the truth of God's Word with great understanding and clarity (John 8:32), or by spending time in the Lord's presence. The most effective and powerful way to spend time in the Lord's presences is in praise and worship. Every time you worship God, something happens in the spirit realm to break the power of evil. That's because He inhabits your praises, and this means you are in His presence. "Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" (II Corinthians 3:17).

PRAYER

Lord, thank You that You have promised to "deliver me from every evil work and preserve me" for Your heavenly kingdom (II Timothy 4:18). I know that "we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hots of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). Thank You that You have put all these enemies under Your feet (Ephesians 1:22), and "there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known" (Matthew 10:26).

Lord, I know that I can't see all the ways the enemy wants to erect strongholds in my life. I depend on You to reveal them to me. Thank You that You came to "proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed" (Luke 4:18). Without You I am held captive by my desires, I am blind to the truth, and I am oppressed. But with You comes freedom from all that. "My times are in Your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me" (Psalm 31:15).

I know that my deliverance comes from You. Thank You that You "drew me out of many waters" and "delivered me from any strong enemy" (Psalm 18:16-17). Help me to stand fast in the liberty by which Christ has made me free, and help me not to become tangled in any yoke of bondage (Galatians 5:1).

I call upon You, Lord, and ask that You would deliver me from anything that binds me or separates me from You. I specifically ask to be delivered from (name a specific area where you want to be set free). Where I have opened the door for the enemy with my own desires, I repent of that. Where I am walking in disobedience, show me so I can turn and live in obedience to Your ways. Give me wisdom to walk the right way and strength to rise above the things that would pull me down (Proverbs 28:26).

I know that though I walk in the flesh, I do not war according to the flesh because "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for the pulling down strongholds" (II Corinthians 10:3-4). In Jesus' name, I pray that every stronghold erected around me by the enemy will be brought down to nothing. Make darkness light before me and the crooked places straight (Isaiah 42:16). I know that You who have begun a good work in me will complete it (Philippians 1:6). Give me patience to not give up and the strength to stand strong in Your Word.

Scriptures for Meditation

Psalm 34:17

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,

And delivers them out of all their troubles.

Psalm 50:15

Call upon Me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

Matthew 16:19

And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed[d] in heaven.”

Proverbs 28:26

He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,

But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

Psalm 91:14

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;

I will set him on high, because he has known My name.

#inspired...ann #WiseQuotes

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

Wise Quotes - POWER OF A PRAYING WOMAN 19

DAY 19 - LORD, GIVE ME WISDOM TO MAKE RIGHT DECISIONS.

Most times, we think we know God's will for a situation happening now because of what maybe His will was the last time we asked. But what we fail to realise is that what worked last year might not be the same thing He would direct us to do now. We always need to ask God for wisdom and guidance.

God sees all because He is above us all. If we were to connect with Him on a regular basis and say, "Lord, guide me so I won't fail," He could lead us away from danger. But so often, we don't make that connection with God. We don't call Him for wisdom. We don't consider His perspective. And too often we fall in over our heads because of it. The things of God can only be discerned in the spirit. But the natural man doesn't get this. He can't. "The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (I Corinthians 2:14). Here are ten good ways to walk in wisdom;

1. Be in the Word of God - (Read Proverbs 2:1-2,5)
2. Pray fro wisdom - (Read James 1:5)
3. Acknowledge the Lord in everything - (Read Proverbs 3:6)
4. Walk in reverence of God - (Read Proverbs 9:10)
5. Listen to wise people - (Proverbs 22:17)
6. Value wisdom above all - (Proverbs 4:5-6)
7. Walk in obedience - (Proverbs 2:7)
8. Be humble - (Read Proverbs 11:2)
9. Love your neighbour - (Read Proverbs 11:12)
10. Seek the wisdom of God, not the wisdom of the world - Read ( I Corinthians 1:30 & 1:20-21)

And here are ten good reasons to ask for wisdom;

1. To enjoy longevity, wealth and honour - (Read Proverbs 3:16)
2. To have a good life - (Read Proverbs 3:17)
3. To enjoy vitality and happiness - (Proverbs 3:18)
4. To secure protection - (Read Proverbs 3:23)
5. To experience refreshing rest - (Read Proverbs 3;24)
6. To gain confidence - (Read Proverbs 3:26)
7. To know security - (Read Proverbs 4:6,12)
8. To be promoted - (Read Proverbs 4:8)
9. To be protected - (Read Proverbs 2:10-12)
10. To gain understanding (Proverbs 1:5)

Its's always important to seek out God's counsel before you seek anyone else's. Not meaning to say you can't seek advice from anyone else but ask God first to direct you to whom you should go to and then ask Him to give that person wisdom and knowledge to impart you. Ask God to show you if you are receiving any advice or guidance from a source that is not of the Lord. Ask Him to lead you away from any ungodly counsel and onto the path of the righteous and wise.

PRAYER

Lord, I pray you would give me your wisdom and understanding in all things. I know wisdom is better than gold and understanding better than silver (Proverbs  16:16), so make me rich in wisdom and wealthy in understanding. Thank  you that you give "wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding "(Daniel  2:21). Increase my wisdom and knowledge so I can see your truth in every situation. Give me discernment for each decision I must make.

Lord, help me to always seek godly counsel and not look to the world  and ungodly people for answer. Thank you that "you will show me the path of life "(Psalm 16:-7-11). I delight in your law and in your Word. Help me to meditate on it day and night, to ponder it, to speak it, to memorise it, to get it into my soul and my heart. I want to trust Your Word  and Your instructions so that I will walk wisely and never do ignorant or stupid things. Make me to be a wise person.

You said in Word that You store up sound wisdom for the upright (Proverbs  2:7). Help me to walk uprightly, righteously, and obediently to Your commands. May I never be wise in my own eyes,but may I always fear You. Keep me far from evil so that I can claim the health and strength Your Word promises (Proverbs 3:7-8). Give me the wisdom, knowledge, understanding, direction, and discernment I need to keep me away from the plans of evil so that I will walk safely and not stumble (Proverbs 2:10-13). Lord, I know that in You "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge "(Colossians 2:3). Help me to discover those treasures. Amen.

Scriptures for Meditation

Proverbs 9:10-11

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 

For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you.

Psalm 37:30-31

The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, And his tongue talks of justice.

31 

The law of his God is in his heart; None of his steps shall slide.

Proverbs 24:3-4

Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established;

4 

By knowledge the rooms are filled. With all precious and pleasant riches.

Jeremiah 33:3

‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

Proverbs 2:3-6

Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding,

4 

If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures;

5 

Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God.

6 

For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;

#inspired...ann #WiseQuotes

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

Wise Quotes - POWER OF A PRAYING WOMAN 18

DAY 18 - LORD, PROTECT ME AND ALL I CARE ABOUT.

Have you ever wondered about the potential dangers surrounding us daily? We have seen and heard several near accidents or even deaths of people who literally just stepped out of their homes but never came back. Most recent story my father told me shook me to my core because the person involved was interviewed to be an employee in our company. This man went back home(Ghana) for holidays and decided to sell the house he had built. The young man who lives in the house and has been taking care of it while the man was abroad, decided for whatever reason to kill the man, cut him into pieces and burn him without anyone knowing. Whatever the motive was only God knows but for this man, i am certain he didn't see his death coming.......he went back with the intention of having a good time and perhaps making something for himself, only to meet his death.

Part of being protected by God has to do with obeying Him and living in His will. When we don't do either of those things, we come out from under the umbrella of His covering. Dangers are everywhere......some that we don't even imagine until they come crashing in upon us, changing us forever. Our heavenly father looks out for us and protects us from danger far more than we realise. But it's not something we can take for granted. It's something we must pray about often.

Every morning, before setting of for the school drops, i always make sure to pray with my children before we live......the least is we pray in the car while we drive off. Mostly by evening i look back on the day and realise that certain things which were prevented through the day were as a result of God's Mighty Arm of Protection over our lives.......from the near crash of a truck or that cyclist who suddenly appears out of no where in front of you to the car which nearly missed hitting you at the bus stop waiting for your bus.

In those precarious moments, when your future is hanging in the balance, you want the confidence of knowing you have been communicating with your heavenly Father all along and He has His eyes on you. God is a place of safety you can run to, but it helps if you are running to Him on a daily basis so that you are in familiar territory. The Bible says, "In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death" (Proverbs 14:26-27). When we have our eyes on God, He keeps an eye on us.

PRAYER

Lord, I pray for Your hand of protection to be upon me. Keep me safe from any accidents, diseases, or evil influences. Protect me wherever I go. Keep me safe in planes, cars, or any other means of transportation. I trust in Your Word, which assures me that You are rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my shield, my stronghold, and my strength in whom I trust.

Lord, I want to dwell in Your secret place and abide in Your shadow (Psalm 91:1). Keep me under the umbrella of Your protection. Help me never to stray from the center of Your will or off the path You have for me. Enable me to always hear Your voice guiding me. Send Your angels to keep charge over me and keep me in all my ways. May they bear me up, so that I will not stumble (Psalm 91:12). You, Lord, are my refuge and strength and "a very present help in trouble." Therefore I will not fear, "even though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried to the midst of the sea" (Psalm 46:1-2).

Thank You, Lord, that no weapon formed against me will prosper (Isaiah 54:17). Thank You that You will not leave me in the hands of wicked people who would try to destroy me (Psalm 37:32-33). "Hide me under the shadow of Your wings, from the wicked who oppress me, from my deadly enemies who surround me" (Psalm 17:8). Protect me from the plans of evil people. Keep me from sudden danger. "Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge" (Psalm 57:1). Thank You that "I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety" (Psalm 4:8). Thank You for Your promises of protection. I lay claim to them this day. Amen.

Scripture for Meditation

Psalm 91:9-10

Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

Isaiah 54:17

No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.

Isaiah 43:2

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.

Psalm 91:4-7

He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.

Psalm 91:11

For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.

#inspired...ann #WiseQuotes

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

Wise Quotes - POWER OF A PRAYING WOMAN 17

DAY 17 - LORD, KEEP ME IN THE CENTER OF YOUR WILL.

God's will is a place of safety. When we walk in the will of God, we find safety. When we live outside of God's will, we forfeit His protection. There have been several testimonies of hearing the voice of God before making a move and being saved form obeying.

We all want to be the center of God's will. That's why we shouldn't pursue a career, a move to another place, or any major life change without the knowledge that it is the will of God. We must regularly ask God to show us what His will is and lead us in it. We must ask Him to speak to our heart so He can tell us. Isaiah 30:21 says, "Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left".*

Here are four good things that are true about God's will;

1. Following God's will does not mean we will never have trouble - Trouble is part of life but having fulfillment and peace in the midst of the trouble is what living in God's will is all about. There is a great confidence in knowing that you are walking in the will of God and doing what He wants you to do. Don't think that trouble in your life means you are out of God's will. God uses the trouble you have to perfect you.

2. Following God's will is not easy - The life of Jesus confirms that following God's will is not always fun, enjoyable, pleasant and easy. Jesus was  doing God's will when he went to the cross. He said, "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me" (John 6:38). If anyone could have said, "I don't want to follow God's will today," It would have been Him. But He did it perfectly. And now He will enable us to do it too.

3. Following God's will can make you very uncomfortable - In fact, if you don't ever feel stretched or uncomfortable in your walk with the Lord, then there would be a question whether you are actually in the will of God. Being stretched and uncomfortable is a way of life when walking in the will of God.

4. Following God's will doesn't happen automatically - that's because God gave us a choice as to whether we subject our will to Him or not. We make that decision every day. Will we seek His will? Will we ask Him for wisdom? Will we do what He says? "Do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is" (Ephesians 5:17). God's will is the way we choose to live each day of our lives.

PRAYER

Lord, I pray You will fill me with the "knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" (Colossians 1:9). Help me to walk in a worthy manner, fully pleasing to You, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of Your ways. Guide my every step. Lead me "in Your righteousness" and "make Your way straight before my face" (Psalm 5:8). As I draw close and walk in intimate relationship with You each day, I pray You will get me where I need to go.

Even as Jesus said, "Not My will, but Yours, be done" (Luke 22:42), so I say to You, not my will but Yours be done in my life. "I delight to do Your will, O my God" (Psalm 40:8). You are more important to me than anything. Your will is more important to me than my desires. I want to live as Your servant, doing Your will from my heart (Ephesians 6:6).

Lord align my heart with Yours. Help me to hear Your voice saying, "This is the way, walk in it." If I am doing anything outside of Your will, show me. Speak to me from Your Word so that I will have understanding. Show me any area of my life where I am not right on target. If there is something I should be doing, reveal it to me so that I can correct my course. I want to do only what You want me to do.

Lord, I know we are not to direct our own steps (Jeremiah 10:23). So I pray You would direct my steps. Only You know the way I should go. I don't want to get off the path You want me to walk on and end up in the wrong place. I want to move into all You have for me and become all You made me to be by walking in Your perfect will for my life now.

Amen.

Scriptures for Meditation

Matthew 7:21

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 

Hebrews 10:36

For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

I Peter 3:17

For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

I Peter 4:19

Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

I John 2:17

And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

#inspired...ann #WiseQuotes

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

Wise Quotes - POWER OF A PRAYING WOMAN 16

DAY 16 - LORD,  GUIDE ME IN ALL MY RELATIONSHIPS.

We all desperately need a sense of family, of relationship, of belonging. If you don't realise that about yourself, it's probably because you have always had it. God created us to be in families. We have a natural hunger to be part of something that gives us a sense of acceptance, affirmation, and being needed and appreciated. But even if we have never received that from our own biological families, there is good news. God sets us in spiritual families. In many ways these can be just as important.*

Being God's children means all believers wherever they may be are all part of our family and having this spiritual family is crucial to our well being. It's important to be yoked with people who walk closely with God. We all have blind spots. We need people who will help us see the truth about ourselves and our lives. And we need to have the kind of relationships that don't break down when truth is spoken in love.

God doesn't want us to be unequally yoked with unbelievers, but that doesn't mean we should have nothing to do with anyone who doesn't know the Lord. Far from it. We are God's too to reach others for His Kingdom. But our closest relationships, the ones that influence us the most, need to be with people who love and fear God. If you don't have close friends who are believers, pray for godly and desirable friends to come into your life. here are seven good signs to look out for in a desirable friend;

1. A desirable friend tells you the truth in love - (Read Proverbs 27:6)
2. A desirable friend gives you sound advice - (Read Proverbs 27:9)
3. A desirable friend refines you - (Read Proverbs 27:17)
4. A desirable friend helps you grow - (Read Proverbs 13:20)
5. A desirable friend stays close to you - (read Proverbs 18:24)
6. A desirable friend loves you and stands by you - (Read Proverbs 17:17)
7. A desirable friend help you in time of trouble - (Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

If you have fiends with these qualities, protect those friendships with prayer. If you have friends who have less than desirable qualities, you need to pray about those as well.....here are seven signs to also look out for in an undesirable friend;

1. An undesirable friend is immoral and has no regard for others - (Read I Corinthians 5:11)
2. An undesirable friend is changeable and unstable - (Read Proverbs 24:21-22)
3. An undesirable friend is frequently angry - (Read Proverbs 22:24-25)
4. An undesirable friend gives ungodly counsel - (Read Psalm 1:1)
5. An undesirable friend is lawless unbeliever - (Read II Corinthians 6:14-15)
6. An undesirable friend is a fool - (Read Proverbs 13:20)
7. An undesirable is irreverent toward God and His laws - (Read Psalm 119:63)

If you have friends with such characteristics as these, ask god to send you new fiends while you pray for the old ones to be transformed.........Don't leave your relationships to chance. Pray for godly people to come into your life with whom you can connect. Don't force relationships to happen, pray for them to happen. then when they do, nurture them with prayer. This doesn't mean you have to have a large numbers of friends. There is great strength in small numbers when the people involved are strong in the Lord. The quality of your relationships is more important than the quantity. The quality of your relationships will determine the quality of your life. And this is something worth praying for.




                                                              PRAYER
Lord,  I lift up every one of my relationships to You and ask You to bless them. I pray hat each one would be glorifying to You. Help me to choose my friends wisely so I won't be led astray. Give me discernment and strength to separate myself from anyone who is not a good influence. I release all my relationships to You and pray that Your will be done in each one of them.

With my most difficult relationships, I ask that Your peace would reign in them. Specifically I lift up to You my relationship with  (name a difficult friend). I know two can't walk together unless they agree (Amos 3:3), so help us to find a place of agreement, unity and like mindedness. Where either of us needs to change, I pray that You would change us. Break down any "wall of separation"  (Ephesians  2:13-15) other misunderstanding.  I release this person into Your hands and ask that You would make our relationship what You want it to be so that it will glorify You.

I pray for my relationship with each of my family members. Specifically, I pray for my relationship with  (name the family member with whom you are most concerned ). I pray You would bring healing,  reconciliation and restoration where it is needed. Bless our relationship and make it strong.

I pray for any relationships I have wig people who don't know You, Lord. Give me words to say that will turn heir hearts toward You. Help me to be Your light to them. Specifically I pray for (name and unbeliever or someone who has walked away from God.). Soften his person's heart to open her (his) research to receive You and follow You faithfully.

I pray for godly friends, role models, and mentors to come into my life. Send people who will speak the truth not live. I pray especially that there will be women in my life who are trustworthy, kind, loving and faithful. Most of all I pray that they be women of strong faith who will add to my life and I to theirs. May we mutually raise the standards to which we aspire. May forgiveness and love flow freely between us. Make me to be Your light I  all my relationships.

Scripture for Meditation

Ephesians 2:19-22

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Psalm 68:6

God sets the solitary in families;

He brings out those who are bound into prosperity;

But the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

Ephesians 4:31-32

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:14-16

that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

This post is dedicated to all my  friends who have helped me in this life journey. Especially to my ladies on Marriage Bliss, thanks for all the Love, Support, Prayers, The Corrections, The Testimonies, Godly Counsel, The Jokes, The Godly Arguments, The Funny Videos & Pics😉,  The Good, The Bad and the Happy Moments......We've been through it all and we still stand strong. Here's to many more years of godly relationships. God bless you all.

#inspired...ann #WiseQuotes

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

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)