July 27, 2023

Finding Your Way – Fruits of Suffering

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:3-5 (NIV)

Happy throwback Thursday! Ten years ago, on July 26, 2013, I posted an inspirational story about the struggles of a butterfly. It was befitting for this however long series titled “Finding Your Way.”

I’ve often seen people fall completely apart when facing trials and tribulations. The emotional stresses tied to struggles sometimes paralyze folks to a point they can’t see the forest for the trees; thus, rendering them helpless. And as a result nothing gets done to the best of their ability. As to why finding your way through difficult situations is so very very important to living an abundant life.

“A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to squeeze its body through the tiny hole. Then it stopped, as if it couldn’t go further.

So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bits of cocoon. The butterfly emerged easily but it had a swollen body and shriveled wings.

The man continued to watch it, expecting that any minute the wings would enlarge and expand enough to support the body. Neither happened! In fact the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around. It was never able to fly.

What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand: The restricting cocoon and the struggle required by the butterfly to get through the opening was a way of forcing the fluid from the body into the wings so that it would be ready for flight once that was achieved.

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. Going through life with no obstacles would cripple us. We will not be as strong as we could have been and we would never fly.” ~~Author Unknown

June 5, 2023

Finding Your Way – The Good and Bad

He saved others, but He cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him.
Matthew 27:42

You have to find your way through the good and bad encounters with society, family, friends and those considered as loved ones. Oftentimes when someone has done some incredible things for others and they themselves fall on hard times the ugly side of jealousy surfaces in others. And, as a result, the lack of support from anyone causes people to journey through life unhappy.

PRAYER

Father God, if we ask ourselves what would have happened to all of creation had Jesus came down from the cross, there is no answer to such a question. Christ couldn’t come down from the cross. His mission was to save the world on a grand scheme. And, as a result, failure was not an option.

Him fulfilling his commitment wasn’t easy. And many people don’t know and only a few people care that His hands were nailed to a cross, a crown of thorns was placed on his head and a sharpened wedge type spear was attached to the cross underneath his bottom. Each time his weight gave into gravity under the fainting pressure of being crucified his fanny was forced on the object. Cutting deeper with each uncontrollable dropping of his body weight and causing intense pain until He hung His head and died for the sins of humankind.

Today, Lord, I pray for your peace for tormented souls that feel they can’t move forwards for the lack of support. Give them a kiss from Heaven. Give them a sign that they aren’t alone on their journey. Let them know trouble doesn’t last always for in Christ there is hope, peace, love and strength for living our best lives despite dark days. Amen

June 2, 2023

Finding Your Way – 30 Pieces of Silver

“I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in me”.
Acts 26:18

Sometimes in an effort to gain financial security people will do anything to get there! As they are unknowingly selling their souls to the prince of this world. Unlike Judas, who’s role was to betray Christ and to be given redemption for the part he played, greed is blinding when lies and deceit keeps the ambitious from realizing they’ve sold their priceless eternal inheritance for far less than what they stand to gain on Earth.

Father God, Heaven and Hell are real! And I would like to think I will be going to Heaven and not because I’m perfect but because I do try to live a life pleasing to you. However, my presence and your blessings are causing a few people to sell their souls for “30 pieces of silver.” Jealousy, hate, greed, sorrow, the lack of self-worth have made them my tormentors and robbing me of spiritual peace. And, as a result, I’m praying for the eyes of my enemies to be spiritually opened to their foolishness. Lord, don’t leave them ignorant! Let them see and understand why they were recruited to do the dirty job they’ve been doing for the prince of this world. With your love, convict their souls day and night of the wrongs they are committing against themselves, against you, against me and all the others they’ve involved in the sideshow. Turn them from their evil ways before their spiritual inheritance is stolen from them. Restore peace to all involved in this moment in time by removing the blinders of Satan from eyes and his evil from hearts. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

January 26

For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
Romans 16:18

After being informed that a group of rouge spirits had taken control of a task they ignored for over thirty years, I was told not to be upset. I was puzzled and later confused as to why several people thought I would take offense to being overruled. For me, the situation I was handling netted me next to nothing but benefited others greatly. Only small minded people that lack self-worth would be upset. I worked through my mental whatever’s within less than 24 hours. Hell! It didn’t even take that long for me to realize I was wasting time sulking over their losses! I saw the situation for what it was and is. I prayed for the naïve individuals that followed the Pied Piper and moved on. Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father, thank you for your grace and mercy. I pray protection and release for those that are held captive by deceptive individuals. People who deceive others only care about their outcome, as their victims lay in their wake. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

November 13

QUESTION: Why would you ask God to show mercy to your enemy?

²⁰Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. ²¹But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
Luke 23:20

It’s been decades since I’ve read the story about the crucifixion of Jesus. After reading so much of Luke Chapter 23, now, I know why! It brings me to tears! How can people be unkind to each other? Aren’t we striving for the same thing such as living an abundant life? Life is so much easier when logic and understanding enters into relationships, business deals and or learning how to love one’s self. But it seems from rereading Luke Chapter 23, people have been repeating history in such a way that someone is always in the role of Jesus as others seek their demise. How! So! Horrible! And if you peel back the layers of unhappy people and get to the core of who they are naked in spirit, you’ll find jealousy, envy and everything else that goes with no hope. Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father God, I’m sitting in the hot-seat like my Savior. I’ve done nothing. Yet, my enemies surround me as if I’ve started a war against them. Their evil actions at times scare me as my soul seeks safety and security that only you can give. So, why would I pray for my enemies and what would I ask you for? Well, Lord, I pray for your peace. For it’s clear to see everyone needs it in times where there is no hope. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

November 12

QUESTION: How do people pray for their enemies?

⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Matthew 5:44 -45

Photo by TUBARONES PHOTOGRAPHY on Pexels.com

Yesterday as I chatted with a friend we were discussing how do you pray for an enemy. My thoughts were traveling within my mind a mile per minute and my words exiting my mouth just as fast. Since he couldn’t get a word in edgewise my friend finally gave in letting me talk. I guess he’d figured I needed to vent first and then enjoy discussing the topic.

Once he got a chance to add to the conversation this is what he said: “Sometimes people are filled with so much pain that they lash out at others. Their victims are people they know won’t fight back or don’t know how to fight back. And when their actions don’t produce pain or enough pain to show they’ve hurt someone their anger produces more internal pain. Thus creating a vicious cycle within them until change occurs or they die.” Wow!

I have a circle of amazing friends. They add value to my life. I can only pray I do the same for their lives.

Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father, God, I wish my enemies could know you like I’ve come to know you. I wish they could feel the warmth of your mercy like I feel it throughout each day. To live filled with anger, hurt, envy, jealousy and have no hope to boot, is a terrible way to live life. I pray for not only my enemies to be delivered but for others that harbor the same. Life is wonderful and it is so worth living free from the pitfalls of humankind. Speak gently to their shallow and wounded souls your peace and understanding. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

November 10

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17

Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father, God, life is like the seasons. It’s ever changing with the only constant being you. Please walk closely with me today and everyday. Speak your peace to my wondering soul. Assuring it and me that nothing is to big for you to handle. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Men

November 5

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 ESV

Let us begin this Friday morning in prayer! Father, Thank You for grace and mercy. When we focus on those two things we will be able to see Your hand of compassion throughout our day. In the name of Jesus. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

October 31

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.
Mark 10:25 NIV

The other day I asked my American friends how they would pray for people living in another country. I’ve selected to omit the name of the country. Well, anywho! No one answered. I guess their reply wouldn’t have gotten them noticed or favorable “likes” by a large audience. Was I disappointed? Yes. Why? Because my friends are always in church and or participating in Bible studies. So as I sat perplexed concerning praying for others God gave me something to pray about. He showed me that in parts of the world unknown to me, people don’t have clean drinking water. I can’t imagine such because the water from my tap is among the best in the world. It comes from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. It’s hard! But! It is crisp clean and refreshing! And, as I see things now, clean water can be taken for granted. Let’s pray!

PRAYER:

Photo by Artis A. Harrison
Rocky Mountain National Park

Good day, Lord! Thank you for putting a need on my heart and the hearts of others to pray for clean water. It shows us that people can and do take clean water for granted. And having access to it make some people feel entitled. Forgive us of our sins. Help those of us that have the ability to think outside of the box and or access to resources continue to move forwards in providing clean water to parts of the world where drinking water isn’t possible. Help us make the impossible possible, Lord. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

October 12

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
John 17:15

Today is a great day for an excellent day! Honestly! Everyday is a great day for an excellent day! And don’t let anyone tell you differently through words and or actions. Always celebrate life, your life. Your value is more precious than silver or gold and it should never be devalued.

I apologize for the quick prayer yesterday. I was trying to gather information for a friend concerning bed bugs, answer emails and organize workers. My plate was full and running over! But! I’m focused today. And! I’m ready to give God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit high praise! Let’s Pray!

PRAYER:

Lord thank you for asking the Heavenly Father to give us protection from the prince of this world. Your request makes me fall deeper in love with you. It showed and shows you thought about me, little ole’ me, long before I became a twinkle in my parents eyes. You knew the moment I took my first breath I would be a target and the gift of life could be unbearable at times. It’s because of your prayer and your never ending love I find peace in the midst of life’s storms. Thank you for everything. Amen