August 5, 2023

Finding Your Way – Praying for Enemies

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. ‘ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.
Matthew 4:43-45

Why the heck would anyone pray good things for their enemy! Really! That has always been my mindset for however long. Honestly, I don’t even know what interaction with whoever produced that spiritual hair-raising mindset. But! God opened my eyes to why we should pray for our enemies as I was telling my husband about all the demons that held my current enemies captive.

As I began to list all of their demons and say to my husband, “There isn’t anything good about them. Why does God allow them to live? They give nothing to making this world a better place.” OMG! No sooner than I spoke those words the Holy Spirit immediately with love and kindness showed me why God loves them despite what they’ve become and or what they’ve done to me. Simple, they are His and He wants to really be their Heavenly Father. And my mom’s death has put them in my life for however long it takes God to teach each person [directly or and indirectly] valuable lessons for our spiritual journey. Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father, God, I love you more and more with each new day. Today, Lord, I pray for my enemies. I pray for peace for their wounded hearts and for your joy to enter their lives giving them hope for their life’s journey. In Jesus name I pray and in Jesus name I ask. Amen

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

July 21, 2023

Finding Your Way – Evil Intentions

They hatch the eggs of vipers and spin a spider’s web. Whoever eats their eggs will die, and when one is broken, an adder is hatched.
Isaiah 59:5

Yesterday my son called to tell me about his son’s unfortunate situation. It was identical to what he had experienced with his son’s mother. Apparently my grandson went to visit his toddler twin girls. When he got to their home he’d learned their mother had taken them elsewhere, thus, ensuring he would not get to visit with them. My grandson became upset and called his dad about his heart wrenching reality. My son told him not to do anything foolish over the matter and explained what had happened to him and what I’d told him about dating.

What I told my son when he was a young man: “if you want to know how a girl will act, meet her mom. Chances are she’s going to either be a carbon copy or polar opposite but more likely a carbon copy.” However that analogy can also be applied to social groups! If you want to know how a person thinks, observe the circle in which they travel. And! Even then you gotta be careful because you will always find chameleons in any social structure.

My grandson is very young and has little to no life experience; therefore, he’s paying a heavy price for his youthful follies. I pray he makes it to manhood without too much emotional baggage. Because, sadly, he’s not getting it when it comes to cultivating healthy relationships. His drive to score sexual encounters prohibits him from learning everyone has desires and or agendas. Let’s pray!

PRAYER
Father God, thank you for this day not promised. Heal the brokenness of people that have cultivated evil in their hearts. Speak peace and blessings to their life. Amen

July 20, 2023

Finding Your Way – Perfect Peace

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3

A few days ago I was in a meeting that I’d hoped for a better outcome that would end years of infighting. It was clear from the opposing side there was no resolution because their message was about getting revenge based upon their objections that were filled with lies and half-truths. As I sat in silence I listened intently and wrote most if not all of their grievances. And as each of their complaints were addressed with satisfactory and truthful answers to explain my actions, then they began to inundate the meeting with off-the-cuff complaints. And I’d already addressed foreseeable issues before they became an avenue for anyone to say I’d wrong them. Today as I start my day I’m in “perfect peace” because my mind and my actions were done for the love I have for Christ. I live my life in such a way that I want to convey to God I’m grateful for every blade of grass. Because! I learned decades ago we can only be our best and have perfect peace when we learn the art of gratefulness in Christ Jesus.

PRAYER

Father, someone’s life is filled with an untold amount of stress. Speak gently to their souls on being grateful as learning this critical life lesson will open the door to your perfect peace. Amen

June 26, 2023

Finding Your Way – You’re Loved

“Certainly the faithful love of the Lord hasn’t ended; certainly God’s compassion isn’t through! They are renewed every morning. Great is your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23

I’m not sure if I’ve ever shared this story and if I have I’m sorry for sharing it again but it’s such a powerful story that displays God’s love for you and I. I’ve been trying to change how I reach people concerning how they matter because I don’t want to send the message that I’m down on my luck. Especially since I have an amazing life! But! There was a time life sucked for me and my children. Well! Let me stop writing about whatever’s and get to the story. It’s long but worth every moment you read this message.

I had a brother once. He was my all in all when it came to family. Sadly, he was accidently killed by friends. I think I’ve shared how he died with you once or twice but I’m not sure. Well anyway when he died I felt alone in the world. I asked God why he took the only person I knew loved me. I was angry! Yet life kept on rolling. The trash was being picked up and people were going about their days as my heart was crushed. One day I went home and sat in a corner in my living room and began telling God about how I felt. That’s when he showed up! Literally! He was so big and we were so connected that I felt His presence was infinite. I’ll never forget that moment nor that day! Because that moment reminds me when I feel unloved and unlovable that I am loved.

PRAYER

Father God, thank you for a day not promised. Help us live life to its fullest showing you appreciation for your never ending mercies. And my special request is, if you’re not too busy can you please stop by and visit with a believer and or an unbeliever that is suffering from broken hearts, thus showing them you care. Loving you always! Amen

P.S.
God does love you and I love you too! I’m just an email away! Write me anytime. If I don’t respond post a comment letting me know you sent me an email and I promise to respond. Blessings to you and yours from me and mine. ~Annette

June 9, 2023

Finding Your Way – Redemption

When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
John 6:12 KJV

The above scripture is one of my most favorite scriptures in the Bible. It has helped me time and time again to redeem my life; because, life happens!

PRAYER

Father God, someone is at a crossroads and they can’t move forwards because of a fragmented life. Father, take charge of their thoughts and show them how to gather up the fragments so none of their life is lost. They will need each moment, the good, the bad and the ugly, to help them on the journey to live their best life. Amen

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

Prayers Of A Woman – 7 Deadly Sins

JANUARY 16

Wow! Happy New Year! With the last two months being hectic because of the holidays, celebrating the new year can add to the leftover stresses from the prior year. It’s not only a new day but it’s a new year! And we have the opportunity to plan and make big changes! Woohoo!

It’s a good time to reflect on things we wanted to do and didn’t or things we started and never finished or we can even reflect on our failures and learn from them. But the following questions beg answers: How important were those things? And if you complete them today how do they add value to your life? And is that value a significant force that will change your journey where you’re living on the plus side?

This year I hope to be more active in my public prayers. My focus will be living on the plus side and the seven deadly sins, pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony and sloth. Happy New Year, my beloved!

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31