The Power of Prayer

Spiritual Warfare by Ron DiCianni | Christian Art - Christian Framed Prints | Tapestry Productions          

           As a praying parent, this is one of my favorite paintings.

         April’s Princess Project topic empowers us. God doesn't send us out alone to face the world and the Enemy. He not only backs us up but He equips us with His armor. Your prayers are important too – your prayers bring angels to defend and protect you. Notice the details in the painting - the battle raging outside the window.

         Remember whose side you are on this month, and who is on your side.

Faithful Abandon!

An opportunity arose last week which I absolutely didn't have the funds for, although I knew I should do it.  "I can't afford that," was my instant response.  My heart told me different, though. So Monday morning I prayed about it and then opened my quiet time Bible study and the words that jumped out at me were "Why do you say 'I can't afford this or that when your Heavenly Father has all the riches of the world at your disposal?" Wow - that really spoke to me!  Oh me of little faith! So I said "Yes, I'll do it" and I've set up some fund-raising and am excitedly waiting the opportunity!  What a fun chance to watch God work!
       I know that in general I have to be sensible in my expenses and frugal with my budget, but there are times when I can throw all caution to the wind and let my awesome God shower me with blessings.  What a sense of excitement and freedom when I abandon myself to His will!

Secure in Who We Are

For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending or threatening nor things to come,nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us form the  love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

- Romans 8:38-39.

In my last post I wrote about women struggling with fear or low self-esteem.  Well, if we are in Christ and God's love is filling us up, NOTHING can take that away.  That's biblical. We have already won the battle, so why do we keep struggling? 

Do you struggle with anxiety? Low self-esteem? Let me know what you do to counter those feelings.  How do you find peace?

God's Love

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishent. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. - 1 John 4:18

I attended a Beth Moore Bible study class the other night and they were studying God's love.  Moore said that God's love is perfect and to be filled with God's love means that there isn't room in us for low self-esteem or fear.  Perfect love casts out fear.  But how do we fill up on God's love?  Is it a matter of will?  Or of sin? Or of letting go?  Perhaps it's simply a matter of knowing.  Knowing who we are in Christ and gleaning our security from that sacred place of grace.

My Grace is Sufficient...

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."– 2 Corinthians 12:9a

It is when we are at our weakest that God is allowed to wield His strength the most in our lives.  Oswald Chambers said “God can do nothing for me until I get to the limit of the possible.”  How often do we “try this” and “try that”, looking for a fix, or a way out, or a solution?  When we give it to God instead, we are free, and what’s more, we are in better hands.  Trust God – His grace is sufficient for what troubles you.  He said so Himself.  As a daughter of the King  - it is your privilege. 

Not I Should, but I Am

Take a good look at yourself in the mirror and realize that Jesus is living inside of YOU.  The fact that we are important enough for the Holy Spirit to indwell in us should be enough for us to realize how much He values us.  So drop the "I shoulds" and for today, KNOW that you are good enough as you are. God doesn't love you for how good you've been today.  He loves you for how good you've TRIED to be and for WHO you are as He created you.  That  knowledge is the first step towards peace.  KNOW how valuable you are to Him.

What Are Your Dragons?

The past couple of days have been difficult ones, and busy.  On Sunday I first noticed that gnawing in my gut that I call anxiety.  Yesterday it was worse, and I couldn’t figure out if I needed to exercise and burn off the excess energy, or take a nap! 

When I tried to figure out what was causing it, I realized it was my schedule.  I had far too many responsibilities crammed into a couple of days.  Not all of them were bad – it was just nearly impossible to fit them all in, and I spent a large part of Sunday ruminating about Monday and how I would get everything done. I had three different appointments at different times and in different places, and that didn’t count my kids’ various activities, and the fact I needed to pick up groceries.  Or my looming writing deadline.

            I have read that our thought life is the greatest cause of anxiety for most of us, so I tried to take control of my thoughts.  I wrote everything down in my calendar – color coded – and just looked at my list every few hours.   Then I tried not to think about it.  I even read Psalm 91 several times.  I’ve got to admit, it didn’t work.  On most days, I can handle my “to-do” list but I had a few very unpleasant tasks to do yesterday and today that I just couldn’t get out of my mind.  I was fearful.

            I’m done now.  Mostly.  And I’m better.  But anxiety has been my dragon the past few days, caused by my over-loaded schedule.  Next time I’ll have to manage my time more wisely, and put in some “fun” breaks as a reward for an unpleasant task accomplished. Lesson learned.

            In order to slay our dragons, we need to know what they are.  What steals your joy?  What takes away your peace and brings you fear, or stress?  When you identify your dragons, you’ve taken the first step toward conquering them.

            Just remember, your power comes from God.  You aren’t in this alone, and you have every resource you need to overcome.

            Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. – Ephesians 6:10

Carpe Diem!

            Has life been a little bit more challenging than usual lately?  It sure has for me.  But I've painted Carpe Diem on the wall in my living room, just above my front door.  Carpe Diem is Latin (a favorite literary term of mine!) and it means Seize The Day!

            This is the day the Lord has made - let us be glad and rejoice in it!!!

            Don't let negative thoughts get you down.  Don't let the rain and storms drown out your happiness.  If you were able to get out of bed this morning, thank the good Lord - He put the breath in your lungs!

            Today I will try to rejoice in the fact that I am healthy enough to stand and wash the dishes.   I will rejoice in the endless carpooling with the kids, because I have a working car and can drive.  I will be glad that I have dinner on the table tonight (even if I have to make it) and that my kids and husband are home with me to eat it.

            Don't let negative self-talk get you down.  Don't listen to any discouraging voices in your mind.  You are a daughter of the King.  You are a princess!!!

            Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11

Princess Power

        When she woke up that morning and put her feet on the floor, all of Hell trembled.

            Wouldn't it be great to have that much power?  To strike that much fear into the enemy?  To be an overcomer as soon as you got out of bed?

            We do! We can!  We are!  We have that power at our disposal!

            The Bible reminds us that as daughters of the King, we are filled with His power. 

            …the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4b

            We have power.  Not through our own devices , but from God, our Father.

            I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. - Luke 10:19

            ALL the power of the enemy, it says.  Not just the irritation we feel towards our co-worker, or the fear we have about our doctor appointment.  ALL.  Everything.  Fear, anxiety, worry, sickness, guilt, stress.  Everything.

            So you go, girlfriends! When you get up in the morning, claim victory over all your troubles.  Lift your head up high and walk with confidence out into the world.  You are, after all, a daughter of the King!  

Decluttering - (Trusting our Rich Father to Meet our Needs When We Need It )

If we are indeed princesses, we are rich by inheritance.  Our father - the heavenly Father - owns everything.  Literally!

            …for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.  Psalm 50:10

            He tells me not to worry.   He'll take care of me.

            Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Matthew 6:25

            So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'

            For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. Matthew 6:31-32

            So, I've started decluttering.

            I guess what I needed to realize before I started, was that I don't quite trust God to take care of it all.  I hang on to things, thinking I'll need them again someday.  What if?  Seems to be my mantra.  What if that spatula breaks? Then I'll be glad I kept two back-ups.  What if my computer breaks?  I can reboot the old one!           

            But if I'm trusting God to meet my needs, shouldn't I really trust Him?

            I'm not saying that some planning for future emergencies isn't wise - it definitely is.  But there's a difference between planning and hoarding.  And I think I’m a pack rat.

            But this month I've pulled up my shirtsleeves and decided that if I'm going to live like a princess, I need to start by cleaning house.

            I cleaned out my closet first.  It needs another good round of decluttering, but

I got rid of a bunch of clothes. I was hanging onto things that were out of style but still fit, or didn't fit but I thought would one day.  I just had a lot of stuff.

            The little, negative voice in my head kept talking to me:

            What if my husband loses his job?   What then?  I'll need that extra pair of boots when my current pair wears out!  I need to keep all ten sweatshirts and 17 T-shirts because when some wear out, I won't be able to afford new ones!

            Do I hoard things because I fear that God may not meet all of my needs?

            I remind myself that this month I'm walking in faith.  

            I've packed up a lot of my kid's toys to sell either on eBay or in a spring garage sale.  I've given away quite a few of their clothes. Most recently, I bought a large storage tub and am going around the house tossing knick-knacks in.  I may sell some, or give some away later, but for now, I just want them out of my sight. 

            I'm walking in faith that I can let go of things.  I believe that God will provide for my needs when I actually do need things.  He always has in the past.

             I still have a lot of work to do, but what I've found is once you start decluttering, you see more stuff that you want to get rid of!  And it really does feel good to share.  I gave all of my maternity clothes to the pregnancy crisis center, and some of the boys winter coats to my neighbor.  And you know what?  I'm already seeing returns!

            My friend gave me some jeans for my oldest son - in great condition!  We received two free tickets to the movie theater!  And yesterday when I went out to buy some much-needed underwear, the sales clerk gave me a special bonus discount on top of the sale! 

            This is fun!  I'm looking forward to seeing how God blesses me next!

            Remember, He will take care of you.  He may not give us exactly what we want, but He will always give us exactly what we need.