Withstanding the Onslaught of the Enemy

 Now if you are a woman, you can probably relate to this kind of stress where you cry with sorrow. You experience a grief into your soul that is so deep that a good cry is required. And we can experience a deep pain of grief many times during a lifetime whether you are a woman or a man. I remember talking with my own mother of those times that she hurt so deeply that the cry seemed to be endless for her.

Psalm 31: 9-13  Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak. Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors; I am a dread to my friends-- those who see me on the street flee from me. I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life.

Certainly reading Psalm 31…verses sink in our heart and thoughts of those who have pleas to reach the Lord. There is that unwarranted persecution and yes trouble. And does not trouble follow the righteous? It appears like a dog after a tasty bone, does it not?

Jesus mentions this in John 17:14-15 I have given them Your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.

As the righteous we are set apart for ministry. Each in regard to their calling even a married woman raising four children. That is a calling! The married man to watch over his home and his place of work. He keeps watch by prayer and hearing the Lord’s voice. Yes, each of these is in their walk to keeping the focus of God’s plan in view to hear the will of the Lord’s voice.

In regard to Psalm 31, verse 9 reads: have mercy on me, O LORD for I am in trouble; my eye wastes away with grief, Yes, my soul and my body! For many people who have trouble in their marriage can face heartache. They try reaching for that which flickered with a light years ago but somehow and somewhere, someone forgot to keep the flame in the blazing mode of brilliance. It always takes two people to make a marriage work. With that in mind, we should first have a relationship with God and then the person you see as your spouse, right?

I heard people speak many times of their thoughts on how they kept their fire burnings, but in their speaking you find that one’s job took their extra effort and stayed at the work place more than they were at home to keep a fire even to burn. Another spoke how they never seemed to be a part of the marriage team. Their voice never seemed to be heard in whatever the conversation was being engaged. Still another gave voice that her husband did not hear her ever! I had wondered how two people could get to that first conversation at the first meeting of one another and then have no conversation after that. Monopolizing a whole conversation could be hard for anyone to bear no matter who you are but then to marry that person seemed like a miraculous thing indeed to me!  So whatever the circumstance for man or woman, or even a youth, anything broken is a serious matter. And certainly heartache is serious. BUT Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted. He came to bind up wounds and to deliver us into His peace and healing! And to converse about that is to contact God first and foremost, to hear Him and then to do what He instructs!

 

People are in a grief today of coronavirus! They have experienced grief in lockdowns, shutdowns, closed signs, wearing masks to disguise and even cover their smile which welcomes that hidden and muffled “hello” to being social distanced because of a fear.  They find themselves being hounded by "Karens" who yell for police and 911 but some places have defunded their police departments, so who are you going to call?

I thought on this weeks ago when school would have been starting about all those children who would not be back in public schools. They would not be back among their peers. I thought how many young people would only see another like them from a screen on their computer, being miles apart and never to have that close and personal opportunity to say hello and have a conversation with them of how they enjoyed the summer or how they had “no summer!” People require conversation! We were never meant to be alone! God showed us that in the Garden of Eden.

I always think of God sending angels to announce the birth of Jesus. He sent angels to declare before shepherds in a field who kept a watch over a flock of sheep with no flood lights, no roadways, but only pathways, with no cell phones, but only that occasional conversation between those shepherds passing as they work in the fields on that special night! I thought of there not being a folding chair to get comfortable by a fire to warm the bones of one who had already put in work for a day now to work all night. But something occurred. Something changed the mundane to the best of all things ever. God sent a notice.....announced something had happened. He engaged mankind!

We were in conversation with our daughter and son-in-law a couple of weeks ago. And she was talking of songs she remembered from her early years at school and especially those she remembered in her times at the skating center. Between the two of them, our daughter and son-in-law, they could think of a number of songs, but one I keep going back to is “It’s a Heartache” by Bonnie Tyler. Then she had hits like “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and “Holding out for a Hero”.  Now this lady had some heart issues and you can tell by the words written and sang about what they were! Now the songs were special when skating with your spouse or even your child in that family time and a family evening together, but I also thought especially since Thanksgiving Day of this year for those who spent time giving thanks to God that 2020 is almost over. I know many could not record that song so milllions could hear it, but I thought of those who spent the day giving thanks they are alive to see another year coming.  I thought of those who spent time singing about the goodness of God!

Yes, the year 2020 has brought many to their knees, some for senseless things, but others in regard to loved ones dying, in regard to working from home, no toilet paper to be found, and bread and milk not available to a family with small children.  There were mandates, and demands and yes, people have gone from crying to emotional pain and even to the point of a physical pain. Loss was mentioned by many who have an anchor chair in the news department, and many who just had loose tongues this year and we should watch what comes out of our mouths. We should not be those who run around with loose tongues giving opinions and no truth.

I thought of people using the word “privileged” and those who love God, the righteous are the privileged indeed. It tells of the virtuous, the capable, the person who is the godly and brings about profit to her (or his) family.

Proverbs 31:10 Who can find the virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13 She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar. 15 She also rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. 17 She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. 18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. 20 She extends her hand to the poor, yes she reaches out her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. 22 She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and tells them and supplies sashes for the merchants. 25 Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “ Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.” 30 charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her praise own works praise her in the gates.

 

To begin: the first nine verses of Proverbs 31 deals with what is called symbolically that Lady Wisdom. But the rest of Proverbs 31 deals with the real woman who is flesh and blood. Every man and woman can learn from this proverb of wisdom that regards the individual and the family at large!

Verse 10: who can find the virtuous wife? Who can find that person who has virtue? Are we looking for someone who is virtuous?

The apostle Paul commands us to think on things which are virtuous: Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of a good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is anything praiseworthy---meditate on these things.

The virtuous begins with thoughts in the mind. Our actions give away to what our thought process has been. The apostle Paul gives us guidance in what our minds should hold so that our character and conduct will line up with what God expects in the righteous man or woman.

We cannot allow our minds to dwell upon evil and expect to live virtuously before God. "Evil company corrupts good habits" (1 Corinthians 15:33). If our mind is in the gutter, we cannot live a virtuous life. Christians can never escape all of the negative influences of sin living on the earth, but we have a choice of whom we will serve in our hearts and minds. We must not continue to dwell on the sin that surrounds us as we interact with people of the world. We can never allow ourselves to gleefully entertain the pleasures of unrighteousness in our minds (2 Thessalonians. 2:11-12; and  2 Tim. 3:1-4). To do so is sin ( Matt. 5:27-30).

From verse 15-17, the thought is of diligence to her or him who gives tremendous strength to earn money for the family but also to earn extra to buy that vineyard. It takes work to remove those stones to plant vines to grow grapes. It takes some muscle to work to dig that winepress and then build that tower to protect  that vineyard once it is flourishing.

It is the Proverbs 31 person who laughs at the days to come as seen in verse 25. Those who can laugh at the days to come, laugh in seeing the approach of 2021, will be those secure in knowing Who holds the future. That person is the one who will rejoice because God is in the midst of every part of their life. Good or bad, the person is equipped with the word of God, equipped with His power and ready for the days ahead with a smile on the face and an expectancy within the heart that God is with them because they have chosen His way of life!

You may be the Psalm 31 person where your strength fails because of affliction and your bones grow weak as seen in verse 10, but Proverbs 31 person is the strong and the healthy. Proverbs 31 tells us a “woman” who is strong and healthy, that she is one set about to do work vigorously and that her arms are strong for her tasks! She is one who has strength like the young person but she also has honor like the older person. When she gives instruction she is giving it by the wisdom of God and the love of Him in her heart. That person is always one known as the vigilant and the diligent. She is no sluggard!

 

With the present day of social media in the lives of many, the life of a woman or even a man can revert back to a high school popularity contest. And if you stay around those who act more like teenagers than the grown and the mature, then it is most certainly the time to find the right place to spend that quality moment away from those who will only make you feel socially inferior as you can see from this given in Psalm 31:11-13: Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors and an object of dread to my closest friends— those who see me on the street flee from me. I am forgotten as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. For I hear many whispering, “Terror on every side!” They conspire against me and plot to take my life.

Men and women should not be about pleasing everyone around them. Jesus did not do that. Focus on Jesus, read to find understanding that discerns your walk, and discerns the right from the wrong! Yes, we can read Proverbs 31 as “The MOST Popular”, yes, everyone is tweeting about them, but struggle is found when those things appear suddenly and that same person is not capable of handling all the hoopla of such great attention so quickly. They get off on a tangent and may not find that narrow path back in safety! Your spouse may not match up to the respectable, but certainly God’s word works and when we apply it to our lives and those of our spouse we can see changes come. Some may be slow, but others can come sooner when we continue to activate His word of truth now, today in this moment for them! Your children may not be serving God and in this hour of coronavirus, they may be still trying to find where they need to live to have a job to go to and perform every day. May we continue to speak as David did: Psalm 31NKJV  “But as for me, I trust in you, LORD; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who persecute me.”

I remember when a lady sent this Psalm 31 to me. Her name Juliana C. She was over all those who ministered in Jail Ministry for Snohomish County, Washington. She sent it to both men and women alike and it was to encourage those who spent the time in prayer, study and meditation to see God’s purpose on earth in the jails to reach those incarcerated by bad behavior. It was about seeing God’s goodness to those who needed a Savior.

She encouraged me, when things were not so wonderful for me, not so great for me, but she showed me how to keep the focus and it has become the fruitful field. That was some sixteen years ago, but I always think of my times are in His hands! And I have continually spoke as the Lord speaks and to believe with a heart of faith, His will is done on earth as it is in heaven….coronavirus or no coronavirus,….God is sufficient!

The Psalm 31 person encountered anxiety: “it is the what if” issue. It looks like what if the children remain disobedient, why are all my children “the prodigals”, why is there issue in the body and nothing is given as the cause nor the solution?

But as that woman who was the esteemed by her husband her children, we too would like to be esteemed and Proverbs 31 points to children that rise and call her blessed and her husband also. Your children may not call you the blessed, but God calls you the blessed and from that point you begin. I say to you b-e-g-i-n that walk in seeing God as your refuge as seen in Psalm 91. See yourself dwelling with the Most High God and then whatever is going on outside of you will be buffered by that power of God on the inside of you. Psalm 31: 19-21 Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You, in the presence of the sons of men! 20 You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. 21 Blessed be the LORD, for He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city!

Yes, we are the fortified when we stay with God and work at that relationship within His presence and His great love that sustain man or woman in all the challenges outside the home as coronavirus or men with wicked intentions as trying to overthrow elections for their purposes, for that challenge is seen, but we keep our homes in His love and His focus. We keep speaking His word over our spouse, over their position, over their drive to work and home, we keep God’s angels active to perform what is needed. So if you have been dealt a blow and find yourself in a depressive state, social challenges being locked in one location or with physical ailments when you have no opportunity to seek medical help or even with family problems, the key thing to remember is this: we exist. God planned for you and He planned for me. He planned something good. He desired us to live as this moment for His glory and to His praise. We belong to Him Who is greater. We belong to Him! Proverbs 3: 19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens; 20 By His knowledge the depths were broken up, And clouds drop down the dew. 21 My son let them not depart from your eyes-  Keep sound wisdom and discretion;  22 So they will be life to your soul, And grace to your neck. 23 Then you will walk safely in your way, And your foot will not stumble. 24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. 25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; 26 For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught. NKJV

 

Righteous behavior will always bring a great reward. We are to detest anything not virtuous. We look for His wisdom, to gain more knowledge of Him and then apply that to our lives and that of our children, our jobs, and anything else that can come in contact with our lives. Wise counsel is needed when there is anxiety, loss and pain. Wisdom of God is so vital to withstand the onslaught of the enemy and we keep to His peace, and love that guides us through whatever emotional, physical, mental or spiritual chaos. For we have seen what a virus can do, but we also know what God can do when we allow Him in!

 New teaching at: Voice of Prayer  

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Let FREEDOM Ring!

In viewing the latest weight loss programs, people still have to cut back on how much they put in their mouths. People still have to consider that food is for energy and not to carry around all day as in extra baggage. But the society tells you to buy more, pay later, you need this, but does not fit you, will not be anything you can use as in comfort, a place to bring people to visit you, is not a place you would want kids to know about, is something that even a spouse may not know anything about, or it is the "I just want it because I deserve it". ( like that second do-nut, that second piece of cake, that second dress, but you ONLY needed one, that new car, but the old one is barely a year old)

 In the health department, I know some people who brought on serious health problems who would not eat at all. We knew a young lady who was in high school back in the 80's who had a severe eating disorder. It cost her  the life God had given her. People can get caught up with not fitting in "some crowd" and so they will do anything to :WIN! (they will drink some water and eat one yogurt a day to stay what size? They will seek others who tell nasty jokes to fit in, but their "saved", right? They will do whatever it takes to be "noticed".)

Our teaching the other evening was about that which controls the mind. It was about the "stronghold". It was given from The Message Bible, but here I have put the amplified version.

The Scripture foundation was: 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5....amplified.  3 For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds. 5 [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

And a wording that the Apostle used the other night in his teaching was that of people's agendas being a cancer that destroys. Their way of thinking has that of negativity towards another or in my terms something that either divides them or subtracts from them.
 I had never thought of that example he gave in the teaching and when we allow our own agendas, our own theories like winning, of being number one in a crowd, can certainly be detrimental to us and to those we lead, may desire to lead, or may regard those who we may be raising up as leaders ( even our children or grand-children).


Of course, I am taking notes, and putting this down to reflect on days later. Had opportunity to view the teaching again yesterday evening and was glad to be refreshed on that powerful word.
Well, yes we all have heard it and hopefully to hear it many thousands of times before this year is done and many before Jesus' return. And the importance is that we realize that when God sends His word it is to heal them. Right?

In view of that Word the Apostle spoke on his sister coming for a visit. Having not seen her in some 20 years, he was apprehensive, yet his trust was in the Lord. As the sister arrived with family, she began to bring up those old things of witchcraft and such from those early days. But the Apostle held on to faith and believe he would give no room to the devil for a foothold of any kind into his life and that of his wife and children. It is truly a wonderful testimony when our faith is in God.

I thought of the scripture below:
2 Corinthians 3:17
 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.  NIV

We each can have a sister, or a brother. And in our relationships we can probably think of something of long past events that were probably life shattering, but today is what counts and how we treat others including the brother, the sister and even our fellow-believers in Christ.

I think today of those visiting with sisters and parents who have come a distance to visit............and to reminiscence the experiences of the "old days".........!

And in that I think on the Apostle's word from God for us to guard our hearts and take no word against what God had given us.......that we were to be the free. I wonder in the meeting of others do we allow the "old" man to resurface, play out that which made us feel number One, the Supreme, the COMPETITOR, the "know it all" or are we the meek who shall inherit the earth.........are we those who will send others off with their visit with us.......inspired to serve the Lord with gladness in their hearts?  Will the questions be opened up about Jesus or will they just be another  hill of beans that helps no one and does nothing to bring or speak life of God into another?

Hey, let's play Yatzee..........and I win! Hey, let's play pin the tale on the donkey...........oh, I win! Let's play Charades, oh, I win! Or........let's play the word game, and make up some parables of our own! It is all about me, the best, the funny, the clever, the top-banana, the comedian, the "lucky" instead of being the talented, the "main attraction". Wow!   And how do we act when we start losing at a "touch football" game, start to lose our current favor with the "boss" at work, start losing at a simple card game, or in a conversation we know nothing about, or when we are called and confronted about some issue we would rather not speak on? Would we act the same around the "new" comers to a Bible study as we would our family: like parents, children, grand-parents? Are we going to shine and make every one else look bad?

In the days of Peter and John, they had the opportunity to minister life! See below:

Acts 4:13-17

13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 "What are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name." 

NIV

When we are in a crowd of people, what face will others see before them? What part of your past will play out for them? Will you have to be the "main attraction"?
I believe that testimony the Apostle gave was one of victory in that he does not live in that place any more. He is filling up daily on the Word of God and truth. I know my husband to be one like that as well. He fills up, reads aloud to me and we spend time together to pray. We take time together just like Jesus took with His disciples and with His Father. APOSTLE RANDY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS! 

I do not know about you, but I keep before me that Judgment Seat of Christ. I know He will play before my eyes and His all that I spoke for Him and that which I spoke about me. And I repent daily when I know when He is not first in my life. It is a walk. It must be in faith. And it must be that which we will know and understand that others are watching us. And is our life today measuring up to God's standard or you and I being the "same 'ole man"?
Do we throw a tantrum when we do not get our way when a crowd is around like for a holiday gathering, a birthday celebration, a special dinner to celebrate what a child has accomplished in school? Do we pretend that all is well within our home life and no one is talking to each other? Has the spouse stopped encouraging his wife? Has the wife neglected her duty to her child/children?

Are we training up our children in the way they should go? Are we training them that is more important to win and do it however you must to be the "one, the main man (woman), the main thing". Yikes!

I give honor to those today who stand their ground in the Word of God and will not give way to the devil's schemes of that lust thing of the flesh, the eyes, and pride of life. (1 John 2:16)

Are we the mere animal who indulges in that which is worldly? What gratifies our appetites?Well, that is the lust of the flesh!   In the lust of the eyes, what will gratify our pleasure place? Will it be that spectacular furniture or that new car?  And in the pride of life: well that is just boasting! And with it is a tendency to promote it to a greater level and greater degree of pride in themselves. Not a good place to be!

To you who have held the conviction that God is greater and have placed your trust in Him, I commend you. Letting Freedom ring in our lives is paramount. For my own sister and Mother, I see a greater gift of giving of oneself to serving the other. In my sister and brother-in-law I see a love that comes from wanting to serve another as they do with our mother in her loss of husband and her health issues. They do not give up, but continue to speak life to her and pray for her daily to know Jesus as they do.

I commend those who do not give in to the "flesh" creature, but serve the Lord gladly so a sister and her husband can receive Jesus as Lord. I pray our children and grand-children will know this is not a race in RELATIONSHIPS.  There is no speed dating with the Lord!
I pray that people will know Jesus in the intimate that reflects in esteem for the other person.
I pray that it will NOT BE in the how I can beat you at cards or how I can be No. 1 at work, or at home or how I can have more knowledge of the worldly things by going back to hang out on-line with those who tell foul jokes or blaspheme another because of their race or color!

What will our children see of us and in us? What will stand out most in their young minds and thought processes............that is better to win, and if we do not, we will throw a tantrum and walk off stomping our feet or do something worse. "Well, I saw ________(mommy, daddy, auntie, grandfather, lady next door) act like that, so I can do it too!"

Galatians 5:13-15
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!    NKJV

Will your sister be saved? Will your mother finally meet Jesus? Will brother-in-law get to know Jesus before that terrible event happened in his life? Did I have opportunity to give them Jesus before they died? The Apostle spoke that his sister and family left in a better shape than they had come. He said his home remained in the peace of God. Amen!

I close with this:

My husband and I had just read a book by Perry Stone and we highly recommend it. ( It answers some questions like: What will we look like in heaven? Another is : Will we judge the angels? Plus many others)  It is called 'Chronicles of the SACRED MOUNTAIN".  From chapter 13 of that book, he teaches of "all things new" from Revelation 21:5. The previous memories from earth, with any we might have known as of people and events will be erased. They are those who will not receive Jesus as Lord. If they exist in your bloodline and they refused Jesus, then they will be erased from memory for all time. I had always wondered about that. And it was a question I had asked before.

For any not entering into that place with Christ, who remained to do their own thing, their own way will have no place in Heaven with Christ Jesus or God. Perry Stone wrote that past memory of them in our lives would be erased forever.

It would not be heaven, if we remembered all those family members or friends who were NOT with us in heaven. And in that,there would be pain, many tears and grief! (forever) That would NOT be heaven!

Revelation 21:4 God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more, neither shall there be anguish (sorrow and mourning) nor grief nor pain any more, for the old conditions and the former order of things have passed away.

We have today, and while we have life in us.........we can make the difference for some one and their destiny into hell or into heaven. What place do you expect for that Mother, that sister or brother-in-law or maybe that youth who has turned away from God? We have today that can make the difference in life for another!

It is not about how many times we can win, how fast I can run, or how much you weigh. It is not about what you look like or how you laugh or about being "the main attraction" in a crowd of people. If we have that opportunity to give life  to another, how will you represent the One who died for you?
Let FREEDOM Ring!

May we touch others today with the testimony of faith that leaves them encouraged and free to serve God gladly.

Father, in the name of Jesus I pray for our sisters, brothers, children, and grand-children who may not believe in Jesus yet. We together pray they will come to their senses of knowing Jesus as Savior and Lord. May they each obey their parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. I pray that they would not be provoked by their father so that they do not become discouraged according to Colossians 3:21.

 I pray that each will honor their father and their mother. We pray they will be a wise son who hears the father’s instructions, and will not consent to going with sinners. We pray they will not walk on the path with them but they will be kept from their path for their feet run to evil and they make haste to shed blood.

 According to James 1:19-23, May each we pray for today be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; knowing that the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. We pray that they  will continually lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with  meekness,  the implanted word, which is able to save the soul. May they be a doers of the word and not a hearer only, deceiving themselves. May they know that God desires His relationship with them. May they know that He treasures them greatly!

It is According to Proverbs 22:24-25 that these sisters and brothers/children and grand-children will make no friendships with angry men and they will not go with the furious.  They will refuse them and their ways.  Help them Holy Spirit to see and know that God loved us so much, that he gave his only begotten Son Jesus , so that we would have everlasting life by believing on HIM. May these we pray for today become those confessing with their mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in their heart that God has raised HIM from the dead, and they are the saved.

May freedom truly ring in the lives we believe to be saved in Jesus name. We believe You have heard our prayer. Thank You Lord for answering us. Amen.

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at (http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV)

Whispers!

In a previous blog I had written how our grand-child loves to whisper. The telling of a secret is fun for a small child, but those who are grown up and do not keep them become the teller or the gossiper of said story or tale! But remembering we are to come before God as children, and have that relationship with Him, what does a whisper look like? When coming to God as a child and speaking, what voice does one use?  Again, I think of our grand-child and how she speaks. There are times she is serious, especially about the "artwork" and she speaks seriously about how many pictures to color. As for me, I love to color pictures with her. It relaxes me to hear better and to watch her more intently as she works her way through a day of life living as a child. Her more humorous times comes in the "sun" while out of doors. You have probably read that story as well. She can get loud and can be heard around the whole neighborhood. Yes, she can voice what she is experiencing. And did God not give us a voice to be heard?

In thinking on this writing this morning, I thought of how I always thought of Hannah when praying before the Lord. It was that "whisper" I thought of and how she prayed with moving her lips but so silently speaking in whisper tones of the pain she was experiencing.

She had wanted a son and she had no children at all. In referencing Hannah for this, I am reminded of the "extreme" life she had lived. In her painful existence as a wife, she had no children with her husband. In reading about Hannah, we see that she never stopped sharing her heart with the Lord. In 1 Samuel 1:10, we find her praying out in pain of all that she was dealing with in her life!


1 Samuel 1:9-18.....9 So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the LORD. 10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish. 11 Then she made a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head." 

12 And it happened, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli watched her mouth. 13 Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. 14 So Eli said to her, "How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!" 15 And Hannah answered and said, "No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. 16 Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now." 17 Then Eli answered and said, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him." 18 And she said, "Let your maidservant find favor in your sight." So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. NKJV

Out of the abundance of our heart, we will speak. (verse 16) Matthew 12:34-37...........
For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."   NKJV

The priest Eli saw Hannah. He evidently had moved closer by verse 13 and he saw her lips moving, but her voice he could not hear. A WHISPER!
Eli in his haste to speak called her a woman who was drunk. He was scolding her to put her wine away. But Hannah responded, "NO, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now."
She had spoken in the past, but the pain was such that she now had only a WHISPER!
AT THAT MOMENT, all she had left within her was that WHISPER OF PAIN. 

Proverbs 13:12......12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick; but when dreams come true at last, there is life and joy.  TLB

Psalm 143:7-10........7 Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens; don't turn away from me or I shall die. 8 Let me see your kindness to me in the morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for my prayer is sincere. 9 Save me from my enemies. O Lord, I run to you to hide me. 10 Help me to do your will, for you are my God. Lead me in good paths, for your Spirit is good.  TLB

Hannah had shared her home with another woman who had given Hannah's husband, Elkanah children. Peninah was mean to Hannah and flaunted the truth that she could give Elkanah children, and we see in 1 Samuel 1:4-8....that Hannah was provoked in a way that irritated Hannah. Hannah was in such an unrest that she could not eat but cried instead.
1 Samuel 1:4-8........ 4 Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninah and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb. 6 And because the LORD had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. 8 Elkanah her husband would say to her, "Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don't you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don't I mean more to you than ten sons?" NIV

Hannah was so loved by her husband, yet her womb was closed up. She had not given her loving husband a child! She probably suffered much anguish. I am certain that when Peninah challenged her about the children, Hannah had to confront her anguish by seeking God. Hannah held her ground. 

She demonstrated a prayer life that only ONE God could answer with what she asked. When it came to WHISPERS, she kept her eyes on God for the answer to come. We certainly do not have to experience that which Hannah did, for today there is a law against having more than one wife at a time. But we should still see that in whatever Hannah's problems, she gained a much needed strength in prayer!

Is our prayer life one that truly exists? Is our day set and scheduled around God and His purpose for us that day? I remember a friend stating once that her life-line to God was much like a rope. She considered her prayer time, a time where she would keep one end and throw God the other and wait on Him to answer. She always considered God to keep what she had given to Him in prayer and that answers would come. She prayed to receive them in the form to which He desired to answer her! 

2 Corinthians 4:13-15...........13 We boldly say what we believe [trusting God to care for us], just as the psalm writer did when he said, "I believe and therefore I speak." 14 We know that the same God who brought the Lord Jesus back from death will also bring us back to life again with Jesus and present us to him along with you. 15 These sufferings of ours are for your benefit. And the more of you who are won to Christ, the more there are to thank him for his great kindness, and the more the Lord is glorified. TLB  

         

1 Samuel 1:18-23............18 And she said, "Let your maidservant find favor in your sight." So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. 

19 Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD, and returned and came to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her. 20 So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, "Because I have asked for him from the LORD." 21 Now the man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice and his vow. 22 But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, "Not until the child is weaned; then I will take him, that he may appear before the LORD and remain there forever." 23 And Elkanah her husband said to her, "Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him. Only let the LORD establish His word." So the woman stayed and nursed her son until she had weaned him. NKJV

1 Samuel 2:18-21............18 But Samuel ministered before the LORD, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod. 19 Moreover his mother used to make him a little robe, and bring it to him year by year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. 20 And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, "The LORD give you descendants from this woman for the loan that was lent to the LORD." Then they would go to their own home. 21 And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile the child Samuel grew before the LORD.   NKJV

From chapters 1 and 2 of 1 Samuel, we find the Lord blessing Hannah. In verse 20 of 1 Samuel 1, we find she conceived, and called him Samuel. He was to minister before the LORD God. And in 1 Samuel 2:21, we find Hannah conceived and gave birth to three more sons and two daughters. Hannah received her desire and gave him to the Lord without hesitation. What a faith we see in Hannah! A woman who experienced derision and tribulation when another woman shared her husband. But a true beauty came through that her trust was to be in God the Lord and He would see her through those demanding experiences of pain. Because of a thankful heart, she received more children in her union with Elkanah!  We do not reside in a "rose garden" where there are no trials or tribulations. But we do live life that in whatever comes, our expectancy is to be in the Lord. For He will do valiantly, and the more we trust in Him, the more ease and peace, we will experience in knowing He has our back.
I believe Hannah always had a forgiving heart toward Peninah.

I close this by writing to those who may be men reading this. In regards to Hannah and what she believed for in her union with her husband, men can also experience such in the workplace.
I believe this to be a prophetic word to any men who work in the business arena. What God has placed in you to do for His kingdom can still come forward and be given life. For with Hannah, we saw a woman who was so provoked by another, only a whisper remained to pray. If that is where you are today, remember God still hears, and when we truly believe that He can bring to life that which we may have thought was dead or would never happen, God is on your side and He will do what He has promised! Whatever Peninah's surround you in the workplace and whatever "children" the other person has, whatever great idea or concept the other person may hold at this moment, God still hears and answers prayers. He is forever leaning forward, and reaching out to us. All we have to do is speak, even in a WHISPER, "Lord, help me"............and reach out whether it be in anguish, despair and heartache, He will HEAR AND HE WILL ANSWER!  HE WILL BRING FORTH THAT WHICH HE DESIRES TO BIRTH THROUGH YOU IN THE WORKPLACE THAT WILL BRING PRAISE AND GLORY TO HIS HOLY NAME!
Lord, what the righteous desire will be granted (Prov 10:24), When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever. (Prov 10:25), the prospect of the righteous is joy (Prov 10:28), and (my )  mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,(Prov 10:31)!

 Father, thank You for those times we must WHISPER! We pray that You will stir us. As we read and spend time with YOU, we use that time in worshipful praise through our prayer time. We choose to continue to give YOU praise and honor for all that happens in this place of worship to YOU.  Father, we pray to be those men and women who will pray and co-operate with YOU and the instruction YOU give us. We pray that You bring illumination to things we may not understand at this moment. Today, we give thanks that YOUR Word comes into places we need to see and to make decisions based on the truth of YOUR Word. We seek to be those who will give birth to the new concepts, the new inventions, the world-changing ideas that will no longer be hindered by our own thinking, but we will prevail, because we hold onto to YOUR ways and thoughts and operate in the wisdom of God that will see the kingdom come in our workplace, homes and ministries.

We believe those decisions we must make, will be made in truth and integrity without pain and any difficulty. Thank Your for showing us things that are hidden to us that we must know. We give thanks in advance of any warnings we may need to know and need to respond to. We desire to keep step with YOU and YOUR ways today. It is in Jesus' name we pray. Amen and Amen.

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at (http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV)