We pray, and we rejoice in all things because Jesus is near, He is here. He who dwells within us — is the Holy Spirit who never departs from us. Rivive us, Lord, and ignite a fire for truth within us. Feed our dead bones. Nourish us with Thy life giving Word.  Bring us back to our first life changing encounter with Jesus. Humble us before we reach the throne of God. Cause us to remember that we can never please God based on our own efforts. We need the Holy Spirit to convict us so that we may, one day, be found purified to stand blameless before our Holy God. Oh Lord, we pray that the Spirit of God increases our desire to be holy, as Thou art holy. Help us yearn to learn that our hearts may burn for what pleases God Almighty. Give us peace in the midst of trials. Capture each thought

During the dark days, we intentionally choose to obey God and rejoice always. “I am radiant with joy over the goodness of the Lord. And my life is like a watered garden and I sorrow no more.” Jeremiah 31:12 Our Lord is a promise keeper. “He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.” Job 8:21 Help me Holy Spirit so that my praises and prayers reflect Christ in me. A Prayer Guide

The enemy of our soul comes after our joy, and we defeat him with our choice to praise God in every imperfect situation.  May the watching world see us praise God in each negative circumstance. Like Paul and Silus, we choose to rejoice and worship God, regardless  of the illness, the traffic, or the visible reality. Wherever we are, Jesus is near. We are in Him, and He is in us. He is listening, and He is our victory, He is our joy, and He is worthy to be praised. Obediently, we capture every negative thought to recognize the will of God. We choose not to grumble or complain, but we rejoice knowing that Jesus is our Provider, and He is our Source of Joy. We worship He who is in us, and we count our blessings and focus our attention on His delight in us, at all times. “But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy.  Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You. Surely, Lord, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:11. Humbled by Grace

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have DIVINE power to DEMOLISH strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the KNOWLEDGE of GOD, and we take CAPTIVE every THOUGHT to make it OBEDIENT to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:2-3 We wage war and defeat negative thinking! With intention, we THINK and SPEAK whatever is expected of a child of God. We rejoice always.

“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, so that sinners will turn back to You. Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare Your praise. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart You, God, will not despise.” Psalm 51

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—THINK about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9

A sermon rattled a young, hungry soul that responded “I am His.” Martha Wing Robinson was summoned by God to cast aside all ambition and romance and to live for God alone.  Her quiet conversion was one of wrestling in the spirit and in the flesh. Her professed faith did not prevent chronic illness from attacking her body.  Martha’s bed of pain became her alter and her battlefield. She often wrote out her confessions and prayers.  She bounced between faith and doubt.

Her awe of God and her anguish weaved a wonder about the cost of obedience. She sought the Lord as to why He must use pain as His chisel. Family cared, but none knew of the spiritual crucible she endured. Martha read Scripture and the testimonies of many saints. At times she felt luminous in a trembling faith, at other times she felt abandoned. A journal entry in 1898, while her body was near collapse. “God is teaching me how to see.” Martha ceased pleading for healing, and began praising God for her freedom from fear.  Martha vowed, “If the price of obedience to God was to wake up in hell, I would still choose Jesus.” Strength comes from surrender. Martha’s free, faith based hospitality led many into the eternal arms of God.

With such a complete soul surrender, all human understanding was surpassed.  After her vow of faithfulness, the atmosphere shifted and she woke up with new strength. Slowly her body mended and her spirit surged. With a crystal clear purpose forged through suffering, she knew she belonged entirely to Christ. Without a dramatic healing, her afflictions gently lessened. Weeks passed as her vitality slowly returned. She soon began to pray with others and people recognized a radiant light behind her eyes. Something unseen moved within her voice. Her journal entries morphed from pleading to praise.

The God of peace is with us always!

The Holy Source of all good things in this world is a topic much discussed and debated.  God or a higher power is viewed as the ultimate Source of goodness, love, and all favor and blessings. The Truth is that God is the embodiment of goodness and the creator of all positive aspects of life “in Christ.” I surrender all.

Poetry or literature describe a place, moment, or experience that brings pure joy, love, or inspiration. However; the invisible Guide of the pen of the poet, writer, or prophet of God is infused by the Source of all that is inspired, and His name is above all names. Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, the Holy One of Israel. There is but one divine power, one single Source that fosters all positive experiences: God Almighty, Creator of all that is, the Waymaker, the Transcendent One, Jesus Christ, King of kings, the Savior who bekons us all to Come to Him by His constant flow of mercy and grace.