COMMIT TO THE LORD

Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. TThe older I get, the more I realize how true these words in Proverbs are. My grandmother used to remind me to "pray without ceasing." I didn't know what that meant. To me, as a child, I thought you just beg someone until they either tell you no, or you got what you wanted. This verse holds so much truth in it. When we ask the Lord to guide our every step of the way, and then be patient, He will show us where He wants us to be. A friend of mine shared a story with me the other day. He was asked to serve the Lord as a missionary in Peru. He lifted it up to the Lord in prayer. He asked the Lord to give him three signs if this was truly a request from Him. My friend was willing to go to Peru, but wanted to make sure the call was actually coming from the Lord. My friend prayed, "I don't have a passport, I have no money, and please have 'someone' call me to confirm this. He received a phone call from another missionary asking him to come with him to Peru. He received his passport in about two weeks, and another person who was supposed to go the Peru was not able, so they offered my friend that money to go. While he was in Peru, one night the Pastor came to my friend and said, the Holy Spirit came to me and wants you to preach tonight. My friend had less than fifteen minutes to prepare his sermon. On that night, during his alter call, 87 people came forward. Psalm 119:133 Direct my footsteps according to your word........

JUST PRAY

Have you ever been discouraged, felt stretched to the limit? Yeah? Well I guess we have lots in common, at least today. Some days, that's where I am too. Joylene Nowell Butler, author of Dead Witness, suggested on her blog the other day, to try to make your mind just stop for a few moments. In other words, clear your thoughts. I suppose I do that every morning during my prayer time. Be still and listen for the words of God. I heard a sermon recently where the pastor said she heard another pastor say we should spend at least five minutes a day in prayer. She said, "I think there might be five minutes a day I'm NOT in prayer." I have to agree with her. I start in the early morning, before the sun comes up. Be Still and Know that I am the Lord your God. It is then, during those times I feel at peace. During those still, quiet moments when HE and I are alone. I am also practicing Ms. Butlers approach to "clearing" my mind. A little while ago a situation arose which upset me. Instead of praying, or "clearing" my mind, I tried to fix it. Because that's what I do. I'm a fixer. Maybe that's why so many people come to me. I'm a fixer. A friend came over for coffee a few days ago and she reminded me that I can't "fix" everybody. I can't take everybody under my wing. Maybe that's the reason for this blog today. I can't fix it, but I know how to help you fix it. Just pray. When someone says to me, "all I can do is pray," it always amazes me. Do they have any idea of the power of prayer? I've just spent the past hour "casting all my cares on the Lord and HE will sustain you, HE will never let the righteous fall." (Psalms 55:22) I'm not sure who the Lord intended to read this blog today, but if you would like email me and let me know. We'll pray together. The rest of you have a blessed day. Let me know how you're doing.