Tag: prayer

Looking for Love

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couple walking on beach

Many people are looking for that one true love. A good mate can contribute to a healthy, happy and prosperous life. I am amazed at how far some people will go just to experience love. Opening your heart to love and to be loved by someone special is a very important decision. Who we love is so significant, great care and wisdom should be taken before we proceed.

Consult with the One who is love.

I could have avoided serious heartaches if I only consulted with God before entering into a relationship. I did not understand that He wanted to be the lead in every area of my life, especially my love life. The internet, friends, clubs and social events were once the trusted source for finding companionship. I never thought that God could or would find a mate for me.

God is concerned with who you love and who loves you.

After looking for love in all the wrong places, I finally realized I had to open my heart and trust God.  I shared with Him what I was looking for in the man I would like to marry. No topic was spared…personality, character, height, sexual intimacy, family values, financial acumen, health, hobbies, spirituality, food preferences, physical strength, vocal tone, love language, etc. God listened to all my desires and qualifications. I even wrote them down and confessed them. I was excited and ready to meet this awesome man I had envisioned.  However, the Holy Spirit revealed another step in my quest for love that I had never before considered.

Pray for your mate before you meet them.

Initially, I was unsure how to pray for someone who I did not know even existed. My faith had to believe that this person was real and in need of prayer. I knew of all of his good attributes since I requested them, but I did not consider the areas where he may have weaknesses. Praying for him took the focus away from my desires and taught me a deeper level of compassion. We all are in need of prayer for something and true love covers all. I began to pray for my future husband, trusted God and waited patiently for Him to bring us together.  I know that even the best marriages should be covered in continuous prayer. I am glad God prepared me ahead of time. Prayer is powerful!

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation;
continuing instant in prayer;
distributing to the necessity of saints;
given to hospitality. – Romans 12:12-13

If you are looking for love, I encourage you to consult with God first and begin praying for your future mate. To read more on the power of prayer, go to Week 28: Pray and Give Thanks in the Power Over All book.

Power of Agreement

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Power of Agreement

Are you in agreement with someone – harmonizing your opinions and actions with the mind of another person? It can be a humbling, yet powerful experience. The act of agreement can be formed with anyone in your life: spouse, children, business partners, colleagues, friends, etc.  However, it is not always an easy task.  Agreement requires wisdom, patience, trust and faith.

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth
as touching any thing that they shall ask,
it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them. – Matthew 18:19-20

Allow me to share some of my personal observations…

  • Agreement has a more positive impact than compromise. One does not have to settle, adjust or force another. There is no resentment.
  • Many wicked people agree and form alliances with each other, but their power source is not greater than God.
  • Two or more people who believe in Jesus Christ and come into agreement can ask the Heavenly Father for anything in His will and it is done.
  • One must first agree with God and His Word before accessing the power from this agreement.
  • Agreement results in a less stressful life of peace and victory!

Friend, you can experience this type of power. No matter where you are in life or what situation you are in, God is ready to agree with you today!

Power of Love

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Have you ever thought that love makes you weak or vulnerable?  Maybe you have regarded love as an erratic emotion instead of a spiritual force.   For too long, my life consisted of exchanging “conditional” love.  I had a fear and mistrust of love so the conditions were my way of preserving my heart.   However, this type of love put me and others into bondage – always working to qualify for it.  I realized that loving this way was unstable and selfish.   This “conditional” love was hardening my heart with unforgiveness and negatively impacting my quality of life.  As a result, I was not able to give love freely or access its power.

God’s love is often unappreciated, misunderstood and underestimated.  God wants us to love Him, each other and ourselves with a pure love.  When we love the way God loves us, we experience the greatest power in the universe.   This pure love creates, protects and overcomes any circumstance.  Even when we are told to love our enemies and those that despitefully use us, God’s love does not require us to be subject to any abuse or wickedness.  We can love our adversaries through prayer and He will take care of the rest.

The Lord preserveth all them that love him:
but all the wicked will he destroy. – Psalm 145:20

It is very important to know and experience God’s everlasting love for ourselves.  Our relationships, marriages and self-esteem will abound in the joy, peace and power that God’s love provides.  I am still learning to love like God and often renew my mind to the biblical definition of love…

Love is patient and kind.

Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.

It does not demand its own way.

It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

It does not rejoice about injustice, but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful,
and endures through every circumstance.

– 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (New Living Translation)

 I encourage you to draw closer to Him and experience the power of love.  To read more about God’s love, go to Week 3: Love in the Power Over All book.

Trusting God with the Unexpected

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My husband Daires and me

One summer morning, I woke up eager to go to church.  While getting dressed, God spoke to me about completely trusting Him in every area of my life.  I remember that my heart was full of expectation and I was ready to receive the Word.  That particular Sunday was extremely crowded (plus I was a little late) so the usher had to search for an available seat for me.  She finally found one and sat me between two gentlemen I had never seen before. 

A strange thing happened that day.

Once the pastor began service, his microphone stopped working and the entire sound system went out.   The congregation went silent.  We then were asked to turn to each other, exchange prayer requests and begin praying for each other in small groups of two or three.  I turned to my left, touched the arm of the man next to me, listened to his request and began to pray.  When I finished, he thanked me, took my hand and earnestly prayed for me.  His spirit immediately ministered to mine.  As he prayed, my heart released bitterness that had been deeply suppressed.  Maybe two minutes into the prayer, I collapsed to my knees and wept in front of everyone.  It was so embarrassing, but I could not control the flood of tears.  It felt like my soul was purging.  I never experienced anything like this before, especially not in church in front of so many others.  Instead of stopping to see if I was OK, the tall man held my hand tighter and continued to intercede for me through prayer.

He stayed strong while I was weak.

The usher brought tissues and the other prayer groups nearby cleared a little space for her to check on me.  As his prayer ended, my tears subsided.  Eventually, I was able to regain my composure.  Although my make-up smeared, my sundress wrinkled and I felt totally exposed, the stranger just smiled at me with all sincerity.  The sound system began working and the pastor resumed service.   Almost an hour went by and I realized I was still holding hands with a man I just met and whose name I did not even know.  Yes, it was very awkward, but it was one of the most peaceful encounters I have ever experienced in life.   I knew God was present and trusted Him with this unexpected journey I was about to embark on.

And that is how I met my husband.

I greatly appreciate how we work together at our marriage and respect each other’s personal relationship with God.  One thing that has helped us tremendously is that we continue to pray for each other daily.   Prayer is powerful and essential for victorious living!  Through all of our growing pains, my husband loves me, encourages me and leads me…still holding my hand.

BUT IT IS GOOD FOR ME TO DRAW NEAR TO GOD: I HAVE PUT MY TRUST IN THE LORD GOD, THAT I MAY DECLARE ALL THY WORKS. – PSALM 73:28