O’ Me of Little Faith

Well today was one of those days that you’d just like to have a do over and change how things go. I got online this morning to check for my morning email from Shelbie. I anticipate these every morning and have to make myself wait to check until I’ve accomplished a few other things. Today I decided to check my emails before I got my stuff done. Bad idea since t-tapping, laundry, and chores never got done after I read her email.

I opened my email to read:

“Hey Mama and Daddy,
I just wanted to let you know what is going on. Kate said before I tell you I should reassure you that it can happen to anyone, it's no big deal, and it will get taken care of soon.”

She went on to tell us how her bag had been stolen and in it was her license, flight itinerary, all her money, and worse of all her passport. Ugh! Can we please do a rewind? This very brazen and most likely desperate thief, stole her bag while it sat on the floor by her feet. The girls had gone to the internet cafe to blog and saw the man bend over and pick something up but because he was dressed similar to the waiter they assumed he was a waiter and just cleaning up. They were engrossed in their blogging and didn’t realize he had taken it at first.

Shelbie texted just minutes after I read this to ask if I had been online yet. She said they were going to the police station to file a report and first thing in the morning they were headed to the embassy to get a new passport. She was very bummed, nervous about going to the embassy, and overall shaken up. I know this will get taken care of and that she is in good hands but never the less this is not what a mama wants to hear when your separated by 10,732 miles from your child and there is not one thing you can do.

This is when I have to remember that she is not mine, but His. He is once again going to use this situation to teach and grow Shelbie into who He wants her to become. Once again she has shown me how strong she is and that her roots go very deep in her God. She said she has once again been given the chance to trust and be faithful in a situation that isn’t what we consider ideal.

I wish I could say the same for my faith. My morning just got worse. I was already feeling stressed over Shelbie so when the animal control came by to do their yearly walk through the neighborhood and make sure that people had their dogs licensed, and mine were not, I got fussy. I’m embarrassed to say it but I refused to sign the citation. Shame on me, I know. I just didn’t want to do  it. Later I ended up calling them to find out what my fine is and how to get the dogs registered and I apologized. Ugh.

As I was puttering around the house, stressing and waiting for updates from Shelbie, Shaylah was going about her morning routine and I heard her quietly singing away…

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise;
Just to know, Thus saith the Lord.

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him,
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er,
Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more.

Then Shyloh comes over in the afternoon and she is quietly singing…

Take my heart, I Lay it down
At the feet of you whose crowned
Take my life, I’m letting go
I lift it up to You who’s throned

And I will worship You, Lord
Only You, Lord
And I will bow down before You
Only You Lord

Take my fret, take my fear
All I have, I’m leaving here
Be all my hopes, be all my dreams Take my heart, I Lay it down
At the feet of you whose crowned
Take my life, I’m letting go
I lift it up to You who’s throned

Each time I heard one of them singing I just knew the Lord was speaking to me. Can I trust Him with my girl? Or should I say His girl. Has He ever given me a reason to not trust Him?  Shelbie has truly laid her life down at His feet to use as He see’s fit, can I not do the same? Why do I think I’m entitled to having it easy and never having to deal with the stresses of this life?

I’m a slow learner. I’m thankful I have a God who is full of compassion and doesn’t give up on me. Once again I’m attempting to take my heart and lay it down and trust He who is ever faithful. I will take all my fret and all my fear and leave it for Him.

I’m praying that this person who stole her bag will be convicted by what he did, but that if he was that desperate for money that he will also be blessed. He needs a God who has compassion, one that he can trust to meet his every need. I pray he finds that God, my God, Jesus Christ.

Giving God Glory in all Circumstances

This week has left me thinking and wondering. We have been praying for two different women and their families as they battle cancer.  One day one Mama went to be with Jesus leaving two very young children, and the very next day the other Mama was given a clean bill of health and declared cancer free and now can continue mothering her two young children.

The same prayers have been lifted up, but two different answers have been given. In each situation the Lord has been glorified, His name lifted high. How is this? It’s incredible and amazing. My heart grieves for the family left without a mama, and rejoices with the other that has a new lease on life.

I want to question and wonder why He chose to take one and leave the other.  It’s not my job though. He is sovereign and that is that! In both families the faith that has been shown is amazing and leaves me speechless. Does God deserve less praise in one situation that the other? No, not at all. His plans are perfect in each situation. It’s not my job to question but only offer up thanks and praise. He holds each family in the palm of His hand. He loves and cares for them equally.

We can’t look at the situation and base our response to the Lord on the outcome of the circumstance. He is good, always, everyday, in every good and even what we  may consider “bad” circumstance. He is to be trusted and praised. I’m so thankful I serve a God who loves and cares for me and my family. I can trust Him with our lives and know that He is faithful and just.

I don’t have to understand. I just need to keep trusting and keep praising. My eyes need to stay focused on Jesus. Tonight one sweet sister in Christ is dancing with Jesus, enjoying sweet fellowship with our Savior. My other sweet sister is tucking her sweet ones in bed, planning her day tomorrow. In both homes Christ is being lifted up and His name glorified.

My Hope is Built

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

Refrain His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

One Pure and Holy Passion

This song has been sung over and over in our home the last two days as the girls have been practicing for worship on Sunday. I love this song! It's my heart and prayer!

Repost: How to Pray for Your Husband ~ Saturday

SATURDAY:

That the Lord would protect him, guarding his course.

Prov. 2:8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.

Psalm 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
That he might learn to redeem the time well.

Eph. 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

That he might be a mighty man of valour for the Lord.

2Cor. 7:11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

Gal. 4:18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

Repost: How to Pray for Your Husband ~ Friday

FRIDAY:

That he will resist temptation.

Gal. 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

1Cor.10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

That the fruit of the Spirit would be exhibited more and more in his life.

Gal. 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Eph. 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

That he might learn to love as God commanded.

Rom. 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

1John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Repost: How to Pray for Your husband ~ Thursday

THURSDAY:

That he might become a purposeful man, driven with well thought through and prayed through goals in life.

Php. 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Prv. 20:18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

That he might stand firm against the wiles of the devil and resist Satan in all circumstances and not be deceived into unbelief or sin.

Jas. 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you...

1Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Heb. 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Eph. 6:10-18

Repost: How to Pray for Your husband ~ Wednesday

WEDNESDAY:

That the Lord would give his wisdom to lead his family -physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

Eph. 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe,

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Eph. 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

That the Lord would raise him up to be a true priest and a faithful provider and protector of his home and family.

1Tim. 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

1Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Luke 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. 37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. 38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

Repost: How to Pray for Your husband ~ Tuesday

TUESDAY:

That he might have new strength in the midst of his busy schedule and that the Lord might strengthen him with His strength.

Isa. 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Eph. 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

That his "self-image" will be a Biblical image.

James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Rom. 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Psalm 139

That he would have godly friends to encourage and help him.

Prv. 27:9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. 10 Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.

Pr 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Repost: How to Pray for Your Husband ~ Monday

MONDAY:

That he might learn to take every thought captive and not be conformed to the world's thinking.

Rom. 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2Cor. 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

That he might learn to not depend on his circumstances for happiness but on God alone.

Hab. 3:17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Php. 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Repost: How to Pray for Your Husband ~ Sunday

Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Colosians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

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I came across this and thought it was too good not to share. I'll post one a day this week since we are leading up to Father's Day and this seems very fitting. What a privilege it is to be helpmeet's to our husbands and lift them up in prayer daily! We are blessed!

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SUNDAY:

That he might be holy; a man of prayer, mature in the Lord and growing in his knowledge of God.

1Thess. 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Col. 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

2Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

That he might daily seek God with all his heart,walking in the Spirit moment by moment,growing in his dependence on Him.

Psalm 119:1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. 2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

Rom.8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Praying for your husband

Our husbands go out into the world daily to provide for their families.  They have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders.  How wonderful to be able to lift them up in prayer daily.

A couple of years ago I came across a wonderful tool for praying over your husband and posted it daily leading up to Father’s day.  Starting tomorrow I’m going to repost them.  As we are already thinking of ways to bless and minister to our husbands for Father’s Day it seems fitting to focus on the most important thing we can do for our guys…praying for them.

May we be blessed as we bless our husbands by covering them with prayer daily!  I pray that we can be women of prayer and make it a daily habit to intercede on behalf of our husbands and children!