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I have nothing, but…

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

2 Kings 4:1-7 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Now one of the wives of a man of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha [for help], saying “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant [reverently] feared the Lord; but the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves [in payment for a loan].”  Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have [of value] in the house?” She said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a [small] jar of [olive] oil.”

 Then he said, “Go, borrow containers from all your neighbors, empty containers—and not just a few. Then you shall go in and shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour out [the oil you have] into all these containers, and you shall set aside each one when it is full.”  So she left him and shut the door behind her and her sons; they were bringing her the containers as she poured [the oil]. When the containers were all full, she said to her son, “Bring me another container.” And he said to her, “There is not a one left.” Then the oil stopped [multiplying].  Then she came and told the man of God. He said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt, and you and your sons can live on the rest.”

Reflection:

I have always done what was expected of me and followed the formula that allegedly ensured success. Went to school, got good grades, obtained my masters, and got a job.  It wasn’t until I worked a while I noticed that “formula” seems to be bias.  Despite doing what was right, I was treated unfairly.  It was easy to blame individuals that administrated the unfairness, but the defeat had spiritual origins. The world system is not there for your benefit if you are a child of God, but a mechanism to crush you.  The Word says: (1 Peter 4:12 – Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your faith], as though something strange or unusual were happening to you and John 3:13 – Do not be surprised, believers, if the world hates you.).

What we are doing is striving in our own strength on the outside, when we should be attacking the thing from the inside out through prayer. In our focus scripture the wife of the son of the prophets said her husband was dead.  Elisha asked what did she have and she replied with something she thought was small and insignificant. Elisha gave her specific instructions, one of which was to close her door on her and her children. By obeying the Word of the Lord through the prophet she was asked to take that insignificant thing….and lean on it to supply all their needs. Not only did that little bit of oil cancel out all their debt, or obligation to the outside world – there was provision left over.

I have always loved to encourage people through little notes. Something I thought was insignificant the Lord has asked me to do it in a different medium.  Is it stretching my capacity as a handmaiden of the Lord?  Absolutely, but instead of striving for something that in the end is not worth anything in eternity, I am leaning on the Lord to provide.  My heart’s desire is to be a gold vessel for the Lord.  (2 Timothy 2:20 – But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor….)

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your note book:

  • List out the thing or things in or around your house
    • For example art work you have created, short stories you have written, a piece of furniture you have created, you may have an abundance of natural resources on your land like sand.
  • Ask the Lord to reveal to you how you can use them for His glory.
  • Now baby steps identify small changes that you can make daily to support the vision that Lord had given you for that thing(s).

It is lonely at the front of the line….

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

Matthew 26:36-45 New King James Version (NKJV)

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”

He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour?  Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.

So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Reflection:

The loneliest place to be is on the brink of your destiny. If you are there today saints, my heart goes out to you.  Not that I am saddened but my heart is overwhelmed with joy that on the other side of this feeling and/or situation, God is faithful to fulfill the vision He put in your heart that you have been walking out through obedience to His Word.  Jesus answered the call to ministry after His isolation in the desert.  He fulfilled His assignment in the garden of Gethsemane. At both points in time His actions preceded His victory. If you feel abandoned by family members or friends due to the actions you have taken for the Lord, you are in good company.

1 Peter 3:13-17 New King James Version (NKJV)   

And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook.

  • Describe your precious victories and your most disappointed/crushing moments.
  • Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s finger prints over those circumstances.
  • Look back at this list often.

Remembering these memories will refresh you on your spiritually parch days and sustain you on your dark days.

 

Thankful?

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Scriptural Foundation:

Luke 17:11-19 New King James Version (NKJ)

Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off.  And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.

So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”

Reflection:

My Pastor has been preaching on the apostate church.  He listed out six ways that could cause individuals to fall away. One of the items he listed was thankfulness.  Weeks after the message that word was still stuck in my spirit.  I was surprised that the Lord chose this for me to meditate on.

I thought to myself, I am a thankful person….aren’t I? It has been ingrained in me that when I receive a gift I should respond with a thank you note. Now it is a reflex, which surprises people at times because it is seen as old fashioned thing to do.  So for a person like myself, whom prides herself for thanking people (ahhhh..first discovered issue…pride).    The more I meditated on this Word, the more I began to notice that I took a lot of “little” things in my life for granted.  My health; my husband that helps me around the house; my well behaved children; getting into my car and it starting it like it suppose to…heck walking to the parking lot and seeing my car in the same spot I parked it (conversation for another time).  The list goes on and on.  Instead of focusing on the things that seem to be lacking at the moment, counter that thought with something that you are thankful for.  Just praise Him for the little things He has protected in your life and that thankfulness with give way to more blessings..

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • List the things that you may take for granted
  • Ask a friend what they admire about you. Add to your list something that they may have mentioned
  • Consciously spend time thanking the Lord for your “little” things

Remember the small things that you thank the Lord for now will be the stepping stones to the larger victories in your future.

Jack of all trades, master of none

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Scriptural Foundation:

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 New King James Version (NKJV)

Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Reflection:

Being a mom that works outside the home, I feel like I have failed or “struck out” by eight in the morning most days. Some may think that is early, but on some days it could be even earlier.  For everyone to be on-time, we all have to be out of the house by 6:45am.  With a husband and three kids, getting everyone out of the house, with everything they need, and on-time is just short of a miracle each day.   At any given time, we as mothers are constantly wearing a lot of hats.  A “small” miracle, like getting to work on-time, sadly I don’t thank the Lord enough for.

Expecting to be the best in every area of your life is not realistic, especially when there are forces working against you in the spiritual realm that pick at your Christian walk every day. If some of us listened to what we said to ourselves it is no wonder we may live a defeated lifestyle that is a poor witness to God’s goodness.  Do you really have to do all those things you are doing on a daily basis or are you running on auto pilot?

The sooner we identify the things that the Lord would have us do for Him, the less strike outs we will have and the better witness we will be for the people around us.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your note book:

  • Write down all the activities that you do on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
  • Under each item list the pros and cons of each task
  • For the items that have the most cons or giving you the most stress give it God in prayer and act on what He tells you to do.
  • Saints, we should be doing this at least quarterly through the course of a year. Remember our most precious gift that the Lord has given us other than Jesus is time, it is priceless. The only way to experience true wealth is to spend it wisely.

Stagnant Water

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

John 7:38 New King James Version (NKJV)

He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

Isaiah 22:24 New King James Version (NKJV)

‘They will hang on him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the posterity, all vessels of small quantity, from the cups to all the pitchers.

Reflection:

The Lord created us to be vessels of His Word. At the same time, God also gave us free will.  We are responsible for what we fill our hearts with.  Imagine yourself like a pitcher (Isaiah 22:24), filled to the brim. What is the next step – to be poured out? For us, Believers, that should be a daily event.  During your quiet time with the Lord every morning, you get filled up with living water (John 7:38).  Over the course of the day, this water is poured out over the people you come in contact with.   If you need a “fill up”, the Holy Spirit is right there to assist with any challenge that may come along.  Now that’s how it should work….spoiler alert….I am about to step on some toes.  Like the manna the Lord provided to the Israelites in the desert, water that is poured out into your heart, if not poured out in some ways becomes stagnant water.  Mosquitoes are a byproduct of stagnant water….in this case negative people/situations, bitterness, disease, etc.   If you ask Him, the Lord is willing and able to clean out your vessel (heart) and fill you back up again.  So if you go to church on Sunday and throw your Bible in the back seat of the car until the following service….your heart could possibly be saturated in some stagnant water.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your note book.

If you feel stagnant in your prayer life or in life in general, ask the Lord to reveal to you if you have a clog (a stronghold) or disobedience in an area in your life.

  • Make of list of items or situations that come to mind.
  • Ask the Holy Spirit to help you unclog your heart and allow for the living water to flow forth once again.
  • Moving forward you should always be mindful of the possible gradual accumulation of sediment in your heart.

 

 

There has to be a better way…

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

John 14:6 New King James Version (NKJV)

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

John 14:27 New King James Version (NKJV)

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Reflection:

My husband use to work a job that had him working all sorts of hours. Fortunately, he has always loved what he did for a living, but long hours day after day was wearisome. The position was an hourly job that had amble opportunity to make a lot of money, the trade off was that he was hardly ever home.  Back then he would often say when he got up in the morning to go to work, “there has to be a better way”.

Fast forwarding to present, my husband got promoted to a manager and went back to school and finished his undergraduate degree in hopes to “qualifying” for the director position once his boss retired.  Moving up into management meant moving from hourly to salary.  The trade off of reclaiming the time with the family was less money and a “fixed” income.  His ultimate goal was to get promoted to director and have the best of both worlds; the time and the money in the profession he loved.

When my husband and I got together I was an infant in the Lord. At the time, I sincerely believed if you made “good” plans the Lord would bless them.  We both went by the world formula for success – go to school + work really hard at what you do = you will get recognized and rewarded for all your efforts.  The Bible says “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Looking back, we never prayed and asked the Lord what we should do. There is no victory outside the total will of God.  We set sail in one direction and forgot our compass (the Holy Spirit).  We both knew, we were heading in the right direction.  We consistently plead the Blood over our lives and do our daily devotionals, but in this specific area of life we decided to be our own guides.  Thank the Lord for His mercy, the Word says later on in that same chapter, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” We as Christians are not perfect, but we have the Perfect One living in us. If we pray and seek the Lord for every decision big or small, we will see the difference over the long run.  The trajectory of your life and the impact you can make for the Lord depends on this habitual obedience.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your note book, remember to date the page.

The Old Testament is full of examples of men and women of God, waiting and seeking the Lord prior to making a decision.

Write out your plans that you have for each area of your life – love, family, job, finances, etc. Leave some space in between each area, then ask the Lord to speak to you. He will give you specific guidance.  Moving forward, make it a habit to write out potential decisions, walking away and coming back before moving ahead.   Remember what is God today will be God tomorrow, the enemy rushes us to get us off course.

Hands up, boots down warriors!

Dear Younger Me

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Scriptural Foundation:

Titus 2:1-5 New King James Version (NKJV)

But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:  that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,  to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

Luke 6:42 New King James Version (NKJV)

 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.

Reflection:

I am always amazed at what the Lord will use to bring home a message to my heart. Last year, I heard on the radio the song Dear Younger Me sung by the group MercyMe.  I love MercyMe!  The song is about self-reflection.  If you could go back and talk to your younger self what advice would you give that young woman? The more I listened to the song; the Lord provided a different perspective.  What would I say to my children in a heart to heart talk about where I have been in my life and what I would have changed if I had to do it all over?  The more I thought about the question, the more I realized that I would not change a thing.  Sure I made some mistakes, some bigger than others, but it brought me to this point in my life.  God has entrusted to my husband and I with three beautiful children to love on and to nurture in the spirit and in the natural to become soldiers in the army of the Lord.

In Paul’s letter to Titus (Titus 2:1-5) he encourages the fellowship between the generations -men encouraging men and women encouraging women. It is so easy to judge others for their current circumstances, but the truth be told upon self reflection, circumstances in your past and present could be judge too (Luke 6:46).  So what should we be doing as the Body of Believers?  We should draw from our life experiences and not condemn our fellow brother or sister in Christ, but to encourage them through their struggles.

Everyone has their own opinion from the outside looking into someone else’s life, but without discernment that opinion is unchecked judging on your part. 

Seeking Revelation:

  • List out what you perceive as your mistakes or regrets.
  • Pray over each item individually – God may reveal certain strongholds that can be tied back to that item.
  • Seek to forgiveness – for example, seeking the Lord for forgiveness, forgiving your self, or as the Lord leads maybe reaching out to an individual you may have affected and ask forgiveness
  • Moving forward, become more sensitive to others that may be in, going through, or just getting out of a challenging situation.

 

I wish I was perfect, but I am not…

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Scriptural Foundation:

Ecclesiastes 3:11 Amplified Version (AMP)

[God Set Eternity in the Heart of Man ] He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]—yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end.

2 Corinthians 12:9 New King James Version (NKJV)

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Reflection:

There is a common misconception that by default we are perfect once we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Instead of thinking this way, we should look at salvation as the starting line for our faith race here on earth and the Holy Spirit our Helper to navigate us through to the finish line.  As soon as this spiritual gun goes off, the challenges come almost immediately.

On the one side your non-saved friends start calling you “high and mighty”, because you are starting to lose interest in certain activities. Then on the opposite side, some, not all of your church going friends don’t seem so perfect, at times doing and saying things that under any other circumstance would be Biblically classified as worldly.

My husband will tell you, I am the first person to say that I am as plain as apple pie. I don’t know if it is an “emotional defense” mechanism, but I have always down played the challenges in my life – compared to what Jesus Christ went through, I cannot complain.  The lack of chaos and/or drama in my life was a blessing, however at times it felt somewhat isolating.  Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t for a lack of trying to “fit in”, things just didn’t seem to come together like it did for the people around me.  My subconscious pursuit of perfection just brought me up empty each time.  In Ecclesiastes 3:11 (AMP) – He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]—yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end.

It wasn’t until I released this misconception that God didn’t call me to be perfect, but to be obedient that I started to make spiritual progress. A scripture that I uncovered early on in my walk with the Lord was 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV) – And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  So if we acknowledge our shortcomings and hand them over to the Lord then and only then can His refining fire start molding us to become more Christ-like.  In hindsight, all my embarrassing moments, my awkwardness, and countless times of rejection, it was God setting me apart for my calling.

Seeking Revelation:

Years ago the Holy Spirit dropped in my heart – “To catch up with the Lord, you have to slow down.” Instead of rushing towards to your goals in life, take a step back and wait for the Lord to direct your steps.  Not only may it save you some time, but heart ache as well.

Step 1: Pull out a piece of paper.

Step 2: Fold it in half vertically.

Step 3: List out goals on the left side of the paper.

Step 4: Wait for God to speak, as he does fill out the right side of the paper.

Advance

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

Philippians 2:21-23 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

For the others all seek [to advance] their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ (the Messiah).  But Timothy’s tested worth you know, how as a son with his father he has toiled with me zealously in [serving and helping to advance] the good news (the Gospel). I hope therefore to send him promptly, just as soon as I know how my case is going to turn out.

1 Peter 5:8 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.

Reflection:

Continuing with our theme of definitions for the words that make up our name and what this body of Believers encompasses – we come to the word – advance. The definition of advance: to move forward in a purposeful way; to move forward in time; make or cause to make progress.  It is not enough anymore to know we are battle in the spirit realm.  Your assignment as a Prayer Warrior is to stay vigilant in prayer and thanksgiving at all times looking for any and all opportunities to spread the good news of the Gospel to everyone you come in contact with.

The Word of God calls us to renew our mind daily. Why is that important? We need to stand in the gap for our country, local government, home church, and home front in prayer.  We can bring hope to the hopeless and can change the atmosphere of our mission fields (home, work, school, etc.).  Each day we should be looking for opportunity to advance and take back territory from the kingdom of this world.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Ask the Holy Spirit to show areas in your life that you need to cover in prayer. Make no room for the enemy and watch how your prayer life will take off.\
  • Once you have covered your home front ask Him to show areas in your interactions outside the home that you can advance the Kingdom of God. Walk in the light that you have and watch God move mountains.

Warriors

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Scriptural Foundation:

Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

John: 16:32-33 New King James (NKJV)

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

2 Timothy 2:3-4 New King James Version (NKJV)

These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast.  These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

Revelation 17:13-14 New King James Version (NKJV)

Reflection:

In the Oxford Dictionary, the definition of warrior is a brave or experienced soldier or fighter. In the 15+ years I have been walking with the Lord, I have gone through some stuff. In the very beginning, I naively thought that as soon as you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior that all of a sudden life would become easier.  In the beginning, it was easy.  As a baby Christian, I feed on the milk of the Word and absolutely loved it.  I prayed and got a response almost immediately.  As I transitioned to the meat of the Word, things became a little more challenging.  The enemy would have you believe that you are the biggest failure as a Believer that ever lived.  These attacks will come showering down on your mind like a relentless missile strike.   The enemy hoping to discourage and disrupt the progress you have made with the Lord.  When the Holy Spirit started revealing my gifts then things became unbearable in the natural. Paul breaks it down very vividly in Ephesians 6 the Armor of God.  We as Believers have to come to terms with that we are at war in the spirit.  In everything we should turn to Jesus as an example.  Before He was taken away to be crucified and fulfill His assignment on earth, Jesus prophesied to His disciples as we draw closer to the fulfillment of our purpose things in the natural will become difficult, but He had already overcome the world (John: 16:32-33).  If you study out the lives of his disciples, they all encounter serious opposition, most to the point of physical death.

A couple of years ago, I came across a great book called Dress to Kill, A Biblical Approach to Spiritual Warfare and Armor by Rick Renner.  The author focused on each item in the Armor of God and broke down its significance to the battle that we face on a daily basis.  We as Believer can’t be naive to believe that passive faith is going to get us across the finish line.  It is not enough any more to say “I will pray for you” and walk away or post things on social media let “sending prayers”.  These statements by themselves are hollow if you don’t take the time to do what you actually say.  My Pastors tell us all the time that there is no better time in the present to pray for people.  Sure in the beginning it is uncomfortable to pray with a family member, friend or co-worker, but when you start realizing that you are sowing seed for the Lord with each connection it becomes easier.  You don’t need to be the in five-fold ministry; you just have to be available and willing to share your heart when the Lord calls. Take your place in the army of the Lord….helping to plunder hell and populate Heaven.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

    • List out the different “fronts” in your life. For example – home, work, traveling soccer, fire house auxiliary, etc.
    • Ask the Lord to put someone on your heart to pray for. Gradually the Lord will create opportunities to ask “can I pray with you?”
    • The more you pray with individuals the more testimonies that you will hear and will help strengthen your faith to advance in the Spirit.