Prayer and Meditation

 Prayer and Meditation

Women's Early Morning Prayer
February 24, 2011

Job 2:1-13
Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord,
and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord...

No matter what we must endure or what we struggle with now, remember that God has His hand on your life.  Job was a man of integrity.  He walked a straight and narrow road before God and was therefore blessed of the Lord for his upright living.  The devil was offered Job by God, to test Jobs integrity.  In other words God said to Satan, whatever Job has he is willing to let go of and still honor me.  

The devil stirred up Jobs life taking everything "tangible/natural things" from children, to land to cattle and even physically impacted Jobs body.  Job refused to quit living and he refused to curse God.  Now he did curse the day he was born but he wouldn't speak against God.  I suppose Job thought that it was him, that he was the reason for this situation (maybe Job thought he was the blame).  Even when the one he loved so dearly had encouraged him to quit, to just curse God and die, Job would not do as his wife demanded.  See, Jobs wife wanted his suffering to end.  I imagine that as his wife she could not bear watching him suffer.  Instead of looking for the positive and finding motivation to encourage Job to live beyond his pain and suffering, she thought carnally, seeking a quick fix to end what brought hurt, discomfort and pain. 

The message I want to impart this morning is this, remember no matter what happens in your life, no matter what darts are thrown, no matter what trials and long suffering you must endure, God's hand is still on your life.  No matter the good, the bad or the ugly, God has to grant Satan permission to enter into your life.  The enemies' job is to seek, destroy and sway you to quit.  God wants to see if you are a person of integrity.  Integrity means soundness of ethical and moral character.  Integrity for God is to be entirely sold out and submitted to him no matter what "Stuff" he removes, keeping your focus on loving God and striving with Him no matter the battle, no matter the struggle, no matter the disappointment.

Again remember, God's hand is on your life and no devil in hell can remove it.  Be steadfast and unmovable.  Keep your integrity and passion for God even in the midst of pain, persecution and the pressures of life. 

Be ye reminded, God allowed it but the IT does not have the right or the power to take your life so do not give it up (IT being your life)...hold fast to the hand that preserves you.

Psalm 27:12 (NLT) - Wait patiently fo the Lord.  Be brave and courageous.  Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Psalm 31:24 (NLT) - So be strong and courageous all you who put your HOPE in the Lord.

James 5:7-11

7 - Dear brothers and sister, be patient as you wait for the Lord's return.  Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring.  They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.
8 - You, too, must be patient.  Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.  

9 - Don't grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged.  For look - the Judge is standing at the door!

10 - For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

11 - We give great honor to those who endure under suffering.  For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance.  You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.

PRAYER:

Most Holy, Gracious and Loving God, we come to you this day giving your name glory.  Lord we bless you for allowing us another opportunity to hear from you.  Lord we bless you that you continue to be present in all aspects of our living, even those things which you have hidden from us.  We thank you Lord that you grant us new mercies each day.  We give your name praise for being our help and strength in times of hardship and struggle.  Lord we thank you that you improve us daily by, in and through your word.  Thank you for being a strong tower.  Thank you for keeping us through test, trials, affliction, persecution, sickness and brokenness.   Thank you for another day to live life to the fullest.  Thank you that although you allow satan to stir up troubles in our lives to try and prove us, yet we are not moved.  Thank you that you have given us inwardly a heart that seeks after you.  Thank you that you grant us peace even in times of trouble.  Thank you that through our trials we grow stronger, more trusting and even gain more peace.  Now Father, let us be living examples of a people committed to live our lives according to your purpose.  We bless you in the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Go in peace and remember to share not only this word, but A WORD (God's word), allowing it to serve as encouragement for someone on today.  Don't wait for tomorrow to come.  Don't wait for your situation to improve.  Don't wait for someone to run to you...but run with God's word and share it with those in need as well as those living in darkness.

God Bless you Abundantly!

God's Servant,

Stacie

Don't Let the Fire Die

"Don't Let the Fire Die"
Purpose filled ~ Passionate ~ Persistent Living

PASSIONATE:

The click of the door wakened my senses.  I could feel his every move as he approached.  Drawing near with every step, I could smell his cologne. Tingles ran the length of my spine and I giggled girlishly to myself.  I turned to receive him with the spatula in my left hand and a spoon in my right.  There he stood in the doorway of the kitchen with an arm full of blue roses.  My jaw dropped and several tears escaped my eyes.  He walked towards me with a warm and loving smile.  I could hear the sizzle of the steak and the splatter of boiling water as they went on cooking without me, for I was lost in the moment.  He gazed deep into my eyes, leaned in and kissed me Slow…Soft…Gentle…Sincere and Passionately.  Without words he spoke to my soul, letting me know that he loved me. 

PURPOSE-FILLED:

Alfred walked into the courtroom seemingly prepared to defend his client but underneath the hard pressed, over starched white shirt and well creased striped navy suit were meditations of defeat.  Alfred thought of the last several clients and their circumstances which resembled his current case.  He recalled each with sorrow, reminded of the losses but most importantly he remembered the disappointments he felt after each ruling in favor of the plaintiffs.  With only five years of experience as a lawyer, Alfred had grown weary of the process.  In Alfred’s mind it seemed that far too many times the justice system failed and even hurt those whom it was created to protect.  

Just days before the trial, Alfred met with his current client Marie.  He told her that after reviewing the transcript again he did not have the expectation that she would win the case due to lack of compelling evidence.  Furthermore, with three days left before the trial, he had no clue what points to argue.  Marie listened in awe, shook her head and told Alfred they had a 50/50 chance in winning.  She went through all the points Alfred could argue from, none of which he had considered previously.  

Finally, Marie stared at Alfred with tears in her eyes asking him how confident he was in his ability to defend this case and argue on her behalf.  Before Alfred could answer, Marie went on to ask if he was a praying man.  Alfred answered by saying yes and told Marie he was a Christian.  Marie continued, letting Alfred know that she believed in the power of prayer and would not stop fighting.  She was insistent that no matter the outcome, she would stand in the gap as a voice for the people.  For Marie, this was only the beginning and she was both willing and determined to fight through fears, doubts and all other obstacles for the sake of others.  

Alfred went home and contemplated Marie’s thoughts, passion, persistence and even her purpose for continuing to fight what appeared to be a lost cause.  Marie had reminded him of his purpose in becoming a lawyer practicing this particular type of law.  Though he knew it would not be easy, Alfred agreed with himself and God as he prayed that night, to put forth his all to defend Marie.  He decided not to allow past failures to overshadow his purpose.  Alfred left the courtroom that day with a new spark, for he came out victoriously.

PERSISTENT LIVING: 

The doctor walked into the room and told CJ’s family there’s nothing else to be done.  Glen, CJ’s brother, stood up and began yelling at the top of his lungs, “SAVE MY BROTHER!  GET BACK IN THE ROOM AND SAVE HIM!  DON’T COME OUT HERE TELLING ME THERE’S NOTHING ELSE YOU CAN DO…GET BACK IN THERE AND SAVE HIM!” Save my brother, he sobbed.

Glen was angry with the doctor, the hospital, the EMT personnel and the world.  At long last, he fell to his knees, shedding tear after tear, howling intently, reduced from man to boy.  Glen was at his lowest, weakest and most vulnerable moment.  He couldn’t fathom living without CJ.  They were best friends.  What would he do now?

His wife Hope knelt at his side placing her hand on his and Imani, his sister stood behind him with her hand on his back.  Both women wept alongside this man, a man they loved so deeply.  They were hurt, confused and had no words to resolve the pain and anguish that Glen was experiencing.  Momma JoAnn stood in front of them and began to pray:

FATHER IN THE NAME OF YOUR SON JESUS, WE ASK THAT YOU GIVE US STRENGTH TO ENDURE THESE MOMENTS.  GRANT US MERCY.  HOLD US CLOSE, PROVIDING COMFORT, PEACE AND EVEN UNDERSTANDING.  WE DON’T KNOW WHY YOU TOOK CJ HOME BUT LORD WE TRUST YOU EVEN NOW.  THANK YOU FOR THE LIFE HE LIVED.  THANK YOU FOR THE LOVE HE SHARED.  THANK YOU THAT HE KNEW YOU IN THE PARDON OF HIS SINS.  THANK YOU THAT HE IMPROVED EACH OF US WITH HIS KIND WORDS AND HUMOUROUS WAY. TAKE AWAY THE ANGER AND FRUSTRATION THAT WE FEEL.  LET YOUR WILL BE DONE IN OUR LIVES.  BE A HEDGE OF PROTECTION.  CAPTURE EACH TEAR AND TURN SORROW INTO ABUNDANT JOY. RESTORE, HEAL AND INSPIRE US TO DO MORE AND BE MORE.  MAKE US AND MOLD US INTO WHAT YOU CREATED US TO BE. IN THE NAME OF YOUR SON JESUS WE PRAY, AMEN.

Years later as Glen mounted the desk to share his initial sermon, his mind took him to areas in his life when he had been disappointed, broken-hearted, beaten, abused, taken advantage of and rejected.  He reflected on that day in the not so distant past when he had to find the courage and determination to live without his brother.  Glen remembered how CJ’s death struck a chord in his spirit and suddenly he no longer wanted drugs and alcohol but he wanted revival.  He wanted to live a life of purpose just as his brother had.  Glen didn’t want CJ’s life to be in vain so he persevered through every struggle, facing each addiction and every curse in order to become a better man.  In his heart he wanted to be free of strongholds.  He no longer wanted desensitization but he wanted to feel everything, whether good or bad. 

Losing CJ was the most difficult thing Glen had ever faced but as he looked back, striving with God, each tear, the determination and the persistence it took to become free was worth all that he had endured.  His relationships were mended and he was now a whole man…the man God created him to be.

What message or messages do you see in the above stories?  Whether it is the fiery passion of love between you and your spouse, the fire of a purpose-filled life or the fire of living a persistent life, where have you allowed your fire to die? 

No matter the caption above, each story possesses components of passionate living, purpose-filled living and persistent living…maybe one more than the other but consider these questions and decide today to allow the fire in your life to be reignited.  Don’t settle for the short-sighted vision of others to predicate your living.  

Be intentional to keep the fire alive in your marriage, in your business, in your home, in your dreams, in your ministry, in your service, in your giving, in your praying, in your fasting, in your mind, in your heart…begin the rekindling process today and live your best life with PASSION, PURPOSE AND PERSISTENCE!

God is my refuge and strength,

A very present and well-proved help in trouble

~ Psalm 46:1

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation…

Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father

~ James 1:12-17

Women's Monthly Meet Up & Book Suggestions

Women's Monthly Meet Up is an opportunity to enjoy fellowship with like-minded women.  During the "Meet Up", we pray, discuss the book of the month, enjoy lite fare and open discussion on topics ranging from but not limited to; being single, dating, marriage, family, love, sex, domestic violence, abortion, politcs, finances, submitting our will to God, buying a home and various other topics that impact and affect us on a daily basis.  The objective is to provide support and encouragement through fellowship and discussion.

Being whole is the goal...Mind, Body and Spirit! 
Join us for the next "Women's Meet Up":
Saturday, July 30, 2011 -- 5pm - 7pm.

FREE gift for first seven Women to arrive!!! 
Book of the Month is "Journey to the Well" By Bishop Vashti McKenzie
RSVP by Monday, July 25, 2011 to:  stacie.jharris@yahoo.com  See you there!

Various Authors have agreed to make an appearance, sign books of all attendees and share in the discussion.  Contact me to purchase books for confirmed authors or go online and get yours today!!!

Here is the outline created for the "Women's Monthly Meet Up"

Meeting Date            Book of the Month
Jan 29th - The Dream Giver - By Bruce Wilkinson

February 26th - The 5 Love Languages - By Gary Chapman
Book on sale NOW at Lifeway Christian Bookstore in White Marsh
http://www.lifewaystores.com/  ($9.99)

March 19th - Two Weeks Before the Rest of My Life
- By Harold T. Fisher (Author confirmed)
Learn more about author at http://www.rosefogg.com/

April 28th - Inspiration for Life
- By Justin Jones-Fosu (Author confirmed)
Learn more about author at  http://www.justininspires.com/

May 28th - Verse in Motion
- By Renee Jean  (Author confirmed)
Learn more about author at  http://www.verseinmotion.com/
                                             
June 25th - The Lady, Her Lover and Her Lord - By Bishop TD Jakes

July 30th - Journey to the Well - By Bishop Vashti McKenzie
http://thisisyourwakeupcallonline.com/

August 27th - Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome - By Joy Leary

Sept  24th - The Audacity of Hope - By President Barack H. Obama

Oct 29th - MOVIE: "Stoning of Soraya"
Conversation facilitated by Visionary for God, Ms. Shanelle Gayden
http://www.encourageasister.org/

Nov 26th - MUSIC: A Cool Jazz like setting
(This is my Birthday weekend -- I'm a turkey baby Nov 24th)

Dec 17th - End of the year celebration
(Gift Receiving - Surprise gifts to all attendees)

Daily Date with God

Greetings!

Welcome to a new beginning with Wednesday Morning Worship & Word

Charged to change and grow spiritually, a group of nine women came together for daily prayer commencing January 2011. After more than eighteen months of early morning prayer men from all over the country joined this group of praying women which grew from eight locals from Maryland to more than a hundred women from all over the country.  

December 5, 2012 concluded a two year prayer call that took place 7 days a week with participants from all over the USA such as; MD, DC, VA, NC, SC, GA, NJ, NY, OR, WA, FL, AZ, LA, OK, CA, DE, WI as well as many other places. People even called in from Canada and Japan. These times of praying together, fellowship, worship, studying the word and reflecting on that word led to physical, emotional, mental healing, growth to the body of Christ as well as spiritual growth and increased faith.

 

God is not done and neither are we.  Feel free to join us weekly via conference call, every Wednesday morning for Worship & Word.

 

EVERY WEDNESDAY

TIME: 6AM EST

DIAL: 605.562.3000

CODE: 223212#

 

Email prayer request to: stacie.jwhitaker@gmail.com

Feel free to invite others to join the call

***This is an international call -- Eastern Standard Time