My Sanctuary

Psalm 63:1-8 (NKJV)

A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

1 O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.

2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory.

3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You.

4 Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.

5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.

7 Because You have been my help, Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.

8 My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.

Prayer Warriors,

May we seek Him early and may our souls thirst for Him daily. We look at our world around us, our trials, situations we see our children in. We feel like David, in a wilderness, brokenhearted. But he went into the sanctuary and saw the power and glory of God. David was hiding in caves, there was no church nearby. The cave became his sanctuary, where he could praise God.

Let where ever you’re at, let it be your sanctuary today.

The foot of your bed.

The closet of your room.

Your car.

Walking down your street.

In the stillness of the night as your laying in your bed.

Praise Him, even when you don’t understand what he’s doing in your life.

Praise Him, even when life seems unfair.

Praise Him, even when the ones close to you, hurt you the most.

You see, when we praise Him in the trails of life. You say, “I trust you Lord” with all things. 

You are my help in time of need. My soul will follow close.

See His power and glory work in your life today.

Blessings Ladies,

Christina 

MORE THAN A CONQUEROR

Romans 8:35-37 (NKJV)
³⁵  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
³⁶  As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."
³⁷  Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Prayer Warriors,

What's the difference between a conqueror and more than a conqueror?   

Well, who doesn't like to win ,or conquer things...... I have to admit, when I've prayed about a situation and it gets resolved right away. I feel victorious but then I'm on to the next one, not really felling satisfied in my soul.  

Alexander the Great, had conquered the world, at the age of 33 and when he looked around, he felt there was no more to conquer. He went on a ten day, drunken state, wondered the streets, caught ammonia and died. The soul wasn't satisfied.

How about the prayers we labor over, the trials that seem to last a lifetime. Wondering why He won't answer that one prayer. Lord, why are you so quiet right now. What are you doing? 

Christ, wants us to be more than conquerors. Here are some great examples:

 Daniel 3:16-25 (NKJV) 
¹⁶  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
¹⁷  If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.
¹⁸  But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."

Acts 7:58-60 (NKJV)
⁵⁸  and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
⁵⁹  And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
⁶⁰  Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

 Luke 22:41-42 (NKJV) 

⁴¹  And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed,
⁴²  saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."

When we're going through the fire, He is walking with us and people see Him.
When people throw stones at us, we can look up and forgive them.
When we're taking up our cross daily, and we can say," Not my will, but yours be done."

Our children, family and neighbors are watching and may they see the Love of  Christ in us. 

Nothing, can ever separate us from the love of Christ, for in Him, we are more than conquerors.

Blessings,
Christina 

   

You Will Lack Nothing

Deuteronomy 8:6-10 (ESV)
⁶  So you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him.
⁷  For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in the valleys and hills,
⁸  a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey,
⁹  a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper.
¹⁰  And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. 

Prayer Warriors,

There is so much going on in these verses, but I just want us to concentrate on a couple of things. In verse 7, I want us to see that he brings us "into a good land"...... and He starts to describe the Promise Land and what His people will enter into. You see, no matter our circumstances, it's a good land. Why? Lets look at verse 9, "in which you lack nothing" there is not one no good thing we lack. Our father tells us, He will not withhold, one good thing from His children. Just like we withhold no good things  from our children, unless we believe it won't be good for them.....so our farther will also. If we don't have it, it's not good for us, plain and simple. He is a good God and He loves His children, so don't let the enemy till you differently, don't believe his lies. God is our provider! Yes,we must work, like they had too, till the land and dig for copper, but verse 10 tells us, "you shall eat and be full, you shall bless the Lord you God for the good land he has give you."

1 Corinthians 1:4-9 (ESV)
⁴  I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,
⁵  that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—
⁶  even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you—
⁷  so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
⁸  who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
⁹  God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ladies,

Now let's look at the spiritual aspects of lacking nothing...... Why? We are rich in Him. Who? In Christ Jesus our Lord. In verse 7, he's telling us, we are lacking nothing because we are rich in him in all speech and knowledge. His grace has been poured over us. I believe the Lord wants to use you Ladies, in ways you haven't fully pursued. There could be many reasons why you haven't.......but don't let that stop you from walking in the gifts that He has given you! If he has called you, then he has equipped you. Remember, there's not one good thing that He has withheld from you. You lack nothing because of the grace of Jesus Christ, he has given you all things.

You see Ladies, whether its physical or spiritual we lack nothing! 

Blessings,
Christina 

HE BROUGHT US OUT THAT HE MIGHT BRING US IN

Deuteronomy 6:23 (HCSB)
²³  but He brought us from there in order to lead us in and give us the land that He swore to our fathers. 

Prayer Warriors,

He brought us out, that He might bring us in. Today, the Lord taught me, that I just didn't save you, just leave you in the state where I found you. Even being a christian for years, and thinking, I've grown over the years. I'm not where I use to be. Then hearing Him speak to my heart, I started to wonder, am I where He wants me to be in my walk with Him........

IN MINISTRY

MOTHER

WIFE

FRIEND

MY JOB

BEING A WITNESS

ETC.........

I could go on, but you know where I'm going with this. You know, that Lord never takes you out of something and not bring you into something better. He has great plans for our lives, He promised us. The trials we may go through, or the detours we take. We begin to wonder in the wilderness like the children of Israel. What should have taken 11 days, it took 40 years for the next generation to enter in.

God has placed things in our hearts and wants us to journey with Him, into the promise land. It might be a physical, or spiritual one, maybe both. The thought of new place, or ministry, or job........... 
We put fear into our hearts, or we think about our past and we start to question. Is this what God really wants? Can I do This? Why me? Sometimes these questions keep us in the wilderness. How long we stay there, is up to us, so lets take steps of faith and let Him lead us into His perfect plan. 
For here and eternity.   

God wants us to enter into a journey with Him and lets take the next generation with us.

Blessings,
Christina 



  

Trust in God Alone

Psalm 62:1-12 (HCSB)
¹ I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.
²  He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will never be shaken.
³  How long will you threaten a man? Will all of you attack as if he were a leaning wall or a tottering stone fence?
⁴  They only plan to bring him down from his high position. They take pleasure in lying; they bless with their mouths, but they curse inwardly.Selah
⁵  Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him.
⁶  He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken.
⁷  My salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock. My refuge is in God.
⁸  Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge.Selah
⁹  Men are only a vapor; exalted men, an illusion. ⌊Weighed⌋ in the scales, they go up; together they are less than a vapor.
¹⁰  Place no trust in oppression, or false hope in robbery. If wealth increases, pay no attention to it.
¹¹  God has spoken once; I have heard this twice: strength belongs to God,
¹²  and faithful love belongs to You, LORD. For You repay each according to his works.

SATAN WAS SILENCE

Job 1:6-12 (HCSB) 
⁶  One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them.
⁷  The LORD asked Satan, “Where have you come from?” “From roaming through the earth,” Satan answered Him, “and walking around on it.” 
⁸  Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil.” 
⁹  Satan answered the LORD, “Does Job fear God for nothing?
¹⁰  Haven’t You placed a hedge around him, his household, and everything he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
¹¹  But stretch out Your hand and strike everything he owns, and he will surely curse You to Your face.” 
¹²  “Very well,” the LORD told Satan, “everything he owns is in your power. However, you must not lay a hand on Job ⌊himself⌋.” So Satan left the LORD’s presence. 

Prayer Warriors,

This discussion between God and Satan is very interesting to me. Satan, says," The only reason Job fears or (loves) you is because you have a hedge of protection around Him." You see what the enemy was saying," Because you have prosper Job in everything, that's why He loves you, take it all away and He will curse you!" 

If you ever read the book of Job, you know that Job had many questions but He never cursed God. 

Job 1:21 (HCSB)
²¹  saying: Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life. The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Praise the name of Yahweh.  

Job did not realize what was going on in the heavenly realm. Satan putting God on the (Stand) before every angel and every living thing, in heaven and on earth. Can you picture it? Man only loves you because of what you do for man not because your a Holy God. Job was put to the test and past and something amazing happened.....

SATAN WAS SILENCE  

 When the marriage is failing, and we still trust God to restore it.

WE SILENCE SATAN

When we don't know how that next bill will get paid, but we know He will provide!

WE SILENCE SATAN

When that job don't come through and believe God has something better!

WE SILENCE SATAN

When we don't understand what He's doing in our lives but we surrender it all!

WE SILENCE SATAN

When we see our children going in the wrong direction and know He will put them on the right path!

WE SILENCE SATAN 

When we're in (Love) with Him and (Worship) Him because He is worthy of our praise!

WE SILENCE SATAN

Job 13:15 (NASB77)
¹⁵  " Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.

There's something bigger going on in the heavenly realm!

Blessings,

Christina 

  

A TRUE BELIEVER

 Job 1:20-22 (HCSB) 
²⁰  Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped,
²¹  saying: Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life. The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Praise the name of Yahweh.
²²  Throughout all this Job did not sin or blame God for anything.

Prayer Warriors,

Job was a man of integrity, a man who loved the Lord, not because of what he had but we know from scripture when everything was taken away, He would not curse God. He fell to his face and worshiped Him. No man has suffered as much as Job, except for our Savior Jesus Christ. 
It said, " In all of this Job did not sin or blame God." I love what MacArthur said,

21. Instead of cursing, he blessed the name of Jehovah. Job’s submissive response disproved the adversary’s accusations (1:9–11). So far, Job was what God claimed him to be, a true believer with faith that cannot be broken (v. 8).

MacArthur, J. (2006; 2008). MacArthur Study Bible NASB (Job 1:20). Thomas Nelson Publishers; Nashville, TN.

I pray that in all we may go through in life, with love ones, work, neighbors.......I pray that we would be blameless in the eyes of our Lord. We would be women of integrity, even when we don't understand! Women of prayer, who persevere in time of trouble. Prayer Warriors that put on the full armor daily, ready for battle. If we've been in a pity party and I know how to do that real good! Remember His promises. 

Let us be, who He claims us to be, a true believer with a faith that cannot be broken! 

Blessings,

Christina

Humility

Humility is an indispensable requisite of true prayer. It must be an attribute, a characteristic of prayer. Humility must be in the praying character as light is in the sun. Prayer has no beginning, no ending, no being, without humility. As a ship is made for the sea, so prayer is made for humility, and so humility is made for prayer.

The Complete Works of E. M. Bounds .

Philippians 2:6-8 (HCSB)
⁶  who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage.
⁷  Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form,
⁸  He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross.

Prayer Warriors,

It's amazing, when you think about it, that the God of the universe would come and take on a human body. It said, " He emptied Himself and to the form of a slave." Jesus, whom willingly  limited himself to the likeness of man. Yet still God, he choose to come as a baby dependent on  another human being. He set His rights aside, He now was subject to time, place and human limitations. 
God, who existed before the foundations of the world.

He humbled himself even unto death. I remember thinking to myself, well the Lord had to die. He created us and man sinned so He was our only way out. Oh, how I was mistaken. I truly didn't understand the cross. Yes, He was the only one that could pay that price, a perfect lamb but He still didn't have to do it. I was the one that had sinned, and still does and yet He went willingly, lovingly so that I, you could have eternal life.

When we come to Him in prayer in humility, may we empty ourselves of are pride because if never answers another prayer, He has already done enough! 

Blessings,
Christina  

Trust

The trust which our Lord taught as a condition of effectual prayer, is not of the head but of the heart. It is trust which “doubter not in his heart.” Such trust has the Divine assurance that it shall be honored with large and satisfying answers. The strong promise of our Lord brings faith down to the present, and counts on a present answer.

Do we believe, without a doubt? When we pray, do we believe, not that we shall receive the things for which we ask on a future day, but that we receive them, then and there? Such is the teaching of this inspiring Scripture. How we need to pray, “Lord, increase our faith,” until doubt be gone, and implicit trust claims the promised blessings, as its very own.

This is no easy condition. It is reached only after many a failure, after much praying, after many waiting, after much trial of faith. May our faith so increase until we realize and receive all the fullness there is in that Name which guarantees to do so much.

Our Lord puts trust as the very foundation of praying. The background of prayer is trust. The whole issuance of Christ’s ministry and work was dependent on implicit trust in His Father. The center of trust is God. Mountains of difficulties, and all other hindrances to prayer are moved out of the way by trust and his virile henchman, faith. When trust is perfect and without doubt, prayer is simply the outstretched hand, ready to receive. Trust perfected, is prayer perfected. Trust looks to receive the thing asked for—and gets it. Trust is not a belief that God can bless, that He will bless, but that He does bless, here and now. Trust always operates in the present tense. Hope looks toward the future. Trust looks to the present. Hope expects. Trust possesses. Trust receives what prayer acquires. So that what prayer needs, at all times, is abiding and abundant trust.

The Complete Works of E. M. Bounds .

Prayer Warriors,

I love the words of  E. M. Bounds in how he brings trust and prayer together. Yes, it is with much prayers and waiting that I realize,  that I forgot to bring trust into my prayers. How I know, its because when I walked away, I say to myself, " I hope he answers that." or " That's OK if he doesn't." I've already lost trust in one I'm praying to.

 Proverbs 3:5 (HCSB) 
⁵  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; 

I pray that we would ask the Lord to increase our faith, so we can trust in Him with all our hearts. Lean not, on what is going on in our lives, the trails we face, or relationships that are or have been destructive but TRUST in our Lord. The one who redeems, restores, renews. He has saved, changed and transformed lives and He will continue to do so. Trust in the one who holds heaven and earth in the palm of His hands. 

Blessing,

Christina

Faith + Forgiveness = A good prayer life

22 Jesus replied to them, “Have faith in God. 23 I assure you: If anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for — believe that you have received them, and you will have them. 25 And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your wrongdoing. 26 But if you don’t forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your wrongdoing. ”  Mark 11:22

Prayer Warriors,
       
Oh, how God speaks to us through his word. When I read this verse, I see my struggles in faith and forgiveness, so as I ponder on the words of Christ. I'm having to look up and say, "Speak to my heart and show me where I fall short."In this scripture He brings faith, prayer, and forgiveness together.

        
Faith, believing what I'm praying and yet at times I walk away with a doubtful heart. My prayers lately have been asking the Holy Spirit to input a faith were I'm not like the sea going back and forth. 

5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” Luke 17:5 

You see, our faith is only good in the one we put our faith in. When fear wants to take over my faith, I have to look to the truth of who He is. 

3 For Your faithful love is before my eyes,and I live by Your truth. Psalm 26:3 

When everything around me says something else, my eyes have to be fix on Him. Faith is our christian walk and we have to walk daily in it.

        
Forgiveness, why with prayer? He wants to get to the heart, He wants to dig down deep in my your soul. It's not just about coming to him about my situations but He's wanting me to examine my heart and forgiveness is a good start. 

39 may You hear their prayer and petitions in heaven,

Your dwelling place,

and uphold their cause. 

May You forgive Your people

who sinned against You.

40 Now, my God,

please let Your eyes be open

and Your ears attentive

to the prayer of this place. 2 Chronicles 6: 39-40

When I come to Him in prayer,  a cleansing needs to take place in my heart. He is ready and willing to wash my sins away, a sinless man, who knew no sin. Yet, in my mind, I will find reasons why I can't forgive my enemy or my brother or sister in Christ. It might not be something I speak out loud but deep down in my soul I feel I just don't want to forgive.

21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how many times could my brother sin against me and I forgive him? As many as seven times? ” 22“I tell you, not as many as seven,” Jesus said to him, “but 70 times seven. Matthew 18:21-22

I need to be forgiven daily of my sins, so I need to forgive daily. God help me not to hold on to bitterness of the past, or whats going on the present or even in the future, of not wanting to forgive. Truly forgive. I don't want my prayers to be hindered. 

                                            Blessings,

                                            Christina 

Prayer is the proof of love, and love is produced by prayer!

Romans 10:1 (HCSB)
¹  Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God concerning them is for their salvation! 


Prayer Warriors,

         Today the Lord was speaking to my heart about my Love for people and what this looks like! Paul loved his fellow Jews, how he desired to see them saved. He even said, in  Romans 9:3 (HCSB) ³  For I could almost wish to be cursed and cut off from the Messiah for the benefit of my brothers, my own flesh and blood. He was willing to go to hell, for their salvation. That they would come know Jesus Christ. They hated him, stoned him, beat him and threw him in jail.  Amazing, how could a man say this about his enemies?

           
           Prayers to God. Paul's prayers to His God was not just about changing the situation or the circumstance or even the other person but it was about changing His heart. God has put people in our lives to mold us and shape our Christian walk. Yes, even our enemies! It my be the prodigal son or daughter that you just wish would just come to their senses. The hurts we've experience from our spouses, mothers, or family members etc.... help shape the people we are. Jesus uses it all, everything we go through and who we go through it with.

                       
            I have to remind myself that it was my sin, put Jesus on the cross. Sometimes we generalize it and say" He died for all sins"  and He did but I need to see the cross and say"He died for my sins". My sin put Him on the cross. Jesus the Lamb of God who took our place, sits in heaven and prays and intercedes for you and me. Paul understood this, that's why he could pray for the one's who were persecuting him because at one time he was the one doing the persecuting. If God could transform a man like Paul and a sinner like me, then no one is out of the reach of God! I pray that God would produce that kind of love, His love, in you and me.

                                                        Blessing,

                                                               Christina 

Who do you say I am?

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is? ” 

14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 

15“But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am? ”

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God! ” 

17 And Jesus responded, “Simon son of Jonah, you are blessed because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father in heaven. Matthew 16:15-17

Prayer Warriors,

  

        We will celebrate Easter and celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. I wonder how many of us really do understand the cross and what He did. I know there so much to it and you can study it endlessly but if your Father in heaven hasn't brought revelation through the Spirit, can we truly understand who He really is! Peter understood only because the Father had reveled to him. How many Christians are sitting in churches and don't really understand who He is? 

        We have to pray everyday that the Holy Spirit would open our eyes to the unseen things ( spiritual realm) He the Father would give us revelation of who He is. Pray for our children and our love ones that the Holy Spirit would draw them to the Father and He would revel His son Jesus Christ. Then I believe something will take place down deep in the hearts of adult children, husbands, mothers, family, country.

         Communion is one of the ways that the Lord has really used in my family lives to revel more of who He is. He said, "Do it as often as you remember me." We do it as a family at home or My Husband and I will do it together or just my Lord and me. I want to know more and more of Him, so every time I take the bread and the juice, He washes all my sin's away, cleanses me from head to toe. He is on my mind and my family and the cross because it's all about what He did for us 2000 years ago! 

                                       Blessings,

                                              Christina