All I need is YOU

From His dwelling place He looks (intently) upon all the inhabitants of the earth—

He who fashions the hearts of them all, who considers all their doings.

Our inner selves wait (earnestly) for the Lord; He is our Help and our Shield!

If only You could give them more money to make ends meet, then all my tears would dry and never roll back down my cheeks.

If only You could heal her, then she and we would feel free again.

If only You would break his addiction, his family would finally feel complete.

If only You would crush and renew his heart, then we could be a marriage that seeks You together.

If only You would shake her world, then she would live her life for You.

What is your, “IF?”

I know all mine. But God reminds me of something tonight as I write this devotional. All I need is HIM! All I need is God, my Help, my Shield, my Tower, my Refuge, my Strength, my Friend, my Father, my Everything. So when my “IF’s” are still “IF’s” and my hear t is tempted to believe life would be complete with the fulfillment of those “IF’s,” I need to remember, there is nothing more complete or more fulfilling then Him.

Paul could have filled a scroll of “if only’s,” but He did not. He filled up pages of how God was all He needed even when all the things around him did not seem fair, did not seem right! God used Paul to reach to hurting people like you and I, yesterday, today and tomorrow. I know it is so hard to not ask, “Why me,?” but if you restrain yourself and your heart from doing so, you will reap benefits of seeing God’s purpose for those “If’s.”

Ask yourself this, “Would you rather be complete in all areas and never feel or see how God works in these “If’s,” even if it feels it has been a long time?” Or do you love seeing how God suddenly brings a spark of light and hope time and time again to your “If only?”

All I need is You Lord!

A Victory Cry

Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the LORD swept them into the sea. Exodus 14:27


Songs can have an amazing power on the listener. A song can transport you back to a time and/or place in your life. Some songs do that for me. They can transport me back to my teenage years, and all the memories begin to rush in.
And although I didn't live in the time of Moses, there is a certain song we sing at church that transports me back to what it might've been like.

'The Lord hurled at sea, the chariots of Pharoh--ohohoh, HEY, HEY!'

During the five or so minutes of the song's duration, I can almost feel the victory that the Isralites felt when they were threatened by their enemies. What a feeling it must've been!

After God leading them through the longer route, in an arrid desert far from their comfort of their homes, walking miles with their possessions, God displays His glory in front of their eyes.
I can only imagine what it must've been like to be among the multitude as they crossed the Red Sea.
But I don't have to image what it has been like in my life the times that God has drowned my enemies after guiding me safely to the other side.
I've experienced the victory of what it is like for God to fight my battles and witness victory.

Time and time again, God has been faithful.

Are you walking through a desert in your life? How long have you been walking it? Are you tired from it?

I'm sure you are. In this life we will all have to walk through deserts. Some deserts may seem more dry than others or longer than others. Infertility, broken marriages, loneliness, low self-esteem, the list can go on forever. There are indeed, many deserts that we walk through.
The Lord however, is eager to drown those enemies that have tormented your life. The Lord is willing to open up the waters for you to walk through, and close them with your enemies inside.
The Lord Almighty of Israel fought for His chosen people then. He will fight for His chosen people now.

You are chosen. If you are reading this, God has worked out your time today, to read that you are His people and He is your God. Therefore the Lord will stop at nothing, to drown everything in your life that doesn't let you live.

In their fear, the Isralites began to cry out, and Moses looked to God for answers.
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to begin to move. (exodus 14:15)

What an eye opener! The deep Red Sea in front of them and God says to walk towards it. Amazing that when we listen to His voice and walk towards the crossing that will make us free, God is faithful to give us dry land and defeat what threatens us.

Surrender and witness the Lord's power as He fights your battles and leads you to a victory song.

Speak Life with My Words-By Sheri Rose Shepherd

This is a devotional from His Princess Devotionals .

“Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus.”
~Colossians 3:16-17~

My Princess,
My child, I love your mouth because it is Mine—ready to be filled with My words. Did you know that I’ve anointed your beautiful lips with the power to speak life to a lifeless world? While others are using their lips to spread worthless words, you, My princess, have the privilege of changing people’s perspectives and empowering them to make life changing choices that point them to Me. Your words will be more valuable than priceless jewels. I want you to come to Me in prayer every day, I will line your lips with love, wisdom, and encouragement and make your mouth My masterpiece for all who see you speak.
Love,
Your King and Counselor

Prayers for Women to pray and be blessed in return

I came upon the first prayer last night as I read a devotional from proverbs31.com and loved it. I thought of how amazing my marriage would grow if I prayed this first prayer each day. I want to share it with you and encourage you to pray it each day and watch what God does through this request. It inspired me to make other prayers that would also change us to a better "us" for an amazing "HIM,"-God.

Dear Lord, I want to respect my husband and build him up with my words. Help me to measure my thoughts carefully and come to You with my complaints. I want to become my husband’s biggest cheerleader and watch You do Your thing in His life. I know this is possible as I depend on You to live Your life through me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Dear Lord, I want to believe more times than doubt you. My words may say I trust you but my actions speak louder and shout the opposite. Teach me what it means to have a Father whose name is Jehovah Jireh- God will provide. Remind me daily I am more important than the black raven who flies worry free enjoying the blessings you give so richly: the blue sky, the wind, and rain, the sun, the flowers; and who never ponders about what it will eat for he knows his creator- One that has never forsaken him, One that gives him to eat each moment he needs to eat, One that never forgets each need. I know I can have this "raven faith," if I continue to get to seek You as a hunter does for his prey.

Dear Lord, let your light more shine in my wounded heart, spirit come and fill me up so I can of your grace impart. Impart to my children, though at times it's so hard. When my my temper goes high and their bad behavior does not not seem to subside. Give me the strength I need to be that leader, that mother that glorifies you through her work and her duties as a mother.

Dear God, make me fall in love with You more and more each day. Wake me up with songs of love that I can sing to you my King as you breath a new day into my lungs. May I be your beloved and You mine for eternity. Amen.

Electrifying Power

At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from Him. He turned around in the crowd and asked "who touched my clothes?"  Mark 5:30

'Aah! You shocked me!'

We've all exclaimed this to someone at some point. You know the feeling too. That sudden feeling of electricity shocking you when quickly your arm or hand brushes someone else.
It's quick, but uncomfortable. Imagine that feeling 100x stronger. We'd avoid it at any cost - unless it could save our life.

She knew it could save hers. Desperate with no healing for years, she reached out for that surge of power.
Quickly and without hesitation, she touched His cloak and divine electrifying power ran through her body. It healing her physical and emotional illness.

Healing is something we all need. Whether it be emotional from years of low self esteem, stress from life burdens or physical from a chronic illness that has robbed the joy from life.

Some have tried every resource possible to no longer feel pain, but we remain ill.
We remain shamed with our head hung low, when all it takes is a touch of His robe.

All it takes is enough courage and strenght to push through the crowd and reach out to Him.
Jesus awaits for us to call on His name to move mountains. He awaits for us to call on Him to make walls fall.
He passes by each day, waiting for us to reach and touch His robe.

His power is electrifying and full of wonder. His power is above all. Come close to the Savior today and allow for His power to save your life.

Gullible in the Garden

And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”  Genesis 3:11

You've worked hard on a project, you stand back and smile as it is exactly the way you wanted it to turn out.
Everything is in its perfect place. The measurements are exactly right.

Then someone comes up and says something like: 'why did you do it that way? It could've been better if you had done this..'

Then you begin to have a twinge of doubt that your perfect project is not so perfect.

God's work in that garden was made to perfection. Everything worked according to His plan, everything was impecable including the human soul. No sin, no doubts dwelled in them, until the enemy's words made their way to their hearts. They know felt inadequate, and ashamed. God's perfect work had been tarnished by the enemy's lies.

Sadly it is a story that continues to this very day. We continue to believe the enemy's lies that he whispers in our ear.

As we look in the mirror, we believe that we're not pretty enough. We scrutinize our bone structure, our hair texture, our height.
We question our ability for success when we witness the success of others and how it doesn't compare to what we've attained. We feel we are not capable of doing something great and that our life's purpose may just be for something small.
In our marriage, we see nothing but broken trust, ties that can never be brought back together again. We see plain failure.
We wallow in the dark pit where we've fallen from bad choices. We continue to look at how deep we fell and feel that we could never be worthy of coming before the Lord again and the pain from it is unbearable.

Yes, we believe the enemy's lies. And when the Lord walks towards us, we hide with shame.

How wonderful is the Lord, that standing there before him in our nakedness and brokeness, sees only His work that He created to perfection.

'Who told you those lies?' He asks.

Who told you that you are not capable, strong, pretty, and worthy?
Who told you that the marriage you placed in my hands long ago, is broken without repair?
Who told you that your life does not have a purpose?
Who told you? Have you eaten up the lies that the enemy displays with so much wit?

God's work is perfect. It always has and always will be. God, when He created you, He created perfection. He created a story to give Him ultimate glory. He created us with no blemish or stain.

We've all fallen into the enemy's lies time and time again. It is time to put an end to it.
When the enemy whispers in your ear a lie that will make you doubt your identity in Christ, REFUSE his sinful fruit. Turn instead to the Creator that has his fingerprints all over your story and only believe His promises of hope, grace and forgiveness.


Prayer

Father, how wonderful are your works. No one can measure your wisdom. You've created us in your image Lord. Remind us that we can never be too far from Your presence where you will make us feel whole again.
Let us walk with you in that garden you prepared for us long ago. Let us return to you.

Amen.

In Ruins No More

'I will build you up again, and you Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt. Again you will take up your timbrels and go out to dance with the joyful.' Jeremiah 31:4


Life is a funny thing.
One day our life can be full of sunshine with birds chirping happily as walk by, and the next day things can completely turn upside down.


But has it ever turned so upside down that you feel you'll stay that way forever?


Some situations can definitely feel that way. Where everything is so grim and dark and the possibility of things being right again seem non-existant.
But it is that way when we hope on the emotions of our boss changing towards their decisions. It will be a grim outlook when we solely hope on the possibility of the world's medicine made by men or on the thin string a marriage is holding on to.


But it doesn't have to be that way! It absolutely doesn't have to be a grim outcome anymore since God sent His son to break us free from the darkness. He made it possible for us to trust in Him alone.
While people's emotions, thoughts, and decisions change, God NEVER changes.
He is the same yesterday, today and forever.


Throughout His word we witness the same pattern of compassion, grace and forgiveness. He wants to lift us up from our darkest place and exalt us to dance with the joyful.


Friend, lift up your tear filled eyes. God wants to rebuild you and wipe your sins away, Virgin Israel. He desires to take you marriage and rebuild it. He wants to take your health and restore it. He wants to take your heart and heal it.


Oh Israel, look to the heavens where our Redeemer and God of wonders pours out His love on us each day!

Spiritual Spinal Cord

“Take particular care in picking out your building materials. Eventually there is going to be an inspection. If you use cheap or inferior materials, you'll be found out. The inspection will be thorough and rigorous. You won't get by with a thing. If your work passes inspection, you’ll receive your reward; if it doesn't, your part of the building will be torn out and started over. But you won't be torn out; you'll survive—but just barely.” 1 Corinthians 3: 11-16

I think the original author of the well-known story, “The Three Little Pigs,” must have gotten her inspiration and ideas for the story, from today’s key verse. The two first pigs, were not careful in picking out their building materials and were found out after the wolf knocked their house down. They did not die, the wolf never ate them, but they just barely survived.

When I read the key verse, I thought- God, this is good! Read it three times if you have to, because if you look closely, you will find gold in that verse.

First off, why are we being told by Paul to choose material? What are we building? We are building our Spiritual Foundation. He is warning us to choose wisely our building materials that will construct the spinal cord to our spiritual life. Why? He writes clearly, “Because eventually, there will be an inspection.” Try thinking back on a time in your life when God has allowed you to go through a rough patch, into something we call a trial or test. Like always, God stood at the end of that dark tunnel and as we were walking out of it, He had his arms wide open and said, “See, you made it,” and plants a big kiss on our cheeks and gives us a huge bear hug! But there is something that comes next, our evaluation. I Imagine God still hugging me, but with compassionate words tells me, “I love you my princess, but here is your evaluation, review it, and try working on those areas that need help.” You did not die, but you barely survived! Ouch! I barely survived! Why? You did not pick out your building materials carefully.

Before the inspection, before the trial, you did not pick out the following materials: Fervent Prayer, Daily Consumptions of God’s Word, Patience, Self-control, Faithfulness, and Praise to God.

It’s my flesh that does not agree with my desires. My flesh hears the desires of my heart cry out loudly, but it does not send messages to my brain to move my hands and feet. I want to shout and beat this carnal body so many times when I reflect on wasted days, wasted opportunities, and wasted encounters with sweet, sweet Jesus and wasted material! I feel as though,  not only does the enemy display to us what seem to be better things to do, but he also comes and steals our strength and injects a nasty dose of laziness and self-pity into our veins!

That’s what I say as I read my evaluation that reads that I barely survived. Cried, worried, stressed, and upset were my feeling through one trial. When God met me at the end of the tunnel, I felt ashamed! I barely survived I walked to meet Him with a weak, curved, spiritual spinal cord.

Hopeful, holding belief, strengthened, and wrapped in faith, she walked out of that tunnel, happy as God had her evaluation with a huge A+, and a reward sitting by His side. She did not barely survive, she survived with her head lifted high, and her spiritual spinal cord positioned firmly upright. That trial would not present itself again, because she headed to the warnings and constructed a firm foundation from the beginning.

What materials will you choose for your spiritual foundation today?

Painful Training

'The Lord has given you the bread of trouble and water of suffering. But He, your Teacher, will nto hide Himself any more. Your eyes will see your Teacher.' Isaih 30:20

I'm not a big fan of working out. The feeling of my muscles screaming out is not on my top 10 favorites.
Therefore, when I hear someone expressing their gratitude to their personal trainer for a tough workout, I secretely wonder if the comment is more on a sarcastic note. That is until I begin noticing a diference on that person's physique.

The grueling workouts and the limited intake on non-healthy choices pays off.

And then it's understood, that the affection for the trainer is not for the pain caused, but for the teaching it brings on reaching a goal with discipline.

What spiritual goals that need discipline do you have today?

For some it may be to learn patience. It may be to attain faith that doesn't falter. Others still may be to grow closer to His heart.

Whatever that spritual goal is, the Father knows it. In fact in some cases, we may not even know what our goal needs to be in order to have the character that the Lord wants from us. He, however, knows it all. He knows what our soul needs to be strong and healthy to not dismay. Because that is so, He Himself will administer bread of adversity and drink of suffering.

The trials and tests that He allows into our life, are not to hurt us, although they do bring pain during the process. He allows us to walk through fire and taste the bitterness that life can sometimes bring to only achieve a result that no one else can give us.

Who can we learn from best to attain patience, and faith from the one who is ever so patient with our transgressions and forever faithful to His word.

In that day we will meet our Teacher face to face, and express our gratitude for the suffering and trials that He allowed, in order to bring us closest to Him.

Prayer

Lord, sometimes it is difficult to understand why things must work out the way that they do. In our minds, we like to believe there must be an easier way. However, help us remember that your ways and thoughts span a greater purpose and no one else is wiser than you. So take me to where you feel is best for my faith and love for you to grow.

Amen.