Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Harvest, Victory and Rain

As I was teaching Selah Grace about the early Thanksgiving celebrations in America, I discovered that the governors would decree a day to give thanks in three areas: a bountiful harvest, victories in battles & drought ending rains.

There is something about having an attitude of thanks. Giving thanks to God changes circumstances and releases miracles!


Jonah gave thanks...he was spit out of a horrible circumstance, Jesus gave thanks...thousands were fed. Ten lepers, one with a thankful spirit- they all got healed, but he was made whole in every area! Jesus gave thanks and his friend Lazarus rose from the dead. The Last Super was blessed- thanks was given and the miracle of salvation followed!

No matter what you are going through- GIVE THANKS! 1 Thess 5:18

This year, let's be intentional about giving thanks in these three areas-harvest, victories in battles and the refreshing rain that our sweet Holy Spirit brings. Before I get to turkey stuffin' and cooking-I'm going to spend some time at the feet of Jesus sharing my thanksliving proclamation!

Ephesians 5:18-21...Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

If your harvest has not manifested- give thanks. Your harvest may include seeing a loved one saved. Maybe it includes a provisional need- a job, a physical need-a healing....maybe you are praying for deliverance, restoration. HOLD ON TO HOPE. His name is JESUS! Don't limit your thinking to what is possible with man. Take the little bit that you have and give thanks (2 Kings 4:1-7)! Put away all complaining(Phil 2:4) and put on thanks!

If you are in a battle, not yet won- thank Him any how! Victory is coming. With God ALL things are possible ( Matt 19:26, Mark 9:23, Mark 10:27, Mark 14:36). That is not a catchy Christianese phrase. IT IS TRUTH ( See these posts for encouragement in battle: Attracting Attack, Fire in the Kitchen , Neckline Slimmer and Smart Phone Encounter).


If you are dry- in need of a shower from a Higher power, give thanks. Seek Him. Desire- we gotta be thirsty! He promises:
I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground.
DRENCH ME LORD!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!! Praising Him and keeping a "thank You" on my lips, love-jananne.

*We started this tradition several years ago- 7 to be exact. Everyone at the table takes turns reading the following verses from the Word. We all read the last verse together and then enjoy our celebration meal!!!!!

Isaiah 55:9 Thank You God for knowing all there is to know.
Psalm 150:2 Thank you God for all the awesome, miraculous things You do!
John 14:3 Thank You Jesus for promising to return one day soon!
Psalm 139:14 Thank you God for creating me.
Psalm 103:11 Thank You God fro showing us mercy!
Psalm 130:3-4 Thank You God for forgiving me.
Jeremiah 31:3 Thank You God for loving me.
John 14:26 Thank you Holy Spirit for teaching us all things.
Romans 5:6 Thank You Jesus for dying for me.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord...to the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever. Psalm 150:6, Psalm 30:12

Friday, August 12, 2011

Daddy, Please Come Get Me!

A lot of friends have asked me two questions recently- how do you let Skylar travel all around the world? And... from those her knew her growing up, How does she stay away from home that long? Well, to be real, it is not easy! One of my favorite quotes is by Corrie Ten Boom- it goes something like this… "The center of His will is our only safety.” “Safe” is not defined necessarily as the absence of danger. It is defined as being right where He wants us to be, doing what He created us to do. I’ll never forget putting her on a plane for the first trip. She was only fourteen and she was traveling across the country by herself, stopping in Dallas, switching planes and then on to CA, then Mexico. After she boarded- no joke, I heard the liar, the devil- say ,"Really, you are going to trust Jesus to get her there?" And the liar continued to remind me of all of the awful things going on in the world- even some things in my world that didn't make sense at the time.
I spoke out loud in the Raleigh-Durham airport with arms raised to Heaven- My God is her shield, He is her Rock! Angels will be encamped around her(Psalm 91, 34:7, 2 Samuel 22:3) I had a knowing- that no matter what, Her Daddy God would have her in His eternal arms. And yes- I am sure the folks around me in the airport thought I was a freak- I am! That is peace. Knowing that you have a God, an Abba Father that really is for you, that will never leave you. That will give you strength- for whatever you are facing or wherever you are traveling! When Skylar was little(and not so little), she was very, ahem, attached to us. She was the baby that I rocked to sleep, never letting her cry anything out! Haha!!! She had a hard time being dropped off at day care and in the church nursery. “ If that mama would just leave and let her cry!” I heard that a bunch- actually thought it myself too! She never could spend the night away from home. She would try- and about midnight, we would get a call…sniffle, sniffle, “Daddy, please come get me.” This happened even in middle school…She was very, very social-but when it came to being away from home, especially at night- it just didn’t happen. Not one time did we ever say- NO. You are staying there. There was something in her voice that melted her daddy’s heart. I don’t care what time of night it was- he was up, not complaining and headed out the door. One time she had gone to a birthday party at the river- and hour away. About one o’clock in the morning, we got the call and Daddy was out the door. And to think she now spends the night in the jungles of Panama- in an open hut ( only a thatched roof above her head) with spiders and snakes looming around her- yes, it blows this mama’s mind. That is all GLORY TO GOD for sure...not our parenting- but His goodness!!! How did this happen? I am convinced- when we get a deep understanding of His eternal plan and love- there will be no fear remaining to hold us back from our destiny. Just as Skylar learned from an early age- we would always be there for her, she now knows that Jesus- her Savior and best friend will never leave her- wherever she goes, He is there! ( Ephesians 3:11-20) That Daddy- who will never leave you- is always ready to come to your rescue!(Hebrews 13:5).
He is there for you too. If you have a relationship with Jesus, and have insecurity issues or fear dwelling in your soul (of any size big or small), pray for the Spirit of Revelation(Ephesians 1:17) to help you comprehend that Jesus will never leave you- no matter what. Remember that His love is not dependent upon your goodness. He is for you and loves you despite your mess! Don’t let the enemy take you captive on any level. If you feel conviction about something-ask forgiveness and know that He is the forgiver- accept it in Jesus name! If you are carrying around hurt or unforgiveness, ask for Jesus to lay an ax to any bitter root that may have formed in your soul due to past hurts or trauma ( Hebrews 12:15,Matt 3:10). If you dealt with rejection as a child or as an adult- I pray this truth sinks into you now: Jesus will never leave you (Heb 13:5). Don’t hold on to that spirit of rejection! Literally- speak out loud that you know Jesus will never leave you. Bind that hurt and rejection in Jesus mighty name and lose His acceptance and love over your life!(Matt 18:18)
His love is unconditional- the only condition is that you accept it!!!! Then don’t let your mind go back to that rejection, hurt or trauma. If you start getting little sneaky thoughts cause the devil is sneaky) IMMEDIATELY take captive those thoughts and emotions to Christ Jesus(2 Corinthians 10:5). Speak it, “I take those negative, hurtful thoughts captive in obedience to You Jesus!” He wants your mind renewed and thinking about great things so His Kingdom can advance!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is something in your voice that melts your Daddy’s heart- call on Him and He will answer. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you (James4:8). Praying for each one of you! Thanks to all who are visiting here with me and sharing His good news around the country and throughout the nations!!!! If you do not have a relationship with Jesus- which is very different than religion by the way…check this out, An Invitation. Let me hear from you!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Neckline Slimmer and Smartphone Encounter

I was googling on my husband's black, shiny smart phone yesterday, when I saw something strange. My reflection looking back at me- but something was different. There was this skin thing hanging from my neck. I immediately thought of the neckline slimmer and I began feverishly to mimic the exercises I had seen demonstrated on the commercial. What is happening to my body? I have a chicken wattle on my neck!

And then a phrase that my Skylar, spoke to me at the beginning of 2010... one that has stuck with me all through the year, came to my remembrance... "Mom , this life is a moment, it's temporary...it's this big(holding up two fingers, barely apart), God has eternity in mind-spreading her arms wide open!

I don't know what you are facing. There are parts of 2010 that I would like to erase. Things I thought I'd never experience. Hurts, glimpses of hell on earth, frustrations... I'd like one of those magic erasers from Mr. Clean to remove them from my memory!
But God- He promises to use even those most hurtful, hellacious circumstances for His glory!

And there is another promise...

My daughter also sang me a song for Christmas- played on her guitar...Shadowfeet... as I listened to her sing this beautiful song by Brooke Fraser, I was praying and searching for His Hope for 2011 and beyond.

His Words highlighted so beautifully in this song...

You make all things new. Revelation 21:1

Hope for my chicken neck and so much more!

I have to get that eternal perspective in gear! It changes everything!

For my brothers and sisters in Christ- that means understanding our purpose in Christ here and now- 1)to mature in Him and 2)to share Who He is with others.

AS we live that out, in moments(cause moments matter)- our intertwined "pur-pies"( my word- love it), we must keep that eternal perspective.

Temporary... Lord help me focus on the eternal!

Whatever you are facing or have faced( you may want to check out attracting attack)- the unexpected loss of a loved one, suffering health issues in the flesh, deception, divorce, past hurts and disappointments, major financial struggles...

My prayer for you in 2011 is to understand that He makes all things NEW. He can do that - we can't. Focus on Who He is! Greater is He that is in you... 1 John 4:4!!!!!!!!!

Those aren't just words that man has spoken. THAT IS HIS PROMISE!

Affliction shall not rise up a second time! Nahum 1:9

God sets an end to our sufferings...this is a moment and I agree with you, in Jesus name that there is an end! 1 Peter 5:10 "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

These battles are for Kingdom purpose! To strengthen His army! Hallelujah! (As I am writing this I am listening to enemies camp and I'm praising Jesus right out of this chair!!!!!!) You can click the link and have a praise break! Just pause the pop out player way down below before you play! Go to the enemies camp and take back in Jesus name what the enemy thinks he has stolen!

All that praizin just toned my wattle! He does work it our for the good! And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

And, besides...I'm looking to Eternal Glory, for He makes all things new! No plastic surgery or face-lift tape needed!

Phil 3:21 Who shall change our vile (wattle and all) body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

I am praying for YOU right now in Jesus name! Happy NEW Year!!!!!!!

Under attack? I invite you to read, "Attracting Attack" for encouragement!(click link). Standing in agreement with you for total VICTORY in JESUS mighty name!