The Most High God

"in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" 1 Thess. 5:18
I know it's easier to give thanks when everything is going well not when life throws us an ugly curve ball that many times we don't see a way out. But thankfully, Our El Elyon, the Most High God is sovereign. The Bible contains different names of God and to know His name is to know Him. The Most High God continues to rule today and over the affairs of men because 'His dominion is an everlasting dominion...' (Dan 4:34).

Early this year, I gave 'thanks' He caused all things work together for my good but after the facts - really understood a year later in retrospect. I lost my job last January and was out of work for 6 months and but He had me prepared because I had ust completed a study of Daniel and was amazed at the sovereignty of God in the affairs of men. I studied how He faithfully revealed so much about what was to take place, what has taken place, and what is yet to take place. So I rested in the fact He knew I was going to loose my job and being the sole provider was a bit scary but He was and still is in control. Out of it all, I came to know God in a new way and this month I was able to look back and concluded that 'It was for my good that I lost my job' and said to Him 'You knew what you were doing' Duh - of course He does. That's the path He chose to teach me lessons that are life-changing and I tried to sound the clarion at every opportunity about what I learned.

I am forever grateful Father.

Is your heart troubled? Are you afraid of anything at all? We are living in tumultuous times and it is easier to give thanks when we understand that our Father, El Elyon, God Most High, is in control and that nothing takes place in His universe without His permission. When we are hurt by others, unsure about tomorrow, finances in disarray, children, the world, Satan and because all things work together for our good according to God's purpose then we can rest in Him and give thanks because it is His will for you and me in Christ Jesus (1Thes 5:18).

And we can say as Joesph did 'And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result...

Beloved of God, run into the arms of your El Elyon and put your trust in His Name and let's give thanks.

I will cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me. Ps 57:2

I have been singing this song for the past week and if you are willing - sing along.

Read More

Read & Pray

Turn your heart's desire into a prayer. As you read this psalm, notice the words that have something to do with trouble, need, or help and see the Lord's promises for you.

May the Lord answer you in a day of trouble;
may the name of Jacob's God protect you.
May He send you help from the sanctuary
and sustain you from Zion. May He remember all your offerings
and accept your burnt offering.
May He give you what your heart desires
and fulfill your whole purpose.
Let us shout for joy at your victory
and lift the banner in the name of our God.

May the Lord fulfill all your requests.
Now I know that the Lord gives victory to His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
with mighty victories from His right hand.
Some take pride in a chariot, and others in horses,
but we take pride in the name of the Lord our God.
They collapse and fall,
but we rise and stand firm.
Lord, give victory to the king!
May He answer us on the day that we call. Psalm 20

God bless you.

Read More

"Pay It Forward" winners

It's time to announce the winners of my first giveaway and I do thank you very much ladies for participating in the Pay It Forward giveaway. A huge "THANK YOU" goes to Alicia @ Confessions of a Snowflake for her giveaway and I was one of the blessed winners.

The winners for the book "Live a Praying Life: Open Your Life to God's Power and Provision" by Jennifer K. Dean are:

Free Spirit Butterfly

And

Shanita at By His Stripes We are Healed

Congratulations ladies.

Thank you for playing along and I enjoy reading your blogs as I get to know each of you better. Your blogs are very inspiring. Please email me your address in order to get the book as soon as possible. My email address is: myriamf73@hotmail.com

Have a blessed week.

Myriam

Read More

The Power of the Holy Spirit

The last few years I have always set goals at the beginning of the year to keep me focus. The experts conclude that writing down goals are very powerful and can become a compass to navigate through life. I must say that I concur. I have been investing so much energy lately in a particular area of life the last few months so much that I think and breathe the plans that I have put together. I want to invest the same kind of energy and use it in the arena of my personal relationship with Christ. I am doing something different this year than I have done before and hence the reason for the title ‘Less for More’. In the past, my goals usually contain bible studies, books to read, group studies, discipleship and the likes. I have decided to experience what it truly means to live under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Yes, since I bowed the knees to the Lord, He’s taken residence in me and is there to say forever. I am very familiar with the famous John 10:10 verse:

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Am I truly living life to the fullest? Am I where God would have me to be? These are questions that I have to face and deal with honestly and since for most of life I have been the captain of my own ship and with nothing to show for it – it’s time to let God takes center stage. Of course, I didn’t sit down one day and plan to rule my own life and declare myself God but it can be very subtle – making decisions and plans without consulting the One who numbers my days and holds my life in His hands.

Lord Jesus - I want that kind of life that you came to offer. And I know that the only way to experience it is to crucify the flesh with all its desires. The flesh is the biggest enemy of the Spirit and they are at war but I know who has the victory. I want to life to the fullest on this side of heaven. I want to walk into the good works that God created for me before the world was. Christ in me – the hope of glory. In short, my goal is to live, breathe, move under the power and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. I do want to be on auto-pilot anymore but have a Spirit-awareness be in tuned with what He’s up to in my life.

Beth Moore declares that she wants a Jesus-year and invited her fellow readers of the Living Proof Ministry Blog or siestas as she refers to us to memorize scriptures with her the entire year. What a beautiful challenge. I’ve jumped on the band-wagon and commit to memorize 24 scriptures in 2009. My scriptures will be mostly about the Holy Spirit. It’s safe to assume that many people know a lot about God and Jesus Christ but not so much about the Third Person of the Trinity. I have found something quite telling – many scriptures link the Holy Spirit with power. I would hate to hurt the Apostle Paul’s feelings by giving him an answer like this:

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you

believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."

Ouch! Not only was He there when the first clock ticked 1.2.3 but He created us according to Job 33:4

The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life. He was the One who accomplished our Saviour’s birth. The beloved disciple reminds us that He would live inside of us forever. The first scripture that I have been pondering over is very simple and yet very freeing. It is:

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Cor 3:17

I read and re-read the verse and thought about freedom and the fact that the Spirit of the Lord dwells within me. One commentary had this to say “Freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, and from the servitude of corruption; liberty of access to God, and freedom of speech in prayer. The heart is set at liberty, and enlarged, to run the ways of God’s commandments’. And another verse I have memorized in the past came to mind Gal 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery”. And one of my all time favorite passages in the bible is when Jesus was handed the scroll to read from the scroll of Isaiah where He basically gave His own job description:

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed…

The above is one of the

passages I hope to see replay in living color in heaven. When Jesus finished reading the passage, He said: Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing". I am at work writing this and I just shouted hallelujah. Plenty is written about freedom and I am forever thankful that my name is written in the Lamb’s book of life and free from the penalty of sin – second death but I want to live in total freedom in all areas of life.

I tend to worry a bit when thing are going well and can’t quite take advantage a joyful moment for too long because when it appears to be good, immediately I think to myself ‘something must be wrong’ or I better snap out of it soon because ‘"if anything can go wrong, it will" – the old Murphy’s Law. Gal 5:22 lists the nine-fold fruit of the Spirit when He’s in control and I was soooo happy this week and the scenario mentioned before started to run into my mind and I decided to enjoy the moment as I recall the part of the fruit of the Spirit is joy and peace. I stopped and praised God for His perfect presence and the reminder that He set me free to live and be content. Yes, there will be obstacles, battles, rivers and fires to go through, the world, the flesh, and not to forget the old cunning serpent but He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world. Hallelujah!

Holy Spirit - I am game and ready to heed Paul’s advice ‘be filled with the Holy Spirit’.

My dear reader, my prayer is that you are keeping in step with the Spirit.

Read More

Pay It Forward Giveaway

I was one of the winners of the “Pay It Forward” giveaway by Alicia of Confessions of a Snowflake blog. I received the lovely prayer journal last night with a beautiful stocking stuffed with some chocolate along with a lovely candle holder. I felt so special after opening the package that was put together with such care.
My dear friend Alicia – thank you very much. I love it and can’t wait to start digging in the prayer journal (The Busy Mom's Guide to Prayer) by Lisa Whelchel. Thank you for blessing me with a gift that is sure to have lasting effect.

In that same spirit, it is my privilege to ‘Pay It Forward’ to 3 new winners on my blog. Continuing with the subject of prayer, I have decided on a bible study by Jennifer Kennedy Dean called “Live a Praying Life - Open Your Life to God's Power and Provision’. Live a Praying Life is a study that goes back to the biblical basics of prayer. The study takes a detailed look at prayer’s purpose, process, promise, and practice. I went through the study early last year and it was great. It was my first study by Jennifer Dean and have since purchased other books by her and subscribed to her podcast too. My prayer is that you will enjoy the book as be blessed.
Come and play along by leaving a comment stating so – and to agree to Pay It Forward.

The winners will be announced on my birthday next Sunday January 11th.

I thank you in advance for playing along.

Have a blessed week.

Myriam

Read More