Week of April 6, 2014 with Mona Shirley This has been a different kind of week and I didn’t get a chance to write a new word from my heart to yours. This week my heart was in prayer for many situations and my heart was with many people who were having situations that were extremely difficult and hurtful. It was a week of intercession and I continue to pray for many. I wrote this just a year ago but I needed this word on hope and thought it would bless you too. This in an article my friend Ellene wrote for FMIN Workplace leaders. She says it well. “Crushing tragedies. Struggling relationships. Foreclosure. Unbelievable medical diagnosis. Closed businesses. Loss. Pain. Despair. Identify? Enter God: I have it all planned out ... plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for (Jeremiah 29:11 The Message). Without hope, living on earth would be intolerable. Jesus generously addressed this dilemma when He said, I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have perfect peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustrations; but be of good cheer - take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted! For I have overcome the world. I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you (John 16:33 Amplified). Hope keeps us alive, well and able to occupy until He comes to take us home. Living in hope may not be normal but it is necessary to survive. And living in hope is a magnet to those around us who are falling into despair. When news reports of tragedy come, those living in hope are able to pray for all involved and for the evil perpetrators. When our hearts are broken with failed relationships, living in hope gives us the strength to cry out to God and believe He will right our world. When our finances have evaporated and even the connections to create provision have eluded us, living in hope whispers in our ear to keep going, God will make a way. When the doctor gives a medical diagnosis that shatters us, living in hope ultimately anchors our soul on our belief of Gods provision of wholeness living in hope comforts our raw emotions and causes us to look up to the One who never fails. Whatever the situation, living in hope sparks a new beginning, gives us peace in the midst of the struggle and helps us see the next opportunity, washes fear from our hearts and gives us the knowledge that God has it all planned out and plans to take care of us ... period. Today, I encourage you to choose to live in hope. And then choose to share that hope with a frightened world.” Her words encouraged me and after taking a few minutes to pray and release the hopelessness inside my heart – I was able to see a new beginning and had total peace. The prayers I am sharing we have prayed before but they have helped me so much and are just as powerful today as a year ago. Choose to live in hope!! Sunday prayer with Mona Shirley: Lord, as I pray today, I thank You that I can always have hope in You. “And now, Lord, what do I wait for and expect? My hope and expectation are in You.” Psalm 39:7 “Be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” Psalm 31:24 I believe today no matter the situation that my hope is in You and nothing outside of You will stand or bring life into that circumstance. My hope and expectation are in You. I rest in Your promises with earnest expectation of Your love making the difference. I thank You and praise You forever! Amen https://facebook/groups/113607895346073/
Posted on: Sun, 06 Apr 2014 13:21:54 +0000