It's a Heart Issue

The other day  I had to do a heart examination.  The good I was trying to do was being criticize and I was defensive. It was if the good I did was overlooked because of one small oversight. After thoroughly discussing (complaining)the issue with my husband the Spirit of God gave me a gentle reminder that my being upset had more to do with me than the other person. Behind that gentle reminder was where I found a heart issue(pride). When someone pointed out a mistake I was to hurt because I was expecting to hear great job.   

In Matt 19:16-22 we see the story of the rich young ruler. He wanted to know what he needed to do to gain eternal life. The Bible says in  (verse 21 & 22 )Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions

It was not the giving that made the ruler sorrowful but the selling. He had his identity in what he had. In other words he was proud of his accomplishments. Here is Jesus not praising what he has achieved but saying go and sell it. His pride in his possessions made him forfeit the opportunity to follow after Jesus.

You see initially when my mistake was pointed out I was sorrowful because I was proud of my accomplishment.  However , afterwards my response was  heart felt repentance. Thank God for His grace and forgiveness.

Today would you give your heart a careful examination. Is there anything hidden there that would be displeasing to God?  If there is you only need to go to Him with a sincere heart and ask for forgiveness.

Your Praise Will Ever Be On My Lips (Cover)

I love this simple song. When we keep His praise on our lips we don't have time to gossip or speak evil of others because we are too busy praising Him for all He has done for us.  I pray this song be a blessing to you and minister to your heart as much as it has ministered to me.

RESPONSE NC

The RESPONSE: NC gathering was awesome. It was great to be among so many believers all praying for our nation, state and city.  The worship was mighty. 

We prayed  for: Repentance, Reconciliation,  Revival,  Reformation and Refreshing.

I pray you would begin to pray for your nation and city as well. God is waiting on your response to the conditions of your nation. Will your response be to pray or turn and look the other way?

Response: NC

Please register now for your free ticket as seating is limited. The Response: North Carolina will be held at Charlotte Convention Center on 501 South College Street in Charlotte, NC, on September 26th. 

http://theresponseusa.com/north-carolina/register/

Your Condition is Right!

Acts 3:1-2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, {the lame man had to be in the right position. His position was to be lame. You see sometimes being in the right position may not feel good, or look good but that does not mean God is not in control. You see the man was born lame then God blessed him with people who would take him to the temple(intercessors) then God met his need by first choosing Peter and John as his disciples and secondly  having them in the temple on this day all so He (God) could display his glory.}

Be encourage just because your condition may feel or look unpleasant, that does not necessary mean you are in the wrong place.  Some of us need to get use to being in hard spots because that's where God gets the glory. He knows our faith can stand the test. If the man in our text had not been born lame he would not have gotten the miracle. His need produce a miracle. What miracle will your need produce?

Also Read John9:2-3 His disciples asked Him, Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?  Jesus answered, It was not that this man or his parents sinned, but he was born blind in order that the workings of God should be manifested (displayed and illustrated) in him}

Carry the Presence

People want to know that God is real and that He cares about them and the issues that surround their lives.  People are looking for the manifest presence of God. Believers as well as unbelievers want to feel and sense God’s presence. People are hurting and in bondage and need the power of the living God. As Christians we must carry the presence of God.  When people come in contact with us they should leave better off not because of us but because of God’s presence.

For us not to have his presence would be like going to Kentucky Fried Chicken and having they say they’re out of chicken. How odd would that be, a place who is known for chicken has none to sell. It is just as odd to say we know God, we a relationship with Jesus or we are filled with God’s Spirit and people are unable to sense His presence when they are with us.

Prayer: Dear Father may we (as Christians) always be aware that we represent you in everything we do. I pray that as we  go through our day that all who come in contact with us will feel your presence. In Jesus name amen.

Thank you

This is the motivation behind this blog.  I want the world to know Jesus.   I do not have a follow button on the page because I don't want to get caught up in how  many people are following me. I know the page is being viewed and that is enough.  Your stopping by the page is encouraging to me. No matter how many times you visit or how many post you read.
Please know that I am praying for everyone who has visited the blog and those who are yet to visit it. In a matter of 3 months the page has been viewed in 7 different countries. To God be the glory. Keep stopping by and please leave comments or your prayer request.

Yours in Christ,
Marvena Haynes

Golden Rule

Many of us have been taught the golden rule {Matt. 7:12} therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do you even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. (KJV) It was not until I read this passage in the Message Bible that it really became alive to me. Then Message Bible reads this way here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them!

The word “do” is a verb and verbs are about describing action.  Wow! That means we should be doing something. Often times when I think of this verse I think about my do not list but the verses says DO. So if we want to be bless we should bless others. If we want salvation for our family maybe we should witness to others.

Today I challenge you to sow into someone else whatever it is you want done to you.

Praying for the Nations

Father we pray for the nations of the world. We pray that those in leadership would be surrounded by Godly influence. We want leaders who have your heart God and a heart for your people. Many those in leadership come to know Jesus as their personal Savior.

Father. thank you for your mighty intercessors, who you have place all over the world. Those who are not afraid to stand in the gap for their country, nation, city, or state.  Father please them and encourage them to keep praying so that your will can be done on earth as it is in heaven.

In Jesus Name amen.

Today I challenge you to pray for your city, state, country and the nations of the world. May you not just pray for them today but every day.

A Closed Door

And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in {Genesis 7:16} KJV in the AMP version of Genesis 7:16 instead of shut in it reads the Lord closed the door behind him

We do not want to just breeze over this verse. It is important to note the Bible specifically says the Lord closed the door behind him.

The door was closed for Noah’s for protection. God was keeping Noah and his family safe from the flood waters and the destructions that was about to take place (Genesis 7:19).  The door was closed because of his purpose. God had purpose Noah to build the ark and care for the animals on the ark (Genesis 6:20).  The door was close but a promise remain (Genesis 6:18). God told Noah he would establish a convent with him. The door was closed but provision was there (Genesis 6:21). God made sure Noah had what he needed before he shut him in.

I know sometimes it can be very confusing and upsetting when God closes a door in our life. However, I challenge you to remember this that God could be closing the door to protect you from dangers you may not even see or know about.

He could be closing doors because of your purpose. God has a plan for you and He knows the path you need to take and which doors need to be close.

Perhaps, there is a generational promise over your life and God is seeking to fulfill what He promise to do in your family.

When God closes one door He will provide (provision) an open door somewhere. Just patiently wait on Him to do it.

Revelation 3:7-8

⁷ And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that opened, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

⁸ I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

William McDowell - Send The Rain

This is my hearts prayer. Lord send revival to the land. We need you all we want is You!!!!

Remembering 9/11

Today I just want to praise God for all those who survive the attack on 9/11 and to pray for those who lost family members and friends.  My we never forget those most affect by the attacks and may we always trust God to see us through the most difficult of times.

Breaking up the hard places

One of the purposes of the hammer is to break apart items. Oh how we need the God's word to break up the hardness of man's heart.  We need God's word to break up unforgiveness, unbelief, doubt sin and insecurities. If were not careful Life has a way of making our hearts hard. However, a daily washing in God's word and prayer can break up the hard place. 

As we embrace our journey with God we need to not allow the circumstances and situations of life to harden our hearts toward God or man. So we need to make sure we do not compare our lives to anybody else but that we walk  that which God has given us to do. 

Name of Jesus

I believe in Jesus and the power of His name. It seems like in our world today people are OK with us saying God as long as we don't mention Jesus. Today I want you to know that if you are in need of salvation Believe in Jesus and what he did at Calvary's cross. If you are in the need of healing call on the name of Jesus. If it seems that you are burdened down cast your cares on to Jesus. The old Saints used to say there's power in the name of Jesus. 

Today I challenge you to not be ashamed of the name of Jesus. 

Like a Hammer God's Word is a Tool(Jeremiah 23:29)

A tool is a device or instrument, especially one held in the hand, used to carry out a particular function. God’s word is the instrument we use for instructions. 2 Timothy 3:16English Standard Version (ESV) all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. God’s Word is the tool we need to use when we need answers to life problems or instructions on how to handle issues that arise.   A hammer (tool) is only useful once it is picked up and use.  God’s word benefits us when we apply the truths we read, hear, or that have been spoken over us to our everyday lives.

Prayer: Lord please help us to use your word as a tool in our everyday life. We know that you have given us your Holy word to help, us let us not take Your Word for granted. In Jesus name Amen.

Jeremiah 23:29 NIV

"Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?

Last week we looked at the first part of this verse " Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord. " This week we our post will focus on the second have of the verse " and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?

Be Bless

My Heart's Prayer

Lord, we thank you for your mighty presences, strengthen your people. We pray for those who are in bondage and are in need of a Savior to free them.  Free them from sexual sins, free them from drugs and alcohol. We call for them to be free from depression and thoughts of suicide. Set them free so that they might serve you. Free them so that they might spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We lift up our nation and our leaders, turn their hearts back to you. Let us stop calling those things that are right wrong and those things that are wrong right. A nation that honors God and serves Him whole heartily.

We your people are not ashamed of the Gospel but we boldly declare that Jesus is Lord and the Bible is the true word of God.  We boldly ask that you not only save our families, but our neighborhoods, cities, states and our nation.

In Jesus name Amen.

WarRoom

I have to say the movie WarRoom was Awesome!!! If you have not seen it and it is playing in your area go. It will touch you and stir you up to pray like never before.

Like Fire God's Word Purifies

Purifies means to be free, clean from impurities and blemishes. Ps. 119:09 from the Living Bible {How can a young man stay pure? By reading your Word and following its rules} we need the God’s word to clean us from the impurities of the UN’s {unforgiving, unbelief, unrighteousness, feeling unaccepted.}

When God’s word is hidden in our hearts like a fire it has the power to transform us, illuminate our path and purify us so that we are change and reflex the image of Christ in our everyday lives.

Like Fire God's Word Illuminates

Just as fire gives light so does the word of God. Ps. 119: 105 {Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path}  There is nothing worse than getting up in the middle of the night to go the kitchen or bathroom  in the dark and you stump that pinkie toe on something. You may have walked from the room to the kitchen 20 times in the dark but on the 21^st   time when you stump that toe a light may have been helpful. So let’s not wait until we stump our spiritual toe to go and seek God’s word, let’s allow His word to light our path every day.

Great Big God

Big God