I mentioned yesterday that I was praying God would get me through the message yesterday - no coughing or sneezing or runny nose - and He did. I coughed on the way up - but once I was there - it all stopped. The only distraction I had was the microphone. I don't know what it is with me and microphones! Every time they try to help me with a pin on microphone, or an earpiece microphone - I always mess it up. Yesterday it kept rubbing against my cheek and I could hear it - but I couldn't fix it. One lady in the choir who was close to the stage said that she saw a lock of hair laying across the microphone - which was causing the noise I kept hearing - and to me I was so distracted by it. I told them no more - next time I will use the handheld - I could control it! But God did answer and I didn't cough or sneeze until we got back home.
We stopped at Cracker Barrel on the way home and had 'brunch'. While I was walking through the store part, a lady stopped me and commented on my dress and how feminine it looked and how nice it was, how she hated wearing pants to church but it's hard to find a nice dress nowadays. I had to agree with her - and this particular dress I had bought online from Penney's last year - and it was the first time I wore it... I told her what section I looked at online. It was nice to be 'called out' by a stranger on looking nice.
This season is preparing us for a great revival come the first of the year. Why do I say that? Because there is so much upheaval, so much darkness, so much pain going on around us. It's in my own family. It's in my siblings. It's in relationships. Until one will relinquish hanging on to it and nursing it (the darkness, the pain), they won't get better. I understand broken relationships; over the years you have heard about ones I have had. You know the pain I have felt. But I also know I can't live in that pain or it will destroy me. And for some, they refuse to let the pain go.
I am mentally preparing for my fast in January. I haven't said too much about it to hubby just yet, but may need to start sharing my intentions this week to get him thinking if he is going to do it or not. I'm not sure what he is going to do this year - it is really hard for him to give up food, although he determined that for 40 days he was giving up lunch every Wednesday until the end of the year. I haven't been tracking or watching him, so don't know if he is keeping it or not. I am not to monitor him, it is between him and God. Just like my fasting is between God and I. I know what I want to do - and yes, I struggle with 'what if I fail; what if I let hubby badger me because he thinks I need to....' and yes, that has happened but not going there now. Fasting for 21 days is a joy and when I keep my focus on God and not on the food I choose to give up, it is really fairly simple. I choose His blessings. I know I don't HAVE to fast, but it's something I've done now for several years, and it just comes natural for me to think about come the first of the year. And it is something I want to do.
Why do I think there is going to be a big revival come the first of the year? Because I believe in the power of prayer and fasting. I'll touch base on that as we continue to the first of the year, so will hush on that right now. But be prepared to watch and see what God will do. Take note, God is already at work and He will be victorious. It may not happen in my timeframe, or yours, but He will be victorious. Hallelujah - what a day that will be!
Psalm 85:6 (NKJV): "Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?"
Oh that people would call on the name of the Lord again as in days of old, and truly seek His face and His favor upon them and upon their generations. We have become lax in our time; we have allowed the enemy a foothold. And the enemy is taking our families and our land; our nation. Oh that we as God's people will fight the fight that is needed to reclaim this land, to reclaim our families, to reclaim our children! And then, when we do, we will receive God's favor upon us, He will look upon us, He will bless us, bless our children, bless our land.
II Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV): "If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
What are you going to fight for this year? Your 'rights'? Your 'freedom to choose'? Your ability to do whatever you want to do? Why not determine to fight for your spouse, your children, your siblings, your generations to come? Oh my prayer list is long, and I am sure warfare will be intense as prayers are offered up. Satan doesn't let go of his claims easily. But even Satan has to submit to the Lord, for there is none greater than the Lord.
We're counting down to Christmas... it's this coming Sunday! I am pretty sure I am DONE with shopping... I mean, about a week ago I just quit shopping. Decided that what I've bought - is bought - and is enough. I have cut back..some.. I want to focus on my children more than I do grandchildren this year... but I think the great-grands made out pretty good. Just couldn't resist. All my wrapping is done. Now I can get the other stuff out of this room and clear some space. The bed has been cleared off for over a week since I've been sleeping in it. But now that my speaking engagement yesterday is over, hubby is already after me to come back to our bed. With both of us coughing and sneezing for awhile, we were trying to quit sharing back and forth. I don't speak now until New Years Day so surely I will be over this cold by then totally.
And... with that... I'm going to hush and get off here - time to jump in the shower and face a new work day. Hope that your day is filled with favor and good things.
Blessings!
