February Newsletter: Have a Heart for God February 01 2017
Happy February and Happy Valentine's Day from God-Driven-Designs! It's time for hearts, a little Super Bowl fun and having a heart for God! We're turning our attention this month to love and ways to reach stay humble and love and serve others!
In this month's issue we cover:
- Our February Message: Have a Heart for God, Humbling Ourselves, Our Comforter is Coming, Find a Prayer Partner - When Two or More are Gathered, Our February Prayer
- Black History Month: Because of Them We Can
- SuperBowl: Best Apps, Food and Game Day Decorations
- News: North Carolina Couple Expecting Twins After Loss; Homeless Man Gives Back: Dressed for Success; Turquoise Ribbons Inspire Healing for Hedda
- LOL: 15 Gifts Not to Give This Valentine's Day
So let's do this!
A Heart for God...
Have you seen the news lately? There are boycotts, pickets, riots, fighting, and violence. But Jesus said "love," and that's what we have to remember to do. Even when people are trying to get under your skin, try to remember to walk in love because perfect love casts out all fear.
The devil is trying hard to distract God's people, to divide and conquer and attack people when they're alone. That's why we're turning our attention to prayer, fasting, humility and having a heart for God.
When you turn the news off and get in your prayer closet, what does God say? What is He telling you? That's what matters. Pray, "Lord, what is your will? What do you want me to do? How can I give you glory?"
Don't Get Distracted From the Work God Has For You
I had a really rude upstairs neighbor once. She would throw her shoes across the room at 1 am, 3 am, or whenever she thought I was asleep. It got to the point where I would sleep in the living room. She had someone staying in her living room and he made more noise than she did. I would pray, "Lord, I pray for peace. I decree quiet and healing and peace."
I knew it was the devil trying to distract me, but I was losing sleep night after night. Headphones, ear plugs, complaints to the building super. Nothing worked.
I would pray, "Lord, if you allow it, it has a purpose. I love my neighbor. I will walk in love and I stand on your Word to lift that distracting mountain into the sea," and I'd wave my arms in the air like I was in the bleachers at a football game. And then it happened.
The noise got worse. My neighbor actually brought company over and let them keep their shoes on as they walked through the living room and bedroom on my head while I tried to sleep. That was on a Friday, and then it turned into Saturday, and then Sunday. I had about 3-hours of solid sleep. With burning eyes, I prayed because I thought, "Father God if she has brought in a new person to stay with her and now there are two of them and they are twice as loud, plus the guy in the living room, I don't know how much more I
can take. I think I need to move."
Then I looked out my window and saw the biggest rainbow and I knew somehow it was to inspire me. I said, "Lord, I will hold onto your promises and your Word. I love my neighbors. I love my enemies and pray for them. Lift-this-mountain-and-mooooovvvee-it-into-the-sea." (Arms waving slowly from one side to the other in a big wave for emphasis)
That Monday morning I jumped up startled when I heard a really loud noise and then another noise and as I rubbed my eyes trying to wake up and the noises got worse. I prayed and thought about going upstairs to say something and the Holy Spirit said, "Leave her alone." Then I looked outside and realized she was moving out! I stood in shock and realized my prayer was being answered - and from the looks of things, she wasn't going willingly. There was a truck and she was throwing things in. I think they made 4 or 5 trips to move her. Then I thought about the rainbow and remembered that God is faithful. He might take His time, but He's always on time.
Loving Them Despite Them
How do you have a heart for God when people come against you? When they do all they can to hurt you, cause pain, divide you, accuse you, hate you and curse you - and it looks like God is allowing it? Well, ask Jesus and He'll likely tell you that you love them despite them. And that's what having a heart for God is about - loving when it hurts, loving in spite of the circumstances or surroundings or the attitude, hate, and prejudice. Loving in humility despite how you are treated. While people might take advantage of your generosity or your good heart, you are doing your work as unto the Lord and that's all that matters.
When Giving Hurts
I went through a big heartache with someone that used me once. God told me to do all I could to help them and I did and they betrayed me outright and there was no reason. I cried and cried because I knew it wasn't me. Whatever you go through this year, if people
betray you or accuse you outright, lie on you, treat you badly, etc., don't stop giving and being you. Yes, you should walk away from them, always do that, but remember the scripture, Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He shall lift you up. Remember that God purposely allowed David to be attacked by Saul because God was anointing David to be king. God allowed Jesus to be hung on a cross because He was King for all.
Be totally committed to God and know that however He wants to use you, don't get caught up in the emotions, the anger or the hurt feelings. Stand firm on God's Word. The biggest obstacle is usually a precursor to your biggest blessing and breakthrough. Remember that this year. Like treasures in clay jars, we're pressed on every side and molded into what God wants. Available, ready to serve, with open hearts and strong in His Word and the power of His might.
I thought of myself standing there in my apartment trying to wave my mountain away. I pictured Moses on the mountain carrying the tablets down - but the Charleton Heston version, as he said sternly to Pharoah, "Let my people go!" No, having a heart for God doesn't mean you need to grow a beard and don your Birkenstocks as you stand on a mountain, but it does mean you need to stand firm on God's Word and wait for God to show up - - and boy does He show out when He's ready to! Just stand firm, stay humble, do the wave, a little dance, and get back on your knees in prayer. TD Jakes said not to get caught in the emotions or heartache. Use your head to speak the Word and stand firm. We've got work to do!
Humbling Ourselves
There's a show, Undercover Boss, where the CEO of a company puts on a horrible wig and fake mustache to see what their employees go through on a day-to-day basis. For some in upper management, this is the first time that they've done real work. More importantly, they get to see "the real world" from a new perspective - that of their employees. It's usually then that they learn that they're not paying them enough or that they're not giving them enough time off and perks like after-school child care or stipends to go back to school. Sometimes it feels like God lets us go through a particular circumstance not to hurt us but to help us have a heart for His people or in the case of me with the neighbor, to keep us in love as we wait on God to mooooooovvve that mountain! Should be a game show title!
Our Comforter is Coming
For many that aren't understanding this election, the derision in the White House or what's to come, remember, God knows all and sees all. Perry Stone has been putting up prophetic messages about the election, about numbers, Trump's birth date and the inauguration date and so forth. Not sure what that means in terms of the next four years or the next eight, for that matter, but the one thing we know is that our Comforter is coming. Wait on God, be brave and courageous and wait on Him. God sees what you're going through and what we're going through as a people. He knows every need and He is restoring that which the canker worms ate and the locusts devoured. Wave with me now, "Lord, moooooove that mountain!"
Find a Prayer Partner - When Two or More are Gathered
Whatever you're facing, whether it's riotous neighbors, distractions from the enemy, or fear over what you see in the news, don't go it alone. Remember, many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers us from them all. Stand firm on God's Word and call someone for prayer. You can pray at church, go to the altar call, or call a prayer line online. Just don't give up and don't sit alone and let the devil continue to beat you up in the spirit. The scripture reads, "When two or more are gathered," and we are disciples for each other.
Reminds me of a funny story about prayer hotlines. I was going through a tough time at work with my old enemies, called for prayer, crying and crying, blowing my nose, couldn't get through, so I wrote out my prayer on one of those prayer websites and then the site crashed! "Really!" I screamed. I was so over it, I just dusted my own self off!
God has great things in store for you and we pray for your strength right now!
If you need prayer, please call the Bill Winston Prayer Center at (877) 543-9443. You can also check online for Joyce Meyer's prayer request form and other sites that can pray for and with you. You are more than a conqueror!
Our February Prayer
Father God, in the name of Jesus, Lord we come to you and thank you because we know our Comforter is coming and we will not walk in fear. We humble ourselves in prayer and we wait patiently on you, Lord. We pray for our friends, family, neighbors and loved ones, our communities, our nation and our planet and those in office. Please protect us, cover and keep us and make the way for us, Lord. May our souls prosper in you.
We ask Father God for renewing of the mind so we can be in better tune with you to hear from you and to hear what is your will for our lives. Guide us and lead us. Show us the way that you would have us to go. We walk in love. We stand firm on your Word. We rebuke the demons of conflict and derision and cancel the devil's assignment in Jesus's name.
We also pray for peace and healing over crowds and mobs of people. Let there be no hostility, anger or violence - and no mob violence. Cover our heads, Lord. We pray over the SuperBowl that they have a safe game and there are no accidents or attacks, Lord. We pray traveling grace and mercies for all attending the game and SuperBowl parties. Please cover everyone and keep them safe. We rebuke demonic attacks in the name of Jesus and the blood of Jesus.
Prayer for Forgiveness
Father God, in the name of Jesus, we ask for forgiveness of all sins. We ask for your help to heal our hearts in areas where we need it. Please bring restoration and renewal of vows.
Help us to not harbor grudges, anger, bitterness or anger over how people treat us and we rebuke the attacks of the enemy. The devil is defeated. No harm shall come near our dwelling places and no evil shall befall us. We praise you and give you all the glory, honor and praise due your name, because we have the victory and the devil is defeated, in Jesus's name, amen! Restore us to you, Lord!
The Prayer of Salvation
If you haven't said the Prayer of Salvation, now's the perfect time: Father God in the name of Jesus, Lord, I ask forgiveness of my sins. Please come into my heart. I turn my back on sin and I make you my Lord and Savior. I want to follow you for the rest of my life. Please give me eternal life through you in Jesus name, amen.
Re-dedication to Christ Prayer
If you need to rededicate your life to Christ because you feel like you've been sinning or haven't been living right, pray: Father God in the name of Jesus, I ask forgiveness of my sins and I turn my back on sin. Please help me to overcome ---- and I want to lead a better life through you. I decree and declare this day I have overcome ---- and I have the victory in Jesus name, amen.
Stay in God's shadow, stay away from sin and temptation, keep reading your Bible and keep seeking God first.
Be ye doers of the Word... We pray this message blesses you today!
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