That's Not How the Story Ends.

Good morning to all on this glorious Sunday morning. Waine and I are in Atlanta this morning and you should see our yard!!!!! The azaleas are just beautiful! We are the 3rd owners of this home and the 1st owner was the President of the Atlanta Botanical society. During her life time she planted wonderful and exotic azaleas in her yard and this year they are "singing" with their deep and rich pinks and reds. Breath taking! There is a blanket of green pollen that covers everything so my beloved is suffering from the sneezing that this landscape brings. This is one of the benefits of living in Atlanta. All the beautiful and ornamental plants.

I am continuing my journey in James chapter 5 verses 1- 20 "Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.  Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!  Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned. 

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.  Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.  Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.  Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.  My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back,  remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins." Amen and may the Lord add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.

Those that know me, know that I truly believe in the Power of Prayer. I have learned through time how to pray with the power of belief. This type of prayer is not a prayer of supplication it is a prayer of confirmation and affirmation. You pray "as if it has already happened". You pray in thanksgiving for the answer you are affirming. Now let me be clear. These prayers always come from a Contrite Heart. By this I mean God and you have already worked through what ever junk in your trunk was blocking the blessing you are looking for. That's the hard part! In my case I had to acknowledge and get rid of things in ME that caused the situation in the first place. Now the situation I found myself in had nothing to do with me on the surface, but had everything to do with me. I had to evaluated very seriously what it was I truly believed. Did I really believe in the power of the Christ that lived in me. Was the situation I found myself in the result of my not listening to the "still small voice of God" that He needed to use a 2X4 to get my attention. Well He had my attention and He had my Heart and that's when I was free to pray with knowledge and affirmation. You see the important journey is the journey you take so that God can have your heart. When He has your heart then He is happy and you are blessed.

If you are wondering what is blocking your blessing then look at what is in your heart. If it is not God then you have your answer. He wants your heart and He knows your mind and behavior will follow. How will your story end today. The key is in your heart. I trust you will give it to Him today.

Now may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

Stephanie