Please take a moment to watch this.

Enjoy!

 

Lord, bless my friends and family with Your peace.  Bless them with unspeakable joy and love.  Fill their storehouses to overflowing so that they can be a blessing to others.  Draw them close to You so they can know love without limits or conditions.  Place Your angels about them to protect them and heal their minds, bodies and spirits in the precious name of Your Son, Jesus, amen ^i^

I received this from my husband who got it from a friend and right now this speaks so strongly to me that I wanted to post it and share it.  May it bless you as it continues to bless me. ^i^

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.  I do not see the road ahead of me.  I cannot know for certain where it will end, nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following Your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You.  And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.  I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire, and I know that if I do this, You will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore, I will trust You always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.  I will not fear, for You are ever with me and You will never leave me to face my perils alone. – Thomas Merton (Thoughts in Solitude)

My Mom sent this to me and it is such a wonderful message I knew I had to share it.  Know this, God sees you!

 

Hello Prayer warrior and Saints – I humbly beg your forgiveness in being so delayed in posting an update.  There have been a number of things going on that have kept me from posting this update which regrettably I cannot share with you. 

It is with a mixture of deep sadness and great joy that I let you know that Albert has gone home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  We miss him and his divine sense of humor and genuine love for Jesus but we know he has gone to a better place and it is only a temporary separation as we will see him again one day.

There was a period where we thought Louise would join Albert in heaven, but our God has a plan and a purpose for her and He is not ready for her yet – to which I humbly say, Praise God and Amen, because I am not ready for her to leave just yet either!  She is doing wonderfully and it is truly a miracle that she is healing so quickly.  She looks and sounds great and hopes to be home by Christmas day.  No one will EVER convince me that prayer is not powerful or worthy of our time and I will NEVER leave it up to fate!

Please continue to lift Louise and her family and friends up in prayer as we stand and wait for the completion of God’s full healing and restoration in her life.  I give thanks to God for His faithfulness and to you all for your commitment and diligence.  May God richly bless you with His peace and riches according to His will and riches in heaven in the precious name of Jesus, amen. ^i^

Twas the month before Christmas*

*When all through our land,*

*Not a Christian was praying*

*Nor taking a stand.*

*See the PC Police had taken away,*

*The reason for Christmas – no one could say.*

*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*

*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*

*It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say*

* December 25th is just a ‘ Holiday ‘.*

*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*

*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*

*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*

*Something was changing, something quite odd! *

*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*

*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*

*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*

* At Lowe’s the word Christmas – was no where to be found.*

*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears*

*You won’t hear the word Christmas; it won’t touch your ears.*

*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*

*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*

*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*

*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!*

*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*

*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*

*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*

* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*

*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*

*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*

*So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’ under your ‘Dream Tree’*

*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*

*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*

*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS , not Happy Holiday!*

Please, all Christians join together and

wish everyone you meet during this season a MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!

If you agree please forward, if not, simply delete.

So, I posted a prayer request a short while ago and then decided to clean up my email inbox. As God would have it, I came upon this daily inspiration from Joel Osteen sent on 11/12/2009 and as always, God is right on time, it’s me that’s a day late (well more than a day). I hope this word of encouragement is of help to others as well – but please don’t stop praying for me – I’m not out of the woods just yet! In Christ’s love, Briggie ^i^

 

 

 

You’ve Come Too Far

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward”
(Philippians 3:14, AMP)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

One thing I’ve learned is that whenever life seems extra difficult, whenever it seems like the intensity has been turned up, that’s a sure sign that you are close to your victory. Whenever negative thoughts are bombarding your mind, or you’re tempted to get discouraged, that’s not the time to give up! That’s not the time to back down. That’s the time to dig your heels in. That’s the time to press on with a new attitude because you are closer than you think to your victory.

Maybe you’ve had a lot come against you lately. It seems like the more you pray, the worse things get. Maybe you are doing the right thing, but the wrong thing keeps happening. Instead of getting discouraged, begin to declare, “I’ve come too far to stop now! I’ve been through too much to back down. I realize the reason the intensity has been turned up is because I’m about to give birth to my dreams.”

Friend, don’t allow the enemy to steal from you any longer! Instead, press on toward the goal because you’ve come too far to give up now. Remember, God Almighty is with you, and He is leading and guiding you down the path of victory in every area of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

“Heavenly Father, thank You for leading with Your gentle and loving hand. Today I choose to press past my circumstances and press on into You. Give me strength and hope to move forward into the life of victory You have prepared for me! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

Hello prayer warriors.  I am reaching out to you as I truly need to be lifted up in prayer. So many things have happened this year that I feel defeated, weighed down and heavy burdened.  I’m losing my job, finances are stretched thinner than onion paper, my husband is dealing with constant chronic pain, I’ve lost loved ones, the holidays are coming and I have lost my joy!  I think the last part is probably the most devastating thing on my list.

I know Who I serve.  I know the power of my God.  I know He watches over me.  I know He is in control.  I know that without Him I would not be here today.  I know there are those who are much worse off than I am and many of them do not know Jesus which in my opinion makes them doubly worse off.  (is doubly even a word??)  What I don’t know is what happened to my joy. 

I feel as though I have grieved the Holy Spirit and because of this, the Holy Spirit has departed from me.  I know it is through my own actions that this has happened.  I just need to find my way back.  I am going through the motions of life right now and it is eating away at my spirit.

Please pray for me.  I am clinging to my faith and know that there is a very real reason for what I am going through, and I know that it is something I will get through.

I read the prayer requests of those who come to my blog, many of whom are facing such difficult circumstances.  I feel their pain as I read and pray and I know what they are going through.  They face insurmountable odds, devastating life issues and have such need which in a way makes me feel a little silly for posting my prayer for the return of joy, but the need for prayer is the need for prayer no matter the reason – right?

I keep hearing this song in my head – it’s something the Lord gave to me several years ago and I know He has brought it back to my remembrance for a reason – ”the Lord is my strength, He carries my burdens, the Lord is my strength.  Without Him I’m nothing, but with Him I’m strong, so I’ll turn to the One Who’s loved me all my life long.” (there’s more, but you get the gist of it)

As I finish this post, I am beginning to feel a bit lighter in my spirit.  Thank you for all your prayers and support.  May God richly bless you and keep you in His care.  May He make His face to shine upon you and may His peace and grace be with you. ^i^

Hello Prayer warriors.  I received this from my dear friend Doris and because we like Gary know the power of prayer, especially when two or more are gathered in His Holy name, we ask you to join us as we lift Gary and Cindy up before the Lord.  Let us stand and believe for Cindy’s complete healing, and that God’s will be done, in the name of His only son, Jesus. ^i^

 

 

Prayer request for Gary and Cindy Hogman by way of Faith Presbyterian Church, Emmaus PA

Gary is serving in Iraq while his young wife is fighting cancer here. See his request below.
Bobby S. Briggs, MSgt, USAF
823 ESFS/SFOC
Flight Sergeant
BAGHDAD AB , IRAQ

My name is Gary Hogman. Some of you receiving this know me, some do not. My wife, Cindy, is 32 years old and has just been diagnosed with stage 4 cervical cancer and her chances for survival are very slim. She was pregnant with our second child and had miscarried recently at 3 months, and now we know why.

This is a request for you to forward this e-mail to everyone you know asking for prayer. The more people that pray for her to be healed, the better. Pray and forward. It only takes a second to hit ‘forward’. Please do it and don’t delete this, your prayer can, and perhaps will, save her life.

Please pray and ask everyone you know to pray for the HEALING of Cindy and the removal of all cancer in her body, so she may enjoy all that life has to offer, and to continue to be the wonderful mother to our 5-year-old son Michael. The power of Prayer is unsurpassed. I want the whole world to have her in their prayers the next few weeks. God will hear our cry. Please do not be offended by my plea. This is only a request for your help.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading this and helping with our request for healing! No words can express the power we have when we each do a little to come together.

Regards, Cindy’s husband – Gary
Thank you, and please send it to the far reaches of our world

Please lift Natalie up in prayer.  She has undergone treatment for Cancer and was recently told she has cancer cells in her cervix.  She has developed pain in her abdomen and while she has not been officially diagnosed with cervical cancer, she has asked us pray for complete healing.  She knows the power of prayer and that when others stand in agreement it is truly powerful.

Please stand with me and ask God for complete healing and for her to be pain free through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Daniel, my brother in Yeshua sent me this prayer request from his friend Eulia.  Please lift Linda up in prayer and ask God to soften the heart of her brother in Jesus’ mighty name.

 

EMERGENCY PRAYER REQUEST: My spiritual Indian daughter, Linda Pinto, is gravely ill, not even able to talk on the phone. Please bombard Heaven for her. She needs a kidney transplant, but her 1 brother who’s a match is refusing. (He has a lot of abandonment & anger issues. Please pray for him, too. His name is Robert.)PLEASE PRAY!! And please pass this request to others. Thank you!

Dear friends and prayer warriors, please lift Trish and Steve up in prayer.  My dear friend Doris has shared that Steve was in a car accident back in May and has been out of work ever since. 

He may need knee surgery and his wife Trish has been out of work for some time also.  Things are getting pretty desperate for them and they really need all the prayers they can get. 

Please ask God to bless them with His peace which surpasses all understanding.  Pray that God will bless them financially and heal Steve so that he can return to work. 

I pray that God’s grace and mercy be upon them as they go through this valley and pray that they may see the light at the end of the journey and know that God is with them and will see them through, in the name of Jesus, amen. ^i^

Dear prayer warriors we need you to lift Louise and Albert up in prayer.  Louise is in ICU with congestive heart failure.  She is being transported to another hospital because the one she is at does not have the medicine or equipment needed to help her.  She is sedated and on a respirator, but I know her spirit is aware of all around her. 

Louise knows and loves the Lord and is a faithful servant.  She knows the power of prayer and she knows His promises.  Please stand in agreement that the healing is already done and perfected and that we are simply standing in faith waiting for its manifestation.  Please lift up her husband Albert and ask God to give him the strength, energy to stand by her side.  Albert is recuperating from Cancer and a recent chemo treatment which has left him weak and very thin.  Ask God to send His peace to cover Albert.  Albert is a mighty man of God and he too knows God’s word and promises.  Albert is standing in faith for his and Louise’s healing.

While the hospital and doctors do not have what they need to heal Louise, we know that God does!  Thank you Lord for your grace and mercy and for Your healing of Louise and Albert.

Please place them on your prayer lists at church and prayer groups and pass this on to as many as you can.

Thank you and God bless you!

How wonderful is our Lord?  Is there anything too big or too small for Him?  Daniel sent me an update on Ron and to God be the glory!  I lift up hands in praise to God, Father and Master of the Universe.  Please continue to lift Sandy and Ron up in prayer before the Lord.  I give Him thanks and pray for blessings upon you in the name of His precious Son, Jesus, Amen.  – Briggie ^i^

 

 

Hi Judy; 

    You have really touched my heart. Standing together in God’s presence through prayer has really helped Ron. He did not have the shakes as bad and got some sleep last night. I did too.

    Thank you so much and please let the ones that are praying for Ron’s healing know God is hearing their prayers and how much they have encouraged my faith. I am very grateful God has given me such a wonderful support team. Ron has accepted God and when I told him of all the people praying for him and that he WILL see a difference in his health and life, he remarked that these people don’t even know me and they are taking the time out of their busy schedule to pray. God’s love is touching his heart and I wanted you to know it is increasing his faith.

Faith is a mighty spiritual force that unleashes the mighty power of God. And faith is not faith if it does not win.I like that last part. I will keep you posted on God’s gift of healing that he is receiving.

God bless you Judy and Friends,

Sandy

Hello Prayer Warriors,

My dear brother in Christ, Daniel, sent this to me so I am passing it along to you.  Please lift Sandy and Ron up in prayer.  Please put people in Ron’s path that will be willing to share the good news of Jesus and His gift salvation.  Ask God to put nurses and aides and doctors around him that are not afraid to share the gospel.  Let’s stand and believe for Ron’s salvation and give his wife Sandy the strength and courage to stand strong.  May God’s peace be upon her and Ron in the name of Jesus, amen. – Briggie ^i^

Good evening;

I have an urgent prayer request please.  A friend of mine (Sandy)from childhood days is in need of prayer support.  Her husband Ron is very ill with only 5% of functioning kidneys and having some other issues that have recently come up.  He has not accepted Christ and I ask for all of you to come together in agreement for his LIFE in CHRIST to be a reality in these next hours.  Please stand on His Word in this and if you feel you cannot agree 100%; just don’t pray.  Sandy needs agreement in ONE ACCORD and she is calling for the miracle of salvation and healing. If you have your own prayer warriors; please send this out.  I pray for God’s PRESENCE to be LIVING REALITY in each of your lives and in Ron’s J

Thank you all…

In Jesus Name,

Judy

Daniel, my dear friend and brother in Christ sent this to me so I am sharing it with all my prayer partners and friends.  Please join me in prayer for Feroz and God, Master and Creator of the Universe be with you. – Briggie ^i^

 

Asking prayer for Feroz, a sister in Jesus, who was diagnosed with liver cancer.

We pray and declare that she be healed in the Mighty Name Of Jesus!

Feroz has decided against the chemotherapy which is the only medical treatment to the liver cancer. In addition to the chemo she would have to do a bone marrow transplant to be completely cured. This will include another series of chemo that will destroy her bone marrow and subsequently taking some from a sibling to replace hers.

Pastor Mckoy has called the church on a three days fasting commencing this Tues through to Thurs in order to seek God for her complete healing.

You are invited to join us as we unitedly pray for God’s miraculous intervention.

Thanks for your favourable response.

Yeshua saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 14:6

Hello prayer warriors.  I need your prayers for my nephew Joey and my sister in law Wanda.  We just learned that Joey had some masses removed from his head and the doctors are sending the biopsies to be tested to rule our any chronic systemic fibrosis or lymphoma.  My sister in law Wanda was diagnosed with Lupus a few years ago and she is having a difficult time.

Please stand with me in prayer and agreement that the masses that have been removed from Joey will remain removed and that they be cancer free in the mighty and gracious name of Jesus.  Please also pray that God releases Wanda from the disease of Lupus and that He heals and restores her life to her bringing her strength and peace.

Lord, I know You hold Joey and Wanda in the palm of Your hand and that they are precious in Your sight.  I know Your plans for them are to prosper them and that they have a healthy and fruitful life.  I know that the blood of Your Son, Jesus flows through Joey and Wanda and brings life, healing and restoration so in Your name we declare Joey and Wanda healed.  We bind the enemy and declare him powerless.  Father God, we loose the powers of heaven and call forth healing.  We declare all cysts be dissolved and that the Lupus be removed in Jesus mighty name, amen.

I found this on youtube and it spoke to my heart.  May it bless you as it blesses me.  God bless you and keep you, may His peace be upon you and may He be all you ever need in the precious name of Jesus, amen.

 

I received this from my friend Daniel, and while it is lengthy, it is well worth the time it takes to read.  Take care and may God bless you.

 

Our sisters in Jesus Christ Maryam and Marzieh, prisoners in Iran for their faith

Dear Friends,
This morning I was forwarded the following encouraging update from Philip Zodhiates, forwarded by Clay Sterrett, concerning our sisters in Jesus Christ in Iran, Maryam and Marzieh:
“In a dramatic session before the revolutionary court today in Tehran, Maryam Rustampoor (27) and Marzieh Amirizadeh (30) were told to recant their faith in Christ.

Though great pressure was put on them, both women declared that they would not deny their faith. Maryam and Marzieh were originally arrested on March 5, 2009 and have suffered greatly while in prison, suffering ill health, solitary confinement and interrogations for many hours while blindfolded.

On Saturday August 8, Maryam and Marzieh were summoned to appear in court on Sunday August 9 in order to hear a verdict on their case. The chief interrogator had recommended a verdict of ‘apostasy.’ However, when they arrived, no verdict was actually given. Instead, the court session focused on the deputy prosecutor, Mr. Haddad, questioning Maryam and Marzieh about their faith and telling them that they had to recant in both verbal and written form. This made it clear that in the eyes of the court, Maryam and Marzieh’s only crime is that they have converted to Christianity. 

Mr. Haddad, asked the two women if they were Christians. ‘We love Jesus,’ they replied. He repeated his question and they said, ‘Yes, we are Christians.’ Mr. Haddad then said, ‘You were Muslims and now you have become Christians.’ ‘We were born in Muslim families, but we were not Muslims,’ was their reply. Mr. Haddad’s questioning continued and he asked them if they regretted becoming Christians, to which they replied, ‘We have no regrets.’ Then he stated emphatically, ‘You should renounce your faith verbally and in written form.’ They stood firm and replied, ‘We will not deny our faith.’

During one tense moment in the questioning, Maryam and Marzieh made reference to their belief that God had convicted them through the Holy Spirit. Mr. Haddad told them, ‘It is impossible for God to speak with humans.’ Marzieh asked him in return, ‘Are you questioning whether God is Almighty?’ Mr. Haddad then replied, ‘you are not worthy for God to speak to you.’ Marzieh said, ‘It is God, and not you, who determines if I am worthy.’

Mr. Haddad told the women to return to prison and think about the options they were given and come back to him when they are ready (to comply). Maryam and Marzieh said, ‘We have already done our thinking.’
At the end of the session, Mr. Haddad told them that a judge will give them his verdict, though it is not clear who will be the judge in their case now. He also allowed Maryam and Marzieh to have a lawyer represent them in the case for the first time since their arrest.

Both women are back in Evin prison tonight. During their five-month ordeal, both have been unwell and have lost much weight. Marzieh is in pain due to an on-going problem with her spine, as well as an infected tooth and intense headaches. She desperately needs medical attention. Two months ago the prison officials told her the prison had proper medical equipment and that they will attend to her, but so far no proper treatment has been given.

Despite the concentrated effort of officials to pressure them into recanting their faith, Maryam and Marzieh love Jesus and they are determined to stand firm to the very end no matter whatever happens. They have demonstrated their love for Jesus and would offer their lives for Him if they were called to do so. After today’s court session they said, ‘If we come out of prison we want to do so with honor.’

Maryam and Marzieh’s case is a clear and harsh violation of human rights and religious liberty by Iran’s authorities. They deserve the support of all those who respect human rights and to be released without charges so they can pursue a life of freedom.”

Please keep these two precious saints, and all the saints living in Iran and the rest of the Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Communist nations in our daily prayers. Keep reminding your local church to pray for our persecuted brethren. We are one Body, the Body of Christ. If one member of the body suffers, the entire body suffers. Let us not “dwell at ease in Zion,” or “reign as kings,” while we have this brief privilege of living in a prosperous and free nation. Amos 6:1 and 1 Corinthians 4:8

Gratefully your servants in Jesus Christ, 

Court and Sandy Wood

court@injesusname.org

www.injesusname.org

How to Help

Court F. Wood – In Jesus’ Name Ministries

PO Box 1059, Bristol, VA

Phone: 276-644-1089

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