Early Morning Prayer - A Yielding Planner

Hello Everyone,

I just have to share with you what happened this morning.  This morning at 3:40 AM my eyes were wide open.  I laid in bed about 5 minutes, waiting to possibly fall back to sleep.  But that was so not going to happen.  So I got up and started praying giving thanks to God for all of His goodness towards my family, my church and my friends.  It was such a great time of worship.  But, God knew that I was not yielding like I should to His will.

 The planner in  me, and my friends can testify to this, lends to a struggle in my yielding EVERYTHING to Him because I want to know the plan.  What is to come first, second and third so that "such and such" can happen.  One particular friend of mine has a hard time handling my planner mentality. But God is helping me.  He made me a planner for a reason.  There is something I am to do for the Kingdom of God and it will require me to help with making the plan for the purpose to be fulfilled.

So, back to the early morning prayer time.  I had to layout face down on the floor and cry out to God to forgive me for my selfishness and being self-centered, for wanting things to go my way.

Sidebar:  For clarity's sake, I have had desires for my life that I have been praying about for many years.  Like what, you ask?  God knows and I am leaving it at that.  But I know that God's plan will come first.  Jeremiah 29:11 goes right there.

"For I know the plans that I have for you," declares the Lord," plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Alright, back to the early morning prayer.  With what seemed like a down pour of tears raining from my eyes to the carpet I asked God to help me yield to His will.  Let me share something with you.  I, like many of you, have been praying that God's will be done and praying that I yield to Him. But praying to yield to His will means I can't move forward with my plans until His are completed.  (That would preach!)  Just like when you are existing off of a highway or interstate there is a big, yellow, triangle yield sign.  This means that if there are cars coming they have the right of way and you have to wait and let them go by before merging into traffic.  My will has to yield to God's will until His purpose for this season is fulfilled.  Then I can merge in my plans.  WOW!!!  What a revelation that is!!!

Is it scary to yield?  Yes!!!  Non planners please don't think planners aren't saved and don't trust God.  We just like (love) to plan things out to the last detail.  Planners please don't think non planners are lazy.  Some people just don't care for the planning process.  The non planners can help the planner to chill out and the planners can help the non planners get moving.  We all have a role to play in order to achieve God's divine purpose.  We need each other.

I hope this post has helped you but if not it sure helped me to write it.

So are you a planner or a non planner?  I would love to hear your story of how God is helping you in this area.

May God bless and keep you all!

Much Love,
Jamison (Your planning Sister)

When? (Sorry, became a long post.)

Happy Lunch Time,

It has been sometime since I have written to you.  I hope that all of you are doing well. I just wanted to jump on here quickly to share with you a thought.

Last night I watched a TV program about the struggles  some people are having after facing job loss.  One family truly touched my heart.  The husband lost his job and after that the wife was diagnosed with breast cancer.  His hurt, disappointment and discouragement was all over his face without him saying a word.  While watching him going through his  routines of making his kids lunches and taking them to school so that they could  have some normalcy, you could see the love he has for his family.  He said when he lost his job he lost his value to his family.  Heartbreaking to hear from a man who loves and needs his family so much.  

I am making this post not because of him but because of a comment his wife made.  She said, "I know we made vows.  In sickness, in health and we got the sickness.  For richer, for poorer and we got the poorer.  For better, for worse and we got the worse. When will we get the positive things."  Wow!  She did not talk to the host the rest of the show.  

How many times have we asked God when?  When Lord?  Well number, I don't know when.  I can say that I have asked that one word question many times over the years.  God does know when but it is hard because sometimes things seem to only get worse while waiting. We have to learn how to wait on Him and keep moving ahead.  Taking each day at a time.  

You may be saying, Jamison that is easier said than done.  But I assure you that it can be done. I have been there very recently.  

These are some of the things I did while going through nearly 3 years of struggle, disappointment and shame after loosing my job.

1.  Pray - Even when you are angry pray.  Even when your like this is my 40th time asking for this!  Pray anyway.

2. Cry - Let it out.  Job 16:20 talks about how Job poured out his tears to God. Crying does not mean you are weak.  When we are being broken for God's glory it is hard and it hurts.  Let the tears flow.

3. Read the Bible - Search the scriptures for God's promises.  When the time comes God's word will come back to you and you can pray His word to Him. ( Back to number 1.)

4. Journal or talk to someone. - Yes you are talking to God in prayer and you can talk to him throughout your day. It also helped me to have someone to talk to.  Out of my inner circle of 3 friends only 1 knew what was going on.  He held everything I said in confidence, let me talk and cry when I needed to and he fed me the necessary cupcake I occasionally needed. LOL!  If you don't have that one special person then write it down.  Write down every feeling thought and even your prayers.  WRITE IT!  This step is to help you get the words and questions out of your head.  

5. Disclaimer to number 4.- Watch your words.  Proverbs 18:21 tells us that life and death is in the power of the tongue so don't say something you don't want to see happen. 

6. Help and/or pray for other people.- The best way to get your mind off of yourself is to focus on someone else.  Pray for others even start a prayer journal or list of those you are praying for.  Help at your church or volunteer in the community.  This step also helps you to feel better about yourself and helps rebuild self esteem and confidence.  Plus seeing God answer your prayers for others is an encouragement to you that your answer is on the way.  

7.  BE GRATEFUL! - This is so important!!!  Be grateful that you are alive.  Be grateful that God has a plan for you.  Be grateful that Jesus Christ saved you.  Be grateful that God loves you. Be grateful that at this moment you have the technology to read this blog!  BE GRATEFUL!!!!  Right now just say, Lord I Thank You!  Lord I Love You.  

So how are things right now for me you ask.  So much better. Just on this past Monday I texted my mentor that I feel like myself again.  That my heart feels full of joy, love and peace.  Guys I have not felt like this in almost 3 years.  I was in a deep, deep pit but to God be the glory.

I hope this post has helped you.  Know that God loves you and so do I.

Much Love To You,

Jamison

June Memory Verse Is Up

Hello Everyone,

Okay! Today is June 1st and that means it is time for a new memory verse. This months verse come from Proverbs 13:12.

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."  

So many of us have hopes and desires that we are waiting on God to fulfill.  In our season of waiting we may feel heart sick, wondering if the things we have been praying about are going to become reality.  We cry and pray and cry some more and pray some more.

Take a look at the verse again.  "...but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."  It takes a long time to grow a tree!!!(preaching to myself right now.)  It doesn't grow over night or in the time it takes to pop a bag of popcorn in the microwave.  We cannot treat God like He is a microwave and our prayers are the food.  Think trees!!! They take a long time to grow but when they are full grown they are full of green leaves, provide shade and protection and most of all they stand years and years.

You see, when we heat food in the microwave and don't eat it quickly it gets cold, hard and nasty.  Why would we want microwaved blessings from God?  Trees my friends think about the tree that He has planted and is cultivating for you.

Make it a great day!

Jamison

National Day Of Prayer

Hello Everyone,

Did you know that today is the National Day of Pray here in the United States of America?  There are special events all focused on prayer happening around the country today.  Please take time to pray for our nation, our president and our armed forces.  They all need our prayers.  This is not a political post or blog so please don't think I am giving support to anyone in politics.  Prayer is important for us all!  We all need it including those in our government.  Pray for the citizens in our country who do not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior that their hearts will be touched and that they will see the light of Christ Jesus in us leading them to Him. Amen.

I am including the President's comments on the National Day of Prayer from the official National Day of Prayer website.  We may want to also visit it at www.nationaldayof prayer.org.

Be blessed is my prayer for each of you.

Much Love,
Jamison

From the President of the United States

2012 NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER PROCLAMATION

Prayer has always been a part of the American story, and today countless Americans rely on prayer for comfort, direction, and strength, praying not only for themselves, but for their communities, their country, and the world.

On this National Day of Prayer, we give thanks for our democracy that respects the beliefs and protects the religious freedom of all people to pray, worship, or abstain according to the dictates of their conscience. Let us pray for all the citizens of our great Nation, particularly those who are sick, mourning, or without hope, and ask God for the sustenance to meet the challenges we face as a Nation. May we embrace the responsibility we have to each other, and rely on the better angels of our nature in service to one another. Let us be humble in our convictions, and courageous in our virtue. Let us pray for those who are suffering around the world, and let us be open to opportunities to ease that suffering.

Let us also pay tribute to the men and women of our Armed Forces who have answered our country’s call to serve with honor in the pursuit of peace. Our grateful Nation is humbled by the sacrifices made to protect and defend our security and freedom. Let us pray for the continued strength and safety of our service members and their families. While we pause to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice defending liberty, let us remember and lend our voices to the principles for which they fought — unity, human dignity, and the pursuit of justice.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 3, 2012, as a National Day of Prayer. I invite all citizens of our Nation, as their own faith directs them, to join me in giving thanks for the many blessings we enjoy, and I call upon individuals of all faiths to pray for guidance, grace, and protection for our great Nation as we address the challenges of our time.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!

Hello Everyone,

I have missed you!  Special heartfelt thanks to Chaquita for holding things down.  I hope you all have enjoyed what she brings forth from the Word of God every Tuesday.  Maybe we should call them "Terrific Tuesday's"!

Anyway I have no excuse for not getting on here to share with you more often.  I am so sorry.

This site is for you.  So going forward we will have more information to share to hopefully be of help to you in your daily walk with Christ Jesus.  Please comment to this post and let us know how we can be of service to you.  Let us know what is on your heart and what would be of help to you.

To get the ball rolling here are some questions that you can answer in the comments section and we will do a post on that subject.

Question1:  How can we pray for you?
Question 2: What subjects would be helpful to you for us to post about?
Question 3: Where do you live? (We have readers from around the world!)
Question 4:  What do you like to do for fun?  (We want to know about you!)

Okay!  We now await your answers!!!

Be Blessed and Have A Great Weekend!

Jamison

Yes HE Can!!!

Good Morning Heirs of God!

So sorry I was unable to leave a prayer post on last week but please know that I carry you all in prayer, daily...One of the security guards came into my office and shared how a very close friend of his was in the hospital battling cancer. I come before you now asking that each of you will help me lift his friend, our sister in Christ, Renee, in prayer...

Heavenly Father, we come with a heart of gratitude and love. We thank you for waking us up this morning and blessing us to make it to our destinations. We are forever yours and we look to you for all of our help, guidance and protection. Lord, we humbly present ourselves to you on this day and asking that your will be done in our lives for your glory to be revealed in us. Father, we lift up our sister Renee who is battling cancer. Father, we believe that by your stripes she is healed in Jesus name. Father, we thank you for breathing life into her body. We thank you for the fight you have placed down on the inside of her. We thank you that she is more than a conqueror. So we say goodbye cancer, goodbye pain, and goodbye. Though they slay us, yet we will trust you. Father, we thank you for comforting Renee's heart and spirit and we thank you for giving her strength like wings of an eagle. Lord, minister to her now in the name of Jesus. Lord, bring peace to the mind. Remove fear. Remove doubt. Lord, help her to lay aside every weight in the name of Jesus. Do it, God...Do it, God! Father, we pray you provide strength and support to her family and friends. Help them to see that you are still in the blessing and miraculous business. Father, we love you so much because you first loved us. Lord, we thank you! Continue to fill us with your precious spirit so that our prayers, our praise, our worship will flow to you like streams and rivers, all the day long. Lord, we love you and adore you. In Jesus name, Amen!


Brothers and Sisters, please be mindful of others as you go about your daily lives and lift up a prayer for them as we never know what anyone is going through. Thanks for your support and may God's blessings be upon you.





Love always,



Chaquita

It's Praying Time

Good Morning, Saints!

On this past Sunday, an 89 year old faithful man of God preached from the pulpit and voiced "Stop Now, It's Praying Time"! Brothers and Sisters, I can not even begin to comment on how this statement has became so powerful in my life. We're only in our second week of the new year and already I've heard stories of people dealing with health issues, family loss, employment concerns, etc. It is praying time; probably pastime. Loved ones, I come this day to encourage each of you to remain in prayer. Pray when you're having a good day; Pray when you're having a bad day; Pray when you don't know how things are going to work out just pray...pray...pray! I believe God is still in control and we should not be consumed by this world but by the transforming of our minds...."

Heavenly Father, I come this morning with a sincere and grateful heart. Father, your grace and mercy are new to us every morning. Forgive us of any sins we might have committed. Forgive us from sins that we didn't know we committed. Continue to lead and guide us through our daily lives. Pierce our hearts to show and display love, even to the unlovable. Help us to be kind to all men. Help us to set aside our desires and set our minds upon you. Lord, we delight in you. Lord, we love you. Father, it is you that gives us life. It is you who knows our deepest thoughts and concerns and with this we know there will be no good thing you will withhold from us. We thank you for opened doors; we thank you for closed doors. Father, visit the ones who are in the hospital bed, fighting for their lives. Visit the homeless shelters. Visit the households. Visit the married couples, singles, divorced and widowed. Lord, we cry out for a visit from you. Lord, just do it. We are vessels ready to be sanctified and used by you. Father, get the glory out of our lives. Continue to help us to be mindful and discerning of spirits. Help us to wait with patience in all things and without grumbling or complaining. When times get hard, send your angels to comfort the broken hearted. Father, we know you are still in the blessing business and there is nothing to hard for you. Lord, we thank you that your word will not return back void. We thank you that you are ever omnipresent. We thank you that you've already destined us for greatness. So Lord we will endure hardness like a good soldier. Because in the end, we are certain that we will win. Thank you for your blood; thank you for taking my place on the cross; thank you for another chance. We love you Jesus; we love you with all of our hearts. We thank God and it is so, in Jesus name, Amen!





With much love and gratitude,



Chaquita

Prayer Requests

Greetings! I hope that each of you had a wonderful Christmas shared with family, friends and various loved ones. As we prepare to close out another year, let us be reminded of God's goodness, grace and mercy. Brothers and Sisters, I'm not sure of the type of year you might have had but glory be to God that we are still yet standing! We are still alive and well! We are still on the battlefield for our Lord Savior Jesus Christ!

I'm reaching out to you all and asking if there be any prayer requets or anything you're believing God for, in the new year, please feel free to contact me. Matthew 18:19 says "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven". So, let's make it happen!!!!!!!!

It's my prayer that God will continue to cover each and every one of you throughout this year. Love you all dearly!




God Bless,



Chaquita

Hands of Protection

Good Afternoon!

As I was going about my daily routine at work, I reflected on God's protection. Most of us do not realize how God's hands shield us from danger each and everyday. It's amazing how wonderful we can venture off to our various destinations and know that someone is covering us wherever we may go. The scripture II Corinthians 12:9 "And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

Grace enables you to endure hardship like a good soldier. No matter what hurdles  you face, no matter how many times you fail, GRACE allows you to stand! God's incredible grace is there to lift you up, revive the lost, heal the broken hearted, and to strengthen your weak will. It never spoils and it has no expiration date. HALLELUJAH!!!

Whatever you're facing on today, it is God's grace and His Hands of Protection that will guide you through. If I may, I would love to leave you with this prayer:

Father God, we come before you today to say Thank You for blessing us to make it through another day. Father, we love that you are ever so mindful of our thoughts and desires. Lord, I lift up each and every brother and sister that may be facing obstacles on today and call down your help to come and rescue your people. Lord, we thank you for your help. Lord, we bind each and every demonic spirit and satanic attacks that try to come against your people. Lord, you said, when the enemy comes in like a flood, you will lift up a standard. So we say Thank You! Thank you that your blood is covering us. Lord, we thank you for covering our minds! We thank you for covering our families, our friends, our household, our children and our communities. Lord we're glad that we serve a God that needs no appointments. God, we love you so much...we love you Father...we love you. Be blessed my sisters and brothers. In Jesus' name, Amen!


Love,


Chaquita:)

A Touch on Tuesday

Hello Everyone,

It is with great joy that I present to you "A Touch on Tuesday" and introduce Chaquita!  Chaquita is now apart of the Salty And Bright team and is a dear friend of mine.  Most importantly she is saved making us sisters in Christ Jesus.

Chaquita will be posting prayers, encouraging words and wisdom from the word of God on Tuesdays.  Also if you have any prayer request you can place them in the comments section and the Salty And Bright team will pray over them.  Please be mindful that others will be reading your prayer request so please use wisdom when writing them.  Now it is time for you to meet Chaquita!!!!

Hello to all of my brothers and sisters in Christ! God Bless You on today! It is with great pleasure that I  have this opportunity to seek God in prayer on your behalf.

I am a faithful believer that God will open doors that no man can shut. My main focus in life is helping, encouraging and witnessing to others who may feel distressed, depressed and about ready to give up, and help them realize how AWESOME and FAITHFUL our God can and will be, if we allow Him to be. I look forward to your prayers and praise reports. Trust God!!!

May you be blessed and highly favored in the Lord!

Love,

Chaquita