God is in control

7/22/15

- God is in control. We have to trust His wisdom and His goodness.

- Ephesians 3:20 says, "God is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of, infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts or hopes." (LB) 

- Prayer can do whatever God can do.

- It's encouraging to know that things that are out of my control are not out of God's. I may not be able to change a situation but I can pray and God can change it.

(Rick Warren Daily Devotion)

S: “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy—a place where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart.”

2 Chronicles 7:14, 16 NLT

http://bible.com/116/2ch.7.14,16.nlt

“Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.”

Romans 8:5-8 NLT

http://bible.com/116/rom.8.5-8.nlt

“I love you, LORD; you are my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.”

Psalms 18:1-2 NLT

http://bible.com/116/psa.18.1-2.nlt

O: I feel great because God is in control and I have trusted him above all. However, I'm not doing so good realizing the actions I need to take to make this come to past. That's why trusting is also in his wisdom and goodness that this will turn out for his good. God knows me. He knows me in ways I will never know myself. He will provide and give me more than I ask as long as I ask. It's all about prayer! I love how these devotions are setting me up for the next part of my life. Today and next week end summer prayer than we kick off 21 days of prayer!!!! How exciting!!!! I see a 7 or 14 day fast during that time as well. It's beyond my wildest dreams that what is out of my control, God has control over. I may have not been able to succeed in marriage but I can pray that I will succeed in the will of God.

A: I already know God hears me and his anger is furious for what he hears. However, I am his and I am called. If I humble myself and truly and fully pray, seek his face and turn from my wicked ways I will be forgiven and restored!!!! I am the temple of the living God!!!! He has chosen this temple and consecrated it to him (come on somebody!!!!)  to be holy. This place will honor his name forever. He will always watch over me for I am dear to his heart. 

P: God you are my god!!!! I will forever praise you!!!! I will seek you in the morning and learn to walk in your ways and step by step you'll lead me. Thank you for your sovereignty father. We have all sinned, yet there are those that are dominated by sin and therefore are clouded by there sinful nature. Oh, but woo to the sinners who are controlled by the Holy Spirit!!!! Allowing my sins to control me will lead to death, BUT allowing the Spirit to take control will lead to long life and peace. He has always been hostile to God due to his sinful nature and the laws of God we're not obeyed and they never will. As long as he is under the control of his sinful nature, he will never please God. I love you Lord! And I lift my voice. To worship you oh my soul, rejoice! Take it all my king, it's what I can give. Let it be a sweet sweet sound to your ear. Once again I decree, you are my strength when I am weak. You are the treasure that I seek. You are my all in all!!!! My rock, my fortress, my deliverer, strong tower, my savior, my protection, my shield. I am your and you are mine and his banner over me is love. I pray this all in the mighty and powerful name of Jesus, amen.

A Dream

7/8/15

- When God wants to work in your life, he'll always gives you a dream - about yourself, about what he wants you to do, about how he's going to use your life to impact the world.

     - God gave Noah the dream of building an ark. God gave Abraham the dream of being the father of a great nation. God gave Nehemiah the dream of building the wall around Jerusalem. 

- if a dream comes from God, it will be so big in your life that you can't do it on your own.

- If your dream is something that the Bible speaks against, it's not from God.

- God starts with a dream as he builds faith in you.

(Rick Warren Daily Devotion)

- God, "by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of - infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes." (Ephesians 3:20 LB) 

S: I preached first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that all must repent of their sins and turn to God—and prove they have changed by the good things they do. Some Jews arrested me in the Temple for preaching this, and they tried to kill me. But God has protected me right up to this present time so I can testify to everyone, from the least to the greatest. I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would happen— that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God’s light to Jews and Gentiles alike.” (Acts of the Apostles 26:20-23 NLT)

O: I have known since I was 14 that I was to open a center and since I was 15 or 16 that I wanted to be a psychologist.  Although in 2012 I discovered my gift in speaking, I have been speaking in different arenas most of my life. My dream of directing a center, being a psychologist and a professional speaker are all dreams God has birthed within me.  It's through these avenues I will impact the world. What perfect timing for this reminder. Not only does God give dreams as he did with Noah, Abraham and Nehemiah for example, the dreams were completed on his timing. It took 40 years or so to build the ark. Abraham was already at an old age when he became a father to Isaac. My time isn't over. My current circumstances may make me feel as if it's over but no matter what, God is working through me. 

A: Just as a musician or athlete spends hours on there craft to perfect there talents, likewise to a speaker. If I am not consistently polishing my craft, people will notice and I will forget what I have learned, ergo 24 um's in a minute. I cannot become a director, psychologist or even a professional speaker on my own, these are too big a dream to not have God guide me and the Bible is for it! Just like Noah, Abraham and Nehemiah, God is building my faith to accomplish his dream. 

P: Lord it is by your mighty power at work within me. Molding my character and transforming my mind to change my system to do far more than what I imagine through my dreams. Or what I could ever dare to ask or even dream of - infinitely beyond my highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes. You have given me a story to tell and through my story many will turn to you. Many will also turn against me but you have always protected your anointed. You have always cared for those who have dreamed dreams according to your will. From the least to the greatest I will share nothing but the testimony you have birthed within me to speak to the nations. I pray this all in the powerful name of Jesus, amen.

God Speaks

7/3/15

- value relationships and make every effort to maintain them instead of discarding them whenever there is a rift, a hurt or a conflict.

- our ability to get along with others is a mark of spiritual maturity

- you must learn to be a peacemaker. Jesus said, "God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God." (Matthew 5:9 NLT) 

- "Blessed are those who work for peace" - those who actively seek to resolve conflict.

(Rick Warren Daily Devotion)

- Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. (Philippians 2:1-2 NLT)

S: Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since. Even so, the LORD was very angry with Judah because of all the wicked things Manasseh had done to provoke him. (2 Kings 23:25-26 NLT)

“Then he told me, ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak. For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard. What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.’ (Acts of the Apostles 22:14-16 NLT)

O: I am hurt and feel unloved. It's unfair that I have to be the game changer in this situation. Yet God commands us to value relationships despite of how we feel. It's not about what was done to me, it's about my spiritual growth, my maturity. I am disrespecting him and speaking down to him. I'm sure it could be justified but what does that prove, I can use my words to hurt because I'm hurt. My actions scream I'm disgusted with you. I agree with Melissa I do need a different perspective, I need Christ perspective and he says to be a peacemaker. I may not be at peace with the decision but I can be at peace with John. Peace is not given, it's not automatic. I must work for it and push through what may seem uncomfortable. I can, I will, I must actively pursue peace and seek to resolve conflict.

A: I keep asking for encouragement in this time. Christ is my encouragement. His love comforts me. I fellowship daily in his spirit. Therefore, I must have a tender heart and be compassionate. Not only did I become a mother, my relationship with God has changed me and I am not that angry woman anymore, I've been changed, and the change is good! Jesus is happy when I work for peace in resolving conflict by being wholeheartedly in agreement with each other, loving each other and working together with one mind toward one purpose.

P: My child, there is no else I have created like you and there will never ever be another as uniquely designed as you. You are strong and kind, beautiful and passionate. Loyalty is key. Yet you disappointed me in how you allow the enemy to provoke you. You have first hand seen my power work through you and know I love you beloved. Why have you not clanged to what I have told. Instead you do your own thing. I have chosen you Elizabeth Bernice Ellsworth. I have set you apart from all others to bring to victory nobleman to their spiritual estate. I have chosen you to know my will, to know my way and hear me speak through you. You are my spokeswoman telling everyone what you have experienced and how I brought you out of it. What are you waiting for child. You have been baptized, you have been anointed. Everything is within you. Call upon the name of the Lord and be saved.

Thoughts

7/1/15

- you are responsible for the thoughts you choose to hold on to and go over and over in your mind. This is an area of irresponsibility.

- Whatever you put into your mind is inevitably going to come out in your behavior and your beliefs. It weakens you and it weakens your values because you've become accustomed to it. 

(Rick Warren Daily Devotion)

S: Then the Assyrian king’s chief of staff told them to give this message to Hezekiah: “This is what the great king of Assyria says: What are you trusting in that makes you so confident? Do you think that mere words can substitute for military skill and strength? Who are you counting on, that you have rebelled against me? On Egypt? If you lean on Egypt, it will be like a reed that splinters beneath your weight and pierces your hand. Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, is completely unreliable! “But perhaps you will say to me, ‘We are trusting in the LORD our God!’ But isn’t he the one who was insulted by Hezekiah? Didn’t Hezekiah tear down his shrines and altars and make everyone in Judah and Jerusalem worship only at the altar here in Jerusalem? (2 Kings 18:19-22 NLT)

This is what the king says: Don’t let Hezekiah deceive you. He will never be able to rescue you from my power. Don’t let him fool you into trusting in the LORD by saying, ‘The LORD will surely rescue us. This city will never fall into the hands of the Assyrian king!’ (2 Kings 18:29-30)

Then I will arrange to take you to another land like this one—a land of grain and new wine, bread and vineyards, olive groves and honey. Choose life instead of death! “Don’t listen to Hezekiah when he tries to mislead you by saying, ‘The LORD will rescue us!’

What god of any nation has ever been able to save its people from my power? So what makes you think that the LORD can rescue Jerusalem from me?” (2 Kings 18:29-30, 32, 35 NLT)

When King Hezekiah heard their report, he tore his clothes and put on burlap and went into the Temple of the LORD.

the prophet replied, “Say to your master, ‘This is what the LORD says: Do not be disturbed by this blasphemous speech against me from the Assyrian king’s messengers. Listen! I myself will move against him, and the king will receive a message that he is needed at home. So he will return to his land, where I will have him killed with a sword.’” (2 Kings 19:1, 6-7 NLT)

Now, O LORD our God, rescue us from his power; then all the kingdoms of the earth will know that you alone, O LORD, are God.” Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent this message to Hezekiah: “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I have heard your prayer about King Sennacherib of Assyria. (2 Kings 19:19-20 NLT)

O: As a believer we are responsible for what we allow to wallow in our minds. Just as in GIUY, our thoughts become our decisions. Our decisions becomes our actions and our actions have results. Allowing our mind to ponder on bad things and in a victim mindset we become irresponsible. Not only does our thoughts become actions, but whatever we repeatedly think becomes our behavior and beliefs. If we have a victim mindset or a negative mindset it weakens who we are, our values. In Psalms it says so a man thinks, so is he. It's easy to get caught up in our thoughts. Just look at the story of Hezekiah. The Assyrian king confronts the people and questions there confidence. He questions God and challenges who they are. He even uses God to convince them that God sent him after he insults Hezekiah. King Sennacherib tried his best to get into there heads and change there thoughts. He was really convincing and proud. He said what other gods allowed there nation to overtake us? None. Don't be deceived by your God. Wow, he even goes to lengths and says choose life, what Hezekiah is saying is death. When this message from King Sennacherib reached Hezekiah he tore his clothes and prayed. As Hezekiah heard from God through the prophet Isaiah, God said, don't believe this blasphemous speech. So not be disturbed in your thinking, listen, I got you. I will move on your behalf and I will have him killed. Hezekiah cries out, oh Lord, rescue us from his power. Not for me, but to show the nations you alone are God!!!! And God heard Hezekiah's prayer!

A: My thoughts have tried to deceive me just as King Sennacherib tried to deceive the people. My faith has been challenged. Don't play the "God card" Liz. Compromise the will of God for mans ego Liz. Who do you think you are Liz? You are still a slave to your sin. Oh your trusting God? Well isn't your marriage apart of his will for you? Is being a wife not apart of your gift and calling? Your deceiving yourself Liz. Why would you do this to your daughter. What type of mother are you? God won't rescue you from the power of the wind. Don't be a fool and trust someone will rescue you. What makes you think God will save you from the power of love? What makes you think God can rescue you from love? He is love. It was then that I felt beat and called on the name of the Lord through prayer and fasting. God said don't be deceived, don't be disturbed. Don't lose hope. Be bold and courageous. Stick to what I have called you to do. Continue to seek after my will. I will move him. He will return to his mothers home and u will take car of him. 

P: Oh sovereign God! I know that you are listening! Hear my hearts cry. Strengthen me in these last days. May I gravitate toward your will and not the Devils schemes. I know the power of persuasion and manipulation. But you know the plans you have toward me oh God!!!! May I prosper! My hope is in you. Wrote my future. Rescue me from his power. Than all will know that you alone oh husband daddy are God. From my lips to your ears in Jesus name, amen.