HOPE-SETTERS!

Hope----"My One Word" 2024.

By nature we are hope-setters—looking to someone or something to make things better and put things right. By our new-nature, however, we know “horses and chariots,”  cash reserves and government leaders, graceless religion and our best efforts cannot save us. Salvation rests on Jesus. Either Jesus is the Savior of the world, or we are helpless, hapless, and hopeless. (Scotty Smith, emphasis mine)

So on the 1st day of November, 2024, hubby and I were thrilled to affirm Christ's  tomb has never been more empty. His throne has never been more occupied. Our Lord Jesus Christ's return has never been more certain! 

How grateful we are as the sermon at Redeemer Church, PCA, in Sylva, NC reaffirmed our hope that morning as we continue to mourn the deaths of sweet God-fearing friends, Ellen and Dixie.

On our Father's love relying

Jesus ev-ry need supplying

Yes in living or in dying all must be well

Psalm 130 (From the Depths of Woe)

Thx to RUF Rev. Andrew Shank who encouraged us in the "Lord's Day Worship" to "Wait on the King", and Scotty Smith for the faith affirming words for all hope-setters, who are going to the polls today as we trust in the name of the Lord our God and delight in His will! 

May His will be done today for the sake of His people all over the USA!

MONDAY = PRAYERS FOR REVIVAL

Revival begins in the prayer room.

Prayer is a transformative divine privilege of the saints!  (Pace McKee)

Revival is truly when God's people return to God and humble themselves and pray allowing others to see Jesus in daily life.....yours. (2 Chronicles 7:14) May the Lord continue to revive saints again and again! (Psalm 71:20)

This week may others see Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27) ... in the family of Christ at First Evan and throughout the world!

REVIVAL!

REVIVAL! 

What does that mean? In the the Hebrew words, “chayah” and “michyah,” and the Greek words, “anathallo” and “anazao”  mean revival  "to live,"

“to live again,” and “to come to life.

What does that look like among many young Americans these days?Saturday football games give many glimpses of the one who brings revival in the hearts of college kids, who want to pass on the one who revives...... JESUS!. 

DON'T GIVE UP. TALK TO JESUS

LET'S BE REAL. WE ALL HURT. CALL OUT TO JESUS

ESPN EVERY SINGLE PERSON NEEDS JESUS

THE REALITY OF LIFE IS TROUBLE DON'T GIVE IN TO IT. JESUS OFFERS COMPASSION.....

DON'T GIVE UP. TALK TO JESUS

                                (Wherever you are)                            

PLEASE, I BEG YOU, GIVE YOUR LIFE TO JESUS BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!

Then we will not turn away from you; revive us and we will you and call upon your name. (Psalm 80:18)

Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? (Psalm 85:6)

REVIVAL seen on TV screens everywhere today!

May it be seen in hearts tomorrow!

REVIVAL!

Group name in my contacts says REVIVAL! 

To me it is descriptive of the group I pray with on certain Mondays each month.

Over 25 years of praying together. 

First we communicated via Ma Bell. Texting not an option. I was only a summer participant due to work committments.

Scripture has become the springboard of our prayers.

We are transparent with each other. What is prayed in the room, stays in the room.

Our goal---revival among God's people, the Church. Our church. Our city. Our country and beyond!

God's people, who are called by His name, humbling themselves to pray. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

REVIVAL begins there.....and it blesses my heart beyond measure!

PRAYER POSITION OF THE HEART!

Prayer is more than words.

Prayer is a position of the heart!

A position with depth.

Well said, John Bunyan.

Enough said!

WORDS MISCONSTRUED?

Words are often misconstrued. Misheard, especially when similar sounding.

Loath and Loathe---seem similar but adding one little E makes a BIG difference.

Loath--reluctant, unwilling (adj)

Loathe-- feel intense dislike or disgust for (verb)

I am the loath one. Loath to vote because I loathe the political ads, media interviews and tweets filled with so much hatred and insults. 

TV political ads----WORDS. WORDS. WORDS. $-$-$-$-$

Maybe I'm misconstruing their intentions. 

Maybe I'm misinterpreting their meanings.

Probably not. Votes are wanted. Their intention is winning.

After all, it's Super Tuesday in America. 

I, for one of many,  desire a "win" for our country. One nation under God.

I'm more interested in a candidate's character than his/her rhetoric.

My desire is for a President who can work and walk hallowed in a hollow land.

I am praying to that end......... 

hoping that my words are not misconstrued. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

CHOOSE: 3Rs

In choosing 3 Rs, I'm not talking about Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, though those Rs are crucial for the continuance of our environment. I'm not even talking about Readin', Ritin' and Rithmetic. Though education is certainly an important factor for many an individual's success in life, I'm talking about the need of our society as a whole.

We need to rise up and pray; for Repentance, for Revival, and for Renewal of basic moral fervor, tender hearts and an increased sense of caring within our communities.

Repentance--includes turning away from wicked ways (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Revival--revive hearts (Isaiah 57:15)

Renewal---renew a right spirit within (Psalm 51:10)

In a prideful culture that is all about self---self-satisfaction and instant-self gratification, the more folks who choose others over self will certainly bless our nation. An outward focus more than an inward focus certainly refreshes and restores folks around us.

WOW another calculation--repentance, revival and renewal of one's own heart = refreshment and restoration for others! A multiplication of sorts.

Not sure I will be able to attend "Prayer for Revival" group meeting at church next Monday; the beauty of the 3RS for prayer is one can choose it  at any place and anytime. 

Revival is God's arrival.........wherever we are!

CHOOSE: A MOMENT OF SILENCE

9/11/01

Once you realize what day it is you remember everything.

As I typed the date, I noticed the first 3 numbers, 911. How revealing to me that those three digits are our country's designated emergency number for our entire nation. Even more revealing to me,  was noticing 91101 as a joining and ending of the date. 101. At the college level, any class with a 101 designation is indicative of a beginning course. A course which lays out the foundation for a new field of study. To me, 9/11/01 was just that---an introduction to international terrorism on our own soil. An entirely new curriculum would need to be developed.

While pondering the depth of all of that, I turned on the news for a Hurricane Irma update

Our country was remembering 9/11 and  at 7:45 CST (8:45 EST) I saw everyone together observing a moment of silence. 

Many prayer positions were noted. Heads bowed. Eyes lifted. Tears streaming. Hands clasped. 

My mouth was mute but my heart was racing lifting prayers of comfort for families of victims and "healing" prayers for our country, even today---16 years later. 

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Corinthians 7:14)

Choosing a moment of silence in prayer for our nation and its people is a valuable way to begin one's day.

Nationali-TEA

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. 
(2 Chronicles 7:14, NLT)

Veterans Day has businesses across our nation thanking our vets with deals, discounts and freebies. 

For us, non-business owners, maybe taking time to thank the ones we know and pray for peace and a petition for God to heal our "free" land for which they fought and are still fighting would be appropriate.

A cuppa nationali-TEA served with prayers of uni-TEA for our divided nation seems a fitting way to honor each of them.

entrea-TEAs

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14, KJV)

The first Monday of the month is the day I meet with a small group of like-minded pray-ers in the prayer room at our church. Prayer for Revival is the official name of our cadre. Much of the prayer focus is for our church, our city and our nation. These prayers of people, called by His name, are more than just petitions. These earnest and humble prayers are for the healing of all the aforementioned communities.
Scripture passages are chosen for meditation. Psalm 9:1-10 was the morning's selection. Appropriately chosen because all of us wanted to "enter into His gates with praise," as "God inhabits the praises of His people." (Psalm 22:3) The first verse of Psalm 9 does just that.

Our heart felt prayers easily segue into prayers for each other and our families because this is a "safe place" to share the desires of our hearts.

What a privilege to continue in prayer throughout the day with entreaties for those with whom we have knelt (in our hearts) before His throne of grace.

A cuppa entrea-TEA that lasts throughout the day.

Inauguration 2013---A Meditation for the USA

Lost URL citation but I believe this is a getty image

1/21/13 Just hours ago President Barack Obama re-took the oath of office for President of the United States (publically) His wife Michelle held both Martin Luther King's Bible and Abraham Lincoln's Inauguration Bible as President Obama placed his hand atop them and swore to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Yesterday, He took this same oath with his hand on the Robinson family Bible. Joe Biden took his oath of office for vie-president with his hand on the Biden family Bible. Earlier today the Obama's attended services at St. John's Episcopal. I'm sure there are Bibles in the pews there as well. All of these Bibles would have 2 Chronicles 7:14. It's the verse I will pray today for our country, including a prayer for those 2 leaders to find that verse and use it for meditation as well.

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Seeking God in humility and prayer is worthy of meditation on this Inauguration Day.