God wants our Hearts

Joel 2: 12-13,
12 "Even now," declares the LORD,"return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." 13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

Psalms 51: 17,
The sacrifices of god are a broken Spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

I was reminded this morning that all God wants is my heart. I get so busy and consumed with what other people think that I forget that God's love is so pure that once I give him my heart all the rest will fall into place. I think we are fooled into believing that it is the busy activity of the day that the Lord wants or we would be more willing to come to him in a quiet heart to read his Word, pray and listen. We believe in this over achieving world that achieving is more important than being with him. This year let's work together to encourage heart growth. The heart of the matter is where it all takes place, our works, our offerings and all else is void if he doesn't have our hearts.

I would love to hear from you:
www.lisapricewarrior@yahoo.com

God will make the final call

This has been quite the day, even at 2:30pm, I think it may be time to go to bed. Sterling is in a Holiday Tournament, and they just played their #1 rival in the area and we were due for a win. They had played a tremendous game I was so proud of all of them. But in the last .04 seconds of the game Sterling was fouled and sent to the free throw line and these 2 shoots could tie the game and send them into overtime. Now he has the ball in his hands ready to shoot, EXCEPT at the line the other coach starts yelling the refs stop the game and reverse their call (there is something just really wrong with that!) and the game is lost. We all just stood there in shock as I mom I could feel Sterling's disappointment and anger, (he would have made those shots too I could see it in his eyes).
As I stood there in shock, I was thinking of the morning news and the bombings in Israel where children were running for their lives. I was thinking of the future of these boys and all they will have to face as they graduate and all of a sudden it was just a game. But to these boys it was cheating not fair and they were hurt. As I came home I sat down to do a late devotion and the Words of the Lord just seems to once again flow into my life at the right time, these words will be shared with Sterling when the time is right (now is NOT the time).

Daniel 7: 9-10 As I looked, "thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing coming out from before him. Thousands upon throusands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.

I am so glad that our lives are not in the hands of men. Man's calls will always be unfair and self seeking no matter how holy we are, we all have our bad days. But God's heart is so perfect. What peace we have in knowing that as God sits on his throne and the fate of man is decided it will be right, exact and holy. That is the joy we should be cheering for, that is the love we should be passionate about, life is more than just a game, it is about who is going to Heaven and Hell. May our hearts rejoice in the eternal life that is already won by Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. May our hearts rejoice in the salvation of our children and that life's unfair games may teach them to appreciate the holy righteousness of our God.


I would love to hear from you:
www.lisapricewarrior@yahoo.com

A Servant's Reponse - Mary

I thank God that I have a moment to be with you. I praise him for the season of hope and fulfillment of the Word. I am so grateful for the best gift of all my salvation, how can it even compare with anything this world has for us today.
As today is December 26, 2008 I reflect on a wonderful year, one that was full of sadness and celebration. I want to share with you one of my favorite verses in the Christmas story it challenges me every year as I wind up Christmas and look forward to a New Year.

Luke 1: 34-38, 34"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
35The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37For nothing is impossible with God."
38"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

How these verses speak to my heart. The thoughts that must have been going through Mary's heart and mind as this news was being given to her. I wonder what my answer would have been? I pray that my answer is, "Yes I am your servant". I am challenged to remain faithful in the midst of instructions that are not always easily understood, or explained. I pray that in faith my answer will be yes, and that this world will be given hope through Jesus Christ my Savior through my obedience to him. I am reminded that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD, so let's not be surprised with the requests that God makes on our lives this coming year, and know that with God all things are possible for those who call on his name.

I would love to hear from you:
www.lisapricewarrior@yahoo.com

Stand Firm

1 Corinthians 15:58
"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

We all need to be encouraged and I love the words that cheer us on, from the Word of God! As I read this verse I am taken back to a segment in "The Warrior Project", we have to be mentally tough and determined. I am continually challenged to stand strong in my commitment to the Lord and what he has called me to do. Nothing that is God is easy, unchallenged or without sacrifice. I want to say to you Stand Firm, commit to the battle over this generation and the next. You are a precious soldiers and God has equipped you with gifts, a personality and the life that is needed for such a time as this. As you move forward in this New Year may it be a year given fully to God one that perseveres and endures for the sake of the cross, in the victory of the resurrection! Blessings Lisa

I would love to hear from you:
www.lisapricewarrior@yahoo.com

Jesus is preparing a home for us!

Yesterday as I driving to finish my Christmas shopping I took advantage of some quiet time to pray and reflect. I was praying for a family friend that received devasting news, and in his words "is dying of cancer". He is 47 with two young children and a beautiful wife. How do I pray? How do I send them a email? As I reflected on this situation with the Lord, in his most amazing way he answered me John 14: 1-4, 1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going." How amazing and real our God is, he is always ready to speak if we are ready to listen. That verse was read to me like someone was reading it in church. Reminding me that God has a whole different perspective of this earth.

Prayer:
Father God, I pray for all of your children that are facing grim diagnosis especially this season. I ask that they will be fully alive in love with you. Father prepare all of our hearts to celebrate a new home that has been prepared for us. And to live this life as if every moment is our last.
Be Glorified in our anticipation of Heaven!

How excited our father is to have us all home with him someday! May God's peace, healing and love fill your homes. Blessings Lisa

I would love to hear from you:
www.lisapricewarrior@yahoo.com

Shine your light

Yesterday I received a text message from one of the youth I work with on Wednesdays. I was touched by the request and the heart that it was sent with, so many today over look the heart and commitment of the youth. I encourage you to believe God will use this next generation for his glory and to pray for them and for this boy, that I will refer to as K.

TEXT:
"Lisa I meant to have you pray for this boy his name is K. today he really made me sad. I asked him if he went to church he said no I said why he said I don't like it I was like do you believe in God he said no. I asked him to start praying he said no and I said Jesus is crying he said ok. It just made me really sad and made me think about shine on and I knew his light wasn't on.

Matthew 5: 14-16, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

I would love to hear from you:
www.lisapricewarrior@yahoo.com

Cheering for God

Sterling (18 yr old) and I have a ritual before his basketball games during the national athem we pray. I look at him and his eyes are closed or I open my eyes and see him looking at me with a quick wink. As I pray I ask for safety for all the boys and think, that in a year or a few short years these boys will be men and what will their lives be like? I wonder if they will fight in a war, support a family and will they love the Lord? Then I think, God what if every person in this gym cheered for you like they cheer for these high school boys during the game? What would this community be like? What would this high school be like? Can we even imagine what a real revival in this town would bring? So as I cheer during the game (most of the time), I say "God I cheer for you also, for your love, forgiveness and the gift of my boys." So as I go to church on Sunday I am challenged to cheer God on! To worship him in his full glory as I do the overtime shot to win the game, (especially when it is my son! even though that may be a bit over the edge!) PRAISE YOU GOD! YOU GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Psalms 57: 9-11, I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

I would love to hear from you:
www.lisapricewarrior@yahoo.com

Be Encouraged!

Hebrews 6: 9-12,
Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case-things that accompany salvation. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

The commentary in my Bible sums this up so well: "It's easy to get discouraged, thinking that God has forgotten us. But God is never unjust. He never forgets or overlooks our hard work for him. Presently you may not be receiving rewards and acclaim, but God knows your efforts of love and ministry. Let God's love for you and his intimate knowledge of your service for him bolster you as you face disappointment and rejection here on earth." Life Application NIV

Dear Jesus we are so unworthy of this kind of love. Thank you for a love that knew no limits. A love that did not quit when pain and disappointment came. I pray for us as brothers and sisters in Christ that you will fill us with endurance, hope, faith and love to fulfill the purposes and callings that you have for each of our lives. I pray that we will glorify your name knowing that what is unseen is sometimes the biggest victory of all. I love you Jesus. Amen.

I would love to hear from you:
www.lisapricewarrior@yahoo.com

Peace

Have you ever had one of those months where you just catch your breathe and then something else happens. Like: mom in hospital, girlfriend wrecked my car, your son knocked out his two front teeth, your car was broken into, and there are the normal financial, child stresses that come along every month etc. You know the months! Well that was mine and in the midst of it there were some days that I was just going to have to be committed, I mean mentally! Then Valerie our prayer coordinator for Speaking Thru Me Ministries sent me a email that closed with this verse.

Micah 7:7, But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.

Thank you God for your Word it breathes life and hope into the world no matter what is going on in our lives. I began saying it this way, "But for me I will wait on the LORD, I will not panic because he hears me." This was and is the verse of the month in the Price house. All I needed to be reminded of day in and day out was that He hears me and just because of that I can have hope and the patience to wait on him.

Peace, Hope and Love without you LORD I would not make it in this world! Be patient, be hopeful and continue to remember he hears you. Be encouraged today. Love to all of you Lisa








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www.lisapricewarrior@yahoo.com

The HOW of the Great Commission

This past Sunday we were challenged by our pastor as a church to pray for the next 10 days about HOW God wanted us to live out Acts 1: 8, But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnessess in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. I have been really challenged by this thought not only the HOW but how do we as a society define this HOW? How have I trained my children to understand this commission? So I talked with the youth about this thought last night.


My thought is: Do we define the HOW today in society by just going to church on Sunday? Have we raised our children to believe that this is the great commission? Go to church, say your prayers and know John 3: 16.
I mean think about it, do we claim it as a HOW? Because we can then go to work or school and say "I went to church on Sunday" somehow believing that this is a life fulfilling statement that is suppose to change their lives and leaves us filling empty after a few weeks.


We discussed what is going to church? How has this misconception birthed itself into our lives? Is going to church a HOW for them or is it a time to worship, grow and become discipled so we can then go out and do the HOW?

HOW is God asking you and equipping you to go out into your community, neighborhood, work place and school?


The challenge is so exciting because in Matthew 28:18, we are told that our Jesus has all authority. So no person, place or thing is out of his realm of HOW!! Now that is living! I want to hear from you, and I want to hear from my kids on Wednesday, HOW is God equipping you and calling you to live out his complete authority in this world. Like I told my awesome youth on Wednesday, Joshua 10:13 tells us the sun stood still for a day by the hand of God through the prayer of man, I can't imagine what he wants to do to enable us to win the battle that we are called to fight. HE IS AWESOME! I LOVE HIM AND YOU ALL SO! How for know Lisa

SECURITY

Psalms 63: 6-8

On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

I was having a conversation with Sterling my oldest son the other day. We were discussing his future concerning college and I asked him, "What is the most imporantant priority for you concering your future?" His answer was "security". He wants to know he can get a good job, provide for his future family and not worry about tomorrow. As I sat there I knew that alot of this was coming from all that we had went through financially when he was younger. He had watched his dad and I loose everything and during this time his life was also drastically changed. Even though this event in our lives made us all stronger and better, he knew that it was not something that he wanted to go through ever again. His goal was to make sure that he went to a good school to get a good degree so his life would be secure. The only thing is, there is NO SECURITY IN THIS WORLD, outside of JESUS. So we talked about this and what it meant concerning our faith, our walk with the Lord and how we pray.

We all have this desire in our hearts, to be safe, stable and secure the desire is not a sin but where we go to fill that desire is the test. Will we go to Jesus? Do we understand that it is in the unseen God that we will find our ultimate security. As the storms come, we see that we really have no control. Even as people run from the storms of Katrina and Ike they find that there are tornados and floods in other places. We must stop running from the fear and take it to the alter at the feet of the Lord. This message is one for my heart to the heart of my son. Sterling find your security in Jesus and his peace will guide your days. Love you all Lisa