Friday Night Prayer

Hello,

I know you did not think I had forgotten you, did you???  Never.  Some of my readers did contact me, but said they were a little confused whether they should try to get in touch by Facebook or Twitter. The best way to contact me is to use the "comment" box at the end of each post . I am grateful for every one who takes the time to read what I write in "A Higher Place", but I would like to interact with you, and the only way to do that privately is to either e-mail me or post a comment. I really need to know what you think,  if I can help you with a particular subject , or what you would like to see in future postings on the blog. In the weeks to come there will be some contests and give aways and you will not be able to access those by Facebook. SO, please enter your comments at the end of the posts, rather than "liking" it on Face book.I  know its a little more work but please, pretty please, pretty pretty please?Thank you. LOL

Prayer- Precious Father , as we look at the end of this week , we thank You for all you have allowed us to do. Thank You for believing in us, giving us 7 more chances  and letting us make it through another week.You have kept us through dangers that we have seen and some of which we have been completely unaware. Thank You. As we prepare for worship this weekend, Father, help us  clear our hearts of any anger , bitterness and rage tht we may be carrying. Let us be forgiving and pure in heart because that is the only way we will be able to recognise You when You apppear in our lives. That is also the only way we will be able to see You when we leave this plane. Father , lead us and guide us so that we will not sin against you. and when we do stumble , help us to come quickly to You and confess so that we may be forgiven. Lord be comfort for those who are mourning, heal those who are sick , restore those who are in confusion and please extend Your Mercies to those who are traveling and to those who live alone. Bind the spirits that come against the lives of our children and youth. Please , be their Hope in this season where so many cannot see any Hope. We love You Lord and may we always live to bring Glory to Your Name . Amen

Be encouraged, Dr Norma

FaiTH or FailURE- Your Choice

31 Days of HOPE

      Hebrews 11:6  Without faith it is impossible to please G-d.

I watched the movie "The Rite" . In case you haven't seen it , this film is about a young seminary student who begins to question his faith in G-d because he does not believe satan exists. To cure him of his arrogance and faithlessness, his bishop  sent him  to understudy a seasoned exorcist. I won't bore you with narrating the events that unfold in the story , but in the end the student has to save his mentor by exorcising him and so the young priest's faith in G-d is restored and he has a respecful awareness of what the enemy can do if he is not confronted with faith.

Although this is a true story and both priests are alive and working to defeat the devil, I noted the theme of the film. In spite of the Hollywood special effects, The HOPE found in this drama is that without faith in G-d , evil will twist your thoughts, distort the Truth, and keep you from succeeding in anything good.

Prayer: Father , deliver us from evil. Amen

    Be HOPEful and be encouraged- Dr . Norma

What Does G-d Want From Me?

31 Days of HOPE

Micah 6:8 - He has shown thee ,O man what is good, and what does THE LORD require of thee , but to do justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy G-d. 

Good Morning!!!

Its Monday morning  and some treatment effects have caused  a week of not writing . However the good thing is , we are still in 31 Days of Hope and we will just make up the week by posting twice for this week !!!!

Some folks are still milling around wondering what G-d wants from them while oppurtunities for service to G-d are going unmet. Others are having long and emotional arguments and discussions about this. As I have said constantly , The Word of G-d is full of wisdom and encouragement. here the Prophet Micah lays it out very plainly as he says:

• 'to do justly"- this simply means to do the good and right thing no mattter what . We know what is the right and the good thing to do in  whatever situation we find ourselves.If its a choice between paying a bill and buying those killer shoes you just gotta have , pay the bill and avoid the sin of debt. (AHA! didn't know debt is a sin, did you?)
• "to love mercy"- mercy is love for others . People of G-d must be loving and willing to be motivated by love in all our relationships. This means forgiving , and being charitable in all our dealings with others. We must be willing to be merciful rather than demanding justice  for ourselves in every circumstance. look at the other person's situation and ask yourself what would you do if you were in his / her situation? Your answer may surprise you.
• "to walk humbly with your G-d"-walking humbly with your G-d means worship. Not the corporate worship we do in our churches and synagogues and temples, but the quiet worship in our hearts that lets G-d know that we hunger and thirst for Him day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute.

If we have learned the good and right thing and are choosing to do them,  if we are careful to be merciful to others universally, then our lives are in constant worship and  He will fill us to over flow with His grace, mercy, and we shall see His Presence in everything we encounter. ( Matt.5:1-8)

Prayer- Precious and Most Holy G-d, Our Father, help us to learn what it is You require of us and then to do it: cheerfully when we can , but above all to do it  faithfully until our faulty understanding kicks in and we  are obedient without question. Thank You ,Father for Your Patience with us . Amen

See you tonite!!! Be encouraged , Dr Norma

5 Signs You May Be Limping Into Your Destiny- Week 3

Okay, all the signs are pointing that you are just about there!!!! you can feel it!!! All right!!!!! the decision has been made , gonna do it, gotta  do it!!!!
"All right! All right!  I just gotta talk to somebody!! Let me just pray with some body . Am I sure this is what is right??? Let me call my . . . .
Wow, my mom has been in a meeting for the last 3 hours. My sister  is on a class trip with one of her kids. I can't even get my Pastor on the phone. Why is my best friend acting like suddenly he has no opinions about anything?  Where is everybody? I can't even find one of my haters. Here I am on the edge of a major decision in my life and there is no one to talk to . Why?????????????????"

I'll bet you have been here , haven't you? Right on the eve of a breakthrough and suddenly; SILENCE. No one to say anything good or anything bad.  Plenty of people up to now expressing their opinions and thoughts (whether you wanted them or not!) , about what you should or should not do , say , think, try , go , stay , lead , follow. Now , at the 11th hour- nada. And you never felt so lonely in all your life.

G-d has a way of silencing your influencers . While you' re on the way to your destiny , He wants the choice to be all yours. He wants to make sure you are counting the costs , and not living in someone else's reality. So ,very often, all those people who have been speaking into your life become unavailable to you because they have the power to influence your decision.

Jacob had loaded up his family and posessions and was on the road fleeing from Laban when Laban got the news. (  Gen. 31:22  ) Immediately , Laban  overtook Jacob in the mountains of Gilead. However, the night before , G-d had appeared to Laban in a dream and cautioned Laban to say nothing to Jacob, neither good nor bad. (Gen. 31:24)  Laban  asked Jacob why did he steal away, reminding Jacob that he, Laban had the power to kill Jacob (Gen.21:29)  Jacob replied (Gen31:31) that he thought Laban would take away his wives by force if Laban knew Jacob wanted to go.  Now ,that would certainly be a powerful influence to induce Jacob not to leave would n't it?  So powerful that it may have influenced Jacob right off the path to his destiny!!!!!!!
Share your experiences  here where you have found yourself very lonely , just when you thought you needed company the most. Post your experiences because your voice gives stregnth to someone else.

Please enjoy yourselves on this Fourth of July week-end. It is my prayer that  everyone will  have fun and stay safe. We live in a country where we are free to worship whenever and however we choose. Not all Christians have this freedom. G-d bless America!!! Be encouraged- Pastor Norma