Prayer on Earth Blog http://prayeronearth.com/blog/index.php en-us CuteNews <![CDATA[In His Presence]]> http://prayeronearth.com/blog/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1204687065&archive= “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” - Psalm 16:11 (KJV)

There are some couples who have been married for a long time and they are very happy. I have heard many women say that their husbands are their best friends and that they laugh a lot. Years ago, I had a pastor who would call his wife up to the pulpit at least once a month, sometimes more often, put his arms around her and tell her that he loved her.

Then he would thank her for all of her encouragement and support through the thirty exciting and wonderful years that they had been married. He told her how much he appreciated her help in the ministry that God had called him to do. He would smile at her with tenderness and hug her and kiss her. Oh, that we would have more marriages like this dear pastor and his wife. Needless to say, there were a lot of men in that congregation who began to show more appreciation for their wives because my pastor had set the example.

One time after my pastor had called his wife up to the pulpit and told his wife how much he loved and appreciated her, several people got up from their seats and started walking down the aisle to the altar. Ten people gave their hearts to Jesus on that Sunday. Four couples renewed their commitments to Jesus and to each other.

My pastor did not preach that morning. He said that the Holy Spirit had taken over the service. Thank God for marriages that are filled with love, joy and laughter. However, as happy as they may be, the Bible tells us that there is only one way to have fulness of joy and that is in the presence of Jesus.

I have a lot of dear friends that are very special to me. One of my prayer partners lives in Canada. She never fails to send me a cheerful and encouraging email every day. I’ve never had the privilege to meet her but I love her like a sister. However, as happy as I am to hear from her and from my other friends, it is only in the presence of Jesus that I have the fulness of joy.

When I go to bed at night, no matter how frustrating the day may have been or how many heartaches and burdens I have, I start laughing out loud because I am in His presence and I have the fulness of joy. I have received several emails from people who have said “You are usually very happy. Don’t you ever have any problems?” Of course I have problems, concerns, burdens and heartaches just as you do, but I know that Jesus loves me and that knowledge plus being in His presence fills me with a joy, a peace and a happiness that is impossible to express in words.

If you want to have joy, peace, contentment, excitement and happiness in your heart, spend time in the presence of Jesus. It is only as we spend time in His presence that our hearts overflow with joy, peace and happiness. There is a song that I love by Daniel W. Whittle. It is called “There Shall Be Showers of Blessing”. The words to this song have always been a blessing to me. These precious words have touched my heart countless times and been an encouragement to me.

“There shall be showers of blessing: This is the promise of love; There shall be seasons refreshing, Sent from the Savior above.” Only Jesus can refresh a heart that is weary. Only Jesus can fill our hearts to overflowing with joy, peace and happiness as we stay in His presence. Are you staying in the presence of Jesus and allowing Him to fill your heart with joy, peace and happiness?]]> 1204687065 Tue, 04 Mar 2008 22:17:45 -0500 <![CDATA[What is Your Name?]]> http://prayeronearth.com/blog/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1180817351&archive= "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." - Matthew 24:6–8 (KJV)
I have been thinking about our brave men and women who are risking their lives to protect our country. The thought came to me “I wonder when they have to shoot someone if they say to themselves “I’ve never met you. What is your name”? It is no wonder at all that they have nightmares for years because of all they have seen and because of what they had to do because they were given the order to shoot. They have seen tragedies and horrors that we can’t even begin to imagine. The only one who completely understands is Jesus because He also endured horrors beyond description.

I heard someone on television many years ago who was interviewing a veteran who still had nightmares say “It’s time you get on with your life. Stop living in the past”. The one who conducted the interview did not have compassion for the veteran. It is impossible to get on with your life without the help of Jesus. Only Jesus can take the horrors and nightmares that devastate us and turn us into emotional cripples from us. Only He can deposit His tender, unconditional love and His soothing salve of compassion and understanding into a heart that has been shattered.

We also have veterans in the service of Jesus. There are pastors who have been in service for Jesus for many years and they have been ridiculed, criticized and treated in a way that brings disgrace to Jesus. Our pastors are in a battle against satan for our souls. They have an awesome responsibility because they will have to give an account for the people they shepherd. We need to be praying for our pastors and families daily. We especially need to pray for our pastor’s spouses and we should thank God for the daily sacrifices of unconditional love they make in allowing our pastors to spend so much time with us. Do you know your pastor’s first name? If not, you need to find out because God is not impressed with titles. To our Heavenly Father, our pastors are just little children who need extra encouragement and love.

The greatest veteran that ever lived is the Lord Jesus Christ. He endured struggles, battles and heartaches that none of us will ever be able to comprehend with our human minds. His heart was broken time and time again as people constantly hurt Him with their cruel words and with their hatred by rejecting Him. Sad to say and the tragic thing is that He is still being hurt by cruel and hateful things said about Him and by people rejecting Him. For some of you He has been knocking on your heart’s door for years. Please don’t keep rejecting Him and hurting Him! Open your heart to the one who gave His life for you so that you may know real happiness, real joy and a lasting peace.]]> 1180817351 Sat, 02 Jun 2007 16:49:11 -0400 <![CDATA[A New Heart]]> http://prayeronearth.com/blog/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1177220219&archive= "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statues, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." - Ezekiel 36:26-27 (KJV)
For those of you who have not heard, there were thirty two people killed by a gunman a couple of days ago. My first reaction was shock. Then my heart turned to the families and friends of the victims. I felt just a little of the horror and agony they must be feeling. I wondered if they had told the ones that were shot how much they loved them. Had they hugged them and kissed them goodbye when they left home? Did they share things and laugh together? Had they just had a birthday party for someone or was their birthday the next day? Had they planned to go to the mall later in the day? Were they planning their vacation trip? Were they happy families or did they have fear and unhappiness in their homes?

We live as if we have forever. None of us are promised even another minute. So in the short time that we are here we must be about the Master’s business. We need to take all of the bitterness, hurt, resentment, anger, jealousy and criticism that is poisoning our hearts and give it to Jesus. Unless and until we allow Jesus to give us a compassionate and loving heart for our families, loved ones, and the world, we will be guilty of pulling the trigger of hate, shooting them in their hearts and crippling or killing them emotionally. It is no wonder at all that so many people have poor self images. It is because they are constantly being told they will never accomplish anything, that they are fat, stupid and ugly.

It is heartbreaking what happened to these dear people who were shot, yet every day children are shot by parents with poisonous barbs of criticism that lodge deep in their hearts and leave a permanent scar. Children say disrespectful and hateful things to their parents. Spouses make angry accusations to one another in the heat of an argument. Our hearts become cold with indifference toward one another. It takes the restoring power of Jesus to take all this garbage from our hearts and once again make our hearts tender so that we can love others with unconditional love. Loving others is not an option; it is a commandment.

Have you allowed Jesus to take away your cold and hardened heart and replace it with a heart of unconditional love for others? Unless you first love Jesus and desire to make Him happy, you will never be able to effectively love your families and loved ones to Jesus. If your heart is full of things that hurt Jesus, ask Him to forgive you and warm your heart with compassion, tenderness, forgiveness, and unconditional love. Fall in love with Jesus and you will have a joy and happiness that you have never known.]]> 1177220219 Sun, 22 Apr 2007 01:36:59 -0400 <![CDATA[Prayer on Earth]]> http://prayeronearth.com/blog/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1176739679&archive= feedback@prayeronearth.com.

Once again, thank you to all our visitors.]]> 1176739679 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 12:07:59 -0400 <![CDATA[It's Too Late]]> http://prayeronearth.com/blog/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1168013296&archive= "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." -Hebrews 9:27 (KJV)
I recently saw a family program and it showed them having a memorial service for someone who had died. The son of the man who died said “I never told my dad that I loved him and now it’s too late”. This man’s heart was breaking and he wept. Never assume that people know you love them. Tell them that you love them before it is too late!

I think it’s difficult for a lot of people to say “I love you” because they fear rejection. The tragic part of it is that in some people’s minds when someone says “I love you”, they automatically assume the person is talking about sex. I believe with all my heart when you love someone then you will do your very best to make him or her happy.

A friend of mine told me that she told someone she loved him and he replied “Two way street”. She told me that it broke her heart because he didn’t say “I love you” to her. Have we erected such a huge barrier in our hearts to keep from getting hurt that we are reluctant to accept love and kindness when it is offered to us? I urge you to tell your loved ones and friends that you love them before it is too late. We long to have people tell us they love us but they also long to have us tell them that we love them.

Have you told Jesus you love Him today? Have you thanked Him for caring for you when it seems nobody else does? The greater our love for Jesus; the greater our service to Him will be. Have you given Him all your heart or are you holding something back?]]> 1168013296 Fri, 05 Jan 2007 11:08:16 -0500 <![CDATA[What Is It?]]> http://prayeronearth.com/blog/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1166827881&archive= "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." - Matthew 2:11 (KJV)
"What’s in that big package under the Christmas tree?" Imagine how they would feel when they unwrapped the package and saw a beautiful card which said “I forgive you for everything you have ever done to me”. What a wonderful gift of love that would be for your loved ones and friends! That is exactly what God did when He sent His beloved Son to be born and die for us. He forgave us for everything we have ever done to Him.

If Jesus looked in your heart on Christmas morning, would He find things to make Him happy, or would there be things that make Him sad? Would He find forgiveness, understanding, compassion, gentleness and love for your loved ones and friends? Would He hear you say to someone “Please forgive me. I didn’t mean to hurt you”?

I wonder what would happen if we didn’t turn on the television on Christmas and gave all of our time to our loved ones. I believe we would have a family reunion filled with joy, love, and happiness that we have never experienced before. What if we started the day by singing Happy Birthday to Jesus and then spent all day telling each other how loving and forgiving He has been to us? What a gift of love to give to Jesus on His birthday!

What are you giving Jesus for His birthday? Are you giving Him your love, time, talents and gratitude? What will Jesus find when He unwraps your heart on Christmas Day? Will He find forgiveness or unforgiveness in your heart on His birthday?]]> 1166827881 Fri, 22 Dec 2006 17:51:21 -0500 <![CDATA[Window of Freedom]]> http://prayeronearth.com/blog/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1166063222&archive= "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." - John 8:36 (KJV)
As I was looking out my window, this verse came to my mind. There are times when it feels like we are trapped behind locked doors of doubts, fears and suicidal thoughts. I’ve had people email me that they don’t think there is any reason to keep living. I used to feel the same way when I was going through all those years of doubts, crippling depression and suicidal thoughts. However, I found a reason to live and His name is Jesus!

There is nothing that we endure that Jesus didn’t face Himself. He was constantly criticized, ridiculed, mocked and rejected. The people who claimed to be His friends deserted Him when He needed them the most. Even today we claim to be His friends, yet we neglect to tell others of His Love. There are times when we are sarcastic and cruel to our family, loved ones and friends. How this must hurt Jesus!

Jesus offers us freedom from the locked doors in our hearts. He shed His own blood so that we may be set free once and for all from the bondage of sin and satan. When I gave my heart to Jesus, He set me free from the past sins and mistakes of my life. He took my old hardened and doubting heart and replaced it with a new heart, a heart filled with His Love.

If today you feel trapped behind locked doors in your heart, invite Jesus to be your personal Saviour. He will set you free and you will experience a peace, joy, happiness and freedom that you have never known. When Jesus sets us free, we are free indeed and nothing or nobody can imprison us again.]]> 1166063222 Wed, 13 Dec 2006 21:27:02 -0500 <![CDATA[Expansion of the Site]]> http://prayeronearth.com/blog/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1165084034&archive=
We would like to say thank you to those who have contributed to the site thus far. Through your prayers, positive differences in lives have been made that have allowed individuals to come closer to God. Please continue to contribute so that others can feel the power of prayer in their lives.

We will be expanding this website in the next couple of months to include some new features, including a:
Gift Shop
We will be offering an assortment of small gifts that can be given to others (or kept for yourself, we won't tell anyone) for any reason. Our gift shop will feature handmade bookmarks and jewely, including handmade bracelets, necklaces, earrings and rings.

Discussion Forum
Our discussion forum will promote positive conversations between individuals from around the world. We hope to build a community where people can come to for spiritual guidance in a time of need.

Expanded Blog
We would like to thank Joanne Lowe for her wonderful contributions thus far to the blog, and we look forward to her future articles. At the same time, are looking to expand our blog with more authors and a wider variety of topics. Please email us at feedback@prayeronearth.com if you would be interested in helping.
We hope that you are looking forward to these additions as much as we are! Once again, thank you for your continued support. God bless!]]> 1165084034 Sat, 02 Dec 2006 13:27:14 -0500 <![CDATA[Thank You]]> http://prayeronearth.com/blog/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1164319328&archive= "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place." - 2 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV)
As we gather with family and friends today to celebrate Thanksgiving, let us not forget to thank God for all He has done for us and continues to do for us every day. The greatest thing He has ever done for us was sending His only Son to die a sacrificial and agonizing death on the cross so that we may have our sins forgiven and be assured of a home in Heaven for eternity.

Father, thank You for all the lonely and heartbreaking hours that you spent while Your Son was away from You on the mission that You gave to Him. Thank You that one day You looked down and saw our desperate need of a Saviour and You opened Your heart to us. Thank You for the cleansing atoning blood of Jesus. Thank You for loving us so much. Thank You for sending Your Son to walk with us through the heartaches, horror, agony and pain of our lives.

Jesus, thank You for loving us unconditionally. Thank You for Your protection and guidance. Thank You for Your compassion, tenderness, understanding, and forgiveness. Thank You for being with us through the long and seemingly endless night hours when our hearts are breaking. Thank You that when it is impossible for us to take another step, You pick us up in Your compassionate arms and carry us.

You are so wonderful, Jesus. I love You so much and appreciate all You have done for me. You Loved me when nobody else did. You put Your arms of understanding around me and lifted me from the horrors of devastating depression into a life filled with love, hope, joy and peace. Thank You from the bottom of my heart for being my best friend and for being my personal Saviour. Worthy is the Lamb of God! All hail King Jesus! Praise the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! You are so loving, kind, compassionate, tender, forgiving, understanding and You Love me. I don’t deserve Your Love, but how I thank You for it!

If today you can’t think of anything for which you are thankful, then you don’t know the love of Jesus. Have you said yes to Jesus and invited Him into your heart to be your Saviour? He is waiting for you with open arms. Run into His loving arms even as you read this devotional. You will experience a joy, peace, contentment and happiness that you have never known. ]]> 1164319328 Thu, 23 Nov 2006 17:02:08 -0500 <![CDATA[God's Support System]]> http://prayeronearth.com/blog/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1163903999&archive= "And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." - Acts 2:44 (KJV)
I have been eating in the same restaurant ever since it opened and the lady who waits on me is very friendly and smiles a lot. Yesterday, she wasn’t smiling so I knew something was wrong. I asked her if she was okay and she replied “My mother has colon cancer and she is only fifty eight years old. The doctor has said that she can go anytime”.

I gave her my phone number and told her that I would bring her one of my CD’s with inspirational writings the next time I came. There is another lady who works there that I have known for a long time and we are friends. Her son has cancer also. I shared with my friend about this other lady’s mother and she said she would go talk to her as soon as possible.

When people are hurting it is very important that someone who understands how they are feeling ministers to them immediately. The lady was sad and depressed about her mother. She needed someone to talk to who would not judge or criticize her for being discouraged. She needed someone to comfort her with the love of Jesus. If we would comfort and encourage each other as Jesus has told us to do, we would have a support system that the world has never seen. Sometimes we need to take medicine, but we always need hugs, understanding and encouragement.]]> 1163903999 Sat, 18 Nov 2006 21:39:59 -0500